Liberty Haven Ranch

07/22/2025

Update on Hootie, owl who was in our pool on Saturday, 4 days ago. When dogs went out first thing this morning, they were barking by the pool, and there was Hootie waterlogged and unable to get out once again. Russell helped to scoop him out of the pool and wrapped it in a dry towel. Into the crate with the bird while I called Wild at Heart Raptors in Cave Creek. I got the go ahead to bring it right in, and fortunately there was a vet on site today who would be able to check Hootie and figure out if there was an underlying issue that they could treat. The woman doing intake said that he was chilled and very thin, but they would do their best for him. Asked if we wished to name him, she said that the name Hootie had been retired due to overuse many years ago, so we fell back on the name that Kevin had dubbed the owl that had shown up in his back yard quite a few years ago -- Murder Mittens. Hopefully, Mr. Mittens will recuperate and be able to use those talons to feed himself in the near future.

07/18/2025

We had some visitor drama here on the ranch yesterday. It started when I got up for the day and let my dogs out for their first potty break of the day. Within minutes, they were barking madly by the pool. There was a great horned owl standing on the shallowest step of my pool, looking mostly drowned and completely done in. I called the dogs back. (such GOOD dogs! LEAVE IT! You come in NOW! ) Immediate compliance. Not knowing how much resistance I might be facing, I picked up a small leaf rake and used it to lift the owl out of the water. Poor thing keeled over in complete exhaustion.

I realized that I could probably handle the bird without being attacked, so I picked it up and cradled it for a few minutes while I thought over my options for Step 2 of this rescue. After a while, I decided to try to place the bird on a lawn chair in the shade, but the owl just flopped over on its side. I picked it up again and cradled it some more. Poor creature was completely waterlogged and seemed to benefit from my body warmth. My next attempt was to place the bird on a branch in my Yellow Bell shrub, and there the owl had regained enough strength to perch for the whole day while it dried out and rested. At this point, I was feeling the possibility that this bird was not injured, but more likely a failed fledgeling, not yet able to fly.

Around dusk, I went outside to see how Hootie was doing, and it flopped out of the shrub and ran, stumbled and hopped to put distance between us, but no flying even though there was some wing flapping. I was afraid that my dogs would find it after dark and have a midnight snack, so I followed and recaptured my baby owl, placing it in a dog crate until dogs came back indoors from their last potty break of the night, then I left the crate door open. An hour later, the crate was empty.

Today, around dinner time, my husband noticed that Hootie was perched in my mesquite tree behind the pool, looking alert and better preened, about 10' above the ground, so hopefully it will be able to keep itself out of danger and mom & dad owl will still feed it and keep an eye out until Hootie is readier to strike out alone.

07/05/2025

We were mobbed as we arrived back home this afternoon, toll keepers Nacho and Churro DEMANDING peppermint candy toll from Russell before we'd be permitted to enter.

06/22/2025

First time visitor to the ranch last night, a BADGER!!

05/22/2025

Our little donkey herd grew by one more today. Introducing JimmyChonga. EDIT: When we were finally able to get a more thorough look, we determined that the baby is a jenny, not a jack, so now named Tamale aka Molly. She is still a cutie, but much more standoffish than Nacho has ever been.

03/27/2025

The roadrunner perched right in front of our Ring camera this morning, posing for its official ranch photo! LOL!

03/06/2025

Both pups are female and have now had all except for rabies shot.

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02/03/2025

I can't say it often enough, how Duncan is the sweetest most involved daddy dog we've ever, ever had. Last night he was playing with one of the pups, tapping gentle BOOPs on the pup's nose.

02/01/2025

First pups from our current litter are leaving us tomorrow. It is interesting to note that the first three are returning owners because they all say that the previous dog they got from us was the very best dog they'd ever owned.

01/10/2025

What a face!! Not really thrilled about bath day today. This chunky boy will have a longer fuzzy golden retriever like coat, as will a few of his siblings, too. We still have a few pups from our current litter not yet spoken for. Let us know if you're looking for a pup.

01/04/2025

12/29/2024

Puppies had a lot of "firsts" today. It was their first time outdoors in our secure puppy yard while Russell did a thorough cleaning of their indoor enclosure. Afterwards, they each had a bath because they were getting stinky. Raising puppies is a communal activity here. Grandma Bonnie allows the pups to attempt to suckle. She's just a pacifier, but the pups get comfort from being with her. Duncan is also a very involved daddy. He can't wait until they're able to play rambunctiously with him, but for now he snuggles with them and gives them a tongue washing. Annie is thankful for the help, giving her a break from having to do it all.