Walking dogs between rain storms provided a chance to spend some time in Homeward Bound’s other eight acres – beyond the Memorial Garden. Here are a few vignettes from the pond which has overflowed its banks, and a very soggy landscape. This is what winter looks like in the Sacramento Valley. Good thing dogs can paddle!
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow rain, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ~ Dr. Seuss
It has been pounding rain again. There will be no gardening this weekend, unless you count water features.
And few Goldens in the garden, because everyone is too focused on getting them walked and warm again. But that does not mean we are without Christmas cheer. Remember the story of Hunter and his transformation? (You can revisit it here.)
Part of Hunter’s pained look when he first arrived at Homeward Bound was very real pain in his ears.
Thankfully, he received the care he desperately needed. Unfortunately, the result was deafness. Sad as that is, it was an obvious relief to Hunter after the hurt he had endured for so long. You can see it on his smiling face and in his rebounded spirit.
So, after such a long recovery and wait for adoption, where’s the cheer? Hunter went home this week – in time for Christmas.
So you see? Even in the rain and cold and wind, we are surrounded with blessings and cheer.
What miracles have walked through here.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday and a new year filled with small miracles – to all our visitors and readers from the gardeners and the pups of Homeward Bound.
“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.
“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!
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.
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.
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.
“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!
“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.
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!
“A garden is never so good as it will be next year” ~ Thomas cooper
We officially cannot stop ourselves. Every visit to a local garden – like the recent outing to the WPA Garden and Old Historic City Cemetery Gardens – provides fresh inspiration and undercuts our well-earned fall rest!
This weekend at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Ina got busy laying out the first plantings for the entry-way California Natives Garden.
Wordsworth said: “Laying out grounds may be considered a liberal art, in some sort like poetry and painting.”
Ina’s beds are certainly a work of art with carefully selected blue-green Festuca’s, silvery Artemisia, and the deep evergreen of Ceanothus. Soon, she will add feathery, copper-colored grasses – and who knows what other surprises?
Susan and Jeff are busy picking out bulbs to bring spring color to the tree circle gardens; Jody’s garden is sporting a new Erica Heather addition.
And someone needs to inform the Sunflowers and Daylilies that the season is ending.
Today, we were blessed with hidden bounty: The birds must have taken some pity on us.
The nights have turned cold, and the days short. As they fade, so does the garden color. Everything looks a little more subdued since last week.
As if to brighten up the place, a transport of ten new dogs arrived yesterday at Homeward Bound. The garden was literally overflowing with them! Some, like Sheeva and Chickeeto are still unsure of their new surroundings. You can see the worry in their eyes and tucked tails.
But most seemed to get right into the swing of things. Lovers and huggers include River…
Thadeus…
Gracie…
Jack…
And Champ.
Shadow – an old hand at this – can’t figure out what the fuss is all about!
It was a beautiful day to be laying out gardens with the Goldens. Even the squirrels say so!
Maria and some other Homeward Bound volunteers traveled to Tahoe today to join in the search for Murphy – a Golden on the run since a family camping trip in early October. So I was holding down the fort alone in the Memorial Garden today.
A large shipment of newly arrived commemorative bricks were lined up and ready to be installed.
The messages are so touching. It truly is a great way to honor our departed pups.
Maria’s sunflowers have begun a second showing. What a treat in November.
Meanwhile, the Dahlias are saying their farewells.
There are just a few blooms remaining,
and the emerging buds get tinier and tinier. What a beautiful show they gave us this summer and early fall. We’ll over-winter them carefully for next year.
The Mums, on the other hand, are in their glory. This one from Jody’s garden bed is especially pretty in pink with its sunny yellow faces.
Tomorrow, Ina will move the Rock Rose from the Tree Circle Garden. With the tree getting larger, they don’t get enough sun to bloom successfully, and they are already growing too large for the spot. Ina thinks they will look beautiful in the California garden she is planning for the front section. Shhh…don’t tell her that they are not California natives!
It was pretty lonely in the garden today – so the dogs kept me company. Bones gave the Sunflowers his sniff of approval.
Hope – a really sweet girl and new arrival – paid a visit.
Cisco was showing off his much-improved coat…
While Goldie showed us that she has a few previously unknown tricks up her paw: like this adorable rollover.
It was bath day at Homeward Bound with a new grooming team in training. So much pampering and primping…
what better place for Bo-Bo to air-dry than in the garden?
And finally, Wedo came to say the words we can’t wait to hear: “Goodbye”. He went home today with his new family. We’ll miss you sweet boy!
Side note: Ina told me know that the beautiful Asters in the Cottage Garden are second generation cuttings from the old Sacramento City Cemetery. I visited there on Saturday to see the originals. The grounds are absolutely beautiful – maintained by more than 100 volunteers and a few Sheriff’s friends doing community service. Look for a post this week on the blog.
Thinking good thoughts for Murphy’s rescue. It was too quiet at the ranch today. Bring that girl home, and hurry back everyone!
Gardens For Goldens 