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Shelter Life from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
"Season's Greetings!"
BAH HUMBUG!"Shorty, what's gotten into you? What kind of holiday greeting is that?"
I'm sorry, but I'm just not in the holiday spirit.
"Well I can see that. I know things have not been good the past few months, with what's going on in the world, added to worry about finances at the Shelter, but come on Shorty, it's the holidays! I think we can all use some holiday cheer to pick up our morale! And furthermore, you don't have to worry about putting on that Santa suit this year, so that should make you happy."
No Santa at the Shelter? What about the puppies and kittens... they will be so disappointed.
"I didn't say we wouldn't have a Santa, all I said is you don't have to worry about doing it."
Humph! And who could you get to play a better Santa than me?
"Shorty we didn't say anyone could play Santa better than you. We just thought with you in a Scrooge mood, we can't have you saying Bah Humbug to the kittens and puppies, instead of Ho Ho Ho. So we asked Baby Coleman if she wanted to do the honors this year. She's about your size minus the tummy. Take a look at Baby's picture we took with her buddy friend Annie Coleman, when she came over to try on the suit. Of course we had to add some extra padding in the tummy area, but see for yourself, doesn't she look cute?"
UGH!!! You can't do that!
"Why not, we thought this was the perfect solution. We realize you've been under alot of stress, and when you are stressed you eat (and boy can you eat!) You have to admit you have put on some extra weight, and we could tell there isn't any way you can fit into that Santa suit. There would only be one other alternative, and we even hate to mention it because we know how the d word affects you."
You can say the word, I've come to terms with it, see I will even say it (gulp) dddddddddiet. (Phew that was hard but I did it.)
"We just didn't want to stress you out any more, with what you call cruel and unusual punishment. Besides, Baby looks so adorable, don't you agree?"
Adorable HUMPH! Where does it say in the Night Before Christmas which is the traditional Santa story, that Santa looks adorable! First off Santa is a HE not a SHE! Santa has BLUE eyes not BROWN! And the most important part, his tummy has to shake like a bowl full of jelly when he laughs. Now tell me how you're going to make Baby's tummy shake like a bowl full of jelly when the outfit is stuffed with tissue paper? And what is Baby going to say when she's holding one of the puppies or kittens on her lap, and they ask, 'Santa why does your tummy make crinkling noises like that?' Besides dogs drool!
"Where have I heard that before? I'm surprized you didn't finish that statement with your usual cats rule. Besides, you know Baby doesn't drool."
Stick an ice cream cone under her nose and she'll drool!
"And if we stuck one under your nose you would drool too!"
Humph, but what about Baby and those poofey kisses she gives. Santa Claus does not give poofey kisses! Besides, I am not going to let anyone else take over my job as Santa, even though fitting into the suit is a pain. I enjoy playing Santa for the puppies and kittens.
"Okay Shorty you win, but on one condition, you have to fit into the Santa suit by Christmas Eve, if not we will have to use Baby. Well with all that taken care of, now all I have to do is try to arrange for some music for the holiday open house, it sure would be nice to have some music this year."
I can take care of that, I can sing!
"Ugh Shorty I don't know if we're ready for that."
Are you saying I can't sing?
"Uh no Shorty... it's just that how will you play Santa and sing at the same time? (Boy I have to get out of this or nobody's ears will ever be the same again.) So it's agreed you work on fitting into the Santa suit, and I'll see if we can get a few children from one of the area schools or scout groups to sing. Agreed?"
Agreed! This is torture, but a cat's gotta do what a cat's gotta do... Hide the Krispy Kremes! Well, since there are only two left, it won't hurt if I eat just one, one for me and one for my alter ego!
"Shorty! What are you doing eating those Krispy Kremes, what were we just talking about?"
I said dddddiet and exercise. The Krispy Kremes were part of my ddddiet and now it is time for me to exercise so it looks like I gotta run!
Love, Shorty
P.S.
They heard me exclaim as I put the Krispy Kremes out of sight... MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL and to ALL a good night!
Bertha Fund Given a Needed Boost!
We were overwhelmed with the response we have gotten from you when you found out the Bertha Fund was in trouble, and want to thank each of you for your generosity. As you know the Bertha Fund was established for animals at TLC that are in need of more extensive medical treatment, such as heartworm, broken bones, etc.. But in the middle of August the Bertha Fund was depleted, and we were extremely worried about what we could do about the situation, which looked very bleak. Naturally, our main concern was how we were going to provide medical treatment for animals in need, when there weren't any funds available to us. Another dilemma we faced because of the money situation was the dwindling supply of everyday medical needs such as vaccines and wormers. Our supply of antibiotics was in equally dire straits, and with fall and winter at hand, (which means increased upper respiratory ailments with the dogs and cats, bouts of diarrhea etc.) we had to replenish our medical supplies A.S.A.P.We don't know what we would have done without your help. Your generosity has permitted us to get medical treatment for the little dog pictured, who needed eye surgery. As you can see he looks pretty spunky now!
We have also been able to replenish the wormers and vaccines we use each day, and have also been able to restock the antibiotics we need.
We want to thank all of you for your generosity, and for your donations to permit the Bertha Fund to carry on. But the needs of the Bertha Fund are ongoing, since we will always have more animals that require more serious medical care. Donations to this fund are always needed to help us in providing the best medical care possible for the animals, and don't forget, your donation is tax deductible! Thank you.
She thought his ears were so cute, and asked if he was a Scottish Fold...
And with the condition the cat's ears were in, it did resemble that breed. The cat's ears had been frostbitten so severely, that over half of each ear was gone. I further explained that this cat was one of the luckier ones. We've dealt with frostbite cases so severe that a paw or tail needed to be amputated due to gangrene... but at least we were able to save the animal's life.This is why it is very important to get homeless animals off the streets and into a shelter, whether it be TLC or one closer to your home. As the temperatures plummet, it becomes more difficult if not impossible for a homeless animal to find food and shelter. The odds for any homeless animal surviving the winter aren't good.
If you see a homeless animal in your neighborhood don't assume one of your neighbors will do anything about it, most people don't notice or will look the other way. We know from past experience the only help the animal is going to get is from you. If you wait, it may be too late, and the animal may either freeze or starve to death. Time for them is critical, please don't look the other way!
KIDS WITH HEART
The students at Arbury Hills School in Mokena held a food and supply drive for the shelter, and also donated $113.00 in change to help the animals at TLC. A big thank you goes out to these caring kids, faculty and Dr. Joyce Kleinaitis, for sponsoring this drive.
Santa came a little early!
We would like to give a special thanks to Stefania Anderson for her generosity. Mrs. Anderson asked for a list of some "big ticket items" the shelter needed, and then played Santa Claus and got them for us! Thank you ever so much!
Famous Decorators and their feelings about their dogs
"Dogs remind me of the best part of childhood - that innocence and contentment - which is hard to come by in an adult world." Steven Harris
"It's simple - no matter how grand, how stiff, how artificial the place, a dog can take the edge off any room." Thomas Jayne
"All day, I'm out there giving, nurturing, dealing with difficult problems. So to come home and have someone there who's so happy, and who gives you so much love, is the absolute best." Bunny Williams
"Dogs are the anticlient: they never question your taste, and they're not insecure about their own taste. And their priorities are very simple: they like it soft. But don't we all." Kitty Hawks
These exerpts were taken from House and Garden Magazine for your enjoyment.
You don't have to play cat and mouse
We're not hard to find. Just go to tlcanimalshelter.org and you will see one of the best sites on the web! Not only is the site updated every week with pictures and information on animals at the shelter looking for homes, there is alot of other interesting and useful information on the site. You can even shop on our site with part of the price of your purchase going to the shelter, so be sure to check it out!
Dan Zak, someone you should know
We would like to introduce you to Dan Zak, who joined the staff at the TLC Animal Shelter in February of this year. A couple of changes that took place in Dan's life brought him to TLC. Prior to coming to the shelter, Dan had been employed at an animal hospital for fourteen years. He left his job there when the veterinarian he had worked for decided to retire. It was after that, Dan moved to the Lockport area. Still wanting to work with animals, Dan contacted TLC, now the rest is history.Dan takes very good care of the animals, giving them that extra TLC that they need, and he is also very good with the public as well. Dan is always ready and willing to answer the questions people ask about pet care or in helping them in making the right adoption choice, and he has also consoled those who had to relinquish a pet.
Dan has many other talents too. He has written several film scripts, and has made some short films. (We have not let Shorty in on this though, as he hams it up enough already, and we can't have him going Hollywood on us.)
Dan has rounded out the TLC team very well and we hope that he stays with the shelter for many years.
Craft Show News
Just a note to let you know, due to timing, and trying to get the holiday newsletter out in a timely manner, we will be bringing you news on the shelter's Holiday Craft Show in the Winter 2002 edition of Paw Prints. Thanks for your understanding.
Red & Blue Bandanas Needed
Quiet animals that just sit in their cage not doing anything are often overlooked by prospective adopters, until we bring that particular animal to their attention. But we have noticed by putting a bright bandana on the animal, it draws more attention to it, which helps in getting the animal adopted all the sooner!