Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2012..My Look Back..Ray & Zed

My review of 2012 begins with probably the most constantly, reoccurring pair of characters in my posts.. Ray and Zed...




Big Ray is especially fond of fly fishing and is very helpful when it comes to line management, usually taking up slack by finding a way to wrap himself up in his work. Notice how nicely the line blends into his golden coat. 


We had quite a number of fishing trips together in 2012 and on the occasions that he flushed out a fish to my fly, he is always very inquisitive about our catch. I look forward to many more fishing trips with my good boy Ray.




Zed, being a responsible Guiding Eyes For The Blind candidate, is our winner of The Rookie of the Year award. He's made a lot of progress from a somewhat unsure, tentative, worried pup


to the master of his domain..

We'll hopefully have Zed for another six months or so before he moves on to a higher calling. 

These two wonderful dogs fill our lives with joy and love and lots of yellow hair..everywhere!

Happy New Year..Ray and Zed


10 comments:

  1. They both look like great dogs- I am sure it will be hard to let go of Zed for your family.

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    1. Yes it will be Peter. They are all hard to let go, I think he's #14. But when you see them teamed up with a blind person it makes it all well worth it.

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  2. It must be tough, raising them and sending them off...but what rewards. Good on you! Awesome. Such gentle spirits and faithful companions. The best to you all in the new year!

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    1. It is very tough to let them go. Some more than others to be sure. We've been blessed to be able to play a small part as puppy raisers in such a great program. It is truly amazing to witness the transformation from a knuckle-headed puppy that we started raising at 9 weeks or so to a guide dog. The sending off part comes around 18 months when they go away to "college". Thanks for the comment Erin.

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  3. Wonderful.
    Their lives will be filled helping others to enjoy theirs.
    A fine thing your doing Mike.

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    1. Thanks Alan. We love our dogs and when they move on it's a bittersweet moment.

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  4. Hi Ray and Zed, this is so cool that you found us. My Vickie is coming to Maine again in the fall and she loves to read all about the happenings there.

    I, on the other paw am excited to meet the two of you. You look like very nice labs.

    So we are going to be your very next followers.

    Looking forward to a year of fun posts from you

    Bert

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    1. It's nice to have you keeping an eye out on us and thanks for the comment!

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  5. Great to see your activity with the dogs- I know about all the hair.

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    1. There's no end to it..maybe black dogs next time?

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