Archives: Success Stories

Yesterday, Foster Andrea received the best Mother’s Day gift.  I finalized her adoption with Oakley, now Aspen.  Many thanks to the volunteers who played a part in getting her off the farm and into a loving home!

Andrea had the following to say:
Fostering a dog is a beautiful journey filled with hope, love, and a promise of a bright future. When we welcomed this sweet 11 week old, friendly pup into our home with the intention of providing temporary care, little did we know that our lives were about to change in ways we never imagined.

From the moment the tiny bundle of fur trotted into our lives, her wagging tail and gentle demeanor stole our hearts. It didn’t take long for her to win over not only our affection but also that of our resident dog, Hudson, and everyone who crossed her path. Aspen was the epitome of a perfect foster dog—cute, friendly, and well-behaved.

As days turned into weeks, we found ourselves falling deeper in love with her. Every day brought new adventures and moments of pure joy. She seamlessly integrated into our family, forming an inseparable bond with our resident dog and bringing a sense of completeness to our home that we hadn’t realized was missing.

After matching our first foster with her forever family, the thought of saying goodbye to Aspen, of letting go of this precious soul who had brought so much light into our lives, filled us with a profound sense of sadness. We wrestled with conflicting emotions and the undeniable love we felt for her.

In the end, we made a decision that some may view as a failure—we decided to keep her. Despite our initial intentions of just fostering, we couldn’t bear the thought of parting ways with her. Aspen had become an integral part of our family, and the thought of letting her go felt unthinkable.

And so, our journey took an unexpected turn. What started as a temporary fostering arrangement blossomed into a lifelong commitment. Our “failure” as foster dog parents became our greatest blessing—a decision fueled by love, compassion, and the undeniable bond we shared with her.

While our journey may not have followed our original path, we wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, sometimes the greatest successes come from what others perceive as failures. #fosterfail #proudfailures #lablove

We adopted 9-year-old Bo in April and two months later we can say that he is the perfect dog for us. He is feeling stronger and goes for a good gallop at least once a day. He is faster than you would think! I must admit that those gallops are usually downhill to greet someone, and then he ambles slowly back up the hill–but he at least is starting to run a bit! His personality is coming out more each day as well–he is sweet, loving, gentle, wants to please, has an unbelievable memory, and is a bit stubborn (aren’t we all?). He is also not fond of groundhogs and deer on his property (which he also chases). He loves everyone, goes to the office with me every day, and has attended large family gatherings where everyone is charmed by him.

We are still working on his ear infection. He had one type of infection in both ears and a second type of infection in his left ear. Two of the infections have been knocked out and we are working on healing his last infection.

He and our cat Edison are buddies now; Bo tries to play with him, but Edison is not quite there yet. I think Bo’s persistence and charm will win out.

We are so thankful to have Bo as part of our family!

We adopted Bash, a 6-year-old handsome chocolate lab, the end of March. Since day one, he has been a wonderful addition to our family, which includes our 4-year-old yellow lab, Ginger.

Bash spent the first years of his life on a farm as a breeder dog. When he was no longer a viable breeder, Bash was rescued by Brookline, bathed, updated on vaccines and placed with a loving foster family.

In foster care, Bash held a very special place in the hearts of foster mom, Jackie, and her family who will never forget this 110-pound dog who was just full of love. The first night in foster care, however, he howled and howled. It seems he was a Velcro dog and just needed to be around his people. About 4 days into fostering, Bash let out the biggest sigh of contentment and slept soundly, probably for the first time. We are so grateful to Jackie and her family for helping Bash along on his journey from the farm to our forever home.

Once with us, Bash was a bit anxious for the first week or so, but he did well with lots of cuddles and attention. We sat and even laid on the floor with him for many parts of the day and gave him plenty of love. Within a few days he was running around in the yard and playing tug with Ginger!

We are still working on walking loose leash, but he enjoys these walks very much. Bash loves to be close to his people! I’m not sure how much human attention he got while on the farm, but he really soaks it up and seems to look adoringly at all of us.

Bash is a very sweet and loving dog. He is a little anxious when he is with us at our campsite, but he does enjoy saying hello to our dog neighbors and taking long walks. The best part is that Bash and Ginger are the best of friends. It didn’t take long for the two of them to bond, and it is almost as if Ginger is his “emotional support dog”.

We are so grateful to Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue for the exceptional job the volunteers do in picking up the dogs from the farm, placing them in foster care and supporting fosters so that the dogs can go to a forever home successfully.

In September 2016 we were devastated to lose our almost 14-year-old yellow lab, Elle, who we had since she was a puppy. After a week of deep sadness, we searched the internet for “Rescues for Labrador Retrievers in Pa.” Brookline Lab Rescue popped up and within five minutes we found Ruby — a beautiful six or seven-year-old yellow girl. We read about her life as a “farm girl” and the hardships she endured.

Fortunately, Ruby was rescued from the farm and placed with a Brookline foster mom named Maggie. At first, Ruby didn’t know what toys were, how to play with the other dogs in the house or even that she should go potty in the grass. She couldn’t climb stairs and loud noises terrified her. With the love she received in foster care, Ruby made an amazing transformation and when she was ready for a forever home, we were thrilled to be matched with her. She became the most wonderful dog we ever had.

From day one, Ruby was a girl of rituals and routines. She insisted on sleeping in the front bedroom with our son. Even when we moved, she claimed the front bedroom of the new house as Ruby’s Room. On walks, Ruby would often decide to simply take a break by lying down on the grass or along the road. We gave up trying to coax her along, so we would all just take a break with her. In the evenings, Ruby would pop out of her front bedroom and come into the family room for TV time. It was her routine – another ritual – and the funniest thing. Before she would lay down to watch TV, she would stop and look at each of us as if to say…”Well here I am!” We looked forward to it every night.

Sadly, last October we had to say goodbye to Ruby. We were crushed, but it was time. The night before she passed, she came out to watch TV with us one last time. Ruby was between 13 and 14 years old when she died. Happily for her, Ruby’s years as a breeder dog had faded into a distant memory. Her years with us, however, will never be forgotten. We miss you, girl.
Families who foster and adopt farm dogs know what special dogs they can become. These stories, told by the families themselves, speak of the transformation breeder dogs go through when they are rescued and placed in loving homes. Please support our Farm-to-Family Campaign so that more dogs, like Ruby, can live the life every Labrador Retriever should live.

Cassie (AKA Prinkle) had been a breeder mom on a farm when she came to us in late January as a foster. The farmer said that she was 7 or 8 years old. At the time, she had broken and infected teeth, a wound on her side, double ear infections, and she was grossly overweight. She had never been vaccinated for anything, including rabies.

At our home, she didn’t want to spend time outdoors and was afraid of any object that looked like a stick or a pole, even a toy Chuck-it stick. Despite it all, she was sweet and gentle, and we immediately fell in love with her, especially our two resident Labs. We became a foster-fail and adopted her.

Until coming to us, Cassie had never lived in a house. The first couple of weeks were hard for her. Stairs were scary, but she figured them out after much encouragement from our other dogs. She was not difficult to housebreak; there were a few accidents but she caught on quickly.

She was very good for her ear treatments, which had to be done daily for six weeks, until the infections were finally gone. Surgeries were in her future – first to clean up her bad teeth and, after that, to be spayed.

In just a few months with us, Cassie has transformed from a shy, fearful and insecure girl into a loving, confident family member. We even took all the dogs to Vermont and she loved hiking in the snow! She has lost nearly 25 pounds, (about 10 more to lose) and is now eager to run and play outside. Fetching tennis balls has become her favorite game – though she still tends to eye the Chuck-It stick with caution.

Cassie is extremely intelligent! But, best of all, she has learned to trust. She is eager for affection and she actively seeks pets and snuggles. Such a wonderful change from the scared farm dog we first met to what is now a happy, loving, active, and very welcomed member of our family. We look forward to many wonderful years with Cassie.

Beau spent his first year on a farm with his mom and aunt. All were breeder dogs for a farmer. Although he lived mostly in an outdoor pen and had free roam of the farm, his world was limited to the farmer, his family, and a small barn.

Once evaluated and approved to come into foster care, Beau’s life dramatically changed. As a farm dog with little socialization, Beau needed to learn what it was like to be a family dog living in a home. Beau’s foster family described him as a dog who loved being outside, but a dog that may have missed out on typical Lab puppy activities such as swimming and playing fetch. They also said that Beau was a fast learner, and they enjoyed experiencing his new world through his curious eyes. All of this was so true!

When adopted by us, there were still many new things for Beau to discover. He did not know how to climb steps, and he’d side-eye the washer, dishwasher, and vacuum cleaner. Beau’s lack of socialization at a young age initially led him to be somewhat dog selective, requiring slow introductions to dogs he did not know. Dog training helped us learn to not only be in sync while leash walking but also to be attuned to reading his signals and situations. Training (and time) helped Beau become a calmer and more confident dog. We went through a lot of cheese and cheerios that year!

But as good as life was off the farm, there was something missing in Beau’s life. We felt that Beau missed his family and foster family’s dogs. It was clear that he needed a dog-friend, and so we adopted Keira from Brookline.

Keira was also a farm dog – an older puppy that couldn’t be sold despite expressive eyes and a loving demeanor. Keira was pulled from the farm by Brookline and fostered by Lesley, an amazing Brookline volunteer who did a wonderful job getting her ready for a forever home.

Keira quickly settled into life off the farm. As a typical 8-month-old puppy, she was running, jumping, and doing full flights of stairs on her own. She was described by her foster mom as a “super cute sweetheart with the most adorable wiggle butt swagger.” How could we resist?

So, we applied for Keira and, fortunately, she was matched with us. Keira found her forever home with Beau and it was just what he needed. The two of them are inseparable.

 

 

It’s been nearly three months since we got Sadie and I wanted to give you a quick update. She is doing wonderfully. She eats well, walks great on the leash, and is very gentle with everyone. We stopped crating her last week. She settles quickly into one of her beds at night and doesn’t make a beep until we come down in the morning. She is an attention seeker and will let you know with a tap of her paw that she is not quite done having you pet her. Occasionally she plays with her stuffed toys but isn’t showing any interest in fetch or tug.

We are training her on the electric fence now. She has done well with it overall and enjoys running around the yard.  Today she had a serious case of zoomies after her walk and ran laps around the house!  She still has trouble barking and pulling aggressively when other dogs are near.  I have an aunt who has fostered many dogs and owned a kennel. We are hoping to introduce Sadie to her dog in the next couple weeks with her supervising.

She has been a welcome addition to the family.  I did not realize how much I missed having a dog in the house! Thanks again for your help. We feel very lucky to have her.

Shawn T.

 

Pepper was rescued by Brookline after spending 7 years on a farm. The day she was rescued she was covered in cow stink, and physically and emotionally drained. Brookline placed her in a caring foster home. She was examined by a vet, vaccinated and eventually spayed.

While in foster care, Pepper learned what it was like to be a real dog. Some of her favorite activities were playing fetch, running free with the resident dogs, napping in the sun with her foster fur sister, and taking long walks in the Wissahickon. Pepper was recently adopted into a loving family and she is thriving. Pepper is one of the lucky ones.

Meg and John Place followed Pepper’s online blog and applied to adopt her. Meg summed up Pepper’s transition to her new life saying, “She loves long walks, the comforts of a warm bed, and she adores our grandkids. Puppy mill moms just need time and patience, and they need to know they are safe.”

Over the course of our Farm-to-Family Campaign, Brookline will be sharing many more success stories of our farm girl rescues. But there are so many dogs that still need our help. Your monthly donation of just $10.00 will help us rescue, foster and adopt even more dogs into loving, forever homes.

Thank you.

Rex came to us from Brookline in October 2023. Rex’s silly personality really fits in with our family. He is fun loving, playful, silly and lately coming into his own. He is a big snuggler and super friendly with people, dogs and cats. My cat (mitter) adores him and Kody (my other boy) is a totally different dog around him. He wants to play and socialize more than before. Kody now has a pal that he can play and snuggle with! Even though Rex has been with us for a few months we already have some silly nicknames for him (The big Mama Luka and The Big Galute). Scott and I are so thankful and happy that Rex is part of our lives and he already has special place in our heart

 

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Molly is a 2-year-old chocolate Lab that came into my life in September 2023. Right from the start, I said I was given an angel. I was told that she came from a farm and lived in two other houses before she was rescued by Brookline. I couldn’t understand why someone would give up this sweet dog. When I got her, Molly was already house trained. She was the star dog at the training class, picking up commands faster than any of the other dogs. I believe Molly’s success was the result of all the hard work of Molly’s foster mom, Deb. Deb worked with Molly for months before I got her. She housetrained her and taught her commands like sit and stay. She socialized Molly with other people and dogs. Deb was so concerned about Molly that she drove from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to make sure Molly felt comfortable with me and her new home.

Molly’s success and the success of all the dogs that come through Brookline is because of all the hard work of the forest parents. Without these dedicated men and women working endlessly to provide food, shelter, and love, Molly and dogs like her would not have the opportunity to find their forever home.

 

After losing our beloved Bella, we revisited Brookline where we first met Sue S. before a family member found our Bella for us. Sue was so professional, friendly, and sensitive to our needs. She spent lots of time with us as we started the process of finding another rescue to love. It was Sue who turned us on to an older dog that she felt would be a great fit even though we were looking at younger dogs. Joe, who became Mojo, hadn’t been fostered yet as this was a new entry for Brookline, and Sue jumped right on it in our best interest.

 

We picked up Mojo from his owner who was surrendering him through Brookline. We reviewed a few available Labs that were younger, but Sue recommended that we take an older dog since we are both in our 70s. Her insight into how Mojo would fit in our family was spot on. From his first day, it was as if he had been our dog for years. He is 6.5 years old but
acts like a much younger dog: playful, energetic, intelligent, and affectionate. He came to us well trained and obedient (for the most part). Mojo loves to be with “his people” rarely letting us out of his sight. We live on 10 acres in the country, so he gets lots of opportunities to watch critters and has taught the local squirrels to stay on their toes. He loves to sit on our deck and survey the yard for whatever passes through. We’re trying to get him to swim by slowly introducing him to our above-ground pool where he loves to play with a tennis ball at the edge, but he isn’t comfortable yet in the deep water. Although, he readily swims in Lake Nockamixon nearby when he can walk from shallow to deep water, but a sudden plunge into the pool will take some accommodation.

 

Brookline and Sue did us a great service and favor. Mojo is a great addition to our lives and such a gift for both of us. I’d recommend Brookline to anybody looking to adopt a Lab or Lab mix. They are professional and sensitive to the needs of both the dog and soon to be new rescue owners. We couldn’t be happier!!