An adorable pack of sled dogs preparing to race in the 2019 Iditarod is taking the the Internet by storm. After musher Blair Braverman began sharing photos and bios of each of the 20 dogs she has in training for the Iditarod — only 14 of which will actually run the 1,000 mile race in March — social media couldn’t help but fall in love with the furry competitors.
In an extensive Twitter thread, Braverman provided detailed descriptions of the unique personalities of each dog on the BraverMountain Varsity Team. From Pepé, “the pup who makes each run happen, who gets us through every storm,” to Jenga, “a Boss Bitch who doesn’t suffer fools,” to Grinch, who “has a heart of gold and a brain like a box of rocks,” it was clear from Braverman’s rundown that each canine companion brings something different — and wonderful — to the team.
The 2019 Iditarod is scheduled to begin on March 2 in Anchorage, Alaska.
See the full thread below.
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
Giving this thread an intermission because it’s dinner time at @AlpineCreekLdg. Bacon-wrapped ptarmigan. More later!
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: Boo is in love with Lucy. You will meet Boo soon. https://t.co/X8QhuFa5R6
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
We are happy to help him manage his hyperactivity with lullabies and cuddles. The soft attention seems to temporarily hypnotize him, and as soon as it ends he goes WILD again. He’s just learning to point all that energy in a single direction. https://t.co/LSQ9eeUqNL
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Spike is very tender about about minor discomforts, like having goop wiped from his eyes. My theory is that this is because he was the biggest puppy, so he stepped on the other pups a lot but never got stepped on himself. pic.twitter.com/Fmn8P9D0Ov
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
13. Clem (age 2)
Clem is a dashingly handsome late bloomer. He was sort of potato-like as a puppy and has grown into one of the chillest, strongest, friendliest and bravest sled dogs I’ve ever met. He‘s BFFs with his sister Anya, and often leads the team with his mom, Pepe. pic.twitter.com/eIFLHMoMaC
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
14. Anya (age 2)
Anya is best friends with her brother Clem. She’s quite petite and is a picky eater. Anya can lead, but she’s a delicate flower and can get nervous about weird surroundings, so she often runs in swing, the position behind the leaders. She likes to kill snakes. pic.twitter.com/l9knprtEWs
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: Xander got tired during the Percy DeWolfe race so he hung out on my lap and learned to drive the sled. https://t.co/3GXQ50DdiB
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
17. Jeff Sharlet (age 2)
We’ve reached the journalist pups. Jeff is a big-headed boy who likes to “talk” by moaning and trilling. He had tick paralysis and couldn’t run with the team last winter, but he’s doing much better now. He doesn’t like seeing anyone else get attention. pic.twitter.com/UdfExajmpw
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
18. Talese (age 2)
Talese is the least neurotic of the journalist pups. He likes the good things in life, like massages and attention, and is chill in almost all situations. He has tremendous endurance and is learning focus. His puppy nickname was Little Red. pic.twitter.com/KsC0eVrYXM
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
As a pup, Hunter was desperate for the attention of other dogs and couldn't care less about humans. Now that she's older, she's come around to enjoying attention from friends of any species. pic.twitter.com/gBLDvRtD3U
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Fun fact: Boo used to be named Hunter, and Hunter used to be named Boo, but we traded their names when they were 4 months old to better fit their personalities.
— 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
