I have been reading about ExxonMobil withdrawing its support from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 2021. What a shame.
Many years ago, back in the mid-1970s, I lived in the small community of Knik, and was the next-door-neighbor to Joe and Vi Redington and their several hundred sled dogs. My husband and I bought a Siberian puppy from the Redingtons, and I can tell you, the only thing on that little dog’s mind was running. After about a year, we realized — since we both had to work for a living — that we did not have the time to devote to training our baby to be a sled dog. We gave her to a family who “mushed” and saw her happy pulling a sled and running with her team.
My point is this: These Alaska breeds love to run. It is not punishing or harmful to them. One has only to stand at the finish line in Nome to realize that the dogs will yes, need a snack and a nap, then they are ready and willing to go again. It’s the mushers who are worn out!
Too bad ExxonMobil has caved to the unreasonable folks at PETA. Sad to see a fine tradition going away like this, and Alaskans having to submit and bow to an outfit who should not have a say in our traditions. The truth is plain: It no more harms a dog bred to work and race than it does a racehorse. It’s a sport that should be not only allowed, but encouraged to thrive. Shame on PETA, and shame on the rest of the people who want us to believe other things that simply aren’t true.
— Sherry Pinckley
Ninilchik
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