Togo was a smart and determined Siberian Husky owned by Leonhard Seppala, who described the lead dog as “fifty pounds of muscle and a fighting heart.” He and Seppala had logged many miles together in difficult winter conditions over the years, and Seppala knew he could count on Togo to lead the way over sketchy ice through driving winds and blinding snow. So it was without hesitation that he chose Togo to lead one of the most important journeys of all: the 1925 mushing relay that brought diphtheria serum from Seward to Nome, ultimately saving many lives. The “serum run” is remembered today through the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race every March. Togo and Seppala covered 261 miles in that run, fives times farther than any other musher.
