Dinner With Gudrun

One of the most amazing people I've met in the Chapala area is Gudrun Jones.  This beautiful lady runs the Ranch dog rescue where I spend so much of my time.  From the first contact I've had with her when I volunteered to help with the dogs, it became very obvious just how passionate she is about what happens at the ranch.  She takes great pride in being able to provide a safe haven for these dogs and in the number of animals she's managed to have spayed and neutered over the last ten years - she estimates 5,000.  There are still too many strays in this area, but longtime residents always comment about how much better it is now than when they first moved here.  So animal rescues like Gudrun's are definitely have a positive impact.

Whenever Gudrun sees an animal that is being neglected, she will do her best to get it into her car and see that it is cared for.....and she'll use whatever means are necessary.  If it means stealing a dog that has been left on a two foot chain with no food or water, she'll find a way to do it.  At her own home, Gudrun has 15 dogs.  Last week she was actually very proud that she was down to 14 dogs because she found a home for Annie, but then she found a neglected dog so she brought it to her house.  At her house in Ajijic she has a large yard with a tennis court and a pool.  The tennis court is reserved for the dogs and she does her best to keep them out of the pool.  Then there is Dryden, Gudrun's amazing husband.  He's 90 years old and has the most incredible memory.  When he was in his 20's he was in the Air Force and spent some time in Kansas City.  He'll reminisce about how beautiful the Country Club Plaza is at Christmas and then will talk about specific streets in Kansas City, like Meyer Boulevard.  When Dryden married Gudrun 40 years ago he wasn't much of a dog man, but he now seems to be perfectly content with this menagerie that's at his home. We wanted to take Gudrun and Dryden to dinner before we left, but unfortunately Dryden wasn't feeling well, he had a 103 degree fever.  Gudrun called the doctor to come to the house to check on him and he gave him a shot, then she met us for dinner.  We joked that if one of the dogs had been sick, she'd have cancelled on us.  We missed Dryden, but did have a great time.

Had some very sad news from home this week.  One of my friends from work, LeeAnn King, was in a terrible car accident on Tuesday morning while on her way into work.  Her injuries were just too severe and she died later that night at the hospital.  Only 45 years old and left two teen-age sons.  It's been said a million times before, but you never not what each day will bring so important to live life to the fullest.  LeeAnn certainly did; but gone way too soon.

We leave here a week from today.  Planning a hike up into the mountains at sunset tonight with some friends, dinner Saturday night with another group, and game night at the home of one of our friends on Sunday.  Next Thursday we will take Hermann to his dog sitter's home; that will be a tough good bye for me.  Six weeks without my sweet pooch.  Somehow we also have to find the time to pack up.  I'm sure this last week will go all too quickly.