I got more than I bargained for that night when my co-worker’s sister-n-law handed me the leash and said, “I can’t handle him”. There, at the other end of the 6 ft nylon lead was this bear-cub look alike with glowing amber eyes. At 7 months old and 70 lbs he was far beyond the puppy you put in your lap and snuggle with on the drive home. He was a casualty of divorce and I said I would take him for the weekend and see what happens. He stared up at me as if to say.. “well, what now?” I responded with, “you picked the right night to come home, we’re having steak tonight.” It was love at first sight.

Here we are, 3 and a half years later and we are inseparable. He is my best friend, and I know he will love me till the last beat of his heart as will I love him till my last breath is drawn. It has been a whirlwind adventure with “Chunk”. I have learned so much about life through this crazy dog, the most important thing being… keep life simple, let the little things excite you and make you happy. I have played in the mud with him, never have a clean house, I have split my sides with laughter at his silly antics, such as chasing people around the dog park with a garden hose on at full blast. I have cried many times in his velvet brown fur as he licked my tears to comfort me. Unlike many humans… he has ALWAYS been there by my side. He makes a pretty good anti-theft pillow too. Every morning I wake up and say “good morning… big dog”. I get my free microdermabrasion treatment courtesy of his sandpaper tongue, and so begins a new adventure for the day. With all this dog has given me, I had to give back.

I now volunteer my time with Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida. We work tirelessly to save Labs that have been abandoned, surrendered and abused and neglected. There is no greater feeling in the world, and no human could ever show the appreciation and Thanks that these dogs give when they realize you will not be taking them back to that horrible place. I have spent my last dime on dog food and fostered 8 puppies on a whim…but I wouldn’t have it any other way, because having a Lab…is having the greatest love of all.

Written by Shannon Ashmore