Dorothy James , ALGBR's Intake Coordinator, foster mom, and mentor, has been rescuing Labs for almost 8 years.  Dorothy, along with several other devoted Lab lovers, started ALGBR when they had the vision for a new rescue group dedicated to Labradors and other giant dog breeds.  Why take the time to create a new rescue?  Dorothy explains, "Tens of thousands of dogs are put to sleep at county shelters every year.  Many are dogs who would be great family members.  Our commitment is to rehome as many labs and giants as we can.  We are constantly contacted by individuals who can no longer keep their dogs.  This is the first year a number of those people are losing their homes.  Our job is to rehome as many as we can, and keep these dogs from going to the pound."   The most meaningful experiences Dorothy has had with ALGBR have to do with some of the family situations that bring the dogs to our rescue.  "The situations that make the greatest impression on me are when tragedies strike families.  We receive labs from families where disabilities and even terminal illness have affected a family. They can no longer take care of their pets. We have the opportunity to help them by placing their loved, furry family member in a permanent home."  Dorothy says what she loves most about dogs is their unconditional love, something she gets lots of not only from her foster dogs, but from her own pack as well.  "Dave and I have two chocolate labs that were our fosters originally.  Maxwell and Reggie came to us 5 and 6 yrs ago.  Alex is our harlequin Great Dane who is now 4 yrs old."  Dorothy has been an inspiration to all who've been fortunate enough to come in contact with her through ALGBR.  "As in anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. I'd encourage anyone to receive the blessings of labby slurps and love by being involved in rescue."  Amen, Dorothy!!

 

We have totally fallen in love with Missy Bear!!!  She is doing just great and I think she is very happy here. We would love to share our story.  The very first dog we adopted was from a man who could not afford him anymore.  He was out of work and could hardly feed himself let alone a very big dog.  The dog's name was Bear and he was part Newflound, sheepdog, lab and others!!!  When my children (who were 3 and 5 years old) and I picked up Bear he did not want to leave his man.  Finally this man told Bear (while crying) that he had to go.  Bear got up on his hind legs put his paws on both shoulders and started to cry.  It was the most touching thing I have ever seen in my life.  Bear finally got in our car and when we got home he would not come inside for 24 hours.  Finally, he warmed up to us and became a part of our family.  Everyone loved this dog he was more human than dog.  After only four years he died of cancer.  My husband and I were heart broken and wanted to wait a while to get another dog but our children insisted we get another right away.  We did, and ended up getting two girl dogs that were part lab and German Sheperd.  Of course, we had to name them Bear and Bear Junior.(Bear Junior we nicknamed BJ)  We got them when they were 6 weeks old and became a part of this family.  We were lucky to have them for 13 years.  Cancer got them, too.  This time, with our children now adults, my husband and I decided to wait and let our hearts mend before adopting another dog.   Finally my husband and I decided it was time to get another dog.  This time though we decided to adopt a dog through a rescue organization.  Since we are in our fifties, we thought a puppy would be too much for us, but would like a dog at least two years old.  We looked at dogs for about three weeks but had not found one that really tugged at our hearts.  We went to the Fransiscan Renewal Center adoption event to meet a dog that we would possibly adopt.  That is where we met Missy!!!!  Our hearts melted and we knew this was the one.  One of the volunteers at the event conducted our home visit, and we adopted her that very day.....  Of course in honor of all our dogs we added Bear to her name, thus Missy Bear !!!!!!  It's great to know that we saved Missy, but she really saved us right back.  
Sincerely,
Pete and Lee Anne Kline