Animation Source Forums

I want to go to this muzeum to see Balto and Togo, but I can't

Well, you'd only see Balto if you go to the museum. Togo's mount is in Wasilla, Alaska. There are a pair of statues, memorializing Balto and Togo, at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, but that's it.

I would I wouldn't
1.To far
2.You shouldn't stuff a animal and put it on display I don't think you'd like it

You...would, but you...wouldn't. So which is it?

Oh, and let's be realistic here: humans are never subjected to taxidermy themselves, and really, once Balto was dead, I really don't think it mattered much to him (it couldn't possibly enter into his mind when he was alive...he would not have understood what they were going to do even if they explained it to him. He was a dog...a great dog, yes...but a DOG nevertheless.).

I agree Seppala, but I would never call a dog a DOG personally, if you know what I mean. I don't think dogs are lower than us, and he may not of understood yes because he doesn't understand our ways of life really, but you never know about a dogs mind

been there done that.

What the heck does that mean?

I would love to go see the real Balto.

I'm afraid I don't agree with your second point. It would be different if the animal had been killed but since Balto died naturally, his soul/life has already gone. The body is lifeless. I think that it shows we won't forget him if his body is mounted for display rather than buried to rot or burnt to ashes.

Well, I wouldn't stuff and mount my own dog but since Balto is on display at a museum its different.. I don't think Archie would make it into a museum and I couldn't see him stood by the fireplace stuffed..

I scene him.

I don't think it would be creepy seing Balto stuffed. It would be wonderful to come face to face with him. If only he was alive to see you, and you could see him in a good state. I have a feeling that most of the time Balto wouldn't have looked like that. He would not have looked so series and un happy, according to the photos. But I know I will see him one day, and it will be amazing, I know it will.

Well, with regard to the mount currently in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, remember that Balto is not there anymore. That is just his tanned hide and dead fur, draining of the black shade it once had. There is no spark of life there...and very little of the animal which was once there. It is an empty shell, stretched around a frame that may not even have the same exact physical shape as the original Balto. Sure, it's nice to have some small part of him still where we can see it and imagine him being there before us...

Now, as to what Balto was like in life, I suppose we only have sketchy descriptions to go on. However, I tend to think that, like most dogs (and most sled dogs), he was a generally happy, friendly, go-lucky fellow, who would have been a joy to meet. He probably was energetic (like huskies), playful, probably jumped up to greet people, was probably friendly with children (as most huskies and other Spitz-type sled dogs are). I suspect that the only times Balto was ever "sad" (forlorned, miserable or whatever) were:

1. When Leonhard Seppala, his owner, expressed his hatred of Balto TO Balto (in one fashion or another) after the serum run (because of his anger over the attention Balto received).

2. When the dogs were on the looooooong road across the U.S., doing vaudeville appearance after vaudeville appearance...probably a grueling affair. And by train.

3. When he and the team were confined in a miserable state in the dime-a-look museum in Los Angeles.

Give the ol' boy credit. He was probably a wonderful dog...zesty and full of life and energy in his prime. And remember, he was very young the year of the serum run. Almost every pic I've ever seen of him, especially when he was either with Gunnar Kaasen (whom I really believe LIKED Balto, and treated him as a friend), or when he was attached to a sled and/or in snowy climate (two conditions that huskies revel in).

Ah yes, I forgot to mention that Seppala. I too believe that Balto is no longer there. He's a hollow shell and doesn't look like he used too. I believe he was a bouncy fun-loving husky. From his pictures, it looked like he had a smile on his face all the time

1. Yes, that was dissapointing, and I renember reading about it in your topic on Seppala himself. I know I was not there and all, but it is a bit un fair I thought. Maybe Togo did do most the work and didn't really get rewarded for that, but don't blame Balto for that. Balto is a dog, he didn't decided to get all the fame. That's just what happened, and it wasn't Balto's fault. Leonard Seppala should have been angry at those who made him famous, and not poor Balto. Balto never did any harm. Besides, all the dogs would have worked hard, so they all do need credit. And I think Leonard Seppala didn't hate Balto. I would be very dissapointed if he did.

2. Yes, not nice for the dogs. I really don''t know what else I can say about that.

3. That too was not nice. Balto and his team would not have known what was going on and would have been confused. I'm confused though, that how Balto actually got in the hands of such a cruel man?

Yea, I think Balto was full of life and 'zesty' (a good word to discribe it, lol)

In answer to your thoughts about #1, he may not have actually hated him. But he sure did use some VERY unkind words about Balto after the serum run. It sure is indicative of hatred. But you may be right. How anyone, who claims they love and bond with dogs (as Seppala also did) could hate ANY dog is unfathomable to me.

As to #3, the team was sold to the dime-a-look museum owner, if I am not mistaken. I don't know if that was done through the vaudeville management, or through representatives of Seppala himself. By then, Kaasen had gone back to Nome, under orders from Seppala. So the details of the sale are a bit sketchy. I will try to find out more...

Like you, I don't think in his heart who whould have really hated Balto. I don't know how you could hate a dog.

Ah yes, I think I renember now. You should find some more info, I will try as well We need to know as much as possible!! It is very important!