June clinic 2012

Approximately 80 animals were altered, vaccinated, wormed, and given heartworm and flea/tick preventative at the June RLRR community spay/neuter clinic. An additional 44 previously altered animals were vaccinated, wormed, and given flea/tick preventative.

AMYDr. Lisa and her team from MN SNAP once again traveled to Redby for a three-day clinic to help reduce overpopulation on the reservation.

Dr. Heather Douglas of Douglas Animal Hospital in Osseo http://www.douglasanimalhospital.com came up from the Cities and volunteered her services on Friday. She examined, vaccinated, and dispensed medications for the animals.

Porcupine quills were removed, wounds sutured, and fractured limbs examined.

Max, a large tan dog, arrived at the warehouse with a deep, nasty wound from a dog collar rubbing on his neck. Despite his painful wound, he came in wagging his tail and greeting everyone happily. Max lived on a chain, but was surrendered and will have a chance for a much better life.

Some other favorite animals were a litter of four-week-old motherless kittens. Everyone loved syringe-feeding them, especially since they eagerly sucked the formula.

LAUREN & SHILOHShiloh, a gentle, red pittie girl, came in with a severe ear infection due to a polyp almost completely occluding her ear canal.

A group of YouthWorks volunteers from Minneapolis and Indiana cleaned the warehouse and set-up crates on Wednesday and helped in all areas on Thursday. We were very grateful to have such a wonderful group of young volunteers.

Wallace, who lives in Ponemah and has probably worked as many or more clinics than anyone – he started volunteering about seven years ago – was there to help with whatever needed to be done.

Local girls, Viv, Destiny, and Faith, helped walk, feed, and water animals, and cleaned crates, everyone’s least favorite job!

DEB & ROWDYRosie’s volunteers, Lauren, Mike, Deb, Crystal, Heather, Jill, Vicki, Jean, and Nancy all worked long days to make the clinic run smoothly.

JAZZY BEFOREJAZZY AFTERJulie, once again, bathed and groomed lots of animals who really needed her services.

Our intrepid chef, Claudia, provided all of the meals. We feasted on bean taquitos, lasagna, squash and tomato soup, wonderful salads, chicken-less tenders, spinach and cheese spanakopita, asparagus risotto, egg rolls, mac and cheese, and delicious desserts and snacks.

Thank you to everyone who made the clinic possible. We continue to see improvement in the community animals’ condition and fewer numbers of puppies, kittens, and adults.

Without all of the dedicated Rosie’s supporters who donate their time and resources, we wouldn’t be able to host the clinics.

DeeDee

Update on Milo (Milan), the RLRR collie

Milan, now called Milo, is settled in a foster home for Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue with other collies and cats and is starting to heal physically and emotionally.

BATHTIMEThe woman went to her vet for a check-up for her cats and the vet introduced her to Milan, who "ran right up to her and put his head in her lap as she squatted to pet him". It worked, she offered to foster him! She is already an experienced foster caregiver for the organization.

MILAN BEFOREMilo has his own blog at http://milothefostercollie.blogspot.com. Check it out!

The first thing you'll notice is that he has had a visit to the groomer. He may look pretty funny, but I'll bet it feels great to be free of his matted, tick-infested coat. His tail was so matted it was stuck to one of his hind legs before the shave!

MILO AFTERAs his foster caregiver describes it, now he is "NAKED except for a fringe of furr on his head and furry 'boots'". She was referred to my earlier post about Milan to learn more about him and see his BEFORE photos.

PROTECTIVE FASHION TEEHEALTH UPDATE FROM FOSTER:
"Milo's neck wound from the softball-sized abscess is healing. He has a lot of scar tissue in there so a golf ball-sized lump is apparent. Hoping that it heals down. His ear does not seem to be torn as earlier reported, however his ears were very infected causing him to hold one at a funny angle."

HAPPY FACE"Tipped ears! We finished ear meds yesterday. They must finally feel a lot better. Yay!"

NOTE FROM FOSTER:
"No matter how many dogs I've fostered, I'm always amazed at how quickly they assimilate to routine and consistency. In fact, they thrive on it.

"Milo has been starving - literally - for a long time. Long enough to damage his liver as his body started to metabolize organs and the dog who was throwing himself onto the table 6 days ago now sits nicely for treats and can be dissuaded from eating the cat food with a simple "Naahhh!" He knows that there are two meals a day and that there will be a treat ball or just treats for going into his crate. There is a lot of praise - to balance out the "uh oh!" or "nahhh" words - and pats and hugs.

"A heck a of lot of progress for such a short period of time.

"Good rest last night. Much less coughing. Poor guy is tired out. His little body is dealing with a lot right now."

Pins for Pets

I was reading the Chuck and Don's newsletter today and saw the blurb on Pins for Pets. It's a bowling event to raise funds for spay/neuter. I am not a bowler, but I had fun last year participating with the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue team.

The event is August 4 & 5. It would be great to have a team again. Last year our own Lauren won highest score!

DeeDee
animalrescue@redlakerosie.org

Giving Back – Chuck & Don’s Community Outreach
Posted on June 13th, 2012

Recently, we were honored to be mentioned by Pet Product News International in their article, “Business Builder: Community Outreach Benefits the Bottom Line.”

This article highlights something that has been core to our philosophy since we launched our business in 1990 … giving back to the communities we serve is a big part of what we do.

Chuck & Don’s is honored to serve pets and their people in Minnesota and Colorado, and we are extremely active with a variety of organizations in both communities – you can learn more about our events and sponsorships on our website.

One of our biggest community support events of the year is coming up this August in Minnesota. Pins for Pets … bowl for the fix is our annual event in support of responsible pet ownership. Last year, we awarded $93,084 to Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MN SNAP).

This year’s event is coming up on August 4th and 5th at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl, with MN SNAP again as our recipient.

For Chuck & Don’s giving back isn’t just good business, it’s an integral part of our mission of Making Pets Happy!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

RLRR spay/neuter clinic TODAY through Sat. 1pm

Send good wishes to the MN SNAP team and the volunteers!!

The community spay/neuter clinic starts on Thursday, 6/21 at the warehouse in Redby and continues through 1:00 pm on Saturday, 6/23.

Check-in starts at 8:00 am for animals being altered.

Previously altered animals can come in anytime between 8:00 and 5:00 for vaccinations, worming, and flea/tick treatment.

June 17 Transport

It was a rather complicated transport on June 17, but many willing helpers made it happen.

JENNY & NANCYJenny brought animals from Roseau including a dog and a number of cats. Tom & Nancy loaded up the Roseau animals and animals from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and headed to Motley to meet Barbie for the transport to the Metro.

Meanwhile a metro team of Jenny, Heidi and Sandra all drove from Minneapolis to the Leech Lake Impound and picked up 4 large dogs and a puppy. The metro group met up with the others in Motley, and everyone continued on their journey.

LIAMLiam, a handsome 3-year-old bull mastiff/pitbull mix boy, went to Tricounty. Liam came as a surrender after living as a chained dog, and had a great time at the RLRR shelter for about a month learning to be social with the other dogs and puppies. He turned out to be a great dog. We are hoping he gets a good home and never has to be chained again!

FAWN KISSES LINDA LAST WINTERFawn has been at the shelter for nearly a year and finally gets a foster home with All DogRescue -- more about Fawn's story in another blog post.

PUPSSeveral puppies also went to foster care including Konan, Kole, and Micah.

TOM, JENNY, NANCYThank you to this great team and also to the rescues that continue to take the northern animals who otherwise would have no hope! Also to those who financially support these efforts.

Sincerely, Karen RLRR

NANCY & PUPSNANCY ADDS:
Lots of bright eyes, smiling faces, wagging tails, and purring with these dear critters!

Update on baby Rosie

Hi, Karen--Just had to send you an update on our Rosie.

She is such a wonderful dog with people;

she just loves her new home,

her new bed, the couch,

her new toys, and most of all, her new people.

She is learning to "play"

and looks soooo much better after only 2 weeks.

Thanks again!

M~

Little Doug

Hi Denise,

I wanted to thank you again for transporting little Doug to the cities yesterday. We unfortunately had to let him go late this afternoon. The vets checked him out and reviewed the x-rays. One of the bullets was in his spinal cord and the other 2 were very close to his spinal cord. Because the bullet was in his spinal cord and where it was he would be paralyzed forever. He said that the slight movement we see in his rear area was reflex. His lower organs were also not working and he had no control of his bodily functions.

YUMMYHe is an absolutely sweetheart and I am just so glad he got to experience love for his last 2 days. Jenny and I spent time with him this afternoon ...he peed on me and pooped on Jenny :) He gave lots of kisses but it was apparent he would get frustrated because he couldn't get around. In his kennel he couldn't get up and move around to get to the water bowl.

GRASS TIMEi know in my gut it was the right decision but it certainly doesn't make it any easier. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you bringing him down to the cities and dropping him off at AHS last night. This morning Melissa (the animal care tech lead) gave him a bubble bath and the vet tech supervisor carried him around all day :) He was definitely loved. Jenny and I were both there with him when he crossed Rainbow Bridge ..

Marilou
President, MnPAW (Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare, www.mnpaw.org)
Board member and former President, Pet Haven Inc of Minnesota (www.pethavenMN.org)
Co-Founder, Leech Lake Legacy (http://leechlakelegacy.blogspot.com)

I would just like to add the Little Doug rode up front with me from Bemidji to Golden Valley in an open-top carrier so he got lots of pets and even some singing from me backed by the chorus of mewing kittens in the back seat.

He truly was a darling and was so tame and loving that it is clear someone cared for him before he was shot and left for dead. I hope that people will learn that there are options to avoid unwanted puppies and kittens -- free spay/neuter clinics are coming up both at Red Lake and Leech Lake.

Denise

Kitty transport, plus a pup

Lots of kittens, an injured cat, Tate, and a special puppy, Little Doug, rode out with Denise to the metro on Thursday, June 14th.

TATETate came to the shelter because he and a small dog were friends and the dog used to carry Tate around by the neck over a period of time causing a open wound on the back. Poor Tate put up no resistance to the dog and used to sleep beside him, only to be further injured. Thankfully Tate was brought to the shelter and Feline Rescue took him in. Shan and Brian of Shan's Shack made the rescue.

Another sad case was Little Doug, a tiny puppy unable to use his hind legs, who was rescued from a ditch in Cass Lake. Leech Lake Legacy had him in Animal Care Clinic where he was x-rayed and they found 3 bullets in his little body. The puppy was about 6 weeks old and very darling. Nancy and Tom brought him from ACC and he rode out with Denise to AHS and met Jen and Marilou. Little Doug is being assessed there and needs all the prayers he can get.

KATNISSPUFFFERRISALMONDA litter of kittens found at a farm in Goodridge went to a foster home with Feline Rescue. They are Puff, Almond, Katniss, and Ferris (named by the students from Youth Works) They were rescued by Shan and Brian of Shan's Shack.

IZZYAnother kitten named Izzy went to foster care with Denise. Along the transport route Karen stopped and picked up another little tabby kitten, named Squirt, which Denise also kindly took into her care.

TOM, DENISE, NANCYThank you Shan, Brian, Denise, Nancy, Tom, AHS, Jen, and Marilou for your commitment to help these animals. We all made a difference!

Sincerely,
Karen and RLRR

Big Joe (definitely NOT Cujo)

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue took in a St. Bernard mix. His name was Cujo, but we thought we would change his name to Big Joe since this guy was so mellow and nice. We had Big Joe at the shelter for only about a week. He made a big hit with the Youth works groups and left on Wednesday to Pet Haven foster care.

Karen

UPDATE FROM PET HAVEN FOSTER HOME:
I thought I'd give you guys all a Big Joe update. He's been a very good boy. He is getting along well with the rest of the dogs and the 9-year-old, and doesn't seem particularly interested in the cats. He doesn't get into much, though I have had to have some discussions with him about how he's NOT allowed to take my sandwich off of the counter.

We have left him in the house a couple times when we were away for an hour or two and he's been fine, so I don't foresee any need for him to be in a kennel. He is still very much in the foster dog adjustment phase though; he follows us around the house and squeaks if we go somewhere without him. He settles down and sleeps on the floor in the bedroom at night with no trouble.

We've been taking after the last of his winter coat with the furminator every day, and he will be going to a groomer we know in town for a bath and to have the matted bits shaved out of his hindquarters in the next couple of days. He's not eating a whole lot at this point but he does take treats and will eat dry food if you hand feed him, so I think his appetite will probably return when he gets settled in a bit. He's also starting to engage in a little bit of play with the other dogs.

As I write this update, he's curled up on the floor behind me next to Mikey. He's so big that his head is under my desk by Geordie; Ian tells me that Rex is upstairs parked in a sunspot.

A~

Youth Works Group 2

Youth Works completed the week at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. What a makeover! We had two great groups of students and chaperones who did so much work to make the life at the shelter a better place for people and animals alike.

The second group continued to work on painting projects on the kennels, clearing grounds, unloading food supply, and socialializing the dog and cats.

The dogs LOVE the attention and enjoyed 4 days of freedom roaming free and enjoying the very nice weather and company.

Tom and Nancy came out on Thursday with a load of food which was unloaded by the group.

The Youth Works Groups are from St. Lawrence Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are now on the road back home today!

Thank you Youth Works for all your help.

Karen RLRR