Safe Harbor's Lab Gab
December 2008
Volume I, Issue 11 |
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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 November 30
Labs Placed.......185
Labs Taken In...216
Spayed/Neutered....80
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Hello Friends of Safe Harbor,
Warm wishes for a delightful holiday season filled with family, friends and of course those ever-festive Labs! As you're stuffing your Lab's stocking, we hope you'll also remember the rescued Labs in need and consider a gift to Safe Harbor in your year-end charitable giving plans. With your help, we've rescued over 200 - and still counting - so far this year!
May your New Year be filled with many moments of Lab inspired happiness!
Jacky
President
Safe Harbor Lab Rescue
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EMMA'S SUCCESS STORY 
We wanted to update you on our Lovely Miss Emma (formerly Ava). Our family situation changed last month and Michael and I have moved to the Washington DC area for the winter. We still have our Fort Collins home on the lake so we and Emma can spend Christmas there plus all summer.
The Lovely Miss Emma is adjusting quite nicely. Michael rented a car just so he could drive her across the country and she was a polite back seat driver most of the way. Last weekend, we hosted a housewarming party (Miss Emma temporarily "borrowed" Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Smithsonian for the cover of the invitation - photo attached). During the party she was the perfect hostess, calmly making the rounds and keeping her chin off the buffet table. She happily plopped herself in the center of the crowd, leaned over heavily as each guest patted her, and generally enjoyed being the center of attention. She is just so lovely and sweet-tempered that she has establshed quite a fan club already!
Her daily routine has changed but she seems fine with that. Michael and I come and go at different hours so her time alone is minimal. She has a private patio w/trees and a peeing spot, enjoys long walks through the wooded neighborhood in the am and pm, and even went swimming in the Potomac River yesterday.
In conclusion, we adore Miss Emma and feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful girl in our life. Thanks for doing a great job on behalf of the Labs and the lucky owners like us.
Margaret and Michael
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Note: Emma is just one of the many senior Labs we have placed. As is the case with all our seniors ~ they usually settle in with little fuss and provide the companionship so many of us love without the training and supervision often required with younger Labs. | |
 How to Set your Dog up to Succeed during the Holiday Seasonby Kari Bastyr, M.S., CDBC
Be your dog's advocate, no matter how old he is. Toddlers and small children can be very threatening to dogs, with frontal approaches and hugs around the head, which almost guarantees someone will get snapped at or bitten. Limit the time the dog is exposed to children, strangers, and the energized atmosphere. Don't expect your dog to babysit, and never leave your dog alone with children, no matter how good he is.
We recommend a quiet safe place for the dog to get away from the holiday chaos. If your dog is showing signs of stress: panting, whining, barking, shaking, tail tucked, body frozen when people approach, or if you can see the whites of his eyes, it's time to put the dog in his quiet place before he has to take things into his own hands or mouth.
During dinner, fix a bowl of food or stuff a Kong to freeze beforehand for your canine friends and put them somewhere safe, like a crate, laundry room, or bedroom.
When people are entering and exiting your house, it is possible someone could leave the front door open. Along with the heat, your dog may be escaping as well. Assign a dog-loving guest to keep tabs on the door or the dog (and the cat, too), or put his leash on and attach him to you while people are coming and going- this is an excellent way to practice Front Door Greetings, too. Have some treats sitting outside the door, and ask people to reward your dog for sitting, and not jumping, when they enter.
Click here ~ Front Door Manners ~ for some practical tips on helping your dog learn Front Door Manners. Happy Howlidays!
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 Volunteer Spotlight -
Lon and Julie Henderson
"We love being part of a happy ending and knowing we're making a difference. It's the overwhelming need and feeling so responsible for these Labs that keep us going," relate long time fosters Lon and Julie Henderson. Since the spring of 2005 they've fostered an incredible and very lucky 33 Labs on their 35 acre "farm". Lon, Julie, their son Isaac, a crew of resident dogs (including SHLR adoptees Moose and Buddy), cats and two rescued horses and donkey welcome each new foster. Challenging, high energy young Labs who've been cooped up in a shelter are welcomed with open arms and especially benefit from lots of playtime and the structured daily routine. Everyone sleeps well on a "flotilla" of dog beds scattered on the floor in Lon and Julie's room! While Lon and Julie have loved every foster dog, Julie remembers two fosters as extra special: Hercules, who was rescued from Hurricane Katrina, with his big paws and antics in the snow; and Buddy, an abused and standoff-ish Lab who they adopted. "He's so wonderful and loving now. He taught me about resilience and healing. With love and patience anything is possible." Lon's got lots of great stories to share about "their cast of characters" and their adventures on "the farm". "We're crazy!" says Julie. "But I plan to do this forever." We are truly blessed to have Lon and Julie with their huge hearts to help and heal the spirit of our rescued Labs.
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SHLR MEDIA - Stay tuned for a special update on Brodie, our "Hollywood Lab" ~ COMING SOON!
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| LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Thanks so much for sharing the newsletter. I always enjoy them, even when there is a sad story to share with us.
Lucas and Kirby (my SHLR boys) are doing so well. I cannot begin to tell you how much they mean to me and how much they have helped me physically and emotionally. They are just great. However, I have renamed Kirby's breed to "Labragoat".
Anyway, these two characters have a great life--lots of long walks and swims. They could not be loved more. See attached photo. I think they feel like they lost a little dignity in this photo but I just could not help myself.
Thank you for all you do.
Denise Middlebrook
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 JUST A REMINDER ~ There's still time to order our 2009 Calendar for Christmas ~ a perfect stocking-stuffer and a great way to support Safe Harbor Lab Rescue!
Click here to order: 2009 Calendar |
Event Follow-Up:
Baked goods were selling 'dog gone' fast for the benefit of the Labs at the Craft Fair at Tagawa Gardens on Nov 8. Also in attendance at the fair was Jerry Means, of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation - Fire Investigation Dept, and his arson detection dog, Sadie (black Lab). Jerry chose Safe Harbor to be the beneficiary of donations at his booth and from his demonstrations with Sadie.
Sadie and Jerry assist law enforcement and fire departments throughout the state of Colorado to determine if a fire was started by an arsonist. Since Sadie was not on duty she was able to mingle with the large crowds - she delighted everyone that came to meet and pet her. Jerry originally bought Sadie as a gift for his daughter. But after Jerry lost his previous arson dog he was able to permanently 'borrow' Sadie from his daughter to train to be his next arson detection partner.
In 2008 Jerry was elected Colorado's Police Officer of the Year. Congratulations Jerry!
Many Wags to Jerry and Sadie for their attendance and support!!
Thank you volunteers for baking and attending this event; Jill Pankey Scheer, Julie Brookins, Charli Bloomer, Melody Sattizahn, Moree Meyer, Susie Morton & Judy Funk
   Jerry & Sadie
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 Critter Caring Tree
Pet World will once again have their annual Critter Caring Tree with Safe Harbor Lab Rescue as one of the local animal rescue beneficiaries. Photos of adoptable Labs will be hanging on the tree with lists of needed items that customers can buy and donate for the Labs at SHLR. Many Wags to Gary at Pet World for thinking of the Labs and for your generosity. Pet World is located at 7585 W. 10th Ave, Lakewood. | |
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| Contact Information
601 16th Street, #C-322
Golden, CO 80401 phone: 303 464-7777
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