T.L.C. Paw Prints Birthday Issue 1998
In Memoriam
Wish List
Happy Birthday to You
Maybe they don't have perfect pitch, but it's certainly music to our ears! They are singing Happy Birthday, because T.L.C. will be 24 years old on April 1st. In all honesty we can say we aren't getting older, we're just getting better... and we will continue to get better every day, thanks to friends like you.
To all of our old friends, who have watched the shelter grow despite the many hard times that we encountered over the years, we thank you for standing by our side. We overcame all sorts of obstacles thanks to you. We wish to thank you for sticking by T.L.C. which at the time was a young struggling organization that was desperately trying to make ends meet to care for homeless animals. We say thanks. This is a special day that belongs to each and every one of you who never let us down.
To all of our new friends we want to thank you for joining us, in our crusade to help these animals, and for doing what you can to assist us in providing these animals with the best possible care. We've got great things planned for the shelter's future, a time of growth, a time to help more animals than ever before. We know with so many wonderful people on our side, all of these plans can become a reality!
Now it's time to blow out the candles and make a big wish!
Christmas Open House
We had alot of fun at the shelter's Christmas Open House. We were able to chat with old friends and new, while the animals relished all the extra attention they were getting.
Helping out for the event were Jim Mikota, Phyllis Klingensmith, P.J. Fitzgerald, Margie and Harry Verlato, and Vicki Tryjefazka. A special thanks goes to Vicki Tryjefazka and her mom for making some delicious liste, and to Margie Verlato for her yummy fudgy bars.
We also decided to hold a mini raffle that day in order to make some extra money for the shelter. The prizes were a Santa basket with a variety of Santas, and an Angel basket that was just heavenly. The lucky winner of the Santa basket was P.J. Fitzgerald, and Becky Steves was the lucky winner of the Angel basket.
We appreciate all the special "Santa's" that made sure our animal friends would have a nice Christmas too, by filling their Christmas stockings with goodies. I thought I overheard Shorty saying "I do believe in Santa, I do, I do!"
Ursula
When we welcome a new companion into our lives, whether it be another human or a new animal friend, it is a time met with great joy, and anticipation of sharing the future together. Needless to say while sharing many good times together, we are unaware of just how fast time passes by, especially when it comes to our pets. An animal's internal clock runs much faster than ours, and the death of a beloved pet, much to our dismay, comes much too soon.
We humans are a funny breed. When death takes someone we love, as much as we wish it were possible, we know there will never be anyone to take their place, even if we searched the world over. Yet, oddly enough, we sometimes feel we can heal the hurt of losing a beloved pet by trying to get one very similar, only to become disappointed, not so much in our new pet, but in ourselves, for expecting what can never again be. I think that is why this lovely story Ina Jacobs wrote about her dog Ursula is so touching. Sometimes we don't realize how much love or importance another living being... be it man or animal... played upon our lives until after they are gone.
Ursula, she was just the opposite of everything I thought a dog should be. She was afraid of so many things, men, children, people in general. She did not want to be touched or petted. She loved to play with other dogs and cats, but she didn't want anything from humans except for food and water, and a soft place to sleep. She didn't play with toys.
Lukie, he is everything I ever wanted a dog to be. Outgoing, smart, protective. Lukie has saved me on two occasions from being mugged in the city. He stopped me from being carjacked once. Lukie does therapy visits in hospitals and nursing homes. He gravitates to people in need. Hey, Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, they are ignorant curs compared to Lukie.
But Ursula, always afraid, always shy. She bit a little boy because he ran too close to her, and she thought he might hurt her. But Ursula always greeted me with joyful abandon if I was gone for any length of time. I wasn't to pet or touch her, but she made me her pack leader, and made me feel as long as I was there, she knew she was safe.
I always said I didn't really like her, but I felt responsible for her. I always thought she never gave me anything. I would watch her running and playing with the other dogs, and see how she loved life. Her fears were forgotten if she was with Lukie, or her doggie friend Cody. She would be so brave when they were with her. And seeing that gave me joy.
I always thought that she gave me nothing, but if I had given up on her, if I had put her to sleep when she bit that little boy, I never would have known Lukie. I never would have met Morgan and Tammy, and become godmother to their youngest daughter. I never would have worked at T.L.C. and met all the great people connected with the shelter.
Ursula. I always thought she gave me nothing, but when she lived with my mother and had to be taken outside, she forced my mother to go outside and see people, to talk to and interact with them, and not stay closed up in her apartment, away from the world. So she relieved me of the worry that my mother was isolated. When she came to visit, Ursula would greet me and her face and body language told me she knew everything would be all right because I was there, and I would protect her and make her a happy dog.
Ursula. I always felt guilty about her. I adopted her as a 12 week old puppy for all of the wrong reasons. I wanted her to replace my old Derak dog, who died and left a hole in my life.
Ursula never wanted to be touched or petted, she never wanted to cuddle, but she wanted to be near me. She demanded my protection. When I moved to an apartment that would only let me keep one dog, it was no contest, Lukie came with me, Ursie stayed with my mother. I felt guilty about that, but I told myself, "Well that's silly, I didn't abandon her, I didn't get rid of her, and she doesn't love me, and I never really liked her anyway."
Ursula, yeah, she never gave me anything, nothing but an introduction to people who are so important now in my life. She gave me nothing, but if she hadn't bitten that little boy, and I never found a kennel to board her until I moved out of that neighborhood, I never would have known Lukie.
Ursula, she never gave me anything but total trust in my ability to protect and care for her. I made a commitment to her out of responsibility, not really love. She gave me an introduction to good and true friends. She made me feel needed and as if I were the most important person in her universe.
When my father died and I spent six months laying on the couch staring at the ceiling, Ursula was there, needing to be cared for, needing to be taken out for walks. Needing me to get up off that couch and go outside. If she hadn't been there, I'd never have left the house. I had to get up and dressed every day and take care for her. And then I realized I had to take care of myself.
Ursula, she never protected me. Never comforted me, never wanted to play or be petted or cuddled. She never gave me anything, but the trust she would be safe because I would take care of her and protect her, and what greater gift is there than that?
written by Ina Jacobs
Prayer for the Animals
The Mosna family sent us this beautiful prayer. Even if you have seen it before, I think you would enjoy reading it again.
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering, for any that are hunted or lost, or deserted or frightened, or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Your mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us ourselves to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
Albert Schweitzer
