Dave went to the credit union today in Houston and when he came out he found his TG Bus was blocked. No one was around and so he sat for a few minutes wondering what was going on. Just when he decided to go inside again fuming he met a gentleman who asked if he was Dave? Then he said there was an abandoned dog next door to his house. The little dog was all alone for two weeks now he said and nobody realized that they were gone in the middle of the night. Dave followed him - the little dog was at his house and Dave brought him home. Turtle Gardens welcomes a senior!!
How could they just walk away from this old guy??

And Jana asked me if I had received the parcel with the red leash and soap and chocolates. I am embarrassed to say yes I did and forgot to mention it on the blog!! The leash and collar went home with Amelia. The guys ate the chocolates and the soap is on my bathroom windowsill. Dave got in trouble - he opened it and was going to USE it!! It smells so good!!! I enjoy it every time I go into the bathroom. Thank you!!

My soapy window! Pretty and smells wonderful too - I love purple and roses.

I am very surprised at my little Shiba Inu. He is not at all what I expected. He is friendly, well behaved, and gets along well with the other dogs. He loves Bear and my granddaughter’s friend Jim has him whining and yapping in ecstasy! What a nice little dog!

And he is so very handsome too.

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

I am really starting to hate the telephone - the harbinger of dogs in need. There is only so much room here. And the options are so limited in the great white north - ok so it is green now but it is white in its uncaring attitudes. I realize that there is mega unemployment and that families have to move to where the jobs are but aren’t pets part of the family too? I know I received the phone call last month for a shepherd lab mix- his owner was moving but TG was waaayy full. So I said "No room, sorry" Yesterday I got a call from Babine Pet hospital - they had this young (under a year so really a puppy)  "shepherd/lab mix" male dog for euthanasia from the Houston Pound. Did I have any room? It just didn’t feel right to kill a young dog cuz there wasn’t a shelter in the Bulkley Valley. Thank doG we had just adopted 9 dogs to their new families so we did have room - now. I could hear the despair in Cheryl’s voice and her relief when I said he can come in. Dave had just left the clinic so I told his tentative route and she called around to find him. I think a cell phone would be a much needed tool! Turtle Gardens welcomes our handsome surprisingly well behaved new arrival:

He reminds me a lot of Amelia - he has the same "soft" temperament and eagerness to please. He needs a name - a good name to reflect what a good boy he is.

You will notice that a lot of the new dogs drag a leash for the first few days - some longer depending on how they react to the other dogs and how well they come to us. It prevents drama and is easy to grab if there is any problems especially with the shy guys. It is amazing that we have 5 intact young males here now and they get along so well. They are young and that makes a big difference it seems. Plus all the females are spayed. And that is a major factor in keeping peace.

Then today Dave went to Burns Lake to pick up my awaited parcel from Katherine and Possum. Thank you so very much for the treasures inside. It was Christmas in May!! There were collars and leashes, treats for a ll the dogs, denta bones (and they really really liked them), toys with squeakers in them - Sam and Sweetpea and Iasaac were soon busy squeaking and squeaking their new toys!! The pups and now we have 3 were playing tug. And there was a beautiful angel with fiberoptic wings and a crystal face for me!! And the cutest turtle lamp - wow! I do collect turtles and angels - my two favorite pretty’s - I love to see them in my windows to look at when stressful days need calming. Thank you so much Katherine and Possum for sharing your First Anniversary together with TG!!

Dave also picked up the "terrier" mix  nearby and took him to our Vet clinic for a check up. And the "border collie" mix that needed to be gone quickly too from Burns Lake. Well the terrier mix isn’t really a terrier. We aren’t sure what he is but he is a male so that was right. And he is about 5 months old. He could be related to the newest Burns Lake pound pup - Nonie but he is twice her weight already. So TG welcomes another nameless and breed??? pup:

He weighs 24 pounds at 5 months so will be a medium size. He is very active. Very friendly, and basically your normal, happy, good natured busy pup who needs a name and a breed guess???

And the border collie? Diamond - at least he has a name!! is not a border collie but a Karelian Bear Dog! He was muzzled all day for barking and tied up. He was at the mercy of taunts. Well he is having a blast here! He is running from yard to yard playing with the other young dogs - he is a neutered 3 year old so he is still a young active dog. He was also vet checked today and he is in good condition with a lovely coat!! Diamond is sleeping next to me while i am at the computer - he is a lovely dog too. TG welcomes Diamond!

Diamond doing his "Happy dance" with his big grin. He likes the freedom to run here!

We are gearing up for the expected rush when the kids finish school. There is at least 8 families moving from the high school that Kelsey goes to in Houston. People are leaving for jobs. Pets will be left behind. and TG can’t take them all. It will be very sad days ahead. I am thinking fo getting an answering machine so I can screen calls - this is going to be very difficult days ahead. I have to say "No" a lot knowing that animals will suffer. Sometimes rescue hurts the soul!

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

The TG Bus is home and Dave is on the road again! This time he is in Smithers - a friend broke down in Houston so he is picking up parts in Smithers! Tomorrow he goes to Burns Lake to pick up my parcel at the greyhound - it was closed when he went by yesterday. He will pick up a pup in Broman Lake and take him to the vet clinic for a check up and examination - he is 5 months old and has never seen a vet yet! He has to "be gone" as soon as possible. Pictures tomorrow when Dave gets back.

Dave did pick up two new guys on his way home. Juno is a little Shiba Inu who didn’t have a foster home and was going crazy in the kennel. Turtle Gardens welcomes little Juno - a really nice fellow. Bear really liked him!! Handsome Juno!

Dave stopped at Char’s (Burns Lake animal control) and picked up the pound pup Nonie! What a cutie- pattootie!!

She is just a little thing! Only 4.5 months old.

UPDATES from our recent adoptions!

Juliette who i now call Molly (it’s shorter and i think it suites her) are doing fine. We are both learning lots about each other.

She is such a sweet dog and is now showing me her true personality. Considering what she has been through, she is such a well ajusted dog.  We go to the park 3 or 4 times a day which is good for both of us. Molly stalks the Canadian Geese like a tiger for the amount of time i let her feel like she is a big time hunter LoL.  Once i sit down with her we sit there for up to 5 minutes watching the Geese. I did let her off the leash once and when i called her she had no intention of coming. Eventually i caught up with her, we were miles from any road so it wasn’t dangerous, i did learn a lesson though. I bought a leash with a 25ft extention, this at least gives her a bit of space as she loves to run. All in all she seems to be settling in very well. Next week we are going to the Island for a weeks worth of business. I am busy getting everything she will need for the week.

i also took her to the vets and she has had the rest of her shots for the year. As well as the flea and tick pills which she eat happily LoL.

Once i find my cord ( i just moved in my new place) I will send you a few pics of her. Thank you for the time you put in and for David bringing her to me.

I was just speaking to the Ranch to ask about Laddie and they said he is doing awesome!!!! They didn’t take him up to meet Stan (Laddie’s dad) until the morning after his arrival and when they did he ran up to his bed and jumped right in with him!!! Love at first sight! He is so proud of him apparently he takes him down to the office for a walk 2 times a day to show him off.  Everyone loves him and he gets along with all the dogs!!! I’m sure he will have his picture up like all the dogs and who their owners are with a bio for the guests to see.

I thought I would pass this on as they tend to get busy at the Ranch and may forget to give you an update.

And here are some TG dogs!

Two BLACK dogs - Marlowe and Spring!

Whatcha doing?

3Penny in front, Isaac behind chewing on a chewtoy!

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

There were a few more deposits to clean up this morning than usual - somebody was a "bad dog" It was all cleaned up in quick time - I wanted my coffee! I have to tell you about a wonderful cleaner that I found in one of my donation boxes. It is called Mean Green Super Cleaner Degreaser. It says "This is the best cleaner/degreaser Guaranteed" And it is!! To whomever donated it - THANK YOU but where do I buy another bottle? It certaily does everything it says it does and makes my job just a little bit easier.

And I received this in my early morning emails:

Good Morning,
 
One year ago today I met Stan and Dave in Nanaimo and brought little Possum home with me. It was a little tough in the beginning dealing with his separation anxiety and his tremendous fears of just about everything. But….with lots and lots of love and attention Possum has flourished into a wonderful happy dog full of energy, affection and silliness. He still makes me laugh out loud everyday. Stan said when he handed Possum over to me that he would be a great companion and he was so right.
 
I can’t tell you enough how lucky I feel to have discovered Turtle Gardens and of course Possum. He has truly made an enormous difference to my life. As my 5 year old niece says "Possum is Awesome"
 
I have attached a few updated photos from the May long weekend at my Mum’s house. (He had a blast by the way). It was very hot there that weekend so Poss got a haircut - I have included a ’before’ and ‘after’ with the flowers he got ‘Nana’ for Mother’s Day.  
 
I have sent a parcel by bus to you which hopefully will arrive in the next day or two, please let me know if you don’t receive it so I can track it. (The bus counter here didn’t even know where Topley was so they shipped it to Burns Lake - hopefully that’s not too far from you) (Dave is picking it up today on his way home - he isn’t here yet!!)
 
Thank you so much for everything you do for those that can not do it for themselves. I hope you realize how much your hard work benefits so many, not just the dogs but all of us on just two legs as well.
 
Hope everyone is doing well - have a wonderful day.
 
Love Katherine and Possum (who sends wet nose kisses)

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

The TG Bus is on its way home. Dave and Bear called from Cache Creek this morning. Depending on how tired Dave is - he will either stay in Prince George tonight (Bear’s daughter lives there) or he will come straight through. the river has stabilized. The trees are in leaf so the ground water is receding! Spring has finally sprung! In fact it is downright hot so I went around putting up sheets on the windows to block the sun. last week I was cold in the mornings almost wishing for the woodstove. Today - it is too hot!! I think we missed spring and jumped right into summer.

The updates I have been impatiently waiting for have arrived!! So without further ado:

Number one is Allie the puppy:

Thank you Thank you!
 
We’ve decided to keep the name Allie and go with Denali Allie. 

Charlie seems to like her.  He is starting to remember how to play.  Her initial meeting with Dumas wasn’t so good.  Allie is a bit on the curious and trusting side.  She ran right up to Dumas and unfortunately he drew first blood.  Not a whimper out of Allie but boy she ran back to us quickly and is quite respectful of Dumas now.

Dear Yvette,

Beckett’s doing great. He’s calmed down a bit since our first encounter

(where he really didn’t want to get in the car and slipped out of his

collar twice and went running back to the other dogs. Once we got moving

he was fine though (took him awhile to figure out that laying down or

sitting was easier than trying to look out the windows). He liked looking

out the back window at the other cars behind us and it kept him mostly

occupied.

 We caught the ferry back at 3. A miracle since we were only there at 2:57

or something of the sort. The lady at the counter took a little pity on us

I guess and it wasn’t very full. So we let Beckett out and Jerrad ran him

around the nearly 1/2 empty deck. His leash manners need some improvement,

but after a few missteps he’s definately learning to look up to make sure

he knows where he’s going. On the ferry we also figured out he quite

dislikes stairs. We brought him up a deck to get some fresh air, but he

would not go back down them. Jerrad ended up carrying him.

 

Once we got home he took the longest pee I’ve ever seen a dog take. Good

thing he held it! He has found his bed, and after a bit of persuasion (and

after he knew he couldn’t have any of our people food) he chomped down his

own. He’s been tagging around, curious about what we’re doing. He most

enjoys watching us do dishes (not quite sure why, perhaps its more

interesting than sitting around, etc).

 

He’s slept through one of the two nights he’s been home -the first I think

I truck going by spooked him, but after a bit he settled back down. He’s

enjoying his morning walks. Up early, out for about half an hour to an

hour (he’s a bit hard on the leash so we’re trying for more walks for less

amounts of time right now), less annoying for all of us. He likes the

flowers, and when we took him to the park yesterday he met a few smaller

dogs and was friendly. The barking dogs we walked past he didn’t seem to

care about. He’s such a quiet, well-mannered fellow.

 

Otherwise, not much has happened -to the licenser today (they weren’t open

Saturday by the time we got home and not on Sundays), and then to the

vet’s for a quick check up and to see about heartworm preventative (or

something of the sort), I’m sure the vets know what they need. The best

part of Beckett though is that he’s quite the cuddler. He sleeps on his

own bed at night, but in the mornings after his walk we usually crawl back

into bed for an hour and he jumps in with us.

I think he’s settling in well, seems like he enjoys not having a bunch of

other dogs to compete with. And he always looks so happy with his big

smile. Thank you Yvette,

 I’ll send pictures when I figure out how to work the camera and the

computer together -perhaps a rather large feat for me.

 Sincerely,Emily and Jerrad

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

Way back last year we took in 27 dogs - all related. Mom was Ann Bonny - now Cookie. Her pups were born under a boat in December of 2006 - they arrived here late January - and I called them the Nauticals. Then in March and April the rest of the family were caught and brought in. One of Ann Bonny’s daughter’s had 5 pups with her. Another was heavily pregnant and could not be spayed safely - she was Bonnie Lassie now renamed Rosalita. She had 10 puppies!! Five of the puppies were sent to Langley Animal Protection. One of them was Mara of our following story!

Hi Yvette,
I think you’ll find this story entertaining, so I thought I’d regale you with it. I went with Rosalita aka Rosie, formerly known as Bonnie Lassie to Trout Lake for the Farmer’s Market. As we approached the lake I noticed a dog that looked remarkably similar to Rosie, similar size, ears, generally shape and disposition. The dog, Mara, was interested in Rosie, and Rosie was interested too. (Mara seemed more keen to establish a connection with Rosie than the other way around, but they did run around and wrestle and play for a bit.)  Side by side they look a bit separated at birth. I got to chatting with Mara’s owner, and it turns out that Mara was about a year old. She got her from the Langley shelter, where she was after having been fostered a bit. The story was that the pup had originally come from Turtle Gardens!  The story Mara’s owner was given that she was the pup of a long-time stray who had several litters and who was finally caught. But  I seem to recall that several of Rosie’s puppies were sent to Langley, and I was wondering if Mara might be one of Rosie’s pups. And of course Rosie was just a pup herself when she had her babies. No matter what they are clearly related. Funny!

Just so you know, Mara is a lovely dog. Well taken care of (with a samoyed older brother to protect her), and with a very centered temperament.

I was wondering if you remembered and could remind me what puppies you had around last April and which lot of them got sent to Langley.

Hope you are avoiding flooding this warm long weekend!

Lisa

I actually corresponded with Mara’s family when they adopted her. They read the story of the "Nauticals" on the blog. It was Rosie’s 5 pups (all blonde and long haired) and 5 of Serene’s pups (short coated lab looking)  that went to Langley and were fostered with the Women’s Prison Program! How cool is that ?? Rosie and Mara meeting again!

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

I was asked in yesterday’s comments about the history of Dave Apple Dumpling Gang. Both Dave and I have multiple non-adoptable dogs. They are non adoptable because they are temperamentally challenged - not safe around people - not good family pets. We have learned over the years to "turn" many non adoptables around - heal their "inner puppy" if you will. But those early dogs are still with us.  About 9 yrs ago we had a station wagon and his dogs would line up in the back each with a window seat to look outside. Someone at the store dubbed his dogs as the Apple Dumpling Gang - the movie was on TV at the time!! The name has stuck and they are still called the Dumplings. They are Sasha - 17 year old cocker mix, Gopher - a 15 year old terrier/pom, Patches - a 12 year old shih tzu mix, Mia - an 8 year old jack russell mix and Ragamuffin a 3 year old maltipoo , last but not least is Penny - 12 year old heeler mix and his down syndrome pup. Dave also has one he can take everywhere with him ie camping, fishing, mushroom hunting and she is Harley a pittie/sharpei mix! Harley is one of the 17 demodex dogs that came in from Hazelton. She loves the Dumplings and they all sleep cuddled around her and Dave at night.

Harley in the van.

And the other comment was about Jaime - yes she is going to Saskatchewan. First Irene will foster her then Norm will drive her in his big rig to Regina. How cool is that?

And the first Update from the Adoption Weekend!! - Niki aka Chunky Munky!!

       Just a few words to let you know I have Niki and all is well so far,he is on the back of the sofa looking out the window after having some food I would like to know what kind of food he is used to eating soft or dry.I have Innova here but he did not eat it he ate some food I cooked bison with vegies but I would like him to also eat some dry to keep his teeth healthy.

            Sheila,Lexi and Niki the man of our house.

(Our Niki ate any premium kibble here but he had competition for the food!! Mind you Dave would give him and Poolio, Sumo, Rags etc special tidbits. He is a very smart little man - he has you wrapped around his little red paw already!!)

and the 2nd Update is Jazz who went for a sleepover last night to our long time friend Diane and Joe! She phoned today to say he was a KEEPER! And sent pictures too!

 Here are the photos that I want to share with you

Tanks new buddy. It has been almost 2 years since Chikta has been gone and Tank seemed lonely so we got him a friend from turtle gardens pet shelter. He is shepard husky cross. We have named him Cawston
Diane and Joe

The Meanwhile 5

My Buddy

Happy Now!

Friend or Foe???

First day exhaustion!

At home and knows it!

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

Another adoption trip is underway. Dave and Bear left Topley at 3pm - which is later than he wanted but Murphy’s Law was busy working its wiles on TG.

The first one loaded was Beckett - he is a sherriff dog and he is going to Victoria.

Beckett learning to be an inside companion.

Then it was Laddie who is not doing as well as he should here. He doesn’t like kibble and there isn’t any people food here either which is what he would prefer. He has been eating canned food but he is still nervous of the bigger dogs. I am so glad eh will have long walks with his own senior - and no other dogs to share his home with. Good luck Laddie - you sure a sweet little fellow. He is going to Ashcroft. He has a bright blue collar and matching leash.

Laddie under the table hoping for a handout.

Juliette was next. She is wearing a new collar with matching leash - all the way from Las Vegas!! She is a lively, funny, good natured companion and she is going to Langley! She will be learning manners and obedience - she is going to work with her new Dad!

Juliette is a "people" dog!

Our little Chunky Munky has a home too! Niki has lost 13 pounds! He now weighs a svelte 14 pounds. He is feeling oh so much better. He can jump into the van all by himself! He now looks like what he is; a middle aged little fellow - not a senior! Our vets were very pleased with him at his adoption check up - he looks great! He is going to Surrey.

Niki sitting in the van - his favorite place! Dave will miss his sleeping partner!

Zoey who LOVES Bear was next. She will sit close to the front so she can be near Bear. Zoey is the first adoption - she will be living in 100 Mile House!

Zoey - kitties are your best friends!

Allie - puppy was next. They were all vaccinated (second one) and vet checked. She has gained 10 pounds in just one month! She is bright, confident and very social. All of them ask for the door to go outside. How cool is that?
Allie is going to the Island too.

Jaime is finally going first to her foster then with Norm,  a long distance trucker to Saskatchewan! Thank you Irene for fostering Jaime and Norm for driving her home! Jaime has waited three years for her very own special person.

Jaime is a sharpei mix and also a dwarf!

And last but not least: Haley. Haley is going to Burnaby where she will enjoy long walks and lots of cuddles. Haley likes her own special person although she is social. Good luck Haley - Val has been waiting a long tome for you!

Be happy Haley!

OOPs - can’t forget Hercules!! Hercules is going to North Vancouver where his soccer playing skills will keep his active family busy!

Have fun Hercules - you are such a good boy!

And a local adoption today as well!

Lexie went home today! Her family lives in Smithers!

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