Spencequinn.com
Some online changes to tell you about. Spencequinn.com is now command central for all things Spencer Quinn and Peter Abrahams. This blog – actually now part of the new site – won’t change. There are 3 verticals and … and it’s all kind of self-explanatory, which is the best kind of explanatory going! Have a great weekend, everybody!
Tags: spencequinn.com
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 7th, 2015 at 7:26 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.
7:33 am on February 7th, 2015
Good morning! Nice new site, Spence!!! We like it.
Mom had to work again last nigh and this morning too. She got up real early for this morning’s work, so she would have the rest of the day with us us us. Thank dog she is done those 3 weekends in a row of work. And, next weekend is a 3-day weekend! Woo Hoo!
7:43 am on February 7th, 2015
The Yukon Quest starts today at 11:00am, in Whitehorse, which we think makes it 2:00pm EST. Woo Hoo!!!!
Link to the tracker, if you want it:
http://www.yukonquest.com/race-central/current-standings/live-tracking
8:00 am on February 7th, 2015
Three more weeks!
Nice new site, Spence. Glad this one’s not going anywhere. Chet meets Bowser? Yeah, different audiences, but…but…I’m still waiting for a book about Sone of Chet. Anyway. Good morning y’all!
8:04 am on February 7th, 2015
But what we really want to know is. … Will Jim Francine read the Woof! audio?
8:05 am on February 7th, 2015
Good morning, O’H, B&L&H and all! We were so busy looking at the “new and improved” all things SQ/PA we got lost! Nice, clean look and possible easy access to all.
Happy Saturday. Heck, have a slap happy Saturday!
8:05 am on February 7th, 2015
Ga…make that “son of Chet”.
8:10 am on February 7th, 2015
Don’t worry, Buddy. We knew what you meant, in spite of that darn ottercork.
8:27 am on February 7th, 2015
WE find that when posting the corking otter is annoying, but when reading,that little rascal is sometimes a hoot.
8:48 am on February 7th, 2015
Morning all. Haven’t checked the new site yet. Sitting in a parking lot waiting for a place to be open.
And joy of joys, this afternoon we are obligated to go to a birthday party for a 7 year old and her little friends. (We really do love our surrogate daughter)
And THEN triple joy – we are expecting another snowstorm. Woo hoo.
(Sob, sob, sniffle, whine)
8:53 am on February 7th, 2015
Working alongside my partners, Nick and Nora Charles, I have sniffed out certain intel about the Snowhook Kennel. It seems that a very special, and sparkly dog, Belle Starr is celebrating a birthday today. Knowing how much tummy rubbing I enjoy, I hope that Ms. Starr will receive many today.
8:55 am on February 7th, 2015
Bellie!!!! Happy Birthday! Mom is blurring right up there.
9:01 am on February 7th, 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLE STARR! May many sparkly things come your way today!
Hello Everyone and have a happy day. Getting ready to hit the road for LA and new term prep and not enjoying it, but perhaps checking out the new site will help. Be well.
9:11 am on February 7th, 2015
Asta, thanks for the head up on our sparkly friend.
Belle Starr (just for you…in harmony too):
Whoo hoo, yodel, howl.
Whoo hoo, yodel, howl.
Whoo hoo to our Bellie!
Whoo hoo, yodel, HOOOOOWWWWL!
9:31 am on February 7th, 2015
Waiting for an order of pink sparles to arrive!

9:32 am on February 7th, 2015
We guess this means that Bellie Button is today’s FOD 🙂
9:36 am on February 7th, 2015
Dear Belle Starr – may all your frozen salmon heads be sparkly, and may your day be as twinkly as the light in your eyes.
9:37 am on February 7th, 2015
Yeah, what they said
9:38 am on February 7th, 2015
That’s a wonderful letter to the kids and I love the picture of Night Train. Excellent site.
Happy Birthday Belle Starr!
Good morning all.
10:09 am on February 7th, 2015
Rio: Shakespeare Uncovered can also be viewed online (full episodes and previews). It looks fascinating. Here’s a link:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/
10:12 am on February 7th, 2015
The Google Doodle today commemorates the 148th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
10:14 am on February 7th, 2015
Great New Site, Spence & Admin!
A HAPPY, Happy Birthday, Bellë, You are the Starr of the Day!!
BSD & Masquers
10:14 am on February 7th, 2015
Bee – thanks for mentioning the letter to the kids. We went back and read it. We have a feeling that OFA will be a strong influence and mentor to someone who wants to write someday. Just like his mother was to him.
10:19 am on February 7th, 2015
Happy Birthday Belle Starr!! Sparkle, sparkle.
10:39 am on February 7th, 2015
Rio, there are no pictures left in the history. They are gone and links are broken. The comments seem to be pretty much intact.
10:40 am on February 7th, 2015
Mom said she was only marginally interested in the “Little House” books as a youngster, but now she rereads them and marvels at life then and what the families went through. WE know this HOH would miss today’s technology, even if we aren’t real tech savvy!
11:44 am on February 7th, 2015
Happy birthday to me, me, me! My birthday started with being sure no one loved me and no one remembered. All that Damn Pixie did was hold me on her lap and ask, “Who is a good birthday girl?” If she doesn’t know the answer, I’m not going to tell her. Then it was loves and tummies and snuggles. Thank you ASTA for remembering my birthday when it was clear that Damn Pixie did not. Sparkle, sparkle, splort!
11:47 am on February 7th, 2015
Happy Birthday, Bellie Starr!
Good morning all. The sun is shining here! Moods are much improved.
11:51 am on February 7th, 2015
I knew Shakespeare Uncovered was familiar. (I have a great memory….It’s just short.) I saw some episodes from the first season. The one on Macbeth was with Ethan Hawke and they discussed the language of Shakespeare’s day. Season 1 is available on dvd and Season 2 will come out February 24.
12:14 pm on February 7th, 2015
I know the answer!!! The GBG is none other than my Gal Pal Bellie Starr!!,
12:25 pm on February 7th, 2015
This station/website will be broadcasting the start live.
http://www.ckrw.com
12:47 pm on February 7th, 2015
A SpenceQuinn website? I’ll be there in a minute.
Happy Birthday Belle Starr! I’m sure that damned Pixie will give you a surprise for your special day. Unless the surprise is that there is no surprise!
Yukon Quest already!? Thanks for reminding us, O’Howler’s.
Shakespeare Uncovered is now on my calendar. Thanks BStover.
I have many chores to do today and because it is minus 20 Fahrenheit and minus 41 with the wind chill, all the chores are inside!
1:24 pm on February 7th, 2015
Oh!
I forgot to say: BSD & Masquers: I love the avatar with the two of you together.
1:38 pm on February 7th, 2015
Spence, Very nice new website!
Belle Starr, Happy Birthday1 I hope you get lots of bling for your birthday.
Howlers, Thanks for the links.
1:39 pm on February 7th, 2015
Wow! the art work of Al Momiday in the article above is AMAZING. Great color choices and pleasant to look at! We wish there could be more .
1:54 pm on February 7th, 2015
The dog team pictured at the top of the Yukon Quest’s home page are Siberians instead of Alaska Huskies.
1:58 pm on February 7th, 2015
Letter…what letter? You mean the thingy about book reports in the page about Bowser and Birdie? If so…that was pretty cool. If not…what letter?
2:04 pm on February 7th, 2015
Buddy… Yes, that’s what I’m referring to as a “letter.”
2:17 pm on February 7th, 2015
We missed BSD and Masquers’ combined avatar. Love it! And thanks for pointing it out, Dawson.
Kat and the ‘rents just returned home from Pet-Value, and are now listening to the YQ Start.
Siber, two Sibe teams are starting back to back:
21. Rob Cooke
22. Mike Ellis
2:20 pm on February 7th, 2015
Howlers, I know, I know. I am excited!
The temperature is -38 degrees in Whitehorse. The Yukon Quest Trail is suppose to be in good condition all the way.
2:28 pm on February 7th, 2015
They just said Tony Angelo’s team are Sibes!
2:30 pm on February 7th, 2015
Thank You for the link, O’Howlers. Let the Race begin!
2:33 pm on February 7th, 2015
I have one more musher to cheer for now…Tony Angelo
I am hoping for the usual good videos and pictures (free)of the Quest showing up on the internet.
Oh my, These announcers are such an improvement over the Iditarod announcers. They are giving us all the information possible.
2:33 pm on February 7th, 2015
These announcers are so much better than the Iditarod announcers, in our opinion.
2:33 pm on February 7th, 2015
Howlers, All great Siber minds think alike
2:34 pm on February 7th, 2015
Heh heh! Great Sibes think alike! 🙂
2:34 pm on February 7th, 2015
OMD. Again!
2:52 pm on February 7th, 2015
These announcers even describe what the dogs and mushers are wearing. They are awesome.
2:56 pm on February 7th, 2015
What do we have to do to hear the announcers?
2:57 pm on February 7th, 2015
Bee, if you are on the ckrw link we posted, just click on Listen Live Now button in the upper left corner.
2:58 pm on February 7th, 2015
Fashion reports from the announcers, and they didn’t hire me? I thought I proved myself and ace reporter during the race last weekend. Grump.
3:03 pm on February 7th, 2015
I’m on the link that Howlers posted but I don’t see a Listen Live Now button. I have a map with a symbol jumping up and down.
3:04 pm on February 7th, 2015
GO MIKE and DOGS!!
Belle, You would make a magnificent announcer. The Iditarod needs to hire you.
3:06 pm on February 7th, 2015
Stover, Use the link the Howlers posted at 12:25
3:07 pm on February 7th, 2015
Bee, That is the tracker link we posted early. Later, we posted the radio station:
http://www.ckrw.com
3:11 pm on February 7th, 2015
Bellie, Imagine how great our team’s wardrobe would sound. We would be so proud.
Speaking of wardrobes, Jem still needs $200 to get fully clothed. We know we are all running out of money, but we are wondering if 10 of us could manage to each find a spare $20 laying around somewhere?
If so, email Mama Meash at snowhookdogs@gmail.com
3:14 pm on February 7th, 2015
Okay. Thanks Siber-H and Howlers.
3:24 pm on February 7th, 2015
In honor of Belle Starr’s birthday and inspired by her, please see Prince Teddy and Princess Zeta in their special Prince and Princess scarves. Happy Birthday Belle Starr!

3:30 pm on February 7th, 2015
Aww, love those scarves.
Teddy, what are you doing for your special girl on valentines Day?
3:49 pm on February 7th, 2015
Teddy and Zeta, CUTE!
Teddy has the nicest smile.
4:29 pm on February 7th, 2015
O’Howlers: check your SDD
Hello everyone. It has been cold and very windy here in Anchorage (wind is unusual but when we have it, we really have it). A new furnace system is being put in on Monday&Tuesday which includes radiant heat on the first floor. So those pending visitors will have warm feets after they arrive. I will be without heat or hot water for 2 days (they will give me electric heaters). I didn’t ask if they will be turning off the gas line so that I won’t be able to cook or use the gas fireplace. I guess I’ll find out on Monday.
Things to do….BBL
4:34 pm on February 7th, 2015
Teddy & Zeta Are the Cutest Canine Couple Ever!
4:38 pm on February 7th, 2015
Oops I forgot to mention that my gray tuxedo mama cat got adopted today. I am happy for her and them. The scared mama cat has been doing much better so I am also happy about that. It just takes time.
4:41 pm on February 7th, 2015
It looks like this was the first mission:
Ahem!… Attention everybody!…cough!… I have gone over everyone’s mission reports after FINALLY receiving them….grunt!… Now I know why you all hesitated to give them to me…snort!… I have assembled all the pieces into one final mission report …snort!…This was one of the more complicated missions we have attempted so far and I just want to say ‘Thank You’ to each and every team member who participated ….wheeze!…
Chet!…I do apologize for the length of the report….grunt!…but there were 15 team members to account for and a lot of detail to describe….wheeze!… So with that said, here is what happened.
The team, excluding me, I was back here at Headquarters, all met at the designated secret place where Melanie was instructed to pick everyone up. Molly and Wookie had previously gone over the van making sure the repairs were good and then both had worked feverishly to reconstruct the interior to accommodate the network, and the new computers loaded with special intercepting software. All controls conveniently within Molly’s reach, leaving just enough room for the rest of the team and all their gear.
Once the van arrived, everyone geared up and took their places inside. Melanie, at the wheel, put the pedal to the metal and they took off like a rocket! Wheels squealin’ rubber burning, Molly and Wookie cringing, both knowing what a bad bucket of bolts the van was. With all but a big black ball of smoke left behind…cough!…they were off!
Holy Crap! Melanie had given all 10 Newfs fish to eat beforehand, as a treat, but then unbeknownst to her they had broken into the trash and rolled in the dead fish carcasses…ugh!… gag!… The smell alone was enough to wilt Molly’s poufy tail and cause Wookie to sneeze and sneeze! Lexi was beside herself and cried. Siber-H tried to calm her down by reading stories from the “666: Mark of The Beast” collection. Gagging when he could stand it no longer, his eyes watering… cough!… Siber-H tried to open windows, but that was a disaster when the Newfs drool blew back onto every one!… gag …cough…barf! The air in the van turned a bluish haze very quickly… gulp.
In no time at all, hours and hours upon hours maybe, having to make a few pit stops along the way so Lexi could relieve herself and get Slim Jim treats for everyone, they arrived just outside the Quinn grounds. Melanie eased the reeking, smoking van around to each of the drop off points. One by one the Newfs were let out of the van at their allotted spots, to the mercy of all within.
Next Wookie jumped out and quickly dismantled the Paw Detection Security System. Very easy to do because Spencer still had not gotten round to upgrading his equipment and those lousy connections. Wookie jumped back in the van.
Melanie parked the van in a spot where it was hidden but she could still see the front door and the driveway. Everything was completely silent. An owl hooted. Then suddenly a loud BARK and then a sharp YIIIIIP! rang out from the woods where one of the Newfs had been dropped off. Oh No! Everyone sucked in their breath and waited for the worst to happen. Another owl hooted. Then again, sweet silence descended all around them.
After tucking Lexi into the doll cradle, making sure she was very comfortable, Wookie took the handle in his powerful jaws and snuck to the front door of the house. Quickly, and quietly he put the cradle down and rang the doorbell, but no sound! The doorbell didn’t work! Another household repair left undone by you know who. Wookie, thinking on all four paws, grabbed the cradle in his jaws with Lexi inside and slammed it against the door! Knock Three Times! Lexi held on for dear life but after getting a bout of motion sickness puked up all over herself and the covers… Ugh!
Wookie ran round to the back of the house to Audrey’s doggie door. This door had been newly installed because lately Audrey has been wanting outside a lot more than usual. Spence had Admin do this so he could get some work done without “that damn dog” whining and crying every few minutes interrupting his deep concentration as he sits motionless, starring out the window…uh …writing.
Siber-H was already at the back of the house. Uh oh! He was playing the “Lick and Sniff” game with Audrey, who had run to the back door thinking it was Wookie! There were a few tense moments after Wookie rammed Siber-H and sent him a rollin’ in the dirt. Siber-H got up and shook himself off, apologized profusely to Wookie for the misunderstanding. Pals again! (hopefully) They squeezed thru the new doggie door.
“Poor little thing,” said big burley Admin, after he opened the front door and saw Lexi all covered in puke and knotted up in the blankets. Playing her part to the fullest, she looked up at him with those big brown eyes….
Wookie and Siber-H watched as Admin brought the cradle inside. Admin headed towards the other side of the house where there was a bathroom. Spence! Waking up from his trance like state of mind, heard the commotion and then – weird – Admin talking to someone. He decided to go see what was happening and followed the sounds to the bathroom.
“Isn’t she the cutest lil thing? Can we keep her?” Admin was pleading, “I’ll take care of her.” Spencer looked doubtful, knowing the ‘Of Mice and Men’ Lennie like nature of Admin… sigh.
Wookie, seeing his chance, went straight to Spencer’s computer and phone line where he installed the “Loosen Spencer’s Tongue” software upgrade to the existing Mind Control Device. He also put in place the intercepting do-hickey-ma-bob, for all things electrical in the house. Molly, immediately seeing activity on her computer screen within the van, excitedly started working on the complicated steps needed to complete the interception communications dialog. Whew!
Meanwhile! Siber-H crept from room to room searching for Admin’s brief case. Timing was everything now. Wookie and Molly had to successfully complete the techno nerd stuff. Lexi had to continue to distract Admin and Spencer with her brilliant cuteness and bathtub antics. Siber-H had to find the brief case or else. Wait! There, shoved under a low-lying bed frame was a large black brief case. That had to be it! He had seen no other brief case anywhere else and was quickly running out of rooms to search. He made a decision.
Lexi sprayed water all over Admin and Spencer when she shook. They laughed and laughed. Admin grabbed her, maybe a little too roughly, causing Spence to say, “Easy big guy.” Out came the blow dryer and in no time Lexi was all dry and fluffy once again. Admin started to stroke her fur, gently at first. Spence intervened and put Lexi on the floor. Once down, she BOLTED big time! She ran straight to the front door, realizing it was closed; she darted to the back of the house.
Siber-H coming round the corner saw Lexi and grabbed her by the nape of the neck and they escaped out Audrey’s doggie door before Admin even knew she was gone. Wookie was already outside playing a new game with Audrey. Siber-H averted Lexi’s eyes and headed straight for the van at full Siber-speed. Lexi was swaying back and forth in his strong jaws. Another bout of motion sickness overcame her right when they got to the van….Ugh!
Molly got the brief case Intel from Siber-H and immediately put the Newfs on alert. Her paws were a blur as she worked the computer and other controls all at once. Then all HELL broke loose inside the house. The security system and smoke alarms were going off all at once. The lights were blinking off and on, all of the electrical appliances were on and moving around. Spencer’s computer started smoking. Admin called 911, which of course was intercepted by Molly. She had Melanie tell Admin “Help will be on the way at once.” Heh.
The Newfs, in full SWAT gear, bounded out from all directions. They circled the house and one by one entered through Audrey’s doggie door. Spence and Admin were completely at their wits end with all the noise, flashing and electrical appliances going crazy. Franklin ran straight to Spencer’s computer and started shutting off all the alarms. Mac, hefting a brief case similar to the one Siber-H had found, went to the spot Molly had instructed him.
Ellie, Bess, Patsy, Mattie, Ros, Rosie, Katie and Grace all circled Spence and Admin, trapping them in the living room. Ellie pushed a button and Melanie’s voice
said “Stay….do not… move…..will bite…Ass!..” Apparently, the little recording device was damaged when Ellie dropped it. So, only parts of the message were coming out. This did not put Spence and Admin at ease.
Franklin finished shutting everything off and met up with Mac as he was coming round the corner with the large black brief case in tow. “Our job is done here! Have a nice day!” said Melanie’s voice. They left out the front door with “thanks” and “good bye” from Spence and Admin. Wow!
Racing to the van while stripping off their gear, the Newfs had successfully accomplished their first mission! Hooray! They all jumped in and everybody held their breath for as long as they could. Wookie was the last to arrive just in time to help Melanie get the van started again. With a Boom Boom Bang ! It started up and Melanie gunned it.
Everyone stared at the brief case. With respect to Commander Rio they probably should have waited to open it back at Headquarters. But curiosity over-took Molly and she picked the lock. Then she got nervous and made Wookie open it. He slowly lifted the lid, took one look, and slammed it shut!
They could all see the disappointment on his typically good natured jowls. Molly shoved him aside and opened the brief case again. To their dismay, they saw Twinkies, Peeps, trashy magazines, moist towelettes, duct tape, doggie treats, and a can of Dapper Dan pomade. No First Draft anywhere! Oh No! For all their best efforts they knew they would have to break the news to Commander Rio very gently, knowing he would take this failure very personally. They all chewed thoughtfully on the doggie treats.
4:44 pm on February 7th, 2015
Woo Hooo! Jem is now 80% dressed for the Last Great Race!!!
GO SNOWHOOK!!!
4:49 pm on February 7th, 2015
Mollypop’s Mom, Thank you! That is amazing and so much fun to read again.
4:52 pm on February 7th, 2015
Wow! Youse guys sure lived dangerously before we got to this here blog.
5:40 pm on February 7th, 2015
Thanks MPM & commander Rio: That was an excellent mission!
5:41 pm on February 7th, 2015
Wow! MollyPop’s Mom, Thank You for re-posting that Incredible Adventure! What a Mission!
7:26 pm on February 7th, 2015
Yeeep!….Yeee Old Mission Notes have surfaced…snorkel!…heh!heh!…I really should have spent more time writing them up….sniff!
7:34 pm on February 7th, 2015
Weeee — that was fun reading all about that mission. That was long before we arrived. We had heard about missions, but hadn’t started lurking yet.
(and we gotta tell you, Mama is a little teary eyed, but sniffling in a good way of happy memories)
7:49 pm on February 7th, 2015
CHobbit: Congratulations on getting Tuxedo Mama Cat adopted and on getting scaredy cat a bit more socialized.
8:18 pm on February 7th, 2015
SpenceQuinn.com!….snort!….I really love the new modern looking website…chuffle!…It is about damned time…grunt!
8:25 pm on February 7th, 2015
MollyPop’s and LouLou’s mom. Bob Hope could not have said it better. Thanks for the memories . . . .
http://www.popmodal.com/video/5070/Bob-Hope–Thanks-For-The-Memories
8:57 pm on February 7th, 2015
Mission!…I remember writing this Mission one afternoon when me and my friend were sitting with her Paw while her Mother and Grandma where out and about …sniff!… He was still able to read at the time and that is what he was doing while I was writing this story in the same room with him…sniffle!
9:00 pm on February 7th, 2015
Down Memory Lane – Much more to come. I’m only up to April 2010.
9:11 pm on February 7th, 2015
Oh boy!
9:30 pm on February 7th, 2015
Dawson, I’m coming up on zippy/yppiz. I hope nose wad is still out there.
9:32 pm on February 7th, 2015
Teddy: Thank you for that photo of you and Princess Zeta. I’m still waiting for the sparkle truck to arrive with my birthday delivery. That Damn Pixie says I may be waiting for a long time. What do you think she means by that?
9:33 pm on February 7th, 2015
Oh Dog, Nosewad and Rio were so funny when they fought.
10:00 pm on February 7th, 2015
Fights!…I never remember fighting with Dawson…sniff!…We havehad our disagreements in the past, present and future…heh!heh!
10:02 pm on February 7th, 2015
Bellie!…I would send you a birthday card but there is nothing out there that Sparkles enough. You outshine them all….snorkel!… Happy Birthday my dear!
10:03 pm on February 7th, 2015
ok, They were very funny disagreements.
10:16 pm on February 7th, 2015
SiberH: I kinda, sorta remember “disagreements” with Rio. I don’t remember them being “funny”.
10:24 pm on February 7th, 2015
Rio: Thank you for the shiny snorkel birthday wish.
Have I had disagreements before? Yes. I’m currently having one with that Damn Pixie. She insists on sitting on my couch. It could be a funny disagreement except she’s not funny.
10:34 pm on February 7th, 2015
Dawson, Trust me. They were funny. You held your own with Rio.
10:56 pm on February 7th, 2015
Hey – how’ bout us? We tweak Rio’s nose every chance we get. Are we funny too?
You better say yes, cuz we are fierce Kats!
11:10 pm on February 7th, 2015
Dawson!…I do not remember either…snort!…So no hard feelings, Zippy….heh!heh!
11:21 pm on February 7th, 2015
Zippy….LOL
I remember Zippy.
Rio and Nosewad are conveniently forgetting everything.
Night All
11:31 pm on February 7th, 2015
Mops: No hard feelings.
12:44 am on February 8th, 2015
As usual, late!
Happy Birthday, Belle Star! Hope you had a wonderful day!
MPM, mom is loving hearing about the “old days.” Thank you.
1:14 am on February 8th, 2015
Yowza! Mpop’s and Lou lou’s Mom really hit the wayback machine hard! That was a great mission even if it came up a little short. At least the briefcase had dog treats!
10:50 pm on March 20th, 2015
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