Homeward Bound Memorial Garden Sacramento – Page 3

A Heart That Sees

When our entry beds were sketched and planted, it took imagination to see what they would become.

But in that dirt were the seeds of this towering symphony of purple, white, and silver.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~ Antoin de St Exupery, The Little Prince

Victor came to us in the fall of 2014 from an area shelter. Surrendered at the age of 10, he was a hot mess of chronic ear infections and flea allergy dermatitis. He had literally scratched and rubbed his coat away from the constant itching.

Most people would have a hard time seeing past his scabs to his sweet personality and the potential he had inside. Barbara, however, sees with her heart and not her eyes. She took Victor home knowing his challenges. Add to the list, Vestibular Disease, which struck about a month later. The disease causes sudden loss of balance and disorientation that might be mistaken for stroke. While symptoms often resolve in a couple of weeks, it can result in permanent head wobbling or tilt. Welcome to Victor’s 45-degree world!

When he came for a visit yesterday, I did not even recognize this furry, fluffy boy. Only the angle of his gaze would give it away.

A garden teaches us to see potential beyond what is visible to the eye. With imagination, work, and love, its shape takes form and its true personality comes to life.

“At the heart of gardening there is a belief in the miraculous.” ~ Mirabel Osler

Victor’s miracle was as simple as one woman with a heart that sees.

Waiting patiently

Summer said ‘hang on…not so fast.’

Golden light, a few fallen leaves, and sweatshirts in the morning convinced us that the relief of Fall was finally upon us. “Fools,” said Mother Nature.

She has prepared one last (we hope!) hurrah –

a farewell blast of week-long century-plus heat as if to torture us and our exhausted garden.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ~ John Steinbeck

The summer heat and rationed water have left the Memorial Garden looking very different in early September than in season’s past.

Missing are the Dahlias, Coneflowers, and Sunflowers. But the Obedience Plant, Asters, and Goldenrod stilled arrived on schedule.

We soldier on…taking our example from our lioness, Ginger.

At eight years old, this only-dog-child was displaced when a tiny human child came along. She lost her family and at the same time, her hips gave way to severe hip dysplasia. Surrendered to us, she had bilateral FHO hip surgery to restore her mobility and relieve her pain.

It has been a long, difficult summer – and she is ready and anxious for a new season to begin.

With this sweet face and soulful eyes, we’re pretty sure it is just around the corner…

Waiting patiently with our Fall.

Thanks to Rob Kessel for his beautiful Ginger portrait.

Fruits of our Labor

First they stole our blueberries…

Then our apricots…

And finally, our feathered friends feasted on the entire grape crop.

Thankfully, they are not fans of apples – which we have in abundance. Patience and attention have paid off, and our little orchard is finally producing. This year’s crop was worth all the effort.

It even produced a surprise on our tiny orange tree: grapefruits!

We had another surprise last weekend – the best kind. I shared with you that Nigel, one of our favorite “Not-A-Golden” pups went home. What I didn’t quite relay is why his day was so special to us.

This guy, who is just three years old now, came to us about nine months ago. Cute little puppies grow into big dogs – and all puppies and young dogs need lots of exercise, training and attention to become their best selves.

Nigel had been crated all day and not allowed in the house. His family realized he deserved better and surrendered him to us. His file read like any young boy’s: “Full of energy, enthusiasm, and athleticism. He craves human attention and affection.”

That excited craving for human attention – coupled with his pure strength – made just getting him out of his kennel a long-sleeved adventure. Once out, we learned that his strength and energy were matched by a genuine desire to please. He was trainable.

We sent him to foster so he could learn the ways of a house dog and he made progress. We learned that his favorite time of day was couch time when he could snuggle with his head in your lap and snore himself to sleep. But his energy had to be matched to a human or family that could help wear him down. We also discovered that being in the company of other dogs providing reassurance. Nigel needed to know that he wasn’t being left again.

Like blossoms on our apple trees in spring, we knew there was great potential.

When an active family with two dogs took him home last weekend, we were delighted.

But this update from our volunteer put us over the moon: “I ran into Nigel and his family on a walk last night. They told me they felt like they hit the lotto with him!”

It took time and a lot of patience for Nigel to find his perfect people. To learn that he is the apple of their eye…well that’s like hitting the lotto for us!

Happy life, boy. You so deserve it!

Nigel photos courtesy of Rob Kessel.

The Dahlia Days of Summer

Elegant. Beauty. Fleeting. Summer.

Paid in Smiles

My sister, Debra, is involved in rescue of the feline sort. She is part of a group with a well-earned reputation for its effective trap, neuter and release (TNR) program to reduce the feral cat population in her town back East. A much better writer, she blogs about her work with this all-volunteer community effort, and the joy of living and working with animals in general. (Stealing one of her images…I’m pretty sure she’ll forgive me).

Her program had a tough week – the kind where you find the limits of what you can and cannot accomplish or cure.

Every couple of weeks, we put new recruits through a volunteer orientation.

The long-term “stick-around” rate is in the low double digits because they encounter the kind of realities my sister faced this week. Hard work – this rescue stuff. It takes a giant heart that you have to be willing to leave open – while simultaneously protecting, knowing that the work makes an important difference as it did for our Kobe, here.

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.” ~ Victor Hugo

I am in awe of the people who remain committed to difficult efforts despite the emotional risk. When I look at these faces, I am so grateful for the humans who return – week after week – to ours. Meet Mary, 12:

And Libby, also 12:

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hale

I nearly forgot to update you … sweet Emma, my first surrender intake, went home just two weeks after she arrived. From fear and trepidation…

to happy and excited to begin her new life – you would not recognize her as the same dog.

“Volunteers are paid in six figures…S-M-I-L-E-S.” ~ Gayla LeMaire

Kasey…all 14 years of him. 🙂 Payment made.

Wordless Wednesday: Unfold

A June Night

“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.” ~ Bern Williams

The Homeward Bound Memorial Garden – in early summer evening light.

Going Home Parade

It’s beginning to look a lot like summer, with the return of the Asiatic lilies,

daylilies…

Monarch butterflies,

and snakes.

There is just one thing missing: my dahlias!

When I last saw them, they were healthy, six-inch tall plants shooting rapidly skyward. Upon my return this weekend, they were barely stubs. Maria says they fell prey to snails. I’m not so sure that bunnies weren’t involved.

There certainly are enough of both in the garden. Do you think we can help the snake develop a taste for escargot? I brought out six backups that had been started at home and created fortresses of chicken wire and Sluggo.

They made it through the night. We’ll see if they make it through the week. Saturday was such a blur of “going home” photos that I got little accomplished. A parade of happy faces marched before my camera. Thankfully, Ina parachuted in to rescue me on Sunday with both Maria and Anna away.

“I am joy in a wooly coat, come to dance into your life, to make you laugh” ~ Julie Church

Congratulations to Roxie,

Marcus,

Red,

Mufasa,

Rose,

and Romeo.

But the sweetest of all was Simba’s going home with Lyana – one of our devoted volunteers. She has renamed him Balou, after our beloved sanctuary dog who recently passed. We think it is a fitting tribute, and we suspect Balou approves too.

“And then it happens all at once and unexpectedly. You pack your bags and find yourself walking yourself home.” ~ Shannon L. Alder

Happy life to you both.

Back to Reality

Back from an adventurous week on Kauai and returned to a whirlwind of work and house guests. Among them was my sister, Beth and her husband, Gordon. Their stay was brief, but good – with a request to see Homeward Bound and the Memorial Garden which they have known only virtually.

We made our way there Friday, where the garden is beginning to look a lot like summer…

and the puppies put my sister through her paces. Yes, those are razor sharp puppy teeth hiding behind all that cuteness!

Sunday was puppy aptitude test day,

which apparently involves umbrellas (something we have little need for!) –

shoes…

toys…

sharing…

cuddling…

and naps! Puppy tests are exhausting!

These little monsters are spoken for, but we have three remaining from the litter that was left in a box and delivered to our door. They are adorable 100% mix-breed, nine-week old pups named after the Lion King characters. Mufasa:

Nala

And Rafiki.

Other guests included Allie, a rescue, who is about to be enrolled as a therapy dog for our local Lend A Heart organization…

And Sedona, the Homeward Bound alum of Martha and Randy.

Needless to say, I got little work done – which is just my speed right now! I’ll be back to my old self soon (I think). I may even sneak in a few more pictures from Kauai if you’ll indulge me. Until then … mahalo. It’s good to be back in the garden.

The virtues of getting lost

“If you don’t get lost, there’s a chance you may never be found.” ~ Author Unknown

I’m going to get lost for a week or so. Time to take a travel break and find some serenity, inspiration and rejuvenation where there is rain and lush, green forests. Ina and Anna will tend to the garden as Maria is also away. Who knows what mischief they will get into?!

When the cat’s away…

Spring is quickly slipping by. I said farewell to its blooms today in case they are not here when I return.

All signs point to summer’s arrival including the sprouting of sunflowers,

dahlias,

and the nesting mourning doves in the garden trees.

I feel better about leaving knowing that this pup has left as well.

Junior was the last of our hunting dogs. Deaf, it took a little while longer to get him home. But home he went this weekend, with previous adopters who gave Lisa (now Ellie) her new chance at life.

His new people are renaming him “Orion” – for the Greek hunter – and the constellation by the same name. Not that he can hear it. But no matter. I’m pretty sure he knows that his life just got much brighter. Instead of chasing ducks in a field, he can light up the lives of his new people.

Happy life, Orion. We’re going to miss you.
And happy week to all of you. Aloha. See you soon.

New Additions

April showers bring … April flowers. In abundance.

The garden is in full bloom making my early morning arrival extra special.

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Last week: five long-term residents went home. This week: five arrived in one day. Plus three more for good measure throughout the week.

The universe seeks balance, I guess. No rest for the weary.

We have a new addition to the garden: a beautiful bird bath.

Maria made it for Jody, our president who, with her husband, imagined this whole Homeward Bound effort and works tirelessly to sustain it. It’s the perfect centerpiece for her special bed in the garden.

As beautiful as they are, the flowers in the garden have tough competition from the pups named for flowers. Iris…

Rose,

Sweet William,

and Stephanotis.

All spoken for – from a long list of families that have waited a long time for these rare arrivals.
Until their going home days…we’ll enjoy watching them bloom, as well.

Symphony of Spring

As the season starts to turn, it seems to happen at a snail’s pace…literally.

It’s like the orchestra tuning to find that perfect pitch.

Things seems to unfold in starts and fits, and we keep saying…”just wait.”

And then, after an almost unbearable pause…the symphony begins.

Every tree is dressed in leaves and blossoms,

and every sleepy plant and creature awakens.

When I am away during the week, I miss the Memorial Garden. This weekend, the return took my breath away.

The earth is alive;

the creatures so busy;

and the gardeners so hardworking –

except for Yule, who just keeps us company.

“It was such a pleasure to sink one’s hands into the warm earth, to feel at one’s fingertips the possibilities of the new season.” ~ Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden

Spring brings the dogs out in force,

and from their stories, we have learned this: symphonies have more than one movement –

and you can bury a lot of troubles by digging in the dirt.