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Today's Featured Biography
Brad Starkey
A litle about me huh. Hmmmmm... Well, I guess I'll start with family. Wife of eight years Peggy (we just had an anniversary), five kids between us. Lealoni 21, Adam 19, Emily 18, Krystal 18, and Sarah 16. Four girls and a boy. (I knew I did something wrong!?!) Lealoni, she's living on her own now and doing great. Adam, Emily and Krystal will all graduate from HS this year! Amazing, I never thought they'd make it. (yes I did)) And Sarah... she's sixteen, horses and car, car, car!!! (In best Marvin the Robot voice, "Ohhh, not another one." Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy ***The original one***)
Now let's see, what's the most notable thing we've done so far? Probable the dogs. We raise guide dog puppies for "Guide Dogs for the Blind" based in San Rafael, CA. GDB uses mostly Yellow and Black Labrador Retrievers. But we also use Golden Retrievers, Golden/Lab crosses and German Shepard's. They're dabbling in Standard Poodle's and Border Collies too. We are currently raising our third pup, a Black Lab named "Rae". Our first pup, a Yellow Lab named "Nashville" became a Guide about 1 1/2 years ago. Our second, another Yellow Lab named "Sherlock" just left to go to college about a week ago. He's on the "breeder watch" though so maybe we'll get to raise one of his puppies. Won't that be cool!!! And out third pup, a Black Lab named "Rae" is all puppy and wiggles at home. She's sixteen weeks old, terrific and will make a great Guide I'm sure. Guide Dogs for the Blind provides dogs for the eight western states. WA, OR, ID, CA, NE, UT, AZ, NM. Our home base (or dog college) for the upper four states is located in Boring, OR. (by Portland) That's where we send all our dogs (The rest go to San Rafael) to go to school to actually learn how to be a "Guide Dog." You know, how to lead someone; work around cars; work on streets; escalators; etc. etc. etc. It's quite a rigorous and demanding life for a dog and most last eight to ten years before they are retired. (GDB keeps their eye on them and retires a dog when the it can no longer keep the person safe. Then, a loving, wonderful home is found for the dog where it gets to be a pet for the rest of it's natural life.) At present, our local dog club (P.O.P.S. Puppies of Promise Spokane) is batting about 500 on our dogs. Meaning about 1/2 actually graduate and become a Guide dog. It's tough but as I'm sure you can understand, the dogs have to be absolutely perfect (health, behavior, training, etc.) in every way to become a Guide. Hey, a persons life will be in their hands (Paws) so you know, no second bests! Oh and by the way, we provide all the care and training for the dog at absolutely no charge to the bling person. We transport them back and fourth to the college, give them nice room and board for about a month while they're in GDB training and provide permanent, free Vet care for the dog. And if that's not enough, once a year we drop by and see how the dog and his life long companion are doing. Pretty cool huh. What can I say, we are very proud and yes, it is hard giving up our baby dogs but you know, they're going to save someone's life every day so... (sniff, sniff)
Info. "www.Guidedogsfortheblind.com"
One more thing, Yes you CAN raise a pup. We're always in need of raisers. There's a GDB club near you so log onto guidedogsfortheblind.org, contact a club near you and get to raising a puppy! Then you can be as proud as we are.
(enter patriotic music)
Wow, what can I say after all that... What do I do for a living? (As little as possible. lol) Actually, I'm a Custodian for School Dist. 81 over here in Spokane. (Night foreman @Garry MS and believe me, we work real hard!) However, I've got my eye on some Head Custodian positions opening up so, we'll see. (Yup, I'm gonna put on the big shoes)
Geez, I don't know. That's probably way more than you wanted to hear so I guess I'll just finish it up and say, God Bless.
Brad, Peggy and the kids.
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