Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Bandit and Vincent Discuss Cats vs Dogs

And you only have two days left to place your vote. Who will be the winner? Who is more popular? Who does a better job? Who can raise more funds? As of right now, 10 a.m. May 30, 2007, Bandit has raised $4, 307.50 for the Dogs, not a measly amount for one old hound dog! Vincent, on the other hand, or should I say the other paw, has raised $10,258.50 for the Cats. The contest ends tomorrow night, May 31, 2007, at midnight. Make sure you've cast your vote, by making a donation, slated for either Bandit’s or Vincent’s cause. You can cast your vote and make your donation now, at www.PayPal.com using our e-mail address mail@RikkisRefuge.org, or call 540 854-0870 extension five, or e-mail with credit card information, drop by the refuge or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960. Don't lose out on your chance to vote!

Because the winner gets a prize! The highest donor for Bandit’s benefit, wins a gift certificate for a free grooming from The Curly Dog Mobile Pet Salon, a value up to $80. Bandit says, “if you win, please do not donate it to me! Grooming is for sissies. Real hound dogs don't bathe!” As of right now, Michelle & Marty, are in the top spot.

Leading the race for Vincent, Wayne and Eleanor are tying. Either one of you can break the tie by adding another buck! Vincent has a great prize for the winner, the soundtrack to … you guessed it … Cats. This two CD set has been digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, this is the Deluxe Edition with 22 wonderful songs from this fabulous Broadway play.

Stop whatever you're doing, right now, and cast your vote, put your money where your mouth is! Who wins your contest? Cats? Or dogs?

Rikki’s Refuge, Spring Fundraiser, Cats vs Dogs, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

Vincent Pleads for the Cats

Please, please can I count on you for your vote? Just look into my eyes, listen to my purr, feel my massaging paws, pull out your checkbook … be sure you put “for Vincent” on there too. You know we cats need to win because we need better higher-quality food, it matters more to us, than it does to the dogs, they just swallow their food without paying attention, we savor every bite. You know we cats need to win because we need better software beds, the dogs just turn in circles and chew their’s up and eat them anyway. You know we cats need to win because we need more treats, because we’ll stand up on her back legs and beg and mew, and we eat slowly and politely, the dogs just bark and scarf down anything you toss in their direction. Shut up Bandit, did you hear him say just toss a cat over here? That's my point, dogs are rude. Bandit actually thinks he should collect donations from everyone who's tires he's lifted his leg on. I will stand up on one hind leg, climb up into your lap, rub your face, and purr.

Cast your vote for me and my kind, make your donation now, at www.PayPal.com using our e-mail address mail@RikkisRefuge.org, or call 540 854-0870 extension five, or e-mail with credit card information, drop by the refuge or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960. Don't lose out on your chance to prove that cats rule!

Rikki’s Refuge, Spring Fundraiser, Cats vs Dogs, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

Bandit Works for the Dogs


Bandit Works for the Dogs
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge
Don't listen to Vincent. Cats have no idea at all what's important in life. They just want to sit in the sun, and have you served them. Have you ever noticed, they think they are God? We dogs think you are God. Have you ever seen a good dog flick his tail and walk away? And what about those Psycho Cats, who wants to support their cause?

Why should we dogs win? Because we work harder for you! Do you have any idea how hard it was to mark the thousands of tires that came through here on Sponsor Appreciation Day? Vincent may scoff at me, but I have a seriously hard job. I have to be out there greeting every visitor. It's my job to alert anybody to any dangers. So occasionally I goof, so what, you never know, maybe I do see werewolves when all you see is a full moon. We dogs appreciate anything you give us to eat. We appreciate every walk you take us on. Try and take one of those cats on a walk, and see what they have to say! Try giving a cat a bath and see what it says! Just try to make a cat do anything! Sit! Stay! Heel!

Got my point? We DOGS do it for YOU !!!

So how about you do it for me this time? Cast your vote for me and my kind, make your donation now, at www.PayPal.com using our e-mail address mail@RikkisRefuge.org, or call 540 854-0870 extension five, or e-mail with credit card information, drop by the refuge or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960. Don't lose out on your chance to prove that you love dogs even if they drool!

Rikki’s Refuge, Spring Fundraiser, Dogs vs Cats, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

Bandit is Exhausted


Bandit is Exhausted
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge
I'm exhausted. I've been at this campaign for almost 2 months now. I just can't keep up with Vincent. You’d think since I've got four he's only got three…. And Hey … if we’re Man's Best Friend, how come most of the checks come in signed by ladies? Isn't there somebody out there who will help me show up those dog gone cats once and for all?

This is our last chance to prove that Dogs Rule. Cast your vote for me and my kind, make your donation now, at www.PayPal.com using our e-mail address mail@RikkisRefuge.org, or call 540 854-0870 extension five, or e-mail with credit card information, drop by the refuge or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

Rikki’s Refuge, Spring Fundraiser, Dogs vs Cats, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

Vincent Puts His Paw Down


Vincent Puts His Paw Down
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge
Excuse me, Mr. Bandit, who is complaining about this being a two-month campaign? Just because I was paws over claws ahead of you after the first month, and the visitors at Sponsor Appreciation Day felt sorry for you, and put more in your bucket, you were the one who insisted on dragging it out another month. So I've been working my paws off for the last month too. And just look at the results! I've still got more than twice as much as you do! Haaahh!

I'm putting my paw down right now, and declaring cats the official winner!

But feel free to still cast your vote for me by making your donation now, at www.PayPal.com using our e-mail address mail@RikkisRefuge.org, or call 540 854-0870 extension five, or e-mail with credit card information, drop by the refuge or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

I know I have fans will never let me down!

Rikki’s Refuge, Spring Fundraiser, Cats vs Dogs, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

Where Are You?


Where Are You?
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge
I've been looking right and left and I still can't find you. I know you must be out there somewhere. You are, aren't you? Someone out there can love me, can't you? I'm not a bad doggie, I'm really not, I just want to be your only doggie. Please, please give me a chance. I know I may not have many years left, but please give me the chance to live out my life being loved.

Beth at the Orange County Animal Shelter has been begging and pleading for months now for someone to please help this dog. Sasha is a young acting 12-year-old Doberman pinscher, a beautiful russet brown in color she weighs in just under 90 pounds. Her tail was docked. She is spayed, vaccinated, tested and wormed, and ready to go home with you. She is always lived as an indoor companion dog, and is not used other dogs. She was always the only pet and she does not know how to share her space with other pets. She is used to older children who treat her with respect and kindness and she is housebroken

Nervous in new situations, she does not understand why her family threw her away and Sasha has become scared and depressed. When she first arrived at the shelter several months ago, she had a number of untreated health problems. Undiagnosed hypothyroidism was making her uncomfortable, lethargic and sluggish. Now treated, she simply need a couple of pills every day to keep her feeling good and active. She also had a raging urinary tract infection, but instead of being given medical attention, she was dumped at the pound, because of her frequent urination. Now that that has been treated, and she is cured, she has no more bladder problems and no more pain. Can you imagine living for months with the pain of a bladder infection and being punished every time you wet yourself because you weren't allowed into the bathroom? Can you imagine the humiliation this poor dog has gone through?

She has a fatty tumor on her chest which has tested non-cancerous. This is a very common condition in older dogs, and usually results in no health problems. Her fur has grown back since the picture was taken, and she's getting her thyroid medication regularly. And now she is one gorgeous lady!

Sasha desperately wants out of the loud, lonely, crowded shelter environment and into a loving home where she has a nice soft bed, plenty of treats and someone who cares about her. She deserves better than this; won't you please be her angel?

Call Beth, 540-672-1124, at the Orange County Animal Shelter, and come visit her today, please.

Rikki’s Refuge, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

What the Heck Is Going On?


What the Heck Is Going On?
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge
We want out. We want out right now. We want to go home where we will be served our favorite food. We want to go home where we will be treated like a king and queen that we are. We want a home with no vacuum cleaners! And I hope you're good at scooping litter boxes.

This bonded pair arrived at the Orange County Animal Shelter a little over two weeks ago. Beth says it was a terribly sad sight to see, their owner was sobbing and crying, he had been evicted, and had nowhere to go. And now he must give up his beloved friends Winston and April.

Winston is the orange & white beautiful long-haired kitty, and April is the exotic blue shorthaired gal. They are a bonded pair of indoor housecats, and must stay together. They are mad as hell and have been here for 2 weeks -- we cannot touch them unless they're bagged. Maybe cats who were bonded to their owner, and are now feeling abandoned and hurt, react this way until they find a new person to love and trust. And sometimes you have to work to earn their trust. But, oh the love you will get, when you have.

This is what the owner says about them: April's birthday was April 7, 2004 and Winston's is December 12, 2002. Winston has an incredible sense of humor and likes to have his left ear scratched. April loves to push small items off tables. They like to drink running water from sink faucets. They eat dry food 24/7. Winston prefers Friskies salmon dinner or 9 Lives shredded turkey. April prefers Friskies pouch of seared salmon. Their biggest fear is vacuum cleaners. They are used to having their litter scooped several times a day. Loud music doesn't bother them. They both like catnip. They stay close, grooming each other and sleeping together.

Can you help to begin healing their broken hearts? Call Beth, 540-672-1124, at the Orange County Animal Shelter, and come visit them today, please.

Rikki’s Refuge, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm

What Crime Have I Committed?

I don't understand, honest I didn't do anything wrong, please help me get out of here. My first memories were of a place like this. It was about four years ago. My brothers and sisters were with me and we were all scared. And one day some people came, and they pointed at me, and said, “we'll take that one.” At first I was scared without my brothers and sisters. But we would go on long walks, snuggle in front of the TV, and go on adventures in the car together. I learned to be a very good dog, I never potty in the house, I walk nicely on a leash, I’m about 25 pounds, I'm very active, I loved being spoiled, and I really loved my people. I'm what lots of you call a good companion dog. I don't really like to have my face or feet touched, it's kind of scary, but everywhere else is good. Human children can be a little scary, especially the real little ones, so I'd rather live with just grown-up humans, if you don't mind, please.

Once upon a time my people left me in the backyard, and this guy came around, and we sort of started messing around, and … well … the long and short of it is, I had some puppies. They grew up and most moved on to other homes, but one of my sons stayed with me, his name is Shallow.

One day my people came home with some boxes, and began putting their things in them. They were talking about a new place to live. They were very excited, so we got excited to. It sounded like it would be a fun place. And soon a big truck came, and all the boxes were put in there, and the truck drove away. My people called, and we ran to the front door, got our leashes on, and trotted, all excited, out to the car.

We arrived at a place called Orange County Animal Shelter. It seemed like a really exciting new home. There were lots of nice friendly people. And lots of other dogs. I thought our family would have a lot of fun here, until I heard our people say, “we're moving, and just can't take these dogs with us, they're very nice, were going to miss them, but our new life just won't give us time for them. Bye Cookie, bye Shallow, hope you all have a good life!” And they were gone. GONE. Just like that gone, walked out of my life forever. I was stunned.

I would never walk out on somebody I loved. And they told me over and over they loved me. So what was up? What did we do to deserve this? I don't think I'd ever done anything bad or wrong. And soon I found myself living in this little cell. The people here are very nice to me. And when someone came and adopted Shallow, but left me behind, where I knew I would never see my son again, the nice people here held me and hugged me and told me it would be okay someday somebody would want me again too.

And I'm still here, waiting for that someday and waiting for that somebody. Is it you? Can you love me? I think I could love you. Will you please, try, try to just love me, and let me have a home?

My name is Cookie, and I am a 4 year old Shiba Inu, I've already been spayed, vaccinated, tested and wormed. Now I just need somebody to fix my broken heart. Call Beth, 540-672-1124, at the Orange County Animal Shelter, and come visit me today, please.

Rikki’s Refuge, www.RikkisRefuge.org, 540-854-0870 Next Open house Sunday, June 10, 2007 noon – 4 pm