Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue

Gardens: Love Letters to the Future

February 14, 2021 by Ogee

Gardeners don’t fear critters, bugs, disease, or even frosts. The one thing a gardener truly fears is the fate of our gardens after we are gone. The act of clearing, planning, planting, and nurturing a garden is belief in tomorrow – a love letter to the future. A gardener lives in anticipation of the season ahead and what surprises will spring forward. When you dig and turn that first shovel of dirt, a pact is made – between earth and […]

Categories: Gardening, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Jody's Garden

A Place You Called Home

January 10, 2021 by Ogee

We all know the story. When you drove out to the property for the first time, you said: “I am home.” Driving out to the rescue today, I saw again why you loved this piece of open country so. The landscape rose from the fog and frost-bitten ground. The flooded rice fields – glass-like and still – were filled with geese, ducks and coots. The sun broke through and cleared a path through the mist. Had I known the day […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Loss • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Jody Jones

The Garden Calls For You

October 11, 2020 by Ogee

I arrived early that Sunday morning. Learning of her fall, I went to check on her. As she was loaded to the ambulance, I told her it would be okay. I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be – but who am I to argue with the power of prayer? We grieve the loss of our founder, leader, mentor, and friend. Her impact was immeasurable. The outpouring of love and sorrow at the news, indescribable. I have found it difficult […]

Categories: Friendship, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Loss, Rescue • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Jody Jones

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