Mike Dillingham - Alaska Dogs and Iditarod Mushers - The Adventures of Balto, Back of the Pack, Honor Bound, Rivers

Forever and always

To my wife Mary, who made it possible for me to write this book.

To my friends, who encourage me.

To my dogs, who give me their unconditional love.

To Rivers, whose courage and energy inspires me.

In memory of Rivers’ trail buddies, who are now at rest.

And finally, in loving memory of Sandy, our fun loving, coffee drinking, and devoted housedog, 1990 to 2003.

All photos used with permission. Cast of Critters Page: Christmas (AKA, Ice) — photo by the Richeys, Tracks of Alaska; Mike, Fin, and Rivers — photo by the Richeys, Tracks of Alaska; Aurora Gooddog (AKA, Kobuk) — GB Jones; Sunny (AKA, Chena) — Donna Quante, Husky lover; all other Cast of Critters photos by Mike and Mary Dillingham. Forward Page: photo by the Richeys, Tracks of Alaska; Rivers’ Page: photo by the Richeys, Tracks of Alaska, Back Cover: Mike and Rivers — photo by the Richeys, Tracks of Alaska.

Doctor Jim Gaarder DVM/ DACVO who cared for Sandy and Rivers as if they were his own dogs. Doctor Jim also provided the technical insight I needed for this book.

Stan Smith, Iditarod 1993 and 1994. Stan lit my sled dog fire with his vivid descriptions of his adventures on the trail. He provided a great deal of technical advice and pointed me in the right direction when I trained my dogs.

The Richeys, who were responsible for many of the photos used in this book and on our web site. To view more of the Richey’s pictures, please check out their web site at http://www.tracksofalaska.com/

Becky and Bob at “Dog Duds: Custom Sewing for Canines and Their Humans” who made all of the booties we use.

Mike Fisher of Lost Creek General Services. Mike made our training scooter, while his wife Diane, who is an avid Rivers’ fan, runs her “Fluff Team” on the Oregon sand dunes. Please visit Mike at http://www.trainingcarts.com/

GB Jones, Iditarod 2002 and 2003. GB taught me how to mush and trusted me with his dogs and sled. He searched for my dogs when they were lost and constantly told us we would find them, which we did after 9 days. GB has a nice web site at http://www.alaskanmusher.com

Mark, at The Grateful Sled, who hand made the sled we use.

My test readers, Barbara, Bonnie, Dawn and her son Joe, Edna (“Rivers biggest fan in the Northwest”) Doug and Rosemary, thank you. Rosemary used the original “Rivers” manuscript to help her students overcome their individual challenges. The “PS 49” chapter in my first book, “Rivers, Diary of a Blind Alaska Racing Sled Dog” is dedicated to Rosemary and her students. And of course, our good friend Margie.

Evan Swensen, my publisher, of Publications Consultants. Without Evan’s help, support, encouragement, and guidance, none of the Rivers books would have made a difference in the lives of so many. Evan has helped authors throughout Alaska produce great books about Alaska. Check out Evan’s Webs site at http://www.alaskabooks.biz/

The dogs. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the dogs, not only my own, but all of the ones that I met during my travels. All of their nose licks, paw shakes, and their TLC are embedded within these pages.

Our friends at the Wasilla Veterinary Clinic who care for all our fur buddies as if they were their own.

Rivers is a real live dog who lives with my family in Palmer, Alaska. Working with Rivers has changed my life in more positive ways than I could ever have imagined. Every day, we receive e-mail from children and adults who tell us that Rivers’ stories have inspired or motivated them.

I have watched Rivers grow from a lonely kennel dog to a loving, playful companion. Rivers’ learning ability, courage, and unstoppable desire to run the trails continue to amaze me. He has become one of my heroes. I hope he becomes one of yours also.

Mike is a very good storyteller. So while I am a real live dog, some of the adventures and characters in this book are, well “Tales of the trails, from wagging tails.” I hope you enjoy our adventures and visit us on our web site at http:/home.gci.net/ ~sleddog or email me at rivers@rogershsa.com

See Ya! RIVERS

Rosemary Parker

Special Education 4th Grade Teacher

PS 49 in Queens New York

Who would have ever guessed that a chance encounter 3 years ago on the Blinddogs e-mail site would bring together a New York City Special Education Teacher and an author from Alaska (a former New Yorker from Astoria, Queens)?

As Mike Dillingham and I exchanged stories about our blind dogs, Rivers and my Dalmatian Asia, (who is now at the Rainbow Bridge) we never imagined the impact Rivers would have on my Special Needs class.

I test read Mike’s first book to my class and they immediately fell in love with Rivers. Through Rivers’ bravery and courage in spite of his handicap, my class made a connection. They found faith in themselves to succeed using Rivers as their role model. They wrote letters to Rivers who wrote back to them.

Through Mike’s and his wife Mary’s generosity, (they sent them books, buttons, maps, videos and weekly updates from Rivers) my class was motivated and inspired to work hard. I did many literacy lessons using Rivers, his book and the Iditarod as a theme. Guess what happened… their reading and writing improved as well as their outlook. The kids wanted to give back to Rivers so one year they did a Bake Sale to raise money for Rivers’ former musher. The next year they did the same for the IMOM group (who helped Rivers get his surgery). They raised over $600 for sick animals whose owners could not afford medical care for them.

Rivers has touched their lives and hearts tremendously. They will always bring a piece of him with them for the rest of their lives. Mike and Rivers made that happen for them.

2001 Christmas Story

“Wake up Rivers.”

I heard the voice, but I must have been dreaming. “Wake up, Rivers,” the voice said again. I opened my eyes. Yes, blind dogs do close their eyes when they sleep. When I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful dog glowing with a soft light that filled my dog-house with warmth.

Wait a minute, I cannot see. This must be a dream. Looks like a good one, I thought, as I asked, “Who are you?”

“My name is Aurora Gooddog and I was sent here to grant your buddy Mike his Christmas wish,” she said.

Yes, it was Christmas time again and I remembered last year when I was so worried because I did not have a gift for Mike. However, last Christmas Eve, the guys and I found a little puppy and saved her. Mike told us that he was very happy and proud of what we did and it was a great present to give him. We showed him that we cared about others. It felt great to give Mike something. He has given me so much, for which I am very grateful.