Dorie Sparkman's mom has passed away

[Jen]

Dorie's mother, Dee Tucker passed away @ 6:15 this evening. No arrangements have been made other than the family requests "no flowers". Donations can be made to:

Community Hospice of NE FL: http://www.communityhospice.com/getinvolved/contribution_sub01.htm

4266 Sunbeam Road
Jacksonville, FL 32257

904.886.3883

Or to 

Akita Rescue Society of Florida: http://www.arsf.org (Google or PayPal from ARSF homepage)

2364 Emerson St

Jacksonville FL 32207

904-398-5786

I've known Dee for almost 16 years & she loved her Akitas. I don't remember which of her dogs it was but this should make all of you smile...... 

Many, many years ago, Dee was waiting outside of the Pepsi plant (I think) & was running her Akita through it's obedience paces. Now this dog was a special Akita that actually understood (or at least acted like it cared) what obedience commands where all about & followed every command, exactly & promptly with the utmost of attention. As I heard it, this went on for 20 minutes or so & a whole bunch of workers had gathered around watching this dog do all of these fancy obedience moves "to the T". Well, if you'd met Dee, you'd understand this sense of humor & the thought that came to mind.... She keeps on giving commands & the dog keeps on doing them spot on. Out of the blue Dee gives a command in a very sharp slightly louder voice "kill" - she laughs as she tells me that "everyone of those men scrambled so quickly on top of their trucks because they fully expected her to do exactly what I said". Of course her dog had never been taught that command & she had to explain she was just joking, but I've always had this great mental picture of that scene in my mind since the day it was 1st told to me. Of course I've also always wished for an Akita that would be that willing to follow every command without the typical "ho-hum, just give me a second, I'm deciding that I should do this".

Jen Fone

ARSF Volunteer

P.S. I know most of you have Dorie's email addy, but I would recommend that you send notes/cards etc... to the ARSF/Emerson Kennels address. Dorie has enough trouble keeping up w/ her email on an average day, never mind all that's on her mind right now.