Our Animal Whisperer

I adopted Colton in February 2014. As my other dogs were older, Colton went everywhere with me on the farm in Maryland just like she does here. When I would walk Aspen out in the morning, Colton would often take the lead from me and help walk her out. Aspen loved Colton too and they often went nose to nose. Aspen liked sticking her tongue out at Colton :)

When I brought Rocky home fighting for his life, Colton immediately wanted to be with him. Once Rocky gained strength, Colton began helping watch him. They were always together. She would make sure he was okay. She knew to be gentle. She knew he was a lot smaller than her. It was so sweet to watch. 

So just over a year later, we welcomed Ripley who had lost her mom while her mom was giving birth to her twin. So Ripley was a very healthy, spunky baby goat unlike when Rocky came home. She was still being bottle fed and living in the house like Rocky but she was also flying off the couch at a very young age. Colton was right there with Ripley practically jumping on her. They did play together and Ripley would stand tall playing with Colton. It was so fun to see their friendship. Ripley still remembers her time with Colton as she has gotten older because she is so trusting of her and all dogs. 

Bucket was an instant friendship and Colton loved the fact that Bucket was exactly her size. They immediately snuggled together, ran together, and later played chase and so much more. Their friendship endured Bucket getting big and they would continue to play for several years. He even learned to kneel down so he could remain at her level. 

Now that both Colton and Bucket are older, they don't want to run and play any longer but she still joins me when I go in with Bucket and the boys and she hangs out with them just like I do

Bailey and Colton had a little different start because Bailey was 4 weeks old when I rescued him and he had ringworm which would have been contagious to Colton. So these two did not get to meet until Bailey was almost done bottle feeding. But nevertheless, Bailey was always right there when Bucket and Colton played. He would sometimes join in on a run across the field or walk up for a kiss. Even as big as Bailey got, Colton always trusted him and would go lay near him or give him kisses. Bailey certainly loved Colton back. 

Once we moved to Virginia and started Little Buckets, Hopie was the first rescue Colton met. Hopie arrived very, very sick so initially they had to be separated but once Hopie fought to stand and we began her in a cart, Colton walked up and down the barn aisle with her. I think it motivated Hopie as she liked to walk as fast as her. As Hopie learned to walk and run again, I spent many hours with her and so did Colton. 

Charlie & Blondie arrived at the end of 2018 and were 3 months old. They had no experience with dogs being that they came from a vet school. We had not added the fields we have today at that point so Charlie and Blondie would get time in an open field before they could be introduced to Hopie. Colton was often with us. They got very comfortable with her as all the new rescues do and once they met Hopie, it became the 3 of them and Colton. We would run around the farm together. It was always so fun and special. 

Once Satch had full run of the farm, we were in the process of getting it fully fenced in at that point, Satch and Colton  would stroll the farm together and lay together. They loved each other very much.

With the friendship Colton had with Bucket, I was so interested in seeing how Miles and Journey would take to Colton. Colton definitely hung out with Miles and Journey in their field and she laid with the boys & looked out for them but they didn't run and play like Bucket and Colton did. I believe it was because Bucket was rescued by himself where Miles and Journey had each other. 

One of my all time favorite  pictures  of her is sitting  watching these two play. Go to the bottom of the page to see.

Pete and Dee were rescued weeks after Miles and Journey so I had to create a separate quarantine area for them. Colton and I spent hours with them and they in turn became friends. Colton looked after them and loved giving them kisses. 

There was a long period of time where we had a long walk or you could say run from our big barn to the field where Charlie, Blondie, Pete, Hopie, Dee went each day. We had a lot of fun with it. SometimeSometimes running with them and sometimes using our golf cart to lead them to the barn. And guess who joined in often, it was Colton, just like one of the goats, she ran down the driveway and it was always so cute. 

Olive arrived very shy but when Colton was around, Olive was a different donkey. She was more comfortable and relaxed and she actually looked to Colton to lead. We all three spent many hours together and Olive and Colton were all about kisses. 

Since Olive had spent many hours with Colton, once Willow was born, Olive allowed Colton to be around Willow at just a few days old. Willow was facinated with Colton and the two immediately hit it off. As I spent hours with Willow, so did Colton and there were certainly lots of kisses. 

Tater & Tot arrived at a week old and as they had trouble keeping their balance to walk, Colton was a little unsure when Tater & Tot fell. But not long, Colton knew what to expect and she was right there, sometimes letting them lean on her and definitely giving them kisses of encouragement. But most of all, she laid with them always making sure they were okay.

After Satch passed away, Colton was the only dog for awhile. She had lots of friends of course. She found instant  friendship with Sunny. These two could not have become best friends any quicker. They immediately played and Sunny learned the ropes right away with all the babies so they all had two amazing dogs looking after them. When Sunny was forced to slow down, Colton took to his speed and was always there for him.

Little Tidbit was truly tiny but also mostly blind and could not walk without a cart. Colton knew what she needed. A guiding presence and lots of love. The gentleness that Colton showed her was truly  beautiful. And little Tidbit knew she could trust her and so she did and loved her so much.

Polly arrived at a month old full of spunk even though her two front legs were contracted at a 90 degree angle. Colton knew to change gears with her from Tidbit and would often allow her to stand up and lean on her. She was full of energy but like all the babies Colton would watch out for her. There were lots of kisses in between all the hops.

Pisa was also a month old when she arrived and soon after was flying around the farm in her cart. Pisa has neurological issues that affect her balance so Colton would actually let her lean on her so she could stand without a cart. It was beyond heartwarming. Later on Pisa would get competitive with Colton and race her down the driveway.

With Sunny's passing Colton needed another dog friend and she immediately found one in Cooper. Racing and playing hard Cooper was ready. He was also there to snuggle. They have the best friendship.

Harry arrived at a day old very sick. Once he came home, he lived in the house and played outside  with both Colton and Cooper. Harry trusted and loved them both so much. They would lay together and Harry would jump over or walk under Colton and it was the cutest. Colton was of course there loving all the moments.

With little Lucca and I mean little, Colton was there for comfort, love, kisses, and just being there by his side. Lucca loves Colton so much.

When Maggie moved near the house, Colton would often walk in her field with me. She would give her a kiss, say hi or even hang out with us and lay with Maggie. Maggie loved Colton right back.

In bringing home Cash knowing he was to stay, I sure hope that he would make a trio with Colton and Cooper and that he has. After just a day or so Cash knew he couldn't play rough with Colton so with her he is there to look after her and be with her and Colton loves him right back. The pictures of the three of them often look like an album cover, we asked for band names and after a vote, meet

The Country Bucket Trio.

So Colton loves riding in the UTV and has been my copilot since we moved here. She is also a copilot in helping everyone at the sanctuary. She is there for whoever  for the triumphs and heartbreak. And of course me as well. She truly knows me inside and out and I can't  mask how I am feeling to her. She always knows when I need a hug. I love her beyond words can express. She is everything to me.

She gives the best hugs.

These are the big relationships but so many cute moments in between. Besides being the animals friends, she is my best friend. As she watches over the animals, she always is on guard for me.

The amount of love so many people have for Colton is enormous. She is so special. I thank you for loving her too.