From the second Brittany and Kristen walked in the door I don't think we ever stopped talking; about: houses, dogs, antiques, cooking!
It was the most wonderful weekend!
I really can't express how much fun we had! Dan and I were so sad to see them drive off on Monday.
I first want to make clear (as I just inferred it in the previous post), that all of the people who kindly drive the shelter dogs from the Shelby Humane Society to shelters in the North are volunteers. They do not get paid to take time off from work, and give up their weekends and holidays. Brittany, Kristen and Brooke (Brittany's sister who was on the first two rescue runs) even go so far as to raise the funds needed to pay for their entire trip, so that the Humane Society does not have to. (click "One Dog at a Time" logo at the bottom of this page for more information!)
It was a 22-hour drive from the Shelby Humane Society to their first drop, the New Hampshire Humane Society in Laconia. Since they have a van full of rescue dogs on the drive up they drive straight through, only stopping for gas and breaks for the dogs.
Here Brittany (left) and Kristen are handing off the last of their pups to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, New Hampshire.
At this point, they had been awake for well over 24-hours!
At this point, they had been awake for well over 24-hours!
They brought us the most wonderful gift box filled with gifts from Alabama!
It was so gorgeous I almost didn't want to open it!! A vintage french box was wrapped with a burlap New Orleans coffee bean bag to hold all the goodies! Lots of the goodies were also wrapped in burlap. Inside, all from Alabama: peanuts, wine, dog cookies, sugar cookies, honey, habanero pepper marmalade, pickles, Saw sauce, fried green tomato batter mix, notepad, and a burlap dog collar for Ella!!
Brittany and Brooke's sweet parents had also sent along a bottle of wine and some pancake cane syrup!
The next day we took them on our dog-walk (Ella adored the girls!)......
to the falls....
and since it was Halloween, we went to one of the antique cemeteries, and visited the grave of a local ghost!
We then went antique shopping and the girls made a haul at our favorite dive antique mall! Dan found the little demi-john that Kristen purchased... $3!
They are now safely back home in Birmingham!
A very grateful thank you to Brittany & Kristen for helping to save these 33 little dog-souls!
It is amazing when you realize that by the end of this week, the majority of the dogs will have found their forever homes!
It was a pleasure, a joy and a huge gift for Dan and I and Ella to get to spend the weekend with these two amazing puppy-angels!
I absolutely adore them both!
What a great meet greet, and such a noble and important cause!
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful and I wish them luck and a safe trip.
L.
Sounds like the best time. I so admire them for what they are doing to help the dogs.
ReplyDeleteDear Joan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful weekend spent with lovely visitors! I'm so happy for those sweet pups, having two angels like Brittany and Kristen to help them find their forever homes. What big, beautiful hearts they have!
Hugs,
Trina
I just found your blog...your home is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHooray! I'm so glad they had a good trip!
ReplyDeletebless them and all the folks who do animal rescue. it takes a strong heart to do that kind of work.
ReplyDeleteHola Joan, I haven´t visited you for a long time!! First, I want to congratulate you for the progress of your home works, it´s getting super pretty!!! And the work you do about these dogs is wonderful. I have had 11 puppies from a dog that someone left around my home, had to shelter her and assisted her and have given away 7 puppies so far....
ReplyDeletemuchos cariños from Chile,
maria cecilia
I can hear how much fun you all had in your post!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you were able to be their angel while they were being angels themselves.
Hugs-
Carolyn
What adorable young women! So glad they are home safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Joan, what a wonderful story all the way around. Good people, dogs, antiques, wine, good food, New Hampshire, you and Dan.......love it! What special people - all four of you!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever told you we have six, yes, I said six, dogs. That is the ONLY reason I am not adopting another!!
Joan, What wonderful young women they are! Bless these sweet dogs and I hope they all have new homes soon.
ReplyDeletexo, Sherry
* You, my dear, are a LIVING ANGEL w/ a goooood, gooood heart!!! Bless you~~~
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Linda in AZ *
What pretty girls you had for the week-end..
ReplyDeleteSounds like alot of fun..and I know they enjoyed it too...
Has Ella picked out a puppy of her own yet ??
It is getting cold down here in the deep South
to night.....
Know you enjoyed all those"Southern Goodies "!!
Love, Mama
Sweet girls! The gift basket was so thoughtful! and the leaves on your walk are so beautiful. I am so glad yall had a good time!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful that there are people like that in the world? and what a beautiful gift basket!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous, I lived in Dallas all my life. I live in Royse City close to Rockwall now. I love animals too. I have 2 dogs. Thanks for caring for all the animals.
ReplyDeleteHi Joan and Dan: What a special post. These young ladies certainly are special, with their volunteer work and you two are special, hosting these girls before they traveled back home. I read the Laconia Humane Society post, it seems that most of their dogs have been adopted! Thank you for making us aware of these girls and their work! Cindy
ReplyDeleteI LOVE reading your posts! And this one especially! What wonderful angels on earth these 2 young women are! Thank you for posting about them & the Shelby Humane Society. It is good to get the word out.
ReplyDeleteLeigh
Kristen and I have both read and re-read this post so many times since we returned from our amazing trip! We both feel SO INCREDIBLY blessed and lucky to have had the honor of being guests in your home! You and Dan are the best hosts in the world! Your home is not only stunningly beautiful, but also very warm, cozy, and inviting! A few people had said to us before we left: "Aren't you a little worried about staying with strangers in New Hampshire??".... but now, I can honestly say that you and Dan are the complete opposites of strangers to Brooke, Kristen, and I. I loved how Dan kept calling us all (Ella included) 'Soul Sisters'! He certainly hit the nail on the head! Sorry for the long post... I just wanted to try my best to communicate my deep gratitude for all you did to make our stay in New Hampshire such a sweet memory! You guys are now considered family to me!
ReplyDeleteAww Joan I just read Brittany's comment above...what a sweet young woman. I think all of you are to commended ...the girls for their volunteer work and you and Dan for inviting the girls to your home and showing them such a fun time. who'd have thought Blogging could bring such wonderful friends into our lives! I hope you have a wonderful week. Maura :)
ReplyDeleteThis entire post has warmed my heart. I am on a break between Christmas wrapping and allowed myself "one post to read"...and boy am I glad I did. This also reaffirms my choice to donate to the Humane society. I will be rereading this when I have more time and seeing if there is a link related to the girls for donating. Thanks for sharing !
ReplyDelete