Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

Re: [RC] Sled Dogs and Endurance riders - Kristene Smuts

I remember a number of years ago, I saw an interview with Susan Butcher (?) 
in which she credited her then recent win to taking the puppies into the 
house and socializing them>>


Steph, this is waaaayyyy OT, so let us know when we overstep, OK?  In defense, 
this is sorta endurance related, just dogs, not horses ;-)))

Well, the one book on Joe Redington, generally known as the Father of the 
Iditarod, it tells of Susan arriving in a Volkswagon Beetle on Joe's doorstep.  
She steps out, greets him, and with his customary friendliness tells her that 
she can set up in the bottom part of the property with her dog.  She looked at 
him and then out popped not only one dog, but I think 10!!!  Imagine carting 10 
dogs around in a VW Beetle!


I wonder if the concept of "winning through relationship" didn't set the 
stage for vet checks and other innovations for the benefit of the dogs.>>


I think it did.  Also, many more mushers credited this to their successes on 
the trail.  Those who treated their dogs like machines, didn't do so well.

The whole idea of tethering the dogs outside to their kennels must also be seen 
in context.  They can't afford to have dogs running around fighting the whole 
time or dogs covering bitches at every opportunity.  Being outside is where the 
dogs are most comfortable because of their coats - they deal better with the 
cold than the heat.  Their season is middle of winter because the dogs couldn't 
run 10 steps in even a very mild summer (if you can call just above freezing, 
"summer" ;-)) ).  I do agree about the length of the tether - or shortness, 
rather - that should be regulated.  Also, remember that some of these mushers 
have 2 or more teams, which makes in the region of 30-45 dogs!  I love dogs, 
but I can't see myself living with that many in my house!

Kristene
South Africa ........ where our coldest winter day has been 12 deg. C!


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-