steeling ourselves

The barn's been rumbling with the usual clatter of dogs coming and dogs going: Farnam, Sassy, Corndog, Gum, Sammy, Elton, Corky, Diamond ... One minute they're here, dashing around as if this was always their home - the next minute their kennel is empty and ready to be swabbed down in prep for new residents. (Corky is still here, puppy Stew is leaving any day, and Diamond has a hopeful suitor with more dogs on their way in.)

Loredo is a recent visitor who spent two weeks learning about the world through the lens of our daily routine. He came from a cruelty case in Idaho, and he told us two things about himself once he landed. One: He agrees that life is definitely better without a heavy chain or noisy shelter kennels to wear him down. And Two: He let us know that he's pretty darn worn down.

Photos from evaluations at Idaho Humane Society: Idaho survivors

Life has not been good to Loredo, and his body tells the tale. Our job was to let him rest and recover some before moving to foster care. There was pacing, mournful howling, painful limping, diarrhea and more diarrhea - laundry and more laundry. We hid multitudes of pills in his food, cooked rice and scraped can after can of stool firming pumpkin into his dish, tended the gaping hole in his leg (a bad pressure sore), massaged him, bathed him and did our best to let him know that he isn't alone anymore. It was a tough two weeks for all of us, including Loredo. Finally, when his diarrhea slowed and his sleep cycles deepened, we knew it was time to send him to talented (RVT) foster mom Katie Moyer for more TLC.

Is he going to make it? We don't know. We don't say 'yes' to medical cases without steeling ourselves just a little bit. Time will tell, and along with time, a battery of tests to help us solve the mystery of Loredo's various ailments. Thank dog for compassionate foster homes who are willing to put their heart on the block while hoping for the very best.

Elton's time

During the Sad Times, Elton's house was a plastic barrel. He spent a lot of time going round and round in circles and wondering what it might feel like to move in a straight line.

He could barely believe it when the New People came by to tell him that his life had just changed.

One of his first friends in California showed him the fun of rolling around on the cool green grass. Elton hadn't felt this good since he pushed up next to his mama as a young babe.

His good memories came rushing back to him all at once in this place ... He remembered what it was like to bounce and play like he used to when he was a wee pup.

He felt safe here and slept better than he'd slept in ages.

Every day was a new discovery. There were amazing new things to smell and taste in this California place.

And new friends who wanted to chase and laugh.

One day, the big furry friend took him into the 'big house' for the first time and said, "Look - It's time for you to leave this place. Where you're going, you'll have your very own house just like this one and your very own family. You'll need to remember what we taught you about not peeing on the big house floor, and not taking food from the people's plates. You just need to do this. Watch. You lay on the floor when you're resting and you wait for the people to tell you how beautiful you are. They do that a lot. You'll do just fine, little buddy."

Tomorrow, Elton leaves for his brand new life. We all plan on missing him like crazy.

Many thanks to the staff of Walter Crowe Animal Shelter of South Carolina for getting Elton to safety. He was the only adult dog from this family of dogs to survive, so is incredibly special to all of us. Carry on in the name of your tribe, Little Man. You do them all proud!

Sit! Look!

New barn residents get a week or two to settle in to the barn routine, sleep off any stress, and learn about their new barn crew friends. Then the work of learning to be an amazing pet dog starts.

Sit, look - YES!

Sweet and clever Elton caught on quickly. He knows that putting his wiggly end on the ground and staring deeply into the human's eyes makes treats and love happen.  

Gooood boy, Elton!

three little explorers

While Donna & Tim were handling serious rescue business in Idaho, 3 young barn pups decided to do a little exploring led by the ever curious Gum. 

Hey Sammy, Elton - somebody's staying here.  Who could it be?

I wonder if there are any cookies in there.

Come on, let's see if we can get in and check it out!

Hmmm - I don't see any cookies here.

Sammy, Gum - here's a nice bowl of cold water! 

Mmmmm - slurp, slurp, slurp.

















Golly, I wonder what's up these stairs?  Sammy, I'm gonna do it, I'm going on up.



I'm coming too, Gum!














Oh no, it's kinda scary up here!  I wanna go back down Sammy, out of my way

Oh Elton, I'm so ashamed...I just couldn't do it - it was too scary up there!


Sammy...are you OK?  Come down and play with us.






 

Hey look guys, I can see the barn!!

Ah ha! I think I found the cookies!!









 

Someone's coming?  Oh quick, let's get outta here!












OK - this is more like it!  Dog Mountain's so much more fun than scary cabin stairs, I don't care what Sammy says!

nap

Shhh. Sneaky photo through the barn window of Tim stealin' a little nap, with new kid Sammy looking like she might have a devilish plan up her sleeve.

Good thing Tim's protecting his um, family jewels - even while dozing. On the job safety is a big priority around here.

Backpacking

Who's taking Jilly camping? She'll even carry her own gear.

dog pile

Gum:  Wanna play Sassy?

Sassy & Gum:  Come on Elliott! Wanna go, huh? Wanna go??

Elliott:  First, must do a smell check on Sassy.

Dog Pile, Elliott's down, ha ha ha!!

Sassy:  Woo wee, this is fun. Gum - you're it!!

young love

Gum: "Sassy, Sassy. Can I hang out with you Sassy? You're so cool and so pretty and I think we could be friends. Whaddaya think Sassy? Huh? Huh? ... Sassy?"

Sassy: "Pfffft!"

Spring is springing

Spring is here and its time to make sure the yard is ready for the sunnier and warmer days to come. This year I am lucky enough to have a professional sprinkler inspector in the house.

This one works - excellent water pressure!

 Jilly couldn't believe the wonder of having FIVE hoses to play with at the same time.

Now to inspect the one in the middle of the grass. 

Around and around the yard she ran taste testing each sprinkler head.

Woo hoo! this is the best job ever!

The verdict is in: we are ready for spring.

Can we do that again?

fare-thee-well Farnam!

Aw shucks ... You're embarraskin' me!

Barn Crew teammate Allie Intondi gives Farnam a little good-bye cuddle as he heads out the door to his new life. We're all going to miss his baby browns, but sure are happy to know there's a sofa with his name on it and two adoring people to scratch behind his ears now.

Happy Travels Sweet Farnam! <sniff>

thursday spring fling

Kissin' Sassy.

"How'my gonna git up der?"

GET'im!

Queen Sassy and loyal subjects.

Stretchy lips.

Corndog Wild Child.

Warm temps daydreamin.'

night duty

Night duty at the barn means letting the dogs out for their final pee before tucking in for the night. Tim usually has this shift after working late on his carvings - between midnight and two in the morning. He's usually joined by the coyotes, a mass of croaking frogs, and lately, two great horned owls showing off for each other from the pine trees.

Part of night duty can involve cuddle time for the dogs. I can always tell when he's been working on teaching a squirmy dog to sink into squeezes. "Have you been holding Diamond at night? She's been extra chill lately when I hug her." Tim: "Yep. Love that dog."

That may be why, rather than rush around in the dark, most of the dogs run outside, do their business, then run back to the door asap. "Let me in." It's time to cuddle, get a treat, fall asleep to the night sounds and wake up to start a brand new day.

not your average mountain goats

Farnam and Loni spent a fun morning helping us organize the pieces of Dog Mountain. Too high? Too scary? Not scary enough? It's amazing how quickly their confidence climbed with a few strategically placed treats. Magic!

Both dogs came to us with weak legs and atrophied muscles. Once relegated to a dog crate in an abusive hoarding situation for who-knows how long, Farnam's rear leg was so flat that he couldn't pick his foot off the ground and it crabbed when he walked. No more of that. Our joy boy has plumped up really well during his recovery here and he and continues to gain strength and confidence.

Judging the distance.

Queen of the Mountain!

"I like this game!"

Many thanks to LUSH Cosmetics for gifting us with a way to create this fun and important addition to the Rescue Barn. We love how you bring beauty to the world, and to dogs like these who need a little extra TLC to get their groove on.

bittersweet happenings

Happy-Sad-Happy News. Our token fluffer 'Corndog' has found a home - with another fluffer. She'll be spending one last week with longtime companion Sassy before saying final good-byes. Wouldn't it be great if Sassy found a home this month too? Keep your fingers crossed for her. We'd love to celebrate two homecomings, even if they are to two different homes.

EDIT: Oh Corndog! The brother fluffy was all love on neutral turf but declared war on our girl back at his home and was not willing to accept the fun she had in store for him. She did a good job trying to help him see that she's no threat, but alas, his sofa and his mama were just way too precious to share. Cornie made a quick U-turn back to our program and will be entertaining other offers. A Day in the Life, for sure!

EDIT AGAIN! Corndog has been in yet another new home with a new male dog and all is going well. Meanwhile, Sassy is enjoying her new home and adoring family. As the World Turns!

Flea Bear

Corndog has every right to be a little confused. We left yesterday to visit the flea market and came back with this weird little animal.

Fleas? Where are they? Are they hiding somewhere? Why would anyone want to visit a market that sells them?