Susan Butcher loses battle

Anchorage Daily News ^ | 08/05/2006

[Chena]

Four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher died Saturday in a Seattle hospital of complications from a recent bone marrow transplant, a hospital spokeswoman said. She was 51.

[radiohead]

She was an icon.

Absolutely. How sad. I got interested in the Iditarod because of her.

[thackney]

but I also beleive that losing a dog in the race disqualifies them.

You are incorrect.

[thackney]

In recognition of the spirit it takes to compete, let alone win, the Iditarod, folks should consider some of the rules.

Rule 16 -- Mandatory Items: A musher must have with him/her at all times the following items:
• Proper cold weather sleeping bag weighing a minimum of 5 lbs.
• Ax, head to weigh a minimum of 1-3/4 lbs., handle to be at least 22” long.
• One pair of snowshoes with bindings, each snowshoe to be at least 252 square inches in size.
• Any promotional material provided by the ITC.
• Eight booties for each dog in the sled or in use.
• One operational cooker and pot capable of boiling at least three (3) gallons of water at one time.
• Veterinarian notebook, to be presented to the veterinarian at each checkpoint.
• An adequate amount of fuel to bring three (3) gallons of water to a boil.
• Cable gang line or cable tie out capable of securing dog team.

When leaving a checkpoint adequate emergency dog food must be on the sled. (This will be carried in addition to what you carry for routine feeding and snacking.)

Rule 21 -- Motorized Vehicles: A musher may not be accompanied by or accept assistance from any motorized vehicle that gives help to the musher, including aircraft and snow machines, except when recovering a loose dog or driverless team.

Rule 33 -- Killing of Game Animals: In the event that an edible big game animal, i.e., moose, caribou, buffalo, is killed in defense of life or property, the musher must gut the animal and report the incident to a race official at the next checkpoint. Following teams must help gut the animal when possible. No teams may pass until the animal has been gutted and the musher killing the animal has proceeded. Any other animal killed in defense of life or property must be reported to a race official, but need not be gutted.

Rule 35 Navigation: Mushers are restricted to the use of traditional forms of navigation. This includes time, distance as known or measured on a map, speed as is computed with simple arithmetic and direction as indicted by magnetic compass. Electronic or mechanical devices that measure speed and direction are prohibited, i.e. Loran, night vision goggles and GPS’.

Rule 48 -- Shipping Amounts: An adequate amount of food is required to be shipped to the following checkpoints (minimum of 60 pounds combined weight of food and gear):
Skwentna, Rainy Pass, Rohn, Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna, Ophir, Iditarod, Shageluk, Anvik, Graying, Eagle Island, Kaltag, Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, Koyuk, Elim, White Mountain, Nome

2007 Iditarod Rules
http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2007/2007Rules.pdf

[redhead]

"I was aware of most of this, but I also beleive that losing a dog in the race disqualifies them. So it isn't who drives their dogs the hardest, it is who motivates them the best. I beleive Susan never lost a dog in the race. As the son of a veterinarian, I can tell when animals love their owners. Everytime I saw Susan on TV, it was obvious how much her dogs loved her."

I agree. I said at the time she won her first race that she won it because she took better care of her dogs than the men in the race. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that she was a woman, and "mothered" them. Of course, I'm not saying that her drive, will to win and prevail, and sheer sportsmanship and athletic ability didn't have anything to do with it, but she was just "different."

Bless you, Susan! You are missed.

[CheneyChick]

Very sad to hear this. She was truly an inspiration.

[Chena]

That was beautiful, Kathy. Thank you.

[Chena]

I have been to her husband's blog too, dawn53. Thank you for providing that link for our FRiends who may be interested in reading about her courageous battle.

[djf]

Very, very sad. I have a deep, natural love of hounds (except the two shepards the neighbor lets run wild), and have alot of empathy and understanding of other dog lovers.

Prayers for her family, as well as her fine, proud canines.

[Chena]

I hope her family finds some comfort in knowing that people from all over the world are sharing in their sorrow and keeping them in their prayers. I regret never having met her. I've been a fan of hers for years.