AAFES Is Home!!!

My sincere thanks to all those who have expressed their concern for my missing dog Aafes. This dog became detached from the team while negotiating through deep overflow and high winds outside of the Rohn checkpoint on the Alaska Range. Words can not express the happiness of having this dog safely back home!

Aafes was recently recovered from the Rohn cabin area by Manny Wrase and Allen Winkelman who had flown to the search area three times and spent several days looking for Aafes. I give my heartfelt thanks to Manny and Allen for all they did to make this tragic event turn into such a happy ending! I also give my thanks to Robert Donhauser who also flew his private aircraft to the search area on three occasions, looking for our missing teammate.

It is also worth noting that several of the Iditarod Air Force pilots conducted Ariel reconnaissance of the search area looking for Aafes, and I am very appreciative of their efforts as well.

Upon arrival in Anchorage, Aafes was taken to the VCA Bering Sea Animal Hospital and was examined by Dr. Karen A. Medkeff. Aafes was found to be in reasonably good health, and is now living indoors and eating and sleeping a lot! I give my thanks to Dr. Medkeff and to the staff of the Bering Sea Animal Hospital in examining Aafes.

Once again, many thanks to the multitude of good people who gave their prayers, sent messages of support and who contributed to the searching and safe recovery of Aafes.

We sometimes forget the value of life and the love we have for our pets until they are removed from us. In this instance, I am blessed that I have been given a second chance with Aafes.

-GB Jones