Jody and I had a rose pruning session in the (very cold) garden this morning. You’ll recall that we shared a grape pruning session recently.
I think she was pretending inexperience with roses (showing up with manual in hand) just to have an excuse to play in the garden. She took to it immediately, quickly pruning all of the tea roses in her bed. We did a quick lesson on one of the shrub roses growing along the fence, which we will not take back as far. Her instructions are to finish all 21 along the fence perimeter within the next two weeks.
I have been drafted for some marketing help for Homeward Bound (see what happens when you start a blog?) As a result, I spent a good part of my day capturing photos of dogs whose stories will appear in our newsletter and upcoming campaign. Spoiler alert: This is Maggie – she literally saved her Dad’s life. I will bring you the story as soon as it is published.
Cody, Lincoln, and Nicholas will all be featured in our campaign, “Fund of Love” which provides the support needed for up to $300,000 in extraordinary medical expenses that we incur each year.
And this is Rusty and Ginger – a beautiful pair, currently being fostered and in search of their forever home.
Somehow, I managed to get to the rest of the tea roses today; fifteen, I believe. I lost count. This very hungry bee was not happy with my work, clinging to a frost-bitten rose in the pile of clippings – and despairing about the branches left bare.
“Nature looks dead in winter because her life is gathered into her heart. She withers the plant down to the root that she may grow it up again fairer and stronger.” ~Hugh Macmillan, “Rejuvenescence,” The Ministry of Nature, 1871
Nature may be cold and bare in the winter, but we have Golden warmth gathered in our hearts.
Gardens For Goldens 
Beautiful shots!!!
Thank you! Hard to miss with such amazing subjects!
All the dogs are Beautiful! I esp love the shot of the flower and bee, very well captured!
Thank you. Wish I had the macro lens on hand for that one! Next time…
Wishing ‘forever homes’ come soon for all of your special Goldens.
They say “thank you!” Judy 🙂
What beautiful dogs, to go with a beautiful project!
Big giant fluff balls of love…but then, you know all about that – don’t you? 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Blessings on your marketing work: may it be so successful your sweet Goldens will be welcomed, healed, placed in loving forever-homes and continue their important work of healing their two-legged companions :). The roses look so very well-tended! Love the quote, so true for me, too, in winter, Lovely photos, as always, Ogee!
“Healing their two-legged companions”…so well put, Catherine. I may have to borrow that. You have inspired a future post! Thank you for visiting with us. Blessings to you!
Another beautiful post. It’s always so wonderful to visit here. Best wishes for all those sweet pups.
Thank you! Just received this week’s adoption tally: 8 more have found their forever homes 🙂
That’s fantastic! I’m a volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter and maintain a separate blog about it. I know how important every adoption is (and how much work goes in to each one). I’m so happy to hear that so many have found forever homes! It’s truly wonderful news.
I’d love to read your othe blog – but don’t find a link..?
Last year we took in 532 dogs. During the height of the recession, it was over 700 per year! It is so rewarding to see them get adopted, especially the ones that have unique medical, behavioral, or emotional issues. When that happens, I don’t know who wows me more – the dogs, or the people who open their hearts to them!
Beautiful, beautiful dogs.
They say “thank you!” (We like those labs too!)