Dogs – Page 5 – Gardens For Goldens

Made for each other

Some things are just made for each other: butterflies and flowers…

tiny frogs in roses…

the color gold and fall.

We had a weekend full of “made for each others” at Homeward Bound including Bogart and Bacall – a bonded pair that we insisted go home together. It took a little longer, but today they found their bonded human pair.

Mylee – at just ten months, is full of youthful spunk and energy; perfect for a family of kids and a runner mom to exhaust her puppy enthusiasm.

And Billy Joel. Born with extra toes and missing two wrist bones, his paw is permanently fixed in something that looks like a ballet pose.

He has adapted well and it does not slow him down one bit, so the doc says “leave it” unless it becomes a problem.

But that can be a hard thing to explain to people looking for a “perfect” dog. Until today.

He went home on a trial run – just to be sure everything works out. And we sure hope it does. Because, by the looks of things, he too found the perfect someone he was made for.

“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” ~ Albert Einstein

Elfin Magic

There are elves among us.

I don’t know where they hide, but they leave their mysteries and mischief all over the garden.
Bunnies that rearrange themselves to better smell the flowers…

beautiful sayings that magically appear in the beds…

stepping-stones crafted by small hands…

wind chimes and bird houses that find their way into trees…

and trees that are mysteriously deposited without so much as a note.

Can anyone identify this tree so we know what to do with it, please?

Each week, they leave little surprises in the garden to bewilder and bemuse. And gifts…they bring us gifts.
They brought us sweet, sugar-faced Hudson with his ever-outstretched paw,

And darling Nikki, also recovering from surgery.

They delivered Winston to us, with his crazy legs that go every which way but forward.

And magic. With barely a drop of rain and little water, they still manage to bring us flowers…

birds…

bees…

and butterflies.

There is elfin magic here.

“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” ~ Eden Phillpotts

If a dog was the teacher…

“Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water…

and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.”

~ Author unknown. From a larger story found frequently quoted but without attribution; you can read it here.
Several photos were contributed by my friend, Rob Kessel – with thanks and appreciation for your talents.

To You, Who Surrendered

I met you only briefly. I didn’t want to. I knew instantly that you represented the hardest part of rescue for me – surrender. But there was no one else there, so I could not avoid you.

There is great joy in the work we do – and some parts that are really difficult. My heart is pretty strong. But to see a newly surrendered dog in a yard, pacing back and forth, searching – it is too much for me. I try to avoid it.

Where did my human go? I’m not sure where I am. Come stay with me. Waiting by the gate. Eyes hunting. The car drives off. Alone. Where are you going? These are nice people; they are kind. They speak softly and have treats. But where is my human? What is this place? Who are these other dogs? A kennel? I have a home. I’m scared. Don’t leave me. What happened? Did I do something wrong?

The process used to fill me with anger for the dog left behind. Now, people in your position fill me with sadness – for what you left behind. You clearly did not want to say goodbye. Your life changed in ways you didn’t expect or plan. You thought you could manage, but it wasn’t working. You knew you were neglecting the dog you had loved for so long. You made the heartbreaking choice. You try to be upbeat and brave for him. One last toss. One last hug. But when you leave, you can barely see the road – your eyes are so flooded with tears.

I want you to know that your boy was adopted. You raised him right; you did a good job; you loved him well. It was clear he would not be with us long.

His new family is overjoyed. He has two beautiful girls who will dote on him and play with him. They have waited a long time for your beautiful, perfect boy. They don’t know how they got so lucky.

We told you it would be alright. We kept our promise. He is safe. He is home. He will be loved. The look in his eyes says he has not forgotten you; he will not forget you. But he will be cherished and he will find that he loves his new family as well.

You remind me that the right thing is sometimes the hardest thing. Your surrender was ultimately an act of love. I hope this brings you some peace. I wish you well.

Wordless Wednesday: Fool’s Gold

(It’s what we call our fake Golden friends…all equally beloved.)

Wordless Wednesday: Tara

How We Come Here

I’ve learned that the best gardens are patchworks of the found, shared and transplanted. The trees, flowers and shrubs of the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden are a collection of new, old and passed on beauties.

Some arrive on our door step. Other have been lifted from gardens we love – always with permission, of course!

Their common destination is a loosely structured garden with unique pockets created for the creatures who inhabit it. Bunnies, birds, snakes, pesky snails –

and dogs, of course.

Like our plants, they arrive from everywhere. Jersey Girl – one of our newest arrivals – traveled all the way across the country from Tennessee thanks to a network of folks dedicated to rescue. Her adventure took over two weeks of travel and foster. Passed from one to another like a precious gift. She is terrified of thunder and her people knew that our quiet valley would be a better place for her.

Eve was found wandering. She was accompanied by a large tumor – likely from raising too many puppies – and she is almost completely blind from cataracts. If we can successfully do away with the first, we hope to remove the other and restore her health and her sight.

Some arrive on wings – like our Taiwan dogs…

and a prayer – for a new life and a forever home. Surrendered, found, rescued.

Rescued dogs – like rescued gardens – return their good fortune a hundred fold.

Hope Never Stops

Today’s Wordless Wednesday post has been preempted – read on; you will understand why.

In November 2012 – twenty months ago – I shared a story of a beautiful Golden Retriever that had been spooked while camping with her family in Tahoe National Forest. Scared, she bolted and then became lost. Our extended Homeward Bound family joined her family in daily searches until the snows fell. We hoped that someone unknowing had her safe. Winter came and went. And another winter came and went. She was spoken of often, and never forgotten.

This morning, we were greeted with this message.

Our dearest Family and Friends,

After 20 long months of being in the Tahoe National Forest, Murphy has come home. As you can imagine we are completely shocked and amazed with the miracle of her surviving this long. We responded to a call from a couple who spotted a dog matching her description in an area within 5 miles of where we lost her. After multiple days looking for her without success, we left her bed and our clothing behind with the campground host, in the hopes that she would respond. A week went by and we got a call from the campground host who was able to coax her into a kennel after she had been sleeping every night on the blanket and clothing that was left behind. We were reunited with Murphy, on Sunday afternoon – Father’s Day! She is on the road to recovery, very thin and frail but happy to be home with her family. We have so many people to thank the list is endless. Words cannot describe how grateful we are. Homeward Bound was instrumental in their efforts to help, the campground host – Jason, Jacob (guy that made the call), Missy, Lea, Deann, Teresa, Mike, Mike, Mary, Jason, Lauren, Larry, Bubba, Wawa, Bob and Kim — You all know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are forever grateful.

Murphy’s family has been inundated with media requests and other attention. They understandably just want time to be with their beloved golden girl. Out of respect for them, I have updated the earlier post to delete their information. But I did want to share our joy. It is a reminder that miracles do happen.

“Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops…at all.” ~ Emily Dickinson

Welcome home, Murphy.

Summer’s Arrival

Summer is officially just around the corner – as the 100+ degree temperatures last weekend made clear. Deep, bold colors replace pastels in the garden –

sprigs become stalks.

and the bees are so busy gathering that I can weed – or photograph – among them and barely be noticed.

“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.” ― Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

Last weekend was ridiculously hot. It happened on the same weekend last year. 105-108 in early June. Record breakers. But the early heat wave was followed by a much more temperate summer. Fingers crossed that we experience a repeat this year.

While the heat did away with the last of the spring flowers, it did coax out blossoms on the Bee Balm, Agapanthus, Lantana and Rudbeckia…

Now all we need are the Sunflowers and Dahlias which are coming along.

Only a few of the Milkweed (Asclepias) – which was everywhere last year – have reappeared. Probably eaten by those nasty Cucumber beetles. I will need to replant from seedlings soon for our Monarch friends.

The dogs are clearly loving the cooler temperatures this week. This face greeted me early Saturday morning. Hello Milo!

He and his friend Molly are one of three pairs we have recently received.

These beautiful long coats feel much better in cool breezes!

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James

Cheers to the arrival of summer!

Wild Thing

Little Baldwin was one of four feral pups literally raised in the wild, the son of a Golden Mom and Black Lab Dad. Somehow, his Dad – broken jaw and all – got them to a firehouse for rescue. Little by little they learned the ways of loved dogs.

One by one, they were adopted; little Baldwin – the mightiest of them all – was last to be picked. Suddenly alone, he was not quite so brave anymore.

“The king of all wild things, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.”

He attended a couple of puppy classes, but at the end of each, he went back to his yard as the others went home. He was still a rescue dog.

“There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen.”

That place is called ‘home.’ One day, these very nice people took a look at him and said “you’re the one we’ve been waiting for.”

“And the walls became the world all around.”

Just a few weeks later, Baldwin – now Duke – is not looking from the outside in – he is officially enrolled in puppy training with his best buds Oreo and Sage. Each lesson begins with a little wild time to get the energy out.

“And now…let the wild rumpus start!”

“And the wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws.”

“But the wild things cried, “Oh please don’t go- We’ll eat you up- we love you so!” ~ Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

Inside all of us is… hope.

Inside all of us is… fear.

Inside all of us is… adventure.

Inside all of us is a wild thing.

Lifting Power

Hummingbirds are considered a symbol tirelessness, perseverance and joy.

The fact that one took up residence in our outdoor alcove was probably a good sign for this week which required the first two qualities in spades and ultimately led to the third.

When one of our previously adopted Reservoir Dogs got loose from his home, our team sprang into action and our community came together. With temperatures unseasonably warm and hovering around 100, there was no time to spare. The call went out through social media for help and our Homeward Bound volunteers answered in force. Social media is an amazing tool in the rescue toolbox, but when your pet first goes missing, there is just no substitute for old-fashioned boots on the ground. Volunteers searched from early light until very late at night, driving, walking and crawling through bushes in parks, cemeteries and alleys. And so it was – at 5:30 on a Saturday morning – that our beloved Michael (now Cooper) was spotted hiding in an alley by one of our volunteers. An hour of so later, he was safely home.

Tirelessness…perseverance…and joy.

There was joy for two other Reservoir Dogs this week – Joshua and Grandpa Buddy went home as well.

Only Hunter remains. It is just a matter of time and right fit for this special boy.

Back in the garden, we have a crisis of a different proportion to attend to: Spotted Cucumber Beetles have invaded.

With the surrounding rice fields flooded and the heat dispensing with the rest of the field weeds, they have come to the garden to dine and multiply.

I read that Tangle Trap in upside down paper cups with use of Oil of Cloves as lure can help reduce the population without insecticides (which would be harmful to our bees, butterflies and ladybugs). If you have any experience with this – please weigh in to rescue our beautiful garden before it is not!

To all of the volunteers who follow this blog and helped in the search…thank you. I’m so proud to be a part of this team.

“It is a fact that in the right formation, the lifting power of many wings can achieve twice the distance of any bird flying alone.” ~ Author Unknown

Tag: Dogs