I apologize for the NEGLECT!

I realize that I have not been very consistent at posting on here as of late.  Truth be told, I had NO idea how incredibly time consuming setting up and running a canine rescue would be!  I did have some idea of how rewarding it would be and I was definitely right about that!

Here's a little video that may give you some idea of how adopting a shelter or rescue dog can change the world for that animal...

If you watched that without getting a tear in your eye
you're a lot tougher than I!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to make a homeless dog's dream come true?
Consider adopting a dog before the year is over.  You'll start the New Year with more love than you can imagine!

Did you happen to notice the "Chipin" gadget in the sidebar?

I am SO grateful to everyone that's made a donation to help me help homeless dogs!  There are only seven more days left of this fundraiser so if you've been thinking that it might be a worthwhile cause, maybe now is the time for you to pitch in.  I realize that not everyone wants ~ or is in a position to have ~ a pet.  Perhaps adoption isn't an option for you.  You can still make a difference!  You can be instrumental in making a lonely dog's dreams come true.  Your donation to Bluff Country Canine Rescue helps me to rescue a dog that is scheduled to be euthanized, and give it a second chance at a life where it can experience kindness and love.  A life where it can do what dogs do best:  shower someone with unconditional love and affection and devotion that isn't found anywhere else but in the heart of a dog.

OK
I hear you.
It's time for this blog to get back to being about sheep & shepherding!  You may be happy to know that I just finished a blog specifically for Bluff Country Canine Rescue.  Now, I won't have to do all the posts related to rescue on here.  If you'd still like to know what's going on in my world of Rescue ~ just follow along on the new blog!  I even have a Facebook Page devoted to the world of Canine Rescue!  The blog is still a work in progress and I have much more to add but I feel like it's a good start.  The new blog will be the "Official Home" of BCCR.  Once the initial set up is completed, it shouldn't take up too much of my time ~ just updates on new rescues and promoting dogs that are available for adoption.
(and of course, the never ending plea for money to make it all possible!)

Thank you all for your patience, your encouragement and your contributions.  I am truly blessed and...

Live is GOOD in the Bluff Country!

Another week another operation and a fun WALK!

Yes, as sad as it may be, I'm finding that if I let too much time go by between blog posts, I forget to mention my latest surgery.  When I posted last Thursday, I was preparing for surgery later that day.  I hate it when they schedule my surgery for in the afternoon as I can't eat anything after midnight the night before any operation.  Thursday's surgery went fine.  The doctor felt that he got the 'close margins' from the cancer cells and cleaned out and debrided any tissue showing signs of infection.  He was able to close the incision up which is a relief to me as the sight of that gaping wound was really starting to get to me.

I had recovered enough from Thursday's surgery to participate in the annual "Steppin' Out in Pink" fundraiser/awareness walk in La Crosse, WI. with Pam and Ben on Saturday.  What a fun day!  Over 5400 walkers raised money for Breast Cancer research and awareness programs in the La Crosse area.

Thanks to my wonderful Princess, I was able to complete the five mile walk.  I would say that Pam pushed me in a wheel chair about half of the time.  We found that going over all the lumps and bumps on the sidewalk in the wheelchair were almost worse than the pain from walking so I ended up walking more than either one of us expected!  Ben zoomed ahead of us in his motorized wheelchair because he had to be back to his house by noon when his noon aid comes to make him lunch.  It was a busy but FUN morning.  Needless to say, I slept like a log for the next two days...

Unfortunately, catching up on sleep was probably a good thing as I was back to the doctor on Monday and once again scheduled for surgery on Tuesday!  (as in the day before yesterday)  I seem to have a recurrent infection that they just can't get control of so another surgery was deemed necessary.  The surgeon was extra focused and determined to get any and all remaining infected sites this time so there would be no more returns to the operating room.  However, he gave us some warning signs to watch for and one of them is developing so Pam is calling him this morning to see what he wants to do...

 

...sigh...

I'm hoping to go watch my oldest Grandson compete in a track meet this afternoon.  So if I DO have to go in for more surgery, I hope it can at least wait until tomorrow!

~ SILENT AUCTION ~ Let the Bidding begin...

Gee.  This is kind of scary for me.

What if nobody bids?

I can't worry about things like that!

Of COURSE somebody will bid. 

EVERYONE loves Dream!

Which is why I've chosen this figurine to be, the very  first , of the signed and numbered, Limited Edition of  "DREAM" to be the star of this fund-raising Silent Auction.

This lovingly,  hand crafted replica of my beautiful Dreamer is needle felted over a bar of my all natural, homemade, goat milk soap.   I tried, very hard to replicate Dream's unique markings and sassy spirit.   This charming, woolly figure, is the first of only ten such figures that I will make.  Each will be signed and numbered.  There will only be THIS number  ONE.



Dream 's likeness is the perfect offering for this fund-raising Silent Auction.

Dream has always symbolized my ability to go on.  My being able to hold onto my home and my beloved flock of Shetland sheep.  Even when I was certain there was no way that I would be able to stay here, after my divorce, Dream is the one who gave me hope and the will to fight on.

I can remember that Christmas (the year of my divorce) and shopping with my daughter.  We were at a favorite home-decore-gift store and I saw a primitive, wooden star etched with one word:  DREAM.  I cried right there on the spot.  For it was at that point in time that I had been  beginning to realize my dream of breeding beautiful, HST (Head, Socks & Tail) spotted Shetland sheep.  Nobody thought it could be done ~ but I was doing it!  Unfortunately, that Dream looked like it was over.  I wouldn't be able to afford to keep my place, on my income alone.

That was three years ago.

Somehow, I have managed to keep my beautiful home in the Bluff Country.   I still can hardly believe it myself.  Especially, since I lost my job a year ago and have not had any offers  of employment since! 

I've hung on to my Dream of a  life here, with my beloved dogs and cats and sheep and chickens, with the help of unemployment compensation and sales of sheep/lambs and chickens/eggs.  It's been a challenge, but I've been proud of myself for being able to hold my life together.

This week, my unemployment compensation ran out.  It doesn't appear that anyone (within driving distance of my home, anyway) is interested in hiring an 'almost sixty'  year old woman.   How do I keep my dream alive NOW???

I am working hard at building up a clientele to my online store: 

"Sheep Hugs & Soap Suds"

Sales are steadily increasing and I'm adding new items every week.  It will be a while, though, before it is generating enough income to actually cover my mortgage payment.  

THAT is why I'm holding this Silent Auction. 

I'm hoping that through your generous contributions and the sale of this #1 limited edition "DREAM",  I will make enough to get me by for another month. 

I am working on building my business in ways that will increase the income it brings in.  If I can only hang on long enough for that to happen.  I am willing to put in the hours and do everything that I possibly can, to keep my Dream alive.

Would  you like to  help?

To Bid on the limited edition (#1) "DREAM"  sheep/soap,

EMAIL ME with the subject line :  "AUCTION" and tell me what you would like to bid.

All bids will be kept confidential until the end of the Auction. 

The winner will be announced (or the winning bid, if the winner wishes to remain anonymous) on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

If you don't want to bid in the auction, but would like to contribute, there is a "donate" button , on the sidebar of this blog.  Any help is greatly appreciated!

Speaking of help.  Please do NOT bid or contribute if YOU are experiencing your own financial difficulties.  I know that this is a very trying time for all of us and I don't want to make things any more difficult for anyone else.  Save your money ~ just keep me in your prayers!

Love,

Nancy and Dream

"Don't listen to Mom! 

Get out your checkbook!

  Max out your charge card!! 

Take out a LOAN!!!   I'm worth it."

"Okay.  I'm  just kidding. 

Sort of.  "

;-)

"Mom and I do want to thank you for being there for her US, all these years.  we really like it that you enjoy the blogs and follow along with our lives.  Mom says you are like Family, to her.  To me too, I guess.    Anyway... thanks."