Theo is Inspired by Dogs in Alaska

 We have to be strategic. Theo, the gangster cat, loves the zoo, but he is not a fan of museums. Things behind glass. Written words explaining the history. But here we are--stuck in Anchorage for an extra day because of a flight delay--and decide to go to the Anchorage Museum.

It is massive and impressive. Our first thought--what will Theo like?

Dogs. We rush up to the exhibit which explains the pivotal role that dogs played in Alaska. 

They were part of the fur trade, mining, missionary activity and were the primary means of transportation between communities, pulling people, goods, and mail across vast distances. Like the mailman, weather was not a deterent. Dogs followed networks of frozen rivers and narrow trails through the mountains. 

During the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-1899, dogs were considered more reliable than horses to haul goods and tools. At the turn of the 20th century, laws were passed in Alaska to protect the dogs. In the 1930's air travel and in the 1960's snow machines working dogs became less common, leading to dog racing in the 1970's. 

Balto is one such dog. When the city of Nome had a deadly diptheria outbreak in the winter of 1925, communities worked together to transport life-saving serum from Seward, 1,000 miles away. After the medicine was shipped to Nenana by train, twenty mushers and their dog teams relay raced the final 500 miles. Balto was the lead dog in the final leg of the serum run (in the midst of a terrible blizzard.)

Nanuq, a one month old Australian Shepherd, survived one month on the frozen Bering Sea in 2023, traveling over 150 miles, surviving on seals and birds. He had a polar bear or seal bite on his front paw, but made it home to his owner.

Theo loves every minute. We pick him up so he can get closer to the paintings and photos on the museum wall. 

"Well, what do you think?" we ask him. 

We hope Theo's been super patient, super interested and, we think, super inspired by all the stories. After all, he hasn't once meowed for a snack. Rather he glances at Dan and gives him a few eye blinks. Then he meows. Theo's way of saying, "All is good."

We high five each other. Life is good. Today is good. Then Theo meow whispers, "Felix."

Felix the Cat. We know exactly what he's trying to tell us--cats can be heroes too!