Puppies!

[lovelife65]

Who doesn't love puppies!
Just cleaning up around the house and computer and came across a couple cute photos.

#1 High Five

High five by sharonkay finley, on Flickr

#2 Well ya I'm cute

Yup I'm cute by sharonkay finley, on Flickr

[pschlute]

You just cannot beat puppy pics !!!

[lovelife65]

You just cannot beat puppy pics !!!

Sadly I border on wanting 20 puppies around.

[Tom Barry]

Puppies always make me smile. I miss the days when we were active enough to have Labs.

[Digital]

Cute puppies.


Bruce

[lovelife65]

Thanks for the comments, the two clowns are now 10 months old

[lovelife65]

Hi Tom, yes... this breed, in particular the field bred line, require so much attention, exercise and engagement.
When looking for homes for the litter we were sure to understand the family dynamics and energy level, as a bored and under exercised/under engaged labrador is a very unhappy dog.
Maybe an older rescue would work for you?
Of course, labs seem to be eternal puppies, so

[rpcrowe]

Great pups...

[Tom Barry]

Hi Tom, yes... this breed, in particular the field bred line, require so much attention, exercise and engagement.
When looking for homes for the litter we were sure to understand the family dynamics and energy level, as a bored and under exercised/under engaged labrador is a very unhappy dog.
Maybe an older rescue would work for you?
Of course, labs seem to be eternal puppies, so

One 19-year-old cat is all we can handle. I hate it when people with no understanding of the level of sporting dog energy buy, say, a German short haired pointer and then wonder why their backyard soon looks like a desert.

[lovelife65]

One 19-year-old cat is all we can handle. I hate it when people with no understanding of the level of sporting dog energy buy, say, a German short haired pointer and then wonder why their backyard soon looks like a desert.

Absolutely! And I respect the fact that you recognize you are not at a place in your life where you could have a dog with high energy. When interviewing for families for the pups I was amazed at some “wanting a lab puppy” after all labs are couch potatoes perfect for elderly or inactive.
My mom used to always say she wanted a lab. Oh no you don’t I would tell her
Now granted the English labs are supposed to be a tiny bit more mellow but still...

[rpcrowe]

Sharon,

We are always angry at older people (especially those in their 80's) who want puppies and only puppies. We simply will not adopt to them. Even with slightly younger folks, we demand a backup in case for some reason they are not able to provide for the dogs which they adopt.

Not only are puppies normally too much of a handful for older folks but, puppies would generally live longer than the 80-year old folks who want to adopt them. We want our rescues to live a full life (as much as possible in these troubled times) with their new families.

BTW: yes, the English Lab may be more sedate than an American Field Lab but, even with the English variety, puppies are rambunctious and it takes a great deal of patience and knowledge on the part of the new owners in the development of any dog from puppy to adulthood.

One of the several major reasons for persons giving up their dogs is that puppies are too much for older people to handle

[lovelife65]

Sharon,

We are always angry at older people (especially those in their 80's) who want puppies and only puppies. We simply will not adopt to them. Even with slightly younger folks, we demand a backup in case for some reason they are not able to provide for the dogs which they adopt.

Not only are puppies normally too much of a handful for older folks but, puppies would generally live longer than the 80-year old folks who want to adopt them. We want our rescues to live a full life (as much as possible in these troubled times) with their new families.

BTW: yes, the English Lab may be more sedate than an American Field Lab but, even with the English variety, puppies are rambunctious and it takes a great deal of patience and knowledge on the part of the new owners in the development of any dog from puppy to adulthood.

One of the several major reasons for persons giving up their dogs is that puppies are too much for older people to handle

Fun reply and so true.
The thing is I don't get "mad" at elderly wanting a puppy, who doesn't want a cute lab puppy? I think people have been misled and are not aware of what these dogs need tho? Not only crazy amounts of exercise (hikes, free run, etc.) but also engagement. Meaning, games, puzzles, scent and nose work... etc. etc. etc. I am out with ours NLT 7am for their first free run on the property (fenced for labrador proof of course). Then they know it's cow ear time and then breakfast. Rest time, and then someone goes to my hubby's "office" and they get games and puzzles and relax time while I get one or two our for a romp somewhere (more a romp now due to
fires closing a lot of stuff). They just LOVE to use their noses.

We screened so many people for the litter. I was surprised that an almost 80 year old couple wanted a field lab pup. They claimed oh we are retired and have time for the pup. Upon further questioning they did not have a fenced in yard (strike one, I'm sorry a pup like this needs a fenced in yard and really a big one). They said they walk 4 miles a day. More questioning: on the pavement around the neighborhood, or do you do hikes. No answer. On meeting them, it was clear that it was an "oh no" situation. No ageism at all, just the reality of what these dogs need, and who will meet that need.
One pup went to a home that I thought would be great. Active couple, had labs before, near retirement, outdoorsy. Only thing I regret is that despite my best efforts at advising and guiding (large breed dogs need very specific care as puppies in terms of nutrition (Calcium / phosphorus ratios, etc) and exercise (5 minute rule of "forced exercise", no hard fetch, no stairs, careful on the jumping, etc.)... the pup has been over fed (she's easily 15-20 pounds heavier than ours) and I got a pic from them taking her on a "mountain bike ride" meaning she was running beside them. "sigh" I didn't ask how far, just reminded them careful on the forced exercise until those growth plates close. Only answer was "understood". But they didn't and I hope the pup will be okay.

Thank you for what you do for your dogs sir. They are so lucky to have you as an advocate.