The story of Meanie, Mama Dog, Max and Buddy starts here.

The house up on the hill was always a little creepy looking.  There was an old van that sat there for years, full of what appeared to be garbage.  One day we noticed the van was gone.  And there were four dogs perched on the hill, intently watching the cars go by.  The dogs stayed on watch for weeks.  We decided to check on them.  We would just take some food and water up there in case they were in need.  But this was no easy task...

We pulled up and the four dogs came running, barking, and two appeared very aggressive.  Afraid to get out of the car, we tore the dog food bag open and dumped it out the window.  Sure enough, they were hungry.  We had no way to put water out though but there was a small creek not far away.  When we were leaving, the largest dog ran barking after us to help chase us away.  We named him Meanie.

We continued this routine for some time.  We could see other dog food bags on the ground and we knew other people were also trying to feed them.  The dogs were not fat but not too thin either.  So the whole situation was odd but it appeared the community was all pitching in to help. 

I started collecting scraps for them from my favorite local eatery as well as our own leftovers.  I purchased a large bag of rice and made them special dinners.  I was going to be brave and take them all separate bowls.  This time I was getting out of the car.  I had to. 

Meanie came running up barking first, followed by a friendly little dog we called Buddy.  There was an older black dog and a medium sized mixed breed.  I pretended I wasn't afraid and I took the lids off the bowls and placed one in front of each dog.  Meanie was interested but not coming too close.  But the other three began to eat and Meanie timidly started to eat too.  Funny, he tried to take the bowl and run with it but I yelled no and he put it down and continued to eat. 

After a few times doing this I wasn't afraid anymore.  It did appear the house was empty and the dogs abandoned.  Still, they were in pretty good shape considering. 

Buddy was a sweet little dog.  Max was pretty friendly too.  The black female we later learned was the Mama Dog was also nice.  Meanie made a lot of noise and growled a lot but as time went on we noticed he was a very scared dog.  If the wind blew, he ran. 

The conditions of the house were terrible.  A picture speaks a thousand words so let me just show you.

And there was garbage everywhere.  I got brave and went to the front porch.  The smell of urine and feces was overwhelming.  But I saw something interesting.  There was a large tub of fresh water.  A clue somehow...  Yet the house was vacant.

One day I saw a car up there.  I went up and met a man who said this is his Mother's house.  She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and had to go to a facility to live.  The son lived far away and could only come once a week or so to put food and water out.  And yes, he noticed other folks had been making dog food drops as well. 

We continued to take scraps a couple times a week.  Eventually Meanie stopped acting mean.  When he has scraps he lets me pet him but he is terrified.  Instead of the Meanie we thought he was, he is more like the cowardly lion from Oz. 

New neighbors moved next door and started a horse farm.  They also had a donkey and some goats and I saw an old dog and a cat.  I took food one day and Buddy was gone.  Turns out he was in their bed asleep.  Indeed he found himself a home.  And what a blessing the new neighbors became for all of the dogs. 

I met Tim and Lorrie finally and learned they wanted to adopt Buddy.  And Max followed Buddy everywhere so they said Max could stay as well.  We made arrangements with our humane society partner to get dog food when possible (and when not we just buy it) and Lorrie and Tim agreed to feed them. 

We told the home owners son not to worry, we would take over.  He meant well but once a week was just not enough.  He didn't have the gas to take care of the dogs and go see his Mother and his Mother had to come first, of course. 

Though Mama Dog and Meanie are considered to be in "foster care", I consider them to belong to me.  They seem to know that. 

Max, Mama Dog and Meanie had all been previously fixed but not Buddy.  We had a can drive, Tim and Lorrie contributed to that as well, and we paid to have Buddy neutered.  Unfortunately, he takes off now and then for days at a time and Max goes with him but HOPEFULLY he will be home for his appointment next week. 

Here are the dogs:

Mama Dog:

She needs to lay off the carbs! 

And Max:

 

This is Buddy, same as on my avatar:

 



 

And at last, my favorite, Meanie:

 

Not a bad ending but really, Meanie and Mama Dog would appreciate a good home.  We are considering purchasing a small farm and if so we will take them.  But if anyone would like to adopt them we will consider it to the right home.