About Rivers Favorite Stories Rivers Books Pictures Links Email Rivers at: Rivers@rogershsa.com

Hi Gang, my name is Rivers! For those of you who do not know me, I am a blind Iditarod racing sled dog, retired. I have been blind since 1997. Since then, I ran the Iditarod Race twice. I met my friend Mike in June 2000. It was a real chance meeting. That meeting changed both of our lives, for the good. Mike took me to see Dr. Jim Gaarder, a great animal eye vet, because my eyeballs were so big. Frankly, I was in pain, but you know us dogs, we seldom let our human companions know. Mike wanted to know if I could ever see again. After a thorough exam, Dr. Jim said that my sight was gone for good. The important thing was to make me comfortable and me pain free. A long time ago, I accepted the fact I was blind, with no chance that I would ever see again. For a while, I continued to race although I was blind. I want to race again. Mike knew I wanted to race and he asked Dr. Jim if I could. Dr. Jim said there was no reason why I could not race again. However, to eliminate the pain, my bad eyeballs had to come out. Mike contacted IMOM and the Blind Dog Group (web sites listed on the (Links Page). With their help, Mike conducted a fundraiser to pay for my operation. Mike kept me at his home in Anchorage while I healed after the operation. Many nice people donated money for my operation. Mike wrote daily updates on my progress and sent them out by e-mail to the Blind Dog e-mail group. After reading these updates, Mike's wife Mary, along with many members of the group, urged him to write a book about my adventures with him. Mike told me that if Mary had not encouraged him so much, he would have never published the book. Mike did publish it and you can read about his book "Rivers, Diary of a Blind Alaska Racing Sled dog" and “Rivers, Through The Eyes Of A Blind Dog” on the Rivers Books Page. Have fun at my on-line doghouse and may all of your trails stay smooth and your dreams come true!! See Ya Rivers

About Rivers

Rivers is a real live dog who went blind and then ran the Iditarod twice. He was born in Kotzebue, Alaska and then moved to Knik, Alaska in 1998. He now lives in Palmer, Alaska. Rivers is an Alaskan Husky and was born in June 1995. He weighs between 40 and 55 pounds; he is 2 feet high and about 2 ½ feet long. He is black, brown, and white. Rivers loves people, trail running, snow, Mike's world famous ear rubs, eating Mary's great cooking and playing with tennis balls.

You are visiting Rivers Online Dog House at: http://home.gci.net/~sleddog

Last modified: January 8, 2006
©2003 Mike Dillingham/Rivers Books

©2004 Mike Dillingham/Rivers Books

©2005 Mike Dillingham/Rivers Books

©2006 Mike Dillingham/Rivers Books