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What AARCS Has to Say

Anna Thompson, supported by her husband Bob, has been with AARCS since 2007. Anna took on the role as Treasurer of the organization as it grew and required more experienced skills for accounting. This is no small task for one person, managing a steady flow of veterinary bills, expenses, donations, tax receipts and other financial requirements of a non-profit society.

Since joining the organization Anna has excelled in taking on pretty much any challenge you could throw at her. She organized the John Deere Christmas Party fundraiser, Pet Expo, grant writing to name a few. If she wasn’t organizing the event, she was always there to volunteer for any job needed. Living almost 2 hours away from Calgary she never misses a meeting or event and has committed 100% to ensuring the success of this wonderful organization. Not to mention fostering dogs/puppies as well! She started coming on food distribution and rescue missions, and is now one of our lead rescuers. Although humble in her abilities, she handles the dogs with confidence and compassion. She is always friendly, polite and diplomatic in her dealings with people. She is drawn toward children, always with a smile wanting to help them learn about humane animal treatment, whether it is children within our First Nations communities, the young neighborhood children on her street, or the stranger seated next to her at the hockey game. Anna’s best friend, her 87 year old mother is always ready to lend a helping hand, caring for her foster animals while Anna is away or joining her on long road trips to pick up needy dogs and puppies.

Anna was recently nominated as the Calgary Flames BMO Community Hero Award for her wonderful contribution to our community and this great organization! Anna, your commitment and hard work has been vital to the success of this organization. Thank you for your dedication, loyalty and compassion.

A Few Words from the Volunteer

ARRCS has been the most rewarding organization to be a member of, we make a difference everyday. I volunteer with a strong team, we work 24/7 and no matter when or what time of day this amazing group whom I blessed to be apart of goes into action, and in the background are our family members standing behind us supporting our efforts to make a difference. I have three jobs within our group, first as the treasurer making sure all the accounting for our registered charity is in order and second as a truck driver. On most rescues my old 4x4 diesel truck is loaded with donated dog food and off I go with other rescuers and my third is fostering.. On one food/rescue run we found a dog under 3 months old, alone and trying to stay alive in the carcass of a deceased horse. When I brought her home my husband was astonished at how terrible she looked. We kept her very close to us in our home and unbelievably within a couple of weeks she finally started showing signs of ‘life’, a gleam in her eyes, we gave her the name Vylette from my mother because of her strength and will to continue on every day. She never looked back and found her forever home within a short time. Giving them up can be hard as we put so much love into our work, however I often read the following poem which helps reinforce what we do as we also know that a little part of us goes with them, and a little part of them stays with us. The Author here is unknown, however the work is amazing and helps us through the tough day of giving up a foster and it goes like this.

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.

You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

- Author Unknown