How a Siberian Husky Saved a Town from Disaster

There's something mystical about a Siberian Husky. Maybe it's because they look like their long ago ancestor, the wolf. I had a female Husky with the brightest, icy blue eyes I'd ever seen. People were afraid of her because to them she looked mean. All I saw was the beautiful sweet face of a dog who wouldn't hurt a fly. I had the honor of sharing my home with two Siberian Huskies, a male and female. One thing that impresses me about this dog breed is their calmness and work ethic. The tiny town of Nome, Alaska was saved because of a Siberian Husky who was dedicated to accomplishing a job he was bred to do. If it hadn't been for a group of brave men and their dogs, disaster might have wiped out this small town surrounded by the wilderness of Alaska.

The Iditarod Serum Run of 1925

In 1925, a diphtheria epidemic was threatening to wipe out the 1,400 residents in Nome which sits on the Seward Peninsula in the northern region of the state. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract and is extremely contagious. Anchorage had 300,000 units of medicine which was shipped immediately by train to a town called Nenana. From there, only two options were available - plane or dog sled. The weather conditions made flying in lifesaving serum impossible. Back then, the planes were WW I bi-planes with open cockpits and water-cooled engines. The pilot nor plane would be able to stand up to the severe and dangerous weather conditions they would have to confront. With time running out for the residents of Nome, it was decided the only way to get the medicine to them in time was by dog sled. The famous running of the Iditarod follows the 1925 trail of the same name and was the mail route mushers used to deliver the mail throughout the region. The normal trip took a month to complete, but this mission required speed, intelligence and commitment from man and dog.

Twenty men and 150 dogs passed their precious cargo from one musher on to the next one during their lifesaving relay run to Nome. They raced through a wicked storm that drove temperatures down to -75 degrees. Howling winds blasted the men and dogs with hurricane force at times throughout the run and blinding snow made it almost impossible for the mushers to see the trail. Fighting through the harsh conditions, bone numbing cold and frostbite, the men and their dogs ran 674 miles in five and a half days and delivered lifesaving serum to a town in Alaska that sits only 130 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The majority of the Iditarod serum run was done in the dark which makes it even more remarkable. Had it not been for the steady intelligence and stamina of a dog breed to endure impossible odds and the ability to know where the trail was, the serum run would not have been successful.

Balto is the dog who lead his team of dogs and musher into Nome, completing a record setting run. He was an unlikely hero because his owner, Leonhard Seppala didn't believe Balto was lead dog material. However, Balto proved himself as a competent lead dog as he kept his team on the trail. His musher, Gunnar Kaasen, credited Balto with saving not only his life, but his entire team of dogs and the serum. Balto sensed danger and stopped just short of a river in their path that wasn't completely frozen. Had he continued, the serum would have been lost and Kaasen was convinced he and his dogs would have perished as well. The Iditarod was the only time Balto was used as a lead dog. After his death on March 14, 1933, he was stuffed and put on display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where he can still be seen today. His original lead is among the artifacts on display with him. A life size statue of Balto stands in Central Park in New York City. The names of the men who participated in the relay have been recorded in history. Of the 150 dogs, Balto, Togo and Fritz are considered to be the most famous. They were Siberian Huskies owned by Leonhard Seppala.

A Siberian Husky is a dog breed that needs a strong leader.

A Siberian Husky is a medium sized dog bred for running and pulling. Also known as a sled dogs, the Husky is well suited for the rigors of working in the harsh winter conditions of the northern lands. My Huskies weren't too keen about summer weather, but give them a nice snowfall and zero degree weather and they were as happy as they could be rolling in the snow and playing. To them, winter is like a day at the beach in the summer for us and most other dogs. This dog breed can withstand temperatures as low as -58 to -76. They have a double coat that gives them adequate protection to endure minus degree temperatures. Be warned - their coat sheds twice a year and they will leave hair everywhere. Their large feet are like miniature snowshoes with hair between the toes to help keep their feet warm and give them traction on snow and ice. It's important to keep an eye on the feet and clean out frozen snow or ice that can get caught on the hair and injure their feet. The hair should be kept trimmed because if it becomes too long, it looses it's gripping ability. A Husky is a great family pet, but living with this independent dog breed can be a challenge if you don't know what to expect. If they don't have regular exercise that stimulates their body and mind, they can be destructive.

Siberian Huskies are happy, laid back dogs who can appear a bit aloof at times, which is a misconception some people have about this breed. These dogs love their family, but they do have an independent streak that comes out should they escape from their pen or home. Huskies live to run and they won't hesitate to take advantage of any opportunity to wander. They need a strong and consistent leader who lets them know who's in charge. The Husky is an intelligent, gentle and social dog who loves to play. They are good with kids and strangers, but don't expect a Siberian Husky to guard your house or processions. If a burglar breaks in, a Husky will simply watch him go about his business. This is a dog breed who is more apt to howl than bark. They have lots of energy, but aren't big eaters like you might expect. A Husky isn't difficult to train as long as you stay consistent, calm and patient with your training.

The 1925 serum run is a testament to the spirit of the Siberian Husky. They are a strong, fast, tenacious breed and are very capable of finding safe passages over frozen water and snow covered trails. Their ability to navigate through a fierce storm on a mission of mercy should never be forgotten. The men who risked their lives and the lives of their dogs is a story of a special breed of dogs and men who had the courage to stare danger smack dab in the eye and accomplished what many thought was an impossible run. The small town of Nome was saved by a Siberian Husky who had the courage and intelligence of a dog who was born to run.

Siberian Husky, Dog Breed Info Center

Earl. J. Aversano, Balto's True Story, baltostruestory.com