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Lance autographs a patch for the "Larry" appreciation club designed by Sarida Steed-Bradley

68 Mushers head for
Iditarod HQ for Sign Up
As of Saturday June 28th, 68 mushers had signed up with a 100 musher limit. Mushers that do not make the cut off will go on a waiting list.

Arriving in style, Lance, Tonya and son Cain pulled up at Iditarod Headquarters in the Dodge Super Bee he won in last years Iditarod from Anchorage Chrysler Dodge.

Lance, along with many other mushers lined up to pay the $4,000 dollar entry fee for the 2009 Iditarod. "It's definetly a big chunk of change to put up when you have increasing prices in dog food, fuel and just everyday living expenses." says Lance "But, Iditarod is feeling the pinch as well. The money has to come from somewhere".

Lance spent the day talking to volunteers and fans and signing autographs.

5th Annual Mackey Fundraiser Planned:
We are starting to plan our 2008 fundraiser. Lance & the good folks at the Alpine Lodge have plans in the works for a fundraiser Saturday, October 11th.

Do you have auction donations? Any items or services you would like to donate are greatly appreciated. Contact Tonya Mackey e-mail or drop items off at either Movie Gallery office in Fairbanks. In the Anchorage area and want to donate? No problem... we have a drop off contact there as well. Just let us know. Or you can mail USPS items to: Lance Mackey - Mackey's Come Back Kennel PO Box 10262 Fairbanks, Alaska 99710 or Shipping UPS or FedX - Movie Gallery 3677 College Road # 13 Fairbanks, Alaska 99709.

The fundraiser will be in Fairbanks, Alaska at the Alpine Lodge. There will be a spagetti feed as well as wonderful items to bid on, join the fun and help the Mackey Kennel continue it's racing success. More details will be posted soon.

Lance & wife Tonya

The first day of the Iditarod sign-up includes a huge picnic for volunteers, you get to meet the mushers, eat a BBQ catered, win lot's of door prizes. I hope to see some of you there so I can thank you personally for your support.

By the way, for all of you visiting Fairbanks, I will be at the Alpine Lodge every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday evening from 8 pm -10 pm, signing autographs and sharing trail stories through June & some of July. Call the Alpine Lodge before you drop by for any schedule changes at 907-328-6300. It's a great place to stay if you need lodging as well. Tell them Lance Mackey sent you.

                                                                     Thank you, Lance & Tonya Mackey

Speakers include:

• Lance Mackey, World's First and Only 2-Time IditaQuest Champion: speaking on Mushing 101 and Kennel Management
• "Dr. Tim" Hunt, sled dog vet/dog food producer
• Tim Riley, Wildlife Biologist with USDA/APHIS, musher, and 2009 Iditarod rookie speaking on Iditarod history and training for his first Iditarod.

Activities: Covered wagon shuttle service. Event t-shirts will be on sale at site. Lance's "Appetite & Attitude" DVD will be available for sale. Numerous "door prize" items.

Lance & new pups

...and how is Zorro? 05/11/08
Zorro is doing well. He continues to insist that outdoors is better than in.
He has a nice spot in the sun, just outside the familes front door where he
overlooks the entire Mackey kennel. A spot where Lance can closely watch his progress.

Lance Mackey & Ron Udd

The Big Mackey !!!!!
Stand Aside MacDonalds. Alaska now has the "Lance Burger". Served at Mia's Cafe (22.5 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road - near Fairbanks ) and consists of 12 ounces of plain or garlic-seasoned beef - cooked rare, medium or well-done. It's topped with lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, cheese, bacon, mushrooms and jalapenos on a sesame seed bun. The owner of Mia's cafe, Elliot Lowe says "Lance is a WINNER and we think his hamburger is too !!" $1 from the sale of every Lance burger will be donated to this exceptional musher.

Zorro Continues to Mend - APRIL 17, 2008
With lot's of loving and fussing from the Mackey family, Zorro is doing amazing. "He still has his limits" says Lance " little baby steps each day. He's like me in this healing process. He does'nt want to sit around. He'd go crazy. So everyday he does what he can. He's standing for periods of time. When he gets tired he sits. I know it's frustrating for him. He's nine years old now, it's tough to bounce back from an injury when your older". explains Lance.

In Alaska's mid morning sun, Zorro enjoys sitting on the porch for a half hour over looking the dog lot where he once ruled. Then it's back to his cozy kennel indoors.

"It will be a slow transition to the house for Zorro. I think eventually he will take a liking to the couch life. We are thankful we still have him around, hopefully for many years to come. It's a real blessing." Lance says with a sigh of relief.

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"Zorro" photo by Jan DeNapoli

Zorro Update - April 8th 2008
Although weak and confined to a kennel, Zorro is happy to be back home amongst his kennel mates. Lance explains "his brain says I want to be back outdoors playing with the rest of the sled dogs, but his physical body says, not yet'.

"Zorro has been wagging his tail and tilting his head to the sky recognizing familar smells and sounds. We are all glad to see him home. The doctors say he must stay calm, no running, jumping or breeding for this stud for at least 4 months" says Lance.

Sincere thanks
for all your support!
There has been a tremendous response to helping with Zorro's medical bills and travel expenses. "People just helped us with open arms". Lance says with a heart felt sigh "We are so grateful to all the folks in Seattle and Tacoma, and all of those who sent us donations. Wonderful get well cards have been arriving in the mail every day with doggie cookies and blankets just for Zorro" wife Tonya adds."It's incrediable".

"We are at awe at the support and thank all of you for your help, it was one less worry on our minds as the days went by. We will never forget the kindness from so many". Lance and Tonya both said.

Mackey Makes the Top 25 List of Toughest Athletes
Lance Mackey is named on the top 25 list on Sports Illustrated CNN.com, taking #2
Read more....

March 31, 2008:
Many of you are aware that Lance Mackey's dog "Zorro" was injured during the 2008 All Alaska Sweepstakes when a snow machine collided with his team. Zorro was in the sled bag when the machine struck his sled. Zorro sustained 3 broken ribs, some internal bleeding, and spinal injuries. He is not able to stand or use his back legs. Doctors are considering flying Zorro to Seattle for spinal surgery. We will know more when an MRI is done on Zorro this afternoon.

A lot of you have been asking about helping with expenses associated with Zorro's vet bills. They already are $3,700 and the cost will certainly climb if he needs to be flown to Seattle for surgery.

Final race results of the
All Alaska Sweepstakes March 26th, 2008
Nome to Candle & back

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HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!!!!
The Fox from Fox, Alaska is the 2008 Iditarod Champion

photo by Donna Quante

UPDATE ON "HOBO"
For all of you asking..."Hobo", one of Lance's key lead dogs, is doing just fine. He was on antibiotics for a few days from a dog bite to his leg (a puncture). Nothing serious. He has healed wonderfully!

He is getting plently of TLC. Shorts walks in the late afternoon, extra helpings of Red Paw dog food and many nose kisses. He'll be ready for All Alaska Sweepstakes if called upon.

UPDATE ON "LARRY"
Sweet and wild "Larry" is all good. No worries. The cut on his foot (the pad) was minor, just an abrasion. It is healing quickly and he, as always, is jumping and screaming to go.

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Want to read more about Lance Mackey &
the Come Back Kennel?  click here