Why Fostering Rocks - Reason 8,112

Dolly Sue cooling off in the Lampasas River

Some may say I’m spoiled, some may say I’m lucky.  I choose to think that I am blessed.  These are the thoughts that entered my head the other day as I walked the trail along a peaceful country path headed to the Lampasas River.

I had spent the night in Kempner and the rain had fallen all night.  The windows were open all through the house.   Home builders of the 1940s knew how to take advantage of a Texas breeze and I had spent one of the most restful nights in a long time in this 1940s farmhouse.  You see, my friend Margaret has an old house on her property that she no longer uses.  Since I have a horse up there (about an hour’s drive from Austin), the farmhouse makes a perfect overnight spot once in a while after a long day with my horse.

The other beautiful thing is that since Margaret is a Lab rescue person, my dogs are always welcome at the farmhouse (and her own house for that matter), so I am never lonely. And we have 77 acres, a pond and a river to explore all to ourselves.

That day last week was the first day of autumn to roll in trumpeting its grace and sending off the end of summer.  It was cool, the breeze blowing.  The rain the day before had rejuvenated the trees and the pastures surrounding the property were sighing grateful of the respite from the heat.  Deer bounded along side of me, birds sang festively, and rabbits sprung across my path.

My sole companion only added to the beauty of the day.  I had brought my foster dog with me for some one on one time.  She was Dolly Sue, the yellow Lab I have been fostering for almost 9 months.  During our walk to the river, the joy in Dolly’s movement touched me.  She started out next to me, but quickly ran ahead.  Never so far ahead that she couIdn’t see me.  And as a Lab will, she constantly ran back to me, checking in, making sure I was still coming, reassuring herself we were still headed in the right direction together.  I realized yet again, how much I love fostering, how much I enjoy nurturing these rescues back to health, watching the transformation take place.

Many of you know Dolly’s story.....126lbs when we took her in and heartworm positive.  Today she is 75lbs, heartworm free, and has some mad skill with a tennis ball.  She knows when it’s play time and she knows when its “chill time.”  I had not spent much one on one time with her because I have other dogs.  But our last two days together made me realize what a special dog she is.....like all of our rescues.  They have unique backgrounds, sad stories, and health and behavior issues to overcome.  But each one of them is worthy of a second chance, a place in a family, people to call their own,  unconditional love to give and to receive.

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue recently left the kennel we used to house our overflow Lab population until we could get them into foster care.  We could use extra fosters now.  Have you ever thought about fostering?  Are you on the fence?  Afraid you’ll get too attached?  I’d lie to you to say you won’t get attached, but it’s worth it...every minute.  The joy of the adoptive family when you deliver your foster dog to their forever home makes every moment worth it.  The unique experience you get with each dog you foster makes every moment worth it.  The one on one time you get to have we these beautiful, amazing, resilient creatures is worth it.  Wouldn’t you love to spend a morning like I did with a foster dog?  C’mon, give it a shot.....I promise, you won’t regret it....you can be spoiled, lucky and blessed....just like me and love and rehabilitate a rescue in the process.  For more about fostering and other volunteer opportunities, check out the HOTLR website at: http://hotlabrescue.org/hotlab/volunteer.jsp

Life with Labs Silent Auction & Fundraiser

Come One, Come All

To HOTLR's Biggest Event of the Fall

Heart of Texas lab Rescue proudly presents Life with Labs Silent Auction and Fundraiser on September 22 from 7pm until 10pm.  This is our biggest shin-dig of the year and we are thrilled to be back at River Place Country Club for the second year in a row.

We have collected a wonderful list of nearly 100 items for the auction including 2012 ACL Festival  passes, a Colorado vacation stay, a Port Aransas weekend, UT tickets, rounds of golf at some of the best local area golf courses and Seaworld tickets just to name a few. 

Have you been jonesin' for an iPod Nano, Amazon Kindle Fire or Vivatar mini camcorder? These awesome items are up for bidding too.  If you're a culinary fan, you'll find everything from local area  cookbooks to numerous choices of restaurant gift cards from places like  Hudson's on the Bend, Fogo de Chao & Perry's Steakhouse and Grille.  

Maybe a night out on a 15 person Dutch bicycle, a two hour class on a trapeze, or a trip to the spa are more your style. We'll also have various gift baskets ranging from dog related products, to wine, to gourmet oil and vinegar.  Whatever your price range, you'll be sure to find something you can't live without.  And the best part? 100% of your ticket price and proceeds from the items you win will go to support the HOTLR Dogs.

Light snacks including veggies and dips, cheese and crackers, and southwest party tray will be provided along with plenty of wine for tasting.  If wine isn't your thing, there'll be a cash bar, and iced tea and water.  No party is complete without something sweet so be sure to sample our light dessert fare as well.

So don't delay...purchase your $25 tickets now by contacting Julie Ellison at jellison@w-g.com or buy tickets on the HOTLR website, click on the PayPal button and type "Life with Labs Tix" in the description.  

Just look at that face.....Don't you think she deserves a chance at a better life?  Then join us for Life with Labs.  HOTLR cannot make a difference without your help....

Maintaining the Senior Spirit

The perception of pets as true family members as well as advancements in veterinary medicine have allowed the dogs in our lives to live longer, healthier lives.  Pets are living more active, high quality lives well into their senior years.  So how do you keep your senior pet healthy?  Check out these tips below:

A thorough check up at your veterinarian annually including blood work and X-rays (if your pet is experiencing mobility issues) is the best place to start.   Remember dogs age more quickly than humans, and the larger the dog the more quickly they age.  For Labradors, senior wellness checks can start as early as 6 years old.  Discuss with your veterinarian changes in your pet's mental and physical health.  Is your pet slowing down or seem painful?  There is a multitude of pain relievers that work on different pain receptors in the body to help relieve arthritis in your pet.  If you don't see any improvement from one medication alone, talk to your vet about adding additional pain medications.  Although some can be a bit pricey such as prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like Rimadyl or Deramaxx, others are very inexpensive such as Tramadol and Gabapentin.  Fortunately, they work together at lower doses leaving your pet free from side effects such as lethargy or grogginess.

In addition to prescription medications, nutritional supplements can also help your senior pet.  Glucosamine and chondroitin help to keep joints healthy and slow the progression of arthritis.  Fish oil helps provide important Omega-3 fatty acids known to aid in arthritis, allergies, and other inflammatory diseases.  Fish oil also helps to keep the skin and haircoat healthy.  Ask you veterinarian about the proper dosages and products for your pet.

To carry on with the subject of nutrition, feed your senior pet a high quality dog food recommended and approved by your veterinarian. The Whole Dog Journal has a fabulous article on low fat diets for your pet, including seniors (Special Needs Diets).  Make sure the diet you feed while lower in fat is not also lower in protein. Keeping your pet from becoming overweight will also help fight off diseases such as cancer and diabetes, aid in reducing the pain of arthritis and keep your pet's heart, kidneys and liver healthier longer.

Other options for pain relief and to keep your pet healthy include low impact exercise such as walks and swimming, as well as physical therapy.  Sandra Hudson of the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Center specializes in senior pets and pets recovering from post op surgery.  Take a look at her Facebook site here: Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy for your pet.  

Finally, from memory foam beds to elevated dog feeders, the number of products to keep your senior comfortable continues to grow.  Check out a list of products from Drs. Foster & Smith that can help you and your senior pet get around easier.

While Labrador puppies can be the cutest things on Earth, there is something to be said about the wisdom and dignity of the senior pet in your life.  For me, nothing is more majestic than the graying muzzle of a healthy well-cared for senior pet.

At Heart of Texas Lab Rescue, we specialize in Labs of all ages and sizes.  Some of our best dogs are well beyond the chaos and energy of younger pups.  Most are housebroken and have had enough training to behave well in the home and around other people and animals.  If one of these pups sounds like your perfect companion, check out our website to learn more about the dogs such as Shaggy (pictured above) we have available for adoption: HOTLR Labs Needing Homes.

HOTLR Star of the Week: Meet Maple

The best part of volunteering for a rescue group is to watch the transformation of a lonely, sick and heartbroken dog to a happy, healthy and self confident pup.  The excitement (and yes, chaos) of a meet ‘n greet as dogs and families come together is also very rewarding.  But probably the best part of it all is to watch a new family take into their arms for the very first time their new dog....Adoption day is the day that each of our dogs patiently waits for.

Some dogs are in and out of the program before we really get to know them.  They are healthy and young and need no additional vet care.  They warm up to the first family they meet and it’s love at first sight.

But some dogs come to us more broken than others.  It takes times to heal their wounds, nurse them back to health from illnesses, and mend their broken hearts so they know they are worthy of the love each dog deserves from his/her owner.

Sometimes they are a little older, sometimes it takes more time for them to recover, sometimes they quite simply just "fly under the radar".  New dogs come in and take their place at the top of our dog listing and the dogs that have been in the program for awhile drift toward the bottom.

These dogs are no less worthy or desirable than the newer dogs....sometimes they just need an update to their bio and some renewed face time.  We’ve got some wonderful dogs right now that have been with us for some time.  We know they will make perfect dogs for a special family and they are more than ready to move into their forever homes right now.

One of these special “sweet peas” is Maple.  She is our HOTLR Dog of the Week!!  Check out why Maple is such a "catch" by visiting her bio on the HOTLR website.

Other reasons to consider Maple:

Consider Maple if you want a quiet, easy-going companion that does not demand attention or require intense exercise! I'll be the first to admit that adopting a senior dog of any breed isn't for everybody but I will tell you that there's nothing like a senior dog, especially a Lab, to make you realize just how wonderful life is!! Seniors are relaxed and have a quiet dignity that a rowdy puppy will need some years to acquire.  Puppies are always cute and cuddly but there is something special about a senior that you will never ever forget. Maple is looking for her forever home. Do you know a family that would be perfect for Maple? Could it be with you?

Be sure to follow us on Facebook where we will continue to spotlight a HOTLR dog of the week and check the HOTLR website often for updates on existing dogs as well as info on new dogs!!