Here's what we hear when people drop off their felines
I would like to share with you my "Top Ten" List of excuses we hear at the Buddy Foundation regarding why people give up their animals. All of the reasons are disheartening to those of us who would do anything to keep our animals and keep them healthy.
Number l0: I am moving. The story goes something like this, "I really love my feline, he's my best bud, but I'm moving to an upscale place that does not allow pets." How can someone give up their best bud, for a posh, new two-bedroom?
Number 9: I work too many hours? How many hours does one feline require?
Number 8: Litter and food are just too expensive. "P.S. Did I tell you my feline is a petite six pounds?"
Number 7: The bills at the vet are too overwhelming! Besides, I really don't have the time to take my pet to the vet. They make you wait in the lobby for a long time.
Number 6: The kids were supposed to help change the litter. Children are meant to break promises to Mom and Dad. That's why they are called children. Where are the responsible adults here?
Number 5: The feline has litter box issues. If the animal had been taken to the vet, the urinary-tract infection would have been found (see Number 7). Do you remember, back in Number 6, the kids forgot to scoop and left the litter pan dirty.
Number 4: I'm losing sleep. My feline keeps me up all night. It meows and wants to cuddle.
Number 3: My feline wakes me up too early. It meows for its food bowl at the crack of dawn. How dare they?
Number 2: My animal sheds excessively and jumps on the counter and furniture. Did I also tell you that the feline does not match the furniture decor?
Number 1 will be revealed next feline Buddy Beat and that one is interesting enough to have its own column.
Featured Felines
Arnold is a 5-month-old white and black, large kitten. He is so mellow, when he attends adoption events in pet stores he sits on top of the adoption table. He is an affectionate feline that longs to sit in anyone's lap. He readily snuggles and gives kisses. Arnold follows people around like a small dog.
Chip is a champagne colored feline that is 12- to 14- years old. Chip's previous owners must have read my list. Chip had a urinary tract infection and his owners did not want to spend the money to fix it because of his age. Instead, they instructed the vet "to put him down." Obviously that did not happen since Chip is still with us and is now a healthy animal. He is a calm feline that just wants someone to love him. His current foster home chore is to baby-sit kittens. He does this with much tenderness. This happy boy, still can provide a lot of years of enjoyment and love to a family.
Fancy is a female, spayed calico that is mostly white and fancy is only a year old. Her previous owner is also a participant of my top 10 list. She was "just too busy to keep Fancy," even though she adopted Fancy as an 8-week-old kitten. Fancy is fun and outgoing. She can't wait for her foster home.
Adoption Event
On Saturday, Sept. 1, we will be at two locations from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. We will be at PetsMart at 49 W. Rand Road in Arlington Heights, and we will be at PetCo in Mount Prospect Plaza.
Golf Outing
Our outing will be at Schaumburg Golf Course on Sept. 19. It begins with a Continental Breakfast at 8 a.m. and the shotgun start begins at 9 a.m. We need golfers, raffle prizes and hole sponsors.
Did You Know?:
The Buddy Foundation would like to thank Sasha Myszkowski, a teen volunteer who is a junior at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. Sasha wanted to help the foundation get closer to our dream of a place to call home -- our shelter. She knew we were struggling to acquire funds to complete the building and she wanted to make a difference. She and her family organized Buddy's first car wash on Aug. 11 and 12 this year. The two-day event made almost $1,000 for the Buddy Foundation. Teen power does make a difference, and the foundation would like to encourage other teens to follow Sasha and her family's wonderful example. The animals need you!