"Most important is that you are out there with your 12, 16, 20 best friends—the dogs." ~Susan Butcher
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| Wade Marrs and Ashley Perry Photo credit Kim Perry |
Iditarod 2018.
Before the Opening Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod I was rushing. As I was hopping out of the shower, I received a surprise video call. I could NOT miss this as it was from my friend Kim Perry, who was at the Opening Ceremonies with her family supporting Wade and other friends. I met my favorite musher, Wade Marrs for a brief second and saw the ceremonial start via facebook chat live in a towel, oh yes in a towel, who can say that? Thank goodness you could pretty much just see my wet head and not the towel. I am so thankful to my friend Kim, it was so exciting to feel like I was actually there, the energy was amazing.
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| "Perry" Musher Wade Marrs' dog named after his friends, the Perry family Photo credit Ashley Perry |
A Little Iditarod History
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| Grandpa Seavy and Ashley Perry Photo credit Kim Perry |
In 1925, a daring sled dog relay through Alaska in the middle of winter delivered life-saving medicine to the citizens in Nome. Children were dying from diphtheria. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is to commemorate this event.
Joe Redington organized the long-distance Iditarod Race. He wanted to save the sled dog culture and Alaskan huskies, which were being phased out of existence due to the introduction of snowmobiles in Alaska. He also wanted to ensure the preservation of the historical Iditarod Trail between Seward and Nome. Dorothy Page became the editor of an Iditarod Annual. She opened the world’s eyes to the Iditarod.
It seems that politics, and various people who are against the Iditarod or are corrupt are tarnishing what this race was intended to be. I believe this year’s race, more than any other, Joe Reddington's mission for this event and Susan Butcher's quote, "you are out there with your best friends", needs to be celebrated and held close at heart.
If you happen to know me, or ask any of my friends you would know that I am a huge animal lover. It takes me 1/2 hour to prepare my dog and cat's food. I cry if I see a hair harmed on any animal. I am a softie.
I practice positive training and feel it is our responsibility to be the voice for the animals that cannot speak for themselves. I believe in every aspect of life there are those that value life as precious. There are sadly those that do no respect that life as precious. I will be the first to call someone out on the latter.
I have been to an dog obedience trial and witnessed first hand a woman scruff and scold a dog, call it stupid, cover their cage up as a punishment when a dog missed a sit in a competition ring. This, is my eyes is cruel. My partner who I teach dog training with, have shirts that say, "Happiness does not come from points and Q's(denoting qualifying runs), but from playing the game with the dog you love". Having FUN with your best friend is what it's all about!
I believe this should be true in all aspects of life. We need to enjoy the adventure, not just keep our eye on the prize.
In every sport and everything in life there are going to be cruel, unethical people. It is a sad fact. However, I believe that you should not persecute the obedience trials, but the individual who makes poor judgment, just as you shouldn't persecute a pen for writing evil words. I believe, you should, of course report abuse, and try to stop it at all costs. However don't protest or persecute the sport of those who truly love the adventure with their dogs.
I believe Mother Theresa conveys a message. She said, "I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.” Let's celebrate the good and give that our energy! I hope we can remember Joe Redintion's vision, and celebrate the sled dog.
These dogs were bred to run. They enjoy it, they live for it. Labs were bred to be in the field all day. Humans created these breeds. In working with dogs, I see huskies and labs that are not able to do what they were bred to do and they find sometimes naughty, destructive ways to release that energy that was bred into them. They want to be active, they need to run and do what they were institutionally meant to do. Watch a dog in front of sled and tell me you can't see them smiling and howling with glee.
If anyone in the race is abusing this privilege, shame on them, just as shame on those who don't enjoy the game of agility, or any dog sport and are just in it to win, and scold the dog for trying. I believe that anyone who abuses the precious life of any animal should be punished, but let us not punish all for the deed of one.
I have followed this sport for some time now. The more I know about these mushers, from interviews and friends that have been to the kennels, the more I know the majority of these people love their dogs as family. I see them actually cooking for them. They are not just dumping dry dog food into a dish. They enjoy the time spent with their dogs, being one with nature and their best friends.
This year they are going back to the true form of an adventure. Planes were unable to reach Eagle Island as a scheduled checkpoint to pick up food due to weather. Musher's must carry more and go slower to accommodate weight and weather. No more groomed trails, back to nature and the basics.
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| Ashley Perry drawing Wade Marr's bib number at Musher's banquet |
So many mushers use their platforms to get their message of well deserved causes out in the community. Wade Marrs, an ethical,admirable musher, has gone above and beyond to help his friend Ashley Perry, who is affected by this syndrome,share the message of Turner's Syndrome awareness. Ashley Perry is a true hero in every sense of the word.Find out more about Ashley and her Shelter Reading program go to :
http://furryphilosophy.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-true-hero-making-difference.html
This year, Scott Jansen,"Mushing Moritcian" , is declaring it his last year to race. He wants to spend time spreading the word of the importance of keeping the race alive and help it to grow. Hugh Neff promotes literacy and the importance of learning and can be seen in the Cat in the Hat's red and white striped hat.
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| Ashely Perry with musher Aily Zirkle Photo credit Kim Perry |
Most mushers appreciate the real things in life, the true solitude of being one with your team in the great outdoors. I have never seen such love in one's eyes as you can see in Aily Zirkle's for her dogs. In this year's race, Aily stated at a check point, that her dogs were healthy and well, but lacked "zip". She stayed upbeat and happy, saying, "I am not going to rally them up for 9 days straight, and nag them. That doesn't sound fun to me. So we decided to do what we do. We'll place where we place, we'll get to Nome and we'll have a party.
Jessie Royer, who came in with fifth last year, with all 16 healthy dogs, can't wait to be away from the commotion and craves being on the trail alone with her dogs or at home riding her horse in solitude. For her also it is about the experience.
Who will win this year's Iditarod? At the time of this article, is yet to be seen. In my eyes, everyone that treats their dogs with love and respect are winners. Those that exude the message of determination and becoming one with nature, are also winners.
Cheers and Race on!
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| Ceremonial Start Iditarod 2018 Photo credit Kim Perry |
To help support Wade Marrs and bringing awareness to Turner's Syndrome you can go to:
http://stumpjumpinkennel.com/support-sjk/
To help support the Iditarod and keep the dream alive and see footage from the race, GPS tracker , Ceremonial Start, Finish and more go to Iditarod Insider http://iditarod.com/subscriptions/ There is so much money needed to keep this race alive. They need to pay veterinarians to assure the safety of all dogs, pay for plane transportation to drop food off at different locations throughout the race. Little things add up and it costs over a few million dollars in operating costs to keep it running.
Read more Iditarod articles and other furry philosophy's messages at furryphilosphy.blogspot.com
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