Poor Lizzie! She's suffering form some sort of skin condition. Our brilliant vet Gwen who works at Peter Burgess's surgery isn't sure what's wrong so we're trying daily baths in Melasab - a medical shampoo. Unfortunately Lizzie doesn't seem to enjoy the baths. Neither am I when I see the state of the bathroom after one bath! The amount of hair in the drain, the muddy paw prints etc. And Dorrie (who hates baths) won't go near me for the next two hours thinking I'm going to somehow trick her into the bath too!

Lizzie has to have the shampoo in for about 15 minutes which leaves me enough time to wash my hair or shave my legs. So she sits in the bath with me, looking with those big black eyes Why do you do this to me?  Thankfully it's all forgiven with a towel rub. She LOVES towel rubs. She knows she has to stand between my legs, so she keeps standing there begging for just one more rub down!

I feel really conscious of Lizzie's fur thinning! People who know me will be aware that I'm quite casual about how I look, figuring people will judge me on my personality  rather than looks, but when it comes to foster dogs I want them to look their best for their new families. I want people to look at Lizze and laugh at her expressions, fall in love with her endearing charms and think she's absolutely adorable. I get worried that someone won't think she's as cute as she really is, if she's missing fur!

Anyway, Lizzie doesn't seem to mind how she looks. She still loves exactly the same things and behaves in exactly the same cute way. Tonight while I was watching The Block she came and jumped up on the couch next to me. It was as if she was saying, well if you are going to put me through that ordeal you can least shove over and give me some couch space!

If you would like to adopt this precious little girl, fill in an adoption questionnaire here. You have to love her as much as I do however, she deserves a brilliant home!

Eukanuba are a fantastic brand of dog food. They donate palates of food to Lab Rescue and Labradog Rescue. My lovely dog Dorrie and her foster sister Lizzie REALLY love Eukanuba. So much so we had a bit of laundry raiding today...

Both dogs are feeling a little bit sorry for themselves! 

Oh and the dog farts they are both producing are outrageous!

Maggie's just come into care this week from a breeder in Victoria. Unfortunately she's spent a fair amount of time at our vet due to a bad uterus infection. Peter Burgess and his team have been phenomenal as usual, putting Maggie's wealfare above sleep, food and their own families. We are so thankful for the dedication of our vets, they are incredibly generous and we couldn't do all we do without them. 

Here's John's update on having Maggie. Keep an eye out for her on our dogs available to adopt page when she's healthy and ready for adoption!

Maggie is a lovely girl, however it’s obvious she has had very little love and attention. Her coat has many black marks – not sure what they are – and her face quite a few scares. Her nails are very long and she looks a bit neglected. 

She has struggled with the stairs, although following her foster brother Henry’s lead, seemed to be managing them better this morning.

She cowers and becomes frightened and timid when we approach her – so for the moment we let her come to us. When we crouch down to her level she feels safer. She whimpers a lot, so I suspect that might be a sign of stress or lack of familiarity with a homely environment.

She isn’t house trained and we had major ‘accidents’ around the house last night. Our house is an old style plan without rooms such as a separate laundry. So we’ll have to come up with a creative solution for cordoning-off the carpeted areas.

As an aside, Maggie was also freaked out about our wooden and tiled floors. We have just kept exposing her to the surfaces, usually on her lead. She's still not totally comfortable, but much less freaked out than a week ago.

We have continued to employ Grant Teeboon's philosophy with reprograming Maggie. We are exposing her on a regular interval to all the things she's freaked out about; tilted and wooden floors, the crate, the lead, etc. We are finding it's working - but we have to do our best not to let her get away with anything. Sometimes it tests us more than her I think!

If Maggie has come from a puppy farm and her job has been to spit out pups on a production line, the poor thing has probably had a pretty crappy life.  

Thanks for the update John, and keep up the good work with poor little Maggie!

Behind each dog on the web-site sits a whole story. The (usually) unknown story of the background the dogs came from, the volunteers and professionals who care for the dogs in the pounds, the dog transporter network that runs across Australia, the massive amount of unseen communication, administration, IT expertise and support, the vet care “donated” at almost cost price and finally the homes and families who welcome the foster dogs in for as long as it takes. Each carer also usually has a supportive partner and children and pets whose lives are often bent around the needs of the Labrador rescue operation.

One of the things we are so grateful for at Lab Rescue is the donation and support we get from the public. I want to take some time out to thank the generous donations of Casey, Janice, Alison, Karen and the Austen’s who made our recent training day over Easter possible. Your donation has helped me become better equipped as a foster carer to train ‘difficult dogs’ like Anna.

As a small token of my thanks, I want to share with you my recent experience as a foster carer at the training day. 

On Good Friday I headed out to Katherine’s place with Anna (classified as difficult dog) secured in the back seat. We had consulted with Grant re Anna and Abbie (one of the girls rescued from the infamous pig farm ) months before so I was looking forward to meeting him. I was also looking forward to meeting the other carers in person. 

Like many similar not for profit organisations, we know each other only by phone calls; usually to swap dogs or supplies around. We meet for fleeting moments at dog drop off/pick up times. Meeting for a day to share experiences and getting to know each other was a huge bonus. Many foster carers brought along their partners too who again are often an overlooked part of the lab rescue story. 

Grant provided us with the specific information based in years of personal experience but also international research around dog behaviour. Much of it we knew or guessed at based on our own experiences but it was great to hear it presented logically and in a way that connected all the pieces together rather than having to sort through the jigsaw of our own observations. 

Also present at the day were Katherine’s own dogs, the last of the pig farm survivor girls (still not ready for adoption), Anna (not ready for general adoption after 14 weeks so now adopted by us) and a couple of other difficult dogs who are in long term care with us due to ongoing work on a number of issues the dogs have been left with due to previous poor experiences.

It is very safe to say that not only did this day make a significant contribution to the capacity of the foster carers, this one day also allowed several of our “difficult” dogs to make significant progress. Let me use Anna to illustrate. Anna is (now) a gorgeous gleaming healthy looking 6 year old chocolate lab. She didn’t always look like that. When she came into care she was significantly overweight, her coat was dry, brittle and a nasty tawny light brown colour instead of a dark gleaming chocolate. This was due to the high level of stress she had been living under.

Anna has been used to breed many litters of puppies from, earning a high income return for at least 5 different owners before being sold to the people who eventually surrendered her to us. Her highly fearful behaviour of any strangers and especially men, tells its own story. Although a gentle loving dog who has fitted in beautifully to our family, it has been very difficult to get Anna to interact calmly with people. She usually panic barks and/or growls and tries her best to hide. She sits shaking, peering sideways at the “scary people” who have “invaded” her home hoping they will soon go away and she will be safe. As you can see, not the easiest dog to present to would be adopters!

At the seminar however, Anna, always beside me on lead found herself sitting next to a whole range of people who knew how to deal with a scared dog and after the first few hours, she trotted along next to me without caring WHO was on her other side. She allowed women and MEN!!! To give her treats, without crawling on the ground. In the “dog social” paddock at break times, although Anna IS very dog social, her stress level was so high, she hung along the fence line or followed me wherever I went and ignored the wonderful chance to run and play, all the other dogs indulged in.

When I made a point of leaving her to get some lunch, (peering nervously around the corner to see how she’d cope) it was fantastic to see her head over to Monica and seek her out as her safety net. 

What amazing progress for this lovely dog in just one day! Grant made a difference to the knowledge base of the carers. He gave us food for thought around some of his ideas and techniques. Sharing stories and experiences with other carers also gave us an expanded knowledge base. The organised safe proximity of so many people and dogs has made a difference to Anna, Kayla, Tasha etc it has given their owners, carers renewed hope for their eventual total rehabilitation. 

We owe a debt of thanks to Grant and Deb, Katherine, Monica for organising the event. The tips shared in this event will stay with us throughout our many more foster dogs. 

I feel like we're always asking for help, either asking a foster carer to take a dog on at late notice, or asking for donations to cover vet bills and the various projects that Lab Rescue runs. 

It's nice to write posts like these, thanking our amazing sponsors. Lab Rescue is completely not for profit and we have very stringent rules about where we spend out money. It's great when we get support from private companies who share our beliefs in saving labs from pounds around ACT and NSW.

So today I'd like to take some time to thank the guys over at Mr Taxman. Adrian and his partner Kylie have been long time supporters of Lab Rescue and have recently sponsored our event at the Sydney Pet Expo. They both run a well known accounting firm, so if you need an accountant coming up to financial end of year, we throughly recommend Adrian for his approachability and his down to earth attitude. 

And from all of us at Lab Rescue, thanks Mr Taxman!

Just A Minute With Gill

How long have you been fostering with Lab Rescue?

I am a total novice having only been with Lab Rescue 4 months. Its a steep learning curve with lots of support so I very quickly felt part of the Lab Rescue community. 

 

Why do you foster with Lab Rescue?

Primarily I love dogs, and I want to help dogs who have had bad beginnings, to have a chance at a better home.  We always had Labs and Lab X's (both pedigree and rescue) growing up. We had 2 female Labs who both passed away last year. I feel its time to give back to the dogs who gave us so much love.  I  know the temperament of Labradors more than any other breeds and so while I have fostered other dogs, its an easier match for me which I think makes it better for the dogs too.  

 

Why do you love labs?

Where do you start? From their clumsy oversized paws to their soft cute ears - they are very physically attractive. But as we all know their temperaments are so amazing, fun, naughty and uncompromising love all in one bundle..... 

 

How do you bear to say goodbye to all your fosters?

Well this has been my big issue and my steepest learning curve!

I really bond with my fosters because I do care about them. I will have any foster back which does not fit happily into a home with no hesitation.  My home feels so empty again without them and I also notice how my dog Moose also misses them so much too.

 

Who's been your most memorable dog?

What a question ...after 4 months and 5 dogs...its got to be Bear....just a huge heart and desperate for love...which he has found now...lucky boy...but they are all memorable for their own unique personalities.

Since fostering, what have you learnt about Labradors?

An ability to adapt and to learn...I always thought Labs were a bit well hhmmm dumb (!) I have so completely changed my view ...they are not always motivated by the same thing, but find that motivator and you find the dog! The other things is that I was a bit unsure of male dogs, particularly male intact dogs ( I was a bit intimidated). Thanks to Bear I now feel very confident and comfortable with managing either sex.

 

Why are you looking forward to the training day?

Thanks to the support of Lab rescue and my family I feel so privileged to be able to look after foster dogs, but my role is to help them successfully find new homes which has to be based in part in my ability to help them overcome behavioural issues which may impact a re homing. So I want to be the best I can be to help them to be the best they can be for their new owners and their new better lives.

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't been posting for a while, it's been crazy here at Lab Rescue! Stay tuned for some great new stories on the blog over the next couple of days, but for now I wanted to share with you something special. ;)

You may have seen Alex advertised on our website in the available dogs section. He came to us as a very little pup and we thought he may be a lab cross. He's now a little bit more grown up, and doesn't look like a lab at all. We're completely biased and love out labs, but even we have to admit Alex is a charmer. He looks like a kelpie cross and shares lots of labbie traits. I could go on, but John - Alex's current foster carer sent me a rather sweet update. 

Have you heard of Oz Doggy? They are a fantastic resource for anyone who has a dog. They are the Australian, dog equivalent of Google! Paul's recently sponsored Lab Rescue and we wanted to say a big thank you!

So if you are looking for dog friendly accommodation, dog sitters or dog washes jump onto www.ozdoggy.com.au.

Thanks Paul!

Foster Carer Training Day

We are running a foster carer training day for our carers. Our foster carers do an amazing job, assessing new labs from the pounds and starting basic dog training. They are often the first people to teach a dog how to wait for their food, how to walk on a lead or to not toilet inside. As most of us know, labs are so enthusiastic to learn but sometimes struggle with focus!

Like all rescue groups, we get some labs who need significantly more work before rehoming. For example, Frances one of our foster carers is currently looking after Anna. Frances is Anna's fourth home, Anna's previous homes have left her terrified of people, specifically men. Frances is working through some exercises teaching Anna how to trust again. It's a slow and sometimes frustrating process. 

Katherine is currently looking after Kayla who came from a puppy farm. Kayla was kept in a pig crate and knew nothing about humans or living in a home. She's petrified of coming inside the house. Katherine (and Katherine's dogs!) have been working with Kayla to encourage her to come inside the house. It's been a few months now and Kayla's spent a few nights inside the house. Slow progress, but we think it's VERY worthwhile.

This training day will encourage foster carers like Katherine and Frances. It will equip other carers to confidently assess dog behaviour to better match labs to their future homes. 

Sponsor a Carer

We need your help to make this day happen. By sponsoring a foster carer you'll be equipping them to train (and save!) up to 20 dogs a year. We have over 30 carers and they are all invited to the event. We are trying to cover the costs of the trainer (Grant), food, accommodation for interstate carers. 

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be giving you a chance to sponsor a foster carer. I'll introduce you to each of our carers who are coming to the event and you can help make this day possible. 

Sponsor Monica

First up is Monica! We need to raise $100 for Monica to go to the Foster Carer Training Day. Monica likes to tell a story or two about the fosters she's had, welcome Monica!

How long have you been fostering with Lab Rescue?
I joined Lab Rescue as a foster carer in March last year. 

Why do you foster?
I originally wanted to foster because my husband and I wanted to adopt a dog. I was nervous about what sort of dog would suit us. I had always wanted a lab because I had dog sat one when I was a teenager.  But apart from the occasional dog sitting, I didn't know anything about dogs. I was worried that we'd commit to a dog and then realise that we couldn't train it, or couldn't exercise it enough. I found it really hard to fill out the section of the Lab Rescue application that asks what type of dog you want. I didn't know whether we would suit an active dog or a lazy dog!

So Katherine convinced me to try fostering. I think after rehoming two dogs I was hooked. It's such a satisfying feeling to know that these dogs have found perfect homes that match their personality. I foster dogs that are so cheeky and naughty and I get so frustrated! I keep thinking surely no-one will want to keep this dog! But then a family comes along who want a dog they can laugh at. They are such a perfect match. It's like something out a soppy romantic comedy... but for dogs!

Who was your first foster dog?
My first dog's name was Winston. He was a 5-8 year old gold male. He was a big dog, about 40kg. He had the beautiful blocky lab head and big paws. I remember being so worried about leaving him at home while I was at work. My first day at work I rushed back home and was really worried when I couldn't see him waiting for me at the front gate. I thought he had escaped! 

I'd run around the backyard calling his name. Finally I found him in a the shade of the house curled into a ball sleeping. He was the most laid back, relaxed lab I'd ever met. He had a perfect heel and fantastic food manners. Winston was a great first dog to foster. He ended up going to a home with a young couple. 

How do you say goodbye to your foster dogs?
I actually find it quite easy to say goodbye. When Winston went to his home I had tissues in my pocket thinking I'd be really upset. But Winston wasn't concerned in the slightest, he just jumped straight into the car without a second thought. I think it also helps that I know that Winston wasn't suited to our home, but he was perfect match for his new family. That's similar to most of my fosters. I often take in the young, crazy puppies who would drive me insane if I permanently adopted them. Fostering allows me to enjoy the dogs for awhile before introducing them to their amazing new lives. 

Plus I get a lot of encouragement finding out how the dogs are going in their new homes. It's ironically satisfying and addictive. Satisfying to know that that particular dog has found a home, but addictive to save another dog!

Who has been your most memorable foster dog?
Bella. Easily Bella. Bella was a stunning lab. She was small, only about 28 kg with really white fur. It was a really light cream colour with dark tips on her ears and tail. Bella would crawl under our bed at night and sleep there. It was so strange because she had her own bed setup next to ours. For some reason it just wasn't good enough. Bella, like most labs would thrive on attention. If I was sleeping she would jump up onto the bed and if you ignored her she would slowly wiggle her way up to you. You'd open your eyes to find her about three centimetres away from your nose. Her tail would then start to thump rumbling the whole bed!

Unfortunately she didn't make it. Bella was unpredictably dog aggressive. I had to muzzle her every time we went outside because she would just go ballistic at seeing another dog. She ended up biting another lab's nose. It was unprovoked and we had no idea why it happened. The dogs had met previously with no issues, and the event occurred through a gap in the fence. This was after weeks of desensitisation exercises. Katherine and I had to put her to sleep. Afterwards we heard that Goldie Rescue had a similar dog who would have unpredictable aggressive streaks. The vet who put the goldie to sleep was so surprised that it was aggressive that he did a post mortem on the goldie. There was a brain tumor which was just behind the eyes, obviously causing the dog wild mood swings. It would have been fatal in the dog. 

I have no idea whether this was Bella's problem or if she had some sort of trauma in her past. I am confident that Lab Rescue did the right thing however. Wherever Bella is now she's no longer muzzled, no longer distressed by other dogs and is at peace. 

What has been your most satisfying dog to rehome?
I think the day after saying goodbye to Bella I was at Katherine's house. She turned to me and begged me to take another dog. She had no-where else to put it and hated to give it to me so soon after Bella, but had no choice. Surprising myself, I agreed.  I was actually going to take two dogs, one, Champ, was going to a new home that day, the other was Alex my new foster. Champ's meet and greet was happening at my house in a few hours.

Champ's new owner was almost 70 and recently lost two of his labs to cancer. He lived on 40 acres and was terribly lonely without a canine companion. Dogs were everything to this guy. He would move his bed closer to the fire in winter just so his dogs could sleep on the bed and keep warm. When he came over and saw Champ and Alex he fell in love. He had tears in his eyes and begged to take both dogs despite the fact he didn't have enough room in his car! I suspect he cuddled the dogs on his lap the whole way home. 

As he left, crying again, he gave me the biggest bear hug saying thank you. 

Do you want to support and encourage Monica by donating to Lab Rescue? Direct Deposit your donation into the account below. Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a receipt. If you also pledge your support in a comment below you go in a draw to win a Lab Rescue Mug!

Labrador Rescue Inc
Defence Credit Union
BSB: 803-205 
Account: 2077 9092

What's that saying? Never trust someone who says trust me? Well, maybe there's a little more to that when it comes to rescue dogs. 

We've had a busy month and a half over January in February, mainly due to all the applications that are coming in. We get over 10 applications a week! I counted 71 applications since Jan 1!

Since we usually rehome 2 dogs each week that means we're disappointing 8 people each week. Some of these will stay on our waiting lists for incoming dogs. They may have specified that they want a dog in an age group, or sex that we just don't have at the time. 

Unfortunately, most people don't get a dog from us because they haven't done their research into the breed before contacting us. We're often the first person to tell them that labs shed hair, puppies chew everything in sight and they don't do well as 'outside dogs'. I think everyone at Lab Rescue will agree with me here in saying, turning down a prospective home because they have the wrong expectations about a labrador is the second hardest part of our job. (The hardest part is when a dog doesn't make it, but that's another blog post)

I wish people would understand our background when applying for a dog. We see hundreds of labs each year advertised on gumtree or surrendered directly to us. 99% of the time their stories are exactly the same. He/She is just too much for me. They have lost the bond they wanted to have with the dog, it's developed bad habits and the situations out of control. The last thing we want is for the same scenario to happen in a Lab Rescue dog's home. We're SO careful about where to place our dogs that it can come across as being fussy, or self pretentious. 

Please, if you are considering a lab research the breed first. We don't care if you've had 10 labs in your life before or if you've had none, we still expect that you know enough about the breed to give them a good home. If we think you're not suitable, please trust our reasons for this. It's based on placing over 500 labradors into great foster homes and then into their forever homes. It's what we do, it's what we're good at.

So trust us. 

Training to be a Lab Rescue Foster Carer

Labrador Rescue takes wonderful Labs that, through no fault of their own, have ended up on death row at the pounds or are surrendered to us directly by their owners. These lucky Labs are placed in foster homes to live with the families whilst they wait for their new homes. Our foster carers treat them as members of their families and begin their training on what it is like to live with a real family. Some of these Labs have never had any training at all and have never even heard the word "sit"!

As a thank you to our foster carers for all of their loyal support and to help our Labs learn their manners even faster, we have asked the wonderful "Pawman" to come to Canberra and host a training day for all of our foster carers. Whilst he is in Canberra, he will also be doing a training seminar and one on one's for the general public. Labrador Rescue are asking for donations to help cover the cost of this valuable training for our foster carers. This will allow our foster carers to not only train their Labs in basic manners and solve minor problem behaviours such as jumping up but will also give them the knowledge to support the new families when they take their new Lab home. A beautifully mannered Lab has a much better chance of finding a wonderful new home as quickly as possible. It also opens up many new homes to a Lab that may otherwise need a very particular home.For example, not many homes could cope with a 35kg Lab that jumps up on them every time they want to say hi!

Can you help?

We will be bringing all our foster carers together for this event, which is quite a task! Our foster carers are located all around NSW, from Newcastle to Yass. Our main challenge is making sure we have enough money to fund this training course. If you would like to donate to Labrador Rescue and to help train our foster carers, our bank details are below. Every dollar helps!

Labrador Rescue Inc

Defence Credit Union

BSB: 803-205

Account: 2077 9092

But I want to go!

If you wish to learn more about doggy behaviour, fix a problem issue with your best friend (only of the canine variety!) and see why we think The Paw Man is the most fabulous dog trainer, the details of his public training are below:

Event: Canine Behaviour Seminar by 'The Paw Man', "Understanding and Dealing With Difficult Dogs"

Presenter Bio: 'The Paw Man' has been a qualified Police Dog Handler, Trainer and Instructor for the last 33 years. He specialises in solving canine behaviour problems especially those involving disobedience, dominance and aggression. His Brisbane based business 'The Paw Man' has been operating for over 12 years and boasts a success rate of over 99%. Visit 'The Paw Man' web site at www.thepawman.com.au to find out more about the man and what he does. Seminar Content Description: Seminar attendance is strictly limited to 50 persons. This ensures the maximum amount of interaction with the group. The Paw Mans straight shooting but light hearted style will shatter many myths about dogs and their behaviours that abound in these Politically Correct times. He will simplify the understand of canine behaviour to a level where even the most difficult of canine behaviours will be understood with ease. He also teaches the correct use of aversive in behaviour modification and discusses various other dog training styles and their advantages and disadvantages. The Paw Man also has a strictly limited number of 1:1 consultations available in the two days following the seminar where he will come to you in Canberra and deal with your dogs problems in the home environment. His 3 previous Canberra seminars have all sold-out before the event so book early to avoid missing out.

Event Date: Easter Sat 7 Apr 2012

Location: Olims Hotel, Braddon Time: 0800-1200hrs

Cost: $100- per head includes light refreshments and reference manual at end of seminar.

Booking Inquiries: For seminar inquiries send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank The Paw Man for all of the assistance he provides us on a daily basis with our rescues and we are looking forward to being able to spend Easter Friday with him learning so much more.

Everybody meet Louise! She's recently fostered Evie and Oscar. She came onboard just in time for Christmas and has been helping us out a fair bit by fostering, offering vet advice and help with the Sydney Pet Expo.

Louise describes her experience fostering in an email to me this week, thanks Louse!

I suppose it's about time I wrote something about myself! My name is Louise (or Lou as most people call me) and I am one of the newest foster carers. I am a vet (it goes without saying that I love all animals!) and I live on acreage near Richmond in NSW, with plenty or room for dogs! Labs have been my favourite dog breed for over 13 years, ever since we got our beautiful lab Taiha. We had 3 labs for 10 years, but sadly in July last year, we lost our beautiful Max, just 6 weeks after we had to put our old crossbreed dog to sleep. So it was a quiet household for about 6 months with just 2 labradors that soon became even more spoilt, as I was so upset about losing the other 2 dogs. Chanel and Taiha now think they can make themselves comfy on my bed whenever they feel like it!

I have always been a huge animal lover and have for many years been involved with foster caring cats and kittens from the Animal Welfare League, as I have always wanted to make a difference for animals in need. I had never foster cared any dogs until joining lab rescue though, probably because we always thought that 4 dogs was enough. But when we were down to only 2 dogs, I decided that I wanted to use that extra room to help dogs that needed some love. So I contacted Lab Rescue and I'm so glad I did! Our first foster dog I fell in love with very quickly. Oscar- the blind chocolate lab- is such a darling that we have decided to keep him because I couldn't bare to send him to a new place to adjust again to new surroundings. Unfortunately I was told by the eye specialist last week that Oscar's cataracts are almost certainly not removable. I was a bit sad that my wish to have his eyesight restored could never happen. But being blind doesn't stop Oscar for one second and he loves going for runs with me and going swimming.

My 2 old labradors are so easy going and loving that being a foster carer has been no problem so far. Except for dogs that don't like cats- they are the only problem (we have 10!). After only a few months with lab rescue I have already experienced so much happiness and joy seeing the foster dogs and how happy they can become when they are shown the love that they deserve. I parted with Evie today, the first labrador I have had to let go to a new home. It was really hard saying good bye to such a beautiful girl, but she provided us with so much joy and entertainment while she was with us it is satisfying knowing that she is now going to a loving new home. When I dropped her at the airport I shed a few tears and the lady who worked at the transport company told me that I am doing such a good job finding dogs new homes. And it's so true. My younger sister was so upset to see Evie leave that she said she doesn't want any more foster dogs because it's too hard to part with them. I agree that it's hard to say good bye, but in the end we have to put our own emotions aside and keep doing what we are doing because the dogs need us to. It's far too easy to turn a blind eye to sad  things like dogs that are dumped and are without homes, but it takes a strong person to see what needs to be done and do it, even if it means you become attached to the lovable creatures and shed a tear or 2 along the way. I know that I will always want to keep the dogs that I foster care because most labradors are just so lovable, but I'm going to try to continue being strong like I was today even if it's upsetting, because I will continue to remember that all the foster carers are doing such a wonderful thing and we should be proud!

It has always been my dream to one day have my own animal shelter, and perhaps now that I'm a vet I will have a combined animal shelter and vet clinic. But until I have the funds and the space to do that I will be satisfied by helping any animals I can that I come across at work, and by helping Labrador Rescue, which is such a worthy cause. Hats off to Katherine and to everyone else who is involved in some way with Labrador Rescue. The world needs more loving people like us!   :P

I think Louise has captured foster carer's feelings extremely well. We are all sad saying goodbye, but there's ALWAYS another one needing care. And we use the happy endings stories and photos as comfort, knowing that these dogs have just been given an amazing second chance of life.

Keep it up Louise, I'm sending another dog your way soon!

Come meet our cuddly dogs and their foster carers this weekend at Canberra's RSPCA Adoption Drive!

Chloe came to us from an overwhelmed family in Sydney. They had a young child and couldn't handle Chloe's energetic personality. Poor Chloe went from being a prized puppy to living life tied up in a backyard, all in 9 short months. Gill has recently taken her in and her dog Moose is teaching her about how amazing life is at Gill's house. Gill's been doing some calming exercises with Chloe, teaching her when to settle down. They've also been working on toilet training.

We think Gill's a SUPER foster carer, balancing (the relatively new the family) Moose, a birthday boy and his friends AND a joyful energetic new puppy!

Gill sent us an update today with some hilarious photos attached. 

Dear All

I am on the sofa with my cup of coffee and Chloe at my feet, but still keeping an eye on Moose the destroyer chewing another toy outside. (Sorry Belinda your lovely two toys hit the dust this morning and one of ours...) Yes what a blissful normal picture this represents, we are getting there and its only day 2. The sun is shining and its a beautiful morning for the dogs, and I thought I would share part of the fun we have had getting here.

Last night was an experience. Having had a cat nap Chloe was full of bounce again. However she really loves the big cushion. So we popped her on a lead and made her sit on the cushion while we ignored her and Moose and watched a film. She was soon fast asleep again and did not budge until we got up to go to bed.  Thats when the fun really started. Normally Moose tumbles into bed in the laundry eager for his bedtime treat and never stirs again until the morning.  Hhmmm well we tried that once, then twice, then lost count...an hour later after the dogs were howling into the night, I thought we had lost Chloe at one point as she semed totally AWOL, we heard a massive thump and it was not the dog door...the dogs were partying good and proper. Having tried to be calm and ignore them I lost my rag and shouted at both of them. They sat in their beds shamefaced, panting and happy while I stomped off in my nightie. Not before I barricaded up the front gates with anything to hand to make sure Chloe was not going to escape. By this stage William had stolen my side of the bed and so I was left with the spare single mattress on the floor (Another story behind that.). I lay there for probably about half and hour and to my disbelief there was silence...eventually I fell asleep but even when waking at 6 there was still no sound! I had half expected one dog to be missing, but no two waggy tails greeted us for their morning walk...though we think Moose looked a bit worse for wear!

So this morning the two dogs have played tug of war - with Moose sitting down to try and win, but not always. She has been alot more confident and assertive with him, hackles up at times and he has responded with growls. I am sure they will sort it out but one thing is for sure she has more energy and go than him! Trying to go through the doggy door two at a time is the funniest thing I have seen for a long time.

Toilet training is not going so great. As she has been drinking alot she has been peeing alot too. I have closed off all my carpeted area and while she knows the place in the garedn to go, (she even looks at me for praise as she pees there,) its still alot less effort to go wherever she happens to be standing. I am up for any tips but I have now set my phone to beep every 30 mins so I take her out regularly.

Well its now afternoon and beautifully quiet again. However this email has taken me the best part of the day to get off. Had one interruption after another. My son's 11th birthday today and boys just don't get not playing with dogs. Both dogs are now exhausted and asleep at my feet. I have  been taking lots of opportunities to give her special tummy scratchies when she is calm and sitting or lying down as I hope this encourages her to like quiet time too. At this moment she has her nose an inch from my foot, I can feel her breath on it but I hope the smell does not make her feel sick !

Anyway got to get on with the birthday cake etc, nana and great nana are on their way!

Best wishes

Gill

Gill we all think you are fantastic. If Chloe could talk, she would say how fun life is with your family and explain how thankful she is that you and William are taking care of her while she looks for her forever family. 

Finally I've attached some pics that Gill managed to snap of Moose and Chloe playing. She's a bright little cookie, and I dare say she's keeping Moose on his toes!

Chloe (at the front) resting. You can see Moose at the back going to pick up a toy. 

"Ooooh! Playtime!" Says Chloe.

And it's ON!

I think Moose feels like he has a bit to prove here, it was HIS toy!

Moose tries a new strategy. He sits down. Apparently it's worked in the past. 

But Chloe's worked out that she can stand ontop of him, and twist it just the right way...

Poor Moose, maybe next time buddy!

Angel's volunteered to maintain a Lab Rescue facebook page! You can share photos, stories and read all our blogs on facebook. 

There are a couple of Lab Rescue pages started up, so look for the new logo as the profile photo. Here's a direct link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Labrador-Rescue/209331982493477

Hope to see you on there!

I realise we're always saying that we are busy at Lab Rescue, but it's honestly the truth! There's always something to be done and there's never enough time to do it all. 

The last couple of days have been incredibly busy with people contacting us about rehoming their dogs. Each have their own reasons and unfortunately we can't always help them all.

Many rescue groups refuse to take in privately surrendered dogs. When I first joined Lab Rescue  Linda and Katherine were tearing their hair out over it! Unfortunately many people who surrender their dog to us don't realise how much work goes into rehoming them. They think it's  quick money for us and that they are doing us a favour by giving us a dog for free. It's not always the case, but it only takes a couple to be burnt by this attitude.

We once had a dog who was only a couple of months old surrendered to us. He was still so young he wasn't fully grown. He was showing typically lab puppy behaviour which was too much for their young family. Knowing we had the space and the time, we decided to transport the dog from Sydney to Canberra to rehome him. 

The day we were going to pick up the dog we were contacted by the owner who explained that the family was distraught over giving the dog up and wanted to give it another go. We were sympathetic but a little frustrated at the amount of work we went through to organise transport. It's hard to ask for favours all the time and we had just facilitated a pick up and drop off just for this dog. 

We gave the family a few tips and hoped for the best. We weren't sure how successful they would be since they didn't sound so receptive. There was nothing more to do, so we just moved on. 

A couple of days later we got news that the dog was being sold on gumtree for $500. 

We happened to know the person who ended up buying the dog and they said that the family had bought another puppy a few days after selling their labrador. 

So please understand that although we save dogs from the pound frequently and rather successfully, we are a little suspicious of people surrendering their dogs. Above everything else we wish that Labs didn't need to be rehomed, either via the pound or through a private rehoming. We wish that organisations like us had absolutely nothing to do.

The worst decision we have to make is to decide whether we take in a surrendered lab into foster care. How do we prioritise that dog's life over a dog in a pound? And if we have a foster carer free, what happens if we get an influx of labs in the pounds? Where do we put the new dogs then? 

This is why many rescue has a blanket rule to all private surrenders, asking them to rehome their dogs themselves. They encourage people to put up posters, facilitate meet and greets and assess new homes themselves. They do this with a massive amount of guilt, since they know that it's very likely that intact dogs go to backyard breeders. Or the dogs get dumped in pounds, or even bounce between homes. 

We try to have a balanced approach. We are passionate about people committing to dogs forever, and we're unashamedly unforgiving with this point of view. If you are giving up your dog (in our opinion) it's a heartbreaking, horrible outcome for both you and your dog. There's no 'good' reason for such a break up, it's just a bad situation. 

We're lucky with our website at Lab Rescue, we have a great web system and a very goodlooking web administrator to go with it (me!). We've created a system that allows us to advertise approved dogs online for a donation to our work. The actual rehoming process, the meet and greet, the paperwork and any transport is all held responsible by the original owner of the dog. This means that we only have to approve of the dog and communicate with original owners. This cuts out a lot of headache for us!

We don't let just any dog on our website. They obviously have to be a labrador, preferably pure and can't have any aggression issues. (although we can't prove this, it's up the the people applying for the dog to check this out). It's part of our licence that all dogs who are associated with Lab Rescue are desexed, and it's something we take seriously.

So if you are considering rehoming your lab, please understand if we are a bit gruff with you. Please understand that we put a lot of work into making sure that our labs go to good homes, it's really sad (and personal) for us to see that a lab hasn't had the privilege of having the best home life so far. 

Finally, thank you to everyone out there who are considering adopting a rescue dog. By adopting a rescue dog your stopping the cycle of unnecessary breeding, and hopefully providing FOREVER homes for these lucky little dogs!

Over Christmas we got an email from a lady in Sydney who was concerned about a lab in her neighbourhood. She described him as a skinny chocolate lab. We arranged transport and a foster home for him and Linda took him in. 

Poor Jackson was so filthy that when we gave him a bath, underneath all that dirt was a black labrador! 

Jackson's now spent a couple of weeks with Linda and she wrote in an email today about his progress. He's become quite a star at her house!

I'm currently fostering Bouncer who's about 10 years old. He's been my first old(er) foster dog and he's been teaching me a lot about the joys of adopting and fostering a dog over 10.

When I first put my hand up to foster Bouncer I thought I'd be looking after a subdued dog who sleep a lot. I had a very unflattering picture of what old dogs were like. I thought they would be so crippled by old age they wouldn't have much personality or show any interest in their surroundings. It's very cruel, but I can't help thinking that if that's what my naive opinion is, then surely others must think that too.

I can tell you now, Bouncer did not meet my expectations. It's like someone forgot to tell Bouncer that he's 10. He shows every bit of a 3 year old personality, occasionally impacted by sore joints.

For instance, when I picked up Bouncer from Jenny who was going on holidays, I got the impression that Bouncer doesn't need or want to go on many walks. He's arthiritis was hurting him, he can't keep up etc etc... I don't think it was what Jenny was actually saying, it was just my interpretation of the needs of an 'old dog'.

I let Bouncer settle into my house for the first few days before I took him out on a walk. When we finally put him on the lead he was SOOO excited. He obviously knew what was going to happen because he sat in front of me, doing that labbie mini-tail wag that we all know so well. As soon as the harness was on, we were off!

We ended up walking for an hour around the neighbourhood. Bouncer has this determined waddle that he does to compensate for his arthiritis. But apart from his funny trotting, his enthusiasm for the walk never diminished. He focused on Dorrie (my 3 year old lab) and was constantly trying to keep up with her. Bouncer also has this enormous grin which he displayed for all to see. You could just see in all his mannerisms how happy he was to be outside.

We walked for an hour and I was so worried that Bouncer would collapse! I thought he would need to slow down and need a break. But he kept up his little trot following Dorrie and myself. That night he slept well but not as exhausted as I thought he would be. Bouncer definitely walks as enthusiastically as any other 3 year old lab that I've walked.

Another thing that's shocked me about Bouncer is his liveliness around the house. Like most young labs, he's always interested in what you are doing. He wants to know what you're eating, what your reading, what moisturising cream you are rubbing in etc. He's not the "sleeping door mat" personality I was cruelly expecting.

My hubby and I have really enjoyed having Bouncer. He is always around for cuddle, but doesn't squirm or mouth your arm like other puppies. He loves going for walks, but he doesn't run so fast you can't keep up. He shows an interest in what you are doing, which some would call annoying (even myself at times!) but it means you can still train him to fit in with your lifestyle. He still looks at you for guidance and acceptance, and even a little love.

I certainly won't be stereotyping older Labradors anymore. Hopefully if you are looking at adopting a dog, you might consider a dog over the age of 8. What is it that you really want in a dog? What personality traits are important? Would they be more common in an older dog?

Thanks Bouncer for teaching me the joys of having a dog that's young at heart!

Happy Christmas everyone! Hope you're as happy as a lab, spending this time with loved ones and relaxing just like Dorrie above!

Christmas 2011 has been really good for Lab Rescue, so far we've only had one surrender. We've had quite a few new foster carers come on board just at the right time, which has really helped us out. 

We have two new dogs about to come into care and one who was transported to Canberra just the other day (thanks Helen!). Jackson, our new arrival in Canberra was surrendered to us as a chocolate Labrador. One good bath later and we found out he's a beautiful black boy! Jackson's now with foster carer Frances and Abbie, one of the RSPCA girls. Last I heard he was learning manners from Frances' spaniel Molly. He's a playful young thing, so a bit of learning will do him some good. 

We've got two lovely girls coming in from Renbury this week. One's got the name Linda! Linda's also the name of one of our foster carers and admin workers. She matches all the applications to dogs, so she's rapt that she now has a dog named after her. Might get a little confusing if she fosters Linda the dog. Maybe I can take her into care when I get back. 

Penny went on trial on Monday and her new owners recently told me they took her to the beach near them. Considering she came from Wagga (West of Canberra) it was probably the first time she's ever been to the beach. She LOVED it. Apparently she awed her foster family  by how fast she can run. I had Penny for a few days and she loved playing in our water bath. She also loved playing fetch. It sounds like a perfect home for her, so be good Penny!

I'm happily on holidays with my lab Dorrie. Dorrie's been getting a little chubby so she's on a bit of an exercise themed holiday. Her christmas presents this year were a floating frisbee and a long flicky stick to play with on the beach. She's LOVED both of them and I'm happy to report she's getting a lot more toned! She spends at least 3 hours a day running around the offleash beach here.

For people looking for a holiday paradise for labs, I'm going to shamelessly promote petholidays.com.au. Rob and Pauline have been fantastic to both Lab Rescue and my family. Rob adores dogs and the place is setup so that dogs are allowed inside and even (gasp!) on the couches! Opposite the house we are in there's a coffee shop with fantastic home made pies. Just one block away is the nicest beach I've ever been too. (and I'm from FNQ!)

Just next to Tomakin beach is the Tomaga river, so if your dog is like mine (a little cautious of the waves) the river is just perfect. Dorrie will easily spend hours catching sticks and swimming against the current. She's so pooped by the end of the day, but she just loves every minute of it.

I really can't recommend this place enough, both from the friendly and helpful owners (who have been very generous to Lab Rescue in the past) and the fantastic location of the holiday house. 

Hope your Christmas has been as good as mine!

Monica

As well as saving us all from greasy burger remorse with their super tasty, super healthy menu, the team at Grill'd now puts their money where their mouth is with the launch of Local Matters. The program aims to support small, local groups who provide invaluable services to their communities. Consumers vote in-store by placing bottle caps into jars, one for each of three local community groups selected each month. At the end of the month the jar with the most caps receives $500 from Grill'd while the other two receive $100 each. 

Lab Rescue is thrilled to have been selected as one of the three charities for January. Show your support by heading down to your Grill'd store to delight your taste buds with a delicious burger made with fresh ingredients and a low fat patty, and then pop your bottle cap in the Lab Rescue jar. Not a bad way to spend the day – eating a delish burger and giving to charity.

Drop into Grill'd at Westfield Belconnen (near Target) and buy a burger to support Lab Rescue between Jan 1st and Jan 31st! While you are there, say thanks to the management team for thinking of us!

To raise awareness about this fantastic fundraising opportunity we're asking people who follow our blog to send in photos (phone camera's fine) of eating and voting for Lab Rescue at Grill'd.

The best photo will get a prize!