I received an email that said people forget about helping the Rescue Ranch because I don't remind them enough. I feel awful about even asking once for help but then I remember all of the other animal rescues and sanctuaries that constantly ask for help--using that money on hefty salaries, TV commercials, fancy calendars and cards going out in the mail and more. We don't do any of that--we don't want to waste any resources. Every gift given helps only the animals.

We do however, have our hands full and are facing a financial crisis. We were too soft-hearted and took on too many special needs animals who need extended care and medical attention--and that turned out to be un-adoptable.

It is probably another month or two before we will be back on our feet--we depleting ourselves getting Project Hope/The Distemper Project founded and spreading the news/treatment for the deadly canine distemper virus. Yes, we did a lot of good--in fact, Project Hope has saved and will continue to save hundreds and thousands of animals but in our passion to get this treatment off the ground (lives were at stake), we left ourselves in a dangerous position financially.

Today is the last day to help the RR animals in May. There is a list of things an arm long that they need--from food to medicine, treats (a must, not a luxury for disabled animals) to supplies and first aid stuff and so much more. Our responsibilities are great--the photos on these pages only feature some of the animals in our care.

I hope my writing and their faces move your heart to act. If everyone just helped in some way, the burden would be light. But many, looking the other way, doesn't help you or the animals--for it is in giving that our lives are truly blessed. Please allow yourself to be blessed! Click Here to Help.

This isn't about "just" helping the Rescue Ranch animals...this is about making a difference in the world.

Thank you for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

www.chron.com/rescuevolunteer is my other blog in the Houston Chronicle

Hopefully, everyone is having a peaceful day--perhaps filled with the love of family and friends; perhaps filled with the love of their animals--or both. We never quite get a break at the Rescue Ranch--it is full steam ahead day in and day out.

Grateful for our military--past and present--who give their lives to protect our freedom, you are always in our thoughts and prayers. I wish there was no need for war or conflict and people could be more like the animals--tolerant, loving and if there ever is a problem, the resolution is instant and friendships go on like nothing ever happened. There is so much we could learn from the animals...

Hugs from the RR Herd--

Jane

As I was stirring up a big (gigantic) pot of spaghetti to share between me, Mike and a whole bunch of hungry doggies, I watched the two hour edition of Extreme Makeovers Home Edition (I think that is the name). It was all about helping a family who lost their teenage daughter to a texting-while-driving accident.

When Alex didn't show up at school, her parents both went out looking for her--and found her crushed truck...Alex was on the ground, nearly dead. The sheriff told them there was nothing that could be done to save her and so her mother held her hand and her father held her until God called her name. A very bittersweet moment.

I thought about how texting and driving could really affect not only the person driving but the other cars passing them, going in the other direction, next to them. Just a swerve, could cause so much damage.

When we go out, we take a bunch of the Rescue Ranch herd with us--it probably looks like a "circus" to other people.  Usually, many people will want to stop us and talk about the different breeds in the car, why we do what we do, and hopefully, we encourage people to adopt or foster, too. 

As I watched the show, I thought about how we could be affected by someone carelessly texting and driving. That's when I decided to ask you, too, to pass on the message to please resist the urge--saving your own life, maybe mine and maybe some animals' lives as well.

I know it is tempting--and very addictive--to answer that "jingle jangle" ringtone--but nothing is so important that it can't wait until you can pull over OR get to wherever you are going.  Nothing.

I can't always answer my phone and I usually can't figure out that I have a text message! What I did do, is ask anyone who has my phone number, that if they really truly have an emergency, to keep calling--repeatedly--until I answer. Maybe you could do that, too--you'll know if the message or call is urgent and can be pulling off the road to answer it/respond, instead of worrying that every single ping is urgent. Most are probably not.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

For more about Alex Brown and her family's quest to stop texting while driving:

http://www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org/foundation/index.php

I was letting some dogs out today and one jumped up and wanted to cuddle. He was a tiny puppy but now weighs about 40+ pounds. He still thinks he is that tiny puppy. I could not turn down such a wonderfully, enthusiastic, sharing of love so when he jumped up to cuddle, I caught him--and picked him up to kiss him. 

Well, both of us enjoyed the special moment but when I bent down to put him on the floor, my left side was worse for the wear. It feels like something tore. Ouch-ouch-ouch. I can't lay down, I can't stand up, can't sit--without feeling the pain in my side. 

I know that I'll probably feel better in a few days. I learned long ago to use ice, alternating with a heating pad, every ten minutes or so--for five cycles--then break for a few hours, to unstick a caught nerve (if that is what it is). Ice for a tear, a lumbar brace if it doesn't get better sooner than later. This is all part of taking care of animals. 

I could have said no--I could have just petted the puppy on the ground--and will from now on. But, after he watched me picking up the smaller dogs, kissing them on the head, cuddling them, I didn't want him to think I didn't care the same about him, too. What I realized, too late, is that I could have bestowed the same admiration and love on him by just bending down and maybe lifting his front paws up--and not picking up all of his weight my-waist-to-shoulder-high.  (Ouch again.)

Animal caretakers have to consider themselves first. As a friend reminded me, always put your oxygen mask on on an airplane in trouble--so you can help others. I/we need to be in tip top shape (as best we can) to lift the dog food, walk the animals, clean the crates, bandage the boo-boos and a stupid injury like this is my own fault.

Hopefully by tomorrow I'll feel better. I sure am looking forward to making macaroni salad for Memorial Day--I make it for everyone once or twice a year. I have to be able to stand for a few hours to cut up all of the fixin's that go into it--Mike gets one version (with mustard and eggs), I get another (with tomatoes and onions) and the doggies get the non-onion, heavy on the mayo version/add a sprinkle of bacon!

Thanks for being patient, for stopping by and for listening.

Jane

Be sure to read the pre-during-post tornato tips in my Houston Chron blog today: www.chron.com/rescuevolunteer

We used to free-feed at the Rescue Ranch--I could leave five different "flavors" of kibble out in several locations (kind of like feeding stations) and the dogs could eat as they pleased, what they pleased. For most, this worked out really, really well and for me, it clearly showed what kibble they preferred. The favorites were always empty so we didn't waste food.

(Buying small bags of food, and testing the flavors side by side, is a great way to see what your animal prefers. Think about it: wouldn't you rather eat something because you liked it rather than have to eat it because you were starving/had no choice?)

Well, we had a few fatties come along (i'm overweight, too, so I'm not criticizing) who started to take advantage of the system. Penny, Ada, Girl and Chula all enjoyed the free-feeding a little too much so we had to discontinue it. Now, everyone has pre-portioned kibble served up--with mixin's.

The "regular" weight dogs, get different things mixed into their dinner--anything from buttered rice to spaghetti to gravy and canned dog food. Sometimes, we make meat when there is a great sale--like baking a turkey, hamburger or even hot-dogs (a huge favorite). 

Fatties get grain-free food, can have the meat if we have it but instead of the rice, spaghetti or even boiled or roasted potatoes (well, they get a bite), they get canned, unsweetened pumpkin--and love it!! Some other choices are canned, unsweetened squash, low-salt green-beans--things that animals can eat, like and that take up volume in their tummies.

They also need a very regular exercise schedule. When we cannot take them for a walk, we "walk" them on a leash on the property. The herd follows the dog on the leash so they all get exercise--and so do we! We just calculate the equivalent time or distance of a good walk and duplicate it. With the heat in Houston now, the time of day also has to be figured in. Overweight animals are more sensitive to the heat--and could have a cardiac incident or heat-stroke if they are exercised in the heat of the day so be careful.

In a few months time, active dogs will lose the two,five or ten pounds they need to drop (size dependent of course). Our issue now, is Pasha--one of the two wheelchair dogs here. She loves to eat but doesn't get enough exercise to burn off the calories. We have to constantly watch her--she steals other dogs treats no matter how many she has had, she wants them all!  If we only had an underwater treadmill for her to walk every day (it supports the disabled animals weight)...When she had sponsors, we took her to therapy three times a week, she got her exercising in that way. Right now, it is not possible. Ahhh, but that's what dreaming is all about.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

It seems like wherever I am writing, for the last couple of years (or more), a beautiful red cardinal comes to be near me. This week, he brought his friend the Blue Jay! They flew in together and it was just amazing to see! Last year, he brought a female cardinal with him all of the time. I wonder what happened to her...

A little flock of sparrows was at my window this morning--literally on my windowsill--cleaning up any of the crumbs of dog treats that may have been left behind by my window visitors (I keep dog treats on my desk for anyone who comes by to see me).

When "my" cardinal comes by, I stop what I am doing and just watch him. He is so very beautiful. I feel blessed every time I hear him tweet that he has arrived! I wonder during these moments, if there is such a thing as reincarnation--is he an old friend or a beloved dog who passed through to heaven? The reason I think he is more than just a bird is that he manages to visit me wherever I am IN the house. He will sit outside the window of wherever I am writing.  I don't know how he knows this.

I wish I could get nearer to him but I know I can't. I'd like to offer my hand and have him come and perch on my finger. I would like to admire him and talk to him but don't dare attempt to get closer. I don't want to scare him so he never returns but more importantly, I don't want him to let his guard down when we have bird doggers at the ranch.  It would not be safe for him.

Yesterday, my cardinal was on the ground eating whatever birds eat. I had Mike hold all dogs inside until my bird and his white and blue friend were done eating. The Blue Jay stayed in the bushes, down low--but the cardinal definitely trusted more. He has been visiting here for awhile. Every year, I wonder if I'll see him again--and every single time I see him, it reminds me of all that is special in the world.

I love all animals, big or small, and seem to have an affinity for them and they for me. I wish hunters would stop hunting and animal control would stop euthanizing. I wish meat weren't the diet staple of so many--and I wish all animals could run and play and eat and sleep without care. I can wish, can't I? Maybe if people took the time to sit on the ground/floor and let an animal come to them, cradle or pet them, look into their beautiful eyes...would they would care more about the precious gifts we call animals/birds/fish...

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

I got up this morning to let Bunny and Pasha out. Just before 4 AM, I turned on the television for some light--I didn't want to wake everyone up by turning on the "real" lights. That would have been cause for all the animals--and Mike--to get up. "Someone" (wonder who?) would have been grumpy about that!

On CNN, was the aftermath of yet another tornado in Joplin, MO. At least 20 percent of the town is missing--and a lot of people. They had advance notice but, as one reporter, who was stuck in the action, said, "Can you ever really be ready for something like this?"

We used to let the animals run around the RR when we went out. But emergency after emergency, I've heard enough first responders say that it is easier to save animals when they are crated then not. That made me think--and act.

First, animals panic and hide/quiver/even can fear bite when thunder is just overhead never mind a devastating storm hits home. They are hard to find, and hard to move, which could cost them their little lives. IF they are crated, the responders can quickly grab crates and pitch them out the windows or doors--or many times, the crates will protect the animals, if say, dry wall falls...

I don't, however, recommend crating and abandoning the animals in an emergency! If you know YOU need to evacuate, you need to evacuate your animals as well.  Having crates handy, will allow you to put them in the car faster, although crates take up a lot of room. You may want to consider having car gates installed behind the front seats and another in front of the cargo area so the animals can be just put in the car quickly (in one or two sections of the car) and you can drive away--without them jumping into the front seat--or on top of your head!

Some people stick "Rescue Me" kiddie or pet stickers on the windows--giving emergency personnel instructions about where to find the animal/s in their homes. Others register this information with their fire and police stations. Think about your situation/environment and plan ahead. It is too late to plan when you have ten or five--or one minute--to act.

You can pick up crates at the petstores, online or even list your need for free on www.freecycle.org  Start collecting crates now so you will have one for all of the animals in your home. (They should each have their own unless they are very bonded/inseparable and won't hurt each other if scared.)

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

PS  Angels Needed...With only a week or so until the end of the month, we are in great need of help for the animals' needs at the Rescue Ranch (click on the ChipIn graph above). We have medicine and supply orders on hold and cannot process them...I don't want to keep asking for help but I have to. Our expenses and responsibilities are great.

Please help to sustain a special needs animal--virtually adopt one--or all!  We absorb all of the overhead personally and do this as volunteers. These gifts/help needed are just to help the animals at the Rescue Ranch with supplies, medicines, food, long-term treats (chews,bones, etc. are VIP to animals who cannot walk/get around--they are not a luxury). Gift cards are very, very welcome if you'd rather (just drop them in the mail...)

Remember, I also write a blog in the Houston Chronicle: www.chron.com/rescuevolunteer.  Today's blog is about "No Kill" legislation--a growing national effort to get all 50 states to sign on. We all need to care/to get the euthanasia "craze" to stop. What is happening to our homeless animals is barbaric.

Pastor Harold Camping is predicting that the "end of the world" will begin tonight at 6 PM EST or 5 PM Rescue Ranch time.  Although I don't think this will happen, I can tell you that at that time we will be with the animals---and will be praying--just in case.

Over the years, I have heard Pastor Camping on the radio--he is a very influential, powerful speaker and has lots of interesting things to teach but this time, I don't know. I wish I knew how he arrived at today's date and time for this prediction. Maybe I could give it more credence--a lot of people sure have.

Looking forward a year and a half, I was already thinking/worrying about the Mayan calendar ending on December 21, 2012--which the history channel and lots of those geography cable channels infer that THIS could be the end of the world date. However, just this week, I heard that the Mayan's could have been "off" by a year so this could match up more closely with Pastor Camping's predictions...

I'm not worried though. I know we have lived a life of service and honor. We are not perfect by (very) far but when the choice comes before us to help or not, to bless someone or not, to do the right thing or not--no matter how difficult it is sometimes for us physically, financially, emotionally...we try our best to do the morally right thing. I hope that counts for something when God calls our names. (If you are worried, it is never too late to change your heart right up until the end.)

If the world were to end today or anytime for that matter, I just hope that the animals are taken care of or go straight on to heaven. Just in case, we need to keep extra food and water on hand for at least a few days--or weeks if you can afford it--and rotate that "stock" with new food so the stock is as fresh as possible. Water is the biggest concern since none of us can survive without it. Having water, filters, etc. on-hand is smart. BUT you have to prepare all of this ahead of time--not in the shadow of a life-changing or -ending event.

Animals will not understand during a world-wide catastrophe why they cannot go out to play, go for walks, etc. so it is equally important to have chews and treats stocked up to keep them occupied. Freeze things for longer shelf-life--they can defrost as you need them. A lot of animals like to lick frozen treats, too, like beef or chicken broth blocks (use cupcake pans and when frozen keep in freezer zip-lock bags). Keep pee pads and extra litter on hand as well as first aid supplies.

People will be kind of bored if the world starts to end or even degrade. We lived through nine days of no power during a hurricane aftermath--which meant the freezer, refrig, A/C...and what we didn't think about was that the laundry production here was shut down--never mind the radio and the TV. So prepare to keep yourselves busy with books or getting things done around the house or yard, if you can go outside--air, safety and other considerations all need to be factored in. Go to bed when it is dark and get up when the sun rises. Learn how to wash in the tub and hang stuff to dry--have rope on hand (it can be used for lots of things.)

Just in case things happen today or tomorrow or anytime soon, know that our prayers are with you and your animals. Love each other as deeply and for as long as you can. For in the very end, nothing else on Earth matters more.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring.  Especially for caring.

Jane

If you haven't read my story in my Houston Chron blog on this subject, please go to:

www.chron.com/rescuevolunteer  and click on today's story: "IF The World Ended, What Happens To The Animals?"

The last two nights/days, I have been syringe-feeding Kasey, our little Cocker Spaniel, who jumped into my lap when we were on vacation. (Yes, we found the owners and they gave him to us after bringing the whole family to say good-bye to him. He was originally a soldier's dog who was sent overseas and had to surrender him.)

I could not figure out why Kasey suddenly stopped eating and drinking. As I was adjusting him to syringe him, I felt a lump on his front leg the diameter of a gum drop. OMG. There is a lump on his chest as well.  We are trying everything we can to get him stabilized/on his feet again. We keep up the supportive care for as long as it takes. Although, he is almost eleven, Cocker's live to be much older so we hope this bird-dogger will, too.

As I had him laying on his side, a pillow under his head/a towel over the pillow, and I was slowing syringing liquid into the "sweet spot" between his rear molars, I realized that many people probably don't know how to do this.  I know I had to learn this by trial and error--no vet could explain this to me when my own dog was sick with lymphoma. I wish I knew then what I know now. Hindsight is 20/20 isn't it?

After getting up every few hours, no matter how bone-tired I am, just now we had a break-through! I was eating lunch--a piece of my fav cheese and a trial bag of the new Garden Tomato and Basil Lay's Potato Chips--when Kasey looked up and licked his chops! Hmmm. I went over to him and offered a little piece of cheese. He took it--and over and over again. Then, he eyed my chips. "OK, no harm in trying," I thought to myself. I offered him a chip. He took it. Chip by chip, Kasey ate the rest of my lunch!

I was pretty thrilled about this little dog regaining his "desire" to eat again. (I have syringe fed Bunny as long as over five weeks before she started to voluntarily lap stuff up--and that is hard, very hard. Thankfully, Mike pitched in and we took turns around the clock when he could.)

The "Thank God" moment was when Kasey got up after eating lunch and stood in front of the water bowl. He looked around and around and I said a silent prayer--then he started tentatively drinking on his own. He went back for seconds. He'll still needs to be supplemented until I see him eating/drinking like normal again, but when an animal can go up or downhill--and they turn a corner going up, it is cause for celebration or at the very least, sending a smile up to heaven. 

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

Please help the RR animals if you can. Our responsibilities and expenses are great but so are our blessings that we share with you. We can't do this alone. Thank you.

Last night, I was trying to be creative for dinner. We had a hankering for Chinese food so I went through the frig and the pantry--and went online--to see how to make egg fu yung! (http://www.squidoo.com/vegetable-egg-fu-yung is a great place to start if you want to try it--you can add all different things to it.)

Trying to make extra-nutritious food, I added extra peas and carrots and broccoli. Luckily, I always keep a variety of oils in the pantry. I used sesame seed oil to coat the pan but really just about anything would have worked.. I also had a package of vegetarian gravy mix in the pantry and use it to make the brown gravy for a nearly "perfect" tasting--but not looking--"Chinese food" dinner. 

After having very irregular patties gush around the pan as they cooked, I decided that restaurants must use molds in their pans or use smaller pans. The restaurant version doesn't look quite like what I cooked up! They are are so much more round and "neater." We had rice in the frig, too, so with some gravy on top, veggies and a little soy sauce added in, we had Chinese "fried" rice--the RR version.

I managed to eek out three egg patties--and a few cups of the rice mixture. As I dished it out for Mike and I, I looked around the room. All of the RR doggies were patiently sitting perfectly still--just watching me, waiting for their Chinese food!

Mike was really hungry so he got to eat his dinner in peace. Me, on the other hand, sat down and gave everyone a bite of my egg patty and a ball of rice in the palm of my hand. Most ate the veggies, too. After awhile, I realized that I would just be able to "taste" my own dinner but would definitely not get filled up. A container of chocolate Boost would be in order!

That was OK with me though. My heart just swells seeing each animal enjoy their little treasure--which it was to all of us. A rare, yummy-smelling "gourmet" delight. The interesting part of it all, is that the animals got in "line"--for any special treats/when I cook, they come forward as I call each of their names and no one tries to eat more than their taste.

As I was finishing up the last dog, I decided that if we ever win the lottery, every one and every dog will get their own bowl of egg fu yung and veggie fried rice (no onions of course/not good for dogs) with lots and lots of brown gravy.  Chinese food for all!

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

To help the RR animals, please click here to make an online donation. 

One of the best treats/rewards I have found is Pepperidge Farms Goldfish crackers.  They are inexpensive and abundant and the dogs (and I) love them!

Today, Goldfish got a dog out of a crate who didn't want to leave her comfy-cozy warm blanket to go out; they started a dog eating who didn't "feel" like it; and they rewarded a puppy for learning to 'sit'--on her own. Of course, there was plenty of "fish" to go around and plenty more for later. Thankfully, even a six ounce bag goes far.

I was at Target looking for Goldfish last week and decided to try the new Cheddar Whole Grain version. Animals are very precise on the flavors that they like and the habits that they like to perpetuate. Changing a flavor or sometimes even a shape will end the treats being treats. But, I decided to try them any way. After all, I thought if whole grain stuff is better for me, it probably is better for the animals, too. And, since they only get a fish or two (or three) at a time, that quantity just couldn't cause any constipation or other issues.

I can tell you that they are a HIT--using capital letters! The dogs actually like them better than the regular Goldfish much to my surprise--and I LOVE them, too. A fish for the dogs, a fish for me...a fish for the dogs, two fish for me...well, at least sometimes.

We've tried a lot of expensive training treats and aside from the dried liver chunks, this is a top choice at the RR. Just make sure there is lots of water available since there is salt on/in the crackers. 

Now, if we could get these in a Low Salt version, life would be all the more better in doggie land!

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

PS Please help our animals if you can. Click Here to Give online--and get one of our special edition (very limited) t-shirts for our May/June special.  Thank you. 

Two tiny little Chi puppies, Panda and Pixie (Click Here to see their photo on our Help page), have been learning to walk and even run, now, despite having one disabled leg each. Little Pixie, aka "Reader" because in the past, she would completely shred any magazine she could get her paws on, is less disabled than Panda (the black puppy). Panda had to have her leg operated on twice--to have a pin put back in after the girls ate the first cast off--and took the pin out at the vet's!

Still losing the last of their baby teeth, the girls are young and have only been able to jump at the side of my bed like tiny ping pong balls, bouncing over and over again--but could not make it to the top without help. Until today...

Thinking I was taking a nap and that the puppies were sleeping in their bed, I closed my eyes. In less than a minute, Reader was up, up on the bed and standing on top of my head! She had conquered the climb and was so proud, that she couldn't decide whether to lean down and kiss my face or stand up on me and just be proud.

Little Panda, aka "BabyBaby", wasn't far behind. She is about 1/3 smaller than Reader but has a lot of spunk. Before I could gently displace Reader from my face, BabyBaby was up on the bed, wagging her tail like crazy!  They were both so very, very proud of themselves--it was clearly a major accomplishment for them in their own minds--and it was developmentally, too. They were finally strong enough and long enough and old enough to figure out how to jump high enough and how to get up onto the bed.

I wanted to take a nap but in light of the girls' "moment," I had to take time--all day and night long--to acknowledge how wonderful and brave and clever and smart--they were. Their pride just shown in their faces--and in the billion baby kisses I got every time I talked to them about how wonderful they were.

What was very interesting, too, was that the girls decided that I was "theirs"--one lay across my neck and the other across the top of my head while I attempted to take the nap I never quite had. Softly snoring, I could not help but smile at how huge a little step was to these tiny puppies. From being left for dead, alone in a field, with broken arms and disjointed elbows, to peacefully napping on my head/neck, full of pride and happiness, this indeed was a remarkable day.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

Please help us with the expenses of the Rescue Ranch--which are great--if you can. Click Here to go to our "help" page. Thank you kindly!

I can't imagine the worry and anxiety that the people along the Mississippi River have been experiencing. It has had me up nights and I don't even live nearby.

Before the water reached the Baton Rouge area, homes and property were already lost. I wonder if there was no way to release it or did the powers-that-be think it wouldn't get that bad. 

Animals trust--they trust their environment, their caretakers, each other--until that trust is breached. I am so worried about the nests and dens and safe hiding places that the animals all call home--and which will all now be destroyed. They didn't have any notice to move. They will be forced to go from enjoying a nap after a good meal (overnight) to running for their lives, hoping they don't get eaten by a fleeing predator!

I don't have an explanation for disasters. I wish we could chart their course, plan way ahead, get out of the way. Some times we can, sometimes we just cannot. It is during those times that the moral and social responsibility falls to others to pitch in, to help each other, because we just never know when it will be us--me and you--who will depend on the mercy of others to make it through.

Today, as the Rescue Ranch animals enjoy the cool breeze and the new green grass, we'll be praying for the animals (and people) along the Mississippi. Sometimes, things that happen are much bigger than us and we just have to try to find the good or purpose or reason for it all. 

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Read my story in my Houston Chron blog today: "Flood Gates About To Open: Prepare To Help"

As of this afternoon, there has been no help for the animals/this month. It made me really sad. Still does.

In a time of crisis, people don't hesitate picking up their computer or phone to email/call/message us about how to help their animals day and night--and we don't mind at all doing all we can--but does the lack of mutual help, mean they just don't care about our Rescue Ranch animals? It just feels kind of wrong.

This month has been devastating both emotionally and financially. It is hard to keep going, to keep helping, to keep giving when it is more or less a one-way street. I hope the day comes when we never have to ask for help. It would feel a whole lot better than this.

What puzzles me is that there are other rescues/groups continually asking for help--one that I know of in the Houston area/same size as the RR/gets almost $500,000/year in donations!!!--and we can't even meet our animal needs' expenses of $2200/month (without including any overhead/we are all volunteers). Why?

The reality is that we took on too many special needs animals, thinking that angels would continue to sponsor them or even adopt them (silly us)--and at great expense, we spent the last year and a half reawakening/proved Dr. Alson Sears' treatment for canine distemper really does work..saving an uncountable number of animals around the world.

Wow! No wonder we need help with the RR! Changing the world for dogs isn't cheap--and although we had angels who helped out along the way, our family bore the responsibility of the entire Project Hope--and now is suffering greatly after expending all of our resources to birth something miraculous.

But, since we are "here" and the animals have no where to go, we will make lemonade out of lemons. God willing.

This is the Chip In link for the RR--If my writing (or our work) blesses your life or your animals, please directly help the animals at the Rescue Ranch--by giving a gift or sending a package--or even say a prayer for them. Thank you for caring. Especially for caring.

http://fslsrescueranch.chipin.com/rescue-ranch-animal-sanctuary-may-2011

Please pass on my blog links, too! The more people, the more animals we can save/help/love. 

www.chron.com/rescuevolunteer

www.firststop-laststop.com/rescueranchblog.html

It has been a long couple of weeks of hand-feeding and syringe-feeding sick dogs. Special needs dogs have good periods of time then need help; get better then need help. I've learned to really appreciate the times of everyone being well, eating and peeing on their own! (A while back, we had to learn how to "express" dogs--pee and poop them if they cannot go voluntarily.)

I was exhausted last night and could not even take the time to make something for dinner (for me/us). I asked Mike to just bring home something sweet. I would have a snack and go to sleep--if I could stay awake long enough for him to get back to the RR!

He found a little tiny birthday-like cake on sale at the grocery store. The sale sticker was still on it! I could see yellow writing jammed between the little flowers on the top but just thought that it was someone's "mistake" or a cake that was ordered and never picked up--hence why it was on sale. But as I lifted the lid, I saw my name...

"Jane, Thank you for all of your hard work. Love, Mike and the RR Herd" was compressed into three or four square inches! I started to cry. Rarely, does anyone acknowledge what I do--I don't expect them to.  I just help the animals because it is the right thing to do and because they have no one else to help them. I was so touched by this little cake, that I will never forget it. 

We take so much for granted in our lives, including what our families or significant others or animals do for us. This taught me to stop and show a little bit of appreciation for the ordinary--it doesn't have to be with a cake, it can be with a hug, a kiss, sitting outside watching the sunset--drinking some ice tea. Life goes by too fast--try to make a difference if you can. 

I'm going to enjoy a tiny piece of my cake now--trying to make it last as long as I can. Every time I see it in the frig (I like cold everything almost), it makes me smile.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

When I received this from Lori at LinensforAnimals.org in an email, I chuckled and thought I should share it with you, too! It came with a note, "What REALLY happened to the dinosaurs!"

Taking care of animals or people, we can easily get depleted and have to almost make a constant effort to laugh, eat well, rest so that we have more to give. After all, if a well is dry, there is no more water to share.

Look at the cartoon--and laugh again! I did. It felt pretty darn good, too.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.
Jane

I really don't know why but sometimes (many times) when dogs are sick or just not feeling well--or sometimes are just being finicky--they will refuse to eat from a bowl--but will eat the same food if you scoop it out and hold it in your hand! (Sometimes just changing the color or type of bowl will make a difference.)

After putting two cups of Merck's (yummy) Grammie's Pot Pie food in a bowl, thinking that the dog in question would gobble it up, when I brought it to her, she got up and moved six inches away. Hmmm. I knew she was hungry and I knew her tummy was not sick so I decided to try the finger test--dip your finger in the food and see if the dog will lick it off. That is a very good thing if it happens. It means they probably won't have to be syringe fed--although sometimes, they will only eat by licking the food, finger-tip-full by finger-tip-full.

Normally for hand-feeding, I wear latex gloves. But today, once the dog licked my finger, I knew if I went to get them, I may lose the opportunity for her to eat on her own. From one second to the next, dogs can change their mind--but they remember everything!

I dipped my hand into the gush and grimaced. There is nothing quite like picking up canned dog food, no matter how amazing, with your bare hand.  Little by little, clump by clump, the food disappeared making me surpress the urge to run in and wash my hands between each mouthful. She was on a "roll." I kept reminding myself that I was "washable." (I wash my hands so often during the day as a practice that that I lose count.)

Seeing a sleeping dog, that I knew had a full stomach, made it all worth it. After I washed my hands, I stopped and picked up a soft afghan and tucked her in. All was well in that moment--and those moments here are precious.

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

No doubt, it has been a rough couple of years for us and for the Rescue Ranch. It would be easy to fall into despair or discouragement but I made up my mind that that is just not going to happen.

Today, I woke up with the song, "I Can See Clearly Now," playing over and over in my head. "I can see clearly now...here is the rainbow I've been praying for...look all around there is nothing but blue sky..." I don't really know the song well--but I am going to keep those words right before me, tucked in my heart. (I looked up who was the artist for you, and a link to the song, on Youtube by Johnny Nash.)

I took this as a sign--something good is just around the corner. We just have to make it until that corner turns.  

I went from my room to where the dogs were playing and started singing--as best and as loud as I could. Some of them started wagging their tails and began howling to complement me, others looked at me like, "Huh?" When everyone realized that I was happy and making an attempt at having fun, a group howl began! If you have ever been blessed by such a symphony, you know what that is. If not, I can tell you that it is amazing, fascinating and something to behold...

Each dog, in their special tone, in their special rhythm, with their interpretation of what is going on, lifts its head and howls to their hearts' delight--they sing their own song of happiness along with you. It is one of those "Thank God" moments in life to see/hear it.

I hope you have a bright sun-shiny day today, too. Keep your "chin"--and your hopes--up. God promises us more than we can dream for ourselves--I remembered that as I was singing. Our "corner," we hope, is a great big farm where everyone can run or wheel their carts around til their hearts' content. If not, we'll enjoy each other just where we are.

Thank you for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

PS Be sure to check out the new photo page. Hopefully soon, I'll have a monthly page up of neat photos we've taken along the way!

After getting a "kiss" from each one of my fur babies here at the Rescue Ranch, I spent the entire day sitting at my desk refreshing the website and updating the photos! I hope you enjoy our animals as much as we do!

Love to all--
Jane