We have 4 (currently) rescue labs. 2 came from actual shelters, and 2 came from people who wanted to dump them off. 3 of our 4 will come running like lightning from anywhere in the house if they hear the ice maker in the kitchen refrigerator kick on (like to fill a glass with ice from the door). They will sit there and beg for an ice cube like it's food from the gods. Give them each one and they'll think they've had the greatest treat there is. The 4th, and oldest one, couldn't give a toss about ice cubes, and thinks the other 3 are stupid for wanting them.
All 4 of them will come when they hear a cheese wrapper. Wifey gives our oldest ones pills wrapped in cheese, so that's what "started" it. But they each get a small piece of cheese when the 2 oldest ones get their morning pill, "So that it's fair". So yeah, just like in the picture, they hear a cheese wrapper from the other end of the house, or even while in the basement, and they're right there.
Each one came with their own "story", some were sad, but all were given up on by at least one previous owner. Mostly just neglect, but one was physically abused (had his ribs broken previously, we found that out during one of his frequent vet visits when he needed an X-ray done). They each have their own set of quirks and a different personality. They have bonded to us and each other, now we are all one family "pack". They have a safe place to live, a fully fenced and secured back yard to run in, and they are never left outside regardless of the weather. I'd say they have it pretty good.
One of the "worst" and strangest things I've had one do (and this one wins the all time record for me-life time dog owner) our small yellow lab one time took a fresh turd out of the toilet bowl like he was bobbing for apples, carried it into the living room, and laid down with it and ate it. We had guests over at the time, and their youngster went to use the bathroom, for some reason did his business and didn't flush. Dog went in, found the "prize" and proceeded to carry it off. Didn't even know what happened (we were all in the other room) until the whole deed was done. Kind of revolting and disgusted us all (including our guests). I mean how do you even process that?
Lol. He's a great, sweet "little" (60 pounds) dog. But Dang, that's just weird and kind of disgusting all at the same time. It took a while to look at him after that without getting weirded out.
Same dog will also go after and beg for used tissues. Like after you've blown your nose or wiped your face with one, he wants it. He wants it bad. He will sit there and beg for it like it's a dog biscuit. Just a weird little guy.
Our newest member is a 2 year old black lab. He's just full of it all the time. Ready to play at any moment, life is an adventure, like all lab puppies. He lived in a cage at a previous owner's house. They even had 2 young kids, but no one "had time" for the dog, so it literally lived in it's cage for it's first year of life. He wasn't even house broken. He seems to have outgrown most of his abandonment issues, but he will still cry and yip sometimes when we leave for work. He also has to be close to one of us all the time. He's getting better at it, and consistency and a permanent home where he gets lots of play time (by us and the other dogs) has really helped him behavior wise.
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