Molly (formerly Holly)

Shirley and Rick have added one-year-old Holly to their family, and this lovely little black Lab has been very busy showing her new parents what a sweet, friendly, and smart girl she is. Now known as Molly, she has quickly wiggled and waggled her way into their hearts.

Shirley sent us this update on Molly's new life: "She is quite the character. She has changed so much in the month we have had her. She is a lover, mommies girl, very polite, loves to snuggle up with you. She has learned stop, sit and wait. Is doing great with come. She loves turkey balls as treats. Gives kisses all over your face. She is awesome with other people, kids and dogs and cats. I don't think I have come up with anything that is bad about her other than she jumps on you when she wants your attention or we are leaving without her. She stays in the house during the day, no kennel for this girl. She doesn't tear things up. Loves to ride in the car. We took her to the dog park last Sunday and she ran and played like she has been doing this all her life. Have taken her with us to the Castle Rock outlets and she was the center of attention.

She has definitely filled the void in our house after losing both Luke and Sadie 5 weeks apart of each other in Oct. and Nov. We still miss them very much and cherish the memories of them everyday."

Good golly, it sounds as if Miss Molly has found the perfect forever home!

Tanner (formerly Matrix)

Amy and Tom brought four-year-old Tanner home to foster, and quickly fell in love with this handsome, fox red Lab boy. Tanner has now officially joined the family, which includes black Lab, Logan, (Safe Harbor alum from the class of 2002), and 11-month-old yellow girl, Zoe, who was adopted from a shelter in Idaho shortly after the family lost their beloved 12-year-old yellow Lab,Tundra, last May.

It took a couple of weeks for Tanner and Zoe to begin playing together, but once they started wrestling and playing tug, these two haven't stopped. Tanner is also winning over his big brother Logan, who wasn't too sure about him at first; and they now happily snooze together on the twin sized dog bed next to their parents' bed. The boys also share a love of rolling in the snow or grass, and chasing a laser pointer light, while little sister Zoe looks on, mystified at what all the fuss is about

All of the dogs have been enjoying trips to local dog parks, including Chatfield, where Tanner and Zoe can't get enough of swimming, retrieving, and trying to catch a duck or two. They all enjoy romping in the snow, and Amy and Tom are looking forward to taking them back-country skiing and on a hut trip.

Tanner is a good boy at at home, and sits and waits in line for his dinner alongside his new canine brother and sister. Amy tells us: "He is such a gentle, sensitive soul for his young age. Friends and family that have met him say "He's so mellow! He's such a good boy."

Although it's been emotionally devastating to lose our Tundra, Tanner and Zoe have helped fill the hole in our hearts, and brought new life to our house."

Tanner,(left) is pictured enjoying family time with Zoe, (right), and Logan (foreground).

Smitty

Through no fault of his own, Smitty came to Safe Harbor with a checkered past. But it will be smooth sailing from now on. Clarke and Linda have given Smitty the best gift of all for Christmas -- his forever home. Smitty is already enjoying long walks twice a day and short walks twice a day, and has become a neighborhood celebrity, accepting treats along the way from his admirers. Smitty will have a frequent visitor from Sadie, a Safe Harbor alumna who was adopted by Clarke and Linda's niece, Amy several years ago. Summertime will bring weekly sojourns to a summer home in the mountains with daily swims in the creek that runs through the property.

At the request of this writer, and his former foster mom, Clarke gave Smitty a hug for her - Smitty gave him a lick on the cheek and then went back to sunning himself by the front door. Smitty is pictured here with Linda and Clarke at his adoption, wearing a cone following eyelid surgery. He has since shed the cone which he is very happy about.

Amos (formerly Ace)

Meet Amos, (fka Ace), and his forever family— parents, Alan and Florence, and canine sister, Nellie, (an SHLR alumna), who had all been looking for a nice mellow Lab to join their laid-back family. Enter Amos, a very handsome black Lab boy, who despite being only a year old, is one of the quietest Labs around. Prior to the adoption being formalized, Amos had spent time with the family and been given many "tests" to make sure they would all be compatible. These included showing that he could get along nicely with his new six-year-old Lab sister, Nellie, as well as Alan and Florence's daughter's family's two dogs; and, most importantly, he had to show that he could be a good boy around their grandson. Well, Amos passed all the tests with flying colors, and has officially became a forever member of this wonderful family. While the adoption papers were being signed, Amos enjoyed chewing on his Kong, and when it was time for pictures, he quietly sat down and agreed to a family photo session. After the picture was taken, Amos and Nellie gave each other a little kiss to celebrate!

Florence sent an update to let us know that they are all doing very well together, and that Amos has even taught his big sister, who had previously been somewhat mystified by dog toys, how to work a Kong! Florence says "He's a good teacher! Maybe she'll even find the hidden retriever in her someday. Nellie's on her way to becoming a therapy dog, visiting nursing homes etc. and that might also be in Amos's future. We feel blessed to have Amos and Nellie as part of our family."

Nicky

Four-year-old Nicky has found his forever home with Jim, Karen, and Abbey the cat.

Although Nicky is a little tentative with strangers, when Jim and Karen came to meet him at his foster home, he decided some cuddle time on the couch with them would be just fine, and quickly demonstrated what an excellent snuggler he is! When it was time to head home with his new family, Nicky trotted out the door to their vehicle, hopped in, and made himself at home on the soft quilt where he discovered a new toy just for him -- a huge fleecy bone.

Since arriving at his forever home, Nicky has been very busy making new friends and winning over all of his extended family members, who have quickly fallen in love with him. Nicky particularly enjoys visits from Jim and Karen's young granddaughter, and accompanying Karen on their frequent visits with her mom at an assisted living center. Karen eventually hopes to groom Nicky to be a therapy dog, which sounds like the perfect "job" for this sweet, gentle, and loving Lab!

Jim and Karen tell us: "Nick is doing great. We've been on several walks and he just loves to go anywhere. He's very fond of our grand daughter and follows her all over the house. He's getting to know our cat Abbey but still isn't sure what she is. He is such a sweet guy we are very blessed to have him in our family. My Mom is 95 and she loves to have her me time with Nick and he really likes all those extra hugs and kisses. I think he's doing very well and seems to feel at home."

Bo (formerly Beau)

This is our sweet puppy Beau, with his new forever family, which includes Michelle and Seamus, and their children, Mariah, McKenna, and Keegan. On adoption day little eight-week-old Beau was winning everyone over by jumping from one kid to another with puppy kisses and little nibbles on their shoes, just to let them all know he was the one — but it didn't take much after they saw his adorable little face. Beau has that big puppy belly and a wonderful personality which quickly stole everyone's heart, especially Seamus'. Beau made his way over to his new dad and made sure he was going to give his approval; and after a few sweet puppy kisses the whole family knew dad was ready to take this little boy home.

His new family reports: "Beau (Bo) is doing remarkable. He is a sweet, adorable little guy who loves to play, sleep and give lots of kisses. Bo has slept through the night since day two and has learned to use our doggie door in just a week thus is almost completely house broken. He loves to play with tug-a-war and visit his lab friends who live next door. He has adjusted extremely well with his new family and is receiving so much love! We are so blessed to have him in our home and our hearts."

Marty

After Michelle and her daughter Jamie came to meet five-year-old Marty, Jaime was able to convince Dad, Jeff, (who was out of town), that Marty had to go home with them that night! After a quick trip to pick up new dog supplies, Jamie and Michelle came back to pick up Marty and take him to his new forever home, where Marty will enjoy lots of attention from Jamie and her 12 year old brother.

Michelle tells us: "Marty is fitting in nicely and getting comfortable with his new people and surroundings. Adopting a "seasoned" lab was a great choice for our family! He is so well mannered and knows basic commands. We can tell he's feeling more comfortable as he's venturing around the house and his own a bit and sniffing at the countertops a bit more when I'm cooking. He didn't do those things the first few days he was with us. When he's told "no" or "go lay down" he does it! Everyone who has met him this past week LOVED him and couldn't believe what a good dog he is! We're so lucky he's joined our family!"

While only Michelle and Jamie were present at the adoption, Marty very quickly became "everyone's dog", and as you can tell from the photo, handsome Marty is extremely proud to show off his new family.

Fe (formerly Hershey)

Christy and Zach, and their Lab, Hazy, were ready to bring a new dog into the family after the loss of their other canine buddy last year. Christy was looking for a cuddle dog, and Hazy was looking for a new playmate. Christy and Hazy came to meet our three-year-old chocolate girl, Hershey; and although both dogs love to fetch and play, Hershey was much more interested in meeting Christy, and showing her all the love she has to offer. Christy knew that this sweet, snuggly girl was just what they all wanted, and Hershey headed home with her new family.

Christy and Zach reported that Hershey, now renamed Fe, (as in Santa Fe), has settled in very nicely and is adjusting well to their daily routine. Fe has made herself right at home, sleeping near the bed, and, most importantly, making sure her people get lots lof cuddles.

With their two beautiful Lab girls, Fe's new forever family will now have double the fun every day!

Felicia

One-year-old Felicia has found her forever home with Janet and Larry, and it sounds as if her new canine sister, Hope, is pretty thrilled about the new addition to the family. As soon as Janet, Hope and Felicia arrived home following Felicia's adoption, the two doggie girls started to play together, and have been playing almost non-stop ever since. Hope was obviously very happy to have a new buddy and playmate, and Janet said "I never realized how much of a puppy she still is & besides finding her a new best friend, this exercise will sure help her weight!"

During play breaks, Felicia is enjoying her brand-new bed, and has done very well sleeping through the night in her crate. Janet and Larry haven't decided yet whether their new girl will be getting a new name, but Janet tells us that "whatever her name will be, I will assure you she will be so loved & cared for, this will be her forever home!"

Felicia is thoroughly enjoying life with her forever family; and just when she thought that things couldn't possible get any better, Felicia learned that she is scheduled for the annual Christmas photo with Santa, and is one very excited pup!

Cash (formerly Colin)

Dana drove all the way from Wyoming to meet our stunning light yellow boy, Colin, and it was well worth the trip! Now known as Cash, this sweet three-year-old youngster is now home in Wyoming with Dana. His social calendar has been very full ever since his arrival, as he has been busy meeting and impressing all of his two-legged and four-legged aunts, uncles, and cousins in his new extended forever family. In between visits, he has discovered how much fun can be had at the dog park, where Dana says Cash "was pretty sure he was in heaven" during his first outing. They will be starting obedience classes very soon, particularly to teach this enthusiastic young Lab that his leash should not be used as a tow rope.

At home, Cash has already found his favorite spots in front of the fire on a big, cushy dog bed, and in front of the large living room window where he can keep an eye on all the comings and goings. So far Cash has been very well-behaved when left alone in the house, and waits patiently in front of "his window" for Dana to return.

What a good boy, and what a great life he has in front of him with his very patient and loving, new forever mom!