Rescue – Page 2 – Gardens For Goldens

imperfection

A friend shared a disappointment recently, which caused her to question the good she contributes to because the results have occasionally been imperfect. Sometimes, in trying to do too much, we end up doing too little. Now and then, that causes us to fail.

Like an over planted garden. We want to save them all, but the soil can only accommodate so many.

Hard choices sometimes have to be made. But in the end, they’ll stand stronger, taller and more brilliant if attention is focused on what can truly be supported well.

Of course, gardens are not living creatures. But a rare failure, however heartbreaking, should not cause us to question all.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Winston Churchill

Mistakes will happen. Perfection is never achieved.

“Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.” ~Author unknown

Bring Murphy Home

For weeks now, everyone at Homeward Bound has been following one family’s desperate search for their golden retriever, Murphy – who was lost at Lake Tahoe in early October during a family camping trip. She bolted when she heard gunshots. Being in unfamiliar territory, she was frightened and quickly lost.

She has made her way to South Lake Tahoe, where she has been regularly sighted near grocery stores, coffee shops and a hospital – likely eating from trash cans. But she is badly spooked, may be hurt, and is not coming to her family or other volunteers trying to aide in her return.

Many of Homeward Bound’s extended family have traveled to the area to assist with the search. As the weather turns, each day that she remains on the run brings bitter disappointment and greater distress.
This is the heartbreaking work of those involved in rescue. Lost dogs; abandoned and abused dogs; sheltered dogs with clocks running out. Sadly, not all will be saved.

This is also the heart-warming work of rescue. Many have traveled long distances to join in the search; hundreds have shared their prayers; thousands have shared the posts with their network of family and friends.

If you live in the area, and can assist, let’s bring Murphy home and write a heartwarming end to this story.

It’s Raining Dogs!

I made a trip to the garden late yesterday afternoon. Sometimes, I find it more productive to break up the weekend chores into two sessions instead one long marathon. (Didn’t Ina do a beautiful job on the White Garden this week?)

It was definitely cooler, with ominous clouds moving in – unusual for our Sacramento Valley which is usually baking this time of year.

I met Janet and Dale in the gardens. They were visiting with Holden, the sweet pup they adopted from Homeward Bound about a year ago. A special-needs dog, he does not produce tears. So every few hours, they administer them for him. Such dedication.

Janet, it turns out, is also one of the designated administrators for the organization’s Facebook page. We have her to thank for sharing our blog and video, bringing it to the attention of so many more people last month. Thank you, Janet! We appreciate the assist!

I thought maybe the darkening skies carried coastal fog – perhaps causing our 20-degree day-to-day temperature drop.

Good thing I’m not a weather forecaster. Not long after I got home, thunder set in, and then a brief rainfall. This really does not happen here very often – and I feel a little guilty considering how parched so many parts of our country are this summer.

By the next morning, the clouds were gone, replaced by a light breeze and blue skies, and accompanied by a light shower of dogs all morning long – just happy to enjoy the beautiful morning in the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden.

As I left the night before, I saw the pens filled with new, beautiful, blond Goldens.

This morning, I met many of them in person. Among the newly emerging Dahlias…

I met new arrivals, Sunny –

Huntington –

Bristol –

and Shadow (such a happy face!)

Amid the flourishing roses…

I found Chris – one of our dog-whisperers – and her own pups Tigger and Missy. They visit us pretty regularly, before Chris gets to a long day of assessing and working with the new dogs.

And not long after capturing this visiting Monarch Butterfly,

I was introduced to Tosh. He’s a handsome young man and full of “ready-to-roll!” Look how nicely he sits already!

It never ceases to amaze me that so many beautiful dogs find their way here for rescue.

Thankfully Ina paid a visit to the gardens this week and Pat joined me this morning. The extra hands made it possible to spend a little time appreciating the pups and still get the weeding, watering, dead-heading and fountain-cleaning accomplished. All while Maria is off playing in Europe dog-watching when she should be site seeing. She sent this picture of a “Hungarian Shepherd” (I suspect it is actually a Hungarian Kuvasz) –

and this unusual creature.

Don’t worry Maria. We’ll save you a couple of projects so you will feel missed when you return!