The Huskies are in Nome!

The last of the Iditarod sled dog teams have arrived in Nome, Alaska. More than 1300 excited, barking husk

The last of the Iditarod sled dog teams have arrived in Nome, Alaska. More than 1300 excited, barking huskies left Anchorage on March 4, pulling sleds and mushers bound for Nome. I always feel a certain admiration for these dogs.

They are not lap dogs, but powerful, wiry animals not so far removed from their wild ancestors. Although some are dropped from the race due to injury or fatigue and flown back home, those who finish the challenging 1100 mile race show great courage and athleticism. These dogs are rarely purebreds but are a mixture of northern breeds with beautiful, double thick coats and big hearts and lungs.

Huskies, born and bred to run, and are seen barking and jumping in their harness to be on the trail. That's gotta be the life for a dog; running with the pack through the snowy wilderness! They look like they're having much more fun than the dog who spends most of his life alone in a back yard. Even couch potato dogs will muster up some excitement when their guardian produces a leash and heads out for a hike.

Dogs just like to roam, and these Alaskan huskies are fortunate enough to be able to do the ultimate roam! However, there are stories of sled dog teams just stopping in their tracks, sometimes only yards from the finish line. It may be an embarrassment to the musher but those dogs have minds of their own! They're strong and clever and they know when enough's enough. You just gotta admire dogs like that!