Poor little Pinky Louisa

LOUISA AT RLRR

Poor Louisa is a starving little pit-bull puppy with severe demodex mange that arrived at the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue on August 23rd as a transfer from Leech Lake Legacy. She spent only one week at the Red Lake Rosie’s shelter before she was transferred to Susie and Matt at ARVSS (Animal Rescue & Veterinary Support Services).

ARVSS has helped many Red Lake animals with severe medical needs. They have taken one dog that was shot, 2 dogs that were burned, plus many that had heartworm, mange or broken limbs. We really appreciate all that ARVSS does for the Red Lake animals and are thankful we can call on them when we have an especially needy or injured animal.

Severe generalized demodex requires long-term treatment of about 8 weeks. Demodex is not contagious, but is a genetic disease passed on from parents characterized by severe itching, skin lesions, and hair loss. Louisa was basically bald. In spite of all this, Louisa was a dear happy puppy!

UPDATES FROM ARVSS:

Little Pinkie  Louisa came to us with severe mange, no hair, sores and scabs all over her little body. Her bones were not growing right because of her lack of nutrition. Fortunately, the rickets should correct because she is so young and now on a good diet. Poor baby also had a urinary tract infection. So, she is on antibiotics, sentinel-or milbemycin (which is good for demodex and not as toxic as ivermectin) and she gets a wonderful bath to help her skin :-) 

EVERYBODY loves her happy personality and two wonderful vets are giving her lots of care!

RICKETS BOW FRONT LEGS

Pinkie (aka Louisa) three weeks ago (ABOVE) --and Pinkie today (BELOW)! Louisa is doing great! Her hair is coming in and her legs are straightening out. She is eating a ton of food! Everyone who meets her falls in love with her!

PINKIE ON THE MEND

ABE! Fund Benefit

The ABE! Fund Benefit was a huge success again this year.

IN MEMORY OF ABE!

Invitees traveled from around Illinois and Wisconsin to have dinner at Susan's home in Lake Forest, IL. Susan served a feast of pulled pork and cole slaw mini-sandwiches, salmon with cream cheese, caprese skewers, rice salad, watermelon salad, carrot and tuxedo cakes, and mint brownies to her guests.

SUSAN AND CRUMPET

Her Red Lake Rosie's Rescue dog, Crumpet, enjoyed everyone’s attention and waited for food to fall near him.

Forty supporters donated to the Fund, not only monetary donations, but also Wal-Mart and Target gift cards, and large collars and dog toys.

Susan raised $5140, which brings the ABE! Fund total to nearly $34,000. Thank you to all the donors, many of whom have contributed every year since the Fund began in 2009.

CRUMPET

In addition to her annual benefit, every year Susan buys loads of fleece fabric and with her friend, Cele, makes 50-60 blankets to keep the animals warm at the shelter.

Thank you to Susan for her ongoing dedication to helping the Red Lake Rosie’s animals!

Harvesting Hope for Animals

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue will benefit from this fundraiser along with other deserving local animal rescue organizations.

http://www.pause4pawsmn.org/promotions/

Gilda needs heartworm treatment

On Sunday, September 14th, Paul arrived Red Lake Rosie's Rescue from Ponemah with a load of two dogs and two cats that were surrendered.

One of the dogs named Gilbert, much to my surprise, turned out to be a female, so I renamed her Gilda.  Gilda is a lovely shep mix about 3 years old.  She follows me around the shelter while we do chores, and is very obedient to go into her kennel when our day is over.

GILDA

The previous owner had Gilda at our clinic so she is already spayed.  Gilda was boosted for rabies, DHPP, and had the heartworm diagnostic test.  We hoped she would be negative, but we were not too surprised to find out that Gilda was another heartworm positive that will need treatment very soon.

We are hoping to have funds in our Heartworm Fund to be able to help this great dog.  If we treat her now we can expect her to test negative by Christmas.  This will give her an opportunity to be transferred to a rescue and get a forever home.

Thank you for helping Gilda get her Christmas wish.

Sincerely, Karen Good RLRR

Battling Heartworm

What do the Red Lake Rosie’s dogs Rayna, Fiona, Rocky, Teddy, Li'l Abner, Isabella and now Gilda all have in common?

ISABELLA

The answer is, all have heartworm and all require treatment costing up to $500 for diagnostic and retesting, and a two-day stay at the vet for treatment of immeticide injected in the back. The cost of the treatment is based on dog weight. These dogs have all been residents of the Red Lake Rosie’s shelter in 2014 and have been treated at the Cornerstone Veterinarian Service in Gonvick, Minnesota. Rocky was treated in Minneapolis.

LI'L ABNER

AREA OF BACK SHAVED FOR TREATMENT

There have been more cases at Red Lake Rosie’s that have also been treated by Pet Haven, All Dog, ACT V and ARVSS Rescues in 2014.

RAYNA

Due to the high population of mosquitos and lack of heartworm prevention on the Red Lake Reservation, most dogs over the age of 2, unfortunately, have heartworm.

ROCKY

The average life span of dogs here is about 2 years or less, therefore many more dogs would have heartworm should they live longer without the necessary heartworm protection. We have introduced the Red Lake companion animal owners to the concept of heartworm and provided heartguard. We are all becoming more educated about the disease, its causes, and how we can prevent our animals from getting this disease which will cause a prolonged illness and eventually a horrible death.

TEDDY

We are asking our big-hearted supporters if you are able to help provide a donation to a Heartworm Fund to help our dear Red Lake animals. Donations to the RLRR Heartworm Fund may be sent to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, 23880 South Good Road, Trail, MN 56684.

Thank you so much for your kindness.
Sincerely, Karen Good

FIONA

UPDATE:

On retesting Rayna and Fiona have tested negative!!

Celebration of Life for Mary Salter

Celebration of Life for Mary Salter
Sunday, September 21 at 3 - 7 pm

Dakota Lodge in Thompson Park in West Saint Paul, Minnesota

Update from former RLRR dog, Cheyenne Alicia

Update as of 9/1/14

Hello guys!

Cheyenne Alicia here live and on line to say hi to one and all: I’m fine and hope you are all well, too. Just wanted to write and let you know how I am doing ever since Karen rescued me from the reservation nearly four years ago. 

I am thriving in my new home. Every day I am learning something new. Everything is so fascinating to me. This past weekend, I watched my mommy and daddy do a partial water change for our 55 gallon fish tank. I never saw such tiny babies, and they live in the water, too. If I did that, I’d drown. Those little fishes are so lucky because it is very hot down south, but they are living in a tank full of water.

I still have my own swimming pool, but don’t use it much because I live inside and don’t need it. We have air conditioning and fans to keep us cool when the weather is hot. Deer, raccoons, squirrels, birds, armadillos, and even a bobcat visit our property and call our eighteen acres home. 

I know how to sit, stop, stay, come and shake my left paw. I’m learning how to shake my right paw, but it’s slow in coming because it isn’t on my agenda to do so, because I’m part Siberian Husky, but mommy says I’ll learn because I’m such a smart girl. 

Did I tell you how very good of a girl I was last month? Daddy was putting away hard boiled eggs when one fell to the floor. I looked at the egg. I looked at daddy but didn’t touch it, and then he said I could have it because I was such a good girl and didn’t rush in and snatch it up. It was yummy too. 

Every morning we eat breakfast and then share daddy’s breakfast with him. Sometimes we have pieces of boiled egg. Sometimes we have a piece of bacon and other times we have a piece of fruit. I could never have imagined anything like this. I could never have imagined having a mommy and daddy ever and I love it. I love them. They are so good to me. I hope that all the other doggies and kitties can be rescued and have as good as a home as I do. 

The only thing I don’t like down south is the red ants and red wasps. They are both so mean. I got stung by a wasp last year, but mommy and daddy took care of it. Mommy gave me a Benadryl and I had no swelling or anything. My big brother Damon got stung last month but mommy and daddy took care of him too in the same way and he was fine. 

My mommy brushes my thick coat of fur once a week whether I need it or not and it feels soooo good. I look even more beautiful afterwards. And I’m even a good girl when I have my pedicure. I love having a mommy and daddy to take care of me, and love me and protect me and play with me.  

Thanks again for rescuing me. I am a very happy girl; safe and sound with my family. Hope you like the new photos mommy and daddy took of me to send with this update.

Until next time…be happy. Smile. I do now every day.

Love, Cheyenne formerly known as Alicia and not a very friendly girl. Now, I’m super friendly, with friends and family anyway. I still get scared with strangers and new things.

Cleo & Minnie still looking for homes

Cleo came to Red Lake Rosie's rescue with her four kittens. (See earlier post with the whole gang HERE.) One kitten was half the size of the siblings, so the group was taken in by ACT V Rescue & Rehabilitation for special vet care. Little Smidgen, we discovered had a serious heart defect and she died after a couple of weeks in foster care. Two of the other siblings were quickly adopted, but Cleo and daughter Minnie are still waiting.

Cleo was a young mother so she is just a year old now. A beautiful slim tabby, she is both full of energy and loves lap time. She is a favorite everywhere she goes. She has had coughing bouts diagnosed as asthma, but it is well-controlled with a couple of pills hidden in a treat every day and it may just be seasonal. She gets along fine with the other cats in the foster home, but would do fine as an only cat with lots of people attention :-)  Queen Cleopatra's adoption info HERE.

Minnie is a darling girl in a tuxedo. She is long and sleek like her mother, but definitely needs another kitten or young cat in the house as a playmate and nap buddy. She could also stay with her mom and be placed as a pair. Minnie's adoption info HERE.

The two siblings that were already adopted are doing great in their new homes; one family with young children and the other with a small dog. So I can safely recommend these cats for a home with either.

Contact ACT V to learn more about meeting these two!

No more cold winters for Chester

Chester, a orange tabby male cat, came  to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue in bad shape.  His foot was half rotting off – possibly caught in a trap?  His ears were rounded indicating he spent the past cold winter outdoors! 

Chester arrived late on Friday night by a kind lady from Brooks, a few miles west of the reservation.   At first Chester was growly at me, and then the next day he turned into a very lovely cat.  He went to the vet on Monday and half of his foot was amputated.  He was also neutered, and vaccinated for rabies and feline distemper.  He was wormed and also tested negative for feline leukemia.  What a relief that now Chester had hope!

Janet of Feline Rescue just happened to call at midweek to let us know of two openings for cats from Red Lake.  When she heard Chester’s story, Janet immediately said “We will take him” with no hesitation. 

Chester was at Red Lake Rosie’s shelter only a week, but he made a big impression. He left his footprint on our hearts.  Chester caught a ride with Leech Lake Legacy and was delivered to Feline Rescue by Heidi, our transport coordinator on Sunday.  We were sad to see him leave but happy for his new life prospects.

  

Thank you Janet and Feline Rescue for taking this great boy and giving him the promise of no more cold winters outdoors!  

Sincerely, 

Karen RLRR 

UPDATE FROM JANET AT FELINE RESCUE:

Just an update. He got his bandage changed on Monday and will continue to be monitored over the next few days. He is one awesome cat! I fell in love in the first five minutes of knowing him. 

Lucky Dog Lucy

Lucy was brought here by a Red Lake lady who lives in Staples, Minnesota, on June 27th.  She said Lucy showed up at her house and was limping badly.  She held her rear leg up in a fixed position and hopped on 3 legs.

Lucy was at the shelter only two days and Susie of ARVSS said that she had foster homes available and decided right away to help Lucy when she heard about her.

Lucy traveled with a load of puppies and dogs to ARVSS  on June 29th and got the surgery she needed and now is adopted.

We are so thankful to have ARVSS who has helped many injured animals get medical care and great homes! We also thank the transporters Barbie Olson and Kristin Tachin for the rides.

Sincerely, Karen RLRR

LUCY'S FAVORITE COLOR IS PINK

UPDATE TO ARVSS FROM ADOPTIVE HOME:
Lucy and I are writing to let you know how our first week together went.

LUCY LIKES TV

Lucy is being so good in the house! She hasn't chewed on anything or taken anything that she shouldn't. It's like she knows what she can and cannot do! She also uses her training pads when I don't take her out in time. She is eating very well and she loves to play.

NOTICE MY PINK NAILS?

When she is outside, she is also very good. She doesn't bark at other dogs. She will meet them, but remains calm. She is good in the car and she stays sitting with her own seat belt.

SEATBELT FOR SAFETY

Thank you ARVSS for rescuing her, being so good to her, taking care of her and everything.

LUCY LIKES THE BIG BED

I know I'm crazy to take so many pictures, but she is my baby :-)

NOTE FROM ARVSS ABOUT LUCY'S INJURY, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY:

A small bone called a calaneal was broke--the vet used wire to put it back together and then had to pin part of her tendon back in place--she recovered better than he expected and was so thrilled to see her using her leg! She had to recover for 6 weeks--however I think she believed she was healed after three!!!  The couple who adopted her were wonderfully patient for her to heal before they could adopt her and are so happy now! Mitz (her new mom) has her with her all the time!

Celebration of Life for Mary Salter

Celebration of Life for Mary Salter
Sunday, September 21 at 3 - 7 pm

Dakota Lodge in Thompson Park in West Saint Paul, Minnesota

DeeDee in the news!

ARTICLE IN WHITE BEAR PRESS, September 3, 2014

Nonprofit leader rescues dogs from reservation

by Nancy Livingston/Contributing Writer

It seems unlikely that a 60-year-old single mom and small business owner from Vadnais Heights would develop a passion for rescuing dogs and cats abandoned hundreds of miles away on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

But that is just what has happened to DeeDee Welles.

Welles said one visit to Red Lake convinced her of the need to devote her energy to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, a nonprofit organization founded eight years ago by tribal member and educator Karen Good. Welles is now the metro coordinator of the program, which got its name from the first dog that was rescued: a yellow lab mix named Rosie. (Rosie became a nursing home therapy dog and served until her death last year.)

Welles said the hundreds of dogs roaming and breeding on Red Lake without reliable food or water have a life span of about two years. In addition to malnutrition, many of the dogs also suffer from mange, broken legs, bullet wounds and “embedded collar,” a festering wound that develops when a collared puppy grows up and the collar tightens around his neck.

“We get some purebreds, but most of our (rescued) dogs are mutts,” said Welles. “Surprisingly, the temperaments of our dogs are phenomenal. We have had very few that have been aggressive toward humans.”

Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue holds a half dozen or so clinics every year at Red Lake to have veterinarians spay and neuter animals. The fixed-up pets are then transported to qualified families who pay from $300 to $350 to adopt them.

Each clinic costs about $6,500 to conduct, and Welles and other volunteers must raise the money. Welles also helps staff the clinics, helping to socialize and clean up after the dogs and cats.

“It is physically demanding work,” said Welles, noting that it is not easy to lift an 80 to 90-pound husky into a crate.

Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue used to get almost all big dogs such as huskies, German sheperds and labradors, but that has changed. Now the volunteers are seeing many more small-breed dogs that were abandoned after people bred them for money. Sometimes whole litters of puppies are abandoned and left to fend on their own. Good Samaritans notify the program when the animals are found on the reservation, which is 800,000 acres, or about the size of Rhode Island. There are no veterinarians available on the reservation.

Since it began in 2006, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue has rescued over 5,200 dogs, including 700 in 2013. Welles said they could rescue hundreds more if they had more resources and volunteers.


Welles herself currently has two foster dogs and three permanent (formerly foster) dogs in her suburban home. All seem cheerful, healthy and oblivious to their troubled histories.

In addition to her work with Red Lake Rosie’s, Welles also runs a home business called “Details: Organizing It All.” She helps individuals and businesses get and stay organized.

For more information about Red Lake Rosies, visit www.redlakerosie.org.