Welcome to The A.R.F. Shack

ADOPTION DAYS TOMORROW AT PETSMART

3232 COLONIAL DRIVE

Come on out and visit with our 'rescue guests' in search of forever homes. You will most definitely be met with happy hearts and wagging tails looking to find forever love. The hours of the event are 'firmly set in jello' based of course on the behaviors and cooperation of our four legged friends. Our intentions, however, are to be in attendance from 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

TRIBUTE TO TANNER

Estimated Age At Passing

13 Years Old

Although the time we spent together was short in comparison to the total years you walked this earth, I know in my heart that your final months ~ our time together ~ was some of your most enjoyable. You were loved and you knew you were loved. You experienced kindness, care, spa time and a home and household of true open hearted genuine affection. You found a four-legged companion within my home in which to share your days to both romp and cuddle with; I believe in my heart that you found yourself. With you and through you, I too found myself as you reminded me exactly why it is I got involved in rescue in the first place. It's not only for the puppies, the juniors or the hard to place souls, but most importantly for the older, more mature and often times improperly treated or cared for dogs out there walking this earth and/or ending up in shelters in general just due to their age. You reminded me of my mission. Making a difference not only for the remainder of your days but also for the remainder of mine. You have helped me refocus. You truly made a difference not only in my life but within all the hearts of every member of my household. My mission was to make certain that your life ended with as much love and contentment around you as it was on the day you came into this world. I am at peace with myself knowing that I accomplished that for you. Enjoy your days, my little man, frolicking over on the other side of rainbow bridge.

The above is a eulogy from Tanner's foster mom. Tanner was The ARF Shack's first 'forever member.' Tanner came to the rescue from an outside of county animal services facility. Tanner was pulled based on the director's description of a one year old dog with an upper respiratory infection. Tanner arrived and was much more polished in his years than one years old. Upon his vet check, Tanner was estimated to be 12-13 years old, with a mouthful of rotten teeth that needed to be removed due to an extensive ignored infection ~ and ~ to boot, he was heartworm positive. Tanner was taken in ~ more matter what his age ~ loved and cared for. The first course of treatment was to get him not only a dental but to remove his unhealthy teeth in order to clear up the infection. Tanner walked away from his dental appointment with four teeth remaining... However, that did not, in any form or fashion deter this strong willed little soul. Treatment of the heartworm, however, was another issue. Due to Tanner's overall health and age, it was not medically recommended to put Tanner through any type of heartworm treatment. Doctor's orders were to treat him monthly with preventative, love him, care for him and allow him to live out the remainder of his days... So ~ we did just that!! Tanner's foster is one of our volunteers that we call a 'senior softee' and Tanner fit right in at her house. Tanner is the first member of The ARF Shack pack to cross over rainbow bridge; however, we are confident that he crossed over with a happy heart filled with love and tenderness. He passed over in the arms of the woman who he learned to love and grew to depend on... Not every 'rescue' results in a successful adoption HOWEVER every 'rescue' does result in a success in one fashion or another.

THE ARF SHACK LENDS A HELPING HAND TO OSCEOLA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES

PLEASE help the animals of Osceola County. Not only in relation to their animals in need of forever homes and/or relocation to rescue, but also in relation to your time, should you have any available, in order to establish a program of dedicated and dependable volunteers. The Osceola County Animal Services facility is located at 3910 Old Canoe Creek Road in St. Cloud; 407.343.7101.

There has been a lot of changes going on at this facility and some of The ARF Shack representatives did have the pleasure this past week of both visiting the facility in addition to meeting with members of their staff. It was at that time that it was learned that Osceola County is not only operating with a very skeletal crew of employees, but with even less of a crew in terms of volunteers. Most important and most surprising was the fact that there is no website exposure whatsoever in place for their 'shelter guests.'

Therefore, The ARF Shack is offering services to them in an administrative capacity to assist the animals housed within their facility. Osceola will soon have an established PetFinder account (pending registration and processing); however, in the interim, the time was put aside to photograph all available dogs presently on site at their shelter location and both that photo along with that animal's personal bio information has, for the time being, been Courtesy Posted on The ARF Shack.

So please take a moment when you have the time to look at the Osceola County animals in need. These will be updated on a routine and regular basis. Osceola Animals on The ARF Shack website are clearly identified by their Animal Identification Numbers, alphabetically listed under the 'O' section as an Osceola Shelter Guest. Please visit them on site at Osceola County Animal Services or call the number provided in their individual posts should you need further information in relation to one of their dogs.

PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS AND CONTINUE TO PASS ON THE MESSAGE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65wa4rXsFY

Stella Has Her Groove Back

And Now She Needs a Foster...

This feisty, playful little pup has not let reconstructive surgery of her back right hip and leg hold her back; when the Rescue Vet said 'no restrictions other than those she places on herself' Stella must have just heard 'no restrictions' because this little lady in such a very short period of time since needing and seeking medical attention is back in the swing of things as if nothing even happened or occurred. I vaguely remember how wonderful it was being that young and bouncing right back after an injury even though it was a long, long time ago...

We are just grateful that Stella has been given the opportunity at a second chance at life. A life better than her first introduction of human interaction. Her story, at such a young age, is outlined on her personal web page for those of you interested. However, separate and apart from the traumas suffered by this little lady at such a young age, she is ever so loving of the two legged folks around her each and every day. She knows she has been given a fresh start and now she wants to make the most of it. Can you help her in that regards?!? Stella is in present need of a foster ~ however ~ like all our rescue guests, our ultimate goal for this beautiful soul is a forever home for her to share her love and be loved in that unconditional way we all deserve.

Perhaps you are not the one who can help Stella, but PLEASE spread the word just in case that individual you may be talking to may be her 'special someone.'

If you are in need of 'Match Making Assistance' between yourself and an ARF Shack animal, please complete an Application of Interest (which can be found under the 'Forms' Section on the left hand side of this screen) and be certain to choose this particular option as your 'Animal of Interest.'

Then, your application can be assigned to one of The ARF volunteers most familiar with the dogs we presently have available in order to see if we have a viable candidate.

In every instance The ARF Shack offers a two week 'foster with an intent to adopt' arrangement which allows all involved to insure that it is a perfect fit (for both two legged and four legged). A two week foster with intent arrangement is a win/win situation for all involved due to the fact that it allows applicants a hands-on understanding of what their full-time commitment is going to involve and it also allows The ARF Shack to be certain that they are placing the appropriate animal into the appropriate environment. Making certain that the next transition in an animal's life is into its final and forever home is the ultimate and underlying goal of The ARF Shack and its volunteers.

Has Someone Caught Your Eye...

Then Fill Out An Application of Interest

An Application of Interest is the first step required in order to establish a meet/greet with an animal of The ARF Shack. The submission of this application is not a commitment to adopt, it is an administrative tool required to see if you and your animal of interest are compatible!

Just like with on-line dating, anyone can fall in love with a photo, but the 'actual date' is what is required in order to see if there is truly a connection. One does not want to be matched up with someone who is found to be totally incompatible to their likes, desires and lifestyle!

Upon receipt and review of your completed application, the automated system will acknowledge our receipt of your submission. Secondly, your application will be assigned to the Rescue Volunteer who has both the most knowledge of your specific animal of interest and the most hands-on interaction with same.

An application of Interest form can be found under the 'Forms/Apps' Tab on the left hand side of this Home Page. The completion of this required application is quick and painless. We THANK YOU for the opportunity to help you, and help them, into a forever and lasting relationship!!