Blaze's Vigilance Lives On

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

Living Grace Ranch Guardian Etched in Stone

Known as the protector of Living Grace Canine Ranch, Blaze would stand guard at the front of the ranch and watch over founder Rhonda Minardi, volunteers, and the smaller dogs. “He was with me from the very beginning,” says Rhonda, who founded the senior canine sanctuary in Bertram three years ago.

Before finding his way to Rhonda through a rescue group, Blaze had run away from his previous four homes. “It was like he was searching, and then we found each other. I ended up being his fifth and final home.”

When the husky passed away in July, ranch volunteers decided to honor his memory by commissioning a bench that would allow them to sit outside with the dogs. They reached out to Florence-based stone carver Bob Ragan – whose work you may have seen in the monument at the Gault Site and Kneeling Soldier sculpture at the Veterans Memorial Park. “I visited the ranch for the first time to give a quote for the bench,” Bob says. “Just as I was explaining a memorial bench would cost upwards of $5,000, two little dogs began licking my ankles. I walked away offering to do it for free.”

Rhonda was away on a business trip when Bob installed the bench at Living Grace in October. “When I got back, they had this surprise for me waiting,” she says. "It’s absolutely stunning. I gave Bob a hug, I was crying because it was so touching. Blaze’s memory will live on here.”

Seeing Rhonda's reaction made Bob’s efforts worth it. “She seemed very pleased with it. That made me happy.” Learning about Living Grace and its all-volunteer efforts also made the bench project a memorable experience. “It's such a nice thing that they’re doing. It made it fun to do,” he says, adding that “just playing with the little dogs was fun. If I’m going down that road, I’ll stop and pet the dogs.”

CHECK IT OUT

Each year during Barksgiving, Living Grace allows the public to visit the ranch to see what the non profit is all about. From 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, November 18, everyone is welcome to come check out the new memorial bench, go on tours, and enjoy hors d'oeuvre and a glass of wine or punch.