HAPPY OR SLEEPY?

With the farewells I'm doing lately, I wanted to give you a blog to make you smile.    Smile Paddington!  Wake up, Paddington!

Zoey and Sissy-- are you awake?? Nope!

Piper is wide awake.  Why?

Because he saw this "dog" across the room and he was going to protect me from it.

Sissy and Bogie-- wake up.   I want a happy blog and all I can find are sleeping dogs!

Wait-- here's one.  Callie is awake.  Well, kind of.

And shock of shocks-- Bogie and Paddington were trying to get along.

Here they are again, next to each other.   Bogie is more alpha even though he's a lot smaller.

Alright, everyone.  Line up.  I want a picture of happy dogs!   LOL  Minnie isn't having any part of it.  

FAREWELL TED

Ted's mom wrote his farewell.   She included so much more than I ever could.  He was a precious boy.  

We got Ted right about this time, 15 years ago.  A little furry imp.

He loved the cats, especially Chase.

He learned to swim!  (always with supervision)  

The cats were a big influence on him.  Did he think he WAS a cat?

He also loved his two Bernese Mtn. Dog sisters, Cami & Jilli.

We did a lot of fostering over the years.

This was Eli, an SPCA pup.  Ted thought he was a little “too busy”, but he was a good sport.

After we lost our last Bernese, I contacted Linda and she brought Grace for a visit (she also brought Kai Kai along for the ride).

She was checking out the yard.  

She didn’t really care for the foster cats/kittens, either!  But Ted LOVED all the cats & esp. the kittens…..

Grace (formerly Glitter) died in February, 2017.   Ted seemed to accept her absence okay, as long as he had his cat “peeps”.  He had always been quite narcissistic and took to being an only dog.

They checked each other out when I went there.  

Finnegan, our newest cat, immediately took to Ted, who was not necessarily thrilled with this.

Sweet.  💙

Finnegan definitely wanted to be his friend.

Ted went on about his country dog life…...they had moved to Michigan.  

He helped in the building process.

Deer?   Look out!

In January 2021,  he was having trouble getting around, with his weak knees & diminished sight.  All that white, cold snow was hard on him.  He bounced off snow banks a lot.  The deer weren’t afraid of him anymore…

 He had lost one of his eyes and everything was becoming such an effort.  In addition to his physical problems, he had some dementia too.  This past Monday, he had two seizures and that was our ’sign’.  His body had had enough.  Now he can see perfectly, hear perfectly, run and jump as well as any deer, and he’ll never be confused or concerned again.  He has reunited with Grace & the Bernese & my beloved Chase.  But our lives have a huge hole left behind by this inimitable little dog……loving you and missing you, little cubs….."

RUN FREE NOW, TED. 💓

FAREWELL DASH

Two years ago, we were asked to help a senior Peke.  His owners were retiring to their home in Hawaii.   

The trip would have been too difficult for Dash with his age and health.  So, we took him into rescue.

I asked friends of mine, former adopters, if they had room for Dash in their home.

They did! 

Dash came to my home and we had him vetted.  (We do this for them all, even if we have records.  His records came with him, but we always have them visit our vet.)

Dash joined Cha Cha and Poncho.

Dash was such a sweet addition to their home.   

He got along with everyone-- so precious.

They loved to gather in front of the fireplace.  Three friends.

They were often touching.

Poncho had lost his eyes, and he enjoyed having a friend near by.  They became best buds.

Dash was about 17 years old.  What a wonderful two years he had with his family.   He has kidney disease, and his appetite was greatly diminished. (This happens with kidney disease.)  His mom gave him syringe fluids, and did all they could for him.  When it was time to say goodbye, Dash let them know.  He brought so much joy and happiness.  He was their "Little Dashie."  

After he passed away, Cha Cha and Poncho rested on Dash's blanket.  

They miss their friend.

Dash will always be remembered.  Run free sweet boy.  You were so loved.  💙

FANCY MAKES PROGRESS

Fancy came to us in September.  She couldn't be touched.   Look at her now.

She was living in a car with her owner.   Her owner was taken to a facility because she was unable to care for herself-- or of Fancy.  We don't know what Fancy went through.  It must have been a lot.

We haven't listed Fancy for adoption-- but she's making progress.

A dog who couldn't be touched now trusts her foster mom.  Lisa is still very patience with her, soft voiced sweet with her.

A neighbor came over and she gently held out food for Fancy.  Fancy wasn't at all sure about this-- but she took it.  That's a huge step.

At first, Fancy had to be in an xpen.  Lisa would get in with her, and just sit.  Not reach out. Not pet Fancy.  Just sit.  And wait.  And be calm.  A dog who has been traumatized takes a long time to rehabilitate.  And when they are ready for adoption, it has to be a very special place.  A place that will continue to be patient with a dog who is learning to trust again.  

Fancy now is able to be with the pack.  She no longer needs an xpen.  She has come so far.  Rescue moms/dads need patience and love.  That's what we are able to do for the dogs we get.  We don't rush them.   I'm so grateful to be part of this wonderful rescue group.   We give the dogs the time they need to heal.  💜