Accident

[luvmy4huskiesn1mal]

I am so very sad for both of them but sure am glad Blake was there with her. I'm sending comforting thoughts their way and fingers and paws are crossed here for a quick recovery for Aries. With Jen being a vet, I imagine that she went into "work" mode and did everything she could. Bless her heart!

[Deerskin and Anja]

OMG....who did this?! aren't the harnesses all scotchlighted, and the drivers wearing headlamps?? what more do the snomobilers need, flashing neon signs saying 'dogs ahead'! <deleted expletives, air turning blue> i swear, what is it with idiots driving at night....anja and i have come close to getting mowed down several times, so now she wears a pack with lots of reflectives, and i have a wide band of it on my crutch and sometimes carry a flasher in my hand or on her collar.

makes me wish i could buy miles of wide scotchlite tape so it could be sewn on every inch of every harness of every team....this is my nightmare come to life....

[deafcat]

What a horrifying accident. My prayers go out to Jan and Blake and Aries.

This post is in the Press and Media file at Iditarod.com now:

IDITAROD XXXVI ADVISORY
by Mark Nordman, Race Marshall
DATE: March 10, 2008
TO: Race Officials
Race Veterinarians
Media
Volunteers
At approximately 10 p.m. last evening, a snowmachiner ran into Jennifer Freking’s team on the Yukon River near Koyukuk. Unfortunately, the incident caused the death of a 3-year-old female named ‘Lorne.’
At this time I do not have further details. However, the Alaska State Troopers will be notified.

cc: Stu Nelson, D.V.M., Chief Veterinarian
ITC Board of Directors
Stan Hooley, Executive Director

[Moose]

This is so, so sad. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Frekings on the loss of Lorne. And I hope Aries makes a quick and complete recovery. God bless.

[Di*]

Here is an update from Jen and Blake;

""After a good rest and reflection, we decided as long as the rest of
the dogs were healthy and ready to go, we would continue to Nome.
Aries spent the night here at the school getting IV fluids and pain
meds. He was flown out this morning for further care. He has been a
really good boy through all this. He has a lot of soft tissue damage
beneath his left shoulder, but he has been stable and calm the whole
time. Hopefully, he will be able to recover fully. Lorn had been an
incredible member of the team the whole race. She had eaten well and
performed 100% the whole way... I was so very proud of her. The
accident was the worst nightmare imaginable. We are so lucky neither
Blake or I was struck and more dogs were not injured. I thought wwe
had just witness half my team killed at the time.

After 3 hours of sleep, we went out to feed and the dogs were all
quite perky and ate great. At the time of the accident, we were both
sure our race was over. However, on the long run to the checkpoint we
realized we would be working through this tragedy wether we were on
the trail or scratching. If we were not traveling together as we are,
it would be harder to go on. But we have eachother for support and
company. We just want to travel the rest of the trail with no
thoughts of competition at all.

Thank you for all your support.

Jen and Blake""

Glad to see they aren't stopping.....

[Heidi]

This is awful news. I'm glad they're okay and that more dogs weren't killed or injured. My heart goes out to them and I wish them well on the rest of their journey to Nome. And I hope Aries is on a fast road to recovery. Wow.

[sugarriver]

Thanks for passing on that news, Di. Good news that they're going on.
For Jen and Blake - That shadow out of the corner of your eye will be Lorne urging her friends on to the finish line. God speed.

[fladogfan]

What a sad, rotten thing to happen. I'm sorry for the loss of Lorn and hope Aries mends quickly. I think you are brave, smart people to continue to Nome. Safe trails from now on.
gretchen

[Breeze]

I'm keeping my rant to myself but leaking a flood of "bath eyes" for the Frekings.

What a solid response Jen and Blake have made to a tragic circumstance. I commend them for their persistence in the face of what has happened. It may be Jen's rookie race but she is MUSHING HUGE in my respect tonight.


Breeze

[Di*]

It may be Jen's rookie race but she is MUSHING HUGE in my respect tonight.


Breeze

Well said Breeze!