T.L.C. Paw Prints Summer Issue 2000
In Memoriam
Wish List
Discrimination Suit Update
On June 13th representatives from the T.L.C. Animal Shelter, and *Emmett E. Dunham II the attorney defending the shelter were required to appear in front of an investigator for the Illinois Department of Human Rights, which is located in the Thompson Building in Chicago, on charges of discrimination. The complainant charged us with violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act, Illinois Compiled Statutes 775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.., because we would not allow him to adopt an eight week old puppy, a puppy that the complainant admitted during the proceedings, (as he did that day at the shelter) would be kept outside to live, something we cannot abide by or permit.
This was a fact finding conference, which we are praying will be in favor of the shelter. If not this would destroy what T.L.C. and every other humane society across the United States stands to defend, the right to place animals in good homes. I would not call it discrimination, that we follow certain guidelines in placement of animals in our care. We do not hand animals out like peanuts and popcorn to just anyone who walks through the door. As much as we want to see these animals get a home, we DO NOT want to see any of these animals in the wrong home. We see the end results of what happens when these animals get into the wrong hands: animals burned from cigarettes, wounds that had become so gangrenous because they were left untreated by an uncaring owner, animals scarred from repeated beatings, afraid to respond to any act of kindness because they are unsure if the hand that goes to pet him is not one that will deliver just one more sharp blow, so many cases of starvation we can't even begin to keep track, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. The cruelty that has befallen so many of these animals for us is a virtual nightmare.
If they deem it to be discriminatory action, the right to refuse an adoption on the grounds that it would not be in the best interest of the animal, so be it. These are just a few pictures of the animal abuse cases we have dealt with, this is why we have to set guidelines. We never want to see anything like this happen to any of the animals at T.L.C.. The day that we are stripped of our right to protect the animals in our care is the day the T.L.C. Animal Shelter will close its doors.
God willing, this case will not go any further, a verdict will be made in the next 7 months if the complainant has a case or not. We will certainly keep you informed of the outcome, and if further action will be taken.
*We would like to thank Mr. Dunham for representing T.L.C., and for doing so Pro Bono.
Someone You Should Know: "Baby" Coleman
Normally we feature one of T.L.C.'s special human volunteers in this column, but this time we wanted to tell you about a little poodle named "Baby". Besides being Annie Coleman's constant companion, Baby and Annie enjoy their volunteer work together too!
Baby and Annie make their weekly visits to a nursing home and a hospice. Part of the routine before going for their visit entails getting Baby all primped and pretty. Baby sits patiently for Annie to finish, but then she gives Annie one of those looks as if saying "Come on Ma, let's get going" while her little tail wags nonstop. Baby enjoys seeing the shut ins as much as they enjoy seeing her. Baby makes it her business to snuggle up to everyone, something these folks really miss, the love of an animal companion.
Baby's visits do so much good, case in point, one incident shocked the staff and brought tears to their eyes. A resident that had not spoken in years, and showed little response to anyone or anything, smiled broadly when Baby came to visit. When Annie saw that she gently took the woman's hand and guided it down Baby's tiny body with loving strokes as she repeated Baby's name. Lo and behold the next time Annie came to visit, as soon as the woman spotted her little canine guest, her eyes lit up and in faltered speech she said "Bbbaaaaay". It's amazing how one small dog can spread so much love and happiness, and as far as that goes Annie doesn't do a bad job of that herself!
What Next?
A man called the shelter with a problem concerning a mourning dove. At first I thought that perhaps the dove was injured, but he assured me that the dove was fine. He said, "the problem is the dove is in my evergreen tree". I thought perhaps the bird was in a precarious situation, but it was not. The man kept saying, "but it is in my tree". I tried to reassure him that the dove was fine, and behaving in a manner quite normal for doves, adding that they love nesting in blue spruce. My answer only dismayed the man all the more.
The man emphatically replied that for the seventeen years he lived at that address, he never had a dove in his evergreen tree, and furthermore he does not want one living there now, and wanted something done about it! He said he felt the bird was posing a possible health problem and was "pooping" on his sidewalk.
We gave him several ideas on how to humanely discourage the doves from wanting to make "their home" in "his tree". End of story and as Shorty would say, "GOOD GRIEF".
How to Give a Cat a Bath
Some people have the misconception that cats never have to be bathed. That somehow they "lick" themselves clean. Well contrary to this popular belief, cats do NOT have some enzyme in their saliva that resembles Tide (with or without bleach).
Cats, like their nemesis the dog...do get dirty and have a variety of odors... from smelling like the outhouse where you camped last year to the same odor as your dog's breath. (Remember...your dog will try to eat anything.)
Now we all know that cats HATE water. And we know that giving the cat a sedative to ease this process of a bath is out of the question. So, the best approach is both sneaky and direct. Remember now, this is not the dumb dog who can be led to the tub with lies and a trail of kibbles and Bits. Although your cat has the advantage of smarts, quickness and total lack of concern for you, you have the advantage of size, strength and the ability to wear protective garments.
1. First... dress for the occasion. A 4-ply rubber wet suit is suggested, along with a helmet, face mask and welders gloves.
2. A bathtub with a glass enclosure is preferred to the one with a shower curtain. A frenzied cat can shed one of these in 3.5 seconds.
3. Have the kitty bubbles and towel in the enclosed bathtub area beforehand. No, blow drying the cat after the bath is not suggested.
4. Draw the water, making it a little warmer than needed as you still need to find the cat. Position everything strategically in the shower, so you can reach it even if you are face down or prone in the tub.
5. Find your cat. Use the element of surprise. Pick the cat up nonchalantly as if you were simply carrying him/her to the supper dish. No need to worry about the cat noticing your strange attire. The cat barely notices you anyway.
6. Once you and the cat are inside the bathroom...speed is essential. In one single liquid motion, shut the door to the bathroom, step into the shower, close the sliding doors, and drop the cat into the water. While the cat is still in a state of shock, locate the kitty bubbles and squirt whatever part of him is above the water line. You have just begun the wildest 45 seconds of your life. Remember that cats have no handles and add the fact that he now has soapy fur. His state of shock has worn off and he is mad.
7. As best you can, wearing welder's gloves, try to field his body as he catapults through the air toward the ceiling. If possible, give another squirt of kitty bubbles with his body now fully exposed.
8. During the 5 seconds you are able to hold him, rub vigorously. No need to worry about rinsing. As he slides down the glass enclosure into the tub, he will fall back into the water, rinsing himself in the process.
9. Only attempt the lather and rinse process about three times. The cat will realize the lack of traction on the glass by then and will use the next attempt on the first available part of you.
11. If you have done step 10 correctly, the cat will be off your leg and hanging precariously from your helmet. Although this view of the cat is most disgusting, he will be in much better position for wrapping the towel around him.
12. Be sure cat is firmly wrapped in towel before opening tub enclosure. Open bathroom door...put towel wrapped cat on the floor and step back quickly. Do not open enclosure until all you can see is the shredded towel.
13. In about 2 hours, it will be safe to exit the bathroom. Your cat will be sitting out there somewhere looking like a small hedgehog while plotting revenge. But he does smell better.
Website News
While you check out the T.L.C. website, why not do a print out of the pets pictured. It sure would make for nice conversation at the office, as folks check the weekly photos of all the T.L.C. website "STARS". Put the pictures in a folder on your desk for everyone to see or hang them on your memo board at work. You could even copy and frame your favorite one of the week and put the picture on your desk. Now those are some pin up photos that everyone should enjoy. We have seen several adoptions transpire because people shared the website photos with family, friends and those they work with.
Has the Summer Gotten You Bored?
Here's a solution: Why not make some craft projects to wile away the time? As you may have already noted in our upcoming events calendar, the shelter's annual Holiday Craft Show is November 11th. I know, that November seems a long way off, but every year people lament that they had wanted to do something for the craft show, but time just slipped away.
Okay, so now you know we are counting on you, and more importantly the animals are counting on you. Do something creative with that time that will benefit the animals. You'll be glad you did!
Surprise Bake Sale
Pam Brown from Orland Park held her own bake sale for the shelter. She raised $150.00 to help the animals at T.L.C.. What a great surprise. Thanks Pam, ever so much!
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