Lucia's owners emailed us over the new year with an update. It had such a funny picture in it, I just have to share it!

Apparently Lucia's learnt how to loop herself into the seat belt when in the car, how clever! Very sensible of you!

Here's Gregi's update on Lucia:

Although not strictly a foster dog, I really wanted to give you an update on beautiful Moose. Moose was a foster with Linda before Christmas and was adopted by Gill, another foster carer. We've been looking after him while Gill went away on holidays. We can't take a foster at the moment because our fences are in such a terrible condition (all the foster dogs poking their noses next door for a pat!)

I emailed Gill, Moose's owner an update how his 'holiday' is going with us.

Hi Gill,

About a year ago Frances, one of our foster carers, picked up Sasha from Yass. Only a day after picking up Sash, Frances was called up to help as part of the SES for the Queensland Floods. 

Frances' neice Annie was at home and helped look after Sasha. Apparently she texted Frances saying -

There's a Hippo in the House!

Sasha was 42 kilos and drastically overweight! Frances and Annie had to work hard to get the weight off. Frances is the Michelle Briggs of the canine world! 

Sasha was adopted early last year by a couple who later adopted Coco. They live in South Australia and rumour has it, the girls have been water skiing! We knew she loved the water, but didn't realise how much!

Here's an update from Sash and Coco's owners. 

Hi everyone at Lab Rescue, and Happy 2012!!

So sorry for our late update to you all, but I've attached a photo depicting the love affair we are having with the very special Coco and gorgeous Sasha we recently adopted!

There are no words to describe how much we love them, or how much the girls have enriched our lives.

Sasha's lost 11kgs since we brought her home in August - and now looks (and runs) like a 3 year old! Coco's skin and hair condition have both improved out of sight - she's now a shiny, delicious chocolate girl!!

The girls love to swim in the river, adore their walks, love chasing their ball, and let's not forget their food! But mostly, they love us, and would trade it all off for their 'Dad' in the picture. Even the cats have grown to love (ok, tolerate) them!!

Thanks to Linda for matching us all up so well, and to Katherine for arranging their interstate trips to get to us! 

Lab Rescue is an amazing organisation, that we highly recommend and adopting Sasha and Coco is without doubt, one of Jonathon's and my best decisions ever!!  

We got this email recently that I wanted to share with everyone. It's an important message that Sammy's old owners wanted to pass on. 

Dear Rescue labrador
 
We adopted through Labrador Rescue two years ago (almost to the day).  And we were one of the success stories.  Sammy (previously called Riley) was a very healthy, happy and much loved dog and member of our family.  But we are the bearer of sad news.
 
Our Sammy passed away on Tuesday, 3rd January.  We were away on holiday and my inlaws looked after her.  They took her the beach for a week to the Coast.  After returning home, she became paralysed and was rushed to emergency vet.  5 paralysis ticks were located included 2 which really did some damage.  She had cardiac arrest hours later and she died.
 
We had only been to the vet a week earlier for her annual check up and were told that she was as strong as an ox.  Needless to say, my husband and I are devasted.  To lose our much loved pet this way, when she had really come into her own, so happy and confident seems so cruel.
 
I am telling you this - not to simply share the sadness but in the hope that you can help spread the news about the high risk of ticks in the South Coast area.  Had we known, we would have done so many things differently but now live with regret.  Ironically my inlaws dog only came back with a case of the fleas.
 
In your network capacity, please warn about the risk out there.  
 
Many thanks.
 
Regards
 
Sammy's owners. 
 

I just got an email from Cooper's new family with some great new pictures in it. Cooper was my old foster and I started reminising about a few Cooper inspired memories. I thought I'd share a few of them.

Cooper was a large English type of labrador with a stumpy nose and a solid body. He was a good looking dog who came to us from Queanbeyan pound. The pound had warned us there was something odd about his hips. They suspected he had hip displasysia, which is quite normal for a large lab.

When leading Cooper out to the car I realised just how big and strong he was. I was on my own and I have a little Daihatsu Charade. I had to somehow convince Cooper that it was a good idea to get into the car. He flat out refused to get in. It wasn't that he didn't like the car, it's just that there were so many other nice smelling thigns around the car. I tried getting in and calling him, I tried lifting him in (fat chance....). I was completely unprepared for this scenario. I thought I'd just pick up a happy, lab who would do anything I asked... Hmph!

So, after trying everything else, I got a lamb roast out which I had just bought from the butcher. A beautiful, $30 lamb roast that I had just splurged on. Cooper was suddenly VERY interested in the car! I put the roast in a place where he had to climb into the car to be able to sniff the meat. As soon as he was in the car I slammed the door closed, rushed into the front seat and grabbed the roast back. I then had to wedge the roast under my seat to prevent him from finding it again. Luckily Cooper was too interested in the paper bag holding the roast to realise that there was meat wrapped in plastic too.

I picked him up and dropped him off at a foster carers house. Within half an hour of dropping him off Cooper had escaped, jumping over a 6 foot colour bond fence. Obviously his hips weren't bothering him enough to prevent him escaping! We had no-where else to put him, so Cooper spent a week in a kennel in Yass. We didn't even have a name for him at this stage, he was just known as 'the barker' at the pound.

So Cooper didn't have the best resume. Bad hips, barker, escape artist.... He was going to be a tough dog to foster and eventually rehome. At the time I was on holidays and without a foster, so I  thought I'd take on the barker/escape artist. We named him Dozer, because if he wanted to go somewhere he would push everything out of his way.

Despite his other quirks, Cooper/Dozer had a really lovely nature. He always wanted to be the centre of attention and just loved collapsing in your lap, looking up at you with those adorable eyes and waiting for a belly rub. The funniest thing we found out about him was that he was fascinated with water. If I was in the bath he would go into investigator mode, sniffing the water, tilting his head to listen to it and staring for long periods of time at it. It wasn't a obssessive thing as he was easily distracted, but he was just so curious about water.

We also noticed that Cooper hadn't had a lot of interactions with other dogs. He would misread their intentions and react badly to them. A couple of times when we socialised him with other labs we noticed he was quite dominant and didn't like if another dog didn't back down to him. We consulted a dog behaviourlist who gave us a few exrecises, mainly exposing Cooper to positive experiences with other dogs. At the same time we realised that Cooper would have to go to a very specific type of forever home.

So when Brett and Eric applied for a dog with Lab Rescue I was a bit apprehensive about it. I wanted them to understand that Cooper had potential to be a fantastic dog, but at the same time I wanted them to be aware of his faults. Brett reassured me that he was just as cautious adopting a labrador, he wanted to make sure it was the right decision for them and that he could provide the right environment for the dog.

We arranged a meet and greet in Yass. I wanted to show Cooper interacting with some of Katherines dogs, to show Brett what to look out for. Cooper was on his BEST behaviour for most of the day, all until a small mishap with a foster dog. I thought there would be no way Brett would take Cooper after that. I was surprised and very excited when Brett called me back saying he'd fallen in love with Cooper, despite everything. We discussed a few training plans and Brett committed to take on Cooper.

It was a great outcome for Cooper. I was so excited for him! It's great to hear from Brett and Eric about how spoilt Cooper is. Apparently he's loved by all in the apartment complex. Trust Cooper, he was such a schmoozer with people! In better news, Cooper is progressing well with his training and is now playing offlead with other dogs. Since Cooper's living in Sydney, we're hoping to see him at our stall in the the Sydney Pet Expo later on this year. He's such a success story that it would be great to show him off a little.

Thanks Brett and Eric for the update, give Cooper a cuddle for me!

I was fortunate enough, along with Shalini, to foster beautiful Molly late last year. She was just a charm. She loved playing, no matter whether it was with other dogs, or other toys or even little kids! She just loved life, and just like most labs was incredibly loyal. 

Molly found a home quite easily. She was rehomed to a family who had a son who was looking for a dog he could play with. I thought that sounded like Molly!

Unfortunately Molly's family contacted me over the long weekend to say that Molly had gone missing. They were distraught as Molly's disappearance also came with some tragic family news. So knowing that Molly was missing, Molly's mum had to fly out of Australia, crossing her fingers that Molly would be found safe by the rest of the family left behind.

I heard that she was missing because Molly still had her microchip number registered in her name. It was the worst time to wander off, she was outside when the fireworks went off which would have spooked her more. Most of the pounds were also shut, so although they were taking in new dogs, they weren't calling any of their owners until the public holidays had finished.

So Molly's family were waiting anxiously. All of us at Lab Rescue were waiting anxiously too!

Finally late yesterday I heard that she had been found! Apparently she was exhausted, but safe! She was found wandering around the neighbourhood. Apparently some of the neighbours had spotted her, but she wouldn't come over to them. The family searched the area and found her. 

Molly was so relieved and happy to be found! I think her relief was only matched by her family's!

Molly's adventure made me think about what would happen if Dorrie (my 3 year old lab) escaped. I know Molly's new family exercise and give her stimulation, and as far as they knew the yard was secure. What would I do if Dorrie escaped? What would happen if 24 hours later I couldn't find her?

We're lucky here in Canberra, we only really have three pounds or shelters that take in stray dogs. That means there are fewer places to check if your dog goes missing. There's the RSPCA, the Canberra Pound (DAS) and the Queanbeyan pound. It's much harder in Sydney with different pounds and councils. Not to mention all the vets that may take in a stray and try to find its home. 

My next blog post will be an emergency plan for if you find your dog missing. I'm sure Molly's family wouldn't want anyone else to go through what they went through on the weekend. I'd like to share parts of their experience, plus some experience of other lab owners on how to look for a lost dog. 

Finally, a picture of Molly safe and sound at home!

Monica

A very guilty looking dog in the Canberra pound, at least he smiles for his mug shot!

As you may have already read yesterday, one of our rehomed dogs Molly ran away from her 

family. Read about Molly's experience here. 

Molly's story inspired me to talk about what to do if your dog escapes and how to prevent it from happening. 

When you first bring a dog home

It sounds really obvious, but make sure your fencing is stable. A determined, lonely dog can easily push aside a loose paling in a picket fence. Also make sure sure your fences are at least 1.5m high on all sides. If not, consider getting an older dog with arthiritis who's less likely to jump.

If adopting a lab from us, be clear about your fences. I know our adoption questionnaire is long and at Lab Rescue we're quite unashamed about it. We want to know a lot about you! You can also use this time to express what type of dog suits you. For instance, if you have farm fencing you don't want a dog who will climb. (like my Dorrie, she won't stay more than 10 seconds behind a farm fence!) If you have a barred gate with gaps in it, don't ask for a small (and slender!) dog. The more you let us know about your backyard, the more we can test suitable dogs to ensure a good match. 

Before you plan to pick up your dog, have a couple of dog tags made up. Have a dog name (if you know it, or have a name in mind) on one side and a contact mobile number on the other. It's useful to have a few spare because they do get rusty or lost. 

When you have your dog 

Molly's family recommends putting up a sign on any external gates or doors reminding people to close it behind them. It can be a great reminder for children or visitors. Explain to everyone that the door/gate must be fully secure every time you go out, especially in the first few weeks when your dog is getting used to you.

Once I came home to a new foster and the gate bounced open when I went through it. Cajun was off down the street with me chasing after him in a pencil work skirt and heels. Luckily (for me) Cajun spotted a car parked down the street with a door open. The family was unloading shopping out of their nice clean car. Cajun jumped straight in and sat there waiting for them to come back. They got quite a surprise when they returned to their car!

All dogs that are rehomed through labrador rescue have microchips in our name. When you adopt a dog from us you will get a copy of a microchip transfer form. We will hand in our copy to a pound to transfer the dog into your name, however the pounds aren't always great at doing this. When you take your new dog for a checkup at your local vet, ask them to check the details on the chip. If you want to change it you can use your copy of the transfer form to do so. 

When your dog's missing

The first thing to do is to check the local pound. Research in your area what local shelter/pound is near you. Most pounds are very quick to upload photos and details of dogs that have been picked up. Are you close to an RSPCA? It's worth giving them all a call to register that your dog is lost. Dig out your paperwork and find the microchip number of the dog. 

If you are in Sydney, check the large pounds like Hawkesbury, Blacktown and Renbury. Canberra people can check the Canberra RSPCA, Queanbeyan pound and Canberra pound. Thankfully Lab Rescue routinely check these pounds for labs, so we can keep an eye out too. 

Walk around your typical path where you take your dog. They are most likely to head off in an area they remember or associate with fun. If there are people in the area walking their dogs, ask them if they have seen a lab without an owner. 

Go around door knocking asking people in your street or along your typical walk asking them to keep and eye out. Give them your number to contact if they see anything. This is ultimately what found Molly. 

Search thoroughly around your house. Has there been any fireworks or loud noises? Was the dog scared and found a place to hide? 

Let your vet, or any local vet in the area know about your lost dog. Remember to give them the dog's microchip number. 

Call your local police station. They often get calls about stray dogs and may know of one in the area.

Use Facebook, Twitter and Labrador Rescue to advertise that you have lost your dog.

Finally, if you have another dog, walk it around your neighbourhood. It may pick up on a hiding place that we don't see and since they know the dog they may run towards it. 

Helping the Family Deal with stress

It's a horrible, stressful situation that none of us want to go through. Molly's family were particularly stressed because of how helpless they were. They just wanted to be able to do something to bring Molly back. Most of the steps above resulted in letting Molly's family know where she was. 

Hopefully this article has reminded you about the possibility of your dog wandering off. It can happen to anyone, and like with Molly, it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the dog being bored or under exercised. Bookmark this article or create your own list so that you can refer back to it if needed. 

Do you have any tips on what to do if your dog escapes? What's worked for you in the past? 

Big thanks to Molly's owners for sharing their experience and tips! I can't express how happy we are here at Lab Rescue that Molly's safe at home again. And we are so pleased that she's found a home that loves her dearly. 

Kylie, one of our foster carers forwarded me these photos of Archie in his new home. He was rehomed in April and obviously is being spoilt rotten!

Thanks Mel and Dave for sending them in. We love photos and stories. 

For more happy endings and photos see our happy endings page. 

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