Safe Harbor's Lab Gab
March 2009
Volume II, Issue 3 |
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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.
2009 Statistics as of February 28, 2009
Labs Taken in....43
Labs Placed...39
Spayed/Neutered....14
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Hello Friends of Safe Harbor,
We hope you'll enjoy this month's Lab Gab with your favorite canine companion curled up at your feet. The happily-ever-after-story for Chelsea and Haley, two senior "sisters" overlooked for months in a shelter, is especially heartwarming. As the number of Labs we're called upon to rescue keeps increasing, we find we're very short on foster homes; the need is great. Opening your home and heart to a foster for a few weeks is a wonderfully rewarding way to help save a Lab's life. Hope you'll give it some thought!
Best Regards,
Jacky
President
Safe Harbor Lab Rescue
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Success Story ~ Chelsea and Haley
February has drawn to a close, and a beautiful Valentine came for Chelsea and Haley...a family with a huge heart to give them a new start in a forever home! These senior girls were overjoyed to be going home. Haley walked right in and took over a dog bed, then found a toy, then a rawhide...she was smiling all the time. Chelsea decided a survey of her new digs was in order and took off exploring each room, then settled in beside Haley on a dog bed to look out the window into her front yard. The girls are fitting in beautifully. They love to be in the mix of all the household activity....Mom Cydney said they help her study and they are very happy Mom is a messy cook. There are plenty of hands around the house to give Chelsea and Haley love and attention: pictured L to R are Cydney (holding Charlie Chaplin), Jordan hugging Chelsea, Margot, Nick, Tom with Haley, Samantha and Casey (holding Chips Ahoy). It is truly heartwarming to know Chelsea and Haley are home at last with this wonderful family!
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VET'S CORNER ~ 
Ask yourself the following questions - can you easily feel (but not see) your Lab's ribs? When you look down at his hips, do you see an hourglass figure? Does his belly tuck up as you get closer to his rear legs? If the answer is no, then it's time to change how you love your best friend.
Consider the following statements:
1) "Coco doesn't eat much!" If Coco is gaining weight, then she is eating more calories than she is expending. First get a good physical exam and consider thyroid testing. Often, portion control and exercise is what is needed.
2) "He always gains weight in the winter." It's easier not to gain than to lose weight each summer. When your Lab is less active, decrease how much you feed and consider some indoor games to keep him moving.
3) "She only gets a few cookies a day." Dog cookies are 30-75 calories apiece. Dental chews are even higher in calories. And don't forget table scraps. It's ok to treat your Lab occasionally but if you're ladling gravy on the kibble, think about who is training whom. Green beans and carrots can be good low calorie treats.
Face it, if your Lab is getting calls from "The Biggest Loser - Canine Edition", sit down with your family and really look at your feeding habits. Talk to your veterinarian about medical assists for weight loss. Your furry friend will appreciate being able to run and play well into old age if he isn't slowed down by excess weight.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - Dianna Sterns
We are always excited to rescue Lab puppies! But wait . . . who can foster these wee ones that need someone all day to get them off to a good start?! Introducing Dianna Sterns, our invaluable puppy foster! As professionally certified trainer/behaviorist and owner of Waggins West with the motto "Gentle, reward based training and behavior modification for you best friend", it just doesn't get any better for the puppies!
All her life Dianna has loved and had a special connection with dogs. She's been particularly captivated by the complete joy, love life and depth of expression in those liquid brown eyes of the Labs.
Dianna began volunteering in 2005 doing some training and transporting, but eventually "I got talked into fostering a puppy no one else had room for. I couldn't say 'no' to all that sweet puppy breath, so the parade of puppies began! I know how important it is to provide a loving environment, positive structure and socialization for these little ones at the time when their learning/brain development is moving rapidly. Watching their personalities develop is a delight and sometimes letting them go is heartache."
Dianna's rescued Lab, Huerro, is a nursemaid for the foster puppies allowing them to use him for playground equipment. Although he's 4 years old and weighs 94 lbs, he's eternally about 4 months old - perfect for puppies.
We are one lucky rescue to have Dianna as a generous and special puppy foster!
Visit Dianna at www.wagginswest.com |
Events ~ Save the Date! Bath Day
Calling all dirty dawgs...
you bring 'em we'll wash 'em! Proceeds to benefit SHLR!
We'll be having a Bath Day at
Muttz N Stuff
12620 Washington Lane #303
Parker, CO 80112
303-790-9490
Saturday, April 11th
11am ~ 3pm
Baths: $20 Large Dogs
Nail trims ~ $5.00
no reservations required
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PHOTO CONTEST ~ Start snapping! And watch for details on our website within the next few days ~ There you will find our Rules and Entry Form as well as our Paypal button for paying your entry fees ($5.00 per entry). Or you can mail your entry form/fees via U.S. Mail.
Horizontal photos only ~ high resolution works best ~ Labs only but they need not be rescued. Deadline is June 1st.
Twelve winners will be featured on our 2010 Calendar, and the Grand Prize winner will also grace the cover.
Twelve Honorable Mention photos will also be featured.
All these winners will receive free calendars.
Calendars will be available for purchase at our Annual Lab Fest at the end of the summer, and online. All proceeds will go to help our Labs.
Thank you for supporting Safe Harbor through this fun, creative fundraiser!
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Share the Love and Include Safe Harbor in Your Wedding Plans! The "I Do Foundation": A Unique Way to Donate.
Several of our supporters have included the rescued Labs in their weddings by registering with the I Do Foundation.
Guests are invited to give a charitable contribution in honor of the couple and a gift may be given to the charity of your choice in lieu of wedding favors.
The I Do Foundation was created in 2002 by a group of nonprofit leaders dedicated to developing new avenues of support for charitable organizations. A public foundation based in Washington, D.C., the I Do Foundation works closely with some of the most effective and renowned nonprofit organizations in the country.
It is their vision that, in time, charitable giving will become an integral part of the culture of weddings and other life events. Their mission is to help engaged couples bring a charitable focus to their marriage and to share their celebration with a broader community.
Having the Labs in person to help you celebrate might be a bit too joyous, but they'd love to be there in spirit and hope you'll take a look at the I Do Foundation: I Do Foundation Website
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FOSTERHOMES ~ Desperately needed!
Dear Lab Lovers-
This year Safe Harbor is working hard and hoping to save the lives of over 200 Labs just like us who are longing for a second chance. But for every Lab rescued, a short term foster home is needed . . . Will you help us, please?
You only need to provide lots of TLC, good meals and help us feel wanted again. We usually "sit and stay" for a few weeks before we go to our forever homes
Safe Harbor takes care of our medical needs and is there 24/7 to support us.
"Being in foster care is like going from the shelter with little hope to winning the doggie lottery!" woof our fosters.
If you would like to learn more about helping save a Lab life though fostering, please contact Mary at yellow4lab@comcast.net
Thank you!
The Very Grateful Labs
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Vets We Love:
The following veterinarians have given many hours of their time and resources to treat the Labs that come to the rescue. Many Wags and sloppy Lab kisses for their continued support.
VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital
9770 East Alameda Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80247
303.366.2639
www. alamedaeast.com
Animal Hospital Center
5640 County Line Pl # 1
Littleton, CO 80126
(303) 740-9595
www. animalhospitalcenter.com
Arvada West Veterinary Hospital
5736 Ward Way
Arvada, CO 80002
303.467.0345
Broadview Animal Clinic
10300 East Evans
Denver, Colorado80247
303.755.1424
Green Mountain Animal Hospital
720 Golden Ridge Rd.
Golden, CO 80401
303.985.8761
Tender Touch Animal Hospital
350 Kalamath Street
Denver, Colorado 80223
303-733-2728
www. tendertouchvet.com
VRCC Veterinarian Specialty Emergency Hospital
3550 South Jason Street
Englewood, Colorado 80110
303.874.7387
www.vrcc.com
Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital
3695 Kipling Street
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
303.424.3325
www. wrah.com
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| Contact Information
601 16th Street, #C-322
Golden, CO 80401 phone: 303 464-7777
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