Bob bought Drake after responding to an ad placed in the newspaper by a backyard breeder in Chicago, Illinois.  Bob had just graduated from college at Southern Illinois University and he felt that the period of unemployment between school and a career would be a great time to bond with a hunting buddy. Drake joined Bob at eight weeks of age in the early summer of 1980.  For the first few weeks together Bob took Drake everywhere he went. That bonding at a critical time in the pup's development led to a strong loyalty that lasted almost 16 years.

Drake grew fast and became a close companion to Bob.  He was introduced to retrieving and water at an early age, as Bob was eager to let Drake fetch his ducks during the upcoming 1980 hunting season in Illinois.  Bob came from an extended family of duck hunters which includes his father, uncles, brothers, and cousins. Labrador Retrievers were an integral part of growing up in the Shem household.  Drake was picking up the baton from a long line of working dogs.

It wasn't all work for Drake. Here he is doing his duty on a canoe trip through Quetico Provincial Park in Canada just north of Ely, Minnesota. Bob and his brother John manned the paddles while Drake provided the ballast to keep the canoe stable.

Drake got to see a lot in 15+ years of life. In November of 1986 he traveled cross-country from Chicago to Anchorage in a Toyota pickup when Bob started his Alaskan adventure. Drake's extensive experience retrieving Mallards in Illinois served him well in Alaska.  He got to tromp around in the Susitna Duck Flats, in the salt water of Kachemak bay, and in the barley fields of Delta Junction. He was more of a "duck dog" than a "house dog", so he excelled at finding crippled ducks and had a determination and drive that was remarkable.