Sibling pups with different mothers

Last Friday, I shared the story of "Victoria's victory". Three of her puppies died at birth, but she took over care of three of BethAnn's puppies in foster care. We received this update and video.



UPDATE FROM FOSTER CARE:

When BethAnn had 10 puppies and fellow doggie mommy, Victoria, had only 2, we gave Victoria 3 of BethAnn’s puppies. Victoria is a diligent mother providing hovering care. She seldom wants to be away from her babies for more than a few minutes. She is a small dog and appears to have just enough milk for her 5 pups. When last weighed they tipped the scales at just under 2# with one of her own biological pups being just over 1.5#. They started walking at 2.5 weeks and started eating some on their own at about the same time.

BethAnn has a vast amount of milk. Her puppies are rolly-polly. At 3.5 weeks they were barely walking, mostly just lying in their little bed waiting to be fed. At 4 weeks I forced them to leave their bed so they would start to do some walking and they began to eat a wee bit on their own. At 4 weeks they are not walking as well as Victoria’s were walking at 3 weeks. Each puppy weighs between 4 and 5#.

Remember, these puppies are biological siblings but being raised by different mothers. Ah, the old nature/nurture argument. What remains, is which is better, huge slow moving but happy puppies or active slim puppies, who also appear to be happy, though motivated. :-)

Queen Emma: All grown up

UPDATE ON QUEENIE/EMMA:
Queenie was transferred from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue to Tri-County Humane Society. We adopted Queenie on Jan 6, 2012 and named her Emma; she was 2 months 7 days when we brought her home.

We adopted Queenie because my German Shepherd/Husky, Daisy, was old and had cancer. I knew my time was limited with Daisy and I couldn't imagine not having a dog. 

Emma always puts a smile on my face and makes me laugh. When I talk to her, she always turns her head like she is listening to everything I say. She is a great dog and we are happy we adopted her.

We have been fostering for another rescue for the last two years. When we bring home a new dog to foster, Emma will lay by their crate for a while at night. We think she is telling them they will be fine now and reassures them. 

Emma lives in the house with us, but loves to be outside, also. In the summer,  she will lay on the driveway and sleep. She does race to the front yard to bark at the occasional 4-wheeler or car that drives by. But there aren't very many because we live in a rural area. 

We laugh because she even knows how to spell. Sometimes when she pushes on one of us to go back outside, we ask her if she wants to go out by spelling it and she barks at us and runs for the door. 

At night she sleeps with my son, who just loves her. 

EMMA AND BROTHER SHADOW

Emma does see one of her brothers once in a while because my ex-husband adopted him. His name was Tiny (he was the runt) and he is now named Shadow. Shadow is also spoiled. I have included a picture with the two of them together. Emma is on the Left and Shadow is on the right in the picture.

MB~

Maxine Fund update

So happy to get an update on Maxine- A special thank you to all the contributors to the "Maxine Fund" and to Dr. Melissa of Mn Paws - also to Heather for getting the surrender. Maxine now has been adopted! The change in this dog is truly remarkable; look at the original post about her HERE.

MAXINE AFTER SURGERY

UPDATE FROM DR. MELISSA:

Hi Karen,

Thanks for sending the check for Maxine. She was adopted into her new home on Sunday. We never thought we'd find her a home so quickly! She is doing amazingly well. She is getting stronger by the day, and walks better on her legs now than she did before surgery. Her physical therapy instructions say she should "walk, play, and jump as much as possible". She is doing that and more! 

MAXINE & WALTER HER RLRR BRO IN FOSTER CARE

GOLDEN BRO AND NEW ADOPTIVE FAMILY

There's a middle-aged (but active) Golden Retriever in the new home and she keeps him on his toes. Her new mom said she exhausts him by the end of the day! She came to visit us at the clinic on Friday. 

CAR RIDES ARE FUN

She spent most of the time in the exam room upside-down asking for belly rubs:) She is a lovely dog, a real clown, who loves everybody she meets. Thank you for saving her. I'm attaching some pictures of her. Walter was her foster brother (the brown brindle guy), he also came from Rosie's.

Melissa 

SHE LOVES THE BIG BACK YARD

October: A Record Breaking Clinic

Our recent October clinic was a huge success in many ways.

First, thank you to Dr. Lisa and her MN SNAP crew, we were able to spay/neuter a near record total of 104 dogs and cats!

MAMA DOG AND PUPS

A special thanks goes out to Dr. Katie, who provided wellness checks and vaccinations for an additional 44 animals! Dr. Katie removed porcupine quills from 2 dogs and provided much-needed emergency care for Koko, a 7 month old shepherd mix, who had eaten something toxic to her system. Dr. Katie volunteered her time with us and is a vet with our partner clinic St. Francis Animal Hospital in Roseville, MN. Learn more at: www.stfrancisanimalandbird.com

DR. KATIE

QUILL REMOVAL UNDER SEDATION

Another record was the number of first time clinic volunteers- 13!. John R., a longtime supporter of RLRR, worked his first clinic with 6 of his friends. Thank you John for bringing Chris P., Stephanie G., Wendy H., Patti W., Jackie S., and Cass C. Cass not only volunteered, but she adopted Sadie, a RLRR shepherd mix. This is her second RL dog!

CASS AND JACKIE

Also, first time volunteers Jenn G., Len and Caroline F., and Teresa, Bill and Dustin from White Earth Feline Rescue.

Another record, the most senior volunteer- Len F. Len is 81 years of age! He and his wife Caroline came up to check out what his daughter Deb F., has been doing in with RLRR for years. Len kept the cart moving, loading and unloading items

LEN AND DEB

And thank you to Kim W., Deb H., Carma H., Julie C., Heather B., the 4 local youth- Whitney, Destiny, Vivianna, Elonzo- and of course Tom and Nancy O., who have all volunteered for this, and many previous, clinics. Without this great bunch of volunteers we couldn’t have accomplished what we did.

And yes, there is another record- the amount of laundry that piled up. Our washer and dryer were barely in working order, requiring us to install new ones before next April’s clinic.

LAUNDRY!!

We had a most significant year of clinics. In all five 2014 clinics, we saw animals in overall better condition, a direct result of better nutrition. Our praises to Karen for creating this change every day as she helps animals in distress and distributes food. Overall, there are less dogs being hit by cars, fewer embedded collars, fewer animals found at the dumps. There is still plenty of work to do for RLRR, but this year we have noticed a change that has us hopeful for the future. Thank you to EACH OF YOU that, in your own way, have helped make this change possible!

BEST JOB? HOLDING SLEEPING PUPS

Happy Birthday, Karen Good!!

 

Victoria's victory

Our good friend Paul from Ponemah called on September 22nd that he had two small breed dogs that had no home. Their owners had moved out and left the two behind, a story we hear too often. Paul said one of the dogs was going to have puppies.

VICTORIA AND HER TWO PUPS

It was quite late after dark when Paul arrived with Verna and Victoria. The two were tucked in a kennel together since we assumed they were sisters.

VICTORIA ON ARRIVAL AT RLRR

What a surprise the next morning to find that Victoria had 2 living puppies and 3 stillborn ones! We felt so badly for Victoria as she was clearly distressed about the puppies lost, although happy for the surviving two.

VICTORIA'S TWO PUPS

P.U.P. responded to the needs of Victoria and her puppies to be placed in foster care. The little family left on September 27th into their care. Verna was also lucky to a placement the same Saturday at AHS.

VERNA

These two girls were so lucky to arrive at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue when they did. One more night being homeless may have meant that Victoria would have had no surviving puppies.

AND the story does not end there. We soon got this update from P.U.P. after Victoria’s arrival there:

"Well, your little Victoria got pressed into action on our behalf.

We had a pregnant, small and under-nourished dog . She delivered 10 puppies on Sunday night and clearly was unable to cope.

We offered 3 of them to Victoria and she is the happiest dog in Saint Paul!" 
JW

So, although Victoria lost 3 of her puppies, they were restored to this very happy girl!

VICTORIA'S BLENDED FAMILY OF FIVE

Thank you to P.U.P. rescue and other rescues, transporters, and all those who support the work of RLRR to help so many animals like Victoria and Verna.

Sincerely, Karen RLRR

Kittens from RLRR to ACT V

ACT V Rescue & Rehabilitation took three kittens from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue into foster care on August 30th. Interestingly, these three tabbies all came from different litters!

KITTENS AT RLRR

One was a little grey tabby stray found by Polly; another was a tiny grey tabby turned in at the August clinic with a URI and was in isolation  at the shelter for a while, and the 3rd one was a dark tabby that came in with a litter and mama that was taken before the clinic. 

Raylan, Wynona and Mags became Josse, Fussy and Flo at ACT V.

BIRDWATCHING IS FUN

DOGS ARE NICE

MAGS/ FLO HAS FOUND HER FOREVER HOME

TWO KITTENS ARE STILL WAITING

Heartworm treatment for Rocky/Remy

Attached is a success story about Rocky (Remy) who was homeless at Red Lake with porcupine quills from looking for food. He came in with one other dog abandoned at the same house. He spent some time at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and then was thankfully transferred to Tricounty Humane Society in St. Cloud and was adopted.

Rocky had not been checked for heartworm before he left RLRR shelter, but he was a positive. Rather than reject Rocky, this young lady went all out to get him the help he needed. Please read her story.

Thank you- Karen

In May of 2014, I adopted my first dog from Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud, MN. Despite being only 24 years old and a graduate student with not a lot of extra money lying around, I knew I was ready for the responsibility of having my own animal. I even prepared a monthly budget for my new dog’s expenses, which later proved to be extremely insufficient! 

When I adopted Remy, a year old shepherd-mix, I received a list of all his vaccinations, medical history, and was advised to go to the veterinarian to get his overall health checked out. At this vet appointment, I learned that Remy is heartworm positive. Growing up with several dogs, I knew that monthly heartworm medicine was important; however, I did not know what it meant if a dog contracted the disease. 

Basically, when a dog is HW+, the treatment is not just a single pill and one vet visit. It involves 4 - 5 visits over a 4-month period involving several weeks of steroid medication and two deep-tissue injections of an arsenic-containing compound. This treatment is very risky, such that the worms start breaking apart inside the arteries and may clot if the dog exerts energy. My summer started with hiking and running with Remy to watching this high-energy dog be crated for almost 24 hours a day. 

While it’s finally October now, and he will make a full recovery, constricting a young Shepherd mix's energy for months is just torture. I am shocked that most people I talk to are not aware of what heartworm disease is or how complex and costly the treatment is. 

 I appreciate the help from Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, where Remy (old name Rocky) was originally found. It is because of their generosity I was able to keep Remy and pay for his treatment. He is truly the best dog and I am excited to be able to take him for his first walk soon.

JH

Bonnie: Attacked by dogs

BONNIE IN FOSTER CARE

Bonnie is a beautiful blue-eyed, Siamese-mix cat that was attacked by dogs in Red Lake. Poor Bonnie had no treatment for 5 days and then came to the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue.  Bonnie received a safe cage and antibiotics until a vet could help her 2 days later. 

BONNIE WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT RLRR

Bonnie has a wound that goes all the way through one side and out the other. Thankfully, the bite did not go through the urinary or digestive tract.  It is a flesh wound with some exposed bone.  In spite of her condition and pain, Bonnie is a wonderful young cat with a great personality.

BONNIE'S WOUND

Bonnie has a very good prognosis.  She is a fighter and is now doing some walking, drinking, eating, and using the litter box. 

A very special Thank You to Mary Ann at Pet Haven for agreeing to take Bonnie. I think her luck is changing because she will be fostered by friends of RLRR, Mike and Lauren!

Karen
RLRR

CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF BONNIE IN FOSTER CARE!!

Community Champion Award for RLRR

"The ThomsonReuters Community Champions Awards program encourages and recognizes employee volunteerism and community service. Since 2001, more than $1 million has been donated through this program to local non-profit groups our employees support with their time and talent."

DENISE THEN AND NOW

 

I edit the blog for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. My blog posts also are shared on the Facebook page for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. I've been doing this since 2008 at a rate of about 300 posts per year. I applied for a Community Champion Award for this volunteer work through my employer, ThomsonReuters, and received a donation of $1000 for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. I wish it had been more money, but I wanted to share this information for two reasons: 

1. Karen made me write this post (and include the old photo), and 

2. I hope others will also volunteer and seek donations and recognition for RLRR.

At my company, I am able to volunteer two paid eight-hour days a year and I usually help at a clinic or drive a transport for RLRR. The company matches my charitable donations annually up to $1000 a year and I donate as much as I can to RLRR. There is also a Dollars for Doers program for which the company will donate up to $1000 for volunteer time to a non-profit, like RLRR.

I encourage you all to seek out these and similar opportunities to maximize your ability to support RLRR or another organization that you believe needs and deserves that support.

I'm including my application for this award to further encourage you to make that effort:

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: (Describe the organization you work with, outlining its history, purpose, who it serves and where it is based.)Since 2006, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue (RLRR) has been a 501(c)(3) companion animal rescue located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. It is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with a shelter for abandoned or surrendered dogs and cats on the Reservation. The board of the organization consists of Native people living on the Reservation. Reservation residents contact RLRR for help with their animals or to report an abused or injured animal. After a temporary stay at the shelter, all of animals are transferred to one of the dozens of rescues that support our mission throughout Minnesota and into Wisconsin for foster care and adoption. 

COMMUNITY NEED: (What is the community need? Describe why this cause is needed or what the community need this cause is supporting):
Overpopulation of unwanted companion animals has been a longstanding problem on the Reservation due to the lack of availability of veterinary services and the extreme poverty of the residents.  Following the Red Lake massacre in 2005, when a 16-year-old shot and killed ten people and wounded five others, a local Native woman was moved to do something positive for her people. She began to rescue homeless pets, which grew into Red Lake Rosie's Rescue (RLRR). As others were inspired to support her efforts with donations, she was able to supply food and provide medical care in emergency situations. Now funds are raised to host spay/neuter clinics with mobile units and veterinary staff coming from the Twin Cities area. RLRR also provides humane education for the care of companion animals at the local schools and when young people volunteer at the clinics or the shelter. Because RLRR does not adopt out animals, no adoption fees are received as income. All money to support RLRR is in the form of grants and donations. 

 COMMITMENT: (Describe your support of and commitment to this project and organization, including time, fundraising, and financial commitments.):
I created a blog (or online journal) for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue (RLRR) in January 2008 and have written/edited nearly 2000 posts since then – an average of over 300 per year – and I estimate that the average post takes an hour to prepare. In March of 2011, I started a Facebook page for RLRR and my blog posts are also displayed there. I receive information from many sources, but I edit and release each post on the blog. Other volunteers also contribute occasionally to the Facebook page. Typically I receive multiple e-mails containing information and photos that I must combine and edit to make sense in a concise post about a particular animal or event. I strategically include photos and try to write headlines that catch the eye when I can.

IMPACT: (Describe the impact or outcomes of this project.)The growth of viewership of the blog and Facebook has increased steadily. We started with a handful of views each day and now see several thousand views of the posts on a regular basis. The posts help us to raise funds and place animals with rescues. A post this week about the severe problem with wood ticks and deer ticks had nearly 6,000 views on Facebook and we are receiving the medications we needed. A few months ago, a dog was attacked with a knife and left for dead in the snow. That story had a record 70,000 views on the blog. Red Lake Rosie's Rescue created a model for companion animal rescue on the Reservation and it is already being replicated on the neighboring Leech Lake Reservation. Sharing the news of our accomplishments is critical to extending our impact as far as possible.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH: (Describe your personal and professional growth and/or skill development as part of this project.)I have worked for West Publishing and Thomson/Reuters for over 26 years, first designing and maintaining the CD-ROM products, then designing new databases for Westlaw and most recently I am in a more traditional role editing a complex print/Westlaw product. Certainly the skills I have learned and used at work have helped me in creating and editing a blog and Facebook page for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. The volunteer work is time-consuming, but it is extremely rewarding to be able to publish information about this remarkable organization. My posts are a window into the organization for both the residents of the Reservation and the people on the outside who would like to offer help as donors or volunteers.