kk106

January 2006 Kennel Korner Articles

January 3rd 2006 "Harsh"

HARSH STILL NEEDS A HOME!

January 8th, 2006 "The Loss of a
Giant"

Norbert Passed Away

January 17th 2006 "Queen
Latifah"

QUEENIE STILL NEEDS A HOME!

January 24th 2006 "Rats!"

MANY RATS STILL NEED HOMES!

Kennel Korner Article Home

Rescue Home

2005, 2006 copyright WhipStaff Ranch

		Kennel Korner By Pam Abels Harsh, the 1 yr. old Chesapeake/Smooth Collie mix, was talking to the other dogs outside the other day, apparently trying to figure out what was going to happen next. He asked Honey, the 2yr. old Yellow Lab/mix, how long she had been here and she responded that it has been awhile. She told him that it didnâ€™t really matter because she never has to worry about missing a meal as she had before, she gets plenty of attention, maybe not as much as she would if she had a special home all her own but incredibility more than she ever had before. Honey told him that a special friend comes and walks her and is teaching her how to be gentle with people because she never had training her whole life. He also works with the other dogs, teaching them that if they donâ€™t jump on people, if they take treats gentle and if they are good dogs, they will find just the perfect home where the hugs and kisses will go on forever. Harsh told her that he had a very nice home but they had to let him go even though they cried. He said that he heard that the owner of their house did not like dogs and so he came here. Lamar, the 1yr.old Lab/Pointer mix, chimed in. Lamar shared that he used to be the cool dude on the block, running around where ever he wanted and eating anything he found in the garbage cans or along the road. It was really fun except when the cars almost hit him, or when the kids chased him with their bikes hitting him with sticks or if the food was locked up in the cans too good, or when the nights got cold or when he got yelled at by people because he was hungry, or when he got scared because he was so alone, but that was all good, he knew that sooner or later he would be able to find the mother load of all food and a warm place to crash forever. Harsh giggled to himself because he knew that Lamar hated the life he was forced to live because his owners had dumped him. Harsh saw how Lamar loved the fresh food and water, his warm house and all the attention he got on a regular basis. Ellie and her babies came here, she said because she was homeless. She never really had a home of her own; she just wandered from place to place until it was time to have her babies. She knew that she had to have some type of shelter or the babies would not live. She did not have much choice; she lay against a house and tried to protect the babies as they were born from the wind and snow. She did the best she could. Now she lives here and she has plenty of shelter, her babies and her were given medicine and plenty of food and water. Some people came and cuddled up one of her babies, the little girl. Ellie was sad to see her go but she will have a wonderful home of her own now, it was her time. Buddy, the 6 mo. Schnauzer mix, is however upset. He arrived here with his housemate Annabelle but she was taken to live with a very nice couple. He is sad he has been left behind and he wants a home of his own too. Buddy stamped his foot in protest and pouted for a few minutes then began the howling game with Lamar and all the others in the dog yard. Buddy told Harsh that soon someone would come to visit all of them, he had seen it happen and then they would all have a warm couch to lay on and treats forever, besides Buddy reminded everyone, I donâ€™t pee in the house and people love that trick! Harsh and Lamar both howled back, well, neither do we! Harsh said that while he waits he will sit on his favorite snow pile and look cute, besides, he is the first one everyone will see as they drive up, he is the greeter, the master of the snow hill, the keeper of the horses, the king of the driveway. He knows he is the bestâ€¦but donâ€™t tell Buddy I said that! All these wonderful dogs are waiting for Forever homes. Can you give them this as a New Years gift? Can you invest a few moments of your time to love them and keep the hugs and kisses coming forever, they have agreed to do the same as well as protect you with their lives, not eat all the popcorn during a cuddly movie, never to change the channel mid show, never sit at the table and beg (well maybe once in awhile) and never ever stop loving you. Believe me, you canâ€™t buy that in a store. Please check out our website and see all the great friends we have at WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue waiting for you to come and snatch them up. These are all high quality, one of a kind, unique pets never to be seen anywhere else. If you take a chance on them, they will take one on you. We would like to thank all the special friends and animal lovers for all the wonderful gifts you have provided for the animals in the last week. We have been totally overwhelmed with your unbelievable generosity and compassion. Because of this all the animals have good food in their new dishes, straw to keep them warm, houses for them to live in, treats, new collars and leashes for them to go to their new home with, doggie beds to sleep in, litter for the cats and food for them, cat toys to keep them busy, and gifts towards medical bills and medication and special diets required by some of our â€œthrow-awaysâ€� that live here until they find the perfect home. A special thanks to our friend in the Blackduck area that clips coupons for us. We appreciate all the calls with suggestions and those just checking on different animals here at the Ranch. Thank you so much. Please look at our website, www.whipstaff-ranch.com for up to date photos and information on all the residents waiting for the call that says they are going to their very own home. You can call us at 467-3309 or email us at celtic@paulbunyan.net also. We are also listed on www.Petfinder.com WhipStaff Ranch & Rescue has been in operation for 15 years, finding wonderful homes for all the â€œthrow-awaysâ€� that cross our doorstep. We are committed to all creatures that cannot speak for themselves; we hope you are too.

Kennel Korner by Pam Abels This weekend was a tough one here at WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue. Norbert the male Iguana that we took in from a family in the cities passed away. He was severely underweight, malnourished, had over 2 feet of his tail broken off from grabbing him by it, his spines that stood up on his back had been cut down, had a severe case of mouth rot from an inadequate diet and his femoral glands were so severely impacted they began to become infected with gangrene. We treated him with antibiotics, daily cleansing of wounds and treated the gangrene on his tail and legs under supervision and advice from the Green Iguana Society. We saw in him a regal, gentle giant wishing to be a companion to Hermine the girl that came with him. She is recovering well from her experience and she seemed to try and encourage Norbert to do the same. She lay by him and nudged his head with hers. She tried to gently lift his head with hers as she lay next to him keeping his body heat higher. She even dove in and out of their pond to put water on his body in hopes to keep him hydrated even though we were misting him. The Society donated a special light for the pair, which gives them special UV lighting and heat. We did see an improvement in their color. When they arrived they were a whitish-gray color but their tones came to a beautiful lime green due to the special light. Hermine is now eating well on her own, fancying strawberries and pineapple. It was a long journey with Norbert, and sadly now it has come to an end for him. Kristi, Carrie, Jenny, Jeremy, Steve and myself worked day and night on this majestic creature but now he rests and our hearts ache for the loss but rejoice that his pain is over. We sometimes wonder why we do these things, take in those which humanity has so carelessly neglected or abused. We wonder why we put ourselves through such heartache, especially when the outcome is so grim but then we also have to understand that if people were better educated about the pets they choose, perhaps Norbert would have been treated better. If you shed a tear for Norbert, send it with a wish that people will think before taking in an animal. Hope that they will do the very best they can to protect them from harm. Pray that the animal they chose is treated fairly and has its needs met. Dream that humanity will understand that these creatures are here for us to tend to. They give us undying love and devotion. They ask very little in return. Hug your kids but also hug your pets and know that they deserve love and compassion too. Please donâ€™t fail them, they forgive and forgive but we must learn from the mistakes we make. I guess thatâ€™s why we do what we do. We take the most severe cases to give them a fighting chance at happiness and devotion. Another creature has left this earth, we should morn that loss and know that abuse and neglect took Norbert. We need to change this. Please consider adopting one of the wonderful animals that are waiting for â€œforeverâ€� homes. We call the animals here little â€œthrow-awaysâ€� because they have been brought here due to many different reasons. They are wonderful creatures with much to offer. We have beautiful cats and kittens needing that special person to come and get them. They are all waiting patiently, but their dream is your arms to hold them, your smile when they kiss you or rub against your cheek. They dream of a second chance. Though no fault of their own they have been brought here and now they wait. Just imagine giving all the love you know you have for an animal and then realize you had more love yet hidden inside you because you are truly admired by those two eyes that look at you so gently, waiting for you to speak those few words that mean so much, I love you, youâ€™re a good baby. Please visit our website, www.whipstaff-ranch.com for up to date photos and information on all the residents waiting for the call that says they are going to their very own home. You can call us at 467-3309 or email us at celtic@paulbunyan.net also. We are also listed on www.Petfinder.com WhipStaff Ranch & Rescue has been in operation for 15 years, finding wonderful homes for all the â€œthrow-awaysâ€� that cross our doorstep. We are committed to all creatures that cannot speak for themselves, we hope you are too.

	Kennel Korner By Carolyn Van Wert Cats can be very independent, making them seem aloof and arrogant at times, especially to those people less than appreciative of our feline friends. This independence leads them to be excellent pets for people who work away from the home. They have the advantage over dogs in bathroom habits, using a litter box. You never have to worry about walking the cat when its cold and rainy, storming or snowing. Instead, you can curl up on the couch with a good book, soothed by the purring of your feline companion. Despite all their marvelous senses and independence, cats are indeed domesticated creatures, and like all domestic animals they rely on humans for proper care. This includes providing them shelter, hopefully in the form of your indoor home. It means giving them clean water, nutricious food and vet care. It also means making the commitment to spay or neuter your cat to ensure your pet does not contribute to the overpopulation problem, as well as protect your beloved friend from certain common reproductive organ cancers. Neutered cats statistically live much longer than intact cats. The average lifespan for an indoor, neutered cat is 15-20 years, where an intact cat living outdoors rarely sees their second birthday. Keeping a collar with tags on your cat at all times, even if it is strictly an indoor pet is very important. Every year, approximately 2 million cats enter impounds, shelters, humane societies and rescues, the vast majority of these cats are strays. Less than 2 percent are ever reunited with their owner. This is because there is no way an owner can be traced unless a pet is properly identified by a collar and tags, a microchip or tattoo. Sadly, only about 23 percent of cats that enter the â€œsystemâ€� each year are adopted. With the 2 percent reclaimed, this leaves approximately 75 percent of all cats that enter the sheltering system to be euthanized. What does it boil down to? Approximately 1 and a half million cats are put to sleep in shelters every year, because there are not enough homes to go around. By neutering your cat you will help reduce the number of kittens born each year as well as protect itâ€™s health. Its inexpensive, easy, and the right thing to do for you, your cat, and the 1,500,000 cats that die each year waiting for a home. Iâ€™d love to introduce you to a few of the beautiful and loving cats we have that deserve a chance at a good life. These are all wonderful spirits who truly do want to be part of a family! Jewels is a 4 year old Maine Coon female who has been spayed, is up to date on all her vaccinations, and has been feline leukemia tested negative. She has a loving temperament and gets along well with cats and dogs. Jewels is a beautiful â€œTorbyâ€� in color- a tortoishell tabby. She has a long mane and big fluffy tail. Qamar is a gorgeous black gentleman with vibrant sea foam green eyes. He has the tinest white bib under his chin. Qamar is so sweet and friendly, and is about 4 years old as well. He has been neutered, is up to date on shots and is also Leukemia negative. Qamar was born in a shelter and has spent 4 years waiting for the right home. We know its out there, heâ€™s too sweet a cat to pass by. I happen to love black cats and I know there are a lot of us out there that do. His eyes are so gorgeous, its hard to imagine him in a shelter that long. Last but not least is Queen Latifah. A snow white goddess, Queen has short smooth fur and beautiful golden eyes. She is indeed very queenly as she sit on her throne (the shelf in her cage!) and surveys her kingdom. Her royal attitude changes when you pay attention to her though- she loves to be held, rubbed, loved and kissed! Queen is spayed, up to date on shots and has been leukemia tested negative as well. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who called, emailed and stopped by to extend their condolences in the loss of Norbert the iguana in last weeks article. We appreciate your thoughts, and Hermoine enjoyed her special visitors as well. We know Norbert is in a better place now and his suffering is over. For those of you who called asking what we currently are in need of, the answer is dry dog and cat food. We use quite a lot of kibble here! We put it to good use. Our rescue dogs and cats are grateful for your help. And while you are here, you can visit with the feline friends, canine companions and wee creatures that would love to come home with you! WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue is a family farm and private all species rescue in operation for over 15 years. We work hard to provide a temporary home to everything from hamsters to horses, and every animal in between! Our adoptable pets may be seen at www.whipstaff-ranch.com or on www.petfinder.org. Email us at celtic@paulbunyan.net or give us a call at 218-467-3309 to set up a time to visit.

Kennel Korner By Carolyn Van Wert It has been said many times that WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue opens their doors to a wide variety of creatures each year. Todayâ€™s article will give you a peek at some of the more unusual pets we have up for adoption. Seymore is a 2 year old smooth coated male guinea pig. His owner was moving and could not keep him. He is gentle and remarkably quiet for a guinea pig! He is a beautiful red, black and white tricolor with silver gray roaning. Truly an unusual pig if you ask me! Seymore loves carrots and alfalfa, but what heâ€™d love the best is a new mom or dad to snuggle him. Sadie and Ferris are a bonded pair of adult ferrets. Sadie is a beautiful dark sable, and Ferris is a silver cinnamon. Both are spayed/neutered and descented. Their owner loved them very much but didnâ€™t have enough time to devote to them. Sadie and Ferris are about 5 years old and quite good with their litterbox. They are also good with dogs, children and cats, and have never bitten anyone. They are super playful and extra cuddly! Hogan and Sylvester are adorable rabbits that deserve a new home. Hogan is a 5 yr old chinchilla colored Mini Rex doe. Sylvester is a 1 year old blue Holland Lop buck. Hogan and Sylvester are both litter box trained and are accustomed to having the run of the house. Sylvester came to us very sick and underweight and has just a bit more to go, but heâ€™s ready for a new mom and dad. Hogan is pleasantly plump and full of love. She is a talkative rabbit, chatting with you in little grunts, squeaks and grumbles. On January 20th at 4 am, our rescue became home to a colony of fancy rats displaced from their home in Minneapolis due to zoning regulations. Every color and variety is here, all waiting to go to loving homes. They are extremely well socialized, healthy and loving. Most of the rats are less than 12 weeks old. There are dumbos with giant silly ears, Manx rats- yes, they have no tails! Dino, a Hairless rat, is especially comical looking. There are champagne rats, blue rats, hooded rats, dalmation rats, beige and fawn, pink eyed white and more. There are both boy and girl rats that need homes. It is best to adopt a same sex pair as rats are very social and love each otherâ€™s company when they cannot be with you. Our rats enjoy eating high quality senior dog food, dry cereals and grains, dried fruit such as raisins, dry pasta noodles, dry rice and beans, sunflower seeds and peanuts. They also love soy milk and wheat bread, fresh fruits and veggies. We use aspen or pine bedding for our small animals. If you have any extra aquariums, even if they leak, we could sure use them for housing these furry orphans. And of course we have plenty of feline friends and canine companions waiting for their new home too. Snickerdoodle the cat spent his first 5 years of life in a shelter until coming to our rescue. He came with a very loving attitude, and a nasty longstanding upper respiratory infection from the shelter. He is currently on a powerful antibiotic to try to cure him. Its expensive, but Snickerdoodle is worth every penny and more. If you would like to help out with Snickerdoodleâ€™s medicine it would be wonderful! This cat has an amazing coat- it reminds me of a mink. He at first appears to be a smokey black, but when he moves, you see something unusual- his undercoat is white. Snickerdoodleâ€™s mother was a Burmese cat, so this may be where his unusual coloring came from. Bessie and Rain, 2 beautiful kittens have become fast friends here. They are inseperable. Bessie is a 4 month old black and white spotted female, and Rain is a solid white 5 month old boy. They are both playful and loving. A special friend of our cats has offered to contribute to Bessie and Rainâ€™s adoption if a special family would be willing to adopt them together. Everyone knows 2 kittens are better than one, lets get this little pair into a family soon! For those of you who called asking what we currently are in need of, we have a Wish List on our website. If you do not have internet access, feel free to give us a call. I can assure you that we put every gift to very good use, nothing goes to waste here. Our rescued pets are grateful for your help. And while you are here, you can visit with the feline friends, canine companions and wee creatures that would love to come home with you! WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue is a family farm and private all species rescue in operation for over 15 years. We work hard to provide a temporary home to everything from hamsters to horses, and every animal in between! Our adoptable pets may be seen at www.whipstaff-ranch.com or on www.petfinder.org. Email us at celtic@paulbunyan.net or give us a call at 218-467-3309 to set up a time to visit.