Photography – Page 8 – Gardens For Goldens

The Dogs of Klamath IV

We made our annual trek to Klamath, CA a little early this year. This place – not far from the border of Oregon, where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean, restores my spirits and renews my energy each year.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”~ John Muir

On the river,

the trails,

the sea…

they say it’s not where you walk, but who you walk with. At Klamath, you are especially fortunate if you walk in the company of dogs. Introducing, the Dogs of Klamath, IV:

Life is better in the company of dogs.

Wordless Wednesday: On The Trail…

of Fernwood Canyon, CA. Tomorrow…back to reality.

Wordless Wednesday: Mirror Mirror

Naked Ladies (Amaryllis belladonna)

Boy is someone going to be surprised when their search turns these up instead of…well, you know. 🙂

The Comfort We Bring

“In almost every garden, the land is made better and so is the gardener.” ~ Robert Rodale

We created and keep the Memorial Garden as a gift to the dogs we love and have loved – and for those who dedicate so much to our rescue effort.

Three chance encounters this week reminded me that the work we do at Homeward Bound not only makes life better for the dogs, but provides important comfort to humans as well.

A woman messaged us asking the status of the dog she had surrendered. It was clear that she had loved him, but for whatever reason, she could not provide a home right now. I was only able to let her know that he was adopted quickly to a good family. And while I reassured her that he would be well-loved, I reminded her that we could not share details to protect the privacy of the adopters. She did not need details. Just peace of mind … with gratitude.

A couple visited this weekend. They wanted to ensure that if something happened to them, their beloved Golden would be cared for. This is important planning that people often overlook. They were delighted with the rescue and were comforted knowing that their fur-child will be safe with us if that time ever comes. They left relieved.

Finally, a glimpse of one of our former adopters who recently lost her sweet boy to cancer. She was sitting quietly with our president in the puppy hut with the golden puppies I showed you last week. One dog never replaces another, but puppies have a special way of melting pain and healing hearts. She has to travel quite a way to visit with us, but here she is in the company of people who truly understand her loss.

“Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow” ~ Swedish Proverb

The garden is our gift.

The dogs are our shared passion.

And we’re reminded that the human lives we touch make us better, too.

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” ~ Emily Kimbrough

Worth Working For

Now begins the time when every day turns up another treasure – a hint of how the garden will take shape this year.

Lots of people appreciate the final result, but a gardener takes pleasure in watching each step that unfolds from their labor.

Now I know, a refuge never grows
from a chin in the hand and a thoughtful pose
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose. ~ Indigo Girls

It’s a cliché – and it’s true – anything worth having usually has to be worked for.

I hear over and over…”We’re looking for a young dog.” What they often really mean is, “I’m looking for a perfect young dog.” They want a dog that is socialized to others, bonds quickly, has impeccable house manners, and knows all those things we call rules (don’t we all?!). When a young dog has all of that going for it, it is because someone invested all of the hard work required to get it there. And you generally won’t find them surrendered.

Our young four-legged kids are generally not “perfect” – because someone didn’t take the time to make them so. But that does not mean they don’t have the potential. Young rescue dogs are often like adolescent humans in so many ways. Willful, a little wild, often insecure, sometimes mouthy, but ultimately trainable and loveable – if someone will just make the effort.

Our Lucky is one of these.

It pains me to see him passed over because he is still a work in progress, especially at his young age of eighteen months. He’s thoroughly adorable – if a little rebellious – and a bundle of playful energy.

He would make a perfectly devoted and active companion for someone willing to accept a dog with “some assembly required.”

With a little time and some work, you’d be amazed at what takes shape.

“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

This…

starts as this.

This…

becomes this.

I’m hoping that someone sees that in Lucky soon.

(Thanks to Rob Kessel for the photos of Lucky.)

Catching Up

For those of you suffering through snow and ice, let me catch you up on our Northern California garden!

The Narcissus arrived – a bit early thanks to all that water in December (and woefully, none in January).

The roses took a final bow following a brief freeze…

and let us know that their time had come. January is the month for pruning roses In Northern California. By my count, there are 41 of them in the garden proper with another 20 along the perimeter. To help get the job done, Ina brought a fresh recruit. Beth is a knowledgeable and focused gardener – and a great addition.

St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals, took a serious tumble from his housing in a high wind storm.

Sadly, we were unable to revive him. Given his stature, a proper burial was planned at the base of the podium. Because of conflicts with her plantings, however, Maria wanted to save space and lay him to rest with his head upright.

While discussing the inappropriateness of this plot, Scrappy misplaced his ball, adding insult to injury.

The plantings were displaced to create a proper resting place; the ball was retrieved…

and disaster was averted.

You might remember Yule – the frightened dog that Maria took home to foster. Well, that was two weeks ago, and she is not showing any signs of giving him up at this point! He has adapted really well at home and become much more confident and clearly relaxed.

He is an excellent garden dog. Another great addition to our team.

Late in the day, one of our longer term residents went home. At only six years old and gorgeous, you’d think that Ernie had everything going for him.

But he is one of those very independent dogs that doesn’t connect right way to people. Not to mention that his manners were less than perfect. He went home for a time with our dog photographer/whisperer, Rob, to work on those. Today, it paid off. His new people spent a lot of time with him and learning about him. Their “going home” photo (thanks Rob) reflects a match that was worth the wait.

Happy life, Ernie!

Walk With Me

After all the year-end projects are finished and the holidays are put away – my mind goes blank, and my motivation flies right out the window. It’s time to get outside and clear the head. Getting off the beaten path and out in nature returns perspective – and appreciation. I hope you don’t mind me taking you off our usual garden/rescue path for a short detour.

“Sometimes we must unfocus our way to clarity.” ~ Terri Guillemets

It’s so easy to get lost in our daily lives. Tasks take on undue importance until we return them to their proper place. Headlines make us worry for the world we share. On sheltered trails under big blue skies –

by the pond’s edge on cold, crystal days –

all of it is temporarily shed and I’m reminded of all the beauty this world holds.

“If you do not raise your eyes you will think that you are the highest point.” ~ Antonio Porchia

Restoration and rejuvenation lead to innovation and renewed passion – in any undertaking. Change your point of view, and be reminded of the world’s good grace.

I took a couple of days off to walk our American River trails and explore the nearby Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary. The creatures were not as cooperative as my camera would have liked, but that’s OK.

It made me look up. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I do resolve to do this more – and to bring others along. So thanks for walking with me.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

Wordless Wednesday: California Quenched

Fall whispers farewell

The garden is tucked under a blanket of leaves.

We’ll let it wear this thin cover through the winter to protect sensitive perennials from frost while feeding the soil.

I am always surprised at how quickly the garden can fade; from brilliant oranges, reds and golds

to a canvas of grey and brown.

Not dead; just moved to a new state of slumber as if to say, ‘let’s rest awhile.’ It is a well-deserved. Fall whispers farewell.

Last year at this time, two weeks of record cold and frost were upon us. Unheard of for our area, it stole – overnight – the last color from the garden and resulted in more than a few casualties.

This year, we are blessed with successive days of warm rain. The last roses shine like neon against an earth-colored backdrop.

The long-term forecast says we will not yet escape the drought – but the outlook improves somewhat. For this we are very thankful. With the grey skies and the holidays upon us, the pumpkins were promptly dispatched to the compost pile

and a living tree was moved in.

While the décor has changed, we are still filled with the spirit of giving thanks. Our kennels are only half full after so many “going homes” including eleven of our twelve puppies –

Only sweet Titania remains. We have promised her a home by Christmas.

The breeder dogs that came in recently are all spoken for, including this beautiful pup – surrendered for a heart murmur. One person’s “defect” is another’s great fortune.

For once, the pace is relaxed – with time for enjoying each other’s company as well as the company of dogs.

Our own well-earned rest.

“And the dead leaves lie huddled and still,
No longer blown hither and thither;
The last lone aster is gone;
The flowers of the witch hazel wither;
The heart is still aching to seek,
But the feet question ‘Whither?’” ~ Robert Frost

The Dogs of Klamath III

“There is new life in the soil for every man. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

Every September, we camp where the river and ocean meet at Klamath, California, visiting with friends and restoring our spirits. Surrounded by the towering Redwoods and the expanse of Pacific Ocean, cares just drift away.

The tonic of camping requires few comforts; a fabric roof overhead to protect from fog and dew; the warmth of a fire and a cozy sleeping blanket; good coffee…and of course, the company of dogs.

Following: The Dogs of Klamath III, along with a link to the full trip album for those so inclined. Enjoy. http://ogeesnaps.smugmug.com/Klamath-2014/