Mike Kraus' Animal Kingdom

Hello Daisy!


Sorry, already adopted...  But, a very sweet and funny Dachshund.


You can tell how tiny she is by comparing her to the chair legs.


And now for the kittens.  Not adopted, but not quite ready yet.  They are in the foster program and need to put on some weight first.  




Fawn.  Not at work, but hanging out at our apartment.


CONSTRUCTION UPDATE!  The walls of the new clinic are rapidly rising!


The walls of the new training center and offices!

"This means something.  This is important."  

If you don't get it, please put this on your Netflix queue: Movie suggestion

All the great things we do for the animals is because of you!  So, please show your support and our race and festival below:

BARKTOBERFEST

September 22, 2012, Lollypop Farm from 8:30am to 3pm

http://www.lollypop.org/bfest/mikekraus

You Get the Idea...

One must always be aware of fuzzy kittens at the office...


And a farm full of cupcakes


Chance apparently likes to dress like a fireman because he doesn't like the rain


I've seen how he puts out fires.


Here's the new $855 million children's hospital I worked on for a couple of years when in Chicago.  With the move, Children's Memorial Hospital has become the Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.  This place will probably be the most fun hospital ever built and a tourist destination.  Check it out at: http://luriechildrens.org/

PS-Congrats to the Children's Memorial staff, volunteers, donors, and the countless people that made it possible for such an awesome place to exist.  I'm very proud to say I played a very minor role in something that will help generations of children attain a healthy adulthood.

Build a Better Lollypop Farm!

LOLLYPOP FARM ANNOUNCES $4.5 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGNStart: May 17, 2012 08:00 AM

Fairport, NY — Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, publicly announced its $4.5 million Unleash the Dream Capital Campaign today.

The $4.5 million Unleash the Dream Capital Campaign will provide the resources needed for a renovation and expansion effort that reflects the vision for the future of Lollypop Farm. Animal adoptions, admissions, staff, and volunteers continue to increase dramatically, and Lollypop Farm is impeded by its current facilities and the lack of space needed to meet the current demand for outreach programs. Donations to the Capital Campaign will help to Build a Better Lollypop and will enable a future for animals and people where Lollypop Farm can Educate, Help, Enhance, Create, and Empower—and foster a more humane community.

"We need the help of the community to make these critical improvements to our facilities that will directly and immediately improve our ability to care for animals in Greater Rochester and educate the public," explains Alice Calabrese, CAWA, president and CEO at Lollypop Farm. “As an independent non-profit that receives no government funding, Lollypop Farm, relies entirely on support from the community to help pets in need.”

Lollypop Farm is requesting donations or pledges of support for the Capital Campaign. All gifts, great and small, will make a significant difference in our ability to complete our renovations. Funds raised enable the shelter to continue to give a second chance to thousands of animals in Rochester and surrounding areas. For more information, or to donate today, please visit www.buildabetterlollypop.org or call (585) 223-1330 x245.

Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is committed to building lifelong bonds between people and animals through education, community outreach, and the prevention of cruelty. Learn more at (585) 223-1330 orwww.lollypop.org.

A this means fun construction equipment outside my office!!!


Everyone gathering for the groundbreaking ceremony


Speeches


Olivia Newton Puppy and Lizzie Borden enjoying the festivities


A goat!


Somewhere behind all the cameras is Cathie Wright, Director of Development






Handing out the golden shovels and hardhats




IT HAS BEGUN!!!


Now, Alice Calabrese, President & CEO of Lollypop Farm starts to tear down the "Achy Breaky Barn."








Alice seemed to have a lot of fun!

THANK YOU to the Greater Rochester community and beyond for making it possible to improve the lives of thousands of animals!  We could not do this without your support.  For more information, please visit: www.BuildABetterLollypop.org!  And, I promise there will be a lot of updates over the next year!!!

Random Randomness

Gertie is back for more adventures with Megan and Mike.  Just look at those eyes.  They say "I will wake you up all night and steal your pillow!"



Snowman with a dog food rainbow.  Hmmm...



Megan came home with Stinky Gringo Margarita's to celebrate our upcoming trip to Florida.  36 proof and 18% alcohol...  That will do it...



Geez Louise looking like she had a few Stinky Gringo's herself.  



Some really funny kittens at Lollypop Farm.


And...  Done...

Mike Kraus' Animal Adventures!

Here's one of the pit bull pups from a cruelty case.  When they first came in you could fit a few of couple of them in your hand.  Now look at them!  It's funny that they like to snuggle like babies until they reach about 70 lbs.



Here they are again at our meeting.  It's hard to focus on the creation of a new website for the organization when there are puppies.



I like the orange kitten's ear flopping out.



Okay...  I'm sorry...  No more taking pictures of fuzzy kitten ball...



The wildest animal of them all.  Rachel and I playing pirates where I was Capt'n Blonde Beard and she was "just a regular girl pirate."  



Oh Dock.  It's been a long road.  You were found near death on a dry dock starving and ill.  You came in my office in July with an upper respiratory infection.  You've destroyed so many office supplies and documents.  Been on more medication than I can remember.  Had a scope put up your nose to see what is going on with you and NOW YOU ARE FINALLY ABLE TO BE ADOPTED!!!



Just one of the deer in my backyard.  There were four other deer that hid behind a bush when I walked up on them.  


That's all from here.  Awaiting the results of the Tigers/Yankees series tomorrow night.  Going to the Bills/Eagles game this weekend.  Things at Lollypop Farm have been really, really good lately.  So, yeah all around!

FARM DAY AND "I'M SO EXCITED I COULD SCREAM!"

We got to babysit Tachel (Rachel) last Saturday, which was also Farm Day at Lollypop Farm!



Along with our great volunteers, I had to find places for everyone to park.  Sorry if you had to go down Victor Road last weekend and there was a backup...






Hayride featuring Russ!



Tachel the cat



Megan and her pet Tachel



Bounce House!



It's been a while since I did a sneak photo attack on the wife...



Storytelling and Tachel was right up front until she wanted a hot dog.



Burgers and hot dog picnic with the horses



Lots of grillin'









My favorite vehicle to direct traffic for...



Adrienne, Lollypop's Communications Director, trying to convince Pickles to come down.



You know, at no other job would this be considered a part of a normal day.  Pretty awesome.  Joanna walking around with a pig that just got out of surgery because it had some kind of stomach issue.



MORE KITTENS!  So, pick out the one's you want to adopt and come on down!


That's about it for now.  Just planning to watch some Detroit Red Wings in the playoffs and try to finish up Team of Rivals.  Fix Megan's car too.  Then there's the whole house-hunting thing.  Some other stuff too.  Anyway...