SUMMERTIME FUN with your Lab!

There are a myriad of activities to enjoy with your Lab in the summer. Even watching a good movie can be fun when there's a warm snuggler at your feet! Use your imagination - and common sense - to include your Lab in as many family activities as you can. The ones below may require a bit of extra preparation or thought, but can bring hours of summer fun for you and your Lab.

Running/Jogging

If you are going to run or jog with your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind. It is a GREAT way of ensuring that your dog is getting enough regular exercise. But Rover may not be in the best shape after a winter of lounging around the house. To start with, try jogging around the block, and then walking, gradually working up to jogging or running the distances you would normally run. Keep in mind that Rover needs to be on a leash at all times; it's a safety issue for you and your Lab.

Before you start your morning or evening routine (avoiding the hottest midday hours), allow enough time for a potty break so your pooch isn't running "full." If he or she is in the habit of eliminating in a specific area of your yard before exercising, that will alleviate the need to scoop mid-run and then carry the baggy to the nearest garbage can.

One other important factor to running with your dog is his or her age. Labs under a year to a year and a half shouldn't go running great distances with you. Until they are physically mature, it puts great strain on their muscles, bones and joints, which can potentially have lasting detrimental effects. Instead, use the time while puppies are growing to train good street manners like heeling and "leave it." Exercise Rover in the park or backyard, and take lots of walks around the neighborhood. This will help in the long run, too, because you'll already have created a routine and some familiarity which should help ease the transition to running with you. Be sure to check with your vet before starting any new exercise routine, too.

Hiking

Labs are excellent companions for all sort of outings, but there are a few
precautions and preparations necessary to make them go smoothly. First, if you are contemplating taking a hike with Rover, think about how physically fit he or she really is. Honestly, does he spend most of the time on the couch? If you want eventually to be able to hike for several days with the dog, consider working up to it gradually with a few shorter day trips. Not only will it help the dog's (and your) endurance, but it will help identify kinks to work on before heading out for a long trip.

Camping

Going on a camping trip? Take your Lab, IF the camp site allows dogs. Not all sites will. And if you're heading out into the back country, follow all laws regarding dogs. Dogs are not allowed more than 100 feet off the road in all National Parks; they cannot be off-leash at all, and they cannot stay over night. Some National Parks have kennel arrangements, but reservations are required and very difficult to procure in the summer. Still, with a little planning, camping with dogs is a blast. Just be sure ahead of time that your tent is big enough to accommodate the extra body!

Boating

Boating with your Lab can be a lot of fun, but remember that Labs are water dogs! A flotation vest for the dog to wear at all times is a MUST in "dog overboard." Whatever activity you choose for summer fun with your Lab, there are some absolute basics as far as equipment goes.

- Fresh water and a bowl. Remember that Rover needs a supply of drinking water to stay healthy and keep his temperature regulated, just as humans do. There are dog backpacks sold in pet stores and mail-order catalogs so the dog can carry his own supplies.

- Food, enough for all meals during the time you will be gone, plus enough for an extra meal if you decide to stay a little longer. Especially if you are hiking or camping, keep in mind that your Lab will be working, too, and therefore needs a slightly higher than usual caloric intake.

- Bags for picking up waste. This is a MUST! It is not optional. If dog owners are not responsible about cleaning up after their dogs, there will be fewer areas open to dogs in the future. Pack it in, pack it out!

- A leash. Also a MUST. Be fair to other hikers and campers, who might not share your enthusiasm for dogs...or your dog's enthusiasm! Consider investing in a harness for hiking or running rather than using a buckle collar, since constant pulling around the neck can cause injury. If you do use a harness, leave you dog's buckle collar on for identification in the unlikely event that the dog gets lost. Proper collar identification is a necessity; a microchip gives added protection, too.

- A first aid kit. Consult with your veterinarian as to what to include. There are ready-made first aid kits for sale in pet stores and mail-order catalogs, too. A good item to add to the first aid kit is a protective paw boot, in case your dog steps on a stick or piece of glass and cuts a pad. The paw boot will help protect the injured foot until you can reach medical help.

Here's wishing you and your Lab a great summer of fun together!

By Allison Williamson Copyright 1998 Puget Sound Labrador Retriever
Association

FUND RAISING

Lab Lovers Find a Unique Way to Help LABMED!

Dear LABMED,

We are a small group of Labrador Retriever Lovers who live in Ohio and Indiana. Each of us owns at least two Labrador Retrievers; with at least one of them being a rescued lab.

On Saturday, May 11, in honor of Be Kind to Animals Week, we participated in a small pet fair in Granville, Ohio. Dr. Laurinda Morris was the Mastermind behind this pet fair, and she scheduled a number of pet-related booths, rescue groups and pet demonstrations such as obedience and agility. Dr. Morris had lined up a group to provide food at the pet fair, but at the last minute; the group was unable to participate. The Labrador Retriever Lovers came to the rescue (so to speak) and in less than a week put together a small (but tasty) food booth for the pet fair.

The menu included:

• Rob's Grilled to Perfection Hot Dogs
• Marj's Famous Sloppy Joes
• Home Made Lemon Bars, Brownies, Cookies provided by Sarah, Gina, Karen, Kate and Deb's Mom
• Beverages (Water and soft drinks) and Pretzels provided by Gina and Doug
• Condiments (including Chopped Onions and Pickle Relish) and Baby Carrots provided by Deb and Rob
• Dog Treats and everything else - provided by Callie and Keith

Our Mascots for the day were Frannie (rescued at age 8 with mammary tumors) and Polk (rescued at age 9 with heartworm and blind from cataracts). Both dogs proved that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks by passing their Canine Good Citizen test!

It is our great pleasure to present LABMED with a donation of $150 from the proceeds of the Pet Fair. Another rescue organization is receiving an equal donation.

Please use these funds to help even MORE dogs in need!

Sincerely,
The Labrador Lovers:
Deb and Rob - parents of Grover (Black), Winnie (Black) and Snuggles (Black)
Gina and Doug - parents of - Tia (Yellow), Mocha (Chocolate) and Frannie (Chocolate)
Marj, Paul and Sarah - parents of Tasha (Black) and Bailey (Chocolate)
Callie and Keith - parents of Maggie (Yellow), Barkleigh, Cinnamon and Nutmeg (Chocolate), Polk (Black) and Sadie Mae (Black Foster Child)
Karen, Mark, and Kate - parents of Random (Yellow) and Madison (Yellow)
Dr. Laurinda Morris - parent of BeBe (Black) and Libby (Yellow) Labrador Retriever Lovers

---

RECIPE CORNER - Meat Loaf - for Dogs!

Chef Rhino Approves!

1 lb ground chicken or turkey
1 Cup Brown rice (cooked)
3 T parsley
2 T minced garlic
1 egg
2T wheatgerm (you can also use flour)
2 Cups sliced carrots
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
Mix it all together and bake it for 30 minutes at 350.

It is like a meat loaf.

Submitted by Pat Kolb, approved by Rhino

---

LABMED Calendar: July - September, 2002

July 4 - Independence Day
July 14-28 - LABMED's 2nd 'Famous Basket Maker' Fund Raiser
July 20 - LABMED Donation Drive and Sale Kickoff

August 15 - LABMED's 6th Anniversary and Buddy's 7th Birthday
August 23-24 - LABMED Booth at PSLRA Specialty Show, Langley WA

September 2 - Labor Day
September 15 - 2003 Calendars Kickoff
September 8 - Grandparents Day
September 15 - LABMED's Auction Donations Close
September 23 - Autumn Begins

 

---

 

Auction donations needed!

The search continues for Lab-related merchandise for our 2002 auction.
Last year we had hotly contested bidding for such items as hand-crafted
quilts and pillows, Labrador china and crystal, Lab-themed jewelry and wearables,
and our popular gift baskets filled with cookies, toys and treats! If you'd like
to donate to the 2002 Bash, please use our on-line auction form:

http://www.labmed.org/auction_donor.html

---

Quilt project update

Our latest quilt project honoring Labrador heroes is well underway! The"Friendship Star" pattern quilt will be composed of red and blue quilt blocks, each with a white star containing a personal tribute to one of ourcherished Labradors.

This beautiful quilt will be raffled off at the National Specialty on October 11, 2002. You need not be present to win. Visit our special quilt page to purchase your raffle tickets:

http://www.labmed.org/qlt02_intro.html

All of the funds raised will support our mission of providing medical care and treatment for rescued Labs and Lab-mixes. What better way to honor the special Labs in your life?