Hi Gang, Rivers here,
We are in the mists of a very long cold snap that does not look like it will break up any time soon. Temperatures are averaging 20 degrees or better below than normal. Last night it was -20 degrees in the kennel. Now, that is lukewarm compared to other places in Alaska, but it is cold for February in Palmer.
We are in the mists of a very long cold snap that does not look like it will break up any time soon. Temperatures are averaging 20 degrees or better below than normal. Last night it was -20 degrees in the kennel. Now, that is lukewarm compared to other places in Alaska, but it is cold for February in Palmer.
Icy told me that Mike fell three times walking her down the driveway in the morning to get the paper before he headed off to work last week. The driveway, as well as most side streets and intersections, are slick and icy due to the melting caused by a "Pineapple Express" weekend we had about two weeks ago. The recent prolonged cold snap froze the melted snow causing the icy conditions.
Well you asked for it, and now you have it. Mike posted the 2003 and 2007 Christmas stories on our blog at http://riversbooks-christmas-stories.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!!
The Christmas stories have been a tradition of the Howlin' Rivers Home since 2000. We freely e-mailed them to anyone who requested them. However, once the stories appeared in, or are scheduled to appear in our books, they are no longer free for the asking. As of right now, the 2003 and 2007 stories are not scheduled to appear in our next book, "Rivers Book 3, Unknown Trails". The 2004, 2005, and 2006 Christmas stories will be in Book 3.
Forever Home Wanted! We received an e-mail from our good friend Cissy, who works with a harness trained 8-year-old husky/female who is a very sweet dog. Jenna is he dogs name. According to Cissy, Jenna is a sweetheart and very playful. Jenna is living at Alaska TLC kennels. Here is the website to see her picture. Please visit and pass on the info so Jenna can find her forever home. http://www.adoptafriend.net/AKDogRescue/privateindiv.htm.
Our publisher, Publication Consultants sent us this by e-mail. "As many of you know, and participated in, we sent our troops books for Christmas. The books for Christmas was the idea of Mike Dillingham, author of the two Rivers books. Yesterday we received a nice letter and certificate from Troop Commander, Jeffery J. Jablonski. Although the letter was addressed to us, it's people like you who made it possible for us to send the books. We thank you for supporting our troops and helping us send them books for Christmas." Thank all of you who sent books to our troops.
We received e-mail from a fellow canine named Monte. Monte told us he was rescued from a shelter by a group called N.E.A.D.S., (National Education Assistant Dogs Service) and is now a service/companion dog for a lady named Janet who is hearing challenged. What a super story! But wait; here is the main thing that makes this story so cool. According to Monte, "Janet is no longer afraid to be alone in the house. I am there to help hear for her. She has gained a lot of confidence and freedom because of me.” What someone discarded at the shelter became another human’s lifeline! Just for you info, N.E.A.D.S. was the first group to initiate the Prison Pups Program and the Dogs for the Disabled American Veterans Program. Please visiting their web site at http://www.neads.org/index.shtml.
Mike and Mary met with Katie and her Mom at the Elmendorf Air Force Base Exchange the other day. They told Mike and Mary that Elizabeth (Liz) is hanging in there. She has her good days and then her bad days. So please keep your prayers and good wish flowing to Liz.
Well, the Iditarod starts on Saturday, March 1, 2008 and that means it is time for the annual Rivers' Howlin' Kennel open house. So mark your calendars for Friday February 29, 2008, 4 to 8 p.m. Please RSVP as soon as you can, but no later than Friday February 2008 so the lady dogs can make enough of their infamous "kennel cookies". Sky and Tundra are the social directors for this year’s open house even so they will e-mail you instructions for getting to our homestead upon receipt of your RSVP.
Hope your team wins the Super Bowl.
See ya,
Rivers
