Some dogs come into rescue and quickly find their forever homes. Others come to us when they need something different — a chance to simply be loved, cared for, and given every good day we can possibly give them.
Austin was one of those dogs.
Austin came to Labradors and Friends in the summer of 2014 with a massive tumor in his groin. It was cancer, but that didn’t define him — and it certainly didn’t mean his life wasn’t worth saving.
Austin underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and for a while, we hoped we had bought him the time he deserved. But the cancer returned — and this time, it came back even more aggressively.
There would be no easy road ahead for Austin.
He spent long stretches in the hospital as his medical team cared for the growth, which would sometimes open and bleed. Through all of it, Austin had people who refused to let him go through it alone.
Two foster dads gave him a home. Volunteers visited him every day while he was hospitalized, sitting with him, loving on him, and making sure he knew someone would always come back.
And, of course, there were hamburger patties. Lots of hamburger patties. ❤️
Austin may never have found a traditional forever home, but somewhere along the way, something became very clear:
He already had a family.
Austin’s Bucket List
Once we knew Austin’s time might be limited, we decided that whatever time he had left was going to be filled with the things every dog deserves — adventure, friendship, really good food, and a whole lot of love.
And Austin knew how to enjoy a good day.
We spent a day at Fiesta Island with his doggie friends, playing in the water, swimming, and soaking up the San Diego sunshine. From there, Austin headed to South Bark, where he was treated to a bath and a blueberry facial, followed — naturally — by lunch.
Another day started with breakfast at Janet’s before we headed to Sunset Cliffs to take in the ocean and spend the day together.
We took Austin and his doggie friends to Julian to see the snow, giving this San Diego boy a chance to play in a winter wonderland. We spent peaceful days together at Lake Murray, too.
There were lots of meals along the way. Austin especially loved going out for breakfast, and we were more than happy to oblige.
And when Christmas came, we spent Christmas Eve together.
Austin even made time for pictures with Santa — because apparently his bucket list included making sure Santa knew exactly where to find him.
None of us could change what was coming. But we could change what the days leading up to it looked like.
So we filled them with water and sunshine. Snow and car rides. Doggie friends and blueberry facials. Breakfasts and lunches. Christmas Eve.
We filled them with life.
Until We Meet Again
Austin made it through the holidays and into the new year, surrounded by the people who had become his family.
But eventually, the cancer asked more of him than we could ask him to give.
In January 2015, we made the decision every rescuer dreads and every dog deserves when the time comes. Austin left this world surrounded by people who loved him — the same people who had promised that he would never face any of it alone.
Austin never found a traditional forever home.
He didn’t need to.
His forever family was there all along.
It was the foster dads who opened their home to him. The volunteers who showed up at the hospital day after day. The friends who took him swimming, drove him to the snow, shared Christmas Eve with him, took him out for breakfast, and filled his final months with adventures.
Austin taught us that rescue isn’t always measured in years.
Sometimes it’s measured in one more swim. One more breakfast. One more Christmas. One more really good day.
And sometimes, saving a life simply means making sure that when it’s over, that dog leaves this world knowing, without question, that he mattered.
Austin mattered.
He still does.
Until we all meet again, miss you, smoosh face 🌈🐾