In Loving Memory

IN MEMORIAM

 

IN MEMORIAM

Caddis
July 2001 – January 2012

In 2002 we adopted a wonderful black lab from CCLRR. His name was Hank (aka Shadow) but we renamed him Caddis. We will never forget the day we met him as it must have been in the 90’s in Sacramento and he was the last of 6 dogs we visited that day. It was clear from the beginning that he was the one who would join us at his forever home. He was 10 months old at the time and he quickly melted into our hearts, learning commands and tricks effortlessly.

Sadly, our best friend Caddis, recently passed away and this gentle giant crossed the rainbow bridge far sooner than we expected. Needless to say, we are heartbroken. He was 10 ½. He enriched not only our lives but also that of our family and friends. Both children and adults benefited from his being a licensed therapy dog through InterMountain Therapy Animals. Weekly we would go to the local elementary school where children with reading difficulties read to Caddis while he listened intently or just dozed. He also volunteered at CampLotsaFun, an organization in Reno, NV that provides recreation, therapy and education to both children and adults with disabilities, and a special education school in Reno, the Marvin Picollo School.

On the home front, he welcomed another CCLRR adoptee, Lily, 3 years ago. Caddis and Lily would regularly romp, swim, hike, chase the ball or just cuddle next to each other on our bed, well, their bed! They both enjoyed endless adventures and outings from the Southwest to Alaska and everything in between. Caddis charmed everyone he met.

His final chapter happened in our home, in our arms, and he did not appear to suffer at all. From the first sign of distress, he was gone in 15 minutes. Caddis was our rock – always in our midst, tail wagging and patiently waiting for us to return when we couldn’t take him along. His love was unconditional. Thank you CCLRR for giving us the opportunity to bring these remarkable creatures into our lives.

Caddis' spirit and karma will always be with us.

Moira, Lawrie & Lily
Lake Tahoe

IN MEMORIAM

MISSY

I picked up Missy from you on December 4, 2011. I brought her home and she immediately checked out the 5 acres up near the house and you could see the look on her face that she thought this was going to be a great place to live--I think my other labs that met her at the door told her this is the place to be. I told her this was her forever home. She ate dinner later that day and picked her bed in our bedroom and I didn't hear a peep all night. The coughing began the next day so I took her to the vet on Tuesday and we put her on a course of antibiotics and cough suppressant for 7 days. My vet felt that she may just be hanging onto the kennel cough or some kind of virus that you had also been treating her for. He offered to do a chest x-ray for additional diagnosis but I said let's try the antibiotics first. She responded very well to the antibiotics. During that time she seemed happy and thought it was great to have so much room to explore. She thought my horses were extra large dogs. She was never far from me and always came when she was called--I can't believe how easy she was. I loved on her, petted and hugged her everyday reminding her this was her forever home and she would have all of the love she needed right here. I promised her I would do whatever I had to do to make her better. A couple of days toward the end of the antibiotics she was trotting around with a smile on her face and seemed like she felt good. The third day off the antibiotics she started coughing again and this time her eyes looked like she had a cold--so my vet tried a different antibiotic, cough suppressant, plus eye drops. This second antibiotic was working even better than the last course. Once again she was happy and trotting around the place checking it all out. Thursday before Christmas she was done with the antibiotics. I thought this was it we kicked it and she was all better no more coughing. Her eyes were still a little droopy but I thought we were over the hard part. I now had a healthy happy dog and she could get on with living in her new home with her new family. Christmas morning she coughed a few times but I was thinking it may just be some residual coughing--much like when we have a cold we don't always stop coughing right away. As Christmas Day went on I noticed she was not as quick to get up from laying down. By evening she began coughing more and more--that evening I started her on another course of antibiotics and cough suppressant that my vet had given me just in case. All the while she was looking at me like she knew what was happening. Later that evening I moved her to the living room and I slept on the floor with her all night petting her and telling her what a good girl she was. I feared the worse during the night and in the morning she refused to eat her breakfast. She was telling me this was it. She slept all the way to the vet---much more soundly than she slept all night--somehow she knew the pain would be over soon. We arrived at the vet and he took her in right away and did a chest x-ray. The x-ray confirmed she had a tumor on her lung that was slightly larger than her heart and you could see other smaller tumors in her chest cavity area. The blood work confirmed her white cell count was extremely high. My vet said she had cancer and she was probably responding to the antibiotics to a certain degree because they alleviated the inflammation in her chest and helped mask some of the symptoms. I knew the way she acted overnight and that morning she was telling me it was time to cross the rainbow bridge. I called my husband while I was at the vet to let him know what was happening--he told me that he thought Missy knew she had come to her forever home --our home---and she could now let go because she was in the place she needed to be. I must tell you that even though I only had the privilege of owning Missy for three weeks I have shed just as many tears as I have for the dogs I have owned their whole life. I wish I would have had her longer. I also must tell you that if I had to do this all over again ---I would in a heartbeat. My sweet girl --I miss you so much.

Karen

Some of our Rescue Labs just really touch us. Missy was one of those. Sleep well dear Missy, it was an honor to know you

IN MEMORIAM
RUCKUS

We adopted Ruckus (perfect name for him) from Lab Rescue in ’03. He was underweight, anxious and snappy towards other dogs. He had been abandoned at the Rocklin pound at age 6. I believe he had been there a while before Lab Rescue found him. His first adoptive parents brought him back after I had met him, because he didn’t get along with their dog, lucky for all of us he was a one dog show at our house. We were so blessed to have had him with us for 8 years. It is hard to narrow down my favorite pictures of him, as you can see he was the center of our home! He wanted nothing more than to be loved and needed. He showered us all with unconditional love!! Everyone who knew him loved him….. After a few years with us, Ruckus was able to socialize with other dogs. His human family was still is only purpose. He believed the couch belonged to him, he loved his stuffed toys, walks at the lake and most of all ear rubs! He suffered from degenerative arthritis the entire time we had him and eventually went across the rainbow bridge with stage 3 malignant cancer that surfaced on his lower eye lid, which took him off to doggy heaven. He never complained old. Without Lab rescue he would have never found his happy home!

IN MEMORIAM
BAKER

Baker and his 3 brothers was rescued from less than ideal circumstances 9 years ago by our volunteer Irena. He was adopted by her husband's cousin and lived in happy luxery until last August. Here is what his owner wrote about him.

Bakers Heartbeat

He was born just a dog.
A black Labrador Retriever.
Rescued with his three brothers at eight weeks old.
In his ninth week I picked him up.
He wined for 6 hours on the trip home.
In the next week we became friends.
His blue eyes asking me, “ What’s next?’
He became the hunter that was in his genes.
I became the partner of his skills.
His eyes turned from blue to reddish brown.
One day, after a great hunt, he laid on the floor sleeping.
I moved over to him and put my ear to hear his chest.
I listened to his heartbeat.
Rhythmic, regular, the sound of harmony of life.
Years went by.
Great hunts, prairie prizes, bones, sticks and the occasional roll in something smelly.
In his eight year, I found the lump on his neck while petting him.
It grew fast.
The Vet said it was a melanoma. It was removed.
Three months of recovery were torture for both Baker and I.
No runs on the plain.
No prairie prizes.
No rolling in the smelly stuff.
After a time he was well he was happy again.
He returned to the dog he was meant to be.
Soon more lumps appeared.
I now had a choice.
Treat the cancer, with more recovery, more misery.
Or let him be himself.
I chose to let him live out the rest of his life doing what he wanted to do.
Baker ran free.
Teaching me how to find prairie prizes.
Teaching me how to run until you drop.
Teaching me how to keep being what you are.
Soon his heartbeat will cease.
August 14th, we went for a run.
Baker only walked along beside me.
Still happy. Still being a dog.
That night, Baker breathing hard, we slept side by side.
Sometime later, Baker got up to lay by the front door
At 2:00 am, I awoke and found Baker had passed.
I put Baker in his sleeping bag.
Bought a shovel and drove to the Big Horn Mountains.
I buried him in the mountains he loved.
At a spot where we saw an Elk herd come into camp.
The dirt was hard but after awhile it was deep enough.
I put a half cord of wood atop his mound.
The hardest is,
I will never see Baker grow old with a grey muzzle.
The best is,
I will always remember the time I had laid my ear on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
His legacy is,
Others will lie down with their dog,
and put their ear to their dogs chest,
and listen to the heartbeat while feeling yours.
They will be in harmony.
Forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MEMORIAM
GRACIE

IN MEMORIAM
MOOSE

Moose came to our attention after having spent over 6 years in a backyard, neglected and starving for attention. With a bucket of food and another for water, and a crushed coke bottle for a toy, Moose finally was sprung from that lonely back yard, although he had some very noticeable tumors on his haunch and knee which would need to be removed if he was going to have a chance at adoption. In the process of trying to gather enough funds to have the tumors removed and and some much-needed dental work performed, CCLRR contacted LABMED, a funds granting non-profit and through that contact adequate funds were donated to help Moose receive the treatment he needed. One thing led to another and the person who donated the funds for the medical procedures ended up adopting him! Being a very energetic 9 year old at the time, Moose's most favorite activity was to play catch and toss with anything you threw towards his direction. He would catch the toy and then throw it up in the air, catch it again, and eventually he'd toss it back to you so the whole process could be repeated. Moose enriched the lives of everyone who met him. He was given a gold star on his vet record sheet above the words "Awesome Dog!". Moose truly was an awesome dog, always ready to go for a car ride, play catch and toss, smiling all the time, he was the true embodiment of the Labrador Spirit. Sadly, health complications set in for Moose and he only had 2 years with his new owner who loved him so very much. Moose was sent to the Bridge on Oct 17th. The best thing that can be said about his rescue is that he was able to truly enjoy 2 great years in a loving home, with all the attention he could want! Moose will be missed by all who knew him, there can be no doubt. His was a most satisfying rescue.

This is only half the story. "Some Tumors"? Poor Moose was covered in oozing horrible sores. He put up with surgeries and his tail never stopped wagging. THEN along came his knight in shining armor..Jim Groenke who adopted him, saw him through recovery and loved him for 2 years. Jim gave Moose the best 2 years of his life. Those of us fortunate to know a "Moose" in our lifetime are imeasurably enriched.
Slep well dear Moose, we will miss you.  

IN MEMORIAM
Reno
est 1998  to  August 2011

She was named Reno because she came from a shelter in Reno, Nevada.  Reno came to us as a foster and not much later joined us as her forever family.  She always got along with other dogs except the small ones which I think she saw as prey and something to chase.  Alert to unusual noises around the house she woke us up once at four in the morning with her barking.  When we investigated we found our gate open and a couple of young men running down the street.   Thank goodness for the canine hearing!  She became an ace rat killer in our back yard……we live next to an open space.  We won’t give you the number of  kills but she could have been “out for hire” and earned extra doggie biscuits.  She was never late for dinner or a snack, a typical trait of Labradors, mixed or not.  Affectionate like labs typically are, she showed it with us and we willingly returned the love; our lives richer because of her.  Her long life got the best of her when her spinal arthritis affected her hind legs to get up and walk. We kissed her goodbye, hoping she could save us a spot where we will someday meet at the Rainbow Bridge.  

IN MEMORIAM

BAXTER
March 3, 1999 - August 9, 2011

       

We lost our beloved fur baby on Tuesday. He will be forever in our hearts.

IN MEMORIAM

Izzy aka Isable-
2004-2011

My family adopted 5 month old Izzy in March of 2004. It was one of the best choices I had made was to adopted this really amazing girl. From the moment I laid eyes on her I knew she was the one. Izzy has had so many wonderfull years. 6 years of 4-H dog training, 3 years of agility and was a really good foster sister to all fo the 55 foster dogs we have had. Izzy really is the best dog anyone could ever ask for. She was always happy to see you, wanted to please me with all of her heart. About a month ago Izzy stopped eating and with a dog that is only 7 cancer was not something I tought she would have. At first we tought it was the heat, or from me being away from the house so much. After several blood tests, ultrasounds and x-rays on Wed of last week they found cancer in her lungs. I was away at a Guide Dog summer internship and when I got home on Friday night my parents told me the sad news. I asked how much longer Izzy was going to live and they were not sure. The vet gave her some appetite pills, and a pill that would try and make her as happy as she can be. The day after I found out my baby girl had cancer I wanted to take her on one last walk at her favorite place. My dad and I took Izzy and her borther Corky out on a walk. The two dogs had a great time running together, getting really muddy and just having fun being out at there favorite place. When we got home from the walk Izzy went right up to my room and went to sleep on my bed. Later that day Izzy had moved the the floor but that was the last time she ever walked again. She then started to stop wagging her tail when ever she heard my voice or saw me next to her. Then her head was to weak to lift from the ground. Over the night her whole boody go to weak to get up or even move. We tried to help her stand up but she just fell into us. We decided we would take her to the vet in the monring to put her to sleep. But later last night she started shaking and we could tell she was not well and it was time. After a very hard choice we drove Izzy to the vet hospital and we let her go. The vet told us that she would go on her own tonight or we could put her down then and we decided to do that. We said our goodbyes to the best dog in the world and cryied a lot sitting next to her. Izzy has now crossed rainbow bring and is no longer in pain. This past weekend has been a really rough one. From finding out my dog has cancer on Friday night to letting her go on Sunday night. We will all miss you so much Izzy and you will be in our harts for ever.
I love you baby girl!
Mom, your family and Corky.

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Malcom Gore – What a Great Life
12/5/99 – 7/29/11

Malcom’s mother was rescued by CCLRR on the median of highway 99 and later to find out that she was pregnant with 10 beautiful puppies. Jackie raised our sweet Malcom for quite a few months. He went to a few new homes that didn’t work out and finally came to live with us. At the time we had an Akita named Bear and they bonded immediately. We all had lots of fun together…camping, house boating, riding Rangers in the desert and living at Doggie Disneyland. Bear left us in Nov 2004 and in Jan 2005 Malcom got a new sister Weazy, a two year old Rottweiler that he loved. Malcom was a great boy and we were so happy to have him in our lives, he is truly missed…his little sister is still looking for him.
Thank you so much for Malcom as he will never be forgotten at Doggie Disneyland – we want another Malcom to try and fill the void.                   Many thanks for our wonderful life with Malcom – Bill, Anita & Weazy Gore

IN MEMORIAM

LACEY

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IN MEMORIAM

RANGER

In August of 2006 I was in such deep mourning over the loss of my beloved Chocolate Lab Storm and feeling so lost when I was asked by CCLRR to foster a rescued dog from Bakersfield. It would be just for the weekend! I said yes. When he arrived and jumped out of the car, I couldn’t help but smile. He was obviously not a purebred and looked like he was part Basset. You had named him Shorty because he had short legs, long ears, the face of a lab and his body was just a wee bit longer than it should be. My heart was won and needless to say, the weekend turned into 4 years and I knew that I could never let him go and never let him feel unwanted or unloved again.

I changed his name to Ranger and what an incredible dog and friend he became. You thought he was about 8 years old at the time, but the vets thought he was more like 10. I didn’t care, he had won my heart forever. He would never let me out of his sight (I should have named him Shadow!) and what gentle, loving, giving soul he had.

But today I lost my friend, who died in my arms. He had developed heart problems and that huge heart finally gave out. I am devastated but as I write this email to you I realize what a difference he made in my life and I know he knew how much I treasured and loved him.

There is nothing in the world quite like a rescued dog. They are special, they constantly give back because they know you gave them a home when someone else abandoned them. I want to thank you for bringing Ranger into my life. He will be missed so much but he is now romping in that beautiful meadow and will finally get to meet my Storm.

Francesca Loftis
Placerville, CA

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IN MEMORIAM

DUKE
March 2000 - June 2011

In September of 2000 we found your web site and our wonderful boy Duke. He was living with his foster parents in Atwater. We fell in love with him and made him an honored member of or family.

We even found his sister Duchess in 2003 through CCLRR . We were one big happy family. Duke and Duchess travelled with use everywhere we went. They loved our family trips. We moved to Montana from California in 2005 and they were in doggie heaven with 35 acres for them to run and play.

We lost Duke this week to cancer of the spleen. He was a trouper to the very end. All 120 pounds of him. As I tell everyone who asks.... He was a very good boy.

Duchess is getting all our love now. She really needs it and misses her wonderful brother.

We just wanted to share with those folks considering adopting one of these fine animals. Duke gave us unconditional love for 11 years. Money can’t buy something like that. Without the wonderful people at CCLRR , we would have missed out on a million wonderful memories.



Thank you CCLR!

Wayne and Cindy Huntley

Big Arm, MT

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IN MEMORIAM

DUKE

In March 2004, we adopted Duke and he immediately became a member of our family. Even though he weighted close to 90+ lbs for much of his life, he considered himself a lap dog and would not hesitate to climb on top of us (and our family and friends) to snuggle. We have so many wonderful memories of him and still feel fortunate that he became part of our lives because his original owners turned him into CCLR. Duke recently turned 8 and was recovering from knee surgery. Two days before Mother's Day, he appeared to have had a stroke which robbed him of mobility and left him unable to stand.
We held him close when he took his final breath. We will always think of Duke as being our first child and we miss him very much. We still are mourning his passing but Duke will live in our hearts forever. One day, we hope to have another lab join our family. When we are ready to adopt we will be contacting CCLRR .
Beth
We at Rescue hate to get these e-mails but we are so grateful when one of our "orphans" find such a wonderful home. Sleep well dear Duke you were well loved and will be missed.

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IN MEMORIAM

PRESLIE

I want to tell you an amazing story about an amazing dog. I know, they’re all amazing in their own way, but Preslie was truly an amazing dog who had great survival instincts, was remarkably adaptable and who had a giant heart which allowed her to learn to trust and love again. In August of 2003, Sher Wintle spotted a black shadow in the wooded area surrounding a school in Redding. She asked around and learned that the shelter had attempted to catch the black lab but had been unable to do so. She was quite wild. Sher began to leave food every morning in a clearing for the dog that she called “Puppy Puppy.” It was months before she would stay and eat the food while Sher sat on a rock watching. More months passed and Sher finally attempted to touch her and to her sadness, Puppy Puppy bolted. However, she returned the next day to eat hot dogs out of Sher’s hand. Sher continued to gain ground with her and was finally able to pet her and scratch her. Sher brought her grandchildren and her own dogs out to go for walks in the meadow with Puppy Puppy. As Sher put it, “When she decided to trust, she trusted all the way.” It was now August of 2004 and Sher thought that Puppy Puppy might be tame enough for the shelter which was a kill shelter, to catch her so she made a call to CCLRR. At first they thought that she might be too wild for adoption but Sher ended up talking to the right person and they told her if you bring her, we’ll take her! So they met at a vet’s in Vacaville and handed Puppy Puppy over to a tech and away she gladly went. Someone at CCLRR renamed her Preslie. (Thank you! I loved her name!) Preslie was checked out and had to undergo heartworm treatment and was spayed. She went to live with Foster Sally Hall who did a wonderful job of making sure she recuperated and got back to being healthy. Preslie lived six months with Sally and her husband Lee and their dog JD. With a great deal of love and patience, they socialized her and she learned to be a house dog and to be loved and be part of a family. All three of them did a remarkable job grooming Preslie to become an adoptable pet. In February 2005, I went to meet Sally and Preslie at the Folsom adoption clinic. I wondered if she would be the one. I remember her barking at me as I approached her and Sally telling her to shush and that she couldn’t get by on looks alone. I laughed and after spending a bit of time with her, decided that she would come home with me. Six months later she was joined by Kaia, a little sister from CCLRR. (Her name had been Shadow) Preslie fit right in with my animal family…horses, cats, chickens etc. Preslie had so much personality. She continued to bark at me and at every visitor but I soon learned that she wasn’t actually barking at us, but to us. It was her way of saying hello. She passed her K-9 Good Citizen test and we soon took up agility. She was the only dog I have ever known to be able to bark with a bone, ball or some other toy in her mouth. The majority of the time, you could actually see a smile on her face. I nicknamed her wiggles because she was always wiggling with joy. When I met Russell, my future husband, Preslie gave her approval and welcomed him into our family. We have enjoyed so many good times with Preslie and have been blessed to have her in our lives. Sadly, the first weekend of March, Preslie became ill and we rushed her to the vet. We learned that she had a growth on her spleen. Having dealt with this with another one of my labs, I knew the prognosis wasn’t good. We made Preslie comfortable and brought her home to spend some more time with her and decide what to do. It wasn’t long before she let us know that we needed to let her go. Russell, Kaia and I said our goodbyes to Preslie on March 9th. We were only blessed to have Preslie in our lives for six years which just didn’t seem like enough time. We all miss her so much and hope that time will heal our hearts. We would like to express our gratitude to Sher for going above and beyond in rescuing Puppy Puppy, to CCLRR for accepting her and to Sally and her family for taking such great care of Preslie and helping her to become the wonderful family member we were blessed with.
Sincerely,
Allison and Russell Wahl

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IN MEMORIAM

SABLE

It was loved at first sight for me and I plucked her out of the Sacramento City Shelter in November 2010 . Her name was Sweetie and I renamed her Sable for her lovely coat. I had every intention of fostering her for Lab rescue but she was so sweet that I kept her. She was the cuddliest girl and so tender. This week she started drooling and crying. She could not eat or even hold a tennis ball. I immediately took her in to an oral vet thinking it was her bad teeth. Sadly it was an advanced tumor in her jaw. She went in my arms. Although I had her for only six months I really bonded with her. I gave her a great last six months and she gave me a lifetime of love. This sweet girl was saved, fostered, adopted and loved by Liz Kanter..... Sleep well dear Sable we will miss you

IN MEMORIAM

THOMPSON

It is with my deepest sadness that I have to let you know that on March 15th @ approx 3:31 in the afternoon, I had to let my Fine Yellow Lab lay down in my arms and release his spirit to the Rainbow Bridge. He had been developing a small limp in his right front quarter over the past few months, which I had been treating with glucosamine, thinking he was developing some arthritic joint on his right side. He had just turned 8 years on Valentines Day, he was a Valentines baby. Then just after his b-day he took a dramatic turn down and I started running tests, one of which was an x-ray that determined that indeed he did not have arthritis, but that just left us with more of a mystery. The vet, Dr. Elaine Dornton in Lodi, gave me a prognosis on March 5th that it was either a tumor on or near his spine or a slipped disk, since he would not hold his head up and was very lethargic. We put him on prednisone and some pain meds. He seemed to rally for a few days but started to relapse in the mid-week. On Monday the 14th I took him to an internist in Dublin who confirmed that it looked bleak, either a severe spinal injury, which I could not trace to any sudden injury as he was with me all the time, or some form of cancer, either near his spinal column or possibly in the brain. I drove him home that day praying for a miracle and hoping against hope. He ate a good meal Monday night and drank water. I found him in the night standing in the living room, I think the pain just made him get up and walk & by Tuesday morning he had slipped even more. We found him in various places around the house over the course of Tuesday morning, but he was always able to hobble out to do his duty-work. I think he just hung on for me to finally realize what I had to do. I kept saying that when his tail stopped wagging, then it was him telling me that it was time to go. Early in the afternoon, I had him in the back of the Expedition, laying on his car bed, and the tail was a flicker. I called the vet @ 2 and informed her that I thought it was time, she had me come @ 3 and as we waited in the car for her, Tommy went into what could only be described as a mild spasmodic episode where he reared his head and rolled off the bed. She came out very shortly after that & after I asked her if this was the right thing to do, we eased him from his pain while I held him and kissed him and sobbed and said "Goodbye My Wonderful, Faithful Friend".
He is laying in his resting place @ my shop on Lockeford Street under an array of lit candles and rainy day tears as I learn to bear my days without my loyal companion.
Say a prayer and lift a toast to my friend too soon taken.
Ron

 

In Memoriam

Carrie

Carrie came to us in 2009...her tummy was so distended we thought she was pregnant. Well the vet said no, she has Cushings Disease. There was little we could do except let her live out her life in comfort. Her foster Evelyn took wonderful care of her and Carrie adored her. She lived way longer than anyone thought she would and was a happy girl. Last week she had trouble walking and this week she died peacefully. She just went to sleep and didn't wake up. She gave her love and asked so little. She was a Lab. Sleep well dear Carrie

IN MEMORIAM
TEDDY

We adopted a beautiful fox red Lab from you circa November 2002. We picked him up on a Sunday from some volunteer Cal Davis students in Davis. He was a beautiful boy! We gave our donation and took Teddy with us to get him vetted. That was the start of a wonderful relationship my wife and I had with Teddy. We live with our dogs. Ted needed to put on some weight and we got him “stabilized” at circa 87-92lbs. Teddy had been found wandering in Yolo Cty with a broken lead and road rash on him. We had no background on him.

We took him in and sent him off to ProK9 Dog Training in Diamond Springs, California (Janis Howard) for attitude adjustment for two months. We got back an even more beautiful buddy who went with us everywhere, except when it was too hot, and he allowed us to live with him in his 3 bedroom 2 bath condo in San Carlos, CA. Teddy did evidence some IBD and we finally got that under control with Antibiotics and Prednizone. I took Teddy to work with me every day. We had great lunch time talks and then after work would go to the park for some play time. We treated Teddy like the good companion he was to us. We took him with us to visit our kids in Oregon and family in Washington State. He enjoyed the road trips in our truck.

Sadly, Teddy became suddenly ill last Saturday night. We took him to our vet at 2am. We stabilized him with IV fluids and he perked up. The doc said he seemed “shockey”. We slept with him in the kennel until Sunday morning circa 8a when another ultra sound doc discovered a growth on his spleen. Surgery revealed a growth on his liver lobe that was bleeding and causing complications. The prognosis was not good and the quality of live for him moving forward would not have been what he had up to this point. Lynne and I decided to let him rest. We went into the OR and petted, talked to him and about him, amidst profuse crying. The doc administered the shot and our great companion ran off to Rainbow Bridge. The last week has been one of much sorrow, tears, emptiness, missing Teddy. We are waiting to get his ashes back so we can put him on my nightstand and I can go to sleep with him next to me again. A friend told me, “the best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of the master”. Teddy will always be in our hearts with beautiful memories of a great buddy.

I want to thank you for bringing Teddy into our lives.

Thank you,

Lynne and Gil De Vincenzi

IN MEMORIAM

In Loving Memory of Sweet Jazz

We had to say goodbye on February 1st 2011 to our wonderful foster boy, Jazz. It has taken me this long to write about him, as it was so very difficult to say goodbye. Jazz came to rescue in 2010 where he was turned in to the shelter because he had apparently killed a few farm chickens at a ranch. We lovingly called him Jazz the Chicken Killer. He had infected ears, bad skin problems and awful coloring for a chocolate boy. He was adopted out, but came back due to separation anxiety issues. After working with him for a time, he looked wonderful and was doing so much better. He was back up for adoption after one more follow up vet visit. At that visit a lump was discovered and further tests proved that he had advanced Lymphoma. It seemed as though once we cleared up his skin problems, cancer took over. My husband and I were crushed – so unfair for all that he had been through and at such a young age of only 6. The doctor explained in detail how it would go with him and said he had four to six months max. We couldn’t believe that this happy healthy, romp in the back yard, chase squirrels, balls and anything else that moved, could really be that sick.

But it did go that way…he was on medication for a time and that helped shrink the lymph nodes in his neck and rear legs. But at some point that stopped working too. We knew it was happening as the doctor had said. I promised Jazz that I would not let him suffer in any way. I promised him that I would be with him to the end and that I would lie on the floor with him. I told him I would look into his eyes, say goodbye and I would be the last person he would see before going to sleep. That I would tell him what a good boy is was and how much I loved him. And that is how it went on February 1st. I said goodbye to this young sweet chocolate boy.

Rest in peace sweet Jazz. I hope there are lots of chickens over the rainbow bridge for you to chase. We’ll never forget you.

Ken and Petra

IN MEMORIAM

SR WR MHR SHELTERWOOD EVEN'S ONLY SH
10/1/98 2/4/11

When we decided to breed our beautiful show Lab Lark,we looked at stud dogs and pedigrees. We settled on Campbellcrofts Even Stephen, "Even". Well, we didn't get a litter we got a "lit". One beautiful yellow female. Our kennel name was Shelterwood so she became Shelterwood Even's Only called "Solo". She went into the show ring like she owned it and competed in both AKC Hunt tests through her Senior Hunter title and North American Hunting Retriever Assn Master Hunting Retriever title. All was not easy with Solo, she had a sense of humor.   One particular Hunt Test, she did a really difficult water retrieve, one that many other dogs had failed. She got her bird, swam back, got out of the water and carefully put her bird down on the bank and went back in the water for a swim. She eventually came out, picked up her bird and came to heel perfectly at my husband's left side with her bird in her mouth. Well of course she failed and the other trainers and handlers had a good laugh. That was Solo. She loved everybody and welcomed every Rescue Lab who came to our house to be fostered. She shared her toys and her mom & dad's love with them, said goodby when they were adopted and greeted the next one. She adored children....maybe it was because they usually had food. Solo left us today to join her mom Lark, her best bud Moose and Bubba and all her other buddies in the Gilson Household. We will miss her sweet face and the tail that never stopped. Sleep well dear Solo

 

LADY

Lady joined my family 8/2/2009. I had been looking for a younger dog to join my two very elderly dogs (14 and 15) and my two cats, but when I met Lady at the adoption event she absolutely stole my heart. I think Lady chose me as she came up to me with her tail wagging and a look in her eyes that said “I’m going to my forever home with you.” It didn’t matter that she was receiving treatment for ear infections or that she was an older girl of about 9. Lady immediately fit in with the existing pack members, and I soon came to realize how special she was.
Over the next year I discovered what a wonderful dog she was. Lady was so good, gentle and patient around the little kids in the neighborhood as well as the residents at my Mom’s care home. She never fussed despite multiple trips to the vet for treatment of the ear infections. She had a bit of wanderlust and would take off to explore the neighborhood, but then get right back into the car when I caught up with her. It also turned out that Lady was the best big sister that a puppy and younger dog could ever have.
After my elderly dogs passed I added a lab pup and special needs Afghan hound to the family. Lady would run, chase and play with them until all were worn out. She tolerated the typical puppy antics of tugging on ears, nips and rough housing and would gently discipline the youngsters with little more than a low growl or paw on the head when she thought enough was enough. I thought she would be able to teach the younger ones an awful lot in the years to come. Then in January I found a lump by one of Lady’s teats.
I had a feeling of dread as the lump was ill defined and not encapsulated. After surgery my worst fears were confirmed, it was cancer, and very aggressive according to the pathology report. Despite the best efforts of Drs. Gary Forney and Amy Stewart, to keep Lady going a little while longer, we lost the battle 2/1/2011. True to her sweet nature, Lady was extremely patient as I gave her multiple injections of appetite stimulants, syringe feedings and nightly fluids over the final weeks.
The pups, Keely and Keegan, and I miss her, but I know Lady is in heaven now and being spoiled by my Dad. She’s running around and playing with all of my other 4 legged family members who have gone before and getting all the tummy rubs, pig ears and car rides she could ever want. But most importantly, she is no longer suffering and is waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.

IN MEMORIAM

SAMPSON

Due to a sudden illness that no one could foresee – this sweet boy was released from his pain. The one consolation is that he died in loving arms and not in a shelter or on the streets. His last days were spent in a warm home, with a soft place to sleep, good food and with unconditional love! Goodbye my sweet Sampson from Cindy who loved you so.

Sampson is in Heaven

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

IN MEMORIAM

In Loving Memory of

Tanker and Harley

Both adopted via CC Lab Rescue!

Harley was my best friend for 8 years. I had just lost my 3 yr old german shorthaired pointer in 2003, and was obviously devastated. For months I said I would never get another dog that I loved like him. A few months later, I started looking for dogs through CCLRR and found 2 labs that needed a home. I drove out to the house in Oakley/Brentwood to look at the dogs, but a different dog caught my eye running and playing with the other dogs in the field. “Oh, that’s Harley” said the foster mom. She brought him over, he was so handsome. We went for a short walk and I really connected with him. I knew he was a winner when he jumped in the front seat of my Chevy truck and we headed home.

I adopted Tanker through CCLRR at his owners home in Citrus Heights, CA – he was adopted as a ‘pal’ for Harley in 2005. Unfortunately – Harley had major dog aggression, and they didn’t hit it off, so I had to bring Tanker to my parents house for the night and planned to return him to his foster mom the following day. However, when I arrived at my parents house the next morning, there was my Dad sitting with Tanker and holding him, telling me “this is my new best friend, you can’t take him, I want him!”. My Dad has just lost his younger brother suddenly and was mourning his death. Tanker sensed that my Dad needed him and stayed by his side.

Eventually I moved in with my parents a couple of years ago. We were able to get Harley to be nice to Tanker and get over his dog aggression. They became pals, and were always together whether in the house on their beds by the warm fire with Grandma and Grandpa, on the boat, Lake Tahoe, or wherever their family was – they were there.

Tanker had health problems his entire life, (thyroid, epilepsy, etc) and also had a hip replacement in 2007. Sadly, Tanker died at the age of 8 on November 10, 2010 of bladder/kidney cancer. I had Harley for 8 wonderful years until January 12 when he died suddenly after a short illness at the age of 11. The vet believes it was some type of stomach cancer or something that couldn’t be detected on the multiple tests we ran on him. I still cry every day missing my boys.

Losing both Tanker and Harley so close together has been devastating for my parents and myself, they truly were part of the family. Our house just isn’t the same without them. We only can hope to love like that again someday, and pray that they are playing together over the Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you to CCLRR, if it weren’t for you, we would have missed out on these two angels in our lives for the last few years! Jason Templer

IN MEMORIAM

Soft, Yellow and Mellow: Lux, 16 (formerly Lucky of Oliverhurst)
 
Left to right, Lux, taken the last night of his life.  And, taken the summer before, enjoying the sun.

Every Lab lover should have that one great Lab who simply understands, gives everything and asks so little.  This was Lux and everyone at Rescue adored him.  We will miss you Lux, sleep well.

IN MEMORIAM
NEKO

We adopted Neko (then Tommy) in 2003 when we graduated from college. He was an AMAZING addition to our home and fantastic companion through most of Paul's doctorate program, and Harmony's first job teaching music, three masters degrees, a cross country move, and the first few months of Harmony's doctorate program. When Harmony was away auditioning for school in October 2009, Neko began having a weird eye infection that would not go away. Through months of procedures and tests he was eventually diagnosed with nasal cancer. At only age 7, he was young for it and was given six months to live. After moving all the way to Indiana, at the end of the seventh month, Paul flew out to Indiana so he and Harmony could be with Neko when he died on our feet.

In our humble opinion, he was the best dog on the planet. When we adopted him, he was 9 months old and had never been around humans. When we first brought him home, he was so terrified of the car it took two people carrying him to get him in and he would get motion sick almost immediately. He instantly bonded to both of us, adoring and protecting us every moment of his life (even in his final hour). When we would arrive home, his whole body would wag and wiggle with excitement. When Paul arrived in Indiana from California, Neko jumped up to greet him. In his younger days, he loved to travel, especially to San Luis Obispo and to our house in Colorado. After only a few months with us, he took his first trip to Southern California and a couple years later out to Colorado. He loved going in the car because he got to be with us. When he was on vacation, he would get to sleep on the bed with us and generally would take up so much space that we would fall off the bed. He always let us know when it was time to get out of the car by hopping into Paul's lap. He also was afraid of stairs, so Paul would have to carry the giant, brave, dog into the hotel room. He always found something to chase: kitties, squirrels, or bunnies and loved to chew, but only on his special toys!

Before Neko, our family had never had any other dogs besides shelties and were wary of adding a large dog to our lives. When Neko first was getting sick, they were there pushing us to run all the tests because "he's worth whatever it costs to make him happy and healthy." When we had to move back in with Harmony's parents (where we had first adopted Neko), my mom said she was thrilled that her "grandson" was going to come live with her again. He had a whole world of people who loved and cared for him unconditionally. He enriched our lives and hopefully we did the same for his.

Neko crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Nov 8. His birthday was Dec 8.

 

IN MEMORIAM
Evelyn Mc Clurg

Lab Rescue recently lost one of their dear friends and supporters with the passing of Evelyn Mc Clurg. Evelyn loved labradors (and all animals) and passed that love on to her daughter, Kit, founder/owner of Kitlyn Labradors. Evelyn spent many hours at ringside watching Kit and her friends show labs. It didn't matter if a lab won or not, they were her friends and they came home to be enjoyed by her. She just never met a lab that she didn't think was wonderful.

Evelyn will be dearly missed by all of us who loved her. We are left to remember her spunk and wonderful outlook on life. She saw the joy in everything and her attitude reflected that. Right now we know she's in heaven where she was greeted by all of her loved ones and all of her labradors.

Our deepest condolences to you Kit. Your mom was truly a special person.

IN MEMORIAM

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BEN

Ben, a Stockton pound dog who gave us more than three years of love and countless moments of joy, died in his human mother's arms on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at his home in Oxford, Mississippi. He was about 10 years old.

Veterinarians diagnosed Ben with thyroid cancer and a heart tumor in February. They gave him one to three months to live. Ben persevered for almost nine months, spending a last glorious summer walking in tall grasses, retrieving in mountain creeks and snouting his humans for pets.

"He just wants to be with you," his foster Nancy Brauer once said. And indeed, while Ben was unfailingly gentle with all--he let our friends' puppy gnaw his ears--his greatest desire was to be his people’s loyal companion. When walking off-leash, Ben would glance back to make sure we were still there. If left alone in a backyard, he would break through fences to find us.

At his strongest and most athletic, Ben weighed 96 pounds. He backpacked in the Eastern and Southern Sierras, and hiked the Nevada desert and the Mississippi woods. He swam in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, in mountain lakes, creeks, rivers, ponds and family pools. He ran dirt roads with me, chased my husband's mountain bike and plunged through the snow behind my in-laws' cross-country skis.

During winter camping trips, he wore my husband's old fleece vest for warmth, and curled happily in the vestibule of our tent, his back against our feet. At home, he preferred to sleep with his big head on a pillow.

Over the years, he surfed both couches and counters. Booty included a raw steak, a bag of chocolate-dipped macaroons, pizza and cornbread pulled effortlessly off the stove despite being in a cast-iron baking dish. His stomach was never upset.

When petted, Ben would grumble contentedly, roll on his back or rest his head on my leg. He was a leaner, a sniffer and an outrageous snorer. Looking at him was enough to set his tail wagging, and I miss those heavy thumps on our wood floor tremendously.
We loved Ben deeply; he was the best boy. In his last months, he socialized my mother's formerly dog-aggressive Shar-Pei. Because of Ben, she brought home another dog, a rescue who now has a second chance. Thank you for giving Ben his.

Vanessa & Greg

IN MEMORIAM

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KONA

Unfortunately, we don't know how old Kona was since we adopted her through the Lab Rescue. Our vet thinks she was around 12 years. Kona loved walks, going for car rides, hikes, swimming, FOOD, and being with her family. She lived a fabulous 2 years with us traveling to places that included the rest of her family. She is survived by her 2 moms, and 3 sisters--Scrappy, Bailey, and Bandit. She was truly a gem and got along with all dogs and people. She was extremely patient with our new puppy--Bandit. Every one that met Kona thought she was a sweetie. She was loved very much and will truly be missed.

Stacey

IN MEMORIAM

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LILY & LOLA


Lola and Lily have both crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Lily went first and Lola followed. They loved going anywhere in the car....even just to the grocery store. They were best friends from the first day. Lily came to Rescue from a family that was moving and sweet little Lola was a retired brood bitch from a really good breeder. Debbie Attaway who was part of Rescue from it's begining adopted and loved them and took "The Girls" everywhere. Swimming in the Lake, to Gold Beach in Oregon (their favorite) They never met a stranger they didn't like and managed to do really cute "Lab" things to make everyone they met give them pets and treats. Everyone who knew them will miss their sweet faces and wagging tails. Sleep well dear Lily and Lola, you were both so special

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ROXANNE

Roxanne's memorial

We were finally off to the coast for a weeks vacation. Just finished packing and going over the last minute things. Roxanne had never been to the ocean, so this one was for her. That afternoon my sunny day turned into a storm. Roxie became very ill, bad enough that I had to take her to the emergency room as it was a Sunday. The next 2 hours were the longest hours, finally the vet told me she suggested I leave her overnight until my vet opened on Monday. Monday wasn't looking any better, nether was Tuesday. Roxie passed away Wednesday afternoon as I walked along the beach thinking about her. I had my other dog, Dolly with me! As I reached down to pet Dolly and played with her tags between my fingers. OMG, I can't believe I had the wrong collar on the wrong dog!!! Dolly was wearing Roxanne's tag. There was her name big as life staring right at me! Could this really be? As Dolly chased the waves, rolled in the sand and ate everything dead that washed up on the beach I had to laugh! ROXIE HAD IN FACT MADE IT TO THE BEACH. I managed a grin as I remember how kind Roxie was. We dubbed her"rescues' therapy dog" as she invited very foster in, showed them the house, explained the rules, gave up her bed and brought them every single toy out of the toy box until they found the one they wanted. She was truly a miracle dog. She warmed the heart of every single person she meet and I was the lucky one to have had her for 9 years. Roxie was 2 months shy of her 10th birthday. It's hard to believe something was terribly wrong as she never complained of any pain or discomfort and that she would decide to take that trip over the rainbow bridge now. I guess we will never understand but best to have her out of pain. She had been diagnose with intestinal cancer, beyond hope. It's quiet at my house now, Dolly misses her friend and wonders where on earth she went. And me, well I really miss my girl Roxie was truly my devoted friend and inspiration. I will never, ever forget you, sleep soundly my dear baby girl, you are now resting in my heart.

IN MEMORIAM

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MOLLY

July 10, 2000 to September 15, 2010

Molly, was our sweetie pie/princess she wore a lavender collar with her name in crystals. She also wore a a green and yellow John Deere name and address tag because Jim said "she is a mountain dog now". When we first got Molly, I came home from work one night and there they were sprawled out on the bed snoring in unison, from that night on we became the three sleeping musketeer's fighting for space on the bed. There were two Molly's in the neighborhood and Molly was tagged as the good Molly.

Molly's front yard was her own personal meadow, in the spring a small creek ran though and she loved to play in it and get mud from her paws to her knees. We were happy at the end of spring when it dried up. Her backyard was the national forest and Pinecrest Lake. In the spring we would take walks around Pinecrest and she would like to lap up the fresh snow pack run off and smell the new spring smells (she was a sniffer and smelled everything). We would watch the lake rise and she would anticipate summer swims in the lake. Molly would go to the lake three to four times a week and swim for hours retrieving her tennis ball (she loved her tennis ball on land or water). She had a little friend Steffi who vacationed from Colorado two weeks in July and every year they would play together for hours. This year her dad asked her what her favorite part of her vacation and she said "throwing the ball to Molly". Though the years in the Fall Molly helped me plant over 1000 bulbs in the meadow. I always had to keep my eye on her because she liked to take off on a sniffy spree when I wasn't watching. She never went in the street and always came back. When winter came she didn't much like the rain, but boy did she loved it when it snowed. She love going out and helping Jim and Cal Trans plow the snow. She love rolling in the snow, fetching her tennis ball and chasing snow balls, she couldn't understand why she couldn't find any, she was very funny looking for them.

I want to thank Nancy Brauer for picking us for Molly's adopted parents. Molly gave a lots of love and wonderful memories that will live in our hearts forever. We were really blessed to have her in our lives thank you for that.

Molly's loving parents

Barbara Falk and Jim Lowson

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CALI

I adopted Cali in June of 2006. My family likes to say that Cali rescued me - I had been in a bad motorcycle accident, and both my two labs died suddenly 3 months later. Cali made me smile, and got me out of the wheelchair. When I went to meet Cali, her foster mom Irena told me she had been a stray, and CCLR saved Cali from the shelter in the nick of time - she had a bad skin condition, had scratched off most her fur, had ear issues, and was rail thin. We had both been through a lot, and we definitely rescued each other!

Cal was the sweetest of all dogs - loyal, friendly, snugly, and playful. She would meet visitors at the door with her bowl, and sing and wiggle. She made whoever she was with feel special, like she was their favorite. We worked on a lot of things - learning how to play well with other dogs, getting over her insecurities about never having enough love, food, attention, etc. But she filled the house with love and happiness. She was so quirky, and was absolutely the silliest dog I have ever known.

This summer, after only being together for four short years, Cali's health started failing. She was still young, about 6 years old, but it turned out she had cirrohsis. She died on September 26, on her farm, surrounded by her family, wrapped im my arms. I miss her terribly, and will love her always.

Please keep up the good work, so many lives depend on it.
Deborah.

IN MEMORIAM

MIRACLE PREFACH
3/27/93 - 6/4/10

Miracle was rescued by Irena Bolstad. He was found wandering and hungry in Del Paso heights. He was old, creaky and unadoptable but we just couldn't let him die in a Shelter. Mitch Prefach took him in and gave him the best years of his life. Mitch says...He came to retire on my ranch in 2004.  The last year of his life he could not get up on his own but once he got up he could walk for hours. My precious Miracle. Now if I could only rescue the four to five million dogs a year who are needlessly put to sleep.
Sleep well dear Miracle, you're running free in grassy fields now.

IN MEMORIAM

GIGI

Gigi

This was how we listed Gigi when she came to us.....
Gigi is a precious elderly black female who has come upon rough times. She
was found on the side of the road, collapsed as a result of tick paralysis.
A good Samaritan scooped her up, cleaned her, and pulled hundreds of ticks
off her. With all the ticks gone GG perked right up. She has multiple sores
that are healing, so her coat is a bit patchy, but she is getting two square
meals a day so it's just a matter of time before her good looks return. She
is looking for a warm, cozy retirement home with a kind family who will take
her for leisurely walks and give her all the pets she needs.
Now for "The Rest Of The Story"

Gigi went to a wonderful woman who has a "Sanctuary" for elderly dogs and
cats...this is what she wrote as Gigi "Crossed The Bridge" at 16

GiGi was very happy and would walk over to birdwatchers house every morning
to see Mike. Mike was always very afraid of dogs since he was bitten as a
youth. He grew so fond of Gigi that on days Gigi wasn't up to visiting Mike
(a 65 year old retiree from PG&E) would say, "Mitch, where's my friend?"
Gigi was my welcome committee. Whenever Att, the propane guy, or UPS
came by she would melt their hearts. When I was caring for Bear (a lab
rescue boy) during his cancer treatments, GiGi comforted both Bear and his
owner, My Father.
A kind gentle lady who earned her rest. Now buried under a young but strong
robust Redwood.
Some dogs are just so special...Gigi was one of those....all who knew her
loved her and she loved them back without reservation.

IN MEMORIAM

Biscuit

From Biscuit's owner Ann. Biscuit came into my life 10 years ago. She was two and a half years old at the time. I was searching for a second dog for a companion for my dog. He was also adopted from the rescue. At the time of the adoption of Biscuit, I found out that she was a litter mate of my dog. The two dogs were reunited after being separated for two years. Biscuit was a great friend to me over the years. She became diabetic at the age of eight and the last four years were very hard on her but she never stopped being a lab. The disease caused her to become blind and she under went surgery for lens replaced to restore her sight. She had to have two insulin shots a day but she always took them without an issue. My house is very quiet now that both my friends have gone over the rainbow bridge. I miss them both but I know Biscuit is playing with her brother again.
Biscuit is standing, facing the camera, with her brother sitting. Ann gave Biscuit such a good life and Biscuit gave all who knew her a better life. Sleep well dear Biscuit, we will miss you.

IN MEMORIAM

BUDDY



Buddy came to live with us on August 30, 2009. He was the "youngster" at 9 then turned 10 in December. I adopted two sisters from Placerville in November 2008 who were 10 at the time and they were able to PUT UP with Bud Bud and his young dog antics. He ran everywhere with me chugging along behind him, ate everything and put up with the nutty cat but was so good about sleeping all night. When he woke me up early on February 20th I knew he was sick. His ears were scalding hot and he wasn't wagging. Despite sonograms, blood work and many x-rays, we lost Buddy that evening to a large mass in his abdomen that had apparently burst. No matter how long these special animals are with us, we are touched in some way. Always adopt please.
Carol, Pheona, Noel and Fearless
Buddy was one of those special, gentle Labs....perfect in every way BUT he could grab and eat a whole loaf of bread if you were so foolish as to leave it anywhere within his reach...he once managed to pull a loaf off the top of the refrigerato at his foster's home....we at Rescue loved him. Sleep well dear Buddy we will miss your sweet face.

IN MEMORIAM

POPPY

Sadly. Rescue is losing many of our older Labs. Poppy's owner Liz writes:
Five years ago I fostered Pheobe (renamed Poppy) for CCLRR. After one day
I decided to adopt her. I was her third mom.
Her bio said she had two speeds: stop and go. Last week she died. The
house is so empty without her. I feel lucky to have had her in my life and
she brought so much happiness to so many. Liz. Poppy the black girl
swimming with her best buddy.
Poppy found the perfect "mom" on the third try. When our "orphans" find the
right home, they give such unconditional love. Sleep well dear Poppy, we
will miss you.

IN MEMORIAM

HERSHEY / HERSCHEL

Hershey/Herschel really was special, everyone loved him. His life was way too short but the Sokalski's adored him and gave him such a good life Sleep well dear Herschel, you made everyones life better by being there.

Pat Sokalsky writes
We adopted Herschel (the dog previously known as "Hershey"--how mundane!) in May, 2007. He had been abandoned in a foreclosure. We renamed him "Herschel" because his rude nose put us in mind of the discoverer of the planet Uranus, Sir William Herschel. His new buddy, Tawney, had lost her friend, Brutus, and Herschel's arrival gave her a reason to play and run again.

Herschel died this morning. I did not see this coming a week ago. Tawney watched over him during the night, but he waited until he was with his head in my lap.

Attached are a couple of pictures--he really could climb a ladder for a treat! He was such a wonderful boy who brought a lot of love and laughter to us. He exemplified the reason for Labrador Retriever Rescue--a great dog who loved his pack and his life, who deserved better than his being left behind.

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM ZOE

Zoe was a Lab mix with a gimpy leg. She came to us from the Sacramento SPCA...where she went unadopted. She was 7 years old. She was adopted and so well loved
by Steve Kyle and------ They saw how special she was and she loved them as much as they loved her. Zoe crossed the Rainbow Bridge this week....her legs simply gave out.
Labs ask so little and give so much. Sleep well dear Zoe, we will miss you.

IN MEMORIAM

MIRACLE PREFACH
3/27/93 - 6/4/10

Miracle was rescued by Irena Bolstad. He was found wandering and hungry in Del Paso heights. He was old, creaky and unadoptable but we just couldn't let him die in a Shelter. Mitch Prefach took him in and gave him the best years of his life. Mitch says...He came to retire on my ranch in 2004.  The last year of his life he could not get up on his own but once he got up he could walk for hours. My precious Miracle. Now if I could only rescue the four to five million dogs a year who are needlessly put to sleep.
Sleep well dear Miracle, you're running free in grassy fields now.

IN MEMORIAM

BUDDY

Buddy came to live with us on August 30, 2009. He was the "youngster" at 9 then turned 10 in December. I adopted two sisters from Placerville in November 2008 who were 10 at the time and they were able to PUT UP with Bud Bud and his young dog antics. He ran everywhere with me chugging along behind him, ate everything and put up with the nutty cat but was so good about sleeping all night. When he woke me up early on February 20th I knew he was sick. His ears were scalding hot and he wasn't wagging. Despite sonograms, blood work and many x-rays, we lost Buddy that evening to a large mass in his abdomen that had apparently burst. No matter how long these special animals are with us, we are touched in some way. Always adopt please.
Carol, Pheona, Noel and Fearless
Buddy was one of those special, gentle Labs....perfect in every way BUT he could grab and eat a whole loaf of bread if you were so foolish as to leave it anywhere within his reach...he once managed to pull a loaf off the top of the refrigerato at his foster's home....we at Rescue loved him. Sleep well dear Buddy we will miss your sweet face.

IN MEMORIAM

BEAR & LILY

This may the third hardest thing I’ve ever done, right after those two trips to the Vet.
They are both gone now, Bear and Lily. Lily came into our family at age 5, about the time CCLRR was being born. We needed a Lab who wouldn't "fetch" our pet birds and Jackie said such a critter did exist, and she would find one for us. She was a soft, sweet retired breeder, who wiggled and twirled when she was happy. She always turned around three times when she prepared to lay down (although sometimes she would get distracted and it was more like 3x3). She quickly became totally devoted to our kids and us, as we were to her. She was not the sleek, field Lab, but came from Show lines, with a trail of curly hair down her back and a shorter muzzle. Gentle and loving, she wanted always to be where we were, in the middle of things, “helping”.
Bear joined our family several months later at age 4, a companion for Lily.
Big head, skinny body, he was between homes, competing for food with a bunch of other dogs at a farm out in the valley. We took Lily to meet him, and they hit it off immediately. Our Vet pronounced, “He’s a good dog, but put some weight on him.” He quickly grew strong and sleek, a beautiful Lab. He was never interested in fetching, which is probably why as a field Lab he was not wanted. He did like to dig, though, but would only dig on command.
Bear and Lily became the inseparable ones. They played as Labs do, chewing on each other, racing around the yard bumping into each other. Bear would race, put a shoulder into Lily, knocking her down. Bear utilized his additional height to play the high ground, but Lily would go for his feet and knock him to the ground.
“CJ’s Chief Running Bear” was his full name, and never was there a more prophetic name. Our fondest memory of Bear is of him running and running until he could run no more, at the fenced-in baseball field at the park. He became, “Runs Like the Wind" to us. He was a JOY to watch -a thing of beauty - strong, fast, and obviously so very happy just to be alive. Lily would trot along trying to keep up. Her back end always looked like it was trying to go a little faster than her front end, as she ran kind of sideways. Eventually, she would trot over to us and join us watching Bear (and get her extra pets and scratches)
Bear and Lily were both lap dogs. At 90 pounds though, Bear needed both of our laps as we sat on the couch. Those times when we let him sleep on our bed, there wasn’t much room for us. Late in his life, he would lay on the couch with his head on one leg, while my cat lay on the other leg – they didn’t mind sharing.
It is amazing how much Labs can love a family. We do so little for them. We feed them, bathe them, keep them dry, warm, take them to the Vet when needed. We pet them, scratch their ears and throw the ball. But they devote their entire selves to us. Lily and Bear’s love and devotion to our family was so complete, they would have given their lives to save ours. Would that we humans could live up to that.
Lily succumbed to kidney failure a few years ago. Bear lived to almost 15 1/2. We took care of him until he could no longer walk, and he was in pain. It was so terribly difficult to take each them on that list trip to the Vet. While their bodies have failed, their minds are still there, their love and trust never wavers. Goodbye my dear friend. Go find Lily, and run like the wind, and she will trot along after you.
Gary and Kyna Hendra

IN MEMORIAM

KATIE

From Janet Giles, Katie and Annie's beloved "Mom"

I just wanted to let you know we lost our beloved Katie over the holidays. She suddenly became sick on Christmas Day and we took her to the emergency vet where she continued to decline. We had to put her down on December 30th which broke our hearts.

Both girls have had some complications and surgeries recently (arthritis and laryngeal paralysis), Annie almost died from pneumonia in the summer. She has her own health issues but is currently stable and we are trying to keep her comfortable with meds etc. She seems to be doing ok without her sister which was a concern for me, since they have always been together.

Anyway we feel so blessed to have had Katie in our life and miss her presence every day. I just wanted you to know.

While we love hearing about our Labs, it's a sad time when they go....we become attached to each and every one of them. Sleep well dear Katie you made all our lives better

IN MEMORIAM

HOYT

Hoyt was an old yellow male. A rural shelter asked us for rescue help when Hoyt continued to lose weight in the shelter. He was checked out and vets found no cause for his problem. We just knew he wasn't adoptable at his age and condition, and probably only had a few weeks to live, but we are suckers when it comes to the old guys. By the time we got him he was down to 58 pounds when he should have weighed 80. He was just skin and bones with a coat that felt more like a brillo pad than anything else. He was named after our dear friend and fellow rescuer, Marcia Hoyt, who recently passed away, and we took him on as a project for Marcia. Nicknamed Bones for his appearance though he earned several others, he suffered from horrible diarrhea for months before we got him. Our wonderful volunteer who loves the old souls took him in, fed him chicken and rice, and he started putting on weight and his stools became firm. The whole time Hoyt was so sick, his tail never stopped wagging. This boy wanted to live and his eyes told us all how much he enjoyed life. And live this boy did, and he had more energy than dogs half his age. Never mention the word B-A-L-L around him because he would run and get it and toss it into your lap. He enjoyed his games of fetch and his daily walks in the park or just hanging out with his foster mom. He slept next to her bed at night and would wake her every morning dropping a ball on her chest. Hoyt woke one morning last week not wanting to play ball and we knew it was his time. If you have never experienced the unconditional love these old dogs can give, you are truly missing one of the most wonderful experiences in life. Yes, we will all miss ol' Bones. We gave him the dignity he deserved at the end of his life, but he gave us so much more love in return. We will miss you sweet Hoyt.