Hello Boys and Girls,

Welcome to the start of the 2013 Iditarod Race and Adventure!

By now, I’m sure your teacher has been sharing lots of interesting information about the race and you’ve been ‘howling’ all about mushers and the dogs who are gearing up to compete in this year’s race from Anchorage to Nome!

I hope you’ve read the musher bios and picked your favorite mushers to follow. 

Next Saturday, the race will start in downtown Anchorage.  The following day, Sunday, the race will ‘Restart’.  It’s on Sunday that the race ‘really’ begins.  Saturday’s start is for fun and celebration.  The time it takes to run the 11 miles doesn’t enter in to the race data.

Just yesterday, I nearly bumped into Dallas Seavey, the 2012 Champion.  I wagged my tail and I couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear when I heard him say that his dog team is very excited to head out on the trail and race this year.  Listening to him talk made me think about what a great musher Dallas is and how much he cares about his dogs.  His dogs are like family members to him.  When I walked by his dog team and chatted with them, I could see the twinkle in their eyes.  That tells me that they agree with my observation.  Dallas and his dogs are not just team members, but family members.  I heard Dallas talking about how when he was young and growing up he used to help his dad.  Now, his little girl gets to ride with Dallas on his sled sometimes, and for Dallas, it means a lot to him because mushing is about family.  All of this made me want to howl out a song about the friends and family that come together to raise, train, and race sled dogs.

Over the next few days and throughout the race, my K9 team of reporters will be sniffing out stories and sharing what they learn with you.  I hope you visit Zuma’s Paw Prints often to make sure you have all the important news and updates.

We can’t wait to bring you stories and share with you.  Stay tuned!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma