LODESTAR Dog Ranch

On March 1, 2009 this site became more of a do-it-yourself site. We at the LODESTAR Dog Ranch have significantly reduced our day to day involvement, but we will continue to provide you with the links to find the Lab that has been looking for you.
After 3/1/09 there will be no Lab rescue, as such, in the state of New Mexico unless we can find someone willing to take up the cause and run it in a "hands on" way. We felt it was time for us to move on. We do believe in what we have done in the past seven years and would very much like to see this work continued. If you ever thought about starting a Lab rescue, with or without dogs at your place, go to STARTING YOUR OWN LAB RESCUE. We can help you get started.

LODESTAR Dog Ranch will be devoting more personal efforts to helping Labs who need some type of FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE , through Cooper's Fund, to live a quality Lab life.

Tom Payne
Founder
LODESTAR Dog Ranch
Not familiar with the breed? Check out this video: The Labrador

LABS LOOKING FOR HOMES
If you are looking for a Lab to complete your family there are always (unfortunately) a "variety" of Labs and Lab mixes between homes. Please check these sites below and follow the prompts:

HTTP://PETHARBOR.COM

HTTP://PETFINDER.COM

HTTP://ADOPT-A-PET.COM

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

CRAIG'S LIST Click "community," then "pets."

Also check out:
VARIOUS SHELTERS/RESCUES

If you wish to make a BIG difference in the life, literally, of a dog, check out DOGS IN DANGER, and adopt one of their dogs in imminent danger of death.


Check out New Mexico's finest animal photographer JOYCE FAY

Heeling Hearts is a therapeutic and skills training program for the incarcerated women. It is an animal welfare program for the dogs who are rescued, trained, and adopted. The program is a response to the unique needs of the women and a response to the high number of homeless dogs in Cibola County. HEELING HEARTS


ALSO PLEASE CHECK-- LUCKY'S LABS or just scroll down.


LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR YOUR LAB?


 Check out the article in the Web site "Companion Animal Issues" Finding A New Home For A Companion Animal

Good sources to post/place your Lab are:

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

CRAIG'S LIST click on post to classified, then"community," then "pets."

VARIOUS SHELTERS/RESCUES

If you wish to post your Lab or Lab mix on this site, visit the following link, and follow the instructions.
LUCKY'S LABS


Lucky, our big yellow, mellow guy, showed us that an older Lab mix
could be a great friend and super hiking partner.
We miss him every day though it's been 7 years.
Everything the LODESTAR Dog Ranch has done is because of this guy.
Here are some Labs Lucky would like you to consider to be your new best friend.


THE FOLLOWING LABS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

This service does not have a fee, but any donations by the old owner and/or the new owner to COOPER'S FUND at the LODESTAR Dog Ranch, a non profit 501(c)(3) organization, are greatly appreciated so we can continue the services for dogs and owners.

Please don't dismiss any Labs that have a few miles on them. Older Labs make great companions for you and mentors for your younger dogs. Our Lucky was 7 years old when we got him, and he lived until 14. Those were 7 of the best dog years we've ever enjoyed.

In Praise of Older Dogs
Cesar is a super sweet guy is looking for a new home. He is good with kids, very mellow, about 2 years old, and good with other dogs. His owner didn't want him because he isn't a good hunter. I guess when you're that good looking you don't like to mess yourself up. Cesar is in Clovis, NM. For information on Cesar please call Clovis Animal Welfare League 575-693-3856.

For other Clovis Labs looking for homes check out LABS OF CLOVIS







Pan is a neutered, 8 year old, male, chocolate Labrador Retriever. He has been available for adoption since June 18, 2009. Pan was turned in to the shelter by his owner because he digs and chews. That, to me just shows the "inner puppy." He is at the Albuquerque Animal Care Center's Coronodo center location (dial 311 for information). ID#A1545920

As a senior dog his chances for a good loving home become limited. Anybody out there willing to give this guy a shot?





Mysty[ADOPTED] is a 4 year old, 65 pound, purebred, female, white Lab. This beautiful young lady was recently adopted from the Rio Rancho shelter. She was found as a stray. Mysty turns out to be a bit of a "project." She is very sweet, but she is also very shy. The best we can determine is that she has had little reason to trust in her young life. She needs an experienced Lab owner who, with patience, will give her that reason. She is spayed. LOVES other dogs and is good with kids. Mysty does not have an agressive bone in her body. For information please call 426-8203.





Piglet (Named after her puppy "snorting") is a 6 year old, female, yellow Lab mix. She had a personality conflict with one of her dog housemates, and since she is the most adoptable of the two, her owner regretfully must find a new home for Piglet. It was necessary to seperate the two, so Piglet is now in the Albuquerque Animal Humane (ID#8368). She is ready to go to her new home. She is spayed, up to date with shots, is microchipped and has received and passed her behavior evaluation. For information on Piglet you can Email paulinem@animalhumanenm.org or phone 505-255-5523.



This is Sadie, she's approx. 6 yrs old, sweet, loving and obedient. When her beloved owner died she was given to the El Paso TX.Humane Society, a family adopted her then later abandoned, when they moved out of their house and left her behind! She's spayed and vaccinated, likes everyone she meets, gets along with other dogs and cats and loves to go swimning! Sadie longs for loving family once again. If you're interested in giving Sadie a forever home, call El Paso 915-920-0958.



Omar male (unaltered) 3yr old, yellow Lab mix, first round of vacs from us here at the Espanola Valley Humane Society. He is heartworm (Neg). Omar was brought in by Animal Control for running at large. Great with people. As for his face, our vet is not sure what we are dealing with and does not have the equipment to do farther testing. The vet.put him on meds to prevent infections. For information please call 505-753-8662 ext 2# and ask for ID# A047462

LODESTAR Dog Ranch's COOPER'S FUND can help with the vet costs, just need somebody to give this guy a loving home.





Tre is a 3-year old Lab mix.

Owner says:

He is extremely athletic, and is a great climber, fetcher, Frisbee dog, and runner. Tre is very handsome, friendly, and loves to exercise every day.He would be the perfect companion for a runner - he loves to be active and often runs with me or follows behind the mountain bike with my husband. He has an active prey drive (balls, etc) so we can’t recommend him around cats. He is housebroken, knows all of his commands, and has attended Acoma obedience school.We moved to a new house that is smaller than the one that we had. Also, our yard is much smaller and our lives do not allow us to get Tre the exercise that he needs... Tre is a great dog, but his energy is just a bit too much for our lifestyle. For information email: kris10munson@yahoo.com or call 417-4275.
"Dogs are getting bigger, according to a leading dog manufacturer." - Leo Rosten


KNOW WHERE YOUR FRIEND IS, SHE MAY NOT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.
Owner has this to say about Duece:

We bought Duece about 5 years ago. He was 8 weeks old when we took him home and we have really enjoyed and love him the whole time. Our other dog was also a male chocolate lab and they were very good friends. He is really a great dog.…I’m quite upset to see him go. He’s smaller than most male labs, weighing about 75 lbs. with a nice huge head! Duece is very playful, likes to run, go on walks (loves the park), likes water (ponds, lakes, etc.). He is very loyal, sleeps inside on a pillow, likes to lay around when inside with people. He doesn’t chew/destroy things, dig, etc. He does well with larger animals (horses, cattle). Deuce doesn't get along with SOME other dogs, he's an Alpha male. He likes to be inside all the time (I think this is due to being alone outside now that our other dog is gone, he would stay outside with our other dog and you wouldn’t even know they were there. They just played and laid around all day!) For information please call:505-440-6733.
"Labradors [are] lousy watchdogs. They usually bark when there is a stranger about, but it is an expression of unmitigated joy at the chance to meet somebody new, not a warning. -- Norman Strung
Picture gallery of Beauty

Rescuer had this to say:

A rescue in Hobbs was alerted to a dog thought to be wrapped in barbed wire on Saturday, only to find a dog in a dirt dug out shivering and scared out of her socks. I took her in to keep her from going to the pound. Because she was filthy and had ticks and we were at an adoption event at Pet Sense, we asked their groomer to wash her for us. What a transformation getting a bath did for her! She went from shivering with fear to shaking with delight at the sight of people. She is a 'butt waggler.' We have named her Beauty.

Sometimes when she thinks she has done really bad, she will lay flat on the floor. So either she has been abused, she has a low self-esteem, or both. But I have been trying to encourage her and build her up.

Anyway, she has been at our house with us, our baby, and our four dogs. We have taught her to walk on a leash properly and she is being crate trained. She hasn't had any accidents in the floor in the last four days. She is dog tolerant and even insights play but she does need to be supervised because initially she likes to control the other dogs. I introduced her to all four of our dogs over three days because they all have different dog tolerance levels. Today I took them out to an abandoned airstrip to run and she was very good about staying close with us.

I think based on her white teeth and very little tarter she is between 1-2 years old. From her head, she looks like a red nose pit bull, but her curly tail and semi-thick hair looks Siberian Husky, and she has webbed feet like a lab. So my best guess is one of her parents was full blooded APBT and the other was a Lab/Husky mix.

...She can stay here but for only one more week. I have a person who drives from Hobbs to Moriarity every weekend and I should be able to ask him to give her a ride if someone up that way can take her in.I may also have a transport coming to Hobbs back to the Las Cruces area this weekend if anyone from that area can intake. No matter where she goes, She is spayed, up to date on shots and microchipped. If you know anyone who would want to adopt, her then have them contact 392-3458 or missbarnett05@yahoo.com.


"A really companionable and indispensable dog is an accident of nature. You can't get it by breeding for it, and you can't buy it with money. It just happens along."- E B White, The Care and Training of a Dog


Jasper is a very large sweet guy. He was found laying in the middle of a busy street after his little buddy was hit and killed by a car. He does love small dogs, but does well with big ones too. He is a very good boy, but he does have to be watched when he is outside playing because he can be a fence jumper. Jasper is house trained.He is in Clovis, NM Jasper

"Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend."~ Corey Ford, American writer
Rescuer had this to say about Bear:

Bear is a big youngster at two and a half, has good but controlled energy. He is a Lab-Pointer mix; at least that's where we're thinking his really cute freckled "socks" come from. If he was a human guy, he'd be wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt most of the time - he's not fancy, and doesn't expect or ask for much. But will give a ton back. He is a “homebody.” Bear loves being in the house as part of a family—playing with the kids or just you. He loves to be petted, anywhere and anytime. Throw him a ball and he may fetch. Most likely he’ll just run back to be near you, roll on his back and act silly. Bear knows sit, down, is house and crate-trained. He’s a doggie-cookie fanatic and would be quick to learn new tricks you want to teach him. If you are the traveling type, great... Bear is a “certified” co-pilot! He is well-behaved and is panting-ready for the tailgate to flip down so he can jump in! If you have cats, you don't want Bear. He is hit or miss with dogs and doesn't like some when he's on leash. Otherwise, he's a walking fool on the open space trails and enjoys it all. Those ‘bear’ ears? Well.. we're guessing some brainless human cut his floppy ones as a pup to make him look like a tough guy. Visualize them flying in the breeze when he runs up to say I love you anyway. Adoption contact for Bear: @ 615-2357 or 379-7844
"They say the dog is man's best friend. I don't believe that. How many of your friends have you neutered?"~ Larry Reeb
Sir Lancelot’s date of birth is 12/25/02. His breeding is to be a show dog but we never showed him. He loves attention and to be made over. He is very alert about his surroundings. Loves to go to the river and play fetch, you cannot throw a stick far enough for him in the water. He also just as happy to lay around the house or outside never in a hurry to get anywhere and will just walk right beside you when you go out for walks. For information call 220-9839 or email annielaw21dog@peoplepc.com





Lady Kelby’s date of birth is March 24, 2004. She like’s attention and will just sit beside your chair so you can pet her. She loves to run, she will never go too far from you she likes to keep you insight, but she will cover a lot of ground. She gets allergies in the first part of spring... She is spring loaded she can probably jump straight up 5 feet in the air. She can be happy just laying around the house or the yard, but she loves the water and loves to run. You throw a stick in the river and if she thinks it is too far she will just sit and look at you, like maybe you want to rethink this and throw one a little closer for me!! For information on Lady Kelby phone the Rio Grande Animal Humane Rescue @ 220-9839 or email rgahanm@peoplepc.com or annielaw21dog@peoplepc.com


Sir Lancelot and Lady Kelby have lived together the last 5 years and would like that living situation to continue. If it can't, it can't, but let's give it a shot. For information on Lady Kelby and Sir Lancelot phone the Rio Grande Animal Humane Rescue @ 220-9839 or email rgahanm@peoplepc.com or annielaw21dog@peoplepc.com

These are four 8 month old Lab mix puppies looking for somebody to take them home. They are currently living in a boarding kennel in AZ and are unable to stay due to space. Transportation to NM is not a problem. Please call 928-890-9988.






"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." - Unknown
DOG WHO WISHES HE WAS A LAB Sam is a cute, medium sized, blue heeler/pit bull mix, between 6 months and 1 year old. We found him on the road in Socorro and brought him to the pound in early May. He was due for an early grave on Saturday, May 23, but we took him in. We already have 4 dogs and we don't have the space to keep him long term. Sam is a very sweet boy with a lot of energy. As far as we can tell, he has never been trained before, but he has responded well to our working with him. He is very good with other dogs; we don't know how he is with cats. He will probably be 80 lbs at most when he is done growing. So far he has been super friendly to us and has shown no signs of aggression. After owning 4 dogs, we both agree that he is a good dog. All Sam needs is a firm loving hand to lead him and he will be a great companion. We have information for a low-income neuter through the Animal Humane Society in Albuquerque, and we can help to pay to get it done. If anyone is looking for a fun loyal dog, then Sam is the man for you. Please call 651-470-2058 or 505-362-4997.
"One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why." - Anonymous
Big Dog is a 1 year old, 60 pound, male, black Lab. This guy wondered into a yard in Belen and made himself at home. But,unfortunately for Big Guy, several other dogs had previously made their home there, so it's best he find his own place. This friendy guy gets along with other dogs, cats and kids. But, nobody's perfect. Big Dog has Masticatory Myositis. In words I could understand, he cannot fully open his mouth. This is a result of a infection. The vet has given him some steroid pills and he is showing significant improvement. Even if no improvement was shown he is fine with his condition. He eats and drinks with the best of them. A small problem for a big dog. (For information on Big Dog, please call 505-507-1844)
POISON for DOGS & CATS in Your Garden??? ,
Dingo is a 115 pound,2 year old, fox red, male, Lab. Life for this big guy, for over 1 1/2 years, has been one big itch. The summer time meant a loss of hair and pacing the floor all night long. Imagine how hard it is for a loving family to watch their dog hurt so much over such a long period of time. The family does not have the financial means to relieve Dingo's suffering. The meds are working well, but there is still more work to be done, and the big guy will be on some meds all of his life. The good news is the meds are not particularly expensive. Dingo is available for adoption. He is a big, untrained lover and will need a strong, experienced owner. (For information, please call: 505-417-1551) On site since 3/22/08


"Happiness to a dog is what lies on the other side of a door." Charleton Ogburn Jr.


Mandy is a 3 year old, female, yellow Lab. Mandy's current owner was her rescuer who was willing to foster her until a permanent home was found. It looked as if Mandy had been hit by a car. Her back end seemed out of alinement. LODESTAR Dog Ranch paid for a vet visit to discover she was not hit by a car, her situation was genetic. This unnatural nerve situation causes her to not always be in control of her bowels. This is not as bad of a situation as it may sound. Getting in tune with her "rhythms" and it's very workable. Mandy gets along with dogs, cats and kids. (For information on Mandy, please call: 505-554-2202)On site since 1/19/09

Mandy's home situation is changing and her personality is better suited for a more calm environment.

"A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk." ~ O.A. Battista

Random is a 2 1/2 year old, male black Lab. He should be an only dog. He is young Lab with young Lab energy plus. He is not a barker or jumper, but he will dig if he sees a benefit. Random is not neutered and is a "Bull-in-China-Shop" when in the house. An obvious Lab in progress.(For more information, please call: 505-974-8163).On site since 1/24/09
In Memoriam
 
Dedicated to those who have run out ahead of us
We share the earth with our animals, but it is in our hearts where they live, and from the heart they cannot die.
Tom Payne


TOM'S MINI BOOK REPORTS

Two men and their dogs books:

Merle's Door
Lessons from a Freethinking Dog
Author: Ted Kerasote
Harcort Inc.

Rescuing Sprite
A dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish
Author: Mark R. Levin
Pocket Books

Both of these books are about the life and, inevetably the death, of beloved dogs. Both are 4 handkerchief books. Both are about men who really love their dogs. This is where the similarity ends. Ted Keraste, when the end was inevitable, showed he loved himself more than he loved Merle. Mark Levin, on the other hand, put Sprite first when, in a dog lover's life, it was most difficult to do.
LIFE'S LESSONS YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEARN YOURSELF

In this section we will be including stories from an unpublished manuscript by Tom Payne entitled, "The Second Mouse Gets The Cheese." Many of his "lessons' have been taught to him by his dogs. For previous Lessons click SECOND MOUSE

TOUGH SHOT

I always enjoyed putting the shot.

I played football and track in high school and college. When I look back at the sports experience, I think I enjoyed the solitary sport of track and field even more then the babe-magnet sport of football.

I came to that conclusion while in an analytical mood I was reconstructing my life. I was bemoaning my lost opportunity to be a really good shot putter. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear but a flyer for the Senior Olympics -- opportunity regained.

I had five months to get ready for the state trials and another two months for the state finals. As they say, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood" and I was going to prove that statement true. I enhanced my workout schedule to include what I needed, physically and mentally, to heave that shot further than any old guy in New Mexico had ever done.

The big day came, I threw, I stunk.

It was then that I came to the realization that if I could have either skills or attitude--I'd take skills. I had a great positive attitude I just couldn't throw the darn thing from one side of a closet to the other. I came in first loser (a.k.a. second) -- out of two men in my age category. But because the top three finishers qualified for advancement, I was eligible for state!

As we drove home I said to Jean, "Well that frees up a couple days in July because there is no way I'll go to the state meet finals and embarrass myself again." Then Jean reminded me of what I've been saying to audiences for years -- there are three benefits to failure. Failure is:

1) A learning experience 2) A step toward success 3) A help to developing a sense of humor

It's tough when your own words come back to bite you, but bite me they did.

The three steps were true.

1) I learned the way I was practicing didn't work. I changed my practice routine.

2) This meet was only one step toward success. I signed up for other meets.

3) Being beaten by people who were throwing the shot as a time filler while waiting to compete in their "real" event, was humorous. (This benefit did take longer to accept.)

Off to state I went; I threw; I stunk.

There's always next year.

As tough as it is, you can't let the worry over failure stop you from doing what you know for you is the right thing to do.

The way I like to look at failure is that failure is a choice, and you can choose to never fail again because failure is only in the mind of the beholder.

Maybe that concept needs an explanation. Everything you do has an outcome. If it's the outcome you wanted or better (in my case a gold metal), you label that as a success. If it's an outcome you didn't want or worse (in my case dropping the shot on my foot), you label that as a failure. You project the outcome based on your expectations, you judge the outcome based on your expectations, and you label the outcome as either a success or a failure based on your expectations.

When you experience an outcome that was less than you anticipated, you can choose to label yourself a washout who bombed, fizzled, collapses, blundered, botched, flunked and floundered. Or you could choose to say you are a schooled, enlightened, informed, knowledgeable learner who knows you're always a success at creating the outcome you get.

You project the outcome, you judge the outcome, and you label the outcome.

When you are up against the possibility of failure and you feel yourself backing off give it the "best/worst" test by asking yourself these three questions:

1) What's the worst that could happen if I engage in this activity?

2) What's the best that can happen?

3) Is the best worth the worst?

When the thrill of victory out weights the agony of defeat, go for the victory.

Considering my shot put experiences, the best that could happen, I could win a gold medal. The worst that could happen, I don't win a gold medal. So since I didn't have a gold metal when I began, the worst that could happen is I wind up right where I was before I started. In this case is the best worth the worst? Sure.

Will I do it again next year? Yes. I learned some life-long lessons, took another step forward and had more than a few laughs. My strategy now is to stay healthy and eventually outlive everyone until I am the only one left in my age group.

Lesson #12 Failure is a state of mind, choose not to live in that state.


"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." - Milan Kundera
DRIVERS WANTED

If you would like to play a part in the rescue of dogs in New Mexico, consider volunteering to drive dogs from point A to point B within New Mexico. Sometimes it's not that there are too many dogs, often they are just in the wrong place. To add your name to the driver list, please call 505-660-2822. If you prefer to drive to Colorado (the Denver area), call 505-832-6834
A Great Read - Check this out!!!

Special info for those of you looking to get a better insight on why your Lab does what your Lab does: We here at the LODESTAR Dog Ranch use, and would recommend, animal behaviorist, Cameron Murphy. Cameron can be reached @ 505-281-1777 or trainer Mike Allsbrook @505-264-2514.



To obtain further information on any dog listed above or to make a tax-deductible, Lab-helping donation to Cooper's Fund : contact:

Tom Payne
Lodestar Dog Ranch
17 Anne Court
Tijeras, NM 87059

E-mail:Lodestar Dog Ranch








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