Quotes from Brian Patrick O'Donoghue

The snow turned powdery and deep. Each wading step became a struggle out on the river, so vast and utterly indifferent to the progress of a lone woman and her string of dogs.

The situation was grim. My main leader had become what mushers refer to as an "alligator," liable to attack anything or anybody.

As his owner had promised, the big male pulled like an ox. But three days of non-stop barking brought an ultimatum from Kate. "I don't care how well he pulls. I hate that dog and I want him out of here.

With one hundred miles left to go in the Klondike 200 I began imagining how amazed people would be at the finished line. Entering the Klondike, my sights had been set on merely finishing.

Such is the curse of long-distance mushing. A guy is lucky to even cross the finish line before the little voice inside begins rehashing those poorly chosen camps, untimely naps, mistakes made packing – all the numerous ways you, the coach, failed those fine friends up front. The voice is relentless and seductive, whispering things you might try differently -next time.

Despite all the injuries, my strategic errors, and training shortcomings, this dog team of mine remained happy. Com what may, they had the momentum of honest dogs.