Maximum’s Courage - A story of canine courage and strength
Cancer is a disease that has affected thousands of peoples’ lives in one way or another. When you hear the word cancer, instinctively, you think human, but this killer lies in wait for not only humans but our most beloved companions as well. In large and giant breed dogs, Osteosarcoma , also known as bone cancer, is a very common and very aggressive killer. As in humans, canine cancer is merciless and has no boundaries. Both the young and the old are affected and in the canine species, the younger dogs are at risk for the most aggressively spreading cancer.
19 months earlier, if you would have told me I would be on this journey with my best friend and most loved Black Labrador, Max, I would never have believed it.
His journey has not been ordinary and he has had many hurdles. If not for the wonderful doctors at The University of Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital, his chances of being pain free and having good quality of life for any period of time would be nonexistent. With their help and support, as well as the support of our many Tripawd friends, we have chosen a path for Max that will allow him to live comfortably until the cancer no longer allows it. Today we are dedicated to Max’s quality of life and cherish every day that we have with him.
Canine Cancer needs awareness and research, and I pray that Max’s story will bring hope to those people and their dogs that are also being affected by this horrible disease. We have been blessed to have Max in our lives and have learned many things along the way.
Since the day Max picked us as his forever family he has always been a very active and energetic dog...
Santa Paula, California – May 17, 2008 – Today, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF), the organization that provides the most highly trained canine-firefighter disaster search teams in the nation, announced that it has secured a $4.1 million 122-acre ranch site in Santa Paula, California, to build the first National Training Center of its kind. The National Training Center (NTC) will allow SDF to help strengthen America’s vulnerable emergency response network by training more teams to ensure that no one is left behind when disaster strikes.
“There’s nothing more basic than having the resources needed when human lives are at stake,” says SDF Executive Director Debra Tosch. “The National Search Dog Foundation’s ability to deliver highly trained teams at no cost to fire departments is especially important as emergency budgets are cut and resources are strained to the limit.”
Miami Valley Labrador Retriever Rescue The Miami Valley Labrador Retriever Rescue is a small group of volunteers from the Miami Valley Labrador Retriever Club (an AKC licensed specialty club in southwestern Ohio) and other caring community members. We are dedicated to the Labrador Retriever breed and support the rescue and referral of Labs in need of new homes in our geographic area.
Available Dogs
To add your organization to our directory please contact us
Some dog breeders are only interested in breeding Labrador retrievers that look exactly like the AKC standard; they are not concerned with breeding labs that act like sporting dogs. If a Labrador retriever completes the ARC championship, they are not able to use that title until they have also completed and passed a working test called Field and Hunting trial training. Although the testing itself is not difficult, the Labrador club traditionally makes it difficult for a regular person to manage the testing.
When the Labrador is in testing they do not have to stay steady because they can be held by the judge on the line until the judge is ready to send them. Once the judge releases the lab they have to retrieve a pheasant, then enter the water and retrieve two other animals. One of the hardest elements for an owner to teach their Labrador retriever is for them not to be gun shy. Any grown Labrador retriever that has never heard gunfire before will not respond well if the first time they hear such a loud noise is in the middle of their field and hunting trials. Therefore, it is important to begin working with your lab at a very young age to get them use to loud noises.
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Written by Spc. Rick L. Rzepka, 101st Airborne Division
Sunday, 03 February 2008
Ever had a Sergeant 1st Class lick your face?
For many Soldiers at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, this is not an odd event, but a regular occurrence.
Sgt. 1st Class Boe is the newest member of the 85th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control unit at COB Speicher and is one of two K-9 therapists being used by the Army to help prevent and control the stresses of living in a combat zone.
Along with Staff Sgt. Mike Calaway, an Occupational Therapy Assistant with the Combat Stress Control unit, Boe is part of a new Army program, which encourages Soldiers to interact with dogs in order to help relieve the psychological stresses of war.
Here we will be working on a comprehensive Lab rescue directory. To add your rescue group to the directory please contact us at webmaster [at] justlabradors [dot] com.
Lucky dogs. They're not bound by the social constraints we humans must endure. They can belch and fart whenever they please. They can take a bath (with their tongues, no less) in public. And certainly, no one begrudges a beloved pooch a few extra pounds around the middle. Why, it just wouldn't be a dog's life if you weren't able to enjoy a few extra calories every now and then, would it?
Obesity is considered the number one nutritional problem in dogs, and studies have documented that at least 25 percent of dogs in the United States may be overweight.
The scientists who conducted a just-released study would beg to differ. As it turns out, a dog's life can actually be extended if he's kept on a strict diet and not allowed to indulge too much in the dog food department.
The first camp ever devoted to Animal Assisted Therapy – a weekend of workshops, presentations, training sessions, and special events for dogs and handlers -- will be held October 19 – 21 in Valley Cottage, NY on the campus of The Tolstoy Foundation. The camp is being conducted by the Hudson Valley Humane Society Visiting Pet Program.
The goal of the weekend is to improve the dog/handler bond and make every aspect of pet therapy safer, more effective, and more rewarding. With an impressive faculty roster, the weekend will be filled with invaluable information and interactive events for both dogs and handlers. Each day will feature interesting topics, hands-on workshops, debriefings, Q&A sessions, lively discussions, book signings, door prizes, and plenty of networking and information-sharing opportunities.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was recently presented to eight year old black Labrador, Sadie, a Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) arms and explosives search dog, for her gallant exploits in Afghanistan. In November 2005, Sadie located a booby-trap bomb concealed in a pressure cooker. The bomb was concealed behind a two-foot thick concrete blast wall within the United Nations compound in Kabul, Afghanistan. Rebels planted it under a pile of sand bags and planned to kill rescue workers minutes after a suicide bomb blast.
The "secondary" device was packed full with high explosives and attached to a remote-control detonation device. After the initial explosion, Sadie and handler Lance Corporal Karen Yardley, 26, were rushed in to search and secure the area. Sadie found the bomb then sat by it so that Karen could assess the situation. Her discovery saved possibly hundreds of soldiers and civilians from death and serious injury.
What is Labrador Life Line, Inc.?
It seems that there is one characteristic of Labrador Retriever Lovers that is world
wide... They CARE. They care about each other, their families (which includes their
furkids) and they care about others who run across hard times, they have hearts.
Lab Lovers were saddened to learn that there was no place for families of ill or injured
furkids to turn for assistance with medical or other needs without surrendering their
family member to a rescue group or having to make that ultimate decision because there
wasn't enought money to fix the problem... this caused a lot of talk.
For many, this discussion would have ended with talk, but this is where the "heart" part
comes in. Several Lab lovers took that talk a few steps further and Labrador Life Line
was born. After dotting all of the "i"s and crossing all of the "t"s, Labrador Life Line
became a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization and set out on a mission to aid those
purebred Labrador Retrievers in need of new homes, urgent medical care, or other
assistance in order to live a full and productive life, to alleviate needless suffering
and death of America's most beloved canine companion. Labrador Life Line is determined to
alleviate such tragedies through the efforts of its volunteers wherever and whenever
possible. These dogs simply deserve no less. .
We are a group of dedicated Labrador Retriever lovers in IN, IL, OH & MI. We have united to help the stray, the unwanted, and the unloved Labradors that are dumped in animal shelters throughout the Midwest. We donate our time, gas, vehicles and all the love we have, to help save these poor dogs by bringing them into our homes and introducing them as part of our families.
Updated 5/06 A syndrome of exercise intolerance and collapse (EIC) has been recognized in young adult Labrador Retrievers.
A comprehensive study of this condition is underway involving collaborators from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) of the University of Saskatchewan , the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota and the Comparative Neuromuscular Unit at the University of California. The objectives of this study are to (1) describe the syndrome so that it can be recognized by dog owners, veterinarians and trainers, (2) to thoroughly evaluate affected dogs to try to establish an efficient means of diagnosis and to gain some insight into the cause of the collapse and (3) to determine the genetic basis for the collapse syndrome. This research is being supported by generous grants from the Morris Animal Foundation and the WCVM's Companion Animal Health Fund.
The following is a summary of some of what we have learned in the last 5 years about the syndrome of Exercise Induced Collapse in Labrador Retrievers:
When your pet tanks up at the water bowl, is it really a problem? Or is it merely a response to a hot environment or a dry diet?
When excessive thirst or polydipsia is associated with the production of excessive amounts of urine or polyuria, we may safely assume that something is amiss. But the problem could be either behavioral or physical. And which comes first, increased thirst or increased urination? The problem, in fact, might be excessive urine production that drives greater thirst and water consumption.
The diagnostic approach to PU/PD (polyuria/polydipsia) may be simple and straightforward, but often it is not. The veterinarian must be certain that any changes in urination habits are caused by greater than normal urine output, rather than urgency and difficulty urinating or loss of bladder control. Verifying the problem, therefore, is extremely important.
Many dog owners invest considerable time in being active with their dogs through obedience training, hunting activities, tracking and protection exercises at training grounds, out in the
countryside or in the forest. These activities allow us to spend time with our dogs while also
keeping them physically and mentally alert. Others, such as the police and security guards,
use dogs at work. We expect these dogs to have a well-developed physique to be able to
perform the work they are trained to do. A lot of time and money is spent on training a
smart and efficient dog. There is considerable research and many opinions on the topics of
what food and exercise is best for our dogs. We all have the animals’ best at heart. Good
care and healthy food is thought to be essential.
In the world of Big Air dogs, the Labrador Retrievers — black, yellow, and chocolate — certainly have the competition by sheer numbers alone! Big Air is a rapidly growing sport across the nation and there are competitive events popping up everywhere for interested handlers and their dogs. Three great sites to check out are www.splashdogs.com, www.dockdogs.com, and www.superretrieverseries.com. These three groups are the leading organizations that are dedicated to bringing this sport great exposure for the interested public.
Labrador Friends of the South ( LFS ) is an incorporated, non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and adoption of homeless Labrador Retrievers in the Southeast region. We have our shelter license and are currently applying for 501 (c)(3) status. We started our group in January 2006 and have found forever homes for over 28 labs and currently have 22 in our program now.
LFS relies solely on donations, fundraising events and adoption fees to function and continue saving and placing homeless Labradors. We do not receive any state or federal funding. LFS is an all volunteer organization of people who give their time, effort, and love to protect the breed from the perils of pet over-population and irresponsible pet ownership. Our ultimate goal is to help these dogs find new, loving, forever homes.
Many experiences have led me to this point in my life where I now have the opportunity to become involved with animal assisted activities. Yet, at the same time, looking back over the past 2 years to where I began, it is though circumstances presented themselves in a synchronized order of which I was unaware. I for one believe in events happening for a reason, and many times we have no idea why they do so.
This is my experience with animal assisted activities.
Having grown up with always having a cat or dog in our household, pets were a part of our family. I remember the only time I saw my Dad cry was at the death of our family cocker spaniel. I guess I thought everybody had a pet, as they were a part of growing up for all children. To this day, I can’t imagine a household without some form of a pet.
Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue of Phoenix (DLRR) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to finding loving, life-long homes for displaced Labrador Retrievers. In addition to rescue, our volunteers provide medical care and/or rehabilitation for these dogs and then attempt to match them with appropriate, permanent homes. We also provide Labrador Retriever breed and training information on request. Through public education, we strive to help eliminate animal overpopulation by encouraging the spaying and neutering of pets.
Here is the position statement from the Labrador Retriever Club regarding Silver Labrador Retrievers:
"There is no genetic basis for the silver gene in Labradors. The silver color is a disqualification under the Standard for the breed. The LRC does not recognize, accept or condone the sale or advertising of any Labrador as a silver Labrador. The Club opposes the practice of registering silver as chocolate."
The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its
short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut
head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind,"
friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament.
Above all, a Labrador Retriever must be well balanced, enabling it to move in
the show ring or work in the field with little or no effort. The typical Labrador
possesses style and quality without over refinement, and substance without lumber
or cloddiness. The Labrador is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure
and soundness are of great importance.
Size, Proportion and Substance Size--The height at the withers for a dog is 22½ to 24½
inches; for a bitch is 21½ to 23½ inches. Any variance greater
than ½ inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate
weight of dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bitches
55 to 70 pounds.
The minimum height ranges set forth in the paragraph above shall not apply
to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.
Labrador owners are certainly aware of the calming influence Labs have on people in the home. It goes without saying that Labs make wonderful therapy dogs for the sick and elderly in the hospital or institutional setting. The idea of using animals to facilitate physical or emotional healing is not new. Therapy dog programs have been in place as far back as 1919. If therapy work is something you might be interested in, check out this article from the Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club.
"Cold water tail," "limber tail syndrome," "broken tail," "dead tail," "broken wag" are all euphemisms for a relatively common occurrence in sporting dogs. The tail of the dog hangs down from the tail base or is held horizontal for three or four inches and then drops down. A flaccid tail episode appears to be a painful, but relatively benign affliction that can occur after swimming, after a heavy hunting day or even after a bath with cold water or water that is too warm... more from the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.
Camping with your dog (or dogs) can be a joyous experience for both owner and dog. Dogs discover interesting features you might otherwise overlook, and a dog is thrilled at the new smells and sites of a camp site. You will see new characteristics in your dog when you are camping with your dogs; my dogs walk a little faster, open their eyes a little wider, and raise their heads a little more high when we're out in the wild. More...
Progressive Retinal Atrophy refers to a broad group of inherited retinal conditions which will eventually result in the blindness of the dog. Due to the nature of this disorder, and the fact that it does not always have noticeable symptoms until it is relatively advanced, repeated examinations may be required to detect any problems. It is imperative that your veterinarian be involved in the treatment of your dog, and in recommending an ophthalmologist. Your dog can still lead a productive, involved and full life even when blind.
"Saving Labradors throughout Florida one dog at a time�" that's the tagline on the logo of Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida (LRRoF). And that is the mission statement that LRRoF has lived by since its inception in the year 2000.
What to do if your pet has a seizure:
Do not panic. If your pet is having a seizure, he is unconscious and he is not suffering. Your pet may seem like he is not breathing, but he is.
Time the seizure. Actually look at a clock or watch and note the time; although it may seem like forever, it may only be 30 seconds.
Keep your pet from hurting himself by moving furniture away from the immediate area. Also protect him from water, stairs, and other sharp objects. If possible, place a pillow under his head to prevent head trauma.
Elbow dysplasia is the more general term describing three conditions affecting the canine elbow: ununited anconeal process, ununited medial coronoid process, and ununited medial humeral epicondyle.
Santa Paula, California – May 17, 2008 – Today, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF), the organization that provides the most highly trained canine-firefighter disaster search teams in the nation, announced that it has secured a $4.1 million 122-acre ranch site in Santa Paula, California, to build the first National Training Center of its kind. The National Training Center (NTC) will allow SDF to help strengthen America’s vulnerable emergency response network by training more teams to ensure that no one is left behind when disaster strikes.
Some dog breeders are only interested in breeding Labrador retrievers that look exactly like the AKC standard; they are not concerned with breeding labs that act like sporting dogs. If a Labrador retriever completes the ARC championship, they are not able to use that title until they have also completed and passed a working test called Field and Hunting trial training. Although the testing itself is not difficult, the Labrador club traditionally makes it difficult for a regular person to manage the testing.
Ever had a Sergeant 1st Class lick your face?
The first camp ever devoted to Animal Assisted Therapy – a weekend of workshops, presentations, training sessions, and special events for dogs and handlers -- will be held October 19 – 21 in Valley Cottage, NY on the campus of The Tolstoy Foundation. The camp is being conducted by the Hudson Valley Humane Society Visiting Pet Program.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was recently presented to eight year old black Labrador, Sadie, a Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) arms and explosives search dog, for her gallant exploits in Afghanistan. In November 2005, Sadie located a booby-trap bomb concealed in a pressure cooker. The bomb was concealed behind a two-foot thick concrete blast wall within the United Nations compound in Kabul, Afghanistan. Rebels planted it under a pile of sand bags and planned to kill rescue workers minutes after a suicide bomb blast.
When your pet tanks up at the water bowl, is it really a problem? Or is it merely a response to a hot environment or a dry diet?
Many dog owners invest considerable time in being active with their dogs through obedience training, hunting activities, tracking and protection exercises at training grounds, out in the
countryside or in the forest. These activities allow us to spend time with our dogs while also
keeping them physically and mentally alert. Others, such as the police and security guards,
use dogs at work. We expect these dogs to have a well-developed physique to be able to
perform the work they are trained to do. A lot of time and money is spent on training a
smart and efficient dog. There is considerable research and many opinions on the topics of
what food and exercise is best for our dogs. We all have the animals’ best at heart. Good
care and healthy food is thought to be essential.
Labrador Friends of the South ( LFS ) is an incorporated, non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and adoption of homeless Labrador Retrievers in the Southeast region. We have our shelter license and are currently applying for 501 (c)(3) status. We started our group in January 2006 and have found forever homes for over 28 labs and currently have 22 in our program now.
Many experiences have led me to this point in my life where I now have the opportunity to become involved with animal assisted activities. Yet, at the same time, looking back over the past 2 years to where I began, it is though circumstances presented themselves in a synchronized order of which I was unaware. I for one believe in events happening for a reason, and many times we have no idea why they do so.
Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue of Phoenix (DLRR) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to finding loving, life-long homes for displaced Labrador Retrievers. In addition to rescue, our volunteers provide medical care and/or rehabilitation for these dogs and then attempt to match them with appropriate, permanent homes. We also provide Labrador Retriever breed and training information on request. Through public education, we strive to help eliminate animal overpopulation by encouraging the spaying and neutering of pets.
The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its
short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut
head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind,"
friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament.
Labrador owners are certainly aware of the calming influence Labs have on people in the home. It goes without saying that Labs make wonderful therapy dogs for the sick and elderly in the hospital or institutional setting. The idea of using animals to facilitate physical or emotional healing is not new. Therapy dog programs have been in place as far back as 1919. If therapy work is something you might be interested in, check out this article from the Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club.
"Cold water tail," "limber tail syndrome," "broken tail," "dead tail," "broken wag" are all euphemisms for a relatively common occurrence in sporting dogs. The tail of the dog hangs down from the tail base or is held horizontal for three or four inches and then drops down. A flaccid tail episode appears to be a painful, but relatively benign affliction that can occur after swimming, after a heavy hunting day or even after a bath with cold water or water that is too warm... 
Camping with your dog (or dogs) can be a joyous experience for both owner and dog. Dogs discover interesting features you might otherwise overlook, and a dog is thrilled at the new smells and sites of a camp site. You will see new characteristics in your dog when you are camping with your dogs; my dogs walk a little faster, open their eyes a little wider, and raise their heads a little more high when we're out in the wild. 
Progressive Retinal Atrophy refers to a broad group of inherited retinal conditions which will eventually result in the blindness of the dog. Due to the nature of this disorder, and the fact that it does not always have noticeable symptoms until it is relatively advanced, repeated examinations may be required to detect any problems. It is imperative that your veterinarian be involved in the treatment of your dog, and in recommending an ophthalmologist. Your dog can still lead a productive, involved and full life even when blind. 
