by Stacy Lynch

Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno shares with us every other month about their rescue dogs.

Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno (LRRF) is pleased to introduce you to two of our handsome, yellow Labradors that are available for adoption. Meet Bruno and Odie, two fine 3-year-old hunks looking for love!

Odie is our outgoing, goofy fella. He has never met a stranger and easily makes friends with all humans and dogs alike. He is super smitten with his canine foster brother, and they spend most of the day side by side, frolicking and sharing toys. He sleeps on a dog bed in his foster mom’s bedroom, quietly, until it’s time to wake up and start the day. He has been crated during the day when the adults in the home leave for short spurts, and he is quite agreeable about it. He just spends his time in the crate snoozing and dreaming about his people’s return, so the time just flies by!

Odie has a kind heart, responds well to direction, and is obedient. He knows a few commands like “sit,” “lay,” and “stay,” and is learning the word “no” when he and his foster brother become a little too feisty. Odie does beautifully on a leash, and he looks forward to his daily walks. He enjoys hiking and splashing in creeks and lakes but will not go swimming in a pool. He prefers water in a natural setting! Maybe a water-loving partner might just get him into a pool.

As you can see from his photos, Odie’s new family must be committed to helping him lose weight through a diet and exercise program. He will need to drop about 20 pounds in order for him to be at a healthy weight. He has begun his program at his foster home, and he hasn’t complained one bit. Free feeding a Lab is a big no no! If you need tips on how to help dogs drop pounds, we can help guide you through that process. It is not difficult; it just takes a little time.

A family with another playful dog would be ideal for Odie. He really loves interacting with other dogs and is quite spirited when he finds the right playmate. Odie is a joy to be around and is very devoted to his family. Such a sweet fella!

Now gentle Mr. Bruno is our soulful, quiet fella with the most gorgeous eyes. Bruno is a more reserved pup that desperately wants to be safe and loved, but he requires time and patience to trust people. However, once he does trust you, he is playful, sweet, and snuggly. He has quite a goofy side and is prone to zoomies and other silly stuff once he knows he is safe. He even likes to kidnap a shoe or slipper now and then too, hoping for a fun game of chase with his people.

He is great with other dogs, and the cat in his foster home has given him a seal of approval with proper introductions. Bruno also loves to hang out with the chickens at his foster home. He lets them hop all over him while he sleeps in their coop. What a kind and gentle boy! He has excellent house manners, and although he is crate trained, he is not a fan of the crate and has proven himself trustworthy to roam free in the house when left alone with his foster dogs. Bruno will need patience to gain confidence in his new home, but please don’t overlook this special boy. With a bit of time and love, Bruno will grow into a snuggly, fun-loving dog who absolutely adores his people. It has been such a joy to watch him blossom in his foster home, and whoever adopts him is one lucky family. Sweet Bruno is an amazingly loving dog who will make an awesome companion! To learn more about how to adopt Odie and Bruno, please go to labrescuefresno.org.

The past year has been really tough as shelters and rescues have been inundated with dogs of all ages in need of families, and adoption rates have been on the decline. Sadly, so far, 2023 is more of the same. We are overwhelmed and desperately need all the help we can get! We understand that not everyone is in a position to provide a permanent home for a dog, but there are still many ways you can help dogs in need in your community.

Not in a place to permanently adopt a Labrador, but still want to help out? Consider fostering! Fostering is the vital stepping-stone to getting a dog from homelessness to their forever family and provides an extremely rewarding experience. There is nothing like watching a scared dog learn to trust and love again and blossom into their true selves. LRRF provides all veterinary care, food, and supplies for foster dogs. However, we do ask that you live within an hour or so drive of Fresno in order to take your foster dog to our vet as needed. Please apply to foster at: labrescuefresno.org/become-a-foster/foster-application

Not ready to foster, but still want to help? Consider making a tax-deductible donation to LRRF! We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and 100% of all donations go to care for the dogs in our rescue. You can donate via PayPal, on our website, labrescuefresno.org, or via snail mail to LRRF, P.O. Box 1484, Clovis, CA 93613. Also check out our Amazon Wishlist which has a variety of supplies our Labradors always need.

If nothing else, please spay/neuter your pets, and educate and advocate for spay/neuter in your community! Please do not patronize backyard breeders, as it perpetrates the cycle of neglect and abuse we so often see in rescue. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. Adopt! Shelters are full of wonderful dogs and cats just waiting for a family of their own.

We greatly appreciate your support and could not save dogs like Odie and Bruno without your help!

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section and we would love to have you join our KRL Pets Facebook group. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to the rescue of your choice.