General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Iditarod Musher Dramatically Revives Fallen Dog [View all]janx
(24,128 posts)human beings abuse other animals. That's a given. What I will insist is that most of the people involved in the Iditarod have devoted their lives to their dogs. There are people living at 30 or 40 below with no electricity and no running water because they spend their money making sure their dogs are well taken care of, healthy, and happy. They spend days and nights out in the wilderness bonding with their dogs and years doing the grueling work that it takes to maintain a kennel.
I got a chance to meet some of these people and to spend some days with them, and I can honestly say that I have never, never seen a more beautiful relationship between human beings and another animal. When they are out on the trail, the dogs and humans literally depend on one another for survival. That in itself is one reason that claims of regular dog abuse regarding the Iditarod are ludicrous. Yes, there are some people who are unprepared to enter the race, and yes, every once in awhile (a decade or more?) you'll have someone go crazy on the trail, but that's rare, primarily because people like that are ostracized by the mushing community. These dogs are like gods to the mushers, and if any abuse occurs, look out.
Long distance dog mushing is a subculture, one in which everyone seems to know everyone else, at least, say, in the top 20 or 30 finishers of the Iditarod. If a team or a member of a team gets into trouble on the trail, the team behind it will stop to help, even if it costs a second or third place title.
Again, I suggest you go see it. Get in touch with a musher or two and ask if you may visit them before the race, etc. If you offer to help, you might even get a handler armband that lets you get behind the scenes.