Alaskan Dog Sled Racer Reveals How Her Dogs Improved Her Body Image

Earlier in 2019, Alaskan sled dog racer Blair Braverman posted a Twitter thread that went viral in which she beautifully captured each of the unique personalities of all 19 of her sled dogs. Later in the spring, they became internet sensations once more after completing the Iditarod. Now, Braverman is once more reminding people of how wonderful dogs truly are with a viral thread on the positive impact her sled dogs have had on her body image.

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. pic.twitter.com/PJDMtBF0Bv

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Like most of us, Braverman grew up learning that "all bodies are different." And, like most of us, she had a tough time really understanding that idea. After all, it often seems like this notion is just something that people say, rather than truly believe.

I grew up learning that all bodies are different. Okay, yeah, that's true. Whatever. All bodies are different. I get it.

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

But then she started caring for sled dogs, getting to know them inside out, and, suddenly, the meaning of that saying became clear.

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? pic.twitter.com/4B3o5OnkpA

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

"All bodies are different," she wrote. "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."

Get this: All bodies are different. pic.twitter.com/eZy7YGonCn

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Some of them can "eat literally three times as much food as everyone else" and still stay slim.

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. pic.twitter.com/Qd5gzbLils

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Others gain weight after a tiny serving of kibble and there's no shame in that.

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. pic.twitter.com/tgGkbypAPe

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Some of them are naturally very athletic.

Some of them can start training in September and are immediately ready for long runs. pic.twitter.com/WRmeuh4GLv

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Some of them need to start strength training slowly and develop their progress.

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. pic.twitter.com/RXNJCS8qLI

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Some of them have the stamina and endurance to run for miles.

Some of them want to run 1000 miles. pic.twitter.com/KkqFUb3Tfr

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Whereas others prefer to do a little sprint and then slow it down a bit.

Some of them feel their best during shorter, faster runs. And, occasionally, some of them aren't that into running at all. pic.twitter.com/uqbb4gfRd4

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Some of them have disabilities. And if you've seen this adorable video of a Frenchie whose back legs are paralyzed, you know that won't stop them from playing fetch.

Some of them have disabilities. pic.twitter.com/LAfcwrdXa8

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

And "some of them were born with bodies that make everything harder for them."

Some of them were born with bodies that make everything harder for them, and they need extra care and understanding to really shine. pic.twitter.com/8sPstFAWqk

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

"The differences aren't good or bad. They just are," Braverman said of the dogs' differences. And whatever body they have, it doesn't make us love them any less.

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. pic.twitter.com/EFsARwlZFz

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

If we can make that realization about dogs, surely we can extend it to ourselves. "My body is like that too. It has its own set points, its own levels. So does yours."

And, like, my body is like that too. It has its own set points, its own levels. So does yours. pic.twitter.com/EPwMae1nI4

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

And while we don't choose the bodies we are born in, we can choose to accept them.

The dogs' bodies aren't up to them, just like ours aren't. There's no value judgment. They are what they are. pic.twitter.com/rxlgKAlyFz

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

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We can choose to appreciate their beauty, just like Braverman does with her dogs.

And every single one is magnificent.

The end. pic.twitter.com/oQRIDAH5ql

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) July 13, 2019

Braverman posted the Twitter thread on Saturday, and it quickly went viral and inspired others to share their own recurring body image issues.

When im strong and competing 🙂 the other voice, the "you look too big" voice, I know it isn't mine, it's what I think others see. I'm working on just listening to mine, but it's a work in progress

— GDarney (@castawayinlondo) July 13, 2019

After all, we all have our insecurities. But if we could only see ourselves the way that the people who love us do, we'd know that every body really is beautiful. And for another inspiring story about man's best friend, check out This Marine Vet's Dog Rescue Story Is Going Viral and It Will Make Your Day.

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