Singing Dog Farm COVER STORY

by Cathryn Hartwell Cover Story singingdogfarm.org SINGING DOG FARM you can adopt or donate

As many of you know, one of my favorite nonprofits is Allied Churches of Alamance County. There is another nonprofit that also deserves a spotlight. It’s called Singing Dog Farm and it is located just down the road in Snow Camp. Singing Dog Farm is a rescue and sanctuary for Siberian Huskies and Husky-mix dogs. The founder and owner, retired police officer Debbie Timmons, opened the rescue in January 2017, shortly after retirement. “I had help from other rescues in the area — they guided me in the right direction,” she says. I first encountered the rescue, and Debbie's amazing work ethic, when I found a Husky that needed a home. I called Singing Dog Farm but they were full. Well, of course, I kept the dog (now known as Ziva), but a couple of months ago I decided I should find out more about Huskies so I could be a better "parent." I became a volunteer at the rescue and have learned so much about the breed and how intelligent they are. This place has saved the lives of so many dogs. When asked about her daily routine Debbie responded, “I feed everybody, change their water and pick up their poop.” While she cleans each kennel, Debbie lets the dog out to play and get some exercise. “Not all of the dogs get along, so I have to let the groups that get along go out and play together.” Many of the Siberian Huskies come from shelters. “They’re a challenging breed," she explains. "They're energetic, extremely smart and escape artists!” It seems that a lot of people who buy or adopt these dogs haven’t done their research and when they bring the dog home, the new owners soon realize that Huskies are too energetic or require more work and attention than the new owners were prepared for, so they surrender the Husky to one of the local shelters, or worse, they drop them off in a parking lot someplace far from their home. Debbie told me about one dog they found that “…was emaciated and chained inside the trunk of an abandoned car.” She took the dog to Singing Dog Farm, nursed him back to health and several months later he left with a new adopted family, who gave him a warm and loving home. Debbie Timmons — SuperMom

rescued dog Baymax

“Many people come to Singing Dog Farm looking for a dog and adopt one outright," Debbie says. "Sometimes if the adopters are a little iffy, I’ll let them foster the dog for a few weeks to make sure the dog is right for them." Oftentimes when someone comes to adopt a dog they saw on the website, they’ll end up adopting one of the other dogs. Debbie tells me she lets the dogs choose the humans. I love this idea! Debbie is actually a perfect example of this herself: "After retiring early from the police force, due to an injury, my own service dog, Juno, chose me," she said. It is not uncommon for Debbie to receive a call in the middle of the night from one of the shelters within the state with a stray Husky, or for an owner to surrender a dog to Singing Dog Farm. Once or twice I showed up in the morning, rested and ready to help at the rescue, and found out there’s a new dog that Debbie had picked up only hours before. On one such occasion, she was already on her second cup of coffee and explained: “Our driving force, what we do, is take in abused and neglected or otherwise unwanted Siberian Huskies. We take in some that have behavioral issues, some that are sick, and we just give the ones that can’t be adopted a safe place to live out the rest of their days." Debbie is very passionate about the care of the dogs that show up at her place. Each dog is quarantined until they have been looked over by her veterinarian. If they are malnourished, she makes special meals for them that are full of the right amount of nutrients to help them get back to their healthy weight. If they need vet care, they get whatever is necessary to get them healthy. Most dogs at Singing Dog Farm have been spayed or neutered before they leave for their new homes. These dogs are not just dogs to Debbie, they are like her children, and they know it. She’s like the dog whisperer…they seem to trust, almost immediately, that she’s going to take care of them.

What Singing Dog Farm really needs is donations.

To find out more about Singing Dog Farm and how you can adopt or donate, go to Singingdogfarm.org. You can also find them on Facebook OR check out their video on YouTube by searching "Singing Dog Farm." In my opinion, Siberian Huskies are the sweetest dogs on the planet. Unless they have some serious PTSD, they don’t have a mean bone in their bodies. Our dog Ziva is a sweetheart. She was in pretty rough shape when we found her on the streets of Burlington, and was severely underweight and dehydrated. I took her to the vet and found she had a tracking chip, but when the vet contacted the owners...they refused to claim her, so my husband and I kept her. We were unsure of how to care for a Husky, but working with Debbie helped us know what to expect. We are now much better owners and our Husky is a loved and happy dog. Contact Singing Dog Farm in Snow Camp to see how you can either adopt one of their beautiful dogs, or how you can help keep the camp alive — (336) 269-0585 Debbie's service dog JUNO

puppy love...

I asked Debbie about other volunteers who help out, and asked if she needs more. “There are a couple of people who have been coming here for several years to help out," she says. "Although I appreciate all the help I can get, if a volunteer comes and either doesn’t know how to handle dogs, or they can’t commit, then it's more work than it is help. It takes a certain level of commitment for a good fit."

The Textile Heritage Museum, located in northern Alamance County, NC (6 miles north of I-40/I-85 and 3 miles north of downtown Burlington) is currently the only museum in North Carolina solely dedicated to the preservation of the textile industry of the Old North State. Inside this 6,000 square foot historic structure, formerly the company store and management offices, are hundreds of original artifacts representing more than 50 cotton and textile mills across the Day Trippin' Admission to museum is FREE (donations appreciated) OPEN Tue - Sat 9am to 5pm CLOSED state of North Carolina. Such names as Burlington Industries (Burlington Mills), Cone Mills, Copland Mills, Holt Hosiery Mills and Glen Raven Mills, are some of the prominent textile giants distinguished here. Textile Heritage Museum 2406 Glencoe Street Burlington NC (336) 270-6374 Government and major holidays Guided and self-guided tours of the museum. Walk-in visitors always welcome, reservation for a guided group tour recommended. Please reserve at least two weeks in advance.

PERFECTLY

pumpkin

Fill your home with the aroma of fall with warm slices of this Pumpkin Loaf dolloped with butter.

PUMPKIN LOAF

Nonstick cooking spray 4 eggs 3 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon salt 2 sticks butter 2 cups sugar 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup walnuts, chopped Heat oven to 350 F.

Prepare loaf and muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.

In a bowl, whisk eggs. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Set aside.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add whisked eggs and mix until blended.

Alternately add flour mixture and pumpkin puree to egg mixture, beating until blended. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour batter into loaf and muffin pans. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

Cool 10 minutes before removing from the pans

—Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net—

Whether you’re looking for a family meal or a dish to feed a different type of crowd, taking advantage of kitchen tools like your slow cooker can help take the effort out of preparation. Cranberry-Orange Pork Loin is a classic dish that’s perfect for a fall family meal or entertaining friends.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE PORK LOIN

1 tablespoon oil 1 pork loin (4 pounds), tied at 1-inch intervals 14 ounces cranberry sauce 1 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup orange juice 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 3 strips orange zest salt, to taste pepper, to taste

In skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Sear pork loin on all sides.

In slow cooker, stir cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon and orange zest until combined. Set pork loin in middle of sauce mixture and drizzle sauce over meat.

Cover and cook on low 4 hours, or until meat reaches 140-145 F.

Transfer pork to cutting board. Remove twine.

Strain cranberries from slow cooker; set aside. Pour strained liquid into skillet. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer 7-8 minutes.

Spoon cranberries and sauce over pork loin.

—Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net—

CLASSIC &

slow cooked

2021WINTERHoroscope

brought to you by

ARIES

Yup, colder weather is setting in, but get out the door anyway. When it gets REALLY cold you can sit on the floor of a yoga studio or find a virtual class. You need this right now, Aries.

TAURUS

Equity in property investments could be down, but they should recover shortly. Go with the flow and don't believe everything you read or hear.

GEMINI

A close friend or romantic partner might not seem communicative today and you might wonder whether this person still cares for you. This is your opportunity to just listen.

CANCER

You might be feeling that some things are more trouble than they're worth. Give yourself space to be gloomy for a while and then perk yourself up. Buy yourself a present.

LEO

Responsibilities could be weighing on everyone, including you. The only answer is to pitch in and take care of business. Then treat yourselves afterward!

VIRGO

Colder weather tends to make you feel gloomy. Take care of whatever needs to be done and then treat yourself. Go to a movie or a concert. Get lost in the experience.

LIBRA

Someone your are close to might be delaying a visit with you, causing you to feel trapped while waiting. Distract yourself — it will soon get resolved and you'll be enjoying their company!

SCORPIO

You're doing better, financially and emotionally, but you might feel temporarily discouraged. It seems you have to keep working harder to keep up the pace. You'll soon be out of the woods.

SAGITTARIUS

Even though you probably look pretty good, more activity will make you feel better about yourself and increase your confidence. You might just feel a bit down right now. Ride it out.

CAPRICORN

Today you might feel unloved. Your relationships should be pretty strong, but your biorhythms are down so you might be lacking in confidence. Call a close friend to get together. Getting out will raise your spirits. By the end of the day you'll feel like your old self again!

AQUARIUS

Someone close to you might feel a little down and seek a sympathetic ear. Try to get this person to forget his or her insecurities by just listening and — try to resist giving advice.

PISCES

Artistic insights might not come as easily as usual. Relax and let things be, and the ideas will start coming again. Get out of your own way, Pisces, you've got "the right stuff," you just tend to doubt yourself. ACROSS 1. Ship’s mast 5. Charcoal residue 8. Jolt 12. Other 13. Take to court 14. Totally confused 15. Thin board 16. Polite address 17. Yearnings 18. Old instrument 19. Hubbub: hyph. 21. Warning sign 24. Latin dance 28. Personal 30. Slack 33. Wiggly fish 34. Which person? 35. Egg shapes 36. Pekoe, e.g. 37. Felon’s flight 38. Eiffel Tower site 39. Superman’s letter 40. Elegance 42. Printed mistake 44. Type of history 47. Singer Guthrie 50. Denomination 53. Through 55. Competitor 56. Story line 57. Gremlin 58. Diminutive suffix 59. Choir voice 60. Period 61. Genuine DOWN 1. Opposite of buy 2. VCR button 3. Study of stars 4. Tailor again 5. Wild donkey 6. Clubs, for one 7. Idol 8. Louisiana marsh 9. Put to good ____ 10. Guys 11. Dads 20. Fancy 22. Secret groom 23. PBS science series 25. Celestial sight 26. Hive dwellers 27. Woe! 28. Wise birds 29. Reporter’s question 31. Rowing need 32. Cut 41. Game of chance 43. Road worker, at times 45. Spirited 46. Prom night wheels 48. “____ Boy Cry”: 2 wds. 49. Mr. Hershiser 50. Health haven 51. 12th letter 52. Camp berth 54. Befitting

Happy solving!

ANSWERS