I’ve finally had a few minutes to check out the Iditarod discussion forums and saw some of the dialogue about “Happy The Sled Dog.”
My apologies for leaving you all in such suspense for so long. There’s a lot to Happy’s story this year, and I will try to give you a full account soon. For now, let me just say that I was as surprised as you were that she ran the Ceremonial Start on the Red Team. Truth is, I actually didn’t know she had run until after it happened and I saw her in the video!
Speaking of which… Many of you commented about trying to see her, and I want to try to help you out. So, I’ve taken a piece of the footage, slowed it down and zoomed in on Happy. I hope you will enjoy viewing her starting line antics in this more recognizable format. I think you will also see that she is favoring her left front leg, which explains pretty much everything.
Just for fun, I’ve replaced the now-garbled audio track with a little tune called “Look At All The Pretty Lights” by my friend Jeff Tolbert… It just seems fitting for our Happy girl!
Again, I will try to give you “the rest of the story” about Happy soon… Please bear with me, I’m doing the best I can!
Love it Mac!
I read Happy's lips. She said, "What are we all doing here? Hey, what are you doing back there? Where are you all going? Oh, that's right, I'm a sled dog!"
Awww! What a great-er-"Happy" moment! She was even smiling! Thanks for looking out for her best interest. We wouldn't want anything to happen to our Happy girl!
don't apologize al the time.
you are doing great! For me, this is the first time I follow the Iditarod and on you site I get the best information. Thanks, a fan for Holland.
Nice pic here of Tatfish and Biscuit in Nikolai:
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/iditarod-category/gallery/54
(second pic along).
I agree – no need to apologize – you're doing great! The lengthy video clips you shoot don't just magically edit themselves into 4 minutes clips that are interesting, informative, and cohesive. It takes time and effort – plus you're working "away from home" and have to rely on network connectivity and battery charging capabilities outside of your control.
Mix in trying to coordinate getting updates from Bridgett and Mickey from the trail and of course you can't be at our beck and call 24/7.
I appreciate all you bring us, no matter when you bring it to us, and whatever size of a post or clip that it is.
Go Mac! Have a safe drive back to Two Rivers.
HI this is sarah j from nebraska, I am having fun following everyting on your blog. Aily I heard you are doing great, keep up the good work. I follow you daily. Stay warm!
Mac,
the video is awesome!
the music fits to happy-philosophy :o)
thanks for all your hard work.
and here again:
no apology here ….
your reports are great and so informative.
have a safe trip home.
I agree with everyone who says no apology necessary—you're doing a great job!
Who is the dog next to Happy and also the one leaping so high right behind her? (If you don't have time to answer, that's okay.)
Just watching the video made me feel happier—thank Happy for me! I love your choice of music—it was a great fit with the video.
Thats Happy!
"Oh yea I am a sled dog"
Thank you all for your thoughtful reassurances… I appreciate your patience and know that you understand I've got a lot going on…
To be honest, this has instantly become one of my favorite videos… You all captured it perfectly: "Whoa, Hold on, Wait, Wow, What? Oh, That's right… I'm a sled dog!"
It's something that we at the Kennel have become accustomed to… in the "DogStats" Aliy's comments about Happy every month are always about some degree of "mental"… e.g. "some mental", "not too much mental", "pretty mental early month"… and occasionally just "idiot"…
The thing is, I have to cut Happy some serious slack… I honestly don't believe she's a sled dog… I'm almost positive she's actually a hound dog… The "tell" is how she picks me out from so far away whenever I'm "hiding" around a trail…
When I look at how good a sled dog she is, it's really amazing… And, I start to wonder how good a hound dog she might be…
I also often wonder how good a pet dog she might be… But don't tell anybody I said that!
Mac, that was my comment exactly – you didn't know she was there, but she knew you were there.
Any Australian Cattle Dogs in remote Alaskan villages? In her pictures, it looks like there could be some cattle dog in there.
A cattle dog in the Iditarod would be a serious violation not to mention a horrific death for the poor creature. Only Artic breeds allowed
A cattle dog in the Iditarod would be a serious violation not to mention a horrific death for the poor creature. Only Artic breeds allowed
I have a dog who is part Australian Cattle Dog and she is just like Happy! So I agree-she could have some in her!
When Happy moves to being a "pet", I would take her in a heartbeat!!
Thanks for caring about Happy, and taking care of her. Sometimes , the most special thing about the Iditarod isnt the race, but the players. Good luck to Happy and her team mates this year!
Will be following the SP Kennel !
7 Siberians in Virginia
Hey Macgellan thanks for the Happy updates. We love her & her story here in Rhode Island!(I vote you & Happy's "kiss" was the 2009 smooch of the year!) By the way, did you guys EVER hear from the Ellen show about Happy dancin' on her show? Also, have a rescued Coonhound/ Husky mix from Arkansas. (We actually had his DNA done, cause we were curious). Our Jack looks and acts an awful lot like Happy….
Not sure that this is the place to ask —- but are there any Happy updates for this racing season?
She is so priceless in her attitude.
Please post another Happy segment. Pretty Please!
Any Chance of a Happy update??? Miss her stories and her videos!