I was with a friend of mine the other day and I had a Ray Allen catalogue with me. For those of you that are not familiar with Ray Allen it is a catalogue of elite K9 equipment for working dogs, primarily police and narcotics, but a little of everything sprinkled in. As he was thumbing through the pages waiting for me to finish my phone call he came upon the one page that had any interest for him…T-shirts. I was just hanging up the phone when he pointed to a t-shirt and said “You should have this shirt” I looked at the picture and all the air whooshed out of my lungs and I almost choked on instant hot tears. The black t-shirt jumped out of the page and burned my eyes.

A silhouette of a dog with the letters outlined: SEARCH and RESCUE and then the byline: A hero on both ends of the leash.

Could that nice Mr Jones that waves from across the street be an animal hoarder?  Or what about old Mrs. Potter down the lane with the long driveway and the kids that don't visit her any longer?  Do you know what an animal hoarder looks like? Would you know how to recognize one if they lived on your street? They could live next door or be someone you see at the grocery store.  With 3500 prosecuted cases each year and many more than go unnoticed chances are good that you have at least met an animal hoarder before and didn't even realize it.  I know I did.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Scottsdale, Arizona, April 28, 2012 — The fetch Foundation announces Murphy an adult Shepherd, lab mix has found a forever home. “Murphy found an AMAZING home this week” states Marie Peck with The fetch Foundation. “I knew this was a perfect fit when the very young daughter of the family came into meet Murphy and took the leash from me and took over”

“Murphy has taken up a special place in my heart and in my home, It is bittersweet to see Murphy go. I will miss him dearly but that big goof ball deserves all the love this family has to give him” continues Marie. “And I keep getting pictures and updates that we will continue to post on our Facebook fan page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Globe, Arizona, May 25, 2012 — The Fetch Foundation announces High Desert Middle School Student Government in Globe, Arizona has raised the funds to donate a FIDO Bag to their local Fire Department. The Student Government will actually be presenting the Fido Bag to the Fire Department on Tuesday May 29, 2012. “To take on the responsibility of protecting the communities’ pets and supplying firefighters with the equipment they need is a serious commitment“ states The fetch Foundation founder Marie Peck. “This type of fundraising is typically done by an entire community, how heartwarming that it was done by such a young community and supported by our schools!”

“When our community’s youth stand together in strength to make our world a better place for animals it shows all of us the humanity and compassion that exists for our future society when we cultivate it.” Marie shares.

Phoenix Police were called to a overpass on the 51 late at night this last week.

When the officer arrived it was obvious a homeless man was trying to catch a tiny white kitten he had come upon. With the officers help they were able to safely catch the little girl before anything horrible happened. The officer stated that " there was no way she made it there on her own ... she was left there".

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scottsdale, Arizona, November 29, 2011 — The fetch Foundation announces Tessie, the Belgian Malinois rescued from the county shelter has found a forever home.  “A better home for Tessie could not have been found” shares Marie Peck, founder of The fetch Foundation.  “She was adopted by a Search and Rescue (SAR) family that already has 1 Search and Rescue dog.”

A K9 evaluation performed by Marie Peck, determined that Tessie had a natural scent ability that could not be ignored.  “Tessie will be part of a Search and Rescue Team and her partner will be a veterinarian!” Marie shares “This is a special breed that needs a job, I am happy that Tessie will be able to fulfill her potential.  She has very sharp scent skills that will be cultivated by this special family.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Scottsdale, Arizona, November 9, 2011 — The fetch Foundation announces saving Tessie, a 16 month Belgian Malinois from the Pinal County Animal Control.  The fetch Foundation founder, Marie Peck, received a tip about Tessie being at the shelter. She was an owner surrender because ‘she was too active’. “We are fortunate that many of our network contacts know when to call us” states Marie Peck. “We typically save the dogs that can get passed over in the adoption process. These high energy dogs make excellent Search and Rescue candidates”

“We have already received preliminary interest in a forever home for a Search and Rescue team for Tessie. After her evaluation she will be available for placement with a handler.” Marie shares “Tessie is a special dog with special skills, We look forward to tracking her progress once she is placed with a team.”

The fetch Foundation is a 501c3 organization that is run completely by volunteers. This unique nonprofit charity is dedicated to serve our community while saving you and your pets. The fetch Foundation’s vision is to have a FIDO BAG© (rescue equipment for pets) on every fire truck in the country starting here in your community and to provide rescued dogs an opportunity to be heroes in our community by rehoming and training for both K9 Search and Rescue teams as well as Military Veterans with PTSD.   For more information please contact please Sherry Krueger at 602-538-3864 or email [email protected]

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Dedicated to Dr. Frank Wolf

Thank you for your love of animals, and helping me not only see my potential but reach for my dreams with The fetch Foundation

It has taken me several weeks to write this story, and it will take me even longer to write it or tell it without tears being shed.  As many of you know, I am an animal lover to the extreme. 

May 18th, 2011, after a weekend spent volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, my mom and I were driving back from Utah.  Both happily exhausted from our weekend of physical activity at the gorgeous Utah facility, we drove down through Page, AZ and through the reservation.  It was there on a desolate stretch of highway a hundred miles from nowhere that lives would be changed forever.  Mom was driving and busy Hwy 89 was humming with semi trucks and speeders rushing to there destinations.  I heard Mom’s breath intake a second before I saw the little brown puppy dart in and out of traffic. 

Mom hurled the mini van across traffic to the opposite side of the highway and I jumped out running while it was still in motion armed with nothing but a bag of Bugles.

West Side Story - Journal of a First Responder

The gray and blue motor coach sat motionless; one halogen eye popped from its socket: Steam belching from the amputated radiator. The remains of a small two-seater sports car lays crumpled against the buses’ face. An eerie silence momentarily blankets the air before giving way to the loud screams and moaning of those on the bus.

Sirens screech through the gathering rush-hour traffic, fire-trucks and ambulances make u-turns before pulling up behind the remnants of the furrowed coupé which is now silent. Blue tinted glass crunched beneath the heavy boots of the gathering rescue personnel. Trooper-one, just one of Maryland State Police’s Medical-evacuation (Medivac); helicopter, hovers like a giant dragon fly just before it lands upon Emerald-green grass.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The fetch Foundation ANNOUNCES GRANT RECEIPT FROM CLOUD STAR FOR FIDO BAG PROGRAM

Scottsdale, Arizona. September 2, 2011 — The fetch Foundation announces our first grant receipt. Cloud Star, produces an all natural line of dog food, treats and grooming products and of course the “Wag More Bark Less” line also has a grant program that helps foundations such as ours achieve great things in the community. Cloud Star’s generous grant will allow The fetch Foundation to put FIDO Bags in the hands of 2 first responder teams.