Helping Cats Survive Winter

The Marshmallow Foundation in Detroit Lakes was recently contacted by an owner in a local trailer park.  His part of the park was being shut down, and residents were leaving their cats behind.  He had been feeding nine cats, but was getting desperate.  He was already living without water, food was expensive, and the landlord had told him to get rid of the cats.

The sad reality of shelters throughout the state is that they are full to overflowing.  So we knew we couldn't immediately scoop them up, get them vetted, spayed and neutered and ready for adoption.  But the weather forecast called for -50 wind chill in the next couple of day, so we had to do something.

Volunteers sprung into action, Googling how to build cat shelters and gathering supplies.  7 heavy duty totes with lids were purchased, along with styrofoam sheets for insulation, and probably the most valuable thing; mylar insulation.  You know, the stuff you wrap around water heaters to keep them from freezing.  Mylar is used for emergency blankets to keep warm, reflecting body heat very effectively.

A wonderful volunteer offered her kitchen as a build station.  Here's what we did.

We measured the length, width, and depth of the totes, and cut styrofoam to cover the bottom, sides, and top.  We covered the bottom and top pieces with the mylar, and circled the inside of the tote with more mylar.  First layer was styrofoam, second layer was mylar insulation.  We cut a six inch hold on one side of the tote and corresponding styrofoam and mylar, and covered the rough edges of the hole with duct tape.  We had a bale of straw, which we stuffed inside the tote, between the tote wall and styrofoam, and then filled the inside with lots of straw for the cats to burrow in.  Then they mylar covered styrofoam lid goes on, followed finally by the tote lid.

On location, we put the totes with the hole facing a wall so that it would make it harder for predators to get into.  And to anyone passing by, it just looks like totes lined up, not cat shelters.  Two heated bowls and several gallons of water toted in completed the set-up.  We had some wet cat food, which is very important in the winter since it provides the necessary calories and fat to help them survive.  The cats were climbing into the shelters as soon as we arrived, so we knew we were successful.

In the meantime, we'll continue to hunt for rescue.  Its obvious these were once people's pets; several have collars, and I was able to pick up and cuddle a couple too, before I was forced to seek shelter myself with frostbit fingers and toes.

[caption id="attachment_298" align="alignnone" width="300"] Bottom styrofoam wraped in mylar and 2 end pieces cut[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_300" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Remaining styrofoam pieces added, sides wrapped in mylar[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_303" align="alignleft" width="169"] Top styrofoam wrapped, entrance cut, and tote lid on[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_296" align="aligncenter" width="300"] On site with shelters, food, water, and straw[/caption]

Death, Dying, and Unemployment

For 28 years, I was fearless.  Working in the airline industry automatically means instability; like walking through a mine field with clown shoes on.  But still, the constant layoffs always seemed reasonable.  You'd see the list of names affected and think, "he really sucked at his job", or "with that attitude it's a wonder she lasted as long as she did".

And for 28 years, I made it through that minefield just fine.  Until the time I didn't.  Until the time the layoffs seemed to have no rhyme or reason other than age and salary.

This felt like a death.  A death of a partner whom I've been with for 28 plus years.  The same stages of grief; disbelief, bargaining with God, anger, incredible sadness, and finally being resigned to the fact that that stage of my life is over, done, kaput.

Many days I still sleep walk through the hours, just waiting for dark so I can crawl back into bed, to hopefully sleep without dreams.  More and more now though, I feel a spark of hope, and apply for a job or two.  Or do a load of laundry.  Both tasks seem insurmountable some days, doable on others.

When strangers ask me what I do, I stumble on the answer.  Who am I, if not my job?  "Temporarily unemployed" is my usual answer, at which point I feel them shrink away from me like it's contagious.  In reality, they don't care one way or another; I could have said "I'm a paid operative for the CIA" and the response would have been the same.

So for now, I'll celebrate getting the laundry done.  Last week I celebrated getting out of bed before 10.  Who knows - next week might be even better.

Justice for Millie

Millie is a 14 week old Bluetick Coonhound puppy that was slammed to the floor multiple times into her own feces simply because she went potty inside the house.  Her back leg was broken so badly local vets couldn't fix it.  After being stabilized, she was transported by Marshmallow Foundation volunteers to the University of Minnesota, where she underwent surgery to repair the break.  More volunteers went to transport her back to Detroit Lakes, where she is now resting comfortably in a foster home.

This incident was witnessed, and the police were called.  The alleged perpetrator was arrested, made bond, and has a hearing scheduled for early next week.

Good news, right?  Maybe.  Animal abuse cases are rarely prosecuted, simply because there are often no witnesses, or the witnesses are intimidated by the perpetrator so they don't report it.  And if they are prosecuted, the offenders are given a warning or small fine.  Some states only treat it as a felony if it's the first animal abuse offense.

And here's a statistic that should concern everyone: Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.  

Help us help Millie and ensure that justice is served.

1. Donate to Millie's care here.


2. Call the prosecutor in this case and tell her that animal abuse should not be tolerated in our community.  Her name is Jennifer R.J. Knutson, Assistant Becker County Attorney, at 218-847-6590


3. Contact your local officials and your state legislators and demand that animal cruelty be treated as the serious crime it is.


4. Volunteer for your local animal shelter.  If your heart can't take the daily contact with the animals, volunteer to transport to vet appointments or to other rescues.  Millie wouldn't have gotten to Minneapolis without caring people who were willing to go the extra mile (pun intended).

It starts with one person.  And together, we can change the world, or at least change our community.  For Millie.

 

White and Privileged

I have white privilege.  If I get stopped for speeding, it's likely I'll get a warning.  If I step into a crowded elevator, people won't back away from me, unless I forgot to shower that morning.  If I walk into a liquor store with a hoodie on, no one asks me to put the hood down so the security cameras can see my face.  When I walk down a sidewalk, people won't cross the street to walk on the other side.

When people see me, they don't assume that I'm a troublemaker.  I could have the most vile of views, and yet if I showed up to march in support of my hatred, I'd not only get a permit, when violence arises, people would blame the protesters and not me.

I don't worry about being pulled aside at the airport and being subjected to extra "security" measures.   No one will forcibly drag me from an airplane.  I don't worry about random gunfire killing me in my living room.

White lives have always mattered in a country built around the concept that all people were created equal.  White Christian lives matter even more.

So yes, I am white and I am privileged.  And I am ashamed.  People like Peter Tefft of Fargo do not represent me.  I don't want to make America hate again; we've had too much of that already.  I want to live in a country where my life matters just as much as anyone else.  Anyone else.  No exceptions, period.

 

 

 

Death to Lutherans

Got your attention, didn't I.  After this week's horrific events in Charlottesville, VA, I've been seeing posts on Facebook and Twitter saying that the counter-protesters are as much to blame as the neo-nazis, white supremacists, and fascists in attendance.

Yes, there was a valid permit to march.  And yes, there were counter protesters that fought back physically.  But putting these groups of people in the same box is sickening.

Is it because the protesters were chanting "death to Jews" that you feel that both sides are to blame?  You're not a Jew, you're not African American, or Latino, or Muslim, or any of those things.

So let me ask you this.  What if they chanted "death to Lutherans" and came to Detroit Lakes to spew their hate speech?  If you stood on the beach with your own signs telling the haters to go home, and an anti-Lutheran drove his car into your line of folks, would you still think that both sides were equally to blame?  Because the Lutherans were yelling too, and spitting, and I think I even saw one throw a punch.

The KKK originally thought that Catholics were in the same category as blacks and Jews.  Did you miss that part of history?  Look it up.  Catholics aren't to blame for the cross burnings are they?  What about the lynchings?

And just because you're not one of the groups they hate now doesn't mean you won't be someday.  The nazis hated more than just the Jews.  You know from school history about the 6 million Jews murdered, right?  The Jews were just one of the groups the nazis hated.  Estimates of between 11 and 20 million people were murdered by this "hate group".   Read here for some statistics.

Martin Niemöller was a Protestant pastor that spoke up against the nazis.  He was one of the counter protesters.  He spent the last 7 years of nazi rule in a concentration camp.

Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Why a Dog Park Is Important

I recently read a letter in the the Detroit Lakes paper from a couple that bemoaned the fact that the city was (finally) going to build a dog park.  They didn't like the park near them, and didn't want to drive or walk to the city park so that their kids could play ball.

So let me tell you why a dog park is good - for humans.

1. At dog parks, pets serve as a safe way to meet new people and engage in conversation.  Normally shy, socially awkward  people come to life when talking about their dog.


2. You learn a lot about people based on how they treat their dog and how their dog interacts with people and other dogs.  Kids can learn ways to better train their dog (adults too) simply by interacting with experienced dog owners.


3. Dog parks provide a place for owners to get information about local veterinarians, groomers, shelters, and more.  Let your dog run and play and network!


4. Relationships made at the park are oftentimes extended outside the park.  It's a community of like-minded people, and you might find that you have more in common than being a dog lover.

So the advice I would give to the family opposing the dog park is this. Get a dog.  And bring the whole family for an afternoon at the park.  You might just enjoy yourself!

No Judgement Here

Animal rescue is stressful.  It's full of long days, with joy sprinkled in among the heartbreak.  Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't save that precious life.  Sometimes you can, but your Facebook feed is full of comments about how everyone else would do it differently.  Or with judgment on the humans that caused the misery to begin with.

Yesterday, a family surrendered a 5 year old dog because he was "sick".  They downplayed the illness, so the shelter thought that it was something simple, like worms perhaps.  The family couldn't afford medical care for Sheba, so they brought her to The Marshmallow Foundation in Detroit Lakes.

It was soon apparent that Sheba was much more seriously ill.  Large blood clots were coming out of her rear, and she was vomiting.  And the smell was horrendous.

The Marshmallow Foundation is in a rural area, where the closest after hours emergency hospital is in Fargo.  But emergency services are very expensive, and the shelter is barely hanging on with donations as it is.  Luckily, a group of dedicated folks got a local Vet to see Sheba after hours, and she's being treated for rat poison and heartworm.

When the shelter manager asked the rescue community for help and advice, some responses were helpful.  Some were not.  All sorts of judgement creeped into the comments; everything from what Vet she should be taken to, to "you know she's dying, right?".

And of course, it's hard not to judge the family that surrendered her.  It's very hard.  But in the moment, Sheba needed immediate care, so my hero, the shelter manager, gently reminded someone on Facebook that we needed to focus on what we could do rather than judging the humans.

This morning I read a post about dogs and puppies frozen to the ground in the Turtle Mountain reservation; the rescue folks there, instead of getting badly needed help, got all sorts of judgement.  I thought it worthwhile to quote some passages here.

"This is not a reservation problem. This is not a native problem. This is a geographical economic problem. We are the second poorest county in the state and have the highest jobless rate. It's hard for people to find work when there are not enough jobs. Our nearest big city is 2 hours away. When affordable vet care isn't available, how do people get their dogs spayed or neutered? When they don't get spayed or neutered, they breed, and continue to do so."

"For those that choose to criticize or complain, that is your right. All I ask is that before you do, please look in the mirror and ask what you have done to help the problem."

So our constant plea for donations and volunteers is because we don't have the same resources as larger communities.  Please withhold your judgement.  The job is hard enough.  "There but for the grace of God" is a phrase I repeat to myself often.

And despite the lack of resources, Sheba was not left to die.  Sheba was not euthanized because the shelter couldn't afford to treat her.  The shelter manager didn't go home after 8 hours and assume someone else was taking care of it. That is the beauty of a small rural community.  People band together to help.

For updates on Sheba and more ways you can help, like and follow us on Facebook or go to the website to donate or see the adorable dogs and cats ready for adoption.  Our next fundraiser, Hairball,  is at Zorbaz in DL on April 2nd 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm if you want to have some fun while donating to a good cause.  If you can't make Hairball, dress up in your best Bonnets and Bowties and come watch the Kentucky Derby at The Speak Easy in DL.

Woof You Be Mine?: Local Animal Shelter Residents Have Lots of Love to Give | Detroit Lakes Online

Source: Woof you be mine?: Local animal shelter residents have lots of love to give | Detroit Lakes Online

I was interviewed by the Detroit Lakes Forum last weekend about volunteering and animal adoption.  Meagan did a great job on the article, which highlights the need for volunteers as well as potential adopters.

The kitten in the photo is Luther, and he will likely come live with me if he's not claimed by his owner soon!

Here's a link to the article.

Dear New Employee Trump

Dear new employee,

Your 322,762,018 bosses welcome you and wish you well on your challenging new job.  Let me introduce you to those who you work for.

Half of us are women.  Please remember that more than 3 times the number of people that showed up to celebrate your first day came out to tell you that women matter.  Those same people told you that people with disabilities matter.  LGBTQ people.  People of color.  People that belong to the same church as you and people that don't.  People that believe in a higher power, and people that don't.

And you also work for people that didn't show up to march in the streets.  The people who just want a job.  The people that want unborn lives to be protected.  Some people that want to get richer, even if it means destroying the earth for their grandchildren.  You work for them too.

Please make wise decisions that will help all of people you work for, not just some that think like you, look like you, or are as rich as you.  Please remember that your words matter.  Evil dictators are listening and just might pick a fight with all of us because of what you say.

And more than anything, please remember the rules.  You have the freedom to speak your mind, but remember, we do too, and you work for us.  The press will be watching you - they have the right to report on what you say and do, honestly and fairly.  ALL the press - not just the media outlets that agree with you.  We, your bosses, have the right to performance reviews, and if some of us don't like what you're doing, we have the right to tell you.  That might take the form of removing some of your buddies and replacing them with new employees.  We also have the right to take to the streets if we disagree with you.

This is a temporary position, and we will be watching.

Trump – Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us?

It's no secret I'm not a Trump supporter.  Even if I was a conservative (I'm not), I would abhor his character.  As a frequent world traveler for work, I hear what other countries say about us; how we've become a laughing stock at best, and isolationists on the brink of nuclear war at worst.

But today, as I watched the hundreds upon thousands of people worldwide march in solidarity, peacefully, with love and grace, I felt hope.  Not because they were marching, but because they were awake and paying attention.  If this movement continues, perhaps people will start to believe that they too can make a difference.

This change isn't easy.  It isn't comfortable.  Friends you've known for years unfriend you because of your views.  Things get heated; fake news is treated as gospel if it fits your idea of how things are.

Today, while millions marched, Trump visited the CIA.  In front of a wall with stars signifying men and women who died in service of our country, Trump first praised Fox News.  Then he said how much he liked the Intelligence community, claiming that he was never against them, and nobody loved them more than Donald J. Trump.  The rest of his speech he spent talking about the dishonest media, and how reports of the low attendance at his inauguration were untrue.  And how many times he's been on the cover of Time.

This was day one.  Meanwhile, North Korea is planning to test us.  Meanwhile, ISIS is watching.  But let's focus instead on the HUGE crowds The Donald saw - had to have been 1.5 million cheering him on.

And Trump tweeted while Washington burned.

 

 

 

New Year, New Goals, Give Back

It's a new year, and many of you might have written resolutions for 2017, like lose weight, pay off bills, or get in shape.  Here's a thought for you.  How about adding some volunteering to that list?  The only thing it costs you is your time, and what it gives back is absolutely priceless.

If you're parents, what a great gift to give your kids.  If they're old enough, they can volunteer too, and learn a lifetime of lessons.  Just an hour a week playing with the cats (we call it socializing), means that we have information to give a prospective adopter, like does it get along with other cats?  Is it a lap cat?  Playful, or a 'sit in the sun' kind of cat?

At  The Marshmallow Foundation in Detroit Lakes, our volunteer needs are many.  There always seem to be folks that want to work with the dogs, but the cats struggle, as they do in shelters all over the country.  There's the manual labor of cleaning the kennels of course, but there is so much more needed.  For example, we need a list of foster parents, who are willing to take a kitty home with them that otherwise won't survive in a shelter environment.  Someone that we can teach to administer fluids if necessary, syringe feed, or just give love and warmth.  When we get a cat that has been injured or is obviously sick, we seek out a rescue to take them, and have transported as far as Wisconsin to get them the necessary care.  But this time of year, the rescues are as full as we are, and sometimes have to say no.

Maybe you want to help, but are afraid of getting attached, or have an allergy.  Another volunteer opportunity that we struggle with is grant writing.  We miss out on thousands of dollars simply because we don't have the time to research the available grants and apply for them.

Maybe you're a sales person - how about helping us fund raise?  We are ALWAYS raising funds.  It might be as simple as selling raffle tickets or calendars, or more involved like organizing one of our fundraisers or putting together our annual calendar for 2018.

Are you creative?  We'd love to sell t-shirts, but again, who has the time?  I took a stab at designing one, using the Bonfire.com service.  I KNOW you can do better than I can!

Now see, I just gave you a bunch of great New Year's resolutions, and none of them cost a cent.  If you're in the Detroit Lakes area, please check out the website for The Marshmallow Foundation, and fill out a volunteer application.  Call or Facebook us to set up a time to have a tour of the facility, or talk about volunteer opportunities.  We'd love to have you on the team!