Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue – Page 22

A holiday gift

Two weeks of low 20-degree temperatures overnights (unheard of in the Sacramento Valley), and there is not much left to show you in the garden.

It got an overdue drink this weekend – after the hoses thawed out. The forecast says the worst is behind us for a while.

The only color I have to share with you this week is on the Christmas tree;

the only birds that made an appearance today were stuffed.

So to warm your hearts – I give you Charlie and Linus (photos courtesy of my friend, Rob) –

two pups that arrived at Homeward Bound barely four months of age. They were accompanied by a very unwelcome guest: parvo. You can read their full story here. Suffice to say, they were blessed to have Homeward Bound guardian angels looking down on them. Most times, the prognosis is not good. A few weeks later, our miracle pups are healthy, happy and ready to roll.

They are also adopted.

Both went home this weekend, just in time for Christmas.

I can’t think of a greater gift.

Wordless Wednesday: Safe

Blessed

“For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

we thank Thee.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

For the peace I have found, the friends I have made and the countless rescued dogs that have touched my heart through my journey with the garden, this blog and Homeward Bound, I am thankful.

“Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don’t even remember leaving open.” ~ Rose Lane

I am blessed. Happy Thanksgiving, all.

Wordless Wednesday: Moose

To learn Moose’s story, please visit here: www.homewardboundgoldens.org/blog/2013/11/27/with-gratitude/

Fall’s Grace

“For the Fall of the year is more than three months bounded by an equinox and a solstice. It is a summing up without the finality of year’s end.” ~ Hal Borland

This blank spot in the perennial bed signals the end of a season, as the Dahlias have been lifted and stored for the winter.

The weather this weekend was beautiful after a stormy start to the week, so Daylilies were divided, bulbs planted,

and giant holes filled in the yards where dogs chase bunnies. Who me?

The light is beautiful in the garden at this time of year.

Although most of the brilliant blossoms have faded away, a few remain and it is as if the sheer warmth of the sun bathes the garden in gold;

it soaks up all the magic that goes on here.

Where big dogs come to find homes,

tiny dogs are nurtured,

blind dogs see that they are surrounded by love,

and old dogs can sum up their own seasons in sanctuary and peace.

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace, as I have seen in one autumnal face.” ~ John Donne

Wordless Wednesday: Sammie Smiles

Here Comes Santa (Already)

Not much gardening went on this weekend. With Santa visiting Homeward Bound, all the elves were busy getting the dogs dressed in their holiday finest for photos, including a couple here from our friend Rob.

From naughty…

to nice…

we’re getting in the holiday spirit before Thanksgiving so everyone’s pictures will be ready for on-time card mailing this year.

Poor Santa; so exhausted, and he still has to head back to the North Pole to get ready for the big event!

The garden is quiet,

but still colorful enough to be inviting.

Next weekend, it will be time to lift the Dahlias. Until then, have a good week, all.

Wordless Wednesday: The Funny Faces of Sting

In Good Garden Company

“A garden is never so good as it will be next year.”~ Thomas Cooper

It seems there is always another project to prepare the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden for the next season. Last week it was the iris bed;

today, some 400 daffodil bulbs sat waiting to be planted for the spring.

So nothing delighted me more than to see a small army of our gardeners show up today. With Diane,

Peggie,

Ina and camera-shy Maria on hand, the garden was weeded, dead-headed and the bulbs got planted on a beautiful fall weekend day.

We continue to be in the company of frogs…

And these nasty things which have been munching on our Pluot tree.

Ina wanted to save the invaders, but I made caterpillar mush of them instead, and left a bit of evidence behind as a warning to their friends.

Of course, we’re always in the company of dogs, which makes our work a true labor of love.

Summer is another of the dogs from Taiwan. She arrived with a myriad of issues, including cancer.

We have hopefully dispensed with all, but there’s no way to be certain. Anna does not care. It was love at first sight.

An introduction to her Jenni was made.

With approval won, the deal was sealed and Summer went home today.

So did Rollie. There was no hesitation at all when that car hatch opened. Inside he found a fresh new bed and a brand new toy. Jackpot! Happy life Rollie.

Our youth volunteers were out in force as well. It is so encouraging to see a new generation involved in rescue. Henzi is a natural, doting on Ella and Maggie in the garden.

Our nights are getting cooler. The watering has been cut back. And our last Dahlia of the season put on a spectacular display.

The foliage is now as impressive as the flowers that remain.

Fall is on glorious display.

Seasons surrender

The season is definitely upon us.

It seems like it happened in an instant. One day the garden was bursting forth – and the next, the leaves were falling, the buds were smaller,

and the bold colors of summer were replaced by a palette of oranges, blues, purples and browns.

Summer surrenders to fall.

I’ve written about surrender before. To me, it is the hardest part of rescue, and something I will never get used to.
More and more, the garden has become a place for families to say their final farewell.

The garden was always intended as a place for farewells and fond remembrances, so I suppose it is fitting that families spend their last few moments with their beloved dogs in a quiet, secluded corner of it. Today, it was a father and son saying a tearful goodbye to their pup. No pictures. It would not have been right.

And then, Ben & Jerry – two more arrivals later in the day.

I did not meet their family. I know these two will be scooped up right away. Still, I cannot imagine what goes through a dog’s mind and heart when their whole lives change in an instant.

When I was young, we never had an opportunity to say ‘goodbye’ to our pets. Our parents made a decision – and one day they were gone. I can’t even remember what we were told. Maybe I choose not to. Proper goodbyes – no matter how hard – are important for us humans. I wonder what the dogs know.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” ~ Winnie the Pooh, A.A.Milne

I am glad that we are here for them at Homeward Bound. I am grateful to everyone who supports our efforts. And especially so to the families that give these special dogs a new season of their own.