Jesse’s freedom ride, Kippy’s long way home, growing puppies, Baxter’s search for his person—and more second chances.
🐾 This Week at LAF!
This week...
🏠 4 new rescues joined the LAF family
🛋️ 3 dogs found loving foster homes
🏡 4 Happy Tails were celebrated
🩺 8 dogs are healing with your support
🤝 Dozens of volunteers made it all possible
473 days.
That’s how long Jesse waited in the shelter.
Day after day, week after week, month after month — he waited for someone to see him. He watched other dogs leave while he stayed behind, never knowing when his turn would come.
But Jesse’s story wasn’t going to end there.
This week, after 473 days, Jesse finally walked out of the shelter and into the next chapter of his life — as a Labradors and Friends dog. 🖤🐾
His freedom ride was more than a car ride. It was the moment his past became his past.
Now Jesse gets what every dog deserves: time to decompress, people in his corner, and the chance to find the family that will make sure he never has to wonder if someone is coming for him again.
Jesse waited 473 days.
We’re going to make sure the rest of his story is worth the wait.
When Kippy came to Labradors and Friends, her whole world had fallen apart.
She had lost her owner, lost her home, ended up in a shelter, and then was in boarding. She wasn't eating, barely responded to her name, and seemed frightened by everything around her.
A volunteer took her for a walk one day — and when Kippy desperately didn't want to go back inside, a simple walk became, "I'll just take her home for the weekend."
That weekend changed everything.
Kippy's road home wasn't a straight one. Two potential homes didn't work out, and it became clear that her separation anxiety meant she needed someone who wouldn't just love her — she needed someone who understood her.
Two LAF volunteers joined forces to keep Kippy out of boarding, sharing her between their homes. Slowly, the frightened dog began to disappear.
Car rides went from shaking and whining to Kippy heading straight for the car when she saw the leash. She discovered adventures, neighborhood walks, coffee shops and farmers markets — and even talked her way into sleeping in both fosters’ beds. Apparently, some rules are negotiable when you have soulful brown eyes and a sugar-sprinkled face. 💗
Then an application arrived from someone who believed Kippy was supposed to be her dog.
Kippy responded with what was possibly the worst meet-and-greet ever. She barked. And barked. And barked some more.
Her adopter saw past the anxiety and took her home anyway.
Within days, the updates began: Kippy relaxing on the couch. Playing belly-up with a stuffed toy. Working a treat puzzle. Little pieces of the silly, happy dog underneath all that anxiety were finally emerging.
And by the next weekend, Kippy was adopted. ❤️
Kippy took the long way home. But she finally found the person who understood the dog underneath the anxiety.
And now she's safe, silly, happy, and very, very loved.
When we last checked in with Charlotte and her puppies, this little family was battling illness, and their foster was working around the clock to help them recover.
Today, Charlotte has finished her medication and is doing great! ❤️
The puppies are still on antibiotics and may need another round, but they're making wonderful progress. They're starting to eat gruel, they're active, they're playing—and those tiny personalities are beginning to emerge.
They aren't quite at the finish line yet, but compared with where they were just two weeks ago, this is exactly the kind of pupdate we love to share.
And judging by the photos, we suspect their foster is about to enter the puppy mischief phase. 😂🐾
Baxter has been waiting for his person for far too long — and we honestly don’t know how this sweet, social boy keeps getting overlooked.
He’s affectionate, playful, crate-trained, great in the car, loves to play fetch, and does well with other dogs. Once Baxter knows you, he’s the kind of dog who happily melts into your legs for all the scratches you’re willing to give. ❤️
Baxter has worked hard to build his confidence and has come such a long way. He can be cautious with new people and would do best with adults or older, considerate kids, but give him a little time, and you’ll discover the silly, loving dog everyone who knows him has fallen for.
And his favorite thing in the world? Sprinklers. 😂 Turn one on, and Baxter is ready for the best day ever.
He doesn’t need someone looking for a perfect dog.
He just needs someone willing to see how special he already is.
In Forever Loved, we remember the Labradors and Friends alumni who filled our lives with laughter, unconditional love, and unforgettable memories.
Every rescue has two happy endings—the day they find their family, and a lifetime later, when they leave behind a heart forever changed.
If you'd like us to honor your beloved LAF companion in a future Forever Loved tribute, simply reply to this email with a few favorite photos and your story.
Brando was just seven months old when Labradors and Friends pulled him from the Riverside shelter.
He had a fungal infection on his muzzle, and shortly after arriving in foster care, he suddenly collapsed. A tick-borne illness turned what was supposed to be a short foster stay into months of helping him recover.
But somewhere during those months, something else happened.
Brando became his foster's very first foster — and her only foster fail. ❤️
Once healthy, Brando embraced life with his whole heart. He loved playing fetch, doggie day camp, walks, time with his sister Leia and, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, chasing squirrels.
For seven years, the sick little puppy who needed a chance became a constant companion and a deeply loved member of his family.
Tragically, complications following TPLO surgery took Brando far too soon. He passed on June 13, 2025, at just seven years young.
But Brando's story will never be defined by how he died.
It will be defined by how he lived — with resilience, joy, and so much love.
His foster had spent years helping dogs find their forever homes. Brando taught her that sometimes the plan changes.
Sometimes the dog you think you are rescuing is the one who rescues you.
We’re teaming up with the Brea Police Department for a special adoption event — and we can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday! ❤️🐾
Come meet some of our adoptable dogs, chat with the volunteers who know them best, and say hello to members of Brea PD who are joining us for a little community, canines, and fun.
Whether you’re looking to adopt, have been thinking about fostering, want to learn more about rescue, or simply want to stop by and support the dogs, we’d love to see you!
📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 PetSmart – 2465 E. Imperial Hwy., Brea
And who knows? You might come by just to say hello...
Fall cooking is about to get a little more meaningful! ❤️🐾
We’ve teamed up with Pampered Chef for a virtual fundraiser benefiting Labradors and Friends. Shop kitchen favorites, discover new recipes and cooking ideas, and help support our rescue dogs at the same time.
A portion of the proceeds from purchases made through our fundraiser will come back to LAF — which means your fall shopping can help save dogs!
The virtual party is happening now through September 18, so there’s still time to join the fun, do a little shopping, and support the pups.
Mark your calendar for September 17! Order Panda Express online anywhere in the U.S., use our fundraiser code, and 28% of your purchase goes back to Labradors and Friends.
You eat. The dogs win. That's a pretty good dinner!
This week’s Tail Wag is filled with very different stories.
A dog who waited 473 days for his freedom.
A little family getting stronger every day.
A sweet, social boy still waiting for someone to choose him.
A frightened dog who took the long way home.
And a beloved rescue whose second chance became seven beautiful years with his family.
Different dogs. Different journeys.
But every one of their stories started the same way.
Someone chose to care. ❤️
Someone fostered. Someone adopted. Someone volunteered. Someone donated. Someone shared a post. Someone simply refused to give up on a dog who needed them.
That’s what Labradors and Friends has always been about.
There are so many ways to become part of the next story — whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, attend an event, send something from one of our wish lists, or help us continue saying yes when a dog needs us.
Because we never know which small act of kindness will become someone’s whole second chance. 🐾
