In about a week will be the beginning of the race known as the Greatest Race on Earth — the Iditarod. This one’s gonna be the very best ever. Wanna know why? ’Cuz I’m gonna be there. (Insert smiley face here).

More importantly, so will Laura Daugereau. She recently settled with her family right here in Port Gamble. Daugereau is our Local Girl Gone Iditarod. She raced in the Iditarod last year and became the first woman from Washington to compete in — and complete the Iditarod.

This past summer, I had the good fortune of spending some time talking to Laura and also listen to her tell about her Iditarod experience. Two things really impress me about Daugereau. One is who she is. If you have met her, you can’t help but be impressed by the down-to-earth, centered person she is.

Daugereau is a great example of a young woman who set her sights on a goal and worked hard to achieve it. More than that, she is using her success as an opportunity to reach out to other young people and inspire them.

Daugereau told me she wants to share a message of believing in one’s self and reaching for your stars. She wants kids to know they can start achieving their dreams now — they don’t have to wait until they’ve grown up to begin.

Daugereau works hard, spending her winter months in Montana training her dogs and conditioning for their races. She spends her summers working with her dad doing construction projects here in north Kitsap. She is living her dream — and isn’t a bit afraid to work hard for it.

The other thing that impresses me about Laura is the way she feels about her dogs. She loves them. This isn’t about what the dogs can do for her, it’s about what she and her dog-friends can do together. This isn’t just words. Daugereau has been recognized with several “Best Kept Team” awards. This award is voted on by vets at sled races based on the dogs’ well-being during the race as well as their health and happiness back at the kennel.

As someone who dedicates my work to caring about critters and their needs, I value that. I’ve learned the difference between looking at an animal’s eyes and looking into an animal’s eyes. I’ve worked in places where animals were kept and used, but not loved. I know the difference in approach. Daugereau obviously knows that difference too.

You can learn more about Laura Daugereau and what it’s like to be in the Iditarod by visiting her Web site (nightrunnerkennel.com).

The costs of participating in a race like this are significant. Her Web site is a great way to send Daugereau a contribution, I know she would appreciate it.

I will be keeping tabs on the progress of Daugereau and the other mushers using their GPS tracking system as well as any other information I find (I hope Daugereau’s sister will be posting again this year). If you are interested in being in the loop, please e-mail me at countrypetshoppe@aol.com and I will add you to my list.

Stephanie Stebbing is owner of the Country Pet Shoppe, located at 11132 NE 2nd Street, Kingston, (360)297-4165.