Labs

Animals and pets have always been a big part of my life since I was a kid.  Growing up my parents had a few dogs, mostly poodles and several cats over the years.  When I got older and on my own I followed suit, I had many cats as well, but when it came to dogs, I was always drawn to the bigger working breeds.

I have had Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds and enjoyed them tremendously, but back in 2005 I switched breeds to the Labrador Retrievers as my new favorite type of dog.  Many reasons for this decision, but mainly because I wanted a smart, loyal, strong dog that loved the outdoors and water as much as I do.  I don't have any biological offspring so my labs are my children I guess.

Below are bios of the labs I have now, as well as those that have crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge - missed but never forgotten.

Makena was my soul-dog, plain and simple.  We did everything together and she was my loyal companion and friend until cancer took her away from me.  She came from champion blood lines and from a great breeder in Southern California - AAA Labs.

She was so loving and so smart and had close to a 300 word vocabulary of words she recognized and would respond to.  She was the consumate alpha and looked after her lab sisters and kept them in line.

She loved to swim in the pool and loved the ocean.  She would swim past the waves and body surf back in.  She was smart enough to read the surf and decide to dive under or go over the waves based on how they were breaking.  She loved wine and Amaretto.  She especially loved those two things while chilling in the hot tub.  She loved car rides, even it was just to the corner market and back.  Makena loved nature, loved going to the snow, loved all animals but loved people most of all.

She was an 85 lb. chicken at the vet and would crawl into my lap every time we went there.  She was always under my feet and at night she snored like a lumberjack.  Most importantly Makena was my best friend.  As I look back, I think Makena taught me more about life than I taught her.  I was lucky to have had her in my life.

I have a million pictures of Makena and if I had my way I would probably post them all here, but that is not practical.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and miss her. 

Leilani's nickname was the "Ambassador of Good Will".  Her self-proclaimed mission in life was to spread love and peace.  At the dog park or dog beach she made sure she introduced herself to both canine and human alike and loved to welcome newcomers.

She's was a cuddler and a 65 lb. lap dog.  Throughout most of her life she acted like a puppy and was full of energy.  Her tail was registered with the local police as a deadly weapon and had been known to clear off coffee tables with one wag.

Leilani loved the outdoors and loved to swim and do doggy belly flops into the pool over and over and over again.  She liked the ocean and loved to play in the surf.  She too came from AAA Labs and had a very prominent family history dating back several generations.

She was a jumper in her younger days and it seemed like she had springs for legs.  Leilani was built for speed and loved to egg other dogs on to chase her.  She was a clown and when you were feeling down or blue she will put a smile on your face with her antics.

The bottom line about Leilani is she just was the sweetest, kindest, loving animal I have ever known.  She was loyal and compassionate and loved life to the fullest.  She loved to please people and make them laugh and feel good about themselves. There is a famous Labrador painting called "From Rascals to Legends".  I couldn't think of a better analogy about her. 

Leilani, had long outlived her lifespan - In January of 2023 she turned 15 years young.  Unfortunately her age caught up to her and in May of 2023 she passed away from kidney failure.  She was a wonderful friend - one I will miss for the rest of my life.  I was so lucky to have her in my life for almost 16 years.

Keanna's story starts off sad, but I believe it had a happy ending.  Keanna was my rescue dog that I got from a Southern California Lab Rescue called Indi Labs.  At approximately 2 years of age she was dumped at a high kill shelter and had less than 24 hours to live before they found her.  She was badly abused - beaten, malnourished, full of mange and sick with kennel cough.

I had been on a waiting list for a female black lab and the rescue called me on my birthday in 2011 telling me they found her.  I went to meet her on my birthday and fell in love with her.  I knew she was going to need work and a lot of care but it was my mission to save her.

Little did I know that the tables would be turned in just a few short weeks and she would actually end of saving me when I went through some very tough, unexpected personal problems.

Keanna had issues from the abuse she endured her first two years of her life - to this day she passed, she still had triggers and sometimes shook uncontrollably if you raised your voice to her or anyone around her.  During her time with me she has only knew kindness and love.  She learned to swim and enjoyed the pool each summer.  She had all the toys and treats she could have ever wanted.

Something in the universe brought us together for a reason.  She needed me and I needed her in return.  I hope during her time with me I made up for how awful things had started out for her in life.  She was a kind soul and loving companion.  I will always miss her.

Bailey joined my lab pack in 2017 and getting her was a big decision for me after losing Makena.  I wasn't sure I was ready and I certainly did not want to replace Makena because that was not possible.  After deciding to open my house and my heart up to another Chocolate Lab I went back to AAA Labs and got on the list.  When I found out I was going to get pick of the litter I was introduced to this little milk chocolate bundle of love and I knew she was coming home.

Bailey has been a wonderful addition and has helped me tremendously.  We've bonded quickly and she's my little shadow.  She is sharp as a tack and fearless.  At just nine weeks old she was swimming in the pool with her new lab sisters and wreaking havoc along the way.

When I got her AKC papers in the mail, something odd struct me in her blood lines.  As it turns out she is a descendent in the same family line that Makena came from.  Getting Bailey was meant to be, and I often wonder if Makena had her paw in bringing her to me.

Bailey is kind, gentle and loving and has matured into a wonderful soulful companion.  Bailey loves car rides, toys, swimming of course, other animals and especially loves her big sister Leilani.

After the passing of Keanna is 2022, we decided to add another lab to the pack because of the vast age difference between Leilani and Bailey.  We needed a younger dog to keep pace with Bailey.  I contacted Labrador Rescuers in San Diego, CA and got on the waiting list.

Not much time passed and they let us know of a stray lab they acquired who was approximately 2 years old.  We jumped at the chance to meet her and see if she was a fit for our family.  It took about 5 minutes for us to make that decision and Luna came home with us to start a new life in her fur-ever home.

Luna adjusted well to her new life and quickly became a member of the pack.  She is a super loving, cuddly, and goofy girl.  She loves her lab sisters, loves toys, swimming and chasing ducks and rabbits around the neighborhood.

She is ball of energy and very smart and curious about her surroundings.  We look forward to many, many years filled with love, laughter and new adventures with her!