Ready for a Road Trip

Have I ever mentioned that I love fish? I'm not sure if I have, but I figured I'd let you know since I'm going on a fishing trip with Dad next week. I'm incredibly excited to go, not only because of the fish, but because I get to spend some quality one-on-one time with my dad. We don't get to do that too often, especially considering my brother and sister are so young. Every year we do a trip like this. I think he does it to clear his head a bit and get his mind off of work for a little while, but I'm not positive.

Back to the fish- let me clarify. I don't like to eat fish, they actually taste rather disgusting to me, rather I love to play with them. I believe in an earlier post I spoke about the Koi fish we had back at our home on the East Coast, Gus. He was a trip! I'd swim up next to him and he'd swim feverishly away, then come back and tickle me with his slimy skin. It's always fun to go fishing because Dad lets me jump in the water and I just have a grand old time with all the marine life. Aside from getting ready for the trip, I'm not doing much else. I go for a walk each day with Mom or Dad, watch some television, nap, play with the cat, etc. Not too exciting. Oh! It's dinner time. Got to run!

Loyally,
Lola

A Dog's Life

It's been a little over a week since we ended our race, and I've almost completely recovered. I'm so happy to be back to my normal, hyper self (I can't say that Mom agrees). I've been bouncing around the house, playing hide and seek with the cat, taking naps, running up and down the stairs, and just wreaking havoc until my brother and sister get home from school and I finally get human companionship. After their snacks, they take me outside and we play fetch for about an hour. I've learned that the only way to keep them interested is to play tag with them, so it's sort of a symbiotic relationship. They get really excited about it (and could probably do it for hours), and I get to expend all of my extra energy, which my parents really appreciate by the time they get home from work.

Dave and Jesse have been coming over less and less frequently, to be honest. I get a bit sad about it at times, until I realize that they're adults and have jobs and lives of their own. When Dave comes over, he has a new light in his eyes. After the accident, he was really down- especially considering he was so close to competing in the race. Once Jesse announced that he would be giving Dave the new sled and gear, it really seemed to breathe a new life into him. I think the fact that he knows he'll be able to compete in the Iditarod one day is really keeping him upbeat. And boy, that means loads of treats and belly rubs for me! I just can't get enough of it! Jesse, on the other hand, thinks I'm getting a bit pudgy, so instead of feeding me he's been taking me for runs, which is just about as good, if not better, than the instant gratification of a Beggin' Strip.

Anyhow, my life is pretty monotonous at the moment, especially when you compare it to recent events (aka that thousand-mile race), so I won't bore you with the details. I am, however, going on a hunting and fishing trip with Dad in a week, so check back soon for updates.

Loyally,
Lola

Lazy Lola

It's been four days since we've been off the trail. Needless to say, I'm still recuperating. Some days I find it hard to get off of my dog bed. As a way to keep me motivated and stimulated, Mom and Dad have been taking me for long walks at night. That's helped with the pain a bit, but I've noticed I tend to get tired much more quickly than I used to. I just don't seem to understand why I'm so tired when I'm only three years old. I'm supposed to have endless spunk, but I feel like I've lost my spark recently. I'm sure it'll come back though with time. At least I hope it will.

Aside from sleeping most of the day, my brother and sister have been really helpful. They slip me dog treats when Mom and Dad aren't looking, which is great, but I definitely think I've been putting on a few pounds.

This weekend I get to see Jesse again. I've honestly missed him so much. We bonded on the trail, and will therefore be bonded for life. How can you not become close to someone who you risked your life with in the Alaskan wilderness? I haven't seen him since Saturday, so I'm very excited to see what he's doing with the money and how he's adjusting. For now, there's not really much to report as I'm as lazy as a feline. Hope I'm not boring you too much.

Loyally,
Lola

First Iditarod: COMPLETE!

First, I apologize. I apologize for not having updated everyone on my status with the race. I think the last time I was on was last Thursday, but I'm not positive. Anyhow, we finished the race on Saturday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. It was THRILLING. If I could have spoken to someone, I would have screamed with joy! Instead, I was only able to bark- but boy, bark I did. Waiting for me at the finish line was my whole family, including Dave (in a wheelchair), who was absolutely ecstatic that I had completed the journey despite very little training. Mom and Dad gave me the biggest hug (and the most treats I've ever had at one single time; I remember because my stomach still hasn't recovered), and told me they loved me and that they couldn't have asked for a better dog. Well, I certainly couldn't have asked for better parents.

So, you're probably wondering what place we came in, right? Well, I can tell you it's not last, phew. I was so worried that we would be, and although I didn't have much expectation I knew we didn't deserve last place. Every year at the Iditarod several awards are given out. In addition to first, second, and third place, there is an award for the musher and his/her team who excelled in other ways besides having the best time. We won because, despite having lost one dog, we finished the race. In addition to a sum of money (somewhere around $10,000), Jesse won a new sled and all new gear. When he realized this, he decided that in light of Dave's situation, he wanted to give the new sleigh to Dave for when he recovers. Dave started crying, as did Mom (no surprise). He couldn't believe that along with life, he was given a new opportunity to pursue his dream. I couldn't be happier...and not only for Dave. This means that I'll be able to be part of his team one day!

The past few days have flown by, considering I've been sleeping the majority of the time. Apart from loving the REM cycle, I've been fed phenomenally as well. Not only am I getting my regular dog food, but Dad has been tending to throw in some meat and veggies to give me the protein I lost while on the trail. I know it's early now, but I'm getting really tired again so I'm going to have to sign off for now.

Loyally,
Lola

Congrats to Lance Mackey! Four Time Defending Champ!

It's been three days since I've last been online. If you don't already know, Lance Mackey was the first musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race four straight times Tuesday, crossing the finish line in Nome. According to reports we received via the satellite radio Jesse carries with him, Mackey covered the 1,100 mile race in just under 9 days. Along with the title, he won $50,000 and a new truck. Jesse really needed a new truck, not to mention Dave, whose car was destroyed in the accident that almost took his life. But that's a dog's life, I mean a human's life, right?

Right now, it's been 11 days on the trail. Mollie is still with us, being more a hassle than anything of course, but it's certainly not her fault. Still on the trail are 56 other teams, meaning 15 other teams have crossed the finish line since Tuesday. I think we're probably only a few more days away. Once the last musher, probably us at this time, is off the trail the Widow's Lamp will be extinguished, signaling the end of yet another Iditarod.

I honestly didn't expect to win, Jesse being an amateur and all. What I really want is not to come in last. I don't really mind too much though, considering this has been the most amazing experience of my life. I feel more free and in tune with my animalistic instincts than I ever have before. I'll discuss the details once I've recuperated after we've finished the race. Besides being rewarding, it's absolutely exhausting so I don't have much more energy to expend on the topic at the moment. Let's just say my paws are KILLING me. Keep checking back for more updates.

Loyally,
Lola

Iditarod Update #1

So, it's been 8 days on our journey through the Alaskan wilderness. I'd like to apologize for not keeping you updated, but you must know I'm exhausted beyond all belief and that, surprise, surprise, the internet is a bit shoddy in the backwoods of Alaska. Typically, the fastest racers make the trek in 10 days, but it can take as long as 15. Therefore, depending on our speed, which I believe is pretty slow, we're probably around a bit more than half way done. Thus far, it's been verrry interesting. The first few days were a bit of a bore; mainly the monotony is what did me in. We'd run for 3 hours, stop for a 30 minute break, run for another 3, stop, run, stop, then camp for the night. At sunrise, we'd take off and do the same thing all over again, until one day around mid-afternoon. We hadn't seen any other racers in a few days, and the terrain was as barren as a skeleton. I was afraid that I'd invert and go mad (doggy psychosis), until a gunshot was heard from a hundred yards away. I don't know if human senses react the same way to a gunshot as canines, but the sound is absolutely piercing to our sensitive ears. As soon as we heard the noise, all of the dogs stopped dead in their tracks and started howling. After a few minutes, Jesse noticed that Mollie, a six-year old Alaskan Husky, had blood dripping from her leg. He immediately came to her aid and took out bandages to wrap around her matted fur.

 I looked around for the source of the sound, but couldn't see a thing due to the sun's reflection on the optic white snow. After about a half an hour, it became obvious that Mollie would no longer be able to run, therefore Jesse was forced to put her in the sleigh next to him. This meant that we would be one man, excuse me one dog, short and that we'd have to work extra hard to make up the lost time. Since that fourth day, things have definitely slowed but we're trying our hardest to keep up. Nothing major has happened, and our spirits improve by the day. We've stopped only to refuel, so it's back on the trail for us. I'll try and post again soon.

Loyally,
Lola

Countdown

P.S. TWO MORE DAYS

Loyally,
Lola

King of the Jungle

As the start date of the Iditarod is fast approaching, Jesse and I have upped our exercise routine. Instead of doing the 8 mile loop like I did with Mom and Dad, Jesse has been taking me out to his house to run around with the other dogs. I really like being there because unlike the fields I run in, he has woods behind his house which are much more entertaining for a dog, let me tell you. The smells are unbelievable, as are the sounds and sights. Since I caught my first rabbit a few weeks ago, I've been sort of murderous to tell you the truth. Any little furry animal that dares run through my line of vision is fair game. Instead of it just being me, though, it becomes a competition between myself and the other dogs on my team; we cut corners, take detours, and run as fast as our four legs can take us. Instead of separating us, it actually has become a sort of bonding experience. When one of us isn't in the lead, we make it a group effort. Some will swing around the outside or some will stay back a bit, that way we ensure the kill. At first it felt a bit morbid for me, since I'm a domestic retriever and don't have a violent bone in my body, but now it's become second nature. Hey, that's the circle of life, right?

Loyally,
Lola