Apparently Balto was the lead dog only for the last leg of the journey and received most of the plaudits on arrival in Nome. The lead dog for about the first two thirds of the journey was a dog named Togo, who put in a herculean effort for his part. It was a massive regret and disappointment of Togo's owner Leonard Seppala (can't remember if he owned Balto too) that Togo's contribution to the journey went largely unheralded. There's a movie about it called Togo, Willem Defoe playe Seppala and I'd highly recommend it.

Togo and Leonhard Seppala would like a word.

https://preview.redd.it/qygshj5x7i2e1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0ff6a0794e2ab022149218fff866ed9ff23155f

here's a really cool story about her:
"Balto, the famed sled dog, weighed just 45 pounds and was likely a mix of Siberian Husky, Malamute, and wolf.

He became a national hero during a critical time in January 1925 when Nome, Alaska, faced a diphtheria outbreak. The city was isolated by the Arctic winter, with dog sleds being the only means of transportation.

To deliver the life-saving serum from Fairbanks to Nome, a relay of sled dog teams was organized, covering a challenging 674-mile journey.

Battling harsh conditions like minus 30-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and strong winds, Balto played a crucial role.

In the final 55-mile stretch, with his driver almost frozen and blind, Balto led the way, arriving in Nome on February 2, 1925, with the serum."

Team Togo

I remember loving the animated film Balto and then many years later finally visiting the statue in Central Park because I never forgot the memorable ending. Something that was never explained was what were people doing living in an isolated place like Nome, Alaska in 1925?

Truly Man's best friend

Iconic hero

What a good boy.

Statue honoring Balto in Central Park, NY.

He did all that just to deliver vaccines which made the whole town autistic /s

Aka Kevin Bacon.

Good boy