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Labs4rescue |
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| Dixie and Alice by Sheila McCollough |
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These two senior mother and daughter black Labs will be greatly missed by their adopters, Maureen and Pete Kennedy. Their names were Dixie and Alice. They were adopted in 2004 from Labs4rescue as seniors. Alice was the mother and miss boss, she was 15 when she passed to the Rainbow Bridge earlier this year. Then her daughter, Dixie, passed on to meet her mother at the bridge shortly later. Dixie was about 14. Maureen and Pete offered these two a wonderful, loving, caring home for their final years. They both were greatly loved and cherished, what more could you ask for, for two senior black labs. Pictured is Dixie, Alice, and their brother, along with their parents, on their first day in their new home. We will never forget Dixie and Alice.
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| Rocky (formerly Rusty) by Cole Powers |
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| When we started fostering Rocky in August 2005, we instantly fell in love with him, and we decided to keep him, giving us the name of "foster failure." After Rocky's tough start in a landfill, he was a little shaken up but still loveable none the less. Our two other dogs, Buddy, a Black lab, and Monty, a yellow, felt the same way we did about him. Soon Buddy and Rocky were knocking down furniture and chasing each other inside the house. Sometimes it got a little out of hand, but we still loved Rocky as much as we ever did. Rocky also loved to swim. We would take him for walks, and let him swim in Lake Champlain with Buddy and Monty. He wasn't Johnny Weismuller, but he was happy and having fun, and that made us feel wonderful.
In the winter 2006, Rocky had lots of fun. He and Buddy would sit around and eat snow and sometimes chase each other in the covering that the blizzard had left. Whenever we would let him outside to go, he would always come back with snow all over his back and on his nose. Rocky had a very happy life when we he was with us, but recently he had started experiencing seizures caused by his epilepsy. Eventually he had too many and had to be brought to the vet's. He died next to my Mom and Step Dad, Jim. He was only 2 years old when he died. Rocky had a difficult start and a difficult end, but in between were the happiest moments of his life and mine. He brought joy to us and the other dogs. He may have passed away, but he will always be alive in our hearts.
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| Reagan by Mary-Ann Porrazzo |
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| Reagan came to me at 10 years of age as a foster. I took him to one adoption event where he was the "star" because of his fantastic personality and huge smile, however, when potential adopters found out how old he was, they soon lost interest. After that I promised him there would be no more disappointments in his life and he was going to stay with me. He soon made himself at home and loved his cocker spaniel sister Shelby and tolerated his feline sisters Roxie and BeBe.
Believe me the love that comes from the eyes of a senior dog makes your worst days soon bright. They are so thankful for the wonderful life we give them in their senior years. I would not have given up my 3 years with Reagan for anything. He taught me so much about life and love and I will be forever grateful to him. I know he is with his sister Shelby and his labbie friends and enjoying life again at Rainbow Bridge. Reagan - until we meet again... |
| Sweetie by Susan Carlson |
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| Sweetie was my first Lab rescue from Labs4rescue. I wanted a senior Lab knowing they were the last to find a home, and I knew I could give Sweetie the best life in her golden years. Sweetie came to me one June 1, 2005 after her owner died and her family was going to put her down; prior to that she was found as a stay. When my Mom met Sweetie they had an instant bond. My Mom wanted Sweetie to be hers, how could I say no? (Click here to read Sweetie's story on adopting a senior Lab). Sweetie went to live with my Mom and Dad, not a day went by that Sweetie didn't enjoy a drive around the Ocean Drive, stopping to go for a walk, a road trip to Vermont and being by my Mom's side 24/7. When Mom had to go into a nursing home in March 2007, Sweetie came back to live with me. Poor Sweetie was sad she was missing her constant companion. I made sure Sweetie felt at home and well loved. In the last month she was getting sick, not eating, and having seizures. My vet said it was time. I knew when I adopted her it would only be for a few years, but when the day came it was heartbreaking as ever. I know we gave Sweetie two more happy years and she made my Mom so very happy, to me that's was Sweetie's gift! Back to top. |
| Vern by Jacqui Hartranft |
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| My daughter, Debbie, had to euthanize Vern last night--the day of his three year anniversary with her. It is a very sad moment for all of us. I believe that this was probably the best three years of his life, including the last year when he became sick. He slept in bed with them, was allowed on the furniture, went to NC Outbanks with them and just a short time ago camping with them. When they went anywhere, usually the dogs went with them. He was on large doses of meds to control his seizures. Although getting seizures approximately once a month or more, each time he did, the recovery from them seemed to take longer. The meds made him a zoombie but if they were cut back he would have more seizures. She had so hoped she could get a CD title for him in obedience but it was not to be. Had she started on it earlier I have no doubt he would have earned that title and others as he loved obedience work and was good at it until he became sick. Vern was such a good boy and a real love bug and he will be sadly missed by all of us. Back to top. |
| Zeus by Kim Watson |
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| From the moment on I saw Zeus on the Labs4rescue web site I knew I needed him in my life. He was left at a boarding facility for the last time by an owner who was too busy for him. He was suffering from allergies and old age. The heat, mold and pollen were just too much for him in Tennessee. I knew I could help. Better yet, I knew I wanted to help.
So the day came when he crawled out of the car and into my arms...all 125 pounds of him! I held his HUGE head in my hands and introduced myself to him as his new foster mom. Gave him a kiss and promised him I would try to make him feel better and give him a better home. I knew the old guy would not really fit into our busy life style, but until the time when we could find him a calm quiet home, we would give him all he needed. We took him to the vets for meds, gave him baths every other day for the itch, and gave him the love and comfort I'm sure he never had. He made himself very comfortable on the couch in our family room. It was now Zeus' couch. He would put his big face down on the edge and I would do my best to always stop and give him a kiss on his nose. He never gave those kisses back...but would look at me with pure contentment. He knew he was home. With several applications and people interested in Zeus the perfect home was right in front of us. By March of 2006 I thought the toll of his weight, he was now up to 150 pounds due to steroids, and allergies would get the best of him...but then he found the new inground pool! You would never believe it but the boy could dive! We decided he was a life guard in a previous life because every time anyone went into the pool Zeus would run along the side and dive deep into the pool after you. We spent the entire summer swimming with Zeus. He would do about 10 or 15 laps a day. He would swim over and try to climb on the float with me. I would hold onto him tight and we would float together. I would talk to him about life. He was so happy swimming. I truly believe these were the happiest days of his life. But summer has come to an end and the pool is all closed up. He watched as the pool cover was put on with disappointment. I cried. I knew he would loose the one thing that was keeping him alive and active. At 10 years old, and a very hard 10 years at that, he would struggle to get through another winter. But we kept trying. Until yesterday. Zeus, I have been watching with sadness the past few weeks as you have become so weak. You would have so much fight in you. Determined to follow your Mom upstairs to bed. I don't know how you did it. Breathing so heavy and struggling with every step. But I would lay there at night listening to you breathe and I knew you were there for me. I wanted desperately to find something else I could do for you. You would fall coming down the stairs. I would help you up and tell you it would be ok. But I knew that your time had come to be released from all the pain and struggle. As I held your head up and embraced you those eyes still looking at me you managed to give me that content look one more time. We both knew that we loved each other unconditionally. The doctor that had taken such good care of you and called you "the big guy" told me he would take good care of you one last time. He gave you the sedative to relax you, I held you tight, and you fell fast asleep. I told you that I loved you and that I was sorry I couldn't see you for a while. But that someday we would be together again. For you to go to heaven and find the biggest pool, I would meet you there. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do and easily one of the darkest days of my life. I miss you already. I awoke last night to let you outside but you were not there. The house is so quiet. I love you Zeus. Rest in peace big guy. I will never forget you. The time we have had together will be some of my best memories ever. Love, Hello again to all of the wonderful people out there who have been so kind to write to me, or give their best wishes about Zeus. It has been two weeks now since he went to the bridge and I still think about him every day. We get his ashes back on Thursday, and as I have said to many, we will make a special garden near the pool just for him. He will be my lifegaurd! The reason I am writing again is not only to thank all of you, but also to inspire each one of you. I have received at least 40 responses from people who go on this site reguarly who have either lost a senior recently and are thinking about another, or people who think they might want to adopt or foster a senior. W ell...the good news is I have my new foster already! Have you applied for yours? He came to me this past Saturday from Manhatten. Bugsy was left by owners who decided after 11 years that they no longer wanted to care for him. They booked a cruise and brought him to the shelter! Yeh retirement! Well Bugsy doesn't think retirement is all that great. As I did with Zeus, I held his head, promised him I would make him feel comfortable and do whatever I could for him until his permanent home came for him. There is another guy coming to me next week who is 10 and needs a foster....To all of you out there "thinking" about doing this...do it! They need you...we need your help. If my tribute inspired you..made you feel...then go with those feeling and do something about it. Adopt...foster! The seniors keep coming in and the applications are slow. You will not regret one moment of it. The feelings I shared with you about Zeus are real. And it didn't bring tears to so many for no reason. Follow through ...... Thank you for listening one more time...if you would like to write to me with any questions please feel free. But better yet...read more about fostering by clicking here and do it for Zeus! Thanks again, Click here to ask Kim about adopting or fostering a senior lab. |
| Daisy (formerly Trina #2) by Danette Smith |
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| We adopted Daisy (formerly Trina #2) in February 2006, knowing she had a history of at least one seizure since being rescued from Hurricane Katrina. We fell in love with her sweet face and playful disposition, and so did our other male Yellow Labrador Skyler. She was with us about a week when she went into a seizure she could not come out of, and thus began our long road of epilepsy management together. She was on increasing doses of both phenobarbital and potassium bromide, more and more and more, until we got the seizures under control. The medicine took its toll on her, and she developed a marked case of fear aggression.....she didn't understand what was going on with her body and she was confused and frightened. We got the help of a fantastic trainer who worked with us and in a matter of months the aggression was gone and our sweet, loving Daisy was back and going strong. Anyone who's ever had a seizure dog knows there's never a dull moment, and we were always amazed at the assortment of household items that Daisy sought to ingest. She loved to play and chase tennis balls, and we got her hooked on the game of Frisbee, although her lack of coordination due to the medication made it a bit difficult for her to be graceful about it. She didn't care.....she just had fun. She also loved to chase Skyler at about 40 mph in wide circles around our property, until they both just ran out of gas. In October of this year, she started slowing down and we thought she was just "mellowing with maturity." But at the beginning of November, she suddenly developed a severe case of anemia, and we rushed her to Tufts Foster Hospital....the best care around. Daisy was admitted to their ICU and received two emergency blood transfusions while they tried to decipher the anemia. As it turned out, the phenobarbital she was on was destroying her bone marrow, causing her red cells, white cells, and platelets to be severely deficient. It was a very rare, but possible, side effect of the phenobarbital. After three days in ICU, and consults with neurology and oncology experts, Daisy came home with a bleak prognosis. We waited and watched to see if her bone marrow would recover after being taken completely off the phenobarbital, and we lavished her with love and basically just spoiled her rotten. All the doggie rules in the house went right out the window. She slept in bed with us and got as many snacks as she wanted. I took a week off from work and spent every minute with Daisy (and Skyler too). She got to shred as many stuffy toys as she wanted, and got all sorts of tasty morsels from the dinner table. After about a week and a half, the transfused blood was used up and the anemia came back just as bad as it had been, and her bone marrow would not recover from the ordeal. She had very little energy and spent much of her day on "her" sofa, and one night I came home from work and she didn't greet me at the door as usual. I knew it was time. We took her for one last ride back to Tufts, and we were by her side when she was put down, on my birthday of all days. We miss our Daisy so much, as she was the "velcro dog" who was always under foot. She was only with us for less than 10 months, but she will be with us forever in our hearts. Back to top. |
| Casanova by Erin Smithies |
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| Casanova was a sweet, timid black lab mix- tall with long lanky legs, and soulful eyes. You know a dog has not had it so nice when they think that going to a no-kill shelter is a huge step up in life. When I think of Cas, I remember sitting under a shade tree with him on a hot Louisiana day, and he lay flat out on his side, and had this way of pawing at you to notice him. When he did, and I looked his way- he was already gazing at me, content, smiling big, tongue hanging out to the side, and his tail then thumped hard. I remember exactly that moment- smiling back and thinking to myself- 'this' is why I do rescue. He was one of those dogs who you fall hard for, wish you had one less of your own so you could have this one more at your house- and you worry about finding him someone who will love him as much as he deserves. Cas was fortunate to have a wonderful family up north foster him- and he was very, very loved there too. Sadly, only 2 days after he went to his new home, Cas got loose, and was hit and killed by a car. His potential adoptive family were devastated- in a short time they had already considered him theirs. His foster family were devastated- had known him as part of the family longest in their home- and considered him theirs. I was devastated- still think of him- I rescued him, saw him see kindness in people for the first time, and saw the sweet goof that he was within that timid body, and gave him a piece of my heart- and considered him mine too. He was only 2 years old, but at least sweet Cas had the chance to know love, which is more than many dogs sadly ever get in this life. May he rest in peace, and meet me at the bridge with that bright big smile. Back to top. |
| Gone But Not Forgotten A Tribute to Danny Boy, Dauphnee, Dee Dee, Holden, Jo Jo, Kirsten, and Sienna |
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| Click here to view the video tribute (4 min 20 sec, 13.9 MB)
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