For The Love of Labs

Love Labs

Finley

of

Lab Rescue

OUR MISSION

Labrador Retriever Adoption Service (Lab Rescue) is dedicated to rescuing and re-homing Labrador Retrievers We are a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping the Labrador breed live better lives through our adoption service and educating the generalpublic on dog ownership.

Labs are surrendered for many “life” reasons such as divorce, new life circumstances (children), finances, work schedules, allergies, moving, owner passes away, the dog requires medical treatment, etc. Individuals also give up their labs because they have bought them on impulse and have not truly considered the commitment of time and energy that is required to properly care for a dog. Some of the labs come from shelters or humane societies. We screen all Labs entering our care for appropriate socially acceptable behaviour and accept those labs that meet that criterion. All Labs entering our care receive a medical check-up.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER ADOPTION SERVICE

Two years ago, Lab Rescue announced the launch of a new initiative – FLIGHT OF HOPEFOR LABS rescue missionwhich focusedon rescuing Labs in need internationally.

Why Cairo, Egypt? There is a great need with so many dogs abandoned and homeless. There are very few shelters in Cairo, and the shelter that exist are overflowing with dogs with very little hope of being adopted. Many of the dogs are left to live their lives out at the shelter, put out on the street to survive or sold to other countries for meat. It is an awful environment for Labs especially as they are generally so docile in nature and get attacked by other dogs. Fortunately, we had the resources and processes in place to allowed us to participate in this initiative which brought Labs livings in shockingly poor environments overseas to a safe and secure home in Canada. The team worked tirelessly for two years to save as many Labs as possible but sadly due to the governmental ban put in place as of September 28, 2022, we can no longer save Labs from Egypt and Turkey. We are truly devastated by this decision and hope they reconsider once they assess the facts Responsible rescues take necessary care when importing dogs and we hope protocols like the ones we followed will allow the rescue program to continue.

Rest assured while saving Labs internationally our local program remained top priority and was not adversely affected by our international efforts. Many local Labs that we have helped this year were living in adverse conditions, orphaned, or surrendered by families whose life situations had changed. Whatever the reason we don’t judged but step up and rescue to make sure the Labs finds a new loving home.

Many Labs that were rescued this year were in desperate need of serious and expensive medical care and surgery. Diagnostic and surgery for common Lab issues such as a tibial-plateau- leveling osteotomy, femoral head ostectomy can cost upwards of $5,000 per Lab. Prices charged by vets and lab diagnosticshave sky rocketed in line with inflationcausing an additional need to raise more donations to cover our standard of excellent care to the dogs in our program Lab Rescue has spent over $72,000 on Veterinary care for a few Labs in need of care above and beyond basic intake medical requirements. It costs an average of $1,800 to put each Lab through our care program and with an adoption fee at only $750 that leaves us heavily dependant on your gracious financial support.

We are often asked why we give up so much of our personal time and energy to save so many Labs, our answer is simple; the reward that all our volunteers receive is the satisfaction of knowing that we have been able to help so many lovely Labs in their hour of need, from 8 weeks to 13 years old all the Labs are living remarkably wonderful lives because of the work we do.

We are proud to be able to make such a meaningful difference in so many Labs lives and none of this would be possible without your support. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support and the role you each play helping the volunteers rescue and rehome so many Labradors over the last 14 years.

On behalf of the Lab Rescue volunteer team we wish you and your family a joyous holiday season. Thank you, Laura Team Leader Lab Rescue

@FINN_FINNANIGANS

Finnwasoneoftheluckyonesthatwasabletocome toCanadapriortotheCanadiangovernmentban stoppingrescuingdogsabroadcomingintoCanada effectiveSeptember2022. Whilewecannolonger saveLabsinneedinternationally,wearesothankful tohavegottenasmanyaswecouldoutand absolutelyenjoywatchingtheirjourneyunfoldasthey livetheirbestlives!

FinnwasadoptedAugust2022from ourinternational rescuemission.Literally,fromnohopesittingunloved inasheltertolivinghisbestlifeandlearningwhat

Afterhavingtwoblacklabsand losingourlastoneatover15 yearsofageaboutayearago, itwasanaturaltowant anotherlab.Ourliveshaveus travellingtheUSeastcoast andtotheBahamasinwinters onoursailboatsowelookedto LabRescueasapuppywasn't ourbestoption,andwithso manydogslookingfornew homes,theywereaperfectfit forus.AlongcameFinn,w hois everythingwecouldhave dreamedof.He'shandsome, goofy,ohsoincrediblyloving, andaquickstudyonanewlife andlanguage.Hemakesusso thankfulweconnectedand he'senjoyingsomanynew experiencesandlovingevery minuteofit.Hehasadaptedto averynewanddifferentlife withgustoandcuriosity.We lovehimtobitsafteronlya fewshortmonthsandare gratefultoLabRescuefortheir part infindingusaperfectfit.

ABANDONED, LONELY & SCARED AT AGE 13

Bella would be the oldest dog we had ever fostered. It’s not unusual for a foster dog to be anxious when they first arrive in our home. Their whole world has been turned upside down and, often, they have been separated from someone they thought they could depend on.

Bella was no different and presumably spending almost two weeks in a shelter could only have exacerbated this. It took Bella some time to relax particularly at night. There were new routines to learn and comfy surfaces to sleep on. Initially, she preferred sleeping on bare floors unable to settle on cushions or sofas.

She would get excited for meals, walks and rays of light. She loved meeting new people and was so gentle with small humans. We knew that Lab Rescue would ultimately find a perfect home for Bella but we were reluctant for her to go through yet another major adjustment at this stage of her life. She had been left at a shelter more than once in the past two years and we didn’t want her to have to experience any more upheaval.

gets cold, she loves to curl up by the fireplace and is agreeable to being wrapped in a warm blanket. Bella is a Super Senior with the enthusiasm of a much younger dog. She is still occasionally unsteady on her feet and needs assistance on the stairs but she loves to explore and leads the way on rambling hikes. We think she must have been quite an athletic dog in her younger years. It seems like she has more adventures she wants to enjoy and we look forward to sharing them with her. ~Barb & Stan~

AcryforhelpcameintheweehoursonaSaturday morning.AnunregisteredLabradorbreederhad fallenterminallyillandtherewasnoonetocarefor her14Labs!

Withouthesitationthededicatedrescueteamsprang intoactiontosaveasmanylabsaswecouldfroma fateunknown!Theteam,astheyoftendo,putlifeon holdandbeganlearningasmuchastheycouldabout eachdog,gatheringfostersand resources.Thelocal rescuemissionbecameabitmorecomplicatedwith thesuddendeterioratingweather. Inthewakeoffirst snowstormofWinter2022andintenseroad conditions,ourvolunteersVikki,Kevin,KatieandTim begantheirtreacherousjourneytosaveasmanyLabs astheycouldfitintotheirvehicles.

AdmincoordinatorteammembersBrandyandKaren werehardatworkmakingmagicinthebackground, emailingandreachingouttoeveryonewillingto foster.LabRescuehasnofacility,withoutfoster homeswecannotdoourlifesavingworkofrescuing and re-homingLabs.Timewasspentdiligently workingonthelogisticsoftakingsomanydogsat onceintoourcare,vetappointments,supplies, leashes,collars,food,GPSunits,etc.Otherteam membersstartedweedingthroughadoption applicationsthatcouldpossiblysuityoungLabs comingintoourcare.Thesocialmediateamstarted toplananddesignthewebpostings.

Therescuemissionwasorganizedinanincredibly shorttimeframeofTENHOURSandtheLabswere safelyinLabRescue'scare.

Fourteen Labsweresavedthatday.Ahugethankyou totheteamfordoingafabulousjoboforganizingthe LocalRescue911Mission.

#adoptedandadorable

Justaswesettledall14dogsfromtheLocalRescue911Missioninto ourcare,wereceivedanothercalltwodayslaterfromanother unregisteredbreeder!!ItappearsthattheoverbreedingduringCOVID hadcaughtuptothemandtheycouldnotsellthelastoftheirlitter. Thesepuppy'sfatewasveryuncertain.

Again,theteamscrambledtosortthree5-month-oldpuppiesthat urgentlyneededtocomeintoourcarewithtransportation,suppliesand fosters.

Ourresourceswerestretchedtothemax.Thewholeteamwas franticallyinterviewingapplicants,promotingonsocialmedia,updating thewebsite,supportingeachofthe,now17,fostersofthesenewdogsin ourcareinadditiontothemanyotherLabsalreadyinourprogram. Attendingtotheofficeadministrationwiththehighervolumeof incoming emailinquiriesandcorrespondencewithpotentialadopters andvetsbecameafull-timevolunteerjob.Itwasrainingpuppiesandall handswereondecktogetthemtotheirforeverhomes.

Just15daysafterthefirstcallforhelp,ALL17Labs(6adultsand11 puppies)wereADOPTED!

LabRescuehadpulledoffaChristmasMiracle p ff

Charlie Winnie

Milli

LaneyLacey

Lui

The rescue team takes a personal interest in learning about each condition and ailment that crosses our path as if each rescue were part of our own family.

Hours of research, conference calls and endless communications with our vet teams allows us clarity to get the best treatment for each rescue and provide support to their adoptive families.

Working together we are able to help many Labrador Retrievers in need, many living in poor conditions, shelters, owner surrenders due to marriage breakdown, career changes, financial struggles, medical issues, and other challenges. Regardless of the reason for the surrender to Lab Rescue we are here to help and we could not do it without your support. On behalf of the Labs that we rescue and re-home each year, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the role you play in giving the Labradors a new lease on life.

Day 1 of My New Life

Gigi had already been through so much as a neglected, malnourished mother losing 11 puppies in addition to having a tick-borne illness that stole her vision.

Shortly after arriving to Canada, it was determined that Gigi was actually 85% blind in one eye and 95% blind in the other.

While Gigi was living a fantastic life with her new family, Lab Rescue committed to working with an ophthalmologist to determine what may be possible for helping her see. With Covid, wait times to see a specialist in the veterinary world was extensive but worth it.

After consultation with Dr. Nick Whelan at the Animal Eye Clinic of Waterloo, it was determined that Gigi had cataracts and there was a surgery to fix them!

Gigi never knew unconditional love until she landed in Canada. Her family, Fred, Pam and LRAS Alum Maggie, fell head-over-heels in love with Gigi as soon as they met and would stop at nothing to give her everything in life. Lab Rescue takes extra care in selecting the best match for each rescue in our program. After losing their yellow Lab, Katie, Fred and Pam were reluctant to welcome an international rescue into the family but they trusted Lab Rescue's experience and insight.

Life In a New Lens Gigi

To avoid over an hour of driving each way Fred, Pam, Maggie and Gigi headed for a hotel close to the clinic in preparation for surgery....the day that Gigi's life would change, again.

The follow up plan was daunting to say the least with return visits to the clinic every day following surgery to check eye pressures and risk for infection. A diligent schedule of eye drops and oral medication every two hours and weeks on end with her new fashion accessory, the dreaded cone. Gigi's family was understandably nervous and scared for their girl but knew the end result would be worth a short-term change in their lives.

On the day of surgery, the family and the team were on the edge of their seats while surgery ran longer than expected. Finally, a sigh of relief when Pam sent the great news. Gigi was out of surgery and in recovery. It turned out that the lenses in each eye were in good condition so they could both be replaced. This meant an even higher chance of regaining full sight!

A follow up appointment just three days later took a worrisome turn showing fibers around the eye. If not dissolved in time, the fibers would take over Gigi's regained sight and render the surgery ineffective. The fix for this was a small procedure under anesthetic to inject each eye with a similar medication used on stroke patients. Just days later, this was required again for another fiber that cropped up. The need for close monitoring after such a high stakes surgery was never more evident but Gigi was recovering very well and was such a great patient. At home, Gigi started to see more and more each day.

Recovery medications

"We can now tell Gigi has sight! The best is watching her daily and noticing that she is seeing things for the first time. Little things like a huge tree in the field behind us, there she was standing in the middle of the yard staring at it. Then, as I watched her literally pan her eyes and follow up the height of the tree! Noticing from across our yard her fur-sister, Maggie. Gigi's head pops up from sniffing and she looks over at Maggie and away she goes right to her with tail wagging. And the best is calling her name and her looking directly up at you, literally staring into your soul, I swear! The other day Fred was walking around our kitchen island and Gigi started to follow him. For the first time ever, she was engaging in a game of chase!

Little things like that probably seems so trivial but to watch her discover these moments are wonderful to witness first-hand. Seeing her come to life has brought me to tears on many occasions. "

Your donations renewed focus on Gigi's world. She regained the gift of sight that her previous life robbed her from in Cairo. Your donations changed Gigi's life and her family and the entire team at Lab Rescue cannot thank you enough. The total cost for Gigi's journey to regain vision was

DAWSON

Stranded,lonelyandterrifiedonthestreetsofCairo,thissweetboywas leftwithnoone,nofood,nowaterandnoshelter.Dawsonwas underweightandmalnourishedandinneedofsomerealTLC. Unfortunately,thisisanalltoocommonscenarioinCairowhichiswhyLab RescuewassothrilledtohavetheopportunitytogivedogslikeDawsona newoutlookonlife.Today,Dawso nisdeeplycherishedbyhisfamilyand tookapieceofhisfostermom'sheartalongwithhimtohisnewlife.

DawsonhasfilledouttobeaveryhandsomeLabindeed(nowweighting72 lbs)butstilltheverysamesweethearthelikelyalwayswasontheinside. He'sveryactiveandloveshistrailwalkswherehemakesfriendswith whoevercomesalong-2or4legged.Herunslikeagazelleandlovest oplay andswim.Heseemstobefunctioningfinewithoutpaininhispaworhipsso thosenoisysquirrelsbetterwatchout!

WetookaveryslowcautiousapproachforintegratingDawson withhiskittybrotherMomo,usingbabygatesandclose supervision.Atfirsttheywereverycuriousabouteachother butwhenthecathadenoughandhissedevenslightlyDawson wouldbackoffandgotheotherway.Wesusp ecthe'smetsome toughcatsonhistravelswhoalsohissedandhewantednopart ofwhatcomesnext.Overacoupleofmonthstheygotusedto eachotherandnowtheygetalongfine-nomorebabygates. They'restillcuriousabouteachotherandgonosetonose regularlybutpartwaysandignoreeachotherforthemostpart. Nextupiswecan'twaitforittosnowasI'msurethatwillbean excitingf irstforDawson!

Dear Max: Are holiday treats okay for dogs?

No, while it may be a festive time of treats for us, it's best to stick with your dog’s regular diet and spoil them in other ways. Our festive foods can contain harmful ingredients or bones leading to diarrhea, pancreatitis, or intestinal blockages.

Dear Max: My dog has long fur between the pad if his paws, should I trim it?

The fur between the pads is there for protection. If it is long enough to drag under the pads when they walk, as often seen in senior Labs, it can be trimmed back to be level with pad.

Dear Max: How do I help my dog be calm in the car?

There are a few ways to do this. 1) Start with teaching your dog how to be calm in the house by going to his/her blanket and quiet area. Transition the blanket to the car and practice them just jumping in and being calm without the car moving. Once that is conquered,start the car! Treat reward calm behaviour. Begin with just a few minutes in the car, you may only get to the end of your driveway and back, but you will slowly build up over time. Remember Rome was not built in a day?

Dear Max: Q: My dog pulls heavily on leash, can you help?

Rescue recommends a no-pull harness with a clip on the back and on the chest use in conjunction with a double leash. Our trainers have recommended a harness sold by 2 Hounds Designs. The harness combined with positive training have been very successful in helping many dogs get the hang of leash walking with less pulling. Repetition is key, set aside time to train effectively as the harness alone won't solve the walking issue, training and guidance will!

Dear Max: It’s December and its cold outside, do I still need to give my dog a flea and tick preventative?

Ticks are active at 0 degrees Celsius and above. They do not “die off” in the winter months but simply become inactive or “frozen” until it becomes warm enough and they wake up and start searching for a food source. There can be snow on the ground and ticks can still be active. Veterinarians in Ontario are now recommending year-round treatment for tick prevention.

Dear Max: I have returned to the office and my dog is struggling. What should I do?

Consider a dog walker to come in midday or a doggy daycare. Practice short durations of 5 or 10 minutes at a time of your dog being alone in the house, return calmly and reward, turn around and go back outside and return to the house again, praise and reward. A good walk before leaving helps to calm us

Dear Max: Can I have a little bit of chocolate baking during the holiday season?

No! While you may like the taste of chocolate even small quantities can make a dog quite ill! Chocolate contains theobromine which is a stimulant similar to caffeine that can cause vomiting, increased heart rate, agitation and possibly seizures in dogs.

Dear Max: Is it okay for my dog to play on a frozen body of water with me such a shallow river?

No! Rivers and creeks are moving bodies of water underneath the frozen layers of ice. There can be weak ice spots that are not obvious when covered by snow. We advocate that dogs should not be walking on any frozen body of water. The consequences are fast and severe.

Dear Max: I can train my dog to do anything, why is it so important to have a hardtop pool cover or fencing around my pool in the winter?

Your training is only good when you are there to reinforce it. Pool covers protect dogs when they are not supervised! In the winter, when temperatures are frigid your dog can easily end up in a bad situation. If your dog is outside and chases a squirrel or cat and accidently falls into a tarped pool cover it becomes a dangerous weapon quickly.The plastic bag liner surrounds a dog and makes it virtually impossible to get out of the pool. In addition, hypothermia sets in quickly and if you are not outside to notice the dog falling in the pool, they will have no way to get out. The plastic can quickly smother them causing them to be immobile and within approximately 15 minutes will be immobile as hypothermia sets in.Having a solid pool cover prevents tragedy and is highly recommended.

Dear Max: My dog was out playing and suddenly started limping, but my vet is closed. What do I do?

Assuming there are no lacerations, and your dog is touching his toes on the ground and/or putting weight on the leg, rest your dog for 24 hours. Until you speak with your vet it is best practices to take them outside on a leash to relieve themselves tolimit unnecessary movement. Contact your vet as soon as possible for a thorough exam and antiinflammatories if needed. A limp can be a result of a soft tissue injury that takes rest and medication to heal, a cut on the paw or broken nail or something more serious. A limp that comes and goes can

be a sign of a more serious problem and requires a vet visit.

Dear Max: My family leaves me in car when it is very cold outside. Is that ok?

No, when the temperature drops below freezing the car can act like a refrigerator and cause your dog to freeze to death. If you must bring your dog with you in the car bring lots of heavy blankets for them to burry into and consider putting a jacket on them.

Are you ready to help some lovely Labs? If so, we are ready for you.

Lab Rescue is looking to add compassionate, friendly volunteers to their rescue team.

Positions required:

Graphics Artist: Posters, brochures, magazine contributions, web site design ad additions.

Drivers (Transport): Are you willing to pick up or drop off a Lab in need? We are willing to work with your schedule as best we can. Please email your desire to help and a general boundary limit.

Labrapalooza Coordinator: Are you good at organizing and reaching out to people to get the plan in motion? We are looking for an energetic, fun volunteer ready to help full-fil the vision of this being our biggest and best Party ever!

Photographer: We are looking for a professional to take portraitsof Labs awaiting their forever homes

Adoption Interviewer: If you are a good communicator then interviewing is right for you. The position requires a minimum of 5 hours a week.

Web site Admin: If you can manage a computer then updates to our adopted dogs on our web site is a breeze. Position requires a minimuj of 5 hours a week.

If you are willing to donate your time, please email us today.

Volunteer@ lab-rescue.ca

Thank you to all those volunteers that have dedicated so much personal time, energy and passion for this amazing cause.

Yukon, Bear, Brinney & Moose

Dear Max, 12 years old adopted by Courtney and family

HappyTails

GORD

Adopted in Spring 2021, Gord (formerly Dino) was dumped at a shelter in Cairo when he was less than a year old. A petite Lab mix with a cute curly tail and a spunky personality ready to take on the world and be loved, so loved! The past year has been jammed packed of new adventures for Gord from cottaging, hiking, and meeting Santa.

"In a nutshell , Gord is great! He is the most lovable , adorable , huggable , affectionate dog we have ever owned. We are not sure if it's because of his rough start in life or not, but we swear he is thankful for everything. He will kiss you to death after a long walk , hard play or good meal. He was the perfect addition to our family , at the perfect time . He helped heal our hearts after losing our Louie after 14 years. But Gord could not be any different if he tried . Every day is a new. adventure."

BUTTERS

"Comegetthisdog,wearedonewithhim!Wewillsell,him,givehimaway, drophimoffatashelterwedon'tcare!"Thesearewordsweoftenhear frompeoplesurrenderingtheirdogstoLabRescueandButters'casewas noexception.

Therescueteamisgivenadateandtimelinefrompeoplesurrenderingtheirdogs andwemustcomplyorwhoknowswhatwillhappen.Wescrambledatransporter, urgentlyfoundafostertohelpandwasabletosaveButtersfromafateunknown.

Thankgoodnesswedid!Withourawesometeam'sfastactionheisnowlivinghisbest lifewithRichardandAndrea.AfterthelossofMaxthenBuddy(bothadopted throughLabRescue)theywerereadytoonceagainopentheirheartandhometoa newrescue.

Lifeisfullofnewchaptersofexcitement.Butterswantsfornothingandhasasuper enrichedlifewithlotsofcottagetime.HeisaskilledswimmerandCaptainofthe boat.LifeissogoodforButtersnowasheislivinghisbestlife!

Followoninstagram@heresbutters

AdoptedbyAndrea&Richard

AdoptedbyTroy&Laura

Millie Today

MILLIE (formerly Brittney) came from a heartbreaking situation in Cairo. Her owners were using her for breeding, and they were done with her! They moved out and left her behind in the house with three other dogs LOCKED IN A BASEMENT!

Thankfully, after what seemed like a lifetime, the neighbours heard the dogs' cries for help and called the shelter volunteers to break them free. Millie wanted so badly to be loved but her spirit had been broken. Looking into her eyes you could see she had lost all will to care about what was coming next because in her world, it was never good. She was scared, withdrawn and shy. She would need a special family to help her flourish and Lab Rescue found the perfect match to greet her at the airport on arrival day. Today, Millie is almost unrecognizable with her happy smile, and healthy figure.

"Millie is doing great! She has become such an integral part of our family we can hardly remember what life was like before her. We have had a great (almost) year and have taken her on lots of adventures . Cottage, swimming, hiking - all the fun stuff! We did some obedience training with her and we've been keeping up with her vet visits and everything is good health wise.

It took a while, but we've been amazed at how much she has changed since she first arrived. She was so timid and nervous when we first brought her home (understandably), but we gave her time and lots of love and and now she's a different dog entirely."

Erin & Michael

Life before I was saved Zeke

Zeke Today

Life in Cairo can be devastating for so many dogs once they are discarded by their family they are left to fend for themselves, sometimes abandoned to the streets, other times thankfully dropped off at the shelter where there is limited help.

In Zeke's (formerly Toby) case he was dropped at the Cairo shelter one day in horrific condition. He was infested with ticks so intensely that they had to shave him bald and spend hours removing hundreds of them from his poor emaciated body. His heartbreaking medical shape didn't waver Zeke's spirit and we discovered that Zeke was a complete doll. He was friendly with all people soaking up any affection whenever he could. Zeke is now living his best life enjoying a family who spends every waking moment with him, lots of cottage time and endless couch cuddles. Zeke is home and incredibly loved by all.

"Zeke has definitely become a member of our family! He is totally comfortable here and we love it. He is quite a character, full of energy and a little bit mischievous. He has been to the cottage twice. It’s a long car ride but he was great. He loved the forest setting, but has not yet experienced the lake. Next summer. He is learning to play and has improved leash skills. Oh, he now has an indifference to squirrels on walks but let’s them know who is boss in the backyard. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the snow."

Mary-Lou & Family

FROM CAIRO

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheatovento350°F.Lineabakingsheetwith parchmentpaper.Setaside. Inalargebowl,combineflourandtheegg.Addthe peanutbutter,water,andhoney,andstiruntilyou haveastiffdough.Thedoughbecomesveryfirmand sticky.Youmayneedtouseyourhands,orthepaddle attachmentonyourmixer.

Onalightlyflouredsurface,rolloutthedoughabout ½-inchthickanduseacookiecuttertomakefun shapes.Thetreatsbarelyspreadandrise, soget creativewithyourshapes. Bakefor18-20minutes,untilgolden.Oncedone,set asidetocool.(Ifyouhavesmallercookies,useless time,otherwisethebottommightburn.)

Tomakethefrosting,combinethepeanutbutterand honeyinamicrowavablebowl,andheatinthe microwavein15secondincrements,stirringin between,untilmelted.

Addthemeltedpeanutbuttermixturetothe cornstarchandst iruntiljustcombined. Slowlyaddinthewater1tablespoonatatimeuntil youhavereachedtheconsistencythatyouwouldlike. Forathinnerfrosting,addmorewater. Addthefrostingtoapipingbagandpipedesignson topofeachdogtreat.

Frostthetreatswiththepeanutbutter/honeymixture foranevenmoretemptingcookie.

Asmanyofyouknow,theGPSprogramwasstartedwhen #BrillianBaxterwentmissingfor13daysinMarch2019. Theweatherconditionswereintensewithminus15 Celsiusconditionsandadogthatwassobrighthe managedtoevadeateamof100volunteerssearchingfor himnonstop;untilhewasfound.LabRescuequickly investedinaGPStrackingprogramthathasbeen successfullyusedonanumberofoccasions.

WearenotpaidsponsorsoftheTractivecompanyweare simplybelieversinthetechnologyandrecommenditto all thoselookingtoaddaGPSdevicetotheirdogscollar.

Werequireallfosterdogstousethedeviceaswellasall adopteddogsforaminimumoftwoweekspostadoption, somelongerifneeded.

Infact,wehadtousetheGPSdevicerecentlywhenan adoptedLabwanderedintotheforestafteritbolted quicklytryingtotrailanintriguingscent.Wewentintolive trackingandcouldquicklyseethepathhewasmaking. Weguidedthefamilytowhichfarmer'sfieldhewas exiting andhowtosecurehimquickly. Wearesothankfultheycalledusquicklyastimeisofthe essencewhenadogislost.

Labrapalooza,ourannualfundraiserwasatremendoussuccesswithover150peoplewithdogsallin attendance.ItisgreattoseesomanyadoptedLabsplustheirfriendsshowupforadayoffun.Theevent raisedoverover$37,000tohelpourLabsinneed! Whetheryouparticipated,sponsoredparticipants,donatedtooneofourcampaignsorvolunteered,we thankyouforyourhelp.Theweatherwasfantastic,thesunwaswarm,thepresentersfascinatingand the joyofseeingalltheadopteddogswasagreatthrillforthevolunteerteam.Meetingupwithsomany happywell-adjustedLabsinspirestherescueteamtokeeppushinghardtobethevoiceformanymore Labsthatwillrequireourassistanceinthefuture.Agratefulthankyou!

Labrapalooza

LOOKING THROUGH EYES Elroy's

I met Elroy as his foster in July of 2018 and I fell in love with his eyes – such a beautiful amber/green and so deep and soulful! Elroy is an expressive and thoughtful dog – it’s hard not to look into his eyes when you meet him! Which brings me to this story I want to share with you.

About 3 years ago, I noticed what I would call a fleck of dirt or pepper in Elroy’s left eye. I attempted to remove it with my finger, but it didn’t move. Elroy didn’t ever seem bothered by it. I decided to “keep an eye” on it over the next couple years.

Ten months ago, I noticed the black dot was growing rapidly and grew to the size of a pea. The pandemic had brought about phone attendance to vet appointments, and I forgot to mention it. However, now it was time to have it examined even if it wasn’t bothering him. Elroy’s vet immediately recommended an ophthalmologist as this was more than a straightforward issue. We were quickly referred to a specialist; Dr. Whelan at the Animal Eye Clinic of Waterloo.

Upon examination, Elroy was diagnosed with a limbal melanoma – the black mass pictured here was a cancerous tumor.

While the news seemed alarming to me the positive was this was not the type of cancer that typically spreads, and it could be removed with a high degree of success that included a likeliness of not re-occurring. Another upside for Elroy is that he is relatively young (4.5) and incredibly healthy. The prognosis was good even if the diagnosis felt ominous.

LIMAB MELANOMA

I’ve learned tumors like Elroy's grow, silently, often undetected. In Elroy’s case you couldn’t really see the tumor unless you lifted/pulled the eyelid back slightly. This isn’t a usual activity for us as dog owners to do – therefore easily going undetected. The animal feels no pain from them (generally) and in many cases may not be bothered at all by them. If your furry friend doesn’t indicate there’s a problem –would you be inclined to check behind their eye lids? A lot of health indicators are on the sclera (the white part). For example, if it is pink or inflamed your dog may be suffering from allergies or an eye infection. I wish I knew then to pay even more attention to this tumor. With this tumor specifically, the telltale signs of trouble are the “off shoots” of the tumor and how far back on the eyeball the “tail” of the tumor goes. In addition to this, it was important to discern if this tumor grew into the eyeball or on top of the eyeball.

In Elroy’s case we were fortunate it grew on the eyeball and not into it. This meant the tumor could be removed without much impact to his eyeball and virtually no impact to his sight.

FACTS ABOUT LIMBAL MELANOMAS

Source National Library of Medicine

Benign, slow-growing tumors in dogs and cats

Very responsive to a variety of therapies

Low rate of metastasis

Low rate of recurrence with treatment

Early referral recommended

Limbal melanomas are benign, slowly growing tumors of limbal melanocytic origin. These tumors typically occur along the dorsomedial to ventrolateral limbal arc of the globe at the corneal and scleral junction. A bimodal age distribution has been described with a peak occurrence at 3-4yrs of age and 7-10yrs of age in dogs. These tumors are thought to have an inherited basis as Golden Retrievers are four times more likely and Labradors are three times more likely to develop this compared to other breeds

LEONARD LEONARD LEONARD

Adoptedin2020fromourFlightofhope internationalrescuemissionasaseniorhe quicklybecameastapleinhis neighbourhoodandlovedbyallhemeets.

Leonard'sstoryisalltoocommoninEgypt ashewasfoundalonewanderingthe streetsofCairowithapoliceservicecollar onandnooneevercametotheshelterto claimhim.Tohisfamily'sdelight,Leonard arrivedinCanadawithsuperbmanners.He tooktothetworesidentcatsquicklyand theynowenjoydailycuddles.Hecarrieda few extrapoundswithhimthathisfamily diligentlyworkedoffwithastepscounter whilerestoringsomemuch-neededmuscle mass.Leonardhasbeenconvictedofbeing aBallThiefandisdoing"hardtime"inthe lovingarmsofhisnewfamily.

LeonardjoinedusatLabrapaloozathisyear tohelpraisefundsfor hisfriendsinneed. ThankyoutoLeonard'sfamilyfortheir dedicationtoourrescueandtogiving Leonardallthathedeservesinlife.

AdoptedbyBillandJennifer

Happy Tails

Baylee

Adopted at age 9 months, Baylee celebrated her first Gotcha Day with her newly adopted brother, Fergus, from our international program, Flight of Hope 4 Labs.

Baylee came to Lab Rescue late one evening needing urgent surgery to remove a foreign body. The team dropped everything to sort urgent vet care and a foster to help Baylee. She made a seamless recovery and instantly won the hearts of her family.

FERGUS

Made his debut in Canada on our Flight of Hope 4 Labs rescue mission in the Summer of 2022. His unique look of a Lab, Golden Retriever mix caught Baylee's eye and her family knew Fergus was meant to be with them.

Baylee and Fergus have become best buds enjoy hiking, cuddling and supporting other rescues in need at the 2022 Labrapalooza.

It's true when they say it runs in families.....Baylee and Fergus are joined by their Lab Rescue cousins Bogie and Birdy for family cottage fun. The passion for rescue runs deep in their family, donating their time to help transport and train other rescues in Lab Rescue's care.

Adopted by Jessie & Family

Pexie & Yosra

Pexie and Yosra came directly into our care from their home in Cairo. The owner was a professional with little spare time and wanted them to have a better life. There is almost no hope of a descent adoption in Cairo for dogs and the family choose us to help make sure their fur babies could live their best life. We are so thrilled to have them safely adopted into their forever home. They are deeply adored and the family reports they are one big happy family. Long walks along the canal and lots of cuddle time, life is so good! A special thank you to Austin, Tyler and Kim for fostering the girls until the perfect family was found.

Adopted by Cheryl and Willy

Jenny Today

JENNY had no idea the impact she would make in her new life in Canada.....

Once upon a recent time we had a pack of three, two big mixed-breed dogs and one chihuahua. After losing our girl Maggie and our Chihuahua Chiwee, Billy, the other large dog, slowed down month-by-month after his losing his friends. Billy declined quickly and in September x-rays revealed a tumour on his lungs, giving him just weeks to live.

We thought about how empty life would be with no dogs, but worried that bringing in a new dog would be hard on Billy, who was still adjusting to being an only dog. Then came a solution from heaven above. We had been looking at dogs on the Lab Rescue website, as one does, “not seriously. . . but still. . .,” and had seen little Jenny the undersized yellow lab. We still doubted if it would be kind to Billy to introduce a new dog. It’s a big change, especially bringing a young dog in, but I (John) wanted a dog young enough that we could do courses together. I did a lot of tricks and scent work with Maggie, Billy and Chiwee, and they loved it.

One October day, fate intervened to address our dilemma. A friendly little dog came out of her foster’s house and jumped into the back seat of my car as I was volunteering to transport her to her vet appointment. Jenny lay quietly throughout the 30-minute drive. Arriving 20 minutes early, we went for a short walk together, then sat waiting for the vet to come out to the carpark. I was sitting in the driver’s seat, Jenny on the ground beside me. We were still a few minutes early. “Would you like to sit up here with me?” I asked this stranger-dog whom I’d met less than an hour ago. “Yes,” Jenny answered, and I helped her up. She sat quietly on my lap for another ten minutes, then went calmly off with the vet. “This dog could be a peaceable companion for Billy in his final weeks,” I thought.

Now with us for two weeks, at time of writing, Jenny has been not just a neutral factor but a decidedly positive one for Billy. Jenny respects Billy’s space but brings young-dog life into our and Billy’s lives. The two “co-sniff” on walks together, snout to snout on the ground. They go outside together and bark at things until we hush them. Jenny can’t solve Billy’s medical issues, but he has stabilized and is having a lovely Indian Summer at the end of his life. Jenny has become livelier and more mischievous as she gains confidence living with us. She is a bright little spark who is very trainable. She even came “preloaded” with a trick. She rears up and sits on her hind legs. We wonder if this was a strategy she evolved on the streets of Cairo, begging for food from tourists at sidewalk restaurants.

Who would have thought that a little Egyptian street dog, styling herself as a “lab cross,” would adapt so well to a new household an ocean and a sea away?

John & Jo-Anne

Tilly Meets Gigi!

When Tilly (formerly Buttercup) was adopted her mom, Janet, excitedly announced their joy in a global Facebook group of thousands of Labrador enthusiasts, eliciting over a thousand responses to one single post. Like finding a needle in a haystack, no one could have guessed what would happen next....

One comment in particular stood out to Janet as Pam had commented on a previous post and too had adopted a dog from Cairo. Not just a dog but a Lab, and not just any Lab but a Lab from the Flight of Hope 4 Labs program with Lab Rescue (the only Labrador Retriever rescue in Canada). And of course, not just any flight but the exact flight that brought Tilly to Canada, Flight of Hope #8 on July 17, 2021 which also brought Gigi (formerly Ginger). After many private messages, Janet and Pam learned that Tilly's flight sister, Gigi, was loving life not too far away with her new mom Pam! But the coincidences continued to line up.

"However the story continues… after chatting with Pam for a couple of weeks we figured out we had both had a yellow lab called Katie and Pam’s had died on my sisters birthday!"

Janet and Pam knew they had to reunite the flight sisters as soon as possible. So one day passing through town on a shopping trip, Janet and Tilly met Pam and Gigi at a nearby park to reminisce about the day that brought so much joy to their lives and a new found friendship.

"Reunited and it Feels so Good"

Bernie Today

Bernie (previously Browni), adopted from FOH #18, is doing fantastic. "He is a lovin' boy with so much character. He has filled our hearts and settled in perfectly. He is well mannered and is kind to his older sister. He wants to play with her, but she is scared, so we've been thinking that another younger dog would be great to have to help with his energy. He is so smart and a fast learner. We couldn't be happi

Hank Today

HANK (previously Eddy), adopted from FOH #18 was found tied to the shelter door with not even a single shred of information. He sat in the shelter in Cairo for a year waiting to be saved by Lab Rescue.

Hank is a treasure. He has such a soft temperament and just loves to be loved. He now enjoys long country walks with his new sibling, cozy naps and endless hugs and kisses. Hank will never want for anything again.

Dorothy & Family

FRED

FRED (previously Garrett) had lost all hope sitting at the shelter being passed over by adopters! He carried a permanent resting frown on his face making it challenging for other's to see his sweet, gentle and calm demeanor. In fact, Fred loved people and got along great with other dogs but he was disengaged from the world having lost hope for love, fun and a better tomorrow.

Fred's li fe turned magical when he came to Canada through our rescue mission, FOH #21! Fred left his sad baggage back in Cairo and slowly started to shine! His sweet, charming personality began to shine bright, like many do, and from that day forward, Fred would know nothing but the best that life had to offer....

"In April of 2022, we found ourselves “dogless” for the first time in 30 years after the passing of our beloved rescue lab Harriet on her 17th birthday. At the time, we decided that we wouldn’t have another dog. As it happens, several months later we found ourselves looking for recommendations for a reliable Lab rescue organization. We were directed to Lab Rescue and found ourselves filling in an application for consideration. Our lives just weren’t whole without a canine family member. After a thorou gh interview process, we were approved as an adoption family and matched with a sad looking little lab cross named Garrett who had recently arrived from Egypt. Garrett had been placed with a foster family pending the identification of a forever home. Luckily for us, we became that forever family."

Baileyrecentlycelebratedhis15thbirthdaymakinghimone oftheeldestLabRescueAlumni.

Hislittlehumanfedhimhisdogfoodonaspoonforhis Birthday.Helikedthepampering!

Heisstilleatingandgoingonslowwalksaroundtheblock. Heappreciatesalittlehelpupandenjoyswatchingoverhis familyfromthesidelines.Aslowerpacedlifefullof compassionanddedication.

HappyTails

CLEO,adoptedatageTWO,isacancersurvivor!

Cleocompletedchemotherapyforcancerandisnow doingdoingfantasticsincefinishingtreatment.

Cleoadorescuddling"herchildren"andseeingthem offtoschoolatthebusstopeveryday.Hernew favouritetimeofyeariswinterwhensherollsbellyupinthesnowandplayingmonkey-in-the-middle duringsnowballfights.Shelovesbreakfastwith Grandmabecausesheallowsbacontomysteriously fallonthefloor...shh!...wewon'ttellifyoudon't!

Cleoisextremelylovedandcherishedbyhernew family.

MEMPHIS & ELEA

Memphis came to Canada in February 202 1 with no history other than he ended up in a shelter and was very thin. The shelter staff assessment of Memphis was that he was a lovely, kind dog that needed a chance in life and so he boarded the big bird to Canada through our special rescue mission.

When he arrived from Cairo he was greeted by his new Mom and now he has the love, kindness and food security that he never had in his previous life. He became a big brother to Elea in 2022 and they are truly happy and inseparable.

Elea’s life began in Cairo being caged with another dog for most of her 2.5 years of life. Despite this sad life she still maintains a sweet disposition loving all people she meets. Elea continues to flourish in her forever home with her brother Memphis.

Memphis has graduated!

He is the newest member of the Ajax / Pickering team of Therapeutic Paws of Canada. Canada at the time of writing was in Canada just over a year and is Sandra's third dog in the program. He will make Tea and Chance proud!

The program works with adult victims that need support when testifying. We are so proud of Memphis!

Our pets are family members, and for the last year of so many pet owners have been at home with their pets more than ever before. While spending so much quality time together can increase the human-animal bond and deepen our relationship without pets, there is a concerning flip side to so much togetherness. Many veterinary professionals are warning owners of the risks of our pets developing or displaying signs of separation distress and anxiety.

What is separation distress?

Separation distress, or separation anxiety is a feeling of anxiety or pain, when a pet is separated from their family, or preferred people. Signs can range from mild to severe, and may include vocalizing, salivation, disruptive behaviour especially at exits like doors and window, urination or defecation indoors/in unwanted locations, lack of appetite when alone, self-trauma like licking or chewing when alone, and attempted or successful escapes.

In severe cases, pets; may even break through barriers like feces or windows, chew through walls or doors, and engage in other dangerous behaviour when they are feeling panic. Often, the signs of anxiety such as pacing, panting, jumping up on the owner or attention seeking, avoiding confinement areas or trying to escape begin when the owner first starts preparing to leave home (picking up keys, putting on jacket, lacing shoes, etc).

If your pet is showing the signs listed above, speak with your veterinary team right away, as early intervention is important.

The good news is, there is a lot we can do to help prevent separation distress, and to treat it if it occurs.

How can I teach my pet to be on his/her own?

Teaching pets to be on their own without being overly attached to a specific person is a really important skill and is helpful in building their ability to adapt to changes in schedules and lifestyles. Independence Training helps to teach your pet to be comfortable when you leave the room or the house, and to relax without needing to follow you owner each time you move. This may reduce the risk of hyperattachment.

SOME EXAMPLES OF INDEPENDENCE TRAINING

Downtime

Build time into the day for your pet to nap or relax without planned interaction. Offer a chew, food dispensing toy, stuffed treat holder, or meal in the desired “downtime” location. Anchoring the food dispenser can be helpful in encouraging your pet to remain in one place and prevents him/her from following you while carrying the food treats along for the ride. If your pet is comfortable, simply provide the distraction/reward device and move on with your activities. If your pet shows any type of stress behaviour, stop the exercise and start more slowly.

To build the Downtime exercise when your pet is accustomed to being near you and shows signs of worry, start by staying near the downtime mat, bed, etc. with your pet. Quietly encourage them to interact with the food toy or reward them with small low to moderate value food treats for remaining on the mat. The exercise needs to bekept short enough and at a close enough distance that your pet shows no signs of stress (stays “below threshold”). Over time, both the distance between you and your pet and the duration of the exercise can be extended while keeping the pet below threshold

The Downtime exercise helps build and maintain the habit of spending time alone engaging in quiet, calm, and relaxing behaviors without your company.

Go to Place

Go to Place is a helpful exercise teaching the pet to move away on their own, settle in a designated location such as a mat, bed, crate, room, or pen and remain there. Go to Place has many useful applications and is also part of Independence Training

I'm heading back to work soon and I’m wondering how I can prevent separation anxiety with my pet. What can I do now to prevent problems in the future?

While there isn’t room in one single article to completely cure your dog of existing separation anxiety, there are some tips and tricks for you to practice now, in an attempt to help your dog feel comfortable with being on his/her own, and nip undesirable behaviours in the bud.

No Drama and Departure Cues

Especially if we have been staying home much of the time and rarely leaving the house, departure cues like lacing up shoes, picking up a wallet or handbag, or jingling car keys send pets the message loud and clear that we plan to leave.

When you are stuck at home, pick up your keys now and then. Get dressed in your running shoes or work shoes even if you are not going anywhere. Then stay home and watch a movie or cook dinner. The goal is to prevent creating a link in the pet’s mind between departure cues and feelings of anxiety about being alone. Practicing these techniques for pets without separation distress helps protect against developing it in the future – especially now when our routines may be significantly changed.

When you are getting ready to leave, no drama, and the same when you return. Acting sad when you leave, giving lots of attention around the time of leaving, and having a huge party when you return home may be linked to increased pet anxiety about being alone.

Practice Separations

Practice separations can help your pet feel comfortable being left alone. At first, practice separations may be only a few seconds long.

Select an area where your pet will be safe such a room with a baby gate, bed in a pet-proofed room, etc. Smile, and calmly say something such as “I’ll be back.” Toss a few treats and then step away out of sight where your pet cannot get to you. Start with just a few seconds at a time, and gradually work up to longer separations.

Dr. Kristin Baird

Dr. Baird is a veterinary at Oakville Animal Clinic 218 Kerr Street, Oakville ON and is a friend of Lab rescue and adopted Boomer in 2018

PHOTO CREDIT: FINN (formerly Caleb) adopted by Lou and family.

For the of

LoveLabs

Labrador Retriever Adoption Service is in need of foster families to assist Labs awaiting adoption. A nice warm home with loving care is preferable to a boarding kennel. This can be a rewarding way to get involved without a lengthy commitment and financial aspect of dog ownership.

All costs of food and medical care are covered while fostering a Lab in our Rescue Program.

It is a perfect way of sharing your time to make a real difference in a dog’s life.

Please visit our website for more information and to fill in a foster application.

Be part of the solution, open your heart and home to help a lab in need. Join the Labrador Retriever Adoption Service Foster Team.

www.lab-rescue.ca