Shorty's Shelter News
Shelter Life from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
They Walked Their Dogs Off for the Animals!
Hi! It was a gorgeous day for roasting hot dogs! Everyone was licking their lips as the aroma of the hot dogs that Ina Jacobs and Cathy Melton were cooking, wafted through the air. I told Annie I would be glad to lend a helping paw and cook the hot dogs, but Annie said Ina and Cathy had volunteered first, and that a third cook would be too many. Since Annie already had that covered, I told her that I'd be more than happy to pick up the cookies Fleckensteins Bakery was donating. But that idea was quickly squelched when Linda Andrews called saying since she was participating in the walkathon, and with the bakery right on her way, she would pick them up. Maybe it is just my imagination but I thought I saw my people friends breathe a big sigh of relief! Drats foiled again! It seemed to me that there was a conspiracy going on to keep me away from anything to do with food. I don't know why, I mean I couldn't possibly eat more than two hotdogs, maybe three at best, and the way Mrs. Fleckenstein fills the cookie tray I don't think two or three cookies would be missed (sigh).
"Shorty, we wanted to hear about the walkathon, not about your craving for cookies, or about a weenie roast. And I don't remember seeing too many people salivating over hot dogs, although they did seem to enjoy eating them at the end of the walk."
I was reporting on what transpired at the walkathon, only from a dog's point of view. I thought it would be interesting to see what the dogs found to be most memorable about the walk. I spoke to Danty, Sonja, Zippy, Mac, Baby, Molly, Rufus, Toto, Peanut, Flash, Buddy, Remington, Ginnis, Baily, Freeway, Sandra, Maximus, Precious, Levi Jean, Greta, Sable, Gracie, Scrappy, Samone, Missy, Ally, Trevor, Biely, Cody, Zippy, Rufus, Peanut, Mae, Vasco, Penny, Sandy, Foe, Mr. Rocky, Lukie, Lucy and even Baron Von Toto. Just take one look at the picture of Ginni and Chris Cicala, with their K-9 buddy Vasco de Gamma. Ginni and Chris are smiling about all the fun they had at the walkathon, and you can plainly see by the expression on Vasco's face that he had one thing on his mind: "hotdogs!"
"Okay, Shorty, you're right, but now tell us what happened at the event from a human's point of view."
Well you didn't give me time to get to that. I was just about to tell everyone how Annie Coleman spent a great deal of time organizing the walk, and calling the following T.L.C. volunteers to help including Mr. and Mrs. Kendra, Cathy Melton, Ina Jacobs, Tigi Tasso, Phyliss Klingensmith, Sandi O'Brien, P.J. Fitzgerald, Linda Andrews, Wendy Covelli and her children Michael and Elizabeth, and Dennis Carter Jr.. We were glad to have so many helping hands, since this was the biggest turnout ever, with canine participants outnumbering their human counterparts this year! The volunteers were busy getting participants signed in, keeping track of pledge money, handing out tee shirts and doggie bandanas, and prizes for those collecting the most pledge money. Sandi O'Brien took pictures of everyone who made it to the "photo finish", and she also took pictures for the shelter's website, as did P.J. Fitzgerald with the help of Tigi Tasso. (If you would like to look at the compiled pictures that P.J. and Sandi took of the walkathon then go to www.tlcanimalshelter.org)
A rip roaring "T.L.C." resounded through Dell Wood Park as participants started on their three mile trek. Everyone took the walk at an easy pace, stopping to allow their canine buddies to go for a dip in the creek, (with the exception of Baby Coleman and Molly Hager who had just had their hair done at the groomers). The dogs only wished the walk would have taken a little longer so they could have spent more time stopping to sniff all the things dogs find good to sniff. As for me, the only thing I wanted to sniff were those hot dogs that were waiting back at the finish!
After completing the walk, everyone gathered back at the Voelz Field House, for refreshments, and much to Annie's surprize everyone sang a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday to her. Yes, it was Annie's birthday, and she said there was nothing she would have rather done on her day. Needless to say Annie was elated and so were all the participants and volunteers when they found out that this years walkathon raised over $4000.00 to help homeless animals at T.L.C.. As everyone said their goodbyes, Annie shouted out, "See you all next year!" Well maybe next year Annie will let me make the hot dogs! Maybe someone will donate a hot dog steamer so we don't have to borrow one anymore, and I can practice my culinary skills, and I could hold taste testing parties.
"SHORTY! You're going to do what? What taste testing parties??."
Uhoh, I gotta go!
Love,
Shorty
Kittens found wet, cold and half alive...
When Vicki Tryjefaczka came to the shelter on Sunday to clean, she thought she heard a soft meowing sound coming from somewhere outside the building. Vicki looked around but the noise had stopped, and there wasn't any kitten to be seen. As she continued to clean, she heard the kitten's cries again. Vicki stood motionless trying to detect where the sound was coming from, and then she spied the four kittens that had been left in a box in the pouring rain.
The little guys were barely 4 weeks old, sitting in over an inch of water huddled together, soaking wet, and shaking, a couple of them looking half alive.
Vicki promptly brought the kittens inside and towel dried each one, then put them in a special heated cage, to bring their body temperatures back to normal. Lucky for the kittens Vicki found them when she did, had they been left in the box any longer they probably would have gotten pneumonia or drowned. Thanks to Vicki's good work and quick thinking all the kittens were saved, and have since been adopted into loving homes.
Pet Peeves
(My time to blow off steam)
With summer upon us, many people have made plans to go on vacation. Some people plan their vacation around their pets, checking out places to stay that welcome four legged family members, and if pets aren't welcome they don't go. Other folks make arrangements with boarding kennels or with reliable family or friends to watch their pets while they are away.
But then, there are those people who don't want to spend money on boarding fees, relinquishing their pet to the animal shelter. We watch in disbelief as parents tell their kids as their pet is put into a cage, "Say goodby to Rover or pet Kitty one last time." Then the parents usher the kids out and they go on their happy way. (If the kids seem upset or are crying the parents usually tell us, "Oh they will forget all about it while we are on vacation." This is really teaching children how to be responsible and compassionate, isn't it? I hope you realize I am being facetious.)
I bite my tongue every time this happens, but then I rationalize that it is far better they bring the animal to the shelter, than dump it along some highway or along some desolate road.
Well thanks for allowing me to let off a little steam, it is far better than me growling at people when they do that!
Daisy Scouts Troop #185 wish T.L.C. a Happy Birthday!
Daisy Scout Troop #185 celebrated the shelter's 27th birthday by holding a food drive. Besides collecting from friends and neighbors, they also asked K mart, Dust the Most and Dominicks for supplies and they were happy to oblige. Pictured here are members of the Daisy Troup standing in front of all the food and supplies they gathered.
Tadahhhh! and the winner is....
1st prize: $500.00 shopping spree at Kohls donated by Margaret Blauw of Burr Ridge was won by Cheryl Reichold
2nd prize: A Suite night out! A night's stay at the Essence Suites donated by the Essence Suites of Orland Park and a $50.00 gift certificate to Mr. Benny's Steak and Lobster House donated by Beverly Ermler of Lockport was won by Ron Carey
3rd Prize: Karaoke Machine donated by Frank Dunn of Lockport was won by John Carmichael
4th prize: Fragrance Basket $165.00 value donated by Laura M. Palermo of Lockport was won by Bart Cornwell
5th prize: Silver and amethyst pendant donated by Kathryn Ashe of Orland Park was won by Yvette Houser
6th prize: Diamond cut 14k Gold Bracelet donated by Kathryn Ashe of Orland Park was won by Mary Holous
7th prize: 13" color television donated by Sandi & Parnell O'Brien of Lockport was won by Janice Augle
8th prize: $100.00 Best Buy Gift Certificate donated by International Importers of Chicago was won by Carol Vance
9th prize: $100.00 Best Buy Gift Certificate donated by Mark & Lorrie Cerkvenik of Mokena was won by Ed Palmer
10th prize: Cafe Amore Expresso/cappucino maker donated by Bonnie Pace of Palos Hills was won by Skip Nemecek
11th prize: Cooks Combo! West Bend Bread Maker donated by Sal Maratto of Chicago and a Cooks basket of goodies donated by Mr. & Mrs. Chwierut of Palos Hills was won by Carol Dumas
12th prize: Sterling silver pendant with citrine stone donated by Kathleen Cannella of Bridgeview was won by "Pepe" Mikota but his human companion Jim Mikota accepted the prize on Pepe's behalf
13th prize: Navajo sterling silver pink mussel shell necklace donated by Kathleen Cannella of Bridgeview was won by Linda Dizanni
14th prize: 4 rounds of golf at the Palos Hills Golf Club donated by Janice Augle of Oak Lawn was won by Mike Boghosian
15th prize: Classic gumball machine and stand donated by Frank Dunn of Lockport was won by Jim Wilson
Here is a list of the top 6 sellers beginning with Rob Azzolin who sold $789.00 worth of chances!
WAY TO GO ROB!
Top chance seller wins: 13" color television donated by Sandi & Parnell O'Brien of Lockport was won by Rob Azzolin
2nd place wins: 3 month Power House Gym membership donated by Robyn Colant of Lemont was won by Jim Fennessey (Jim has come in first or second place in sales for several years we might add)
3rd Prize: Sung Perfume tray donated by Laura Palermo of Lockport was won by Diane Carroll
4th Prize: Navajo sterling silver, Malachite and mother of pearl lapis pendant donated by Kathleen Cannella of Bridgeview was won by Sue Lucas
5th Prize: sterling silver & Malachite pendant donated by Kathleen Cannella of Bridgeview was won by Candace Kent
6th Prize: $50.00 best Buy Gift certificate donated by Yvonne Harris of Fort Meyers FL was won by Joy Balcoum
We wish that everyone that bought and/or sold chances could have won a prize, but I think Sue Lucas summed it up beautifully. Sue said, for her it was not a matter of winning a prize, it was about how many animals she was helping with each and every chance she sold, and I think many of you felt the same way.
In closing, we want to thank everyone who participated in the raffle. Your efforts and generosity will provide care for many animals.
Growling, Snapping and Trying to Bite
It was hard to believe a puppy about 6 weeks old would react this way, while his three litter mates cowered when we approached them. The litter was found abandoned in an old shed, so who knows what might have happened to them, but from the way they were reacting we thought they must have been abused. We had to gain their trust and convey that we were not out to hurt them. We spoke softly to them, and stroked them, giving each one a little added T.L.C.. All the pups except the little male started coming around, but he was not going to have any of it. He continued to snarl, bare his teeth, and try to bite if you attempted to touch him.
His litter mates were adopted out one by one, leaving the little male. We knew with him acting the way he was, there wouldn't be too many people who would want to take him home.
We wish we knew what happened to this pup, to make him so distrustful, but one thing for sure, we had our work cut out for us. The puppy continued to growl and snap when we opened his cage, but we did not let all his bravado deter us. He did not realize how persistent we can be. We continued lavishing love on him, like we had done with his sisters, and then some. We even held him on our laps while we answered the phone in the office. Soon the growling let up, and then we thought we saw the tail move a tad. Yup we were right that tail eventually broke into a full blown wag! He was finally ready for adoption.
Although many families looked at the little guy, it was going to take a special family to care for him. Then a very nice couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dragas, had come to adopt a dog, and spied the puppy. They asked if they might be able to hold him, after mentioning that they had an old dog that had died recently. They seemed to be hitting it off well with the pup, as we told them about the puppy's background. Mrs. Dragas said that the dog that had just died had come from a similar situation. The puppy looked up into their faces and wagged his tail. We could see immediately that this would be a perfect match, and Mr. and Mrs. Dragas felt that way too. We just had to share this happy ending with you.
And How Does Our Garden Grow?
Beautifully thanks to the Clover 4-H Group that has been tending it. Jo Ann Kosinski saw our plea for help in the Tribune and recruited the help of the Clovers to take care of it. The group cleaned the flower beds, and readied them for spring planting. When the weather was right, they planted the entire bed too, and bought the mulch for it.
we want to thank Mike Kosinski, Carol Gambara, Meghan Gembara, Billy Gembara, Cathy Gembara, Dave Gembara, Chris Gembara, Joy Zuanella, Albert Zuanella and Jo Ann Kosinski for all their hard work.
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