RMLR September 2009 Newsletter

Back to Drool

Well the fall weather has arrived, even if it isn't officially fall for another week or so. The youngin's are back in school - and maybe some of us oldin's (?) are going back for classes as well. Perhaps it's time to get the dog into an obedience class or to do some lessons with a trainer. Many first time dog owners have no idea how to train their dog. There are several ways to go about it. Your local library should have videos and books about basics in training your dog. But if that's not the route you want to take there are several things you need to ask yourself before chosing a trainer or an obedience school.

The first question is what do you and your dog want to get out of the school. It is essential to decide what you want to get out of the classes and it's good to start asking yourself the following questions. (1) Would you and your dog do better in one-on-one lessons, or group classes? Certain dogs may need the extra attention because of their energy level, or maybe aggressive tendancies with other dogs. Maybe you really need the personal attention with a trainer to figure out exactly what to do and how to handle your pup.

(2) What is the aim of attending the dog obedience training? Are you looking to master the basic commands of sit, lay down, heel, shake and maybe roll over? Are you simply trying to socialize your dog? Are you wanting to compete in training skills - agility, tracking, etc.? These are questions you need to decide for yourself and then ask an trainer what they do before signing up for the course.

(3) What type of atmosphere are you looking for? All trainers and obedience courses are different. Some require muzzels, others a special type of collar. Some are associated with 'dog clubs' and hold social activities and competitions, while others are just a place to show up once a week for an hour and go through training steps with your dog. Whatever the case you should make sure it's what you are looking for and that it's something your dog is comfortable with. 

2009-2010 RMLR We Love Our Rescues Calendar

Want to save on shipping costs? Can't wait the shipping time to get your paws on the new Calendar, visit Paw-Wares in Broomfield. 

Catching Up with RMLR

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their many hours of dedication, tanks of gas, endless love given to our foster dogs - and of course every donation from a quarter to thousands of dollars. You all are really what keep this rescue afloat. Without everyone's help we could not rescue these deserving dogs.

We wanted to let you know where your money goes. 93% of last year's revenue went directly to the dogs. Revenue consists of adoption costs recieved, donations and grants. 7% of last year's revenue went to administration costs (internet costs, computer costs, paper copies, telephone, etc). 66% of our revenue went to vettings/surgeries! The remainder went to fuel for transports, the cost of insurance, and into our bank account to save for future doggy saving. 0% went to salaries!

Dog of the Month - Gypsy

Gypsy is ready to give up her nomadic ways and would like nothing more than have a place to hang her leash and call "home." Unfortunately due to a change in the circumstances of her previous family and due to no fault of her own Gypsy has come back to RMLR in search of her forever family. At 1.5 years old Gypsy is a sweet young girl full of playful energy. She does well with other dogs but is also fine on her own. Gypsy is a big fan of fetch, rides nicely in cars, enjoys dog park outings and is of course potty trained. This sleek, smart, inquisitive young girl is looking for an active family that would love to take her on outings, hikes, runs and of course is up for a good game of fetch!

Gypsy came to RMLR in 2008. The family she is with right now is needing to surrender her back to RMLR due to a dramatic change in their life and being unable to provide Gypsy with enough attention. Let's make this next home forever!

Check out more information about Gypsy and our other Labs for Adoption under Adopting

NEW Volunteers!

We have a few new volunteers and coordinators that we'd like to introduce!

Christy it our new Special Events Coordinator! She came to us from Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue, where she had worked almost every coordinator position. She's been fostering rescue dogs since 2003 and we're THRILLED to have her on board. If you ever have a suggestion or question about an event, email rockymountainlabrescue@gmail.com and make sure to direct your question to her!

Jessica is our new Volunteer Coordinator! She will be helping us drum up new volunteers, spread the word about RMLR and spreading out jobs amongst the willing volunteers. She'll be a great assest as we've never had anyone manage our volunteers before.

Rachel is a new volunteer that has decided to take over the daunting task of scrapbooking! She's doing a great job catching up (we tend to fall behind) with the new RMLR dogs and updating as we recieve Success Stories from former adopters! Thanks so much Rachel - scrapbooks are great to have at our events!

RMLR Old Business

A couple months ago we had posted an article on our website and in our newsletter calling for nominations for the 2009-2010 RMLR Board. Last meeting we voted on those nominations and here are our board members for the upcoming year! 

Amy Dickerson - President/Founder
Carrie Mauk - Vice President/Intake Coordinator
Christian Dickerson - Treasurer/Co-Founder
Amanda Stone - Secretary
Becky Hildebrand - Board Member/Foster Coordinator
Laura Parks-Pederson - Board Member/Adoption Coordinator
Meghan Eyerman - Board Member/Website Coordinator

Thank you to everyone for your hardwork this year!

A Call for Foster Parents

Attention potential foster family:

Daily, we are forced to turn away great dogs, mostly from high risk shelters, because we don't have enough foster homes to accommodate them.  We feel that many of the dogs would be highly adoptable and would probably be placed quickly, but without the foster openings we must turn them away.

So many dogs are in jeopardy right now because people are losing their jobs and their homes.  Please consider fostering, and please help us to come up with ideas for getting new foster homes. Please fill out a fostering application today on our website and give one of these pups a second chance!

Events

Thank you to everyone who came out and volunteered or ran the SkirtChaser 5K this past weekend in Denver. There was a great turn out and as a result Slim and Sabot found forever homes!!

September 12, 2009: Dog Daze at the Bay 9AM-3PM250 Lamar Street, Broomfield 80020 It's a day gone to the dogs! Bring your dog down to the Bay for a day of excitement just for dogs. Fido can jump and play in the summer heat, while cooling off with a dip in the pool. This is a chance for your dog to have a little fun before the pool is drained for the summer. Just a little reminder, the activity is for the dogs and does not include owners to be in the pool. Rocky Mountain Lab can't resist the opportunity to see so many retrievers in one place have so much fun. Labs are definitely water dogs! We will have a booth with information about adopting or volunteering, along with some gorgeous foster dogs available for adoption. We will be selling homemade dog biscuits and other items to raise some money for our dogs. We would love for you to stop and visit and we don't mind getting wet!

September 13, 2009: Petsmart National Adoption Day 10AM-2PM
10600 Melody Drive, Northglenn 80234
Please join Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue and their foster dogs for an adoption event at the Petsmart in Northglenn. This is a national Petsmart adoption event and other rescues will be in attendance. We will have foster dogs available for adoption and volunteers there to answer questions.

October 3, 2009: Petco Adoption Event 10AM-4PM
17132 West Colfax Avenue in Golden 80401Please join Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue and their foster dogs for a huge rescue adoption event at the Petco in Golden. This is a twice yearly adoption event and other several other rescues will be in attendance. We will have foster dogs available for adoption and volunteers there to answer questions.

BOW WOW BUDDIES FOUNDATION K-9’S AGAINST CANCER 5K FUN RUN/1MILE WALK

K-9s Against Cancer is an annual 5K fun run/1 mile walk, which is open to humans and their canine companions. This family-oriented day of festivities will featuring music, food, games, giveaways and demonstrations and more! Funds raised will support animal welfare programs, canine cancer research and treatment and breast cancer research and treatment.

There will be a section designated the Rescue Round Up and several rescues will be in attendance. Sometimes runs/walks prohibit dogs, but this event encourages it. We will be contacting all past adopters and marketing this event as a reunion for Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue dogs. Not only do the funds go to an amazing cause, but it will be great to see the adopted dogs and how wonderful they are doing. We’re hoping to designate a meeting place and have all the dogs walk together with our banner. More information will come on this later.

Location:  Stapleton's Central Park - Martin Luther King and Central Park Boulevards

Time:  Registration starts at 7:00am, 5k starts at 9:00am, 1 mile walk starts at 9:30am