Haley, Yellow Labrador Retriever Female, 11.5 Years Old

July 17,  2018

She is a love! Sweet. Calm. Easy-going. Well-behaved to the point that I [almost] want her to chew up a sneaker, surf the kitchen counter, knock over a trashcan, or try to jump up on someone!!! Maybe she did all that stuff as a young pup and now as a senior dog (she is 11.5 years old) she’s content to get a couple of 20-30 minute walks a day, go out to the yard for potty breaks, eat twice a day, get some pets and treats now and then, and sleep.

But I think this girl has a lot of living left in her! I think she is just now beginning to show signs of recovering from having her heart broken, from being surrendered by her owner, from losing the only home she ever knew.

Her sad eyes and subdued demeanor leave me feeling that she is very confused, unsettled and uncertain. She has had moments while she’s been here where she genuinely seems happy (playing with her ball, getting belly rubs, learning new tricks) but most of the time she seems reserved and distant.

Tonight, after I brushed her (which she really likes) I invited her up on my bed AND for only the 3rd time since she’s been here, she jumped up! (I pat the spot next to me often, but she usually just watches me.) Then she did something she hasn’t done before. She rested her head on my lap and licked my hand – for about a minute.

It’s hard to foster these discarded dogs, win their trust, heal them, and then let them go. They are so special: vulnerable, confused, and uncertain…yet I believe they crave connection. I want to keep every single one of them. Of course, I know I can’t. And after fostering so many times now, and then saying goodbye, I know these dogs go on to live a great new life where they are appreciated and loved for the remarkable and precious pups they are.

June 29, 2018

Haley is in the top 5 of the best, easiest, most adaptable foster dogs I have ever had from any organization! Everyone who meets her marvels at how she seems to fit right into our routines like she’d been here her whole 11.5 years!

yellow labrador retriever laying downShe is quiet – except a brief few barks to greet visitors. She sleeps through the night on a dog bed on the floor, has not had to be crated, does not trash pick or jump or push past gates, is respectful of the other dog’s food, takes treats very well, knows how to sit, walks well on a leash, is not in the least bit aggressive towards any dogs she has met – that includes my 3, my daughter’s Basenji mix, my friend’s very senior and bossy Chihuahua, my neighbor’s hound and other neighbor’s black Lab, and any dogs we’ve crossed paths with on walks. She is a bit of a loner, but enjoys receiving affection and attention when given it, she just is not needy or pushy!

 

 

 

 

June 24, 2018

yellow labrador retriever faceI picked Haley up from Burlington County Animal Shelter on Saturday, shortly after they opened at noon. Despite appearing anxious with her tail tucked, she readily followed along with me to my car, hopped in without hesitation, and off we went to my home – her new foster home – in Collingswood.
I took her to the yard first and she sniffed around, running from one spot to the next. She appeared to be a bit nervous, glancing around to be sure I was still in sight. When she saw the deck stairs, she ran right up, took a long drink of water from one of the dog bowls, and then stood by the back door as if to say, “Okay, let me in!”
I had my dogs upstairs in my office, so that she was able to explore the 1st floor without being overwhelmed by 3 new dogs. After going in and out to the yard a few more times, dragging the leash with her, I gated her in the kitchen and went up to bring my dogs downstairs. I heard her whine as I walked out of sight, ut she was not overly distressed.

When my dogs came down, they were excited to meet a new friend but obedient to my command to “stay back” and “sit” – Haley seemed much less interested in them! She showed no signs of aggression or any indication that she might have an issue with them, so I took her outside, shut the back door, then went in and let my dogs out. It was the easiest intro I have ever had – not one growl, whimper, or look that she wasn’t happy to meet them. My girls stood patiently while she sniffed them – then she wandered off nonchalantly like, “Okay, I’m done with that.”

There hasn’t been one problem. I’m feeding her in the kitchen right with them – she is very respectful of their space and makes no effort to move in on their food if she finishes first. She takes treats gently, and does not try to steal from the other dogs. She was a bit restless at first when we went up to me office in the late afternoon, but she settled after 20 minutes, or so.
When it was time for bed, after i put the dogs out, she followed the pack down the hall to my bedroom. I had placed a large rectangular dog bed on the floor at the foot of my bed, and placed a treat for her there. She ate it, then sat down and watched me without laying down. After awhile, I sat on the floor beside er, petted and scratched her, and she settled down on the bed.
She stayed put all night long – though I did hear her wheeze or sneeze a couple times during the night. She is drinking a lot of water – so perhaps there is some underlying physical cause for the claim by owner that she was soiling in the house. She has had no accidents since her arrival – and she does come to stand by me if she wants to go out, then we go downstairs and she does her business promptly in the yard.
Haley is a little overweight, but she looks to be in very good shape otherwise. I will make an appointment with my vet (Blackwood Animal Hospital has been approved by Brookliine) to get her checked out for the wheezing and to see if her heavy water drinking is indicative of a more serious problem. I would think that a blood test and urinalysis should be enough to tell if there’s a (common) problem.
However, if she checks out and gets a clean bill of health, she is already spayed, and is a truly a delightful, well-behaved, gentle, relatively affectionate dog, so  she probably could be ready for adoption in 2-3 weeks. So far, she is not a barker, is independent but friendly, respects the gates, has not tried to raid my closed kitchen trashcan, stays near or with me when I am upstairs working, and knows “sit.” Right now, she is in my bedroom on her dog bed, while I am on the computer in my office down the hall – the doors are open so she can come and go. She does not appear to be a shadow or clingy, needy dog, as many fosters are at first.
I have not walked her on a leash – except from the shelter when she was anxious to go outside and did pull a little, but not excessively. We will start walks tomorrow. So far, Haley is a piece of (vanilla) cake!

Adopt Your New Best Friend! 

PLEASE NOTE: While this Lab may not be available for adoption by the time you complete the adoption process, other great Labs are always finding their way into our Rescue.

If you are interested in adopting this Lab or any other Lab from our Rescue, please visit our Web site, www.brooklinelabrescue.org, for more information on our adoption process. If you need additional information about the adoption process or whether you are in our coverage area, please send an e-mail to our Rescue at info@brooklinelabrescue.org

Even if you are not ready to adopt, you can still help us help our Labs!

Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer organization funded entirely by donations. Donations are always needed to help with veterinary costs, transportation, and supplies for our dogs. For information on donating to BLRR please click here. https://brooklinelabrescue.org/get-involved/donate/ Donations are accepted via PayPal or you can mail a check to: Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 638, Warrington, PA 18976-0638