Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue – Page 35

You make it so

“All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so.” ~Joseph Joubert

And not just gardeners. At Homeward Bound, it is the volunteers, the foster families, and our amazing veterinarians who find the beauty in abandoned and neglected pups. You remember Snuffy from September?

This poor pup arrived with a thyroid condition, terrible skin, and barely-there hair. He looked more like a sad and drowned rat than a Golden.

A pill a day, and the loving care of his foster family, showed progress by late October.

And this week? This beautiful boy found his forever home…

because our dedicated team made it so. Hugs to all the quiet heroes of Homeward Bound – from Snuffy, with love.

Winter Wools

“The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.” ~ Henry Beston, Northern Farm

We all had on our winter wools this weekend, with a light frost blanketing the garden on Saturday morning. It’s early for that in the Sacramento Valley. It disappeared quickly, but left the garden a little too wet and cold for any heavy duty effort.

Only a few blooms remain in the garden now –

Mostly, the palette has changed to the colors of the season. Greys, browns, silvers and antique golds replace the brilliant colors of summer.

The pups don’t seem to mind the the low, cloudy skies, as long as they are outside, walking, and among us.
“A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk.”

This is Norman,

Linus,

and George and Lucy.

I have a crush on George.

I met another Homeward Bound pup this weekend; an alumni named Brody. His human Dad is the manager at one of my favorite places – Green Acres Nursery in Sacramento.

Brody is apparently in charge of customer relations. What a handsome boy! An invitation was issued to visit us in the Memorial Garden, where many of their plants now reside. Although, they might want to wait until we are back in our summer cottons and looking at our colorful best!

Teach the people

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people. ~ Confucius

One of the greatest challenges of any organization whose bottom line is social good, is ensuring that the work will be carried on by the next generation. The 2012 Millennial Impact Study has good news about this next generation, and also outlines the challenges. Like: 63% of Millennials surveyed volunteered for a nonprofit in 2011; 41% said they planned to do more in the next year; but 58% said they preferred a short-term volunteer commitment. (Sigh.)

At Homeward Bound, we blessed to have many dedicated teen and young adult volunteers, but we also recognize the need to do more than just plant seeds.

We need to engage and “teach the people” so, someday, they will be ready to take the lead.

I know many of you are involved in other good works, or are young yourselves. So, for the sake of the dogs, please share. What motivates you, or the young adults at your organization?

We are all ears. And thank you.

What Blossoms Here

After last weekend’s deluge, it was good to be back in the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, focusing on clean-up. Lawns were mowed, leaves were raked, and spent blossoms were removed. It seems that more than a few of our favorites haven’t figured out that it is December. Many of the roses are still pushing out blooms,

The Blue Geranium that struggled all summer in the heat has made an appearance,

The Daylilies are still gracing us.

And Maria’s Sunflowers? Well, don’t tell them or their Bee friends that it is winter.

The day was so beautiful, Maria took advantage of the warmth and finished planting the newly reconfigured St. Francis garden with Gardenias, Lavender, Thyme, and more.

She was a little distracted – in the best way – as she spent time getting acquainted with Champ, who will, hopefully, go home with her next weekend as her second, permanent foster.

Homeward Bound rescues Goldens and Golden mixes no matter what their age or medical condition. Some, like Champ (who has cancer), have medical issues that make them unable to be adopted. Special people, like Maria, take them as permanent fosters.

Homeward Bound covers their medical expenses, while fostering families or individuals donate their homes and hearts, knowing that in many instances, their time together may be short.

This week, Champ will meet Maria’s other permanent foster, Beau. If it is a match, their family will grow. Many other times, medical needs can be addressed, clearing the way for a long, healthy life. This is Lincoln – who arrived before Thanksgiving, with a broken leg and ribs, having been hit by a car.

Surgery put him on the road to recovery, and when he is ready, to adoption as well.

The sun was not the only thing shining down on us after such fierce storms. Good fortune recently graced many of the pups you’ve seen here as they found their forever homes, including Gracie…

Mama Bear…

Chiquito…

And little Scout.

Proving once again – more than flowers blossom at Homeward Bound.

Sanctuary

Thanks to thousands of hours donated by dedicated volunteers, a once-abandoned, eight-acre parcel is transformed into a beautiful, peaceful sanctuary where golden lives are saved – and human lives are enhanced. Homeward Bound.

When it Rains: Walk

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” ~ Roger Miller

Day three of five, of pretty much non-stop showers, punctuated by downpours.

The garden is a pond at the moment, but at least the water is in the paths – the beds having been built up with soil and mulch.

Everything seems humbled and bowed in the garden;

no point in putting things right with the fiercest of the storms due tomorrow. We’ll just wait, watch and deal with it when it clears.

But the rain will not dampen our spirit at Homeward Bound.

The feeders, walkers, cleaners, groomers and more were still out in force – covered in muck. We walk in the rain; the dogs don’t seem to mind.

Even Santa put in an appearance! Annually, he takes time out of his busy schedule for holiday photos of the dogs with homes in support of dogs without…rain or shine.

Many thanks to our photographer Eric Schuman, who’s much-better photos will grace our holiday album.

A full, wet, windy day of juggling pups leaves even Santa tired!

Heavy Equipment Gardening With Maria

Caution: Before using this tool, read the manual and follow all safety and operating instructions.

Preparation: Dress appropriately when operating the tiller. Always wear sturdy footwear. Never wear sandals, sneakers or open shoes. Do not wear loose clothing that might get caught in moving parts.

Do not operate the tiller under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Carefully inspect the area to be tilled and remove all foreign objects. Do not till above underground water lines, gas lines, electric cables, or ~~pipes~~ drip lines. Stay alert for hidden hazards.

After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, thoroughly inspect the tiller, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the tiller.

The bulbs will be beautiful, even if the planting was a little messy.

Holidays Upon Us: #GivingTuesday

The holidays are upon us at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden.

Maria was at the garden late on Monday, expanding and replanting the St. Francis garden; adding more than 200 bulbs; and generally enjoying having the place to herself before the big rains. Four to six inches are expected over the next few days.

She was in the garden late enough to catch the solar light strands make their appearance. A touch of holiday in the garden.

Speaking of holidays (shameless plug alert!) – and in the spirit of today being #GivingTuesday (a national day of giving) the Homeward Bound Giving Tree is live. You can make a donation in honor, or in memory of your pup. By lighting up Homeward Bound’s virtual tree with ornaments, you can remember your special pup – or as a gift for those hard-to-please friends – while contributing to the rescue, adoption and sanctuary of hundreds of dogs each year. You’ll find information by clicking here.

The dogs say “thanks” for considering (me too!).

Farewell to Fall

November served up a last magnificent fall weekend at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden.

When the sun is t-shirt warm, the garden is still showing off, but the shadows grow long by mid-afternoon, it is a perfect time to get in the last fall plantings in the Sacramento Valley.

Before the December rain and cold arrive, Ina added grasses to the front-facing California Natives garden –

while the rest of us focused on getting our spring bulbs planted. “Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to Spring.” – Anonymous

Susan and Jeff planted Crocus, Daffodil, Freesia and Ixia in the tree circle gardens.

By this time next year, these will be shade gardens; the canopy has grown so quickly!

We received a generous donation of bulbs and divisions (thank you, Marguerite!)

I added more than 20 Naked Lady bulbs to the Willow Garden, along with Crocosmia. To the Perennial and Hummingbird gardens, I added Crocus, Hyacinth, Tulips, Narcissus, Freesia, Anemone, Ranunculus, Ixia and Allium.

Paired with the existing Iris Garden and bed of blooming Daffodils, we should have a riot of spring and early summer color throughout the garden beds. Peggy and Steve were out to tend to the Iris bed and change out the fall decorations for those of the season.

Their message to Santa; a touching reminder of their passion for rescue.

While most enjoyed a long holiday weekend of feasting and football, our dedicated volunteers spent their Thanksgiving weekend at the ranch, walking, bathing, feeding, training and playing with the pups as the kennels are full. This is Rob’s new foster, Brittany. Blind in one eye, but as beautiful as ever.

Scout is a favorite pint-sized Golden mix, who is incapable of taking a bad picture!

Tucker is a new arrival, and thinks sunning in the garden after a bath is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

And this is Mama Bear. Not a golden at all,

but a true black beauty and sweetheart.

Champ was out for a stroll,

as was one of our favorites – Bogey. Blind in both eyes, but that doesn’t stop him. He loves people, walks, and playing “find-it” for kibble in the field. There is nothing wrong with his sniffer!

But the best part of any weekend are the adoptions. Today, Pancho found his home with this young couple from San Francisco. We’ll miss him in the garden, but so happy he has a new family to call his own.

The Measure of Our Thanksgiving

“For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Through the simple act of volunteering to tend a garden – and sharing it with you here – a world has opened to me. For the community I have found, the endless generosity of others, and the countless pups who have touched my heart this year – I give thanks.

Not all of those who visit here share the Thanksgiving holiday. There are other things that bind us. And so, I have one more quote for you today:

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” ~ W.T. Purkiser

For all of you, and all you do – thanks for your giving – from the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden.

Bring the Meeting to Order

Being part of a rescue organization, means dealing sometimes with sad news. But for all the difficult days, there are many more rewards. Lest you think that all are days are tough, I would like to share with you highlights from a recent meeting at Homeward Bound.

Top-dog is a take-charge kind of guy, who definitely knows how to command the room’s attention.

Type A is a perfectionist, excellent note-taker and always on the ball.

This one is a visionary; see the far-off look? Clearly strategizing about the next big project.

And here is our socialite. Knows how to work a room, and definitely needs to be in charge of community relations.

Oops…do I spy a little boardroom competition? Stare down!

Or just bored – in the room? Talk about sleeping on the job.

This meeting has been called on account of nap time. Welcome to the joys of rescue!

When Forever is Too Short

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together…there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

Shelby’s story of faith, patience, perseverance and love touched us deeply.

The reward for her surrender to trust: she left Homeward Bound for a forever home of her own.

‘Forever’ turned out to be much too short. Symptoms revealed Hemangiosarcoma; and while Shelby’s new family’s belief in her worked miracles on her emotional wounds – it, sadly, could not heal her cancer.

Shelby crossed the bridge this week – at home. For however brief the joy of her homecoming, she was surrounded by love.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Shelby took our breath away. Our hearts break for her family – our fellow Homeward Bound volunteers and friends – whose bravery and strength have been so severely tested. Still, we know that Shelby will always be with them.

For Shelby – we say “Run free, girl. Run free!”