Labradors & Friends Dog Rescue

Tag: Labradors and Friends

🌈 Dottie — The Little Girl Who Defied the Odds

Some dogs leave pawprints on our hearts that never fade. Dottie was one of those dogs.

In 2011, Labradors and Friends rescued a tiny, three-month-old puppy from a shelter. Both of her front legs were broken, and she desperately needed someone to believe her life was worth saving.

Thanks to Dr. Hampel’s remarkable surgical care at Animal Medical Center, Dottie received the treatment she needed. And thanks to two extraordinary foster moms, Brooke and Irene, she found something even more precious: a family.

What was supposed to be a few weeks of fostering became a lifetime together.

Dottie grew into a spirited, fiercely loyal girl whose personality was every bit as unforgettable as her journey. From her mischievous puppy days to her adventures with her beloved pack, she lived a life filled with love.

On October 5, 2026, Dottie crossed the Rainbow Bridge after a courageous battle with cancer.

Brooke and Irene have shared a beautiful tribute to their precious girl. We are honored to share their memories in their own words as we celebrate Dottie’s incredible life.

Dottie’s Story — In Brooke and Irene’s Words

Dottie, Dec 2011 to October 5, 2026

When Dottie was spotted by Labs & Friends at a kill shelter, the poor girl had both her front legs broken. An animal cruelty case, a vet said. We were only supposed to foster this 3-month-old for a few weeks while she recovered from the surgery to heal the broken bones. Her baby eyes undoubtedly melted our hearts at the first sight. Irene and I kept reminding each other a good home was out there for Dottie, because we already had 3 senior dogs over 60 lbs and our HOA only allowed 2 dogs per household. We eventually managed to form our wonderful pack of 4 dogs – Dottie, 2 other foster failures from Lab&Friends, and Julie, as we couldn’t let go of the worry of this sweet girl encountering more hardship in her life.

Dottie’s Ballerina legs didn’t dampen her curiosity a bit; she was just happy and crazy like any puppy – she chewed on staircases and window frames, she dug holes in the sofa, and she “ate” my jeans and Julie’s leather collar… After she got tired, she fell asleep like an angel or a frozen turkey?! Thank God that as Dottie grew up, her tastes changed — she loved steaks and anything milky – not cow-friendly for sure.

Dottie gave people the most tender look one could imagine, but less gentle with dogs. We always wondered if she wished to be the only dog on Earth. However, she saw the pack’s safety as her responsibility and hers alone. She guarded us and her sisters with her whole heart, even when she was very uncomfortable at the end of life. A funny story: when a skunk crossed Irene’s path on a walk, Dottie jumped to stand between the skunk and Irene — while Julie, 7 years older and 20 lbs bigger than Dottie, hid behind Irene’s back. Dottie taught us what it means for a family to always stand together. She fought fiercely with Nita the younger sister who we adopted when Dottie was 6 years old, but she also looked after Nita so Nita didn’t feel scared when exploring new places.

Thank you, Lauren and Labs & Friends, for pulling Dottie — a pit bull with two broken legs — out of that shelter, so Irene and I could have over 15 years of sweetness and tears to grow our souls with Dottie.

Dottie, we knew you tried very hard to stay with us – a 3-week hard fight against the spreading cancer, when the vet said you probably had only days left. We will miss you dearly, but don’t miss us. Run free now, no longer dragged down by those ballerina legs, and run happily over the rainbow bridge with Julie, GiGi, and LuLu. Our precious, sassy princess Dottie!

Dottie, forever loved. Forever part of the Labradors and Friends family. 🌈❤️

October 15, 2026
Volunteer Spotlight: Cathy — From Dog Walker to Lifesaver

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.

October 12, 2026
Showing Up Matters: Amy’s Journey from Dog Walker to Lifesaver

Volunteer Spotlight | Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness make the biggest difference.

When Amy first began volunteering with Labradors and Friends in 2019, she wasn’t looking for a major commitment. She and her husband, Brian, had recently lost their beloved dog, and spending time with rescue dogs seemed like a way to heal their hearts while giving back.

She started by walking dogs in boarding.

Seven years later, Amy’s volunteer journey has touched countless lives, including dogs who needed patience, medical care, a temporary home, or simply someone willing to sit beside them.

From Dog Walks to Second Chances

As Amy spent more time volunteering, her role grew. She began helping with intake assessments, dog-to-dog introductions, adoption meet-and-greets, and training new volunteers.

She also opened her home to foster dogs, including those with medical needs and those nearing the end of their lives.

But some of her most meaningful moments came from helping frightened dogs learn to trust again.

Josie was so scared that volunteers couldn’t even put a collar on her. After two days of trying, Amy discovered the key: letting Josie watch another dog enjoy training games. Suddenly, Josie wanted to participate, too.

Deejay needed a different approach. He was too frightened to accept a harness until Amy began singing to him. Her voice helped him relax enough to ask for affection and eventually let her clip on his harness.

Sometimes, a breakthrough doesn’t require anything extraordinary. Just patience, understanding, and a willingness to try something different.

Seven Precious Months with Kenji

One dog will always hold a special place in Amy’s heart.

Kenji arrived at Labradors and Friends in September 2022. A few months later, Amy and Brian noticed his leg was swollen during an outing. Veterinary testing revealed lymphoma.

When the rescue began searching for a hospice foster, they welcomed Kenji into their home right away.

He became a beloved member of their family, surrounded by love and comfort. They even celebrated his birthday with fellow rescue volunteers.

Amy and Brian originally thought they would have only a few weeks with Kenji. But as Amy recalls:

“We thought he’d live only a few weeks, but he thrived for almost seven months and became a true part of the family.”

What began as an act of compassion became seven precious months of love, laughter, and memories Amy and Brian will carry forever.

Understanding the Dog Behind the Behavior

What began as a way to heal after losing her beloved dog became something much bigger for Amy. Through rescue, she found close friendships, a deeper understanding of dog behavior, and a purpose that continued long after she welcomed another dog into her family.

But perhaps the most important lesson came from the dogs themselves.

“I want people to understand that rescue dogs are not broken, and they are not any less worthy of a home than a puppy.”

Amy has spent years working with dogs in boarding facilities, where the stress of kennel life can bring out behaviors that don’t reflect who a dog truly is.

Some are frightened and withdrawn. Others are overly excited, jumping, mouthing, or pulling on the leash. Behind those behaviors is often a dog who simply needs patience, understanding, and a chance to decompress.

Amy remembers something she once heard from a dog behavior professional:

“They aren’t giving you a hard time; they’re having a hard time.”

It’s a lesson she now shares with new volunteers.

Rescue isn’t always easy, and Amy doesn’t pretend otherwise. There are heartbreaking losses, frightened dogs, and adoptions that don’t work out. But when asked what keeps her coming back, her answer was simple:

“What keeps me coming back is that there is always another dog who needs you. The simplest acts of kindness can make a dog’s day. Sometimes even just sitting quietly with them is all that they need.”

And that may be the greatest lesson of Amy’s volunteer journey: You don’t always have to change a dog’s entire world in one day. Sometimes, you just have to make that day a little better.

You Don’t Have to Do Everything to Make a Difference

For anyone thinking about volunteering, Amy has a simple message:

“If someone is considering becoming a rescue volunteer, I’d tell them that it will be more rewarding than they expect.”

She knows rescue can be hard work, filled with dirt, scratches, and heartache. But she also knows how much even the smallest commitment can mean.

“Walking dogs a few times a month may not sound like much, but it makes all the difference to those dogs. Whatever time you can give is a gift to the dogs and to the rescue.”

Because sometimes, changing a life starts with something as simple as showing up.

Because sometimes, changing a life starts with something as simple as showing up.

Thank you, Amy, for seven years of compassion, patience, and dedication — and for reminding us that every dog deserves to be understood, loved, and given a chance.

Want to make a difference? Become a Labradors and Friends volunteer.

October 10, 2026
Weekly Tail Wag #011 — One Yes Can Change Everything

Sometimes rescue begins with something incredibly simple: someone saying yes.

Yes, I’ll foster him.
Yes, we’ll make room for them.
Yes, I’ll keep sharing her story.
Yes, I’ll bring him home.

Here’s what happened this week. 💗🐾

This week at Labradors + Friends, those yeses showed up everywhere—from a 10-year-old dog who needed somewhere to go, to two tiny puppies who made it safely into rescue, to a long-awaited Happy Tail and a volunteer whose commitment to LAF didn’t end when she moved out of state.

And one very special Rainbow Bridge story reminded us just how much life can fit between that first yes and a final goodbye.

Plus, we’re celebrating an incredible Pulls for Pups fundraiser, sharing new ways to join us at upcoming events, and asking for more foster homes so we can keep saying yes when the next dog needs us.

READ THE FULL TAIL WAG →

October 4, 2026
Rainbow Bridge: Ladybug Apple — A Lifetime of Love

There are some dogs whose stories stay with you long after they leave rescue.

Apple was one of them.

In 2015, Apple was barely a year old and sitting on death row at the Baldwin Park Shelter. She was a 46-pound black dog with one blue eye, one brown eye, and an old injury to one of them. She had been passed over, sitting in her kennel waiting for someone to notice the sweet, gentle girl inside.

We noticed.

Labradors and Friends said yes.

And for me, Apple’s story has always been a little more personal.

I was the volunteer who pulled Apple from the shelter. I spent time with her before she became a Toliver, and over the years I had the privilege of spending time with Nicole, her family, and the dog who had once needed us to give her a chance.

So when Nicole recently told me they had lost Apple, this one hit hard.

Because I remembered the young dog we rescued.

And I knew just how extraordinary the life waiting for her would become.

From Shelter Dog to Family

On March 17, 2015, Apple went home.

Nicole remembers that young girl perfectly:

“One blue eye and one brown… a love propeller that wouldn’t stop… that shiny black coat and the velvet bat ears.”

What began as a rescue quickly became something much bigger.

Apple became family.

The Toliver daughters grew up with her beside them. There were cuddles and swimming, homework sessions, dress-up and dancing. Apple joined them on family adventures and was there through the ordinary days that, looking back, become some of the ones we treasure most.

Nicole’s favorite memory of Apple is beautifully simple:

“Coming through a door and being greeted by her.”

Anyone who has loved a dog for a lifetime understands exactly why that can be the thing you miss most.

She Knew What It Meant to Welcome Someone In

Apple’s rescue story didn’t end when she was adopted.

Over the years, the Tolivers opened their home to foster puppies, too.

And Apple—the dog who once sat in a shelter waiting for someone to make room for her—became part of welcoming other dogs who needed somewhere safe to land.

Nicole remembers watching Apple with those fosters and seeing a side of her that she didn’t share with everyone.

“Seeing her with fosters and how she loved!!! That wasn’t anything she shared with many…”

There is something especially beautiful about that circle.

Someone saved Apple.

Apple found her family.

And then Apple helped other dogs along their own journeys home.

Quietly, Gently and Fiercely

Nicole describes Apple as a dog who “loved quietly, gently and never let you doubt where you stand in her circle of trust.”

She also protected fiercely.

“She was always where she was needed and more.”

And when Apple needed her family, they were there for her, too.

Over the years, she faced several medical challenges, including ongoing eye care, two eye surgeries, and surgeries on both knees. None of it was easy for her.

But her family surrounded her through every recovery—day and night.

Nicole says Apple answered all of it “with a grateful heart.”

That’s what family does.

Until We Meet Again

On September 17, more than eleven years after Apple first walked into the Tolivers’ lives, they had to say goodbye to their Ladybug.

Nicole shared a beautiful vision of where she hopes Apple’s next journey has taken her:

Chuckit! balls. Endless grilled salmon. Sir Matty, Mr. Bean, Monty, Sugar, Frankie, Delta Chance—and a comfy resting place in a corner with a view.

Until they meet again. ❤️

Nicole began her tribute with something that will resonate with anyone who has ever truly loved a dog:

“If you say it was just a dog…”

Apple was never just a dog.

She was the puppy pulled from a shelter.

She was a little girl’s best friend.

She was a protector.

She was a patient.

She was a traveling companion.

She was a foster sister.

She was the familiar face waiting when someone walked through the door.

She was family.

And perhaps that’s one of the greatest gifts of rescue: we may be there at the beginning, when a dog desperately needs someone to say yes, but sometimes we’re lucky enough to watch what happens afterward.

I pulled Apple from the shelter in 2015.

The Tolivers gave her the life we hoped was waiting for her.

And for the rest of her life, Apple never had to wonder whether she was loved.

Rest easy, Ladybug Apple. 🌈🐾❤️

With love to Nicole Toliver and family, and with gratitude to everyone who was part of Apple’s life—her veterinary team, trainers, dog sitters, fosters, volunteers, and the entire rescue family who loved her along the way.

October 3, 2026

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