Because We Are Family
Lucy and Minnie came to visit recently. Lucy was a breeder dog; completely unsocialized and terrified of her own shadow – much less people.
She was helped by many, but by one person in particular: Chris spent countless hours helping Lucy learn to trust and seek out humans.
I’ve written about Chris and her husband, Steve, before. Devoted volunteers; for as long as I have been with the organization, they have commuted a great distance to stay over weekends so they can be at Homeward Bound to feed, walk, and work with the dogs.
They work with the most difficult dogs to rehabilitate them – including their beloved Shelby,
Goldie,
and Sammy.
When the world says, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
~Author Unknown
Chris helped to organize our dog walking teams and then took on coordination of the feeders.
Steve has been a go-to rock, quietly working behind the scenes to help maintain the facility. Both have a gift for understanding the canine mind and helping even the most troubled dogs find a future.
“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
They will be leaving us soon, moving to Colorado on a new life adventure. Today was their farewell celebration. Saying goodbye is never easy, but life happens and new adventures await. Hopefully, they will stay connected as another vital rescue link in our extended network.
“When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
I’ve been compiling a history of the organization as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. I’m finding countless names of founding members. Many are no longer on-site, but still play a vital role and remain connected to our mission – the work of rescuing more than 8,000 dogs since our beginning.
There will be key gaps to fill with Chris and Steve’s departure. But I have faith that others will step up to fill the void. Because we’re family. The dogs’ family. And they need us.
Best wishes to Chris and Steve. And on behalf of countless dogs like Lucy – thank you.
Wordless Wednesday: Getting Sleepy
A June Night
“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.” ~ Bern Williams
The Homeward Bound Memorial Garden – in early summer evening light.
What Matters
A previous adopter wrote:
“Today was a sad day. We lost our beloved Buddy…he was 15 years old. We knew when we adopted him almost two years ago that he wouldn’t live long because at that time he was 13. We moved a month ago to the ocean…we wanted him to have a place where he could enjoy himself. He did. Buddy was my golden-oldie, through and through. We fell in love with him when we first met him at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. We will always treasure the short time we had with him. Would we adopt a senior again…you bet. Thanks for allowing us to have our ‘Golden Oldie’…Miss him.” ~ Karen A.
“We do not know how long we’ve got here.
We don’t know when fate will intervene.
We cannot discern God’s plan.
What we do know is that with every minute that we’ve got, we can live our lives in a way that takes nothing for granted.
We can love deeply.
We can help people those who need help.
We can teach our children what matters,
and pass on empathy and compassion and selflessness.” ~ Barack Obama, Eulogy for Beau Biden
Wordless Wednesday: Ring Around The Rosie
Who Let The Dogs Out?
Who let the dogs out? Well, actually, I let some of them out, interrupting gardening chores today to help get the dogs out while most everyone was at the Reunion Picnic. Once a year, Homeward Bound takes over a local park where dogs from the “Class of 2000” on come together. It’s a great opportunity to see the results of our work in the happy faces of the adopted dogs and their humans. Here’s one group courtesy of my friend, Rob Kessel:
But what I was really referring to is how empty our “dorms” are after so many going-home celebrations last week. At least George will be on our list this week. Happy life, George!
But don’t feel sad for those of us left behind today. It was blissfully quiet, with plenty of friends to keep us company.
The bunnies are surprisingly patient posers…
And the birds are nesting everywhere.
They are so resourceful, hiding their nests in grape vines, shrubs and under chairs (leave it to the Killdeer!). But this one pretty much takes the cake.
Speaking of bunnies…yes, indeed…they were the culprits. The dahlia replacements protected by chicken wire are alive and thriving.
We have delicious apricots on the tree…
apples and grapes in our future…
just don’t ask about the lawn. We’re sacrificing it in favor of the beds this year with even more limitations on water.
By August, we’ll be brown, but today – the kennels are nearly empty, the garden is lovely, and all is well.
“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.” ~ Montaigne
Wordless Wednesday: BoBo
Going Home Parade
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer, with the return of the Asiatic lilies,
daylilies…
Monarch butterflies,
and snakes.
There is just one thing missing: my dahlias!
When I last saw them, they were healthy, six-inch tall plants shooting rapidly skyward. Upon my return this weekend, they were barely stubs. Maria says they fell prey to snails. I’m not so sure that bunnies weren’t involved.
There certainly are enough of both in the garden. Do you think we can help the snake develop a taste for escargot? I brought out six backups that had been started at home and created fortresses of chicken wire and Sluggo.
They made it through the night. We’ll see if they make it through the week. Saturday was such a blur of “going home” photos that I got little accomplished. A parade of happy faces marched before my camera. Thankfully, Ina parachuted in to rescue me on Sunday with both Maria and Anna away.
“I am joy in a wooly coat, come to dance into your life, to make you laugh” ~ Julie Church
Congratulations to Roxie,
Marcus,
Red,
Mufasa,
Rose,
and Romeo.
But the sweetest of all was Simba’s going home with Lyana – one of our devoted volunteers. She has renamed him Balou, after our beloved sanctuary dog who recently passed. We think it is a fitting tribute, and we suspect Balou approves too.
“And then it happens all at once and unexpectedly. You pack your bags and find yourself walking yourself home.” ~ Shannon L. Alder
Happy life to you both.
Wordless Wednesday: Caramel Macchiato
Island Swans
Back to Reality
Back from an adventurous week on Kauai and returned to a whirlwind of work and house guests. Among them was my sister, Beth and her husband, Gordon. Their stay was brief, but good – with a request to see Homeward Bound and the Memorial Garden which they have known only virtually.
We made our way there Friday, where the garden is beginning to look a lot like summer…
and the puppies put my sister through her paces. Yes, those are razor sharp puppy teeth hiding behind all that cuteness!
Sunday was puppy aptitude test day,
which apparently involves umbrellas (something we have little need for!) –
shoes…
toys…
sharing…
cuddling…
and naps! Puppy tests are exhausting!
These little monsters are spoken for, but we have three remaining from the litter that was left in a box and delivered to our door. They are adorable 100% mix-breed, nine-week old pups named after the Lion King characters. Mufasa:
Nala
And Rafiki.
Other guests included Allie, a rescue, who is about to be enrolled as a therapy dog for our local Lend A Heart organization…
And Sedona, the Homeward Bound alum of Martha and Randy.
Needless to say, I got little work done – which is just my speed right now! I’ll be back to my old self soon (I think). I may even sneak in a few more pictures from Kauai if you’ll indulge me. Until then … mahalo. It’s good to be back in the garden.
Gardens For Goldens 