We have so, so many thank yous to make this year.
First and foremost, always – thank you to Amber, Bill, Bruno, Chevie, Chipper, Cloud, Commando, Decaf, Driver, Five, Gravy, Jefe, Mismo, Nacho, Nomex, Peach, Perky, QT, Razz, Rodney, Scooby, Scout, Spark, Violet, Wu and Ziptie. They are why we even do this and even though only 14 started the race, all of them contributed in some way to getting the team to the start line… yes, even Ziptie!
Doug, Kaz and Sam – THANKS. Thanks also to our SP Kennel village of Padee, Wendy, Wes, Lisa, Karolyn, Mark, Bridgett, Barbara, Linda and Moira who all helped in one capacity or another through the season. Thank you all, we couldn’t do it without you.
Matson are our super sponsor and heart. We have loved being part of the Matson Alaska family and can’t begin to describe how much your support has meant to us all. We appreciate that you have been with us in good times and not so good. We missed seeing you before the race and stopping for hotdogs during the Ceremonial Start.
North Pole Veterinary Hospital and Dr Rouge made sure our athletes were in tip-top shape for the race. Your care and expertise are much appreciated. Howling Dog Alaska’s harness system is the best there is, and we are so pleased to be representing you. Thanks to Joanna and the team at Headlites for the light-up collars all our athletes wore on the race and during training. Christmas trees and leprechauns all the way! Bob and Jeanne Huston are always on board – thank you.
Extra thanks to Mark Nordman, Rob Urbach, and all the race organisers and staff for even putting on a race! It was a real challenge and you executed it brilliantly under trying and changing conditions. Your care and consideration of everyone involved was appreciated. The race sponsors (click link to Iditarod page) deserve special mention and if you feel inclined, please drop them a line of thanks – it’s not easy being an Iditarod sponsors these days.
So many race volunteers to thank. Every one of you made the staging of this race possible and we thank you from even further than the bottom of our hearts! The sacrifices you made to volunteer during a pandemic for the love of the race was inspiring.
Thanks to all the other competitors – well done and congratulations for even making the start line. Congratulations to Dallas Seavey – number five looks good on you. To Aaron, Brent, Wade and Mille – congrats on your top five finishes. To Dakota and Victoria – nice job! And to everyone in between – congratulations. To those that didn’t quite make the finish – we feel your pain but we hope you know that your dogs are still the best dogs. As are ours.
This year we have some new people to thank for a new reason. To the race officials and volunteers in Rohn – a sincere and heartfelt thank you for caring for Aliy and the team as you did. And to the volunteers at McGrath for taking over the care of the team until they made it home. To the ARCC, as well as the Alaska State Troopers for coordinating and, of course, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th Rescue Squadron for flying to Rohn during the middle of the night to pick up Aliy, the field treatment you administered and for safely bringing her to Anchorage. Also thanks to the team at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for their excellent medical assistance and communication. It will be a long recovery but all of your actions on the night meant so much to us kept the injuries from being worse.
Special thanks to all our SPK Team Members for 2020-21 season – Dawn B, Lisa Barricella, Becky & Alex, Mirjam Bolengo, Karen Boyko, Arin Melissa Brenner, Karolyn & John Bristol, Kris Callahan, Metta Canez, Cathy & Laurie, Timothy Clark, Cole Elementary School, COL (ret) Dan Collins, Ashley Conner, Carolyn Davis, Marilynn Davis, Nancy Diersen, Phil Dietrich & Rebecca Ferns, Dorothy & Girlee, Rebecca Emerson, Dana & Jerry Evans, Kethy Ferrell, Alice Fitzgerald – Timber Creek Kennel, Bethany Fletcher, Tonia Freeman & Herb Hughes, Erica Giuliani, Denise D. Glass, Karin Gobbel, Jill Graff, Helen Gross, Marti Guarin, Deb Gunter, Mark L Gum, Sandra Hawkins, Chica Hopwood-Dean, Joanne & Denali, Lisa C Hutto, Jenn King, In Memory of Lynn Knowlden, Stephanie Kuhns, Ron & Julie LaPoint, Helen Looker, Kari Longshore, Val Lycette, Lyn MacDougall, Sonny Tocho Machak, Dorothy M McCain, Lisa McDonald, Karen McGillvray, Cathy McGrath, The McIntosh Family, Gaye Morgan-Walton, Bob & Jane Nelson, Nessmuk & Shanti, Lezlee Pardo, Klaus-Dieter Paull, Juleen Payne, Cindi Perdue, Heidi Phillips, Stephanne Pleshette, Tommy Poelker, Louise Rathswohl, Kay Richardson, Debi Riley, Dana Robertson, David Robertson, Ruth Robertson, MaryLynn Roush, Donna Scarlett, Cindy Schaus, Steve Slocum, Jeanne Seward Wallberg, Ann Shillington, In Memory of Tom Shillington, “Doc” Spencer, Kay Spencer, Midnight Steiner, The Straw Ladies – Charlene & Lisa, The Stuarts, Barbara Swenson, Toni Tadolini, Tammy, Susan, Willow & Palmer, Sue Thelen, Barbara Thompson, Tim, Holly, Sissy and Scooter, Tatum Trivyzas, Team Trzaskos, Tuff, Bismarck & Tart, Cindy Udarbe, Nina Watson, Suzie Weiss, Harry & Diana Workmon, Maryellen Wright, Bill & Sue Wyman & ‘The Pack’, Ashley & Courtney Zirkle, Carolyn & John Zmyewski.
Thanks also to our individual dog sponsors, VIPs, SP Kennel Champions, Dog Fan Club members and other supporters.
To everyone reading this blog – for your comments, likes, views and shares – thank you. We enjoy bringing you into the SP Kennel world.
You are an inspiration, Aliy, and it has been pure excitement following your career. I hope that you heal quickly and find joy in retirement
Aliy and Allen, you both have been so generous in sharing the world of SP Kennel with all of us. I feel as if I know all of your dogs because of your sharing their personalities and exploits with us. It has been beyond delightful to have a little window into the life of SPK, and I will miss that. I hope you will be able to share some of your further adventures. Aily, I have been praying for a full recovery for you, and I am so happy you are safe at home. God bless you and your family!
We are team members because of the admiration you deserve. Your inner strength and determination is deserving of all the respect you, Allen and SP Kennel has earned. The definition of “team” is personified by all you represent. A long recovery is very difficult but day by day you will recover.
Thank you in return for sharing SP Kennel life with all of us. Easter blessings to you, Aliy and Allen!
So grateful that Ally is on the mend. I will truly miss following the two of you in the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. You are amazing competitors, and the sport and its followers will greatly miss you. Best of luck as the two of you begin your next adventure.
Aliy and Allen, good to hear from you and SP Kennel. And Commando is the dog I’ve sponsored several years, so I am very happy to have a picture of him with both of you. That one is going on my wall! I’m convinced we are all praying for your recovery, so I know that In time you’ll be good as new, and we can start following whatever you decide to do. Take care of yourself and take it easy for as long as it takes. I know that will be the hard part! Please keep checking in occasionally. Just because the Iditarod is over for this year, our love for you will never be!
Thank you too for sharing the life of SP Kennel with us! Through your blog, we felt connected to your dogs and you, Aliy and Allen. We will miss you all. You are in our prayers, Aliy for healing and a full recovery. We think of you often!! Love, hugs and prayers!
Aily…Allen…
Five words: You Are Simply the BEST.
Get better…stronger.
Give all those beautiful furries a big ol’ hug!
Be well!!!
Thank you for the update and photo. Aliy is often on my mind and in my prayers. Easter blessings.
Back atcha SP Kennel! Thank YOU for letting us share the trails with you. It’s been a delightful journey and hopefully you’ll continue to share your next chapter as well with all your faithful fans. What an awesome pic Aliy, Allen and the Big Guy!!! Looking good Aliy- hope you’re starting to feel good as well. Take care. Wishing you all the best SPK!!
Thank you for all that you have shared with us and the vicarious experiences you have provided. I will never forget you and all the wonderful dogs, those now gone and those still with you and those who will find new homes in the coming months. I am thankful to learn you are healing, Aliy, and thank God for that and continue to pray for a total recovery.
Be patient and gentle with yourself now –there is no hurry, no deadlines, no urgency! Cherish every day as they come because each one is a gift as you continue to be to those who care. I do hope you can find time to check back with your friends and fans now and then–we do care!! Meanwhile go in Peace and Harmony!
Thanks to Dutch, too!
Ally and Allen, I have so enjoyed being part of the SP Kennel World! Your level of passion for, and enjoyment of what you do, combined with the wonderful way you share so much with those of us cheering you on, has made it easy to become ‘hooked’ on following you and the dogs ‘remotely’ from afar. Wishing you both, and all your dogs the very best possible futures. Sending healing vibes for your best possible recovery Aliy. It’s great to know you can feel the support and love winging your way from devoted fans at this challenging time.
Exactly as Cindy Dathe said above! I can’t say it any better. I,too, am praying for a full recovery for you Aliy. Those same two words right back at you: THANK YOU!
Praying for all of you and full healing for Aily. God bless!
Aliy & Allen, Thank You. These two words will never be enough to show our gratitude to you both. We wish you all the best that the future can and will bring. Your love and friendship means the world to us. Rest, heal and dream of adventures to come.
See you soon, sometime, somewhere down the road… Love, Tom & Cindy
A Big Thank You to you, Allen and the Team, handlers, et.al. for allowing us in to see SPK and its’ workings – for showing us the marvelous athletes the Team is – for the teachings you provided with the help of the “Kids”, but most of all – to you all for bringing us along for the ride of a lifetime on the Iditarod Trail! My chance to see you in person crossing the finish has gone, but through the documentaries I can relive all those special “close calls” with Dallas and all the other great mushers. May all future endeavors be filled with fun and love!
Aily and Allen – It has been very enjoyable and inspirational for me to follow you and your kennel the past several years. I’ve learned so much about dog mushing and admire your care and love for your dogs. When I’m in a tough spot, I think, what would Aily do. I know that she would never give up.
I hope that you wake up every morning feeling a little bit better. Please send your fans a virtual postcard once in while on what you are doing in your retirement. Wishing you lots of fun and adventure.
Aliy & Allen, I feel so fortunate to have become such a supporter of SPK Red & Black Teams over the last several years. As so many have already said, it was your passion, care of the dogs and just always doing this sport the right way. You both will be greatly missed but you so deserve many years of adventures and happiness ahead!!
Aliy, I know you have heard it before but I hope you are able to do a book someday, it would be an incredible one.
Thank You all for letting us be part of the extended SP KENNEL Family. Hope you are heal both physically and mentally . Hugs and pats to all the doggies .
Best wishes from Joanne and Denali from Melbourne, Australia.
It’s really, really good to see your smiling faces! And yes, Thank You for allowing your fans into your world of dog sled racing. It has been a blast! Continue healing Aliy!
Yes, thank you Aliy and Allen for letting me ride along virtually on your awesome adventures. You are the real deal – perfectly balanced in your priorities, loving and honest.
The best.
Thanks again.
Thank you for all the tremendous excitement you have shared with us and we have had pleasure seeing the life of mushers!!
As a follow-up, thank you for the postcard that arrived today in my mailbox! What a sweet surprise! And you’re posing with Commando, whom I was a “fan” of the pat two years. So good to see you smiling, Aliy! “My best” back to you!
Thank you A and A for the gifts and postcard. They are in my “treasure” display spot where I look when I need shoring up. As I have borrowed from your strength when I needed I hope you can borrow from mine in return as you work towards recovery. The body takes its own time to heal and so the mind is forced to be patient. I seek out whatever makes me laugh for energy to heal and let tears flow freely when they do.
I know you can feel the circle of love around you. It is there because you have earned it by living true to the great beating heart of the universe!
Blessed be.
Thank YOU Aliy and Allen (and SPK crew) for the years of inspiration, excitement, competition, wags, and general exuberance as you shared your brilliant careers and lifestyle with us. My admiration for you and what you do is tremendous. You have inspired and motivated and encouraged me without even knowing me. It’s pretty neat how doing what you love can have that kind of ripple effect.
Enjoy your well deserved retirement and I hope that you’re healing swiftly and completely. I will miss following you in the competitive races and hope that whatever comes next brings you fulfillment and joy. I’d be eager to read about what you’re up to next, if continuing to share your adventures is something you choose to do. Be well. And, thanks so much for the postcard – it’s good to see your smile. —Laura McIntosh