Paws Press

In May 2008, an adorable Australian Shepherd mix was rescued by ARF from a Central Valley shelter. Upon arrival at ARF, it was discovered “Tropicana” suffered from significant hearing impairment. ARF’s dog trainer worked extensively with Tropicana, teaching numerous hand signals to this cute ARF favorite, from sit to down to stay. Sadly, this easy-going, happy-go-lucky dog was overlooked for months because of her hearing impairment. Tropicana waited and waited at ARF, until an exceptional family from the Lake Berryessa area of Vacaville, California viewed her on ARF’s website and decided to make the drive to ARF.

Later that week, Mary and her daughter, Jammie, visited Tropicana. When the daughter and Tropicana met, it was truly love at first sight. They both fell on the floor, snuggling and cuddling together. As mother and daughter walked through ARF’s shelter visiting numerous other shelter dogs, they would return each time to coo over Tropicana.

A few days later, Jammie and her father, Bill, returned to ARF with two of their three family dogs for a meet and greet. All three dogs had a wonderful visit and the entire family agreed Tropicana would make the perfect addition to their extensive family. This family already includes three dogs, ducks, sheep, goats, and various other furry and feathered friends. Most importantly though, Jammie is excited she now has a dog to call her own, to be her companion and friend, as the rest of the family dogs have always been attached to Bill. At Tropicana’s new home in northern California, she’ll be surrounded by love with plenty of room to romp with her new canine companions and her new best friend, Jammie.

There are many dogs like Tropicana (and cats too!) still looking for their forever families. ARF needs your help, now more than ever, to give them a second chance for a loving home, no matter how long it takes. Together we can make a difference – please donate today.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Round up the kids, the dogs and the parents for a morning of fun Saturday, September 6 from 9 a.m. – Noon at Danville’s newest shopping area. The festivities will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the fabulous Rose Garden at the corner of Camino Ramon and Sycamore Valley Road.

There will be face painting and balloons for the kids, paw printing and dunking for treats for the dogs, a silent auction for dad and mom and last, but certainly not least, dancing dogs and a dog/owner look-a-like contest for everyone to enjoy.

The event is sponsored by Blake Hunt Ventures/Castle Companies JV, and all proceeds benefit ARF.

Thanks to ARF board member Brad Blake for making this fundraiser possible.

If Fido needs a “Fall Cleaning” from his “Dog Days of Summer”, please support the National Charity League’s (NCL) Annual Dog Wash. With proceeds donated to ARF, this wonderful fundraiser will be held Sunday, September 7 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Orinda Motors on Orinda Way… in Orinda, of course. For only $5, Fido can get spruced up for the upcoming holiday season, while supporting ARF's life-saving work!

NCL is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. The organization's goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship.

THE DOG WHO'S AFRAID OF EVERYTHING

Target®, Purina and ARF are back together to create the second book kit in the All Ears Reading™ series. Fraidy Freddy, the Dog Who’s Afraid of Everything introduces readers to Nora and her dog, Freddy, a big, gentle dog who can be very brave about a lot of things. Sometimes though, Freddy is afraid. By the end of the chapter book, Nora and readers have learned more about dog senses and Freddy is not so fraidy.

The kit, for sale at Target stores nationwide in Fall 2008, contains a flashlight with six lenses to reflect night sky shadows and a coupon for complimentary Purina products. Fraidy Freddy, illustrated by Judy Love, is inspired by Tony La Russa and his daughters, Bianca and Devon and is designed to be read to a pet. The book is translated in both English and Spanish.

Reading is more fun when pets listen. ARF’s first book in the All Ears Reading™ series, Banjo gets a B-A-T-H, was sold in Target along with the ARF calendar and ornaments in 2007. All Ears Reading™ contains information about the benefits of reading to animals for parents and educators, along with plenty of games, cartoons and fun pet stuff for kids!

This Fall, companies all around the San Francisco Bay Area are hosting their United Way or Employee Giving Campaigns. It’s the purrrrfect time to ask your company how you can choose ARF and designate your donation to support so many life-saving programs.

Introduce your co-workers to ARF! ARF has been very fortunate to receive numerous calls for speakers. If your company would like an ARF representative to visit and speak about the wonderful work ARF does (and bring a special furry guest), or if you’d like to invite everyone at the office to visit ARF for a fun-filled field trip, please contact Jill Cooney at (925) 296-3103 or jcooney@arf.net to arrange a visit.

Make a $5 donation to ARF and you can receive a passport to participate in Macy’s national day of support for local non-profit organizations on Saturday, September 20. The passport provides a 10-20 percent discount on most purchases when presented that Saturday, plus you’ll have a chance to win a $500 Macy’s shopping spree! Passports are available at ARF’s reception desk or ARF’s pet mobile adoption locations. For additional information, please contact Lynn Takahashi at (925) 296-3156 or ltakahashi@arf.net.

Don't want to commit to putting a sticker on your car? Get the Wag More Bark Less Magnet and you can put it on your car, refrigerator, or any magnetic surface! 

Wag More Bark Less Magnets Place your order today! $2.95

Oval magnets come in light blue, navy, orange, pink, and white, and are 6"x4".  Campaign magnets are 8"x 3.5" (one color/style only).

Everywhere you look, families are scurrying about doing their back-to-school shopping, signaling the end of summer. Lou Russa’s Boutique, at ARF's shelter, is also preparing for the end of the summer season with its back-to-school blowout sale. Lou wants ARF to make space for holiday merchandise and is offering selected items in his boutique for 20-40 percent off regular prices during the month of September (or until we’re sold out). Bargains abound! You’ll find all kinds of great deals on dog and cat toys, treats and apparel as well as t-shirts and gifts of the human variety. Come early for the best selection. Boutique hours are Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and weekends from Noon – 4:30 p.m.

Kay with ARF dog Enid

There are very few obstacles which might keep Kay Seybert from her volunteer job at ARF! Since 1992 Kay has been a volunteering and for most of that time she has been cashiering at the Thrift Store. Although she survived a life-threatening illness this year and suffered the loss of her beloved dog, Cheech, Kay has happily returned to her friends at the store.

Kay has a reputation for consistency and commitment and after 28 years working for the federal government she is sharing those qualities with ARF. During her 16 years as an ARF volunteer Kay has left an impression on the store customers and fellow volunteers who see her as a friend. Her work has also left a legacy of hope for the people and pets who have benefited from ARF's Emergency Medical Fund®.

How did you get started volunteering with ARF?
I noticed an article in the paper that a new rescue group was recruiting volunteers so I decided to help. Originally, I began with cleaning litter pans however cashiering is a better “fit” since I had many years of retail experience.

What do you like best about volunteering with ARF?
I like the other people I work with at the thrift store and the customers too! They are a fun group and many of them, I consider my best friends.

What is your motto?
Pretty simple really: Try not to hurt other people

Kay you have gone beyond not hurting others by truly helping so many. Thank you for your dedication to the ARF Thrift Store, ARF's Emergency Medical Fund® and all of the pets and people who received a helping hand because of YOU!

For a complete listing of current volunteer needs, please visit ARF's volunteer opportunities page.

Vet Tech Assistant - Afternoon
What: Assist with afternoon appointments by recording animal history and TPR. Make estimates for afternoon appointments.
When: 2 hour weekly shifts available Monday - Friday, 2-4 p.m.
Where: ARF facility
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18. Completion of ARF’s volunteer orientation. Minimum of 1 year vet assistant experience required. Volunteer must be comfortable with all dog breeds and able to lift up to 50lbs. Although experience required, training for specific tasks will be provided.
Contact: Jennifer at jpeabody@arf.net.

Vet Tech Assistant - Morning
What: Assist morning vet assistant to restrain animals for pre-op exams and anesthetic medication administration.
When: 2 hour weekly shifts available Monday - Friday, 8-10 a.m.
Where: ARF facility
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18. Completion of ARF’s volunteer orientation. Minimum of 1 year vet assistant experience required. Volunteer must be comfortable with all dog breeds and able to lift up to 50lbs. Although experience required, training for specific tasks will be provided.
Contact: Jennifer at jpeabody@arf.net.

Please note, all volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation prior to joining any training classes. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit Volunteering at ARF.

Current volunteers, please use the volunteer central website if you would like to sign up for any of the listed classes. If you do not have access to volunteer central, please call (925) 977-7900 ext. 452 or email volrsvp@arf.net. Be sure to leave your name and number along with the class you wish to attend.

Tiddly Winks	Tiddly Winks has been patiently waiting for her forever home. She is a 1 year 4 month old Siberian Husky Mix with warm brown eyes and an engaging personality. A quick learner, she is a lively and very intelligent and already a star in agility classes. An active home that can provide opportunities for lots of exercise and mental stimulation, as well as rules and boundaries, would be the best fit for her. She may be able to live with dog savvy cats after a slow introduction. Tiddly Winks is available to families with children 10 years and older.
3-year-old Tootsie is a DSH Black/White Tuxedo who is waiting for a home where she can be the center of attention. Rated as a "Leader of the Band", she is adventurous and likes to be in the middle of things. In between her adventures she will show you how wonderfully snuggly she is. Tootsie has tested positive for FIV and will need to be kept indoors only. She would need to be an only cat or would enjoy the company of other FIV cats.		Tootsie

Meet Tiddly Winks and Tootsie at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.

Dear ARF,

We renamed Poe “Posy” and she comes when we call her. Our favorite thing about Posy is that she is friendly. We also like the fact that she is beautiful. She sleeps on my night stand — she shoved the clock radio onto the floor in order to make room for herself, so I took the hint and rearranged things for her. Last night she also slept on our bed and attacked my feet whenever I moved. We have play sessions in the evening and again when we get up in the morning (after she’s walked all over me in bed for half an hour, nudging me with her wet nose.) She is also very friendly with our granddaughter who is 16 months old and who pets Posy nicely. We love Posy very much and she seems to be happy with us too. She likes being carried at my shoulder and she likes lots of kisses and rubs.

I adopted Poe from your mobile unit one evening after admiring her on your website. The ARF people were super nice and helpful.

Ann

Dear ARF,

It’s been about a year and a half since I have adopted Lucy (aka Morroco), and I would like to share with you what a wonderful addition Lucy has been to my family and I. We had a rough start with Lucy because the night she came home with us she came down with kennel cough. It was very hard to watch her go through that, but once she was healthy, she was a complete joy to be around.

She is an amazing dog, who loves to run, and tear apart her stuffed toys. One of my favorite games to play with her is hide and seek. She is very good at finding us! She is always eager to go on walks, and we take her twice a day. Lucy is a great cuddler, and we often find ourselves fighting over who gets to snuggle with her. She has enriched my life and I am very lucky to have her. Thank you ARF for helping me find her!

Laura

SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER SPECIALS

ALL SHORTS - $1 — We're long on shorts! Update your wardrobe now at this awesome price. Men's and Women's, all sizes and styles, even some boutique labels.

ALL VIDEOS - $1 — Hundreds of the latest releases, lots of hard-to-find favorites. Your chance to add to your collection without subtracting too much from your budget.

PLUS LOTS MORE — Check out our jewelry cases; several very unusual collections have been added. We've also had some generous donations of crystal, china and collectibles lately. And don't miss all of the new things in the pet, baby and furniture sections. Lots of neat new stuff throughout the shop!

Shop ARF's Thrift Store and Save Lives ...
Proceeds benefit ARF Emergency Medical Fund®!

Thrift Shop location:
1950H Market Street, Concord
Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Saturday
Donations gratefully accepted: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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