Traveler is another aptly named dog -- he LOVES to travel. He is perhaps the most versatile dog on the team, usually a team dog, but also able to run in lead, and noticably powerful when running in wheel. And he's also the team captain -- he's always the first to get excited to go and get everyone else's energy up.

Messina is another invisible dog because she never does anything wrong, but doesn't do anything spectacular either. She's a great team dog and a better wheel dog.

UPDATE: Over the first August weekend, Messina went to her new home with Matt Hamel and Tyra Sorensen. Matt and Tyra were key members of my team of supporters in getting us to the Iditarod in 2007, helping with everything from packing drop bags to getting me to the start line in Willow.

Messina will be missed here, but knowing she has a great home with such sled dog friendly people, and that she will still be running, make

Frederick is a yearling, and the biggest goofball on the team. He is super friendly, always happy, runs and pulls hard, and has a great appetite. He's a good team and wheel dog.

Like Coy, Midnight is appropriately named -- she pretty much stays in her dog house in the dog yard; on the truck she stays under it; she won't even stand up to get harnessed. But when it's time to run, she runs!!!

Anna is Pepper's sister, but has an amazingly different personality. She's much more timid and a little "off-putting", but she's a great team dog.

Siouxsie is a solid, trouble-free team dog, often "invisible" because she does nothing spectacular but is always pulling.

Aero is the smallest dog on the team, but may have the biggest heart. She gives everything she has and drives hard, so she is a lead dog; but one I don't use much because she has a devious streak.

UPDATE: On Labor Day weekend 2007 Aero went to her new home with Dina Lund. She (Aero) will be happy to be running again (she was no longer running with my team) and promises to help lead Dina's team.

Pepper's career has been short, but tough. She missed all last year's races with a sprained wrist. And early in training this year she was stepped on by a cow, cutting up one of her toes pretty badly. Nevertheless, her spirit has been unbroken through everything and she is a tough, smart, always-happy command leader.

Faith ran the Iditarod with Mark Stamm in 2005 but didn't finish. She may be the sweetest dog on the team.

Rowdy is just a yearling, but he may already be one of the toughest dogs on the team. He has an awesome gait, runs perfectly straight, and his tugline is never more loose than a taught piano string. He is all business.