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Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
35 Years Against All Odds
A picture from the Shelter Archives
Hi!
Shorty you look pretty cozy there curled up in that blanket.
Yes, I am pretty cozy, considering how cold it is outside.
I'm surprised you're not napping, with the way you are all snuggled up.
Normally I would have dozed off but I got so involved in what I was reading I could not stop.
I can't imagine anything that would be that exciting, to keep you trom taking a nap. What are you reading?
"Against All Odds"
"Against All Odds", isn't that the book that Chuck Norris wrote?
I guess that title has already been taken, but from what I have been reading about TLC's early days, it should be the title for a story about TLC.
What made you start reading those old notes Shorty?
With the shelter's 35th birthday on April 1st, I was feeling a touch of nostalgia, so I dug through these old notes to learn more about TLC's history (which was before my time). Come to think of it, it is amazing how they got this far without me! Anyway our people friends faced some very hard times and fought numerous trials and tribulations to keep TLC from faltering... Which is why I said I had been reading "Against All Odds." It is a wonderment that they made it through all of that, and that there is a TLC today.
No TLC? Oh that would have been horrible.
Yes Sam I totally agree with you. It was an uphill battle every step of the way and there were so many obstacles our people friends were pitted against, but they never gave up no matter how bad it got. They felt they had to for the sake of the thousands of animals they helped throughout those years.
Oh that sounds scary Shorty.
From what I have been reading it sure was. There were a few times they were down to their last bag of dog food and cat food and they wondered how they would get the money to buy any more.
Oh that's awful, down to one bag of food!
It was pretty bad Sam, and it got even worse!
I can't see how it could have been much worse than that Shorty.
From what I was reading, there were a few times they had hit near rock bottom.
What happened then Shorty?
There were several times, our people friends thought they would have to close the shelter's doors forever because they were out of money!
It must have been a nightmare for them back then. Didn't they put out a plea for donations over the internet and in the newsletter?
In the beginning there wasn't any newsletter, let alone a website! , nor our wonderful Web mistress Sandi O'Brien who does a wonderful job on the TLC site!
Then how did they manage?
I've heard our people friends call them miracles, and from the stories I have been reading there had to be lots of them, that brought them through those hard times they had faced. It is amazing Thirty five years later, and they made it, Against All Odds!
Shorty they really should turn this into a book. I'm sure it would be a best seller, but you would have to come up with a different title.
Well let me sleep on it and see what I can come up with ...Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz... ....
Okay Shorty you sleep on it, but I'm headed to the kitchen because I think our People friends are about ready to cut the shelter's birthday cake.
Cake? Did you say cake? Uhoh gotta run! Beat you to the kitchen Sam!
Love,
Shorty
PS Before we blow out the candles we just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TLC and may the future for the shelter be brighter than ever!
Don't miss TLC Website updates
Normally the TLC website is updated every Friday, but if you or someone you know is looking for a pet it would behoove you to check the website out periodically during the week too. When we are expecting a transport from another shelter, the date of arrival will be noted and generally there will be pictures of the animals on site too. This is a good way to get a heads up on what is coming in!
Tickets Now Available for TLC's 6th annual Cosmic Candlelight Bowl
When: Saturday February 14th
Time: 8:30 P.M.
Price: $25.00 per person which includes dinner and 3 rounds of bowling fun!
Where: Strike & Spare II located at 811 Northern Drive, Lockport
There will be many terrific raffle prizes and split the pot drawings too!
GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!
You may pick up your tickets at the shelter or if you are unable to make it in, we can mail them to you.
A special thanks to PARK GRAPHICS for donating the printing of the tickets!
This is always a sell out event! So don't miss out. For further information call us at 708-301-1594
* Also contact us if you would be interested in donating a raffle prize for this event
I rescued a human today
Rosemary Campbell sent this poem to us, it touched our hearts and we are sure it will touch yours as well too. It is a tale so sad but true for far too many animals. The little dog pictured was one of those cases. He had waited and waited for that special someone to come and adopt him, and as fate would have it the party who had adopted this little guy had waited and waited for just the right dog to come into her life, and this little guy was it! The story that follows certainly fits!
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to jeep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Writer Anonymous
Sending flowers or a nice fruit basket to your sweetheart?
Try Floral Alliance and you'll be helping the animals too! Your floral order can generate anywhere from a $5.00 to a $14.00 contribution to TLC. Next time you're sending flowers call Floral Alliance at 1-800-423-5803, and use TLC's code NP-1136 so the shelter receives the donation.
Have a Heart Bake Sale
When it comes to getting things done and working together TLC volunteers are the best! Dave Moore the Manager at the Sears Essentials Store in Homer Glen extended a special invitation to the shelter to hold a bake sale to raise money for the animals. The only stumbling block we thought we were going to have, was that we only had 2 weeks to pull it off in, and this was right before Christmas. But all we did was put out a plea for help, and TLC volunteers rallied round and pulled it off! We want to thank Clare Paskiet, Michele Chalifoux, Paula Bickel, Annie Coleman, Judy Kunkel for the time they donated to work the sale. A special thanks to Dave Moore for his helping TLC this way.
Pictured left to right: Paula Bickel, Annie Coleman and her infamous hat, Dave Moore, Judy Kunkel, Michele Chalifoux, & seated Clare Paskiet.
HEAR YE! HEAR YE !
Sponsors are needed for TLC"s Annual Walkathon!
Plans are already in the works for TLC's annual walkathon, Saturday June 6th this year. To make the walkathon a big success we are seeking local businesses or organizations to sponsor the event.
What are the benefits of being a TLC sponsor?
It helps promote your business in the community and shows others how much you care about helping homeless animals.
A sponsor also gets:
** Your company's name on the back of the walkathon tee shirts
** The name of your organization or comapany in Paw Prints
** You can have a table at the event with brochures or other items to promomte your business
We require a a minimum of $200.00 for sponsorship
I f you are interested in being a walkathon sponsor, please let us know by March 1st. Call us at the shelter at 708-301-1594.
Craft Show Update
This years craft show was once again a big success, and we have so many people to thank for it, including the following people who donated crafts and baked goods: Karen Auksi-Sam, Lee Ann Mayr, Katheryn Ashe, Danielle Baker, Tammy Becerra, Ginny Bigelow, Joan Costin, Kim Firkins, Heather Gibson, Carol Kloka, Lynda Miller, Georgianne Nojiri, Clare Paskiet, Connie Bylsma, Kathy Kanak, Debbie and Nina Pellicci, Barb Gunderson, Michele Chalifoux, Donna Holous, Judy Kunkel, Amy and Mary Ann Lukas, Phyliss Klingensmith, Kathy Pryzybyla, Pam Brown, Annie
Coleman, Jackie Connoly, KC Floral Designs, Kim Carter, Rosemary Adams, the Interact Club of Lockport High School, Maureen Plebank, Girl Scout Troop #10, Lila Konow, Faye Schroll, Carol Losey, Gerry Pajkos, Paula Bickel, Karen Smith, Dan Hamilton, Kathleen Proffitt, Patty Robinson, Tom Ules, Jackie Conolly, Char Wright, Nancy Vales, Girl Scout Troop # 173, Steve Therry, Judy Pell, Elaine Tryjefaczka, Lynda Nylen, John and Michaefleen Fraschetti, Tracy Jaramilla, Mike and Carol Tully, Tina Jones, Michele and Gina Norris, Katie and Kristin Washogan, Emma O'Leary, Sami Kroll, Dorothy Novak, Doris Paterman, Larry and Joan Reylek, Valarie Kot, Beth Manion, Valarie Doubrawa, Marian Village residents and staff, Sal Maratto, Betty Zaramba, Christine Stabnes, Gerrie Farber, Valarie and Ashley Schehr, Gail Eliasek, Barb Russo, Lois Aguirre, Dorothy Novak, Judy and Maureen Hennfent. I'm sorry that we missed logging in a few people that donated items for the event, but we hope you realize how much your donation helped and was appreciated. If you contact us, we will be glad to include your name in the next issue of Paw Prints and on the shelter's website.
The TLC volunteers worked very hard setting up the day before the sale and the dale of the sale put in a hectic day helping all the shoppers. Let's give a big hand of applause to Judy Kunkel, Annie Coleman, Michele Chalifoux, Clare Paskiet, Mary Ann and Amy Lukas, Pam Brown, Debbie and Nina Pellici, Barb Gunderson, Kathy Kanak, Paula Bickel, Connie Bylsma, Kathy Przybyla, Donna and Wayne Holous. Something new this year was added to the craft show. The folks at Healthy Connection Chiropractic & Rehab Clinic helped raise money for the shelter by giving 10 minute trigger point massages, which were fun and relaxing for those who participated.
* We also want to give a special thanks to Pam Brown who held a pre craft show bake sale where her husband worked prior to retiring. She baked numerous loaves of her specialty breads raising $581.00! We also want to thank Annie Coleman for having a table for TLC in Lemont in order to sell the few leftover crafts we had from the TLC sale and raised an additional $398.00. The Craft show made $9.934.57! WooHoo!
Special thanks to the Clorox Corporation
for all the cleaning products they donated. It is greatly appreciated!