There is only one more pot of Starbucks coffee left to enjoy. But luckily for me - a new flavour came with Stan from Susan - Bailey’s mom - organically grown coffee from Saltspring Island!!  I can’t wait to try it tomorrow morning. Thank you so very much for the wonderful gift of enjoyment - Cynda’s family and Susan. I so appreciate it. I really enjoy my coffee - thank you!!

I also found Tucker’s family blog most enjoyable. Today they are looking back at Tucker’s beginning at Turtle Gardens way back on February 28th. It is here inmanroad.blogspot.com/2007/11/looking-back.html

And I like following Penny’s blog with Boxer rescue. Penny is one of the Sheriff dogs who went to rescue soon after arrival here. Her blog is here: rescueaboxer.blogspot.com/2007/11/penny-has-come-back.html

I enjoy following my guys in their daily lives. If other ones of my adopters have blogs please let me know and I will link to them and read them too!!

And an update from Bailey:
Hi everyone,

I’m delighted to report that Bailey is officially in residence! She was driven from Topley, BC (near Smithers and Terrace) to Surrey last Saturday, arriving in the wee hours. Stan called at 8:30 to say they’d arrived…a day earlier than expected!

I’d arranged with him and my "other mother", Mrs K, to have Bailey delivered to her home in Burnaby. After a great flurry of activity to get ready, check out of the hotel and over to Mrs K’s, Bailey and Stan arrived. She walked right up to me as if she knew. I’d sent my scent to Yvette at Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue a couple of weeks earlier. Also, scents for Sunshine and Tuxedo. I know it’s sounds a bit crazy but honestly, I do believe it’s made a difference. Especially with the cats.

The learning curve for a dog rescued from a reserve is really fascinating. They’ve never gone to the biff in front of a human; they’ve never eaten kibble and when introduced to it, several GI irritations can follow; they tend to "mouth" your arm ‘cuz so often they’ve been chained and it’s the only thing they can do, etc, etc, etc. I was SO pleased that Stan shared all this info as it’s been SO helpful in how to approach Bailey.

Mom always used to say, "start out as you mean to continue, dear". So that’s been the guideline for Bailey. The biff was the first hurdle…she had to learn to "do it" ON leash, in front of me, from the start. She did…and she continues to do so. Step One accomplished. She’s now asking to go out and meaning it. Step Two. Success on that front, too. And today she is doing both requirements on her walk!! Step Three.

Food has been interesting. We tend to feed our dogs premium kibble, with a high protein factor. Native dogs’ systems cannot tolerate it as it’s too rich and scratches their innards, causing bleeding. I’ve switched to a canned food, mixed it with some of Zack’s premium canned food, added cooked rice AND am crushing a few kibble to get her used to it. At first, before I started crushing this baby-finger-nail-sized kibble, she quite ceremoniously spit each one out. Such a mess I’ve never seen. It was a hoot. All my other dogs have inhaled their food within a few seconds. Not Bailey…she goes back a few times. Guess she’s relishing every morsel ^_^

The two most wonderful features…she knows how to play with toys. My house has dog AND cat toys strewn from one end to another. She goes from toy to toy…flipping them in the air, bringing them to me to throw. Generally, having fun like a kid in a candy shop. This has truly suprised me as I didn’t think she’d know how to play.

That ability to play also extends to other dogs. I’ve actually never had a dog that knew how to play with other dogs. Bailey is wonderful to watch in action. She’s got all the moves down pat to entice others. At the moment, I’m not letting her off leash, so her play is somewhat curtailed. That’s not stopping her though.

As we got our first snowfall of the season yesterday, she has had a blast. I think she must have part jack rabbit in her the way she leaps straight into the air and pounces. If I hadn’t had my cleats on, I’d have been swept down the street at full speed. Yvette, I think she’s learned some tricks from those 45 sled dogs you’ve rescued and are in process of rehabilitating. (http://www.turtlegardens.org if anyone wants to follow this story. It’s truly amazing.)

Thursday Bailey will be going to the groomer for the first time. Today when I was blowing dry my hair, I used it on her to break her in. She thought it was the neatest toy! Think she’ll be okay, don’t you?

Yesterday I stopped at the veterinarian’s office to introduce her, without having anything done. Her previous experience was being spayed and losing all her puppies. So the staff made a real fuss of her, feeding her liver treats. Her weight is 38 pounds, so she is actually just a tad bigger than Zack was.

Her coat is looking better with some daily brushing. She quite enjoys this now, so we can work at it for awhile. Also with the vet visit this Friday, am poking in her ears, checking her teeth, manipulating her feet. She enjoys it all. SUCH a nice treat for me. Can hardly believe how gentle she is. The two-year-old puppy streak is also intact….she’s full of p & v, then crashes soundly for a sleep.

I’d say she’s feeling truly at home, happy and secure. To Yvette, and everyone at Turtle Gardens, you’ve sent me the most wonderful dog. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

love to all,

Susan and Bailey

PS Our next big lesson….kitties! She’s doing very well and has been nose to nose with Tuxedo, my braver kitty. Sunshine is still "hiding’ on top of the upright deep freeze in the computer room. Am making a huge fuss of her so she doesn’t go into long-term hiding like she did with Zack. So far, so good. She’s been on my lap as I write some of this epistle…Bailey is sound asleep in the laundry room (cooler there, so I think she likes it)

And an update from Jaxon who stayed with us for awhile during the spring and summer and Honeybear - adopted two years ago:

Hi Yvette -

At long last, we are - all of us - settled in a real home. I’ve attached a couple of pictures for your enjoyment.

Jaxon is still a bratty redhead, but he’s learning that the cats will win, every time. He’s a loving little soul who simply needs a year or two to learn that wrestling with a cat is not the most effective route to friendship. *wink* You can see, though, that he has moments of sweet calm.

The other picture, of course, is of my pride and joy, Honey Bear. This is something I never thought I’d see: Honey Bear playing, off-leash. She is a constant marvel and we all love her.

I check the TG blog nearly every day. I am pleased to see that renovations are progressing well and I hope to see you all, cozy and warm, soon!!

Susan

Honeybear playing free!

Redheaded Jaxon at home!

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