Gaeta Creek Labradors & LI Lab Retriever Rescue

So, we're preparing to become Lab owners - changing our habits, home, buying books, doing research.

I know Karacg has purchased a puppy from Gaeta Creek Labradors and seems to be very happy with them, I would love to hear more about the process or anyone else who has purchased from them.

However, we want to adopt an older Lab, not a puppy for our first time out. I found out that Gaeta will look for homes for their retired Moms and have sent them an email for more information. I'm assuming since they are a breeder, this would also be a purchase and not an adoption.

What I like about that idea is that they are all English Labs, which is what we would prefer if given the choice. But we do want to give a needy dog a home so we were also looking at the Long Island Labrador Retriever Rescue organization.

They take Labs in from shelters and people who cannot or will not take care of their Labs any longer. With them, you are adopting 'as is' and don't necessarily know the history, medical or otherwise, of the dog.

So, we are torn. We're a few months away from this - we have to replace our fence first at least - but I'd like to know any experience you have with these two places.

Thank you!!

EDITED to add 8/10/2010:

If anyone finds this thread in a search, please FM me for my experiences with breeders and rescues. The Long Island Labrador Retriever Rescue organization is defunct but Labs4Rescue is going strong.

Message edited 8/10/2010 2:53:31 PM.

Re: Gaeta Creek Labradors & LI Lab Retriever Rescue

I got Cosmo from Gaeta Creek - she was recommended by a former coworker who was an absolute NUT about her dogs. So obviously when I wanted a lab my coworkers reco was more than enough for me.

Gina is an absolute doll - we still keep in touch and she looooooooooves hearing about all her pups.

I get compliments on Cosmo all the time - he really is a gorgeous dog and just the love of my life. I have a pic of him in my profile - how could you not love that face

Re: Gaeta Creek Labradors & LI Lab Retriever Rescue

Scout(Kara's dog) and Misty are great friends and I can honestly say I've never met a better, sweeter dog than Scout.
He is nothing but good temperment, love and kisses. I don't think that dog has a bad bone in his body, which is how a lab is supposed to be.

Be forewarned that with the lab rescue, you will most likely end up with a mixed breed. Not that it's a bad thing, but if you want a pure lab you will most likely have to go through a breeder. I think that's the only problem with rescue in regards to labs...

Re: Gaeta Creek Labradors & LI Lab Retriever Rescue

I think you are making a great choice in going with a lab. And an older one shows that you have a huge and generous heart. I wanted a dog my DD could "grow up with" which is why we decided on a puppy.

I love Gaeta Creek as you know. I think if you can adopt from a rescue organization, it will of course be cheaper and you would be helping a dog in need. If you don't have other concerns with working with an older dog in case there are "issues" (i.e., no children in the house, and you have the $$ in case the dog has medical issues, etc.) you would be doing a wonderful deed indeed.

Re: Gaeta Creek Labradors & LI Lab Retriever Rescue

Thanks so much ladies.

Gina answered my email and we are trying to figure out a day/time to go visit and see one Mommy in particular who will be retired in the next 4-6 months. She also has some young adults that may also be an option.

We don't have current pets and don't plan on having a family. We do however plan on having more than one dog so whatever way we decide to go now, we can always switch it up later.

My heart breaks when I see the older dogs on the LILRR.org website that stay on the adoption list for months and months. Puppies are so much more in demand, that we wanted to give an older dog a chance.

Besides, although I grew up with a dog, my husband hasn't. He's in love with my sister's English Lab but I want to be sure we are fully acclimated dog owners before we become puppy owners!

And yes, we always keep a buffer of a certain number of monthly payments in the bank 'God forbid'. A while back I posted a thread on the cost of dog ownership and based on all of your great replies, I am drawing up a "worst case scenario" dollar amount that will always be set aside in our savings account on top of the other emergency funds.

I can't believe we are less than a year away from being Lab owners. It's been a dream for so many years.

Now I have to do some research and draft a list of questions for our visit to them. And make sure my camera batteries are charged!

Re: Gaeta Creek Labradors & LI Lab Retriever Rescue

As someone that has two labs and who works with the lab rescue here in my town, I'm so happy to hear you'll be getting a lab.

I disagree that most labs from rescue are mixed, in fact, most of the ones I've fostered have been purebreed.

I don't know anything about the lab rescue you mentioned, but most rescues make sure they know the temperment of a dog before they will place it, these dogs have had it hard already and they want to make sure where they are going is a good match so they will stay in their forever homes! Also, kudos on going for an older dog, they have so much love to give, I adopted an older dog from my rescue and he's the biggest cuddler!

Good Luck!