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Summer Issue 2004
Tributes
It is hard to believe that the TLC VIP group is three years old already! In that three year time span we have seen numerous people who had wanted to be part of the VIP's come and go. Why such a turnover? Not everyone is cut out to be a VIP. We consider the VIP's a very elite group of volunteers, and to sum it up in one word, they have what it takes: "commitment". Although it may be a bit redundant I say this word several times at every meeting, but the TLC VIP members understand how important that word is... and they are too polite to tell me enough already!
All kidding aside, very few of the original VIP members have made it to this years mark. It's not that easy being a VIP member, because you must set aside a certain amount of time each month in order to visit residents of nursing homes, or centers for people with various physical and/or mental disabilities. VIP members are self motivated, and very conscientious about meeting the obligation they have taken upon themselves, which is to bring a little sunshine to the lives of those who can no longer have a pet.
As we noted, not everyone is cut out to be a VIP member, and the same holds true for their feline or canine counterpart. It takes a very special animal to become part of the VIP group. The animal must be calm, well mannered, take things in stride, and love being with people. We are equally proud of our furry VIP members.
Now lets hear it for our VIP members that are celebrating three years with the group, including Kathy Kanak with her shelty, Levi Jean, who gets so excited whenever Kathy brings out Levi's VIP bandanna, Levi dances around as if to say "is it time to go?" Kathy has recently initiated her cocker spaniel Missy into the group and she is working out nicely. Charles Kopeika has been making visits with his wonderful shelty mix named Sugar, who definitely lives up to her name! Claire Conrath teams up with her gentle giant Bernie, a St. Bernard, which delights the folks they visit. Claire has since begun making visitations with her "puppy" she had gotten last year, Missy, another St. Bernard that now weighs 145 pounds! Chris Pieczonka with her golden retriever Stasha are welcomed by the seniors, and brighten up the day. Chris too has gotten another puppy, a golden retriever who is now becoming a regular at the senior center. And last but not least is Annie Coleman who has been making visits to area nursing homes and hospice, long before there ever was a VIP group, with her little white poodle Baby who passed away last August. That was a very sad time for Annie and for all those who loved Baby's visits, but Annie has taken up making her weekly visits with Squirt, a little white poodle who she lovingly calls her little devil!
Celebrating one year with the VIPs is Geraldine Pajkos and her English cocker spaniel Megan Belle, Helen Gabel and her lhasa apso Dolly, Drexa Jo Gross and her Shih tzu Babi.
Our newest VIP members are Anna Avalos and her 10 year old daughter Andriana along with her pomeranian Princess, Ann Marie Phaneuf and her black lab Jack, Joan Wick and her irish setter Shane, Kathy Przybyla and her Shih tzu Pal, and Judy Kunckle who is going with one of the VIP animals from TLC.
We are still interested in having more people join the group. If you think you have what it takes and you can make that commitment please contact us. It is amazing how these visitations with the animals can make a big difference, just ask Annie Coleman. A resident who had not spoken in years, said the word "Baby" when she saw Annie's little dog. While Kathy Kanak relates the story of the day a young man who had not left the "safety" of his room ever since he had been involved in a bus accident while attending an outing with other residents of the facility where he lives. On one occasion a couple of the nurses requested that Kathy not bring Levi to his room to see what would happen. The young man had grown to enjoy Levi's visits and it was just the motivation he needed, he not only came out of his room, he walked Levi while in his wheel chair. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying miracles are going to happen, but the reward of knowing you are bringing happiness into many lives on your visit is great!!
Now how about a standing ovation for our wonderful VIP members,especially those celebrating 3 years with the program. BRAVO!!
Photo front row: Kathy & Pal, Joan & Shane, Andriana, Claire & Bernie, Charlie & Sugar. Back row: Anna, Kat, Annie, Helen & Dolly, Judy
A special thanks goes to Annie Coleman for running the event, it turned out great! George Mikota for hauling everything, his help setting up, and for his water wagon for all the animal participants. Thanks to Phyllis Klingensmith, Donna Holous, Tigi Tasso, Judy Kunkle, Jimmy Mayr, Kat Tempinski and her husband Mike for lending a helping hand. And a special thanks to Matt and Krystine Tempinski who handled all the cooking on short notice, the kids did a great job! We also want to thank Sandi O'Brien for all the work she went through planning, and officiating over the animal pet trick segment of the event. It was a blast!
Once again we wish to thank our sponsors, Reliable Home Builders, Lockport Animal Hospital, Berman And Sons Accounting and Adam's Pub for helping defray some of the expense for the event, Crest Hill Pawn and Jewelry for the sound system they donated to raffle off at the event, a huge tray of delicious cookies donated by Fleckensteins Bakery, bottled water donated by Hinkley Springs and Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, Kat Tempinski, PJ Fitzgerald, and Mr. and Mrs. Walters.
A special thanks goes out to the Guzior/Cicala/Vasco team for raising $1,200.00 in pledges. YAHOO!
And finally a special thanks to the Lockport Township Park District for allowing us to use Dell Wood Park and the Voelz Field House for the event, and WCCQ radio personality Allison Gerard and the WCCQ crew.
This little dog would never have stood a chance if it were not for all you animal lovers who made contributions to the "Bertha Fund". Some of you may remember this dog from the previous newsletter, a stray we had named Sandy. When she came to TLC, we discovered that she was suffering from a severe case of heartworm (we also found out later from xrays that she had been shot). The outlook for Sandy would have been a very grim one, if you had not come to her rescue with the donations needed for her treatments.Sandy's story has a very happy ending. This is the picture we took when Sandy was being adopted. Sandy's adopter brought her back for a visit so we could see how well she was doing. You couldn't miss the loving bond that she had formed with her new mistress.
Unfortunately, there are other "Sandy's" out there that need our help and will require more extensive medical treatment. Your help is needed to make their happy ending come true.
At TLC we do more than care for domestic animals, we also care for injured and orphan wildlife. TLC has two federally and state licensed wildlife rehabbers who take care of these animals until they can be out on their own. This year we have already provided care for a multitude of wildlife, including these two fawns, whose mother had been killed after being struck by a car. The fawns were only a couple of days old when we got them, and at first it was pretty touch and go, but as you can see they are thriving, and will be released as soon as they are ready.