The only thing better than a RLRR dog is another RLRR dog :-)

UPDATE FROM ADOPTER AND FOSTER:

Our Red Lake Bunch is snoozing after an afternoon and evening of hard play. Andrea, our foster, has really blossomed from a frightened, semi-feral dog into a shy beauty. She loves to be petted and freely gives out kisses.

(Andrea, furthest left and our foster since November. McKinley 5 years old – he’s in the back guarding his beloved tennis ball. Denali – black, adopted in June)

McKinley (formerly Sneezy from Red Lake) came to us about 5 years ago as an 8 week old little chub ball. He’s currently our ‘top dog’settling into that role after the loss of our beloved Schatzie to cancer last fall. 

Denali, formerly Willie, is the latest permanent addition to our little pack. He is our loveable goof ball. The three of them have reveled in all the snow and the cold that in no way kept these three inside. Where one goes, soon the others follow. [Check out blog post about them HERE.]

Andrea, our foster, is doing awesome! She loves to play with Denali and McKinley and they have been great guides in teaching her the joys of being a house pet. She is still cautious around others, and I have her walking on a leash in a harness (she still tends to panic if you try to contain her by her collar). 

She has a great personality and loves to give kisses. She is still very much afraid of my husband, but he is an exceptionally large human being and not very quiet. In other words, I’m sure he looks like a giant to her (he’s 6’5” and does not have a quiet voice). She’s interested in him, follows him around the house, but will not go to him to be petted.

We were on vacation last week and my mom stayed here with the dogs. We left on Saturday and by Tuesday, Andrea was totally comfortable with my mom and seeking attention. 

There is a possible adopter for her. I spoke with the gal tonight and we are hoping to arrange a meeting this weekend. We are looking forward to Andrea finding her forever home, yet are sad at the thought of her moving on. These 3 lovely souls from Red Lake have brought so much joy into our home.

Thank you Karen for all the work you do.

Journey to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

Our Journey to RLRR October 17-20, 2013

Our connection to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue began about 5 years ago, when we adopted McKinley, the German Shepherd mix on the left. Last June, Aurelia and I volunteered at the clinic and brought home Denali, the lab mix on the right. Denali quickly adopted McKinley as his tried and true friend. At the time Denali joined our pack we also had Schatzie, a German Shepherd mix (who passed away from cancer late in August) and Beau a very large Jack Russell mix who is 12 years old. Denali fit right into our family and won our hearts. We decided to spend MEA break at RLRR helping Karen and the animals in an effort to give back to an organization that has brought so much joy to our lives.

MCKINLEY & DENALI

Here is Denali with McKenzie, Aurelia’s friend from school and McKinley with Aurelia the night before we headed up to RLRR. As you can see, they are living in the lap of luxury—quite literally. Kenzie joined us in our trip up to RLRR. 

 Our time at RLRR was an amazing gift, to be able to serve the animals there and assist Karen was our chance to give back. We arrived Thursday evening, got a few things done and Karen treated us to a wonderful dinner of homemade vegetable stew with home grown veggies. We spent the next 2 days covering kennels with tarps to keep the harsh winter winds out. We assembled kennels in preparation for the October clinic, washed dishes, did laundry, helped care for the dogs and cats. We even had some time to get to know some of the animals better and to reacquaint ourselves with old friends like Wolfman, who seemed to remember Aurelia from the June clinic.

Aurelia and Wolfman taking a sun break, with Nana close by. We enjoyed the constant companionship of so many loving dogs as well as getting to care for the 2 litters of puppies!

The weather was brisk, but for the most part sunny and a great time to be outside. The girls were so dedicated and never complained once about the intensive work or the long hours we put in. They did enjoy soaking in the pool and hot tub at the hotel in the evening. My aching bones relished time in the hot tub, enabling me to keep going each day.

Our time at RLRR can only be described as guided. It was a time to allow the wonderful dogs to help heal the loss of our Schatzie girl and to start creating space in our hearts for another RLRR dog. We had the privilege of the dogs allowing us to be their friend and the joy of loving them fully while we were there. Looking forward to our next venture to RLRR, not sure when, but we will most definitely be back.

Nana gets one final hug from Aurelia before we headed for home.

To close, we want to thank Karen for her tireless work, for not only does she save the lives of hundreds of dogs and cats each year; she enriches all the lives of those of us who are blessed to adopt a RLRR animal. 

The animals are wonderful teachers of how to forgive for past transgressions and to love in the moment, for in looking into the eyes of these beautiful animals I am filled with the loving presence of God.

Thank you Karen, Wolfman, Nana, Faith, and all the other dogs at RLRR our lives are better for know each of you.

Kim & Aurelia, and McKenzie

Willie's Story

Meet Willie. He was blessed enough to get a foster home at the last clinic. He was brought to the June clinic to get neutered from the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue shelter and there someone noticed this very sweet boy and offered to take him.

WILLIE

Willie had been at the shelter for about 2 months getting treatment for his mange. Willie and Wonka, were littermates that came in with severe demodex mange and it took a long time to get over it. Wonka is slowly improving and is still at the shelter. These two boys were rescued by Nancy O'Sullivan.

The first night at the clinic warehouse Willie and a friend escaped from their kennels and had a party at the warehouse. They raided the kitchen and ate cookies, and set off the security alarm at 4:00 am.!!

WILLIE

WILLIE'S FOSTER MOM WRITES:
I just wanted to let you know that Willie is fitting in and is a great match for our home! 

He's super quiet and laid back and loves playing with our other three dogs, I think he may be too attached to the couch though ;) 

If you like I can send you up dates every now and then on how he's doing.
He and McKinley are truly treasures in our home :)

MCKINLEY

The young girl Aurelia and her family are the volunteers who took Willie. They had previously adopted McKinley from Tricounty Humane Society. McKinley also came from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue.

Aurelia and her mother were very hard workers at the clinic recently. Having McKinley from Red Lake motivated them to come and volunteer.

We appreciate the great clinic volunteers who do such a nice job. Without them there could be no clinics.

Karen