John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Dr. David Gagnon

Another winter, another trip up north for sled dog races.  This year’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota was an interesting one.  The veterinary team was comprised of ten veterinarians, six veterinary technicians, and one vet student.

The race started on a warm Sunday morning, with temperatures in the mid-upper 30s, which was warm and comfortable for all the people involved, but unfortunately warm for the dogs.  Their preferred racing temperatures are typically in the single digits above or below zero.  I expected several dogs to need fluids shortly into the race, but their mushers are so much better than I gave them credit for.  The dogs ran well, and they did get warm, but the mushers kept their pace in check to protect them from overheating and becoming dehydrated.

Naturally, there are always dogs that are dropped from teams due to minor soreness or muscle breakdown.  But this year, there was nothing major.  I was bored.  Boredom for the vet team, while unfortunate for those of us who experience it, is great for the dogs and testament to their health and conditioning.  The healthier the dogs, the less I have to intervene and provide specialized care.  In fact, the more significant injuries in this year’s Beargrease happened to humans.  One was an EMT who tags along with the veterinary team, who wiped out on some ice and injured her hip.  The other was a musher who fell on the trail onto her shoulder.  This musher, Beckie Hacker, is a good friend of mine who used to be on the vet team (she’s a certified veterinary technician).  She ended up finishing in last place, earning the coveted Red Lantern Award.

It wouldn’t be a sled dog race without a lack of sleep.  By the end of the race, we (the vet team, other volunteers, mushers, and dog handlers) were all pretty sleep-deprived.  We all gathered at the finish line in Duluth to celebrate, share stories, and eagerly go back to our respective beds to catch up on some much-needed sleep. 

Every year, the veterinary team rewards one musher a prize recognizing extraordinary dog care.  This year’s “best kept team” award went to Carl Rauthier and his handlers, a team from Quebec.  His dogs were the only ones to come into and go out of the final checkpoint of the race (at approximately mile 350) with tails wagging and a pep in their step.  He rested his dogs longer than required, whenever necessary.  They were well-fed and well-hydrated.  And they were wonderfully friendly dogs and people, besides.  Carl’s acceptance of this award brought the vet team to tears, though perhaps it’s partially due to our lack of sleep.

Many of us come from many different backgrounds: veterinarians from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Arizona, and Ontario; mushers from Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec.  Regardless of our differing ages, locations, and professional backgrounds, we do share one common thing: we love these dogs.  Sled dogs are incredible in their energy, enthusiasm, drive, and perseverance.  It’s truly inspiring.  You should check it out sometime.

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