03/26/2026
One Thing Leads to Another, Part 4:
Re*****on and Roderick at the Farm
If I am ever reincarnated, I hope I come back as one of Karen Larsenâs dogs. In nearly three decades in rescue, I have met many dedicated people, but Karen is someone I admire deeply.
Karen and her husband, Andy, run Liberty Farms in Massachusetts, a multi-species sanctuary for farm animals. Their days begin before dawn and rarely slowâfeeding, grooming, and tending to the veterinary needs of countless animals, all while maintaining full-time careers. It is, quite simply, a labor of love that never ends.
We have been fortunate to know Karen and Andy as adopters over the years. They have welcomed several dogs from us into their homeâoften the ones who required a little extra patience and care.
So when Karen reached out about adopting again, I thought I might finally make things easy for her. Knowing her fondness for setters, I suggested Re*****on.
Re*****on, a stunning Irish Setter, came to us from a southern backyard breeder where proper nutrition was not a priority. He arrived with a calcium deficiency, and at just four months old, he suffered a broken leg simply stepping out of a car. Despite that rough beginning, his spirit never wavered.
When Karen planned her visit to meet Re*****on, I had a quiet hope in mindâI wanted her to meet Roderick as well.
Roderick, a Gordon Setter, had also come from a breeder. He was born with a congenital defect that made him unsellable, and so he found his way to us instead. Like Re*****on, he proved to be exceptionally gentle and kind. Both dogs became what we often call âhelper dogs,â offering comfort and stability to the many new arrivals passing through our care.
In time, it became clear that both Re*****on and Roderick deserved more than life within the constant motion of a busy rescue. They deserved a home where they could simply be loved and enjoy the fullness of life.
Karen, as she so often does, rose to the occasionâand took them both.
Today, Re*****on and Roderick are living exactly the life we had hoped for them. They are safe, cherished, and very much at home at Liberty Farms, often seen enjoying their days alongside Layla and Benji. The updates we receive are a joy, and we could not be more grateful.
Some families truly earn a gold starâand Karen, Andy and Frankie are certainly among them.
