Jack Frost warms up Home for Life®


A very alert Jack Frost poses with animal care specialist Cassie Hatella

Jack Frost is a magnificent mackerel orange tabby who is believed to be about 8 years old and a neutered male. Jack is also diabetic and receives insulin shots twice a day.

One would expect Jack Frost to be a white cat with his name, but he was christened thus due to the heartbreaking condition in which he was found by residents and staff of a nursing home outside of Rochester, Minnesota.

Jack Frost was well loved by the residents and staff for six years, and developed quite a strong personality, communicating his wishes through articulate meows and pointed stares. He was affectionate and gentle and also adventurous; he loved to explore every nook and cranny of the nursing home and would enthusiastically meet anyone who wanted to befriend him.

However, when Jack developed diabetes, the new manger of the home believed that the staff had enough to do without taking care of a "disabled" cat and instructed the nurses to have Jack euthanized. The residents were heartbroken and the staff appalled, and everyone who had come to know and love Jack begged for time to find an alternative solution.

Thanks to a resourceful nurse, Jack found his way to Home For Life®. We have a soft spot for working animals who have provided years if therapeutic help to the elderly and other at-risk people, and we could not turn Jack Frost away.

Initially, Jack was sad at losing his home and missed his friends. However, his gregarious ways have won him many new friends among the HFL staff. He also has feline friends, a new experience for Jack, who had always been an only cat.

Jack Frost is profiled in our Fall newsletter, along with several other charming and interesting new residents. See our Newsletters page for this and past issues.

Previous Animal Updates: October 15, 2007

Something is always happening in the lives of Home for Life® residents: achievements, visits from sponsors and supporters, and milestones. This page highlights just a few of the many events that residents experience throughout the year.

Biker meets dog... and cat, and tortoise

September 22 was a perfect Fall day for the 4th Annual Ride for Their Lives, the annual motorcycle ride to benefit Home for Life®. Nearly 90 bikes plus assorted other patrons participated this year, contributing over $5000 for the animals at the sanctuary.

It is always a stirring sight to see the line of motorcycles proceeding up the sanctuary's long driveway, the riders eager to see the animals, and the animals wondering who's coming!

This year's ride departed from the Big 10 in Arden Hills, after a hearty breakfast. All riders received a Home for Life® pin and a T-shirt designed just for our event by famed dog artist Marie Mason.

The bikers enjoyed a beautiful ride through the St. Croix river valley, with the fall colors on display. Upon arriving at HFL, the bikers toured the facility and met the many animals who were helped by their generosity. Cold drinks and a bountiful lunch were provided by donors Deb Cooper and Tami Cabrera Weinann of Muddy Paws Cheesecake. Mike from Hudson was the lucky winner in the drawing for an all-expense-paid trip to the Amelia Island Plantation in Florida.

Our thanks to Doc Desio, Director of Operations at St. Croix Harley Davidson, without whom we could not have coordinated such a successful ride. Thanks also to:

Studious dogs receive media attention


Robbin stands at attention for her trainer Nate, 17. Photo by Elizabeth Flores of the Star Tribune.

In our May 23 Animal Update, we published the stories of Emily and Simon, two young HFL canine residents who completed basic obedience training through the Renaissance Program at Boys Totem Town School.

Recently, a new group of dogs participating in the program got the attention of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune.

In a story titled Helping Dogs Help Delinquents, Star Tribune reporter Chris Havens observes a training session, interviews some of the participating boys, and describes the program. Read the article online or download the scanned article (PDF).

For more information about the Renaissance Program, see Animals Give Back.