I work for the American Diabetes Association in Portland, OR and a dog breeder called our office a couple weeks ago looking for a home for one of his Yellow Lab pups who has diabetes. He said the pup’s life depends on finding him a new home because he cannot afford the care and insulin.
We’ve been spreading the word trying to find this little guy a home, but no luck so far. Anyone want a little 18 week Yellow Lab puppy named Ryder?
How cute is he?? Email me at myeckel@diabetes.org if you want more info or have any ideas.
Mari, I’m connected with a group of Labrador owners, many who run foster programs and adoptions. I’d like to post over in their forum (6800 members) with Ryder’s story and with your permission post your email address at the ADA or I can forward anyone interested in more information.
I’m in animal rescue, but unfortunately am too far away to help. I’d take him in a minute. I’m in VA. I’ll see if any of my contacts can recommend a quality rescue in OR.
You’ve probably done this already, but have you contacted Lab rescues in the area? A word of caution, not all rescues are reputable & some are awful, so thoroughly screen any groups you contact. Speak with their adopters, their vet, their fosters & animal control in their county. Check their site for an adoption application & contract that states they take their animals back. Any good rescue will welcome the opportunity to give references & answer questions. Also, please make sure they use foster homes, do home visits for potential families & have the resources to help.
Likewise, screen anyone who wants to adopt Ryder very carefully. I’ll be happy to help with this. I founded an animal rescue organization & have been doing this for almost 9 years. The downside of posting Ryder all over is that often the wrong people respond. They may have good intentions, but there are hoarders & collectors who respond to every sad story.
It’s disgraceful, but some rescues will take cute puppies without disclosing the animal’s health status.
Boo-hiss to the breeder. They’re flesh peddlers adding to the overpopulation problem & then euthanize the “less perfect” dogs they’ve brought into the world.
Beautiful words from Judith & true. I have a blind dog (from former abuse) & another with neurological motor problems. They bring limitless joy. Animals never feel sorry for themselves. They keep moving forward & enjoy life. They’re my inspiration.
I’m going to have to second Gerri’s words regarding people responding to help Ryder. Screening is a must to insure that the right people are caring for Ryder. Not everyone deserves to care for an animal especially one with Ryder’s needs and yet these people end up with dogs anyways.
Silas (great name!) sounds like quite a character & charming. Cats always finding me also. My husband jokes there’s a flashing neon sign with a big arrow over our house that only dogs & cats can see.
I can understand the limitations. I have a hard time with county and municipal agencies adopting out animals. There are very little check and balances if any in their process. Basically if you look presentable, have the cash you can have a dog or cat in and hour or less. All my dogs and cats over the years have either been from rescues or the pound itself. Here is a link to the website and post I made.
Mari, I’ve pasted a copy of your message on the BEAGLE FORUM. Many of those members have a variety of dogs, and someone might want to know more, or take Ryder…they are wonderful people. I told them to contact you for further info.
I hear you. My group works with our town’s kill shelter. Animal control will give them to anyone breathing & their adoption fee is $10! It’s taken years of kissing ■■■ to get them to let us handle the adoptions. It’s a constant battle of control. The police don’t easily turn over control & they hate that we screen, do home visits & decline most applicants.
Update. I’m currently in contact with Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue @ http//:www.sclrr.org/ . While Ryder’s diabetes is not a serious issue for their volunteers they do need to contact their foster system to find a home for him. Below is a link to the current thread discussing his care and transportation.
Great news everyone! The breeder found Ryder a good home here in Portland! We are SO relieved and grateful for all the response and compassion for this little pup. Thanks to everyone for their help, especially Kiva and Judith
I am touched by this story , with a VERY happy ending !!..( when you posted this Mari , I was volunteering at our Shelter and missed reading this till now ) . My hubby , Rottie Penny and I ( PWD ) walk a neighbour’s Corgi with diabetes in the morning …it has been useful knowing the symptoms of a low BG …we have had to carry him home !.He is very stable now and a very happy guy .
His " parents" trust me giving him insulin , if the need arises .And William loves his buddy Penny
Hi Everyone. Ryder is home with us now and we are super excited. My daughter also has type 1 and she is thrilled to be his new “dia-buddy” (Her camp counselor made that up!) His blood sugars have been in and out of the target, but our goal of keeping him in the lower target range has been going well. We have been testing his BG every two hours for the last two days so we could get some data for when we meet with the Canine Endo next week. I just wanted to let everyone know he is safe and will be well cared for! Michelle
I wish I could take him.