Those of you who read last week's article will recall 'Franny,' the emaciated dog I had rescued.
"Franny (short for Frangipani) the dog is getting stronger day by day. She is no longer the sack of skin and bones she was four days ago. Even when she was that skinny, her eyes were bright and she would look at people with a direct and welcoming gaze. It's as if within her is a spirit that is larger and stronger than her body.
She loves people, loves to eat ... and most of all loves to be stroked. Her tail is very long and when she wags it (which is whenever she sees people), it moves in a circle, like a windmill (rather than side to side). She has also found her bark, which is soft for now, but shows that she is coming back to herself. She mainly barks with excitement when she sees people. She is still looking for a loving home. She is in Tobago at present but willing to live in Trinidad if you are there. Please share this post and call for information on how to adopt her."
That Facebook status update with a photograph of Fran staring directly into the camera very quickly gathered 'likes,' 'shares' and even a prayer written by one woman as a comment: "Thank you God for saving Franny and blessings flow to all who are helping to get her back to full health. We have to do our part now to ensure she gets to go to a very good forever home. Heavenly Father, please touch someone's heart when they see Franny, let the right person step forward for her Lord, Amen."
Skip forward to the day after ... I receive a call from a woman named Josie. Franny's photo and story have touched her and she wants to give her a home.The next day four friends and I carry Franny to her new abode–Goat Dairy Orange Hill Nature Ranch owned by Josefa Patience (Josie).Josie, a German living in Tobago, is often referred to as "the goat woman," "the yoghurt woman" or any such name connecting her with the yoghurt she produces in natural and fruit flavours–guava, passion fruit and peach, mango, prunes and museli, blackberry ginger, pineapple ...
Josie greets us at the gate. Her face softens with love as she sees the skinny, slightly cowering Fran.We lead Fran into the garden. She holds her tail between her legs as Josie's other dogs (Dumpling, Sandy, Mocha, Muddy) bark up a storm in the distance. A large cat approaches to greet the newcomer. Hens and roosters cluck around us.Concerned about the barking and whether or not the other dogs will accept her, one of my friends and I exchange glances. Is this the right place for her?
Our concerns lift as we remove Fran's chain and she begins to explore–tail up, ears peaked with curiosity. There's much to sniff–the grass ... the bright flowers and passion fruit vines in the area where Josie will soon offer tea, yoghurt and other treats to visitors ... the new scent of goats where Desmond Osmond (who is taking over Josie's goat farm) is constructing new pens ... the faces and bottoms of Josie's other dogs as she brings them one by one to meet their new friend.
Franny greets them all with tail held high, wagging in circles. My friends and I know she has found the best home.Follow Franny's story and other goat farm activities at the "Goat Dairy Orange Hill Nature Ranch" Facebook page.