Career change dog yellow Lab Lourdes with her adopter, Elaine Zilonka and Ruby, a black lab/greyhound mix, on the hiking trail. Lourdes was the fourth of five female yellow labs raised by Bob and Joan Fricke of Gold Country Guides in Placer County, CA. She was adopted four years ago by Elaine, the Fitness Director at Sun City Roseville. She was to be a companion for Ruby, rescued seven years ago from the Sacramento SPCA. Bob writes: "Ruby assumes the Alpha position in the home, which Lourdes accepts - and they get along fine. Elaine has introduced Lourdes to the outdoors including: jogging (up to 15 miles every week), hiking, and backpacking on the weekends. The dogs both have their own backpacks and sleep in a "pup" tent (of course) with Elaine. Elaine also exposed Lourdes to lakes and streams, taught her to swim, retrieve sticks, balls and frisbees (her favorite). Lourdes also entertains herself (and others) by blowing bubbles in the water. Needless to say, Lourdes has a new and wonderful life and looks forward to Elaine's return home from work each day by laying on the sofa and gazing out the window (her favorite spot)."
