Warning: the heartwarming content in this article may cause smiles and feelings of joy. A handful of special rescue dogs have found their niche as canine crew members at the Rescue Ranch Sanctuary. Our nanny dogs, themselves rescued, supervise older puppies who are waiting for adoption. In turn, the pups benefit from mixed play groups and adult-to-puppy socialization. It’s a win-win innovation that has blessed everyone. Rescued dogs helping rescue pups? It doesn’t get much better!
Like mother, like daughter
It all began with our partner Karen Topping’s dog Sugar. Sugar was the first Rescue Ranch nanny, though an ACL injury earlier this year has ended her career. Like so many Pyrenees, Sugar needed a job. Puppy adoptions were slow and our maturing pups needed supervision and socialization. Sugar’s nurturing temperament made her the ultimate puppy guardian. She looks like a marshmallow but beneath that squishy-sweet exterior is an incredibly discerning mind. Benevolent and wise, she was equally capable of keeping off unwanted intruders and correcting rude puppy antics.
Nanny dogs Rein and Pru
Sugar’s success led Sanctuary manager Laura Finley to rescue Rein from the county shelter in hopes she’d follow suit. Unbeknownst to us, Rein was pregnant. Shortly after her rescue, Rein delivered 11 gorgeous pups, each as soft and gentle as herself. Rein was an excellent mother, the perfect blend of patient and firm. I’m always impressed by her loving presence and no-nonsense attitude. It’s impossible to overstate her value when it comes to teaching manners to unruly pups.
All but one of Rein’s pups were adopted by loving families. At just 2 years old, daughter Pru is already a top-notch monitor. She romps with her puppy charges but has the same watchful wisdom as her mother. Pru’s corrections are sometimes strong, so Laura matches her with older pups who need a firm hand.
Rein and Pru take it easy during the day, keeping an eye on the pups from the shade in their respective yards. But as soon as the sun goes down, mother and daughter are on duty. They watch over the Sanctuary grounds and nearby road, responding to all disturbances with warning barks. They’re an excellent alarm system!
Rescued dogs make extraordinary nanny dogs
The nanny project began with Pyrenees, but it’s recently expanded to include a few other special rescue dogs. And they’re not all female. Boys can be nannies too!
Nanny Avalon
Beautiful Avalon was found in the Vistas with gunshot wounds in her back. She was so shut down when she first arrived that even a trip to the vet was off the table. The Sanctuary team tended her wounds and watched over her recovery. Gradually, as Avalon warmed to her caregivers, her loving nature blossomed. Now she’s one of the sweetest dogs at the Ranch.
Avalon is so gentle that staff couldn’t resist introducing her to a couple of pups to see what she’d make of them. She’s in bliss! I watched as she was mobbed by six 4-month-old pups she’d met just minutes before.
Her gentleness is incredible. She even rolled over and let them engulf her. She came up for air smiling and wriggling with joy. Clearly, Avalon is thriving.
Nanny Rosie
Rosie came to us as a stray who raised her pups on the Lake Shastina golf course. Gentle and timid around strangers, she’s very dear to Laura’s heart. Rosie kept faithful watch over special needs Sanctuary dog Aslan. Aslan suffered from chronic seizures and Rosie’s concern always alerted Laura to his condition. Aslan passed earlier this summer, so Rosie has embarked on a new career as nanny. Like Rein, Rosie is motherly, fair, and firm when necessary.
When I visited, it took a few minutes to coax Rosie from her cozy house into the play yard. Though still timid, she dotes on Laura.
She circled nervously for a few minutes, then came up and gave me a few kisses. Rosie is available for adoption, but she’s waiting for the perfect fit. Meanwhile, she’s content in her new role as puppy mentor.
Big brother Koda
Not all nanny dogs are girls. The newest member of the team is a 3-year-old malamute mix named Koda. He found his way to us last January after his family requested him to be euthanized because he was too energetic. He’s a sensitive, hilarious dog, everything a young malamute should be.
His doggy social skills are superb, so caregivers teamed him with several five-month-old male pups. Koda is an excellent big brother, joining in their games but keeping the youngsters in their place.
When I first walked in, Koda eyed me hesitantly from arm’s length. Within minutes, though, he was greeting me almost as eagerly as the pups. He’s head shy but I was able to scratch under his chin. Koda will be a fabulous family member for anyone who appreciates the malamute personality and has a good sense of humor.
Good nanny dogs mean well-rounded pups
Our nanny program is unique and a huge advantage when it comes to socializing pups. Do we wish they were adopted sooner? Of course! But the silver lining is that by the time our adolescents find families, they’ve navigated social groups with wise adults and a variety of pups. This is a huge jumpstart on their lives as well-balanced family members. And when gifted rescue dogs find their niche helping rescued puppies, all the better!
To learn more about Rosie and Koda, visit our Available Adults page. You may also submit an application and call the Adoption Center (530)842-0829 to arrange a meet-and-greet.
