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Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
What could pause a baseball game?
Hi!This year's walkathon was the greatest ever and we want to give kudos to Annie Coleman for all the work she put into it to make sure that everyone had a good time! There were so many entrants that both a baseball game and a soccer game came to a brief pause as people watched the parade of 2 legged, 3 legged (yes there was a 3 legged dog that enjoyed the event) and 4 legged friends walk through beautiful Dell Wood Park. If you weren't able to attend you missed out on a barrel of fun including seeing WCCQ purrrrsonality Cindy Patrick along with Julie and some other members of the WCCQ crew. You also missed out on the chance to win Country Thunder Tickets, 4 tickets to Santa's Village and 4 Indiana Beach Park tickets along with WCCQ shirts and pens Cindy and Julie raffled off to help raise money for the shelter! I only had room for a few of the pictures Sandi O'Brien and P.J. Fitzgerald took at the event, but if you go to our website tlcanimalshelter.org. you can see plenty more. But now let me tell you how my day went at the walkathon.
I had wanted to help George Mikota bring in the supplies and set up the tables first thing in the morning, but with the kittens and the puppies at the shelter keeping me awake the night before, I accidentally overslept. I apologized to George, but he said no problem, that Annie, Tigi Tasso, Corey and Denny Carter helped him get everything ready.
Since setup was done I wanted to see who else needed my help, when I began to detect the faint aroma of food wafting through the air. My stomach said go find it and my trusty nose led the way. Sure enough my nose never steers me wrong, and it led me to the spot where Cathy Melton and Ina Jacobs were cooking. I tried to convince Ina, and Cathy that my job at the walkathon was to be the food sampler, making sure everything tasted good, before they began selling it to people. "No way Shorty!" they said in unison. Hmmmm, I said to myself, I'll have to try another approach. Then I quickly replied, the least I could do is help you cook it. I know you'll be awfully busy when the hungry crowd finishes the walk, and you may not know it but I am quite adept in the kitchen.
Ina replied, "Shorty, I have a feeling your definition of being adept in the kitchen means licking the spoon clean!!"
Cathy started to chuckle. As for me I did not see anything amusing about her comment. HUMPH! I can take a hint when my help isn't needed.
I saw Phyllis Klingensmith, Tigi, Linda Somerfield and Annie busy at the check in table, and thought I better try to help them out as more and more people came in to register for the event. I asked Annie what she would like me to do, and she said you can help Phyllis, she is handing the entrants their walkathon shirts and dog and cat TLC bandanas. With so much to take care of Phyllis said she was glad to have the help, so I started giving out the bandanas. I was having fun until one of the dogs gave me a great big lick to say thanks. Ugh I told Phyllis, I've been slimed!
Phyllis replied, "A little dog drool won't hurt you, just wipe it off."
I couldn't wait to get that dog drool off of me, so I grabbed the first thing I saw to wipe it off with, not realizing I had grabbed one of the walkathon shirts. Phyllis's eyes got wide when she saw what I had done. I heard her hollar "Shorty, you just wiped the slime off on one of the walkathon shirts, yuck!!" I took that as my cue to leave.
( By the way if any of you are running to your check your drawers right now to see if you were the one who got the slimed shirt, not to worry, Phyllis set it aside so that it could be washed.)
I noticed that it was time for the walkathon to begin. Denny and Corey were going to lead the group and said I could join them if I wanted to. I said three miles is a bit of a stretch for me. Denny said no problem because half way through I could jump in the stream to cool off. Ugh I thought to myself, that's the last thing I wanted to do, jump in the water with alot of drooling dogs, splashing and frolicking in the water.
I spotted George Mikota setting something up, so I asked him if he needed my help. George looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes, and said that if I wanted to, I could help him take care of the "doggie water wagon." Ugh, I envisioned a pack of drooling dogs headed my way, giving me big slurpy doggie kisses. I told George that I had forgotten that I had something else I to do as I made a fast retreat. George just chuckled .... hmmmm do you think he was teasing me?
When the walk concluded, it was time for "Silly Pet Tricks" and "The Critters With the Mostest" competitions Sandi was holding, with Cindy Patrick and Julie helping her judge.
"Shorty what were you going to do for the 'Silly Pet Tricks' and the 'Critter With the Mostest' competition? Jump through a hoop, walk on your hind legs, sit up and beg?"
No I wasn't going to do any of that, besides it wouldn't have been fair since I would have won most of the prizes for best looking, bluest eyes, best singer, need I go on? Anyway I thought I could help Sandi and PJ out by taking the pictures of some of the winners. As you can see by my picture of Harley. He won the longest tongue contest. Oops I took a picture of the wrong end. But leave it to Sandi to find a way to fix things up, she said that would be a good way to end my update on the walkathon, and I agreed.
Love, Shorty
P.S.
Don't forget to attend the Cheetahs Baseball game on the Fourth of July. You'll have a great time watching the Cheetahs vs the Kalamazoo Kings, there will be plenty of food, and a great fireworks display later!
"Shorty forget about food for now and tell our friends why they should be there especially on July 4th at 7:00 P.M."
I was getting to that, the Cheetahs are holding a split the pot benefit for TLC. You could be a lucky winner!
Now to get everyone in the mood I'll sing 'Take me out to the ballgame.'
"Has anyone seen my earplugs?"
And the Rafflemania Winners are...
We won't keep you in suspense any longer, here is the list of this years Rafflemania winners!
1st Prize: 3 day 3 night Family Stay at the WILDERNESS RESORT in the Wisconsin Dells! Luxury Queen Room with whirlpool, fireplace, and kitchenette! Your stay will include golfing the Wildernessís Championship 18 hole golf course, and having fun at the Wildernessís huge indoor and outdoor water parks!
Donor wishes to remain anonymous
Won by Linda Mason, Bolingbrook
2nd Prize: Beautiful Designer Stained glass window hanging 1í x 2í donated by Sheri Law Art Glass Ltd. (formerly Shericks) Homer Glen, Illinois
Won by Jennifer South
3rd Prize: Viper Remote Start for your vehicle donated by Sound Decision Montgomery, Illinois
Won by Dan Halama, Tinley Park
4th Prize:Ronco Showtime Rotisserie/Barbecue donated by Thomas and June Bussa, Brookfield, Illinois
Won by Gail Eliasek, Lockport
5th Prize: A day at the Spa, Alison Andrews Skin Therapy Spa Gift Certificate donated by Alison Andrews, Orland Park, Illinois
Won by Samantha Meyer, Romeoville
6th Prize: Mavado Crystal and Onyx Clock donated by Elaine and Bob Trzjaefcka, Orland Park, Illinois
Won by Nancy Vejvoda, Homer Glen
7th Prize: Ladies Silver and Gold Bracelet by Montana Silversmiths donated by Darlene Novak, Lowell Michigan
Won by Nancy Young, Aurora
8th Prize: 24" Heavy silver serpentine chain donated by Darlene Novak, Lowell, Michigan
Won by Sarah Ficek, Homer Glen
9th Prize: Native American made Ladies Turquoise and Silver Bracelet donated by Darlene Novak, Lowell Michigan
Won by Valerie Shawmeker, Joliet
10th Prize: $100.00 gift certificate for Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spa donated by Nancy Gannon Crestwood, Illinois
Won by Philip Cuculich, Lockport
11th Prize: A Magnum of 1997 French Chinon M. Kerpreton in a beautiful Gift Basket donated by Brandt Cellars International, Lemont, Illinois
Won by Louis Marquez, Chicago
12th Prize: $60.00 gift Certificate for the Andy's Pancake Cafe donated by the Ermler Family, Lockport, Illinois
Won by Karen Maxwell, Orland Park
13th Prize: Martha Goose with 12 outfits donated by Bill and Janice Kiss of Lockport, Illinois
Won by Judy Danalewich, Lemont
14th Prize: $50.00 Carson Pirie Scott Gift Certificate donated by Skip Nemecek of Palos Park, Illinois
Won by Bonnie Reinhart, Lemont
15th Prize: $50.00 CASH! donated by Two Sons Restaurant in Berwyn, Illinois
Won by Barb Myers, Oak Lawn
16th Prize: Cedar Bird Feeder donated by Bill and Janice Kiss, Lockport, Illinois
Won by Bernadette Vram, Burbank
Candace Kent was the top seller with 329 tickets, and wins the Sony DVD Player!
1st Prize: Sony DVD Player donated by Dr. James A. Gianfrancisco Md., Ltd. Justice, Illinois
Won by Candace Kent
2nd Prize: Certificate for a lunch Buffet for 2 at the Stonecutters Seafood and Chop House donated by the Stonecutters Restaurant, Lemont, Illinois
Tied at 310 tickets sold by Elizabeth Herman & Diane Carrol
3rd Prize: $25.00 Gift Certificate for Big Jim's donated by Big Jim's, Homer Glen, Illinois
Won by Gail Elisiak
4th prize: $25.00 Gift Certificate for Big Jim's donated by Big Jim's, Homer Glen, Illinois
Won by Jim Fennessey
5th Prize: $25.00 Gift Certificate for Big Jim's donated by Big Jim's, Homer Glen, Illinois
Won by Kerry Kos
We want to thank everyone who participated in this year's raffle, and especially want to thank the folks that contributed prizes, and also those who sold extra chances. We wish all of you could have won a prize, but the real winners here are the animals. Every penny raised in the raffle will go for care of homeless, abused and abandoned animals that are awaiting a new chance for happiness at TLC.
Sometimes it takes the patience of Jobe... Sadie's Tale
The brindle colored dog was having a hard enough time keeping herself alive, let alone her litter of newborn pups. She tried her best to keep them warm, but the cold weather was a force to be reckoned with, as it brutally claimed the lives of two of her day old pups. Some concerned folks had spotted the dog when she was pregnant, and tried to befriend the poor dog before she had her pups. Their efforts were always met with a ferocious growl and bared teeth, but now they knew this had turned into a crisis situation for the dog and her pups. Catching the dog was not going to be an easy feat, but they knew she was bound to get hungry, and put some food down for her a short distance away so they could grab the pups when the time was right. They knew if they were able to get the pups first it would be much easier for them to capture the mother. It was very apparent that the only contact this dog ever had with people was not very good, so it was no wonder that she was very wary of these people, but she knew they had her pups, so she finally gave in. It was right after that they were brought in to TLC.
We made the pups a nice warm bed with plenty of blankets and a heat lamp to help keep them nice and warm, along with plenty of nourishing food for the Mom to help her get her strength back, she was so thin. Initially we thought two of the puppies were not going to make it and had us quite worried, but with each passing day we watched them grow stronger, which had us overjoyed. As the litter thrived, our focus and concern swithched to the Mom, who we had named Sadie. We tried everything we could to befriend her, but she wouldn't have anything to do with us, she did not trust us one iota. When we would feed her or give her a treat, she backed off as if we were going to hit her, and when we went to give her a rug to lay on she totally freaked out. It was apparent this dog had been badly abused. Day after day Sadie rebuked us, but we were determined to bring her around, her future depended on it, if she were to ever get a home. As the days passed the pups grew bigger, and one by one they were adopted out... but Sadie would need more time, a lot more time, she was still a long way from being ready to get a home.
The day her tail gave a few little wags when she saw us, renewed our hope and we knew we were now on the right track. Love, patience and kindness worked miracles with Sadie, and finally she was ready to be pictured on the TLC website. We thought it would just be a matter of days before Sadie would be adopted, since the majority of pets featured on tlcanimalshelter.org are adopted quickly, but not Sadie, her picture remained week after week.We also had her featured as pet of the week in the newspaper, but still no one stepped forward to adopt her. As time went on we found out Sadie got along well with other dogs, and even tolerated cats, the only problem was that we were becoming more attached to her and worried if she would ever get a home.
Sadie's fate was about to change, a young woman named Melanie had seen Sadie's sad picture for several weeks on the website, and it tore at her heart, especially since it reminded her of a beloved dog she had, that had died some years ago. At last Sadie had found a home. We were thrilled... at least for a little while as you will soon find out.
With each adoption we always hope the transition period goes smoothly, but we tell folks to expect a few ups and downs in the beginning, and to be patient, but in Sadie's case there seemed to be more downs than ups in the beginning. Everything from meeting the Chief of Police and his deputies (no this was not a social call) which included a $150.00 fine during the first couple of days in her new home! During the next several weeks Sadie chewed a number of things in the house, broke some dishes and demolished a George Foreman grill! As if all these things were not enough to test the patience of Jobe, Sadie had decided that the living room seemed a much nicer, cozier, private place to potty than making the trek out to the backyard. Sadie saw the backyard as a place to romp with her two new buddies, the little boy in her new family and a beagle she shared the house with.
As Melanie would relate each new "situation" Sadie would get into, I just held my breath waiting for Melanie to say, "Sadie has got to go!" But Melanie was not about to give up on Sadie, even though her mother and neighbors said she should get rid of that dog. Never did Melanie complain about Sadie's antics, she was just worried about Sadie's welfare and if she would ever adjust.
When Melanie last emailed me, she asked why I had not written a story about Sadie, to be honest with you, even though Sadie's picture had sat on my desk for months I was dubious that this was going to work out, after all not many people would have put up with half the things Sadie had done. But now that I'm confident that Sadie's there to stay, I knew the time was now right for me to write her story to share with all of you.
I guess you could really say in Sadie's case love conquers all, and we want to thank Melanie and her family for giving that love to Sadie, and for having the patience and understanding to see her through all the ups and downs. This is truly a happy ending for a dog that had not known love or kindness before! A Cinderella story for sure!