I adopted my first dog from TLAC in 1978 - a black lab/chow mix who loved to sleep in window sills ... even though she weighed 45 lbs. She was black, sleek, and nimble like a cat ... I named her "Panther". She was with me through college, marriage and 2 children until she passed away in 1994 at the age of 17.

Panther was joined by Chelsea, a white shepherd who I adopted from TLAC in 1984. They were best friends ... and Chelsea lived a long happy life for a large dog ... 13 years.

After a few adoptions of one puppy and a variety of "grown" dogs from owners who could no longer keep them - a St. Bernard/chow/lab mix, a chow, 3 small Pyrenees and 2 huge Pyrenees (140 & 180 lbs) ... we returned to TLAC in 2006 and adopted "Henry".

  

Henry at the Shelter

Henry arrived at TLAC sometime after 4th of July in 2006 and was described as "wiggly, doesn't know his doggie boundaries, but very friendly." Henry was at TLAC for over 3 months and was the "dog who had been up for adoption the longest" when we arrived. Henry was about 60+ lbs and very excitable ... a boxer, ridgeback, hound mix. When he wouldn't let my daughter leave his kennel ... he grabbed her feet  with his feet and kept gnawing at her ankles. Henry soon joined our 3 Pyrenees and his name became "Vegas" ... because he was so lucky to leave TLAC. And by the way ... he is still wiggly and doesn't know his doggie boundaries ... but it works for us. He is also a big talker and always HAPPY!

When our huge Pyrenees (brother and sister) passed away at the age of 9.5 yrs in 2009, we needed someone else to join Dakota (our 85-lb Pyrenees) and Vegas.

Dirty Dakota

We went to TLAC again. After lots of looking ... we found the biggest dog up for adoption. His name was Colby. He is a golden retriever, St. Bernard mix ... and at that time he was weighing about 60 lbs at 9 months. He was shy and cowering in his corner and wanted nothing to do with socializing.

Reno at the Shelter

Funny ... you wouldn't know that now. Colby became "Reno" and he joined Dakota and Vegas in July 2009. Reno is the biggest baby and he loves to climb the fence (he's mastered a 4-ft chainlink  and once climbed a 10-ft chain link). He now weighs about 120 lbs ... and he is still able to climb a small fence. He doesn't escape ... he just hangs out in our gated front yard. Sometimes it's just a nice change of scenery.

In August 2009, I was browsing the TLAC website and found Montana. She was a 50 lb smooth collie mix with one upright pointy ear and one that "breaks" and never stands upright. She had the same colors as Reno, and matched the solid colors of Vegas (golden brown) and Dakota (white). So, I knew she would fit right in ... and she had the perfect name - what goes better with Reno and Vegas, than Dakota and Montana?

Montana at the shelter

We have 4 great dogs ... and 3 of them came from TLAC. They are the best of pals and entertain themselves so well ... we just love to watch them play tug-of-war, chase and tackle, and let's dig to China. They have 3 fenced acres to play in and lots of trees ... so they have a never-ending game of "let's go exploring and maybe chase some squirrels".

And ... Reno the Wonderdog is on Facebook! Reno's Facebook Page  is updated on a daily basis!
He shares stories about his daily thoughts and fun with his buddies Dakota (aka Boss Dog - and Mr. Thunderwuss), Vegas (Mr. Happy), and Montana (aka Lady Barks-a-lot).

TLAC ... thanks for all the memories you have created for me and my family since 1978. Best wishes for your new home in the near future!!

Ms. Marty Lax