Quote Originally Posted by jesse_3
Although, I don't understand why a musher would just "throw away" their older lead dog, this dog has probably been with them for a long time. It breaks my heart to hear things like that.
Competitive mushing is a whole different mindset. A top racing kennel simply can't keep every dog it produces. The dogs aren't pets, they aren't family members..they have a job and when they can't do it, there is another dog right there who can. Most mushers are pretty happy to give a dog, even a really good one, to someone who can actually still use them and give them a happy retirement.

The four trained leaders I've been given--Paxil, Sleet, Pingo and Sundin came from 2 kennels--one big one, one small. Sleet and Paxil were both still perfectly capable of pulling, but hated being yard dogs. They wanted to be in the house and hanging out with people. Their musher couldn't accomodate that and she knew I could. I also believe she knew Paxil was sick and she couldn't afford to treat her, so she did the next best thing--found her a home with someone who could and would.

Pingo and Sundin came from the same distance racing kennel. Both were bumped from the owner's A team and were sitting in the yard. It was a waste of their talents and pretty miserable for them. He wanted them to go someplace where they could still do what they love and be happy dogs again. None of those four had been abused in any way by their first mushers, they just couldn't meet the needs of a more demanding mushing style. Both former owners still check in on them occasionally and would take them back if neccessary.

One of the reasons I don't compete is that I just can't think like that. I will someday, not too far off, have an old & slow team!