Benay from Washington Island, Wisconsin spent 5 weeks at RLRR and was kept very busy. During her watch, we saw some of the greatest volume of animal intake and placements.
We had 70 dogs/puppies and 5 cats, and 2 ferrets placed in October and 60 dogs/puppies and 20 cats/kittens placed in November.
In addition to her daily chores, she was busy running animals to the vet which included 34 neuter spays and 6 major medicals.
As Benay drove away on November 14, she looked out her rear view window with a tear in her eye and a heavy heart. Beside her was her dogs Zen and Hopi Dog, and Sylvester the cat which she adopted from the shelter and--- close beside her, the ashes of Sophia.
She had hoped that little Sophia, the juvenile shephard mix would ride out with her, but a few days before her departure, Sophia crossed the rainbow bridge, and it certainly broke Benay's heart.
Sophia was brought to the shelter late one night by Polly. Sophia had been found at the Redby dump and had an infection in her sinuses, was starving, and had mange.
Despite her condition, she immediately began to draw close to Benay, and loved her so much. She was on antibiotics for 8 days and began to show improvement. It wasn't long that Benay moved her into the cathouse where she was so happy.
After day 8 on antibiotics, Benay came to realize that there seemed to be more to her problem. She had a vet appointment, and during that visit, the vet discovered that someone had put a gun in her little mouth and blown a hole in her palate!!
She had shrapnel in her neck, that had already healed suggesting the injury had happened about a month ago. Yet, little Sophia with her strong desire to live had survived this at the garbage dumpster and also the starvation and mange.
The vet said there was no hope, and even though the injuries were so severe, little Sophia was happy all the time she was with Benay.
Needless to say, we were all brokenhearted, and today I talked with Benay, and she still grieves this dear angel.
A kind hearted supporter of Pet Haven donated $500 in memory of Sophia to help other abused and injured animals. We thank you for helping Red Lake animals.
Karen
I wanted to give you all a volunteer report from Red Lake Rosies Rescue, as Carol B and I went up there Thursday of last week to help winterize the kennels.
There are a couple of reasons I review this - one to give all of you who follow the progress of Red Lake a firsthand view. I know that the conditions and situations for many would be just too painful and you would not want to go there, but many of you then find ways to support the efforts either financially or through material support. This is hugely important and makes things so much better. Second, is that it gives people who go there and who are considering making the trip to Red Lake to volunteer a bit more prepared for the reality on the ground.
Things are always a bit tough at Rosie's and the only thing you can say with the onset of winter- is that it is brutal. Thursday- Carol and I arrived in the afternoon to find Benay, the volunteer helping Karen after her foot surgery, sobbing. Karen was away at Bemidji having foot therapy and Benay had run Sophia the dog to the vet for an exam.
Sophia had been found at the local dump, laying half dead. The woman who found her had her for two days before being able to bring her to Karens. She was a smaller dog with things oozing from her eyes and mouth. Karen and Benay put her on antibiotics and she improved to some degree but the drooling didn't stop. The vet made a a horrifying discovery; Sophia had been shot in the mouth and had no upper palet left. She was aspirating all of the food and water she was trying to get down. This poor girl had such a will to live and still had to be let
go as there was no hope.
So once again, the tears spilled and the anger to the abusers flew loud and clear.
The next day was cold and rainy, but we spent the day outside, putting tarps up on the kennels and with a new approach made them fairly warm and airtight. But the day wasn't without mishap; with my cold hands and the broken tools, I cut myself really good with a scissors and had to have my hand in full bandage mode, bleeding like a sieve.
Saturday started off with another horror. Karen and Kevin left doing a transport and Benay came charging up to the house to tell us that the pregnant German Shep Sugar had her pups in the night and they all died but one. Carol and I did the 911 race down there and after an attempt to revive the babies - with warm water and cpr- it was obvious they came to early and that she had miscarried. We were distraught and so was Sugar.
There was nothing left to say. So we spent the rest of the day and early evening getting as much as we could get done on the kennels- in the snow and cold.
Sunday was our day to transport, so after coffee, breakfast and packing, we took off by 9:30 am with the vehicle full of dogs -- 11 puppies and 2 dogs graciously
taken in by folks down in the metro area, leaving more space for dumpster dogs coming in.
A special thank you to Benay who came for the 5 weeks from the upper peninsula of Wisconsin/ N Michigan area to help out Karen during her foot recovery. The cat house is clean and in great condition and special thanks to all those who helped with the cat house makeover before Benay got there. It's in great shape and will allow for housing volunteers in the future.
As one looks at this situation from afar or up close it is just overwhelming and it would be very easy to throw up one's hands and scream, but for each of the dogs and puppies that are sheltered there and that get to leave to find better lives - it is a priceless payback for carrying around the knowledge of what is Red Lake.
There are two critical needs for Red Lake:
#1 TRANSPORTS -- going up and back to bring out dogs.
If you are available to do this- please contact Karen, Dee Dee or Lynn to make arrangements. dewelles@comcast.net
lmecum4@msn.com
#2 DONATIONS to the emergency fund.
If you have a few Christmas dollars to donate or just want to put your money to direct animal help- please consider sending a few dollars to KAREN and tag it EMERGENCY FUND- This is a huge and important effort to bring aid and comfort to animals who will come in to RLRR suffering from major medical issues that are beyond the budget at this time.
IF you can help- PLEASE DO
and contact Karen at keg@gvtel.com to drop her a note about your donation
and ask her if she wants it sent directly to her or to a vet clinic.
If you read down this far- I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this.
On behalf of the animals in Red Lake,
Colleen
June 18 we had a very pitiful surrender at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, a small young poodle named Sophia with severe injuries around her neck. It was obvious, she was in serious condition, so I took her to the vet immediately and confess I did a little speeding thinking it was a fresh injury. 
Unfortunately, it turned out that Sophia had a ponytail rubberband embedded in her neck for several weeks causing terrible suffering and deep cuts to the bone on her skull and all around her neck area. 
I was sickened when I saw the damage.
She had the band removed and the wound was cleaned. She received antibiotics for infection and rimadyl for pain. Both will be continued as she heals. 
I took her to the Cities along with about 20 other animals when I came down for the Eleven Who Care event. Dr. Vickie at Act V offered to take her in and determine if surgical clean up and closure of the wound is needed. 
STITCHING
SPAY SURGERY, TOO
UPDATE FROM DR. VICKIE AT ACT V RESCUE & REHABILITATION:
Sophia is doing great. I got pics last night. The foster is adopting her and she'll be in my neighborhood too!!!
this is yet ANOTHER amazing story ... thank you Karen and Vicki (and all at Act V) for all you did for this sweet girl!
Wow- Dr. Vickie- Sophia looks great!! 
