Before starting, we would like to welcome all of our new members and those interested in our committee. The most important requirements for joining us are summed up in two statements; your love of animals and having fun doing it. Upon joining the Garden of Friendships Pet Lovers Committee, you are required to submit an introduction about yourself and your pets; this gives us a chance to get to know you. Please visit our member’s pages to find out more about us. When submitting your introduction, for inclusion on your member’s page, please submit clear, non-animated photographs of your pets. If you need assistance with this, feel free to contact your CL, Rosie, or your ACL. We will be happy to make every effort to assist you.

   Those of us who have lost pets know all to well that they will never be forgotten. Our darlings are patiently waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge. *Smile* We have a beautiful Garden of Memories, which you may visit here to commemorate them. Feel free to request a plaque in memory of your beloved pets that have gone on to Rainbow Bridge.

   Twice monthly members receive assignments which must be completed to remain active; this is on the first and fifteenth of the month. However, new members are not required to complete them during their initial two weeks. They can be as varied as signing other garden member’s guestbook’s, creating graphics to use as a Pet Lovers Committee member, submitting information for an article or many other useful and creative ideas. We are always on the lookout for new and fun assignments; if you have any thoughts of interest, we would love to hear them. If you have difficulty completing your assignment for any reason, please contact Rosie as soon as possible and she will attempt to assist you.

   Yahoo Groups are a requirement of the Garden and the Assistant CL and I distribute information you need to know through them. Please only respond to official committee mail if it pertains to the group as a whole. When communicating with the three officers please address your email accordingly. We ask that you do not attach sig-tags or use stationary with the Yahoo Group. Remember, the Yahoo Group is for Committee correspondence only.

   The Garden has a message forum which is not required, but we do encourage you to join. If you wish to make graphics for your fellow members, leave them there. Never post these to the email list, downloading attachments have proven to be a problem.

   All new members are encouraged to explore the GOF website, particularly the Member's Only area. Familiarizing yourself with the site always helps when trying to locate something particular, later on. Once posted, please verify that your member's list and committee pages are correct; including your e-mail address and any URL's. If there should be any change to your pet family, please notify us so that your Pet Lovers member page can be updated.

When you have been accepted into the Pet Lovers Committee, you will receive your member plaque and welcome letter within 48 hours. The welcome letter will include many useful links and information. Your addition to the Pet Lovers Yahoo Group will be immediate.

   The Pet Lovers Committee is a wonderful group of people exchanging information, or maybe sharing their pet’s latest escapade and boundless friendship. Many new friendships have been forged within these garden gates and some have continued on to become extended family. We value your membership and hope you find the experience as rewarding and pleasurable as we do. Once again, welcome to the Pet Lover’s Committee.

Warmest Wishes,
Rosie CL, Breeze ACL and Tammy GK