by Eric Bailey

Created on: February 12, 2009

Throughout the course of human history, human beings have reached beyond themselves in order to improve their quality of life. An independent person is often served better by joining a partner in endeavors, rather than going about them alone. Or, this need for outward help may be as simple as the use of tools. One expression of assistance in our history is that of animal domestication.

People have successfully domesticated dogs, cats, birds, horses, and many other creatures for their benefit in hunting, gathering, travel, and more. Even in current times, many millions upon millions of Earth citizens worldwide domesticate their fellow inhabitants for use as pets, workers, or otherwise. However, some would argue that many of these "uses" for them have been rendered obsolete or archaic. After all, in the advent of mass technology, what true advantage can an animal have?

Nonetheless, their proliferation continues, even branching into practices that certain interest groups have deemed unethical. The most prominent of these, PETA, aka People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has gained worldwide awareness as a provocative megaphone from which the sentiment of animal sympathy is voiced. They often engage in provocative, headline-making campaigns to bring specific instances of mistreatment to light.

One of their targets has been the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. After all, what better animal to target than the dog: Remarkably pervasive, widely loved, and often regarded as cute? And what better event to target than the Iditarod: A two-week competition on a course over 1,000 miles long where conditions are potentially deadly? With blizzard and whiteout conditions often occurring, and the wind chill potentially dipping to -100 degrees Fahrenheit, it would be a grueling task for any living thing in existence.

Although other critics have voices their disapproval, such as Dr. Paula Kislak, President of the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, PETA perhaps expressed their opinion most succinctly yet effectively, when spokesperson Jennifer O'Connor quipped: "We're totally opposed to the race for the cruelty issues associated with it."

With mushers such as Ramy Brooks banned for mistreating their dogs, and a count of animals that inevitably die every year, it is no small wonder that the Iditarod gains such notorious attention. But as long as humankind seeks the bold and epic ways through which to signal individual superiority, this Sled Dog Race will persevere, much like the dogs who carve the trails.

Learn more about this author, Eric Bailey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.