Marley #15 Yellow Labrador Retriever Male 9 Years Old ID #3339

October 10, 2024

On Labor Day, Marley came to Brookline with his younger brother, Rigby, 5-year-old yellow male. After less than a week together in foster care, the 2 were separated when Rigby was admitted to the hospital for an extensive stay due to severe neutering complications. When Rigby finally came home, they were once again separated to allow Rigby bed rest. During that time, a very kind Brookline family took incredible care of Marley. Today Marley and Rigby were reunited with their foster family. After a little romp in the yard and play in the house, they are both resting with big smiles on their faces and hearts.

THANK YOU BROOKLINE! It TRULY takes a village.

September 29, 2024

Big Marley is spending some time with a temporary foster family as his brother heals. They report that he is such a pleasure and a perfect guy!

Marley chilling

We switched Marley’s food to one with a higher fiber content and it seems to be easier on his stomach.  A win!

Marley has been surprised by a few neighborhood deer and dogs. Hold on to that leash! Marley is interested in meeting new friends!

Marley loves following his foster family from room to room and chills out where they go. He loves being with people!

Marley with his baby

Marley in the garage with Mike

A first, he jumped up with Mike on the couch, simply to be closer.

Marley still carries his babies when he travels. He loves his babies.

We will be checking his blood work soon in preparation for neutering.

September 15, 2024

Hello again! It is Marly with lots of updates!

I can play fetch and return the ball. No need to throw the ball more than a few times. I enjoy it, but love to roll around in the grass too.

The leash is a new thing that makes me dance! I have learned that when my family gets it out, adventure time is coming.

I have reached my target weight of 100lbs. FM will make sure I don’t drop below 100. The folks at Brookline said that the weight loss is due to quality food and exercise.

I don’t require walks every day, but FM is quite fanatical about walks and being outside. She says that walks are a part of our morning routine and we walk no matter what.

Marley walking slowly, very attentive to FM/FD.

FM has a “thing” on out walks where she sees how many hearts she can find; she says I am helping her find sooo many.

I see flocks of geese most days but find squirrels way more interesting. When the geese see me, they all fly away. FM likes that. They do not move for her unless I am with her. I don’t try to grab food litter on my walks. FM is very surprised. Most labs like to scavenge.

The geese

At home, I want to be near the food, but don’t beg.

Yesterday I spent about 20 min in the crate when my family had to run out. I was very excited to be sprung when FD got home, but the crate wasn’t bad. I didn’t need to cry or bark.

Car rides are super cool! FM is so glad that I love to go with her places. I was able to visit FM’s workplace and meet 5 new adult friends. One said that I look like a “golden lion” (cue that song that FM sings to me now). The new friends were dumbfounded by how big my feet are.  Yes, I may be part golden lion and I love errands.

Me enjoying a pup cup

My giant hand

FM says there are curl up dogs and plop/sprawl out dogs. I am the latter. You can find me at any time sprawled out, usually on a floor. In fact, the new night routine is that FM lays on the floor cuddling me while she reads. FM is a plopper too.

I like to hang out in the bathroom while people are in there.

MY BANDANA!!!! One of the Brookline volunteers made me some swag, this is even reversible!!!

Me and my little GSP stuffy. He is one of my favorite stuffies. I like to carry stuffies around and always greet people with one.  They laugh and laugh.

September 10, 2024

Hello again! It’s me Marley! I am continuing to thrive in foster care. I’ve been with my Foster Family for a week. I am so loving and cuddly.  I purrrr when I am getting loving pets and rubs. FM says that I am a super chill yet confident dog. I LOVE treats but don’t get too many as I am watching my figure. A bedtime milk-bone or pig ear and training treats are about it. I take them very gently and don’t jump or get mouthy. I eagerly wag my tail when FM talks to me…she talks a lot so my tail is busy!

Some days I walk more than others. Today it was cooler, I walked 3 slow miles!  Yesterday about .5 slow miles.

My foster family is very surprised that I don’t get into trashcans. I am fed well and don’t need to.

I have met one person outside my foster family. A new teenager friend. She was very nice and of course, loved me. Delivery people and landscapers are not of interest to me. I hear them but when my family doesn’t alert or seem to care, I don’t either. People on my walk do interest me. I would like to meet all of them and typically pull to try to get close. FM says I need to stay close to her and not pull to other walkers.

As far sleeping goes, I may settle into a human bed, but end up jumping out and preferring the cool floor after a short time. I move around at night from cool spot to cool spot. I love when FM wakes up but quietly wait until she is ready to go downstairs – then its breakfast time when I do my wiggle dance in anticipation.

Almost forgot – my brother and I got a Bark Box package of toys and treats! A Brookline volunteer made us cool bandanas and a travel bag as well! I am moving UP in the fashion world. I have SO many toys to choose from. I tend to like them to all be out of the toy box for easy selection.

My FF says that I am so lucky to be with Brookline, they all LOVE and support me and I am living the life here. I agree! Thank you, Brookline!

September 6, 2024

Hello! this is Marley from NJ! I am new here. Let me introduce myself, I am a big 110 lb. 9-year-old yellow love bug. I arrived to PA with my yellow bother almost 5 days ago. People say I need to lose a little weight, but I am naturally a big guy! You should see my paws! Oh, and my foster family keeps calling me a girl …. because I am stunning with big eyes and built in eyeliner. Hey, they need to learn about me too!

Marley walking with his big smile and fancy eye liner.

Marley just hanging out in the kitchen while FM does something super boring on the computer

I am settling into foster life very well and enjoying walks and a big fenced yard. FM says that she is amazed at how well I walk on a leash. She thought I’d need a gentle leader but instead I am “dreamy to walk”! Some days we walk twice a day for a total of 3.5 – 4 miles but that may be a lot for me. Today I was a bit tired, we walked 1.5 slow steady miles. I love all the new smells and wildlife. As you’d expect, squirrels, fox and deer are interesting but I am easy to manage and not chase them. People, buses, cars, heavy machinery, and noises do not phase me.  I just like being out and walking.

A little roll… waiting for the belly rubs.

Me and one of my babies. I carry them around and love them too much to destroy them! I am a bit of a sloppy drinker – hence the towel under my water bowl.

I love my food and treats. I am not bothering my family for their food but boy do I dance when its time for me to eat! I hear the bowl and start the butt wiggle dance. The first few days FM put chicken and rice in my kibble, but I am just eating kibble now.

Other things my foster family are saying include that I am very calm and confident. Completely house trained and super affectionate – I love that part. Head rubs, body rubs, belly rubs and butt rubs are top in my book. I love being with my people. I am happy to chill out and doze off when they work. FM says running her hands through my thick fur is therapeutic. I am here for her. I sometimes will lay in a dog bed but you can typically find me sprawled out on the tile or hardwood floor (its cooler). FM says I am CRAZY! I could sleep with the humans. Maybe when its cooler out….

Settling down for the night. I sleep really well. Sometimes I will nap in a human bed with FD but mostly I like the floor.

I am working on my basic dog commands with FM. We are “treat” training — it’s FUN!

Later this month I will get some blood work done to see if I am ready to be neutered soon.