Word (and MOTION) less Wednesday...

And then there were TWO...

Tia Maria (left) and Kahlua ('panda face'/yuglet) are the only two sheep remaining in the Bluff Country. 

TIA

KAHLUA

I feel very fortunate to have them here!

Bacardi, Firecracker and Kiss left for their new home yesterday.

We do still have one guest:

'My' beautiful Zaria is still here until I take her back to Jean's later this week.  I sure hope she was bred during her brief visit!

This is my favorite photo of Tia.

She reminds me of a peanut butter cookie!!!

Good news from the vet today.

Jazz (my lab cross rescue) tested negative for heartworm and is already spayed.  That saved me a lot of money!  Now she's up to date on her shots and dewormed and ready to really enjoy her new life...

Jazz is SUCH a sweet dog!


THANK YOU to those of you who have contributed to our "VET FUND"! 
Every penny donated will go to the care of dogs that I rescue.

Gone to the DOGS....

* as always, click on any image to biggify it

You may barely be able to see her, but in the above photo Sable is laying between the couch and the coffee table.    On the couch is "Jackson", a handsome Golden Retriever - Bernese Mountain Dog cross.  Lying next to the couch is "Gertie"

Gertie is a beautiful, 10 year old, St. Bernard who was rescued a year ago by her "forever family".  Gertie is a BIG girl!

I "puppy sat" for Gertie and Jackson over the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Sable spent a lot of time hiding under the kitchen table!

My poor girls have got to be wondering ~ what in the world has happened to their world?!

Gertie and Jackson left on Saturday.  They were SUCH good dogs.  I hope to see them again.   Do you suppose that things settled back down to 'normal' after Gertie and Jackson left?  Heck no!

Meet Jethro:

"Jethro" is a gorgeous, neutered, 2 year old, male Pitbull who is the most LOVING dog you could ever want to meet!

My sister, Penny, drove down to Milwaukee, WI. on Saturday to meet the drivers who helped get him from Illinois to Bluff Country Canine Rescue in Minnesota.

Everyone is so happy when a rescue is a success.

Especially the DOG!

Of course, by the time Penny got Jethro to my place, she was totally in love with him.  The feeling does seem to be mutual, doesn't it?  Penny will be talking to her husband tonight.  She would like to be the lucky person who gets to adopt this awesome dog.

Speaking of Rescue dogs...

Beautiful Jasmine has been SO good! 

She thinks every dog that shows up is here to play with her.  The longer she is at my home, the more I am falling in love with this gentle girl.  Tomorrow she goes to the vet.  Ouch!  That's going to cost a pretty penny.  If you're willing and able, the dogs and I would be ever so grateful if you could chip in (see widget on the sidebar) to help cover some of the vet costs.  I know that it's not your responsibility.  I'm just hoping that some of you will enjoy being a part of the "rescue world". Just Jazz will need:  a complete exam,  treatment for her injured leg, (her eye seems better but I'll be glad to have the vet look at it), all of her shots, heartworm test and (hopefully ~ if she's negative) preventative, and spaying.  ANY amount would help. 

Fortunately, Jethro was completely vetted before he was released from the shelter he was at!

One of the nicest things I've discovered about the world of dog rescue is all of the wonderful people who care so much!  There are networks of "transporters", all over the United States and Canada, who give up their time and money (for gas) to drive the lucky dogs who get saved from a shelter and possible euthanasia, to meet up with someone from the rescue that will give them (at their own expense) another chance at a loving home.  There are 'transport co-ordinators' who spend countless hours trying to break down long-distance transports into shorter 'legs' so that no one volunteer has to drive too far.  Most transports are broken down into one hour legs!  There are groups of Truckers as well as Pilots who will take on a canine passenger or two (or three...).  Just think of all the caring men and women who are doing this just because they feel it needs to be done and it is the right thing to do.  It is so refreshing to be reminded of the GOOD that lies within people. 

Not everybody can take in a needy dog.  Not everyone can volunteer to transport them across the country.  There are many ways that you can help out!  Volunteering at your local animal shelter is one way.  Helping me to help homeless dogs could be another.

If you can't volunteer and you can't give, you can still help!  Consider supporting legislation that bans puppy mills and demands harsher sentences for people who abuse innocent animals.

You'll feel a real sense of satisfaction when you do!

Each one of us can make a difference...

SO much to be thankful for...

I know that this is a bit late.

Surprise, surprise.

;-)

It's not that I wasn't thinking about everything that I have to be thankful for.  In fact, it has been VERY much on my mind!'

I think that most importantly of all,

I am thankful to be ALIVE!

Lord knows how close I was to dying when I went into septic shock and spent three days in intensive care.  Although, at the time I was angry that the doctors kept me alive (because I was in so much pain ~ I just wanted them to let me go!), now that the pain is no longer intense, I am ever so grateful that they pulled me through!

I am thankful for my incredible family and awesome friends who gave SO much of their time to take care of me when I was too sick to take care of myself.

I still can't believe that Corry even fed the PIGS!

And the chickens.

Not to mention the sheep:

I am so grateful for the love of friends like Corry and Katie Wise and Jean Meuller, and the unending devotion of my daughters Katie and Pam and son Ben that kept my life going for me while I was so sick for so long.

And then  I got Breast Cancer!

With Pam by my side, every step of the way, and my sister keeping my home and animals going, I got the very best treatment and I feel optimistic about my future.   The one good thing about having breast cancer is that it gave me the chance to spend much quality time with Pam and my three grandsons.

The love and support that I received from family and friends ~ including notes of encouragement and strength from my blogging friends ~ got me through my second major crisis of the year.

Heck, I'm even thankful that my house did not sell when I put it on the market!

Now, I'm doing something that I love:  rescuing homeless dogs from a death that they do not deserve.  I know how much I missed my dogs when I had to stay in town at Pam's, in order to be close to the hospital, and I know how much HOPE and PEACE their presence brings into my life.  It feels good to be able to give a little of that back.

Speaking of hope and peace...

I'm Thankful that my sister Penny bought two of my ewe lambs

So that I'll have the opportunity to rebuild my flock!

(it will have to stay very small though, due to my limited physical strength)

I am also grateful that my friend Jean, who bought Alice and Dream and Zaria (so that they will always be close to me!) Jean is letting me breed Zaria again and I will get to keep one of her 2012 lambs.

I'm thankful for the beautiful valley that I live in.

And my magnificent dogs who make every day a day filled with love.

My heart is full of joy knowing  that my Beautiful Baby Girl found and married the man of her dreams.  A man who is her equal in strength and courage and commitment.

I am thankful that my family and friends are all healthy and that, once again, I am looking forward to the future...

We interupt this Blog...

For this VERY important, commercial message:

I've got FIVE dogs coming!

(don't worry, six is my limit)

(for now, anyway!)

They will all need to be vet checked, wormed, tested for heartworm & put on preventative, updated on shots and a couple even need spaying or neutering!  I think most of my blog readers know the kind of situation I am in financially.  ie:  NOT GOOD!  I'm hoping and praying that my Dear  blog readers will help me by donating to the cause...

A  $100.00 donation lets you chose which dog you would like to sponsor.  You would then be listed on the BCCR webpage  (on Facebook until I get another website built) as that dog's "HERO" until it is adopted to it's forever home.  I know that not everybody can afford $100.00 so please know that any amount that you can donate is GREATLY appreciated!  Wouldn't it be amazing if one person donated the entire $1000???  Which reminds me, just in case, by some miracle, we do manage to reach our goal, the expenses will be ongoing so please don't stop donating just because it looks like we've reached our goal!  It would also be great if you could share this project with everyone you know...

Stay tuned for PHOTOS of the lucky dogs that will have another chance at finding their "forever homes".

I've got some VERY hopeful news on the job front. 

Something that will allow me to work from home and still take care of the animals.

(I'm thinking I may have already told you about this?)

But I'll tell you more about it once I know for sure...

I made a FACEBOOK page and other news...

For Bluff Country Canine Rescue   I'm hoping it will help  spread the word and get more people interested in helping homeless animals!  If you're on Facebook, please look us up and "like" us.  You'll get notified whenever the page is updated to keep you informed as to what is happening with the Rescue.  If you're not on Facebook, the link will take you to their sign up page.  It's free...  ;-)

In SHEEPY news:

ZARIA has come over to visit with Firecracker  and boy has she stirred things up!

I'm heading over to my friend, Jean's, to spend a couple of days with Alice and Dream while Jean and her husband are out of town!   I stopped by twice last week and Dreamer practically climbs into my lap.

;-)

DREAM says...

"We'll get off the computer and get your lap OVER HERE!"

On my way Dreamer, I'm on my way...



Prayers Answered!

Thank you God!

They're home.

Bella and Sable are safe and back home where they belong!

I think perhaps they even feel a bit guilty.

*click on image to biggify*

You see, they ran away last night!

I let them out into the 'side pasture' (which has electric fence around it but the fence is not hooked up).  It's the dogs favorite place to be at night and I usually just leave the gate from the back yard open so that they can go out there when ever they want.  They sit out at the top of the hill and bark at everything and nothing.  I don't let my dogs run loose but last night something must have really got them excited because they either jumped the fence or ran through it.   They did that once before but were only gone a couple of hours.  Anytime that the have ran off on me, they have always been back in a few hours.  Usually full of burrs, but back home.  They have NEVER been gone overnight.

When they still weren't home this morning, I was terrified.  I called and called for them.  I opened the garage door so that they could come in for their breakfast.  And I prayed. 

With everything that I have been through in the past few months, I have never been as frightened as I was this morning.  My dogs are my daily dose of love.  They love me and I love them.  They make me smile.  I talk to them and they make me laugh.  I can't imagine my life without them.   I could not stay out here if they weren't with me.  I'd be lost.

Needless to say, I was over joyed when I saw Bella trotting down the gravel road across from my place.  When I rushed out the front door (thanking God like crazy!) to greet her, there was Sable in the front yard!  I'd been calling and calling all last night and this morning with no results.  Now, they both "appeared" ~ as if by magic. 

But I know it wasn't magic...

Sable was quite full of burrs and smelled like she'd had a run in with a skunk!  I don't think she took a direct hit, but she definitely had a close encounter.   She can't come in until I'm ready to give her a bath.  I didn't want to put her through the torture of trying to brush & comb all the burrs out of her long coat so I cut it off!

She looks quite ridiculous but I don't even care.  I'm just so glad to have my dogs back.

Now it's time to bring them in for their bath.

So that I can snuggle with them and they can sleep on my bed with me tonight!

Thank you God.

For always knowing when I really can't take any more and then, giving me a break.  I am so very grateful.

My Prayer...

Dear God,

Please watch over Bellamica and Sable and

bring them home safely to me.

Please!



I could use your help...

I am working on a document that I can give to potential sponsors of my canine rescue.  It's purpose is to inform them as to what exactly we are asking them to subsidize.  I would be very grateful if you could look this over and offer (as comments or email me) suggestions or advice.    Please note that the format is somewhat jumbled.  It wasn't happy with being copied and pasted from the "Open Office" document I've been working on!

BLUFF COUNTRY CANINE RESCUE

(A rescue, rehabilitation and adoption facility for dogs)

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to stop the flow of unwanted animals into shelters that euthanize pets.  Bluff Country Canine Rescue is committed to partnering with the community to provide safe shelter to lost, abandoned, surrendered and neglected or abused dogs and to care for and rehabilitate them until they are able to be placed in loving, adoptive homes. 

 VALUES & GOALS

 We believe that all dogs deserve to be loved and treated with kindness and respect.

 BCCR is partnering with the community to:

 * Educate the public about the fate of unwanted dogs, puppy mills, and unscrupulous breeders.

* Promote and provide humane protection and shelter for abandoned, abused, and  homeless dogs.
* Seek adoptive homes for dogs under our protective care.
* Promote the principles of responsible dog ownership and care through community education.
* Advocate the spaying or neutering of all dogs not intended as breeding animals.
 BCCR does not euthanize except on the advice of a veterinarian in the case of critical  injury, terminal illness, debilitating pain, or severe behavioral problem in which the animal is a danger to themselves, other animals or humans.

 POLICIES & PRACTICES

• All dogs will be spayed or neutered and micro-chipped
• All dogs will be examined by a veterinarian and pronounced healthy or information regarding special needs will be provided. 
• Dogs will be personality tested, including reactions to other dogs, strangers, cats,
• children, etc.
• Every dog will be bathed and brushed and treated for internal and external parasites.
• When possible, dogs will attend obedience training classes. 
• Adoption fees will be waived for all military personnel (past and present) Because of the service and sacrifice that our military men and women make to serve our country, BCCR feels that they each deserve to know the unwavering, unconditional love that a canine companion will provide. 

VOLUNTEERS  NEEDED

 FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED!    If you love dogs and would like to become involved with helping loving companions find new homes, won't you consider being a foster home?  Our foster providers will bring the dog/dogs into their home, where they will live as part of the family. The foster families will be expected to give the dogs a safe and loving place to live until they find the perfect “forever home”. A thorough evaluation will be done to identify the dogs' strengths and weaknesses and to determine what type of home/owner will be the best match. If possible, we encourage the foster family to enroll (at BCCR's expense) the dogs in obedience training. BCCR will provide all food, veterinary care, crates, food dishes, collars and leashes needed to care for the dogs placed in foster care. Foster families will be asked to socialize the dogs under their care as well as attend fundraisers and adoption “events” when ever possible.

  If you would like to make a huge difference in a lonely dog's life, and are willing to invest the time, money and most of all, love needed to best serve these wonderful creatures, please call BCCR to arrange for an interview to determine if fostering will be right for you. If it is, we will put you on our mailing/phone list to receive information on dogs that need to be fostered. For these dogs YOU might be their only chance before they enter a shelter that euthanizes healthy, adoptable animals, or are shot or abandoned to fend for themselves.

  Please CONTACT US to offer your services as a foster care provider for a dog in need.

 MORE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS 

•  Kennel helpers/dog walkers:   Assist with exercising and socializing the dogs.  As well as help keep the kennels and community areas clean and sanitary.
• Website creation and maintenance  . Creating and maintaining the BCCR website with photos of adoptable animals as well as information regarding how the community can get involved. Maintaining a calendar of upcoming events and a current list of sponsors (“Heroes”) 
• Fundraisers.   We'll need people willing to contact area businesses and/or individuals to ask them to help support Bluff Country Canine Rescue financially. It's going to take a lot of money to keep this Rescue going if we want to provide adequate care and support to the dogs that need our help. Finding sponsors and creating public fund-raising events will be a vital part of the success of BCCR.
• Transports:   We'll need volunteers with safe vehicles willing to pick up strays and/or surrendered dogs as well as take dogs that we are caring for to veterinary appointments, adoption events and fund-raising events.
• Legal  adviser/s.   We will need the advice of an attorney to guide us in legal matters ranging from establishing a non-profit (or 'not for profit') organization as well as liability issues and adoption/fostering agreements.
• Advertising support:   We're going to need to do lots of advertising! Everything from printed brochures and posters to articles in local newspapers, to appearing on area Television and radio stations. Hopefully, we'll find printers, newspapers and TV and radio stations who will support us by offering free services or exposure.
• Dog Trainers:   I will seek to enlist the services of professional dog trainers who are willing to help us work with behavioral issues with dogs that are under our care as well as to assist foster families prepare their charges for placement in an adoptive home. My goal is to have each of our dogs, at the very least, started in basic obedience.
• Board Members:   In order to become a non-profit organization, we will need to establish a Board of Directors ~ People who care about dogs and want to help alleviate the pain and suffering of homeless animals. I am looking for people who are willing to get involved in any number of ways. Perhaps in an advisory capacity or as a resource for information or advice. If you feel that you may have ideas, abilities or access to something that could benefit BCCR and/or the dogs that we serve, please consider joining our Board of Directors.     

I also typed up a "Wish List" of things that we'll need but I can't find it right now.  I'll look for it tomorrow...  HAPPY DREAMS!

Thank you for your Service!

To all the members of all the branches of the US Military, past and present and future, I want to say THANK YOU.



As my one small attempt at showing my gratitude for the sacrifices made by all of our military personnel,  it will be standard policy for "Bluff Country Canine Rescue" to waive the adoption fee on dogs adopted from us by any men or women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Military.  Each and ever one of you deserves to know the unconditional love of a loyal canine companion.  Each of you deserves to be welcomed Home...

May God Bless You and keep you safe.

* To Katie and Carter (and all of your friends!), I am so very proud of you and so grateful that you have chosen to serve your country.  I truly feel safer, knowing that you are looking out for our nation's well being.  Thank you for your service.

There is SO much going on!

I really want to get back into posting regularly but it's difficult to find the time right now because I've got so many things that I'm working on.  One of the things is an attempt to find employment that will be fulfilling and let me keep my place.  To that end, I have been busy filling out the myriad of paperwork that is necessary to apply for a license to become an adult foster care provider.  I have plenty of room (two spare bedrooms) and feel that I could help make someone's life a little better.  This would allow me to work from home and still continue my other interests while I feel  that I would be making a difference in somebody's life.

At the same time that I am jumping through the hoops to become a licensed adult foster care provider, I am also in the process of creating the "BLUFF COUNTRY CANINE RESCUE AND ADOPTION CENTER".  I am working with several members of a nearby animal shelter to take the steps that will get this rescue up and running.  Time is of the essence because the nearby shelter is owned by the city that they are in and the city has notified them that they are no longer to accept dogs from outside of the city limits!   What on Earth will happen to the lost, and stray, abandoned, neglected or abused  animals that have no safe place to go?   We are contacting area law enforcement officials to advise them that these dogs can be brought here. 

Yes.  To my home.  The nearby shelter is donating several kennels and chain link runs to get me started.  I have several dog crates for transporting animals.  I am in the process of lining up area veterinarians who will donate their time and give free or reduced rates for exams, immunizations, spaying or neutering and micro-chipping.    I am also TRYING to get a website put together to get the rescue in the public's eye.  I will meet with several area newspaper reporters as well a local television stations.  Needless to say, I will be  looking for VOLUNTEERS! 

I'll need volunteers to help with socializing, exercising, training, and fostering dogs that come into my care.  My intent is to place as many dogs as possible into foster homes where they can be loved, socialized and evaluated, making it more likely that we find the best forever home that we can for each animal.

More tomorrow.

I've GOT to get to bed!

A Little Caffeine with your Kahlua???

I don't know what's up with me staying up so late at night.  I used to always post in the morning but I find myself doing it more at night now.  It seems that I'm always busy until 10 o'clock at night.

Guess who thinks she's pretty special...

"Bluff Country Kahlua"

I LOVE her fleece!

AND her attitude.

"What attitude?" 

I love the crimp...

and the tippy ends...

AND the staple length!

Kahlua's fleece also has the soft, silky feel of her dam's (Zaria). 

Neither of these photos really shows the true color but you get the idea by combining them both.

I don't know what had alerted the girls but I thought this was a pretty picture.  Even if Kahlua does  have her front feet in a hole!

Bella and Sable are so happy that we'll be staying here for the winter.  They have so much room to run in the fenced in areas.

No wonder I'm feeling happier!

My infections seem to have finally cleared up.

I don't have a doctor appointment for a MONTH!

I spent the day with my Princess and three handsome Princes (it was Matt's birthday and we had a blast).  My handsome son-in-law grilled us burgers and bratwurst for lunch.

I'm home with my wonderful dogs.

I still have sheep living here.

And

I have a secret.

I'm working on something.

I'll tell you about it soon.

It's something near and dear to my heart...

"MuuuuhhhWAAA!"

S.W.A.K.