Husky Togo: the dog who saved the city from diphtheria

We are talking about the winter of 1925, when a deadly outbreak of diphtheria in the remote port of Nome in Alaska threatened the lives of more than 10 people. The nearest railroad station where the antitoxin could be delivered was 674 miles from the port. Air communication with Nome at that time was impossible due to a strong snow storm. The only way to deliver the medicine was recognized as a dog sled march.

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As a result, 20 teams were equipped, one of which was driven by the famous cynologist Leonard Seppala. The author of the article recalls that a husky named Balto was the leader of the team that overcame the final stage of the race of 53 miles. While most of the route — 264 miles — lay on the shoulders of a dog named Togo. It is noteworthy that both dogs come from the Seppala kennel.

For many years, dog handlers around the world have celebrated Balto’s merits in saving people: he even erected a monument in Central Park in New York. At the same time, connoisseurs have always considered Togo an “unsung hero.” Historians insisted that the dog receive its share of recognition: in 2001, a monument was erected in New York’s Seward Park, and in 2019, Disney released the film Togo, which starred a descendant of the hero dog named Diesel .

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It is known that Togo was born in 1913. As a puppy, the dog was sick a lot. Seppala noted that at first he did not see the potential in a short and at first glance unsuitable for a team dog. The breeder once even gave Togo to a neighbor, but the dog escaped to the owner through the window. Then Seppala realized that he was dealing with an “incorrigible” dog. At the age of 8 months, Togo first got into harness. After running 75 miles, he proved himself to Seppala as an ideal leader. Within a few years, Togo became known for his tenacity, strength, endurance, and intelligence. The dog became the winner of various competitions. At the time of the diphtheria outbreak in Alaska, the dog was 12 years old and his owner — 47. The locals knew that the aging but experienced duo — their last hope. Since the death rate from the disease increased every day, it was decided to act immediately. Dog sleds had to deliver 300 doses of serum from the railway station to Nome, located 674 miles apart. On January 29, Seppala and his top 20 Siberian Huskies, led by Togo, left the port to meet a caravan with medicine.

Photo: Yandex.Images

The dogs had to run in 30-degree frost, but in just three days they covered 170 miles. Having intercepted the serum, Seppala moved back. On the way, the team fell through the ice. Togo rescued everyone: he literally single-handedly pulled his fellows out of the water. The valuable cargo was handed over to the team, led by Balto, in the town of Golovin, 78 miles from Nome.

Togo ended his life at the age of 16 in a kennel in Poland organized by Seppala. The breeder himself died in 1967 at the age of 89.

13 May 2020

Updated: 14 May 2020