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Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
We're Celebrating 30 Years of Providing TLC!
Hi!
TLC is celebrating it's 30th birthday April 1st! My people friends say it is hard to believe that so many years have passed already! Lets see if TLC is 30 years old, that would make my people friends..."Shorty, I'm sure nobody cares how old we are."
Oh I'm sure they'd like to know. Hmmmmm, should I figure that out in human years or animal years?
"Shorty, enough already. You have more important things to tell our people friends."
To me and my buddies the Shelter's 30th birthday is very important. I don't know if all our friends know this, but without TLC I would be homeless, so would my buddies Stinky, Sam and Tiny let alone over 100,000 cats, dogs and various other animals that have found refuge at TLC during the past 30 years. I remember when my owner brought me to TLC, I was very sad, and I waited every day for her to come back and get me, but she never did... she never even called to see how I was.
"Shorty that is so sad.."
There's not any reason to feel sorry for me, as a matter of fact being brought to TLC was one of the best things to happen to me.
That's true for us too, Shorty! We have a lot of good friends out there to thank for all this. We wouldn't be here today if it hadn't been for their caring and generosity to keep TLC's doors open to so many animals... us included!
I don't know what would have happened to all of us if there were no TLC. Sam did you have anything you wanted to add? You look like you are going to start salivating.
SLURRRRP! That about sums it up. Now is it time for cake?
Sam, what was that supposed to mean, what kind of thank you was that?
I know I'm not as eloquent as you are when it comes to expressing myself, and I could never put into words how grateful I am to our friends for all they've done for us and for TLC. I only hope that they understand how we feel. Anyway, since words evade me, I thought I would do the next best thing and send them a big kiss, just like this...SLURRRRP!
YUCK! Sam, you didn't have to demonstrate on me!
Sorry I just got carried away! Now is it time for cake?
Sam, is that all you can think about?
Well, you don't want the cake to get stale, do you?
Come to think of it Sam, you have a very good point. It wouldn't be right to serve our friends a cake that wasn't up to par. I don't think it would hurt if we tried a little dab of frosting from here and there, anyway we can put candles in those spots to cover them up.
"SHORTY! What are you doing?"
Who me? Uhhhhh I was just about to put the candles on the cake.
"Hmmmmm that's funny I don't see any candles, only some frosting on your paws and on your nose."
Well I was making a little indentation to mark the spot where each candle is supposed to go, and I must have gotten a little on my nose when I went to clean the frosting off of my paws.
"Shorty, I am not even going to go there, all I know is something told me I better buy two cakes."
Oh that's good, can I mark the spots where the candles are supposed to go on the other cake?
"No Sam! If anyone is going to mark the spots I am! Oh now look what you made me do, I stuck my fingers right in the cake!"
Slurrrrp!
"Sam, what did you do that for?"
I was just cleaning off your fingers! You don't want to have our guests see that you had your fingers in the cake!
"UGH I give up! Guys, just tell our friends how thankful we are for their support the past 30 years."
We're already one step ahead of you.
Now is it time for cake?
"Okay, I can see you're anxious to dig into that cake, so I'll light the candles, and you turn out the lights. Now time to make a wish for TLC."
As spokescat for all the critters, I want to wish TLC a bright future, hoping to see TLC grow even bigger and better so as to enable even more animals to find help at TLC! Time to blow out the candles! WHOOSH!
"Now I'll turn on the lights. Hey where is everyone, where's the cake? SHORTY! I should have known they wouldn't forget that the Shelter's birthday also falls on April Fool's Day!"
Uhoh gotta run! The only thing I can say is the devil made us do it!
Love,
Shorty
PS.
See you at the walkathon June 5th, where dogs drool and cats rule!
We are here to help not judge
We have often heard people remark, "I don't know how you do it, how can you stand seeing people give up their pets, it would make me so angry." We reply, we are not here to judge the person, we are there to be of service, with our foremost concern, the welfare of the animal. We would much rather an animal that cannot be kept any longer by the owner be brought to the shelter, than have it end up abandoned alongside the road, or given to anyone who would take it irregardless if they could give the animal proper care or not. I am only grateful that I am not the one in some of these situations, which would force me to give up my pet. Yes, some of the reasons may seem petty to some of us, but then there are other situations that would bring tears to your eyes. Regardless, we are here to help the animals, and try to provide emotional support for those who have to relinquish them.
The following letter touched our hearts and made us feel like a job well done.
May I express my thanks to you for making a really traumatic experience for my daughter and her family much easier because of your kindness and compassion.
Gretzky has always been a delightful being, far more human than some of the people I have known in life. He is bright funny, loving, loyal, and was a part of an era in my family's history that I shall always cherish. He was, and I guess will always be, the greatest "grandpup" ever.
I had to believe that he was needed elsewhere, and the fact that he was adopted so quickly speaks well for him, and even more so for TLC. I am enclosing a small donation as a token of appreciation, not only for what you did for Gretz and his family, but because I so thoroughly admire and adhere to the philosophy which your shelter operates by.
Sincerely,
Myra Walker
Chicagoland Dog Parks
With the weather turning nicer it's time to enjoy the outdoors with your canine buddy. Dog parks have become very popular especially with apartment and condo dwellers, that not only allows you a great place to exercise and play with your dog, it also allows you to meet fellow animal lovers. Sandi O'Brien has compiled a list of area dog parks within a 50 mile radius of TLC.
Addison: DuPage County Dog Training Area, 1 mile south of Army Trail on Swift Road
Batavia: Fermilab Dog Training Area, Fermilab campus, cross streets at Kirk and Pine
Chicago: Rainbow Beach Dog Exercise Park, 76th to 79th Street off South Shore Drive, 312-742-3647
Chicago: Warren Park Dog Exercise Area, bounded by Pratt Blvd. and Western, Seeley and Arthur 312-742-3647
Chicago: Marine Dog Friendly Park, Marine Drive and Lawrence adjacent to Margate Park 312-742-3647
Chicago: Calumet Beach and Dog Park, 95th Street to 103rd Street 312-742-3647
Chicago: Lincoln Park Dog Exercise Area 312-742-3647
Chicago: Loyola-Leone Beach, just off Road at Touhy and Greenleaf Avenue 312-742-3647
Chicago: North Avenue Dog Beach, North Avenue off Lake Shore Drive 312-742-3647
Chicago: Wiggley Field, 2600 N. Sheffeld Avenue 773-348-2832
Chicago: Doggie Beach, Recreation and Lake Shore Drive 312-742-3647
Chicago: Winnemac Park Lincoln Square, 5002 N. Leavitte Street 312-742-5101
Chicago: Belmont Park located on Recreation Drive and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago: Coliseum Park located on 14th Street and Wabash Avenue
Chicago: Dog Lot located at New Orleans Street and Ohio Street
Chicago: Hamlin Park, 3100 North Damen Avenue
Chicago: Promontory Point, 5491-93 South Shore Drive
Chicago: Walsh Park 1741 N Marshfield
Chicago: Wicker Park located at Damen and Wicker Park Avenue
Crestwood: Conkey Forest Preserve located at 135th and Central
Evanston: Evanston Dog Beach, Sheridan and Church Street Launch 312-742-3647
Evanston: Main/McCormick Dog Park located at Main and McCormick Avenue
Glendale Heights: East Branch Reservoir Dog Exercise Area off Swift Road, North of Route 64 630-933-7200
Glenview: Beck Lane Forest Preserve at Central and East River Road
Hanover Park: Mallard Lake Dog Park, Lawrence Avenue west of Gary 630-933-7200
Highland Park: Golf Learning Center A Winter Dog Park, 2205 Skokie Valley Road 40 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan 847-433-3422
Highland Park: 1390 Sunset Road, 847-831-3810
Hoffman Estates: Cook County Dog Training Area, Higgens and Wickham Roads 312-742-3647
Homewood: Rover's Run located in Apollo Park
Lake Forest: Dog Park located on Waukegan Road north of half Day Road
Lake Forest: Blackwell south of Mack Road on the west branch of the DuPage River
Libertyville: Dog Training Area, Route 21 1/2 mile north of Route 137 847-367-6640
Lindenhurst: Duck Farm Dog Area located Route 32 Grand Avenue between Route 45 and Route 83 west of Interstate 94
Naperville: Springbrook Prairie Dog Training Field, off Plainfield-Naperville Road, 1/4 mile south of 75th Street
Oakbrook: Mayslake Dog Training Area located on Route 83 and 31st Street
Orland Park: Simson Meadow 7220-7800 W 167th Street across from Centennial Park
Park Ridge: Paws Park 2800 Oakton Street
Plainfield: Van Horn Dog Park located on Van Horn Park East near NW Frontage and Caton Farm Road
Shorewood: Hammel Woods located east of Route 59 and west of Essington Road on Black Road 815-727-8700 or go to www.fpdwc.org
Warrenville: Blackwell Forest Preserve Dog Exercise Area, 3 S 580 Naperville Road 630-933-7248
Wauconda: Lakewood Forest Preserve Dog Run, Fairfield Road just north of Route 176 630-933-7200
Waukegan: Larsen Nature Preserve Dog Exercise Area, 1720 Western Avenue 312-742-3647
Wayne: Pratts Wayne Woods Dog Training Field, East of Powis Road 630-933-7200
Many of these dog parks are open from dawn to dusk. Where possible we have listed the phone numbers for the parks so you can get firsthand information. Some of the parks are free of charge whereas others require that you purchase a permit.
Dog parks can be a wonderful way to enjoy the companionship of your canine buddy, but there are common rules of courtesy you should remember. Read the rules posted when first entering the park. Although most dog parks are fenced you still need to bring a leash with and your dog has proper identification attached to his collar. Make sure your dog is dog friendly. Have him up to date on his vaccinations. Absolutely no female dogs in heat should be brought to the park. Dogs should be kept on a leash in children's play areas. If the park has a pond/lake bring along a couple of bath towels to dry your dog off with. Bring a bowl for your dog and water since not all of the parks have water facilities. The one point stressed at all of the parks was not to forget your pooper scoopers and sacks to pick up after your pet. Leaving dog waste behind ruins it for everyone, and may make city fathers rethink the dog park idea.
Good Food, Good Friends and Lots of Fun and Laughter made for a great time for all
TLC's 2nd Annual Candlelight Cosmic Bowl, that was held at Strike and Spare II was another sell out! The fun filled evening raised $3,000.00 for the shelter!We couldn't have done it without the following people who helped make the night a success: Dan Zak, Vicki Tryjefaczka, Denny Carter, Annie Coleman, Wayne and Donna Holous, Kerry Kos, Kelly Carpenter, Lee Ann and Jimmy Mayr, Leslye and Brian Mobley, Gary and Connie Tippett, Sue Mazzarati and Patti Robinson. We also want to thank Park Graphics for printing of the admission tickets free of charge, and Elaine Tryjefaczka who baked all week making a delicious assortment of cookies and cupcakes for all to enjoy. And last but not least a big thanks goes to Jay for all the help he gave and for selling lots of tickets to the event to make it a sell out.
To help raise money for the animals a silent auction was held for $200.00 portrait sittings donated by Fender and Donisch in Lockport. There were a number of great prizes raffled off that night, including a Memorex DVD Player donated by Sandi and Parnell O'Brien, an 8x10 Pet Portrait sitting by KMT Photography, a Shark Steamblaster donated by Sal Maratto, Outfitted Picnic Basket donated by Ellen Johnson, Beautiful Kitchen Essentials set donated by Kelly Carpenter, Montana Silversmith Bracelet donated by Darlene Novak, Cat Statue/Candle Holder donated by Jake's House of Kibble, $25.00 Gift Certificate for the ProShop donated by the ProShop, Beautiful Handmade Afgan donated by Kat Tempinski and the door prize of a Phillips Programmable 12 cup Coffeemaker donated by Sal Maratto. A big thanks goes out to all those donating prizes. Mark your calendars for next years Candlelight Cosmic Bowl which will be held Saturday February 12th 2005. You won't want to miss it!
Bertha Fund Saving Lives
It was so reminiscent of how Bertha came to us... a stray dog that appeared to be very pregnant. When we took her in for a check up, we were not in the least bit surprised when our suspicions were confirmed... she was pregnant, but we were not prepared for the rest of the diagnosis, she also had heartworm. We didn't want to think that this could be happening again, as our thoughts went back to Bertha, a wonderful dog that couldn't be saved. This tawny colored collie/golden mix had the same disposition as Bertha, the most loving gentle dog imaginable... This one we named Sandy.But in Sandy's case the outlook was in her favor. Her overall health was good, and the heartworm had not yet affected any of her internal organs, we breathed a deep sigh of relief. On the other hand we had to decide what course of action would be best for her, this was not an easy decision. Postponing treatment for the sake of the puppies would allow the disease to progress even further in the mother (with the chance of heartworm transferring through the placenta into the pups). Yet treating Mom while she was pregnant meant the possibility that the pups could be born with physical abnormalities. We weighed the options given us by Dr. Caffarini, and we decided it would be in Sandy's best interest to spay her immediately then begin the heartworm treatments, in order to save her life.
I think we made the right decision, and thanks to all of you who have donated to the Bertha Fund which helped save this dog's life!