Sled Dog Watchdog: Yukon Quest 'Young Musher'

1) sorry to say this ( I am a quest fan ) I have helped with the quest,and seen the dogs close up and a lot
of those dogs SHOULD NOT be running in that race.I have seen dogs sick,wont eat (because of the
stress),shivering cold with staw and blankets on them,feet cut to heck, dogs get lose from the team and I
have talked to a musher who said his dog should be shot.......but since he is not aloud he pulled her out
of the race and sold her.Why does this happen? I belive that there are musher who say that their dogs
have more miles on them than they really do.I dont mean to be rude but it is what I have seen.I belive
that the big racses such as the Quest are great races and I prefer them over sprint racing,I have also been
a Quest fan for many years, but when I see a stuff like I mentioned I ask myself........is the care first? Or
is it the speed and hopes to win, that puts these dogs at risk?I belive that dogs should not be out in the
cold when they cant even, keep their body temp,high enough with the help of straw and blankets.I hope
that I have not cause upset feelings amoung yous, I have never seen the Idarod in person, but have seen
some of their dogs as well, BUT on a good note there is a lot of care and some great mushers and dogs
out there,Happy trials to those that are there for the dogs sake,and best of luck this coming winter ( only
3 months till we get snow)

2) Sorry to say (yes I could be wrong) I don't know much about sprint races ,but do have friends in that
line of racing, and I always hear about more dog deaths in distance mushin,is this because it is let to the
public more? I dont know, but we do hear more about it, and I have talked with many muhers about this
and they feel the same. But if I am wrong, sorry about this. I also know many distance mushers as well,
with almost every one agreeing.