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Summer Issue 2002
Tributes
Normally it is Shorty that is holding up the newsletter, but to be honest with you, this time it is me. I told myself that I wasn't going to dredge up things we prefer to keep in a remote area of our mind, like a bad nightmare we would prefer to forget but cannot. But it was a bad nightmare, the stock market that started to tumble around this time last year, followed by the horrendous attack on our country the tragedy of 911, the collapse of several major companies many of us believed to be as sturdy as the Rock of Gibralter, and people feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and angry. All of this had a profound affect on all of us... yes, even the animals, but I told myself no one wanted to hear about these things anymore, as I crumpled the paper up I had just finished writing and tossed it in the garbage... but no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept dwelling on the same thing and how all of this has affected the animals and the shelter.I feel that I can confide in you, because you have been a friend to the shelter, and friends don't keep secrets from friends, especially things as important as this. I'm sorry that this is not a happy ending story, but I feel I must tell you about what we have been facing, and why the animals need your help more than ever.
This past year the number of homeless animals and animal abuse has risen drastically. We feel much of this abuse is stemming from the frustration, anger, and despair people are feeling over job loss, financial loss, and fear of an uncertain future. We have seen more pets brought to the shelter this past year because their owners state, "they are giving the animal up because it's just one more thing they don't want to deal with". I'm sure you would agree with me that their excuse for getting rid of their pet is a poor one, but... you pause for a moment and think, will this animal become another victim of abandonment or abuse if we don't take it in? What would you do if you were in our shoes? Yes, I thought that's what you would say. Due to all the problems we have been hit with in this country, it is understandable while donations have tapered off, and it has us worried. Since the numbers of abused and homeless animals we have taken in has increased, providing care for them does not come free, it takes money and lots of it. I know you are probably thinking, the shelter has just had two successful fundraisers, but all the money that had been raised has been used to keep the shelter afloat, while the bills continue to pour in. Sometimes we feel like a person who is drowning and has just been thrown a life preserver, one with a leak in it, all the while thinking am I going to drown or will I make it to shore! Not only does it take a lot of love to care for these animals, it takes alot of money. What would have happened to 3 orphaned kittens if we weren't there, or the dog that was locked in an abandoned house left to starve to death, and the old cat that was left behind when his owners moved? Maybe you feel that the financial help you have given the shelter seems small in your eyes, but look again... in their eyes it means the world!
It's not the first time an animal was abandoned at the Shelter's front door, but it was the manner in which the pup was left, that had us even more dismayed. Obviously whoever left the little guy there, had wanted us to take him in, but what in the world was that person thinking of, to have left the pup bound in wire. Our main worry was that the pup might have cut himself, as he struggled to free himself from his wire restraints, but after a thorough examination we saw that he had not been injured. The pup was fearful, having been traumatized by this experience, but it didn't take long for him to come around after giving him a little TLC!It didn't take long, before we found the perfect family for the pup, and the last thing we saw as the pup left with his new family was his little tail wagging vigorously as they carried him out the front door.
The woman had come to TLC hoping she could find a cat, that would be a loving companion. After seeing all the cats available for adoption, she kept going back to the little female tabby, who was as sweet as could be. As the woman held the cat in her arms, she thought this is the one for me... and the cat appeared to be thinking the same thing, as she purred contentedly in the woman's arms.A young man quickly approached the woman after he overheard her say she was interested in adopting the cat, and proceeded to "inform" the woman that part of the cat's back leg was gone (it appeared she had been born that way). Before allowing the woman a chance to say a word he continued, "That is so disgusting, I don't know why the shelter has that cat up for adoption, it should be put to sleep!"
The woman was taken back by his unthinking and unwarranted comments, and quipped how could he say something like that about such a wonderful animal, that was obviously so full of love. If anything, missing part of her leg, made her just that more unique and special, obviously it didn't bother the cat, and it certainly didn't bother the woman who adopted her!
Thanks to Arjay Painting owned by Russ and Kim Brender of Orland Park, for having their crew paint the outside of the shelter. The Brenders donated the services of their crew, and they donated all of the paint too! The two pictured are the Brender's neighbors Britney and Taylor Kaup they lent a helping hand too! Thank you ever so much for your generosity!
All animal abuse is abhorrent, whether it is a deliberate act of violence or abuse through ignorance, either way a poor animal suffers. So goes the story of this Savannah Monitor Lizard that was brought to TLC. He was no longer wanted in the classroom, and was being abused by a couple of boys in the class.Besides the abuse the lizard had suffered at the hands of the boys, he was also suffering from improper care, and his body showed the results of that neglect. He was not being fed enough and was literally dying from starvation, his skin just hanging loosely on his body, and he barely moved. Lack of a proper diet had caused his front legs to become deformed too.
The first step was to get him a large heat rock and plenty of food, which he relished. We could see him progress each day, gaining strength and increasing his weight and becoming more active. (So much so that he was able to lift the weighted top to his cage, sit on top of it and look at Tiny the shelter mascot, I think he and Tiny had actually struck up a friendship!)
Now the only problem we had to conquer was finding him a good home, after all they are not your usual pet. They do have very special needs, and can attain a length of 4 feet! Many folks who are interested in getting a pet like this are often not well informed as to their needs, and just how big they can get. But this fella was befriended by Dr. Ball who is a veterinarian at the Animal Care Center. Dr. Ball has a couple of other lizards, so she is well versed on the care they require. I don't think this fella could have gotten into any better hands.