The following email was sent to SledDogWatchdog.com by Regina Neri:
To whom it may concern:
This is a letter of apology for having contributed to the promotion of the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race.
I entered a contest on October 20th, 2006 promoted by the Yukon Quest and Alaska Coffee Roasting Co. The announcement on the Yukon Quest Website looking for artists read as follows: "The Alaska Coffee Roasting Company in conjunction with the Yukon Quest International, Ltd. (Alaska) is seeking artists to create the label for ACRC’s new Yukon Quest Blend Coffee.” The prize was to be …”a gift package from ACRC and Yukon Quest valued at $300, as well as promotion of their image on every bag of Yukon Quest Blend Coffee.”
I entered believing that, “Gee, I love sled dogs and I love coffee, maybe I’ll get some free coffee and I’ll have some connection to this sport about which I have misguided romantic notions.” I submitted artwork of my own dog digitally doctored to resemble a woodcut print.
A couple of weeks later I was contacted by the office of the Yukon Quest Project Coordinator telling me they liked my submission, but could I make it look more like an Alaskan Husky (my own dog is a Samoyed). I told them I would try and I did, but it was not working out.
I explained that I used a Samoyed for the artwork because it was derived from my own photograph and I would not be willing to grab a photo, which I did not own, of an Alaskan Husky off the internet. They gave me some excellent photos that they purportedly owned and that I was free to use. I did a number of mock-ups with the text, which were not originally required, but I included them for a more finished look. They chose two and asked me to send them to ACRC, which I did. I was contacted by ACRC and given further instructions on what to modify on the one they liked, which I did.
After I sent the final piece on December 28th, I was informed that I won the art contest. Not surprisingly, I felt it was somewhat anti-climactic, since they (Yukon Quest and ACRC) were using me like their personal art department. After considering my less than enthusiastic reaction I decided to write an email expressing a proper thank you to the ACRC. I then awaited my prize.
While I was waiting, I checked the website for updates about the race. It was then that I began to feel uneasy. First one dog, then two dogs, and finally three dogs had died in a futile attempts to win the race for their masters. What began with an annoyance at being ignored and disregarded for my efforts turned into a sick-to-my-stomach feeling over this thing that killed dogs, beautiful working sled dogs.
As my uneasiness increased so did my awareness of the senseless brutality that has accompanied these long distance dog sled races. Not only by the dogs being pushed to run hard for impossible distances, but by the stories of dogs culled by mushers’ at their kennels, or left tied up for days with inadequate protection. I understand these practices do not apply to all mushers, but not even one should be allowed to abuse the very creatures that would give them glory.
I’m not against those that would reinforce the drive in a sled dog that connects it with its’ genetic history, just the act of pushing these great dogs to abuse for the sake of winning a long distance race, personal glory, money, or to prove some sort of outdoor ruggedness.
It’s no secret that remote places count on tourist dollars garnered by these events i.e. The Yukon Quest and the Iditarod, but the price is very high and there are those like myself who have yet to discover the real price of long distance dog sled races. Why can’t there be events that celebrate the working sled dog without killing them as a consequence. I live in Southern California, if I’ve learned about these things, others will also wake up and realize it‘s not worth the blood of man’s best friend.
I’m not waiting for my “gift package” anymore, neither do I want it, nor anything else associated with the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race, the Iditarod or any of their sponsors. Whatever romantic notion I had of dog sled racing was laid to rest with those three dogs that were killed on the trail of the Yukon Quest.
Sincerely,
Regina Neri
Samples of work submitted to YQ and ACRC available for reference:
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc147/rneri64/