Life is hard for the dogs of Red Lake

Attached is a picture of Crusty, a big white husky mix and D.

Crusty's owner brought him in because he had a gunshot wound. He had been shot from the side of his body, with the bullet exiting above his tail. The bullet someone miraculously missed hitting any vital organs. Crusty's owner stated that this is the fourth time Crusty has been shot and that he has always recovered and healed up well, even without vet care.

D. worked very hard to convince the owner that he should consider surrending him to have a better life in a safer place. The owner wasn't ready or willing to do that, so the wound area was shaved and antibiotics were sent home with the owner.

T.

Honey & her pups rescued from the dump

I received my first report from the animal clinic this past weekend at Red Lake. I got this story and photos from a volunteer:

Here are the photos I took up at Red Lake last Wed-Fri.

Honey gave birth under the burned-out trailer house behind the garbage heap.

There were 7 pups and Honey was eating and regurgitating to feed her pups.

T.

Animal Clinic at Red Lake THIS WEEK!

There's lots of activity at Red Lake and here in the metro preparing for the animal clinic at Red Lake this week. The first volunteers are driving up today to help with set up and cleaning at the warehouse location tomorrow.

The Neuter Commuter from Animal Ark with Dr. Charlie and the experienced vet techs and volunteers will be in Red Lake from May 1-4 focusing on spay and neuter surgeries. Karen planned for the Rosebud Project to be there helping, too, but they backed out at the last minute. Karen also tried to line up another vet from the area, but that also fell through. We are still looking for another vet to help any of these four days with vaccinations and such. There are vehicles going up to Red Lake and back to the metro almost everyday, so rides are available and you can stay at a local mission for no charge. Contact Mary Salter at Animal Ark for more information at 651-438-9196.

A new feature at this clinic will be a laptop computer to record information about the pets, their owners and the treatment administered. The Friends of Flicka foundation donated the laptop and Katie created a special spreadsheet. Thanks to them!

Bart is a miracle!

Bart and his brother came to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue in the winter of 2007 on a cold January day. He rode in the back of a pickup truck and the weather was frigid. Bart and his brother had been found at the Red Lake dumpster huddled against the cold steel. A family saw them and picked them up, but they were so dirty and infested with fleas and mange, they put them in the cargo area of their pickup and traveled with them 32 miles to drop them off at the shelter. By the time they arrived, their sparse dirty hair was frozen icicles.

Bart’s brother died shortly after arrival, but Bart had a strong desire to live. He must have known he was destined for something very good. He was clipped, bathed, dried, given shots and ivermectin for a few weeks. He had malnourishment and a case of rickets caused by calcium and magnesium deficiency.

Bart’s personality began to shine as he felt better and better. He had a very crooked right leg.

Well- after several weeks he went to Pet Haven with a brace on his leg where everyone fell in love with him. He has been adopted by a loving family who adore him. He came from a place where he was near death, to survive the worst conditions to a wonderful home with birthday parties and all. Bart is a miracle and makes it all worthwhile!! Thank you to all who make Bart’s story possible!

Bye- Karen

Newsletter (April 2008)

APRIL 2008 RED LAKE ROSIE’S RESCUE NEWSLETTER

March 2008 Statistics
30 DOGS & 13 CATS rescued and placed
14 NEUTER/SPAY
2 MAJOR MEDICAL

Projects for the summer:
1) HSUS Ravs animal clinic (July 22-27)
2) Well drilling and a well house
3) Pipe water into shelter
4) Dead Tree removal near the shelter (will contract help)
5) Install a large fenced in area (Tom and Nancy will help install)
6) Install 2 more 2/pod kennels and removal of dirt runs (will contract help)
7) Add gravel on the road (Trail Sand and Gravel)
8) Haul straw for winter. Switch to wood chips for the summer.
9) Clean woods and grounds all around the shelter.
10) Install a gate at both shelter entrances when fencing is installed.
11) Remodel shelter by installing new windows, flooring, a kitchen area and heating though out the shelter (need men to help)

“These goals are of primary importance, as well as the rescue and placement of more cats and dogs, and an aggressive neuter/spay program.”

Fundraiser Results
The Animal Rights Coalition (ARC) and Fast and Furless Vegan Boutique had a grand opening to celebrate their joint store front at 2615 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. They held a silent auction to benefit Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue and Chicken Run. Each group received $675 which included $125 that ARC donated. The ARC Board also approved their second quarter grant award of $250 to RLRR.

ARC’s mission is dedicated to ending the suffering, abuse, and exploitation of non-human animals through information, education, and advocacy. It is the oldest and most successful animal rights organization in Minnesota.

Jon, owner of Fast and Furless adopted Thumper, a Red Lake dog last year. Thumper is always at the store with Jon greeting people. Fast and furless believes that respecting animals and the environment by not wearing products harmful to them is the very essence of "fashionable." Shop cruelty-free at the Twin Cities very own vegan boutique and meet Thumper!

Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue Blog
Remember to check out www.redlakerosie.blogspot.com for updates about RLRR – thanks to Denise Luke. You can contact Denise at d4luke.rlrr@blogger.com or dluke@comcast.net if you have information that you would like her to enter or you can add entries yourself.
On the blog, see Chinook, Miley and Buddy/Judd and read about how happy they are now!
Needs
Funding for summer projects is very needed. Please send your tax-deductible donations to Karen Good. Check to see if your company does matching donations!

Volunteer Opportunities
1) May transport, probably the second or third week. If you are interested, contact Dee Dee @ dewelles@comcast.net She will work with Karen for needed transport dates.
2) Fundraising garage sale. Location still needed for May or June, preferably at least a 2 car garage in a busy location with good street parking. A person is needed to help plan and organize. Contact Lynn @ lmecum4@msn.com

March Thank Yous:
1) The Animal Rights Coalition including Dallas Rising and Charlotte Cozzetto and Jon from Fast and Furless Vegan Boutique for donating $675 from their Grand Opening fundraiser.
2) The Animal Right Coalition for awarding a $250 grant and Debra Stockhill for completing the grant form.
3) Donna Perrozzi Jensen, Jeanette Larson and Jennifer Wolfe for transporting numerous animals.
4) Jeanette Larson for working non-stop at the shelter over Easter weekend.
5) Nancy and Tom O’Sullivan for picking up a huge amount of animal food in the Twin Cities and transporting food and animals.
6) Dee Dee Welles & her daughter Rory for food delivery and for meeting transports and transferring animals.

Where to stay when visiting Karen at RLRR:
1) Karen’s house (next to the shelter). She has a spare bedroom (single bed) and room on the living room floor for air mattresses and sleeping bags. Karen lives in the peaceful country on the west end of the reservation. Cross the street and you are out of the reservation. She & Kevin love to have company.
2) Piper's Inn, Clearbrook (20 miles from Karen’s). www.pipersinn.com 877-776-2323; 218-776-2323. Corporate rate: $39 (1 person), $50 (2 people).
3) Hotels in Bemidji. 60 miles from Karen’s.

Contact Lynn if you would like to help, have an RLRR story to share, know someone who would like to adopt or have any questions.

Lynn Mecum
Stillwater, MN
RLRR Support Team Coordinator
lmecum4@msn.com

Karen Good
Red Lake Rosie Rescue, Inc.
RR #1, Box 56
Trail, MN 56684
keg@gvtel.com
http://www.redlakerosies.piczo.com/ (check out website)

Three transports in three days!

We have three transports of animals coming from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue in the next three days. We want to empty out the shelter as much as possible before the animal clinic the first week of May when it is common for many animals to be surrendered or abandoned. Many of those dogs will require treatment for mange or other problems before they will be ready to transport off the reservation, so Karen needs all the room she can get in preparation for that.

It is an interesting phenomenon that the Red Lake dogs and cats have such a reputation for friendly, placid personalities. The rescue groups that have taken dogs or cats from Red Lake routinely comment on what nice animals they are considering their tough beginnings... or maybe because of them. There are many who believe that rescued animals realize they've got a good gig. Are they actually grateful or just enjoying their new life? I don't think that really matters.

Thank you to ALL the volunteers who make the transports possible. People who foster and help Karen in Red Lake, the drivers, the rescuers, and the organizers. We're making a difference for these animals now and we hope to change the future for the animals of Red Lake.

Chinook of the Coyote Choir

UPDATE:
Hi Karen !Chinook got adopted today !!! We had a very busy adoption event- I know she went to couple with grown children. The woman stays at home and wants to enjoy a lot of walks with Chinook ! C and I really had a hard time parting with her- she is so lovely ! I will try to get you more of an update soon. We did have another couple that I really liked that wanted " a Chinook " too :) Do you have any other Foxy/ Chinooks up there right now ? They are in demand! Kindly, A.
Dear Denise-

Here’ s Chinook who went out on last transport and she is a real beauty. She was a homeless dog who lived on the side of the road at Bigstone, and came to the shelter.

She went to Pet Haven and they placed her in a foster home. She would wake up at 3:30 in the morning and howl, like the dogs at Red Lake do at night. The Pet Haven people think that maybe they are talking to their Red Lake friends. I call it the “Coyote choir”. It is beautiful when they all sing together in the night.

Chinook has been adopted now and the new mom dearly loves her!! Thank you to Pet Haven for finding good homes for the Red Lake animals!

Peace--Karen