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Holiday Issue 2001
In Memoriam
But you took the time to listen,
you took the time to care,
and it was your generosity that enabled so many homeless animals to have a bright tomorrow. You have heard many of the sad tales but we felt what better way to usher out the old year than with "Happy Endings." These are stories we want to share with you, stories that you made happen. Many of these animals did not come from a very good situation, but thanks to you that has all changed.
Sampson's Story:We came to the shelter to find a new brother or sister for our 12 year old male cat Twinkie. Our family suffered a tragic loss on March 21, 2000; we lost our beloved 15 year old male cat Harley to cancer. I adopted Harley from TLC Animal Shelter in January of 1985 when he was a tiny 8 week old kitten. When I adopted Harley I was single so he was my buddy, companion and confidant. Harley was the best cat in the world and we shared everything! Later I adopted Twinkie from a litter of my sister's cat and Harley gained a brother. Twinkie had been with Harley his whole life. When Harley died I was devastated, I cried nonstop for five days. I could not go to work, I was a wreck. Twinkie also missed him terribly, he would go to Harley's favorite spots looking for him and crying out to Harley. I didn't think I would ever stop hurting or crying over my Harley's death.
After a few months went by I started thinking wouldn't it be nice to get a new companion for Twinkie. My husband and I talked about adopting a new family member, but thought we better talk it over with our veterinarian. We took Twinkie in for his check-up and brought up the idea of a new member in the family. Dr. Miller was excited for us since he knew what Harley meant to us. He suggested we adopt a kitten due to Twinkie's age and having spent his whole life with Harley it would take a little adjusting. So, we decided it was time we would take the big step. I told my husband I had one stipulation: I wanted to adopt from the same animal shelter Harley came from.
We knew a kitten would be extra work, but the reward's well worth the effort! So I arranged to take a one week vacation from work to help with bringing a new kitten into the home and help Twinkie to adjust to his new companion. With everything set to go, we went to the Shelter and walked into the cat room and Sampson stuck his little black paw out from the cage and that was it for me and my husband! He was an older kitten, 4 months old, and within minutes he had his little paw paws wrapped around my heart! My husband and I played with Sampson in the prospective adoptees room and within 5 minutes we knew he was the one!
Now we had to take him home to big brother. At first Twinkie did not like this intruder in his house, but within a short time they became buddies. Twinkie has become more active now that he has a younger brother to chase him around the house! We want to say Thank You for giving Harley a home until he came to me for 15 wonderful years. And a big Thank You for caring for Sampson until we came in that day to bring him home to join our family! We are all looking forward to sharing Sampson's first Christmas with him!
Merry Christmas!
The Hetherington Family
Cindy, John, Twinkie and Sampson
Miak's Story:This is the update Rosie Kovar sent us about Miak, whom they adopted July 11th...
Although I was hesitant about adopting a pitbull mix (you know the horror stories), I learned how ignorant I was about this breed.
My son's instant bonding and love for this beautiful brindle dog outweighed any negative thoughts that I, or my husband had. Miak (me-ack) with his kind, gentle attitude has shown others we know that the "bad stuff" is not in the breeding, but in the training. Miak is well mannered, housebroken, verbally trained and a downright nice dog. We have a 12 yr. old frail German Shorthaired retreiver that Miak is gentle with and doesn't even steal back a toy that Minnie has snuck away with. He waits until she is done playing with the toy....although looking pleadingly, "are you done yet?"
I want to thank the staff of TLC for allowing this dog to live to find the owner meant for him. He found that owner/friend in my son, Nick, who refused to give up on this dog, and he convinced us he was right. This dog was well worth saving. Thanks to your staff for the care and love these animals receive.
Mindy's Happy Ending:
This is what her new companion had to say...
I adopted Nita (her name used to be Mindy) on September 1, 2001. I went to TLC positive that I wanted to adopt an adult male cat that was orange and white. I played with all three male cats that fit the bill but there wasn't any spark. Then I saw Nita... a three year old female that looked like a little tiger. When I walked up to her cage she came right up to me. The minute I picked her up and started playing I knew I'd found the one. She is the sweetest, most loveable little thing I could've hoped for. She's always snuggling up to me and purring. The icing on the cake is that she hardly sheds. Thanks TLC for helping me adopt my baby.
Vivian Ramos
Max's Story:
We knew the little dachshund had to be about 10 years old (and found out later, had several health problems). He was a stray animal control brought in. Not many people would be willing to adopt an old dog, let alone one with health problems. But Max was lucky, because his new owner was willing to cover the additional expenses of Max's health needs, where the depleted Bertha Fund left off. This is the update on Max we had received from Mary Simons whose brother had adopted him.
"Mr. Max Packard" has had his second surgery and is doing well. His personality has grown even more lovable with each passing day. I myself have never known a dog as sweet as Max. He is a joy for all who come in contact with him. I am so glad that you brought Mr. Art Packard and Max together for they are a perfect match.
Again bless all of you and your efforts on behalf of the animals you have helped and will continue to help.
Taffy's Story:Sandi O'Brien had this to say...
Well, I definitely had no plans to adopt another dog when I went to the shelter that friday afternoon to take photos for the weekly update of the T.L.C. website. With 4 dogs at home plus several other critters to care for I was plenty busy already. But when I got to Taffy's cage, I had to stop and stare. Patchy coat, warts all over, eyes cloudy and crusted - an antique cocker spaniel for sure!
I found out that Taffy's human companion had died, and no relatives came forward to claim her, so she was at T.L.C. with not much hope of finding a new home. Right then I decided to adopt her. That was a great decision. Taffy is a wonderful dog, sweet, smart, and despite her age, quite energetic. She gets along just fine with our other dogs, and has settled in as if she had lived with us forever. Just like a favorite old teddy bear may not look as good as a brand new one but is just as lovable!
We only Regret:
That space does't permit us to print the stories along with the pictures of all the animals that are enjoying a good life, thanks to you, this is just a few of the hundreds of happy endings you made possible this year. Of course not all animals are this lucky, there are still homeless and abused animals out there. But with your help and generosity, we can change all of that. We want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for caring, and making "Happy Endings" for these animals possible!
As many of you are aware the shelter was being charged with a discrimination suit because we would not adopt to a party who wanted to keep a puppy chained outside all of the time.
Although there was a ruling in favor of the shelter several months ago by the Department of Human Resources, the complainant wished to pursue the matter further feeling that we and the prior judgement were in the wrong. Once again the case was heard, and the Chief Legal Counsel of the Department of Human Rights ruled again in our favor. Here is an exerpt from the legal document we received:
In the instant case, Respondent is a not-for-profit animal shelter which provides adoption services for pets to qualified applicants. Each applicant is interviewed to match the qualifications of the applicant with the care requirements and temperament of the pet. An animal shelter is not specifically enumerated as a "place of public accommodation" in the Act and does not fall under the broad definition of "place of public accomodation" under the Act. See Baksh v. Human Rights Commission, 301 I11. App. 3rd 995, 711 N.E. 2d 416 (1st Dist. 1999). Further....There is no nexus between respondent's refusal to allow Complainant to adopt a puppy because he indicated he would keep the puppy outside during the winter, not because of his marital status. Further....While Respondent did ask Complainant whether he was single or married, Respondent asked the question in the context of determining who was available to care for the puppy.
We could continue going through all the legal jargon, but the letter from our Attorney Emmett Dunham sums it up beautifully. The letter is as follows:
I have received the Order of the Chief Legal Counsel of the Department of Human Rights in your case with Mr. Rovenhagen. Upon review of the Investigators report, the Chief Legal Counsel sustains dismissal of the complaint.
I could not be more pleased. In the explanation of his reasoning the Chief Legal Counsel says we win on every argument we made. If you recall, our first argument for dismissal was that the Human Rights Act does not apply to you because TLC is not a "public accommodation". We tried to distinguish the need to be selective in placing animals into homes from merely serving meals to any member of the public. The Chief Legal Counsel agrees TLC is not a "public accommodation", and the law does not apply to you.
The Order goes on to state that, even if the law applied, the facts of the case do not show any discrimination that the Department could act upon. They simply agree that you did nothing wrong.
This is still America, and Mr. Rovenhagen has the right to appeal to the Appellate Court. He would then, however, have to find an attorney that would take the case, and then would still have to convince the Court that the Department of Human Rights was wrong on all counts. If we win a single argument, we win.
Please call me if you have any questions, and hug a puppy for me.
We would like to mention once again that Emmett has done all of this pro bono for the Shelter. We truly appreciate the many hours he has devoted to this case, and will be forever indebted to him. Not only was the fate of all animals at TLC in jeopardy but animals all over the country had the judgement been against the Shelter.
Thanks again Emmett on behalf of everyone at the Shelter and especially all the animals!