Iditarod Ends with 3-Time Champion Winning

Cindy C.
4 years ago

Dogs die doing this, probably shouldn't be a sport.

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Amanda D.
4 years ago

I don;t feel that this should be a sport. It's a form of animal cuelty in my eyes and would dicontinue this if I was in charge. Very Sad!!!!!

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jane w.
4 years ago

I know that the dogs and mushers train for brutal weather but I really wonder if it is safe for them.

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Kadiquilts
4 years ago

To each his own..... Seems like such a small prize to subject oneself and one's dogs to such harsh conditions and bitter cold. Not for me!

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Dani M.
4 years ago

I caught Iditarod fever 9yrs ago. Being someone who's involved in animal rescue I've gone around on it and seen both sides of the bench. However I have realized that the Iditarod and dog mushing in genreal has two sides. Those who do right by their dogs and do it well. And those who need work or have no buisness whatsover with dogs!! I've met some mushers, several people directly connected with iditarod and have no doubt about the love they have for their dogs. They are their family, they are their friends and bottom line they are their lives. They dont run for profit, if you've ever figured up how much a team and enttries fee's cost over the course of a year.
No not all dogs are made to run or pull, but those are not the dogs you would want in your team anyway. These dogs do what they have been doing for hundreds of years. There is always room for improvment though in animal care in everything. But that is not fault in the race. Mushers are encouraged though to carry jackets for their shorter coated dogs. Also he should have known what to look for in his dogs,-exhaustion, being to cold, to hot, ect.
Accidents happen (in anything!) , however he should have seen being COLD as something to think about ahead of time.

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Traci B.
4 years ago

really cold!

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Edith F.
4 years ago

Thank heavens it is done for this year with no more loss of life.

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di
4 years ago

It is a sad thing and a shame to loose such great dogs in a race such as this, and I hope the woman that lost her dog finds her ok. Such customs, and I am sure there are others that we think are barbaric but have meaning in peoples lives.

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Jodi S.
4 years ago

Honestly, the dogs in the current Iditarod are treated loads better than in the beginnings of the race. Mackey clearly considers his dogs key parts of the victory and trains them to hold up under extreme conditions.

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Edie Jo N.
4 years ago

I hope the dogs are protected better in the race. i didn't like the story about the dogs that died. I guess I don't understand the race thing. It doesn't sound very healthy for the dogs.

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Bella C.
4 years ago

Congrats!

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Heather M.
4 years ago

don't like this race, just seems too hard on the dogs

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GuineaPig
4 years ago

That sounds really hard and COLD!

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Lovemylab76
4 years ago

I am really happy for him since he won this race. I rcently trained my dog and passed a therapy dog test, and i know how much work it is. However, I think something sould be done to make the sport safer for the dogs.

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Peggy W.
4 years ago

I am glad this event is over. I congratulate the winning team of musher and dogs. However, I wish the Iditarod could honor the past in a more humane way. Preservation of the past is important but preservation of life is not only important but precious.

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daryl b.
4 years ago

i have great respect for these mushers. they are keeping alive a way of the past. where dog teams were used for travel

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Marty T.
4 years ago

I agree. The dogs love it and the sport, with risks, will never die. My sympathies go out to the owners of the three dogs that lost their lives.

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karen k.
4 years ago

I'm not sure I agree with this sport.....3 dogs died this race...it's on the edge of cruelty...

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mistie E.
4 years ago

I can still only think of the poor dogs who lost there lives.

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Leslieanne S C.
4 years ago

Congrats to him and his team! That is such a dangerous race!

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Michelle H.
4 years ago

It's hard for me to understand how two dogs froze to death. He got lost after a checkpoint? How did the musher survive?

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Diane H.
4 years ago

Thank God its over. Now they can bury the dead.

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Ladyd
4 years ago

I think most of the mushers really care about their dogs. They train for a long time to get ready for this.

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AuntPittypat
4 years ago

I've been following this race, and the dogs are incredibly gorgeous...but, I'm glad it's over and they can all be safe now.

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Kate H.
4 years ago

I hate to see any dogs die in this race, but these dogs are bred for this kind of life. These dogs and their handlers have a very special bond with each other, so when something happens to these dogs its no different then you or I losing a best friend. You can't take their instinct out of these dogs, just as you can't the need to run out of a greyhound. Its sad but I think what would be sadder is to stop having this race.

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Marilyn M.
4 years ago

Kate, what a great comment.

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Meryl O.
4 years ago

I agree Kate, marvelous example of endurance between man and dog. They are born to run.

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Trevor H.
4 years ago

sad that the dog's died dut they are ment 2 run.

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Lourie H.
4 years ago

I am glad the race is over before even more dogs died. I would never want to be a part of this.

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Michelle W.
4 years ago

I love these dogs, but even though they are bred to run like that doesn't mean they should be.

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Cheryl
4 years ago

I can't get past the fact that dogs were both injured and died (again) this year. I too wonder who could think this race is worth it.

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Anne S.
4 years ago

Could this really be considered humane treatment of dogs? I know they are bred for this but to push them to the extent of death is beyond me.

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DDRau
4 years ago

The female musher from NJ quit because of concern for her dogs. The health of the dogs is a priority over finishing the race.

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Kris
4 years ago

I applaud her for putting the dogs first. The conditions for this race just sound too extreme.

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JIM K.
4 years ago

ahh dogs die all the time.. imagine dying doing something you loved.

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Norrie
4 years ago

New thought, give the prize money to a dog shelter!

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Norrie
4 years ago

I truly have mixed emotions on the race & the care of the dogs.

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jen g.
4 years ago

Thank goodness it's over already. I'm tired of hearing about all the dogs dying and suffering!

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lorraine B.
4 years ago

Congratulations to the winner,but was it really worth it

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Linda C.
4 years ago

Impressive, but concerning. Why does this race have to be so incredibly brutal? They could shorten it, and make it less challenging. Again, humans feeling the need to push the limits - and surpass them - at great cost. I have very mixed feelings about this sport. I love to see huskies running and pulling - it is what they live for - but being pushed to the point of freezing to death is over the top - too much.

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DEREKDEMANE
4 years ago

I agree.

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Kris
4 years ago

Great comment. I know these dogs love to race, but it is not worth their lives.

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Meg S.
4 years ago

Way to go Mackey! An amazing feat of endurance and training......

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Sheryl J.
4 years ago

Congratulations to Mr. Mackey and his team. Three years and running, quite impressive.

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Joyce
4 years ago

Congrat's to macky

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Nick & Ashlee K.
4 years ago

im just glad its over.

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Linda
4 years ago

Oh boy. Where do I begin. I still have mixed feelings about this race. I know Husky's love to run and they have the body & coat to endure cold climates and long runs. In fact, it may be harder on the breed to live in warmer climates couped up in an air conditioned house all day. Still I feel the race should be shortened even though it is about endourance. Each year dogs are harmed or lost, so a little modification may be a happy medium.

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Melissa D.
4 years ago

Congrats to Macky! I know those dogs had the time of their lives. It's sad three dogs lost their lives, but stop fretting people this is what they were bred for. Just because the dogs aren't dressed up in clothes, eating table scraps and sleeping on your bed doesn't mean it's being abused.

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maria h.
4 years ago

Liane expressed my sentiments exactly. All for money again. Doesn't matter what the dogs have to go thru.

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Amber H.
4 years ago

Well I'm glad for Mackey except that 3 dogs died. It's kinda like 1 dog for every year he won. It's amazing for anyone to win 3 years in a row!

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Amy H.
4 years ago

Amazing that he could win it 3 years in a row. I wish they had higher safety standards for the animals.

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Liane M.
4 years ago

What did the dogs have to endure for "his win". I don't think highly of this race, the dogs are pushed to their limit, some died just to bring glory to some musher, who I'm sure doesn't have his dogs best interest in mind. To him they are probably just machines enabling him to win his prize money. No better than greyhound racing.

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Jean D.
4 years ago

Congratulations, Was it worth it? They say that the mushers really care for their dogs, HUH DO THEY. Is that what you call TOUGH LOVE, running them into the ground. If I`m not mistaken there were 3 of those loved dogs that died. I don`t want any of their LOVE.

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Denise L.
4 years ago

That prize money was not worth the cruelty those poor dogs have endured...3 died...this race should be banned!

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Oldmaidcatwoman
4 years ago

I am glad the race is over with no further tragedies.

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Carol L.
4 years ago

Congratulations to the winner and especially the dogs, how wonderful they were to inure all of what they went through. I hope they are all well and nice and warm, getting a good meal... and LOTS of rest.

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