Deaf Stuart Comes To The Ranch

I headed to the Missoula airport last night to meet our newest arrival, a deaf Beagle named Stuart.  He came to us from Fort Myers, Florida, where his family had decided they could no longer care for him.  Stuart also has some neurological issues, and has a pronounced head tilt when walking.

He's a very sweet boy, although he is a bit scared right now and unsure of why his life has turned upside down all of a sudden.  But this morning he greeted me by standing up on his back feet and putting his front paws on my leg; he had a look on his face that said, "Oh, I remember you from last night!"

When we informed Widget -- who was teaching blind Willie how to be a Beagle, before he was adopted last summer --  that another Beagle had arrived, she woo-woo'd and said, "I'll be the judge of whether he's a real Beagle!"  (Memo to Widget:  At least Stuart has real legs.)

For now, Stuart is still adjusting to the weather and the snow ("What on earth is this stuff?"), but he's settling in just fine. 

I took the photo above of Alayne holding Stuart this afternoon, outside our isolation cottage.  Alayne is wearing what I call her "babushka outfit," a thick scarf wrapped around her head and under the chin to ward off the winter cold.  This, for some reason, is her preferred winter head covering.  When she wears this thing, I refer to her as "Mrs. Babushka" ... with predictable results.  Me, I prefer the Carhartt quilted hat with earmuffs. 

Meanwhile, Stuart's thinking, "Hey, I'll take both a babushka and a Carhartt hat, its cold out here!"

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At the Missoula airport, one of the Delta/Skywest employees who unloaded Stuart from the airplane and brought him up to the counter for me turned out to have a strong connection to the ranch.  His parents had adopted a dog from us several years ago.  The dog, a female Lab named Campbell, came to us from a local Montana shelter because of medical problems, including incontinence.  Well, some good veterinary care fixed her up, a daily dose of PPA took care of her incontinence, and now she's the family's beloved pet ... and their best bird dog ever.

Comments

[Shirley & James, Portland, OR]

Welcome Stuart!! You are a far cry from FL but in a perfect place once you settle into your new home. It amazes me how Alayne always looks so radiant—it is so obvious she is doing what she loves.

[Nina]

So glad you were able to take in Stuart....a very handsome beagle! Welcome to the snowy ranch, Stuart! You will be looked after well by all, including Widget.

[Bruce Small]

Looks just like our Bailey.

[Sonya Brooks]

Welcome to Stuart. You will have fun in the snow. You are the best place on earth for guys like you. Just don't let Widget intimidate you. ALL beagles are darling.

[Boundforglory]

Stuart is darling! His previous owners obviously had great love for him and responsibly found him a wonderful home with you. Thank you for taking him in; I'm sure he'll love the ranch and will have great fun with, especially, Widget and Willie.
Welcome to the Ranch Stuart!

[Taylors from Olympic Peninsula in WA]

Happy New Year everyone. What a beautiful dog!! Welcome to your new home Stuart!! You are in wonderful hands and Widget will most probably become your best friend and companion,though she can be a bit bossy ,but nice!!! We think Alayne's "babuska" is beautiful. That smile of hers is radiant, she reminds us of the ice skater , Miss Hammill. Take care and welcome again, Stuart.

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

Welcome to the great RDR, Stewart! You're such a handsome guy & I think you & Widget are going to be good friends. I know that you're going through quite the temperature adjustment, but once you get used to the snow, you'll probably love it! The great thing, you can play in the snow & then go inside to get warm! There's lots of great love & attention at the RDR, so you're very fortunate to be there.
Thanks also Steve, about the history of Campbell & the Delta/Skywest employee connection. That's really cool that someone there knows what the RDR is all about & the great work that you do!
Big welcome hugs to Stewart,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit

[Jessica, NL]

Welcome Stuart! You'll get used to the snow and there is enough warmth for your heart where you are now... (and for the Mrs. Babuska, the first thing I thought when I saw the picture was Little Blue Ridinghood...:-))

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

A very warm (so to speak:-)) welcome to darling Stuart!!
I'm so glad you got to meet Campbell's "human brother" at the Missoula airport and heard she's doing great.
Last but not least:-), I think that Alayne looks a lot like Audrey Hepburn with her scarf wrapped around her head!