This week, The Valley Reporter pays homage to man’s best friend (woman’s too) – our canine companions. We freely admit that we are smitten with our many office dogs, plus our regular visitors and the various dog cousins who come to stay with our dogs at times.
We’re also crazy about your dogs, including but not limited to all the dogs that work in the Mad River Green Shops and surrounding areas. We love the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market weekly parade of dogs and we love how many dogs go to work with their people in The Valley and Vermont.
When we reached out to our readers seeking stories of their four-legged friends, the response was immediate. People love to talk about their dogs and the foibles of their dogs and their quirks. As local dog blogger and photographer Rebecca Silbernagel pointed out in a feature story this week, getting people to talk about their dogs is an entry into their lives and their own stories.
Humans can learn a lot from canines; their love and loyalty are unconditional and increasingly research shows that their love for us is as real and nuanced as our love for them. That’s not much of a surprise to those who love and have loved a dog.
We can take a lesson from our furry friends and cherish a ride in the car, a hike in the woods and a snuggle on the couch with our beloved. Canine enthusiasm for the simple things in life is enviable and something to which we can aspire.
We are fortunate to live in a community that has multiple caregivers for dog walking, dog sitting and doggie day care. We are lucky we live in a community that has several dog rescue organizations at work as well as plenty of willing dog fosterers.
How nice for residents and visitors alike that we have two well-qualified, professional and experienced veterinary services in our Valley. Our two local vets have taken care of generations of our animal companions and we are thankful. Join us in going to the dogs this week (and the other 51 weeks of the year as well).
Happy New Year!
The following is an array of reader submitted photos of their dog friends.
