We just can’t say enough good things about L.E.A.R.N. and we are so grateful to them for matching us with Sam. We said goodbye to our dear lab friend of fourteen years in December 2007. After a couple months of mourning the loss it became more and more evident that our home greatly missed the energy only a four legged friend can bring. Our search for a rescue dog was complicated by the fact we had a son that was just a year old. We couldn’t take the chance of bringing a dog into our home whose experience with children was questionable. My husband found L.E.A.R.N. and we soon realized it was the missing link. It required nothing but a bit of patience from us and trust in the wonderful volunteers to find a match for our family and our unique situation. We, of course, had our sights on a young dog with the “freshness’ of the memory of our recent loss still looming. But we came to realize we had developed quite a soft spot for the older labs. Something so unique in their presence captivates us and draws us to them. We promised ourselves we would scrutinize each detail and not fall ‘prey’ to the emotions we dog lovers tend to succumb to so easily. But that all flew out the window the night I read Sam’s description. We were simply drawn to him and went with our gut. We are so glad we did. Sam is wonderful addition to our family. Our little guy is two now and he and Sam were fast friends. There is just something about a boy with his dog…..

I want to say thank you so much to Sam’s foster mom, Mary, who was willing to drive to us. Her sympathy to the difficulties of driving long distances with a toddler was symbolic of the generosity and compassion of L.E.A.R.N. in general. Christine and Mary have both been so supportive and attentive to our needs before and after adopting Sam. As with any adoption, there is an adjustment that can be tough on the dog and on the family. Thankfully, we had nothing but a few minor adjustments to work out but we never felt we were working on them alone. We are so happy to be part of the L.E.A.R.N. family. It is a network of committed, generous, resourceful, and compassionate people. It plays such an important role to our community and it has played such a special role in our lives and in Sam’s. Thank you.

~The Lutz Family