About two weeks into the new year, we got a call from another shelter. They had just taken in a mom and 10 puppies. The puppies' eyes had just opened, and the mother dog had such a sweet personality; could we please take them and find them homes? It took some arranging--not many people are willing to put 11 dogs in their vehicle!--but we got them here!

Xena has been a really great mama. She is good about the staff handling her puppies to give them shots and clean them up. When someone she doesn't know comes near her area, she will bark to warn them, but she has never made an aggressive move. She tolerates cats well. We have a small kitchen next to the cat area, and she will curl up on the towels in the cupboard, just watching all the cats in the room go about their business.

*** According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Once known as the "St John's Dogs," the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada the Labrador was trained to jump overboard into the icy waters to haul fisherman's nets to shore. Specimens were brought to England in the 1800's by English ships coming from Labrador, where the dog's fine retrieving instincts were honed and developed. One of the best family dogs and canine companions because of their gentle, loving disposition, the highly trainable Labrador also excels in drug detection, as a guide for the blind, and service dog for the disabled. The breed is also an outstanding obedience and field trial competitor. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing, and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water - for they love to swim. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs. They crave human attention and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Labs are easily trained. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs, although some have been known to guard. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.