Labradors & Friends Dog Rescue

Tag: Rescue Dog

  • 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.

  • 🌈 Dottie — The Little Girl Who Defied the Odds

    🌈 Dottie — The Little Girl Who Defied the Odds

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

    Young white rescue puppy Dottie resting on a blanket with a purple cast on her injured front leg.

    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.

    Brooke and Irene enjoying an outdoor adventure with Dottie and their other dogs on a rocky desert trail.

    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.

    White rescue dog Dottie standing indoors wearing a yellow and black bumblebee Halloween costume.

    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 sharing an affectionate moment with Irene beside a decorated Christmas tree.

    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 cuddling on a couch with a Brooke, her face resting comfortably on a soft blanket.

    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. 🌈❤️