WINTER 2009VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4A non-profit, tax-exempt organization

On Sunday, November 8th, Lynn & Kathy Surls brought some friends and supporters with them for the official groundbreaking for 10 new “yards” which will be erected by year’s end (weather permitting). If you received our Fall newsletter, you read that Lynn’s “Gathering of Old Dogs” raised more than enough funds to build these areas. Thanks to Lynn and Kathy and their friends, more animals will have a chance to find their forever homes.

Groundbreaking

The Dallas Agility Working Group (DAWG) selected ARFhouse as their charity of the year in 2009.

They made periodic donations throughout the year; and with this $1000 check and proceeds from the 11/14 raffle at their event at Myers Park, their gifts to ARFhouse will total $2000+. These funds will provide care for strays that come to us this month with

urgent medical needs.

DAWG was formed in 1985 as one of the first agility clubs in the U.S. Their mission was “to promote the sport and sponsor competitions open to everyone.” See their website at www.dawgagility.org.

(Front Row, L-R): Martha Hovers, Thomas Grant, Lynn & Kathy Surls, and lots of “helpers.” (Back Row, L-R): John Ferguson, Susann Larson, John Rip, Brian Long, Mark Nelson.

(Above, L-R): Shari Degan, Martha Hovers.

(Right, L-R): Robin Terrell, Martha Hovers, Carrie Atkinson, Dori Page.

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“I’m ‘Peggy Lee.’ Some nice visitors to ARFhouse named me. I know I look a little thin, but this picture was taken when I had been here only 3 days. And I’m not sad anymore. The gals here put me in a yard by myself, but I was lonely, so I hopped the fence to join 4 other dogs; 3 gals and a dude. They’re a little old for me (the girls are at least 10 years old), but friendly. That’s all I care about. I was discarded at some apartments and no one there had room for a big girl like me. You know, we danes are big people; I mean dogs. My body is tan, but I heard someone say my face is like Harlequin. Isn’t that something like a romance?”

NEWCOMERS

“Kaiser” is a big beautiful boxer. On November 16th we discovered him tied to a tree across from the front gate here at ARFhouse. He’s a very nice dog, but unfortunately jumps a 5' fence. We’re getting an area “jump proofed” so that he’ll have more space than the temporary pen with top where he’s staying right now.

My name’s “Moxie,” and I’ve got a lot of it. I don’t want to hear any big ear jokes!

Jody O’Donnell sent a large piece of equipment today (11/30) to move some brush; clearing the area for our new kennels. “Darla” wanted to help by moving some of the LOGS.

Thank you, Jody, for always helping us with our unusual requests.

This year, Roger George will again dress up as Santa Claus and pose with pets at a local pet store. ARFhouse receives $5 for each photo. He’ll be at the Sherman PetSmart December 5, 12 & 19 from 11 until 4. Roger and his wife, Lynette, are volunteers who contribute many hours of volunteer service to ARFhouse. Roger makes a great Santa!

SANTA & YOUR PETS

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Charlie – “I’m Charlie, and I’m about 10 years old. My person divorced his wife and left me with her. She didn’t like me, so no one touched me for more than a year. My coat became matted and I started chasing cars out of boredom. One morning I got ‘bumped’ by one and I felt really sore. A neighbor called ARFhouse, but I was too scared to let anyone touch me. Then Sammie and Bo came and they didn’t scare me so much. They put me in a big cage and took me to Dr. Morris. He said I was OK and they shaved all those awful burrs and the matted hair off. I’m no beauty but I sure feel better here in the palace at ARFhouse.”

“Mutt” & “Jeff” were discarded on a lonely rural road. They arrived thin and hungry. Now that their appetites for food have been satisfied, they just want a human to love. They have lots of love to give.

“Hey there! I’m ‘Dino.’ And it’s not because I like to sing. It’s because I’m handsome. When I first arrived at the ARFhouse, those women put me in a little pen by myself. I didn’t like it, so I did some yellin’. That did the trick! Now they’ve put me in a big yard with a couple of good looking babes. I’m the KING now, so I’m thinking they need to re-name me ELVIS. Heh heh.”

“Steve” was waiting patiently at the side of the road near ARFhouse. As you can see, he had been terribly neglected most of his life. But for several days he refused to allow us or our neighbors to capture him. Finally he gave up on the person who abandoned him. He appeared at Crystal’s (Hovers’ cousin) house and her husband picked him up and we brought him to our senior building. He’s recovering from heartworm treatment. He’s a beautiful red/white Aussie, very sweet, but still doesn’t trust us completely. He will, but who can blame him?

Mattie – “Yes, I know my tongue hangs out, but if you lost all your teeth, your tongue would hang out too! My guardian didn’t take proper care of me, so when I arrived at ARFhouse Dr. B had to pull my teeth. There’s a positive side to this: I get to eat only soft food (yummy Pedigree chicken).

AFTERBEFORE

www.arfhouse.org

NEWCOMERS

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ADOPTIONS

Randi and our “Little Man” (now known as “Logan”). Logan is her first dog. Randi says: “Next to my long-term boyfriend, Logan is, without question, the best addition to my life.” Happy ending for a little guy who had no one to care for him before coming to ARFhouse and then meeting Randi.

Selene and our “Boots” (now known as P.J.). Don’t they both look happy?

NEED A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT? For those animal lovers, consider giving a donation in your friend’s honor. We’ll send them a special card telling them you have done this. But for a personal gift, I like to shop at SOUTHERN CHARM. Ronda Krauss’ beautiful designer stone and silver jewelry pieces are unique, many are one-of-a-kind. SOUTHERN CHARM is located at 2601 Hilltop Dr., just east of Signature Furniture. Check out her website at www.southerncharmstore.com.

“Maggie” the labradoodle arrived at ARFhouse as a stray over two years ago. Several people have inquired about her during that time, but no one has ever wanted to adopt her; probably because she’s a very large dog. But when Susann came with Lynn & Kathy Surls to see our place she fell in love with Maggie. She wanted to think it over for a few days, and after about a week, said she kept thinking about Maggie and wanted to adopt her. She reports that Maggie has great house manners and gets along great with her dog “Zoey.”

“Delbert” (aka “Dillon”) has found his forever home. Watch for his story and picture in our Spring 2010 newsletter.

When I was at ARFhouse, those gals called me “Killer,” but at 4 lbs. I wasn’t much of a killer. My new mom, Kala, named me “Rusty,” and I like that name. Also, she lets me do anything I want to do. I like that too!

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Thanks

Sterling MoellerLouis & Fay Elrod

Tom Thumb Distribution CenterIESI

Sherman WalmartTexas Manufacturing in

WhitesboroDanny & Dr. John BrakebillStacey & Dr. Clay Morris

Brakebill Veterinary Clinic StaffNiemann Publications

Linda CairoTrinity United Methodist Church

in Denison, Texas

TO THE PEOPLE WHOHELP OUR DOGS

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.

Appeal fromMartha Hovers

The most difficult part of my job is to ask you for money. Many of you have had to suspend your charitable gifts due to financial hardships. Be assured that every gift helps the dogs, no matter the amount. Not only must we maintain our facility and pay for medical care for the dogs, we must pay the staff. Christmas day? Thanksgiving day? The dogs don’t celebrate holidays. Our dedicated people work tirelessly, regardless of the time of year or the weather conditions. The dogs entering our adoption program must be socialized, and often they’re afraid and shy upon arrival. These dogs must receive special attention in order to “put their best foot forward,” when introduced to a potential adopter. People make

this a comfortable, clean, and safe place for the dogs. Please give whatever you can so that we can provide the very best for the animals.

WISHLISTPurina

DryDog Food

DogShampoo

TrashBags

FiberglassDogloos

(any size)

SPECIAL THANKSSPECIAL THANK YOU to Sally O’Brien for all her time, materials, and work, decorating our little cabin. Some people say it’s “kinda girlie,” but HEY! What’s wrong with that???

Acme Cleaners, on West FM 120, across from the Denison Walmart, is sponsoring ARFhouse as their Christmas charitable organization. They’ll be taking donations for us until December 23rd. We hope our friends will patronize merchants who care about the animals and want to help them.

THANK YOU

TEXOMA LIVING is doing an article (with pictures of some of our dogs) in their January/February issue. We hope our local friends will pick up a copy. The pictures tell their stories.

Occasionally a young person elects to ask friends to make a donation to ARFhouse in lieu of bringing birthday presents to their party. Abby Chupp will be 6 years old on December 10. Her party is slated for December 12, and she’s asked her friends to bring a bag of dog chow (or make a donation) to ARFhouse. What a grown up girl she is to already want to give back to the community. We’ve asked Abby’s mother, Ramey Chupp, to send us a picture of Abby and her friends for our next newsletter.

Thanks Abby!

ARFHOUSE TO BE FEATUREDIN MAGAZINE

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.

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Brakebill Veterinary Hospital Made The Following “In Memory” Donations“Meow”

Mr. & Mrs. Addison Terry

“Mason” Mr. & Mrs. Matt Grisham

“Vader”

Jeanie Bedwell

“Marlee” Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Craft

“Kasey” & “Kelly”

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Cord

“Xara” Gillian Salling

“Girlfriend”

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Bullins

“Mister” Mr. & Mrs. Richard Orenstein

“Jack”

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Canady

“Buttons” Leta Koch

“Smokey”

Fran Briscoe

“Fitz” Mr. & Mrs. Ed Richardson

“Laya”

Mr. & Mrs. J.D. Bristow

“Smokey Robinson” Lillie White

“Sadie”

Jennifer Ricardo

“Darcy” Mrs. Donna Waddelow & Marion

“Halle” Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Wood

“Jenny”

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hornsey

“Buddy” Mr. & Mrs. Don Berger

“Peanut” Mr. & Mrs. Tom Watt

“Wick”

Mr. & Mrs. Grant Thomas & Mr. & Mrs. Tim Morris

“Pudgey”

Jennifer Belvin

“Gracey” Mr. & Mrs. James Lynn

“Sambo”

Mrs. Clyde Mooneyham

“Bailey” Joann Vibbard

“Trixi”

Donald Wood

“Domo” Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Crow

“Callie” Tammy Jo Sutherland

“Crystal”

Mr. & Dr. Martha Payne

“Blackie” Mr. & Mrs. Tom Reynolds

“Twinkie”

Keith Marshall

“Mindy Lou” Charlotte Patterson

“Samson”

Beth Bowling

Trinity United Methodist Church in Denison, TX has the “Blessing of the Animals” annually. For several years they have designated ARFhouse as one of the beneficiaries of the donations their members bring. This is a sweet service that recognizes the importance of all living things. Thank you, dear friends, for making ARFhouse a part of this event.

Thank You forBlessing our Animals

THANK YOUWe want to thank all the local people who have brought donations of dog food to our drop-off location in Sherman, Niemann Publications. We asked and you answered. Our needs are so great; if we had to purchase our dog food, we would have a huge shortfall for the year. Between our retailers who help us (Tom Thumb and Sherman Walmart) and your gifts, we rarely must spend our funds on food for the dogs.

Gift of Shade & ShelterOur new shade canopies are completed, providing shelter for food during inclement weather, as well as shade where there are no trees. We want to express our gratitude to the Virginia & Robert Hobbs Charitable Trust for the $4000 gift to erect these 10 new structures.

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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.

“Fae” & “Allie”by: Jane Crout

“Toni”Ron & Terry Cullen

“Abragail” “Shelley Cody’s devoted companion”

by: Heather Burk

“Henry” Danny & John Brakebill’s

beloved dachshund by: Tony & Norma Giarraputo

“Bubba”

James & Ima Syler

“Reddy” John & Tina Cambis

“Frida”

“long time feline companionof R.L. Procter”

by: Nancy, Tikki, Bell & Ace

“Mix” “who suddenly left this life on 9/13/08”

Beverly & Jo Ann Nelson

“Boy Cat” “beloved 18 yr old cat of Judy Sloan”

by: Suzanne Buchanan

“Katy” “my little toy fox terrier”

Melissa Dennis

“Nattie Ann” & “Toby” “my beloved dogs” George Goodson

“Mickey”, “Sterling”, “Jack” & “Jill”

John & Nell Evans

“Tyler Rose”Beloved pet of Barbara Schwanke

“my mom’s wonderful Siberian husky,faithful friend and loving companion,

who crossed the rainbow bridge11/12/09. May she rest in peace.

She will be missed forever.”by: her daughter & son-in-law,

Beth & Jim Marshall

“Reggie”, “Rene”, “Honey Babe”,& “Riley”

by: Ray Parker

“Ratzie” “my beloved cat” Esther Goodson

“Jack”

Jennifer Hillary

“Baby” “My 10-1/2 yr old Akita/Shepherd”

by: Marilyn Barren

“Billie” “My little black cur who had to

be put to sleep Sept 9” by: Melissa Dennis

Jody Chisum & his beloved dog “Buddy”

by: Martha, Wayne & Cindy Chisum

“Henry” Danny & John Brakebill’s dachshund

by: William Stringer

“Keesha” Doris Haynes’ beloved pet

“Tabby”“beloved friend for 19 years

of Helen Starkey”by: Ben & Ruth Summers

“In memory of our precious‘Elvis’ & ‘Lucky’,

and in honor of Mother & Daddy’slittle ‘Rocky’ ”

by: LaTressa & Steve Melton

“Solomon”Pam Pyle’s beloved dog

by: Roger Platizky

In Honor of Pets and ThoseHumans Who

Love Them

Charlie Menton“A friend to all animals”

by: The Fry FamilyJanet Fry

In Memory ofAnimal Lovers

Roger Platizky“for his birthday”

by: Martha, Wayne & Cindy Chisum

“Sadie Mae” “to honor her arrival” John & Tina Cambis

“Darcy”

beloved pet of Donna & Marion Waddelow by: Margaret Ditto

“Goldie”

“to honor my dog” Joan Fleming

Buck Pollard

“on his birthday” by: Cynthia Chisolm

“Spike”, Blaze”, & “Blackie”by: Dee Reynolds

“Baby” “Beloved dog who belonged to my mother,

Girlie Uphouse” by: Lynda Uphouse

In honor of Martha Chisum’sbirthday & Christmas for the

Chisum familyby: Roger Platizky

HappyHolidays!

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #10SADLER, TX 76264

Animal Refuge Foundation3377 Spalding Rd.

Sherman, TX 75092

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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