This is something I don't think we've shown before ... the hallway between the people wing (at the far end) and dog wing. That's blind Madison and blind Helen lying on the tile floor. On sunny days when the dog wing gets a bit warm from the solarium, the dogs will wander down the hallway and snooze here because the floor is nice and cool.
The interesting thing, as you'll notice right away, is the long row of closets on the left ... seven, in fact! This house was unoccupied for the past 18 years or so (long story), but word has it that the family which once lived here had lots of kids -- and every child was given his or her own closet, and that's where all their stuff went.
Alayne and I joke that with seven Dachshunds at the sanctuary, there's one closet per Dachshund. While we aren't stashing Dachshunds in them, those closets have been perfect for storing all the various supplies we need and keeping them handy. There's also a full basement and a big attic, so storage is one thing we have plenty of here.
Still, it's funny to see the reaction when people come through the front door for the first time and see all those closets down the entire length of the hallway.
As Alayne was taking these photos, Fuzzy meandered on through -- he's doing great, by the way:
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Still 2nd place as of Tuesday -- hanging on!
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You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
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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!
I'm curious why you don't have labels on those doors. How many times have you had to open 6 doors before you find the right closet for what you're looking for?
Posted by: Kelly | October 21, 2010 at 05:29 PM
This is not about closets, altho I certainly am glad you have so many. I was curious about how Madison is doing. I saw nothing in the dog list. Thanks.
I'll bet the dogs, cats, and horses are enjoying warm days in New Hampshire. Probably they are out soaking up the sun or some of the dogs and cats, in that nifty hallway.
Posted by: Phyllis Snow | October 21, 2010 at 01:52 PM
I thought I saw a speck of dust on the window sill so I clicked on the photo to make it larger so I could check. Nope, just a shadow. Carry on.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | October 21, 2010 at 12:39 PM
I would love to hear the story of why your home wasn't occupied for so long. Enquiring minds want to know :)
And wow, what I wouldn't give for a couple of those closets. I do have decent closet space but it never seems to be enough!
The dogs look so comfy in the hallway. You could probably fit all the resident RDR dogs in that hallway!
* Please keep voting, use more than one browser if you have them! Let's work our way up! *
Posted by: Ann | October 21, 2010 at 01:13 AM
I am completely in awe of how clean your home always looks - the floors are shiny and the baseboards appear spotless! I have three dogs, and my floors are always filthy - tell me your secret, please!!
Posted by: Amber Lipari | October 20, 2010 at 02:23 PM
Those closets are certainly interesting. A unique feature indeed. Fuzzy and Snuggles -- cutesville indeed. When we adopted our dog his name was Tiny. We changed it immediately.
Posted by: Tonya | October 20, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Ahhh, the comfort of cool floors! Madison & Helen know what comfort is all about!
This house was meant for you & the gang! It seems like such a wonderful place it's amazing to me it was unoccupied for so long! I'm glad Fuzzy wandered by & that he is doing well.
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | October 20, 2010 at 01:26 PM
I am so glad to hear that Fuzzy gets to keep his name, it fits him. Oh, one question....is there really a 'dividing line' of some sort between the "dog wing" and the "people wing"?? and who enforces it? (if it gets enforced at all ;) Anne
Posted by: Anne in Florida | October 20, 2010 at 01:04 PM
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE EVERY DAY AND GET YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOO! The number 3 spot is close to our tail!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | October 20, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I chuckle every time you mention the dog wing vs. the people wing. Usually your comment follows a picture of dogs in or near the people wing, so I think the distinction is tenuous at best!
Posted by: Linda | October 20, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Wonderful to have that much storage space!
Don't forget folks, by using different browsers (I'm using Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox), you can vote more than once for Rolling Dog Ranch in the Shelter Challenge.
Posted by: Sox | October 20, 2010 at 12:00 PM
7 "extra" closets!! Oh what I would give for even 2 of them. What a nice plus for all your storage needs. Are your days still warm?? Or has fall started to cool you off up that way? We in FL are waiting for some truely cool weather to arrive.
Posted by: Anne in Florida | October 20, 2010 at 10:38 AM
It seems like that house was meant just for you and your gang!
Thank you for all that you do :)
Posted by: Rob | October 20, 2010 at 10:09 AM
So glad to hear that Fuzzy is adjusting well. I think I fell a little in love with him when I read the blog post about him joining the Rolling Dog family. And seven closets! I would love another seven closets!
Posted by: Ashley | October 20, 2010 at 09:52 AM
Your beautiful farm home was unoccupied for years? If there's ever a day that you need a blog topic, why not tell us the story?
Posted by: Jan Christianson-Wood | October 20, 2010 at 09:51 AM
How cute is that Fuzzy...
Posted by: gayle | October 20, 2010 at 08:56 AM
I wouldn't trust those dachshunds not to put a rival in one of those closets should the need arise. If you should momentarily lose track of a NDC or " Non-Dachshund Cutie", I would check there first. Also, not sure why those doors are not decorated with a straw floppy hat with flowers on it. ;p
Posted by: Amy A | October 20, 2010 at 08:17 AM
Envy you folks all that storage space. No one has enough closets. Love this site and you folks are just amazing. Fuzzy is a cutie....and so are all your other pets.
Posted by: Celia~~~Maine | October 20, 2010 at 08:09 AM
You truly found the purrrfect place! Love it!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | October 19, 2010 at 09:23 PM
Since I happened to be working tonight, I checked to see if the blog was updated yet. Sure enough, and what do I see but the strangest hallway ever. Those closets are a riot! You certainly will never run out of storage space. And I can see why the dogs would want to sleep on the cool tiles. And Fuzzy is such a cutie. Glad he inserted himself into the photo.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | October 19, 2010 at 09:14 PM