Jason and I had been talking about getting a dog but we weren’t real sure we wanted a young puppy, all we knew is we both wanted a dog to add to our family and we wanted a Lab.  So, we began looking in newspapers and the penny saver for older dogs that were for sale or free to good home.  After we had found a few, we never followed up with anything due to us talking again and deciding that we wouldn’t know anything about that dog and may have a hard time getting a copy of medical records and truly knowing why the owners were honestly willing to give the dog up.  We then discussed rescuing a dog, but had no idea where we wanted to look and how the process of an adoption is.  I began searching for Labrador adoption facilities online and came across the Las Vegas Lab Rescue (LVLR).  After glancing through the pups and knowing that I already had 4 other labs, but they lived with my parents due to us recently moving into a condo, I knew the only color I didn’t have was a chocolate lab.  Jason and I talked and after originally talking with Lisa about Maddy, Lisa mentioned Reese to us and that she was a younger lab but was still a chocolate female as we wanted.  I read Reese’s profile and right then new that she was the perfect pup for us and our family.  She was the chocolate I always wanted and I knew that she would be the one that would fulfill my hearts desires, even though she was profiled as being a bit timid.  So the process began….

I got the application emailed to me and filled it out as quickly as I possibly could, and got it back to Lisa.  After being approved, all that was left was the home visit.  So on Thursday, June 1^st, Andrea and her husband paid us a home visit to make sure Reese would be a good fit for us and we would be a good fit for her.  After the home visit, we anxiously awaited to hear back from Lisa to let us know if everything worked out as we figured it would.  Once Lisa gave us the go ahead, I began speaking with Reese’s foster mom Jill and between Lisa and Jill trying to make the plans to pick Reese up and get her down to her new home.  We new that first weekend after the home visit was going to be bad since neither Jason nor I would be home to spend some quality time with her, so we decided the following weekend would be best.  I then began making arrangements with Jill to set up a pick up on Friday evening, June 9^th, in Baker California.  We planned to meet around 8:30 pm in front of Coco’s, as we both figured a landmark (restaurant) would be easy enough for both of us to find and for the drop off/pick up. 

Now the waiting begun…

We went out and started to prepare all the things we wanted to greet her with: leash, harness, bed, blankets, toys, treats, food, bowls, and most importantly LOVE.  The next thing of order was just to count down the long days up until the 9^th, and those days couldn’t seem to go fast enough.

Finally it was the 9^th and work dragged on, but I made it through the day and drove the 3 hours it took me to get there to be able to pick up my little baby.  I was so nervous and yet so anxious to finally be able to hold her in my arms.  Although I must say, on the drive up there I did cry a little as I have such a soft heart and felt Reese’s pain of being moved from an owner surrender where she grew up with her sister to adjusting in a foster home and now being moved for the third and FINAL time to Jason and I.   

After seeing the car arrive I started to get little butterflies in my tummy, like I was falling in love all over again.  Then, out came Reese with Jill holding her leash.  I was greeted by a great big hug from Lisa and was so excited I could hardly wait.  I had been warned that she may bark a little as she is a bit nervous, which was completely understandable with all the disruption of her moving and Reese being unsure of her surroundings.  Of course she gave a little bark, but came right over to greet my parents and myself (who were kind enough to take the drive with me so I wasn’t driving alone).  Reese seemed to immediately settle down and quickly sat next to my dad and leaned against him like they had been best buds forever.  She gave me kisses and love, as she sat on my toes in front of me. 

We all talked for a little while allowing Reese to get comfortable and settle in, before we took the drive back home with her.  After visiting for about 30 minutes, it was time for everyone to start their journeys back home.  We opened out car door and Reese jumped right in, almost as if she knew and was ready to go with us.  When she realized that Jill and Lisa were not coming, she seem to get a little concerned but immediately adjusted and settled in for the long ride home.  She sleep most of the way cuddled into me or on my lap until we were officially home where she got to meet Jason and her new house. 

Jason and I spent the whole weekend with her trying to help her adjust and get used to everything.  She has done amazing!!  She is loving, playful, and just a blast to watch.  Although Lisa had told me she seems to be clingy and has a bit of anxiety separation, so far she seems to have done great.  We couldn’t have asked for a better pup and we couldn’t be any happier!!!

 Thanks so much Lisa, for all your hard work and for allowing us to adopt Reese she is truly a blessing to have in our lives.  Thank you to Jill for fostering Reese and getting her to begin to open up, and showing her the love she so deserves.

 THANK YOU!!!

Stephanie & Jason