Boy did they come to the wrong place! The first truck has a purebred lab mixed with purebreed husky and he was looking for a male to breed her with - they wanted a nice puppy! I asked what did they plan to do with the other 8 or 9 puppies? They said they would bring them to me because they would be very nice puppies! They saw nothing wrong with that idea!! Well I said - there are no intact males here and they would not find one here. This is the end of the road for breeding - we only send out family pets I told them. They are much better family pets when they are fixed, the males don’t go chasing after females in heat, fighting and getting hurt. The females can get diseases from the males when they are bred. They can get hurt by the fighting males and they can die having the puppies. Also I said males dogs get cancer of the testicles and females can get cancer of the breasts - fixing them stops that and the can live longer healthier lives. They were quite taken aback about my lecture but they did say they would think about it. I sure am thinking about it.

Then an older man came in looking for a border collie type dog. It didn’t need to be purebred. I asked what purpose did he want a border collie dog. He said as a companion and to go walking with. I brought out Zack - a collie type and a wonderful follow you companion. He said he was too big. ok I said then showed him Chunky Munky - not the right kind. Then he spotted Sheba. That’s the one he wanted - she looked very pretty. I said she wasn’t ready for adoption yet - she needed to be spayed. He said he would prefer her open - he would like to breed her and make some money!!! I said no way hose. This not a money making machine. This is a family pet. She has had 17 puppies in less than a year - she is only 19 months old. He had the audacity to ask why I wouldn’t let him breed her. I said it was TG’s policy - the breeding stops here. These are unwanted dogs. They have suffered enough at the disgrace of humans. They are not puppy machines. He left saying he would come back after Sheba was spayed. I don’t think so. Sheba deserves better.

And now a Happy day picture of sweet Kerri:

Hello Yvette, just want to let you know how Kerri is doing. She was very good in the car (unfortunately threw up just as we came on our driveway, but it was on the blanket, no problem), and seems to be settling in very well. She sleeps lots, but tracks where everyone is, needs to be near someone all the time. We took out her stitches today, no problem, and gave her a selsun bath, so she smells pretty good! I’m attaching the picture from out at your place, we’ll send some more later. thanks, Irene

Sweet Kerri - her brother is starting to follow me like Kerri always did.

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

It was a year ago today that Jenny joined our family.  She is a sweet little girl, although sometimes a bit of a hooligan!  We took her to the Vet last week for her annual checkup and the Vet said she wanted to see a “little less” of Jenny next time she sees her, so she’s on a bit of a diet!  It’s sunny today, but unseasonably cold and the snow came very close down the mountain last night.  Here’s a few pictures of Jenny (in addition to the ones you already have) over the past year.

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

My sweet Kerri has gone to her foster to adopt home and she was so ready to go! Dave met them with Kerri while I got the paperwork together , her pills, ivomec and opened a can of food to show her new family her dosage and how to give it to her. our vets found two adult demodex mites on her skin when she was spayed so we started her on cephalex and her ivomec again. The stress of her spay and going to a new home just might tip her immune system over again - better safe than sorry. Kerri noticed "her" bowl right away and came and sat in front of me - her so very expressive face full of  joy! (I wish my camera was home!! ) I took a piece of the dog food and poked the pill into it and handed it to Kerri - she took it gently but quickly - down the hatch! Then I shook the bottle of ivomec, put in the syringe needle and took .5 cc out into the syringe holder. I sprinkled the ivomec over the dog food then held the dish while Kerri gobbled it all up! Her new family were amazed - "That was easy!!" They has been told it was such a hassle taking in a demodex dog and that it was a really hard job. Maybe it is when they first come in sick and full of sores etc but Kerri has never been hurt or stressed with her treatments - she loves her canned food. And I taught her to sit for her food. I have found that pedigree canned food masked the smell and taste of the ivomec. All of my demodex dogs eat the food and medicine. She will need selsum Blue baths once a week and she will recover. Her coat is full and shiny. She doesn’t show any symptoms but the skin scraping said she did. Her new mom took our t her camera and as soon as Kerri saw it she went over to her kids and sat between them - she knew her family. She walked to the car without a backward glance. Goodbye Kerri - be very good and have fun!!

Linda made two trips to TG in two days! Hazelton is about 250 miles from Topley but the dogs need sanctuary so Linda drove them all the way here - Friday she met up with a friend and drove from work in Smithers but yesterday she drove all the way from Hazelton.  The first one was Jenny a very old chihuahua who was found on the railway tracks by the work crew. They handed her over to the dog catcher who called Linda. Linda has a rescue - Hazelton Animal Care and Control.  She rescues dogs and cats from the 9 First Nation Communities and 3 Hazeltons. She took Jenny home with her, warmed her up, fed her and called TG. Of course Jenny is welcome I told her. I have a very soft spot for seniors. And Jenny is a senior. She paces , her feet are sore - it looks like she has been caged all her life - is she a puppy mill cast-off? TG welcomes little Jenny (Thank you Linda for naming her!)

The next dog on Friday evening was Sheba -a young border collie who has had 17 puppies in less than one year! Sheba is a classic black and white border collie with a superb temperament. She loves kids, cats, people of all ages and dogs too. She is very pretty. and she moved in as if she knew Tg was a safe haven. TG welcomes Sheba.

Saturday afternoon Linda was back with "Lady" a 5 year old maltipoo who had been beaten up by bigger dogs. She is a small, curly little girl. She has a bite mark on her side and she is sore but she will make a full recovery. She will be spayed sooner rather than later no more pups for you! She has had 3 litters. TG welcomes Little Lady.

And the last two are Kerri’s brother and sister. They sort of look like her - the male has a sharpei wrinkly face, big feet and is a brindle sable. He has demodex around his eyes. The girl looks like a sable shepherd with upright ears. She will be mistaken for Sabrina with everyone! She doesn’t seem to have any skin problems. Both have Kerri’s soft temperament. Nice pups. They will be speutered with Sheba and Lady very soon. TG welcomes two more nameless pups!! I REALLY MISS MY CAMERA!!!

And now updates one local adoption and one Port Moody adoption but brother and sister!!!
First is Luna:
Hi everybody.  We’ve had Luna for about a week now and she’s settling quite nicely.  She’s a great traveller and has made two trips to her terrace home already.  When she’s at her Topley home she plays with the two other dogs I have.  My husky’s tail is one of her favorite things!  She’s still a little shy around people, but she’s already learned the words ‘puppy treat ‘ and is warming up quite nicely when there’s food around.  This week we’re going to see a groomer about a haircut and a bath.  Here’s some pictures of her hanging with Asia and Rusty, you’ll notice there’s no people on that couch, lol.  I’ll send more soon.

 Kyla 

And now little Sunny:
Hi Yvette,

Sunny is doing fine. He’s made himself at home. Leesa likes him but is a little snobby here and there. Here’s a couple of snapshots of them playing.

Sean.

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

It really seems that there is never enough hours in a day! From the moment I wake up until I finally give up and go to bed something is happening. Good or bad our days are never boring. I woke up at 5 am because it was downright chilly and the dogs were all trying to get under my covers or on the bed. So I crawled out of my warm cocoon and checked the woodstove. Strangely the back half of the three blocks of wood had burned down but the front half was barely smoldering. A quick stir and a short burst of air from the baffle and it was soon warming up and the eco fan was busily turning again. Then I added another block on top, shut her down and crawled back to bed. Pheww only my regulars were on the bed - the extras were back on their own beds. All was peaceful until daylight and the new day begins.

Most of these guys were outside dogs but you would never know it. A little chill and they are begging for their warmth and comfort again. How did they survive?

Stan called the two mechanics that were recommended to him - both had the same thing to tell him. The TG Bus needs a new transmission and we are looking at $3000 and two days to put it in. Just another problem to deal with.

Yesterday evening just as we were setting the table for supper I had a visitor. Another return. Raz was adopted as a young puppy to a very active lady who lived in the country. Her health failed and she moved to town to be closer to her daughter and family. Raz did not do well in town. He had to be tied up. No one had time to play with him or exercise him or even be with him. So they called TG. TG welcomes beautiful, gentle, overweight Raz the  border collie who really loves kids. What a gentleman he is. He has perfect indoor manners, he is clean and quiet. he has good doggie skills and gets along with all the dogs and he loves to be with people. He comes when he is called, he sits, he knows "lie down" and he walks well on leash. He likes to go for rides in the vehicle. He is wonderful with cats - he is a perfect family companion for a family who will play with him, walk him and love him!! The reward of unconditional love will be yours.

(Sorry Stan has the camera but picture a classic black and white plump border collie!!)

Then this morning we received a visit from Frank our neighboring cattle rancher who had found a dog stuck in his cattle guard and needed a hand getting him out. Dave was soon in the old van (it works just tickeeboo!) And followed Frank. Dave put a leash around the dog’s neck handed it to Frank and lifted the dog out from between the bars. The dog promptly fell down again. It was an old Siberian husky too weak from his ordeal to stand. Dave picked him up and carried him home. He wouldn’t eat dog food so we offered him raw burger - he ate a cupful. Then we brought him indoors where he paced; walking into a wall - once; then he knew where they were. He was blind too. I offered him water which he drank, then he started pacing again but now I noticed that he held his head so his ears would touch the obstacle first. A couple of hours later I received a visit from a lady looking for her husky - he looks like a wolf she said - he has white eyes. He was missing since 9 am that day and she had looked everywhere for him. I asked where she lived and she told me - he was just up from Frank’s but across the highway! The old blind dog has crossed a busy highway safely only to fall into the cattle guard. How terrified he must have been  - trapped for three hours or more until help came. I helped pick him up to sit in the back seat of the truck and way went Bud - the old adventurous husky..

 (Again no camera but picture a striking siberian husky with clear pale blue eyes)

Don’t forget the MEET and Greet TG Evening on Saturday. It is in North Vancouver. Just email me for the address and time. Or post a comment and Stan or I will email you right away! Help TG find great homes for all our dogs! We need you.

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

Redneck Media (my boys)  is preparing to launch a new website for TG and all rescue dogs in BC - a petfinder type BC based adoption site. An easy to use for both people looking for a family pet and for rescuers to list their dogs for adoption. The dogs in the north are not getting a fair shake from postal code searches with petfinder. We just don’t come up when people of the south are looking for good family pets including our small dogs! So with this mind Jude and Stan have planned a Meet and Greet TG Evening - this Saturday - March 29th in North Vancouver for supporters of TG who want to know how to help TG and to meet Stan and Kelsey and Trip (one of the Sherriff dogs) Jude and Steve also have adopted one of the Sherrifff dogs - Mya. We need people to put up posters and to send faxes and emails promoting both the TG site, the new Adoption site and our dogs for adoption. We need homes for our dogs! And we need your help to find them super duper yuppie puppie homes. Not only our great dogs but all rescue dogs in BC. It will be an interesting evening with very interesting people. Please come and brainstorm on how to promote our so very adoptable family companions.
Email or post in our comments for the address of TG’s First Meet and Greet Evening.

And now an update on our newly adopted Fergie:

Fergie just arrived and we loved her instantly.  She is just the sweetest thing.  We’ve already scheduled a vet appointment so we can introduce her to her new "doctor".

She is settling in slowly and is getting used to her new dishes and her bed.  We just got back from our first walk and she does very well on the leash.  She didn’t seem overly concerned about the cars but really perked up at a bird on the road. 

We’re looking forward to lots of good times.

Thanks again.  Pat and Tom Stauffer

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

Last night’s trip had Stan calling Dave for advice - the TG Bus was having transmission problems. He did manage to drive down to Surrey but now he needs a transmission specialist. Do any of our readers recommend a transmission person in the lower mainland? Someone you would trust with your vehicle?  Someone who can tell Stan what we need to get the TG Bus running  up to par again? Either email me, or comment here. One of us will get right back to you. Thanks.

Debra sent a beautiful picture of her two TG alumni - Indi and Mairin.
Indi and Mairin in front of the fireplace!

I have found one name for my pound pups! I still need a name for the little one - the maltipoo! and the big guy - pyr/border collie!!

TG introduces Diggory which means stray or lost - an apt name for this little lost character:

Diggory is settling in very well!

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

Today is Calvin’s last day of spring break. He is on his way home again to Surrey. With him is Kelsey and her friend Jim as well as 3 adoptions! Three more happy puppers going to even happier families. First loaded up was my current favorite Sunny D (for dog) He had joined my group of dogs and followed me everywhere. He slept next to me on my bed. I will miss you little guy!

Sunny saying his prayers  for his own family! He is going to Port Moody to live with big sis Leesa.

Then it was Fergie’s turn. She is such a nice dog!
Beautiful gentle Fergie is going to Black Creek.

The last was Selina who will find her family after a stay with Bev Davis also on the Island. Fergie’s dad will bring Selina home to Bev. Thank you so very much Tom and Pat. Your kindness is very appreciated. Selina will have a new do and a rest from her trip then she will meet her new family!
Selina is Sunny’s mom and they will travel together!

Have a safe trip guys - I will be watching you all the way down - on the TG Bus is on the move! Thanks Davy for this very cool tool. We always know where the TG Bus is!! And how fast he is going too.

Yesterday I had a visit from Flare who was adopted last year locally - Smithers. She is now Clare and holy cow did she grow!! What a beautiful, well behaved companion she has turned into. She goes to work with her people - both work in forestry! She sure looks great.

Regal Clare!

And another update - Indi was adopted by a very special home Debra trains her dogs to their best ability in obedience, agility, sheep herding, carting - you name it! Debra despaired of ever gaining Indi’s agility title as she would not work away so could never get her gamblers title. Then with hard work and perseverance - Indi Gambled and excelled! With a bronze and silver and her ATCH Title in Agility - It means Agility Trial Champion of Canada!! Congratulations to Indi and Debra.
Indi gets her ATCH

Indi’s bronze and silver

Debra, Indi, Paulette and her beagle and the Judge!

Now her newest TG Adoptee has completed her obedience and is starting agility - lesson 1. Soon we will see Mairin and her ribbons too!

After a phone call this morning Stan picked up our newest arrival - no name of course. Norm from th eTelkwa Pound met him at the Babine Pet Hospital. Turtle Gardens welcomes a familiar looking dog - he looks just like Clare!!

He is probably a great pryrenees/border collie - a popular crossing for that area. He is intact so will need a neuter very quickly but he is very good natured and people and dog social. Welcome big guy!

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

The weather is cold at night but is melting during the day and what a mess in our yard this spring! Our renovations needed a backhoe to dig the foundation. There is no longer any grass in the main yard! Just sand, gravel and snow melting it all into a slurry of mud which sticks to the dogs’ feet and coats. There is fine sand drying everywhere the dogs walk/lie or even stand. It dries off their coats and just falls everywhere. I really hate renovations!! This has got to be the worst of the whole mess. I know we needed it but gee whiz does it have to be so messy!

On a happier note I have another spring window! My family brought me home an Easter Lily. How nice was that!! I really like my flowers and rainbow making crystals! The four block crystals were a gift each Christmas from my niece - they capture the sunlight and throw rainbows all around the room.

Spring inside - winter outside!

I received a phone call from a family who have been looking after Zoey since her owner moved. He hasn’t been able to find a home on the Island where he could have her. So he called us. We take our dogs back no matter how long they have been away. So Zoey arrived this afternoon. Zoey is 6 years old. She is a beautiful collie/shepherd, a golden russet colour with black along her back. she was very nervous and started drooling. Poor Zoey - it will be a sad day for you to be uprooted again. She is a very well behaved girl. Turtle Gardens welcomes pretty Zoey.

Zoey coming to me when I called her! You can see the drool hanging from her chin.

Zoey’s ears stand up! Meeting Sweetpea. I always leave a leash dragging for the first little bit when a new dog arrives. It prevents drama.

And finally Stan and Calvin lounging on the couch with the Salukis! Thank you Cynda.

Lounging with the salukis - Pharaoh on top, Duggie, Trip and Phantom next row with Ponch and Johnny B on the feet. Clavin and Stan are the humans.

And Davy - here is the only picture I could get of Calvin’s face!! He hates getting his picture taken. I have tons of pics with his touque or hands over his face.

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