GGRR NEWSLETTER

* * * Meeting Notice * * *

Date: Thursday, May 12th Time: 7:15 p.m. Place: The Museum of the Dog We love having Goldens attend our meetings. However, please keep them leashed and at your side while we conduct the business portion of our meeting. Dogs are welcome to romp and socialize both before and after the meeting.

MINUTES FROM APRIL 13, 2006:

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 by President Shane Stark. It was moved and seconded that we dispense with the reading of the minutes. The motion carried. Several people who were attending a meeting for the first time were introduced. Joan Ellege attended so she could meet Pat Moran’s foster dog, Champ. Needless to say, he was a hit and was adopted by the Ellege family the following week. Carrie Tennessen introduced Andrew and Korisa Carbone, who adopted Garth, now known as Stone. Stone just gets better looking all the time! It was great seeing some new faces at our meeting!

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Shane thanked everyone for their help at the Golden Specialty show. The event was a great success

TREASURER’S REPORT: Our account balance at the beginning of March was $7532.19. Income was $1116. Expenses were $1108.80, leaving us with a current balance of $7539.39. The Flash Fund has $2,431.71. Donations in memory of Ann Timar have totaled $220 to date.

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR’S REPORT: We had 4 inquiries last month, and 1 new family who joined GGRR. Ron and Donna Graef, who adopted Spider (now known as Snider), are the latest additions to our roster.

Volume Number 3 Issue Number 5 Date: MAY 2006

Jake, who was Ann Timar’s foster dog, plays dress-up with his new sisters in the Bunner family. Jake even seems to be

enjoying the game! The photo, taken in 2004, was discovered among some of Ann’s records.

INTAKE COORDINATOR’S REPORT: Two new dogs came in during the past month:

06-010 Jake, a 7 month-old unneutered male who is medium in color

06-011 Cody, a 2 year old unneutered male, who is missing one eye Mike has been contacted about several more dogs that may be coming in within the next couple of weeks.

Mike has our new Agriculture License. He will make copies of it to distribute to foster homes and anyone who is picking up dogs from the shelters. We now need to work on obtaining liability insurance. ADOPTION COORDINATOR’S REPORT: Five dogs have been placed since our last meeting:

05-042R Spider 05-045 Ralph 06-010 Jake 06-008 Romeo 06-005 Samantha

Shane announced that Nona Bauer, one of our members, has written a new book called The Search Dogs of 9/11. The book will be available in August 2006. Nona wanted people to hear the stories behind the hardworking canines who performed search and rescue missions at the site of the World Trade Center disaster. Nona has written many other books, including the popular Golden Retrievers for Dummies.

EVENT COORDINATOR’S REPORT:

Chris reported that we sold $94 worth of merchandise at the Pet Expo. We took in $810 at the Golden Specialty, including both donations and the sale of merchandise.

GGRR has been invited to participate in Valley Park’s Annual Celebration, which takes place on June 16th – 17th. A vote was taken, and it was decided to walk in the parade with our dogs on Saturday, June 17th. More details will be provided at a later date.

Fair St. Louis, previously known as the V.P. Fair, also extended an invitation to GGRR to participate in their parade on Sat., July 1st. The theme this year is “Lettuce Entertain You.” Everyone agreed that it would be

- 2 -

A FRIEND AT LAST !

Brian S. waited patiently to be matched up with a small, calm female that would be the perfect addition to his

family. It took 8 months for GGRR to find the right dog for Brian; but as you can see, Samantha was worth the wait! It didn’t take long for the two of them to become

best buddies! We’re glad you didn’t give up on us, Brian, and so is Samantha!

EVENTS REPORT: (cont.)

much too hot for our dogs to walk the parade route. We discussed building a float representing our organization. An artist’s rendering of our proposed float would need to be submitted for approval. It was decided that we were lacking both the manpower and the expertise necessary to design and construct a float that would be suitable for this event. We will decline the invitation.

It was also decided that we would not have a booth at Bark in the Park this year. The event has been moved to Forest Park; and the cost will be $75 for rescue groups, which is much higher than last year. While we would be able to generate interest in GGRR and in some of our dogs, we could attend several less costly events for that same expenditure of money.

Paul agreed to update our website with the dates of the events we discussed.

PDR REPORT:

Mike reported that PDR may not be in existence in its current form much longer. The group is experiencing problems finding people willing to take on leadership roles. It may end up becoming a referral service, helping people find an appropriate rescue organization for breeds that interest them. WEBSITE REPORT: No report OLD BUSINESS:

Shane asked that people interested in taking a day on our Adoption Phone Line stay after the meeting so a schedule could be made.

A finalized copy of the letter informing our adoptive parents that we won’t be having the reunion picnic in 2006 was passed around for members to read. GGRR will pay postage costs for mailing this letter. NEW BUSINESS: The Canine Olympics, held at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, MO will take place on Oct. 14th. The local Samoyed Club, who sponsors this event, has asked us to join them in hosting the Olympics this year. They are considering the addition of a Rescue Parade as part of this event for the first time. People who own a rescued dog could apply to participate in the parade. A short bio about each dog and owner would be read over the intercom as the parade passes. Members of both GGRR and the Samoyed Club will form a committee soon to begin working on this event.

- 3 -

This advertisement appeared in the April 7, 2006 edition of The Catholic Missourian. Father Bill adopted Brandy, who was previously known as Sunny, from GGRR in May 2002. You just never know where our dogs will turn up!

Nona Bauer submitted this item for the newsletter.

NEW BUSINESS: (cont.) It was asked if a potential adoptive family moves to the top of our waiting list if they have previously adopted a dog from us. Mike stated that the family does not automatically move to the top of the list, as it would not be fair to families who had been waiting much longer for a dog. However, the family would not require another home visit if they were still living at the same address and if their home visit was less than a year old.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The 2006 national Golden Retriever Specialty is being held in Kansas City, Kansas from September 22nd – 30th. If you are interested in finding out more about this event, visit their website at www.grca.org.

Shane announced that Rich Taylor, one of our charter members who retired to Arizona, will be moving back to the St. Louis area this summer. We will be glad to have him with us again, as he took on many leadership roles within the organization.

It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

Please send items of interest, photos of your pups, brags, etc. to:

Barb Blacksher 26 Cynthiana Ct. Florissant, MO 63031

Put your furkids in an upcoming newsletter!

You can also email items to: blacksher@charter.net

Please submit items by the last day of the month to include them in the newsletter for the following month.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: Officers: President: Shane Stark 636-349-7854 tenille01@earthlink.net Vice-President: Tim Miget 636-458-2145 TimMiget@hotmail.com Secretary: Eileen Combs 636-464-5937 leenbean58@aol.charter.net Treasurer: Beth Johnson Goldenmom03@charter.net Member Rep: Chris Rogers 314-968-1109 chrissyrogers@sbcglobal.net Coordinators: Intake Coordinator: Mike Stemmler 636-227-3471 kreator@aol.com Adoption Coordinator: Shane Stark 636-349-7854 tenille01@earthlink.net Membership Coordinator: Barb Blacksher 314-831-0757 blacksher@charter.net Events Coordinator: Chris Rogers 314-968-1109 chrissyrogers@sbcglobal.net Webmaster: Paul Swarthout 636-530-7204 Cody@antidotecomputer.com Mentors: Intake Phone Lines: Mike Stemmler 636-227-3471 kreator@aol.com Adoption Phone Lines: Chris Billingham 314-427-3979 teenakaty@aol.com Home Visits: Eileen Combs 636-464-5937 leenbean58@charter.net Dog Visits: Shane Stark 636-349-7854 tenille01@earthlink.net Foster Homes: Barb Blacksher 314-831-0757 blacksher@charter.net

- 4 -