SPRING 2010VOLUME 12, ISSUE 1A non-profit, tax-exempt organization

In our Winter newsletter, you saw groundbreaking for the 10

new kennels. As we reported, Lynn has made a tradition each year to hold a catered birthday party in his home, asking his friends to bring a donation for ARFhouse in lieu of a gift for him. Lynn always matches the total, but in 2009 he and Kathy doubled those gifts. The kennels were just completed when this picture was taken. Dog houses and shade canopies are on the way. And then the dogs. As they said in the movie: “If you build it, they will come.” That’s certainly true of the dogs. We receive at least 10-15 calls and/or emails per day, asking us to take animals. There’s no end to the need, and most of the stories would break your hearts.

New Kennels

These ladies arrived one day during spring break to volunteer. Paula volunteered last year, but she brought friends with her this time. They spent the day in our senior building, cleaning and interacting with the dogs. They seemed to enjoy themselves, and the dogs certainly loved the extra attention.

(L-R): Debbie Cole, Q. Brown, Paula Gray.

Volunteers“Hey there! I’m ‘Mr. Wiggles.’ The name suits me. I was left on Spalding Road one night (that’s where ARFhouse is located). I was running up and down the road, wondering where my guy went who dropped me off and wished me good luck, when along came a funny looking little car and two women jumped out and scooped me up. They brought me to ARFhouse and put me with some crazy gal dogs who have just about run my little short legs off playing. It’s fun though. I’m popular here ’cause I’m so cute. Heh Heh.”

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“Jessie” was left chained while her guardian went on a 3-day holiday. No one checked on her, even though she was nursing five puppies. Her back leg became entangled in the chain and it ripped the skin off all the way to the bone. Sammie heard about Jessie’s plight from a friend who was neighbor to Jessie’s guardian. Jessie had never received medical attention, and the wound was several weeks old. We got in touch with the lady and she surrendered Jessie to us so that she could have the care she needed. Unfortunately she was born without a foot on the other back leg, and the wounded leg had to be amputated. She has been measured for a little prosthetic foot and we’ll report on her progress in the next newsletter. As you can see from her picture, she’s made great “strides” toward recovering from her terrible ordeal. She loves people and wants to cuddle up to anyone who enters her area. We want to thank Paws in the City in Dallas for raising $435 toward the cost of the prosthetic foot for Jessie.

NEWCOMERS“Howdy! Martha named me ‘Gary Cooper,’ but every-one calls me ‘Coo-per.’ (The younger staff members asked her where she got the ‘Gary’?) I love to run the property and pes-ter the gals (dogs as well as human gals.) I’ll ride on a golfcart, swim in the pond, and stretch out on my back in the sun....all day long. No one bothers me ’cause I don’t pay attention to anyone. I was left in front of ARFhouse. I don’t know why. I was a good dog. Sort of.”

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” “Sandie”

Orianna Skomoroch’s beloved dog by: Ralph, Jeri, Lucy, Sammie,

Tag, & Harley Waterloo

“Sadie” Larry & Diana Pryor

“Angel” & “JoJo”

beloved pets of George & Kathy Ceal by: Debbie Kirkpatrick & Ricky

“Rufus”

“Our loveable cat....we sure miss him.” by: Connie & Bill Cooper

“Lord Winston”

“beloved companion ofDr. Ann Van Wynen Thomas”

by: Jerry Lincecum & Peggy Redshaw

“Miss Linda” Charlotte Patterson

“Maggie” 8-yr old golden retriever lost to

cancer in the fall “We miss her terribly.”

Mark & Joan Blankenship

“Sadie” Diana & Larry Pryor’s beloved pet

by: Judy Kissel

“Cap Garcia” beloved border collie of Bert &

Lana Garcia by: Marilyn Pickens

“Ratzie”

“my beloved cat” Esther Goodson

“Corky”

“Our sweet grand-dog” Gerda & Jerry Huffman

“Dickens”

“Our special kitty” Gail & Milton McAllister

“Rory”

Gerri Thomen

“Beauty Slagle” much loved ancient dog of

Bob & Susan Slagle

“Max”Ralph & Jen Waterloo’s beloved pet

by: Mike & Linda Tarzis

“Bri Chapman”“much loved and missed Bichon

of Susie & Jerry Chapman”by: Beverly Nelson

“Maggie” by: Bill Waldrip

“In memory of all our dogs”by: Charles & Judith Schuessel

“Corky”Andy Williams’little dog whopassed awayin December

Here’s “Toosh” (she was found in Tushka, Okla), with her new guardians. Phil & Michelle drove all the way from Austin to adopt her and they say she’s the sweetest dog ever. We knew that. Her new name in her new home is “Asscher.” Pretty, and it suits her!

“Barsha” & “Bellou” were two puppies who went to Chicago in February with Linda. They were abandoned on a bridge near ARFhouse. As you can see, their lives have changed dramatically since they moved north and found a home with Arlene.

Another of the Aussie puppies found a home in Chicago.

Rob and Tony had a difficult time deciding between “Ginger” and “Ruthie,” but finally settled on “Ginger.” She’s definitely the rowdy one, but they say they love her personality.

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, TexasINMAR

Brookshires FoodAlbertson’s

TO THE PEOPLE WHOHELP OUR DOGS

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“Molly” the collie, and Mr. Tiger.

“I’m Nocona. I’m 10 years old and I’ve spent my life with a lady who recently died. Her daughter lives in an apartment and was coming and feeding me, but the house sold and I had no place to go. The gals at ARFhouse took me in, but I’m very sad without a human to call my own. When your person dies, loneliness rules.”

ADOPTIONS

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“Sasha” & Daniel, “Cirrus” & Chris

Chris drove from New Orleans to Sherman to adopt Sasha several years ago, before Katrina struck the city. He made sure that Sasha was safe in advance of the hurricane. Fortunately his home wasn’t destroyed and they were able to return to New Orleans. A few months ago Chris wrote that he was looking for a friend for Sasha, and as you can see, he found Cirrus, who had just been rescued from a kill shelter. Here’s what he had to say: “We are both having fun getting him to learn the rules, etc., and Sasha is doing her part to help in his training. She keeps him in line, but yesterday a dog was playing with Cirrus, and Sasha trotted in between them because she thought the other dog was getting too rough with her pack member. So at least she is accepting him well, although begrudgingly. Thanks so much for what you have done for Sasha, us, and the rest of the animals in your care. You are truly special and have brought us so much happiness.” I take no credit. Chris is the kind of guardian we wish all our animals could find. We’re grateful to him for giving Sasha a loving home.

REMEMBER “DELBERT”?

“Delbert” (Dillon) Before Diane & “Dillon” After

His name is now “Dillon,” after that famous Marshal. As you can see, he’s changed his appearance drastically as well as his mood since arriving at ARFhouse. He was starved and almost bald when he was left on Spalding Road near ARFhouse. Over the next month his hair began to grow back and we kept you updated on his progress. He loved people and would always raise a paw when we’d go to feed him. When Diane came to adopt a dog, she already had Delbert in mind. He’s turned out to be the right fit for her. She says when he goes outside, he’s the marshal of her backyard, giving chase after the squirrels. He was one of our favorites, and we’re so happy that his story has a happy ending. Thank you, Diane, for giving Dillon a loving home. And thank you, our supporters, for helping the dogs....providing funds for medical care when a dog like Dillon must have heartworm treatment.

“Peggy Lee” was discarded near an apartment complex in Sherman. She was very thin when a resident took her in, but he was unable to keep a big dog in a small apartment, so he called us. She was such a nice girl, it was easy to find a home for her. She’s pictured here with her new guardians, Vanessa and Scott.

“Lefty” went to Chicago last year. His new guardian writes that he is “beyond our imagination and hopes in his mannerisms and personality. He is just a joy to have.”

ADOPTIONS

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

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Engles

“Penny” Mr. & Mrs. Roger Mercer

“Chester”

Cathy Maddox

“Sherman” Mr. & Mrs. Roger Moore

“Turtle”

Michael Alexander

“Elvis” Mr. & Mrs. Brian Cordell

“Umokey”

Mr. & Mrs. Badger

“Ford” Elisha McGee

“Mary Magdolin”

Linda Allen

“Boo” Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Stokes

“Molly”

Jonna Nitcholas

“Maddy” Linda Hix

“Sam”

Mr. & Mrs. George Owens

“Socks” Vi McWater

“Peaches”

Lonnie & Patsy Stephens

“Meogi” Delores Collins

“Zeus”

Sid & Sherri Davidson

“Libbey” Nita & Roger Mercer

“Chance”

John & Cheryl Schmitt

“Dinky” Rick & Liz Mabry

“Ivy”

Melanie Brown

“Maney” Vanna Braden

“Hobbs”

Mike & Jeni Squires

“Zeke” Donna Spiva

“Conan” Lori Baker

“Fredda

Billy & Shirley Delamar

“Sally” Marilyn Morrow

“Smokey”

Fran Brisco

“Titus” Bob & Donna Burk

“Zeno”

Sue Price

“Tipsy” Dr. Mark & Lori Villarreal

“Max” Boozie Marroquin

“White Feet”

Mr. & Mrs. Thompson

“Warlock” David & Linda Tingle

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.

SPECIAL THANKSTHANK YOU, JOYCE.....for sending a $7,500 grant to help with January’s expenses. The first quarter of the year is the leanest when it comes to donations, but the animals keep coming. That never stops. Joyce knows this and is there for the dogs whenever we need her.

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Everyone has heard of Jody O’Donnell! Once again he has offered a challenge grant. This time in the amount of $10,000. We hope some of our faithful supporters will meet this challenge. Jody says the designation can be in any amount. We know our friends will “step up.” Thank you, Jody, for wanting to help the dogs.

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Thank you Weinzierl Family Fund for a $10,000 grant to be used to care for the animals.

One of the mandatory tasks everyone performs at ARFhouse daily is waste re-moval; commonly known as “poop scooping.” The waste is put in large feed bags and placed in our dumpster. You probably read that one of the items on the Wish List is these bags. It’s important because we scoop over 200 lbs. of waste daily. IESI chose ARFhouse as one of their local charities, which means they empty our dumpster twice a week at no charge. We’re grateful to our friends at IESI for this important contribution to helping the dogs live in a clean environ-ment.

IESI HELPS US....

TEXOMA LIVING MAGAZINE did a wonderful article with pictures about ARFhouse in their January/February 2010 edition. Their website is www.texomaliving.com. We want to thank them for including us in Texoma’s Animal Sanctuaries piece.

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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.

Canyon Creek Pet Hospital Made The Following“In Memory” Donations

“Muffy” Mr. & Mrs. Robert Engles

“Penny”

Mr. & Mrs. Roger Mercer

“Chester” Cathy Maddox

“Sherman”

Mr. & Mrs. Roger Moore

“Turtle” Michael Alexander

“Elvis”

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Cordell

“Umokey” Mr. & Mrs. Badger

“Ford”

Elisha McGee

“Mary Magdolin” Linda Allen

“Boo”

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Stokes

“Molly” Jonna Nitcholas

“Maddy” Linda Hix

“Sam”

Mr. & Mrs. George Owens

“Socks” Vi McWater

“Peaches”

Lonnie & Patsy Stephens

“Meogi” Delores Collins

“Zeus”

Sid & Sherri Davidson

“Libbey” Nita & Roger Mercer

“Chance”

John & Cheryl Schmitt

“Dinky” Rick & Liz Mabry

“Ivy”

Melanie Brown

“Maney” Vanna Braden

“Hobbs”

Mike & Jeni Squires

“Zeke” Donna Spiva

“Conan”

Lori Baker

“Fredda Billy & Shirley Delamar

“Sally”

Marilyn Morrow

“Smokey” Fran Brisco

“Titus”

Bob & Donna Burk

“Zeno” Sue Price

“Tipsy”

Dr. Mark & Lori Villarreal

“Max” Boozie Marroquin

“White Feet”

Mr. & Mrs. Thompson

“Warlock” David & Linda Tingle

Note from M. Hovers: Our long-time supporter, Valerie Flocco, sent a memorial donation in June, 2009, for her beloved dog “Jack”. Her note literally slipped through the cracks, and I found it this month. I am deeply sorry for this oversight. Valerie wanted Jack’s memorial to be placed in the “In Honor” column and that is what we are doing. Here is what she says about Jack:

“Mark the passing of my Jack, whom I had to help pass on on April 11. He was with me for 13 of his 15 years and it was a devastating loss to me. He was very special, my miracle dog, having not only survived back surgery in the mid-90’s, but recovered fully from paralysis 4 times. He was also the last of my pack of dogs and represented the passing of an era in my life.”

To Honor Pets“Achilles”

by: Nancy Norwood

“Lucky” & “Peanut”Mike & Linda Tarzis’ pets

Purina Dry Dog Food

Fiberglass Dogloos(igloo shaped – any size)

13 gal. Trash Bags

Commercial grade 75' - 100'water hoses

Puppy Pads for small dogsin building

Large Feed Bags

**WISH LIST**

THANK YOUTHANKS go out to CIGNA employ-ees for a fundraiser at their site, rais-ing cash and bags of dog food to help the animals.

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BLANKETS GALOREThank you, Kathy Camp, for the 16 soft, cuddly blankets you made for the dogs in our senior building.

To Honor Humans Who Love The AnimalsMany of the following donations were made as Christmas presents for friends and loved ones.They’re all to honor those who are dear to us, so we’ve made no distinction between the gifts.

Dr. John & Liz Sciortino by: Adam, Christina, Grant, “Snoopy”

& “Woodstock”

Darlene Schweizer by: Marilyn Pickens

Roger & Sherry Harvey

by: Kim Wortham

LuRuth Taylor by: The Stromnes & Senft Families

Andy Williams

by: Mom & Dad (Jerry & Gerda Huffman)

LuRuth Taylor

Mark & Meredith Overholt

Carter Barcus by: Judy K. Butler

Gerda & Jerry Huffman

by: Andy Williams

Tom Huffman by: Andy Williams

Carl & Donnette Diehl by: Stacey Browning

Chief Bill Palya

Chief Kevin Walton Kevin Hartless Susan Berryhill

by: Nancy Shirley

Roger Platizky by: Martha, Wayne & Cindy Chisum

The John family

for their Christmas present,Ramona & Dick John will make a

monthly gift to ARFhousethroughout the year.

Kim & Gary Wortham

by: Sherry & Roger Harvey

Mike Hetzel “to celebrate his birthday”

by: Kathy Kenny

Jane Wilson by: Paul & Courtney

Jane Wilson by: Stephanie & Ralph Strangis

My incredible employees & friends at Diagnostic Clinic Center for

Breast Care in Longview, TX”

by: Debbie Kirkpatrick

Robert & Cindy Lea donated3 large dogloos as Christmas presents to

ARFhouse to honor Tharon Shears

Rob & Renee Senft by: LuRuth Taylor

Bryan & Lisa Lancelot

by: LuRuth Taylor

John & Jacque Stromnes by: LuRuth Taylor

Mark & Christine Taylor

by: LuRuth Taylor

Marilyn Barren made a donation tohonor her daughter, Alicia, and here is what she said in her letter aboutAlicia and her dog “Baby” who

passed away in 2009: “For ‘Baby’ who fought the brownlesion as long as she could to stay

with Alicia. For Alicia who fought tokeep ‘Baby’ comfortable and

completely surrounded with love.”

Diane Curran David & Avo Butler

Marilyn Pickens & “Amy” Mike & Linda Tarzis, “Lucky” & “Peanut”

Jim & Jacque Mehaffey John & Karen Brennan Dough & Jackie Barrow

Elizabeth & Juston Dobbs Jerry & Susie Chapman

Brakebill Animal Hospital Terrye Troxtell

Sara Bernice Moseley Judy Sloan, “Daisy” & “Pickles”

Joe & Becky Frank Sandy Beisly, “Bentley” & “BJ” by: Charlie & Darlene Schweizer

Martha & Lou Vaughn

(to honor “Harley” & “Penney”) Ralph & Jeri Waterloo (to honor “Harley”,

“Lucy”, “Sam” & “Tag”) Charlie & Darlene Schweizer (to honor

“Annie”, “Britches”, “Callie”, “Ellis” & “Desi”)

by: Mike & Linda Tarzis, “Lucky” & “Peanut”

LuRuth Taylor made the followingdonations in honor of family members

at ChristmasRob & Renee Senft

Bryan & Lisa LancelotJohn & Jacque Stromnes & Arden Rae

Mark & Christine Taylor

Larry Pryoron his birthdayby: Judy Kissel

Rudolf A. Williamsfor his birthday

from: his parents, Gerda & Jerry Huffman

Morton & Peachy Rudberg made adonation to wish a speedy recovery for:

Dr. Kathleen Sohner

RAY HAWKINS by: Stan & Sherry Simmons

JERRY JENSEN

by: Brenda Brandt

“Our 4 yr old great niece,BRENNA DOYLE;

she loved kittens & puppies.” by: Marty & Julie Doyle

BEAUTY SLAGLE

by: Bob & Susan Slagle

FRED SCHWEIZER “our brother who loved animals so

very much” by: Charlie & Darlene Schweizer

In Memory ofAnimal Lovers

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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