Video: Lilly and Rio.
Video: Lilly meeting another dog.
Video: Lilly playing "find it".
Lilly, 1 1/2 yo, 40lb Spayed yellow Lab Mix
Background: Lilly was found by a good Samaritan as a stray in Stanislaus County. After nobody came to claim her, he contacted Golden Gate Lab Retriever Rescue to help find her a home. A wonderful family adopted her, but their circumstances have changed and so they are unable to provide her the continued long-term training and care she needs.
What Lilly's Former Owners Say: Lilly is a sweet and gentle companion. She is a loving, food-motivated pup who thrives outdoors. She loves fetching balls, tugging rope, and zooming happily around the yard, especially in the mornings. She’s calm indoors, crate-trained, and usually content to rest on her bed.
Lilly’s past is unknown; she shows fearfulness and a strong aversion to the leash. She currently wears a short leash around the house to get more used to the feel. She’ll do best in a home with a confident, friendly dog to model leash skills and build her confidence. She can be reserved with strangers and slow to engage unless she feels safe, but she's making steady progress with our family. Lilly needs an adopter willing to continue behavior work to reduce her anxiety.
What Lilly's Rescue Rep Says:Lilly will need a very special adopter—someone willing to help continue her journey toward feeling safe, confident, and truly at home. While we will never know what early experiences shaped her, Lilly is timid around people, sensitive to loud noises, and easily overwhelmed in new or unfamiliar environments. What we do know is that, given time and patience, she is capable of trust, connection, and quiet joy.
Her progress with her previous owners and foster shows what’s possible but transitioning to another home will still take time. Lilly will need an experienced, patient adopter who understands that her trust cannot be rushed and that setbacks may be part of the process. She thrives with routine, calm energy, and gentle guidance.
A quiet suburban or rural home with a securely fenced yard is essential, giving Lilly the freedom to explore at her own pace. She gains confidence from other dogs and would do best in a home with at least one calm, well-adjusted canine companion who can help show her the world is a safe place. Homes with small children are likely to be too overwhelming for her and may cause her to retreat.
Lilly is a unique, sensitive dog who deserves an adopter committed to the long haul—someone who will celebrate small victories, respect her boundaries, and give her all the time and space she needs to continue growing. For the right person, Lilly offers the chance to form a deep meaningful bond built on patience, trust, and compassion.
Medical: Lilly is a healthy girl. She’s up to date on vaccines, microchipped, heartworm negative, and spayed.
Located In: Corte Madera.
If you can adopt of foster Lilly, please contact Rescue Rep Kathy at ksmillich@gmail.com
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