My name is Charlie!

Charlie : 6 Year Old Yellow Male Neutered Lab 80 Pounds

This lovely, sweet-natured boy was found wandering in an Oakland neighborhood, without a collar or tags. A wonderful couple who had just moved in, were already known as dog lovers, so their new neighbor brought the "no-name stray" to their house, where despite the upheaval of moving in and their own chronic disabilities, they took him in. The dog was hungry and dirty and had apparently been on his own for a while, although he showed signs of having once been a part of a family. He was very cooperative with his new hosts, had genteel table manners and was very understanding about not being allowed in the house due to his unkempt condition. His Good Samaritan rescuers are experienced with dogs, and recognizing the wonderful qualities in their guest, called GGLRR for help with finding him the safe haven they knew they could not provide, much as they would have liked. The timing wasn't great, the evening before Thanksgiving, but our volunteers stepped up and one went to pick up Charlie. Another volunteer met him and his first transporter, for the rest of the trip to his temporary home, with a stop for a much-needed bath along the way. Upon arrival at his Foster's home, Charlie enjoyed a walk, followed by a dip in the pool, some greet-and sniff with his Foster's two Labs, and a hearty meal, before falling into a contented sleep in a warm dog bed. Charlie's Foster brought him to the vet for a check-up and to have him scanned for a chip, per our policy with stray dogs, to try to locate the owner. A chip was found and the owner was contacted through Home Again. We learned his name and a little of his history. Charlie was adopted from the Oakland SPCA a year ago and lived with his current owner, his two teen-aged kids and a Terrier mix. Both dogs lived in the large back yard. Although the family loved Charlie, they were all busy and gone much of the time at work or school. A gap in their fence allowed Charlie to leave the yard, probably to search out some friendly human company, as many Labs will do in those circumstances. When we told Charlie's owner about how happy he was to be in a warm home with plenty of company, walks and play, he selflessly acknowledged that it would be the best thing for Charlie's future happiness to surrender him to GGLRR. Charlie is a very loving and cooperative boy, who has a perfect Lab temperament. He's never met a creature, large or small, he didn't like. Charlie is always up for a ride in the car, a hike or a swim, and cuddling with his people is his specialty. Charlie should be part of a family who are around most of the time and will include him in their daily activities. He would be fine with another dog, but he is primarily a "people dog". Although we have not seen him with cats, he is such a sweet boy, we presume he would be fine with a dog-savvy cat. Charlie is healthy, has beautiful, pearly-white teeth, heartworm negative, full blood panel, fecal and his vaccinations are up-to-date. He is microchipped and ready to return all the love and companionship you have to give.

Foster update:
If you want the most well behaved Lab you need to come take a look at Charlie. He knows many commands sit, down, come - which is amazing as he does not know us well and we just learned his name. He will pull on the leash, so a correction collar is recommended but he will listen to what you ask of him. We do not give him much freedom in our home and he has been fine - just having one accident when he first came into our home. He loves all people and will give anyone a kiss or two. He takes treats gently from your hand, was a star at the Vet's office and loves to go to work with the foster mom. He sleeps next to my desk - calmly. He has been fine when he was walked through the busy city; nose down sniffing all the new smells. (The one thing he was not happy about was the vacuum.) I have two older Labs and one of them will growl at Charlie now and then but Charlie will just walk away. On his walks he has been able to play with a few dogs off leash and all he wants to do is find new friends. He does not swim much and he is really not into balls or toys but maybe he is not sure what they are. He will sleep next to the my bed at night ; not making a sound until he is asked to go out. He eats his meals fine and is in great shape. He has been scratching so we will get him a different dog food in case he has some food allergies. He has clean ears and has not been neglected but he is now an inside dog and part of the pack; which makes him very happy. I have been with Lab Rescue for 16 years and I have fostered many dogs. Some dogs stand out as special ones and Charlie is one of these dogs. I tell Charlie it was a good thing we got out of the yard as he will now have a better life and especially since the next few days it will be really cold. (Charlie will be snuggling next to the fire with his foster dad.) Charlie can be adopted into a home with other dogs and kids.

If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful boy, please call Rescue Rep. Liz at (415) 613-6374.

(Please keep in mind we are all volunteers, most of us work full time and we all have personal lives. I do call everyone back within 2-3 days so please be patient and I will be back in touch with you. When the dogs are in foster homes then it may take longer as we need to touch base with the fosters for updates on the dogs. We work very hard to make the right matches for the dogs and for the new owners. We get 3-5 dogs per week and we do not have a facility that we keep the dogs housed in. They are scattered all over the Bay Area.)