00:01I am addicted to adrenaline.
00:03It's like, guys, I saw Top Gun, I have a need for speed, but my speed is dog power.
00:08Nothing feels better than when you are just making time in good country.
00:14It's the real deal.
00:23My name is Dee Dee Jonrow.
00:24I've been raising dogs since 1979.
00:29You know, I'd love to be able to tell you how many races I've ever been in.
00:32I know that I have been at 34 Iditarods and I've just entered my 35th race.
00:37I believe I have about 52 dogs here right now.
00:42They're an extended family.
00:44Hi, honey.
00:46Hi, girls.
00:48Take that one.
00:51Don't let your meat go.
00:54I was diagnosed in 2002.
00:57I did not know anybody that had ever had breast cancer.
01:01I just thought, hey, bring it on.
01:04No.
01:04No.
01:05My mom and dad both died of cancer within the last three years.
01:09Last June, there was a wildfire in Willow.
01:13I didn't think the fire was as bad as it was, but as I got closer, I could see that
01:17a wall
01:18of fire was headed our way.
01:21We would be trapped.
01:23I needed to get my dogs out of here.
01:26Things that could feel pain had to leave the property.
01:32I cried as I saw things disappear, but then I got topsoil.
01:38I started investigating trees.
01:39I got grass seed.
01:40I got sod.
01:41We built a retaining wall.
01:43We changed it all up.
01:44And we're doing it.
01:46We're getting it.
01:46But it takes more than a year to recreate 30 years.
01:55You have to think, my weakness is, either emotionally or physically, it is this.
02:02And so, how can I best minimize those weaknesses and make the most of my strengths?
02:11The most important thing was, I wanted to be able to make sure that I could support my
02:16dogs.
02:17These are my dogs.
02:19They are my family.
02:20And I don't want to let them down.
02:22I want us, us to make it.
02:25That's what I want.
02:27This sport requires judgment, requires being dreadfully honest with yourself.
02:34I'm tough like my mom is tough.
02:37If somebody throws something in my way that makes me internally driven, there are down
02:44days.
02:44And you feel like you're hanging on for your life.
02:46But that's still also an adrenaline rush.
02:49I'll just kind of dig in and think, you know what?
02:53Not yet.
02:54Good.
02:56It.
03:01Good.
