Hi, I'm Rick and have been around dogs most of my life. Growing up, I always had at least one dog and most of the time some cats. I had a short petless period after the kids graduated from high school. However, it wasn't long until I got a young, exuberant black lab. I spent hours on the dock throwing sticks for her and watching her launch off the end of the dock. She was crazy for the water! Unfortunately she passed away from cancer. The grief was awful, and I told myself no more dogs. But in several months I realized I'm a dog person, and was lucky enough to get Banjo, a collie/lab/poodle mix (Colabradoodle). Banjo and I attended multiple obedience schools, therapy training and he and I are now a certified therapy team. He and I have volunteered at the hospital every Friday for almost 9 years, and we've been in almost every nursing home, assisted living facility and clinic in town. Banjo and I are also a certified BARC team (Bemidji Area Reading Canines) which brings us to most schools in Bemidji, as well as the library and Boys and Girls Club. The kids come to read to him....or I read....or we make up stories from the pictures....or we just talk and pet Banjo. He's also an AKC Good Citizen. He is a gentle, submissive gentleman who loves people, especially kids, and gets along well with other dogs. He's 10 1/2 years old.