Design and Dine finalists: Jamie and Cindy Krider

Jamie Krider and his wife, Cindy, are new homeowners in Sarasota. The couple, along with Cindy’s 13-year-old diabetes service dog, Euker, recently relocated from Osprey. Always fans of Sarasota’s downtown and nearby attractions, the couple wanted to be closer to places like Selby Gardens.

Cindy’s service dog, Euker, was originally a pet, but after she discovered he could detect blood-sugar levels, she took him to a trainer to become a certified service dog. With Euker aging, the Kriders would also like to be able to stay close to the dog and enjoy their backyard.

“We read about the contest and said, ‘Wow, it's like this was created for us,’” said Jamie Krider. “We’ve owned this house for three days, and there’s a lot to be done. Euker has never been without Cindy, and it’d be nice to have a new backyard, where we can all relax.”

Other than a pool, the couple’s new yard is mostly empty, and the Kriders see it as a blank canvas. If they were to win the contest, the couple has a vision for the work they’d like to have done.

“We’d like to have some grass put in, a water feature and add some color,” said Cindy Krider. “The house has so many windows, and the outside really comes in. We could enjoy our backyard inside or outside. It’d be like our own mini Selby Gardens.”

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