Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue

Adoption trips are very stressful. From making sure I have everything I need – cuz I don’t drive, to making sure all the paperwork is in order, to rounding up all the dogs, to loading up the dogs is all a tremendous hassle. But it always gets done and the trip must go on. There are very anxious families waiting. Some were very eager to go while others were not so sure. Kansas said her goodbyes – and we had a a quiet conversation about her new life. Curly brought tears when he went out – I am really really going to miss that little guy! So this is the TG Bus passengers:

Panda is going to Parksville

Daphne to Maple Ridge -puppy foster home

Prince Henry going to Maple Ridge – he has a family!

Sugar Plum has a mom in Parksville.

Ava is going to Halfmoon Bay

Daruma’s family is in Coquitlam

Free Willie is going to Parksville

Gracie wearing a pretty pink collar and matching leash will meet her family in Nanaimo

Tallulah has a family in Nanaimo while Curly is going to puppy foster in Maple Ridge

Henna will meet her family in Nanaimo

Kansas is going to a wonderful life in Chilliwack!

And last but not least Lexi who will meet her family in Vancouver.

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

will very soon be on a roadtrip. Dave is busy today getting the starter installed in the van and changing the brakes on all four wheels. All of the winter maintenance for the TG Bus is done – 4 brand new top of the line snow tires, oil change, fuel filters, oil filters, belts, brakes, starter and fluids. All thanks to the raffle. We now have very reliable transportation for TG’s dogs. That was one of our goals. The other was a safe place for our adoptions and we have that thanks to Carol. And the final dogfood transportation. And that was solved with phone calls to head office of Bandstra – right nearby in Smithers. We have a reduced rate for all our dog food. The last pallet was pro bono so how cool is that!!

The rest of our raffle went to the Adoption Center at TG’s home base. The building is 12 feet by 20 feet, insulated and well built with windows on all 4 walls. We have purchased all new selkirk Chimney and a certified wood stove for the dogs to lounge around. There is what was supposed to be an attached carport for the TG Bus. Dave has decided it will be finished as an extra room for storage and meeting people. He will buy a tarp garage for the TG Bus!! It is really starting to look good. Next year’s goal is exterior siding and landscaping so your first impression driving up to TG will be “How nice!!” Appearances are so important to most people. So here are pictures of TG.

And dogs at play- Tallulah

Ben and Hercules

Ava and Bailey

Ruedi and Jillian

Siggy Sue and Teague

Handsome Buster Chow

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

Why am I here, what have I done
To land in such a situation, which I cannot overcome
My mom is sick, that’s what Yvette said,
As I sat on the floor and listened, with a feeling of dread,

I was so forlorn it was plain to see,
That I heard this happened to other dogs, but not to me
So I learned how to play and made friends with all
So my time would pass quickly, when my mom came to call

Weeks turned into months and months turned into a year,
When no one came to get me, my heart was full of fear
Yvette called to me one day, with tears in her eyes,
And explained that mom couldn’t come and get me,
And only as dogs can do, inside I cried.
She cradled my head and told me I was loved,
That she believed that someone, would be sent from up above.

My sponsor Jean said she had a grand plan,
And would email a lady, with a touch of her hand,
Jean said,” she loves collies and that is a fact”,
And I’m sure that her love, will overcome that…
Yvette posted my picture, my story for all to see,
In hopes that this lady would please here my plea,
You see, she lost her dear Laddie only short months ago,
Would she be able to see that I needed her so.
“I promise to be good, protect you, and sleep by your bed”,
As long as you promise, that you will never abandon me again.

It’s not my mom’s fault that she got sick, you know,
But dogs like me, end up without a home, and nowhere to go.
Thank you Turtle Gardens and all that you’ve done,
To make sure I was loved, and safe and then some
I’m sorry to leave you, but I must be on my way,
To a home that needs me, much more than she can say.

The time has come! It’s our turn to shine!
But We, the lucky ones to be adopted,
Are so sad, to leave the others behind.
As we turn and say our final goodbyes,
We will always remember, the question in their eyes,
…… why am I here, what have I done?

K.E. Dowling

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

The roof is over half done – all done over the Adoption Center and ready to go up over the car port. Dave mentioned today he would like to close in the carport for another room!! Building is like growing mushrooms – it keeps spreading! We will see.

The dogs are all doing very well. They are getting used to their smaller but very very secure new fence. Poncho is very miffed! He refuses to go outside and howls his displeasure at the door. I am more stubborn than he is – he WILL go outside and like it! Eventually. 3Penny and Isaac are happy enough in the new fence – they have accepted that they are not going over/under or through the new fence and play with the others. Good dogs.

And another couple of dogs in comfort pictures:
Ben, Isaac, and Penny (Old Penny not 3Penny on the couch, Mia on top.

And No Name Chow – I have been calling him Chowmein so please – Name this dog!!

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

The server was down today but Dave (son #2) got it going as soon as I emailed him. Thank you son!

It is getting cold again at night -10 and not very warm during the day either -3 is our high today. The guys’ hands get really cold so work is going slow on the roof but it is getting done. The tin is going up today something like 900 or so screws to put in!! The sun has been shining all day – no heat in the rays though. Thank you Gary and Tim for delivering a load of wood yesterday – we will be ready as soon as the woodstove goes in! Soon so very soon and then the adoption trip for some very anxious new doggie parents.
And now cold day comfort for the dogs.

On the couch – Isaac, Prince Henry, Daphne , Connor and Moon on top and Panda in front.

Daruma

Decca

Jill playing with Curly watched by Aardvark, Moon, Connor and Poncho trying to sleep.

Siggy Sue chewing a bone while Bailey wants

Sugar Plum in her sweater after her spay. Thank you Cheryl!

Teague on the couch

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

Hi Yvette, Dave and Stan,

I remember! Yup, a year ago yesterday Stan drove me and several other adoptees to Vancouver. WHAT a trip! We were all in the back of the old truck but we knew we were on an adventure.

The next day Stan took me to Burnaby to meet my forever Mom. I knew right away I was home. Well, not quite really home. We had to take a big ferry boat over to Vancouver Island ‘cuz my real home is in Bowser. Hey, I’d never seen the ocean before let alone been ON it. Another first!

Well, I want you to know I’ve learned a lot my first year in Bowser. I only have one kitty now (poor Sunshine died awhile ago), but Tuxedo and I really like to play. Mom says I still sometimes get a bit too rough and then she settles our games down. I think Tux quite likes me now…she even likes to jump over me when I’m pretending to sleep. She’s especially great at asking Mom for a treat every day. The good thing is when she gets one, so do I ^_^

Every day on our walks, Mom tells me I’m getting really good at walking nicely beside her. I especially love it when we meet other people and dogs. Hey, everyone likes to pat me. What’s a girl to do? I might as well just accept it, don’t you think?

There are lots of dogs in our neighbourhood but I have my special friends. It’s really exciting right now as there are several puppies. I really like walking and playing with them. They remind me of all the puppies I had in my first life. It’s really fun to teach them things! And their new parents are particularly grateful for my help, don’t you know?

The only thing Mom says we still need to work on is “come” when I’m off leash outdoors. Hey, I remember running free the first 2 years so it’s hard not to revert. But I’m much better at it indoors and in our garden. She keeps telling me practice will make me perfect. Hmmm…we’ll see!

Mom calls November 24th my birthday…so today I turned 3. I even got a new toy to have lots of fun catching and chasing and chewing…all the things I do best.

So thanks again everyone at Turtle Gardens for picking out a forever Mom for me. I’m a really happy dog in Bowser!

lots of tailwags and kisses, Bailey (and her Mom, Susan)

PS Hope to see you at another walk soon, Yvette.

Lovely Bailey taken at The TG Reunion by Jean – thank you.

And a picture from Cynda – Auntie Bailey with nephew Gryphon and niece Teya!! Happy Birthday Auntie!!

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