Zuma's Paw Prints

Kindness and Camaraderie on the Trail

Dear Friends, Have you ever seen a sign that says, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind?”  It is so important on the Iditarod Trail as well!  In the night, kindness showed up.  Michelle Phillips said she was racing on a river where there was overflow up to her ankles.  Overflow is …

Sleds

Dear Friends, Last night, Anna Berington’s sled runner broke!  This was going to be a huge problem while going up into the Alaska Range and down the steep Dalzell Gorge!  Anna and her twin sister, Kristy, are twins who are skilled in carpentry.  They lashed together the runner with what looks like a bungee cord. …

And the Answer Is . . .

Hello friends, If the answer is 2,728 Paws, what is the question?  Sunday was a beautiful day in Willow, Alaska as 49 teams left the chute in two minute increments to start the 50th running of the Iditarod. My friend, Jason, from Wisconsin, asked how many dogs are on each team to start the race. …

Shelter Dogs

Dear Friends, The 2022 Iditarod has begun!  Yesterday, the 49 teams raced off from Willow Lake on their exciting journey.  I wonder if you knew that some mushers have a heart for shelter dogs?  A shelter dog is one that is either homeless and taken to an animal shelter, or its owner can no longer …

How We Stay Warm

Hello friends, My friend Emma from Bismark, ND had a great question for me today. She wonders how we stay warm when it is so cold outside. My K9 friends and I have a few adaptations that help keep us warm in the winter. The first is our 2 layers of fur. We have an …

Teachers Everywhere!

Hello friends, Wednesday was a BUSY day here at Iditarod Headquarters. Not only were we hosts to Vets and mushers here for K9 Vet Checks , but teachers came to visit. Teachers from all over. It was fun seeing them talk to their students and taking LOTS of pictures. Each year the week before the …

Paws in Alaska

Hello friends, My paws have been super busy here at Iditarod Headquarters. It’s our busiest time as we are preparing for the 50th running of the Last Great Race.  There are also many other pawsome events leading up to the Iditarod. One being the Junior Iditarod. This year 15 brave mushers ages 14-17 raced in …

Number 1 Rule

Hello friends, Bow WOW! The 50th running of The Last Great Race is less than 2 weeks away. Drop bags are packed and sent, mushers are doing last minute preparations, and dogs . . . well . . . are dogs. They are well trained and can sense the excitement. My K9 friends are ready …

Dog Boxes

Dear Friends, Have you ever wondered how a musher from the lower 48 or Canada gets the sled dogs all the way up to Alaska for the Iditarod?  One way to transport us dogs long distances is in a truck with little dog box compartments built in.  Each dog has a cozy spot with a …

Training Future Mushers

Dear Friends, Did you know that there is a Jr. Iditarod race for 14-17 year old mushers?  It happens the Saturday before the regular Iditarod!  Teens take their teams on a section of the Iditarod Trail, 75 miles the first day.  Along the way, they stop at a checkpoint,  Eagle Song, along the Susitna River. …