This year there were 96 teams that started to run Iditarod. Multiply that by 16 dogs for each team and that amounts to 1,536 dogs that had to be “cleared” to race. Dogs have an EKG, blood work and a general physical to verify their cardiovascular and overall health. If a dog doesn’t pass the physical with flying colors, the dog doesn’t race.
Vets are located at each checkpoint on the trail to answer dog questions, check over the dogs and care for dogs. The vets use the acronym HAW&L as they check the dogs over at the checkpoints. “H” stands for Heart & Hydration. Vets listen to the heart and then check hydration by doing a skin fold or a gum test. “A” stands for Attitude and Appetite. The vets watch the dogs as they come into a checkpoint to see that all the tug lines are tight and they will ask the mushers about how the dogs are eating and drinking. “W” stands for weight. Vet’s and mushers monitor the weight of the dogs by checking the hips and ribs of the dogs. Dogs that are losing weight are often dropped from the team. “L” stands for lungs. Vets listen carefully to the lungs to make sure they are clear.
Students can also use the HAW&L principle for periodic school check-ups. “H” stands for heart, happiness and hydration. Is your heart in school; are you happy and are you drinking enough water? “A” stands for attitude and appetite. How’s your attitude toward school, teachers and classmates; are you hungry to learn? “W” stands for wise choices. Do you make wise choices when it comes to rules and being with peers? “L” stands for legal, listening, learning and lucky. Do you know the rules and follow them; are you a good listener; do you learn from your teachers, classmates and parents and do you make good choices to create luck? Doing a school check-up and creating a strategy for improvement on a regular basis will help you become a better student.
As a young sled dog, I use the HAW&L check-up to evaluate every run I take with the team. I want to be the greatest sled dog ever and I want to be a lead dog. I go through the HAW&L check-up and sometimes I do better at some aspects than at others. I pick an aspect to improve on and on my rest days, I try to figure out a strategy to make myself better then I really focus on that issue the next time I’m in harness. When I was younger, I didn’t always listen to my musher and handler. Now that I’m older, I know how important that is and I’m getting much better at listening. Really, I want to do a good job at everything I do and it seems that when I listen and follow instructions it makes my musher and handler VERY happy. They keep telling me what a good dog I am and then give me lots of treats! I hope you try the HAW&L check-up for yourself.
22 Comments
what is it like to be a reporter? Mariana
Hey how is the weather in Alsaska. who is winning. I am voting for Jessica Hendricks are you real are you a real dog I am in 46 place what do they eat are they cold?
-Caitlin
We think the HWA&L checkup is a good idea. We plan to use this checkup to make sure we are happy, healthy students. Sanka, we hope you will send us more letters. We like them. We hope you stay healthy and happy, too. When you race again, we hope you do a very good job. We hope you stay warm! We love you, Pineda’s Pals
Zuma!
Why can’t you get the musher info for Campell Airstrip when you’re tracking mushers? How come only G.b Jones stopped there? Is it a emergency station for injured mushers or something? It’s confusing. =]
Hello students, Zuma here… Since time is not counted from Anchorage to the airstrip on the ceremonial start day, the time wasn’t recorded. It isn’t part of the race. It isn’t a race to get there.
GB Jones decided before last Saturday that he’d be scratching when he did because of personal reasons.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
The information is very interesting. The muchers and these amazing dogs is nothing short of fantastic. Everything possible should be done to ensure the health and safety of these athletes. Joe
go zac steer!! you can do it!!!
alfredo
Hi there Zuma, Our school, Red Bank Charter School, in New Jersey is racing along with all of the teams…..only we’re counting the minutes we read during the course of the race. We will continue until the Red Lantern crosses the finish line. This is our second year doing this program and we love following the race along with our own progress. Write back to us if you can….we know you are very busy!!!! We’re busy also with our “Iditaread”!!!!!! Ellen
I was wondering….when the dogs get their
EKG test do they get shots?I,or my dog,Holly don’t
like shots,but mostly because it hurts. But
if it’s for the good of not getting sick,I’m
all for it! One more thing, what was the biggest number of people you have ever seen takeing the EKG test?
LOVE,
Hannah =)
Hi My class has picked their favorite musher. One of my children picked Jessica Hendricks. We know she scratched today and my child is very sad. He wants to know if she is okay and especially how her dogs are doing. Where can we find this information? Thanks for all you do to inspire us. The EC Cluster
It is amazing that you can type you must be really smart! I can’t believe that you can type! It whould be so awesom if you can read! It whould be even cooler if you can talk! OMG if you can dance that whould be awesom! You are a cute dog! Dogs Rule! your so cool!
Do you know WHY Cliff Roberson scrathed from the race?? I’m dying to know. I’m so disappionted in him,but I really just want to know why he scratched. Bye!
Hey Sanka!
This is Alison.In school I’m following Ray Redington Jr.I hear you were in his fathers kennel.Do you know him?
Tail wags,
Alison
I think you are so awesome and i think that your always right on zumas paw prints and i think you can right a hole page and i would read it to. Paige
Hey
your a awesome dog!
Hi!I am studying on you dogs. I hope you stay warm and cozy. I also hope you are having fun. So have a great race.
Megan &Sydney
I have a quick question for you. I understand that from the airstrip to Anchorage is not a race, but then how come they start at the air strip.
-Hannah- rootn for Ryan Redington
Dear Zuma I really want to now how your doing and I want to no more about alaska cause I’m learning about Alaska please send me more about Alaska thank you have fun from,Steven
I’m doing great, Steven. Keep reading our blog and you’ll learn lots about Alaska and the race.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Wonder about the health of the dogs. Well, there’s no need to worry. A quick read of sled-dog Zuma’s blog tells you that veterinarians check every dog and must clear them before they are allowed to…..
I really want to now how your doing and I want to no more about alaska cause im learning about alaska please send me more about alaska thank you have fun from,Steven
I really want to now how your doing and I want to no more about alaska cause im learning about alaska please send me more about alaska thank you have fun from,Steven
We are doing great. I am glad you want to learn about Alaska and the race. Keep reading the blog and you’ll learn lots.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Zuma how many times have been in the Iditarod?
Jaedon
Hello! I haven’t been in the race, I am a K-9 reporter, not a racing dog… Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
hi
Do you know where i can get some really cute huskies?!
How long have you been in the Iditarod?!
Love Hannah
P.S. i’am 8 and i live in colorado PLEASE WRITE BACK!
Sanka W. Dog…. I am Sanka Puppy and I am glad my name is carried on by a noble other….always bark the truth !!
Sanka Puppy…the Siberian Husky