The Boys at
6 Months

Although we started with only 7 dogs when we moved out here from Claremont in 1989, we soon were presented with dog after dog who needed a home.

And sometimes we do say "no" - but not very often.

With so many dogs, we are literally "house bound" in that we cannot travel away from home together. Individually, yes, but even if we had a doggie house sitter, it would be difficult not to worry about some of the older, more dependent dogs.

And most of these dogs are so spoiled living in the house with us, that some may perish from the emotional rejection they would feel being locked in a cage for any length of time.

Even locking them outside when a repairman is in the house is very upsetting to them. They take it very personally. They are used to being with us all the time.

They do alright when we are away during the day, because they are still in the house in their own usual beds or favorite sleeping spots - and they have each other.

I wasn't a "dog person" at all when Clark and I were first together, I was eventually converted and seem to attract them !! I seem to have been responsible for many of the dogs coming to us directly or indirectly. When we first came out here, I actually wanted more dogs like some people want more children - I thought 9 or 10 would be enough, but I didn't ever expect to have 25 !!

Now, although, as time passes we really need to let our numbers decrease, what I call "doggie fate" seems to know when there is or will be another opening...

And I have to admit, that we are sort of hooked on having lots of doggies around the house and would feel like something was wrong - like a withdrawal, or an "empty nest sydrome" - if we had only 9 or 10 dogs !! - it would take some getting used to :)

Melody Kucheman

• Individual Doggie Profiles

• General Doggie Care FAQ

• Good & Bad / Best & Worst
  Things About Having 25 Dogs