2011 Iditarod - Lance Mackey down to 12 dogs

2011 Iditarod News (March 8, 2011): When I was without electricity earlier this morning, I was able to read on my phone that Lance Mackey was down to twelve dogs, and I was concerned that something really bad had happened. Now I'm glad to read some quotes from Lance Mackey about his dogs, and what has happened.

Here's a quote from the story on the Anchorage Daily News website:

... three dogs weren't pulling or eating well. They seem sore, Mackey said.

"They’re not right and I’m not one to jeopardize the future of my dogs just for my own personal satisfaction," he said. Still, Mackey says he can "go a long ways and do some damage" with a 12-dog roster.

"I’m not taking myself out of it yet. We’re just going to kind of put ourselves in defense mode and try to get these 12 dogs to Nome as healthy and happy as possible," he said. "If it puts me there first, great, if it put me there 21st, well that’s the way it is right?"

"You can’t win them all ... I’m damn sure going to try, but not at the expense of my team," he said.

After reading these Lance Mackey quotes, I have to say, I'm a fan of his. I still don't know a whole lot about the Iditarod and how dogs are treated, but as a dog lover (I've owned four huskies in my life) this puts a smile on my face.

I know the dogs aren't mistreated by running -- anyone that has ever seen a sled dog knows they love to run, and they go crazy/happy when their handlers select them to go on a run. I just didn't know how the mushers treated them, and this sure is nice to read.

Here's a link to that full adn.com story., and additional news about Lance Mackey and his famous dog "Maple" on the KTUU.com website.