BARK Community Newsletter
May 2009
Bandit’s Adoption & Rescue of K-9s
804-449-BARK
Correctional Companions Update
Helping the Community: BARK adoption stats for April 2009
Thank You Notes
Happy Tails... Waggin’ Good News!
There I sat,
alone and afraid.
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.
- Author Unknown
Correctional
Companions Update 
The new group of dogs arrived at Botetourt Correctional Facility on April 13th. Rascal, our shy guy from the last group was just starting to open up and come out of his shell, so he stayed behind to get a little more socialization and is now part of the new group that includes Jasmine, Fergi, Heloise, Diamond, Macgregor, Marino, and Tom-Tom.
Rascal took to Jasmine immediately and the two have been seen running and playing in the recreation yard. It’s the first time that Rascal has initiated play, so his handlers are really excited and pleased to see that he’s a happy dog on the inside; he just needed a time and a place to blossom! Atta boy Rascal! And a big thank you to Jasmine for catching his eye! It seems that Rascal is somewhat of a ladies man. His last girlfriend was Sugar, who recently graduated from the program, but apparently he has room in his heart for more than one (he definitely has a thing for blondes!).
Heloise, now nicknamed "Weezy," is so popular and well-liked that Amy has already received an approved application for her! At the end of the program, Weezy will join the family of the Food Services Director at Botetourt! Yeah Heloise!
Three of the eight recent graduates from the Correctional Companions program have already found their forever homes! Niles is living with a Botetourt Correctional officer and his family and went to his new home straight from the prison. Jill has found her way to a little girl who is completely in love with her and the two are inseparable. And last but not least, Caesar has found a WONDERFUL home! He and his new owner are perfect for one another and he is going to be spoiled rotten!
This year BARK had a booth at the Hanover Woof, Wag & Walk event on Saturday, April 25th. We had a great time at Taylor Park promoting BARK & our doggies. We had wonderful volunteer support in the form of donations as well as great folks who showed up to help at the event. There was a one mile dog walk and six of our dogs participated. Although the day was hot, we kept cool under our canopies and ventured out to the baby pools, if we needed more relief. Caboodle, Spirit, Tulip, Bessie, Dottie, Jay, Zippy, and Colin were the lucky dogs who attended and they had a blast. I don't think Bessie has had so much one-on-one attention in a long time. Zippy got to try out the new dog park, Tulip and Colin dined on French fries and Tulip decided that sitting in a chair was much better than sitting in a crate! Dottie got lots of attention from a wonderful new family of volunteers, the Lockes, and Caboodle ran so much that even she was tired out by the time we headed for home. Thanks to ALL of the volunteers who helped make this event such a success!
Tulip
and Regina
Dottie
and human friend
Tulip
and Regina
Regina
and Collin, sharing a French fry. Tulip seems to approve!
Collin
and Bessie, during the Blessing of the Animals.
Spirit,
a spunky Terrier, enjoying the day!
The girls of Girl Scout Troop 572 have thoroughly enjoyed working toward their Bronze Award at the farm. They love walking and playing with the dogs, and feeding them dog biscuits. Volunteering at BARK has been a tremendous experience for Troop 572 and they appreciate what BARK does to help the dogs.
Helping the Community: BARK Adoptions for April 2009
Most BARK dogs are rescued from local public shelters. These shelters are open admission facilities, meaning that they are required by law to accept all unwanted dogs, such as those picked up as strays or surrendered by owners.
When public shelters run out of room to house the dogs, they sometimes euthanize as a means of population control. BARK and other rescues offer lifesaving alternatives by transferring at risk dogs to their facilities, where they are housed until adoptive homes are found. In addition to finding forever homes, BARK vaccinates, spays/neuters each dog and provides appropriate veterinary care. We are proud to report that 55 BARK dogs found loving homes last month.
Rachel and Tony at the Short Pump
adopt-a-thon
Susie and Denny at the VCC
adopt-a-thon
Adoption Spotlight: Peg
Peg is an intelligent, beautiful 4 year old pointer mix with personality plus and a heart of gold. She struts around the yard like a princess and dances a special happy dance before dinners and walks. Peg is great with other dogs as long as they accept her "superiority" but she wouldn't mind being an only dog. She loves people and can be protective with her special pals, which she demonstrates on occasion by barking or just giving “that look” when strangers approach. Peg rides beautifully in the car and seems to like cats just fine. She is wonderful on walks, and she's not a chewer, so with a little house-training reminder, we think she would adjust beautifully to being in a home. Peg longs for a forever home with a special person. Could that be you? If you'd like to meet Peg, contact terri@barkva.org or call 804-449-BARK (2275).
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! Especially mid-July thru mid-Sept.
WE ESPECIALLY NEED CARETAKERS on Mondays and Wednesdays from mid-July until mid September!!!!!!! High school students, college kids and parents off work, please 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. The best scenario, and our goal, is four cleaners with one runner per cleaner. Experienced volunteers please call or e-mail Sheri at 282- 7479 or sherimcgavic@comcast.net during this three month period so she can help coordinate who can come when and answer questions. There is a weekly cleaning schedule chart posted on the wall for you to mark to help keep up with which rows have been cleaned and when.
New volunteers please see below.
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 ANYTIME-PREFERABLY NOT ALONE !!
MONDAYS: 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 3:00 P.M. ish - experienced folks may come at any time
WEDNESDAYS: same as Mondays
FRIDAYS: 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ish - experienced folks may come at any time
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 as a new volunteer, 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 Marsha Sorg, Samantha Hargett, Paige Stratton, Carla Smith, Cameron Smithie, Cassie Morgan, Tanya Volansky, Cary Harmon, Alexx Valencia, Alexandra Spitzer, Rebecca Hottman, Trent Chumney, Lacy Schley, and Karen Kasprzak.
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 to Linda Littlefield for the wood shavings, straw, and all the little things that she does for us.
Thanks to all the "fix-me-uppers" who help spruce up the farm and improve the quality of life for the dogs and volunteers. You know who you are!
All the outside kennels have been removed from around the shelter building. Thanks to the Bowles Family for a nice clean up.
Thanks to Bob Adams and Peggy Fore for finding the source of the water runoff that used to routinely flood some of the dog runs!
Thank you, Rob S., for setting up a new adoption event at the Carson's Corner shopping center in Fredericksburg, VA. BARK is now there on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month and while this is a new event, four BARK dogs have already found their forever homes!
Thanks to ZOOOM Printing on Westmorland for their generous help with our volunteer applications.
Thanks to the Dude Ranch for allowing us to hold our BARK meeting at their facility.
Thanks
to Girl Scout troop 185 for the TONS of supplies they brought to the farm. 
Could your dog get swine flu??? We don’t want anyone to worry, the chances are slim… check it out at the ASPCA site:
http://www.aspca.org/news/national/05-01-09.html#1
Is your dog an overly enthusiastic eater? Check out the Brake-fast-doggie-bowl.
http://www.strangenewproducts.com/2006/05/brake-fast-doggie-bowl.html
Take your dog to the dog park – the socialization and exercise is a fabulous way to bond. Here’s a great site to help you find the park closest to you or locate a new one to try:
http://www.dogrichmond.com/parks/
Happy Tails.....Waggin’ Good News!
Our little angels have been keeping us busy! Max (formerly Rocket) is very shy and frightened around strangers and other dogs, except Angel. Angel is a wild woman! She can hurdle the sofa in a single jump. She can land all four feet on the kitchen table. She can escape her crate and open the latch to let Max out of his crate. She is full of energy but very smart. I decided that we could use a little help in reshaping her behavior, so we’ve been taking her to private training lessons at PetSmart. It’s made a big difference. Even though Max is shy around others, he is very cuddly with our family members. Angel is friendly with all people and other dogs. We’ve never heard her growl once and neither of them bark very often.
Because we were unsure of their birthdays, we let them share Dad's BD on March 11. As you can tell, they are both spoiled rotten. When people ask where we got them, I always put in a plug for the great work that you do. Thanks!
Robyn
Summer is just an angel sent from heaven! She has settled in beautifully and right now is playing with my 5-lb kitten as though she were her best friend! She is gentle, giving, intuitive, and playful and the best thing that has happened to me and my kitties in a long, long time! We adore her and thank you (BARK) and Bill and Linda (and my mom for weaseling out of adopting her, which I bet she now regrets!!!) so much for saving her from neglect and a horrible death from heartworm.
I'll send some pictures soon… you won't believe how she's blossomed! She loves going for walks, wags her tail all the time and loves to be brushed. We even visited a dog park last week -- she was polite to the other dogs, but not quite ready to play. She has a friend named Jaeger in the neighbor who she really likes; he's a lab/husky mix and also a rescue. When my last dog, Josh, was undergoing chemo for lymphoma and literally dying before my eyes, it was very sad to come home to him because he'd lost all of his joy and there wasn't anything I could do to make him comfortable. I can't wait to get home to my new friend, Summer. She acts as though everything that we do is a new adventure, brings a smile to my face and lifts my heart. Cheesy... but true!
Thanks for all you do,
God bless,
Carrie
We’ve renamed Heather Harper, and she has settled in wonderfully. She was skittish at first; however, she is now much more comfortable with us and her surroundings. Her new big brother General is a help to her when she is unsure of how to act around new people and places. She tags along everywhere with him, just like a little sister. She and General get daily walks at the park, and she has a blast swimming in the river and trying to chase the deer around (of course she's on a leash, so she never goes very far). She loves to run laps around the backyard -- we are still amazed at how fast she is! Harper’s doing very well though and we are thrilled to have her, she's a sweetheart!
Nancy
After a short adjustment period Valentine has settled into a good routine. She loves her backyard and riding in the car. She especially loves going to my parent’s house to visit. Valentine also loves spending time at my brother David’s house -- he has a rescue dog named Stella and they LOVE to play together. We have bonded quickly and I love having her as part of my family.
Thanks again
Carleen
Cedric and Royal, BARK dogs transferred to Orange shelter last month, have both found forever homes! Cedric was adopted almost immediately and Royal was adopted soon after. Here’s what the director at the Orange shelter had to say about Royal’s adoption: “Wanted to let you know Royal was adopted this weekend! I have called twice to follow up on his placement and they are thrilled with him. It was strange when they first saw him, we don't usually see dogs react the way Royal did to the man in particular; it was like he knew him (but the guy swears not) or it was love at first sight or something. During yesterday's conversation, they said Royal is better behaved than their other dog and that he fits in so well, they don't know how they lived without him! I feel very good about this adoption.”
I adopted Barton from you back in November of 2006. Our 12-year old dog Bear had just passed away and we were searching for another dog when we came across Barton on Petfinder. We knew just from the picture that he was the dog for us. We met him at an adoption event you held in Fairfax VA and fell in love with him at first sight! How can you resist a dog whose first reaction to you is to come up and put his snoot under your arm and give you a snuggle? We just wanted to let you know he is doing very well and I believe he is very happy with us. We love Barton so much and would do anything in the world for him. He repays us by being the best dog anyone could have! I have never had a dog give me a hug before but Barton is the best at it! He will curl up in your lap and be as content as could be. He very much enjoys his snoozing time - he has many favorite spots to sleep - the couch is his favorite. He has two beds, two blankets of his own and still needs to come to bed with me at night to snuggle. That is not to say he doesn't enjoy his play time! He loves his backyard - and it is HIS backyard - he has to go out to play after he eats everyday regardless of the weather. Snow, ice, rain it doesn't matter - he must get in his play time with his favorite toy! Barton even has his own "Dogbook" page on Facebook! He is so popular.
Thank you to everyone at BARK for giving these dogs another chance at a great life - you are doing something very special. Barton is a wonderful dog and I know that is in part to everyone at BARK who has dedicated so much time and love to these dogs. We made out pretty good too - he is the best dog and has brought a lot of joy to our lives.
Thanks again -
Holly and David
I must start by saying that Mickey is now Sam. Sam has settled in very well. I guess you could say that he rules the roost. It is truly amazing how quickly you can get attached! Sam has been a great dog since day one. Yes, it took a few weeks for him to get comfortable; it was hard not knowing his background and how he lived before. Sam also has grandparents that call to check on him daily or even come by the house while we are working and kidnap him for a bit. Sam has brought much happiness to our lives. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.
Thanks
Kim
Blossom loves her new home and we love her. We do our best to spoil her. She has become less shy, enjoys going on long walks with her mom and dad and is always kind to the dogs we meet along the way. She even chews on a treat bone now. She learned sit and stay quickly because she is so smart. The things she loves best about her new home are the squirrels. She is a fast runner but has yet to catch one ... (let's hope it stays that way!) Her foster family did a wonderful job!
Sincerely,
Paula
I am so very glad we adopted Jessie from BARK. She is fantastic with her new family! The other dogs liked her right away, and she learned how to go on a pack walk on her very first day! We walk twice a day, we're learning some fun tricks, and she loves to watch the fish and play with her toys. She and her two siblings have a great time running around the back yard playing chase. We are so happy we adopted Jessie!
Sincerely,
Teresa
Thank you so much for
allowing our family to adopt Norma. She has been a wonderful addition to
our family and the kids adore her. My husband has been recently deployed
to Afghanistan and will be gone for an entire year. Having Norma in our
lives has made us feel safer and made my husband's deployment a little
easier. She keeps us busy and the kids love playing with her. We
are forever grateful.
Thank You,
Gemma
If you have adopted a BARK dog and have a Happy Tail or any other contribution
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)
