Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Matching Funds for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

We are pleased to announce that once again this winter, Friends of Flicka has offered to match donations to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue in December and January. Every dollar donated will be matched up to $5000.

Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue (RLRR) is a companion animal rescue located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northwestern Minnesota. The rescue was founded by Karen Good and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2006.

There is an all-volunteer RLRR Twin Cities support group. The volunteers help with animal transport, fostering, transport of food and supplies to the shelter, work at the shelter, and clinic support.

MISSION:

1) Education

RLRR is educating Red Lake residents by teaching basic animal care, which includes feeding, watering, shelter, medical care and spaying/neutering.

Karen is committed to teaching compassion to a society facing enormous challenges. The reservation has a very high rate of poverty and unemployment, so it is no surprise that the most vulnerable population, dogs and cats, would suffer, too. By teaching compassion, and providing an opportunity for volunteerism for residents, especially youth, the suffering experienced by the reservation animals is reduced.

RLRR provides information about animal health care, abuse, overpopulation, and spay/neuter opportunities at Red Lake Health Fairs and at its local spay/neuter clinics.

RLRR is also working on revising the Red Lake Tribal Code regarding animal abuse and neglect. There had never been a case of animal abuse brought before the tribal courts until recently, and this was due to Karen's advocacy for the humane treatment of animals.

Red Lake Rosie's would like to develop a model for rescue, shelter, veterinary care, and reducing overpopulation through spay/neuter initiatives that can be replicated on other Indian Reservations.

Annually, RLRR has booths at both the Twin Cities' and Bemidji Pet Expos. Volunteers educate visitors about RLRR and hand-made, donated items are sold to raise funds. Adopted RLRR dogs are enthusiastic ambassadors the tables.

2) Medical Care

RLRR provides medical care and spay/neuter through private donations and grants at local veterinary hospitals. Each year RLRR holds four or five spay/neuter/vaccination clinics that are free to reservation residents.

The organizations providing services for these clinics are:

Minnesota Spay/Neuter Assistance Project (MN SNAP), Animal Humane Society Mobile Services Unit, Animal Ark Neuter Commuter, Akin Hills Pet Hospital, and The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Field Service Program (HSVMA).

3) Shelter and Placement

Stray/surrendered dogs are temporarily housed at the shelter in outdoor kennels with enclosed hay- filled areas for warmth. Small puppies, kittens, and cats reside in an indoor shelter. Most rescued animals are transported to rescues in the Twin Cities area for adoption.


See www.redlakerosie.org for more information or follow the blog at www.redlakerosie.blogspot.com for daily updates.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

In Memory of Lee Seidl

I was so sorry to learn of the passing of Lee Seidl at age 91. She is the mother of my friend Jim who has supported Friends of Flicka as a dream realized of helping animals in the name of his closest animal friends. We are deeply grateful for memorials received in remembrance of Lee.

Leona M. Seidl-Smith left quietly in her sleep for her new place of peace and rest, joining her husbands, Edward H. Seidl (just in time for his July 26th birthday) and Stan W. Smith.

She is the youngest daughter of Gustav and Esther Okerlund, and sister to Phoebe, Reuben, Nathaniel and Orpha all of whom have gone before her. Her sons Steve, Mark (Vicki), Jim, grandchildren Peter (Alli), Katelin (Derek), and Jacob, along with great-grandchildren Mia and Ava (Peter and Alli), remain to celebrate her rich life.

Whether at work or play, she was blessed with a host of friends and was an avid water and snow skier, golfer, bike rider and swimmer; played a mean game of bingo and intertained her grandkids with Monopoly, Pong and assorted other competitive board and card games.

Tusen tack, tack sa hemskt mycket, mormor.

As a lifelong member of the Evangelical Free Church, she was committed to a life of spiritual discipline. And she just may have been the preeminent Swedish Christmas cookie baker ever. She loved to travel and is probably still planning another trip to Hawaii.

Her life will be commemorated at a small gathering of family and friends on Friday, July 29th. A private burial ceremony was held (on Eddie's birthday) at Ft. Snelling. Kindly direct memorial donations in lieu of flowers to charity of choice.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hooch

Hooch was rescued by Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, then transferred to RAGOM (Retrieve A Golden Of Minnesota)for foster care. Friend of Flicka has faithfully supported both of these rescues and we're glad to see a happy ending for Hooch.

FROM RAGOM WEBSITE:
Hooch is a 9 month old, beautiful purebred Golden Retriever. This dog is absolutely delightful. Hooch came to RAGOM from a home where he lived outside unfenced and allowed to wander. One day the people came home and Hooch was injured with noticeable evidence in the yard of a scuffle. The owners believe he was attacked, perhaps bear, maybe coyote, wolf, raccoon, or another dog. The owners could not afford vet care and he was surrendered to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue who in turn called RAGOM. We are so happy we have him and thank Red Lake Rosie’s for rescuing him.

Hooch was immediately transported to a vet office to look at his wounds. Luckily, none are deep and did not require stitches. He doesn’t want to leave them alone however, so is sporting an e-collar and will do so until the areas have healed and are past the stage of possible infection. I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to take pictures of a dog with a cone on his head, so the pictures of him are as good as I can do at the moment. He doesn’t particularly like the e-collar (and I don’t blame him, he bumps into everything and everybody with it on), so it has already taken some serious wear and tear and as you can see, is duct taped to hold it together. Hooch also has ear infections which we are treating and he scratches a lot. He was covered in ticks which have been removed and he was given a flea/tick preventative. I’ve been waiting for the wounds to heal before giving him a bath. I’m hoping that once he gets a bath, he’ll feel better and not itch. He also has numerous scabs on his skin from the ticks. At the moment, I don’t know if he is scratching because of his skin condition or if he has environmental or food allergies. I give him a Benadryl twice a day along with his antibiotics and am feeding him a grain-free food. He is neutered, up-to-date on shots, heartworm negative and clean fecal (no parasites).

He met the other six dogs (three large, three small) at his foster home with his tail tucked between his legs. Once the meet and greet (one at a time) was completed, and he got the nod of approval from the resident dogs, Hooch lifted his tail and has been great with all the dogs. He fits right in. No aggression towards humans or dogs. I can do anything to him. He also of his own accord, appears to be housetrained and for a recently neutered male, I’m happy to report that I haven’t seen him mark anything either. I crated him for a few hours when he arrived to give him some time to rest and relax. He wasn’t crazy about going in the crate, but was quiet while in there for a couple of hours. Since then, I have not had a need to crate him. He sleeps on the floor in the bedroom at night, doesn’t get up on the furniture, doesn’t chew on things, likes to carry around shoes, but hasn’t damaged anything. Has been left home with free roam with the other five dogs for up to six hours with no problems. He has started to play with a couple of the dogs when outside, enjoying running around the backyard with them.

The perfect home for Hooch will be one that wants to help him develop into becoming all that he can be – which is a great dog. He doesn’t know any commands, so priority will be someone that enjoys taking their dog to positive motivational obedience training. His personality is so gentle and calm that developing into a therapy dog to visit children in hospitals or adults in nursing homes would be a very high possibility for him. He is very much the velcro Golden. I don’t have cats due to my own allergies, but I can’t imagine that they would be an issue with Hooch. His previous home had children so he was socialized to kids at a young age.

Will write more after his bath and let everyone know if that helps the itching and subsequent scratching. His wounds are healing nicely. He may have some permanent hair loss on his backend. I don’t know if the hair will grow back there or not. He is a beautiful boy either way.
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UPDATES:
06/22/2011:
I am very happy to report that Hooch has found his forever home. We get to enjoy him for a few more days and he will officially be adopted on Sunday. Hooch will have a loving mom and dad and a teenage brother and sister to love him, train him, pet him, play with him and make his life wonderful. The family is also considering training him in the future to be a therapy dog where he will be able to make many people happy with his so gentle, friendly personality.

I gave Hooch a bath with medicated shampoo and leave in conditioner hoping to help him be more comfortable. While it may have helped a little, it wasn’t enough and he kept scratching, so he visited the vet and is taking a short course of steroids to help him stop itching. We are hoping that once he stops itching and subsequent scratching, that he will heal and not itch in the future. His ear infection is healing up well.
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07/04/2011:
Hooch is officially adopted. He moved to his new home and met the cats in his typical calm, happy manner. He will have a mom and dad and two teenagers to love him. Way to go Hooch (n/k/a Hunter). We look forward to lots of happy updates and stories as Hooch enjoys his new life.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Kindly golden and pirate pup pal

Our Kodiak award winning Act V vet, Dr. Vickie, has a golden of her own who befriends the injured animals passing through their lives.

DR. VICKIE FROM ACT V RESCUE & REHABILITATION:

I found this picture of my golden with a 1 week old pup from Red Lake.

We named him Warren. He lost his left eye at about 3 weeks old. One of my clients now owns him. Nice pup.

Vicki

Monday, March 28, 2011

Video homage to Act V

Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation received the 2010 Kodiak award from Friends of Flicka recently and they sent us a video created by one of their faithful foster caregivers who is also a fine photographer. Check it out to learn more about Act V:

Our Fosters from Ms Tori on Vimeo.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

In Memory of Rolf G. Ljungkull

Friends of Flicka has lost a friend with the passing of Rolf G. Ljungkull.

Rolf and his wife Elisabeth have supported Friends of Flicka since the organization was created. They have had a lifelong love of animals and were happy to help animals in need. They were truly friends of Flicka and her brother Kodiak and we deeply appreciate that they chose to remember Friends of Flicka at this sad time.

Rolf's obituary as published in the Pioneer Press March 17, 18, 2010:

Born March 17, 1931 - died March 15, 2011, Rolf G. Ljungkull, The World's Finest Mechanical Engineer. Preceded in death by brothers: Herbert, Lars, and Gunnar. Sadly missed by Elisabeth, his wife of 58 years; children, Marta, Gus, Jo, Elisabeth; grandchildren, Kate, Margaret, Robin and wife Elizabeth, Della, and Cameron; sisters, Greta and Rose Marie; sister-in-law, Jean Ljungkull; many nieces and nephews. A service is planned for Saturday, March 19, 2:00, at the chapel in Boutwell's Landing in Oak Park Heights. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to Friends of Flicka.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2010 Kodiak Award: Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation

PRESS RELEASE:
Friends of Flicka is pleased to announce that the 2010 recipient of the Kodiak Award is Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation of Bloomington, Minnesota. This annual award of $5000 is given to a charitable organization or individual whose efforts on behalf of abused or abandoned animals are deserving of special recognition and aid.

CHAR: WAITING FOR A FOREVER HOMEAct V Rescue & Rehabilitation is a non-profit, foster-based organization dedicated to taking in and thoughtfully re-homing the most unwanted and neglected animals. Since Act V's founders include veterinary professionals, it is uniquely qualified to treat the specific challenges presented by this group of sick, injured and emotionally neglected animals.

TINKERBELL: INJURED FOOT SAVED FROM AMPUTATIONFormer recipient of the Kodiak Award, Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, shared the following thoughts about her experiences with Act V:

"Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, Inc. wishes to commend Dr. Vickie Schulz and Act V Rescue for the selfless service to the injured and suffering Red Lake dogs and cats.

LEROY: SKIN GRAFTS FOLLOWING TUMOR REMOVALIn 2010 Act V took in 36 dogs and 2 cats from Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue of which almost all had severe orthopedic and other major medical needs including broken legs, heartworm, parvo, intestinal blockage, neonatal pups, puppy strangles, and others suffering advanced malnutrition and digestive problems.

We relied on Act V and contacted them whenever sick and injured animals arrive at the shelter. They always responded and never turned us down.

RONNIE BEFORERONNIE AFTERWe are so happy to give this reference to one of the best and kindest vets we know. She has compassion and will even overextend herself to help the animals. Thank you from all the Red Lake animals."

CALYPSO BEFORECALYPSO AFTERFriends of Flicka Executive Director Denise Luke added, “On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are honored to contribute to the work of Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation, and recognize the extraordinary care and compassion of the Act V team for needy animals."

LI'L ROUNDHEAD & 5 SIBLINGS SOON LOOKING FOR HOMESCongratulations to Act V Rescue & Rehabilitation! Learn more about the organization at www.actvrescue.org. Click on the names of the animals pictured here to learn more about their stories.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

Friends of Flicka is a long-time supporter of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue located on the Red Lake Indian reservation in northern Minnesota. This amazing rescue is the full-time volunteer mission of Karen Good, a Native woman and elder for her tribe.

Karen and Red Lake Rosie's Rescue were first to receive the Kodiak Award in 2008 from Friends of Flicka. It is awarded to a volunteer or organization whose efforts on behalf of abused or abandoned animals are so extraordinary that special recognition is deserved.

As we wrote then, "Good's work is hampered by the poverty, remoteness of location and extremes of climate at Red Lake. She has rescued hundreds of dogs and cats including some that have been left for dead."

Special thanks for this video which includes an interview with Karen Good to Janet Roper, Animal Communicator for Talk2TheAnimals

The Animals at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue from JanetRoper on Vimeo.

Most recently we donated matching funds for a fundraising effort in the month of December. Over $20,000 was raised to buy supplies and pay medical bills for the animals for the remainder of the winter.

Now Friends of Flicka is happy to join in congratulating Karen Good as a 2011 Eleven Who Care honoree.

"The Eleven Who Care program was created 27 years ago to recognize the outstanding volunteers that serve our community.

Each year hundreds of volunteers are nominated for the award and the Eleven Who Care Board of Governors select the eleven to be honored. The honorees represent the variety of opportunities available in our community. They truly exemplify the belief that one person can make a difference."

Congratulations, Karen!

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Wildcat Sanctuary

The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota is a very unusual organization that we support. They care for over wild cats, large and small, from all over the country.

The cats come from a variety of situations but have often suffered from abuse or neglect. This Sanctuary gives them the opportunity to live out their lives in settings as wild and comfortable as possible. They do not have visitors like a zoo. Learn more in this video:

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Update on Scruffy

Scruffy is a sweet old dog we sponsor at RAGOM (Retrieve A Golden Of MN).

FOSTER MOM REPORTS:
12/06/2010:
Have I mentioned how in love with Scruffers I am? In case that hasn't come across fully, this dog is a complete lover. I have some pics I'll get up of some of our cuddle sessions. He loves loves loves to cuddle and comes up for pets all the time. He's always kept in the background until last night where I pretended I didn't see him so he kept coming closer until he felt the need to give my hand a kiss :-)

Scruffers loves the snow too. He acted like he didn't quite know what was going on at first but now he's a champ plowing through this stuff.

Scruff gets invited to all the neighborhood parties too. Well, if you call shoveling your driveway a party! A couple of my residents and the neighborhood dogs get to run in the dead end street and Scruffy gets to be on a long flexi-lead and watches, thinking maybe he can keep up with the young whipper snappers...

Scruffmuffin would love to have a furever home to spend Christmas in! He's the easiest foster I've had, and that's saying a lot! He just wants to love you and doesn't expect much in return, just a few scritches, some cuddle time and short walks. (Although he does walk 3 miles a couple times a week!). If you think you have what it takes to give this speical guy a home, contact your placement advisor!

And if you'd just like to come give him some cuddles without the commitment, he'll be at the Stillwater PetCo this Saturday, 12/11! come out and say HI.

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12/07/2010:
I know that all my pics of Scruff show him laying down asleep but he's so darned cute that I can't help not sharing these! He is awake every now and then ;-) But I'm too lazy to try and capture that cuteness... Plus, now you get to see our daily snuggle ritual!



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12/10/2010:
Well, Mr Scruffers is irrevocably spoilt now... no two ways around it. I have picked him up and put him in bed with me the past 2 nights. He is such a snuggle bug and now sits all pretty at the head of the bed at night wanting to come up, so of course I oblige. 4 dogs and me :-)

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12/14/2010:
Well look who is Mr. Popular!! My Scruffers of course ;-) Not only does he have wonderful sponsors, Friends of Flicka and Connie Jendro, but he is getting a page of Christmas tokens now!! A special thank you to Judith Cummings who knows where to send the love... to scuffmuffin. Another special thank you to his Anonymous giver who made a special donation to all the sweet sweet seniors at RAGOM. You are truly an angel.

A special thank you to Scruffy's girlfriends, Jadey-cakes and Maggie-poo... He'll give you some extra kisses on Thursday ;-)

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Rescue organizations need support in many ways. I help abandoned animals find loving homes. You can, too. . .