Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue

Stan and company has been working at setting up a blog for Simond’s Sanctuary. It is still a work in progress. But we can read it here: Simonds Sanctuary

Please leave comments so Brandie will know we are reading her blog. I know I wondered during the first months if anyone was reading this blog! Good luck Brandie and Simonds Sanctuary!! Woohoo – your own Blog! The link will soon be on the sidebar!!

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

Keeley is such a good representative for her breed. She is a very nice looking min pin. She was hesitant on the first day to accept affection but she settled in quickly and is now excited to see both of us. She’s funny and entertaining. She can walk on her front legs for a few feet (she doesn’t like the cold wet grass on her back feet) and she can also walk and balance pretty well on her hind legs. I think she would be a good candidate for teaching tricks. She prances when she walks and she loves to play with her toys or play a game of chase and be chased around the house. She has a lot of energy but she settles down in the house really well, especially if she can burrow under a blanket with you on the couch.

She is nervous/protective when someone new comes into the house but she is friendly with people and other dogs when she is on a walk or goes to their house (where she doesn’t feel territorial). She needs someone to work with her to know how to be comfortable greeting someone in her own home because she will warm up to someone new once she’s sure they’re OK.

She walks pretty well on the leash but will pull at the end of the leash if she’s allowed. Some training on heeling and recall would be great as she is distracted by her surrounding when she’s on a walk. She will need to be on-leash until you’re sure that she is bonded to you and shows good recall. She’s been fine being crated for a few hours, without crying or whining. Also, she rides well in the car.

All in all she’s adorable, funny and affectionate. She is okay to bond with more than one person so she doesn’t require a single person home (although a single person home would be good too). I would recommend that the person adopting her be familiar with the min pin breed — you should like the nature of the min pin not just the looks alone.

Sorry for the quality of the pics….she’s not too fond of the flash.

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

Mitsy is the most lovely little girl that I’ve met so far. She loves people and the tail never fails to wag when you look at her. She’ll follow you around anywhere because she wants to be with her person. She’s the first foster dog I’ve had that I would feel confident letting off-leash on the first day. She comes when you call her. She walks great on the leash and she wags her tail like crazy waiting to get into the car to go for a ride. She’s a funny looking little girl with a Mohawk and a cowlick of hair before her tail….all of this adds to her appeal. If you stay up too late at night and won’t share the couch with her, she’ll put herself to bed where she stays put until she knows you’re up and starting your day. She is so easy to have around and I’m sure she’d love to be someone’s lap dog. She gets along with other dogs although she needs a little help meeting new little dogs because she still thinks its okay to greet with dominance. Apparently she used to live with a cat and I’m told she’s good with kids too….which after having her around I can well imagine is true. I have not had an opportunity to leave her alone so I’m not sure if she’ll cry or bark. I will try this out tonight to see how she does.

She is a low-key kinda girl who is not very demanding, except to have some of your attention and affection.

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

The days are gray again and I feel the same way. It is very warm and damp – the ice/snow is melting in the yard. There are little pools of water showing. Spring is teasing me with its promise of greener weather.

I am thinking of my Dad today. He passed away after a short illness on Friday morning. he was a happy, good natured, gregarious man who loved to be out and about with people. Up until 3 weeks ago he had a paper route – the four buildings in his complex. Dad enjoyed getting up, preparing his papers and delivering them on time so everyone could read their paper with breakfast.

I remember the oh so many wonderful afternoons of jam sessions – Dad played music. He could pick up any instrument and make beautiful music; be it a banjo, fiddle, guitar or piano – he played them all – by ear. He never had a lesson or read music. And he could sing too. My sisters can play guitar but I never could – my fingers are all thumbs. But he instilled a love of music into us girls. And a love of family, respect, compassion and good manners. He gave me my name and I gave his to my first born. Memories will live forever and he will always be near to my heart.

Go softly into that good night. So long Dad.

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

Sometimes I make a wrong decision and two weeks ago I did just that. Teena was scheduled for her spay but the white border collie had a home so I bumped her. Teena was supposed to be 7 months old. Her teeth looked right for her age. I figured I had plenty of time. She should be coming into heat around 9 to 10 months of age based on past experiences. But I forgot that this is a weird year. Dogs are going into heat right after the pups are weaned. There is an influx of winter puppies and unfortunately – the female dogs are going into heat younger! Teena started labour yesterday. She wanted to have them in the corner of the kitchen in Aardvark’s spot. I put her into an oversize crate. She objected. One puppy was born at 6 pm. She protested, she cried, she stopped her labour. I thought she would settle and let nature take its course. Not so. She is one stubborn dog.

This morning I let her out of the crate. She grabbed her one baby and went to the corner. I gave up. I covered the bed with a soft fleece and she settled down. She now has 4 black and white pups. She is happy. Aardvark is not but I put a rug down near the cupboard across the room from Teena for her. She is lying there. At 17 years of age – she is adaptable.

Aardvark ,Squire and Mandy’s pup meet Dagmer

Who is Dagmer, you ask? He arrived yesterday from Hazelton. He is a 10 month old cocker/shih tzu. He is a nice little fellow who will make someone a very personable companion.

And a wonderful update from Trixie!!

Hi Yvette,

It’s now four weeks since we were excitedly anticipating Trixie’s arrival and she began her long journey to Vancouver Island. She has fit in here so well that it feels as though she has always been part of our family. Our vet was really impressed with Trixie. He checked her out from stem to stern, including a good deep ear cleaning and some vile looking green eyedrops. Trixie was completely cooperative throughout. The bad news was she had two bad molars, one severely decayed and one cracked. They have now been extracted and the remaining teeth cleaned and polished so Trixie now has a dazzling smile! While she was under for her surgery her tear ducts were flushed so she is now rid of her goopy eyes. Healthwise everything else was top notch. Your vet estimated Trixie’s age at four. Our vet thinks she’s probably more like five or six. Trixie, being a lady, refuses to disclose her true age. Whatever her age, she’s a doll and you can’t have her back!

We thought she might be lonely for dog company after being with so many dogs at Turtle Gardens. She’s friendly and polite with other dogs but seems to be just as happy hanging out with us, going for walks, etc. She likes to tear around the back yard and make the wild birds fly but is respectful of our aviary. I think, in her past life, she had limited contact with water. She is entranced by our fish pond and enjoys standing at the edge and watching the gold fish. (The pond is quite large and deep and has a small fence around so she doesn’t venture in.) But she goes “fishing” at any opportunity. She loves the ocean, especially when the tide is out and there are lots of pools of water. Ditches are fun too. She goes in up to her belly and watches for critters with her tail wagging a mile a minute. When she sees some action she pounces like a cat and makes a huge splash. So far all she has managed to catch is a leaf. She is definitely a candidate for a kiddy pool this summer.

Another of her really fun things is her appreciation of good food. We usually mix some goodies in with her chow. If she gets roast beef, she eats about half her dinner then lets loose with a wonderful howl before finishing her food. She is such a happy, joyful dog.

Again, thank you for Trixie and thank you for all you do for all the animals.

Margaret & Hubert

P.S. Photos attached of Trixie with her new Mum, Trixie with her new Dad and Trixie “fishing”.

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

Really good coffee this morning – Yukon blend starbucks – a smooth, bold coffee which I am enjoying very much this cold morning. Even without sugar! The dogs got me up early again this morning. Mandy of course was the leader – she HAD to go out. She was out a whole 3 minutes then wanted back in! It was only 6.40 too. But the water bucket was empty so I refilled it. The dragon needed to be fed – the puppy food needed replenishing. All of this was outside except the water of course. By the time I finished the room I was wide awake. Good coffee is my compensation for early risings! The common room needed cleaning which I did while the coffee brewed filling the room with its invigorating aroma. I refilled the adult food bin (there was still a quarter bag inside!) and replenished the water bowl. As I mopped the floor I turned on the computer. The coffee and the floor were done at the same time so here I am – good coffee and sitting down to read emails, blog and check out the world.

Yesterday while I was getting my fresh air and filling the dolly with the wood further down the driveway; Linda arrived. Sweetpea and Jillian were helping me. Linda had two little Jackie look-a-likes!! If you look fast , you can see Jillian too but I know her so well I can see the differences right away. Especially the ears. Jillie has perky ears. Jackie and the dopplegangers have tipped over almost flat ears. They are Jackie and Jillian’s sisters!!! There are two more to come in, their mom and an older sister. one is the same size as Jillian about 6 pounds. The other is smaller. They like to be cuddled. They are a tad overwhelmed with all the bigger dogs but are doing well stationed on my bed. I have a big job ahead – they have never been outside! They are NOT housebroken. I am sure the crew will teach them their life skills so they too can find loving families.

The bigger one has a daub of white on her forehead – hence her name Dauber – meeting Willow

The littler one – she was Junior – she is meeting Queenie with Lily lying behind her.

And just because she is cute – the short legged black jack russel pup

The first update is from Gracie who was adopted thru Bev –

thank you from gracie and me
Dear Yvette,

Just wanted to let you know that Gracie has settled into her new home here on beautiful Lasqueti Island. She gets along well with Angus, the 14 year old orange tabby and is enjoying the many walks we take on the beach or through the forest. She’s learning to play frisbee! She curls up next to me on the bed at night. She is a total joy to be with, a real darling. We’re still working on the mouthiness but she’s getting better.

Thank you so much for making it possible for her to come into my life. As soon as I saw her picture on Bev’s site I knew she was the one. (Bev is a real darling too! I am glad to know her.)

Best wishes,
Heather

And little Asta now known as Lilly!

Dear Yvette,
It has been so busy since the torch went by our house. I don’t know if I told you but the big street and the people made Lilly (Asta) shy but I saw it with Eli and I thought of you carrying the same flame.
Lilly is doing fantastic, we go for long walks in Princes Park and she goes off leash because she is doing so well with her recall. I have met nothing but lovely people during my walks and Lilly has met many dogs.
I’m sending a picture of my two prides and joys. Lilly will sleep on Eli’s bed til he is asleep and then come join Barry and I to watch the Olympics.
We are going for a walk and will stop at the chocolate store on our way past Edgemont to get some bones. I’ve signed up for some classes for Lilly and I in April .
Take care will write soon Love Barry Eli Lilly & Shelley

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