POLAND — Two years ago, Poland Spring Resort owner Cyndi Robbins raised money for a statute of Togo, a sled dog sometimes called the “unsung hero” of a historic trek across Alaska to deliver a lifesaving serum.
Now, Robbins thinks it’s time to once again honor the Seppala Siberian Sled Dog by naming his breed the official Maine State Dog.
“They brought serum to the town of Nome, Alaska, which was having a diphtheria outbreak,” Robbins said. “We think the legislators will like the idea because they are such an impressive breed.”
Togo is one of the dogs who helped deliver the serum to a remote part of Alaska in 1925, when a deadly diphtheria outbreak threatened the lives of more than 10,000 people living in the Nome area, according to the American Kennel Club.
History buffs may remember Balto, the lead dog of the final leg of the journey, for his role in the 674-mile trek. Both Balto and Togo were owned by Leonhard Seppala, “Alaska’s most venerated musher,” according to the kennel club.
“Many argue that it was Seppala and his Siberian husky lead dog, Togo, who were the true saviors of the day,” the club says on its website. “All told, the 12-year-old Togo and Seppala traversed an astounding 264 miles, compared to an average of 31 miles each for the other teams.”
Togo retired to Maine after his career in sled dog racing and was bred for a few years. He died in Poland Spring in 1929 at age 16.
Rep. David Boyer (R-Poland) is sponsoring the legislation and believes the dog is emblematic of the spirit of many Mainers.
“The way they pushed on because they knew what was at stake was really remarkable and I think it highlights the kind of hardworking ethos of Mainers, the resilience that we have here,” he said.
In addition to the ties to western Maine, the dogs are closely linked to the sled dog races in Aroostook County as well, giving them a statewide appeal.
Jonathan Hayes, owner of Poland Spring Seppala Kennel in Fort Kent, has carried on the breed for 25 years and will bring a team to Alaska in January for a 20-day expedition covering the trail that Togo and others trekked 100 years ago.
“Simply put, no other breed of dog can lay claim to the distinction of ‘Official Maine State Dog’ with as much history, honor, weight and distinction as the Seppala Siberian Sled Dog,” Hayes wrote in a letter of support for the legislation.
If lawmakers approve, the dog will join the list of other official Maine designees, such as the state animal (moose), the state cat (Maine coon), state bird (chickadee), and the state butterfly (pink-edged Sulphur).
Boyer said those designations recognize important parts of Maine and he hopes his bill will gain the support of other lawmakers.
“The timing is just right with the 100-year anniversary,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a better time to have this conversation and make this change for our state.”
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