Lily #14 (FKNA Milkshake) Yellow Labrador Retriever Female ID #3288

April 26, 2024

Being a family dog is great! It’s been 4 weeks since I started living in a house with my foster mom and I am having a great time. I am not sure why I was afraid of people when I first left the farm. I’m getting love from so many people and that’s what I want most.

I now enjoy going on walks. While I especially enjoy meeting people, it’s also nice to get a change of scenery and sniff around. I can’t understand why everyone who walks by doesn’t stop to pet me and admire me. Sometimes I approach them to try to make sure they didn’t overlook me. Fortunately, most people give me attention and many tell me I am sweet and beautiful and a very good girl. Of course, I know this already, but it’s always nice to hear it. I like other dogs and play with them sometimes, but I prefer love from people.

I am losing weight and now have stamina to do longer walks. FM throws a ball for me and sometimes I like to go get it. I bring it back to her, but after a few rounds, I stop getting the ball, hoping I will get more cuddles and belly rubs. I showed FM that I can run a little and will surely do more after more exercise and weight loss. When I’m not out on walks or playing, I like to be in my crate. FM thinks the dog bed is a great place to be, but for me, the crate is my personal resort where I get to wind down when FM is doing her own thing.

I went to a Brookline event at Kendra Scott. I was hesitant to go through the big door to get in because I didn’t know what was on the other side. Once I did, I was so glad. There were other dogs there who I liked and they liked me too. A silver lab named Katrina even gave me kisses. Lots of visitors pet me and I got more treats than my stingy foster mom usually gives me.

Foster Mom had to go away one night, so I had a sleepover with some other Brookline volunteers. They were so nice to me and gave me more loving.’ Their dog Buzzy liked me, but I wasn’t ready to show I liked him until my FM came to pick me up. While I was there, I went up some steep, dangerous spiral steps that my hosts said no other dog went up before. I didn’t want to come down, but with their help I did. I got carried away and didn’t think about the danger ahead of time.

My FM says I am all sweetness. I like to wag my tail to tell people how much I like them. At night, I like to rest my head on FM. When someone shows me affection, I stop everything to make sure they know how much I enjoy it. I am an expert in giving, receiving, and appreciating love.

I’m going to another Brookline event this weekend at Ruh Ro’s Pet Shop in Conshohocken. I would love it if you came to give me some love.

April 12, 2024

Lily here.  After a few days off the farm, I’m starting to find my voice. I thought I would tell you about myself.

I am starting to enjoy my new life. I have a foster mother who pays a lot of attention to me and gives me a lot of reassurance and affection. I especially like it when she rubs my belly and scratches behind my ears. When she calls me, I like to wiggle my tail.

I went to the vet last week. It was a pretty good visit and I liked the people there. The scale said I weigh 111 lbs. The vet wants me to lose at least 11 lbs. before I am spayed.  He said I have good bones, but I am out of shape. I didn’t get much exercise when I lived on the farm and am also recovering from puppy birth 6 weeks ago. My body is tired. I prefer to sleep and rest, but FM makes me take a lot of walks. They are not long, but they feel really hard. Why must we go out in the rain?  After my walks, I pant for a long time. FM says that the more I walk, the better I will feel. I love FM already and even though I just want to cuddle and rest, I walk with her so she won’t be lonely. It’s better than going in that scary metal thing with 4 wheels.

FM thought I was too stressed to learn how to sit. That was silly. When she asked me to sit, she offered me some crummy, low-calorie treats.  What was she thinking? If I’m going to show her my bag of tricks, I need to be appropriately compensated!  When FM gave me freeze dried chicken, I relented and showed her how nicely I sit. I hope she is now better trained. I plan to hold out on the next trick until FM offers me something even better.

This weekend I saw myself in the mirror. It scared me. I have nothing against big dogs, but this dog was strange and two dimensional. I didn’t know what to do. I love being around foster mom but am not sure I feel safe around other people and dogs yet. I will take my time and decide when I am ready to show others how sweet, smart, and loving I am. The world can wait for my fabulousness!

After a few days in my new home, I started to go up and down stairs. I am very cautious when I do it, but am proud of myself. When I go up, I get to see where FM goes when she puts me in my crate at night and FM gives me extra belly rubs. I haven’t had an accident in the house, but FM wants me to use the crate until she is sure I am housetrained. Silly FM, such a worrier!

I got a big box in the mail from Brookline. It had treats, supplies and lots of toys. FM really enjoyed playing with the toys. I don’t understand what the big deal is, but if it makes FM happy, I’ll watch her play.

It’s time for my next nap so I’ll talk to you later.

April 3, 2024

Lily here.  After a few days off the farm, I’m starting to find my voice. I thought I would tell you about myself.

I am starting to enjoy my new life. I have a foster mother who pays a lot of attention to me and gives me a lot of reassurance and affection. I especially like it when she rubs my belly and scratches behind my ears. When she calls me, I like to wiggle my tail.

I went to the vet last week. It was a pretty good visit and I liked the people there. The scale said I weigh 111 lbs. The vet wants me to lose at least 11 lbs. before I am spayed.  He said I have good bones, but I am out of shape. I didn’t get much exercise when I lived on the farm and am also recovering from puppy birth 6 weeks ago. My body is tired. I prefer to sleep and rest, but FM makes me take a lot of walks. They are not long, but they feel really hard. Why must we go out in the rain?  After my walks, I pant for a long time. FM says that the more I walk, the better I will feel. I love FM already and even though I just want to cuddle and rest, I walk with her so she won’t be lonely. It’s better than going in that scary metal thing with 4 wheels.

FM thought I was too stressed to learn how to sit. That was silly. When she asked me to sit, she offered me some crappy, low-calorie treats.  What was she thinking? If I’m going to show her my bag of tricks, I need to be appropriately compensated!  When FM gave me freeze dried chicken, I relented and showed her how nicely I sit. I hope she is now better trained. I plan to hold out on the next trick until FM offers me something even better.

This weekend I saw myself in the mirror. It scared me. I have nothing against big dogs, but this dog was strange and two dimensional. I didn’t know what to do. I love being around foster mom but am not sure I feel safe around other people and dogs yet. I will take my time and decide when I am ready to show others how sweet, smart, and loving I am. The world can wait for my fabulousness!

After a few days in my new home, I started to go up and down stairs. I am very cautious when I do it, but am proud of myself. When I go up, I get to see where FM goes when she puts me in my crate at night and FM gives me extra belly rubs. I haven’t had an accident in the house, but FM wants me to use the crate until she is sure I am housetrained. Silly FM, such a worrier!

I got a big box in the mail from Brookline. It had treats, supplies and lots of toys. FM really enjoyed playing with the toys. I don’t understand what the big deal is, but if it makes FM happy, I’ll watch her play.

It’s time for my next nap so I’ll talk to you later.

March 28, 2024

Milkshake is such a sweetheart! Yesterday she  started her journey to living her best life. It will take a while, but with patience and TLC she will get there.

She is a 3 year old purebred farm mama. She is also very good girl. After a long day of travel, she tolerated her first bath like a champ even though she was evidently miserable. She is sensitive and has been stressed, but her foster mom (“FM”) keeps reminding her that the worst is over and great things are coming her way.

Even though she is uncomfortable in her new environment, her tail starts wagging when she gets attention. When she is stroked, she settles nicely. She enjoys affection. After settling in a crate through the night, she was happy to see FM this morning.  She is still stressed, but is doing remarkably well adjusting to her new environment.

This girl is severely overweight and deconditioned. Bootcamp started this morning, but will need to start slowly; she needs to build up her stamina and strength. Milkshake is not a name befitting to such a sweetheart, especially one with her generous girth. FM is calling her Lily.

Lily will see the vet tomorrow for an initial visit and will need to be spayed. For now, all this gentle, friendly, sweet creature needs to do is relax into a new life and absorb all the love and caring she can.