Shelter Life from Shorty's Point of View
EGAD it's CHAD!
Hi! I know you've had your fill of hearing the word chad, and so have I, but STOP don't turn the page just yet, this "chad" is different.
When he first arrived at T.L.C., we were skeptical about the chances of the large black cat being placed in a home, because he was a feral. Sandi O'Brien was concerned too and took it upon herself to become his mentor. It was Sandi who said first things first, if we are going to tame him, he has to have a name. With it being election time, and with Chad being the word of the day, it seemed befitting. (I might add that there is a Saint Chad, but at that point in time, this cat acted anything but saintly.)
Even though he now had a name, it didn't change Chad's disposition. Chad did not like being caged, and he certainly didn't want anything to do with people! When it was time to clean Chad's cage, I think my people friends actually drew straws, the loser being the one who got to clean him, and it was easy to see why. If you tried to approach Chad, he hissed an angry "Get out of my face", with ears flat back, yellow eyes glaring, tail twitching, he was ready to do battle with anyone who dared come near him!
I could not help but feel sorry for him, just like my people friends did. Poor guy, I thought, one fang missing, scars on his head, only half a tail, I could tell he had led a very rough life, and it was at that point I decided to take Chad under my wing.
My people friends used food to win Chad's trust. Instead of just putting a bowl of food in Chad's cage, my people friend fed him with a very long handled mixing spoon, so he associated them with getting something he liked... food, but he had to tolerate their presence in order to get it! Then one day I happened to notice that Chad was getting to enjoy this spoon feeding a little too much. He went from one can of food a day to two. Egads, I said to myself, at this rate it won't take long for Chad to eat us out of house and home! I better help speed things up.
I gave Chad a good pep talk, and told him he could end up a house cat, living a very cushy life. With that his ears perked up, but, I continued, in order to do so you have to do the following things. Number one, keep your claws to yourself, people don't like being used as a pincushion, or feel as if they had just gone through an acupuncture session. Secondly, that hiss has to go! I said this is getting ridiculous, you have finally allowed my people friends to pet you, and you seem to enjoy it, but all you do is hiss. I said, gee Chad, how are people supposed to know if you like what they're doing unless you purr? Then Chad looked at me and asked me sheepishly, how do you purr? In disbelief I blurted out, Good Grief Chad, you mean to tell me you never purred in your lifetime, what about when you were a little kitten? He looked at me and said well, maybe when I was a kitten but that was so long ago, I had forgotten all about those days. But since then, it has been all downhill, and I had nothing to purr about. I realized he was right.
Our little chat worked, Chad worked on his purrs, and things were going along well. Then Chad began letting my people friends carry him and bring him into the office, my office! He began sleeping on the chairs, my chairs, and occasionally curling up on people's jackets. If that weren't enough, he began sprawling across the desk, my desk! It was definitely time for Chad to find a home!
Then one day one of my people friends said to me, as she held Chad in her arms, we have a surprize for you! I began thinking to myself, is this the end of Shorty's reign? Am I being replaced? I slowly walked away. Then she said even louder, Shorty, did you hear me? I have good news, Chad has a home. He's being adopted! I looked at Chad and purred come on, bud, lets have one more can of food together before you go. It's been a pleasure knowing you.
Love,
Shorty
P.S.
Oh no here we go again! We now have a Chad II, please if someone is interested in adopting a nice black cat please call ASAP!!
Holiday Magic Update
The shelter's annual "Holiday Magic Craft Show" was better than ever, raising a little over $4500.00! A BIG thanks to one and all who helped make this years craft show a success!
Setting up and running the craft show took a lot of time and effort, and we were grateful to everyone who pitched in to help. To begin with, we needed to make folks aware of the event, so Phylis Klingensmith and Annie Coleman contacted the newspapers for publicity, and Rita Kot made the Craft Show flyers and posted them throughout town. I am sure this helped account for the great turnout we had.
On friday P.J. Fitzgerald, Annie Coleman, Sharon Hager, Ina Jacobs, and Cathy Melton were busy setting up tables with crafts and pricing items where needed. While Louis Losey donated his time and truck to make several trips from the shelter to the Town Hall, with crafts. They did a great job!
The word was out, and an expectant crowd anxiously awaited the doors to open. The shelter volunteers had their work cut out for them. Nancy and Ray Kendra, Valerie Kot, Debbie and Nina Pellicci, Annie Coleman, Phyliss Klingensmith, Donna Holous, Tom and June Bussa and P.J. Fitzgerald busied themselves helping customers, bagging, and keeping the tables filled with crafts and baked goods. (Tom and June also donated all the goodies for the refreshment table.) Cathy Melton was in charge of the hotdog booth, which was something new we added this year. Another addition this year was a kissing booth (doggy kisses that is!). Ina Jacobs enlisted her canine companion Lukey to do the honors. (Lukey and Nina Pellicci pictured)
Last but not least, there couldn't have been a craft show without the generosity of all the folks who donated crafts and bakery. So let's hear a big round of applause for: Louis Losey, Carol Losey, Judy Swiontek, Christine Wlodarski, employees of Inlander Brothers, Chuck and Sandie Smith, Kathleen Cannella, Selma Carmichael, Jerry Pajkos, Barbara Griffin, Marge Rypcinski, Carol Mignalsi, Terry Cortesi, Barb Lucas, Caryl Lucas, Patty Sullivan, Helen Pytlewski, Lora Evans, Trailways Girl Scouts Troop 35 from Romeoville, Lila Konow, Phyliss Foster, Linda Nylen, Betty Aspel, Tracy Jaramillo, Lee Ann Mayr, Beatrix Merigold, Sue Nichols, Terri Osher, Florence Mitchell, Beth Manion, Rita Kot, Donna Holous, Mary Holous, Nancy Gannon, Annie Coleman, Valerie Kot, Debbie and Nina Pellicci, Cynthia Edwards, Nancy Vales, Charlotte Wright, Alice Kapkowski, Phyliss Klingensmith, Sandi O'Brien, Mirta and Michael Martin, Pat Mikolajewski, John Small, Dahna Betts, Lawrence and Joan Reylek, Mabel Chapman, Pam Brown, Nancy Przytula, Cathy Miller, Jodi and Robert Azzolin, Cathy Melton, Ina Jacobs, Marianne Schranz, Marbell Howell, Judy Kurey, Shirley Adams, Cynthia Edwards, Canal Street Collectibles, Helen Berganske, Elaine Tryjefaczka, Nancy and Ray Kendra, Kathryn Ashe, Sharon Hager, P.J. Fitzgerald, Marianne Schwartz, Alice Kopkowski, the Hour Glass Studio Ltd, Tom and June Bussa, Ginger Stanek and the Crafters at Brady's Craft Mall in Orland Park.
We also wish to thank Pam Brown for baking extra nut breads, to sell where her husband works to make an extra $150.00 for T.L.C., and Judy Swiontek and Christine Wlodarski for raising an extra $200 by selling some of the crafts where they work.
The raffle prizes for the show were supplied by Sal Maratto, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Martin Jr., Helen Pytlewski, Lora Evans, Nancy Vales, Charlotte Wright and Alice Kopkowski, thank you for your donations. We hope that we didn't omit anyone's name. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort each of you put into making the event a success. Thanks one and all! The money you helped raise benefitted many animals this winter.
Einstein's Theory of Cat Behavior
LAW OF CAT INERTIA - a cat at rest will tend to remain at rest, unless acted upon by some outside force, such as the opening of a cat food can, or a nearby scurrying mouse.
LAW OF CAT MOTION - a cat will move in a straight line, unless there is a really good reason to change direction.
FIRST LAW OF CAT ENERGY CONSERVATION - cats know that energy can neither be created nor destroyed and will, therefore, use as little energy as possible.
LAW OF BAG/BOX OCCUPANCY - all bags and boxes in a given room must contain a cat within the earliest possible nanosecond.
LAW OF FURNITURE REPLACEMENT - a cat's desire to scratch furniture is directly proportional to the cost of the furniture.
LAW OF CAT COMPOSITION - a cat is composed of Matter + Antimatter + it Doesn't Matter
LAW OF CAT OBEDIENCE - as yet undiscovered.
Public Enemy Number One!
Eleanor Arens is a quiet 73 year old woman that we have known for several years. Mrs. Arens has one "fault", that of having a big heart. Strays as well as wild life seem to find their way to Eleanor's door, and she has never turned her back on a hungry stray. For years she has brought strays to the shelter, so that they have a chance of finding a home where they will be cared for.
But Eleanor has become notorious in the town of Melrose Park with the Mayor himself, Ronald Serpico, condemning her actions. Seems by all the publicity about Mrs. Arens she must be "Public Enemy Number One"! She has received thousands of dollars worth of citations and fines over her non-compliance.
And what is the 73 year old woman guilty of, pray tell? Feeding the birds! Eleanor put up a couple of feeding stations in her backyard for the enjoyment of her husband. The fiasco all started when Eleanor tried to do something to cheer up her husband who was terminal with cancer, so she put up a couple of bird feeders. Mr. Arens would sit by the window for hours watching the various birds and wildlife that came - he enjoyed that immensely. after he passed away, Mrs. Arens continued her practice of keeping the feeders filled... much to the dismay of village fathers, who told her to cease.
We are so proud of Eleanor's gumption and determination to fight city hall, and are with her 100%. So for those of you looking to relocate to a safe city, seems the crime that tops Melrose Park's list is feeding the birds! But for those of you who are animal lovers and enjoy seeing the wildlife, then Melrose Park is really for the birds!
Real Easter Bunnies Are Not Toys
Just as they do with toys, some children stop caring about a live Easter chick, bunny, or duckling when it is no longer cute and new. Thoughtless or unknowing parents and children neglect their need for warmth and food. Others cruelly abandon them in local woods or ponds - unable to fend for themselves - where they die. It is illegal to buy these animals in many states and cities because they may carry salmonellosis, a severe intestinal disease that can infect people. This Easter, surprize your child with a stuffed toy, or visit your local animal shelter to learn about the puppies and kittens waiting there to become a lasting member of your family.
Pictures With Santa Help T.L.C. Critters
We wish to thank Dr. Navin and his staff for "inviting" Santa for a photo shoot session, so area folks could have a picture of their pet taken with Santa. The proceeds of this two day event came to $186.40, which was donated to T.L.C. to help homeless animals at the shelter. Thanks again Dr. Navin, and staff and "Santa", the animals really appreciated your kindness, and going all out for them!
Get your own Free Home Page