63 foster dogs, one very special volunteer, a new beginning for Baxter, and a rescue community that keeps showing up.
Sometimes the biggest changes begin with one simple act of kindness.
This week at Labradors and Friends, we’re celebrating the people who make second chances possible, sharing some exciting news about dogs who have been waiting, and introducing a very special boy who still needs someone to open their home.
Read This Week’s Full Newsletter
This week’s stories include photos, rescue updates, and ways to get involved.
Meet Cindy, the Great Pyrenees who helped inspire Carole’s incredible rescue journey.
63 Dogs, One Unexpected Beginning
When Carole joined Labradors and Friends in August 2023, she couldn’t have imagined how many lives she would touch.
What began with a Great Pyrenees named Cindy became an extraordinary rescue journey. Since then, Carole has fostered 63 dogs, including Flower, a frightened pup whose journey to trust and a forever family is especially touching.
Meet Hercules: 80 Pounds of Love, Waiting for a Home
Found tied to a fence in Los Angeles on a leash so short he couldn’t sit down, Hercules was given a second chance when a compassionate stranger refused to leave him behind.
Today, this sweet, 80-pound boy is safe, but he’s still living in a boarding facility.
Hercules needs a foster or forever family who will give him the chance to experience life in a home.
Big Paws, Belly Rubs, and New Beginnings
Our November 7 adoption event brought plenty of smiles and promising connections for Selina, Calvin, Crickett, Emma, and her puppies.
But one of the biggest moments belonged to Baxter. After a long wait in boarding, he’s finally getting an opportunity to experience life in a foster home in San Diego!
Thanks to our wonderful supporters, generous prize donors, Baran Mediterranean, Sham Paws, and our dedicated volunteers, it was an evening filled with laughter, fabulous prizes, and community spirit.
Our volunteers and dogs joined the Employee Health Fair at Masonic Homes in Covina, sharing information about rescue and bringing some extra joy to residents at the senior center.
A reminder that the love our dogs share reaches far beyond adoption events.
More Ways to Make a Difference
Our Paint Your Clock fundraiser and See’s Candy holiday fundraiser are still underway, and we’re making one final push for our Pampered Chef fundraiser.
Every purchase, every shared story, and every act of support helps us continue saying yes to dogs who need us.
Different people. Different moments. One beautiful mission.
An Adoption Day Filled with Hope, Community, and One Very Special Foster Opportunity
Sometimes the biggest victories at an adoption event aren’t the ones that happen that day. They’re the conversations, connections, and possibilities that begin when someone stops to meet a dog who’s been waiting for their chance.
Our November 7 adoption event at Pet Supplies Plus was filled with all of those moments, along with plenty of belly rubs, wagging tails, and wonderful people who came out to support our rescue dogs!
A Big Day for Some Very Special Dogs
Selina certainly turned heads! Her beautiful coloring caught everyone’s attention, but it was her sweet, relaxed personality that really won people over. She spent much of the day lounging comfortably, showing everyone what a lovely companion she could be.
One family spent a considerable amount of time getting to know her, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that this connection might turn into something wonderful. In the meantime, our volunteer JulieAnn may need a little encouragement to resist bringing Selina home herself!
Calvin was another crowd favorite! His oversized paws attracted plenty of admirers, but Calvin was far more interested in collecting belly rubs. And judging by how much he enjoyed them, we’d say he had a pretty successful day!
Emma and her puppies also received lots of attention. One of Emma’s puppies may have a promising opportunity ahead, and Emma herself caught the interest of an older couple.
Crickett had visitors with a purpose! A family who had already discovered her on our website came to meet her in person. She now has a meet-and-greet planned for November 8, and we’re hoping this might be the beginning of her happily ever after.
A New Chapter for Baxter!
For those who have followed Baxter’s journey, you know just how long this boy has been waiting.
Today brought some truly wonderful news.
Baxter is finally getting his chance to experience life in a foster home in San Diego!
For a dog who has spent so much time waiting, this is an enormous step forward.
A foster home means more than a comfortable place to sleep. It means having someone to call his own, experiencing the routines of family life, and getting the opportunity to show everyone who he really is outside of a boarding environment.
Fostering changes lives, and for Baxter, this opportunity could make all the difference.
We couldn’t be happier for him!
A Community That Gives Back
Our dogs weren’t the only stars of the day.
We were incredibly fortunate to have two wonderful local businesses join us and generously support our rescue.
Rachael Anne Severeign of Kam’s Legacy – Bracelets of Love donated an amazing 100% of her sales from the event to Labradors and Friends!
We were also joined by Broken Butterfly Bakery, whose beautiful display of baked goods attracted plenty of attention. They generously donated a portion of their proceeds to help our rescue dogs.
These acts of kindness mean so much to an all-volunteer organization like ours. Every contribution helps us continue providing veterinary care, shelter, and second chances to dogs who need us.
Every Connection Matters
Not every adoption event ends with a dog going home that day. But every conversation, every application, every meet-and-greet, and every new foster opportunity brings us closer.
We are especially grateful to our dedicated volunteers who spent their Saturday making sure our dogs were comfortable, cared for, and given the chance to shine.
Thank you to Pet Supplies Plus for welcoming us, to our generous community vendors, and to everyone who stopped by to meet the dogs, offer a belly rub, or simply learn more about rescue.
And to the families considering opening their hearts and homes, we hope to share some wonderful updates soon.
Because sometimes all it takes is one meeting, one connection, and one person willing to say yes.
Some dogs find their forever families in days. Others wait weeks, months, or even longer.
But the passing of time doesn’t make them any less deserving of love.
At Labradors and Friends, we have some truly incredible dogs who have been waiting for someone to see what we see in them.
A sprinkler-loving goofball. A senior who refuses to slow down. A fetch fanatic. A shy soul waiting for someone to earn his trust. And so many more.
Seven dogs. Seven personalities. Seven hearts still hoping.
Meet Baby Girl, Twinkle, Marilynn, Kira, Connor, Baxter, and Venus.
They may have different stories, personalities, and needs, but they all have one thing in common:
They’re still waiting. And they’re absolutely worth it. ❤️
Baby Girl — The Official Welcome Committee ❤️
Some dogs just have a way of making everyone feel special, and Baby Girl is one of them!
This happy, social butterfly greets every volunteer with excitement, as though they’ve come just to see her. She loves people, adores playtime, and has a particular weakness for squeaky toys!
With her infectious enthusiasm and joyful personality, Baby Girl has so much love to share. She’s been waiting for someone to recognize what our volunteers already know — she’s a wonderful girl who deserves a family of her own.
Could Baby Girl be the happiness missing from your home? ❤️
Age is just a number, and Twinkle is living proof!
This spirited senior has more energy than some dogs half her age! While other dogs might prefer a leisurely stroll, Twinkle would much rather go for a run. She’s an enthusiastic explorer with incredible endurance, and sometimes you have to convince her it’s time for a break!
And then there’s her love of water. Give Twinkle a bowl to drink from, and don’t be surprised if she decides it’s actually a splash pool! Her silly antics never fail to make our volunteers laugh.
Twinkle is proof that growing older doesn’t mean slowing down, and she still has so many adventures ahead of her.
Could you be the one to share Twinkle’s next great adventure? ❤️
Marilynn may be petite, but the love she has to give is anything but small!
This sweet, athletic girl has a heart as big as her personality. She absolutely adores her people and is happiest when she’s right by their side, soaking up affection and attention.
Marilynn forms deep bonds with the people she trusts. She’s eager to learn, responds well to praise and gentle guidance, and genuinely wants to make her humans happy.
Behind those beautiful eyes is a loyal, loving companion just waiting for someone to give her the chance to shine.
Marilynn has so much love to give. Could you be the person she’s been waiting for? ❤️
If enthusiasm were an Olympic sport, Kira would bring home the gold!
This beautiful girl absolutely LOVES attention, affection, and most of all, a good game of fetch. In fact, one of her favorite days is new volunteer orientation, because it means plenty of new people ready to shower her with love and throw her favorite ball!
There’s just one little catch. Kira doesn’t always believe in returning the ball. 😂 But she’s figured out a pretty good system — bring a second ball, and she’ll happily keep the game going until she’s completely worn out!
Kira’s playful spirit and love for her people make her unforgettable to the volunteers who know her.
She’s been bringing joy to our volunteers for so long. Isn’t it time she had a family to share that joy with? ❤️
Connor — A Little Patience, A Lifetime of Loyalty ❤️
Some friendships happen instantly. Others take a little time to grow. And sometimes, those are the most rewarding friendships of all.
Meet Connor, a handsome, goofy boy with an adventurous spirit and a heart worth earning.
Connor can be cautious around new people, and he needs someone who understands that trust isn’t always given immediately. But with patience, kindness, and the opportunity to get comfortable at his own pace, his wonderful personality begins to shine.
Once you’ve earned Connor’s trust, you’ll discover a loyal, fun-loving companion who’s ready to share life’s adventures with you.
He doesn’t need someone who expects perfection. He needs someone who sees his potential and is willing to build a lasting bond.
Connor may take a little longer to give you his heart, but once he does, it’s yours for life. ❤️
Some dogs chase tennis balls. Others chase squirrels. Baxter? He chases sprinklers! 💦
Meet Baxter, our fun-loving boy who has turned an ordinary backyard sprinkler into his very own amusement park!
The moment Baxter spots a sprinkler, he’s off and running, charging straight toward the spray with pure joy. Lakes, baths, and garden hoses are perfectly fine, but sprinklers? Those are something special!
His enthusiasm is absolutely contagious, and watching him enjoy the simplest things in life is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Baxter reminds us that happiness doesn’t always come from grand adventures. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a sunny afternoon, a little water, and the freedom to be yourself.
Baxter has mastered the art of finding joy in everyday moments. Now he just needs someone to share them with. ❤️
Behind those beautiful eyes is one very clever girl with a whole lot of love to give!
Meet Venus, a sweet, intelligent, and resourceful girl who has proven she’s quite the survivor.
Venus is friendly with people, other dogs, and even cats! She can be a little shy at first, but give her time to feel comfortable, and her affectionate personality begins to shine.
She’s also an accomplished escape artist. After getting out of her foster home, Venus survived an entire week on her own before being safely recovered. That adventure taught us just how smart, determined, and resourceful she can be!
Because of her escape history, Venus needs a family committed to keeping her safe. A secure home, careful management of doors and gates, and supervised outdoor time are essential. She should never be left unattended in a backyard.
Venus isn’t looking for just any home. She’s looking for someone who understands her needs and will give her the security, patience, and love she deserves.
This clever girl has spent enough time finding her own way. Now she deserves a family who will help her feel safe and loved forever. ❤️
Seven dogs. Seven very different personalities. Seven hearts still waiting for someone to call their own.
Some need an active family. Some need patience and understanding. Others simply need someone who sees the wonderful companion our volunteers already know and love.
They’ve waited through countless adoption events, watched other dogs find their families, and continued hoping their turn will come.
They don’t need everyone to choose them. They just need the right person.
And even if you can’t adopt, you can still help. Share their stories. Tell a friend. Help us reach someone who might be searching for a dog just like one of these seven.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one person seeing one photograph, reading one story, and deciding to give a dog a chance.
They’re still here. Still hoping. And every single one is worth it. ❤️
