RESIDENTSUSEFUL STUFF TO KNOW
Colleen, with her expressive wording, has written her account of her time spent with Anke, Elsa and me on Thursday morning and on meeting our canine residents. Colleen is also a natural Reiki energy healer. I am going to leave her to explain in a later post what Reiki is and how she can help animals (and humans) restore their physical and emotional well-being. We are excited to hear she has volunteered to help Titi, Pompom, Kim and hopefully Dolly when the time is fitting to settle at Dawn & Dusk.
Please do fill in the volunteers form or contact us if you wish to come and be involved with the meeting and sitting (with a bit of stroking and attention-giving) dog team.
I walked up the slope through the shady woodland, my tummy full of excitement. It’s dog-cuddling day.
All of a sudden I stop, in the field on my left, is a goat staring at me.
“Who are you and what do you want?
“Uhm…” I hesitate, hoping I’m in the right place, “I’m here to cuddle dogs.”
“Oh, okay. Keep walking.”
I know better than to argue with a goat, so I keep walking. I smile as I see there are two others watching me curiously.
“I’m here to cuddle dogs.” I say to them, smiling.
A bit further on, and a group of sheep approach the fence. I try not to think about cuddling sheep as one curiously asks, “Who are you, and what do you want?”
“I’m here to cuddle dogs.” I answer.
“Oh, okay. Keep walking.” Was there a hint of sadness I spotted there? Can one cuddle sheep, I ask myself? Focus Colleen, focus…
I glance up and on my right, I recognise the wooden summer house that I’ve seen on the website that provided shelter for some sweet black pups, and now for a dog called Kim. I AM in the right place, whew!
I see buildings, my excitement grows. Just when I think it can’t get any better, I spot a few donkeys, eight in total I’m later told. My word, how on earth am I going to drag myself away from this animal heaven, there’s cuddling opportunities everywhere (well, in my head anyway…)
“Up here, Colleen!” I hear, as Elsa beckons me up through a barn door and upstairs to the cuddle room. I’m introduced to Titi, a white Jack Russel with typical terrier energy and character; and Pompom, a longer-haired terrier who was subdued today getting over having his, ahem, bits adjusted. Needs must, boy…
I notice the two comfy sofas, the dog beds everywhere, and the gorgeous gentle breeze blowing through. I’m already thinking I could sit here for a day – I wonder if I could hide in one of those dog crates. I spot one in the corner which I might try later…
I meet Anke and Ali and then listen to the three ladies talking about nutrition, dog behaviour, the residents and more. I’m struck by the determination to provide the right individual care for each dog. These canine souls are in good hands, but I think they know that, animals have that ‘sense’, don’t they?
We head outside to meet ‘the pups’, Nel and Timmy. I fall in love with their ears immediately and comment that they look like dingos, hoping it doesn’t offend them. Friendly, playful, and gentle, these dogs seem to draw out affection, and I find myself down on my knees stroking their soft bodies and making cooing noises.
We then head over to the enclosure where Kim is. She’s making excellent progress having given everyone a fright with her deteriorating condition, soon after her arrival. But let me tell you, despite her age and seemingly tough background, there’s a sparkle in those eyes (well, one eye, but age is a thing, right?) and every now and again, she does this puppy-like thing with her legs, like she wants to play. Watching this would surely melt the iciest of hearts. I’m so pleased to ‘meet’ her, even if only from the other side of the fence.
I catch a glimpse of other dogs in another field, Anke’s own dogs apparently. If one thinks that Anke’s heart has a limit, you’d be mistaken. Let’s just say it’s just as well there a lot of land around here.
I spend a few hours, which fly by FAR too quickly, chatting and stroking dogs. My heart is so full, and I continue working on my plan to hide in the dog crate so that I can stay longer, hoping Elsa doesn’t notice.
As I leave, we catch a glimpse of Dolly, the only dog to be kept apart from the others due to her current insecurities. I say hello, because that’s only polite, right?
I want so badly to stay. I want to curl up near the fence and read a book to Kim, I want to run around and play with the pups, I want to tell Pompom that size isn’t everything and cuddle him until he knows that we all love him no matter what; I want to love Titi and tell her that she’s got nothing to prove here, everyone is loved equally.
And I want so desperately to convince Dolly that she’s safe.
But today was my first day, and all this will happen in its own time with incredible, experienced people working their magic. Today was just a ‘allow yourself to be sniffed’ day because that’s important to dogs, and it was important to me.
See you all very soon,
Colleen
Colleen
