www.maessr.org

Springer Tails

1st Quarter2014

You probably noticed I have a new title, and this column has been renamed too! That’s because there have been some exciting changes in MAESSR Land!

Part of the role of the Board of Directors (BOD) of MAESSR is to continually review how MAESSR is organized and functions to fulfill our mission. Thus, the Board has agreed to make changes to ensure MAESSR’s long-term continued success.

First, it is important to understand the role of the BOD. The BOD focuses its activities in areas that drive the growth and sustainability of the organization and mitigate risk. The BOD does not manage the day-to-day operations of MAESSR, delegat-ing that authority to the newly named position of CEO and the various coordinators of the organization’s departments. Many of the members of the BOD also hold other volunteer positions; therefore, it does often look like the lines are blurred. However, they perform these volunteer roles separately from their BOD positions.

I was elected to the newly created Chairman of the Board posi-tion, leaving the position of Executive Vice President vacant, which Pat Race was elected to fill. Additionally, the roles of Treasurer and Secretary are named by the Board of Directors. Jim Adamovitz is our board treasurer and Mary Barnes holds the position of secretary. The remaining BOD positions are cur-rently held by Angie Epling, Christine Morlino, Vern Stocker, and Charles Vandegrift. In reviewing the organizational struc-ture, the BOD decided to eliminate the position of President of MAESSR, and create positions which more accurately delineated the roles needed to ensure the long-term growth of MAESSR.

In the past few years, we have come to realize that the day-to-day leadership of MAESSR is most successful with a rescue-ten-ured volunteer at the helm. Thus, the BOD created the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and appointed Debbie Lipcsey to hold this position. This position does not have term limits, but rather, as an appointment of the Board, Debbie will hold this position until either she resigns or the Board chooses to appoint a new CEO.

Here are some of the objectives of the Board:

• The Board delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the CEO and serves in a supervisory role over the CEO.

MAESSR Management CornerLINDA JOHNSTON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

• One of the Board’s foremost responsibilities is to secure ad-equate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.

• The Board will ensure that the CEO has the moral and pro-fessional support he/she needs to further the goals of the organization.

• The Board is responsible to determine which programs are consistent with the organization’s mission and monitors their effectiveness.

• The Board will assist in the oversight of the annual budget and ensure that proper financial controls are in place.

• The Board is responsible to articulate prerequisites for can-didates to the Board, orient new members of the Board, and periodically evaluate its own performance.

• The Board is ultimately responsible for adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.

• The Board should clearly articulate the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.

The CEO confers with the Chairman of the Board and Executive VP regularly and the BOD as a whole when situations arise that call for input, assistance, or oversight from the BOD. The CEO re-ports to the Board on MAESSR’s performance. The CEO relies on the various Coordinators to perform their duties in the manage-ment of their specified area. There are Coordinators for Owner Relinquishments, Shelter Dogs, Post Adoptions, Applications, Adoptions, Fostering, Training, Fundraising, etc.

We have an excellent group of very experienced rescue volun-teers who work collaboratively together ensuring MAESSR’s goals are met and every dog who needs us is rescued—today and tomorrow.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Debbie or me and thank you all for your support of MAESSR!

Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 animal welfare organizationdedicated to rescuing and re-homing English Springer Spaniels through

rescue, rehabilitation, training, humane education, and community outreach.

Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails.Max Eastman, Enjoyment of Laughter

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Who’s That Volunteer? Lisa Monaco

CANDI LYNN

Lisa’s passion in life—helping animals—brought her into the world of rescue. Lisa’s father had instilled in her heart the desire to help the “underdog” and speak up for those who

cannot speak.

Lisa became a MAESSR volunteer when her two beloved Spring-ers, Marble and Jax, crossed the bridge within three months of each other. Lisa was heartbroken with the loss of her Springers and wanted to open up her heart and home to another Springer. Into her life came Cody. Cody is not a MAESSR dog but he helped lead her into the world of MAESSR by wanting to help other Springers in need.

To do her part in rescue, Lisa became a part of the transport team to help map out the roads that will take the Springers into their foster homes and forever homes. Lisa loves doing the transports as she knows how important transports are in getting the dogs where they need to be. Lisa is more than willing to not only set up the transports, but to also drive Springers on their road to a second chance.

Lisa also volunteers with Almost Home Rescue, a rescue located near her home, driving these dogs to their destinations. Lisa also drives for other rescue groups. She knows each road taken will lead each dog to a forever home one day.

Lisa also helps out at events to help spread the word of the wonderful world of MAESSR! She also loves to bake and do crafts, making many a dog treat to satisfy a dog’s palate for a tasty treat, or special treats to help raise money for MAESSR at the events she attends. She also likes to sew and has made many a gift bag, doggy beds out of old sweatshirts, beautiful quilts, and quilted doggy beds to donate to rescue groups.

Lisa recently bought a new home for herself and Cody. At her day job for cheapcarribean.com, Lisa plans Carribean vacations. Based on how great a job she does planning all of these rescue transports, we bet she is pretty great at planning vacations for humans too! We sure are thankful to have Lisa’s skills used to help MAESSR’s dogs get to the safety of foster care and to their forever homes!

This is her mission in life. Lisa loves doing rescue, not only to help dogs in need but also for the comradeship of the volunteers who share her same desire in assisting the homeless animals. Lisa will continue her work in rescues now and for a very long time to come.

The best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother—and they’ll settle for a puppy every time.Winston Pendelton

Remember to go to www.maessr.org/affiliates.aspx to see our affiliates, who range from dog vitamins to jewelry. Each of them will donate to MAESSR when you place an order, and many prod-

ucts are what you would be ordering or buying anyway!

www.bissell.com • MAESSR’s Web site will soon have a new affili-ate—Bissell’s Partners for Pets, the cleaning supply people. Bissell and LostPetUSA.net have teamed up to help organizations like ours raise money. A portion of your purchase will be donated to MAESSR. What’s more, every purchase goes towards an entry for us to win a $5,000 quarterly giveaway! It’s simple.

• Shop pet products on www.bissell.com.• Enter the code ADOPT at checkout.• Then select our organization!

Learn more at www.bissell.com/partnersforpets.

www.IGive.com • Many online stores contribute a portion of your purchase through I-Give.com. If you sign up through IGive, their logo will pop up on the Web site of participating merchants—and there are many of them. Sometimes you have to click one more time to say you really want to do it, sometimes it all just happens, and sometimes there are additional savings. It’s easy, painless, and almost every month, MAESSR receives a check from IGive.

www.nuvet.com NuVet Plus—a unique formula of precise amounts of vitamins, min-erals, and high-potency antioxidants that, when combined, create a synergistic and powerful boost to the immune system. Available for dogs and cats.NuJoint Plus—a natural anti-inflammatory hip and joint therapy of precise percentages of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Methylsulfo-nylmethane (MSM), and Vitamin C which will help to quickly and effectively reverse and heal the devastating effects of osteoarthritis.

Order through our Web site affiliate page or at Nuvet.com. The order code 74398 identifies you as MAESSR.

Affiliates—New and OldNANCY HALE

Saturday, April 26 is the 1st picnic of the Springer season! Mark your calendar (the MAESSR calendar, naturally, with the handsome boat rider in August) and plan on coming to Core Creek Park in

Langhorne, Pennsylvania. (Langhorne is 13 miles SW of Trenton, N.J. and 33 miles NE of Philadelphia, Pa.) Picnics are full of raffles, games, good food, and lots and lots of Springers. The MAESSR Marketplace will be there also for your shopping convenience.

MAESSR has reserved a block of rooms again at the Residence Inn, Langhorne. The rate is $134 for a King Studio or $174 for a 2-bedroom suite. There are only two 2-bedroom suites available. Call the hotel for reservations (made under Springer Rescue) as soon as possible. There are 10 rooms with this special rate.

Residence Inn Langhorne, 15 East Cabot Drive, Langhorne, PA 19047, 215-945-8390

The other 2014 MAESSR picnics will be

• Saturday, June 14 | Combination of Virginia picnic and the Rainbow picnic in Williamsburg, Virginia

• Saturday, September 20 | Little Buffalo State Park, Pennsylvania

Springer Picnic #1

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When considering to hire a dog obedience trainer, there are some key questions to ask to make this new rela-tionship a successful one for both you and your dog.

Sometimes more time and effort is put into choosing between two brands of cereal in the grocery store than choosing a train-er. Although this sounds silly, it is true. Look deeper than some pretty pictures on a Web site or a quick ad in the newspaper. A thorough interview and knowing what questions to ask can be the difference between improving the lifelong relationship with your dog vs. not achieving your goals, or worse, causing or escalating behaviors that are problematic. Additionally, since there is no current standard certification for all trainers, anyone can “put out a shingle” and claim they are competent. It is up to you to find the right person (or club) for you and your dog.

The following questions were taken in part from the APDT Web site on the topic and I added some from my experiences as well. Start with using open-ended questions so trainers can explain their philosophy to you in depth.

Q. What method of training do you use?A. Look for trainers that use positive, reward-based methods to

train and change behaviors.

Q. What is your educational background in the area of dog training (and behavior if applicable)?

A. Look for some professional affiliations as well as formal edu-cation.

Q. What is some recent continuing education that you have attended?

A. Like every field, it is important to stay current, as there are new scientific studies conducted that prove/disprove theo-ries that were well accepted 20 years ago.

Q. What equipment do you use?A. Avoid trainers that use shock collars or choke collars as they

can do damage to the dog.

Q. What kind of follow-up do you provide to your clients?A. Ideally, trainers should make themselves available via the

phone and/or e-mail for follow-up questions and concerns after the initial training is completed, with no time limit placed on that service.

Q. Can you provide a list of clients to contact for references?A. References should be readily available.

Q. Do you belong to any professional associations, and if not, why not?

A. This helps determine if the trainer stays current with con-tinuing education and uses available resources to its mem-bers.

Q. What are your credentials and do you have any certifications?

A. Look for certifications, hands-on experience, and any formal education that is relevant to animals, education, and behavior.

Q. What sort of services do you provide for pet owners? Do you provide specialized services? (i.e. therapy dog train-ing, competitive dog sports training, service dog train-ing, pre-adoption/purchase consulting).

A. Depending on your goals, you may be interested in going further than just basic pet obedience or solving a specific behavior problem. If your trainer can help you achieve some other goals, that is a bonus. If not, they should be able to recommend some other local resources to you.

In closing, after you gather the information from more than one trainer, then assess how you feel about the interview. Did you get a positive “vibe”? Did the trainer answer your questions to your satisfaction? Remember, this is time and effort well spent to insure that you and your Springer are on the right track!

Choosing a Trainer for You and Your DogMAXINE FOX

Our MAESSR volunteers come from locations that we service all along the Mid-Atlantic Region, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia,

Delaware, and West Virginia. We also have volunteers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Alabama, Tennes-see, and New York, who, despite their remote locations, are able to assist our organization to accomplish its mission.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportu-nities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Linda Johnston, at springerlove@comcast.net, or simply complete the online volunteer application on our Web site.

Please join us in welcoming the following new volunteers who recently joined MAESSR.

Kriss and Michele Brown | Enola, Pa. Nancy Ann Chinchor | Reliance, Tenn. Tyler Douse | Washington, DC Mary Smith | Baltimore, Md. Susan Garfinkel Falone | Richmond Va. Kathey Foley | Erie, Pa. Terri Furniss | Trevose, Pa. Laura Hardesty | Baltimore, Md. Jennifer McCabe | McMurray, Pa.

New VolunteersLINDA JOHNSTON

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, persever-ance, and to turn around three times before lying down.Robert Benchley

www.maessr.org

Then and Now: From “Naked Baby” to “Beautiful Lady”MARTHA W. McCARTNEY

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Belle, like so many MAESSR dogs, had a hard start in life. Her original owners, consumed by other priorities, deprived her of the nurturing and basic care that all

creatures need. As a result, she suffered from severe neglect. By the time Belle’s owners decided to relinquish her to MAESSR, she was in deplorable condition and raging, untreated infections had ravaged much of her skin.

That’s when MAESSR volunteer Wendy Hogan entered the picture. She rescued three-year-old Belle in June 2011 and brought her to the Bull Run picnic where a groomer gave her a close shave. At that point, poor little Belle, denuded of her fur, was dubbed the “naked baby.” Patricia Matteo of Ellicott City, Maryland, who had recently lost her beloved Springer, decided to attend the Bull Run picnic and tended to Belle while Wendy was busy with other dogs. She quickly discovered that Belle was super snuggly and loved to sit on laps. Patricia fell in love with Belle and offered to foster her, but Belle instead went to the home of Judy Sutter, who saw that she received the medical treatment she needed and a hefty supply of TLC. Although Judy seriously considered adopting Belle, she decided to let her find a new home.

Patricia, who had been quietly monitoring Belle’s progress via the MAESSR Web site, seized the opportunity to adopt her. By the time the two were re- united, Belle’s coat had begun to grow out and she’d been re-stored to health. When Patricia

took Belle to her second MAESSR picnic, no one believed she was the same dog! Belle then attended obedience school, and thanks to her gentle, quiet nature, won the hearts of everyone she met. Meanwhile, Patricia decided Belle needed a canine com- panion and adopted Brady, a MAESSR dog formerly known as Trooper. The two black-and-white beauties became the best of friends and bask in the loving attention they receive from Patri-cia, a leadership coach who’s currently completing her doctorate.

From an educational perspective, Patricia wants the MAESSR family to know about a frequently misdiagnosed, but treatable, medical problem that Belle has. A couple months after Belle was adopted, she developed a cough, which turned into pneumonia. After a thorough examination and a course of antibiotics, her vet recommended that she be taken to see a specialist, who de-termined that Belle has a genetically-based pulmonary disorder called ciliary dyskinesia. That is, her lungs lack most of the cilia or microscopic hairs that normally would trap dust particles and

pollutants and remove mucus from her airways. Since Belle’s lungs are unable to clear them-selves automatically, every day Patricia uses a simple percus-sive procedure called coupage, which involves rhythmically patting each side of her back to dislodge any mucus from her lungs. Through this means, and occasional treatment with antibiotics, beautiful Belle is flourishing and is bringing great pleasure to Patricia and her household!

BELLE AT THE TIME OF HER RESCUE BELLE SIX MONTHS AFTER HER RESCUE

BELLE (LEFT) AND BRADY

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Have you ever wondered how MAESSR’s Springers get moved into and out of foster care? How do they get from the shelter or relinquishing owner to their foster home,

and how do they get from the foster home to their forever home? It’s thanks to a group of dedicated MAESSR volunteers who donate a few hours of their time on a Saturday or Sunday to drive these precious pups for a portion of the route “from here to there.”

When a request to move a Springer comes in, one of MAESSR’s five transport coordinators sets up the route, which is divided into manageable legs of about an hour’s drive. A “Transport Request” is then e-mailed to a distribution list, and volunteers who live along the route sign up for a leg of the transport. Drivers of one leg meet drivers of the next leg at convenient meeting spots to hand over their precious cargo. The transports can range up to hundreds of miles and can be one or two legs or as many as eight or 10. Most transports are a few hours long, some take all day, and a few have even spanned into the night and overnight. But the system is set up so that each driver’s leg is typically only about an hour. A logistical masterpiece!

MAESSR has moved dogs from as far south as South Carolina and Tennessee to as far north as New York. Transporters drive hundreds of Springers thousands of miles a year, dedicating a bit of their weekends to this important component of MAESSR’s services. Why do they do it? Well, we asked some of the drivers just that question, and here’s what they told us, in their own words:

Sue Ann Wilson | New Jersey

“I get so excited to deliver a dog to a new adoptive family. They have waited for months and have had long conversations with the foster parents, and to be part of that big day is so much fun. To see the joy on their faces is priceless. Meeting the different members of MAESSR during a transport is also a lot of fun … you get to put faces and names together. Everybody is wonderful and really cares about the dogs.

“I also have had the chance to pick up owner-relinquished dogs. You realize it is not an easy decision but is the best for the family and the Springer, and that is what MAESSR is about. I hear noth-ing but praise for the organization, and thank you’s.”

Sandye Blalock | Northern Virginia

“Springers always amaze me by how quickly they bond with people. One of my male transports decided after our hour drive that we were bonded. As we stood in the parking lot and the next transport leg couple walked toward us, he tried to get between us as if warning that these ‘strangers’ were approaching his new best buddy—me, who had known him for one hour! I stopped and assured him they were OK and they did the same. He relaxed and wiggled on over, slightly shy, but he was still clearly ‘my dog’ … until they opened their car door and said, ‘Let’s go for a ride!’ He jumped in, sat down ready to go, and looked at me like ‘See ya!’ That couple became his new best buddies for an hour, and off

MAESSR Transport Volunteers “Go the Extra Mile” for SpringersMAESSR TRANSPORT COORDINATORS

they went as he headed toward his forever home.”

Anne and Chris Groth | Baltimore, Maryland area

“Chris and I take great pride and pleasure in transporting English Springer Spaniels. It doesn’t matter how long we have to travel—we take on as many legs as we are able. It is exciting to see what kind of personality each individual Springer has. Knowing that they are going to the foster homes to be taken care of and evalu-ated for their future adoption is a good feeling. Seeing the faces on the new ‘furever’ parents is also a touching experience. We know first-hand (twice) what it is like to have our new ‘furbaby’ handed over to us while we sign the adoption papers.

“We have also experienced being the first transporters to pick up a Springer from the relinquishing parents. This is not an easy task; however, we do know that the Springer will be eventually placed into a loving home and reassure the relinquishing owners that MAESSR does everything possible to place the Springer with the right family.

“In addition to this, we have met many other volunteers (even now recognizing names) and look forward to seeing them during the transports and at the annual MAESSR picnics.”

Robert Hooker | Front Royal, Virginia area

“I’ve been doing transports for a little more than two years now. On my very first transport, I picked up a beautiful, healthy, lov-able Springer. I never did know what his story was, but I think I was taking him into foster care. I had a blanket on my back seat for him to lie on, and he settled down back there. About half way to our destination he stood up from behind me, leaned forward, and rested his muzzle on my shoulder. I was very touched by this so I reached back and rubbed behind his ear. The next thing I knew he was licking me on the cheek. Wow, what a warm feeling I got from a total stranger! It’s like we just instantly bonded. That alone made it worth the trip.

“Then there are the ones who have been through some very hard times. They are the real heartbreakers, but so much good comes out of them entering MAESSR. The one that stands out to me was a real scraggly looking dog that had been a stray and was saved from a West Virginia shelter. He was nothing but skin and bones, and so weak that he could barely walk. I had to lift him in and out of the car and he staggered when walking. I felt such com-passion for him and also felt fortunate that I was able to make a small difference in his life. Even though he had been through such hard times he gave me this look that clearly said to me, ‘Thanks for helping me.’ He was down but not giving up. He was in the worst shape I’ve ever seen in an animal. When I looked at the MAESSR page (on the Web site) to see him a few weeks later, I was shocked. He was a completely different animal. He has put on a lot of weight, was bathed with a haircut, and had a smile on his face and a glow in his eyes.

“That is what it is all about—to make a difference, to save a life.

continued on page 7

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Thank you for donating!“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show

to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” — Etienne de Grellet

MAESSR would like to acknowledge the generous support of our donors. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our MAESSR family. Your donations are essential to ensuring the continuation of our mission to rescue and re-home English Springer Spaniels.

Monthly Subscrip-tion Donations

Linda JohnstonJenny CrandallJames VezinaIlonka DazevedoLisa NuzzaciRolf RykkenCandace ClunanDebra JohnsonMichael GreenMelissa & William Campbell

James VezinaLisa Dai VenkerLinda JohnstonNancy F. BarrettSam & Nicole Occhiato

General Donations

NOVEMBERCarol StoneElizabeth L. FryNancy LomonacoKay HurleyDiane CroshawJudy TapponKimberly LowryKevin D. McBrydeCharles R. GrutziusMindy Dice-ShahBeryl KeeganJoan FegelyCharlotte BentchCaroline Von StadeJerry & Cheryl SaggersG. Keith & Sharon Sames

Chris MooreAndrew SabakaDianne RikonPaul NewtonDavid MerkelCarole AldermanPhyllis ChanCraig MooreTy YoungBarbara ZeszotarskiJohn TombargeChris MerrickPatty LoprestiBetsie ArnoldDeborah L. SellTeri & Bill WileyLoretta StipaKaren & Peter ClarkDECEMBERJacqueline MuddBeth Watson

Reed LawsonPaul & Carol ScarnelliAngie EplingCarole DiorisioJoan LutzStephen LaBashMartha McCartneyMartha McCartney & Carl Aschman

Geoffrey D. RoswickAndrea L. AustinPatricia DiazCarol HailsJennifer KaplanSandye BlalockRoy PiepenbringCynthia BrassfieldDavid ShawCarol de FriesDonna VincentAdaleen AntantisLisa SchwarzMargaret HetrickDianne PickersgillRobert DawkinsRod FlinchumRebecca ZulloArthur WatsonBette & Ron Stanwood

Ron & Joy FaitDonna & Bernie Thompson

James & Sandra RawleDebbie ScottMr. & Mrs. W.H. TuckerRobert & Maureen Berry

John & Debbie Gallagher

Michael & Janet D’Orazio

Joan FegelyMary DaumMegan TarkanyMichael ShuppMark CorsoMichelle AntantisDarlene ZiegerJames & Phyllis Lockwood

Alice & Steve SearsSusan SlinglandNorman BrenbridgeIngrid SeggermanCharles PughKim WinterSteve HirschBonnie BakerSarah FerrellRichard Larner

David AllweinCarolyn & Jerry FurrerPeggy BlumenthalLynne LittletonDiane KilbornAllan & Kathy StevensBarbara FinnanCharlotte McGorryMichael & Joanne Gerety

Jan BarnettLoving Care Kennels & Grooming

Kristin KeaserV.I.P. Solutions, LLCJane D. MillerMegan TarkanyDebbie HaritonDebbie GreenMary KentKathleen NeilsonLaurie GarrisonRichard LittleJacqueline HastingLoretta StipaBarbara MoyerStacey CendrowskiDavid DavisJeanne McDonoughRoger MeinkenKaren RebmanJames BickelLisa MarescaCharlene DuggerTeresa NolesPolly LittletonCynthia RandallJudy StupkaChristine BeckerPat NicoletteMaxine BermanNoella A. BrydenKathleen WeaverTim & Linda DanielMerritt & Carol StoneIsabelle & Barry Chewning

James & Elizabeth Seybert

Sun PETSTM WrabellStephen & Linda ShottLorrie A. BruckartClifford & Donna LaingM.J. MintzGeorge & Tellie DixonMarjorie A. GoodmanCarolyn DieterChristopher J. CaffreyJoann KansierSue A. Skierkowski

Charlotte BallThe Clutter FamilyBeryl & John KeeganAlice M. PetkoNancy MertelBrian ElinichKathy McCormickRoslyn HooverJoseph HarkinsH. Anne NeeseDeborah SewterDavid & Jean UngerJerry & Cheryl SaggersRandolph & Lois BoyerElizabeth S. HelmeMelissa HayworthCharles KlineWilliam BovinoGary RussellJane D. MillerKathy & Gary Urquhart

Megan TarkanyBill GelatkaBill and Pat JaegerJoanne SweeneyDonna ContiBetsy MurphyNiane & Neil CroshawChad & Diane FrancisStanglein Veterinary Clinic, PC

John & Mo SykesBo & Wayne SchwartzJanet SmithJANUARY 2014Amanda McFarlandLisa PerryPamela RyanNicole OcchiatoWanda Drake

Donations in Memory of

NOVEMBERMolly Marie—PatricaLberta

Marcia Lonegan—Lynn Mielke

Molly Marie—Andrea Austin

Mark Jones—Carol McCardle

Lucca Piccinni—Dee Piccinni

Jared, Dee, Lucca—Vicci Phillips

Dodger—Brian ElinichMarsha Calhoun Loner-gan—Assurant

In loving memory of Holly—Ronald L. Pelka

In Memory of Genevieve T. Race

Patricia AlbertaDebbie & Bill LipcseyVicki PhillipsKim BolsterLinda & Terry Johnston

DECEMBERMary Beach’s Mother—Kim Bolster

Mary Beach’s Mother—Debbie & Bill Lipcsey

A. Stuard “Drew” Graham—Nanci LaMarque

Chloe, Casey & Stonie—Margaret Hetrick

Kasey & Jake—Mark Corso

Mollie Marie—Carroll & Dom Sisti

Skipper—Denise Velegdan

Johnny B. Good—Judi Tarkany

Molly—Joyce PerroneSadie O’Neill—Pat RaceSadie O’Neill—Debbie & Bill Lipcsey

Buster—Deborah Sewter

Angus—Barbara Hil-debrant

Macabee—Sean & Marisa Flynn

JANUARYSparky—Rosemary Duffy

Sparky—Kathleen Helduser

Casey—Bruce LindseyJoan Barrett—Joan L. Eisenstodt

Joan Barrett— NAILBA

Joan Barrett—John Chiasson

Donations in Honor of

NOVEMBERLaura Jones—Dena Pastor

Bessie Mandes Airey—Silvia Mandes

Margaret McKenry Nash—Robert H. and Monica M. Cole Foundation

Quittapahilla’s 8th birthday—Forrest & Ceil Sheffy

DECEMBERCaden—The White-house Family

Shannon—The White-house Family

Toby and Abby (Now Aruba)—Robert & Joanne Billmers

Heather McAuliffe—Beverly Young

Lisa Nuzzaci—Edward Nuzzaci

Cheryl Weinstein & Tucker—Katharine B. Arnstein

Isabelle & Barry Chewning—Louise M. Sterrett

Fran Hrastar—Mary Dunn

Sidney—Cheryl Stoffan

Howard Green’s birth-day—Linda Phreaner

Megan Stevenson Christmas Love—Kelly Weiss

Heather Y. McAuliffe—Nielsen-Rasmus-DERR

Jim and Nancy Laessle and Abby—Diana Zanzot

Merry Christmas— Edward Nuzzaci

Vicki Phillips—Carol & Charles O’Neill

Central Virginia Agility Club—Jim & Sue Adamovitch

JANUARYHappy Holidays— David Plum

Tucker Weinstein—Lauren W. Lavine

Happy Holidays—Ron Kuklinski

2013 Christmas Tribute—Agnes M. Sterrett

Vicki Phillips—Angela Biscardi

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MAESSR Transport Volunteers “Go the Extra Mile” for Springers continued from page 5

This credit goes to all of the volunteers, not just transporters. But the cool thing about transports is that you get to see the differ-ence you make.”

Are you are interested in joining the team of dedicated MAESSR transporters? The commitment is small—a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday when you are free. In return, for you and most importantly, the Springers, the impact is huge! E-mail us at transport@maessr.org and someone from the Transport Coordinators team will be in touch with the details. To fill out a volunteer application online and for information about other volunteer opportunities, go to MAESSR Volunteer Application. In the meantime, Happy Trails!

Many thanks to Vern and Geraine Stocker, who hosted a sumptuous holiday brunch at their lovely home in Williamsburg, Virginia. The brunch was held on Satur-

day, December 14, and Chelsea, their beautiful liver and white Springer spaniel, served as a wonderful MAESSR ambassador during the brunch. She also stood guard as the winning ticket was pulled for the 2013 MAESSR quilt. MAESSR’s own Barb Ben-nett made and generously donated the beautiful quilt.

Holiday Brunch Memories

Pepper 7 came to MAESSR’s care when the adult children of his ailing owner asked for assistance. It was immediately evident that this boy had been a much-loved companion

in earlier times with his prior owner, but due to Alzheimer’s he had been neglected somewhat of late. He had a bout of fleas which had left his skin raging, his ears were infected, and he had tested positive for heartworm which had been left un-treated. His foster mom saw him through heartworm treatment, medicated baths, and a host of different medicines and a dental to get him to healthy status. MAESSR has been working with his vet to identify the root cause of recurring ear infections and to help Pepper gain some weight. We suspect this might be an eas-ily treatable thyroid condition, so testing has commenced. Other than that, he is ready to find that home of his own!

Pepper’s foster mom has found Pepper to be a very adaptable, happy boy. While at first he was afraid and showed his displea-sure at the vet’s office, he is now happy and social there. He was uncomfortable getting groomed and having his nails trimmed, but he now nicely complies to this necessary primping. He ac-cepts both doggie and kitty companions as housemates and can live with other dogs or as an only dog. He complies when asked to get off furniture, loves a warm, soft bed, and likes to be near his people.

His foster mom reports, “Living with him is easy. Loving him is too. He could transition to many homes with ease and quickly become a treasured companion for a moderately active person. He does like to walk and spend time outdoors. He’s a low-key sweetheart and ready for a family of his own. If you have a soft spot for seniors, please consider meeting Pepper. One walk with him and he’ll capture your heart.”

If you would like to open your heart and home to this adorable and well-mannered gent, e-mail seniors@maessr.org.

Special Needs Dog “Pepper 7”

Springer Love in March QUANTITY ITEM DESCRIPTION/CIRCLE CHOICE PRICE TOTAL

2014 Wall Calendar $19.75

2014 Desk Calendar $11.75

T-shirt—Rescue Dad M L XXL $13.60

T-shirt—Rescue Mom S M L XL XXL $13.60

Spring Springer Garden Flags (12x17) Easter Blossoms Liver/White Black/White $18.00 Spring Liver/White Black/White $18.00 MAESSR Dreams Making Dreams Come True $18.00 St. Patrick’s Day Liver/White Black/White $18.00

Fall Springer House Flags (28x40) Easter Blossoms Liver/White Black/White $34.00 Spring Liver/White Black/White $34.00 St. Patrick’s Day Liver/White Black/White $34.00

Party Animals Print

St. Patrick’s Day Sara England print with 11x14 mat $41.20

Phone # ____________________________________ E-mail Address _____________________________________ TOTAL

Ship To: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Prices include shipping. Please enclose this slip with your check made payable to MAESSR.Mail to: MAESSR, P.O. Box 15354, Richmond, VA 23227

Springerfest Picnic Registration FormI would love to help at the picnic!¦ Langhorne, Pa.¦ Williamsburg, Va.¦ LittleBuffalo,

Newport, Pa.

I can bring an item fortheraffleto:¦ Langhorne, Pa.¦ Williamsburg, Va.¦ LittleBuffalo,

Newport, Pa.

Icanhelponsiteat:¦ Langhorne, Pa.¦ Williamsburg, Va.¦ LittleBuffalo,

Newport, Pa.

Put me down to help with:¦ set-up¦ clean-up¦ registration¦ however you need

me

Number MAESSR Volunteer/Family Guests $10.00 pp MAESSR Dogs Attending Attending $8.00 pp (list names) (list names) and Year Adopted Total

Core Creek Park, Langhorne, Pa. • Saturday, April 26

Williamsburg, Va. • Saturday, June 14

Little Buffalo State Park, Newport, Pa. • Saturday, September 20

Enclose check made payable to MAESSR.Here is my information:

Name: ____________________________________________

E-mail Address: ____________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________

Mail registration form and payment to:MAESSRP.O. Box 15354 Richmond, VA 23227