This deserves its own thread....Zorro sustained 3 broken ribs, some internal bleeding, and spinal injuries, when a snowmachine traviling at high speed rearended Lances team. He is not able to stand or use his back legs. Medical bills are over $4000.00 now. Lances home page.... http://www.mackeyscomebackkennel.com/
Donations can be made and greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

The guy on the SM stuck around for awhile, probably because he had to untangle his SM from the sled but the articles I read didnt indicate if he was drunk or what his name was. Hope the irrisponsible .....um person, pays up.

 

I read mackey didnt know who did it. the article said that he was hoping he would come forward so he could find out why it all happened.

 

I guess you either get it or you don't.

I'd put a dog down before spending $4K on him.

jmo

 

Zorro was not just a dog he is a loyal companion and family member and incredible athlete. This dog and his bloodline has made up one of the most famous dog teams in mushing history. He led Lance thru race history winning the Quest and Irod twice in two years. He had Zorro in the bag resting, saving him for the last sprint into Nome. They could have possibly won the race. I would spend any amount it took to save my dog, he put himself not once, but twice between me and possible death, never once thinking of himself, only of protecting me.

 

Man Justin.. For someone as intelligent as you are, you're the one who doesn't seem to get it. You surprised me on this one. jmo

 

My thoughts exactly couldn't agree more!

 

Mike, I was referring to myself and will admit that I don't get it. To me it's not a matter of intellect-- I am aware how people bond with dogs and why they are willing to spend money on them.

But to "get it" you have to also have that emotional bond-- like only another pet owner could truly understand.

I had a dog as a kid, and we bonded to the dog. As an adult, I prefer not having a pet.

I was just saying that because I'm not bonded to an animal, I'd put the dog down.

If I had owned and bonded with a special dog like that for years, there's little doubt in my mind that I would do the same thing.

Intellect has nothing to do with it. It's all about experience and emotion, imo.

I don't "get" a lot of things: $5 coffee, Harleys, and Dunkin Donuts among them. If that makes me less significant a person, so be it.


Justin

 

I guess it is one of those “you have to be there” sort of things. We had to put our 12yo dog down because we couldn’t see paying for questionable cancer treatment for him. Others we know have spent a lot to keep their dogs around for awhile longer. That was 8 years ago and we still haven’t gotten another dog. Get too attached.
In Zorro’s case, Lance not only has the emotional attachment but also a long term financial (puppies) interest.

 

Mackey said he wasn't pressing charges, and won't reveal who it was that was driving the SM...They were really sorry for the accident he stated.
Not only was Zorro hurt. but his sled was totaled and 4 other dogs have been stressed to the point they might have problems later on. So far the bills for the accident is over 15 thousand, counting vet bills, loss of equipment and gear. This is the third such accident this season. Jennifer Freking had 2 dogs hit and one (Lorne) died when a SM hit her team, barely missing her.

 

You would think the people driving snow machines so erratically would have “Darwin’ed” themselves off by running into trees or each other. Mackey had even shined his headlamp at them prior to getting hit.

 

What if one of the chicago cubs was running up the road and was hit by a motorcycle....I guess he should be put down too, as i am not bonded to him either.

 

See, that's where we'll part ways of thinking.

I happen to believe very firmly that human life is uniquely special. The Bible says that human beings are made in the image of God-- no other animals are.

Humans aren't just another animal. We have souls and spirits that animals do not have. We can reason and philosophize-- other animals cannot. There is no debate about morals in the animal kingdom--- animals do whatever their instincts tell them to do-- whether that's kill or eat or mate or what have you.

I'd give my life for another human being-- that life is unique to me. But I won't even blink to put down a pet or kill a deer or an elk or whatever, and I'd NEVER sacrifice a human for an animal.

We aren't simply at the top of the food chain-- we are unique.

This used to be unequivocally agreed upon, but since Evolution took hold, the belief that we are just more highly evolved animal set in and people lost hold of the truth of human uniqueness.

The bond the people have with animals is mostly in our minds-- not in the pet's mind. To establish this fact, just look at a typical pounds dog. You can have a good relationship with a pound dog, and that dog will scarcely remember its previous family given enough time and attention from the new family. So the majority of the pet bond is because we ascribe to animals thoughts and feelings that they themselves may not possess.

If a person honestly believes that a dog is the same as a Chicago Cubs player in worth, then I submit that person is should look closer at baseball because they're already out in left field..

I understand my views on this aren't popular, but I'm not expecting them to be and I'm not trying to win someone to my perspective.

My views in this area are also never going to change because it's based on timeless truth. Humans are humans, and animals are animals and that won't change.

jh

 

I wasn't commenting so much on your position, more so on the fact that you injected your opinion into the thread knowing AkTALLPAUL seems to love the sport of dog sledding and the people and animals tied to it.

You came across as very callous. I figured a smart man like yourself would understand your comments might be hurtful to Paul.

For the record, I love my dog and would do about anything to save him, within reason. I would seek the guidance of someone more intelligent than myself on the subject matter to properly make the decision at hand.

 

I personally have spent just a hair under $5,000 on my Dalmation who had a kidney stone and his bladder ruptured. A&M expensive surgery, would do it again in a heart beat. Dog is 8 years old now, little brother is 5. My dog has been a protector of me my family and especially my little bro (alerted us when brother was an infant who managed to get out of the house and was playing on the steps of the pool!)...

Dog is a member of the family and I personally hold him at a higher level than many of the 'humans' on this earth.