(708)301-1594 
Open 11 am-4 pm Tuesday through Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday webmistress                   |
Winter Issue 2005
Tributes
Winter Woes pale in comparison, but still very real to suffering animals.....
We were fortunate to have been able to enjoy much milder temperatures, for the Midwest the beginning of the winter season, almost spring like. Then the reality check hit us full blast. The temperature plummeted for days on end, with a wind chill well into the negative numbers, then the area was hit with several inches of snow, which created numerous problems we had to cope with. But looking at the overall picture, these problems were miniscule in comparison to the devastating blow the tsunami dealt, with insurmountable destruction and a staggering death toll. But no matter how serious the tragedy, life must go on, and we all have a job to do..... ours is caring for the multitude of homeless animals brought to the shelter each day. The plight of these homeless animals, minor to many in comparison, but very real to the helpless victims. Cruelty does not stop even in the face of a tragedy, even a tragedy as horrific as this one.
We must be there for them .... the mother dog with her two day old puppies, gotten rid of because the owners did not want to be bothered. The half starved cat, who surely would have certainly died had she not been brought to the shelter. The old dog found abandoned by the side of the road, barely able to walk because the pads of his paws were frostbitten. And we cannot forget the adorable six month old pup that had suffered severe spinal and internal damage from being kicked, we were unable to save him. Admittedly none of these poor animals were pictures you would relish seeing, and in the majority of these cases we did not publish them for you to see, because they were too heartbreaking.
But how can these same animals that have endured such terrible situations come across looking so happy and content? Part of the reason is do to our terrific webmistress Sandi O'Brien, (pictured here nearly bowled over with the exuberance and love from three playful pups). Sandi enjoys working with the animals, and tries to photograph them at their very best in hopes to get them adopted in hopes of getting them a loving home. Sandi updates the website religiously, keeping her busy schedule open every Friday afternoon, and even tailoring her paying job around her volunteer activities at TLC. Now that's real dedication and we really appreciate it. Folks tell us all the time that part of their Friday night ritual is gathering around the computer to view the week's update of animals awaiting adoption at the shelter. Even folks who cannot adopt a pet, have said how much enjoyment they get out of seeing these weekly pictures.
Now the other reason all the animals appear so happy and content is because of YOU! Yes, thanks to you, the donations you have made have saved so many of these animals from the streets, sheltered these animals from the cold, put plenty of food in their hungry tummies, and gotten them the medical care they needed. You made an important difference in their lives, which we thank you wholeheartedly for.
The only thing we feel badly about is only being able to share pictures of some of the animals with you. We only wish we could share the sound of the first purr an abused cat makes after we have earned it's trust, or the sweet "doggy kiss" we get from filling a starving dogs belly full of food. The wonderful feeling that wells up inside us at times like this is more than words can express. We want to thank you so much for giving us that privilege, enabling us to help these animals in need.
PS.
Knowing Sandi, if there's any way she can capture those soft kitty purrs or those sweet doggy kisses, and send them to you over the internet, she will!
Photo courtesy of Kat Tempinski, of Sandi caught in action attempting to take the picture of these playful pups.
The kittens were born to a cat that had been abandoned at a factory site. Being born outside kitties had them at a disadvantage from the get go, but there was even a greater danger lurking out there waiting to do harm to them. Someone out there had a hatred for cats, and meant to do them grave harm. Someone had given a deadly blow to the kitten's mother, severe enough to break her back, but let her live long enough to allow her to drag herself back to her two remaining kittens. The other two kittens form the litter had been found brutally killed, by some sick individual who then decapitated them both! People that worked at the factory thought they knew who might have done this to the cat and her kittens, there was only one other house in the area, and the party that lived there was said to hate cats. The sad thing was, there wasn't any proof in order to convict someone of this crime.
The two remaining kittens were gathered up in order to keep them out of harms way, but nobody was able to take them home. Trying to keep the kittens safe, until they could find somewhere to take them, they were harbored in the women's bathroom for two weeks, until they finally called us and we told them we could arrange to get them in immediately.
When we found out what had happened to these kittens, we were appalled as to how anyone could have done anything so macabre. With all the atrocities we have seen done to a multitude of animals in the 30 years of TLC's existence, we are still appalled at how someone could possibly commit such an atrocity. We only wish we knew who had done this so they could be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but we will never know.
Adopting the two kittens out took a little longer than most. It wasn't that people were not interested in either kitten, but we felt with the way they depended on each other and all they had been through, we wanted to see them adopted out together. It was well worth the wait though, as we found a loving family for the pair.
June 4th is the date for TLC's annual raffle, which is also our biggest fundraiser of the year. But in order to make it a success we need donations of GREAT PRIZES! So bring on the "bling bling" baubles, bangles, and beads.
Jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, weekend getaways, state of the art electronics, gift certificates for major retailers are just a few ideas of what helps sell chances.
The more glitz and excitement we can offer, the more chances we can sell, and the more chances we can sell, means the more animals we can help.
The prize must be BRAND NEW
The prize value must be a minimum of $50.00
Prizes must be brought to the shelter no later than March 15th so we can insure that we have the prize in hand before we have the chances printed up.
This would be a good way for your business or group to get some good publicity, since the names of all those who contribute prizes will be printed in the Spring Issue of Paw Prints.
Any questions, please call the shelter at 708-301-1594 between the hours of 11:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday.
Try Floral Alliance and you'll be helping the animals too! Your order can generate anywhere from a $5.00 to a $14.00 contribution to TLC. Next time place your order through Floral Alliance at 1-800-423-5803, and use TLC's code NP-1136 so the shelter receives the donation. Floral Alliance can make up fruit baskets, candy baskets, and gourmet baskets to your specifications. See for yourself by checking out their website: floralalliance.com There are many great gifts there, and if you don't see exactly what you want, they can customize it to your specifications. But please remember to use the shelter's code number when placing your order... thanks!
The animals were ready and waiting
Their Stockings were Hung on the Cages with Care....
and lots of "Santa's Elves" were there,
bringing dog food and cat food and treats galore,
while Shorty and Paula Bickel greeted our friends at the door.
Everyone had a fun time, playing with the animals and the animals enjoyed all of the special attention, along with all the treats and toys they were being given. There were trays of delicious cookies for all of our guests compliments of Elaine Tryjefaczka, Paula Bickel, and PJ Fitzgerald, and hot coffee and cider to go along with it.
We had planned on live entertainment, but due to circumstances beyond our control that fell through, so the animals did their best to provide live entertainment courtesy of the "Canine Chorus" and the "Mew Mew Glee Club". While all of that was going on Annie Coleman held a raffle and raised $115.00! Everyone had a great time!
Photo courtesy of Paula Bickel is of Kathy Pryzbyla & Pal and Judy Kunkel & "Princess" Stinky