My new shelter dog

**Captain Fred Archer** · 12-19-2008 10:46 AM

Wonderful! Another rescued Labby! God bless you, Norter.

Just the look in Hardy's eyes tells you that he knows what you have done for him and you can see in them his love for you for literally saving his life. And fifteen dogs?! Actually, I'm jealous. I have always told the people who know me best that it's a kind of impossible dream of mine to own a big ranch or huge farm somewhere, plus vast wealth so that I could load the place up with as many dogs facing the death sentence of the needle as I could fit there and spend time with my "herd" every day and introduce its members to youngsters and adults to maybe become potential best pals.

That is out of the question for me, but here is the least that I can do for the ones, and especially my departed and beloved Shadow Girl, who literally saved my life and who was responsible for seeing me through a lot of disease, pain and exhaustion while I was writing Grim Ripper. It was her deep love and healing touch that did it. She returned to sit at God's knee the night that we finished what I have always regarded as her book. I will never forget her. Some of you here shared my agony over her loss and know of it. I owe her so much. And so, in her honor...

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Fifteen percent of the gross profits from any and all of my books are donated to Labrador Rescue and other canine rescue and care organizations to save these wonderful, innocent creatures from the needle of death. 25% of the profits from Grim Ripper are donated in Shadow Girl’s name. This will continue for as long as my books are sold, even after my death. It is the least that I can do for the clans of the best, most loyal and loving friends that I have ever had. This was my beloved Shadow Girl’s wish that she sent to me from The Rainbow Bridge. Thank you, good girl – it is done. And thank you, good reader, for helping us.

A rescued Lab says “Woof!” (that means “Thank you for saving my life.) I will be your faithful, loving friend for the rest of my days and will die for you if I have to.”

Good dog!

Hey, what's that noise off in the distance? Thunder? We hardly ever get thunder out here? Oh, now I know. It's happy dogs who have gone on to The Rainbow Bridge and are healed and young and sound again, waiting for their masters and the joyful reunion that they long for. Yep, it's happy tails a'thumpin and big doggy smiles from seeing Hardy, one of their clan, alive and well with people to love and to love him.

It is the best kind of thunder that I can think of.

Glory!

**Big Jay** · 12-19-2008 11:06 AM

Wow! Hardy looks damn near close to being a pure bred lab! What a handsome fellow! We have 2 goldens and a mutt, i miss having a black lab though. Good for you man!

**nautiduck** · 12-19-2008 03:21 PM

Thats a damn fine looking pup. Rescued dogs are always the best. My boy Pete came waddling up the drive at about 5 weeks old and 2 pounds we dont even think he was fully weened hes now 48 pounds and rules the house.

**norter79** · 12-19-2008 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by WAHOONBOX

COOL LOOKING FRIEND YA GOT THERE NORTER!

WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT A RECAP OF YOUR 08 SEASON!

Thanks Marty, I'll have to introduce myself next time i'm down in MHC.. Think it'll be for a bit after new years. I'll let you know.

I'll have to tally up some numbers but the season was great.
I know we had over 400 yellowfin in june and july but they disappeared for us after that and i stopped counting... The swordfishing was great as well. I missed the october and november full moons as I was in Hawaii getting married in october and november i was bringing the boat down to morehead. We ended up with 23 swords, only a handful of which were kept.

If i could only figure out how to get hardy to stop chewing on his bone.. he brought it in from outside just now and he really doesn't want to give it up.

**Marlin Mama** · 12-19-2008 11:06 PM

He's sooo adorable! Best of luck. He looks like he'll make a great retriever...birds, ducks, shoes! I have a 12 year old chocolate lab that still brings me something every time I walk in the door.

**nauti dog** · 12-19-2008 11:10 PM

norter,

iam not sure who the lucky one is...............you or him,

good luck and keep us posted.

**rampage38** · 12-19-2008 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Marlin Mama

He's sooo adorable! Best of luck. He looks like he'll make a great retriever...birds, ducks, shoes! I have a 12 year old chocolate lab that still brings me something every time I walk in the door.

Hopefully it doesn't bring a baby deer to your front door. A family friend had his 100 lb lab drop bambi off on his front step (alive). These dogs always try to keep you on your toes.

**Nimrod** · 12-20-2008 01:11 AM

Norter,

Hardy is a fine looking pup and is as lucky to have you as you are to have him. I agree with Fred that most rescued dogs know they have been rescued and spend the rest of thier lives repaying the favor.

Our ole boy Jake was about a year old when we adopted him from the pound almost 13 years ago. He was a stray who had been there for weeks without one inquiry and whose days were numbered. As we left the Humane Society you could sense his gratitude and he has been a loyal and loving member of our family since 1996. He was our baby long before the kids were here.

Pound Puppies Rock!!