What Do Ya Mean, Rain?

Pilot heard the weather forecast this morning, and we put the poor lad to work! He helped clean out all of the livestock pens, remake their beds, put up a tarp on Piggie's house, and move the goats around. Bob, unfortunately, hates to get his feet wet, so he makes the girls stand outside while he's inside during any type of rain - now he's in a pen next to our horse, and the girls can stay dry.

Although he worked hard, Pilot was rewarded well - a jar of baby food is a tasty treat!

Shiloh Rings In The New Year!

The newest member of the Golden Hearts family finally came home today! This is Shiloh, an Aussie, who came to us from the Pet Rescue Center. She was pulled from a shelter in San Bernardino, and the rescue thought she was a 4 year old. Well, once they picked her up, it became apparent that she hadn't seen 4 years of age in a really long time!

She suffers from severe arthritis, she was treated for pneumonia, and had to have a huge grooming makeover. She was matted to the bone everywhere, and her toenails were grown around in to her footpads, making her painful walk even worse. The rescue took care of her major issues, but where do you find a home for a 14 year old (yes, she's all of 14) arthritic and malnourished dog? Here, of course!

She's quite the lovebug. She loves to eat. She enjoys the other dogs. She finds cats fascinating. She is arthritic, but the Metacam she's on really seems to help. She does have difficulty seeing. She seems to have some eye problems and will need to see our opthamologist. She has some sores that are healing too. She's hard of hearing, but not totally deaf. And her spirit is healing the longer she's here ~ her personality is really starting to come out! She'll get the once over from all our docs over the next couple of weeks to make sure she's on the right track.

Welcome home, Shiloh!

Introducing Roxanne!

Roxy joined us between Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was turned in to the San Diego county Carlsbad shelter by her owners who stated they were moving and wanted to turn her in to be "killed" (direct quote from the intake staff). Yikes!! The staff offered to do the intake and try to put her up for adoption and the owners agreed.

Roxy didn't do well at the shelter. She didn't eat well, and caught the inevitable respiratory infection. We were contacted about taking her, but we had just agreed to help another senior they had that was in need. Things have a way of working out, because the kitty we were to take found a home thanks to the shelter volunteers.

Those same volunteer angels contacted us about Roxy, and this time we could say "yes!" The catch was we had less than 1/2 a day to pick her up before she would be euthanized, so with some rearranging of the work schedule, I picked her up that afternoon. I was also able to meet the dedicated staff and volunteers who are trying very hard for the animals!

Once here, Roxy was very withdrawn. She wouldn't eat, and was hand-fed and given subcutaneous fluids and antibiotics. She didn't like dogs, didn't like cats, and pretty much just tolerated me :) . The respiratory bug was gone for the most part, she just had runny eyes.

Then, something miraculously happened on Day 12. Roxy started eating on her own! And she came out for attention, purring like crazy! I think she finally figured out this was for good. She's very affectionate now, worked through her dog and cat issues, and is now living in the Kitty Cabana. She's starting the New Year off right!

Happy New Year!

From Holly & all of the gang, Happy New Year to one and all!