From Warren Palfrey's Website

From Kate Palfrey (Northernstarkennels.com), concerning Maynard:

The finish and Maynardby Kate 3/21/2009 8:50:00 PM

Hello all,Sorry to not have wriiten yet about the team's finish but the experience has been of a very bittersweet nature. While we are so very proud of the 13 dogs that crossed the finish line with Warren in 19th place, we are both devastated by the loss of Maynard. It will be a long grieving process. I think we are both in shock still. It just doesn't seem possible nor make any sense. We have received the preliminary results of the necrospsy and were told by the head vet that essentially his heart stopped. Why we ask? That we still do not know. Maynards ECGs before the race showed no abnormalities, he was pre race vet checked by one of the finest vets and has been checked out at each checkpoint along the trail as well as the final checkpoint in White Mountain and none of the vets nor Warren detected any problems. There were no signs of any problems. The vets will be conducting further tests that may shed more light. We hope that some answers come out of it that may help others dogs in the future. In our present, we are dealing with the loss of a wonderful friend, an amazing athlete, a totally goofy personality that I had hoped would be entertaining me for years to come. Alas, that is not meant to be and we are consoling ourselves with the thought that his spirit will always be on the trail. We thank you all for your kind words of support in this difficult time, from friends and family to wonderful strangers who have touched our hearts, you are appreciated. Thank you.

On a more positive note, Sam and I picked up the 13 finishers at the Anchorage airport late last night and are happy to report that they are all doing well. They were super excited to see us and to jump into their beds for a much deserved rest. They spent the afternoon receiving full body massages in the sun and lounging. Warren did a great job taking care of the dogs, there is hardly a sore feet in the bunch and their spirits are high and full of joy. I was even more happy than usual to see them particularly after Maynard. That is one of the hardest parts of being dog people is that their time with us is so short and it never seems like long enough. It reminds us to celebrate the moments we do have with them and to appreciate how blessed we are to have them in our lives.

And on that note, I am going out to let them all have a final stretch before bed and love on each and every one of them. Warm thoughts to all of you and your canines too. Kate

Rest in Peace, Maynard

Happy Trails,