Rescue Reveal – FORA

Between a complete lack of internet air time and my phone refusing to download photographs, I find myself abysmally late with this post.  

Great staff at FORA, happily sitting on the pile of food and dog baskets delivered

However, late or not, FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals) most certainly deserves a reveal.  They are a wonderful Pro-Life shelter, situated in Luipaardsvlei, Krugersdorp.  They look after 320 dogs and 120 cats at any given time.

One of FORA’s cutie pie kittens, playing silly buggers for the photograph

This beautiful, extremely loving and talkative girl is looking for a wonderful home

I’m just too chilled for a photo shoot

To quote them, their goals are to “provide the very best for all the animals in our care, ensuring they receive food, shelter, medication, sterilization and above all to offer all our animals the chance of a new life in a loving home, and if they cannot find a home, that they are guaranteed a home at the shelter for the rest of their days.”

The grounds at FORA, aiming to give shelter animals the best life possible

Just a gorgeous couple of sweetie pies we are!

Hey, come check out my own personal swimming pool!!

These are goals at which they are succeeding famously well.  Their animals are given exceptional care.  Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide them with the best possible life and opportunities to find loving forever homes.

A FORA volunteer, providing this very loving and gentle dog with a walk and lots of attention

My brother is here as well but he was giving me a hard time, so I’ve become the “office dog”, although I quite like the wheelbarrow as well

On the 24^th October (see, I told you I was painfully late), I slowly (my car was laden with rather heavy food) negotiated my way through the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, to make the delivery.  The staff at FORA are wonderful and welcomed me with open arms.  They gave up their valuable time to show me around every inch of their facilities from arrival areas to sick bays and everything in between, whilst I clicked away at every photo opportunity that presented itself.

 

I came in having lost my eye but FORA fixed me all up and, although it might not look great, I am a happy, sweet, blur of a tail wagging dog (that blur around my bottom really is my tail wagging that fast).

 

Just give me a second, I’m sure I can squeeze out to say “hello”

Hey there, photograph me! I’m sure I’m the most beautiful!

If anyone is thinking of getting a pet, I strongly recommend that you consider adopting your furry friend from FORA.  If you wish to find out more about them, or believe that you can help in any way whatsoever, please hop onto their website HERE.  FORA are currently running at the maximum capacity and, in order to provide space for additional animals in need, current cutie-pies need to be adopted out.  Of course, not everyone is in a position to adopt an animal but you could make a difference by donating money, food, blankets or volunteer time.

And to end off – there’s nothing quite like a cute bunch of kittens

Rescue Reveal – ARK Animal Centre

My most humble apologies for being so scarce of late.  It appears the cell phone companies are quite particular about payment.  Silly really, considering they are making a sweet fortune without my measly little amount. 

Fear not, however, as a small thing such as a complete and utter lack of communication facilities is highly unlikely to stop me.

So, plowing on regardless, I’m pleased to reveal to you ARK Animal Centre.  They are an utterly fabulous organisation with, of course, a pro-life policy for all the animals in their care.  They take on puppies and pregnant moms and work tirelessly to ensure that all are healthy, happy, loved, exercised and receiving any medical care required.

An Ark puppy – most definitely loved (well, who wouldn’t?)

They have recently moved to a new property, purchased by the owner, for the dogs, by selling her own home.  Now there’s someone who definitely puts the welfare of the animals before herself.

Much loved Mom, although she refused to open her eyes for any photographs

Ark Animal Centre are based just passed the Fourways/Dainfern area on a wonderfully large property, allowing them to provide the dogs in their care with fantastic walks and stimuli.  This is definitely a happy bunch of dogs and puppies who, I am sure, are delighted that the owner gave up her home to move them to such a great property.

Such a gentle lass – she’ll make someone a most wonderful pet

This last weekend was far more successful than my previous fundraising exercise and I would like to thank the wonderfully generous Blairgowrie residents, the Blairgowrie Spar, Brightwater Commons Flea Market and the awesome people who donated money and food as well as those who supplied me with items to sell at the flea market.

Some super sized bags of dog food, kindly donated

With the help of everyone above, I was able to deliver cash, dog food and a staff care package (the all important tea and snack break items vital to the wellbeing of overworked shelter staff), to Ark Animal Centre.

Staff Care Package plus extra dog food. When working in these shelters, you’ll not believe how important your tea break is. It’s just as important to keep the staff happy as it is the animals.

The cat items received were kindly delivered to Cat A Holics, by my long suffering father who was instantly put to hard manual labour and general work both over the weekend and today, with deliveries.

Puppy Play Time

I now have a permanent space at the Brightwater Commons Flea Market in Randburg and shall be stationed there every Saturday and Sunday.  My stall is a White Elephant for the Animals affair and I sell anything and everything that is donated.

Running for my cover. Save me from those big bullies

Anyone out there finding themselves in the area over a weekend – I would be utterly delighted to meet you.  Anyone who has been storing goodies in their house, such as books, jewelry, ornaments, toys, stationery (truly, anything cluttering up your home) – we would be eternally grateful for the donation of these unwanted items as, the more we sell, the more we can help the shelters.

Play time sure is exhausting!

Gone to the Dogs

Well truly, it’s about time a few dogs got themselves back on this blog.  Little character infused kittens seem to have been taking over recently.  So, we’ll give you some pics from the Vereeniging & Districts Kennel Club open show.  They kindly agreed to me having a table to raise funds for the shelters. 

Fund raising was, well, a rather dismal affair but it’s hard not to have fun at an open show.  We didn’t get in any money but we did get to run around, taking photos of blog friend look-a-likes and we got a whole lot of our new brochures out.  Let’s hope that the kind souls who now have them, choose to fill in the all important debit order form.  Anyone out there, reading this to see if their dog made the blog, your generosity could make all the difference to the less fortunate pups out there.  Even the smallest monthly donation helps and, if you truly have no spare cents at the end of a month, then flea market items (those bits and bobs creating clutter in your house) are always very much appreciated.

Right then, enough bribery and on to some look-a-likes and general cuteness.

Being an Open Show meant is was, yes, you guessed it, open – to all breeds and, even better, ages.  That meant we got to see both puppies and child handlers.  Who can resist cute kids and puppies?  So, first up, 2 adorable and beautiful children with their equally adorable and cute puppies

 

And not to forget our friends.  This one is for Raffles 

And Misaki.  Well, fine, it’s not a Malamute but a Husky is pretty darned close

And Mollie.  Yes, again, not really a Mollie dog but close, at least in colouring

Oh and, guess what, we even found an Easy impersonator.  Just look into those eyes and tell me there’s not trouble coming.

Then a bunch of cute little Grey Hound puppies, just to add to the cuteness factor

And how could we do a post without having some nudity involved.  A Chinese Crested is always good for and this pic will have to be dedicated to Doggy, not only because he rather likes posts with nudity but also because he insists that he wants to steal Pixels from me but would have to shave her.  Thought I’d let you see what a nude animal might look like.

Plus a Collie for our Meadow friends

And, not to forget our lovely Litchi Love.  We at least managed to find a dog that shows her what she was supposed to look like, even if she failed.

So, even if the fund raising didn’t go as well as others, we had a wonderful day out.  Not the best set of photos but certainly fun taking them.

Who do you think is the best Look-A-Like?

Rescue Reveal – Kent Animal Shelter NY – Courtesy of Finn & Charley

If you don’t already know Finn & Charley, I highly recommend that you pop over there immediately!  It’s hard, at the best of times, not to fall in love with Golden Retrievers but these two are truly special.

Phenomenal Finn

They epitomise the generosity and love the makes our Blogoshere so amazing.

Charming Charley

Many of you know about Savannah’s Mom’s efforts to save Leo, a very sick cat.   To help raise funds, the magnificent Mollie & Alfie ran an auction.

The fantastic Finn & Charley chose to bid on an item, not for themselves but for other rescue animals, highlighting a truly wonderful shelter.  How sweet is that!  Of course, Goldens are so sweet by nature that we really weren’t surprised.

Torrey – available for adoption 

They want to highlight Kent Animal Shelter in NY.  They were so impressed by the shelter that they immediately felt the need to gain them more exposure.  Obviously, there’s exposure happening anyway, as the animals are predominantly naked but we are not talking that type of exposure here!

Trooper – available for adoption

Being adopted themselves, Finn & Charley feel strongly about Pro-Life organisations, such as Kent Animal Shelter, who ensure their animals are given as much time as necessary to find their perfect “forever homes”.  No animal in their care will be euthanised unless incurably ill.

Penguin – available for adoption

Kent Animal Shelter has been running for over 40 years, caring for, loving and re-homing thousands of abused, abandoned and homeless animals.  They provide a happy and tranquil place, on a scenic property near the Peconic River.  Animals receive exercise, love and expert medical attention.  They even run Pet Therapy Programs and strive to educate people regarding pet care, leadership and compassion by working with local schools and groups.

Daria – available for adoption

Their vision is greater than the animals in their care, as they reach out into the community, sharing knowledge and providing low cost spay/neuter programs.  They have even gone so far as to start a Retirement Home Program for cats.

Scooter – available for adoption

If you are ever thinking of a adopting a pet, or feel that you can help them in any way, Kent Animal Shelter comes highly recommended and is certainly worth a visit.  They typically have about 100 animals available for adoption.

Abbey – available for adoption

They can be found at 2259 River Road, in Calverton.

Our eternal thanks to Finn & Charley for highlighting this wonderful organisation.  Give them a High Five everybody!!!!

PS – all photographs courtesy of Finn & Charley and the Kent Animal Shelter

Rescue Reveal – Kitty & Puppy Haven

The wonderful children at St David’s Marist School organised a box of food and some blankets for donation.  Bless them!  I took this lot to Kitty & Puppy Haven, a Pro-Life Animal Shelter.  

What a wonderful bunch but good golly, what a difficult time they are going through.

Kitty and Puppy Haven help approximately 3000 animals annually.  Not only do they rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs and cats but they also run a desperately needed Community Veterinary Clinic for the disadvantaged community close to them.  However, bureaucracy has a way of making “doing good” rather taxing. 

“After 6 years of applications regarding the re-zoning on their property, they were … provided with permission to run the community clinic.  However, recently the court advised that the agreement was null and void due to technicalities.”

They were given a month to either euthanize the 200 animals they had in their care, or find alternative premises.  I am pleased to say that they managed the later, although not without substantial costs and logistical nightmares.

A “Friend with Benefits” – how funny is this?

“The impact of this ruling affects far more than just the animals at the sanctuary.  All Alex residents who make use of the community clinic will no longer have access to the services of the Kitty and Pupy Haven vet….Over the past 12 years approximately 11000 animals have been helped by Kitty and Puppy Haven”.

I take my hat off to Samantha Berger, founder of the centre, for remaining positive and optimistic during this trying time.

You can hop over to their Website  or visit the Facebook site.

Above quotes and pictures are from Kitty & Puppy Haven’s website.

I took these the day I visited:

I may be just a pup but I have a very responsible job, watching over the office staff

Oh yes, this is the life!

PS – please note that, despite the red tape, Long Life has finally been officially registered as a Non Profit Company.  The goal is to help shelters precisely like this one.  If you feel so inclined, please re-visit the updated How Can I Help and Donations pages.  Every tiny bit helps!

Vital Cadillac Maintenance – Step 1

If you read Your Step by Step guide to gaining a Cadillac, then you should now feel confident about acquiring your reasonably priced, slightly less than new, outstandingly upholstered Cadillac.  If not, please refer back.  

Remember, you can’t maintain a Cadillac if you don’t Have a Cadillac.

Now, we all know to wash and clean the outside of our Cadillac.  A shiny exterior will gain the attention one is seeking.  However, the longevity of your Cadillac will be greatly improved if you also consider the maintenance of the interior.

Step 1 for good interior maintenance:

Especially during the early days, a bit of “spit and polish” is going to be necessary.  In order to acquire the required spit, you could throw hard earned cash away, purchasing items or, if you are feeling frugal, you can simply use wobbly bits from a slightly older model.

Diagrammatic representation of Frugal Interior Maintenance is provided below:

 

Allow new Cadillac to chew on the ear of marginally older model, thereby maintaining good “spit and polish” interior

What are you waiting for?  Rush on over to your nearest “Cadillac Supplier” (or Rescue Shelter) to gain yourself the latest high end model.

Your step by step guide to gaining a Cadillac:

1. Contact Friend (that’d be me) stating your desire for a Cadillac and requesting friends assistance.
2. Inform Friend (yes, still me) that it does not have to be brand new.  A slightly older model, as long as under a year, would be very acceptable.
3. Make the process more difficult by informing Friend that delivery of Cadillac will only be required in a couple of months time, meaning that Friend cannot truly begin looking.  Obviously, in a couple of months, said Cadillac’s age will be different and it might have been acquired by someone else entirely.
4. Fear not, however, as Friend understands that in a few months, you will be at home for a while and can bond with your Cadillac more effectively.
5. Phone Friend again and confuse her (not difficult – she’s a blonde) by changing your mind and insisting on as new a model as possible, stating you fear your cat may not approve of a pre-used Cadillac.  Well, we all know that cats rule the roost, are decidedly fussy and prefer new things which they can mark freshly with their own scent.
6. Inform Friend you would like her to go and view the potential Cadillac’s on offer with you.  This is fantastic as Friend adores them and is very excited.
7. Receive list of potential Cadillac Suppliers from Friend.  Phone Friend and tell her you are going immediately to view a specific, rather fantastic sounding option, giving her no time to join you.  This step is vital, as you would not want Friend to be entirely satisfied with the deal.
8. Fall instantly in love with the first model viewed but ensure that you waste some time checking out other, less viable, alternatives before returning to your first choice.  You have time to waste so why bother trusting your first instinct?
9. Phone Friend and inform her that you have taken receipt of new Cadillac but that she may not yet view it herself, as it is having a few issues and requires a visit to the Cadillac Service Centre.
10. After some Extensive Internal Servicing, finally invite Friend to view Cadillac.

May I introduce you to Cadillac, the latest adoption:

Cadillac the Cutie Poo

Sunday Sleep

It’s Sunday Mom and you want me to do WHAT?!?

You want me to get out of BED?

You have got to be kidding me?  I have only one answer

I laugh at you!!

Really Mom, you do make me laugh.  I’m staying right here:

No way Mom – It’s Sunday, the day of Rest!

Consider adopting your next pet and you too can relinquish your bed to a love bug like this.

 

Ramping it up for the Rescues

Yes, the other entries are splendogorous and splencatorious and not to forget splenpigorous but I’ve just found out (yes, I’m a little slow) that there are ACTUAL PRIZES to be won.

Now you know I’m not going to take a prize for this little menagerie.  No sirree!  If there are prizes to be given, they’ll go straight to an animal shelter.  Come on guys, it’s time to vote for a shelter to get a prize.

The Valentines Ball over at Mollie & Alfie is going magnificently.

Raffles is a most regal and handsome fellow but, bless his little curly socks, he is, of course, still a pup.  He started the proceedings looking like this:

Regal Raffles with Litchi in her “A La Poodle” hairstyle (courtesy of Raffles’ Help)

But soon found the decorations simply irresistible:

How can any pup, regal or not, be expected to ignore such delectable toys?

Litchi, whom many believe to be a true Lady but whose hidden nature is that of Manic Mania, joined in the fun like this:

Maniac Litchi trying to catch pieces of decor tossed about by Raffles

Raffles, on having been admonished by the bouncers, retreated in shame to hide in the bushes:

Raffles, like any young one at their first party, landed up in the bushes!

But Litchi, knowing it was her duty as the “more mature” half of this couple, ran to her rescue, bribed the bouncers (she learnt that from Doggy) and ensured their return entry to the Ball:

Litchi rushes to Raffles Rescue

Shadow and Coccolino also started the festivities in fine style:

Cocco, the true gentlepig, arrived with a cupcake gift when he collected Shadow

But as the alcohol flowed, he managed to relieve another guest of their costume and give Shadow some good giggles along the way:

What girl wouldn’t laugh at a man wearing pirate skulls for Valentines?

Realising he was on to a good wicket, he sneaked Shadow off to teach her how to steal the best quality drinks on the sly:

Well, no cat is going to say “No” to some stolen, spiked milk

But once the shenanigans were over, Cocco certainly put his best hoof forward and my, oh my, what an accomplished dancer he proved to be:

Now tell me, how could these two possibly not win King and Queen of the Ball?

Moving onto the youngest attendee at the ball.  Little 8 week old Pixels and the two most utterly handsome dates in dogville, Scout and Teddy:

As the Lady we trust she will grow up to be, she donned a fabulous hat to match her Gentledog partners

What kitty could say no to the perfect Black & White partners, sporting their top hats with style and grace?

Scout seemed really taken by Pixels and gave her his best Toothy Grin

To which Pixels replied with an:

Eeeeeek!

But soon realised that these two stunners were nothing, if not caring, gentle, slobberbugs well worthy of her paw pats.

Enough jabbering – get yourselves off to Mollie & Alfie and cast your votes for King and Queen of the Ball and Best Dressed.

Again, I warn you, DO NOT look at the other entries.  They are spectacular and brain cells will instantly ignite into an inferno.

Remember, you are voting to get a Rescue Shelter a PRIZE.  You are voting for the DESTITUTE, the HOMELESS, the UNLOVED and ADORABLE!  This is YOUR CHANCE to make a DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES!

PS – All photos of dates were maliciously stolen off their blogs.  They may sue me but would have to stand in line with the other 3258 other claimants.  We suspect your court date would be scheduled for around 2098.

The Rescue Animals of the World unite in saying THANK YOU!

Valentines Valuable Votes

Yes, we’re doing it again.  We need your votes in order to win in Mollie & Alfie’s fabulous Valentines Ball competition. 

Not to make you feel guilty or anything but your votes are not for us, they are for the poor, abandoned, abused and neglected pets of the world. 

Pixels at only 8 weeks old, already has Scout and Teddy (count that – 2 handsome dates!) for the ball

Pixels: Been on this planet for a mere 8 weeks.  Lost her Mom at 6 weeks.  Been run over by a car.  Taken to the vet and X-Rayed.  Picked up by complete strangers (that’d be me).  Put in a home with strange cats and a dog.  Somehow, managed to organize 2, yes 2 handsome dates for Valentines Ball.  Apparently Scout and Teddy think she is hotness percatified!

Shadow with the most fun date on the PLANET, Cocco the mini pig (and a bum tickling cupcake)

Shadow: Lost her Mom at 4 weeks of age.  Got taken home by stranger (yes, me again).  Grew up to be simply stunningly beautiful.  Nabbed herself a seriously hot date with Coccolino the Mini Pig.  He’s so sweet he even made Shadow a cupcake for the date, which for reasons unbeknown to us, he appears to be using to brush Shadow’s hot little butt?!?

Litchi and the utterly to die for, handsome pup Raffles (so young and yet so dapper)

Litchi: Roamed the streets being neglected and badly treated for her first 6 months on earth.  Trusted no-one.  Got taken home by strange individual (gosh, could that be me again?).  Went from supposedly “people aggressive” to working with children, helping to teach them Dog Body Language.  Hit the jackpot and got a date with Raffles, the mighty handsome Standard Poodle Pup.  They make the perfect Black & White couple and Litchi, knowing that this would be Raffles first Ball attendance, ensured she’d make him feel comfortable by wearing a quite stunning wig to match Raffles’ curly fur.

What you need to do:

1. Hop over to Mollie & Alfie’s before 3am (British Time).
2. DO NOT get distracted by looking at any of the other awesome entries!!!
3. To avoid letting yourself, your conscience and your country down, ignore the entire post and scroll immediately to the comments (you may go back and look after capturing your entirely biased vote).
4. Vote for Sweetest Couple and Hottest Couple (obviously, we’re wanting one of these three in each)
5. Vote by putting comment eg # 1 Pixels Scout and Teddy, # 2 Raffles and Litchi, # 3 Cocco and Shadow (or whatever order you would like – see, not all that biased as you are allowed to choose between these three).

The rescue animals of the world thank you!

Our incredible photographs and attire were generously done by:

Shadow and Cocco – Festooned by the incredible Mom, owned by the fabulous guinea pigs of Hutch A Good Life

Litchi and Raffles – Amazingly attired by Raffles’ Help from The Princess Tails

Pixels, Scout and Teddy – Adorned by Scout and Teddy’s slave over at Dogs n Pawz

My eternal thanks to the handsome dates and their slaves/help/producers.