Good Morning Good News !!!! March 8, 2014

IT'S SATURDAY! WE MADE IT! HOORAY! 

 

Every Saturday is DONATION DROP OFF DAY at Rikki's Refuge, from Noon to 2:00 PM!  

 

Listed below are things we really need this week:

1. Paper Towels
2. 30 Gallon Trash Bags
3. Plain Cans of Tuna
4. Hill's Science Diet Feline I/D (caned/dry)
5. Hill's Science Diet Feline A/D (canned/dry)
6. ORANGES (for the guinea pigs)
7. Sponges (yellow/green sponge/scrubbie)
8. CANNED CAT FOOD
9. Large Plastic Platters/Plates (used for cat food dishes)
Thanks for helping Rikki's Refuge! 

WE REALLY NEED ORANGES FOR THE GUINEA PIGS!

  

WE REALLY NEED WET CAT FOOD FOR THE KITTIES!

"Saturday's Child works hard for a living!" 

Yesterday was "Employee Appreciation Day" and we just wanted to mention again how much all our volunteers here at Rikki's Refuge mean to us. They truly are "Saturday's Children" and they honor us with their sincere dedication and hard work.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE  ON SATURDAY 3/8/14 FROM OPIE! MEOW! 

VEGAN CHERRY CRISP

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup melted margarine
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.) Lightly grease a 2 quart baking dish. Pour pie filling into the dish, and spread evenly. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix in melted margarine. Spread over pie filling, and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until topping is golden brown. Allow to cool 15 minutes before serving.

Don't forget your Saturday 3/8/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share!  
THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU!  

WE REALLY NEED ORANGES AND CANNED CAT FOOD THIS WEEK! 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE!

If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to:

 Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960 

DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS TONIGHT! 
SPRING FORWARD ONE HOUR! 

Good Morning Good News !!!! March 7, 2014

It's Friday! You should here things around here. The roosters are crowing. The cats are meowing. The dogs are barking! The turkeys are gobbling. The cows are mooing. The donkeys are braying! The geese are honking! Throw in some morning wild bird song and WOW! It's an animal symphony around here every morning. It's the most beautiful sound on Earth! (of course we really know most of them are just hollering for their morning breakfast, but that's OK! we're happy to oblige!)

FRIDAY'S CHILD IS LOVING AND GIVING! 

We like that. You know why? That's YOU! Yup. All of our Rikki's Refuge supporters are loving and giving! You enable us to continue our work here and you help hundreds.....literally thousands really......of animals! THANK YOU for giving them, and us, HOPE!

 

Don't forget your Friday 3/7/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here:  http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE!  

 

RIKKI'S REFUGE Saturday 3/8/14 donation drop-off Noon-2:00 PM!
THINGS WE REALLY NEED THIS WEEK!
1. Paper Towels
2. 30 Gallon Trash Bags
3. Plain Cans of Tuna
4. Hill's Science Diet Feline I/D (caned/dry)
5. Hill's Science Diet Feline A/D (canned/dry)
6. ORANGES (for the guinea pigs)
7. Sponges (yellow/green sponge/scrubbie)
8. CANNED CAT FOOD
9. Large Plastic Platters/Plates (used for cat food dishes) 

WE REALLY NEED ORANGES FOR THE GUINEA PIGS AND CANNED CAT FOOD PLEASE!
*** Thanks for helping Rikki's Refuge! ***  

Also, those of you in the area that have items that you would like to donate to our RIKKI'S REFUGE RETAIL in Fredericksburg, you may also drop those off here at Rikki's on Saturdays, if this is more convenient for you!
THANK YOU!  

RIKKI'S REFUGE RE-TAIL is also on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/ReTail.org

Click here to go to Rikki's Refuge RE-TAIL on Facebook

 This is Lucy. She belongs to MELISSA FELTS, long-time Rikki's Supporter, Rikki's board member, tireless animal supporter, the heart and soul behind Rikki's Refuge Re-Tail, and good friend.....
Lucy has been battling cancer for a while now, and last night Lucy and Melissa had a very rough, sleepless night. Melissa is taking Lucy in to their vet. today to see if anything can be done, or to determine if it's time for Lucy to make her journey to the Rainbow Bridge.

Please share a thought and prayer for Lucy and Melissa today.

THANK YOU! 

TODAY IS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY!
 BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HERE AT RIKKI'S REFUGE! THESE HARD WORKING FOLKS COME THROUGH THE GATE EVERY DAY, RAIN OR SHINE, AND WE COULD NOT GO ON WITHOUT THEM! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU! 

WE REALLY NEED ORANGES AND CANNED CAT FOOD THIS WEEK! 

 CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to: 

 Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960

Good Morning Good News from Rikki's Refuge! March 6, 2014

Waking up to partly cloudy skies and temps. in the low 20's this Thursday morning. The weather guy says only a 10% chance rain today, but a 30% chance of snow tonight. He can keep the snow. We're waiting for SPRING! Yeah!

 

Thursday's child has far to go, and so do we! We've come a long, long way in the last 15 years, WITH YOUR HELP! We've got a long way to go too! We long for the day when all animals and pets are loved, have homes and are protected by stronger laws against abuse and neglect. Until that day comes, we will continue to provide REFUGE to all animals we can! 

WE NEED YOUR SHELTER CHALLENGE VOTE! Voting continues through the end of March. A little of your time, a couple of clicks on your computer or phone, and you can help us win a grant! Please vote and share for Rikki's Refuge every day! We appreciate your support!   

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

*GRINCH*
Dr. Seuss’s fictional “Grinch” found love, peace and acceptance in Whoville. I am the real Grinch and I found my “Whoville” at
Rikki’s Refuge!

VEGAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 pinch black pepper
4 cups vegetable broth
4 (15 ounce) cans black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion, celery, carrots and garlic for 5 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute. Stir in vegetable broth, 2 cans of beans, and corn. Bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, process remaining 2 cans beans and tomatoes until smooth. Stir into boiling soup mixture, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes. 

Did you know we're on PINTEREST? Our social media director has created a Rikki's Refuge Pinterest Board. Please feel free to see our photos there and share them! We'd like that a lot!

CLICK HERE TO SEE RIKKI'S REFUGE ON PINTEREST!

This is Nellie (Opie's mother) - this photo was taken just a few days ago. Isn't she pretty? We really enjoy her!

Yesterday we lost half our power here at the refuge. No power means no lights and no heat. We were able to restore heat to 9th Life, in quarantine and the office. We have someone coming out to repair this for us today. We need to get everything restored quickly. Having heat, water and lights is critical here. Please donate if you can, we need help!


CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE!

 

Good Morning Good News !!!! March 5, 2014 - Critter Wisdom from Rikki's Refuge!

Good morning. It's Wednesday! We're up and at 'em bright and early this morning, but always have enough time to wish all you awesome Friends of Rikki's Refuge a wonderful day!

 I wonder why Wednesday's child is full of woe? Maybe she knew about all the hungry, unwanted, hurting, scared, lonely and unloved animals out there in the world! It fills us with woe at times. But then, we start every day caring and feeding everyone here at Rikki's Refuge each morning...and we suddenly are reminded (as we are each day) that our continuing mission here at Rikki's Refuge (that we can only do with your help!)....that we make a difference for over 1200 animals every day! Woe to joy. Every day. Purpose, each day. This is a good thing. Wouldn't you agree? So today, we are sharing some of our inspirational "Critter Wisdom from Rikki's Refuge" posters with you....to share a few things these animals have taught us....we had to watch them, listen to them, understand them and love them...to gain this wisdom...to be gifted with the insight that animals already have. We hope you enjoy them. 

READ ON!

"Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her patterns, so that each small piece of her fabric reveals the organization of the entire tapestry."
~~Richard Feynman~~ 

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature." 

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~ 

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." 

(Aesop) 

 “Friends...They cherish one another’s hopes. They are kind to one another’s dreams.”
--Henry David Thoreau--

 "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." 

~~Ambrose Redmoon~~ 

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” 

~~ Mother Teresa ~~ 

“Hope is a waking dream.”
~~ Aristotle ~~ 

Pretty amazing stuff, isn't it? We've learned so much and are grateful for it! 

Please, if you have a moment of time, will you vote for us in the Shelter Challenge? You may vote daily through March 30 for this go around and we sure would appreciate your help. Feel free to share on Facebook, tweet on Twitter, pin on Pinterest, post on Instagram...use any media you want, to help share for us.

Please VOTE & SHARE for RIKKI'S REFUGE in the Animal Rescue Site SHELTER CHALLENGE every day! Thank you!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE IN THE SHELTER CHALLANGE! 

  

If you would like to make a donation to Rikki's Refuge to help us feed and care for all the animals here, please use the link below: 

http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your morning with us today. We are glad you're here, grateful for your support and prayers, and wish you a blessed Wednesday! 

A great big THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our one day FAT TUESDAY fundraising event! As of this morning, our supporters gifted us with $890 to help all the refuge animals! YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you for helping Rikki's Refuge!

FAT TUESDAY donation drive for RIKKI'S REFUGE!

"FAT TUESDAY" for RIKKI'S REFUGE!
March 4, 2014
Donation drive NOW through MIDNIGHT today!
Can you help us make all of our bowls and troughs FAT today? 

http://rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
 
You can also help us by mailing in a donation to:
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. Federal Tax-ID 54-1911042. Your donations provide direct support. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs.

www.rikkisrefuge.org 

We really need your help, thank you!


 CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE!

 

Good Morning Good News !!!! March 4, 2014

Good morning and HAPPY TUESDAY from Rikki's Refuge!  

 

Right now it's about 9 degrees outside. The weather forecast for today says AM clouds and PM sun. SUN WOULD BE WONDERFUL! The high for today should be around 39 F. We sure are longing for warmer days! 

 

Dudley would love your daily Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! 

VOTE HERE:  http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448   

 CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE

 

 Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU! 

 CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

Check out some of our very happy pigs, dining courtesy of YOU! 

THANK YOU! 

We wanted to share this photo of some of our geese with you, from yesterday. The sun peeked out yesterday afternoon, and the geese were overjoyed that the snow stopped. They really enjoyed their romp out and about!  

Sharing another recipe for you! This one for stuffed peppers...you make them on the grill, but any recipe can be modified....and you can make the peppers in the oven if you want. That's OK!

Did you know that MARCH is "Poison Prevention Awareness Month"? While this is geared toward children, we also feel animals should be remembered too. Also, March 18-24 is "Poison Prevention Week". Below is a very helpful link you may wish to read and share. Let's keep our pets safe!

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/2012/03/remember-pets-during-poison-prevention-week-march-18-24/ 


CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT PET POISONING PREVENTION!

Good Morning Good News !!!! March 3, 2014

Good morning! Yep, it's Monday again and we're already up with the chickens! Our volunteers and staff are already very busy this morning dealing with the daily feeding, watering, cleaning and care of over 1200 animals. Rain or shine, in all kinds of weather, our dedicated staff ensures the welfare of our refuge animals, and each person that comes through that gate every morning is a blessing!

Speaking of chickens...we sure would appreciate your daily vote in the Shelter Challenge! This is one way you can help us, that costs you nothing but time!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

Please vote and share for Rikki's Refuge in the Shelter Challenge today! Thank you!
VOTE HERE:  

http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

Mark your calendars and save the date!
PET FIESTA - May 3, 2014
Reston Town Center, Reston, Virginia 20190
Come see us, and other great animal welfare organizations like BROOD Basset Rescue of Old Dominion, K-9 LifeSavers, Akita Rescue Mid-Atlantic Coast, Inc., Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue, and Ragged Mountain Dogs! Meet wonderful animals looking for their forever homes and check out the latest in pet products. Enjoy onstage entertainment, face painting and caricature artists. Gather the kids and join us for a day of pets and fun for the whole family! ADMISSION IS FREE!
Pet Fiesta
http://www.petfiesta.org/
Rikki’s Refuge
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/
See You There! 

It is because of YOU, our supporters, that we can offer hope and life to each animal that comes here to Rikki's Refuge. Thank you for blessing us, so that we may continue to bless them.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! 


Today is WORLD WILDLIFE DAY!

You can learn more about World Wildlife Day at this news link:

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/features/biodiversity/28280-world-wildlife-day-highlights-urgent-need-to-curb-illegal-trade 

World Wildlife Day highlights urgent need to curb illegal trade. 

CALICO CORN SALAD

1 (16-oz) package frozen corn (preferably shoepeg), thawed
2 small zucchinis, diced
1/4 large red pepper, diced
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 (4-oz) can diced green chiles, drained
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 Tablespoon cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Toss together corn, zucchini, red pepper, onion, and chiles in a large bowl.
Measure remaining ingredients into a jar or bottle with a lid. Shake well.
Pour liquid over salad and stir gently. Refrigerate overnight.

Good Morning Good News !!!! March 2, 2014 - Gideon's Story

Sunday morning greetings from all of us at Rikki's Refuge! 

A quick reminder before you read today's blog, don't forget to vote for Rikki's Refuge in the Shelter Challenge today! We appreciate your support! 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE!  

Today we're going to share with you Gideon's story. We do understand that sometimes it is very overwhelming for our readers to be told over and over again that we have between 1200 and 1300 animals (over 22 species too!) here. Believe us when we tell you it's sometimes overwhelming for us too....as we are involved in their daily care and feeding.....and are constantly chasing down financial support for everyone as we are totally run on donations as a registered non-profit. It is endless, but it is also the most rewarding and beautiful thing we can imagine doing. We will never give up!


This is Gideon. 

Gideon came to Rikki's Refuge in 2005 as a FIV+ feral. He turned out to be quite a friendly fellow, despite hating being in a cage or carrier. Close-confinement really freaked him out...as one can imagine for a guy who was used to wandering around out in the open for all his life. Gideon also had cancer on his ear-tip, and had multiple surgeries over the years to keep the cancer from spreading so quickly. This is why Gideon's ear appears damaged and scarred. In 2011 when he was thought to be around 20 and sure looked it, the cancer spread to the third eye lid. Surgery again for Gideon. Our vet. tried so hard to save his eye, but the cancer had spread so badly, that removing his left eye was the only way to save him. So you see, Gideon's scars were hard won.  

So, at 20 years old, after four surgeries (3 for his ear, and 1 for his eye)...Gideon still exuded that strong spirit. He wasn't done with us yet.   

To keep him from hurting the incision we had to let him out. He went to the 9th Life Area. He was still angry about being a cone head and about not being allowed outside - he loves real fresh nums and hates to eat kibble and canned. He likes his furry and on the run. No more mice in the cat food storage trailer since Gideon earned his running rights! Well at least not many that stay long. He was a good boy and ate the canned nums. Then curled up with his friends to nighty.  

 He recovered fine and went on to live two years longer. He was a free range kitty and enjoyed following us around as we did our chores. Very nice, very talkative, loved to greet visitors. Nothing kept him down.  

 

His last day he made a real point of running to say goodby to the volunteers he knew well and to all of us. Went to bed in his usual "dog" house outside where he could keep an eye on everything ..... he worked with Beauty and Kiki to guard things at night and always watched the driveway. Hated to be made to come inside for anything. In the morning he was still curled up in his bed but his soul had left for RB. 

So you see....this is how your donations help one animal at a time. Your support for Rikki's Refuge gave Gideon the gift of 6 years of life, happiness, veterinary care, food, shelter and love. This is why what you do, matters so much. Gideon's story was shared a few years ago in this blog. But, as we begin to share individual stories with you through our blog, we thought it very appropriate to share Gideon's story again. We sure do miss him, and will never forget him.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT OF LIFE TO BEAUTIFUL GIDEON! 


If you would like to help Rikki's Refuge, your donations enable us to help more animals just like Gideon, because here at Rikki's Refuge, all life matters. 

 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE!