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By Jill Jedlowski, Reporter
No one's sure what cruel fate befell Phoenix, the scrawny black cat whose nickname was born out of a struggle to overcome daunting odds.
She was brought to TLC Animal Shelter in Homer Glen last month by a good Samaritan.
The cat arrived a mess: emaciated, maimed, missing chunks of hair from her left side and tail. A swollen socket shrouded her eye. Infection plagued her body. All doctors and shelter staff could do was speculate about what caused her disfigurement: Was she burned? Were chemicals spilled on her? Was she mauled? The list goes on.
What caregivers do know, though, is she was somebody's pet. Even when in excruciating pain, she was docile, and did not lash out when bathed and treated for her wounds.
Maybe she got loose and ran away from doting owners.
More likely, she was abandoned.
Recent veterinarian visits were going well, with the good people at TLC hoping Phoenix would be strong enough for adoption in another week or two.
Shelter staff had such faith that they posted her photograph on the shelter's Web site, where the scraggly, sick cat caused a surprising stir.
The sight was too much for at least one person to handle. The shelter got an e-mail condemning the display of what the anonymous author said was an unnecessary, unsightly snapshot.
TLC coordinator Janine Carter defended her decision to include Phoenix's battered mug among the others. Because it was so horrifying was all the more reason to put it out there, under a "warning" heading.
Dozens of e-mails in support for the shelter soon followed.
But the controversy ended Tuesday. Phoenix was dying. She was put to sleep on the advice of her vet.
Let's hope her first eight lives were kinder than her ninth.
"It's got us so depressed," Carter said. "We don't want to see animals suffer for any reason."
Phoenix is just a drop in a flood of abused or mysteriously injured animals of which TLC has seen its share.
"Seeing that, kind of takes its toll," Carter said.
The horror stories are hard to forget.
She remembers the cat who got caught in the middle of a party at a vacant apartment. The feline ended up covered in pink latex paint, which hardened like a cast. She was one of the "lucky" ones because she didn't die.
Last summer, a woman driving past the shelter chucked what appeared to be garbage from her car. The "trash" turned out to be a kitten.
For seriously injured or ill animals that have a realistic chance at survival, TLC has The Bertha Fund. It was created in memory of a pit bull that was brought in, seemingly pregnant. What was thought to be puppies was instead a nest of heartworms feasting on her insides. She died.
The Bertha Fund has been raided lately because of an increase in drop-offs, as well as an influx of abused animals. During a weak economy, a pet can be the first casualty of financial and work-related pressures. When money is tight, some people relieve stress by giving their dog a good kick - or worse.
And sometimes, even loving pet owners have to part with a pet because they can no longer afford the luxury.
So, maybe in some way, some day, you can help TLC or another shelter. Even just a visit could do some good.
But make sure to muster your willpower. If you leave without a new pal in hand, you're stronger than I. Just ask the little tuxedo cat who greets me at the door every night. He and I are the lucky ones.
Reporter Jill Jedlowski can be reached at (815) 729-6055 or via e-mail at jjedlowski@scn1.com.
Email discussion regarding "disturbing" picture of Phoenix on this website