The Freedom Ride
Sometimes in rescue, you know exactly what you’re taking on.
And sometimes, you simply say yes.
Just before the Fourth of July, Blaze and another dog named Gunner were at San Bernardino City Shelter. They had come into the shelter together, although they weren’t bonded, and both were on the euthanasia list for the holiday.
They needed out.
We said yes to both.
At the time, we had no idea that Blaze was also carrying an injury that would require major orthopedic surgery. It wasn’t until after he was safely out of the shelter that we learned he had been limping.
What started as a freedom ride was about to become a much bigger journey.
First Safe. Then Healed
Once Blaze was safe with LAF, we learned that he was limping. A veterinary evaluation revealed the reason: Blaze had a torn ACL in his knee and needed surgery.
Blaze underwent TPLO surgery to stabilize his injured knee, beginning weeks of healing and rehabilitation.
The surgery was only the first step.
Recovery from orthopedic surgery takes time, patience and consistency. Blaze needed controlled walks, restricted activity and careful rehabilitation as his knee healed. And while he waited for his forever home, a dedicated group of LAF volunteers made sure he didn’t have to go through any of it alone.
Day after day, they showed up.
They came to take him on his controlled walks. They helped with his rehabilitation. They spent time with him, encouraged him and, just as importantly, made sure he got plenty of love and attention while he waited.
Little by little, Blaze grew stronger.
Those volunteers weren’t simply helping a dog recover from surgery. They were helping prepare him for the life we hoped was waiting on the other side of it.
And eventually, it was.
A Family Full of Boys Had Room for One More
When the Gehrig family met Blaze, they already knew something about rescue.
Longtime dog lovers, they had previously volunteered as foster parents for a Lab rescue while living in Dallas. Earlier this year, they said goodbye to their beloved 13-year-old black Lab. When they were ready to open their hearts and home again, they found Labradors and Friends.
And then they found Blaze.
With a house already full of boys, apparently there was room for one more. 🖤
His new mom, Charlotte, shared:
“Hi! My name is Charlotte Gehrig and this is my family—we’ve got a lot of boys and now another one, Blaze! Wouldn’t have it any other way—he’s simply the best!”
The People Behind the Happy Tail
Charlotte knew from her own rescue experience that adoption can be a leap of faith. You’re welcoming a dog into your family based on everything the rescue has learned about them—and trusting the people helping you make that match.
For the Gehrig family, LAF Adoption Coordinator Ruth was one of those people.
Charlotte shared:
“Ruth was our Adoption Coordinator and she was incredibly helpful and communicative about each step of the process. She answered my questions before I even asked, and spent countless hours discussing things with me and working behind the scenes.”
She went on to recognize something we know is true of every successful adoption:
“I know that she’s just one of many volunteers who make up this great organization, so thank you to all of you!”
From the volunteers who walked Blaze through his rehabilitation to the adoption team working behind the scenes, so many hands helped carry Blaze from a shelter euthanasia list to his forever home.
This Is What We Were Fighting For
Charlotte summed up Blaze’s new life better than we ever could:
“Blaze is honestly the sweetest dog we’ve ever gotten the pleasure to meet, let alone call our own! I cannot thank you enough for your passion, time and energy spent on giving these dogs a chance at a better life—we are beyond thrilled to spoil Blaze for the rest of his life!”
Just weeks earlier, Blaze was sitting on a shelter euthanasia list. Then came the unexpected diagnosis, surgery, rehabilitation, controlled walks, volunteers who kept showing up, and an adoption team determined to find the right match.
Today, Blaze is healed.
He is home.
And he has three boys to grow up with.
This is what rescue looks like on the other side.