Rancho Ridiculouso

12/23/2025

It's a short count down to Christmas, and I still have quite a bit to do before it arrives! So much happening here I'm still trying to get my Christmas tree decorated.

On Christmas Day my two daughters and three of my grandchildren arrive at the Montrose airport. Nicole and her son James (16) are coming from California and Kylee and her son Brandon (26) and daughter Adriana (28) are coming from Texas.

Everyone is getting excited which is being expressed on our group chat on our phones. They already have planned what movies we will be watching and food suggestions.

They shipped Christmas gifts to me so they didn't have bring them on the plane. I have boxes all over the place. I offered to wrap them, but was told not to....just to have plenty of wrapping paper available.

James and Brandon adore all the dogs (as do their mothers) and typically are down at the river or outside with them. Last year Brandon's sleeping buddy was Junior.

We are a family that love to laugh and always have a "white elephant' gift for each other which is typically hilarious. Nicole, James, Brandon and Adriana are night owls, but Kylee and I are absolutely not. Kylee (my oldest) and I get up early, and the others can barely get out of bed in the morning lol.

I'm so looking forward to this.......it's a short trip....some leave Sunday and the others on Monday.

12/23/2025

Just to let you know I have deleted my posts about the tethered dog. When and if I get more information I'll definitely share it with you.

The reason I deleted posts was because some were getting over the top with their comments. Since I hit the 17,000 mark (like overnight) I suspect that a lot of the commenters are fake profiles. Typically I know and recognize the names of followers, but the ones with really harsh comments I do not recognize.

And Im getting quite a few PM’s with very vague questions that appear they want me to respond for further info. I wouldnt be surprised if I find out my page has been hacked once again.

It seems there are people out there with made up profiles that are online and on a page simply to stir up negative sh*t...pardon my language but that really seems to be the jist of it.

So I felt it necessary to delete the posts to get back to a more calm and kind environment here. I know we all feel sad for the tethered dog, but trying to save him needs to be in a realistic and rational way.n

12/22/2025

Years ago I received a call from someone telling me there was a Rottweiler chained to a tree for years. She felt so sorry for it and was wondering if I could do anything about it.

I decided to go see for myself, and there it was. A huge Rottweiler at the end of the chain wrapped around a tree. I drove in the driveway, and when I got out of my car a man came out of his trailer.

He asked what I wanted, and I asked if this was his dog. He replied that it was. I asked why it was chained, and he pointed to the highway his trailer faced. He said because he didn't have a fence he wanted to make sure it didn't get run over.

I told him I have an animal sanctuary with big play yards and lots of room for dogs to run. They are never confined and because of that they are all really happy dogs. I asked if he would consider letting me have his dog so he could have a full and happy life. I could see in his face he knew it was the right thing to do so he told me I could have him.

The male Rottweiler was the sweetest dog ever so I know the man did treat him well and I understood he believed chaining was the right thing to do because it kept him safe.

That dog got adopted not long after I took him to the sanctuary so sometimes it can be worked out reasonably and responsibly to do what is best for a dog in a bad situation. Sometimes approaching with kindness can make miracles happen.

I'm hoping the dog that is tethered that the woman is trying to get will work out to remove him from a life no dog should be subjected to so that he can finally experience the good life.

12/21/2025

Pack Member #7: Meet Kora

In 2016 I received a call from a woman wondering if I could help rehome her dog. She was a 4 year old German Shepherd mix they had adopted from a shelter when she was young. Her name was Kora.

Kora had always been shy and fearful but since recently having a baby she was even more so. She would huddle in hiding, and they were worried what she would be like to the baby when it became a toddler. And…they were about to move out of state for work which would be an added traumatizing event. They felt she needed a home that was quiet and stable. I arranged a time I could come meet her.

When I arrived she was on leash, and the look in her eyes was so full of distrust, insecurity and fright that my first thought was she could possibly be a fear biter. The whole time I was there she was not having me get close whatsoever.

It was clear this dog had been severely traumatized sometime in her early life. So much so she seemed very broken. She had been with her family for 4 years and had a companion dog that was well socialized so you would have thought she would have mellowed out by now. Mellow was not any part of Kora. Her family said she was on high alert and fearful constantly.

At that time I honestly believed that Kora would never adjust to a new home. In fact I felt that putting her through a drastic change would take her over the edge and that it would be cruel. So much so I felt it was in the best interest of the dog to possibly have her put down to avoid more trauma.

The couple said they also believed that to be true. We said our goodbyes and I left. What I had suggested ate at me all day long back at the sanctuary. My heart felt like it was going to explode and the guilt I was feeling was excruciating. So much so I picked up the phone, called the couple and said, “I’ve decided to take Kora. When can you bring her to me?”

Of course they were surprised but so happy. When she arrived the husband brought her into the shelter. There were a lot of dogs in the shelter at that time so she was really really frightened.

The following is my post on June 12, 2016 about Kora months after she and I started working on fixing her fears.

“I can't walk directly toward her because she runs away from me but last night I sat on the ground in her play yard and she hesitantly came to me. She actually let me pet her and even rub her ears!

She now comes in my office and lays near my desk. I don't think Kora will ever be adopted because she's much like a feral dog which is strange because she lived in a normal home life for 4 years with mom and dad and canine sister who was well socialized.

Something just isn't right with Kora or she suffered a very traumatic event during the first 6 months of life. I sure wish dogs could talk……”

Bottomline…..She is still scared to death if I make a fast move near her or pick up a garden tool or broom. She will take off and hide. She’s fearful when anyone comes to visit and will go into my office that she considers safe.

With that being said…..after 10 years being with me Kora, now 13 years old, has become my best friend, guardian and she would do anything for me and I for her. She sleeps by my bed, and if she thinks I’m upset she comes to comfort me.

I think Kora and I have both experienced a lot of trauma when we were young, and the reason we understand each other so well. I too went through a lot when I was young living as an only child of alcoholic parents and a pedaphile father that did things to me that no child should ever experience. I understand why trust isn’t so easy for some of us…..whether human or canine.

12/20/2025

Community Service Announcement: Mini-Aussie needing his forever home. In the Craig CO area.

12/20/2025

I don't know if I have relayed the story of the first "real" miracle that occurred after the encounter with the Taco Bell Angel. This happened the very next week.

I met with an elderly man that was a candidate for my Silver Whiskers Program. His dog had passed and he was so despondent that a social worker that knew him referred me. We all met at the community center where he frequented.

I have a book of photos of the dogs available in the program that I'm showing him. I could tell he wasn't feeling it with any of them. Finally I closed the book and asked, "What exactly are you looking for in a dog?"

His reply with tears running down his face was, "I've always had SharPei's and I dearly want another one." Only one other SharPei had come through the doors of the sanctuary so I told him how rare that would be to find one for him. But I told him I would be on the lookout.

The very next morning I got a call from a man and the conversation went like this.

Caller: "I just found a dog in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road and when I opened the door she jumped right in the back seat. I don't know what to do with her. Can I bring her to your shelter?"

Me: "What kind of dog do you think it is?"

Caller: "She's one of the wrinkly dogs. I can't think of the name of the breed though."

Me: "You mean a SharPei?

Caller: "Yes! That's it!"

Me: "I'll take her! Bring her to me now!"

I named her Lola and the vet determined her to be about 5 years old. She was the sweetest dog ever but awfully thin. Never found out her story or where she came from. No collar and no chip.

Talk about a match made in heaven! After vet visit I took her to the man's home, and he was absolutely blown away by her. They were together for years until his health dictated a move out of state with one of his children.

I still can't believe how that all went down. Wish I could find their photo together but it was so many years ago. Found it....see photos in comments.

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12/20/2025

With so many new followers I’ve had several ask, “What is the Taco Bell Angel you keep mentioning?” Several months ago I got a message from someone asking the same question so I relayed the story. She then told me her family is the owner of most of the Taco Bells on the Western Slope, and they were curious what the reference to the Taco Bell Angel was. She thought it was an amazing story and grateful for my answer.

So here it is:

"In November of 2015 my mother was in her last month of life and in the hospice hospital in Grand Junction, CO. I had gone to visit her with her dog Rascal and was driving back home when I get a strong craving for Mexican food which is unlike me.

Typically I would eat in GJ, but for some reason I kept driving towards home. Once in Delta I see the Taco Bell and decided to stop there. With my mother’s dog in my car and my current sad state of mind over mother I decided to go inside which is rare for me as well. I’m a drive-thru kind of person. It was a cold rainy Sunday, and the only other people inside were what looked like a family of kids, parents and grandparents at another table.

As I sat alone I could see they were a happy family by the way they were interacting. The two women got up and headed to the bathroom. One of them stared at me so directly it was strange. Soon they returned to their table, and I continued to eat and trying to process that mother would soon be gone.

Eventually the family got up to leave, and the woman that had stared at me lingered behind. I’m thinking she must feel sorry for me eating alone. She came to my table and knelt down on the floor at my feet.

She’s very well dressed in what looked like expensive clothing. A plaid wool skirt, dark green wool sweater and her brown leather shoes didn't have a drop of stain from the rain on them. I’m looking at her beautiful green eyes, red hair and gorgeous flawless skin when she takes my hand in hers. She remained silent looking into my eyes for so long I’m feeling extremely uncomfortable. Finally I ask, “Do I know you?” She replies, “No I am a stranger, but God wants you to know that he is going to use you to show his love for others.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, but finally I said, “Really? That may already be happening because I’ve had some strange things happen lately.” She replied, “But this is going to be in new ways and far beyond what you could ever imagine.” I again say, “There have been a lot of coincidences in my life lately.” With that she jumps up, claps her hands together and says, “Really? I’m so happy for you!” With that she turns to leave but stops and says, “My name is Judy.” She waves and out the door she went.

I try to look out in the parking lot for their car from my table, but I saw only mine. I’m looking around the empty restaurant and wondering if the employees had seen what just happened. I’m completely confused and wondering if this lady is an angel or a crazy lady whose family picks her up from a mental ward for lunch on Sundays.

In the 10 years since this experience occurred even more miracles or coincidences continue to happen at the sanctuary. I’m not an organized religious person, but I am a spiritual one. I believe that being kind and doing things for others is returned two-fold. That belief has been proven over and over to me.

I still don’t know what to make of this lady but so many miracles continue to occur around me that I think she might very well be an angel…….thus……the Taco Bell Angel was born."

This photo is the closest thing I've found that comes close to what this woman looked like...minus the wings of course.....

12/20/2025

First of all I want to thank each and everyone of you that shared Bella the Border Collie’s story after her owner passed. So many reached out to me that were willing to take her or foster her or transport her.

I never met Bella, and the owner’s daughter really had not been around her all that much because she lives in another state.

Most everyone that were interested in her had other dogs and cats. His daughter really didn’t know if Bella was good with other dogs or cats.

I finally called the vet that has treated her for years and found out just today that Bella really needed to be an only dog and no cats. That pretty much eliminated everyone that had contacted me. I was deflated and felt like I was going to have to start from scratch.

I was gone all day today, and when I got home I received a text from the daughter saying a couple that lived in the same neighborhood of her dad’s was going to take her. I happen to know them, and they are awesome pet owners! They actually brought home a street dog they found in Mexico years ago who had died a while back and they hadn’t found just the right dog yet. Bella has hit the lottery and with all the trauma Bella has been through I’m so glad this transition is just down the street from the home she lived in for years.

Bella was with her owner for two days before his body was discovered, and she was taken to a shelter by law enforcement. When his daughter got into town she got her out right away. I can only imagine how traumatized she’s been.

The Taco Bell Angel is working overtime during the holidays. I couldn’t find a home locally where she could be an only dog but TBA did! This is a wonderful Christmas story! It's a relief this is off my plate.

I hope everyone that reached out sees this post.

12/19/2025

I have a lot of really good leads for a home for Bella the senior Border Collie whose owner passed recently. Thank you to everyone that shared far and wide. I will keep you posted on the final outcome.

The environment on the Rancho Ridiculouso page has changed since my post about Beau the injured Border Collie that was found. The number of followers of this page went from 16,000 to an astounding 17,000!

With that increase in the number of followers negative comments have also risen. I've prided myself on Rancho Ridiculouso being a kind and compassionate page that breeds kindness to others. It's almost like there is an audience of people out there in wait to sabotage a page with as much negative as they can possibly throw and those people have been and will be eliminated.

I will not tolerate that, and I actually blocked quite a number of people from this page this morning. I can't believe I had to waste my time getting rid of needless non sensical B.S. when what I needed was to focus on finding Bella a home.

Let's get back to solving problems folks in the kindest of ways.

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12/18/2025

We have a bit of an emergency situation. A man has passed away leaving behind his beloved female Border Collie named Bella. She is 13 or 14 years old and on thyroid meds.

His daughter is here from California and came to the sanctuary today to see if I could take her because she will be leaving in another few days. I can't take another dog, but is there anyone out there that could possibly foster her or would be interested in giving her a home.

I was told she was always by her owner's side and always loved being walked on the leash. She's still at her home in Crawford, but needs a place ASAP. Please share Bella's situation.....I feel so sorry for her. And I would pay for her meds.

12/18/2025

Recently I've been inundated by folks asking for vet bill assistance ever since I posted about a donation from someone that asked BCAS to administer a fund that assists with LIFE SAVING EMERGENCY CARE. That fund requires that the owner also pays a portion of the bill....skin in the game so to speak.

That fund only works with patients of certain veterinarians that personally know this Donor Advised Fund (DAF), The donor makes all decisions as to who will benefit from that fund. And....I do not refer anyone to that fund because BCAS only "pays the bills" and does not have any influence as to who the fund assists.

Then there is the BCAS Emergency Vet Bill Assistance Fund that was created to assist in some emergency situations. Money is VERY limited in that fund and comes from generous followers on my page. There is a process that includes a vet diagnosis and treatment plan and all payments go directly to the vet clinic. I am forming a committee to aid in creating an application and guidelines to determine what cases to fund. The amount of requests have resulted in having to do this.

After doing much research into organizations that do help pet owners with financial assistance I found a document created by PAWS 4 A CURE. It is an extensive list of organizations and very helpful to pet owners in need. to get to the site click on this highlighted blue link. https://www.paws4acure.org

Paws 4 A Cure is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance throughout the United States to those who cannot afford veterinary care for their beloved furry family members. Paws 4 A Cure helps dogs and cats with all illnesses and injuries. Paws 4 A Cure does....

12/18/2025

Pack Member #6: Meet Daisy

In the summer of 2022 I was contacted by a woman that lived in St. Michaels, AZ near a reservation. For years she did her best to get dogs out because there were so many strays that were not cared for. She told me most do not even make it till a year old in that environment.

She had been monitoring a litter of 10 puppies and had not seen their mom in several days. They had been born and living underneath a broken down bus, and she feared for their safety because they were only 6 weeks old. She asked if I would take them, and if so, her husband would bring them all the way to the sanctuary.

After getting photos of them I agreed to take them. It was a very hot summer day, and they had been in the back of pickup with a topper for the 5 hours it took to get them here. I had foster homes lined up for 7 of them, and I kept 3 in my home of which Daisy was one.

All of the puppies were adopted except for Daisy who was the most shy. I wanted to wait till she was a year old before getting her spayed, and unfortunately my neighbor’s Rhodesian Ridgeback jumped my fence and a litter of 7 were born. Junior was one of this litter. Daisy, at not quite a year old, was the best mom ever.

Daisy will be three years old next April and has warmed up somewhat. She’s still not one that asks for pets and doesn’t really feel comfortable with it for whatever reason. She is very sweet though and gets along with all the other dogs. She’s on the quiet side and is a real mix of breeds. There is some SharPei in her genes and as she’s aging I can see it more.

I’ve had two other SharPei mixes personally, and their feet and nails are different from other breeds and their coat tends to be bristle feeling. Their feet are more narrow and longer and their nails tend to be manicured looking, long and so pointed they are almost catlike.

Daisy is now spayed and if I could ever find home that is patient and wants a dog that is low maintenance and not real affectionate or needy I would consider adopting her out. But what’s holding me back is that she’s been with me basically all her life, and with her personality, I think it would be traumatic.