Balto

Of the 29 statues in Central Park, by far one of the most popular is of a dog named Balto. On any given day you will find a steady line of children (and some adults) eager to climb up and pose for photos with the heroic dog who successfully led a sled team on the final leg of the great 1925 Serum Run to Nome. While many people are familiar with the statue, they may not know the story behind the real Balto's fame.

In January 1925, the small town of Nome, Alaska was hit with a diphtheria outbreak that threatened to turn into an epidemic. Their only hope of stopping the disease was a diphtheria antitoxin but the closest supply was in Anchorage, 1,000 miles away. With Nome's isolated location, wintry conditions, and no available planes, it became clear that the only way to get the serum to the town was by land. It was first sent by train from Anchorage to Nenana; from there, dog sleds took over. A relay totaling 20 mushers and 150 dogs carried the life-saving serum the rest of the 674 miles in blizzard conditions that included strong winds and sub-zero temperatures. 

The real Balto.

Responsible for the second to last leg of the journey was musher Gunnar Kassen and his team with Balto at the lead. The five-year old Siberian Husky hadn’t appeared to be much of a leader in the past but now proved his worth, keeping the team on the trail in whiteout conditions and at one point even saving their lives by preventing them from plunging into the Topkok River. Kassen later said, "Many times I couldn't even see my dogs, so blinding was the gale. I gave Balto, my lead dog, his head and trusted him. He never once faltered. It was Balto who led the way."

When they arrived at their stop, Kassen found the final team asleep so he and his team pushed on and at 5:30 am on February 2, 1925, after 53 miles and 20 hours, they successfully arrived in Nome and delivered the serum.

The public, who had been following the story of the “Great Race of Mercy” with bated breath, hailed Kassen and Balto heroes, and they quickly became worldwide celebrities. On December 17, 1925 a statue of Balto, sculpted by Frederick G.R. Roth, was erected in Central Park with a plaque that reads: “Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the Winter of 1925.” Both Kassen and Balto were on hand for the unveiling. 

Kassen and his team spent more than a year touring the country on the vaudeville circuit before Kassen returned to Alaska, sadly, without the dogs. They were sold and kept on display at a freak show museum in Los Angeles where in 1927 former prizefighter turned Cleveland businessman George Kimble found them chained up, mistreated, and ill. Outraged, he founded the Balto Fund to raise the necessary $2,000 to purchase the dogs from their current owner and bring them to Cleveland. Within ten days, he had the money and on March 19, 1927, Balto along with Sye, Billy, Tillie, Fox, Old Moctoc, and Alaska Slim arrived in Cleveland where they were welcomed with a parade. They lived out their lives at the Brookside Zoo (now the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) where Balto died on March 14, 1933 at the age of 14. 

Today, the famed Iditarod Dog Sled Race commemorates the valiant efforts of Balto and the rest of the 1925 rescue teams while at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History his preserved body can be found on display. As for the statue in Central Park, it remains a symbol of the words written on its plaque: "endurance, fidelity, and intelligence." What a grand dog.

Photos of the Balto statue by Michele.

Ollie and the Borzoi

On this dreary Monday, let’s look at something cheery—some photos of the lovely Olive Thomas.

Of all the images I’ve seen of the star, some of my favourites are these taken at the Hartsook Studio in Los Angeles in 1919. Olive, looking like a symbol of the all-American girl, poses with one of her pets, a Russian wolfhound or Borzoi.

Originally used to hunt wolves, Borzois were popular with Russian nobility before being introduced in America around the turn of the last century. By the 1920s, they were commonly found depicted in Art Deco works. A known dog lover (she also had a Pekingese named Ioha and a Chow named Zigi), Olive would have been very stylish owning one. Besides, don't they look darling together?

Make 'Em Laugh

I came across this image years ago. I think it was actually in an ad for a bank. I don't know who took it but I think it's brilliant. Even though I know it's staged I like to think that the dog decided to wear the dentures; it makes the story more interesting. Maybe he saw all the toys on the ground—the fake steak, the tennis ball—and thought, I know, I'll wear the dentures. It will be hilarious and make people laugh. And indeed it does, every time I look at it.

Dogs on Parade

Last weekend I headed over to Tompkins Square Park for a special event—the 21st annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. With 500 dogs and thousands of spectators, the area around the park's dog run was packed and filled with dogs of all breeds. Although I was unable to make my way up to the judging stand I had no problem seeing many of the dogs in attendance.

There were devils and angels, sailors and dinosaurs, and many, many more costumes to be seen.

Lady Gaga was there and Elvis too. Little Red Riding Hood made an appearance as did Cruella Deville (one of the few people in costume). 

It was a great day and definitely one of the most fun parades I've attended. After all, is there anything more amusing than a dog in costume?

Photos by Michele.

Stars with Dogs

It has been one long and trying week (ironic as it was technically short because of the holiday). So for all you readers who may have been feeling a bit stressed lately, I bring you something to smile about—stars with dogs.

Carole Lombard (above) surrounded by dogs and one cat (let's just go ahead and assume the cat, who looks like my Poe, is not amused).

Rudolph Valentino with two very large dogs. Rudy was a big dog lover, which only adds to his greatness. One of his dogs, Kabar, is buried in the Los Angeles Pet Cemetery.

Olive Thomas and a very small friend. Olive posed with many dogs for publicity photos including Don, the Inebriate dog, while she was in the Follies. But she also had various dogs as pets.

Two great faces: Buster Keaton and his bulldog. Bets are the dog was able to hold the pose the longest.

Jean Arthur with a Boston Terrier. I have found many photos of Jean with dogs and know that later in her life she became a big animal advocate, even getting arrested in 1973 after coming to the aid of dog whom a neighbor was neglecting (the charge was trespassing).

Gary Cooper with a lovely white pooch, who may be one of the Sealyham Terriers that he and his wife liked to raise (one of their Terriers took Best in Show at the 1936 Santa Barbara Kennel Club Dog Show).

Louise Brooks and a ham. I love this photo because it's always nice to see her smiling and looking relaxed. And the dog is a riot.

Jean Harlow was a huge animal lover and always had a menagerie of animals in her home including dogs, cats, and even ducks. I believe this is Oscar the Pomeranian who legend has it quit eating after Jean passed away.

My what a cutie. And the dog isn't half bad either. (The actor reading his script is Cary Grant, as if I had to tell you.)

Happy Weekend!

Three Wise Men

While shopping in the West Village, I came across these three guys waiting outside the health food store. They seemed undaunted by the cold and oblivious to the attention they were garnering. I especially like the black coat on the Weimaraner—it makes him look like a caped crusader.

Photo by Michele.