Our animal friends need help
Chera's whiskers are singed but growing back. Trevor no longer is cowering in the corner covered with soot.
Abused and neglected, Lizzy, too, is recovering from the animal shelter fire that killed her puppy.
And Miracle? Miracle was the only one of her litter to survive the blaze that destroyed the Franklin County Animal Shelter and killed dozens of animals, including her mom, last month. The five-week-old kitten tumbled from the blaze into the arms of a firefighter when he opened a door.
The cats and dogs are just a few of the burned-out animals that have found temporary shelter in the northern Fox Valley. Both the Assisi Animal Foundation in Crystal Lake and Animal House Shelter in Huntley took in animal refugees right after the blaze.
And now they need our help.
"The biggest need is finding homes for them and finding homes for other animals in our care," said Lee Linklater, president of the Assisi Animal Foundation, where the additional animals at year's end are straining resources. "The economy is squeezing all of us. We're hurting for donations."
Donations would definitely help, agreed Kaylie Carroll of the Animal House Shelter in Huntley. But the biggest need right now is people to adopt or sponsor the dogs and cats needing homes. They've cleaned them all up, tended to their medical needs and, now, they need new homes.
The shelter also could use volunteers and foster families.
If you're ready for a new family member, contact the Assisi Foundation at (815) 455-9411 or www.assissi.org. Or the Animal House at (847) 961-5541.
You can see their animals at animalhouseshelter.com.
Name that piece
Today is your absolute last chance to "name that piece" and win a shot at one of two free wine tastings for 20 donated by WineStyles in Lake in the Hills. E-mail me or call by 5 p.m. today with your suggestion for the collection of white standing guard in front of the Algonquin village hall on Harnish Drive. You're not going to let my "beheaded Q-tips" entry win, are you? All that wine … so little time.
Seriously, I can't win -- but you can. Call (847) 931-5725 or e-mail amack@dailyherald.com. We'll tell you the winners in next Friday's column.
Ornament hunt!
At least three lucky souls found treasure ornaments as they tromped the trails at Raceway Woods this week. But it seems the $20 ornaments still are tucked away amid the branches. Head for the woods to find a little respite and some extra holiday cash. Thanks to Raceway stewards Jack and Donna Redmer's holiday spirit, you'll find green, silver and gold ornaments hidden away. Find one (and only one per family, please) and turn it in for cash at the Dundee Township office downstairs at the Dundee Township Public Library, 557 E. Barrington Ave., East Dundee.