Paws Press

IN THIS ISSUE

2008 Calendars are Here! Holiday Pet Photos By the Numbers Tony La Russa Signs Another Contract! The Giving Tree Sprouts at ARF! Secret Santa Tribute Gifts Start Your Holiday Shopping at Lou Russa's Boutique Meet the Volunteer Volunteer Help Needed Training Opportunities Adoption Stars Happy Endings Two Hearts for ARF Housecat Housecall

November 2007

Headliners from the world of music, all-star athletes and top-flight entertainers appear in ARF's 2008 Celebrity Pet Calendar.

These beautiful, large full-color calendars measure 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" and are sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Inc. Photographs in the calendar feature each star with one or more animals.

Mark your calendars for this holiday favorite! Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) will be teaming up with CLIX! Portrait & Event Photography, to offer Holiday Pet Photos on Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Classroom at ARF’s facility.

Receive a professional portrait you’ll cherish! Packages start at $25, with 35 percent of all proceeds benefiting ARF. Holiday greeting cards and CD containing purchased photographs are also available. Appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait time.

For additional information or to make an appointment, please visit www.clixconcord.com or call (925) 676-2549.

Please remember, all dogs must be on leashes, and cats and small pets must be in carriers.

By now most ARF supporters know Tony La Russa re-signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he also just signed a contract to perform with Moving Arts Dance!

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Moving Arts Dance is internationally heralded for their articulate eloquence. Blending humor, grace, compassion and sorrow with striking visual effects and athletic physicality is the trademark of Moving Arts Dance. Building on the strengths of ballet and modern styles of dance these contemporary dancers demonstrate strong classical technique blended with a kinetic understanding of movement and an emotional ability to arouse audiences.

Please join Moving Arts Dance on November 30, December 1 or December 2 for the multi-media sensation “Back to Wonderland: The MAD Hatter Performance and Tea Party”. This current day Wonderland has gone gothic, four-armed caterpillars morph into fairies, and the Queen of Hearts has gone heavy metal. With Tony La Russa as the Grim Reaper Rabbit, this hour of laughs, complete with tea, cake and an autograph party, will be performed in Concord, California.

Please call Moving Arts Dance at (925) 825-8399 for additional details or visit www.movingartsdance.org.

Visit ARF’s headquarters and help ARF provide toys, treats and supplies to ARF’s shelter guests and life-saving programs.

The Giving Tree is adorned with special decorations, each one featuring a furry friend and an item needed to help care for the dogs and cats ARF rescues or to help facilitate ARF’s many programs which build the human-animal bond. Each decoration features an item crucial to ARF’s life-saving work and items are priced at $50 or less.

Visit ARF and take home a special decoration today to help people and animals in need.

GREAT FOR OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTIES

Stumped on a gift to get the someone who has everything? Give a gift to ARF in honor of your colleagues, family members and friends. Tribute donations support ARF’s life-saving programs and are an honorable homage to animal loving individuals.

Donors can designate whether they would like to receive a handwritten card which they may present to their honoree or whether they would like ARF to send notification of the gift directly. Tribute gifts will be also be listed in a future issue of ARF’s newsletter, The Scoop. For your party planning, please allow at least two business days for gift processing.

To make your donation, contact Lynn Takahashi, Development Coordinator at (925) 296-3156 or ltakahashi@arf.net.

Contact ARF regarding your Secret Santa Tribute Gift today!

Stop by the boutique where you'll find a unique selection of gifts for your furry friends, neighbors, co-workers and yourself. The boutique has wonderful holiday plush toys, festive collars, snuggly hoodies and reversible fleece beds for your furry friends. How about a unique coffee mug for your co-workers or maybe a box of holiday cards, holiday ornaments or t-shirt for yourself? Don't forget the 2008 ARF calendar… a great practical gift for anyone on your list. ARF's gift items are hand selected especially for pet lovers.

Instead of shopping at over-crowded, noisy stores this year, where you need to park in another zip code, ARF offers reserved boutique parking and shopping in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Stop by on Thursday or Friday between 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from Noon - 4:30 p.m. You'll be glad you did. 

Remember  your purchases in the boutique help ARF continue its life-saving work. Stop by soon for the best selection!

Cynthia Baker began volunteering at ARF in 2003 after retiring from a 37-year career with American Airlines. As an airline employee, Cynthia traveled so much she wasn't able to have a dog. She missed that.

Cynthia was very excited to volunteer at ARF, but she had an additional motive. She wanted to adopt a dog.

It wasn’t long before Cynthia met and adopted the first of her two ARF rescues, a scruffy terrier named Mumpley. One short year later, she adopted Measle, a Mumpley look-a-like. Cynthia loves her canine family members and is happy to admit they are the best thing that ever happened to her. Her two cats, Thelma and Diane, may not be so quick to agree, but they tolerate the dogs, making it a happy home.

Although retired, Cynthia hasn’t slowed down. If she isn’t doing pilates, spin classes or snow skiing, she’s walking her dogs. In between classes at Emeritus College and volunteering at ARF, she volunteers at the Lesher Center for the Arts and Martinez Women's Club. On her calendar for 2008 is a cruise to Alaska and a trip to see the annual migration of polar bears.

Cynthia is an active ARF volunteer, dividing her time between cat socializer, tabler and events. She is always quick to respond to St. Bernard requests, and most recently revealed her cheerleading skills at ARF's teen volunteer appreciation party.

What do you like the most about volunteering at ARF?
Being with the animals. Feeling that I am making a difference in my own little way.

What is your most memorable experience?
Socializing with cats at ARF. I am more comfortable with cats than dogs and can relate to them. I find it interesting to try and figure out what they are thinking and communicating.
A friend of mine was very sad because of the death of her cat and I was so pleased to help her adopt a cat from ARF at Broadway Plaza one year. It was heart warming to see the happiness the ARF cat gave her.

What would you say your motto is?
Enjoy every minute as if it is my last.

Well said Cynthia!

For a complete listing of current volunteer needs, please visit ARF's volunteer opportunities page.

Holidays at Broadway Plaza
ARF adoption mobile will have a "heartwarming station" at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek this winter holiday season! Every day from November 23 - December 29 (except holidays) from Noon - 4 p.m. volunteers will greet shoppers and share ARF's story.

Broadway Plaza Tablers
What: Represent ARF during the holidays at Broadway Plaza event. Publicize ARF’s mission, educate the public, provide adoption information, and cultivate support for ARF.
When: Two hour shifts available daily from November 23 - December 29.
Prerequisite: Must be at least 18 years old, a current ARF volunteer, and have completed the tabler/greeter training.
Contact: Kathleen at khuls@arf.net.

Broadway Plaza Transport Drivers
What: Transport ARF cats to/from the ARF facility and Broadway Plaza. Transfer animals and supplies to/from mobile adoption van. Clean cages in transport van.
When: Two hour shifts available daily from November 23 - December 29.
Prerequisite: Must be at least 21 years old with a good driving record and be a current ARF volunteer. Completion of "ARF Driving Form" required.
Contact: Kathleen at khuls@arf.net.

Please note, all volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation prior to joining any training classes. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit Volunteering at ARF.

Current volunteers, please use the Volunteer Central website if you would like to sign up for any of the listed classes. If you do not have access to Volunteer Central, please call (925) 296-3118 or email volrsvp@arf.net. Be sure to leave your name and number along with the class you wish to attend.

7-month-old, Skipper is a bundle of energy who will thrive in an active home with a family who will provide consistent rules, structure and guidance. He is a very intelligent, confident puppy who will be a star in training classes and a natural for Flyball or Agility. Skipper is available to families with children 14 years and older who have prior experience with terriers.  

Meet Skipper at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.

If you're looking for a snuggler, 13-month old Joyce is a sweetie who's looking for a lap. She is a beautiful short haired torti with some white under her chin. Could your home be her forever home? 

Meet Joyce at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive at Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about how ARF's adoption program works.

Maddie

It’s been 3 ½ years since I adopted my German Shepherd from you. The name you gave her was Maeve and it is now Maddie.

Maddie was 7 months old when I adopted her in May 2004. She came into my home scared and timid and did not display the normal Shepherd behavior. After a month of lots of love and acceptance, she started to develop a wonderful and loving personality. She is now a healthy 4 year old with all the typical and wonderful traits of a healthy German Shepherd. Very loyal to me and she loves her home and loves her Siamese cat Missy (also a rescue). Her home is very important to her and she actually communicates with me. We have developed a REAL bond.

I’ve always heard that a rescue animal is much more loyal and loving to their family because they truly understand it was done out of love and acceptance. This has been our case indeed.

I have been blessed with Maddie in my life and wanted to write and thank you for finding her and giving her a chance at life and bringing her into mine.

Sincerely,
Pamela

You can help other animals like Maddie find their special homes by making an online donation on our secure server today!

Two hearts for ARF This sterling silver pendant's unique double heart design integrates the letters "ARF" within two open hearts and dangles from an elegant black silk cord. Designed by animal lover/artist/designer Elizabeth Bryan, this necklace is literally the most beautiful way to help abandoned animals during the holiday season! $15 Place your order today!

Lots of other memorabilia and ARF Wear are available too. Check out the ARF store online and place your order today!

Calling all cats! Purina’s new reality based television series, “Housecat Housecall,” is seeking desperate house cats. Are you looking for expert advice on how to get the most out of the life you and your cat share? Purina is here to help! How it works…

Visit www.housecathousecall.com and send Purina - Petcentric your cat's story and a few photographs. Your story will be reviewed by Purina's casting department for consideration. If you're selected, a celebrity veterinarian will visit your home and provide a free consultation on how you and your cat can share a happy, healthy life. Your story will be featured on Purina's "Housecat Housecall."

So, if you're baffled by your cat's antics and looking for household harmony, Purina is looking for you. For more information and to view a clip, please visit www.housecathousecall.com.

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