July Newsletter #0007 07/04/08
Red, White and Blue for Fido Too!
Happy 4th of July folks and pups! I'm a few days late on the newsletter (and once again the server wasn't sending it out correctly)... but I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend! If you don't have a long weekend - at least enjoy the fireworks and beautiful (hot) weather we're having here in Colorado! June was a productive month for the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue. We saved over 25 dogs - and finally Ranger (who had been with the rescue since February) was adopted by an incredible foster family! June also marked our 100th adoption! When Amy, the founder of RMLR, set out to start this rescue last November, she had a goal to rescue about 50 dogs in a year - and WOW have we surpassed that goal! Tons of thanks are due to everyone that adopts, volunteers their time and money, and any volunteers at the shelters we work with across the country. There are so many hours put into rescuing these dogs, enough thanks could never be given! But you know the pups appreciate it!
Summer with your Lab
Summer is one of the best times to have a dog! You have this fantastic loving companion that will tag a long with you on all your outdoor adventures. Hiking, swimming, climbing 14ers, dog parks, running, walking, and camping are just a few of the many many activities that dogs can accompany you on during the summer months. A few things to keep in mind when doing these things. Dogs can get overheated just like us. They can suffer a heat exhaustion and have to go to the vet. To avoid this make sure you come prepared with enough water for you and your pup. Signs of heat exhaustion can be heavy panting, hyperventilation, weakness, increased salivation, dry gums, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea or sometimes bleeding. If some or many of these signs happen call your vet immediately.
Keep in mind when camping and hiking in the mountains this summer to keep an eye out for bears and mountain lions. Keep a close eye on your dog and keep them on a leash when appropriate. Mountain lions and bears are much more likely to attack your dog than attack you. Take pepper spray or bear spray with you on your adventures. This can be purchased at your local outdoor store.
A friend gave me the book Best Hikes with Dogs: Colorado. It's a great book (Thanks Meg!) to show you trails all around Colorado that are appropriate for you and your dog. It addresses all levels of hiking, tells you the path, the elevation change, the terrain, etc. There are great tips about safety, trail etiquette and getting in shape (you and your dog!) I'm sure you can find it on Amazon or Half.com for a decent price if you're interested. They might even have it at your local library!
For the dog park enthusiast... Colorado has a TON of dog parks. Every time I turn my head I see a new one I didn't know about. This is a great website when trying to find a dog park (in Colorado) close to you that you and your dog enjoy! My lab and I are a frequent visitor to Great Bark Dog Park in Lafayette and Louisville Dog Park (when I'm in the mood to let her swim!)
Events
July 12th at the PetCo in Northglenn, CO. Swing by anytime from Noon until 3PM to meet some great dogs up for adoption and we can answer any questions to have relating to adoptions or the rescue.
Dog of the Month
MINDY is our dog of the month! How can you say no to that smile?! Mindy is a beautiful 3 year old girl that came to the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue from Alamosa. She's mellow when indoors, completely happy to curl up next to you on the couch or at your feet. She loves attention but isn't needy. She's completely house broken. You can tell she was a great family dog before she ended up in the shelter in Alamosa. She's also a fantastic running partner. She runs with her foster family a few miles a day! Mindy's only problem is that she has hip dysplasia. The vet said that surgery isn't necessary right now. She's not in pain and is getting around just fine (running daily). She's looking for a family that is willing to take her for the long haul - she's such a sweetheart and just needs her forever home that is willing to take her for better or for worse! Visit our website under Adopting: Bio Sheets for all the information on Mindy!
FUNdraising
Who doesn't enjoy some good old fashion gambling? Bright lights? A magic show? Interested in eloping? We'll do we have the thing for you!! Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue is holding a raffle for a free WEEKS STAY in Las Vegas! We have a wonderful rescue person who has donated her time share for the rescue to raise money. She got a two bedroom/two bath with full kitchen at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club at the Las Vegas Hilton from October 12, 2008 to October 19, 2008. It is on the monorail and there is easy access to the strip. This raffle doesn't include airfare or transportation there. Tickets are $10 for one and $25 for three. We haven't sold that many tickets (so your odds are good!) The raffle will be held on August 1st. The winner will be contacted and also displayed on our website! Visit SUPPORT US on our website for more purchasing information.
Second, if you have adopted a dog from the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue that was from Missouri, Arkansas or Kansas - chances are that it was transported with a volunteer organization called C.A.R.E. This is a non-profit group of women who help transport dogs from rural areas of Kansas and Missouri and bring them to Colorado to be distributed to rescues. Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue uses this group all the time to help get perfectly adoptable dogs to Colorado for adoption. C.A.R.E. is hosting a fundraising comedy night at Wits End Comedy Club at 4:30pm on August 2nd. As a rescue we have bought 20 tickets - so those are available for purchase. And we can always buy more. If you're interested in tickets please EMAIL US for more information.
New to RMLR?
Did you just adopt a dog from us? Or joined our newsletter at an event? Join our Yahoo! Group for support, questions and great stories about your Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue pup! Click HERE to join today! Our goal with this group is to enable our adopted Labs' owners & families to seek information in an environment among friends. You can learn about events, ask questions of fellow Lab & Lab mix owners, and have a forum to become a closer Lab Family! Feel free to suggest dog play groups or group walks as well. Anything to make life with your new dog easier.
Big Wet Thank Yous
As always - thank you to everyone that gave a minute or a mile this past month. Every little bit helps! We have quite a few new foster homes and volunteers and we would just like to thank them for getting involved! Thank you so much to our old and new volunteers for taking some of your time and giving it to these great dogs in need. If you'd like to volunteer – we'd always love your help. There are many things we could use your help with – from fostering and events to transports and home visits! There is always something going on. Email us and explain what you're interested in helping out with and we'll hook you up!