Animation Source Forums

Folks,

There has already been some discussion about how Balto and Togo, following their deaths, were mounted and put on display. I see that people have divided opinions on this. Of course, you have to remember that (especially in Balto's case, due to the amount of press he received after the Serum Run), people were still in love with him even years later (the idea that he died at 14 is a mistake. Balto lived no more than 11 years...from 1922 to 1933. Togo, conversely, lived 16.). It was felt, at the time, that there should be some way of remembering the hero that everyone saw him as, for posterity. Right or wrong, mounting is what they chose. (Pictures of each mount appear below.)

Now, in each case, only their skins were mounted (which, of course, included the fur). What happened to the rest of Balto's remains is not documented (at least, not well-documented, and I have found no record of it yet). However, Togo's skeleton was preserved and mounted separately. And he died before Balto did (Togo died December 5th, 1929...he was born in the month of October, 1913; Balto died on March 14th, 1933). It is possible that either the viscera (internal organs) of both dogs, and Balto's skeleton, were buried in honor and with respect. Or it is just as possible that the individual taxidermists simply disposed of those remains (which would be a terrible shame). However, both dogs met death peacefully, and being given loving embraces from their caretakers (I will mention those in a separate thread).

Here are pictures of the mounts, as well as some information on each, and links to where you can find more information:

BALTO


It is said that the mount of Balto has suffered due to previous exposure to too much light and moisture. The coat has faded from its natural jet black to what is now more of a deep mahogany red. The fur around the eyes, and more of the muzzle, grayed with age. This mount sits on display, with some very nice historical information and displays, at the Cleveland, Ohio Museum of Natural History...in the town where Balto died.

Here is a great link for information on the mount, which is now maintained in better condition, and with Balto's original leather lead:

http://www.fortunecity.com/boozers/elephant/114/baltomus.htm



TOGO


When you compare this mount of Togo to two life pictures of him (below), you can see how the condition of it has deteriorated...


The mount was originally displayed at the Peabody Museum of Natural History, at Yale University in Connecticut...protected by a display case. Togo's skeleton was also saved and mounted, and sits in storage at Peabody even today. The skin mount was then purchased by the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont...and displayed out in the open, without a case, where visitors could (and did) pet it, photograph it, and moisture took its toll (along with all the petting, which pulled fur gradually out of the skin). It was then placed in storage, in 1979, where it languished for years. A newspaper story about the mount, and Togo himself, set off a campaign by Alaskans to get Togo's remains returned to his home state. In 1983, a deal was worked out, and Togo was shipped to where he is now on display, at the Iditarod Trail Headquarters Museum in Wasilla, Alaska (a suburb of Anchorage, where the annual Iditarod Sled Race gets fully underway, after a short run in the streets of Anchorage). The Peabody Museum of Natural History, as has already been noted, still retains possession of Togo's skeleton, which is still in storage. (My last remaining link to the information about the mount, from Iditarod.com, no longer exists on that site, however).



FRITZ

Some of you may not be aware that there is a third team leader who's skin was preserved and mounted! Yes, it was Fritz, half-brother to Togo, and his co-leader on Leonhard Seppala's team during the Great Serum Run, and another of Seppala's favorite dogs. The story about it is linked below. Here is a photo of the mount, and one of the life photos of Fritz below that (I have three or four in my possession):


The mount of Fritz, currently displayed at the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum in Nome itself. The mount, like Togo's, went through a sad and unfitting series of events before being rescued in the nick of time and returned home.


Fritz, at left, and Togo, at right, leading Seppala's team down an American street on their tour of the U.S. after the Great Serum Run (and which started shortly after Gunnar Kaasen was sent on a tour of the U.S. with Balto and most of his team, to satisfy the immense curiosity of the American people for Balto).

Here is a link to an article about Fritz's mount, and a little about him:

http://www.adn.com/front/story/6163088p-6042574c.html

Wow.. I didn't know pretty much any of that. I've always wanted to see Balto and Togo, but now Fritz is on the list as well. ^^ You have a great amount of information on this subject.

Heh heh...I hope this proves the viability of such a board! And this is just (if you'll forgive the pun) only "the tip of the iceberg"!

Thanks gang! More to come! LOTS more!

Wow, that's really interesting, I never knew togo and Fritz were stuffed and mounted aswell as Balto and Fritz is so cute, I'll be looking forward to more like this.

*I am loving this new section, it's the best ever!!! *
i have written some comments inside this article or whatever you want to call it, myself. I have put them in bold so you know what i have written! ^^



Overall, i must say, that you have found some amazing info here and have clearly reasearched hard on this so big round of applause from me and hopefully more people will learn about the fogotten Fritz. Great pics, info, links and the whole topic! You've workerd hard and i appreciate you! Well done! Keep on writing topics as good as this! Big well done! ^^

Heh heh...thanks, Highland! And everyone! Highland, in answer to your many questions, it all comes down to research. I have spent much time researching this information on the internet, and elsewhere. And talking to people. And it takes time to find it all! But I love history and, more importantly, THIS history has really touched me spiritually. Such gallantry - on the part of humans AND dogs - deserves to be remembered and celebrated!

Heh heh...if you think this is good, just wait! I've got MOOOORE!

Very nice info there ^^ I never knew about Fritz.

That's pretty interesting.

Here's an older shot of the Balto mount display, showing the mount in better condition, but out in the open (and in brighter light...all of which certainly must have contributed to its gradual deterioration). The mount is now displayed in a case, and in lower light.

Someone mentioned it in one of the older threads you moved here. And it's a common misconception actually. I think it's because people see the date of his death, and mix up the numbers.

Heh heh...I was having fun, the night I first read your comments, imagining you saying them with a Scots accent. And I see a Scots sense of humor in some of what you wrote...which only makes it more amusing to imagine you saying it! I LOVE that accent! Ha ha!

im glad you find my scottishness amusing, hehe. and im glad you love it! its nice to hear that! hehe

To be specific, Togo's skeleton is at Yale and his body in Ancorage.