Ray & Betsy Williams’ Old English Sheepdog Paddington has won this year’s competition to appear on a new wine label by Raffaldini Vineyards, Ronda, NC. There were some 300-400 entries, all rescue dogs. Paddington's Great Adventure at Raffaldini's
We knew that he was in the top ten two weeks ago and were notified last week that he was the winner. He had his 15 seconds of fame on WJZY Charlotte on the news last Wednesday. What makes us feel thankful that there were 300-400 Raffaldini’s customers who have rescued dogs. The new label will unveiled on June 12th at the vineyard with Paddington in attendance.
Ray and his late wife Pam lost their Old English Bandit in August 2007 and were looking for another dog friend. They adopted Paddington in November 2007. At seven months he was skin and bones and weighed only 44lbs. Owned by a couple who separated in early summer of 2007, the wife could not keep Paddington. The husband tied him up on a porch and fed him when he remembered. The wife took him back and sent him to Tarheels Old English Sheepdog Rescue (TOES).
Paddington settled in and soon put on weight. A friend of theirs, Betsy, saw him for the first time three weeks later and did not realize that he was a new dog. He looked that good and happy! Unfortunately Pam died of cancer three months later, the first time Paddington ever crawled up in bed and slept in Ray’s arms.
Betsy and Ray are now married. Paddington crawls up on our bed the last thing at night and spends a few minutes snuggling. He gets down and sleeps on the floor alongside our 18 year old rescue beagle Roadie.
He loves spending time outside talking to all the adults, children, and other dogs walking down “his” street. He is very sensitive and intelligent, sensing when one of us is upset or hurt. He guards Roadie against all comers. He has attended the Lenoir Police Dept. K9 dog training, a wonderful volunteer program run by our dedicated police officers. He now weighs about 100lbs and goes every with us (including Raffaldini’s where he waits patiently in the car).
We think he is easily “The Best Known Dog in Lenoir” !