IN The News

Phone: 630/378-4208

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat stays Jack Shannon from the swift completion of his appointed rounds. Shannon is not a mail carrier but faithfully battles all kinds of weather when he walks Human Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS) dogs in Bolingbrook. Each dog gets walked at least ½ mile 5 days a week by Shannon, who also feeds and cleans cages as needed. He admits that the most challenging aspect of his volunteer work is tramping through 5-inch deep snow in January, trying to grab poop before it disappears in the snow. Outside exercise is fundamental to dogs’ physical and mental well-being, and Shannon’s commitment is driven by how much the canines enjoy their walks. A true animal-lover, Shannon affirms that “dogs and cats are so happy when you give them attention. They give you more love than you give them.”

Shannon also provides temporary housing for HHAS dogs, which allows the shelter to find homes for more dogs than it can physically house. He typically cares for 3 dogs at a time and brings them to the shelter to meet prospective families during adoption hours. Shannon is a retired meteorologist but certainly is not living a life of leisure, working 12 or more hours a week at HHAS in addition to caring for his personal pets (2 dogs and 3 cats) and occasionally providing a dog-sitting service for vacationing owners. During his 6 years of volunteering, Shannon has provided temporary housing for 72 dogs, some of which required hospice care and spent their last years with him. Shannon’s reward is “Seeing a dog go to a good home where he can love his owners and be loved.”

Shannon began “sitting” for some of the dogs he temporarily housed after they were adopted and has become a surrogate grandfather to these fortunate animals. They are very happy to visit grandpa’s house while their owners are on vacation. Sometimes they even visit Shannon without their owners’ knowledge. Brownie, an admitted escape artist, had lived with Shannon for several months before he was adopted. One day, Shannon noticed a little brown dog in his yard and thought that one of the dogs he was temporarily housing had escaped until he saw that dog in the house. Shannon opened the door and Brownie raced in for a visit with grandpa!

Shannon has acquired a wealth of knowledge during his many years of personal and volunteer work with animals. He maintains a watchful awareness when walking dogs since small children, wildlife and people on bicycles can surprise and scare a dog. He always shortens the leash when approached by people because the dog may instinctively protect his “person” by barking, growling and lunging. He also always carries plastic bags to clean up after the dog. Shannon advises anyone considering adopting a dog to research the animal’s breed (or breeds if the dog is mixed) to understand the dog’s characteristics. Shannon advises people to weigh the time and training needs of the breed with the time they have available to devote to the dog. If they already have a dog and want to add another dog to the family, opposite sexes generally get along best.

Shannon strongly advocates volunteering but advises that a potential volunteer “be willing to get your hands dirty, so to speak”. “You have to have a sense of duty and follow through on your commitment, because dogs need to go outside. It makes them unhappy when they have to foul their cages.” He encourages anyone thinking about volunteering to start small and “do what you can”. If you decide to volunteer walking dogs at HHAS you can be assured that you’ll see Shannon completing his appointed rounds through snow, rain, and heat!

Friends to a T

Published: The Herald News, August 1, 2006, Section D

By: Sherrie Sons

Terisius (sic) was a blind prophet in Greek mythology and is an apt name for Julian Cachur’s 2-year-old cat, adopted from Humane Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS) last March. Tiresias, also known as "T", only has 15 percent vision in his right eye and is completely blind in his left eye.

T did not have high prospects for being adopted quickly: he was born with feline herpes and sinus problems, requiring lifetime medication; bacteria had disintegrated his right eye, resulting in a less-than-attractive facial appearance; and he was hyperactive, constantly pacing back and forth in his shelter cage. None of these hindrances mattered to Julian, who was already providing a home for 2 special needs cats when he first saw T. A man with a big heart, Julian adopted T because he felt sorry for him and believed no one else would adopt him.

When asked how T has changed Julian’s life, he laughingly replied that his wallet is a lot thinner, since veterinary visits were frequent occurrences early in their relationship. T’s blind eye, which has no tear duct, was a source of frustration as Julian battled T on a daily basis to apply ointment that prevented eye irritation. T hated the procedure so Julian consulted a veterinarian and followed his recommendation to have T’s blind eye removed and the lids sewn shut.

The surgery eliminated the need for eye ointment, making T and Julian much happier. Since then, T has been very healthy and sprints through the house, jumping over furniture as though he has full sight. A consummate actor, T even sits on the window ledge pretending to look outside. He bounds to the top of his cat tree and loves to play with toy mice. T’s only concession to blindness is that he needs to touch objects, just like a blind person, and he paws Julian’s face when he talks to him.

Julian states that T is the "most affectionate cat I’ve ever had" and refers to him as "my little shadow". He is a playful, talkative lap cat who enjoys sitting on Julian’s chest. If Tiresias could talk, he would prophecy many happy, healthy years ahead for him and his best buddy, Julian, in his forever home.

Couple Advocates Adoption

Published: The Herald News, November 13, 2006, Section B

By: Sherrie Sons

Eight fish a-swimming, three cats a-napping, one dog a-barking … and a partridge in a pear tree! Well, not quite. Though Romeoville residents Tim Kukuk and Samantha Slesinger may not have a partridge in a pear tree, they passionately believe in adopting homeless animals and have the pets to prove it. Tim affirms, "I will never go to a breeder for a pet. I think shelter animals know and appreciate when you give them a home."

Tim and Samantha prefer adult cats since they are mellower than kittens, and they prefer to give a home to an older cat that might have a harder time getting adopted. True to form, they adopted Gordon when he was 8 years old. Some people might not even consider a special needs cat but Tim and Samantha were happy to adopt Vern after seeing him on the Humane Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS) Web site. Vern had been hit by a car and has permanent nerve damage in his rear left leg. They recently adopted Casey, a 3-year-old male cat, from HHAS, and their only dog, Gatsby, is a Shibu Inu who was also adopted from HHAS.

The four-legged animals all get along well. Casey plays with Gatsby while Vern, who was renamed Jack, because his big ears and hopping gait are reminiscent of a jackrabbit, often licks Gordon until he dozes off to sleep. Then Jack bites Gordon’s ear and runs off to initiate a game of chase. All the animals have agreed to ignore the fish.

While profoundly advocating adopting pets, Tim and Samantha caution prospective pet owners to do their homework and ensure they have adequate time and finances to meet a pet’s needs. "A pet isn’t a TV. They’re not inanimate possessions. Pets are dependent on us and require commitment and nurturing," Tim states. "You have to put time and effort into them." Samantha is convinced that the benefits far outweigh the requirements when you "come home and they all greet you". A TV will never give unconditional love but a well-cared-for pet is always happy to rub against your legs and be near you.

Tim and Samantha encourage others to consider adopting special needs animals based on their experience with Jack, who is a wonderful cat and quite entertaining. He is the ultimate drama king, limping to get attention and sympathy but soundly racing into the kitchen when it is dinnertime. Tim says "He’s just another member of the family, even though he’s a special needs cat. It’s nice to be able to give him a home. Hopefully we are helping him forget about the struggle he had earlier in life." Samantha affirms that "We don’t look at him as a special needs cat." A person should not have preconceived ideas about a prospective pet. "Everyone wants the perfect pet but you get out what you put in," Tim says. The burden is on the owner to invest the appropriate care and create the perfect pet.

Thanks to their care and heart for homeless animals, Tim and Samantha have four perfect pets and will never miss that partridge in a pear tree.

They’ve Got a Friend

Published: The Herald News, August 29, 2006, Section D

By: Sherrie Sons

Just as mild-mannered Clark Kent transforms into Superman to rescue people in need, Donna Behan, a quiet and unassuming person turns into Super Volunteer several times a week at Humane Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS) to help animals. She has been integral in saving the lives of hundreds of cats and dogs during her 6 years volunteering at HHAS.

Donna tirelessly meets the animals’ basic needs (cleaning cages, feeding, medicating and walking) by working 2 dog shifts and 1 cat shift each week. Gentle and compassionate, Donna helps previously abused and stray animals learn to trust humans. She also trains new volunteers on animal care procedures, providing insight on how to handle shy, traumatized, and ill animals. Donna is an animal handler on the television show "For the Love of Animals", which is recorded monthly, showing pets available for adoption and sharing cat care information. In addition to all these duties, Donna is responsible for HHAS’ bookkeeping. The scope of Donna’s volunteer work might lead you to assume that she has an abundance of free time but she also works full time as a bookkeeper and cares for several pets in her home.

Donna’s greatest reward for her volunteer work is seeing the animals find permanent, loving homes. Her motivation is to provide a safe, healthy environment for the animals while they are waiting to be adopted. Animal shelter work is certainly challenging and Donna says that "dealing with the animals that are sick and wounded" is heartbreaking. She struggles with comprehending how people can abandon or abuse animals.

A virtual encyclopedia of cat and dog information, Donna notes that you cannot rely on stereotypes when considering different breeds to determine the appropriate pet for you. For example, her favorite rescue story is about an American Staffordshire Terrier (commonly known as a pit bull), Hannah, who struggled through birthing puppies and several health issues before she was well enough to be adopted. American Staffordshire Terriers are conventionally thought to be aggressive and bad-tempered but Hannah was a wonderful dog. Donna affirms, "when treated right and raised right, they are the sweetest, loving animals." Donna also attacks the stereotype that cats are reserved and unaffectionate. She has dealt with hundreds of cats over the years and emphasizes that "the majority of cats are not aloof. They have different personalities but the majority of cats are sweet."

Donna advises prospective pet owners to spend time researching breeds and evaluating the best fit for the animal’s needs and the family’s lifestyle. Time and cost requirements are the most important factors when considering adopting a pet. For example, cats (and many dogs) require a long-term commitment, since they live long lives when provided with good health care. Some sporting dogs are energetic and require a significant time investment in training. The grooming needs of some cats and dogs require a considerable amount of time and should be thoughtfully considered. Puppies and kittens are adorable but require extensive time, energy, and patience as they mature into adults.

Donna is well-qualified to offer adoption advice since her 6 pets came from animal shelters. Willy, Boris and Rosie constitute the canine representation at Donna’s house. Willy is a blind, 12-year-old Shih Tzu who gets around well and is the "sweetest guy." Boris is a 7-year-old Rottweiler who is 100 pounds of love in dog form. Finally, Donna describes her 3-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, Rosie, as "a cuddler and I love her to death." Obviously Donna isn’t just a dog person since she has 3 tabbies and attests that "there’s nothing better than a neutered male cat," citing Lucky, her 5-year-old "big goof", as an example. Mischievous, as well as laid-back, he enjoys being pet, groomed, cuddling and crawling into cabinets. Francine, who is a 5-year-old long-haired cat, has personality to spare and meows when she wants to be held. Rounding out the family, Tabby is a 7-year-old regal cat who deigns to accept petting when she’s in the mood.

No ordinary person could care for 6 pets, perform 6 HHAS jobs and work full time. This is definitely a job for Super Volunteer, Donna Behan!

Published: The Herald News, January 8, 2007, The Ark section

By: Sherrie sons

Few things in life are as sad as experiencing the physical decline and death of a cherished pet. Gail Pozzie fills a need most people could not emotionally cope with by providing hospice care and temporary housing for terminally ill and senior dogs from Bolingbrook’s Humane Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS). She also cares for senior dogs whose owners are vacationing.

Death is a common occurrence when one cares for hospice and senior animals and Pozzie has lost 7 dogs in 2 years. She affirms that she never adjusts to her animal friends dying and states “It never gets any easier. It’s hard now just talking about it.” These painful losses do not dissuade her from the care she provides and she remains firmly convicted that “you don’t want to see old dogs abandoned just because they’re old.” For the past 6 years, Pozzie has nurtured senior dogs by providing love and medical attention. She also routinely gives specialized care that helps senior or ill dogs to do well, such as garnishing their food with mashed chicken liver to make it more appetizing. Pozzie plans to continue providing hospice and senior dog care indefinitely, regardless of the emotional strain, because she knows that her dogs go to a better place after they die.

Ernie, a 15-19 year-old hospice schnauzer was especially dear to Pozzie. He had a heart condition and seemed to have senile dementia, sometimes forgetting where he was or where he was going as he walked around the house. Ernie had problems walking and sometimes fell but he just “went with the flow” and was a loving lap dog. His life expectancy was 2 months when Pozzie gave him a home but he thrived under her care and lived an additional 15 months.

Pozzie adopted both of her current dogs, a 12-year-old shih tzu and a 7-year-old Jack Russell terrier/poodle mix and is providing temporary housing for a HHAS dog. Her self-sacrificing love has provided many dogs with the respect they deserve by giving them compassionate care and increased quality of life during their final years.