Volume 6, Issue 1 • Winter/Spring 2011

P.O. Box 308

Elk Grove Village, IL 60009
Paw Prints
P.O. Box 308, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009 • 630.582.3738 • [Link]

A Pet is Forever… promoting responsible pet ownership!

Dreamweaver Nula Polly Tobin

Have you made your New Year’s resolution for 2011? pearance. Unfortunately, a pet chosen purely for its looks
If you still need one, think of your pets. Ask yourself what is often returned for being a bad match. When adopting,

Calendar of Events
they would want your resolution to be. Chances are, it be careful to choose the right pet for your family, home,

Adopt-a-Thon Weekends revolves around them! and lifestyle. Considerations including the animal’s breed,
age, size, special needs, temperament, and personality
There are many special things you can do for your pets. should come first. Think of your living situation and family
Ongoing Events
AHF is participating in two upcoming Petsmart
Charities National Adoption Events at our But taking care of them responsibly is the absolute best members, including current pets. To ensure a successful
Every Day: Cat adoptions at the Petsmart Luv-a-Pet Center in Bloomingdale Petsmart locations. Each adopt-a-thon lasts for thing you can do. That’s why part of the AHF mission is adoption, we strive to help our adopters find their perfect
Every Saturday from 11–3: Cat and dog adoption shows at 3 days, during which every adopter receives to educate the public about responsible pet ownership. match.
Petsmart locations freebies from sponsoring companies. This includes
Goals range from spaying and neutering to organizing
a special adoption packet with extra information
Upcoming Events and coupons. promotional events and fundraisers. So what’s the most important thing you can do for your
pets? Give them the stability of a forever home and fam-
Please visit our website at [Link] for more
The “2nd Chance for Love Adopt-a-Thon” will be Everyone has the potential to be a responsible pet owner, ily. Don’t discard them as a burden when the going gets
information about these events.
held February 11–13, 2011. The second adop- and the potential to teach others how to be one, too. We tough. Don’t give them up to another family that might
February 11-13, 2011: 2nd Chance for Love Adopt-a-Thon tion event will be held April 29–May 1, 2011.
try to do both at AHF. First and foremost, our animal adop- give them up again later. Dogs and cats are devastated
at Petsmart locations
We hope to see you there! tion fees include microchips, spaying or neutering, and all when they lose the only home they’ve ever known, and be-
February 13, 2011: Whirly Ball Event in Lombard core vaccinations for every dog and cat. The animals also ing shuttled from one home to the next isn’t the kind of life
February 17, 2011: Spay Day USA Event at Wheaton North High School come with information about proper introductions, veteri- anyone wants. A cozy home with a loving person, forever
March 18-20, 2011: 19th Annual Chicagoland Family Pet Expo nary care, and general tips about either dog or cat care. and always…it’s something far too many animals can only
at Arlington Park Racecourse Special thanks to ... Adopters also receive a coupon booklet and an offer for dream of. It’s up to the people around them to make that
March 19, 2011 or April 9, 2011 (weather permitting): Heather Lydon (Co-Editor/Lead Writer) pet insurance. This helps steer them onto the path of being dream a reality.
Community Outreach Day for Spay/Neuter Laura Ellingsen (Co-Editor/Designer) responsible pet owners. This also helps us be responsible
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in April 2011: Dine to Donate at Hal Baim pet rescuers. This year, make it your resolution to be a responsible pet
Rocco Vino’s Deanne Blenkle
All AHF
owner. And please remember…just like diamonds, a pet is
April 29-May 1, 2011: National Adopt-a-Thon at Petsmart locations Paul Blenkle volunteers
“Matchmaking” is also part of the adoption process. Too forever.
September 18, 2011: Annual Run/Walk for Animal Rescue Kathi Rose and donors
often, people choose their new pet based off physical ap-
Arita Sego
December 3, 2011: 7th Annual Holiday Party
Rescued, Adopted, Now What? Keeping Track of Your Pets A Big “Thank You”
from Reggie
Saving a Life is Just the Beginning
It only takes a second to lose your
pet. You’re walking your dog when
something catches his eye, and off he Reginald James, or “Reg-
goes. You leave the front door open— gie”, is a friendly one-year-
and suddenly your cat dashes out to old, nine-pound white Bi-
By Arita Sego explore. Pets certainly have minds of chon/Poodle mix dog who
their own, which makes it hard to keep was rescued by AHF. Last
tabs on them all the time. That’s where December, he got lost from
Now that you have adopted your new canine companion, it is the start of your new life. You
microchips, collars, tags, and respon- his foster home and spent
see, your new canine companion will change your life and you will change theirs. Something
sible decisions come into play. six days and nights outside.
you may or may not have thought of is training together with your new companion. Training He was finally found, safe
is more than a dog just learning commands; it is the development of the essential bond be- The AHF microchip program involves Captain Crunch and sound, just outside of
Reggie
tween owner and dog. Training is the avenue for a “rescue dog” to develop the confidence microchipping every dog and cat that we rescue. The cost is included the Medinah Country Club
helpful in overcoming their past life experiences, which may have included abuse or neglect. in the adoption fee. A microchip is very tiny and is implanted beneath golf course grounds. Reggie’s foster family adopted him the
Obedience training is one of the most important aspects of raising a dog. Dogs give humans the surface of the skin between the shoulder blades. They last for the following Saturday.
so much. Training your new canine companion is the least we can do in return. Listed below lifetime of the animal. When a missing pet is found, a scanner is used
Denim are some of the benefits of training. by vets and shelters to check for a microchip. The unique identification It’s a miracle that Reggie survived the elements, including
number traces the pet back to its home. This is why a microchip great- a snowstorm and freezing temperatures. He was actually
You learn to communicate on a level that your dog understands. Sometimes new owners ly increases the likelihood that a missing pet will return home quickly found in great shape!
and safely. Collars with tags increase this likelihood even more. Unlike
mistakenly think that if their dog isn’t responding to their training/teaching methods, that it
microchips, collars with tags are visible forms of identification. It’s also rare for a “missing dog” story to have such a hap-
means the dog just doesn’t get it and can’t learn. Through training, owners are humbled as
py ending. Reggie’s story shows how easy it is for a dog
they realize that it was actually their training methods that were the mistake. Learning how to AHF adoption policies reflect the importance of keeping track of your to escape from his home—and it shows what to do when
communicate with your dog on their level is essential to your growth. pets. Cat adopters are educated about why they should keep their that happens. Several responsible acts made his happy
cats indoors. Please read Sir Galahad’s story below to find out what ending possible: He was wearing a collar and tag when he
Training your dog will strengthen your role as their leader. Your dog learns to look to you can happen to an outdoor cat. went missing. He had an AHF microchip, which was used
for direction and learns that you expect good things from them. As you develop into a good When adopting larger breeds of to trace him back home. His foster mom made flyers and
teacher, you develop into a good leader. Your dog is reassured by this. dogs, adopters must have a certain posted them throughout her neighborhood. Search efforts
fence height. Even under the most were also organized by volunteers.
Suzuki Obedience commands give your dog direction and are tools to use to tell your dog what “to watchful owner’s eye, dogs can still
do” instead of what “not to do.” Using obedience commands recognizes the dog’s ability to escape from their yards. Please read AHF would like to thank the following people for helping
learn and be intelligent. It also builds and strengthens your leadership role with your dog! Reggie’s story at right to find out what Reggie: his foster and now adoptive parents Jan and Jim
to do if your pet goes missing. Welch; Paul Tymec for leading the search; Sue Norris for
helping to catch him; Perry Mazzerella and his dog Jocko
Obedience training gives you lots of opportunities to praise your dog instead of spending so
Microchips, collars with tags, and for helping to catch him; and Christophe Hermine and the
much time correcting and “disciplining” them. Praise develops a much more positive relation- responsible decisions truly matter in Grounds and Gate House staff at Medinah Country Club.
ship and it gives the dog direction and confidence. Rico the life of your pets. Keeping track of a
pet isn’t always easy, but in the hands of a responsible pet owner, it is In addition, AHF would also like to thank the countless
Obedience training is a chance to motivate and encourage your dog to want to be good, definitely possible! volunteers who helped Reggie find his way back home.
and is full of opportunities to acknowledge your dog’s good behavior. A daily life full of
praise and rewards…what dog wouldn’t want that?!

Zesty
Training keeps your dog focused and their minds active. A mentally active dog is not bored.
A bored dog tends to get into mischief. Which would you prefer – a bored, mischievous dog
A Victim of the Outdoors treatment on the wound, and is confined to one room. He needs to
be retested for FELV/FIV twice in the next six months before becom-
or a mentally stimulated, focused, and responsive dog? Sir Galahad is a cat
ing available for adoption.
who was left outside to
fend for himself. When Every year, we rescue dozens of outdoor cats. Most have experi-
A well-trained dog is a much happier dog. Why, you ask? Well, a trained dog needs fewer
he showed up in some- enced some trauma from their life outside. Some were abused by
restrictions. They are reliable, respond to their owner’s voice, and tend to be given more body’s yard, they tried to cruel people who came across them…some suffered injuries after
freedoms. Trained dogs are welcome in many places where an untrained dog would not be help him. But Sir Gala- being hit by a car…and some wore life-threatening battle scars
welcome. This is even true in your own home—when having guests over, a trained dog can had disappeared…only from predator attacks.
participate in family activities, whereas an untrained dog would need more restrictions. to reappear a week later,
badly injured. He had Sir Galahad is a victim of the outdoors, as are the other cats
Training your dog may be what saves their life someday. It allows you to have immediate been attacked by another with stories like his. These cats are the reasoning behind the AHF
control over your dog’s behavior. In an emergency situation, this can save their life or yours! animal and a deep bite “indoor cat” adoption policy, which requires adopters to sign a
wound covered his body. clause promising to keep their new cat inside. We want to ensure
Sir Galahad that the cats we’ve rescued won’t end up outside again.
When is the best time to begin training, you ask? Right now! No matter how long you have Sir Galahad was rushed
had your dog, it is never too early or too late! Don’t pass up the opportunity to be the leader to a vet, who had to install a drainage tube to save him.
Indoors, a cat is protected against disease, predators, traffic
you can be and to give your dog the confidence they deserve. Sir Galahad is currently recovering in an AHF foster home. accidents, the elements, and abuse from cruel people. Outdoors,
He requires hot packs to be applied twice a day, daily iodine a cat is vulnerable to it all…just ask Sir Galahad.
Ask Freddy Special Thank You
to the Leo Club!
Many of you are reading this house- right toy—but eventually the “spark” comes. There are those who
bound by winter’s wind, chill, and snow. soak up the love, petting and attention from the beginning…and
To those of you who are sharing the then there are those who do not trust. 
warmth of your home with a rescued
animal (or animals!) from Almost Home, Some animals take hours, some days, some even weeks—but gain- Throughout the month of October, the Elk Grove Leo Club held a pet
thank you so much! I’m taking this op- ing their trust by talking softly, being nearby, and providing good food and supply drive to benefit the cats and dogs of Almost Home
portunity to share some insight into the things eventually do win trust. Each animal makes it’s own choice Foundation. By the end of the month, they had collected over 1,200
time at the beginning of an animal’s about when to let this happen. items…that’s a lot of food and supplies for a lot of lucky cats and
journey on the way to their forever home. dogs! Thank you so much to the Elk Grove Leo Club and to everyone
As my foster mom’s special helper, my job is to sit patiently by and
who participated in donating items.
While I can only speak for the cat end watch and wait for a new friend to come around. Sometimes I help
of things, I can guarantee that the work, with a gentle nudge that says “Trust them, they want to love and
love and transformations are the same care for you”. Without donations, we wouldn’t be able to rescue cats like Larri, who
for dogs and cats. Homeless animals arrive at AHF through varied is photographed at right with Elk Grove Leo Club vice-president Marki
means, including abandonment, abuse, neglect, an owner’s I have watched the hours sitting by and talking, the hours groom- Kaim. Animals like Larri count on donation efforts to make their rescues
changing lifestyle, or from an outdoor scenario. When animals ing, and the hours playing that our volunteers offer the cats. No possible.
arrive they are afraid and very aware of their new surroundings. magic wand is waved to make it “happen”. Very often there are
They wonder why they’re “here” and about these new four-legged extraordinary measures taken by the volunteers and giving up isn’t If you would like to organize a fundraiser for our animals just like this
strangers. “What do they want?” they seem to wonder. Some are an option. Soon, the newbie gets it. They make their choice and club did, you can contact us at info@[Link] or at
brokenhearted by the loss of their family. Some have never been it is worth all the love, time, and attention it took to get there. And
(630) 582-3738. Marki holding Larri
Thank
inside before. Many are just resigned to another change in their then there is another face waiting in line and isn’t it marvelous that
lives. Some hiss…others cry…still others won’t eat. There are some the old newbie can help this time? you from the
bottom of our hearts!
that are injured, and sometimes one comes along who just looks  
like they want to die. Very best wishes for a happy and healthy 2011 to all of you…
and, with your help, may we save many more animals this year!
The first days are crucial, because medical attention may be
xoxo Freddy
necessary. Newbies must be coaxed to eat and drink. Being on
your hands and knees is a common occurrence. Four or five foods
might need to be tried. Some volunteers cook up beef and feed the
animals by hand. The goal? Hydration and a full stom ach. There
are those who just lay there, with no interest in a dangled toy or a
fuzzy mouse. Persistence works best—and, of course, finding the

Enjoy!
Mews N News
Here we are in the middle of winter…and since many of
you will be cuddled up with your lovable pet companions
on the couch, here are some noteworthy pet-related reading
selections:

I’ll See You In Heaven by Jack Wintz The Cat Who Came For Christmas by Cleveland Amory

Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The Pets Letters To God translated by Mark Bricklin
World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter
Wow Meow - Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales and
Dog Love by Marjorie Garbel Trivia Even Your Cat Won’t Know by Marty Becker DVM

The Latchkey Dog: How the Way You Live Shapes the Be- Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, part of the Chicken
havior of the Dog You Love by Jodi Andersen Soup Series
 Little Paws & Big Hearts:
Our Annual Celebration
Thank you to everyone who attended the 6th Annual Little Paws, Big Hearts Holiday Party on December 4, 2010! We
would also like to thank the countless volunteers who organized the event and made it all possible, as well as all the people
and companies who donated items to the silent auction.

The party was a blast and all of the money that was raised from ticket sales, the silent auction, and donations benefited the
animals that will be rescued in 2011. It was a fabulous night filled with music, dancing, great food, and raffle prizes and
gifts. Also, the silent auction was packed with wonderful donated items!

The event was held at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, IL. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year, and in
addition to being a lot of fun, it’s also a priceless contribution to our animals.

We hope you enjoy the photos, and please join us this year for the 7th Annual Little Paws, Big Hearts Holiday Party, to be
held on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Hal Baim/Hal Baim Photography

Paul Blenkle/Purr Photography

Hal Baim/Hal Baim Photography

Paul Blenkle/Purr Photography
Hal Baim/Hal Baim Photography

Paul Blenkle/Purr Photography

Hal Baim/Hal Baim Photography
Paul Blenkle/Purr Photography