James

Maplewood Flat Coated Retrievers & Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Sharon, MA

katrin@maplewooddog.com

James SD, CGC, Novice Versatility, TN-O, RN

In August of 2002, within a week of a major life change for me and move to a new city and state (Pennsylvania), I wound up with this little boy. James is a flat-coated retriever with a very long story for such a little pup.

Having just moved to the area, I was invited to attend a local agility demonstration with the area agility club. So, happy to get out of the apartment, Regal and I hopped in a friend’s van with 4 other dogs and trekked up the pike to this demo. After a very fun few hours showing the public how to do tunnels and jumps and running dogs, we were ready to head home. But, it was not to be…

A friend of a friend of a club member came up to the demo with a little black pup in tow. The second I saw this little guy, my brain screamed “Cute Flat-Coat Puppy Alert! Must go see.” So I trotted on over. After playing with the pup, I asked, “Is this a flat-coat?” only to receive blank stares and the reply, “We don’t know, he just needs a home.” Uh, oh, here we go. So long story short he was puppy with 2 homes already, the 1st one the parents didn’t want him (were actually threatening to shoot him) and the second had a dog who wanted to eat him and his next stop was the local shelter. After a quick call to my landlady, we now with 6 dogs get into the car and head home.

It is just so amazing how quickly and unexpectedly life can change

James is also my Service or Assistance Dog. Having him with me 24/7 has helped things tremendously and I wouldn't be without him now. He is a gentleman and shows exemplary manners at school, in restaurants, on the airplane etc. Though he loves to be a goof outside of his working life, once that harness is on he knows its down to business. Once again he is showing me just why he was meant to come home with me that summer day in PA.

In December of 2005 James traveled with me to Okinawa, Japan. He was one of the 1st non-guide dog (for a blind person) assistance dogs on that island and I think he did the service dog community well, he was wonderful! And did the 24hr plane ride with no problems.

In his 'off' time James plays with me in agility (he's now in Elite in NADAC) and AKC rally. And now that Regal's gone, he's taken over 'boss dog' slot at the house and enjoys it very well.

In 2008 James was awarded the 1st ever "Friend In Deed" Award by the North East Flat Coated Retriever Club. That same year James was awarded Honorable Mention in the AKC ACE Awards in the Service category. We were very honored by both awards. James is a very special dog to me :-)

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