Aliy and Allen visited the dog yard this morning while the dogs were napping. I caught a few pics.
RETURNED DOG UPDATE
Scooby, Champ and Junior are back in Anchorage with Linda and having a party with Commando and Cayenne.
Allen’s team is in Unalakleet awaiting a flight out. Lots of flights have been grounded today including passenger planes so they may be spending another night out there. They’re all great and being well looked after. We are checking on them via phone regularly.
Darn how I LOVE these SPK Dogs!!!! Each and every one….Im so envious you all get to coo and cuddle them after their long journey! Well deserved nose kisses and pats…..good job dogs!
Glad to see Champ and his pink blanket….I assume the fever is down and he is feeling better (and Allen too!)
I changed my vocabulary…I really like what Aliy put forth….dogs are Benched and Returned! Words matter, and these words are not only more positive, but more importantly truer to the actual actions out on the trail and beyond! That said, I REALLY, REALLY want to be a Benched Dog Volunteer some day for this race. LOL….its good to have goals! Glad you all are getting some rest out there! Enjoy what the town has to offer!
Aliy….refrain from the arm wrestling…I know you want to…..but….
LOL – arm wrestling is definitely off the table for the unsuspecting!
Champ appears to be a bit embarrassed by the pink blanket. He is way too tough for that🏋🏻♂️
These are wonderful pictures. I am so proud of Aliy, Allen, all of the dogs and all of the crew. This was not an easy race and the positivity put forth from Aliy is so inspirational. She really has accepted her role as a leader and someone to look up to, no matter what our age. I get a bit teary just thinking about all of this and how lucky I am to have met Aliy, however briefly. Thank you! Half of the Straw Ladies (C)
GO SPK GO! Congratulations on doing the best that you could do – and being leaders as well as ambassadors for the sport. Putting the dogs health and happiness above all else in a racing kennel is unbelievable work but you do it – and you do it with grace and humor and excellence – and it shows – over and over and over. WAY TO GO! I was so hoping for a top ten finish – I’m sure Aliy was, too – but this is still an excellent finish to what was a very difficult race, and also an excellent finish racing against so many other great teams. Look at these times! Even with all the crappy trial conditions! Unbelievable.
Get some sleep! Relax! You’ve made it – all of you! Although the Black Team 4-leggeds don’t know they didn’t make it the WHOLE way – they did great the long miles they ran.
I am so happy for all of you that while it was a difficult race for both teams, you made it through and no one suffered serious injury – to themselves or to their attitudes. GO SPK!
Well said.
Beautiful pictures of gorgeous dogs.
Letting Matson know how much we all appreciate their sponsorship, love the parka!
This is a wonderful family reunion.
<3
Thank you for the pictures of the athletes. I am very very happy for Aliy! She did absolutely amazing! I agree that Aliy is inspirational. She always stays positive in every situation. That’s a great way to be, Aliy! Way to Go! 😃😃
Watching you come in “live from Nome” from my home in California was overwhelming!! All the support from the crowd and kids was priceless. There are many reasons why I Love SPKENNEL!! congrats to everyone. Also, Aliy… Jeff got an excellent picture of you on the iditarod website. It’s a framer!! How do you look so good after what you have been through for 10 + days?CRAZY!!
These pictures are just heartwarming. They may be tired and want to rest but they will lovingly respond to Aliy. Good dogs! I agree with all of the above…..Aliy and Allen and SP Kennel do it right. I am sure it will be a relief when all of the dogs are back home together where they belong. What an adventure they have had!! I hope Allen is on the mend and able to enjoy some Nome hospitality. Rest well, all of you. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!!
Love the pictures of these wonderful dogs! All so neat! Boy, when the 13 get back from Unalakleet there
will sure to be another party! Thanks Linda for the love and care of the SPK dogs. The new jacket looks
good on you Aliy and Thanks to Matson for sure.
The Red and Black Teams,Alyi and Allen and all of SPK and their sponsers absolutely ROCK!
❤️❤️❤️. Thanks for sharing the pictures of these beautiful, sleepy dogs. Happy to see Champ, Junior and Scooby are back in anchorage. Hope the two legged team members are getting some rest and recuperation as well.
Thanks for sharing the candid moments. All are priceless pictures of the Crew recharging. Champ is definitely NOT sure about that PINK blanket.
Ditto to everything that has been said above! Class, grace, kindness, wit, determination, thankful, sharing, passion, and truth to a life style. Just a few adjectives that describe what Aliy, Allen, and SPK are in my eyes.
Congrats to both teams human and dogs. Another day and a bit stronger for the adventures that you have had.
Get some well deserved rest and give little Ms. Chipper and big ole face and body rub for me.
Cheers,
Heidi
Ditto on the comments about SP Kennel DNA – yes, all those things mentions plus I agree about the particular phrase “benched.” Aliy is right. A team member is “benched” (although in mushing there are no “pinch hitters” allowed as in baseball).
Laundry or packages are “dropped.”