Safe Harbor's Lab Gab
November 2008
Volume I, Issue 10 |
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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 October 31
Labs Placed.......176
Labs Taken In....195
Spayed/Neutered....67
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Hello Friends of Safe Harbor -
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, what a perfect time to reflect on that Safe Harbor is so blessed and has so much to be thankful for . . . You, our wonderful volunteers and supporters, our generous vets, our ever-ready-to-help daycare/boarding partners and so many others who donate their services to help our Labs. To all of you, our heartfelt thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jacky
President
Safe Harbor Lab Rescue
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REMEMBERING KACE Y - MORE THAN A SUCCESS STORY
This is a story about one of our very first Safe Harbor Rescues -- a little yellow Lab named Goldie -- surrendered to us after having sustained a deep and mysterious wound to her neck and shoulders - afraid of other dogs and therefore always in a defense mode.
What were we to do with her? One of our great vets at Arvada West Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Tracy Schafer, skillfully repaired Goldie's physical wounds but her emotional wounds were much deeper and we needed to find just the right adopters for this little girl.
There are people out there -- the "What Can I Do For this Dog?" people who have a special place in Heaven and who frequently apply to adopt one of our Labs. Barb and Paul Heersink were two such people, and they scooped Goldie up in their arms and their hearts, renamed her Kacey to celebrate her new life, helped her to learn to trust dogs again, and gave her the most wonderful life a Lab could have ever hoped for.
On October 5th, Kacey crossed the Rainbow Bridge after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
Barb remembers Kacey ~
"I could say so many things about her...her independence, her intense focus on guarding the farm, her sweet disposition, how we whispered around her sometimes because of how much English she knew, her calm demeanor, her memory like an elephant. She was intelligent, beautiful, with deepset dark eyes in whose depths lurked a Soul."
Safe Harbor is honored to have played a part in this valiant Lab's life - she is sorely missed by Barb, Paul, her canine brother Sam, and many more, too numerous to name.
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Do you Good Search?
What if Safe Harbor Lab Rescue earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Safe Harbor Lab Rescue as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!
(I have personally downloaded and used this web search on my computers for the last few years and have never had a security related issue. - Judy Funk) | |
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Laura Brody & Kira (SHLR Alumna) on TV
On September 28th, on Channel 2's program - AM Sunday - Safe Harbor Lab Rescue (SHLR) was represented by Kira and her forever home Mom, Teresa Gaimmanco. Laura Brody, of Good Family Dog, and a professional dog behavioral specialist that volunteers her time with SHLR, invited SHLR to have one of her alumni join her on set for her segment. Laura and Teresa both gave great testimonials about Safe Harbor Lab Rescue.
Kira was a wonderfully behaved girl and a beautiful representative of the Labs SHLR rescues. Teresa and her family are 2 time SHLR 'Foster Failures' (Kira and Luke) and also have a terrier mix rescued directly from a shelter. Teresa has been volunteering for Safe Harbor in the roles of foster home, transporter and is part of the Medical Coordination Team.
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this just in:
We think we should toot our horn that we are featured in a very nice three page article, "A Port in a Storm: Safe Harbor Lab Rescue", in the October/November issue of Mile High Dog magazine. People may find a copy at their vet office, boarding kennels and fine pet stores. You can subscribe by going to www.milehighdog.com
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 Vet's Corner -
Winterizing Your Lab
by Gwenn Gadd, DVM
Clean the gutters, turn off the sprinkler system, install storm windows. As you consider all the things on your winter "To Do" list, have you ever thought about adding your pets? I like to separate pet winterizing into three different categories: people factors, weather and pet needs.
People factors include things we can control with a little planning. We all know antifreeze is extremely poisonous so have a way to control potential spills, a safe place to store drained antifreeze or consider switching to a less toxic brand. Find alternatives to poison to control unwanted rodents. Trust me, pets always find the poison you put out!
Cold weather brings frozen water bowls, frozen lakes and streams, snow and slippery surfaces. Be sure there is a drinkable water source available at all times. Never let your dog play on lakes or streams. Every year there are reports of dogs falling through the ice resulting in injury or death. Watch for drifting snow in your yards, especially against fences. A large snowdrift can push over a fence or provide a nice ramp for your dog to escape. Ice and melting snow can be a slipping hazard for you and your pet. Provide a rug or towel near doorways to avoid pulled muscles and other injuries.
Finally, think about your dog's individual needs during the cold season. Older dogs may have more problems with arthritis and stiff joints in cold weather. Limit their outside time and use prescribed medication to be sure they are comfortable. If you run with your dog, remember they may be more prone to cuts from ice and other sharp objects.
By being aware of how your projects affect your pets, preparing for winter weather and thinking of winter from your dog's perspective, this can be a safe and fun time for everyone in the family.
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More of LabFest 2008:
A clarification for a spelling error in the previous months LabGab - Dawn Karis should be Dawn Kairns, the author of Maggie: the dog who changed my life: A Story of Love. (my error, bad dog - Judy)
We are always looking for ways to improve LabFest and want your input. Please let us know of what we did right and ways we can improve. We are sure the Labs would say they want even more balls thrown for them and samplings of the Great Range Bison burgers.
We have a few more photos of LabFest to share with you from Patty of Patty's Pet Photography. www.pattyspetphotography.com . Thank you Patty for your talents and taking the time to come to LabFest.
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Spotlight on...our Intake Team!
Labs, Labs, Labs . . . how do they find their way to us and where do they come from? Our rescued Labs come from shelters, Good Samaritans, vets, owners who can't keep them and occasionally other rescues. With so many dogs in need and our limited financial and human resources, our Intake Team has a challenging and very difficult job.
Our dedicated Intake Team is made up of several long time, very seasoned volunteers who handle the never ending flow of requests: Kristy Middleton, Kathy Hollister and Lee Struble. Kristy handles shelter intakes from all over the state; Kathy and Lee handle all the owner surrender requests. Both work with Good Samaritans, vets and others seeking help. When things get hectic, Sherri Paulson jumps in to lend a hand. Kristy, Kathy or Lee evaluates the request with input from other areas of the rescue as needed and then makes arrangements to get the rescued Lab safely into foster.
They've been on the front line of rescuing almost 200 Labs so far this year!
Kristy Kathy Lee
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| LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Most excellent newsletter this month (October). I really love the layout! Thanks for showcasing my little mutt - how appropriate he was featured in the Space Invaders discussion!
Tiffany
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"Holiday Gifts for Pets and Their People" Craft Fair
"Holiday Gifts For Pets and Their People" is a holiday craft event for and about pets and their people. It emphasizes hand-made crafts (no imports here!) and animal-related and theme activities. The event is ultimately a fundraiser for animal rescue organizations in the Colorado area.
Sadie, Colorado's own accelerant detection dog (fire dog) and her handler, Jerry Means, Colorado's 2008 Police Officer of the Year, will be at the Craft Fair this year. Sadie and Jerry will do public demonstrations and education on arson detection and how these dogs partner with us in everyday life. There are only a limited number of these very rare and specially trained dogs in the entire country. Donations received from their demonstrations will go to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue.
November 8 - 9, 2008
10:00 am to 3:00 PM
Tagawa Gardens
7711 S. Parker Rd.
Centennial, CO 80016
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Petco Adoption Day Follow-Up
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On October 11th the SHLR volunteers once again bundled up and braved the cold to represent Safe Harbor Lab Rescue at Petco in Golden, CO. There were over 15 animal rescue groups from around the state representing the good cause of adoption. A big sloppy Lab kiss to Elaine from Petco who started (and continues) the mission of adoption fairs - you have a big heart! And a big Lab hug to Sarah's daughter, who baked cookies to sell for the event - they were very good! And finally many wags to the following who volunteered their time to attend and talk to the public about adopting loveable Labs;
Sarah Swank, Wil and Blondie the Lab, Karen Wilcox, Cindy Neilson, Terri Odenweller, Charli Bloomer, Amanda Meier, Debbie Shultz, Judy Funk.
Photos of the SHLR volunteers at Petco Adoption event.
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Safe Harbor Bath Day Follow-Up
Suds were every where while the dogs were getting washed at MUTTZ N' STUFF. This bath wash was to benefit Safe Harbor Lab Rescue.
Becky Burlingame
Bonnie MacLaren
Emily Cohen
Elyse Wilson
Thank you Tracy & Ken Burlingame (owners of Muttz N Stuff) for hosting this fun and clean event! We raised over $400 for the Labs!
Puppy's first bath!
Chance, Blueberry and Elvis -- all washed up!
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| TIDBITS:
Great websites to check out when you travel with your Lab!
"Puppies are nature's remedy for feeling unloved...plus numerous other ailments of life"
~Richard Allan Palm
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| Contact Information
601 16th Street, #C-322
Golden, CO 80401 phone: 303 464-7777
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