1. Mushers and dogs from Canada, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho and more participated in the American Dog Derby at Bear Gulch on Friday and Saturday. Mushers experienced race cancelations and less training time because of the lack of snow. “We had no snow and a lot of our races got canceled, so we had to look for alternatives rather than have the dogs sit,” said Dave Hochman, a musher from Manitoba, Canada, who came in 3rd in the 12-dog-class race. “Because you put so much effort into them that you want them to be used for what they’re supposed to.” For Hochman, spending time with dogs is a lifestyle, a sport and a hobby. (via BYU Scroll)
2. On Feb. 2, 2023, Guinness World Records publicly crowned Bobi the oldest dog ever at the age of 30 years and 267 days. Announcing his death in October, the premier keeper of world records put Bobi’s final tally at 31 years and 165 days. On Thursday, just over a year later, Guinness posthumously stripped Bobi of the honor, saying that it “no longer has the evidence it needs to support Bobi’s claim as the record holder.” (via The Washington Post)
3. In veterinary school I was taught that dogs are physically incapable of smiling, because they lack the necessary facial muscles. I doubt the veterinarians who determined this ever witnessed the beginning of a sled dog race. Every year, dozens of canine competitors travel to Alaska to participate in the longest, most famous dogsled race in history, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The start is always complete bedlam. Drunk on adrenaline, the dogs whip themselves into an almost insane state of anticipation. They strain at their harnesses; some jump and leap into the air, howling with excitement. While we wait for the start signal, I scan the sea of dogs. There’s pure joy on each and every face—and absolutely no doubt in my mind that they’re smiling. Of course, I’m smiling, too; I’m one of hundreds of volunteers who work to ensure that the race runs smoothly. (via The Wall Street Journal)
4. The dog that saved Mike Favor’s life was a German shepherd puppy named Honey: 8 weeks old, heart condition, four months to live. This was in 2016, and Mr. Favor was trying to get sober, after 13 years of active cocaine addiction. When he heard about the puppy, at a rescue organization where he occasionally volunteered, he knew he couldn’t take her. “I’m too new into sobriety,” he told his fiancée at the time, who also volunteered at the rescue center. Another tragedy in his life, he said, might drive him back to drugs. Then he met Honey. (via The New York Times)
5. Families moving abroad say they are shocked and devastated they may have to leave pets behind after animal travel costs were hiked. IAG Cargo, which handles pet transfers for some major airlines, is raising prices from 1 March on select routes. Sara, whose military family is moving back to the US from the UK, saw the price to ship her two small dogs Ghost and Bentley jump from £1,143 to £5,118. IAG Cargo said the higher prices reflect the complexity of the service. A sister company to British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling, IAG Cargo is seen as a key provider when it comes to transferring pets, particularly between the US and UK. The price changes apply to anyone using IAG Cargo to move their animals on certain routes. (via BBC)
6. John Rourke, an Army veteran who has served in Iraq and Bosnia, and owns a moving company in Jupiter, FL is rolling up his sleeves to try to rescue dogs left alone at the Texas-Mexico border. He says after the migrants cross into the U.S., they're not allowed to keep their dogs in the temporary facilities in Texas set up to house migrants, so often they let the dogs loose. "It's really a public health crisis because no community should have hundreds of dogs or thousands of dogs running through the street. We just kinda try to go to those areas and scoop the dogs up," Rourke said. Rourke was in Texas last month rescuing dogs with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a local non-profit group from Loxahatchee Groves. (via CBS 12)
7. Earlier this month, a survey revealed Florida’s dog owners don’t love to walk their furry best friends. More than 70% of Florida dog owners who answered the February 5 Forbes’ survey said their biggest pet peeve about being a pet parent is walking or exercising with their dog. Could it be because Florida’s neighborhoods aren’t great for walking dogs? A more recent study, from LawnStarter (it’s like Uber for lawn care services) analyzed metrics like access to dog-friendly trails and off-leash parks with good ratings, dog walking services and overall pedestrian safety for almost 500 of the largest cities in the U.S. No Florida cities made the top rankings of LawnStarter’s list. The Florida city that ranked the highest in this study was Miami Beach, in 174th place. (via The Palm Beach Post)
8. This Wisconsin State Journal editorial ran on Feb. 18, 1854: A bill is pending in the House to tax dogs 50¢ per head, the tax thus levied to go to the support of the poor. If the whole country is infested with these domestic animals to the same extent as our village, and the tax should be collected on all of them, it would amount to a very large sum. We should judge from the number in our streets that every man in town kept a whole pack. They collect together occasionally in flocks like sheep, and tails of all dimensions, and curves, wave above them like the swords above two armies, when they meet and mingle in close conflict. (via Wisconsin State Journal)
Dog Photo of the Week
Photo by Helen H. Richardson, “Photos: 2024 Colorado Kennel Club Annual All Breed Dog Show” (via The Denver Post)
Dog Video of the Week
By CBS, “Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala Preview”.