Thursday - Friday - Hello Lucky!

It was non-stop last week. By Thursday, things typically start to slow down for us, but it didn't. I was at the vet on Thursday with Jameson for a pre-adoption check up.  He got a good report from the vet, and this coming week, he'll be available for adoption through the rescue. We are enjoying having him here, and I look forward to helping him find his way to his new forever home.

Sad news came on Friday afternoon as I was leaving work when I heard from the family that adopted Kingston from us, via Lab Rescue in August.  He has made his trip to the Rainbow Bridge after 5 short months with them.  I am truly heartbroken that they didn't have more time with him. But they felt, as do I, immense gratitude for the time they had him as part of their family. We have lit our candle to help him find his way and wish him god-speed until we see him again.

~Kingston on the day we met in June 2017~

The day didn't end there and it was Eva's turn at the vet. Kingston was lost because of total renal failure. We've been struggling to keep Eva's kidney's disease from progressing, so his loss reminds me to remain determined to do all we can for her. When these test results are returned, Eva will be seeing the holistic vet who will come up with a treatment plan for her.

~Eva on her way home from the Vet~

As we rounded the corner to Saturday there was no time to slow down.  It brought another unexpected and unplanned arrival from Lab Rescue. We have welcomed a 13 year old boy named Lucky.

In November his owner had to enter a care facility and passed away in December. It's unknown where Lucky was during that time, but he ended up at a local shelter.  A kind shelter worker opened her home to Lucky during the holidays, and Lab Rescue was contacted. He's been moved several times since then, and this coming Saturday Lucky is supposed to meet what **might be** his new family. 

He panted and paced much of yesterday and last night as well and wouldn't eat or drink as he tried to find his place. So, we set up a crate for him this morning, and he settled down and slept much of the day.  The rest really helped and Lucky ate a small meal and drank water this evening and seems brighter and content. So now I am waiting to see a tail wag, just to be sure.

Being Part of Jameson's Story

Just when I was not minding being outside again, the cold weather returned to our corner of Virginia. Todd of course doesn't care about the change in temperatures. He's only worried about the gangs of pillaging-marauding deer on our property.

Thank-you all for your kind words as we welcomed Jameson to our household. The Coordinator for the rescue found a new foster home for him. By Thursday an initially very nervous and unsure Jameson was finding his footing, and was settling in. He was eating again, and had warmed up to Carl and my brother (he seems a little wary around men).  By Friday, many of my concerns about Jameson staying with us were starting to pass as he and Todd seem fine together. 

As we rounded the corner to Saturday morning, the day it was to be decided if he should stay or go to the new foster home, we decided that he could/should stay. After the work I know it took to find a new foster home for Jameson, the Coordinator from the rescue could not have been a better sounding-board in talking this through and more supportive of his staying until he finds his forever home.

I think we can all agree that Jameson had been dealt a bad hand.  And I am looking forward to being part of his story and helping him find his way to his forever home.

Jameson Arrives at Golden Pines

The cold temperatures held on through the weekend. But a warming trend began on Monday bringing with it the slightest amount of snow.

It also brought an unplanned arrival. Jameson arrived at Golden Pines.

Jameson was taken to the vet in the town where I live to be euthanized because he snapped at his (former) owners baby who had crawled onto him. Young Vet was able to persuade the owner to release ownership of Jameson to his practice and allow them to find him a new home.  It didn't take long for Jameson to catch the attention of others in town, and soon he was popping up on local social media.  Even I was told about him, if that tells you anything.  Young Vets office found what they thought was a new home for Jameson. But they'd also contacted the rescue that I volunteer with who of course, agreed to take him if things didn't work out. On Monday, Jameson was returned to Young Vets office, and the rescue was called. The Coordinator for the rescue and I had already discussed Jameson, and I'd agreed to take him if needed. I was home from work on Monday morning, and so I was able to go and get him right away.

~Jameson at Young Vets Office~

We do not know too much about Jameson. But we do know he is about 8 years old, has arthritis and he's lived as a single dog for his entire life. I also know that he's was initially very nervous because he does not understand what has happened to him. Losing his first home, spending time at Young Vets office, going to another home, with two dogs who didn't like him, back to Young Vets office, and here to our house, it's totally understandable. This is why we've been giving him lots of time to adjust to our household, and have taken intros to everyone, including Todd, very,very slowly.

So far, things are going pretty well. I do not know if Jameson will stay with us until he finds his forever home or not.  The Coordinator from the rescue and I are just letting Jameson settle in and regain his confidence. My instinct is telling me he would probably fare better in a single-dog-household.  Until all this is decided, thankfully the adaptability of Jameson being a Golden Retriever is showing and for now or forever, wherever he goes, Jameson is going to be just fine.

A Cold Threshold

Happy New Year Blogging Friends!

~Rhett~

We start our new year in a deep freeze.  While most of the East Coast is getting clobbered with snow, we are on the very fringe of the latest storm, getting the high winds and very cold temps. As you know, we all have a different cold threshold or a temperature where it's just too cold for us.  I’ve decided that my "comfort threshold" for my Virginia bones needs to be somewhere (anywhere?) south of 20 degrees. I am cold!!

~Rhett again!~

There's not really a threshold for the dogs.  Most of them don't mind being outside.  They all enjoy sniffing the cold air. capturing those magical scents evaluating and distinguishing information.

~Rhett a THIRD time!~ 

Or maybe just having a little bit of fun too.

~Rhett & Max~

Todd for once is not spending much time outside either. Not that I'm letting him. But he is coming right in when he's called.

Making me think even he's happy to be inside where it's warm!

Local schools are closed again tomorrow because of the cold temps that are supposed to go even lower this weekend, making Virginia feel more like Alaska. So if you're in the path of  the 'Bomb Cyclone' winter storm, I hope you are safe and warm!

~Max!~