“After we drop the dogs…”
I think every sentence I’ve heard Kim utter this week starts with this phrase. Our collective schedule is now entirely driven by dog drops. They happen every four hours starting before 7:00 a.m., and twice a day it includes a meal. Otherwise, it’s all about dog potty breaks, watering, stretching, petting, hugging and observation. Kim is a watchful dog mom and can hone-in immediately when the slightest thing is off with one of her dogs. Fortunately, nothing is going on with any of her athletes (or handlers!) that a little ointment and massage can’t quickly fix.
After we dropped the dogs on Thursday evening, we all headed to one of the most festive events surrounding the race - the traditional Musher’s Banquet. This is a dinner during which each Iditarod musher draws a number from a mukluk to determine the order at the race start. Following protocol, Kim drew her number, stepped up to the microphone, and announced to the room that she would be bib #52. She then took her place at the autograph table along with other Iditarod rookies and veterans alike, and proceeded to meet, greet and sign autographs for the rest of the night!
After we dropped the dogs on Friday morning, we prepared to leave the hotel parking lot where we’ve been stationed and headed for a beautiful dog sledding trail north of Anchorage. Kim wanted to stage a dry run so all of us would know what we need to do as a team of handlers when we’re in the chute for the race start. It was also Kim’s chance to have a dress rehearsal for running with a tag sled. It is required that all mushers start the race from Anchorage with another sled and musher tied behind the main one. This is for safety, because the streets are so crowded and the dogs are so pent-up and ready to go the distance that more weight and braking power is a safety measure for everyone involved.
Our practice yesterday went very well and now it’s GO TIME…after we drop the dogs right now, we’re headed to the starting chute! Tune in to your TV’s…this is the day that gets press coverage…look for #52 and cheer for the rookie from Jersey!!!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
IT'S IDITAROD EVE & I SHOULD BE ASLEEP- Sandy
I bled twice today. The first time it took me awhile to notice, because my hands were numb. I spent a disproportionate amount of time out in the cold morning trying to pry open those annoying little rings that attach tags to dog collars…and I literally pried until my fingers bled (sorry, I’m a bit sleep deprived). Each Iditarod dog is identified with a microchip, and they also must wear numbered tags…this is very necessary considering that over a thousand dogs are entered in the race.
My second bloodletting was when an otherwise gentle dog I was lifting used my face for leverage as she launched herself back into her dog box to bed-down for the night. I’m pretty sure Durango appreciated the boost, and with a scratch running from my lip to my neck I declared myself an official dog handler. I’m thinking that if I wear some serious false eyelashes tomorrow, no one will notice it.
Ever since we returned to Anchorage on Wednesday evening, things have been in high gear here. The hotel where we are staying serves as race headquarters, and the quiet place we left on Monday is now a Grand Central Station of dog trucks, people decked in Iditarod merchandise, and volunteers wearing lanyards. The energy is amazing and it’s very exciting to be a part of it!
We have all been progressively busier helping Kim as the race start closes in…and even John & Rhiannon are totally “with the band” at this point. Rhiannon has helped with many random tasks, such as Velcro-ing wet dog booties together to make chains that can be hung over the shower rod to dry for re-use. John has become the official chauffer, shopper, and photographer for the NJ to NOME Committee…and as always, a great all-around “go to” guy. What a wonderful experience this is for us as a family; and a wonderful experience for us as individuals since we each find elements that fascinate and interest us. We are having an absolute blast!
My second bloodletting was when an otherwise gentle dog I was lifting used my face for leverage as she launched herself back into her dog box to bed-down for the night. I’m pretty sure Durango appreciated the boost, and with a scratch running from my lip to my neck I declared myself an official dog handler. I’m thinking that if I wear some serious false eyelashes tomorrow, no one will notice it.
Ever since we returned to Anchorage on Wednesday evening, things have been in high gear here. The hotel where we are staying serves as race headquarters, and the quiet place we left on Monday is now a Grand Central Station of dog trucks, people decked in Iditarod merchandise, and volunteers wearing lanyards. The energy is amazing and it’s very exciting to be a part of it!
We have all been progressively busier helping Kim as the race start closes in…and even John & Rhiannon are totally “with the band” at this point. Rhiannon has helped with many random tasks, such as Velcro-ing wet dog booties together to make chains that can be hung over the shower rod to dry for re-use. John has become the official chauffer, shopper, and photographer for the NJ to NOME Committee…and as always, a great all-around “go to” guy. What a wonderful experience this is for us as a family; and a wonderful experience for us as individuals since we each find elements that fascinate and interest us. We are having an absolute blast!
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