05/20/2026
The folks who gave us the house below did so because they adopted dogs from us over the years. I get asked a lot a out our “organization” meaning our rescue. I tell folks the dog rescue is Dennis and I and a group of long term friends/volunteers who have also adopted. There is some who have not adopted from us, but they adore the dachshund breed as much as we do. We always welcome any new volunteers but many come to one or two events and are too busy too help much and we do understand why they don’t. Life is very busy nowadays.
So I am often asked about our little farm and explain it was not donated to us. We bought it in 2005 and immediately started rescuing dogs and horses because apparently we want to die very poor. Horses eat like elephants and it takes a lot to keep them healthy and happy for those who do not know.
So Gerry and Lorraine asked all the usual questions about us and the rescues. I told them we did not have a rich uncle so we found the place here for sale through a foreclosure and were already pre-approved for the home loan. I thought the place had good bones and a nice barn so we jumped on buying it.
So this farm we live at also needed a ton of cleaning of garbage everywhere, almost 100 junker cars to be removed, needing a ton of repairs and fence building plus all the mice in the house and barn. It was also a huge mess that we cleaned up here. So apparently we were the right ones to tackle the huge mess with the house we inherited too.
Every place we rented over the years before we could afford to buy needed repairs and cleaning too. It seems we always find those gems waiting for our hard work.
So over the years here, we will plant another tree or build an outhouse or flower bed or whatever is needed to keep this place mowed and looking nice. I am well aware if the rescue is a mess and a junk pile then folks will always assume we are not caring for the critters too. We spend a lot of time mowing here to help with wild fire danger too.
So after the mouse house saga we both agreed the upkeep on a little farm is bad enough. We are more than cured on retiring to a larger house. Not going to happen. Staying small is just fine and we make it work for the dog and horse rescues here and for folks who adopt from us.
I am so glad we are done with our more full time job of getting that inheritance ready to sell. It’s a darn good thing Dennis and I could do most of the repairs needed.
We are done with that commute 45 minutes each way as well. Normally my commute here is walking 100 yards to the barn on the farm and I am so very glad to be back to that! Our dogs missed us too so nice to be home more now.
Yes, I do think we need a party a celebrate but we need a long nap first. I am thinking a few weeks of napping. Radley approves!
