Chet the Dog

“Here’s the latest on the progress of our Snowhook team in the Iditarod from Snowhook CEO, Rebecca,” Spence says. “That’s musher Justin (AJ), above.” Dropping one dog earlier in the race, AJ has 15 dogs on the team right now. I won’t know which dog was dropped or why until I receive a call from [...] - Chet the Dog

Close-up of the Snowhook sled, taken at the Rainy Pass checkpoint, showing a lovely patch: “First,” says Spence, “here’s something from Rebecca – “ “CEO of Snowhook Kennel – ” says Admin. ” – who’s so very nice to get in touch on so little sleep. For those who don’t know, Snowhook is ‘our’ team [...] - Chet the Dog

“Day one is in the books,” Spence says. “And here’s what Rebecca – “ “Of Snowhook,” Admin says, “our team.” “Has to say. And hat tip to Melanie for the screen shot above showing AJ and the wonderful team hitting the trail.” When AJ said he wanted to run dogs, I made him this promise [...] - Chet the Dog

“Yesterday being only the ceremonial start,” Spence says. “Good thing,” says Admin, “since although I was right there in front of the screen I must have blinked at a key moment.” “For newcomers to the blog, our team is Snowhook – “ “Musher Justin, also known as AJ, CEO Rebecca – “ ” – and [...] - Chet the Dog

“Ceremonial start of the Iditarod is today,” says Spence. “And it can be watched for free at www.iditarod.com starting at 9:30 AM Alaska time, which is 1:30 PM Eastern. For newcomers here our team is the wonderfully humane Snowhook Kennel, featuring musher Justin Savidis, CEO Rebecca Savidis, and the most beautiful dogs you can imagine.” “CBS [...] - Chet the Dog

“The random number generator has spoken,” Spence says, “and – “ “Have you ever noticed how it speaks an obscure Lower Silesian dialect forgotten everywhere except for one Black Forest hamlet?” says Admin. ” – the word it uttered was: Winky! Winky will be in the special place over on the right for the month [...] - Chet the Dog

Admin smacks his forehead. “February! Almost got caught with our pants down.” “That would never do,” says Spence. “Last day of the month means it’s the last chance to be March’s Friend of the Month. Just send in a photo to the Friends gallery. The random number generator – “ ” – pictured below – [...] - Chet the Dog

“Hi, Bernie.” “Hi, Daniel. Everything all right?” “Mrs. Parsons could be doing a little better.” “Sorry to hear that.” “But she’s cheerful,” said Mr. Parsons. “No complaints. And she was real pleased, the way you replaced her soap collection. Much obliged.” “Don’t mention it,” Bernie said. Soap collection? Itty-bitty brightly colored things in a toilet, [...] - Chet the Dog

“Have we done a dog on the ice story this winter?” Admin says. “Here’s one from Lake Michigan. Pifas is the name – kind of looks like Rufus, another Nova Scotia duck trolling retriever of our acquaintance.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news... Welcome Honey (and in answer to your question, the next Chet and Bernie mystery is The Sound [...] - Chet the Dog

“We’ll be there,” Spence says. “March 8 to 10.” “Can’t wait,” says Admin. “It’s supposed to be a great festival.” http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/ Welcome Jade: - Chet the Dog

I was on my feet, gulping down what was left of the chew strip. The Dry Gulch Steakhouse and Saloon was one of our favorites. They had a big wooden cowboy out front – I’d lifted my leg against him once, not good, I know, but just too tempting – and a patio bar in [...] - Chet the Dog

“Start of the Iditarod’s one week away,” Spence says. “It’s seventeen degrees in Anchorage at the moment.” “And sixty-six here in the offfice,” says Admin. “Where you always keep it on the chilly side.” “Got to stay alert. Anyway, for those who don’t know, this blog and a group of its readers called the Plunderers [...] - Chet the Dog

“Dog helps win lottery?” says Spence. “That kind of thing,” says Admin. “My favorite part is the back seat and electronic window. Must have been fun to watch.” http://cnsnews.com/news... Hat tip – Tupper & Gilly (plus A.) Welcome Murph & Ellie; 2 alert guardians. - Chet the Dog

Some happier news today. Hat tip – Nancy D. http://www.inforum.com/event... - Chet the Dog

“Here’s an explanation re why Mindy McCready took her dog with her,” Spence says. http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs... “Nothing excuses it in my mind,” Admin says. “And no reporter has yet produced the name of the dog. That bothers me.” Welcome Angus, Haley. - Chet the Dog

“Mindy McCready shot herself,” Spence says. “Sad news,” says Admin. “I liked her music.” “She took her dog with her.” “Why?” “And the dog’s name doesn’t appear in any of the news reports I’ve seen.” “Why not?” Welcome Ralph Bravetail (dog park activist and potential pal of Puka); Haley – please retry. - Chet the Dog

“Since it’s Presidents Day, maybe we should mention that George Washington, in addition to being father of his country, was something of a dog breeder,” Spence says. “Mention away,” says Admin. “Well, he’s pretty much credited with the development of the American foxhound. He bred the Virginia hounds with French hounds he got from the [...] - Chet the Dog

“What’s with banning a certain type of dog?” Admin says. “How about banning a certain type of owner instead?” “Easy now,” says Spence. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb... Welcome Hokie. - Chet the Dog

Spencer Quinn will be at the Yellow Umbrella book store in lovely Chatham Mass., 1-3. Welcome Dylan. And here he is. - Chet the Dog

“Baby being a ten-year-old pit bull terrier,” says Spence. “Nice article,” says Admin. “With my personal favorite use of ‘drug’ included.” http://www.koco.com/news... - Chet the Dog

“So affenpinscher means monkey pinscher?” Admin says. “That kind of thing,” says Spence. “And what about the pinscher part?” “German for terrier. Might actually be a back formation from the English word pinch, referring to the clipped look of the ears. Maybe some of the commenters know more.” “No doubt about that.” Welcome Ike. - Chet the Dog

“The little showman wins best in show at Westminster,” Spence says. “Affenpinscher?” says Admin. “A new one on me.” “Isn’t affe German for ape?” “Food for thought.” Welcome Puka. - Chet the Dog

“We’re like Scott waiting in his tent for the storm to end,” says Admin, “or Shakleton in his tiny boat.” “Worse,” says Spence. “We can’t even watch Westminster. Maybe people  will have interesting things to say about it down in the comments section and we can catch up later.” - Chet the Dog

“Big event in the dog world tonight,” Spence says. “The purebred dog world,” says Admin. “But can’t we just have fun with it?” “Actually not us – we’ll be traveling. I’ll miss watching the humans run.” “Well, I’m taping it to watch later. Come on – lighten up.” Welcome happy dude. - Chet the Dog

“How come you’re not at the computer?” Admin says. “Thought I’d take a little break,” says Spence. “A little break? Is that how this country got built?” - Chet the Dog

“How about we do the Teitelbaum divorce?” Spence says. “It was one of Chet and Bernie’s first cases together.” “Don’t see why not,” says Admin. “You get cracking and I’ll take a little nap. Wasn’t that how we divided it up for A Cat Was Involved?” - Chet the Dog

We’re sort of briefly traveling. In a place called communicado. Welcome SnowKat, Titus, Jezebel & Finnegan, Vinnie. - Chet the Dog

Why not? No wifi on board! - Chet the Dog

“My son,” Bernie said, “is wearing eye make-up.” “God almighty, it’s for the camera,” Leda said. “John Wayne wore eye make-up. Humphrey Bogart wore eye make-up.” “I don’t believe it,” Bernie said. Charlie glanced up from a sheet of paper he was staring at. “I’m trying to memorize this.” “Memorize what?” said Bernie. “His line,” [...] - Chet the Dog

“And they can be yours,” Admin says. “You can sport one of these beautiful patches – designed by Melanie, Plunderer extraordinaire – and at the same time support the wonderfully humane Snowhook Kennel in the their racing endeavors this winter. All proceeds will go toward dog care and remaining race expenses.” “The patches,” says Spence, [...] - Chet the Dog