Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno: Tollhouse Cookie, A True From Rags to Riches Story

Dec 16, 2023 | 2023 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Pets

by Debbie Crisp

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

Have you ever looked into the sad eyes of a forlorn dog and wished they could tell you what happened to lead to their current circumstances? As rescuers, we see this way too often. However, when we found Tollhouse Cookie, she was a very extreme case. Cookie was spotted off and on for about a year in the mountains near and below Shaver Lake. She was spotted several times running across a four-lane highway. In the heat of summer, and in the cold of winter, she tried to survive alone.

Cookie had no home. Her life consisted of looking for something to eat and hiding from people who either shooed her away or threw things at her. Finally, during the heavy storms and more than average snow, she had to make her way down. It was freezing cold, and she was skin and bones by this time. Food was scarce and she was giving up. She would hide wherever she could and come out only to find something to eat.

Tollhouse Cookie then

Finally, a kind person spotted her and left some food out for her, and she stayed in that area of Tollhouse. Lab Rescue was contacted, and a trap was set. It didn’t take long for her to be caught due to the yummy food in the trap. Cookie was finally safe on February 28, 2023.

It is a long, slow process for an emaciated dog like Cookie to get back to a healthy weight. It was also a long process before she would trust humans. Her foster worked with her daily to gain her trust. She had obviously never been in a home, nor treated with kindness or affection.

Tollhouse Cookie now

Fast forward nine months. Tollhouse Cookie is in excellent physical and emotional shape. She is healthy, spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and sassy. Little by little her confidence has grown, and she has blossomed into an affectionate dog who gets along with other dogs. She has learned that there are good people in this world who want her to have what every dog should have – a home, good food, and the love of a human who treats her with gentle kindness. Cookie will probably always be a bit shy with new people. She is looking for someone who will take the time she needs to build trust.

Cookie’s foster mom is looking for a family that will give Cookie time to blossom in a new environment and who will enjoy the rewards of seeing how much she can accomplish. Cookie is crate and house-trained. She is about 3 years old. While she gets along with other dogs, she would be fine as an only dog. She does have some prey drive to get those squirrels, so we think a home without cats is best. If you would like to know more about Cookie, please fill out an adoption application at labrescuefresno.org.

Without volunteers to foster these wonderful pets, they would literally be lost. If you are interested in joining the great group of volunteers at the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno, check out our website at labrescuefresno.org for more information. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, 100 percent foster-based and run completely by volunteers. We are in urgent need of more fosters at this critical time when shelters are overflowing, resulting in many dogs and cats being euthanized.

If you are not in a position where you can adopt or foster, but you would still like to help, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal at our website, or by mail to Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno, P.O. Box 1484, Clovis, CA 93613. As you can imagine, all the veterinary care required by many of our rescues is very expensive. Of course, the rescue also provides all food and other supplies needed by our dogs in foster care. We have an Amazon Wishlist if you would like to place an order there and it will be delivered directly to us. We greatly appreciate and need your support.

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.