A Chat About Santa's Reindeer

Elf Victor, head elf of Reindeer Operations at the North Pole, chatted with Elf Frank Myrrh of North Pole Radio News about the current state of Santa’s Reindeer. Here is a transcript of that conversation:

Elf Frank Myrrh	We’re talking today with Elf Victor, the long time head of Reindeer Operations at the North Pole.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Victor, our chat today is being recorded and a transcript will be posted later for those who cannot attend today.
Elf Frank Myrrh	We have a lot of questions sent in via email for you. Many are anxious to know about Santa’s reindeer and how they are doing. Do you know when they will be back to the North Pole?
Elf Victor	No, I do not, Frank But we are ready for them. Everything has been set up. Stalls are clean. We have plenty of grain and oats and hay. We’re ready for them any time they want to return.
Elf Frank Myrrh	You obviously have connections among all the reindeer ranches around the world that Santa owns. How can you NOT know about when they will return?
Elf Victor	I do hear rumors. But I think they like to keep it a surprise for us. I hear it has been a good year for them since we last saw them in January.
Elf Frank Myrrh	How does that word reach you? If Santa had a need for one of them such as Donner or Blitzen, could you find them?
Elf Victor	All I have to do is let it be know through the ranches that I need to know about any of them. If I were to say to the folks in Austria, where Blitzen has his home base, that Santa needed him there’s not a doubt in my mind that Blitzen would be home in less than 24 hours.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Have you ever had to do that?
Elf Victor	Yes, it’s been many years. I haven’t had to do anything like that recently.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Last year, or maybe it was the year before, Vixen had some health issues. Did you follow her condition through the ranches?
Elf Victor	Well, no, because she didn’t actually leave the care of North Pole doctors. Her condition was pretty severe so she was very close to the North Pole and Santa checked on her frequently.
Elf Victor	But if she had gone home I would have traveled to see her to check on her
Elf Ulan	Elf Voctor, does Santa decide when the reindeer return to the North Pole or the reindeer decide?
Elf Frank Myrrh	When the reindeer left in January they were all checked by doctors before the left, right?
Elf Victor	The reindeer decide, Elf Ulan. They all know when Christmas is!
Elf Victor	Yes, Frank. It is protocol for a full medical checkup when they arrive at the North Pole and again just before they leave.
Elf Frank Myrrh	So were you aware of any injuries or sicknesses any of the reindeer had when they left last January?
Elf Victor	Just the usual minor things. Blitzen was nursing a tight hamstring. Dasher and Prancer had some allergy issues related to some nuts they ate on Christmas Eve. Minor things. They were all in good shape
Elf Ulan	Thank you, Elf Victor. How about this year’s audition for the test flight team? How did they know it?
Elf Frank Myrrh	Do you know how all of them are now, even before they return and see the doctors again?
Elf Victor	Test flight reindeer follow a completely different set of rules, Elf Ulan. Some of those reindeer are new, and some of them are returning after many years of service.
Elf Victor	Those reindeer who are interested in that duty actually apply for that program in October of every year. When they do that they have only a surface level of participation in the reindeer games and when they are accepted they begin a training program that is designed just for test flight reindeer.
Elf Victor	The test flight reindeer are very very different than the team that leads Santa’s sleigh.
Elf Frank Myrrh	We have questions about the backup team of reindeer, Victor. Folks want to know more about that selection process.
Elf Ulan	Oh, a different rules, interesting!
Elf Victor	The backup team doesn’t get a lot of attention, Frank. And I think they should because they kind of have to know the program of regular reindeer and test flight reindeer at the same time. A test flight reindeer can end up on the backup team, it happens frequently.
Elf Victor	But the backup team always has to live with the fact they may not actually get a chance to fly anywhere on Christmas Eve. A lot of reindeer have feelings about that because they WANT to work that night especially.
Elf Frank Myrrh	So….are you saying it is a risk for a reindeer to go on the backup team?
Elf Victor	Kind of. Those backup reindeer are there and ready all night long just in case something happens to Santa’s first team. Some years, they get to fly for only an area of too, just in relief. That’s the best they can usually hope for. But most years those reindeer spend their Christmas Eve just waiting and most of the time they don’t go anywhere. Reindeer all like to be active in the Santa effort on
Elf Victor	Christmas Eve…some would rather shuttle freight or elves from the North Pole than to be idle on that night. Reindeer really really want to work on Christmas Eve.
Elf Ulan	Elf Victor, how many doctors for the reindeer? Are they in the each ranches?
Elf Frank Myrrh	And yet, in the world of reindeer, the backup reindeer are among the most respected on earth.
Elf Victor	Yes, Elf Ulan. Every ranch has a medical team. The size of the team depends upon the number of reindeer they serve. At the North Pole we have more than 1400 doctors, therapists, coaches, and caretakers for the thousands of reindeer who will be here.
Elf Victor	Yes, Elf Frank. It is a huge distinction for a reindeer to be named to the backup team. It is still one of the most difficult things for a reindeer to ever achieve, even once. A very big deal.Â
Elf Frank Myrrh	How do elves get the chance to work with the reindeer?
Elf Victor	It’s pretty tough, Frank. An elf has to be more certified to work with the reindeer than to become a test pilot.
Elf Victor	It requires a lot of schooling and a good resume of working with all kinds of animals.
Elf Victor	We have zoos and governments who consult with us at the North Pole because our certification programs for reindeer caretakers is the best in the world.
Elf Ulan	ThanK you, Elf Victor. I hope I can help the reindeer someday one of my wish list.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Elf Victor, you are one of Santa’s more senior elves. How long did it take you to get into the program?
Elf Victor	I started very young, when I was 15. I was a pooper scooper. By the time I was 46 I finally was certified as a reindeer therapist working African flight lines. I’ve been at this my whole career.
Elf Frank Myrrh	African flight lines? So there are reindeer in Africa?
Elf Victor	Like Japan, no not natively. But for a while there Santa had a flight school that reindeer out of eastern Europe of western Russia would come to in Africa. Better good weather there for a junior flight school.
Elf Frank Myrrh	A junior flight school? What does that mean?
Elf Victor	It’s for the young reindeer. A junior flight school tends to focus on safety in taking off and landing. Lots of injuries to young reindeer when flying isn’t natural to them. Junior flight school teaches not only mechanics but also the mental part of flying as a reindeer
Elf Frank Myrrh	Goodness. Mental part of flying? I’m not sure I know what that means.
Elf Victor	Flying isn’t natural for reindeer or even most mammals. It takes a high degree of intelligence and an even higher degree of discipline.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Wow. Does that make them….tired?
Elf@ashanti	Hello everyone I made it
Elf Victor	YES! It’s exhausting for the reindeer who are very young. You’d be surprised to know how old Santa’s reindeer are. It takes many years to reach that level.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Hello Elf Ashanti. We’re just wrapping up with Elf Victor
Elf Frank Myrrh	Really, Elf Victor? How old is, say, Comet?
Elf Ulan	I think that a medical treatment school is at the North Pole, too, right?
Elf Victor	Comet will celebrate his 612th birthday this year.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Shut the front door! There’s no way he’s that old!!!!
Elf Ulan	Hello, Elf Ashanti!
Elf Victor	It’s true. I have all their birth records, Elf Frank.
Elf@ashanti	Hello elf ulan
Elf Frank Myrrh	But Comet is…such a prankster!
Elf Ulan	Wow, 612 years old!
Elf Victor	Well, that’s true. I didn’t say any of them acted old.
Elf Frank Myrrh	That’s like older than turtles, right? That’s insane. How do they live to be so old?
Elf Ulan	Elf Victor, which reindeer do you think has the most unique personality?
Elf Victor	I can’t tell you that.
Elf Frank Myrrh	You can’t tell me that because you don’t know or because you have to keep it a secret
Elf Victor	Hahaha, because I have to keep some secrets, Frank. I know that is hard for a newsman to hear
Elf Victor	Elf Ulan, each of the reindeer have unique personalities. I don’t have a favorite because I just can’t. Cupid is a very complex reindeer, I’ll tell you that
Elf Frank Myrrh	Victor, our time is spent and I thank you for your visit today. I have learned so much! Any last questions for Elf Victor?
Elf Victor	Thank you, Frank. It’s always an interesting conversation. When I know they are coming back I promise you I will let you know before anyone else.
Elf Ulan	Thank you, Elf Victor! What is the secret to the teamwork between Santa and the reindeer?
Elf Victor	The secret to the teamwork? Two things, I think. First, the bells. Silly as that sounds they are very important
Elf Victor	But more importantly is a shared love of the world and of giving to others. Reindeer are very generous and Santa just loves that about them.
Elf Frank Myrrh	Great question, Elf Ulan!
Elf Frank Myrrh	Thank you everyone for being here today!
Elf Ulan	Wow! Thank you so much, Elf Victor and Elf Frank. I learn a lot today, too!
Elf Victor	Bye everyone!
Elf Frank Myrrh	Wow – what a chat!
Elf Frank Myrrh	Thanks everyone, have a great day!
Elf Ulan	Bye! Have a nice day and Merry Christmas!

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Elf Winslow

Elf Winslow Rutherford is a special assistant to Elf Ernest at the North Pole who has served in the Public Relations Department in several capacities over the years. Presently he serves on the editorial board of SantaUpdate.com coordinating North Pole Chat Events.

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