On the Iditarod Trail (More)
We’re thinking “race” doesn’t really describe what the Iditarod is about. “Quest,” maybe? “Test?”Any ideas? Here’s Rebecca’s (she’s commandante of Snowhook Kennel, our courageous team) wonderful overnight report:
There is no place like Nome especially around the race. The burled arch is erected on Front Street waiting for each team to welcome the finish of a hard fought race. Constant chatter and slinging of stories from the trail are white noise in the Mini-Convention center that serves as the Nome-based headquarters.
A lot can happen between the seventy-seven mile run between White-Mountain, the checkpoint where teams take a mandatory eight hour layover and the finish line, yet I expect to see the team running up Front Street midday on Thursday. What a race! The team may not have crossed under the burled arch yet, but this race with low snow, a trail that waged war on the mushers, high winds and a high scratch rate is one for the record books.
Is it possible to express my pride in AJ and the dogs that have partnered together in this journey? Hardly. It is the kind of pride that takes my words and fills my heart with burning and my eyes with tears. Can I adequately express my gratitude for the Plunderers who have helped make our dream possible for the past few years? This is a fist pounding on the table kind of a no. My heart and eyes suffer the same result as when thinking of how proud I am of Team Snowhook. Thank you. We are blessed.
***
Our finish line nears as does Melanie’s. Both are surrounded with love.
Tags: AJ, Iditarod, Melanie, Rebecca, Snowhook
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2014 at 10:16 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.
10:32 am on March 13th, 2014
We are so proud of Snowhook!
Melanie, I am so proud of you. You are such a tremendous fighter. I could never be the person you are. I love you very much.
Now I must go! because there are tears of joy and sorrow that need to wiped from my eyes.
10:52 am on March 13th, 2014
Nome!…How are youse guys watching the teams come into Nome? Does the Insider go live and show each one? ….grunt!
10:56 am on March 13th, 2014
Rio! Yes!
10:57 am on March 13th, 2014
Rio, the Insider says they have two live cameras at the burled arch in Nome.
10:59 am on March 13th, 2014
At this moment in time, the cameras are working.
11:03 am on March 13th, 2014
We do not have sound. Do any of you?
11:04 am on March 13th, 2014
Okay!…My screen has been black so I did not know for sure…wheeze!
11:07 am on March 13th, 2014
Grump!… I see Paige Drobny came in…wheeze!…But where is the LIVE video?…HELP!
11:08 am on March 13th, 2014
FOUND!…IT!…gasp!…I was starting to panic. Never a good thing…wheeze!
11:09 am on March 13th, 2014
Go to Broadcast Schedule under Videos, and click on the link for the Finish.
11:12 am on March 13th, 2014
This is for Cherokee’s mom.
My heartfelt prayers for you and Cherokee at this time. What you are going through is very similar to our experience with the loss of our precious boy Wookie in late 2012. He survived lymphoma for 21 months after diagnosis (having gone through the complete chemo regime in flying colors and then staying in remission until his dying day), but unfortunately with his immune system compromised, he contracted leptospirosis which led to the kidney failure that ultimately cost him his life. He was incredibly brave throughout, as Cherokee has been, and every day was a real joy until the very end. Cherish the memories and the days that are left, and between you and he, I know that you will do the right thing at the right time.
11:13 am on March 13th, 2014
SHE’s HERE. Sharon is here safe and sound.
Let the party commence!
11:13 am on March 13th, 2014
I don’t think there is any sound with that live stream.
I don’t know if they interview the arriving mushers.
11:24 am on March 13th, 2014
SiberH!…I’m pretty sure they do interview some of the finishing mushers…sniff!….They better damn well interview our musher…wheeze!
11:27 am on March 13th, 2014
Awake but not sharp and cannot find the Live Video!
We here were sniffling throughout
Rebecca’s narrative, but that last line got us. Sob.
11:31 am on March 13th, 2014
Howlers: That’s not the live stream we had the night of the storm when Dallas & Aliy came in.
11:33 am on March 13th, 2014
Masquers, The Insider is live with interviewers when the winning team arrives at the burled arch. This is different than the live stream cameras we are watching now.
11:34 am on March 13th, 2014
Grump!
11:36 am on March 13th, 2014
Okay, thanks Howlers, I found it.
Like Riö, I was in a panic mode and forgot how to do it.
11:37 am on March 13th, 2014
(you too, Siber…forgot to refresh)
11:38 am on March 13th, 2014
There is sound now…musher coming in!
11:42 am on March 13th, 2014
It is Allen Moore…Winner of this year’s Yukon Quest!
I am glad I was wrong about no sound.
11:43 am on March 13th, 2014
Siber, we don’t have sound. Where should we be looking?
11:44 am on March 13th, 2014
Sound should play automatically with the live stream. It is for me (once I remembered to turn on my speakers)
11:45 am on March 13th, 2014
But how are you getting to livestream?
11:48 am on March 13th, 2014
Never mind. We have it now. We are watching on the big computer and there are 2 cords for the speakers.
11:49 am on March 13th, 2014
Go to videos, click on live finish. I had to log in again to do it after I had already spent some time on the website logged in.
Make sure you are logged in.
11:53 am on March 13th, 2014
Error!….Livestream Erred out on my…sniff!…What was I thinking? NOTHING has worked so far. Why should I believe the live-stream would work…grumble!…Not paying for this crap next year…wheeze!
11:54 am on March 13th, 2014
How about the Iditarod “feat”?
Cheers to Snowhook.
Good afternoon all.
11:55 am on March 13th, 2014
Rio, I don’t think I am paying for this crap again next year either.
Good Afternoon, Stover
11:57 am on March 13th, 2014
Riö: Try going to: http://iditarod.com/live-finish/
12:00 pm on March 13th, 2014
We will pay for it. It is better than NO COVERAGE. And there is sadly no competition.
The thing we hate the most about Insider is how they only cover the frontrunners. We know it is tiring for Runyon and Sebastian to chase the leaders down the trail, but with all the money we pay for Insider, you’d think they could have other reporting/blogging teams following the middle of the pack.
12:00 pm on March 13th, 2014
Make sure you are signed in.
12:03 pm on March 13th, 2014
Sam: Casillo is in Nome.
12:05 pm on March 13th, 2014
“Feat”: A notable act of courage, skill, endurance and strength. Yes, I think that covers it.
12:06 pm on March 13th, 2014
Checking into the hotel
12:09 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hey!!!! I was there, at that very check-in desk!!!!
Our team is at Safety!
12:16 pm on March 13th, 2014
Lots of teams coming in!
12:21 pm on March 13th, 2014
Good morning to Melanie and all of you (it’s still a.m. here).
Happy to hear of Sharon’s safe arrival and Snowhook’s continuing progress.
(No place like Nome–oh, hey–I get it!)
12:42 pm on March 13th, 2014
Maskers!….Check your little Go-Phone for a special text…wheeze!
12:45 pm on March 13th, 2014
SiberH!…Quick like a Skunk on the run from You! Check your SDD…snort!
12:53 pm on March 13th, 2014
Wookie’s and Teddy’s Dad – Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. Definitely cherishing every day and storing up loads of good memories. Every night when we go to sleep I hold him and thank him for being so strong and fighting so hard to stay with us on this borrowed time of his.
12:57 pm on March 13th, 2014
Looks like Kristy Berington will be the next one in!
12:59 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hello plunderers this is the plunder bus we are on the roadr
1:02 pm on March 13th, 2014
If the tracker is correct, Justin and the dogs are 15 miles from Nome!
GO SNOWHOOK!!
1:03 pm on March 13th, 2014
GAH. Stupid trakker is not updating. Nooooooo.
1:06 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hello, MPM, We are down to the wire here…NEXT STOP NOME!!!
GO SNOWHOOK!!! Fly like the wind!
1:10 pm on March 13th, 2014
Why does she keep saying 10 days into Nome? By my kat kalculations this is the 12th day of racing. Am I in error?
Do they not count the Restart as day one?
1:12 pm on March 13th, 2014
Have to remember what the Pixie always says…a watched trakker never moves.
1:13 pm on March 13th, 2014
Here she comes. She wisely left her sis behind this year.
1:13 pm on March 13th, 2014
Siren going off announcing the next musher.
1:16 pm on March 13th, 2014
Gasp!…LuLu is hogging all the room again…snort!
1:20 pm on March 13th, 2014
Team Snowhook should be arriving while I’m on the road and driving. Will someone wave and cheer for me? Thanks in advance (the kids refuse to blur to Nome to do it–something about the cold, with or without snow…)
1:20 pm on March 13th, 2014
We are up to on i90. The
Road is good
1:22 pm on March 13th, 2014
I can’t help myself. I cry when I see them love up their team. Sniff
1:24 pm on March 13th, 2014
We have Katherine Keith now on the home stretch…Dan Kaduce, AJ & Jason MacKey coming over the Cape…Karin Hendrickson out of Safety and Danny Seavey coming into Safety.
1:29 pm on March 13th, 2014
Approx. 12 miles from Nome.
1:30 pm on March 13th, 2014
When this is over all of us are going to sleep for a week!
Heh. I’ll bet AJ & Rebecca will too.
1:32 pm on March 13th, 2014
Kat, you visited the very room I am in as told to me by Golinka who was a great airport taxi.
Wonder how waterproof the iPaw is? Happy and sad tears. More Plunderers coming together:) “Feat” almost complete:) Cherokee and Melanie approaching the bridge 🙁
Has Dawson gotten a word in edgewise? This is for her:
1:40 pm on March 13th, 2014
Report from the blunderbuss go snow look real says oh wait a minute. We are says, I have to go out! “!”!
1:41 pm on March 13th, 2014
MPM: Oddly enough, we understand your gibberish ^..^
1:42 pm on March 13th, 2014
Whoops! Darn technology
1:45 pm on March 13th, 2014
Twelve miles! I’m so excited I could splort!
1:47 pm on March 13th, 2014
My tracker is telling me 10 miles!
1:51 pm on March 13th, 2014
Yep 10 miles!!!!! OMD OMD OMD !!!
1:52 pm on March 13th, 2014
Thank Kat we’re off the Cape…pretty slow going there for a bit…coming onto the HOME STRETCH NOW…WOOOHOOO!!!
1:52 pm on March 13th, 2014
Bella, Where are you?
HOH Maw, How does T&G remember the very room I was in? Is there a plaque on the door?
(Whispering) any tissues in the trash can?
1:52 pm on March 13th, 2014
Masquers: Thank you for the greeting and news that I was on the ground in Conn. Really bumpy flight so yours was welcome news and knew I could open my eyes 🙂 Go Snowhook.
1:54 pm on March 13th, 2014
GAH!!!! Update, you damn tracker!!!!
1:55 pm on March 13th, 2014
Kat, I think it has something to do with the “view” out the window (and maybe a few Kat hairs to make me feel at home). Must nap now zzzzzzz.
1:58 pm on March 13th, 2014
It has to be about 8 miles out now.
1:58 pm on March 13th, 2014
Insidious!…I gave up on the Insider and am relying fully on youse guys to update me on our Team!….GO SNOWHOOK! Fly like the wind!….Weeeeeee!
2:01 pm on March 13th, 2014
T&g we are just passing Syracuse- eta 6:30
2:04 pm on March 13th, 2014
Aunt MPM, are you going to have to sit thru a long speech again? Will you need my head to hold down your foot?
2:05 pm on March 13th, 2014
Dan has passed Katherine and AJ is coming up behind!
2:08 pm on March 13th, 2014
GO SNOWHOOK!!!
Last GPS report says AJ is doing over 9 miles an hour.
Bella – your heroes will all be home soon.
2:10 pm on March 13th, 2014
RIO! The Prof’s friend brews his own beer…
2:11 pm on March 13th, 2014
7 more miles!!!
2:17 pm on March 13th, 2014
MP’sM – are the roads ok? Worried about you. Do you want to come straight here for dinner, or do you want to check in first?
AJ AJ AJ AJ AJ AJ!!!!!
2:18 pm on March 13th, 2014
OMD. Did you see the raven on the live finish cam? He hopped into the screen, pecked around and flew off.
Godspeed AJ and the puppies and the Pixie.
2:19 pm on March 13th, 2014
What color of parka will Rebecca be wearing?
2:23 pm on March 13th, 2014
I heard that raven!!!! I wasn’t watching at the time, because Mom thinks she still has to work. But I heard it!!!!
Siber, look for the pink SK.
2:26 pm on March 13th, 2014
Kat, Thanks
Rio, blasted tracker hasn’t updated in awhile.
2:30 pm on March 13th, 2014
Dan has passed Katherine and AJ is coming up behind!
KAT! I KNEW IT! The Raven! Tears here. sob.
2:31 pm on March 13th, 2014
Mom and I are getting chills/goosebumps. The Raven keeps calling. Now we are crying.
2:31 pm on March 13th, 2014
Blukat. Sob.
2:32 pm on March 13th, 2014
6 miles from Nome!
2:33 pm on March 13th, 2014
This is going to be a close one! Three pairs of mushers racing neck-in-neck!
2:34 pm on March 13th, 2014
Masquers, I don’t think he passed her. Her tracker has not updated.
2:35 pm on March 13th, 2014
Kat! AJ & the Team hear the Raven! now i’m crying too.
2:35 pm on March 13th, 2014
2 degrees in Nome
2:38 pm on March 13th, 2014
SNOWHOOK SNOWHOOK SNOWHOOK !!!!!!
2:40 pm on March 13th, 2014
Yes, We Heard it!!
2:42 pm on March 13th, 2014
Wow. Dan beat her. Just.
2:43 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hey, Linda! Chippewa Falls!!!
2:44 pm on March 13th, 2014
Raven!…He was at the end of the race last year too…sob!
sniffle!
2:46 pm on March 13th, 2014
Riö! We got a picture of him under the burled arch!
2:46 pm on March 13th, 2014
Less than 4 miles from Nome!!!
2:48 pm on March 13th, 2014
Katherine. What a kool person she is.
2:53 pm on March 13th, 2014
less than 3 miles from Nome!!!
2:54 pm on March 13th, 2014
My heart is in my throat!
GO Snowhook!!
PLUNDERERS GET READY TO ROAR!!!
2:55 pm on March 13th, 2014
9 MILES A HOUR!!!
2:58 pm on March 13th, 2014
One mile!!!
I don’t know what hyperventilating is, but I am sure I am doing it!!!!
2:59 pm on March 13th, 2014
AJ and the dogs are almost there!!
2:59 pm on March 13th, 2014
Gasp!…wheeze!
3:01 pm on March 13th, 2014
The horns are sounding on Front Street for Snowhook!!
3:07 pm on March 13th, 2014
We’re SO PROUD!!! sOB SOB.
3:07 pm on March 13th, 2014
Why hasn’t AJ’s flag moved? I can’t get the live video on this crappy computer, but the tracker was working. Now the flag won’t move.
3:09 pm on March 13th, 2014
Do you see Rebecca? Over on the right. Long coat – pink SK.
But where the heck is the announcer????
SNOWHOOOK SNOWHOOK. SNOWHOOK!!!
3:11 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hmm. The finish line can’t handle multiple teams arriving so close. They can check 2 teams out making sure the musher has all the equipment he is supposed to carry, then having the teams move onto past the finish line to the dog lot a couple of blocks away. So maybe Justin is at the end of the street waiting clearance to cross the line. ????
3:12 pm on March 13th, 2014
still waiting, Rio
3:13 pm on March 13th, 2014
The sirens are gong off again.
3:16 pm on March 13th, 2014
Here comes Snowhook up the chute!!!
3:17 pm on March 13th, 2014
YAY!
3:20 pm on March 13th, 2014
Wahoooooooooo
3:30 pm on March 13th, 2014
Congratulations AJ and Snowhook. We are very, very proud of what you accomplished. Thank you for letting us share your dream. Rest now. We love you and Rebecca!
xoxoxo
3:32 pm on March 13th, 2014
What’s wrong with that announcer? He’s getting all kattywampus.
3:33 pm on March 13th, 2014
Excellent!
3:33 pm on March 13th, 2014
So proud. So proud.
Now we need to watch the rest of them, especially the Sibe Teams. Every finisher is winner, especially this year!!!
3:34 pm on March 13th, 2014
YAY for AJ and the team! (And yay for Dan from Chippewa Falls!)
3:36 pm on March 13th, 2014
Yay! Snowhook!
3:36 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hooray for all the mushers and dogs – whether they crossed the finish line or not – they are all brave souls who took on a major challenge.
And AJ was the best of them all! Case closed.
3:36 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hooray Snowhook! We love you! From the blunderbus.
3:37 pm on March 13th, 2014
Proud of these guys. So proud. What they’ve accomplished this year is impossible to explain in words…
3:41 pm on March 13th, 2014
Dawson! Blunderbus! Chortle.
3:42 pm on March 13th, 2014
Congratulations to AJ, Rebecca, and the dogs for another successful Iditarod, under some very difficult conditions. We are very proud to call you “our” team.
Masquers, I don’t know where they find these announcers, but, oh my.
I am sending mom off to the vet clinic now to pick up my dog food.
GO SIBERIANS!!!
3:46 pm on March 13th, 2014
Snowhook dogs and AJ in borrowed boots…the best team, plain and simple.
3:54 pm on March 13th, 2014
Snorkel!…I’m all choked up…sniff!
4:00 pm on March 13th, 2014
Rest!….I doubt Rebecca and AJ will get any rest for awhile…snort!…There is quite a bit to do after the race is finished. CHobbit could tell us more about what is involved at the end of the race…wheeze!
4:25 pm on March 13th, 2014
Where past Albany on route 87.
4:29 pm on March 13th, 2014
Howl howl howl Snowhook!!!!!
4:30 pm on March 13th, 2014
Dawson – so what do you say? Are you coming right to the house where the turkey is smelling SO good?
Leonard will go get Sharon and bring her here if you want to eat first, check in later.
4:33 pm on March 13th, 2014
I called my mom Zoe, and Melanie’s 2 boys Mckey and Rob and told them of the finish. They were very happy. All 3 of them (and my sister Martha just now) have told Melanie. She is quiet and sleeping.
We all know that she has been with Snowhook these last 11 days. It was a ride and adventure she always wanted.
Well done AJ and Rebecca and all you wonderful dogs.
Much love to all you great supporters and friends,
Brother Daniel
4:48 pm on March 13th, 2014
Daniel, thank you for the update. Special lady, special dogs, special race. Melanie is one in a gozillion 🙂
4:50 pm on March 13th, 2014
This was such a special Snowhook Iditarod because it was dedicated to Melanie.
4:56 pm on March 13th, 2014
Toppers mom, please check your SDD ASAP.
4:57 pm on March 13th, 2014
Iditarod 2014- Melanie’s Race!
I am so proud of the Giant, the Pixie, and the team! They ran a wonderful race for a wonderful person.
My heart is full. Congratulations Snowhook!
5:17 pm on March 13th, 2014
Checked responded and basting
5:21 pm on March 13th, 2014
Blunderbus?…snort!
5:30 pm on March 13th, 2014
Tupper
No message received. We are on the I 91.
5:34 pm on March 13th, 2014
RIO! Did you see your beer?
6:00 pm on March 13th, 2014
Yikes – will try again
6:02 pm on March 13th, 2014
Address sent to all 4 of you Someone should get it
6:14 pm on March 13th, 2014
According to Sidekick, the leaders at the Burled Arch were Louisa Mae, and the guy who Mom fell in love with Way Up North: CLYDE !!!!!!
6:18 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hurrah for Snowhook!
Hurrah for the Blunderbus!
Hurrah for Melanie!
And guess what? Today is the Raven’s birthday!!!!
6:40 pm on March 13th, 2014
AJ’s video is up on Insider!!!!! It is wonderful. AJ and Rebecca. She looks so relieved. Woo Hooo We love our team!!!!
Wolfie, it is for real The Raven’s birthday?
6:46 pm on March 13th, 2014
We are here at T&G’s! Smells delish! WhooooHooooo!
6:54 pm on March 13th, 2014
Staff here, Wonderful to hug Leonard and Grandpa and Amalia and Sharon,
Oh how wonderful it is to meet and greet. Pictures coming Rio…
7:04 pm on March 13th, 2014
We got to see Leonard’s quilt of valor and Amalia’s new white quilt with a purple butterfly. sniffing happened….
7:12 pm on March 13th, 2014
We are happy to know you have all arrived safe and sound. We know everyone is talking at once, and Dawson is holding her ears. Heh!
7:25 pm on March 13th, 2014
Yes it is. Zoe posted on facebookie. The Raven would have been 85 today.
7:49 pm on March 13th, 2014
We are so So Proud of our Brave Wonderful Wonderful Team Snowhook, AJ & Rebecca, the Dogs and our Brave Beautiful Beautiful Friend who we Love So Much.
This Day Both Have Won Their Races with a Courage and Strength that goes way beyond the norm.
Thank you Daniel for stopping by.
We send Our Love to Zoe, You & Martha and Rob & McKey.
And a Very Happy Birthday to the Raven.
The Blunderbus Has Arrived.
Let the Plunderfeast Begin!
7:53 pm on March 13th, 2014
Thanks for telling us that, Wolfie. Today/tonight has a special vibe. There will be dancing thru the galaxies.
8:02 pm on March 13th, 2014
Siber, Mike Ellis is running a very good race. Do you think he is finishing higher than any other Sibe teams?
8:15 pm on March 13th, 2014
Trip!…Now that our awesome, inspiring Team has finished the Last Great Race, I can tell you about what happened today on the Big East Trip….snort!
First!…We went over to Lil Sammie’s house and I sat right down in her pink(!) bed….chuffle!…Who sleeps in a bed this small and this pink?…grunt!
8:18 pm on March 13th, 2014
Ohhh!…Yeah. Lil’ Sammie does. You tell me which one is Lil Sammie. I cannot tell them apart…sniff!…This bed stinks. Heck I couldn’t even get one of my baseball toys into this thing…grunt!
8:20 pm on March 13th, 2014
Road-Trip!….So then we went on a very very very very very long road trip to good ole Massachewie-sets…sniff!…We had to stop often for the scenery…snort!…And those hot-wings were playing havoc with my bowels today just to make things interesting….sniff!sniff!
8:24 pm on March 13th, 2014
Fellow Sibers, I do think Mike and his Sibers will finish higher than any other Siber team. All they need to do is beat their time last year because in 2013 they set the record for Siber teams. Go Team Tsuga!!
The other two Siber teams are doing great so far. They are rookies and they aren’t last.
8:24 pm on March 13th, 2014
Finally!…We jumped out of the mini-van into the clean fresh air and then I got to meet a Giant White Callie and two disgruntled Corgies. I can’t tell them apart either…heh!heh!…No one seemed very pleased to see me. But I managed to keep calm after running to MollysMaw for reassurance…sniff!
8:26 pm on March 13th, 2014
HUGE!…That Callie is HUGE. I think she is part Polar Bear…wheeze!…She got all the Treaties – I didn’t have a chance in hell….grump!
8:28 pm on March 13th, 2014
Later!…One of the Corgies came up behind me and burped-up on my back….GAH!…Was that you Tupper?…wheeze!
8:40 pm on March 13th, 2014
From photos on Facebook it looks like our team were wearing their team jackets of grey and black! Snazzy!
8:44 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hobbit, we could see those handsome jackets in the video. They looked really good.
8:47 pm on March 13th, 2014
Mae!…Was it Mae AJ held up to the burled arch…chuffle!…She turned out to be a true leader when he needed her most…snorkel!
9:21 pm on March 13th, 2014
My sister Simba and I make up Moms husky team (Simba is lead dog) and we decided if Snowhook is resting now so should we on our Snowhook blankie! And that other little thing is just Sandy, our marketing rep.
9:25 pm on March 13th, 2014
Supper!….Somehow I was able to take a peek at Supper! Holy Kats! There was a big ole Turkey and and a whole line of good looking food just waiting for me to dive into it…snort!…But that Gramps was right in my way. I couldn’t get any closer…sniff!sniff!…slurp!slobber!
9:28 pm on March 13th, 2014
Grandpa!…Move man, move!…wheeze!….I’m dying here…gasp!…Look, Golinka is carving that Turkey!…wheeze!…I like white and dark meat, yes I do!…slurp!
9:31 pm on March 13th, 2014
Feast!…yeeep!…I need a boost from the back to get this line moving…gasp!…Where is Dawson when I really need her. Everything will be gone by the time I get there…grump!
9:32 pm on March 13th, 2014
What a feast! I am so grateful that youse guys could be there for Stinky Mama. This is not an easy time, oh no it is not.
9:34 pm on March 13th, 2014
Ummmm, Rio? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were taking cuts…
9:41 pm on March 13th, 2014
Wolfie!…There was no cutting in front of Gramps…snort!…He was first, he was last, he was in-between…heh!heh!…That guy can really put down the chow…snorkel!…Love ya Grampa!
9:44 pm on March 13th, 2014
Digesting!….So I was minding my own pug-business digesting supper after I had been OUT!OUT!OUT!, and who comes into the room but that Herbed Kat, Basil…wheeze!…I was too full to move fast so I stayed my ground…gurgle!burp!
9:46 pm on March 13th, 2014
Help!…Help!…Help Me MollysMaw!…Help me Staff!…yeeeeep!…Help Me Dawson!….gah!
10:03 pm on March 13th, 2014
Don’t worry, Rio. Kats just like to play with your mind.
10:03 pm on March 13th, 2014
Don’t worry, Rio. Kats just like to play with your mind.
10:03 pm on March 13th, 2014
Uh-oh. Somehow I did a double Dawson.
10:09 pm on March 13th, 2014
Elliot!…You don’t really know Basil, do you?…sniff!
Dessert!…So after I escaped from Basil’s claws I saw that Dessert had been served. I was up in that chair faster than Beau running through the house on
Kat-Watch. Strike that – Basil might read it…wheeze!10:11 pm on March 13th, 2014
Laughing!….Leonard couldn’t stop laughing at me during dessert…snort!…He said I bled like a stuck-pug…grunt!…This jello used to be green…cough!gag!
10:14 pm on March 13th, 2014
Gulp!…I say, what the heck, there is always room for bloody jello….snorkle!…Pass the Whip Kream and the Beer…grunt!burp!
10:26 pm on March 13th, 2014
Awwwwww!…Buuurp!…That nice tall Pug Mug Beer was just what I needed to wash down the (gag!) jello…snort!snort!
Thanks Rose!
Beer!…I sure hope we are stopping off at Rose and Grizz’s house on this Big East Trip…snorkel!
10:37 pm on March 13th, 2014
Heh-heh, ironic dessert. I love it.
I plan to return to human status soon. I always thought jet lag was a made up thing. uh…what was I saying?
Best of times to the East Coast edition of Plunderfest 2014. I hope the back doors are as much fun as the ones on the Plunder Shuttle!
Y’all try to listen to one another, m’kay?
10:47 pm on March 13th, 2014
Hey!…Where am I sleeping tonight?…grunt!…It better be something bigger than a little pink bed…grump!
11:20 pm on March 13th, 2014
Anyone still awake? We won’t be for too long. We had the most wonderful time with the Plunder Party.
So maybe I cooked a little too much – but you can never tell with a hungry Pug in the group.
Tomorrow we will be going to the butterfly place – we will say special prayers there for our beloved Melanie – we know butterflies have special communications with the next world.
Welcome home AJ – you did well. Welcome home dogs – good job!
Good night family – sleep well, sweet dreams.
1:53 am on March 14th, 2014
Just before 2am Eastern time, Melanie dropped her body to fly into the arms of her Beloved Spirit Creator.
McKey was by her side as she breathed her last. He called out to Rob, Zoe and Martha who were all upstairs asleep.
She was sleeping, very peaceful and in no pain.
One of the great ones has moved on. What an incredible honor to have been with her for the entire 60 year journey.
Thank you all for being there for her.
Brother Daniel
2:12 am on March 14th, 2014
There is a new star in the night sky tonight.
Farewell, my Friend.
5:23 am on March 14th, 2014
Aahh Daniel. You were so right that Melanie was waiting until our team crossed the Finish Line, and then she crossed that Finish Line.
I will miss hearing from you Melanie. I will miss knowing you are there in the mountains of Massachusetts. But it is good that you are now at peace and free of pain.
Amalia, thank you for helping me to understand that. I know this will be especially difficult for you, her best friend, as well as her family whom she loved and always spoke so glowingly about. My heart and my prayers are with all of you.
5:27 am on March 14th, 2014
Amen. Lord hear our prayers.
5:32 am on March 14th, 2014
I’m so sorry to hear the news about Melanie and my sympathy and thoughts are with her beloved family, two- and four-legged. And to everyone who has lost their beautiful friend, such a strong presence here under the quilt. Even from this far away! She was always welcoming and friendly.
Following the race and following the plunderers’ trip has been terrific, by the way, thank you all for updates.
5:36 am on March 14th, 2014
While I didn’t know Melanie, I feel like I do know what an amazingly special person she was from O’Howlers Mom and everybody on this blog. Sending thoughts and prayers to all of her family and friends. I hope everybody finds some peace with this since she is now at peace.
6:37 am on March 14th, 2014
God speed, Melanie. As someone else said, you were the best friend I never met.
Rejoice with those over the bridge, hugs and head bumps. Tears are for us left behind. The stars are for us left behind.
7:13 am on March 14th, 2014
Happy about Snowhook, sad about Melanie.
7:47 am on March 14th, 2014
Does anyone have the livestream on? lots of F-words!!! What time do the bars close/open in Nome?
7:52 am on March 14th, 2014
OH: Think the Pixie said close at 5 A.M. Open again at 7A.M. Yikes!
8:01 am on March 14th, 2014
Now there is a guy talking who sounds EXACTLY like Ed Chigliak!!! and they are discussing this race…”I guess this is the biggest race”. “yes i heard that”.
LOL I needed some humor this morning. (thanks, Melanie)
8:03 am on March 14th, 2014
Melanie died early this morning. I know how much you all loved her and I assure you she cared mightily about each Plunderer. I will write more later. Love to you all. You have made our lives funnier, you have made us aware of things that hold us together and you make the world a finer place. Zoe
8:05 am on March 14th, 2014
I love you Zoe. Momma is going to bring me up to visit you you you again when weather is nicer and you feel up to it.
8:53 am on March 14th, 2014
It is difficult not to cry upon hearing we have lost Melanie. But within those tears, I know that The Purple Princess will be a bright star in the heavens along with the Raven, the Newfs that wait for her, and many more friends that are waiting for her on the Bridge. May she dance gracefully, and smile eternally. The Purple Princess will not be forgotten . No she will not.
May god bless Zoe, Martha, Daniel, Rob, and McKey.