SUMMER 2008VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2A non-profit, tax-exempt organization

That’s right….You just received our spring newsletter a few weeks ago. But we’re

bursting with new happenings and couldn’t wait until the Summer Newsletter to share them with you.

Curt Sauer, our fence contractor who’s built all our dog yards (too large to be called “kennels”) over the past 11 years, has completed the new areas. They’re tree shaded, grassy and with lots of space for running and playing. Curt told me at the beginning of this project that we could change and add anything we wanted, and that’s what we did. Instead of building new fencing and yards for just the “forever” residents, we added yards for more strays….those who will eventually be adopted into new homes. We went over budget by $8,000; but the results were worth the added expense. Take a look at these faces and their stories, and decide for yourself ----

ARFHOUSE HAPPENINGSby: Martha Hovers

“Ralph Nader” the Bassett Hound ap-peared one morning at our gate. We put him in a small pen the first day, until he could be-come accustomed to our high level of activ-ity. He didn’t like it. The following day we put him in one of our

new yards. You should see him! He runs in a huge circle, barking and flapping those big ears. He is hap-py to have space to run.

“Gilda Radner” was a very quiet little stray Lhasa. Her fur was so long she couldn’t see anything. She was covered in burs that were into her skin. Naturally a close clip was in order, and as soon as she could see, she started barking and “talking” to everyone.

Here’s a shot of our entrance from the front gate....now that the new yards are completed.

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ARFhouse’s newsletter is published by the Animal Refuge Foundation, 3377 Spalding Rd., Sherman, TX 75092. Phone (903) 564-7056. Martha Hovers, Editor. ARFhouse Directors: Danny Brakebill, Martha Hovers, LuRuth Taylor.

“Brownie” belonged to an elderly lady who could no longer care for him. He’s a sheltie/collie mix. He’s sweet and fun-loving, and we expect he’ll find a forever home soon.

“Spencer Tracy” (formerly called “Happy”, but we already have a “Happy”) belonged to a very elderly lady who fell victim to Alzheimer’s and entered a nursing facility. Her best friend asked us to take “Spencer” and everyone knows I love the sheltie breed. We couldn’t turn him away. He’s 8+ years old and has a little trouble with one of his back legs, but he’s eager to please and loves people. He was another dog with long matted fur, so he had to be clipped close. He’ll be beautiful in a month.

ARFhouse placed “Juno” in a home 9+ years ago. Unfortunately his guardians divorced and he was returned to us after being with them for all that time. He has the energy of a 2 year old dog; jumping a 5' fence when he hears gunshots (which is frequent in our rural area). Fortunately, he has good house manners and comes inside when frightened. What a sweet boy he is with humans and big dogs!

“Louis” was a stray, but found a loving home in Chicago.

“Dixie” followed a 91-year-old man home when he was out on his daily walk. He thought she was a lab and called our local lab rescue lady, Melinda Green. (“Dixie” probably has some dachshund in her family tree.) Melinda has done many favors for ARFhouse, including placing two of our long-time labs into forever homes. She also frequently leaves gifts at our gate; i.e., canned Pedigree, buckets, dogloos, etc. “Dixie” is full of energy and loves to play with her new friends.

“Arguably the most aberrant dog in the galaxy, Trek has found his place amongst our pack of quadruped renegades as the guardian of any darn thing he decides to become guardian of. Oft misunderstood, oft underestimated...and then sometimes just the opposite...Trek has come a long way from his days of the anti-social and the cataclysmic. His obsession with cats borders on the Shakespearian, his enthusiasm for walks ALWAYS makes us laugh. As a singularity (and a muppet), his mystique and silliness make him addictive to be around and observe. Everyone

at home (his dog siblings included), everyone at Mutt Hutt and ARFhouse (dogs included), let Trek just be Trek. And that’s the most important thing to me. My mother always made sure I would never compromise or change for anyone and it is something I am glad I can provide for Trek. Anyone who knows Trek’s history before he was rescued, and anyone that has spent time with him since his rescue, is aware that he is his own planet. He is his own orbiting moons and he is his own core. But if he’s ever needed anything in his life, it was to be rescued by ARFhouse. I love my Trek so much and he would not be in my life if not for ARFhouse and their support of not only his special needs but also their support of my adopting him. Part of the reason I adopted Panda, after adopting Trek, was that Trek latched onto Panda emotionally the day they met. Not something Trek has ever really expressed towards any other dog. They just fit. And that’s not something you can force or buy or even honestly expect. That’s just Trek. He’s our crazy muppet.”

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“Hi Martha, Sorry I didn’t get this email off to you sooner but we made it home just fine and Ricky was a very good passenger. When we got to the house, we spent the first few hours just letting him explore and familiarize himself with his new home. Then I went to the store and got him a collar that would fit. After that, I fixed supper and we worried that we wouldn’t be able to eat it without Ricky diving into our laps in mid-plate. But he surprised me and let us eat in peace. I thought that was very mannerly of him. The next test will be to see how he handles bedtime. Hopefully, he’ll be able to settle down — it’s all new to him. This is the period of adjustment for us both. Tomorrow, I’m calling the vet and the groomers. I’ll get the fax number so you can fax his vet records. I’ve attached a photo I took of Ricky sitting in Wayne’s lap shortly after we got home. He must be the world’s best lap dog!! Thanks so much for everything. I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

—Susan Kellogg”

ADOPTIONS

“Ricky Ricardo” Is Home NowYou may remember Ricky Ricardo from our last issue....

And So Is “Tico”!And Tico from our last issue....

Here’s a shot of Tico in Crab costume. Oh the things our new guardians do to torture the dogs they adopt!

And Then There’s “Trek”Trek was featured in our Summer 2007 newsletter. He made the trip to Chicago and there he found his forever home. This is what his new guardian wrote....

“Good Trek”

“Evil Trek”

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ThanksLouis & Fay Elrod

Tom Thumb Distribution CenterIESI

Oreck CorporationSherman Wal-MartDenison Wal-Mart

Danny & Dr. John BrakebillStacey & Dr. Clay Morris

Brakebill Veterinary Clinic StaffJennifer Hillary

Niemann Publications/Susan KhammashLinda WidmerMelinda GreenDonna Francis

David Martinson

TO THE PEOPLE WHO HELP OUR DOGS

SPECIAL THANKSWe want to thank COLONIAL MONUMENT in Denison, Texas for engraving our memorial and in-honor bricks at the building. We have a cemetery on the west side of our 45 acres, and they also engrave bricks for the graves of our beloved dogs who have passed away. They do this for a very reasonable price and we’re grateful for this service.

To PAULA GRAY for coming to ARFhouse two of her vacation days and painting kennels inside our building.

New Employee

Caleb McClain is 18 years old. He graduated from Texarkana Arkansas High School in 2007. Caleb lives with his mother, Becky McClain, in Howe, Texas. Caleb lost his father and younger sister in a car accident four years ago. Becky and Caleb have family in the area, and moved to Howe in the summer of 2007. Caleb’s first job is at ARFhouse. Caleb has Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism. It’s difficult for Caleb to be around a lot of people. His love for animals led me to see if there could be a job for him at ARFhouse. My name is Susan Gillis. I am contracted through the State of Texas to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs. Martha Hovers listened to Caleb’s story and gave him a job. As ARFhouse is a non-profit, the usual tax credits were not incentive for Martha to hire Caleb, but his love of dogs and his life story was. On May 7th Caleb has worked at ARFhouse for three months. His job tasks consist of watering the dogs, washing out the dog bowls, and of course, cleaning up after them. He purchased his own mechanical pooper-scooper! Caleb loves his job and all the dogs. We will never forget the day he got his first paycheck. He is learning extremely important life lessons, thanks to ARFhouse.

Caleb is a new employee who helps us part time. I asked Susan Gillis to tell you a little about him since she’s better acquainted with him and knows his “story.”

“Rowdy” is another stray dog from Grayson County.

“Prissy” is another stray who was walking in a drain-age ditch. We believe she’ll be the STAR wherever she goes.

Gerald Clark recently turned 6 years old. Instead of presents, he asked his birthday party guests to bring supplies for ARFhouse. Gerald has a big heart for animals. We appreciate his generosity; and we are so happy that someone so young is already interested in serving the community.

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Donations In Memory of Beloved PetsThank you to those of you who thought of ARFhouse and our animals

in your time of sorrow.

“Fang” “a dear old friend”

Beloved dog of Troy Jaco &Emilie Collins

from: Marilyn Pickens

“Kadya” “beloved dog of Pam Pyle”

by: Roger Platizky

“Buddy” “beloved dog of Martha & Wayne

Chisum” by: Roger Platizky

“Ogie” “beloved cat that died at age 14 yrs”

Bill & Connie Cooper

“Leroy” Wonderful Tibetan Mastiff, loved

by all who met him LuRuth & Ted Taylor

“Ratzie” “my beloved cat” Esther Goodson

“Sweet Marbles” “You will forever be in our hearts.”

The Maines Family

“Friskey” “in loving memory of my

granddaughters’ (Rebekah, Mary Caitlyn & Brittany) cat”

Suzanne Schultz

“Fae” & “Allie”by: Jane Crout

“Ben”

“In memory - Ben was a handsome English Setter we saved from the

Plano shelter when his owner diedand his extended family didn’t want him. He was 11 yrs old at the time,

and we had him only 10 months before cancer spread through him.

He was a great, gentle soul.” Jeanne & Lee Gregory

“Elvis” MeltonSteven & LaTressa Melton

Donations to Honor Humans WhoLove Animals

Gerda Huffman on her birthday

by: her son, Andy Williams

Karen Evans “who breezed through heart surgery

and is an ‘alpha dog’; we love you...” Alicia, Richard & Marilyn Barren

“Rufus” “who disappeared recently.”

Bill & Connie Cooper

“Shotcie” & “Votcie” Dachshunds of Leonard &

Wanda Hale

Donations to Honor Beloved Pets

This is “Toni,” beloved lab of Ron & Terry Cullen. They make a monthly donation to ARFhouse in her honor.

Alicia Barren “The nursing world is better

because you are now a part of it.We love you.” Mom & Dad

(Richard & Marilyn Barren)

Carolyn Myersby: Fred & Kathleen Hoster

In Memory ofAnimal Lovers

In Memory of an Animal Loverand ARFhouse Supporter

& Friend:John Baer

by: Laura & Jeremy Brown andLuke “Mossey”

Bio-SpotComfortis (flea product)Pedigree Canned Food

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**WISH LIST**

If you would like to see our newsletter in color, go to the

homepage of our website and click on the little page in the left corner.

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #10SADLER, TX 76264

Animal Refuge Foundation

3377 Spalding Rd.

Sherman, TX 75092

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We appreciate your continuedsupport of ARFhouse.

Be an ARFhouse Supporter!

ARFhouse needs and welcomes your donation in any denomination. Every dollar counts and is used for day-to-day operations, care of our animals, and assistance to animals in the community. Your dona-tion is tax deductible. Please send your gift in the enclosed envelope to ARFhouse, 3377 Spalding Rd., Sherman, TX 75092.

Name: ____________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

____________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________

Amount: $ ___________________________________

Mission StatementAnimal Refuge Foundation (ARFhouse) is a care-for-life, no-kill sanctuary in a rural setting and is home to 340+ dogs. Dedicated to improving the lives of animals through rescue and rehabilitation, spay/neuter and placing animals into homes with loving guardians, ARFhouse also assists animals whose owners are unable to pay for the sterilization of their animals, particu-larly elderly people who are on fixed incomes. The Foundation will also provide financial assistance for any stray animal found who requires emergency medical attention. One of our major goals is to relieve suffering and to provide contentment and happiness to any dog who crosses our threshold.

3377 Spalding Rd. Sherman, TX 75092Phone (903) 564-7056

Website address: www.arfhouse.org