HUMAN

Name: Lori Weiss
Age: 62
Residence: Santa Barbara, California
Occupation: I’m trained as a scientist and a civil engineer and I’m retired now.
Years involved with Iditarod: 1 
Iditarod Role: Ugly Dog Fan.
Current Location: Anchorage, Alaska 

Date of Photo: March 7, 2020
Temperature: 17F/Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved with Iditarod years ago as a fan of Susan Butcher. I had an Alaskan Malamute as a teen and when my daughter was about two, I lived in Maine and I had two dogs and I bought a harness for them. I didn’t really know much about mushing, although I had a friend with Huskies, and the Golden Retriever was well trained and would not pull. The yellow lab mutt was wild and fun and anyway, she got to go mushing around. She doesn’t remember, but you know, with me holding hard on the yellow lab, Abby. 

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod today because my daughter Liz Glanz asked me, “Mom, why don’t you come with me to Alaska?” Why would I say “no” when I could say 
“yes”? 

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was getting to know a bunch of Ugly Dog fans. Yesterday we mushed with Nick Petit and had a fabulous time. One of his handlers, Hunter, was amazing. And I guess this moment, I’m usually very private and not into photos and all that, but this was such a wonderful opportunity, so thank you.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is I’m blessed to have this wonderful daughter who has created an amazing adventure for us, and we got to share it or we’re getting to share it with all these Ugly Dogs and other family, parents, children, adult children, getting to know Blair and Quince and supporting their team is just, why not?