Her name is Skye, but she's anything but blue. This bouncy little pixie will charm your socks off. She's on the small side, about 45 pounds, and very playful and active. She appears to be purebred. Common for her age, she is an active girl, so she'll should go to a home where her humans will provide her with plenty of exercise. She can be run on grass and dirt surfaces, but her bone growth plates haven't closed yet, so running on hard surfaces should be avoided.

Her canine teeth aren't completely out yet, so she's 7 to 8 months old, and acts her age. She doesn't seems to have any training to speak of, but is anxious to please, so she should be very trainable (and she needs that training), once she gets over the excitement of being in a new home. She's an adolescent, so she has "selective hearing"; she'll be more attentive as she gets a little older. She had a couple of accidents in our home when she was kept crated for too long, but that's all. She's definitely a chewer (though she's not damaged anything of value), so she should always have good chew toys, like Nylabones, nearby at all times.

She is good with other dogs, although a bit too active for many senior dogs. She is mouthy at times, so she should not be placed with children unless they are very dog-savvy, and her humans will need to be consistent in correcting unwanted behavior - ignoring her works well for most such behaviors, but redirection is required for some, such as chewing.

Skye's had two sets of her basic vaccinations a month apart, plus her rabies vaccination, so she won't need them for a year, and she has a microchip. She is recovered from her spay surgery, so she she doesn't wear that big white cone collar anymore. If you'd like to know more about her and have submitted an online application, please contact us at info@fetchingcompanions.org.

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Wow! What a spectacular sit! Most Labs have a slouchy "puppy sit," but not this guy. Remember how your mom continually told you to sit up straight? Darby's mom must have done a super job of nagging him in this respect.

Darby is a beautiful, sweet boy, about 1-1/2 to 2 years old. He's got a nice blocky Lab head and a long, tall, lean body. He tips the scales at 67 pounds, but should probably be kept at about 70 to 75 pounds. His conformation is quite good: he has that truly classic purebred appearance.

He has some training, as evidenced by extremely good behavior for his age. He's reasonably good on leash, but hasn't been trained to heel. He can pull strongly when excited, so a pinch collar or a Gentle Leader head halter is called for. He's been loose with our dogs a few times and it looks like he'll be fine with them, though he's more active than our senior dogs like. With other young dogs, he runs around and plays chase and tug-o-war enthusiastically. Since he was recently intact, he displays some mounting behavior, but that should abate over the next couple of months. His neuter incision is nearly healed (and it will have been 2 weeks on 7/4), so he is now available to an approved applicant looking for a stunning young labbie boy.

If you're interested in this beautiful boy and have submitted an online adoption application, please contact us at info@fetchingcompanions.org.

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Buddy is a gorgeous 1-1/2 year old purebred chocolate labrador. He is a big boy and is lean and muscular at 88 pounds. Buddy is currently enjoying playing with all of the dog toys at his foster home and eating up all of the attention he is getting. He is very sweet natured and loves to give kisses and receive attention!

Buddy was a dog that was kept in a backyard and used for breeding and when he and his female companion ended up at an animal shelter their owner declined to pay the fee required to come and pick them up. This is probably the best thing that ever happened to him because he doesn't appear to have had much affection or guidance in his prior life and now we can find him a forever home where he will get the love and attention he deserves. Buddy walks well on a leash and has a moderate energy level for a young lab, he is not hyper. He is a happy and playful boy that will need a home where he can receive love, daily exercise and some training. Buddy knows how to sit and to fetch and is perfecting his house manners. He listens well and wants to please, so we feel that he will learn quickly and with a little guidance will be a wonderful companion for years to come.

Buddy is neutered, current on his vaccinations, and micro-chipped. He is currently being fostered in a home with a 7 year old male dog and 2 cats. He gets along great with his fellow foster dog and all of the dogs he has met at the park and the beach but he has been chasing the cats, so he probably would do best in a home without cats.

Buddy likes all people including children but due to his size we feel that he is not suited for a home with very young children that could be accidentally knocked over. If you would like to meet Buddy or learn more about him, please email us at Heidi@thefloppy.com

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Picadilly-- "Pic" or "dilly" is a sweet and loving, beautiful female purebred black lab. She is purported to be thirteen, but her demeanor and activity level are more like a 10 yr old. Pic has experienced a few major changes in her life--she was raised as a "breeder" dog. At age 8, when she was too old to keep making puppies, the breeder adopted her to an elderly man. Her new owner passed away recently and no one in the owner's family was willing to take Pic in and give her the retirement she so justly deserves. The only person who cared for her was the old gentleman's care taker. During her owner's decline, Pic spent several weeks boarded at the vet, where she enjoyed house privileges and got along with all creatures great and small, canine, feline and human.

She clearly has good breeding. She not only has AKC papers, she also has OFA, Wind-Morgan, and CERF certificates attesting to the health of her hips, elbows and eyes, respectively.

Pic made her way to Santa Barbara via the "labrador railroad" and is enjoying life with her foster mom and foster sister (a lab mix named Betty). Pic gets along beautifully with small children, and people of all ages, and has adapted well to sharing space with Betty. She likes her food and needs to be kept on a diet. She eats a special food which agrees with her senior metabolism, and also gets normal supplements like glucosamine to help protect her joints, and fish oil to help her coats stay beautiful. Picadilly is in incredible physical shape for a dog of her age - her hearing and eyesight are not that of a 5 year old's, but are very good. Pic would love to spend her golden years in a home with someone who is home a good deal. She has minimal needs---a leash walk around the block, a soft place to hang out, some pats on the head, chasing a ball a little every day will suit her fine.

Can you give this sweet old gal the retirement she deserves? Feel free to contact her foster mom if you have any questions or would like to meet this fine pooch: mary.ogorman@gmail.com.

To see Rob Roy's slide show, click here.

Robby is an active six-year-old boy who loves to romp with adults, kids and dogs. In appearance he's very Labbie, but has a small white blaze on his chest, so he could be a mix, but purebreds have such spots now and again. He has a really lustrous black coat and a nicely-formed tail.

Being active, he'd make a boon companion for a jogger or hiker. He knows "sit" and "down," so we know his previous owner gave him some training. He's housetrained, neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations, so he's about ready to go. He has a dominant personality, so his new owner should be at least somewhat experienced or committed to having a trainer show him/her how to moderate that. His leash training needs some work, but he's not terrible on-leash.

If you think you'd like to take this lovable guy into your home, please submit an online application and contact info@fetchingcompanions.org.

Rob is currently boarded in the Sylmar area owing to lack of foster space.

Quick! Close the doggie door! I hear the blimp coming!

There are few things Dutchess hates, but count the Goodyear blimp and small aircraft among them. Should she ever manage to bark one out of the sky and get to it, the result would not be pretty.

By contrast, this 8 year old girl carries on good relations with humans and dogs, though she likes to keep both under close supervision. (One just can't find adequate help these days, you know; one has to keep reminding all of what they're supposed to do. A Dutchess is royalty, after all, and deference to her position is expected.)

She's a wiry and healthy-looking dog. Her appearance and her behavior belie her years. She's a purebred with papers, but she'd never win in the show ring, lacking the wide-sprung ribcage and otter tail of a bench-bred champion. Having said that, she has a very appealing appearance, with an open, friendly, smiling face, an erect stance, and a carriage that is, well, regal.

She loves attention, her food, her walks, and fetching, but not necessarily in that order. As mentioned before, she gets along well with other dogs. She does tend to correct any behavior she feels is out of line. It's entertaining to watch this petite, 50 pound sylph bossing a hulking 95 pound male around.

Dutchess also likes children, but we haven't tested tested her with cats or other small animals. She's wonderful company and would do well as an only dog or as an addition to a family with dogs having no pretensions to royalty.

This girl has been a long-term project dog for us, having been delivered to us in rather poor condition. Restoration of her good health is a point of pride for us. She had the following problems:

• Total blindness due to cataracts, corrected by surgical implantation of artificial lenses. She needs eyedrops twice daily to prevent glaucoma.
  
  
• Badly torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in one knee, complicated by the meniscus being folded into the joint. This was corrected surgically.
  
  
• Diabetes, controlled by twice-daily insulin injections. This requires absolutely no medical or veterinary skills: anyone can do it quite easily.
  

If this sounds like a lot of trouble, it isn't. Dutchess cooperates nicely, because she knows she'll be rewarded with a cookie. If it sounds expensive, it's about $45 a month-- less than most people pay for cable TV-- and she's lots more entertaining than HBO.

If you want to make a big difference for a dog who's had some very tough breaks in life, and gain a wonderful companion in the bargain, Dutchess is your girl. If you'd like to meet her, please submit an online adoption application, then contact us at info@fetchingcompanions.org.

Have you always wanted a true, papered purebred? Well here she is!

Sammy is an adorable 8 year old purebred black labrador that has just arrived! She will be available for adoption once she gets settled in her foster home and we know a little more about her. So far we know that she is great with all other dogs and cats and is a very sweet girl. An elderly man brought Sammy into the shelter with tears in his eyes and said that his wife was dying of cancer and that he could no longer physically and emotionally care for both Sammy and his wife. We will be updating Sammy's story as we get to know her better but we know she would love to be in a home where she can be a constant and loving companion. Sammy has a lustrous black coat with just a hint of grey around her muzzle and a tail that never stops wagging. She is very spry for her age and size but she is overweight at this time and we are starting her on a diet and gradual exercise regime today! Sammy is spayed, micro-chipped and current on her vaccinations and her AKC papers will be provided with her adoption. If you would like to know more about this lovable girl please send an email to info@fetchingcompanions.org.

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Holly is a dolly! If you have been looking for a classic little Lab, here she is! Holly is a dream of a 3-year old purebred white female labrador. Holly was taken to the shelter by her family because they were moving and we went to pick her up as soon as we heard about her because she is such a special girl. She is very happy and friendly and already seems right at home in her foster home with all of the other labs, cats and people. She gets along great with the other fosters Sammy and Buddy but we sense that she is really a people dog. She would love a home where she can get lots of love and some exercise too! Holly is a little plump right now and could use a diet and get a little more exercise to regain her girlish figure. She is a small to average sized girl and is what is referred to an an English Lab. She has moderate energy for a lab her age and would love daily walks or trips to the dog park.

Holly is current on her vaccinations, spayed, microchipped and ready to go! If you are interested in meeting this girl, please email Heidi@thefloppy.com.

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"Roo, roo, roo, roo!" Don't mind him-- that's just Clifford, gently rooing in his singularly identifiable voice because he's temporarily separated from me by a kiddie gate. Cliffie is a very large-framed boy of about 8 years of age. As you've no doubt already guessed, he wants to be with his humans. He's fine with dogs, too, being a gentle soul to the core, and allows our personal Labs, who are dwarfed by his height, to boss him around.

Size isn't his only unusual characteristic. He's one of those very rare yellows whose color verges on red-- "fox red," in Lab Club parlance.

Cliff has hip dysplasia, which our orthopedic vet, having examined and x-rayed the dog, believes can be managed without surgery, by keeping him on the lean side and giving him inexpensive joint supplements daily. His hips have some arthritis, so he's never going to be a Frisbee dog or a jogging companion, but he tolerates half-mile walks well, and he'll probably soon be okay with a mile at a time, perhaps more.

A word about hip dysplasia-- our ortho vet used to do about 2 hip operations per month, but with the advent of joint supplements, now does about 2 per year. A regime of trim weight, combined with regular low-impact exercise and a twice-daily Move Free tablet has made astonishing inroads on this once-dreaded condition.

Is Cliff a purebred? Could be. Is he a mix? Again, could be. He's extremely long and tall for a Lab, and has a pretty long face, but he looks 90%+ Lab to us. His weight, at about 90 pounds, isn't really huge, given his size XL frame (though he ought to slim down to 85 pounds). Is he a boon companion? You bet! He unleashes that big old tongue to give kisses as often as you'll let him, and receives hugs gladly. He loves to hang out at the feet of the nearest human and quietly play with a stuffed toy, chew a Nylabone, or just have a nice snooze.

He's a little unusual for a Lab in that he seems to have no impulse to chase other animals. He's fine with one fosterer's bunnies and pygmy goats, and we suspect he'd be fine with cats, though we haven't tested him with them.

If you'd like to brighten your life by bringing this tender-hearted boy into it, please submit an online adoption application, then send an email to carolyn@fetchingcompanions.org to express your interest in Cliffie.

Peanut is a 10 month old chocolate Lab pup. She is small, only 48 lbs. right now. I think when she is all grown up and filled out, she will weigh in the mid-50 pound range. She appears to be purebred, just not show-quality. The good news is she is perfect pet-quality!

Peanut is a perfect example of why we recommend (strongly!) against giving animals as gifts. Peanut was a gift to her old family and after 8 months of living in the backyard, she was taken to the shelter because the owners claimed they “couldn’t handle her.”

Now that she’s at our house and she’s allowed to be part of the family both indoors and out, she couldn’t be easier. She’s quiet, she has house-trained herself with no help from me, she doesn’t make a peep in her crate at night, she’s learned about kitties, she is learning how to sit, down & shake. She sticks right by my side on leash and she impresses me as a dog who will be a very good off-leash companion. She also gets along well with her 2 Lab foster brothers and is learning how to play with other dogs.

Peanut is still a puppy and part of the deal is that puppies have a lot of energy. She can get out her ya-hoos by a couple fun games of fetch in the backyard, or by being your running partner and then she’ll settle right down in the house. She loves Kongs with peanut butter inside, Nyla-bones, and basically anything that is a dog toy – trust me, she’s found every one that we own!

If you would like to consider having Peanut as part of your family, or if you would like anymore information, please contact me at heidi@fetchingcompanions.org.

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Newt is ready for adoption. His neuter surgery has healed.

The shelter pegged his age at 5 years, but we think they based that on his sunburned and unkempt fur. He looks to us to be around 2 years old, and our vet thinks he could be slightly younger than that.

He's extremely well behaved for a 2-year-old. He's an extremely friendly and eager-to-please boy and has some training. He sits when asked and will return a tossed Frisbee and drop it at the tosser's feet. He also knows "down", "stay and "quiet."

He's absolutely fine with other dogs. He's still a pretty anxious boy, normal for a dog who's been out of stir for such a short time. His coat was in terrible shape due to neglect, but it's looking much better now after several Furminator sessions and a bath. His coat is now darker and glossier than the photos suggest, and will be beautiful after a couple of months of good nutrition. He's got a little dandruff, which we think comes from a simple flea allergy. The anti-flea medication we gave him should clear that up quickly if we're right

His appearance is purebred, though he has a very wide head, almost like some Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. He's alert and has a sunny temperament. When he gets enough attention to get excited, he jumps up and down, getting all four feet off the ground. However, he doesn't jump on humans.

If you'd like to meet this bouncy boy, once his neuter incision is healed, please send an email to us at info@fetchingcompanions.org.