February of 1998 brought Hazel as the first foster. She came straight from the Long Beach Shelter, and she only stayed overnight before going to her permanent foster home. Hazel now lives in the San Gabriel Valley.

Beauty was next. She was here from 12/98 to 01/02/99. Beauty was renamed Bailey, and she lives in Cypress, CA. She lives across the street from my work, and I often see her on walks.

Next came Elvis. He was here for about a month.

Tiny the yellow male was next. I originally spotted him at SEAACA, a local municipal shelter. He was listed as a mix because of his size. He is small, weighing under 55 lbs. Tiny was here for a couple of months. He now lives in San Diego.

Olin stopped by in April of 1999. "Oly" stayed until July 11, 1999. He moved to Ventura County. Unfortunately Olin passed away in December of 1999.

We dog-sat Scarlett for another foster family in July of 1999. This was only for a weekend. She now calls Dove Canyon her home.

Princess came from the Corona Shelter on July 13, 1999. She was a frequent visitor to the shelter, and the owner didn't show up on her last visit. I suppose she was an unwanted nuisance. She proved to be the exact opposite. Perfect Lab temperament, good with dogs, cats, and kids of all ages! While on one of her "outings", she injured one of her front legs. This injury went untreated. I applied to LABMED for assistance with her surgery while she was fostered here in Lakewood. She was transferred to another foster home on September 13, 1999, so she could receive physical therapy after her surgery. LABMED funded her surgery, but the procedure was not as successful as hoped for. Her leg does not cause her any pain, nor does it restrict her normal activities. Our special Lab now lives in Laguna Niguel and goes swimming every day!

Woody was owner relinquished with two other Labs, Bear and Norman. Woody looks and acts like your typical Lab. He got along well with our Labs, including Princess. He was only here a couple of nights before going to another foster home. He now has two kids to call his own, and he lives near Valencia.

Mystery came from San Diego on August 25, 1999. Originally she was found at an Oceanside shelter. Her first adoptive home didn't work because she chased their cat. She never chased the cats here, but they are very dog-wise (and they will use their claws when necessary). She went to her new home in Aliso Viejo on September 25, 1999.

Honey2 began her stay minutes after Mystery left on September 25, 1999. Honey was a very stubborn dog. She loved attention, and she would make an odd purring sound when she was happy. She went to her new home in Garden Grove on November 13, 1999.

Duke4 came home to Lakewood an hour after Honey was adopted out. Duke needed a new home because his owners were spliting up. They thought the humane option was euthanasia. The vet refused, and Duke was surrendered to SCLRR. After being a loyal companion for 11 and a half years, Duke was looking for a new home. A special couple adopted Duke on January 21, 2000. He now lives in San Diego.

Aphrodite stopped by on January 10, 2000. She was here temporarily, and she left to her new foster home on January 16, 2000. This happy girl now resides in Sierra Madre.

Hank joined us on February 6, 2000. Hank came from an animal shelter in San Diego County. This not-so-old guy found a home in Seal Beach in April of 2000.

Maryanne, or Pudge as we called her, stopped by on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2000. She was not pudgy but FAT - 20 lbs. overweight. She was here temporarily, and she went to her new foster home on February 20, 2000. A trim and fit Maryanne now lives in Placentia.

Next is Dakhota. His stay began on Cinco de Mayo or May 5, 2000. Dakhota's nickname was Dumbo. He had really big floppy ears. He was adopted on June 25, 2000. He now lives in Bellflower.

Patsy arrived on July 1, 2000. She and a littermate were abandoned at a grooming shop in Morro Bay, California. It is a mystery why this 3 year old chocolate Lab was never picked up. The groomer signed her over the SCLRR, and Patsy was fostered for two weeks in Santa Maria before coming down south to Lakewood. She has a nice blocky head, great temperment, and is very loving! Patsy left for her new home in Newbury Park on July 12.

I picked up Doshi on July 28, 2000. He isn't a rescue. He is a puppy from Guide Dogs of America, and I'm a puppy raiser. Doshi will be here for the next 16 months or so. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, he will hopefully become a working guide dog just after Christmas '01. Visit Doshi's page for more information.

Mason stopped by in June 2001. He was picked up from an animal shelter in San Diego County. Euthanasia was his future due to his advanced age (13 years) and an ulcerated tumor on his rump. A truly good person in San Diego took Mason and fostered him for three months. During this time he had his tumor removed, but he had a few more health concerns pop up. He had a minor incontinence problem, arthritis, and terrible teeth. Mason was the featured Pet of the Week in the OC Register, and a few families called inquiring about our Mason. One family stood out, and they really wanted to meet him. It was love at first sight! This young couple took Mason home in August 2001. They understood he may not live much longer. They've vowed to make him as comforatble as possible while he is with them. With all that is going on in the world right now, I'm glad there are people like this! Mason's new home is in Newport Beach.

UPDATE 3/02: Mason has lost most of his sight and hearing. He is still active, and loves his walks down to the beach!

The first foster to stop by my new home was Shadow in October 2001. Shadow was adopted out to a family earlier in the year, but the owner developed health problems and was forced to sell the family home. In addition, all of the pets needed to be rehomed. SCLRR's policy is to take back any Lab adopted out, so Shadow returned to SCLRR's custody. She is a happy Lab and moves around just fine for a 10+ year old lady. Shadow is a sweet dog, so I've decided to adopt her. She now calls Lakewood her home.

UPDATE 3/02: Shadow passed away in her sleep. She was a good girl.

Moose is another casualty of divorce. At 11 years and with several health concerns, Moose is not highly adoptable. So as of April 2002, Moose calls Lakewood his home! I hope his stay will be a long one.