Tuesday, December 29, 2009

High Noon In Two Rivers

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

No kidding, folks... I took this photo at exactly noon today!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas 50-50

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

How did you spend Christmas night? Aliy, Allen and the dogs spent it by heading out for what's called a 50-50. That's a 50 mile run, a 5 hour rest then another 50 mile run. This video offers you a look at their preparation, and some nice footage of the dogs "up close and personal." Yup, that's what we do for fun around here, get out in the cold and dark to shoot video of dogs and go for all night runs! Makes your tummy ache from eating too much holiday food seem not quite so bad, eh? Enjoy!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Happy Holidays!

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy The Pet Dog?

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

I know it's been a week since we were in Anchorage, but I just got this photo off one of my pocket cameras and thought it was funny enough to share with you.

Allen and Aliy were sitting in the Anchorage airport waiting for our flight, when Happy hopped up on the seat between them and made herself comfortable. I laughed and said, "She looks kinda like Happy the pet dog!" Aliy laughed and said, "You know, Happy has really surprised me on this trip. She's done great with all the travel, the people, the hotel… Everything. She might actually make a good pet dog one day."



One thing's for sure, our crazy Happy girl has come a long way from being chained to a boat motor during a blizzard in a remote Alaskan village.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Happy Says "Mission Accomplished!"

Hi!... I'm Happy... I'm always Happy... That's why they call me Happy!

Well, I'll tell you... It's been another whirlwind day here in Anchorage! We had meetings all morning, then photo shoots all afternoon and our big presentation tonight at Covenant House. The boss did a really good job talking about how hard it is being a human sometimes, and that "winning" sometimes means solving each problem you face and keeping going until you finish. I never knew she had such a hard time on the Iditarod last year!



I was quite the star of the show, though, and everybody loved me! I got lots of attention and it was all really great except for hearing dogs barking from inside a little black box. It was really loud, but you couldn't see any dogs inside it. It kinda creeped me out.

Anyway, Aliy says I did a really great job here and Allen even said I was "Perfect!" (He really likes me, you know, now that helped him get all the way to Nome. Have I ever told you that I'm an Iditarod finisher?)

So, I say "mission accomplished" here in Anchorage!

We just got back to our room at Clarion Suites, and I headed straight for my inside dog house. Seriously, this celebrity stuff is exhausting. I'm just human tired and ready to go home! We have a midnight flight, after which we'll get back the Kennel at about three o'clock in the morning. That's really late, even in dog hours. I don't care, though, because I can sleep in as late as I want tomorrow. We celebrities get to do that, you know.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my trip. We shot a bunch of pictures and video today, so you can expect to see lots more about my trip here on the Dog Log. You're excited about that, I know!

Love, Happy The Sled Dog

"Hi!" From Happy In Anchorage

Hi!... I'm Happy... I'm always Happy... That's why they call me Happy!

Okay, so I'm in Anchorage. What a day! First, I was the only Iditarod sled dog on the plane and didn't have to share my cabin with anybody! In the first photo you can see me arriving at the Anchorage airport. The humans were worried about me, but I took it all in stride. I wanted to use the escalator, but they made me ride in an elevator instead. You know what an elevator is, right? It's a really big dog house that goes up and down.



In the second photo you can see me checking into the Clarion Suites Downtown. Actually, my people handled that for me. I'm the star so I don't have to do those things. Besides, I don't have a thumb so I can't hold a pen.

We have a very nice room, and here's the coolest thing: I had room service and it was really good!



I have to go to bed now and get my beauty sleep. Tomorrow is a big day!

Love, Happy

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Humans, Happy Headed To Anchorage

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Aliy, Allen and I are all headed to Anchorage today. Our mission is to meet with sponsors and supporters to get a jump on making Iditarod arrangements, plans, etc. Plus, Aliy is doing a presentation at Covenant House on behalf of SP Kennel Lead Sponsor Horizon Lines. She will be using some of her stories and videos from last Iditarod to talk about focusing on goals, overcoming setbacks and perseverance. As we all know, she has plenty to share!

As part of her presentation, Aliy is bringing along a very special SP Kennel dog who has her own rich history of overcoming hardships in a remote Alaskan village to become an Iditarod finishing sled dog. That's right, Happy's going to Anchorage to share her celebrity and stardom! When told that she was going on the trip, you can see that Happy's reactions went from surprise to bewilderment to something that appears to be denial.



That dog always cracks me up, and when I think about Happy getting a bath, flying to Anchorage and staying in a hotel room... Well, I can't help but think it's going to be hilarious!

I will try to post something from Anchorage, but if I miss a day please bear with me and stay tuned!

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Running Errands

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

I just shot this video a few minutes ago and wanted to post it right away. It's really no big deal, but it is a perfect little example of life around a sled dog kennel. I did a voice-over introduction on the video, so I'll skip typing it here... Enjoy your Sunday!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Training On The Woodcutting Road -- Part 2

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

In Part 2 of Aliy's "Woodcutting Road" trail video, there are a couple of treats in store for you.

First, Aliy exchanges taunts with a bothersome raven, surely something you won't see and hear every day!

Second, Happy The Sled Dog puts on a show that her fans -- and everyone! -- will surely enjoy.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Everybody's Got An Angle!

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

I know this is a Dog Log, but sometimes we just have to share a little flavor of life in Alaska. Here's the sign from the Denny's in Fairbanks. Am I the only one, or does this make you smile too?