DENVER -- APRIL 6, 2009

Marianne is just crazy about the Iditarod. She follows race blogs, checks the standings every day, and reads every news story she can find. Parker wrote an extensive DogBlog about it last year; Click here to read it.

Parker was interested in all the rules and logistics, but I'm more interested in the actual DOGS. I found out there's an Iditarod canine reporter named Zuma who has her own column on the Iditarod Trail Committee's website called "Zuma's Paw Prints."

Zuma is not a working sled dog, even though she works for the Iditarod Trail Committee. She decided early on that her particular talents were more literary, so she became a journalist. However, she told me that she enjoys going on training runs with some of her sled dog pals. Now that the 2009 Iditarod is over, Zuma had time to answer a few questions for me.

Ross: What breed are sled dogs?

ZUMA: The dogs are Alaskan Huskies. Alaskan Huskies are not an AKC registered breed, but if you click here you can learn lots more about the Alaskan Husky and what's required to be an eligible sled dog for the Iditarod.

ROSS: What characterizes a good sled dog?

ZUMA: Sled dogs have to have energy and love to run.

ROSS: Hmmm, I love to run and have energy, but I'm not sure I have enough energy to run over 1,100 miles! Something tells me there's more to it.

ZUMA: I guess the best answer is the musher observes the dogs and discovers the strengths in the dogs as they start their early training.

ROSS: What is the early training like? What does the musher look for to determine which dogs will be good racers?

ZUMA: Since mushers start socializing the pups right away, the socialization and exercise includes training the pups from a very young age. Mushers watch the pups to see how they race along the trail, climb over little twigs, and how fast they learn to run, jump, and have fun running along the trails. When they are old enough to get into harnesses, the musher watches the dogs as they learn.

ROSS: It does sound like fun! Why did you decide not to be a racer? (Not that there’s anything wrong with being a journalist!)

ZUMA: From the time I was a pup, I wanted to write and not to run.

ROSS: Yes, I totally understand the urge to write. I guess it would be hard to type while you're on the trail, too. So, when you talk to your friends who are sled dogs, what do they like most about racing? Is there anything they don't like?

ZUMA: They don't like not running, and love running and pulling the sled. They enjoy being outside breathing in that fresh air and seeing the sights as they run.

ROSS: Marianne showed me pictures of Alaska and it is GORGEOUS. What kinds of things and animals do the dogs see on the trail? Are they ever tempted to take off on their own adventure or chase something?

ZUMA: Well-trained dogs will listen to the musher and stay on the trails. The dogs will see all of Alaska's wild, from the mountains to the valley, moose, musk ox, perhaps a wolf or two....you never know what might be on the trail!

ROSS: Yikes. Wolves, huh? I think I'll stick to my neighborhood after all. How do dogs learn to be good sled dogs? Is it hard to learn to be part of a team? Are there ever arguments among the dogs?

ZUMA: I think this is all about learning it as a pup, practice, practice, practice. The best sled dog knows how to work as a team member and knows to work with the musher, too. It is all about practice, like for humans learning to do math or science, or shooting hoops. You have to practice and really want to do it.

ROSS: Huh, that's a lot like learning CCI commands. I have to practice over and over and over until I can do it the first time I'm asked, and in the correct position. What kind of training do the dogs have in the off season?

ZUMA: Training in the off season depends on where one lives. You can pull a sled if there is snow, or a wheeled cart if there is no snow. Staying healthy, exercised, getting good nutrition, getting rest, all those things are important all year round.

ROSS: Speaking of nutrition, I get boring (but good for me) kibble to eat. What kind of food do sled dogs eat?

ZUMA: Sled dogs eat a healthy well balanced diet like any athlete would. The type of kibble and supplements and different kinds of meats/protein that mushers use depend on the musher and where the musher lives. Fish like salmon are delicious, for example.

ROSS: How does the musher know how much dog food to take for the race? I'd hate to think of the dogs not getting enough food during all that running!

ZUMA: Silly Ross, mushers don't carry all of the dog's food during the race! Dog food and other supplies are sent to the checkpoints so when a musher arrives the supplies are there.

ROSS: I heard that the dogs have to wear booties- why is that? My puppy raiser told me she read that mushers take between 1300-1500 booties for the race! That’s a lot of booties! Where do they pack them?

ZUMA: The booties are worn to protect the dog's feet. Again, booties like other supplies are sent to the checkpoints.

ROSS: How do the dogs get home after the race is over? What if a dog gets sick during the race?

ZUMA: Dogs fly home on airplanes after the race. A dog that is ill stays in checkpoints with veterinarians until they fly back to Anchorage or on to Nome.

ROSS: I get this question myself all the time: Do the dogs have playtime when they’re not working?

ZUMA: Everyone needs play time! Dogs love to play with each other and their musher.

ROSS: Just like CCI dogs! I guess in some ways all working dogs are alike - work hard, play hard.

Chow for now!

Ross

Questions or comments for Ross? Send him an e-mail!

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to CCI for details.