Travelling Vet and Ivy Acres Boarding

05/02/2023

I know I'll be crucified for posting this, but it's important.

03/30/2023

Of course, the story would not be complete without the dogs.

03/28/2023

And let's not forget the mushers. Here is Ryan Reddington, winner, grandson of the man who created the race fifty years ago, with his lead dogs. Next pictures are me with Ryan, and me with Jason Mackey, red lantern winner, whose father ran in the first race. Last picture is Hunter Keefe, first year musher, from Okemos!

03/27/2023

Most of the time our transportation is by bush plane. The Iditarod Air force is an all volunteer organization, donating their time and the use of their planes. They have to pass rigorous requirements to be allowed to join, and they are all amazing.

03/27/2023

Of course, the whole point of the race is the mushers and dogs working together to get to Nome. At the same time there were also people racing on fat tire bikes, also on the Iditarod trail. Crazy people!

03/25/2023

Normally I get to work at two or three check points, but this year I worked at four. Finger Lake, Iditarod, Rlim, then for the first time made it to Nome.

03/02/2023

Time for the next Iditarod. My first stop is Finger Lake, so look for my giant purple coat there. After that, who knows? I can't post any more until the race is over.

01/05/2023

11/11/2022

Years ago on this date one of my clients came up to me and said, "thank you ". I hadn't done anything yet so I was confused. "For what?" I asked. He said he heard on the radio if you love your freedom thank a vet...... Hahahaha!
Seriously, no disrespect to veterans, there are many in my family. Thank you all!

08/16/2022

Update. I work alone with my house calls practice so I have to associate with and work in a regular practice for surgery, x-ray, etc. I've been with Charlotte Vet for 2 years, but they are closing September 30th. Starting the second week of October I will associate with Holt Vet on South Cedar. And, yes, they are taking new clients .

05/20/2022

Day today. (I missed a day.)
Plan for their care. Give them a lifetime of love.

05/18/2022

The theme for today is proper exercise and proper nutrition. Seamus and Shiloh always enjoyed walks in the woods. Walks, play time, any interactive fun with your pet. Letting them out in the back yard is usually not exercise, they need you. For nutrition, a nationally recognized brand of food, preferably with the resources to monitor their products. Veggies, fruits are ok for treats. (No raisins!)

05/17/2022

Day two is socialize now, new doesn't have to be scary. Whatever your pet will be exposed to they need to experience. Not just other animals, but sights, sounds, people, whatever. And don't wait, start right away.

05/16/2022

Apparently the AVMA declared May 1 to 7 National Pet Week, and I missed it. So, let's do it now!
First day was choose well, commit for life. Know the species, know the breed before you bring one home. For instance, both Bengals and Siamese are very high energy, vocal breeds, and not a good fit for everyone, even though they are beautiful. Don't go by looks, or by the latest movie dog!

04/08/2022

Final note. When in the Detroit airport heading to Alaska a young gentlman commented, "Nice boots!" when he saw mine, as they were so unique. On the Iditarod trail...not so much. Very common to see Steger mukluks, and when extra cold or wet, NEOS on top.

04/07/2022

Last few teams out of Elim. Then I got squeezed into the back of a plane with 3 dogs and all the gear. Back in Unalakleet we played on the ice until it was time to catch a plane back to Anchorage.

04/06/2022

My last checkpoint was in the village of Elim, only about 125 miles from Nome, on the Bering Sea. The first picture is some of the returned dogs, getting on a plane to fly back to Unalakleet then Anchorage, then home. The second is a local man who caught those crabs that morning through a hole in the ice, to sell to us. And last, views of the Sea.

04/05/2022

Next I went to Unalakleet. I wasn't assigned to do the vet checks here, but helped get set up for the coming teams. The sunset photo is one of my favorites from the trip. The other two show where we eat and where we sleep there. Unalakleet is a major "hub", so a lot more people...vets, comms, trail, logs, judge, pilots, baggage, mechanics, etcetcetc.

04/04/2022

It snowed a fair amount while we were in McGrath. The dogs bed down in straw when resting, and also get coats, and are very snug. Of course, I have to include cute Alaskan husky pictures.

04/03/2022

The first checkpoint I hit this year was McGrath. The front end loader is dropping off one pallet of supplies the mushers send to the checkpoints to pick up when they get there. It includes dog and people food, sled runners, dog booties, spare gloves, or whatever they think they'll need. We had to push 2 airplanes out of the building to get it set as the checkpoint. Then the teams began to arrive!

04/02/2022

The Iditarod ended a couple weeks ago, now I'll start the photo essay. First things first, Covid testing. We were tested every day, sometimes twice!
The plane was taking us out of Anchorage to McGrath, the first checkpoint I worked. Often in the rivers below we see heart formations. Alaka loves us.

04/01/2021

I took one day off after getting off the trail. A local Anchorage veterinarian, and her dog, took me on a day trip. We drove south of Anchorage, went to the Alaska Wildlife Rehab center where we saw this musk ox, then back to Girdwood for pizza. That night, back to Michigan where spring had already sprung. What a surprise!

03/31/2021

The musher's efforts are never ending. This is Victoria Hardwick, winner of the Red Lantern (last musher to finish the race) giving belly rubs to one of her team. The next musher is repairing the runners on his sled. And the video shows some of the excitement of a team moving through.

03/29/2021

The musher start the race with 14 dogs. For one reason or another not all of them keep running. The musher may choose to leave the dog at one of the checkpoints because it has a sore leg, diarrhea, coughing, or it just seems tired. Then we return the dogs to Anchorage where the musher picks them up later. Here I am with a returned dog, then the dogs outside waiting for their plane. The last is a forklift carrying a box full of separate cages heading for a plane.

03/28/2021

It became bitter cold at night, our breath freezing in our masks, our eyelashes, our faces. Thirty five below at our check point, 55 below on the trail. Yet the eagerness to run can be seen as the musher is getting the booties back on while the dogs howl in eagerness. Here is a picture of a team heading out again.

03/27/2021

We were whisked away by helicopter, back to Anchorage for one night, then were sent to McGrath, a major hub checkpoint. Here is a team coming in at dawn. This is a place where the teams would stop to rest. On average they stop every four hours on the trail, rest a few hours. In the checkpoints the mushers lay out straw bedding, cook for the dogs, take off the booties before taking care of themselves.

03/26/2021

The volunteers at Skwentna set everything up. In the first picture they're using an ice auger to drill a hole in the ice for water for the dogs. Then some locals built a bonfire on the river to stay warm. Due to Covid restrictions we had to stay away from them. The last dark, blurry picture is what it looks like when a dog team comes in in the dark. The musher is wearing a headlamp.

03/26/2021

Believe it or not, this is where we stayed, at the first checkpoint, Skwentna. The tents were on the ice of the river. They had heaters, but they didn't work. The first night was 7 below, the second night was 11 below. The sunsets were gorgeous, however.
The dog teams all arrived in the night, so no dog pictures yet.

03/07/2021

Watch the start of the race live. Iditarod 49: 2021.
https://www.vuit.com/events/226/2021-iditarod-start-

Race coverage of the official live start for Iditarod 2021 from Willow, Alaska.

03/06/2021

Hitting the trail, ill be back in 2 weeks...or so.

03/04/2021

On the road to race headquarters, then the sign at headquarters. We did the pre race exams on 20 of the teams, checking each dog. Of the dogs that pass the exam, the musher has to pick 14 to start the race. Sorry, no dog pictures, no time to take pictures while working.

03/02/2021

So, I've been told the bear is my spirit animal. I think this is as close as I'd like to get to a bear!

03/01/2021

The airport is a lake.

02/27/2021

Quarentined before the race in the official hotel.

02/26/2021

Heading into Anchorage. It's time for the Iditarod again!

01/16/2021

This is His Majesty. He was a feral cat, it took months to catch him. He is NOT a Maine C**n. He is a Domestic Long Hair. Lots of hair and tabby markings do not mean Maine Coin.

12/25/2020

Merry Christmas to you, your loved ones, and your pets.

12/16/2020

Who knew bunnies could be assistance animals? At 4:30 this morning I was awoken by the bunny repeatedly and insistently thumping. Then I could hear the sump pump was running continuously. It froze at the outflow and if it continued it would have burned out the motor and damaged my basement. I got it opened up, and the bunny quit thumping. Good boy!

10/15/2020

It's Vet Tech appreciation week. Montague says thank you for your assistance.

08/09/2020

Hit by car vulture. He made it through the night so we could take him to Wildside. I cannot legally treat wildlife, but they can. To all who read this, I have supported Wildside here and there for years, and they take donations. Please support them!