Rikki's Refuge: 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

Good Morning Good News !!!! December 31, 2010

I’m Vincent D. Cat and here to make you happy! You are HEROES! You work hard every day and you deserve to smile every day! Those of you working to save us animals hear so very many very sad things. And there’s lots of very glad things too and that’s what we talk about here! All pawsitive all the time! I want my friends to be happy and smile and know there’s a lot of good - including YOU - in this world!! Be kind and pass it on! Please send me your Good New and Fun Stuff to share, personal or global. Let’s keep it fun and interactive!! After all, if we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane! Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org

My Favorite Quote, Today

Those who play with cats must expect to be scratched. --- Proverb

How appropriate to have picked this one for today! You’ll never believe what she-who-opens-cans put on the chart today. Vincent: claws clipped. It wasn’t my fault. It really wasn’t. I was just giving her a facial massage. It’s not my fault that those hoomans are so evolutionary unevolved they have an inadequate fur coating and thin hide. No other creature is made that way. The rest of us have evolved to have a good thick protective coat of fur or feathers or really tough hide. Hoomans spent all of evolution working on nothing but those thumbs. How did they know they were going to invent cans that needed to be opened?

It’s a Chicken Heat Wave!

Summer is coming! The chickens said so. You know some chickens run around crowing, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” Well our chickens are running around crowing, “It’s summer, head for the summer trees!!!!” Really surprised to see a bunch of them sleeping in the summer tree last night.

Lots of people think like birds, I guess that makes them bird brains? The chickens like to have a summer home and a winter home. In the summer they sleep in deciduous trees. Bet you think that’s a big word for a cat, huh? And I even know what it means!!! As the leaves start to fall in the fall, known to us cats as the fall fall, the chickens move to evergreen trees. Lots of the hens sleep in the big yellow Chicken City building year round. But some of them do trees in summer. When it’s really cold or snowy most of the roosters go in the building too. The last snow, four brave guys had to prove their roosterhood by staying in the winter tree!!

And tonight they’re in the summer tree. Being roosters, I’m sure they think they’re impressing the hens! I asked Harriet what she thought and she said, “Silly boys always doing stupid things trying to impress us chicks!”

Thank you

Robert and crew came out to visit today. I’ll be filling you in on the details as they unfold. I’ve been chosen to test a new litter product!!! It’ll be the first Vincent D. Cat endorsed litter!! Will you get in line to buy litter that’s endorsed by me?

Rene, mom said that was like the best fudge she’s ever had. I sniffed it and .. well ... sorry .. but .. uhhh ... why dont you try tuna or mouse or catnip flavor?

Jane and Bob thank you for delivering nums yesterday!!! Anne thank you for washing dishes today!!

Four Feral Kitties Saved

Four more of Ellen’s http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/rescue-road-trip.html kitties trapped and we drove over the river, several I think, and thru the wood to bring them home to safety. Still more to go. They’re so scared they don’t want to go in traps. Poor kitties. Pray for them to load up so they can come to their new home. Three marbled tabbies and one black and white. We put two each in side by side cages in the quarantine room. They’re peeking out and looking out the window and checking things out.

Looking Down on Rikki’s

http://rikkisrefuge.org/facebook/SummaryPage/Map.html

Did You Know?

The human eyes can perceive more than 1 million simultaneous visual impressions and are able to discriminate among nearly 8 million gradations of color.

Rene I think you should do a color test on one of the trailers and have a contest to see how many colors the hoomans can name!

Good bye 2010

Thank you for being my friend in 2010. And thank you for making Rikki’s successful so I had a home. I love you. You’ve given me my life. And all my friends who live here, all 1258 of them, thank you for giving them a home to live in. If you didn’t support Rikki’s Refuge it couldn’t be here. And if it wasn’t here, none of us 1259 aminals would be here celebrating a new year!!!

Welcome 2011

Happy New Years to you DOG LOVERS!!!

Happy New Years to you CAT LOVERS!!!

What are you doing tonight?

Be Careful Out There Tonight

Have a nice dinner

Don’t get in over your head

No drinking and driving,

Watch the company you hang out with

I’ll be home celebrating nice and quiet ...

BUSTED ... who put the web cam in here???

Good Times in the News

Snuggles the abused cat is reunited with her litter

From: The Animal Rescue Site

Sometimes a story about an animal going through a harrowing experience has a happy ending. Such is the case with Snuggles, a cat who was rescued from a laundromat at a California apartment complex last week.

According to PeoplePets.com, the feline, who was bound in duct tape and thrown into clothes dryer, is recovering well from her injuries.

"The reasonable suspicion is that somebody turned the machine on," John Welsh of the Riverside County Animal Services told the news outlet. "The cat had a fractured tooth and there was minor internal bleeding in her left eye."

Riverside officials also suspected that the animal recently had a litter of kittens. In a fortunate turn of events, authorities were able to locate her offspring and the family has been reunited once again. The animals are being cared for by foster parents and will soon be available for adoption.

Those who witness an act of animal cruelty or believe one of our furry friends is being abused are encouraged to contact their local shelter. One phone call could save an animal's life.

Dear Vincent

Can you extend Double Donations?

Lots of you have questions about Rikki’s Refuge. I’ll pick one or two a day to answer here. Ask your questions in the blog comments or sent to me at Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org

QUESTION: Vincent, can you extend Double Your Donations to midnight tonight the 31^st? It’s always been end of year in past years, why the early cut off date this year?

ANSWER: I think it was probably an error when the donor instructed us terms this year. So by popular demand YES we have extended it to midnight tonight. So now that you ask - I give you the answer you want - it’s up to you !!!! I’ve done all I can. I must now count on YOU to finish off the $1,146.88 we need to be 100% successful!!!

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

Upcoming Events

Saturday, noon, Jan 1, New Years Pristine Nature Hike

Saturday, noon - 2 pm, Donation Drop-Off, got something to drop off quick? The gates will be unlocked. No tour at this time, just drop off. Donation Drop Off will be available virtually every Saturday from noon - 2 pm in 2011

Saturday evening, celebrate the first at Mariza’s in Spotsylvania, contact Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org for more info

Mariza has invited me and my close friends to her house in Spotsylvania on the evening of the first, Saturday evening. This is Mariza our great chef who did Thanksgiving dinner. She’s NOT going to be our chef this time!!! That’s a lot of work and no time for all the fancies. It’s pot luck appetizers and snacks. She’s near route 3 and 20 in Spotsylvania about 20 minutes from the Refuge.

Sunday, noon, Jan 2, Tour of the Refuge with Katarina. This is the first of our mini weekly tours. Sundays at noon, unless there’s been another public event that week.

Wishing you a very very Happy New Year from all of us!

See you next year!!!!

Sure hope I wake up and find I made 100%

I love being an A student !!

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

Love,

Vincent

PS You tell me what you want! Email me at Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org with instructions to change your subscription: additions, deletions or modifications! Subscriptions: Vincent’s VIPs - up to the second alerts about issues at Rikki’s Refuge for those who care and want to be intimately involved. Scheduled as needed. Good Morning Good News - a little something to get you going in the mornings, for those of you who want to keep smiling with us! Scheduled daily. Hairballs - so you know what’s coming up at Rikki’s! Scheduled weekly.

Rikki's Refuge, supported solely by private donations, houses over 1200 animals of 22 species. On line at http://bit.ly/Give-a-gift-to-Rikkis Checks, money orders, cash, items at Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960

Rikki's Refuge is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Virginia Corporation, tax-id 54-1911042. Combined Federal Campaigns #77674, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #3163, PetsMart Charities #1377. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

Learn more www.RikkisRefuge.org and help spread the good word, tell everyone you know about Rikki’s Refuge

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Hairballs 12/30/10

RIKKI’S REFUGE - HAIRBALLS AND HAPPY TAILS

The newsletter of thanks from grateful animals to their beloved rescuers brought to you by Vincent D. Cat

We are the happy animals of Rikki’s Refuge who so thank you for giving us the gift of our lives. We represent all the animals, the world over, whose lives have been saved by kind and loving people just like you. Thank you for being an animal rescuer.

2010

2010 is coming to a close!!! Here’s a great big heartfelt THANK YOU for making the dream of Rikki’s Refuge live on for another year!!! 1,259 animals thank you every day of the year for the gift of live. Without YOU there would be no Rikki’s Refuge. And with no Rikki’s Refuge very few of our 1,259 residents would be alive today. Thank you. There’s no better gift than life!

2011

And as they say, when one door closes, another opens!! 2011 will soon be opening. And what have YOU got planned? I sure hope you’ll spend some of your early 2011 days with us!! Here’s a run down of what’s happening.

Saturday, noon, Jan 1, New Years Pristine Nature Hike

First event of 2011 - the traditional New Year’s Hike. Over the river and thru the woods, and we’re not kidding. You might find some trails or you might blaze them. Follow Fred’s bright orange vest - and please wear bright orange or red yourself, no hunting on our property but poachers have been known to trespass - and he’ll get you back to the complex sooner or later!!! The November hike took a few twists and turns and ambled thru the brambles - but they did arrive alive and uneaten by bears!!!!

Nature hike takes off at noon sharp. Don’t be late cuz you can’t catch up. Gates open at 11:30 am on the first.

It’s outdoors so dress for the weather and before heading out that day call 540-854-0870 x3 to confirm that it’s on. Bad weather shuts down our road very quickly and for your safety we have to cancel if it’s been too wet or there’s any ice.

Admission is a case of canned cat food per person!

Saturday evening, celebrate the first at Mariza’s in Spotsylvania, contact Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org for more info

Sunday, noon, Jan 2, Tour of the Refuge with Katarina. This is the first of our mini weekly tours. Sundays at noon, unless there’s been another public event that week.

Tax Deductions and Doubling your Donations

Time is just about up to save on your taxes. All donations to Rikki’s Refuge are tax deductible. See your money work where you want it to! As long as your check is written by the 31^st and ready to be sent, it will count toward deductions for 2010. Rikki’s Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960 or http://bit.ly/Give-a-gift-to-Rikkis

We’re working real hard to win the Double Your Donations Challenge.

And look at how close we are!!!!

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/double-your-donations-christmas-for.html

Only $3,736.88 left to go!!!

75% of the way there!!

That’s almost to the Finish Line !!!

Go Go Go

Come on - enlist your friends!! Together we CAN do it !!!

Double Your Donations Challenge

This is it my friends LAST CHANCE - log your donation in by midnight!!

If you’re mailing a check today, it will count if you date your check with the day you write it!!

Join my Army!

If you can chip in one or two or five dollars to help us meet this goal, we’d appreciate it so much. it takes a lot of money to care for 1,259 animals every day. Each and every day. Food, bedding, housing, medicine. We need your help.

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

Thank you! There’s nothing more precious to give, than life!

THANK YOU

An especially big thanks to Katie and Grant Fincham, who knew the ice and the snow was coming and towed the trooper into their shop and got it all fixed up safe and sound!! Now we have good reliable 4 wheel drive transportation for the winter.

Thanks to the wonderful story in the Free Lance-Star about our Christmas Day Tour, we had a tremendous turn out. Despite the freezing - literally - weather, snow flurries, wind and ice, 125 people showed up to visit the animals, bringing with them lots and lots of food! http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-free-lance-star.html

A huge thank you the volunteers who came to be Tour Guides instead of spending the day inside by the fireplace with their families. Thank you Jan Chetnik, Larry Ramsey, Mary Walker, Laurie Karnay, Cindy Wright who gave tours and to Katarina who helped log and store all the goodies.

The wrappers at Barnes and Noble only had two and a partial days and they wrapped enough to run the refuge for a day!!! Yiippeeee!!! Huge thank you to Candy Erhard who orchestrated it and to all you wrappers!!!!

Great big thanks to Melissa Felts and those of you who helped with Santa Claws at PetSmart - you raised enough to run the refuge for a day !!!!

A big thanks to Katarina Galvin for the Angle Tree Program that brought in truck loads of nums!! You’re feeding us!!

These are the kind of events you can participate in anywhere in the country - or even the world to help raise the funds to support the animals.

During the year tabling events are great - sitting outside stores handing out flyers and accepting donations! Bake sale, garage sales. Going to events, Wine Festivals, Craft Festivals - anywhere people are - hand out brochures and have a collection can handy!! That’s all it takes. So many people are happy to help and make a donation if only they knew about us!

If you love Rikki’s Refuge - help us spread the word in 2011 - invite one new friend each month to become a Rikki’s Family Member!

MEMORIAL

Farwell to Bernard A. Sekely, a great friend to the animals, who passed over the Rainbow Bridge on December 16^th. You leave behind many who love you.

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-memory-of-bernard-sekely.html

Meet River Rat

after

River Rat is one of those I didn’t take "before" pictures of. I didn’t think she stood a chance of recovery. I can never bring myself to take pictures of the ones that I don’t think will make it. It just feels wrong. River Rat came to us almost three years ago. She was one of the most pathetic things I’ve ever seen. Her legs were rotting off from the elbows and knees down. She was skin and bones.

She’d been found floating on a log with all four legs dangling down in the water in Georgia. Someone rescued her and she found her way to Winging Cat Rescue where a foster mom started to care for her. The doctors there and her foster mom worked really hard trying to save her legs. Every toe was badly infected, the pads almost shredded, infection in the bone had deformed the legs. Poor little River Rat couldn’t even sit up, let alone take a walk. She couldn’t even get to a litterbox.

The wounds had gotten better, but were not totally healing. It seemed no matter what medications were used, the infection would just come back. She sure seemed like a hopeless case. We’d just healed Merlin from a horrible mauling where he’d lost the skin on almost half of one side of his body. And so Barbara at Winging Cat Rescue asked me to please try and see what we could do for River Rat.

She described it all to me, yet I was still shocked to see this poor little thing. Did we stand a chance of saving her? I’ll do anything in the world to save somebody as long as I can believe there is hope. When I know there isn’t, then I have to let go and let them go to Rainbow Bridge. What should I do?

River Rat had the brightest eyes and though she was timid and fearful, something about her begged to be given a chance. And so we went to work. Management, care and cleaning of the wounds and helping them to get about without causing any more injury is what it’s all about. Soaking foot and leg wounds on dogs or horses is one thing. Cats, who hate water, quite another. And poor River Rat had to endure long soaks four times a day.

Those of you who’ve dealt with an injury on a cat that required soaking are, no doubt, thinking, but didn’t you get bite and clawed. Not clawed as her toes were so damaged and swollen she could barely moor her hands or feet. Bit - you bet ‘ch! It’s all part of the job. Fortunately we all understand that it’s just a response out of fear an no evil is meant, and so we soak ourselves, bandage up, and go on.

Eventually River Rats knees and elbows began to heal. Gradually the infection receded down the legs. Finally the swelling in the paws went down. We wondered if the toes would ever heal. Would some or all end up having to be amputated? She had begun to walk on the pads without putting the toes down. Her legs were quite twisted and badly damaged. But she was virtually pain free and starting to act like a cat.

And one by one the toes healed. One stayed limp and swollen a few weeks longer. And then finally healed. Over the next year the fur grew back to cover the scars and she continued with physical therapy on her toes and fingers and wrists and ankles and elbows and knees twice a day. She thought of her therapy times as play times. She began to run and play.

That last toe healed! We all sobbed tears of joy! Her right arm twists slightly out but you don’t even notice it when you watch her play and run. She’s now a mascot kitty and has free range of the farm. She prefers to be out most of the time. We’re making her come in at night now cuz she just doesn’t see to go somewhere warm and we don’t like her just sitting around sleeping on the ground in this snow.

She’s not really caged in the picture above. She comes into the 9^th Life Center and enjoys finding a bed in an empty cage to use for the night. She’s just snuggling down for the night. First crack of dawn, and she’ll be back out playing.

Interview with River Rat

Meet Ting Ting

About 2 am the other day (you want to know more details read the blogged Good Morning Good News from 12/29) mom scrambled up an egg for Ting Ting. But Ting Ting was missing! Mom looked all over and couldn’t find her. She loves to climb to the highest place possible and mom thought she’d looked everywhere. She gave up. Later that morning at 5:30 Ting Ting was found sleeping way up high, right near the ceiling on top of a bin on top of the cages. She stuck her head down when breakfast cans started opening. Mom gave her her COLD egg then! And she gobbled it up.

This film was made before Ting Ting came to Rikki’s

We think Ting Ting should be our representative in the Agility Contest at the Cat Show next year. I thought I did just fine but the hoomans said .....

Meet Baby Elliot and Osiris

Baby Elliot has been with us a few years. He’s one BIG boy. And with all that yak like fur you’d think he loves the outside world. But NO, not Baby Elliot. He despises the snow and doesn’t think much of the cold either. He does however love to lay on straw and hay and was thrilled when Ivory the sheep was sick and had to come inside CUZ he got to sleep in the hay and in the warm!!!

Baby Elliot tests positive for fiv. Fiv is spread by un-neutered street males. Most of our fiv kitties are middle aged and older former toms. They live very healthy active lives and don’t seem to have any health problems negative kitties do. The leading cause of death for fiv cats is being murdered in shelters cuz they test positive. We’re working to educate folks that it’s fine to let the fiv kitties live. After all they’re going to live a purrfectly normal natural life and likely live to be 15-20 years old - if you just let them!!

Osiris and siblings came to us in 2010. Due to a genetic disease only Osiris and sister Mystique are still with us. They seemed to have stopped growing and this just might be what’s saved them.

We never know how long any of us have to live on this planet. We all want to live for ever and we want our friends to live for ever too. But sometimes that’s just not the way it is. Some critters who were born to young mothers who were starving while pregnant and exposed to all kinds of diseases while tiny babies have a lot of problems and defects that will often make them small and make their life span short. Maybe 1 or 3 or 5 years instead of 10 or 15 or 20. It’s one of those things you can’t control.

But I’ll tell you how it is at Rikki’s Refuge - no matter how long your life span - we promise to love you and care for you the whole time !!!!

Want more details about daily events?

or check the blog for all the daily happenings and lots of fun stuff.

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com

SMILE

Happy New Years to you DOG LOVERS!!!

Happy New Years to you CAT LOVERS!!!

And HAPPY NEW YEARS to you no matter who you love!!!

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE,

VINCENT

Please help us if you can

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

The Fine Print

Rikki's Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 367-acre, no-kill, all species, peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations from kind and loving individuals just like you! We help farm animals, domestic animals, and wildlife. Over 1200 individuals of 22 different species now reside at Rikki's Refuge. Please continue to help us help the animals. To learn more about Rikki's Refuge go to http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/, http://www.rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/, and http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge .

We survive on donations from kind and loving people, just like you. We live on a shoestring and make it on less than one dollar per day, per animal. So if you can spare a couple of bucks to buy a few meals, please go to http://www.paypal.com/ and use our email address of mail@rikkisrefuge.org . We do accept checks, money orders, cash and stuff, too! Thanks for your support. Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960

Your donations directly support the Critters of Rikki’s Refuge. Rikki's Refuge is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Virginia Corporation. Federal Tax-ID 54-1911042. We hold membership in all Combined Federal Campaigns in Virginia #77674, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #3163, PetsMart Charities #1377, iGive, Benevolink, paypal.com (mail@rikkisrefuge.org), your donations provide direct support. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

If you know others who'd enjoy reading about the exciting adventures at Rikki's Refuge let me know and I'll be happy to include them. If you are one of those strange humans who does not wish to laugh and cry with us, simply reply with "REMOVE" and nothing but "REMOVE" in the subject line.

Good Morning Good News !!!! December 30, 2010

My Favorite Quote, Today

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

--- Thomas Edison

And look at how close we are!!!!

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/double-your-donations-christmas-for.html

Only $3,736.88 left to go!!!

75% of the way there!!

That’s almost to the Finish Line !!!

Go Go Go

Come on - enlist your friends!! Together we CAN do it !!!

Double Your Donations Challenge

This is it my friends LAST CHANCE - log your donation in by midnight!!

If you’re mailing a check today, it will count if you date your check with the day you write it!!

Join my Army!

Refuge News

Another nice warm day on the farm!!!! Yippeee !!!! Mom and me did a photo session of my with all my Amazon pressies. Out to you SOON I promise !!!!

Remember I told you last week about the nice lady who passed away and who’s outdoor kitties we’re working on trapping. Four more have been trapped so it’s road trip today to go bring those to their new safe home at Rikki’s Refuge. They’ll be so glad to meet up with their three friends who’ve already made it here. The poor kitties are very scared and not going in the traps as quick as we’d hoped.

Wrapping It Up With Santa and Trees

Great big thanks to Melissa Felts and those of you who helped with Santa Claws at PetSmart - you raised enough to run the refuge for a day !!!!

A big thanks to Katarina Galvin for the Angle Tree Program that brought in truck loads of nums!! You’re feeding us!!

These are the kind of events you can participate in anywhere in the country - or even the world to help raise the funds to support the animals.

Fun and Inspiring

Have you started making your New Year Resolutions?

I’ve started a list ......

I want to make you happy and make you smile every day in 2011.

I want to eat Fancy Feast for breakfast every day in 2011.

I want the word of Rikki’s Refuge to spread so more and more donors and volunteers are helping us every day in 2011.

I want to eat Fancy Feast for lunch every day in 2011.

I want to meet each and every one of you purrsonally in 2011.

I want to eat Fancy Feast for supper every day in 2011.

Sometimes we know what our resolutions should be and have just been avoiding making that promise to ourselves.

And sometimes we have to learn the hard way.

Did You Know?

Ostriches stick their heads into the sand to find underground drinking water.

Seems like a strange place to me to find water!!! I’m glad I get nice fresh water at least twice a day at Rikki’s!!!

Cute Baby Owl

A little late but too good to miss

Meet Baby Elliot and Osiris

Osiris and siblings came to us in 2010. Due to a genetic disease only Osiris and sister Mystique are still with us. They seemed to have stopped growing and this just might be what’s saved them.

But I’ll tell you how it is at Rikki’s Refuge - no matter how long your life span - we promise to love you and care for you the whole time !!!!

Good Times in the News

Canada goose rescued in Massachusetts

From: The Animal Rescue Site

A Canada goose in Massachusetts got some much-needed help from some kind-hearted people, Boston.com reports.

According to the news source, frigid temperatures caused the winged creature to become stuck in a pond at the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus. After a number of passersby noticed the bird's predicament, they contacted the Animal League of Boston.

"He was there maybe two or three days beforehand," senior rescue technician Mike Vogal told the news outlet. "I guess someone went out the day before to rescue the goose." He added that they most likely did not have the proper equipment to help the animal.

Vogal and his team reportedly crawled 300 feet out on the frozen water and used a net to pull the goose out to safety. The animal rescue official told the news outlet that the bird is doing fine and will likely be released back into the wild shortly.

Canada geese are defined by their large black necks and black head, crown and bill. They are extremely common in North American city parks and most tend to migrate south during the winter.

Don’t Miss - Recently Posted

Calf Blown to Safety

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/calf-blown-to-safety.html

How to Pat Your Cat

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-pet-kitty.html

Monopoly for Cat Lovers

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/monopoly-for-cat-lovers.html

Dear Vincent

Do Free Rangers Have Homes?

Lots of you have questions about Rikki’s Refuge. I’ll pick one or two a day to answer here. Ask your questions in the blog comments or sent to me at Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org

QUESTION: All the mascots, the cats and dogs roaming about, where do they live? Everybody else has nice houses in their neighborhoods. Where do the mascots eat and sleep?

ANSWER: The dogs and cats that have free range have access to the 9th Life Center, office and rv - being outside is totally their option. They also have dog houses all around the refuge stuffed with warm straw, beds in the various trailers and storage areas and barns - should they prefer that. The ones who’ve earned their running rights, the mascots, pretty much have the option of going and coming where ever they like. The few exceptions are the ones who are older and thinner or have some kind of issue and are required to stay inside at night when the weather is too hot or too cold.

Feeding can be a bit complex with some of the different personalities. Many of them come inside to dine, but other prefer the great outdoors. Some have to be isolated to eat so nobody takes it away. Some of the dogs are so mellow even the chickens would take their food if they could. And Neia would eat 7 other’s breakfast if she could get away with it!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, noon, Jan 1, Nature Hike

Saturday evening, celebrate the first at Mariza’s in Spotsylvania

Sunday, noon, Jan 2, Tour of the Refuge with Katarina. This is the first of our mini weekly tours. Sundays at noon, unless there’s been another public event that week.

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

Because I Love YOU

I’m gonna make you laugh!

Love,

Vincent

Learn more www.RikkisRefuge.org and help spread the good word, tell everyone you know about Rikki’s Refuge

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Good Morning Good News !!!! December 29, 2010

My Favorite Quote, Today

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

--- Carl Bard

I’m so glad I kind of got to start over. My beginning would have ended that day I ran out into the road if Rikki’s Refuge hadn’t been there to give me a new beginning!!! Thank you all for making Rikki’s Refuge possible so my life could be saved!!

Sally is So Funny

Sally is the fattest goat on the planet. Like little dogs who think they can rule. Sally thinks she can fit into small places. Sally CAN’T fit into small spaces without causing damage or getting stuck. Last night Sally decided to sleep in a dog igloo. Sally doesn’t fit in a dog igloo. At least not without a LOT of pushing and shoving.

She picked her house and shoved her head inside. She then shoved and shoved. And shoved some more. She simply wasn’t going in. Though she was slowly pushing the dog house across the yard. This was occurring about midnight last night. Finally she shoved hard enough and long enough that she got the igloo against a building and could then get some really good traction to shove even more.

Mom was tempted to set up the tripod and leave it out to video tape. BUT she knew better. The camera would end up on the INSIDE of Sally. And that’s not very good for it’s future functioning. And mom was just too lazy to stop the chores she was trying to finish up and sit down and film herself. I wasn’t about to sit out there in the middle of the night filming with my tail freezing!

Next time mom walked by Sally had the shoulders in the dog house and just stuck out from the enormous belly on.

A while later there was only a tail sticking out. And later still her nose. How on earth she turned around is a total mystery.

About 2 am mom was begging old Sam to eat an egg. That’s about all he’ll eat now. He didn’t want his (late) midnight snack. So mom scrambled it up cuz Ting Ting likes scrambled eggs. When she walked past to take it to Ting Ting, Sally stood up and burst the igloo apart, separating the top from the bottom, and with the top part stuck on her back, took off after mom to get that egg!

Mom escaped with her life and the egg. And then Ting Ting was missing! Mom looked all over and couldn’t find her. She loves to climb to the highest place possible and mom thought she’d looked everywhere. She gave up. But this morning at 5:30 Ting Ting was found sleeping way up high, right near the ceiling on top of a bin on top of the cages. She stuck her head down when breakfast cans started opening. Mom gave her her COLD egg then! And she gobbled it up.

I love eggs too. I can’t figure out how to open them like the dogs do. Sometimes they’re lucky to have really big mouths!!!

This is Ting Ting

It’s filmed before she came to Rikki’s

We think Ting Ting should be our representative in the Agility Contest at the Cat Show next year. I thought I did just fine but the hoomans said .....

Mike Delivers

Mike Wood is a real Rikki’s kind of guy. He doesn’t do anything in a small way!! Purina’s food packaging plant in Pennsylvania called. NUMS - come and get ‘em! So Mike got up early in the morning and he drove and he drove, over the river and thru the woods and across the snow and the ice. Then he loaded up his truck. And he turned around and he drove and he drove, over the river and thru the woods and across the snow and the ice and all the way to Rikki’s! He arrived a little before 4 pm. It's a LONG LONG day!

It was all hands on deck to unload fire brigade style.

Many competent hands makes quick work of a big load!!! From left to right: Tippy, Billy Crisp, Valerie Fast, Wayne Timmins, Paul Fetzer, Mike Wood.

2,000 pounds of nums. Sounds like a lot but with 1,259 critters ...... Most of it was for the doggies. Beneful and Dog Chow and lots of treats too. And they slipped in 18 bags of Purina One cat food too!!! Num num num.

The giant quantity seems like it’d last a long long time. But when you have a giant quantity of animals it goes very quickly. Purina has been very very good to us. In the last 12 month period they’ve given us 100,000 pounds of product. Pretty amazing, huh??? 86,000 pounds was that recent delivery of cat litter. 2,000 pounds yesterday of mostly dog food. 4,000 pounds of cat food a month or so ago. And it was the tail end of December, just like it is now, when the previous donation had come. 8,000 pounds of Moist and Meaty!

And Speaking of Huge Quantities

With 1,259 animals a day, even though we spend on average only $1 a day per animal, that’s a big number. Something like $1259 I think. And it you want to see us cared for, the food that’s needed that isn’t donated, the flea product, the worming medicine, bedding, all the cleaning products that aren’t donated, all the care and medical bills and medicines, and believe me, lots of us are medicines, then that means about $10,000 a WEEK. EVERY WEEK.

Gee if we had just $3 a day per animal we’d all be living in luxury! But we’ll take basics and our lives! Cus without Rikki’s, non of us would have out lives!

My bills just went up today. I’ve got the poops, that’s a common problem for me cus of my internal injuries, from when I got hurt before I came to Rikki’s. Now the hoomans are gonna cram three types of medicine down my throat - and believe me I’ll fight every pill - twice a day. I hope it gets better quick cus if it doesn’t, then they’ll start holding me down and prying my mouth open four times a day!!! YUCK.

And We’re Up to 68%

of our Double Your Donation challenge !!!! Gee only two more days to make it possible. Today and tomorrow. Last year the donor let it run thru December 31 and we’re waiting for an answer to see if we can have that extra day this year.

Somebody said to me - WOW with $30,000 if you can match that challenge what will you do with all that money. We’ll pay our bills and we’ll all get fed and be warm and be cared for, for THREE weeks. I know that sounds huge. But think what it costs to take care of YOUR animals and multiply by 1,259!!!!

I know you’ve already helped us towards this challenge. Would you please tell a friend about it. If you love animals and you want to see us survive, I bet you have friends who do too. Ask them if they’d like to add a dollar or two or even $5 to the challenge!!!

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

We’ve just got to make it. If we don’t it will be the first time we’ve ever missed a Double Your Donation challenge. It seems such a shame to lose that.

I try real hard to be the mostest excellent kitty I can possibly be. If you have any suggestions on improving myself, please tell me how!

Did You Know?

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad in first class.

I wish we had one more luxury we could cut back on. I think we’re down to the bare bones around here. A few years ago we had a lot more things. Now the hoomans have to cut back this and cut back that. Just like you do at home. It’s been hard on our volunteers and on our donors. Less money means less things. It means all the frills and fancy stuff goes. All of it. It means you go back and see what else you can strip out. I can’t wait for things to get better again so the hoomans don’t have to worry so much about how they’re going to take care of us.

I’m so glad mama agrees with me, we will not cut back on one single life to save money, we may all get a little skinnier (oh no that’s gonna be hard) but we’ll keep all of us alive and healthy!

Good Times in the News

Rescue dogs help the humans who adopt them

From: The Animal Rescue Site

Many people do their best to help animals in need, but sometimes it's those same furry creatures who rescue their two-legged counterparts. USA Today recently chronicled the stories of three separate adopted animals who later saved some very lucky people.

One such case involved a hound-mix from Kentucky named Digger. It was a frigid night when the 10-month-old pup began whining and begging to go outside. Once there, he quickly alerted his owner, Teresa Oney, to a woman crying for help on the other side of her fence.

"Ordinarily he'd bark and bark if something grabs his attention," Oney told the news outlet. "It was because he was so still and made no noise [once outside] that I was able to hear her. He seemed to understand he needed to be quiet."

According to the news provider, it turns out Oney's neighbor became disoriented and slipped and fell in the middle of the night. Thankfully, an ambulance was quickly dispatched to the area.

Those contemplating adding a furry friend to their family may want to head to their local rescue shelter and adopted a special, loving animal. Pets have been known to lift spirits and create happiness in home. The choice may also save their lives - and yours.

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http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/full-28-days-of-christmas-at-rikkis.html

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http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-hero-i-wannt-eat-like-that.html

Sleazy Sleepwear for Horses

http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/2010/12/sleazy-sleepwear-for-horses.html

Dear Vincent

Lots of you have questions about Rikki’s Refuge. I’ll pick one or two a day to answer here. Ask your questions in the blog comments or sent to me at Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org

QUESTION: I want to make a recurring monthly donation, how do I do it?

ANSWER: That’s wonderful!! Recurring monthly donations are a real help for us too, it makes it easier to plan. If you have a paypal account or want to set one up just go here http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php and fill out the information in the second paragraph Recurring Donation. Do the clicking and such and you’re all done!!

If you want to use a credit card without paypal, all you need to do is give that information to mom, contact her at Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org She’ll need your card info and the amount you want to contribute.

You could chose to send a check in every month. If you have a bill pay type program with your bank, they usually have a way to wet that up. If you’re not sure, ask your bank. Or ask your bank about an automatic monthly debit.

New Years Day Pristine Nature Hike

Nature hike takes off at noon sharp. Don’t be late cuz you can’t catch up. Gates open at 11:30 am on the first.

Admission is a case of canned cat food per person!

New Years Celebration

New Years Eve will be a quiet time at the refuge where we sit back and count our blessings during 2010. No wild parties and no staying up till midnight. But Mariza has invited me and my close friends to her house in Spotsylvania on the evening of the first, Saturday evening. This is Mariza our great chef who did Thanksgiving dinner. She’s NOT going to be our chef this time!!! That’s a lot of work and no time for all the fancies. It’s pot luck appetizers and snacks. She’s near route 3 and 20 in Spotsylvania about 20 minutes from the Refuge. If you’d like to join us let mom know, Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org

Don’t forget - end of year TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations to help you out on your tax bill for 2010 !!!!! We’re honest and we’ll tell you exactly where your dollars go!!!

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/double-your-donations-christmas-for-the-animals

Because I Love YOU

and we all love each other

Love,

Vincent

Learn more www.RikkisRefuge.org and help spread the good word, tell everyone you know about Rikki’s Refuge