ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – For nearly three decades, Ron Wielkopolski has hiked up a backcountry trail near McHugh Peak with skis strapped to his pack. He rarely makes the trip alone.
His two yellow Labrador retrievers — which he calls “Ron’s Boys” — have been with him on the mountain since they were about six months old. They are now nine years old, and they were a gift from his late wife, Cindy.
Cindy’s last gift
Wielkopolski said his wife purchased the dogs before she died, about 10 years ago, so he would not be lonely.
“My wife passed away 10 years ago, July 5, and before she died, three months before, our last lab died, and she didn’t want me to be lonely, so she put the money down on these guys,” Wielkopolski said. “So they’re Cindy’s last gift.”…