Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. In his arms is Rags (The little dog from my blog.) basking in her thirty seconds of fame. I have heard many times from many people that mom or dad should put the really sick or hurt dogs to sleep. They shouldn’t waste there time, and move on to the easy ones. But I think my parents are clairvoyant, they seem to see into the future and, see the real value to life, their broken soul with return to them. Rags is one of them, her fur had grown over here eyes and she was just skin and bones. she was so sick she couldn’t eat or walk. Dad took her under his big arm. He syringe fed her for a week, lifting her out to go to the bathroom. One time he was taking her out to pee and a very elderly native lady was there about a dog, She seen rags and told dad the he need to give her pink salmon that some thing changed when they got to the fresh water they were easier for the body to make into fat and it was great for sick people and animals. That afternoon she sent some one to drop a few salmon off for Rags.  With in a week she was eating on her own an up and moving around. Now when ever there is a very starved to almost death dog they always started on salmon and it has saved many, many souls.  Rags is a TG legend.

Just a side note, another reason mom is so discouraged is the salmon never came in as well as they usually do, they are the dog food for the winter and now there are many, many dogs that are going to suffer this winter and mom  knows that she is going to see a long hungry winter…..

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

It has been raining for 3 days now complete with the red lightning icon on the weather network on my computer!! Heavy rainfall warning – no kidding – we have puddles everywhere. I mopped the common room floor 4 times yesterday trying to keep ahead of the muddy pawprints – there really should be a lino with that print! It was a toss up – keep the door open so the dogs will go outside or keep it closed to risk pee or poop on the floor. No contest really – they need to learn good potty etiquette – messy but useful! Of course we had visitors – in the rain – Dave promised to put up the shade tent for viewing convenience – I guess now that it is supposed to be sunny – he will find the time? The guys are coming out tomorrow to finish the roof and final touches to the adoption center and medical room. They will extend the roof to build a storage room for dog food and blankets/linens etc. Then we will be able to fill up our wood shed with wood – what a concept!!

How are we going to pay for this – you ask? We received a donation from Telus Employees Fund – 2008!! And a Pedigree Partner Shelter cheque! So how cool is that?? Just when it looks so darn low – donations come in to do what we have to do. We are working on the Fundraising ideas to see what we can implement – the ads on the van is a good idea! We travel the entire province of BC – that is a lot of exposure. Just need to contact the advertising departments. Keep ideas coming – we need innovative ideas that will separate money from people as painlessly as possible.

Today is spay day again. Up early, coffee ready, floor mopped up quick and then wake up Dave. First was Spot – a tiny chi mix who will live in Victoria.

Then our newest arrival Jenny – she sure looks like there may be a small paunch there so I am not taking any chances on more puppies – in she goes. Both dogs loaded very well – and soon Dave was on his way.

Our vets think Jenny is either just had pups or is pregnant. Good thing she is where she is!

Now some faces of Turtle Gardens.

Little blonde girl – she is so photogenic!! She was adopted this afternoon by a young woman in Telkwa! It was love at first sight – from the blog! Good luck little nameless one.

Puppies – also nameless. Two have inquiries – the black one has 2 (one is coming out tonight to see him – adoption won’t be until after Tuesday – neuter day for all 5!!) and one of the oversize shih tzus will be looked at tonight as well.

Our neutered Pongo!

I want to thank everyone who have been voting – We are up again – your tremendous support is overwhelming and appreciated – we are #3 in Canada and #2 in BC – How cool is that!!
Remember to VOTE everyday!! Please Vote everyday – Shelter Challenge ($20,000 Grant!!) Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society – Vancouver BC We are now #3 in Canada and #2 in BC!! Please vote!!!!!

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

Summer is usually a drought time for TG. Our vet bills are reaching $3500 – we have had some extra expenses as well as lots of new arrivals needing speuters, worming and vaccinations. Transportation costs also eat into available funds. Every medical visit is $50 – a 130 kilometer round trip – twice in that day. In and out to bring the dog/dogs into the vet and in and out to bring them home again. We schedule supplies on that day as well as human medical visits, food shopping etc – make that trip cost effective! Transport trips are also multi-tasking. We deliver adopted dogs to their families and come back with a full van – dog food, supplies and donated items for the dogs and foster home program. So we need Fundraising Ideas to raise money for TG. And we need committed people to implement those ideas into fact. TG needs money – we are more than willing to work hard to raise our much needed funds. We just need to know how/where/when/what etc. We need your fun ideas to raise money – something different/funky/awe inspiring/thought provoking/innovative and will raise money and awareness of the plight of unwanted northern dogs and cats too. We are unique in what we do/how we do it and where we do it! We need to be self sufficient/self reliant and we need to do it better and more efficiently. Running a rescue on a shoestring is not pretty. Or easy. Or economical in the long run – supplies need to be bought in bulk – they are so much cheaper ie bleach/cleaners/paper towels/dettol/virusides/ even mops/rubber gloves etc.

So put on your thinking caps and send me your ideas. We will try to implement them into viable solutions. Help us help ourselves and all the dogs in our care and those waiting to come into our care. And maybe replenish our Spay/Neuter Voucher Program too.

I want to thank everyone who have been voting – We are up again – your tremendous support is overwhelming and appreciated – we are #3 in Canada and #2 in BC – How cool is that!!
Remember to VOTE everyday!! Please Vote everyday - Shelter Challenge ($20,000 Grant!!) Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society – Vancouver BC We are now #3 in Canada and #2 in BC!! Please vote!!!!!

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

It has been a trying few days for me. But it has finally settled down into what will be – will be. There are two pups left with Gressie – they seem to be holding their own. They are nursing and are quiet – no keening. Gressie is back to her happy self – she has been jumping into my lap for cuddles!! She will be an awesome companion – she has definitely “proGRESSEd”

I received a phone call yesterday afternoon from Linda. She had noticed a skinny dog going up to people in the rest area adjoining the restaurant where she was having a late breakfast. They were shooing her away and she would slink into the bush then come out again when another car would drive up. Linda couldn’t leave her there. She had her cell so called me and of course she could come in. Linda has named her “Jenny”. She is a sweet and gentle soul. She comes up and sits in front of me for attention – just sits and looks at me. She is quiet and very dog social. She has excellent manners. Linda has never seen her in Moricetown -so where did this beautiful little girl come from? Turtle Gardens welcomes Jenny:
She looks like a kelpie mix!

And the nameless puppy just cuz she is so cute!

And now a very special uplifting update – The King! – what a perfect match for my awesome boy!
Hi Yvette

So sad to hear about the puppies. We have a candle lit for the little ones and all our positive thoughts for the survival of the remaining. Hugs to the moms.
We’re so happy to hear of all the successful adoptions. Especially Enzo aka Gunnar. I cried happy tears like a baby. I got down and hugged King and told him all about TG’s success stories. He thinks I’m nuts, I’m sure.

You are not alone in the Puppy dept. I’m on summer holidays from work at the moment. I like to take in a few dogs while their people go on vacation. (to fill my days ha ha ha. ) Yes I’m crazy. The second to arrive was a 10 week old puppy. Oh My how I forgot how much attention they require.

Thankfully King loves puppies and all I had to do was leave Lily in his care. He protects, plays and reprimands the other dogs who try to play too rough with her. Molly’s just happy they’re bugging King and not her lol I’m sending a couple of pics of King meeting Lily in case you’d like to see them and I’ve put a new video on YouTube if anyone is interested in seeing how our gentle King plays sock tug with Lily. If its possible ….. we love him more and more each day. Don’t remember life without him. I was going to try to retrain him not to follow me around so much. I must admit I haven’t been very diligent. I know it will important to him to not be so attached to me if I ever have to leave for an extended time. I guess I don’t foresee that happening so I’m just enjoying his physical presence every where I turn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISEseg5DV9Q

I have the sister to Lily coming next week for 10 days. I’ll let you know if I have any hair left in a month. lol I’m sure glad I believe in spaying and neutering.

Trying desperately to make plans to be at the reunion in August in Vancouver.

Thank you for all the hard work you do at Turtle Gardens
We continue to vote everyday on all our computers and at work.
Good luck on bringing home $20,000 Grant !

Del, Mark, Princess Molly & The King

And another update from Yeti – in foster care with Bev:

H, Mom….it’s Yeti. I just got back from the groomer and I feel great getting all those nasties off me. You did a really good job but I needed the final touches.

I’m very happy with Bev and Hoki (especially Hoki). I do cry when he goes out but it’s okay if Bev leaves. She got me groomed, took me to the vet, bought me food/toys/harness etc. but I like Hoki better.

My name has been changed to Jo-Jo. Don’t ask me why but I like it and come quickly when they call. Now, this is funny. The nice groomer, Kelly has fallen in love with me and wants to adopt me. I will have long walks on the beach and then go to work with her. There are no cages at her grooming place so I could play with all the doggies that come in for a bath etc.

I’m going for a try out to-morrow and a sleep over. We’ll see how it goes and I will tell them if I like that life or not. They will do what’s best for me.

Bye for now….Jo-Jo

I want to thank everyone who have been voting – We are up again – your tremendous support is overwhelming and appreciated – we are #3 in Canada and #2 in BC – How cool is that!!
Remember to VOTE everyday!! Please Vote everyday – Shelter Challenge ($20,000 Grant!!) Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society – Vancouver BC We are now #3 in Canada and #2 in BC!! Please vote!!!!!

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

My morning routine has gotten changed with the arrival of the 5 – mischievous, busy, underfoot 12 week old puppies. They sleep next to me all night long – on the floor not on my bed – there isn’t any more room!! My first trek is to the door, and outside so the little monsters will go pee and poo outside. I have to stand out there with them or they will follow me back in. For some reason they like to pee on the kuranda beds. So many, many times a day I go outside for a few minutes and they go out too. It generally takes a couple of weeks before pups and new dogs use the outside facilities for their “business”. But these guys are never more than 4 feet from my feet. I see separation anxiety problems with these guys if they don’t wean away from me. I really do feel like a Pied Piper.

And all that is done without coffee! It is almost third on my list of to do things in early morning. Pups first, clean up second then make my coffee. Then while it brews I turn on my computer, finish the mopping so when it dings everything is ready to go on-line. And enjoy that really really good cuppa.

It was vet day for the big pups – and they are big! 4 are 17.8 pounds and the biggest is a yellow one – he is 18.6 pounds! They are 12 weeks old, are very healthy – skookum puppies. They are scheduled for neuters on July 12th then they can go off to new home and families. Dave went to Burns Lake with 5 pups but he came home with 6!! It was Pound pick up day too! Our newest arrival is a girl!! She is yellow and weighs 8.8 pound so she is a small dog puppy – she is 12 weeks old too. She is sweet and cuddly and oh so cute. Turtle Gardens welcomes another nameless pup!:

This picture shows pup touching Grizz’s face with Balsam and Poncho behind asleep on the chair.

This one has Birch – and the pup found the food bin!

Our vets feel the pups are suffering from a genetic malformation – they could be father daughter or brother sister breeding. The pups look exactly like mom and all the same; with very similar markings – not a normal occurrence in a stray dog with pups. Normal is pups that don’t look alike at all – different dads. Like Teya and Gryphon! And GrizzToo and Shadow. They sort of look alike but different. And Willow and Birch. Birch looks like Balsam in her face but Willow has similar coloring with a shar pei face. Different dads. Gressie’s pups look like her – very similar coloring and markings. They are so very related. It doesn’t help the heartbreak to know why but I suppose knowing why eases some of the pain of not being able to save them all. Gressie is doing very well. The pups – not so good. We will continue the antibiotics and electrolytes and keep on hoping. Keep thinking positive thoughts for our babies. And light a candle for the little ones that didn’t make it. Don’t litter – spay your critter.

I want to thank everyone who have been voting – We are up again - your tremendous support is overwhelming and appreciated – we are #3 in Canada and #2 in BC – How cool is that!!
Remember to VOTE everyday!! Please Vote everyday – Shelter Challenge ($20,000 Grant!!) Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society – Vancouver BC We are now #3 in Canada and #2 in BC!! Please vote!!!!!

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

When momma dogs come in just before whelping, we often don’t have any history of their lives before arrival. Yeta was so matted I was sure she could not be bred – never underestimate the power of sexual hormones! Yeta had 3 puppies 4 days after arrival – one day before her scheduled spay. Her discharge was very discolored so i knew she had an infection. A quick call for antibiotic (which one/dosage/frequency etc) and she was quickly started but not in time for the smallest – we lost the chocolate baby. Yeta is eating well and actually gaining weight! Relief for this mom and litter. The two female babies are thriving – doubled in weight. They are 6 days old.

Gressie looked fine but she must of been harboring an infection. She ate well in the morning as did her babies (who had 12 days had tripled in size), normal poops, and normal going outside, coming to me for pats and sleeping on the kuranda bed beside her x-pen – her favorite spot to watch her babes. last night one pup started keening. Nothing I did soothed him. By morning the biggest pup – a female was also keening. Gressie wouldn’t eat. Again a call to our vets got her started on antibiotics. They found someone to deliver meds for the pups – too late for the two biggest babes. The three smaller ones have had liquid antibiotics – mom has had two doses. The 3 are nursing again and Gressie is eating. So far
everyone is ok but who knows what else could happen. Puppies are such a heartbreak. Both moms have infections. They were thin on arrival. Both whelped normally. Both fed their babes – Yeta increased her milk flow after her antibiotics. Gressie always had a lot of milk – maybe too much! Hopefully they will recover with the antibiotics. We will monitor them and keep in touch with our vets. If any are unwell tomorrow all will be taken in to our vets – one hour in and one hour out. The bigger pups are scheduled for their vaccination and check ups tomorrow. Puppies arr expensive to raise and vaccinate/worm etc. They will need two vaccines before adoption and their neuters too. Dr Martin has confirmed that they can be neutered at 3 months! How cool is that!

And now some updates!!

First Victor – my special bullie boy – he had taken King’s spot!
Victor is doing awesome. He is such a gentle giant with really good manners. He has started to “talk” to us. It’s actually very endearing. My girlfriend was terrified before he came and now she is his biggest fan. He is so affectionate with all of us. I can totally understand how you could miss him. He is a total sweetie pie!
Connie

Then Duchess now Sidney whose family are Penguin Fans!!

Hi Yvette

Here is a pic of Sidney Crosby the amazing wonderful super dog
with her Stanley Cup. She is really happy the Penguins won!

She has been such a great dog. She has a good sit/stay and
it’s an excellent sit/stay if we are holding a piece of cheese! Now we
are working on a solid down. She heels like a dream. In fact, she
doesn’t really need a leash because she stays so close. She is very
reliable on her house training. She has claimed the bottom bunk and
when we say it’s bed time – she is the first one to bed!! Her coat has
become a super glossy black … maybe from all the petting she’s been
getting! She let me trim her nails yesterday with no fuss. We don’t
have a single bad thing to say.

So we want to say thanks again for the gift of Sidney. She’s warmed
our hearts and brought us a Stanley Cup! Yeah!

Lori and the Baileys

And wonderful Gunnar aka Enzo:
Hi Nana Yvette,

It’s Enzo here. I’m with my mom at work today and I thought I would take advantage of some quiet time to send you a quick note. My mom says I am doing just wonderful. I have been to work with her two days this week, and everyone loves me! I am a very mellow doggie when we are at work, and I just hang out at her desk with my toys and wait for someone to walk by so I can roll over on my back and show them my soft tummy. I haven’t been too exposed to other doggies yet as the three times we have gone to the dog park here at work there haven’t been too many dogs out playing. The people here are amazed at how well I hop around, and go up and down the stairs! I have started to eat more food, although I think my mom’s taste in kibble isn’t the best. She is great at brushing me and giving me lots of yummy treats however. I already know sit, stay, lay down, and I am working on heel, and leave it. I am such a smart boy! I will be introduced to my new dog sister this weekend, as my mom wanted to wait to introduce us until I get fully settled. (She is staying at her grandparents’.) I hope you are doing well, I hear you have quite a few puppies around Turtle Gardens, I bet they keep you busy. Thank you so much for being my guardian angel and for taking me in when no one else cared, I am eternally grateful.

And Little Levi:

Dear Yvette and Dave

Levi the dog is awesome! He instantly bonded with me and is already off leash (on trails and places with no cars). He is great with all the other dogs we’ve met and with children. We spent 2 days camping and hiking around the island and I am so happy with him. He is very athletic but never runs away (just runs along!) I think he is still a little confused as to what is “home” because as soon as we arrived back on the mainland, we had to go to work the next day. He was great at the museum and everybody loved him. Now we will settle into our regular routine and I think he will realize which place is his home. (He is probably just happy to realize that I don’t actually live in a hippy van!)
He didn’t really eat for 2 days and finally I mixed in some real meat with his dry food which he scarfed down. I am sure it is just nerves but I think he could stand to gain a pound or two.
Thank-you so much for your careful matching. I am very happy with my almost “no effort” dog. I had a lot of time to plan for him and I came into the situation with a few strict rules which I enacted as soon as we met (like where he sits in the car and eating from his own bowl etc.) It has gone very smoothly. My only point that I will try to work with him on is slowly weaning him away from me all the time. Luckily he got along great with that little Laberdoodle we arrived with and he will go over there every few days for some babysitting. I just want to be able to leave him alone every now and then for a few hours. Other then that I am so happy!
Thank You so much. I will send some photos soon.
Sincerely,
Jennifer

And last Lola’s family in Seattle:

Hi Yvette,

I wanted to let you know how pleased we are with Lola. She is a lovely dog. We love her. She’s obviously been well taken care of, and loves people and other dogs just as you said she would. It looks like she’s going to work out great.

Thanks so much,
Alexandra

I want to thank everyone who have been voting – We are up again – your tremendous support is overwhelming and appreciated – we are #3 in Canada and #2 in BC – How cool is that!!
Remember to VOTE everyday!! Please Vote everyday – Shelter Challenge ($20,000 Grant!!) Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society – Vancouver BC We are now #3 in Canada and #2 in BC!! Please vote!!!!!

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