| Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue Volunteering Thoughts Of An A&B Volunteer |
| The Hollies He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother |
What it’s like to be an A&B Volunteer:
Before we joined A&B, my husband and I always only had one dog. After we
joined this group, we noticed almost everyone had more than one dog. We figured
if they could do it, we could too, so we adopted a second dog. Once they got used
to each other, boy did they have fun playing together, our other dog must have
been very bored :)
Before we joined A&B, my husband and I always only had one dog. After we
joined this group, we noticed almost everyone had more than one dog. We figured
if they could do it, we could too, so we adopted a second dog. Once they got used
to each other, boy did they have fun playing together, our other dog must have
been very bored :)
| Bogie |
| B'lue |
We really love our ES so we started going to shows where A&B had a booth. What
a great way to show off your dogs and let other people see how gentle and loving
ES are! A benefit we weren’t expecting was getting to meet other A&B members
and seeing the love this group has for ES. These ES come from all over the
country, some have not had a good life and some are very sad because the safe
life they once knew no longer exists. The empathy and loving acceptance of these
ES by this group begins to creep into your life and you no longer look at these ES,
other animals, and the people around you the way you used to.
a great way to show off your dogs and let other people see how gentle and loving
ES are! A benefit we weren’t expecting was getting to meet other A&B members
and seeing the love this group has for ES. These ES come from all over the
country, some have not had a good life and some are very sad because the safe
life they once knew no longer exists. The empathy and loving acceptance of these
ES by this group begins to creep into your life and you no longer look at these ES,
other animals, and the people around you the way you used to.
A&B guides its members to accept their dogs for who they are. Once your new
dog has settled in, it’s a joy to see their personality emerge. One is a kisser and
hugger, loving your attention and by your side all day. One is a wild child,
running and barking just for the joy of it. One is a mischievous imp and counter
surfer but loves to snuggle up beside you and touch you if she can. One is not a
touching dog but wags his tail when you come home and greets you at the
backdoor, happy his family is all together and safe. Yes, you counted correctly;
we're up to four dogs now :)
dog has settled in, it’s a joy to see their personality emerge. One is a kisser and
hugger, loving your attention and by your side all day. One is a wild child,
running and barking just for the joy of it. One is a mischievous imp and counter
surfer but loves to snuggle up beside you and touch you if she can. One is not a
touching dog but wags his tail when you come home and greets you at the
backdoor, happy his family is all together and safe. Yes, you counted correctly;
we're up to four dogs now :)
| Ike |
| Ida |
A new experience is volunteering for a leg on a dog run. I never heard of such a thing
before joining this group and I have to say it’s one of the most satisfying experiences you
can have. You meet another driver and take possession of a some times very scared and
confused dog. You cuddle up with the dog (I always make my husband drive :) ) and
assure him he’ll be fine, he’s going to his new forever home. You hand him off to the next
driver with tears in your eyes; it’s amazing how much you can bond in one hour. You
watch the blog and pictures with pride, you helped get this guy to his new home. And,
you wait; ready to be an A&B delivery angel again!
before joining this group and I have to say it’s one of the most satisfying experiences you
can have. You meet another driver and take possession of a some times very scared and
confused dog. You cuddle up with the dog (I always make my husband drive :) ) and
assure him he’ll be fine, he’s going to his new forever home. You hand him off to the next
driver with tears in your eyes; it’s amazing how much you can bond in one hour. You
watch the blog and pictures with pride, you helped get this guy to his new home. And,
you wait; ready to be an A&B delivery angel again!
Being in this group can be addictive and
you want to help as much as you can so
you volunteer to do home visits. I was
really nervous knowing I was deciding
the future of one of A&B’s dogs but it
turned out to be really easy when I
asked myself if I would leave one of my
dogs there. Now I’m proud to look at the
Adopted page and see the wonderful
pictures of dogs in homes where I did
the home visit.
you want to help as much as you can so
you volunteer to do home visits. I was
really nervous knowing I was deciding
the future of one of A&B’s dogs but it
turned out to be really easy when I
asked myself if I would leave one of my
dogs there. Now I’m proud to look at the
Adopted page and see the wonderful
pictures of dogs in homes where I did
the home visit.
So, what’s it like being an A&B volunteer? It’s
wonderful! You gain a new family in love with
ES as much as you are. You relish each ES that
is saved and moved into our loving arms and
you mourn with your friends when our babies
cross the “Rainbow Bridge”. I think I’ve become
a more accepting person because of my
exposure to this group and I’m looking forward
to a life time of helping ES and enjoying life with
my A&B family!
Lee Arndt
wonderful! You gain a new family in love with
ES as much as you are. You relish each ES that
is saved and moved into our loving arms and
you mourn with your friends when our babies
cross the “Rainbow Bridge”. I think I’ve become
a more accepting person because of my
exposure to this group and I’m looking forward
to a life time of helping ES and enjoying life with
my A&B family!
Lee Arndt
Sadly, shortly after Lee wrote this, she and her family had to help Ike to the Bridge. Lee, Ernst &
Nick took these 2 seniors into their home, no questions asked, no doubts in their minds. They
gave Ike the best 15 months of his life. Ike now has his forever place on our Angels page, as well
as in our hearts. As Lee said, this is what it's all about. But, the story does not end here. The
Arndt family, yet again stepped up to save another Senior. They recently adopted Bogie (they
already had a Bogey but that didn't matter). Bogie Sr. and Bogey Jr. are doing great as well as
are Ida and B'lue. Bogie will NEVER want for anything for the rest of his life as an "Arndt."
4-29-07 - With broken hearts, the Arndt family said good-bye to Ida today. She is now with her
beloved brother, Ike, romping in the fields of the Bridge, chasing butterflies. Ida sing to the
moon proud lady, dance again with a young heart and healthy body.
6-1-07 - Heartbreak strikes again, as Lee, Ernst & Nick had to say good-bye to Bogie, lovingly
known as Senior. He touched their heart so deeply with his big old face and goofy disposition.
Lee now walks her yard alone, her shadow gone but not far from her soul. Sleep well dear boy.
Although it was too short of a time, know you were deeply loved. Fly free Big Boy, fly at the
bridge, run through the setter grass and wait for your mom at sunset. She will be there.
The saga continues, as I am sure it always will. Opening their hearts again, another senior setter
now has her forever home, becoming an Arndt on 6/23/07. Sweetie Arndt is now part of a family
like no other, filled with love and joy to have her.
Nick took these 2 seniors into their home, no questions asked, no doubts in their minds. They
gave Ike the best 15 months of his life. Ike now has his forever place on our Angels page, as well
as in our hearts. As Lee said, this is what it's all about. But, the story does not end here. The
Arndt family, yet again stepped up to save another Senior. They recently adopted Bogie (they
already had a Bogey but that didn't matter). Bogie Sr. and Bogey Jr. are doing great as well as
are Ida and B'lue. Bogie will NEVER want for anything for the rest of his life as an "Arndt."
4-29-07 - With broken hearts, the Arndt family said good-bye to Ida today. She is now with her
beloved brother, Ike, romping in the fields of the Bridge, chasing butterflies. Ida sing to the
moon proud lady, dance again with a young heart and healthy body.
6-1-07 - Heartbreak strikes again, as Lee, Ernst & Nick had to say good-bye to Bogie, lovingly
known as Senior. He touched their heart so deeply with his big old face and goofy disposition.
Lee now walks her yard alone, her shadow gone but not far from her soul. Sleep well dear boy.
Although it was too short of a time, know you were deeply loved. Fly free Big Boy, fly at the
bridge, run through the setter grass and wait for your mom at sunset. She will be there.
The saga continues, as I am sure it always will. Opening their hearts again, another senior setter
now has her forever home, becoming an Arndt on 6/23/07. Sweetie Arndt is now part of a family
like no other, filled with love and joy to have her.
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| by Lee Arndt |