Hello, my name is Shamrock.   I am a beautiful 5 year old yellow (fox red) labbie girl.  I am a very active and I love to run and to fetch balls.  I am housetrained, crate trained, love to ride in the car and I get along with everyone.  I have had basic training, but need firm, consistent reminders to keep me from getting into trouble.

I am looking for a forever home where I will get lots of attention and exercise, because I just love to run!  Finally, I  have lots of labbie kisses ready for my new family, so let’s get started!  I’m ready to go!

If you want to meet Shamrock please fill out an adoption application at http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application and have a home visit. This needs to be done to be able to meet any of our wonderful Labradors. All information about our Labs are on our available labs page at http://www.labadoption.org/category/available-labs.

Kelsey is a one- to two-year-old yellow lab who came to LEARN as a stray a couple of weeks ago. She is a highly energetic and playful dog who seems to have an endless supply of happiness!

Learning how to be a good house dog is her top priority right now. Her foster parents are starting from scratch by housetraining her and teaching her how to respect the personal space of humans and other dogs. She’ll be picking up all the basic commands along the way too, but already she sits quietly and patiently in a crate.

She loves to romp around with her foster sister — tugging or chasing or wrestling — but definitely tries to run the show. She will probably do best as an only dog in a family that can match her energy, but if she joins other siblings in her forever home they should be ready to play at a moment’s notice.

With consistent training and plenty of love, Kelsey will make a fantastic and active companion for many years to come!

If you want to meet Kelsey please fill out an adoption application at http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application and have a home visit. This needs to be done to be able to meet any of our wonderful Labradors. All information about our Labs are on our available labs page at http://www.labadoption.org/category/available-labs.

Sully’s Story

February 10th 2012 was an extremely tough day for our family. We had to make the decision to put down our 11 year old chocolate lab Sully. This has been especially tough for Tracy and I as Sully was our first “child” having arrived in our house in May of 2002. Not quite a year before our daughter Emily.

Sully was a rescue dog from the Labrador Education and Rescue Network (L.E.A.R.N.). In the fall of 2001 we contacted LEARN to inquire about possible lab adoption and to put our name on the list. We wanted a younger chocolate lab that needed a good home. A representative from LEARN came out to interview us to see if we would be an acceptable home for an adoption. This was in October and we didn’t hear anything until the following April.

I was up in the central part of Wisconsin with my father for a turkey hunt/spring walleye getaway. When we were out on the river fishing, my cell phone rang and I let it go to voice mail. After checking the message, I found out it was LEARN with a possible dog for us to adopt. By this time, I had in my own mind, convinced myself that not adopting a dog might be the best. We had just put in our yard and having built a new house, I didn’t want to bring in a dog that would chew up our house. I thought about erasing the message (a move that is pointed out to me on many occasions) but decided to talk to Tracy when I got home and see what she thought. Well we went to Rockford IL where the foster family lived to see him. After taking him for a walk, we decided to adopt him. The foster family said that Sully stood at the door after we left. So I guess in a way he knew we were the ones.

Let’s backtrack a bit. Sully’s story about his birth and the 1st year of his life is unknown. Sully was picked up running the streets of downtown Chicago near Grant Park, by the animal control. He had been “on the lam” for a while as he was gaunt and thin, almost emaciated. The best guess we have is he was a cute puppy who got too big for the apartment living in down town Chicago and was left to run or he got away from his owners who then didn’t bother to look for him. No one had filed a report of a missing chocolate lab. His life and ours were about to change. A volunteer from LEARN was driving into Chicago to pick up a yellow lab that had been surrendered to a shelter. Apparently the owners who surrendered the dog had a change of heart and were allowed to take the dog back. The volunteer got to the shelter and the yellow lab they were supposed to pick up was gone. The director of the shelter then suggested that the volunteer take in a thin chocolate lab that had just come off the streets back with him instead. This of course, was our Sully.

Sully stayed with the foster family in Rockford for a little over a month. While there, the volunteers assessed his behavior and health to see if he would be a good candidate for adoption. He was given veterinary care and put on a diet to slowly get him back to a healthy weight. We are truly thankful for the great volunteers at LEARN, the foster family’s who take these dogs in, and the veterinarians who care for them.

Not knowing how Sully would react to a new home, we purchased a crate for him to sleep in at night and to keep him confined when we were gone. Sully hated going in his crate and we really didn’t like having him in it. After about a month, Tracy and I decided to see how he would be at night. He was great! Eventually he became comfortable with his bed that we kept in our room. We slowly introduced him to being left alone in the house outside of his crate. First we tried 30 minutes, then 1 hour, 2 hours 4 hours, and eventually all day. He never chewed a thing or got into any trouble (other than finding his way up on our bed and the couch!)

Sully was a runner. This explains why he was running the streets in the first place. He did get away on us a couple of times but thankfully he was caught and leashed every time by a neighbor who called us from the phone number on his tag. I had always hoped to hunt with him but that wasn’t going to happen until he could be trusted off leash. In the summer of 2002, we ordered an e collar. I took him to an open field and let him go. He took off running but soon found out that I could still reach out and “touch him” electronically. This was the last time Sully would try and run away. I’d like to think that after time, Sully also started to become part of our family and in doing so; he didn’t see the point in running away. He was family.

Sully wasn’t the only surprise of 2002. In May, Tracy came downstairs when I was tiling the floor to our new basement bathroom and announced that we were expecting. So many things run through your mind. Will I be a good parent? Can we make it on one income? And naturally, how will Sully respond to a new member of our “pack”? Emily was born 01/06/03. I took home her birthing cap and some other items on the night before we left the hospital so he could smell them. When we brought her home in the car carrier, Sully was naturally curious but gentle. He was the same when Matthew came along a little over 3 years later. He knew what was going on. Tracy had quit working in early December 2002. She was home with Sully every day since.

I took Sully pheasant hunting on several occasions. I was concerned when we first got him that he might be sensitive to loud noises. Thankfully, that was never the case. Firing a shotgun, the vacuum, thunderstorms and fireworks never really bothered him. In fact, Sully liked to be vacuumed with the shop vac. I’d like to say Sully was a master hunter but he was not. He did have a great nose for birds and loved being out in the field. He had a drive that wouldn’t quit. Sully did manage to bag several birds on our various outings to Scuppernong Nature Area and he probably would have gotten more had his master been able to shoot better. When he was 5, we found that he had a slightly dysplastic left hip and a joint mouse in his right front shoulder. This caused him a lot of discomfort and soreness after hunting out in the field. Much to Sully’s sadness, we felt it best to retire him from his hunting duties.

Sully always loved being outside in his yard. Once we solved the running away issue, he was my constant companion while doing yard work. He had the peculiar habit when I was cutting grass to move his toy from where I had cut, to the part of the lawn that still needed cutting. He knew I would have to stop and throw the toy. Watching him play in the first snow of the year was always a treat. Sully always acted as if it was the first time he had ever seen snow. We called him “snow pup”. But that wasn’t unusual for him as he loved the simple things in life like lying in the sun, rolling in the grass, playing in the sprinkler, and hunting for critters. Many rabbits and squirrels were chased out of the yard (a few were even caught) and unfortunately one skunk. There were many birds that nested in the trees and shrubs around the house that used Sully’s fur as construction material.

The neighbor kids all got to know Sully by name. He liked to greet them as they came off the bus from school (and sometimes take their hat and/or mittens). He also was the “welcome wagon” greeting everyone who came by the house when walking through the neighborhood pulling wagons with kids or pushing strollers. He also “assisted” in handing out the treats to the kids for Halloween. Halloween 2011 was the last time he would perform this duty.

It was in November that we noticed a change in Sully. He would sit and bark for no reason, have trouble getting around the house, experience tremors, lack of coordination and frequent house accidents. In all our years up to this time, there was maybe one time he had an accident in the house and that was our fault. We think he had a bout of vestibular disease but after getting over that, we could notice that something had really changed. We soon found out that Sully was suffering from cognitive disorder. (Dementia in dogs.) It has been extremely difficult for us to watching his mind betray him while he is still physically in good shape. Clearly the dog we knew was leaving us and being replaced by a shell of the wonderful dog we knew so well and loved so dearly.

It is with heavy hearts that we took him to the vet for the last time. I suppose I can take some comfort in knowing that he no longer is confused. All I know is I’m going to miss my friend. Our entire family will. We could not have asked for a kindlier, gentler, absolute sweetheart of a dog. It has been our tremendous privilege to be his owners. Sully has taught us to love unconditionally, take pleasure in the simplest of things, and to be thankful for everything no matter how trivial. His love is a treasure that will remain in our hearts forever and our lives have been enriched because of his companionship.

So long faithful friend, until we meet again….

Hello Labbie Lovers!!

My name is Skyler and I am a vibrant 8 year old purebred yellow girl who is looking for her forever home. Will you be it?

 I came into LEARN as an owner surrender and am happy to say that I enjoy playing with my foster brother and sister. The best part about my foster home is when my foster parents get up to go into another room, I follow them because I do not want to miss out on anything, like the possibility of treats!! I need and enjoy the exercise that I get going from room to room because I currently am what some people call, “stout”. This is not an attractive name for a mature woman, but I am doing my best to get ready for the summer swimsuit photo shoot. J

 I have run of the house at night when my foster parents are home, and stay in my kennel during the day when no one is home. I like it because my foster brother also stays in his kennel during the day, so I have someone to chat with when I cannot sleep. My foster parents are saying that I am “coming out of my shell” because when I first got here, I was very sedentary. Now, when my foster parents come home, I hop on my front feet in excitement, waiting to get out of the kennel to stretch out my short legs. I am a “low rider”, with my short legs. Four inches of snow and it is up to my belly!!

 If you are interested in me, please fill out the adoption paperwork at www.labadoption.org, and maybe we can see each other. I do not do stairs, at least in my foster parents’ home and need some assistance getting up into the car. When my weight is down, I will be very mobile and my age will not stop me. I have so much life to live and want to share it with my new parents.

 Lots of Labbie kisses!!!

Skyler

Hello everyone, my name is Dekoy or affectionately called “Buddy” or “Big Guy”.  I am a black lab and black & tan coonhound mix.  Everyone that has seen me, says I am very handsome.  Along with my good looks, I behave pretty well too.  I walk well on the leash as well.

I would love to be someone’s walking or running buddy.  Don’t let my age fool you.  I am almost 6 but have energy like a 2 year old.  I am housebroken and crate trained.  My new foster family has taught me to sit & wait for my food.  I have two 4 legged foster sisters that I get along with.  We can all sit together & get our treats.  I think my foster mom just likes having our tails go across the floor, to do her sweeping. LOL!

I stay in the crate during the day.  I have just been promoted to sleeping at night on the dog bed in my foster parent’s room.  I have been very good about sleeping all night.  Well thanks for checking me out.  If you are looking for someone to give lots of labby kisses to, throw the ball and go for walks, well I’m your guy. 

Love,
Dekoy

Please fill out our online application and have a home visit to get onto our approved list to adopt. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application

My name is Abbey, and I am a 12 year old owner surrender. It has taken me a little while to come out of my shell and be the very sweet, happy, bouncy little girl that I really am. When I came to LEARN I had a very bad ear infection and I even had to have 5 teeth pulled. Boy did that make me feel better! One of my foster brothers, Pete, doesn’t wrinkle his nose and turn his head anymore when I go say hi to him.

My eye-sight and hearing aren’t what they used to be so you have to speak up a little bit. I also have to be careful going up and down the stairs, so please be patient with me. I love to be outside and ride very well in the car. My foster Mom has only heard me bark once and that was at another dog at the vets office, but I was just saying hi.

Being petted and scratched all over is something I have learned is really nice, and now I push my way in with my bigger foster brothers to make sure I get my share of attention.

All I am looking for is a family that wants someone to love me and talk to because I excell at those qualities. I know someone is out there just for me, so give LEARN a call and maybe you can get some sweet chocolate kisses for Valentine’s Day.

Please fill out our online application and have a home visit to get onto our approved list to adopt. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application

Hi Rex here,
I’m a 2 year old yellow/red (fox red) lab that came to LEARN as a stray, which I did not like being alone at all, so I am very grateful that I have a foster home to stay with.  I have 2 foster brothers and 2 foster cats that I live with; I get along with them all.  I am housebroken and allowed to have the run of the house because I am so good.  I walk nice on the leash and love going for car rides; in fact, you can just drive me around all day and I will be very happy.  I know my basic commands and listen very well.  My foster mom doesn’t understand how I became a stray because I am so good.  I love men, women, and children and more than anything I just want a family of my own. 

How about making me your Valentine?

Please fill out our online application and have a home visit to get onto our approved list to adopt. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application

Hi everyone,

My name is Libby. I am approximately 7 yrs. old and am a very good girl. I am house trained and can be left alone all day without being in a crate and behave myself very well. I used to live with kids but one of them had allergies to me so I am looking for a new forever home. I am good with other dogs and cats.  I like to play fetch and listen well to my foster parents. I ride very nicely in the car and have very good manners.
Please fill out our online application and have a home visit to get onto our approved list to adopt. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application

Hi Perspective Labby lovers!   I would be Grover (Or as my Foster dad calls me Wiggles),  this is probably due to the fact that my rear end never stops waggin’ and it looks like I am wigglin’ but darn it,  I just love people!!  I am a real sweetheart of a Labby just waiting for my forever home, and I am 8 years young.  I think I have managed to steal the hearts of of my foster parents. I have settled in as a family member since I came to live in my foster digs. I am fully potty trained, and even signal my foster mom and dad every time I need to use the facilities.

I eat well, and my foster dad says he has never seen a Labby that does not live for eating like I do. I eat all my breakfasts and dinners, I do not require much.  I am in great shape and have lots of muscle.  One nice thing is I do not use that muscle to be the ”bull in a china shop”, I mind my manners very well.  I am not a counter surfer and I do not get into the garbage, which has really impressed the foster rents. This past weekend my 76 year old foster gramma came to stay with me and she took me for walks and said I was a such good dog because I did not pull on the leash when I was being walked.  Normally my foster parents let me outside (off leash I might add) and I stay right close and I have no desire to stray away. They keep telling people how trust worthy I am, why not, I know where I have it good!!!  (This Labby didn’t fall off the turnip truck after all)

I am a very devoted labby, I adjusted very well to my surroundings and when it is time to settle down, I am all about it. My foster parents sit down for a night of relaxing and I willing to do the same. I am a real cuddler for sure. Please give me a good hard look, I am probably the labby that would make your house a real home.

Thanks for giving me a read……Grover (aka Wiggles)

Please fill out our online application and have a home visit to get onto our approved list to adopt. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application

Tanner is a sweet, fun loving big boy looking to be loved! For a 9 month pup, who was an outside dog, he settles in very well at home. Tanner has good recall and knows very basic commands. He seems eager to learn and please and doing well on learning household rules. Tanner is good with kids, cats and other dogs with possibly a touch of Golden Retriever in him.

Please fill out our online application and have a home visit to get onto our approved list to adopt. http://www.labadoption.org/adoption-process/adoption-application