Friday, March 18, 2011

Good Morning Good News !!!! March 18, 2011



I’m Vincent D. Cat and here to make you happy!  You are HEROES!  You work hard every day and you deserve to smile every day!  Those of you working to save us animals hear so very many very sad things.  And there’s lots of very glad things too and that’s what we talk about here!  All pawsitive all the time!  I want my friends to be happy and smile and know there’s a lot of good - including YOU - in this world!!  Be kind and pass it on!  Please send me your Good New and Fun Stuff to share, personal or global. Let’s keep it fun and interactive!!  After all, if we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane!  Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org


What a Beautiful Spring Day !!!!!   
I'm gonna ride around and visit YOU !!!!




Great Big Red Alert!!!!
ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE
WE ARE AHEAD BY ONLY 0.14%
JUST A HAIR
It’s really important to vote
TODAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY
We often loose ground on the weekends
cuz our people are out volunteering
but this weekend you’ve got to remember
to vote before you go out
PLEASE ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
YOU CAN MAKE RIKKI’S REFUGE WIN

It’s quick, easy and free
and enter Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA

The Animal Rescue Site - Shelter Challenge


Round the Refuge
Ok so put this date on your calendar!!  Tuesday the 22nd.  Mikes reserved a truck and he’ll be going over the river and thru the woods to Purina’s factory.  And coming back with tons and tons of doggie and kitty nums.  Really truly TONS and that’s why I NEED YOUR HELP that afternoon - mid afternoon - to help unload.  We gots to be quick like bunnies and get that truck unloaded so Mike can get it back to the rental place before they close!!!  Please plan to come help that day.

Sunday the 20th it’s Raising Roofs at Rabbit Rotunda II.  Starting at 8 am and going all day !!!  BE THERE. 

Saturday, tomorrow, it’s gonna be the best Full Moon Walk for the next 18 years.  Even NASA says so. 

AND Saturday is Volunteer Training - so you can learn how to help the animals while you’re waiting to head to the woods under to glow of the full moon!

Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years.

"The last full Moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," says Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC. "I'd say it's worth a look."

Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. It is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other (apogee): diagram. Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the Moon's orbit.

OK so I’m a cat.  Cats have sense.  Cats have a lot of sense.  Maybe I should be a rocket scientist.  I don’t think the moon is changing in size from day to day do you?  Like a balloon?  Come on.  I’ve seen cheese and it’s .. well... the same size unless you nibble at it ... or it dries up or something.  So I think NASA means the APPARENT size of the moon, don’t you?


And while were on the subject of cats ... you really should take heed.  There’s a real moral to this story.

Pets and humans on Japan’s quirky ‘cat island’ safe
By Liz Goodwin
A small island that counts just 100 people as inhabitants, but is home to many more stray cats has reportedly survived the destruction from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami last Friday, according to a group that is trying to save animals after the disaster.

"Just to give everyone an update on Tashirojima, the cat island. The people and cats are safe but short of food," the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support group posted in a Facebook message on Monday. "A volunteer looked into transporting food by boat, but there is too much debris in the water. A helicopter is the only way. The army will probably get a helicopter ready soon so we are looking into the possibility of asking them to take cat food too."

The fishing town's residents built a shrine to the numerous cats in their midst. Tashirojima--known familiarly as "Cat Island"--has become a tourist attraction for animal lovers. "The cats here have always been something like a lucky charm for us who bring good catch. We enshrine them because they are important to us," local fisherman Tsuneo Endo said in a 2009 CCTV article. Feeding the strays is thought to bring good fortune.

This Thai News report (untranslated, unfortunately) shows video footage of the cats overruning the island:


I do take a little offense at “cats overruning the island”.  You don’t hear my kind talking about the hoomans “overrunning” the highways and the malls and ....well ....  the whole planet!!!  We take up a lot less space then the hoomans and we use a lot less resources.  So who, just who’s doing the overrunning around here?



Bissell MVP Contest
Vote daily Wednesday March 16 thru Tuesday March 22nd for Sugar
quick, simple, free
Your daily vote could win up to $10,000 for Purr Angels
Click here to Vote for Sugar
Sugar is a therapy cat for my 12 y/o Asperger's Syndrome son. He teaches my boy it's ok to have emotions and taught him about body language. He is 4.5 yrs. old and neutered. His organization is PURR ANGELS.


My Favorite Quote, Today
We attract abundance when we ask from a compassionate heart

My heart is SO filled when compassion as I’m begging you to vote now and be sure to vote Saturday and Sunday.  I love you so much, please my best friend, please help me win!!!  Only three days left.  If just one of you misses your vote - our ship could sink!!!
and enter Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA


The Cats of Cod
Artwork by Wayne H. Morris of New York
photography and art
visit to see more of his spectacular work

Wayne loves to study an animal and capture their essence which he then turns into a whimsical work of art depicting them at work or play.  Your pet’s whimsical custom portrait available for only $300 (donated to Rikki’s Refuge). Contact me and I’ll put you in touch Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org  Prints available, 8” x 10”, on heavy stock, suitable for framing, $25 each, resolution may vary so you may want to ask first.  Specify which print you want and shipping address.   http://bit.ly/WayneMorrisPrint
   
Carefully driving in the snow.


Live from Vincent Video
Meet Tommi

Meet Vista



Tails of Trivia
The only food cockroaches won't eat are cucumbers.

The Giant South African Earthworm can grow up to 22 feet long and 1 inch in thick.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as any other color.

A species of earthworm in Australia grows up to 10 feet in length.




On this Day
March 19, Saturday, is Act Happy Day, and that means Rise and shine, vote for Vincent, hustle to the grocery store and stock up on Fancy Feast and other goodies and head on down to Rikki’s for the Noon - 2 pm Donations Drop off.  Volunteer for the afternoon, scooping lots of icky poop - we don’t like it either and we need your help to make it go away!!!  And then stay for the best Full Moon Walk Ever.  Remember it doesn’t start till after dark !!!!!

March 19, Saturday, is also Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day

March 20, Sunday, is the Great American Meat Out Day, can you go without meat for a day?  Just give it a try.  For every meal there’s lots of other yummy things to eat.  Just for one day, try, please try, and leave us off your plate!!



Music and Motion
Speuter Speuter Speuter
Do you think I say that a lot?
It’s cuz it’s so important.
It’s spring and YOU can do a world of good by
giving the gift of speuter before it’s too late !!!



The world's most funny dog video




Great Purrchases / Donations

It’s Friday and it’s Free Food Friday num num num
send an email to Giveaway@freekibble.com with the subject "Shelter Giveaway" on Fridays to enter PetCo’s drawing for a $50 PetCo Gift Card every weekend.  A winner will be chosen at random every Saturday.  It may as well be YOU!  http://www.freekibblekat.com/giveaway.asp


Jan has dug up some wonderful deals!!!
Bottom Dollar from 3/16/11 thru 3/22/11
Hannaford chunk light tuna - 5 ounces in water or oil -  2 for 88 cents!!!  - WOW!!!
   we use a lot of tuna to entice sick kitties to eat
Smart Option Paper Towels (8 rolls per pack)  - 4.88 each
   I need lots of paper towels for my “special needs”, I can’t help it, it’s from my accident
Smart Option Dish Detergent - 25 ounces - 79 cents
  Yup, lots and lots of dishes to wash every day!!!

Giant from 3/18/11 thru 3/24/11   may be Martin’s too
Companion Cat food  - 5.5 ounces -   10 for $3.00 (or 30 cents a can).
   and we like this kind, so stock up

Coming for Donation Drop Off noon-2 pm on Saturday?
Here’s some things we’d love you to bring!
Garden hoses and nozzels, brooms, laundry detergent, dish detergent, trash bags, paper towels
Chinchilla food and chinchilla dust bath
Produce for the rabbits, green things and wood chip bedding for the ones indoors
Oranges for the guinea pigs
Swimming pools, Dollar General has some purrfect ones, $8 and about 4 feet in diameter
Outdoor Pooper Scoopers
These are ideal, they sell for $15 at Tractor Supply, 14 inch Jumbo Debris Pan by Harper Brush Works, item# 63497-1, we need a dozen or 15. 


Too Hot For Spot
We were blown away when we saw this product. Why had no one thought of it before? So obvious! So needed! It will save countless lives. Could it be for real? So we tested it, and tested it. And it’s wonderful!  We’re now making it available to all dog owners! Check it out!!

This is one of those products you can’t believe hasn’t been on the market for years. Too good to be true.  And only $12.90 including S&H.  If that saves the life of just one dog it’s worth it many times over.  We’ve tested it under different conditions and we’re convinced, it’s going to be the best life saving device in 2011.  Check it out and tell us what you think?            Too Hot For Spot - Safety Device

We have a limited supply, so if you want yours in time for summer, grab it now!!


Click on Artist Mystique to see what she’s been up to!


The 24th Species
Rikki’s Refuge’s Human Habitat
Wild and Feral; Judith talks about TNR
Everybody’s heard of Rikki’s Refuge.  Some of you know our parent non profit corporation is Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc.  Did you know we have another division called Wild and Feral, in Pulaski, Virginia, just for feral kitties?  



Upcoming Events
SATURDAYS            DONATION DROP OFF,  noon - 2 pm,  got something to drop off quick?  The gates will be unlocked.  No tour at this time, just drop off.  Donation Drop Off will be available every Saturday from noon - 2 pm in 2011


SUNDAYS            TOUR THE REFUGE - NOON, mini tour, take a walk around and see the animal neighborhoods.  Every week on Sunday you can join a mini tour where you can walk around from animal neighborhood to neighborhood, from Piggy Paradise to Horsey Haven and see the animals.   One tour only, starts at noon.  Please be prompt.

Once a month,  we’ll have an EXTENDED TOUR where you can visit the animals in their neighborhoods and have the chance to interact and give them treats.  These tours also start promptly at noon, and there’s only one tour for the day, so please be prompt.     3/27, 4/17, 5/22, 6/12, 7/4 Monday, 9/4 Monday, 10/31, 11/12 Saturday, 12/25


SATURDAYS ON OR BEFORE THE FULL MOON            FULL MOON WALK, Bon Fire, vegan bbq, pot luck 3/19, 4/16, 5/14, 6/11, 7/16, 8/13, 9/10, 10/8, 11/12, 12/10


2nd SATURDAY OF THE MONTH     SINGLES DAY - 10 am - 4 pm
Something for everybody. Come and do a day of service at the refuge and meet like minded souls. The leader who puts together the biggest work party wins.     4/9, 5/14, 6/11, 7/9, 8/13, 9/10, 10/8, 11/12, 12/10


NEXT TO LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH                 VOLUNTEER TRAIN BASIC 11 am- 3 pm, Learn the basics about volunteering at Rikki’s Refuge. Help with donation logging, washing dishes and liter boxes, socializing the animals and much more.   3/19, 4/23, 5/21, 6/18, 7/23, 8/20, 9/17, 10/22, 11/19, 12/24


LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH            VOLUNTEER TRAIN SELF SERVICE 8 am - 1 pm, Learn to earn your Self Service Volunteer Badge.   3/26, 4/30, 5/28, 6/25, 7/30, 8/27, 9/24, 10/29, 11/26, 12/31


LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH            SPIRITUAL GROWTH NIGHT, last Saturday of the month, come and join is in a discussion / study of what ever feels right tonight, as we reach for our highest spiritual goal, who knows where these discussions may take us.  Bring something for a Vegan Pot Luck Dinner. Call for time and study plan.
3/26, 4/30, 5/28, 6/25, 7/30, 8/27, 9/24,  10/29, 11/26, 12/31


March 19, 2011              SATURDAY     ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS FOR GREEN - Come and help make the refuge green again. Everything is so muddy after all that rain and snow this winter! Bring a bag of grass seed (the legal stuff!) and help spread it. It will grow year after year and give lots of your friends something to chew on, to roll on, to scratch on, and to p......p on !  

March 20, 2011              SUNDAY            RAISING THE ROOF AT RABBIT ROTUNDA II  8 am till 4 pm, strong individuals willing to listen, learn and take direction, need 8 people

March 20, 2011              SUNDAY          JOIN THE PEACOCKS - Celebrate the Vernal Equinox, and watch as Mr Peacock's fancy turns to…Mrs Peacock, hens, roosters, dogs, sheep, lawn mowers. Watch him fan his magnificent tail feathers and shake them at any potential mate. 



Because I Love YOU
I’m hoping to see you this weekend!
Love,
Vincent
PS You tell me what you want!  Email me at Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org with instructions to change your subscription: additions, deletions or modifications!  Subscriptions:    Vincent’s VIPs - up to the second alerts about issues at Rikki’s Refuge for those who care and want to be intimately involved.  Scheduled as needed.  Good Morning Good News - a little something to get you going in the mornings, for those of you who want to keep smiling with us!  Scheduled daily.  Hairballs - so you know what’s coming up at Rikki’s!  Scheduled weekly.

Rikki's Refuge, supported solely by private donations, houses over 1200 animals of 22 species. On line at http://bit.ly/Give-a-gift-to-Rikkis Checks, money orders, cash, items at Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960

Rikki's Refuge is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Virginia Corporation, tax-id 54-1911042. Combined Federal Campaigns #77674, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #3163, PetsMart Charities #1377.  A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

Learn more www.RikkisRefuge.org and help spread the good word, tell everyone you know about Rikki’s Refuge