Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Hairballs - April 25, 2012

RIKKI’S REFUGE 
       HAIRBALLS AND HAPPY TAILS
The newsletter of thanks from grateful animals 
to their beloved rescuers brought to you by

Duke Thomas Peabody                                            and                                        Vincent D. Cat






Building a Better Planet 

One Rescued Animal at a Time 



             portraits compliments of artist Wayne H. Morris

You can make Duke’s and Vincent’s job easier

We are the Happy Animals of Rikki’s Refuge
who so thank you for giving us the gift of our lives and the tools to build our Refuge.  We represent all the animals, the world over, whose lives have been saved by kind and loving people just like you.  Thank you for being an animal rescuer. 



Table of Contents
          scroll down to your favorite parts!
The Shelter Challenge is Back
Happy 14th - Vincent D. Cat
     Birthday Party - You’re Invited
Rikki’s is Multi-Species
     You can help GW and Ben for FREE
Spring is in the Air
     Dance of the Peacock
Victor Survives
Vincent gets Acupuncture
Timmy and Henny Penny Play Hide Seek
It’s CATS vs DOGS 2012 !!!!!!
     Will YOU give Vincent the chance?
     Or will 2012 be the Year of the Dogs?
Lake-of-the-Woods First Annual Dog Fest
Sometimes it takes a long time .....
Why did Everybody move out of Rabbit Rotunda 1?
Reston Pet Fiesta
Diana is a Princess
Public Hearing
Even with Leukemia
Memorial Day Meet-the-Animals TOUR
Alumni Paddy Kat
Jack and Jill want to meet you
Kitty Cuddle Time
Vincent Loves You



THE SHELTER CHALLENGE IS BACK !!!
Here’s our chance to win $1,000 or MORE !!!!  It’s real simple and it’s real free!!  All you do is vote every day.  The shelter with the most votes, wins the most money !!!!  If you’ll vote every day thru June 17th we’ll win at least $1,000.  But I need a vote from each and every one of you to make it !!!

So please, please, vote daily.  You can vote once a day from each computer or internet device you have, phone, ipad, office, home and so on.  Please ask your family, friends and co-workers to vote.  Every penny gets stretched so thin here at Rikki’s - we need all the help we can get.

This is a fabulous way you can help for FREE !!!!

Win $1,000 for Rikki’s Refuge !!!

I NEED your daily vote to win ! It's easy, and FREE. Just click the photo or here
and Enter USA, VA, Rikkis Refuge
and then enter the code it shows!!!
No registration, no apps, no nothing - quick and simple!!!
This is the Shelter Challenge - TOGETHER we can be NUMBER ONE !!!
Please help me spread the word !!!!
Get all your friends and co-workers voting!!

THANK YOU !!!



HAPPY 14th
VINCENT D. CAT
And may you have many more our dear boy!!!

Friend of Vincent?
Love the Vin-Man?

If YES ... continue reading ....
if NO .... then disregard, cuz this is a special party JUST for Vincent’s very bestest friends!!


APRIL 28, 2012
This Saturday
Get it on your calendar NOW !!!!
Please RSVP, very important, space is limited !!!!!

We put plans on hold while Vincent was sick, so we’re a little behind schedule and working out details now.  Check back frequently for up to the minute plans and details.  And keep those prayers coming for Vincent to stay healthy!

Party from 1 pm to 4 pm
Games: Pin the Leg on the Kitty
             Barkgo or Mewogo (bingo)
             Got any other ideas?
Tours:  Meet the Animals
Cake:  2 pm Fancy Feast Cake for Vincent and friends
           Hooman cake too


BBQ and Pot Luck from 4 pm to dark
RSVP a must, Chief Ron will be doing veggie burgers
Please bring something vegetarian to share.
Remember, the refuge is vegetarian for all two legged critters!


Half Moon Walk from dark, about 8:30 pm to ........
We couldn’t schedule a Full Moon for the party so a half moon will have to do !
Listen to the guinea pigs and pigeons coo as they settle in for the night!
See the eye shine of the wild and feral cats!
Watch the pigs pile up in a heap to sleep!
Hear the hens sing gently and the roosters crow!
Listen to the dogs howl!
Hear the rhythm of the emus booming!
Be lulled by the frogs calling!

Our night time sounds will awe you !


You’re Invited to some or all
Just remember it’s a MUST to RSVP, space is limited !!!!!



More Happenings
on Vincent’s Day

Opportunity to vote for CATS or DOGS in the 2012 Election Race



First showing of the fabulous Signature Quilt !!!!
Check back for details and a photo.  It’s gonna be a spectacular raffle!!!


For more details about Vincent's Birthday Party


PS !
Shhhhhhh:  Vincent doesn’t want to let it leak that, Kerry, his mom’s birthday is the same as his.  He scared people might bring icky vegetarian things for her instead of delicious Fancy Feast for him.  He says if you do have to give his mom a Birthday Gift all she really wants is a vote for her beloved Vin-Man in the Cats vs Dogs Contest!!!   http://rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php?purpose=Vote%20Vincent%20as%20Ruler%20of%20the%20Refuge




Rikki’s is Multi Species
Humans Included !
Do you count your blessings every day?  I do!!  I’m thankful for all the parts I have.  Three legs, two eyes, ¾ of a tail !!!!!  Yes, so thankful to have them all.  Sometimes we don't stop to think.  To really think.  Sometimes it takes just a little bit, an itty bitty bit, of our time or effort to really change someone else's life.  Help me change two right now !!!!


Here are some Friends of Mine
I want YOU to help
GW and Ben Plumb

They live in Orange and they need your help !!!!  No, they’re not asking for a handout !  They’re asking only for your FREE vote of confidence !!!!

Help them win a much needed handicap equipped van simply by voting for them in this national contest.  It’s FREE to vote and you can vote once a day thru May 13th from each IP address. 

Faulconer’s Hardware in Orange is the best kind of Equal Opportunity Employers on the wonderful planet.  The kind and loving Faulconer family’s big hearts give wonderful opportunities to many differently-abled folks.  They are blind to the things that just don’t matter - they have eyes only for the internal value of everyone!!!  A BIG hand to wonderful people like the Faulconers !!!!

GW works at Faulconer’s Hardware and he helps me ALL the time!! Despite very very seriously debilitating handicaps he's right on the ball, knows everything, is right there ready to help, and is the first to say “can I help you?” Ben works at Virginia Tractor, and though I've not had the pleasure of working with him, I'm told he's as fabulous at his job as GW is at his.

GW and his brother Ben so deserve to win handicap accessible van.

Only YOU can make it happen!!


FILL OUT your name, email, don't worry about the promo code thing, I'm working on figuring that out, and then I checked "other" and wrote in "Supporter of these wonderfully productive handicapped gentleman"

THEN answer the math question -- mine was easy, I had just enough toes !!! 14 !!!!

CLICK that you agree to the rules (of course check the fine print if you like, I did and it's ok with me).

THEN click VOTE !

You're allowed one vote from each IP address every 24 hours thru May 13th - please please support these wonderful friends of mine !!!! Please share !!!

Please come back every day and please ask all your friends and co-workers to vote.  It’s very important for us to help improve GW’s and Ben’s daily lives.

It’s so easy to overlook the little bitty things we can do to that make such a difference to someone else.  Just a couple minutes of your time, now and every day, thru May 13th, could change their lives for years to come.  !!!!!   

If you’re on the go and the big long link is too much to remember, you can start this simpler way
CLICK on ENTER TO WIN NOW
SCROLL down to the lower half of the screen and
ENTER last name of “Plumb” and Virginia
CLICK Search
THEN follow the above instructions !!!!


Thank you for helping GW and Ben



Spring is in the air !!!!!
Dance of the Peacock

It sure is a beautiful spring isn’t it?  I know, been a little chilly the last couple days, but what wonderful weather we’ve been having all year! 

It’s been a busy spring at Rikki’s Refuge.  The grass is growing and growing !!!!  This makes the sheep and goats and cows and horses very very happy.  The bugs are coming out and this makes the chickens very happy !!!  The sun is out and it’s warm and that makes the cats and dogs and rabbits and guinea pigs happy.  The pigs are glad to be able to roll in warm mud again and the emus are laying bright green eggs!!!!  Another year is coming in.

It’s a cycle of life as Rikki’s gets ready to celebrate 14 years of saving animals!!!  Almost 1300 make their homes with us each and every day.  Many have been here our whole existence!!!  Others have found kind and loving people to give them forever homes, and new animals have joined us.  As we have the budget and volunteers to build more habitat, others have been able to join Rikki’s Refuge.

You can always keep up with day to day news on the blog http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/
Follow ME, Vincent D. Cat, on facebook http://www.facebook.com/vincent.cat
And subscribe to my special newsletter Good Morning Good News, just let me know, Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org

I’ve been real sick this year and I’m working on building my strength back up and gaining weight.  I’m eating Fancy Feast like crazy now and doing quite well!!!!  Yippee.

This is my brofur Victor
He’s a very very nice old man.  He’s even older than me and he’s been having heart problems.  Lucky our wonderful docs are real good at fixing us up.  Victor is doing real good now too.  He has to get his medications adjusted from time to time.

It’s Rabies Year at Rikki’s Refuge.  That means all the cats and dogs of Rikki’s Refuge get their rabies boosters!!!!  All 700 of us !!!!  Driving us back and forth to the doc’s office would take a lot of gas.  So our nice doc, Meredith Vargas who owns Culpeper Animal Hospital, comes out and gives us our shots right here at home!!!  Isn’t that nice of her?  I mean, it’s not that nice to stick us with a needle .... but ...   well .... you know what I mean, right?

I’ve been getting acupuncture


Nice Doc Andrea Kellum at Culpeper Hospital is the one who sticks needles in me.  But it’s ok, cuz she gives me treats too !!!!  And it makes me feel better.  My leg got real stiff while I was so sick, cuz I spent so much time laying around.  We’re working on loosening that up, as well as fixing me up all over !!!!

I sure hope you can come to my Birthday Party on Saturday.  It’s going to be lots of fun. 
















Timmy and Henny Penny Play Hide Seek

Timmy is one of Vincent’s side kicks.  Timmy’s hind legs were partially paralyzed when, at the age of about 4 weeks, he “fell” from the window of a moving car.  Thankfully another motorist say the “accident”, stopped and picked Timmy up and rushed him to a hospital.  With out immediate care he would not have survived.  His recovery was lengthy and left him with partially paralyzed hind legs. 

Timmy will now travel the Humane Education Circuit with Vincent teaching kindness to all.

Henny Penny gets picked on by other chickens.  I guess you could say she’s at the bottom of the pecking order.  The roosters like her, a lot, and that’s not always a good thing.  The hens will pick on her too.  So now she lives in Day Room A of the 9th Life Center.  She’s very loving and friendly, follows everybody around and loves to be held. 

She’ll be joining the Humane Education Circuit this spring.  Her debut will be Saturday at Lake of the Woods!



Its CATS vs DOGS 2012 !!!!!!

We’re a little late getting started this year, cuz your favorite candidate was in the hospital.  He’s out, got a great appetite and going wild to Rule the Refuge for yet another year !!!!


Will YOU give Vincent the chance?

Or will 2012 be the Year of the Dogs?
Is that what all this 2012 nonsense is about?

Better keep Vincent on as the ruler to keep the planet stable !!!!

Its up to you !!

Hear what the candidates have to say:
Vincent has teamed up with Opie and Timmy

The Cat’s Campaign Promises
1) Fancy Feast on every plate
2) Equal Rights for the handicapped regardless of species
      Vincent lost a leg twelve years ago in a traffic accident
       Opie was born last summer with out hind feet
       Timmy’s hind legs are partially paralyzed after a “fall” out the window of a moving car
3) We travel to teach Humane Education
4) Will buy your vote with Purrs for every supporters
5) Cats RULE, always


Duke has doubled his effort this year

The Dog’s Campaign Promises
1) Treats and Hooman food for all
2) Keep your critter for life
     Jack, abandoned because he was getting older
     Baby Girl, abandoned when the hoomans moved
     KiKi, abandoned as a pup for growing too big
     Boomer, abandoned when the hoomans moved
     Duke, abandoned in a city park, blind
     Beauty, abandoned for behavior
3) We will eat the treats you bring
4) Will buy your vote with Drool for every supporter
5) Dogs DROOL, well .... yeah .... we do ..... so what?


Cast your vote NOW !!!

WHO will it be for 2012?

Cast your vote to support the cats  ......................................................................................................  or the dogs !!!!!  
Click on the candidate you’re voting for
Votes of $100 or more will receive an 8x10 glossy photo of their candidates (as shown below)!!!!


Click photo for Vincent and the Cats                                                              Click photo for Duke and the Dogs

Or send your VOTE by check to

Cats vs Dogs 2012
Rikki’s Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange VA 22960
be sure to specify CATS or DOGS

We’re ready for a debate!
Send in your questions (comment below), check back frequently for our answers!!!

VOTE as often as you like !!!!

Ask all your friends to VOTE !!!!






Lake-of-the-Woods First Annual Dog Fest
Rikki's Refuge will also be at the Lake-of-the-Woods First Annual Dog Fest, Saturday, April 28th, 2012 from 11:00am - 4:00pm at the LOW Equestrian Center. There will be live music, food, face painting, K-9 demonstrations, etc. Please come out and support this event. For directions: www.lowa.org/map.htm   or more info: call: (540) 972-2238

Starting at 11 am, you can meet Mike the goat.  He’s the guy who broke his leg on Earthquake Day!  He’s all healed up now and ready to be a Spokes Goat !!  If the weather is nice and I’m feeling up to it, I’ll be there from 11 - 11:30 -- then I have to come home for my very own Birthday Party at the Refuge.


Sometimes it takes a long time
and at Rikki’s Refuge, we never stop.  Mama and Sonny came in 2004, left behind by their owners “cuz them dogs is gettin’ too old”.  We saw the light in their eyes and over the years they became icons of Rikki’s.  EIGHT years later, they got yet another gift.  A real forever home with wonderful people and a wonderful yard!

Your kindness and support make it possible for the old folks to have a home for life.  Be it at Rikki’s forever ... of finally into a real home !!!!!    A real home is always best but when it’s not waiting for you, we leave the light on at Rikki’s Refuge.



 












Everybody moved out of Rabbit Rotunda One
Beautiful Rabbit Rotunda 2 is a lovely home and sure made #1 look shabby in comparison!!!!  So all the rabbits and guinea pigs and every moved into the new digs.  We’re getting ready to do the renovations on #1.  If you’d like to help out, let mom know: Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org   Especially if you’re a landscape drainage expert - mom really needs to talk to you !!!!!


Reston Pet Fiesta
Rikki's Refuge will be at the Reston Pet Fiesta, from 10:00am - 4:00pm on Saturday, May 5th, 2012. for more info: www.petfiesta.org/


Diana is a Princess
And has found her very own Prince.  Once left behind, skinny, with thyroid problems, full of parasites, with serious skin problems, cancer on an ear ..... but still purring .... Diana has found her forever new home, where she’ll be treated like the princess she is for the rest of her life!

Your support of Rikki’s Refuge make it possible for animals like Diana to have a second chance.




Public Hearing
On May 8th, there will be a public hearing about Rikki’s Refuge, right here in Orange.  Remember the two office trailers that were donated to us by a church last year?  Well before we can use them we have to get a Special Use Permit approved.  It’s been inspected and approved by all the county agencies that are involved, approved by the Planning Commission.  This is the final public hearing with the Board of Supervisors.  If you’d like to come to the meeting and tell them how you think having nice office space for the humans to work in would help things, and say please allow Rikki’s to use the trailers, contact mom for the details.  Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org




Even with Leukemia

Dear sweet Libby gets a home of her own!  Not real fond of other kitties, but loving to ride on the shoulders of humans, poor Libby was going to die because she has Feline Leukemia.  She came to live at Rikki’s Refuge with the 40 or so others who share her disease.  Contagious to other kitties, Rikki’s maintains two habitats especially for the Feluk Kids, to keep everyone safe.  Most Feluk Kids live their natural lives out at Rikki’s, but a few of the super lucky get adopted.  Like Libby.

Your support of Rikki’s Refuge gives a chance to these kids.  Some who’ll live normal life spans.  many who’ll need a lot of extra medical care during their lives.  Others who may only have a few months or years to share our planet, but all who are gratefully appreciative to you to allow them that life.








Memorial Day Meet-the-Animals TOUR
On Memorial Day at NOON we will have a TOUR that everyone is invited to!!!  Come out and meet the animals who’s lives you’ve saved.  We all want to meet you!!   Have you seen the lovely new addition to Cat House Number One yet?   Or beautiful new Rabbit Rotunda 2?  Come on out and see what’s new since last time you visited!



Alumni Paddy Kat
Paddy Kat was critter number 1,940 when he came to Rikki’s Refuge in 2004.  His only problem was testing positive for the fiv virus.  A virus, that we’ve found over the years, seems to have no affect on the kitties health.  Yet so much fear and the element of the unknown, still make these cats almost unadoptable.

But not for lucky Paddy Kat!!!  Here he is at home, where he’s very happy as a member of Ron’s clan.

Your generous support provides for about 60 cats with the fiv virus, so they can live happily at Rikki’s Refuge.  Most shelters kill cats that test positive for fiv.  At Rikki’s they get a happy home for the rest of their natural lives.  Except when they find an open minded adoptor like Ron!



Jack and Jill

went home as puppies expecting to be family members for life.  Eight years later the kids were “tired” of them, the adults tired of “messes in the yard”.  Moving to a larger house a few blocks away was the perfect time to “get rid” of Jack and Jill. 

At eight years old, they wouldn’t stay alive very long in most shelters.  It’s puppy season and everybody wants a puppy!!!  Would anyone want depressed, sad, 8 year old Jack and Jill?  Probably not.

Thanks to supporters who keep Rikki’s Refuge running, Jack and Jill are here.  They just arrived on Tuesday.  Shy, obviously haven’t had much attention for quite a while, but very nice and gentle, they’ll be coming out of their shells soon.  As soon as their neglected medical care gets updated, they’ll be ready for ADOPTION.  They’re a pair and they’ll be a delightful addition to your home. 

If you’re interested in meeting Jack and Jill, let mom know Kerry@RikkisRefuge.org



Kitty Cuddle Time


It's up to you!!
CLICK to PICK
support the Cats or the Dogs!



Thank you for your love and support. 
Together we’re making a marvelous difference!!!

LOVE,
VINCENT
April 25, 2012

PS: Please help me, I work hard to keep Rikki's Refuge Running. I need your continued support.








The Fine Print
Rikki's Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 367-acre, no-kill, all species, peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations from kind and loving individuals just like you!   We help farm animals, domestic animals, and wildlife.  Over 1250 individuals of 22 different species now reside at Rikki's Refuge.  Please continue to help us help the animals.  To learn more about Rikki's Refuge go to http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/, http://www.rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/, and http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge . 
We survive on donations from kind and loving people, just like you.  We live on a shoestring and make it on less than one dollar per day, per animal.  So if you can spare a couple of bucks to buy a few meals, please go to http://www.paypal.com/ and use our email address of mail@rikkisrefuge.org .  We do accept checks, money orders, cash and stuff, too!  Thanks for your support.  Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960
Your donations directly support the Critters of Rikki’s Refuge.  Rikki's Refuge is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Virginia Corporation. Federal Tax-ID 54-1911042. We hold membership in all Combined Federal Campaigns in Virginia #77674, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #3163, PetsMart Charities #1377, iGive, Benevolink, paypal.com (mail@rikkisrefuge.org), your donations provide direct support. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs. 

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