Joseph Robertia

For the past fifteen years I have been a professional writer and photographer, including working for more than a decade as an outdoors reporter for various Alaska newspapers. I currently contribute regularly to the Alaska Dispatch News―the state's largest newspaper. I’ve received multiple Alaska Press Club Awards, including: Best Outdoor Column (2015), Best Outdoor Story (2010, 2008), Best Use of Story and Photos by a Journalist (2010, 2009, 2004). I am also a two-time (2000, 2001) recipient of the American Association of Zookeepers "Excellence in Journalism Award." In recent years I’ve branched into freelancing and had articles and photographs published in sources like Alaska Magazine, Mushing Magazine, Reptiles Magazine, Salmon Trout Steelheader, and Alaska 50: Celebrating Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood.

Along with my wife, Colleen, our kennel has fielded teams in the 1,000-mile Iditarod, Yukon Quest, and more than thirty other races, winning numerous Humanitarian Awards during this time. Our “Rogues Gallery Kennel” is made up of many rescues, runts, and rejects from other kennels. Learn more @RoguesKennelFanPage

In LIFE WITH FORTY DOGS, I hope to inspire readers to see the value of dogs, all dogs, including those that have been given up on or never been given a chance at all. I am grateful to my dogs for showing me that I had this story to tell -- their story.