I, Zoe Mae ( Highstepping Virginia Belle), am a Black Labrador Retriever with field lines. I was born on March 16, 2000 in Roanoke , Virginia. My mother is Emma ( Kansas Storm Rider) and my dad is Duke (Belvedere Sir Duke). I descend from a long line of working retrievers who were great field trial and hunting dogs. My grandfather was GMHR WR Rockhill Kansas Storm SH; my great granddaddy was FC AFC Esprit Playin' For Keeps. Mom has traced my roots ( mom is into geneology) back to Nakai Anny, Risky Business Ruby , and Dude's Double Or Nothin', just to name a few.
My dad wanted to hunt with me as he says I have the best nose he had ever seen on a dog. I remind him of the black lab, Bird's Ivy, he had growing up. Dad and his parents are always saying I look just like Birdie. However, I have just a wee bit of a problem- I am gunshy. Loud noises make me run for cover.
But Mom said, not to worry as she thought I would be superb doing therapy work. So off we went to be trained. Now I work on a regular basis visiting the vets at the Salem VA Hospital and helping out at a camp for children who have lost a family member. More about that later.
Dad takes me to work every day with him. I just love greeting his clients ; the regulars bring me treats and rub my tummy. Nothing like a good tummy massage!
Move over , my turn! I, Zeb ( Zipper Zeb Zeppelin), otherwise known as The Little Man, came to live with my family on March 6, 2004. I was born in Augusta County, Virginia, on January 9, 2004 during a snowstorm. I am a yellow Lab of English lines. My mother is Lacey ( Spice of Life's Antique Lace) and my dad is Jazz ( Teracrofts Cool Summer Jazz) . Lacey is an American and Canadian champion . Some of my other forebearers are American Champion Teracrofts Home Run CGC WC TDI and Ch. Langshott Gale Force From Kimvalley . So far, mom says I excel in chasing the family cat, Fiona Riley ( more about her later), rifling through trash cans ( drat, those have all been put up high where I cannot get them), following my big sister around the house, and eating! Dad says he has never seen anyone eat the way I do! For some reason mom feeds me small portions at a time. She continously shakes her head and mumbles something about inhaling my kibble. Lately she has been telling dad I am getting better. But truth be told I truly relish my food- dad says I live in the right household as everyone here loves to eat! Mom just laughs and says I am all boy!
We live in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains with our mom, Lee, who is a 7th grade special education teacher; our dad, Sam, who owns his own business; a 15 year old teenager, Mary Louise, who loves to ride horses ( Zoe thinks horses are just great big labs in disguise), runs cross country , has a beau, and is an all around good kid; and Fiona Riley, a blue-eyed, six-toed, white cat who is deaf. She is always reminding us she is a queen ( she thinks she used to sail on a barge down the Nile with another queen in her previous life) and is in charge of the entire household . We just look at each other and say,"Yeah, right!." But we do stay clear of her batting paws.
We have another beloved family member , Draper , who attends Virginia Tech. He lives in Blacksburg with his dog, our cousin, Boba. She is a German Shephard/wolf mix. Boba was born in California- the guys got her when they spent a year working out west. She is very quiet and dignified. An important tip to remember about her- never ever try to take her bone. Draper is studying to be a horticulturist/landscaper. He will graduate in December, 2005. He is a laid back fellow if there ever was one.
We love to go for rides in the car- especially to see our grandparents. We are lucky to have both sets here in town. Mom's parents always have a treat ready for us. Mom's dad loves to play games with us; we get so excited we usually butt tuck all around his house and yard. Dad's folks have treats also; however, they live in a condo so we must be a bit more circumspect during those visits- wouldn't want to break anything and be banished from visiting. Boba would get all our treats if that happened!
Mom and Dad went to Roanoke College. They both love the school. Mom was a Chi Omega and Dad was a KA. Mom has taken us over to the college on errands. The college kids usually wave at us- it seems to be a cool place- lots of great smells.
We live in a lovely neighborhood with lots of great places to walk. Some of our neighborhood friends include: Shaggy and Harley- 2 cockapoos; Harry, a terrier; Kudszu, a Jack Russell Terrier; Simba, a shephard mix; Madison,a Cairn terrier; Chloe, a collie mix; CJ, a blue tick hound; Max, a chocolate standard sized poodle; and Annie,Millie, and Millie- dachshunds all!
One more very important creature in our life is Seda Lee; Zoe and she are the bestest of friends. We, Zoe and Seda, have been friends since we were pups. Seda Lee lives in Botetourt County with her mom and dad ( Uncle Joe and Aunt Arlene); she is a black Lab of field lines. We, have done everything together- taken our first swim together, learned to retrieve orange dummies together, traveled together ,and now we have to whip The Little Man into shape together. We will keep you posted as to how that chore is going , and beleive us it is going to be a challenge.
Mom is just learning to build a webpage so hopefully she will be adding more
stories and pictures soon.
Thanks for stopping by!! Y'all come back!
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