Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue – Page 19

Because They Need Us

It has been a hard week. To lose not one – but two – of our long-time rescue residents and the companion of a devoted volunteer as well.

Balou was a special boy who never got over the loss of his human.

He was profoundly sad, with trust and mental health issues.

He was beautiful, deep and unpredictable, and so we knew he would be staying with us. He felt safe here.

Reacher was adorable and adored.

Imagine a gigantic bunny stuffed in Golden Retriever costume, rolled over, belly up, with paws flopping every which way just waiting for his rub.

He went home and came back twice due to his severe separation anxiety. We couldn’t believe no one could see past his issues to his wonderful self. But we were very happy to care for him as long as he needed to stay with us.

His stay was both too long and too short. Cancer took them both.

That dreaded c-word seems to dog us lately, afflicting too many of the fur kids from our extended Homeward Bound family. Too much at once.

“There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.”
~ Rudyard Kipling

Are those tears falling from the sky?

No. Rain. A sudden, soaking, blessed California rain providing a cool, revitalizing drink for our thirsty plants, trees and souls.

A reminder that there are still unexpected joys in even the most difficult times.

This weekend, there were quiet chats, remembrances, and hugs – but most importantly – there were people.

Amazing people who show up despite broken hearts to walk and feed

snuggle and train –

and teach dogs how to get up on the furniture –

because they depend on us.

For as long as they need us – we are here.

Sometimes joined together by sorrow – more often, joy.

Honoring those we have lost by treasuring each day with those who need our care – at Homeward Bound.

Reacher photos courtesy of Rob Kessel

Wordless Wednesday: Farewell Sweet Balou

The Comfort We Bring

“In almost every garden, the land is made better and so is the gardener.” ~ Robert Rodale

We created and keep the Memorial Garden as a gift to the dogs we love and have loved – and for those who dedicate so much to our rescue effort.

Three chance encounters this week reminded me that the work we do at Homeward Bound not only makes life better for the dogs, but provides important comfort to humans as well.

A woman messaged us asking the status of the dog she had surrendered. It was clear that she had loved him, but for whatever reason, she could not provide a home right now. I was only able to let her know that he was adopted quickly to a good family. And while I reassured her that he would be well-loved, I reminded her that we could not share details to protect the privacy of the adopters. She did not need details. Just peace of mind … with gratitude.

A couple visited this weekend. They wanted to ensure that if something happened to them, their beloved Golden would be cared for. This is important planning that people often overlook. They were delighted with the rescue and were comforted knowing that their fur-child will be safe with us if that time ever comes. They left relieved.

Finally, a glimpse of one of our former adopters who recently lost her sweet boy to cancer. She was sitting quietly with our president in the puppy hut with the golden puppies I showed you last week. One dog never replaces another, but puppies have a special way of melting pain and healing hearts. She has to travel quite a way to visit with us, but here she is in the company of people who truly understand her loss.

“Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow” ~ Swedish Proverb

The garden is our gift.

The dogs are our shared passion.

And we’re reminded that the human lives we touch make us better, too.

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” ~ Emily Kimbrough

New Additions

April showers bring … April flowers. In abundance.

The garden is in full bloom making my early morning arrival extra special.

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Last week: five long-term residents went home. This week: five arrived in one day. Plus three more for good measure throughout the week.

The universe seeks balance, I guess. No rest for the weary.

We have a new addition to the garden: a beautiful bird bath.

Maria made it for Jody, our president who, with her husband, imagined this whole Homeward Bound effort and works tirelessly to sustain it. It’s the perfect centerpiece for her special bed in the garden.

As beautiful as they are, the flowers in the garden have tough competition from the pups named for flowers. Iris…

Rose,

Sweet William,

and Stephanotis.

All spoken for – from a long list of families that have waited a long time for these rare arrivals.
Until their going home days…we’ll enjoy watching them bloom, as well.

Wordless Wednesday: California Rain

Promises Kept

It wasn’t a lot … but it was something … and in our current state of drought, we are grateful for anything.

Just after all the dogs were walked,

dark skies turned to a quick downpour –

with the promise of more on Tuesday. Every drop and every cool day extends our hope for the garden (which looks lush and full in spring) to survive another California summer.

“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” ~ Thomas Fuller

Sixty five roses fed on Saturday before the rain … perfect timing.

And, five of our longer-term residents found their way home this week, including two pairs that we promised to keep together: Lucky … who I wrote about in January –

Dexter and Pogo …

And handsome Finnegan and Seamus.

Promise made. Promise kept.
“All that we behold is full of blessings.” ~ William Wordsworth

Do you suppose Saint Francis can request water on behalf of the dogs’ well-being as well as the garden?

Symphony of Spring

As the season starts to turn, it seems to happen at a snail’s pace…literally.

It’s like the orchestra tuning to find that perfect pitch.

Things seems to unfold in starts and fits, and we keep saying…”just wait.”

And then, after an almost unbearable pause…the symphony begins.

Every tree is dressed in leaves and blossoms,

and every sleepy plant and creature awakens.

When I am away during the week, I miss the Memorial Garden. This weekend, the return took my breath away.

The earth is alive;

the creatures so busy;

and the gardeners so hardworking –

except for Yule, who just keeps us company.

“It was such a pleasure to sink one’s hands into the warm earth, to feel at one’s fingertips the possibilities of the new season.” ~ Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden

Spring brings the dogs out in force,

and from their stories, we have learned this: symphonies have more than one movement –

and you can bury a lot of troubles by digging in the dirt.

Accidental Gardener

I am an accidental gardener. Come to think of it, I’m an accidental everything: gardener, photographer, blogger, and rescue supporter. These were not planned; I was just drawn to them and happened upon people who graciously showed me the way.

A fellow blogger, Helen Johnstone of the Patient Gardener’s Weblog, shared a new book: the “First Ladies of Gardening.” Normally, a title like that would put me straight off. But I admire Helen’s blog, so I ordered it. And I’m so glad I did!

I did not grow up with gardens or gardeners. I vaguely recall that my grandmother grew flowers to inspire her paintings, but I spent very little time with either. What I have learned has been the result of trial and error, as well as lessons from my gardener partners at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden.

In “First Ladies of Gardening,” I learned names like Gertrude Jekyll, Vita Sackville-West – whose directive “cram, cram, cram” I already follow – and Beth Chatto, who believed that making a garden was like making a family.

But there is one gardener whose spirit I admire just as much as her garden: Margery Fish and her cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor.

Margery Fish did not begin gardening until she was in her forties. Quietly rebellious – the author shares – she allowed small plants to grow in the crevices of her husband’s perfectly groomed paths, and inadvertently stopped watering his “proper” plant choices in favor of her leafy, wild and rare perennials. New plants that mysteriously appeared were explained as “gifts” that simply could not be refused. The garden – once a jungle – was planted in abundance and self-sowing seeds were left to distribute unexpected surprises that kept the garden looking natural and unfussy.

Margery Fish believed that you can’t rush a garden. You need to get the feel of its surroundings, and then it grows by degrees.

Our Memorial Garden has grown this way. Pushing out and overflowing its ever-enlarged beds, blooming with donated gifts,

filled with surprise remembrances,

and dressed – of course – with dogs.

I think every garden needs dogs.

We have a long way to go to match the majesty of East Lambrook Manor, but I am filled with inspiration.

And did I mention…dogs?

Wordless Wednesday: Deaf (and Dear) Junior

Something to Dream On

“She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.” ~ A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young

With a brief, but welcome rain this week, followed by unseasonably warm temperatures, the garden truly came to life.

I should stop saying “unseasonably warm” and just get accustomed to it. Those who don’t believe in climate change surely are not gardeners.

Sarah is back; returned from a year of hard labor on the graveyard/weekend shift at work. We have missed her in the garden.

I love getting to the garden early before everyone else arrives. It’s my chance to survey and see what has newly popped up,

begun to blossom,

or made its way into the garden beds thanks to those mischievous elves.

This is my time to take a few photos,

and to enjoy the company of the garden creatures; nesting Killdeer…

worm-hunting Robins…

sleepy lizards…

and rare yellow ducks.

My solitude is broken by the play of puppies in the adjacent yard…

and dog walkers – not just passing through – but stopping to sit and play now that the weather is warm.

“You have to give people something to dream on.” ~ Jimi Hendrix

We give you the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden in spring.

Seeing the Flowers at Our Feet

“A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.” ~ May Sarton

No garden is perfect. When I post photos to the blog, I work around spent blossoms and rarely select the ones with tiny bugs.

I try not to share too many sad dog stories. And I most certainly avoid sharing our occasional “moments” with each other. Everyone has them. They are an expected part of our rescue effort which requires passionate people from all walks of life working together. People just crazy enough to come back time and again despite the inevitable heart breaks.

Maybe it paints too perfect a picture. We set high standards for ourselves and each other. And sometimes, we fall short.

Bringing plants together in a garden for the first time creates a kind of temporary chaos. Ideally, they provide mutual support and a complementary scheme that falls together in an effortless blend. In reality, there is usually a bit of a learning curve and adjustments are predictable. Some shine brightly and risk overshadowing others;

some spread and inadvertently crowd out.

Roses require constant pruning, feeding, deadheading and fussing.

Asters think they rule the world.

Bee Balm just does its thing and prefers to be left alone.

Once a plant’s nature is understood, a few simple moves can make everything blossom harmoniously. A garden finds its melody and individual notes are welcome – even with imperfections.

“In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

As individuals, we are as imperfect as the garden. And yet, somehow, we come together to accomplish great things. Kaylee came to us a few months ago. She was emaciated, diabetic and blinded by cataracts.

Her diabetes was brought under control and she gained fifteen pounds, making her eligible for eye surgery to remove the cataracts. A couple of weeks ago, Kaylee met the faces of the people she knew only by sound and smell. She caught a ball.

And she started running like the wind with joy as her sail. Our dog photographer, Rob Kessel, captured her beautifully through each stage. You’ll find links to her galleries below.

“Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are not perfect. Far from it. But with a few adjustments, we come together to make good things happen.

Kaylee’s galleries:
Kaylee on Arrival
Kaylee Can See!
Kaylee Today

With Good Company

“A single leaf working alone provides no shade.” ~ Chuck Page

It was a great weekend at the rescue and in the Memorial Garden where I was joined by Maria, Anna, Peggy and Steve. It’s unusual for so many of us to gather at once. With a moderate storm in the Sierras above us, the skies looked ominous.

Steve assured us that it would not rain. He lied. But before the brief shower sent us scurrying for cover, we managed to get a lot done. Steve, Maria and Anna muscled the last of our weed tree stumps out of the ground.

The hideous black plastic bucket that covered the stump for months soon held the evidence of its permanent demise.

Anna’s mom, Lynn, donated nine bags of oriental lilies. We thought we were getting nine bulbs!

Peggy set to work planting them. Their fragrance will soon fill the air.

Anna is a weeding machine. A woman with a mission, she is systematically eliminating every last trace of crab grass –

while Rob has been busy rehabbing the real grass.

We’re blessed that so many young people want to support our mission of rescue. We had a full crew of youth volunteers this weekend.

This is Sydney with Woody;

and new walker, Sierra, with Sequoia.

Another of our hunting dogs was adopted. Let’s just say that some “going home” photos are easier to capture than others!

Remi was SO excited to be with his new little brother, Parker! No dogs were injured in the making of these photos. They loved each other at first sight.

“No road is long with good company.” ~ Turkish Proverb