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Don’t like it? Don’t go

Dear Editor:

Reading about the Krabloonik dogs in the editorials is getting old! Older then the history of dog sledding itself, which dates back hundreds of years since the human and dog introduction.

Dogs and sleds were used to discover and make habitable Arctic regions such as: Greenland, Scandinavia, Norway, the South Pole, Canada, Alaska and others. It was the only means of transportation, other then walking. Try walking through deep snow with the animal you just killed to feed your family during the winter! Fur trappers used them to gather traps and travel to trade destinations. Any of you complaining own a fur coat or bought one for your trophy wife? Gold miners utilized them during winter seasons. Got gold rings or watches? They are still used today by some native Alaskan cultures, race events and, yes, tourist attractions. Don’t like the idea? Drive your SUV to dinner!



I had the opportunity to visit the home and kennel of Jeff King, a four-time Iditarod winner and owner and breeder of many sled dogs who lives in the Denali in Alaska. All the dogs at the property were chained to their wooden box/doghouse, with plenty of chain to run, eat, sleep and minor interaction with the dog next to them. They are rotated to a large wheel with eight or so dogs chained to the doghouse, and this allows them to run at speed, which they love doing. If a dog is tired it hops up into its house and watches the world go round. These dogs must be separated from full contact with each other so there is not mass humping going on, resulting in unwanted pups. Many are not fixed and chosen to mate with only specific dogs for genealogy and performance purposes. Bob Barker would be proud!

To Deborah Baker who wrote the article “Outraged by Krabloonik,” I say stay in Denver and enjoy your Democratic National Convention! You may not like dog sledding, so don’t participate in the activity. To PETA member Jennifer O’Conner’s “Dog-sledding a cruel sport” I ask: What about the champion race horse that was “put down” after breaking an ankle in a recent horse race?




Krabloonik is a legitimately run business and popular tourist attraction that pays its share of taxes. Sure, maybe the owner did not have to shoot those dogs awhile back.

But, if my dog gets old, ill or severely injured, it is my legal right to walk him to a field and shoot him in the back of the head. Ever read or watched “Old Yeller”? I don’t think I have the stomach to do so, but could as long as I discharge the firearm outside of city limits. So bitch and moan about something else. Like maybe the thousands of Americans being kill in our so-called “War on terror” while oil companies report record high profits! You are not forced to go dog sledding, or even eat at Krabloonik.

That is all, and have a wonderful day!

John Norman

Carbondale