I know that you do a fantastic job at labrador rescue rehoming so many dogs and our little boy Sam was one of them. (His picture is under Now Rehomed 9 March 2007 @ 11:56am)
( Sam when he came to rescue)
Sam is 7 today and has celebrated with a cooked mackerel which he very much loves. His 'brother' Bailey has also had one (never let it be said that a labrador missed out on anything!)
We wanted to send you some photos to see the gorgeous boy that he has become.
Sam's story was such a sad one. He had had a very unfortunate life for his first three years coming to you very under weight, fearful and neglected. He was then rehomed and returned three times and it seemed that no-one wanted him because he was so afraid that sometimes he growled and hid and he needed a lot of TLC and understanding. We saw his picture on your site and melted. We knew that he was going to be 'our' dog and that we were going to be 'his' family. After numerous telephone calls we arranged to come to you from our home six hours away to pick him up. When we saw him our hearts melted and our love for him was instantaneous. He came back to Hampshire with us that day and has been 'our boy' since.
Life had its ups and downs. Sam needed to learn to trust again and to understand that all humans were not going to desert him and treat him badly. My husband and I, our two grown sons and our other rescue Bailey loved him, cared for him and showed him that life could be good.
Four years on and Sam has learnt to swim (in the local ponds with his four legged brother), loves his walks, adores people and most of all loves his red ball which he carries with him on his walks. He has the sweetest nature, is incredibly loving and no trouble at all.
Life has not been easy for him however. He has elbow dysplasia and arthritis in his two front legs and shortly will be going for elbow replacement surgery. Nevertheless he is still incredibly active and for those that do not know it would be impossible to tell that there is anything 'wrong' with him.
When we first got him he was a little over 23 kilos and his ribs stuck out like piano keys. Today he was weighed at a very respectable 31 kilos, his coat is shiny and his smile is as wide as the grand canyon.
Sam was considered a 'true' rescue. One that would need time, care and enormous patience to bring him back 'from the brink'. For anyone that is considering a rescue I cannot recommend them enough. Once you have put in the hard work and time, shown them that you love them and will be there for them there is no greater love you will ever experience with another sentient being than the love of a rescue.
He is "our Sam" and we would not swap him for anything.
Sam sends his love to everyone at the rescue centre and to Sam and Kathryn also who were there when he was.
Matt and Joulia Prothero-Thomas
Sam now happy in his lovely life a big thank you to his family for helping him to trust again .
, he looks like a different dog in your photos, the happiness shines out of him. It just goes to show how these abused and rejected dogs can and do blossom with people like Matt and Joulia (and their family) who give them the time to regain their trust in people. It's also clear to see that this is not a one sided exchange, Matt and Joulia have gained a loyal and fun loving family member.
