Labradors & Friends Dog Rescue

Tag: Labradors and Friends

  • Happy Tails: Bronco Found His People (And His Office Chair!)

    Happy Tails: Bronco Found His People (And His Office Chair!)

    From running out of time at the shelter to living his very best Labrador life.

    Some happy endings remind us exactly why we do what we do. Bronco’s is one of them.

    Not long ago, this handsome three-year-old chocolate Lab mix was sitting in a shelter. He had arrived as a stray, developed kennel cough, and was running out of time.

    Shelter volunteers knew he deserved a second chance and reached out to Labradors and Friends.

    One look at that big, blocky head and those soulful brown eyes, and how could we say no?

    A Second Chance, Thanks to a Foster

    Bronco’s next chapter began with his foster mom, Robyn, who welcomed him into her home and gave him the love, stability, and care he needed.

    And Bronco quickly showed everyone what a character he was!

    Sweet, easygoing, affectionate, and full of personality, Bronco loved people and seemed to take everything in stride.

    He also had one very important Labrador characteristic: an unwavering devotion to food.

    Leaves? Possibly edible.

    Sticks? Worth investigating.

    Random sidewalk treasures? Absolutely deserving of a taste test.

    Robyn worked on teaching Bronco that not everything he encountered belonged in his mouth. Apparently, his career as a neighborhood vacuum cleaner was going to require some retraining!

    But underneath that goofy personality was a wonderful dog waiting for his forever family.

    Then Along Came Hana and Her Fiancé

    A few months ago, Hana and her fiancé decided they were ready to welcome their first dog together.

    Neither had adopted a rescue dog before, but both knew they wanted to give a dog a second chance.

    Then they discovered Bronco.

    They fell in love with his picture, submitted an application, and soon connected with our adoption coordinator, Christie.

    Christie introduced them to Robyn, who arranged for them to meet Bronco and patiently answered all their questions.

    It didn’t take long for them to realize they’d found their dog.

    They adopted Bronco that very same week!

    And as his new family shared:

    “It was immediately clear how much love and care Bronco had received while in her home.”

    Those words mean so much because fostering is where so many happy endings begin.

    Almost Three Months Later…

    Bronco isn’t just settling into his new life. He’s thriving!

    His family regularly spends time with two other dogs and several children under five, and Bronco has handled it all beautifully.

    He’s gentle and sweet with the children, gets along wonderfully with his canine companions, and has become an inseparable part of the family.

    He’s enjoyed trips to the beach, made new friends, and, judging by the photographic evidence, may have claimed the office chair as his personal throne.

    And the best part?

    His family says they simply cannot imagine life without him.

    “We’re almost three months in now, and we can’t imagine our life without Bronco.”

    The Happy Ending We Always Hope For

    Bronco’s family also shared something that means the world to our volunteers:

    “We can’t say enough good things about Labs and Friends, Christie, and Robyn. The entire experience was wonderful, and it brought us our newest best friend!”

    From the shelter volunteers who advocated for him, to Robyn who opened her home, to Christie who helped bring everyone together, Bronco’s journey was made possible by people who believed he deserved more.

    And now?

    He’s exactly where he belongs.

    With a family who adores him, children to love, dogs to play with, and an office chair that may never be available to humans again.

    Thank you to Hana and her fiancé for choosing rescue, sharing these beautiful updates, and giving Bronco the life he deserves.

    This is why we rescue. This is why we foster. And this is why every yes matters.

  • A Sunny Sunday, New Connections, and a Little Boy With a Big Heart

    A Sunny Sunday, New Connections, and a Little Boy With a Big Heart

    Sometimes the best things happen with very little planning!

    On Sunday, November 8, Labradors and Friends joined the Coldwell Banker Realty Homes for Dogs Project adoption event in Yorba Linda. With a last-minute invitation and our wonderful volunteers ready to jump into action, we packed up the pups and headed out for a beautiful day of meeting new friends.

    And what a day it was!

    Plenty of Paws, Hugs, and Hopeful Connections

    Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde caught the attention of a little girl and her mom. Calvin had several admirers, while Baloo was busy winning hearts with his signature hugs, including one visitor who seemed especially interested in him.

    Selina was her usual crowd-pleasing self, especially when her buddy Oliver was around! Those two love playing together. And speaking of Oliver, our little performer continues to perfect his tricks, even showing off without treats!

    Beautiful Marilynn turned heads and received some interest of her own.

    Frida Takes a Step Toward Forever

    One of the day’s most exciting developments was Frida heading home on a Foster With Intent To Adopt!

    Frida met her potential new sibling at the event, a Pug who apparently considers himself the boss of the household!

    At Labradors and Friends, dogs approximately six months and older begin with a one-week trial period. This gives everyone time to settle in, get acquainted, and make sure the match is right for both the dogs and their new family.

    We’re keeping our fingers and paws crossed that Frida and her new Pug buddy decide life is better together!

    A Little Boy With a Very Big Heart

    One of the sweetest moments of the day came from a familiar young friend.

    Remember Sasha?

    At just four years old, Sasha previously chose to collect donations for Labradors and Friends instead of receiving birthday presents.

    Well, Sasha and his dad were back spreading kindness!

    This time, they purchased a large bag of Hill’s Science Diet puppy food, two bags of Pill Pockets, and treats for our rescued dogs.

    For someone so young, Sasha already understands something incredibly important: helping others can be one of life’s greatest joys.

    Thank you, Sasha, and thank you to his dad for encouraging such a beautiful spirit of generosity. Our pups are lucky to have you both in their corner!

    More Than Just an Adoption Event

    Beyond the dogs, we met wonderful people, shared stories, and made new connections.

    One couple, still missing a beloved dog they lost a year and a half ago, stopped to talk. They may not be ready to welcome another dog just yet, but the conversation even opened the door to potential fundraising ideas involving golf tournaments.

    And that’s what makes these events so worthwhile.

    Not every conversation leads to an adoption that day. Sometimes it plants a seed, creates a connection, or introduces someone to a dog they won’t soon forget.

    Thank You for Making It Happen!

    A heartfelt thank-you to Coldwell Banker Realty and the Homes for Dogs Project for inviting us to participate, and to our incredible volunteers who made it happen on such short notice.

    Whether you stopped by to meet a dog, shared a kind word, donated supplies, or simply learned a little more about rescue, you helped make the day special.

  • Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Amador

    Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Amador

    14½ Years of Loving the “Misfits.”

    Screenshot

    Some volunteers have a special gift for seeing the dog hiding behind the fear. For more than 14 years, Susan Amador has been one of those people.

    Ask Susan why she’s dedicated so much of her life to Labradors and Friends, and her answer is wonderfully simple.

    “Because I love dogs!”

    But there’s so much more to her story.

    Susan loves that LAF opens its heart to the dogs others might overlook. The shy ones. The frightened ones. The dogs with quirks, scars, or histories we’ll never fully understand. The ones who may be waiting for their second chance, or perhaps their third, fourth, or even twenty-fifth.

    And those are often the dogs who capture Susan’s heart.

    The Little Victories That Mean Everything

    For Susan, rescue isn’t just about the day a dog gets adopted. It’s about all the little moments that happen along the way.

    The first tentative tail wag. A happy wiggle butt. A delicate kiss, or an enthusiastically sloppy one. And the ultimate sign that a frightened dog is finally feeling safe enough to be a dog again: the zoomies!

    Those moments are Susan’s reward.

    As a longtime volunteer, Susan has found her niche walking dogs and helping at adoption events. Over the years, she’s taken thousands of photographs of the dogs she’s had the privilege of spending time with.

    Every one of them has been special. But a few have left particularly lasting paw prints on her heart.

    Linus: A Special Bond Across the Miles

    Among all the dogs Susan has loved, one stands above the rest: Linus, a beautiful black Retriever/Setter who came all the way from Turkey.

    Linus was incredibly skittish, and building his confidence took patience, understanding, and time.

    But Linus eventually found a wonderful forever home.

    And for Susan, the story didn’t end with his adoption. She’s received updates over the years and has even had the joy of seeing him again.

    For someone who has poured so much love into helping a frightened dog learn to trust, those reunions mean everything.

    Alfalfa: The Boy Who Stayed in Her Heart

    Then there’s Alfalfa.

    Found in an alfalfa field, this sweet but shy boy carried permanent scars on his nose, reminders of a past he couldn’t explain.

    Alfalfa spent a long time waiting for his forever family. During that journey, he became Susan’s special boy for several months.

    About ten years ago, Alfalfa finally found his home.

    His story remains close to Susan’s heart, a reminder of why the overlooked dogs deserve someone willing to see beyond their scars.

    The Bittersweet Beauty of Goodbye

    Susan knows that one of the hardest parts of rescue is also the most beautiful.

    After spending weeks or months building a bond with a dog, watching that dog leave with a new family can be bittersweet.

    But it’s also the reason she volunteers.

    Finding someone who sees a dog’s quirks and loves them anyway is what rescue is all about.

    And while Susan treasures the updates and reunions, she knows that many times volunteers never hear what happens after adoption. They simply hold onto the hope that the dogs they loved are living their happily ever after.

    A Place for Every Caring Heart

    After 14½ years, Susan’s commitment to LAF remains rooted in the same belief that brought her here.

    “To me, LAF is a wonderful organization that cares about and helps the misfit dogs that are 100% worth saving!”

    And her message to anyone considering volunteering is just as heartfelt.

    There are many ways to help. You don’t need years of experience or special qualifications to make a difference.

    All you need is a love for dogs, a caring heart, and a willingness to learn.

    Thank you, Susan, for more than 14 years of patience, compassion, and unwavering love for the dogs who needed someone to believe in them.

    You’ve helped so many frightened dogs discover that the world can be a kinder place.

  • Weekly Tail Wag 016 – Every Act of Kindness Creates a New Beginning

    Weekly Tail Wag 016 – Every Act of Kindness Creates a New Beginning

    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.

    READ WEEKLY TAIL WAG #016

    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.

    Read Carole’s Volunteer Spotlight

    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!

    Read the Adoption Event Recap

    A Full House for Rescue!

    Our November 4 Bingo Night was SOLD OUT!

    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.

    See the Bingo Night Photos

    Sharing Smiles in Covina

    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.

    Every yes changes a life.

  • Big Paws, Belly Rubs, and New Beginnings!

    Big Paws, Belly Rubs, and New Beginnings!

    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.