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MEMORIAM
These dogs have found their way to the Rainbow Bridge...
Bailey - November 3, 2011
We had to say goodbye yesterday to our beloved yellow lab, Bailey. It doesn't seem like it's been over 14 years since we adopted her from DFW Lab Rescue. "You've got to come in and see this one - she's really cute! She's the color of toast." That was how Cathy Brown, the adoption coordinator, described the little female Labrador that had been spayed that July morning in 1997. Bentley and I drove out to the veterinary clinic where Lab Rescue housed some of their dogs, and soon a scrawny little girl with long legs and giant paws came out for her introductions. She draped her front paws over Bentley's knee, and looked up at me with her liquid gold eyes, and we were hooked! At six months old, she understood the basic commands and only had one accident in the house, but she did need some training for walking on a leash. She decided she loved going for walks, and with her boundless Labrador energy would be happy to drag us all over the neighborhood so she could get her fill of the smells and squirrel sightings. She was three years old when we moved into a house with a pool, and she was wary of it for about a year, but when she was finally coaxed into stepping down into the pool, she discovered the true joy of being a water dog. She would swim for hours, retrieving her toy boats and fishes, hop out to sun herself on a lounge chair, then get back in the pool for more fun. I will never forget one day when we were having a repair done in the house: I came through the kitchen to see the repairman staring out the kitchen windows toward the pool. Bailey had decided to entertain herself by taking a nice cool dip. With his hands on his hips, the repairman drawled, "That dawg shore is enjoyin' that pool!" Yes, she was.
Anything made from paper was considered a toy for Bailey. For years, toilet paper and paper towel spools were for Bailey to chew on and shred, along with Christmas wrap and newspaper ads. Christmas was always great fun for her, whether she was plopping herself down in the middle of the wrapping paper that I was using, or shoving her head into gift bags, there was always something to do! She would stare you down until you finished a bottle of water, waiting for the moment when she could crunch into the plastic. She did her share of recycling!
Bailey was plagued with arthritis in her hips for a number of years, but it really only started to slow her down during her last year. While there wouldn't be any more walks or days of swimming, she was always happy to greet visitors with a wagging tail or a nose nudge. She never ventured too far away from her food dish, and she kept us on a rigid schedule of delivering her regular meals and numerous treats throughout the day. Completely loyal and happiest when she was laying at your feet with your foot or hand rubbing her back, she brought warmth and love into our hearts and completed our family. Her goal in life was to love us and make us happy, and we totally adored her. Our home won't be the same without her.
BAILEY - Jan 15, 1997 - Nov 3, 2011
Only a dog, but such love she gave cannot have perished in the grave. So constant and faithful and true a heart must, in eternity, have some part. And sometimes I fancy when I've crossed life's sea I'll find her waiting to welcome me. ~ Anon.
Miss D - October 2011
Miss D was diagnosed with a malignant pancreatic tumor. She is sorely missed by her family and was an amazing, loving baby.
Ike - October 12, 2011
I wanted to let you know that Ike was a great dog and my best friend. He was well behaved and had the best temperament; and pretty good looking to boot. He has had many a compliment thrown his way. He greeted me at the door every time I walked in and that would always make my day. He always had that smile on his face. He was everything you could want in a dog and more. Even though I had him for 3 short years, they were 3 great years. I do not know if you are still with the lab rescue, but, you and that team are doing a wonderful job.
Packard - June 2011
Packard was found wondering down a busy Dallas road in the rain and cool temperatures we had early May. A good Samaritan and fellow dog lover pulled over and got him to safety. With no place to keep him she took him to the Dallas Shelter and contacted us. We got him into our program and I fostered him. He was treated like the King of the house. He got so much love and affection from the entire family including the family dogs. Everyone who met Packard instantly fell for him but due to a prior head trauma he was a bit lopsided and unique. His appearance didn't change how beautiful he was, both inside and out. I am so thankful I could give him love, affection and good care for the last month of his precious life. His favorite things were to of course chase the ball and throw it back to you. He loved scout, the 12 week old puppy that often visits for dog sitting. He let her pull on his tail, bite his collar While pulling on it and shaking her head. Scout would jump on him and over him while he was chewing on a bone. He just let her play like a wonderful old grandpa would do. Packard loved to sleep on the cold tile floor. He was rescued and loved for a short time and very much missed! I believe he is with Darwin and Humphrey chasing those tennis balls, swimming in lakes and rolling around in the green grass! Godspeed Packard! We love you and miss you!
Darwin - March 16, 2011
Darwin aka "DarDar" came into our program from the shelter where his owners had left him there to dispose of him. He was in the adoptions but time had run out and he was on his last day. DFW Lab Rescue got him out of there and was off to the vet. He was heartworm positive, slightly malnurished, had a raspy voice and a tumor on his side that was removed. He went on to foster care only to find out his tumor was a stage III Mast Cell Cancer. This is not good news. So as he was deemed unadoptable so his foster asked to adopt him. He quickly had a family to call his own. He was treated for Heartworms and the cancer didnt come back until over a year later. He lived a year of a wonderful very loved life. He was the King and had a few princesses around him. He had an infectious personality that drew people to love on him no matter where we went. He was the Sporting Chance Golf Tourney Ambassadog as well as the program cover model. Darwin was featured in the Fort Worth Magazine 360 West last August "Hearts to the Rescue". Darwin's breathing continued to become a challenge as time went on. After diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis and a surgical procedure to help; only did so for a short time. Sadly DarDar left to cross the bridge on March 16th. Our house is not the same without my huge love bug of a Yellow old man Lab. Darwin you are very sadly missed but we do celebrate the year we were blessed to have you in our lives. The Hamilton family
Annie-Belle - February 28, 2011
We adopted Annie-Belle (formerly known as Annie) as a pup from your wonderful organization in January, 2000. We moved to CT in 2002 where she had a blast romping in the snow and for the last 6 years, had another rescue Lab to play with. It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Annie-Belle was put down on 2/28/11. She suffered from degenerative myelopathy, a non-reversible neurological condition that made her hips/back legs very weak. Her quality of life was compromised and the decline started to accelerate the past few weeks. We were with her until the very end; the least we could do for our constant companion and family member of over 11 years. We will miss Annie-Belle's presence and there is a noticeable void in our home.
Humphrey
7 years old
January 4, 2011 - Cancer
Humphrey lived an entire life of horrible neglect. He ended up in a shelter with an uncertain future. A local vet got him out of the shelter and gave him the medical care he so deserved. He had several surgeries and was desperately in need of just good ol fashioned TLC. He was transfered to DFW Lab Rescue and and went to foster care where he recieved all of the Love and kindness he so deserved. While we initially wondered how long we could help Humphrey with all his medical needs, our time with him turned out to be a true gift. If he could go through all he went through and still have such an unconditional heart of gold until the end, it makes us put our petty problems in perspective. He did have to stay at the vet for a week in the beginning of December and was diagnosed with his bladder cancer then. But after that he came home with us for the remainder of his days and he really did well getting up to 6 block walks twice a day, a little running in the backyard with our other lab, put on some weight and became almost a normal happy dog. He did remain incontinent the whole time so we kept a diaper on him except for walks and really had a great time with him for another month. In the end, he began to have more difficulty urinating due to his growing bladder tumor. He was catheterized once to relieve his bladder right after New Years Day and then we took him home for one last day and give his bladder one last chance to work normally. I took that last day off work and took him and our other dog down to White Rock Lake just to walk and sniff around and lay in the sun. After that, my wife and I gave him a "hot dog and cheese party" where he got lots of good people food as a final celebration. He was unable to urinate that last day so we did take him to his vet to be put down before he started experiencing any discomfort from his steadily distending bladder. We tried to keep that entire last day as a celebration for him, although the last couple hours that day with him were difficult for my wife and I. He did depart us in comfort and peace on January 4th with my wife and I petting him and holding him all during his final moments of life. In reflection, he was really happy those last two months, always wagging his broken up tail and enjoying lots of attention, walks, petting, and love. He was able to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years with all our family and friends who helped us surround him with plenty of love and companionship. I am amazed how quickly he became a close member of all our family and am thankful we were able to spend those last days celebrating life with him. He really was a special being. I thank DFWLRRC for helping give him a chance at an enjoyable and happy end of his life and show him that humans can be caring and compassionate and life can be fun. I know for a fact he left this earth loving life and everyone he encountered. Rest well Humphrey! We love and miss you!! The Hull Family
Riego
12 years old
December 31, 2010 - Heart Failure
Java - September 17, 2010
Dear friends,
More than eight years ago, I adopted Java through your great agency. He died suddenly Friday morning, probably the result of remnant cancerous cells left behind from a January surgery that removed a tumor that turned out to be small cell carcinoma. I wanted to thank you again for providing me one of the greatest gifts I've ever received and to tell you of his passing. I'm not sure how soon/long I'll wait before ushering in another great gift, but don't be surprised if I come knocking sooner rather than later.
One of the greatest friends in my life passed away this morning. no need for a long obituary here, but Java was everything I strive to be. Honest. Loyal. Loving. Honored the moment as if there was no other. Sturdy. Athletic. Great swimmer. Happy. Gobbled up all that life offered him right up until the end. He taught me much without ever uttering a word. I'll miss you, J man.
Lyle (Formerly Bradley)
My dog, Lyle (Formerly Bradley) entered heaven today. He was 14 years old and was a true blessing to me and my family. We adopted him from DFW Lab Rescue in 2000. I can remember picking him up like it was yesterday. He became well trained, picked up the paper every day, knew how to get food out of the fridge, some times for himself. He will be incredibly missed.
Matty Edsell, December 2009
Our best friend, our dog, our baby girl.
She gave us laughter, joy, and kisses.
She gave us love we never knew.
She made us stronger, she made us closer.
She was our little girl.
She lived life to the fullest, she never sat still.
She will be remembered every time a tennis ball is thrown.
She brought us snow on Christmas Eve.
She never had a bad day.
May our beloved Matty watch us every day out a big window in her suede chair from the end of the rainbow.
Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, and words of wisdom. 
Baxter (formerly named Spike)
September 5, 2008
Rosie
February 2, 2009
Daisy Wilson
December 4th, 2007
Gracie (formerly Izzie)
February 22nd, 2008
Redd
May 14th, 2008