Iditarod (4): The Chicken Skins Edition
On the Iditarod trail with Rebecca, CEO of Snowhook Kennel – our team!
Since completing their 24 in McGrath, the team picked off the Takotna, Ophir and Cripple checkpoints. While the team trots on the trail bound for Nome, life at the kennel continues. Thursday’s agenda included a trip into town to load a half pallet of kibble and 200 pounds of beef as well as collecting Snowhook’s two dropped dogs, Abe and Garrett from the women’s correctional center.
The two brothers, wheel dogs, were curled in the straw at the dog lot established at the prison. Both are shy by nature and perked when they saw me. Papers were signed, dogs loaded in the truck, and inmates thanked for their care before officers opened the razor-wire adorned gate. The reason for Abe and Garrett’s early return home?—Tired. That is all the paperwork completed by volunteer vets indicated. It happens. Dogs do not necessarily have to be injured or ill to be dropped. In fact, it does not surprise me that AJ would drop dogs for being tired. It is Snowhook’s practice to be conservative with our dog care which includes sending a tired dog—or in this case, dogs—home.
Vets from all over the world volunteer for the race each year. They are sent in teams to each checkpoint on the trail. When a team reaches a checkpoint, the vets give the dogs the once over. However, if a musher has a concern, he or she can request immediate care from a vet targeted on a specific dog upon arrival or during their stay. The race is not a sight-seeing trip or a Sunday drive. No, mushers not only pay attention to the trail for trail markers and potential hazards, but also to the dogs. Knowing when to drop a dog or when to push a dog is largely due to knowing your dog. AJ will look for an uncharacteristic gait, a change in appetite, or behavior not normal for a particular dog. Knowing Abe and knowing his brother, Garrett also means that AJ knows that they are a pair, They do better together than they do apart.
Abe and Garrett were welcomed home from the trail with a treat ranking up there with a Slim Jim—chicken skins! Welcome home, boys, welcome home.
Tags: AJ, chicken skins, Iditarod, Snowhook
This entry was posted on Friday, March 11th, 2016 at 9:10 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.
9:15 am on March 11th, 2016
Thanks for the report.
Welcome home, Abe and Garrett. Chicken skins. Yummo.
GO SNOWHOOK!
9:19 am on March 11th, 2016
Welcome home Abe and Garrett.
An email from the Insider states that AJ checked into Cripple at 23:20 Alaska time.
Good morning all.
9:34 am on March 11th, 2016
Yay for Cripple.
Welcome home Abe and Garrett. Good doggies! Have another chicken skin.
9:36 am on March 11th, 2016
Greetings!
Welcome home Abe and Garrett!
GO SNOWHOOK!
A good day to all!
9:36 am on March 11th, 2016
Good morning! Happy Friday (mom is especially happy to see this day since she is still feeling sleep deprived from her trip.)
Abe and Garrett! Mom saw them put in the wheel position to start the race, and the 2 were a timid pair to strangers. Mom submitted a pretty good picture of them to MPM for the photo contest. I’m going to post it here (I hope).
9:38 am on March 11th, 2016
Abe and Garrett
9:38 am on March 11th, 2016
Welcome home, Abe and Garrett, wheel dogs extroadinaire. Good job getting the team up and over that range.
There are people swarming our farm. Yikes!
9:56 am on March 11th, 2016
BooBear: That is a great photo!
Howlers: People who are purchasing your farm?
10:13 am on March 11th, 2016
Thank you for the photo BooBear.
The Insider emailed that AJ checked out of Cripple at 05:53 Alaska time.
10:18 am on March 11th, 2016
LL, it is the home inspectors and septic inspector and realtor, along with the buyers.
Help please. What is the name of that organization who grants wishes to kids who are terminal?
10:20 am on March 11th, 2016
SnowBella: Thanks for the daily report. I’m glad the shy and tired dogs are back home.
Thanks Abe and Garrett for your hard work on the trail. Now enjoy being pampered.
BooBear: That is an excellent picture of the brothers.
10:21 am on March 11th, 2016
is it the make a wish foundation?
11:23 am on March 11th, 2016
AJ is headed towards Ruby, sans one dog. We won’t know who said dog is until SnowBella is notified to come pick up at the jail.
Hoping it is just a tired puppy, not an injured one; we know AJ takes wonderful care of his team, and is sensitive to their needs.
11:29 am on March 11th, 2016
Certainly is Dawson. Good morning to everyone. So glad that Abe and Garrett got home safely. Almost afraid to take our eyes off of the GPS since all the dogs seem to have wings this year.
Good Friday to all. GO SNOWHOOK!
11:59 am on March 11th, 2016
That’s it Dawson. Thanks.
1:03 pm on March 11th, 2016
O.K. So tell us how Aliy is in first place now? How did that happen? We’ve been so busy entertaining all that company, we missed it happening.
2:09 pm on March 11th, 2016
Aliy in First? Whooo…Go Aliy!!
GO SNOWHOOK!!!
2:43 pm on March 11th, 2016
Meashka: Nana’s Granddaughter was a grateful recipient of the Make A Wish Foundation many years ago. We are Happy to Report she is now Healthy and cancer free. It is a Wonderful Organization.
2:55 pm on March 11th, 2016
That is very cool Bear. A friend of Mom’s was asking for a caseworker.
Please Iditarod gods, let this be the year. Go Aliy!!!
2:57 pm on March 11th, 2016
Oh, that is so good to hear, Bear Spirit Dog. We often hear of wishes granted to children, and this is a very happy followup!
3:08 pm on March 11th, 2016
Where is my Siber-H friend’s maw? She and I NEED to talk race now!!
3:17 pm on March 11th, 2016
Good Afternoon All–Delayed by the usual school stuff and a friend’s passing yesterday, but glad to see the Team is still on track.
Tupper’s Mama–I really loved the prayer from yesterday, but the reference to killer whales reminded me of the sad news that
Tillicum is ailing at Sea World.
I of course pull (sledless) for Snowhook, but also echo BSD and Meashka–go Ally!
HOH–Love you in purple. I’m wearing purple myself today (but for giving an examination). I hope and trust your knee is much better (couldn’t tell from the photo).
3:20 pm on March 11th, 2016
Also (not that anyone asked) there’s some controversy where I live about one of our beloved mountain lions (whom I think has been framed): http://www.latimes.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=Puma%2BKoala&target=all&spell=on
3:28 pm on March 11th, 2016
Dawson and the Hound’s Mom always Wear Purple!
3:30 pm on March 11th, 2016
Love and hugs to SiberH and mom…thinking of you.
3:33 pm on March 11th, 2016
Masquers, I wish there was a Like button on this here blog.
3:48 pm on March 11th, 2016
meashka: sniff.
4:06 pm on March 11th, 2016
Fellow travelers to Alaska 2016…I am making a hardback book with Shutterfly to celebrate the fantastic trip we took. I find that almost all my pictures are of the dogs (of course). If you have any interesting pictures (Hobbit, I know you have a great one of the Hobbit Hotel and I need one of the sign too)of people, places and great dog pictures too, please email them to me at kmoffett01atyahoodotcom. I am trying to get this done this weekend since Shutterfly has the books on sale for 40% off. Thank you!!
4:20 pm on March 11th, 2016
BooBear: I will try and get the photos to you pronto. Watch your email.
I have become instantly addicted to Nutter Butters compliments of DDD. I tried to resist but he wanted me to taste “just one.” I had never had them before–as if I need one more thing to love to eat. Curses!
4:45 pm on March 11th, 2016
Abe and Garrett, you are both very good looking! I love chicken skins, too. Mom should have chicken more often, maybe every night… Rest well.
4:52 pm on March 11th, 2016
Scoutt! You should visit us. We have several chickens! Heh!
4:56 pm on March 11th, 2016
BooBear: Kool fotos of Abe and Garrett. Checking for fotos to send to your mom as we speak. Heh.
5:09 pm on March 11th, 2016
Meashka, Your chickens want to keep wearing their skins!
Staff, Are we here in a direct flyway for cranes? About a bazillion flew over today. Sometimes we can’t see them, but we can always hear them.
6:31 pm on March 11th, 2016
Barb, Maggie and Lucy: I believe cranes take the same flight path every year so if you had a bazillion fly over today then, yes, you are on their route. I love when the cranes fly over – it inspires awe.
The Cripple for Cats! checkpoint, dedicated to T.C. this year is long gone for AJ and the Snowhook team.
Go Snowhook!
6:35 pm on March 11th, 2016
Hey – whose got a tracker? How is AJ doing, and how far from Ruby is he?
6:46 pm on March 11th, 2016
The Giant is 12 miles from Ruby.
7:03 pm on March 11th, 2016
For your consideration – the town of Galena, Alaska is known as Notaalee Denh in the Native Koyukon language. Something to keep in mind later tonight.
7:35 pm on March 11th, 2016
T&G, thank you for the native name. It has a musical sound
. Hey, maybe the hounds will sing for Snowhook!
7:55 pm on March 11th, 2016
BooBear!…Keeps wasting her good photos by posting them on the blog instead of sending them to MollysMaw!…snort!heh!
March 13th!….I wrote down March 13th as the deadline for the photo contest. I hope this is right cuz my friend is planning on doing some shooting this weekend…yeeep!
8:00 pm on March 11th, 2016
Yeeep!…AJ and the team are only about 3 miles away from Ruby!…snort!snort!…The Tracker just updated too!..wheeze!
8:12 pm on March 11th, 2016
TWO!…2 Miles!….snort!
8:13 pm on March 11th, 2016
Excited!….I rarely get to see the team come into a checkpoint. Is there a Webcam?….snort!
8:17 pm on March 11th, 2016
The 13th for the foto finale…okay then…no time to waste.
8:26 pm on March 11th, 2016
ONE!…One mile to go!…chuffel!
8:35 pm on March 11th, 2016
Rio: For some reason there is no live cam at Ruby. Spit!
8:38 pm on March 11th, 2016
WoooHooo!….The team made it!…WOOOO!…Time to go watch someone eat a bowl of chili…beg!beg!beg!burp!
8:38 pm on March 11th, 2016
Ruby! The team is in the sparkly village of Ruby!
8:47 pm on March 11th, 2016
I suggest we extend the deadline for the photos. It was set arbitrarily based on people being back from Alaska, but now I’m thinking people are still too involved in the race to be doing photos also. How about 2 days after AJ crosses the finish line?
9:00 pm on March 11th, 2016
Creator – on this night, we watch the stars. We feel the earth beneath our feet. We breath in the sweet air that surrounds us. For all these gifts we are thankful.
Tonight AJ and his team continue their quest. Although each paw print brings them closer to the finish, the miles will stretch long before them. We ask you to bring to each one of their hearts the endurance they need to go on. We ask you to give them the fortitude to see the upcoming challenges, and face them with resolution to conquer all barriers, even those in their own minds.
Creator – tonight, the team runs to Notaalee Denh, home of the Koyukon people. We ask you to imbue AJ and his team with the spirit of that place, a place once devastated by the forces of nature, but that will not bow its head and be beaten. Please hear our song
Notaalee Denh, your voice is still singing
Notaalee Denh, your heart is still strong
The flood waters crushed you and stole all your homes.
The river heard not the cries of the people
It rampaged and battered, wild, untamed.
But Notaalee Denh, your voice is still singing
Notaalee Denh, your heart is still strong
You raised yourself up, your people remembered
Their resilience unfettered, they rebuilt their homes.
The Spirit of this land is one of Endurance.
This Spirit unfazed by the battles ahead.
Notaalee Denh, please share of your Spirit
Notaalee Denh, please share of your heart
This man who is coming, this man and his dogs.
You will know him by the honor he wears as a robe
You will know him by our voices, singing him home
Notaalee Denh, we ask for your Spirit
Notaalee Denh, we sing you this song
This man who is coming may need your strong Spirit
And those who love him may need your strength too
You came back to life when some might have been beaten
You fought back to regain the unity you had.
We ask you to cover this man with your Spirit
We ask for endurance and revival of hope
We ask that he sees how the strength of your people
Comes from the Creator, and can carry him on
Notaalee Denh, we ask for your Spirit
Let it enter his heart, let it with his soul
Creator – on this night, we watch the stars. We feel the earth beneath our feet. We breath in the sweet air that surrounds us. We feel you lift us up and help us move forward. Your Spirits of the Earth are here for us all, and for these gifts we are thankful.
9:04 pm on March 11th, 2016
Powerful. Amen.
9:04 pm on March 11th, 2016
Amen.
9:07 pm on March 11th, 2016
Notaalee Denh!…Whichever Checkpoint this is I am grateful to you…snorkel!…You inspired another awesome prayer…Amen!
9:08 pm on March 11th, 2016
Endurance. Amen.
9:18 pm on March 11th, 2016
Beautiful, Amen.
9:25 pm on March 11th, 2016
Amen and amen.
9:35 pm on March 11th, 2016
TWO!…MollysMaw! I love your idea of extending the Photo Contest Deadline to 2 days after our team crosses the finish line in Nome!…Woooo!…This is perfect because I tell you truly we will be glued to the Tracker every chance we get during the next couple of days….snort!
9:35 pm on March 11th, 2016
Rio: I believe I’m due one slurpy pug kiss.
9:39 pm on March 11th, 2016
Weekend!…I am so relieved it is the Weekend. My friend has been dragging her scrawny butt this week. It is busy-season and it is killing her what with even less people who actually work in the small department of misfit employees…sniff!…No one wants them but they are necessary. No one cares about them till something goes way wrong. Then they get blamed by the whole of North America….grump!
9:54 pm on March 11th, 2016
Sass!….Brent Sass is kicking Race-Butt and on his way to Nulato!…snort!
9:58 pm on March 11th, 2016
If I don’t get my slurpy pug kiss I’m going to be in a very bad mood.
10:01 pm on March 11th, 2016
Amen to the prayer.
10:08 pm on March 11th, 2016
Amen to another Beautiful Prayer.
10:09 pm on March 11th, 2016
SnowBella!…All I want to do is lick the ear-wax out of your dainty little sea-shell ears…snort!…So hold on! Here comes my big fat pug-tongue…heh!heh!…SLLLUUUUURRRRP!..burp!…SLLLUURRRRPPP! ..sneeze!…Be careful what you wish for…heh!heh!
10:19 pm on March 11th, 2016
Rio: Wow! I may never be the same again. Can I have my earring back?
10:21 pm on March 11th, 2016
Oooo SnowBella – are you sure you WANT it back?
10:39 pm on March 11th, 2016
I feel so out of touch without a tracker this year. At least we have the race standings. In other news, pending a drug test and background check, mom has a job with Sears as a cashier. Paws crossed.
Go SNOWHOOK
10:45 pm on March 11th, 2016
Rio, you should market that fabulous tongue for saliva facials…Darah Thea would love to help.
10:53 pm on March 11th, 2016
Macy’s Mom – you go girl!
10:54 pm on March 11th, 2016
Macy!…Sears and Roebuck?…snort!…Hopefully that Great-Escape won’t still be on your record!..Good Luck Girl!…snort!
10:56 pm on March 11th, 2016
SnowBella!…Urp!..Urp!..Uuurrrrppp!…sniff!…No it will have to come out the Other End…grunt!grunt!
11:04 pm on March 11th, 2016
Rio: Uh…keep it.
11:12 pm on March 11th, 2016
ML, we know you can pass those two tests without even studying!
1:47 am on March 12th, 2016
Amen and fingers crossed for ML!
2:09 am on March 12th, 2016
Wolfie, good to hear your voice. Miss you and hope all is going well.
3:14 am on March 12th, 2016
Amen. And thank you.
7:56 am on March 12th, 2016
Pawsitive husky prayers for Macy’s maw.