US Airways - December 2013 - (Page 44)

Adventure breeding programs has been the creation of a dog with a unique combination of speed and endurance and a mind capable of navigating." In other words, you won't ﬁnd any "Best in Show" primping among sled dog breeders. "Breeding is a science and an art," says 32-year-old Jocelyn Bradbury of Oxford, Maine. "These dogs do not belong to a breed group. They are evaluated on performance, not on looks. We don't care about height at the shoulder, ear set, or eye color. The real judging happens at the races." powered by Energy Management Video Monitoring Home Automation Alarm.com is sold exclusively through Authorized Security Dealers. To find one near you, visit: www.alarm.com/fly © 2013 Alarm.com. All rights reser ved. Brion O'Connor is a contributing editor. He writes from Massachusetts. PHOTO BY BEST IN SNOW There are many reasons why sled dog racing has such a pull on its participants, from the thrill of competition and speed to the chance to face down Mother Nature. "With the right gear and attitude, the cold is just part of it," says Ken Davis, a 56-year-old racer from Twig, Minnesota. "We laugh most race mornings when the Weather Channel people are telling everyone not to go outside because they'll freeze to death, while we're going out for ten hours of fun." For Davis, the primary attraction to sled dog racing is simple: the dogs. "No matter the weather, you're still smiling because the care of the dogs is more important than anything," he says. "The bond you develop is unbelievable." Sled dog racers are steadfast in defending their sport against misconceptions that the dogs are abused. "Dogs can only perform at their best when their minds and bodies are well," says Bradbury. "Knowing they are running their hardest because I've taken care of all the little things is what I strive for. My dogs are seriThe 2014 Iditarod begins on March 1. Visit iditarod.com ous athletes, and I for information, videos, and treat them with the exclusive race coverage. attention to detail # Interactive Security and care they deserve." And they're happiest when they're moving. "The main misconception is that the dogs are being forced to run against their will, but this couldn't be further from the truth," says Amy Cooper, a 48-year-old trainer and racer from Holmen, Wisconsin. "You just have to visit a kennel or race to see their exuberance and desire to run. The only dogs that feel 'mistreated' are the ones that don't get to run that day." The legendary Martin Buser, fourtime Iditarod champion and owner of Happy Trails Kennels in Big Lake, Alaska, likens his relationship with his dogs to a coach and his trusted star players "Any coach knows no matter how great your team is, injuries and fatigue happen," he says. "If you're in tune with your players, you don't hold that against them. You might question your training methods, or the situation, but you certainly can't fault your dogs, because they're always right." The next goal for some enthusiasts is to have sled dog racing included in the Winter Olympics, which would be its ﬁrst appearance since the 1932 games in Lake Placid, New York. But while members of the International Olympic Committee consider that request, sled dog racers will keep their eyes on a more immediate prize - the next event. "One reason I'm addicted to this sport is the rush I get from watching these amazing athletes at work," says Cooper. "They absolutely love what they do and are a thing of beauty to watch. When you have that ﬂawless run, there's nothing like it in the world." http://www.ALARM.COM http://www.Alarm.com http://www.iditarod.com http://www.alarm.com/fly http://www.ALARM.COM http://www.Alarm.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - December 2013

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Vacation Memories
Hub Crawl: Miami International Airport
Wine & Dine: Holiday Fizz
Diversions: Going Whole Hog
Diversions: Time Travel
Style Spotlight: Holiday Bling
Adventure: North Carolina's High Country
Adventure: Arizona Story
Adventure: Sled Dog Racing
Gear Up: Stocking Stuffers
Great Escapes: Charleston Place Hotel
Great Escapes: Hotel Palomar in Washington, DC
Travel Feature: Costa Rica
US Airways: Tower Talk
Celebrate Tucson, AZ
Health Matters: Miami Foot and Ankle Surgery
Charlotte, USA
Must Read: I Got Schooled
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - December 2013