Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

Look Up

May 17, 2020 by Ogee

My preference for a packed garden has led to some thuggery. I spent the day cutting back prized but overgrown California fuschias, cerinthe major (honeywort), and even California poppies to allow the verbascum, sea holly, and blazing star see the light of day. It’s a happy garden that grows so vigorously that it needs to be edited in May! Sometimes, gardeners get tunnel vision; all we see are the weeds and work. The same with rescue; the sad stories and […]

Categories: Dog Fostering, Dog Rescue, Dogs, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Pets, Puppies, Rescue • Tags: Dog Fostering, dog rescue, Foster puppies, gardening, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Look Up

Just Set Him Loose

April 12, 2020 by Ogee

Just set him loose. That’s what a local shelter told a woman who was trying to surrender a stray, six-month puppy after failing to find tags, a microchip, or its home after posting for over a week. In the time of COVID-19, if a dog is dangerous, obviously sick, or injured, the shelter will accept – and euthanize it. If it is healthy and safe, and the person is unable to keep it, they (unbelievably) advise setting it loose. In […]

Categories: Dog Rescue, Dogs, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Puppies, Rescue • Tags: dog rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Shelters COVID-19

In My Dream

March 15, 2020 by Ogee

In my dream, I hear the sounds of thunder. Growling, gnarling, teeth gnashing in a battle to ensure each has their own. Looting and hoarding. Sounds of terror and squeals of alarm. Intimidation and threats. Bodies slammed to the ground. Awakened. The sounds continue; the smell is unbearable. Is this our end? No. It is puppies at play! Ferocious cubs. Testing out their tiny voices and might on the early path to doghood. Four Great Pyrenees puppies to be exact. […]

Categories: Dog Rescue, Dogs, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Puppies, Rescue • Tags: Adele Litter, dog rescue, Foster puppies, Great Pyrenees puppies, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

The Power of Love

January 30, 2020 by Ogee

At ten years of age, Napoleon was surrendered to a shelter with inoperable masses and a limited life expectancy. After months of doting on him at the rescue, he went home as a permanent foster with Elaine and Justin in October 2018 expecting that his was truly hospice care. Elaine and Justin are no ordinary humans. For years, they have been showing up every Saturday morning to feed, clean and care for the dogs. They showered Napoleon with the same […]

Categories: Dog Loss, Dog Rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Loss • Tags: Dog Loss, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

Spring Will Come: Red-y or Not

January 26, 2020 by Ogee

I am trying desperately to keep up with the advancing spring…in January! Crocuses, hyacinth, narcissus…even ceanothus and mid-season tulips are pressing up. We only had two days of mild frost this “winter.” The roses were still blooming when we did our annual pruning. There is no stopping the youthful march of spring now – either in the garden or in the dogs’ Senior Yard. Affectionately referred to as Sugar Shack Acres, this is where dogs that are unable or unlikely […]

Categories: Dog Rescue, Dogs, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, hydrocephalus in dogs, Sanctuary Dogs, Senior Dogs, Spring blooms

The One That Got Away

December 30, 2019 by Ogee

On Christmas Day, I returned to the garden. It has been about a month since I have spent any real time there except to rake and do light cleanup. That’s what happens when foster puppies come to call. Little Daisy—now Gabby—was with us for a month. Arriving at only seven weeks, she had already been passed around and surrendered for the birth defect on her eye. At 11 weeks, she was healthy and fat and strong enough for her surgery. […]

Categories: Dog Fostering, Dog Rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Puppies, Volunteering • Tags: Dog foster, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Memorial Garden, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Lily, Puppy Foster

Noelle: Our Christmas Joy

December 24, 2019 by Ogee

A Good Samaritan saw her stray and shivering in the rain and mud. She was frightened, emaciated, and would not come. Animal control was called. A catch pole was used; something that can be terrifying to dogs but life-saving when there is no other option. She was covered in mats and filth, and it was obvious that she had recently had puppies. There was no sign of them. It’s unclear if she was turned out after weaning them, or had […]

Categories: Dog Rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Humanity, Rescue • Tags: dog rescue, Dog rescue holiday story, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Inspirational

Rocket Scientist

December 22, 2019 by Ogee

As I turned the corner at the rescue into the front parking lot, I came upon an elderly man looking a bit lost. It was well before adoption hours. He looked frail and sad. I asked if I could help. He said he had just let his dog go. It turns out that he had lost her a week earlier; he had just returned from picking up her ashes. She was 11-year-old Emily, a beautiful Golden Retriever. He had her […]

Categories: Dog Loss, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Humanity • Tags: Dog Loss, dog rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

Time Flies on Restless Pinions

December 8, 2019 by Ogee

Somehow it became December. Don’t ask me how. The garden does not seem to know, but the neighbors’ Christmas lights are up and the rain they said would not come has arrived. Muddy dogs are a sure giveaway. It feels like we moved seamlessly from summer to winter. I would say that it has been unseasonably warm but I think we should stop saying that with climate change now increasingly knocking on our door. The garden is still full of […]

Categories: Dog Rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Rescue • Tags: dog rescue, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Passing Seasons