George is all about smiles and tail wags now!

Back in March, we shared the story "What Happened to George?" This dog was surrendered to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue after coming home with terrible injuries. In addition to the injuries on his head and legs, he was skinny and dirty and infected with heartworm, anaplasmosis, and lymes diseases!

GEORGE PATCHED TOGETHER ON ARRIVAL

George has been at RLRR now for over six months and has recovered his health and his spirit. He decided he was not a shelter dog and decided to move up to the house, where he claims ownership. He is safe and well nourished as you can tell by the photographs.

He has a wonderful personality and is very happy now -- He smiles all the time and greets me every time I enter the yard. George is the alpha male in the front yard and he takes his job seriously watching for any intruders.

Thank you to our supporters who help dogs like George have a nice life as it was mean to be.

I just love George! Karen

Trials of Bobbi and her kittens

Bobbi and her litter of two kittens were surrendered to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. Avis, our friend who saves animals in Redby, took the family and secured them until they could come to the shelter on August 1st. 

We were told that three other kittens had been given away. Unfortunately, Bobbi’s kittens were only about 3 weeks old and far too young to thrive on their own. Karen and Kevin were able to track down one of the kittens, so now Bobbi had three. They were badly infected with fleas and mama had very little milk.

Mary Ann of Pet Haven took Bobbi and her kittens on the next transport and the family is doing well in her care.

At the clinic on August 14th, almost 2 weeks later, another of Bobbi’s kittens showed up. It was a little black and white tuxedo kitten -- very tiny and very hungry. Avis found this kitten as it was in a garbage bag ready to be thrown in the garbage.

Avis, of course, took the little one and brought it to the clinic. We are still missing one of Bobbi's kittens and fear for it's future, but the tuxedo went with Heather and was transported to Mary Ann of Pet Haven to re-join the family. Mary Ann reports that the kitten is being force-fed and is biting. She suspects the kitten was teased in its previous home.

Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue discourages the passing around of puppies and kittens as disposable toys for children. It is disgraceful to take a kitten or puppy at this age, use them as living toys then simply toss them in the garbage.

We must change this practice. Animals are NOT toys! They have feelings and can live a long life if given the opportunity. - They are not disposable. 

Sincerely, Karen RLRR

Ron Howard

A little orphan kitten from White Earth came to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. He was a short-haired orange tabby male, less than eight weeks old and motherless since he was 2 weeks old we were told. 

He was small and stunted and not eating well. We are grateful that Feline Rescue was able to take him into their foster program.

Karen

UPDATES FROM FELINE RESCUE:
#1: This is the kitten from RLRR. He FINALLY learned to eat on his own two minutes ago (fingers crossed). Been syringe feeding him since Thursday night. So relieved that he hit that milestone. He came with the name Donnie but I think he should be Ron Howard or Opie Taylor. This red headed boy actually has freckles on his cheeks.

#2: After days curled up in a ball, spending all day in his bed and only leaving to use the litter box, this little guy darted out the door when I went to check on him this morning. So relieved. Syringe feedings and sub-q fluids and medicine have finally made a difference. He even ate on his own! He prefers Fancy Feast. And that is what he'll get.

#3: William Blake and Ron Howard have become inseparable ever since they met a few days ago. What is it with grey & white guys being best friends with orange guys?

Please don't feed the bears!

Karen,

During the August clinic, Nancy was talking about a bear she had seen wandering back and forth along the road on Highway 15 coming up from Bemidji. Well, when I went back to Bemidji, I also saw this bear. There was no traffic, so I stopped next to him/her. He looked at me, and sat down like a dog and continued to look at me. I pulled down the road a bit, and got out to look at him again, and he started walking toward me. So I got back in my car and left. 

What a cutie! He looked very healthy with a shiny coat. On my way to Bemidji, I called the sheriff’s office to see if a DNR officer could go check him out and make sure he was not sick. I thought it was unusual that a wild animal was hanging around a road, and walking toward a human. The dispatcher indicated that the bear was probably hanging around the road because well-meaning people had been feeding him. 

This road is well traveled by the people of Red Lake, many of whom have a kinship with the bear through one of their clans, Makwa (Bear). They love bears, watching them, and possibly giving them treats. Unfortunately, this human behavior puts the wild bear at great risk for being hit by a car, particularly at night with their black coats. This also leads bears to be less frightened by humans, raid garbage cans and farms, and be shot or trapped as “nuisance bears”. 

This was a good lesson for me as well, being an animal lover who might also feed a wild bear. Next time I see a bear along the road, I will take a good look at its beauty and power, and then honk my horn and make lots of loud noises to scare it away from the road and humans.

If anyone wants to see wild bears up close (and safely), look up the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, Minnesota. You can go there and view wild bears of all sizes feeding, and learn how they keep them from getting too acclimated to humans outside the sanctuary.

Take care,
Carol