President, Belinda Lamm

Duties: Oversees all aspects of group functions. Makes decisions regarding legal matters and presides at meetings of TOESR. Signs vouchers for expense reimbursements. Aids in fundraising activities. Active in transport and foster work.

As a young adult, I'd always wanted an Old English Sheepdog and was lucky enough to be given my first OES, Maya, back in 1977. I'll never forget the feeling that day brought me and for 30+ years, I've not been without at least one! Of course, having had sheepdogs in my life for all those years, it goes without saying that I had to say goodby to several of them. After a particularly bad period of time from late 2000 to early 2001, we lost three of our OES's to cancer. It brought on a sharp reality bite that a young age and good care didn't necessarily mean our dogs would be long-lived so we took that opportunity to pursue OES rescue dogs. What better way to enjoy the breed and do something meaningful at the same time.

After working with a wonderful mentor to all OES's, Annie Raker of NEOESR, we adopted Dakota as our first rescue dog and that changed my whole perspective of what it meant to rescue a dog. There's something that surpasses rewarding when you see a dog in horrible shape, often abused or neglected or near death's door and are able to turn that situation around and give back to some caring family, a dog well worth having.

I'm delighted to say that TOESR has prospered due to the hard work of our wonderful volunteers, the caring and willingness to help that our new adoptive families show and the generosity of the general OES community! It's our hope in the future to pass a milestone and save as many dogs as we can. As for myself, I'm dedicated to this cause in memory of all my OES's that have gone before, in particular my two heartdog girls, Maya and Mirror.

Vice-President, Betty Davis

Duties: Responsible for group functions in the absence of president. Aids in fundraising activities. Active in foster care and transport.

Betty Davis has been involved with Old English Sheepdogs for many years. She's run the gamut of being in the show ring with the grooming tasks that came along with it, to now helping other, less fortunate sheepies find good homes.

Betty's current two OES's, Pandora and Blue, are beautiful siblings. Different as night and day, each is a therapy dog that Betty enjoys taking to make the rounds at the local nursing homes. She also enjoys concerts with her friends as well as doing other volunteer work.

Secretary, Tammy Benson Weaver

Duties: Responsible for correspondence regarding group, TOES. Compiles and maintains membership list. Aids in fundraising activities. Active in foster care and transport.

For as long as I can remember I've been in love with Old English Sheepdogs. After I lost my mixed breed girl to old age in November 2004, I decided the best way to pay homage to her memory was to love another dog. (smile) Little did I know then, what opening that door would bring to me.

Beauregard came into my life a few months later as a rambunctious puppy. Oh how I adored the smell of that puppy breath and the sweet expressions on his face. Through teething and potty training, obedience classes and socialization, we bonded.

I had become involved with rescue soon after I got Beauregard. I just knew there had to be something I could do to help the needy Sheepies. So, I volunteered to be a foster mom and to help with transportation. It wasn't long before I was called on to assist. I can't begin to tell you how rewarding it is to bring a baby into your home and love it back to health.

A beautiful female had been turned into the rescue by her owners because she 'got too big'. She was a handful - bundles of energy and no manners to speak of. But, oh what a personality she has and so much love to give. Beauregard and I went to pick her up and it was love at first sight - for all three of us! Beauregard and Genevieve were instant best friends. I had finally found someone to match his endless energy and he was thrilled with his new sister.

We've had lots of fun learning manners and obedience together, trying to herd sheep, going to the beach, walks in the park -every day with an Old English Sheepdog is an adventure.

Now we actively foster and transport needy dogs for TOES rescue. I say 'we' because Beau and Gen are as big a part of the healing process as I ever could be. They are genuinely glad to see every new dog that comes to our home. They welcome them with sniffs and then invite them to play a game of chase through the yard. They share their toys, food, treats, and help the foster dogs to adjust to their new environment. Together we work to restore their health and trust then see them safely to a new loving home.

Placement Director, Belinda Lamm

Duties: Initial contact with potential adoptive homes and work phones to coordinate adopters and dogs. Reviews applications. Oversees and coordinates dog pickups with owners and shelters. Coordinates transports when necessary. Constant contact with shelters and instrumental in providing various paperwork, information to those. Fields questions from prospective families, before and after adoption. Coordinates vet checks, Home visits and interviews. Approves and assigns foster homes for incoming dogs. Becomes familiar with each dog's characteristics, either personally or through foster volunteers to make the best decisions on homes for the dogs in our care. Interaction with other rescue groups along with networking to build a stronger, more solvent group.

As a young adult, I'd always wanted an Old English Sheepdog and was lucky enough to be given my first OES, Maya, back in 1977. I'll never forget the feeling that day brought me and for 30+ years, I've not been without at least one! Of course, having had sheepdogs in my life for all those years, it goes without saying that I had to say goodby to several of them. After a particularly bad period of time from late 2000 to early 2001, we lost three of our OES's to cancer. It brought on a sharp reality bite that a young age and good care didn't necessarily mean our dogs would be long-lived so we took that opportunity to pursue OES rescue dogs. What better way to enjoy the breed and do something meaningful at the same time.

After working with a wonderful mentor to all OES's, Annie Raker of NEOESR, we adopted Dakota as our first rescue dog and that changed my whole perspective of what it meant to rescue a dog. There's something that surpasses rewarding when you see a dog in horrible shape, often abused or neglected or near death's door and are able to turn that situation around and give back to some caring family, a dog well worth having.

I'm delighted to say that TOESR has prospered due to the hard work of our wonderful volunteers, the caring and willingness to help that our new adoptive families show and the generosity of the general OES community! It's our hope in the future to pass a milestone and save as many dogs as we can. As for myself, I'm dedicated to this cause in memory of all my OES's that have gone before, in particular my two heartdog girls, Maya and Mirror.

Webmaster, Eddie Rowe

Duties: Develop, oversee, and maintain TOESR Website. Aid in Fundraising activities and publicity.