Icedogs - who was in that team?
Apart from me, that is... I received this letter recently:

Subject: Public Speaking at the Chequer Mede Theatre East Grinstead

Dear Mr Allen,
My family and myself thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful speach and slides shown at the aforementioned location, we are very interested in obtaining an icedogs video, also the skeleton coast. we have been recalling some of your anecdotes to each other, but are desperately trying to recall the names of your ten dogs, we remember bernard, jeremy, mutley, fluffy white, top dog, basil and mad jack but try as we might just cant remember the last three, this is now a matter of loosing sleep and a family is now at war. please can you help a lost tribe in crawley down west sussex.

Yours Sincerely
Chief Sue Morgan.
PS. thanks for signing my book, it will be greatly treasured.xxx

The answer:
These are they, the furry heroes, starting with the front dogs - which are the "steering wheels" of the operation, and need to respond to my commands, but also must be aware of oncoming danger - wolf scent, polar bear scent, and the most dangerous thing in the Arctic, thin ice.

Top Dog - (Courageous/clever, the leader)

Flashy White - (Brave; the biggest/strongest dog; NOT clever; Top Dog's guardian - and follows his initiative)

Mad Jack - (A scrapper, but means well) (good in wolf country)

Frank - (Loyal, mild natured - always being "got at" by Mad Jack)

Blot - (A bit non-descript; quiet, but calm)

Basil - (Young, enthusiastic - like "Basil Brush"; an apprentice)

Bumbling Bernard - (Adorable but rather useless) (never actually pulled; however, vital because of being Jeremy's "best friend", acting as reassurance)

Jeremy - (Highly intelligent, like a Border Collie, and key steerer of back dogs)

Dennis and Mutley
(The strongest of the team; loyal - no initiaitive, which is good in back dogs. Though take the strain of the 300 kilo sledge, live two years longer than front dogs - no stress).

6th Feb 03