Our days starts at dark now that fall has officially begun. Snow is just around the corner and with the sheriff dogs taking so much of our time – our house is not finished yet. This is not the first time I have had over 50 dogs here.  And I do have extra help this time with Stan and a part time worker who cleans the kennels freeing up our workload to spend with the dogs both in the kennel and in the general population. But the transporting of dogs to the veterinarians for speuters falls solely on Stan’s shoulders. He is the only one who can handle ALL of the dogs with ease. The boys who were neutered yesterday scared the vet techs. They are NOT ready for adoptions, fostering or transport. All 3 failed “cat 101”, even sedated they tried to bite through the cages. They will need rehabilitation as well as very special homes. That is what we do at TG. We help these dogs learn to co-exist in a group. They need to learn self-control, and boundaries to fit into homes as family pets. This doesn’t happen overnight. Some of the dogs are gentler dogs and are ready to accept new or strange situations with very little problems. Others will take a long time to even trust. Half the Sheriff dogs are relatively young – under 2 years of age. But 27 of the dogs are a family group of 6 year olds out of six – 8 year olds. They are the ones who will need rehab to learn to believe in humans again.  

Another foster to adopt today! Jerry went for a sleepover to Telkwa. His new older sister is an older girl who needs company while her people work - someone gentle, and quiet to hang out with. Jerry is a quiet, well behaved boy who although a wonderful companion for humans; failed cat 101. His new family don’t have any of the feline variety. They do a lot of hiking and outdoor activities so the two dogs will be kept in fine shape. Good luck Jerry – listen to Luna!

  Sweet Jerry!

There will be another Work Bee tomorrow! Shavings are arriving for the dog houses and muddy areas in the yard. Poop and scooping the yard, finishing the emergency fencing (we had no plans to fence that area – the kennel was shut down and used for storage!) and walking dogs are all on the agenda. The property has been cleaned up and another area staked out for a dog run in the back near our cabin. The dogs will have safe areas to run and play as their neuters relax them. They will be used as training areas once the Sheriff dogs no longer need them. New fencing for the main yards is on the wish list for major funding. It is adequate for now but not perfect – I prefer perfect. But one thing at a time. We have to keep a positive outlook – negativity will not live here at Turtle Gardens. Dogs are the most optimistic creatures I know – I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.