BARK Community Newsletter
April 2009
Bandit’s Adoption & Rescue of K-9s
www.barkva.org
804-449-BARK
Ben Stein Video
Yea Kindergarteners!
Adoption Spotlight: Yosemite
Volunteers News: We Need You!
Mark Your Calendar
Doggone Good Info
Happy Tails... Waggin’ Good News!
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Add whole wheat flour, an egg, water, oil, corn meal, and what do you get? Woof, Woof Biscuits, of course! Kindergarten students at Nuckols Farm Elementary collected items for BARK during the last week of March. They brought in leashes, collars, bowls, toys, and paper towels. The children were so excited to add their donations to the classroom collection boxes. Two classes even made dog biscuits from scratch. As you can see from the pictures, they enjoyed creating many fun shapes, cookies, and magnets. This is the second year Nuckols Farm has collected for BARK. Pets are near and dear to our hearts; we wanted each dog to feel loved.
Hi there! My name is Yosemite and I’m a 3-1/2 year old shepherd/collie mix with a beautiful marbled silky soft coat. Here are a few of the many things I love: walks in the park (the volunteers say I do very nicely on leash), car rides, ball games, play dates with doggie friends, licking the whipped cream off a Starbucks latte and most of all, being with PEOPLE of all ages and sizes. I’m a smart guy who is treat-motivated and I would love to go to obedience classes and try agility or other fun activities. When the volunteers let me out of my kennel to run freely, I never really leave them but stay close by. I have been waiting patiently at BARK for someone who has the time to help me be the best boy I can be. In return, I will be your best friend forever. If you are that special someone, please contact terri@barkva.org or 804-449-BARK(2275) and come meet me today!
Volunteer Corner:
Stories wanted!
Since BARK has so many dogs, it is difficult for volunteers to get to know each of them in the limited time they share at the farm or at an adoption stand. In an effort to showcase our dogs and generate more interest, we are asking all volunteers: pick your favorite dog and write to us, tell us why that dog is your favorite and what makes him/her so special. What does “your” dog do that makes him so endearing? How does she act? These stories will help readers get to know the dogs and hopefully generate adoption interest. Plus, they’re a lot of fun to read!
We need farm caretakers!
WE NEED CARETAKERS FOR OUR KIDS!!!!!!! Come to the farm to help keep the dogs healthy, happy and clean while they await their forever homes. Their love, hugs and kisses of appreciation make it all worth while. It is fun working in teams so bring a friend. It is great if each cleaner has a runner to help.
CURRENT SCHEDULE FOR KENNEL AND DOG CARE
(FLEXIBLE STARTING AND ENDING HOURS)
The number of volunteers determines how long it takes to clean
EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEERS CAN ARRIVE EARLIER BUT NOT ALONE !!
MONDAYS: 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 3:00 P.M. ish
WEDNESDAYS: same as Mondays
FRIDAYS: 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ish
TUESDAYS: 5:00-5:30 P.M. UNTIL 8:30-9:30 P.M. (earlier for some)
THURSDAYS: same as Tuesdays
SATURDAYS: 10:30 A.M. UNTIL 2:00-3:00 P.M.
SUNDAYS: 10:30 A.M. UNTIL whenever
ANY amount of time you can volunteer during these hours is most appreciated. You do not have to be there from start to finish. Even just an hour is a great help!!!!!
If you’d like to help out on the farm at BARK, contact (804) 449-2275 ext. 2, and let them know that you are interested. Someone will get in touch with you right away!
Finally, welcome to newcomers Peggy & Andrew Fore, JoAnn Walsh, Adam, Lucas, Monica, Jodi & Stefan Bauer, Michael & David Materna, Michael Bogar, Sharon & Steven Phillips, Schuylar LaClair, Jessica Dougherty, Sonja Hoge, Clay Arnold, Ben & Bryce Anderson, Aubrey Fones, Tyler & Maureen Earley, Julianna Chisholm, TJ Dinch and Jim Ryan.
Volunteer News:
Kennel Volunteer Programs:
Thanks to a core of volunteers, there is daily work in progress to improve the Quality of Life for our dogs. The following are volunteer needs:
Walking and Exercising Program
Kennel/Shelter Care and Maintenance
Volunteer Follow Up
Special Projects/Facilities
Feeding
Transport
Groups and Community Service
Medical Care
Intake
If interested contact volunteer@barkva.org.
Thank YOU, etc.!!!
All of us at BARK send get well wishes to volunteer Leonard Pauley. We thank you for all you do and wish you a speedy recovery!
A big thank you to the Animal Lovers Club at Chickahominy School for the wonderful treats and cozy warm blankets they collected for the dogs. BARK Executive Director Bob Tillack and BARK dog Lucky really enjoyed visiting the club and meeting the students.
Thanks to Tim D'Angelo for installing three rows of sound baffles inside the shelter building which has reduced the sound level a good bit. Tim also made six additional paddocks "jump proof" by adding an extended fence wire above the original fence and completed "planting" the remaining trail markers on the Eagle Trail. Bob Adams also helped by clearing more of the small stumps on the Eagle Trail with a special weed whacking device. Tim and a boy scout, who is seeking his Eagle rank, are planning a second bridge across the creek.
April 26th 2009 Microchip Clinic, 12NOON to 3PM at Canine to Five. Click here for details.
In Memoriam: former BARK dog Lindsey
While being walked around Ashland last month, something startled shy little Lindsey and she ran away from her adopters. BARK volunteers located her hanging around a nearby barn but before she could be trapped, she was hit by a train and killed. We will miss this beautiful girl and extend our sincere condolences to her family.
Doggone Good News
If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a “dangerous breed” category, and you also have a small child, please take this as a warning!
Don't leave your dog with the child unattended under any circumstances. Only a little moment was enough for the following to happen...
Happy Tails.....Waggin’ Good News!
I changed Rufus' name to Truman. The "Ru" was causing confusion between Rudy and Rufus and I kept calling them by the wrong name…not to mention my Cockatoo and her calling! So…Truman is doing great. It's taken a week but he's finally started coming into the living room to hang with the rest of the family. I figured he'd come in when he was comfortable. I took him to PetSmart yesterday and while I cleaned up after the cats (I volunteer with a shelter that has some cats up for adoption in PetSmart's cat condo), they shaved the hair from between his feet pads and around his ears. He had hair everywhere in and around his ears and has a major ear infection going on that needs treating but can't do that with the hair. He was fantastic with them so he got a Sonic® burger on the way home. One thing that cracks me up is that he "collects" toys, bones and the food bowls and lays them on the piece of rug that I put down for him. Ten dog beds and he just wants to lie on the floor. But the stack in the morning is a hoot — he has everything around him like he owns the world! And I have NEVER had a Pei that would let me rub his belly. In rescue work for 18 years and I have never had a Pei that would roll over like that. Total trust! I'm in love. Thank you for letting me have him. It took a long time but I think we were meant to be. I love how "huggable" he is. I've attached a pic of Truman having his first Jumbone in his new home. It didn't take long before he decided he liked those as well as the Milk-Bone® that everyone gets at bedtime. Wendy
The pictures I tried to take of Buddy playing with his toys came out a blur! So he is resting in this picture. This is our Buddy's (Arod) picture while he is working hard to make sure my husband's blood pressure stays down. I took the picture with my cell phone so it is not the best quality but the subject is adorable! Ann
Dawn and Eve (now Emma and Maggie, aka the Pointer Sisters) are doing beautifully. It didn’t take them long to settle into our home. We love them and are very happy with these two sweethearts. We’re so happy that we were able to take both of them! They might have been miserable if they had been separated. Emma and Maggie visited PetSmart a while back to show everyone how well they are doing. When we took the girls to the Pet Expo and made a stop at the BARK booth, we saw a couple of people who knew them! Thanks for taking such wonderful care of them before they were able to find their “forever home.” Mylene
Sorry it has taken to so long to reply. Little Man is doing great. He loves his yard and he buries his milk bones all over. I think he is baiting the squirrels!!! We just love him. Thanks for checking up on him, it shows that Bark really cares about their animals. Joyce
Charlie, formerly Munchkins, is just the most adorable little hunk of love one could hope for. Her endearing personality is enhanced by her overbite that gives her a most unique appearance. She plays til she drops. Loves all the other dogs, whether they are 10 lbs or 90 pounds. (Could care less about the cat.) Jumps like a kangaroo. Gathers toys like they are going out of style, but she shares well. Doesn't particularly like the leash but tolerates and fills a huge void in my life, especially since I just recently lost two life-long companions. Charlie gives so many kisses on the nose, it turns red! She brings a joy and song to my day. I am sure we will live happily ever after.
Gaby
Opal is doing great!!! We have re-named her Molly (it’s easier for my son to say). She has truly become a little princess, sleeping in the bed and laying around on the couch. It took Molly a while to get used to things, but I think she has fully adjusted now. She and my son have become very good buddies. They chase each other around the house and constantly play. She has made a very good addition to the family. I’m so glad that I adopted her. Thanks again! Hildegard
Hi, wanted to let you know that Bogey is doing great. He’s settling in nicely, letting our little dog with a Napoleon complex retain his rank as #2. Bogey gets lots of loving when Duncan acts like a tough guy, so I think he feels nicely compensated for being so mature. He enjoys the fenced-in yard to run in — loved the snow! It’s great to see him barreling around. He’s settled down very nicely outside when we’re out there, which is great. I’ve attached a couple of photos from Monday — you can almost see Bogey in a couple of the pictures (Benny turned out to be sort of a camera hog). We’ll send more photos later. John and Terry
We met Murphy in October of 2007 when his first momma, Mikki, contacted us about BARK’s Rehoming Assistance Program. She loved Murphy but knew he needed a far more active life than she could offer. As a 70-pound Labradoodle, Murphy was all boy — and all feet! We called him ‘the big goof.’ He was clumsy and too exuberant for most of the dogs and people that met him over the next 4 months. But ALL of that changed when he met the Laurens family in March of 2008. As it turned out, Murphy needed some little children to watch over! The moment he stepped out of the car to meet the Laurens family, Murphy was a completely different dog! He was calm, obedient, and respectful. He fell in love with the three Laurens girls (Chagall, Cassatt, and Cai) before he even got close enough to kiss them. He also deferred to the wishes of Brandee Laurens, who was to be his new beagle sister. His new momma, Cris, and first momma Mikki, keep in touch regularly, including visits with Murphy. As you can see, his favorite past time is now “hanging out with his littlest buddy, talking about life and watching the world go by! Now that is one HAPPY TAIL! The Laurens family
I’m happy to report that Maple is doing extremely well. She is a sweet dog, and I am so glad that we decided to give her a chance. It's hard to believe she has only been with us less than two weeks. She has adjusted to our routine well. She trained really quickly on the wireless fence, so she gets to run around the yard now and play with her new best friend, Armstrong. She also enjoys long walks in the woods and completely passes out in her bed each night from exhaustion. She had a check-up at the vet this morning and everything is perfect! She seems to have figured out the potty training thing after having only two accidents in the house, which I think is pretty amazing. Thanks for taking such good care of her before she came to be part of our family. I can't imagine not having her around. Allison
Just a quick note to thank you for sending Calamity my way. I changed her name to Callie, which she is getting used to. What a wonderful dog she is! She is very well behaved, gentle, quiet, loving and loyal. She loves everyone, and everyone loves her. We enjoy our walks together, especially when we go to the park and she loves sleeping in her new, cushiony, bed. She is good as gold with our elderly cat, and gets along great with Molly, my other adoptee. That's the two of them on our back deck in the photo! I still cannot believe that nobody adopted her before. For the first two weeks she didn't bark at all, but now she barks when we come home to make sure we come downstairs to pet her, first thing! I was a little nervous about adopting a big, black, older dog, but she has turned out to be just what we were looking for. She is the sweetest dog in the world, and makes us all very happy. Thanks for not giving up on her, and thanks for the good work you do. Ann
I cannot thank you enough for allowing us to adopt Dottie (its official!). She is such a love. You are so right…she doesn't enjoy the great outdoors! I’ve walked her around our yard several times and she is nonplussed by it all. Sunday she went out on her leash many times as I tried to learn about her habits. Then it was the meds immediately followed by dinner. She was ravenous. (I had given her a little bit in her bowl when we arrived home…gobbled it right up.) She has two beds…one in the center of our little home where she can see most of our activities; the other in the bedroom on my side. She hasn't slept there yet. Maybe she thinks there is another dog lurking about. Time will prove her trust. She did check out every square inch of the house upon arrival. She slept wonderfully Sunday night and went out bright and early Monday AM. She loves to ride in the car and keeps a close eye on me. I just love her so much! Dogs ask nothing and give so much. Wish I could have several! Dottie has a "get acquainted" meeting with our vet tomorrow. Want to be sure all treatments and meds are correctly transferred to his office. We play with squeaky toys, I sit next to her on the floor and just cuddle, she loves to be brushed, and I keep telling her she is the top dog! I realize it could take up to 6 months for her to fully realize she is indeed home forever, but she hasn't shown any signs of stress at all. She has made a couple of low "growly" sounds when we have played with her squeaky toys and I can't wait to hear her bark! Once she knows she is the only dog here she will most likely speak up. I am sure Bridgette's doggy scent is very strong here. Guess you know she is greatly loved and I feel so honored to have her. Thank you again for taking such good care of her until we discovered her. I admire greatly your huge hearts in fostering animals. Don't think that I could do it! Dottie sends her love and gratitude!! Me too! Gloria
My mother-in-law, Eugenia Cullen, recently submitted a story to you, entitled “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” about our journey with two beagles from BARK that we named Ruby and Hazel (they were Kate and Casey to you). I wanted to let you know that Eugenia just celebrated her 90th birthday and has derived so much pleasure from Ruby and Hazel’s assimilation into our family. Thanks to BARK for the joy you have given to us and to our extended family. Karen
If you have adopted a BARK dog and have a Happy Tail or any other contribution
for this newsletter, please forward it to robin@barkva.org.
ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME TO DONATE TO BARK!
BARK - Bandit’s Adoption & Rescue of K-9’s www.barkva.org 804-449-BARK (2275)
100% of your tax-deductible donation will go directly to spay/neuter operations, medical treatments, and daily care & feeding costs for the DOGS at the Ashland farm and in BARK foster homes. Please mail your donation to the address below. Every penny makes a difference in the life of a BARK dog!
Please accept my donation in the amount of:
$25 $50 $75 $100 $125 Other $___
Gift in HONOR of: ________________________________________
Gift in MEMORY of: _______________________________________
Name & Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BARK PO Box 1682 Glen Allen VA 23060 info@barkva.org 804-449-BARK(2275)
