Thus, the substitutions are as follows:
Oddball is in for Nacho who moved up to the Red Team. This is a pretty even trade of power/speed, and adds experience to the team. Honda is in for his sister Malibu whose early-season wrist issues flared up again last week. Honda is bigger and stronger than Malibu, but does not have her leadership potential.
Roy is in for Happy who showed signs of minor soreness at the end of the last long training run. Although Happy is a late-scratch due to the Kennel’s “100% fit and healthy” requirement for running the Iditarod, our “Happy Girl” was allowed to join the Red Team for the short ceremonial start run. According to Aliy, “We can’t let her run the Iditarod, but we wanted to at least let her run in front of all her fans in the ceremonial start!”
I’m sure many of you are as disappointed as I am that we won’t see Happy in Nome again this year. Happy doesn’t know unhappiness, of course, but I plan to pretend she does and keep her as my “pet dog” for a few days when I get back to the Kennel!
Poor Happy….sorry we won't see her in Nome this year but the kennel has it right…100% fit/healthy. Thanks for keeping all of us fans 'in the know'. See you in Nome. Deb
Hi there, from the lower forty-eight. I started following the Iditarod two years ago, and last year the story of Happy really captured my imagination. I'm so glad she got to share in the ceremonial start, at least, and that she will be receiving the special treatment she deserves.
I'll be following Aliy and Allen's progress closely, as I did last year, and wish them both well. I am so impressed with the affection and genuine care you all display for the dogs–especially enjoy watching all the videos of Aliy introducing and describing them. I have to admit I've watched more than once!
Since we're on the topic of Allen and the Black Team, here is a picture submitted to adn.com:
http://www.adn.com/2010/03/06/1171086/2010-iditarod.html#id=1174080&view=large_view
Mac, thanks for updating us on the substitutions. It was great to see Happy in the Ceremonial Start…at least she got to run. I appreciate the attentiveness SP Kennel has to the dogs.
I look forward to the updates.
Ah oh, Stella will be jealous – or are you going to sleep with two bed hogs?
Sorry Happy didn't get to run to Nome this year, but we totally understand that her health comes first. I'm sure she's Happy being your temporary "pet dog" ~ we wanna see a photo of her begging from the table and sleeping on your bed!
I'm sure Happy is still rooting for her friends!
Both teams look really strong!
Thanks again Mac for all of the fantastic reporting!
Mac, Are you glued to the GPS and the forums like we are? Both teams are looking (at least from the only perspective we have) "fantastic."
You all must know how disappointed I am that Happy is not out on the trail… I've always had a special place in my heart for underdogs, and Happy has taken up permanent residence there…
She has been a great dog all season… training hard, running races, being happy… She has flown to Anchorage, lived in a hotel, been spokesdog for the Kennel and done happy dances non-stop…
I really, really wanted to greet her in Nome…
What can I say? I love that stupid dog.
But, she's not 100% fit and healthy right now… no Iditarod for Happy… End of story… at least for this year!
It is sad that Happy is not racing. It is good that she is resting though. Otherwise she could get worse. Hopefully she will race next year.
From Corren