Labradors & Friends Dog Rescue

Tag: Adoption

  • Fremont: Why We Always Take a Second Look

    Fremont: Why We Always Take a Second Look

    When Fremont came to Labradors and Friends, he wasn’t the dog most people would have stopped to notice.

    He was in rough shape. He was hurting. And he needed more than simply getting out of the shelter—he needed medical care, including surgery for a painful ear condition.

    But underneath everything Fremont had been through was the sweetest boy.

    He just needed someone to look past how he arrived and see the dog who was still there.

    We did. ❤️

    Saying Yes Was Only the Beginning

    Getting Fremont to safety was the first step. Getting him healthy was the next.

    For dogs like Fremont, rescue often means veterinary appointments, diagnostics, procedures, medications and recovery before we ever get to the part everyone is waiting for—the happy ending.

    And that’s where our supporters became part of Fremont’s story.

    Your donations helped us provide the medical care Fremont needed. Because you chose to stand behind dogs like him, we were able to say yes—not only to getting Fremont out, but to giving him the chance to heal.

    Every donation, every share and every person who supported his journey helped move Fremont one step closer to the life he deserved.

    Fremont recovering from medical treatment while wearing a protective cone

    You helped make his second chance possible.

    And Then His Family Said Yes

    Today, Fremont isn’t a medical case.

    He isn’t recovering.

    And he isn’t waiting for someone to notice him anymore.

    Fremont is home. ❤️

    He has a family who sees exactly what we saw in him all along—and even a little pug sibling to share his new life with.

    His adopter sent us a message that says everything:

    “Please thank everyone who was instrumental in getting Fremont out of the shelter. He is exactly the type of dog that rescue is all about. He was in such rough shape I don’t think anyone would have looked at him twice, but he is the sweetest boy. He deserves to be loved and cared for and we plan to do just that. Thanks again 💕”

    Fremont with his adopter and pug sibling after finding his forever home

    This Is Why We Look Twice

    For the dogs who are overlooked.

    For the ones who arrive broken down, hurting or simply not looking their best.

    For the dogs who need more than a ride out of the shelter before their new lives can begin.

    Because sometimes underneath all of that is a Fremont—just waiting for someone to see him.

    And when we do look twice, we don’t do it alone.

    To everyone who donated, shared, fostered, transported, cared for or cheered Fremont on: thank you. This Happy Tail belongs to you, too.

    You helped take Fremont from a dog who might have been passed by to a beloved family member stretched out comfortably in his own bed.

    And really, that’s what rescue is all about.

    Fremont is why we always take a second look. ❤️

    Happy Tail, sweet boy. You are exactly where you belong!

    Fremont relaxing comfortably in his bed at his forever home
  • Grandpa Cody: He Did It His Way

    Grandpa Cody: He Did It His Way

    Some dogs leave paw prints on our hearts. Others come into our lives and somehow change the way we see the world.

    Cody was one of those dogs.

    When we rescued this sweet senior, he needed someone to show him that he was safe. His foster mom Rachelle did exactly that. She gave Cody a soft place to land, took him on adventures, and helped him learn that the world could be a good place.

    Grandpa Cody with his Labradors and Friends foster family before his adoption

    Then Allison and Ron opened their home and hearts to him, and Cody didn’t simply find a family.

    He found his second beautiful life.

    It wasn’t nearly long enough. But what a life it was.

    In Allison’s words, this is Grandpa Cody’s story. ❤️

    Cody Says, “I Did It My Way!”

    When I first saw Cody on the Labs & Friends Instagram, he instantly stole my heart. He was a senior who they pulled from the shelter because he was being bullied.

    My husband Ron and I already had three large young rescues, and we thought, what’s one more? We need to protect this sweet senior.

    Cody was being fostered by Rachelle, one of the Labs & Friends volunteers. She was teaching him what it is to have a safe space. She took him out on adventures, like toy shopping in local stores, so he could see that the world is a good place.

    Rachelle brought Cody to our house so we could ensure that it would be a good fit. I was concerned that my young dogs might knock him over with their “overexuberant” play style

    There was no need to worry! In the way that only dogs can understand one another, there was an instant understanding between the four.

    I’m not sure what Cody (who we affectionately named Grandpa) said to the others, but within a few days, something was clear.

    Grandpa Cody was the BOSS.

    The way my crazy dogs deferred to Cody warmed my heart and made us laugh that Cody surely must have a little “mob boss” inside of him.

    Cody ran all of us, to be honest. He liked to wake up at the crack of dawn, and if my husband and I were too slow to rise, he would treat us to his special “goose honk” bark that was equal parts startling and hilarious.

    We woke up laughing literally every single day.

    Grandpa Cody relaxing with Allison and his new canine family in his forever home

    Cody thrived here.

    He went from a dog who was rather standoffish to a dog that followed me from room to room. He snuggled with us in bed. He tried all the extra culinary delights my house had to offer, like blueberries, green beans, yogurt, and salmon off his dad’s plate.

    Cody loved his walks. He came to love cruising the neighborhood with his pack mate Harrington, because Harry likes to give some of the fenced-in neighbor dogs a fair amount of guff.

    Cody would do his beloved “skippity bop” walk (the result of an injury in his previous life) over to the fence to heckle alongside Harry, and his face always looked so proud to have a brother to carouse with.

    He liked being in a gang!

    And in the summer months, I led Cody through some sprinklers to show him how to cool off. How he loved that! Watching Cody joyously run through sprinklers is a cherished memory of ours.

    Grandpa Cody happily enjoying time outside in his forever home

    I think my proudest moment with Cody was one day when I was walking him on Lake Avenue, the main street in Pasadena.

    There was a woman seated outside a café, enjoying a sandwich. Cody walked right up, sat before her and waited for his share of her lunch.

    I laughed so hard, and was overcome with joy at the realization.

    Cody feels loved and confident.

    Cody thinks everyone wants to share their sandwich with him.

    He felt SAFE.

    Grandpa Cody lying in the grass with his favorite colorful ball

    I was so filled with gratitude every day that we had Cody. My husband will tell you that while he was here, I said many times, “This is the happiest I’ve ever felt.”

    Cody did that. He brought so much happiness and laughter into our home.

    We did not have him long enough. But every single day was a blessing.

    We decided we will always leave room in our pack for a senior, our way of honoring Cody.

    Thank you Labs & Friends, for one of the greatest loves of our lives.

    Love,
    Allison and Ron Perlman

    Grandpa Cody with his family, Allison and Ron, in his forever home

    Forever Loved. Forever Remembered. 🌈

    Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge, we have a feeling Grandpa Cody is already running the place.

    Thank you, Rachelle, for showing Cody that the world could be safe. Thank you, Allison and Ron, for giving our magical old man the second beautiful life he deserved.

    You didn’t have nearly enough time, Cody. But you knew you were safe. You knew you were loved. And that means everything.

    Run free, Grandpa. We have a feeling you’re doing it your way. ❤️