Rivers News 3-16-08

Hi Gang, Rivers here,

Okay, I know it has been a long time since our last newsletter, but believe me; it has been very hectic around the Howlin’ Rivers Home. First we had many of our friends from “Outside” visit us. Besides Mike’s day job routine, he had several book signings to attend. Mary was busy with her friends, visiting musher’s kennels, attending the Vet check at the ITC headquarters, helping Donna at Husky Productions gather Iditarod media tidbits, attending banquets, and trying to catch up on some quality time with us during these busy Iditarod times.

Congratulations to Lance Mackey for winning the 2008 Iditarod. What an interesting race this one was! Besides the suspense of the cat and mouse chase between Lance and Jeff King, there were many other interesting things happening. We are also very happy that our good friend Karen Ramstead http://www.northwapiti.com/ made it too Nome safely. Karen is one of our favorite mushers and all around good people. Way to go mushers!!

Speaking of Lance Mackey, our good friends at Northern Light Media, in cahoots (wow, I like that word. It sounds like something good to eat!!) with Husky Productions, produced a great video of a conversation with Lance called “Appetite and Attitude, a conversation with Lance Mackey”.

We had the privilege of watching it with Mike; well, I listened to it since I cannot see. Mike wrote a review on the video, which I hope you enjoy reading. Since it is a bit long, I have posted it to our blog at www.riversbooks.blogspot.com. I hope the video inspires you to add it to your collection. If so, please contact Northern Light Media at www.northernlightmedia.com

I want you to know that if you could not make our open house, you were missed. I posted a picture of the cake on our blog. Mike told me that the picture on the cake will be the cover our Book 3.

At this time, we do not have any new military folks in the war zones to write to outside of Lt. Amber’s team. So if you know of any military folks in the war zones who would like to receive some mail, please privately send their addresses to me and I will make sure they get posted to the Rivers Group.

Caitlyn came by the house yesterday with a great move that she watched with us. It was called “Firehouse Dog” and it was great. We all gave it a 4 paw rating!

Mike was a guest speaker for the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers last night. He gave his presentation “Life with a Blind Dog” at the banquet. I know he was rehearsing this and I had to remind him that this presentation was originally written to motivate teachers and young people. He told me when he came home last night that he had modified it for the Engineers. He told me that he received two standing ovations from the group when he was done. He told me that he made it very clear to the group that he was only the messenger of the story; I was the star of the show. Holy Moly Mike, you are making me blush!

Spring is almost here, Yippee.

Take care

Rivers

Appetite and Attitude, a Conversation with Lance Mackey

Appetite and Attitude, a Conversation with Lance Mackey
A video by Northern Light Media

Reviewed by Mike Dillingham, Author/Owner Rivers Books.


I met Lance Mackey at a public function soon after Lance won the 2007 Quest and Iditarod. I had Rivers, my blind retired racing sled dog, with me and we had the chance to talk to Lance. Now Lance, being a celebrity, a super hero of the mushing world, winning both races back to back, I figured he would be a pompous arrogant individual who really had no time to discuss anything with someone who he does not know. However, I was very wrong. I found Lance to be friendly, down to earth, humorous, and honest. He is not disillusioned about himself. Believe me; his outstanding achievements have not given him a fat head.

So, when I this video showed up at my house, I was very interested in enjoying it. Frankly, I was not disappointed. The same Lance I met in 2007 was the man talking on the video. He was open, honest, and talks to you, not at you. While the questions he was asked were probably scripted, Lance remarks were not. They were extremely candid, at times emotional, and sincere. Lance does not talk to the camera. Lance talks to the interviewer and focuses his energies on the conversation.

This is an extremely professional video. The camera work captures a relaxed, but at times excited Lance Mackey.

If you buy this video to learn Lance’s secrets of being a dog team driver, you are wasting your time. However, if you want to listen and in some cases feel a part of a one-on-one dialogue with a true champion, this video is a must have.

Enjoy

Mike Dillingham

Rivers News 2-3-08

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.

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

Rivers News 1/26/2008

Hi Gang, Rivers Here,

Want to know where Mike will be for a book signing, just click on http://www.booktour.com. Type in Rivers and change the box that reads Authors to Books and then click search. Pretty slick. How did you like the picture on Mike's bio? Well that is one that Donna Q. at Husky Productions in Willow took. You can see more of Donna's fine pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/djqhusky/

We received an e-mail from Elizabeth. She asked me to thank all of you for the prayers an good wishes you sent to her. her exact words were "I'm not able to respond to all of them, but thought maybe you could let everyone know how much it means to me and to my family to know how many people are praying and sending their well wishes our way." She told us that she works with a dog named Jeta in the 4H. Jeta is a 6 year old German Shepherd.

Barking of dogs. Check this site out http://www.vetdogs.org/We did not have a lot of time to visit the site, but from what Mike was telling me, the program provides guide dogs and service dogs to disabled veterans. I bet those guide and service dogs are happy to help those veterans! Let me ask you a question. If a blind human has a guide dog, does a blind dog have a guide human? If so, is Mike my guide human??

In our last newsletter, I barked to you about our friend Katie who made and gave me something called "scare-a-bear beads". Here is a pcitre of me wearing them. Teh picture was taken by Donna Q of Husky Productions

Last weekend is was very warm, then it turned very cold, then we received over a foot of snow and now the wind blew all the snow away. This has been one weird weather year. I heard some of the bears got up from their winter sleep because they though it was spring time because of the warm weather. Wow, I bet they got upset when the cold wind came. I know I am when I got to get up from my warm and cozy doghouse to answer natures calling when it is very cold and windy.
We heard form our buddy Bugle Girl (Nikky) she is in Texas now and had another medical challenge to deal with. But according to her mom, Nikky is doing OK.

Mike finished his last edit on Book 3 and it will go to the proof readers later this week. We are making progress!

Mike is considering putting our 2007 Christmas Story on our Blog. What do you think?
Well I have to go.

See ya!

Rivers

Rivers News 12-09-07

HI Gang, Rivers here,

Well, as you may know, I have become very good at sneaking into the house. I am also doing very well at finding my way around the furniture also. After finding the Christmas tree and sniffing the packages underneath the tree, Mike grabbed me. “Well now that I got you Rivers, it is time for some Christmas pictures to send to your friends,” Mike said.

So here you go, pictures of Mike and your truly.

In my last e-mail to you, I failed to give you the Celtic Women web site. Http://www.celticwoman.com/

You may find samples of their music with video on You Tube at

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v28is4jFWeo&NR=1

There are several members this fantastic group. Lakota told me the clips were very enjoyable. Mike has said that their Christmas Concert, on DVD, will be the after dinner feature this year. Oh, I had better explain that. Each year we show a Christmas movie for our guests, so this year, they get to see and hear this fabulous Christmas concert. Hmm, I wonder if I can sneak in the house when they do that. While I cannot see the show, I can hear the excellent music and great voices.

If you have seen the Husky Productions “Pretty Sled Dogs" DVD, you probably were intrigued by the music that accompanies it. Kyf Brewer composed and performed the music that accompanied Donna Q’s DVD. Well it turns out that he has 3 very talent young daughters who have released their very own CD called “Raining Hearts” which I guess is the name of the group. The music ranges from folk to ballads to some upbeat tunes. They have a cute web site at http://www.raininghearts.com/

One interesting song is called “Pretty Sled Dogs” If you viewed Donna DVD, “ Pretty Sled Dogs” then you will note the Kyf did the vocals, but on the CD the girls do the vocals. Very interesting and enjoyable.

You can find the DVD, “Pretty Sled Dogs” at www.huskyproductions.net. If you have dog lovers on your gift list, then this DVD maybe the gift you are looking for.

Our biggest fan in the North West sent us this link for a super rendition of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Take a gander at http://www.greatdanepro.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm.


Time to go

Take care,

Rivers

Rivers News 9-23-07

Hi Gang, Rivers here,

Lakota told me that the leaves are falling. He described the colors as yellow with a hint of red. Stormy told me that the snow is creeping down the mountain sides. Yes, autumn is here and winter is coming. There is a chill in the air when Mike puts us out in the morning before he goes of to work. Isn’t turkey season starting soon? Umm, I can taste Mary’s turkey as I bark this to you.

A few nights ago, Mike decided to camp out with us in the garage. Apparently his granddaughter Caitlyn was doing a sleep over with Mary and Mike decided to let them have the bed to themselves. We all get to wrestle and cuddle with Mike when he does this. When we are done and ready to go to sleep, we go back to our travel crates and wait for Mike to settle in. When we hear him snore, the girls move into their “sleep with Mike” positions. I am told that Sky will wrap herself around Mike’s head, while Storm and Tundra pin him under the blanket. Eventually, Icy will move out of her crate to cuddle also. Lakota and I will hang back in our crates, keeping a watchful “eye” over them. Frankly, there is not enough Mike for all of us to curl up to at the same time.

I guess I woke Mike up because I heard him say “Rivey, are you sleep-walking?” I guess I stopped and turned my heard in the direction of his words. Okay, what am I doing out of my travel crate, I thought? Mike told me that I was prancing around the garage jumping in circles, just like I do in the yard when Mike plays with me. But this time, Mike was not playing with me. Was I actually doing this in my sleep? Mike got up and helped me back to my travel crate, where I promptly when back to sleep. Before I did I heard the girls chuckle a bit even though I did disturb their beauty sleep!

We did receive some bad news this weekly. Our good buddy Doctor Jim Gaarder, is leaving Alaska. As many of you know, Doctor Jim is an animal eye doctor (ophthalmologist) and made me pain free. Dr. Jim told Mike that he has some commitments and obligations outside Alaska that will prevent him from staying here. Dr. Jim told Mike about checking the sea lions and seals’ eyes at the Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska. Mike asked him how he could check their eyes out. Does Dr. Jim do it under water? Dr. Jim told Mike that the mammals are trained to hold still next to the tank enclosure so Dr. Jim can do his tests. I guess there is some difference in examining a 60 pound dog’s eye and a several hundred pound wild sea creature’s.

Interestingly, Dr. Jim’s new practice will be in Ardsley New York, only about 20 miles or so from where Mike grew up in New York City. Here is the web site of the new practice. www.vesny.com. If you click on the “Doctor’s Link” you will be taken to Dr. Jim’s bio. Icy read it to me. It is very impressive.

One of our Rivers Book 3 test readers dropped by the Howlin’ Rivers Home last week. Tatjana, with her Mom and 2 of her siblings, came by to pick up some of our books and to give us ear rubs. Mike was at work so Mary took me in the front yard and let Tatjana walk me around the front yard. It is always great to “see” our friends. Tatjana will be heading to Chicago for a few weeks soon. Among the other things she will be doing during her visit to Chicago, is a study on Chicago pizza bones. Her goal is to see if they are as good as the pizza bones we get from Mike and Mary’s favorite pizza place, Evangelo’s located close to where we live. I offered to help Tatjana in her pizza bone studies, but unfortunately it would be impossible for her to bring any Chicago pizza bones back to Alaska due to airline security.

We received a nice picture of SSG. B and his troops playing soccer in Iraq. He did not say much so we can assume he and his troops are doing fine. I am not sure when they are coming back to Alaska, but until I find out, please keep those cards and notes of gratitude, caring, and encouragement going their way.

Mike and Mary will be out and about selling our books and some other things they have added to our line of goodies. The sitting Husky and Husky change purses. Mary has added some wooden ornaments and some more Husky stuff dogs. Stormy keeps bugging Mary to take some photos so Stormy can put them on our blog for her. Sky told me that many of the Husky stuffed dogs look like here. I cannot verify that and Lakota just chuckled when I asked him.

Here is where Mike and Mary will be. In October and November so if you are in the area, please visit.

Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, time 10 to 5, Raven Hall, State Fair Grounds
November 24, time 10 to 5, Colony High School, Palmer.
November 2, time 9 to 3, Anchorage’s Providence Hospital‘s Holiday Bazaar. Books only for sale at this event.

Gotta go.

Take care
Rivers

Rivers News 8-19-07

Hi Gang, Rivers here,

Wow, it sure has been a long time since I barked at you. Time flies when you are having fun, or napping in the shade, or, well just loafing. Sometimes, it is just too “hard” to get on the PC and bark out a few lines to all of you. Mike tells me he feels the same way, sometimes. After working on computers all day at the office, he does not want to “play” with them at the house.

I had a chance to ride into town with Mike and Lakota a while back. Seems that Lakota developed an eye problem and Mike asked Doctor Jim to check Lakota out. Just before their trip, Mike received an e-mail from a “Rivers’” fan. The fan's nephew from California was visiting Alaska. The fan asked if they could visit with us. Since the fan lived in Anchorage and, close to where Doctor Jim’s office was, we set up the visit by Doctor Jim's’ office. Mike signed the nephew’s book and the nephew took me for a walk so I could re-mark some of my old territory. Remember, I stayed with Mike when he lived in Anchorage while I recovered from my eye surgery.

It was good to see Doctor Jim again. He told Mike that my “eyes” looked great. It has been 7 human years since he removed my bad eyes, put the artificial ones and made me pain free. Lakota’s eye problem was a mild one and he received some medicine to help him. His eyesight is still good and he will be okay very soon. Lakota told me that Doctor Jim has a picture of Mike and me his office. Wow, I did not know that.

The latest news on Nikky, “Bugle Girl” is that she is doing great and playing “Taps” again. We understand that she is receiving some national recognition for her efforts. However, the bad news is that they are leaving Alaska due to an Army re-assignment. You bet we will miss Nikky and her family. Nikky gives some great doggy ear rubs.

We have not heard from SSG B (Iraq) in a while or Bill L who is in Afghanistan. I bet both of them are super busy. We hope they are safe and well. I know they really do appreciate your cards and notes. So please keep them flowing to them.

Another good friend of ours, Charlee in Germany is dealing with some very serious medical issues. I hope you will keep her in your thoughts. Charlee is a kindergarten teacher and uses the Iditarod and our stories in her classes.

We had a visit from Barbara and Jerry from Tennessee. Barb cuddle with us in the garage for a while. It is always nice to visit with friends.

Mary took some time off from taking care of us and headed to “fish camp.” Mike took off from work to fill in for Mary as she embarked in another one of her adventures. Mary’s son Chuck and his wife Kristine came up to visit, and fish. They have friends who own some property on the Kenai so they spent some time with us, and then headed to the river to fish. I think Mike is putting some pictures of their trip on our blog. Anyway, we now have some nice salmon and halibut in the freezer.

A few weeks ago, Mary told Mike that they needed to go up to Hatcher’s Pass to check on how the berry crop was doing and get an idea when the berries would be ready for picking. They took me with them. I really enjoyed the trip. Mike told me it was very foggy and cool at Hatcher’s Pass. I was comfortable with the coolness and since I cannot see, the fog does not bother me. We hiked on the trails for a while. We had to be careful because this is bear country. Nope, I did not smell any, but the trails were fun to explore! Unfortunately, the trip ended too soon. I really enjoy getting out of the yard every occasionally.

Well, I hope your summer has been a very enjoyable one. Our state fair starts shortly and we are already getting “fair weather”, cloudy, cool, and a bit rainy. Lakota tells me the fire weed is almost up to the top of its stalk and very tall. According to native lore, that means summer is almost over and we may get snow as high as the stalk is tall. I wonder if that means we will get a lot of snow this winter.

Tunny went to the vet to get the stitches taken out of her mouth. For those of you that did not asked for the “Home Depot Gig” from Mike’s log, Tundra had to have one of her upper fangs reattached. She was on soft food and no hard chews or toys for 8 weeks. I know she was bummed out because she could not chase any tennis balls. Tunny is as good as new and was having a great time chasing the tennis balls Mike tossed for her. This morning, Mike gave us each a pig ear. It has been a long time since we had one. Mike stopped giving them to us after Tunny’s accident. It would not be right for us to enjoy them when Tunny could not have them while her fang mended.

Did you asked about Rivers Book 3? Well, Mike has been working on it and he is almost finished with the first draft. He told me that Sandy Q did the “Forward” for the book. Mike also told me that he is doing something special for the “Cast of Critters” pages (yep pages.) He said he needs to do the “Acknowledgement Page”, my page and something new this book, a Trail notes page. Not sure what he plans to do with that. July 08 is Mike’s deadline to get it to our publisher and then to market by September 08. Mike did promise me that the readers of this newsletter would get first word of when the book becomes available. Stormy told me that Mike and Mary designed the cover and there is a picture of me on it. Book 1 and 2 were designed by the publisher.

It is a rainy Sunday and a nice day to snooze in the garage on one of the big pillows in there. Yes, this is the true meaning of “Dog days of summer”!

Take care,
Rivers
http://home.gci.net/~sleddog
www.riversbooks.blogspot.com