Hello Boys and Girls,
It is hard to believe that it is almost time for another LAST GREAT RACE, IDITAROD! What fun it is to sit at Headquarters and see all the people working on a variety of projects. Everyone is busy and the phones are always ringing.
I wanted to take time to remind everyone of a couple of things.
First, Iditarod starts on the first Saturday in March each year. An easy way to know how many days until the race starts is by watching the top right hand corner of the www.iditarod.com website. Everyday, it will tell you how many days until the start of the race. Try using a calendar to see if our ticker is correct. Don’t count ‘today’ and don’t count the day the race starts. Count all of the days in between. What do you get? Do you agree with the ticker? You can also use this method to count the number of days to all kinds of things going on in your own lives.
You can also learn about the weather by clicking on Storm Ready® Weather Center which is at the top of the page next to the number of days until the race. I hope you take time to make comparisons between the information there and where you live. It is so much fun to learn about the weather.
Second, as you can see in this blog, K-9 reporters Sanka, Gypsy, and Libby have been posting articles. All 4 of us will be busy writing for you from now on so you have lots to think about and read. We are planning some great stories, so keep reading. Keep this in mind: Libby likes to write about little details. She will usually write little articles that are easy to read. Sanka W. Dog is a genius and has been getting an “A+ grade” in all classes at dog school, so Sanka will be writing longer articles or more detailed articles, designed for older readers. Gypsy and I will be writing our articles sort of in the middle of those two levels. Boys and Girls, we are writing this way because lots of students from preschool – university level —- and even adult race fans like to read our articles. We are going to try and write for everyone. So, remember, sometimes, the articles will be easier to read and sometimes they will be more difficult to read or have more details. No matter what, read, read, read!
Third, a “big thanks” goes to everyone who has been leaving comments for us on this blog. You are doing a great job of making comments. Please remember a few things:
1. Your teacher might sign his/her name, or give the school you go to, but Boys and Girls, don’t use your last name or give out any personal information if you leave a comment on the blog.
2. Try to put your comments beneath the articles that match what your comment is about or think of new questions that come from what you read. From your comments, we may respond at the blog if we have comments or answers to your questions, we might email you, or we might write a whole article about your comment.
3. What you type, everyone else can see so you should try to write with your best spelling and use your best writing. Then everyone can read your question or your comment and learn from what you have to say or from what we respond to your comments.
4. We’ll try to post most comments but we might put your comment in an area where it fits better, so you might have to look around for it. (We’ll call this, comment hide and seek!) Also, we can’t post comments that use words not allowed in school. So think before you type. Use your best manners, use your thinking skills, and plan to learn a lot from what we all type.
5. Go back to the past articles and read comments so that you can learn from what others say or from our responses because that might give you answers to a question you have and help you think of new questions. We might not print repeated questions.
6. Remember, leaving comments and questions at the blog is the best way to contact us now, during the race, and after the race. Sending an email might take a few days before you get a response. We know that some schools block sending comments on blogs, so we understand that a few of you will send email messages. But remember, leaving comments is faster and it is a good way for everyone who reads Zuma’s Paw Prints to learn together. Zuma’s Paw Prints is a learning environment!
Thanks again, Teachers, Boys, and Girls! You are doing an awesome job on the comment boards. Keep up the good work and we will all learn a lot during the race. Your K-9 reporters will be “on the trail” getting as many stories as possible. Check the website often!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
For awesome lesson ideas about the weather, click here!
74 Comments
ZUMA DEAR. ARE YOU WATCHING THE YUKON QUEST?I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO KNOW WHICH DOG LANCE MACKEY BROUGHT IN THE BASKET TO DAWSON CITY.I HOPE IT WASN’T HIS LEADER LARRY. THANK YOU FOR ANY INFORMATION. BARBARA
Dear Barbara,
Although that race is fun to watch, I haven’t had time to get more than a glance at it since I am so busy at K-9 Journalism School and of course, getting ready for Iditarod.
you are great . your a cute dog . Allesandro
I am very excited to find your blog site. I cannot wait to see the turnout of the race on March 2nd. I just saw “Iron Will” on TV and I am even more excited now to track the Iditarod race. Thanks Zuma! Tail Wag
HEY ZUMA. I HAVE TO DO A REPORT ON THE IDITAROD AND THE RACE AHSN’T EEVEN STARTED YET AND I AM EXCITED. I JUST HEARD ABOUT THE RAE THIS YEAR, I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD IT BEFORE AND NOW I TSOUNDS INTERESTING. WE HAD TO PICK A RACER. I’M HOPING MY RACER CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THE RACE. HE WON LAST YEAR AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY IS INTO THE RACE AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL COME IN HANDY. WE VEN HAVE TO TRACK THE RACE. IT IS GOING TO BE SO COOL. THANKS ZUMA! (BY THE WAY, I LOVE THE PICTURES OF YOU. THEY ARE SO CUTE!) YOU LOOK LIKE A CUTE DOG. DID YOU EVER RACE? IT SEEMS INTERESTING. THANKS. BYE. JESS
Hello Jess,
You did a GREAT job of posting! Thanks. To answer your question, no, I haven’t raced. My sport is ‘writing’. Typing is great exercise for my paws… Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Zuma,
Remember that there are 2 other pure bred Siberian Husky teams running besides Karen Ramsted’s team, Wayne Curtis who has started and completed 4 Iditarods and a Yukon Quest as well as Jennifer Freking, a rookie. Jennifer’s husband, Blake (who ran 2 Iditarod’s for Earl and Natalie Norris, all SIberian teams) is running a mixed team of Siberians and Alaskans. Carol
Thanks!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
What a fantastic blog, and grrrreat way to help kids get involved & interested! It makes me wish I was a teacher or reporter or even a racer, instead of just being a pet husky. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a pet,and love my humans, but you have’t the greatest job. My human mom isn’t a teacher either, but when I told her about your blog she said she was going to tell all her grandkids about you so they can follow the race and learn all about huskies & sled dogs. Thanks for everything you do, my whole pack & I will be back often to read your reports and informative questions & answers.
Love from a Florida Husky,
Bama
Thanks, Bama!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
do your paws get wet ever.
do you run in the iditarod. Karly
If you go out in rain or snow, your shoes or feet will get wet. Dog’s feet are used to that! They do wear booties to protect their feet from ice and snow. When booties get wet, mushers can put dry booties on the dogs.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
How old are the dog? What kind of dog are you? Have you ever raced before? Wyatt
Hi Wyatt. You should go up to the article called: Who am I? Zuma and read more information about me. I am a K-9 journalist, I do not race. I know lots of sled dogs, though. I hope you read the blog articles and learn lots more about the race. Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
What do the dogs eat and drink?
Keep reading the blogs, we’ll be telling you a lot about that this year! Sanka W. Dog wrote a whole article about what sled dogs eat and drink. You should read that and then ask Sanka W. Dog a question! See if Sanka can answer your question! Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
what’s a region? Isaac
A region is an area or a section. A region of the United States would be a section or specific area of the united states.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
hi zuma
how many musher usully enter to race in the
iditarod? Simon
hi zuma, have you ever been in a sled dog race? your #1 fan, Simon
hi zuma how long is the iditarod? Karly
hi zuma, how many people are in the iditarod? Brady
Dear Zuma, is the race really over 1150 miles long. do u have time to play with your dogs or is it all work no play? Shaey
Dear Zuma
What time do you train and what time is the ididarod? Andrew
Hi zuma wen is your next race what # are you in line? Anabella
What are your favorite things to do? Jurre
Hey zuma, its jurre again my class is doing all the iditarod things and we wanted to get like your mushers name and things or have you ever got any trophys before?
Dear Simon, Karly, Brady, Shaey, Anabella, and Jurre, Thanks for your comments. I’m answering them together because your questions are a lot alike.
First, I am not a racing sled dog, so I haven’t been in a race. So I don’t train. My favorite thing to do is to write, to read, and to learn about interesting things.
The race is more than 1000 miles long. You can learn about the mushers at the 2008 Iditarod tab on the website. There are more than 90 mushers signed up to race. The race begins on the first Saturday in March. Check out the website to learn more.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
We are doing a project on the Iditarod Race.We are really enjoying it. It’s alot of reasearch,but well worth it. WE ahve a few questions for you.
1.Do you like running in the Iditarod Race?
2.Is it cold to you when you run?
3.Has anything ever tried to attack you?
4.Do you like your musher?
5.Have you ever been awarded an award?
Love your friends at WES,
Reagan & Jasmine
Hello Reagan and Jasmine,
I don’t race, I am a K-9 reporter. So Ihaven’t won any awards… at least not in mushing!
It might be cold when dogs pull sleds, but they stay warm because of their natural winter coats. Moose are sometimes on the trail, and mushers try very hard to avoid them so that everyone stays safe. I do like my human. Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Hi zuma when is your next race, what # are you in line? Anabella
I don’t race, Anabella, I am a K-9 reporter.
Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Dear Boys and Girls,
Thanks for you great comments. I hope you read what other ask or say and learn lots from this blog.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
how are you? you are a great dog.
are you excited about the race?
when does the race start? does the race start soon?
From Jenna
Thanks for your comments, Jenna. We are all excited about the race. Iditarod always starts on the first Saturday in March. You can always find out on http://www.iditarod.com in the corner of the page when the race starts.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
the iditarod is in what country? Daniel
Hello Daniel,
The Iditarod is held in the United States. What state do you think the Iditarod is held in, Daniel?
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
Hi my class is doing a report and I thought I might E-Mail you. My musher is Liz Parish. I have to write a biography on her. Do you know the mushers? if you do can you tell me about Liz.
Thanks,
Sofia
Dear Sofia,
I am glad you are doing a report. You can learn about your musher at the website. Click the tab, 2008 Iditarod. Then click musher bios. Find your musher and read, read, read!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma! We have all picked a Musher and will be following the Iditarod online daily with our teacher. We love to read your reports and wanted you to know that!
Looking forward to a great race.
Sincerely and lots of tail wags to you too,
Mrs. Allen’s 2nd Grade Class-Capac, Michigan
hay iam back just wanted to say good luck for the race do u now a musher named Jessica Hendricks or Zack Steer if u do please e-mail me back love ya, morgan
Dear Morgan,
I know the mushers. You can learn all about them at the website.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma,
How are the mushers. Do you think someday I could run in the iditarod and jr. iditarod someday? I will be sending you a lot of e- mails. we chose mushers for our school project and I have Karen Ramestead. Talk to you soon! Nicole
Hello Nicole,
I think that you can have a dream and goal and reach your dream and goal if you set your mind to it. Good luck.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Zuma is it ok to call you Zum. how is your job? how is your job being a goddog? Do you have any friends on the dog sled team ! Do you still eat pizza? How did you learn to type?
your friend
Morgan
Hello Morgan,
I do like my job, all of my jobs. I have lots of fur friends and human friends in the race. I don’t eat pizza any more. I have many favorite foods like salmon snacks!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hey Zuma, like someone already said. I am doing activities about the Iditarod at school. It is really fun and interesting. I just wanted to tell you the people I got to track. They are Sigrid Ekran, Sven Haltmann, and Joe Garnie. Do you know any of them? Do you know any of their dogs?
Hello!
Yes, I know those dogs. Enjoy the race.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Do your brother/sister ever race?
How did you learn to tipe?
Hello,
No, my brothers and sisters don’t race either. I learned to type by practicing and practicing.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Zuma,
You rock!Iam sponsoring Healther Siirtola.
I also know another dog named Zuma she
is a Chocolate Lab!
Alexandra
Dear Zuma , my class is learning about the Iditarod . so we had to pick a musher to follow during the race. I picked Sigrid Ekran do you think she has a good chance winning.
Hello,
I think anyone who does their best stands a chance of winning.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma, my name is Kali and in school we are learning about the Iditarod Race. Each student got to pick 2 mushers just in case 1 had 2 scratch.( Hope yours doesn’t) So 4 my 1st mushers I picked Melissa Owens and 4 the other musher I picked Molly Yaswinski. I sure hope I picked good mushers! In the race I hope every one will be very safe and no one will have to scratch. Sure hope you wright back!! Your friend, ~ Kali~
Dear Kali,
Enjoy the race!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
The Students at Thalberg Elementary School In Southington Ct want to wish all the Mushers good luck in the up coming Iditarod. Good Luck
Thanks!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma,
Yesterday in school we learned about you and your life with the Iditarod. Are you excited for the Iditarod. In school yesterday we read “WHO AM I? ZUMA!” and so I have some qusetions for you . I know that you don’t race in the Iditarod but you go out on the trainig runs sometimes is it fun? Do you like all of the news broadcasters that come to watch the Iditarod? I think it is amazing that you know how to type! Kendra
Thanks for the comments, Kendra!
Yes, training runs are fun, but I don’t do that very often. Gypsy and Sanka W. Dog do run more often than I do… I am thinking of getting a doggie treadmill to get more exercise. Have you seen those on TV?
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma, I have noticed that mostly every year Gary Paulsen has signed up for the Iditarod and then the next time I look at the musher listings he has dropped out, why is that?
Enjoy the race! Nick
Hello Nick,
Mushers withdraw for lots of different reasons. They don’t always tell us their reason. Do you think he’ll sign up to run again next year? Make a prediction and see if you are right.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Your website is awesome. I love you. Britanny
when do the musher get to stop racing at night or do they even stop. when do they satrt back up the next day? Tori
Hello Tori,
Mushers create a run rest schedule. The dogs sleep when they need rest and run when they have their best energy, according to the training that the musher has done with the dogs. The teams run at night just like they run during daylight hours. They run, they rest, they run, they rest, and so forth.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
hey i think you are just a cute little dog. i want a dog like you. so do you have any four legged friends out on the trail. are you friends with any of the dogs that race with melissa owen. the reason i want to no is cause i have to do a report on her. i am really getting in to it. i love the iditarod and well this year is the first i have really payed attition to it. and i am glad i did. what kind of person is melissa owens i needed to no for my report. well i put she is a determind loving caring girl [ is all that true about her and feel free to name some others that she is hehehaha!!!]
Hello again, Tori.
As you follow the race and read news articles, I am sure you’ll learn more about her. Enjoy the race. Read, read, read!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hey i think you are just a cute little dog. i want a dog like you. so do you have any four legged friends out on the trail. are you friends with any of the dogs that race with melissa owen. the reason i want to no is cause i have to do a report on her. i am really getting in to it. i love the iditarod and well this year is the first i have really payed attition to it. and i am glad i did. what kind of person is melissa owens i needed to no for my report. well i put she is a determind loving caring girl Tori
Hello Tori,
You can read all about Melissa and the other mushers at the Musher Listings found at the 2008 Iditarod tab. My fur friends on Melissa’s team tell me she is loves her dogs and is a great musher. They love running on the team with her.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Zuma,
I am glad to meet you! Can you please send me a picture of you? Do you live in a house? What do you like to do for fun when you are not writing? I like to play baseball and basketball. I also like hockey. I hope to hear from you soon!
Wes
Dear Wes, The great thing about the blog as there are lots of pictures on it for you to look at so we don’t need to send out email. My favorite thing to do when not writing is to read, read, read and to go on long hikes when I am not reading. I live at my human’s house and get to be in the house a lot!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
My class is learning and watching the Iditarod race. I would like to know how long have you been a reporter? Who is your favorite musher? My name is Amanda and I live in Michigan. Amanda
Dear Amanda,
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reporting on the race…. I know all the mushers, so picking a favorite is too hard because the mushers take such good care of their K-9 team members.
Dear Zuma,
Are you ready for the Iditarod? I’m sure you’ve been anticipating it, and you must be very excited as well. I think the Iditarod is very interesting, and i want to see who wins this year.
Who is your favorite musher, and who do you think will win the 2008 Iditarod?
I hope to hear from you soon!
-Saba
Hello Saba,
I know all the mushers and couldn’t pick a favorite because I know that they take such great care of my fur-friends. I can’t wait to follow the race on the Internet!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
How many dogs are in the race? Anthony
Hello Anthony,
Now that sounds like a GREAT math problem to solve. Did your teacher ask you to find the answer. I am going to challenge you to figure this out. Every musher can start with 16 dogs. 96 mushers left from Willow today. How many dogs left? You can look at the race stats to see if every musher left with 16 dogs and adjust the answer to this question accordingly.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
hi Zuma. What school do you go to when you learned to type? did you just want to learn to type yourself? do you live in alaska? thanks! Jessamin
Hello Jessamin,
I went to the K-9 Journalism School in Anchorage. It took a lot of practice to learn to type. I live in Alaska.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
I really like your blog. My class at Royle Elementary School went on it and we loved the picture of Zuma on her keyboard writing with her nose! It was so funny.
THANKS. Catie
zuma is it fun reporting for iditarod . do You have a boyfriend. i love your blog. DB from Portland ME
Hello DB,
I have many fur-friends… I am in school. K-9’s in school, like kids in school should focus on the school work, not focus on boy or girl friends. I have both male and female friends in my friendship group.
Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Zuma, you are wonderful! I remember in fourth grade I would check out your site and follow up on the Iditarod. It’s so exciting! I’m in eleventh now and planning to follow the Iditarod again. I’m so stoked! Hope that you stay warm love.
Love always,
Ellen
Hey Zuma! I heard about the race this year and I am very excited to track a musher at school. I can’t wait to find out the winner!
hi Zuma,
i am very interested in the race and im trying to find out as much as i can about it. Have you been in the iditarod yet? Please respond Thank You!
-Gracie
Hello Gracie,
I’m at the race watching the action!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
ZUMA YOU ARE SO… CUTE!!! IS IT HARD WORK BEING IN THE IDITAROD? WHOOSE YOUR MUSHER?
FROM: HANNAH, CALIFORNIA
Hannah,
I cheer on all of the mushers! Enjoy the race!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma, this is my first time tracking the Iditarod. So far, I love it! Have you ever been in the jr. or real Iditarod? I hope you are excited about the race.
Lots of tail wags, Lene
Dear Lene,
I’ve seen the races, but I don’t compete in them. Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
HEY ZUMA DO YOU KNOW ANY THING ABOUT THEIR FOOD AND SHELTER. Ariana
Hello,
I know food is very important and one should eat healthy meals. I know it is good to have shelter to keep you safe. You should make a poster about food and shelter.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
ZUMA, U ROCK! i REALLY WANT TO MEET U. WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE MUSHER IN THE RACE? KEEP ON BARKIN’!
sTeVeN
Hello Steven,
I enjoy watching all of the mushers.
Lots of Tail Wags,Zuma
Hello again Zuma,
Our class is learning about the Iditarod and we had to choose a 2008 musher to follow throuhg out the race. I chose Jeff Deeter as my musher. Are you familiar with him? I would like to hear from you again!
-Saba
Hello Saba,
I have met Jeff. Enjoy the race,
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
Our class would like to know if you know of any sled dogs who have fallen through the ice during the Iditarod? Do dogs who fall through the ice get frozen and die or do they live? Can the dogs get hypothermia?
Lots of Tail Wags,
Team 202’s 2nd and 3rd Graders
Wasilla, Alaska
Hello Boys and Girls,
Anyone can fall through ice or get wet because of overflow. No one wants to get wet, however, so everyone tried to avoid it. Sled dogs have a special natural coat that helps protect them from getting too wet. But getting wet does happen sometimes, just like when you go out and play in the snow. Mushers are smart and know what to do when this happens so it isn’t usually a problem.
Lots of Tail Wags,Zuma
Hello Zuma i love the iditarod its so awesome i was wondering if you were in it?
I do not race. I am a reporter.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
I was wondering if you ever got to try on the gear like booties, jackets, and other kinds of stuff used in the Iditarod.
Love,
Shiann
Hello Shiann,
Yes, I’ve tried those things on, but my -9 friend, Libby is the one who likes to get in costumes.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma,
How old do the dogs have to be when they race? I have a yellow lab,Sunny and he says hi!
It isn’t about age, it is about training… The dogs that run the race are trained and athletes. Some mushers drive young teams, some experienced teams, some have a mixture of ages.
Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Hi Zuma,
Excitement is building in our class room as the race is underway. We have a couple questions for you.
The first one is what is an Idita-rider and the second one is what is the 30-30-30 rule?
We couldn’t find anything about it on the website. We are having trouble navigating this new site.
Thanks
Mrs. G.’s class in South Carolina
Hello Class,
I am not sure what the 30 - 30 - 30 rule is, where did you hear about it or what else can you tell me about it?
You can learn about the Iditarider program at the website by clicking on the menu tab: Iditarod Auctions found at the front page of the website. After you read about it, I am guessing many of you will want to be part of that someday. You’d get an 11 mile ride during the start of the race. You ‘buy’ your ride by bidding at the auction.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
Have you ever run the yukon quest? Have you ever Run the Iditarod? If so how many times? Lots of tail wags.
Dylan
Hello, Dylan, remember… I am not a racing dog, I am a K-9 Reporter.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma,
Have you ever met any of Jeff King’s dogs, especially Salem?
Mrs. Ross’ Class
Hello class,
I’ve met most of the dogs. I am glad you are following the race.
Lots of Tail Wags,Zuma
Our class wants to know more about sled dogs.
What age does a dog have to be to be an Iditarod sled dog?
Thanks for your answer.
North School 2nd grade class
Thanks for your comments. If you want to learn about sled dogs, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading our articles and you will learn a lot.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma,
Have you ever met Dee Dee Johnrow or Lance Mackey?
Love Dylan
Yes, I have met both of these mushers and I have met their dogs. They are good fur-friends.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hey zuma,
how old were you when graduated from k9 university? I love your website so much!
love,
Shiann
You know, Shiann, I’ve never quit ‘being in school’ because I always try to keep on learning.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
How is like to be a husky? I hope you have a good day. Logan
Being a husky is GREAT!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma,
I am a 7 year old from Oklahoma. I have been watching and learning about the race with my class. I did not know about the race until now. It is very cool! I did not know the trail was that long! How many brothers and sisters do you have? I have 1 sister and 1 brother!
Adyson
P.S. please write back soon.
Dear Adyson,
Having brothers and sisters is fun and very special. I hope you are good friends with them. I have four sisters, Crystal, Ruby, Topaz and Opal, and 3 brothers, Nugget, Silver and Nickel. Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
We are following the race, we have to read, and our teacher calls it the idita-read. I have to follow Ryan Redington and Steven Madsen. David
we just learned about Balto in our class we loved the story and we think huskys are so cute! How do the dogs act when the Musher says “MUSH” Karen
Hello Karen. Funny thing about the word “mush”. You don’t usually hear mushers say that word at all. Usually they pull the snow hook and off they go or the mushers make a clicking sound, or say, “Ok, hike!” Every musher has a special way to encourage the team to go. If you are at the start of the race and watching the dogs, it is easy to see that all the dogs know what, “5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1- GO!” means! The dogs are out of there!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma,
What is it like to win the Iditarod???!!
you rock,
Hailey
washington state
Hello Hailey,
Winning anything is lots of fun and very exciting. Think about a time when you won something. How did it feel? My fur friends feel the same way when they are on a winning team. But many of the dogs are having so much fun running and pulling that they feel like winners just because they were in the race!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Zuma I was wondering if you have a favorite musher or dog team? Thanks Olivia
Hello Olivia, I like to cheer on all the mushers and teams. I hope everyone does a great job and has fun getting to Nome.
Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Dear Zuma,
Where does the word “Iditarod” come from? Also, can you please come to our school when the Iditarod is done? Our school is Larson Elementary in Wasilla. We would be happy to see you. Love, Jacob.
Hello Jacob, here is what our website tells us about the meaning of the word Iditarod:
http://www.iditarod.com/learn/trivia.html
The following is from an article in the Anchorage Times following the 1973 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, written by Gordon Fowler, Times Sports writer:
Iditarod means clear water and was named by the Shageluk Indians for the Iditarod River.
The following came from one of the Anchorage papers during the 1983 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:
The word comes from the Ingalik Indian word HaIditarod which was the name for the river on which the town was built. It means distant place.
And this one comes from James Kari, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Native Language Center in 1979:
The name Iditarod came from an Ingalik and Holikachuk word hidedhod for the Iditarod River. This name means distant or distant place. This word is still known by elders in the villages of Shageluk, Anvik, Grayling and Holy Cross.
dear zuma,
hey what are you doing? i just stopped by to say hi.i have to say(but don`t want to admit it)you have the most amazing site ever!everyone in my family says hi and these first seven days of the iditarod have been awesome,so a promise is a promise (EVEN THough THEIR WAS NO PROMISE ) HI ZUMA!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE A AWESOME DOG AND I DON`T WANT TO BE NOSY BUT HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU WON THE IDITAROD? SPEAKING OF THE IDITAROD, I HAVE A READING PROGECT AND ITS ABOUT THE WOUNDERFUL IDITAROD!!!!!
WRITE BACK SOON
YOUR FRIEND,
MAGGIE
(P.S. WHETHER YOUR IN THE IDITAROD OR NOT, YOU ARE ALWAYS A #1 DOG TO ME…)
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you are enjoying the race. I haven’t been in the Iditarod before and I am not a racing athlete. I am a K-9 reporter. Enjoy the race.
Zuma,
Thanks for the rad tail waging comment.
what is it like to be a asome doggie?!?!?!?!?!?!
Hailey!!
How has the weather affected the Iditarod race?
Mrs. Langlois
Hi i am watching the race and Zumas paw prints and it is making the iditarod more interesting for my sister and i. Lily
dear Zuma do you like k 9 school? What is your favorite subject? from Olivia
dear zuma can you come to larson ak love dylan
Maybe someday! Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma