Greater Dayton Labrador Retriever Rescue

Greater Dayton Labrador Retriever Rescue GDLRR has closed due to the unexpected passing of our founder, Renee Riegel. Greater Dayton Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.

Permanently closed.

has been successfully rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming unwanted, abused and forgotten Labrador Retrievers and other large and giant breeds for over 11 years and a registered 501(c)3 in good standing since September 26, 2006. Our main focus is Labrador Retrievers, but we also accept Great Danes, German Shepherds, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles and other large and giant breeds. We do not have a fa

cility, are solely foster home based, and all of our dogs live with individual volunteers until they’re ready for adoption. By caring for the dogs in a home environment, we can learn more about each dog and show him or her how to be a polite house pet by housebreaking and crate training them and teaching them basic obedience and social skills. All of GDLRR’s dogs and puppies are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. They’ve been comprehensively examined by a licensed veterinarian, any medical injuries or conditions treated, tested and treated for intestinal parasites, tested and treated for heartworms, fully vaccinated and microchipped. We keep our dogs healthy and groomed and provide each with monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention. As a responsible rescue, all potential GDLRR adopters must successfully complete a comprehensive approval process. Our adoption fee schedule is as follows (includes $25 application fee to be paid up front):
• $300 – Dogs 6 months or older (excluding Danes & Doodles)
• $325 – Puppies less than 6 months (excluding Danes & Doodles)
• $500 – All Great Danes, Labradoodles & Goldendoodles 6 months or older
• $525 – All Great Danes, Labradoodles & Goldendoodles less than 6 months

If you’re interested in pursuing adoption of a dog you see on this page or another adoption site, please visit our website at: http://www.gdlrr.org/adoptFosterDog.php

Thank you for choosing the adoption option!

Ok furpeeps.  I saved this for today, because today is Renee's first birthday in Heaven 🙏. I think we've all had differe...
02/27/2026

Ok furpeeps. I saved this for today, because today is Renee's first birthday in Heaven 🙏. I think we've all had different pictures of Renee arriving at the meadow just this side of the Rainbow Bridge 🌈. Please read the story below and send Renee happy birthday wishes in Heaven 😇🪽♥️

****************************
The Rescuers Final Reward
by Benny Archuleta

Unlike most days at the Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray. All the recent arrivals at the Bridge did not know what to think, as they had never seen such a day. But the animals who had been waiting longer for their beloved people to accompany them across the Bridge knew what was happening, and they began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge.

Soon an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. He approached slowly, and though he showed no sign of injury or illness, he was in great emotional pain. Unlike the animals gathered along the pathway, he had not been restored to youth and vigor upon arriving at the Bridge. He felt out of place, and wanted only to cross over and find happiness.

But as he approached the Bridge, his way was barred by an angel, who apologized and explained that the tired and broken-spirited old dog could not cross over. Only those animals accompanied by their people were allowed to cross the Bridge. Having nobody, and with nowhere else to turn, the dog trudged into the field in front of the Bridge.

There he found others like himself, elderly or infirm, sad and discouraged. Unlike the other animals waiting to cross the Bridge, these animals were not running or playing. They simply were lying in the grass, staring forlornly at the pathway across the Rainbow Bridge. The old dog took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.yet not knowing for what he was waiting.

One of the newer dogs at the Bridge asked a cat who had been there longer to explain what was happening. The cat replied, "Those poor animals were abandoned, turned away, or left at rescue places, but never found a home on earth. They all passed on with only the love of a rescuer to comfort them. Because they had no people to love them, they have nobody to es**rt them across the Rainbow Bridge."

The dog asked the cat, "So what will happen to those animals?" Before the cat could answer, the clouds began to part and the cold turned to
bright sunshine. The cat replied, "Watch, and you will see."

In the distance was a single person, and as she approached the Bridge, the old, infirm and sad animals in the field were bathed in a golden light.
They were at once made young and healthy, and stood to see what their fate would be. The animals who had previously gathered at the pathway bowed their heads as the person approached. At each bowed head, the person
offered a scratch or hug. One by one, the now youthful and healthy animals from the field fell into line behind the person. Together, they walked across the Rainbow Bridge to a future of happiness and unquestioned love.

The dog asked the cat, "What just happened?". The cat responded, "That was a rescuer. The animals gathered along the pathway bowing in respect were those who had found their forever homes because of rescuers. They will cross over when their people arrive at the
Bridge. The arrival here of a rescuer is a great and solemn event, and as a tribute they are permitted to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to es**rt all those poor animals they couldn't place on earth across the Rainbow Bridge."

The dog thought for a moment, then said, "I like rescuers." The cat smiled and replied, "So does heaven, my friend. So does heaven.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Renee ♥️. You are loved and missed by so many. Rest well, my friend 💕🐾

Matthew 25:21 "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

I found this on the web, I don't know who wrote it but it is beautiful and fitting for this site.

02/25/2026

Friends, I sincerely apologize for not getting back to y'all sooner. In all honesty, it's been extremely difficult for me to come back on the page☹️ I truly am sorry. This may be a long post, so settle in, furpeeps.

Renee's funeral service was absolutely beautiful! It was postponed one day due to the snowstorm since the county was under emergency personnel only on the roads. Despite the weather, the family was blessed with more people than was anticipated, making the funeral home add extra chairs. Renee's uncle officiated the service -- he had also officiated her wedding to Dave! -- and her grandson played the keyboard and sang. We were all in tears❣️ Renee's family was overwhelmed with all the comments and posts that they were able to see. Thank you all so much for the love!

And now, what you all want to know about.... Greater Dayton Labrador Retriever Rescue will be closing🙁 Renee had slowed down a good bit in the past year due to her health and family obligations, and there is no one to take over. There are only three dogs in the rescue now, but they are not yet ready for adoption, and I believe they may already have potential adopters when they're ready. If this changes, I will post it here.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my paws for supporting Renee and GDLRR for so many years! She is truly missed in the rescue community and by those who love her.

I will be turning off the ability to tag this page, as we are obviously not taking in any more dogs. This will help me and her husband as we all try to move forward from here. If you have a problem with a dog you adopted from the rescue, please send a message. I'll do my best to assist you.

God bless you all for your love and patience during this difficult time🙏 Please continue to hold the family in your thoughts and prayers. And always adopt, don't shop!💕🐾

Send a message to learn more

01/27/2026

Friends, please keep Renee's family and friends close to your hearts today. We are going to say our final goodbyes to her and lay her to rest 💔

01/25/2026

Good evening everyone. There's an update on the funeral for Renee. Due to the impending winter storm, Renee's viewing and service have been moved to Tuesday, 3-5 pm. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. I changed my reservations from Sunday to today, and am about an hour away now. Everyone please stay safe and warm, wherever you happen to be 🙏💔

01/21/2026

Friends, some of you have asked if Renee's service will be live streamed. The answer from the family is no.
I thought this post would be better than answering folks individually. I have not yet been able to read all the comments, but I promise to make sure the family sees them. Renee was so loved by you all 💔

UPDATE: Renee's viewing and service have been moved to Tuesday afternoon, 3-5 pm, with service at 5 pm, due to the weath...
01/21/2026

UPDATE: Renee's viewing and service have been moved to Tuesday afternoon, 3-5 pm, with service at 5 pm, due to the weather.

Below is Renee's obituary😢 Viewing is Monday, January 26, from 10am to 12noon. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Monday followed by interment services in Royal Oak Memorial Gardens.💔

GILBERT-FELLERS FUNERAL HOME
950 ALBERT RD.
BROOKVILLE, OH 45309

View Renee Lynn (Yount) Riegel's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 1 tribute posts from the community.

01/21/2026

Anyone who would like to send a card, here is the address of the rescue: 375 Baker St., Brookville, OH 45309. Some have asked about donations. They can be sent by mail to the same address or on our website at gdlrr.org. Regardless of what the future holds for GDLRR, the rescue can always use donations! Thank you all💜

Send a message to learn more

01/21/2026

Hello all. Just wanted to let you know that I do not have any information regarding the status of the rescue. All I know is that it is on "pause" while we all mourn the loss of Renee and prepare to lay her to rest. I promise to keep everyone updated as soon as I have information, but this is not the time just yet. Thank you for your understanding💔

Send a message to learn more

Friends, it is with a heavy, broken heart that I have to tell you that Renee Riegel, founder and president of Greater Da...
01/19/2026

Friends, it is with a heavy, broken heart that I have to tell you that Renee Riegel, founder and president of Greater Dayton Labrador Retriever Rescue, has passed away today😢 While the rescue world has lost a loving, dedicated woman, those of us who knew her well are grieving right now. Please keep Renee's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you for your support of the rescue and of Renee throughout the many years she spent saving thousands of dogs.🙏

Address

Brookville
Brookville, OH
45309

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