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Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
Where in the world is Homer Glen?
Hi!I'm going to need this, and I better pack that, I just hope I don't forget to take everything I'll need, when we move. I didn't realize I had so many things to box up. Sam, do you have all of your stuff boxed up yet?
Not really Shorty, I'm so stressed out about this, I really don't want to move, say it isn't so.
If I hadn't heard our people friends say that we will no longer be in Lockport, but in the town of Homer Glen, I wouldn't have believed it myself. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. That's why I started boxing my things up now, why prolong the inevitable, but you're right, this has me very depressed. This is my home, I don't want to move. I sure am going to miss this place, but I know I'm not the only one. Just take a look at Tiny, he is so down in the mouth he is just laying in the box he was supposed to be putting his things in.
We will too Shorty, but our people friends never let us down and I'm sure they won't this time.
You're right Sam, lets try to look on the bright side of this.
"Hey guys, why so glum, and what are you doing packing up all of those boxes? it looks like you have everything you own in them."
Don't try to hide anything from me, I heard you talking to Carol from Park Graphics.
"Shorty, the only thing I said to Carol about pertained to the things we needed to have printed."
That's not all you were talking about, you can't pull the wool over my eyes.
"I don't understand what in the world you are talking about."
You can't hide it from me.
"Hide what, Shorty? I don't understand a thing you're saying, and if anything it'ds you who owe me an explanation as to why you are packing up everything you own!"
I overheard what you said when you were ordering more letterheads and envelopes. You asked Carol if she could change the address from Lockport to Homer Glen. Then you told her to make the same change on any printing that needed to be done in the future. Now that sure sounds like we're moving to me!
"Shorty I know it may sound that way to you, but read my lips, we are not and I emphasize NOT moving. Perhaps if you had not been half awake, you would have heard the rest of my conversation with carol, and understood what was going on. So here's the explanation in a nutshell. The area we are in has now become its own town called Homer Glen. Nothing has changed as far as the Shelter goes except the slight change in our street address. Our address will still be 13016 West 151st street, only now it will be Homer Glen, Illinois, 60491. Now guys, go unpack your stuff, because none of you are going anywhere."
Phew that's a big relief! I just hope all of our people friends don't get confused.
"I'm sure they'll figure it out."
And what about our mail carrier and the post office won't they be confused?
"Shorty, I assure you they have everything under control."
Then what about Santa Claus, you know Christmas will be here before we know it?
"I'll drop Santa a line at the North Pole and let him know too. Shorty, what am I going to do with you?"
Right now, I hope you will feed me, all that packing made me work up an appetite.
"Ok I will but where's the can opener?"
Uhoh this is an emergency I gotta run. I don't remember which box I put the can opener in!
Love, Shorty
PS
I just want to remind everyone that I will gladly taste test any new cake or cookie recipe you may want to try for this year's craft show and bake sale.
"SHORTY!!!!"
You can't blame a guy for trying!
Buster Brown's Happy Ending
I've been wanting to write you for some time now and after I read Sadie's Tale I just had to take the time to write you. There's so much that I would like to say, but I'll try to keep it as short as possible. First I would like to THANK the people at TLC for caring so much and for what they do. I would also like to say that I'm glad that Melanie and her family hung in there with Sadie and gave her a chance and a good home.
We lost our dog a year ago and I thought that I wouldn't want (let alone get) another dog for a very long time because it hurt so much (and still does) and he was the best "puppy" ever. But about six months later I started going into TLC more, bringing the "kids" goodies and checking out their website every Friday. There were a lot of dogs that I felt badly for, and wished that I could take home, but there was one that I told my husband about that I had seen week after week on your website and went to take a look at her. Her name was Sadie and I wanted to adopt her. My husband said that he didn't want another dog right now because he felt that our older dog wouldn't adjust too well, and she seemed to be o.k. by herself. Anyway I said just go look at Sadie and if you don't like her fine. He said no so I kind of gave up. In a few days I went back to bring the "kids" some more goodies and didn't see Sadie there anymore so I asked about her. I was told a nice family came in along with their dog and adopted Sadie. I was so happy to hear that because I knew that she had been at the Shelter for quite a long time. As we were talking I also found out that someone had come in asking about Sadie and stated that if for any reason things didn't work out and that she was brought back to please give him a call. I found out later the man who left his name for Sadie was my husband, much to my surprise!
Well there is a little more to this story that I would like to say. There is another happy ending because about 8 months ago, I adopted Buster Brown. I'm sure those of you who watch TLC's website will remember him. I was just about ready to give up on the idea of adopting a dog when I saw Buster Brown's picture. When I first saw his picture he was recuperating from eye surgery, and didn't look "cute" to most people at the time, I had to take a look at him. The minute I saw him I knew that he was going to get me in "trouble" because he had "touched" my heart in a way that no other dog I had seen there did and I was pretty sure that we were going to be his new "parents"! I told my husband about him and to go take a look at him, his response once again was no. So I sent my husband an email from Buster Brown with a little "note" from him. I knew that is all it would take in order to bring Buster Brown home. Just as I had thought Buster Brown is quite a "character". He makes us laugh all of the time, because of the silly thing he does, and I'm so glad that he's a part of our family. It took awhile for our other dog to come around and accept Buster, and now they are the best of friends. It goes without saying my husband enjoys Buster as much as I do. Buster can never replace our other dog (I didn't want him to), but he sure has brought a great deal of joy to our lives. It is hard to believe how anyone could have given Buster up, but on the other hand I am so glad they did because he is apart of our family now.
Patty Robinson
We have lost an important VIP Member, "Baby" Coleman
We all feel our pets are very special...
but Baby a little white Poodle went beyond being a companion to Annie Coleman, she was a companion to so many, a very special little dog, with a very big heart.
Baby, a TLC alumnae, had been adopted from the Shelter by Annie about 12 years ago. It didn't take Annie long to realize that Baby had so much love to give, that it would be a shame not to share that love with others and bring some happiness into the lives of other folks who could not have a pet.
It is true that Baby was a VIP member, but Baby and Annie were making the rounds of nursing homes, senior centers and hospice long before the TLC VIP group was ever formed. Baby would go several times a week to sit on people's laps or perhaps lay with them in their beds, and she would give people kisses, never really licking anyone but coming within an inch within their face, which would delight them.
It goes without saying how much Annie misses her little canine buddy, but when others heard the news they wept too. A little dog with so much love to give has now crossed that Rainbow Bridge and I'm sure she is bringing joy to the folks that she would visit who have passed on before her. We all miss this special little dog, the eptiomy of what a VIP companion should be.
Bertha Fund in need of a boost
The "Bertha Fund" as we call it has helped many animals in need of surgery or other more extensive medical care. From heartworm, tumors amongst other serious illnesses and injuries, the fund has served it's purpose well.
But the problem we face now is that in helping so many animals the Fund itself is ailing, and needs a financial boost. WIthout the finances needed, we cannot continue to carry on helping animals with the more serious problems. Any donation no matter how large or small will be grately appreciated, and will be going to a very good cause.
Thank you
Did I See what I thought I saw?
Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, it is just the wonderful creativity of our webmistress Sandi O'Brien, at work. People have told us they have had to do a double take when looking at the pictures of the pets for adoption at TLC. You might see eyes blink, a tail wag, or even a spider dangle as Sandi creates new ways to add, a touch of fun and greater interest in the website to grab your attention.
Even if you can't adopt a pet right now, you might know someone who is and you can let them know what is available for adoption. It is also a great way to see all the animals that your donations are helping to provide care for, animals that might now have stood a chance at any future at all if it were not for you.
I think Sandi deserves a big round of applause for keeping the website updated and interesting in so many ways. If you've never seen the website here's the address: tlcanimalshelter.org
enjoy
TLC Carwash made $1480.00!
The Animal Care Clinic of Homer Glen once again was magically transformed into a very busy car wash for one day. The following folks volunteered to get up to their elbows in suds: Ed and Jen Frayne, Kim Barton, Jim, Diane, Sharon, Cindy and Jeff Endebak, Shawn Gallogher, Kathryn and Ryan Kittler, Kylie Gullett, Carol Creech, Vicki Tryjefaczka, Eric Morris, Mark Kosinski, Mark Karkula, Dr. Kate Ball, and Sheila Tyler. In all they washed 101 vehicles We also want to thank Dr. O'Brien for allowing the car wash, supplying all the cleaners, and for his generous donation to bring the grand total to $1480.00!
VIP Members help demonstrate Safety around animals at the Lemont Safety Village
Our TLC VIP members are a wonderful group of volunteers that make regular visits to senior centers, hospice, and assisted living residences to brighten up the day for the residents (and for the staff in many instances too).
This time VIP members Jennifer Ward and Claire Conrath, made visits to the Lemont Safety Village to teach children safety around animals. Jennifer and Claire with their gentle giants Bernie a St. Bernard and Diamond a Great Dane showed children in the 6 to 8 year old age group how to prevent from being bitten. Children especially in this age group are bitten frequently because of their spontaneous actions. Many will run up to a dog or cat they are unfamiliar with and try to pet it, which is why so many of them get bitten. Jennifer and Claire portrayed the right way to act around animals.
We want to thank Jennifer and Claire for the great job they did, and an extra pat on the head for Diamond and Bernie, for their part in the program.
Sure Fire Skunk Odor Removal
Here's a recipe you might want to tuck away for safe keeping!
Mix the following together:
1 quart Hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid soap
Soak the dog with water and then work the solution into a thick lather on the dog. Leave the lather on for 3 to 5 minutes then rinse, making sure not to get any of the solution in the dogs eyes. Works on people too!