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Jim Cole / AP
Sled dogs Poncho, left, and his blind brother Gonzo are hooked up for a run at the Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, N.H., on Jan. 17, 2013. Poncho has taken to helping his blind brother on regular runs.
The Associated Press reports — When Gonzo started tripping over his food dish three years ago, no one could explain or stop the Alaskan husky's quickly advancing blindness. But a veterinarian offered some simple advice: "Run this dog."
Jim Cole / AP
Ben Morehouse guides a team of sled dogs, including Gonzo and Poncho, through a field below the Presidential Range in the White Mountains in Jefferson, N.H.
Gonzo, one of 120 dogs at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel, was happy to comply. With help from his brother, Poncho, he soon resumed his place pulling a sled all over New Hampshire's North Country to the delight of tourists and his caretakers, who quickly realized that if Gonzo didn't treat his blindness like an obstacle, neither would they.
Kennel owner Neil Beaulieu describes a spring day when he took the pair for a ride on a trail known for its deep snow, and Gonzo strayed to the edge of the trail and stumbled. With the team still moving forward, Poncho reached over, dug his head in the snow and pulled his brother out, grabbing his harness with his teeth.
"He essentially picked him out of the powder ... threw him back on the trail and never skipped a beat," Beaulieu said. "I've run dogs in a lot of places, all over the country, and it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen sled dogs do." Read the full story.
Video: Huskies train for famous sled dog rally in Scotland
Jim Cole / AP
Sled dogs at the Muddy Paw Sled dog Kennel in Jefferson, N.H. The kennel takes in rescues and "second-chance" dogs.
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No surprises here for me. During my lifetime sharing home and hearth with a variety of species, I have learned they far surpass humans in all respects including basic decency. Their care and affection is not limited to their own species. I've seen a rabbit save the life of a cat and a cat who had great affection for our pet rats. One of my rescue dogs, who I'm sure had no interaction with rabbits before she joined our family, assigned herself as the protector of the family rabbit.
These wonderful stories need to be told and shared with as many people as possible….perhaps then we could stand together after learning from simple basic unconditional actions of these beautiful creatures. I have had my rescued baby boy (4 weeks old) since January 2003-and without knowing it at the time…..he saved me from a very short path to self-destruction…I had to be "accountable" so to speak and every morning, waking up with him next to me gave me a reason to stick around. Now that he is 9 years old, PaleRider & I have a language all our own. His snuffles, sneezes, yawns and smiles, along with a grunt here and there have such connection to his emotion of excitement, disdain, disgust, disappointment….anxiousness and contentment , as well_they remind me of how lucky I am that he stills saves my life….every day.
That the people who owned this dog gave him the chance to continue his life in spite of his blindness speaks highly of them. Many people when faced with a disability in their pet chose to have them euthanized. It was heart lifting to read the article and see how well he copes with his blindness and the fact that his brother is there for him is terrific. When our 12 year old Lab mix began having sight issues, his little sister made it a point to stay close to his side when tey went out in the back yard - just a little nudge here or there to help him avoid the sprinkler heads or bushes - she became his eyes. Those people who believe animals don't have souls have never had their lives enriched by the unstinting, boundless love of a pet - I am grateful every day for the time I have shared with my four-footed family members.
I think it's great that one dog is helping another.
I know these are outside dogs and houses have been provided for them, but I hate to see them chained up. I'm sure some of them get to run when pulling a sled, but with that many dogs it would be impossible to run them every day. They need a fenced in area so they can run and play together every day. They should NOT be chained up but in a large kennel run. The fencing would have to be expensive chain link, but could be something sturdy but affordable.
My Dog Taylor,lost her sight a year ago...I think it affected my Wife and I ,more than it did Taylor. We were babying her for months...then one day she started to run along side us ...and then it all fell into place...we just treat her like a normal Dog..and she responds to that... we play and run ...she goes upstairs and down...jumps on the chairs...man...they can sure teach us a great deal about life....sorry to ramble...When you see another Dog help the Blind one....it just warms the heart.
Mans best friend---At home--we had a dog with no front legs---Brownie was walking on her two rear legs---she could still hunt rabbits and squrills--never causght one---red neck from Gasprilla Island --Florida--Brownie loved to float in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico--but now it is unsafe --because of the illegals from Mexico---and Gasprilla Island is now owned by the immigrants from Iran--lots of oil money