Sunday funday with the Bakersfield 4

Yesteday, our savior at the ranch had to make a Houston run and save a last minute girl named Daisy. She was at BARC high kill shelter and now safely at the ranch. So I postponed my weekly trip until today and boy, did we have a good time. I spent the first part doing a little housekeeping so our little girls and their brother Paolo have some clean digs to dig around in.
Then it was treat time. They really really like the rolled up rawhides. Today Mr. Paolo grabbed his and ran. It's so fun to watch a dog who's never had a toy or a treat revert back to puppyville and have such a good time. Then we had some treats. They're liking all kinds now. At first they'd only eat the teeny tiny Milk Bones that came out on Valentine's Day. But now, they've graduated to some high-tone rich people treats. We have been getting some really good donations from Tomlinson's and Healthy Pet and want to thank the good people for helping our dogs and the other dogs at the ranch. Who would ever have thought you'd have to train a dog to like the better quality treats? I sure didn't. This is a first for me, but an enjoyable one.
The best part of the day was a bonus donation from PetSmart. Everybody got a brand new collar! The girls were glowing and Prancing around like little princesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

We are family - get up everybody and sing

Today was one of those best days of my whole life. I went out to the ranch prepared to give the B-4's yard a good cleaning and dig up some more of the submerged blankets. I think I got all of them but one that's lodged under the fence. Next week I'm bringing my knife to cut out the part I dug up.

 
I got Paolo really good and brushed with a lot of his clumpy matts removed. I do not believe he's ever been brushed in all his seven years of life. I must have brushed out a garbage bag full of old dirty clumps. He was so gentle and pleased to have the attention. He just sat and let me comb him for a good 45 minutes. I've still got a ways to go, but plan on making a weekly habit of this. He still doesn't have the treat thing down, but dang, we've got our whole lives to learn, right?

The girls were all over me. Getting their rawhide twirls and some cookies. They got new balls and a rope toy. It was a hit with Paolo which was a big surprise. But, the biggest breakthrough for me was Rza who used to be Dorothy. She and I had a special moment at the end of my visit. She came and sat on my lap and let me hug and kiss on her. This little girl is so loving. She really trusts me and was the last to come around. Oh, but worth the wait. I really love these dogs. They are so very special. Each and every one of them. All four. A family unit.

Don't mess with Texas!

Girls day

The three Bakersfield girls and Paolo Paolo Paolo had a big surprise today. They got to meet Kim, my good friend and longtime Reunion board member and supporter. She is one of the best people I've ever known. She and her husband Brent are pittie and other dog and cat advocates with a houseful of their own over the years. We've been planning a trip out to see the Bakersfield 4 for a few weeks now, but the weather just wouldn't let up. 
Today was perfect. Sunny and springy at about 79 degrees. A great day to hug on some pocket pitties and their big brother Paolo Paolo Paolo! We weren't there for just fun and games, though. I brought my pick axe with me to get after some old dug in blankets who'd seen some bad weather themselves. I'd tried to dig 'em out before with my pooper scooper, but they just weren't having it. So I let them see the business end of the pick axe. Don't mess with Texas, right?
The amazing thing about the day was the dogs. They never ever cease to amaze me. These dogs were beaten with a baseball bat who knows how many times before the good-hearted neighbor got out her phone and recorded the abuse. So, I've been holding off a little bit as I didn't want to frighten them. These dogs are smart. And intuitive. They know me by now and know that I love them and would never ever hurt them. They could've cared less about the pick axe. 
Besides Kim, I brought along some rawhide twirls that were a huge huge hit. Even Paolo got in on the act. He is a dog at 7 years who'd never had a dog treat before and had to be taught how to take a treat and shown how to chew it up. Out of all of this cruelty story, that is the thing that got me the most. The idea that a dog had never had a treat. Mindblowing.
I got a little bit jealous of Kim. Rza who used to be Dorothy immediately went to her and started jumping up and wanting to be friends. She picked Kim out immediately as her new BFF. It's taken me two months to get her to let me pet her and give her a cookie. But, I don't really care. Kim like I said is an amazing person and Rza picked up on that right off. 
Here's a photo to start off the slideshow of Angela and Kim, two big-hearted animal lovers who have made these dogs' and many others' lives something to talk about. Thank you, girls. 

And please sign up for the new Reunion Rescue newsletter - organizing to #savelives just like the Bakersfield 4. 

Kim and Rza - instant friends

Like I said, don't mess with Texas!

The babes

Willie, pitties, cookies and a house party

Rza, Sza, Cardi B and Paolo moved into their own cabin last week and are just lovin' it. They've got their own little house and a yard, almost like a real home. Everybody's doing good past their spay/neuter surgeries. I was worried about the girls, but they're tuff. It was Paolo who threw us for a scare. His incision came loose and had to be re-stitched. What he needed was a little Neosporin, Colloidal Silver and a few doses of Hypericum homeopathy.
I spent the whole day driving there listening to Willie Nelson..it's his 90th birthday and the station we listen to at Reunion Rescue 24/7 for the pit bulls is KUTX. Each year they play all Willie on the weekend to celebrate his birthday. So it was real extra special this year. What other artist does country, folk, rock 'n roll, gospel, soul, rhythm and blues and reggae...and all pretty dang good. So it was real spiritual driving to spend my regular Saturday with the Bakersfield 4. Willie really put me in the mood. I have a lot to be thankful for and plan on following Mr. Nelson right on up to nonagenarian country. I'm about to cross on over to septuagenarian-ville next year, so all's good.
I have two more chapters and the introduction to record for the Pit Bull Nation audiobook and it's pretty good if I say so myself. I wrote an afterward for this new special edition on sale tomorrow April 30. It features the Bakersfield 4 and how I have come to know them. The audiobook will follow soon, but has to go through the screening process first. Please stay tuned because I'm going to sell these books to pay for the Bakersfield 4 boarding. Feel free to share with a friend. This book has so much good information valuable dog stuff, from training to holistic health, how to feed raw and never go to the vet. Also how to get those dogs out of high kill shelters. It's a great book for not only pet owners but also new adopters, for shelters, for rescuers both old and new.
So here's to on the road again with Willie and blue skies...and listening to what the blues are saying..only my blues are pocket pittes and they are always, always on my mind. Enjoy the photos of their new house.

And please sign up for the new Reunion Rescue newsletter - organizing to #savelives just like the Bakersfield 4.