Every month the Central Park Bagel Bark (a free Central Park Conservancy event) travels to a different dog friendly area of the park serving coffee, bagels and information. It’s a learning center in a way as they spread info for enjoying the park with your dog. This month the location was perfect, right at the base of the statue of Balto.
Whose Balto? Back in 1925 Alaskan doctors feared a deadly diphtheria epidemic would spread among the small town of Nome. Medicine existed to stop it, but the issue was traveling thousands of miles to Anchorage to retrieve it and back. There were no trains that far north and the only plane available had a frozen engine. Their best chance of delivery? Sled dogs. The team lead by Balto endured blinding snow and sub-zero temperatures, but their efforts helped end the epidemic.
Balto became a national hero and just ten months after their success, his statue was dedicated in Central Park. Years of stroking and caressing the dog by young children have created a glowing sheen on his ears, nose, body and tail. Adorable!
Carmen and I are coming!