An Iditarod 12 Days of Christmas

Way back when, or if you prefer, the good ol' days, the email group I maintain for Iditarod fans -- Idita-Support was feeling creative. Several folks wrote an Idita-version of the Twelve Days of Christmas, given their songs a doggie twist.  Alas, unless someone remembers which was theirs, I no longer can put names to each and I'm not telling which one was mine. Ha

So, without further ado....

An Iditarod 12 Days of Christmas


1. On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 years in Alaska

11 gross of dog booties

10 acre dog lot

9 huskies dancing

8 tons of dog food

7 swing huskies

6 months of training

5 time champion lead dog

4 kennel helpers

3 perfect sleds

2 qualifying races

AND...one Iditarod entry fee.



2. On the 12th day of Iditarod, my best dog gave to me

Twelve hundred booties,

Eleven dogs in heat for,

Ten hundred forty,

Nine endless miles,

Eight Quick Change Runners,

Seven double ganglines,

Six command leaders,

Five hours of sleep!

Four frozen fish,

Three straw bales,

Two pairs of gloves,

And a snow hook in a pine tree.


3. On the 12th day of Christmas, my musher gave to me…

12 huskies panting,

11 mushers grinning,

10 fairies wishing,

9 moose a sleeping,

8 teams a resting,

7 birds a singing,

6 dogs a running,

5 bells ringing,

4 bags of trail mix,

3 tails a wagging,

2 racing sleds,

And an excited team in Nome.



4. On the twelfth day of Iditarod my fur face gave to me…

…twelve huskies pulling

…eleven mushers hawing

…ten northern lights

…nine "Supporters" e-mailing

…an eight hour layover

…seven planes a flyin'

…six pizzas for Zuma

…five golden harness awards

…four cordura dog booties

…three pounds of dog food

…two mukluks

…and a Burled Arch in Nome!



5. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…

Twelve million dollars

Eleven snowy mountains,

Ten pounds of gold,

Nine vets a workin',

Eight rivers freezin',

Seven sleds a racin',

Six rabid wolves,

Five icy lakes,

Four small rabbits,

Three moose a snortin',

Two dogs a matin',

And a sled dog in a pine tree.


6. 12 huskies prancing,

11 vets treating,

10 mushers eating,

9 days a racing,

8 trophies a shining,

7 rivers a flowing,

6 moose a lying,

5 excited dogs,

4 wagging tails,

3 tired mushers,

2 busted sleds,

And a winner entering Nome.


7. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me

12 dozen dog booties

11 cachets,

10 extra harnesses,

9 yards of tow line,

8 hours of uninterrupted sleep,

7 handlers in the "chute" at Nome,

6 dozen pounds of dogfood for the checkpoints,

5 dogs so I can finish,

4 snowshoes,

3 mandatory stops,

2 sleds,

and 1 bib waiting for me in Safety.


8. On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me

12 eager huskies

11 minute lead

10 doggie booties

9 pounds of dog food

8 good trail maps

7 good wishes

6 vets at checkpoints

5 hours in the lead

4 walkie talkies

3 broken towlines

2 lead dogs

And a free ticket to Iditarod


9. On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A 12 hour layover

11 dogs a pantin'

10 champion racers

9 hours of northern lights

8 booties per dog

7 packs of fish

6 bales of hay

5 hundred Idita-supporters

4 hours of sleep

A 3 hour lead

2 red huskies

1 checkpoint to go!


10. On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my musher gave to me…

12 huskies prancing,

11 vets treating,

10 mushers eating,

9 days a racing,

8 trophies a shining,

7 rivers a flowing,

6 moose a lying,

5 wagging tails,

4 Rainy Passes,

3 tired mushers,

2 beavers splashing,

And a shining first place trophy.


11. On the first day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me, one full healthy team.

On the second day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me two runs through overflow,

On the third day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me, three blinding curves,

On the fourth day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me four frozen fingers

On the fifth day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me five females in heat!

On the sixth day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me six loping males,

On the seventh day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me seven lords a leaping out of bushes at me

On the eighth day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me eight hours of rest!

On the ninth day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me nine hours to go

On the tenth day of Iditarod my true dogs gave to me ten friends in Nome to meet me,

nine hours running over,

many more than eight hours of resting,

no more lords a leaping at me,

six hopeful males,

five secluded females,

four thawing fingers,

no more curves to blind me,

two dry boots

and ONE FULL HEALTHY TEAM!


12. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

12 sled dogs running,

11 muscles cramping,

10 fairies blessing,

9 racers feasting,

8 dogs need loving,

7 boots a dancing,

6 huskies lying,

5 golden nuggets,

4 malamutes,

3 sleeping bags,

2 white dogs,

And a Siberian mix-breed.


13. On the 12th day of Idita-mas, my true love gave to me...

12 crisp nights of silence

11 dreams of glory

10 puppies wigglin'

9 hallucinations

8 mushing lessons

7 sibes a howlin'

6 red siberians

5 Aurora Nights!

4 tangled teams

3 lost trails

2 sleepless nights

and a book about the I-dit-a-rod!


14. On the 1st day of Xmas my Kick sled gave to me, miles & miles of snowy trails to lead.

On the 2nd day of Xmas my Two gloves gave to me, snuggly hands for praying.

On the 3rd day of Xmas my Cabelas jacket gave to me, warm buns and other warm things.

On the 4th day of Xmas Mother Nature gave to me, 2 ft. of snow for mushing.

On the 5th day of Xmas my spirit gave to me, stars to see the other sled -dies

On the 6th day of Xmas my Chocolate gave to me, wake-up and energy.

On the 7th day of Xmas Mother Nature gave 2ft. to me again, mush on!

On the 8th day of Xmas my Instinct gave to me, keep going musher & follow D.Swingley.

On the 9th day of Xmas my Eyes could not believe, I passed D.S. in the stretch-y

On the 10th day of Xmas The Aurora gave to me, a glancer and prancer.

On the 11th day of Xmas D.Swingley gave to me the chance to win the race for once-e.

On the 12th day of Xmas My Twelve Days gave to me, Nome and the finish line-e.


15. On the 12th day of the Iditarod, My True Love gave to me:

12 Sibes in harness

11 bags of dog treats

10 wicking undies

9 tons of dog food

8 gross of booties

7 shiny headlamps

6 cachets a ridin'

5 generous sponsors

4 dozen dog coats

3 racing sleds

2 qualifying races

and an entry to the last great race.

...................Hike!


16. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my lead dog gave to me…

12 feet of snowy mountains,

11 shotgun shells,

10 fairies casting,

9 trophies given,

8 frozen feet,

7 warm booties,

6 people cheering,

5 pounds of gold,

4 pounds of food,

3 dogs a runnin',

2 different trails,

And a big feast in Iditarod.


17. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my lead dog gave to me…

12 great, big mountains

11 entry fees

10 first place prizes,

9 great, big trophies,

8 freezing huskies,

7 sleeping bags,

6 different checkpoints,

5 different trails,

4 freezing booties,

3 heavy blankets,

2 pine trees,

And a big, fat moose to eat.


18. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

12 entry fees

11 flowing rivers,

10 warm checkpoints,

9 sleeping bags,

8 bags of dog food,

7 Knik fairies,

6 sleds a racing,

5 huge huskies

4 large bears,

3 first place prizes,

2 freezing huskies,

And an especially long trail.


19. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my musher gave to me…

12 booties shining,

11 fish swimming,

10 dogs running,

9 toys a squeaking,

8 moose a passing,

7 wolves a running,

6 caribou a sleeping,

5 broken bones,

4 huge blankets,

3 kibble nuggets,

2 doghouses,

And a harness with a sled.


20. On the 12th day of Idita-mas, my true love sent to me

12 loyal sponsors

11 dozen booties

10 eager huskies

9 pups in training

8 snug warm kennels

7 new sled runners

6 gallons of Blazo

5 feet of snow

4 tons of dogfood

3 moose repellers

2 nice warm parkas

and a lead dog running strong


21. On the 12th day of Christmas, my musher gave to me…

Twelve puppies whining,

Eleven huskies training,

Ten judges judging,

Nine rocks a falling,

Eight fans a waving,

Seven mushers a racing,

Six salmon a freezing,

Five thousand dollars,

Four icy trails,

Three trips to Nome,

Two wool blankets,

And a collar with a tag, just for me!


22. On the 12th day of Christmas, my musher gave to me…

Twelve huskies running,

Eleven hours of sleeping,

Ten pairs of booties,

Nine handlers' harnessing,

Eight doggie bones,

Seven fans a jumping,

Six ganglines a dangling,

Five freezing nights,

Four warm blankets,

Three extra collars,

Two golden trophies,

And one trip to Alaska.


23. On the 12th day of Iditarod, my musher gave to me…

Twelve doggie booties,

Eleven pounds of dog food,

Ten juicy bones,

Nine dogs a running,

Eight mountains a rising,

Seven vets a checking,

Six judges a judging,

Five nice treats,

Four bowls of water,

Three purple blankets,

Two hours of sleep

And a golden trophy for me!


24. On the 12th day on the trail my wolf dog gave to me

11 polar bears dancing

10 wolves a-howling

9 puppies in the snow!

8 fat ptarmigans

7 dog teams passing

6 eskimos waving

5 pairs of mukluks

4 walrus whiskers

3 frozen fish sticks, too

2 mushers yodeling

and a checkpoint rookie in the spruce tree!!


25. On the twelfth day of racing, my family sent to me…

12 real poinsettias,

11 candied chestnuts,

10 pairs of booties,

9 paths a trailing,

8 dogs a training,

7 planes a leading,

6 Inuits a watching,

5 gardens of peas,

4 sets of collars,

3 Northern Lights,

2 bags of food,

And a pleasing redwood tree.


26. On the twevtth day of March, my best dog gave to me

Twelve hundred pounds of,

Eleven frozen meat types,

ten hundred forty,

Nine good snow miles,

Eight hot cheeseburgers,

Seven bowls of chili,

Six hours run/rest,

Five Northern Lights!

Four hours of sleep,

Three spare bulbs,

Two warm dry gloves,

And a wet kiss out on Front Street..