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What AARCS Has to Say

Rita O'Leary has been a welcome addition to the AARCS team. She started her AARCS experience after adopting a senior dog from us and then not long after adopting him a friend! Dogs are like chips, you can't have just one you know. Rita has been quick to accept anything we need help with. Recently, Rita joined us at the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force spay clinic in Cardston. Other volunteers commented on how dedicated Rita was. She worked from the wee hours of the morning till late, late at night barely taking a break to breath. She cleaned kennels, walked dogs, fed dogs, took them for pre-surgery check up, helped with paper work, assisted anyone with anything. Rita also took it upon herself to recycle some scraps and turned out 22 dog beds to furnish dog houses on our recent distribution run. Those are very lucky dogs to have the luxury of a handmade bed! Jax is one of Rita's all stars, and is featured in the AARCS calendar and she just can't wait to tell you all about her two lovely boys and her AARCS experience. Thanks Rita for joining our team, we are so happy to have you here!

A Few Words from the Volunteer

Thanks you AARCS for this honour in November...hey that's the month that Jax and myself are featured in for our 2010 calendar. Have you bought one yet???

My how things change in life! We had purebred Newfs for 18 years and I was very involved in various show aspects and club activities. We then planned and were dogless for 8 years; many of those early years I was very involved in my running. Then Jax happened, then Pal and I was hooked again into the wonderful world of dogs, AARCS dogs.

Both boys are adopted from AARCS and I have my 3rd foster in as many months. The boys and little Frankie are here in the office as I write this. Doggies have a special place in my heart. Some think I am crazy to do what I do...I am just doing what seems natural for me. And guess what, along the way it helps a multitude of doggies less fortunate then my 2 couch potatoes.

In the short time I have been a member and involved with AARCS I can't say I have done anything I would not gladly do again and will do again. There are many aspects of the charity and for some you don't even have to be hands-on-a doggie type, but that's not me. I do like the hands on and have helped at spay / neuter / vaccination clinics, adopt-a-thons, fund raising and with the gathering of donated items. I have had my whole front end into the back end of a crate to sanitize it after a doggie soiled in it at one of our clinic. I have been a glamour model along with Jax at our calendar photo shot. I have moved my bedding and slept on the floor beside a doggie in pain and smiled and laughed at a silly doggie doing what I call his "Tetley Tea" dance in excitement for a walk. I have recently made twenty-two dog beds from donated and discarded materials; I have been called the Queen of Recycling!!!

I think if the doggie could talk in words we could understand they would say Thank You, because I know I say to all of them, Thank You, for what they all unconditionally give back to me. We are all very fortunate. Help us make more doggies fortunate.

Check us out and maybe you too will develop or rekindle a passion. I think a hear a doggie now just calling out for your help. Please don't turn a deaf ear.