Category: Dog Rescue
Nature Finds A Way
Given that our Memorial Garden was under water just a week ago, I was surprised and amazed to find it beginning to bud and bloom.
It seems impossible that the bulbs, plants and trees survived submersion for so long and still pushed forward to beckon spring.
Mother Nature is nothing if not persistent. She has her limits, mind you, but a plant’s purpose is to go forth and produce the leaves from which it feeds and seeds it sows to ensure its future.
“The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground.” ~ Author Unknown
Nature finds a way.
It’s an important reminder. When obstacles block our path and threaten what we believe to be right, fair, and true to our purpose – like nature – we need to adapt until we find our way beyond the barrier.
It means taking collective and personal responsibility, even when the going is tough.
It means standing up for what is right.
Life is full of impediments and hurdles – persistence and personal responsibility are the tools required to clear them.
“You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” ~ Jim Rohn
We can find a way.
Wordless Wednesday: Going Home Day
The little girl renamed Moose, the Doodle, Clifford – after the Big Red Dog. 🙂
The Welcome Mat
When our Jackson picked Yogi out for adoption last fall, I sometimes thought our Bella had been reincarnated in him.
The way he cuddles, paws you for pets, refuses to be ignored, hogs the bed, and enjoys gardening with me were wonderfully familiar. But he was definitely his own dog and a bit of a project one at that. On our first few walks, I wondered what I had gotten myself into when he reacted very negatively to select dogs passing by. I’m not kidding. Four paws came off the ground with ferocious barking. It wasn’t aggression. It was insecurity. When he wasn’t doing that – he was hugging my leg for dear life.
Bella was not great with other dogs. As long as we kept our distance, she was OK, but bringing a dog into the house was too much for her. Which meant that fostering – of all but little puppies – was out of the question.
I began working with Yogi immediately. Working on positive association (“look Yogi, nice dog!” / sit / treat) and gradually introducing him to friendly neighbor dogs. When friends came by with dogs unannounced and marched into the house to tail-wagging welcomes, I knew we had made progress. When Rush stayed with us, and Yogi welcomed him so warmly, I knew the progress was good.
Last Sunday night, when concerns at the Oroville Dam about an hour away forced the evacuation of surrounding communities, we made a decision to move the rescue’s friendliest dogs to foster and prepared to evacuate the rest if the call came. So, when my husband and I loaded two five-month-old puppies and two 11-year old Goldens into the car, I admit to saying a little prayer that Yogi would be a good boy. And what a good boy he was.
I knew the puppies would not be a concern; he loved them instantly.
While Jackson just rolled his eyes and moved to the back room, Yogi wanted to jump into their little area and start the play!
Then my husband unloaded Felix and Max, one at a time. Jackson had met them before. In fact, I thought they would be candidates for adoption when we lost Bella. But Jackson was the odd boy out in that threesome, and he selected our young hellion instead. We did introductions on leash in the front yard with Jackson present. Neutral territory. Tails were up, butts were sniffed, and then everyone moved into the house with excitement, but ease.
I kept the big boys separated at first. But after a day, they all decided: enough of that.
And for the rest of the time that Felix and Max stayed with us, everyone was together. Have you ever tried to sleep with four snoring dogs?
Meanwhile, the puppies needed exhausting: Yogi to the rescue!
I’m so proud of this boy. Somewhere along the way, my insecure wildebeest became the kind of dog that would roll out the welcome mat to a dog in need.
We have another big storm bearing down on us and our water-logged levees.
Our emergency plan is tested and ready.
And my houseful of boys has been a lot of work – but an absolute delight.
Puppy Truths
These are the irrefutable truths of puppies in the rainy season.
1. Mud and poo are indistinguishable.
2. The dirtier the puppy, the more aerodynamic.
3. Clean is fleeting.
4. Towels are not for bathing; they are for playing.
5. Puppy adorableness always trumps puppy stinkiness
6. Pockets are for picking.
7. Resistance is futile.
8. And saying goodbye is so very hard to do.
Happy life, Cici! See you at the Reunion Picnic in May!
Wordless Wednesday: Squish Buddy
Wordless Wednesday: Playing in the Puddles
A Rescue Tale
This story has been embargoed for what seems like forever. I could not wait to report the full happily ever after.
It began in mid-December, when someone who has long been connected to our rescue saw something out of the corner of his eye as he drove down the road. Instead of continuing on, he stopped. He found two dogs, a German Shepherd and a German Pointer, tied to each other in the mud. The weather had been alternating between rain and freezing. Their only shelter was a dilapidated fruit crate. With only three feet of chain between them – only one dog could raise itself above the muck.
Our rescuer spoke to the owners. They claimed the dogs had been dumped, separately, in the surrounding country and they took them “in.” The story took twists and turns as they spoke, but the bottom line was that they would give them up. That was all he needed to know.
He and his wife set about contacting rescues. Relying on foster care, their inns were full so close to Christmas. They worried about bringing the dogs to a shelter given the Shepherd’s age. Given their breeds, they didn’t automatically think of Homeward Bound, but when our president got wind of it, she said “we’ll take them.” They were quickly transported to safety.
The Shepherd, Sadie, had a microchip; the owner on record did not return our call.
Gage had no identification. Our vet put Sadie at 13, and Gage at 6. We had been told that Gage had been joined with Sadie about a year ago.
The dogs had bonded through adversity despite the difference in their ages. Still, their needs were very different. Once freed, Sadie worked hard at keeping up with Gage who ran like the wind. At 13, a leisurely walk was more her speed.
Whenever we can, we keep bonded pairs together. But in this case, we felt that potential adopters would be looking for two very different kinds of dogs and that could significantly reduce their chances. On Christmas Eve, Sadie went home with former adopters who had been searching for a special, older dog to pair with their senior Golden. They fell instantly in love with her.
Gage was temporarily lost without her. I had taken him for a walk while Sadie was being adopted. To watch him search for her when we returned was heartbreaking. But he got extra loving and lots of play time from our volunteers who discovered that – after expending his energy – this adorable boy wanted nothing more than to climb in your lap and cuddle. Gage’s rescuers visiting with him:
We also learned that Gage didn’t have a single hunting instinct in him, which is probably why he was dumped. He walked right by bunnies and kitties, and the sound of gunfire from nearby hunters sent him running for safety.
Over New Year’s, one of our volunteers brought her neighbors out to meet Gage. This special family was already involved with Pointer rescue, and were the adoptive parents of two beautiful (human) girls. They had recently lost one of their Pointers. While they weren’t sure if they were ready, they found Gage’s story compelling.
Hiding in the adjacent yard so he wouldn’t see me, I watched and listened, hopeful, as Gage chased the girls around the Park. The family had a vacation planned and could not take him immediately. We crossed our paws, and they returned last week with their dog, Toby, for an introduction. Toby is a big Pointer mix without a care in the world. His boundless energy put Gage a little on guard. We sent them home for a trial week to make sure all would be well. And after a few days of figuring each other out – it was.
Gage was officially adopted this week. He and Toby are now playmates, and sleeping mates – in the bed, of course!
What a life Sadie and Gage will have now – because someone stopped and asked instead of driving by. It’s a small thing that can turn anyone into a rescuer and give a gift that makes a world of difference in the life of a dog – and quite possibly, yours, too.
Stir Crazy
“The sun did not shine.
It was too wet to play.
So we sat in the house.
All that cold, cold, wet day.”
~ Dr. Seuss
After almost a week of rain, we’re all a little bit stir crazy. So when the clouds broke a bit and the sun shone for oh so short a time, heels kicked up –
and they were off!
There’s just nothing like dogs
or puppies
with the serious case of zoomies to brighten your day –
unless it’s dogs going to their new forever homes.
Fare thee well Breezy,
Goldie,
Summer,
And Oscar, who found the perfect group of six to wear down his youthful exuberance and get him trained into some semblance of a well-mannered pup!
The rain will return on Wednesday, but until then, we play!
Rescue Begins at Home
Homeward Bound welcomed two new dogs from a Shanghai rescue this week. Say hello to Oscar…
and Kenny.
We’re working with a new group that we had heard does a wonderful job of giving street dogs a second chance, providing healthcare, vetting, and socialization before they come over to find forever homes.
Like the Taiwan and Korea dogs before them, our rescue is happy to be in a position to assist dogs wherever there is a need.
But we never forget that rescue begins at home. This week, rescue began very close to my home.
My elderly neighbors have been through a lot. The husband has twice recovered from significant health issues, and now the wife is struggling. They have always been dog people, and Rush has been their dog for as long as we have lived across the street. He was a very young Labrador Retriever when we moved in. A hunting dog who always loved the outdoors, and he was devoted to his people. He’s made of hardy stock. But now, he is fourteen or fifteen – they have lost count. He is incontinent and arthritic, and to my great sadness, he was being left outside as the nights got colder and wetter because they were simply unable to care for him. He had an igloo outfitted with a bed under a covered awning. It was the best they knew how to do.
These are proud and private people who don’t like to impose on others or accept help. They have driven their adult children mad refusing their offers. And so, I steeled myself for my knock on their door. I didn’t know any other way to say it: “I’m worried for Rush, can I help him?” The wife put up the expected objections, but to my surprise and relief, the husband gave me an automatic “yes.” While she continued with a string of concerns, he went and got Rush’s leash and food bowl, and walked me across the street with his beloved pup.
He said “not forever.” But Rush’s future is likely counted in weeks – maybe months – not forevers.
I took him immediately to a warm shower to wash away the pee and poo he had been sleeping in, gave him a blow dry, and made him a comfy place to rest in the laundry room where he can have whatever accidents he has without worrying about a floor that is easily cleaned but not too slippery for old dog legs.
He looked a little confused at first, had his dinner, and fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.
“It makes me sad,” my husband said. “It lets me sleep,” said I.
Outfitted with diapers, pee pads, and a sling, his needs are manageable. Every couple of days, I walk those old dog legs across the street to say “hello.” His people are beyond grateful and now recognize that – while they will always be his people – this will be his home for the rest of his days.
It’s wonderful to be able to help dogs from afar have a second chance at life. And it’s rewarding beyond words to give an old dog a soft and warm place to lay.
Rescue begins at home.
A Forever Friend
“A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double.” ~ Toni Morrison
Our recently adopted Yogi and his sister Lotta (formerly Lottie who I wrote about here) were reunited last week for a play date. They had not seen each other since September. If there was any doubt that they would remember each other, it was quashed in an instant. As soon as they saw each other from beyond the fence, the happy crying began.
Let off leash in the yard – fast hello’s gave way to chase.
Yogi’s new brother, Jackson, was along for the ride and fit right in.
Doesn’t this look like the dog version of Twister?
Born of the same litter and raised separately, they were returned to the breeder within a few months of each other. Neither had received any real training. At about 15 months and 80 lbs. wild, they were much more together than the woman could handle. And we instantly saw why!
“Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring — quite often the hard way.” ~ Pamela Dugdale
We wondered about the scratches and scabs on Yogi when he first came to us. Let me tell you – Lotta can give as good as she gets!
But it is all in good fun.
Lotta lives in Tahoe now with new siblings Beau and Milo. Her new mom takes Lotta for frequent hikes and swims at the lake to wear her energy down – if that is possible!
They send each other pictures via email – and we hope to visit Lotta in the not too distant future when the snow falls. Imagine the fun they will have!
Sibling love. From snarls and tackles –
to kisses and hugs.
A sister is a forever friend. ~ Author Unknown
See you soon, Lotta! XXOO, Yogi.
Foxy’s New Reality
“How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all colour-blind?” ~ Author Unknown
Reality can be deceiving – and when it comes to dogs – changing, especially in response to the environment they are in. When she arrived last February, Foxy’s reality was that of a talker. A persistent, incessant, completely annoying and very loud talker. Correction. Barker. TALK. TALK. TALK. BARK. BARK. BARK!
Foxy had things to say and she was going to make darn sure that you heard them. Between her terrible leash skills and her rattling on, she turned away potential adopters faster than you can yell “quiet!”
Time went on. We worked with her on leash skills. She got better.
We wanted her to relate better to people. Not a problem.
But when it came to matchmaking, our perception of her barking reality probably led us to put others before her. Everyone except Lisa.
As is so often the case, the people who are both feeders and walkers notice things that other do not. They spend the most time with the dogs, and see their reactions in different settings and situations. Lisa noticed the change in Foxy. While other dogs came and went, Foxy had turned into a well-behaved, proper-walking pooch with a much more controlled mouth.
The challenge was to prove it to others. With a house already overflowing with dogs, foster was out of the question. The plan: field trips.
Lisa sprang Foxy for trips to the lake, play dates with other dogs, and even the drive-through where Foxy dined on In-And-Out burgers (extra cheese please!). Lisa shared all of Foxy’s adventures until people started to see a new reality that we had been blind to.
A new story was written; a video produced; social media was launched.
Her post was shared widely and her YouTube video was viewed nearly 1,000 times. But most importantly, our perception of Foxy changed. Getting her home became everyone’s mission. Thus, when one of our placement team members was interviewing a prospective adopter, our transformed Foxy was top of mind. She shared the video and an immediate and heartfelt connection was made.
Lisa arranged to meet the woman and her two eight-year-old Labs at the lake. They hit it off. Foxy started playing with a toy, chewing on a stick, and mimicking the Labs. “I was amazed. It was like she was remembering how to be a carefree dog again,” Lisa told us.
Last weekend, Foxy’s long wait came to a storybook end.
Her new mom takes the dogs to the lake weekly. In the summer, they travel with her to Tahoe for long hikes and swims in cooler waters. And best of all, Foxy’s new home is just a stone’s throw from Lisa’s.
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” ~ Albert Einstein
Welcome to your new reality, Foxy. Happy life, sweet girl.
Gardens For Goldens 