Rivers

by Mike Dillingham

  When I stopped talking, Christmas started to speak. Her voice was relaxed and she sounded relieved. I bet she had made her decision. “Uncle Rivers, you make a lot of sense. Thank you.” Then I heard her turn to her pups and say, “Time to go and clean up the doghouses.”

  As I heard them scamper off, I smiled to myself as I remembered that Sandy used to say the same words to Christmas when she was a puppy!

  The Sourdough 120

  Mike is not a racer. He mushes us for fun. Nevertheless, he knows that since we are all retired racers, and experienced the thrill of racing, we never lost the desire to race. So, we hoped that when racing season came around, Mike would consider racing us. Nitro reminded us that Mike had said he was getting another dog or two to fill out the team for the racing season. Yes, the summer was a long season of anticipation for snow and the race season.

  I bet you can imagine how excited we were when Mike told us he was going to race us in the Sourdough 120. Well, I was excited. Nitro was ecstatic! While this race is not as long as we were used to, it is a race and that was all that counted.

  The Sourdough 120 was a race done in two segments: 60 miles one way, an overnight stop at the checkpoint and then the 60 miles back to the start. It was a novice or beginners’ race since there was a lot of supervision on the trail. It was an open class race, which meant that there was no age limit. You only needed at least ten dogs, a sled, some gear, and the desire to have some fun.

  Some experienced racers used the Sourdough as a tune-up for bigger races. Others used it to check out their dogs. Some mushers used the race to decide if they really wanted to be racers. And then there were mushers like Mike, who would do this race for their dogs. Yep, Mike was giving us what might be our final chance to compete, and the only time he might race with us. Wow, this was going to be special.

  Wait a minute. We only had seven dogs: my five teammates, Christmas, and me. So you can bet that I was relieved when Mike told us that he planned to run Sky, Tundra and Storm. Sure, the pups were young, but they had six very experienced uncles who would not only train them but also take care of them on the trail. While Christmas had never raced, she had proved herself on the trails. Yes, this was going to be a fun run, a family fun run. While only the pups and Christmas were related, we considered ourselves a family. Besides, you know what they say, “The family that runs the trails together has fun together!”

  So now we had our team, the ten dogs we needed to enter the Sourdough. We had our sled, the new one that Mark at the Grateful Sled had hand made for us. In addition, Mike owned all of the equipment we needed to run this race.

  I must admit that I was surprised to see how determined Mike was to get us ready for this race. Each day we ran farther and farther on the trail until we were doing very long runs. Then Mike took us to train on the actual race trail. We all took our turn running lead and became familiar with the race trail. Sometimes we did overnight trips to get used to being out and getting our break-camp routine down pat.

  The pups, Tundra, Storm and Sky were doing very well. Lakota told me that you could see the pride in Christmas’ face. She knew her babies were growing up to be fine sled dogs.

  Doc told me that the pups looked exceptionally strong and ran very well. Yes, they made us proud. Too bad they were a bit too young to realize that they were a true credit to their Husky heritage.

  And my buddies, Nitro, Doc, Lakota, Brownie and Ugly, were running like young dogs, excited to race and compete, listening for and obeying Mike's commands, perfectly. Yes, I was proud of my buddies. We were a team! A good team. A team that would not let Mike down.

  Many times Randy came with us. Mike would run the team out and Randy would run us back home. Mike did this so that we would not become solely dependent on him, but rather on each other, thus functioning better as a team.

  Randy was young and becoming a very good musher. He loved to mush and took very good care of us on the trail. Randy gained more and more confidence with each run. Moreover, that confidence was not just limited to his mushing, but also affected his schoolwork and writing. His stories improved with each one he wrote. Many times when we camped out, he would read his stories to us. Randy was becoming very much like Mike when it came to us. He talked to us and gave us great ear rubs. He cared for us and he was our buddy. We all liked him. We hoped that someday Mike would let Randy race us. As it turned out, that day came sooner than we would ever have imagined.

  The day was perfect for training. We were in our team positions with Doc and Christmas in lead. Sky and Stormy were in the swing position. Lakota and I were in the wheel position. Nitro, Brownie, Ugly, and Tundra were team dogs. Mike loaded the sled with all of the equipment and food needed for an overnight trip. He told us we were going far up the trail, past the planned race checkpoint. We would camp overnight, and then head on back. This would be a good tune-up for the race, which was only a few weeks away.

  Mike was on the runners and Randy was in the basket. We were comfortable in our stride. We were working together as one, an extension of Mike running the team. Lakota was telling me all about the trail. He said that the trail was becoming narrower.

  I smelled it just as Mike yelled, “Team Stop!” We stopped as Mike said, “Randy, get out of the basket and stand behind the sled.” Then I heard Mike unzip the sled bag.

  Bear is what I smelled. Lakota told me that a huge bear was blocking the trail. It was eating and we had disturbed it. Nitro added that the bear was very upset that we were in its territory, especially when it was eating. Nitro also mentioned that there was no way to get around the bear, and he was approaching us.

  Lakota told me that Mike had his gun and was in front of the lead dogs. I heard him fire one shot. Lakota told that the shot hit the ground between the bear's legs. A warning shot. It did not work. Doc said that it only served to aggravate the bear. It kept on coming towards us.

  “Randy,” Mike said. “Cut the dogs loose and head them back down the trail.”

  “But Mister Mike.”

  “No buts, Randy. Just do it.”

  I heard Randy cut the main gang line and call Doc, Christmas and the pups to him, I felt the gang line pull taut as the dogs made a U turn and headed back down the trail.

  “I'm not going. It was Nitro. “Me too.” That was Brownie. Doc and Ugly joined in and so did Lakota. I would stand with Mike also.

  “Team. Go.” Mike said. No, we stayed. Lakota told me that Randy was confused but cut the gang line again by Doc and moved Christmas with her pups behind the sled.

  The bear kept coming down the trail toward us. We started to bark, but it kept on coming. Then I heard Mike's gun. Bam, Bam. But the bear kept coming. Bam. Bam. Lakota told me that Mike shot the bear four times but the bear kept coming and was almost on top of Mike. Bam, another shot. I heard the bear fall down.

  Ugly said that the bear clobbered Mike and knocked him down before Mike got off the last shot.

  “Mister Mike?” It was Randy. “Are you okay?”

  “Randy, where are my glasses? I cannot see without them.”

  “I found them Mister Mike, but they are shattered.”

  Lakota told me that Mike tried to get up, but we heard him groan and clutch his right arm. “Randy, I think the bear broke my arm when he hit me. You are going to have to splint it and get us home.”

  “Mister Mike, what do I need to do? I was surprised at the calmness in Randy's voice.

  “I would suggest that we get the dogs secured first. After that get the first aid kit out of the sled and I will try to help you splint my arm. Then we have to unload the sled and move it back down the trail, then reload it. It is starting to get dark, so I hope you feel comfortable mushing at night. It will be a first for you. Nothing like learning under fire,” Mike said.

  After Randy got Mike's arm splinted, he started to retie the gang line and hook us up.

  “Where is Doc?” Randy asked. I heard the dogs look around but they told me they could not see him. Wait, I heard a
groan coming from the bear. It cannot still be alive. Oh no, that is not the bear. Is it Doc?

  “Doc, where are you?” I asked.

  “I am under the bear, it fell on me. I am hurt. I need help,” Doc said.

  I started to bark and pull towards the bear.

  “Randy, check by the bear and see if it fell on Doc. Rivers is barking. Maybe he hears something,” Mike said.

  Lakota told me that Randy ran to the side of the bear that fell towards the team.

  “Yes, Mister Mike. Doc is under the bear. I cannot get him out, the bear too heavy,” Randy said.

  “Okay Randy. Brownie told me that Mike got up and rushed over to where Randy was. From what Mike said, Doc was just under the bear's chest. Mike told Randy that they would use the dogs to pull the bear off Doc. He told Randy to tie a rope to the bear's forepaw and then move us down the trail in the direction the bear came from. We then would pull the bear back down the trail, and away from our sled and off of Doc.

  After Randy repositioned the team and hitched us to the bear, he gave us the “Hike, Hike” command and we pulled. Brownie told me this was a big bear, but it seemed very light to pull… or was it that we were very anxious to get it off our teammate Doc?

  Once Randy saw that we had the bear off Doc, he told us to stop. Then I heard him race back to where Mike was, to help with Doc.

  Lakota told me that they were both on the ground near Doc.

  “Is he going to be okay, Mister Mike?” Randy asked. You could tell he was very concerned.

  “I don't know,” Mike said. “Doc is breathing okay, but he is very tender around his hips. I think the snow acted as a pillow so that the bear did not squash Doc. However, he is hurt. I am not sure if he has any internal damage. We need to get him back home very quickly.”

  After Randy repositioned the sled and hooked the team to it, Mike got into the basket and cradled Doc in his lap. They wrapped Doc in a sleeping bag. I tried to talk to him. He was in pain. I told him we would get him home and he would be okay.

  Randy got on the runners. Lakota told me that both Mike and Randy wore their headlamps. We headed back down the trail towards home.

  Christmas was still in lead. Ugly was her co-leader. Nitro ran as a solo swing dog. Sky, Storm, Brownie and Tundra were in the team dog positions. Lakota and I ran the wheel.

  We raced home. We were worried that Mike and Doc would be jostled in the sled basket. The mood of the team was somewhat somber. We needed Doc for the race since he was our leader, our friend, and our teammate. If Mike had a broken arm, he could not race and then we could not either. Bummer, as Christmas would say.

  Mike helped Randy navigate the trails home. Randy was doing a great job running the team. We were racing very fast, faster than Randy had ever run with us. He was mushing well under pressure. I am sure he was as concerned about Mike and Doc as we were.

  “Uncle Rivers.” It was Christmas. “Is Mike okay?” Christmas had become very devoted and very close to Mike, especially since the puppies were born. I know she was very concerned. While Christmas and the rest of the team were concerned about Doc, they were not saying much. Before I answered her, I got off a fast howl to Sandy, asking that both Doc and Mike would be okay.

  “Mike is comfortable and talking to Randy, Christmas.” I said. “I think he will be okay. Doc is resting comfortably and his breathing sounds okay.”

  “Thanks, Uncle Rivers.” Christmas sounded relieved.

  When we got closer to home, Mike called Doctor Jim on the cell phone. I heard Mike tell Doctor Jim what had happened. Mike asked Doctor Jim to meet us at our home with his mobile vet office.

  Randy asked Mike why he did not use the cell phone and call sooner. Mike replied that we were out of range. He had to wait until we were closer to our home for the cell phone to work.

  Doctor Jim was at our home when we got there. Lakota told me Doctor Jim took Doc from Mike. “Are you okay, Uncle Doc?” It was Tundra.

  “I will be okay Tunny, don't worry.” Doc had given Tundra the nickname Tunny and every time Doc called her that, you knew she felt special.

  “Mike, you need to get your arm checked by a doctor. I will take care of Doc,” Doctor Jim said. I could tell Mike did not want to go, but Mary insisted and took Mike to the hospital to check out his arm. Randy took care of our equipment and us. As he fed and watered us, Randy talked to us, letting us know he was worried about Mike and Doc. We all nuzzled him to let him know that we were proud of him and the great job he did getting us home. Nitro mentioned to me that he was very impressed and proud of Randy, since he did not cave under the pressure. For a young boy, Randy handled this accident with a lot of maturity.

  Ugly told me he found a tennis ball in the yard and dropped it by Randy. “You want to play Catch and Fetch, Ugly?” Randy asked. With that, Randy picked up the ball and threw it in the yard for Ugly to fetch. But instead of just Ugly chasing after the ball, all the dogs, except Lakota and I went after it. I guess it must have looked very funny since Randy started to laugh. Lakota told me that all the dogs were chasing after the ball. They would tackle the dog who had it, making the dog drop the ball. Then the dogs would chase the dog who picked it up. Lakota told me that Nitro had the ball and both Sky and Stormy were chasing him to get it. Lakota told me that both pups ran right into Nitro and bounced off him because he is so big. However, before the pups realized it, Nitro dropped the ball and pretended that they knocked him down. I heard Stormy and Sky laugh as they wrestled for the ball.

  I heard a truck drive up into the driveway and Lakota told me that it was our truck with Mike and Mary. Lakota said that Doc was with them. He was walking but Lakota said you could tell he was not well.

  We all gathered around the gate as Mike and Doc came by. Brownie told me that Mike had a white thing on his arm just like what Sunny had on her leg. That is not a good sign.

  “Mister Mike, are you and Doc okay?” Randy asked.

  “Well, Doc is a bit shaken up and needs to rest for a few weeks. Fortunately, there is no internal damage from the bear falling on him. He has no broken bones, but he is sore and tender in the hips. Me, I have a broken arm, which means I cannot race the team in the Sourdough 120,” Mike said.

  Oh no, I thought, we are not going to race. It was starting to set in that all of the training and preparation for the race was over, when Mike interrupted my thoughts with, “Randy, I cannot race, but you can.”

  Before Randy could answer Mike added, “We will need another dog since Doc may not be able to race. I talked to my good friend GB Jones and he told me I could borrow Fin. Rivers and Fin have run together so that should help out some.”

  “Mister Mike,” Randy said, “Do you really think I can do the race?”

  “Randy, it is not what I think, it is what you believe,” Mike said.

  Silence. Lakota told me that all eyes were on Randy. I know what we wanted the answer to be. Even the pups were sitting watching Randy. Brownie and Ugly went over to Randy and nuzzled his hand, telling him what his answer needed to be,

  “Well Randy, will you race my team in the race?”

  “Yes, Mister Mike, I really want to do this,” was Randy's answer.

  Racing for Randy

  The time from the bear strike to the start of the race flew by. Fin joined us and meshed right in as a member of our team. Randy took us out for short runs with Mike in the basket. Randy spent a lot of time with us, practicing our setup and break-camp routines. Randy could stop the team, check our paws, then feed and water us very quickly. This is very important when racing. The more time it takes you to get back on the trail, the longer it will take you to get to the finish line.

  In addition, the faster Randy could get us fed, watered, and checked would give him more time to rest. You only have so much time available in the checkpoints. A good routine does wonders to make checkpoint time go smoothly.

  When we were in the kennel practicing, Doc would be on the sidelines barking encouragement to us and passing
on tips to the pups. We all knew that he wanted to go, but he never showed his disappointment that he could not race with us. That is Doc, the leader, always thinking of his teammates.

  Christmas told me that Tundra was sad that Doc would not be racing with us. From what Christmas told me, Doc was a major influence in Tundra's life. Doc was her hero. I told Christmas that it was great that Tundra had a hero and she could not have picked a better one.

  What is that expression? Time flies when you are having fun. Yes, it sure does. While Mike did have a broken arm, he managed to do many things around the yard. One thing was to drive us to the race starting point.

  Mike made a checklist of what to pack in the truck, and Randy got it all loaded, except for us.

  “Okay Mister Mike, the truck is loaded,” Randy said. “I am going to start putting the dogs into their dog boxes.”

  Mike answered, “Let me help you.” Mike called us and we all walked to the truck. I walked with Lakota, who guided me. As we walked, I heard footsteps lagging behind us and Lakota told me that Doc was following us and he had his harness in his mouth.

  “Mister Mike, look, it is Doc walking with the team to the truck. He has his harness with him,” Randy said.

  I heard Mike laugh as he walked over to where I knew Doc was. The team stopped. Lakota told me that Mike knelt next to Doc and rubbed his ears as Doc dropped his harness by Mike's feet. Doc sat as Mike talked to him.

  “Doc,” Mike said, “Doctor Jim said he did not want you to run for a while. You know, to make sure you are okay, after the bear fell on you.”

  Lakota told me that Doc looked at Mike. Doc licked Mike's hand that belonged to the arm in the white thing. Doc then got up, picked up his harness, walked around Mike, and got in front of the team. Lakota told me that Doc was now the lead dog in our march to the truck. He looked back at the team and barked, “Lets go team, and look sharp. We are racing for Randy and we are committed to giving him our best in this race. Let's go to the truck.”