Saturday, April 07, 2018

April 6, 2018


April 6, 2018 -  Opie's Diary of Daily Doings at Rikki's Refuge
It's Friday !!   And it's balmy and blustery day !!! 
                                                                                            photo compliments of Ron Herfurth
Good Morning from Horsey Haven !!! 
Lots more fence to paint .....   you WILL come out on Saturdays from 9 till 4 to help us, won't YOU?   Please .....   your help will get the job done and Rikki's beautiful quicker !!!!

Where's dat hooman ?
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
It be breakfast time !!

Mr Peacock waits outside the Office Trailers to show off to the next one who steps out !
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Looks like the trailers could use a coat of paint ......   come on 2018 is the year to beautify YOUR Refuge ....   come on out and help !!!!!

Marietta Muscovie ... Do YOU think she's beautiful?
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill
We do !!!!   We love out muscovies.  Lots of folks point at them and say uuugggghhhh how ugly .....   it hurts their feelings.  We think they're just as beautiful as all the other kinds of ducks. 

Beauty gotz a sadz
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill
Beauty wants to be the next Spokes Dog ....  but she doesn't think the other animals will approve her as a Refuge Ambassador .....   they think she does her job of security very very well ....  sometimes a little too well .....   and she just might not be so friendly to all the new people she'd meet at schools and other humane educational events she would have to go to as Spokes Dog.

Pigeons love roosting up in the rafters in their aviary. 
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill
I've told you how every animal must be checked on twice every day.  And that means the one who use high escape tactics too.  Hoomans must climb up and check on everybody.  And even take the eggs out of the nests up on the rafters.  Nobody is allowed to replicate at Rikki's.  Too many animals are in need of homes, it's not right to create more. 

Philip D. Pheasant
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill

Duck Convention !
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill
All the supports in here need to be painted to look like trees ....  wouldn't that be awesome???   Willing to give your artistic mind a try?  It doesn't have to be perfect .... it just has to be fun !!!

Albert Adventure Monkey came out today for something really cool and special !!!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Albert Adventure Monkey
It was Birthday Party time .....   a young lady opted for a tour of Rikki's Birthday Party and brought her friends and donations !!!!     Albert and Paul were the Rikkites who assisted them .....

But uh oh .....   Albert locked his camera and his keys in the car before leaving .....  and nobody could get it open .....  so he hitched a ride home and will come back tomorrow .....  so I'm sorry ....  no birthday pictures today !!!!

Look Aunt Nora ... Uncle Paul ... you don't have to stop painting when you run out of fence !!!!
 
Ron came out to work today
                                                                                            photo compliments of Ron Herfurth
and he painted the gate posts and put on new copper toppers !!!!   Isn't it purrty?

Look where we'll be tomorrow !!!
Boomer will be there explaining why he should Spokes Dog of Rikki's Refuge ....  come out and see how he does ... tell me what you think. 
                                                                                            photo compliments of Amy Griffin
Does he deserve the job?  But please, even if he does get hot on this expected to be cool day ... please don't eat him.   Friends don't eat friends.

Love, Opie 
Thank YOU for making it all possible !

You know the highlights, but do you ever wonder what happens every day, even ordinary days, at Rikki's Refuge?  Have you thought of starting a sanctuary and wonder what it's REALLY like?  Ever wonder what those with the animals all day every day see and think?  Follow my diary as I tell you about daily happenings and show you a dozen or so photos taken during the day!  You'll see a whole new perspective of the Refuge ....   See it ... Live it .... BE a part of the Rikki's Family .... get to know ALL the animals on a first name basis !!!!   Keep up with happenings every day of the year at RikkisRefuge.BlogSpot.com ...  every day since January 1, 2018 is archived just for YOU !!!!  

April 5, 2018


April 5, 2018 -  Opie's Diary of Daily Doings at Rikki's Refuge
Thursday started with a cloudy morning and the moon sill up
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

LOOK at this ... just LOOK at it ..... LOOK at Caturday and Sunday's weather forecast  !!!   SNOW !!!   SLEET ... WINTER GUNK !!!   

We've got to ferret out that evil weather hooman and ..... turn him over to Beauty to deal with ....... this is SPRING .... it's against the law to have winter weather .... AGAINST THE LAW I SAY ....... I'm hibernating till Tuesday ..... I can eat while I hibernate, can't I?

Spring is here .....  and they threaten snow?
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Celebration of Life for our friend and long time volunteer Lloyd Dolan
The Dolan family invites friends of Lloyd Dolan to join us as we remember and celebrate Lloyd’s life, which was cut too short on March 16, 2018. 

Lloyd’s ashes will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 14th, at 2 PM at Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary,
(Life Center, 21410 Constitution Hwy, Rapidan VA 22733, corner of Route 20 and Quarterhorse Ln).  The memorial service is outside at the Rainbow Bridge Cemetery at the refuge (check weather and dress accordingly). 

As many may know, Lloyd was a dedicated animal lover and volunteered nearly 20 years at Rikki's Refuge, which is a 450 acre sanctuary, home to over 1,200 animals of 22 different species.  The Rainbow Bridge is a place of healing to send off loved ones, and we can think of no better place to honor and dedicate his ashes. 

All of his departed cats who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, are buried here too.  Rikki’s was Lloyd’s second home. 

Please arrive by 1:30 pm, gates will open at 1:00.  We will gather at the Life Center, which is 1/4 mile up the gravel road from the entrance gate.  Parking is limited, so please be mindful of where you park near the main building.  At 2 pm sharp we will walk 1/4 mile down to the Rainbow Bridge for the ceremony.  This path can sometimes be muddy and bumpy, so wear comfortable shoes and pants - please let us know in advance if you cannot walk that distance or need assistance.  We can find a volunteer to help you get to the Rainbow Bridge Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, we suggest you donate in Lloyd’s memory to Rikki’s Refuge, at www.RikkisRefuge.org\donate  or by mail - PO Box 1357, Orange, VA 22960

Chef Ron will be grilling for the Rikkites and those of you who'd like to join us, after the ceremony at Rikki's.  Lloyd loved Chef Ron's rendition of Veggie Burgers.  If you'd like to stay for the cook out, please let us know so we have an adequate number of burgers.  Being a Farm Sanctuary, we have a vegetarian policy. 

There will be a Wake following the service at Adventure Brewing North, Fredericksburg, VA. 

Keep in mind that Rikki's Refuge is about a 45 minute drive from Fredericksburg.  You are welcome to either or both. 

                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

April is Cats vs Dogs month ..... with the unexpected passing of our beloved spokes dog Obie .... the dogs must elect a new Spokes Dog ..... Keep up with the candidates .... get to know them .... toss in your questions for them .....

WHO will be the next canine SpokesDog ??? And who will win Cats vs Dogs ...... YOU can start voting for ME right now right here www.RikkisRefuge.org/donate?purpose=Opie

You can even vote for who ever will win the Spokes Dog seat ..... but really .... WHY .... when you have a perfectly good cat who can do the job !!!!!

Let CATS continue to RULE .... and leave the DROOL to the Dogs !!!!!

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Boomer worked side by side with Spokes Dog Duke for Duke's entire life.  Boomer was Duke's seeing eye dog and would guide him gently at events and humane education outings, never letting him walk into a tree or a door.   Boomer has asked all the dogs to speak up for themselves and tell us what they have to offer as official Spokes Dog.

Beauty, who's never shy around someone coming down the driveway .... or walking out of the woods ....  who's always on guard and suspicious of hoomans ....  asked our Diva of Doggy Downs to speak for her .....   and here's what Cindy tells us they talked about.
                                                                                            photo compliments of Cindy Wright
CINDY: The mystery of who at Rikki’s Refuge will become our official Spokes Dog continues. Beauty recently interviewed with me for the job. 

“The questions were hard!” said the confident white dog, along with “I am perfect for the job”.  Beauty, a Maremma breed, lives up to her name as a beautiful dog that can run a security team, something she has done since her teammate Kiki crossed Rainbow Bridge just over a year ago. 

Beauty strongly believes that she can run the security team along with serving as the Spokes Dog.  After all, she has worked security since she arrived at Rikki’s, in 2007.  She will have to get high ratings at the primary vote, held between all the dogs, and then win the final vote. 

Beauty thinks she has it in the bag, and has a big chance at getting the job.  What did she say during her interview?

****  She will bring good, high quality dog food to Rikki’s
****  She will treat the cats as equals, a tactic never used before
****  She has the credentials to run a number of programs simultaneously
****  Most of all, because she is ready to kick ass and ensure all at Rikki’s Refuge that security will be the best in the country!

So, how did it go?  We will let you know once the primaries are ready.....

OPIE:  You know I love ya Beauty ....  I better or you'll snap my head off ....  but I've respectfully got a few questions for you. 

Tell me how you're going to handle humane education in schools?

Your PR with those unknown to you has been rather dicey in the past it seems.  I mean you do a fabulous job at protecting us from intruders, be they hooman or somebody else who might want to eat us .....  but your pin 'em to the ground first, ask questions later .... 

just wondering how that will work when you visit schools to teach kids to be nice and give everybody a chance?

DUKE from above: Beauty, following in my paw prints and those of Obie will not be easy. 

How do you feel you handle the stress of representing so many fur and feather family members?

What is your plan for making the hooman public aware of Rikki’s and gaining greater support for the Refuge?

And now, back to my regularly scheduled diary entry.

Beauty has, as of yet, refused to speak up and answer these questions.   We'll keep you posted !!!!

Kevin
                                                                                            photo compliments of Lolly Busey
a muscovie duck, the largest breed of duck to live with us here at Rikki's, says he should be Spokes Ducks ....  he thinks Rikki's should go to the birds !!!!

                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Here's YOUR Opie's Puzzle of the Day
She's kind of a cutie, huh? But probably to prissy for me. I bet she's one of those .... no don't muss my fur ... look out ... you'll mess my hat !!!! But she sure is purrty !!!! Thank you Bonnie for sharing such a lovely picture this morning !!!!

Click here to put her together

I went to the store today and saw a sign saying Big sale on cat food...... regularly 4 for $2.00 ..... Half Price Sale Today ONLY ... 10 for $5.00 ..... really ... manager said so .... I double checked the sign .... I smiled and said thank you .... I remembered my oath to be kind .... so I didn't say ... Hooman ... you probably did-ed more skool than ME .... but being just a cat here .... I don't think I see a difference here ???

Horsey Haven
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

CAST YOUR VOTE ----  OPIE FOR RULER OF THE REFUGE

or if you have to ....  vote for dogs

but PLEASE .....  do your part and VOTE during April !!!

Love, Opie 
Thank YOU for making it all possible !

You know the highlights, but do you ever wonder what happens every day, even ordinary days, at Rikki's Refuge?  Have you thought of starting a sanctuary and wonder what it's REALLY like?  Ever wonder what those with the animals all day every day see and think?  Follow my diary as I tell you about daily happenings and show you a dozen or so photos taken during the day!  You'll see a whole new perspective of the Refuge ....   See it ... Live it .... BE a part of the Rikki's Family .... get to know ALL the animals on a first name basis !!!!   Keep up with happenings every day of the year at RikkisRefuge.BlogSpot.com ...  every day since January 1, 2018 is archived just for YOU !!!!  

March 29, 2018


March 29, 2018 -  Opie's Diary of Daily Doings at Rikki's Refuge
                                                                                            photo compliments of Cindy Wright
Ohhhh I have a sadz today .....     My friend Wally has gone to Rainbow Bridge.  He came to Rikki's many years ago and was adopted by Cindy.  He traveled with her as her job moved her around from state to state a lot the last few years.  They always came back to visit when back home in Virginia.  Then last summer Cindy retired and they moved to Orange, aka Rikki's Retirement and Volunteer Community, so they got to visit lots. 

Cindy sensed something just wasn't right.  Wally got all checked out by his doc and nothing seemed amiss.  Early in the morning Cindy woke up to the sound of Wally's breathing changing in bed beside her.  She knew what was happening.  She held him and cried softly into his fur and he went to see his friends at Rainbow Bridge. 

                                                                                           photo compliments of the evil weather hooman
I gotted a real scared today too.  I looked at the evil weather hooman's report and figured it might be the last morning I'm here to talk to you .... that'd make me sad, to not be here to talk to you ..... see that symbol up there?  The one meaning under water, in a big ocean, I think.  What do YOU think it means? It's what the evil weather man said for today.  I think that must mean a lot of water is gonna cover everything.  But the evil weather hooman say no rain today?  Maybe this is tidal wave coming? What do YOU think is gonna happen?  Anyway ... if I end up bein under ocean ... just remember ... I love you ..... I hope they dig my diary up and tell you I said that today ......    and I'll add more about the rest of the day too if I don't drown. 

How many peacocks can you find on this foggy foggy day ?
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Such thick fog adds a challenge to counting heads on Morning Rounds !
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Horses?
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Even with the sun high in the sky, the morning stayed foggy
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

I did a lot of stupervising on the fence painting this afternoon
                                                                                            photo compliments of Nora Eldridge

Being the Quality Control Cat is a hard job !!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Nora Eldridge

See it's all the colors of the rainbow ....
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
Red ...  Orange ... Yellow ... Green ... Blue ... Purple .... Red  !!!!
You see ... one color blends to make the next .....  isn't it purrty !!!!
I think it's the nicest fence I've ever had  !!!!!

What a beautiful afternoon ....
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
 
WHO let the cat out of the bag ????
                                                                                           photo compliments of Opie

Nummy nummy !!!!   Enjoying the food Matthew brought out yesterday !!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Thank you to who ever donated the 40 food trays !!!!!!    We really needed them !!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Hey cutie wanna go out sometime ?
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

How many black cats do you see?
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
Why so many black cats at Rikki's Refuge?  Cuz they often get overlooked in shelters and never make it out the front door. 

Why?  Cus so many superstitions about black cats tends to keep lots of folks away from them.  Many shelters don't even offer them for adoption figurin nobody would want one anyway.

Isn't that mean?  Yes, we sure think so.  Black kitties are just the same as any other kitties and make wonderful companions. 

Next time you're adopting .... please don't forget the black kitties. 

And now there is a bearded man on a ladder peeping in my windows
                                                                                           photo compliments of Opie

I thinks maybe I'll just pull the covers over my head ......
                                                                                           photo compliments of da Hooman

Standing on one leg, flapping wings, trying to take off like the geese .....
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Lots of pigs takin an afternoon nap
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Lots of pig poop going to the compost pile .....  it happens every day ....
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Open Up !!!   It must be getting close to dinner time ...
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Your best friend hard at work this afternoon
                                                                                            photo compliments of da Hooman

Love, Opie 
Thank YOU for making it all possible !