Bob and Georganne Lenham "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge," Psalm 91:4.

There is a quote out there somewhere that says something to the effect of telling a man's character by the way he treats animals. If this holds true, the character of Bob and Georganne Lenham tops the scale.

Through-the-night feedings, spending ever y extra penny on vet visits and care, demanding feeding schedules and medical needs of the animals all play a part in keeping the Lenhams close to home and dedicated to the work they do in caring for and raising rescued animals.

These retired veterans spend most every waking moment and many of their sleeping hours as well, attending to the needs of deer and other small mammals that have come to them through various sources.

This work with animals all came about when the couple moved to Whitehouse from Angel Fire, New Mexico. They had friends in the area who begged them to consider coming here.

"You'll hate the summers, but you'll love the people and ever ything else," Georganne said. "And we did and we do…hate the heat of the summers and love the people."

Noah and the bunnies When the Lenhams found their place, it was love at first sight and it came with 50 acres and a flying squirrel.

"As we started moving things into the house we discovered this little flying squirrel who obviously needed some help that we didn't know how to provide," Georganne said. "We were steered toward Jan Burkett who offered aid to injured and abandoned animals."

It was Burkett who hooked the Lenhams on taking all of the necessary steps to becoming licensed rescue volunteers.

"She taught us everything we know," Georganne said. "She and Tanya Thibodeaux are priceless. We were subpermitted under Jan before we actually got our license."

To legally handle and care for rescued animals, especially those that are placed by Texas Parks and Wildlife, there is a great deal of training and paperwork that must be completed. It is all for the benefit of the animals, but is a great deal of work for a volunteer to go through. Your heart has to be in it for the long haul.

This wonderful pair of animal lovers came together in a most unusual way. It was all for the love of country and dedication to soldiers who gave so much of themselves during their time of service.

While working for the Disabled American Veterans, Bob met the golden-haired Georganne, also a veteran. She had been inspired to write a song to be dedicated to the U.S. soldiers of the Vietnam war. She made a connection with Bob about singing at the DAV's national convention. One thing led to another and not only did Georganne sing for the convention, but her song, "Angel Fire," was incorporated into a video about the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial in Angel Fire, N. M. This was the first memorial built to honor the Vietnam veterans. The Disabled American Veterans Organization began construction on the Visitor Center in 1985. The Center was dedicated in 1986. Bob was in charge of the project while with the DAV.

In 1993 the two became one and their lives bloomed more than ever before.

Bob and Georganne have an indispensable member of the rehab team that carries on with some disabilities of his own. Noah is a non-releasable, one-legged homing pigeon/rock dove that was placed with the Lenhams from an Oklahoma horse trainer. This onetime racing pigeon lost his way and found himself in the trainer's barn. He was wounded and literally on his last leg when he began his rehab with the Lenhams.

While Noah continued his healing, Georganne discovered him looking into the cage of a litter of bunnies even sometimes sleeping there. One day she went to check on the bunnies and found one to be missing. She frantically moved the bird out of the way to get a better look in the cage for the missing kit only to find him safe and warm under Noah's wing.

Since that day, Noah has provided a safe and warm featherbed for many bunnies who find themselves in the care of the Lenhams.

The Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, the Lenhams and all the critters could use your help. They have completed all the paperwork and are now a notfor profit corporation accepting tax deductible donations. To contact them about donating or volunteering, write Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, P.O. 278, Whitehouse, TX 75791 or call (903) 253-6147 or (903) 253-6149.