Congratulations to Snowhook!

Our team in the Iditarod, greatest sled dog race on earth. Here’s a wonderful wrap-up from Rebecca, Snowhook’s  indomitable CEO.

I fell asleep— a long overdue rest—last night without thought of anything else including the update from the finish line.

C. Hobbit and I had use of vehicle yesterday so we drove to Farley’s Camp where teams cross the road as they near Nome.  As the winds blew, I we looked and looked for the team.  Out of no where, the team made and appearance.  It was whiteout conditions at dog level and AJ was wearing his white wind suit.  The only thing that tipped me off to his presence was his orange gloves radiating through the white and the wind.  I tried to give AJ his favorite soda, but he handed it back saying it was too windy and he needed to hold on to the handlebar.  C. Hobbit and I raced back to town and to the finishing chute.  We were informed that it was a race to the finish between AJ and another team.  This is the second time AJ has finished less than two minutes after the musher in front of him.  I was so proud of the team and AJ as they crossed the finish line.  

Each year after the team has crossed the finish line, AJ has lifted up a dog above his head to touch their paw to the burled arch.  In 2011 it was Whitey-Lance in celebration of staying with the team and not going on a wanderabout.  Last year, to show appreciation for a career well run, AJ lifted his main lead dog, Annabelle above his head to mark her retirement.  Who was it this year and why?  Lead dog and Annabelle’s daughter, Twig.  AJ caught the flu or stomach bug on the trail.  With exhaustion and the inability to keep anything in his stomach, he was in poor condition.  A friend of the kennel who was volunteering at the Elim checkpoint, reported that he tried to get AJ to rest even longer because he was in bad shape.  Rarely running a dog in single lead rather than double, he put Twig in the single lead position, a responsibility she proved to manage well.  As the race continued, AJ’s health deteriorated.  Calling on the team, Twig single led the team on the coast.  She rallied and cared for AJ as he had done for team and the team responded to her leadership.  For this—for her care, her tenacity, her resolve—AJ lifted Twig above his head and touched her paw to the burled arch in gratitude.  Thank you Twig, you are our special girl!

C. Hobbit at the finish line, and Twig:

photo-24Twig-2

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This entry was posted on Saturday, March 16th, 2013 at 9:20 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.

123 Responses to “Congratulations to Snowhook!”

  1. Masquers
    9:33 am on March 16th, 2013

    Beautifully said, Rebecca, beautifully said. sniff.

  2. B. Stover
    9:55 am on March 16th, 2013

    Three cheers for Twig, a fearless beauty!

    I hope the Snowhook team (both two and four-legged) is getting much deserved rest.

    Good morning all.

  3. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    9:56 am on March 16th, 2013

    Wonderful photos, CHobbit.

  4. Kirby T. Penworthy
    9:59 am on March 16th, 2013

    Congratulations AJ! One of these days you’ll have an Iditarod where all your team will stay with you, your sled won’t break and you’ll stay healthy. Just think what a great race that will be!!!

  5. BearSpiritDog
    10:00 am on March 16th, 2013

    Welcome back, Spence & Admin!
    We Missed You.

    The Plunderers would like to take this opportunity to say
    Thank You to OFA for giving us this One-Of-A-Kind Forum in which to participate.

    If we didn’t have Chet’s Blog none of this would have come to be.

  6. Barb & Maggie
    10:01 am on March 16th, 2013

    Good morning all. That was a touching tribute to A.J. and Twig. Thank you for the photos C. Hobbit. Wonderful job done by all. Now they all deserve some much needed rest.

    Spence must be back home.

  7. Barb & Maggie
    10:04 am on March 16th, 2013

    C.Hobbit, Is it easy to sell a home in the North Pole area?

  8. Masquers
    10:12 am on March 16th, 2013

    That Twig is something else!
    The photo of her and Quig is in a prominent place on the fridg. Heh.
    CHobbit: Thanks, not only for the photos, but for everything.

    Least we forget…6 teams are still out on the trail.
    Mikhail has checked out of Safety as of 5:30 AKDT this morning and will soon be arriving in Nome.

  9. Melanie
    10:13 am on March 16th, 2013

    The pictures brought tears to my eyes. The wind in the living room caused the tears to drop while I read the post . .

    TWIG!!

    Rest well, Oh weary travelers.

    For MollyPop’s Mom, did you know that licking envelopes is a no no for those with gluten issues?

    Two inches of fresh snow. I have a picture to put up later.

  10. Siber-H
    10:22 am on March 16th, 2013

    Rebecca, Beautiful post today with the two photos.
    Twig, Good Job, Girl!

    Congratulations to Snowhook!! I have followed many Iditarod races, and I think this was the toughest one because of the way above normal temperatures and trail conditions. We are very proud of Snowhook!

    C.Harris, Thank you for the fun photos and reporting.

  11. Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi
    10:28 am on March 16th, 2013

    Vas very beautiful moment vhen most handsome musher lift pretty little doggie to touch arch. Natasha had little problem vith something in eyes. Vas not tears – big spies do not cry.
    Besides vhich – could have been high heels. Vere just killing!

    AJ – ve thank you for most fun ve have had since ve stuffed Siber into Corgi suit for big vedding.
    Rebecca – you are strong, smart, beautiful. Are you SURE you are not Russian?

  12. Masquers
    10:28 am on March 16th, 2013

    We are sooooo proud of Snowhook!!!
    It seems we have known her, AJ and the team forever, but it was our pug friend who first introduced Rebecca to the blog way back when.
    Thank you, Riö.
    And, Siber, Thank Kat for your avid interest in the Iditarod and the infamous Whitey-Lance, who perhaps should be sent a note of thanks as well.
    Although his walk-a-bout didn’t seem particularly fortuitous at the time it planted the seed for great things to come.

    Now we are off to do Saturday type things.
    BBL

  13. Siber-H
    10:38 am on March 16th, 2013

    I’m excited that Mikhail and his Russian dogs will be coming into Nome soon. They have done so well!

    Mom wants me to point out something about girl power: It was a girl that led Snowhook into Nome and two girls that led the Siber team to the finish line.

    This is in spirit only, but Twig gets my lead dog of the year award. I wish I had a real award to give her…like a T-Bone steak.

  14. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    10:53 am on March 16th, 2013

    A special thank you to Ms Publisist for posting yesterday. I’m not saying that I googled PA yesterday to make sure that everything was okay, but I’m not saying that I didn’t either.

  15. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:55 am on March 16th, 2013

    Morning!….Already?…grump!

    Together!…Well, after a day of rest for everyone, looks like the Online Book Club is back in business…heh!heh!

    Twig!….Twiggy! Remember the model Twiggy?…snort!…Neither do I. Anyway, what I was really going to post is this. Each year our Giant races in The Last Great Race the more experience and knowledge he gains. I think this year he learned way more than last year. Next year he will learn even more and I am truly convinced that one year our team will be in the Elite Club up there on top because of his strength mentally and physically, his endurance and determination to finish the race. It takes a great musher to train a great leaders like Twig…snort!

  16. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    10:56 am on March 16th, 2013

    And a heartfelt thank you to Spence for providing this forum. It is truly special.

  17. Siber-H
    11:00 am on March 16th, 2013

    I completely agree with everything Rio and Wolfie said.

  18. Melanie
    11:00 am on March 16th, 2013

    For he’s a Jolly Good PSQA
    For he’s a Jolly Good PSQA
    For he’s a Jolly Good P S Q A
    Which nobody can deny!

  19. Melanie
    11:01 am on March 16th, 2013

    We have someone living in our hedge!

  20. Riö - The Evil Pug
    11:14 am on March 16th, 2013

    Melanie!…heh!snort!heh!…Jolly P S Q A…WoOOOOoooooOOOOO!…chorkel!

  21. B. Stover
    11:28 am on March 16th, 2013

    It snowed here also.

  22. OleyHowlers
    11:29 am on March 16th, 2013

    What a great post from Rebecca. We here had to each go into a little corner so nobody would think Sibes cry. Mom? She didn’t care that we all saw her tears. We are wondering why Twig had to single-lead. Is Quig still hurt? Or is that a better way to lead when the musher needs help? Either way, GOOD GIRL, TWIG!
    Are all the dogs back home in the kennel?
    Did we miss seeing those Russian dogs finish? Are youse guys tired of all our questions?

  23. Trigger
    11:36 am on March 16th, 2013

    CONGRATULATIONS TO SNOWHOOK!!!
    Arooooo Arooooo Arooooo

  24. Riö - The Evil Pug
    11:40 am on March 16th, 2013

    Snow!…It always looks better in someone else’s backyard…snort!

  25. Barb & Maggie
    11:40 am on March 16th, 2013

    Pretty views of the snow, Bee and Melanie. What do you think is living in the hedge?

    Since Rio called us an Online Book Club, that reminded Barb to say that she really is enjoying The Kitchen House. Very, very good.

    Oley, you can ask as many questions as you want.

    Time for some leftover corned beef and cabbage.

  26. Riö - The Evil Pug
    11:44 am on March 16th, 2013

    Books!….We are watching CSPAN2 again because there are interesting discussions going on all the time…snort!…She likes this channel because she can listen and quill at the same time…chorkel!

  27. Masquers
    11:52 am on March 16th, 2013

    I’m back for a sec…..
    Howlers: Russian guy coming in soon!
    Beautiful photos of the snow! But snow in March???

    Now I forgot what I was going to say…..

  28. Masquers
    11:54 am on March 16th, 2013

    Oh, I know!
    I was going to say…tracking a musher on GPS is like tracking a flight. Heh.

  29. B. Stover
    11:55 am on March 16th, 2013

    Melanie: It looks like rabbit prints.

  30. Meashka
    11:55 am on March 16th, 2013

    This morning, Mom and I went for a ride. Along the way, we stopped at a v-e-t office which is sort of like a dog park, only it is indoors and I had to stay on my leash. But I met lots of great dogs, as well as their very nice 2-leggeds who all loved me and patted me. I even met 2 boy-kids which is always fun. I serenaded the room with my beautiful songs, and that made everyone very happy.
    When it was my turn to go into a private room to meet the boss woman, I gave her my usual French kiss, and she said yuck (but she seemed to like it anyway…I am a really good kisser). I was poked and prodded…no biggie for me. I even got a microchip because Mom said I am the only one who does not have one. I expected that to be a tiny potato chip, but I didn’t taste a thing. Finally, the boss woman took me into another area and clipped my toenails. I really needed that.
    After all of this fussing and loving over me was finished, all of the workers and the big boss woman told Mom how much they loved me and pronounced me the very best Sibe they have ever met. It usually takes some special tricks for people to figure that out, but I guess this group are especially good judges of character.
    When we got back into my Sibaroo, Mom took me for a beef jerkey at the beef jerkey store. Yummm. Then we went for another ride, and ended up back at my farm, where super-jealous Dima and Kat were ecstatic to see me me me.
    All in a day’s work!

  31. B. Stover
    11:56 am on March 16th, 2013

    Masquers: I remember when we had snow in May after the fruit trees had blossomed.

  32. Siber-H
    11:58 am on March 16th, 2013

    I am still giving out awards (dogs only)
    Junior gets the Rookie of the Year award!!!

    Nice snow pictures. I don’t believe I need to say, no snow here.

  33. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    12:02 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I nominate Jem for having the cutest nose!

  34. Meashka
    12:05 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I nominate Quig for best jump.

    And, Siber, Mom says she also noticed that mostly girls rule in the Iditarod.

  35. Masquers
    12:13 pm on March 16th, 2013


    Jem flying home!

  36. Masquers
    12:15 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Not really…but looks a bit like our boy.

  37. c.hobbit
    12:17 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Barb & Maggie: I plan to put my house of the market in a couple of weeks. I am in an excellent location but the market has been soft due to circumstances beyond my control. So we will see.

    Macy: my decision to move was based on needing to get away from the arctic temps and costs of heating my home and wanting to be nearer to my remaining family who are in Anchorage. It turns out that I wasn’t ready to leave Alaska which kind of surprised me.

    After staying up all night, I got home, fed the dogs and now I am going to catch some sleep. Later…

  38. Masquers
    12:18 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Check it out. Mikhail and Russian team on the home stretch into Nome!

  39. Siber-H
    12:22 pm on March 16th, 2013

    aww, That is cute, Masquers. Love the decal on the plane. I want one for my truck.

    Meashka, Dima and I might be smart enough to make a vacation out of the Iditarod instead of a race. You know, stuff like play in the snow at Rainy Pass, stop later for pie, and have moose stew further on down the trail. We would send you guys a lot of pictures if Dima knows how to do the photo thing.

  40. Wookie's Dad
    12:26 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Great post today and great comments too. This is test of posting on my Blackberry.

  41. Barb & Maggie
    12:27 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Meashka, Sounds like a lot of fun, all except for the nail trim part. Did you kick and scream and jump and bite like I try to do?

    Barb says it is now time for a little reading then nappy.

  42. Siber-H
    12:27 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Masquers, I have the tracker on Mikhail. If Natasha is still in Nome (I am sure she would not miss the banquet tonight) she can get her Russian fanny down to the finish line and talk to the Russian dogs…tell them good job and welcome to America.

  43. Dima
    12:31 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Siber, The only way I’m doing the Iditarod is if they can assure me that each checkpoint has a comfortable couch with my name on it.

  44. O'Howlers
    12:37 pm on March 16th, 2013

    As we await Mikhail’s arrival at the arch, we would like youse to know that Misha “Moonman”s registered name is Mikhail’s Revenge. And the reason for the name is that his big brother’s official name was Boris Badanov. When Misha entered the picture, Boris Y had just put Mikhail Gorbachev in house arrest. Misha was going to exact revenge on Boris. heh heh. Get it?

  45. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    12:41 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Hey, AJ is the Photo of the Day on the iditarod’s website. And there is a great photo of Rebecca handing him a diet Pepsi.

  46. Siber-H
    12:43 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Great idea, Dima!

    Howlers, I do, I get it.
    I like both names for a Siber…Mikhail and Boris.

  47. Siber-H
    12:49 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I was going to ask if someone could “borrow” those photos Wolfie found, but it says, “do not reproduce without permission”.

  48. Meashka
    12:51 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Maggie, I did not mind having my nails clipped at all. In fact, I wish Mom was not such a weenie and would keep my nails trimmed. The boss woman said they looked like bear claws. I was sort of embarrassed (if a strong, beautiful woman like myself can ever be truly embarrassed).

  49. Rose
    12:55 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Greetings!

    Rebecca, thank you for your post this morning. sniff

    Twig, good, good, girl!

    C.Hobbit: Thanks for being with Rebecca in Nome, and meeting the team with your sign. And for the great pictures!

    Rio! Your post at 10:55 about our team is making me cry.

    My heart is bursting with pride for AJ, Rebecca and the Snowhook team!

    I need a tissue.

  50. O'Howlers
    12:59 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Wolfie, Thanks for letting us know about those 2 great photos. Do you think the Hobbit is one of those in the Pepsi photo? And wouldn’t Pepsi be more inclined to step up if they saw that picture? We are going to look into buying it, so it could be used.

  51. Tupper and Gilly
    1:00 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Hey everyone – sorry we haven’t been around too much – very crazy few days around here, and with Mama still only being able to type with one paw, it takes her forever just to put up a simple post. We keep telling her that we could take over the typing duties if she would just put a tall chair next to the computer, and then lift us up on it.

    Anyway, what we want to say is first:
    AJ – we are proud of you, and delighted to be a part of your team. Would we have liked to have you win? Well, of course. Are we disappointed that you didn’t? Only if you are. But you have overcome such incredible obstacles for the past two years and STILL crossed under the burled arch in Nome with healthy, happy dogs. THAT, sir, is what makes you a hero in our book!
    Rebecca – Not only the Best Damned Handler Wife, but a treasured and beloved friend, talented writer, and comedienne par excel lance. This here blog is very lucky to have you along with us.
    CHobbit – you have been an invaluable news reporter and photographer and support team. Thank you for all you have done.
    And to the rest of youse guys – the emails that are flying around are so wonderful and well thought out and helpful. We foresee great things happening in the near future.

    We hope that both AJ and Rebecca are sleeping and healing and eating. They deserve some serious time off after this adventure. Not to mention a standing ovation CLAP CLAP CLAP!!

    Ok – the one finger is now tired from hunt-pecking. We will be lurking.

    One last thing – each and every one of you are the GREATEST!

  52. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    1:04 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Howlers, I was thinking the same thing. Coca Cola is an official sponsor of the Iditarod, so perhaps Pepsi would want to have a presence also…..

  53. O'Howlers
    1:18 pm on March 16th, 2013

    We just purchased a digital download of that picture.

  54. Macy the min-pin
    1:40 pm on March 16th, 2013

    CHobbit I was referring to your post that said flight to Nome was cancelled, so you were stuck in Anchorage Still confused.

    Hey everybody this IS AJ’s best finish yet. Clapclapclapclap. We were hoping for 34 th place just because we like numbers matching up, lol

  55. Melanie
    1:43 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I know we are still on an adrenalin high from the race, but I wonder if we might add a topic.

    I was talking to Golinka and we started talking about what we remember about when we started reading adult literature.

    I read everything as a child. Backs of cereal boxes, cans, newspapers, and children’s books. I loved “Black Beauty”‘, all of the Alice books, Narnian series, Nancy Drew (my brother read the Hardy Boys, and my sister read read the Bobbsie Twins, and I read all of those), “The Hobbit”, “Gone With The Wind”, and all those angst written books that I later read in High School and College.

    I remember walking from the children’s section of the library to the adult section. It was huge. I remember thinking that this was what a library should be, full of large books from the floor to beyond my reach. The library had arched ceilings and was very quiet.

    I remembering reading the titles and I found “The Future through the Past” or something like that. I’ll have to look it up. It was Science Fiction and though I continued to read everything Sy-Fi has a place deep in my heart.

  56. Melanie
    1:46 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Found it!
    “The Past Through Tomorrow” is a collection of Robert A. Heinlein’s Future History stories.

  57. O'Howlers
    1:55 pm on March 16th, 2013

    We are furious with the Iditarod now. They just posted the results of Paige Drobny’s dog Dorado’s necropsy. He died of asphyxiation as a result of being buried by snow in severe wind conditions. He was last seen at 3 am, and then left alone until daylight, in severe weather conditions. WTF. When a musher drops a dog, it is out of concern for the dog and wanting to do what is best for him. We assumed that dropped dogs were given the best of care and attention. This was a completely unnecessary and heartbreaking death.
    Sob.

  58. B. Stover
    2:02 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I remember going to the library after swimming practice. I had had all of the “Golden” fairytale books read to me but the first books I remember reading were the Little House on the Prairie series. Then I got into mysteries with, I think, the Agatha Christie books.

  59. dawson
    2:33 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Thanks Spence & Admin & Chet for supporting Snowhook along with us.
    Love your picture, CHobbit, with the sign and thanks for all your updates.
    Snowhook Bella and the whole team. WhoooHoooo!
    Twig: A special ear scritching, kisses and hugs for you.
    Rebecca: Thank you from my full heart.
    O’Howlers: Very sad news.

    Books I read when I was young: Beverly Cleary books, Nancy Drew, Tarzan, The Secret Garden.

  60. Whitey-Lance
    2:43 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Plunder on! My mama and Giant have been getting a little rest here and there, but have also been going a mile a minute with different race obligations. Between all the coming and going, she hasn’t been able to have much access to the internet the past couple of days. My mama is trying to catch up on a few days of reading in this here blog, but wants you to know that she is thinking of you and so grateful for your support and friendship. She is so proud of AJ and the dogs.

    I can report that AJ ran Twig in single lead and she did well. Quig needed a break from lead, and Twig rose to the occasion. She is a determined, strong-headed sort, and dog help us, we love her for it more now than ever. She took care of our Giant when he neede it most.

    They spoke with Paige this morning. My mama said hearts are breaking. Sniff. I can report that my Lady and Giant were concerned when they heard Lefty was still at the Unalakleet checkpoint yesterday. This morning they recieved word that all our dogs are safely home.

  61. O'Howlers
    2:54 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Thank you, W-L.

  62. Melanie
    3:04 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I am glad that all Snowhook’s Dogs are safely home. I am sorry to read about Paige’s dog.

    Coach W-L, good to hear from you. Keep those two legged ones in your Pack resting. I remember on the blog, Facbookie, or web site something about Rebecca getting only 14 hours of sleep during the week BEFORE the race. I imagine, even with you badgering her, she did not sleep much during the race.

    From what I remember of last year, AJ will have to not only rest from the race, but regain weight. That does not include the sickness he had this year. Hibernation, with IVs of ice cream and cheesecake might be needed.

    Dawson. I forgot about the Tarzan books. The movies in the early years never paid justice to his character. He was fluent in written French for Dog’s sake.

  63. c.hobbit
    3:10 pm on March 16th, 2013

    So I went to Nome with half of a suitcase filled with food. Here is the report:
    all the chocolate-covered raisins = gone
    all the chocolate-covered walnuts = gone
    all the easter candy = mostly gone (a little left for AJ)
    3 bags of salad = untouched (our contribution to dinner last night as guests)
    protein bars = untouched
    protein drinks = 2 drank out of 6

    While in Nome I had: 2 hamburgers, 1 serving of fries, 4 pieces of pizza

    Weight gained = 6 pounds in 4 days {{{sigh}}}

    Going to the store to buy more salad

  64. c.hobbit
    3:12 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Forgot to mention the cheesecake = gone.
    Plus I had two helpings of double chocolate ice cream last night.

    P.S. It was worth it.

  65. dawson
    3:14 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Melanie: Edgar Rice Burroughs also wrote some science fiction. I have memories of us vacationing at grandma’s & grandpa’s and mom reading to us children the first Tarzan book. We were spellbound.

  66. B. Stover
    3:33 pm on March 16th, 2013

    In eighth grade we ordered books and one that I remember buying was called “Something Foolish, Something Gay.” It was about a boy, a girl and a car. (Don’t remember anything else about it.) I looked on Amazon and it’s still available.

  67. Riö - The Evil Pug
    3:38 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Photo!…That is a priceless photo of Rebecca out on the trail with the team…heh!…It only cost about 12.00 for a 5×7…sniff!…I want one really badly…dammit!

  68. Riö - The Evil Pug
    3:48 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Dorado!…Oh my dawg! I don’t know what we would do if that happened to one of our A-Team members…sob!…How awful for Paige…sniffle!…I wonder what will happen. Do the mushers sign wavers when they release their dropped team members? …wuffle!

  69. Riö - The Evil Pug
    3:49 pm on March 16th, 2013

    CHOBBIT!…You naughty, naughty little hobbit!…heh!snort!heh!

  70. Barb & Maggie
    4:03 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Barb as a kid loved all the popular dog and horse books. Black Beauty made her cry. First hardbound books given to her for her 9th birthday are a wonderful memory from her Grandpa’s sister, Tunnie. They were Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Heidi, and The Secret Garden. Charlotte’s Web was a favorite at 12, to be reread to her kids, and then to grandkids. Cried every time! Never could get into the sci-fi or supernatural kinds of books.

  71. Melanie
    4:08 pm on March 16th, 2013

    C. Hobbit, I am amazed at your restraint. snicker

    I can remember trying to read “The Brothers Karamasoff”, but there were too many long names in it where the spelling was too close to each other. I am slightly dyslexic and could not keep it straight in my head. My father had a study in the house. Lots of shelves full of books. There was a comparison of religion book I read because it was beautiful.

    When I was very young I read this one, The Trolley Car Family by Eleanor Lowenton Clymer. Has anyone else hear of it?

  72. Melanie
    4:10 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I enjoyed those also, Barb and Maggie. Did you read “Harriot The Spy”?

  73. c.hobbit
    4:11 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Just opened my suitcase from Nome. Sadie stuck her head inside and started sniffing and wouldn’t stop. Was she after the left-over protein bars? No, she was sniffing the secret compartment (covered by everything else in my suitcase) that held Rio, Jr’s booties. I gently brought them out and held them up to both of my dogs. They thoroughly sniffed them wagging their tails the whole time. I think they consider themselves friends of Rio, Jr’s!

  74. c.hobbit
    4:13 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Confession: I’ve never been able to read The Hobbit and have tried many times at different ages in my life. Otherwise, my childhood reading is similar to Melanie’s–I read everything. Too much, really. To the point I was living vicariously rather than experiencing life. A book a day was not uncommon.

  75. Tupper and Gilly
    4:25 pm on March 16th, 2013

    One of our favorite, read-over-and-over books was “Island of the Blue Dolphin”. And any book about horses, ponies and riding – all the “Fury” books, and “Pony for Keeps”.
    Also loved, loved, loved Jules Verne. Never read the Tarzan books, but the Johnny Weissmuller movies were an absolute favorite. Did you know that there is a nude underwater swimming scene in one of the first JW Tarzans? It is beautifully done, and well filmed for the early technology that existed. The censors let the scene go thru because it was “portraying primitives in their natural environment”. tee hee. We think the censors had no idea that until she got lost in the jungle, Jane was quite the proper English lady.

  76. B. Stover
    4:44 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Melanie: Regarding “The Brothers Karmamazov” or any other Russian novel, give the names abbreviations that you can distinguish then it’s easy.

  77. Barb & Maggie
    4:44 pm on March 16th, 2013

    We also feel so sad for Paige. How senseless! I would bet that they do have to sigh a disclaimer for dropped dogs.

    Melanie, no never read that one, and ashamed to admit, no Tarzan books either.

    Lassie Come Home was another favorite. Barb has always been an extreme animal nut, and her reading taste has always gone that way.

    One summer when she spent a month on her fav aunt’s farm, she read a bunch of animal husbandry books. Must have been an early warning.

  78. Rose
    5:11 pm on March 16th, 2013

    My heart goes out to Paige. sniff

    Some of my favorite childhood reads: Charlotte’s Web, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

    I loved Highlights magazine too.

  79. Melanie
    5:28 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I wonder if the spies in Highlight were Nattie’s heros.

    I forgot a Tree Grows, loved that book.

  80. Rose
    5:28 pm on March 16th, 2013

    RIO! Shake you pug booty and check your SDD.

  81. BearSpiritDog
    5:29 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Nana tells me Reading was a Huge Pastime when she a young girl and has continued throughout her life.

    Some Favorites:
    Black Beauty
    Lassie
    Rin Tin Tin
    Heidi
    Grimm’s Fairy Tales,
    Hans Christian Andersen
    Tarzan of the Apes
    John Carter of Mars
    Snow White & other Disney stories
    Anything Sci-fi
    Agatha Cristie Mysteries
    The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
    Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason books

    Edgar Rice Burroughs also did a poplar Tarzan comic strip for many years.

  82. Masquers
    5:36 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Mom is a HUGE fan of science fiction and has many favorite authors on her list: Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison, Phillip K. Dick.

    She also loves all dog and horse stories.
    And kat stories. Did I forget to mention Kat stories?

  83. Masquers
    5:44 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Of course, I don’t have to mention all the books written by OFA: the Chet & Bernie Mysteries, the Ingrid series and new Robbie books, as we all know that’s a given.
    Anything written by SQPA has a special place in our library.

  84. Melanie
    5:56 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Up with all of that, Masquers!

    Those of you who have mentioned Gimm, did you read the real stories or those for children?

  85. BearSpiritDog
    6:03 pm on March 16th, 2013

    The Terrible News about Paige’s dog is heartbreaking! How could this have happened? It makes us sick to think of it.
    I tell youse there is going to be Hell to Pay.

    Melanie: Yes, we did read the Real Grimm.
    Pretty Grim we must say!

  86. Masquers
    6:07 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Cindy Gallea has been stopped at mile 929 for some time now.
    I hope everything is okay. There have been stories of mushers that had to scratch between Safety and Nome.
    How sad would that be?

  87. Whitey-Lance
    6:18 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Natasha: I don’t know if you’ve met my Lady—I haven’t had a chance to look at her Plunderer Passport—but if you saw her, you would see her Irish features. She likes the compliment you gave her though.

    AJ is in a sea of people right now for an autograph signing. He asked if my mama wanted to fill in for him. She laughed and then said, “No,” very seriously.

    Did anyone see a post on the race’s facebookie about when the team finished? My mama looked for something so she could share it, but can’t find anything.

  88. Wookie of Chevy Chase
    6:21 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Oh my gosh. I read just about anything I could get my hands on growing up, including mystery series (both male and female protagonists), sports series and sports bios (mostly famous baseball players) sci fi series, etc. At some point, I transitioned to more adult series, including Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and, as teenage boys are wont to do, James Bond.
    Books read include:
    Hardy Boys
    Nancy Drew
    Tom Swift (both the original that my dad read and the more contemporary Tom Swift Jr.)
    Trixie Belden
    Ken Holt
    Rick Brandt
    Tom Corbett
    Digby Allen
    Tarzan (ERB)
    Freddie the Pig (when I was a bit younger)
    Winston Young Adult Science Fiction Series
    Bronc Burnett

  89. Masquers
    6:44 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Whitey: Into to Nome at 4:12 pm on Thursday, March 14th.
    Is this what you meant?

  90. BearSpiritDog
    6:49 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Hi, Wookie’s Dad: Nancy Drew! How could we have Forgotten Nancy Drew! Nana read those books like there was no tomorrow. One a night as she recalls.

  91. Masquers
    6:53 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Whitey: No, that is NOT what you meant. Your mama was talking about facebookie not stats, which she has memorized.
    Erase that first stupid comment.

  92. Herd of Hounds
    7:00 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Wow, have missed all but am back from So.Car. with a 20 lb. 9 week newfie. ADORABLE! when I figure out fotos, will send. She’s getting along with the HOH well as she walked in and let them all know she was a force to be recconed with.
    Read posts and laughed and cried: “any death diminishes me”.
    We are readers and have taught “literacy” (kids reading below 6th gr in highschool). Yeah to all books you mentioned plus boxcar mysteries and recently the J.K. Rowling books.
    Feel like overcooked pasta…will catch up tomorrow.

  93. Melanie
    7:04 pm on March 16th, 2013

    The PUPPY has landed! Woo Hoo

    I’m am going up the stairs. Patsy is telling me to go, turn on the mattress warmer, start the fan in the window, and then let her have some yogurt.

    My Patsy spoiled? Never

  94. dawson
    7:16 pm on March 16th, 2013

    HoH: Congratulations on your new Newf.

    Wookie: I have only heard of 1/2 of those books, but, yes, I read all the James Bond books.

  95. Mollypop's Mom
    7:28 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I had my little kids books that I don’t remember right now. Early teens I read all of Jack London’s books. Then I moved onto the Scientific American monthly magazine and astronomy books. I couldn’t get enough of what atoms were made of and the universe was made of.

  96. Riö - The Evil Pug
    7:29 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Wookie!…He’s the only guy I know who read Trixie Belden books. My friend says she used to have all of them till her mother threw them out along with a whole raft of Archie comic books…grunt!

  97. Macy's mom
    7:31 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I loved to read also, but I was limited to what was in our very small school library, and a friend’s collection of Donna Parker books. Am sad to say that I do not remember what I read. *sniff*

  98. Masquers
    7:31 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Dawson: James Bond! Forget 007? Never.

    Cindy Gallea is FINALLY moving…albeit at a very slow 4 mpr.

  99. Macy's mom
    7:34 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Except Bobbsey Twins, I do remember them. My very favorite book was called “Parasols is for Ladies”. Very politically incorrect for today, but it was fun to read. When my Alaska aunt was here I reluctantly returned it to her after having it for over 50 years.

  100. Masquers
    7:39 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Macy’s Mom: Lol.

  101. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    7:39 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Agatha!…Christie – The ABC Murders. That was the first one my friend read when she was 12 or 13. She continued reading them the rest of her life….snort!…In fact last night we just ordered from netflix Hercule Poirot, The ABC Murders….heh!heh!

  102. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    7:40 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Macy!…snort!….50 years!..heh!

  103. Macy's mom
    7:57 pm on March 16th, 2013

    My aunt was very excited to have her book back. As the daughter of a Methodist preacher, she had moved many times in her childhood, and just figured the book had been lost along the way. It was a gift to her from our beloved great aunt when my aunt was a little girl.

  104. O'Howlers
    8:01 pm on March 16th, 2013

    HOH! Congrats on your new Newf pup!
    W-L, we did not see them post on fb either,

    We all spent the entire evening in our summer kitchen tavern. we had a good time, but we are still angry. 🙁

  105. O'Howlers
    8:05 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Cindy Abbott scratched in Kaltag.

  106. Barb & Maggie
    8:07 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Nighty noodles from us. Can’t keep eyes open much longer.

  107. Barb & Maggie
    8:08 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Oh, and sleep tight darling little Newfie puppy.

  108. O'Howlers
    8:17 pm on March 16th, 2013

    We are heading to bed as well. And we are still angry over a needless loss of life.

  109. Melanie
    9:01 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Thanks for sharing all the books. I skipped the 007 books, hit all the Christie’s, and the Boxcar Children sounds very familiar. Macy, you never know when you’ll need a parasol in AK.

    TTFN

  110. BearSpiritDog
    9:04 pm on March 16th, 2013

    One last question: Do any of you Midwest-types remember Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe?

    O’Howlers: We’re with you on both counts.
    Time to turn in and we agee it was a Terrible Tragedy about Paige’s dog.
    Dorado, You Are a Good Dog. Fly Now on Angel Wings.
    Many will be there to Greet You over the Bridge.

    Goodnight Everyone – Bear

  111. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    9:05 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Psych!…Hey, the new season of Psych started weeks ago….snort!…What have I been doing?…chuffle!

  112. dawson
    9:27 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Yah, sure I remember Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox, Babe.

    Morning Liz!

  113. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    9:39 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Memories!…I remember Gumby and his pony pal Pokey…snort!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rp34uCq6uk

  114. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    10:06 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Moderation!…grumble!…I am in moderation because I tried to post a Gumby and Pokey video…sniff!

  115. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    10:20 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Fleet!…Oh my dawg. We are catching up on Psych and towards the end of episode 2 there is talk of the main character getting a “fleet of pugs” and his girlfriend agrees…snort!…They might be joking about this, I can’t really tell…sniff!

  116. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    10:47 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I read many of the above, plus Mrs Mike, Paul Galico (Mrs Polifax), everything by James Herriott, Edgar Eager, and too many others to mention.

    But I have never joined a wonderful book club before!

  117. Staff
    11:16 pm on March 16th, 2013

    I am too tired to post. Great day with family and we sat around the table and ate Corned beef, potatoes and cabbage and talked with Dad. He laughed a lot and it was really good. Tomorrow we go to see The Yeomen of the Guard.

    Night all.

    I will try to catch up with everything on Monday when the Katty Librarian and daughter go home. I will probably nap.

  118. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    11:22 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Tired!…Someone here is having a strange never-be-fore reaction to the time change. She cannot go to sleep….sniff!…It has been since thursday night all the tossing and turning and no sleep thing has happened…grunt!…She even wakes me and Beau up with all her ups and downs through the night…sniff!…This is strange. I say, once Rebecca and AJ are home with their family all will be well…wuffle!

  119. Riö - The Evil Pug...
    11:44 pm on March 16th, 2013

    Goodnight!…Gah!…Here we go, Up All Night…snort!yawn!

  120. BearSpiritDog
    6:54 am on March 17th, 2013

    Four in the morning & We’re Up To Greet the Day.
    It’s the Hour of the Wolf.

    In The Last Great Race…now there are two…2 Mushers Coming In very soon.

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!
    WoooHooo!!!

  121. O'Howlers
    7:11 am on March 17th, 2013

    Happy St. Patrick’s to you, Bear. We are waiting for the last two teams.

  122. O'Howlers
    7:12 am on March 17th, 2013

    Check put google. Cute.

  123. downgay
    11:53 pm on April 9th, 2013

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