We don't rescue dogs. Because we used to rescue dogs, and now, we have a lot of dogs. We made the amazing realization that to provide the amount of social interaction, exercise, and vast quantities of love and affection required by these silly canines, we had to stop adding to our pack. Having so many dogs with individual needs is a many hours a day committment, and we are so grateful to the many wonderful volunteers that help us make life here on the farm so happy for our many pooches. We hope that someday there is warm snuggley spot for every dog at the foot of the bed, and until then, we hope that every dog is spayed or neutered.
Our "Bark Park" houses our troupe of pups.
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Manini
After Buddy, we found Manini. Abandoned by folks who moved from the house next door, she was suspicious and shy. When she appeared to be in distress one day, the challenge of nabbing her by the neck and driving her to the hospital, staring malevolently in the back seat of the car, become real. At the vet we were reassured that her distress was easily cured. Just a quick C-section and 6 "just a little too big" puppies, and Manini was going to be just fine. In one day we went from 1 to 8 dogs! Manini lives with her daughter Hoku in their section of our 'Bark Park.'
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Manini in our bathtub. Clearly the best place in the house for puppy raising.
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Hoku
Hoku is Manini's daughter, and enjoys nothing more than an afternoon of reclining on her human victims. A sneaky licker of ears and intolerably happy, Hoku's main goal in life is to please people. |
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Momona
Momona (a Hawai'ian word that indicates a sort of wealthy girth) is one smart cookie. Preferring the company of cats to other dogs, Momona enjoys walking on the outdoor dining table when she thinks no one is looking, and barking at the mail truck daily.
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Momona and her sister Pueo (Owl)
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Long Tall Sally
Usually we just call her Sally, but her name honors the fact that Sally towers above her siblings and mother by at least 6 inches. Don't get us wrong, Sally is not a BIGGER dog than they... just TALL! One heck of an escape artist, Sally also has a penchant for sticking her tongue unexpectedly up your nose, and self injurious behaviors. Sally is the dog most likely to be wearing the cone of shame on any given day at the farm.
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Snuggles
The most not Snuggle-y dog we have ever acquired, Snuggles was mostly scabs and bones when we picked her up on the side of the road in rural Captain Cook. In a partnership with the Hawai'i Island Humane Society, we helped Snuggles to have a second chance at life. Though she is not adoptable due to her many maintenance issues, she is a dog's dog, and enjoys every day spent splashing in the mud and boinging through the grass with her BFD Ola.
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Ola
Ola is Snuggles' partner in crime. Found in a similar mangy, scabby situation on the side of the highway, Ola and Snugs recovered together and formed a forever bond. Bounding relentlessly across their enclosure, or zonked out in the sun, Ola and Snuggles have a partnership that can only be described as friendship. A bit of a chow hound, Ola can sense food in your pocket from a mile away, and will happily sniff every inch of your person until you relent and give up whatever treats you're attempting to hide. Ola will also leap into any vehicle without hesitation in hopes of a roadtrip.
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Baloo
Baloo is a teddy bear. Unless he's not. A little bit of a "one person dog," Baloo craves a snuggle. But even after many years of love and reassurance, he still isn't sure how to go about it sometimes. While we fostered Baloo and his brother Grommit from their puppyhood, both boys are just a bit apprehensive around folks they don't know. 
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Grommit
Grommit is a goofy sketch-ball. With a soft bunny-like coat, Grommit is the dog we'd all most like to spend an hour petting... But like his brother, Grommit prefers to choose his humans carefully. Those who have the honor of rubbing on this wonderful furball will likely be wagged right off of their seat due to Grommit's powerful rear wag propulsion system. |
