Dear Zuma, Hi, we are Mrs. Earl’s students at the Hanover Street School in Lebanon, New Hampshire. We are keeping a pretend journal and write each day to you in it. We write about different things like what to pack in our sled, moose on the trail, overflows, etc., We were wondering if you have ever raced in the Iditarod or any other race? What is it like to be a canine reporter? It looks very busy trying to keep up with all the musher news. We are having a reading race at the same time as your mushers are moving across Alaska. We have first and second place winners already in our class. Please write to us. From, Mrs. Earl’s class
Dear Boys and Girls,
I am not a racing dog, I am a K-9 Reporter. If I were in training to pull a sled, I’d have no time to write any articles!
What exciting projects you are doing! Keep up the good work! I know you have learned a lot this year!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma and Libby, We like to read your reports. We have a few questions for you. Do the mushers ever put headlights on the lead dogs? How do the mushers know where the trail is? How do they find the trail if they miss it? When do mushers decide the dogs need booties? THanks, Mrs. Nye and Ms. Tyl’s classes
Hello Boys and Girls,
Thanks for sending the questions. Mushers don’t put headlights on the the lead dogs. The mushers know where the trail is because there are trail markers all along the trail. In the night, the headlight or headlamp shines on the markers and there is a reflection. When a musher can’t find trail markers, the musher knows the that they might be off the trail. Mushers put booties on a dog’s feet when the trail conditions might cause foot problems for the dogs. Many mushers have booties on a good amount of the time during the race.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma

