When an anonymous donor requested AARF build a house specifically for moms and their puppies, we were thrilled and so grateful. It had been in our “master plan” but thought it would have to take a back seat to other projects. Our amazing staff and volunteers quickly developed a design and very early one morning on August 15, 2019, concrete was poured and this dream soon became a reality. Two private rooms, each with large exercise yards, and a private “get away” break area for moms.
(Hawk, Ollie, Luna, Meadow, Mac, Twix, Koko, Montana, Sunflower)
Known as “Big Sandy’s Puppy Palace”, our first residents arrived rather unexpectedly in early August when AARF got a call from a family desperate to find a safe place for one of their dogs and her puppies. The Palace was not quite ready but of course we took them, Oreo and her 7-week-old babies (Socks, Baby Girl, Cedar, Dottie, Bolt, MJ and Basil). Oreo was a very friendly, devoted mom with happy energy and a need to “mother”.
Christine, one of our talented volunteers, thought the house needed a better identity so she painted a beautiful mural depicting Oreo and our first actual “family”.
Soon after, we took in six puppies with no mom (Willow, Dudley, Colt, Andy, Hooch and Journey).
This house has rarely been empty! All our moms have been super sweet and all have found well-deserved wonderful forever-homes. Each came with their own story but life began here.
Past lives, past moms and now, someone’s special friend. Makes us all so happy.
January 2020 Shasta + 5 (Buddha, Hudson, Chico, Nakita, Trinity)
March 2020 Daisy + 11 (Diamond, Darby, Violet, Fern, Kendall, Smokey, Tucker, Buckeye, Hobbs, Ajax, Ferdinand, Hershey)
May, 2020 Jade + 9 (Hawk, Ollie, Luna, Meadow, Mac, Twix, Koko, Montana, Sunflower)
July, 2020 A weaned litter without their mom (Jewels, Brill, Parker, Kelly, Travis, Stubbs)
August 2020 two 3-month old pups, no mom (Lilo, Max) Four 3-month old pups, no mom (Spitz, Shep, Mojo, Aggie)
September, 2020 Kelsa +6 (Cowboy, Scotty, Olivia, Lexy, Taylor, Pepa, Nellie)
(Although she did not live in our puppy house, we want to include Jasmine. When she was found in Ash Fork and brought to AARF, we knew she had had babies. After trips back with her and checking the area, sadly, no puppies were discovered. (We hope they were safe).
and then, in September, a “First”, Blueberry joined AARF. Confirmed pregnant after arrival, she gave birth to 8 healthy babies!
Our volunteers enjoy the challenge of socializing and training our puppies, teaching them to trust and learn basic skills so they will be good pets, and just having fun with them!
Rescuing is incredibly satisfying but the miracle of nurturing, socializing and finding wonderful homes is the ultimate outcome. As hard as it often is to “let go”, we have been blessed to share them with folks that love them like we did. Our regret is we were not able to meet some of the “moms” and offer spay assistance. It is so important to spay and neuter your pets because, as adorable as puppies are, there are far too many to guarantee safety and loving home. We in rescue do our best to help as many as we can and this Puppy Palace has been a blessing to many!
