Blind sled dog is guided by his brother along the trail

Gonzo lost his sight when he was about three-years-old, but not his desire to run with the big dogs.

Why he lost his sight was and still is a mystery, but after a period of adjustment his brother Poncho seemed to understand what was happening. They had run as a team before and Gonzo doesn’t want to be left behind now.

The two Alaskan Huskies are among more than 120 dogs at Muddy Paws sled dog kennel, a no-kill, nonprofit shelter for sled dogs in New Hampshire. The kennel offers educational programs and dog sled rides as a means to pay for food and care.

Karen Tolen and Neil Beaulieu started the kennel almost nine years ago with a few Alaskan Huskies whose owners could no longer afford their upkeep.

When Poncho and Gonzo are hitched together Gonzo will lean in for the turns and gauge his gait and cadence on the movements of his brother, according to musher A.J. Norton.

She recalled that once during training when Gonzo fell, Poncho lifted him up by grabbing the harnesses with his teeth.

"That took a lot of thought," she said.

Comments

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Once again, I wonder at people who think animals have no emotional lives. Beautiful story.

Posted by: geogia little pea | January 08, 2013 at 12:16 PM

I love these kind of stories. It reminds me of the story about Cashew and Libby. Cashew the blind and deaf Labrador Retriever that was guided by his best friend, a cat named Libby.

Posted by: Colby | January 08, 2013 at 01:43 PM

That is amazing. I'm glad his brother helps him out. I had a little poodle that went blind with age and she could do well for years.

Posted by: Becky | January 08, 2013 at 02:34 PM