Ray

Talking with Mary and Craig Wilson of Orlando, FL, I could feel their earnest desire to adopt Ray. Their love for their current dog, Pepper (7yr old Frenchy) and the deep affection they still carry for Monte, who passed away last year, was clear. Monte was Craig’s walking buddy and best friend. (Pepper, on the other hand, prefers a short stroll before asking to be carried—she’s much happier hanging out with Mom.)
Craig has truly missed having a walking companion, and the emptiness left by Monte is felt by the whole family—Craig, Mary, and even Pepper.
Both Craig and Mary are retired, have a trusted longtime vet, a fenced backyard perfect for play, a large toy box, and a back porch where the whole family relaxes together in the evenings. I can already picture Ray out there, scanning the yard for lizards, frogs, and maybe a squirrel or two.
I shared several videos of Ray “talking,” and their response was immediate: “His talking is not at all a deterrent—we actually love it!”
As for logistics, they promised driving to Texas would be no issue. In fact, Mary’s answer when I asked about their timeframe made me laugh: “We practically have one foot out the door—we can leave tomorrow!” These were Ray’s people.
They even said they plan to keep the name “Ray.” After all, Craig’s online gaming screen name is “Ray O Sun”—if that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is!
On the side, I’ll share that Ray did great on the long drive to Florida. He’s already met the resident parrot (with a few words to say) and was soon distracted by the big toy box waiting for him.
Have a wonderful life, my talking man! I can’t wait to see your updates on the Happy Tails page.