Congratulations, Hickory!
“Not Hickory Wind,” it turns out, says Admin. “It’s just plain Hickory.”
“So forget the whole Gram Parsons thing?” says Spence. “The Byrds? Emmylou Harris? The invention of country rock? Tragic early death?”
“You giving me a hard time?” Admin says.
Uh-oh. I sit up. Is this going to get interesting? Once they armwrestled: that was a sight to see.
“You did have Hickory picked right from the get-go,” Spence says.
Admin gives Spence a long stare and finally says, “More coffee?”
“Thanks.”
“Here’s to Hickory.”
I lie back down. There was no one like me in the show, that’s all I know.
Tags: Westminster Dog Show
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 at 8:31 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.
8:37 am on February 16th, 2011
There was definitely no one like you in the show, Chet.
8:52 am on February 16th, 2011
Last night Dawson mentioned the musher and his team that went into a creek and were rescued. How did they recover from that? Weren’t they all wet and out in deadly cold temperatures? Are they okay now?
9:12 am on February 16th, 2011
Congrats to Hickory. First time win for a Deer Hound. They said Goldens and Labs had never won. That’s just not right!
Chet, you are a one of a kind!
Molly, we also hope the musher and team are ok.
Here, our snow is melting, soon to be a thing of the past. Upper 50s tomorrow! Last week -18!
Friday is the full moon and we are supposed to go out to the garden and look up at the moon. Remember? That is for good luck in the year of the Rabbit. Barb is going to be at her daughter’s lake house, so they will have to go out to her flower garden, but that should still work.
9:14 am on February 16th, 2011
MagPie, does it have to be a garden?
9:15 am on February 16th, 2011
Chet, you are a unique breed!
Working on my birthday…(frown)
9:21 am on February 16th, 2011
Admin and Spence are at it again! Love their squabbles.
Good morning Chet and everyone.
Happy birthday Rose.
9:24 am on February 16th, 2011
Happy Birthday Rose.
9:26 am on February 16th, 2011
Sam, Don’t remember who gave us all the good details on the Chinese New Year. Macy or Kirby, maybe? They said to go out in a garden, but didn’t specify what kind. Do you have a little flower bed or something?
9:33 am on February 16th, 2011
The garden is under 6 feet of snow, but that may be melted by Friday. That’s where the plow pushes the driveway snow. Maybe it will count if we stand near the garden.
9:43 am on February 16th, 2011
Sam, I think that will count, as long as you are gazing at the mooon, and letting the moon dust sprinkle down on you. That is Barb’s plan. Unfortunatley, I will be at the Bed and Biscuit, so will not be with her on this one.
9:52 am on February 16th, 2011
I’m still watching the show. Next up Working Dogs.
For those of you with a favorite breed WKC has the breed videos up.
Day One: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2011/video/breed/index.html
Day Two: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2011/video/breed/index2.html
Zoë and I looked up who won the Newfs, have to say that is a beautiful Landseer. The Sire is from a Kennel (Three Ponds) that we used for Mac and Ros with Bess. We’re going to try to find out if they are related.
Also one of our friends had their Newf get an Award of Merit! Pretty cool. I’ve promised Zoë that I wouldn’t watch the video without her.
Happy Birthday, Rose!
Chet, You are Chet the Jet, WDPI, WAP
Chet the Jet, Working Dog Private Detective, Without a Peer!
9:53 am on February 16th, 2011
I’m still watching the show. Next up Working Dogs.
For those of you with a favorite breed WKC has the breed videos up.
Day One: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2011/video/breed/index.html
Zoë and I looked up who won the Newfs, have to say that is a beautiful Landseer. The Sire is from a Kennel (Three Ponds) that we used for Mac and Ros with Bess. We’re going to try to find out if they are related.
Also one of our friends had their Newf get an Award of Merit! Pretty cool. I’ve promised Zoë that I wouldn’t watch the video without her.
Happy Birthday, Rose!
Chet, You are Chet the Jet, WDPI, WAP
Chet the Jet, Working Dog Private Detective, Without a Peer!
9:53 am on February 16th, 2011
My first comment is being moderated because I had two links. Oh well.
Here’s the link for Day Two: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2011/video/breed/index2.html
9:57 am on February 16th, 2011
Melanie, We thought the Landseer was breathtaking!
10:10 am on February 16th, 2011
Hickory is a very interesting dog. I’ve never met anyone who looks just like her. She seemed very nice, though.
Chet, my Mom says you are a Fictional Dog and I didn’t see that breed represented at all. I figure that must be a designer hybrid kind of deal and maybe too new to be recognized. Doesn’t mean that won’t happen, though.
Did anyone else notice that among the new breeds this year there was a Leonberger and a Redbone Coonhound? If you mated them would you get a Leon Redbone?
10:24 am on February 16th, 2011
Lola and Franklin: Or a Boneberger . . .
Hey Zoë found this quote:
The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter-he’s got to just know.
– Will Rogers
10:28 am on February 16th, 2011
Thanks Stover, Mollypop, and Melanie for the birthday wishes!
10:30 am on February 16th, 2011
If you crossed the giant corded coat Kommondor with a smaller, corded coat Puli, would you get a Kommon -li?
10:46 am on February 16th, 2011
A 23-year old rookie won the Yukon Quest last night a little after 11PM Alaska time. The musher who went into the creek up to his neck is going to be fine. He got out of the creek and another musher came along and helped him with dry socks, etc. He had planned to continue but it turned out that he had 2nd degree frostbite on his hands so he scratched.
Warmer today. -35 instead of -40.
11:07 am on February 16th, 2011
C.Harris – How are the dogs? Did they get wet also?
11:13 am on February 16th, 2011
For MollyPop (notice the person who helped came in 2nd only 30 some minutes after the lead AND how the dogs warmed up)
: Swimming Lessons in the Middle of the Night
By Claire Festel
What started out as one of the smoothest Yukon Quest races in its 28th year history has been turned on its ear for the second time this year.
The trail from Circle to Central is known for tough conditions: overflow and the coldest region on the 1,000-mile route.
Hugh Neff lost a lot of his lead when he went into overflow that slowed him down significantly. Hans Gatt and Sebastian Schnuelle were picking up ground until Gatt hit the same section of trail.
Two miles before the mushers turn off Birch Creek – about 20 miles from Central checkpoint – was where Schneulle came upon a situation that changed his race plan.
This year, Schnuelle says, “going through Birch Creek was like taking swimming lessons in the middle of the night.” He was running behind Gatt but he knew something was wrong when Gatt shone his light directly towards him, waved it back and forth and yelled to him for help.
When Sebastian pulled up, Hans’s sled was stuck in overflow. He had separated his dogs from the sled and was pulling them back to ground. Hans was covered in ice to his chest. About halfway across what he thought was ice the whole team fell through a thin film of ice into chest-high overflow.
Sebastian helped Hans pull the dogs to Sebastian’s sled. They recovered Hans’ sled. from the overflow and drove to a spot where they could stop to care for the dogs and Hans.
Sebastian made a fire, took off Hans’ soaked boots and jerry-rigged new boots for him out of dog blankets with burlap bags over top, tied down by neck lines and tug lines. The dogs dried by rolling in the snow. After about an hour beside the fire, they continued into Central.
Gatt is taking time to consider his options. Schnuelle says he’ll finish but figures his chances at second place are gone.
11:24 am on February 16th, 2011
stolenBorrowed fromPei Days
by me, Lola, a Chinese Shar Pei
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011
Are You A Friend of Chet?
One good thing did come out of the Winter of our Disconnect. Blog Mom had to go get some books to read since we couldn’t read blogs much. One of our favorite types of books are mysteries. Franklin and I prefer them if there’s a dog involved. Well, Blog Mom came across a mystery series she’d never read at all and it happens to be narrated by one of the greatest dog detectives in the history of – well, of dog detectives. His name is Chet. You never see a whole picture of Chet, probably so he won’t be mobbed by fans, I figure. Blog Mom says he’s a Fictional Dog. I’m not really familiar with that breed, but I figure it must be one of those new hybrids. It’s pretty clear from his description that he’s got some GSD and probably some Border Collie in him and probably one or two other things. Maybe a little Sibe or some sort of terrier. He has stated that he enjoys digging quite well. Chet is a brilliant detective and a witty narrator and the plots are quite satisfying. We were chuckling and chortling and enjoying the first book so much that Alpha Mom ran out and got her own copy right away. She was not sorry.
What we love best about the books, though, is that Chet’s essential canineness shines through at all times. He doesn’t come across as just a human with fur and a great sense of smell. No, Chet is all dog. He thinks like a dog, has senses like a dog, marks everywhere, lives in the now and naps like a dog. His partner and human is Bernie Little, and together they are the Little Detective agency. Oh, I could go on and on, but if you haven’t read these books you really need to get hold of one. You can thank us later. Might as well start with Dog On It, which is the first and go from there. Below is the most recent one. We don’t have it yet. Blog Mom says she’s trying to stretch things out a bit because we’ll be a little sad when we run out, which will be soon.
The only bad thing is that there are only three of the books so far. They’re written by a Mr. Spencer Quinn. You’d think it was amazing that someone who’d written only three books could write them so well – even the very first one, but here’s the thing of that – Mr. Spencer Quinn is also Mr. Peter Abrahams who was already a highly trained author. Not so surprising, really. After all, I wasn’t always Lola and I learned a lot when I was…whoever I used to be. Don’t really recall all that much about it now. Franklin, as we know, was Brooklyn when he got here. A lot of you were called something else at one time, too. I suppose there’s no reason why this might not happen among humans, too.
Chet has a blog of his own which is called Chet The Dog, although he’s sometimes forced to share it with someone called Admin and also on Sundays there’s Ingrid. We haven’t quite got all that straight yet, but all we really want is a place to keep tabs on Chet while Spence (I think that Spence is Mr. Quinn’s call name.) is working on more books for us to read. One nice feature is that you can upload a photo of yourself and that’s all you have to do to become a Friend of Chet. We kind of messed ours up the first time, so it was up there twice. I’m not sure if that’s been fixed yet. Lots of nice dogs and also some humans can be found there. They are also quite generous with excerpts of the books while they’re in progress, but so far we’re not reading them, preferring to read the whole book at once. We might change our tune by the time number four gets written, though. Blog Mom says we’ll be jonesing by then, whatever that means. It’s worth a look, really.
The only bad thing is that there are only three of the books so far. They’re written by a Mr. Spencer Quinn. You’d think it was amazing that someone who’d written only three books could write them so well – even the very first one, but here’s the thing of that – Mr. Spencer Quinn is also Mr. Peter Abrahams who was already a highly trained author. Not so surprising, really. After all, I wasn’t always Lola and I learned a lot when I was…whoever I used to be. Don’t really recall all that much about it now. Franklin, as we know, was Brooklyn when he got here. A lot of you were called something else at one time, too. I suppose there’s no reason why this might not happen among humans, too.
Chet has a blog of his own which is called Chet The Dog, although he’s sometimes forced to share it with someone called Admin and also on Sundays there’s Ingrid. We haven’t quite got all that straight yet, but all we really want is a place to keep tabs on Chet while Spence (I think that Spence is Mr. Quinn’s call name.) is working on more books for us to read. One nice feature is that you can upload a photo of yourself and that’s all you have to do to become a Friend of Chet. We kind of messed ours up the first time, so it was up there twice. I’m not sure if that’s been fixed yet. Lots of nice dogs and also some humans can be found there. They are also quite generous with excerpts of the books while they’re in progress, but so far we’re not reading them, preferring to read the whole book at once. We might change our tune by the time number four gets written, though. Blog Mom says we’ll be jonesing by then, whatever that means. It’s worth a look, really.
11:27 am on February 16th, 2011
stolenBorrowed fromPei Days
by me, Lola, a Chinese Shar Pei
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011
Are You A Friend of Chet?
One good thing did come out of the Winter of our Disconnect. Blog Mom had to go get some books to read since we couldn’t read blogs much. One of our favorite types of books are mysteries. Franklin and I prefer them if there’s a dog involved. Well, Blog Mom came across a mystery series she’d never read at all and it happens to be narrated by one of the greatest dog detectives in the history of – well, of dog detectives. His name is Chet. You never see a whole picture of Chet, probably so he won’t be mobbed by fans, I figure. Blog Mom says he’s a Fictional Dog. I’m not really familiar with that breed, but I figure it must be one of those new hybrids. It’s pretty clear from his description that he’s got some GSD and probably some Border Collie in him and probably one or two other things. Maybe a little Sibe or some sort of terrier. He has stated that he enjoys digging quite well. Chet is a brilliant detective and a witty narrator and the plots are quite satisfying. We were chuckling and chortling and enjoying the first book so much that Alpha Mom ran out and got her own copy right away. She was not sorry.
What we love best about the books, though, is that Chet’s essential canineness shines through at all times. He doesn’t come across as just a human with fur and a great sense of smell. No, Chet is all dog. He thinks like a dog, has senses like a dog, marks everywhere, lives in the now and naps like a dog. His partner and human is Bernie Little, and together they are the Little Detective agency. Oh, I could go on and on, but if you haven’t read these books you really need to get hold of one. You can thank us later. Might as well start with Dog On It, which is the first and go from there. Below is the most recent one. We don’t have it yet. Blog Mom says she’s trying to stretch things out a bit because we’ll be a little sad when we run out, which will be soon.
The only bad thing is that there are only three of the books so far. They’re written by a Mr. Spencer Quinn. You’d think it was amazing that someone who’d written only three books could write them so well – even the very first one, but here’s the thing of that – Mr. Spencer Quinn is also Mr. Peter Abrahams who was already a highly trained author. Not so surprising, really. After all, I wasn’t always Lola and I learned a lot when I was…whoever I used to be. Don’t really recall all that much about it now. Franklin, as we know, was Brooklyn when he got here. A lot of you were called something else at one time, too. I suppose there’s no reason why this might not happen among humans, too.
Ok, I can admit that the whole copy paste thing sometimes is a little beyond me. Or if you are forgetful, forget that you already read the last two paragraphs.
11:29 am on February 16th, 2011
I am just going to go stick my snout in a corner. I can’t get anyting right this morning.
12:05 pm on February 16th, 2011
It’s okay Macy. We all have days like that.
Things to note about the WKC show.
Sometimes you might see the handler stroke and lift the dog’s tail up. Tails are important for moods with dogs. If your dog is a bit hesitant, lifting the tail gives the dog more courage. If the dog is exuberant (when you don’t want them to be) pushing the tail down helps to lower that.
Also, these dogs especially those in the Groups and BOS have really been through a grinder.
The Breed shows all use that ring that you see except it is divided into 6 rings. There are 6 or more breeds being shown at one time during the day. There are lots and lots of people there but they are not in the seats, they are right up against the rings. The dogs are completely surrounded with humans, noise and lights.
Next WKC is a “Benched” show. This means you show up with your dog in the morning, the dog is put in a long wooden bench with sides that keep the other dogs in their own space. People are there all day long, looking, trying to touch, kids screaming, cell phones ringing. It is unbelievable.
The Group winners of the first day, must come back and be benched for the BOS. The second day Group winners have been through two shows already that day before they hit the BOS.
The dogs that are shown are troopers, used to noise and activity and praise.
Here’s to Hickory and all the dogs at the WKC show!
Hip Hip Woof!
Unfortunately, I have to go work now. Bummer.
12:11 pm on February 16th, 2011
Macy, Loved reading Lola’s account above (twice). Does Lola have a blog? Where did you find that? Good work, Macy, and you can come out of the corner.
12:16 pm on February 16th, 2011
Melanie, we read that there were over 6,000 dogs at the WKC. Thanks for your info above.
We got the two Laura Levine books from the library loan. Started with This Pen for Hire, the first Jaine Austen book. It is very funny, and very fast, entertaining reading. Thank you to whoever recommended it. If we ask who, we will get on Rio’s list!
12:19 pm on February 16th, 2011
It’s okay Macy MinPin: I’m having the same sort of day but I know you guys will just love me anyways 🙂
Kelley Griffin is the musher I’m rooting for, not Kathy Griffin.
Now I have to go to the dentist for a checkup.
12:29 pm on February 16th, 2011
Happy Birthday Rose!
T&G: I love those corded haired dogs. I would like to have a Kommon-li.
Lola and Franklin: Leon Redbone. Very good. You are mighty Sharp, eh?
12:33 pm on February 16th, 2011
Hickory Sticks!
Thanks to Melanie for posting off Claire Festal’s blog about how the sled dogs got dried off after their swim in the drink. I can just see Siber H. shuddering while hearing about that. That is why Sebastian S., the one that came in second, is my Hero.
Ohoh, gonna be late for the dentist.
12:34 pm on February 16th, 2011
Melanie – Thank’s for that great article on the dog sledders. I now am wondering how they were able to make the fire. I’m picturing a frozen tundra with no trees, but maybe there are trees.
12:34 pm on February 16th, 2011
Macy, that was a great read (both times) ! Thanks!
We also don’t quite get the Ingrid thing…we’re late-comers.
12:35 pm on February 16th, 2011
http://peidays.blogspot.com/
Lola’s blog
12:43 pm on February 16th, 2011
Ingrid is the main character in the Echo Falls Series written by our very own Peter Abrahams. In our library these books are found in the children’s section, but mom says that she might be a little distressed to find an 8 year old reading them. But for everyone over 13, grrreeeeaaat. We are late to the Ingrid party, but finished Rabbit Hole yesterday and Curtain today. When mom asked about “Down the Rabbit Hole” at Half Price books they tried to sell her Alice in Wonderland. So close yet so far.
Mom says that for the last couple of weeks (2 weeks, 2 days and 23 hours) she has felt like she has gone down her own personal rabbit hole, except nothing fun or interesting is going on down there. Just dirt, rabbit hair, and some small bones that she prefers not to think about. (aren’t rabbits vegetarians?)
12:49 pm on February 16th, 2011
Mollypop, didn’t you see the carton of duraflame logs being dragged along behind the sled? Right behind the box of rice crispy treats.
12:56 pm on February 16th, 2011
Macy – Maybe Siber-H can dream about this stuff, but to me it would be a nightmare. Poodles in the Iditarod?
1:00 pm on February 16th, 2011
Especially the white ones. Who would even notice if a couple went missing. And you REALLY don’t want to go out there with your backside shaved. have you seen the commercial for Beverly Hills Chihuahua II where Poppi says to a poufy Poodle, “Don’t look now, but somebody shaved your hinney”.
1:18 pm on February 16th, 2011
Melanie: That’s really interesting about the tails. Thank you.
Macy: I liked the story.
Barb: I’ve read This Pen for Hire but I’m not sure I’m the one who recommended it. I enjoyed it.
1:23 pm on February 16th, 2011
Hickory!….His official name is Hickory Wind…snort!…Its on the Westminster Dog Show website….grunt!
2:39 pm on February 16th, 2011
According to this article in today’s NYTimes, her official name is Grand Champion Foxcliffe Hickory Wind.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/sports/16best.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha27
2:40 pm on February 16th, 2011
It feels like spring out. The sun is out, it’s 45 and the male cardinal is calling out his territory. I think the cardinal and robin know something we don’t.
2:49 pm on February 16th, 2011
Mush!…. Do you guys remember Whitey from last year?…heh!….He was the guy who got lost during the race. I wonder if he will be in the Iditarod this year?….snort!… I bet SiberH remembers him…chorkel!
2:56 pm on February 16th, 2011
B.Stover: I sure hope they know something. . .
I remember Whitey, the Pack was glad he was found. They figured they would be found faster than Whitey, considering their formal wear.
Dan and Zoë are back. Dan’s lungs are slightly improved, and Zoë’s heart is getting much better. I think I will celebrate with a nap.
2:57 pm on February 16th, 2011
Good news about Dan and Zoe.
3:09 pm on February 16th, 2011
Thanks, Dawson!
My husband is a college professor and has a night class tonight, (frown) so I’m on my own for my birthday. Think I’ll put “A Hard Day’s Night” on…It’s one of my favorite movies.
3:40 pm on February 16th, 2011
Good to hear that Dan and Zoe are better.
Good one Dawson, Sharp, eh? They say eh a lot in Canada don’t they? Eh?
4:02 pm on February 16th, 2011
Huh?
4:20 pm on February 16th, 2011
More good news from WKC.
Got an email from a friend! She’s has the Kennel that Ellie is from AND she talked us through (4 hours on the phone) the arrival of our first litter.
Her granddaughters were at WKC. One handled the BOB Water Spaniel through Breed and the Group, and the other received Best Junior Handler.
These young ladies have been showing dogs since they could walk!
4:28 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rose: An Ontario woman recently was the first person ever to receive a Master’s degree in The Beatles. 🙂
4:53 pm on February 16th, 2011
I’m glad we don’t have to forget about Gram Parsons. He wrote some great songs.
My Grandma Jean (mom’s mom) is in ICU with pnuemonia. Please send prayers. And mom is moping around, missing her boys, grumbling about tough love.
Happy Birthday Rose!!
4:59 pm on February 16th, 2011
Wolfie: I hope for the best for your grandmother.
5:04 pm on February 16th, 2011
Well, the drunken Russian hockey players have gone, the man who beheaded his wife has been found guilty, and now the “cat marinator” trial starts on Wednesday.
Mom filters our Lake Erie drinking water just in case.
5:18 pm on February 16th, 2011
Happy Birthday Rose.
I think the person who posted all the good info on chinese new year was Wolfie – was it you, W?
How does rolling in the snow dry the dogs?
Cat marinator????????????
5:22 pm on February 16th, 2011
Liz – http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/erie/Police-man-marinating-cat-to-eat-it
5:42 pm on February 16th, 2011
Wolfie, I hope your Grandma gets well and your Mom feels better about the boys. Your Mom did the right thing and is now recovering. Hug her.
5:44 pm on February 16th, 2011
I can see the moon tonight. Waxing Full 97%.
Whoops, there it goes under a cloud.
LizF . . . I don’t know. Guesses? Umm, the snow would be 32 degrees. Since it is so cold up there, maybe it’s a really dry snow? Hmmm. Maybe B.Stover could ask her physics friend.
Whoops, there’s the moon again. This is cool. A peak-a-boo moon.
5:47 pm on February 16th, 2011
Mary, It will take time. You have made it through the worst part with the boys. Stay strong, lots of good prayer for your mom.
5:48 pm on February 16th, 2011
Wölfie: An old Cornish saying: Ehaz ha sowenath whath tho why ha tho goz henath!
(Health and prosperity ever to you and yours)
6:18 pm on February 16th, 2011
Melanie: It’s dark there already? It isn’t here yet so no moon now. I’ll see if my physics friend has an answer regarding snow drying dogs.
6:32 pm on February 16th, 2011
Yep, it was me. I found one web site that has positive stuff regard the bunny year, and one website that had negitive. I chose to ignore the negitive stuff. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt, you know!
6:45 pm on February 16th, 2011
Not to have Poodles out do the Newfs . . . I looked up Newfoundland Sled Dog team. . .
Hmm. That was a bust. Newfoundlands are not like jets they are like cargo planes! Zoë and I have been to a sled drafting trial for Newfs, of course I didn’t take any pictures. But we trained Ellie to pull a cart.
WWII Newfoundlands were used in Alaska and other Northern climes to pull rations and equipment for the military.
I did find the following at this site. http://sierramayhemjeeptours.blogspot.com
The Dog Express Delivered The Mail To The 49er’s
Snow shoes were too slow, for a Mr. Whiting. As a boy he remembered reading adventure stories of explorers using sled dogs and decided they could also be used to deliver the
express mail in deep snows.
During the year 1858 he acquired both Newfoundland and St Bernard dogs and designed a harness for their towing of a sled that he constructed for a cost of seventy-five dollars. His first trial run was a huge success. This was the start of the Whiting & Co. Express. On the sled was a small chest in which were carried letters and express packages. Between himself, the mail, and an occasional passenger his sled could weigh over 600 pounds.
6:46 pm on February 16th, 2011
Not to have Poodles out do the Newfs . . . I looked up Newfoundland Sled Dog team. . .
Hmm. That was a bust. Newfoundlands are not like jets they are like cargo planes! Zoë and I have been to a sled drafting trial for Newfs, of course I didn’t take any pictures. But we trained Ellie to pull a cart.
WWII Newfoundlands were used in Alaska and other Northern climes to pull rations and equipment for the military.
The Dog Express Delivered The Mail To The 49er’s
Snow shoes were too slow, for a Mr. Whiting. As a boy he remembered reading adventure stories of explorers using sled dogs and decided they could also be used to deliver the
express mail in deep snows.
During the year 1858 he acquired both Newfoundland and St Bernard dogs and designed a harness for their towing of a sled that he constructed for a cost of seventy-five dollars. His first trial run was a huge success. This was the start of the Whiting & Co. Express. On the sled was a small chest in which were carried letters and express packages. Between himself, the mail, and an occasional passenger his sled could weigh over 600 pounds.
6:48 pm on February 16th, 2011
Man . . . I’m being moderated again . . . Sugar foots.
And how here is what I was trying to put up. Didn’t want the Poodles to out do the Newfs. Sibers are the jets, Newfs are the cargo planes. The site where I found it will be up once the moderating is done.
The Dog Express Delivered The Mail To The 49er’s
Snow shoes were too slow, for a Mr. Whiting. As a boy he remembered reading adventure stories of explorers using sled dogs and decided they could also be used to deliver the
express mail in deep snows.
During the year 1858 he acquired both Newfoundland and St Bernard dogs and designed a harness for their towing of a sled that he constructed for a cost of seventy-five dollars. His first trial run was a huge success. This was the start of the Whiting & Co. Express. On the sled was a small chest in which were carried letters and express packages. Between himself, the mail, and an occasional passenger his sled could weigh over 600 pounds.
[
6:49 pm on February 16th, 2011
I GIVE UP! I’m being moderated on THREE different comments. I dare not say anything that I said in them because it will probably happen AGAIN!
6:51 pm on February 16th, 2011
On a completely different note . . .
We watched “Best In Show” tonight. It’s really funny especially if you do dog shows. Anyhoo, the working dog group was won by the Siberian Husky.
Just thought you’d like to know, Siber-H!
7:15 pm on February 16th, 2011
Mollypop – thanks, sort of, for the link, i skimmed a bit of it. There are no words for that guy…..
So the ice is colder than the water and freezes it off their hair, maybe? That’s really interesting.
7:35 pm on February 16th, 2011
Liz – I’m trying to guess about the snow temperature. From where I live, on one of the Great Lakes, the water temperature can only go down to 30 degrees. We are leeward so that actually helps keep us warmer in the winter than those places on the other side of the lakes.
I don’t know if I can apply this logic to the temperature of Arctic snow, but it seems it might be way warmer than the air.
7:52 pm on February 16th, 2011
Dawson, Sebastian is my hero, too. I hope he does well in the Iditarod, and I am so glad he came in second in the Quest. Hans Gatt might have died if it weren’t for Seb.
Thanks for posting the article from the Quest, Melanie. Whew, what a race, but is still going on and I am still following it. I hope I can recover from it in time for the Iditarod.
Rio, I remember Whitey, but I don’t remember who his musher is.
No, I would not like going in the creek…shudder. I might have to see a dog shrink after that for PTSD.
7:54 pm on February 16th, 2011
Happy Birthday Rose!! Husky birthday hugs to you.
7:58 pm on February 16th, 2011
Hey RIO!
On today’s Coffee With a Canine there’s a pug named Spike. He’s eleven and has 5 acres to run around on. He also hates the pizzaman!
http://coffeecanine.blogspot.com
8:01 pm on February 16th, 2011
Mollypop, There are trees. They are not out on the tundra in the Yukon Quest. The Iditarod is a different story…they travel on the tundra and the frozen Bering Sea.(Norton Sound)
Macy, thanks for posting that great article by Lola.
8:02 pm on February 16th, 2011
Siber-H: His name is Justin Savidis. He was a rookie last year and gave up the race to search for four days. Here’s an article.
http://dogblog.dogster.com/2010/03/16/the-story-behind-the-lost-iditarod-dog
8:03 pm on February 16th, 2011
SiberH!….Didn’t you say last year that Whitey actually went exploring on his own because he smelt some fish or something….heh! …He was being a wayward Husky acting up during an actual race…snort!
Bizzaro!….Poor Liz! I’m sure she thinks Upstate New York is full of Whacked Out inmates …heh!….She would be right actually… snorkel!
8:08 pm on February 16th, 2011
Savidis’s wife says they will make a “Where’s Waldo” jacket for Whitey in the next race.
8:18 pm on February 16th, 2011
Upstate New York is soooo off my list of place to visit.
8:24 pm on February 16th, 2011
Liz!… You could come visit me!me!me!…heh!….Then you could do a proper sketch of me for your Gallery….snorkel!…Wouldn’t that be fun?…sniff!
Whitey!…So Whitey is going to race again this year?….heh! … I can’t wait to see this played out…chorkel!
Mollie!…We are devastated here!…snuffle!….No Justified On Demand as yet!…grunt!…What actual day and time does our show come one anyways….snort!
8:29 pm on February 16th, 2011
I went to the small store and deli (4 miles away) here and parked next to a car that had two dogs in it. I KNEW I should know what kind of dogs they were, but brain wasn’t connecting. They were very sweet, muscular, small compared to ours and multi-colored. I did a search and found out they were Australian Cattle Dogs!
Cool. I told Zoë and she said that somewhere around here there is a breeder.
I found out that they are born with white hair (their undercoat). It’s only when their outer coat comes in that they turn multi colored.
8:31 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio, Whitey took off because he is a Husky. They got him back to the checkpoint four days later by using rotten salmon to lure him in
Savadis is not doing the Idotarod this year. It costs so much money for one thing.
Thanks for the name and the link, Melanie.
8:33 pm on February 16th, 2011
Melanie: Thanks for the links. Spike sounds quite the character and of course we know Whitey-Lance is, as well.
8:36 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio, Whitey is racing…just not any long distances races. He is a pretty Alaskan Husky…looks like he is one with a lot of Siberian in him. That may be his problem right there.
8:40 pm on February 16th, 2011
Spike!….Who would name one of my guys Spike anyways?….snort!…We are all mostly round so the name Spike just doesn’t seem right…snort!
Whitey!….How much does it cost to run the Iditarod?…sneeze!… I thought those musher guys had sponsors and such to pay for the cost of the race…sniff!
8:42 pm on February 16th, 2011
Lots of interesting links in the blog today.
I want to send love and hugs to Macy the Min-Pin’s Mom.
To Wolfie and his Mom I want to send some strength to do the right thing. I think the tough in tough love is for you because you have to be strong to love that way.
And I would like to send some warm air to CHarris because it was 50 degrees here today and the snow is melting really fast. We have lost about 2-3 feet or snow already. There are places where we can see ground! I will have to go out in the backyard on Friday and see if I can find part of the parents garden to gaze at the moon from.
I am glad Zoe and Dan are back and doing better.
How are you BStover?
And Hi sis. How’s it going?
8:53 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio, I’m not sure how much it cost but the entry fee alone is a fortune. It costs a lot for the race to be put on. Only the very top mushers make any money at it because they get the best sponsors and endorsements and money for public speaking engagements. A lot of mushers help support their mushing addiction by giving tours to tourists. They all have dog food and vet bills year round. If a person goes into dog mushing in a serious way…that is it. That is their life. It is several full time jobs all rolled into one. It makes mom tired to think about it.
8:57 pm on February 16th, 2011
Well, I’m taking myself off that heavy drug. So now I’m sleeping all the time.
Jeez. Put me horizontal and I start snoring.
I’m hoping that stops soon.
Zoë, Dan and I are all trying a new herb that I was told about for pain. We are giving it a month. Is it working? Well, it’s only been two days, but . . .
Zoë’s arthritis is easing up in her neck, Dan’s headaches are gone, and the swelling in my knee went way down. Also my underlying pain isn’t as bad.
So Hmmm, either this is a placebo effect or else it’s working. We’re giving it a full month.
8:59 pm on February 16th, 2011
umm It was 69 degress here today. It is still supposed to be winter!
9:04 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio, I found it. The entry fee is 4000 bucks for this year’s Iditarod. All the other expenses are in addition to that.
9:09 pm on February 16th, 2011
Hey, y’all — Mom’s home from handbell practice and she turned the computer on for me so I could get caught up. Last night she went shopping for birthday presents for some people at work — there are nine people working at their branch, and four of them have birthdays in February! — so I had two days to catch up on.
I had to laugh at Rio’s commment last night about what breed I’d be rooting for. It seems to me that I could do pretty well at that dog show — if they didn’t limit me to appearing in just one breed competition! I’m sure I’d qualify for several categories — if I could get a few points here and a few points there, I’d end up as Best of Show!!!
9:10 pm on February 16th, 2011
Staff!….What about Me?…sniff!…Why aren’t you sending some warm and caring thoughts my way tonight?….snort!…I need someone to think of me every now and then you know…grunt!… I need some comfort and support and some treats. No one ever thinks of me. I’m alone here at the computer. My friend is watching that insipid Royal Pains show and I hate that show!…dammit!
9:17 pm on February 16th, 2011
Kirby!…I’m glad you caught that remark…heh!…Or else I was planning on springing it on you at another time…snorkel!….You are a “Guy of Many Groups” my man!…sneeze!
9:19 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio: Dad watches Justified, too. It’s on FX tonight at 10:00.
9:20 pm on February 16th, 2011
My physics friend doesn’t know the answer about the snow drying the dogs.
9:20 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio: Oops! That’s my time — Eastern — I guess it could be on at a different time in your zone.
Oh, and I prefer to think of myself as the Sporting type!
9:21 pm on February 16th, 2011
4000!….Bucks$$$ to enter! To subject you and your loved ones to extreme hardship and torture? ….grunt!… Holy crap! Tell me SiberH, what is the ultimate pay-off if a guy and his guys actually win the Iditarod?…sniff!
9:21 pm on February 16th, 2011
Jeez Louise!
Check out the actual cost of running back in 2009 . . .
That’s a lot of dog treats!
http://www.mushing.com/articles/content.php?vw=2,,14,618
9:22 pm on February 16th, 2011
Man that’s not even counting training costs!
Well, Late it is, sleep I must!
TTFN
9:23 pm on February 16th, 2011
Kirby!…Thank you so much!….snort!snort!….That means it might start here at 8:00 on FX. Seems a little early for that show so I will have to do some remote-wise research right now!…wheeze!
9:29 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio: You’re welcome — Dad was upset last night because he was afraid he’d missed it, but then he realized it’s actually on tonight instead.
9:33 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio: I’m sending you caring thoughts and some treats.
Staff: Thank you. I feel much better.
Melanie: What is the name of the herb?
9:39 pm on February 16th, 2011
My physics friend sent this link:
http://www.iditarod.com/learn/vet-12.html
According to the final two paragraphs, snow absorbs water so when a dog rolls in it he dries.
9:43 pm on February 16th, 2011
Justified!… I am so frustrated right now!….growl!…I cannot find Justified on any channel or any time on my cable bullshit company…sniff!….Last year they had it On Demand. Not this year. Also, we thought Breaking Bad was supposed to start in Feb., but we haven’t seen that either….wheeze!…What is going on here? Frustrated to no end because Dark Cold Winter Sucks and our good book is at her not-very-busy-place right now….grump!
Reduced!….to watching another insipid show called American Idol…wuffle!
9:44 pm on February 16th, 2011
Stover!…Thank you. It has been a distressing day and I need some comforting and caring thoughts…wheeze!
9:56 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio, First read Melanie’s link about what it costs the musher to run these two long distance races.
This is all I could find for right now:
In 2008 the winner of the Iditard won $69,000 and a new truck.
The total purse was $925,000 that year, but it is divided on a sliding scale among the first 30 mushers to finish the race.
The amount of the purse has been going down since 2008. In 2010 it was $795,00 for the first 30 mushers to finish.
I don’t know what the purse is this year…like the rest of the country, the Iditarod has fallen on hard economic times and they can’t award as much money as they used to.
9:59 pm on February 16th, 2011
Thanks for the link Stover. That is interesting.
If what I have posted this evening makes little sense, complete with typos, it is because mom and I drove to Gallup and back today. That is after spending last night following the Quest.
Rio, we love you.
10:01 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio: Have you ever watched White Collar? It’s On Demand.
Good night all.
10:03 pm on February 16th, 2011
Dear Rio,
Snuffle. I am so sorry I didn’t get you name in the list. I knew I was forgetting someone. Or sometwo. We tend to forget the people with the emotional pain and sometimes that is the worst. It is not like there is a bandage that will make it better.
I talked to Abbie about it and she said that you were her special friend because you have not posted that bad picture of her and you could have. She also likes you because you are chubbily challenged and she respects that. And also because it is now Spring Training and the world should be a happpy and cheerful place for all Kats, Dawgs and their special friends.
So here is a warm and caring thought for you. May your private bits stay warm and comfy the rest of this winter. May your friends little tiny pieces of paper stay rolled the right way and not get blown around the place. May you sometimes get bacon treats even if you can’t have the real stuff. May your friends legs swell less and less every day. Staff knows what that is like and it is NO FUN.
Alice M. Johnson says “Me too”. Alice has no idea what she would do without you to snipe at.
Goodnight all.
10:09 pm on February 16th, 2011
Hey thanks B, i didn’t know snow absorbs water. Amazing. How do the dogs know that? they’re so wise.
Melanie, Australian Cattle Dogs are gorgeous dogs, smart too. Cricket is partly cattle dog. Here she is at the beauty parlour, you can see the cattley-dog part is the motley white at the front.
10:17 pm on February 16th, 2011
Rio…..
……here are some hugs and kisses. Your friend has had a difficult year indeed.
I’m so sorry.
If I get really good at blurring, maybe I could blurrrrrrr across the Rainbow Bridge.
Pondering….
10:20 pm on February 16th, 2011
Sniffle!…Well on that nice note from Staff and the Kats, what can I say?….snuff!…Except Thank You dear friends….gruff! …You might want to Copy/Paste this somewhere as it is a rare Thank you to Kats….gruffle!
Shows!… Out of sheer frustration I looked up both Justified and Breaking Bad On Demand On Comcast On Google…geeze!….The shows are currently unavailable. This is actually a sort of good news, because it did not say The shows Will NOT be available, it just says they are detained somewhere in TV-Cable-Land….snort!…So at some point, we are hoping they will be Available and we won’t have to stay up all night long to try and find them and then watch them….grunt!
Seasons!…Spring cannot come fast enough for us. We are ready to be outside and planting things….sniff!…Unlike last year when we did not plant one single living thing…grump!
10:28 pm on February 16th, 2011
OMG!….Poor Cricket! I can read her lips and she is saying, “Help Me!”…snort! … I wonder if SiberH looked like that at his recent beauty parlour foray?…heh!heh!snort!
Wolfie!…Grunt! Between us guys, hugs and kisses are totally unnecessary…snort!
10:32 pm on February 16th, 2011
I think she’s saying ‘don’t you DARE take my photo’…
10:41 pm on February 16th, 2011
Idol!…. I’m going to pull an Admin and say right now tonight, early on in American Idol that the Quirky and Lovable “Carson” is going to take the whole thing. Mark my Puggish words and wisdom. We absolutely LOVE him. Quirks especially. First time we have seen him is tonight, right now….Winner. He is the Big American Idol Winner….snort!…Carson is his name. Don’t forget it….snuff!
10:41 pm on February 16th, 2011
I think that is a cute picture of Cricket. She looks pretty calm to me…not too stressed.
10:47 pm on February 16th, 2011
Good Night All!! and good afternoon to Liz and Cricket in the land of tomorrow.
10:48 pm on February 16th, 2011
JC!…Wait! JC a fifteen year old who can sing! Sing! Sing!….heh!….Have to give him a very good mention on the ole American Idol tour…snuffle!…We here love JC too. What a great kid…gruff!gruff! (a two gruffer!)
10:54 pm on February 16th, 2011
Wolfie: Prayers for your Grandma Jean, your mom and dad and your boys.
Rio: Thank goodness Staff responded to your plea for comfort. I started to and got distracted. I wrote down on a piece of paper that you thanked the cats at 10:20 and I am putting it in a safe place for future reference. Sending warm sunny thoughts to you.
10:54 pm on February 16th, 2011
B.Stover: Thank your physics friend for that site. All kinds of good info.
10:55 pm on February 16th, 2011
Stover!….When we were outside tonight we could see the almost-totally-full-moon finally!…snort!….She started WoooWoooing and then I Wooo Woooed in my low low wooo woo voice…heh!… It was a WoooWooo fun time….chorkel!….Luckily, no neighbors saw us…sniff!
11:00 pm on February 16th, 2011
Dawson!…Thank you for your weak attempt at making me feel better…snort!… I always know who I can count on for comfort…cough!
11:09 pm on February 16th, 2011
Liz!…I keep looking at poor Crickets photo at the beauty parlour….heh!…So do Cattle Dogs usually have towels wrapped around their heads while getting beauty treatments?….heh!….I’m thinking NOT….snort!… Cricket, my Pug heart goes out to you. You should not be sitting in a beauty parlour. Ever! Anywhere!….wheeze!
11:21 pm on February 16th, 2011
Snort indeed! She is a blend of working breeds but would be horrified if she ever heard about working dog lives, i.e no lying on grandad’s couch all day on Tuesdays, no biscuits every night at 5.30 pm, no special food, one meal only a day…the list goes on. And no baths, not that she’d mind that at all.
She looks calm, SH, but that’s because the nail-trimming is over (she squeals the place down when that’s going on). (‘Night).
Rio, is it the name Carson that’s also doing it for you?
11:39 pm on February 16th, 2011
Liz!…No, it’s not his Name, although we do like it a lot, it’s the fact that he sort of looks like Steve Buscemi but sounds amazing and his movements while he is singing is not put on but an extension of how he is feeling…grunt!…He is skinny, ugly, has dark circles under his eyes and a complete Star! Mark my Pug words…heh! ….Carson will win it all! I predict he will be a big Broadway Star at the very least…sniff!
Liz!…How did you happen to be one of the first to post a photo of Cricket on Chet’s earlier blog?…snort!
12:08 am on February 17th, 2011
Cricket!…That girl sounds like my kind of company!…heh!…She is welcome here anytime at all. Her and I would get along great watching videos on a very comfy couch all day long!…heh!
Night! ….All! Sweet bed-bug-less dreams tonight!….snort!…Have you noticed that since Egypt’s revolution, the media about Bed Bugs has dropped off immensely?…grunt!…Also, my money intake has dropped too…sniff!…All the Bed Bugs must be watching the World News instead of infesting beds and making jobs for Rocky and his Hillbilly Gang ….grump!
8:50 am on February 17th, 2011
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!
“A Hard Day’s Night” gets better every time I see it.
Dawson, do I have to go to Canada for that Masters in the Beatles??????