General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Iditarod Musher Dramatically Revives Fallen Dog [View all]janx
(24,128 posts)It's not justification. Well cared for, healthy dogs do up and die on occasion. These 1,070 + dogs come from a variety of backgrounds, age ranges, circumstances, and genetic dispositions. Remember, these aren't purebred dogs. It's impossible to say, for example, that an Alaskan husky is prone to a certain amount of hip dysplasia probability or bloat. They're mutts with varying degrees of northern dog bred in.
They're going to be trotting across very rugged terrain, eating, camping out with the mushers, sleeping, interacting with people, for 14 or more days and nights. 1,070 + dogs. Think about it.
If you are coming from a place where you are breeding purebred dogs for people's pets (and I have a weim sleeping on the futon next to me now), I can understand your alarm, but this situation is entirely different.