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Young Musher
2002 dog mushing forum postings by 'Young Musher'
[Un-edited version/as originally posted]
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.