Duncan H's Story

Duncan is welcomed by Max (l) and Jake (r)
	With a little encouragement from Mom and guidance from Max & Jake, Duncan is an eager student and learning simple commands like "down".
Another spring '03 snow and fun time to huddle with Dad!
	Max and Duncan
Duncan and Jake catch some zzzzs
	Duncan agrees that July is a great month for lounging!
(l-r) Max, Duncan, Jake September 2004

Over the years we raised three sons ranging in age from 17 to 23 years old. We now have 6 sons, 3 of the two-legged kind and 3 of the 4-legged kind. The most recent addition to our family is a black field Lab named Duncan. One-yr old Duncan joined 3-year-old Max (Lab/shepherd mix) and 2-yr old Jake (yellow Lab also adopted from LILRR) in February 2003.

My husband and I were part of the team that joined LILRR on the January 11, 2003 rescue of the Suffolk VA Labs. Our goal was to help bring these Labs to safety and to support LILRR. Our Jake was adopted through LILRR and we were so thankful for him it was the least we could do for this organization. Needless to say we have a special love and respect for the breed earned by our Einstein (yellow Lab) who passed in March of 2002.

We agreed to foster Duncan, to help him with his socialization, to teach him “Lab life” and how wonderful life can be with a loving family. We had no clue what we were in for. Duncan’s existence prior to this rescue was comprised of drinking from murky swamp water, being tied up, having no human contact, sleeping and seeking shelter in muck and only he knows what else. Imagine his shock and fear of sudden constant human contact, street noises, and normal household activity. This poor baby only knew survival. He cowered to the ground at the slightest noise and shied away from the kindest attempt at physical contact. He barked at and avoided contact with our sons, we really didn’t think he would acclimate to our family. Only now, after 8 months of constant, patient progress do we recognize how frightened this poor animal must have been. On leash walks, Duncan would tuck his tail as far as he could between his legs and walk with his tummy practically on the ground. The sound of a car, of kids playing, or of another person would send him shuttering.

We set small goals for our newest family member and slowly but surely he’s come around. Today, only 8 months later he is a full-fledged Lab! Doing all the things Labs do! He’ll lick us until we’re raw with his kisses; he even counter surfs and we do catch him chewing our shoes and socks. We’re thrilled! We knew we reached our goal the day we watched him walk with his tail HIGH and confident on our leash walk. He is a champion tennis ball fetcher and a devoted pet, eager to listen and learn and love.

Duncan has truly earned this celebration of his achievements and we’re proud to be his family. By the way, we adopted him in May. – M. & R. H. -


	*Duncan, Max & Jake* *Winter 2004*


Summer 2005...


Spring 2006...

Spring 2007 Duncan - caught mid-heist ...