ID: Returned Dog Update

Now that the Current Standings are updated from Eagle Island we see Aliy has left one of her team mates with the vet crew there. Aliy will be so disappointed, she will have been enjoying the dynamics of her fun group of 14 team mates.

On an Insider video earlier in the week we learned that Commando got a minor cut on his leg going through Dalzell Gorge on Monday. This had been treated by the vet crew in Rohn and Aliy had it monitored at checkpoints all along the way. Commando was healing nicely and it wasn’t bothering him but these warm, wet conditions have meant the wound could not be kept dry and there could be a risk of infection. She decided to leave Commando with the vet crew in Eagle Island to enable him to heal properly and continue on an course of antibiotics to head off any infection at the pass.

Aliy will be gutted about that. Not only is Commando a superstar – he’s a Yukon Quest Golden Harness winner and the full package of a champion sled dog – he is also a nice dog! She will miss his sly cuddles when bootie-ing and his soft, goofy smile, mostly hidden behind his serious ‘Blue Steel’ persona. As always though, the best interest of her dogs comes before anything.

So what happens to a returned dog? You can take a look back at other articles we have written about this (here, here and here) and other kennels have excellent descriptions on this also, particularly our friends over at Smokin’ Ace.

First, Commando will have had a thorough exam by the vet crew on the ground at Eagle Island to triage into Red, Blue or White status. Red classed dogs require the highest priority level, blue dogs require medication but are stable and white dogs are healthy but tired or have a minor athletic injury. This exam will be completed multiple times from the time Aliy signed Commando over into the vets’ care until he is picked up by our Returned Dog Coordinator, Linda, in Anchorage.

Commando will then fly to one of the Returned Dogs Hubs in either McGrath or Unalakleet depending on the weather and flight availability with the Iditarod Airforce, then on to Anchorage. Every step of the way Commando will be well taken care of by an army of volunteers whose sole job is to care for the dogs. They have written protocols to follow and are under the supervision of a vet so rest assured, he will be in great hands!

Once in Anchorage, Liz and the vet and volunteer team on the ground have protocols to follow to ensure they are happy to hand him off into Linda’s care. He must have eaten a meal, be up to date with meds and passed a final vet exam.

Linda will update us once Commando has returned, but as Eagle Island is a remote checkpoint, it could be some days before he finds his way to Anchorage.

Find out more about the rules surrounding returned dogs in Section 45 of the Race Rules.

Note: it is not often we get the information about a returned dog so quickly. Please be patient as it can take time to get details – sometimes it is not until the dog is back in Anchorage that we find out who and why. We endeavour to keep you informed as quickly as possible so your patience is appreciated.