Balto and the Great Race

Balto and the Great Race is first and foremost a story of the powerful bond that exists between humans and dogs. It is a bond forged over dozens of generations and which can be traced back almost as far as history itself. This bond is evident in Siberian huskies and their relationship to their mushers in the story of the Serum Run. Balto, Togo, and countless other sled dogs prove their dedication and courage as they lead the serum across the wild Alaskan wilderness. Seppala was deeply aware of the underlying potential of Siberian huskies and “always tried to convince the mushers at the Nome Kennel Club that the Siberian was a superior breed and a faster racer” (7). He insisted on using only Siberians on his dog teams, and mushers like Seppala “could look at a dog and know in an instant if he was a natural for a team” (5). The breed itself has a history with humans that is over 2,000 years old, and which originated in Siberia, a harsh northern landscape not unlike Alaska. Because of this rich history of working alongside humans, “Siberian huskies have become a gentle breed. They are known for their great devotion to their owners” (7).

Within the story of Balto and the Serum Run are several examples of the connection between humans and dogs. Elizabeth Cody Kimmel relays the tale of Seppala’s dog Togo, who chased after the dog team when it left Nome one night while he was only a puppy. While transporting the serum, Seppala’s dogs fall into the ice and nearly drown. Despite the danger of the situation, “each dog kept his head. Each dog remained calm, trusting in his musher’s ability to pull him out of the freezing water. Not for the first time, Seppala was proud of his Siberian huskies” (53). Kaasen and Balto also share a special bond, and when the time comes to leave for Bluff, the dogs are quite aware of the importance of their journey:

Straining in their harnesses, eager to be on their way, the dogs seemed to understand that this was a special trip. Balto knew what was expected of him. In the past, Kaasen had sometimes noticed Balto acting with wisdom and understanding (23).

Kaasen’s instincts prove to be correct, but to an extent far greater than anyone could have predicted. In a moment of sheer crisis while Kaasen has possession of the serum, his lead dog becomes lost in the blizzard and stops running. Kaasen is not only literally lost but feels lost as to what to do until he sees Balto pulling on his harness. The lifelong bond that Kaasen and Balto share is crucial in this moment, as it allows Kaasen to read Balto’s signals and entrust him to lead the team while he himself remains blind to their direction. After their successful arrival and transport of the serum, Kaasen and Balto’s bond continues as they tour the country together.

The bond between humans and dogs spans out beyond the mushers and their dog teams as well. Children and adults across America and the world hold a special affection for animals and many consider them to be their best friends. In times of human crisis, animals are often there to bear the brunt of the challenge and display their devotion to their trusted owners. The dogs who saved the children of Nome did so with intention and purpose, and this is commemorated by the statue of Balto in New York City, the mount of him in Cleveland, and the story of the Serum Run that continues to be told and celebrated almost a century later. Similarly, when animals face crisis, humans often step in to help; this was the case when Balto and his team were living a poor quality of life in Los Angeles and the children of Cleveland “emptied their piggy banks and sent their pennies in” (91) to raise enough money to save the team. In the end, both the dogs and the children were able to thank one another for the friendship that exists between them.