Y’all, having sled dogs has been so good for my body image. And not because mushing is a joy-filled, physical outdoor activity, although that’s true. It’s actually something much simpler than that.
I grew up learning that all bodies are different. Okay, yeah, that’s true. Whatever. All bodies are different. I get it.
And then I started caring for sled dogs. @QuinceMountain and I feed and train and massage them, teach them as puppies and ease them into retirement. We get to know each dog so well. And once we started doing this, do you know what became EXTREMELY OBVIOUS?
Get this: All bodies are different.
But I don’t mean this in some flip way. I mean it in a bone-deep, beautiful, complicated way.

All of the dogs’ bodies are so different.
Some of them eat thousands of calories a day and are still complete stringbeans. They eat literally three times as much food as everyone else.
Some of them can eat, like, a tablespoon of kibble, and the next day they need a bigger harness. They’re easy keepers; their bodies naturally want to be bigger. Which is good! Easy keepers make great sled dogs.
Some of them can start training in September and are immediately ready for long runs.
Some of them need to ease into training slowly. They need gentler workouts—and more training sessions—before they can keep up with the rest of the team.
Some of them want to run 1000 miles.
Some of them feel their best during shorter, faster runs. And, occasionally, some of them aren’t that into running at all.
Some of them feel their best during shorter, faster runs. And, occasionally, some of them aren’t that into running at all.
Some of them feel their best during shorter, faster runs. And, occasionally, some of them aren’t that into running at all.
Some of them have disabilities.
Some of them were born with bodies that make everything harder for them, and they need extra care and understanding to really shine.
Some of them were born with bodies that make everything harder for them, and they need extra care and understanding to really shine.
Some of them were born with bodies that make everything harder for them, and they need extra care and understanding to really shine.
The point is, THEIR BODIES ARE SO DIFFERENT. But the differences aren’t good or bad. They just are. We don’t love Talese more or less because he’s skinny, or Colbert because he’s a chonkster. The idea makes no sense. It’s absurd.
And, like, my body is like that too. It has its own set points, its own levels. So does yours.
The dogs’ bodies aren’t up to them, just like ours aren’t. There’s no value judgment. They are what they are.
The dogs’ bodies aren’t up to them, just like ours aren’t. There’s no value judgment. They are what they are.
The dogs’ bodies aren’t up to them, just like ours aren’t. There’s no value judgment. They are what they are.
The dogs’ bodies aren’t up to them, just like ours aren’t. There’s no value judgment. They are what they are.
The dogs’ bodies aren’t up to them, just like ours aren’t. There’s no value judgment. They are what they are.
And every single one is magnificent.

The end.
You can follow @BlairBraverman.
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