In November, 2011, I joined a group of volunteers answering a call for help from Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary serving Northern California. The volunteer organization rescues and heals displaced, abandoned, and homeless Golden Retrievers and Golden/Labrador mixes, no matter their age or health. The Memorial Garden had been equally abandoned. What should serve as a tribute to rescued Goldens had fallen into disrepair. The hope is that pride of ownership will kick in with a small army of volunteer gardeners, leading to the restoration of the garden as a place of peace and remembrance, as well as an opportunity for fundraising.
As a recipient of two beloved rescues from Homeward Bound – Bella and Jackson – this is my opportunity to support the work of those who go to extraordinary lengths to save and place hundreds of dogs each year.
Through this story of a rescued garden, I hope to inspire others to share the love of rescued pups.
Gardens For Goldens 
Audrey, this blog is a lovely, loving tribute. It is also a nice complement to Laure’s e-mail updates. Your passion and compassion clearly underlie each blog. You are a Homeward Bound “scribe” making a difference through your beautiful photos and writing.
Sue, it was great spending time with you and Brock in the garden today! I can’t wait to see the finished result. The gardens – and the dogs – are great inspiration. I thoroughly enjoy sharing the results of our collective efforts with others. See you in the garden!
Wonderful blog – found you through “Romancing the Bee” I garden and have a standard poodle who keeps me company in it every day. It can be a wonderful mix 🙂
“Romancing” – a wonderful blog. And now I have found yours! Beautiful.
My office mate has a service dog – half golden, half standard poodle. Sweet, and smart as a whip. The best of both 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
I just read and viewed the wonderful photographs for a number of posts here. They are interesting, fun and so pretty. WOW. You have rescued the garden! I enjoyed the visit.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for visiting us! It’s been quite a project, but really rewarding.
Ogee, I nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blog Award” – I love what you do here and wanted to share your site with others. Here’s the link: http://composerinthegarden.com/2012/08/07/the-gift-of-inspiration/ Cheers! ~Lynn
Lynn, I’m so honored and touched. Your nomination helps to shine another light on the dedication of our Homeward Bound rescuers and the garden dedicated to our Golden Retriever friends. I’ve read your post, and understand that I must pay the honor forward – which I will happily get to work on. Thank you! – Ogee
Gardens and Goldens how could I not follow you. 😀
🙂
It is so wonderful what you have done. I love reading your posts (the flowers in your last post were just beautiful too).
Thank you, Jesse! Your blog has been a source of inspiration to me as well 🙂
A neat blog and wonderful causes – Goldens and Gardens, love them both. Enjoyed walking through your garden.
Thanks Mary! Nice to meet you…and now to follow you. Painting is my first passion, and yours are beautiful!
Our current golden rescue, lissa, is our fifth. Good Work.
Good work to you!! Thanks for choosing to rescue! 🙂
I’ve enjoyed your blog and have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Follow link for information http://oilpastelsbymary.com/2012/09/10/a-blogging-award/
You’re so sweet, thanks for the nod 🙂 P.S…My Watercolorist’s Essential Notebook has arrived. It’s like starting all over again…the right way! Thanks again for the tip!
You’re welcome! To this day I still go back to this book and revisit sections when I’m stumped on painting certain subjects. Best wishes ~ Mary
Love your blog! It’s awesome how 4 passions – gardening, photography, blogging and love for all things golden mesh so beautifully in one place. I come here plenty- to see what’s new, for the pictures, doggy appearances and the lovely quotes you manage to find 🙂 Thank you for so many pleasant reads. ~50n681rd
That is so sweet and generous. It is a joy to write with so much inspiration around and so many kindred souls to share with. Thank you for stopping by!
Hello, I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Super Sweet Award! Thank you for creating such an interesting, super sweet blog 🙂 Here’s the link: http://twoblackdoggies.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/super-sweet-award/
You’re so nice, Sam! Thanks for the nod. You keep me inspired 🙂
You’re welcome Ogee!
I recently adopted a dog from Homeward Bound and we are forever bonded. HBGRR is a great organization, it’s so nice that you are a part of the memorial garden! In case you want to see a picture of my beloved new friend here’s the post I wrote about him: http://meganeilers.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/obsession-of-the-week-buddy/
Originally he was “Isis” but we went with the name Buddy 🙂
Hi Megan! Buddy (formerly Isis) is on an old post…https://gardensforgoldens.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/thanks-for-sharing/
He looks great and happy in his new home! Thanks for visiting – and for adopting! Homeward Bound hearts you and your new Buddy!
What a beautiful, beautiful blog . . . and what beautiful work you do. Thanks from a Golden Retriever who dreams of a day when every dog is in a loving home . . . with a lovely garden!
Thank you, Miss Harper Lee! I’m so glad you found us. You are as cute now as when you were a little puppy. We’ll happily follow your adventures as well!
I’m a golden lover and a golden owner, so I couldn’t be a whole lot happier to follow your story. I live in San Jose, and I’ve been hoping to find a way to make a road trip with my little guy, Mac, for an event, and if you need “Taxi” drivers in San Jose, I’d love to throw my hat in the ring. I’ll look up contact info to email your team.
Hi Kim! I’m so glad you found us. We can always use another golden-lover follower…and quite possibly, another Taxi Driver. You will find information on this page
http://www.homewardboundgoldens.org/volunteering/volunteering.php
And thank you!!
Nice blog and nice tribute to the Goldens 😉
Thank you for visiting with us!
I have nominated you for a Liebster Award because I think you’re fabulous. See you on the red carpet, and keep blogging!
http://thek9harperlee.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/and-the-liebster-goes-to/
Miss Harper Lee
Miss Harper Lee, on behalf of all the Goldens and gardeners…thank you! Awards are not as big a deal as all the canines and humans that come to visit and share with us. And phew! That was a lot of work for you! Your paws must be smarting!!! P.S…I believe the rule is that if you can find shorter rules – you get to go with them! You’re the best…even if you do eat putrid things sometimes. 🙂
This is amazing! What a fantastic project. I think what you’re doing is such a beautiful reflection of the kind and gentle spirit of Goldens – Great work!
Thank you! So glad you could visit…and I’m very sorry for your loss. I’ll happily follow along with you (fellow crazy dog lady!) Can’t wait to read more!
I truly enjoy your blog and have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Bloggers Award, please see the details at: http://oilpastelsbymary.com/
You are too sweet, Mary. The garden, goldens and I are very grateful – but mostly grateful for entire blogging community and the opportunity to bring visibility to importance of rescue. Looks like I have some new blogs on your list to visit. Thank you!
Wonderful, I love this idea. I have a gorgeous Golden myself, rescued him from a breeder in Milano.
I look forward to read more from you in the future, I’m your new follower! 🙂
Have a great week and keep up the good work.
Greetings from the Rhine Valley
Dina
Great to meet you Dina! Thanks for visiting with us…and thank you for rescuing!
We have a Golden Mix (with Australian Shepherd) named Gracie. She was a rescue and we adore her. She was an instrumental part of our foster/now adopted son’s healing from trauma and abuse and they are now constant companions. I am so glad to have found your lovely site and look forward to reading more!
Hi Danielle,
So glad you found us! Thanks for your love of Gracie, your fostered/adopted sons – and for your service as well as your husband’s to our country (supportive military spouses/families make our troops’ work possible.)
It’s amazing how dogs and children can be healed together. I’ll happily read along with you as well!
Although I am not a “dog person”, I must say you are writing a great blog here: interesting, relevant, and aesthetically pleasing despite of the somewhat bleak reality it describes. Keep up the good work!
Thank you. You don’t have to be a “dog person” to appreciate humane treatment. Please share the tips with others so we can all do better.
P.S…your photographs are stunning.
Your blog is one of the wonderful animal blogs I found on WordPress! I too also love dogs and we’re taking care of 2 stray dogs at home. We recently found a lab pup. And she’s simply lovely! Your work and thoughts are inspiring. I will be getting some tips through my readings here. Take care and good luck ! 😀
Hello, Nessy!
Thank you for visiting with us from such a distance! Looking forward to your posts. And thanks for rescuing!
I have been looking but can’t find the information on your bricks. Are they still available?
Hi Betty,
The information is here on Homeward Bound’s site: http://homewardboundgoldens.org/bricks/index.php
Let me know if you purchase one in honor/memory of a special pup. I’d be happy to send a picture once it is installed 🙂
Thanks Audrey. I couldn’t find it on the site tonight. I’m planning on buying two of the 8″ ones to be placed side by side, and I’d love a photo.
Happily. Let me know the names – and thank you 🙂 What a wonderful way to remember your special ones while helping other dogs in need.
I just placed the order, one for Nikki and one for Leah. The one for Leah will have a photo. I’ll look forward to seeing a photo of them and seeing them in your beautiful garden.
Wonderful! I will forward when they arrive 🙂
I’ve happily nominated you for the Missy Award here – http://dailyspro.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/the-missy-award/!
Well deserved! When I heard the criteria, I immediately thought of you and your beautiful tribute. Keep up the pawesome work!
Dailyspro
I am so surprised and delighted to be counted in such good company! Thank you…for the nod…for loving Newton so deeply and still putting your heart out there to help more.
What a wonderful way to start my day. 🙂
Absolutely – Thank you for all that you do on a daily basis !
I have nominated you for the WordPress Family Award. You can read all about it here: http://thek9harperlee.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/we-are-fam-i-ly-get-up-everybody-and-dance/. Your lovely photos and stories of the Homeward Bound gardens and dogs give us all hope of more beautiful days to come. Thank you!
Oh, Miss Harper Lee – you are so generous! Thank you for your kindness! 🙂
Hi Audrey, I think you might find “family” an interesting topic on http://www.oilpastelsbymary.com. Enjoy!!
You’re too nice,Mary! And congratulations. Now I am really behind on awards too. 🙂
You’re welcome and thanks! Actually I have many more awards coming out this week – I have been behind and have felt so guilty about it.
What you do on a daily basis inspire me. I have nominated you for the Shine On award.
See it here. Have a good week ahead!
http://baconandjackrussells.com/2013/06/23/shine-on/
All this time I thought I was following you. Now I really am! Great blog, Ogee.
Funny! Thank you…and thanks for stopping by!
🙂
Audrey do you know if my bricks got installed on the weekend? I would so love a photo of them.
Please remind me of the inscription…thanks!
One was for Leah, with a photo, and one was for Nikki, just the inscription.
I’m sorry to take so long to respond today, but I wanted to surprise you with the posted photos. My friend Rob was kind enough to get them for us. You have waited so patiently to see these touching messages. Hugs to you, Grady…and Brandy!
Thanks so much! It makes me sad to see their names there, but I know in buying the bricks it will help other Goldens to find a home and the same happiness they brought me.
We’ll look at them with smiles…knowing they were well loved. 🙂
Congratulations on making such an important difference in the lives of your beautiful rescues and ultimately their adoptive families. It’s a beautiful thing. I came by way of my dear friend Alys of ‘Gardening Nirvana’ who I also met blogging. Kindred spirits, she knew that I would love it here. My husband and I finally made the move from the country to the city after saying goodbye to our dog Buddy. As we’re currently renting while hunting for a new home, I’ll look forward to getting my doggy fix here with you.
I’m so glad that Alys introduced us. I searched your blog and found Buddy. What a beautiful boy…and I’m sure, still much missed. I’ll be happy to provide your doggy fix until circumstances allow another. 🙂
Awesome. Touching,Inspiring.
We just found you and will follow. Junior is a rescued golden,who now gives back as an Ambassadog for golden rescue here in Texas as well as a Therapy Dog and Reading dog.
Your blog touched our hearts.
Jill and
Junior
A Therapy Dog with Opinions
Ahhh…thank you! I will enjoy following Junior as well!
I nominated your wonderful bloggy for the Liebster Award: http://kolytyi.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/liebster-award/ 🙂
Thank you! That is very kind.
Could I get the photographer’s name to the photos posted on your site “Mourning Doves Hatched”. I like to get permission to use their photographs.
Hi Ogee- I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. (You can read about it here: https://thek9harperlee.wordpress.com/2017/08/04/isnt-she-lovely/.) You’re under absolutely no obligation to follow those silly award rules. 🙂 I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your beautiful blog and two of my favorite things: gardens and Goldens. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
This is so kind of you! And how wonderful that we get to hear from Tallulah for the first time! I can’t wait to read through the long list of nominees and I am honored to be included. Thank you.
You are quite welcome!
Dear Ogee: I too have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Of course participation is optional but if you are interested you can get more information here on my recent post: https://goldenkali.com/2017/08/08/one-lovely-blog-award/
– Take care,
Mike and Kali
Thank you, Mike and Kali! We have many friends in common. I am honored to be included and can’t wait to check out the ones that are new to me!