Blind dog helps musher make his way along Iditarod route

Musher Kelly Maixner, of Big Lake, Alaska, and an auction winner who rode in his sled, prepare for their turn to move to the starting gate during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 7, 2015. The competitive start will be held March 9, 2015, in Fairbanks, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) Musher Kelly Maixner, of Big Lake, Alaska, and an auction winner who rode in his sled, prepare for their turn to move to the starting gate during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 7, 2015. The competitive start will be held March 9, 2015, in Fairbanks, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

By Associated Press March 12, 2015 1 min read

RUBY, Alaska (AP) – A blind dog is helping musher Kelly Maixner find the Iditarod finish line in western Alaska.

The 5-year-old, 50-pound sled dog named Laura has a cornea disease called pannus, Anchorage television station KTUU reported (http://is.gd/fcj09V ).

Maixner first noticed the dainty-faced Alaskan Husky’s eyes were becoming cloudy about two years ago. Veterinarians told him she is “fairly blind,” and she often seems confused, Maixner said.

“Sometimes I have to throw snacks on the ground extra hard so she can hear where it falls,” he said.

But Laura is comfortable running in every spot on Maixner’s sled team – except lead. When the pediatric dentist puts her in front, she relies on the other dog sharing the lead position to guide the way.