The Pebbles Saga
“You’re the type who goes for happy endings, right?” Admin says.
“Is that a weakness?” says Spence.
“Who’s to judge?” Admin says. “But here’s a story you’ll like. Even a tale of two cities, in a way, if you know the area.”
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_19926605
Welcome dude in midstream.
Happy birthday, Lily!
Tags: dog news, happy endings
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 8:38 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
9:18 am on February 9th, 2012
Good morning, Spence, Admin, Chet, and everyone!
Happy Birthday, Lily.
Seems to us that those teenage girls thought they were doing a good think rescuing a tiny Member of the Nation who was tied up to a pole on a city street. We would think that meant he was neglected also. Of course, they should have gone into the store and asked before assuming. But we are very glad Pebbles was reunited with her human.
9:20 am on February 9th, 2012
Happy birthday, Lily!
Alls well that ends well.
9:43 am on February 9th, 2012
Birthday!…Is it Lily’s birthday again?…snort!…That girl must be really old by now…wuffle!heh!
9:51 am on February 9th, 2012
http://bluegrasstoday.com/37451/cumberland-river-and-justified-on-wnyc/
Rio, Mr.Staff asked me to send this to you. Now I am off to my busy place.
10:16 am on February 9th, 2012
Cumberland!… I could listen to those guys all day long! Thanks Mr. Staff!…. wooooo!….. I wonder how he is liking Justified….Staff and Alice never will say…grunt!
10:29 am on February 9th, 2012
Dognabbit! I sure wish I was able to stay AWAKE! Darn, I missed everything last night!
Wow what a night!
Rose, Riö Jr, Dawson, Liz, Dorg, Riö (paws were crossed here), the Royals’ Dad, just WOW.
I think I got everyone.
Bella, I looked up Cordially and it is a nice sentiment. So I looked up Cordial. Hmmm Liqueurs. I wonder if having enough Cordials has anything to do with “Cordially yours”?
Anyhoo, I went to the Bakers early this morning, but her name is not Al.
And Staff? The Sibe pictures? I can not tell you guys how much I want to get up there to AK and take pictures of dogs, dogs, dogs, dogs.
10:34 am on February 9th, 2012
Good morning all.
10:35 am on February 9th, 2012
North to Alaska!
T&G have been very busy!! Their Mum is chasing them around trying to get the packing tape away from them.
10:45 am on February 9th, 2012
Rose! Thank you so much for sponsoring Mollypop’s checkpoint. This is a very emotional thing for me. I have sent one of Molly’s tags from her dress-up collar to Rebecca. That collar didn’t get worn very often – Molly preferred her old rolled leather one. If that tag gets lost, I won’t be concerned, and if it should get lost along the Iditarod trail, that would be fitting too.
Thank you, thank you!
10:51 am on February 9th, 2012
Dawson is right – I am a difficult patient and getting more and more recalcitrant with each passing day.
Here’s the Me and Me Dorg picture. I love it!
10:55 am on February 9th, 2012
Good morning all.
At least T & G used a Priority Mail box. That was thoughtful!
Lots of good stuff last night.
We willl be joining T & G’s dad on those nightly prayers.
Poor little Pebbles, what an experience. Barb said she would never feel safe leaving me outside at the grocery like that. She has left me in the car for 5 minutes, but she always locks the car doors. She never bothers to lock it if I am not in it.
11:04 am on February 9th, 2012
Non-Party!….My friend just send me a text on my little Go-Phone that said she will not be coming home early ….snort!….Seems all them numbers they put together didn’t win diddly-squat…grunt!…So there will not be a big blow-out retirement party for the whole department tonight….wuffle!sob!..She did say that No One else won the jackpot, so they will be trying again. Seems it has gone up 100 million over-night…heh!
11:08 am on February 9th, 2012
It is quite usual to see dogs with leashes tied outside stores in Boston. Never heard of anyone just deciding to take one. Of course, this one would have been easy to take because you could just pick up her up.
And on the other paw, we would never to that to any member of our Pack.
11:10 am on February 9th, 2012
Happy Birthday Lily!!
I’m glad that story has a happy ending, but mom would never leave me tied up unsupervised for even 30 seconds.
The Dorg picture is awsome. Thanks for showing us what youse were talking about last night.
T&G DO NOT ship those kats to me.
11:16 am on February 9th, 2012
Hi everyone.
Well, we are in the doghouse for sure today. We’ve been saving our pennies from our treat budget and finally had enough for a mid size Priority Mail box. Then Mama caught us with the packing tape.
Wonder if she would have been as upset if we had used the LARGE box…
Oh well, we are going to go lay out in the sun. Can you believe this weather?
11:21 am on February 9th, 2012
Happy Birthday Lily!
And we love the dorg picture too.
12:02 pm on February 9th, 2012
There was a link to another Hollywood Award Show (Dog-on-it) on Chet’s Facebook page.
Reading down a bit, I saw that there will be a People’s Choice PAWSCAR for any animal on film or video. The voting will start tomorrow on the Animal Planet Website. I looked there today, but nothing about it yet.
PAWSCARS are the American Humane Association honors. If you see “no animal was harmed” it’s the AHA that does that.
12:05 pm on February 9th, 2012
Happy Birthday to Lily!
MollyPop’s Mom: Thank you for posting the Dorg picture.
We have such exceptional talent on this blog!!!
Tupper&Gilly: Wait! I thought you didn’t want those kats to go with us.
We have been thinking about the Prayer Circle to be held at 9 pm each night of the race and the Awesome Power of it…not only all the tribes participating, but the Plunderers too. We are so lucky to be a part of it.
12:30 pm on February 9th, 2012
MollyPop’s Mom: No need to thank me. It was my great pleasure and honor to sponsor a checkpoint in Molly’s memory. (Us Yankee fans stick together). It was also a great pleasure and honor to sponsor a checkpoint in Rebecca’s boy, Howard’s memory as well. Galenka checkpoint was a choice between Belle Starr and me.
12:32 pm on February 9th, 2012
Ok – Mama let us off the hook so we could tell you about something.
There is a farm in this area that takes in retired and homeless draft horses, like the ones you see pulling buggies in New York etc. They are in a little bit of a jam right now as weather conditions have made hay less plentiful this year. Recently, a whole truckload of hay they had purchased caught fire while on the highway coming to the farm.
This disaster has really made it tough, and two local girls have made it their goal to help raise money to bring more hay in for these wonderful old horses who have spent their lives serving humans, only to be cast aside when they were no longer useful.
The girls volunteer at the center, and now they are putting donation cans out at local businesses to gather any small coins or donations they can.
Recently, on this here blog, there was some discussion about buggy-ride horses and the lives they lead. Many of us voiced our concern, so when we saw this article, we thought we would put a link to the horse retirement center up. Anyone who is interested can check the website and maybe find a few spare dollars to feed the horses. (We did check the place out and they do have a 501c3 status in good standing, and have a good reputation.)
http://www.equiculture.org/
12:37 pm on February 9th, 2012
Buggies!…I think Mr. Tibbs may have mentioned or been in on that Horse N’ Buggy discussion…sniff!… I wonder how he is doing this morning. Wish Jay would check in and let us know what is going on with Mr. Tibss…wuffle!
12:59 pm on February 9th, 2012
Delivered!…Rebecca! I have been tracking your package and it has been Delivered to your PO Box!…snort!snort!…What a huge relief that it got all the way to Willow, Alaska!…chuffle!
1:23 pm on February 9th, 2012
Jay said Tyb is beginning to move around and even jumped up on the couch today. He’s also back to following Jay everywhere he goes – you know, English Shepherd = English Shadow. Jay says Velcro would be a good description too. A couple more days of the pain pills and then see what happens.
Jay has also been dealing with a family medical emergency.
1:23 pm on February 9th, 2012
T&G, Thanks for posting that link. There are so many horse (and dog) rescues overwhelmed in these economic times. People cannot afford to keep them when they are having trouble holding onto their homes or feeding their families. But the poor horses (and dogs) suffer for it. We never understand why we aren’t considered as much a member of the family as the children. They didn’t always ask to have kids, but they had to make a conscience decision to adopt us and our equine family. We do what we need to when it comes to taking care of family.
1:48 pm on February 9th, 2012
Thanks for letting us know about Tyb and Jay Mollypop’s Mom. Let them know that we’re thinking about them
2:25 pm on February 9th, 2012
Agree with Oley. Maggie is as much a member of my family as my kids, and sometimes more enjoyable to be with. You are right about the English Shadow thing, she is definitely my velcro dog, but I like it. It’s not neurotic, it’s devotion.
2:59 pm on February 9th, 2012
Sorry for all my typos. Mom is working and we get limited time to type.
Consious not conscience. duh
3:04 pm on February 9th, 2012
Tracking!… Hey, Team Feed The Giant!…snort!…My package has been delivered (or picked up) – who else had packages arriving in Willow today?…grunt! ….Anybody?
3:05 pm on February 9th, 2012
Velco dogs…Love it!
It is a relief to know our friend, TYB, is feeling better. Sorry to hear of his dad’s medical emergency and pray for any problems to be cleared up soon.
MollyPop’s Mom: Thank you for posting when TYB is unable to do so. I hope you are feeling better today also.
Royals: There is always a few dollars in the piggy bank for a good cause.
I agree wholeheartedly with Barb&Magpie and the O.Howlers. There is no such thing as having “pets” around here. We are family and are treated as such.
3:24 pm on February 9th, 2012
It is expensive to feed horses. We will contribute. There are a lot of neglected and abandonded horses here in NM because of the economy (or whatever), but, thank dog, we have several great horse rescues.
I’m not a velcro dog. I’m a free spirit, and a member of the family. Even if the house topples over from my construction projects, my folks will still love me.
TYB and Jay, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep getting better, TYB.
3:32 pm on February 9th, 2012
Siber-H – Talking about houses toppling over, how is your construction project that was threatening the side of the house?
3:33 pm on February 9th, 2012
SiberH!….How come on the Live Tracking some of the Mushers gps location time is hours and hours ago, but Hugh Neff who is in the lead is clocked at 19 minutes ago…grunt!
3:36 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio – our package should be in Alaska today too – if those dam goats didn’t smell the chocolate chips and ate them up enroute.
Oh dear…now we will have to worry about that all day.
TYB – really glad to hear you are doing better. Hope you keep healing and feel back to yourself soon!
Belle Starr was at the top of our page! She has very pretty brown eyes. We can see how she can get Bella and Rose to do almost anything she wants.
Thanks for your support to Blue Star. We really admire those two sisters who are taking this fundraising on their shoulders.
3:52 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio, I cannot explain the Quest’s GPS trackers except to say they are not working. They don’t update like they should. I gave up on them.
While I’m on the subject of the Quest, this 36 layover in Dawson is a truly boring time.
Mollypop’s mom, My folks fixed the construction project that was threatening the side of the house, but I have started a new one not too far away from it along the same side of the house. And, oops, mom just discovered that one this morning.
3:58 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio: Heh, heh…the check is in the mail. (whispering) It really is. I saw mom running down the street after the mail-lady this morning.
Here is another link about a sport that Atlantic City is planning to bring back as one of the attractions:
http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2012/02/08/outcry-against-proposed-return-horse-diving
T&G: Blue Star is a good name for a good cause. Those girls have our respect and admiration.
Zelda, the Gentle Giant was just at the top. That’s your friend isn’t it, Rose?
4:25 pm on February 9th, 2012
T&G – we’ll send something to Blue Star. We cried happy tears when we read about the 9 PM prayer circle. Blessings to your da for that, and to your mum for all her support.
Dawson & Liz – our boy has two dorgs, one red heeler and one blue heeler, both rescues. They have HUGE amounts of energy.
Happy retirement to all. Get better, Everybody. Stay well, Everybody else.
P.S. I’m a velcro Kat.
4:39 pm on February 9th, 2012
Just when we hear that Tyb is getting better, we learn that Jay has some sort of medical emergency. Now we are worried about him.
There are no velcro dogs in this pack. We each like our freedom and independence, and at the end of the day we all share our stories with Mom and Pop. T.C. is the same way. But Buddy: he is a kat of a different color, so to speak. Or maybe it is a different material. He is Velcro if ever there was velcro.
5:04 pm on February 9th, 2012
We have always heard that huskys tend to be independent.
English Shepherds were bred for a different purpose – to help the pioneer/farmer with any task that might arise. Thus they tend to stick close by, with a lot of eye contact, trying to anticipate their partner’s next need. At night, when jobs are done, they tend to lay about a lot more.
5:11 pm on February 9th, 2012
Purpose!… Beau and I have our eyes on a higher purpose each day too…snort!… We keep a keen watch on the refrigerator door and snack cabinet….sniff!…Each meal is highly anticipated and tag-team begging ensues even after we’ve licked our bowls clean and those other guys are trying to eat their meal…heh!….It is only after the supper dishes are washed and put away that our jobs are done for the day…chuffle!…Only then can we find somewhere comfy and warm to rest our flat weary heads…wheeze!
5:17 pm on February 9th, 2012
Melanie, I love that picture of what Tupper & Gilley are really up to. Caught in the act!
5:48 pm on February 9th, 2012
Every dog has a purpose, and we are glad Rio and Beau have perfected theirs. And glad you said bowls this time, Rio.
5:48 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hey, y’all! Are any of you contagious? Cuz someone got Mom sick! When she went to her meeting last night she had a little headache, but by the time the meeting was over, she was downright puny! Luckily, we only live a couple blocks from church, because she was shivering and shaking and feverish. (How you can be cold and hot at the same time I’m not sure, but she was!) Anyway, she was awake on and off all night, and by the time morning finally came, she knew she was in no shape to go to work. So I laid on the couch with her all day to keep her nice and cozy. I guess it worked, because she’s feeling a little better now — well enough to turn the computer on for me, anyway. (Or maybe she just wanted to get me off the couch and give her a little more room!)
6:15 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hi everyone.
MPM, thank you for putting that up! I hope you’re feeling better today.
Bluecat – your boy is so lucky, heelers are great. But yes, amaaazing amounts of energy.
Cricket never gets tied up outside a shop. I’d worry too much.
6:46 pm on February 9th, 2012
Liz: We are all having Iditarod fever around here. 22 more days to the Big Race! Will Cricket be joining AJ and the team on the trail?
7:20 pm on February 9th, 2012
It was another big day at the post office. We recieved a Feed the Giant package from Linda the Lurker and Mollypop’s dress tag. I am also pleased to say that the MGs were thwarted again by Rio’s shipping expertise and a package from him arrived as well.
G&BB: I’ve been meaning to respond to a question you asked earlier about AJ changing clothes on the race. Some mushers may change clothes frequently during the race, yet unless he gets wet AJ will remain in the same gear throughout the race. He will be in race mode running and taking care of the dogs.
He will dress in layers and may shed or add those layers depedning on the conditions. Last year was a warm year and he ran a lot of hills; at one point his parka and arctic layers were shed and stuffed inside his sled bag. He ran up and down hills, pushing the sled, helping lighten the load for the dogs wearing only his boots, bibs and his base layer of a lightweight fleece.
In 2010, I watched his GPS tracker—that listed the temperature that year. The mercury had held well above zero for some time and in the course of one 15 minute update dropped to -35. He was caught in a ground blizzard. His ear was frost bitten to the point where he lost part of his ear lobe. He will prepare for these extremes as well. While we’ve saved to buy his arctic gear it is difficult to be comfortable at frigid temperature especially when combined with winds, but AJ is one of the toughest people I know.
Just as the dogs’ feet need to be protected and cared for, AJ will likely change his socks a couple of times throughout the race to protect from blisters and keep his feet dry.
Years ago we weighed my mushing clothing. If I remember correctly it was somewhere around 40 pounds altogether. AJ will wear what he needs to survive; he will also carry booties and ointments for the dogs and food for him in his pockets.
7:20 pm on February 9th, 2012
We have finished the last of “Kingdom” with Stephan Fry. Netflix streaming.
Why do all the good series have to end?
7:26 pm on February 9th, 2012
Melanie: What was Kingdom about?
8:08 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hi everyone. This is just because:
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=3348420546168&source=jl999
8:11 pm on February 9th, 2012
Bella: This morning we watched the 2010 Documentaries you recommended yesterday and saw AJ in both videos…briefly in the one and a short interview in the other. It is so interesting to hear about the individual racers and what they have gone through. Of course, we all know what happened to the Giant during that race.
Siber: Still trying to decide who to follow on the GPS tracking device. Besides AJ, Karin Hendrickson and her team of Siberian Huskies, for sure. We’ll have to wait until it’s closer to race-time.
Still trying to convince Mom to sponsor a Checkpoint. She says, It all depends…..Whatever that means.
8:13 pm on February 9th, 2012
T&G: That was a great card. I was just looking at Blue Star’s website. I would like to give, but will have to wait until a later date to do so. Thank you for letting us know about the horses. I have it on good authority—mainly because I’m said authority—that a horse will be joining the team of Plunderers on the trail.
8:19 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hey B., Kingdom is about Peter Kingdom, a lawyer in a small English town. He has a confused family life, interesting team that works for him and a town full of eccentrics.
Stephan Fry is great as Peter Kingdom. Kyle, his clerk, has an innocence that is great, and has wicked timing for physical humor.
Bella, I am now cold. 🙂
8:21 pm on February 9th, 2012
The eyebrows in the top row belong to the one and only Junior. I believe dog was just as surprised as musher when he was chosen as one of the race hopefuls yesterday. AJ will leave the starting line in Willow with 16 dogs, but we could have 24 dogs tested at the vet check yesterday before AJ narrows down his starting line-up. 23 had been selected and as we—AJ, Handler Jeremy and I—surveyed the remaining members of the team, AJ, channeling his best dog show judge, pointed and said, “Rio.”
8:24 pm on February 9th, 2012
Thanks Melanie. I’ll check it out. I like Stephen Fry.
8:31 pm on February 9th, 2012
AHHHHHH!….Hurray! Yipppeee!….I’m twirling, I’m spinning!…snort!snort!….I can’t believe my little Junior will be runnin in the big race!…Zowwwwie!…Even if AJ sends him home early it will be awesome training for him….WHOOOPEEEEE!…heh!wheeze!heh!
8:37 pm on February 9th, 2012
Junior is looking very professional in that photo. I want to ride in a dog truck with fresh straw.
Masquers, Mom hasn’t decided either what mushers to follow besides AJ on the Insiders new Website. We really don’t have any favorite mushers besides AJ in the Iditarod and the Sibers in the Yukon Quest. It is just fun for us to see what happens in the race because there are always surprises. (except when Mackey won 4 in a row) There was a team of Sibers a couple of years ago in the Iditarod that we cheered for because we knew they had a chance to run a respectable race and they did. They set the speed record for Sibers in the Iditarod, but they haven’t been back since. I am sure it is the cost of the race that is keeping this team from running again.
8:42 pm on February 9th, 2012
Happy Birthday to the talented Lily – a friend to plants and animals.
Sheik! Is he going to Nome?
Rio Jr: How old is he anyways?
Mollypop’s Mom: Thanks for posting a picture of my Dorg. Isn’t he handsome?
Staff: It is very possible that you gave me that book. It is not in good shape and you have another copy. Or I happened upon it after you turned me on to Mary Lasswell. Or I stole it from you, but probably not…no, not that one. I really don’t remember.
T&G: Beautiful card. I loved the music by Wolfie Mozart.
I going to read Lisa Scottoline – Running from the Law
8:50 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio: Nothing is for certain about the race, but now that Junior has been poked and prodded along with the others means he can be chosen to run. Junior is a good boy and happy to be wherever doing whatever. He is still a yearling at under 2 years old.
Melanie: We will have to make you dress in layers when you come to Alaska to photograph dogs, dogs, dogs, so you don’t get cold, cold, cold.
Dawson: I wore the coveralls you sent me yesterday during the vet checks. They fit like a glove and I think it was the lucky penny from Staff I had in the pocket that kept my nose from being thwacked—AJ’s a bit bruised today but as handsome as ever.
KirbyT, Tyb, Mollypop’s Mom: I hope you all feel better soon.
SiberH: I wonder if the tracker will be substantially different from past years with all the changes.
8:53 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hmmm. Newfoundlands doing a speed record for Newfoundlands … Could take up to a month or more. 🙂
I’m headed to bed. Taking Zoë in for a routine scan in the morning. So will see (?) you sometime later.
TTFN
8:57 pm on February 9th, 2012
Dawson, We read her lawyer series years ago and loved them, but don’t remember which one that it. They are all good – all feature savy smart Italian women lawyers.
Love the card Amalia.
9:00 pm on February 9th, 2012
Bella – waaaaaaahhhh!!! The goats got our package, didn’t they? The tracking said the package was checked into Anchorage at 1:30 this morning, but you don’t have it yet?
Oh no…we knew it – we just knew it….
(oh, and for the record, Tupper is a Velcro doggie, Gilly is a snap dog-that is, when she wants to be with you, she is FIRMLY attached.)
9:04 pm on February 9th, 2012
Crumb!…I misread Rebeccas post about Junior being selected…heh!…I thought he was selected to run the race, but he was selected to go to the V-E-T…grunt!…Poor fellow..sniff!
9:14 pm on February 9th, 2012
Who is the horse on the trail? The equine is a friend of feline, Bluecat.
Rio: Only dogs that were poked and prodded yesterday can potentially run the race. If he didn’t get checked yesterday the answer would be a definite, “Not this year, bud.” AJ will narrow it down the week of Iditarod and maybe even the morning of the restart.
T&G: The package will probably arrive in Willow tomorrow. We are about 70 miles from Anchorage. Don’t worry tonight. We can worry tomorrow if it doesn’t show.
9:19 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hope!….So there is still a chance that he might get to go…snort!… There is still a chance, there is still hope after all…wuffle!
9:20 pm on February 9th, 2012
B’s Brandy is at the top of our page right now, and earlier we saw our friend Tyb.
9:21 pm on February 9th, 2012
Idiot!….We are relaxing watching An Idiot Abroad and he is riding a horse somewhere in outer Russia….chorkle!…Now he is going to wrestle someone is some small village. Karl is my hero…heh!
9:24 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio,
Mr.Staff says he hasn’t a clue what is going on in Justified and he isn’t watching it anymore because of that. I guess there isn’t enough bluegrass music to make him watch it. If he had known about the bluegrass music at the beginning he would probably be watching it still.
9:27 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hope! Yes, there is still hope that Junior could make the team, just no promises. Last year, AJ had yearlings from our Little Women litter in the team. He was convinced he would drop them all, yet figured it would be good experience for them. Louisa Mae, Charlie, Fritz—no relation to Sniggle—all crossed the finish line.
9:34 pm on February 9th, 2012
Yearlings!…Yes! See, there is a very good chance that Rio Junior would do really well in the race and not have to be dropped…heh!…He can surely out-race some little women….snort!
9:36 pm on February 9th, 2012
Staff!…Speaking of Justified we are going to watch the 3rd episode right now….wooooo!weeeeee!…..Love those boys down in Harlan County…snort!snort!
9:47 pm on February 9th, 2012
Jumpsuits! ….They were those orange jumpsuits that make SiberH laugh so much down in Harlan county jail…heh!heh!…The same kind Chet always mentions…snort!
9:49 pm on February 9th, 2012
Snowhook Bella: I’m glad you are getting some use out of those coveralls.
9:53 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rebecca, I have my fears about the Iditarod’s tracker, but no, no, no…Surely they won’t mess up the tracker.
Rio, Look for the Borzoi in your tv program…she may be in Russia now.
10:06 pm on February 9th, 2012
Siber – you are correct. Natasha is in Russia on Very Secret Mission. But ve vill not be seen on camera. Ve vill be in village vhen idiot arrives, but he vill not vin. Karl is mere peepsqueek and vill get butt kicked.
10:10 pm on February 9th, 2012
Mr. Redbone Hound hasn’t been around lately has he? Sorta miss that big ole guy!
Time for us to say good night. Barb had a tough day at the office.
See you bright and early!
10:10 pm on February 9th, 2012
Team Feed the Giant: As you know, (Tupper and Gilly, cover your ears) packages with food for the Giant have started to arrive as have funds. With these funds, AJ was able to purchase the last of the kibble, meat, and lard last night that he’ll need for the race. He was also able to get some more ointments for the dogs. Now, that the dogs’ food has been taken care of, tomorrow will be a big shopping day for me. Fancy clothes and shiny things? Nope. I will head to the bulk store and buy items for AJ like energy drinks, poptarts, gatorade, oranges. I will also buy several naked burritos tomorrow and spend the weekend packaging, sealing and freezing these items. Thank you!
10:11 pm on February 9th, 2012
Russia!…There are parts of Russia that are very very beautiful…grunt!…Karl was in a few tonight…heh!
Tracker!…Oh, don’t even think it! Don’t even think that the Iditarod tracker will not be working…gah!…That would be undue torture all around…wuffle!…Unthinkable. So don’t even think it! You hear!…grunt!
10:15 pm on February 9th, 2012
Team Shake your Bootie: Some of you may have noticed that AJ wears all black. It took a lot of convincing to get him to accent with gray. Black anorak, black bibs, black hat and mitts, black booties. The only things that aren’t black are the dog coats I got second hand a few years ago and the dog blankets I gave him for Christmas. Yet, I saw a request regarding booties and I thought it was worth a try. I told him that a member of Team Shake your Bootie wondered if he would get bright green booties so they could know it was Snowhook when they saw footage of this years race. “For the Plunderers, I would do bright colors.” Later, when I gained my senses again I looked into getting 1000 bright blue, green, orange—it didn’t matter—booties. No go. It would take up to 14 days to have them made and then they would need to be shipped. We would miss the deadline for our drop bags. Don’t despair. I have good news. I just got off the phone with the vendor to schedule a time to pick up our order. When I told him my last name, he immediately put it together that the Giant is somehow involved—go figure. He gave us a discount so the the booties will cost less than $0.90 each! They will be black, but they will cost less than originally planned!
With your permission, I would like to use the new found funds for footwear for AJ. He wears two sets of boots while on the trail—an inner boot and a waterproof over boot. I was able to replace the inner boot earlier this season thanks to MMCS and suprise sponsorships from Plunderers during the holidays. Last year, the night before the restart of the race we were frantically trying repair his over boot with S-h-o-e goop and a Grateful Dead patch. When he ran (and won) the Don Bowers race last year, the dogs pulled the snowhook while AJ was walking back to the sled after snacking the dogs on the trail. As he caught the handle bar, the snowhook punctured through his outer boot and inner boot, grazing the top of his foot. He got lucky. Until the race a couple of weeks ago, the patch held fine. When we arrived home he pulled off his outer boot and his inner boot was covered in snow and his outer boot was full of the same. The patch stopped working. I guess last minute patch jobs don’t last forever.
10:18 pm on February 9th, 2012
Now that I know more about the expenses involved with running the Iditarod, I am in awe of anyone who is able to pull it off.
Bella, what is our equine teammates name?
10:18 pm on February 9th, 2012
It’s Secret Agent 00Wookie at the top!
Staff: Just curious, did Mr. Staff watch Justified from the very beginning? If not it’s easy to get lost in the involved plot line.
Waiting for the 1st episode of Justified second season to come on dvd from Netflix. There is a long waiting list.
By the time the new season of Mad Men and Damages come out I will have forgotten the story lines.
Right now we are finishing up with Big Love. It’s nearing the end and everything is falling apart for the Hendricks clan.
Tupper&Gilly: Thank you for the card. All working together do get it done…so true!
10:20 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rebecca!…I hear the package from Golinka is chalk-full of good stuff, but I also know you still need to buy more food for AJ…chuffle!…Our goal is to keep him strong and energized during the race so he can take care of the A-Team…snort!….Remember Team Feed The Giant, there is still time to find and send more stuff….sniff!…Although, I have to say I am damned , very damned proud of my team for all they have contributed and all the food they are sending AJ’s way….Wow!… It just makes me want to Twirl! Twirl! Twirl!….Wooooooo!
10:27 pm on February 9th, 2012
Yes, yes, yes, I vote yes for the giant’s new booties!
Bella, do you have everything you need?
10:29 pm on February 9th, 2012
Boots!….I guess we were all writing our thoughts at or around the same time….snort! …If AJ needs new and Improved footwear he should by all means Have new and improved footwear by golly!…grunt!…I’m sure team Shake Yer Bootie would completely agree. Where are they anyways? I am sure Rebecca will use the ‘leftover’ funds where she deems most necessary…sniff! …Leftover my butt!…heh!
10:33 pm on February 9th, 2012
It is very important that AJ’s feet be protected from the cold and any wet problems he might encounter on the trail like overflow.
10:34 pm on February 9th, 2012
I forgot one important thing in my last message to Team Shake your Bootie: Thank you!
Checkpoint Sponsors: Earlier today AJ and I were talking about last year’s race preparations. A year ago, we found ourselves selling items we didn’t deem necessary, and some that we did like our four-wheeler we use to train dogs in the fall to close the financial gap to make our 2011 race possible. It was a tough time with tough decisions. AJ asked me today, “Why do you do this for me?” Last year we sunk what money we had into what the dogs needed—booties, food, blankets. AJ would have to make due with what he had and he went into it with his eyes open: his worn arctic gear had cold spots I tried to repair, he wouldn’t have a selection of runner plastic to choose from impacting the easy glide of the sled over the snow—pick your knees up and run—he would survive on Snickers, gatorade and oranges which will still be a part of his diet again this year, but this year it is by choice. It was a bare bones race even by our standards. There is still shipping to be done, runner plastic to be purchased along with a long list of other items, but this year is different. Thank you!
10:40 pm on February 9th, 2012
Easy!…. Rebecca! You should have come to us Plunderers a long time ago…heh!…Actually, you really need to thank Whitey and SiberH for bringing us all together…snort!…We here at this blog would never have heard of Snowhook if Whitey Lance had not decided to take a wayward journey that one time and SiberH had not reported it to us…chuffle!
10:46 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rebecca!… To Echo Wolfie’s concern, only a lot louder – DO YOU GUYS HAVE EVERY THING YOU NEED????…snort!….If NOT make your concerns heard now. I do believe we here, meaning Both Teams are ready to pitch in “together” where necessary. If there is a need you guys cannot meet, we will help!…wheeze!
10:51 pm on February 9th, 2012
SnowBella: As members of Team Shake Your Bootie, as Wolfie has already said and I totally agree, boots for the Giant are a must! We trust you to apply the funds where they are most needed.
Is 2010 when the Plunderers were first introduced to Snowhook? The year of The Great Canine Caper starring Whitey-Lance. Now he is our hero.
10:54 pm on February 9th, 2012
Hey!….I guess Rebecca did tell us what they still need, but in her under-the-breath sort of way….sniff!… She just said up above, “There is still shipping to be done, runner plastic to be purchased along with a long list of other items…”….grunt!
10:56 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio: Are you saying I sacrificed the best years of my thighs by the two cheesecakes I ate when W.L. was missing just so I could find the Plunderers?!?! If that’s the case, it was totally worth it. 🙂
If/when I ever meet Siber-H, I’m going to give him a hug and a Slim Jim as a thank you. I’m also going to give his mom a hug for allowing him on the computer.
11:07 pm on February 9th, 2012
As a Team Bootie member I say the Giant needs boots too! Go for it.
11:10 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rio: At this point, we have the dog food covered which is a large expense—whew!
We reallocated funds from feeding the Giant to feeding the dogs. Now, that they will be fed on the race, I will focus on AJ’s food with the funds.
Booties are covered—Another whew!
I took the checks to the bank and have the cash in hand to cover that expense tomorrow. With the discount that the vendor said he’ll give us, I can put that money towards boots for AJ.
Shipping is next week; I will combine remaining funds with the quilt drawing funds towards shipping. I have a phone call with a potential sponsor tomorrow; if that goes well, it should close the gap.
I have been saving my airline miles that I earn through traveling for work for my travel to Nome—a third whew!
We have the funds for a couple more sets of runner plastic—Whew, whew, whew, whew!
11:13 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rebecca, I think I remember you posting on the Iditarod’s message boards when Whitey-Lance pulled his great escape. I know all the race fans were praying for you guys and Whitey-Lance. We all cared very much.
11:15 pm on February 9th, 2012
Rebecca, how much does runner plastic cost? And what about the expenses of transporting the team back home?
We want you to be able to enjoy the race without worrying about finances!
I am sending another check plus a batch of toffee along with the photos.
11:17 pm on February 9th, 2012
Life is good…The Borzoi is in Russia and I am here, but I wouldn’t mind being in Russia.
Thanks for the lovely card, T&G
I’m turning in now. Night All
11:18 pm on February 9th, 2012
Fate!…. Every day I am amazed that SiberH can find his way around on the computer…..chorkel!… The fact that he landed on Chet’s blog one day is still a marvel….sniff!…It was all meant to be. Whitey Lance and SiberH’s fates were meant to be entwined and pull us all in together….heh! ….What a ride! And the race hasn’t even begun yet!…Woooooo!
Goodnight!…Someone and Beau seem to think it is time to go to our warm soft beds….sniff!
11:26 pm on February 9th, 2012
Wolfie: Bluecat’s friend is named Foxy Leo. He won’t fit in the harness, so he might as well travel by sled with the team. 🙂
Wolfie again: You ask if there is anything more that we need? I have a request. As Plunderers, can we include our Plunderering friends and their loved ones in the opening night of the prayer offering. I know the prayer offerings are intended for the team, yet I think there are many in need of health and healing, calming and comfort.
SiberH: I didn’t know you posted on the message board during Whitey-Lance’s wandering—if I had only known. You and the others will never understand what your kind words on the message board and the emails I recieved from around the world meant to me and how they helped me. I was stuck, feeling helpless and bound at home; I was isolated from AJ by geography and financial constraints. It was complete misery. When AJ called to tell me that W.L. was missing, I replied with six words, “Don’t come home without my dog.” I was serious and he knew it. I waited for phone calls from AJ that came sporadically as he was able to borrow a phone from someone; it was always the same—signs of him, but no dog. Oh, SiberH, you have no idea what you and all those other strangers did for me in those dark days…Now, you get a hug, a Slim Jim and a pack of Yummie Chummies.
11:39 pm on February 9th, 2012
Howdy y’all. Did Ah hear somebody call my name? Greetins’ Mis Maggie. I heered that you might be lookin fer a good male to settle down with. You keep ole’ Redbone in mind. (Jest don’t tell Miz Macy)
Miz Bella – shore do admire you and that man of yourn for all you do. I know we kin expect great things from that there team this year – no matter where they come in the race.
Rio – have you bin teachin’ that new lil brother of ourn some kind of musical instrument so’s he kin join us on the harmonica, banjo and tamborine? Meybee he could be the one to blow on a big ole’ jug.
Well, I guess most of y’all have done turned in for the evenin’ I’ll check back in with ya in a little while.
11:48 pm on February 9th, 2012
SnowBella: The Quilt will cover and comfort all waiting and watching at home. The prayer circle lead by the Royal’s dad will send prayers of protection to surround the Giant and the team as they race along the trail. The Plunderers will keep them company on the long journey. It is a Great Honor to share in this race of a lifetime.
11:51 pm on February 9th, 2012
Wolfie: My ears perked up at the thought of toffee. I want to stress, I don’t want you or anyone to stretch your budget on behalf of Snowhook. I am beyond grateful for the generosity of funds, support and friendship given by the Plunderers.
Mr. Redbone: Long time no blog. If all else fails, perhpas a bell could be fastened to Beau’s tail.
11:54 pm on February 9th, 2012
Mr. Redbone! Someone was just saying how we miss hearing from you. Macy will be along soon. No doubt waiting for her mom to come home from the busy place.
Turning the computer off to catch up on Downton Abbey. Only two more episodes left. sob, sob.
Nite all – Bear
12:04 am on February 10th, 2012
Oh gosh, Just as soon as I start to read (while laying on the bed) I fell asleep. And then you ask about the booties and the boots. One of our goals in getting you the bootie money was to hopefully allow you to order all of them at once so you could get a deal and then have a little something ‘left over’ for other items. Boots or booties or whatever your great big heart desires Rebecca. You didn’t even have to ask.
((((Yawn)))))
Now that I am awake I think it is time for bed, but first, I wonder if I could make that sled dogs in the truck picture into a puzzle? Hmmmmmmmm
12:28 am on February 10th, 2012
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/26159000E4E?m=07250D4146.9F485F8&z=6
I think this one will be hard because of the limited palate. All grey and black and white. No one has done it yet, be the FIRST!
12:55 am on February 10th, 2012
Staff: I’m not the greatest at these things, but my time wasn’t TOO bad…3:15. It was fun! I don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but the Small Quilt Abbie has me addicted.
1:18 am on February 10th, 2012
1:56.
Yawn…..
1:24 am on February 10th, 2012
Oh, no! 2:56
1:26 am on February 10th, 2012
It’s the late hour I tell ya!
Tomorrow’s another day.
1:29 am on February 10th, 2012
That’s the first puzzle I’ve done. I did much better the second time. This might be a good way to pass the time during a certain race…
AJ just left for a late night training run due to the warm temps. Night all.
5:44 pm on June 1st, 2014
rear view mirror with backup camera…
Chet The Dog : The Pebbles Saga…