Yesterday was a Happy Birthday – for Dave! He is 29 and counting. Suffice to say if his age is added up he would be a teenager this year! Stan was able to sneak a cake past him in the grocery store and he didn’t know about it until the candles were put on it after supper – which Dave cooked (Dave does most of the cooking and is very good at it too)!!

He didn’t say what he wished for but he did blow out all the candles . May all you wishes come true – Dave.

The fence is coming along very well – it should be finished today. The work bee is officially under way with the shavings’ arrival from Smithers – a 1.5 hour trip for truck and volunteers. The yard is as busy as a hive with all the bustling activity. Why am I here writing the blog instead of working? Someone has to dogsit this side of the yard – to keep them quiet and to keep them all here and out of the way of the workers. As long as I am with them, they are quiet and stay right in the fence.  If I leave the noise rises to about jet engine decibels and several will jump over the fence or bang the latch until it opens. The driveway gate is very difficult to close completely – and out they go to where all the people are – treats, treats. “Please can I have treats too?” There is nothing like a possible treat source to send all my dogs into a frenzy. Even with food free choice, and lots of treats here; new people mean better food!! In their minds anyhow. So I will stay here and go out to the fence to watch the activity from my side of the fence. Soon the renovations will be finished and I will be able to actually leave the house and lock the dogs in. What a concept! Even if it is only for a short time – it is freedom! Soon.

The TG Bus is a 1998 GMC Safari minivan.

Four brand new winter tires were put onto the van yesterday. Thank you to Wendy and Charles for the two winter tires we needed so desperately last winter - we wore them right out!! With the recent TG donation we will be able to drive our charges secure in the knowledge that the van is solid on the road especially with the changing weather that is coming our way. Winters are long and can be furious in the north country. Thank you for helping us all be safe

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

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.

It was dark when Stan and I heard a car  horn honking outside – not one dog barked!! Not until Stan went outside to see who it was; did the dogs sound an alert. I don’t do dark. It is one of my most terrible phobias. Thank doG Stan was inside the cabin with me or I would have HAD to go out of my comfort zone.

It was Linda who stopped in on her way to Prince George. She had a skinny, little, abused terrier mix in need from Kitwanga.  Turtle Gardens welcomes little Lizzie!

  She is a bit shy but very cuddly.

Stan and I were up very early ‘cause today is SPEUTER day for 3 of  the boys and 1 girl – one of the few who is NOT in heat or post heat – maybe she is spayed but we need to know that too.  He needed his coffee and then loaded up the boys. It was a difficult task as they are not exactly friendly with each other.  But he was soon on his way – 1.5 hours one way to Smithers then 1.5 hours back home again to work to care for “his” Sheriff dogs. At 3 pm he will go 1.5 hours to pick them up again. There goes one tank of gas for our old TG Bus! There are many hidden expenses that TG has to cover. It is easy to say “today is speuter day” but the logistics of the actual “doing it” can be complicated.

It just got a whole lot easier though with a large donation for Turtle Gardens – not the “Sheriff dogs” but for the day to day needs of TG. Like the fencing to build an exercise yard for the dogs to run around in – off the chains. Like the maternity/medical building that Stan is so excited about. He is moving his bed inside there today so the newly spayed and newly neutered dogs can sleep on the bed to start their rehabilitation to family pets.  The atco will continue as the maternity for the little girl and her single puppy – it’s a boy!!

The beautiful, healthy baby

Proud Stan shows off a plump puppy in good condition.

Life continues for Turtle Gardens’ regular dogs too. Nala has whelped 4 days after her arrival from Kincolith Reserve. She has 7 beautiful babies. She is very protective of her babies so I don’t know what each gender each is but four are larger then the 3 small ones. They could look like Robbie the mini-malamute and her 7 month old daughter. The small ones will most likely be smaller like Nala. Only time will tell though. It really is a guessing game on size – sometimes what is supposed to be small ends up quite large – right Lorna!! Other times I am right on and the dog is exactly the weight I predicted. You just never know!! Dogs are like that – we can’t really second guess the canine species though we try!

Little Nala is very protective of her family.

Nala pushes her soft red fleecy blanket from under the pups to bury her food! I have tried blankets, pads, shredded paper to keep the pups comfy. Nala removes all of it to cover her food. She finally leaves some food in her dish but buries it every time. She is in an x-pen for her privacy inside the cabin with Dave and I.

AN update from our little Sherrif dog who went to DOGS DESERVE BETTER - TERRACE:
Thank you for the update, Alicia. We always like to hear how our dogs are doing!!

Hi Yvette,

Shadow went in and got neutered yesterday. He was pretty out of it when I picked him up, so out of it he actually peed on his bed while he was sleeping and I had to move him out of it. He is doing really good today, no more pee accidents in his sleep. He seems a bit sore, but os ok. The vet gave him a tattoo on the inside of his thigh as well at no cost.

Shadow is alot more comfortable with me now, and we are working on his separation anxiety. He does not like it when I am out of his sight and will start to howl. He is getting better. He is also learning to accept the crate and does not seem to mind having to go inside.
He is finally showing his personality more and will come up and paw me to play with him. He is starting to trust me too, as when he gets scared of new things he will run and hide behind me. He is very good with food and has no aggression when I am near him when he’s eating.

Once I put him up on petfinder I think he should be getting snatched very quickly. He is just an all around wonderful dog and companion to have around. Very nicely mannered and quiet. He doesn’t chew much as long as he has toys and a bone, and the only thing you have to watch is your shoes.

You did a very good job on the radio the other day, I did not think you were talking to fast I think it was great of you to do the interview, it has brought alot of awareness about the situation and it seems to stir them to look more towards adoption and helping dogs out of such predicaments. Very well done.

Sounds like things are also looking up for you guys out there at TG, good to hear. The dogs are incredibly lucky that there is someone like you out there to care for them so much, without you I don’t even want to think about what would of happened to most of those dogs. You and your family are incredible people. Thank you!

Alicia
Dogs Deserve Better; Terrace
Here he is with his sister before leaving TG for Terrace.

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

My pups have a hidden radar. Somehow they knew I would be waking up early for the radio interview so they woke me up a half hour earlier than the alarm going off! The little brats pull my hair! The alarm went off, I got up and made the coffee so I would be bright eyed and bushy-tailed for the phone to ring. And ring it did – right on time. It was an intense six minutes! Dave had gotten up with me to lend moral support. The dogs all co-operated –who knew that there was multiple dogs in the same room as me talking live on radio? Dave said I did good – I don’t remember what I talked about!! I probably talked too fast and who could hear me? Thank doG it is over! I dreamed about it all night long.

Today is also spay day for two of the Sheriff dogs. This time Stan drove 1.5 hours to Smithers with Mya2 and Shy Girl – both probably pregnant. Shy Girl was and is now spayed. Mya2 had a mass removed from her mammary gland. Dr. Callie figures she is an older girl of about 7 or 8 years of age. She is pretty sore. Thankfully the maternity room is finished today (the tar paper arrived late yesterday) – the roof is up and the door is being hung right now. When Stan arrives his “girls” can go into the maternity/medical room and be warm, safe and quiet.

  Shy girl!

Mya2 - no more babies for you girl!!

Misty the rottie mix is gone for a sleepover locally – she met the cat in the truck’s front seat (this is a traveling cat!!) and just sat down pretty as you please beside here. I don’t think there will be any problems there! Margaret was soon back with her husband to look at the smoothie corgi mix puppy. It was fate as the pup is Zola – and all the cats are named “Z” names too! Away she went with her new family! I was carrying Scruffy when Dave called me over to a potential adopter – and he was totally taken with the little one! His Old English Sheepdog had recently passed away and he was very lonely for canine company. His wife said “a small dog only” Well this little one IS a small dog but she looks like an old English in miniature. Scruffy will live at a Bible Camp!! Way to go baby! The last pup has an adoption application from Kitimat pending references etc. Another very busy day for adoptions.

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

Our days are very busy here with regular work as well as the Sheriff dogs. The phone rings incessantly, the emails crowd my in box begging to be answered. The two boys did not do well at the veterinarians yesterday. Stan had to stay with them until their sedation kicked in. And by noon we had a phone call from the clinic asking us to please come and get them - they were screaming!! I suggested they put the boys together as they are brothers and they did quieten but Stan left right away to go and pick them up! The boys were very glad to be home - they were charged up though - hyper and excited. Within a half hour inside the cabin - they were soon sacked out on the couch relaxed at last. They stayed that way until morning - all’s well in their world again!! They sure are needy though - I will have to work on their separation anxiety.

There have been some local adoption this past week. Boots found her family as did Glen, Shadow, Dear Chuck and Amelia!! Chuck has been with us since January and thanks to Lorna’s skill with pictures - Chuck found his family myrescuedog.turtlegardens.org/ Lorna fostered him for two weeks - her fosters always find homes. She is fostering one of the Sheriff dogs - she has named her Aspen. Boots is another long timer and she went to a repeat adopter - Joanne lost Shania her TG alumni of 12 years two weeks ago and she sorely missed her company. Boots will fill the empty space left by her passing and start a path of new memories. Amelia and Shadow both met families from Smithers - Amelia in town while Shadow will live on a farm. Both will sleep indoors but have active lives during the day outside with their families. Good luck "Guys" .

And an update from Dexter!
Hi Yvette. I’ve been checking your website and following the story of the sherriff dogs. You are amazing! I thought with all of the sad stories surrounding you right now, you’d be happy to hear about Dexter. He has really turned a corner and settled into our family. He hasn’t peed his crate in a couple of weeks and is now content to hang out in the backyard with his toys while I run short errands. His anxiety definitely seems to be getting better! He is also such a love bug, always looking for a snuggle, especially from me. His morning greetings are really a great way to start the day.

Dexter is still loving the trips to the dog park. Almost everyone we meet comments on his friendly disposition and good looks! Today, he finally went to get neutered and micro-chipped. He’s pretty sleepy at the moment but the vet said he did very well. Also, did I tell you that he’s wonderful with the cat?

As I mentioned before, I would love to connect with the people who adopted Serene’s other pups. Please feel free to pass along my email address. Thanks

Attached are a couple of recent pics from our backyard.

Rebecca

Today Stan and I dewormed 6 more of the Sheriff dogs - our vets only had enough lopatol for 6 big dogs. The oder was delayed so we took all that they had for the worst ones. They certainly have come a long way in such a short time. Food and water makes a lot of difference. And lots of love and TLC! Thank doG thye are safe.

I will be doing an interview on CBC Radio tomorrow morning at 7:45 - please wish me calmness - I am quite shy but this is so important for the Sheriff dogs.

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

It was still dark when the alarm went off this morning (winter is coming!! ) - it is neuter day for the first of the Sheriff dogs! Thank you Dr. Caroline for giving up your day off for TG! The two are 5 and 3. The boys don’t have names yet! Though Five responds well to his number. Five chewed 2 leashes before we found a chain one to secure him. He had to fast last night as did all the dogs that are in the cabin with us.

Beautiful, elegant Five.

Boy 3 - looking for me! He follows me as much as he can!

Turtle Gardens welcomes Just (Justin) in the Nick of Time (Thyme). Nala whelped yesterday after eating a full can of dog food - most unusual! I haven’t disturbed her other than to feed her but I saw 3 little bodies - there may be 4 if so it’s name is Fate. One is blonde like mom, one is gray like Robbie and  the other is dark - I couldn’t really see. Nala is eating well and is a very good mommie - very protective. Pictures when she relaxes a bit more.

Yesterday Stan went out with Richard, Cliff and Brian and cut 4 loads of wood. Two for us and 2 for Richard. The dogs will continue to stay warm!! It is raining and they need to stay dry. Their feet are very tender yet from the mud and feces they had lived in - burnt feet hurt!

Stan works extremely hard - but with winter creeping up we need to get back on the renovation track! We need our house, our new dog room, my bed, the bathroom with shower in a warm environment. I want my red house back!!

The kennel stove is a huffing!! Stan sleeps right there with the dogs - in the atco. He is there for any disturbances and is awake if one so much as sneezes. They are quiet all night long now that they are warm, well fed and comfortable.

They have finally started leaving some food in their dishes - they are full and know more food will come. Their rehabilitation is coming well. A lot of them are soliciting attention. They are learning to trust. They will be ready for adoption son - as soon as their speuters!!

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

I really felt every day of my age today when I tried to stand up! Two cups of coffee and 2 aspirins and I am mobile - slow but upright. It was a very big day yesterday and my arthritis is protesting.

Bev and Kelly were here bright and early to pick up the chosen ones for this trip. Stan was able to guide the choices as he KNOWS the dogs already! He can touch each and every one and tell us which ones are ok for us to work with. He can see who gets along well with who so he could assist Kelly with compatible dogs for the trip. The final decision is a female black and cream/tan and it looks like her pup - a shepherd looking, shy but very workable pup of 8 months or so. The pup now named Tracker spent the night with Kelly and Bev at the Whispering Pines Motel here in Topley. He was very good - clan and well behaved. He is a very intelligent, willing pup. Kelly is pleased with him. She really wanted to take Stanley but there is some concern about his weight - and stamina for such a long trip. He will go later once his health improves. He is willing and so affectionate.  I know it was hard for Kelly to leave him. thank you so much Kelly for everything and it was wonderful to finally meet you. Bev - I wish our visit was longer- hopefully you will come up flyfishing in our country!! Dave knows some fabulous lakes -our very own secret lake with big, big, trout! You made me laugh and I really really had a great time.

Tracker - a new German Shepherd Rescue!

Kelly and Bev with Tracker and his mom.

Tracker’s feet are cleaned and he is ready to go!

Drying mom’s feet - her first step to "yuppie puppie - ville" Can you say road trip?

And an update from our wonder- dog - Mairin!

mairin on sheep this weekend – NICE

Mairin working sheep!

And from my former foot warmer - Orphie!

Dear Yvette,

I do not know if you received my 2 previous messages so I will give you a full update on our dear little Orphie.” Just last evening Anne and Rick (my daughter and son-in law) asked: "Does it seem like it is just four weeks (tomorrow) that I have had Orphie with me?"
""No, it seems like she has been here forever." She is such a wonderful part of the family.

When she goes to their home for a visit or a sleepover all four of them are reluctant to let me take her home.

She is fully trained in every aspect. She understands all requests. (Sometimes has a Corgi attitude. OH Well, if you insist
I’ll do it your way, but you know I would rather do it my way.

When she is with me she is very mellow and a little old ladies dog. When she is with my family of younger people, she is very busy, lively and animated.

Even though there is food availabe at all times she only eats once a day, and a specific amount. If there is a cup and a half in the dish she only eats about a cup. At first she would not drink the town tap water. I had to giver her "Gala Bay Springs" which she prefers but will drink tap water if needs be.
Her outdoor routine is very predictable in regard to time and place. Very easy to have her in the right place at the right time. To the point of being comical.

If I approach the patio door with a jacket on,"Oh great it is my time to go out." On the other hand if I go to the back door of the apartment, she no longer even leaves her quilt to say "Goodbye." "OK, she is going on her own. I’ll just go back to sleep." She is always at the patio door with tail wagging frantically as I drive up.

I will be moving to Seniors Housing mid November. There will no longer be an issue of having a pet.( although in this building thankfully the landlords have looked the other way). We will have more privacy and better walking routes.

Anne said last eve:"She is the best dog of any we have ever had in the family." The little girls 7 and 10 are also devoted to her.

Anne said,"Mom, I have not seen you so contentend and relaxed for a long time. I am sleeping better. How comforting to feel that soft LUMP on top of the covers.

It took only a couple of gentle shoves to know she had to be on the lower half of the bed.

She loves her bath and especially the brushing. Shedding is almost over and her coat is beautiful, shiny black with the glow of sable shining through.

We all thank you so very much for choosing us for her loving family.

Sincerely,

Joan

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

Busy as a bee certainly described this day. From 7 am to just now (8 pm) this place has been buzzing with activity.
Thank you to Robert, Clare, Jenelle, Jean, Lorna, Stan, Cliff, Brian and Leonard. You have done a tremendous job today!! The kennels have been disinfected, cleaned, poop scooped including the yard, a maternity room was built today, beautiful beds built for the dogs and stained too. The yards were all picked up of debris, the dogs were groomed and walked. Lunch was served and a lot laughs made the work far easier.
Robert building doggie beds.

Clare and Jenelle carry the finished bed to the kennel - a long walk around the fences.

The salvaged trusses are up but no tar paper available to buy in Houston to finish the roof!!

The other side of the maternity room.

The cleaned kennels - dogs are already looking much healthier.

Pressure washing the inside kennels-  keeping the dogs outside!

The finished, stained doggie bed!

Clare sealing the beds to prevent disease.

Lorna watering dogs. Some of the dogs could not be together - until their neuters! They are doing well actually better than the kenneled dogs - it is what they are used to. Except they now have two lenghts of chain!

The floors are stained to seal them. Lots of windows to let the light in - bright and cheerful.

Taking turns running the pressure washer.

Removing the solids

Lunch for our hungry workers.

Me and my new favorite Girl 3

Girl 3 will be going to Boxer Rescue. Thank you Chantelle!

Alicia of Dogs Deserve Better - Terrace meets her new rescue! Thank you Alicia for stepping up to help this little guy!

Kelly of German Shepherd Rescue meets Stanley.
 Bev who arrived with Kelly meets Girl 3 - she is so very sweet!

Jenelle grooming on the 27 who were most emaciated. They are slowly gaining weight.

Here she is grooming one of the biggest dogs to arrive!

Spirit is also one of the 27. Mentally she is coming around again to trust - she is so gentle. Physically - she needs lopatol so what she eats feeds her instead of her parasite load. Monday will see our order of meds arrive.

Jean is getting her puppy fix! Little Nala is behind her in our dog yard.

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