A Dog's Life

Musher families often have many dogs. They think of their dogs as trained athletes. What makes a good sled dog? A good sled dog is a lot like a good person:honest, hard working, friendly, positive attitude, and curious. The physical traits and muscular structure of the dog's body are important, but the best dogs are the ones with heart, willingness, and the desire to get the job accomplished. Lead dogs show sign of being leaders from puppyhood.

Jr Iditarod wins by a nose

February 24, 2008 When Jessica Klejka was a rookie in the Junior Iditarod in 2005, she came in last place to recieve the legendary Red Lantern Award. Three years later only days away from her 18th birthday Klejka captured victory in the 2008 Junior Iditarod on february 24. It was not an easily won race. She was only 2 seconds ahead of the lead dogs of cain carter, stepson of the famous Lance Mackey.

Susan Butcher

Susan Butcher was a musher in the iditarod. She won the iditarod then died of Leukemia. She has became an inspiration to a lot of people. The first sunday in march is now known as Susan Butcher day in Alaska.

Gary Paulsen

February: "Im in Alaska, about 100 miles north of Anchorage in the bush. The snow is 5 1/2 feet deep, but slightly north of here the snow goes up to about 14 feet. It's an amazing amount of snow."
Training for the first day: The Iditarod officially begins the first Saturday in March-on March 5. Ive been in training so far. ive run the dogs about 700 miles, but i would love to have run 2000. Ive got 31 days now until the race and only 22 of those um going to be able to run. If the dogs catch the flu or get any injuries i cant finish training the dogs and get the miles on them that i need.
A typical morning: A typical day is like this morning. i got up about 6:00 AM. It was 46 below outside. the dogs have houses to sleep in and straw beds. i go out at about 6:30 and give them a warm breakfast. I examine each dogs feet to make sure they are good for running. at 10:00 i go out and start picking the dog team im going to run that day. I get a toyota pickup with no motor and pull that with 20 dogs up to 80-100 miles a day. That is not all of what he does on a typical morning either that is just a summary! That is crazy how much he does to train!

Jeff king Toe Pics

The Toes on Jeff kings blog were so awesome the pictures were so good they showed every single stage of his frost bite. I thought that the pictures were cool and very graphic. Jeff and Dave are known as the Shake and Bake team.

The Home Stretch BJT

The home stretch is the last of the race. It is pretty much a sprint to the finish line. The mushers switch to lighters sleds that don't carry as much and they go faster. Even though there is still hundreds of miles to go; it is still really competitive. BT BT

Trail Conditions

Trail conditions can make huge differences in races. If your sled is dragging in the snow and making new tracks, it can slow you down but make the person behind you speed up because they can just go in your trail and they don't have to drag in the snow. So trail conditions make big impacts in the Iditarod Race. BT BT

A Musher's Life

How does a regular average person become an Iditarod Musher? People who want to become a musher train very hard. They have to get good dogs, take care of the dogs, and of course get used to the cold. They have to learn what the dogs can and cannot do so they know how far they can go before the dogs are gonna be tired and worn out. BT BT

Leaving Takotna BT/BB amen

Lance Mackey and Jeff King just got done with their 24-hour break and are ready to race again. They start to prepare their dogs for the Yukon Leg of the race. The dogs were not cooperating. Jeff KIng said "They were going bazerk!." It wasn't looking good for the dog teams. BT BT BT BT

Meet the Mushers BB/BT

In the face of people who don't believe he can win, Lance Mackey is coolly confident. He also plans to tackle the Iditarod only one week after winning the Yukon Quest with the same dog team. the 2007 Iditarod champion and three-time Yukon Quest champion (and current record holder) says he began mushing at birth. BT BT BT BT BT BT BT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DeeDee Jonrowe is a 54-year-old musher from Willow, Alaska. She lives there with her husband mike. She owns a kennal and races dogs for a living. She feels that the iditarod is a lifestyle choice that has permitted her to celebrate alaska's history. She is suffering from breast cancer but she is trying for her last time to win the iditarod.

Dog athletes slide show BB/BT

The mushers each have a different relationship with each team member. The iditarod dogs are mutts they are a combination of many breeds. Every dog has its own responsibilities for making the team stronger. the dogs have to begin training when they are just pups. They are trained well. BB

Straw is used as insulation from the snow when the dogs bed down. There is not that much more needed to make these cold-loving dogs comfy for the night. Dogs regulate their temperature through the pads on their paws. Keeping their feet from becoming little snowballs actually helps them to keep cool. BT

Worst and Best Winter Experiences.

The best experience I've had in cold weather would have to be when me and my dad and alot of other people went snowmobiling up at Ken Moon's ranch. Mt dad and I went everywhere! Ken Moon and Ken Bird were jumping and doing crazy stuff on them. Ken Moon ended up rolling a while after. My father and I climbed up "Thunder" went down "Thunder". We got going 80 mph! BJT

The worst winter experience I've ever had was when i went to wolf creek with my mom dad sisters and brothers. we crashed the truck into a pole. I fell into the snow a lot. It sucked. BB