tested heartworm negative. The well-seasoned travelers arrived with great fanfare and most dogs quickly found excellent forever homes.

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1 FINDINg PerMANeNT ADOPTIve HOMeS FOr HOMeLeSS LAbS NOLA Lab News Spr ing 2013 Where do our dogs come from? In 2012 NOLA volunteers performed six Mega Transports of more than 10 dogs each and transferred 68 dogs from the Southern US to our foster homes (and eventually to forever homes) in Michigan and Canada. The trips each took approximately three days and 2,200-3,000 miles each. before travel, the dogs were all fully vaccinated, sterilized, and When I saw the smiling face of the beautiful yellow dog on a friend s Facebook status last year, I knew in a heartbeat that she was meant to be part of our family. The post was asking for help to find her a home as she was scheduled for euthanasia. I named her bella because everything about her was beautiful. It shone from the inside out. I didn t really give much thought to how old she was. At approximately 10 years I knew that she still had some good years Happy Tails tested heartworm negative. The well-seasoned travelers arrived with great fanfare and most dogs quickly found excellent forever homes. The chronic overpopulation of animals in the Southern US is primarily driven by low spay/neuter rates. Other regions have made great strides towards eliminating this sorry cycle and are thus a natural fit for (Continued on page 6) by Monica Carlton left and I felt deeply that this old gal needed someone who would not abandon her due to whatever (Continued on page 5) Why Join NOLA? Our mission is to provide: Permanent adoptive homes for unwanted, abandoned or abused labs Medical care and foster homes for rescued dogs Education to pet owners regarding spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership Public information about irresponsible breeding practices and animal abuse in an effort to end both Your Membership Supports: Vaccination, sterilization, heartworm prevention, and veterinary services for all dogs Heartworm treatment Rescue of canine seniors with high expenses Orthopedic surgery for rescued dogs in need Transportation of HW neg, fully vetted dogs from the overpopulated South to pre-approved foster and forever homes in Canada

2 NOLA News Spr ing 2013 From the President greetings to all of our members and fans, and welcome to a new year. We plan to continue to do great work this year and count on the support of each and every one of you to achieve this goal. You may have noticed that, for a limited admission rescue, we take on a lot of medically needy, expensive, and challenging to place dogs. It would most certainly be easier to accept only young and healthy dogs and quickly find forever homes for them. but unwanted and abandoned dogs are not just young and healthy - some come with a patina that makes them even more beautiful because they re survivors. This patina can be expensive, though - unexpected surgeries and other medical needs add up quickly and strain NOLA s ability to rescue additional dogs. We ve used our social media presence to reach out to you for help and are so grateful to have received such bounty each and every time. Our volunteers match our rescues - some are young and exuberant, some have the beautiful patina of experience, and some have serious medical conditions. each person brings something unique to the organization and the dogs they foster. Our success is achieved by all of us working together and is surely larger than our individual efforts could ever be. Uniformly perfect, we are not. but, together with your support, we are a positive force in the lives of animals in our communities. Thanks to all who foster, adopt, transport, network, donate, and support our efforts and help dogs in need. ~Kim This edition s featured photo comes to us from Sandy Kordic Kurtes. Sandy and her husband, Mark, applied their prodigious talents to an incredibly successful NOLA fundraiser in December. They also foster for NOLA and their charges photos are a crucial factor in attracting attention and adopters. A good picture conveys the soul of a dog. Thanks to all professionals who provide this invaluable assistance to NOLA! Page 2 Featured Photograph NOLA By The Numbers Dogs rescued in 2012: 237 Dogs adopted in 2012: 153 Current dogs in foster care: 38 total - 11 Canada, 27 in USA Littles rescued in 2012: 36 Non-labs rescued in 2012: 69 Puppies rescued in 2012: 79 Average time in foster: 42.8 days Current dogs waiting the longest: violet - rescued on 1/3/12 Andrew - rescued on 1/5/12 Jack - rescued on 2/18/12 Please help us get these three wonderful dogs into their forever homes in 2013!

3 Spr ing 2013 Pooched Eggs Looking for a Special Treat? NOLA News Grain-Free Treats For dogs with sensitive stomachs or underlying medical conditions, a grain-free diet can be an integral part of the solution. grain-free treats are extremely expensive but often necessary if you are using a reward-based training routine. Here is one option for a do it yourself solution: Buddy by BundImaging Thoroughly wash 2-3 sweet potatoes Slice into 1/4 inch thick pieces Line baking sheet with parchment paper bake at 250 degrees for approximately 3 hours, flipping half way through Store in the refridgerator for up to 2 weeks Have a recipe to share? NOLAnewsletter@gmail.com Since the heartworm epidemic is so advanced in the Southern US, it s no wonder that treating heartworm positive dogs has become one of the single largest expenses that NOLA faces. Often, the source shelters that our dogs come from do not provide testing as part of their adoption package making choosing dogs to rescue contingent on our financial situation. Other than testing, no easy markers to help select dogs that are heartworm negative exist. Owner surrender information is Chip-In often inaccurate and young dogs are just as likely to be positive as older dogs. Despite the complicated treatment and recovery protocol, we are fortunate to have many experienced and dedicated foster homes that provide the care that these dogs deserve, nursing them back to health and providing an important step on their road to loving forever homes. In 2012, NOLA had 27 heartworm positive dogs with an average treatment cost of $600. While some protocols do cost less than this, we use the protocol recommended by the American Heartworm Society. Often dogs require emergency Cooter visits, medication, xrays, and supportive care. Please donate to our heartworm chip-in. Your funds will allow us to continue to rescue dogs with this treatable, preventable condition. heartworm-treatment-fund Page 3

4 NOLA News Spr ing 2013 Best In Show The best photos of your dogs This Issue: Craziest moment with my dog! Piper, rocking her beginner s exam The Winner! PIPER Meet Piper - a lab/dachshund adopted from NOLA in December What a super girl! Piper just got the go ahead to train and play flyball with her 10 year old handler. She is so happy to be playing with the big kids. The Snowbunny Where to take your dog in... Houston, TX Millie bush Dog Park is an extraordinary off-leash environment located on the west side of Houston, Texas. It occupies 15 acres which include three lakes for dogs to swim and play. The park was born through the advice and assistance of the Houston Dog Park Association and included ideas suggested by members of some of the more established dog parks in the surrounding area. The park is suitable for both small and large dogs and even has fenced spaces to separate the two to allow for more comfortable play. The entrance to the park is double-gated to ensure safety. Millie bush provides pick-up bags, water fountains, doggie showers, shade, benches, a walking path, and lots of parking. Your dog will love you for this one! Page 4 Next issue: My Smiling Dog Send responses & photos to NOLAnewsletter@gmail.com story by Katrina Di Raddo Want to share the scoop on your favorite town? NOLAnewsletter@gmail.com

5 Spr ing 2013 (Happy Tails - continued from page 1) health problems she might face in her golden years. Since she had been left at a shelter without any information about her previous life, I was aware there was a possibility that she might have some behavioral and socialization issues, but I knew that it was not anything that lots of love and patience could not overcome. She deserved a forever home with a family that would treasure every moment with her, and we could definitely give her that. I am convinced that we adopted THe perfect dog. She slid right into our family and our hearts like she has always been here. Her whole body shows how happy she is because she never stops wiggling. She loves everyone she meets. Along with annual vaccinations and vet checks, heartworm prevention is one of the most crucial aspects of maintaining your dog s good health over a long period of time. While this parasite used to be a fairly rare, mostly regional problem, it has been confirmed to be present in all 50 US states and in Canada. The rate of transmission is proportional to the population of mosquitoes and infected canines and other carriers. As a result, the risks of infection are steadily rising. Treatment of heartworms is usually successful, although risky The benefits of adopting an older dog are great too. She is completely housetrained, very obedient, and knows many commands. She does not jump on people or even bark. She also knows a few tricks like how to give high fives and loves to carry the mail home from the mail box. She does not snap your fingers off when you give her treats, chew on everything, or dig up the garden. She still has the enthusiasm of a puppy and loves to play but does not have endless energy or need constant attention. She loves her daily walks but does not drag us down the street. She also appreciates a good, long nap. Whoever deemed her to be not adoptable or suitable for rescue at the shelter needs to Dog Health & Training Tip Sebastian NOLA News have their head examined! We do not have one single complaint about her - she is simply perfect in every way. So many people have said that she is lucky to have a family like ours, but we are the ones who are blessed to be able to share her last years with her and will make sure that these years are the best of her life. and extremely costly. Prevention of the disease is crucial to your dog s health. Fortunately, several options exist at different price points to achieve this which include: daily or monthly tablets/chewables, monthly topicals, and a six-month injectable product. All of these products are extremely effective when used properly. Consult with your veterinarian to find the best option for you and your pet. Since the risks of infection are increasing in all areas, it s best to revisit the subject each year when you go in for annual exams. Taking this important precaution can increase the longevity and health profile of your dog. It can also save your pet from preventable pain and suffering and Turq Rescued 3/16/12 as an infant and raised by Sapphire, who had lost most of her own litter Page 5

6 NOLA News group in We have worked with Friendly giants Dog rescue and Save My Tail to rescue, transport, and fundraise. Most recently, our joint volunteers were puppy fosters for FgDr who rescued a litter of 5 huge puppies from a gassing shelter and needed foster Spr ing 2013 (Dogs - continued from page 1) the thousands of animals in need of homes. However, that does not mean that there is no need for rescue and rehoming of dogs from these other regions. NOLA has a strong presence in Ontario, Canada and is very involved in the local rescue scene there, having rescued dogs from local shelters and accepted owner surrenders. Deanna bliuvas, one of our volunteers, is Transport Coordinator for Pilots N Paws Canada, a group that pools the efforts of private pilots toward rescue transports. Many of our fosters also foster dogs for other rescue organizations. NOLA rescued 15 dogs from Canadian shelters and also took 4 dogs from our friends at another rescue families. Our group has strong southern roots but is committed to partnering with like-minded groups and helping dogs from all areas. Looking for Love? Adopt! Kobe Violet Holden Emmie Lou Jack Titan Page 6

7 Spr ing 2013 Faces of Adoption NOLA News Gerry Tucker Zeus Maverick Odie Cayenne NOLA Presents: A Night for the Dogs March 15, 2013 In a world where dogs are taken from high-kill shelters suffering, fearful, and sick, a night filled with dancing and laughter seems too much to imagine and a world away. but, in this world where we strive to do all we can to help these animals find their perfect forever homes, we know that dreams for something better are what make it all happen. Inspired by that dream, the Canadian arm of NOLA Lab rescue decided to go big and host our first ever night out event in an effort to lift spirits and raise funds to help even more dogs. A $25 ticket provides a chef prepared buffet-style dinner, dancing with a DJ, door prize drawings, and late night sweets and coffee table. You can dress up, or dress casual, just be sure to wear your dancing shoes! The entertainment also includes a silent auction, raffle ticket prize drawings, 50/50 drawings, and a toonie toss for a Texas Mickey. The night will be sure to bring friends together and raise money and awareness for our rescue. Some community partners that were eager to participate include, but are not limited to: Shakespeare s Conquistador, Cadbury, Canada Pooch, Boomer, ready to party Petstages, Nylabone, Kong, The Ontario Science Center, and The royal Ontario Museum. We also have had volunteers donate an original canvas, a handmade quilt, and handmade NOLA toys and bedding. For those who would like to participate, please contact Shelia at (905) Page 7

8 NOLA News Spr ing 2013 Adopt Me!! Zuni is one of NOLA s best dogs but never gets to hog the spotlight. She is not the youngest or the oldest, the highest jumper, or the fuzziest. Do not let this lack of headlines deter you - Zuni s amazing attributes make her a sure fit for almost any type of home. Zuni is an incredibly laidback companion dog who has the flexibility to equally enjoy a day of hiking by your side or a lazy day on the couch. Zuni has been around people from a newborn to an 85 year old grandmother. She doesn t jump, she doesn t dig, she doesn t steal food from kids, and she doesn t try to trip you by weaving between your feet. She is very gentle when she accepts treats from by Toronto Pet Photography kids and will hold them in her mouth for a little before deciding it is safe to eat (perhaps a smart idea when getting treats from kids!). She has even been fine with a 2 year old playing in her food bowl. At night, Zuni sleeps in her open kennel - she has very nice manners so it s not necessary to shut the door, but she does like her dog bed. If you move her bed, she knows to move to the new spot. She does not jump on your bed or your couch. If you like a clean dog, Zuni enjoys getting a bath. If you don t mind your dog a little smelly, Zuni will take her love of water into a stinky pond if you let her! but, if you tell her not to, she won t jump in. Zuni loves to ride in the car - even if it is a trip to the vet. She is exceptionally wellbehaved there, allowing vet and techs to work without any sass. Zuni likes other dogs but has had challenging experiences with other females. She would rather be an only dog or have a male companion. Zuni is very intelligent - she knows a number of commands, learned the rules of her foster home very quickly, and learns new commands easily. Zuni is a very sweet, easy going, fit-right-in type of gal. Please consider opening your home to her - she will not disappoint you! For more information and photos on these dogs, as well as all others awaiting forever homes with NOLA, please visit our website at or Petfinder at Page 8

9 Spr ing 2013 NOLA News YES! Please sign me up as a NOLA member! Please select your membership level: $25 $50 $100 Other Name: Address, City, State, Zip: Address: Send to: NOLA Lab rescue 432 evergreen Dr Destrehan, LA Shaq s journey began with me in October Who could resist a 6 week old, beautiful chocolate lab? I had previously rescued cats prior to Shaq and made some mistakes in training (or lack thereof) that made him difficult to live with. At the 6 month mark, I found a lab chat board on the internet and In Memoriam learned about training, schedules, and socialization and made a few life-long friends who joined me in starting NOLA. Once I understood what Shaq needed he turned into the most amazing companion. He mothered kittens and he taught dogs the house rules and showed them how good life could be. In July 2006, his chronic stomach issues escalated and he spent weeks in ICU without a diagnosis or solution in sight. When a diagnosis was arrived at, it was Xanthomonas, which is rare, little understood, and Beloved departed pets always leave us with cherished memories. Share a photo and story with us at NOLAnewsletter@gmail.com Your generous donations are very much appreciated. Our registered 501(c)(3) has no paid employees and relies entirely on the support of donors and volunteers. Thank you has no cure. On 8/16/06 we lost the battle to save him and helped him over the rainbow bridge to end his suffering. I made a promise to him that I would do everything in my power to make his life mean something to others, and I do that one dog at a time through my work with NOLA. Kim Breaux Page 9

10 NOLA Lab Rescue 432 Evergreen Dr Destrehan, LA Return Service Requested Board of Directors Kim Breaux - President & Founder Kathy Brainard - Secretary Pam Hrycyk - Vice President Betsy Taylor - Treasurer nolalabrescue@gmail.com Fundraising Paw It 4Ward Transport Sponsorship Help NOLA raise money by sponsoring our volunteers as they put miles on the odometer in Mega Transports, trips to the vet, home visits, and rescue missions. Money raised will be put toward a desperately needed canine transport vehicle. Currently dogs are transported in private vehicles which are not outfitted to maximize the number of dogs that can travel - the new vehicle will have built-in kennels for safety and comfort. Pledge by the mile, a flat rate, or by the number of dogs transported - it s your choice! You can make the difference! Donations can be made online via our website at Will you help?