Racing Lineups

Just checking on the lineups for the races in the UP200 weekend.
http://www.up200.org/

So far, for the UP 200, there are 40 signups , plus 3 on the waiting list.
For the Midnight Run, there are 41 signups.
For the Jackpine 30, there are nine signups so far. Our kennel has Bib 4, with driver to
be determined.

This is our team at the Start last year. Our kennel has raced in three Jackpine 30 races, highest finish in third.

Day after the big snow

The dogs seem happy to have snow. We ran some of the trails with the Skandic today.
It's a bit early, though, as 40's predicted for next week. It helps to have the snowmachine out to make walking paths as well as trails.

Lillen likes to supervise everything from her pen or out on trails with me.

What a difference a day makes!

We accumulated about 8 inches of new snow within a short period of time. The power has been off and on about seven times. All dogs have new straw and seem to be happy about this fluffy stuff that kept me shoveling gates and making paths .

Sulatna, retiree

Sulatna, a dear retiree who is a house dog, always enjoys checking out the dog yard.

As sweet as she is, vibes she sends out have young ones submitting, rolling over, as soon as they see her coming. She has an elegance and runs faster than any dog , with ease. She's playful and loving as well.

Great leader, Skinny

Skinny has a few health problems, age ten, and he grieves each time we leave the yard without him. Today we let him lead out, first team, first dog. He is responsive, eager, tough and smart.

A deer (doe) came to the edge of the trail, leaped across right in front of them, and he just kept leading right down the trail, not a flinch. Didn't even look at it as it ran off. He's been many miles over the Alaskan mountains/forests and I wish he could talk.

We ran 1.7 miles.

Frita's Family

11.09.06
Today was the day to run dogs who have not run. Tomorrow will be the same.

Frita's family is a bit of a hodge podge... Big Yepa, Bigger Swix, small Yuki, small Zoom, Big Yeti,
Big Tsunami and Big Yo.

Frita can't run long with her bad hip, but she is an excellent leader and runs so happily.
In the hookup, Yepa, who is usually quite good, ate the leader tug line. Strike One! I replaced the tug. She pulled out of harness. Strike Two! (still going). She growled at Yuki. Strike Three and Out. Everything is training.

Swix who seems like a huge, but very sweet, elephant compared to the others, ran in wheel. We ended up with amicable Medio in lead with Frita , Yuki alone in swing, and Swix alone in wheel. It was a good , but short (for Frita's hip) run. (1.2 miles) Swix did pull out of harness early but ran with it as it was.

Alaskan Photos

This is a link to June Price's wonderful , often updated, photos from Alaska. They cover sled dogs, Iditarod, the great Alaskan scenery... thanks for sharing your link, June. What a great way to travel there !

June has published articles and photos for Iditarod and is the initiator of the large Idita-Support Group. She moved lock, stock and barrel from Florida to Alaska. Many of us love to stay tuned to Alaska through her photography and writing.

http://sunhusky.com/photos/

Latest Cabela's link, thanks, June!

June Price of Alaska does some great photos of Alaska and I'll ask for her permission for her link. This is a link she provided to the Cabela's latest article on Jeff King's innovations.
Always something interesting on Cabela's site. Worth a bookmark, for sure.

http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/coverage_2007/cov07_nov6_01.html

Camping on Chena River

This is another older photo, but brings back good memories of a great time. Aliy and Kaz Zirkle offer great trips after Iditarod, or, as in this case, in November.

Snow in Alaska, two degrees; up to 60? here today

This is a photo of four of us in Two Rivers,
Alaska, November of 2001 (not sure on year).
We had just returned from camping on the Chena River with , left, Kaz Zirkle, me, Eunice and Aliy Zirkle. We had taken off under a full moon at frigid temps and had a wonderful time with the dogs. I believe the temps were minus thirty over that night, minus twenties as we ran dogs that week.
Checked yesterday and five inches of snow in Two Rivers. This a.m. two degrees and light snow. Hear the have just 5 inches on ground, so slippery for ATVs and not enough for sleds.

Two different worlds, at times, other times temps fairly similar to ours. Today we expect to get up to high fifties, even 60 degrees, too warm to run, doggone!

Deer in road

Ruthie and Buffy (four year olds) led us swiftly by the deer carcass, out and back, no problem.

Click on photo. A good training 'tool', trail distraction.

Liller's family, near Florence

This photo is taken about 3 miles from the kennel, at our turnaround. There was no trail at the turnaround but these dogs are so trail savvy that they just made the turn in the same place as last year's. The iron ore grade doesn't seem to be as bad on their feet this year. Only one hole in a bootie. It has been graded but there are deep! holes in mid trail, have to watch for them. Another plus was that shy Medio showed no reaction to traffic on his 12.6 miles of running. (Liller,* Buffy,* Medio,* Kiddo, Sherpa, Herman) * back to back 6.3 mile runs.

Out of the Gate

Getting out of the gate was the biggest challenge on this 6.3 mile run. Buffy hesitated on the 'haw', altho Ruthie was ready. All summer they know the gate is closed and we don't go that way. Once on the railroad grade/trail they were very eager to run. It was cool and windy (29 degrees). We ran into two dead deer carcasses, one in mid trail, but "pick it up" and they ran right past like pro's... good dogs. On the second run I brought a shovel and moved the carcass off the trail.

Two teams: Buffy, Ruthie, Kiddo, Medio and Quattro; LilleR, Buffy, Kiddo, Medio, Sherpa and
Herman. Kiddo, Medio and Buffy had 12.6 miles, all others, 6.3 miles. It was 29 degrees, sunny but windy/cool. Liller (age 11) set a great pace and showed no signs of tiring. I kept them at mostly 9mph, some 10/11, and near the deer, 13mph.

These were all of the same family(siblings and Mom, and granddaughter) and have sprint and distance lines combined.

Time for new scenery on runs

No, this isn't this year, it's a run with ten last fall and we need to get to this before the rifles come out for deer season. The dogs love our trails, but they are getting a bit bored with the usual routes and need a change of pace. Hopefully we'll get 'out of the gate' today or soon.

Our trusty leaders who can be relied on to listen on the critical turns 'out there' are not able to run the distances, so Buffy will be on for taking commands, along with Ruthie. Looking for someone who wants to get 'cold' with me on that open long run . (Nineteen degrees this a.m.)

Drove to get a ton of dog food yesterday and unloaded it. Whew, glad to have another month's supply. It's a 200 mile round trip, so takes most of a day away from dogs.

Cougar sites in Michigan

These are two links to the new DNR sites for cougar spottings in Michigan.

This is the one to help identifying a cougar presence.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_43573---,00.html

This is a general article on cougars and the Michigan DNR efforts to learn/educate about their presence.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153--155021--,00.html

Dryland Racing

The first dryland races were held in Pearson, Wi this past weekend. It included cart races,
ATV's (without motors), canicross (dog in harness on skijor belt) and other.
See Sled Dog Central for results , Wisconsin Trailblazers .

http://www.sleddogcentral.com/results07/lower48/midwest/pearson_wi.htm

Photo of 1st Hallowe'en Team

Black dogs, not black cats. Good dogs.

P.S. 57 snaps on the trail cam (only 24 to a film), so will take that in.

Hallowe'en in Harness

Today was a bit hectic, almost as if the dogs knew it was a day to be excited and look for treats.

The first team was really excited to go , but it took a few stops (with the brake on)
to actually get going. They had been leaping and screaming and three of the five were tangled at takeoff. We ran 3.1 miles with the first team. Since it's up and down good hills, these are equivalent to a six mile run, I believe. (Lillen, Sherpa (who was moved to wheel), Zoom, Medio and Kiddo). Their treats were chicken and salami.

The second team (in photo) took off so smoothly I was actually about a mile into it when I realized I was daydreaming. A deer leaped out but the dogs didn't flinch. What a dream team (for today anyway). We ran 2.6 miles because Liller was tiring, although willing to go on. (Liller, Ruthie,Buffy, Rosie and Herman). Their treats were salmon and salami.

Miles are slow to accumulate but the continued hookups are good incentive for the dogs.
There were a few nice free runs for other dogs. Tomorrow we'll get Frita's family harnessed.
Frita has a bad hip, but she's a great leader and loves to run with her 'kids'.

Interesting story on grizzlies in Anchorage and around

http://www.adn.com/outdoors/craig_medred/story/8356365p-8251821c.html

This is an interesting story on not only grizzly bears in Anchorage /city areas, but also on bear behavior in general (and human behavior).

Another good run; moose on the loose

Today we had a fairly uneventful five dog run for 3 miles. There were a few tangles to start but the youngest ones behaved best. Medio was in 'hunt' mode which challenged Buffy. He won't be in lead next time. I would have run more, but the sun came out and the temps went right up.
Buffy was very responsive in lead. She is well trail trained and is learning that I ask her to take different routes from her usual.

This is a link to the local paper showing a cow moose in the neighborhood. That road is about two miles through the woods from the kennel. The only place I've ever seen in moose has been in Alaska. This is an oddity, thankfully. Not sure is they're as aggressive here. http://www.florenceminingnews.com/main.shtml

Racing Registration

I just sent in the registration for the Jackpine 30 , for February 17, 2007.

This is last year's team, Liller, left in photo , and Buffy, right, in lead; Ruthie and Kiddo in swing, and Martin (white) and Quattro in wheel.
And Julia driving the team.

Of these, probably Buffy, Ruthie, Kiddo, Quattro and possibly, Martin ,could be on this year's team.
Only warm temps and age would keep Martin out of it. He was a Quest finisher (champion team) so this was probably a fun run for him (thirty miles).
They're all great dogs!!

Lillen and Sherpa leading, Martin , wheel

Two six dog teams, short runs

Nice runs with two six dog teams. Sherpa (not quite two years) ran in lead with Lillen and did very well. Lillen can be tough with other females but Sherpa followed Lillen's rules, apparently, as they did very well together.

Martin ran in wheel for his first run and he's a super trooper. Skinny ran lead with Buffy and was absolutely done after just two miles, even though I kept them at 7-8 mph.

Zoom ran her first run of the year and was a good little willing dog (Frita/Martin daughter).
Matilda had another flawless run. Ruthie probably got the best ratings for the day, head down, focused, run, run in swing.

Photo is of Skinny, Buffy (lead); Ruthie, Matilda (swing); Herman, Quattro (wheel). Amazing how the look alikes are hard to i.d. even a day after I have hooked them up.

In between weather

We've had some days with just enough snow to make it slippery, in the pens, on the trails.
Today we have just slightly more than a dusting , but hope to run some small teams. The leaves on trails freeze and make downhill trails, with a bit snow cover, slippery.
Usually the snow cover goes by noon, as in this photo.

Carabiner overkill

Was just thinking about the carabiners and bungees. We use two bungees in case one breaks, and three carabiners, to assure that the lines will not come unhooked. All of this is useless when a dog eats the line. I will still use them, especially for big teams, but covered cable line or new
"iron" rope is best for lines.

This is Sherpa, not Buddy.

Always learning; dogs, the teachers

We had two nice runs yesterday. But I was hooking up alone and they were crazy to run.
First team was all young ones, again. First fall runs for some.

On the 2nd run, Buddy in wheel, alone, ate the gangline (not cable, of course), in take off, and was being dragged by the necklines. I had the ATV with a brake, luckily, but in those situations one has to think fast.

I couldn't release him, he was the wheel dog and I couldn't let the dogs ahead of him loose (bird hunters, don't want them running thru the woods, and dogs could have been hurt, all hooked up). Would never do that intentionally. Forgot my extra quick release, as well.

I took the extra tug line (hooked to his harness) and the extra neckline (hooked to his collar) and attached them, making a temporary gangline. You can only do this if it's one dog, running alone in his position, of course. Maybe I knew this at one time, but I re-learned yesterday.

I had this gangline made in three colors specifically for my helpers so one can quickly identify where the tangle is... green, neckline, red , main line, blue tug line. Yesterday it helped me.
My thoughts: "RED! that's the gangline!"

Most dogs learn early not to eat the lines, but Buddy is a rescue and I don't know how he ran the UP200 with his penchant for eating lines. Since I was hooking up alone, I couldn't watch him and take off too. Of course, alone, I wasn't fast enough for him and in his haste, he ate the line. He may only get to run when I have a helper.

Pretty interesting how much Sherpa and Buddy look alike, both from outside the kennel, but they have a common ancestor, wayyyyy back, Tennessee from Joe Redington, Sr., early Iditarod days.

Miles and speed, easing in

Well, so much going on and have to get miles. My first team today is young ones, so they wanted to pick up the pace and go further.

Buffy was a **star** in lead today, Yea, Buffy! Medio, a hunter, pulled her off the trail , twice, heading for birds, and each time I said, "no, gee over", and Buffy, without EVEN a tangle, pulled them back on the trail, good girl! I like running small teams because I can watch everyone.
She also did one great 'haw over', so she can do it! Once Rosie was hooked up, she stopped eating her harness and focused well.

Sherpa, wheel girl, is not quite two and she was, by far!, the easiest hookup today. I usually hookup back to front . Started with Herman in wheel and he was so excited he nipped my face with his teeth. He went back on the line for a bit.

Put Sherpa in wheel and she was A+ , stood still, waited. Next I hooked up Buffy and Medio in lead as Herman was still nuts. Finally had to turn on the motor so they'd line out. When I'm not running the older , savvy, polite leaders (Liller, Lillen, Frita and Skinny (not so polite, but savvy), the hookup is chaos, especially by myself.

But we did it and ran three miles. Herman was still wound, should have run another three miles, but it was a bit sunny and I ran them at 11/12 mph so enough for them. The lineout photo is on the return and they were all doing well. They had their salmon water and went back to think about the next time.

The good life; the dog life

This is definitely the good life! with dogs!

Photo is of Skinny (aging Skinny ) lying down, Buffy (full of steam) in lead; Medio and LilleN, (as not LilleR), in swing, and Kiddo/Quattro (sisters) in wheel. Skinny loves to be the main man and gives it his all. Skinny is Dad to all of these, but Lillen.

Julia will be back soon to train and then we'll have some larger teams running. We need to do some more leader training. Always had good leaders, and now they are aging/aged.

Ruthie team

This is Ruthie and Medio in lead, Frita in swing (bad hip) and Martin's great daughter, Yepa, in wheel. Yepa used to be very shy and reluctant to come out to be hooked up. Now she screams in harness (we hook up back to front and she was first hooked up) and she is STRONG.... a good wheel dog, for sure.

First Snow

Looking good

Finally, today is Sunday, October 15th... our first runs. Of course, we ran short and only ran two teams (ten dogs), but we gave them all hope! All the dogs were cheering as we took off and returned.
The first run leader honors went to Skinny and Buffy. Skinny was happy to be chosen, for sure, as was Buffy. Skinny, one more time, demonstrated how well he listens and leads. Buffy was having fun but wasn't taking commands too well. Skinny, our champ, has aged and will not lead in a race, but hopefully he can help us train.

The second team was led by Medio and Ruthie ( we were going to let Frita lead but she was too
skitzy with Ruthie, so she ran in swing). Frita did take the commands better than either Ruthie or Medio , so in her heart she was leading. However, Frita's bad hip will preclude her being able to lead. Hopefully, she can also train.

Kiddo and Quattro both run left now, so will not be able to pair them anymore (wheel dogs), but even though they ran tightly left together, they had a good time.

Weather

This is a link to photos in The Anchorage Daily News of flooding around the Valdez and Seward areas. Rain has forced closure of highways and the flooding is significant.

http://www.adn.com/news/environment/story/8293460p-8190025c.html

We have our first dusting of snow and icy roads. The dogs all have fresh straw and are
energized by this change in weather.

More trails

This is on the wilder back of the 80... some dens back there that we try to not disturb.

Trails

"Two roads diverged in the woods,
And, I,
Chose the one less traveled by,
And it has made all the difference."
Robert Frost

This quotation is from memory, so apologies if it is not 100%, but I think of it as I run/walk trails with dogs. It certainly is 'less traveled' to be out with dogs, and it does make all the difference. It's a great life.

Photos are of a free run last night . Timber is a dog who came as a rescue... he prefers to live alone, but is very compatible on walks (on leash). I've met various wild creatures with him and he's always protective but not uncontrollable. He's an odd mix... heeler, boxer, corgi, husky, I was told. He does not like to run in harness, period, so he is a companion.

Well, now!, snow is forecast for Saturday (next ) so I will get out my mattress spring and drag some trails today, as the deep cover of maple leaves is very slippery when ice/frost/snow covered. Every day that my ten year old Polaris ATV is still working is a 'gift' as it's been a real workhorse. We have the larger Arctic Cat to fall back on, but the little one is my favorite. We save the Cat for training runs, mostly.

Full Harvest Moon

Every October I say I've never seen a bigger, more beautiful moon, and I'm saying the same again this year. It brought temps in the 70's with it, but cooler days are in the forecast. Finally we'll be running! As warm as it was, I almost decided to run a few today, but instead we went on free runs (males on leashes... don't know why it's the males who need the leashes but the females are usually good... however, Sulatna did run off down by the highway to where she once had a dead deer stash, which I had cleaned up (road kill)... she revisits when I have four or five dogs free running and she can run off more easily.)

There were bird hunters about and a few of my Posted signs had been torn down, so I put them back up. A nearly perfect day. A day for caramel apples and pumpkin pie.

Needs a large harness

Couldn't resist posting this photo that was sent to me by a friend. Apparently this was taken near Crystal Falls (ten miles from here) just recently.

It's been a year since I saw the large cat running near my driveway and the dogs were all pointing at it with their noses.

I hope it 's the same one and it has headed North, far far away. These are very beautiful animals but my preference would be to see them far far from here.

Colors and coyote

The colors have reached their peak and are spectacular. The reds are very deep and the yellows striking. This is a tree on Blue Jay Lane, the very! rural road into our river camp.

Can't remember if I posted this photo of the coyote walking up to the cabin. Many have seen a timber wolf around here , but I haven't this year. This 'guy' though, is very confident and roams around. On the day I took this photo I saw him walking up to the cabin, Skinny was tied right outside. I took the photo from the deck and then told him to 'shoo!'. He was unimpressed, but did wander back down onto the other trail and amble along.

On our daily walks we find many piles of berry filled scat, large and small. It's the chokecherries that they're devouring now and soon those will be gone, too. Unfortunately the dogs sometimes roll in the 'good' scents .

This is the first summer in 'forever' that I have not personally seen a bear. Last summer I saw ten (from a vehicle).

Road hunters are out at night, looking for partridge on our road. My land is posted but it doesn't keep them out so we keep watch around dusk as the dogs get very upset with nearby gun shots.
(as do I, so close to the dog pens).

Checking on our river camp

Yesterday I took a trip to the river cabin, our favorite distant destination for dog teams.

The river water was low, even following some good rain. It's been a very dry summer.

Chomping at the bit to get a team out there with the ATV, as we did last year at this time.
We always hope to use the cabin more, but if we're training for sprint, our distances are shorter.
We use that destination for training for the 30 mile race we typically run.

It is a neat little place to go, very peaceful. Enroute we do have to meander through a small village called Pentoga, but it is a fairly short trek through the village. The route is an old railroad grade.

Liller, back to running free

Liller is the mother of our A pups and B pups. (Skinny is the father). Liller recently had surgery to remove some tumors and has been recovering. Today she was out and about again, running free. She's a star as a leader as well as a mother. She has not only given birth to the pups, but has been their main trainer as well. If there is such a thing as a 'push button' sled dog leader, Liller fits that description . She is extremely responsive and has a very strong work ethic. She is at her happiest in bitter cold and she does not like heat. Look at her dense coat.

She is a bit shy and does take a dislike to some people, but for the most part she is an A++ leader. Two of her pups are good leaders, as well... Ruthie and Buffy. We are hoping that Matilda will also be a leader this year.

I had Liller on a trail today that is no longer well marked... she bounded ahead of me and found it and had me laughing at how accurate she is. In many of the photos of teams running in this 'blog', she is leading.
She will be eleven years old in October and ran the Iditarod in 2001.

Winter Prep

Still too warm to run! Well, there have been a few instances of cool air, but still, the humidity was up there. We don't want to start them with hope until we can keep it up.

The list of winter prep is long. We're building dog houses, repairing some, adding doors to all.
I've picked up 8 bales of straw and have added it to the houses of older dogs or retirees with special needs. The photo shows Martin's new house in the background. He and Ruby live together and while the older houses fit her, they're a bit too small for him (although snug and warm). The back pen (concrete base) needs new roofs and we're trying a different type of plywood. Innovation is the name of the game around here. Banjo's pen has a septic tank (new)
cover for a roof.

The hornets abound as the chokecherries have now mostly fallen off the trees. Walking under the trees is a bit like a minefield as the hornets feed. The deer come right up to the house to eat the cherries .

Today it will be 68 degrees and then we're due for a period of showers.

The winds were very strong yesterday and tore some of the tarps down (shade covers), so that's now on the list ... take down all tarps and stow for next year. The dogs and I walk a lot on the trails and yesterday the trails were littered with branches from the winds.

Itching to run

Boss Cat is in harness... can the dogs be far behind? It was a drizzly day today and an 'almost' for a first Fall training run.

The birds are flocking, the grouse are springing from the trees as we free run... it must be time to run. Maybe tomorrow? But, the forecast calls for the 70's so I'm trying to hold back, lest they get too excited too soon. Bah humbug.

And today I took photos of animal scat... it must be time to do something better than that!

The apples are mostly down from the trees but the cherry trees are drawing in every type of critter. I've been meaning to go out with my headlamp and look around in the dark to see how many eyes I can see.

Well, I did that, too, and just low to the ground eyes looked back at me. Not wanting to meet a skunk , I thought better of it and came back in.

Cool Diggety Dog

Ready to run! Every night at sundown, as it cools, the dogs are starting to dig at the fences, ready to run!

Last night I went over to see what their chorus of howls was about. The A pup pen (Liller's family) rushed the fence toward me, distracting me, it seemed and I could see a few holes, but not near the fence line. I went back inside. Again the chorus began. Again I went out , but silently. They were at a far fence line, just about out of the pen. Ruthie, the engineer in the group, was directing the excavation, while Josie and Matilda dug like backhoes.

Just a reminder that they are truly always smarter and tougher than we even know. They are ready for fall training. I am just about ready too but it's still a bit warm in daylight hours and I have a foot injury that is slowing me down. Soon , though, we'll get some training running in. The weekend looks a bit warm.

Photo of retirees , Liller and Lillen, excitedly in lead, (Why are we stopping?)on a Spring run.

Denali Web Cam

Getting a bit homesick for Alaska here, so here is a link to the webcam at the Visitor Center with a view of Denali...http://www.nationalparksgallery.com/item/7323

This weekend is the memorial service for Susan in Fairbanks. If I didn't have a foot in need of surgery, I would be attending. We (dogs and I ) will be paying our respects on a walk-about together.

Time out for my Grandson, Taras!

We're having a wonderful visit with my son and his wife and almost two year old son. Taras loves "puppies" and this is a photo of him watching mine from afar, with a safe one to hug.

There is flooding in the Alaska MatSu valley, from heavy rains, closing the highway between Anchorage and Denali Park. http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/8096644p-7989104c.html

More brown bears near Anchorage

This is a link to another story on grizzlies coming into neighborhoods. Apparently stricter hunting rules and other factors are allowing them to come in closer.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/bears/story/8090057p-7981767c.html

Happy 10th Birthday, dear Skinny!

Today Skinny is 10 years old! We were so lucky to bring him back with us from Aliy Zirkle's kennel in 2001. That is also the year Liller joined us from Susan Butcher's kennel.

One of these photos if of Skinny in lead with Sulatna and Liller making the three dog team, just running for fun, shortly after both had arrived.

The other photo doesn't show Skinny but he was leading with Glory for my team in the Nicolet Sprint. Sulatna and Balto were in wheel. Skinny was primed and flying... we came to hard gee curve with a fence to show the way. The man at the fence looked at me very skeptically as if he were sure! I would not stay on the sled. We let out a great 'yahoo!' when I was still on.

Skinny has run lead for us for two Jackpine 30's and he's also the father of our great A and B puppies.

Thank you, Skinny!

Posting format

I'm trying to recover the original posting format as it seems to get lost in the bottom of the post.

Fairbanks News tribute to Susan and Granite; memorial service date

Fairbanks News-Miner'Through blizzards of doubt and fear,' Butcher never gave upBy Dermot ColePublished August 12, 2006Posted in Local, Dermot Cole column

LEADING: After winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race three times in a row, Susan Butcher finished second in 1989.UA President Mark Hamilton recalls watching news coverage of that event and how she responded when reporters asked about finishing second. "She answered the question humbly, but as journalists are prone to do, the reference to second place was repeated in the next question,"

Hamilton said."Susan firmly instructed the reporter not to ask again, saying, 'This is Granite's last race and I told him we won.'"

He was immediately won over by what she said about her great lead dog. Years later, when Hamilton met Butcher he began to tell a story about the finish-line quote that had moved him so deeply. She hadn't forgotten. She finished the sentence for him.

Hamilton, the poet, offers this tribute:

Lead dog, breaking trail through blizzards of doubt and fear,Running to help the team, as if chasing Joe Garnie 40 miles from Nome.You said years ago, before this latest race, "There is only one sad thing-giving up."We didn't give up, we the fearful ones, wanting guides for the darknessof that good night.Wanting trails broken for us, promises kept, nature controlled.We only see the Northern Lights; can't feel them in our soul as you do.

We didn't give up, not on you.You were hard as granite, tough as the arctic, gentle as a sled dog,Unflinching in the darkness.Susan, I swear to you . you won.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------SERVICE: The memorial service for Susan Butcher, who died of leukemia a week ago, will be Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. in the Davis Concert Hall at UAF. If you care to send condolences to the family, write: The Monson Family, Box 60249, Fairbanks, AK 99706.

Dogs in Healing Ministry

This is a link to an article written by my son for The Oregonian (Portland, OR) recently.
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrosouthwest/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_southwest_news/1154570123180860.xml&coll=7#continue

Brown bears in Anchorage

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/bears/story/8066937p-7958666c.html

Thanks, June Price, for the link on this story on brown bears in Anchorage, including Kincaid Park. The first time I went to Kincaid Park I had driven too far and was looking for a place to turn around, which happened to be Kincaid Park. I drove in the access road and right! next to my small rental car was a BIG moose. I couldn't resist taking photos of him through the window , too close for comfort.

Then, one time I went to Kincaid to walk. It was the year of the Fairbanks restart. The next day was when a person (runner or biker, not enough snow, I believe for skiing) was stomped by a moose on the trail I had just walked... his face was smashed in but he managed to crawl to his car and survived the attack. I heard about this enroute to Fairbanks.

VERY IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED: (and I reminded myself of this when I drove up to Chugach Park and was thinking about a solo hike... the sign read, Bear Area)...

When you are in Alaska, you should remind yourself frequently that is not Kansas (or Wisconsin) anymore... these wild critters are for real! and you might meet them as you walk around the corner of your motel (as I did one morning with a moose and my newly acquired dog). I can't tell you how many times I've stepped over moose droppings at the Millenium Hotel, the Iditarod HQ for the race.

Chicago Tribune article on Susan

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0608100238aug10,1,1214982.column?ctrack=1&cset=true

Very well told. Still too hard to believe.

One more beautiful story of Susan

This is from Cabela's website, Jon Little's beautiful story.

http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/

I'm attaching two photos of Sulatna, a dog from Susan Butcher. Sulatna is out of Susan's Poppers and Emmitt Peters' Yukon. She is 13. To me she epitomizes a Butcher dog... she's very fast, very very smart, responsive, sweet , independent, loves! to run and never quits.

She has great feet, coat, endurance and temperament. She's a leader and a puppy trainer, but mostly these days my house companion, too.

When I received Lillen from Susan last year she sent me a followup email. In it she cautioned me to not overly feed her as she would keep the pounds on, but also she said, "As long as you follow her rules (Lillen's) she'll be very happy." It is true of Sulatna, Lillen, Liller and Scuba, all lead females who came to us from Susan.

Each of them was a stellar performer, and three still are. Scuba died a few years ago and Susan shared my grief. She had had her on several Iditarod teams and loved her spirit. She was a motivator, she told me. When other musher's dogs were laying back towards the end of the race, Scuba was up and cheering to go. Rick Swenson recalled her when I visited with him in Takotna one year. We still have four of Scuba's pups. Lillen and Scuba are out of the same grandfather, Lacanin, and Glory, one of the pups is very similar to Lillen.

Well, Susan is out there cheering and motivating all of us. We keep sharing many stories about her and I do hope someone puts them into book form.

Coyote visit

This morning about 6:30 AM this coyote paid a very unhurried visit. Skinny was tied outside but did not see the visitor. I went out on the deck and said " Go away, shoo!" and s/he went into the woods, only to come back out and follow the trail to the dog pens. Some of them saw him/her, but there was no meeting, thankfully. I have seen quite a few coyotes in the past year... the rabbit population is the highest I've ever seen and I know that is an indicator of a good year for seeing coyotes.
I did always think foxes and coyotes weren't too happy being in each other's areas, but we have both roaming around, often.

Another link on Susan

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/lifestyle/local_story_219095511?+page=3

Susan Butcher, Anchorage Daily News

This is the link to the Anchorage Daily News article by Craig Medred. It tells her story so well.
David's note on the website says that she didn't leave until they promised her she had made them strong. Chisana chose a star in the sky, at David's prompting, and said she thought that was Susan, but 'don't worry, she's not alone'.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/butcher/story/8045354p-7938337c.html

As some of us share stories back and forth, it is clear that no one expected to lose Susan Butcher, ever. I am, once again, so grateful to have been able to spend time with her. I am treasuring the emails in which she coached me on dog care and discussed various dogs with me. I am treasuring my memories of riding with her on an ATV in predawn hours on a frigid morning. I am especially treasuring these wonderful dogs entrusted to me.

Thank you, dear Susan.

IN MEMORIAM, SUSAN BUTCHER

Dear Susan Butcher lost her battle with leukemia yesterday , leaving her husband and two daughters, Tekla, 11, and Chisana, 6. We are very sad to hear this and so grateful for having known her. She first and foremost loved her family.

She was an inspiration to many people around the world, of all ages. Susan won four Iditarod races with her wonderful dogs. She climbed Mt. McKinley with a dog team .
Her many feats are legendary and she leaves a wonderful legacy of strength for her children and all of us. She was known for her wonderful dog care.

We received our first dog, Scuba, from Susan and over the years have been so lucky to know her and be mentored by her. Last year we visited her in September and she sent dear Lillen home with us. Four of Susan's dogs are still with us.

I personally treasure all of the times I have had with her and am very very sad this morning.

This photo was from the 2001 Iditarod... Susan, on the left and David, with Chisana on his back. She was taking an Iditarider at the Start that day.

More of summer

Chena's visit to her friend, our vet, found that she has an infection of undetermined origin, and she's on antibiotics. She perked right up after a few doses. Possibly the infection came from her diving swims or her visits to the apple tree after the other animals... not sure.

Sulatna is always happy on runs and this one was no exception. She has a beautiful stride/gait and loves to run in wide circles when she's happy.

Hot again, 80's today, into the 90's tomorrow... summer goes on and on!

Don't sit under the apple tree with any one else but me

When I pick up the cd's from the trailcam at Wal Mart, I'm excited to see if I've caught anything at all on camera, and there are always interesting photos.

This little fox is one of a few that are very bold around here now that Solo is gone, but this is the first photo on our trail cameras of a fox.

Chena and Sulatna spend a lot of time under this tree analyzing what scents are in the air.

Chena isn't feeling well... I hope it's just an ear infection from swimming too much but we'll find out tomorrow at the vet's office. She has multiple health problems at her advanced age. I'm always dreading losing her, and today is no different.

I can't imagine going to the apple tree without her. She wouldn't swim last night and she wouldn't pick up apples today, so something is bothering her.