Labs Funded
Success Stories
Reed, April, 2000
As told by Reed's rescuer:
"The dog warden brought in a stray when it was still very cold and wet outside. He was a nice looking fox red Lab mix. He was thin, tired and cold. I dried him off and gave him a big bowl of food and a blanket. He ate his food and settled in on his new bed. He seemed like such a sound dog. When I temperament tested him(I am an evaluator for TDI) he passed with flying colors. I looked at his teeth and noticed he was a middle aged dog, which, when you are in a kill shelter, is not a good thing to be. To my amazement, he was also neutered. He seemed housetrained and would hold "it" until somebody remembered to take him out. He really didn't like to potty in the outside runs either, he needed grass!
"After 3 days (waiting for an owner to claim) he was vaccinated and moved up to dog adoptions; the manager decided to give him a chance at being adopted. He was there for a week when a volunteer decided to adopt him. She had an older Lab mix that needed a low key buddy to play with. She took him home and it worked out great, they bonded right away. She set up an appointment with her vet for him to be heartworm tested and checked out. Her vet decided he was at least 12 years old and very infected with heartworms; her vet told her to take the dog back to the shelter to be euthanized. With great sadness she returned him. I then decided to call a rescuer from Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Club, who I work closely with, and she reminded me about LABMED. I then made the plea to LABMED and I presented his case. I had to take him to my vet and have another opinion about his age and heartworm situation. My vet thought he was more like 5 and was just in the beginning stage of heartworm infestation. We did a blood test and it was determined that he was healthy enough to be treated. On that note I named him Reed, which in Irish means "red"."
Reed was at a shelter in Wooster, OH when LABMED was contacted to fund his heartworm treatment. His rescuer volunteers at that shelter; she evaluates the dogs when they are brought in and decides if a dog is a pure bred that can be helped by a breed rescue. This helps to make room for the mixed breed dogs at the shelter.
LABMED was happy to help out with Reed's heartworm treatment, the prognosis for full recovery was very good. Reed underwent treatment and a friend of his rescuer fostered him for the first week post-treatment, then he went to a foster home with LELRC.
Reed is doing well and there are several families interested in adopting him. He has that second chance at life now and we hope that he will find the "just right" family soon.
Update: September, 2000
Reed's foster mom send us this update:
"Reed took the heartworm treatment very well and acclimated to his foster parents home and additional furry children with ease. Several families came and saw Reed, but were hesitant about a dog with heartworm. The myths were explained to them, but they just did not want to take a risk.
Needless to say Reed pretty much spent a summer vacation with the foster family and their entourage of furry children. Reed was always the perfect gentleman and the complete package. He knew how to sit, stay, down, give five, come when called. He loved to be brushed, go on walks and go bye-bye in the car. He loved to hang out with people and just be a part of the family. He basically got along with everyone, including the two cats.
A prospective adopter visited the foster family that was taking care of Reed. Reed showed affection towards her from the start and the foster parent knew deep down inside that this was going to be a good thing. The joy and sadness at moments like these are hard for a foster parent to take, but to see a dog succeed and bring joy, outweighs the past. Especially the way the adopter and Reed hit it off.
Reed's new mom followed up a few days later to say that Reed is everything that she wanted in a dog. He has proved to be an excellent companion for her other lab, Dakota as well. Her grown children and granddaughter met Reed and were amazed at how anyone would not want a dog like him. Her granddaughter even liked Reed or rather, her way of saying his name, "Weed".
The story of Reed finding his family has come to an end, and they lived happily ever after..."
Update, February, 2001
From Reed's Mom: "He is now Heartworm free. He is such a great dog. He has made himself at home with Dakota, my chocolate lab and myself. He has really come out of his shell. He now has started to lick my face every once in a while. Sits on the coach next to me. He now knows this is home, he has become territorial. He still has no idea how to play. One of these days I might get him to play ball. Now that will be a big one."
Copyright � 1996-2011 LABMED
If you have questions or comments, Contact Us.
Give us your Feedback about LABMED.
Web space donated by San Mateo Regional Network
Last Updated: 4/1/2011