According to ASPCA, “Each year, [in the USA] approximately 7.6 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide—and nearly 3 million don’t make it out.”
This sad statistic brings tears to my eyes. So many lives wasted, so much love lost. However, there are many who are tirelessly working to save as many of these animals as they can. One such organization is Legacy German Shepherd Rescue and More, who rescues animals out of kill shelters in the deep South, finds homes for them via the internet and transports them to the Northeast to awaiting families.
The success of spay/neuter education here has resulted in a demand for pets that exceeds available animals. Prospective adopters are rigorously screened, references checked by volunteers to ensure the match is a good one, before transport is arranged.
Rendezvous points are determined, dates and times are set and updated prior to arrival. Counting down the days until arrival is akin to a child awaiting Christmas– the anticipation is so exciting!
On the appointed day, we rose early to drive an hour and a half to meet the transport team. The van carrying bundles of LOVE arrives…
Names are called out, each excited family steps forward, squeals of joy, oohs and ahs, photos are taken, some shed tears of happiness.
Yeah, I was the one who cried. 
Make a wish! (See the faint double?)
Our new, little rapscallion, Bunny. She’s a Manx, born without a tail. Loves being with people, and our other cat and dog (although for them, I don’t think the feeling is reciprocated). She is certainly livening up things around here!
Our heatwave finally broke today and to celebrate I was inspired to create an arrangement. Blue Lacecap Hydrangea (H. macrophylla) is looking great right now, and along with a couple of my dwindling Azure Alliums (A. caeruleum), were my blue choices for the cobalt vase.
Contrasting yellow Daylily buds, which will open tomorrow (Hemerocallis ‘Happy Returns’), golden Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) and Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are accented with wild Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) and some Poppy seed pods (Papaver somniferum).
Now that the weather has become more pleasant, I look forward to spending the next few days in the garden. Enjoy your weekend!
The main garden is showing gold, silver and purple these days. Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) are blooming, which I leave for the bees, purple catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is looking the best ever in various spots throughout the garden; four golden flowers: Sundrops (Oenothera fructicosa), Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) in the middle, somewhat hidden, Daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Happy Returns’) is starting and the tall spires Carolina Lupine (Thermopsis villosa) complete the picture.
While this bouquet is a fragrant memory, I wanted to share it with you. Luscious peonies (Paeonia), Coral Bells (Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’) and Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) racemes and the very last Bearded Iris bud scented the room while it lasted.
Yellow Carolina Lupine (Thermopsis villosa), Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa), starry Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) and purple Speedwell (Veronica spicata incana) and cobalt Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium ‘Crater Lake Blue.’
Summer is here – enjoy!
Eliza Waters 