tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550198522925841552.post2490141718716165550..comments2024-03-15T06:55:34.200-04:00Comments on The Dog Blog: Dreams of dog sleddingKaren Workmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826759882863096764noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550198522925841552.post-29954595419415094112010-06-07T08:25:41.376-04:002010-06-07T08:25:41.376-04:00To: alaskanmalamutes, I'm so glad you stumbled...To: alaskanmalamutes, I'm so glad you stumbled upon this blog entry! I think it's awesome that you're living out your dream. As for the negative comment, I'm sure there are some super-competitors who put winning before the health of their dogs. I'm also sure, however, that there are plenty of people who are in the sport because of the dogs and, like you, treat them as family members. I'm sure these are some of the luckiest dogs in the world. For a dog to be able to do the job it was bred to do in this day and age, where dog jobs have all but disappeared, is a wonderful thing. Kudos to you, your Malamutes and the rest of sled dog teams who are living out their dreams.Karen Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826759882863096764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550198522925841552.post-32392616608596307802010-06-06T00:02:59.585-04:002010-06-06T00:02:59.585-04:00Hi Karen,
I just stumbled onto this post. Thanks...Hi Karen,<br /><br />I just stumbled onto this post. Thanks for sharing your dream. Originally, I am from Jackson Michigan, and I shared the same dream also when I was a kid. Today, I have been blessed in realizing this dream. It is a “pretty cool” experience like your coworker had mentioned and I would never exchange my dream for any other. Yet, the first comment from the dog sled coalition spun mushing with quite a negative light, and I hope it doesn’t dampen your spirit about dog sledding. After 27 years of dog sledding in Alaska, I believe sled dogs are some of the best treated animals in the world. Where else are dogs praised for feats of heroism and saving lives? Our Alaskan Malamutes are part of our family in every way. When I read about abused dogs it’s quite disturbing, and I hope the comment doesn’t change your opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550198522925841552.post-87755882162284854622010-02-03T23:06:44.941-05:002010-02-03T23:06:44.941-05:00You are right, Karen, about your teacher! She was...You are right, Karen, about your teacher! She was a smart lady! She was using the race as a theme to engage the students in learning--- not 'just' learning about the race, either, but learning as in practicing skills in reading, researching, writing, and so forth. Your teacher was a smart lady. She isn't alone, 10,000 plus teachers each year, in all 50 states, and in many other countries, use the race with students as a way to encourage the students to practice those basic skills that they are to learn! Your teacher was a smart lady because she inspired you to dream and to think... and helped you develop your own set of interests. She must have even inspired you to write -- who knows, perhaps 'following the race' helped develop those journalism skills that were within you! Your teacher was a smart lady! I don't know her name, I have no other clues about her, but I know she was smart because you -- one of the students-- recognized that yourself and because she used a unique theme--- Iditarod--- and dog mushing--- to enhance classroom learning. Your smart teacher also knew you'd have the intellect, the knowledge base, and the common sense to sort through propaganda such as was posted on your blog before my post. Your teacher knew you'd grow up to understand that special interest groups might misrepresent information and facts --- and overshadow truth. Your teacher knew that you'd think through it all on your own and develop your own opinion about the things that caught your attention or interest. Your teacher was a smart lady and a great teacher. You were lucky to have had her!Diane Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550198522925841552.post-17413090308419786302010-01-28T16:40:39.041-05:002010-01-28T16:40:39.041-05:00Wow, I've never heard such criticisms of dog s...Wow, I've never heard such criticisms of dog sledding before. I suppose I've never done much heavy research into the matter either. <br /><br />To clarify, if I were to train dogs to pull a sled around my yard, it would be done through positive reward training. And, if it turned out not to be a physical outlet that was psychologically beneficial for my dogs, I wouldn't do it. <br /><br />I encourage everyone to treat their dogs humanely, first and foremost. Secondly, I encourage everyone to find activities for their dogs that are beneficial physically and psychologically.Karen Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826759882863096764noreply@blogger.com