2010 Statistics
as of September 30
Labs Taken In ... 227
Labs Placed ... 221
Spayed/Neutered ... 74
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Welcome New Fosters
A huge thank you and welcome to new fosters:
Jane Buckman
Danielle Dehmler-Buckley
Phil and Anne Harrill
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Safe Harbor Lab Rescue Benefit Shindig
Wonderful toe-tapping acoustic music provided by several of Colorado's best dog-loving acoustic musicians. All proceeds to benefit SHLR. Sunday, November 7th 3pm - 5pm Hosted by Olde Towne Pickin' Parlor7515 Grandview Avenue Arvada $12 per person Reservations recommended, seating is limited. PayPal registration will be available on our web page this week. |
Safe Harbor 2011 Calendar Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 Calendar Photo Contest.
January and Cover: Maureen Holligan - Keena
February: Anthony F. Gettler - Miles
March: Claire Bow - Paisley
April: Leslie Brown - Toby
May: Amy Trujillo - Cali
June: Kara Karsten - LabFest Dogs
July: Paul Heersink - Sam
August: Heather Ratynski - Gryphon
September: Edie Dismuke - Bodhi
October: Anna Sullivan Fallico - Milo
November: Brad Walp - Kaiko
December: Leif Hedstrom - Thor
Order your calendar now from our web page.
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Finishing Touches
Whew! Am I glad to get rid of that nose strap that my new Mom and Dad bought me when I came to live with them a year ago. They told me it would help me walk better on a leash. (I think "better" means "with less Lab enthusiasm".)
My Mom finally got it! She convinced my Dad that I should graduate to a harness, and I now wear an elegant black one that they slip over my yellow head and buckle under my manly chest. It really is quite dashing!
I suppose some Labs do okay with the nose strap (Halti or Gentle Leader), but I always tried to rub it off, usually against someone's leg. Mom would "bark" at me when I did that.
I still walk with enthusiasm but am beginning to take time to stop and visit with neighbors on our walks and, most importantly, smell, not the roses, but the p-mails my friends leave for me. Life is good.
 Pup Reporter Ginny's Safe Harbor Lab Dex is proudly modeling his new Easy Walk harness. If you have a story about something that made your great Safe Harbor dog even better, send it to labgab@ safeharborlabrescue.org. |
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Is a Labrador
Right For You?
One of our volunteers shared this link with us. Of course, if you already have a Lab (or three) in your home, you know all this. The final statement in the article says it all: "I'd rather live in a cardboard box with my Labrador than in a mansion without him." |
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From the Editor
Did you know... The About Us web page has been updated with Facts and Figures about Safe Harbor, and a section on how we care for the Labs in our program. Link to About Us web page.PS - Thanks to all who responded to my request for help with the newsletter. I chose Steven Zucker, an energetic new volunteer who had already made an impression at Safe Harbor. |
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Our Mission Statement
Safe Harbor 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.
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Hello Friends of Safe Harbor--
 Many thanks to all who joined us for our best LabFest ever! Even if you weren't able to make it, I hope you'll take a few minutes to enjoy the article and savor the photos of the fun in this Lab Gab issue. You might just see your Lab in the pool!
We're receiving a record number of requests for help with abandoned Labs and ones owners can no longer care for. Your support as a volunteer or with a donation is what makes it possible to for us to save so many . . . almost 230 Labs to date in 2010. There are lots of tails wagging out there as a thank you!
Best wishes,JackyPresidentSafe Harbor Lab Rescue |
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LabFest Report
Were you there? I hope so! 208 registered humans and 100 Labs, bison burgers and Laughing Lab Beer, plus almost 100 silent auction items donated equals LabFest Fun. The 2010 event was the best yet!  As usual, the pool was the main attraction. There were swimmers and divers, and the omnipresent line of dogs that stand in the water, ready to steal a ball or toy from those brave enough to go out after them. Lisa and Ben stood guard to pull out any dogs who found themselves in over their heads.  The humans enjoyed the barbeque and silent auction, while more dogs milled around, hoping to snag a burger. Our litter reunions were well attended with 11 dogs from 3 recent litters meeting their siblings again. The families enjoyed comparing notes about their kids' habits and distinctive markings.  Thanks to our wonderful hosts at City Bark, to those who donated the silent auction items, to the vendors who shared a percentage of their sales for the day, to the volunteers who made the day happen, and to everyone who attended! Most of all, thanks to Tiffany Richardson, event coordinator, and Erin Ludlam, silent auction coordinator. More photos can be seen at flickr.com. |
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Bunny: New Name, New Life
 Bunny arrived at a rural shelter limping and in severe pain. Safe Harbor arranged for surgery on her badly broken femur. Screws and rods were required to repair the extensive damage of the injury that was already several weeks old. Despite the trauma, one year old Bunny displayed a trusting, sweet and happy nature. While Bunny was in the hospital recovering, a couple viewed her on the SHLR website and came to meet her. Afterwards, they visited Bunny in foster care and accompanied her to post-surgery check-ups. Talk about bonding! Carol (her foster mom) embarked upon an intense physical therapy program focused on range of motion and strengthening. For Bunny, there was no running or jumping, but she received walks and obedience training. Bunny thrived thanks to Carol's caring and persistence. Eight weeks after surgery, Bunny filled an empty place in the home and hearts of her adoptive parents, Sarah and AJ, who renamed her Riley. Sarah's wonderful letter to SHLR can be viewed on our website. |
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Safe Harbor's Rescued Labs Receive a Very Special Gift
A short time ago the rescued Labs received the most wonderful surprise from a very generous and compassionate Lab-loving young lady - 80 lovingly handmade toys! Lauren Saultz is a Girl Scout of Service Unit 7. We received this letter from her: "I am doing my Silver Award, which is a passion turned into a project, giving back to a community in need. My passion is helping dogs and bringing a little piece of comfort to them. My project was making polar fleece dog toys. The reason I picked Labradors was because I have two in my home. They are sweet and kind dogs. I would love to donate eighty handmade toys to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue because it is near and dear to my heart." Lauren's commitment and compassion for rescued Labs is both remarkable and very much to be commended. She's truly made the world a better place and should feel very proud of her work for her well deserved Silver Award. The rescued Labs pass along a huge "Thank You" for their special toys! |
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Success Story - Billy
Little four-month old Billy came to Safe Harbor through the help of a Good Samaritan. He was having a wonderful time in his foster home, but he wasn't quite sure what would happen next. Then Billy spotted an adoption application from a family who had tragically lost their beloved Lab, and were really missing him. The family wrote that "We would like to adopt a rescued lab because it seems like a good way to help a dog who needs a home and also help our house that needs a lab!" Hmm, thought Billy, I need a home, and I'm pretty sure I'm a Lab; let's see what else they say. He kept reading, and learned about the kids who would throw balls and frisbees; a mother, Sue, who was home during the day, and was also a trail runner who ran with friends and their dogs, and would take her own dog along. There was also mention of snowshoeing, camping, and, (could it get any better?), bird hunting with dad, Mike. At this point, Billy knew what he had to do. He grabbed their application and nosed it over, right where he thought the adoption coordinator might find it - and the rest is history.  When Sue and her children, Jonathan, Sarah, and Hannah, showed up to meet him, (Mike was out of town), Billy could hardly wait for them to get out of the car. It was hard to tell who was happier; Billy, or his new family, but we do know that the kids insisted on a 'dog toy stop' on the long ride back to their home in the high country....
Billy is pictured with Sue, Jonathan, Sarah, and Hannah, with a special appearance by his foster sister, Luna (black Lab). Thanks to Steven and Luna for fostering Billy! See all of our success stories on our Success Stories web page. |
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Volunteer Spotlight - Ronda Rolain and Steve West
 Picture this! Three Safe Harbor Labbies adopted by Ronda and Steve plus their current foster Lab sharing the family bedroom--dog beds all over the room! "Snug" has new meaning. Ronda and Steve have been fostering Safe Harbor Labs for around 18 months. They both grew up with dogs, but it is Steve, says Ronda, who is the "dog procurer". She just can't stand to go "into those kennels." Both Ronda and Steve work during the day-Ronda for the City of Arvada and Steve for Lockheed Martin. Their three pooches, Scout, Delaney, and Trapper, stay in the house, making themselves comfortable in ways only dogs can. Delaney says, "I get the couch this morning because, just because!" And how does a foster dog get along with these three? Very well according to Ronda. She believes it's because their trio have calm and loving personalities and are always "good to the fosters."  Before turning off the spotlight on Ronda and Steve, we want to mention Ronda's invention, the Tagabiner, a small, convenient dog tag holder that is selling well and has its patent pending (imagine never having to deal with s-rings again when you buy a new collar for your dog). View a video at this link.Our appreciation to you both for sharing a percentage of the Tagabiner profit with Safe Harbor and for being such consistent and willing fosters! If you are interested in fostering or volunteering, visit our Volunteer web page. |
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