7 Days and Counting

In about 7 days the Iditarod will take off. Along with it comes mucho dog controversy. I am overwhelmed now by my two invalids and also caring for the rest of the pack. I honestly CAN'T spend time writing about whether or not mushing dogs is ethical. But I do have one important thought.
Last year, Snickers, a lead dog of North Wapiti Kennels, died 7 hours into the race. Autopsy said acute hemorrhage due to a gastric ulcer.
Gastric ulcer...hmmm. Sounds VERY familiar.
I feel like I know these mushing dogs. They take off and run and will run themselves to death--ironically that's what they live for. Winston is the same way. He lives for chasing the ball and would do it until his death, I think, but whenever he gets to that point of exhaustion, we make him stop. Until that point, however, nothing can stop him from getting that ball and when he has retrieved in the thicket, he's come away with a variety of injuries. If not the tennis ball, then what? Then he'd be going nuts and I imagine the mushing dogs would too.
Mushers don't have that option to stop during a race and I don't think the dogs would want to stop. Once, Winston came back with a ball and a trail of blood. He had sliced his foot on some sharp object but was undeterred--completely. It never fazed him in the least.
Every year there has been an Iditarod, dogs have died. It's the nature of the whole scenario and the dogs love what they do; or they would not be doing it.
On the other hand, I'm sure there are some organizations who use less than quality supplies and don't keep their dogs in the best of conditions. Well, shame on them. Shame on anyone who doesn't respect man's best friend and love & appreciate them for what they are at heart.
The Animal Welfare Institute quotes a common law (at least in 38 states) where there are huge fines for "overdriving" or "overworking," animals. I think the fines should be higher for neglected dogs who are never worked or given the chances to do what they love. That must be torture for them.
I think the worst part of the Iditarod & it's relationship to dogs is much like BYBs or puppymills. It's the call of cash--the prize money--that is the goal; although it's nowhere near as morally wrong. (Mushers aren't creating & peddling lives for cash; they are just selling out to the almighty dollar.)
I'm also reminded of some veterinarians I know who are vets only so they can participate in endurance racing with their horses. Hmmm. Any colic problems there? Conflict of interest?
Medical care is available to all Iditarod dogs at the checkpoints. Forcing mushers to partake is another issue.
In conclusion, these dogs love what they do and they do what they love. For the most part, their owners are sportsmen who recognize and appreciate the beauty of these animals and they provide an environment conducive to mushing.