Our first task every morning is to put all the dogs out, no small undertaking with thirty of them. To make it as efficient and quick as possible, I "double-up" on my loads with the smaller dogs. Alayne took these photos the other morning as I was carrying my charges outside. In the photo above, I have Dexter and Widget in hand, who are usually the first to go out. That's because they are the loudest ones, howling and barking from their room on the second floor of the dog wing. That's where the midnight revelers sleep ... or not, as the case may be.
When we first moved here, there were three doors between our bedroom on the ground floor of the people wing and their room on the second floor of the adjoining wing -- with a bathroom, laundry room, mudroom and flight of stairs in between. Alas, we could still hear them carrying on at 3 a.m. from our bedroom (Widget is a party Beagle who sleeps all day and likes to rock 'n roll in the middle of the night, and Dexter is her side-kick.) We finally installed a fourth door at the top of the stairs, and nighttime quiet at last returned. So the first trip in the morning is through all those doors and up to their room to get them, since they resume carnival festivities at dawn.
After I uploaded that photo on the computer I realized it looked like Widget was somehow slipping through my arm, but that wasn't the case -- I had a firm grip on her!
Next up are blind Fuzzy and blind Sophie:
Their eyes are glowing brightly because the flash is bouncing off their retinas; they are blind from progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, and their pupils are wide open to allow as much light in as possible. (Click on photo for larger image.)
Meanwhile, as you can see in this next photo, it was very foggy outside:
That's our blind-and-deaf pair, Spencer and his sister Katie.
Six down, twenty-four more to go!
---
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!
Sounds to me like you guys need an elevator. Remember, you moved in anticipation of your golden years! Partyon, Beagles!
Posted by: Kathie Taylor | October 14, 2011 at 07:08 PM
I love the Widget stories! She is such a character. I completley understand that nocturnal beagle food drive, and the noise that goes along with it. Gotta love that beagle baying.
Posted by: Shasta | October 14, 2011 at 10:48 AM
RE: David's comment
Could be "another" cardboard, like this one? => http://blog.rollingdogranch.org/rolling_dog_ranch_animal_/2011/08/flycatcher.html
I remember!!!
Posted by: Mauro Salles | October 11, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Once I stopped laughing at the thought of party beagles, I started to ask why you don't just let them walk out. THEN my brain started working again and I thought about 30 dogs trying to get out the door! YIKES!
Great photos!!
Posted by: Kenna | October 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM
It might just be my imagination Steve, but you seem to look different since RDF moved to New Hampshire. You seem to look a little more youthful and more energetic in pictures now (though that could be timing of the pictures). Anyway, reading the blog and your posts is always one of the high points of my day because the love and care shown is evident in every word.
Posted by: David | October 10, 2011 at 11:59 PM
What a workout! No need to lift weights when you can carry dogs around. And much more enjoyable too. Spencer and Katie look very alert, as if their attention is definitely fixed on something. You'd never know they were blind and deaf from that picture. They must have been receiving some kind of scent transmissons. :) Thanks for sharing these great photos!
Posted by: Tonya Allen | October 10, 2011 at 06:04 PM
You are my hero, and your animals are so lucky to have you! no matter how bad my day, your post always inspires me.
Posted by: melanie | October 10, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Dear Alayne and Steve, you can load three or more babies at once!!!
Try this, for example ==> http://www.newborneducation.co.uk/
Of course, dads are allowed.
ROFL
Posted by: Mauro Salles | October 10, 2011 at 04:05 PM
The dogs go marching two by two...oh, never mind, the DOGS aren't marching, are they....okay.....the dogs get Steve marching, two by two, hurrah! hurray! (It must be hard to put on weight at that rate!)
Posted by: Linda Murphy | October 10, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Your post today, as many of your posts, bring me smiles or chuckles, or flat-out laughs.
I appreciate all your posts. Many of them have useful words of wisdom. Many of them let us out in the "stix" of Montana--one of my favorite states--know what and how you are doing. You, Steve, and you, Alyne, are amazing! Your work is wonderful. Thank goodness for people like you!
Phyllis
Posted by: Phyllis Snow | October 10, 2011 at 01:12 PM
Good Morning folks....thank YOU as always for our daily dose of your loving family...
Posted by: Valerie | October 10, 2011 at 10:55 AM
My stars! How are your knees doing? Fifteen trips up and down the stairs twice a day? Talk about step arobics!! The pictures are great. :) :) What we do in the name of love doesn't really seem so much of a chore, does it? They are so appreciative and CUTE besides!!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | October 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
What wonderful people you & Alayne are. Some people would simply open the doors and let the dogs find their own way outdoors. You definitely bring concierge service to your "kids".
Posted by: Kathy Hertzel | October 10, 2011 at 09:05 AM
I'm rather nocturnal myself, so I understand Widget and Dexter's frame of mind. My animals are used to me being off. You've got arms full of love there, Steve! What service!
Hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tligit
Posted by: ginger | October 10, 2011 at 06:36 AM
With RDF being as big of an undertaking as it is, efficiency is the name of the game and you've got it down pat for sure!
I'm sure that the dogs love the "car service" every morning!
Posted by: Ann | October 10, 2011 at 12:37 AM
Lol...thanks for the chuckle!
Nocturnal party beagle. Too cute.
Posted by: Glenda | October 09, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Widget and Dexter are passing vital information. Widget howls every 20-30 seconds asking if Dexter has noticed any sign of some stray food that might be in the area, might have been in the area in the past or might, at some point in the future, be in the area. Party Beagles never get tired of that question and so it goes.
Posted by: Bob | October 09, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Wow, I thought I had a tough time with getting 3 senior citizen cocker spaniels out in the morning. These are wonderful photos!
Posted by: Becky in Bedford NH | October 09, 2011 at 07:50 PM