Three boys, two girls, and an incredible team of lifesavers!
When five puppies needed help at the Carson shelter, Molly and Old Blue Inc. stepped in to cover their veterinary care, and our extraordinary foster, Teri, opened her home once again.
All five puppies tested negative for parvo, received veterinary care, and are now safe, happy, and enjoying puppy life.
This week, we’re celebrating Cathy, whose journey from volunteer dog walker to dedicated foster and event volunteer reminds us that one small YES can change countless lives.
Sometimes, one dog changes everything. For Labradors and Friends volunteer Lina, it all began with two dogs named Coco and Liberty.
Eight years ago, Lina began volunteering at Ramona Humane Society, where she met Lauren through their shared dedication to helping shelter dogs. What started as a simple desire to help would grow into eight years of freedom rides, friendships, heartbreak, and countless second chances.
The Freedom Rides That Changed Everything
Liberty and Coco’s freedom ride. Lina’s first with LAF.
Lina’s first freedom ride with Labradors and Friends was with Coco and Liberty, two dogs beginning their journeys toward brighter futures.
But her second freedom ride, with a dog named Midnight, left an especially powerful impression.
Midnight was a beautiful girl who had suffered terrible abuse and was in heartbreaking condition. Watching her finally leave the shelter and get a second chance was something Lina would never forget.
“That freedom ride changed something in me,” Lina recalls.
It inspired her to become more involved in volunteering and shelter assessments. She wanted to help rescues see the dog behind the kennel door, especially those who had been overlooked or unseen.
Eight Years of Showing Up
Over the years, Lina has worn many hats for Labradors and Friends.
She’s helped assess and pull shelter dogs, coordinate transports, communicate with shelters, assist with adoptions, walk dogs in San Marcos and Orange County, and provide temporary foster care.
Today, she plays an important role as one of our Riverside shelter pullers, working behind the scenes to help dogs make their way to safety.
Much of this work happens long before we take a freedom ride photograph. There are phone calls, shelter communications, assessments, transportation arrangements, and countless moving pieces that must come together.
It’s the kind of work most people never see, but without it, many dogs would never get their second chance.
Lina hugging Kamari at an adoption event.
Seeing the Dogs Others Overlook
Throughout her years with Labradors and Friends, Lina has watched the rescue step up time and again for dogs who might otherwise be left behind.
Black dogs. Seniors. Dogs with medical needs. Dogs who simply need someone willing to look beyond their circumstances and see their potential.
She’s also experienced the difficult side of rescue. The heartbreaking losses, unexpected challenges, and cases that stay with you long after they’re over.
But she’s witnessed something equally powerful: the extraordinary dedication of people who refuse to give up.
From fosters and transporters to shelter staff, veterinarians, adopters, and volunteers working quietly behind the scenes, everyone has a part to play.
Rescue Takes a Village
Labradors and Friends volunteer Lina hugging Kira at a holiday event.
“Every person plays an important role, and every effort matters,” Lina says.
For her, rescue has always been about more than saving dogs. It’s also about the friendships, the people who show up when they’re needed, and the shared belief that every dog deserves a chance.
“The dogs, friendships, and experiences have changed my life. I feel truly blessed to be a small part of such a wonderful rescue community.”
And after eight years, that feeling hasn’t changed.
“There is nothing quite like watching a shelter dog walk out on a freedom ride and begin a new life.”
Thank you, Lina, for eight years of compassion, dedication, and helping dogs find their way to safety. We’re grateful to have you as part of the Labradors and Friends family.
Be Part of Someone’s Second Chance
Behind every rescued dog is a community of people who made that rescue possible.
Whether you can help with shelter transports, volunteer at adoption events, foster a dog, or lend a hand behind the scenes, there’s a place for you in our rescue family.
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.
Four puppies spreading joy. Two lives saved just in time. And volunteers who keep showing up.
This week’s Weekly Tail Wag celebrates the people who say YES when a dog needs help.
🐾 Puppy Kisses & Senior Smiles — Emma’s puppies visited a senior community in Orange County, bringing cuddles, laughter, and plenty of puppy love.
❤️ No Rest for the Rescue Crew — When Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde ran out of time at the shelter, Lorie and Jeff stepped up to give them a second chance.
🏡 From Dashie to Jamie — After a few bumps along the way, Dashie may have found his perfect match, thanks to the patience and dedication of foster dads Bill and Todd.
🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Amy — From dog walking to years of dedicated rescue work, Amy reminds us how one person’s commitment can change countless lives.
☔ Rain or Shine, Rescue Shows Up! — Our volunteers braved the weather for the San Diego Animal Support Foundation’s adoption event at Grossmont Center, where two adoption applications brought new hope.
💎 Shop for a Cause — Our Kendra Scott fundraiser is October 17–19, with 20% of qualifying purchases benefiting Labradors and Friends.
Every yes can become a rescue, a foster home, an adoption, or a lifetime of love.
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.
