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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun
Education Seniors for seniors
Nicky is a sixteen year-old gentleman who is looking for a lap just like yours.
By Carol Chandler The Granny Rose Animal Shelter in Dixon is initiating a wonderful, compassionate program encouraging the adoption of senior animals by senior people. To qualify, the human must be over 65 years of age and the animal over 10 years of age. I am over 50 (way over!) and I have a twenty year-old cat named Maya who is a great companion. However, like Nicky (the handsome guy in the picture), she divides her time between lying in the sun and snuggling up next to me. I wanted to show you a picture of Sophie,
a beautiful short-haired tortoiseshell cat who just celebrated her 15th birthday, but the only picture that I was able to get was blurry and part of her head was not included. She was too busy checking out things in the room. Ditto Clara, a 10 year-old orange colored short-hair -- oops, only a rear view that I didn’t feel appropriate for publication. These two were busy doing their own thing and didn’t feel like holding still at the moment. Just shows you that your personality doesn’t disappear just because you’re old! The greatest thing
Carol Chandler and Larry Hammelman photos
about this program (other than finding companionship for each other) is the fact that adoption fees are waived! Add to that the fact that if a situation arises in the future where you can’t keep your little buddy, Granny Rose will take him/her back without charge! Talk about a winwin situation! There are about 28 cats and 17 dogs now awaiting adoption at the shelter. They would love to have a “forever home” with you. In return for food, comfort and a few pets a day, they will return love, companionship and keep
your feet warm at night in the winter. If you want to be met at the door by someone who loves and trusts you (well, with cats it might be some of the time), then come out to Granny Rose Animal Shelter and find that loving, new member of your family. Their hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The shelter is closed on Sundays. Their telephone number is: 815/288-7387. This could be the start of a new chapter in your life. If you would like to make life easier for these
beautiful animals, but cannot adopt one right now, feel free to donate needed articles: postage stamps, pet toys, Iams Dog Food, Purina Dog Chow (in the green bag, please), Kitten Chow, canned cat and dog food, bleach, paper towels,
kitty litter, old blankets and towels. Or, just come out and take a dog for a walk. Interaction with animals has been proven to be beneficial for your health. Another win-win situation!
Mooseheart cares for people in need with generosity children with a wholesome home-like environment and the best possible training and education.” On a recent visit Bill felt inspired to help modernize the furnishings for the Illinois House at Mooseheart. The Illinois House is the residence for the 10 girls, ages 14-18 who attended the fundraiser. With much humor, each girl told some of their story, answered questions and spoke of their life goals. From this group will come well educated women with impressive professional and vocational skills. The Illinois House is one of thirty residences, all worthy of support. 17-year-old Kyshona will Dunkin, the mascot for the Sterling Predators Basketball team was seen at the Moose Family Center in Sterling posing for pictures with residents of all ages. Surrounded by bean bag games, karaoke, numerous items for a silent auction and people laughing and eating, Dunkin was also showing his dance moves to 15 poised young women from the Illinois House at Mooseheart. There is more to tell, but the story begins long ago with a little boy named Bill Taber. Bill was experiencing liver failure as a child and had a liver transplant at age six. The Sterling Moose became the hub of a com-
munity effort to raise funds in 1986. Bills connection to the Moose ran deep, his father and grandfathers all having been past Presidents of the Sterling Chapter. He is the third generation, but he and dad were quick to point out that the Moose was one organization among many who met this challenge. The American Legion and Kroger were also at the forefront. A boy in Lyndon even ran a lemonade stand to help six-year-old Bill. Bill had his transplant and has been saying thank you ever since by championing causes that enrich the lives of others. He regularly tours Mooseheart, a residential
home in Batavia. This quote is taken from their website, also noting their 100 year anniversary. “Dedicated in July 1913 by the Moose fraternal organization, MOOSEHEART cares for youth whose families are unable, for a wide variety of reasons, to care for them. Some have lost one or both parents; others are living in environments that are simply not conducive to healthy growth and development. Whatever the reason, the men and women of the Moose, through unparalleled generosity and volunteerism, furnish the resources necessary to care for children in need. The Moose fraternity provides
study Veterinary Science at Tuskegee Institute on Scholarship. She spoke freely on how the Mooseheart experience prepares them to live successfully, not just receive diplomas. Her house parent and teacher Brianna was calm, detailed and self-assured. This writer’s family has been involved in The Moose since my childhood, but this event helped me see how truly special the result of their effort continues to be. The generosity of our communities made it possible for Bill Taber to “pay it forward.” He and the Members of the Sterling Moose Lodge continue to do it well.