Dave and his Apple Dumpling Gang mourn the loss of little Sumosusie today. Our little mechanical dog suffered a massive stroke and was helped to peaceful eternal rest by our very compassionate Dr Kye and held in Bear’s arms with Dave beside her.  Her earthly journey is over.

It was her funny walk that earned her the name Sumo. The girls at the Vet clinic added Susie and our little one had a name. She was well over 20 years old, she had a heart murmur, severe arthritis, cataracts, and was mostly deaf. She loved to eat and was very clean. Because she was cold she wore little sweaters - her favorite was a black fleece. Sumosusie has lots of character for such a small dog - she weighed 6 pounds.  Run free little one - no more mechanical dog walk for  you!

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

Spay days are early rising days especially if coffee is served before Dave leaves. Today has an unexpected spay - a little longhaired chihuahua arrived and looks like she may be pregnant. Dave took her just in case our vets can fit her in or one of the other two are not urgent (read also pregnant). It just reinforces why Low Cost Spay Neuter Programs are so important. The program works because it is so easy to use. One phone call to me and I fax the information to the veterinarian of their choice. Easy, inexpensive and no questions asked about income. The program is about pets getting speutered. And it seems to be catching on - in communities I really really want to see pets done!! We received a BC Lottery Grant for $6,000 for our Spay and Neuter Program. I put $2000 in each Clinic and we are using it up very quickly. Dogs in Hazelton, Moricetown, Tachet and Topley, Houston and Burns Lake are speutered and cats too. Our money is running out and we have to apply for more grants. The flow of unwanted dogs has to slow down and I feel this is one of the most effective program. The other is Education of course.  Dogs and cats need to be well taken care of - they need to be kept home and not roaming - speutered dogs pack up too when not confined to home yards. They need regular feedings, affection and a safe place to sleep. Most of us treat our dogs as family members. Education is needed where pets are not family but outside animals - toys for children, guardians of grass and surroundings (how can they protect if outside?)Or worse - a status symbol.  But I digress - today is spay day for Turtle Gardens.

Beautiful Bella - she is changing color as she gains weight and vitality.
Little Too-sie - a lively, bouncy companion but oh so cuddly.

Mystery - a kid loving small dog!

And now an update from Puff Dog himself - what a smart little fellow!!

It’s Puff Dog, here, with an update.  I wanted to let you know that I have a new name to go with my new family.  They call me "Puck."  It’s not because they are big Hockey Night in Canada fans but because they have lots of books.  They tell me I’m named after a character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream written by somebody named "Shakespeare."  This character was a mischievous little guy, just like me!  Mom doles out the treats whenever I respond to my new name.  You know how smart I am, so it shouldn’t take me long to adjust.

Yesterday, we all visited the vet.  Everyone said I was a good boy except when it came to having my temperature taken.  I wasn’t interested in that, and I think you can guess why.  Although I liked the vet, I was more comfortable when Dad held the head of the stethoscope against my chest so that she could listen to my heart.  I was so relaxed that my heart rate was slower than my sister’s.

I’ve been rough-housing with the border collie next door:  we like to slobber all over each other’s necks as we wrestle.  I’d like to wrestle with my sister, Koji, but she is still a bit jealous of me.  I’ll just have to keep using my charm to bring her around.  Otherwise, I really like it here:  lots of toys, chews, visits, walks, car rides, hugs, kisses, brushings, face washes, and treats — especially when I’ve been good.  I also like to eat chives and dig in the garden.  Mom doesn’t like the digging much, so I usually try to stop when she tells me to.

We’ve been working on my house training this past week.  On my first full day here, sometimes I wouldn’t make it outside to pee; I’d just squat whenever and wherever I felt the urge.  Mom realized I needed regular reminders to visit the backyard, so first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every few hours in between, she prompts me to go outside.  Ever since the first day, I’ve only had one indoor squat — that was when I was mad because Mom and Dad were paying more attention to Koji and not enough to me.  Mom just laughed at my attention-getting strategy and took me outside. To give me credit, I squatted way longer outside than I did inside.

Some of my successes this week include walking nicely on the leash, staying close to Mom and Dad when off leash, letting the kids next door pet me, being calm and quiet in the car, eating out of my own bowl, allowing Mom to brush me without objection, staying off the furniture, sitting quietly to have my collar put on.

I hope that everyone at TurtleGardens is dry, healthy, and happy.

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

The river is rising. Houston is flooding. The pastures and homes along the highway are flooding and we have water under our house like we never have had before. Dave is gone to Smithers today to buy another sump pump - the other one gave up the ghost - too much silt. The yards in front of the Blue House and Atco are full of water. The dogs love it!! Isaac thinks splashing and digging in pools of water are the best thing ever. He made me laugh and that is needed here.

The bridge where our property starts.

It is almost over the bank here.

it is only a foot to cover our road.

Yet life continues at Turtle Gardens. We received a call from a lady whose only other option was euthanizing her one year old dog. Billie is a Catahoula Leopard Hound mix. She was tied outside while they were away. She was breaking her chain to bark at an elderly lady walking the road in front of her farm. She was afraid Billie would bite her neighbour. Fencing was not an option. Neither was confining Billie indoors.  Now I knew the litter - we had her brother here in October - Merlin. He was an active but very friendly dog. Maybe Billie would be the same if she were socialized, taught indoor manners and learned how to be a dog first then a family indoor companion. Billie needed a chance. Turtle Gardens welcomes Billie!
Billie has just a speck of blue in one eye. Her brother had sky blue eyes!

Then a visit from a young couple with a brand new baby. And a sad story. The dog was the baby for a year and was very jealous of the new arrival. She bit the baby. And she had to go or else.  Dogs are really not babies wrapped in fur. They are dogs and need rules and boundaries. Even tiny ones. It is so easy to forget  they are a different species. They are dogs - wonderful, caring, affectionate companions but still dogs not fur kids. And they can co-habit very well with children if introduced to the idea early in the pregnancy.  It is all about understanding that dogs need boundaries and training. Just like kids. Turtle Gardens welcomesToo-sie!
  Too-sie looking at the rest of the group from her spot on the back of the couch.! She needs to be spayed and vaccinated very soon.

Even when dogs yawn - other dogs yawn too - Isaac and Allie are yawning!

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

I am not sure if the last post that I saw or didn’t see was a hint to get busy and keep writing the blog or an accident but here I am. The post was just a #363. It was blank with just the date so I am assuming it was a very broad hint to get busy. Well busy writing that is.

My mornings start early - the puppies want out early and they want out now! There have been very few deposits on the easy to clean floor - the pups and the others are really catching on to the housebreaking thing. Thank goodness for good coffee to kick start the day. I don’t know how I would survive otherwise.

The river is rising daily. Yesterday was supposed to be cooler - it wasn’t. It should have been cloudy - it was BRILLIANT!! And the river rose another 4 inches. It is over the bank at the curve at the beginning of the property and at our low point behind the Blue house. The yard in front of the Blue House which actually has lawn also has pools of water. The dogs LOVE to run through them playing tag games. What a mess!!

Isaac is undergoing his regimen for the demodex. Thank you Wendi for helping me learn about what to treat him with holistically. He is very immune suppressed, a true genetic interbred from a starved mom demodex. None of his family have it - his mom was under a year old when he was born and she was clear.  It appears that his father is also his brother and his mother’s brother. Much too close interbreeding. If anything can go wrong in Isaac’s world - it does - he should be named Murphy after Murphy’s Law. He just starting to grow , he is not quite so clumsy - he was so accident prone and every injury infected with his poor immunity. He has a touchy tummy, has gastric problems and is not the brightest bulb in the garden.  So with all that is wrong with him he couldn’t be treated in the conventional way with ivomec and antibiotics.  It  could kill him not heal him.  Wendi sent me a list of supplements he needed and Cynda and Tom sent them up to us. Thank you so very much. Isaac is taking immune boosters, Vitamin B and C, salmon oil and interferon. He is eating grain free premium dog food - Thank you VAS. He is one lucky boy to have special sponsors. Sponsors really help special dogs that need special care. Like Isaac and now the Bella Coola 4 - they need special food, medication, speuters and loads of TLC.

The Sherriff dogs still have a medical bill at the Burns Lake Vet Clinic for medical care. They have various gastric issues, immune problems and longstanding medical issues. They are expensive rescues. If anything can go wrong with these guys - it has. The last ones were the locked in rooms salukis. We have Trip - Isaac’s mom, her sister Penny, Phantom and Pharaoh, Poncho and the old guy John B. It has been worrisome -  these dogs have emotional and physical rehabilitation needs. Our Burns Lake Veterinarians have been instrumental in their extensive rehab. Thank you so very much for your above and beyond support. Without you we could NOT have saved these dogs. Their extensive medical bills is still over  $2000. This is very worrisome - thank you is not enough for waiting for your renumeration. The Sherriff dogs have been a learning experience. They have shown us where our support is and who our supporters are. Thank you so much.

Isaac on his favorite spot.

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

First - the floodwatch. With the warm weather forecasted for Friday and the weekend the fears for a flash flood are all over the radio waves! We have 30% snow still left on the lowlands with no snow melting on the mountains yet. The fear is fast melting and all the creeks and tributaries of our major rivers overflowing the banks in flash flooding. The prediction for the river cresting is Sunday. So no adoption trip this weekend for the TG Bus. We are gathering supplies for a quick move just in case - the consensus is we would have just a few hours notice. We wouldn’t have to go far - just across the road to the top of the hill. Luckily we found  a few kennel panels at the landfill and we have fencing to make runs for the dogs. We have a plan in place - one we devised last year with the threat of flooding. And we have fewer dogs than last year as well. We will keep you posted.

Just today we received a package all the way from Las Vegas Nevada! Inside was 8 collar and matching leash sets. Thank you so very very much. The adopted guys will look very spiffy going to their new homes next weekend!

And an Update from Puff Dog - I am so happy for my little guy:::

Just to let you know that after a little shyness in the parking lot at Walmart, Puff Dog’s adjustment to us, our household, and our routine has just been amazing.  It’s as though he’s lived here for months, not hours.  He and our girl are accepting each other, he loves our backyard, and he’s met the neighbour’s border collie with good result.  We had our first meal together (Puff wanted to eat his kibble from John’s hand rather than from a bowl), and once he saw our girl enjoying the occasional shrimp from our plates, he decided he liked them as well.  After dinner, he settled down for a nice relaxing chew with a rawhide twist.  He recognizes his name when we call him, nuzzles our legs, arches his back for a scratch, or lifts his face for a rub.  We already love this little Puff and can’t imagine why or how anyone would/could abuse such a sweet fur face.

And now Rover:

Rover or as my grand daughter Kelsey says Grover is doing much better. He can now walk without  pain and he is going up and down the stairs with ease. I have been brushing his coat for a few minutes several times a day and he is looking much better. He has much more pride in himself. he does have a tendency to be cranky with the teenager dogs but is quite patient with the puppies. He is taking glucosamine supplements and salmon oil and vitamins as well as premium dog food. He is looking younger by the day!. He is basically healthy and just needs proper nutrition and comfort to regain his health and vitality. He is calm and well behaved indoors. He likes a corner of the kitchen where he can watch activities without being in the way. He has just started to come over to solicit affection. He is a stately old gentleman.

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

Sometimes even the best need a respite from dogs. So it is that Dave and Bear (his sister)  have taken two dogs to Prince George and are visiting Bear’s daughter our niece overnight. We are very happy to say that Puff Dog will meet his new mom and dad today. He will have a shiba mix sister to play with and lots of fun times. He is such a loveable little soul and I will miss him - he is a follow me everywhere little guy! I wonder who will be my next favorite?

My favorite picture of Puff Dog - running for the sheer joy of it - to me!! Be good Puff Dog.

And our little staffie has been transferred to Bullie Buddies. Thank you Sam - you find the bestest homes for these oh so wonderful companions. Bear really likes this little girl too. She will whisper our phone # in her ear so she can call home if she needs to.

Our beautiful Baby! You should have seen her grin when she realized she was going for a ride! Good luck baby - you are very special!

Dave will come back refreshed and ready for the next round of clean up and repairs. And there is a lot to do on a project like Turtle Gardens.

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

It is that time of year again. Floodwatch time. Time to watch the river rising and praying for cool nights and little rain so the mountain snows melt slowly.

The river is already high but the snows on the mountains haven’t started melting yet. In fact there is still snow and ice on the north side of our property.

It is still two feet from the top.

This is from the back room window!

The dogs are doing well. Our routine has changed as the pups wake up early to potty. They are very good at asking for the door - ok screaming at the door. It is hard to sleep past that racket! But worth it to much less mess to clean up in the morning.  Coffee brewing while the floors are mopped and then enjoying that first cup at the table to plan the day’s activities. Now that it is daylight so much longer - a lot more gets done. The yardwork is slowly coming together. Where does all that junk come from under the snow? Where did the dogs get all the stuffies to chew apart or is that fluff from bedding? And all that plastic? And mess? The snow hid a lot of dog stuff - stuff they chewed, played with or dragged outside. And then lost under the snow. Until now that it has melted.

Two old dog enjoying a patch of sunshine. Lily is 19 years old.

Juliette figures chairs are for her!

Tuxedo has come back - he is too shy and just didn’t fit in.

And an update on a Happy Ending!! Sheba:

Derek writes  - Do ya think she’s liking her new home? J

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

We were gone for awhile , the blog that is - I don’t know why but son #2 has fixed the problem. Than you Dave.

It was a beautiful day yesterday - the sun was shining it was warm and a lot got done outside.

Those piles of dirt have to be manually shoveled and raked free of stones to level what used to be lawn!!

Marlowe and sleeping Juliette, Zoey and Chinook under the picnic table - again this used to grass!.

This is one of our major projects this year as well as fencing upgrade and an adoption center built onto the house. We also have cabins to build for guests wanting to visit. Another very busy year building for the comfort of the dogs!

And here is a cute series of pictures that should have been a video. Jazz has encountered a  strange object on the floor in the common room.

Jazz spots it and touches to see if it moves.

He circles it.

He approaches it again.

He stalks it.

Got It! By the way Jazz is still looking for his family. The girls all have prospective homes but neither of the boys do!! They will have their second vaccinations on Tuesday and will be ready for families on the following weekend.

Now let sleeping dogs lie:

Bella checking out her spot.

Bella going to her spot.

Bella in her spot, Grover and Jessie in the front.

My favorite window in the kitchen

My birthday begonias from Hubby Dave.

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