Gardens For Goldens

It’s All About The Dogs

An Indian Summer drifts begrudgingly into autumn, dragging her last lazy rays behind her.

“Nature bestows her own, richest gifts
And, with lavish hands, she works in shifts.” ~ Gertrude Tooley Buckingham

It’s too hot to garden (much less fly!)…

much better to just enjoy the company of dogs.

I’ve written for years about our rescue – Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary. For those who can’t travel to visit us, I thought you might enjoy a video recently completed and donated by our long-time volunteers Bob Murphy and Carolyn Belz. Regular readers might recognize some of the dogs and their stories. It’s a magical place … because “it’s all about the dogs.”
Click here to view. Enjoy!

Big Paws To Fill

When Michele fell in love with Finn, it was with a still-heavy heart.

She had recently lost her beloved Cooper to cancer. They had trained together through our local Lend A Heart Lend A Hand Animal Assisted Therapy organization. Cooper had a very special role at the Yuba City Library reading with children – so much so that they named a special section after him, “Cooper’s Corner.”

Michele’s hope was that Finn would one day be ready to join her and contribute again to this amazing organization. (Note: today, some of the group was at the Butte Fire here in California, lending comfort to those displaced.) I remember her visiting with this fur ball almost daily until he was ready to go home. (This is Finn nearly sleeping through his puppy assessment.)

Sometimes she would wonder aloud if he had the energy or personality to become a therapy dog.

If last week’s class was any indication, I think that question has been answered.

He just needed to grow into his playful self. And he found the perfect match in Summer! Let the games begin!

Big paws to fill? Finn’s got this.

Wordless Wednesday: Camouflage

Bed Head

Dude! Get a comb. 🙂

Circle of Life

In rescue, you become accustomed to seeing – and accepting – the circle of life. Sometimes it is hard, and sometimes it is joyous. This weekend was joyous. Attending training class was Sophie (formerly Daisy) – reunited with two of her pups, Finn and Posey.

You may recall this beautiful girl who was surrendered to us with her four newborn puppies last spring.

She looked exhausted and a little lost then. It’s hard enough to raise puppies, but to do so in a new and strange place following a medical emergency must have been overwhelming. Done with her life of mom duties, she changed her name – and her appearance. She looks relaxed, happy, and very much-loved.

Thanks to Sophie, these adorable little fluff balls…

have grown into the rambunctious and happy teenagers – on their way to becoming canine good citizens.

The Memorial Garden gave us another ‘circle of life’ offering…a delightful surprise. About a month ago, I wrote about the Gulf Fritillary butterflies laying eggs in the passion-flower vine. Two weeks ago, the vine was covered with spiny caterpillars.

Emerging from their chrysalis…

the entire garden has come to life with new Fritillary butterflies,

leaving their home base to fly from flower to flower,

sampling each as if to discover “do I like you?”

They quickly settled on the Sage and Lantana –

while the Buckeye said “leave the Rudbeckia to me!”

“Amidst the worldly comings and goings, observe how endings become beginnings.”
– Laozi (Lao Tzu)

Happy new beginning to Sophie,

and drinks are on the house pretty butterflies!

Wordless Wednesday: Full House

Waiting patiently

Summer said ‘hang on…not so fast.’

Golden light, a few fallen leaves, and sweatshirts in the morning convinced us that the relief of Fall was finally upon us. “Fools,” said Mother Nature.

She has prepared one last (we hope!) hurrah –

a farewell blast of week-long century-plus heat as if to torture us and our exhausted garden.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ~ John Steinbeck

The summer heat and rationed water have left the Memorial Garden looking very different in early September than in season’s past.

Missing are the Dahlias, Coneflowers, and Sunflowers. But the Obedience Plant, Asters, and Goldenrod stilled arrived on schedule.

We soldier on…taking our example from our lioness, Ginger.

At eight years old, this only-dog-child was displaced when a tiny human child came along. She lost her family and at the same time, her hips gave way to severe hip dysplasia. Surrendered to us, she had bilateral FHO hip surgery to restore her mobility and relieve her pain.

It has been a long, difficult summer – and she is ready and anxious for a new season to begin.

With this sweet face and soulful eyes, we’re pretty sure it is just around the corner…

Waiting patiently with our Fall.

Thanks to Rob Kessel for his beautiful Ginger portrait.

Wordless Wednesday: Pre-Season Take Down

The Dogs of Klamath IV

We made our annual trek to Klamath, CA a little early this year. This place – not far from the border of Oregon, where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean, restores my spirits and renews my energy each year.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”~ John Muir

On the river,

the trails,

the sea…

they say it’s not where you walk, but who you walk with. At Klamath, you are especially fortunate if you walk in the company of dogs. Introducing, the Dogs of Klamath, IV: