(708)301-1594 
Open 11 am-4 pm Tuesday through Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday webmistress                   |
Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View (the cat about town)
I Ought to be in Pictures & Singing on the Stage
Hi!
Hmmmm do I look better from this angle, or maybe that angle would be more flattering, and maybe some different lighting."Shorty what are you doing? What's all this talk about lighting and flattering angles, and why are you standing there staring at yourself in the mirror, humming you ought to be in pictures?"
I'm planning on entering the shelter's upcoming photo contest, and I'm trying to decide which is my best side. I can see it now, me gracing the cover of TLC's calendar for 2007 and title it the year of the cat.
"Shorty, in the Chinese calendar there isn't any year of the cat."
I know, what a shame, but I didn't mean the Chinese calendar I meant TLC's calendar.
"Cute idea Shorty, we might just go with it but before you get your head in a cloud, I hate to be the one to tell you this .... you're ineligible."
HUMPH! Me, ineligible?
"Shorty you can't enter because..."
Never mind, silly me for even asking. I know why ..... it's because I'd win paws down, which wouldn't be fair to the other entrants.
"Good grief Shorty, we certainly couldn't have that now could we? Anyway for everyone else the contest rules are enclosed and they're pretty much self explanatory. Now Shorty if you're done looking at yourself, we have other important things to tell our friends about, like the upcoming walkathon. Hey Shorty that's something you can participate in."
Can I have my picture taken at the photo finish line?
"Sure Shorty, but I didn't know you were going to walk the entire route."
I said I will be at the photo finish line, but I didn't say how I was getting there.
"Shorty what am I going to do with you? You never cease to amaze me!"
I know, after all I am a pretty amazing cat. By the way, will WCCQ radio be there again this year?
"They certainly are, and they already have our event posted on their website."
Which WCCQ personality is going to be there with the WCCQ crew?
"Frankie is going to be there, and they are going to have some special give aways and other things to raffle off!"
Frankie is so cute, reason enough for me to be there! Did you know Frankie is a music trivia buff, and she also sings kareoke! That's right up my alley!
"I didn't know you were into music trivia."
Music trivia is interesting but I'm really into kareoke, and I'd love to do a duet with Frankie at the walkathon.
"That's what I was afraid of."
I can visualize it now, Frankie and me singing a duet, that will really rev up the event, and then with a little coaxing I might consider doing a solo.
"Shorty, enough already! This is the walkathon we are talking about not tryouts for American Idol. Besides with you singing I'm sure you'll have the back up of one hundred howling dogs!"
Wouldn't that be great! Not only would we be providing entertainment, it would be a category added to the silliest pet tricks portion of the walkathon, the dog with the loudest howl!"
"I better remember to bring my ear plugs."
Before I run I have to remind everyone about TLC's plant sale May 20th. Tiny and I can hardly wait to help Sandi set up.
"Shorty I'm not sure Sandi is ready for all your help. Remember when you and Tiny were helping Sandi last year, I thought she was going to faint when she caught you chewing off the leaves on a few of the plants?"
Tiny and I were just doing a bit of pruning, so the plants looked better.
"Is that what you called it? The way the two of you were 'pruning', Sandi envisioned nothing but nubs being left!"
Okay Tiny and I won't do any pruning this time, but I'm sure there are other things we can help with. I heard Sandi mention something about adding a cafe so folks could leisurely shop, then sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with some fresh bakery.
"Sandi also mentioned that she will have music there too."
Music? Hmmmm another chance for me to entertain everyone.
"Ugh why did I open up my mouth about the music? Shorty, did you ever think about lip-synching?"
HUMPH! Very funny .... not!
By the way Sam, why are you standing there drooling like that?
I just came from the kitchen and saw the shelter's birthday cake, and if you saw how delicious it looks, you'd be drooling too!
I'm putting on 32 candles on the cake to represent another important milestone for TLC - we're celebrating 32 years of caring. Well, I've got to run time to blow out the candles!
Love,
Shorty
PS
After we blow out the candles can I sing then?
"Sure Shorty, belt it out!"
HAPPY Birthday TLC!
It was a night of good food, good friends, and a whole lot of fun! Which pretty much sums up how TLC's 4th annual Candlight Cosmic Bowl went. We have a good many people to thank for helping to make it such a success, including Sandi O'Brien, Annie Coleman, Donna and Wayne Holous, Michele and Josh and Laurie Chalifoux, Vicki Tryjefczka, Denny Carter, Kelly Carpenter, Mary Ann, Mark and Amy Lukas, Casey Carter, Keith Miller and John and April Molina.
We also want to thank Barb Gunderson for all the delicious Kolacky she made and Elaine Tryjefaczka for the wonderful cookie trays she made.
This years raffle prizes for the event were outstanding! We want to thank the following people for their contributions: a 10" Ryobi Miter Saw donated by the Endebak Family, a Hamilton Beach Brewmaster donated by the Endebak Family, a $175.00 Jaegermeister Basket donated by Erika Follkie, Cat Lovers basket donated by Leslee Ala, $100.00 gift certificate for a portrait sitting at Fender & Donisch, donated by Fender & Donisch, Lulu Jane purse donated by Jakes House of Kibble, $150.00 Corazon Tequila basket donated by Erika Follkie, Black traveling luggage on wheels filled with Genofranco wine in it donated by Erika Follkie. Stamping/scrapbooking basket donated by Pammy Hayes. We also want to thank Kelly Carpenter for her effort writing letters and making phone calls to get items donated from various sports teams including the Chicago Rush who donated 4 tickets to one of their home games along with 4 shirts, the Chicago Wolves donated 2 tickets to one of their home games, the Windy City Thunderbolts 4 box seat tickets to one of their home games, and an autographed White Sox baseball signed by Joe Coral along with his picture. Thanks again Kelly!
Each year the event has been a total sell out and each year many of the same people come back because it is such an enjoyable evening, and they know that along with having a great time they are benefiting the animals at TLC. We already confirmed the date for next year February 10th 2007, so mark your calendar. See you there!
From left to right: Amy Lukas, Annie Coleman and Josh Chalifoux making the crowd laugh as they busily sold raffle tickets. Photo courtesy of Sandi O'Brien
Happy Endings
We adopted our kitten Miller on August 13, 2005. We went to TLC just to look and see what cats were available, because we were thinking about adopting a cat. When we found Miller we had to wake him up in order to take him into the playroom. Once we got him in there he instantly took to my boyfriend and I, and that was all it took. Miller went home with us as soon as we finished with his adoption paperwork, and now he is our spoiled little baby.
Miller has complete run of our home and has every toy imaginable, although his favorite toys are my hair holders and scruncies. His two favorite hobbies are people watching from the living room window, and watching his fish in the 55 gallon aquarium that he got for Christmas.
We are now thinking about adopting another one, and we will return to TLC to adopt him or her, when the time is right. Everyone at TLC is more than helpful and you can tell they really care about the animals. Thanks for taking in our great little boy and taking great care of him before we adopted him.
Happy Birthday! TLC Celebrates 32 years of caring
No Fooling, April 1st the TLC Animal Shelter celebrates 32 years of caring! It is hard for even us to believe how many years have flown by and just how much our organization has grown! The numbers of animals we have helped throughout these years is in the thousands which is absolutely mind boggling! This is a feat that could never have been accomplished without you by our side.
Our adoption rate has been phenomenal! Much of this is due to the efforts of Sandi O'Brien for her dedication to keeping the TLC website updated weekly with photos of the animals for adoption, and she also submits photos and information for Pet of the Week features in four different area newspapers. We can't forget about all the word of mouth referrals from people who have been pleased with our services, and have commented on how well the animals are kept. On any given Saturday our parking lot is filled to capacity with people looking to adopt. With such an outstanding adoption rate, it has permitted us reach out and take in over 250 from other shelters and find homes for them. Due to these shelters being located in such rural areas the adoption rate is not very good, and chances for the animals to find homes is very slim at best, so we answered their pleas for help.
Thank you for being a part of these efforts, because it is each and every one of you who have made all of this possible.
So, let's blow out all those birthday candles and make a wish for TLC's continued growth and for all the animals that we will help to find their forever home.
TLC's 2nd Plant and Garden Fundraiser
When: Saturday May 20th
Time: 9:00 am until 1:00 PM
Where: Homer Township Hall located on Cedar road 1/4 block south of Route 7 (159th Street) in Homer Glen
Here's a chance to beautify your garden while helping the animals at TLC. There will be a variety of plants for you to choose from along with garden decorations. This year we will be adding some vegetable plants too!
If you would like to contribute something for the event, we would love to have your extra perennials, ground cover or what have you. Please make sure they are in some sort of container and not bare root, and labeled as to what type of plant it is. If you are a crafter any garden decorations would be welcomed! Or if you are good at putting together container gardens, or hanging baskets, not only would look good to decorate a front porch or patio they would also make great gifts!
This year Sandi O'Brien is adding a little cafe for shoppers and we will also be holding a bake sale. Come Enjoy!
If you're interested in baking or helping out call us at 708-301-1594. If you know any locations that have good foot traffic, and would allow us to hold a bake sale please let us know. We are going to try to hold these bake sales at least 4 times per year.
Hi TLC,
My daughter son and I came to your shelter looking for a second dog (we also have a three year old Cocker Spaniel named Penny). Before we came in we looked at your website and saw a cockapoo that was awaiting adoption, so I wanted to come take a look. When we arrived at the shelter, we couldn't help notice a scared shepard mix sitting in the corner of his cage. His name was Scooby and he had just been brought in that day, my daughter was instantly in love.
I was a little hesitant at first, he was larger than what I was originally looking for, but we took him out and played with him for awhile, he just seemed so much happier being with us, that I just couldn't leave him behind. The rest is history, my husband changed his name to Harley which he responded to right away. He is a wonderful dog, so loving and attentive, great with the kids, and very happy in his new home. Harley just turned 2 in April, and has proved to be a great addition to our family. We love him lots and so does Penny!
Thank you so much,
Gina, Marc, Cassie and Daniel Burica