SPK Dog Log

Chris and Bridgett went to see and feed all the dogs this morning. The Red Team is starting to get feisty and sassy. The Black Team has the youngsters up and ready and the ‘more mature’ members of the team are still enjoying their beds.

Allen is doing pretty well. He has a badly bruised leg from hitting a tree with some force early in the race but other than that he’s looking great. Yesterday morning Allen was up early and he described his day: “I’m gonna eat for a little while, sleep for a little while, eat for a little while, sleep for a little. That sounds like the same agenda for his team.

As we sit together and enjoy each others company Allen and Aliy share stories from the trail with us.

Those who have been following along with us for a while will know that Allen is known for traveling light. He will take what he needs to keep him and his dog team well fed and safe but not much else. This year was a little different.

When we heard the weather forecast for the race Allen joked that he might have to pack his hip boots. They joke about taking a lot of things: coffee machine, camp stove, hip boots… We had no idea he actually did! Early in the race we heard reports of open water sections on the Happy River. Allen said he put his hip boots on at Rainy Pass when they were told of the water. The water was rushing and Allen said the sound of it was what the dogs didn’t like. He and Mike Williams Jnr arrived at about the same time and helped each other through then, because it was night time they could see lights coming, Allen said he would alert the coming mushers to stop before the water so he could just grab their leaders and lead them through. He mentioned he could have sold those hip boots for a LOT of money and more fool us for laughing at him for taking them.

Aliy tells a story about what happened to her in the same water crossing. There was a small island in the middle so it was effectively two crossings. She got her dogs over in a big tangled ball and started to line them out at the other end and noticed one missing. Willie was standing on the island looking very sorry for himself. She called him, encouraged him, reasoned with him but he was convinced that water was evil and he needed to stay on the island. She had to wade back through the water to carry him to the other side.

Quito led the Black Team team for the entire race. Allen said you could not tell she was almost 10 years old – she was the first to jump up when he asked the team if they were ready and ran as well as she had ever run. He said she did enjoy the longer rests however and was an excellent leader and mentor to the young dogs Junior and Chena he rotated up in lead with her. She really is the best dog in the world.

I’ll try to capture more stories to share with you.

It’s sunny and 20F here in Two Rivers at the home of the Red and Black Teams. The remaining 36 dogs provided a good rousing howl in celebration of their Red Team mates crossing the line Tuesday morning in 3rd place, the again when their Black Team mates finished yesterday. Wedgy and Olivia seemed to be the most enthusiastic howlers!

It’s Spring Break in the neighborhood. SP Kennel friends, the Earles, came over on their vacation to spend time with the dogs. Mykena and Madi rode along with Wendy in the sled on some short 5 mile runs. The boys were very excited to run today. Woody and Hotshot wanted to chase rabbits through the woods; and Five was certain that the best trail was through the snowbank on the sides of the trail. Boondocks had her paws full keeping him on track. They all earned treats though, for their diligent work.

Creamer captured standing still; Sled view, not so pretty!

The pups had a great time playing in the field. They are getting so big now, that we have to play with them in groups of twos or threes. Six puppies at a time is a bit overwhelming, especially when they run charging back into the yard at the end of play time. Creamer stood still long enough to get this picture. I think we successfully wore out the dogs and pups. Tony seems to be sleeping well after his day outside. We are looking forward to having the four returned dogs home towards the end of the week, and the rest of the team after the banquet.

Tony is exhausted after watching the tracker; Five and Madi – best of friends

Allen and the Black Team crossed under the burled arch in Nome at 2.56pm on Wednesday with a total race time of 9d 23h 56m 45s.

Woohoo!

Dear Scout,

What you have accomplished is amazing. Too bad you aren’t as pretty as me. Maybe then you would get more attention, I mean, who knows of Scout? Scout who? Has anyone put your picture on a cover of a magazine? Huh? But I digress.

I know that I get most of the attention, magazine covers, sled dog calendars, picture books on sled dogs, but you are the real deal, the littermate that I am so proud of, not that the rest of the car litter weren’t like kind of ok too. It’s just that most all of us have all gone on to be couch potatoes, but not you!

Sometimes I hear the peeps call you the fun police but look at you now, leading the newbies all the way to Nome while I lay on the bed in Oregon and push the refresh button. I got all emotional seeing you come down Front Street. Almost had to get off the bed to get a kleenex but I just rubbed myself all over that nice SPK pillow instead.

I need to go freshen up. Someone might want to interview me on what it was like growing up with you. Miss you bro!

The Pretty One,
Honda

Thanks Jeanne for typing this up for Honda

Near the road crossing about five miles from the finish

Near the road crossing about five miles from the finish

How proud?

This proud!

Finish chute scenes

The tri-coloured twins – can you tell them apart (hint, check the left leg); father and son Nacho and Spark

Allen with Quito and Junior – Quito led the team the entire race

Aliy gets some love from Sissy and Lydia; Moira gives some love to Chena and Lester

Amber and Violet

Sissy-bean and Iron-man

Driver and Champ

Nacho and Spark

Chena and Lester

Tinder and Junior

Quito and Lydia

As posted on the Iditarod website this evening.

Thank you all for the kindness and support shown to me and my team after the events on the trail between Mile 612 and 629 of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, in the early morning of Saturday March 12, 2016

I have been mushing the trails of Alaska for over 20 years and lived in the Yukon-Koyokuk community. Not once have I felt in real danger from another human being. I am experienced with sharing the trails with snowmachiners and other users, ensuring that I do everything I can to be seen and to keep my dog team safe. It is on these trails with my dogs that I feel most comfortable and confident. That changed on the morning of March 12.

Over the course of almost two hours one man, by using his snowmachine, made prolonged, aggressive and what I believe to be deliberate threats to me and my team. For two hours, I felt like a hostage and I sincerely believe that our lives were in danger. I was terrified. Had it not been for my defensive reactions, we could have been maimed or killed.

The Iditarod race judge at the checkpoint, the veterinarians, others associated with the race and many people from the village of Nulato were extremely supportive and understanding after learning the seriousness of the events on the river. They provided me with practical and moral support and I would not have continued the race without their insistence and encouragement. I thank them all very much for what they did that night.

I am angry with only one man. One of the most important aspects of racing the Iditarod to me, is the interaction with wonderful Alaskans across our state. I enjoy visiting all the villages along the trail and feel loved and supported during the Iditarod race and beyond.

Clyde, my wheel dog who was hit by the snowmachine during the assault, was treated by the veterinarians at the checkpoint and could no longer continue in the race, but is now in the process of being reunited with our support team in Nome. The rest of my dog team is healthy and have sustained no injuries due to this assault.

I also have no injuries. However, I am very sad and angry. I am thankful for all the overwhelming support from the public. I have not lost my faith in humanity.

This is not a detailed account of what happened that night but this is all I am prepared to make public. Those close to me know the full story, as does the Alaska State Trooper to whom I gave my statement. The events of the night were extremely distressing to me and I do not wish to make any further public statement on the matter.

We are so happy and relieved to have all our athletes home! There were a lot of emotions in that chute this afternoon.

Quito and Junior lead the team in with Lester and Chena in swing then Sissy and Lydia, Nacho and Spark, Champ and Tinder, Driver and Iron, and Amber and Violet in wheel. They all look FANTASTIC and, although a little tired, they were happy and quite deservedly proud of themselves.

We have lots of photos and video to sort through, including dog lot pictures, and I will get the to you later this evening.

Now you can relieve your “refresh finger” of its duties.

We are off to the finish line to set up for the Black Team’s arrival into Nome.

Allen is on track to bring these youngsters in for his fastest ever finish!

Congratulations Allen, Quito, Chica, Lester, Nacho, Amber, Champ, Chena, Driver, Iron, Junior, Lydia, Nomex, Sissy, Spark, Tinder and Violet!