Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Hairballs and Happy Tails - Rikki's Refuge Newsletter a

RIKKI'S REFUGE - HAIRBALLS AND HAPPY TAILS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4654847890/
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.


ARE YOU VOTING EVERY DAY?
http://bit.ly/bDLKJY Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA What animal did
you get today?

I'm a dog today. Uh Oh I think I'm gonna be in the dog house if I lose
this contest. So close and only 6 days to go - I was #1 for so long and
not them cocker spaniels are ahead of me. This just isn't fair. They
take care of 48 critters all of one breed of one species. I take care
of 1259 critters or any breed of 23 species. Look at their budget.
Thousands for every animal! WOW. And look at what my hoomans do! On
only $1 per day per animal my hard working hoomans are able to care for
us all. And lots of us have special needs that cost money!

That $10,000 prize isn't a drop in the bucket for us. It's lifesaving
for us!!

Please keep voting every day and please please round up some more
friends to vote too.


I NEED YOU ALL TO GATHER TOGETHER AND COMBINE FORCES!
We must win the Shelter Challenge. We've been #1 in the
http://bit.ly/bDLKJY Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA and just a few days
ago a DOG rescue snuck up and over took us. We can run faster than
dogs. Vote Vote Vote - just click the link and enter the info about
Rikki's. We house 1259 critters of 23 different species. 659 cats, 43
dogs and pigs and horses and all kinds of domestic and farm animals.

Rikki's is the last chance for those of us nobody wants to live with cuz
we have medical problems or we're old or handicapped or hoomans consider
us socially unacceptable. Here we live in peace and happiness forever
and ever.

AND my hoomans work so hard begging for food and things and volunteering
they take care of us for only $1 per day per critter!!! So this $10,000
will allow us to save a lot of cats!!

Please help. Contest ends Aug 22, so it's only 6 days that I NEED YOU
to vote every day. Please tell all your friends too! Thank you, I love
you.


THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT HOME !!!!!
Bella's piggys are growing and the nursery is now just too small. It's
time to move back to Bella's digs at Piggy Paradise. There doesn't seem
to be much cooperation here. Last time the little boys went out they
were neutered ..... Now they don't believe it's only a trip to their
new bigger digs! http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901007255/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlKQzJng91c

One by one the babies go. SCREAMING all the way. A baby pigs only
defense is to scream until mommey comes and chases off the predator.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901007175/

They say if you get a baby pig and pick it up every day - in a year
you'll be very strong. And very deaf from all that high pitched screaming.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901007117/

No matter how hard Lena and James worked to convince Bella to come along
cooperatively she stood her ground and said, "Hell no I won't go!" So
the hoomans had to use their ingenuity.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901007083/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpzLDOnQybg

Oh look!!! Grass and bugs and num num num !!!! Lots of room to run and
play in here!!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901007021/

And here comes Mama Bella, squealing and grunting her protests!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594798/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CHRFwIrEG8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpCRZE9ptMA

Petunia ran over to see what the squealing was all about and was so
happy to see her friend Bella! They exchanged notes on everything that
had been happening down at Piggy Paradise while Bella was away!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594734/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPGxjJsdRbc

Just look at that smile on Petunia's face as Bella introduces her to the
kids. Can you honestly, for even one second, say pigs have no emotions?
Can you look into those eyes and see that smile and ever ever imagine
eating somebody like Petunia or Bella - even if you do call them bacon
or ham or chops or .....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594624/

Oh Mommey Mommey, we love our new home!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594540/

Bella was glad the good old scratching stump was still there. And she
taught the little ones how to give it a good scratching!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901006611/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIwCuD5RKSg


THANK YOU MARY AND CINDY FOR KEEPING MY BED CLEAN
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/3510103405
Cindy took our laundry to the mat for cleaning while we had no machine.
Mary bought and brought a new machine to us!!! I love my nice clean
fluffy bed!!! Purrrzzzzz You can come for a sleep over and I share
with you!


IF YOU WORK AT AN ANIMAL SANCTUARY IS THIS A VALID EXCUSE?
First day on the job and our new employee shows up late to feed ME!!!
Do you think this is a valid excuse?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4885551630/


SUNDAY WAS A FABULOUS OPEN HOUSE
It was really wonderful. It rained a tiny little bit at first and we
were scared maybe nobody would come to see us. We lined up and waited .....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901006551/

Nanny came running to greet folks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CDKJ7_AihY

The geese sang out their greetings.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594356/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9ENadfb_yI


I gave kisses for five hours straight. Oh happy dance, I LOVE giving
kisses. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4897280013/

Look - I'm on TV!! Charlottesville 29!
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=12982779

http://www.nbc29.com/global/Category.asp?C=175568&clipId=5029183&autostart=true
Click on Prince the Little Pig's picture in the lower left and see the
video.

Prince is the little guy who was born so small and his mommey wouldn't
take care of him. Look at him now! My mommey and Mama Lena took care
of him like he was their very own baby!

Larry's vegetarian cook out nums for hoomans was really YUM! Every body
kept going for seconds and thirds.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901006443/ Even Nanny!

We drew the raffle for the boat winner.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594236/
And Diane Rake of Woodbridge was the lucky winner.

Mom had a great new idea for "moving" cats!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901006305/

And it really worked. Ron, being half cat, is very curious. He just
couldn't resist dropping coins in the vending machine to see what he'd
get! http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901006259/
Dexter was the lucky guy who got to go home with Ron. Dexter joins not
only Ron, but several other Rikki's alumni.

And the Goodest New of all that day?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594076/
Was seeing my brofur Angus reunited with his hooman Molly!! We all
cried!! Angus came three years ago when Molly who'd had him for years
could no longer care for him. Her life was in a bad way and she had no
where to turn. Nobody wanted Angus cus he had medical problems that
Molly had spent thousands and thousands of dollars on. Everybody said -
kill him off. She said NO. And so she found Rikki's and we welcomed
Angus into the 9th Life Center. Our wonderful docs helps us to get
Angus all fixed up and over the problems he'd had. And eventually he
became a round around kitty. He made lots of friends and was very happy
and healthy. But at night sometimes he'd talk about missing Molly. And
now she's worked hard and her life is going good and she came to visit
Angus! And better still, he was able to go home with her! I'm gonna
miss my brofur but what better story than to be reunited with the one
who's loved you all your life!


SO NOW YOU KNOW EVERYTHING EXCITING I'VE BEEN UP TO!
Tell me what you've been doing! I love hearing from my HEROES, You can
write me any time Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org
Next tour is September 6th, Labor Day at noon - if you missed the Open
House, please come then. It's only one tour so you better be on time or
them hoomans will leave you behind!!! You'll get to kiss me before the
tour AND after the tour. Admission is two cans of cat food per person!
But it's ok if you're a really nice person and want to bring more!


FELINE FEEDING FRENZY!
Every day - twice a day - there's a Feline Feeding Frenzy at Rikki's
Refuge! With 659 kitties to feed it takes a lot of food! Thankfully we
were just given a whole truck full of dry food.

Many of our kitties are Special Needs Kids and many of those need canned
food to survive.

I've been offered a special deal to get ONE TON of canned cat food for
only $1,545.54. That's 2,000 pounds and that's ALMOST a month's of
canned food for the kitties!

Please toss a few bucks into the pot. We'll do the hard work. Loading
the truck. Unloading the truck. Opening the cans. Scraping out the
contents. Washing the dishes. And even scooping the litter box ......
Hey! I think you've got the easy end of this bargain!

http://rikkisrefuge.chipin.com/feline-feeding-frenzy

And if we collect more money than we need for canned kitty food, I'll
let mom use it to feed the other 22 species!!!!


Be sure to put a skip in your step and do the happy dance.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4885551440/ When hoomans ask
you what you're doing. Tell em thinking about the animals whose lives
Vincent will save when he wins $10,000 and then tell them to vote too!!!

See you next week, my HEROES!!!

Love,
Vincent
8/17/10


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.


--
Have you Voted for Rikki's Today?

Vote Right Now! We can win $s if we have the most votes by August 22,
2010 - you can vote everyday - it's FREE - get everybody you know voting!!!

Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs

Vincent D. Cat, Official Spokes Cat of Rikki's Refuge

JOIN THE RIKKI'S FAMILY
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php

Not a Rikki's Family Member? For only $45 you can join for a year and
receive your electronic subscription to HAIRBALLS and paper subscription
to REFLECTIONS

DONATE NOW save a life today
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php

RIKKI'S REFUGE a 367 acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary
supported solely by donations of kind and loving individuals, just like
you.

Your donations provide direct support. A financial statement is
available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer
Affairs. All material in this e-mail is copyrighted and cannot be used
for any purpose other than to bring awareness of Rikki's Refuge and the
plight of unwanted animals to the public. Any monetary gain attributed
to this material must be donated to Rikki's.

Phone: 540-854-0870
Address: PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960
Member: paypal.com (mail@rikkisrefuge.org),
CFC 77674, CVC 3163, PetsMart Charities #1377
Web page: http://www.rikkisrefuge.org
E-mail: Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org

Good Morning Good News August 17, 2010

Good Morning Good News !!!!


Did you vote yet this morning ? If not hurry hurry, we're falling
behind and I need your help
http://bit.ly/bDLKJY Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA
What animal did you get?

I'm a dog today. Uh Oh I think I'm gonna be in the dog house if I lose
this contest. So close and only 6 days to go - I was #1 for so long and
not them cocker spaniels are ahead of me. This just isn't fair. They
take care of 48 critters all of one breed of one species. I take care
of 1259 critters or any breed of 23 species. Look at their budget.
Thousands for every animal! WOW. And look at what my hoomans do! On
only $1 per day per animal my hard working hoomans are able to care for
us all. And lots of us have special needs that cost money!

That $10,000 prize isn't a drop in the bucket for us. It's lifesaving
for us!!

Please keep voting every day and please please round up some more
friends to vote too.


Great Big Good News mommey got a call yesterday - we have a pallet of
kitty food for you BUT you have to pick it up before 6pm or you can't
have it !!! Uh Oh the pick up place was almost 3 hours away and it was
1:30, and mommey would have to go thru the DC traffic too to get there!
Could she make it? And mommey had work she'd promised to do. And she
needed to take care of us. Most important she had evening insulin to
give to my diabetic brofurs. Now that schedule just can't be change.
You can't just randomly pick and chose what time to do that. 6 am and 6
pm no matter what. But if mommey left at 1:30 pm on a 3 hour trip and
she had to load the truck and them come home for 3 more hours - uh oh -
it'd be way too late for insulin. And Spotty and Buster and Mr. Wong
and Big Red would be in big trouble. No matter how bad we needed the
food mommey couldn't let them get sick. She frantically called and
e-mail volunteers. Nobody she could reach could do it. They couldn't
get off work in time. Poor Candy hurt her back and had a doctor's
appointment. Mommey was frantic - she knows how desperately we need the
food. Nanny said we could go in the goat cart but it would take us 74
days to get there. In summer time lots of hoomans go on vacation and
they have to spend their money so they can't give us the donations they
usually do. So the bank won't give mommey enough money to go buy a
truck full of cat food. So here, somebody giving it away, mommey had to
get it. And it had to be out of their place by 6 pm or that was it.
Not gone by 6 pm = No food. Valerie said she'd stay late at work and
give the insulin shots. Mommey jumped up and down and kissed her. And
then ran to her office and printed the directions, kissed me on the
head, LOCKED ME OUT OF THE OFFICE and then took off. You should tell
her that she should leave me with the puter when she goes out so I can
write to my friends!!

I'm so glad mommey came home all safe and sound with a whole truck full
of dry kitty food !!! Num Num Num. We're all happy now!!! And they
tossed in a few cases of canned doggy food too. Sorry rabbits and
piggies, You'll have to wait for Candy or Jane or Philip or Laura's truck!


More Good News! The open house was wonderful. It rained a tiny little
bit at first and then it was nice and no rain and not too hot. I gave
kisses for five hours straight. Oh happy dance, I LOVE giving kisses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4897280013/

Look - I'm on TV!! Charlottesville 29!
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=12982779
(we're actually competing for $10,000, the entire contest pay out is
$100,000 and each state has a top winner at $10,000 - though we'd be
elated for a long time with $100,000)


http://www.nbc29.com/global/Category.asp?C=175568&clipId=5029183&autostart=true
Click on Prince the Little Pig's picture in the lower left and see the
video.

Prince is the little guy who was born so small and his mommey wouldn't
take care of him. Look at him now! My mommey and Mama Lena took care
of him like he was their very own baby!

Larry's vegetarian cook out nums for hoomans was really Good News!
Every body kept going for seconds and thirds.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901006443/ Even Nanny!

And the Goodest New of all that day?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/4901594076/
Was seeing my brofur Angus reunited with his hooman Molly!! We all
cried!! Angus came three years ago when Molly who'd had him for years
could no longer care for him. Her life was in a bad way and she had no
where to turn. Nobody wanted Angus cus he had medical problems that
Molly had spent thousands and thousands of dollars on. Everybody said -
kill him off. She said NO. And so she found Rikki's and we welcomed
Angus into the 9th Life Center. Our wonderful docs helps us to get
Angus all fixed up and over the problems he'd had. And eventually he
became a round around kitty. He made lots of friends and was very happy
and healthy. But at night sometimes he'd talk about missing Molly. And
now she's worked hard and her life is going good and she came to visit
Angus! And better still, he was able to go home with her! I'm gonna
miss my brofur but what better story than to be reunited with the one
who's loved you all your life!

You all keep voting now, OK?

I love you,
Vincent

PS If you don't want your Daily Good New, just let me know! A couple of
you have said you only want Hairballs with out the Good News!! That's
ok! Just tell me. I'm here to make you happy, just tell me how! If
Good New don't make you happy - I could always start Bad News, but, as
you hoomans say, why reinvent the wheel - that's what you've got tv and
newspapers for !!!!!


--
Have you Voted for Rikki's Today?

Vote Right Now! We can win $s if we have the most votes by August 22,
2010 - you can vote everyday - it's FREE - get everybody you know voting!!!

Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs

Vincent D. Cat, Official Spokes Cat of Rikki's Refuge

JOIN THE RIKKI'S FAMILY
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php

Not a Rikki's Family Member? For only $45 you can join for a year and
receive your electronic subscription to HAIRBALLS and paper subscription
to REFLECTIONS

DONATE NOW save a life today
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php

RIKKI'S REFUGE a 367 acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary
supported solely by donations of kind and loving individuals, just like
you.

Your donations provide direct support. A financial statement is
available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer
Affairs. All material in this e-mail is copyrighted and cannot be used
for any purpose other than to bring awareness of Rikki's Refuge and the
plight of unwanted animals to the public. Any monetary gain attributed
to this material must be donated to Rikki's.

Phone: 540-854-0870
Address: PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960
Member: paypal.com (mail@rikkisrefuge.org),
CFC 77674, CVC 3163, PetsMart Charities #1377
Web page: http://www.rikkisrefuge.org
E-mail: Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org