If you would like to show off your pet(s) please email them to the address at the bottom of the page.

Bear Claws other pets. Brothers in crime Rocky and Ace guarding the hummingbirds. BC gets to dog sit them on occasion.

Jean B., Late at night, in early July 2023, somebody dumped a mother dog and her
four little month and a half old puppies out by our place. The next
morning, our neighbor found the mother and two of the pups near the
road. With the help of our dog, Ruger, we found the other two puppies in
the 60 acre field next door. He found the bush they were under and
pointed it for almost half a minute. He is a border collie, not a
pointing dog. He then introduced himself to the puppies. Todd walked up
at that point and introduced himself to the puppies. He handed me a
puppy when I finally got there and we took them to the water at our UTV.
All of a sudden, we were their best friends, ever.
The puppies were healthy, but their mama was little more than skin and
bones. Additionally, she showed evidence of having been beaten rather badly.
Since our neighbors are very experienced in different sorts of critter
rescue, they took on the care of all 5. A day or so later when we went
to visit and see how all were doing, the mama dog came over to me and
fell into my lap. I stroked her gently and spoke quiet words to her. She
stayed there a long while. We could see the scabs on her face and neck.
Patches of fur were missing from her neck and legs and more.
Over the next couple weeks, she began to fill out a little as the
neighbors weaned the puppies. She needed a home and we decided we would
see if she could stay with us.
She knew nothing of cats nor chickens, except as something to chase and
probably eat.
She was afraid to play with male dogs.
She was frightened of the broom and the shovel.
She did not know about not pooping in the house.
Despite all that had happened to her, she is a bonnie little lass. Thus,
her name is Bonnie. We guess she is part border collie, part lab. She is
guessed to be about a year and half old.

So let the learning begin.

I put a dish of food in front of Kimber, the dairy colored lioness.
Bonnie approached and Kimber told her in no uncertain terms that “You
might get my food but it will be tough to eat when I rearrange your
face.” Quietly but firmly Kimber taught her not to mess with cats.

I would take her on a leash when I did the chicken chores. At first, she
was all predator. Gradually, she has become accustomed to the chickens
and now looks to be following Ruger’s example of ignoring them. Both
dogs get an egg for breakfast and Bonnie’s coat is no longer rough and dry.

At first, when we would throw a toy for her, she would look confused.
Ruger helped her understand what toys are for.
She would watch us play with Ruger. It was heartening to see her start
to join in.

Ruger taught her to make the play snarly face. He spent much time gently
teaching her that he is really a big puppy and all he wants to do is
play. He will never hurt her.

She would jump the fence to go next door to see her pups. I would walk
over with the leash and bring her back home. No yelling, no punishment.
Just a treat for coming to me. We make semi regular walks to the
neighbors just so she can see her pups and this has calmed her greatly.

On August 8th, Kimber went out to hunt in the early morning hours and
never came home. She was 15years old with one lower fang left of her
teeth. She had brought in every kind of critter from mice to rabbits.
Her kill rate on gophers was outstanding. She and I had hunted together.
She celebrated the deer I shot in 2019 by singing songs of meat to me.
She walked the 160 yards to the other house with us or just because that
is where she wanted to go. She would walk the perimeter of our 20 acres
with us. It was her joy. It would not surprise me if she wanted to go
this way, rather than get old and sick and weak. What ever got her has
probably got a few scars now. We miss her very much. Bonnie has helped
partially fill the gaping hole in my heart.

Bonnie is trying so hard to be good and learn all the rules. It is a
complicated task. Ruger has made much of it easier and now he has a very
fun playmate for his efforts.

Bonnie keeps learning, and so do we.

The pictures are Ruger, sitting and Bonnie in water dish. All of the
pictures I take of them playing are blurry.

 I still sing to Kimber