Join us as we figure out how to live the life that feeds your belly as well as your soul. Our best lessons tend to come from our farm animals. The more time we spend with them, the better humans we become.

Do you dream of farming a piece of land you call home? Do you wonder: Is land affordable? Is farming sustainable? We’re about to find out! Join us on our 12 month adventure as Charley prepares to leave the Army and we grow our farm. We’ll share what works for us, what does not work for us and more than a few embarrassments as we raise chickens, tame alpacas, train dogs and grow food.

Want to be a better human and build your heritage on your own land? So do we. Please reach out to us. We want to hear from you.

News

• January Newsletter: Letters to Harvey

  Harvey: Poster Dog for Texas Dogs Needing a Foster Home

  

  In lieu of this month’s newsletter, we’re sharing the story of Harvey, our foster dog.

  You may recognize him from social media as the Dalmatian who looked adorable in his bright yellow hoodie. He had to wear clothing because he could not generate body heat.

  This is what Harvey looked like the first time I removed his hoodie. He was near death.

  

  Fostering Harvey

  Some of you already follow Harvey’s Journey on Facebook , so you may know that he was found by good Samaritan, Katherine Lopez in McAllen, Texas and brought into rescue by Becca Isabel (Yaqui Animal Rescue). When Tena Price of Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado (DRC) asked me to be Harvey’s medical foster, I wanted to explain to her all the reasons why I wasn’t the right person. It wasn’t a good time for us. Our jobs, our pets, travel plans, our budget were all valid reasons not to foster. Not to mention neither of us had ever cared for a dog as fragile as Harvey. Plus, we already had a new foster dog!

  

  Side note: our matching caps are from PupLid. 15% of profits from the caps go to Shelter to Soldier, a non-profit that rescues and trains shelter dogs to become service dogs for active military and retired veterans suffering from post traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI) or military sexual trauma (MST). 

  Our Foster to Honor Honor

  Our dog, Honor, had been gone less than two months when a picture of the dog (above) came across my FB feed.

  

  He was in a kill shelter, and I couldn’t stand to see him there. So, I reached out to Tena to ask DRC to save him. Tena and I had never met. I follow her on FB, so I already knew that she moves mountains for Dalmatians-in-need. But unfortunately, all of DRC foster homes were (and are) full. I convinced Tena that Charley and I could foster the dog from the kill shelter. Charley, on the other hand, required more convincing. See, Charley and I had agreed on a 4-dog-limit. Noble makes 5. Charley and I also have a 2-cat limit. Barn cats don’t count, obviously, because they live outside and perform a service to the farm. Ash, Nori, Shebert and Nash are our indoor cats. Wait, is that 4? I can’t math. We have 35 animals, give-or-take. Charley is great at math! But not so good at saying “no” to an animal-in-need.

  We All Get to Decide the Kind of Person We Will Be

  Great news! We all get to decide the kind of person we will be; whether we will step up when asked for help. Here in Texas, we have a popular saying, git er done. Are you a git er done kind of person? If so, you must be busy. Busy people are doers. Not-busy people give (perfectly valid) explanations as to why they can’t. Busy people have exactly the same valid reasons for why they should say “no” too. Instead, they git er done. Harvey has come and gone and none of those reasons as to why we were not the right people to foster matter anymore except to support my belief that busy people make great foster parents. When first asked, I thought we should decline. A friend even told me to decline. But this –

  “Love” is an action verb.

  Knowing Charley as well as I do, I said “yes” to Tena and to Harvey. He was working out of town at the time, so I texted Charley this…

  Wynne:   Please don’t be mad. I agreed we would foster a Dalmatian.

  Charley:  I’m not mad. Noble is great!

  Wynne:   I mean another Dalmatian. He’s in pretty bad shape. [attached this pic] 

   

  Charley:  Thank you for taking in that beautiful boy. My heart goes out to him. I can’t wait to meet him.

  He Needs Help, But Why Us?

  One reason Tena placed Harvey with us is because she knows I’m able to handle death. I witness dogs leaving this earth more often than most folks, and what I have learned is that dogs do not fear or lament death as we do. For them, it’s a graduation, a transition of sorts, to a place of light, peace, and perfect health. I still get sad when a dog dies, but my sadness is for the humans’ loss. Larger than my sadness is the joy I feel when we are able to celebrate the LIFE of a loved dog. If Harvey couldn’t heal, Charley and I would be tasked with helping him graduate as a loved dog. Not a starved dog. We were prepared for that. What we could not have imagined is how feeding this starved dog would feed our own souls, making us better people.  Or that we would get so attached to him that we would want him to stay. Never mind having five other dogs. Our experience with him was that special. Before telling you how he changed us, a little more about Harvey’s situation.

  

  

  Body Condition Score – More than a Number on a Scale

  When Harvey came to Wynley Park, he had a body condition score of “1”. He wasn’t just skinny. He was only skin and bones. Simply walking exhausted him. Sitting resulted in decubitus (open sores). Had Harvey gone one more day without care, he quite likely would have died. Hard to understand, but even half a cup of dog kibble could have killed him.

  Refeeding Syndrome

  During starvation, a hungry body will convert any stored carbohydrates into fuel first. In order to stay alive, the body will then deplete whatever fat or protein it has left, eventually feeding on itself. Protein is vital to life. Without it – a slow and painful death occurs as your immune system, liver, kidneys and heart stop working. First discovered in the concentration camps of WWII, Refeeding Syndrome happens when a victim of starvation is fed too much, too quickly. In the process of shutting down (or dying), their system has lost the ability to process the nutrients; therefore, it must be reawakened slowly with small portions of highly digestible vitamins and minerals. Starvation kills. But if you’re not careful, feeding a starved body will kill it too. See more information about refeeding syndrome in animals. 

  The Plan

  Harvey’s care plan was for Charley and I to be his short-term medical fosters while we waited to see if his heart was strong enough and his digestive system could be reawakened. We fed him small portions every 2.5 hours. His protruding spine knobs and pressure ulcers broke my heart. I doctored his wounds; he nuzzled my face. He was so patient with us, so polite, after all he had been through. Not for the first time, I wished dogs could tell us their stories. I wished dogs could choose their own people. I wished dogs could vote. They can’t. So, we must tell the stories of dogs like Harvey. Harvey changes lives for the better simply by being Harvey. First, he reminded me of how special Charley is. Re-read his last text to me.  Life, and doing the hard things, is so much easier when you are equally yoked with another who shares your calling. Our shared love of God and dogs is what first drew me to Charley twenty years ago.

  Fostering Can Improve Your Life in Just One Week!

  We both fell in love with Harvey in one short week with him. We also made new friends who share our passion for dogs! And we gained confidence in our ability to care for medically-fragile animals. I got cuter too! In my own eyes, anyway. Checking on Harvey every two hours meant sticking close to home, so I ate healthy, started yoga-at-home and lost three pounds. Cuter to Charley too since nothing is more attractive than watching someone nurture another living creature. Sharing in the responsibility of someone as needy as Harvey meant rearranging work and staying home more. We passed the time with card games, enjoyed moonlit cocktails on the front porch, and we celebrated each of Harvey’s tiny milestones together.

  

  

  

  

  As thousands of his supporters watched his progress via social media. The world was enamored. Us too! At Peace Pet Services has trained, boarded or rehomed lots of dogs. Harvey is somebody special though. This gentle, beautiful, worthy dog has enriched and inspired us! I kept a log and wrote letters to him while he was here. I hope that Harvey Sunshine, my action-verb hero, inspires you too. Here are those letters.

  December 9, 2023

  Dear Harvey, Tomorrow’s gonna be a big travel day for you. 318 miles from Thames Drive, Edinburg to Coupland, Texas. To get you from your first real home to your second real home, it will take eight volunteers, two veterinarians, three vehicles and seven hours. You’re gonna learn what it feels like to float on air tomorrow. Literally, because we can’t risk the chance of you coming into contact with germs on the ground. Figuratively, because you will be surrounded by so much love, that your heart will soar, maybe for the first time. The rest of you, dear Harvey, will be carried on a large bed to avoid chafing your fragile skin. You won’t understand this, Harvey, but your story is awakening people to the injustice of a defenseless dog’s life. Two terrible people are responsible for the emaciated, near-death condition you’re in now. YOU are responsible for an eclipse of compassion and generosity. You have redeemed my hope in humanity Harvey. You’re not even here yet, and I already see your purpose. You inspire me to be a better human. We need to believe that good trumps evil, Harvey, so please continue to fight. A bed is just the beginning of the perks waiting for you to discover as a rescue dog.  

  December 10, 2023

  Dear Harvey, You’re here! You’ve made it to Wynley Park and I am so nervous. We are happy for the opportunity to help you heal. And cautiously optimistic. We know so little about your personality! You grumbled a tiny warning when we popped the back door and came close to your crate. Don’t blame you a bit. It’s already been a long day. You are exhausted and now, here are four strange women peering at you and yapping in our high-pitched voices. What must you think of us? I back 6 feet away from you and kneel on the ground, speaking softly. You respond with a wag and come over to sniff my legs.  You and me, Harvey, we’re gonna be okay. We all work to get you situated into your new private digs. Since we know so little about you, this includes protecting the floor from accidents. More importantly, we need to protect you. Your room has been sanitized. Every surface is padded. You have no fat, nor muscle mass to protect you. The cats and dogs who live here (we call them Wynley Parkers) have been crated so that you don’t come into contact with them too soon. A simple germ could overtake your compromised immune system. Excitement could stop your heart. All electrical cords, pillows and some of the furniture has been removed. You’re starving, Harvey, I know baby. You have eaten things far worse than what you could find in this room already. We have to guard against blockages though. Assuming your organs have not already shut down, we need to protect your digestive system, buddy. You arrived at Wynley Park with bags and bags of supplies and a sack lunch prepared by Foster Becca. Four sack lunches, actually. Enough food to get you through your first night and give me time to learn how to mix & measure your portions. Oh boy, you are skin and bones. I saw pictures, so I knew this already. But seeing in person what has been done to you…the wounds on your hips…a dog shouldn’t feel pain simply from sitting. Tomorrow, I will take you to meet Dr. Brandon, our trusted veterinarian. Until then, I will wrap you in soft blankets and sleep next to your crate; too afraid to leave you alone yet.

  December 11, 2023

  You did great in the car and at the vet clinic this morning Harvey! I was a nervous wreck driving you there! You, however, sat serenely, gazing out the back window of the RX, with your cape draped around your frail shoulders. I prayed the whole trip, hyper-alert for the precious cargo I carried. You.

  

  I can’t lie, I was also a little worried someone would spy you in my car and report me for animal cruelty. Then I thought, “No. I would welcome the opportunity to bring awareness to your story”. Besides, ANYONE paying attention to the plight of maltreated dogs encourages me these days. Ignorant people. Ugh. Cruel people. Ugh. People who say, “I would help, but…” Ugh. Just ugh. You looked and acted like royalty. Very skinny royalty. Dr. Brandon could see how special you are Harvey. She called you a sweetie and said that you would probably be fine with proper feeding. Amazingly, your liver and kidneys are working fairly well. She went on record, stating that there is no medical reason for your condition. You are anorexic because a person deliberately kept food away from you. I’m sorry Harvey. Thank you for giving us humans another chance. You weigh 23.12lbs today. A healthy weight for you would be 50lbs.

  December 12, 2023

  7am (Harvey’s 1st meal of the day. He eats every 2.5 hours, until 10pm) Good Morning Harvey! Best news from yesterday’s vet visit is that we will up your food intake! As of today, you get to eat 1 pound of food per day. You will have to keep taking antibiotics a bit longer while your sores heal. You still have to take iron (pet tinic) to treat your anemia, and you don’t like it much. You open your mouth for me though, like the gentle soul that you are. Also Harvey, Dr. Brandon said you could have TWO treats per day! Sshh, this may be our secret for a couple of days. We will see how you do. I love you Harvey. Is it too soon for the “L word”?

  December 13

  You pooped Harvey!! Tonight at 8pm, foster Charley texted me this super exciting news. He also took a photo because proud papas take pics when their foster pup poops. You are so loved Harvey. We will still go to Dr. Brandon tomorrow for tummy x-rays. We want to see what you got going on in there. Good Night, Mr. Sunshine.

  December 14

  Back to the vet we went today, huh Harvey. Your second visit this week. We had to remove your hoodie for x-rays. Have to take photos as “proof of maltreatment” for the judge who will hear your court case. Mental illness is real, Harvey. I am so sorry for what you’ve gone through. You seem to know that those people weren’t functioning normally though. The way you calmly watch new people as they enter your space, you’re assessing their energy. You know Harvey. You know.

  December 15

  Harvey, you pooped @ 7am! You got out of bed before 7am!! Look at you thriving! Go Harvey! You are my action-verb hero, precious sir. Since you’re feeling better, we spent some time outdoors. You met the boys (Brogyn, True and Giddy) today, and you were not shy about giving Brogyn a piece of your mind when he booped your nose. I love that you feel confident enough now to bark at Brogyn and to explore outside of your room. We found out that your new foster is named Esmer. That’s a nice name. Esmer is getting ready for you Harvey. Your bed and all of your stuffs will go with you to your new home, including your elephant from foster Becca and the dog we gave you. Monday afternoon will be tough. But familiar smells are cozy.

  December 16

  My hero, my Sunshine, you warm my heart. While everyone rages (rightfully so) at the man and woman who did this to you, I see hope for humanity. Two mentally ill people damn near killed you. But one week ago, you drew together eight people, some of us strangers, who joined forces to get you from the Valley to the Hill Country. You are going places, Harvey Sunshine, in more ways than one. We got news about your abusers today. Police found the sick house. Your two dog friends (the husky and shepherd) have been rescued from the sick house. They are eating and getting medical attention because of you Harvey. They’re safe now because of you. You were brave enough, and somehow strong enough, to leave the backyard of the sick house. And Harvey, guess what, there are people in the UK who are following your journey. What’s the UK?, you ask. It is far-away place. Even in far-away places, people clearly see the wrongness of your situation.

  December 17

  

  What a full day we’ve had, huh Harvey? You barked at the big white fluffy dog (Cozy Josephine). You took a walk with the bigger white fluffy dog (Finch). You discovered funny, flighty things (called chickens). Then, you spent the afternoon watching football with Charley on the HUMAN bed. Oh, and you pooped again today; for the 3^rd day in a row! Now you’re wrapping up our perfect day by snuggling with our Domino’s hedgehog- quite possibly the biggest honor. I don’t care for your new foster mom, Harvey. Not one bit. I’m lucky Becca didn’t feel this way about me. Did she feel this way? I’ll have to ask her.

  

  P.S. my eyes are green today. P.S.S. This is not Esmer’s fault. You will love her Harvey. I promise.      

  December 18

  3pm Harvey moves on ☹

  

  Dear Harvey, Thank you for coming to Wynley Park. We took lots of photos today, my never-to-be-forgotten dog. And Becca’s dog. Now Esmer’s dog. Our friend, Gina was here for emotional support, and did we need it. No need to write more. You already know how we feel about you. Is This Justice? My first day without Harvey, I get disappointing news of the husky and shepherd. So, I write again, this time to those who may care –

  December 19

  Dear Team Harvey, I thought today could not possibly be sadder than yesterday. The Texas justice system proved me wrong. Today, a genius judge sent two emaciated dogs back to the people who abused them and Harvey. The place Harvey and I called the sick house, right back into the arms of their tormentors. Why?? Those dogs had already been tagged for rescue. Those dogs had a future of health and love awaiting them. Yes, I am angry. You should be angry too.

  What Can We Do?

  • Judges are elected.
  • City attorneys are hired by city managers.
  • City managers are appointed by your city mayor/council.
  • Pay attention to whom we are voting into office. Once they’re in, hold them accountable for holding abusers accountable.

  Animal Welfare in Texas

  Texas is listed as #12 on the  U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. But before breathing a sigh of relief, google the plight of dogs in Texas, especially in our border towns. This report is misleading, according to our shelters and rescues who are reporting higher than ever numbers of dog neglect and abandonment. The truly grim reality for many dogs in “the friendliest State” is unacceptable. State animal welfare laws are as useful as pockets on a hog without enforcement. How and when Texas animal welfare laws are upheld is often determined by city ordinances.  Clearly, Texas is failing to protect and control its dog population. The term “No Kill Shelter” makes us feel all warm and fuzzy, but the reality is that dogs are spending months in shelter because there is no foster home available. Too many dogs, too few homes. Texans are failing Texan dogs. Not all Texans are failing dogs though. A few Texans, like herculean rescuers, Becca Isabel and Tena Price, are doing a lot more than most of us to address this dog situation that we humans have caused. Texas is home to the kindest, biggest hearted people and I know you care about dogs. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading our Wynley Park Newsletter. There are so many of us dog-lovers; we can do this! What need will you fill? Foster a dog in Harvey’s honor, if you can. If you can’t foster, sponsor a dog for someone else to foster. Transport a dog, if you can. If you can’t, donate a gas card so someone else can transport. Spend two hours next weekend cleaning yards or cages for your local shelter. Take cleaning supplies with you. Report abuse of dogs, stray dogs and abandoned dogs. Advocate for low-cost spay-and-neuter and microchipping programs in your town. Contact your representative (city council member if you live within city limits). Tell the stories of dogs like Harvey. Educate yourself and others until we all know what to look for in a puppy; so that we STOP purchasing puppies from backyard breeders.

  December 19

  Dear Judge Lauren Sepulveda: Please take time to educate yourself as well, so that you do not fail the next dog in the way that you have failed Laurel and Curt, assuming you even know their names. I understand that your ruling was based on the city attorney’s recommendation, but you missed our only opportunity to ask the owner how or if he plans to properly care for his emaciated dogs, which you have returned to him. You have failed to protect these dogs; you cannot afford to be uneducated. You are a judge in a border town that is overrun with strays and known for its mistreatment of dogs. You, yourself, have a dog. Please do better Judge Sepulveda. Two McAllen Dogs Returned in Harvey Animal Abuse Case

  December 19

  Dear Roel Roy Rodriguez, McAllen City Manager: Please reconsider assigning Ben Alonzo, city attorney, to animal welfare cases before he egregiously mishandles another. Dogs do matter here in Texas.

  December 19

  Dear Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado and Yaqui Animal Rescue: Thank you for rescuing Harvey and for attempting to rescue Laurel and Curt. For all of the dogs you have rescued in the past and will rescue in the future, we are so grateful.

  Why Are Dogs Abandoned?

  If you have ever gotten rid of your dog, you did it for one of only two reasons. 1. You chose poorly and ended up with a dog with whom you are not compatible or 2. You are heartless. Most people are not heartless. Most people deserve the joys that come with having a good dog. And the way to end up with a good dog is to learn how to choose the right dog for you, for your family and your lifestyle. Fostering is the best way to learn about dog behaviors and your own needs. Because all sizes, breeds and ages of dogs need temporary homes, you will have a plethora from which to choose.  You’ll improve your understanding of different dog temperaments and activity levels, and you’ll become a pro at reading body language, Experience the joys of pet ownership without the long-term commitment by fostering until you find the right dog for you. You will learn lots about yourself, all while making new friends with other like-minded dog rescuers. You will also be more attractive! That’s right, nothing is more attractive than a person who nurtures an animal-in-need. If you still think you can’t foster, what other need will you fill? Go on then, git er done.

  

   
• November Newsletter: When the Grass is Greener on the Other Side of the Fence

  Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side of Your Fence?

  

  Did you know that the common phrase “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence” originated from the Latin phrase, “Fertilior seges est alenis semper in agris”? Meaning, the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s fields. This was certainly true in our case! The proof is in the photo. Thanks to the rain, Wynley Park has been surrounded by lush grass and hay fields this year. Meanwhile, our yard has looked like we are mining black clay. The grass was definitely greener on the other side of the fence for us! Richer harvest too. To be clear, we wanted what our neighbors had. Bad.

  When Watering Won’t Make It Any Greener

  

  And watering wasn’t going to help. In our situation, too much water was the problem. You may remember that we were inundated with water several months ago. The combination of a rainy Spring and our waterlogged septic field made a soggy mess of our front yard. What an eyesore a half-acre of mud makes. Never mind the tedium of getting clay mud off of shoes and anywhere from three to six dogs each day. I am so over mud, especially clay mud! Charley and I have been wanting to move for a long time. We want more land, more room for livestock and my horse, dog kennels, more garden space, pastures for rotational grazing, better soil, a barn, a mudroom… I could care less about the size of a house, but you folks with 14-foot gates, pipe-fencing and a big red barn. Wow, do I envy you.

  

  Accept What You Can; Change What You Can’t

  

  Envy can be a real downer. So can mud. Our yard had to dry out before a new drain field could be built. When the mud finally dried, we hired our friend, Felipe again. He’s an experienced farmer, carpenter and mason. He also knows a good deal about plumbing and septic systems. Our failing septic field no longer held water, but it did contain a perk (as most inconveniences do). Digging up the entire front yard meant we could make subtle changes in the landscape via berms and dips to divert next season’s rains away from our house and the chicken coops. Turns out Felipe is pretty savvy about flood engineering too. Now we needed a seed to plant…

  Charley and I Planted Ryegrass This Month and That Was a Big Deal

  

  After researching, we decided on an endophyte-free ryegrass and clover field. Before making our decision, I researched several types of hay. We needed to plant something that would grow in heavy clay soil but also be palatable and healthy.

  How Do You Know What to Plant When You’re Not a Farmer?

  It took me about a week to research and talk to a sales person about what might grow well here, while being mindful of the unique grazing needs of alpacas and True (our llama). It took another month of me repeating what I had learned to Charley, second-guessing our choice, re-reading the website and recommitting to this type of ryegrass before we placed the order. I worry so much about misfeeding the animals. Not just our animals. Any animals. Because we plan to leave this land improved when we move on to our next home, we don’t want a lawn grass that would be unhealthy to the future livestock that may live here after we’ve gone. Something as simple (yet scary) as choosing the type of grass can temporarily paralyze me.

  Action Feels Better Than Envy (or Fear)

  Fear be damned. We had to execute our plan. Temperatures were right for planting and rain was in the forecast. So, we bought 100lbs of seed! I was so excited when it arrived! And then I wasn’t. Now, we had to figure out how to get said seed into the ground. Without a tractor. When your outfit is as small as Wynley Park, you don’t have the luxury of owning a tractor.

  Greener Pastures; We Got ‘Em Now

  

  To be dissatisfied with the current situation can be motivating. To believe that others have it better is to live in a dead zone. Grass won’t grow in a dead zone and neither will you. Besides, we have a riding lawn mower. So, Charley improvised by attaching a roll of scrap fencing to the mower to prep the field, then cover the seed with soil. The sense of accomplishment this view from our front porch brings both of us is something that only those new to farming will understand. Like a lot of homesteaders, Charley and I are learning as we go. Neither of us comes from a farming background. This urge to grow stuff may be in our veins, but it sure isn’t in our blood. We have found our confidence growing along with this ryegrass though. It’s funny how these tiny accomplishments can renew our sense of purpose.

  

  We have expanded the alpaca pasture and fenced off three sections to let this new grass take hold. We have taken the first small step toward our goal of rotational grazing while learning to make do with what we have for now. Something else we learned this month – the grass you plant yourself is the greenest of all.

  Which Brings Me to Gratitude

  

  When life gets complicated, return to the basics. Which are what exactly? My basic may not look just like yours, but for me, basic in its simplest form is comprised of three principles God has asked of me: 1. Live with gratitude, 2. Do justice, and 3. Be kind. We are focusing on one directive, living with gratitude, since this is the month of Thanksgiving after all.  God asks his people to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 Gratitude is God’s will; not his need. God does not need my thanks or appreciation. His value, his sense of worth is not dependent upon my feelings at all. You won’t hear him say “after all I’ve done for you…”, because feeling unappreciated is a decidedly human trait. Instead, our willingness to give thanks to God in all situations is for our own wellbeing and individual growth.

  3 Areas of Your Life that Gratitude is Guaranteed to Improve

  Here are three areas that are guaranteed to improve by following God’s directive to live with gratitude…

  Mental and Emotional Health

  The act of expressing gratitude eases anxiety and heightens contentment. Focusing on past achievements and blessings can provide strong motivation to forge ahead.  Studies show that those who are quick to give thanks tend to be more resilient when facing challenges. So, grab a pen and list the positive aspects of your life. Similar to our ryegrass seeds, let your seeds of gratitude nourish the wellbeing of your soul. Maintaining a positive outlook and recognizing the good, even in difficult situations, improves your ability to bounce forward from setbacks.

  Physical Health

  Stress is useful; it can push us to act or make changes vital to wellbeing. Prolonged stress, however, is unhealthy and is often linked to high blood pressure, heart problems, obesity, unrest, etc. Grateful people report feeling less stress and feeling more refreshed after sleeping. By reflecting on the positive experiences and small joys of your day before bedtime, you may find it easier to fall or stay asleep. Grateful people engage in healthier behaviors too, such as exercising regularly and eating for proper nutrition. Check your gratitude list; see anything on it that makes you breathe easier?

  Relationship Health

  Are there certain people in your life who deplete your energy? You love them, but you feel drained after spending an hour in their presence. Folks who feel victimized whenever something goes wrong exhaust me. Life goes wrong, for sure. Life also goes right. One of my wisest friends likes to say “what you seek, you will find”. I have yet to meet a not-dog entity who thinks life is easy. Maybe this is why I often find dog energy easier to sit with than human energy.

  

  Warning: negativity is contagious. Thankfully, so is living in gratitude. Verbalizing thankfulness, towards and in the presence of others, fosters stronger social bonds. Acknowledging all good, including personal achievement, contributions of others, blessings and mercy leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships. When you appreciate the kindness of others, you are more likely to extend kindness and understanding to those around you. Grateful individuals often display higher levels of empathy and compassion.

  Have You Finished Your Gratitude List Yet?

  Who doesn’t want improved mental, physical and relationship health? Simply making a gratitude list helps shift your focus from what’s lacking to what you already have, usually resulting in a more optimistic outlook. So, have you finished your list? December is already upon us and Charley and I are humbly practicing gratitude while tackling God’s directives to do justice and be kind, as this is the best way that we have found to get past disappointments. Check back soon as we continue to share our foray into this farm way of life; we hope you’re finding it interesting… Additional Reading: The Science of Giving Thanks to God Gratitude – the Best Way to End 2023 and Start 2024

   
• Wynley Park October Newsletter: Heartwarming Stories and 7 Fail-proof Steps to Selecting the Puppy Meant For YOU

  Heartwarming Dog Stories

  October was All About the Dogs! Our favorite topic. If you love them too, here are some heartwarming stories that we’ve been excited to tell you about…

  This is Honor’s Noble

  

  Charley, the Greats, and I are fostering a young Dalmatian we named Honor’s Noble. Not much is known about his past, but when we looked into his soulful eyes and read that he was dropped off at a kill shelter, we knew we had to spring him. This is his freedom ride, leaving the shelter. Since being with us, he has mastered “sit”, “lie down”, “leave it”, “shake”, and “shake right”. He is learning to heel and to respect cats and livestock. He loves his ball (like his namesake) and his foster brothers and sisters. Noble is a pro at snuggling and is learning to jog with foster dad, Charley.

  

  At 39lbs, Noble is petite for a dalmatian. He was surrendered to the shelter by either his family or his breeder. Hard to know which since they were not forthcoming about his story. BEST THING about adopting an adult dog who’s been in foster care is that his personality is already known. Fosters work on getting to know the dogs and training them, so that adopters can confidently choose the right dog to take home. And there’s just something about the heart of a rescued dog, as if he’s grateful for his second chance.

  

  Noble is safe today because of Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado (DRC). This non-profit works tirelessly to home dalmatians from Texas to Colorado who have ended up on the street or in shelters. DRC is currently caring for forty-four Dalmatians. Eleven are in the process of being adopted! Sixteen of the forty-four have already been evaluated and are in foster homes. They stand ready and hopeful to meet their forever families soon. If you love spots like we love spots, you can make a huge impact by sponsoring just one vet visit, a bag of food or a whole dog. Here’s their site to learn more:  https://dalmatianrescueco.org/

  Meet Bruno and Gracie

  

  I met Gracie and Bruno’s owner, Michele, in our race to get certified so that we could foster Noble.

  

  This cool dude has his own collection of eye-wear. He was born with a degenerative eye condition believed to have been caused by inbreeding, common with backyard breeders. Lack of veterinary care led to his blindness in one eye and his permanently dilated pupils. Bruno wears shades or a hat now to protect his remaining eye sight from further sun damage. Bruno’s mom, Michele, found him in a shelter.

  

  Bruno’s sister, Gracie came from Tiajuana, Mexico. After her first family abandoned her, she lived on the streets. A kind neighbor took pity on her and tried to find someone who could help. Gracie was emaciated, tick-infested and injured from a hit-and-run-driver by the time a volunteer captured her. Getting Gracie from Mexico to America required a team of volunteers, transporters, veterinarians, donators and a foster mom. Her story is one of survival, hope and teamwork. Her story is also a book! You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/300-Angels-Authorized-Biography-Gracie-ebook/dp/B018DXLOJQ Gracie now lives with her brother, Bruno in sunny California, where she works as a therapy dog, bringing smiles to seniors. Here she is with her therapy co-workers, dressed up for Halloween. Good job Gracie and friends.

  

  This is Bru, the much-loved, over-achieving Basset Hound

  

  October 21, 2023, Bru graduated to the place all good dogs go. The average life span of a Basset Hound is 12-13 years according to the American Kennel Club. At 16.5 years old, Bru certainly exceeded the average life span. Which is not surprising considering he also exceeded the amount of love his best friend, Brant, ever anticipated receiving from “just a dog”. And like all of the goodest dogs, Bru showed his family and friends that their hearts could hold more love for him than they thought possible too. So much love that they rallied together to celebrate Bru’s life by throwing him a graduation party.

  

  Bru, Brant and their friends enjoyed a beautiful sunny day together at the park. It was Bru’s last day on earth, but I think the start of one breathtakingly perfect day as he patiently waits for Brant to finish his assignment and rejoin him. The way this man and dog look at each other is magical.

  

  We love seeing people celebrating their dog’s life and we’re honored when they share those celebrations with us. A dog’s unconditional love is good for a human’s soul.

  7 Fail-proof Steps to Selecting the Puppy Meant for You

  We didn’t plan for Wynley Park’s October Newsletter to focus on selecting a puppy, but here it is. This is not an easy topic – I have been re-writing these few paragraphs for weeks, trying to type as inoffensively yet honestly as possible. I almost gave up, but we have taken in one too many dogs (and cats) this year to say nothing for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. If you’re looking for a new puppy now, or you EVER plan to get a puppy in the future, the rest of the newsletter is for you…

  Do You Need Help Choosing a Dog?

  Getting a dog is like dancing. We can all dance. Most of us aren’t all that good at it. Until we take a lesson. Or practice. We don’t have to be good at dancing to have fun. Sometimes, we get lucky and find a dance partner who compliments our style. If not, we move on to a new partner. Getting a dog probably isn’t a thing you do regularly either. It’s possible no one’s told you how to choose a dog, or how to figure out if you’re getting one from a reputable individual or organization, for that matter. At Peace Pet Services can help you know who’s reputable. Like dancing, you get better at choosing puppies the more you do it. We have chosen a lot of puppies.

  What if You Choose the Wrong One?

  Sometimes you get lucky with a puppy the way you get lucky with a decent dance partner. Sometimes the partnering is a mess though. Then what? Do you keep that dog who isn’t right for you? Knowing in your heart that you’re not right for him either? Does he end up spending most of his time crated or alone in the backyard because he just won’t stop digging? Stop jumping? Stop pulling? Stop destroying? Stop biting? Some people get a wrong puppy and simply decide to move on to another puppy. This is why shelters are full. Rescues are full. 1000 County Road Everywhere is full of dogs that people don’t want and didn’t know what to do with. Wouldn’t it be better to make an intelligent choice? There are so many mismatched human-puppy couples these days for two reasons:

  1. Puppies are not created equally. Some puppies have behavior issues because of how they lived the first two months of their lives. Some have health issues resulting from parents who should never have mated, and some puppies are just harder to train than others.
  2. People don’t know what to look for when choosing a puppy. If you don’t know any better, you choose your puppy based on his looks or because he “chooses” you.

  Most people feel horrible when they realize the relationship with their new puppy isn’t working. I’m going to tell you exactly how to choose the right puppy. First though, you have to know if you’re looking in the right place.

  State of Puppies Since the Pandemic

  Did you know that 1 in 5 families got a new dog or cat in 2020? This means that 23 million animals found homes during the 2020 pandemic! 2020 was a good year for animal shelters! Was it a good year for the animals leaving those shelters to move into homes though? For most of them, the answer is YES. The fate of puppies going from breeders to homes during the pandemic is a bit more complicated though… An unpredicted side effect of the pandemic was a puppy shortage. As a puppy trainer, I had more people asking for help finding them a puppy than in previous years. I was on a personal mission to find a puppy too since my mom’s senior Dalmatian had died in 2019. In addition to the isolation everyone was feeling, mom missed having a dog. My parents are particularly fond of Dalmatians, who tend to be high energy. With dad’s recent surgery and just plain ole “getting older”, my parents were afraid they might not be able to handle a dalmatian puppy. If they could even find one. When I found out they were searching online for a puppy, I knew I needed to help. So, for months, I spent hours researching and reaching out to reputable dalmatian breeders while also helping two clients with their own puppy searches. While more people were in the market to buy, fewer quality puppies were being born and raised.

  The Puppy Shortage

  Here’s why we experienced a shortage in quality puppies in 2020. Reputable puppy breeders intentionally mate two dogs for only one reason: to create the breed standard. This means that they choose a dam and sire who complement each other and have both been genetically tested to best exhibit the physical structure, temperament, health and movement to perform the job for which that particular breed was intended. Responsible breeders slowed or halted their planned breeding schedule to adapt to the pandemic, and this delay opened the market for irresponsible breeders. The dogs born during this high demand for purebred and designer-bred puppies in 2020 were even labeled “pandemic puppies”. Unfortunately, shelters did not stay empty for long. Many of the pandemic puppies have ended up in shelters and rescues across America. Most common reasons folks give for relinquishing their dog are: not being able to afford the dog and not knowing what to do with the dog when they’re away from home. Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado is having to turn away more dogs than in previous years due to the unprecedented number of people wanting to rehome their Dalmatians. Foster homes are full and adoptions have dramatically slowed. Dogs of all ages are being relinquished, but those who are most likely to be relinquished, abandoned, even euthanized, are dogs between the age of 1 and 3 years old. And the Dalmatian breed isn’t the only one suffering. Shelters are full of young Huskies, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and Labrador Retrievers. Irresponsible people are breeding inferior puppies and good-intentioned people are buying them. Then what? Most people feel horrible when they realize the relationship with their new puppy isn’t working out. I’m going to tell you exactly how to choose the right puppy so this doesn’t happen to you. Step 1 of 7 Steps to Selecting the perfect puppy is to be sure you’re looking in the right place.

  Step 1: Learn to Recognize a Backyard Breeder 

  Let’s talk about people who have puppies for sale (or even puppies they’re giving away for free). We’ve all heard the term “backyard breeder”. We’ve seen them in news stories; these people who have dogs who are odd-shaped, ungroomed, underfed, overcrowded and unhappy. Horror stories are easily recognized. Their puppies don’t look like they should. They don’t want you to see where their dogs live so they sell puppies in the Walmart parking lot or on the side of the road. The less recognizable backyard breeders are people who are ignorant or insidious. They decide to have a litter when they aren’t physically and financially prepared to care for puppies. Pregnant dams don’t go to the vet when they should. They are not health-tested; they get pregnant too young or they have too many litters. Puppies aren’t wormed or given vaccines, and they are not properly socialized. Additionally, anyone who separates a puppy from his littermates or his mother before he’s at least 8 weeks old is an irresponsible breeder. If they let you pick your puppy based on the puppy’s looks (big in the Dalmatian breeding world) without taking into consideration his (and your) personality, they are irresponsibly placing a puppy. If they don’t ask you questions about your lifestyle in effort to match puppy to person, they won’t be around later when you and your puppy need help. And here’s the unpopular truth: someone who mates one breed with another breed and guarantees you that their offspring will have a desired trait, hypoallergenic fur, for instance is an irresponsible breeder. An ethical person cannot make such a promise because a dog that is ½ of one breed and ½ of another breed is not guaranteed to get the best of both breeds. They could actually inherit the lease desirable qualities of both breeds. The offspring of a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador, for example, has at most a 50-50 chance of being hypoallergenic. Most likely, their hair type will fall somewhere in between the two breed norms.

  While We’re Talking About Designer Breeds…

  Be forewarned that getting a designer breed that crosses dog groups is risky in more ways than one. Remember how we talked about dogs being bred to enhance certain characteristics?  Mixing herding breeds with retrievers or livestock guardians, for example, can result in puppies who have conflicting instincts, and this confusion is frustrating for puppy and human alike. In my experience, doodle puppies are more difficult to train. My veterinarian performs more intestinal blockage surgeries per year on doodles than on any other breed. According to groomers, doodles are some of the most difficult dogs to groom because their coats vary so much and because breeders have lied to owners by advertising doodles as low-maintenance. Doodles need educated owners indeed.

  Puppies Are NOT All Created Equally Because Humans Are Imperfect

  Puppies are not all created equally because people who breed them are not always knowledgeable. Maybe the people who breed F1 or F2 doodles don’t fully understand genetics when they sell puppies as hypoallergenic. Maybe they’re unethical. Breeder could be ignorant in temperament testing. Some puppies will exhibit behaviors that foretell undesirable problems to come if not matched with an experienced trainer. Some puppies will be perfectly lovely as they are, and they still won’t be right for you.

  You Can’t Just Love Your Puppy’s Problems Away

  If your definition of puppy love is that warm, gooey feeling you get when a puppy falls asleep on your chest, please STOP and think about how you met your husband. Or wife. Did you kiss your share of frogs before meeting the one? Because I know I did. Not only did I kiss frogs. I rearranged frogs’ hair, bought them better jeans, introduced them to my friends and encouraged them to read books. All that and they were still frogs. I started meeting fewer frogs and more people of character once I got to know myself better. Making a list of traits that were most important to me; non-negotiable traits like being capable, behaving courteously toward servers, opening my car door and of course, loving dogs and desirable-but-not-imperative traits like knowing how to golf (for my dad) led me to Charley. Finding someone who will enhance your life requires discernment. The average marriage lasts 7.8 years before ending in divorce, about half as long as a dog’s life. Shouldn’t you be cautious when choosing your puppy too? Just as you are happier being with some people more than others. Certain puppy personalities will be more comfortable for you too. List-making can help you land the perfect job, buy the right house, and yes, even lead you to the dog-love of your life. Before you set out to look, have your list ready…

  Responsible Breeder Checklist

  • They know more than you do about the breed and they tell you the truth, both pros and cons.
  • They want you to know every little thing about your prospective puppy, his parents and the breed, including where they’ve been living.
  • They have a contract that includes a 72-hour pre-purchase clause to allow you time to take the puppy to your veterinarian and a first right of refusal agreement that they will take back the puppy and/or help you find a suitable home if you are not able to care for him at any point during the dog’s life.
  • They ask for vet references and home/life-related questions.
  • They let you observe puppies with each other and mom more than once to be sure.
  • They partner with you to choose the perfect puppy who compliments your personality and lifestyle.
  • They don’t let puppies leave until they are at least 8 weeks old, and they don’t try to sell you two puppies at once.

  If you use the Breeder Checklist and the breeder passes, you are ready to meet mom and her puppies…

  Step 2: Meet Mom, the Puppy’s Mom 

  Mom (dam) should be relaxed around her puppies and humans. She should be clean and comfortable; well-fed and clear-eyed. It is normal for mom to get tired of caring for her puppies around week 5, because motherhood is a hard job and puppy teeth are sharp. Knowledgeable breeders sympathize with mom, but also understand that the puppies need her now maybe more than ever because mom’s continued parenting while puppy temperaments develop is crucial to puppy mental health. Mom can be given short respites to recharge in peace. She can wear a t-shirt to protect sore teats. Knowledgeable breeders have ways to support mom while helping her socialize the puppies. Mom should be at least two years old and not older than six. She should not have had more than one pregnancy per year and no more than 3 or 4 litters total. She must be up-to-date on all vaccines and checked regularly for parasites, which could be passed to her young. Both parents should have been genetically tested for breed-specific health concerns prior to breeding. If you’re happy with what you know about mom (and dad), move on to the puppies…

  Step 3: Observe Puppies Together for the First Time

  The best puppy for you will not be the shyest or the most assertive one of the litter. You are looking for the puppies in the middle who play well together. Occasionally puppies will play too roughly as they’re just figuring out how to puppy. When a puppy gets hurt, it will yelp or show displeasure. You are looking for the siblings who respond appropriately. Some puppies can be bullies. If the roughness continues, and mom is present, she will scold the bully, teaching him how to behave. If she’s not present, the aggressive puppy will learn to intimidate others, and the more reserved puppy may become fearful. Puppies who have not spent enough time with mom and litter mates often lack bite inhibition, lack self-confidence and are mistrustful of people and other dogs. Assuming the puppies are clear-eyed, healthy and play well together, you’re ready to get to know them one-on-one…

  Step 4: Separate and Handle Each Puppy Individually

  Your goal in handling each puppy is to begin to figure out each one’s temperament: dominant, submissive or balanced. Have someone make notes while you handle each puppy. Gently place puppy on his back, while in your arms or lap. It is normal for the puppy to resist for a moment, then he should relax while you rub his belly. Puppies who continue to struggle against this position are more independent, which may hint to being harder to train later on. The puppies who relax in this position are typically easygoing. Do not force any of the puppies into any position as you don’t want to unduly stress them. Just note which, if any, may be right for you. You will also get an idea as to whether puppies have been sufficiently handled by humans. If none of the puppies seem interested in humans or they yelp in fear when touched, walk away.

  Step 5: Narrow Your Choices and Schedule a Second Time to Revisit Your Favorites

  Basically, puppies tend to have 3 types of temperament: dominant, submissive or balanced. For the majority of us, the perfect puppy for us will be one of the balanced puppies in the middle of the litter. The litter’s most confident, outgoing puppy is a dominant puppy. He’ll be the first to reach you, climb all over you and convince you he’s been waiting all day to meet you. Don’t let him flatter you though; he’s likely the same puppy who mounts his siblings, plays too roughly and steals toys from them. He may even nip to get his way. Socialization is very important and may be more time-intensive for the dominant puppy. He needs a full 8-10 weeks with mama dog and sibs, as mom is best equipped to put him in his place when he gets too rough. Also, he’s just as excited to meet everybody else as he was you. He’s a charmer and a potential heartbreaker, this one. The puppy sitting over in the corner or sticking to mom is probably a submissive puppy. She will not be the first to greet you, but she could be perfect for you, depending on your own personality and your puppy knowledge. The submissive puppy who hangs back, may lose out on treats and attention to the more dominant sibs. She could become anxious or fearful if bullied. Both breeder and mom should be watching to make sure that doesn’t happen. She will do best in a calm home, with a patient human who knows how to properly socialize a shy puppy, building confidence slowly and incrementally. Most dogs who end up with a bite history were submissive puppies who became anxious or fearful because they were improperly socialized. If you’re unsure how or too busy to spend lots of time socializing this wallflower, you will do better with a more relaxed easy-going puppy. The puppies drawing less attention to themselves tend to be easier to raise. I call them balanced. The balanced puppy (or puppies) is happy to play with her sibs. She may wander off to explore, then return to the group. She is good at sharing toys and is happy to be redirected. The balanced puppy relaxes in your arms. They are usually in the middle of the puppy pile, but don’t be surprised to find one of the balanced puppies sitting on the sideline occasionally. It won’t be out of shyness. He’s simply learning through observation. Like people, puppies are sentient beings. How they experience and respond to stimuli, and you in particular, is determined by a combination of their personality and past experience, but sometimes they’re just tired or overstimulated. Or they need a bit more time to mature, which is why Step 6 is critical…

  Step 6: Leave the Puppies Exactly Where You Found Them

  Go home without a puppy. Unless you already decided before arriving that you would not be leaving with a puppy, you may have trouble with this step. Leaving the puppies is an important step because you need time to think objectively, away from the intoxicating influence of puppy breath, grunts and wiggles. You need to make sure you’re not feeling inclined to take a puppy simply because you feel sorry for one or all of them. Also use the time to reconfirm that you are absolutely ready to commit to a puppy! If you realize in your first visit that you’ve come upon a situation of puppies who are in need of rescue, it is imperative (and super hard) to leave them. Buying a puppy who’s been born into a bad situation will simply fund a future litter from the irresponsible breeder. Mom and future puppies will suffer. Instead, report your observations to the humane society, and if registered, report the breeder to the AKC (American Kennel Club).

  Step 7: Revisit the Puppies

  By the time of your second visit, puppies should be at least 7 weeks old. This is when their personalities are more distinguishable. The first thing I do on a second visit is count the puppies. If the litter is smaller, I ask the breeder what happened to the missing puppies. If a puppy got sick or was injured, I need to contact the veterinarian to learn what happened and make sure remaining puppies are healthy. If one or more puppies has already gone to their new homes, I know I need to return to Step 1. If puppies and mom are all present and healthy, you’re ready to redo Steps 3 and 5, remembering that balanced puppies have learned how to puppy. If they communicate well with each other, then they’ll do the same with you. This, my friend, will ensure that you take home the puppy that was meant for you.

  To Recap: Responsible vs. Irresponsible Breeders

  A responsible breeder is a professional. Responsible breeders prioritize a lifetime of health and happiness for every puppy they produce because puppies matter more than sales. They give their puppies the best possible start by breeding dogs in prime physical and mental health, and by properly socializing puppies before letting them leave. They keep mom and litter together for a minimum of eight weeks. The best breeders will keep mom and litter together for ten weeks. Responsible breeders are honest about their puppies because they want them to land in forever homes. And they know that if the home does not work out, they share in the responsibility of finding an appropriate home for the dog they brought into this world. A backyard breeder is an amateur. His knowledge, actions, standards, environment, and business practices are not in the best interests of 1. An individual puppy, 2. The breed as a whole, and 3. The person/family who buys the pup. At best, he is irresponsible, at worst, he is unethical and a danger to dogs and families. If that statement offends you, you just might be part of the problem of homeless dogs… ⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; ⁸ or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. ⁹ Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? ¹⁰ In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.      – Job 12:7-10
• September Newsletter: Lessons From the Animals of Wynley Park

  Prey Animals Are Like Potato Chips; You Can’t Have Just One.

  

  Why not just one? Because It Takes a Herd to be Healthy. A herd-less horse never truly relaxes. She needs to remain vigilant of predators, so she will sleep standing up. Horses often doze while standing and it is perfectly normal behavior. The herd-less horse can snooze for a time too; however, this lack of deep sleep will eventually degrade her physical health. Horses, like people, need the restorative benefits of deep sleep to build and repair their organs.

  

  Horses Need Horses

  The lone horse will be more susceptible to physical injury, which she instinctively knows. She will miss the presence of another horse, the sound of a nicker, a friendly touch, and her mental health will deteriorate. Brains, like any other organ, need deep sleep to remain healthy. A horse needs at least one other horse to be her company and to provide her safe space to relax. She will feel truly rested only when one of her kind watches over her. Providing a horse for a horse improves their quality of life. horse herd I know this. It’s why Irish is living his best life on a horse farm a few miles from home.

  

  Alpacas Need Alpacas

  When we bought our first alpacas, we borrowed a few from Hummers Homestead Alpacas in order to support the emotional health of our gals who moved here from Colorado. This helped our alpacas adapt to their new home.  Our arrangement was beneficial for Hummers Homestead Alpacas as we buy our hay and grain from them. We had more mouths to feed, they had fewer mouths to feed. Also beneficial for Charley and me as the Plummers became members of our human herd. Case in Point: our alpaca, Meg, was bitten by a rattlesnake when her cria, Brogyn, was 5 months old. We called the Plummers on our way to the vet. Guess who beat us to the vet? Yep, the Plummers. They knew that Meg’s chance of survival was low, so they made the 20-minute drive to support us. When Brogyn became too old to live with female alpacas, he moved to Hummers Homestead Alpacas to live with their boys, and another one of their females joined us here at Wynley Park.

  Orphaned Animals Can Break Your Heart

  Now that we understood the importance of prey animals having one of their own kind, we shouldn’t have been surprised when our abandoned duckling abandoned us for the familiarity and comfort of a duck. Studies have shown that ducks are highly social animals who often become depressed when left alone. Prolonged depression in a duck can lead to self-harm, a compromised immune system, even death.

  

  You may remember that we found Smudge when she was about a day old, abandoned by mom. In mom’s defense, a not-so-small snake had been harassing her and her nest, causing her to give it up. We’re not sure she even knew this little one had hatched. We had tried introducing the abandoned duckling to Poppet, our rescue duck who resides in the chicken yard, but she was terrified of the duckling. So, Smudge moved into our guest bathroom while we waited two months to give her feathers time to come in. Ducklings need mother duck to help waterproof them. So, we became “mom”, supervising daily swims, first in the sink and later in the tub as Smudge grew.

  I May Not Be Your Kind, But I’m Still Your Mom

  Smudge was gob smacked when she first started visiting the chicken yard. She stayed on our heels and climbed onto a lap whenever one of us sat down.

  

  By day 3 though, she had figured out the new environment and felt confident enough to shadow Poppet. Friendship blossomed between them in Week Two. Now here we are in Week Three, and neither seems to have any idea as to who I am. My sweet Smudge, who used to try to fit my entire finger into her mouth while sitting in my lap, has forgotten that I am her mom. And Poppet, who used to follow me, bobbing her head when asked “would you like to dance?” ducks and weaves when I reach for her. I think I know now how that saying “duck & weave” must have started. I am not loving this rejection. Ungrateful ducks. I get it though.

  The Safety Of Our Own Kind

  Ducks, like alpacas and horses, are prey animals. They feel safer with company, and I can’t be with them 24/7. Safety in numbers is a real phenomenon. When Smudge was safe from predators in her cage in the bathroom, she gulped her food. I wouldn’t say she savors her food now that she has Poppet, but her eating style does seem a little less frenzied. If you have ever had ducks or visited them at a park, you know they eat on the run. Ducks have around 400 taste buds. We have around 9000, to give you an idea of how unimportant taste is to them. What’s the point of taste buds, when the dine and dash method might be what keeps you alive to eat another day? Smudge is no longer a flock-less duck. Even outside, where she faces the possibility of predators, she is more relaxed because she is with her own kind.

  

  Poppet was not thrilled about her duck shadow initially, but by week 2, they were sleeping a few feet away from each other. Now, Poppet, my dance partner who used to gently lay her head on the ground as her way of asking to be picked up, has decided that her dance card has been filled by Smudge. Together, they are a tiny but committed flock. Now that they are becoming more duck-like, they just might promote to living with the other ducks.

  Ducks Need Ducks

  My duck-mama heart aches as these two ske-waddle away from me each time I try to pet them. I get it, I am not a duck. I was better than the alternative that faced Smudge as an orphaned duckling. But still, not a duck. This is important..

  If You Want a Livestock Animal, Get a Herd

  I used to think that I would move to the country and have a menagerie to add to my dog and cat collection. My vision looked a little like a petting zoo – a horse, a miniature donkey, a goat or sheep, maybe. No alpaca, but only because I hadn’t discovered them yet. While any of these species can learn to live peacefully with one another, they will be happiest with a herd of their own. This is because they crave the familiarity of their own kind. Have you always wanted a miniature goat, or an alpaca? If you love a particular type of livestock animal, but you can only get one, for whatever reason, wait. Wait until you have more land. Or bigger savings. Wait until you can get a herd. For us, a herd is a minimum of four of any one species. If there are four miniature goats, for example, and one gets sick, you will be able to take a companion for your sick goat when you head to the vet. Find a mentor nearby who will board your animal with their flock, so you can visit and learn from their expertise. Wait to get a herd because quality of life matters. “Quality” is one of those complex words. It’s hard to describe, but we know when we have it. And when we don’t. Opposite of quality (according to our old friend, Merriam Webster) is inferiority. I realized my vision needed to change because I would not accept an inferior life for our livestock friends. Which brings me to my human friends…

  Humans Need Humans Too

  

  Being self sufficient means being able to provide for oneself without the help of others. Charley and I took pride in being self sufficient when we lived in the city. With the lifestyle we have now though, we are coming to understand that being part of a well-functioning herd has its own merit. A well-functioning herd is supportive. Depression has been on my mind a lot this month as September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. It may not surprise you to know that cause-and-effect of depression in livestock is pretty much the same as it is in humans. Changes to their health, environment, or routine can cause a horse to become withdrawn. A depressed horse often loses its appetite. It may refuse to exercise or no longer takes pleasure in tasks it used to enjoy. The depressed horse will replace healthy engagement with an unhealthy behavior. Depression can cause the horse’s body to deteriorate, further impacting their mental state and so it continues in a spiraling circle. The horse’s person must intervene to bring him back to balance. Sound familiar?

  Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

  Major Depressive Disorder is currently the leading cause of disability Worldwide, as of April 2023. https://www.nami.org/mhstats It ranks third in burden of disease, meaning the impact that MDD has on society is huge. Depression is often connected with anxiety and substance abuse. Folks who struggle with major depressive disorder (MDD) persistently feel blue, lack energy and lose interest in pleasurable activities. They feel guilty or inferior to others, and have trouble concentrating. MDD may be extreme enough to cause psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts. Even folks who are not suicidal often have shortened life spans due to the connection between mental and physical health. Depression exerts enormous emotional and financial costs to all of us.

  What Causes Major Depressive Disorder?

  Are you curious what factors lead to MDD? I was! The three factors that put you at risk for MDD are:

  1. being diagnosed with cancer or another serious chronic ailment,
  2. being a survivor of physical or sexual abuse, and
  3. being raised in a dysfunctional family in which there was a high degree of marital discord.

  You may have already resolved the trauma of your past. Maybe you’re in remission. Maybe you have forgiven your parents for their immaturity or your abuser has been punished. You can be a survivor, yet struggle with the resulting MDD. Every single one of us will face one of these traumas at some point, if you haven’t already. Maltreatment and tragedy gets to all of us. Life is messy and shocking, painful and tragic. Trauma takes so much from us. It will knock the breath out of you, steal your equilibrium and wound you in ways you think might never heal.

  You Must Not Allow Trauma or Depression to Steal Your Hope

  Our ability to rebound is dependent upon our self-worth and belief that our situation can improve (hope). Feeling inferior or unable to facilitate change can alter us bio-chemically and physically. Feelings are not facts, but they are powerful. Be willing to question yours. What you think you know about yourself might actually be a feeling. Not fact. If I were in your herd, I would want to tell you that the internal voice that tells you you’re inferior or you’re past the point of help is a liar. 280 million people struggle with MDD. MDD has more (unwilling) followers than Ariana Grande’s Instagram account. The voice telling you that no one will understand – also a liar. Someone will understand. Try being open to the perspectives of others, both qualified professionals and people whom you admire. As I often tell myself, the opposite of every assumption is also a possibility. Possibility leads to hope. As your herd member, I would ask you to treat yourself as you would your beloved child or a valued animal. Entice yourself to eat something nourishing even if you’re not hungry. Coax yourself to take a quick shower or go for a short walk when what you really want is to stay in bed. Find your herd, the ones who understand and will support your journey back to happiness. There is no cure for depression, but it is measurable and treatable. Depression can be managed. You can have it, manage it and still have a joy-filled life.  

  

  Not unlike livestock, people need understanding and safety that comes only from a herd of your own kind. As Charley and I continue learning how to become better stewards of our little patch of land, we keep finding reminders that the lives of mankind and animals have been interconnected since the beginning of time. Our livestock continue to show us new ways to better understand God’s grace and provisions, and this month, we were graced with a broader understanding of herd health, for them and ourselves – thanks to two ducks, one abandoned, one rescued. Find resources for yourself or one of your herd.  Texas Health and Human Services has lots of referrals and information on suicide prevention. We invite you to spend time in the healing presence of our animals too.

  Job 12:7-10

  ⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; ⁸ or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. ⁹ Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? ¹⁰ In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

• August Newsletter: Dog Euthanasia is the Better, More Responsible, Less Painful Way to Let Your Dog Die

  The word, euthanasia originates from the Greek word “thanatos”, which means death and the prefix, “eu”, which means good. Euthanasia is a good death, and dogs deserve to die this way.

  A good death is one in which a dog ends his life in the presence of his loved ones. He feels no fear, only the gentle hands of his person and a caring vet.  He is comfortable, as comfortable as pain medication allows. He smells familiar, comforting smells, like his blanket or favorite treat; the smell of his human, for sure. He is serene because his owner is serene. In a good death, the last thing a dog could hear is his most favorite voice saying, “you are the best dog”, “I love you”, “thank you”, “it’s okay to go now”.

  Planned euthanasia has space for joy; the kind of joy your dog feels when you tell him he’s a good boy. As hearing is the last sense to go when a body dies, hearing “good dog” will be the very last moment of the last memory you and your dog will share.

  Euthanasia is a Gentle Death

  You have done your best to give your dog the care, exercise, food and training he deserves. Now, you will be responsible for your dog’s good death. Obviously, dying free of fear and pain is better for the dog. It is better for the human too. As much as you may dread planning your dog’s euthanasia, your ability to do so means you are not helpless. You will not be unprepared, and you do not need to feel guilty for euthanizing your dog.

  Euthanasia is a Responsible Choice

  If you have been actively celebrating your dog’s life in preparation for his death, then you already know the joy that these celebrations bring. This combination of celebrating life and the peace that comes from knowing you did the hard thing in the end will help to soothe your soul. You have done right by your dog. You will still grieve, but you will feel at peace about responsibly planning euthanasia, the good death.

  We Euthanized Our Dog August 27, 2023

  August 27, 2023, at 6:55pm, our golden lab, In Tuxedo’s Honor, graduated from this earth to the place I long to see. We tried to plan for the how, when and where of her death. But in the end, we got 1 out of 3. We succeeded in the how, as Honor did not feel pain when she died. She felt only the arms of her girl and her boy, as we had planned.

  The when and the where did not happen as planned. We had wanted Honor to die at home while lying on her bed, and after she had eaten a big ole slice of ham or maybe a chunk of that (nasty) liverwurst Aunt Andrea convinced me to buy for her. Instead, the when turned out to be during a kick-up storm of wind and rain. The where – she was euthanized at the emergency clinic (EC).

  This is the story of Honor’s Graduation

  Honor very clearly let us know that she was ready to go, so we honored her needs. Letting go is never easy, even when your dog is ready.  

  I have been sad since her departure. Not 24/7-sad, but sad enough that some days, I only do what I absolutely have to. Sad enough that I have cried each time that I tried to finish this post. Then today, something wonderful happened, and I was reminded again that this month’s newsletter might actually help someone else who’s struggling with their dog’s looming death…

  8 Weeks of Celebrating Life

  I am relieved to have August behind us. Glad to see it pack up its 100+ degree spree and hit the road with the 50-day drought in tow. BUT, our dog is gone too. Gone is the life we celebrated for two months straight.

  For eight weeks, I was not away from that dog’s side for more than four consecutive hours. I planned meetings around her, got up in the middle of the night to sit with her. It was a labor of love. Now that she’s gone, I’m sad, I’m exhausted. And I am only slightly less hot. I also have all those undone chores that I pushed aside in favor of doing stuff with Honor.

  But what I do not have is anger. I did not have the urge to bargain for more time because we made every moment count, and I am not in denial. I know that Honor’s life was as good a life as possible. She also experienced the best death possible as euthanasia allowed her to die pain-free. I am sad at times, but I have accepted her time to go in the way that we all must accept death as part of the master plan. When I am sad, I just let myself be sad, but y’all, even I have been surprised by how at peace I am. Blessings packed Honor’s last days.

  We made such fun and memories together. We were blessed by our friends and fellow dog-lovers who reached out to celebrate Honor with us. Also blessed when we attended an event the day before Honor died that I can only describe as a perfectly timed gift.

  

  Talking About Death is Gift You May Not Want, But You Need

  Our gift came in the form of a panel discussion comprised of a veterinarian, a caregiver, and a rabbi. When I first told Charley I wanted to go to this event and described it this way, he said “this sounds like the beginning of a bad joke”.

  Since he’s one to support a good non-profit though, especially one that benefits senior dogs, he agreed to go with me. And we are so glad we went…

  

  Sometimes, You Get What You Need at Exactly the Right Time

  We gained new insights about death by listening to the panel. We were able to confirm some beliefs we already held, and we met folks like us there. Dog-lovers who have dogs in their last stage of life, and we met some whose dogs have recently died. Some folks came over to greet our dog, Scout, before the meeting started. She enjoyed all the attention, but she was most drawn to a woman sitting next to me who had lost her dog, Sophie, just two weeks prior. Scout pawed at the woman’s shin for attention. When she rested her head on her knee, the woman’s eyes swelled. She closed her eyes as she gently ran her hands over Scout’s head. Seeing dog and human connect like two old friends was enough. But not all…

  With Great Love Comes Sacrifice, Self-forgiveness and Responsibility

  I hope, in my paraphrasing, that I can do justice to the panel’s eloquent messages of love, dignity, sacrifice and self-forgiveness. The panel spoke of hard decisions, guilt and grief brought on by death. They explained that dogs, as concrete thinkers, fully live each moment. Unlike humans, dogs don’t experience guilt or regret of their past. Dogs don’t wonder if they’re good enough or what will happen to them after they die. They simply feel what they feel. Unlike humans they can’t plan. They don’t struggle with making a mistake. Whether you think of your dog as your best friend or your child, you can and should choose a joy-filled moment to be your dog’s last moment. Pet euthanasia is an act of love and also one of responsibility. Your responsibility…

  What to Watch for in a Senior Dog

  The panel encouraged dog-lovers to assess and guarantee quality of life. As caregiver of senior dogs and founder of the Living Grace Canine Ranch, panel member Rhonda Minardi talked about how important it is for us to remain objective about our dogs as they get sick and old. We know them best. Therefore, we will be the first to pick up signs they may be suffering; signs that could indicate pain or confusion. Are they sleeping all the time? Drinking more or less water? You are right to talk to your veterinarian about your concerns and observations.

  Enrichment for your Dog

  

  You can enrich your old dog’s life by paying attention to changes in their movement and behaviors and by getting creative. An arthritic dog, for instance, will eat more comfortably from a raised food bowl. Pain medication will improve her weakened hind legs. For a dog who’s experiencing dementia, adhering to a routine can reassure him. Exercise, supervised time outdoors, even a food puzzle could slow his cognitive decline. These are small things we can do for enrichment.

  How Do You Know When its Time to Let Your Dog Go?

  

  People who call At Peace Pet Services often ask me, “how will I know when it’s time?” I answer their question with this question, “what does your dog love to do?” I love hearing dog-lovers talk about their dogs. I love how their face lights from within when they share what makes their dog special. Even over the phone, their voice smiles. Does a belly rub, a car ride or a tasty snack still delight your dog? The frequency of his joy-filled moments will lessen. This is how you’ll know when it’s time.

  Panel member Natalie Lord, DVM stressed quality of life over number of days lived. She explained the Veterinarian’s Oath. She swore to promote animal health and welfare, to relieve suffering and also to protect the public’s health. Her mission is not to prolong life for life itself. She provided sound advice for determining when bloodwork, biopsy or other testing is necessary to promote your dog’s comfort. She also spoke with compassion and understanding, sharing her own heartbreak when her two-year old dog had to be euthanized.

  Less Than 10% of Dogs Die Peacefully in Their Sleep

  This really surprised me: Dr. Lord said that about 2% of her dog patients die peacefully in their sleep. Don’t we all hope that our dog will die peacefully in his sleep? It is a nice thought and a sadly unrealistic one. Natural death is painful for the dog and heartbreaking for the human. Gasping for air is painful. Whimpering in pain is scary. Racing your dog to a 24-hour EC and having him whisked from your arms in order to be treated is not the last memory you want to have with your dog. According to Dr. Lord, this is the way that far too many dogs die. Their people waited too long. It has happened to some of the best dog-lovers I know. And you can avoid this mistake.

  Is Euthanasia Acceptable to God?

  Panel member, Rabbi Marie Betcher provided spiritual perspective, answering questions like, “is pet euthanasia acceptable to God? (yes), and “will I see my dog again?” (she believes you will).

  Rabbi Betcher spoke of how clearly God states that mercy killing a human being is wrong. However, God does not state that mercy killing an animal is wrong. While it is good for believers to study scripture to reach their own conclusions, Rabbi Betcher believes that God is intentional in the broad way in which he has directed us to care for our animals. We know from Genesis 2:19, that God created every animal. Rather than naming them himself though, God had each animal “come to man as their master” to be named.

  Names are not randomly assigned, as any parent knows. Naming is a binding act. Parents put great thought into naming their children, often choosing to name after a loved one or a character trait they value. We name dogs in much the same way.

  By having man name the animals, God ensured that we (mankind) would have a special connection to them; but as Rabbi Betcher explained, he did more than that. God also granted responsibility of his creatures to us. Being given authority over animals cemented our duty to tend to them, to aid them when possible and to end their suffering when necessary.

  

  End on a Good Day; Let Joy be Your Last Shared Memory

  The panel unanimously advised to euthanize a beloved dog while she is still having some good days; a day in which she can be happy and comfortable, and you, her beloved human can be at peace with the manner in which she dies. “It is better to euthanize a week too soon than one day too late”, they agreed. Help your animals to pass in a way that honors their lives and, hopefully, allows you to grieve without second-guessing yourself.

  

  The Ethics of Killing and Our Growth as Farmsteaders

  Our monthly newsletter is supposed to be about our growth as farmsteaders. Our audience is fellow animal lovers who also dream of returning to the land of livestock and homegrown food. Yet here we are, focused on the topic of death two months in a row. Honestly, dealing with Honor’s diagnosis, determining whether to raise animals for meat, even deciding how to handle predators has been weighing on us, especially during the drought. As our own herd grows, our personal front row seats to death get filled more often. Therefore, spending more time on the ethics of killing animals seems unavoidable. Dogs aren’t the only ones who deserve to die without fear or pain.

  

  We Love to Hear Your Stories of Celebration!

  Some lovely folks reached out to us after reading the July Newsletter. Folks who are in the process of letting go of their beloved pets, and who have decided to beat death by celebrating life. You know who you are. We are thrilled to get to celebrate with you! We hope that more of you keep reaching out with your own heartwarming celebrations.

  Belief in a Grand Plan

  Participating in this panel confirmed what we already felt in our hearts. Little did we know, the very next day we would be the ones driving to the EC…

  In Honor’s Graduation, we share the significance of our last car ride with her. Some will say the rain was a coincidence, or that we are just looking for signs of God to make us feel better.

  

  The second group has it right. We sure are looking for God. He shows himself all the time in the minutia of everyday challenge, but if you’re not looking, you’ll likely miss him. We are grateful to him for every day that he entrusted His dog to us. And we are grateful that he was right there with us when she graduated. I am grateful, but I am sad. And I am sure I’m not the only one, so let’s talk about sadness, the kind that turns into despair…

  Let’s Talk About Despair

  As I move through my season of sadness, I can’t help but think of people who have been struggling with deep long-term despair far too long. Depression – my oldest friend struggles with it. One of my favorite people died from it. And I didn’t even know he was struggling. Let us be brave enough to start conversations with people.

  Let’s ask real questions, even if we’re awkward or afraid of being nosey or saying the wrong thing. Let’s vow to:

  • Prod gently,
  • Listen without judgement, and
  • Encourage people to keep talking.

  September 10^th kicks off National Suicide Prevention Week. Learn how to talk to people who are struggling with depression this September. If you’re struggling, talk to someone who loves you, or a professional, or call a hotline. Just talk. We can all learn more here: https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-week/

  Let’s all talk more. Maybe text less; for this week at least. I dare you. I’m ready to listen…

  References and Thanks

  BIG Thanks to https://www.livinggracecanineranch.org/ and Panel:

  • Rabbi-Cantor Marie Betcher, Austin Police Department/Senior Chaplain
  • Natalie Lord, DVM, Hope Animal Clinic Medical Director in Marble Falls
  • Rhonda Minardi, LGCR Founder and Executive Director
  • Yvette Plasencia, LGCR Board of Director Member

  These References May Help too –

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/carers-hub/suicidal-thoughts-how-to-support-
  • someone/https://pll.harvard.edu/course/managing-happiness