Unsolicited Letter

Choose your destination! ---ALASKA/IDITAROD RELATED--- Official Page of the Iditarod Sled Dog Central Dogsled.com Mush With Pride Organization Tracks of Alaska: Alaska Photography AlaskaCam/Travel Health & Science article re dog death in '97 Husky Homestead Tours Wapiti--Iditarod Bound Everything Husky Siberian Husky & Vet. Links-very comprehensive MUSH! An Iditarod unit-Great! Origin of Aurora Borelis --SIBERIAN/SLED DOG LINKS/KENNELS-- Mysticstar Siberians North Wapiti Kennels Sienna Run Siberians Siberian Husky Links-over 200 --IDITAROD SITES-- Iditarod Related Books Sunhusky’s Iditarod Links & Teacher Resources Dog House Bookshelf Iditarod: Fact and Fiction Supporting the Iditarod Helping a Musher to the Iditarod --WOLF/PERSONAL SITES-- The Wolf and Child Eagle Spirit/Totem Poetry and Wisdom From the Soul Poetry/Songs of the Soul Teacher’s Bookshelf Education Pages If Wishes Were Horses... Alzheimers: My Caretaker's Story Wolf Song's Den Native American Circle Sand Creek/Last of Dogmen Lesson Plan

Since the first race in 1973, I have been a fan and supporter of the Iditarod and sled dog sports in general. Also, I have been a military working dog handler and kennelmaster and understand the working dog environment very well. Several years ago, I met a very extraordinary lady who, as a veterinarian, has been a trail vet on many races (including the Iditarod) for the past 6 or 7 years. Dr. Caroline Griffitts, DVM, is also the president of the ISDVMA and works so very hard to ensure that only the best care is given to the athletes on the trails. I have helped her begin a new web site at http://www.isdvma.org that you may want to take a look at.

Having been on the trail with her, I have seen the special bond that the mushers have with their animals and I have also seen the high level of cooperation and understanding between the veterinarians and the mushers that ensures the best care and monitoring of the canine athletes before, during, and after the races.

During the last several years, we have also adopted several of these wonderful Alaskan Husky athletes (including a 12 year old who is the veteran of 7 Iditarods), and have experienced the wonderful social and loving nature they bring with them. Their unconditional love, understanding, and trust create a rare bond with a human counterpart in a great relationship that must be experienced first hand to fully understand.

The misinformed and completely inexperienced commentary provided by the likes of Joe Saraceno and Margery Glickman (and others) causes me a great deal of concern due to the emotional nature of the controversy that they spread. Many unknowing people would have the tendency to "jump on the bandwagon" because of this and not be open to the true nature of sled dog sports, mushers, and the veterinary care involved. Your website is a wonderful source of information and reflects a great deal of the positive aspects of mushing. Keep up the good work!!

In closing, again thank you so very much for your time and effort in support of sled dog sports.

You also have my permission to use this letter in the positive support of mushing and mushing events.

Sincerely,

Jim Sanford
Loveland, CO