(708)301-1594 
Open 11 am-4 pm Tuesday through Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday webmistress                   |
Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
HO! HO! HO! and Merry Christmas!
Hi!Uhoh! There's not going to be a lot of Ho Ho Ho's around here when my people friends find out that I don't fit into my Santa suit.
Shorty how did that happen? Did it shrink?
I wish that were the case. When my people friends are upset about the Shelter's finances like they have been, I get upset too and I eat and eat and eat! Now look at the mess I'm in.
Shorty what are you going to do? They're going to find out about it sooner or later.
Not if I can help it! As you can see I've worked very hard getting everything just right for the Christmas Open House, which will make our people friends happy.
Yes everything looks great, but what are you going to do about the Santa suit?
I've got that taken care of too.
What are you talking about Shorty?
I'm holding Santa tryouts today.
Oh Shorty you are so smart! Slurrrrrp!
Sam I appreciate your accolades but stop with the dog kisses, YUCK! Exactly why I always say 'dogs drool, cats rule.' Now come outside with me, to get things ready for the tryouts.
"Where is everyone, it's so quiet in here? And what a surprise, all the decorations are up, the shelter looks great, and the puppies and kittens have been on their best behavior ..... hmmmm, this is too good to be true. Not once have the puppies knocked over the Christmas tree, and the only things hanging from the branches are the ornaments .... not the kittens! Even the Christmas stockings are hung like I had wanted, and I never had to lift a finger or clean up any messes - unbelievable! But still, as perfect as things appear, I can't help feeling that there is something wrong with this picture, and I now that I look around I see who is missing from this whole scenario .... Shorty! On top of it I have looked high and low for him and even resorted to running the can opener, which always gets his attention .... but even the whrrrrrr of the can opener did not make him come running, now that's odd, what could he be up to?"
"I knew this quiet couldn't last for long, what's all that ruckus outside, I think I better check it out."
"Shorty! What's going on out here and why is there a sign out front saying: Santa try outs today 1:00 P.M. bring your own Santa suit? Shorty, you have some explaining to do, and while you're at it tell me why are there a bunch of dogs and cats in the side yard, dressed in Santa suits?"
This was was supposed to be a surprise ... We were holding Santa tryouts, and I told them to practice their Ho Ho Ho's since that's a very important part of playing Santa for the kittens and puppies.
"Shorty you always enjoyed playing Santa, what gives?"
I just thought it might be nice to have a change this year.
"I know we can't have Sam or Stinky do it because we don't have a Santa suit to fit them, and besides they're both girls. But I think Tiny could make a good Santa."
That's true, Tiny would make a very good Santa but since we are about the same size he wouldn't fit into the Santa suit either. OOOPS!
"Ah hah! The cat's out of the bag, now I know what all this is about. Shorty, why didn't you just tell me that the Santa suit didn't fit?"
I didn't say anything because I thought you would be upset, since it's my fault it doesn't fit. I didn't want to add the expense of getting a new Santa suit on top of all of the rest of the bills.
"Shorty I don't want you to worry about the bills, that's my job. Our friends have always been there for the Shelter, and all the animals. Shhhhh did you hear that? Sounds like sleigh bells to me."
It sounds like sleigh bells to me too, and it sounds like the sleigh just landed on our roof! Could it be the real thing?
"Real what?"
Santa of course! You do believe in Santa don't you?
"Of course I do Shorty, it's because of all our 'Special Santas' that TLC can help so many homeless animals, and that in itself is a miracle!"
Hey! Someone left a new Santa suit that's just my size at the door! It can only happen if you believe in miracles ..... and I do!
Love,
Shorty
PS
Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night!
You are Cordially Invited to Attend
T.L.C. Animal Shelter's Annual Holiday Open House
When: Saturday December 13th
Time: 1:00 P.M. until 3:30 P.M.
Where: at the T.L.C. Animal Shelter located at 13016 West 151st Street, Homer Glen
Attire: Casual (Santa hat optional)
The animals at TLC, have hung their stockings with care,
In hopes that "Santa's helpers" will be putting toys and goodies in there.
Come spend an enjoyable afternoon visiting the animals and sharing the joy of the holiday season with us.
Refreshments will be served
and live music will be performed
For further information call 708-301-1594
Winter Shows no Mercy
On those below zero days, most of us venture outside only when necessary, and if we do need to venture out, we pile on layers of clothes, pull on those warm gloves and hat. But most of us would prefer sitting around a roaring fire, drinking hot chocolate as we watch the snowflakes fall.
But what about the dog that lives outside? Some of these poor "outside dogs" don't even have a dog house to try to break those bone chilling winds.
You see one in every community, a dog tied day after day to a back porch or fence, lying lonely on a pad of bare, packed dirt. The waterbowl.... if there is one, is usually empty or just out of reach. Abandoned but chained up, backyard dogs cannot move to comfort or shelter, or companionship. In winter, they shiver, in summer they are panting from the hot sun .... year round they suffer.
Of course, dogs can be forced to live outside, alone and away from their human pack, but to force this kind of life on a dog is one of the worst things you can do. Being alone goes against a dogs basic instinct. If you doubt this, think of all the whining, barking, clawing dogs you have seen tied outside. These dogs are desperately trying to get the attention of their human families.
People who keep their dogs constantly tied outside rationalize it, saying that they do spend time with them. But even the most well-meaning among them do not spend significant time with their animal companions. Under the best of circumstances, the backyard dog gets a bowl of food and water, a quick pat on the head and maybe a few minutes of contact with another living being each day.
Dogs can offer people the gifts of steadfast devotion, abiding love and joyful companionship. Unless people accept these offerings and take the time to return them in kind, it would be best not to get a dog. A sad, lonely bewildered dog tied out back only suffers, and what sort of person wants to maintain suffering?
Bertha Fund... Saving Lives
The "Bertha Fund" was established as a memorial to a wonderful stray dog (that was beyond medical help) so other animals could be saved, and your contributions to the fund are helping to do just that. A litter of seven pups are alive today, because of the medical care this fund made possible.
Someone had done their best to insure the pups would not survive, by putting them in a burlap bag and tied it up tightly so they would be unable to get out. They then threw the burlap bag over the fence at a construction yard, leaving the fate of the puppies sealed to the guard dogs on patrol. The dogs were growling and barking their heads off, and normally this meant someone was tampering with the heavy equipment. One of the workers ran out to see what was going on, and noticed that the dogs were standing over a burlap bag, a burlap bag that was moving, with whimpering noises coming from it. He quickly opened the bag and out popped 7 little heads! The pups were in such bad shape, and knowing they were in danger left at the construction yard, he brought them to TLC.
The pups were stunted, and at first glance appeared to be three weeks old, but actually were about six weeks old. Although they were eating on their own, their overall condition was deplorable. The pups were severely emaciated, and they all had the same severe skin condition. This was due to a bacterial infection which had caused areas of missing hair, reddened skin and oozing sores, all due to the filthy conditions they had been kept in. We did not hold out much hope for any of the pups, but we had to give them a chance.
The pups were put on antibiotics which needed to be administered twice daily and a course of medicated baths that needed to be given weekly for five weeks. The first week was the roughest, each day we wondered if we were going to lose any of the pups, but they seemed to have one thing going for them, the will to live. By the second week we began noticing some improvement, but the puppies were still not out of the woods. It took five weeks of continued medical treatment, before the pups were healthy, and ready for adoption.
Thanks to the Bertha Fund, this litter of puppies was able to be saved. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you who so generously contributed to the fund to help these animals, we sincerely appreciate it.
Do you have what it takes to be a VIP?
We have a few openings for those interested in becoming a part of the TLC VIP group. The VIP members bring an animal to visit senior citizens homes, hospice and residents that reside at centers for those with various physical and mental disabilities. It is the bright spot in the day for many of these residents, who for one reason or another cannot have a pet of their own.
But being a VIP member is more than a "want to be", it is a commitment, because the residents look forward to the visits and not being there is a tremendous let down to them.
We need people who are:
Compassionate, have one to two hours a week to donate, are committed, and are self motivators
If you think you have what it takes please contact us at 708-301-1594.
As Shorty would say, TLC Cookbooks make Purrrfect stocking stuffers and the price is right!
Choose from Volume I, II or III or better yet take all 3 to make a super gift for those who enjoy cooking. They make nice stocking stuffers or an affordable gift for friends and neighbors. They also make great gifts for newlyweds or for bridal showers.
There are nearly 400 recipes in each volume and the recipes are tried and true family favorites, donated by other animal lovers like yourself. Volume III is really unique because it also has a section of recipes for people who like to cook for their pets! While you're at it don't forget to get a set for yourself, you'll be glad you did.
Be sure to mark your calendar and get your tickets early
February 14th, 2004 is the date set for this years Cosmic Candlelight Bowl which will once again be held at Strike & Spare II in Lockport. There are only 228 tickets available and last year was a total sellout! It is $25.00 a person which includes dinner and a fun night of bowling. There will also be "Split the Pot" and other raffles and also a silent auction.
* note refunds cannot be given if you change your mind or are unable to make it, as we have to prepay for each lane(s) reserved for you and for the food that has been ordered from the caterer for you.