Well, here's the after. Things often don't go as planned, even when you don't have plans, which I usually don't. My basic idea was to head north to Tuktoyaktuk, taking my time, then go to Alaska. I got up to northern Montana where the AC on my new-to-me truck gave up the ghost. It was pretty hot for me and the dogs, so I stopped at a shop where they discovered a rear differential seal leaking pretty badly when doing an oil change and also couldn't fix the AC. I went back to Livingston to regroup, as it wasn't as hot there.
To add to that, my generator went out, which was the only way I had of keeping the house part of my rig cool for the dogs when we were stopped. I then started smelling propane, though not too bad, but it was worrisome.
I was debating on whether to keep trying to go north or not, being fairly stubborn, when I think the heat got to the dogs. One of them stepped on something and let out a yelp, which triggered the other to jump her, which they've never done before, but Blue Heelers can be a bit sketchy. I know not to get involved in a dogfight, but I did anyway, and I ended up with stitches in both legs. So, I'm now holed up in a little cabin in Montana, trying to figure out what happened to my good luck.
Fortunately, I have plenty of dog food in my rig as well as 10 pounds of coffee (I was outfitted for an Arctic expedition, after all), so all will be well. One dog had to go to the vet, but she'll be OK. Neither acts very contrite.