T.L.C. Paw Prints Holiday Issue1999
In Memoriam
Wish List
Holiday Tidings
As 1999 draws to a close T.L.C. has celebrated some very important milestones. April 1st marked twenty five years that the shelter has spent providing care for homeless, abused, and abandoned animals. It's hard to believe how fast those years have sped by. In that span of time, we have helped well over 50,000 animals find care and solace at T.L.C.
1999 was also a year of major growth for T.L.C.. For many years, what had been little more than a mere dream, at last became a reality. You cannot imagine how wonderful it felt to watch those dreams materialize right before our eyes.
This is one of the reasons why we hope you plan to attend the shelter's Holiday Open House, and see the difference your caring has made. What had always been a good little shelter, has now become a great one! This is something you can be proud of, this is something that you have helped build.
On behalf of everyone at T.L.C., we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to each and every one of you, for the important part you played in helping change mere dreams into reality. None of this could have been accomplished without your generosity. Your faith in T.L.C. has meant a great deal to us....and so much more to the animals. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you who played an important part in making this all possible.
In closing, it would be nice if we could tell you that with the coming of the new millennium, there will be an end to all animal abuse, pain and suffering. But alas, sadly to say this is not possible; there isn't any magic wand to wave to put an end to all of these troubles. But we can do the next best thing for these animals, by providing food for the hungry, medical care for the sick and injured, and compassion for those that have suffered from the hands of abuse.
We wish you and yours a very happy holiday season, hoping it brings you as much love and happiness, as you have brought to our animal friends. And we hope that the new millennium fulfills your every dream, as you have helped fulfill the shelters, and so many animals in need.
A Tribute to a Great Man
Throughout our lives we come in contact with many people. Some of them really touching our hearts. Dr. Eugene Fox, ("Doc" as we affectionately called him), was one of those people. Doc was a very gentle man, a very caring man, a man who never had a harsh word to say about anyone. Doc was truly the epitome of a gentleman, with his softspoken ways. I think that in part is why he had such a good rapport with animals, his gentleness.
Doc was born in Kansas. He was a farmboy, and I don't think the farm ever really left his heart. During his lifetime of practice he treated not only dogs and cats but farm animals too. Our relationship with Doc began when he heard through a mutual friend, that the shelter needed help. Not knowing us from Adam he came down to our aid... he said it was his professional duty to lend a hand where needed, which meant more to us than words can say. It is hard to believe, that about a year ago, Doc was helping set up the Elvis Fest. As hot as it was Doc was there putting up fencing, chairs, etc., and then the day after he was right there taking everything down. (As I mentioned before Doc helped out wherever he was needed.) We were shocked when just a few short weeks later Doc announced that he had cancer. He did not bemoan his fate, but fought it tooth and nail. He had the big C seventeen years ago, and they told him then he wouldn't make it, but he beat the odds. This time they gave him 6 months to a year to live. Once again he said he would lick it, and we hoped and prayed he would too. But sadly that would not be the case. September 27th Doc passed away quietly. The sun did not shine that day......
Our only regret is that we had not met Doc much sooner, and had wished his life on Earth would have been much longer. The few years that we had the privilege of knowing him, will always be treasured. Doc will not be remembered for the riches he amassed, but again that depends on what you consider to be great wealth. This was a man who had a heart of gold, and I don't think you can get any richer than that. He would not want us to cry over his passing, as he had once said "death is a learning experience for the living, just a part of life." Doc, saying good bye is really hard but we are sure that we will meet up with you again someday.
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