Hello from me and my team

[Harley Quinn]

@Kelsey&Axel I am really sorry about the divorce. Things really aren't fair.

 

[Harley Quinn]

and now Molly (much-loved, spur-of-the-moment gumtree puppy buy - yes I know....)

Oh my gosh, I can't tell you how relieved I am to read this, I often feel like I should be branded with a scarlet G. Of course I know that we have been spectacularly lucky with Harls, it could have been very different, but still.

 

[Selina27]

Hi, my name is … hmmm, well let me see now.... Helen Selina -- but my Labrador Friends (special people) call me Selina .

I`m 62, a semi retired nurse, and I live on the English/Welsh borders where we have lots of hills and lots of rain, Swampy move over here!

I have Cassie who is now 2 years and 2 months old. She came into my life after being bred by some friends on their farm -- I`d been without a dog for 5 years, so it was a big undertaking to bring a puppy into my life, and what a little crocopup she was. But that`s how come I found this wonderful community! I`d never had a Lab before, but other gundogs, lurchers and collies. Cassie`s mum (her dog Mum!) is a real darling and it was kind of now or never, I need to have had at least one Lab in my life. I love the fact that I know so many of her relatives, both her parents, some grandparents, litter siblings and more distant ones, kind of connects us to the world!
She`s been challenging at times, full of spirit and sass, but all this makes for a fun companion, I cannot imagine life with out her. Her desire to hunt over retrieving means that I am constantly working on keeping her close on walks, but that`s great fun to do, we have a great time!.

I don`t have an OH, but I did once -- and have a son and daughter in their mid twenties who are around quite a bit. They are also full of spirit and fun and Cass just adores them both.

 

[Selina27]

Between losing my dear Odie mid February, to then finding out my husband is leaving me early March, it hasn’t exactly been the best of years. But none the less I powered through

Truly sorry to hear you`ve been having such a rotten time -- good boy Axel, he really is so lovely . Here`s hoping things go on getting better for you Kelsey.

 

[Hollysdad]

My name is Phil, and I live in glorious Gwent with Holly and OH. Holly's my third pedigree Lab following on from Tammy (black) and Cocoa (chocolate). OH and I also had a Lab-X called Gypsy earlier in our marriage.

OH and I enjoy walking holidays all over the UK, and Holly is the perfect doggy companion for our adventures. Holly has amazing stamina and loves going to new places, especially if there's a stream or nice bit of bog along the walk. She can do an all-day walk in the hills and still have the energy to drag me to the pub! Since my retirement Holly and I have gone on all-morning walks several days a week, normally in the Wye valley or Forest of Dean. The walks have culminated in the 'Hollys Walks' book for the Wye valley and an imminent sequel for the Forest of Dean.

 

[Emily]

My name is Emily (bet you never would have guessed ), I'm 30 years old and I live in Melbourne, Australia with my OH Paul, our three year old lab Ella and our two year old son, Nathan.

 

[Natalie]

Hi, I'm Natalie, I'm 39 and live in Nuneaton, North Warwickshire - not the posh Shakespeare-y bit, unfortunately (or fortunately if you are buying a house!) along with my OH and an aged black and white cat called Jess. We brought Monty home as a 9 week old puppy in March 14, having waited years for the 'right' time to get a dog (it turns out there is often never a 'right' time, you just make things work!). He's had significant joint problems almost from day 1 - which I will post separately about - but we love him to bits.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Hello! My name is Kelsey, I’m 28 and my chocolate boy Axel is 2. We live in The Okanagan in British Columbia. I did have a new chocolate puppy lined up from Axel’s breeder for early next year but I have had to put that to a stop after a sudden change in my marriage.. aka divorce!

But that’s ok, these last four months have really brought Axel and I closer together, more than I ever thought imaginable. Between losing my dear Odie mid February, to then finding out my husband is leaving me early March, it hasn’t exactly been the best of years. But none the less I powered through with my best boy right by my side

I’m looking into some fun new classes to try with him too, either Scent Work or a Tricks class. Very excited to give that a go!
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So sorry Kelsey. It's been so horrible for you. Xxx

 

[Kelsey]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. Some days are good and others are not so good, but I’m doing the best I can. Axel really is my everything, I don’t even have to be crying yet but on the verge and it’s like he knows. Such a sweet boy! Mind you, I have bruises all over my thighs from him jumping up on me to hug my face with his paws and lick me to death but it’s all worth it! (Do all labs think they are a 4 pound chihuahua?)

Ok no more sad stuff As per @snowbunny request, here are some photos of Gizmo. He just turned 1 a couple weeks ago. He has definitely mellowed out a lot over the last few months. Still attacks my arm when ever I sit on the couch, but at least I can walk around barefoot now. He is a cuddly boy and I throughly enjoy my cuddles with Axel’s head on my lap and Gizmo on my lap. My two best boys

 

[Selina27]

Those are gorgeous photo's, I love the one in the box. Dear Axel, comforting you x

 

[Kelsey]

Forgot this picture of them sleeping on my lap

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Hi everyone! I’m Sophie, I’m 19, and live in Scotland with my mum (jacqui-s) and my dad and our gorgeous (if I may say so myself!) 8 year old black lab, Lilly. She may be 8 but is 100% puppy...

 

[snowbunny]

Hey Sophie, great to see you here! When are you getting a new puppy? To keep, not just borrow...

 

[Jacqui-S]

When are you getting a new puppy?

Oh gawd....it's starting already......

 

[Xena Dog Princess]

Hi @Sophiedoodle, fab name you've got there Edit - in case you're on mobile and are thinking "wtf is she going on about", I'm also Sophie

 

[Frankie.S]

Hi all! I’m Frankie and I’m 27 and live in Wiltshire, UK. I live with my OH, my 17 month old daughter Ivy and 2 black labs Maisie (3) and Milo (2) and an annoying fluffy cat called Harry who doesn’t really get a look in! I first found the other forum about 5 years ago when my OH and I were getting our first dog together, a golden lab calmed Murphy. I loved the forum as I was extremely nervous and obsessed with getting my training and everything right and so spent hours scrolling through the forum and asking questions etc. We got Maisie when Murphy was about a year and a half, as we always knew we wanted 2 dogs, but then unfortunately Murphy died suddenly when he was 2. So we were left with 6 month old Maisie who was quite a nervous quiet pup after needing a lot of vet treatment as a very young pup, so then when her breeder said they had another litter we were tempted and we ended up getting Milo as my sister is a registered vet nurse and she helped deliver the litter and got Milo breathing as he wasn’t when he first came out, she was still a student vet nurse at the time and it was the first time she’d done that and so she persuaded us to get him! A couple of weeks after we brought him home we found out I was pregnant so that made things fun! A puppy and pregnancy isn’t the best mix but never mind. It means I have a lot on my plate now and both dogs training has suffered a bit for it but I am trying to make more of an effort. Sorry this has turned into an essay! Anyway here is a pic of me and the dogs on a rare baby free walk up on Salisbury plain our regular haunt!

 

[Lab_adore]

Some days are good and others are not so good, but I’m doing the best I can. Axel really is my everything, I don’t even have to be crying yet but on the verge and it’s like he knows. Such a sweet boy!

I'm so sorry you have had such a terrible time. It is amazing how perceptive our dogs are. Maxx is a bit young yet, but our first lab Benson always knew when either of us were down and would comfort us.

 

[Mabel’smummy]

Hi I’m Claire, based in the UK I have three sons all in their 30’s now and a little granddaughter. I left work after I absolutely hated my job, I never planned to retire then my OH said you wanted a dog of your very own not a family pet that we all share just get one and don’t go to work. Hayho Mabel arrived. It truly has not been anything like I expected from those dark early days of all the surgery after the diagnosis of ED (thank you to all those who helped me you will know who you are xx) to the sheer elation that she is now fantastic. She is hard work, she’s not a dog that I can just bimble along with my head in the clouds on a walk, she has a high hunt drive, is skitty and down right nosey, has a surface phobia to name just a few personality traits. I love her with all my heart and she has taught me so much and through her I have made some fantastic friends both physically and virtually. Xx

 

[kateincornwall]

Its so lovely to " meet " everyone ! @Kelsey&Axel I am so sorry that life is such pants right now , big hugs for you xxx

 

[Natalie]

Hi @Kelsey&Axel sorry to hear about your crappy year so far. Thank goodness dogs (and cats!) are more reliable than our fellow humans. Sending virtual hugs x

and she has taught me so much and through her I have made some fantastic friends both physically and virtually. Xx

Hello fellow forum friend... I'm hoping I'm a physical one too ??