I’ve always found some way to volunteer and give my time to others. It’s been an important part of my life for awhile and I’m excited to have chosen meaningful places to devote my efforts. I think it’s possible for everyone to find some amount of time to give to others without the expectation of receiving anything in return. Not only does it make you feel great, but it truly gives any talent you possess a deeper meaning.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep has become a huge part of my life and I have recently moved into a leadership position as Parent Coordinator and Dispatcher for the Richmond area. My family has also started fostering homeless pets for Lab Rescue LRCP. If you follow me on social media you know how much we love our dogs. They bring our family such unconditional love and laughter and we couldn’t do life without them.

We fell into the fostering kinda on accident. We had applied to adopt a lab from the rescue as we had been following the rescue on Facebook and saw how deeply this organization was devoted to caring for these precious dogs. Lab Rescue LRCP adopts out over 1,000 labs per year! We didn’t have our heart set on a particular lab when we put in our application, but after speaking with our adoption coordinator she asked if we had ever considered fostering. We had never thought about it, but said we would absolutely be interested! We chatted with Noah about the process and he agreed we would love to help many dogs find their forever homes. We received our first foster pup a few days later and so far it’s been a very rewarding journey.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. My poor Wrangler just went through emergency surgery for a hematoma on his ear, so I was hesitant to take in another foster at the time while he recovered. I receive updates and photos on a regular basis of dogs who need foster homes. One of the photos was of this precious 8 month old chocolate lab puppy who looked a bit thin. There was something about him that drew me in and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I was surprised when I got a call that he needed to transfer foster homes. I immediately agreed to take this pup in and when he arrived, things just fell into place perfectly and Annie and Wrangler loved him immediately.

Formerly known as “Chief” from South Boston, VA, he has quite the history for such a young guy. His former owners “didn’t have time” for him or his sister anymore, so they were taken by the Halifax Dog Squad who turned them over to Lab Rescue. From Lab Rescue he went to the kennel, the vet where he lost his “manhood” and was microchipped, to a temporary foster where he was separated from his sister, then finally to us. My heart just couldn’t take anymore for this sweet guy and his gentle little soul needed a place of consistent love. 

Willys (pronounced “Willis” after the military Jeep pioneer) has found his forever home at the Matthews Dog Farm and we couldn’t be happier! He fits right in and at 8 months old, he’s already taller than Wrangler! His feet are huge, his fur is sleek and soft, and his golden eyes stare right through your soul. He needs to put on a few pounds and has had no previous training. Poor guy didn’t even know his former name, so we didn’t feel the least bit guilty changing it! He’s learning quickly and already knows “sit” and comes when called. Our family looks forward to watching him grow into the dog he was truly meant to be.