Transitions: Wondering About Wonder Dog?

Linda Beenau, founder of Wonder Dog Rescue, hanging out with her pack.

Two years ago, Wonder Dog Rescue began a major transition. Why? Because after three decades of dog rescue work in San Francisco, including over 15 years as the founder of Wonder Dog, I suddenly felt the call to move to the country. 

It was quite simple, actually. A Craigslist ad showed a perfect little farm on five acres. Without hesitation, we rented the farm and made the move. 

The farm has since become a very special place for dogs in need. The dogs have a ramp going into a large fenced and sunny yard. They live an easy life and are tended to by volunteers and staff. Most of the dogs who come to our farm sanctuary are older, frail, and have special medical needs. Many are blind. 

Whether at the farm sanctuary or in foster care, the dogs live in cage-free environments, get lots of love, and a whole lot of medical attention. Caring for these dogs, for whom there is no other chance, is expensive and fundraising is hard. But it’s so important to take in animals who have been left to die and give them a happy ending and sometimes a new home.

Three pigs, four mini horses, hens, and a goat have joined us at the farm.

We’ve also brought some farm animals to our new place. Three pigs, four mini horses, hens, and a goat have joined us, and what an adventure that has been. Every day holds a surprise (not always good!) and reinforces my decision that moving to the farm was the right thing to do. 

We now have six geese on the farm as well. One girl loves to be petted and held, and the oldest of the original flock is 22 years old. The previous owner, who passed away from cancer, gave them such phenomenal care, and her family is comforted knowing that her geese are safe with us. Of course, we have several large fenced areas, and the dogs are separated from the other animals, for everyone’s comfort.

My change in focus to this kind of animal care began with humans. Volunteering with the Zen Hospice program on Laguna Honda’s hospice ward completely changed the way I viewed compassion in the animal rescue world. Sitting with people, learning to listen, and to simply be there when others weren’t was a huge gift. Bringing these lessons home and into animal rescue, I began to slow down, to spend more time just being with the animals, and to be less consumed by the tasks of running a rescue. Life became so much more meaningful, a change that continues to this day.

While my personal focus has shifted to canine hospice and special needs (not to mention a new zip code), Wonder Dog Rescue continues its important work in the Bay Area. The office is run from a home in San Francisco, doing the same work we’ve done for so many years. There, the focus remains more on adoptable animals rather than those with extraordinary medical needs. Wonder Dog continues to work with shelters throughout the Bay Area and the Central Valley to rescue dogs of all ages from euthanasia lists. 

Thanks to the amazing efforts of many people countless animals have been saved. Sonoma resident Jennifer Colletto continues to organize transports, working with pilots who volunteer their time to transport dogs and other animals in need. We actually had a pygmy goat from Los Angeles flown to us, thanks to Jennifer and Ken Wayne’s willingness to fly around the SCU Complex fire and deliver Patches to the Petaluma airport. It was an amazing experience, documented by KRON4 News.

Change is inevitable. I’m 70 now and need to step back a bit more as I have less energy than before. My primary task these days is helping to raise funds for medical care. But passion never dies, and I will be around, albeit in a less prominent role, to give support, love, and advice to the fosters, dogs, and crew at Wonder Dog, both at our farm sanctuary and in San Francisco.

Finally, please consider fostering or adopting a dog. It’s how Wonder Dog saves lives, but we cannot do this without the love and support of our community. We are able to provide food, toys, and supplies to our fosters, and we are always available to respond to any questions. Most adoptions start with a visit to our web page, submitting an application, and then talking by Zoom or by phone with staff and the dog’s current foster family. You can learn more about our programs and meet the dogs at wonderdogrescue.org.

Although we may not know each other, if you are reading this, I know that your love and compassion for animals has helped to create a caring community, no matter where you live. Thank you for your support - and please keep caring.