Hearts & Halos: Return to Red Lake Rosie’s

RETURN VISIT TO RED LAKE ROSIE'S RESCUE:
Our trip started out by going to Susan’s garage on Thursday night after work to pick up a truck full of dog and cat food donated by Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlets. Originally, we were planning to bring Juneau, our husky mix from Red Lake that is 1 ½ years old. Karen knew we were looking for a companion for our much-loved Juneau, so we were hoping for her approval. We ended up having to leave Juneau behind since the truck was so packed with dog and cat food.

SUPPLIESOur trip was still a couple days away but I was already starting to get excited about our short trip. I had been up there in November for the first time with Rachel and the thought of being able to help out again with transports was exciting. This was Sarah’s first time to Red Lake Rosie’s and she was prepared for the day ahead.

Saturday morning the clock alarmed at 5am. We knew we had to get an early start if we could be helpful at all. We were out the door on the road north before 6. The trip was longer than expected mostly due to a few inches of snow that had fallen that night. We had heard from Karen earlier that she had a cat that she had to take to the Vet. Someone had dropped the cat off after it had been discovered with an injured leg, likely frostbite. As we were driving onto the last stretch of Good Rd we met Karen and her Aunt in the rescue van heading for the Vet. She said to make ourselves at home and to please put the cats away when we got there.

RLRR DOGSWe pulled into the driveway greeted by numerous friendly dogs. Some of them limped from injury but you could see in their faces they were happy to be alive on such a warm sunny day. Many of them followed us to the back of the property. They let out barks of joy when they smelled all the food in the back of the truck and welcomed the attention they got when we got out of the truck. I immediately filled Sarah in with what I knew about the rescue and dogs I recognized from the last trip in November.

There was one white dog that I recognized from our last trip. It was a dog that Karen said she could not get close to. He had made some great progress during this past few months. Not only was he friendly but I was able to pet him this time. His time with Karen and the other dogs had helped him get over his fear of people. He spent the morning interested in what we were doing there. The fiesty red dog spent the morning chasing squirrels up the trees trying to keep them from stealing food from various full dog bowls around the yard.

CAT SOCIALIZING SARAHWe immediately went to the cat house and started loading the cats into their kennels like Karen had asked us. Sarah not being a “cat person” even found praise from the furry friends. After getting the cats into their kennels we went outside to start unloading the truck of the dog and cat food. We separated the dog from the cat supplies and tried to work quickly.

SARAH ROOF RAKINGThe sun was warm and had started melting snow off the roof of the cat house. Sarah noticed this and grabbed the roof rake to remove any snow behind ice dams.

Karen returned from the Vet with the injured cat. His front right arm was bandaged up but the cat seemed comfortable despite his injury. We washed some dishes, washed some dog blankets and pads. Karen had asked us to feed the cats wet food and everyone in the house spoke of their approval.

MEETING JADAAfter we swept and mopped we went out to meet Jada the husky pup we were hoping to bring home. We knew that Juneau loves all dogs so as long as he took to us it was a sure thing. He was more beautiful than we had ever imagined. And sweet beyond words for 5 months old. He was the one to make the family complete.

DAISYWe had to get on the road as it was getting to be after 3 and our meeting was scheduled for 4. Carol arrived first with Daisy. Daisy was quiet and soft like a puppy always is. Carol sweetly said her good-byes and promised Daisy a good life. Tom and Nancy arrived and introduced to the three sleeping labs Kennedy, Truman and Nixon. They smelled like cuddly little puppies and showed up with collars and bells on. Nixon reluctantly woke up from his afternoon nap and agreed to go with his brothers.

KENNEDYWe arrived at home in Monticello and all the puppies were let loose in the fenced yard to play. At this time we introduced Juneau and Jada and they took to playing immediately. Daisy ran with the big dogs as she felt she was way too mature for 8 week old puppies. After all she was 11 weeks. We brought them downstairs for a 2 hour nap and took them back out 2 hours later for more play.

TRUMAN & NIXONThe next morning we loaded everyone up and brought them to Tri County Humane Society. We knew they were going to be just fine and find new homes where they would be welcomed and loved.

HENRY JADAOur trip was such a great experience. Jada has accepted the name Henry (Jada as his middle name) and loves to play with Juneau. He is learning all about his new life and has already learned to “sit” in just a few short days. We are excited to see the bond he and Juneau are forming and as Karen said, “they share the same spirit”. We couldn’t agree more.

I look forward to returning to Red Lake to help out again. These dogs and cats have a fantastic, safe place to stay while they wait for a forever home. They are lucky to have Karen and the space she shares with them. Thanks for letting us be part of this good experience.

P.S. Henry Jada is doing great. He is doing very well during the day when we are at work and loves to play with Juneau the rest of the time. He has had his first trip to the dog park in Maple Grove and he met about 25 dogs and liked every single one.

We've been working on training and he knows how to "sit" already. Pretty good for his first week! We'll be joining a training class very soon so he can learn some more things.

We are so happy to have him here. He is growing like a weed and it's only been a week. He's up to 46 lbs already! I think he will be larger than Juneau very soon! :)

Kathy and Sarah