10/15/2026
I have begun to talk about refining our mission as the years have gone on. I wasn't exactly sure how people would feel about it. Amanda, Jackie and the rest of our amazing volunteers on the cat side LOVE their kittens. Who wouldn't? Wendy, Savannah and the Kennel Club love the puppies and that thrill of landing a dog in a home that you know will live them until their last day on this earth. Truly there is nothing like it.
But already, I have a good portion of the team whose focus lies with the Sanctuary side. Laura, Cat, Susan...all women who come and take turns loving my FeLV cats who while healthy enough for homes are rarely...make that never...placed. Ami, Karen, Colleen and others who toil in the heat out on the Catio with our ancient ferals, CH kitties, blind cats and Manx syndrome babies. They don't complain that they miss the box. They don't judge that many carry every battle wound and are raggedy.
Then there is the Farm. The Farm itself receives VERY little help. We get our fewest volunteers there and even fewer donations to support it and her residents are here for their lives. We have the cost of maintaining hooves and horns, vaccines, deworming, hay and feed. There are more outbuildings than any other space, FOUR ponds and pumps...
And yet? Whenever anyone else EVER needs anything? Marian is there.
We took on 9 year old Duke a few weeks ago. He is financially the responsibility of the farm for the remainder of his life. His owner is in care now and Duke cannot go just anywhere. He is blind and has three legs. We can give him ALL the love and care he needs. He has nonstop attention for about 4 hours each morning and then Claudia takes him to put the goats up with her each evening. He is easy to have as a hospice dog. He just likes a nice walk around and he seems to thrive with the simple layout of the kennel and common area. He doesn't soil his kennel. He isn't a youngster who wishes he had hours on end in a fenced yard and toys and kids to chase.
But! We struggled to get him shelter. The traditional dog houses we had scared him and he wouldn't go in.
Wendy talked with Marian about it and this was the result...
After some time on the Go-ogle Marian built him a house of his own. As if that wasn't enough, she had to redo the roof and Claudia had to go shopping. The original bed seemed to high for him to attempt to get on so she found a perfectly sized flatter bed. Right now we are trying to coax him in with treats but I have no doubt the open entrance and soft bed will win him over.
Meanwhile? Thanks Marian. I have said it before but having someone who simply does a thing with no hand holding or coercing is a DREAM.
