Denny Ray & Vic

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Denny Ray, owner of Pond Wiser Inc, a lake and pond management company that offers goose control too. With me is Vic, a 2-year-old male Border Collie.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Vic and I have coffee together every weekday — and sometimes on weekends too — as we are heading to area ponds for goose control.

What's brewing?

World Market Sumatra — hot and black!

Any treats for you or Vic on this occasion?

After our goose chases, Vic is given a small "good-boy treat." He can't have many treats, b/c he must stay in marathon condition to perform his best for the job.

How were you and Vic united?

My wife and I researched goose control and decided it was a perfect fit for our company to begin offering this type of service using a specially-trained Border Collie. Through our research we came across two well-known trainers in our part of the country and after speaking with both of them, we chose to go to Big Bend Farm in Millboro, VA to see their trained dogs and at that visit decided Vic was the one for us.

How did Vic get his name? Any nicknames?

Vic was his name when we went to look at him. (He was almost 2 by then), so we never considered changing it.

Sometimes when we are talking to him, we call him Victor.

How long have you and Vic been in the goose management business?

We are completing our first season. Vic has been with us for almost a year.

How stubborn are most geese that Vic encounters? That is, once he discourages geese from hanging around pond, do they come back?

The service we offer is goose "control," not goose elimination. It is highly effective and depending on the severity of the problem, is the determining factor of their return. The goal is to not allow nesting.

Does Vic have a favorite place to go for an outing?

If there are geese, he's ready for the command.

What is Vic's best quality?

Vic is extremely intelligent and learns quickly.

If Vic could change one thing about you, what would it be?

Not sure about this one. Vic wants to please so he doesn't try to change us, he just tries to understand what we are wanting him to do.

If Vic could answer only one question in English, what would you ask him?

Why does he seem scared of things like shovels, rakes, etc? We often wonder if before he was sent to Big Bend Farm if he had been hit by someone.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Vic could speak, who should voice him?

He's a very level-headed, intelligent dog, so I think Dr. Phil.

Visit the Pond Wiser Inc website and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue