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K-9 Reporter: Gypsy

Read more about me in Who am I? Gypsy!

Big Day

Posted in: Messages to Teachers Date: March 15, 2010

Hi Boys and Girls,
Are you having fun following the race? Well Tuesday is probably the day we’ll see the winner cross the finish line in Nome. Who do you think it will be? There are a couple of teams that are in contention. Stay tuned!
Once the winner has finished, keep following the race. There are MANY teams still out on the trail.
Happy trails,
Gypsy

Comments: 26

Ceremonial Start and the Restart

Posted in: Messages to Teachers Date: March 9, 2010

Hi Boys and Girls,
What an exciting weekend. I have been glued to my computer monitor. Once again, I’m not in Alaska. So I hooked up to the Iditarod Insider, got my favorite snacks ready, and stretched out in from of the computer to watch the action. How many of you were able to watch the start of the Iditarod on your computers? I hope a lot of you were.
While I was watching, I thought some of you may not know why there are two starts to the Iditarod. I’m hoping to add some pictures soon so you can see what an exciting time everyone was having.
The Ceremonial start was on Saturday. It takes place on 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage. All the dog trucks are lined up along the street in starting order. The mood is very light and happy. The fans are able to talk with the mushers and sometimes even get to pet the dogs. I bet the dogs got some good belly rubs. Every sled has an Idita-rider. An Idita-rider is a person who has paid for the privilege to ride in sled during the Ceremonial start. They all looked like they were having the time of their lives. All teams also have a drag sled. A drag sled is a second sled attached to the first sled. This helps slow the team down. The dogs are so excited and there are so many spectators along the trail that a drag team really helps keep the speed down and keeps it safer for everyone. The teams run 11 miles on Saturday. Then they pack up the dogs and their sleds and head out to get a good nights rest before the start on Sunday.
The Restart was on Sunday and took place in Willow Alaska- north of Anchorage. This is the serious start. The mushers are in an area away from the fans. They are very serious and are thinking about the race ahead. They are making sure their sleds are packed correctly and that they have everything they need. There’s no room in the sled for an Idita-rider this time. The spectators are lined up down the chute and beginning of the trail. While all mushers smiled and waved to the crowd, their thoughts are now focused on the trail.
It took about 2 ½ hours from the first musher to the last musher to head out on the trail. Good luck to all the teams- See you in Nome.

Happy Trails,
Gypsy

Comments: 30

Tracking your Musher

Posted in: Messages to Teachers Date: March 2, 2010

Hi Boys and Girls,

Have you picked your musher yet?  If you have, I bet your wondering what to do next.  If you’re doing this in your class, your teacher will be planning activities for you to do.  If you are doing this on your own, here are a few suggestions to help you.

Get map of trail (  http://www.iditarod.com/learn/iditarodtrail.html ),   and mark where your musher is.   Every day, or couple of times during the day go to:  www.Iditarod.com  and see where your musher is.  You will be able to find out if they are in a checkpoint or what was the last checkpoint they were in.  It will also give you the time your musher came and and then left.  The site will give you information as to the number of dogs still traveling with the musher, if they have taken their mandatory layoffs, and how fast they have been traveling.

While at the Iditarod site, you can download a map, information about the trail and checkpoints and mileage (see above website). This will help you to calculate how many miles your musher travels each day.  Look at what checkpoint they were at yesterday and where they are today.  Subtract the mileage of yesterdays checkpoint from todays.  That should give you the approximate mileage traveled.

Make predictions- when will they take their 24 hours, where will they be tomorrow, when will they get to Nome.  Can you think of anything else.  I like to predict how long it will take for them to get from checkpoint to checkpoint.  It’s fun to see how close I get.  When you do this, you need to be aware of any weather difficulties they may encounter enroute that will slow them down.  Also if it’s a long distance between checkpoints, you need to allow for a rest/snack/food break.

Can you think of anything else to track?  I’d love to hear of your ideas about keeping up with your musher.  Please let me know if you or your class do something else.

Happy trails to you,

Gypsy

Comments: 15

Picking a Musher

Posted in: Messages to Teachers, Reading and Writing Date: March 1, 2010

Hi Boys and Girls,

Wow, it’s almost race time.  Are you getting ready to follow the race?  Do you have a  favorite musher?  If you’re following the race in your classroom, you may be able to pick a musher to follow.  Some classes follow a couple of teams and in some classes each student picks a team to follow.  With 60+ mushers to pick from, how do you know who to pick?  Well, I’ve listed a few tips that may help you pick the right musher for you.

  1. Look for similar interests- Read the musher bios on the Iditarod site.  Pick someone who has similar interests or hobbies that you do.  Find someone who’s from the same state you live in. Or maybe their non-mushing job is something you would like to do some day- teacher, be in the military, pilot, etc.  Really read the bios and find something that says “this person is for me”.
  2. Look for something familiar- Pick someone with the same name as yours or who looks like a family member.
  3. Take a chance on a rookie.  You never know which Rookie will be the “Rookie of the year” or a future top finisher.  Most rookies have been planning for years to run the Iditarod and have set goals for themselves.  Try to find out what their goal for the race is.
  4. Pick for a musher with a website- If you are going to have to write a biography, or a report about your musher, this is a good way to make sure you have enough information to write a good report.  You will also be able to see pictures of your musher and the team.  Many times, someone will update the website during the race so you can get stories about your musher and how the race is going for them.
  5. The middle and back of the pack- Some of the best stories along the trail come from the middle and the back of the pack.  Most of these mushers do not intend to win the race.  They have set finishing the race as one their goals.  If they have run the race before, their goal is probably to finish in a better position and time than before.  These are certainly mushers to look at when picking someone to follow.
  6. Picking a winner-  Everyone loves a winner and loves to win.  You need to remember that just because someone has won or placed high in the race before doesn’t mean the same will happen this year.  This is a race where anything can happen and anyone can scratch- even the best.  A plus to picking a past winner or top placer, is that they probably have a website and/or there is lots of information about them that you can use for your any reports you might have to write.

I hope this helps you pick a musher that is right for you. Most important thing is to have fun.  Also, be positive about the race your musher is running.  He or she may not be winning but may be running the race to the plan or goal the made for themselves.

Once you pick a musher, write me and let me know who you picked.  I can’t wait to hear from you. Also, check back tomorrow for an article on how to track your musher.

Have fun,

Gypsy

Comments: 21

Writing to the K 9 Reporters

Posted in: Messages to Teachers Date: February 28, 2010

Hi Boys and Girls, gypsyk9reporter-012.jpg
Do you know that you can write to Zuma, Sanka, Libby and myself to ask us questions or tell us something about you or the race? Well you can and this is how you can do it. To email us, go to: http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/email-the-k-9-reporters/ or under the blog posts you can click on ‘add a comment”. We’d love to hear from all of you.
To help you ask the best questions and get a quick answer, I have decided to share a few tips with you. Please remember these when writing to us.
1. Look around the Iditarod site or the zuma paw prints blog and see if you can find the answer to your questions. A few places you can try are:
For race rules go to; http://www.iditarod.com/race/iditarodrules.html
Route and Checkpoint information: http://www.iditarod.com/race/route.html
Musher listing: http://www.iditarod.com/race/musherlisting.html
For general information and pictures: http://www.iditarod.com/learn/
2. Keep your questions brief and please only ask 1 or 2 questions at a time.
3. Your question may be answered by a different K9 reporter than you wrote to. During the race we are really busy reporting on the race. We take turns answering emails and blog comments. Since we want you to get an answer as soon as possible, whoever is answering mail will answer your letter. If we can’t answer a question meant for another reporter, we will forward your email or comment to that reporter. Please be patient as it may take a little longer for you to get your answer.
4. Please give us a day or two to answer your questions. For the next few weeks we will be receiving hundreds of emails and blog comments every day. We don’t want to give rushed answers so it takes time. We will try to answer all the mail we receive.
5. Before asking us personal questions like how many brothers and sisters we have or where do we live, please go to our bios and read about each of us.
6. FOR TEACHERS: when you send us a class email or blog comment, please make sure your students do not add their last names or private email addresses. While we monitor all mail before it is posted, it’s better not to include this information. Also, please read what your students want to send. We want to be able to reply to each student in your class and sometimes it is not possible with what is sent.
We can’t wait to read all your comments and questions. We love mail.
Happy trails and have fun writing. I can’t wait to hear from you.
Gypsy

Comments: 5

Target Teacher on the Trail ™ Program

Posted in: Classroom Lesson Ideas, Messages to Teachers, News Date: February 20, 2010

Hi Boys and Girls,

Did you know that there is a special program for teachers called the Target® Teacher on the Trail Program™? This program offers teachers a unique opportunity for a once in a lifetime adventure. One teacher is selected every year to spend 3 ½ weeks in Alaska doing presentations, visiting schools, and flying in a small plane up and down the Iditarod trail following the teams from Anchorage to Nome. During the time these teachers are the Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ they prepare lessons and they report from the trail. I bet your teachers use some of the lessons developed by the Teacher on the Trail.™

.

So, how does a teacher become a Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™? There is an application they have to fill out. I looked over the application and it’s the biggest homework assignment I’ve ever seen! Some teachers say that it takes months to put together all the information needed to complete the application. All the applications are due by Dec. 1 of each year. Once all the applications are received, the selection committee goes over each one and together they decide on 3 finalists. Those finalists then go to Alaska the week before the start of the race. They do a presentation at the Iditarod Teachers Workshop, have an interview with the selection committee, complete an assignment/project, go to the banquet and to the start and restart of the race. They get to meet many of the mushers and give lots of ear scratches and belly rubs to the canine athletes. When the race is over, the selection committee will select the next

Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ from the 3 finalists. What a wonderful experience for these 3 teachers.

I was very lucky to do email interviews with all 3 of this years finalists. They sound like very special teachers. Here is a little about each of the finalists:

Martha Dobson

Martha has lived in North Carolina all her life. She currently teaches 6th grade Language Arts. She says nothing has sparkedgypsytottmartha her interest in the classroom like the Iditarod has. She first went to the Iditarod start in 2005. She was an idita-rider with musher Phil Morgan. She never dreamed she’d be bitten by the Iditarod “bug” but she was. She has returned to the Iditarod start every year since then. When asked about using the Iditarod in her classroom, Martha said, “It is amazing to me that teaching brought Iditarod and me together. I want to bring a new experience to my students and to students all over the country, and to make connections between learning and life experiences while they learn the skills taught in their schools. Experiencing the challenges and teamwork of the race firsthand will help me bring this valid teaching tool to the classroom”.

Martha is married and has 3 children. She also shares her home with a Siberian Husky, many cats and a horse.

Blynne Froke
Blynne lives in Northern California. She has been teaching for 22 years and is currently a High School teacher for at-risk gypsytottblynnestudents. She’s been teaching the Iditarod in her classroom for the past 3 years. She focuses her lessons on goal-setting, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills. She and her students explore all aspects of the Iditarod from race strategies, weather prediction, and musher experiences. Blynne says, “ They like me sit on the edge of their seats awaiting the next step of this amazing adventure.
Blynnes hobbies (other than the Iditarod) are knitting, reading, writing and running trails with her dog. She has completed two half marathons and is currently training for her third. Blynne is married with 2 children. She sure sounds like one busy woman.

Sally Simon
Sally is from New York. She teaches 6th grade enrichment and advanced math in Hendrick Hudson Schools about an hour gypsytottsallynorth of New York City. She became interested in the

Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ program 3 years ago when Hugh Neff (musher) came to her school and told her about the program. Sally then attended the Winter Educators Conference where she learned so much and became addicted to the race. She knew she had to apply and try to this special position.
Sally says she’s always had goals in her life and “they’re what makes us grow as people”. She says her goals have changed as she grows older. When she was young her goals were school based. Then they were family based. Now she’s beginning to make goals that are based on working with a team. Her goal now is still to be the best she can but to be a team player. She also bases her Iditarod lessons on a TEAMWORK acronym she developed. Each letter is part of a process that can be used to accomplish goals and solve problems as a team. It is: T=Target a goal, E=Evaluate skills, A=assign roles, M=make a plan, W=work together, O=Observe results, R=Reevaluate, and K=Keep at it.
Sally is married and has 2 sons, and 3 dogs. She participates in an unusual sport called fencing (epee). Do you know what fencing is? She also loves to travel and learn new things on her computer.

I think it would be so much fun to be in one of their classrooms? Do you know of a special teacher that would make a good Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™?  If so, please encourage him/her to apply. Maybe next year, I’ll be writing about your teacher.

See you out on the trail,
Gypsy

Comments: 12

Community Challenge- Shared Gifts

Posted in: Community Challenge Project, Community Service, Messages to Teachers Date: January 18, 2010

shared gifts 002

Hi Boys and Girls,

I sure have been busy this weekend. It started on Friday when my humans said I needed a bath. They said I smelled like a dog. Well DUH! I don’t understand why humans want us to smell like them and not like we should. Anyway, my human told me that I was going to a special event on Saturday and that little humans would be hugging me and giving me belly rubs so I needed to smell good (meaning not like a dog). Well I’ll do just about anything for a belly rub so I went and took a bath. I have to admit I looked better as my fur was really soft and fluffy.

What a great time we had on Saturday. The event was a fund raiser for a group called Shared Gifts. Shared gifts is an organization that helps individuals (children and adults) with special needs, learn how to love, care and ride retired, elderly, or once abused horses. Marcia Evans has run the 4H Easy Riders Program for the past 40 years and The Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics program for the past 20 years. The money raised on Saturday goes to support these 2 very worthy causes. The main fund raiser for this year was a raffle. You will never guess what the grand prize was– A 6 day trip to Alaska for the Iditarod. Can you believe that??? Iditarod musher Judy Currier donated her frequent flyer airline mileage for the plane tickets. That was really nice of her. The winner will stay in Alaska at a Bed and Breakfast and will attend the Mushers Banquet the Start and Restart. Now that’s a prize! The raffle drawing was the last thing that took place. Before that there were a couple of other organizations there raising money, there were a few demonstrations and/or talks, and there was an I-kid-a-rod.

The New Hampshire Special Olympics had a table. They were representing the High School Penguin Plunge to be held February

Penguin Plunge

6th. A Penguin Plunge is where humans jump in a lake, the ocean or another body of water when it’s freezing cold. The humans usually form teams and family and friends give them money to do this. The money collected goes to the organization- in this case- NH Special Olympics. I think it’s a pretty unique way to raise money. Good luck to everyone participating on Feb. 6th.

shared gifts 019One of the favorite groups at this event was Peace and Paws. Peace and Paws is a non profit organization dedicated to finding loving homes for abandoned and homeless pets. It is run by Melissa and Bo who started the organization after adopting a dog for their family. Each dog is placed in foster care first. After an application and introduction process the dogs are placed in their forever home. Peace and Paws brought several of their adoptable dogs with them. They were such nice dogs. I wanted my humans to take all of them home with us. My humans seem to think the 10 dogs we have are enough! You can get more information about Peace and Paws by going to: www.peaceandpaws.org I sure hope the new fur friends I made found good forever homes due to this event.

There were several outside events going on also. It was such a beautiful sunny day that the outside events were a

chinook booth

big success. One group had a display on Chinook dogs. A Chinook is the New Hampshire state dog. The Chinook is one of the few breeds that was bred in America-(in New Hampshire) in the early 1900’s. It was bred for it’s intelligence and for being a good sled dog. For more information about this breed you can go to: www.chinook.org. I was able to meet two Chinooks at the event. They were having a great time greeting the participants and getting big hugs from the children.

The Hopkinton High School Interact Club put on an I-Kid-a-Rod. They used sleds that were made out of heavy corrugated cardboard. The cardboard sleds were attached to a regular wooden childrens sled. Then stuffed dogs were placed in the sleds along with equipment for the race. The children were to pull the sleds (just like us dogs do) to a variety of checkpoints. At each checkpoint the children had to do something- check for equipment, check booties, have the vets check them etc. It was so much fun. Has your class or school ever had an I-Kid-a-Rod?

Ikidarod

My humans, my grandma Lyra and I, set up a sled with all the lines, had our dog truck open for viewing, and gave a small presentation. For me that was the best part of the day. I love teaching humans about dog sledding. The little humans were my size and they gave me lots of kisses, hugs, and BELLY RUBS!!!!! I made some new doggie friends also. Then I got some special treats! I can’t think of a shared gifts 021better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Congratulations to Mary who put on this event. She has worked very hard the past few weeks to make sure this event was a success. Congratulations also to the winner of the raffle. I know you will have a great time up in Alaska.

That’s it for now. I hope this has given some of you ideas about what you could do for the Community Challenge Zuma has told you about.

Happy Trails,
Gypsy

Comments: 4

Happy New Year

Posted in: Messages to Teachers Date: January 10, 2010

Hey Boys and Girls,
Happy 2010!
Hope you are all having a great school year. I’ve been really busy with my studies this year. Each year seems to get a little more difficult. Is that the way it is in human school too?
The Iditarod will be starting really soon. I can’t wait. I bet your teachers are busy getting ready for you to follow the race. Have you been thinking about what musher to pick to follow? If you’ve read my posts before, you know I’m all about setting goals. I’d love to hear about your goals and how you are doing with accomplishing them. If you haven’t set any goals, did you make any New Years Resolutions? Those could be your goals.
I will be writing to you more often now. Some stories I am working on have to do with schools and organizations working on Zuma’s Community Challenge Project, the new Teacher on the Trail Finalists, and stories on race preparation. Hope you check back often to read all of the K-9 reporters stories.
Is there something you would like us to write about? Is your school or class doing a community project that you would like to share? Just let us know.
Well, I’m off to do more homework.
See you on the trail soon,
Gypsy

Tagged: , Comments: 2

Writing to Mushers

Posted in: Reading and Writing Date: April 8, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls,

Now that the race is over- what’s next??? Many of you are busy writing the musher you followed in the race. I know you are really excited about that and many of you are hoping for a return letter and maybe even some goodies. Since the request for musher addresses has increased during the past week, I thought this would be a good time to go over some rules for writing.

First, if you ask for musher addresses, you will be emailed a form to fill out. This is fairly new. It will ask your name, school name (if your affiliated with a school), and email address. Please request the addresses by going to: djohnson@iditarod.com
You will not receive the addresses until you return the form.  You can read more and see the form by clicking here.

There is not an address for every musher. Not all mushers are able to receive mail and/or are able to respond to mail. Please respect this.

Here are a few tips when writing your letters.

  • Make sure your letters are friendly and supportive.
  • Don’t ask too many questions. First read the mushers bio on the Iditarod website and if the musher has a website, go there to see if you can find the answers to your questions. If you can’t, pick only one or two questions to ask.
  • If you hope for a response you MUST send a self addressed stamped envelope with your letter. If your musher lives in another country (ie Canada, Norway etc), you must have the correct postage for that country.
  • Don’t ask for booties, autographs, pictures or anything else. All these things cost the musher money to buy and send. It is unreasonable to expect the musher to send out these items. Some of them do, but don’t expect it.

Please remember that mushers receive hundreds of letters every year. It takes time for them to go through them and answer. Please be patient and realize the response may come during the summer.

I hope that helps everyone. Have fun writing to your favorite musher.

Gypsy

Comments: 10

Community Challenge-update

Posted in: Community Challenge Project, Community Service, News, Zuma and Reporters Answer Questions Date: April 5, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls,

Do you remember by first community Challenge post?  It was about Mrs. Andrews class in Pelham NH.  This 3rd grade class was making money for the Animal Rescue Network of New England (ARNNE)  by baking and selling yummy dog biscuits.  Well they had another sale the end of March.  This time they raised $185 for a total of $315 to be donated to ARNNE.  Isn’t that amazing.  GREAT JOB Mrs. Andrews class!!!!!

To see more about this project you can go to:

http://www.pelhamweb.org/pes/mrsandrews/bow_wow_biscuits.htm

The students in Mrs. Andrews asked if the could interview me.  I had never been interviewed before.  I’m always the one that does the interviewing!  You can see the interview at:

http://www.pelhamweb.org/pes/mrsandrews/new_page_5.htm

If you have a community project that you would like us to feature on the blog, just email us the information.  We’d love to feature your class.

Keep up the good work,

Gypsy

Comments: 3

Nigel Stories

Posted in: News, Student Authors: Writing Samples from our Readers Date: April 1, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls

It has been really exciting reading the emails and the blog comments.  It looks like there are a few classes out there where the students are writing stories as if they were Nigel- the dog that was lost on the trail.  They have been sending the stories to us and we thought it would be nice to publish them for all to see.  Check back to this post often, because I will be adding stories as we get them.

Enjoy reading them- we certainly have.

Lost on the Trail

by Teagan   1st grade  Comanche Elementary, Comanche, OK                                                                                                                                                                                           I got scared when my girl crashed. I got loose and then I was in the forest. I asked the animals if they could keep an eye out and look for my girl. First I asked a polar bear, and then I asked an arctic fox. Then I saw a ptarmigan, and I asked her, “Have you seen my girl?” I burrowed under the snow to keep warm and sleep. I ate a bird and a hare because I could not find any more food. And then a plane came with my girl in it. I was surprised because I thought she was going to come with a broken sled, but she came with a plane. I was really glad to see her. I ran up to her and I licked her to show her how glad I was to see her. Then the plane with my girl and me went off to the sled and the rest of my team in Rainy Pass.
By Nigel

More stories coming soon.

Happy trails,

Gypsy

Tagged: Comments: 1

Community Challenge- Mrs. Davidson’s Class

Posted in: Community Challenge Project, Community Service, News Date: March 31, 2009



Hi Boys and Girls,   mrs-davidson-class-019.jpg

I had a great adventure on Friday.  I was invited to Mrs. Davidson’s 2nd grade class at Paul A. Smith Elementary School in Franklin, NH. They had read about my visit to Mrs. Andrews class and about their Community Challenge project.  After reading the post, they decided to do their own project.  They invited me to see what they had done.  They told me they had a surprise for me. I love surprises so I told my human we just had to go. mrs-davidson-class-023.jpg

What a nice school and class.  When I walked into the classroom, you can’t believe what I saw. First, there was a large bulletin board covered in Iditarod pictures, and artwork, and race information.  In front of the bulletin board was the best sight of all. There was a pile of supplies for homeless animals.  There was food, treats, paper towels,  toys and even a dog bed. I just had to find out what all this was for.  They told me that after reading about Mrs. Andrews class they wanted to accept Zuma’s Community Challenge also.  They really wanted to help homeless animals.  They also said they wanted to meet me the K9 Iditarod reporter because their class tracked the Iditarod this year and they had a Flat Stanley travel along with Lance Mackey.  There was so much excitement in the room.  mrs-davidson-class-016.jpg

To start their project they set up 2 committees to contact two local shelters, the NH Humane Society and the Franklin Animal Shelter.  They got a wish list from both places.  They then collected food, supplies, toys, and money.  They had another committee that got the boxes for the supplies and a container to store the money in.  Mrs. Davidson will use the money to buy more goodies for the animals.  In total they have collected 128 items and $22.76.  That’s very impressive especially since they did all this in the month of March.

I asked the class what they had learned this year.  Their response was” We learned a lot about the real Iditarod and Alaska and we learned that it’s fun to help others.  We really wanted to practice being respectful and responsible.  We had fun practicing our fractions lessons as we measured the ingredients to make Gypsy’s dog biscuits, and we loved Gypsy’s visit and learning more about the Iditarod.”

Oh yes, the dog biscuits.  mrs-davidson-class-015.jpg Did I forget to tell you about the biscuits? Well they followed Mrs. Andrews biscuit recipe and made me a basket of biscuits.  They were so yummy.  I really love those biscuits.  My human told me I had to share with the other dogs I live with.  That was hard but I did share and everyone enjoyed the special treat I brought home.  There was one more very special surprise.  They gave me a big pink present which my human helped me unwrap.  In the package was a picture of me drawn by Mrs. Doucette who is also a part of the class.  It was strange seeing myself like that.  My human says she loves the picture.  She’s looking for a special place to hang it.

Before I left, everyone had to say good bye to me.  I recieved a zillion belly rugs.  I like belly rubs almost as much as I love treats. mrs-davidson-class-022.jpg

It was a great afternoon and I want to thank the class for having us visit.  Congratulations to Mrs. Davidson’s class for completing the challenge.  There will be many homeless pets who will appreciate your efforts.

Please let us know if your class has completed a project for Zuma’s Community Challenge.  We’d love to post your story too.

See you on the trail,

Gypsy

Comments: 6

Mount Redoubt

Posted in: News Date: March 23, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls,

Just a short message about Mt. Redoubt.  Mt Redoubt is a volcano in Alaska and has erupted during the night.  I just heard from Zuma and they are safe at the Millennium.  Here is what Zuma had to say:

Just an update to everyone.  Redoubt blew a couple hours ago and we’ve been given instructions to prepare for an ash cloud… just in case… We were told we’d have 2 hours until the ash may hit here, and the snow is still white outside now…  The alert is not for Anchorage specific at this time but we will spend the next hour closing up Millennium HQ.   Nome is now HQ Central.  Our Iditarod Internet will most likely be shut down at some point and parts of Alaska may have cuts in service…. and we’ve been told to put our technology and printer and etc in plastic.  I’ve spent the last hour working to tape up the window in my room because I have Internet wires that come in…. As I said, the ash cloud is not expected to get to Anchorage but we are taking precautions.

From my understanding at this time, planes are grounded at the Anchorage airport and most mushers and their dogs are still in Nome and will stay there until it is safe to fly out.  A couple of flights did make it to Anchorage but I’m not sure who (except Cathy Walters the TOTT) was on those flights.
I will keep you posted as I am able to get information.  Also please understand that coverage, emails and information out of Anchorage will be slow if at all through out the day.

You can get more information about the eruption by going to:

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

Gypsy

Comments: 13

Scratched, Withdrawn, Disqualified

Posted in: Along the Trail, Race Coverage, Zuma and Reporters Answer Questions Date: March 21, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls, gypsyk9reporter-012.jpg

 

We K9 reporters have received many emails and blog comments asking us what the difference is between a musher who has scratched or was withdrawn from the race.  This is an excellent question for the blog. 

When a musher scratches from the race, he or she makes the decision themselves.  The most common reason a musher scratches is for the best interest of the team.  This means a lot of things.  Sometimes, a musher is hurt or ill and they feel they cannot take care of their team properly. The team may be ill or not performing to the level needed to finish the race and the musher scratches.  The sled may have been damaged to the point that it is not useable and an extra sled is not available.  There’s just so many reasons a musher may have for not continuing the race. 

Withdrawn means the decision was made for the musher.  The decision is made by a 3 judge panel.  At least 2 of the judges must agree to the withdrawal.  This decision does not mean that the musher did anything wrong.  This year Rob Loveman was withdrawn from the race due to his team no longer being competitive.  He was in last place and far enough behind the others that he would not be able to catch up to them. 

There is one more way that a team would leave the trail and that is by disqualification.  This is more serious and rarely happens.  All 3 judges must agree that a musher should be disqualified. The chief Veterinarian may be consulted also if  cruel or inhumane treatment of the dogs is suspected.  Mushers can be disqualified for deliberately breaking the rules, cheating, or abuse of the dogs.  The musher is given the chance to present his case to the judges before a decision is made. 

Hope that helps.  Thanks for the great questions you have been asking this year.  We will be answering  the questions we are asked the most on the blog.  So keep reading and writing.

See you on the trail,

Gypsy  \\

Comments: 22

Booties

Posted in: Along the Trail, Race Coverage Date: March 18, 2009

Hi Boys and Girls,

Several of you have emailed me about dog booties.  You’ve wanted to know what they are made of and when they are worn.  So this post is for you!

Most dog booties used for dog sledding are made out of a material called Cordura 330.  Cordura 330 is a lightweight flexible nylon material.  There are other weights of Cordura that are used for tougher trails (like gravel) and for things like backpacks.  But for booties on snow and ice, the 330 works just fine.

I bet you’re wondering why a dog would need booties.  Ice and snow can pack between the toes and can cause small cuts and gypsyk9reporter-020.jpg discomfort to a dogs paw.  The bootie stops this ice packing from happening.  Booties protect a dogs paws just like shoes protect your human paws.

Another question that is often asked is: “Do the dogs like wearing the booties?”.  I can answer that one.  They are not my favorite thing to wear.  When my human puts them on my feet, the first thing I want to do is take them off.  I’ve tried shaking them and biting at them but they don’t usually come off.  They are tighten with a a Velcro closure that’s really sticky and tough.  That’s probably a good thing for dogs like me that try to take them off.  Once I get running though, I forget I have them on and run the same as I do without them.  I do know that I need them and that they keep my feet safe. gypsyk9reporter-015.jpg

I have also been asked how many booties are worn during a race like the Iditarod.  That usually depends on trail conditions.  I’ve heard mushers take between 1500-3000 booties with them on the trail.  The booties are changed when they wear out or fall off.  I’ve heard some mushers say that they change the booties every 30-50 miles.  Booties are taken off during rest times and feet are massaged and ointment is put on the pads. When a team is ready to start racing again, the booties are put back on.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

Hope you’re enjoying the race.

Gypsy

Comments: 18