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What AARCS Has to Say

The Parker home, is a loving, devoted family who has dedicated their life to their animals and ours! With four of their own dogs, and a number of rescued cats, they always can make room for an AARCS foster dog or two! Dale and Sarah have fostered with AARCS almost from the beginning. After fostering cats for a long time, they thought they would try dogs. They have always opened their home to any animal that needs it, from small puppies to adult dogs and the stray cat on the street. They have helped troubled, scared and frightened dogs come out of their shell and thrive into happy, confident animals. Sarah once said, “I’ve never been so happy to see a dog pee on my carpet, ” this after a terrified little terrier named Chester was so petrified he did not “go” for 4 days. It’s OK with them if an animal stays for a long period of time or accidentally chews the chair rail; it’s all in a days work. Our fosters are always treated like one of their own. They feed their animals only the best, and of course that applies to the fosters too. They are great teachers of basic obedience and never miss their nightly walks. In addition, Dale has assisted in our rescue missions and volunteered in other aspects of the organization.

The Parkers truly understand the value of spending time with your family and giving a part of yourself to help others. Dale and Sarah, we are so happy you apart of the AARCS family!

A Few Words from the Volunteer

We are proud to be associated with such a wonderful group of people at AARCS - you are all truly amazing - I am awestruck by the caring and compassion that I have witnessed - it is incredible!! And it IS all about the dogs!

We first got involved with AARCS during my search for my best friend(s) - our call was answered very quickly and very quickly I was persuaded to TRY fostering. I had my doubts about how it would go - but I decided to try it - Am I ever glad I did!! And so was Dale - The first puppy was a real learning experience - she was the cutest little bear !! How was I going to let her go? Knowing that AARCS carefully screens the applicants for their dogs, knowing that this pup was going to a home that really wanted her and would treat her as she deserved, and seeing the joy of her new mom and dad when they came to take her home, they were so excited!! All of this made it easier!! There have been over a dozen furbabies come and go in just over a year, some needing only the basics - love, food and a warm place to sleep - others needing a lot more TLC, some staying only a short while, others needing extended help to get by their past - it has all been so- so worthwhile to help these pups on their journey to their forever homes.

As for why?? PUPPY KISSES!! Most of the puppies and older dogs we get arrive terrified, hungry, and needing lots of love. When that puppy - after only a few days turns into a bouncy happy furball, climbs onto your lap and gives you a quick 'thank you' kiss - you know it is all worthwhile. When a dog that has not been treated kindly, and for the first while cowers away from you, finally, finally after much encouragement, decides that just maybe you are okay, and allows you to give her a pet or approaches you and gives you that quick - 'thank you' kiss - is truly amazing! Giving a pup a warm place to sleep, regular food, and lots of love and attention is rewarded many fold by seeing them become happy, healthy and grateful and with such a zest for life!! To watch a puppy or an older dog ' just be a puppy' with no worries -something they never got a chance to do -- is truly heartwarming.They are all truly thankful for what we do for them and they don't let you forget it. Fostering rescue dogs has been an experience I would not trade for anything - I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they might want to give it a try. You have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain. Those puppy kisses will melt your heart!!