The press release from the Iditarod Trail Committee stated that Karen Ramstead had scratched from the Iditarod at Grayling to be with her family to grieve the loss of one of her team members. Snickers, a six year old purebred Siberian Husky was more then a team member - she was a family member. According to Karen, Snickers craved human attention like no other dog in their yard. When Snickers died from a bleeding ulcer, Karen could not bring herself to continue in the race. The attempt to save Snickers was heroic. As Karen wrote at her website:
The lengths they went to in the middle of the wilds of Alaska were simply amazing and included a dog to dog blood transfusion off of her brother, Crunchie (who was so cooperative and calm it was spooky). I know that everything possible was done to try and save our little lead dog - and we will forever be grateful for that.
Karen offered thanks for the compassion of fellow mushers during the tragedy as well in this statement.
And warm thanks to fellow mushers Cindy Gallea and Bryan Mills. Cindy graciously offered her skills to help hold off veins during Snickers transfusion - and Bryan Mills, in a move so kind it makes my heart ache, offered to travel to Nome with me should I decide to stay in the Race, so I wouldn’t have to be alone.
Karen and her husband Mark have set up a Snickers Memorial Fund to help research studies on ulcers in working sled dogs. Please visit her website for more information on how to donate. For a touching music video featuring Snickers prominently, see “Pretty Sled Dogs” with music by Kyf Brewer. This is a trailer for the Pretty Sled Dogs DVD created before the race. Snickers is the lead dog on the left.
That was a great short video “In memory of Snickers”. I raise Border Collies but the Iditarod race and all the sled dogs have all my admiration in the world and the Mushers.
What a nice story. It’s a shame it’s about a dog death, but it’s good to see people working together to get through hard times. Cindy Callea and Bryan Mills should get the Humanitarian Award this year for their kindness and support.
I totally agree - Cindy and Bryan are my new heroes.
They totally show us what the Iditarod is all about.
Teams working for a common goal.
RIP Snickers.
im sorry about snickers thats so sad that he had to go but hes in a better place now were he can not get hut
RIP SNICKERS!
good by snickers have a happy time up there!!!!!!!!!!!!
bring pictuers please