Can Spring Be Far Behind?
“Shovel your way over to the office again?” Admin says.
“You know the answer – I saw you watching from the window,” says Spence.
“Couldn’t find the other shovel,” Admin says. “But how about a nice cup of fresh-brewed – oops! Don’t tell me that was the last of it. Mind digging your way to the car and picking up some beans? I prefer the Sumatra.”
This entry was posted on Friday, March 6th, 2015 at 8:53 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
9:04 am on March 6th, 2015
All the early birds flew north. Good morning.
9:06 am on March 6th, 2015
Just don’t use those Kuereg cups, they are a blight on the environment.
Warming up from 0 to 30* today, and 50* by Tuesday. We can’t wait!
Good News- Shaggy, the Newfoundland mix has been captured after 7 months as a stray in Michigan. The rescue group says it may take up to a year to rehabilitate him since he has been living as a wild dog for so long. We don’t believe it. He was someone’s pet till last fall. I bet he will be ready to re-home in no time.
9:07 am on March 6th, 2015
Sumatra is the favorite in this household as well, at least that’s what mom says. Good morning to all from Chevy Chase, Alaska.
Also, for the folks up north, could we get some info about Philip’s team of Snowhook dogs as well, and the bib number that he drew?
9:08 am on March 6th, 2015
Not all the early birds! Good morning MPM.
Working today, and possibly Monday, so heading out in a moment. Have a good day everyone.
9:11 am on March 6th, 2015
Barb likes any of the dark robust coffees. Good morning Teddy.
9:18 am on March 6th, 2015
Philip drew #51 🙁
Mom asked him for the list of his team. Will update you if she hears.
Great news about Shaggy! We agree with BM&L that he will be re-homed soon.
Mom and Pop use Tassimo. Sorry. Not as bad as the K-cups, but still throw-aways. But he drinks tea and she drinks coffee and it saves them time in their very early morning work days.
9:32 am on March 6th, 2015
I like French roast. I grind the beans just before I use them.
“…by the incantation of this verse/ Scatter, as from an unextinguished hearth/ Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!/ Be through my lips to unawakened Earth/ The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,/ If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” (from Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind”). One of my favorites. According to Shelley poets are the “unacknowledged legislators of the world.”
Good morning all.
9:36 am on March 6th, 2015
Greetings!
Heh! I said yesterday that I thought the mystery guest was Nana!
My dearest Masquers, you give great poker face!
Traveling Plunderers, thank you for the wonderful pictures.
GO SNOWHOOK!
9:59 am on March 6th, 2015
Squishy/Truman didn’t make the cut. Mom is disappointed but maybe he will be on Phillip’s team.
Thanks for the great reporting on the banquet and woohoo for #19! Poor Phillip! Is 51 the highest number?
Way to go Nana! Mom thought it was A Catty after Rio’s comment yesterday and CHobbit’s response. They did that to throw us all off the track.
Tonight, Mom has dinner plans with nieces and nephews then a weekend with NO PLANS!! She is old and needs the rest to recoup after the week from hell at work. She cleaned house last night so doesn’t even have to do that (except daily minor touch ups) either.
10:10 am on March 6th, 2015
An Ode To Coffee
I love it hot
I love it cold.
I love it best when dark and bold
If none is found in cupboard hold,
I’ll hie away to where it’s sold.
10:35 am on March 6th, 2015
Good morning, everyone! It looks like spring in Anchorage and Wasilla 🙁 Musher’s banquet ran very smoothly. Huge crowd. Great news about Shaggy, Newfs are people oriented, he’ll do great. 78 total mushers starting tomorrow. Another 3 scratched before vet checks. Squishy Truman is on Philip’s team and I think I remember Amy, Charolette and maybe Betsy and Little. H’e using lots of the gals.
Off to Willow today for head bumps and butt rubbers…with the 4 leggers and fun and friendship with the 2 leggers.
10:58 am on March 6th, 2015
We are so pleased about Shaggy, and about #19, and about NAna arriving in time, and about everything else.
Those going to the kennel today – please give all our hugs, and encouragement and love.
11:31 am on March 6th, 2015
Just got some sh**y news on my accident. The other driver is claiming injury to his neck and shoulder. Funny thing is that he told me after the accident that he was going to his doctor that afternoon, because he had been having neck and shoulder pain recently, probably due to his open heart surgery 18 months age. Now he wants $$$$ from the deep pockets. Gah!
All you northern guys have fun at the kennel.
11:42 am on March 6th, 2015
Gah! There might be rain tomorrow in Anchorage. Mmmm? Saw this yesterday just before the banquet. Was it an omen?

11:59 am on March 6th, 2015
Barb: so sorry to hear; I will hope for the best resolution between the insurance companies.
Had a good day yesterday and will have a great day today I am sure. It is nice to have a full house and Sadie is ecstatic. So I have 4 new guests this year and 2 returning guests. So word of mouth brings new arrivals and satisfaction brings them back…always the mark of a good hotel. I did lose a star last night because while everyone else was at the banquet, there was a man waving a gun around in the street. Four policemen on my doorstep, all lights out and Sadie and I hunkered down in a tiny laundry room with no windows waiting for things to be resolve. I had to text the banquet people just in case I couldn’t leave to pick them up when it ended. And thanks to Rio’s friend for keeping me sane while I texted her and thanks to Beau for his pug prayers. I was completely safe but on edge. It could of ended badly.
I am glad I was home to bring Sadie in from the deck and turn off the lights. I was glad my guests were gone or we would have all been in the tiny laundry room with a panting dog. GAH
12:06 pm on March 6th, 2015
OMD Your trama was far worse than mine, Hobbit. Glad you are all OK. Was the man a neighbor?
12:07 pm on March 6th, 2015
Whoa! Thank goodness for Beau and Rio’s friend. You and Sadie and Rio must have been shaking!
12:09 pm on March 6th, 2015
It is 34°F right now but we had a light sprinkle a little earlier so it caused this:

12:17 pm on March 6th, 2015
Good morning all.
I have not caught up with posts since yesterday but I will say that Phillip drew Number 59. The total number of mushers is 78 or 79.
12:24 pm on March 6th, 2015
51, not 59!
12:24 pm on March 6th, 2015
OMG, Hobbit! How frightening! I thank the creator that all of you are okay.
To Rio’s friend and Beau, thank you for being such good friends to all of us.
12:27 pm on March 6th, 2015
Awesome, don’t forget lots of tummies to my mama Luna, and my VBFF, Belle Starr. (whispering) Try to get those sparkles from the Pixie and into the paws of Belle Starr.
12:31 pm on March 6th, 2015
And thanks to Digger who offered to come and rescue me. On the plus side
— the man was taken into custody without incident
— the four policemen on my porch were very good looking
— I have a refrigerator in the laundry room filled with ice cream and sodas
12:35 pm on March 6th, 2015
B,M, and L, That is some s#@%*y news that I am sorry to hear.
Grizz and I were in a fender bender yesterday. Fortunately, the driver in the car in front of us was okay, and there was no damage to our cars. Accident happened because the car in front of the person we hit decided to stop short, and make a right had turn without using his directional.
12:45 pm on March 6th, 2015
Too many fender benders. That’s all be super careful, there are crazies out there.
1:02 pm on March 6th, 2015
Sadie and Rio had bacon and leftover steak from the banquet for breakfast. They will never go back to kibble and canned food again.
1:05 pm on March 6th, 2015
Good Morning from the great state of Alaska. Clouds in the mountains again today, but only over the tippy top parts. I have a few more pictures from the dinner last night. The lighting in there was terrible so I threw out a lot of poor photos but there are a few left.
Jeni’e favorite picture…

We don’t know who the person on the other side of Justin is but she was laughing while this picture was happening.
1:08 pm on March 6th, 2015
When the mushers were introduced to the whole arena they put their info up on large screen TV’s mounted high up on the walls. There were 6 or 7 of the huge TV’s.
Justin’s…

1:10 pm on March 6th, 2015
Philip’s

1:13 pm on March 6th, 2015
I tried three times to get a picture of Dawson with DDD and Mick of Mick and Jodi.
img]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DSC06558_edited.jpg[/img]
But the hand is faster than the eye.
1:14 pm on March 6th, 2015
Reindeer sausage with breakfast. This is great!
1:14 pm on March 6th, 2015
trying again.
I tried three times to get a picture of Dawson with DDD and Mick of Mick and Jodi.

But the hand is faster than the eye.
1:30 pm on March 6th, 2015
It was nice to find out the the Drew sisters are not the only scavengers on the blog. These are a collection of centerpieces from a few of the tables where people left before us. We also got a few of the Iditarod Official 2015 Race Guide. We are GOOD!

All of the ones we got were from Topton PA.
1:31 pm on March 6th, 2015
Oh, it looks like you are all having such a wonderful time. And you all deserve it! AND reindeer sausage!
Hobbit -= we were shivering in our booties just listening to what happened last night. Not only the Best Hostess in the World, but also the Bravest! (didja get the phone numbers of any of the good looking officers?)
It’s time to go do show set up. Back late tonight to see what news and pictures there are from the Photogenic Plunderers.
1:34 pm on March 6th, 2015
Dawson scored some placemats that show the revised route and some of the Official Race Guides (free for the banquet guests and $7 at the Iditarod store). We will be trying to send them out to Plunderers when we have a moment. She also scored a bunch of centerpieces made by children of dog sleds. Here is a photo and I will see if I can figure out how to mail…

1:34 pm on March 6th, 2015
Thanks for all the pictures and excellent reporting from Alaska. You guys are doing a fantastic job!
I have to comment on one of Phillip’s sponsors…Five Sibes Sewing and Repair.
I would take all my sewing and repair work to that business.
1:34 pm on March 6th, 2015
The breakfast table at the Hobbit Hole
1:42 pm on March 6th, 2015
Golinka and Storyteller, be safe and sell out!
Siber’s Mom, DDD and mom like it too
1:48 pm on March 6th, 2015
I am sure the five Sibes can sew better than I can.
1:57 pm on March 6th, 2015
Masquers exploring

1:59 pm on March 6th, 2015
There is only so much Sadie can deal with. Having Rio and Masquers on the couch is more than she can bear.

2:04 pm on March 6th, 2015
Sadie makes her move. Make way!

2:23 pm on March 6th, 2015
Back to the coffee: I have Nespresso and they recycle the little cups. I have their recycle bags and they get sent UPS back to Nespresso.
3:40 pm on March 6th, 2015
Yay Team Sadie!
4:51 pm on March 6th, 2015
Topton? That isjust over the hill from us us us!!! What was made there? Those cute centerpieces?
Mom would have the Five Sibes do all of her sewing too.
T&G! Tell your maw and paw we wish them good fortune at their shew!
Hobbit! The first part of your story was bone-chilling, mind-numby scary, but the last part was rather interesting. We sure hope you managed to get, or give, a phone number. Heh!
Oh how Mom wishes she was way up north with youse guys. Be sure and have double the fun, for her. She is living vicariously thru you.
So, tonight must be the Snowless-b-queue at Mick and Jodi, the people, not the dogs. Good times will be had for sure.
Coffee: Keurig makes reusable cups now. That sounds like a very good option.
5:18 pm on March 6th, 2015
Reception slow at kennel. Will post later
5:46 pm on March 6th, 2015
Sled rides happening. Right now AJ, SnowBella and Staff are on the double sled with Staff in basket. Dawson taking video. Photos won’t load but can do text. I know Sharon will go but not sure how many others
6:28 pm on March 6th, 2015
Howlers, Just read that the guy who invented the original K cups said he was sorry he did, because of the pollution they are causing. I think I read that the used cups are enough to circle the globe 10 times each year. Not positive on that one. They evidently have to be made of a really strong material so they stand up during the brewing process.
6:30 pm on March 6th, 2015
Sled!…Riders!…Woooo Hoooo! …I can’t wait to see the video!…heh!…I hope Mr.FireSlippers took a turn!
7:22 pm on March 6th, 2015
We just watched both Philip and Our Giant pull their numbers. AJ thanked THE PLUNDERERS first and foremost. WOO HOOO!!!!! We all ROCK!!!! GO SNOWHOOK!!!!!
7:31 pm on March 6th, 2015
Can youse believe The Last Great Race starts tomorrow? Wowzer! I am egg-cited beyond belief! And what’s this? Rico of the bi-colored eyes is only 14% sponsored? Thank you to Rio, Beau, their Friend, and the entire HOH. Who else wants to chip in for Rico?

8:20 pm on March 6th, 2015
Time!….Can someone give me the time – Alaskan time – in which the race will start?…grunt!
9:00 pm on March 6th, 2015
Day-tripping!…CHobbit took us out and about to see some of Alaska. All of it is beautiful as Maskers once again found out!..snort!
9:05 pm on March 6th, 2015
I like that picture.
9:09 pm on March 6th, 2015
Siber-Maw!….Here is one of Staff and Mr.FireSlippers. Staff is the one who is waving…heh!heh!
9:11 pm on March 6th, 2015
Gear!…I got to see AJ’s gear….snort!…I must say none of that stuff would fit in my little knapsack…sniff!…I may have marked one or two things just so he remembers me on the trail…heh!heh!
9:20 pm on March 6th, 2015
Rio, This is crazy, but I can’t find anywhere on the internet the time the Ceremonial Start begins tomorrow.
I probably won’t be on the blog until late tomorrow, if at all.
I am going to use a friend’s full-size pick-up tomorrow to get some stuff done and then I am going to have company in the afternoon. I will read the blog, though, and all the news.
GO SNOWHOOK!!!
9:23 pm on March 6th, 2015
Day!…We had a really big day today…snort!…I hope some of the sled riders share their photos and videos…wheeeze!….When we finally got home guess who got fed first…gurgle!
9:31 pm on March 6th, 2015
Sadie, who’s a good girl?
9:37 pm on March 6th, 2015
BarB!…Traitor!…sniff!
Second!…Guess who got fed next…grump! …Us – but Maskers went for my food like a bullit..grunt!…I’ve never seen a Kat move so fast…gah!
9:39 pm on March 6th, 2015
Recourse!….So I had to spit and sneeze in my bowl of food that Maskers was working on – diligently! ….gah!
9:44 pm on March 6th, 2015
Finally!…He went for his own bowl of food. Little did he know I had spit and sneezed in his dish…heh!heh!…Kats! Can’t live with them harmoniously or harmonically…snort!…Which reminds me, I need to dig out my harmonica tonight and serenade everyone while they play paw after paw of cards….chuffle!
10:08 pm on March 6th, 2015
CHobbit!….Check your great big Go-Phone when you get home…burp!
11:00 pm on March 6th, 2015
Ceremonial start begins at 10 am AK time on Saturday. We are all still at Mick and Jodi’s
11:08 pm on March 6th, 2015
CHobbit!…Finally a time. Now I know how late I can sleep in tomorrow…heh!heh!
12:49 am on March 7th, 2015
OMD! We just got home from Mick and Jodies and were trying, sleepily, to empty the van. NO RIO! Masquers was there but Rio and his little back pack were GONE! Terror! Horror! Worrit!
The little fart had gone missing. We knew he was loving it at the kennel where everyone was nuzzling him and taking little loving nips but would he go walkabout? We couldn’t believe it.
After a long discussion about where he had been seen last we decided to text Luna. She replied that Rio had stowed away in the new 5 buck truck and would come back with the team tomorrrow morning.
Some asked that AJ make Rio a kennel and keep him there forever. sigh It was not to be. Although Rio is staying overnight in his little vacation home at the kennel he is annoyed by the lack of ‘facilities’ and will be quite willing to return to warmth and regular feeding tomorrow. Sad but true.
We will all sleep better tonight knowing that he was not abducted by wolves. (Wolves would be smarter than that!
1:05 am on March 7th, 2015
The first view of the kennel after getting out of the van.
The dog on the left side is Doc. The black dog on top of a kennel in the middle of the kennel is Iggy.
1:17 am on March 7th, 2015
Beautiful Belle Starr just for Rose

1:18 am on March 7th, 2015
When we first went to the kennel Nicholas Petit was there. He had borrowed AJ’s saw to cut up meat (Instead of using an AX) He was very appreciative and was taking some hay to drop off somewhere for AJ in return for the saw borrowing. He is cute, and French, but his dog truck was not as nice as ours!

AJ and Rebecca’s house is in the background.
1:18 am on March 7th, 2015
Belle Starr and Luna are always near one another

1:19 am on March 7th, 2015
Clyde, for the O’Howlers.
1:20 am on March 7th, 2015
Whitey Lance and Bandit

1:25 am on March 7th, 2015
Nana had so much fun. AJ let Dawson bring her back in the driver position on the sled on the final bit of trail. Nana also did a sled run riding on the runners.

1:27 am on March 7th, 2015
We were surrounded by Ravens. They love the kennel. The dogs seem unimpressed with them but I love Ravens. They followed us on our sled rides too.

1:31 am on March 7th, 2015
A member of the mismatched glove club.

1:33 am on March 7th, 2015
Another member of the mismatched glove club.
All the rest of us wore boringly matched gloves
1:33 am on March 7th, 2015
Dawson helping line the dogs out in preparation for the next rider.

1:37 am on March 7th, 2015
Wyatt was the only dog wearing a coat.

1:45 am on March 7th, 2015
Charlie, for BStover.

1:47 am on March 7th, 2015
I am way behind in prepping photo’s but I am tired and we need to get up early tomorrow for the ceremonial start. YAWN!
Good night all!
2:40 am on March 7th, 2015
And Staff has put so much of our shiitake on, I need to check. But as all can see it is time to sleep tight, so we will check in on 03/07/2015.
7:29 am on March 7th, 2015
Excellent pictures! Special thanks to The Awesome One for posting that picture of Clyde. Did he love you up immediately afterwards? We are so glad you are all having a blast!
(Whispering). All Pop said was “Where’s Patsy Ann?”
8:12 am on March 7th, 2015
B, M and L–good news about Shaggy, and I think you’re right–he’ll re-acclimate in no time.
Still catching up on yesterday…
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