Angie recently celebrated her 13th Birthday, so it seemed an update should be in order for such a big age! She celebrated with a “romp” on the beach and had a takeout steak dinner (as did Woodford). She has loved all the snow we’ve had so she can roll around belly up in it. She’s slowed with her arthritis, and is a little more stubborn about getting out for walks. But she hops right up when the girls are eating so she can go after crumbs. She’s a little cranky in her older age with a new puppy next door. She’s a funny girl.

Woodford is holding his own. We had another scary time with him in January where he developed a horrible infection in his blood, liver, and abdomin, and had a surgery and was at Tufts (which took amazing care of him) for a week. But once again, he has proved to be an amazingly tough and resilient guy. He is slowly but steadily improving at home, back to short walks and loving the extra food as we put weight back on his bones. He charmed everyone at Tufts! And he still is the cutest, most comfortable sleeper ever.

They both are so loved and we are blessed to have them with us.

Max is doing very well adjusting to life with our family. He has learned how to eat treats from a “bounce” aka Kong, and also been introduced to how delicious a frosty paw is! We started a group obedience class on Sunday and Max was very nervous when we went into the building, paws sweating and all. He was pretty vocal about his anxiety and the trainer worked with us to first learn “quiet” to help him settle. Missy has been sending him messages at home to curtail his anxious behaviors like whimpering and whistling, but the different environment without Missy was more difficult on his nerves. He did well quickly with “quiet” and we have been practicing the command and he has responded well to the positive reinforcement - treats! He did well with “look” and “heel” and we have been practicing that on our walks (Missy too). Per the recommendation from the vet we will go to the vet this Saturday for treats and see how he does as we progress toward a positive association with the office before our next visit. At home Max is really settling in well and following Missy’s lead. He is very affectionate with both my husband and I and also guests that come to visit. He is pretty confident meeting new people at our home and has been an exemplary member of the greeting committee. We were at my in-law’s house this Sunday and Max did well in a different environment with people and a 2 year old Border Collie. He stayed close to us which brought him comfort, and we are happy to give that to him.

Everything is still going great with Sheena. We love going for long walks and playing fetch at the park. Sheena is very happy and has even made some doggy friends in the neighborhood. We all can’t wait for spring to come so we can try some more fun activities. We are so glad that having Sheena has been such an easy transition and we just love her.

Just a quick update here with a couple of photos of Kismet lounging, which is her next-to-favorite activity after trailing my husband around where ever he goes. Kismet is his shadow! She has been a wonderful addition to our household, and she seems like your basic model happy dog. We’re due for an ultrasound on her heart (overdue actually), per the specialist’s original ideal schedule, but we’ve had no health issues and our home vet continues to be very pleased with what he hears while scoping — in my shorthand, that means reduced bad kind of whoosh, improved good kind of whoosh.

Hard to believe it’s been 8 months with Cooper in our lives. Can’t seem to remember what it was like before he became part of our family. He’s doing really well! We’ve got his weight under control and he’s just under 100 lbs and even has a slim and trim waist!

He loves playing in the snow and will take every opportunity he gets to roll around in it. When he’s out there, you’d never guess he was 6-years-old. People that meet him always think he’s a puppy.

We have battled 3 recurring ear infections along with red and itchy paws, overall itchiness, runny nose, etc. before the vet diagnosed allergies. We treated him with prednisone and the ear infections have finally cleared up. We’ve since been going through food allergy testing trials and it seems to have helped. We’ll be continuing additional food and non-food allergy testing for some time until we can determine the causes, but he’s already making great improvements.

Thank you again NEARR for making him a part of our lives.

Max is an absolute love that we are very proud to call our newest family member! He is very affectionate and trusting with us and gets along very well with our 5 year old lab mix Missy. They play all the time and do well sharing bones and toys - they are constantly trading and wanting what the other has! We have been working on clarifying the sit and paw and down commands and he is learning very quickly as he sometimes got them confused. He has also curtailed his barking for things that he wants like treats, throwing the ball, etc. We go on daily walks and he and Missy do well together and have the same pace. The easy walk harness works well and we got Missy one too. I am able to take them together by myself but it is nice when my husband joins us and we all go together. This past Sunday we went to the beach and put Max on a 50 foot leash so he could play and have a good time, but we could still control him if a situation arose that we would need to intervene and keep him safe. He actually stayed with us on his own which is great for future goals that we can work toward off the leash with some obedience training. I called on classes last week and will have an enrollment firmed up by the next update I submit.

We went to the vet this Saturday and Max was very nervous. He did well with all the lab techs, but when the vet came in the room with the white lab coat Max was very scared. The vet attempted to gain his trust by taking off the coat and with treats, but he was very skeptical. He looked to Missy for guidance and confidence as she was very calm and he was able to get a very quick but minimal exam and his rabies vaccine, but the vet was not able to do a complete exam or the heartworm test without restraining him and we decided that we wanted to work on a more positive experience since he is such a docile and easygoing dog. We are going to visit the vet once a week for treats and to build the positive association over the next few weeks and will try another visit again in April.

I called on some obedience classes and we would like to get enrolled soon so we can start using the classes and training to build trust. We do a lot of off the leash walks with Missy at the beach and state parks and reservations, and although Max seems to be very attached and inclined to stay with us, we want to make sure for his safety that he listens and will come back to us. We have only had Max for a week and we already could not imagine life without him!

Sheena is still doing well with us. We can’t believe that it has only been a month that we have had her. We are all so comfortable together, that it seems we have always had her. Just this past week, a friend of ours that had not seen Sheena since the holidays said that she has changed so much. Sheena is calmer and noticeably less hyper since we first got her. She is well behaved for the most part and she appears less anxious each time she is left alone. She is starting to understand that we will return if we go out for a little while. Since the visit to the vet, we have increased Sheena’s diet and her dry skin seems to be less of a problem. Also, her ribs aren’t as visible which is very pleasing. She eats well, gets plenty of exercise and we think she is really happy.

Our relationship with Sheena improves everyday and things will be even better when we start going to obedience classes very soon. We will keep you posted on the dates of the classes.

We would have liked to send pictures, however our home computer has been down. This email address is now the best way to reach us. We will send pictures along with our next update.

Thank you for all that you do!

Well, it’s been two months now since Rudy joined our family. He had his vet check up recently and is doing “better than great” according to the Dr. He’s lost about 5 pounds since being here and it has really helped his mobility and activity level.

He’s seems to be adjusting well. He gets along well with his dog brothers and sister as well as the queen of the house, our 5 year old. Those two have really formed a wonderful bond. His favorite place to sleep is on her bed, especially when she’s in it! He’s been on a few adventures to the North Country and did very well in the truck for the long ride. He even snuggles with the others for some of it - what we consider a big stride for someone coming from a single dog house to a multiple dog house.

He definitely loves the stuffed toys-the bigger the better. Many times we find the “kids” playing a game of keep away with each other with them. It’s fun to watch his personality come out more and more every day. He loves his daily adventures in the forest and is learning how to behave off leash. We’re looking forward to taking him to the lake this summer for some swimming adventures.

For the 2 month mark, he’s doing exceptionally well.

Thanks NEARR!
Rudy’s Forever Family

Message from Rudy - Hey Guys! I’m really happy here. I have lots of playmates and my family gives me lots and lots of hugs and kisses. We go for walks in the woods everyday and I’m getting much better about listening when I’m off leash. The country house is great! The snow is sooo deep I can get my whole head under it and flip it in the air! Sledding is fun too. I love to chase the toboggan down the hill. I’m doing great and I’m really happy to have found a forever home. THANKS NEARR.

WOW how time flies! It’s been a year since Sam joined our family and we can’t imagine life without him. He ’s come such a long way in one year and we couldn’t be prouder of our big goofball. He still thinks he can fit on anyone’s lap and that the bed is his, but we really don’t mind - he’s worth it. He’s had some big milestones over the past year like learning to swim and ride a snowmobile and has come through with flying colors. In December, a new sibling joined our family and they get along great. At the end of a hard day of playing, they’re both “dog tired” and love soaking up the heat by the woodstove and catching some z’s.

Sam’s been a wonderful addition to our family and we look forward to many, many years of happiness with him.

I am sitting at my computer at this exact minute with Baxter literally sitting at my side with his head resting on my lap. I just had to drop you a quick note to let you know how much we love this dog. In the past year and a half, we have had a pleasure of watching him evolve into such a HAPPY, animated, affectionate and loving dog. We never could have been blessed with a better dog. He continues to be healthy and strong and agile - even as we just celebrated his 8th birthday. We pray that we get many, many more years with him. Do you know that to this day, I have NEVER ever seen him growl or show his teeth?

Again, we just want to THANK YOU for such a wonderful dog. He has filled a huge void in our hearts and home. After the death of our last lab, we decided that we just couldn’t get another one - then we found Baxter on your website and felt an immediate connection. It was the best thing we ever did.

Tika is doing nicely and has certainly enjoyed the snow this winter. She will seek out any small pile of snow of an extended roll on her back. She seems to really enjoy the feeling. We have finished our first set of sessions with the dog trainer and Tika is doing much better on the ‘come when called’ command. She catches on quick and is entirely food motivated. She will do almost anything for a small piece of cheese!

One recommendation we got from the dog trainer was to give her some Bach’s rescue remedy. Its a flower essence that helps dogs with anxiety. She made a big improvement and was much less anxious when left alone.

She is such a great dog. We cannot imagine life without her! She and I are both looking forward to the warmer weather so she can go swimming again. Truly her favorite pastime!

Another year has passed and Cosmo is still doing great! It's been six years since we adopted him and I still couldn't be happier. I recently got a new job this summer and now I am fortunate enough to be able to bring him to work a couple of days a week. Everyone at work loves when he comes in and can't get over how well behaved he is. They are so happy to have him at the office. I get to take him on runs at lunch and he even has an office romance with the female lab that comes in occasionally. He is still great with my now 3 year old twins as well.

Can't thank you enough for bring Cosmo into my family's life!

Well it’s that time of year again, time to post an update for Zeus, our NEARR lab that has been with us for four years now …..The Zeus j-peg is of when we first received Zeus at app one year old….the other pic is of Zeus now at age five years old ,relaxing in the recliner chair with heat and massage(notice the gray muzzle) ….Zeus is not spoiled, he’s got all the creature comforts figured out ! and as long as my wife says it’s OK, It’s not my chair any longer ….

Zeus is still very healthy ,and still loves to play fetch with a tennis ball ,he still requires his one hour walk a day, and is still pretty fast compared to the other labs we have had ….Zeus keeps us young, he forces us to walk and throw tennis balls …..we are going to live forever !!!!

I also wanted to let everyone know, that viewing the “Happy Tails” from time to time really lifts my spirits, it’s good to know there are other folks out there just like us, that love labs as much as we do ….

Good job NEARR volunteers, what would the labs do without you folks ???

Sheena is still doing well with us. We can’t believe that it has only been a month that we have had her. We are all so comfortable together, that it seems we have always had her. Just this past week, a friend of ours that had not seen Sheena since the holidays said that she has changed so much. Sheena is calmer and noticeably less hyper since we first got her. She is well behaved for the most part and she appears less anxious each time she is left alone. She is starting to understand that we will return if we go out for a little while. Since the visit to the vet, we have increased Sheena’s diet and her dry skin seems to be less of a problem. Also, her ribs aren’t as visible which is very pleasing. She eats well, gets plenty of exercise and we think she is really happy.

Our relationship with Sheena improves everyday and things will be even better when we start going to obedience classes very soon. We will keep you posted on the dates of the classes.

We would have liked to send pictures, however our home computer has been down. This email address is now the best way to reach us. We will send pictures along with our next update.

Thank you for all that you do!

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I adopted Bruno from NEARR at the ripe old age of 8, and he has been doing well and enjoying his second life with me. He still loves the ball, even though the game has gotten a lot slower. Here are a couple of pictures I took of him this summer in Vermont. His littermate sister, Nikki passed away the previous summer at the age of 14. She was a wonderful girl and we miss her. Now we have a new friend, a 14 year old Border Collie, who is quite a lively old girl and a great companion for Bruno. I can’t believe he is 16! He could be driving a car soon!

Keep up the great work at NEARR

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We are having so much fun with Sheena. She is really a great dog. Sheena has fun on our long walks around the local lake or at the park across the street where she is able to meet other dogs. We think Sheena is adjusting well to our home. She is eating well and sleeping comfortably in her own doggy bed. We taught her to lay down just a few days ago and it is remarkable how quickly she learns.

We just love spending time with Sheena and she has really become very calm and cuddly with us.

Thank you again for fixing us up with Sheena. It is a match made in heaven.

Its hard to believe Lia (formerly Tasha) has been with us only one year; it feels like she has always been part of our family. She and Seamus are best buddies; they play together and curl up together. Our days start and end with the two of them playing a gentle game of bitey face with each other. I even caught Seamus licking her face last week. They had a fantastic time in Down East Maine. Lia has transformed from a dog who didn’t want to get her tummy wet to an avid swimmer. If she sees water, she has to get in it. I took so many great photos of them it was really hard to choose which ones to send!
We are still working on leash training. Lia is so interested in following her nose that she tends to pull on the leash. I am seeing definite improvements. She responds beautifully to positive training and cookies. In spite of the cookies, Lia has managed to lose 28 pounds. She looks and feels great.

Ruby is doing great…her personality comes out more and more as time goes on. They say it takes 6 months for the dogs to adjust and I didn’t believe it, but it definitely is true. Bumper has accepted her and no longer growls when she crosses his territory. In fact, they have begun to engage in real dog play with Ruby as the instigator more often than not. We have gone through two training sessions with Joanne and will have a third next weekend.

My husband has all the current pictures and he is out of town. Next time I’ll send one.

Let me know if there is anything more you’d like to know. By the way, we’ve made it through a few more thunderstorms. We decided to approach it by making her think it is a time to play. It doesn’t really work, but we did distract her last time. She still shakes, but it didn’t seem too bad.

We just celebrated Casey’s fifth birthday, and it’s time for his 3 year
update! He’s still rambunctious and ridiculous, and I love him with
all my heart. He loves playing fetch with the red Kong ball, and
wrestling with the other dogs in the house. He still likes eating
tomatoes and apples, and carrying around any pieces of paper or
clothing he finds at nose level. He sends his love to all his buddies
at NEARR!

Boy, how time has flown by as we get to know Max and he gets to know us. He has settled in very nicely over the last six months. He enjoys long walks, drives in the car, playing fetch, eating (lots) and sleeping (lots). He really is a great dog and we feel extremely fortunate to be his parents.

While he has lived with us he celebrated his ninth birthday. He doesn”t look it nor does he act like an adult. He is full of energy. At times he has just one speed… fast. Many people have commented on his youthful appearance and demeanor. And don’t think that he doesn’t know that they’re talking about him. He loves all the attention!!

One thing we have found out is that Max is not a water dog…many visits to the beach have shown us he is a rare lab. Maybe snow will be his thing.