For KattiJo Deeter’s lead dog Moose, there is a brand-new race every day. That is, so long as Deeter has actually planned a good trailside treat menu.
“In Moose’s mind, he’s worried that there’s always going to be food available and that if anyone gets there before he does that he’s not going to get the food,” said Deeter. “And I think he really wants to get there first in case there is a snack waiting for him.”
This year marks 5-year-old Moose’s 4th Iditarod. Deeter said she will be depending upon Moose’s management abilities and mindset to keep the running enjoyable, even in the most difficult miles.
“He eats, he is happy, and he was the dog who took me into Nome after the storm last year,” she said. “In hard times on the trail I’m going to really lean on him as my leader and my heart dog out there.”
Deeter’s novice race ended in 2015 in a raving storm near the Topkok Hills. But both she and Moose are back to make another go to Nome.
Deeter said Moose’s capability to remain on good terms with the entire group is a huge part of what he gives his position in lead.
“He is not all concerned with the group dynamic,” she said. “He has never been an aggressive or assertive male. He’s always been a dog that just gets along great with other dogs and doesn’t mind leading the charge down the trail.”
Moose becomes part of our “Dog of the Day” series. Each day throughout the Iditarod, we’ll include a brand-new dog making the 1,000-mile dash to Nome. Earlier, we fulfilled Dusty.
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