On Nov. 1, my elderly parents and I were on our way back to Montana after spending a few days on the Olympic Peninsula.
We had stopped for gas in Port Angeles and my dog collapsed after being let out of the car.
A gentleman called from a passing truck to ask if we needed some help.
He pulled into the gas station, picked up my dog and got her into our car.
A woman who was next to us at the gas station said she had an excellent veterinarian, gave them a call and then led us over to the Olympic Veterinary Clinic and stayed awhile in support.
Unfortunately, my beloved dog died before even reaching the clinic.
As tragic and heartbreaking as this was to lose my longtime faithful companion far away from home, the kindness of these strangers gave me a renewed faith in mankind.
If the kindness of those two strangers to someone they did not know, as well as the compassion the veterinary clinic showed us, is an example of what your community is about, then you have a very fine community indeed.
In the chaos and distress of the moment, I did not get the names of those people who went out of their way to help us.
I hope they read this. I am eternally grateful to them.
Port Angeles, you are such a caring community. Your town is aptly named.
Kathy Jutila,
Bozeman, Mont.