Denver was the most perfect gentlemen lab I'd ever seen. His whole goal in life was to please his master and to eat. If you asked him to stay, he would stay, if you asked him to sit or come, or go potty, he did it. He would still bring the toy to you to throw and play fetch, even though you'd throw it just 10 feet, he still loved doing it. We walked a mile every morning together rain or shine. Since he already had arthritis and weakened back legs from the seizure meds he'd been taking, he couldn't jump up on the bed or furniture to snuggle. But he'd come and throw his big ol' head into your lap and nuzzle and nuzzle and just love on you. He knew how to throw that perfect lab look at you and ask for lovin' or food, it's just ridiculous the mind control he had over you. Sometimes I would wonder who was the master. Ha! I always say, old dogs don't get to be old dogs by being idiots!
Denver had the best energy, very calming, very wise.
I had my reservations at first about adopting a Senior, well because you know the inevitable is going to happen. And it did, I knew it was coming and so did Denver, but even on his last day of life he rolled in the grass, basked in the sunshine and he ate vanilla wafers and some ham! :) I was asking him to please give me a sign it was time, and later that night, he did. We rushed him to the emergency vet who said that he was dying, we decided to take his pain away and I held him as he took his last breaths.
When you decide to own a dog, it doesn't matter if it's a puppy or if it's a Senior dog, chances are you are going to outlive them. But a labrador retriever will never let you forget those times you have with them, because they are so loyal and life their lives to please you all the way to the very end. Truly a best friend.
I will adopt from Lab Rescue again and again, there's no doubt. I love Lab Rescue and all the hard work they put into finding homes for these wonderful labbies! ;)
