Why Twitter Is Obsessed with This Adorable Pack of Sled Dogs
Which one is your spirit animal?
Recently an Alaskan sled dog racer named Blair Braverman posted a thread to introduce the world to the BraverMountain Varsity Team—a few extremely good boys and girls who are training to compete in annual long-distance sled dog race called the Iditarod. Her hilarious and vivid descriptions of their unique personalities immediately went viral, as Twitter users started sharing which ones they most relate to, because chances are you resemble at least one of these precious pups.
Naturally, first up is Pepe, the leader of the pack. "Pepe is smarter than all of us. She will run forever and keep running. She is basically everyone's mother."
1. Pepé
We have many dogs who can lead the team, but our true Lead Dog — the pup who makes each run happen, who gets us through every storm — is Pepe. Pepe is smarter than all of us. She will run forever and keep running. She is basically everyone's mother. pic.twitter.com/K6ckFTvv6l
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Pepe is a beacon of boundless energy. "Immediately after leading (and placing 5th) in the 440-mile Kobuk race last spring, she refused a ride back to our host family's house and insisted on running the whole way."
If you don't drink coffee and still astound people with your enthusiasm, Pepe is probably also your spirit animal.
look at this strong and brilliant athlete, making her own way pic.twitter.com/AyE3iWsoie
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) April 16, 2018
This is Flame. The five-year-old is an excellent sled dog, but she's also "desperately co-dependent" and needs to be in physical contact with the human she loves at all times. If you love to cuddle, you are totally Flame.
2. Flame (age 5)
Flame is my souldog. She is desperately codependent and we are both happiest when we are in physical contact at all times. She is also, to my occasional surprise, a fantastic sled dog. She finished every one of my qualifiers with me and never seems to tire. pic.twitter.com/JpWVcWxb94
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Flame is also "terrified of human babies but loves baby animals." Like the dog who went viral for taking in a flock of ducklings, Flame generously stepped in as a surrogate aunty to some chickens she "accidentally" adopted.
Fun fact: Flame is terrified of human babies but loves baby animals. She's been an aunty to all our puppies and once accidentally adopted some chickens. https://t.co/bpm3TjYRJI
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
In spite of his name, Grinch "has a heart of gold and a brain like a box of rocks. He is extremely strong, maybe our strongest dog, but is easily confused. He loves attention. He loves giving hugs. He has a significant overbite and his limbs are fitted together like off-brand LEGOs." Same.
4. Grinch (age 6?)
Grinch has a heart of gold and a brain like a box of rocks. He is extremely strong, maybe our strongest dog, but is easily confused. He loves attention. He loves giving hugs. He has a significant overbite and his limbs are fitted together like off-brand LEGOs. pic.twitter.com/jrmob29ynt
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Colbert, age 5, is "a big hunk of burning enthusiasm. At checkpoints, when it's time to start running again, he's always the first dog on his feet and he barks and jumps until the other dogs stand up. He usually runs in wheel, the position right in front of the sled." If you're an early riser and you are the Mom of your friend group, you are Colbert.
5. Colbert (age 5)
Colbert is a big hunk of burning enthusiasm. At checkpoints, when it's time to start running again, he's always the first dog on his feet and he barks and jumps until the other dogs stand up. He usually runs in wheel, the position right in front of the sled. pic.twitter.com/sRXJ8y788C
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Also, he's afraid of heights.
He put his paws up, sure. But did he ever actually stand up there? pic.twitter.com/orbjtgCMyL
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) August 6, 2018
Kenai had a difficult puppyhood, so she has some trust issues when it comes to people, but loves dogs. "She doesn't like to run fast, but she likes to run forever." We all know a Kenai.
6. Kenai (age 4)
Kenai came to us from a good mushing friend because her pace is well-suited to long distances; she doesn't like to run fast, but she likes to run forever. She had a difficult puppyhood and has trouble trusting people, but she loves exploring with other dogs. pic.twitter.com/kewujFgzhI
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Lucy is "a delicate thoughtful creature who looks awkward in pretty much every photo," so Lucy is pretty much every teenage girl who loves to read. She also "really likes it when you kiss her snoot."
10. Lucy (age 2)
Lucy is a delicate thoughtful creature who looks awkward in pretty much every photo. She has short fur, so she stays warm by eating lots of seconds at dinner. She gets along with everyone except her sister Ebony and really likes it when you kiss her snoot. pic.twitter.com/ulZjRvLadf
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Lucy also has a boyfriend named Boo, who is their "tiniest and most expressive dog."
Fun fact: Boo is in love with Lucy. You will meet Boo soon. https://t.co/X8QhuFa5R6
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Wickson is still a puppy so he "doesn't know how to handle his energy yet," but boy does he love belly rubs. He can also be soothed with lullabies and cuddles. If you are Wickson, you are probably an actual baby.
11. Wickson (age 1)
Wickson is the youngest dog on the Varsity Team. This is his first winter of training and he's doing fantastic—as long as you rub his belly while you put on his harness and booties. He doesn't know how to handle his own energy yet, but he's learning fast. pic.twitter.com/YUxRWUKbJ9
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
This is Spike. He has a very large head and he owns it.
12. Spike (age 2)
Spike, son of Pepe, is the largest pup from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer litter. He was born with a head that was twice as large as his siblings' heads and he's just about grown into it. pic.twitter.com/GC4u0j2IQt
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
He's also been an advocate for social justice since the day he was born.
Fun fact: Spike is a longtime advocate for transgender equality. pic.twitter.com/x1LW0xzDtn
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Anya, age 2, is a petite, picky eater who gets nervous of "weird surroundings." Luckily, she's besties with the natural-born leader that is her brother Clem, so the little wallflower has someone to introduce her to people at parties.
14. Anya (age 2)
Anya is best friends with her brother Clem. She's quite petite and is a picky eater. Anya can lead, but she's a delicate flower and can get nervous about weird surroundings, so she often runs in swing, the position behind the leaders. She likes to kill snakes. pic.twitter.com/l9knprtEWs
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Jeff Sharlet, age 2, is a "big-headed boy who likes to 'talk' by moaning and trilling" and "doesn't like seeing anyone else get attention."
Braverman very accurately, therefore, describes him as a journalist.
17. Jeff Sharlet (age 2)
We've reached the journalist pups. Jeff is a big-headed boy who likes to "talk" by moaning and trilling. He had tick paralysis and couldn't run with the team last winter, but he's doing much better now. He doesn't like seeing anyone else get attention. pic.twitter.com/UdfExajmpw
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
Talese is also a journalist, but he's the least neurotic of the bunch, and enjoys "the good things in life, like massages and attention, and is chill in almost all situations."
He probably writes for a luxury lifestyle magazine.
18. Talese (age 2)
Talese is the least neurotic of the journalist pups. He likes the good things in life, like massages and attention, and is chill in almost all situations. He has tremendous endurance and is learning focus. His puppy nickname was Little Red. pic.twitter.com/KsC0eVrYXM
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
And, finally, there's Hunter, who has "has no qualms about pushing around much bigger boys," like a true modern-day woman.
19. Hunter (age 2)
Hunter, named for Hunter S. Thompson, is Jenga's only daughter. She has no qualms about pushing around much bigger boys, and her small size means that she can run long distances without getting tired. She usually wants her ears scritched. pic.twitter.com/udJNNlbl2J
— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) January 2, 2019
We wish them all the best during their race! And if you love dogs more than anything, you'll love these hilarious tweets about these two very refined dogs in ski sweaters.
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