While Karen was away...

David and I went up on Halloween to put plastic on the kennels for the winter and to look after things while Karen was in Minneapolis for MN SNAP and ACT V events.

LINDA & OWEN

Soon after we arrived Thursday afternoon Polly showed up with a rescued kitten and dog. We were in serious danger of acquiring a fifth cat, but little K.T. left with Karen the following morning, headed for a foster home. Good luck little K.T. You’re so incredibly cute I’m sure you’ll find a good home.

The dog Polly brought we named Owen. He had been kicked in the face. He was bleeding from the mouth and had an obvious lower jaw injury. I always fall in love with some dog when I visit and Owen became my special friend for the weekend. He lapped up soft food and was a cheerful little guy, in spite of his injury. Owen was so gentle and affectionate. His favorite place was my lap. While in town Karen made arrangements for him with ACT V, and when we went home Sunday night we took Owen with us. We dropped him with Dr. Vicki’s sister Sandi, and she got him down to the clinic. Thanks to Sandi for saving us some extra miles on the long trip home. I’m sure you’ll hear more about Owen’s progress. Send him positive thoughts as he recovers from some idiot’s senseless cruelty.

DAVE AT WORK

We got a real taste of the work Karen does every day, mostly single handed; feeding and medicating all the dogs, letting them out for exercise twice daily and getting them all tucked back in, keeping their kennels clean and supplied with fresh water, trying to spend time socializing the ferals, not to mention looking after all the feline goofballs in the cat house. The kitties all crave human attention. David would have gladly spent all day complying with their wishes, but we had work to do.

We got all of the sixteen kennels that hadn’t been tarped covered with plastic to keep out the cold winds and snow and let some sunlight in. David also covered the scary opening in the laundry room floor. For any of you who have spent time in the cathouse, you’ll appreciate not having to worry about cats getting down into the crawl space!

 

WOLFMAN WANTS ATTENTION, TOO

I have to say a word about Gabriel, the shepherd who was rescued from a life of agony, chained and wearing a spiked collar that had grown into his neck. Gabriel has a bad (but improving!) case of mange and has a pretty miserable coat. He’s not the world’s most attractive dog right now, but you’d never know it. The loving care that he is receiving at the shelter has him prancing and dancing, head and tail held high. He was joy to be around and a reminder that it really is what’s on the inside that counts.

GABRIEL & MORRIS PLAYING WITH ROPE TOY

Thanks to Karen for the chance to help out, and thanks to everyone who makes what she does possible. We hope to be back soon.

Linda and David