The current warmer winter weather is reaching up north to our 49th state - Alaska - and having an effect on the traditional dogsled races - the most famous of which is the Iditarod - a 1000+ mile trek from Anchorage to Nome scheduled for first week in March. Some readers may recall that Sarah Palin's husband was a former winner of this race. The high temperature in Anchorage on February 5th was 33 Fah. Most sled dogs run best at temperatures ranging from minus 20 Fah. to Zero Fah. so the dogs can risk overheating. Some "mushers" are now breeding dogs with thinner coats and shorter fur. Sledders in northern Minnesota are pushing their race dates back from January to March. So when they call "Mush, you huskies!" let's hope there is enough snow under foot for them.
tjs
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/sports/warm-weather-forces-changes-ahead-of-iditarod-race.html?emc=eta1
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