When You Can't Run....

If you ask me if I want to run, chances are you'll hear me say no. If you ask any one of my dogs, they will jump up and down until you agree to take them. These dogs live to run. They practice running around their barrels; they eat so that they have enough strength to run; they dream about running; they look at you and tilt their heads as if to ask, "can we go run?"
So what about the dogs that can't run? I have spent the past few days getting to know the dogs that can no longer run. These dogs still look at you with that expectation, that hope, and it breaks your heart every time to know that they can't go. There are the older dogs in the kennel, Maverick and Pinks. These two are still in relatively good shape for 12 years old. They have some hip problems and Pinks had a tumor removed this spring. Unfortunately, they'll never race again. Both were incredible lead dogs, running all 6 Iditarods with Bill. Old age gets us all eventually.
While Mav and Pinks had their glory years, there are a few dogs in the kennel that had to end their runs early. Dylan is a sweet 7 year old who was a champion racer. Two years ago, in the Iditarod, Dylan's front foot went into a narrow ice crevasse. His ankle was shattered. Since then, he has been unable to run. He can lope around in an awkward gait, but he can't travel distances or speeds. His physical pain is manageable, but his emotional pain is unbearable. Last winter, while the other dogs were being trained, Dylan had to stay behind. His love for running was so deep, that he stopped eating or even getting up. Bill had to spend hours with him, trying to lift his spirits and give him some personal attention. Two years after his injury, I can still see sadness in his eyes. When he watches the puppies screaming around the kennel or the other dogs jumping over barrels, he cannot join in. He can't have the freedom of running: the carefree tongue out of the side of the mouth, the grin form ear to ear, the slight twitch of the nose as they take in every smell.

Dylan

So if you ever come visit, I'll make sure you take the time to visit Dylan. And if you don't visit, make sure to pet an old dog or an injured dog. They might not be able to jump over trees or run for miles, but they'll still appreciate a little love.