I took these photos on Sunday of blind Madison rolling in the grass at the new sanctuary property in New Hampshire. Yes, I brought the old girl along for company on the trip back East, and she's been a wonderful companion. This next part I am not making up: We had spent Friday night in Elmira, New York, and then drove the 8 hours or so on Saturday through the rest of the Empire State, across Vermont (hey, that was quick!), and then up to Lancaster. What was the first thing Madison did when I let her out of the truck here at the property in New Hampshire? She rolled in the grass. Over and over again. No potty business first. Nope, first things first -- rolling in the grass.
So on Sunday morning when I let her outside for her morning constitutional, I was ready with the camera. And she obliged with a couple of minutes of determined rolling, followed by some munching of grass. (Please note how bright and green that grass is! That's something we don't typically see at the ranch in Ovando until May.)
When I was working yesterday with the fence company guy, I had Madison out with us for a while, and at one point she laid down on the grass and rolled and rolled. I turned to the fence guy and said, "See, that's why we call it the Rolling Dog Ranch."
As our longtime friend and wonderful supporter of the ranch, Shirley L. of Portland, Oregon, said to me after we announced our move, "The Rolling Dog Ranch is wherever the animals are!" Or, as Madison would say, "I can be a rolling dog anywhere!"
Her shorthand version of that is, "Have grass, will roll."
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Last Week -- $3,000 At Stake! -- Contest Ends April 18th
Please keep voting for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge -- and you can vote every day! We're currently in fourth place and still on track to win $3,000 for the animals, but every vote counts! We slipped from third place to fourth, so please help round up as many votes as you can so we can stay in the running for the $3,000. Ask your family and friends to vote for the ranch, too!
Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.
Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Last year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for a wonderful gift for the animals here.
Thank you!
Welcome to NH. I'm a NH native and will NEVER leave. (I'm only 32, but anyway) I've been in animal rescue for over 10 years and would like to speak to someone about working for the ranch :)
Posted by: lisa girard - Manchester, NH | April 28, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Welcome to the neighborhood! Congratulations on your upcoming move to New Hampshire.
Posted by: HandicappedPets.com | April 18, 2010 at 01:35 AM
Just caught up on your posts and read about the move. How wonderful and well thought out. I live only 12 miles from town and have thought often that by 70, I'd want to be moving closer in to civilization. Like you, from Western WA, I have loved the feel of "Big Sky Country" when camping and fishing in MT, but now you and all the animals get to experience another kind of beauty in NH. My guess is that those doggies who miss the scratchy dry sage grass will possibly get a little dry grass by Labor Day, even in NH.
Posted by: Diane Borden | April 15, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Well Madison surely likes the new place, I really liked what Shirley L. had to say about wherever the animals are is where RDR will is. Also so happy about Herbie's adoption, he is such a sweet looking and acting guy he deserves the best. Continued gook luck and success as the move progresses.
Posted by: Diane Bowlin | April 15, 2010 at 02:54 AM
Roll, Madison, roll! What wonderful pictures to see...so happy for all of you on your move to NH!
Posted by: Ann | April 14, 2010 at 11:23 PM
What a wonderful companion to take on your trip. The sweet & lovely Madison!!! And, the best of all she has now officially christened Rolling Dog Ranch - New Hampshire!!! Much love & kisses to her & a great appreciation to you for continuing to keep us updated w/ your blog even though I know how extremely busy you are.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | April 14, 2010 at 09:15 PM
We cannot put into words how happy we are for all of you! And Madison just inaugurated the new digs by '...rolling...'!
Take care of the two of you during this huge event...everyone is behind you 100%!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Wes Vermillion | April 14, 2010 at 08:42 PM
I love this place.
Posted by: Adele in the Bronx | April 14, 2010 at 07:02 PM
All New Location, MADISON ENDORSED!!
Posted by: Katy | April 14, 2010 at 05:09 PM
Ms. Maddie, poster girl, your rolling joy brings me the same! Thanks for making my day. So glad you could enjoy the road trip and be such a great help in NH, :)
Posted by: Margaret | April 14, 2010 at 03:31 PM
Fantastic photos!!! It just goes to show that you two have made the right decision with the move..
Posted by: Maree in NZ | April 14, 2010 at 02:55 PM
I guess that means the new place has the Madison Seal of Approval. Great photos!
Posted by: Tonya | April 14, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Way to roll Madison!
Posted by: Evelyn | April 14, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Karma, Karma, Karma! It was so meant to be you have no idea! Thank you for sharing your pics and story. You are so incredibly busy yet you still take time to keep us posted. L&D love forever!
Posted by: Dee's Mom | April 14, 2010 at 12:16 PM
From the first pictures you posted my thought was, "Wow, something pretty to look at!" You and Alayne and all the animals and their stories have been wonderful but really and truly, some of those pictures from MT have been really ugly! Those fields of brown, dead grass, miles of no green and hardly any trees were just not pretty! But the green and trees and pond and lawns in NH, wow! Beats the heck out of MT. Glad you arrived w/o mishap and Madison has given approval. How long before the transport company arrives with the majority of the animals?
Posted by: Miranda | April 14, 2010 at 12:04 PM
I see a "roly-poly puppygirl." I would say this when my dog rolled and she now thinks it's a command -- not that she needs to hear it to do it. Hope things just keep rockin' and rollin' along for my most favorite bunch as you guys make your transition!! Madison,as we can see, adapts very quickly.
From Angela, Binx and Diamond :)
Posted by: Angela | April 14, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Awww, that's one happy girl! It just makes me smile to see those pictures of her rolling around! Glad you made it safely. Don't work too hard (yeah, uh-huh, sure!) :-)
Posted by: Lisa K. of Escondido, CA | April 14, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Yeah, that is pretty much awesome. I love you guys. Thanks to my colleague N. for calling my attention to your work--wherever it happens.
Posted by: Jenna | April 14, 2010 at 11:48 AM
How adorable! Great to have your wonderful friend Madison with you as you spruce up your new ranch. She certainly is a joy and loves life in the grass!
Keep us posted on all your new adventures.
Posted by: boundforglory | April 14, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Wonderful photos! Now, when you take Madison back to MT with you, she can let all the other dogs know what they have to look forward to...or, she can tell them about rolling in the grass because "Daddy took *me* with him. He didn't take you! hahahaha!"
Posted by: Vicki Small | April 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Welcome to NH! We are so very excited to hear this news!
Warmest Regards,
Mary, Rich, Rocket & Marble Brady
Portsmouth, NH
Posted by: mary | April 14, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Now you can return to Montana and report to everyone that New Hampshire is "Madison Approved!" She looks so incredibly happy in the nice fresh grass.
I'm so excited for everyone to make this move. The only thing I regret is that you can't take your vets from MT with you!
Cheers!
Posted by: Linda | April 14, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Thank you dear Madison for christening the new Rolling Dog Ranch. Alayne and Steve - if you needed validation that you picked the perfect place, I believe it has been provided. Can't wait until the whole gang is back together.
Posted by: Kristi Gross | April 14, 2010 at 10:08 AM
The first "Rolling Dog" has Landed!!! Happy to see Madison has given her "roll of approval" Hoping the rest of the move goes smoothly!
Posted by: Doe George | April 14, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Whew!!
So glad Madison gave the new Ranch her roll of approval.
Best wishes for the remainder of the relocation being as smooth.
Love you Madison!
Posted by: Chloe | April 14, 2010 at 09:31 AM
These new yoga positions by Madison made me spill a little coffee this morning :)
(Makes you want to jump through the computer screen and give her a hug & a rub she's so cute)
Happy to hear you two made it safely to your new home and so thrilled for you all, even the grass at the sanctuary is gorgeous!
Posted by: Sasha in MN | April 14, 2010 at 09:07 AM
Looking at Madison's pictures have just made my day!:-) Pure canine happiness...
She seems to approve enthusiastically of your move to New Hampshire, doesn't she?;-)
Thank you for sharing these great photos with us, Steve.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | April 14, 2010 at 02:45 AM
Madison confirmed the choice you and Alayne made--now you know it was the right move!
Glad you are safe--safe travels back to Ovando!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 14, 2010 at 01:30 AM
So glad to see Madison being happy at her new home! Not to be a downer, but all that grass rolling just reminded me to mention that you'll probably find fleas and ticks a bigger problem in New Hampshire than in Montana. We rarely encountered any when we lived in Idaho, but they are a fact of life here in Pennsylvania. I'm sure being the thorough and responsible owners you are, you read up on all the pests and parasites native to the east coast -- just saying. Anyway glad you had a safe trip, and hope you totally your new digs.
Posted by: Donna, Phila., PA | April 14, 2010 at 01:11 AM
Bet that nice green grass feels so good after a long road trip! Welcome to your new home Madison! Hope the move is going well. Although we're sad to see you leave us here in MT, its going to be a great new begining for the ranch!
Posted by: Kate & Luke | April 14, 2010 at 01:07 AM
I am overjoyed to see how happy our Madison is! She was certainly one of my favorites while at our shelter, but we struggled to place her. I am so happy that you accepted this wonderful girl into your rescue! I hope she and the other animals continue to thrive and love the new sanctuary! THANK YOU for all you do!
Carol Smith
Adoption Coordinator
Meridian Animal Shelter
Posted by: Carol Smith | April 14, 2010 at 01:00 AM
How wonderful to see Madison "testing out" the new Ranch! It will truly be a new spot o' heaven for all the RDR residents.
How's Ella doing back at home without her teacher?
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett the Beagle, and Moxie the kitty | April 13, 2010 at 11:41 PM
It's great Madison feels so at home there already! Cute pics!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | April 13, 2010 at 10:48 PM
Perfect. Just perfect.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | April 13, 2010 at 09:32 PM
Steve, so glad you arrived safely in NH. Brilliant photos of Madison enjoying and christening the grass at the "new" Rolling Dog Ranch!
Posted by: Nina | April 13, 2010 at 09:02 PM
That's wonderful that you took one of your creatures with you on a road trip, especially to check for the very important "rollability" of the new sanctuary grounds. I'm glad to see they have passed the test. Kisses to Maddy. I bet she had a ball all the way.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 13, 2010 at 08:57 PM