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Open 11 am-4 pm Tuesday through Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday webmistress                   |
Winter Issue 2006
Tributes
The Number of Animals in Need of TLC was Staggering
The nice warm days of summer lingered on through the month of October and November followed suit with record breaking warm temperatures for that time of the year. We were lulled into thinking that the mild weather would last indefinitely, that is until the reality check set in and the temperatures plummeted into the single digits. The frigid temps remained with us throughout the month, making this one of the coldest Decembers in the past 55 years according to the statistics and here I sit writing this on December 21st the first day of the winter solstice with 3 long cold winter months lying ahead .... the deadliest months for homeless animals.
Although folks were concerned about the stray and abandoned cats and dogs they had seen in their area, with the milder temperatures, the urgency to bring the animals to the shelter did not seem as crucial ..... but nothing could have been further from the truth. When the bottom fell out those 60 degree temperatures abruptly dropped into the low 20's, making the plight of the homeless animals attempting to stay warm, futile as the sleet and snow pelted their bodies. We knew these conditions were prime for these animals to contract upper respiratory infections and pneumonia .... something we knew would hit and it would hit these cats and dogs hard.
Suddenly our phone lines were swamped with folks desperate to get these animals in to TLC. On the opposite side of the coin, the sheer numbers of animals in need of our help was staggering, which posed a greater problem for the shelter, as in the children's story about "The Old Woman in the Shoe," we now had so many cats and dogs we didn't know what to do, but we didn't have the heart to turn any of these helpless animals away, knowing their chances of survival would be nil if we didn't take them. Our cat cages were filled to capacity, and the dog kennels were at their max,(luckily adoptions were going well.) But our major problem was the isolation room which was nearly bursting at the seams with dogs, cats, kittens and puppies that were brought in with upper respiratory infections, and pneumonia, some so sick we feared they would not make it.
With the Shelter packed to capacity, and so many sick animals to treat, we were all beginning to feel stressed out. The workload seemed to be doubled due to the extra medicating that needed to be done several times a day, the snotty noses that needed to be cleaned as well as matted eyes, and the diarrhea that had to be dealt with, you can see it was not a picnic. Then there was the extra cleaning needed to keep things sanitary and avoid spreading germs. In the end we felt all the extra effort was well worth while as one by one each animal was well enough to be brought out of the isolation room and ready for adoption.
We couldn't have helped all of these animals if it were not for you. To provide this care has been very costly to say the least. It seemed like we were going through antibiotics and cough medications like water, and the bill increased even more with dogs and cats that needed further veterinary care. Of course we had to keep the building warm, especially for those animals that were sick, so on top of all the other bills we had a $645.00 heating bill for one month. We don't know what we would have done had it not been for your generosity. Your benevolence to the Bertha Fund have helped to save the lives of many animals, animals that surely would have died if they had not gotten the TLC they needed. There are many more animals out there in dire need of your help, their lives are in our hands. Through your continued support, we can work as a team to save them.
As the volunteer webmistress for TLC, I see animals every week that tug on my heart as I take their photograph for the weekly update. Little Lilac, a Chihuahua/terrier mix, was one of these. She came to TLC as one of a houseful of Chihuahua mix dogs that had been poorly cared for. Many had health problems, including heartworm and kennel cough. But despite their bad beginning, all were sweet and loving, so I wasn't too worried about them finding good homes. Lilac was soon adopted, and I put her out of my mind.
A few weeks later, while taking my weekly photographs, there was Lilac. She had been diagnosed with glaucoma, and the vet had recommended removal of her sightless eye. Her new family could not handle the expense and the stress of it so back she had come to TLC.
I had been thinking of adopting another dog as a companion for Eliot, our 14 year old Basset Hound. He had never been without another dog around, and his last friend, Tess the Collie, had just passed on. Eliot had become fearful of other dogs ever since some strange dogs had roughed him up during one of our walks, so I wanted a companion that would not intimidate him. Lilac fit the bill - she was timid and tiny - so she joined our family.
The surgery was successful, and Lilac is doing fine with one eye. She needs medication for glaucoma, but other than that she is a healthy happy girl. We nicknamed her Cat-dog because she is so light on her feet and graceful, she stretches like a cat, she sits on chair arms, and she plays with very small objects. Eliot likes his new girlfriend too. They sleep together, go on walks together, and guard our property.
TLC has meant the beginning of a new and better life for countless animals in need like Lilac and her housemates. My husband and I will continue to help the shelter in any way that we can, because each of these animals is precious, and deserves a good home and a happy ending.
Sandi & Parnell O'Brien
The Shelter was in its holiday best inside and out, with Santa's and wreathes and Christmas stockings that had been hung with care, all decked out for our Christmas Open House. To help with the festivities Sandi O'Brien our Webmistress and VIP members Judy Kunkle, Annie Coleman, Amy and Mary Ann Lukas, Kathy Przybyla with Pal and Princess Stinky were there to meet and greet people. Even the animals felt the excitement of the day as people poured in with gifts and treats for them.
We spent an enjoyable day talking to all of our new friends and reminising with folks that have been friends of TLC for years. Even some of past TLC residents like 'Hunter' Ruttle, who was adopted 12 years ago, stopped in to say 'hi' or should I have said 'woof', to let us know what a great life he has with his family. Thanks one and all! for a great time.
Amy Lucas and "Pal" Przybyla donned Santa hats for the event. Photo courtesy of Sandi O'Brien
We are still selling the Golden Opportunities Books at the Shelter, but time is running out! Sales will be drawing to a close within the next few weeks on these money saving coupon books. They are $25.00 a piece, and are filled to the brim with money saving coupons for fine dining, fast food, entertainment, and goods and services.
* We can ship one to you for an additional $5.00 and $3.00 for each additional book if they are all going to the same address.