Hundenruhe Happenings

Racetracks and Runways

2012-01-28T11:14:00.000-06:00

Today is Saturday. Generally, it is one of the best days of the week for me - even though it involves lots of housework and cleaning! This morning was no exception. I was wonderfully self-indulgent today - staying in bed with Baci and Bella until 8:30, listening to the wind sweep off the fields and batter the house. Even though I knew it would put me behind schedule for the day, the time spent with them cuddled together in bed is time that cannot be retrieved at a later date. It is becoming more and more essential to live in the now and take advantage of every precious moment.
As we lay in bed, I could hear Dan already out and about, shoveling the couple inches of snow that fell last night.
Starting down the steps with a pupster under each arm, I realized that Dan was outside longer than usual, so I peeked out the window and had to grin. As he does every winter, Dan had not only shoveled the usual deck, patio, and sidewalks, but also an elaborate racetrack around both of the big trees in the backyard, so that Twig and Mimi could do their several-times-a-day chases. It is hard with tiny old dogs to get them enough exercise in the winter, when we can't get to the outer fields and the snow is too deep for their stubby little legs. They also don't want to freeze their nether regions when they go out to eliminate, so Dan makes sure they have plenty of shoveled area in which to comfortably do their ablutions.
As the pups ran or ambled outside, depending upon their infirmities, the sun shone down on their customized playground. Simple things that we can do to make our dogs' lives better...they may require a little extra effort, but the dividends are immeasurable! Enjoy your day and stay safe - I'm going to put in another load of dog bedding, and pour myself another cup of tea!

Endings and Beginnings...

2011-12-31T11:54:00.000-06:00

2011 is drawing to a close tonight. It was a year of comings and goings, beginnings and endings, cycles of life. It would be easy to dwell on the heartaches of 2011...the biggest, of course, being the sudden loss of Olive. I still cry every day when I think of her - which is all the time. She is everywhere and nowhere...and I miss her beyond expression.
2011 also sent nine other dogs on their journey to the Rainbow Bridge: Kibble, Cubby, and Moses only made a brief stop at the Haven before ending their earthly journey; Foxy, Shae, and Coco graced us with their lives for a longer stay; and long-time residents Uncle Mort, Frisbee, and Sophia also said good-bye. It is hard to let them go...but the silver lining is the immense comfort that Dan and I were able to share with these little souls as they discovered family, space, and love.
We also were able to open our arms to Sera, Bergen, Lola, Barry, RooRoo, Edna, and little Bella. We have discovered the joys of miniature pinschers and through them met wonderful new friends like the Kims, Mendee, Clara, and Sylvia. Daily I am astonished at the wonderful people I have connected with through rescue via Facebook and this blog.
Dan and I continue to be grateful for Dr. Schuette and his staff at Kiel Vet Clinic - they take great care of our dogs (and us!) and we consider them part of our extended family. We are also fortunate to have some wonderful friends and family members who continue to support our mission and give us encouragement. Kind words and broad shoulders to cry upon are the best gifts we have received over the years!
Money continues to be a struggle, with changes in my salary due to political unrest in our state. However, I am SO thankful for a new job working with teachers, administrators, and students in my same school district where I can exercise my problem-solving skills and call upon my experience with teaching, while still learning many new things every day. I miss my students from McKinley Academy, but I remain in touch with a few of them and get to see them from time to time. Ah, more comings and goings...
I have also been fortunate to find a second freelance job that I can do from home to try to offset the reductions in my pay, and help to pay the enormous vet bills that we incur every month. We continue to have to evaluate our financial situation when called upon to take in new dogs and I wish we could do more and take more. Perhaps 2012 will be the year that we must decide whether to apply for non-profit status or scale back what we do here...I don't think that we will be able to continue in the way that we are without some help. A special thank you to those wonderful, generous folks who have sent us money and supplies this year...you have kept us able to serve the dogs that we have and enabled us to say "yes" to the last couple of dogs that we would have had to turn away.
As I look ahead to 2012, I am hopeful that we will find the resources and energy to improve our environment for the dogs and ourselves. Major projects that I hope to accomplish include some fence repair, and expanding the dog run by fencing in the horse pasture so that we have a larger area in which to walk the dogs. They so enjoy our twice daily "amblings" where everyone goes their own pace - from RooRoo, Twiggy, Mimi and Bella's full-tilt mad dashes to Ozzy and Grammie Esther's slow toddling. Our land is beautiful, and my goal is use more of it regularly.
Of course, I'd like to lose weight and get fit again, spend more time with my photography and card making, explore the roads with Baci on my moped, and enjoy time on the deck and patio conversing with Dan. Most of all, my goal is to try to find the joy in the ordinary - I live in a spectacular setting, with some of the most interesting and entertaining souls. If I am cognizant of all that I have, I hope that the joy will reveal itself to me.
Wishing you peace, love, and prosperity in 2012...

Hundenruhe Lost an Ambassa-Dog - I Lost My Heart

2011-12-10T09:56:00.000-06:00

Olive the Other Reindeer, the best dog I've ever met, died today in my arms on the way to the vet's office for more tests. They tried, to no avail to revive her. I will never recover from her loss. I have had other heart dogs, but none like her. Olive was my best friend, my shadow, my ambassa-dog, my business partner, my lovey-alarm, Baci's big sissy, and my heart. I am empty now. I miss every dog we share our home with...but Olive was more than family and I am devastated. No Christmas miracle this year...8 years ago, four days before Christmas I picked up Olive in Atlanta from Southern Hope Rescue. She became my Christmas miracle, both for her perfection and effect on my life, but also to help me heal from a loss that happened in my life on the very day I returned home with her. Christmas will never be the same again.

Pre-Holiday Frustration

2011-12-04T18:28:00.001-06:00

Some years I am luckier than others...every year I TRY to get a cute photo of Olive and Baci for the digital holiday card. This year, I included little Bella in the "festivities". Well, it didn't work out so well...I may or may not try again, but in the meantime, here are some of the results. Hope your attempts are more successful than mine! LOL Don't forget to click to get the whole image!

"Wait Olive and Bella!! I hear Santa's reindeer on the roof!!"

Santa's Three Helpers

Beautiful Bella

Bella: "Okay, so this Christmas thing sounds great: extra yummies, new toys, the humans are home more...but I am worried about the naughty vs. nice thing. This elf guy next to me keeps staring at me, and I heard somethin' about Santa seeing you when you're sleeping and knowing when you're awake????"

Pretty Posing Olive

Olive the Other Reindeer

"Guess what, Baci? Santa comes down the chimney!"

"No way, Olive! He comes down the chimney?!!"

The Thanksgiving Challenge

2011-11-23T17:41:00.000-06:00

I am really loving how Facebook brings a lot of people into my life that I would not otherwise have met. It is wonderful to hear other people's perspectives - even when they don't mesh with my own. Another benefit is that interesting challenges come across my computer screen. This year, the following message caught my eye: "November's Thankgiving Challenge: Every day until Thanksgiving, think of something that you are thankful for and post it as your status. "Today I am thankful for". If you think you can do it, then re-post this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what you are thankful for today...". I started out by being thankful for my mom, who recently very bravely went through radiation treatment for skin cancer this summer, and this month had both of her knees replaced. She is an extraordinary woman, and I am so proud that she (along with my dad) was chosen to raise me. I have been working for the last year or two on cultivating an "attitude of gratitude", and this challenge was a good way to keep me on track. Though I didn't manage to post every day, I did pretty well, and more importantly, I was blessed with the opportunity to stop and think about my many blessings. The following are the entries that I posted during the month of November. I hope that you are inspired to cultivate your own attitude of gratitude...
Today I am thankful for trained medical staff that sacrificed sleep and trained for hours, devoting years of their lives to learning their trade so that they could care for my mom when she needed them most. What are you thankful for today?
Today I am thankful for a husband and partner who is as passionate as I am about allowing as many old dogs as possible to enjoy the twilight years of their lives in comfort, warmth, and as little pain as possible, surrounded by love. Thank you, Dan, for helping me fulfill our mission.
Today I am thankful for the beautiful view that greets me every morning, living out here in the country. Every day the lighting and the landscape is different, changing with the seasons, including the wonderful scents of things growing, frost in the air, or flowers and trees blooming. I am grateful for the prompting that led us to buy this place twenty years ago.
Today I am grateful for a great vet. He takes great care of our pups, really listens, and is always there when we need him! Click like if you are thankful for your vet!
Tonight I am grateful for the new washer and dryer that are humming merrily along in my laundry room tonight. I am very, very appreciative of the means to pay them off over time so that we could get them washing those pee pee towels right away!
Today I am thankful for the brilliant and dedicated people that I work with. Educators and other staff involved in education are tremendously devoted to their work, and I for one am grateful not only for their positive impact on our society, but also that I can count myself among them.
Today I am thankful for a vehicle that is reliable enough to take me where and when I want to go. There were many times in my life when I could not have said this, so I am extra grateful now!
Today I am thankful that my parents raised me to be an independent person, willing to problem-solve when I really want to do something that seems impossible. I am so grateful that life wasn't handed to me on a platter so that I could gain skills needed to function as an adult, and be okay with things that at least come close to my dreams.
Tonight I am thankful for the food that graces my table and fills the bowls of our little four-legged loves here. Though sometimes I cannot resist the bounty, I am grateful that our bellies never growl with hunger.
Tonight I am thankful for the excitement and exuberance that comes with learning something new and the thrill that I get helping children to discover that feeling. Some days I am SO lucky!
Tonight I am thankful for the simple joy of running around in a big field with a passel of puppies streaming out behind and ahead of me. We need to take a lesson from little kids and dogs...sometimes it is good to run just for the fun of it!
Tonight I am grateful for a new additional job that I can do from home surrounded by Dan and the dogs. We need the extra money to pay for kibble and vet bills, and I feel very fortunate to have a way to earn that money!!
Today I am thankful for the heat that pours forth from my boiler every day to warm my feet and soothe my spirit. I am grateful to be able to pay my oil bill so that we (Dan, the dogs, and I) can enjoy each others' company without being uncomfortable now that the weather is getting colder!
Today I am thankful that my mom is home safe and sound, and able to sleep in her own bed tonight. :-)
Today I am thankful that I didn't have to be at work, toughing it out while I feel crappy. :-) A good nap is priceless!
Tonight I am thankful to have the blessing to work with a co-worker who is intelligent AND has a delightful personality. We make a good team, and I am so grateful for her help in making me a better educator.
Tonight I am thankful for all my rescue friends out there...working tirelessly every day, every night, holidays, weekends....giving of their money, homes, and time to help save as many animals as possible. Thank you for teaching me that there are many, many good people in this world. You inspire me.

Thankful

2011-11-23T17:28:00.000-06:00

Sorry I haven't updated this blog in a while. There's been a lot happening here since Frisbee passed away. Edna the min pin has joined us from IMPS - MN, I've taken on a second job to help pay for the vet bills, and we've been getting the Haven ready for another winter. I was cooking and baking all afternoon today, and while I was working, I was musing about how many of our little friends are celebrating their first Thanksgiving at Hundenruhe Haven. We've lost so many this year, but the silver lining is that we have so many new friends living out their twilight years with us. Enjoying their first holiday in our home are: Edna, Barry, Lola, Sera, Bergen, Bella, and Roo Roo. We are so thankful that they found their way to us, and for the rescue friends we've made along the way. It is with much gratitude that Dan, I, and the pups will spend the day tomorrow tucked in together - enjoying a nice meal, a warm house, clean blankets, and each others' company. Life is good.

Patience, please!

2011-10-30T19:43:00.002-05:00

I just did some organization on PhotoBucket, so the links for some of the pictures are broken. I will fix them when I have time! Most of the older entries still are current, so please be patient until I can fix the others. Thanks for visiting!

2011-10-28T11:58:00.002-05:00

Sweet Dreams, Dear Frisbee

2011-10-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

...see you at the Bridge. My tears are too great right now to write a proper tribute.

They're Heeeeeeeerrrreee!!

2011-09-19T19:02:00.001-05:00

Bella

Bergen

The new Hundenruhe Haven pups have arrived from National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado, thanks to help from Theresa and her volunteers at NMDR, Tom Beard, a kind trucker who brought them across the country, and my very own hubby Dan, who drove 700 miles yesterday to pick them up. Bella (formerly Tessie - her new name means "beautiful"), is a teeny, tiny toy fox terrier. She's even smaller than Baci!! Baci doesn't know what to do with a dog that looks up to him! Bella is the same age as Olive, eight, and is quite skittish and scared. She arrived late last night, so Baci and Olive let her share our bed. Bella spent the night tucked into the crook of my arm, sleeping the sleep of the exhausted. Less than twenty-four hours after her arrival, however, she was following us around in the field, and took her first joyful run around the big field. The sense of freedom and joy was so apparent on her face, when she realized that she could run to her heart's content. Bella ran so fast all by herself that her back legs overcame her front ones and stopped her in her tracks. But, she just pulled herself together and did a few more laps before coming back to sit at my feet.
Bergen the min pin is ten years old. He hasn't told us his name yet (maybe Bert?), so he's Bergen for now. Last night this chubby fellow walked in like he'd lived here his entire life, said his "how-do-you-do's", and immediately fit in. Bergen is already running with the pack when they go to investigate something, and had his first taste of peanut butter with the others this morning and again tonight at feeding time. He is absolutely adorable, and Sera is already in love with him.
It is so heartwarming to see these little babies, knowing how their lives started, enjoy the sun and grass, warm beds, and gentle hands. We are so blessed to be able to welcome them...hopefully very soon Bella will truly find "hundenruhe" (dogs' peace).

Cozy Blankets for Cool Nights

2011-09-19T18:47:00.002-05:00

Our new friend Sylvia Thomas, whom we met through Saving Senior Min Mins on Facebook, made the dogs these beautiful blanket covers. All we need to do is slip a pillow or dog bed inside, and voila! The dogs can sleep on top of the blankets or burrow down underneath, which they love to do. Sylvia even embroidered paw prints and Hundenruhe Haven on each one! They are gorgeous, soft and cuddly. Thank you, Sylvia!!

Reflections on Rescue

2011-09-18T18:58:00.001-05:00

Click on the pics to get the whole picture!!
Barry and Lola

Roo

Meme and Barry

Sera

My Boys - Baci, Roo, Teddy, & Barry

Over the past week, I was reminded of the goodness of people. Though sadness, carelessness and cruelty are a large part of what is experienced in rescue, the wonderful part is some of the dedicated and big-hearted folks that make a difference in the lives of these abandoned animals. I could write pages and pages about the woman in Ohio who runs a sanctuary for farm animals, or the group of volunteers who have never met in person who work to save senior miniature pinschers, or the individuals who give up evenings, weekends,and family time to make calls, share on Facebook, walk dogs at the shelters, or arrange transports. The list is endless of compassionate human beings who use their talents to help animals.
This week I am especially heartened by "meeting" (on the phone) Theresa Strader, founder of National Mill Dog Rescue. We are anxiously awaiting two former puppy mill dogs from NMDR, who rescues thousands of dogs from puppy mills in Missouri every year and starts them out on their new lives in loving forever homes. Despite this being their biggest weekend of the year, the day of their annual Open House, Theresa made time to talk to me on the phone, make sure the dogs that are coming to me got their veterinary needs taken care of, and found volunteers willing to get them to their transport pick-up. Daily she must overcome heartache and tragedy to make happy endings for the dogs she loves. I am in deep admiration and gratitude.
I also met Tom (again, via telephone and internet), a trucker with a heart as big as his rig. Tom volunteers his cab and his care to dogs needing a ride across the country - he's bringing Tessie and Bergen from NMDR to Effingham, IL, where Dan is meeting him to pick them up. Tom has helped hundreds of dogs to freedom - all as a volunteer whose only reward is the satisfaction of helping the dogs who need him. It brings a tear to my eye to know that he is out there on the road, with a dog or two keeping him company, heading for their new lives.
Heroes...you may not even know it when you meet them at work, or on the street, or at your kids' sporting events. But if you do discover one, please thank them...they deserve our gratitude for the love they are quietly adding to the world each day.

Labor Day is Over...

2011-09-05T19:05:00.003-05:00

...and Autumn is here. It was a golden, crisp late afternoon and the pups enjoyed a last walk in the field after dinner tonight. Sera, the new girl, is fitting right in, and the pups were sereneded by Grandpa Squawkie (the sandhill crane) and his wife. There is a certain sadness to the end of summer, especially when one is a teacher, but the onset of Autumn brings its own loveliness. Bring on the apples, cider, pumpkins, and colored leaves. I may not be ready, but I will enjoy what each day brings...
Click on each picture to get the whole thing. For some reason, blogspot is cutting off the right side of each picture.

Roo

Lola

Obie

Sera and Roo

Sera and Olive

Skylar

Barry Bear

Olive and her ball

Go to Bed in Summer...Wake Up in Autumn!

2011-09-04T08:23:00.000-05:00

Brrrrr! It was chilly when we woke up this morning to a gorgeous dew-dappled day at Hundenruhe Haven. Yesterday we had to have the air conditioners on for a little while when the heat and humidity got intense, and today the windows are only open a crack for fresh air. The dogs are all finding the sun spots on the floor in the house, and the brave few are laying on the deck in the sun. It is warming up, so it should be a very pleasant day, despite the chilly start.

Though it was raining in the morning yesterday, so I couldn't take Baci on the moped to the market (took the car instead), we still got out for a little ride into town later in the afternoon. Dan took a couple of pictures of us for posterity...isn't Baci the cutest thing ever??? He loves to ride with me, and his Doggles protect his eyes from flying debris and allow him to keep his eyes open and enjoy the ride. He doesn't want them on when we are stopped for any length of time, but doesn't fuss at all while we are on the road. He's such a great companion. Olive has always been my traveling companion, and when we adopted Baci he started joining her. However, Olive enjoys getting out in public less and less as she gets older, so I don't feel bad leaving her at home where she'd prefer to be.

Earning the Kibble

2011-08-22T21:28:00.000-05:00

It was back to work (new school year) today, and I started a new job. It was exciting to work with some phenomenal new people, and have lunch with a friend from my previous position. But...I still missed Dan and the pups and the sun on my face. It was truly a joy when I got home to see all those eager faces at the gate, welcoming me back to the pack. At first, they were just barking, but as I called out to them, they recognized me and fifteen barking dogs became fifteen wriggling, wiggling backsides. Ah, how I love them!
Later, after all of the hellos were said, the work clothes shed for worn t-shirt and sweatpants, we were ready for our walkies in the field. Lola the blind min pin led us through the gate and took off running - how nice that she can safely run at full tilt without danger!! Obie and Skylar, the rat terrier brothers, played tag in the crown vetch, hopping and leaping so they could see each other to give chase. RooRoo, the baby, wants to be just like his big brothers, so he was tearing around after them, weaving in and out of the vetch like a professional kangaroo. Then he took off on his own, zooming around and around. His joy was so infectious that Teddy, the old puppy mill chihuahua, began making his own silly loops around the field, backside tucked under, tongue hanging out, and running like a maniac. Tired from their shenanigans, we all walked back to sit in the yard, Twig and Olive playing ball with Dan. Suddenly, our little Pekingnese Truvy started dancing and playing with her unstuffed toy - we call toys Truvy's "babies" - shaking it and prancing around with it. She even started soft-mouthing Dan's hand to get him to play with her - very soft-mouthed, as she only has two teeth! Truvy has really found "hundenruhe" (dogs' peace) this summer. Her itching is under control thanks to some great shampoo, so her hair is growing in thick and lush, and she has become spunky and silly. Her head is no longer tilted, and she can walk in a straight line - a huge improvement from when I first met her and Chris at FluffyButts was getting her rehabilitated after living in a puppy mill for nine years. I went inside to make dinner, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Grammie Esther's blanket making it's way outside. It was Truvy, being silly and sneaking off with Esther's blanket!!
After dinner, Dan and I sat outside with the dogs, he again playing with Olive, Twig, and Truvy, and I rocking Obie, Roo, and Mimi on the patio swing. As the shadows lengthened and the lowering sun gilded the trees and turned the cut oat straw to spun gold, the evensong of the meadow birds serenaded us.
And now, with crickets chirping in concert with the constant rumble and rattle of snoring pups, our day ends at Hundenruhe Haven. I'll return to work to earn the kibble to start it all over again tomorrow. "Day is done...gone the sun...from the lakes...to the hills...to the sky. All is well...lay thee rest...God is nigh."

Uncle Mort - A Character Leaves Us

2011-08-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

Heavy, heavy hearts abound at Hundenruhe Haven tonight. Our dear Uncle Mortie went to the Rainbow Bridge this morning. He was 16 years old. I cannot explain in words the impact his death leaves in our pack. Mortie was the Omega, the bottom of the pack, and often the brunt of the other dogs' pushing. He not only endured it, he met it head-on, with a grumble and a lift of his deformed lip - revealing empty gums. When he was younger, he loved to get "heinie happies" - scritching of his hips and backside. He would march in place with his back legs, rising up onto his front legs in sheer ecstasy.
Uncle Mort came to us with two green, rotting teeth hanging out of his mouth, his jaw rotted away and deformed. After removing the offenders, he blossomed and became a crazy, funny little fellow. He would stand in the middle of the kitchen, barking for no reason. He had petit mal seizures, where he would stand stock still and stare at the wall - so he was put on seizure meds, which helped a lot. As he aged, he needed more and more pain meds to manage his crippled and hunched back and fused hips. But it never got him down - he always participated in the walkies in the field, and followed the pack on all its adventures. Near the end, Dan made sure that Mortie got extra treats like ice cream and graham crackers from the palm of his hand.
Uncle Mort was with us for over five years - a long time for the seniors who come to us - and I can't believe he's gone.
Tonight, as Dan was in the yard reading, a gorgeous butterfly came and hovered around him - then landed on his cheek. Later, a huge swarm of multicolored dragon flies (Jodee's favorite) put on an aerial display. Uncle Mortie is fine and sending messages of love to us - running pain free and waiting for us at the Bridge.

Fun Fundraiser!

2011-08-07T20:25:00.000-05:00

I just got back from having a great time with the nice campers at Nature's Villa in Palmyra, WI. My mom lives there year around, and the other folks are there from May to October. I have a fondness for karaoke, and the equipment to run a show, so I went down to do a little karaoke show with them on Saturday night. This was my third time doing this, and we decorated the clubhouse with poster-sized blow-ups of some of the dogs' photos - it looked so cool to see all my past and present furkids up there on the walls!! I'd never mentioned the sanctuary before when we did karaoke (you all know how I hate tooting our horn!), but my mom and some of her friends thought that if people knew about what we did, they would want to help. They were right! I told the nice people who attended about Hundenruhe Haven, and by the end of the night these kind and generous folks had donated enough money to feed and medicate all the dogs for an entire month!! Thank you SO MUCH to the campers at Nature's Villa - I had a blast and I hope you did, too!

Run Free, Miss Crabby Coco Bean!

2011-08-05T11:18:00.000-05:00

The lovely neurotic Coco has slipped quietly on her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. We took her in to see Dr. Jeff this Monday to see if she could handle another mammary surgery and dental, and found that her cancer had metastasized to the extent that it was causing her pain. Dr. Jeff couldn't be certain that we could manage her pain, and said that she had only about a month, even with pain management. We helped her along her way, and she was so relaxed and at ease. We miss her loud and irrational protestations of Mimi and Twiggy's occupation of the furniture, her 5:00 am wake-up calls (and then going back to bed once the whole household was up), and the tick-tick-tick of her toenails on the floor. Run free, darling.

2011-07-14T17:28:00.001-05:00

We need some help

2011-07-14T17:27:00.000-05:00

Roo Roo and Lola's vet bills have really put a big hole in our funds, along with a big repair bill on our transport Jeep. I hate asking for money, but if you can help, we'd sure appreciate it. I've started a chip-in (hope it works, never tried this before). Anything that you can spare, would be used exclusively for the vet fund. Thank you!

T is for Trouble

2011-07-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

Teddy, Barry, Baci, and Lola have discovered that it is outstanding fun to crawl inside of this dog bed and play inside. It started out as a tiny hole, and then became this:

This is Teddy showing you how to get inside and enjoy yourself! Usually, he comes up when I call him with just his head poking out - like a kayaker! But of course, today he wouldn't come out because I had the camera handy. Silly little bear!

He slept like that for a good twenty minutes after I took this picture. Bless his little heart...

Obie and his Bone

2011-07-03T12:15:00.002-05:00

Obie is having such a wonderful time with the bones I bought for the pups from Miesfeld's Meats in Sheboygan. He even sleeps with them! Maybe if I show the butcher this picture he'll give me a discount next time!

Snuggling Pups

2011-07-03T12:13:00.000-05:00

There's been quite a bit of bed sharing since Barry and Roo came to live with us. Barry, you may remember, came with Cubby, who sadly left abruptly for the Bridge. But Barry is really coming out of his shell now, he's talking to us ("Give me more peanut butter, please! Pet me now, please!"), he's running with a bounce in his step, he's got a girlfriend (he and Lola are quite an item - never far apart!), and he is sharing his bed with the other pups, especially Roo and Teddy. It is so gratifying to see a dog really reach "hundenruhe" (dogs' peace) here. Here's some cute pics to make you smile...
Barry, sleeping alone and with RooRoo

With Baci

And with RooRoo and Teddy

And a couple more with RooRoo - notice in the last picture how there's lots of empty beds all around, but they choose to sleep together. Too sweet.

Meet Roo Roo Rudy!

2011-06-14T20:12:00.000-05:00

This little guy came to us via our vet's office and he is looking for his forever home. He is approximately one year old, purebred (though not well-bred) toy fox terrier, neutered and up to date on his shots. Roo Roo will be looking for the perfect home hopefully with a fenced yard (he has lots of energy!), a warm lap or two (he's a cuddler!), older dog-savvy kids (or a kidless family), and someone willing to give him tons of exercise, attention, and training! He's so cuddly and sweet - gets along with everyone canine and human. Sure wish that we were looking for a youngster, because we'd keep him for sure! In the meantime, we are going to find the very best match for him!

Sunday Afternoon at Hundenruhe Haven

2011-05-22T14:54:00.000-05:00

Finally it was both warm AND sunny today, so we were able to get the lawn mowed, some weeding done, and still have time to sit with the dogs after the chores were done. So now, as the chicken cooks in the oven to be barbequed on the grill later, this is what is happening on our front porch. We are so lucky!!

Truvy

Truvy

Barry

Dan and Teddy

Lola

Twig

Barry, Twig, Olive

Olive, Coco, Lola

Sleepy Olive

Olive and Grammie Esther

Fresh Dog Room!

2011-05-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

We finally finished the dog room. We put in a new subfloor, sheet vinyl, cabinets above the dog crates, and new shelves. It looks and feels great to have this done and the extra storage was really needed, as was the new floor. No worries about the floorboards rotting through now! A lot of work, but well worth it!

Goodbye Cubby. We love you so!!

2011-04-25T11:19:00.000-05:00

Cubby and Barry were with us for a little over a month, from a neglect situation in Iowa. All was going very well, until they were neutered last week. Something happened during Cubby's surgery that exacerbated breaks in his jaw and spine that we were all unaware were there. The past week has been tortuous, as we tried to manage his pain, and immobilize him so that his spine could heal. After the last three nights without sleep, trying to give him comfort and find a comfortable position with no success, we made the difficult decision to let him go. There was no good solution - let him go and feel like I didn't try hard enough, or watch him suffer with no way to help him. Usually I am much more philosophical about letting a dog go, but Cubby was different for some reason. Perhaps it was because he was so young (6), and I let my guard down and fell in love with him because I thought he'd be with us for a really long time. Whatever the reason, I am crushed. Thanks for the love and support both during his struggle and now. I know that a lot of you were pulling for him, and I genuinely appreciate your care for us and for Cubby. He is free from pain now, and that's the best I could do for him.

Kibble!

2011-04-23T12:45:00.000-05:00

Amidst all the sadness at our house due to Cubby's predicament, we have welcomed Kibble with joy into the safety of the Haven. She is a miniature pinscher, aged 16, and is quite the princess! Kibble doesn't see very well, and is getting oriented slowly. She loves attention and treats, and, to tell the truth, is a bit needy. :) Hopefully as she gains a little confidence she will enjoy living here with Lola at Hundenruhe!

Prayers Requested

2011-04-23T12:40:00.000-05:00

Cubby is fighting for recovery. He came to us (unbeknown to us) with two breaks in his jaw, a chip in his cervical vertebrae, and disc issues in his lumbar vertebrae. Dr. Jeff has trussed him up in this jazzy cast (cleverly incorporating a plastic cup), and we are treating him with steroids and pain meds. Cubby is in a lot of pain when he moves, so we are keeping him as still as possible. He must be hand-fed and watered and held up to eliminate. If the treatment works, we are looking at several weeks of recovery. If not, well, you can guess. Please add your prayers to mine that the steroids will reduce his inflammation and allow him to recover from the breaks.

Pupdates and Plans

2011-04-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

It has been a strange week here at the Haven. I have been home for Spring Break, but all of the outdoor projects that I hoped to accomplish have been put on hold because we had a late spring blizzard! The sun is shining today, though it isn't too warm, so hopefully some of it will melt off today.
I have been busy doing other things, mostly caring for Cubby, who is still recovering from his neuter/dental surgery. The pupdate from Dr. Jeff is that his bones are so tiny that it would be rather risky to try drilling the holes necessary to wire/pin his jaw. So, we are managing his pain with meds, and observing him carefully to make sure he can still eat/drink. I made a huge crockpot full of chicken and rice stew (which we've all been enjoying) and he seems to be able to slurp that up just fine. At this point, I am more concerned with his instability. When another dog brushes past him, he tips over and has a lot of trouble getting up. I will call Dr. Jeff today to see what he thinks.
Tomorrow another dog joins us via IMPS Min Pin Rescue. I will be meeting Sandy in Appleton to pick up 16 year old Dittle, who was displaced when her owner moved to an apartment that doesn't allow dogs. I am going to keep my mouth shut regarding how I feel about that, but I'm sure that you all can guess! Anyway, we are happy to welcome little Dittle, whose new name will be Miss Kibble. Pictures to follow after tomorrow!
Finally, we are going to do a renovation of the dog room, weather permitting, over the weekend of May 13-16. The plans include removing everything from the dog room (hence the need for good weather!), installing cupboards over the dog crates, cleaning and disinfecting all of the crates, putting together new shelving units, laying a new subfloor, and installing a new sheet-vinyl floor, all the while keeping 18 dogs out from underfoot. Lots of work, but the results will be worth it. There's always plenty of work to be done here - poo to pick up, gravel to haul, paths to make, fence to repair. If you'd like to help, give Jodee a call at 920-946-6936.

People Can Be So Cruel and Careless

2011-04-19T14:43:00.001-05:00

This makes me so mad! Bad news. Our little Cubby was neutered with his big brother Barry today, and it was discovered during his dental that his jaw is broken. It has been broken for months, so it happened in his previous home and was left untreated. The poor little guy has been in unbelievable pain for months. His jaw will require costly surgery to pin and rebuild it - any contributions to the vet fund will be received with deep gratitude.

Houdini!!

2011-04-06T20:21:00.000-05:00

She looks so innocent, doesn't she? Little did we know what chaos she could cause...
Lola is our new resident Houdini! She made it out of the compound three times yesterday, and four times today. For a blind dog, she sure can find the tiniest hole in the fenceline and wriggle through it. Once Barry found out that she could do that, he started following her so that he could go on adventures, too. Poor Dan - he had to try to watch her to find out how she was getting out. Once he identified one of the holes and blocked it, Lola found another! Ai yi yi!! So after school today, I found myself hauling 500 lbs of gravel, moving a dozen or so bricks, and devised an ingenious solution to the gap where the gate meets the fence. Whew! I'm pooped! Tomorrow is another day...and another patrol of the fenceline by Ms Houdini...er...Lola.

Does Anybody Read This?

2011-03-29T19:10:00.001-05:00

Just wondering....I write this mostly because I love to write, and I love to write about the pups. But I was just wondering if anyone really reads this blog? Please respond and let me know if I should continue to publish...

The Definition of Contented

2011-03-23T11:32:00.000-05:00

It looks more like the dead of winter than the first week of spring here at Hundenruhe. Overnight fierce winds whipped rain, sleet, and snow against the house, coating it in a thick, nearly impervious layer of icy snow, the consistency of concrete. North of our area, over a foot and a half of snow fell overnight, with more on the way today. Unfortunately, despite wishes and fervent hopes, my school was not on the cancellation/delay list by the time I was scheduled to walk out the door this morning. So I dutifully bundled up and trudged out the front door - only to find the gate latch on the front porch frozen shut and the gate unable to swing open because of the aforementioned "concrete snow". Back into the house I went, and out the side door that was partially protected by our overhang. After slipping, sliding, and crawling up a steep winding hill on a nearby road, I had made it about five miles from the house when my phone signaled that I had received a text - school was canceled for the day! I turned around and crept back home, narrowly missing the thundering snowplow that refused to slow down as it barreled toward me.
Back home, I wanted to treat Dan to one of his favorites - from-scratch pancakes - only to find there was no milk. Making do with cream of wheat for Dan and leftovers for me, we had a rare breakfast together at the island in our kitchen, watching even more schools close for the day.
And then - the best moment of all - we decided to nap, Dan in his chair and I in bed with Baci. My little guy snuggled up next to me with one of his teeny tiny rawhide bones, I turned on the bed heater, and lay listening to the wind batter the house.
As I lay there, I thought to myself, "Where would I rather be right at this very moment, and what would I like to be doing? The Bahamas on a sunny beach? Eating a delicious meal in an exciting foreign country? Meeting a famous celebrity?"
As the warmth began to soak into my bones from the heated mattress pad and little Baci happily tucked into his bone, the answer came to me.
Right here.
This is what being content really means.
Even as the weather has at this moment turned into a snowy blizzard and the prediction is for another week of below-zero temperatures, I know that right now, at this moment, this is where I am meant to be.

The Boys are Here!

2011-03-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

With all the sadness lately, and the probable reduction in our income due to current politics in Wisconsin, we had considered not adding any more residents to our pack, reducing our numbers and expenses. But, as we have always responded when nudged by the inexplicable force that guides us toward needy dogs, Dan and I felt the need to help out two adorable chihuahua guys who were looking for a new home. These two little fellas, the bigger being 12 years old, and the teeny tiny one only 6, were removed from a home that didn't understand that dogs shouldn't be tied up outside during an Iowa winter. They have found their haven here, with warm beds and plenty of companionship. The two boys came with names, but I'd really like to give them new names for their new lives, so we've decided upon Cubby for the little 6 year old, and Barry for the older fellow. In the meantime, we are anxiously waiting for their neutering appointment, since they are marking every available vertical surface! They are so much fun to watch - they love to wrestle and play (so gently!) and Barry often sleeps with his head on top of Cubby. They seek out Grammie Esther for a chihuahua pile and sweetly slumber snuggled into each other. Ahhhh.

Here's a couple of extra random pictures just because. Enjoy!

The Rainbow Bridge Just Got More Crowded

2011-03-02T18:46:00.000-06:00

Winter is so hard on the old ones, and seems to bring about challenges to their previous maladies. We lost three residents within the last month and our hearts are heavy with their loss. Moses the chi, our recent addition had to be helped to the bridge and the following day Sophia the Italian greyhound joined him. Both succumbed to kidney problems that wasted their bodies. And today, Shae the beagle also fell victim to the same fate - kidneys again. Despite special diets and, near the end, cooking anything that they will eat, after awhile they just get too nauseus to eat. And what the protein they do eat is leaking out with their urine.
These were three sweet, sweet dogs. Shae was with us for a year, Moses only a month, and Sophia for five years. They will always live on in our bruised and battered hearts.

More Pics of Lola, Esther, and Truvy

2011-02-06T10:15:00.000-06:00

The Price of Rescue...

2011-02-03T18:21:00.000-06:00

...$650 at the vet today for meds, Frisbee, and Moses. And that's WITH our discount! And we haven't even done the annual home vaccination visit yet. Sigh. Thank you, rescue angels, who continue to send what they can. It makes a big difference!!

Lola (and Friends)

2011-02-02T11:38:00.001-06:00

Tic Tac is now known as Lola! My friend Marge has informed me that Lola means "grandmother" and it fits her perfectly! She has obviously had more than one litter (probably not too long ago, either), though she was just spayed last week so that she will never have to endure that again. These pictures are of her zonked out on Dan's chest in the recliner. Lola has fit in immediately - she jumps up on our legs for pets and attention, travels along in the pack when something is interesting, waits in line for her medicine in peanut butter with everyone else, and has found the best dog beds to crawl into. She is a late sleeper, and must be awakened in the morning for potties and breakfast - sure wish more of them did that when the weekend arrives! Lola has completely charmed me - I am convinced that she was destined to find us. I couldn't have asked for an easier transition and acclimatization. Even though her right eye is blind, and the left nearly so, she navigates so well around the house and outside, and takes it all in stride. She's amazing!
I took a few more pictures of our fur-kids around the house, so I thought I'd share them with all of you. Enjoy!

Winter at Hundenruhe

2011-01-30T08:49:00.000-06:00

It's a lovely crisp and cold morning at Hundenruhe Haven. Rays of sun are bouncing off of the mounds of snow and making the fields glitter and wink. It is so nice to see the sun again, and to have the robin's-egg-blue sky add some needed color to the landscape.
The temperature is rather cold again (single digits), but it is warm inside thanks to the new furnace and the radiant heater that the dogs love so dearly. Yesterday was a frenzy of cleaning and laundry (9 loads of dog laundry this week - a new record!). I clean every week, but every few weeks every dog bed's cover gets washed and major scrubbing of baseboards, etc. gets done. It had also snowed, so yesterday's chores also included digging out the walks, patios, porches, and the concrete steps leading up the hill to the house. It was a long and productive day, ending with the last load of laundry at about 9:00 pm.
Today is our day for peace and quiet. As I write, the dogs are all hanging out on their nice clean beds, having had their breakfasts and trips outdoors early this morning. Dan and I were up very early so Dan could get on the road. He is traveling to Minnesota today to pick up Tic Tac, a 12 year old blind miniature pinscher from a hoarding situation. She was surrendered along with 70 other dogs in December to a humane society in Minnesota. Min Pin Rescue contacted us and asked if we could take Tic Tac, as all but six had been adopted, taken into rescue, or euthanized. Amazingly, in only one month's time, the shelter had adopted out 39 dogs, sent the rest to rescues, and only had to euthanize six, and had only six left to go to rescues! What a fantastic coordinated effort! Kudos to whoever facilitated this at the MN shelter, and the rescues who stepped up to make it happen.
So, I am on my own today with the dogs and I am enjoying it thus far. I've had a lovely pot of tea, and since the major chores are done, I think I may settle in with the dogs for an afternoon of watching The Tudors. The forecast is for a major snow storm for the lakeshore communities (where I teach), so it looks like driving may be difficult for the next two days getting to and from school. So those patios, walks, porches, and steps are going to need to be dug out again soon! I am going to enjoy every minute of not having to go anywhere today as I await Tic Tac's arrival late this afternoon or early this evening. Unless she answers to her name, it will be changed in the coming weeks as we discover her personality. Stay tuned to find out what the new name will be!

Feeding the Herd

2011-01-09T19:11:00.000-06:00

I have been asked about how we manage getting everyone fed. Feeding the dogs twice a day can be time-consuming, but we have become pretty efficient. During the school year, Dan takes care of the morning feeding, and I feed in the evening. It is important that everyone gets the right food, in the right amount, and has the time and peace to eat it without intimidation. So almost everyone is fed in a dog crate, except for Grandma Esther, Grandpa Moses, Uncle Mort, and Miss Truvy. The oldies that aren't fed in a crate are separated by baby gates so they can eat in peace.
Because I really believe that good food not only makes the dogs feel and look better, but also saves on vet bills, we feed a very high quality diet. I know that I could save a lot of money by accepting food donations and mixing the dog food for the dogs, but keeping their diet consistently of high quality is important to me.We feed two different kinds of dry kibble, depending upon the dog's nutritional needs. Some of the dogs get Fromm's Gold adult food, and some get grain-free bison and potato kibble. We do have a few who, at various times, need some coaxing to eat, so we also add in shredded cheese, cooked hamburger, canned dog food, or canned prescription dog food to those who need it.
Medication is given with peanut butter and spooned into each waiting mouth. Of course, everyone wants "medicine", so everyone gets a bite of peanut butter, whether it contains meds or not! It is quite the sight to see everyone at my feet, jostling for the best position to take their medicine.
All in all, it takes about fifteen - twenty minutes to get food prepared, meds given, and everyone settled in their crates to eat. And only about 5 minutes for everyone to be done eating!
So that's how its done - Bone Appetit!

Moses

2011-01-09T18:55:00.000-06:00

This is Moses. Some of you may have been following his journey on Facebook. Moses was rescued by Martha, his guardian angel, from a high-kill shelter in Garland, Texas. He was picked up as a stray, but at his age and in his condition, he most surely was dumped. You see, Moses is at least 17 years old, and is completely blind. He is feisty and independent, desiring no help or assistance from anyone.
Getting him here from Texas was quite an endeavor. My sister contributed credit that she had with Southwest airlines, and Dan and I picked up the rest. There have been some offers of donations to help with the fare, but we haven't gotten any so far. People have been so nice about trying to get him here - everything from a flight attendant (who tried, but couldn't make it work on such short notice), to a kind and generous group of cruisers who contacted people they knew, to Martha and Jean (who brought him to the airport to meet me), to the many, many people Moses and I met on our journey from Dallas to Kiel. He is home now, and adapting to life with the rest of the crew. It is amazing and inspirational how well he does so!
Moses and I finally rolled up to the house at about 9:00pm last night. What a long day! I was up and down in an airplane four times, and spent sixteen hours traveling! But it was all worth it. Moses slept the whole plane ride home, though he protested (loudly) when we left the airport and he felt how cold Wisconsin is! He continued to protest until the car warmed up. I gave him some supper and put him to bed in the laundry room for the night so that he didn't have too big of an area to have to get lost in. This morning it has been fascinating to watch how a blind dog navigates new surroundings. Moses followed the walls as best he could, using his little ears as antennae to keep an even distance between him and the wall. Sometimes he bumped gently into the wall with his head, but only a couple of times. Then, when he finds himself in an open area, he turns in tight circles, ever-widening them until he touches something again. He has spent the last hour and a half walking and figuring out the area, though it is not in a panicked way - just very methodically mapping out the room. Now he walks confidently across the open areas, too. Dan just picked him up, and he is falling asleep in his arms. Welcome home, Moses.

Reflections

2010-12-28T09:56:00.000-06:00

This is the time of year that causes me to reflect upon the past year and all that it entailed. I don't like standard "Christmas Letters", so I won't regale you with everything that's happened this year (you can look back at the blog for that!). However, I was rather surprised to discover that we've welcomed eight new dogs into the sanctuary's family since last Christmas (Teddy, Esther, Coco, Sammy, Nala, Shae, Foxy, and Truvy), and said good-bye to four (New Year, Nala, Roody, Tulip, and Sadie and our horse Zeke right before last Christmas). Working with the oldies is hard sometimes, because we love them so much and they must go so quickly. But the reward of feeling their love and watching them enjoy the simple pleasures of life makes it all worthwhile.
After much thought, and an applicant who turned down Truvy because of her special needs, we have added Truvy as a permanent member of the Hundenruhe family. She will have her special weekly spa baths, ear cleanings, and grain-free food for the rest of her life here at the sanctuary. Most of all, she will have our love - this quirky little girl has really won over our hearts!
Right now we are trying to get Moses, an ancient, blind little chihuahua up from Dallas, Texas to live here. My sister has really come through with an outstanding offer if all other help fails, but I am hoping someone comes forward to either fly with Moses here to Wisconsin, or drive him up. Thanks, Cindy, for supporting my dreams.
Over the past year, we have been so blessed with friends, both old and new, coming through with their own talents to help us out. We have had a new porch built, a new well-housing built, donations to our vet account, and a few cash donations. We've been turned down by Extreme Makeover Home Edition despite overwhelming support from family and friends, had our furnace die and borrowed the money to replace it, and flooded our barn because of a burst pipe. Through it all, my friends around the country (especially you crazy ladies at Fluffy Butts!) and in the UK (you Terrier Talk folks are amazing!), my husband and partner Dan, and the pups themselves have always kept me laughing and filled with hope. When my cup has run dry, you have filled it back up, and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you so much!
In 2011, I hope that we can continue to help each other - with love, by sharing our talents, and by supporting each other in whatever way we can.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T15:12:00.002-06:00

Thank you to IMPS - MinPin Rescue - for this poem:

’Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full—we are lost, but not found.
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care.
They’ll come to adopt us and give us the call,
...“Come here, Max and Sparkie — come fetch your new ball!”
But now we sit here and think of the days
we were treated so fondly — we had cute, baby ways.
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew.
Now we’re no longer young and we’re no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash.
They reacted so quickly — why were they so rash?
We “jump on the children,” “don’t come when they call,”
we “bark when they leave us,” “climb over the wall.”
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.
If only they’d trained us, if only we knew,
we’d have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.
We were left in the backyard, or worse, let to roam.
Now we’re tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us goodbye…
“Maybe someone else will give you a try.”
So now here we are, all confused and alone
in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can’t stay to chat.
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer…
we know that they wonder how long we’ll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears –
our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.
If you can’t adopt us and there’s no room at the inn –
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year –
can you give more than hope to everyone here?
Please make a donation to pay for the heat…
and help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.
–Author Unknown

We have been so blessed by friends' generosity this year - a gorgeous new and safe porch, a new well box, a few wonderful donations to help pay for the dogs' vet bills, and endless encouragement and love.

Dan and I continue to love what we do - the dogs who find their way here are so grateful for their warm beds, radiant heaters, playtime, laps, tasty food, and regular vet care. We in turn love them with all our hearts for as long as they are here - always hoping that it will be for a long time, though it never seems like its enough. I am looking forward to 2011 and the joys it is sure to bring - new friends through rescue, new pups to join us, and lots of laughs as we watch the fur-kids find their peace.

Our wish to you this holiday season is abundant time with the people and animals you love, some quiet time for reflection upon your blessings, and to be ever mindful of those who need a helping hand - not just at Christmastime, but throughout the year.

Merry Christmas!

Happiness

2010-11-20T12:32:00.000-06:00

Well, its been awhile since I've had time to post, so I apologize for the lack of news about the furries here at the Haven! The new furnace boiler has finally been installed, but the in-floor heating isn't yet here, so the pups are still enjoying the radiant space heaters, like Truvy and Teddy are above. Truvy is still battling her skin issues, so she's getting two baths and blow-dries every week, along with two different meds and some special spray. So far, its working - she's itching far less, but it has affected her appetite. We are tempting her with all kinds of goodies, so I'm sure she'll come around soon.
The others are doing as well as can be expected. Uncle Mort and Sophia are really starting to show their ages, now that the weather is chilly. Sophia's sweater is on almost all the time now, and Mort's back is hunched up with arthritis. Several of the dogs are on daily pain medication, and it seems to help the achiness.
We've had an amazing breaththrough with Grandma Esther. We have finally beat the yeast infection that she came with, and she has come alive!! Esther now begs on her hind legs to be picked up and put on Dan's or my lap, and hollers at the dogs if they happen to choose the bed she wants to lay in. What a wonderful character she's turned out to be!
Lately I've been having to turn away so many dogs. It makes me sad to think of all the dogs that are missing their families and homes, and we are unable to afford to take them in. However, all these dogs are living here and enjoying hearth and home, so they at least can experience happiness. I know that I just need to think harder about how I can find more money to help more pups. I think we could probably handle four more here - a total of twenty - if we could just find the money to support them. I will put my thinking cap on...

Fantastic Fall Weekend

2010-10-10T08:33:00.000-05:00

It is a glorious autumn morning here at Hundenruhe. The mist rising from the fields muffled the few sounds that could be heard, including the distant honking of geese rising to begin their trek south. As the sun came up, the ridge across from the house burst into color - I just had to get a picture of it, even though the photo doesn't do justice to the brilliant oranges, reds, and golds that struck my eyes. I think this may be our Indian summer, and the last of the warm days before the chilly fall days take over.
We had a wonderful weekend. Friday night was spent sharing yummy pizza in our pajamas, and then toasting marshmallows over a campfire on the patio. Saturday was filled with the usual chores, but also included some time for walkies in the fields, and chatting whilst sitting outside - first on the patio, and later on the new deck. We capped off the day watching the classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" that we had DVR'd earlier. One of my favorite books, the movie was also excellent.
Today we are going to a local orchard for breakfast, and then coming home to bake pies and have a traditional Sunday chicken dinner at home with the pups. Truvy has already had her bath, the coffee is done brewing, dogs are fed, and it's time to wake up Dan to go have some breakfast.
Hundenruhe indeed - peace for people and dogs.

Tentative Success...

2010-10-02T08:31:00.000-05:00

Well, the furnace man was out again yesterday and we have some options now for a new boiler.Old houses are kind of funny - they limit your options for replacement - so we only have a couple of options. I am so thankful that we did some refinancing last week (thanks dear husband Dan!!), so we should be able to buy the new boiler.The nice thing is that it will be installed before it gets really cold, so we won't have to all sleep in our coats! I am hoping that it will save us money in the long run because it will be a little more efficient. We're waiting on the estimates now. Geothermal would be such a great thing - eco-friendly, less fuel usage and cost - but it is so cost-prohibitive for the average consumer. The same thing applies to both solar and wind power. My question is this: if these items save money (by a lot!!), then why can't the people who need to save money afford them? Another one of life's mysteries...

If it isn't one thing...

2010-09-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

..it's another. The furnace man says our furnace is done - beyond repair. Now what? I will try to stay positive and figure something out...we have so many blessings and I am grateful. At least we found out before it's 30 below. But honestly, this one is really putting a damper on my positivity! Not sure how, but we'll find a way somehow...we always do.

Autumn has Arrived!

2010-09-19T11:34:00.000-05:00

Brrrr! It was 48 degrees this morning! The snap of fall was in the air, the squirrels are trying to get in the basement to store their nut supply for the winter, and the walnut tree is pelting us with nuts. We don't quite have color on the trees yet, though the trees whose leaves just turn yellow and drop are showering us with every gust of wind. The dogs always have the hardest time adapting to the temperature change at this time of year. Later on in the winter, they will have built up their resistance, but right now they shiver and tremble with every damp step on the lawn. So, it's time to break out the.........sweaters! Some of the pups seem to be able to keep up their body heat without a problem, but a few need a little help. We got some beautiful handmade sweaters at YorkieStock in Iowa this summer, and our dear adopted Granny Scrapkins (Gloria) also knitted some sweaters for the kids that we love. I went out this morning and took these pictures of the kids as they enjoyed the gray and blustery Sunday morning at the Haven. There's lots of pictures...so enjoy!

Teddy/Chips

Sophia

Sophia and Baci

Olive

Obie cleaning Olive's eyes. He feels that this is his responsibility, and does it frequently. How cute is that?

Skylar

Esther

Shae the Beagle

Shae and Sophie with Twig

Baci

Whew!

2010-09-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

Fourteen dogs bathed in under an hour. Enough said. :)

Extreme Makeover - Hundenruhe Edition

2010-09-12T15:53:00.000-05:00

Well, we didn't get picked for the Extreme Makeover Home Edition Wisconsin home makeover. Another teacher and his family in Neenah were selected and received a really wonderful home last month. However, we weren't left entirely out of the loop! Our dear friends Halvor and Teri (really chosen family members) made our dreams come true over the past two weekends by surprising us with a new deck/front porch. The front door was the only door left unprotected from the outside world, but it is unsafe no longer! Halvor and Teri (with a tiny bit of help from Dan and I) built this amazing front porch with a doggie-safe gate. It is SO beautiful and I can rest easier now, knowing the pups can't get out.
Yet another miracle for us here. I am so blessed by these wonderful people in my life - and then they go and do something so incredibly generous and sweet. I know I don't really deserve this kind of love and kindness, but I am so grateful for them, and for this gift.
Here's what it looked like before, with its ancient cement slab steps and rickety iron railings:

Milestones and Miracles

2010-08-23T11:52:00.000-05:00

When you are involved with dogs, you know that the smallest things can be the greatest miracles. Yesterday I was lucky enough to experience two more wondrous miracles at the Haven. I had the crew out for one of our twice daily walks in the big field. It was gorgeous! The breeze was just brisk enough to keep the mosquitoes from landing, the sun was warm on my shoulders, and the intense verdant green of the scenery around me was breathtaking. I was soaking it all in, bottling it in my memory for the time when the darkness is more common than the light, both in the landscape and in my heart. The dogs were zig-zagging back and forth across the field in their usual happy-go-lucky way and I was laughing at Mimi and Twiggy's faux duel-to-the-death chase across the field, when I spied a tiny white speck coming through the arbor gate from the yard into the field. I held my breath for a moment, because I couldn't believe it...Baci was venturing out to join us! For the past two years, Baci hasn't joined us on our walkies - I think primarily because he got bowled over once by one of the larger dogs. But there he was, bravely and steadily making his way out to me at the other end of the field. When he got about twenty feet from me, I called to him, and he broke into a bouncy little trot to get to me faster. I scooped him up and kissed his dear little cheek, telling him how brave he was. Baci is one of those dogs that actually smile like people - his lips turn up at the corners when he's happy - and he was smiling to beat the band. To some people, this might not be a big deal - to me, this was a huge gift.
The second miracle came from my other tiny heart boy, Teddy. As you may recall from my other posts, Teddy is a former puppy-mill dog who, until March of this year, spent his entire nine years of life in a cage, walking on wire mesh. Therefore, Teddy didn't experience some of the same things that the rest of us would consider normal experiences for a puppy. He learned about many of these things from his foster mom, Chris - like cuddling, belly rubs, sleeping in a bed, kisses on a cheek, and the warmth of a human lap. A couple of weeks ago, he started doing puppy zoomies in the house before bed. Now, mind you, our house isn't large, so there wasn't much room, but he seemed to enjoy himself nonetheless. Yesterday, he discovered one more benefit to living free - running for joy. On the same walk that Baci came out to join, Teddy started running in circles in the big field...he used every inch of that two acres in ever-widening circles. At first, it was like his little body had no idea how to coordinate everything with that much ground to cover. His legs went in all different directions and he looked a little silly, but with a wide, wide grin on his tiny face (like Baci, he smiles like a human). After a few laps, everything sort of clicked into place and he ran like the wind, ears back, tail out, and front and back legs working together in perfect harmony. My eyes teared up when I realized what I had just witnessed...a dog finally experiencing the ultimate freedom.
Yes, Virginia, miracles do still exist, and they happen every day if we look for them.

Paws-ing for Gratitude

2010-08-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

I am so grateful...I had a wonderful summer with Dan, and school is starting up again next week. While I would love to be retired and hang out with Dan and the pups all the time, I am SO thankful that unlike many teachers, I have a great teaching job to return to this fall. I have the best students on the planet (can't wait to see you guys!!). And finally, finally, my Baci is starting to feel more like himself and little Teddy is eating again. I was so worried about those little fellas!!
So, feeling a bit more contented and grateful for my blessings, I decided to finish off my tattoo yesterday after working at school. Here's what it looked like originally...

and here is what it looks like now:

I got this tattoo on my ankle in May, and it didn't seem quite finished, so I added to it yesterday. The dragonfly represents (in the Native American tradition) those that have passed on before me and overcoming a big challenge, the starfish represents how I feel about working with kids and dogs (the Starfish Story), the pawprints are Olive and Baci (one is slightly larger than the other) and the other heart dogs who have been part of my life, and the musical clef heart is for my love of singing. I think its done now, though I am considering another tiny Teddy print...

I'm Ready for my Stroll on the Boardwalk by the Shore...

2010-08-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

Ah, Coco. What a character! She's feeling better now, so she's begun to notice that she has stitches and has been trying to scratch them out with her back foot. So, rather than putting an e-collar on her, I asked Dan to pick up a baby undershirt from the store to cover up the stitches until they heal. He came home with this...

Hahaha! Isn't it perfect?! It is one of those matching Garanimals shirts for kids...and it fit her like it was made for her! Doesn't it look like she's about to go strolling on the boardwalk in Atlantic City at the turn-of-the-century? Now if they only made doggie-sized parasols, picnic baskets, and boater straw hats!

Pupdates

2010-08-06T07:42:00.000-05:00

Summer is screaming by, and I'm trying not to look too far ahead, since I have to go back to school in 2.5 weeks. I've already had to go in for a meeting, and had to do some work here at home.
The pups are all fine, for the most part. Foxy arrived on Wednesday. She's a gem, very perky and bossy, so Skylar has already put her in her place twice. :( It's not fun keeping an eye on that, but I'm sure it will settle down eventually. Bethany, the director of the shelter where Foxy is from, drove four hours each way with her boyfriend and little old lady dog to deliver Foxy to us. She and her boyfriend really wanted to adopt Foxy themselves, but they already have enough pets in their apartment, so they were delighted that Foxy got to come here and live with us. I felt really good that they liked our place (Bethany said that she didn't want to leave!), and that they were comfortable leaving Foxy here when she was obviously so special to them. Foxy loved them too, and she kept going to the gate after they left to look for them.
Teddy is dealing with interdigital cysts on his one foot. They are big, owie puss-filled bumps that appear between his toes. Apparently this is very common with puppy mill dogs who have lived on wire mesh (which he had for his whole nine years), and they are kind of hard to treat. I am soaking his little paw in warm Epsom salt baths several times a day, and giving him antibiotics, so keep your fingers crossed for him!
Coco just had her third mammary surgery on Wednesday, so she is Frankendog for awhile until her stitches come out. Both in personality and in body!! She has always been our complainer, so she's walking around moaning and groaning. She isn't in any severe pain, so I have to laugh at her grumbling and chattering.
Frisbee just got re-evaluated for his heart condition, so there was blood drawn and more meds distributed. He's also due for a dental, but I'm waiting until September when we've got a little more money. Tomorrow Uncle Mort has to go in for his annual blood draw for his epilepsy meds. Oy Vey! It has been an expensive summer for the vet this year!!
Finally, a weekend at home this weekend. I am hoping to get down to the Farmer's Market, and pick up some yummy veggies to make salsa. If I'm lucky, there will be some nice surprise foods that I can bring home as well. Hope you have a great weekend!

Poor Coco

2010-08-04T20:59:00.000-05:00

Our dear Coco is having a bad night. She had her third mammary surgery today, and she is hurting something fierce, even with the pain meds. Poor darling is sitting and moaning (of course she complains about everything even when she's healthy, so its hard to tell if this is just being a drama queen or not). I feel bad for her, especially since the only thing that will help her is time...

Fabulous Foxy

2010-08-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

The beautiful 10 lb Foxy, a terrier mix, arrived at Hundenruhe Haven today, thanks to Bethany from the Vernon County Humane Society. Bethany, her partner Brian, and little Penny brought Foxy all the way from Viroqua to live with us. Foxy is lovely, a little red-gold fuzzball, filled with confidence and moxie. We can't wait to get to know her better, but for now, we are simply happy that she has found her way home.

Baking Day at the Sanctuary

2010-07-29T16:44:00.000-05:00

It was dog treat baking day today! I made Peanut Butter Pipsqueaks and Cini's Cheesies to take to Yorkiestock in Iowa this weekend. I made seven double-batches of treats, so there will be plenty for all of the pups at Yorkiestock to indulge in. Even Elmo will have a full belly after this. (Psssst, Elmo, the big bag in the middle is for you!) For those not in the know, Yorkiestock is the annual party-picnic fundraiser-bash held at FluffyButts Rescue Resort. Since Teddy comes from there, (as did Roody), we are honorary "FluffyButters" here at the Sanctuary. Kind of a "FluffyButts North". So, Olive, Baci, Teddy and I are going to set out tomorrow to enjoy the company of a lot of other kind folks and fur-kids. We couldn't come empty-handed, so we are bringing cheese curds, snuggle-sacks, and treats! Can you believe that there are people out there who don't know what cheese curds are? Well, the fur-kids and I are on a mission this weekend to educate the masses...starting with Iowa! In case there are fur-kids out there wondering if the treats are any good, the testing kitchen crew here thoroughly examined each batch today and declared them Grade A! Stay tuned for more from our big adventure...

Here's Another Video

2010-07-19T20:19:00.000-05:00

This time I'll save you from having to listen to me and let you listen to Sarah MacLaughlin instead. It is a tribute to some of the Hundenruhe Angels...furkids who have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. Enjoy!

I've Been Working...

2010-07-19T20:05:00.000-05:00

on a couple of movies to showcase the pups. The first one is a montage of pictures of the dogs, past and present, that I set to my singing of "I'll Stand By You". I love that song, and it just seemed to fit some of the pictures of the dogs. Hope you enjoy it - and don't be too hard on the singer! :-)

Daddy's Little Helpers

2010-07-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

These little monkeys wanted to "help" with the removal of the garbage to the recycling center this morning. Don't they look eager to help??

Even Granny Esther muscled her way to the front for a good look!

Olive and the Toad

2010-07-14T07:49:00.000-05:00

This is Princess Olive on her royal throne. It is a special throne that overlooks her kingdom and swings gently to soothe her. Princess Olive is a happy but firm monarch, ruling her subjects with an iron paw in a velvet glove. However, Olive feels there is still something missing, and she is still looking for Prince Charming. On Sunday night, she came across a magical toad on her nightly constitutional around the grounds. Having heard some stories about magical frogs, she decided that it couldn't hurt to give him a kiss, to see if he turned into a gorgeous Prince TFT. Well, for the first time in her life (because the Princess is NEVER wrong), Princess Olive was mistaken. The toad was, well, a toad and he was a BAD kisser! He tasted icky. Really icky. After trying to eradicate every trace of the noxious beast from her mouth, Olive vowed never to kiss strangers ever again! Unfortunately, like a bad relationship, there seems to be lingering issues from the kiss, so Princess Olive will be visiting the royal physicians today to determine if something else must be done. Good luck, your Highness!

Teddy

2010-07-06T21:33:00.000-05:00

Teddy and Coco went to the doctor today. Coco is limping, and will need to have her toe soaked in Epsom salts twice a day. That should be interesting...! Teddy had some sad news. He has a grade 2 (out of 6) heart murmur. He had been throwing up some clear, yucky stuff and sounded congested, so Dr. Jeff checked him out. We decided to try him on heart meds for a week to see if it affects him, and then we'll know how to proceed. This isn't a serious condition as of yet, but its good to start addressing it early to halt any further deterioration of his heart. Teddy's heart is so big - we have to keep it healthy!

More Summer Smiles

2010-07-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

How lucky am I, to see these wonderful faces when I come home?! We had a hot, humid afternoon filled with scolding squirrels, rolls in the grass, wriggly bugs, fun with toys, and lots of naps on the doggie deck!

Summertime....and the Living is Easy

2010-07-01T08:05:00.000-05:00

Some photos to make you smile...

Biking with Baci

2010-06-30T20:06:00.000-05:00

Well, I've decided to get back on the bike and try to shed some of this ton of weight I've gained in the last three years. Baci was looking so sweet, I couldn't leave him at home, so he's become my riding buddy. He has a specially designed doggie bike basket in the front, and is safely clipped in. When we go down hills, he closes his eyes and tips his head back. Ahhhh, the wind in my face, and the bugs in my teeth! Of course, we don't go very fast very often, as I am still a bit of a slug in the saddle, but we are having a nice time together! Stay tuned for more episodes with Biker Baci!

Here's Ted E. Bear

2010-06-28T07:49:00.001-05:00

Wow! What an amazing day yesterday! I traveled with Olive and Baci to the wilds of Iowa (OK, not wilds, urban Iowa) to visit with my friend Chris at Fluffy Butts Rescue Resort and pick up Teddy (formerly Chips, formerly Bob). After an uneventful 5 hour, 40 minute ride to Chris' place, we were greeted with waggy butts and wet noses (and that wasn't Chris I'm talking about!). It was great to have a chance to eat pizza, see Chris' fur kids (both permanent and foster), and her amazing quilts. That girl can sew! AND she has good taste in fabrics and combinations. Good thing she's making the quilts and not me! Ha! Anyway, we had a great time and were able to add another perfect member to the Hundenruhe Pack.

Teddy spent his first nine (maybe more) years in a nasty old puppy mill in a cage walking on wire floors and servicing the ladies (if you know what I mean). Not cool - his poor teeth rotted out and he now makes due with the few he has left. But thanks to the Siouxland Humane Society and Chris at Fluffy Butts, he is living the good life! I can't believe he is as nice as he is. I'd be so mad at the world - scared and confused - if I'd had to live through what he has, but he is the most snuggly, happy-go-lucky sweetheart of an old dog I've ever met! His tail is wagging, and he jumps up on you, eager for pets. To err is human, to forgive canine. Anyway, after introductions last night and spending two hours on Dan's lap having a lovely conversation, Teddy spent the night curled up under my arm like a little teddy bear, confirming Dan's re-naming of him.
Welcome little buddy - hope you like it here!

Dear Sweet Nala

2010-06-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

Lovely Nala went to join the others at the Rainbow Bridge this morning. She was such a dear soul - no trouble at all. We never even heard her bark! Nala was always tolerant of the little dogs - when they tripped her, or bothered her, or even (as in the above picture) stole her big-girl bed and she was left to make do with the smaller beds! There is comfort in knowing that she had a comfortable and peaceful life here at Hundenruhe, enjoying her home-cooked meals, walkies in the big fields, and long naps. Nala also did not have to endure a long, drawn-out illness. She was fine yesterday, running in the fields and eating her dinner. We think that there was something neurologically wrong with her that worsened during the night, as she could not stand without falling over this morning when she got up to go potties. Dr. Jeff gave her a very thorough examination, and we all decided to help her to the Bridge. She passed to the other side while lying in my arms. Run free, Nala-Bala Washington!

Esther Conquers the Big Field

2010-05-31T09:03:00.000-05:00

Esther went for her first walk in the big field yesterday. She was a trooper, hopping along behind me and taking in the wide, wide world around her!

Woof, Y'All!

2010-05-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

Introducing...allllllllll the way from Dallas, Texas.....Miss Esther! Thanks to some fantastic women from Texas Little Cuties (You're the best, Leslie and Linda!), Miss Esther has found her way all the way up North to the frozen tundra of Hundenruhe Haven. She is just an itty-bitty little chihuahua - around five/six pounds. We know she's a granny of at least 12 years old, but because she was found as a stray in a creek, then taken to the pound, and then rescued by TLC, we'll never know exactly how old she is, or the extent of her story. I do know that she's just about the sweetest little granny I've ever met! She doesn't have toofers, so her tongue sticks out a little, and it is just so endearing. She and Uncle Mort have the same coloring, and the same toothless smiles, though he now looks like a giant next to her! We are very glad she's here, and I am looking forward to many happy years with Granny Esther.

Me, My Tattoo, and I

2010-05-25T21:17:00.000-05:00

It's my birthday, and I just got this, my very first tattoo, on my ankle. It is designed to represent three important philosophies in my life. The dragonfly represents important people that have passed away in my life, as well as overcoming a big challenge, the starfish represents my philosophy about kids and dog rescue, and the two pawprints represent Olive and Baci, as well as all the dogs I've loved and will love.

Sunday on the Farm

2010-05-02T20:10:00.000-05:00

As usual, our day started with the canine alarm clocks (Shae, Coco, and Sammy) barking the household awake well before 6:00 am. The bright side of all this was that I was able to hear the turkeys in the backfield somewhere, and witness the mating dance of a male sandhill crane as he tried to attract his (largely unimpressed) mate. Spectacular! The birds were all chirping, much to Twig's chagrin, since she couldn't find all of them to bark at and chase away. The spring peeper frogs were singing away down in the marsh, and every now and again, the horses next door would whinny to each other. Ahhhh, lovely. Yesterday I planted the annuals in the pots around the house's gardens, and potted the herbs. Most importantly, I planted tulips in Tulip's Garden. We've always called it Tulip's Garden, though it had no tulips in it, because she loved to drink from the scummy water feature (despite the fresh water in the house!), and hang out there. We moved the beagle statue to Tulip's Garden when we noticed how much she liked being there. I always said that when she left us, I'd plant some tulips there, so there would always be a Tulip in her Garden. They are lovely, but not nearly so as she was.

Last Walk with Lulu

2010-04-21T19:57:00.001-05:00

Tulip, the seventeen-year-old face of Hundenruhe, walked her last walk in the field tonight. Dan, the dogs, and I accompanied her on a last patrol of the fenceline. Dr. Jeff told us last night that her heart just isn't pumping blood to her body anymore, and she's already started turning blue in her membranes. She hasn't eaten in three days, now and her energy gave out at the end of her walk tonight. We know that its time to let her go.
Tulip has been special from the moment she arrived at Hundenruhe with Jeanne and Dave three years ago, broken and sad. We watched her heal physically and mentally and become a wagging, play-bowing, beggar of kisses and loving. She and Dan fell in love with each other, and this will be an especially hard loss. My sister took this picture shortly after her transformation, and Dan coined it "The Faces of Hundenruhe". Truly, Tulip exemplifies the reason for our taking in the seniors. Her journey from breeder dog to dumped stray to real rescue to Hundenruhe Haven and true peace is one that will inspire me forever. It will be one of the hardest good-byes we will ever have to face. We will always love you Lulu.

Festival of Needles

2010-04-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

Dr. Jeff came to the house last night for the annual "Festival of Needles". The dogs needed their annual lepto shots and heartworm blood tests, as well as a couple of random rabies vaccinations thrown in for good measure. As usual, the very efficient Dr. Jeff (with help from Marvelous Marnie, the vet tech) finished a host of blood tests and vaccinations in record time - about a half an hour! We are so thankful for Dr. Jeff and his outstanding care of our babies.

All Good Things...

2010-04-05T11:01:00.000-05:00

...must come to an end. Today is the last day of a long and lovely Spring Break from school. We haven't had an entire week off for Spring Break since one of the first years I taught (almost 20 years ago!), so this was blissful. In addition to the welcome time off, the weather has been beyond fantastic - warm and balmy - great for spending time with the dogs outdoors. Each day on our walks in the fields we have watched the fields green up, buds burst into tender green leaves, and pups rolling in the warm grass. Absolutely heavenly! The yard is cleaned up, the trees trimmed (and some branches cut for McKinley Academy's graduation decorations), the outdoor furniture has been returned to its rightful place, and...best of all...the outdoor dog beds have again taken up residence on our little "doggie deck" on the back patio. It's only 10:30am, and "Spa Day" has already begun for the dogs. Wet towels are snapping in the wind on the line, my clothes are soaked, and there is a quarter inch of water on the kitchen counter. You guessed it - they have all been bathed, and are now sipping cold drinks and lounging on their outdoor beds in the sun. Okay, so maybe not sipping cold drinks, but I'd sure like to be pampered like they were today!!
This is Shae (formerly Chardonnay). She's a 14 year old beagle from the Eastshore Humane Society in Chilton. Her dad couldn't keep her anymore and turned her over to the shelter for rehoming. I hope that he'd be happy to know that she is doing wonderfully, fitting in with the rest of the gang here at the Haven. Every day she goes on our walkabouts - what a healthy, happy pup! Her only flaw is that she loves to "talk" and we'll be working on that! She loves soft beds, watching over the fenceline, and harassing the girls and the tinies. She is very, very welcome here, and Tulip, Ruby, and Shae have taught us that we will probably always have a beagle to watch over Hundenruhe.

Spring!!!

2010-03-12T17:45:00.000-06:00

Here's a happy thought for you: today after school the snow had finally melt enough for us to open the gate into one of the big 3 acre fenced fields. I let all the oldies and youngies out in the field with me for a walk. This was the first time for Sammy (from Little Paws), Miss Coco (also from Little Paws), and 14.5 year old greyhound Nala in the big field, as they came over the winter to Hundenruhe Haven. The delight on the face of Coco when she realized that she was allowed to putz and putter in this huge space was priceless. Nala the greyhound was play-bowing and running, and little Sammy couldn't get enough of tearing around at top speed after little puppy mill rat terrier Metoo (aged 5) around and around the field. All of the rest of the Hundenruhe babies (ten more!) were all doing their own thing and it was marvelous. Tulip (thank heavens she's still with us for now!) did her first patrol for heffalumps and woozles - she was SO happy to get out in "her" field! Twig found several long-lost toys buried under snow all winter and had such trouble deciding which to bring for me to kick across the field for her. Tiny Olive was digging for bunny "prizes" under the remaining snow piles and brothers Obie and Skylar were running back and forth between me and all the other dogs, joyfully leaping and bounding back to Mommy each time. Even the iggies were having fun. Ancient Rudy (17!) was running and barking at everyone he encountered and Sophia walked the fenceline all the way to the end of the field and back. Uncle Mort tottered around doing his Uncle Mort business. We never really know what he's thinking! Little Baci stayed on the porch and watched because he's so afraid of being run over. My project this summer is to try to get him to join us more on our group walkies.
This is the best moment of the year for me every year - that first breath of spring, and the end of puppy cabin fever!

Spam and Coco - Yum!

2010-02-20T20:57:00.000-06:00

It's been an exciting couple of weeks around here! Two wonderful new additions to the Hundenruhe Haven family have joined us from Little Paws Rescue in Iowa. Sammy is a powderpuff Chinese Crested dog, who is 11 years old. He's a riot, full of fun and loving to follow us around the house, standing on his hinder legs to beg, and learning to chase Mimi and Twig around the yard. His parents had to move into a rest home, so he came to live with us last Saturday. His arrival was delayed by a week because I had to have an emergency appendectomy!! I've never had surgery before, so it was quite a novel experience, to say the least. I am back to work and feeling pretty good now, thank heavens.
Today I met DeeAnn and Cathy in Madison to pick up Coco, a 12 year old rat terrier. She was picked up as a stray, and originally was owned by a couple who gave her to someone...you know the story. Anyway, no one seemed to want the old girl, and Little Paws' foster homes were all full, so we took her in. She seems to be settling well, and reminds me a lot of our dear, departed Sadie. So, it's nice to have a Grandma Rattie back in the house again!
Both of the new kids are chunky monkeys (hence Sammy's new nickname of Spam), so there's some dieting going on here, as well as the hope for an early spring and walkies in the big fields.
Welcome to Hundenruhe! I hope you find your peace here...

Toot - Toot- Toody, Good-bye. We'll love you forever.

2010-01-26T19:15:00.000-06:00

I am sad, sad, sad to let you know that Roody has passed away. He had finally gotten over his fear of men (he'd been cuddling on Dan's lap the last few nights), his need to love the ladies, and his inability to eat on his own. He'd gained weight and his coat just shined. Unfortunately, he also had some sort of cancer wrapping itself around his bowels. Roody's pain got to be too much and today we let him go to the bridge to run free with the others. Run free, you old lecher! Even if he wasn't with us for long, he knew he was loved.

Run Free, Racer Boy

2010-01-15T19:57:00.000-06:00

New Year has gone on his way, racing to the bridge. His arthritis finally overcame his will and he was unable to get up or stay on his feet. We released him from his pain this afternoon.

He was with us for a little over a year, recently celebrating his 14th birthday with us. New Year was lucky enough to spend his last year with open fields to run in (when he was feeling a bit spry-er), specially purchased giant-sized beds to snooze on, and tons of ear rubs and back massages. New Year was the only dog I've ever met that had temper tantrums. When someone else was on his bed, Newy would stand next to the bed and mournfully look from the bed to one of us, barking and stamping his front feet. The world was too small to contain his huge spirit...

Just Plain Cute

2010-01-06T21:30:00.000-06:00

Here's Baci avoiding Twig's "girl germs" and Roody - Toody on a typical chilly winter day (in front of the electric fireplace!).

OK, OK, I Guess She's Not So Bad...

2010-01-01T20:12:00.001-06:00

After much pacing, barking, paw-stomping and general tantrum behavior, New Year finally decided that Nala wasn't moving off of his bed, so he joined her. Sweet, huh?

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T17:21:00.000-06:00

Dan and I hope that 2010 will be the best year ever - for us and for you! May your pockets be filled with wealth, your homes filled with love, your hearts filled with peace, and your couches filled with puppies!

Escaped Again!

2009-12-31T17:19:00.000-06:00

Tom and his girls apparently felt they had escaped another year's holiday meals, because they came ambling up the hill to the front door yesterday. I'd never seen them this close before! Earlier in the morning, they were in the back dog run, hopping up and down (literally!) and trying to get out over the fence. Dopey creatures forgot they could fly! Once one of them remembered, out they all flew. A few hours later, they came trooping up the drive, up the hill to the house, and hung out on the lawn for about 20 minutes! Only when you live in the sticks can you see this kind of entertainment!

Hello, Nala!

2009-12-27T16:01:00.001-06:00

Nala came to live with us today! Her mom, Sue, and two human "brothers" brought her down from Stevens Point to her new home here at Hundenruhe Haven. She is a complete and total DOLL, and we are enjoying her already. Nala is fourteen and a half, but you'd never know it by the sparkle in her eye and the joy with which she has been exploring her new digs. She did great meeting the other crazies, and doesn't she just look so precious with New Year? (he's on the right) Nala has settled right in, letting crabby Twig hog her bed, but being happy to settle on her blanket next to me while I write about her on the computer. I am looking forward to getting to know her and all her quirks and charms. We are so lucky that Sue trusted us with her - Welcome to Hundenruhe Haven, Nala! [More pictures from Nala's first day can be found at: http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/cestmoijodee/ ]

Farewell, Sadie

2009-12-23T10:35:00.000-06:00

Our beloved Sadie went to the Rainbow Bridge on Monday at the age of 17. She went to the doctor for a dental, and a large mass was discovered in her abdomen while she was there. It was bleeding internally, so we decided to let our precious girl go.
We called her "Sadie No-Trouble". She was a darling, darling rat terrier girl. Though she suffered from a wee bit of dementia (had her "spells", don't you know!), she still froliced behind me like a little filly when we go for walkies in the big field. She had just discovered pets in the last year, and was constantly at our fingertips . Sadie thought that Baci was her baby, and was often nearby, keeping an eye on his royal tininess. Her human mom passed away, and we were so happy that she was able to find her way north to Hundenruhe.
There will always be a hole in our hearts without our girl, but we know that she truly found "dog's peace" here. What she gave to us was immeasurable.
We love you, Sadie. See you at the bridge...

End of an Era

2009-11-27T09:09:00.000-06:00

Today we'll say good-bye to an old friend and an era in my life. As a child, I dreamed of owning a horse, learning to ride, and showing at a horse show. Zeke, an Appaloosa, made all those dreams come true for me. He and I learned dressage together, he an 11-year-old green-broke cow horse, and I a 26-year-old city girl. At first sight, he reminded me of a camel - making funny faces over the wall of the stall. Definitely NOT the horse of my dreams. But, he was affordable, and quickly won my heart. Zeke did not like to work, so he used to pretend to be lame every month when the dressage instructor flew in from Michigan. Silly boy. Soon, Dan and I made over the dairy barn on our farm to accomodate Zeke, and many hours were spent pounding nails and fence posts. Zeke was soon joined by Buddy, Dan's aged quarter horse, and then Rhodes, my Holsteiner show horse. Over time, Buddy went to the Rainbow Bridge and Rhodes to a new home, and our Zeke was left to grace our pastures. He was a friend to the barn cats, snurffling them with his big nose, and loved to tease the dogs. His pasture paralleled the dog run, and he loved to lean over the fence and blow on the dogs. There are very few things that felt as wonderful as seeing him trot in to the barn when I called him. Today the vet will come and we will send him on his way to join Buddy at the Bridge. I will miss him - and all he represents. My first horse...and my last. Love you, Big Guy. Run free.

Blessings

2009-11-26T10:46:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon the many things that one is grateful for. It is probably the very best holiday of all, because it is a chance to spend time with family, and express the gratitude that fills our hearts. I am so fortunate to have so many blessings - my husband and partner, my mom and step-dad, students who have become my extended family, the cutest heart-dogs in the world, a gorgeous place in the country to live, the opportunity to share my home with the sweet aged souls of the senior dogs that come to live with us, ample food to eat (sometimes too much!), and a great education. I feel lucky every day for what I have - and will continue to strive to do better and be better.

Yahoo!

2009-11-22T18:30:00.000-06:00

Our donated basket went for $51! Yay for Fluffy Butts!
Today was a gorgeous day, with the mist rising from the fields at Hundenruhe Haven. After a glorious walk in the warmer-than-normal morning air, I headed off to have lunch with my mom. I am so lucky to have her in my life! We had a lovely talk and it reminded me of how much I have to be thankful for. I have the very best possible partner in the world - my husband Dan. And we get to make a difference one dog at a time - getting to know these amazing old souls and receiving their sweet wisdom and spirits. During the week I am blessed with a job where I can inspire and be inspired by the most unique and cool kids on the planet. I live on a fantastic piece of land, where the delights of nature are at my doorstep every day. We have plenty to eat, and fairly reliable transportation. Though we don't get to have many frivolous items in our lives like vacations and big TV's, fancy cars, or expensive clothes, we are blessed with what matters. It is enough.

Bid on Cool Stuff!

2009-11-07T19:57:00.000-06:00

Fluffy Butts Rescue Resort in Iowa is having its annual auction to raise money to rehome the many animals that come to them in need each year. This is the organization that sent us Roody, and Chris is an amazing person, so I'd encourage you to support them in any way that you can. The auction starts on November 15, but you can register beginning November 14. Go to Fluffybutts.com to find out more. The basket in the picture is our donation to the auction and includes: a snuggie sack dog blanket, gourmet doggie treats, handmade notecards, a cute plaque, and a toy basket. Bid high! I finished making the snuggie sack today, and made our pups an extra one because I liked the rubber duckie fleece so much. Skylar is testing out our blankie now and has declared it comfy and warm!

Pupdate

2009-11-03T20:26:00.000-06:00

Well, at the risk of jinxing ourselves, it seems the storm has passed. All the pups are feeling much better. Roody is still having some tummy issues, but the liquid leavings are thankfully a thing of the past. Rudy gets his stitches out on Saturday, and Mimi gets her three year rabies shot. I hope that we are through at the vet's office for awhile!

It's that time of year again! I just signed up Baci, Olive, and myself to ring bells for the Salvation Army over the holiday season. We'll be ringing bells outside the Manitowoc Shopko every Tuesday evening beginning on November 24th. Please stop by and put some money in the kettle - its a great cause that really helps a lot of people. It is always chilly and every year I wonder why I am standing there freezing, but I meet the nicest people! Baci may even give you a kiss if you stop by!

Oh, Dear

2009-10-27T19:21:00.000-05:00

Well, times are a wee bit rough at the Haven. Rudy just had surgery for his tumor (he's doing fine and finally back home after a night at the vet), Roody stayed overnight last night at the vet, too, as he has some sort of tummy bug, Sophia is throwing up, Sadie is sleeping more and more, and Frisbee is off his food. Something has hit us, and it isn't the Swine Flu! This is so hard on the old ones, and I hope we don't lose anyone. If you have faith, please send us some positive thoughts and prayers for these souls to recover (and quickly!). It is also hard on the budget when they are sick. Despite our vet's generous help, the bills are still so high - last month it was over $600 for the two dentals, and the Rudy's bill was $465 today. I'm not sure where the money is going to come from for this round, and I sure hope there isn't more to come. Don't worry - I'd never deny the dogs necessary care. I guess we'll have to shuffle around a few more expenses...

Treadmills, Tumors, and Turn-arounds

2009-10-25T11:04:00.001-05:00

It was a productive Saturday at Hundenruhe Haven. Rudy, our 16-year-old Italian Greyhound, has been battling cancerous tumors on his belly for as long as he's lived with us - about 3 years now. He also takes medicine for his thyroid and for epilepsy. On Friday night, a very large tumor burst open and was giving him some discomfort, so I took him to the vet on Saturday morning. Poor fellow - it looks like raw meat! We decided that Rudy wasn't yet ready for the Rainbow Bridge, so he will have surgery to remove the tumor on Monday. Last month he lost 7 teeth, this month part of his skin! Please think good thoughts for his surgery and subsequent recovery.
Treadmills....my sister-in-law has purchased my treadmill. Hurray! I am too fat and have too much trouble with my joints to take up running again, so the treadmill has been a convenient blanket-hanger for some time now. Since she can't pick it up until Thanksgiving weekend, I managed to haul it out to the porch to await pick-up. Never one to pass up an opportunity to rearrange furniture, I moved a few things around in the dog room yesterday, and I'm quite pleased with the result. The dog room is a bit of a misnomer, as the dogs generally have free reign of the house when we are home. However, when we are away, we try to confine them to one room. All the dogs except for Uncle Mort and New Year are crated for breakfast and dinner to ensure proper medication and nutrition, but only Obie, Skylar, Mimi, Twig, Olive, and Baci are crated when we're away. They are the younger dogs, and are crated for their safety. Thankfully, that's never more than about four hours at a stretch. The older dogs hang out on dog beds or the futon in the dog room, and New Year is in a room of his own. Anyway, the dogs are enjoying a little more space in front of the electric fireplace, which we use as supplemental heating in the cold months. They are loving hanging out in their Bubble Butt Beds from Aunt Chris in Iowa, soaking up the heat coming from the fireplace. A couple of extra crates (a wee bit larger than their current ones) should be arriving this week, so Skye and Obie can have a little more room when their Dad is at work. I am so pleased with the result of decorating this long, skinny room that has to serve an unusual purpose! I love HGTV shows - maybe I could start one that decorates "dog rooms" in other people's houses! Okay, maybe not, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Turkeys and Snow

2009-10-17T09:44:00.000-05:00

Another cold morning at Hundenruhe Haven. When we went out for the first outing of the day, snowflakes were drifting gently down from a gray and dreary sky. Fortunately, they didn't last long, but I have a feeling that they were a harbinger of things to come. The pups aren't thrilled with the chill, but they take delight in the bountiful scents that autumn provides. This morning Obie, Skylar, Mimi, and Tulip were entertained for quite awhile by this fellow. The dogs have been after him all summer (this photo was from a previous squirrel encounter with him!). Tulip's beagle nose scared him up out of a potted plant in the Tulip Garden, and he scampered up the chainlink fence and dove into one of the metal posts. Poor pups! They were so confused and frustrated by his scolding from inside the pipe, which amplified his protests! Their heads were cocked, ears up, listening to what I can only imagine they thought was the biggest squirrel in the universe!
Our other surprise this morning was a flock of turkeys in our Field 2, which can be seen from the house. We've found turkey feathers in the back fields before, but this was the first time we saw the turkeys from the yard. There were two toms, and about a dozen hens. Once the dogs started barking at Mr. Nutkin the Squirrel, the turkeys started ambling toward the hedgerow, and soon disappeared into the long grass. The dogs never saw the turkeys (thankfully!), so we didn't have to deal with the inevitable cacophony that would have followed that discovery! Turkeys are not very smart creatures, but it is so cool to see these huge birds still able to live in their natural environment.
The neighbor's elk are also reminding us that it is Fall. They call back and forth to their mates, and the sound is a cross between an elephant's trumpeting and a coyote's howl. They are just about done with this annual opera, but it has been so amazing to hear their love songs and see these giant shaggy beasts with huge antlers as they move about in their spacious home. We are so lucky to live next to Dennis, his family, and their elk. We get to enjoy the sights and sounds without all the work!
As usual, this weekend will be filled with cooking (for ourselves and the dogs), cleaning, and laundry. Soon it will be necessary to put all of the outdoor furniture and toys away for the season - but I just can't bear to do it yet!

Fall? What Fall?

2009-10-11T18:28:00.000-05:00

The leaves are gorgeous right now, so Olive, Baci, and I went out Friday after school to take some pictures. These trees are on our road - aren't they lovely? You can almost smell the musty, papery smell of the leaves as they float gently to the ground to crackle underfoot. It put me in the mind of autumn foods, so on Saturday I made a huge pot of spicy chili and some homemade pumpkin pies. The house was redolent with the smell of cloves, ginger, and chili peppers. Autumn...right? Then WHY WAS IT 22 DEGREES THIS MORNING???? And, WHY DID IT SNOW ON SATURDAY??? It looks like fall, it smells like fall...but it feels like winter! Ahhh, Wisconsin, the land of two seasons - hot and snow. At least it looks pretty. Stay warm, everyone!

"Tude-y"

2009-10-04T09:19:00.000-05:00

I had a revelation yesterday. When Roody (shown next to Rudy) came to live with us from Iowa, we tried to figure out a way to distinguish him from the other Rudy that we already had - for calling him, for the vet's office, for medications, etc. We decided that since he was so old, we would just spell his name with two "o's", and refer to him as "Roody 2". After awhile, we started calling him Toody for short. Yesterday I realized that it is the perfect name. Why? Because he has the biggest "tude" (attitude) of any dog that I've ever met! He doesn't see well, so we have to approach him gently so that he doesn't startle - otherwise he growls and bites - no teeth to harm us, but not very nice all the same. He also jumps as high as my shoulder and does a little dance when he is happy - more 'tude! And...he sings! No kidding - he has this high-pitched little song that he sings when he wants to be with us. What a character! Soooooo - Toody it is!

Brrrrrrr!

2009-10-01T19:44:00.000-05:00

It's coooolllldddd here! I miss the balmy summer breezes, but the chilly nights are wonderful for snuggling and sleeping. I am loving the opportunity to turn on the electric mattress pad warmer, cuddle up with the tinies, and read a good book. I just finished The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown's new novel, and I'm ready to start a period piece, The White Queen. School is in full swing, so life around here has shifted to the other schedule - up by five to feed and out the dogs, off to school to arrive by 6:30, Dan off to pick up kids by six to get them to their various schools, and then he's in and out all day to let dogs in and out. Back home for me after five each day - walks in the field, feeding again, dinner for us, and then a bit of a cuddle in front of the TV before books and bed! Whew! Its a crazy life, but has its own rewards. Happy October!

The Ambassa-Dogs (AKA The Tinies)

2009-09-25T18:23:00.001-05:00

Olive and Baci are my heartbeats, and together act as Ambassa-Dogs for the Sanctuary. They are both toy fox terriers. They have worked with me at the Farmer's Market booth (I am quite sure they have waaaay more friends than I do!), traveled across the country to help me pick up residents for Hundenruhe, and come to school to read with my students. They are even famous! Our friend Barbara Techel was kind enough to include them in her book, "Frankie - The Walk 'n' Roll Dog". I could not have been more blessed with amazing companions.
Olive came to me via a wonderful rescue group called Southern Hope in Atlanta, GA. Stacey and her daughter gave her a great start after her original owners, an elderly couple, recognized that perhaps a puppy didn't suit their lives as well as they originally anticipated. Thankfully, they gave up Olive (then Daisy) to Stacey, and eventually when Olive was nine months old, I flew down to Atlanta to adopt her and fly home. She rode in the cabin and charmed everyone! Since she came to live with us in December, Olive is named after the title character in the book, "Olive - The Other Reindeer". She is now six years old, and weighs only six pounds!
Baci (formerly Rusty) was going to be euthanized at the Wisconsin Humane Society because they thought he had a chronic skin condition. Thankfully, it was simply that he had been pulling out his hair due to stress when his owners kept him in his crate for ten hours a day while they were at work, so he soon was back to normal after coming to live here at one year of age. I commend his owners for realizing that this was not the life for him, and giving him the chance for a different kind of life. They did a wonderful job with his early life, because he came to us delightfully snuggly, housebroken, and with the cute trick of doing spins for treats! He is tiny, tiny, tiny, weighing only 3.5 pounds! His name means "kisses" in Italian (he loves both giving and receiving!), and he is named after the Perugina chocolate by that name that comes wrapped in love notes.
The tinies have their own car seats in my car, and love being packed up (yes, dressed up, too!) and taken with me whereever I can get away with bringing them! Lucky, lucky me - to have been able to have four heartdogs in my lifetime - two have passed away, and two live with me now.

Da Girlz

2009-09-25T18:04:00.000-05:00

Twiggy (top) and Metoo (Mimi, below) are our girls. Both girls were supposed to be foster dogs, but ended up staying for good. Twiggy came to us as an owner-surrender via the Wisconsin Humane Society. She was going to go live with Mama Wendy in Illinois, but she wasn't very polite to Mama Wendy's other dog, so she came back home to Hundenruhe. We decided that she could stay, because little Miss Mimi needed a friend. Twig is five, and is a toy fox terrier. She has a few white hairs on her forehead, so I tell her that's where the angels kissed her to remind her to be good. She loves playing fetch more than anything else on the planet, and runs like the wind on her stubby legs, tryng to get her toy, and barking to scare off any birds flying overhead. (How dare they fly over "her" house!)
Mimi is a puppy mill puppy, and is another dog saved by our vet's office. She came to us covered in ugly sores and raw skin due to a condition called atopic dematitis. Due to the dermatitis and her lack of early socialization, Mimi didn't get handled much by her previous family, causing lasting developmental and social problems. With a lot of ointment, oral medication, special food, and love, today Mimi is a healthy four year old rat terrier, but she still can't handle strangers of any kind or children. So on the day before Mimi was set to go to her foster home in Minnesota, she crawled up on Dan's lap, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Me, too? Can I stay, too?" Soft-hearted Dan consented, Mimi got a new name, and she is a lasting reminder of why puppy mills need to be put out of business. She will always need to be put in a separate room when we have guests at the sanctuary because the stress makes her ill. Mimi's great with Dan and I, however, so she will have a loving home here until she goes to the Bridge one day (hopefully) well into the future.

Da Boyz

2009-09-25T17:50:00.000-05:00

These are my "little men". We've had Oberon (Obie, on the left) and Skylar (Skye, on the right) since they were six weeks old. I can't believe that this week they will turn 8 and officially be seniors with the rest of the crew. Obie is a little "off" and must take meds for his anxiety, and Skye is the boss of the pack here - sometimes a little too bossy! When they were tiny, they couldn't sleep without each other, and now they want to be as far apart as possible. Obie has always been my little "tank" - chunky and cuddly - constantly rolling over for belly rubs, and loving to rock on the outdoor swing. Sky has always been my "smoochie" - kissing and pushing his way in to give his version of puppy hugs - pushing himself against you as tightly as possible. They are a joy, and were the only puppies I ever purchased (or will purchase) from a breeder. They are rat terriers - a challenging breed - and are no healthier or have any better temperaments than those pups we have rescued. So...save a pup...adopt!

Almost Forgot Sadie!

2009-09-24T21:12:00.000-05:00

We call her "Sadie No-Trouble". She is a darling, darling rat terrier girl who is 16 years old. Though she suffers from a wee bit of dementia (has her "spells", don't you know!), she still frolics behind me like a little filly when we go for walkies in the big field. She has just discovered pets in the last year, and is constantly at our fingertips now. Sadie thinks that Baci is her baby, and is often nearby, keeping an eye on his royal tininess. Her human mom passed away, and we are happy that she was able to find her way north to Hundenruhe.