The Cloud

“Hi, Bernie.”

“Hi, Daniel. Everything all right?”

“Mrs. Parsons could be doing a little better.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“But she’s cheerful,” said Mr. Parsons. “No complaints. And she was real pleased, the way you replaced her soap collection. Much obliged.”

“Don’t mention it,” Bernie said.

Soap collection? Itty-bitty brightly colored things in a toilet, the water rising and rising and rising? My one visit to Iggy’s house, some time back? The plumber racing up in his truck? I came close to remembering some of that. But, as humans said, no cigar, and no cigar was just peachy with me – I’d toyed with a stub or two and cigars didn’t do it, although I have no problem with the smell. And funnily enough peaches weren’t really peachy with me, either, so why did … ? Somewhere in there I lost the thread.

“ … puppy I was telling you about?” Mr. Parsons was saying.

“The one you saw in the canyon?” Bernie said.

“Exactly,” said Mr. Parsons. “Spotted the little fella again this afternoon. Even managed to snap a picture of him on my cell phone – first time I got the damn thing to work.”

“Soon you’ll be uploading to the cloud,” Bernie said.

Mr. Parsons gave Bernie a quick look, then nodded. “That’s true,” he said. “And except for how I’ll miss Mrs. Parsons, I’m ready. I’ve had a good life.”

From A Fistful of Collars.

Welcome Bogart (first Bogart in the Friends gallery? We think so.)

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 at 8:57 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.

167 Responses to “The Cloud”

  1. B. Stover
    9:08 am on February 27th, 2013

    “No cigar”? I’ve never heard that Chet. The cloud is a bit of a mystery to me also. On my iPad it has “cloud” and “device.” Huh? I’ll have to go look at Bogart’s picture.

    Lot’s of wet snow here. Good morning all.

  2. Barb & Maggie
    9:18 am on February 27th, 2013

    A lot of snow here too. Occasional flakes floating down, but most of it is over. Sorry to hear that Rose and The Prof. have to wait till this afternoon, but at least they should have a better flight today.

    Would have loved to see that scene with Chet and Iggy.

  3. O'Howlers
    9:27 am on February 27th, 2013

    Good morning. What a laugh! Mr. Parsons uploading to the Cloud, but he will miss Mrs. Parsons. heh heh heh heh…can’t stop laughing now.

  4. Princess Sam
    9:40 am on February 27th, 2013

    Molly’s Mom is still here and I just had my soft boiled egg.

  5. steve
    9:42 am on February 27th, 2013

    “Close but no cigar.”

  6. O'Howlers
    9:47 am on February 27th, 2013

    Siber-H up top, with toys!!!! (love how much Rio hates when we announce who is up top)

  7. bluecat
    9:56 am on February 27th, 2013

    For Bee and thanks, Steve –

    Close but no cigar:
    The phrase dates from the mid 20th century when fairground would give out cigars as prizes. There is no concrete proof that the phrase came from this, but it seems to be the most likely source. Thus, the cigar was a prize. A person would play a game at a fairground and then if he did not win, he would be told, “Close, but no cigar,” since he did not win the cigar.

    The phrase is first recorded in print in the 1935 script, Annie Oakley. This was published by Sayre and Twist. The exact phrase in the script is, “Close Colonel, but no cigar.”

    Thinking about Melanie & Zoe, Wose & the Prof, Macy’s mom & dad, trusting today looks brighter.

    Onward Snowhook!

  8. Whitey-Lance
    10:00 am on February 27th, 2013

    After the pups cleaned my tail last night, I stopped by Mission Control for one last check on Rose’s travels. I must have fallen asleep at Mission Control, because I woke to a transmission from Rose. This was followed by a phone call from my mama to Rose. Their flight doesn’t leave until early afternoon, but they will be heading to the airport early. Rose sounded tired. From what I gathered, and I may be fuzzy on the details, they stayed at a motel called the Ashtray. It must be a local outfit, because I’ve never heard of the Ashtray hotel chain. Paws crossed that the rest of their trip north to Alaska! is smooth.

  9. Riö – The Evil Pug
    10:02 am on February 27th, 2013

    Cloud!…heh!snort!heh!…When I first read about Mr. Parson uploading to the Cloud I had to laugh out loud…snort!…And I never laugh…sniff!

    Ashtray!…gah!..I bet there were bed-bugs there too…gurgle!

  10. Sharon's Herd of Hounds
    10:03 am on February 27th, 2013

    Stayed at the Ashtray? Is that close but no cigar?

  11. Trigger
    10:47 am on February 27th, 2013

    Hi folks.
    Message from Masquers saying it is unavoidable but he expects to be off the grid today. The mom is a sicko.
    Since the FTD is in the capable paws of Whitey-Lance we won’t worry.
    Aside to Franklin: Very relieved to hear you are okay Pal.
    Lastly – May good fortune shine on our weary travelers today.

  12. Rose
    10:53 am on February 27th, 2013

    After a night’s stay at a no-tell motel in chicago, the Prof and me are heading back to O’Hare in a few minutes. We are scheduled to depart O’Hare at 1:54 and arrive in Houston at 4:45. Then on to Anchorage, arrival time 11:49 pm. Don’t know if I’ll have internet connection any time soon. Love youse guys.

    My hugs, love, prayers to Melanie, Zoe and Franklin.

  13. dawson
    11:04 am on February 27th, 2013

    Like Mr.Parsons, Dad has had a good life and is ready to upload to the cloud.

    I wonder how that little pup that looks like Chet is doing – living rough. It’s still a long way to September.

    Zelda, a friend of Chet and Rose, is up top. She bodes well for Rose and Prof’s travels today.

  14. Tupper and Gilly
    11:16 am on February 27th, 2013

    That scene of Chet and Iggy’s visit is a classic!
    And Mama says there are days when she kinda looks hopefully at that cloud too. Who hasn’t?

    Today is the anniversary of the Supreme Court upholding the 19th amendment that gives women the right to vote.
    (We figured that BlueCat is so smart, we better hold up our end too)

  15. Riö – The Evil Pug
    11:17 am on February 27th, 2013

    Maskers!…Gah!..You mean I have to run the FTD with that Whitey again today…yeep!…He better have his tail cleaned off…sniff!

  16. O'Howlers
    11:22 am on February 27th, 2013

    Glad Rose was able to post. This is a trip she won’t soon forget (as if she could ever forget a trip to Alaska at Iditarod time!)
    T&G, Thanks for the reminder that today is the anniversary of the 19th amendment…but we didn’t know SCOTUS had to rule on it? Tell us more. And why oh why do so many women refuse to pay homage to the struggle our foremothers went thru to secure the vote, by VOTING!
    Head bumps to Melanie, Zoe, Franklin, Macy and her mom and dad.

  17. Rose
    11:29 am on February 27th, 2013

    Sharon, it is way far from being close, but many cigars were smoked in this room! wheeze!

  18. Rose
    11:31 am on February 27th, 2013

    Rio! You really skeeved me out with the bedbugs…I feel itchy all over. I know the FTD is in capable hands with you and W-L.

  19. Siber-H
    11:34 am on February 27th, 2013

    Good to hear from Rose!

    How is Franklin doing this morning?

    Masquers, I am sorry your mom is sick and I hope she starts feeling better soon. (Hi, Trigger!)
    Rio and Whitey-Lance will have to be in charge of reporting on Rose’s flight.

  20. Siber-H
    11:38 am on February 27th, 2013

    Speaking of the Cloud, and Spence did, I have a question for you tech people.

    When I put an item in my Kindle in the archives, the item is no longer really in the Kindle, is it? It is in Amazon’s Cloud, isn’t it?

  21. Riö – The Evil Pug
    12:11 pm on February 27th, 2013

    SiberH!…Yes! – you’ve had a technological break-through…heh!heh!

  22. Tupper and Gilly
    12:13 pm on February 27th, 2013

    SIBER! By George, we think you’ve got it!

  23. B. Stover
    12:20 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Siber-H: I’ve never put anything in Kindle archives. On your Kindle you can select “device” (everything on the Kindle) or “cloud” (everything on your Kindle account at Amazon.com). You can go to Amazon.com and download anything that is in your archives to your Kindle via Whispernet. Sorry…this probably does not answer your question.

  24. B. Stover
    12:24 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Siber-H: This is from “Managing your Kindle” on Amazon.com:

    “All books you purchase are automatically backed up on Amazon.com. When you remove a book from your Kindle, it appears in your Archived Items.

    Note that if you wish to permanently remove a book so that it will no longer appear in your Archived Items please see Managing Your Kindle on Amazon.com.”

  25. B. Stover
    12:26 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Has anyone ever read the Charles Lenox Mysteries by Charles Finch?

  26. B. Stover
    12:36 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Thanks for the info Bluecat. Even though the “no cigar” saying is from Annie Oakley, I assume women could not play games at a fairground in 1935? (I wouldn’t consider a cigar a great prize.)

  27. c.hobbit
    12:38 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Poor Rose and the Prof…they will miss out on one of their precious days in Alaska. {{{sniff}}}} But the grand adventure is still on and excitement awaits the weary travelers. I’m sorry they are arriving at night since they won’t see anything on their drive from Anchorage to Wasilla. They will have to catch the spectacular scenery on Thursday.

  28. dawson
    12:40 pm on February 27th, 2013

    SiberH: You have just lost your technologically-challenged status.

  29. Siber-H
    12:41 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Thank all of you for your answers! Woo Woo
    I use Cloud technology!

  30. Siber-H
    12:43 pm on February 27th, 2013

    err, no, Dawson…All it takes is a couple of touches of my toenail to get an item into Amazon’s Cloud.

  31. Alice M. Johnson
    12:44 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Good morning again. Mr.Staff and I are going out to have lunch and go to bookstores. Then shopping and then home. A hospice volunteer will be here with Dad while we are gone. Yippee!
    We are going to Baker’s Square because Wednesday is free pie day!

    Yum. Cherry is my favorite.

  32. OleyHowlers
    12:47 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Siber, won’t you miss your mom?

  33. B. Stover
    12:52 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Siber-H is making me laugh.

    Enjoy the pie Staff. I’m baking banana nut-bread. I should make banana cream pie instead but…no.

  34. Siber-H
    12:53 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Fellow Sibers, lol I am not sending my mom to Amazon’s Cloud, but, you know, it might be a good place to put dog abusers.

  35. Riö – The Evil Pug
    12:59 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Alice!…Are you making Staff stay at home with Hospice?

  36. Riö – The Evil Pug
    12:59 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Alice!…Are you making Staff stay at home with Hospice?…snort!

  37. Riö – The Evil Pug
    1:00 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Damn!…heh!

  38. bluecat
    1:03 pm on February 27th, 2013

    I have this vision of the cloud: characters from the books in it are wandering around, talking to each other, like the “books” in Fahrenheit 451 and they have to run like crazy when they’re called back from the cloud to be read.

    Staff – hope you and Mr. Staff find wonderful books.

    Onward, Wose & the Prof!

  39. Whitey-Lance
    1:03 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio: My tail is all clean now. If you can forgive my once sparkly tail, I will overlook your, er, emmissions. Pancho and Lefty said they would drop off some hot wings later today so we don’t starve while we manage the FTD.

  40. Riö – The Evil Pug
    1:09 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…I’ve successfully programmed in Rose’s next leg of the journey into the FTD…snort!…The plane is on it’s way and will land at O’Hare in 33 minutes…grunt!…At that time Rose and the Prof can board, relax and drink pink champagne while jetting off to Houston…wheeze!

  41. OleyHowlers
    1:18 pm on February 27th, 2013

    We can’t figure out why Rose must go south from Chicago to Houston, in order to go north to Alaska (queue the music).

    Trigger, Kat says she is on standby to go smoochering out to Masquers mom.

  42. Riö – The Evil Pug
    1:23 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Houston!… From Houston it’s a straight shot to Anchorage…heh!…But a very long flight…sniff!

  43. Luna
    1:26 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Kat: Belle Starr and I are ready to deploy to fulfill our smooching duties. We tried to blur to Rose yesterday, but the weather was too bad. We gave it the old Snowhook try, but mother nature won that round. Sam, are you available for smooching Masquer’s mom?

  44. Melanie
    1:34 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Hope Rose and her Prof get aboard and aloft with no worries.

    Franklin is feeling fine. (Who wouldn’t with what he is taking?) the radar has been showing us having rain for the past three hours. Funny looking rain. White, fluffy and heavy.

    I’m headed upstairs to do some map work.

  45. Luna
    1:48 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Melanie: Please stay under the quilt. We worry about you, and our best guess is that Franklin makes quite a pillow.

  46. Siber-H
    1:51 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rose and the Professor wil be flying over ME!!!

    Rio, When do I go out and look up and wave?

    I am very glad Franklin is so much better.

  47. Whitey-Lance
    1:58 pm on February 27th, 2013

    SiberH: That means they will be able to see your latest construction from the air.

  48. Melanie
    1:59 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Awesome Dawson . .
    Snowbella or any of her kin,
    Please check SDD.

  49. Gus and BooBear
    2:03 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Wonder how long Wose’s layover is in Houston ? Mom works about 10 minutes from the airport. Hmm. Problem is now you can’t go thru security without a ticket and if ur a passenger, you would have to hassle with security again if you come out to meet someone. Not a problem if you have hours, but not practical if its a short layover. And we know they are hoping for a short layover so they can head north to Alaska (cue music, please).

  50. Tupper and Gilly
    2:04 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Siber – we have a much better, albeit substantially warmer place to put any animal abusers.

    FREE PIE DAY??? We never have a free pie day here. sob sob

    Hope Rose and the Prof are in first class seats as they go off into the wild blue yonder.

    Melanie – all rain here now, washing away that horrid white stuff. And the temp is heading up to 40 degrees. Woo Hooo! Spring IS coming.

  51. Princess Sam
    2:05 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Luna, I’m available for Smoochers duty. I’ve been clinging to Molly’s Mom to help her get better and I packed her off the ski country an hour ago. She said the new antibiotic and my cuddles made her feel better.

  52. Melanie
    2:41 pm on February 27th, 2013

    From out of the cloud . . The Plunderer’s Official Iditarod Map!

    This large file is suitable for desktop or just to keep handy to figure out where Our Favorite Team is during the race.

  53. Whitey-Lance
    2:47 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Announcement! Wose and the Professor have boarded the plane! I can report that sources closest to the action say it is a much larger plane than yesterday.

    I can also report from Mission Control that the Houston layover is 45 minutes Their gates should be near each other so they won’t have to do much running around.

  54. Riö – The Evil Pug
    2:49 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…Rose and the Prof have boarded the plane and are awaiting take-off…snort!snort!

  55. Riö – The Evil Pug
    2:52 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Hmmmpphfff!…Whitey had more Intel than I did…grunt!

  56. Barb & Maggie
    2:55 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Thanks for the updates, and thanks Melanie for the map.

    Rio always likes to hear who is up top so ….taadaa, it is no other than Rio, Wookie and Spence sharing hot wings!

  57. dawson
    2:55 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Melanie: Thanks for the Checkpoint Map. The Iditarod is coming up fast and this map will help immensely to figure out where the Giant is at any given time and to remember and honor friends and family of Chet the Dog. Go Snowhook doggies!

  58. Whitey-Lance
    3:04 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio: We’re a team, you and me.

  59. Siber-H
    3:10 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Thank you for the map, Melanie. Should it be put up on dishlickers?

    Thanks Rio and Whitey-Lance. Once that plane takes off, it won’t be long before it is over NM.

  60. B. Stover
    3:13 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Thanks Melanie.

  61. Riö – The Evil Pug
    3:13 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Taxiing!…grunt!…They’ve been taxiing around the runway for 20 minutes now…sniff!…The 45 minute lay-over isn’t looking very long right now…wheeze!

    SiberH!…They will not be flying over New Mexico Way…snort!…Sorry pal.

  62. O'Howlers
    3:15 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Hi Melanie!!!! Hi Franklin!!!!

    Siber, we thought you were uploaded to the Cloud, leaving your mom behind. 🙂

    Do we know if Rose and the Prof are airborn?

    G&BB: Thanks. Cue not queue. duh

  63. Riö – The Evil Pug
    3:28 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Enroute!…Rose and the Prof are finally airborn and on their way south, but not over New Mexico…sniff!

  64. O'Howlers
    3:45 pm on February 27th, 2013

    We didn’t even realize we were at page 2 when last we posted. Thnks soooo much for the great map, Melanie. We here love to track where the Giant and the A-Team are vis-a-vis (???) our beloved’s checkpoints.

    Kat said she will wave in the plane window to Wose on her way out to Masquer’s mom’s place. We hope that doesn’t scare Wose or the Professor.

  65. Gus and BooBear
    3:50 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Shouldn’t have a problem in Houston. Beautiful weather!

  66. Whitey-Lance
    4:00 pm on February 27th, 2013

    G&BB: My mama had the thought to let you know about Rose’s layover in Houston until she realized how short it is.

    Melanie: The map! How do you do it?

    In one hour the team will be loaded in the dog truck and taken to race headquarters for vet checks. AJ is responsible for the lifting and my mama takes charge of the paperwork.

    Smoochers less Masquers: Luna and Belle Starr left a bit ago. You should be picked up for blurring soon.

  67. Riö – The Evil Pug
    4:18 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…snort!…Rose and the Prof are half way to Houston…wheeze!

  68. Riö – The Evil Pug
    4:20 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Junior!…Oh no! He hates those V-e-t Checks..grunt!…Keep your eyebrows calm son…sniff!

  69. Melanie
    4:41 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Glad to hear Rose & Prof are on the way south. What?
    Weird.
    I am signing off. Have just finished using the snow blower (poorly) and shovel. Still doing something out there, but I have no idea what to call it.
    The snowed blower said, “You have got to be kidding me.” when we got to the end of the driveway. The plows have not been a help. 10 inches of snow has turned into 8 inches of heavy snow and slush.

    Snowhook Forever!

  70. Siber-H
    4:51 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Ok I got mixed up. They are really taking off from Chicago when I thought they were taking off from Houston.

  71. Siber-H
    4:58 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio, Could you please put up the flight path once they leave Houston. Mom just told me they still might not fly over NM after Houston.

  72. Whitey-Lance
    4:59 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio: It is all you for the FTD for a bit. I need to go supervise as the Giant and our Lady take the team for vet checks. I will also keep an eye on Junior and make sure his eyebrows remain where nature intended.

    More to Rio: My Lady says she will stop at the store for more FTD watching provisions in the way of Slim Jims and Yummy Chummies.

  73. Whitey-Lance
    5:18 pm on February 27th, 2013

    W.L. here reporting from the front lines. I am happy to report my Lady is where her Dawson coveralls sent to her by Staff. They are her go-to chore clothes for vet checks. She thinks they need to be washed. I think they smell great—with a little bit of each one of us provided the aroma.

  74. B. Stover
    5:19 pm on February 27th, 2013

    One time I left Vegas and had to stop in Los Angeles to get to Michigan. Another time, on a non-stop flight to Florida, we stopped in Atlanta…for seven hours. I hate flying.

  75. c.hobbit
    5:39 pm on February 27th, 2013

    The World Ice Carving Competition is in progress in Fairbanks. Right now is the “single block” entries. I think there are 45 entries, each with a webcam trained on the action. If you’d like to view go to the following (it takes a moment to load) and click on the individual sites listed:
    http://www.icealaska.com/sculptures/2013-sculpture-pages/single-block-2013.html

  76. Whitey-Lance
    5:42 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Landed! Wose landed in Houston!

  77. Riö – The Evil Pug
    5:54 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Landed!…I fell asleep waiting for my hot-wings and slim-jims…sniff!…Rose and the Prof landed 20 minutes ago and will now be racing to the next gate…grunt!…How will they get their luggage you ask? I have no idea…wuffle!

  78. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    5:55 pm on February 27th, 2013

    C.Honbit, I hope you can make an appearance! It was so wonderful to have you On-The-Scene! The reporting won’t be the same!

  79. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    5:57 pm on February 27th, 2013

    I did NOT type Honbit. Honey, Sheesh!

  80. c.hobbit
    6:01 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Ah Wolfie….I actually like it! :-}

  81. B. Stover
    6:03 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Luggage is transferred by the airline from one flight to another.

  82. OleyHowlers
    7:06 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Is the new flight taxiing yet?

  83. Wolfie Wigglebutt
    7:15 pm on February 27th, 2013

    And I did not say honey, either. I said honest!

  84. OleyHowlers
    7:23 pm on February 27th, 2013

    We can’t view the ice carving webcam on our iPaw.

  85. OleyHowlers
    7:24 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Never mind. We are able to view them just not #1

  86. Barb & Maggie
    7:38 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Hope they arrive with the luggage. What a long trip! Night all.

  87. Siber-H
    7:55 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Are Rose and the Prof in the air now?

  88. Riö - The Evil Pug
    8:10 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…snort!…Whitey and I got busy on some serious snacking and forgot to alert you all when they took off for Seattle…burp!…They have been in the air 1 hour 21 minutes with 2 hours and 51 minutes to go….grunt!…Right now they are over the Okalahoma Panhandle totally bypassing New Mexico…snort!

  89. Sharon's Herd of Hounds
    8:21 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Seattle??? Thought they were heading to Anchorage? When did Seattle happen?

  90. Siber-H
    8:22 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Snort and Yark…I won’t be able to wave to them…sniff

    Ah Well, Mom’s dad was born in the Oklahoma Panhandle

  91. Siber-H
    8:24 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Are they stopping in Seattle on their way to Anchorage?

  92. Riö - The Evil Pug
    8:25 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Seattle!…Yup!…Unless I programmed it incorrectly, and I did not…sniff!…They are on their way to Seattle…grunt!…From Seattle there is a flight to Alaska that leaves at 9:26 PMS time (Pacific Masker Time)…heh!…Arrival in Anchorage will be approx. 11:39 AST (Alaska Snowhook Time)…wheeze! …Do not question the FTD!…burp!

  93. Sharon's Herd of Hounds
    8:33 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Would never question the FTD, but are they getting lots of flyer miles?

  94. Riö - The Evil Pug
    8:35 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Sharon!….You do the math!…heh!

  95. Sharon's Herd of Hounds
    8:39 pm on February 27th, 2013

    1+1=2 Now where? Whooo, none of us can see straight after this, thihk we’ll curl up and catch up in the a.m.

  96. Riö - The Evil Pug
    8:45 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Tracking!…I know I will be forced to go up to bed at 7:00 or 8:00 AST….grunt!…Damn that Maskers for getting sick during the only job I expect him to do for us…grumble!…Where’s Bear? Could he? Would he? Be able to give FTD updates?…sniff!…Seems he’s been hibernating with ole Maskers though, so I have my doubts…grump!…Well, at least there are plenty of snacks around here for now..heh!burp!

  97. Riö - The Evil Pug
    8:49 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!….Rose and the Prof are flying over the Colorado right now!….Woooooo!….I will be going outside to fart my excitement soon because they will be right over my backyard…woooo!wheee!

  98. Whitey-Lance
    8:50 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio: I’m just pulling into Mission Control to wait out the rest of the race, I mean plane ride with you. We have so many Slim Jims of all different flavors. My Lady was feeling generous because the dogs did well at the vet check. After the vet check, they drove to the craft store in town so my Lady could get some reflective ribbon to sew on the dog jackets.

    We recieved a text from Rose that they will stop in Seattle for fuel. This, we did not know until we received her text.

  99. Junior
    9:22 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Senior: I don’t mean to brag, but the vet who examined me said I was a good boy. I gave my mama a hug through the entire exam which the vet said made it easier on her back. I was happy to help even if I didn’t know it—I just sought out the arms of my familiar. My mama told the vet I was a rookie, and the vet said, “You wouldn’t know it. He is acting like a pro.” Can you believe? Me? A pro? My mama beamed with pride—I could tell by her smile and the ear scritch she gave me. The vet may or may not have examined my eyebrows. To tell you the truth, I still don’t know what they are, but I assume I would have heard something if they wheezed or had a irregular beat.

  100. OleyHowlers
    9:25 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rose should have gassed up before she left Houston. Or Chicago. heh heh

    W-L, how did the team do at the Poke and Prod? As a good coach, did you lead by example, and submit to the poke and prod?

  101. OleyHowlers
    9:28 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Oops, we were typing at the same time as Junior posted. Way to go, Junior!

    It is cumbersome to type with Buddy constantly trying to crawl on top of the iPaw.

  102. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:30 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Junior!…You make an old guy proud….snuffle!…I’m burstin’..wuffle!

  103. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:32 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…Rose and the Prof are jetting over Wyoming right now…sniff!…They may or may not be eating Buffalo Steak…burp!

  104. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:36 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Wookies!…I miss the Wookie-Family…sniffle!…When or when will they be back from their vacation somewhere in the South?…wuffle!burp!

  105. Whitey-Lance
    9:40 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Howlers: If the team need me to set an example for them of proper poking and proding behavior, I would have been happy to do so, but I’m not on the list. The Giant whittled his list of starting line hopefuls to 18 today. These 18 dogs had to also have been examined at the first round of vet checks. I was not among either group. I like this coaching gig for the most part. The only part I don’t like is that my whistle went the way of Lefty. Speaking of the theif, my mama and the Giant asked the vets to pay special attention to Lefty because he’s recently been anti-biotics for a respritory infection. They listened to his lungs over and over. If there was problem with the way his lungs sounded, I was certain I knew the answer—he ate my whistle. But, no. The two vets that gave a lookie-listen didn’t claim to her my whistle.

  106. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:44 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Dixie!…I bet Ole Lefty could whistle Dixie while he paw-picked their pockets and the V-e-t-s wouldn’t know about it…heh!…Glad he is Tip-Top because the A-Team needs him…wheeze! burp!

  107. OleyHowlers
    9:46 pm on February 27th, 2013

    W-L, don’t ask us how, but we think your whistle somehow got in our mom’s lungs. We hear it every time she whistles. If she ever coughs it up, we will air mail it to ya.

    Beddy bye time for us, folks. Nighty moose noodles.

  108. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:50 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Publicist!…Gave Snowhook a nod and a hat-tip on facebookie along with displaying the awesome patch!…snort!…Thank you Melanie, over and over again. AND the anonymous donor, whoever you are…wheeze!…I sure wish I knew who you are…wuffle!

  109. BearSpiritDog
    9:50 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio! Just received your Most Important Message.
    I can take over controls at Mission Central for the next couple of hours if Whitey-Lance will handle the last segment of The Long, Long Journey. You definitely need a break, my friend.

    All we know is our Wose may never opt to fly the “Friendly Skies” again.

  110. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:52 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…Rose and the Prof have left Wyoming and are now in Idaho, of all places…heh!heh!…Potatoes are on the menu, in all forms…burp!

  111. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:53 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Bear!…That is really good news Bear…snort!…As I would really like to curl up and watch American Idol right now…whuffle!burp!…There are a few snacks left for you, maybe.

  112. Whitey-Lance
    9:53 pm on February 27th, 2013

    BSD: I will be at Mission Control until our traveling Plunderer lands in Alaska. Welcome back. I hope your mom is feeling better.

    Howlers: No offense to your mom, but would you mind rinsing of my whistle before you mail it to me? Germs, you know.

  113. Wookie's Dad
    9:55 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio. Boy, we go on vacation for a couple of days and all heck breaks loose. Our IPaw wasn’t working well, so we were out of touch for a while, but have just caught up. Glad that Franklin is feeling better and that Wose and the Prof are finally heading in the right direction. We were about to offer up the Wookiemobile. Prayers for Macy’s dad too.
    And for Stover, Debbie has read the Charles Finch/Lenox series and liked it a lot. We also just finished a great historical mystery novel by Grecian called The Yard — we would recommend it very, very highly.
    Melanie — thanks for the map.
    Rio — great job at mission control. Have some extra hot wings on Wookie.
    Travel day tomorrow. Hugs and kisses to everyone.

  114. Riö - The Evil Pug
    9:58 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Idol!…That little Kentucky gal is singing and she is HIGH on our list of who will winnit!….wOOOOowww!

  115. Whitey-Lance
    9:59 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio: My Lady really appreciates the nod and the hat tip on Chet’s facebookie.

    Wookie’s Dad: Head bumps to you and Wookie’s mom. Safe travels.

  116. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:00 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Wookies-Paw!…Oh thank dawg you guys are coming home soon…heh!…I’m sure your vacation was not long enough, but enough is enough…sniff!…Git yer butts home safely.

  117. BearSpiritDog
    10:10 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Wookie’s Dad: Thanks to Wookie for the Hot Wings. Now we’ll have enough grub to get us through the rest of the mission.
    In my opinion we are getting in some Good Early Training for the upcoming race.

  118. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:13 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Louisianna!…Boy oh boy! Another southern gal blowing it up on the show….wooooowooooo!…. Hill billy girls rock!…snort!burp!

  119. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:15 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Bear!…Did those Hot Wings arrive already?…sniff!…Boy, oh boy, you barely wake up from your long nap and you got wings in your paws…grump!…Better save some of those for ole Whitey tonight…gruffle!

  120. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:16 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Boy-Oh-Boy!…Just one more time…heh!heh!….Love saying Boy oh Boy…grunt!

  121. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:22 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Tennessee!…sniff!…Good but not as good as the other hill-billy girls…grunt!…Still though, she could make it through. Tennessee rocks country!…woooo!

  122. BearSpiritDog
    10:31 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Wose’s flight due in Seattle in about 30 minutes. Have to go now…Whitey says the Hot Wings are Here!

  123. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:31 pm on February 27th, 2013

    FTD-Update!…Bear?…sniff!…I do believe he has gone back to bed with all those fresh Hot-Wings…grunt!…Rose and the Prof have just crossed over the border of Oregon!…Wooooo!…Well on their way to Seattle now…chuffle!

  124. Whitey-Lance
    10:43 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Twenty-six minutes until our Plundering pair lands in Seattle!

  125. Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi
    10:44 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio – ve know who is anony-mouse donor. And ve vill never tell. Haha. Does that make little flat pug head crazy?

  126. Riö - The Evil Pug
    10:52 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Grump!…The fact that you know and I do not know is a clue unto itself…burp!

    FTD-Update!….(Bear??)…grunt!…Rose and The Professor have indeed crossed the border over into Washington!….Woooo!…They have less than 17 minutes before they land…wheeze!

  127. Whitey-Lance
    11:00 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Less than 10 minutes until landing, then a bit of refueling and then north to Alaska!

  128. BearSpiritDog
    11:00 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Coming in for a landing Now!

  129. Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi
    11:10 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio – is only clue that Natasha is Vorld’s Best Undercover Spy. Vould not be dignified to stick out the tongue, but nyah nyah.
    Heh heh heh

  130. BearSpiritDog
    11:13 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio: Dang it…I’m on top of it! Trying to keep this Hot Wings Sauce off the keyboard arent easy I tell ya.

    Hi Wose and the Prof! Welcome to the Emerald City!

  131. Alice M. Johnson
    11:15 pm on February 27th, 2013

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSt0NEESrUA

    Way Up North dumm dee dumm….

  132. Staff
    11:16 pm on February 27th, 2013

    I love the way the background singer sing “mush, mush, mush”

  133. Riö - The Evil Pug
    11:19 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Natasha!…I am far too busy tracking our esteemed couple to be fiddeling with you and your boostful, yet questionable outbursts…sniff!

  134. Riö - The Evil Pug
    11:25 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Bear!…Whitey!…Can youse guys track the last and final leg of the long long journey to Alaska?…wheeze!…I’m tired and still hungry for some reason…burp!

  135. BearSpiritDog
    11:27 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Thanks Alice, Nice Traveling Music for our North-Bound Plunderers.

  136. Staff
    11:27 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Me too. It is bedtime for Staff. Alice and Abbie want their supper. Abbie is sitting up stiffly and staring at me with a very long suffering look. heh.

    Nighty noodle all. ‘Cept Liz, G’day Liz.

  137. Whitey-Lance
    11:28 pm on February 27th, 2013

    This just in: Wose is twirling in Seattle!

  138. BearSpiritDog
    11:35 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Got it Rio. Whitey and I are in control here at Flight-Tracker Central. Happy Mushing Dreams.

    Whitey: Hope your Lady is catching a few zzzzs of her own. It’s going to be a long night.

  139. Whitey-Lance
    11:38 pm on February 27th, 2013

    BSD: The way it looks right now, there is the strong possibility my Lady is going to pull an all nighter or close to one. Tomorrow, she and my Giant get up early to head in to town so AJ can make the mandatory mushers meeting.

  140. Riö - The Evil Pug
    11:44 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rebecca!…Why are you staying up all night long?…sniff!…Rose and the Prof will be fine once they arrive and check into their hotel (not motel) room for the night…wheeze!…You do not need to be there in the middle of the night, do you? ….wuffle!

  141. BearSpiritDog
    11:49 pm on February 27th, 2013

    They will only be on the ground for about 35 more minutes…then off into the Wild Blue(dark-blue)Yonder…Again. But THIS time pointed in the Right Direction…North to Alaska! Heh.

  142. BearSpiritDog
    11:54 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rebecca! Catch some sleep Now! Their flight from Seattle to Anchorage is 3 hrs. 10 min. I can handle Mission Control for a while if you want to use ole Whitey as a pillow.

  143. Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi
    11:55 pm on February 27th, 2013

    Rio – ve have heard american expression – “bite me”. Is right, yes?

  144. Whitey-Lance
    12:09 am on February 28th, 2013

    My Lady will be staying up because she has some race prep and sewing to do. She just finished doing something for her day job, not her dog job. Her dog job is the rest of the night.

  145. Whitey-Lance
    12:15 am on February 28th, 2013

    I have an announcement. Wose and the Professor have boarded the plane for the last leg of their journey!

  146. Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi
    12:30 am on February 28th, 2013

    Ve vill say VooHoo for Rose and Prof.
    And good night to all rest.

  147. dawson
    12:33 am on February 28th, 2013

    Hooray! Wose and the Professor are finally on the last moose leg of their trip. Whew! I am worn out with all the ups and downs of the trip to Alaska. Sleep deprivation is in their immediate future. Go Wose and the Professor! Go Snowhook!

  148. BearSpiritDog
    12:44 am on February 28th, 2013

    Not only have they Boarded, but the plane has pushed from the Gate and is taxiing down the Runway as we speak.
    WooHoo! Belle-Starr only 2 more hours…well 3 if you want to be Technical about it and I don’t.

  149. BearSpiritDog
    12:49 am on February 28th, 2013

    Wose & Prof: We know this has been a Long Two Days but…
    Youse Can Do It! You..Are..Almost..There.

  150. Whitey-Lance
    12:57 am on February 28th, 2013

    BSD: We here are with you. Why get technical?

  151. BearSpiritDog
    1:32 am on February 28th, 2013

    Whitey: We here are Fading Fast.
    Thank Dog TechNoKat has blurred in To The Rescue.
    He will be taking over my station here st Mission Central.
    Talk to you all sometime in the morning hour.

    But Hey! Now it Really is 2+ Hours and counting!

  152. c.hobbit
    1:36 am on February 28th, 2013

    Looking forward to learning that
    1. Rose and the Prof have arrived in Anchorage, Alaska
    2. They have been reunited with their luggage, especially the camera
    3. They have met Rebecca
    4. They have arrived at their hotel 90 minutes after leaving the airport.
    And finally…
    5. They have had a good night’s sleep and are ready to join the mushers on Thursday

  153. Masquers
    1:50 am on February 28th, 2013

    CHobbit: A check-mark to the left of all five items would be most desirable.
    Rose and her Professor have had enough excitement travel-wise to last a lifetime.

    Whitey-Lance: Reporting for duty.

  154. Masquers
    1:56 am on February 28th, 2013

    What the heck…this keyboard is covered with hot wing sauce. Gah!
    Never mind about that…I will be professional and plunder on.
    1 hr. 11 min. until touchdown.

  155. Masquers
    2:00 am on February 28th, 2013

    Rats! Read the wrong figures…sorry about that…it’s actually 2 hours.
    These late night gigs are tricky.

  156. Whitey-Lance
    2:25 am on February 28th, 2013

    They are almost to the halfway point!

    Masquers: At least the hot wing sauce covers up the sparkles.

  157. Whitey-Lance
    3:14 am on February 28th, 2013

    Forty-five minutes! Belle Starr, my Lady and the rest of us are beside ourselves with anticipation! Is this what is called the home stretch, I wonder? If you wondering, I don’t have any problem stretching at home or on the trail—a good stretch, yawn and shake, does the trick every time.

  158. Masquers
    3:33 am on February 28th, 2013

    Now 25 minutes Whitey-Lance, This is so exciting!Wooo&Hooo!

  159. Masquers
    3:45 am on February 28th, 2013

    Rose and Prof, Please put your seat-backs and tray-tables in their upright possessions…you will be coming in for a landing in…10 minutes!!!

  160. Masquers
    3:55 am on February 28th, 2013

    Positions…not possessions! You know what I mean.
    The 2 minute warning! Wait, that’s for football.

  161. Whitey-Lance
    3:58 am on February 28th, 2013

    The eagle has landed!

  162. Masquers
    4:00 am on February 28th, 2013

    Arrived!!! It’s here, I mean there!!!

  163. Masquers
    4:02 am on February 28th, 2013

    Whitey-Lance! Belle-Starr! Tell me the moment you see them!

  164. Whitey-Lance
    4:02 am on February 28th, 2013

    Masquers: I’m so excited. Thank you for staying at Mission Control with me. I don’t think I could eat another hot wing. I think it is time for both of us to curl up and go to sleep.

  165. Whitey-Lance
    4:05 am on February 28th, 2013

    Masquers: Rose and the Professor are going to take a shuttle to a hotel in Anchorage tonight saving my Lady the late night drive. I hope they make it to their hotel within the next 30 minutes and get some rest. My Lady and the Giant will meet them tomorrow! Yeep!

  166. Whitey-Lance
    4:07 am on February 28th, 2013

    Masquers: I’m making my Lady go to sleep. She and the Giant have to be up in four hours. Yawn…g’night, pal. Zzzzz….

  167. Masquers
    4:19 am on February 28th, 2013

    Hip Hip Hurray for our Rose and the Professor!!!

    High fours and fives everyone. Another successful mission completed.

    Shutting down Mission Control for the night.
    Dream-time is calling.

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