Meet the Mushers - Justin (a.k.a AJ)

Growing up in southeastern Idaho, Justin spent his free time climbing, mountaineering, and kayaking. He continued enjoying the outdoors as he obtained his degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Utah. He recently started new career with The Great Alaska Council, Boy Scouts of America as the Director of Camp Administration.

Some of you may know Justin as AJ, short for Angry Jesus---even after cutting his hair and trimming his beard, the nickname stuck. There is always a reason for a long lasting nickname, and AJ suits him just fine. Along with his nickname and claiming to be the voice of reason in all things dog related, AJ is also known for being mentally and physically tough, very protective of Rebecca, and a no-nonsense kind of a man. AJ enjoys being self reliant and self sufficient, and the solitude of being on the trail.

AJ’s race history includes the Goose Bay 120, the Knik 200 and the Don Bowers 300. AJ raced to a third place finish in the Don Bowers 300 in 2008.

Based on their similar personalities and attitudes, Rebecca says Bridger is the canine incarnate of AJ. They broke the mold with both.

Rebecca on AJ: “When we found each other he said he didn’t have much to give, but promised to give me everything his hands and heart could make and provide. He has lived up to his promise. I am very lucky have a man that can keep such a promise, and that supports my wild ideas and goals, plus he’s about as handsome as they come. Eat your heart out…”

AJ’s Iditarod Profile: http://www.iditarod.com/race/musherprofiles/musherbio_339.html

What will AJ be listening to on the trail?
Race Playlist:
The Feeling Begins performed by Peter Gabriel
Wind it up performed by Barenaked Ladies
Blister in the Sun performed by the Violent Femmes
Hungry like the Wolf performed by Duran Duran
Rock Lobster performed by the B-52’s
Prairie Doggin’ performed by The Waybacks
Guacamole performed by Texas Tornados
Diablo Rojo performed by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Banshee performed by The Young Dubliners
‘O Mare E Tu performed by Andrea Bocelli
Welcome to the Jungle performed by Guns n’ Roses
Conquest performed by The White Stripes
Eyes on the Prize performed by Bruce Springsteen
Run like Hell performed by Pink Floyd

On the Trail Playlist:
Ramble on performed by Led Zeppelin
King of the Road performed by Roger Miller
Truckin’ performed by the Grateful Dead
Roadhouse Blues performed by The Doors
Time to Move On performed by Tom Petty
440 Horses performed by the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash
Friend of the Devil performed by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman
Lefty and Poncho performed by Willy and Waylan
The Man who Sold the World performed by David Bowie
American Land performed by Bruce Springsteen

Wake-up! Playlist:
Broken Hearted Savior performed by Big Head Todd & the Monsters

Intergalactic performed by the Beastie Boys
American Idiot performed by Green Day
You Could be Mine performed by Guns n’ Roses
Sabotage performed by the Beastie Boys
Dead Man’s Party performed by Oingo Boingo

About Us...

In 2004, we packed all our worldly belongings on a trailer and moved from living on a mountain in Park City, Utah to Alaska. (For a short time, and in true Clampett-style we had a rocking chair strapped to the top of our truck). We told family and friends we were moving because Justin was offered a job in Alaska; the real reason for the move was because Rebecca wanted to run dogs. Shortly after moving to Willow, we ended up on the doorstep of a stranger who was a musher, Lance Best. Quickly, he became Rebecca’s mushing mentor. After running her first team, Rebecca was addicted---it took some convincing for Justin to agree that this was a good idea. Rebecca started out with 1.5 sled dogs. The 1 being Tenzing who was born to pull, and the .5 being Luna the reluctant sled dog (she’s the mascot and matriarch of our kennel). Originally, Justin said someday our kennel might consist of a total of 4 dogs---Rebecca, of course, felt otherwise. Now, we have a 40+ dog kennel in Willow, and we are forward to the the 2010 Iditarod!

Meet the Mushers - Rebecca Haun Savidis

Like Justin, Rebecca grew up enjoying the rivers and back country of southeastern Idaho and the surrounding areas. And like AJ, she maintained her love of the outdoors while earning her degree from the University of Utah. Rebecca specializes in Human Resources and enjoys working with nonprofit groups as a member of The Foraker Group team. It’s been said by some that Rebecca’s professional 8 to 5 life is much different from her 5 to 8 which usually involves insulated overalls, work gloves and bunny boots, and she’s also been called the High Heeled Musher by others; the latter is out of necessity to accommodate her back more than any ounce of fashion sense.

Knowing she didn’t want to live a “safe” life, Rebecca states it felt like coming home when she and AJ moved to Alaska in 2004. Seeing her first dog team before she was 20, Rebecca pocketed the idea as a dream for the future, and it wasn’t until several years later, and after marrying AJ did she tell him of her dream to run dogs. After what Rebecca prefers to call persuasion, they moved from Park City, Utah to Willow to follow her dream. That, as AJ puts it, was the beginning of the end…Rebecca wouldn’t have it any other way.

Much to AJ’s dismay, Rebecca has a hard time resisting strays that aren’t claimed or dogs who need another chance. It seems as though there is always enough love to go around.

Highly motivated, fiercely determined, and a perfectionist, AJ says Rebecca and a young leader, Twig are one in the same. They make their mind up, and it’s best not to stand in their way.

What Rebecca listens (and dances) to on the runners:
Dog’s Songs Playlist:
Dire Wolf performed by Grateful Dead
Any Man of Mine performed by Shania Twain
Ain’t No Way performed by Shania Twain
Put me in, Coach performed by John Fogerty
Just Can’t get Enough performed by Depeche Mode
Get Rhythm performed by Johnny Cash
New Speedway Boogie preformed by the Grateful Dead
Learning to Fly preformed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
No One is to Blame performed by Howard Jones
Uncle John’s Band performed by the Grateful Dead
Mamas, Don’t let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys performed by Willie Nelson
Forever in Blue Jeans performed by Neil Diamond
I am Woman preformed by Martha Wainwright or Helen Reddy
Every Little Thing she does is Magic performed by The Police
Built to Last by the Grateful Dead
Trouble Me by 10,000 Maniacs and Terry’s Song by Bruce Springsteen
King of the Road performed by Roger Williams
The Monkey and the Engineer performed by the Grateful Dead
Back to Pooh Corner performed by Kenny Loggins
From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) performed by Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run performed by Bruce Springsteen
Jesse James preformed by Bruce Springsteen in the Seeger Sessions
Pancho and Lefty preformed by Willie and Waylan
When you say nothing at all preformed by Allison Krauss
What’ll I do performed by Bing Crosby
Legend of John Henry’s Hammer preformed by Johnny Cash
We Shall Overcome performed by Bruce Springsteen
How can I Keep from Singing preformed by Bruce Springsteen
Wildflowers performed by Tom Petty

Rebecca’s AJ Songs:
Belle Starr by Emmy Lou Harris and Mark Knophler
America Land performed by Bruce Springsteen
All this Roadrunning performed by Emmy Lou Harris and Mark Knophler
Terry’s Song performed by Bruce Springsteen

I'm Still a Guy performed by Brad Pasley

Guacamole performed by the Texas Tornados

We're all the Way performend by Eric Clapton

Some Must Have Trail Songs:

Bad Thing performed by Jace Evertt

Skinny Love performed by Bon Iver

O Mary Don't you Weep performed by Bruce Springsteen

How can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live performed by Bruce Springsteen

The Race is On performed by Johnny Paycheck

Trouble with Angels performed by Kyf Brewer

Bandits by Josh Ritter

Princess by Matt Nathanson

The Witch of the Westmereland performed by the Waybacks

About Us...

In 2004, we packed all our worldly belongings on a trailer and moved from living on a mountain in Park City, Utah to Alaska. (For a short time, and in true Clampett-style we had a rocking chair strapped to the top of our truck). We told family and friends we were moving because Justin was offered a job in Alaska; the real reason for the move was because Rebecca wanted to run dogs. Shortly after moving to Willow, we ended up on the doorstep of a stranger who was a musher, Lance Best. Quickly, he became Rebecca’s mushing mentor. After running her first team, Rebecca was addicted---it took some convincing for Justin to agree that this was a good idea. Rebecca started out with 1.5 sled dogs. The 1 being Tenzing who was born to pull, and the .5 being Luna the reluctant sled dog (she’s the mascot and matriarch of our kennel). Originally, Justin said someday our kennel might consist of a total of 4 dogs---Rebecca, of course, felt otherwise. Now, we have a 40+ dog kennel in Willow, and we are looking forward to the 2010 Iditarod!

The Origianls: Luna and Tenzing

Luna
Trained as a therapy dog, she is the mascot and matriarch of the kennel, preferring belly rubs to running. A natural mother, Luna has given birth and fostered many of the pups born into our kennel. Luna is AJ’s little girl who has never forgiven us for bringing home additional dogs, and has never forgiven Tenzing for ruining her swimsuit figure.

Song: Dire Wolf by The Grateful Dead and Any Man of Mine by Shania Twain

Favorite Halloween Costume: Little Red Riding Wolf

Position: Prefers to be on the couch, but we run her in wheel to keep her in shape; she runs just fast enough not to be run over. When a dog acts out, we put them in wheel next to Luna; she is a great disciplinarian.

Born: October 2002

Tenzing
My best bud and the first real sled dog (Luna doesn’t count) at Snowhook Kennel, Tenzing and I had our introduction to dog sledding courtesy of Lance Best, who allowed me to train Tenz with his team. Tenzing has always been a good dog, but after his first run with the team, he was a changed dog; it was almost as if he realized his calling in life. He needs to run.

Song: Ain’t No Way by Shania Twain, and Put me in, Coach by John Fogerty

Position: Swing, team with aspirations to be a leader. During the 2007 - 2008 season he ran in wheel, and then one day he had a “put me in, coach,” moment and insisted on running in swing. He has run in swing every since.

Born: March 2003

The Freight Train Eight

Begat by Luna and Tenzing on April 2, 2005, these eight pups were just the beginning for Snowhook Kennel, and were the “first” of many things. The first dew claws cut, the first puppy pen built, the first harnesses chewed. Some are named after friends, family, and some old guitar pickers.

This litter runs like a freight train. They are strong, they are powerful, they are steady.

Jackson
Jackson is afflicted with Hyper-Attention-Seeking-Disorder. He is not shy about requesting attention, belly rubs, or conversation. Jackson is best known in the kennel for standing on his hind legs and clapping his paws together to make sure he doesn’t go unnoticed. Action Jackson is nothing if not a happy dog…a very happy dog.

On the gang line, Jackson puts his game face on and sets a very steady pace.

Song: Just Can’t get Enough by Depeche Mode and Get Rhythm by Johnny Cash

Position: swing, team, wheel

* Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Garcia
Named after the late, great Jerry Garcia this grizzly guy is nothing but a gentle giant. Like a baby, he likes to put everything in his mouth; if you’re not paying attention, he might snag one of your gloves and keep it for his own. He usually has a collection of fist sized rocks, gloves and booties in his dog house. Garcia is very, very laid back.

Photo Similar: Garcia looks like a grizzly bear cub

Song: New Speedway Boogie preformed by the Grateful Dead

Position: swing, team, wheel

Coach
Only a very special dog could share a name with Rebecca’s father, and at times it seems that they share the same personality. He is mentally and physically tough. Coach is a thoughtful, gentle soul who loves attention, playing, having fun, and taking care of puppies.

In 2006 we came home to find that Coach had pulled out of his collar and was loose. Fortunately, he didn’t cause any trouble, rather he was sleeping in the sled bag curled around five young pups who had escaped from the puppy pen; he did this for several days in a row.

Song: Learning to Fly preformed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and No One is to Blame by Howard Jones

Position: swing, team, wheel

Bishop
Named after the musher Rebecca bought her first dog sled from, Bishop is a solid dog with an old soul. If something is wrong in the kennel, or a bear or moose is nearby, Bishop sounds the alarm. He is his brother’s keeper...a role he takes very seriously.

As a yearling, Bishop showed promise as a leader. Early one morning, at the beginning of a run the team was hit by a speeding car. Annabelle and Bishop, both in lead were hit and each suffered broken bones. Since the accident Bishop has been content to run in any position but lead though he still responds to commands.

Song: Uncle John’s Band by the Grateful Dead

Position: swing, team, wheel

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Willie
Named after the Red Headed Stranger, Willie is a big hearted dog. If you are near Willie and feel the ground start to shake---watch out and brace yourself---Willie loves to jump into your arms at full speed and often without warning. At nearly 70 pounds, that’s a lot of dog to catch. Willie has thick velvety ears, and loves to clown in the kennel and on the trail.

Song: Mamas, Don’t let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys by Willie Nelson

Favorite Thing in Life: Getting a belly rub when we take a break on the trail.

Position: Retired. Willie is epileptic, and now will enjoy a career as comic relief in the kennel and a correspondent on the blog.

Willie passed on in January of 2009. He is beyond missed.

Noel
Sharing a name, fair features and the fun loving personality of one of Rebecca’s closest friends, this girl is nothing but sweet. She loves to run, play with her neighbors in the kennel and is one of the many cheerleaders on the team.

Song: Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond

Position: swing, team, wheel

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Natty
Seemingly the underdog of this litter, Natty surprised us as a leader during the 2006 – 2007 season. She is such a sweet girl, but lacking in confidence. Slowly, but surely she has become more self assured. She is the Mary Jo Shively (think Designing Women) of the team. Natty loves passing the time playing with Jackson and Noel.

Song: I am Woman preformed by Martha Wainwright or Helen Reddy

Position: lead, swing, team, wheel

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Savannah
Full of personality and energy this girl is the most spirited cheerleader on the trail. She does not like to quit. Savannah is happy just about anywhere at anytime.

Nickname: Savanabanana

Song: Every Little Thing she does is Magic by The Police

Position: swing, team, wheel

Fargo & Friends

We purchased this experienced team of dogs in October of 2005 from a junior musher.

Fargo
Rebecca has often said she would clone Fargo if she could. As Rebecca’s main leader (retiring 2010), Fargo has proven himself to be confident, with great instincts. Fargo and Rebecca adored each other from the beginning, and well, AJ and Fargo have an understanding to be civil---Fargo is a female’s dog all the way.

Fargo, the alpha of the kennel is the stud of choice by any females in heat. No one messes with Fargo; he has the full respect of the kennel. Ah, it’s good to be king.

Song: Built to Last by the Grateful Dead

Position: lead, and nothing but lead

Bridger
The second in command of the kennel, Bridger is strong, his brother’s keeper, and in his quiet confidence has nothing to prove to anyone. He is a protector. Rebecca says if Bridger were a human he would be AJ, or if AJ were a dog he would be Bridger---they broke the mold with both.

Bridger and Rowdy have always been best buds, and Bridger keeps an eye out for Rowdy.

Position: lead, team (retiring 2010)

Song: Trouble Me by 10,000 Maniacs and Terry’s Song by Bruce Springsteen

Rowdy
Like Pooh Bear, Rowdy is our dog of very little brain. He’s not the dog you will put in charge of the strategy of the team, but he has a big heart and he’ll give you everything he has. He is more than a wonderful dog. Rowdy sometimes looks as though he is about to tell you the secret to life, but gets distracted by something shiny and forgets the secret.

Hobbies: Hugging, calculating complex derivatives, and standing outside in rain storms.

Position: before retirement he ran team, wheel

Professional Profile: Major contributor to “RowdyPedia” (future addition to the Snowhook Kennel blog)

Song: The Monkey and the Engineer by the Grateful Dead, and Back to Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins

Tomboy
With one blue eye and one brown eye, this sweet girl lives to please. She enjoys running lead next to her father, Fargo, and just when you thing she is not paying attention, she will respond to a command without hesitation. Getting belly rubs and giving hugs are part of this girl’s daily requirements.

Song: Tigger song from Winnie- the- Pooh

Position: lead, swing

Annabelle
Petit, fine featured and high strung, Annabelle lives to run in lead and for fresh straw in her dog house. Each winter when frigid temperatures set in, we place fabric doors on the dog houses to trap in the heat. Annabelle dances around waiting for her door to be installed. With an “I’ll see you in March,” she darts in her dog house and settles in the straw.

Song: From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) by Bruce Springsteen

Position: lead, swing

* Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Howard's Lot

Born on Valentine’s Day of 2007 this litter was a surprise. Howard, by all appearances is fixed so when Annabelle went into heat we placed her next to Howard. Annabelle’s petite frame didn’t show that she was an expectant mother, but one night during Rebecca’s chores Annabelle didn’t come out of her house. A quick inspection of Annabelle revealed 3 newborn surprises.

Quigley
Quig learned everything he needed to know about being a dog from Rowdy. Eating habits, hugging, critical thinking, and a Rowdy’s good natured ways all rubbed off on Quigley. Eating and belly rubs rank at the top of Quigley’s list.

Position: swing, team

* Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Twig
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Twig is every bit Annabelle’s daughter. Petite, high strung and just wants to please. She enjoys passing time playing with Quigley.

Her first year on the team she watched as her mother ran in lead. During the 2008/2009 season she decided her place was also in lead. As AJ hooked up the team to go on a run, Twig stood in the lead position. Strong willed and determined, she refused to be put in any other position. She has run in lead alongside her mother, Annabelle every since.

According to AJ, Twig is Rebecca's canine equivalent. If Rebecca were a dog, she'd be Twig and vice versa.

Position: lead, swing, team

* Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Elim
Elim is a story all his own. Despite Rebecca’s attachment to the pup, Elim was placed in a wonderful home with another dog. Over the course of the year, the family with two little girls gave us periodic updates on our fury friend. After ten months of five mile runs that never seemed to tire Elim out, two surgeries to remove a broom, fishing line, and a garage door opener from his stomach we got a call asking if Elim might return to the kennel---Rebecca was more than happy to welcome him back home.

Elim adjusted to kennel life nicely. He ran a 200 mile race his first week back at the kennel with the expectation that he would most likely be dropped. Nope. Never tiring, the little guy was born to run.

Song: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

Position: swing,team

* Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Odds & Ends

Howard
Click here for Howard’s complete story:

http://snowhookkennel.blogspot.com/2008/01/trent-howard-whatshisnamebut-his.html

and

http://snowhookkennel.blogspot.com/2009/05/howards-return.html

Song: When you say nothing at all preformed by Allison Krauss and What’ll I do by Bing Crosby

Position: retired, Rebecca’s heart

Johnny
Small build, big heart, all boy. Named after Johnny Cash, he does everything with full effort, putting all he has into pulling. Like the lead character in the football film, Rudy, Johnny is a little guy with a big heart that wants nothing more than to make the team.

Johnny is our boomerang dog. Johnny went to a good home on a trial basis with the hopes that he would keep an older dog company; Johnny wanted to play more than the old dog so he was returned home to us; he is a good boy and we are happy to have him in our kennel.

Song: Legend of John Henry’s Hammer preformed by Johnny Cash

Position: team, wheel

Patsy Ann Francis
Begat by Natty and Fargo and named after another of our best girls, Patsy Ann and our neighbor Fran, this is a beautiful girl with a long name. What beautiful blue eyes! She has the quirky personality of Fargo, and like her mother, Natty, this girl is still coming into her own. She can’t help but wag her tail at the mention of her name, and once her tail gets going it is hard to stop. Patsy Ann Francis spends her days playing with Luna and Belle Starr.

Song: TBD

Position: Rebecca says Patsy Ann Francis is a diamond in the rough. She will train in wheel and team.

Orion
http://snowhookkennel.blogspot.com/2008/05/welcome-home.html

Still a bit skittish since coming to our kennel, Orion has so much to give on the gangline and as a companion. He has managed to gain about 7 pounds since he first came to stay at the kennel, though we are still trying to put more fat on his frame. He enjoys talking a bit just before he settles down to sleep at night.

Song: We Shall Overcome and How can I Keep from Singing both preformed by Bruce Springsteen in the Seeger Sessions

Position: team, wheel

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Rory
http://snowhookkennel.blogspot.com/2008/05/welcome-home.html

Rory and Annabelle share the same build and personality---petite and high strung. When we first brought Rory into the kennel she wanted zero human interaction, and was a fear biter. Though stressful, and sometimes painful we worked diligently to socialize Rory; she has turned a 180 from the dog we first met. She has proven to be a leader, trying to please and impress us she loves praise for a job well done.

Position: lead, swing

Song: Wildflowers by Tom Petty

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Gus
Oh, Gus! This yearling who joined our kennel in early summer of 2009 is like Animal from the Muppets. He is full of energy, happy about life (though he’s not sure why) and easily distracted. He has a bit of learning to do on the gang line, but is a welcome addition to the kennel.

Position: wheel, and running and jumping off his house like Superman

Song: TBD

Morgan
With her striking blue eyes, Morgan joined our kennel along with Gus and Whitey-Lance, and has proven to be a solid dog and a good addition to our team. She is a very healthy eater and has a great attitude.

Position: team, wheel

Song: TBD

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Whitey-Lance
Already named Whitey, by his original musher, Rebecca added the hyphen and Lance to his name in honor of her mushing mentor who also has a dog named Whitey. Gentle and kind, he is a great dog to have on the line, and enjoys running next to Orion. No one gives hugs like Whitey-Lance.

Position: team, wheel (he ran in lead once, not pretty)

Song: TBD

*Contender for the 2010 Iditarod team

Hank
Originally from Lance Mackey’s kennel, Hank made his way to our kennel in summer of 2009 after a brief stint with two other mushers. We named him Hank after Rebecca’s uncle Pete (no it doesn’t make sense unless you know uncle Pete). Hank is a healthy eater, is self assured and adjusted easily to life in our kennel.

Position: swing, team, wheel

Song: TBD