Dog Photography – Page 4 – Gardens For Goldens

Puppyhood: Nature vs. Nuture

“Whatcha in for, little man?”
“Being a puppy,” says Beau.

It’s a familiar story: people purchase a puppy expecting the adult characteristics of a dog in the canine version of a human toddler – only with super sharp teeth and without diapers!

Too many dogs are relinquished to shelters because someone took home an adorable furball that grew and grew into a holy terror. Beau is lucky. His humans recognized early on that this was too much for them. And while it is no doubt a very difficult decision to surrender him to us, they did him a great service my doing it sooner rather than later. At only three months of age, Beau is still impressionable, but the timing of our work with him is critical.

In a garden, two identical plants – even side by side – can grow at dissimilar rates and bloom differently. Is it nature? Or nurture? Maybe a little of both.

The soil may be slightly different; surrounding plants may throw just a touch more shade or shelter creating a tiny micro-climate. Or an unruly tree root may be creating competition for one’s growth.

Why do some puppies thrive, and others turn “terrible?” Between three and seven weeks, puppies learn the difference between canine and human ways. The critical human socialization period is between seven and 12 weeks of age. It overlaps with a “fear impact age” somewhere between eight and 12 weeks where negative interactions can lead to permanent associations. Positive human socialization and avoidance of fear-inducing experiences can shape an adult dog’s temperament and behaviors for life.

So there are certain facts about a dog’s nature and development, but they can be very much influenced by proper nurturing.

Beau is quick with his teeth. He jumps up. He has all the traits of a Lab: energetic, busy, chewing, and expressive when he does not get his way.

It can be off-putting to someone who is not used to the ways of puppies whose energy has to be expended before the cuddle bug can come out.

We found the perfect way to expend Beau’s energy: her name is Daphne. She is hanging out with us until she is old enough to have cataract surgery to restore her sight.

And lest you think that Beau has one up on our sightless little girl…

think again!

Daphne is schooling Beau in dog manners –

While we work on his people ones.

There is a cuddle bug in there.

Just as the bloom is in that plant.
You just have to put in a little extra effort and wait for it.

Ned: Of Golden Heart

His file read: “Young, male, mix. Gentle, affectionate, can be insistent when you stop petting him.”

Who wouldn’t adopt a dog like this?

“Emaciated, with multiple scars. Malnourished, neglected, possible previous animal attacks.”

This – and a horrifying photo on social media – is how Neo came to our attention. I won’t share the photo. It is in his past now.

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different ~~person~~ dog then.” ~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

He is not a Golden Retriever by any stretch of the imagination. But who could leave him like that in a shelter? Not our rescuers.

We came to learn that his open wounds and scars were inflicted by the family’s other dog. Their interactions throughout Neo’s life were obviously ignored, as were his injuries. The best thing his “family” did for him was to leave him at the shelter. The best thing that ever happened to him was to be rescued by Homeward Bound’s angels.

Misreading his file, he was renamed ‘Ned’ upon his arrival. It suits him better, and leaves the past firmly behind. His wounds and skin were treated; he was fed; and walked; and cared about, quickly becoming a favorite.

What is amazing is his loving and forgiving nature. For as much scarring as he had on his body, it is not evident at all in his personality. He does not exhibit fear or anxiety. He still likes other dogs. But mostly, he wants to be with humans. Kind and loving humans…who carry cookies!

With weekly baths, his hair is beginning to grow back in and you can begin to see the dog he will be on the outside.
Inside, he is pure gold.

Some people will look at him and fear for his past.
But someone special will look at him and see only his golden heart – and future.

Ned will be waiting with us for that special someone. He’ll be the best thing that ever happened to them.

To share or adopt Ned, you can view his profile here.

And the Oscar Goes To…

The red carpet has been laid out I know you’re all abuzz about tonight’s Academy Awards.

The critics and pundits continue to speculate about the winners – as well as the surrounding controversy. There seems to have been a noticeable lack of diversity among some of the nominating categories. Notably, the complete absence of canine representation.

For the Academy’s consideration, I offer the following nominations: For Best Animated Feature:

Best Short Subject:

Best Costume Design:

Best Visual Effects:

Best Foreign Language Film:

Best Actress:

Best Actor:

Best in a Supporting Role:

Best in a Leading Role:

Best Photography:

Best Director:

Best Picture:

The best picture always goes to “going homes.”

Catching up to Forever

Alice: “How long is forever?”
White Rabbit: “Sometimes, just one second.” ~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

I have been away from the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden for what feels like forever. Actually, it has only been a week. But when spring approaches, everything changes in the blink of an eye.

Making an appearance this week: Bradford Pear Blossoms, Daffodils, Iris, Calendula, Anemone, Hyacinth, Rosemary, Snapdragons, Ranunculus…

and very soon…Tulips!

Winnie the Pooh: “Did you ever wonder what it’s like being a flower living underground all winter and coming up in the spring?”
Eeyore: “Very uncomfortable. I shouldn’t wonder.” ~ A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

The flowers are not the only things I miss by not being at the rescue daily. So many dogs! They have been coming and going so fast, it is impossible to keep up! Playing catch up…here are just a few:

Truffles was appropriately adopted on Valentine’s Day, because what better Valentine is there than a chocolate Truffles?

Samson was, sadly, surrendered by his family. I hope they will be relieved to know that we had a great one waiting for him, and that they feel blessed to have him in their lives.

Alice will be assisting at a local assisted living center that we have worked with before. She will be one spoiled and well-loved girl!

Max was a long-time resident of ours and one of the many who benefited from the love and support of “Foster Daddy” aka, Rob.

Without his intervention, Max might still be with us. But the help of Rob and all of our volunteers, Max is home.

And Issac.

Rescued and transported by our volunteer, Fred, who wrote this touching post about his experience:

“Yesterday I was asked to transport a dog from an animal shelter to Homeward Bound. At the shelter I was told the dog had not been temper-tested and could bite. I sat with the dog for a while and then the lady from the shelter said if you do not take it, the dog will be euthanized. When I heard that I slowly put a collar on him wondering if I was going to get bit. I did not get bit, and when I got the dog out of the shelter it kind of danced on the leash and was just so happy. The Golden then jumped into my car and I think both of us were smiling on the hour and a half trip to Homeward Bound. So many volunteers have helped and saved the lives of so many dogs. I know I have helped some dogs but this was the first dog I know I saved the life of. Yesterday was a good day for the dog – and it was a good day for me. I just thought I would share this.” ~ Fred S.

On that day, Issac adopted Fred by putting his faith and trust in a total stranger.

Today, Fred adopted Issac and brought him home…

for forever.

Trailspotting

Acorn Woodpecker

European Starlings

Red-Tailed Hawk

Red-Breasted Sapsucker

Western Meadow Dog

American Mocking Dog

Hairy Meadowbark 🙂

Dog Kidnaps Heart

Benson is an adorable Golden who arrived with a hot-mess list of ailments that would turn anyone upside down!

The poor boy had both hookworms and Clostridium (a bacterial infection) which led to puddles of diarrhea. He also tested positive for heartworm. Triage was in order.

We dealt with the hookworms and Clostridium first (because no one is a fan of cleaning up runny poo!). Then, we needed to put some weight on him before beginning the heartworm treatment. While all of this was going on, Benson earned the coveted office dog spot where he could be closely monitored.

Regular readers are familiar with the office dognapper – aka, my gardener buddy, Anna.

Soon, I began noticing that my gardener was disappearing, and my camera was loaded each week with images of Anna and Benson.

So it was no surprise that Anna showed up on Sunday with her Jenni and Royce (16!) for a meet-and-greet.

With a thumbs up, the red-heads headed home together – where Benson has found a comfy and quiet spot to rest while he finishes his heartworm treatment.

It seems this wormy boy has wormed his permanent way into our dognapper’s heart.

Lucky Boy!

Wordless Wednesday: Lindy (Adopted!)

Worked Like Dogs

As gardeners, our big game day tradition has been to ditch the guys and spend the day pruning the roses of the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden. All 84 of them!

However, when you start to see this…

you know that you are already way behind. With daytime temperatures now in the 60’s…the roses just could not wait for game day this year.

Last weekend, Ina and Maria were out to do some. Anna, Lynn, our youth volunteer, Ara and I worked like dogs to finish them all off over two long days this weekend.

And we have the mountain of clippings to prove it!

I don’t know who is more tired…me, or our garden mascot puppy, Sybil.

Sybil is one of four from Lady Edith’s litter. You’ll remember their adorableness from the Puppy Pop Quiz post in late November.

They went home in December and are finally old enough to attend (muddy!) puppy class at the rescue.

Sybil was delighted to be reunited with her sister, Kensie.

As the two youngest in the class, you can imagine that this first day of raucous socialization and light training was a little overwhelming – and very taxing!

“Uh-oh! Gotta go!”