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Blind sled dog runs with brother's help
When Gonzo lost his vision, his brother began to guide him through the snowy trails at Muddy Paw Dog Kennel.
Tue, Feb 05 2013 at 1:42 PM
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Photo: Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel
Three years ago a sled dog named Gonzo started tripping over his food bowl. A veterinarian examined the Alaskan husky and tried a variety of treatments, but within a matter of weeks, Gonzo was blind.
However, the vet told Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel to keep running Gonzo, and the husky was only too happy to comply.
With his brother, Poncho, by his side at the back of their eight-member dog team, Gonzo kept on pulling sleds despite his disability.But while the other dogs keep their eyes on the trail, Gonzo lifts his head up and to the side as he runs across New Hampshire’s North Country.
“We can only interpret this as putting his nose to the wind and listening to the sounds around him,” said Karen Tolin, one of the kennel’s business owners. “He has adapted in amazing ways. We see him utilize his other senses — smell, hearing, touch with his paws — to make up for the loss of vision.”
But Gonzo doesn’t rely on just his sense — he also has Poncho.
When they run, the two nudge one another with their heads and noses, and Gonzo leans into Poncho during turns.
“Poncho literally is able to communicate the turns through this series of leans and nudges, and he allows Gonzo to utilize him in this way. Many other dogs would get irritated by the closeness into their personal space,” Tolin said.
Today, Poncho and Gonzo run together four to five times a week and spend their days with the more than 100 other dogs that call Muddy Paw home.
Although these husky brothers were born at the kennel not long after it was established nine years ago, many of the other dogs are considered “second-chance” or “second-career” dogs.
“We are strictly no-kill and the dogs that come here — whether it be from other kennels as racing retirees or rescues from bad situations — have a home and a job for life,” Tolin said.
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such a wonderful story! i can't help but think of my two dogs (brothers) and how well they work with each other (when they feel like it!) and even being yorkie poodle mixes they still love to run! it's what they do best!
I immediately feel in love with Gonzo after reading this article. If only I could visit and see this little guy! And cuddle him.
I am pleased that Gonzo has continued racing, husky dogs are among the most 'driven' to run.
Watch some video of dogs who work or participate in socially competitive sledding and I feel like I should jump up and run with them. And I do not run.
They love to run and pull. At one time no one could live in the north without these dogs. If in doubt , try taking Jag for a walk.
The fact that Gonzo has a useful and productive (as well as enjoyable) life, thanks to Poncho, is wonderful. Please keep up your good work and ignore the ignorant comments of the naysayers. What you are doing is a blessing for Gonzo.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
It simply doesn't get any better than this. The beauty of Gonzo and Poncho's relationship brings me to my knees.
In my opinion sled dog racing is cruel & barbaric. Anyone who says the "dogs love it", has never been a sled dog. I have seen their eyes frozen shut & the pads of their feet are frozen...does not sound like something the dogs would want to do if given a choice.
Amazing story (animals are amazing!) but sled dogs is animal cruelty!
They are a working breed - not your teacup yorkie that you have at home. This is what they are meant to do.
'We can only interpret this as putting his nose to the wind' - Well, YEAH, since, at the rear of a dog-sled team, you can just imagine what the prevailing scent(s) would be!
I think dog teams are inhumane to dogs.I would hope this wonderful blind husky could be doing another activity that he will enjoy & help other humans or dogs...
There is one thing above all other activities that Huskies want to do and that is run and pull. When they sense they are about to do that they are excited and ready to go . The worst thing you can do to a "working dog" is keep them from working. The result is a dog that is restless and has behavior problems.
I guess it was also inhumane for a hore or mule to pull a wagon or plow before the invention of vehicles and tractors too.
You must have never been around dogs of any kind. They love running all day long. Sometimes you want them to stop and they don't want to.
There is nothing in the world a husky wants to do than to be useful, and pulling a sled is pure heaven to them. It is not inhumane. On the contrary, it is what they long to do. Keeping Gonzo on the team will probably prolong his life.
This is such a feel good story. Animals are amazing and these two brothers prove that. I'm so glad they are in a place where they are loved and cared for and doing what they love to do. God bless you and your rescue!
Amazing story! Nice to know a little more about this wonderful place in the Great North Woods. One day I hope to see the dogs running. We drive by this place one or two time a year when we are in the North Country and I am always looking to see if the sled dogs are out on a run.
Organizations like this one and the people that run them prove that humanity is not a lost cause. Thank you.