This is a wonderful update on blind Creighton, who came to us in the spring of 2008 from Mississippi and was adopted a few months later by Peggy and Matt M. of Olympia, Washington. Peggy and Matt renamed him Emmitt Creighton III, and have sent us periodic updates on him and their other blind Labs. (Emmitt became their third blind Lab!) They just emailed us these photos, as well as a link to a video clip of Emmitt doing an amazing job of playing fetch.
Peggy and Matt wrote, "It is hard to believe that he has been with us for almost a year and a half now. Needless to say, he is not the cute little puppy that he was when we brought him home a year ago last May. He has developed into a handsome 75 pound athlete with a motor that is revved all the way up until it runs out of gas.
"In addition to his high energy level, he is curious, confident and smart. One of his favorite games is fetch. If you tell him to 'listen' he steps away and lifts his head in that blind dog way, slightly cocked with his nose in the air, on full alert. He prefers tennis balls that have been cut open (there are always a few that are victims to being run over by the mower), we presume because they make more sound when they bounce and roll. We can throw the ball 50 or so feet and he will bound after it, tracking the sound and pouncing once his nose has located the target. He is amazingly effective.
"When he is not getting one of us to toss one of his 'customized' tennis balls, he is wrestling with Bobbie Lee or Danni, our other blind Labs, or chasing and harassing Alex, who can see and still thinks of himself as the 'big dog.' It is fortunate that Emmitt can share his energy with a number of canine brothers and sisters, as he would doubtlessly exhaust any one of his more mature siblings."
Peggy and Matt also said they were "attaching a few pictures of his other favorite things … drinking from the faucet (Oh, he’d like to buy Samantha a drink, wink-wink! Wait, he can't wink!)."
Here's his imitation of Samantha:
As you can see from the photo at the top of this post, Peggy and Matt wrote that another of his favorite things is "stealing Matt’s socks. Even the lure of his favorite tug towel and a dab of peanut butter doesn’t tempt him to drop the sock. He’ll even keep it safe while sleeping. What a character!"
As in:
And now, here's the link to the video of Emmitt playing fetch ... this is really something to see:
Watch Emmitt playing fetch here.Thank you, Peggy and Matt!
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Still No. 1!
Please keep voting for us every day in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Thanks to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the $20,000 grand prize! Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Please ask your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
The picture of Emmitt with the sock and peanut butter makes me smile.
Posted by: Lynda | October 16, 2009 at 10:47 AM
You are truly angels. Thank you for doing what you do. Bless your hearts.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1187510440 | October 15, 2009 at 11:29 PM
What an amazing "Happy Dance" story! Not only has Emmitt grown up to be a handsome boy but he is sure talented in the game of catch!
Posted by: Nina | October 15, 2009 at 07:30 PM
That was wonderful. Enjoyed that video so much. He is gorgeous. What a character. Love him! Thanks for sending updates & for sharing them with us.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 15, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Wow, what a wonderful update!! I just loved the video! Way to go Emmitt... you are AMAZING!!
Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | October 15, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Steve & Alayne
Yet another example of the good work you and the followers of Rollin Dog Ranch get done. You have educated and prepared many other folks to take in an animal who may not have made it out in the regular world of adoption. Emmitt has a loveing forever home now. My day will start a little more positive because of this post.Thank you and thanks to everyone who helps keep this wonderful place going.
Posted by: Eric | October 15, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Emmitt is so handsome as he plays catch with Matt. Peggy and Matt have opened such a loving home for the labs, blind and sighted alike!
Posted by: Nancy Elizabeth Brown-Smith | October 15, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Such a happy story. Any updates or photos of Twist??
Posted by: gayle | October 15, 2009 at 08:49 AM
What a beautiful big boy he's grown up to be! And that video clip is just wonderful. It's hard to even tell that he can't see. He's such a happy dog. Thanks to Peggy and Matt for sending the clip and for adopting and giving Emmitt such a wonderful life.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | October 15, 2009 at 08:09 AM
He was an adorable pup and now he is an absolutely gorgeous young man...I just love happily-ever-afters! Thanks for the update...the video was amazing.
Posted by: Debbie | October 15, 2009 at 07:44 AM
What a smile that brought to my face & heart! Emmitt has grown into a beautiful guy & is thriving in his forever home with Peggy & Matt. Thank you both for giving Emmitt such a great loving home with your other blind labs! He's obviously a very happy camper.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & the critters | October 15, 2009 at 02:59 AM
Emmitt's pictures and video have just made my day!:-) What a handsome, happy & healthy boy (look at that shiny coat)!
God bless Peggy & Matt for giving him such a great life.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | October 15, 2009 at 02:46 AM
Wow - he's gorgeous! What a beautiful shiny coat - and so talented too! That catch was quite impressive...
Posted by: JC | October 14, 2009 at 10:52 PM
What a gorgeous boy! And the video is something else!!
Posted by: Kenna | October 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
What a gorgeous glossy boy! Steve and Alayne, you sure know how to select perfect adoptive parents. Peggy and Matt, Emmitt is lucky to have you, even if he looks silly with a sock in his mouth, peanut butter on his nose, and a towel on his head. A fun family full of love. What more could a Lab ask for?
Posted by: Debbie Burke | October 14, 2009 at 09:56 PM
What a big beautiful boy emmitts grown into! so nice to see adopted animals from the ranch enjoying life years later.
Posted by: Kate and Luke | October 14, 2009 at 09:48 PM
this is great! I LOVE THE VIDEO! it's obvious Emmitt knows where his daddy is and where to take the ball... he just doesn't want to! this is ALWAYS my experience with fetch and my dogs. "yeah, i'll go get it... but you have to go get wherever i drop it" (AND they are all sighted)
Posted by: darla | October 14, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Peggy and Matt have done a doggon good job with that beautiful boy! Love the pics and video :)
Posted by: sharon | October 14, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Just wonderful! One would never know Emmitt was blind playing such a fine game of catch. Had a delay at work today so I was able to cast extra, extra votes. Keeping my fingers crossed for first place.
Posted by: Carolyn Kupferschmid | October 14, 2009 at 06:47 PM