Arf Calendar Launch

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http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local...ps/1960696.aspx

Death row survivors now pin-ups

BY CLAIRE LOW

06 Oct, 2010 09:00 AM

Say hello to the cutest pin-ups in town. These dapper doggies are among the 12 gorgeous faces of ACT Rescue and Foster's new calendar, to be launched on Saturday.

The organisation, better known as ARF, spares dogs on death row in the pound in the Canberra region. Since its inception in 2001 it has rescued and re-homed more than 1900 dogs.

ARF spokeswoman Wendy Parsons described the organisation's work as complementary to that of the RSPCA. ''Ninety-eight per cent of dogs that end up in the pound are good dogs. They're there because their owners have been irresponsible and not looked after them,'' she said.

The calendar, called ARF Best Friends, is the fourth of its kind and its sale is expected to raise about $7000, all of which will benefit rescued pups by paying for desexing, vaccinations and microchipping.

About a dozen such dogs are available for adoption right now.

Photographer Melynda McDonald said conducting a doggie calendar shoot came with its share of challenges. Some of this year's rescued pooches were so shy it took a great deal of patience and treats to get them to relax for a photo.

One got into the studio and began to jump up and down for the entire session until McDonald got out a toy to calm it.

In previous years, a doggy model relieved herself on set. ''That was an unfortunate situation because she then sat down and wagged her tail around. Everyone got covered in wee. That was not fun,'' McDonald said.

The ARF 2011 calendar launch is on at the National Library of Australia forecourt from 11am-noon on Saturday. Calendars can be bought at the launch or at Fosterdogs.org.

For more on this story and other Today column tidbits, see the print edition of The Canberra Times.

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ACT Rescue and Foster calendar dog stars Jess, Bobby (below) and Kev (further below). Photos: MELYNDA McDONALD