T.L.C. Paw Prints Birthday Issue1999
In Memoriam
Wish List
How Can An Article About One Small Pup Found Freezing to Death Bring About so Much Heat?
This is not how I had originally planned on writing this column, but fate has a way of changing things. Originally, the article was to be solely about dogs and cats that had the misfortune of being abandoned during the dead of winter. Each and every case tore at our hearts. We thought the plight of these animals needed to be brought to the public's attention, and that is why we contacted the Herald News.
We know many of you read the Herald News, and might have seen the article that Ann Stack, a reporter for the Herald wrote. In brief I had told Annie about a 6 week old puppy, found standing in the middle of a desolate road, without a home in sight. The windchill was 40 below, and the drifts were extremely high, while the blustery winds were causing a white out condition.. It was truly a miracle that the pup was still alive, let alone rescued. Cars, snowplows, the sub zero weather, or possibly the coyotes might have sealed this pups' fate, had he not been rescued by a passerby. Oh yes, one other minor detail, the puppy was blind.
After telling Ann about this pup, she too became upset, and said she would put the story in Sundays' paper, which was January 24th. This is when things heated up.
Please read this column in its entirety before sending any hate mail or threatening phone calls.
Anns' column read as follows:
And from the "Cruel and Heartless" department: (cue Wicked Witch of the West music here) Janine Carter, shelter coordinator at the TLC Animal Shelter in Lockport, wrote to tell us about a 6 week old shepherdmix puppy found abandoned on the weekend ofthe big snowstorm, the Saturday with the 40-degree below zero wind chills. This little puppy had absolutely no chance of survival out there. To add to the heartache, the poor thing is blind from cataracts. Now, so was my greatuncle, and we did not dump him outside in the middle of the worst blizzard in 20 years. (I get real cranky when I hear about animal abuse, except when it involves cats.)
You are probably seeing red now, as did a number of people who read the column, and were outraged and appalled at the comment about cats....but please read on...
Ann did not realize that her attempt at humor had opened up a Pandora's box! The backlash from her article was something she had never expected, nor did the editors of the paper. Animal lovers felt they needed to speak out, and spoke out they did, loud and clear!
Ann felt horrible about this and apologized profusely, for the furor that she unwittingly started. Ann admits she is not a cat lover, but she would never hurt a cat. Please read on.
Trying to make amends Ann wrote this retraction on Tuesday January 27th:
I generally try to go far the light, bouncy fun tone in my column. Writing about a blind puppy abandoned in a blizzard was really depressing for me. So I tried to lighten the mood by making a joke about not condoning animal abuse, except when it comes to cats. In retrospect, it wasn't a good joke. Animal abuse isn't funny, not to cats, dogs, snakes or guinea pigs. But please, don't punish the TLC Animal Shelter. Shelter coordinator Janine Carter isn't the one who said she didn't like cats-that was my opinion. But callers have told her that they were under the impression she said it. What I regret most about this mess is that Janine, a good sweet woman who genuinely would go to any lengths to save an animal, is being harassed to the point of feeling threatened. My intent was to help a puppy that needs a home, not start a war. I can't apologize that I do not like cats. I'm allergic to them. But it's my opinion, not that of Janine's or the TLC Animal Shelter. Please don't punish an agency that's doing good work because of one glib comment.
I think Ann found out the hard way, just how strong animal lovers' feelings run. End of story? Almost...we just wanted to let you know that the pup is doing well, and has been adopted by a loving family, and I have ceased getting hate mail due to Annie's retraction.
You don't need to bring earplugs now
In the new kennel area, when one dog started to bark, you knew in just moments every dog in the kennel would join in. The noise level was deafening with the howls of the high pitched yodelers being the worst. We thought we would all be deaf soon, if the acoustical tile was not installed soon. Trying to tell people about the dogs while in the kennels was fruitless, since every other wordwas, what? Even Shorty, who pays little heed to barking when he wants to disrupt the kennel with his daily strolls, would just stick his head around the corner then run in the other direction.
Now when you stop down to visit, you will still hear the dogs barking their hellos, but the sound has been muffled tremendously. We can assure you that your visit will be more pleasant, and you can leave your earplugs at home!
Construction is in Full Swing! Thank You For Helping Us Reach for the Stars..
and for making a difference in their lives
The following people have joined us in the the stage II phase of the Shelter's renovation plans:
Contributions of $500.00 or more
Edythe Jastram, Mabel Chapman and Joan Buzecky, Clyde and Varius, Inc., A. Merriman Boylan, Phyllis and David Klingensmith, Shirley Boylan, Margaret Blauw, Noreece Nemecek, Puzzletoes, Snookums and Schatz, Brian and Laurel Ward, Steve M. Stanko, Scott and Lisa Wislon, Dolores Shutt and a special Friend wishing to remain Anonymous
Contributions of $250.00 or more
The Students and Faculty at Homer Junior High School, Dorothea Majerczyk, Gina and Mark Ruttle, Dr. Bonnie Reinhardt, Fred and Marilyn Birkhaug, Lockport Animal Hospital Dr. Caffarini, Jim Fennessey, Dr. Bonnie Reinhart, Ronald Horn, Ed and Holly Anderson, David White and Roma
Additional Contributions
Allan and Chris Burnson, Rita Kinsella, Harriet Dolosic, Arleen Duffy, Patricia Kopeika, Van Dyke, Sue McHugh, Leona Weber, Belva Stelk, Sharon Jantz, Frederick Schaeflein, Thomas Seum, Billy Crowe and Family, Elsie Grossman, Barbara Cagney, Clair V. Sturgis, Barbara Brock and Judy Franzen, Jim Beach, Wayne Clauson, Pauline Liszka, Gisela Baralt, Harriet M. Layfield, Patricia Boylan, Thomas and Carol Miller, Anonymous, Mr. and Mrs. George Mikota, Maria Raisor, Paula Sharp, Pearl Vinson, Hagop Boroian, Dr. and Mrs. Blostica, Mrs. Smazik, Phylis Cerny, Christine Fracaro, Patricia Johnson, Cecelia Perpich, Marie Pecord, Lorraine Murphy, August Jr. and Ruth Hohmann, Dr. Michael G. Karagianis, Ruth Balin, Sharon Arnold, Mrs. Beaver, James and Patricia Woods, Mr. Louis Yangas, Samuel Laird, Carol Vance, Mrs. L.J. Stemmons, William and Johanna Hamel, Mervin and Donna Castle, Yvonne Harris, Glen and Pamela Adair, Rosemary Wofert, Bernice Macht , Martin and Arlette Johan, Barbara Pennington, Lenea Scheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Bray, Lorraine Wasso, John and Mary Cervas, Frances Hofmann, James and Darla Gummel, Alice Joyce Smith, Wayne and Jan Zarnecki, Shirley Swanson, Ruth and James Horras, Jacqueline and James Misiukiewicz, Donald and Marilyn Rieser, Signa Anderson, Ronald and Renee Lanham, Lynn Sheppard, Bob and Karen Fisher, Lavinia Brown, Marilynn Harmon, Carol Wyrostek, Cindy Chubb, Christine Hedin, Richard Trost, Graham Robertson, Elisabeth Sidorenko, Mr. and Mrs. Zawitowski, Carol Toole, Larry and Carol Johns, Eleanor Burton, Richard Trost, Jean Daly, Stan and Jean Matulis, Mrs. William Cooke, John Smaidris, J. M. Pellettiere, Dorothy J. Curry, Janice LaFortune, Dorothy Larson, Dan and Jean Kapinus, Susan DeSanto, Patti Black, Roger and Sandy Dykstra, Mrs. Susan A. Kenyeri, JoAnne L. Kastrup, Irene Kowalczyk, Linda Hanna, Laurence and Ruth Sjoblom, Michael Lahti, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Burla, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton, Norman Schnaufer, Kathleen LaPorta, Richard and Barbara Elkin, Mary Birghardt, Jeannine Pellettiero, Mrs. Loyola Ryan, Marilyn Baumgartner, Mildred Tesar, Cinlty Kasnicka, Bridget Ozolins, Cheryl Reichold, Marjorie Paine, Helene Lennihan, Fran Stabosz, Erika E. Marshall, J. Chamberlin, Mrs. Marion Taluzek, Janet Elliot, Mr. and Mrs. Knaack, Geri Mikos-Tropp, Ben Psenicka, Laverne Smazik, LuAnn Volanti, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ray, Dianne Synoga, Mrs. George Szezesniak, Jane Cory, Ms. Pecord, Norman and Joan Cipolle, Phyllis Cassata, Thomas Zajac, May Ann Mahar, Florence Klimczak, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, Barb Myers, Mr. and Mrs. R. Gleeson, Charlotte Nordenberg, Mary Flannery, Dr. and Mrs. Scott Blostica, Valerie Moore, Donald and Geraldine Fudala, Theodore Mallasch, Janet and Richard Hampton, Nancy Bresnahan, John Shelton, Carolyn Vincent, Carol Vance, Elaine Howe, Mildred Tesar, International Importers Inc., Margaret Rypcinski, Mrs. E. Ullrich and Fluffy, Carol Bunch, Nancy Crilly, Mark Ciancanelli, Mary Bossingham, Myra Hurst, Marge Jeschke, Jane Raglin, Mr. and Mrs. Dumas, Carl and Ann Emst, Kathy and Davis Keiffer, Lillian Tunze, Mr. Skonieczny, Donna Bacho, Cynthia Kortyko, Rosemarie Cashman, Jana L. Sheeder, Dahna Betts, Diane Fritz, Keren and Thomas Hartford, Violet Miller, Mildred O'Brien, Rosemary Heininger, James and Diane Collier, Valerie Moore, Henry and Muriel Wiersma, Annabelle Guth, Mrs. R.G. Johnson, Nina Pellici, Julia Johannpeter, Elsie Grossman, Lisa Rolowicz, Lucille Ingalls, Mr. and Mrs. Pillasch, Carol Westphal, George and Linda Walsh, Louise Baloun, Madonna Klepac, Robert and Bernice Poole, Sandi Dekreon, Sandra Scalf, Joan Cap, Rose Kane, Arlene Duffy, Paul Cetrone, Mae Sala, John C. Schranz, Bernice McClure, Mrs. R.J. McClure, Brett and Collette Thomas, Alice and James Chin, Gail Serituk, Othelia Martinak, Sharon Block, Mr. and Mrs. Grizzi, John Adelmann, Joan Fulsang, Shirley Lucas, Paulette Coverick, William Mayer, Florence Barbier, Grace Peterson, Terri Wilkus, Eleanor Bednarz, Ericka Marshall, Susan Kenyari, Lorraine Buczyna, Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. Budilovsky, Dorothy Curry, Florence Klimczak, John Smaidris, Raymond Anderson, William Auksi, Betty Aspel, Blanche Ferguson, Jean Janus, Dorothy Welp, Mark and Gina Ruttle, Pete and Vali Duna, Bonnie Camacho, Mr. and Mrs. Gawel, Mr. and Mrs. Durant, Janice Sleezer, Lorett Stempinski, Catherine Herman, Judith Kloog, James Stec, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, Mary Schumacher, Mrs. Fisher, Gordan and Linda Andrews, Theodore Mallasch, Al Mann, Janice Horn, Mrs. Ulrich and Fluffy, Elizabeth Campbell, June Feast, Paul Precin, Wally and Sharon Cetera, Jackie Stankus, Ms. Stankus, Mary Confray Polk, Barbara and Brian Chiwiert, Sandra Halper, Catherine Calhoun, Pamela Signs, David Marzouk, Elisabeth Sidorenko, James Desatnick, Mr. and Mrs. John Dumas, Adele Dumas, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Koranda, Donald Anderson, Violet Miller, Jean Helt, Paul Panozzo, John Baluk, Gail Blazek, William and Janice Kiss, Ron and Maureen Musilek, Dave and Debi Sobottke, John and Dennis Mc Guire, Kenneth Failla, Richard E. Holmquist, Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Juricic, Lucille Ingalls, Charlotte Nordenberg, Mary Czepiel, Bobbie Flowers, Edward Jerkey, Valerie Allegrucci Moore, Eileen Malec, Mary Ellen Scandale, John and Denise Mc Guire, Mary Bossingham, George and Catheryn Kunz, Pearl Vinson, Debbie Freeman, Rita Roder, Mary and Chuck Schmuacher, Joanne and Candace Kent, Mr. and Mrs. Kathleen Lewanski, Barbara Haack, Howard and Paulette Rafalson, Sharen Lahti, Virginia McBroom Sekenske, Susan and Gene Desanto, Shirley Breault, Norb, Elmira, Mike and Geri Binkowski. Marie Stalzer, Karen Shadbur, Dan and Susan Byrnes, Robert and Patricia Ragan and Maggie and Ben, McMaster-Carr Supply Company, June Davia, Norman and Joan Cipolle, Larry David and Marianne Smith, Fran Stabosz, Keith Latham, Terry Cortesi, Linda Engels, Roger Simpson, Geraldine Lisak, Richard Shewmake, Janet G. Braverman, Mark and Pat Muehler, Marge Covey, Beverly Ermler, Lockport Woman's Club, Irene Szczesniak, Nancy Kendra, Susan and Gene Desanto, Tom Collins, Barbara Baird, Dianne and Patrick Fritz, Rene Franco, Catherine Mercer, John and Nancy Faro, Valerie Moore, Linda Bauer, Richard Walinski, Russ Powers, Gail Schaefer, Karen Maxwell, Nancy Pibdiak, Joan Peopold, Dorothy Machel, Elsie Mock, Allan Mayhew, Irene Wenzel, Michael and Joan Cap, The Employees at the First Chicago Bank in Lemont, Judy Bolte, LaVerne Boland, Barbara L. Jones, Nancy and Ed Mosna, Mrs. L.M. Newman, Thomas and Doloris O'Connor, Marcia Lata, Richard Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. Manheim, John Pappalardo, Iris and Art Kalsch, Ann Benson, Sue and Joe Lucas, Gina Althof, Carla Angelakos, Elaine Hall, Helene Heldorfer, Mr. and Mrs. Horn, Shirley Curl, M. L. Meindl, Mrs. Pajkos, the Franco-Foreman Family, Richard Lendemann, Kathleen Maciejewski, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Horn, Geri Pajkos, Tricia Meyers, Bernice Goodis, Claudia Ahmer, Patricia Staab, Elfreda Luczyk, Douglas Lentz, Mr. and Mrs. Bradach, Anita and Ron Brown, Harry and Margie Verlato, Catherine Johnson, Robert and Elaine Tryjefaczka, Mr. and Mrs. Lee E. Martin. Jr., Elaine Gronkis, Eileen Gardner, Michael Voltarel, Eugene and Estelle Petit, Lucille Ingalls, Dr. and Mrs. Racich, Herbert and Kay Senning, Victoria and Carlos Barba, Karla and Harold Snively, Allen and Marijane Sunnock, Walter Julian
All the before mentioned contributions were received after the 24th of October
Donations made prior to that were listed in previous issues of Paw Prints
Thank you
Holiday Magic Craft Show a Big Success
One of the favorite events of the year is T.L.C.'s annual Christmas craft show and Bake Sale, which always draws a nice crowd. This year was no exception, with such an array of crafts and bakery, no one walked away empty handed! We really appreciate the time and effort that went into the making of all the crafts and baked goods, and would like to thank the following people for their efforts: Sal Maratto, Kendall Lipine, Michele Maratto, Cynthia Edwards, Carol Ann Lahey, Carolyn Smith, Lila M. Konow, Laura Campise, Nancy Fischer, Valerie Kot, Nancy Vales, Char Wright, Lora Evans, Ruth Meilner, Elaine Tryjefaczka, Sharon Baleryack, Darlene James, Lawrence and Joan Reylek, Matt and Lois Juricic, Karen Wiemer, Judy Kunkel, Florence Mitchell, Sue Voelz, Phylis Foster, Wayne and Donna Houlous, Holly Mc Manigals, Cheryl Reichold, Allan and Pat Mitchell, Debbie and Nina Pellicci, Rita Kot, Dorothy Lapinski, Jeanette Turkowski, Eugnie Kaukialo, Bev Jerinek, Nancy Vales, Char Wright, Helen Pytlewski, Lora Evans, Karen Wiemer, Judy Kunke, Florence Mitchell, Phylis Foster, Jeanette Turkowski, Veronica Bernier, Sheely Lustyk, Yvonne Mautner, Barb and Brian Chwierut, Lisa Rolowicz, P.J. Fitzgerald, Selma Carmichael, Jerry Pajkos, Barbara Griffin, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rypinski, Catherine Huguelet, Joyce Murphy, Fran Marshall, Chuck and Sandi Smith, Kathleen Cannella, Judy Swiontek, Chris Wlodarski, Christy Osgood, Louis and Carol Losey, Veronica and Jaymi Bernier, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Miller, Beth Manion, Claire Ann Paskiet, Pat Mitchell, Dahan Betts, Mirta Martin, Lila M. Konow, Helene Lenihan, Tom and June Bussa, and a special thank you to Mabel Chapman and Joan Buzecky. We want to mention that although Mabel and Joan now reside in Wisconsin, they traveled several hours, with a van laden with crafts not once but twice to bring to the shelters' sale.
We really appreciate all the time and effort our great volunteers did to make the sale a success. Now lets give the following volunteers a big round of applause! Debbie Pellicci and her daughter Nina, Joan Buzecky, Mabel Chapman (yes Mabel and Joan made the long trek again to help out). Tom and June Bussa, Michelle Maratto, Sal Maratto, Kendall Lipine, P.J. Fitzgerald, Valerie Kot, Donna and Wayne Holous, Cathy Melton, Ina Jacobs, and Annie Coleman THANK YOU! A special thanks also goes out to Tom and June Bussa for supplying the hospitality table with coffee, tea, cider and goodies. We would also like to thank Debbie Pellicci for making a special trip to the shelter to pick up all the craft items and store them for us. As more items came in and storage became nil, we were afraid the crafts would get dusty and feared they might get broken, so Debbie volunteered to keep them safe and sound for us. We hope that we did not omit anyones' name, and if we did we are really sorry, because without your wonderful craft donations there would not be a sale. Thanks again one and all!
Think Flowers
Thinking about sending a nice plant or centerpiece to someone across town or someone across country for a birthday, anniversary or for the holidays? If you place your order through Floral Alliance, not onIy will your gift delight the recipient, it will also be helping the animals at T.L. C.! Just call 1-800-423-5803 to place your order, and remember to give the shelter 's code number NP-1136, so the shelter receives credit.
