Brooke #6 Black Labrador Retriever Mix Female 1 Year Old ID #3626

November 24, 2025

Brooke has now been with us just over a week. She is still learning and figuring things out, but she is fitting right in comfortably and making a lot of progress for just one week out of the shelter. Her couped up nervous energy has started to wear off, and she is turning into a laid-back dog that just likes to hang out. She definitely has the appetite of a lab. If there is food around, Brooke’s sweet little face will be right at your side. Her angel eyes will make you want to hand over half your meal.

Brooke makes a great work from home partner hanging out on her bed, napping or chewing a bone or a Kong.

As long as we fit in breaks, she is good for the day. She does stay alert and still barks and growls at unfamiliar noises. This will probably get better as she continues to get more comfortable in her surroundings. But at least she makes a great watchdog! She definitely has a playful side and enjoys and running in the yard. She absolutely loves toys and entertains herself a lot. Squeakies are the best!

We are making progress on walks with the help of a gentle leader, and her walking partner Abby. Brooke is a strong girl so we are working on heel. Brooke is a quick learner, but when walking she is on high alert and it can be difficult to get her focus, even though she is very treat motivated. We started on the quiet trail but now we are moving up to walking through the neighborhood. It has been quiet on our walks so far but today we passed a large dog on the other side of the street. Because the dog was very calm and peaceful, we were able to pass with just a couple of glances and kept right on. Such a good girl!

Brooke did well for the most part for her visit at the vet but was extremely nervous. We did have a longer than usual wait in the exam room and listening to all the sounds behind both doors for a good 20 minutes really got her worked up. We were really hoping for a nail trim but they said she was not cooperating for that, and they did not want to push her further since she was so nervous. They suggested some medicine next time to help ease her nerves. However, the vet was able to administer the necessary booster shot and examine Brooke to confirm she does have a spay scar and tattoo.

Over the weekend was the first time we left Brooke alone to run errands, about 2 hours both days. On Saturday we left her in the crate, and she was extremely unhappy about it. She cried and howled and bounced around very stressed. On Sunday, since she has been so good in the house, we decided to give her a chance free roam. She cried and paced a bit, but mostly waited quietly at the top of the stairs for us to come back. Brooke has not been at all destructive in the house. The only thing she has picked up that was not hers was a slipper, and in her defense, it was on the floor and big and fluffy like her toys.

We’re pretty sure Brooke is going to love the Thanksgiving holiday. Between the smells of turkey and stuffing and lots of people around, Brookie is going to be so thankful to be spending the day in a home instead of a shelter. She hopes all the other shelter dogs get a chance to have a home for the holidays, too!

November 17, 2025

Day 3 with Brooke was another good day. The weather has not been the best this week, but Brooke gets plenty of chances to play in the yard. Resident dog Abby is still unsure of her young playful energy,  but enjoyed her company on a lunchtime walk. So far, we are still practicing on the quiet trail as Brooke does need a little work on leash training. She was a little reactive to a walker in the distance with a hood, so we may need to work on that.

But there is plenty to love about our sweet Brookie:

November 17, 2025

Brooke is doing an amazing job of acclimating to her new surroundings. It will take a little bit for her to get used to Foster Dad’s work schedule. On his current assignment Foster Dad has to leave the house before 4 am. Once Foster Dad was up, Brooke thought it was time to get started with the day and couldn’t wait to squeak all her toys.

She was a bit blindsided when after some hugs and pets and a quick trip to the yard, FD was out the door. After a bit of whining she started to cry and howl. Foster Mom got up and laid down on the couch and finally Brooke settled on to her bed and we both slept for a couple more hours.

Once we were up for good, we were ready to start the day and everything else was smooth sailing. Walks were quick today due to the wind, but we did take breaks to play in the yard and stretch our legs.

And during office time, Brooke patiently hung out on her bed in the office, occasionally playing with toys or chewing a bone or a Kong. She was mostly quiet and easy going. We are already practicing commands as well. Brooke was clearly taught some tricks at some point and is very smart and food motivated so continued training should go well. She is a little pushy and begs for food and is really trying to get on the couch which is not yet allowed. But even when she’s a little pushy, her sweet little face is too hard to resist.

November 16, 2024

Sweet little Brooke was sprung from the shelter yesterday and arrived into Brookline foster care. Not much is known about Brooke’s history as she was turned into the shelter as a stray. However, we are pretty sure she had a good home at some point. Nothing about house living seems foreign to her and she has made herself quite at home in her whirlwind 24 hours.

Brooke understandably had a lot of energy to burn off after living the shelter life for the past month. First stop was to the back yard where she loved running around and fetching a ball. After she expended some energy, she easily ran up a full flight of stairs to the deck and right to the back door, excited to check out her new home. Inside, Brooke spotted her new toys right away and her favorites are the ones that squeak.

She took a quick tour of all the rooms and then went for a short walk to meet resident dog Abby who lives downstairs. She was very vocal throughout the early evening, enjoying attention from both foster parents and is especially fond of Foster Dad, with lots of hugs and kisses and happy whines. She loves to follow him around.

Brooke enjoyed napping on her bed after her long day and spent the night quietly in the living room crate. Foster Dad is an early riser and Brooke was ready to hang out. In her eyes, it is never too early for squeaky toys. Brooke arrived on a busy weekend and on her first full day got to experience a family birthday party with several guests including a third dog. For the first hour, we gave Brooke a Kong in her crate so as not to overwhelm her. However, after giving her a break to go outside, she got to meet the party guests and never went back to the crate. Brooke loved having more people around to celebrate her new life with and was very friendly to everyone. She is now spending her second evening the same way she did her first…hanging out of her bed.