Four Thousand Paws: Caring for the Dogs of the Iditarod: A Veterinarian's Story

Four Thousand Paws: Caring for the Dogs of the Iditarod: A Veterinarian's Story
Author: Lee Morgan
Publisher: Liveright Publishing
Total Pages: 317
Release: 2024-02-27
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1324091401

An intimate account—the first from a trail veterinarian—of the canines who brave the challenges of the Iditarod. Few sporting events attract as much attention, or create as much spectacle, as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Each March, despite subzero temperatures and white-out winds, hundreds of dogs and dozens of mushers journey to Anchorage, Alaska, to participate in “The Last Great Race on Earth,” a grueling, thousand-mile race across the Alaskan wilderness. While many veterinarians apply, only a small number are approved to examine the elite canine athletes who, using solely their muscle and an innate drive to race, carry handlers between frozen outposts each year, risking injury, illness, and fatigue along the way. In Four Thousand Paws, award-winning veterinarian Lee Morgan—a member of the Iditarod’s expert veterinary corps—tells the story of these heroic dogs, following the teams as they traverse deep spruce forests, climb steep mountain slopes, and navigate over ice-bound rivers toward Nome, on the coast of the Bering Sea, where the famed Burled Arch awaits. From the huskies of Iditarods past to the intrepid dogs of today, Morgan shows how these fierce competitors surmount the dangers of the Arctic, aided, along the way, by attentive mushers and volunteer veterinarians. A world away from his Georgetown veterinary clinic, Morgan examines dogs at each checkpoint, and sees how their body language reflects the thrill of the race—and how, when pulled from it, they often refuse to eat. As in any team sport, distinct personalities among the sled dogs create complex group dynamics, and Morgan captures moments of intense rivalry, defeat, camaraderie, and, ultimately, triumph. In the tradition of Why Elephants Weep, Four Thousand Paws is an intimate look inside the animal mind, and an exciting new account of a storied race.

Four Thousand Paws

Four Thousand Paws
Author: Lee Morgan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024-02-27
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781324091394

An intimate account--the first from a trail veterinarian--of the canines who brave the challenges of the Iditarod.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Cold Hands, Warm Heart
Author: Jeff King
Publisher: Graphic Arts Center Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2008
Genre: Alaska
ISBN: 9780882407364

Known as the Winningest Musher in the World, Jeff King remains one of the top mushers in the history of sled dog sports. Since his first race in 1979, King and his well-trained teams of Alaska huskies have racked up many thousands of training miles and trail hours. The result: win after win after win, crossing the finish line first in more than a dozen major races, including the two internationally known giants: the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. In the process, King has also racked up thirty years of first-person stories that offer a glimpse into the heart of a champion, the rugged Alaskan lifestyle, and the charismatic world of dogs.

Four-Legged Miracles

Four-Legged Miracles
Author: Brad Steiger
Publisher: Macmillan
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2013-02-05
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 125000506X

Heartwarming true stories of lost dogs finding the way back home, relying entirely on amazing canine intelligence and instincts Four-Legged Miracles is a collection of wondrous lost-and-found canine sagas—actual Lassie, Come Home tales—that highlight dogs' remarkable abilities to return home despite almost unbelievable odds. Brad and Sherry Steiger have collected dramatic, carefully documented true-life anecdotes that showcase canines' amazing intelligence, courage, and sometimes seemingly supernatural powers. Often, there are no sensible explanations for how the dogs overcome obstacles like natural disasters and fierce wilderness areas, predators, grievous injuries, and more to find their human families. These fascinating reunion stories include: --Mason, the white terrier who crawled home on two broken legs to what remained of his family's tornado-ravaged house --Buca, who sat on a hill over Utah's Rte. I-15 for two months waiting for the car he knew would bring him home --Eddie, the beagle, who walked 450 miles over four months to reunite with disabled four-year-old Jimmy, inspiring the boy to work harder on his own recovery. Four-Legged Miracles will tug on readers' heartstrings, but it will also discuss common reasons dogs disappear, how to get a missing dog back faster, the dog-human bond, and the science behind some of the amazing journeys these dogs endure. Chock-full of happy endings, Four-Legged Miracles lends insight into dogs' hearts and minds, and is a treat for any animal lover.

Alaska's Dog Heroes

Alaska's Dog Heroes
Author: Shelley Gill
Publisher: Blue Star Press
Total Pages: 21
Release: 2024-01-23
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1632173808

In Alaska, dogs really are a person’s best friend. These true canine stories from the last frontier describe remarkable acts of intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism by Balto, Togo, Tekla, Stickeen, and more of Alaska’s famous dogs. Follow these dogs as they traverse the mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to remote villages, fight off attacking bears, and find lost children. Alaskan canines perform amazing deeds that exhibit intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism—plus they offer friendly and furry companionship to their owners.

Dog Man

Dog Man
Author: Martin Buser
Publisher: Booktango
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2015-04-17
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1468958976

What does it take to become an Iditarod champion? Join mushing legend Martin Buser as he reveals his life's journey in candid and action-packed detail. Buser's story of self-discovery takes the reader with him on the adventures, misadventures, and lessons learned from his devoted relationship with canine friends. This riveting narrative shows what it means to be a real "dog man," but it also serves as a stirring tribute to the spirit of the Alaskan Husky.

The Ultimate Guide to Wild Canines, Primitive Dogs, and Pariah Dogs

The Ultimate Guide to Wild Canines, Primitive Dogs, and Pariah Dogs
Author: Marjorie Daley
Publisher: LP Media Inc
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2019-08-17
Genre: Pets
ISBN:

Why This Book The Ultimate Guide to Wild Canines, Primitive Dogs, and Pariah Dogs is geared toward the experienced dog owner who wants to own a pure wild canine, a wolf dog, coydog, dingoX, or primitive/pariah dog. In this book we will examine pureblood wild canines and their crosses and look at several primitive/pariah breeds. We will lay out the challenges that you can expect from these breeds, including housing, transporting, and socializing. We will also discuss the current state and provincial laws surrounding ownership of wild canines. This is not a training manual. If you are an inexperienced dog owner and think having a wild canine or cross is cool or a status symbol, please read this book very carefully. Wild canines are not for the inexperienced dog owner. For the sake of the dog you plan to bring home, please consider your decision very carefully. These dogs are a challenge even for experienced dog handlers. Wild animals and their crossbreeds do not belong in 99% of homes. The rehoming options are slim, and your pet wild canine may end up paying for your decision with its life. Primitive dogs have a long history of living on the edges of human habitation. They may not come with the same legal challenges as a wild canine, but you will still have plenty of work ahead of you including training and socializing your primitive. Carefully think through your decision to adopt a primitive. Bringing home a “couch wolf” can cause problems in your home. If you’ve accidentally gotten a primitive dog from a shelter, I highly encourage you to read this book, then find a reputable trainer who understands that this is not just a dog. I acquired my primitive dog accidentally and while I was an experienced dog owner, I was still baffled until I realized what she was and adapted to her behaviors. A common domesticated dog is a huge responsibility. However, a wild or primitive dog requires far more work. Owning one may be the greatest experience in your life, but it will also be one of the biggest challenges. For the sake of your future pet, take the time to read this book carefully. Owning a wild dog – a wolf, coyote, dingo, or even something imported from Africa – might sound like an amazing opportunity. Imagine the looks you’ll get! Imagine how much fun it will be to walk down the street with your silver coated wolf by your side. However, before you make that sort of commitment, take some time to learn about wild dogs. Bringing a wild dog into your life can have some long term legal and ethical outcomes. Because wild dogs are governed by state laws, The Ultimate Guide to Wild Dogs, Primitive Dogs and Pariah Dogs examines the basic laws and requirements for those owning wild dogs. What happens when your wolf dog mistakes cattle for their rightful prey? Can you keep a coy-dog in an apartment? Did you know that finding vet care can be a challenge for your wild dog and that their nutritional, training, and exercise requirements are different? Will your homeowner’s insurance even cover a wild dog? Before you make a commitment to a wild dog, learn what you can expect from bringing an undomesticated dog into your life. This book also examines pariah and primitive dogs, those with specific physical characteristics who live on the outskirts of human society. These dogs are somewhat more socialized than a wild dog but come with their unique challenges and interesting personalities. If you’ve met one of these unique dogs during a trip to another country, how do you go about bringing it home? What sort of quarantines are in place? Can they be fully associated into a home? This book answers all these important questions and will help you to decide if a wild dog, primitive dog or pariah dog is the right match for your home and family.

Sled Dog School

Sled Dog School
Author: Terry Lynn Johnson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Total Pages: 213
Release: 2017
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0544873319

When eleven-year-old Matt must set up a business to save his failing math grade, he overcomes his self-doubt and also gains two friends along the way.

Togo and Balto

Togo and Balto
Author: Jodie Parachini
Publisher: Animalographies
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2022-04
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 9780807503829

It was 1925 and the world was in a diptheria pandemic. The town of Nome, Alaska, needed the serum to save its children but there was only one way to get there: dog sled. Balto and Togo, two Siberian huskies, were part of the relay race that pushed through below-freezing temperatures and a blizzard to bring the serum to Nome.

Paws for Love

Paws for Love
Author: Mara Wells
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Total Pages: 360
Release: 2021-02-23
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1492698652

Broken hearts—man, woman, and dog—get a second chance at love, healing, and happiness under the warm Miami Beach sun in this endearing contemporary romance... Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for a greyhound rescue helping retired racing dogs find their forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her two adopted greyhounds guard her. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she's met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again. Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury and an honorable discharge leave him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami Beach to help with their new condo conversion, he has no intention of staying on in the city that has so many bad memories for him. Knox is reminded that not all his memories are bad when he sees Danielle again at the grand opening of the new Fur Haven Dog Park. Fifteen years haven't softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle's cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it's not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too—they can give each other one more chance at the love and friendship they deserve. But can Danielle trust her heart to the only man who's ever broken it? Snuggle up with your best dog companion and get reading: This lighthearted romance includes a veteran who could use a four-legged best friend, a second chance with a high school sweetheart, and a determined heroine who isn't going to let the man of her dreams get away again.