Meet the Frannicolas . . .

Arthur and Joy have been involved with animals for most of their lives.  At the present time, they count 4 rescued dogs as their personal “pack”.  Each and every one was abandoned and looking for a loving home.  They also have 4 horses that live at the farm, all bred and raised by them. 

Arthur was raised in a dog-loving family and has owned dogs for as long as he can remember.  He prides himself on his ability to read a dog’s body language, and to “dogspeak”.   He is patient and kind, and believes in positive reinforcement to teach dogs acceptable behavior.  He has worked with many dogs, both here and at local shelters, and has been able to modify their behavior to enable them to better interact with people and other dogs.

Arthur is also responsible for the Ranch's foals learning to accept humans and to become better companions.  He has spent hours in the stall with newborns, allowing them to sniff and rub and to be rubbed – he has taught them to walk on a lead and to stand quietly while being haltered.  Trainers have always been amazed at how well mannered the babies were!

Joy has been involved with horses for more than 35 years.  She has observed and learned veterinary techniques by assisting the vets in the field, and has successfully rehabilitated several horses from serious injuries, enabling them to be ridden and shown and to be functional, rather than stand as pasture ornaments. 

Together, they appreciate and understand the subtleties of animal language.  While not as accomplished as Arthur is in training and behavioral modifications, Joy works with the rescues and provides the daily interaction, care and treatments needed to make them more appealing and therefore, adoptable.

From this.....

Abandoned by his family after 10 years, Max's chances at adoption were non-existent. Depressed, he was starving himself to death.

Abused and neglected, Sammie was days away from being euthanized (at the shelter 03/10)

Little Hank was the last surviving pup of his litter.  He was scheduled to be euthanized and was rescued in the nick of time (10/09)

Simon was brought to Animal Control by a good samaritan who found him lying in the back yard of a house she was renting to a family.  Apparently, they moved and left him behind.....

 "Mandy" had her pups at the shelter.   She was being kept alive for the sole purpose of nursing her pups until they were weaned.  Once the pups were weaned, she was immediately put on the euthanasia list - Ruf Creek Ranch pulled her immediately and brought her to safety.  This is what she looked like the day we pulled her from the shelter.  She was emaciated, scared, and food aggressive.

 To this ....

Max, after 2 months at the Ranch - he's become a permanent member of the Frannicola family. Sad to report that Max left us.  He crossed the Rainbow Bridge on August 30, 2012 -- fell asleep in the sun in his backyard, surrounded by his fur brothers and sisters.  RIP Max-a-Million!! 

After only a few months at the Ranch, Sammie's learned to trust and to love people again!  (Here, with Arthur - 08/10)

Now called "Charlie", Hank enjoys a new life with a loving family and a fur-brother named "Jordan" (6/10)

After a few weeks of TLC (thanks to our wonderful fosters Grace and Sandi), Simon is almost back to normal!  He still needs to build up his strength and stamina, but he has recently been adopted by a wonderful family in Pennsylvania and is living the good life!

 "Mandy", after a month here at the Ranch.  She's happy, healthy and ready to move on to her new home.  She's pushy about food, but not aggressive, and is kennelled with two other dogs, Thunder and Channie.  She's great wtih the other dogs, likes people (children older than 7, please) and is loyal and devoted!