Early summer, 2021

 I know it has been almost 4 months since my last post. That post was when I was on my way home from a 2 week trip with Karen and Mike to visit family in the Bay Area as well as southern California. Since my return, I've been really busy volunteering at Rescue Ranch here in Yreka. I've been helping out in just about any way possible at the ranch. I've tried to have my focus be doing videos to help dogs get adopted. 

The biggest developments though for the ranch was the fact that a vacated horse ranch was given to the Ranch, and the Lava fire around Mt Shasta that resulted in over 140 dogs coming to the ranch while folks were evacuated. 

We had a number of stray's that came to the Ranch as a result of being found out in the remnants of the Lava fire devastation. About 5 dogs came to us with burns and/or smoke inhalation.  Three of the dogs required virtually "Round the clock" care from our staff and volunteers. But, the care they have received has really allowed them to thrive. All five dogs were evacuated from various illegal pot grows in the area burned over by the Lava fire. Three of  the five dogs have been adopted, two of the dogs are still looking for homes. The five dogs are: Ash - Ash was found by a Cal Fire fire captain as the truck he was driving passed Ash as he crawled out from under the deceased body of his mother. He was treated for smoke inhalation and given Sub cutaneious fluids.  Ash was adopted by another fire fighter in the area. 

This is Lady... She was also found by a Cal Fire crew and was injured when a propane tank exploded from the heat of the fire, covered her with propane and later ignited. She has recovered well and was adopted by the fire fighter who found her. 

This is Paws... He was found in a pot grow area with all four feet burned from walking on the hot burned out area. Paws has been treated and is ready to be adopted from Rescue Ranch in Yreka California. 

Like Paws, Presley was also found with four badly burned paws after being found in a burned out Pot grow from the Lava fire. His paws are all healed and he is also available for adoption at Rescue Ranch. 

Zelda was found by a Siskiyou county sheriff's deputy tied inside a grow house for pot in the Lava fire area. Zelda was treated for minor burns on her feet and adopted by the Deputy that found Zelda. 

Rescue Ranch was very fortunate to received so much great assistance from local merchants from all over the state of  California. Check out this this video recognizing their efforts. 

Rescue Ranch staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to care for over 140 dogs that came into our care during the peak of the Lava fire. We were very fortunate to have a number of members of the community come and volunteer in order to augment our hand full of dedicated staff and volunteers. Here is another video that I created to recognize all the hard work that everyone does at the ranch, not only during the fire, but every day of the year. 

As someone who has volunteered for the last 18 years at animal shelters doing Dog Rescue of one form or another, one of  my favorite TV programs is "To the Rescue". A program that highlights various  animal rescues throughout the USA. I reached out to them and told them about Lady's story, and they are actually going to come to Yreka and do a story on Lady and her adopter Ari! I'm so excited to have been able to help put Rescue Ranch on the map. 

Ever since Carol announced she wanted a divorce, I have sort of wondered which way my life would go. What I am finding, is I am returning to a feeling that I had back when I volunteered for Blue Devils... What I am finding is a purpose, a purpose of service to others. Though I found helping Blue Devils rewarding, it wasn't as purposeful as doing dog rescue and even helping during disaster situations. Last summer, shortly after Carol left, I was asked to help out for 8 weeks at CAL OES. I found that experience extremely rewarding, educational and purposeful. 

This summer I fortunate enough to help out for 10 days at the Animal Services Staging area. From here Animal control officers from all over the state came to help out and were dispatched to various burned out areas either to evacuate animals from the area if necessary, or if possible feed and care for the animals at their homes if their owners had been evacuated, but there was no immediate threat to the animals. I was called in by North Valley animal Disaster group of Butte County to help out. This was an amazingly rewarding experience. There were a lot of 14 hour days, just like when I worked at CAL OES the summer before, but just like at OES, I worked with some truly amazing people. Though I was there as a volunteer, I felt like my contribution, doing logistical work, was just as important as that of those who were going out in the field. I know my work wasn't as important as those going out in the the dangerous areas, but they all sure made me feel like I was an integral part of the mission. 

Most recently, I've been helping out at the Rescue Ranch Sanctuary area. There is a concerted effort to turn former Horse paddocks into dog runs. We are repurposing materials from structures that are taken down and building dog kennel areas. This is very similar to a way that I use to help the Blue Devils back in the day when we would disassemble crates from Port Chicago naval weapons' station for materials to be used at the Blue Devil rehearsal field called MARS. 

I feel like my legacy in life is helping others. Karen pointed that out to me early on in my life. She thought that I should become a paramedic or a firefighter. At the time I had other career goals in mind, but now, at the ripe old age of 59, I realize she was right. Though I may not be able to participate in the way I could have 30 years ago, I know I can still make a difference. And while I may never find love again, the way I did with Carol, I do realize that I have a purpose, and having that purpose will keep me going, at least as long as my body holds out. 

Safe travels all. 

Eric Anderson