more of these cute dogs

 figured I'd finish up on these dropped dog pictures before i head to work.  this one above is super adorable...in my opinion anyway

 i work the next three nights while dogs will keep coming in.  currently they are getting set up for Jeff King to arrive.  Buser will be later, early morning i think? 

 do have to report the loss of one dog.  Kotzebue musher Keith lost a dog after dropping it off at a checkpoint.  it was under the vets care but must have had too much to overcome and passed away.  many planes are down due to weather again.  she lost a dog to aspiration pneumonia last year as well.

 Kotzebue is not known as the most welcoming community to outsiders...both years i have noticed in comments she is slammed by someone in her community.

 both years this commenter has said that she and her fiance Baker have very little to do with their dogs, instead they hire it all out.  their claim is she doesn't know the dogs and therefore may not recognize symptoms early on.  not sure.  pretty sad if that is true...could just be she's made someone ticked in their community.  in an article, King suggested teams be made to withdraw if they lose a dog.

 a few more scratches over the past 24 hours.  not those last two, they are still hanging in there in the back. 

 one guy, Allen, has a broken arm so he scratched and there was a french woman who also scratched.

 King is in...tough runs again.  every year it's pretty tough for different reasons.  not too cold according to him. 

 the snow has slowed a lot of the teams this year.

 this place will no doubt be busy with dogs returning from Nome all weekend. still a lot of teams out there making their way to Nome.

 they do seem to be running in bunches. which is nice.  used to be more of a party all along the route...I'm cool with more party, less race honestly.  probably better for all.

 a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Florida.  have heard cars were crushed and people died.  haven't really heard much more than that.  it wasn't open, was a new bridge. they talk about our failing infastructure...this was a new one so no idea what happened there.  sad.

 also heard that Mueller has subpoena'd the Trump business records.  interesting.  don't think he'd take that step if he didn't have a pretty good idea what he was looking for.  fascinating.

 Brad is into Elim and resting.  doing a great job.  his Mom posted some pics of him there taken by Sebastian, thanks!  he looks to be in very grand spirits and enjoying his run.  hope they post some of his trail tales after he's done...would love to hear how this adventure compares to the others he's been on out there in this big world.  totally different gig with the dogs I'm guessing. 

 weather and exhaustion he's dealt with...dogs though. i love dogs, though so the idea of being out there with a team of dogs sounds amazing...though admittedly, I'd love to have a pit crew to help me with all the dog care duties and bootie placements.

 i think work has been busy.  I'll be back on work/sleep mode here.  hopefully, the arm fracture isn't too bad.  we have had mushers come into the ER before here.  one very jolly one, got to meet him.  not sure if that guy is always that up or if we'd given him some narcotics for the pain.  overall, mushers are pretty great folks.  they are mostly dog lovers so they get high marks from me.

 so Brad and many others will be making their way to White Mountain tomorrow for their last required 8 hour rest...hope he gets the surprise!!  hope the weather clears for you guys! one day, I'd love to be where you are, up in Nome seeing the teams come in.  i know some friends are up there, some for fun and some working.  told my friend in Safety to say hey to Brad for me! not sure he'll remember who i am....he's no doubt met a few thousand folks these past few weeks. 

 looks like a two headed dog here...love the little fleece blankets.

 the work hour is fast approaching.  guess i better get ready for work and see what is happening at the hospital this week. 

 once i get this kitchen remodel going i will feel more obligated to do some overtime...enjoying my freedom.  may just try to pick up hours in the ER...hard to get just a few hours in other units. 

 more sleeping dogs...

 we just hit the dog park today.  i heard a black bear and cub were spotted in the last few days near there...my work is there as well...so will have to keep an eye out when i go into the hospital from work.  bears and moose have both been spotted in those areas.  i did see a chill moose today.  i stopped by the tree on Campbell Airstrip. no signs of that black bear waking up...she dens up in a hollowed out tree less than 50 ft off the road there.  she keeps us all entertained.  not sure if she returned though after such a dramatic spring last year.  her remaining cub may not have survived. 

 here i am getting a quick selfie.  was laughing as i saw those pics of Brad after days on the trail...i can't pull off looking any where near that fresh after working a 12 hour night shift...some folks just have good genes.  haha!

 next post I'll put more teams leaving willow again at the restart.  it's almost 5pm...better start to get those scrubs on.  boo!  i want to sit home and do nothing.  wish i could be a stay at home dog mom...they need me.  did get the old paint cans delivered and the dogs walked....not even on the to do list. wait, that means i didn't crack the to do list again.  dang!

thankful for: A.  a job...i bitch about it, but it's a good job and I'm very grateful to have a job and to be healthy enough to do a job  B.  snuggle time with my sweet pups  C.  winter.  i know it's cold but i love the no bugs, no bear life and i do love the cold...no yard work either, frozen dog poops.  it's all good