Changing the world with a camera, words, art, and Christ! Come join in on the adventure!
Dogs of the 2019 Iditarod
It is a common belief amongst those who do not know the Iditarod well enough, that the mushing dogs are abused. I wish to prove you wrong through my writing and photography. 🙂
If you’ve heard that the dog’s paws get cut, bruises, torn apart (etc), you can lay your worries to rest! The mushers make sure that each of their dogs are wearing botties, that keep the pads warm and protected. Also, these dogs aren’t running over sharp terrain; mostly snow or else the musher’s sled wouldn’t be able to stand the ride either. 🙂 The dog’s paws are continually checked and massaged and sometimes even bathed to assure they are comfortable and well taken care of.
“The dogs are forced to run!” If you have watched, or been to, the Iditarod, you’ll know that these dogs are BARKING like crazy!! You can barely keep them FROM running! In fact, it is the people who hold the dogs who are forced to run!
Some media has said, “The dogs are starving for attention.” Well, this is just not true! The mushers get so attached to their dogs, that if one very gets hurt or dies, they are heart broken and say that “…it’s just not the same if you don’t cross the line with all the dogs.” The mushers know all their dog’s names, even if their is over fifty; and before the race, they take time to whisper to and let each dog. At the check-points, the dogs are massaged until they are sleepy! All of the mushers and dogs are extrealmy attached— that includes mouth-to-mouth licking! And we all know, an animal will do whatever they can to make you pet them more, right?
The mushers never push their dogs, letting them run at their own pace and resting if that is what is needed. A few years ago, on guy was coming in first; but his dogs were just not able to keep up the past, so he didn’t push them…settling in for third. Their dogs are MUCH more important than the race. A lot of the mushers just do the race for the beauty of Alaska and the thrill of the solitude and bonding with the dogs.
Most people are used to seeing 20 pounds over weight house dogs. Mushing dogs are just very fit, just as Olympic athletes are; and the dogs are purposely bred small so they can run faster. A lot of them are also bred with greyhound, which are actually very thin dogs.
Now that we have those out of the way, shall we just enjoy a few pictures of these gloriously happy dogs? 😀
This mushing team chose green bibs for their team ‘decor’ this year.
Adorable colors are breed!
Love it when I tip the camera on an angle; the picture has more action in it.
Panting from excitement and frustration at being held still; the very thought!
Dog breath in the cold
LET US RUN! LET US RUN! LET US RUN!
Adorable eyes for his musher. The lead dog (s) are often bond most closely with the musher, and he/she with them.
Little muscle girl The look on his face… Yessss paparazzi!
I would highly recommend this documentary on the history of the Iditarod. I watched it this week, and the stories behind are very interesting! Be ready to have tissues and a table to slam your fist on;
“Life’s a journey and an adventure, make memories from it.” ~Grace Tiberend
Hey reader, welcome to my photography and writting spot!
At sixteen years old, I’m a freelance photographer, writer, poet, novelist and dancer (including baton, figure skating and ballet.)
I’m so in love with the outdoors, especially the mountains of Alaska, where I currently live when not traveling with a pencil, paper and camera.
You can find me playing sports of all kinds; reading avidly in a tree or amongst pillows eating anything that contains PB and chocolate, and the camera forever around my neck.
Jesus is my PASSION, more than I’m crazy about history, and He’s the true author of all my writings, as you’ll soon find out! Sharing Christ’s light with the world EVERY SECOND is my life mission!
I enjoy creating, so if you need someone to create:
-business cards, t-shirts, logos (business merchandise)
-edit your photos and videos
-writing protects & reviews
And other projects, you can visit my profile, or hire me on Upwork.com. @Grace T.
Also find me on BoredPanda.com @Grace Tiberend
I hope you enjoy my blogs of photography tips, photo shoots, stories, poems with a background, how to edit using photo apps —and much more! I can’t wait to share them all with you!
Grace Tiberend 💜
View all posts by My Life as a Photographer
37 thoughts on “Dogs of the 2019 Iditarod”
They are great, i never had a dog, but they look very friendly, great shots, as a picture lover i can say i loved them, i always was thinking wrong about it before i read your post, i think this kind of thinking came from the movies, not from reality, thank you for explaining the truth🤗
If it was cruel, then we wouldn’t do it. Dogs love to run! However, of course there are going to be people who abuse the subject like in any other activity. Very interesting! Thank you for the photographs, very lovely shots. Good job! http://kittyjadeblog.com
Haha, yes! One year, a musher was accused of doing so and was fined and forbidden to race for two years. If there was actual abuse happening, there is no way Alaska would be allowing this huge race to happen!
They are great, i never had a dog, but they look very friendly, great shots, as a picture lover i can say i loved them, i always was thinking wrong about it before i read your post, i think this kind of thinking came from the movies, not from reality, thank you for explaining the truth🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful and informative post, Grace! And the pics are awesome! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!! 😁♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun post!
LikeLike
If it was cruel, then we wouldn’t do it. Dogs love to run! However, of course there are going to be people who abuse the subject like in any other activity. Very interesting! Thank you for the photographs, very lovely shots. Good job!
http://kittyjadeblog.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, soo right! These dogs, man, they are so hiped about being bale to run and pull!!
Of course they do, lol.
Thank you so much! God bless 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome 🕊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Art of Life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, wow, thank you sis! 😁♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not that you need it….😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe 😂😂🤪
LikeLike
Wonderful photos and thanks for all the information you shared.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome, thank you!!
God bless ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved all the pics. I have seen the booties they use, very well made and warm. And it’s true, those dogs just love to run, it’s what they do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful coverage and awesome images!!
Vital info for those still living in the ice age. ( ice age Ha )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much!
😂😂 so true!! It is an ice age 😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, this is so neat!! I’ve heard to this before! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, so have I! And I just Halle ed to be ‘lucky enough’ to finally move here and see it for myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh, great post! That is very interesting. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, I find it very interesting and neat as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁 did you add more to your username?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I changed it! I added “@ AFL”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Which is a …?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ariana’s Flying Life, (AFL).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haa, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures and information!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😁🙌🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d imagine there’s some pretty steep fines if a musher did abuse his dogs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yes! One year, a musher was accused of doing so and was fined and forbidden to race for two years. If there was actual abuse happening, there is no way Alaska would be allowing this huge race to happen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One thing people don’t realize either is that these dogs LOVE to run! They love what they do.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, they really do! My own two labs, who simply just pull a bike or us on rollerblades just as much… and that’s just when they see the harnesses!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Last year, for my birthday, we went dog sledding up in Leadville, CO. it’s nothing like the Ididarod, but it was still a ton of fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh awesome! I’ve always wanted to try out dogsledding! Was it cold out?
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG, we were frozen, but it was definitely worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂😂 I bet it was!
LikeLiked by 1 person