A LOVE STORY

In February of 2008 Save-A-Pet was called out on a humane investigation. It was all very confusing but Jazzman, a handsome 12 year old Blue Heeler mix had been left behind by his family. His person had moved to another state and left Jazzman in a house she rented out. They were not taking care of Jazzman so Save-a-Pet took “Jazz” to the shelter prepared to give him the care and love that he deserved. Since Jazz was a senior and had arthritis, he was able to secure an “office position” at the shelter. He lived in one of the front offices with his new best friend and shelter administrator, Nikki. He loved it up there but you could still see the hurt and longing for his family in his eyes.

One day in April staff watched as a woman walked in the front door and started speaking. Jazz went crazy. We saw him happy and playing but we had never seen him like this. He was jumping around trying to get into the lobby. He had a light in his eyes that we had never seen before. He was responding to the voice of the woman that he was hearing. As it turned out, this was the person, his “family” that had left him behind. She wanted him back. Save-A-Pet usually does not return animals to families that have given up or abandon them. The worry is that if done once, why not again. The problem, here, was everyone could see how happy Jazz was now. When he saw her, his love for her was so obvious. We could not deny him the chance to be back with the person he loved. We all were so happy as we watched them walk out the front door together. You would never know Jazz was 12. He acted 2.

Jazz’s happiness was short lived. Six months later we received a call from this person’s friend. Jazz had been left behind again. This time he was completely abandoned in an empty home. This friend tried to take Jazz in, but her dog went after him. So she called us hoping that we would take Jazz back. There was no question. He was to come back to the shelter immediately. We were then informed there was also a cat that had been left behind. Of course we took both animals, Jazzman and Kiki. Jazz was set up with Nikki again in a front office and Kiki went off with the other cats in the shelter, in the Main Cat room.

As days passed, staff noticed Kiki was not doing well. She wasn’t eating and just didn’t seem interested in life. It’s not unusual for animals that have lost their families to get depressed. But Kiki still had family. He was just in another area of the shelter. So Kiki was moved into the office with Jazzman. To be honest, we were not expecting much to change. But, as we soon saw, we were very wrong. Kiki’s spirits immediately picked up. She started eating and seemed to become interested in her surroundings. Jazz also seemed happy to have Kiki in the office with him. Save-A-Pet now had their first dog and cat pair. It was obvious to all that these two loved each other and had a bond. It had almost been broken. We were going to make sure that wasn’t going to happen again. So it was agreed that they needed to be adopted out together.

As time passed at the shelter, Jazzman wasn’t getting younger. His arthritis was getting worse but he and Kiki were still happy and together in a shelter office. They really didn’t “hang out” together. Kiki loved her spots on high places in room. She came down sometimes to say hello to Jazz, but just being together seemed good enough for both of them. Recently, Jazz started having a tougher time getting up, having more difficulty walking, and seemed not to be himself. Of course, by now he was almost 15. Coincidentally, Kiki started coming down and sleeping on Jazz’s bed near him or right beside him. As it turned out it was not a coincidence. Jazzman was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a form of cancer. He was sick and Kiki knew it before we did. She had started coming down to be with him and comfort him. Three weeks after the diagnosis, Jazz took a turn for the worse and we decided to let him go so he would not suffer. He woke up on a Saturday morning, on June 5th, and was in great pain. We were told it was due to progression of the disease and the pain would continue. We had brought Jazz to the vet that morning, but brought him back to the shelter (while keeping him comfortable) so he could be with Kiki one more time. As soon as Jazz was brought into the room, Kiki immediately went and lay down beside him. She was there with him until it was time to let him go. Surrounded by his favorite people that loved him so and his best friend, Kiki, Jazzman crossed over the Bridge. The instant Jazzman left us; Kiki got up and walked away from the body. She knew he was gone and there was no reason to stay there beside him at that point.

Usually I write these memorials for the wonderful soul that we lost. But Jazz's life and love is so reflected in his relationship with Kiki that I felt telling their story was the best way to honor him. We wathed Kiki as she continued to get worse and worse at the shelter. No she couldn't tell us what was wrong. So often we struggle watching our babies, at the shelter, trying to figure out what causes them to have a tough time. When they are physically healthy, it's so upsetting to see them trying to adjust while missing their families. But watching Jazz bring Kiki back to the beautiful happy girl she had been, was an amazing thing. He was so good for her.

Jazzman and Kiki showed us the amazing bond that animals can form with each other, just like we do. Its so hard to lose one our “babies”, even harder when they leave a best friend behind. Jazz and Kiki’s story is a true love story. No, Jazz was not able to find that forever home for him and Kiki, but he was so loved here and so cherished. He was our family and will always be a part of us. Jazzie, we know you are still around, keeping an eye on Kiki. It’s nice to know she has you as her guardian angel watching over her and protecting her. Jazzman you will forever be here and be a part of us. We love you.

Update - June 20, 2010

I told the story of Jazzman and Kiki. They were an amazing pair. Their love, most likely, saved Kiki's life. Jazz recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge and left Kiki here without him. She has had us, who love her so much. But, it's not the same without your best friend. Today, we believe that her Guardian Angel (Ja...zzman of course) decided it was time that Kiki open her heart to a new best friend. Sage, a Save-A-Pet alumnae, came in to meet Kiki today. Sage is an easy going white German Shepherd. His new family came in, with him, to meet Kiki to see how they got along. When they met, there was a little bit of getting to know each other, but then it was almost as if Jazz whispered into Kiki's ear, "I will always be here with you, but you need someone else to love and Sage is the one" because Kiki walked over to Sage and rubbed up against him to let him know that she was ready to open her heart again. Kiki, we will miss you, but we know you have found your new best friend and will be happy again. Thank you Jazz for keeping an eye on her.

- Dana Deutsch

Stevi's Story | April 19, 2010

On April 8th at 6:30AM, a Save-A-Pet staff member found a dog left outside the adoption center. This was yet another dog that was not secured in any way. It snowed the night before and was now below freezing. The dog, a female Pug, was left all alone in a large plastic container. Not only was this sweet little girl left alone in the cold, but both of her eyes were horrifically damaged. She was in severe shock and very traumatized.

Emergency veterinarians were able to reset her eyes, but not her ability to see. She returned to the shelter only wanting to be held. Once she was tucked into her own room, she went to sleep and did not move the entire day. The very next day brought a new life for this little girl, Stevi. The Lake County Officer called to Save-A-Pet regarding animal cruelty charges fell in love with this little girl before even meeting her. He came back the next day to check on her and ask if she had found a home yet. We told him no.

The officer, his girlfriend and her daughter adopted Stevi.

Have you ever seen or felt something that you just knew was right? That was how everyone felt seeing Stevi with her new family. Her new mom told us that after she heard the story, she had actually dreamed of Stevi that night. Stevi went home with her new family and her new sibling, Toto. Stevi's mom sent a picture later that showed Stevi sleeping on her lap with the comment, "I am so happy". It's pretty obvious that they both are--as are we. Stevi might have lost her sight, but she has found a family to love her and help guide her through this difficult time of her life. She is one of the lucky ones.

Update from Stevi's new family:

I want to thank everyone for all their kind words and I also wanted to let everyone know how Stevi is doing....she is feeling better and we're managing her pain with meds. (She's loves liver sausage.....!!!) She knows she's loved and NEVER complains when it's time to put ointment on her eyes (well... See More...sometimes she snorts like a piggy...LOL)....she reacts to my voice (you should see how she wags her butt when she hears me...awww). She loves to be held and LOVES to give kisses!!! She is adjusting to things around her and recovering. Hopefully she'll get the stitches out on the 24th (because she sure HATES that cone - - but we'll see what the doc says). SHE IS AN INCREDIBLE GIRL!!!

This story is one of many representing the unique work and compassion that Save-A-Pet staff and volunteers offer all of the animals in our care. For Stevi and others, we ask you to please continue supporting Save-A-Pet by sharing this story with others so that we can afford to care for the current residents and the ones we haven't met--yet.

- Dana Deutsch

April 5, 2010

Compassion - the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it

As many of you know, the first word I use to describe Save-A-Pet is compassion. I would like to expand on that, today, for all of you. What makes up the soul of Save-A-Pet (other than our animals of course) are our staff and volunteers. I am sure every single one of you has seen many examples of our staff and volunteers having compassion. As I have said, it is what holds Save-A-Pet together.

Passionate - having or expressing strong emotions

The second word I always use to describe Save-A-Pet is passion/passionate. Again, I am sure every single one of you sees this at the shelter every time you are here. But there are two stories I would like to share that show how passionate and how much compassion our staff and volunteers have here at Save-A-Pet.

The first one happened on a Tuesday in January. January 26th to be exact. I got a phone call, around 6:30 am, from one of our Animal Health staff, Marilyn. She was very emotional. She had pulled up at the shelter at 6:00 am and there was a dog (who we later named Justice) standing by the back door by a bag of dog food. He ran up to her car when she pulled up but when she opened the door and he saw it wasn't who he thought it was, he ran off. It was a cold windy day. But Marilyn spent over half an hour trying to rescue this dog. I could hear, in her voice, how worried she was. I could also tell that she was freezing. She called because she didn't know what to do. She couldn't catch him. She didn't want to leave him out there. But, as we discussed, at that time there wasn't anything else she could do. When I got to the shelter a couple of hours later I found that most of the staff had also tried, when they got in, to rescue Justice. They had put out food and water for him, but he would come nowhere near them. He was terrified. You could also see the emotion on everyone's face. They so badly wanted to get this dog into safety. They were worried about the cold and him getting hurt. Every time someone saw him, everyone would stop what they were doing and do something to try and rescue him. As most of you know, this story did not end well for Justice. But that entire day, the Save-A-Pet staff showed their compassion for this dog and were very passionate in doing so. They all had work to do and yet, went above and beyond trying to save him. It was not a Save-A-Pet dog but it was an animal in need. And that is all the staff members of Save-A-Pet need to know is that it is an animal in need and they will be there for them.

Last week we had a similar situation. Donny came to get me and he was frantic. There was a loose dog outside that Lake County Sheriff's Office was trying to catch. I ran out there and saw a Deputy and a guy in a truck trying to catch this beautiful pit bull. As I ran after her, other staff members came pouring out of the shelter (as they always do) also trying to save this little girl. We were not able to, yet again throughout the day a volunteer or staff member would see her (she also kept coming back here) and they would go out after her trying to rescue her. That was a Saturday morning. By the afternoon we had not seen her again. But when volunteers left, they went out of their way to drive around looking for this little girl. Also, that evening we had gotten a phone call from someone who had his dog stolen and it sounded like this was her. Sunday no one saw her but volunteers and staff (on their own time) drove around looking for her. Nobody was ready to give up or quit. She was out there and they wanted to find her. I got a call, at home, Monday evening from Jessica (another Animal Health staff member). They had her! Jessica was so excited that I could barely understand her. It seems that volunteers saw the dog (we later learned her name was Nahla) and told staff. They opened up the Sandpit and they were able to get her in there and close the gate. In the darkness, staff members bravely went in there(knowing nothing about her)to see if they could catch her. After a few nervous minutes they were able to get a leash on her and bring her inside. It was obvious that she was scared. The possible owner was called and they waited on him to show up. They said when Nahla saw him it was obvious that it was his dog. She was so happy and so excited. To think that this dog was out there all alone, scared, cold and hungry for three days and Save-A-Pet never gave up on her. Because of the compassionate staff and volunteers, Nahla is back at home safe and sound.

Thank all of you for your compassion for these animals. And thank you for being so very passionate about them and all the animals out there that need us.

- Dana Deutsch

March 3, 2010

It's March which means that spring is right around the corner (or at least that is what y'all keep telling me). Spring brings with it a change. Spring brings hope and the promise of brighter days. In so many ways spring reflects what I feel Save-A-Pet means to our animals. We offer change, hope, and the promise of brighter days for them. We are their future and we are here to give them their brighter days and their futures with their new families.

Last year I started doing these shelter updates to keep all of you more informed of daily happenings at the shelter including adoptions and stories about our animals. All of you do so much for these animals to help them find their better days, to give them that hope that they so deserve. But many of you never really get a chance to know the difference that you make. That's why I started these updates over a year ago. Many of you have commented to me about missing them. I feel I have let you down by not doing them these past few months and I want to to fix that. So here is your first "Shelter Update" for 2010.

The first thing to share is our adoptions for the months of January and February because that is what we ultimately want for each and every one of our residents.

Cats: Norelius and Footloose (together), Jaspar, Gambell, Tessie, Gustafson and Fancy Free (together), Normina, Leaf, Tegtmeyer, Gorgonzola, Janusz and McLin (together), Ante, Rin and Nerine (bonded pair together), FadeAway, Maserati, Kenai, Annabella and Allure (together), Coffee Roll and Bavarian (together), Gerilynn, Swiper and Map (together), Wooster and Tater Tot ( SPN and together), All Alaska (SPN), Big Shadow and Big Bity (together), Gwndolyn, Rory (SPN), Jeffrey Grade, Frat and Biggins (FIVers together), Patterson and Higgins (together), Royal Flush, Lucious (PF), Alicia Keys, Ramira, Lunchbox, Paulina and Hymn (SPN and together), Jermaine, Fairy, Dumbledore (PF), Alexander (SPN), Dido (SPN), Edward and Serengeti (FIVers and together), Gimli, Tialpia, and Puff (SP and all together), Detail, Akira, Kurosawa and Zsa Zsa (together), Charlie Applesauce, Miss Steak, Vixen Claus, Dipstick, Gertrude, Tayla, Harley Quinn, Chantel and Bayou Bengal (together), Clinique, Gloria Jean, Solar Planet

Dogs: Angel Harmony(one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Cahill, Angel Holly (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Volt, Magnolia (SPN), Brunie, Mercedes Benz, Angel Neva and Angel Merry (2 of the puppy mill dogs and together), Shady Lady and Terre (SPN – bonded pair), Angel Ingel (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Compton Larry, Angel Avery (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Daisy Lynn, Frasier, Angel Belle and Angel Glory (2 of the puppy mill dogs and together), Leighann (SPN), Angel Michael and Angel Gabriel (2 of the puppy mill dogs and together), Zebra, Sadie (SPN), Newlyn, Oliver, Angel Michaela (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Curly and Mother Bear (together), Angle Nicolas (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Sir Toby, Corona Ona, Bud, Mabel (SPN), Millie, Happiness (SPN), Gigi (SPN), Floyd (SPN), Angel Elden (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs), Grace and Pugsley (SPN and bonded pair), Conroe, Ringo, Angel Gabriella and Yule (one of the 18 puppy mill dogs and one of her puppies), J. Frost, , Yule, Jingle Belle, Melbourne (SPN), Deuce and Warren (SPN bonded pair) On the above dogs and cats: SPN – means Special Needs which could mean; been here over a year, a senior animal, a bonded pair, a medical or some other kind of issue. PF means Permanent Foster. Also, not shown, we adopted out 4 Am-Staff or Pit Bulls.

I know that all of you know that can be tough here. At times there is sadness and loss, there are animals returned, and some we can not take. I don't ignore those times because it is important that all of you know those times as well as the good. But this update is about hope and the promise of better days. This is about what Save-A-Pet offers that often other shelters/adoption centers do not. So we will, this time, put those others aside. If you want to know about the hope and brighter days that this shelter gives, look at some of the following:

Save-A-Pet has our FIVers. Many other places will not take these cats in and if they find they do have one, it is usually a death sentence. Not only do we love and cherish these wonderful cats, but they have their own room to highlight just how special they are. Just in the past two months alone, we sent four home to their new families. Look at all of our Special Needs Animals that other places won't even consider. We welcome them with open arms because we know that there is that one home out there just waiting for them. We stand by our bonded pairs and keep them together. We know how important it is to keep best friends (and some time lifetime friends) together (and sometimes it's been three that we would not separate). We don't separate families here, we make them. And then there are our seniors who we adore. These animals have devoted their lives to someone and then many are abandoned when it is their time to need some devotion, some additional help. We know we wouldn't want to be abandoned in our "Golden Years" and we don't want to do that to them either.

And as always, Save-A-Pet would not be able to give these animals their chance at their "spring" without you. Every adoption, every wonderful story is because of our staff, volunteers, and supporters. I hope every one of you knows how important you are to these residents. These animals need you. I am not just talking about the residents here, but for all of the animals that are in shelters or in situations where we can help around the world. Get involved. There is so much going on out there where we can make a difference; working to pass legislation to make stricter animal cruelty laws, legislation to stop puppy mills and make pet stores disclose information on breeders, working with TNR for the feral cat colonies, working to stop breed discrimination, working to help communities recognize the importance of spay and neutering their pets, and so much more. Please be a voice for those who can not speak for themselves.

And for me a special favor, please do not forget Justice. Don't forget this dog who had his life stolen from him. Please don't let his death be in vain. Help educate the public about animal abusers. Animal abusers don't stop at animal abuse, as was proven by Justice. The death of Justice will, hopefully, keep others from meeting the same fate that he did. He gave them their "spring", their chance at a future.

- Dana Deutsch

February 1, 2010

Around 6:00 am on Tuesday January 26th, our first staff member arrived at the shelter. She saw a black dog standing by our back door. Next to him was a small bag of dog food and two doggie toys. No telling how long he had been standing there waiting for his family to come back, but there he was.

When the staff member pulled up, he ran up to her car looking for his family. He ran off when he realized it was a stranger. He would run across Fairfield Road in spite of fast moving traffic, but would keep coming back to the parking lot of the shelter trying to find his family.

We would try to catch him, but he would run off again. We set up a trap at about 11:30 am, but didn't see him again. Around 2:00 pm, a staff member said she saw him about a mile down the road near Route 120 and Fairfield, which is a very busy intersection. So, I went out looking for him to try and direct him back towards the shelter and the trap. What I really wanted to do was to catch him and get him to safety. I drove around looking for him. I ended up driving down Town Line Road, only one half-mile from the shelter. As I drove by a home on this stretch of road, I saw dog in the field directly behind the home. He was just standing there. I started to back the car up to see if I could approach him from the other side of the home. As I was backing up down Town Line Rd., I heard a gunshot. I put the car in the drive and tried to see who was shooting. I just knew they were shooting at the dog.

I heard another shot and backed up again, looking to see who was shooting. As I was backing up I was able to look through the front window of the home. What I saw sickened me. On the other side of the home (and from inside the home), I watched a man raise his arm up with a rifle and take aim out his back window. As he aimed, another gunshot rang out. I pulled into his driveway and jumped out of the car screaming. I started pounding on his front door. I screamed out that he was shooting my dog and to stop. He put the gun down and came to the door. He opened the door and said he wasn't shooting at a dog. He said he was shooting something else (I don't remember what exactly) in his back yard. He said it was some type of can on top of equipment or machinery. He asked me if I wanted to come see. I told him no. I told him I was calling the police. As I dialed the police, I backed my car out of the driveway and back onto the road. Now I could see the dog lying in the field. This dog had been running all day. There was only one reason he would by laying down. He had been shot.

I ran across the field and was joined by two Round Lake Public Works employees working nearby. They took the phone and talked to the police for me. We reached the dog and he was lying half twisted in a pool of blood. There was blood all around him. He had obviously suffered and walked around before he finally fell to the ground. The dog took an agonal breath, but it was still a breath. The guys helped load him and myself in their truck and drove us to my car. I took him to Animal Emergency Treatment Center, in Grayslake. When I lifted him out of the car, I knew he was dead. He died in my car on the way to the Emergency Vet.

The man that shot him lives .6 miles from our shelter. I need this dog to get justice. I need people to know what can happen when you just leave an animal somewhere, and I need for everyone to remember this beautiful boy who just wanted his family back.

NOTE to whoever dumped this poor boy at the shelter, Save-A-Pet, in Grayslake, IL: He was loyal and full of love for you. He waited for you to come back to pick him up. All day long people tried to catch him and he would run off (across an extremely busy road) and would keep coming back to the shelter waiting for you. If a car pulled up, he would go to it, looking for you. He would then run off when he saw it wasn't you. He waited and then he went looking for you. While looking for you, he was shot and killed.

- Dana Deutsch