Hello Boys and Girls!

We now have 65 mushers who have signed up to run this year’s race!  Isn’t that exciting?  Have you taken a look at the musher listing on the website?  When you do, you’ll be able to notice that we have mushers not only from the United States, but Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, and Jamaica.  Isn’t that amazing?  Get out a world map and locate those places, Boys and Girls.

Did you know that when you click on the name of a musher, you get to read about the musher?  Reading about each musher is a great way to learn about the mushers and their teams.  As you read, you’ll notice that some mushers have their own websites, too.  If your teacher says it is ok, visit the musher websites.  It’s lots of fun to read about mushers!

By the way, I thought you’d like to know that I was just hiking through the Iditarod Headquarters building and my ears perked up because I heard talk that even more mushers are expected to be signing up.  So this is your behind the scenes information, watch that musher listing and see who else signs up.  Mushers have until  November 30, 2009  to sign up.  You can read all about the musher’s rules by clicking here.

Well Boys and Girls, I think I’ll take another hike and see what else I can learn today!  Hike and learn! Hike and learn!  Hike and learn!  Great plan, don’t you think?

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

PS  If you have questions about me or the other K9 Reporters, be sure to click on the link on the left hand side of this page, Meet the K9 Reporters.  You can read about me there, too.  Where do you think I was born?  Click that link and find out!

]]> http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/2009/10/07/october-update/feed/ 0 http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/2009/09/26/welcome-back/ http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/2009/09/26/welcome-back/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:53:11 +0000 Zuma http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/?p=329 Hello, Boys and Girls!

The months of June, July, and August were a mixture of busy days and lazy days. Summer in Alaska is a beautiful time. All of the daylight hours give everyone plenty of time to be outside. When I wasn’t walking around the neighborhood, I enjoyed chewing on my favorite toys while in the shade beneath the trees in the yard. I breathed in he smells of salmon, steak, shrimp, potatoes, and other goodies being grilled in the evenings. I couldn’t resist sitting next to the table at meal time, hopeful of something delicious being handed to me beneath the table. I also enjoyed taking long afternoon snoozes and dreaming about the fun times I’ve had with my family and friends. I went camping and fishing a couple of times, too. Riding in a boat is lots of fun but I have to tell you my favorite part of camping has always been the time around the campfire watching my humans roast marshmallows. Getting that marshmallow roasted just right is such an art but my humans are pretty good at it. We had a great 4th of July holiday, too. I must admit that the sounds of firecrackers going off are too noisy for me. I covered my ears with my paws until all the noise was gone. Best of all this summer, I enjoyed spending time with all of my humans. We even took time to look at some old family pictures. We talked about the times when we were all a lot younger. All that talk about the past and our time together made this the best summer ever. You just can’t beat spending time with family and friends!  I am grateful for my loving family and will always be with them, even in my dreams.

I bet you did some of the same things I did this summer. I’m sure as many teachers do, your teachers had your write in your journal about your summer. I know that is something you probably have to do every single school year,  but writing about your experiences is a good thing.  One idea is to save your journal entry and look back at it ten or twenty years from now. What fun it will be for you to remember what you did!

No matter where you are now, September is almost over and October will be here soon. Your September and mine may look and feel different. Here in Alaska, ‘Termination Dust’ is on the mountains. Leaves have turned golden. There is a crisp feel to the evenings and mornings. I know this because as I walk through the park near my home, my paws feel the crispness in the grass. My nose breathes in the coolness and I know that winter will soon be all around me. In some places in Alaska, a tiny bit of snow has already fallen. Take a moment and look around your world and jot down some notes about what you notice in nature. What hints is Mother Nature giving you about your season? In 30 days, observe again. Take notes and compare how things have changed.

Most of you are probably back in school and working hard on your assignments. Some of you are in a year round school and have holidays and vacations at different times. I live in Alaska in the northern hemisphere, but some of you live in the southern hemisphere and are moving into spring and looking forward to summer. No matter where you are, though, it is time to start to think about the 2010 Iditarod! This will be the best race ever and you aren’t going to want to miss a bit of it!

At the June 27th Volunteer Picnic and Musher Sign up, those mushers wanting to race in the next Iditarod began to turn in their registration materials declaring that the rest of their summer and the months leading up to the race, would be filled with training their dog team for the race. As of today, 63 mushers have signed up to run the race. Take a look at the musher listing and see who has signed up. Check back often to keep up with the sign up news because I’ve heard rumors a few more mushers will sign up soon.

During the next several months, the K9 Journalists and I will be bringing you lots of interesting stories. Check in every month and get updated information. After our last K9 Journalist staff meeting, we’ve decided on some great story ideas. Get ready for great stories from Gypsy, Libby, Sanka W. Dog, and me! We can’t wait to get our paws on the key boards!  (Learn all about the K9 Journalists by clicking here!)

One special highlight at Zuma’s Paw Prints this year is your chance to meet a few authors. Ed White, Helen Frost, and Marianne Schlegelmilch are the first three authors who have agreed to share about their books. When at Zuma’s Paw Prints, click in the menu tab,” Meet Authors! Read Books!” to get started. I hope you decide to read the books by these authors. After you have, leave comments or your questions about the books by the author’s article. This is going to be so ‘mush’ fun! Get reading!

I am also proud to announce the 2nd Annual Zuma’s Community Challenge. Boys and Girls, I know one thing you’ve learned in school is that people are pretty powerful and even kids can do things to help make the world a better place. I am sure you have ideas on things kids can do in their own communities to help out. Talk to your teachers and get involved in this project. You can learn more about this challenge by reading this article.

Boys and Girls, I know that you are going to have a great school year. As you practice your skills and learn new things in school, keep checking Zuma’s Paw Prints and Iditarod’s website for interesting information about Iditarod and Alaska.

Racing season is just around the corner. We can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

You can learn more about me at this link.

I hope you enjoy this slide show.   The pictures will change so keep watching!

[[Show as slideshow]]

Just the other day I had a chance to talk with author Marianne Schlegelmilch.   If you are looking for a book to read, try one of Marianne’s books.  When you are done reading, leave comments and questions about the books.  I can’t wait to hear what you think about the books.  If  you ask a good question to the author, maybe Marianne will stop by the site and answer it.

Do you want to know more about the books?  Keep reading!

Solo Flite is a story about a lost young puppy who ends up living at the kennel of Joe Redington. There he begins a life of exciting adventure, starting with the day Joe shows him the Iditarod trail for the first time and later taking him to his own incredible finish in Nome. Along the way, he meets a team of other very special dogs including one big surprise meeting that you will want to read for yourself.

Later, in the book Coho Waterboy, the Flat-Footed, Web-footed Alaska Sled Dog, Solo takes the young Coho under his guidance and inspires Coho to overcome his disadvantages and gain the confidence he needs to earn his own special moment in Nome. Not only does Coho become the darling of the tourists at Iditarod Headquarters, but he also learns to hone his instincts and become a team player as he does what he was told he could never do, and runs in the Iditarod race.

Both Solo Flite and Coho Waterboy will show you that heart and spirit go a long way in making life’s adventures the best they can be.

Marianne wants her readers to know that she will be working this winter of 2009/2010 on a third book featuring Solo, Coho and a new dog named Aero –tentatively titled, Aero–Adventures of an Iditarod Air Force Alaska Sled Dog.

Each of these children’s books written by Marianne are fictional stories about The Last Great Race. She hopes her readers will find them not only entertaining, but warm examples of the Alaskan spirit set amidst the adventure of the one thousand mile race to Nome known as  Iditarod.

For orders, contact evan@publicationconsultants. com or www.publicationconsultants.com .

What are you waiting for, Boys and Girls?  Get reading!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Have you read Foxy’s Tale? It is an awesome read about an Iditarod Champion sled dog. 

Just the other day I was having a chat with Ed White.  I told him I’d remind all of you about this book.

I’m going to challenge you boys and girls to read this book and that chat about it here with us!  Leave comments about the book.  Ask questions.  Who knows, maybe Ed will drop by and answer them for you!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

PS

The following is what Ed sent us about the book Foxy’s Tale by Ed White and  Donna Freedman

********

Ed White is the co-author of Foxy’s Tale – The True Story of a Champion Alaskan Sled Dog. The book, told from Foxy’s point of view, describes the real-life adventures of a former runt of the litter who wouldn’t give up, and the family who loved her. This true heart-warming story demonstrates how hard work and determination will help you live your dreams and achieve your goals, despite your size.

The plot sounds like a Disney Movie. The smallest puppy in an Alaskan sled-dog litter gets sold to a family as a pet. After the dog is seriously injured, the family veterinarian recommends euthanasia; she believes the dog may never walk again. But Foxy recovers and not only learns to walk again, but she also learns to run, and to pull a sled. With her best friend Kelly, Foxy goes on to successfully race and later compete in the Junior World Championship Sled Dog Race in Anchorage.

To learn more about Foxy’s Tale, visit www.foxystale.com

Ed White loves to answer questions about the book or sled dog racing.

Helen Frost is the author of this and several other books.  Learn about Helen Frost at her website.  Click here!

After reading this book, share your thoughts about this book (or her other books) by leaving a comment.  If you are lucky, Helen will read your comment and chat back.  OR better yet,  Sled Dog Roxy will answer your comment.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Meet my friend, Roxy!

Then, I’ve got a great idea for you so be sure to read my letter that follows Roxy’s letter.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Dear Zuma,

Is that really you?

My friend Willow found your picture on the internet and showed it to me. “Roxy,” she said, “Look at this website called Zuma’s Paw Prints! Wasn’t Zuma your favorite litter-mate?” Wow! I always wondered what happened to you after my family took me home that day. I’ll never forget that day. I’ll never forget you! You don’t know that I am called Roxy now. That was what Willow named me. As you’ve probably guessed, Willow is the girl who begged her dad to take me home with them.  We have become best friends, like you and I were when we were puppies. Remember we guessed that the lady in the red jacket was about to have a baby?  Well, we were right, she did. They named the baby Zanna.  At first, we didn’t get along so well, but now we do. That’s part of a long story, and someone actually wrote a book about it! About me, Zuma! And about Willow. The book is Diamond Willow. The author is Helen Frost. You can find it in the children’s or Young Adult section of most libraries and bookstores.  I noticed that Helen Frost is your Facebook friend, so you may know her better than I do.  I only know about her from her website: http://www.helenfrost.net/index.php She has written other books too. Willow has read them all, but Diamond Willow is the only one she read out loud to me.

Willow and I are not on Facebook. We’re not in the Iditarod either. But we love to explore the trails around our house together, and we both love to go fast. That sometimes causes a few problems, as you’ll find out when you read the book. (After you read it, write back and tell me how you like it.)

Maybe we’ll see each other out on a trail someday. That would be so great! I could introduce you to Willow. You would love each other.
Your friend and sister,

Roxy

Hello Roxy,

It is great to hear from you! I just finished the book. It was AWESOME! It made me laugh and it made me cry, too! The book made me think about what it takes to have courage and how important it is to stand up for what you believe is the right thing to do.  I enjoyed the book so much, I’m going to read it again.

I’ve got a challenge for the boys and girls who read Zuma’s Paw Prints.

Boys and Girls, put this book on your list to read. Then, leave comments about the book. I’d enjoy talking to you about your favorite part of the book and your idea on what message the author, Helen Frost, has for readers.  Leave you comments and if we are lucky, Roxy or maybe even the author, Helen Frost, might stop by to respond to your thoughts.

Have a great summer, Boys and Girls…

Read, read, read lots of books!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

This year’s race was very exciting.

A favorite part of the race for me was meeting new friends. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Happy! Happy is a great fur-friend who ran all the way from Anchorage to Nome. I can’t wait for you to read about my new friend!

Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma

Hi, I’m Happy!… I’m always Happy!… That’s why they call me Happy!

I’m finally pawing through all my email and I found your message!…

I’d be honored to be in Paw Prints!

I also don’t know what kind of story your readers would like! There are lots of links to stories about me.

The original Happy Story is at this site.  I hope you like it!

http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/2009/03/iditarod-2009-happy-story.html

My website — with all the latest — is at:

http://www.HappyTheSledDog.com

I hope the boys and girls who read your site stop by and visit me at my site soon!

Thanks for your message! Be happy!

Love, Happy

We are 2nd graders from Charlotte, North Carolina.  We have been reading Akiak:  A Tale from the Iditarod. This story has taught us a lot about the Iditarod dog race.  In the story, Akiak, the dog, displays his courage by finishing the race with an injured paw.  We enjoyed the story and had a few questions for you.

Do you know of any dogs that have gotten injured during the race?  Were they able to finish?

How many days does it typically take to finish the race?

Zuma, what temperature is it typically during the race week?

Zuma, can you please share a little more information with us about the Husky breed?  Why do Huskies look like wolves? Also, why do some Huskies have blue eyes? Thank you for your time.

Your Montclaire Elementary Friends

Hello Boys and Girls,

Thanks for your questions!

When a musher’s team arrives at a checkpoint the team of veterinarians examines each of the dogs.  If there are any dogs that need to be dropped from the race, the veterinarians care for those dogs.  Those dogs are later flown back to Anchorage.    Sometimes a rest in a checkpoint is all a dog needs to be feeling great again.  Do you ever come in from recess all tired out but find out when the next recess rolls around you are ready to out and play again?  Or have you ever had an upset tummy and then after a nap, you feel better?  Well, it is sort of like that for some of the dogs.  Once a dog has been dropped from the race and left with the veterinarians at the checkpoint, though, that dog doesn’t get to get back in the Iditarod— at least that particular year.

The winner finishes the race in 9 – 10 days.  Mushers roll into Nome one after another until they are all there!  Usually most of the mushers finish by 14 days.

It is hard to talk about the typical weather because weather conditions are different from one part of the trail to the next part of the trail.  The conditions can be different one year from the next or from one checkpoint compared to three checkpoints up the trail.   It is best for you to visit our weather center at the website during the race and click on the temperatures at the different checkpoints.  You can also use the GPS Tracker to see the temperature each musher faces during the race.  We also have some really awesome weather activities and lessons at the website.  You can see those ideas at this section of the website by click here. Then click on the Iditarod Ready!  Storm Read! materials.

I could write a whole book about the Husky breed.  I’ll tell you one thing— they are a northern breed which means they have a suitable natural winter coat to keep them warm.  You can go to this part of the website and learn more about the dogs.  To read, click here. Click on What is a Sled Dog?  Our Chief Veterinarian wrote that article and it will help you learn a lot of important information.  Your teacher can read it and help you learn more.

As far as eye color, I’m not so sure so many have blue eyes.  You might be thinking of Siberian Huskies.  A good place for you to look is at the Race Images by photographer Jeff Schultz.  Go to www.iditarod.com and click ‘View All Images’.  You can also check out our Zuma Blog scrapbook.  On the left side of this page, click on the Scrapbook of Pictures.  Look at the pictures of the dogs on the website pages, too.  I think you see that most huskies don’t have blue eyes.  Have fun looking at the pictures.

Thanks for your questions.

Have a great week in school!  I hope you keep reading Zuma’s Paw Prints all summer long!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Hello Boys and Girls!

Thanks for writing to me!  I hope you are having a great day in your school in Louisiana!  I looked on the map at where you live and see it is a long way from where I live!  I know that your climate is not the same as the climate in Alaska.  Have you compared the two places?

Thanks for following the race.  I hope to hear from you again next year!

I hope you take time to learn more about me and to learn about the other K9 Journalists.  You can find places to click to learn more on the left side of this page.  Click right where it says, Meet and Learn About the K9 Reporters.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Dear Zuma,

We are writing to you from Franklinton, Louisiana. We are in Miss Haynes’ 2nd grade class. There are 24 of us students in her room. We are reading the story “Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod” in our reading book at school. We found your website and decided to write and ask you some questions as journalists ourselves. Here we go:

1. Have you ever had frostbite? -Jayonne

I have not.  My fur coat keeps me warm.  I sometimes wear booties on my feet to keep the little bits of snow and ice from hurting my paws.  I stay safe and warm.

2. Who are your best friends? -Mackenzie

My best friends are Gypsy, Libby, and Sanka

3. How old are you, Zuma? -CJ

I am 5

4. When is your birthday? -Raquel

August 29

5. Have you ever had to be brave before? -Caitlyn

It takes bravery to set goals and work towards them, no matter what your goals may be, so considering that, I’m brave every day!  How about you?

6. What is your favorite chew toy? -Miguel

I like all of my chew toys but I guess I especially like my squeaky duck.  Oh, and then there is my squeaky fish….

7. Have you ever raced in the Iditarod? -Terion

I am not a racer.  I am a reporter.

8. When was your first Iditarod and did you win? -Emily

I do not race.  I will not race in the future.  I report and I type.  I love to read, too.

9. How can you type, Zuma? -Brady

Yes.  Have you seen my pictures on the website?  You can see me typing on my keyboard.

10. How cold is it where you live during Christmas? -Shantrell

OH I suppose 10 – 20 degrees or so….

11. Have you ever been trained to type? -Rajana

It took a lot of practice to learn to type.  I went to K9 Journalism school but learning to type just took practice but it works a lot better than holding a pencil between my paws!

12. How old were you whenever you started to type? -Colby

I started to type when I was a small pup, just like most humans start to write when they are in preschool or even before that!

13. Have you ever eaten with a spoon before? -Callie

OH, I’ve licked a spoon before, but my paws aren’t very good at holding spoons.

14. What is your favorite place? -Anfernee

My favorite place is where I am…   I think it is good advice to be happy no matter where you are at the moment.  So where I am at each moment is my favorite place.

15. Will you ever come to Louisiana, maybe Franklinton, where we live? -Mason

If I do come to Louisiana, I’ll let your teacher know!

16. What do you do for Easter? -Jazton

I take an extra doggie snooze.

17. Were you ever in dog school? -Elisabeth

I went to a puppy training class once and passed the class with straight A’s!

18. Are you braver when you are by yourself or when you are with somebody? -Declan

Being with a friend is always comforting, but knowing how to stand alone and be brave is important for all of us to be able to do!

19. Have you ever been trained for the Iditarod? -Leyton

I am not a racer.  I am a typer.  I am a reporter.  I haven’t done any sled dog training!

20. Where do you live? -Richard

I live in Wasilla.

21. Were you ever in a blizzard? -Camryn

I try to be in as many blizzards as I can.  I love the cold, the wind, and all of the falling snow!  I can’t wait for the next blizzard.  Of course, boys and girls, I am all dressed for winter weather and I know how to stay safe!

22. Have you ever had a dream you wanted to follow? -Trent

My dream is always to be the best reporter that I can be so I keep working hard!

23. What is your favorite fruit? Do you eat fruit? -Zaquarius

I try to stick to the food my vet recommends for me….  Once in a while I’ve had a bite of a banana. I have a K9 fur friend by the name of Holly.  Her human gives her bananas all of the time.

24. Have you ever been to a human school where children go to school? -Zahila

I sometimes get to visit students in school.  That is a lot of fun.

25. Do you travel all over the country talking and visiting with children in schools? -Miss Liz

I generally stay in Alaska.  If I am in your area, I’ll be sure to contact your teacher!  What fun it would be to visit!

Thank you for taking our questions. We hope to hear back from you soon! Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Miss Liz’s class

I am very proud of the schools that participated in the 2009 Community Challenge Project!

Here is a summary of Southhampton’s project.

If you did a project at your school, don’t forget to tell us about it!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma

Dear Zuma,

I am writing to let you know how much the students of Southampton Elementary School enjoyed learning about the 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. As the media specialist at Southampton Elementary School, I wanted students to experience the race on many different levels. We watched official race footage and read on-line newspapers. We created a large wall map and followed the race till the last team reached Nome. We read fiction and non-fiction books about the Iditarod and learned a great deal about sled dogs. Each student created their own sled dog profiles, which we proudly displayed in the hallway outside the media center.

I also wanted to tell you about our 2009 Iditarod Community Challenge Project. Our student council held a Treats and Towels Campaign for the Town of Southampton Animal Shelter. Students and teachers donated dog biscuits, dog treats ( cat food and cat treats, too) and plenty of towels and blankets for shelter dogs. I hope it is not too late to share our story with you. Happy Sledding!

Lisa Bowen, School Media Specialist,

Southampton Elementary School