Shelter Life from Shorty's Point of View

On Strike!
"Shorty! that is not funny! What do you mean, you're on strike? Is this just your way of stalling because your column isn't done? First you say the column is not done because you feel a case of spring fever coming on, prior to that you said you were hibernating for the winter (funny though, if you were really hibernating how did you manage to run to the kitchen every time you heard the whrrrr of the can opener). Shorty, we can't wait any longer, we have a deadline to meet! There are upcoming events and important dates we must tell everyone about. And did you forget, this is the shelter's 26th birthday issue! So quit kidding around and get your column finished."
I am not kidding. This is serious, and I am on strike! I have to take a stand. I read the notation in the shelter's wish list, asking for monetary donations, instead of donations of dog and cat food. I was shocked! I only have one thing to say regarding that: HUMPH! I took a show of paws and neither the dogs nor cats were very happy over the situation, they thought this was just awful!
"Shorty, stop and listen to me for a minute. It costs a great deal of money to keep the shelter going, and the bills are pouring in. For example, the bill for cardboard cat carriers that the cats and kittens go home in was over $200.00, the heating bill for last month was $275.00, we just ordered vaccine which came to over $900.00, etc. etc. etc. All tolled, it costs about $200,000.00 a year to keep the shelter going. I said, since we have such an overabundance of dog and cat food, it would be nice if we could pay the bills with that"...
Quick! Quick! Man your posts! This is an all out emergency situation. All cats block the cabinets in the kitchens, and dogs form a blockade so the enemy cannot get through. We must guard the food!
"Shorty, stop, you didn't let me finish. Enemy? Egads, this is going from bad to worse! When have we ever shortchanged any of you on food? Besides, they wouldn't accept dog and cat food as payment anyway. We were just being honest with our friends, and telling them where donations were most needed."
Whew that's a relief! I thought you were putting all of us on a ...diet! UGH, about the worst four letter word in the dictionary! Whenever I say the word, it sticks in my throat!
"Shorty, now don't you feel foolish getting everyone in a tizzy like that?"
I'm sorry, I feel very foolish getting everyone upset over this. I can see the cupboards are filled and we will have enough food for a couple of months, so I want to tell everyone instead of toting heavy bags of dog and cat food, save your back, and bring money.
"Shorty! That is awful, you can't tell our friends that!"
Well, that was the jist of the whole thing, wasn't it? Ugh, no matter what I say I seem to stick my paw in it. Okay, let's change the subject and bring out the shelter's birthday cake. On the count of three we will all wish for a money tree then blow out the candles so the wish comes true!
("Money tree, that's a good one. We should all have one in our back yard. Might as well keep quiet and let Shorty and the others make their wish - it certainly can't hurt anything.")
OK, guys, are you ready? One, two, three, blow! WHOOSH!! Good grief that felt like a tornado, and now I have frosting all over my face! I knew I should not have stood down wind of Bruno the Great Dane!
"That's all right, Shorty, looks like you have your own personal valet to wash your face."
Oh yuck dog lips! I can clean myself, thank you, anyway I am missing all that frosting. Well gotta run before I miss out on that cake!
Love, Shorty
P.S.
HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY T.L.C.!

Crafts and Goodies Paid Off!
The shelter's Holiday Magic Craft Show was another hit, this year raising a total of $4,453.00! Thanks to TLC volunteers and crafters. A great big pat on the back goes out to the following volunteers, we couldn't have done it without them:
Debbie and Nina Pellicci, Val Kot, Phylis Klingensmith, Judy Hughes, Sal Maratto, Dorothy Novak and her niece, Tom and June Bussa, Cathy Melton, Ina Jacobs and her canine companion Lukie the wonder dog(Lukie helped raise money by selling doggy kisses), P.J. Fitzgerald, Annie Coleman, Sharon and Kristen Hager, Donna and Wayne Holous, Kendall Lupine, Loreen and Jim Von Rhein.
The crafts and baked goods were terrific, you really outdid yourselves! Thanks goes out to Rita Kot, Val Kot, Debbie and Nina Pellicci, Dorothy Gass, Nancy Gannon, Mike and Carol Tully, Sal Maratto, Nancy Przytula, Larry and Joan Reylek, Charlotte Wright, Nancy Vales, Mae Bell Howell, Bev and Jim Roseth, Dorothy Novak, Loreen and Jim Von Rhein, Ruth Millner, Phyliss Foster, Mirta and Mike Martin, Sandi O'Brien, Pam Brown, Matt and Lois Juricic, Dahna Betts, Peggy Kanyuk, Linda Nylen, Beth Manion, Sue Nichols, Jusy Kurey, Ann and Berney Lundstrom, Phylis Klingensmith, Lee Ann Mayr, Beverly Ermler, Helen Pytlewski, Lora Evans, Kathryn Ashe, Tom and June Bussa, Florence Mitchell, Lila Konow, Kathleen Cannella, Rosemary Paremba, Edna Fick, Sandi and Chuck Smith, Irene Kamper, Judy Swiontek, Chris Wlodarski, Matt and Lois Juricic, Jan Zarnecki, Ruth Hansen, Rose Sarkan, Carol Lahey, Barb Chwierut, Victoria Michalski, Carol Losey, Evelyn Kolar, Shelly Lustyk, Richard and Julie Korenchuk, Terry Cortesi, Selma Charmichael, Michele Maritsas, Ed Cygan, Chris Veloz, Sal Maratto, Mike Maratto, Kendall Lupine, Michelle Maratto, Sharon Pouncovich, Ginger Stanek, Chris Opp, Joyce Murphy, Lynn Martin, Geraldine Pajkos, Barbara Griffin, Mrs. Marge Rypcinski, Mrs. Lillian Czarnecki, Mrs. Joyce Murphy, Judy Hughes, Loreen and Jim Von Rhein, Annie Coleman, P.J. Fitzgerald, Sharon and Kristen Hager, Donna and Wayne Holous, *Mabel Chapman, and Joan Buzecky.
(*Note: Mabel Chapman has helped at the craft show for years, even after she moved to Wisconsin, but this year Mabel was unable to make it. Mabel had open heart surgery just prior to the craft show, and though she was not up to making the trip, she still made many crafts to donate. Graciously, Mabel's neice Joan Buzecky made the trip from Wisconsin with all the crafts.)
We also want to thank Tom and June Bussa for hosting the hospitality table and for donating the refreshments served.
We appreciate the efforts that each and every one of you made. This was one of the most successful shows we have had. (I hope that we haven't omitted anyone's name, but we are only human - please let us know if we did.)
Just an early reminder that it is never too early to begin making items for the craft show, that will be held this fall. We hope that we can once again count on you!

Thank You Very Much
We want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Harmon for the snowblower they donated and to Dorothea Majerczyk for the singer serger she contributed.

Caring Kids
People are down in the mouth on today's youth because we are bombarded daily by media coverage, of all the bad things today's youth are doing. It is very unfortunate that the troublemakers, which account for a small percentage of today's young people, are the ones getting the majority of the media's attention, and not much is said about all the good kids out there. Today we want to feature those good kids, kids that care, and are giving back to the community.
Now how many children, or adults for that matter, give up presents for their birthday, and instead ask for food and supplies for the animals? Well that is exactly what Amanda Clemmons and Heather Grein did. Their parents held a pool party for the girls at the Lockport Wellness Center to celebrate their birthdays. On the invitations, Amanda and Heather stated that they did not want any gifts for themselves, but requested food and supplies for the animals at TLC. The girls made copies of the shelter's wish list and distributed it to their friends, and as you can tell by the photo nearby, they really made a haul for the critters along with a cash donation.
Students of Walsh School contributed $250.00 along with supplies, food and toys for the animals.
The Student Council at Orland Junior High raised $110.00 by holding a lollipop sale during their lunch periods to raise money for the shelter animals.
The kids at Kinder Care Learning Center of Orland Park, and their families, held a turkey raffle to help TLC, raising $113.00.
The students at Homer Junior High also made a sizable contribution to help the animals. The students raised donations during their lunch period for a week. (This is a project they have done regularly to help the critters.)
The children of Little Dragon Self Defense collected food and monetary donations for the animals.
The children attending St. Bernard's religious education amassed a great amount of food and toys for the animals also.
The New Lenox Bronc Busters 4H group made a $100.00 contribution to TLC, which they raised at their Christmas party. along with their contribution they sent along a note stating, "We wanted to show our support for all you do for the dogs and cats."
Mrs. Bolattino's 7th grade reading students at Ludwig School made a nice collection for the animals too.
The entire 5th grade at Kelvin Grove School raised $277.30 and voted TLC as the charity they wanted to donate the money to.
And last but not least we would like to tell you about Nina Pellicci, pictured nearby. What would you do if you had won the split-the-pot raffle that was held at the Shelter's craft show? Eight year old Nina Pellicci knew exactly what she wanted to do with the money, she went shopping... no, not for toys for herself... She went shopping for food and toys for the animals at the shelter. At the shelter's Christmas Open House, Nina was laden down with goodies for the animals. We actually needed a cart to bring it all in.
So next time you begin to wonder what's happening to this younger generation of ours, stop for a moment and think about all these great kids. Between you and me, I think with kids like this, the future will be looking a lot brighter. Don't worry, viewing the overall picture, the future is in good hands...
Thanks kids!

Pets Have Photos Taken With Santa
Dr. Navin and staff at All Pets Animal Hospital hosted a Picture with Santa fundraiser for the animals at TLC. You can tell by the photo, a fun time was had by all. We want to say thanks for helping our furry friends.

Pup Saved from Dumpster
The gentleman heard a soft whimpering sound that appeared to be coming from a dumpster that was on a construction site. When the man peered inside the dumpster, he saw a very forlorn looking puppy staring back at him, with big soft brown eyes. The man gently pulled her out from amongst the scrap material, rusty nails and other rubble inside the dumpster, and brought her directly to the shelter.
The pup, only about 12 weeks old, appeared to have had other misfortunes befall her during her short time on earth. The pup had a large V shaped scar that ran 3 inches down the middle of her head which had formed thick scar tissue, then it veered off 4 inches down the left side of her head, then down her left ear, which when we got her, was still in the process of healing.
We can never get over how cruel and sadistic people can be. But luckily this puppy will never again have to suffer from being abused. She has been adopted by a terrific family, and has a very happy future ahead of her.



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