Meet Joey
The power of the spirit:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/joey-extremely-nimble-legged-dog-forever-home/story?id=28873724
Tags: dog news
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2015 at 7:33 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.
8:22 am on February 11th, 2015
8:24 am on February 11th, 2015
Good morning, everyone! The story about Joey just shows to go ya that we of the nation within are truly special. Pixie and Hobbit have checked the SDD and will respond in a bit.
Whoo hoo, looks like it will be a wild and wooly Wednesday.
8:25 am on February 11th, 2015
O’H, y’all are swift pawed on the keyboard! Morning to y’all.
8:27 am on February 11th, 2015
Truly special, HOH!
And happy birthday, Meashka! You are a truly special FOD!
Good morning all.
9:02 am on February 11th, 2015
Hey, everyone. I haven’t posted because sometime in December I seem to have fallen into a very dark hole and am just now climbing my way out. I’m not sure why.
Things are humming right along. The boys we both in a rehab that specializes in dual diagnosis treatment. Will it take? I doubt it but it will give them a few more tools. I really don’t expect them to be completely sober until they are around 25.
Breena and Jace are living with us still. Jace is thriving! We are not happy with Breena and are still trying to decide what to do. I am seriously thinking about investing in a GPS tracking device, it gets complicated because of Jace.
I have been lurking and my thoughts go out to those of you who are getting sick of snow! California will accep any and all donations. Really. I am so very
proud of Snowhook!
I am really sorry about the toffee. I made 5 batches, bagged them up, and put then in the sewing. Matthew apparently thought I didn’t need them because he took them to jury duty. I just didn’t have the heart to make more.
I think of and pray for youse guys every day.
9:04 am on February 11th, 2015
The power of the spirit indeed. Go Joey!
Happy Birthday Meashka.
Good morning all.
9:10 am on February 11th, 2015
Wolfie! We Are So Happy to Hear from You!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Meashka!! Have a Howling Good Day!
Nice Story about Joey. The Hounds are right…We Are Special.
9:13 am on February 11th, 2015
Meashka…Whoo hoo, yodel, howl to you!
Wolfie, good to hear from you and know we all miss you when lurker mode strikes. Don’t know which number rehab this is for the boys but have heard ti takes 4 to 6 to stick. Don’t know personally because s son talked his way out of a lock down one in about 16 hours. (Didn’t think that was possible.)
9:24 am on February 11th, 2015
Luna: Please check that SDD of yours.
9:25 am on February 11th, 2015
Oops, forgot…Good morning, everyone!
9:33 am on February 11th, 2015
Well, this is starting out as a good day.
Happy Birthday Meashka, Mama, Attorney and Sibe Extrodinaire!
And Wolfie, dear Wolfie, we are always here for you. So very glad to hear from you and have you back.
May the rest of the day be filled with just as many happy moments.
9:37 am on February 11th, 2015
Good morning all. That Joey is remarkable. He has amazing coordination and speed, doesn’t he?
Staying home today and enjoying it. Barb was supposed to travel to Madison, WI. with Kelly today to get Sammy’s back legs checked, but it was going to be a 8-10 hour excursion, so we vetoed it. She has been gone every day since last Wednesday. She is not telling her boss that she canceled the trip, since the MWF girl is still gone and he is at the office alone.
Happy Birthday, Meashka. You are our FOD. Do you know how old you are? Is it more than two?
Wolfie, glad to hear from you. Sorry that things have not been ideal in your neighborhood. We are assuming Jace does not have a litter mate. How old are Chad and Cody now?
9:37 am on February 11th, 2015
Meashka, That is a very good picture of you…a certain Siber we know is going to be very impressed.
T&G: We are all in for a good day.
9:41 am on February 11th, 2015
BML: We’re twins at 9:37!
Rest assured…our lips are sealed about the trip cancellation. Barb’s boss at the busy place won’t hear a word from us.
9:53 am on February 11th, 2015
Hey – did you all hear that the start of the Iditarod has been officially changed to Fairbanks?!?
The committee announced last night – trail conditions in the Akaska Range are even worse than last year, so to avoid musher, dog and or sled injury, the start is moved.
Yeep!
9:54 am on February 11th, 2015
Happy Birthday, Meashka! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Wolfie, so happy to hear from you. Tell your mom to hang in there and that we are good listeners anytime.
9:58 am on February 11th, 2015
Wolfie, we love you and your mom.
10:08 am on February 11th, 2015
Litter mate? Good one, Barb! Thank goodness, no. The boys are 22 now. Jace is 19 months and perfect!
10:11 am on February 11th, 2015
Breena is 21 and out of control.
10:15 am on February 11th, 2015
Breena is 21 and out of control.
[img]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/image-20.jpg[/
This is Chad and his girl.
And this is Cody just before his 4th rehab.
10:21 am on February 11th, 2015
ATTENTION PLUNDERERS:
The race is going to be run over the same course that was used in 2003. There is a loop around a portion of the southern route (not the awful spot) since this is a shorter route. Northern and Southern routes have 23 checkpoints each. This route has 22. The checkpoints after leaving Fairbanks should be:
Nenana
Manley
Tanana
Ruby
Galena
Nulato
Kaltag
Eagle Island
Graylilng
Anvik
Shageluk
Grayling
Eagle Isalnd
Kaltag
Unalakleet
Shaktoolik
Koyuk
Elim
Golovin
White Mountain
Safety
Nome
10:31 am on February 11th, 2015
Wolfie: Hey, we have that same outfit. It is in our Chest of Disguises, but Pancho refuses to wear it. Something about making his tail look big.
More to Wolfie: Luna says we here are great at digging holes, but we would definitely try our paw at getting you out of dark holes. Luna says she is no stranger to holding scruffs gently and securely.
Meash: Happy birthday!
10:39 am on February 11th, 2015
Thank you all for your good wishes. My mom posted that picture of me me me! Wolfie gave me an extra-special birthday by checking in with us, and with that beautiful picture of Jace.
HOH, I read that the route will not be run the same as 2003. The loop is not included; instead, they added some additional checkpoints. Not sure, but just wanted to let you know your information may (but may not) be correct. Looks like the Awesome One will have more work to do to reassign checkpoints.
To the Plunderers travelling Way Up North: we think you are fortunate to have a chance to go to Fairbanks where you will surely get to see the Northern Lights. Mom wants to get to Fairbanks next time she is up that way. And as for watching the Ceremonial Start in person, and then the Restart via t.v.: Mom says in her opinion the Ceremonial is just much hoopla but the real fun and excitement, at least for her, was the Restart. If at all possible, try to get there. Can your flight times be changed?
10:55 am on February 11th, 2015
Hounds: Now We Are Confused (easy to do)
Newminer.com said in Tuesday’s article:
“This year’s Iditarod will be 19 miles shorter — 968 miles versus 987 — than the traditional northern route that teams would have taken in an odd year and will pass through two new checkpoints in the Interior: Huslia and Koyukuk. In 2003, mushers had to backtrack on the Yukon River to make more miles, so the jaunt north to the villages means a snaky yet flowing route that still goes about 1,000 miles total to the finish in Nome.”
Where did Nenana, Manley, and Tanana come from?
10:58 am on February 11th, 2015
All I know is…I hope Riõ hasn’t made the map.
11:01 am on February 11th, 2015
Masquers! Oh my Dawg!!! He is gonna be Ticked Off!
11:02 am on February 11th, 2015
Good luck to all the north-bound Plunderers. We are excited for you.
Wolfie, Well Jace is adorable, and we agree, perfect. Breena is a very good looking young woman, but obviously too young to be a hands-on mama. The self absorbed look on her face says it all. Maybe she will eventually get tired of the routine and turn control over to the responsible adults on premise.
11:02 am on February 11th, 2015
Wolfie: Jace is adorable and Breena is…well…adoring of herself.
11:05 am on February 11th, 2015
Maggie, I think I am 2. Mom only knows how to say 1 but she says it 2 times, so I guess that means I am 2.
11:24 am on February 11th, 2015
BSD and ALL, Ignore the HOH list of checkpoints. Very early this a.m. (or late last night) the first news said they’d follow the 2003 route. It looks like the committee is goung to tinker with that so
IGNORE the earlier check points.
11:42 am on February 11th, 2015
Staff, HOH and Dawson: check your SDDs.
I may or may not drive up to Fairbanks. I would need to see if my sister can watch Sadie and the cat plus other considerations. If I don’t go, I will lend my mini iPad to those who are going and they can post photos and comments from the Restart.
12:14 pm on February 11th, 2015
Day 2 without heat while new furnace system is being installed. Two electric heaters upstairs and one downstairs. Actually the house retains heat well so I am surprisingly fine.
Wolfie: so glad to hear from you. You are a marvel with or without toffee. Take care of YOU for a change. I am glad Jace is a bright spot in your life.
BBL
12:45 pm on February 11th, 2015
we are going to be dependent on this here blog for race updates, as we will be getting on a plane 2 days after the start. Whilst in the wilds of New Mexico, we will be in many places without internet access – so catching up on the race may be a challenge.
And speaking of that – we may not be able to post prayers every night of the race as we have done in past years. We would like to recruit some of you to post on certain nights.
Any of you can do this – no one does it better than any one else. It is just a matter of letting the feelings of the day come out through your prayers. The Creator hears all.
12:49 pm on February 11th, 2015
News of the alternate restart location is spreading like wildfire.
Many are scrambling to change reservations or preparing to deal with disappointments.
A certain pug may or may not be working on a new map.
The only folks truly celebrating live in Fairbanks.
CHobbiti: That is a long drive.
12:57 pm on February 11th, 2015
B,M,&L, We just saw the Android commercial you mentioned yesterday. We liked it alot.
1:02 pm on February 11th, 2015
Tupper’s Mama: Not to Worry.
Different Plunderers can pair up for each Evening’s Prayers. It won’t be the same without you, but we’ll get it done.
O’Howlers: What Android Commercial?
1:04 pm on February 11th, 2015
BSD:
http://www.examiner.com/article/endearing-android-commercial-captures-the-heart-of-animal-lovers
1:05 pm on February 11th, 2015
and, of course the mushers, they are celebrating too. ^..^
1:08 pm on February 11th, 2015
That Commercial is Really Cute. O’Howlers, Thanks for the link.
1:11 pm on February 11th, 2015
CHobbit, the DDD has mini ipaw and ipaw, mom will have ifone and ipaw. The DDD can’t tell left from right so y’all will be tortured with cut off heads, fingers in frame, blurry images. Y’all need to pray mom channels her inner friend she never met!
1:21 pm on February 11th, 2015
Ooooohhhh – LOVE the android commercial!
The Corgis and the Wrotten Kats are horrified by it. Does this mean THEY are expected to cuddle?
1:29 pm on February 11th, 2015
Tupper’s Mama, I am so happy you are going to be escaping to warmer climates; however, you’d better be taking those adorable corgis (and maybe even the wrotten cats) with you !!! If not, I will be traveling to New Mexico to have a word or two with you.
1:51 pm on February 11th, 2015
Happy Birthday Meashka! And many more!
Checkpoints!
I will figure out checkpoints today, if time, or tomorrow, if no
2:26 pm on February 11th, 2015
I have been sniffing around this blog, and getting to know you all. Meashka, you are quite the looker…May you have a wonderful birthday!
2:49 pm on February 11th, 2015
There is no good time to post sad news:
Siber-H passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. This was not totally unexpected. I have talked to the vets and we all know it was his heart. He had a deformed heart…a birth defect.
It did not really interfere with his quality of life. The vets wanted him to have a normal life…to run, play, and dig. He was able to do all those things and more. He lived much longer than the vets predicted.
He would want you guys to carry on, enjoy the Iditarod, and cheer for Snowhook.
Meashka, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! That is a beautiful picture of you and it cheers me up.
Wolfie, Good to hear from you and see the pictures.
2:49 pm on February 11th, 2015
Dawson, if the HOH checkpoint is duplicated somewhere, let us know, we might could effect a trade!
O’H, which Snowhook “A” team gods nees sponsoring and the amounts, please?
2:53 pm on February 11th, 2015
Mr. Siber H, You will be in my pawrayers tonight. You shared so much with a little newf like me. You will never be far out of my thoughts and my family will hold your mom dear to their hearts. Love keeps us together.
2:54 pm on February 11th, 2015
Look Mr. Siber H, see we are still twins!
3:00 pm on February 11th, 2015
Oh my. Oh my. Oh my.
Siber’s Mom, I am so terribly sad for you. I know how terribly sad it is to lose a good Sibe boy, especially one who is a gorgeous Black Sibe. Hugs and kisses to you in this very sad time. The blog will never be the same to me.
3:02 pm on February 11th, 2015
HOH, My mama had to leave this here blog because her eyes are too blurry to see it. She asked me to please report back to you that it is Jem who still needs $100.
3:07 pm on February 11th, 2015
Kat, Jem of the beautiful blue eyes? Our mom is a sucker for blue eyes. Will be in touch in half a moment!
3:10 pm on February 11th, 2015
Siber’s Mom: I’m so sorry. He was one of the best and he got us interested in the Iditarod. I hope you will keep posting.
3:11 pm on February 11th, 2015
Kat, Jem of the beautiful blue eyes? Our mom is a sucker for blue eyes. Will be in touch in half a moment!
3:14 pm on February 11th, 2015
Dear Siber-H’s Mom: Sob. There are no words.
Our Beloved Siber-H is now and Always in Our Hearts.
Nana is sending much love to you on this sad, sad day.
She is crying too hard to be able to post.
3:17 pm on February 11th, 2015
Oh my Dear Plunderers, this feels like a blow to the soul to hear of the crossing over the bridge of Siber H. I am glad he went in his sleep and grateful for his bountiful life in spite of the heart issue. He knows he was and is loved…..way beyond his neighborhood because of this family here. Blessings to his family as they are missing his presence. And for every dog that excavates….or just digs holes….may they all be dedicated to the memory of Siber H.
3:25 pm on February 11th, 2015
SiberH’s Mom: I am heartbroken to say so long to SiberH. but thankful that he found you for his forever home. You gave him a great husky environment in which to run, play and dig his ever changing excavations. SiberH knows he was loved BIG TIME by you and also by all his friends on this blog.
There is no doubt in my mind that SiberH will be heading North to Alaska to help the Snowhook Team on their way down the Iditarod Trail. We love you forever, SiberH!
3:35 pm on February 11th, 2015
Well, damn! This is totally unexpected and heartwrenching news. I think SiberH was the first one to get a nickname from Rio. I’m glad his passing was peaceful and that he had a great forever home with you. Gus also had a heart defect and we were lucky enough to have him for 6+ years instead of the few months they predicted. He will finally get to go to the Iditarod!
Please keep posting. You are family here.
3:37 pm on February 11th, 2015
I mean Siber will go to the Iditarod, not Gus. Gus preferred the warmth of a lap over romping in snow.
3:46 pm on February 11th, 2015
Oh, Kat, Jem of the blue eyes? Well, treaties are really tight here in the greenest state of the land of the free. BUTTTTTTT, think we can send $50.00 for Jem, our blue eyed boy. NO treaties for dogs in TN for a couple of weeks.
3:49 pm on February 11th, 2015
Sob,sob, sniff awooooooo
3:50 pm on February 11th, 2015
HOH, you will need to email snowhookdogs@gmail.com so that my Mama Meash will see it when she is up to looking at email. Right now, she is hiding under the blankies and I hear her sniffling.
3:50 pm on February 11th, 2015
When I joined the blog Siber-H was the first to welcome me. I’m crying now. I do believe he will be on the trail with Snowhook and in our hearts always. Hugs to his Mom.
3:56 pm on February 11th, 2015
We welcomed SiberH on this side of the Bridge. He is Restored to Prime. He harnessed up almost immediately and joined the team on this Side of the Bridge. Who was on the runners? His paw, of course.
Siber’s Maw: Thank you for taking such good care of him. It is our turn now to care for him.
4:05 pm on February 11th, 2015
Please let everyone know that SiberH was welcomed with open paws here on this side of the Bridge. And quite a welcoming committee it was. And rest assured that he will be able to run, play and dig to his now perfectly formed heart’s content. Your loss is our gain on this side of the bridge.
4:14 pm on February 11th, 2015
Dear Creator, Please bless and keep SiberH’s spirit. Thank you for him. Please comfort those who are grieving his loss. Please bless he will know he is loved. Amen.
4:17 pm on February 11th, 2015
We owe Siber-H so much for his expertise in all things Siber and all things Iditarod. He was a funny and generous soul–and so smart. We know his maw is sad and hurting. She has had much loss but she is much loved on this blog and we will hold her in our thoughts and prayers and tuck the quilt around her for a bit.
4:23 pm on February 11th, 2015
Yesterday was our 5th anniversary on the blog, and Siber-H was one of the first to welcome us. We will miss him always. He was very, very special to us. Rio is going to be heartbroken when he hears of his passing. Rest in Peace, Sweet Boy.
4:25 pm on February 11th, 2015
Down Memory Lane: Blog Stats
Blog start date – Obama’s first inauguration day – Jan 20, 2009
ALR – Feb 20, 2009
CHarris – March 1, 2009
Wookie – March 14, 2009
Siberian Husky – March 3, 2009
B.Stover – March 10, 2009
LizF – June 8, 2009
Melanie – June 19, 2009
Mollypop – June 21, 2009
Lexi – Aug 11, 2009
Gus & BooBear – Sept 10, 2009
At this point there are about 7 comments to a post and Spence says he likes having all these friends.
AbbieKat – Nov 28, 2009
Joe Erickson – Dec 6, 2009
Cosmo – Dec 22, 2009
Rio – Jan 26, 2010
Barb & Maggie – Feb 10, 2010
Dawson – Feb 10, 2010
Rose – Feb 12, 2010
Jasper – Feb 20, 2010
Looking for Whitey-Lance, March 12, 2010
Rio told Mollypop not to get all poodled up, March 14, 2010
Bluecat – April 2, 2010
Wolfie – April 3, 2010
Barb explains tin futures, May 6, 2010
Spence’s next posts are titled:
What’s Wrong with Tin Futures?
More Fun with Tin Futures! Part 1 (of 37)
Tin Futures for Fun and Profit
Make New Friends in the Exciting World of Tin Futures
A Fistful of Tin Futures
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream of Tin Futures
Mollie (A Black Poodle) – May 22, 2010
Melanie’s Newf, Grace, has 12 puppies and we are all Godparents
Macy the Min-Pin – July 1, 2010
Kirby T. Penworthy – July 1, 2010
4:35 pm on February 11th, 2015
Thanks for the blog stats!
Staff and HOH: Dawson may want to chime in on this since she is familiar with both mid-west and arctic weather. It will be colder and drier in Fairbanks. The dryness means that the cold won’t be as bad as it would be with the same temperatures in Anchorage. But it means that your throat will feel like you are coming down with a sore throat and your skin and lips will dry out. This all happens pretty quick upon arrival.
In early March Fairbanks can be experiencing zero or above zero weather but it also can be experiencing -20 and -30 weather. So it is time to get serious about your fluffiness either for real (eat those carbs and sugar) or for fake (plan on dressing in layers).
4:36 pm on February 11th, 2015
Bluecat, so many os our friends have crossed the bridge to run with Snowhook.
Should we have a team of all dog’s creatures who want to run? No, they are better at cheering from our laps. CO SNOWHOOK!
4:48 pm on February 11th, 2015
OK, we have toe warmers and hand warmers and other warmers. SO, we will pack our warmers and pray to dog that they will WARM us in Fairbanks.
YO, RIO, the DDD is looking forward to Fairbanks since it has been 30+ years since he worked on the pipeline.
The HOH mom has clother and toe and hand warmers so..help/ We think we will do fine this year.
All, y’all, be ready for fotos with missing heads, with fangers showin’, and with anythang else wrong with them.We send this message with all our love!!!, The HOH!
Okay, Kat, mom will add, $25 to Luna and $25 to Bell and $50 to Jem!
5:00 pm on February 11th, 2015
CHobbit: I don’t think I can add anything except if the wind starts blowing, better be dressed. My weather is the same as Fairbanks, dry as a desert bone. Water, moisture lotion and chapstick are your friends.
I hope Staff and Mr Fireslippers can go to Fairbanks to see the re-start. She might be our best bet for a photographer. (No offense HOH – heh, heh!)
Tupper and Gilly: I had regained my composure and then you posted SiberH’s picture! Sob!
5:04 pm on February 11th, 2015
I’m sobbing. Siber-H’s Mom got up at terribly early times in the morning to take him to the dog park. The poor dog had no toys to play with.
5:05 pm on February 11th, 2015
Okay, I have to clean off my desk. The checkpoint information is on it somewhere, I hope.
5:11 pm on February 11th, 2015
Aunt Mollypop’s and Loulou’s mom, When did we start to post? Although the only member of “we” still around is Meash.
We know we were several C&B books in before we thought to look for a website.
5:22 pm on February 11th, 2015
Dawson: you are right about lotion, chapstick and water being important in Fairbanks. I would also add hot chocolate was my go-to comfort drink. I will ask my friends who are familiar with the Yukon Quest starting from Fairbanks about what to expects ie crowds, vendors, eating/drinking places downtown.
5:29 pm on February 11th, 2015
Another article on the restart from the Alaska Dispatch News:
http://www.adn.com/article/20150210/iditarod-board-moves-race-restart-willow-fairbanks
5:31 pm on February 11th, 2015
O’Howlers, I’m slogging through and I’m up to July 2010. You haven’t joined us yet.
5:36 pm on February 11th, 2015
A photo of Sadie’s dog bed on the deck. When Sadie lays on the bed, her body heat melts the snow underneath but when she gets up, it freezes quickly. Since Sadie has always loved to reposition her bed to different places on the deck or turn it over to a “fresh” side, this means she is tearing the stuffing up trying to rip it away from the deck floor so that she can move it. It will not last the winter {{{sigh}}}
5:36 pm on February 11th, 2015
This may be where the HOH got their new checkpoint information.
5:38 pm on February 11th, 2015
From the article…not in the stuffing of Sadie’s bed.
5:38 pm on February 11th, 2015
Adored our Siber H. Pure and simple.
5:43 pm on February 11th, 2015
Such a shame for the people who depend on the traffic around Willow. We are thinking of the school where we all enjoyed a great breakfast before the Restart. Those students who waited on us were a joy, and the breakfast had to be a major fundraiser for them.
We read an article where the board member being interviewed said that they all see the possibility of less snow going forward. He said they could see that climate is changing. Scary.
5:53 pm on February 11th, 2015
This will be different for the mushers and dogs too…few of them have run certain parts of the new trail.
Now here is where I would expect Siber to make a well informed comment about the race.
I don’t like this…don’t like it at all. Sob.
5:59 pm on February 11th, 2015
The logistics of getting to the Restart add a new element for Our Team. They will be missing the Iditarod Eve Snowbeque, and a good night’s sleep.
On a better note: our Blue-eyed Jem is now fully sponsored! Thanks to everyone who chipped in! Woo Hoo!! Siber would be thrilled, I am sure.
6:10 pm on February 11th, 2015
For those of us using teeny tiny phone screens – how far is Fairbanks from Willow?
6:17 pm on February 11th, 2015
MPM, are you also looking for people’s names as well as pet names? I think I posted as myself before I posted as Gus&BooBear. And I am pretty sure that DebbieLM posted that way before posting as Wookie.
6:17 pm on February 11th, 2015
SiberH opened up new worlds for us. I’m sure all the Plunderers will agree that we have to dedicate the 2015 Iditarod to SiberH.
It seems as if there are only 20 checkpoints in this new trail. The Southern Route of the Iditarod Trail has 25 checkpoints.Some of us might have to double up!
I am not making any decisions today because between Meashka having a birthday, the Iditarod moving the re-start and SiberH crossing the bridge, my mind has went into a melt-down. Operations will resume as usual tomorrow.
6:44 pm on February 11th, 2015
Dedicating the 2015 Iditarod Race to our Beloved Siber-H is An Awesome Suggestion.
Thank you to the One of the Same Name for the idea.
6:44 pm on February 11th, 2015
I second the suggestion of dedicating this year’s race to Siber. What a great idea, Dawson.
The Android commercial is one of our top all-time favorites. It is second to Willy Nelson singing in the Chilpolte commercial about sustainable faring practices.
6:45 pm on February 11th, 2015
Tupper’s Mama – mom says Mapquest says 290 driving miles from Willow to Fairbanks. She doesn’t know how the crow flies.
7:09 pm on February 11th, 2015
We know it is better than running the race over terrible ground, but we feel bad for mushers doing the ceremonial start, then loading up and driving almost 300 miles to Fairbanks.
Those mushers ( and their wives) are one tough bunch.
7:17 pm on February 11th, 2015
BooBear, you and Debbie LM posted first but I listed you both as your pets. It kept it simpler for the newcomers because you and your pats are one entity, blogwise.
7:24 pm on February 11th, 2015
BSD, You are I both seconded at the same moment. Great minds and all that.
7:45 pm on February 11th, 2015
High Paws, Barb,Magpie,Lucy. It was a Simultaneous Post too!
7:49 pm on February 11th, 2015
This is a tad out of date already but I love Sebastian’s writing about the Quest.
http://iditarod.com/musher/iditarod-mushers-on-day-2-and-3-of-the-quest/
7:53 pm on February 11th, 2015
I just read the news about Siber-H. I am heartbroken. sob, sob
Siber’s Mom, know that you were the best mom ever.
Last Wednesday, my brother had to make the hard decision to put his dog, my niece, Cara to sleep.
This is just too much for me.
My prayers are with Siber’s mom.
8:04 pm on February 11th, 2015
Also, it seems that the Prof’s and my computers have been hacked. If any of youse receive a strange e-mail from me, DO NOT OPEN!
8:07 pm on February 11th, 2015
That was a Great Article by Sebastian Schnuelle.
Dawson, the Lucky Dog, got to meet him and had her picture taken with him too!
The Dog in that last photo made me smile, with the WTH look on his face.
8:12 pm on February 11th, 2015
Wose! We are very Happy to Hear from you!
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll tell Nana to keep a close lookout for any Suspicious SDDs.
8:13 pm on February 11th, 2015
Wose, Thank you and I am sorry about your brother’s dog. Yes, That is a difficult decision to make, but I always say that people who love their dog or kat know when the time is right. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, all of you, for your love and comforting words. Thank you for your emails and for posting the pictures of Siber.
Mollypop’s Mom, you made me laugh with your comment about Siber’s toys and the picture with that nasty, dirty toy in it.
This year’s Iditrod will not only be new to the mushers and dogs.
It will be new to all us fans. I know nothing about the new route. I hope the Iditarod can get a map up of it on their website.
8:15 pm on February 11th, 2015
Depending on how the driving is figured, I personally think it is longer than 290 miles from Willow to Fairbanks. When you cross the borough of Fairbanks boundary, you still have an half hour of driving before you would be in downtown Fairbanks. FYI: It is 1+ hour from my place to Snowhook Kennel and another 20-30 minutes cross town to the Anchorage airport from my place.
Not only will Snowhook’s dogs be experiencing a lack of sleep in new surroundings with tons of other dog teams (yeep and yark) but they will have spent 5 hours in a cramped dog truck driving to Fairbanks. That might be hard on their muscles and bones.
I do feel bad for Willow. In addition to the breakfast, the parking fee x 100s of cars is a big loss and vendors set up at the Willow Community Center. They might have already laid in their supplies to sell. Plus the Iditarod store in Wasilla will miss a lot of stop-in visitors.
I was having a conversation with Philip Walters a couple of weeks ago and mentioned the possibility of a restart from Fairbanks. It sounded like one of the “problems” is that the first portion of the trail is pretty much on the river for a good long time which is ‘boring’ for both dogs and mushers. Keep in mind that AJ knows every mile of the original trail in detail and has calculated his strategy for racing accordingly (which he has I am sure drilled into Philip for the B Team).
8:38 pm on February 11th, 2015
I agree that AJ, Philip & dogs will not know the trails in Fairbanks and the whole strategy will have to be revised. Yeep! What a hassle! The Fairbanks mushers will be loving it.
8:41 pm on February 11th, 2015
SiberMom We should be the ones comforting you, but now here you are…making us feel better..simply by your presence on the blog. That Siber had the best mom ever…and he knew it.
CHobbiti: What a shake-up. Is it anybody’s race now? The odds makers may have to recalculate.
We too feel bad for everyone who is losing business and for the teams who now have to travel so far. But better safety first than the alternative.
8:42 pm on February 11th, 2015
We found that Famous Photo:
8:43 pm on February 11th, 2015
Siber’s Mom: Thank you for your kind words. Please know that for however long there will be a Plunder On! calendar made by me, Siber-H’s picture will appear. sob
To all of youse: The offending e-mail comes from “dale@interstate-insurance.com” and the subject reads “from:Professorsteven Witterose”.
Please DO NOT open this e-mail!
8:53 pm on February 11th, 2015
Gah!
BSD: Don’t get Rio all poodled up about bad photographs by showing that one, even though I love that picture!
Hi Wose! Thinking of you and your brother and hoping you remember all the good times with Cara.
Wolfie: Thanks for the photos of your family. Jace is such a happy baby!
8:58 pm on February 11th, 2015
Siber’s Mom, I remember when Siber-H sent Mollypop that picture, he said his Mom didn’t approve about that toy but he sure liked it.
8:59 pm on February 11th, 2015
Not sure if I posted this before. Sorry if it is a repeat.
9:05 pm on February 11th, 2015
Wose, We Are Sorry for your family’s loss too.
Nana always says, when our friends leave us they take a Piece of Our Heart with them.
That Wonderful Plunderer Calendar will be Treasured Always.
9:08 pm on February 11th, 2015
Remember the post I made a few days ago about the husky pup with deformed, useless front legs who got national attention (its owner decided she couldn’t keep him). Here is a video–cute but still hard to watch. He is doing fine as a pup but what happens as a full grown dog?
http://www.adn.com/video/video-general-husky-puppy
9:09 pm on February 11th, 2015
We love our calendar too. LouLou and Sammie up top this month.
Wose, glad to see you posting. We have not gotten any emails from you or Grizz, but thanks for the warning.
9:24 pm on February 11th, 2015
Heart!…Sob!Sob!Sob!…wheeze!
9:40 pm on February 11th, 2015
What a day! Changes, loses and the support of family-blog wise. What would we do without the strenght of each other?
9:45 pm on February 11th, 2015
That is my favorite picture of SiberH., with the toys.
There are a lot of good pictures of SiberH with Rio.
CHobbit: I’m afraid to open that link right now. I’m crying at American Idol for cripes sake!
9:58 pm on February 11th, 2015
B&M&L, thanks for the cartoon. And we say, if you don’t like our 4legged family members, don’t visit!
10:02 pm on February 11th, 2015
We once had Many Photos Saved but they are All Lost and gone the way of our dinosaur computers, several of which have crashed and burned.
10:22 pm on February 11th, 2015
Barb, Maggie& Lucy: Thanks for the cartoon – it made me laugh out loud.
Goodnight to all, except g’dy to Liz & Ruby in Oz.
10:27 pm on February 11th, 2015
Wose, I am glad to hear from you. I will be on the lookout for the bad email, and not let Mom open it. I am the firewall around here.
Mom just got back from getting wonderfluffed. It was then time for my Frosty Paw party. I felt Siber-H next to me, celebrating.
10:36 pm on February 11th, 2015
It made my hearth hurt to see Rio’s heart crying, crying, sobbing for the loss of his pal, SiberH.
There is a rumor that at one point I was lost, but then found. I knew where I was the entire time, it was the Giant that was lost from me. Lost as we, er, he was, we were all found by you because of SiberH. SiberH’s heart may have been deformed if deformed means big, generous, kind, and funny.
11:03 pm on February 11th, 2015
Now you’ve all gone and done it…you’ve done it again…I’m sitting here sobbing and can’t see the screen or my paws on the keyboard.
Goodnight dear friends.
11:10 pm on February 11th, 2015
Masquers, Me too, but thank you all once again. Your words help, they really help.
Night All
11:12 pm on February 11th, 2015
Sad, very sad. But we are grateful that Siber had such a good life and a loving companion to share it with.
RIP Bob Simon, CBS News.
Night all.
11:18 pm on February 11th, 2015
Late as usual but no one else but you lot could understand me crying myself sick over the passing go a dog I never met. After all, Mr. Husky WAS a Texan by birth. There will never be another you amigo.
11:35 pm on February 11th, 2015
Hello All,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the changes to Iditarod will be this year. Well we are also wondering and still digesting the information we have. This might interest some of you on the logistical side of things however and provide a little more insight into getting ready for the race.
AJ
2015 IDITAROD RACE ROUTE CHANGES
AND
FOOD DROP INFORMATION
DATE: February 11, 2015
TO: 2015 Mushers
FROM: Mark Nordman, Race Director/Race Marshal
RE: 2015 Race Route and Food Drop Information
Race Route Information
Due to unsafe trail conditions going over the AK range, the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors made the decision to institute “Plan B” and move the Restart to Fairbanks on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10:00 am. The Ceremonial Start will take place as planned on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10:00 am in Anchorage. This will allow you to have a full day on March 8 for travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks. The alternate route will start in Fairbanks and travel as listed below.
As you know, Food Drops are scheduled for next week. The locations, dates and times for Food Drops are listed below under Food Drop Information. Checkpoint mileage information and food bag distributions for the alternate route are listed here.
Checkpoint Mileage Information
Anchorage – 11 miles to Campbell Airstrip (Sat., March 7)
Fairbanks – 60 miles to Nenana
Nenana – 90 miles to Manley
Manley – 66 miles to Tanana
Tanana – 119 miles to Ruby
Ruby – 50 miles to Galena
Galena – 82 miles to Huslia
Huslia – 86 miles to Koyukuk
Koyukuk – 22 miles to Nulato
Nulato – 47 miles to Kaltag
Kaltag – 85 miles to Unalakleet
Unalakleet – 40 miles to Shaktoolik
Shaktoolik – 50 miles to Koyuk
Koyuk – 48 miles to Elim
Elim – 28 miles to Golovin
Golovin – 18 miles to White Mountain
White Mountain – 55 miles to Safety
Safety – 22 miles to Nome
The normal Anchorage to Nome Southern Race Route is 987 miles. The 2015 Fairbanks to Nome Race Route is 968 miles.
Food Drop Bag Distribution
Since the checkpoint locations have changed, we have listed below how food drop bags will be distributed.
After your team departs from Fairbanks, your dog truck will drive to Nenana. You will be able to fully re-supply food and gear from your truck, however, straw and Heet will not be provided there. You can have unlimited help while at Nenana except for feeding and dog care.
Your Skwentna bags will go to Manley
Rainy Pass and Rohn bags will go to Tanana
Nikolai bags will go to Ruby
McGrath and Ophir and Eagle Island bags will go to Galena
Takotna and Iditarod bags will go to Huslia
Anvik and Shageluk bags will go to Koyukuk
Grayling bags will go to Nulato
Kaltag and beyond, those bags will be distributed normally
Should you feel the need for additional dry food and/or gear to be shipped, it can be done through the U.S. Postal Service. Do not ship frozen food as there is no guarantee it will make it to the checkpoint without thawing.
All of our checkpoints, except Safety, have U.S. Postal mail service. Shipping labels should read as:
IDITAROD CHECKPOINT
ATTN: IDITAROD CHECKER
TANANA, ALASKA 99777
Hold for Pickup: YOUR NAME
MANDATORY LAYOVER AND RESTING INFORMATION
What we have considered in the past to be the mandatory Yukon River 8 hour layover, can be taken at checkpoints from Tanana to Kaltag.
Mushers will be able to take the mandatory 24 hour layover at any checkpoint from Manley to Safety. There is a mandatory 8 hour layover in White Mountain.
And, 24 hour and 8 hour layovers cannot be combined.
Attached to this email is a map of the 2015 Race Route, with checkpoints and mileages identified to assist you with your race pre-planning. This map IS NOT to be used for retail sales. ANYTIME this map is displayed or shared, please include “MAP COURTESY OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.”
2015 TRAIL AWARDS AND LOCATIONS
SPECIAL TRAIL AWARD
ORDER
CHECKPOINT
MILEAGE
Millennium Hotel First Musher To The Yukon Award
1
Tanana
227
PenAir Spirit Of Alaska Award
2
Ruby
346
GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award
3
Huslia
478
Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award
4
Kaltag
633
Wells Fargo Gold Coast Award
5
Unalakleet
718
February 11, 2015
To: 2015 Mushers
From: Mark Nordman/Race Director
Re: Food Drop Information
Your food drops are shipped through the United States Post Office via a special type of mail called bypass mail, used only in Alaska. Because of bypass mail, your shipping rates are way cheaper than they would be if it were shipped some other way.
This year’s food drop dates are Wednesday, February 18, and Thursday, February 19. The time on Wednesday is 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Note the later start time for that day.) The time on Thursday is from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. You must be there no later than 3 p.m. both days.
For shipping in Anchorage, if your signup number #40 or earlier, then you come in on Wednesday. If your signup number is 41 or later, then you come in on Thursday. We have made allowances for those in the second half of the list who are at kennels with mushers in the first half to bring their drops in on the first day so that if there are two or more of you in one kennel, you can both come together. If there is a legitimate reason why you need to 4 days, please let us know ahead of time, and we will try and accommodate you. But, with a two day food drop, it could be difficult if a large number of you wanted to change your day, so please be prepared to come on your assigned day.
For those of you shipping from Fairbanks, you may do so on Monday, February 16 at Airland Transport between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The address is 1003 Aspen Street and phone number is 907-456-2496.
Airland is now at 11100 Calaska Circle and the phone number is 248-0362. We will provide you with direction and or a map well before food drop time, but it’s clear out at the end of Minnesota Drive.
For those of you shipping through Fairbanks, your cost will be $.69 per pound. In Anchorage, it is $.63 per pound. You will be required to pay any cost over $1000 that your shipping cost comes to. You should come prepared to pay to pay that at the time of shipping. Be advised that there will be a 3% charge on credit card purchases.
For those of you shipping food drops from the Lower 48 (or anyone else who will be having someone else bring in your food drop), you will need to make arrangements ahead of time to pay for your food drops either by calling us with a credit card or sending up a check which we will make out for the amount.
As per 2015 Race Rule #47 in the 2015 Race Rules: Remember:YOUR CONTAINERS MUST WEIGH NO MORE THAN 50 POUNDS EACH. FINES WILL BE LEVIED ON MUSHERS WITH OVERWEIGHT BAGS.
Guidelines for Food Drop Bags:
· Rule #47 states that — A musher must comply with shipping directions provided by the ITC. Each container must be clearly marked with name and destination and must weigh no more than 50 pounds. No boxes of any kind may be used as the primary container. No straw, charcoal, fuel or other combustible material, or hazardous materials (including lithium batteries) may be shipped through the ITC food drops. No cookers, plastic buckets, coolers or dog dishes may be shipped except with any sled that is shipped. Used items may be removed from checkpoints with dropped sleds, by return mail or through the ITC.
· Everything must fit inside the bag – no sleds, ski poles etc.
· Everything must be frozen rock hard. We will not accept any thawed or partially thawed food. If it warms up before food drop, do whatever it takes to get it frozen.
· Absolutely nothing flammable, toxic, explosive or corrosive. This includes matches, lighters, Heet, Lithium batteries, charcoal and ammunition. This is a US Postal Service regulation. They do check!
· No straw, buckets or coolers
· Nothing sharp sticking through bags
Again, don’t forget to print your name clearly and in large letters. Please write in English and don’t use nicknames. Our volunteers won’t know those nicknames and will be looking for names on their lists. If you have the same last name as another musher, i.e., Seavey, Mackey, etc., please make sure the name on the bag is specific so the volunteers don’t get confused.
Finally, make sure the bags are securely closed. You can sew them shut, weave heavy rope through or use heavy cable ties. No sharp wire ends, though, please.
Other supplies:
We provide straw and Heet (in bottles) at every checkpoint. Most checkpoints have water available and the few that don’t will have extra Heet available. There will be a bale of straw per musher at each checkpoint. If that isn’t enough for you, you can mail it to yourself in checkpoints that have post offices. There is also straw and Heet at Yentna and Finger even though they are not food drops.
If you send out a replacement sled, the easiest place to do that is Unalakleet with Northern Air Cargo or Galena with Everetts Air Cargo. You do need to give it a week to get out there. It is very cumbersome and expensive to ship to other checkpoints, but if you think you need to do that, contact us for advice and guidance.
The US Postal Service will not allow us to ship return bags back through the post offices from the trail. All return bags will be brought back to Wasilla via the Iditarod air force and other carriers. We will mail them out of Wasilla if necessary or deliver them to you, but for those who can, we will hope that you will be able to pick up your return bags here at the ITC HQ. The name and address where you want the bags delivered should be written on the bags. (Please do not attach tags.) We will do our best to get your sleds and drop bags together at the HQ as timely as we can so you can pick them up as soon as possible. This is a service that we provide. Remember, there is no guarantee that all your gear will get back. We understand that it is a huge savings for you to get this gear back, and we will try our best to do so.
No kennels may be shipped with food drop shipments.
Once again, don’t forget that food drop time on the 18th is 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the 19th is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Any questions, feel free to contact us anytime.
Mark Nordman
11:42 pm on February 11th, 2015
On another note however…
I am very sorry for your loss Nicki. Dogs run beside us in life and beyond that… At least that’s my belief.
AJ
12:00 am on February 12th, 2015
Thank you AJ for the useful information.
As I reflect on the day, I am so glad that Siber-H got to experience snow recently even though it was only 3″ and only for a short time.
2:08 am on February 12th, 2015
Well, by golly, the dog sled team keeps getting bigger and better across the Bridge. I have no doubt that they will be the first to cross the finish line. They will be running with each us, because our hearts are so connected.
Nikki, I am so sorry for your loss. This has been such a year of loss for you. It breaks my heart.
5:15 am on February 12th, 2015
Mike Ellis is currently in 11th place, with his team of Sibes. For some reason, it feels bittersweet.
AJ, Thank you for the information on the Iditarod changes.