You've never seen Anna walk, run, or bike the Iditarod trail. Why? Because making a journey like that on her own would never compare to covering hundreds of miles with these amazing canine athletes! Their determination, their love for what they do, the power within a smiling dog face or wagging tail. The energy that flows into your soul from simply resting a hand on one of these dogs cannot be overstated.
Hopefully you got a look at Anna's dog team biography before or during the race. Let's take a look at which dogs made it ALL THE WAY!
First, though, on the 5 dogs that were returned along the way: Elmer, Maverick, Ruckus, Twister, and Drax. They are all back at the kennel and all doing great. Elmer has recovered from his cough. Ruckus was no longer "off", or just not acting like himself, by the time he was reunited with Kristy in Anchorage. Maverick, Twister, and Drax, who each displayed signs of some muscle soreness, are moving around great, sore no more.
And each of those dogs, despite not making it to Nome, made huge contributions to the team along the way. Elmer ran 137 miles, Maverick ran 202 miles, Ruckus ran 319 miles, rookie Twister ran 582 miles, and Drax made it all the way to White Mountain, 1,057 miles in this year's route.
Good boys, each and every one.
Which, interesting to note, the returned dogs were all male. Anna had 6 females on her team, and they all made it to Nome! Power to the ladies!!! And of course Anna's other 5 males rounded out her finishing team of 11 dogs. Four dogs, formerly Iditarod rookies, are now finishing Iditarod veterans: Brent, Lacy, YoYo, and HotWheels. Shoshanna, the oldest dog on the team at 9 years, not only made it all the way, she led the way into the chute with Rampage. Brent was the youngest dog on the team at 2 years, and he finished. Two of the three Toy Litter pups made it, and three of the four dogs from the Trouble Litter ran under the burled arch as siblings.
This Mad Blogger spent plenty of time loving on the dogs in Nome while I was there. They were all sleepy, especially with full bellies and comfy beds in the sunshine, and so sweet. Nose bumps and kisses and nuzzling their faces into my hand for scritches with eyes happily squeezed shut, just soaking it in. No wounds, no injuries. Most were a little thinner than they were 1,128 miles ago, but ask any athlete - that's par for the course. And if you watched their finish in Nome on Iditarod.com, it was warm enough that they weren't wearing their dog jackets, giving a clear look at what amazing condition these dogs were still in at the finish.
Congratulations, Seeing Double Dogs! You did it! And you've proven yet again that Alaska Huskies are some of the most resilient, hardworking, and tough athletes in the canine world.
Here are the pics I got of each finishing dog in Nome.
Brent, Tesla, Mayhem, Platinum, Havoc, Lacy, Rampage, YoYo, HotWheels, Barge, and Shoshanna.
One more recap post after this, folks!
Hopefully you got a look at Anna's dog team biography before or during the race. Let's take a look at which dogs made it ALL THE WAY!
First, though, on the 5 dogs that were returned along the way: Elmer, Maverick, Ruckus, Twister, and Drax. They are all back at the kennel and all doing great. Elmer has recovered from his cough. Ruckus was no longer "off", or just not acting like himself, by the time he was reunited with Kristy in Anchorage. Maverick, Twister, and Drax, who each displayed signs of some muscle soreness, are moving around great, sore no more.
And each of those dogs, despite not making it to Nome, made huge contributions to the team along the way. Elmer ran 137 miles, Maverick ran 202 miles, Ruckus ran 319 miles, rookie Twister ran 582 miles, and Drax made it all the way to White Mountain, 1,057 miles in this year's route.
Good boys, each and every one.
Which, interesting to note, the returned dogs were all male. Anna had 6 females on her team, and they all made it to Nome! Power to the ladies!!! And of course Anna's other 5 males rounded out her finishing team of 11 dogs. Four dogs, formerly Iditarod rookies, are now finishing Iditarod veterans: Brent, Lacy, YoYo, and HotWheels. Shoshanna, the oldest dog on the team at 9 years, not only made it all the way, she led the way into the chute with Rampage. Brent was the youngest dog on the team at 2 years, and he finished. Two of the three Toy Litter pups made it, and three of the four dogs from the Trouble Litter ran under the burled arch as siblings.
This Mad Blogger spent plenty of time loving on the dogs in Nome while I was there. They were all sleepy, especially with full bellies and comfy beds in the sunshine, and so sweet. Nose bumps and kisses and nuzzling their faces into my hand for scritches with eyes happily squeezed shut, just soaking it in. No wounds, no injuries. Most were a little thinner than they were 1,128 miles ago, but ask any athlete - that's par for the course. And if you watched their finish in Nome on Iditarod.com, it was warm enough that they weren't wearing their dog jackets, giving a clear look at what amazing condition these dogs were still in at the finish.
Congratulations, Seeing Double Dogs! You did it! And you've proven yet again that Alaska Huskies are some of the most resilient, hardworking, and tough athletes in the canine world.
Here are the pics I got of each finishing dog in Nome.
Brent, Tesla, Mayhem, Platinum, Havoc, Lacy, Rampage, YoYo, HotWheels, Barge, and Shoshanna.
One more recap post after this, folks!
