The River Crew has decided to take a break from our typical Employee bios, and instead introduce our readers to our 'Shop Dogs'! Fact is, we find that most of our visitors are almost as excited to meet the dogs, as they are to meet a manatee! Meet two of the most integral and hardest working on the Crew... Grizzly and Captain.

Meet Grizzly - our sweet, sensitive and intelligent young man. Grizz is nearly a year and a half, but he's still like our little baby! He's very attached to his mother, Erin... but he has many buddies here because he LOVES his treats! He's a chow hound, so Brandie starts his day with a couple little treats and when Trish arrives she makes sure he gets another snack!! He's one of the smartest dogs we've ever met, you can see in his eyes, he is contemplating, making decisions, those wheels are always turning… there's just a lot going on in there, and he thinks hard about how to get his way! He now has a button to push and it says 'May I Have a Treat Pleae'; and let me tell you, he USES IT!! He's intense, and he has us all well-trained!

Grizzley's hobbies are landscaping, painting and singing. His favorite song is 'Hound Dog' by Elvis Presley... though when he sings, it sounds a little different!!

Grizzly was a rescue pup from Ruff Rescue in Spring Hill (highly recommend) and his background was such a mystery that we got a DNA test done! He has unusual looks and a unique personality, so we all had guesses on what he could be... but the final test came back as follows...

• 25% Stafford-shire Terrier

• 25% Labrador

• 15% Boxer

• 15% Chow chow

• the rest - unidentified working breed

He's a real beauty, striking color and eyes; we've never seen a dog quite like him. And with his sweet demeanor, you'll be so pleased when he comes over to say hello! When in doubt, bring Grizz a treat… you'll be his new best friend!

Meet Captain - our smart, rowdy, incredibly fun pup! He is Grizzly's little brother, and he's constantly pestering him just like a little brother should! The captain is only 5 months old, and he's still learning. Teaching him his manners daily has become a shared job here at River Ventures, so Captain gets his morning treat from Brandie and takes lots of pee breaks with Sheri and Lindsey. Captain's bladder is still tiny, so we make sure he gets out often! He's learning quickly, with Grizzly as a super role model of proper behavior. The captain is sharp, and even though he's young and often distracted; we're confident that he's going to be just as smart as Grizz... though the 'Treat Button' still kind of scares Captain. It's amazing to us, that they live together, work together, and have the same friends and rules...but the two could not have more different personalities! The captain is curious, high energy has dog-like behavior. We always say that Grizzly behaves a little bit like a cat... I think he acts a little like a princess!! Both are so loved, but both are so different!

Captain's hobbies are playing, pulling, and licking EVERYTHING! He loves to swim and his nautical name is simply perfect. He's large and in charge, the way a Captain should be!

Captain was another mysterious rescue pup, Erin saved him from Puppy Hill Farm rescue in Melrose, Florida...and even though they believed his parents to be Black Mouth Curr, the only way we could prove it was through a DNA test! Captain's DNA test came back as follows...

• 50% Stafford-shire Terrier

• 25% American Bulldog

• 25% unidentified

Maybe you're a manatee lover, or maybe you're a dog lover first and foremost! Either way, when you visit us you'll have an opportunity to meet both! The dogs add love, warmth, and excitement to our days... and you'll smell that familiar doggy smell when you arrive! It's a welcome arrival, with two wet noses and wagging tails waiting for you just across the front desk! Grizzly and Captain would love to meet you and your family, once you meet these handsome boys, you will understand why we chose to make them a part of our River Life!