Once we got to New Hampshire, Alayne and I joked we needed to change the name of the sanctuary from Rolling Dog Ranch to Sleeping Dog Farm for a couple of reasons. First, in New England large acreages like ours are called farms, not ranches. Second, the dogs do a whole lot more sleeping than anything else. That's blind Goldie snoozing in the living room; she's almost always in one of those two Ikea chairs. Alayne says sometimes she gets drowsy from just looking at all the sleeping dogs around us.
Alas, a quick Google search shows there are at least two Sleeping Dog Farms in existence ... one right next door in Vermont, the other a retreat in British Columbia. Oh well. But we weren't really thinking about changing the name ... not to worry! Besides, the dogs think they're already living at a retreat.
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Still 2nd place as of Thursday!
Please keep voting for the sanctuary in the Shelter Challenge -- the votes are adding up! And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Please note: Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.
It was thanks to all of your amazing votes that we won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the final Shelter Challenge of 2009, and we came in fourth nationwide in the first Shelter Challenge earlier this year, winning $3,000. So this is serious money and can really make a difference for our disabled animals! Please help us win this round of the contest by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!
The love of my life, a mix of standard poodle and briard, had that same Ikea chair that holds Goldie. I know how sleepy she would get lying in that chair in the sun. Keep up the good work, Goldie!
Posted by: Kathy Cummings | October 03, 2010 at 08:15 PM
Ah, it's definitely a dog's life! I'd trade places with Goldie in a heartbeat :)
Posted by: Ann | October 02, 2010 at 04:10 AM
I saw this sweet picture and thought, "Who's the new puppy?" Silly me! Goldie looks adorable.
Posted by: Moon Rani | October 01, 2010 at 09:50 PM
I think I would have to go around every now and then waking everyone up and reminding of their duties...companionship, guarding, sniffing for unwanted intruders and of course WATCHdogging. (except for Goldie, no one should wake a dog that looks that comfie.)
Posted by: Anne in Florida | October 01, 2010 at 02:35 PM
Yes, it's amazing how much they sleep. A good thing, really, or I'd never get anything done... Just received your newsletter! It was great to see some Ranch Originals featured, and to learn Goldie's history. It certainly was a lucky day for her. And what a great photo with smiling Briggs! We'd never know it took so many takes if you hadn't told us. ;)
Posted by: Tonya | October 01, 2010 at 02:16 PM
A sleeping dog is a dog who feels safe enough to let his guard down. Obviously you 2 give those dogs the security that they deserve.
Voting daily!
Posted by: Ev | October 01, 2010 at 01:41 PM
AWWW - she looks like a little angel!
Posted by: Angela | October 01, 2010 at 12:32 PM
You should hit IKEA up for a donation... and let them use that adorable picture of Goldie in her favorite IKEA chair :)
BTW... I just love reading your blog, it just puts a great spin on my day! Thank you so much for what you do!
Posted by: Twila | October 01, 2010 at 10:28 AM
***Yawn***! I imagine it is hard to stay awake while every one else around you is napping as you work! It's a dog's life at RDR, for sure!
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | October 01, 2010 at 10:26 AM
It's a Doggie Spa!
Posted by: Kathie Taylor & Lee Purcell | October 01, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Don't you just want to plant a gentle kiss on that sweet sleeping face? When I came in yesterday from a brief outing, one of my beloved charges was asleep on my bed like an angel sent from God.....a smooch was definitely in order.....so she got it!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | October 01, 2010 at 10:15 AM
"Ranch" - In keeping a bit of your western roots, it still fits! Glad you aren't changing it. :-) Cute idea, though.
Glad to be voting again! Folks can do so on "non-blog" days and I hope they do.
Posted by: Lisa in CA | October 01, 2010 at 09:28 AM
You sure you don't want to change the name? I think "Rolling Dog Farm" would be a good one. You already have a great picture of Daisy rolling in that lush green grass!
Posted by: Robyn, Houston, TX | October 01, 2010 at 08:37 AM
I get the same kind of feeling when watching babies sleep...just want to doze with them! Goldie is such a beautiful girl...and every girl needs her beauty sleep!
Posted by: Debbie | October 01, 2010 at 08:05 AM
What a precious photo of Goldie! Thanks for providing her all the comfort and love so she can sleep with out fear, nor pain. I personally think RDR is "Haven on Earth" thanks to all that you and Alayne do. I wish all animals had that sort of special "resort". Bless you both for each & every little and big, and in between thing you do.
Big hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | October 01, 2010 at 07:45 AM
What a precious photo.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | October 01, 2010 at 07:35 AM
Steve, Goldie looks so sweet, and reminds me of our sweet lab, Riley. She always had that same, contented look on her face when she was napping on the chair. There's something about a sacked-out pup, isn't there??
Posted by: Cassie Betz | September 30, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Hi, Alayne and Steve!
I'm a brazilian fan worried about Callie. Is she OK? And, of course, I have to say you do a GREAT service! I bet you never heard it before ... :) :)
Posted by: Mauro | September 30, 2010 at 11:47 PM