Did Balto the husky dog really exist?
Balto was the Siberian husky that led Gunnar Kassen’s team during the Serum Run that brought Diptheria antidote to Nome in 1925. He is notable because he was leading the team that brought the serum on the last leg of the relay (less than 50 miles), and into Nome itself. Frankly, Balto was a second-string dog leading a team of second string dogs from Leonhard Seppala’s kennel. Seppala and his first-string team covered 600+ miles, including one run of 84 miles in a single day, crossing the Norton Sound twice in the process. Seppala’s leader was Togo. It is this man, this team, and this lead dog who are truly responsible for the success of the Serum Run. If you are truly interested in the story, I’d recommend reading “The Cruelest Miles” by Gay and Laney Salisbury. It is an awesome history of the Serum Run and the teams. More info: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/extr…
