Karen Thompson and Ginny Fuhrmiester are major players in Red’s life, and mine. These two powerful and loving women took care for Red, worked with him, rehabilitated him and then sent him to me. Karen would not let me pay for Red, she wanted him to have the kind of home she wasn’t sure she could give him on  her farm, Ginny, who is Karen’s closest friend and is her partner in the boarding kennel on the farm, hated to see Red leave and worried about what might happen to him.

These two friends are very close, and Ginny monitored the blog closely to see how Red was going. It was a joy to get her message telling me it was the right decision for Red to come to me. Ginny is an animal lover, as is Karen, the dogs who board there live in special cottages with lots of space and company, I wouldn’t mind staying in one of them.

Ginny came over to see Red, and Karen was looking forward to their reunion. The three shared some powerful moments together, and Ginny left in tears. These two friends are different in many ways, but they celebrate their differences and respect one another. The love between them is as touching to see as their love for the beautiful animals on Karen’s farm.

It was an emotional thing for Red to return, for me to meet Karen and Ginny. I already felt close to Karen, but on her farm, we made a soul connection, as we predicted and she and Maria (two women who are wary of men) laughed and talked and shared some of their lives with one another.

I am  humbled that Karen included me in the category of man who has become somewhat feminized. My father didn’t appreciate that trait in me, but Karen does. She has had a difficult life in many ways, she works brutally hard and cares deeply about the animals in her care.

I was pleased that we shared so many training values as well as so many spiritual values. Karen and I both believe that dogs ought not be given the chance to fail, the relationship must be a partnership, mutual and respectful. Neither one of us has much patience for indulging dogs in obnoxious or destructive or aggressive behavior. We follow our instincts and protect our dignity and the dignity of the animals.

It was a great thing to meet Karen, talk to her, and to see Ginny with Red and to meet her. I already loved and admired her, I love her all the more after visiting her, and she was right, as usual, our souls did connect. Great dogs and nice people seem to happen around her.