On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

thirteen humans helping, twelve temperamental turkeys, eleven pouting pussies, ten crotchety creaking canines, nine grumpy geese, eight kicking kittens, seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

Vote for Vincent

Vote for Vincent
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING – RIGHT NOW – AND VOTE – vote every day thru 12/20 and that deadline is closing in. We’re #2 in Virginia, make us #1 and we can win some much needed money to buy food for our critters. Rikki’s Refuge, Orange VA http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs I KNOW you can make me a winner !!!!Love, Vincent

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

twelve temperamental turkeys, eleven pouting pussies, ten crotchety creaking canines, nine grumpy geese, eight kicking kittens, seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

eleven pouting pussies, ten crotchety creaking canines, nine grumpy geese, eight kicking kittens, seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

ten crotchety creaking canines, nine grumpy geese, eight kicking kittens, seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

Vote for Vincent

Vote for Vincent
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

LOOK LOOK We moved up a whole notch in the NATION yesterday – do it again today. Vote every day thru 12/20. Please make my home Rikki’s Refuge, Orange VA number ONE !!! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs Remember, the more Rikki’s wins the more animals we can save. Vote Vote Vote. Tell everybody you know! No matter where in the world you are you can vote for Rikki’s EVERYDAY!! They’ll be dividing up $100,000 to the winners. Help us get our share! Love, Vincent

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

nine grumpy geese, eight kicking kittens, seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

And if you can help us feed any of them http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
We're all eating more in the cold weather.
I love you all for saving all of us and giving us a chance to life, Vincent

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

eight kicking kittens, seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

seven guinea fowl freeloading, six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

six lizards a lazing, five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

five guinea pigs a gnawing, four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

four elderly equines, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Third Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Third Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

On the Third Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s, three burly bossy bovines, two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

On the Second Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the Second Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

two rabbits a mating, and a chukar in a cherry tree.

Vote for Jan

Vote for Jan
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

PLEASE VOTE NOW and VOTE EVERYDAY for Rikki's Refuge, Orange, Va on the Animal Rescue Site !!! It costs you NOTHING and Rikki's could win money to feed ME!! Vote every day thru 12/20 http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs
I know you can make me a winner!!! LOVE, VINCENT D. CAT

PS Look at Jan chase Joey trying to get him to pose!!!!

On the First Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,

On the First Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

At Rikki’s, we always do things in a BIG way. I order cat litter by the ton and food by the pallet. My humans clean up 400 pounds of poop every day. It takes 16 hard working human house a day to sanitize for my protection. “They” have 12 days of Christmas. WE have 28. And today is the First Day of Christmas at Rikki’s. Love Vincent


On the First Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s, a chukar in a cherry tree.

Vote for Vincent

Vote for Vincent
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

PLEASE VOTE TODAY It’s free to you and it could win big bucks for Rikki’s Refuge, Orange VA www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.... Remember, the more Rikki’s wins the more animals we can save. Vote Vote Vote. Tell everybody you know! No matter where in the world you are you can vote for Rikki’s!! Contest ends 12/20, please vote everyday until then. They will be dividing up $100,000 to the winners.

www.RikkisRefuge.org

No Snoozing for Vincent

SO IT’S LIKE RAINING OUT THERE THIS MORNING
And Kerry says, “Wake up you lazy cat and get to work, we have 1200 animals to take care of. No more snoozing around here.” HUH? It’s like o’dark thirty and raining to boot. I call this hibernation time. Then she yanks my covers off. “To work you beast. If I have to work, YOU have to work! Your choice, get out there to check on everybody, start scooping boxes or go write a Hairballs.”

Ok Ok I’ll go do Hairballs. After I get a cup of catnip tea. Ahhhh Yaaawwwwwnnnnnn … Maybe just a little cat nap …. Ok Ok I’m just kidding, I’ll get over to the office and to work right away. “And, Mr. Vincent, why don’t YOU explain why there was no Hairballs last week.”

Ok, so I missed a week. It wasn’t MY fault. SHE was messing with the computer. SHE was a howling and a squawking about mud stuck between the keys. SHE was screaming about wipe your filthy paws, all three of them, before you set paw in my office! SHE was ranting and raving that if she ever found HER computer out in a cat house again…..

HER computer? Where does she get off with that kind of crap? HER? Lady, YOU invited me into your home knowing full well I’m a CAT and I live by MY rules, what’s yours is MINE. Gonna throw me out? Huh? “Don’t push your luck, Vincent! I’ll spend the day on the phone finding a sanctuary that takes handicapped sassy cats! Don’t you dare tempt me.”

MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS
Christine Greene & Christine Hawley independently posted the challenge: Every Day ‘til Thanksgiving, think of one thing you are thankful for and post it on your wall. The longer you do it, the harder it gets!

Do you think it will get harder? I think I can do it. Can you? My first post: Today I am thankful for Christine Greene who helps us to remember that we should be thankful.

It was a few minutes later that I saw my other friend Christine had made that request too.

My facebook is http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000443110622 and you can sign up to be my friend and learn about my philosophy of the world. As I write this, I have 265 facebook friends. I really want 1,000 facebook friends but all the humans tell me I’m greedy. ME? Come on, I’m perfect, NOT greedy! And look, in 24 hours I got my first 100 friends and in less than two weeks 265 – so I can’t be all wrong now can I?

Help me to prove the humans wrong and show them EVERYBODY wants to be MY friend. Log onto facebook and be my friend.


POST WHAT YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR
Every morning. If we can all think of one nice happy thing we are thankful for, I think it will make our days much happier. I can’t wait to read what you’re thankful for!


BE A RIKKI’S REFUGE FAN
Rikki’s Refuge also has a serious facebook page where you can keep up to date about what’s going on. Just go here
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rikkis-Refuge/169651012390 to sign up as a fan.

My facebook is a lot more fun. Rikki’s is just kind of stuffy business stuff. Mine is cool. Sometimes even a dating site!! Check it out. My first attempt at computer dating! From Kat Knipp, “OH Vincent....I think I’m in LOVE! My first sleep over invite...you've been fixed, right?”

And if you’re interested in boring Kerry who thinks life is all work, work, work http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000425680511

Love, Vincent

Thank you Nanny T. Goat

Thank you Nanny T. Goat
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

for taking care of the office and the refuge for me and for working so hard to get me out of jail. Work party this weekend, come help shovel out my office! Bring BIG shovels!!!!

Thank you all you donors who made Nanny's work of saving me possible.

And Thank all of you who gave Nanny such a wonderful Birthday Party on Sunday. So many wonderful people came out to the Refuge Birthday Party and Open House. I hope you had as much fun visiting us as we had with your visit!!

Bring Kerry Home for My Birthday

Fill this jar with $20's
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Fill this jar with $20s and Kerry can come home. We're only $576 short of getting Kerry home. Help us raise the money so Kerry can come home for Nanny's Birthday Open House on Sunday August 16, 2009 from noon till 4 pm. Open to the public, free vegan yummies cooked just for you, lots of fun, tours every half hours, lots of love for everybody, come and kiss a pig or goat or pat a cat or dog. 540-854-0870 x2 for details.

Please send your support. $1, $5 or what ever you can. http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php?purpose=Feed Paypal, Credit card or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

Sincerely, Nanny T. Goat

Will Kerry survive incarceration in the dog run?

"I will never get used to dog etiquette",
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Kerry will remain in jail pending investigation and possibly a trail. Bail has been set at the price of the over due feed bill $6,782.47. So far Nanny T. Goat (with help from YOU), has raised well over half the funds to get Kerry back to work. The animals all beg for your help .... Help bail her out before there's nothing left but a pelt.

The future of Rikki's Refuge is in your hands! Please send your support. $1, $5 or what ever you can. www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php?purpose=Feed Paypal, Credit card or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

Kerry says prison is like a vacation !!!

Fun in the Sun
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Kerry is quoted as saying, "I've always said I want to be a cat when I grow up! This ain't half bad! Sleeping in the sun! No phone! No computer! And, hey! They are scooping MY litterbox instead of the other way around. Eat, Sleep, Sun .. I could get into this ...."

Kerry will remain in jail pending investigation and possibly a trail. Bail has been set at the price of the over due feed bill $6,782.47. So far Nanny T. Goat (with help from opposable thumbed bipeds has raised $2,817.10, leaving only $3,965.37 to get Kerry back to work. The animals all beg for your help .... don't let her lay around relaxing and sleeping in jail - get her back to the drudges of cleaning up after us !!!!

The future of Rikki's Refuge is in your hands! Please send your support. $1, $5 or what ever you can. www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php?purpose=Feed Paypal, Credit card or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

Read the detailed story at
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/Rikkis/kerryjail.html

Kerry Charged on 3,206 Counts - Locked up Pending Investigation

"So you claim no cats are being fed?"
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Accused by Vincent and charged by Officer Lena Stocks with 7 counts of uneven fur trimming, 4 counts for what a horrid haircut , 639 counts of no tuna for breakfast, 639 counts of no Fancy Feast for snack time, 639 counts of no tuna for dinner, 639 counts of no silk pillows at bed time, 639 counts of no midnight snacks of fresh mouse.

Kerry will remain in jail pending investigation and possibly a trail. Bail has been set at the price of the over due feed bill $6,782.47. So far Nanny T. Goat has raised $1,660.00, leaving only $5,122.47 to get Kerry back to work.

The animals all beg for your help .... don't let her lay around relaxing and sleeping in jail - get her back to the drudges of cleaning up after us !!!!

The future of Rikki's Refuge is in your hands! Please send your support. $1, $5 or what ever you can. www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php?purpose=Feed Paypal, Credit card or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

Read the detailed story at

http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/Rikkis/kerryjail.html

Kerry of Rikki's Refuge Jailed

Kerry of Rikki's Refuge Jailed
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

for exceeding credit limit. She will be jailed in a local cell until a way overdue cat food bill of $6,782.47 is paid in full. The residents of Rikki's Refuge need your urgent assistance to get Kerry out of jail by raising the money to pay off this exorbitant bill. The creditors are threatening to auction off the refuge for resort property. The animals all beg for your help .... don't let us be homeless .. again.

The future of Rikki's Refuge is in your hands! Please send your support. $1, $5 or what ever you can. www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php?purpose=Feed Paypal, Credit card or send a check to Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960.

Read the detailed story at

http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/Rikkis/kerryjail.html

From our friends at Best Friends

Hi guys.

We wanted to send you the new link for the updated Best Friends web site:

http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/virginia/default.aspx

and one of the featured articles there is one we wrote about your upcoming Birthday Bash.

We hope we can make it, but we have a conflict as of now.

By the way, we visited the Web of Life sanctuary in Chesapeake, and talked with the founder, Jackie Van Horn. She is doing some great work there. Here is a link to that article:

http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/virginia/news.aspx?pID=11007

Congratulations again on your 11^th anniversary.

Rick & Sarah McDonald

News Writers

Best Friends Network Volunteers

http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/virginia/default.aspx

(540) 597-8268

HERE'S SOME THINGS THE ANIMALS NEED

that we just couldn't afford to buy last week.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_registry_detail.html?ID=2352&ccd=IGR002

That's our Valley Vet registry where you can get some Birthday Presents for our critters. One word of caution. Kathy bought Nanny some diarrhea pills and when she paid with paypal it didn't over ride her address with ours. She'll drop off the pills as soon as they get in. If you live further away you - double check shipping address before you hit the final Order Confirm button. Make sure you're shipping to Rikki's Refuge, 10910 Barr Ln, Rapidan VA 22733

Valley Vet is working on this glitch and hopes to have it fixed soon.

PS. thank you Kathy for NOT listening to Nanny. She beat me to the phone and was trying to convince Kathy she really wanted Oreo Cookies for the big Birthday Bash instead of diarrhea pills!! Naughty Nanny !!!!!


DON'T MISS OUR BIRTHDAY
Open House - August 16, Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Lots of fun and yummy cooking by Larry. For more information or to volunteer to help out contact Jan Chetnik jerseygirljan@verizon.net

Admission is two cans of cat food per person. If you can manage to bring more please do. Our 638 cat use 24 cases a DAY. That's why there's so much cleaning up in the morning to do !!!!!


THANK YOU MIKE AND PURINA
Mike Wood just drove up to Pennsylvania where Purina donated 3200 pounds of dry cat and dog food. That might sound like a lot for your household. But at Rikki's with all those hungry mouths it's only a 40 day supply of dry food. They still need their canned too because most of them are old or handicapped or fighting a chronic health issue.


MOVE THAT GRAVEL
Cindy Wright and Rene Luther along with Joe Callahan have been busy moving gravel from the pile to the dogs. And they've moved a LOT. They could still use your help in smoothing it out and tamping it down. It's one heck of a work out. Get a work out, do good, win karma points. Great project for scout group !!!

SPONSOR APPRECIATION DAY WAS WONDERFUL
The food was the best yet!! I didn't have to eat for the next 4 days.

I had so much fun meeting all of you. Thank you so very much for coming out. It really makes my day to get to meet and talk to you. For so many of you that's your one visit each year. But don't forget our next Open House - our 11th Birthday, August 16th from noon until 4 pm. Put it on your calendar right now!

It took all of these wonderful Volunteers to make it happen: Mary Walker, Jane Whitmore, Candy and Paul Erhard, Deloris Quick, Larry Ramsey, Clota Gerhardt, Lorraine Gentile, Laurie Karnay, Crystal and Dennis Bane, Mariza and Angela Soliman (Mariza baked and made salads also), Lou and Sean Laurie, BJ and Jarrett Wroten, Fred Friedman, Tom Hartshorne, Kerri Williams, Ron Herfurth, Melanie Hansford, Carrol Morgan, Bob Wallace, Kristina Anderson, Ken Lickliter, Katie and Grant Fincham, Kathy McLaurin, Katarina Galvin and her niece and nephew (Brie Castillo and Abe Herrera), Lloyd Dolan.

Rene Luther (sorbet and beautification), Alyce Smith made beautiful donation jars. Alex Hult - flyer creation. Dave Smalley, editor of "Weekender" - The Free Lance-Star - wrote a WONDERFUL editorial about Rikki's. Sarah and Rick McDonald - Virginia Best Friends website - wrote about the open house. We had such wonderful coverage from local and other newspapers, etc. The event had the MOST volunteers to date -- they all worked hard - we could not do these open houses without the wonderful volunteers.

Please call about becoming a volunteer!

At the salt mines

Meanwhile, here's what's going on with the gang. Anyone up for some awesome biceps workouts?

I just finished brushing the cat litter out of Golith the Goat's mouth. Lena called and hollered - help cat house 7, I need help with the goat. When I got there I discovered the goat's mouth was impacted full with clumping cat litter. Not good to eat. While she held him I flushed with a giant syringe and scrubbed with a tooth brush (oh please remind me to get to town and buy a tooth brush before tonight!).

As soon as he was litter free - he ran back to the litter box. So we leashed him and the other new buy Billy up and hauled them to Horsey Haven.

Joe Callahan has finished the fencing at horses. We are in need of additional T posts to strengthen the pannels. they'll need to be installed in between each one currently in. He'd only planned to do the pannels which makes it usable right now. The reinforcing is needed if we get something new that is pushy - but should get done. It requires a younger stronger person who can withstand the pounding with the post pounder.

We might be able to lure some of the sheep and goats into this pen and lock them up for tours so people can see them - though if many animals are going to be in there for long it's going to need shade. It's only got the current two horse run in.

So add a T-post pounding project to the list.

Kerry

THANKS KATHY

For those of us back here at the salt mines, Kathy very kindly sent an update on the Richmond Vegetarian Festival. Here's how it went for the OCAS gang:

We got one small mixed breed dog adopted. Hurray!

Wiley, a gentle senior hound up for adoption, didn't find his forever home at the event. Wiley is about 8 years old, neutered, all vet work done. He walks well on a leash and enjoys walking -- he walked around the park so much yesterday, that he was too tired to get out of the crate when we returned him to the OCAS around 8:00 pm last night. He is VERY gentle. Gets along with other dogs. We were walking among Pitbulls, Akitas, Chihuahuas, kids, people in wheelchairs -- and Wiley was fine around all of them.

Wiley is a happy wanderer, however, and needs to go to a home that won't let him out unattended. I have photos if anybody is interested. Or, go to the shelter and check him out.

SPONSOR APPRECIATION DAY PHOTO ALBUM

The weather was beautiful, the volunteers were wonderful and the guests enchanting. We all had a blast.

OUR CHEFS

OUR CHEFS
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Larry and Clota cooked and cooked and cooked, and it was all delicious

ARTIST CARROL MORGAN

ARTIST CARROL MORGAN
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

raised money by sketching charcoal portraits.

DUKE'S PORTRAIT

DUKE'S PORTRAIT
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

including this lovely one of our very own Duke Thomas Peabody. I wonder how he managed to get a portrait and Vincent didn't?

WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS

WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

like Kristina Anderson worked all day to make the event so successful.

FEEDING THE ANIMALS

is always one of the favorite things people get to do on tours. During an Open House there is a tour group leaving every half hour.

Our next tour is May 18 at 1 pm. Our next open house is June 15 from 12 - 4. For more information check www.RikkisRefuge.org or call 540-854-0870 x2

BIG BIRD BIGGER THAN ME

BIG BIRD BIGGER THAN ME
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

It's rare for a new visitor to approach an emu with out at least a little bit of trepidation and wariness. They are gentle souls (as long as you're not trying to cram worming medicine down their throats or something) and use their beaks like hands to feel things. Long skinny tidbits temp them the most, breadstick, celery and the like. Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

THE PIGS EAT EVERY THING AND ANY THING

THE PIGS EAT EVERY THING AND ANY THING
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

And people just love to watch them eat. Which makes the pigs very happy too! There's nothing a pig would rather do than please a person by showing off how much they can eat. In the fall visitors get to feed pumpkins to the pigs. This time of year it's all kinds of fruits and veggies. Remember, our pig friends are vegetarians. Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

LET ME HAVE THE FOOD WILL YA?

LET ME HAVE THE FOOD WILL YA?
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

I'm not a dog and I'm not going to stand up on my hind feet to get it, I might walk right over you but I don't stand up and beg. We have so many pigs because of silly choices people make in pets. When people call me wanting to adopt a pig and explaining to me that pot belly pigs only grow to about 40 pounds and make wonderful house pets - I invite them out to work in Piggy Paradise. Mud wallows and every square inch of earth rooted up is Paradise to a pig. But it's not to most people who want green grass and flowers and the like.

When I say, "If you don't want to live in a pig pen, don't invite a pig into your house." They laugh hysterically and say, "Oh you're so funny." No, it's not funny. It's realistic. Pigs root. Pigs must root. This is their natural pass time. It is cruel and inhumane to put rings in their noses to make them stop it. And you know why that makes them stop? It hurts. It hurts like heck. That ring begins to dig into soft tissues when they try to root. If you want to put rings in somebody's nose - stick to your own nose. If pigs don't have dirt to root up, carpet or sofa cushions or drywall works just as well.

every pig you meet at Rikki's was a pet somebody thought would be a lot of fun - and in 6 months or two years - here they are packed off to the pound or a sanctuary -- to be cared for, for the next 10 or 12 years.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

BIRDS ABOUND

BIRDS ABOUND
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Most free ranging about the refuge. Ducks, geese, chickens, peacocks all roam happily about, following folks around for dropped crumbs. We have so many birds because of silly choices people make in pets. It seems to come as a real surprise that ducks will learn to fly and poop all over your house. That chickens, yes both hens and roosters, will crow and squawk and call at all hours of the day and night. They don't go to work on the same schedule you do, so if there's something cool to crow about at midnight, 2 am 4 am they do. And most of your "civilized" neighbors in subdivisions will complain just as loud as the birds. A lot of people are even shocked to learn that their home owner associations don't allow farm animals - including birds.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

OH PLEASE COME OUR WAY ...

OH PLEASE COME OUR WAY ...
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

The dogs are always so happy to see people. At the first sighting the howls and barks of joy go out. Soon everyone at Doggy Downs is in a ruckus. Pat me, feed me, love me. Our dogs fall into three categories.

The old. He's not so playful anymore, let's dump him and let somebody else take care of him forever (if he's lucky) and we'll just get a new puppy. It breaks our heart to leave him behind at the pound, but we'll soon be over it as we start to housebreak the new puppy.

The handicapped. Like Duke Thomas Peabody, born with fetal eyes that will never see more than shadows. But with a big heart that just wants to be filled with love. When Duke is in his territory or with his seeing eye dog Boomer (no joke) you wouldn't even notice that he's blind. But on new turf he'll walk right into a tree.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

THE OLD HUNTING HOUND

THE OLD HUNTING HOUND
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Like Professor Higgins here, going blind. He gave many years of service and a lot of love to his former owner. Only to be dumped at the pound when he slowed down, couldn't see so well and didn't keep up with the other hunting hounds. Old dogs, especially ones already showing signs of age don't get picked out very often. Being a big dog is another reason you probably won't be selected in a pound. Being big and old .... Well you don't have much of a chance.

Now happily at Rikki's Refuge, with both human and doggy friends, the Professor can spend his remaining retirement years in peace and quiet and never have to worry about where his next meal is coming from or if he's going to be shot for poor performance.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

MASCOTS

MASCOTS
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Jack is a Mascot and has free range of the refuge. This is the luckiest class of dogs, and everyone gets a chance. In order to be a Mascot you have to make two promises. First you must promise not to eat any other residents. This means other dogs, cats, horses, sheep, chickens, ducks or anybody else. This is a hard promise for a lot of dogs. Small animals are natural prey for many. Most dogs must have been raised around farm animals, especially the birds, from puppy hood in order to not naturally think of them as the next meal.

Dogs have a strong protective pack mentality and the instinct to band together with "yours" and keep "them" out of your territory is hard wired in. Mascots must be protective but not aggressive. Barking or growling at an intruder is their "job". But they are expected to be civil enough to not attack. And they must be secure enough not to attack each other over a toy or food or anything else.

The second promise they must make is to not run away. You'd think with 367 acres it'd be an easy promise. But for some they want to run and explore miles away. Some of the old hunting hounds enjoyed running with the pack chasing down animals so much that when they hear a gunshot on an adjoining property they're off to join in the fun. Others get a scent of something that strolled by in the night and will follow it off. Most would probably eventually return. But the rule in the country is an unfamiliar dog on your property is something to shoot. This sounds very harsh until you learn that most animals belonging to people who are killed by other animals are killed by someone's wandering dog. Once someone has watched an animal of theirs die at the jaws of someone else's dog - they don't wait to see if the next dog coming by is friendly.

Doggy Downs has enclosures for groups of dogs to live in family like settings. We try to mix and match and find the most harmonious group of dogs for each enclosure. The third group of dogs is the Old Poodles (and others of small size) who share space with some of the cats and have an indoor section with a doggy door to go outside when they want too. Obviously to be in this group you must get along with other dogs and cats.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

MAMA CAT AND RIPLEY

MAMA CAT AND RIPLEY
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

sunning on a window in the 9th Life Retirement, Assisted Living and Psychiatric Center. Mama Cat is here for recurring breast cancer. It's only recurred in one location and it's growing small. No further surgery is recommended and she's on meds to hopefully keep it small. Aside from her twice daily treatments, which she hates because she's semi-feral and doesn't much like being handled, she seems very happy.

Ripley was diagnosed with a non-operable tumor in his esophagus several years ago. Killing him off was recommended at the time, he was wheezing, but did not seem to be in any discomfort - so we opted to try treatments in the hopes of reducing the tumor and stopping it from growing. He, too, doesn't like his twice daily medicine, but he's pretty used to it by now. The tumor shrunk enough so that he no longer wheezes but he does seem much more prone to catching a cold now.

So many of our 9th Life Retirement and Assisted Living folks would have no chance elsewhere. But here at Rikki's Refuge they can live out a full and happy life.

NICHOLE AND MICKEY

NICHOLE AND MICKEY
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Nichole is a manx kitty. When they "make" manxes they breed out that last necessary vertebrae at the end of the spine and beginning of the tail. The nerves run thru here that help to control the bladder and the rectum. Often this area is really messed up. Some literature I've read says that up to 25% of manx kittens are so messed up down there that they are murdered at a few days or a week old. One heck of a price to pay to get a cat without a tail. Many others have or will develop potty problems. Now if you don't mind you kitty dripping a little poop around it's no problem. But most folks object to this.

It's interesting that the inborn damage we see in the manxes we have are identical to the damage we see in some cats who've had rear end trauma resulting in a tail amputation and often a lot of other reconstructive surgery. Once you take somebody apart - it's awfully hard to get it together so it all works right again. It's a real miracle that the majority are fixed up just fine. Vincent, though he didn't lose his entire tail, has potty problems as a result of his accident. Taco and Sunshine both had trauma that has left them not working quite right down there.

Mickey is an old man who just had some pretty extensive dental surgery and is still in recovering from that. He has the hots for cute little Nichole.

RABBITS LINE UP IN ANTICIPATION

RABBITS LINE UP IN ANTICIPATION
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

of all the good carrots, celery, spinach and yummies that come with visitors. Many of the rabbits will come out to eat veggies out of visitors hands. The guinea pigs are adorable too. People always find Rabbit Rotunda and Cavy Castle fascinating.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

THE RABBITS ARE GETTING ALL THIS GOOD FOOD

THE RABBITS ARE GETTING ALL THIS GOOD FOOD
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

do you really think they'd miss just one carrot?

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

LOOK MOM I GOT ONE

LOOK MOM I GOT ONE
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Captured and snuggled. Some of the rabbits enjoy human contact. Most of them think taking a carrot out of your hand is quite enough. Many people think a rabbit is a nice simple little pet to get for the kids. Easier than a cat or dog. This is another silly choice. Rabbits need social contact. They need other rabbits and if they are kept in cages (which I don't like the idea of anyway) they need a lot of contact and play time. Rabbits don't tend to be as domesticated as cats and dogs do. They have to learn to enjoy being held and handled. They have a fear of falling and flail, grasping on with claws if they feel insecure. And can they kick! And bite. And when they aren't fixed both the males and females will often spray. Right out of the cage - right at you. And rabbit urine is very strong and concentrated, meaning their cages need daily attention or that nasty rabbit stinks.

Most rabbit pets last less than six months. Then it's off to the pound with an adult, not so cute, not very friendly rabbit - who can only hope they'll be one of the lucky few who end up in rabbit Rotunda.

Now some people do have lovely house rabbits. They are treated like any house pet with freedom to roam. They are socialized and they are much loved and very well cared for. Unfortunately that is the major exception.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

THE PIGEONS TAKE TO A HIGH PERCH

THE PIGEONS TAKE TO A HIGH PERCH
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

when the tour come to Pigeon Palace. They're happy to eat all the treats that get left behind ... after all the people have left.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

DOWN AT FELINE FIELDS

DOWN AT FELINE FIELDS
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

it takes Alan a few minutes to figure out we have visitors. Born with a neurological problem his head is tilted and bobbly which makes him feel insecure when picked up. If held firmly he loves it and will purr and rub back. Neurological problems are not at all uncommon in stray cats. Many are born to very young immature and nutritionally deficient mothers. And it doesn't get much better. Mom tries but can't produce the best or enough milk. The rest of the pickins are slim. These guys are prime targets for various diseases. Many which they survive but which leave permanent damage behind.

Adoption for folks like Alan is a very remote possibility. But there's no reason he should not be allowed to live his life out in peace and happiness. And that's just what he'll do in Cat House Number Six at Feline Fields.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

ANDY IS A SHOULDER RIDER

ANDY IS A SHOULDER RIDER
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

as are several of the kitties in #6. Born to an elderly feral mother and with slight birth defects he'll need more medical care than the average kitty. He and his siblings will live in happiness, being given the extra care they need. His mom lived out her life with us, though she did not want to "play" with humans, she was very happy with the kitties.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

LOOK I CAUGHT A BIG ONE

LOOK I CAUGHT A BIG ONE
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Martin loves hugs and snuggles. He's a big boy who's only crime is being older than average shelter adoptable age. It's tough if you're over five. People tend to want the young kittens or younger animals. Martin and his brother Mao were about 7 when they joined us several years ago. Maybe someday they'll get a real home together. Or maybe they'll live at Rikki's forever. They don't have to worry about it - either way they'll be cared for and loved.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

DUMP KITTY SYNDROME

DUMP KITTY SYNDROME
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

or as one of our vets labeled it "genetically inferior material". Like Alan, Aliza and Lizzy's mom, Sindy, was probably very young, malnourished, seriously inbreed and sick. As a matter of fact shortly after giving birth she tested positive for leukemia. That's what brought them and brother Tyson to Rikki's Refuge. They were rather sickly and their blood tests kept coming back with varying results. We kept treating them and giving lots of vitamins and love.

After many long months they were healthy. And they tested negative for leukemia. The family is inseparable. Sindy who never grew bigger than Aliza, Lissy and Tyson is only a few months older than her kids so they all play together. They all sleep together. They are really inseparable. And after all they've been thru we will never let them be separated.

Aliza and Lizzy have taken to a high perch not too sure about all these folks visiting. usually they are shoulder riders but the excitement got a bit too great. They are several years old but still the size of little kittens. They have what we call Dump Kitty Syndrome. Parts of them have grown and other parts haven't. They tend to age quicker. And they tend to have more medical problems and a lot of medical problems younger than you'd expect. They usually have a relatively short lifespan. They are wonderful and loving but will require a lot more medical attention than your average kitty.

I was reading an article in a magazine at a doctor's office several months about a very isolated group of humans, they have been geographically isolated for countless generations which had resulted in inbreeding. They are very small, age very rapidly, have a lot of heart problems and usually don't live past the age of 30. A 40 year old in this society is physically terribly elderly. The article referred to this condition as "genetically inferior" and described a number of similar tribes or groups of humans throughout the world who fit this pattern. It sounded just like Dump Kitty Syndrome.

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

LENA TO THE RESCUE

LENA TO THE RESCUE
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

As if it isn't what she does all day long, day in and day out. Remington came to us because he's an outstanding sprayer. A trait he's very proud of but one that not many people check off on the list of traits I'd like my new cat to have. You have no idea how many phone calls I get that say, "Oh my cat sprays all over. He's totally ruined my house. I can't stand it anymore. Don't you know someone who'd like to adopt him?" I always feel like saying, "Oh Right, let me get out my Waiting List and read off all the names of people who have Sprayer as a trait they're looking for!"

Remington is also a bit aggressive. And he, with out a doubt, thinks he deserves all the best treats. With so many people visiting and hading out treats he got a little over excited and kept jumping other kitties to take treats away. Somebody shoved him in a condo and turned it to face the fence so he couldn't get out. Lena "saved" him and brought him to the 9th Life Retirement, Assisted Living and Psychiatric Center for the afternoon and gave him all the Fancy Feast he could eat. Poor misunderstood Remington!

Photo by Kerri Williams, Magpi Studios 540-760-2388 www.MagpiStudios.com

DON'T YOU HAVE ANY NORMAL ANIMALS?

That's a question I frequently get asked. And the answer is a big loud NO. We don't "do" normal animals. We do the ill, the infirm, the ill behaved, and the unsocial. We are the place for those that adoption organizations cannot place. We don't house the cutsie wootsie puppies and kittens. They can be adopted out, they don't need to take up this valuable space. We reserve our limited space to those who truly have no other option. We have 1200 every day. It's a lot to take care of. But it's a tiny drop in the ocean of animals that need Rikki's Refuge.

PLEASE HELP US SUPPORT THE ANIMALS

Most importantly we need the funds to support our 1200 every day. Food, basic care, preventative medical care and serious medical care that most animals will need at lest once in their lives. Extra money allows us to expand. Grow. Build new housing. Take in more helpless critters.

If You Can Help in Any Way

please do. A few bucks if you can spare. Any items of use you may have. Any left over food. Medications. Bedding. Spend some time with the animals. Be a serious volunteer and give one day a week or month to seriously helping out. Learn the ropes, how the daily routine goes so you can jump in and help where we really need it.

Be on the Emergency Call List

so on a day staff members call in sick you can fill in to help out. It's terribly hard to keep good staff on board. Many work here just till they can get an indoor job where they aren't handling poop all day every day, like McDonalds or 7/11. If you're not a serious animal person and very serious about making a change in the world it's not the job you're looking for.

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD

this is a great place to start. The message we sent out on Tours and Open Houses is astounding. The amount of education that goes on would knock your sox off. People have no idea there are handicapped animals who need care, that so many are unwanted, how valuable neutering and spaying or sputering (one word fits all) is. We touch so many people and if just a tiny percentage listens to the message and acts on it, the world takes one more turn in the right direction.

Please come out and help us.

Every social change on this planet was done by caring individuals who firmly believed in that change.

Volunteer Training Days

We have a number of dates and times prearranged for Volunteer Training. Please pick the one most suitable for you and RSVP in advance. Full session attendance is required. If you are unable to attend a full session, please select another one where you have the available time, we are unable to accommodate partial participation.

PRELIMINARY VOLUNTEER TRAINING

11 am - 3 pm. RSVP is required in advance. If you are unable to attend the full session, please select another session, we are unable to accommodate partial participation. We ask that you arrive at 10:45 am, sign in at the Gift Shoppe, and we will then begin Volunteer training promptly at 11 am. We cannot accommodate late arrivals. If you find yourself running late, please reschedule for another day. You will learn about the general chores necessary to keep the refuge running, the special building projects currently in progress, where the different storage facilities are, and what sort of projects you can take on. We'll spend the rest of the time working on whichever project most needs us.

This training qualifies you to work with a Volunteer Coordinator or a Group Leader. It does not qualify you to work alone as a Self Service Volunteer.

May 17 SATURDAY

June 22 SUNDAY

July 20 SUNDAY

August 16 SATURDAY

September 6 SATURDAY

October 12 SUNDAY

November 8 SATURDAY

December 6 SATURDAY

SELF-SERVICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING

8 am - 5 pm. RSVP is required in advance. If you are unable to attend the full session, please select another session, we are unable to accommodate partial participation. We ask that you arrive at 7:45 am, sign in at the Gift Shoppe, and we will then begin Volunteer training promptly at 8 am. We cannot accommodate late arrivals. If you find yourself running late, please reschedule for another day. You will learn about the day to day chores and necessities to keep the refuge running, you'll work with every species and learn their needs for feeding and cleaning. You'll spend the day with the animals, accommodating their needs.

This is the training necessary to become a Self Service Volunteer. Not everyone can reach that goal in one day. If you pay attention, work hard and fast and are good at retaining information, you may be able to earn your Self Service Volunteer Badge in just one day.

May 18 SUNDAY

June 14 SUNDAY

July 19 SATURDAY

August 17 SUNDAY

September 1 MONDAY

October 18 SATURDAY

November 9 SUNDAY

December 7 SUNDAY

DAILY VOLUNTEER WORK,

8 am - 5 pm. If you are unable to arrive prior to 8 am, please select another session, we are unable to accommodate late arrivals. However you may leave early if a full day is too much for you. You will be the most useful to Rikki's Refuge after you have worked a day along side the staff. If you complete a full day, you will earn your Critter Care Crest.

Please arrive in adequate time to be parked, signed in, and ready to start working at 8 a.m. you will be given a quick rundown of the chores involved in cleaning and feeding the 9th Life Retirement, Assisted Living and Psychiatric Center, the Hospital, the Cat Houses, Doggy Downs, and the other animal areas. You'll then get to work on the daily duties. Around noon we will take a one-hour break for lunch (please pack your own, no refrigeration available, the only safe place to hide it is in your vehicle) and a quick tour (you'll be eating on the run). At one o'clock we'll get back to work. By 5 p.m. everything will be shiny and clean, so the animals can make a horrible mess of it again overnight !!!

HOGETTES AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO

HOGETTES AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Fred won this wonderful framed, autographed photo of the Hogettes at the Golf Tournament. We now just need to win the lottery to build a nice building to hang it in!!!

Vincent's and Duke's Photo Essay of their Campaign

As you all know by now, Vincent has been declared the winner for another year in the April Cats vs Dogs Contest. Vincent remains our undefeated champion. Three to one he won paws down. With just about the same odds that he comes in with every year.