Extra Points
Jerry Brewer explains the thinking behind his columns and invites readers to express their views on the sports world.
SubscribeMarch 2, 2008 12:20 AM
A glimpse of the Iditarod through Laura Daugereau
Posted by Jerry Brewer
With the NCAA Tournament a little more than two weeks away, this is a rather slow period in sports. The NBA season is winding down, the MLB season is revving up. The NFL is amid its free agency period, and it looks like the Seahawks are going to be bargain shoppers this year (although they now have to scramble to replace Josh Brown).
So it was a good time to pop in a different kind of story.
Which brings me to the Sunday column on Laura Daugereau, the first woman from this state to compete in the Iditarod.
I went into this column knowing close to nothing about dog sledding, and I left it with some good insight. More than sports, I gained great perspective on the diversity of joy, or in other words, the many different passions that people can have -- and the extreme things they do because of that passion.
I have not met many 25-year-olds who live solitary lives and are actually normal. Daugereau is just a regular person with a joy (mushing), and she pursues her aspirations with tremendous focus. And now she is competing in the Iditarod, her dream.
I admire that. People can argue all they want about whether the Iditarod is cruel to dogs, but I will say this: Daugereau's love of her dogs is real. There is no way she could fake it. I am not currently a pet owner, but after hearing her talk about dogs for 45 minutes, I almost went to the Humane Society to adopt a little Snoopy.
You can disagree about whether she is choosing the right profession for her dogs, but her love and care for the animals is very thorough and incredible. Her entire day is dedicated to it. She notices everything about these dogs, from the health of their teeth to their coats to their limbs.
This column was a nice break from the norm. I'm interested to see if Laura can reach her goal and finish the Iditarod in 11 days and 20 hours.
For more information on Laura, you can click here to go to her website.
Digg
Newsvine
UPDATE - 3:02 PM
Recently listed
Popular searches
May 14, 08 - 09:37 AM
Q&A(rgue): Are the Mariners already toast?
May 13, 08 - 12:20 AM
Mayo's mayhem
May 11, 08 - 12:20 AM
Bad, meet worse
May 8, 08 - 12:20 AM
For the Mariners, another big mess
May 6, 08 - 12:20 AM
Eight Belles, R.I.P.
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
Open Houses | Find this weekend's open house listings.  Or search by location: |
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- How do innovators think?
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
Posted by Don Duncan
10:10 AM, Mar 06, 2008
Thank you Jerry for capturing the essence of Laura. I have know her for 10 years and as a musher myself can attest to the depth of commitment to her dogs. I was amongst the entourage who went to Anchorage to see her get underway. She was in her element. There are two reason she will not finish the Iditarod. 1: The earth opens and swallows her. 2: She feels her dogs safety or well being at risk.
I invite any skeptics who feel mushing is cruel to attend a race. You will see mushers coddling their team as newborn babies, dogs bouncing in the air in anticipation of another trek, and a bond between canine and human that borders on spiritual.
Godspeed Laura and pups..
Don Duncan