Hunter

Hunter 2-year-old neutered male chocolate Lab 70-lbs<br/><br/>Background. <br/>Hunter decided that the cat's foamy ball toy was so good... that he would swallow it. Bad idea! Trip to the emergency vet on Super Bowl Sunday (2/8/26) resulted in abdominal surgery to remove the golf-ball-size foreign object... as it was clogging his gastro-intestinal tract. Hunter's owners surrendered him to Lab Rescue as they could not afford the expensive surgery... and they sure did not want to euthanize him. Hunter is pretty much recovered from his abdominal surgery. <br/><br/>Hunter at the emergency vet -- https://youtube.com/shorts/yUQf7_7op-Y<br/><br/>Hunter relaxing prior to surgery -- https://youtu.be/xy9kvUfHbJg<br/><br/>Walking with The Hunter -- https://youtube.com/shorts/EFbXeJtXSuI<br/><br/>Leash-walk with Hunter -- https://youtube.com/shorts/xFNbjSKfuYY<br/><br/>What Hunter's prior owner says. <br/>We got Hunter from a breeder when he was only eight weeks old. He is a wonderful dog -- playful, happy, energetic. He is house-trained and crate trained. We are retired, so we don't leave him alone much. Hunter knows a few commands: sit, stay, down, come, and leave it. Been walking Hunter twice a day for 30-45 minutes. He is friendly with other dogs -wag, wag, wag -- but has not gotten a lot of exposure. Will bark when excited and will jump up on people. Pulls on his leash but is getting better. Wants to play with our cats. Hunter has a habit of chewing and, on occasion, swallowing some things he should not. He plays a bit rough with our young grandkids -- he just doesn't know how strong and exuberant he can be.<br/><br/>What Hunter's existing foster says. <br/>Due to Hunter’s surgery / recovery, his activity was limited to short walks, no playing, and no contact with other dogs. In Mid-March (just recently), the vet said he could go on longer walks and is no longer on any medication. He is almost fully recovered, and when the vet gives the thumbs up on normal exercise / officially fully recovered, training can start. Great thing is - He is treat / food motivated!<br/><br/>He is a sweet handsome active boy…70lbs of muscle. House-trained, Crate-trained, soft mouth when getting treats. Knows: "sit", "down", "shake". If I say, "go to your room", he goes into his crate, and I give him a treat(s). When I put him in his crate and leave, he will bark for maybe 2 mins, then he lays down and sleeps. I have left for up to three hours. At night he sleeps in his crate. Loves to be cuddled / petted. Wants to be near me / follows me around. <br/><br/>Hunter needs to work on his leash / social skills, when he sees another dog or person - he will pull and bark. He is friendly – he has met a few of my human friends. Maybe a yard where he can get some exercise (burn some excess energy) before going for a walk would help and training. The Heathers Hero Sidekick harness/leash works well!! He pulls hard on a regular leash, and I haven't used a harness due to his surgery / recovery process. <br/><br/>He also needs to learn "Leave It!" as he will try to eat / chew small items (cat toys, the rubber bottom to his crate, gauze, socks, sponges, etc.). Basically, need to baby-proof any area he is in and/or put the micro mesh muzzle on him if not supervised. He has not chewed on any furniture.<br/><br/>What Hunter's Rep says. <br/>Probably best at a home with older kids (he is strong and playful and can probably knock down a smaller child). No cats (even though he lived with a cat) because of the small "edible" cat toys. A backyard would be great (can control the environment) otherwise probably best to put the mesh muzzle on him while on walks, so he doesn't eat something he isn't supposed to (until he is able to learn leave-it). <br/><br/>Medical. <br/>Current on vaccinations, microchipped, and neutered. Hunter is nearly fully recovered from his abdominal surgery. <br/><br/>Hunter is currently located in: San Rafael.<br/><br/>Adopter or Co-Foster / Hunter's current foster is happy to continue to care for him during the week (Monday through Friday) but would love to have another foster take him on weekends. <br/><br/>If you can foster (or might want to adopt) Hunter, please contact Rescue Rep Dave at david.c.ely@sbcglobal.net

Hunter 2-year-old neutered male chocolate Lab 70-lbs

Background.
Hunter decided that the cat's foamy ball toy was so good... that he would swallow it. Bad idea! Trip to the emergency vet on Super Bowl Sunday (2/8/26) resulted in abdominal surgery to remove the golf-ball-size foreign object... as it was clogging his gastro-intestinal tract. Hunter's owners surrendered him to Lab Rescue as they could not afford the expensive surgery... and they sure did not want to euthanize him. Hunter is pretty much recovered from his abdominal surgery.

Hunter at the emergency vet -- https://youtube.com/shorts/yUQf7_7op-Y

Hunter relaxing prior to surgery -- https://youtu.be/xy9kvUfHbJg

Walking with The Hunter -- https://youtube.com/shorts/EFbXeJtXSuI

Leash-walk with Hunter -- https://youtube.com/shorts/xFNbjSKfuYY

What Hunter's prior owner says.
We got Hunter from a breeder when he was only eight weeks old. He is a wonderful dog -- playful, happy, energetic. He

Hunter 2-year-old neutered male chocolate Lab 70-lbs

Background.
Hunter decided that the cat's foamy ball toy was so good... that he would swallow it. Bad idea! Trip to the emergency vet on Super Bowl Sunday (2/8/26) resulted in abdominal surgery to remove the golf-ball-size foreign object... as it was clogging his gastro-intestinal tract. Hunter's owners surrendered him to Lab Rescue as they could not afford the expensive surgery... and they sure did not want to euthanize him. Hunter is pretty much recovered from his abdominal surgery.

Hunter at the emergency vet -- https://youtube.com/shorts/yUQf7_7op-Y

Hunter relaxing prior to surgery -- https://youtu.be/xy9kvUfHbJg

Walking with The Hunter -- https://youtube.com/shorts/EFbXeJtXSuI

Leash-walk with Hunter -- https://youtube.com/shorts/xFNbjSKfuYY

What Hunter's prior owner says.
We got Hunter from a breeder when he was only eight weeks old. He is a wonderful dog -- playful, happy, energetic. He is house-trained and crate trained. We are retired, so we don't leave him alone much. Hunter knows a few commands: sit, stay, down, come, and leave it. Been walking Hunter twice a day for 30-45 minutes. He is friendly with other dogs -wag, wag, wag -- but has not gotten a lot of exposure. Will bark when excited and will jump up on people. Pulls on his leash but is getting better. Wants to