Tuesday, March 27, 2018

March 26, 2018


March 26, 2018 -  Opie's Diary of Daily Doings at Rikki's Refuge
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill
Goliath.  Tell me cats are the most perfect life forms on planet earth !!!  

First sunbeams of the morning falling on our Wishing Well ... because what do we wish?  For all the animals to be well loved.  Soon our Rainbow Fence will lead new residents on a journey of hope, to their pot of gold, good luck, and happiness.  It's a special symbol for our animals who come from difficult situations.  Some from utterly horrible conditions and treatment where they were left to die.  Others come grieving the loss of beloved hoomans who have passed away, or families who no longer have the room or the time or the bother for them.  All are leaving a life behind and coming to new territory.  Change is scary no matter what.  Many will spend months healing the physical wounds and illnesses from neglect.  Others will spend months healing from the grief of loosing the hoomans they loved for so long.  Others will spend months, staring out the windows, wondering why they were abandoned by those who said they'd love them forever, before they settle in to heal from the horrors of abandonment. 
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
WHY do we do it?  Because we think everyone deserves happiness, a home, and love; a secure place to be themselves and not have to live up to expectations to simply be allowed to live.

HOW do we do it?  With your help and support ....  there is no other way.   YOU make it possible!
Thank you for remembering Rikki's and reaching out to share a little hope, love and happiness with the critters.

The world is coated in a heavy layer of frost this morning .....  but will warm up to a beautiful day soon !!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

We count the sheep in the morning light ....  we count the sheep as the sun sets !!!   Having good math skills is very important to being an animal caretaker ....  you have to know everyone is safe and sound and no one is missing !!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Blessed Bovine !!!   Doesn't Titan make a beautiful picture glowing and lit from behind by the morning sun?
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Good Morning Buddy !!!!   He so loves to play in the water hose every morning !!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Ugghh .... look at that dull fence ....  hurry out and help us paint Rikki's Beautiful !!!!

Water hoses are a source of fascination to most of our species!  Fun to chew, fun to pull ....  the hoomans have to be very very careful about draining them and rolling them up and putting them away after use ....  or they won't be in any shape to use ever again !!!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Geese taking a morning nap in the sun.
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Catchin some rays !!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Good Morning CJ !!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Morning Milo!   Some have none, some have one, some have two ....  well if they have one horn it was usually an accident from beating their head into something when young, or a botched dehorning job .....  Milo's is the latter.  He came with scabs and infection where he'd been born with horns.  We soon got him to heal.  But OUCH was it painful as we had to clean it every day.  One grew back, one didn't.  We're honored to have our very one unicorn and we love Milo just the way he is !!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Moving one of the fallen dead pine trees that mashed part of a fence last night.
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Yes yes dear little ones, don't you sorry, me your big and brave Spokes Kitty will work with Papa Doug and figure out how to buy more food by dinner. 
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
The last of the canned cat food has been served.  Papa Doug says he's got a lead on $8.89 cases .... but it's up to me to raise the money so he can go get them.   Will you help?  Just one case, please ???  

That would be purrrrrrrfect!!!!!!

Thank you Amy !!!!   She took this picture on this day on 2014 !!! 
                                                                                            photo compliments of Amy Griffin

WOW LOOK AT OUR NEW FENCE !!!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Nora Eldridge
Paul and Nora worked last weekend, and this Saturday and Sunday and Today too !!!!!    If you want to help on a nice day other than a Saturday, give on of them a call (see the graphic a little further down) and see what other days they're working.  They are trying to get it done as fast as possible.  Their goal is all the fence painted by the end of April ....   won't you help?  Just a little? 

Uncle Paul blueing .....
                                                                                            photo compliments of Nora Eldridge

Easier than climbing over ????
                                                                                            photo compliments of Nora Eldridge
                                                                                            photo compliments of Nora Eldridge
You know, lots of the animals will do this too, it's easier to roll under than to try and scrunch and fit under .....  especially if you have a big rack of horns !!!!

 
OR ....  if you've got the talent ...  I've got the big barn walls that need beautiful murals !!!
 
Coming soon to a Refuge near you !!!   Our new street sign !!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Kerry Hilliard

Thank you Lyn for bringing out donations .....   ESPECIALLY cat food !!!!   That's the BEST !!!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Katie Terrill

Goose wanna be ?  Roosters don't play in mud puddles !!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Watch Dogs ..... mmmm ... I mean Watch Turkeys !!  They love hanging out at the driveway and announcing visitors .... or any other activity they can gobble about !
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Sunset, Tarbela, Pakistan, where mommey lived before coming to Virginia.
                                                                                            photo compliments of a friend of Opie

Ohhh and Don't Forget !!!!   This weekend is the end of March and beginning of April and EASTER .....   Come see me !!!
 
The Geese have been hard at work for this Easter thing .....  
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Just kidding ....  we'll have plastic eggs for everyone on Saturday !!!

 
Sunset and Sheep .....  what more can you ask for !!!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

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 since January 1, 2018 is archived just for YOU !!!!   

every day of the year at RikkisRefuge.BlogSpot.com ...

March 25, 2018


March 25, 2018 -  Opie's Diary of Daily Doings at Rikki's Refuge
Sunrise at the Life Center
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Another day .. looks like a sunny one !!!    Buddy says Good Morning to everyone  !!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Hurry Up Hooman .... it's Breakfast time !!!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Lazy sunny spring day on the multi species sun deck !
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

I think this makes a wonderful Opie's Puzzle of the Day !!!
How fast can YOU get it together?
preview98 pieceLazy sunny spring day on the multi species sun deck at Rikki's

contemplating what the day may bring .....  hat ... sweet feed ....  carrots .... apples ....
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal

Hmmm what do you think Tom?  Why do we have a Spokes Cat?  Why not a Spokes Turkey?   I'm not so sure cats are right choice to rule the refuge, what do you think?
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
I think you're on to something, Ted.  They're much to lazy.  You never catch us sleeping on the job.
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Now YOU just wait a minute there, says Betty !
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Can YOU find the peacock watching Betty?
Murphy and Mommy taking a nap.
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
Yeahhh, Tom, Ted, come on over here and tell me what you think of cats !!!  I am Riley, I'll set you straight about cats being in charge!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Roxie opts for the picnic lunch today
                                                                                            photo compliments of Lauren Todd

Yup, it's spring !!!!   The pear trees are starting to blossom!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
The flowers are coming up !!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

Ben is thankful donations kept him fed all winter long, he now wonders if YOU will continue to keep him fed this spring !!!
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal
YOU can help ease his mind - www.RikkisRefuge.org/donate

Cows and goats dining
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

LOOK AT THAT !!!!   Tony donated two new pools to the Quackers  .......many, many Quacks to Tony !!!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
We keep about 15 pools filled for the animals all around the refuge.
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
Before a new one is even full, the Quackers have come to try it out !!!!
                                                                                            photo compliments of Clarence Deal
If you'd like to help us replace the pools that have worn out over the winter, you can pick one up at Dollar General or just about anywhere and bring it down for Donation Drop Off, Saturday noon till 2.  Or you can send $15 to Opie and he'll go shopping for you.   www.RikkisRefuge.org/donate  He's pretty honest and rarely diverts designated funds for Fancy Feast !!!

The first rays of pink in the evening sky !
                                                                                           photo compliments of Doug Deal

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 happening every day of the year at RikkisRefuge.BlogSpot.com ...  every day since January 1, 2018 is archived just for YOU !!!!