Farm to Family Campaign
Our goal for our Farm to Family Campaign is to rescue as many Labrador Retrievers as we can from breeding farms, and place them into loving homes. The more money we raise, the more dogs we can rescue. We are 100% volunteer and foster-based. Veterinary costs average $140,000 per year. Your donation will help us save more of these amazing dogs from the harsh conditions of breeding farms, provide them with proper medical care, and then adopt them into warm and loving families.
In the fall of 2023, Brookline was contacted by a farmer to surrender two breeder mommas that he no longer needed. Unfortunately, the farmer grew impatient and sold one of the dogs to another farmer. The dog that was sold was a gorgeous chocolate lab named Pepsi. She was only 2-3 years old at the time. As it turns out, Pepsi did not produce well for the new farmer, either. Brookline was contacted, again, and a wonderful foster family was found. To celebrate her new life, Pepsi was given a new name – Josie.
When Josie came into foster care, both ears were infected and scabbed over where she had scratched them raw. She also had a terrible urinary tract infection. She was timid and unsure of herself and was especially unsure of foster dad (and men in general) who gave her the space she needed until she started to trust him. Josie stuck to foster mom’s side by day and slept comfortably beside her at night.
She quickly took to the resident dogs in her new foster home and slowly started learning the joys of a warm home, a comfy couch, and cuddling with her people. Her UTI cleared up, as did her ear infections, and she recovered nicely after her spay. Her personality began to shine through – funny, playful, and sweet. It was time for Josie to find her forever home.
Josie was lucky to be adopted by former Brookline adopters, Kelly and Eric, and their two sons. While they knew she may regress as she transitioned to their home, they were, and still are, committed to helping Josie live the life she deserves. She has had to learn many new things, but she is smart and, even more importantly, she truly wants to please.
Initially, Josie was glued to the side of her adoptive mom. Then, one day, Kelly happened to go from the kitchen up to her office and then back to the kitchen and realized she was alone. As it turns out, Josie was laying on the living room floor completely immersed in playing with a toy. To finally have confidence/comfort to know she could be alone and OK was a huge step in her progress.
In just 5 months she has become 100% house trained, walks off-leash, knows a recall command, and has become very gentle with the outdoor cats and chickens. She has even taken on a protective role and makes it a point to check in with her cat and chicken buddies. She has even bonded with the resident dog, Eddie, who is thrilled to have a best friend to run, play, and “patrol” the farm with each day.
Josie has also bonded extremely well with the men in the house who have shown her great kindness and patience. In addition to the progress made with her adoptive dad, Eric, watching Josie’s relationship develop with their two teenage sons has been a very heartwarming experience for Kelly and Eric, both as parents and pet owners. Initially Josie’s fear of men frustrated the boys but with time, patience, (and lots of treats), the boys have successfully bonded with Josie. A true-life lesson for the boys about patience and empathy towards all creatures.
Josie has the best life now: a loving family, playing with her canine brother, daily walks, and helping her mom take care of the chickens and the sheep. Her adoptive family now calls her JoJo, and she is a key part of a family that can’t imagine their household without her.
To watch her develop and relax after her hard first 3 years of life as a breeder dog has been one of the most rewarding experiences they have ever had. There have been days that were challenging, but watching her personality come out and seeing her relax and enjoy just the little things, like a treat, a walk or just lying in the sun, makes them smile.
Not all dogs are as lucky as Josie to get a second chance to live their happily ever after. Kelly summed up JoJo’s Farm-to-Family experience with a plea to all families looking to foster or adopt a dog. “Adopting a farm dog is by no means an easy thing to do; it takes time, patience, and a lot of trust in the process. I have found in life, however, that those things are what create the most rewarding experiences. JoJo is our dog for life, and we are so thankful for the joy she brings to our house every day.”
