With all that has been going on here at the Ranch I just wanted to post a quick update before I went to sleep for the night. Noah arrived today (I'm sure most of you have been following his story on our page). After all we went through to get him here, it is nice to see him relaxing, settling in and learning how nice life can be, especially with other dogs. His first vet appt with us will be tomorrow when his tongue and his other sores will be examined, we will discuss what is causing his hot spots and the reddened areas on his skin (my thought is food allergies) and how to best proceed with his care from here.
He has been put on a bland diet and started on probiotics to help his stomach adjust to the change in food. If it is found he has food allergies he'll be put on Diamond Naturals formula for large breed dogs that has no grains, etc. Hopefully, this and a new environment with friends and exercise will resolve both stress related and/or allergy related skin allergies.
Tomorrow we go to pull a female pitt from a shelter fairly local to us who was set to be put to sleep at 1 PM. We have named her DeeVee (Dee for short) in honor of our friend Elizabeth's mom who passed away last year and had always dreamed of starting an animal rescue. I cannot think of a better name. We hope that Dee (the person) will now be Dee (the dogs) guardian angel and aid in her recovery. ;)
Etta, Wiggles and Whiskers our 'Afghan Sleeper Cell' as they have been dubbed since they all enjoy very long naps, are doing well and have done so well in dealing with our new residents and helping to acclimate them to life here at the Ranch. They have become the BEST dogs in helping dogs who may have aggression issues learn to play and interact correctly. I think this is because they have a very strong instinct about when they need to be 'in charge' and when they can sit back and let another dog take the lead. This is a great asset and we are so blessed to be able to have them helping dogs who really need that when first learning to interact and play. This has been an especially HUGE step for Whiskers who was having some dog aggression issues when he came to us because he was used to having to be dominant and running the show having only been with more submissive dogs and without a strong human leader to guide and teach him. I am thinking Whiskers may become Noah's training buddy. If they can both successfully do this, it will be a huge step for both.
The rest of the dogs are doing well. Niko has been putting on weight, the pups (Bo and Moe) are growing stronger and bigger every day, AJ is working through his separation anxiety and usually has play time with Sarge, the Siberian Husky. AJ's crate buddy (a dog crated next to him that is calm and that helps him know he's not alone) has been Whiskers since he has adjusted so well to his crate when it's necessary for him to be in it (and he very much enjoys it as 'his' space where he can get away if he gets overwhelmed).
We are eager to find the perfect homes for AJ, Sarge and Moe. They have worked so hard and deserve loving homes with families of their own. AJ and Sarge have a potential adoptive family coming to meet them on the 22nd and we have a Soldier coming home who has put in a request for a very special dog and hopefully we will be able to pair him with one of ours.
That is all for tonight =) I need to get some rest. I will update more soon after Noah's vet visit and picking up Dee.
I just want to say, before I go, that none of this would have happened had it not been for Etta. Though I've always dabbled in rescuing dogs (with horses having been my main focus for many years), without realizing how much Etta helped me through a very hard time I wouldn't have thought that we should try to find these dogs whose stories people could identify with to try to heal them as well. Thank you Etta, you are one very special and loved little girl who makes my days brighter with your silly antics, loving personality and understanding soul. <3
*Nicole
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A New Direction
I figured it was time for another blog with all that has been going on here at the Ranch.
As most of you know, Wiggles arrived last week and has been settling in wonderfully with Etta. The two are pretty much inseparable most of the day and are always into something. They even sleep together on the couch, or if one chooses somewhere else, the other is never far behind. It's great seeing them together again. I do believe that they remember each other and I do believe that they are happy to be together again. Something always seemed to be missing for Etta until Wiggles arrival. Wiggles overall has a very strong personality and absolutely loves to play with all the other dogs. She already has great 'recall' and can be trusted to go on walks without her leash which is all pretty amazing since she is so new here.
This week, I have done a lot of thinking about the direction which RRR is taking. I want to make a few changes. I do not want our focus to solely be on training dogs as service or companion animals for Soldiers. I also want this to be a place Soldiers with PTSD and TBI can come to 'get away' for a bit, enjoy the sanctuary setting and learn to train dogs or simply spend time with them. For those who want to interact and train the dogs, they can help to make the rescued dogs adoptable and ready for a new home. I have decided on this path because I realize that not every animal we can, or want, to rescue can be made into a service animal and I feel that we are limiting the number of dogs we can help by only going by those criteria. The dogs that still have potential to be a part of the original RRR program will still be put into training for it when the time is right for them to begin. However, in order to implement this part of the program we will need a better set up. We will need funds for vet care (as dogs pulled from shelters or bad situations will require more medical care), more runs, dog houses, crates, etc.
We have our lawyer preparing more of our 501c3 paperwork this week and hopefully before long we will no longer be in the process of filing for our 501 but have our 501c3 pending. This is going to be a key step in getting donations and the help we need for what we want to create here. We're hoping to have the initial paperwork filed within the next few weeks and are excited for this huge step forward.
In other news we have two dogs pending adoption and who have a meeting with their potential new mom on the 22nd.
That is all for tonight since it's late but I will update more soon.
Until next time!
*Nicole
As most of you know, Wiggles arrived last week and has been settling in wonderfully with Etta. The two are pretty much inseparable most of the day and are always into something. They even sleep together on the couch, or if one chooses somewhere else, the other is never far behind. It's great seeing them together again. I do believe that they remember each other and I do believe that they are happy to be together again. Something always seemed to be missing for Etta until Wiggles arrival. Wiggles overall has a very strong personality and absolutely loves to play with all the other dogs. She already has great 'recall' and can be trusted to go on walks without her leash which is all pretty amazing since she is so new here.
This week, I have done a lot of thinking about the direction which RRR is taking. I want to make a few changes. I do not want our focus to solely be on training dogs as service or companion animals for Soldiers. I also want this to be a place Soldiers with PTSD and TBI can come to 'get away' for a bit, enjoy the sanctuary setting and learn to train dogs or simply spend time with them. For those who want to interact and train the dogs, they can help to make the rescued dogs adoptable and ready for a new home. I have decided on this path because I realize that not every animal we can, or want, to rescue can be made into a service animal and I feel that we are limiting the number of dogs we can help by only going by those criteria. The dogs that still have potential to be a part of the original RRR program will still be put into training for it when the time is right for them to begin. However, in order to implement this part of the program we will need a better set up. We will need funds for vet care (as dogs pulled from shelters or bad situations will require more medical care), more runs, dog houses, crates, etc.
We have our lawyer preparing more of our 501c3 paperwork this week and hopefully before long we will no longer be in the process of filing for our 501 but have our 501c3 pending. This is going to be a key step in getting donations and the help we need for what we want to create here. We're hoping to have the initial paperwork filed within the next few weeks and are excited for this huge step forward.
In other news we have two dogs pending adoption and who have a meeting with their potential new mom on the 22nd.
That is all for tonight since it's late but I will update more soon.
Until next time!
*Nicole
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