Safe Harbor's Lab Gab
September 2008
Volume I, Issue 8 |
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Our Mission Statement
SafeHarbor Lab Rescue is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization run solely by volunteers for the purpose of successfully rehoming stray or surrendered Labrador Retrievers in Colorado by offering medical care, training resources and breed education.
2008 Statistics as of August 31
Labs Placed.......133
Labs Taken In...146
Spayed/Neutered....52
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Dear Lab Lovers -
Hope everyone has cleared their calendars for fabulous, tail waggin' fun at Lab Fest on September 20th! Not only will you and your Lab have a "ball" at our major annual fundraiser, but you'll be helping the rescued Labs. Perhaps due to the economy, we've had quite influx of Labs who are neglected, sick or hurt and in dire need of medical care. Taking care of your own dear Lab is a commitment . . . . imagine taking care of almost 200!
So not only will you love the irresistible things you can bid on at the Silent Auction and the great company, you'll be helping rescued Labbies too!
See you on the 20th!
Jacky
President
SHLR
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Dear Safe Harbor,
Dash had been passed over twice for adoption when we met him at his foster father's home late in August 2007. Was it his deformed jaw, which we didn't notice but our vet did? Was it his indeterminate age somewhere between one and two years? Was it his exuberance? When we met him he jumped all over us and tried to eat holes in our pockets to get at treats. Since we weren't expecting a polished product, we thought he would do just fine.
Fast forward through a year of love, quality food, lots of exercise, consistent training, and rally obedience exercises learned from a book. Dash has earned three American Kennel Club obedience titles; Rally Novice, Rally Advanced, and Rally Excellent. A skinny stray picked up on the streets, saved by Safe Harbor, nurtured by a foster father, and adopted to a forever home in the mountains, Dash shows what rescued Labs can accomplish!
To all the volunteers who make Safe Harbor such a success, we send our heartfelt thanks.
Darby & Anita
Owners
Fetch! More Success Stories....
A footnote to this story: Dash (alias Cabo) came to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue as a stray from a local shelter - Proof that rescued Labs regardless of their previous history have great potential. We are all very proud of Dash. Thank you Darby and Anita for believing in Dash. |
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** LabFest 2008 **
Its almost time for the best event of the year! Well-behaved Labs and humans are invited to the 6th annual SHLR LabFest at Denver's City Bark. The dogs have the run of the outdoor inground dog pool and play area - while the humans bid on silent auction items, eat, drink and mingle with other Lab owners. This is not an event to be missed.
This year we will have a booth set-up to do microchips, nail trims and sell the new 2009 SHLR calendars.
The silent auction runs from 11:00 - 2:00 (cash or check only). Some of the fine items up for bid include;
- Restaurant Gift Certificates - Wine Baskets
- Veterinary Animal Care Gift Certificates - Autographed Nuggets Pendant
- Metal Wine Rack with Hand Painted Lab Ceramic Top
- And many Dog Toys, Collars, and Food
Sign up now as space is limited - click on the link below to sign up on-line (PayPal).
Thanks to our top LabFest Sponsors:
"Man's Best Friend"
There is still time to donate for the silent auction or register to volunteer. All volunteers receive free admission, lunch and many slurpy Lab kisses. Please contact Judy at funkskater@mywdo.com |
September Trainer's Corner - 
The Not So Great Outdoors
Excerpted from "Practice for Real Life" by Ted & Tiffany Terroux
Does your dog exhibit any of these behaviors?
Chasing cats, birds, squirrels or other animals
Digging in the yard, garden or under the fence
Fear of thunder, fireworks or other loud noises
Excessive barking, howling or whining
Frequent pacing, spinning or circling
Destruction of outdoor fixtures or vegetation
Consumption of rocks, dirt, grass, leaves or wood
Jumping fences or chewing through fences
Aggression towards visitors or passersby
Aggression towards other dogs
Stool eating
These are examples of behaviors that dogs often develop when they are given the opportunity to spend long periods of time in their yards or outdoor dog runs. Everything that happens outdoors is likely to have an impact on a young and impressionable dog's behavior. Many behavior problems that dogs develop can be traced to the events that dogs experienced in or around their yards. Dogs are born with a number of instincts that can develop into behavior issues when they are left unattended for long periods of time outside. These instincts can become enhanced by outdoor events or opportunities that help contribute to a dog's exhibition of numerous destructive, territorial, predatory, aggressive, adventurous, escapist, over-stimulated or fearful behaviors.
Consider keeping your dog indoors and away from bad influences. With a few weeks of proper training, dogs can become quite content and non-destructive inside a small room or even a crate. As your dog matures and becomes more trustworthy, you can let him have more freedom to roam inside your house.
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Volunteer Spotlight -
For five years Will has opened his home and heart to our Labs who need a foster home. We've lost count of how many special souls have found a safe haven with him. And Will does love and have an extraordinary way with those special ones - the discarded seniors, the deaf, the scared puppy mill girls, the hurt, the crippled and the ones that have their own "unique view of the world".
Will's own pack -an elderly blind Red Heeler, a Chocolate Lab and a little "mutt female" - helps the newcomers settle in. We've heard they organize parties, snooze-in's or book club gatherings (White Fang is a favorite) when Will is away teaching at Regis University. All give a big "two paws" up to life at Will's !
Will is pictured here with Cole, his first SHLR foster, a senior with special needs. Will lovingly cared for Cole until he crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
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Upcoming Events:
Sunflowers Barbecue
Sunflowers Farmers Market in Highlands Ranch is hosting a barbecue to benefit Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. Stop by at the Sunflower store at 8601 W. Cross Drive Littleton, Colorado on Saturday, September 26, 2008 - 4:30-7:00 PM.
Petco Adoption Day October 11th at Petco in Golden, CO. We have been asked once again to join this fun event. Over 30 animal rescue groups will be present and many adoptions are hoped to be facilitated from the exposure. | |
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Tidbits
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Got a gobbler? Check out this bowl. Some of our volunteers use these bowls and it really does help slow down that frenzied feeding many of us Lab owners witness daily.
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| Contact Information
601 16th Street, #C-322
Golden, CO 80401 phone: 303 464-7777
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