Gardens For Goldens

A Place You Called Home

January 10, 2021 by Ogee

We all know the story. When you drove out to the property for the first time, you said: “I am home.” Driving out to the rescue today, I saw again why you loved this piece of open country so. The landscape rose from the fog and frost-bitten ground. The flooded rice fields – glass-like and still – were filled with geese, ducks and coots. The sun broke through and cleared a path through the mist. Had I known the day […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Loss • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Jody Jones

Seasons Pass

November 1, 2020 by Ogee

Fall blew in on a mighty, cold, north wind. It toppled our beloved Willow tree, but left a trail of purple blooming asters in its wake. Just a couple weeks ago, we were still brushing the century mark. Now it is sweater weather. The two-day wind storm stoked anxieties about more wildfires. We were thankfully spared here. I want to hide in the garden away from the news and the sense of dread I feel about the election ahead and […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Humanity, Thought • Tags: 2020, election 2020

To Dream A Garden

October 18, 2020 by Ogee

“I knew it would be bigger…but…” We had an honored guest in the garden this weekend. Laure is a master gardener and the original architect of the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden going back more than ten years. Her design drawings are still housed in our shed, although the garden has morphed quite a bit over time. The plan called for themed beds. Some, like the White Garden and Rose Garden bed are still as intended. We found that others like […]

Categories: Gardening, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature Photography • Tags: Asters, Fall Garden, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, To Dream A Garden

The Garden Calls For You

October 11, 2020 by Ogee

I arrived early that Sunday morning. Learning of her fall, I went to check on her. As she was loaded to the ambulance, I told her it would be okay. I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be – but who am I to argue with the power of prayer? We grieve the loss of our founder, leader, mentor, and friend. Her impact was immeasurable. The outpouring of love and sorrow at the news, indescribable. I have found it difficult […]

Categories: Friendship, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Loss, Rescue • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Jody Jones

Hurry Home

August 23, 2020 by Ogee

So much power in such a tiny thing – use it to heal and get home soon. You are loved and needed more than you’ll ever know. We’ll watch over “the garden” until your return.

Categories: Friendship • Tags: Friendship, Healing

Seventy Eight Days

August 16, 2020 by Ogee

The world feels small. Not so much to the tiny creatures that inhabit it; they are oblivious to our reality. It is hard enough for them to live in the reality we have created for them – like the unprecedented heat wave that grips the west right now. But for humans; our world has diminished. As the pandemic expanded, we all became more isolated. Our view narrowed, our differences widened, and our resilience has been tested. Some of us are […]

Categories: Humanity, Thought • Tags: hope, Humanty

The Gardener’s Shadow

July 12, 2020 by Ogee

We are sizzling this week. I have been giving the garden an extra evening drink when possible, and I am lucky to have a garden buddy to watch over things when I cannot be there. Rob is our primary dog photographer at the rescue, the author of Rob & Dog, and a recognized dog whisperer. He reintroduced me to photography years ago when I began working in the garden. I studied photography in art school but adopted the snobby bias […]

Categories: Gardening, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature Photography • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Memorial Garden

Angel At The Bridge

July 8, 2020 by Ogee

There is a saying: “Wait for them at the bridge.” It is usually refers to a dog waiting for its faithful human companion(s) at the Rainbow Bridge, where dogs go—just this side of heaven—to run free and play, restored, until they can cross the bridge together with their human again. In this case, it was reversed. Cannela is the orphaned girl dog of an orphaned man. Homeless, they lived under a bridge in Mexico – a home that offered some […]

Categories: Dog Rescue, Dogs, Golden Retreiver Rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Rescue • Tags: Humanity, Rescue Dogs

Life Lives in the Gray

June 21, 2020 by Ogee

I have not written lately; I have not been able to find my words. I simultaneously feel like I have an obligation – and no right at all – to speak. I feel ignorant and naïve about the depth of the pain that has swirled around me. And I feel lost; I barely recognize my world anymore. The endless drone of falsehood and hate; the path designed to wear us down. Each day obliterating another norm of decency and democracy. […]

Categories: Humanity, Thought • Tags: Life lives in the gray

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