For lack of a better place (that I could figure out) I'm listing this here, but mods please move as you see appropriate. I am posting this for a friend. Please PM me if you think you or someone you know could be the new home that Ollie needs.

Ollie is a 6 year old, black labrador. He is currently living in the greater Zurich area with someone who adopted him from an expat couple who left Switzerland to live in the UK and couldn't find accomodation that would take a dog. This person has a lot going on in her life right now: a close family member is quite ill in her home country, and with her own family and pets, Ollie has just become too much for her to handle right now.

In her words "Ollie is a delightful dog. Very good with children and very friendly. He is very obedient on commands within the house." However he is also stubborn and needs a home with experienced pet owners who are not intimidated by his stubbornness and can help him work in this area.

A bit more about the breed:
source: http://www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue/adopt.html

I'm sure that Ollie could be just the dog that someone is looking for, so please spread the word to anyone that you think might be able to give him a loving home.

just a point to say labs need a reasonable amount of exercise. Do not skimp on your research of what a breed needs attention- and exercise-wise and bear in mind some breeds obey willfully whereas some are absolute hard-headed buggers!!

Execllent point Lob. I think Ollie would do well with someone who walks alot or has an otherwise active lifestyle in which he could participate.

Am also a big advocate on people being sure a breed suits their lifestyle before adopting. There is a fabulous interactive tool for that purpose but it is offline right now so folks will just need to research the labrador breed (tons of info online) to decide if it's a good fit for their family and lifestyle.

It might help interested parties to know:

Is Ollie neutered?
Is he cat/small furry friendly?
Can he live with other dogs? Other males?
Any health history is also helpful.

Can Ollie stay with your friend until a home is found, rather than going into kennels? Many shelters are full to the brim, but if he could stay where he is some might be able to help in placing Ollie even if they did not have space at the moment.

You might have your friend get in touch with Labrador In Not - this is a German lab/retriever rescue site, but it can't help to spread the word. Because breed rescues are not so common here Swiss dogs in need are also often posted in the relevant German sites. And Swiss folks looking for a specific breed often turn to the German rescue sites. And of course, someone across the border looking for a lab may be interested in adopting this dog.

http://www.retriever-in-not.de/

In the Zürich area, Tierheime Surber and Pfotli have excellent reputations - they would be good people to talk to.

http://www.tierheim-surber.ch/

http://www.tierrettung.ch/

Your friend should also list Ollie on the Tierschutz databank. Individuals can also post here - the database is not restricted to rescues.

http://tierschutz.ch

Another place to list Ollie's details is the Mein Hund discussion forum:

http://www.mein-hund.ch

She could also try talking to the various Hundeschule in the area - often trainers know of someone looking for a dog, or can at least pass the word along.

And, of course, posting notices (pic and description) in area vet offices is helpful - most vets have bulletin boards in their waiting rooms.

This is a long shot - but if Ollie is pedigreed, your friend might also call the Retriever Club of Switzerland, the SKG breed club. They are not (generally) into rescue, however as these are all lab people a member may informally know of someone looking to adopt a lab. Some breed clubs keep a 'Notfall' list - don't know if the retriever club does, though.

http://www.retriever.ch

Another place to list Ollie (another lab rescue forum -don't know anything about these folk, just found them googling...)

http://www.retriever-hilfe.de

I'll start asking around as well - I'm mostly involved with collie rescue and collie people, but one never knows....

edited to correct link--

Heya

Just thought I would offer my place as a temporary home for Ollie but only as of Easter, as we are both out of the country. That is if he doesnt already have a home by then ....

Enjoy and good luck finding a home..

kt

Hi al! I have gotten more information about Ollie, and would ask that you continue to keep him in mind if you know of anyone looking for a new furry companion.

In my opinion (and that of the person who currently has Ollie) the nature of the problems are actually not that great - and she does believe that even these could be overcome with someone who has the time to devote to working with Ollie. But because of her family situation, this is just not possible for her and will not be for the forseeable future and so they have, after much soul-searching, decided that Ollie would be better off in a home where his needs can be met more fully.

Again, please PM me if you are interested or know anyone who is. The owner does not speak German or Swiss German, but I could probably draft my husband to interpret if anyone finds a person who is interested but doesn't feel comfortable talking to her in English.

Just adding a couple of photos of Ollie. He's still in need of a new family so if you know of any likely candidates, please PM me for more information.

Ollie has a new home! His new people have a lots of land and he is a tired, happy camper. They had a trial "sleepover" this weekend and they loved him and asked could they please just keep him from that point forward, as they couldn't bear to part with him.

Thanks to everyone who expressed interest and ideas to help with Ollie's search for a new home. There were a couple of folks on the forum who really went the extra mile on Ollie's behalf and the support was much appreciated.

Sob sob, i just love a happy ending