By Katherine Moseley

The month of May was busier than usual for me. The veterinarians from Alabama were in Skagway doing a weeklong clinic. Working with the visiting veterinarians is one of my favorite things to do. It is always a whirlwind of a week with appointments jam packed from morning till night. I appreciate that the veterinarians do their best to make sure each pet that needs an appointment gets seen while they are here.

The week that the vets were here was also the week that I was on deadline to get two articles written. One for the Skagway News and the other for the Skaguay Alaskan. May was also the month that my son graduated from high school. Needless to say it was a month with lots of distractions. And of course, this was also the month when my first real case of writer’s block would set in.

At the end of each long day, I would sit at my computer and attempt to write something. But the thoughts were just not flowing. I found myself feeling frustrated and even angry. And to add to my frustration, it seemed every time I sat down a dog, or a cat, needed to go outside or inside. And of course, at different doors. I started to understand why people go to writer’s retreats.

I realized that I was going to need some help to get these articles done. And who better to help me than my two dogs, Skeeter and Ivy. I made a deal that if they wrote an article about what is like being a dog in Skagway for the Skaguay Alaskan that I would write the article for the Skagway News. Extra treats were involved, and I am pleased to report that we got both articles done just in time.

Skeeter and Ivy’s most recent task has been to help me train for the Duff’s Half Marathon on June 8. I haven’t been feeling as motivated this Spring to get out walking. The cold weather in the morning hasn’t helped. But every morning a wild play session ensues between Skeet and Ivy and that is my signal that they are going to be flying around our home like it is a race track if we don’t get out the door. So even when the weather is bad, or my legs are sore or I just don’t feel like going, they hold me accountable.

There is a reason that dogs have been man’s friend for thousands of years.  George Grahm Vest described it best when he said, “The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.”  Whether they are helping me write articles or making me laugh with their silly antics, I am thankful for Skeeter and Ivy.

Providing a safe and loving environment, appropriate physical and mental exercise and feeding a healthy diet are just a few of the many ways we can show thanks to our loyal canine companions. It is the least we can do in exchange for all the comfort and joy that they bring us.