dog rescue – Page 27 – Gardens For Goldens

Jack’s Plea

Jack here. I’ve hijacked the Gardens for Goldens blog, because we have to have a serious talk.

I was out in the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden today, and I saw all kinds of big changes and planning for the future underway. Maria and Ina adding a new Crape Myrtle to the White Garden…

Rock borders being set in anticipation of mulched paths…

And that Ina is getting ready to turn this weed mess into another of her amazing Cottage Gardens!

Heck, I even ran into this gorgeous girl, Shelby. Looks like she is going to be rescued by that really nice lady trainer, Chris, if she plays her cards right (more on her story soon).

Now I have nothing against Shelby. Heck, she’s been here quite awhile.
But so have Hootie,

Goldie,

Cisco,

Eastman,

that cute couple Mosh and Marie,

and that handsome guy, Scrubs.

See, that’s the problem. If dogs like these who really look like Goldens have been here awhile, what are my chances???

I have been here longer than all of them. OK, so I had a couple of issues (don’t we all), but I have worked really hard on them and they are SO much better now. Check me out. I have more schooling than most college grads. I even have a video.

Don’t get me wrong. The people and pups here are swell. But it’s not the same as a home of your own. So while you’re making all those dang garden plans – how about coming up with a plan for me?!?

I’m cuter than any of those old bugs and flowers that you take a gazillion pictures of…and I can still play with you in the winter!

So let’s go Gardeners. I was here when this place was nothing but weeds. And now look at it!

I know what miracles you can pull off. Let’s find me a home, please! I mean, please???

Maybe sometime before it’s really time for the Halloween decorations that Peggy and Steve put out today?

Remember…”Dogs Leave Paw Prints On Our Hearts.”

And I’m one of them that will for certain! Thanks for listening. I now return you to your bugs and bees.

Hunter’s Transformation

You might recall from the Hunter’s Beauty post a couple of weeks ago, a dog that arrived at Homeward Bound understandably scared, a little distrustful, and very uncertain about his new surroundings.

I made the mistake of asking him to sit for a photo, not knowing that it had taken Rob, one of the trainers, forever to coax him out for a walk. He sat; then he laid down; and he refused to move.

Maybe it was the only control he felt he could exert in this situation that had been thrust upon him. Maybe he was just sad.

Rob waited. And waited. And waited some more. He waited until Hunter decided it was OK to get up. Then he waited while Hunter decided it was OK to continue the walk.

His patience with Hunter was about building trust. And in just a couple of short weeks, it has paid off ten fold.

When we saw Hunter this weekend, he was a changed dog. Happy, attentive, and definitely not sitting still!

He wanted to be anywhere that Rob wanted to be, and he didn’t mind at all if we wanted to offer pets!

This is the magic that the dedicated Homeward Bound team works with the Goldens who are lucky enough to make it here. And yet, it is not really magic at all. It’s about respect, bonding, tender loving care, and a promise of a better future. That’s magic that you could offer too.

Rescue. Adopt. Foster. There are a whole bunch of Hunters out there desperate for a second chance.

Indian Summer: Autumn Mosaic

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”
–S. Horowitz

Camping was cool relief, but I’m not quite ready to give up the warmth for winter yet – so nothing beats returning from the foggy ocean to Indian summer in the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden.

Cool morning temperatures provide the motivation for chores: mowing grasses, moving trees, adding fall color,

and fixing bunny-chewed drip lines (thank you, Maria!)

Warm afternoons are a good time to be lazy and bask in the colors of early autumn,

capture a few garden surprises,

and just enjoy the company of dogs.

Dog walker visits to the garden climb as the temperatures drop. It seems that everyone wanted to be out walking today. Thurman was up early with his cute freckled nose…

Polite Wee Bow…

and Hank…

and the enthusiastic, Big Boy.

Dusty was hugging up on Maria;

until one of our favorite duos, Marie and Mosh stole the show (Marie is a bit of a ham for the camera!);

while Roxie appears to have created a special connection with a family looking to fill the void left by a beloved companion. I heard a happy rumor that paperwork was being worked on as I left.

Rob asked for photos of Buster, who is always a little bit too busy with his ball to put on a smile. Look…no ball! We’re making progress.

And later this week, I’ll post an update on Hunter – the older Golden that you might remember from the Hunter’s Beauty post.

We met Susan and Jeff today; our Tree Circle gardeners.

They planted some more tri-color Jasmine among others, and plan a bed of pansies that will add color late into the fall, refreshed in early spring.

Mike and Jody were moving trees. Making a permanent home for the Orchid Tree.

They relocated a fruitless Mulberry and added a Crape Myrtle. The clay soil is more than a little tough going in spots (I think I heard the mention of a jack hammer!) but it’s a good time to get them in and established before the winter.

BTW, Maria gets full credit for people photos! I had to call for support, being a little plant and dog obsessed. Until next weekend…

Garden Party

“You may go down to the garden.”…(Peter Rabbit’s mother) Beatrix Potter

I confess that I did not have to make two trips to the Memorial Garden this weekend.

The temperatures are beginning to cool, which means the need for extra watering is diminishing, and even the weeds are growing a little slower.

But I’ll be taking a little break for some ocean camping, and our blooming days are growing shorter. I want to enjoy summer’s last blooms as long as I can.

Everyone else had the same idea; the dogs were everywhere in the Homeward Bound garden this weekend! Miss Macy with her ever-present toy,

Sunny with her sweet white face and disposition,

Blossom looking pretty,

and Hootie enjoying Laura’s company. (Laura’s the one with the hat!)

Sonny was back for more training classes. He is a certified Canine Good Citizen (CGC) who provides weekly therapy visits to a local Kaiser hospital.

Boulder and Phoenix are new arrivals; a pair who will hopefully find a new home together.

And Eastman – another new arrival who greets dogs and humans with a happy smile and wagging tail.

Even Axel and Bradley, who have perfectly good homes of their own, came by just to see what all the ruckus was about.

Party in the garden!

Some new things are blooming in Ina’s Cottage Garden. I believe this is Obedient Plant.

And this looks like an Aster…Ina?

The Roses are putting on a show; the result of Maria’s feeding them last week.

This contrast of blooms is beautiful in the White Garden.

The Hummingbird Garden was hosting more than birds…

can you find my little Dragonfly friend hiding here?

And of course…the Dahlias.

A riot of color. A splash of sunshine. And dogs. What a great way to celebrate the closing of summer. Does the party have to end?

Hunter’s Beauty

“Everything has beauty,

but not everyone sees it.” ~Confucius

This is Hunter, a new arrival. He visited the Memorial Garden today and decided to stay awhile. I can’t tell you his story yet, as he has not been assessed. It breaks my heart to see older dogs like Hunter come in. They have stories; long ones. Whether by choice, necessity or happenstance, they arrive here confused, sad and anxious about their future.

He does not yet know it, but he is lucky to arrived at Homeward Bound, where dedicated and caring volunteers will work hard to ensure a loving home for him.

Like the petals of these spent flowers, he still has great beauty to offer.

I hope that someone will see it in him someday soon.

When Life Turns Upside Down

“Happiness is like a butterfly.
The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.

But if you turn your attention to other things,
It comes and sits softly on your shoulder.” – Henry David Thoreau

Sometimes life turns on a dime and you find your world turned upside down.

On those occasions, the only choice you might be left with is how you view the turn of events.

You can wallow in failed expectations, or let them be turned into opportunities.

Golden Retriever pups come to Homeward Bound for many reasons – a foreclosed home; someone passed away; families split up or moved; or the cost of medical needs was too much. These beautiful dogs land here surprised, confused – but luckier than they know.

This is Brutas and his sister, accompanied by dog-walker Ashley. They visited us today in the Memorial Garden.

They will receive medical attention,TLC, training, and the help of people dedicated to their happiness. And with a little luck – as they turn their attention to walks, school and play dates, they will find a new forever home – together.

Fostering

In my time volunteering at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden and chronicling it in this blog, I have encountered just about every breed – but to my mind, those who foster are a breed apart.

These are people who reserve a place in their homes – and hearts – to take in, train, love and heal dogs while they await, and prepare for, their forever homes. They do this knowing that their time together is too short and that their attachment will grow long.

Not everything is meant to last forever. Like this Lupine that bloomed well past its expectation,

but has finally departed in the baking heat of August. Withered though it is, it will have new life again next year.

At a blog I follow, Foster Tails, Zeedle is struggling with the impending adoption of her first foster, Sunny. While Aleks at Love and a Six Foot Leash, has been through the process many times. She chronicles her family’s quest to “open minds, win hearts and save lives through fostering”. For people who think they could never bear the loss, she writes beautifully about the heartache – and the rewards.

There are many ways to be a part of dog rescue. All important and all valued. But to my mind, fostering is one of the most noble because it involves such personal sacrifice. Wherever you live, if your home is right and your heart big enough, talk with your local rescue operation. People willing to foster are universally needed.

As they say…it’s the hardest job you’ll ever love. And to everything – there is a season.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
– Dr. Seuss

Heroes in the Garden

There are heroes among us. In the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, between the Dahlias…

and the Roses…

the Lupine…

and the delicate White Lavender…

you will find some of the heroes of Homeward Bound.

1. Robin and Jim – with their rescue, Owen who visited with us in the garden before “school” today.

Even the staff of HB was surprised by their pick; Owen had flunked adoption twice for his youthful exuberance and ill-mannered ways. A suggestion was made that they might want to foster first to determine if he was a good fit, Robin’s reply was simple: “I don’t return things.”

True to her word, she and Jim have put in the training and love needed for Owen to succeed. A month later, he is already a changed dog. He is still a work in progress, with much more training ahead. But it looks like he has found his forever home.

2. Laura. She and other dedicated dog-walkers were out early to get the dogs walked before the temperatures soared too high in the middle of our heat wave. She shared the Willow Garden – the coolest spot on the property – with her golden friend, Tom (such a ham!)

Here she is with Tristan – one of the dogs who has come all the way from Taiwan.

In the past few years, Homeward Bound has taken in over 30 dogs from Taiwan, working in partnership with the Taichung Universal Action Protection Association (TUAPA) and Asians for Humans, Animals and Nature (AHAN). Many have been adopted, but Tristan remains a much-loved Sanctuary dog due to his special needs.

3. Edna. A very special hero. She – too recently – said goodbye to yet another of her permanent fosters. She has another at home. And today, she arrived with with Jezell, her adopted pup, to share some tears, hugs, and to pick up yet another foster.

Edna is a long-time foster mom. From a 2007 newsletter speaking about one of her fosters with terminal cancer, she said, “For all that I give them; they give 1000 times more in return. It’s like having a ‘No Vacancy’ sign on your heart. All of them teach me life lessons every day. Even with Monty’s cancer, he shows me how to just be happy for this day and this moment. I try each day to celebrate his life and not cry so much about his dying. We have today and that’s a blessing.”

Edna’s heart seems to have endless capacity.

The world needs more Edna’s.

When One Door Closes…

I thought that these sunflowers were the perfect metaphor for our Memorial Garden. Growing from one stalk, one head has faded, while another blooms. This is the cycle of quiet ends and new beginnings – sadness and joy – that we see so often at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary.

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell.

The Memorial Garden as a place to remember and celebrate the lives of our four-legged friends who brought us such joy, companionship and happiness.

Every dog lover knows the heartache of loss, and yet we risk it all over again – because the need is so great. So many pups in need of homes; so many homes in need of the unconditional love of pups.

“Dogs just wrap themselves around your heart in ways you never thought possible.” – HB

Often we hear people say that they can’t bear to adopt an older dog with the possibility of only a few years together. And yet, there on the organization’s Facebook page this week, was a post from a woman who said goodbye to her Golden – adopted at 10 and lived to 17. Seven wonderful years. Life has its own plans, and there are no guarantees. So worry less about the age and more about the connection and the difference that you make in each other’s lives. Hearts are like gardens – with endless capacity to be reborn. Never the same…

but equally beautiful.

What the Garden Means

Just in case, amid the planning, planting, coaxing, and admiring of our Homeward Bound garden blooms, we lose focus on why we have created this Memorial Garden and what it means to others, these comments left on the organization’s Facebook page are a perfect reminder:

“I was so grateful to be able to walk it a few weeks ago and remember those waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Two of my adoptions had bricks and I stood there crying – the etchings are so real – they really do look like Vinnie and Bob.”

“We saw Bob’s brick and Ralph and I both cried. We weren’t sure when we sent in the photo if it would come out looking like Bob but it sure does. He was a handsome boy and so loved and we miss him so much. This garden and his brick mean alot to us.”

The Memorial Garden is a place to honor and remember Goldens (and their Golden friends) who have left our lives, but not our hearts. That it means so much to others, makes us feel that we have contributed meaningfully.

You can learn about designating a brick here. When you do, you create a loving and thoughtful gift or memorial, while contributing to the care of Homeward Bound’s resident Goldens.

If You Would Have a Lovely Garden…

There is a Shaker saying: “If you would have a lovely garden, you should live a lovely life.”

The Homeward Bound volunteer gardeners have been hard at work all year creating the beginnings of a lovely Memorial Garden to remember and share with rescued Golden Retrievers (and their Golden friends). Thanks to all who visit – virtually and in person. Remember to adopt or foster – so they may live a lovely life.

Resetting

I have to admit, I was a little discouraged Friday night when I arrived at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden; by the destruction being inflicted on Maria’s sunflowers, the paths that are in disarray waiting for our fall project, and the never-ending weeds that grows like trees in this country garden.

Unlike maintenance at our home gardens where we just step outside the door – the trek out to this country garden takes time. As a result, we generally are limited to one full day of gardening per week, and one weekly, evening visit. Things pile up fast and it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed.

Sometimes , as they say, it is hard to see the forest for the trees. I’m sure the volunteers who waited Friday night for an expected dog drop-off sometimes feel similarly. It is not unusual for Homeward Bound to welcome 10-20 rescues a week. So much good accomplished; and always so much more to do.

I know for the dedicated volunteers of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, the reward of seeing rescued dogs go to their new forever homes far outweighs the long hours and occasional discouragements. So I stopped feeling sorry for myself and hit the garden early with Maria, weed whackers, trowels, and beads in hand. Beads? Read on.

First, it is amazing how much better things look when the paths are closely trimmed – even if the “lawn” is really weeds. At least they are (mostly) green and neat for now. Our plan is to create an isolated grassy area next fall, and surround the beds with mulched paths, letting them grow larger and closer together. This will greatly reduce the amount of weekly maintenance, and hopefully create a cool resting point for the eye in a sea of color. Can’t wait!

Close observation confirmed Maria’s and Ina’s suspicions; the damage caused to the sunflowers was done by Finches who leveled their bold attacks in full view of us today. (Thanks to our readers for your suggestions.) Maria’s counter attack includes hanging beads, metallic spirals, CDs and putting an owl sculpture in place to watch over the garden. The Sunflower bed looks a little like Mardi Gras, but Maria assures me the beads were purchased, not earned. If that needs explanation, please visit New Orleans.

Roses were fed and they, along with the fruit trees and beds were deep watered as we expect a week of 100+ degree weather ahead. This is when we are grateful for clay soil. Still, we will be paying extra visits to the garden this week.