We don’t usually root for anyone specific to win the Iditarod because they’re all good dogs. However, when the 2019 race kicks off in Anchorage, Alaska on March 2, we are throwing our full support behind one very special group of puppers the world just got an amazing introduction to. Dogsled racer Blair Braverman (what a name for a musher) treated Twitter to a glimpse of her BraverMountain Varsity Team with one of the greatest threads in the site’s history (which we learned about at Time). Seriously, we want to bathe in the joy of this entire thread, which gives us a scouting report on the ability and personality of every member.
1. Pepé
We have many dogs who can lead the team, but our true Lead Dog — the pup who makes each run happen, who gets us through every storm — is Pepe. Pepe is smarter than all of us. She will run forever and keep running. She is basically everyone’s mother. pic.twitter.com/K6ckFTvv6l
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: If Pepe leads us the 1000 miles to Nome, her own mother (a legendary leader who retired to be a pet last year) will be waiting for her at the finish line.
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: Flame is terrified of human babies but loves baby animals. She’s been an aunty to all our puppies and once accidentally adopted some chickens. https://t.co/bpm3TjYRJI
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: Jenga carries the weight of the world in her chin and often rests her head on the dog next to her. https://t.co/WT95dqcWNP
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: A chiropractor once called Grinch a “borderline trainwreck†and gave me some special stretches for him, which I’ve been doing. https://t.co/YEXEW1WP9l
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
5. Colbert (age 5)
Colbert is a big hunk of burning enthusiasm. At checkpoints, when it’s time to start running again, he’s always the first dog on his feet and he barks and jumps until the other dogs stand up. He usually runs in wheel, the position right in front of the sled. pic.twitter.com/sRXJ8y788C
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Also, Colbert is Catholic. The rest of our dogs are Jewish.
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
7. Boudica (age 4)
Boudica is a lead dog with an obsession with gentle kisses. It’s very hard to be around her sometimes without having your face absolutely covered in sneaky licks. She is half-sister to Pepe and has extremely soft fur. pic.twitter.com/RQkXaKzkg2
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
8. Helli (age almost 3)
Helli, previously nicknamed Hellbitch, is our latest addition to the team. She is skinny and suspicious and apparently hates men but seems to be getting along very nicely with us and the dogs. She’s also one of the most incredible athletes I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/PSyIT95iQS
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
9. Ebony (age 2)
Ebony is a small and muscular pace-setting leader who loves every other dog except for her sister Lucy. She enjoys food, running really fast, and giving the other dogs haircuts by gnawing gently on their neck hairs. pic.twitter.com/iJa4Z1WghO
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
10. Lucy (age 2)
Lucy is a delicate thoughtful creature who looks awkward in pretty much every photo. She has short fur, so she stays warm by eating lots of seconds at dinner. She gets along with everyone except her sister Ebony and really likes it when you kiss her snoot. pic.twitter.com/ulZjRvLadf
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
11. Wickson (age 1)
Wickson is the youngest dog on the Varsity Team. This is his first winter of training and he’s doing fantastic—as long as you rub his belly while you put on his harness and booties. He doesn’t know how to handle his own energy yet, but he’s learning fast. pic.twitter.com/YUxRWUKbJ9
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
12. Spike (age 2)
Spike, son of Pepe, is the largest pup from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer litter. He was born with a head that was twice as large as his siblings’ heads and he’s just about grown into it. pic.twitter.com/GC4u0j2IQt
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: Spike is a longtime advocate for transgender equality. pic.twitter.com/x1LW0xzDtn
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Clem gives good life advice. https://t.co/EatIKGmWRM
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
15. Xander (age 2)
Xander is very social–his specialty is giving The Paw when he’s very happy, which is often–but he can be timid around new people. He prefers to run in the middle of the team, and he gets along with everyone else, boys and girls alike. pic.twitter.com/oDTQazTOYB
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
16. Willow (age 2)
Willow’s favorite food is ham. She used to be a picky eater but has developed a better appetite this winter, which will really help her in long-distance races. She’s also very speedy, and can trot at 17mph. I think she’ll be a great leader someday. pic.twitter.com/EIsOhRvGpa
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Wickson and Jeff Sharlet have an on-and-off friendship, depending on which one’s feeling more mature on a given day. pic.twitter.com/4cMY9bzFlO
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
19. Hunter (age 2)
Hunter, named for Hunter S. Thompson, is Jenga’s only daughter. She has no qualms about pushing around much bigger boys, and her small size means that she can run long distances without getting tired. She usually wants her ears scritched. pic.twitter.com/udJNNlbl2J
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
20. Boo (age 2)
The last dog on the varsity team is Boo, named for brilliant writer Katherine Boo. Boo is our tiniest and most expressive dog. He gets cold easily and wears a coat or blanket when it’s chilly. He has huge ears, but he likes to fold them down. pic.twitter.com/QFErt5cOOz
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
And that’s everybody in training right now! I can’t wait to keep exploring with these friends. pic.twitter.com/sWlUlwNa52
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
We know next to nothing about dogsled racing, and yet we now have very firm opinions on which members are ready for this year’s Iditarod. Wickson isn’t ready!
It doesn’t actually matter who the final 14 are, because whether the BraverMountain Varsity Team emerges victorious at the Iditarod or not, they have already won our hearts.
Featured Image: Blair Braverman/YouTube
