A hands on fur Sunday!! Stan

Sundaywalk 001It has been a very stressful past few weeks, my favorite stress relief is a walk. I also enjoy photography I am not very good at it but I find it relaxing as well. I thought I would take a few minutes and share with you our back yard here at T.G. I only have 7 of my closest friends with me and our tour is over about 20 km just a morning stroll……

Sundaywalk 006I am not sure what they are but had me thinking I found that magic blue poplar….

Sundaywalk 007

Sundaywalk 008Hey Mom the flowers are out here too, not sure if you got this kind there!!!!!

Sundaywalk 012I love a dog that will take the time to stop and smell the flowers…..

Sundaywalk 017Hey remember that being that I said I loved but I couldn’t touch that’s him…. We went for a 20 km stroll and I never touched him once…. when I got home I opened the gate to his side of the yard and he just walked in and got a drink of water. And I am ok with that. I am not ok with him not having a name so maybe somebody can give him one so I can teach it to him.

Sundaywalk 019The view from the top of the hill. When we say “valley” that’s what we mean we are at one end Houston is at the other….

Sundaywalk 032

Sundaywalk 034and here you go I leave the gold pan at home and look at the spot I missed checking.Darn, I could have made MILLIONS. hahahahahah

Sundaywalk 038My good buddy Sasito. He is the coolest being I have met in a long time -  a true survivor. And a real man’s man kinda dog. I spend a lot of time with the ones that aren’t good with other dogs and he is not good with other dogs at all and is very destructive when he is bored.

Sundaywalk 043Hey Mom look who loves to go for a stroll when your’e not home…..

Sundaywalk 052Just got to love 3Penny she is so cool.

Sundaywalk 055Hey that’s three for one we stopped for a drink and a snack.

Sundaywalk 059Another good buddy of mine Lucky Luciano… His soul is mortal wounded. I fear he might have to stay for life; still too soon to tell…. I will write about it if you want to hear his story. I only know the part after he got here. The rest is irrelevant to me….

Sundaywalk 075Just a slice of heaven

Sundaywalk 085Ancient food; they are finally sweet enough to eat, man they are so good this time of year. I had to fight Zuka for them. As soon as she figured out what I was eating she would beat me to them…

Sundaywalk 086Zuka we need to stop and smell the flowers. AAAHHHH Zuka don’t step on them…

Sundaywalk 088I hope you enjoyed our back yard as much as we did sharing it with you!!!!!

There’s now only 11 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE

 



Adoptions from Turtle Gardens Homebase and beyond

I have been in Vancouver almost 6 weeks! My exercise program is doing quite well thank you. I can now walk 2 or 3 kilometers! How cool is that. My fitness level is slowly returning to what it was before I broke my ankle and hurt my back. It takes a lot longer for older bodies to heal — something I keep forgetting cuz honestly I don’t feel old until I look in the mirror. “Why do I look like my mother? When did that happen” So if my hair isn’t smooth you can blame it on my not looking in the mirror phobia! If I don’t see it it isn’t there …right?

Taz has graduated from the Prince George Prison Program and into his new home in Prince George – how cool is that? He goes home tomorrow. Good luck Taz – be the best that you can be!

Taz, Louis' brother

Taz, Louis’ brother

And tomorrow is also an adoption – Ryder has found his hooman! He will live in Chetwynd and go to work with Sean. Thank you Alyssa of On Our Way Home Society for doing the homevisit for us and for offering training to help Ryder be the best that he can be with Sean. Networking is awesome!

Ryder

Ryder

It has been a busy week for Vancouver area adoptions as well!

First was Charlie: He will be sunning himself on the Sunshine Coast. Good luck little fellow – you have landed quite softly!

Charlie doesn't have to beg for his family - he has his own.

Charlie doesn’t have to beg for his family – he has his own.

Wally has been adopted and will live in Victoria with his very active family. Lots of hikes and activities for this good natured boy!

Wally adopted

Wally adopted

And Smokey too found his family this week! He will have two kids to enjoy playtimes with – how cool is that! Smokey really loves kids.

Smokey face

Smokey face

 

There’s now only 13 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE

 





The Preloved Dog!!!! Stan

Thank for all the heart felt comments. I have respect for all of you continue to read even tho there is a good chance to feel uncomfortable at the realities of life here at T.G home base. I think I have realized why there is so much of “rescue” that is not talked about. How and why I rescue is deeply personal and private and is like child birth unless you been there you just never seem to get it…

As I was uploading Bear’s movie yesterday (takes about a hour a min to upload on dial up) I was relaxing in the morning sun cuddling my babies’ Brooklyn the one sole survivor of her litter that died alone and scared some where. A shiver of fear ran down my spine as I thought of letting her go to her new home on the dog run. I wanted to grab her and never let go; I loved her so much. Love, there you go now I said it !!! And I am going to talk about it too. Love has been one of the most destructive emotions in my life when it goes wrong there is no pain like it in the world…You see the truth is we love every dog that comes tho the place, just as you seen we all loved Running Bear. We love and cry when we lose them. The day I stop loving and crying is the day I get outta rescue because that’s what keeps us safe and reminds us that we are not “GOD” That job been taken. Sounds to me like this rescue thing is kinda a guaranteed one to get hurt!!! Why would you do it and how could you ever do it for 25 years.

Just as the migrating geese, I have been following the strong before me, I now realize that the one at the tip of the V is Mom and Dad and has been for the last 25 years guiding the way with strong steady loving strokes..teaching me just by doing, what love is and how to love and be safe…. So you’re never going to get a new never loved dog from T.G and the only way for us all to be safe is to keep loving. We never say goodbye, it’s always till we meet again old friend. That’s why the updates are so important to keep us safe and allowing us to keep loving…

Now don’t get me wrong I am not talking about all that sappy B.S that we see on T.V. Love is about action and doing not flowers and candy and jewels…. I have to stop and take the time to pet and talk to them even tho I got so much to do. Take them out for walks, feed them, pick up their poo. Then I let them go because they need their own family to really be fully loved in a way that we could never give them here. And I love them enough to know it. In return they love us back. I have never told a dog that I loved them and they just be silent and not say a word and leave me hanging, they have always loved me back to the best of their ability (you don’t have to touch a being to love them) So now you know if your furry friend wants to put their head on your shoulder and give you a hug it’s because they have been taught the practical action side of love…. Hug them back and think how much you love them. They will hear you and feel you thru the magic of loving fur.. I know My Mom and Dad taught me it’s got to be true!!!!!!

There’s now only 14 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

 

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE



Good bye old friend!!!!! Stan

I shared this in hopes of providing us with some closure and good bye to a old friend.. It was thought it might be too controversial to be shared,misunderstood to the point of evoking a Passionate clash of points of view…. all the while we are forgetting about the most helpless important beings. I just do the best that I can do with what I have, I learn that from my mom. So please if you would like to see more of what it takes to survive, the day to day hands on fur grind comment and come to the gala. Bring new friends to the gala in hopes they might save a lost soul. Without you and what you do T.G would not be all that it is today!!!

There’s now only 15 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE



why hands on fur !!! Stan

I guess one could never imagine what it is like to live with 30 or 40
dogs. I think we get used to things that most people never see so I am
going to slowly take time to share what I do and why….

When I get up it’s huge rush of activity and excitement everyone is
excited to see me- they are jumping on me licking me and nibbling me (we
have sharpei puppies). I have morning routine. I always do the same thing
and yesterday I found out why!!! I am not much of a morning person at
all but for some reason that’s my cuddle time and all the dogs know it.
They all come over quiet and two at a time to get there hands on fur
time. Yes every dog here needs hands on fur time everyday, they need
to be checked for there health and mental well being as well…
The morning time is the time I pick up all the puppies as they come
over and make sure they like and know what cuddles are and they are
valuable beings. Seems a little out there but puppies are kind of like
kids… Then we have the lifers the ones that live here for life, they
need extra hands on fur time. So I hear what does it take to be a
lifer at T.G? I almost drowned once when I was younger in a river, I
remember giving up and accepting death and when I let go and put my
feet down they touched bottom, by giving up the river current pushed me
on to a sand bar. That near death experience had a profound affect on
my 16 year old mind. I still to this day can’t handle water it’s not
fun, don’t joke around and try and push me into the water because you
are going to get nailed. We all seem to understand that when it’s me
we are talking about but why can’t we understand when it happens to
our animals.

My good Buddy Running Bear (don’t’ let his name influence your
judgement over the years I have learned that West Van has as many
secrets as Hazelton) He came in as a older dog he was 10 or
something, his soul had been mortally wounded. Someone had grabbed him
by the neck and beat him within a inch of his life many times I think
but it’s just a guess. So consequently if you tried to grab him by the
collar he would just bite you; just about to the point of drawing
blood but not. But it still hurts very much, so I learned that one the
hard way, then about a year later he reminded me again. Then a few weeks
ago we shared a moment. I am a loud and excitable guy. I was just laughing
and having fun and for some reason I reached over fast to pet him and
he bit me. It was weird. We were all having fun then his reflex took
over and he bit me; kinda just grabbed my hand but a bite. When we
looked into each others eyes all I could see was “Man what you do that
for” then he was sad because he knew it was bad and that the big event
that got him sent here, I am sure…. So I did the right thing I told
him I was sorry. I forgot and not to worry I understand. I am still too
scared if the bath tub is too deep. Running Bear is on the way too long
list of lifers here at T.G that I give morning cuddles too, and love
them and accept them.

Yesterday I learned why. It was a nice quiet sunny spring afternoon
Running Bear loved to sun bathe. and that’s what it took for his rehab
to finally be complete, he stretched out in the sunshine and dreamed
he was running free (that’s how he got his name he was always dreaming) But
this time he never came home and he is still running free. As I picked
up his body with tears in my eyes I was thinking I just touched you
this morning and you were happy to see me and ok happy and loved just
like every other morning I have been here at T.G. We have to accept the
end because that is what rescue really is to me GIVING THEM THE CHOICE
OF LIFE AND DEATH BACK… not take the only choice they have away from
them because they trust. Please don’t be sad for Running Bear. With
your help we loved those demons right out of him for life… He is a
free spirit again and finally “RESCUED”

Running Bear arrival was October 29th 2009.

There’s now only 16 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

 

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE



Hands on Fur!!! Stan

After my recent adventures and misadventures in the south, on the long
drive home (14 hours) I decided to create a new blogging category. I am
going to call it Hands on Fur. I was hoping this category is going to
focus on what it takes to rehab the dogs the really bad ass hard to
the core I call them the death row dogs and there usually the only ones
I work with, there behavioral issues have place them in a spot where
the taking of the life was the only way to solve them.

I am currently working with 6 death row dogs – if they weren’t here at
T.G they probably would be pushing up daisies some where in some unnamed
boot hill. You see I have been standing in that same place that poor soul
in Whistler was with his sled dog problem. I chose the path less
traveled many years ago tho and I still have my sled dogs here at T.G.
the ones that couldn’t be rehomed are still here at T.G and two still
sleep on my bed.

Pharaoh and I shared a moment together during the Sheriff dog rescue (link
to Sheriff dog recuse blog), the door to the bed room I found her in
had been nailed shut, the top cut off the door to allow feeding. Her
whole little life had been there since birth and never touched by human
hands. When I finally got the door open and tried to walk in the room
they all just tried to jump on me and bite me big time….There is a
dark side of dog rescue that never seems to be talked about; but slowly
over time people like Carol Hine of saints (link to saints) are just
telling like it is. We do too and we are going to share more so there is
a understanding of how fur seems so soft and comforting but it also
leaves the deepest darkest wounds on my heart and soul. I had to use a
noose pole on Pharaoh’s litter. I hate a noose pole. It’s one of the most
horrific things a man could do – use violence to scare a being to the
point it gives up it’s life. Pharaoh and I looked into each others eyes
and she trusted me with her life and I made a promise to her she would
get her very own yuppie puppie home. Well It’s been many years and I
am still working on that promise to Pharaoh..

As it turns out Pharaoh had an incurable and fatal habit; she bit people
when they cornered her or scared her. She was also so fearful her
anxiety if allowed to continue would cause her a seizure like fit.There
was this “Quality of life issue too”. It’s too mean to keep her alive when she is so
scared. I had many very legitimate reasons to get out of my promise to
Pharaoh and take the easy way out for her “Own good” too. I have seen
very very many wounded animals and seen that look of fear at dieing and
fight with all their might to live to buy that line of bullshit any
more. We kill them for “Our own good” because it’s easy; very rarely out
of real necessity. If you don’t believe me go to saints for your self
as I have and have a look. Call first tho and go when the timing
is good for accepting guests……
I am compelled to tell a few Pharaoh tails. First and for most if I tell
you not to do something because you are going to get bit you are GOING
TO GET BIT, AND IT”S A LIFE THREATENING INJURY FOR MY DOG….and I am
going to very very upset at you trying to KILL MY DOG there is no second chances for the dogs I love; they trust me because I love then and they know they are safe with
me… and there will be no mistaking that I am upset; I am loud because
I am 75% deaf in one ear and can barely hear out of the other. Too many years
of running a power saw flat out..I also usually haven’t had much sleep
and the 24/7 fight against death lifestyle we live is not the best, for
keeping our emotions to yourself just because tears are poison and when
our buckets are too full we have to let them flow to keep safe and not
get poised to death, So if you see and hear tears don’t be worried
it’s a very common place for all of us here at T.G with our hand on
fur day after day….. I didn’t compose this blog as a “excuse” or to
rationalize my behavior just to offer a explanation we all have the right
to chose our friends and costumers… Unless I share where we live and
how we live people will never know so I am going to just start telling it a
little more like it is…

You know that receptions that I spoke to that laughed at me for
not knowing how to spell Pharaoh. I have dyslexia very bad. I spell at
about grade three level and insulting a client that has been up way to
long isn’t a good place to start our interaction. Please don’t make and
assumptions about who they were I counted 8 different vet receptionist I spoke to over the misadventures. It seems petty but unless I tell you how much such a simple thing totally
destroyed our interaction…. and if you see any spelling mistakes in a blog it’s because I couldn’t get close enough for the spell checker to work, and I still want to say what I say.

Ya that guy that gave me the “what are you looking at me  like
that for” look as I drove down 4 ave in Kits. I was thinking how I could enrich the life of 600
families with unconditional love with what that *&#$@ car costs…. And how
I had so much more respect for the renaissance man that told me he don’t eat meat but he knew that if pushed till life or death he was human and would eat meat
to live. So he didn’t judge me for eating meat in full acceptance of his humanity. He was sitting a true king in his home with his queen surrounded with loyal friends in the
castle they built with their own hands and minds. AND YOU WERE ALONE
IN YOUR FANCY CAR hoping someone would notice you. Each to their own tho..

A very special thank you to wonderful warm soul that shared their home
with me and gave me a MOM I MET ANGEL(link) moment while you took the
time to brush 3Penny and soothe her broken soul. I was sitting with a
tear unloading the unbelievably stressful day and replacing it with
unconditional love…. JUST SO YOU KNOW loving my dogs is loving me…

Please don’t be offended if I want to sleep in my van instead of your
home unless all my dogs are allowed in; it’s the only way I can be sure
they are safe in the van you know too hot, too cold, not sharing the covers
and fighting. And I really don’t sleep well unless I have about six to
eight dogs on the bed anyhow……

We live in a little different place here at T.G and sometimes I need to be
reminded of that; so Please if I in any way overwhelm you in any way
just stop me and ask me “how the hands on fur is really going at T.G?” and
that will be code for (STAN STOP AND TAKE A BREATHE) and I will go to my happy place Here is a pic of it I will share it with you if you want to find what and where my happy place it you will have to come to the gala and get your tickets before they are all gone (You are just one click away from the the best night ever with the T.G family…). I will give you a hint I also think “it’s ok Stan you have FRIENDS in high places”… Stay tuned for for hands on fur blogs.Picture 143

 

There’s now only 17 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE



Sterling Silver, Crystal, Natural Stone and Pearl Jewlery Up For Auction!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013 at 6:00 pm
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver

Are you watching the green countdown button on the sidebar? Have you seen how many days are left? Are you ready to start bidding? There’s little more than two weeks to go! I hope you already have, Your tickets! Get them HERE if you don’t!
I’m certain the finishing touches are all being done. Steve and Jude are probably busy getting all the programs printed out and donation descriptions typed up. There is so much work to do.

Speaking of donations, take a look at the jewellery that Kathy has donated for the Gala. She makes one of a kind pieces from sterling silver, crystal and natural stone and pearls. Wow! Aren’t they lovely!
Thank you very much for the donation Kathy
Please click an item to enlarge it


Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,

c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel – 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE





Someone “paying it forward” to Turtle Gardens

There is a movie about doing random acts of kindness without recognition I believe it is called “Paying it forward”. Someone recently made a donation on canadahelps of $250. It was labelled “all the animals – general” and anonymous. Anonymous said “I received this money for returning a dog I found so I am Paying it Forward. ” How cool is that!

An update from homebase. Two adoptions locally!! Yes we do adopt out locally to really great homes where the dogs are part of the family.

First Sequoia which mans beautiful yellow girl and she really is a beautiful dark tan/strawberry blonde. she went for a sleepover and has woven into their hearts. The had this to say about her:

Hi All,

All is well in Smithers with our new friend. After spending sometime in our home, Sequoia is settling in just fine and has no signs of aggression or bad feelings toward people, although her bark can be quite scary but at the end of the day she is just a big puppy who is sometimes a bit nervous about meeting new people but this is getting better everyday.

Copper and Sequoia are slowly learning to be friends and even had a bit of play time yesterday!! :)

Sequoia is great with children (had my 6 and 4 year old nephew over and she was sad to see them go). But because of her size and excitement she does have to be monitored until she learns how to act around them. I have started training with her and am learning that she has a stubborn side, and after some reading it is said that St. Bernards are willful and stubborn.

Sequoia seems to have a fascination with trucks, when she sees one she get excited and wants to get right in there…….so in her previous life she had a positive experience with trucks.

So, after 6 days with Sequoia we are committed to keeping her as a part of our family. So thank you again and the check is in the mail! Good Luck with the Reno’s!!

Cheers,

Leanne H.

Sequoia

Sequoia

The second adoption was our very clam and gentle Ruby by Mr Beans family! Ruby was chosen to help fill the tremendous hole left by Mr Beans not to replace him but to help heal. They drove all the way to Prince George to visit Ruby at the Prison Program.It was a very good match so Ruby jumped into the car and went home. How cool is that!

Jessica said: we r home now and so far so good! She didn’t try to eat the cat :) I will send pics and an update soon to you to post on website …. Thanks again! She’s wonderful!! :) )

Ruby  shake a paw

Ruby shake a paw

 

There’s now only 20 days to go before the gala! There are still tickets left so pass the word around!
Let’s make this 25th Anniversary for Turtle Gardens a SELL OUT!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE

 



23 Days To Turtle Gardens 25th Anniversary Gala Event!

Little more than 3 Weeks to go!
Are you ready? Have you bought your tickets? Are you arranging to meet your group of friends there? Are you travelling together?
What are you going to wear? Have you seen anything in the Auction items that sparked your interest? I know Yvette has her eyes on the Blueberry Basket. She is getting excited about seeing you all there! 23 more days and it will all be just a memory. Don’t miss out! Get Your Tickets NOW!

Friends Of Turtle Gardens Celebrate
Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue’s 25th Anniversary
Fundraising Gala and Auctions
on Friday May 31, 2013 at 6:00 pm
at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver
Tickets Available at Friends Of Turtle Gardens,
c/o CongressWorld Conferences Inc. 220 – 445 Mountain Highway,
North Vancouver, V7J 2L1
Tel – 604 988 0450
email fotg.gala2013@gmail.com
Visit FOTG Website – HERE

FOTG Celebrate Turtle Gardens 2013 Gala

FOTG Celebrate Turtle Gardens 2013 Gala