The Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue is a small rescue in Broomfield, Colorado dedicated to rescuing Labs and Lab mixes from small rural areas across the Midwest and Colorado. C.A.R.E. is a fundamental asset to our cause. With C.A.R.E's help, as well as the help of many volunteers, we find them loving homes that they can thrive in. In 2009, RMLR rescued 201 dogs and 106 of those were transported by C.A.R.E. Thank you to all of C.A.R.E's volunteers, and all volunteers out there for aiding us in our cause.
These beautiful dogs arrived on C.A.R.E. vans during February 2012.
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C.A.R.E. has brought close to 100 dogs to RMLR from January - July 2011. Here are some of the beautiful faces:
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RMLR adopted 193 dogs to new families in 2010 and 96 of these dogs came to Colorado on C.A.R.E. vans.
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Photos by RMLR volunteer, Charee Goolia. Additional photos are available on her website - - Pawtography.org
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ATHENA
Athena came to Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue in November 2009 from a gassing shelter in Joplin, MO. We expected to get her and her 5 puppies, but sadly none of her puppies were alive when it came time for them to come to Colorado. So she came on her own. She wasn't the easiest foster--chewing out of 2 kennels, jumping the fence, destroying 5 blinds, eating seatbelts, barking at strangers--but her foster loved her!! They worked on her separation anxiety and her fear of strangers for two months and then RMLR received a call from, Janet Bayless, a trainer who trains service dogs for Vietnam Veterans. She had a man that was interested in a service dog and we thought Athena might be a good match.
It was a match!!! Charlie loved Athena, but Athena wasn't too sure of him, although loved the jerky treats that he had to offer her!! Athena and Charlie have bonded to each other and Athena has quite a purpose in life now!! Charlie has PTSD, so before Athena came into his life, he didn't leave his house much. With Athena, he says that he has left his house more in 3 weeks than he had in 3 months!! Athena is able to calm Charlie when his bad dreams wake him in the night by laying her head on his chest or licking his neck. Charlie is also diabetic and when Athena senses that his blood sugar level is high she alerts him by licking him. They are only in the beginning of their relationship, but they have become best friends. Once Athena is further along in her training, Charlie hopes to help by fostering/training more dogs for this purpose. Athena escaped the gas chamber of the Missouri shelter and is now serving such an important job for Charlie. She is his lifeline!
These are words from Charlie: "Upon meeting Thena she was scared of me. After a little while, she started licking my hand. So she stayed. A couple of nights later I had a dream. I scared the poor dog out of bed. As I lay there shaking, here comes Thena and started licking my neck. Right then and there she was worth her weight in gold. Now I enjoy getting out of the house with Thena. No more sittting in the house 24/7. Thena is more than a dog or friend, she is a life line. Thena is with me 24/7. I wish I could tell you what that means. So please save more than one wag at a time. Thanks to everyone who has helped me! "
Jade (a.k.a. Loona) Loona came from Dr. Braun in Kansas and arrived on a C.A.R.E. van.
Hey RMLR, Todd and I wanted to give you an update on Jade. She is the sweetest puppy and we just love having her around. She is VERY smart!!! In the short 2 months she has been with us she learned several tricks and listens extremely well. I have been taking her out to the horse farm with me and she has a blast. She is getting along great with our cat, they play all the time. We feel so lucky she is part of our family! We attached a bunch of pictures for you to see how much she has grown! She gained 9 lbs since we got her and is starting to fill out! Thank you!
Jennifer and Todd
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ZOE
Zoe’s story with our family started when we were supposed to foster a different lab. We were asked if we’d be willing to foster her instead of the other lab because she can jump, and there were concerns with fence height. Well, I picked her up from the transport, and was immediately taken with her. The same thing happened with my family when I got her home. She seemed to fit right in with our family which includes another yellow lab. Zoe is a very sweet, loving little girl that also has an ornery side with her new brother. They are learning to play together; he likes to take her toys, and she barks at him to get them back. She loves to go for walks, and chase toys through the house. Zoe will start training classes the end of this month. And yes, we have seen her ability to jump. She goes vertical when excited by the front door, and bounces like a rabbit when she runs. We’re very glad that fate stepped in and brought her to us.
Ann's Dogs
ALL RESCUED, ALL LOVED: LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN GOLDEN
Ellie is 5; Henry is almost 5 months; Sandy is 12.5, and Harley is 3....the loves of my life! Henry is the pup I adopted from RMLR (ROCKY MOUNTAIN LAB RESCUE); all of them are rescue dogs.
Henry came in from North Platte, with canine influenza (diagnosed by my vet as not being kennel cough) dog in the same car.......need I say more? All my dogs came down with it--I was very worried about my oldest girl, Sandy (12.5 yrs old) so the vet gave her lots of fluids for her 104.9 fever...very scary. But everyone finally recovered--it was awful.
Henry is the sweetest puppy! Very mellow; quick learner; LOVES all my dogs and the dogs he has met (he was very scared of other dogs at first, but I kept bringing him to the Chatfield State Park (against the recommendation of 2 trainers) and he overcame his fear..thank goodness! Now he just LOVES all sizes; no fear at all. That is the best place to socialize a puppy! Back to Henry: just a love bug...easy going....he is the definition of "retriever"--loves to fetch his balls, sticks.....he makes me smile every time I look at him...just a joy. Only chews on "his" toys...he learned that from his siblings.
Thanks! Ann
SAMMI
I just wanted to send a quick note about Sammi. She is doing well. She had a busy summer. Sammi was the mascot for Camp Freedom. Camp Freedom is a camp for children with disabilities. The disabilities are wide ranging. Sammi did so well that we had to arrange for her to be a part of camp even when my husband and I were unable to participate.
I think the best Sammi camp story was from a session that my husband and I were unable to help out with. She went a long with our friends who normally watch our dogs when we are unable to take them with us. Anyhow, there was young boy attending that session who was terrified of dogs. His parents kinda cringed when they saw Sammi. Well, the boy became interested in Sammi because he had never seen a dog with 3 legs. The boy kept his distance and Sammi would just sit smiling at him as to encourage him to come closer.
Well, by the end of his 3 day stay at camp, he was best buds with Sammi. He would lie on the ground and let her lick him from head to toe! What is even better about the story is that this particular camper's siblings wanted a dog, but mom and dad were hesitant due to this boys fears. I heard that the family adopted a dog from one of the shetlers and everyone is doing great! My husband was particularly moved because he understands the impact of having a disabled child can have on other children in the house.
Sincerely,
Ann (and Sammi, Ollie, and Dan)
Spot
Spot is a 2-year-old Great Dane/Lab mix that came to the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue in October 2008 from Madison, Kansas via a CARE transport. His owner, who had kept him chained in the yard, relinquished him. The pound that Spot was in was ready to euthanize him when RMLR found out about him. We had him transported to Colorado and placed with one of our foster families. His foster dad took him to the vet for his heartworm test, which came back positive. He also requested x-rays, because he had noticed that Spot favored one of his rear legs. The vet found severe hip dysplasia, and recommended immediate surgery after Spot recovered from his heartworm treatment. The vet suspects that Spot previously suffered a broken leg that went untreated by his former owners. Spot's unusual markings got lots of attention, and he quickly got adopted by a wonderful couple in Centennial, CO. They are currently helping him to recover from his heartworm treatment, and will be working with RMLR to get him through his upcoming hip surgery.
Harley/Diddey
Harley is a Black Lab/Border Collie mix came to the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue in April 2008 from Leavenworth, KS via a CARE transport. He was tried out a couple families and his named changed to Ridley along the way. Always decked out in Black and White this smart guy knows he is more than just another handsome face. True to his mix Border Collies are known for their amazing agility, Ridley is no exception commenting "Six foot fences, that's kids play". Full of energy this sweet, friendly, fun lovin' boy would make an excellent running companion or candidate for agility training. These dogs live to work and are known for their high energy, speed and obedience. He was having a difficult time finding a forever family while in a rescue known for adopting out labs, when he had so many Border Collie traits. This past weekend his incredible foster family decided they couldn't bare the thought of being without him. He's made great strides in learning how to harness his energy and behave. He now is named Diddey and goes on daily 4 mile runs with his new forever mom!
Colorado Animal Rescue Express (C.A.R.E.) is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
