By Joy Davis, Educational Journalist

When I think of Pat Moon, two adjectives immediately come to mind-tenacity and invincible. Let me explain. Pat, a native of Chicago, Illinois, had had ulcerative colitis since the age of fifteen. This disease makes the person feel like their body is trying to reject the lower intestine. The disease can be controlled with a strict diet, low stress, and scheduled bathroom breaks. Not exactly the description of the conditions for a ‘normal’ musher. But Pat is not your ‘normal’ person. In his downtime, he drove a dog across the border just to have the dog’s picture taken in Canada. Pat loves adventure. He has lived previously on a Kansas ranch for seven months to learn about raising cattle. He has also canoed down the Amazon River. Pat is the owner of Double Up Farms, a niche landscaping company serving the Chicago-land area. Previously he worked as a firefighter for a suburb of Chicago.

In 2006, Pat was a rider in the Idita-rider program. In this program the Idita-rider starts the ceremonial part of the race with a musher. When he returned home from this event he announced to his wife that he would soon run in the Iditarod. Four years later his dream is going to come true.

In the fall of 2008, Pat began a five month journey to learn all there is to know about sled dog racing. Before this training began he had never been on the runners of a sled. Pat began an intensive training program with Tasha and Ed Stielstra of McMillian, Michigan. This is an eight hour drive from Pat’s Chicagoland home. Ed is an Iditarod veteran who has competed in the race five times. Tasha is also an accomplished racer. She has won the UP 200 and has finished third in the LeOdesse Grande dog sled race which is held in the French Alps. Ed and Tasha own and operate Nature’s Kennels.

During this training and life experience, Pat has discovered more about himself. Pat said, “I have to change the way I look at not only what I am doing, but how I do it while still remembering why I am doing it. Most importantly, I have to remember that I elected to do this. This was my choice, and therefore, no matter what the situation, I need to smile and stay upbeat. The dogs always are, so why shouldn’t I be?”

The UP 200 was Pat’s first qualifying race for the Iditarod. Pat met his goal of successfully completing this race. He received the prestigious “Red Lantern Award.”

In February 2009 Pat was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. He has been receiving treatment. This condition does not slow Pat down. He is determined to meet his goal- to finish “The Last Great Race on Earth.”

Pat’s lead dog, Dash, was to run in the Iditarod 2009 with Ed Stielstra. However, in the pre-race vet check, Dash’s bloodwork was a little ‘off.’ Although not life-threatening, Dash’s status as a race dog was then put into question. At that time Pat said, “I am now on the verge of a breakdown knowing that Dash may not be my leader when I pass under the Burled Arch.” Sadly, in August Dash traveled on to the Rainbow Bridge. However, when Pat finishes the Iditarod in 2010 he will be carrying with him Dash’s collar. They will cross the finish line together as originally planned. Dash is still with the team in spirit. He is buried in the middle of the kennel where he can watch over his teammates.

Pat’s other qualifying race was the Taiga 300 in Paxton, Alaska. Here he finished a respectable twelfth place. Pat said that, “both races taught me to trust my dogs, being cold is normal, make sure to pack what you need, and drink water all the time. The Taiga was in Alaska in the winter, so I really was able to get a great feel for the elements. It was cold!”

After completing these qualifying races Pat came to this conclusion, “I have been cutting lawns on my own, and the similarities to holding onto a dog sled are surprising to me. Both activities have their own sound. When I am doing either, it is all I hear. I fall somewhat into a trance of focus, really only seeing what I am actively participating in. My mind also has hours to wander and to think.”

Part of Pat’s team spent the summer in Skagway. Here they were able to maintain their physical conditioning while they pulled carts for cruise ship guests. They are now back home and resting before training restarts. To prepare for the 2010 Iditarod Pat is jogging- a lot. He is also trying out a variety of food types that can be vacuum sealed and frozen. An effect of the race is lack of sleep. So Pat is modifying his sleep pattern. Maybe I should loan him my malamute on a stormy night!

Preparing for and running the race is an expensive adventure. At this time Pat is looking for additional sponsors. He also offers a pooch pal adoption that helps with the costs of food and vet bills. In this program each dog can be sponsored. The sponsor receives an autographed picture of Pat with the selected dog, an official Team Moon shirt, a certificate of thanks and email updates regarding training. For more information, please check out Pat’s website.

Pat’s goal is to finish the Iditarod with healthy dogs. We are hopeful that Pat finishes the race healthy as well. He wants to be an example to show that anything is possible regardless of whether you have an illness or affliction. I believe that with Pat’s positive attitude that he can accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. He is a fine role model for me to hold up to my students.

* Joy Davis is an educator in Indiana.  The Educational Journalists are teachers working with Iditarod’s Education Department to bring the stories behind the scenes to race fans of all ages.

By Joy Davis, Educational Journalist

Michelle Phillips is no rookie when it comes to racing sled dogs. She has run the challenging Yukon Quest 5 times. In 2008 she finished in 4th place.  This demonstrates that racing sled dogs is a sport where men and women compete equally. She has also been awarded the “Rookie of the Year” in both the Percy DeWolfe and the Copper Basin races.

Michelle resides in Tagish, Yukon Territory, Canada. She and her partner, Ed Hopkins, own and operate Pristine Wilderness Tours. You can visit their website at: www.yukonhuskies.com. They have a son, Keegan. The family has a 55 dog kennel of Alaskan huskies. Michelle learned to race from Ed.

Ed is an accomplished racer himself.  He has been running dogs for 22 years.

In her spare time Michelle likes to read books on a variety of subjects. One of her favorite topics is aromatherapy.

When asked why she likes to race Michelle stated, “I love spending time with the dogs and enjoying the countryside.” Michelle said that she is ready to see new trails and seek new challenges. She thinks that in the Iditarod that the coastline will present its own set of challenges. She is also looking forward to the Dazell Gorge and the Happy Steps.

Michelle is planning to take “feelie hearts” with her on the Iditarod race. Last year on the Quest she did a fundraiser for Hospice Yukon. Michelle said, “Feelie hearts began with a grieving four year old girl whose mother had died. She was given a small, stuffed fabric heart to carry with her, understanding the soft heart neatly tucked in her pocket was proof of her mother’s existence and love for her. It gave her permission to remember and grieve her loss which was far too vast for words alone. The Feelie Heart story has traveled to Hospices around the world, comforting dying people and those who love them.”

We will be looking for good things to come from this adventurous lady. Good luck, Michelle!

* Joy Davis is an educator in Indiana.  The Educational Journalists are teachers working with Iditarod’s Education Department to bring the stories behind the scenes to race fans of all ages.

THE IDITAROD TRAIL COMMITTEE is proud to announce that the 2010 Seppala Heritage Grant recipient is William “Middy” Johnson of Unalakleet Alaska. The Forty-three year old Johnson has extensive experience both as an Iditarod volunteer and dog handler for his brother Paul, who participated in the 1986 Iditarod.  He also sports a long family history of dog mushing.  His grandfather, Henry Ivanoff, was a participant in the original Serum Run in 1925.

Johnson received $10,000 from the Seppala Heritage Grant Committee to help fund his efforts toward running the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.  The Grant Selection Committee consisted of Former Iditarod musher Dan Seavey from Seward Alaska, 1985 Iditarod Champion Libby Riddles from Fritz Creek Alaska, Longtime Iditarod musher Mike Williams from Akiak Alaska, and Laura Samuelson Director of Nome Alaska’s Carrie McClain Memorial Museum.

The Seppala Heritage Grant is specifically designed to help fund the efforts of mushers who aspire to run the “Last Great Race to Nome” for the first time.  Applicants have to demonstrate a commitment to work with, train and race sled dogs, and show value traits of generosity of spirit, courage, integrity and love for the dogs, land and people of Alaska.
The Seppala Heritage Grant was founded by the Seppala Family with the hope that other persons or organizations rise to the challenge and donate to this charitable grant with money or services, thereby increasing the outreach potential of this grant.

2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion, Mitch Seavey, met that challenge by donating $10,000 of his All-Alaska Sweepstakes winning purse in order keep this very important program alive.

Grant funds are administrated by Iditarod National Historic Trail Alliance Inc., a private, nonprofit organization with 501, C-3 federal tax status. For more information about the Seppala Heritage Grant please contact Dan Seavey at (907) 224.3518