One Facebook post, countless second chances, and a foster fail named Vinnie.
Four years ago, Cathy saw a Facebook post from Labradors and Friends looking for volunteers to walk rescue dogs. She had always loved dogs and enjoyed walking, but her own dog was getting older and could no longer go very far. She thought walking rescue dogs might be a wonderful way to help.
She joined a pack walk, fell in love with the dogs and the people, and never looked back.
What started as simply walking dogs soon grew into something much bigger.
Over the years, Cathy began transporting dogs to adoption events, opening her home to fosters, and eventually coordinating adoption events and fundraisers. She has helped approximately 15 foster dogs find their forever homes, giving each one the time, patience, and love they needed along the way.
Sometimes, Love Takes Time
One dog who left a lasting impression on Cathy was Isabella, a frightened girl who struggled to trust the world around her.
Believed to have been found tied to a tree in a field, Isabella feared nearly everything. Noises during walks frightened her. She wouldn’t go outside after dark. Even being in a crate caused her stress.
Cathy worried that Isabella might never find a family willing to work through her fears.
But instead of giving up, Cathy approached each challenge one small step at a time.
With help from Cathy’s dog Vinnie, Isabella slowly gained confidence on walks. Gentle introductions helped her become comfortable in her crate. And with a little encouragement from chicken and other tasty treats, she discovered that going outside after dark wasn’t so scary after all.
When an adoption application finally arrived, Cathy made sure Isabella’s potential adopter understood that she would need extra patience and understanding.
Her new mom was more than willing.
Today, Isabella is living her best life, spoiled and loved by a family who understood that some dogs just need a little extra time. Her adopter still sends pictures and updates.
The Moments That Make It Worthwhile
Some rescue stories stay with you forever. For Cathy, Habanero and Wasabi are two of those dogs.
The brothers were among six dogs whose world was turned upside down when their owner suddenly passed away. With no family able to care for them, the brothers and their four siblings were surrendered to the Riverside shelter.
Their owner’s sister, a former volunteer with Labradors and Friends, was heartbroken. She reached out to the rescue, hoping we could do something, even if it was simply sharing their stories.
The dogs ranged in age, all over three years old, including two seniors. Their situation became even more heartbreaking when all six contracted Strep Zoo, a serious bacterial infection, while at the shelter. Tragically, two of the dogs did not survive.
As the remaining four recovered, Labradors and Friends began putting a plan together. If the dogs were placed on the euthanasia list, we wanted to be ready to help.
But saving them meant finding foster homes willing to take dogs who had already experienced so much loss and uncertainty.
That’s when Cathy stepped up.
Habanero and Wasabi were brothers who did better together, and Cathy welcomed them both into her home. The other two survivors went to separate foster families.
For Habanero, the transition was overwhelming.
He was so frightened that he wouldn’t even get out of the car. Once inside Cathy’s home, he retreated to a corner and ran away whenever anyone approached.
For days, he hid.
Cathy didn’t rush him. She gave him space, offered food, and patiently worked to earn his trust.
Little by little, Habanero began to emerge. His confidence grew, his personality started to shine, and the frightened dog who once couldn’t face the world began to feel safe again.
And then came the moment Cathy will never forget.
When it was time for Habanero to leave for his forever home, the dog who had been too terrified to get out of a car happily jumped into one, ready to begin his new life.
All four surviving dogs eventually found forever homes.
What began with six dogs losing the only home they knew, and a grieving sister desperately trying to find help, became a remarkable rescue effort made possible by people who refused to give up.
For Cathy, watching Habanero transform from a terrified dog hiding in a corner to a confident dog heading home was one of those moments that reminded her exactly why she volunteers.
More Than Walking Dogs
When Cathy first started volunteering, she had no idea how many people it takes to save a single dog.
From coordinating with shelters and arranging transportation to finding foster homes and helping dogs reach their adoptive families, she discovered an incredible network of people working together behind the scenes.
She also discovered something about herself.
“I have a sense of purpose and know I’m making a difference for some of these dogs.”
Even on the difficult days, it’s the dogs who keep her coming back.
“Seeing their excitement when they get out of their kennel and see some familiar faces makes it all worthwhile.”
And when asked what she would tell someone considering volunteering?
“It’s the best thing ever! I’ve always wanted to bring home every dog I meet, and now I get to!”
Of course, sometimes one of those dogs doesn’t leave.
Vinnie became her very own foster fail—proof that sometimes the dog you’re helping rescue ends up rescuing a little piece of your heart, too.
Once You’re Family, You’re Family
When asked to finish the sentence, “To me, Labradors and Friends is…” Cathy didn’t hesitate.
“Family. Every dog that comes in is immediately part of the LAF family, and the volunteers are amazing.”
Four years after answering that Facebook post, Cathy has helped change the lives of dogs who needed someone to believe in them.
And it all started with a walk.
Could your story start the same way?
Whether you have time to walk dogs, transport them, foster, help at events, or lend a hand behind the scenes, you have a place in the Labradors and Friends family.
Because sometimes, the smallest first step makes the biggest difference.
