Kasha Comes To The Ranch

I took this photo of our newest arrival, Kasha, and Alayne this afternoon.  Kasha arrived late Thursday night.  Alison James, our new development director, was planning to head to Spokane last week on personal business, and kindly offered to pick up Kasha and bring her out to the ranch for us.  (Alison starts her new job with us tomorrow, on Monday, and will help Alayne and me on the office side of running the sanctuary.)

Kasha is much smaller than we expected, weighing in at about 30 pounds.  This photo -- like the original photo the shelter took of her -- makes her look bigger than she is.  She actually is barely up to our knees.  Kasha is very skinny -- I might even call her emaciated because all her ribs stick out -- and clearly her life before getting to the shelter was not a nice one. 

For example, she began digging under the wooden fence in our isolation yard so she can get out to be with the other dogs, and when I went up to the fence and said "No!" in a loud, firm voice, Kasha slinked away and disappeared into her cottage.  I found her cowering in her crate, too afraid to come out.  Once I coaxed her out -- she urinated submissively on the floor on the way to me, however -- and made all over her, the dark cloud lifted and she became a playful, bouncy puppy again.

I guess, having had a foot chopped off, it's amazing she isn't more afraid.  But most of the time she is a very happy girl.  She's been going on walks around the ranch, and she loves these opportunities to explore.  Kasha's a bit of a tugboat, in fact, and it's hard to believe she had a limb amputated a few days ago.  She just wants to get up and go!  She is such a sweet, loving little thing.

On Wednesday, when Kasha was discharged from the hospital in Spokane, a kind lady named Christie fostered her overnight for us until Alison could pick up Kasha on Thursday afternoon.  I wanted to share part of an email Christie sent me Thursday:

"I just want to thank you and your group for the work you do.  I have worked in a vet clinic for 10 years.  And have been a foster home and rescue transporter for 8 years.  NEVER have I seen a rescued animal have the ability to receive the best services in town.  Most rescues are fixed by local veterinarians who donate much of the costs just so treatments can be done.  Treatments are always the bare minimum.  Kasha is very lucky to have such a group as yours caring for her."

When I thanked Christie for her note, I told her we were able to provide this kind of medical care for our disabled animals only because we are blessed with incredibly generous supporters from across the U.S. and Canada.  Yes, Kasha is lucky in many respects -- lucky to be alive! -- but we are lucky to have such kind and compassionate people supporting our work with these wonderful animals.  It's what makes possible everything we do here.

(Click on photo for larger image.)

Comments

[smrp]

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you had any updates on Kasha? I have a crush on her :)
Thank you,
Sue

[Jeannie]

I LOVED your article about,KASHA!! she is adorable too!! being an animal lover meself..( we have 4 cats,1 rabbit,and a fish as part OF OUR FAMILY) who all live INSIDE our HOME and never go out..( im a bit fanatical with that! we have coyotes and a main road very close so i dont want any of my beloved pets hurt)

we had a few German shepards in our day,and i wish i could meet kasha in person..
( of course then i would want to take her home!) :)

what a wonderful thing you do in montana...I wish there were MORE people like you ,who save animals and give them 2nd chances..
GOD BLESS

and I HOPE that if i ever get to come to MT again i can visit your beautiful ranch and all the animals you have cared for..
keep up the good work!! Jeannie in New York

[Kathy]

You make my Day! Thank you!
As a born and Raised Animal Lover,
Your True Belief and Honest Compassion for Pets is so refreshing and assuring in our day to day negative news.
Kathy, OKC, OK

[lissette]

I think kasha is a very wonderful dog, im glad all her sufferings are over thanks to the great job you do,,,,,,,,,,,,,keep up the good work.

[Karen]

...my stomach literally turns when I hear such tragic stories about these loveable animals. How could we humas be so cruel to helpless animals?! SICK SICK SICK Thank God for Rolling Dog Ranch - I wish I lived closer to participate - Thank you again for all you do. I promise to keep donating. :)

[Toni & Joel Holland]

God Bless you all & the wonderful work you all do! There is a special place in heaven for ALL of you!!!

[Camilla Christiansen]

Thanks so much for all you do. You and your sanctuary is an inspiration to me. I would love to one day be able to have a facility similar to that in the southeast. Kasha is beautiful and fortunate to have people such as yourselves to help her. My dog is her lost twin, they look identical!!! How funny!!

[Nina]

So glad that Kasha has arrived to your ranch....a place where she can heal and be a cute, lovable and goofy puppy!!!

[Lara]

Kasha is absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations!

[Karen]

The ranch....THANK YOU for being so wonderful to these wonderful loving animal. Steve I enjoy reading about(unless I hear someone not feeling well, then I'm sad)each and everyone of the family there at present I am unable to support you but through prayer and at times written word but better times for me are ahead and it will be such a pleasure to send some finanacial support your way. Keep up the up the heartfelt work you and Alayne are doing. I grew up on an avocado ranch with lots of animals to feed and care for as well. It was the best but it was hard work.

[Boundforglory]

I'm SO happy for Kasha! Her sweetness and fears come across so clearly in the camera lens. Happy and sweet are much more predominant aspects of her and will only increase as she receives and thrives on RDR's philosophies of love and care.

Welcome Kasha, we look forward to seeing more of you!

[Shirley & James]

HOORAY!!!...another miraculous story unfolds at the Rolling Dog Sanctuary! Before I turn my computer off each night I check to see what wonderful incident has transpired during the day at the ranch! The work at the Rolling Dog has inspired and touched me greatly!! As an animal activist and rescuer myself I’ve come to realize how very important it is to financially support non-profit groups like the Rolling Dog Ranch. I know the financial contributions we make are being used to save these beautiful God given creatures. My only wish is I lived closer so I could also be a regular dedicated volunteer. BRAVO to Alayne and Steve you are some of my new heroes.

P.S.
Welcome Home Kasha!

[darla magee]

awwwww.... little Kasha, what a cutie. She'll be fine once she figures out how wonderful life is now. she won't even dream of digging out, she'll just roll and roll and roll...