Today is the last day of 2007 – a time for reflections of the past year.  Dogs arrived to TG in groups this year. The “Nauticals” started with a litter of puppies born under a boat in January and ended with 27 at final count!! All the dogs were related – the mother a tiny pom/sheltie type to a larger sheltie litter of teenagers. One of the teens was an early mother of 10 puppies!! The other two were spayed in time. The next group was the Karelian Bear dogs – 9 of them. And of course the largest group was the “Sheriff” dogs – all 45 of them. The most serious dog in need was dear Silas who needed antibiotics first for an infection then an amputation of his front leg – shattered in a leg hold trap – then left for months until finally he was weak enough to capture. Silas recovered completely and was our poster boy during the summer. He visited schools and really brought home the saying “Keep your dog safe at home – Don’t let him roam” of the dangers of dogs running loose in the country. Our “Nauticals” are still the poster dogs for our Spay Neuter Program. Twenty –seven faces drum home pet over-population more effectively than numbers on a page.  

There were snow storms in the winter, flooding in the spring and early summer, renovations that kept multiplying, broken limbs. There was disaster after disaster both man made and weather made as well as animals in need. It was a very difficult year.

On the plus side – 225 adoptions in 2007.  New friends and many new supporters. Our son moved in to help us with our expanded population. Without Stan and Kelsey we could not have taken in the “Sheriff” dogs, rehabbed them and adopted/or sent to other rescues the majority of the younger and best tempered dogs. The remaining ones are starting their introduction into our foster group home program. The red house is almost ready for occupancy. 2007 was a challenge. But together, we rose up and conquered the obstacles. Without our wonderful veterinarians Dr. Lois Martin and Dr Caroline Kye and all the encouraging staff at the Burns Lake Veterinary Clinic, we could not have succeeded at Turtle Gardens. We wish to thank all of our donators throughout the year – large or small – your donations helped us help the animals extremely well. Every dog of age was spayed or neutered, all were vet checked, vaccinated and wormed. If any dog needed extra medical care – they got it. Every dog left for their home wearing a new collar and leash. Here’s hoping 2008 is an easier sweeter year with fewer animals needing help. And a new motto for a new year – this one I like!

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