Thursday, August 18, 2005

Finally, it's the dogs' turn....

After having several successful Spa-Di-Da events at the shelter in which we spiffed up cats, rabbits and even a guinea pig, finally the dogs are getting a turn. The Second Annual Xsport Fitness Lean & Clean Dog Wash will take place on Saturday, August 27. Dogs can come to the Xsport Fitness location in Lakeview-- 3240 N. Ashland Ave. from noon - 4 p.m. and get washed for just $10. All proceeds will benefit the shelter.

Here's an idea--take your furry friend to the beach for a romp, then come by on the way home to get those sandy paws hosed off!

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

More wildlife at the shelter...

When will it end? Last week Shane took a baby possum to a rescue out in the far suburbs. Today a baby pigeon with a broken wing was left at the shelter. Luckily we were able to provide help for both of these animals.

Jennifer

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Obviously: to get to Red Door where she would be cared for until a new home was found.

On Tuesday, Madeleine the chicken went to her new home--a little farm south of Chicago--where she immediately starting scratching up dirt and clucking, all signs of a happy chicken. Thanks to Fran Kras, for arranging an adoption for Madeleine, and for driving Madeleine there.

We found Madeleine to be such a fascinating and friendly animal, we're not at all surprised to learn about a trend sweeping the suburbs and cities in this country: the keeping of a few backyard chickens as pets and for eggs. Read more about that in today's New York Times, "Scratch a Suburb, Find a Chicken": http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/11/garden/11fowl.html?ex=1124424000&en=bb9aa8b9afc93b44&ei=5070

--Marcia

Saturday, August 06, 2005

More birds flock to Red Door

As we prepare to transfer Madeline the chicken to a new home, here comes another bird!

A woman from a cat rescue we work with contacted us a few days ago. While vacationing in the country nearby, she saw some people drive up and dump a baby duck beside a pond. The poor duck ran peeping after the car until he became too exhausted and could not run anymore...and that's where we come in. We're probably going to call him Peep, though name suggestions are welcome! We're waiting for Peep to come to the shelter, and then we will transfer him quickly to a home--we have several good possibilities from having placed Ping earlier this summer.

Tony, one of our staff members, joked this morning that the rabbits had better watch out with so many birds coming our way. Let's hope a little bird doesn't spread the word about Red Door's latest "projects" or we may have to start buying grain in bulk!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Spa-Di-Da Day + Red Door's Chicken Comes to Roost

They say the third time is a charm and that was certainly the case for Red Door's third Spa-Di-Da Day on July 30. It was our most successful Spa event yet! Many Red Door alumni came back for nail trimmings, grooming and glamour portraits: Honey & Charley, Buddy & Morgan, Bugs & Bubbles, Dave, Spike, Lexi, MonneyPenny (formerly Suki) and Diego, Sachi, Lucius (formerly Bob), and Carson [rabbits], plus Mynah, Nadia, and Puella [cats]. Plus Jasmine, our first guinea pig, came for grooming, too.

Thanks to all the volunteers who showed up to help: Emilie Johnson, Gina, Mike Maitlo, Toni Greetis, Matthew Alschuler, Liz Rench, Theresa Zingery and Cheryl Darnell....as well as board members Fran Kras, Rachel Lang & Marcia Coburn.

Good thing so many hands were on deck because the shelter kept receiving phone calls about a rooster running around East Rogers Park. Mike and Cheryl left to investigate and returned with a black and white chicken--proving themselves to be chicken wranglers extraordinaire. Dr. Susan Horton, of Chicago Exotics, waited to treat the chicken--who looked pretty droopy and skinny--even though her practice had closed for the day.

She informed us that it was a laying hen, not a rooster, who was very dehydrated. The chicken, named Madeleine, was also running a fever, so she was put on Baytril, an antiobiotic. We were told to turn a fan on her and start feeding her Pedialite. By the end of the day, Madeleine was looking a little better althought she was far from ready for a glamour portrait herself.
--Marcia