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Holiday Issue 2008
Tributes
With Tidings of Comfort and Joy
As this year draws to a close, we have taken the time to reflect on so many
things we have to be grateful for at
TLC. We know that this has been a difficult year for many people, and the same was true at the shelter. We have had numerous challenges to face
this year, and a few setbacks, but knowing you were there for us we
were able to overcome those hurdles.
We had a greater influx of dogs and
cats in desperate need of our help,
part of this increase was due to people losing their jobs and their homes.
There was an alarming rise in the
number of cruelty and neglect cases
we handled this year, along with an increase in the number of abandonment cases. After hearing all of this,
you must be wondering, what is there
to be thankful about. We would be
lying if we said that none of this gets us down... It does, but overall as we
look at the end results at how many animals we were able to save, we have
to admit even with the ups and downs
it has been a wonderful year, all thanks to you we were able to turn sadness into JOY, and desperation into a new beginning, for so many cats and dogs this year. Your help and concern made all the difference in the
world to so many homeless animals at TLC.
We were able to find homes for hundreds of dogs and cats this year, even those with special needs... animals others might have deemed unadoptable. If it were not for your caring, what would have happened to little "Justa", a kitten who was blind in one eye, and limited vision in the other. Several people said she's "just a kitten", and on top of it she has a disability, why bother? But Justa had so much love to give, we knew you wouldn't
have
turned
her away
and neither
could
we. As
you can
see in the
photo, Justa is in the loving
arms of her new family... you were
instrumental in making this happen.
We had several special needs animals, in need of help. The latest being "Hardy", a stray Shepard mix who had lost part of his left rear leg. It didn't
seem to bother Hardy that he only had a part of a leg. He had as much love and devotion to give as any other dog. The family that adopted Hardy thought he was perfect in every way. Thanks to you animals like Hardy have been able to find loving homes.We handled more abuse cases this year, and what you see really tears at your heart. These cats and dogs cannot tell us what has happened, but you can see the fear in their eyes and watch them tremble when anyone approaches. Your generosity allowed us the needed time to work with them.
Trust cannot be gained in just a day or two, it takes time to undo the suffering these animals endured. "Abby" was one of the saddest and most terrified cases we worked with. It took several weeks to gain her confidence, but as you can see, she too has found someone to love her.The lives of so many animals have been saved because you were there for them. Even though you may have never been to TLC, your caring and generosity helped provide the care these animals needed. Animals that would have never had a chance without your help. Speaking on behalf of all of them, we would like to say thank you for giving them a second chance! Not only did you play an important part in getting so many great animals into loving homes, you also helped make so many families happy too! Just look at the smiles on the faces of those pictured, and then multiply those smiles many times over.
In closing, we want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring you as much love and happiness as you have brought to so many animals!
Whenever we have had animals in need of medical care or have had questions in regard to health of the animals, we have been very fortunate to be able to turn to the following caring veterinarians that have done so much to help TLC, including: Dr. Navin at All Pets Hospital, Lockport, Dr. O'Brien at Animal Care Clinic of Homer Glen, Dr. Teykyl at Animal Clinic of New Lenox, Dr. Johnson at Archer Veterinary Clinic, Lemont and Dr. Caffarini at Lockport Animal Hospital. Thanks again for all you have done to help the animals at TLC. We appreciate it more than you know, and you deserve a big round of applause.
Rosemary Campbell sent this poem to us, it touched our hearts and we are sure it will touch yours too. It is a tale so sad but true for far too many animals.
Tis the night before Christmas and through so many towns,
Every shelter is filled with pets lost but not found,
Their numbers are hung on the kennels so bare.
We were treated so fondly when we had cute baby ways,
We were puppies and kittens, then we grew and grew
Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
Our owners reacted too quickly - why were they so rash?
They said we "jump on the children", "don't come when they call",
"We bark when they leave us", and now they have not time at all,
They reneged on their promise, to provide us with love and good care
Now they don't want to be bothered and don't want us there.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
Now we suffer the consequences of the errors THEY made.
If only they trained us, if only we knew...
We'd have done what they asked us and worshipped them too
THEIR answer to the problem was to give us away
Bring us to the shelter, where we have to stay
Now we're sitting in cages so sad and alone,
Desperately hoping that we'll each find a home
With someone who cares, and show us kindness and love
I just hope our prayers will be heard up above.
Post-op with Elizabethen collar, Photo courtesy of Vicki Tryjefczaka
Dogs and cats can offer people the gifts of steadfast devotion, love, and joyful companionship. Unless people accept these offerings and take the time to return then it kind, it would be best not to get a pet. A sad, lonely, bewildered dog tied out back, or a cat left to fend for itself, makes one wonder what sort of person wants to maintain suffering? Cats will wander the neighborhood trying to find a safe spot and try to stay warm. Under the best of circumstances, the backyard pet gets a bowl of food and water, a quick pat on the head and maybe a few minutes of the owners time each day, then the party retreats into their nice warm house. These animals left outside are starved for affection and face the perils of frostbite, and even death, no animal should ever have to be subjected to that.
A special thanks to our friends at the Clorox Corporation for their generosity, with products they have donated to help us maintain the cleanliness of the shelter.
TLC was pleased to host the 4 Love of pets CPR class, which was a big success. The 6 hour class taught by instructors Paulina Johnson and Tammie Variano, gave both visual and hands on demonstrations of what to do until you can get an injured animal to a veterinarian. Everyone had a great time while they learned how to administer some very useful techniques. Everyone applied themselves, and by the end of the day each participant had earned their dog/cat CPR certification. Depending on the amount of interest shown, we might be hosting another animal CPR class next fall. Please let us know if you might wish to attend.
Michele Chalifoux practices emergency muzzling while Vicki Tryjefaczka observes