Iditarod Musher Dramatically Revives Fallen Dog

[jsmirman]

124. I don't suspect

that abuse is a regular thing - that's never been my worry. My worry is if there is even a quotient of abuse that is a by product of the race, that's something I can't be okay with.

As I asked in a post to you above, what does happen to the dogs bred to be sled dogs who just aren't very good sled dogs? That is an aspect that concerns me. What are the protections around breeding and kennel operations, and how do you prevent a situation where any sort of contraction equals unwanted dogs and tragedies like Whistler? I'm not saying there aren't good answers to these questions, I'd just like to hear them.

I understand what you mean about the bond between man and animal - I have formed many strong bonds with animals, and my bond with my animal is just something that, well, there could not be a closer bond between two creatures. He is literally like an extension of myself.

I'm open to the idea that there is a positive culture around the race, and what you describe is how it should be in all competitions where there is danger - a classic example is any sailing competition - if saving a fellow competitor isn't more important than the competition, than the competition is meaningless. That doesn't stop me from being concerned that the event's past still sounds like too many deaths to me, and from being hopeful that steps are regularly taken to make the event more safe and less likely to be lethal.

If progress continues to be made in that direction, which it seems there has been, I would think there would come a time when I would like to see it. Probably not yet, though, which I don't expect you to agree with, but I hope you can understand.