The beautiful Methow Valley has faced a tremendously difficult fire season. When the Carlton Complex Fire first blew up, Patrick and I came up with several evacuation and contingency plans for all the dogs at Rover's Ranch, just in case. We had no idea we'd have to ever truly evacuate -- the fire was on the other side of the river.
Planning is always a good thing, especially in a year like this. On Friday, August 1, we suddenly were faced with having to evacuate all kennel dogs, a boarding parrot, and our own personal dogs and cat. Customers and friends (basically one and the same thing) sped to Rover's Ranch to help us load up all boarders and to move them out of harm's way. What is so remarkable to us is that people from all over the valley came to help or were coming to help as even as we reached our safe destination. Another friend had called 911 to notify authorities that a boarding kennel was in the area to be evacuated. The first people to come to our aid were dear customers and friends who all had lost their homes to the fire two weeks ago. More and more people showed up and we were able to get all dogs loaded up safely for transport. We are so very grateful to everyone who came so readily to help.
Planning is a good thing! We took the dogs to a securely fenced and shady area at a friend's house. This friend is a dog trainer! The dogs actually had great fun playing in the grassy field. We did not want them to feel any angst.
We now are back home with the dogs. (The darling parrot was picked up yesterday.) The fire has been extinguished, thanks to the absolutely amazing work of many, many dedicated, hard working, generous, and brave firefighters. We know a number of the firefighters who strove through the night to contain this fire - known as the Signal Hill Fire. Thanks to all their work, the fire never reached our road, and Rover's Ranch and all it's neighbors, including our sheep farmer whose fields boarder ours, are all, still, thankfully in the green.
This fire did, however, destroy other people's homes, including homes of cherished customers/friends of ours. We are so very sorry for their loss.
As for Rover's Ranch, we are safe, we are open, we are still handing out free belly rubs (to dogs only), and if push ever did come to shove again, we are happy to know that our evacuation plans worked well!
Planning is always a good thing, especially in a year like this. On Friday, August 1, we suddenly were faced with having to evacuate all kennel dogs, a boarding parrot, and our own personal dogs and cat. Customers and friends (basically one and the same thing) sped to Rover's Ranch to help us load up all boarders and to move them out of harm's way. What is so remarkable to us is that people from all over the valley came to help or were coming to help as even as we reached our safe destination. Another friend had called 911 to notify authorities that a boarding kennel was in the area to be evacuated. The first people to come to our aid were dear customers and friends who all had lost their homes to the fire two weeks ago. More and more people showed up and we were able to get all dogs loaded up safely for transport. We are so very grateful to everyone who came so readily to help.
Planning is a good thing! We took the dogs to a securely fenced and shady area at a friend's house. This friend is a dog trainer! The dogs actually had great fun playing in the grassy field. We did not want them to feel any angst.
We now are back home with the dogs. (The darling parrot was picked up yesterday.) The fire has been extinguished, thanks to the absolutely amazing work of many, many dedicated, hard working, generous, and brave firefighters. We know a number of the firefighters who strove through the night to contain this fire - known as the Signal Hill Fire. Thanks to all their work, the fire never reached our road, and Rover's Ranch and all it's neighbors, including our sheep farmer whose fields boarder ours, are all, still, thankfully in the green.
This fire did, however, destroy other people's homes, including homes of cherished customers/friends of ours. We are so very sorry for their loss.
As for Rover's Ranch, we are safe, we are open, we are still handing out free belly rubs (to dogs only), and if push ever did come to shove again, we are happy to know that our evacuation plans worked well!
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