Kali

What a wonderful new beginning Kali has found in her forever home with Margaret and Michael. After laying low for a bit and soaking up all of the loving care bestowed upon her by her SHLR foster parents while she recovered from an injury, sweet Ms. Kali is now back on her paws and flying high! At about eight or nine-years-old, this lovely lady of an uncertain age is getting a lifetime's worth of love from her doting new forever parents, and her bright smile and special indomitable Lab spirit have made her a bit of a celebrity among their friends.

Margaret and Michael sent us an update on their very special girl:

"We want to let you know what an absolutely goofy, lovable, beautiful Labbie Miss Kali turned out to be!

We saw Kali on your web site late last summer when she was full of stitches and staples from an injury. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for another Lab after the heart-wrenching death of Lovely Miss Emma, but my husband kept saying Kali sounded like a sweet old girl who needed a home – and we could provide that. Once decided, we couldn’t pick her up right away, but her gracious foster parents nursed her, showered her with hugs, and kept us informed of her recovery while we traded photos, toys, and treats. Thank you Doris and Bob!

Adoption day finally came - we scooped her up in Denver, and put her in the car for the ride home. I kept looking at her snoozing in the back seat and hoping she would like us. We took her to our vet for an introductory visit and were pleasantly surprised to hear him estimate her age at quite a bit younger than thought – yeaah! Now that she’s not so sore, she can catch balls at a full gallop, chase ducks, and give any squirrel a run for his money!

Kali has quite a fan club here, and it's crazy how our friends are sending photos of her to their family and friends around the globe – her smiley face is an international hit! We had a “Welcome Home Kali” party where guests gushed over her and seemed to line up to rub her tummy. They brought her gifts and one has nicknamed her Zsa-Zsa. She just smiles and thumps her happy tail in return.

Kali spent the winter recovering, growing fluffy fur, playing Goldilocks on her beds and ours, and plumping up a bit. She’s still afraid of other doggies but we’re working with her on that and because she tries really hard to do what we ask, we have high hopes. Thank you for saving Kali and for what you do for these wonderful Labbies. Kali has brightened our days with her pretty smile and inspiring perseverance. She wouldn’t have made it without you and we’re blessed to have her lounging on our sofa."

Summer

Beautiful Miss Summer asked us to lend her a paw in finding a wonderful new forever home. Of course, that was no problem at all. All it took was one look at this 3-4 year old chocolate girl's picture posted on our website, and Linda and Brian knew she was the one. They tell us she is the perfect Lab, and they have rolled out the red carpet for this sweet girl. She has everything she could want and more in her new home (including her very own toy box!), and she plans to share a lot of bright Summer sunshine with her family each and every day.

Linda and Brian tell us:

"Summer is doing great. She is a wonderful dog and we are so lucky to have her.

When we first brought her home, she would not walk on our hardwood floors at all or go up the stairs. We worked with her the night we brought her home and the next morning, and by early afternoon she was fine with the floors. We have also gotten her to go UP the stairs, but no luck yet getting her to come down. We will work with her some more on that this weekend.

One of the funniest things about her are her toys. She has a toy box full of them and her favorites are tennis balls and her football and dumbbell that are made of the same material as tennis balls. She throws them up in the air when she wants us to play with her, and if we don't play with her as long as she would like (she could play for 24 hours straight!), she goes over to her toy box, drops in the old toy, and gets a new one that we might like to play with instead!

She is settling in just fine. We have made her feel very loved and wanted. She didn't have much of an appetite for the first day or two, but now she is eating good. We take her on walks twice a day, which she loves, and we also take her for rides in the car, which she also loves.

She has a wonderful temperament and is very sweet and loving. We think she's the perfect Lab!"

Sanders

As soon as we met 3-4 year old Sanders we could tell he was a gentle fellow who just wanted to be loved. He couldn't wait to have a family to call his very own, and then along came Ben and Jaclyn. They were just what he needed to bring a smile to his face and introduce him to a big exciting new world. Sanders is getting all the love, walks, ball fetching and belly rubs he's been craving. Life with his new family is wonderful!

Ben writes:

"Sanders is doing great and has been adjusting to his new home well. He is a very lovable dog and very smart. It seems that he may not have spent a lot of time around people because he does tend to get nervous and bark at strangers, but we have been taking him out a lot and exposing him to people and he is already getting much better. I don't think he's gotten a lot of exercise in the past either but his first experiences at the dog park have been great and he is a natural at playing fetch!

He definitely loves his belly rubs (he'll do a barrel role at your feet and lay on his back waiting) and sticks close to us at home at all times. Jaclyn works from home and he pretty much lays at her feet all day. It only took a couple of days of practice to teach him to walk next to us on the leash instead of pulling so he is a quick learner. We love him and he is a wonderful addition to our family."

Lulu

Lovely Lulu has found her forever home with Tom and Anita and their nine-year-old canine girl, Pika. Lulu's journey home began when Pika's acupuncturist saw Lulu's picture on our website and forwarded it to Tom. Six-year-old Lulu looked very much like the Lab that Tom and Anita had recently lost, and they felt an immediate connection with her. A meet and greet was soon arranged, and they quickly decided that Lulu would be joining them for the ride home and forever after.

Tom tells us that they are really enjoying their new girl and look forward to attending obedience classes with her so they can all get some schooling together:

"She's still a little rough around the edges...we start training this friday. i don't know who needs it more, me or her.

She's turning into a fetching machine in the last week. Lulu has definitely had an effect on Pika; she's lost 3 pounds since Lulu got here. She's jealous and tries to get the ball ahead of Lulu, which is tough since she's fast, but sometimes she actually outruns her. she hasn't run this much in years.

Lulu's a great dog. She learns so fast, and she's really settling in nicely.

We continue to be so happy that Lulu found us and thank you every day for letting us have her."

 

Ryley

What does a good natured, gentle, fun loving 6-year-old big yellow fellow do when he wakes up one morning and realizes he's at the shelter? Just ask ever optimistic Ryley who looked around and said, "Hey, new friends to make everywhere!" He patiently waited just knowing someone would come to his rescue. And why wouldn't they? He's one of the most lovable, companionable Labs on the planet! After a short stay in a Safe Harbor foster home, he was swept off his paws by his new family, Darcy and James and their children, who immediately fell head over heels for their new "goofy" guy.

Darcy and James tell us:

"After losing our second yellow lab at age 14, we were not sure how to move forward with our lives. We decided to adopt a lab from your rescue. It is hard to believe that it has only been 2 weeks since Ryley has come into our lives. Our family has fallen in love with his gentle heart of gold! He is a happy-go-lucky, kind of goofy boy outside! He loves carrying around his soccer ball in his mouth everywhere we go, including walks. Outside, his world is all about playing endless games of fetch....and I mean endless! Back and forth he runs, letting us know when he is ready to take a break on his terms! He loves going for walks, hikes, and to the dog park.

Inside the house, he is a gentle, loving dog who loves to cuddle up with everyone and rolls over to receive belly rubs. He is so gentle with our children and our 16 year old cat. This morning, I couldn't find him for a few minutes. He always hops up off of his doggie bed when I wake up. He was on his loveseat completely buried in a pile of blankets with only his nose sticking out! Talk about feeling comfortable in our home!….What a spoiled dog!!! He has more love than he knows what to do with! We are truly blessed to have Ryley in our lives. Thanks, SHLR, for bringing Ryley to us!"

Otie

Kate and Morris brought a four-month-old Lab boy named Otie home, and have had trouble keeping track of their shoes ever since. Their adorable shoe-thief has been keeping them on their toes with his antics, (which he seems to think are pretty funny), in between romps with his new sister and bff, Ilsa. Soon, the school bells will be ringing and our clever Otie will be off to class to learn how to be the best little Lab around.

Kate writes:

We are loving our little Otie, and he is totally at home here! It took him all of about 5 minutes to make friends with his 3 year old big sister, Ilsa, another SHLR dog. She let him know right away that she didn't want him to jump on her head, or try to steal her food, but other than that they are best buddies and run and play together until Otie drops. He quickly learned to sit for treats and to "wait", but he is so curious and totally fearless---nothing bothers him--not hairdryers or vacuum cleaners or anything. Thanks to his great foster Dad, he knew how to go in and out of the dog door and is totally house trained. He is a great sleeper, letting us sleep all night! He has a very distinct personality and is kind of a clown--he loves to fetch shoes from the closet or carry a big food or water dish through the dog door, all the while looking like he knows he's not supposed to be doing that. He seems to be very, very smart, but with a bit of a stubborn streak, so we know we will have to be firm with his training, or he will take over! We are starting a puppy obedience class next week and expect him to be a star, if he can control his exuberance.

I think Otie is very happy here, and we are certainly happy to have him!

Finn (formerly Brady)

Brady, an adorable six-month-old chocolate Lab mix, traveled all the way to Wyoming with his new parents, Kolbi and Thom. Once he arrived at his new home, he realized he had landed in doggie heaven. His new family comes complete with a Lab brother named Manny, and the best dog-loving, active, parents a young pup could dream of! He now proudly goes by the new name of Finn, and spends his days making sure that everyone in his family gets enough exercise.

Finn's new parents report:

Little Finn has been a delight. He is the best running buddy that I've had in a long time. He gets so excited when I grab my running shoes. Finn is also the best hugger on the planet. He is such a morning dog, but it takes me awhile to become pleasant upon wakening. We have a ritual where I'll get on my knees and he wraps his little paws around my neck. It's the best way to start the day! Manny also enjoys his company, perhaps more than with Max. They take naps together and occasionally play. Thom is Finn's main playmate though. When Manny and I are taking it easy, Thom and Finn can be found chasing each other in the back yard! Too cute!

Abby (formerly Wrigley)

All it takes is one look at the huge smile on Wrigley's face as she poses with her new canine sis, Sadie, to know that she couldn't be happier in her new home! Now known as Abby, this two-year-old bundle of cheer hasn't stopped smiling ever since her new mom, Tiffany, brought her home to stay forever.

Tiffany tells us:

Abby is adjusting to the good life with a large backyard to play with her ball, and comfortable couches for snuggling up with Sadie and I.

Abby is such a sweet girl. Always eager to greet me at the door with her sister Sadie, my 4 year old GSP. So well mannered that when it's human dinner time she finds a nice spot next to our feet to lay down. When we go on hikes she follows Sadie up ahead but never let's me out of site, most of the time she returns with her name called more than Sadie.

In the morning I call her up on the bed and she is always helping me to greet the day with her happy stump wagging away and lots of morning kisses.

She has become part of my family, it's nice to have a shadow wherever I go, I can always look at her and she brings a smile to my face because she's smiling at me.

Abby is a perfect fit for my family and I am very grateful for Safe Harbor.

Ellie Rose (formerly Asta)

It was a done deal when Asta arrived at Gloria's. Gloria showed us in to her house and one-year-old Asta promptly made herself at home on the dog bed with a bully stick between her paws. And on a table in the livingroom was a pretty little pewter picture frame and inside that frame was a picture of Asta. Asta's foster mom had sent the picture to Gloria in an email.

Asta, now named Ellie Rose, visited the back yard, bounded through the snow and quickly climbed the spiral staircase back to the huge deck to survey the view before running back into the house to her new bed, her bully stick and a pile of brand new stuffed toys. Paperwork was completed and this photo was taken and as our volunteer departed, Ellie Rose joined her new mom back out on the deck to stare down a squirrel.

Gloria writes:

Ellie has been with me for three days now and she has already settled in nicely. She is an absolute gem in the house and we are working on good behavior (leash walking and basic commands) for outside the house.

She is so affectionate and sweet. I enjoy her immensely. We have packed these last few days with trips to the dog park, Golden Ponds, Petsmart, training walks and numerous errands. Luckily, she loves to ride in the car and quietly awaits my return during errands.Now for the big challenge -Dog obedience training!

We both are deliriously happy to have found each other!