From Year of the Dog: "To say that dogs saved my life may sound trite to some. It may sound like I am overstating to others - or being dramatic. But if not for the dream of dogs, the company of dogs, the help of dogs, the beauty of the dogs, I am sure I would be here today, but I am not sure I would be alive." "Have you ever had a problem so large, so confounding, sitting right in front of you that it just didn't seem possible to solve, ever?" "I relaxed a little and tried to enjoy the scenery through some of the race - which was more like just a tour for me now since I was so far behind. We approached one right turn and a called out a hearty "Gee!" and let up off my brake, which I normally do to control the sled better through turns. Unfortunately, this part of the trail turned into a plowed, icy road mid-way through the turn and just as I thought I was done, my sled swung way out into the road. I fell over in a spectacular fashion, dragging through ice and snow for several yards before the team graciously stopped and allowed me to get back on the sled. Just as I got upright, I had to smile at the photographer who was waiting for us at the side of the trail." Michelle Kennedy Hogan is a dog musher and the mother of eight, homeschooled children. She lives "off-the-grid" in Alaska with her family, 18 sled dogs and two retrievers.