ARSF ADVOCATE

Newsletter of the Akita Rescue Society of Florida

FALL 2008

This Issue
*Dorie Day 2008
*Miss Pity’s Garden
*Volunteer Spotlight
*Reference Guide to Bloat

We want to hear from you!
Send your letters and photos to
AkitaRescueNews@yahoo.com

Dorie Day 2008

ARSF Supporters Honor Dorie on Mother's Day

Akita lovers from across the state honored Dorie with a surprise Mother’s Day
celebration dubbed “Dorie Day”. On hand were dozens of volunteers and akitas
adopted from the rescue. Marsha Gregory, who coordinated the event,
presented Dorie with a personally written poem and with contributions raised
from supporters nationwide. Funds have been earmarked in remembrance of
“Miss Pity”, an akita who died from bloat while at the rescue. The money has
been used to install “Miss Pity’s Memorial Garden” and to pay for gastropexies
for akitas who are at risk of bloating.
Bloat is an emergency medical condition in which a dog’s stomach swells and
twists on itself. Although any dog may bloat, the breeds considered at the
highest risk include the Akita, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, and
Great Dane. A gastropexy is a surgical procedure in which the stomach is
tacked to the side of the body wall, preventing it for turning.
Purchasing a gift for Dorie presented an interesting challenge. As Marsha
Gregory said, “Dorie is difficult to buy for – she will just sell whatever it is you
give her to raise money for the dogs…And you can’t send her anywhere
because she will never leave the dogs. It has been over ten years since she
has had a vacation.”
Although the day was a tribute to Dorie, she emphasized the importance of
each and every volunteer, saying “I could not help even one Akita without all of
you. I am so blessed to be associated with the very best of the best."

AKITA RESCUE SOCIETY OF FLORID

Founded in 1985, ARSF is a
non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization. Our mission is to
provide a refuge for unwanted,
abandoned, or abused akitas
throughout the state of Florida
and surrounding areas.

ARSF is self supporting. We
rely entirely on fundraisers and
donations to support our
activities. 100% of all donations
goes to help our akitas.

Mending hearts and bodies
one life at a time.

Miss Pity's Garden

A quiet place to reflect on the Akitas who have died and will die in rescue

Some of the donations from Dorie Day have been used to create “Miss Pity’s
Garden,” a beautiful, peaceful retreat. The garden includes personalized
memorial stones, some of which contain the ashes on an akita, decorated by a
loved one.
Special thanks to everyone who helped with this very special project!

Margete, Marsha, Thomas, and Ben at work in the garden.

Miss Pity

Gigi and Miss Pity

Miss Pity came to ARSF as a
stray from Jacksonville Animal
Care and Control (JACC). She
was threatened by many
medical issues. Fortunately, Dr.
Niesson and the staff at JACC
were able to save Miss Pity by
administering much of her
treatment while she was fostered
through the JACC foster
program.
When Dorie first saw Miss Pity
lying in the JACC kennel, her
comment was, “Ah, what a pity.”
The name stuck – but Dorie
gave it a “Southern touch”. Miss
Pity was every inch the great gal
of the Old South – quiet, polite,
independent, and intelligent. She
quickly became a favorite.
Miss Pity loved to lie quietly in
the exercise yard all morning
and watch the world go by. The
only thing that got on her nerves
was the other dogs “messing up”
her area. She liked everything in
its proper place.
One evening, Miss Pity bloated.
She was taken to the Animal ER,
but because of her age and
other medical conditions, the
doctors there felt that she was a
poor surgery risk. Sadly the
decision was made to let Miss
Pity go.

Miss Pity is loved and missed.

A Poem for Dorie

By: Marsha Gregory

There was a lady named Dorie
whose life became quite a story.

Like the woman in the shoe
she had so many Akitas
she did not know what to do.

The dogs they came by twos,
then threes, then fours and fives.

Of course Dorie would turn
none away;she had to save
their lives.

Her world is now completely
dedicated to their care.

Kennels to clean, dogs to walk –
such utter devotion is rare.

Many, many sleepless nights
spent praying the latest adoption
turns out alright.

And on the sickest she will dote,
hoping above all that they will
not bloat.

So on this Mother’s Day,
we need a special celebration.

For someone who has been to
many such an inspiration!

Happy Mother’s Day Dorie –
our own Mother Theresa,

For continuing to rescue
So many homeless Akitas.

A Happy Tail

Kobe, rescued by Luis Salazar

Dear ARSF.
I cannot begin to express my thanks
to all of you, and very particularly, to
Dorie Sparkman. She has been a
guiding light for me. Her advice,
patience, and help with my “out of the
country dog sitting” have made the
transition very easy.

Kobe was an escape artist but with
Dorie’s guidance, I built an escapeproof
back yard, and so far, he's only
managed to get out a few times and
always by tricking me out of a door.

Kobe loves to watch the animal channel. Note: He gets a haircut in the
summer. Makes him cool!

He has learned many tricks, including going outside to shake, on command,
thus shedding great amounts of hair that would otherwise end up in the house.
I live alone, fighting a battle with cancer, and were it not for him, it would be a
lonely time. I cannot put enough emphasis on the advantage of adopting a
grown Akita as your companion. They are the most loving, loyal and fun dogs
you can find.

My best wishes to your very commendable effort.

Luis Salazar
Ormond Beach, Florida

Dog Bite Prevention

Each year, about 4.7 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs – 80% of them by canines they know – and more than half of those victims are under the age of 13. Children should keep in mind the following tips:

Mother, may I?
Always ask permission before
petting someone’s dog.
Approach slowly and quietly, and
allow the dog to sniff the back of
your hand. Pet the dog’s sides or
back gently.

They think they own everything. Stay away from any dog who may be protecting
something. That means not petting dogs who are eating, playing with a toy, tied to runs,
fenced in, or in cars.

Dogs hate surprises. Never pet a sleeping dog and never sneak up to play.

It’s all in the body language. When dogs tell us they’re angry or scared, we must leave them alone.

Don’t play rough. In games like
tug of war, dogs may bite by accident.

Prepare for the worst. If a dog growls or chases you, be still and quiet. Stand with your hands at your sides (like a tree). If you’re playing on the ground, lie down with your knees into your stomach and hands over your ears (like a rock). Avoid eye contact, which is often viewed by dogs as a threat.

Courtesy of The Humane Society of the
United States, www.nahee.org/bite.asp

Jen, Hanjie, Okii and Ron Fone

Volunteer Spotlight: Jen and Ron Fone

Jen and Ron Fone began volunteering with ARSF in 1996, within a month of adopting their first Akita, Rocky. They attended the Dog Days at Disney where Rocky proved to be a terrific ambassador of the Akita breed.

With Dorie serving as a mentor, the Fones participate in obedience classes. They actively volunteer for informational and fund raising booths for ARSF.

When the Fones adopted another Akita, Hanjie, they explored breed information further and looked for ways to educate the community on dog bite prevention.

The Fones have been teaching dog bite prevention for twelve years. Jen estimates the total attendance of their programs to date to be approximately 1,200 - 1,600 children. Not only do the classes help people understand the correct manner in which to approach a dog but the Fones’ work also offers positive exposure for the Akita. In 2003, unbeknownst to them, the Fones were nominated for and won an AKC Community Achievement Award for their involvement in the Akita Club of America Inc.

The Fones teach these basics rules for dog bite prevention:
1. NEVER try to pet a stray dog
2. NEVER touch a dog who is eating
3. ALWAYS ask if you can pet someone else's dog
4. NEVER run from a dog
For more information on dog bite prevention, visit http://www.dog-safety.net.

Don’t Forget to GoodSearch and GoodShop
Raise FREE Money for ARSF with each click or purchase!
An easy FREE way to help ARSF is through GoodSearch, a search engine
powered by Yahoo! GoodSearch makes a 1¢ donation to ARSF with every
search. It doesn’t cost you a thing — the money comes from the advertisers.
Or, if you’re in a shopping mood, buy something for yourself as you help the
akitas! GoodShop will donate a percentage of your total sale (even as much as
37.5%!) to ARSF. And with top retailers such as PetSmart, Target, iTunes, and
Amazon.com – there’s something for everyone!
Simply go to www.GoodSearch.com or www.GoodShop.com. Enter “ARSF” in the “Who do you GoodSearch/GoodShop.com for” box and click “Verify” to
select the Akita Rescue Society of Florida.
Here are examples of how much ARSF can earn with your support:
• 100 ARSF supporters searching twice per day = $730/year!
To date, ARSF has raised $107.17

Each One Reach One Pledge Card

I pledge to help prevent the deaths of hundreds of akitas at public shelters
by donating up to $200 to spay or neuter a pet akita whose owner can not
afford to pay for the procedure.

Name: ________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

City/State/Zip: __________________________________

Phone(s): ______________________________________

E-Mail: ________________________________________

______________________________________________
Signature and Date

Please complete and mail to the Akita Rescue Society of Florida,
2364 Emerson Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32207
You will be contacted only if an akita is in need of this service.
If you have questions, please contact ARSF at 904.398.5786.
Thank you for your continued commitment to purebred dogs!

ARSF eBay Auction

ARSF’s annual eBay Auction will
be held November 9th – 16th.
You can bid on items such as:
• Magellan Maestro 3200
• Portable GPS Auto Navigation
unit
• Akita Chef’s Apron with Akita
Print and two pockets
• A one-of-a-kind Akita Candle –
hand-made and available only
through Akita Rescue
• Custom-made bobblehead of
your pet dog or cat
• “Two of a Kind” Limited edition
Akita Print and much more.
Go to: http://shop.ebay.com/
merchant/akitarescueflorida
after 3:00 pm EST November 9th
to see the ARSF Auction!
To preview items before the
auction opens, visit:
http://jen.fone.home.comcast.net/
~jen.fone/ARSF_Gallery/ARSF_
Gallery.html
Thank you to everyone who
donated!
So, don’t miss out...
What could be better then
getting great items at super
prices while you support Akita
Rescue?!

In Memory of Rick O'Shea

Rick O’Shea, who brought the joy of kite-making and kite-flying to hundreds of people in Jacksonville despite being a quadriplegic, recently passed away..

Rick adopted his akita, Norie, from ARSF and regularly attended obedience classes held at the rescue.

In addition to supporting ARSF, Rick taught disabled children and young adults at Sunny Acres Camp and was a part-time instructor at FCCJ. He found he could use his childhood love of kites to teach his students math, history and geography.

Rick instituted programs where public school children had Kite Days, making and flying their own kites. He also organized kite festivals and hosted a convention of the American Kite Flyers Association.

For information on contributing to his memorial fund, visit www.kiteriggers.org.

Tummy Tack Fund

Donate Towards A Gastropexy For An At-Risk Akita

Looking for another gift for Dorie that she can’t return? Or maybe you would like to make a donation in your pet or family’s name?

Consider donating to the Tummy Tack Fund. Funds will be used to pay for the gastropexy surgery of an at-risk akita.

Bloat is an emergency medical condition in which a dog’s stomach swells
and twists on itself. Although any dog may bloat, the breeds considered at
the highest risk include the Akita, German Shepherd, Rottweiler,
Weimaraner, and Great Dane. A gastropexy is a surgical procedure in
which the stomach is tacked to the side of the body wall, preventing it
for turning.
Each gastropexy costs approximately $400 each – so every little bit helps –
even $5!

Extreme Home Makeover for Dorie

ARSF is trying to get an Extreme Home Makeover for Dorie Sparkman.
Please show your support for Dorie and all the good she does by signing
below and mailing to:

Cherie Kain
507 Yellow Cliff Creek Road
Sparta, TN 38583

Please encourage family and friends to sign as well! Thanks!

______________________________________________________________

Get Involved!

Although we look forward to the day ARSF is no longer needed, we anticipate many new arrivals and the costs and work that comes with them. ARSF is self-supporting so your support and tax-deductible donations are critical to our care

Many, Many Thanks

Thank you so, so much for everything you do. For us, it is literally a matter of life and death…

To the shelters and animal control officers who go above and beyond their already overwhelming responsibilities to give us a second chance.

To the brave few who must leave part of their souls behind when they visit and evaluate us in the shelters.

To those who sacrifice time and expensive gasoline to deliver us to safety.

To the many who donate part of their hard-earned paychecks so that we may grow healthy and have a safe, comfortable place to stay.

To our friends who give up their weekends and evenings to walk, groom and love us. To those who share their time and talents so that we may have a voice.

To the few who welcome us into their homes, if only temporarily, and allow us to break their hearts (and a few of their heirlooms) until we find our forever families.

And, of course, special, special thanks to our forever families.

God bless you all.

– Kathy Stoudt and Dorie Sparkman

Available: Popcorn

Can you guess my favorite treat?
I’ll bet with a bag of Jiffy Pop, you
could train me to replace Lassie! I
just want to please and I'm very
loving and smart. I woo-woo in 7
languages! The rescue people
think I’m 2-3 years young, and they
tell me I’m a very special boy!

Adopt
We have many wonderful akitas that need forever homes and loving families. Find your perfect match at www.petfinder.com.

Foster
Care for an akita until he/she is ready to be permanently adopted. This is a very rewarding short-term commitment.

Visit Us
Our akitas love company! Like all dogs, akitas thrive on love and attention. Come make some special furry friends!

Volunteer
ARSF appreciates the assistance of individuals and companies who share their time and special talents with our rescue.

Make a Donation
It’s easy! Just visit www.arsf.org and click on "Ways To Help" to donate online via PayPal or mail a check to the rescue. Thank you!

Tell a Friend
To get good dogs into good homes, the good homes have to know about us! Please help spread the word about our akitas.

Akita Rescue Society of Florida (ARSF)

Mending hearts and bodies one life at a time...Since 1985

Who We Are
ARSF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide a refuge for unwanted, abandoned, or abused akitas throughout the state of Florida and surrounding areas.

ARSF Akitas
Most of our akitas come to us from humane societies or animal control. Upon arrival, each akita is evaluated for health and temperament. Those with incurable health conditions or unreliable temperament are humanely euthanized.

Services
In addition to caring for our akitas, ARSF provides a wide range of services which directly benefit our community. These include:

• Answering inquiries
• Education
• Counseling and problem intervention
• Comprehensive spay/neuter program
• Placement and followup
• Euthanasia

Funding
ARSF is self supporting. We rely entirely on fundraisers and donations to support our activities. 100% of all
donations goes to help our akitas.
Our Kennel
ARSF’s kennel is located in Jacksonville, Florida and houses approximately 50 akitas.
Find Out More
Visit us online at www.arsf.org or contact us by phone at 904.398.5786.

AKITA RESCUE SOCIETY OF FLORIDA

2364 Emerson Street Jacksonville, Florida 32216