Phoenix - Cruelty to Happy Tail

The Happy Tail about Phoenix is one that can only be fully appreciated if you first know the history behind it. Please click here to read the full story about how Phoenix came to us, the cruelty he was subjected to and how his beautiful inner spirit & his will to live brought him from the depths of misery & pain to the wonderful home he has today. You will find a link back to this page when you have read the beginning & are ready for the rest of the story.

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Now for the part of this story that we love to tell. Phoenix went to live with a wonderful woman named Sharon who is a volunteer for a Lab Rescue group while he was recovering from his ordeal. She spoiled him & showered him with lots of TLC. Phoenix began to realize that humans were not all bad & that he could love & trust some of them. Thru Lab Rescue, an adoption was arranged for in September, 2003, him into a home where there was already another adopted Black Lab named Baron. Below are a few notes & updates from his new Mom:

September 22, 2003: This has been a win, win situation for everyone. Not something that happens in life very often.

September 23, 2003: Phoenix is quite at home. His Uncle Baron has showed him the ropes on how to properly bark at a Harley and Gump has explained the fine points of "porch sitting". He's a quick study. I left him with the other boys downstairs and everybody has their spot to lay to wait for somebody to come home. Brandon, Jason's son, came in from work about 11 p.m. last night and Phoenix and he had never met. No problem. Brandon scratched his ears and Phoenix sniffed him out. I went to PetSmart today and bought him a nice fluffy bed, a new leash and his own food bowl. So he's officially moved in. I can't thank you and Lab Rescue enough for caring for him and saving his life. Please pass my gratitude to everyone involved.

July 16, 2004: I am Phoenix's "forever mom". I adopted him on Sept. 21, 2003. He is my 2nd lab that I adopted. My first is Baron who is now 10 years old and he and Phoenix are great pals. Phoenix is very happy and loved. In fact, I don't think he knew there was this much love in the world.

It is an unusual story of how he came into my life. Having adopted Baron, I am a supporter of Lab Rescue and when a close friend had to have their senior lab put to sleep, I recommended looking at the website and adopting. She asked me if I would go with her to Sharon's home and meet Phoenix. To make a long story short, she ended up adopting a special needs lab and I couldn't forget Phoenix. I contacted Sharon and asked to be considered for adopting him. So --- here he is. He is a wonderfully gentle lab and so sweet. He and Baron will be at the October golf tournament for Lab Rescue, so if you can, come visit him. Feel free to contact me anytime by email for updates and I am trying to send you a picture of "the boys" soon. Thank you for looking after him and I would love to hear the story of how he came to you and what happened to him. Please know that he is safe now and very loved.

September 16, 2004: Phoenix knew I needed him before I knew and he set out to win my heart with his first glance. He is a 3 ½ year old magnificent black lab that I adopted a year ago. Labs are amazing companions – having adopted my first lab, Baron, when he was 2 years old and he is now 10. I thought my life was complete with Baron, but Phoenix is totally different in personality and the two are the perfect mix. They are pals, buddies and always by each others side – guess they have shared stories of their past and how they came into the Lab Rescue Program. Phoenix looks at Baron with eyes that say “I want to be just like you, Uncle Baron”. Baron is the patient “old man”, tolerating Phoenix’s youthful playfulness without ever a cross “word”.

Phoenix is eager to please and learns his manners quickly. They share all aspects of my life and each has his favorite activity alone with me. Baron’s is riding in the car at Christmas, looking at the lights and ending the evening with a stop at Petsmart for a new toy or treat. Phoenix’s is going for long walks by the lake and playing Frisbee in an open field. They both have excellent “people skills” as they regularly go to work with me. Baron introduces himself by showing everyone his bear and Phoenix likes to “shake hands”. Clients regularly stop in just to see “the boys” and some have been observed down on the floor playing and hugging them. I can’t think of a thing I would change about either one. Both are lovable, loyal, sensitive companions that only want to please and be at my side. Thank you all for the precious lives you save. In the picture above, Phoenix is on the right & his "Uncle" Baron is on the left.

February 02, 2005: So good to hear from Phoenix's saviors. Wish you could see him as the delightful lab he is now. He and Baron both have great social skills as I take them almost everywhere with me and they deal with lots of people on a daily basis. People love him and constantly comment on what a wonderful dog he is. Baron is now 11 years old and has definitely "kicked it down a notch"

One of the sweetest traits Phoenix has developed is when he is pleased, he smiles a big white tooth smile. It cracks everyone up. He is a happy well-adjusted lab and I can't begin to tell you how much I love him. I love labs but Phoenix is a very unique and special one that comes along once in a great while. I am sure you feel the same way.

Thanks for your email and inquiry -- I shared it with Phoenix.

Sue, Baron and Phoenix

UPDATE 10-13-2005:
Carole,

Phoenix and Baron were Ambassadogs at the Sporting Chance Golf Tournament. I know you will enjoy seeing Phoenix as the wonderful, loving dog he is now. I am sooo proud of him and thank God for sending him into my life by way of you, his guardian angel.
Click on picture at right for larger view (Phoenix on left, Baron 2nd from right)

Sue