“She cheers up everybody," said said musher Mats Pettersson. "She’s happy and wants to kiss everybody.”

The 24’s, as they’re called, are mandatory and a welcome reset for the weary teams.

A panel of race officials handed down a two-hour penalty for the infraction, which will be added to Seavey’s mandatory 24-hour rest.

Sean Williams is a second-time rookie and says he’s doing less screaming this year, while Deke Naaktgeboren is enjoying watching his dogs start to gel.

Junior is the youngest dog on Two Rivers musher Matt Hall’s team, and Hall says he’s “a little energy ball.”

Robinson was a rookie in 2001, finishing 40th. It was his one and only attempt, until now.

Dallas Seavey recounts his moose encounter as his team rested at the checkpoint in Nikolai, about 250 miles into the 1,000-mile race.

Mussel is “all business” when he’s racing, and when he’s not “he’s an excellent snuggle bunny," said Amanda Otto.

Seavey says he stopped to gut the moose, a requirement under race rules.

Musher Jessica Klejka got Ralph for a bargain.

What’s the route this year? How are trail conditions? We answer those questions and more.

There are 16 rookies competing in this year's Iditarod, about 40% of the entire race field.