December 2008 Archives

We adopted Duke (formerly Deacon) from you in November. He has been a wonderful addition to our family! He goes everywhere with us and just blended into our family with no problem. We have two very small kids and he is wonderful with them too. We feel very fortunate to have found him through your rescue. Thank you for saving him! - The Akers Family

Update: Ginger has been adopted.

Ginger is probably around 5 years old. She is very calm and appears housebroken. Ginger likes to play with dogs but gentle with kids and would make a wonderful family dog.

For a prettier version of this, click here.

We hope you had a great year and that 2009 brings with it much cheer

Now we want to share something remarkable.

As of this moment, Wild Heir Labrador Rescue (which started just a few years ago, as many of you know) has currently saved and placed close to 400 Labrador Retrievers in need. In 2008 alone, we (all volunteers) have taken in from kill shelters and owner surrenders almost 250 Labs - of which 200+ have already found loving, responsible forever homes! This would not be possible without the continuing financial support of caring dog people and Lab lovers around the state and beyond.

Here's a story about one of our amazing adoptable (now ADOPTED!) Labs.

Bogey was a beautiful, 4 year old, well mannered, house trained chocolate girl whose owner decided he just could not take care of her any longer. Bogey was born blind from a congenital defect, possibly PRA, and had been cared for her whole life by her owner. Up until now.

Bogey was dropped off at a local high kill animal shelter where she became frightened and depressed in this unknown, noisy and stressful environment. She was immediately deemed "unadoptable" due to her handicap, and slated for euthanasia.

This super sweet chocolate girl, was saved only due to the inexhaustible efforts of Wild Heir Lab Rescue volunteers. Due to her handicap, she was never even allowed on the shelter adoption floor and given the chance of being seen or adopted. However, our network of dedicated rescue volunteers ensured that she was spoken for and saved before her scheduled euthanasia day.

Bogey created joy and smiles wherever she went with her ever present smile, her zest for life and her infallible trust in people. She now resides in a spacious condo on the marsh with a loving owner, her very own kitty, long daily walks and a convertible T-bird (complete with doggy "driving" goggles!)

Won't you help Wild Heir Labrador Rescue continue to save Labrador Retrievers in need?

A $25 donation pays for vaccinations and a heartworm test for our adoptable Labbies. Many of the Labs we save have not had regular veterinary care or been kept on monthly heartworm prevention. Approximately 35% of our Labs test positive for heartworm, an easily preventable, life threatening parasite. These dogs require heartworm treatment, a costly procedure that strains our limited rescue budget.

A $50 donation covers microchipping, deworming, vaccination, rabies shot and a heartworm test. We believe in permanent identification and microchipping saves lives by reuniting owners with their pets when ID tags or collars are lost. Each lab that enters our program gets all of the above basic vetting to ensure as healthy a dog as possible.

A $90 donation pays for a spay or neuter, to ensure that our adoptable dogs are not continuing the epidemic of unwanted Labs. Every Lab that leaves our program is sterilized. We do not condone irresponsible breeding or backyard breeding. An altered pet makes a better family companion, is easier to train, andis less likely to have behavioral issues and certain types of health problems.

Please help us in our continuing crusade to save these most wonderful of wonderfuls - the Labrador Retriever.

Thank you and best wishes,

Wild Heir Labrador Rescue Board of Directors -
Suzanne, Steve, Mary, Linda, Michelle & Melissa

Please consider a tax deductible donation today! Wild Heir Labrador Rescue is a state and federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit charity.

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full -- we are lost, but not found,
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care,
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie -- come fetch your new ball!

But now we sit here and think of the days...
we were treated so fondly -- we had cute, baby ways,
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew
now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?

We "jump on the children," "don't come when they call,"
we bark when they leave us, climb over the wall.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse -- let to roam --
now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye...
"Maybe someone else will give you a try."
So now here we are, all confused and alone...
in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads...
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears --
our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the inn --
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year --
can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
and help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.

-- Author Unknown

Update: Maddy has been adopted.

Maddy is a sweet dark yellow girl who is currently undergoing heartworm treatment. She is on bedrest for the next 8 weeks, during which she will be perfecting her house skills and basic obedience in her foster home. She is approximately 4 years old and is a wonderful, loving girl who gets along great with other dogs and cats. She was brought into rescue after wandering up to a construction company office on a busy highway.

Maddy's foster mom writes:

I wanted to tell everyone that she is a super dog. We have a nine month old baby, two dogs, a cat and two horses. Maddy is perfect around all of them. We think she is between two and four years old. She is crate trained and loves to go on walks. I will update more later, but wanted to get the word out that she is soo cute.

Thanks to everybody who came out to support WHLR and visit our dogs at the Mt. Pleasant Holiday market on Saturday! It turned out to be a fantastic day for everybody.

We had dogs and people both posing for pictures with Santa

Four dogs were adopted, including this little puppy, Ben.

But there are still more that need good homes

You can see the rest of the pictures from the day in our photo gallery.

The 2009 Trot for the Cure benefit is scheduled for January 11, 2009 at Magnolia Plantation. Pre-registration is $25 and includes a shirt if you register before December 22. Registration the day of the event is $30.

The Trot for the Cure is an annual fundraiser for canine cancer research held at beautiful and historic Magnolia Gardens near Charleston, S.C. The event includes a walk with your dog(s) through the gardens, entertainment by the Dixie Dancing Dogs who perform canine freestyle and tricks, a talk on canine cancer issues by veterinary oncologist Nicole Northrup, a question/answer session with a panel of veterinary specialists - oncologists, neurologist, opthalmologist, internist, general practitioner and nutritionist, a delicious barbeque by Southern Que-N-Stew, and an exciting raffle.

Unlike people, animals have no fundraising drives, no cancer survivor spokespersons, and no special events to bring their plight to the spotlight. Until now! The first four Trots have raised over $43,000 for canine cancer research. Scientists need continual funding for their valuable work in finding better treatments and cures for cancers in dogs. Enjoying an afternoon at the Trot with your dog and dog friends is a fun way to help them further this important work. All proceeds go to the University of Georgia's Arch Foundation for GA CaRES Fund at the University of Georgia Veterinary Hospital where many Lowcountry pets are referred for treatments.

To register, download the registration form and send it in.

Update: Cookie has been adopted.

Cookie is a 4-5 month old little Labby girl who came from a rural SC shelter with her sister, Breann. She is working on her crate training and house training skills. She is a sweet puppy who will make a great addition to any active, experienced, Lab loving family.

Update: Charlie has been adopted.

Charlie is a recent rescue from a local high kill shelter. He is currently in boarding at Camp Bow Wow with his cabin mate. They are having a ball at camp, but really need their own forever homes to play with them and take them places. Charlie is a big goofy, sweet boy who gets along with other dogs, likes to play with his ball and fetch toys, and loves people.

If you're wondering, that's not a muzzle Charlie's wearing. He's just learning how to be a good leash walker with the help of a Halti type collar.

Update: Cheyenne has been adopted.

Cheyenne is a 5 yr. old bundle of love! She's house-trained, good with kids and a great swimmer. She loves going to the dog park and hangin' out with all the other dogs. She knows how to give hugs and sit and speak on command. Her favorite game is playing "fetch"! She's one very happy dog!

Earl and Eloise were adopted from WHLR as puppies, and are now happy and healthy one year olds.

Sunday December 14, WHLR will be participating in the Mt. Pleasant holiday parade.

The parade starts at 5:45PM and runs along Coleman Blvd from Pelzer Drive to the Sea Island Shopping Center. Come on out and watch the parade and wave at us and our dogs!

Barkley would like to wish everybody a happy and safe holiday!

Callie is a beautiful, sweet, loving 2 year old! She loves to go for walks, gets along with everyone including small children, enjoys playing with her toys and chewies. She rides in the car and likes to go to the beach. She has completed her obedience training with Jennifer Parks (owner of Fetch and certified dog trainer) - and has learned to play with dogs of all ages and sizes. If you have the time and love to give, Callie will return your love ten fold!

If you are interested in meeting or adopting Callie, or any of our other dogs, please fill out an adoption application.