Adopt-A-Pet Events:

WAG Animal Rescue is at the

Livonia PetSmart(Middlebelt & I-96)

every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stop by and say hi!

Christmas events 2

Membership info 3

Volunteer info 4

Upcoming events 5

Rusty�s Story 6-7

Donations 8

Adoption updates 9

GoodSearch.com 10

Teddy�s Tale 11

Contact info 12

Inside this issue:

Spring 2007

WAG Animal Rescue

MEMBERS NEEDED

As we all entered 2007 with aspirations on ways to better ourselves, the WAG Board of Directors pledged a New Year�s resolution for our organization and the hundreds of animals we care for each year. Every chance we get, we intend to solicit as many people as possible to become dues-paying members of WAG. With nearly 1,000 people on our mailing list, you might be surprised to know that we only have a handful of members. That has to change. The animals need to have more people behind them. While donations of people�s time to help out at various fund-raisers and adopt-a-pets continue to be of utmost importance to our group, those $20 individual memberships and $100 beneficiary memberships are what help us to pay the thousands of dollars in veterinary bills that we incur. We know that our dedicated supporters want to see us con-tinue to do the work that we do. A big part of why we have so few members is likely our own fault. We�ve never actively gone out and recruited people to join WAG. Until now. The membership form is on page 3 of this newsletter. Before putting this aside and possibly forgetting about it, please rip out that page right now and become a member of WAG. We are so proud of the work that we do. We know that you�ll be proud to know that you�re a part of it. Please, become a member today.

Adoption events now at the new Woodhaven PetSmart In addition to our weekly Saturday adopt-a-pets at the Livonia PetSmart, WAG is now doing adoptions at the new Woodhaven PetSmart, on the southwest corner of West and Al-len roads, on the first Sunday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m.

CHRISTMAS FUND-RAISERS

Thanks go out to all of our generous and talented volunteers who donated their time during the busy holiday sea-son. WAG ran concurrent fund-raisers this year. In addition to our annual Pictures with Santa events, WAG volunteers also spent a day wrapping gifts at Borders Books & Music in Dearborn. The gift wrappers earned tips for WAG in the process. Thanks especially to WAG volunteers Erin McGill Beard and Chrissy Romano for organizing the new Borders fund-raiser, and to all our volunteers who participated in our Christmas fund-raisers! Pictures with Santa volunteers: Borders volunteers: Lynne Bieniek Jason Alley Andrea Blum Andrea Blum Nicole Breece Liz McClain Sue Czarnecki Karla Ring Jennifer Ehrhart Chrissy Romano Lindsey Ehrhart Jen Romano Mary Evans Amber Smith Katie Fay Pam Wagner Marhea Fay Melissa Gabel Susie Gabel Andrea Hirtzel Jennifer Holmes Eve Howell Jay Jordan Kris Jordan Andrea Kobrzycki Chris Lawrey Justin McGinnis Mary Moran Karin Pigott Christine Proudlock Mel Ricke Sandy Ricke Chrissy Romano Kristen Slifka Mary Slifka Emily Solomchuck

Stay up-to-date with WAG news and events by subscribing to our email newsletter. To join, send an email to blackwater37@comcast.net.

Page 2

Animal Rescue P.O. Box 222

Wyandotte, MI 48192-0222 (734) 782-5768

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL FORM

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ( )

� I wish to become a Member � I wish to Renew my Membership

�Student Member ............................$ 10.00 (18 years or younger)

� Individual Member ........................$ 20.00

� Family Member .............................$ 30.00

�Patron Member ..............................$ 60.00

� Beneficiary Member......................$110.00

I wish to make a Donation* in the amount of ________________________________________

�In Memory of ___________________________________________________________________

�In Honor of ___________________________________________________________________

�In Celebration of ___________________________________________________________________

*All Contributions Are Tax Deductible

Your support is greatly appreciated and is crucial for our continued ability to provide assistance to the homeless animals of our communities.

Volunteer Information Form

Name: ____________________________ Email: _______________________ Address: __________________________ City/Zip: _____________________ Home Phone: ______________________ Alternate Phone: _______________

I am interested in volunteering in the following areas (check all that apply)

Providing foster care __ Cats __ Dogs Assisting with adoption events

__ PetSmart in Livonia (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays) __ PetSmart in Woodhaven (1 to 3 p.m. first Sunday of each month) __ Major events (scheduled throughout the year)

Fund-raising __ Wyandotte Street Art Fair __ Bookies and Cookies (book and bake sale) __ Garage sale __ Pictures with Santa __ Koeze Nut sales __ Paws in the Park Crafts (for sale at our events)

__ Sewing __ Knitting __ Crocheting __ Other (please indicate your talent) _________

Local animal pounds

__ Cleaning cages __ Transporting animals

Support activities __ Newsletter __ Correspondence __ Web site __ Record keeping __ Volunteer coordination __ Computer work (please elaborate below)

I have the following skills that I can offer to WAG (e.g. computer, writing, public speaking, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

May June July August September

May 5-6 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. �Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo� Detroit Zoo parking lot (Adoptions)

June 2 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. �Pet-A-Palooza� Heritage Park in Taylor (Adoptions)

July 11-14 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wyandotte Art Fair In front of Wyan-dotte City Hall (WAG Booth)

Sept. 15 �Paws in the Park� Young Patriots Park in Riverview (Fund-raiser)

May 23 7 p.m. WAG meeting Wyandotte Boat Club Board room, 2nd floor 1 Pine Street

July 13-14 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garage Sale 234 Vinewood in Wyandotte (Fund-raiser)

Sept. 29-30 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. �Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo� Detroit Zoo parking lot (Adoptions)

July 28 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 29 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (tentative) �Pet-A-Palooza� Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights (Adoptions)

This picture shows Reggie doing what he loves best � hugging an animal. Most Saturdays, WAG volunteers at the Livonia PetSmart can look forward to a visit from Reggie Taulbee. With a kind word, a smile and a joke for the volunteers, and a hug and a kiss for our four-legged friends, Reggie has endeared himself to all of the PetSmart crew. Reggie�s generous donations have allowed us to help countless animals in our program. Reggie has a long history of helping and rescuing animals. His furry family includes a dog and several cats, all of which he saved from dangerous or neglectful situations. Throughout his life, he has helped find homes for many other lost furry souls. Children in his neighborhood know where to come when an animal is in need. Reggie never turns them away. The animals of our community are lucky that Reggie Taulbee is part of their world, and WAG is privileged to have him as one of our friends.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Page 5

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Page 6

RUSTY�S STORY

WAG supporter Cherri Marcoux is relatively new to animal rescue work, but has already saved quite a few lives. This is just one of those stories. WAG volunteers were helping at an area pound where Rusty and Rocky were being held. Rusty is a sweet golden retriever who was severely overweight. Without an available foster home to take him in, WAG volunteers Christine Proudlock and Robin McGinnis worked tirelessly to find an-other group who could help Rusty because they were so concerned about his health. When contacted, Cherri agreed to transport Rusty to the other rescue group. On the way there, she fell in love with him and was inspired to write this first-person account: I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn the goings-on of animal rescue for a few months. I have emailed with and met so many won-derful, caring people who have made so many con-tributions to the plight of the animals, whether they be big, small, sick, unwanted, strays or abused. I, too, have come across many wonderful animals. Each and every one has touched me in some way, but none as much as Rusty. Rusty must have been a beautiful, healthy, happy puppy when he was born. His mother surely must have been proud of this golden boy. As with most, Rusty was soon to be taken away from his ca-nine family to go to a great new home, with loving people. A family that would teach him all about be-coming a part of the �pack� that would guide him throughout his years. People who would feed him, groom him, take care of him, praise him when he did the extraordinary things dogs do, ensure he saw a veterinarian, and most of all, love him with all their hearts. Maybe he would even have fur siblings there to play with. Rusty was hopefully loved and taken care of at least during a period of his life. He may have been on heartworm prevention, he may have received the vaccinations he needed, he may indeed have been spoiled and denied nothing that his golden heart desired. But sometime in Rusty's young life, his body began showing that he needed medical atten-

tion. And although it appears his caretakers took him to a doctor at this time of his life, they didn't want to do the right thing when Rusty needed it the most. It must have been obvious that some-thing in poor Rusty was not right. He needed help if he was going to grow old. It must have showed in his eyes, those wonderful golden boy eyes, that he loved them unconditionally and would follow whatever plan they had for him. After all, they must love him and know the right things to do. Right? He would trust them with his whole being as he always has. For whatever their reasons, Rusty's caretakers failed to get him tested for Thyroid. They refused to get him vaccinated or put on heartworm prevention medication. Yet, they did get him vaccinated for rabies. So we know he at one time saw a veterinarian. Yet, we may never know why the doctor did nothing to help Rusty. He didn't get to be 150 pounds over-night. At this point in his life, not one person stepped forward to get Rusty the help he needed. So here he stands: Five years old, se-verely overweight and in desperate need of medical attention. And what happens? His caretakers decide they no longer want to care for this gentle soul. They let him get to such a condition that he may never recover from and then decide that he simply doesn't fit in with their life anymore. They take that journey to the shelter, probably telling Rusty along the way that he is going bye-bye and will be OK. Maybe they said nothing to ease and comfort him. He is with his buddy, Rocky, who he loves with all that he is. There at the shelter, they are left to a dreadful fate in the hands of strangers, locked up to face a confusion that no dog can under-stand. They just know they are lonely, sad and miss the ones they have loved all their lives. Rusty is separated from his buddy, his constant companion. He knows something is

(Continued on page 7)

Page 7

not right. He knows something in his life has changed. He can barely walk, barely stand and his breathing is labored. He's all alone. He is afraid. He's disposed of and unloved. He has no future. Quickly, some great volunteers come to see him. Although he must have felt a warmth from their caring hearts, he could not express his hope-fulness. They take pictures of him. Maybe he is aware somehow that something good is about to happen. When a volunteer came in a day later and put Rusty on a leash so he could smell the fresh air again and be touched again, he showed her how grateful he was. He wagged his tail. He coop-erated. He smiled. I think from that time on, he knew people were there to help him, to love him and to get him to safety. It was not hard to immediately fall in love with this golden beauty. It is also hard not to cry and be mad as all get-out. What kind of human would allow this to happen to such a wonderful dog? What kind of person could just close his or her eyes to suffering? What kind of person could abuse a dog in such a way to then throw him away as though he never meant anything to anyone? With the will and determination for the sake of Rusty, he was taken to a rescue group where he is finally receiving the love and medical attention he so deserves. Never in my life have I come to have the privilege and honor of encoun-tering a dog whose soul was so strongly and richly exposed through his eyes and who seemed to un-derstand and believe all that is good. He still wants to love and to be loved; to run, play and jump; and to give some wet, sloppy kisses while getting some love in return. He must have known those wonderful things sometime during his life. And now, just maybe, he will get to experience those precious things again. Rusty is in the best of hands now and eve-rything that can be done to help him will be done. He has been adopted into a new loving home and has lost 40 pounds. I will never be without him in my heart. His story, like so many others, will guide me to continue doing all I can, no matter

how big or small, to help animals like him and his brother, Rocky. Speaking of Rocky, I�m happy to report that he, too, has found a new, loving home. Both of these happy tales serve as a salute to everyone who has done so much to help all of the Rustys and the Rockys of the world.

Rusty at 150 lbs

(Continued from page 6)

Rusty at 110 lbs

Page 8

Donations

Rex from Doug Miles Patti Stoneburner from Betty Stoneburner Elvis Presley Czarnecki from Toby Porter Anthony Stempien from Brenda Walker Gilda Radner Czarnecki from Michele Pasawski Buster Riskin from Marita Smith George & Lillian Hejna from Jay & Kris Jordan Steve Paul from Jay & Kris Jordon Bobby Werbin from Helena Werbin Smokey Reese from Jason Alley

Individual Family Patron Beneficiary Jason Alley Robert & Diane Rzoppa Marian Lekity Wanda Corbin Helena Werbin Lisa Bernard Sarah Fellner Elizabeth Sclater Jay & Kris Jordan Debbie Smith Ed Weber Betty Britz Jerry, Frank & Lana Golden Charlene Wolfe Velda Bohler Jean Hill Christine Proudlock Mark Ratynski

Tom Costello, Jr. Walter Bill Janice Moore Walter Radecki Dolly Johnson Brett Keir Lynn Baker Dearborn Kiwanis Club Regina Charnesky Cheryl Link-Kazarian Cathy Sikora Dianne Paul Georgene Spevetz Larry & Denise Achram Norma Bentley Ben Adler John & Lisa Bernard Peggy Czarnecki Gayle Koan Betty Britz Jo Navarre Sylvia Austin Jay & Kris Jordan Camile LaFranco Patrick & Melissa Andonian Dawn Dowley Mark Ratynski Donald & Carol Brickson Audrey Muelley Jackie Potoski Virginia Maule Gayle Koan Reggie Taulbee

in Sponsor of ...

Dudley from Tom & Jill Maskeney Special needs animals from Bethany Morin Patricia from Bethany Arsenault Jax from Kevin Stempien

in Celebration of ...

Matex from Robert & Yvonne Wina Thunder from Brian & Jan Pergament Manny & Lex from Ron & Kathie Chantres Baby from Helena Wervin Holidays from Lisa Bernard

Donations in Memory of ...

Anna from Doug Miles Joan Plummer from Steve & Jeanne Paul Vivian Corbin from Wanda Corbin Sue Czarnecki from Peggy Czarnecki Holly from Larry & Denise Achram Catfish from Tom & Jill Maskeney

in Honor of ...

Memberships

Page 9

Yes, that's right. I am sending in more pictures of our furry kids. We had a birthday party for Simon on Feb. 11. He is now 1 year old! He chased balloon strings, ate a special kitty dinner and stole some frosting from my husband, Chris' cake. He actually sat on a chair at the end of the table, just like a real birthday boy! Nana and Chris' parents joined us for the party. Simon got some awe-some presents! My other cat, Hugo, even came out to join in on the fun.

Beth Arsenault

Just a quick update on Bliss, now known as Jasmine, in the Fisk Family. She has adjusted very well and is loved by all in our home � even the 8-year-old tabby who has now become quite playful due to our new kitten. She is a great joy to my daughter. They have become good friends. Jazzy waits for her to come home from school for lots of playtime and snuggle time. She follows my daughter everywhere and sleeps with her each night. I cannot tell enough great things about our wonderful kitten. I thank you for bringing her into our lives. Best Regards, Wendy Fisk

ADOPTION UPDATES

Lots and lots of pennies are just a click away

WAG supporter, Kim Crudo, was on top of things and pointed us to a great way for WAG to raise money. There's a web search engine called GoodSearch. Its founders decided to donate 50% of the revenue that they raise through web advertising to charities. Each time someone uses GoodSearch to search the web, they can designate a registered charity to receive the donation from their search. Currently, the donation is approximately 1 cent per search. That doesn't sound like much, but it adds up over time and can end up totaling several hundred dollars each year. GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo, so it essentially has the same search capabilities that Yahoo does.

All you need to do to help is use GoodSearch instead of Google, Yahoo or whatever search engine you currently use. Instead, search the Web using GoodSearch.com. In the box that says "Who do you GoodSearch for?" type in "WAG Animal Rescue" and click on "Verify." Then put your search criteria in the box above, just as you would do with your regu-lar search engine. It's that simple! And once you register WAG as the group you�re supporting, it remembers your choice and you don�t have to be bothered with that part again!

GoodSearch provided the following statistics on how much we can raise:

It's important that you use this site legitimately, just as you would any use other search engine. The site is looking for abuses and will remove any charity that is abusing the site. Their definition of fraudulent searching is as follows: Fraudulent searching includes, but is not limited to, repeated manual clicks, the use of use of robots or other automated query tools, etc. This will result in the user being blocked from the site and/or the charity being de-listed. While not expressly prohibited, searches to URL�s (i.e., search terms ending in .com, .org, .net, .edu) as well as searches to sites for which the URL is well known such as Hotmail, ESPN, MySpace, Facebook, Gmail, AOL, etc. will not count toward a non-profit�s total searches and revenue.

Please pass the word about this great search engine to your friends and relatives. The more people searching through GoodSearch and designating WAG as their charity, the more money we get.

Start searching today!

Size of Charity Number of Supporters

Average Searches Per Day

Estimated Revenue Per Year

Small 100 2 $730

Medium 1,000 2 $7,300

Large 10,000 2 $73,000

Page 10

Teddy�s Tale

Page 11

Planning has already begun for the second annual Paws in the Park, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, at Young Patriots Park in Riverview. Putting on this event last year for the first time was difficult because every aspect of the event had to be created, planned and executed. Putting on the same event again will be a little easier, but we are hoping to make it even bigger and better! Currently we are seeking sponsorships from local businesses and/or donations of items to be included in the �goodie bags� as well as for the raffle. As with any event, there would be no success without volunteers. If you have any suggestions regarding improvements or changes to the event, sponsorship opportunities, possible donations or volunteer opportunities, please contact event director Eve Howell at emhowell@aaamichigan.com or by phone at 1-734-282-4327. Your thoughts and ideas are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

WAG Animal Rescue recently took in the most adorable puppy named Teddy. Shortly after he was placed in a foster home, he became sick. Teddy has Parvo, a virus that is totally preventable with a simple vaccination. Unfortunately, the people who previously had Teddy did not do that for him. Now, he is under the care of Willowood Acres Veterinary Clinic, one of WAG�s great support-ers.

Teddy appears to be improving somewhat, however, the vet bill will be quite large. It�s esti-mated to go as high as $1,500. A bill like this can be very difficult for an animal rescue group that�s striving to care for as many dogs and cats as possible. Therefore, we are putting out a plea for dona-tions to help care for Teddy. To help, send a donation of any size to Teddy Fund, WAG, P.O. Box 222, Wyandotte, MI 48192.

Paws in the Park is under way

P.O. Box 222 Wyandotte, MI 48192-0222

WAG Animal Rescue

Phone: 734-782-5768 Email: waganimalrescue@care2.com

Let�s Keep Those Tails WAG�n!

We’re on the Web! wag.petfinder.com

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Wyandotte, MI

48192 Permit No. 175

Please mark your calendars for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 23. WAG will be hosting its second membership meeting of 2007. We plan to discuss upcoming fund-raisers and special events for the year. There also will be a social hour for people to interact with one another. Light refreshments will be served. The meeting will take place inside the board room on the sec-ond floor of the Wyandotte Boat Club, 1 Pine St. Hope to see you there! Bring a friend!

YOU�RE INVITED