On Saturday morning as our volunteers began arriving, I looked out the window and saw the dogs some were bringing with them -- all former residents of the ranch. I said, "Hey, before you get covered in dog slobber, cat hair and horse manure, let's get a photo of all of you with your dogs!"
So here are three of our awesome volunteers -- long-time regulars -- with the dogs they adopted after falling in love with them while volunteering. That's Kate W. on the left with blind Luke, who the Missoula Humane Society had asked us to take a few years ago. Kate and Luke live in Missoula. In the center is Kate's mom, Laura B., with wobbly Rudy. He had come to us from a rescue group in Utah, and had been here only about two weeks before Laura scooped him up and took him home to Helena. That's why Rudy never got a page of his own on our Web site -- he wasn't here long enough! And on the right is Laura W. with blind Levi, who had come to us from a rescue group in Washington state. Laura and Levi live in Helena.
Kate and Laura cleaned the cat house and dog cottages in the morning and walked dogs in the afternoon. Laura W. spent most of the day on the tractor, turning our giant compost windrows. She took a break from the tractor work to also help us when we took visitors out to meet some of our blind horses.
While their Moms work hard all day here, the dogs ... well, they don't do a dang thing.
These former RDR residents are looking like movie stars! Ohhhh, I so wish I lived closer to be an on-going volunteer and not just once a year but I'm thankful for the once a year visit and this point. Thank you ladies for all your faithful volunteer work at RDR. I truly understand the meaning of a "labor of love!!"
Posted by: Shirley * James * Portland, OR | September 09, 2008 at 03:52 AM
Black dogs rule!! Great photo of the black dog club....melts my heart to hear all are doing fine!
Posted by: Nina | September 08, 2008 at 06:43 PM
What a good looking group!!!Do the volunteers ever get to slip off & take a nap? Seeing all those cute cozy nap photos of the animals makes it seem like it would be a heavenly place to hang out & catch a nap now & then!
Posted by: Mary Young | September 08, 2008 at 04:27 PM
It's so nice to always see the follow up stories. Though we miss reading about certain dogs its so nice when they come back and look even happier!!
Posted by: gayle | September 08, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Beautiful picture and as Ginger notes, THE BEST testimonial, :). You must all be SO proud.
ps: you can sure see a family resemblence there between Laura and Kate (both on the exterior and "interior" kindness) Way to go!
Posted by: Margaret | September 08, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Beautiful dogs with beautiful owners!
Posted by: Wendy | September 08, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Well say, hold up a minute - we looked cute and HAPPY - that's a LOT!! ARF ARF
Posted by: Angela | September 08, 2008 at 11:32 AM
So WONDERFUL to see a group photo of three happy dog families!
The dogs may have looked unbusy as their Mom's worked but they were just being what I call...nonworking supervisors.
Thanks for the share...I loved it!
Posted by: Boundforglory | September 08, 2008 at 09:57 AM
And every time these moms and their dogs meet someone new, the word will go out that having a "disabled" dog is a great experience.
p.s. I wanna drive a tractor all day too...
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | September 08, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Now wait a minute Steve, those dogs are looking mighty fine! That's a great PR job they're doing for the RDR & a great testament to what wonderful companions they make! I'd say those dogs are doing a heck of a lot! Thanks ladies, for adopting these gorgeous fellows & being so generous with your labor & love.
With hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: Ginger Young | September 08, 2008 at 01:43 AM