wishing you all the best!

Well, technically this is called a dog blog, but in fact when Tara's Babies began post- Katrina, we were also the home for 7 rescued cats; in the future we will again be a feline sanctuary, so it seems only fair to let Katie feature here.

Katie was one of the 6 that spent time at Dakini Valley (the seventh went straight to a new home). A smoochy, purring beauty, whenever i went into "The Cat Room", she would always look for loving attention; her compatriots were more varied in their responses - the wildeyed tabby would just as likely leap onto your shoulder, or race up a cat tree, the big white old tom, Casper, would walk in a deliberate and regal manner down the stairs. It was not a very big room, but had a loft and access to an enclosed outside run, and we had lots of fun building a myriad of contraptions to keep them occupied, so that no fights ever erupted.

Two of the cats became re-unites - the tabby, and a short-haired calico - the very last one to leave, to whom I had grown most attached. Reminded me somewhat of my precious old cat, Texas, still living in Australia.

Katie - then known as Mama Kitty - was fortunate to be fostered by Jenny, a kind and generous woman from Phoenix, who also took Honey, an old yellowlab with special needs. Mama Kitty was so named because her vet check post rescue identified her as pregnant, but kittens never transpired, so it may be the trauma of the Hurricane meant she lost them. Jenny cared for the two for some months, but eventually needed to find a more permanent home for the cuddly cat. Enter Tooky, one of our resilient volunteers who had spent several weeks here in the bitter cold last year, when we had many many more dogs than now, and work days were very long and tiring. A resident of Utah, with the softest heart for animals, I knew her senior cat had recently passed away, and suggested she might like to consider taking in our Hurricane baby.

Without much delay, Tooky and Howard agreed, so the soon-to-be-named-as Katie made her last journey across a state border, into her new, forever home. There she is spoiled and loved and very content, as this photo proves.

At this season of holidays, the closing of the year, the time of family and reflection, Katie, plump and playful under the Xmas tree, reminds me of all the connections we have made with people and animals over the last year. Transcending geography, and sometimes only brief, they represent the harmony and loving-kindness of so many. Animals seem to open our hearts, to touch a chord, to become a language we all understand. This is the great gift they offer and we can share. So, we at Tara's Babies thank everyone who has ever helped an animal in need; with your support, we will continue to grow in strength and kindness.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and a joyful, bountiful new year!

a bicycle built for two

Raven cannot drive, so has been trekking the road - perhaps a quarter mile each way? - from the main base of Tara's Babies to the residence where the computer is located, and where I also live. This, at least once every day. Not that he ever complained - it is a beautiful walk, and he is resilient, but it also takes time, and on days where the back and forth is repeated several times, I am sure it got tedious.
The Sommerville family, friends of Tara's Babies, just donated a fabulous 10-speed mountain bike, and our 2 stalwart volunteers, Tom and Mary, delivered it yesterday. Raven is stoked, it makes life just that little bit easier. But here's the even better news - he told me he is using it to walk the highly energetic pitbulls!
It takes a bit of manouvering, as they haven't learned the road rules of not weaving to and fro in front of the tires. And Grendel thinks biting them could be a good game, almost as much fun as his blue ball (he is our soccer player extraordinare!). But Princess, our pogo dog who bounces endlessly with joy when you go to her gate, was tuckered out after several runs up and down the road. What a great and fun way to use up that dynamic get-up-and-go they all display, every day. Not to mention teaching them new skills, always a plus.
Of course, if it continues to snow we may have to re-think the plan - perhaps they could pull a sled?! - but on mornings like today, chilly but clear, what a wonderful method for everyone to have fun!

a few bales of straw

Winter's icy tendrils have begun to curl through the valley. The nights are usually well below freezing, the days can still be sunny, although interspersed with brisk, gusty winds that seem to spin the very thoughts within your mind. Snow or sleet has been forecast, the sky becomes heavy, but as yet the ground remains clear.
The dogs have plastic igloos to sleep in, padded on the outside by bales of hay, as extra insulation. But we have had no clean fresh straw to create a warm insulated nest for them inside. Their homes looked so bare and barren.
Today that changed! Ani Miranda kindly organised Eric, someone she knows in Sedona, to haul out 20 bales of fresh straw. Karen, Raven and I spent some hours in the morning wheeling the old straw (now heavy beyond measure!), and dispersing it on an unused field littered with tumbleweed. We then set up palletes and unloaded the clean, cream coloured straw. What a delight!
This afternoon Raven went door-to-door, kennel-to-kennel, refurbishing their homes. And afterwards we witnessed the most touching and joyful moment I have felt in some days - almost all the dogs were snuggled inside the homes, sometimes their head just barely visible through the mountain of straw. The atmosphere was one of peaceful contentment, each one happily in his or her nest. Safe, warm, at rest.
Nine bales of straw, that is all it took to make these dogs' day. How simple it can be to change a life and bring such joy!