Celebrating "gotcha" days

It's been six months since Abby's 1 year "gotcha day" celebration to mark when we adopted her.   It is a decision I am  glad we made.  She is SO different from Barkley, yet she has her own unique personality, one that's become a treasured part of each day. She's was estimated to be about a five or six year old mixed breed, lab and possibly flat coated retriever it appears from her slightly longer, super soft fur with a red undertone, muzzle shape and tail. Such dogs are often overlooked as people look at younger and purebred dogs to adopt.

She'd been in foster care only a week when we met, a very loving lady and her husband, but the scars from time in a shelter showed in her eyes.  She was lucky - black dogs are the last adopted and the first euthanized in shelters.  She was rescued just hours from death by the wonderful people at Love of Labs Indiana.  They get her started on the heartworm treatment that was necessary to keep her alive, then worked to find her a loving home when she was well enough from that treatment to be adopted.

This photo was taken the day I adopted her.  She had been given a lot of love in the week her wonderful foster Mon had her, fed well and groomed carefully and had completed her heartworm treatment but  she was still thin, scared at being someplace "strange" again after a week in a comfy foster home and was  not even excited to get a treats.

Here she is now.

I miss Barkley each and every day, and know you can't replace any dog that's such a big part of your life. But my husband and I are so happy to have the love of this sweet girl our lives and smile every time we see her.  Bless you Love of Labs Indiana for this beautiful girl you saved, and all you do to help the labs.

If you are considering a dog or cat for your home, please consider adoption - there are so many wonderful souls out there just waiting to be rescued.