Several Gabbs dogs start new lives in the Golden State.

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

Who knew that when Robin Wenham attended the “How to Start a Sanctuary” workshop at Best Friends this past March that he would be instrumental in the Gabbs dog rescue?

Following the class, he received periodic e-mails from participants; however, one from Best Friends Founder, Faith Maloney, which described the situation in Gabbs affected him deeply. Fortunately, he and his daughter Christine had planned an August road-trip vacation through several western states. With a detour, they could personally check out the situation in Gabbs, Nevada and determine how they could assist.

(Max at the ranch in Gabbs, Nevada)

Seeing the isolation of the ranch first-hand, and large number of dogs needing help, gave him a greater understanding of the difficulty in finding them all homes. Though they were cared for, the conditions were harsh with no vegetation except tumbleweed and a temperature of 108 degrees by 10:00 AM. Robin performed behavior evaluations on over 100 dogs and Christine began the task of digitally photographing each of the dogs. Her photos were posted to Flickr and later in the Best Friends Network article, ”Meet the adoptable dogs from Gabbs, Nevada”, for wider distribution to the rescue community.

Still without a facility to house rescued canines; Robin had no intention of taking any of the Gabbs dogs. However, as their road-trip continued, the two also stopped at the Best Friends Sanctuary where they met Pippa (formerly Nessa). Per an arrangement with Best Friends, he was allowed to take her home for some additional training and then on to a family he believed would work for her. Only two weeks later, Pippa was adopted.
(Pippa’s new family)

Burning desire to help more
Though his daughter needed to return to school in London, Wenham says, “I couldn’t get these dogs out of my head. I can’t do all the dogs, but I can try to make a difference.” So in September, he made a second trip to Gabbs, this time instead of his daughter, he had six canine companions along for the ride. Once there, he selected four dogs who he believed could be quickly socialized and rehomed. His new housemates were Max (formerly Laffy Taffy), Bella (formerly Peanut), Sammy (formerly Stinky), and Mango.

The dogs had not only been isolated from people, but also from other dogs. The only companionship they received was with their own pen mates, not others in the ranch. So the socialization challenge was two-fold, introducing them not only to different people, but also to different dogs.

Wenham believes in allowing the dogs to work out their emotional issues prior to behavioral training. So he began the process by taking the dogs out to run in big open fields and would mix in different dogs to change the group dynamics. When the Gabbs dogs became comfortable in that situation, then they would graduate to shopping centers, high schools, and other areas where they could become accustomed to people prior to their adoptions.

(Dancer while at the Gabbs ranch and then enjoying a run during her training)

Over 1,500 miles and one more dog
In October, Wenham was informed that space was available for five Gabbs dogs at the Best Friends Sanctuary, if transportation could be arranged to Kanab. He decided to rent a van and drive the dogs himself, “I thought that if we can get some of the dogs to Best Friends it would keep the ranch in the spotlight and could lead to other offers of support.”

(Bella and Sammy in the van, helping to transport Gabbs dogs to Best Friends)

So early Friday morning on October 19, he and the dogs began one more journey to the ranch in Nevada. By sunrise the next morning they had arrived at Gabbs, which was now only 17 degrees, a far cry from the earlier August heat. In addition to the five dogs selected to go to Best Friends, he also picked up Dancer (formerly Dancing Man) as another dog to add to his group for training and rehoming. He arrived at Best Friends late that night and they all slept in the van in the parking lot of the Welcome Center. Come morning, he dropped off the five dogs and made it back home by late Saturday night – over 1,500 miles round trip in two days.

Destiny to rescue
(Sammy and Max enjoying themselves during off-leash training)

So who is Robin Wenham, the man who has shown such devotion to these Gabbs dogs? He originally comes from an agricultural background and has had animals his whole life. In working with sheep and cattle dogs, he discovered “a well trained dog is a huge asset and an untrained dog is a liability” on a farm. He quickly realized that also translates into companion animals as well.

“I’ve always tried to do things that fed my soul,” says Wenham, so he launched Wit’s End Dog Training. He believes that challenging behaviors are derived from emotional issues. His method of training reduces the stresses on the dog first, taking care of the animal’s emotional needs, before training to modify behaviors.

In his work as a dog trainer, he was dismayed at the number of dogs relinquished to shelters because they had never received any instruction. So he decided to establish an animal welfare organization that not only rescues dogs, but also teaches people how to become dog trainers, utilizing the sanctuary dogs as teaching subjects. To start off on the right foot, he took part in the Best Friends workshop, “How to Start a Sanctuary.” It helped him realize, “We are not alone. There are people all over the country that are passionate about saving animals” and reaffirmed his desire to start his own sanctuary.

Since then he has established Cirrus Ranch, a non-profit organization dedicated to dog rescue and training. Though still without a facility, Wenham is currently searching for land for the sanctuary, and has begun his rescue efforts with these special Gabbs dogs.

Bella, Dancer, and Mango have all been adopted into loving homes; however, Wenham continues to work with Sammy and Max.

(Mango’s new family)

Neither Sammy nor Max show any evidence of having had spent any time on a leash, so their training has been almost entirely without a lead of any kind. While both were initially very shy, Sammy has courageously overcome some of her fears and now solicits affection. Max remains very timid, though has begun to eat out of Wenham’s hand and allowed his head to be touched for the first time. Says Wenham, “It is a joy to see that in a few short weeks these two have reduced their stress a huge amount, built their self-confidence, become firm pals and play ‘catch me if you can’ every morning, leaping and bounding as if they are in doggy heaven.” Because Max and Sammy have bonded, Wenham has found a family who wishes to adopt them both together when they are ready.

Wenham is pleased to have been a part of this rescue effort. “I could not have looked at my face in the mirror if I had not done something.” He anticipates selecting some more Gabbs dogs in mid-January, to embark on their journey to new homes.

How you can help:
• Tax deductible donations to help care for the dogs and purchase land for a sanctuary can be sent online via PayPal or mailed to:

Cirrus Ranch
40 Glenbrook Drive
Hillsborough, California 94010

• Although all the dogs that Wenham has taken have been adopted or have a home pending, there are still approximately 80 more dogs in Gabbs that still need rescue.
• Wenham says, “It doesn’t need to be a multi-million dollar enterprise to make a difference.” Any individual can assist homeless animals by volunteering at their local shelter. Something as simple as walking dogs can be the catalyst needed to help find them homes.

For more information:
• See Christina’s photos of many of the other Gabbs dogs that still need help.
• For those interested in “How to Start a Sanctuary,” and other Best Friends workshops, see the Best Friends Workshops community.

Photo credits: taken by Christine and Robin Wenham.