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About Bob
Hi I'm Bob and this is my story.
I received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree (graduated with honors)
from the University of Michigan. Ralph, my lab mix and my fraternity’s mascot, went to school with me. I passed my CPA exam on the first sitting and practiced for several years.
I slowly transitioned to being a computer consultant, concentrating in designing and modifying accounting software. With Krystal (an Aussie Shepherd mix) and Spencer (a chow border/collie’s) help,
I went back to school and received a Master’s degree (again with honors) in Computer Information from Georgia State.
I tolerated working as a computer consultant for many years. I specialized in J. D. Edwards software in a language called RPG on a computer called an AS400.
Then year 2000 rolled around and J. D. Edwards announced its intention of going to client/server computers in C++. I went from pulling down a 6 figure income to being a dinosaur
about to become extinct.
I had been volunteering for various charitable organizations to try to get some spark in my life.
I volunteered for aids hospices, a children's hospital and others.
But, in 1999, I started volunteering for the Arizona Humane Society, matching dogs to new owners and providing care and TLC to all the dogs, particularly the frightened ones.
I found I was very good at comforting dogs and absolutely loved doing it. If one of the dogs came in too scared to be showable, the head volunteer would ask me to sit with the dog
and perform my magic. Usually in less than 1 hour, I had a tail wagging and a smile on his/her face. I literally saved dozens of dogs from being euthanized and was dubbed
the Miracle Worker of the AHS. I also received an outstanding volunteer award.
I found the spark that was missing. During this time, I also adopted Norman, Blake, Biff and Katie and lost Krystal. I had to find a new profession because I didn't want to
learn a new language and work in a job I only tolerated. So I thought about become a vet, but wouldn't have graduated until I was 55, too old. I never liked to travel
because I hated putting the crew in a standard kennel and reliable and trusting dog sitters were hard to find. So I came up with the conecept of Furrst and Furrmost Pooch Palace,
an open boarding kennel where dogs can have a great time doing what dogs are meant to do, be in a pack and play with other dogs.
So in 2001, I looked at land in both Phoenix and Palm Springs, when I was shown this house on a Saturday.
It was perfect for what I wanted, so by the next Wednesday,
I had a contract on it. So I am risked a big portion of my life savings to do something I love, which is take care of dogs. On March 1, 2002 Furrst and Furrmost Pooch Palace
opened its doors and I have been boarding dogs ever since.
Right after Katrina hit New Orleans, there was a need to rescue a significant number of dogs.
I was asked by Save-A-Pet to rescue three of their dogs so I decided to
change my non-profit to a rescue organization and to donate some of my boarding space to help rescue dogs too. When it became obvious that bringing in new dogs and
established dogs leaving stressed out the dogs, I decided to become a dog sanctuary. Furrst and Furrmost Pooch Sanctuary
(formerly Stray Animal Emergency Fund and then Furrst and Furrmost Pooch Rescue) now is a permanent home to 15 dogs.
They get to take advantage of the open boarding environment and are the really lucky rescues. You can go to fafps.com to
find out more about it and hopefully make a tax deductible contribution.
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