Wanted: Dognapper
Height: 5’5”; Eyes: Blue; Distinguishing Marks: Pretty. Bright smile. Infectious laugh. Frequently covered in garden dirt.
Modus operandi: Lurks around rescue office, the temporary home of the sweetest old or rehabbing dogs. Lies in wait. Lures pups to her with baby talk and treats. Snatches them up to add to her growing collection. Known to target any dog liked by our Treasurer.
Criminal Record: Sought in the disappearance of Jenni, Snowy, Ginger and Royce.
Caution: Should be considered armed (with cookies) and dangerous (to office dog lovers).
Meet Anna. The most recent addition to the volunteer gardeners – a front, we’re sure. As a long-time Homeward Bound supporter and well-known dognapper, I suspect she was just looking for a cover.
Before I met Anna, she was already legend for stealing Jenni from president’s office – striking before anyone could even list Jenni as available. You want to be careful not to make off with the president’s favorites too often. By the time I met Anna, she had switched her tactics. In the Fall of 2013, she targeted Summer, a recuperating office dog and a favorite of our treasurer, Judy.
Anna changed her name to Snowy thinking that would mask the evidence, and invited her home with Jenni.
Judy thought Ginger was safe, tucked away in the corner of her office. Not so!
Anna swooped in and stole her right from under her nose less than a year later. Ginger joined Jenni and Snowy and off they went.
Now, she’s done it again. To obscure her true motives, she arrives in the early morning under the guise of gardening. Shortly after her arrival in the garden, Anna sneaks away and quietly prowls the office looking for her next mark.
16-year-old Royce – yet another of Judy’s favorites – did not stand a chance! Having spent his life as a service dog, he is remarkably still full of life and pep. Upon his arrival, Judy quickly nabbed him to be her new office dog. Big mistake. He may not hear or see well, but there’s nothing wrong with his sniffer. With a pocket full of cookies – and clearly, limited loyalty – it didn’t take much for Anna to win him over.
Judy never saw it coming. A couple of weeks ago, Royce went home with Anna, Jenni and Snowy. Ginger is with them in spirit, if not in body.
This weekend, she disguised Royce as a gardening dog – flagrantly parading him under Judy’s nose.
Why is this known dog thief allowed to continue in her misdeeds? Ask any of her spoiled rotten dogs. They’ll vouch for her.
Judy surrenders.
Wordless Wednesday: Dog Kisses
A Very Special Going Home
“What day is it?”
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh. ~ A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
My favorite days are Saturdays and Sundays, when I can spend gardening time in the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden –
and visiting with the dogs. Meet new arrivals Benjamin…
and Zachary.
But our favorite days at the rescue are Going Home days. To catch you up … Joe went home to Russ’ healing care.
Jack hit the jackpot and found three gorgeous girls to love.
Trevor is a ladies man as well and stole the heart of former adopters.
Cooper is an official foster-failure. His adoption papers were completed this weekend, and his dad was on site for our Volunteer Orientation so he could help other pups on their journeys home.
And “Not-a-Golden” Bella was all smiles as she headed out with her new mom.
But one Going Home this weekend was extra special. I recently shared a post about long-time volunteers Chris and Steve moving to Colorado. They have always taken on our “special cases” – the dogs who remain unpredictable despite dedication and extensive training. Beautiful Sammie was one of those dogs … “who me?”
Her rap sheet meant that she could only be adopted to volunteers who understood her special challenges and needs. Otherwise, she would find sanctuary here with us. Chris and Steve made a commitment to add her to their family; making it a reality took more time they would have liked. She would have visits in their RV on the weekends, but their home was too small to accommodate all of their pups while ensuring everyone’s safety and security. A promise, however, is a promise.
After an arduous trip in an RV filled with special needs dogs, not to mention a harrowing dog medical emergency along the way, Steve made a return flight to Sacramento. On Saturday, he took Sammie for one last walk down the kennel …
into the bath …
with a stop at the garden for pictures and farewells …
and then – wait – what? A car? It was as if she instantly grasped its meaning. This was a Going Home car. Sammie’s Going Home car. At last.
“But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep…” ~ Robert Frost
As I write, Steve and Sammie are completing the last leg of their two-day journey to their new home. There, she will have space enough to meet her needs and allow her to live out her life as a loved, family dog.
Promise made. Promise kept.
Happy life, Sammie girl.
With appreciation to photographer, Rob Kessel for his Sammie photos.
Wordless Wednesday: It’s A Small World
Not A Golden
We have a running joke at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue: “Not a Golden!” While our mission states that we help Goldens and Golden mixes, I’m sure you’ve seen in this blog, that “Not a Golden!” can include just a little bit more.
Some are what we call “Fool’s Gold” –
And some are not gold at all!
Sometimes they come paired with a Golden that has been surrendered; Sometimes our volunteers just can’t bear to leave them in a shelter.
When we have the capacity, we’re happy to extend our support to others in need.
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ~Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Our kindness occasionally extends beyond canines. These recently abandoned kittens that we are trying to find homes for certainly fit the bill. Kitten, anyone?
But these two?
Definitely, “Not a Golden!” You just never know what treasures you will come across when you open up your heart.
“Open your heart — open it wide; someone is standing outside. ~ Mary Engelbreit
Happy 4th of July!
Wordless Wednesday: Baby Ein
Mourning Doves: Hatched
Good parents. I hope they return.
Growing Through Dirt
Sometimes you just have to tackle unpleasant challenges head on.
Since I began volunteering with Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, I have successfully managed to avoid being directly involved in an owner surrender. Until this morning. Arriving early to garden before the temperature got too warm, I found two women waiting – and a dog. From the look on their faces, I knew the reason for their visit. With no one else available, I drew the short straw. Serves me right for arriving too early!
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” ~ Duke Ellington
While every fiber in me wanted to say “what are you thinking?” as the dog clung to her owner, I listened to the “why” and comforted the tears. I tried to gently extract as much information as I could – knowing that the more we knew, the better we would be able to help the dog. I told the owners and Emma, the dog, that everything would be okay. Sitting with Emma afterward to help her settle in, I knew – for her – it would be.
The owners did the best they knew how to do. But Emma deserves so much more. She doesn’t know it yet, but this is probably the beginning of her best chapter. Sweet and affectionate, we will get her the medical attention that has been neglected, and find her a home where she will have what she needs to be safe, secure and loved.
“Every flower must grow through dirt.” ~ Proverb
Emma’s dirt is the uncertainty of being left for reasons she does not understand. But this little flower will blossom quickly with care. This photo was taken just a half day later, courtesy of my friend Rob Kessel:
Today is the beginning of Emma’s new ‘happily ever after.’ Hard as it was, I’m so glad to have played a small role in making that happen.
That said…maybe I’ll arrive to the rescue just a little later in the future!
Wordless Wednesday: Last Call
Of Diamonds and Pebbles
“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore
For anyone who has every passed up a dog of eight or nine, or even ten years of age out of concern that their days or years are numbered, I’d like you to meet Hunter…age 16!
He’s one of a boatload of dogs who recently arrived – and despite the snowy face and slower gait, he’s got a lot of life and love to give.
For anyone who thought that dogs needed to see to deliver love and companionship, I’d like you to meet Bilos.
Born without developed eyes, he’s never known any life but a sightless one, and it doesn’t stop his rush to greet you with big sloppy kisses.
And for anyone who has ever passed up a dog for an imperfection that seemed like too great an investment…please meet Weezer.
He has esophageal paralysis – which simply means that he will need to eat his food as slurry for the rest of his life. He’ll be going home too…to people who understand that the effort bestowed will be returned tenfold in joy.
Sometimes, guarding your heart from hurt, or holding out for everything, simply leaves you with nothing.
Every garden has some weeds.
Every living creature has imperfections.
All of these little flaws only make the best parts shine brighter.
“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” ~ Confucius
And P.S…two other “Going Homes” you missed…Nala and Lizzie.
Life is good.
Gardens For Goldens 