OT: Can you help me?

Hello to all of you in Hoosierland! My name is Christine I have a small problem that I need some help with... Let me start off apologizing for this post on this board...I simply do not know what to do! I only come to you because I love OH.com and thought you may be able to help me... My mom is going through a very rough time...she is leaving her abusive husband...it has been very hard for her hard on me! My mom has a 4 year old Black Lab that I really need to find a home...She is an awesome dog a really good girl! She is so mellow when she is in the house she just lays around...but she loves attention and people she is really good with kids...my husband and I are teaching her how to swim she gets down the first step of our pool and then she jumps into the water! She loves walks and to play fetch she runs after the ball and brings it back! She is not spayed...she has had some pups (18 actually) mostly all chocolate so if puppies is something anyone is into she is a good momma! She was just to the vet and she is in tip top shape! Not one thing wrong with her! My mom just cant keep her and she desereves so much more than the pound. I dont know what to do! I have contacted the Central Indiana Lab Rescue with no luck no one has gotten back to me... my mom lives in Fort Wayne, IN. the dog is here with me in Michigan...we would be willing to take her or meet new parents if anyone is interested...I can send pictures if anyone wants to see her...This is very hard for my mom...this dog is her companion my mom has lost everything... Please help! Christine S

Christine, If the lab were male, we might would have been interested...but not a female. I wanted to write though to ask you to please convey my joy to your mother. Joy, in that she is removing herself from an abusive situation. I, as a child, watched as my mother stayed with her abisive husband, my biological father. When she finally divorced him after 17 years of abuse, she asked me if I blamed her. At the young age of 11, my reply was 'I blame you for staying with him so long'. Every since, I vowed that no man will ever lay a hand on me...and I have held true to that. Abuse really does affect everyone it is near in one way or another. The first step is getting out of it, and resolving to stay out of it. I commend your mother fot making this first step!! Please remind your mom that there are agencies that will assist her, should she need it. Locally, there is Sheltering Wings, but I'm sure there is something similar to that in Ft. Wayne. Have her contact the United Way if she is unsure of the specific agency and they can dirrect her. The local police station may be of some assitance as far as guidance as to where to go as well. Sherri

Christine, My husband and I just recently found a lab as a stray in our neighborhood.. I got several numbers for lab rescues from my vet and this is the only one that contacted me back. Her name was patty and her email is [email protected] I would also go to adoptalab.org and see if there is a number to contact. Eventually all the rescues called me back but it took about 5 days... Please try and wait for the rescue no good puppy deserves to be put to sleep.. I wish I could take her but I already have two dogs and I don't have enough room... Good luck. Jessyca