Living, Learning & Loving La Vida Nueva

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Ruby Red


She's the dog of many nicknames.  She looks especially lovely in her new red faux collar.  She had a pretty blue one she managed to get off and lose so now she's in a dog-harness-for-a-much-smaller-pup-made-collar.  Buying her another real collar is on my get-while-down list.  I'm thinking red is her color.

I just wanted to give a little update on where we stand with the Bring Ruby Home fund.  Thanks to everyone who has participated thus far, whether it be with art work purchases, donations or sponsoring Caleb to read, read, read!  With purchases, outstanding sponsorships, and a few commissioned projects for the girls, we believe we have about half of the needed funds already!  I'm so happy and relieved.  Really love that girl!

The girls are busy with a few more painting and drawing commissions.  After they complete those, they will be busy painting/drawing more things to sell and open to accepting more special orders.  See my previous post for a selection of work they have completed in the past.  Even Lollee is getting in on the painting, so be on the lookout for some Lollee-originals coming up soon!  Caleb has logged 7 hours of his reading so far and they are tracking it on a chart.  He is so excited!

Thanks for following along!

~Abby

Monday, April 9, 2018

B(ring) Around the Ruby


Thanks for all the Ruby love from my last post!  I told her she's not going to have to fight for her life at the cattle post.  I also told her she's gonna love being an American!  She was so excited!  She was wiggling and wagging her tail!  Or maybe that was because I was scratching behind her ears and waving a bone in front of her face.... But, Kyle did giggle joyfully when I told him Ruby is coming with.... and Caleb did look like a ghost from sheer shock and thrill when he found out, so there's that.


To begin the FUNdraising, my siblings have already been busy planning out what kinds of things they can do to make money!  Naturally, the girls gravitate towards drawing and painting, as they have natural talent in that department.  So Maggie is offering hand painted landscapes and hand painted decorative rocks!  Holly is keen to pencil sketch your pet or house.  Below are some examples of art work the girls have previously done.

Hand-painted by Maggie ~ Available for $15 

Hand Painted by Maggie ~ SOLD

Hand Painted by Maggie ~ SOLD

Hand Painted by Maggie ~ SOLD

Dual Color Sketch by Holly ~ $40/pet

Color Sketch by Holly ~ $40

Colored Pencil Sketch by Holly ~ $40

Small Hand Painted (acyclic & sealed) Rock ~ $7

Large Hand Painted (acrylic & sealed) Rock ~ $15

Small ($7)/Medium ($10) Hand Painted Rocks 

Small Hand Painted Rocks (acrylic & sealed) ~ $7

Small Hand Painted Rocks (acrylic & sealed) ~ $7

Pencil Home Sketch ~ $45

Medium Painted Rock (acrylic & sealed) ~ $10

Painted Rock Village (Three Houses, two cars, acrylic & sealed) ~ 25

Caleb has a wood burner.  He and Holly are teaming up to create things like the ornaments and plaques below.  I have just taken a few photos from Google, but he can do any kind of simple design.  Clemson paws, Gamecock birds, Georgia bulldogs, state outlines, etc.  Let me know what you want!

Large Welcome Sign ~ $15

Medium Kitchen Decoration ~ $10 

Wooden Ornaments w/ various designs ~ $7 each

If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact me on FB or leave a comment on the blog.  Any shipping required will be exact cost.  Thanks for your support and for helping bring Ruby to America!

~Abby

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Operation Nationalize Ruby

Meet Ruby.

Watching me through the kitchen window. 

Previously known as Roofie, she was the pet of our former teammates and named by their youngest child.  After she came to us, a slight adjustment was made to Ruby.  She didn't seem to mind, and gladly comes when she's called.  She came to us by accident for a brief stay last June.  Her owner, a friend and teammate of ours, found himself with a broken down car near our house and had no way of transporting her.  He requested that we care for her until he could get his car fixed and remove her from our yard.  When he saw how much the kids were enjoying having her around, he offered for us to keep her until we left Lesotho.  We gladly agreed.

So, Ruby has been in our care for nearly the past year.  And during that time, we have grown to love her.  She is sweet, gentle, protective, calm, quiet, loving and devoted.  Everyone who meets her comments on what a great pup she is.  She has been adored by all the mission teams which come through Mokhotlong.  A few times, I was afraid they might allow her to leave with them "unnoticed" when they went on their way.

Post Jog Snuggles

Nearly everyday, she and I go out for a jog around town.  Last year, I ran into (no pun intended) some trouble while I was out alone in Mokhotlong.  Thus keeping Ruby for the remainder of our time in Lesotho was a delightful option for us.  She makes for great protection.  She's gentle, but she's intimidating and having her with me makes me feel more at ease.  My children love her and she follows them around to the neighbors' as they play.  Whenever we go away, Sadie calls out the window to her, "Bye, Ruby!  Sorry! We'll be back!"  Kyle may or may not be overfeeding her, thus the daily cardio requirement.

You can see Ruby patrolling in the background.

Why am I saying all this?  Because she's a doll.  She's an absolute joy and easily the best behaved dog I've ever known.  And the thought of leaving her in a few months was a lot to handle.  Her owner, Caleb, is one of the AIM guys working with the shepherds and she was to be his herd dog.  Herd dogs live rough lives, despite Caleb's obvious commitment to trying to be as good to her as possible.  The other dogs at the cattle posts are vicious and I know she would have to adapt and conform to survive.  Plus, knowing my kids are already struggling with the reality of moving, being able to take their friend Ruby along didn't seem like such a bad idea.  So, after discussing with Jono, I approached her owner, our friend, to ask if he'd be comfortable with us pursuing her transatlantic relocation with us in September.  He agreed.  When my brother, Caleb, was here late last year, he fell in love with her.  He has been wanting a dog for a very long time and I knew she'd make a great pet for him.  I then talked to my dad to see if he was agreeable with the plan of bringing her to be Caleb's pet.  He agreed.  Now that all parties are in agreement, I have contacted a pet shipping company and will get the ball rolling to make Ruby an American!

She loves to touch.  She isn't happy if we aren't touching.  Who cares about tan lines?

Shipping a pet is unfortunately pretty pricey.  Nevertheless, with a percentage committed by a generous donor, as well as initiative on the part of my siblings, we believe it is attainable.  Be on the lookout for fundraising from Holly, Maggie and Caleb!  They are overjoyed at the opportunity to have a one-of-a-kind dog and eager to make it happen!  They plan to do things like paintings, pet drawings, sewing and baking to help raise the funds.  I will post as soon as they determine their first endeavor.

I'm excited! Moving a big dog will undoubtedly be a hassle, but I believe it's worth it.  Plus, a dog is a man's best friend, right?  Or in this case, a mom and a brother.  :)

~Abby