Archives: Success Stories

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!!

At 5 years old, Princess-Tessa-Lucy was relinquished to Brookline from her breeding regimen on the farm because she had a mammary tumor. Thankfully, the tumor was benign and removed when she was spayed. Lucy’s infected ears were also treated at the same time.

Rescued from the life of a breeder, Lucy was emotionally drained – shut down from life. She was fostered by Lesley, a Brookline volunteer, who eventually matched her with us. Lesley gave her baths, helped Lucy learn to eat from a bowl, and got her well on her way with housebreaking. While in foster care, Lucy also began her long journey of socialization to humans and a whole new world.

Lesley said Lucy was the first dog she ever had that she had to entice to go for a walk. One day, while coaxing Lucy along, they ran into a family with another dog. Lucy’s tail started going crazy. During those few moments, Lucy was a completely different dog and Lesley knew, then, that a successful adoption meant that Lucy had to have another dog in her forever home.

At the time we adopted Lucy, we already had two, senior chocolate labs. Lucy was shy and a bit fearful of noisy children, but she immediately took to our two resident labs as well as every other dog she met. We like to believe our senior lab, Bailey (who loves and trusts everyone) has been most helpful with easing Lucy’s transition.

Fast forward seven months from adoption and Lucy has continued to make progress in trusting us and everyone who visits us. We are working on treat enforced “clicker” training and helping her gain confidence and progress to taking walks on local public trails. She accepts the leash with less hesitation and is very gentle with her plush toys.

If your heart is open to give these wonderful former farm dogs a chance, please consider it. It’s heartwarming to watch a shy, low confidence dog ease out of her shell and have absolute joyful dog “zoomies” a few minutes each evening, then snuggle deeply into a warm, comfy bed.

Be patient, be kind, be consistent and a farm dog can be a wonderful addition to your family, for you and for her. We LOVE our Lucy. Thank you to everyone at Brookline for all you do to help these dogs.

We want everyone to know that Daisy and I are both doing great.  Daisy is now 12. She was adopted three years ago after being rescued from the farm.  I was rescued in April and adopted by our Mom and Dad in May after Bear, their 13-year old chocolate Lab, crossed the rainbow bridge.

Both Daisy and I had way too many puppies. Neither of us lived inside a real home until Brookline came along. We now love long walks, warm fires, relaxing in the sun, and curling up together on our comfy beds. Even though we have our own bed, snuggling together is just something we love to do.

I want to thank everyone who helped Daisy and me find our way from our former life on the farm to a wonderful life with a family that loves us. Life is good.

Love,

Abby

We recently celebrated Dove’s one year gotcha day and we wanted to let you know how happy and grateful we are. She is our 4th Brookline girl. When we were ready to adopt after the sad loss of our dear Katie, we were hoping to adopt a small black or yellow senior female. Our wonderful volunteer Maija suggested that we consider 9 year old Dove who was an 85 pound chocolate retired farm girl. We trusted Maija and the rest is history.

Dove is a sweet, smart and funny girl. She is the perfect dog for us. We feel privileged to be her family and we are so grateful to Maija who wisely matched her with us and to Lesley who lovingly fostered her.

Thank you Brookline!

Ellen & Dave W.

Mya is settling into her forever home. Her eye is healed from her second surgery, and it looks almost 100 % normal.

She loves her new sister Ginger. They spend their days playing or napping next to each other.

After work and weekend are her favorite times !!  As soon as she hears words like park, hike,  beach walk her whole face lights up and she is totally ready to go on an adventure.

The weekend adventures to new places are her favorite she is always the 1^st one in the car .

Mya’s new mom has found an amazing “cool dog” and hiking buddy .                                                    

May 2024 Update:

Mya has had a busy year. She had become a loved member of the family. She is a great walking/hiking buddy. Mya is always up for an adventure. The pictures attached included her 1st Adirondack hike near The Adirondack Lodge, frequent trips to the DE beaches, Christmas lights at Rose Tree park and a afternoon lounge on the back deck. She is an amazing dog.

Last year, we were devastated to lose our beloved 100-pound Lab named Koa, who was also a Brookline Rescue. We contacted Brookline to get approved for adoption and soon met a charming little black dog named Gracie. She won our hearts the moment we saw her. We were unsure how our 10-year-old rescue dog, Lola, would adjust to Gracie, but they hit it off from the start. Lola made it clear that she was the boss, but Gracie was quick to understand and the two became best friends. It’s amazing to see how Gracie knows not to play too rough with Lola and recognizes her as the boss of the entire house.

We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have found Gracie. She’s a cuddle bug who loves to fall asleep in our laps, and she’s so lovable and adores all of us. She’s our Gracie Girl, and we feel that she’s the perfect fit for our family. She made herself right at home from the moment she arrived, and now we couldn’t imagine life without her. We absolutely love her!

It has been just about 3 months since Zoey (Sugar) has been in our home. She is the sweetest, most gentle soul! We love her so much! She is a very shy girl but is now very comfortable with us. She never lets us out of her sight and I swear there are some days she would be in our pocket if she could!

When she first came she was not food motivated and that Lab wiggle and lean we were used to seeing in our other Labs was not present. Well that has all changed! In the beginning we had to put liverwurst in her food to get her to eat but now she lets us know if we are late for mealtime! She loves her treats and her occasional small vanilla DQ cone! She wiggles like crazy and she loves to lean against whomever is giving her attention.

She is still very timid when it comes to anyone outside our home but we are seeing improvement. She is very good with other dogs and loves riding in the car. She does not like to be left alone but we are working with a trainer to try to build her confidence. Her personality is slowly emerging and she is finally learning how to be a dog! Thank you Brookline for giving us this amazing girl!

I wanted to send you and the Brookline Rescue group a huge THANK YOU!!! I can not express how thrilled I am that I was able to adopt Lola. She is everything I thought she would be!! I truly LOVE her. I am so appreciative of everyone that was involved in her rescue. She is doing great with her new fur brother and sister. I want to give a shout out to the Rescue for making my experience from start to finish most pleasurable. I am so thankful Brookline takes the time to interview, check references, etc and go through the process as they do. I wanted to give a special thanks to you as if it weren’t for you, I would not have been given the opportunity to be approved to adopt Lola. It has been great working with you and I know our Lola connection will not end here. I wanted to also thank Lola’s foster mom who cared for her the last few months and has always been available when I have had questions. There are so many labs that need to be rescued and I know Brookline is doing their share to help. I am so impressed with the Rescue that I would like to help/volunteer in any capacity that is needed. I am so grateful to have a Brookline Rescue Lab!! I wanted to send some pictures of Lola with her new brother and sister.

Two Girls Hanging Out for The Day by Beauty and Fudge

Hi, Lab Lovers. We are Beauty and Fudge. We live in the country with two nice senior citizens. Beauty came to our family in 2021 and Fudge has been here for about two months. Our new family lives in the country with lots of things to see and smell. Our home is surrounded by lots of trees, small critters, and an occasional human walking or driving by.
Both of us lived on a farm before we got our new home. We had lots of puppies. Our new mom and dad told us those days are over! They told us we are “retired,” just like them. It is quiet and peaceful in our neighborhood. We each have our own bed, though Beauty likes to sleep with our mom before she settles into her bed. It’s funny…we are fed twice a day like clockwork, we go out for walks several times a day, get our nails done, have spa days…it’s great! Mom tells Dad that he gives us too many treats but Dad says he can’t resist our love “eyes.” Best of all we can have scratches, belly rubs, cuddle, and pets all day long. Dad says we hit the jackpot. We sure did.
A lady named Val helped to get us off the farm and to our new home. A lady named Liz also helped Beauty. We learned soon after we got here that two other ladies, Jan and Karen, helped Tootsie and Twila to live here until they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Sometimes Mom and Dad call us by the wrong names. That’s ok. We know how much they love us.

Marley would like to thank everyone from the rescue and kennel who helped her get to her forever home! She has been here about 2 months and now lives with another former Brookline farm dog and a 15 year old lab. She got along fine right from the start with our older lab and it took her and our younger lab a week or so to accept living together but now they are thick as thieves! Marley is loving life in a home and thrives on having a daily routine and consistency. As it seems with a lot of other former farm dogs, she has some quirks but she is very smart and is treat/praise motivated and listens well. She has learned some basic commands, is whistle trained and knows to wait for her food. She has always been pretty good on a leash. She is a work in progress on curbing her desire to steal dinner off the kitchen counters (partly our fault if we are still leaving food out😄) and also in meeting new people, especially men. They generally scare her. She is getting used to the men that regularly visit us. This will take time and patience (and lots of treats) and we continually work with her. She loves women and generally warms up to them quickly. She loves being with us and she loves being outside. She is a big goofball and fits in perfectly with our family. We enjoy working with her to help her further acclimate to house life! We are so happy that we have her here. Marley makes us laugh every day!