COEUR d'ALENE - A dog is more than a best friend to author and motivational speaker Clark Roberts.

Dogs are partners, guardians, family members and his key to the outside world.

"The dog allows you the freedom and mobility so you can go where you want to go when you want to go there," Roberts said.

Roberts has a special relationship with his canine counterparts because he is blind. He lost his vision at the age of 24 to retinitis pigmentosa, so he relies on guide dogs to assist him through a life without sight.

But that doesn't keep Roberts from living his life. His special bond with his guide dogs and his intense drive to conquer challenges have inspired his newest book, "Wags to You: Short and Long Dog Tails," where he shares stories of humor, courage and hope through the eyes of one who cannot see. He has also compiled stories in the book from other dog enthusiasts, such as Coeur d'Alene's own Christina Schafer, who is the writer and creator of regional canine celebration blog Dog About Town Northwest. Shafer contributed a story about an experience she had with her dog while working at Priest Lake State Park.

"I am honored that Clark chose to include my story about my fiercest protector, my beloved dog Ellie," Shafer said. "He shared with me that my story 'The Porch Incident' is one of his wife's favorite stories in the book."

"I'm trying to help people to understand that there is hope," said Roberts, of Bellvue, Wash. "There is encouragement and there is life,"

Roberts, who is now 60, and his 7-year-old yellow Lab, Arbuckle "Arby" the Wonder Dog, will be appearing in Coeur d'Alene for book signings, presentations and readings where people will be able to meet him and Arby and even receive a "paw-tograph" from the friendly canine, who Roberts received from a guide dog club in Spokane.

"He is very loving," Roberts said. "He is a very wonderful dog, but he's also very quirky and funny. He loves life. He loves doing his job, but he also loves having fun."

Roberts will be at Christmas At the Lake from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28; Kootenai Coffee Roaster and Bakery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 1; and Good Dog Pet Store at 7 p.m. Dec. 4.