We obtained Ralph from a breeder in the Northeast Kingdom three years ago. He was just eight weeks old and filled a void left when we lost our older Golden. Since then, Ralph has accompanied me through all kinds of weather on a daily walk around our pond. Every morning before my work when I go out with Ralph, he attentively watches me as I get dressed; at the point where I start to put my boots on, he becomes hyper excited, doing his happy dance as we go down the stairs. Once we get to the path where I take him off leash, he enthusiastically runs ahead to sniff out all the important spots he knows about in the woods, but inevitably he will turn up after a few minutes ahead of me on the path to make sure I am still there. This regimen has been sometimes demanding when it’s extremely cold and wet, snowy and icy, and I don’t always feel like going…but I don’t want to disappoint Ralph. I go. Every day it is a joy to observe his enthusiasm and joy at being outdoors and to be a part of his pack.

Susanne George

Goshen