Rolling Dog Farm Blog

Last night I posted some of the financial numbers from our year-end accounting.  Tonight I thought I’d share some of the animal numbers for last year.

For instance, new arrivals in 2005 were:

• 18 dogs — 10 were blind, 3 were deaf, 4 had neurological disorders and 1 had a limb deformity

• 8 cats — 1 blind, 1 deaf, 1 with a neurological disorder, 1 with a limb deformity, 2 were elderly, and 2 were very sick kittens

• 13 horses — 10 blind, 1 with a back problem, 1 was the inseparable brother of the horse with a back problem, and 1 was a starvation case

The animals came from across the country:  California, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Missouri, and many from here in Montana.  One dog came from Ontario in Canada.

We also happily adopted out 10 animals during the year.

Of course, we had our share of heartbreak, too.  The number of deaths included 8 dogs, 3 cats and 3 horses.  Losing an animal is, naturally, the hardest thing for us.  We’ll lose more in a year than most people will in a lifetime.

The second hardest thing for us is having to say ‘no’ to an animal.  I had to do that twice tonight already.  One was a little 2-year old spaniel mix who weighed only 15 lbs … she should weigh 30 lbs.  She’s from a neglect and abuse case in California, and because of chronic malnutrition her entire life, she has spine and limb problems.  The other was a blind Lab mix in southern Illinois.  I had to tell both shelters we couldn’t take them because we’re full.

But not to leave you on a down note … in my office as I write this are blind Evelyn and blind Widget, both snoozing away without a care in the world.  Outside my office is old Pappy the German Shepherd, laying on his bed keeping an eye on me through the open door.  His motto is:  "I am your Shepherd, you are my sheep."