Children were going to die!
It was a matter of time before the disease would spread to all the children.
The year was 1925 and several children were diagnosed with diphtheria. The outbreak was in the small, remote town of Nome, Alaska.
An anti-toxin was needed to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading. The only serum available was over a 1000 miles away in Anchorage. The serum was needed fast!
Being 1925, modes of transportation were not as available as they are today. Shipping lanes were frozen and freezing temps prevented planes from flying. The trains could transport to within 600 miles of Nome but that was as far as the rails went.
There was only one solution….
….sled dogs.
20 teams of mushers were setup to deliver the serum.
Togo was lead dog for musher Leonhard Seppala. Togo and his team did the longest and most hazardous stretch covering over 200 miles of dangerous terrain.
The final leg of the journey was covered by Gunnar Kaasen and his lead dog Balto. In near white out conditions, Balto lead his team into Nome and the serum was delivered.
Traveling through dangerous white out conditions in freezing temps, the dogs got the job done when there were no other options.
Onward.
Chips was a German Shepherd Collie Siberian Husky mix living a quiet life with his family in Pleasantville, New York when World War ll broke out. His owner donated Chips to the military effort.
Chips attended the War Dog Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division in Africa, Sicily, France, and Germany.
During one battle, Chips and his handler were pinned down on a beach when he broke free and attacked the gunners. The gunners surrendered and Chips sustained a scalp wound and powder burns.
Chips was in eight campaigns during the war and was discharged in December 1945, returning to his family.
More…
From 1800 to 1814 a St. Bernard named Barry saved more than 40 lives in the mountains of Switzerland and Germany. The Germans gave him the name Menschenretter, meaning “people rescuer.”
Legend has it Barry saved a small boy by carrying him on his back to safety. Barry’s preserved body is still on display in Bern.
A few years back I was doing a private in home lesson with this lady when her husband came home. He gave me a side eyed look and and was not happy I was in there training. 15 minutes into the lesson he threw his hands up and said, “It’s just a dog.”
“It’s just a dog.”
I HATE that saying.
Dogs have always had a purpose in our lives. Think of seeing eye dogs, dogs for the hearing impaired. Think of dogs who are the only source of company for people. Dogs that have saved lives. Dogs I’ve worked with. Years ago I worked with a dog named Jocko.If it weren’t for him, I would not have been as safe as I was patrolling the city streets I worked.
“It’s just a dog.”
One of the main reasons dogs have always been a part of our lives is simple.
Training.
Training dogs has made our lives easier. Training them to provide safety, companionship, and much, much more.
The role of the dog has changed dramatically in the past 100 years. Dogs were once bred to hunt, guard, and herd. Dogs still guard and herd and hunt, but they have taken on new roles. They now guide blind people through life. They provide hearing for the impaired. Sniff out cancer, bedbugs, drugs, explosives, and more.
“It’s just a dog.”
Training has always been the link between people and dogs. So I am very happy January is National Train Your Dog Month.
I have planned a few special events for you. The first one is the Perfect Puppy Seminar I’ll be holding later this month on Thursday, January 24 at 6:00PM.
Here is what you’ll discover at the FREE Perfect Puppy Seminar:
3 most important words every puppy owner needs to know. (These 3 words will forever change the relationship with your puppy.)
Exactly how to house train your puppy. (The exact step-by-step plan I have used for over 25 years, helping thousands of puppy owners potty train their puppies.)
Do you really need to be the Alpha? (The confusing topic of leadership made simple by following this simple four-step process.)
How to ELIMINATE 70% of your puppies problems by following this one step. (This one tip will immediately help with housetraining, biting, chewing and more.)
Is there a best age to start training puppies? (I am always asked at what age should they start training and are surprised at how young I start.)
The 3 biggest problem facing new puppy owners. (I’ll share what the problems are and how to EASILY overcome them.)
Why common puppy behavior problems can be solved FAST! (In most cases in 45 minutes or less.)
The #1 EASIEST way to teach your puppy to be calm and controlled in any situation. (Most puppies are out of control, overstimulated, hard-to-handle bundles of energy. This one exercise will train your puppy to be calm on command.)
And much more….
If you are a new puppy owner this is for you. If you know a new puppy owner, please share this with them.
You can register for The Perfect Puppy Seminar. The seminar will be on Thursday, January 24th at 6:00PM at my dog training school located at 1180 State Road Westport, MA.
You can register for the FREE Perfect Puppy Seminar below. In Questions/Comments section please type Perfect Puppy Seminar.
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Best,
Eric Letendre’s Dog Training School
1180 State Rd. Westport, MA.
774.319.6351