For Pets' Sake

Alice, Maggie and Dillon - December 2008

Alice has been with FPS for just over a month - and we are so pleased to have her with us! She found out about us online, and is very interested in supporting our Best Friends Program because "I love being able to help seniors with their pets. The idea of someone giving up their own necessities for their pet breaks my heart. In a tough economy seniors with limited income are hit the hardest." She's been very impressed with the fact that "FPS has an unlimited amount of dog food to give to anyone in need."

Alice and her family have a 7-year old lab mix Maggie (pictured). Alice loves Maggie because "She's always happy and brings me so much joy. She's been with me through very difficult times and I don't know what I'd ever do without her." Alice also has a 12-year old cat Dillon (not pictured) who she also loves very much and he's her "snuggle buddy" at night. Alice reflects: "Between the two kids, we are very happy and love can't imagine them not being a part of our family."

Alice, FPS is so happy to have you on board! We're looking forward to your contributions to FPS and the local community!

Alice, Ralph and Ronda Michelle - November 2008

Alice has been with FPS for four months - and she's already making a difference! She found out about us and called FPS President Laurie Beckman to see how she could become involved. Alice enjoys volunteering for FPS because "of the friendship of other pet lovers and feeling that I can help animals in need and knowing so many animals are being rescued and put into homes."

Alice has a 9-month old Yorkie named Ralph who she adopted from Puppy Paws in Centerton and a 3-year old SchitzPoo named Ronda Michelle who she's had since she was 6 weeks old (not pictured). Her love for her pets is part of her drive to help FPS "become known throughout Northwest Arkansas as the crusader for all pets, both adopted and waiting to be adopted."

Wow Alice, FPS and the people and pets of Northwest Arkansas are lucky to have you in our corner!

Catrina, Marmaduke, Ellie and and White Cat - November 2006

Catrina has been a volunteer since June 2006. She found out about For Pets' Sake online when she was surfing the internet looking for something to do to help others. Catrina says she "especially liked the idea of helping animals because I really love my pets. I couldn't imagine living without animals around!"

Catrina has a six year old blind great dane, Marmaduke - who is very loving, and a beagle/basset mix, Ellie - who is very energetic and fun (both pictured)! Catrina is also a cat lover - she has four cats: Boomhower, Nermal, T-Cat, and White Cat. White Cat (pictured) had a name once upon a time, but she lost it somehow and everyone just started calling her White Cat. Catrina also has two sons who live at home and a daughter who lives in Ft. Smith. One of Catrina's sons, Ian, frequents For Pets' Sake meetings with Catrina.

Catrina works for the Area Agency on Aging part-time and is a student at the University of Arkanas. In her spare time, Catrina and her daughter are starting a business making dog and cat treats. Catrina just "loves to do anything that involves animals!"

Catrina, it is animal lovers like you who make For Pets' Sake a success! The people and pets of Northwest Arkansas are lucky to have you in their corner!

Jamie and Polly, Will and Mikaela - June 2006 (retired volunteer)

Jamie has been with FPS for 1-1/2 years and found out about FPS through a posting at work. She volunteers because she's loves animals and wants to help them. Jamie thinks "the Best Friends Program is important because it aids seniors in getting care they need for their pets. Pets are very important for seniors and unfortunately the cost of vet care doesn't fit into their tight budgets." Jamie helps out with that program and many other projects. Jamie remembers the Petco Adoption Event, "They had a bunch of people in animal costumes - the animals just didn't know what to make of it."

Pictured with Jamie is 5-week old Will (abandoned by his mother) and Polly (found injured at a restaurant). Not pictured are cats Sky, Meesa, George, Fred, Taco, Crawford & Goofy; shelter dog Husky/Malamute Ebony; 10-month old rescued Great Pyrenees mix Krystal. Also pictured is her lovely 3-year old daughter Mikaela.

Jamie and her husband (who Jamie says is "a closet cat person - he'd never admit it, but the cats all love him") Mikaela and sons Brandon (13) and Dylan (9). Jamie has worked for Tyson since 1999. She also enjoys reading and makes jewelry, and has started canning salsa!

Jamie, your work on the Best Friends Committee is so important to our area seniors - they appreciate you, and so do we! Thanks for all you do for FPS!

Paula and Sydnee - April 2006 (retired volunteer)

Paula has been volunteering with For Pets' Sake since the Spring of 2005. Her first volunteer activity was manning the booth at Feather Fest. Paula now serves as the Secretary-Treasurer, dog washer and treat-maker! She heard about FPS through a call for volunteers in a newsletter at Tyson Foods.

Pictured with Paula is her miniature dachshund, Sydnee. He is 13 years old and she got him when he was only 10 weeks old! Paula doesn't have any children, but Sydnee is the next best thing!!!

Paula enjoys volunteering with FPS because she likes meeting people and making new friends and because she loves animals - especially dogs. Paula really enjoys the fun activities the volunteers get to do, such as participating in the summertime dog washes. She loves anything that has to do with outdoors, and she is also a bird watcher. Paula enjoys the fellowship with other volunteers. Paula recalls "It was a lot of fun when we made dog treats and soap and we got together to package them for our fundraising. I like that a lot of our activities take place outside. Most of all, it makes me feel good knowing that a senior citizen can have a 'four-legged' companion because we help them be able to afford to do so."

Paula, we sure appreciate your dedication and reliability - we know we can count on you to be there when we need you. And the pets appreciate you even more!

Laurie, Maxwell Smart and Stuart Little - March 2006

Laurie is the President of FPS and helped get FPS chartered in 2004. One of her first important projects was to secure our first donations to pay for the charter fee. Laurie has opened her home to foster dogs and has recently been working to promote FPS to local companies and the media.

Right from the start Laurie wanted to do more for the community than just rescue pets. She had a concept to not only help animals, but also help people. Such an organization would be a true benefit to our community. Laurie gets the best feeling in the world when she sees pets get homes and senior citizens get help. She'll be equally satisfied when she sees the faces of young students as FPS volunteers teach them about caring for pets and the new microchipping program come together.

Pictured with Laurie are her two male dogs: 6 year old yellow lab Maxwell Smart and 5 year old smooth border collie Stuart Little. Laurie always has 2 dogs. They are house dogs and Laurie now tells people, "I live in a 3 bedroom, 1-½ bath dog house." Laurie sums it up by saying, "I really like our group of volunteers because no one acts superior to the others. We laugh a little and work a little and brain storm as we go. It never feels like 'work' for me and we are achieving such great results for the good of the community. What's not to like about that!"

We appreciate you too Laurie - without you, FPS wouldn't exist to help the people and pets of Northwest Arkansas!

Kerry and Sadye - February 2006

Kerry has been with For Pets' Sake since July 2005. Kerry manages the FPS e-mail account and communicates information between the volunteers, officers as well as requests for FPS to take in or help find homes for pets in need. If you get an e-mail from FPS, Kerry is probably who sent it!

Pictured with Kerry is Sadye, her one year old lab mix. Kerry and her family found Sadye, well actually Sadye found them. Sadye and her three siblings showed up at Kerry's husband's workplace one day. They all now have forever homes.

Kerry is a stay at home mother of three. Two are in school and her 3 year old son Elyjah isn't in school yet, but will be soon!Kerry was recruited to volunteer by FPS President Laurie. Laurie and Kerry worked together before Kerry had her youngest son. This was before FPS was actually an organization! Kerry now has more time to help FPS - and this is her first experience volunteering! Kerry reports "I really enjoy being a part of For Pets' Sake. I like learning more about programs that we offer. It's been a joy being involved."

Thanks so much Kerry for keeping the lines of communication open between our volunteers, officers, the community - all to help the pets! Great job!

Volunteer Spotlight

Diana, Heather and Fowler - November 2012