When we moved here last year we knew there was a septic tank and field out there "somewhere" under the dog yards, but there was no access to the tank -- everything was totally buried, so we had no idea exactly where it was. I know this is fairly common, but given the fact that septic tanks need to be cleaned out every several years, I've never understood why they aren't all installed with a visible, easily accessible hatch. The alternative is to grab a shovel and start digging around, hoping to find it a foot or so underground. At the ranch in Montana, we had three septic tanks installed over the years (because the buildings were too spread out to share a single one), and our contractor who put them in always put in an above-ground hatch to make access and cleaning very easy.
So when we finally found the one here and dug it up a couple of months ago to be cleaned, I had the septic contractor install a hatch cover so we wouldn't have to enjoy another treasure hunt a few years from now. The dogs have completely ignored this new object in the yard until a couple of days ago, when I saw blind Allie using it a bed and blind Louie curled up against it. I had worried that Allie, who loves to chew on things -- the harder the better -- might consider the hatch an oversized Kong, but so far this is the only engagement I've seen. We do try and keep her occupied with real Kongs at all times!
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Another Shelter Challenge begins -- and No. 3 again already!
The new Shelter Challenge started October 3rd and ends at midnight on December 18th. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.
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. [Yes, we are still listed as Rolling Dog Ranch for the purposes of the contest, not Rolling Dog Farm.]
Because of your votes, we just won $1,000 as a weekly winner in this round of the Shelter Challenge. Please help us win more money for the animals here by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!
This is too funny!
Posted by: Kate & Luke | October 31, 2011 at 05:41 PM
Your organization was featured on a show I was watching. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for what you do. You have brought love and peace to animals that would otherwise suffer if they were in the care of others. My heart goes out to you and all of the animals in your care. Thank you for doing what you do!
Posted by: Stacy Thompson | October 30, 2011 at 06:58 AM
I guess Allie figures if it's able to be curled up on, it's good enough to nap on!
Posted by: Ann | October 30, 2011 at 01:11 AM
Okay- just what is your secret to keeping all that lush green grass?! We only have 4 to 7 dogs at our house here in MN and our backyard is 75% dirt.
Posted by: Ellie R | October 28, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Clever Allie! Love these dogs - it's always something new and entertaining (for us, anyway).
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | October 28, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Looks like Erma was right. "The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank." ~ Erma Bombeck
Posted by: Diana E. | October 28, 2011 at 08:01 AM
We've always noticed how snow melts fastest over our septic cover. Allie and Louie have found a methane-powered heat source :)
Posted by: Debbie Burke | October 27, 2011 at 11:31 PM
Thanks for hooking me up with Laura! Hopefully her and I can help this little guy.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=2092220712833&set=a.1017886655153.2002565.1464740723&type=1&theater
Maybe this link will work.
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | October 27, 2011 at 10:58 PM
"Allie and Louie fearlesly guard the Portal to The Underworld which popped up in their playground recently, even though it is a thankless job."
Posted by: Moon Rani | October 27, 2011 at 08:39 PM