Published: September 19, 2008 01:39 pm      

Mascots are part of the family at shelter

When Jo Ann Adams comes to work at the Danville Humane Society in the early mornings, she switches on the light in the thrift shop … and all is quiet.

No meows to greet her, no furry feline to rub against her leg, no purrs of delight.

“Now there’s nobody to talk to,” she said. “I miss them when they’re gone.”

Twinkie, the white cat who reigned over the thrift shop, died recently at age 16. The long-haired beauty had been a fixture there since 1993, when she appeared as employees were cleaning up after a fire at the shelter.

That leaves five mascots — all dogs — at the shelter at Collett and Voorhees.

The mascots are getting older, and it hurts when one of them dies, Adams said.

Three of the mascots live indoors and two are outdoors.

The indoor dogs are two dachshunds, Oscar and Little Man, both about 17 years old, and Baby Girl, a chow-mix about 13 years old.

The dachshunds have been living the good life for 14 years, and the chow has been “spoiled rotten” for more than 10 years.

“They’re part of the family,” said Adams, who is director.

How are the mascots chosen?

“It just kind of happens,” she said. “You don’t plan on who you’re going to keep.”

There’s usually a special story behind the animal.

Twinkie, for example, was a kitten when she suddenly appeared four days after a fire destroyed the shelter in November 1993. Someone apparently had dumped her.

The timing was right: Carson the feline mascot had died in the fire, along with several other animals.

It was just meant to be, Adams said.

The dachshunds were brought in several years ago, and again, another mascot, a basset hound, had just died. The two have the run of the office, and accompany Adams on visits to schools.

Baby Girl had been injured, when she came to the shelter’s attention. A couple of city workers out by Alcoa had seen her, and noticed that she hadn’t moved in a couple of days. Shelter workers were able to trap her, and they discovered she had injuries to two of her legs, possibly from a train.

Somehow, the dog knew to put her legs in the mud, and the wounds clotted.

The shelter paid for extensive surgery, but she probably wouldn’t have had much luck getting adopted. Although she lost part of her legs, Adams said, “She can outrun us.”

She has the shelter staff wrapped around her paw. She gets a packet of peanut butter and cheese crackers every day, and shares the workers’ breakfasts and lunches.

“She rules the roost,” Adams said. “You can’t sit in here and eat unless you share.”

Although she’s timid around strangers, Baby Girl makes a good watchdog. She’d attack anyone who tries to break in, Adams said.

As for the thrift-shop mascot, Twinkie probably will be replaced, but that decision hasn’t been made yet, she said.

Twinkie added a nice touch to the thrift shop, and sometimes even startled customers who thought she was a toy. Maybe a lucky kitty with a special story will wander into the shelter — and find herself crowned queen of the shop.

CUTE KITTENS

Lora Whittington of Kingman, Ind., had good intentions when she gave a stray cat to a friend, Ann Alexander of Hillsboro, Ind. Little did they know the tortoise-shell cat was pregnant.

The cat had five kittens in April, and Alexander found homes for all of them.

She had an appointment to get the cat spayed, but suddenly — and unexpectedly — she noticed the cat was pregnant again. This time, the cat had 10 small kittens on Aug. 4. The kittens are 6 weeks old, and come in a variety of colors — solid gray, solid black, sandy, yellow, tortoise — and are healthy.

Alexander would like them to go to new homes in pairs, whenever possible.

If you can help Alexander, call her at (765) 798-6530.

WHOSE KITTY?

Cindy Nygren found a friendly yellow long-haired cat in the area of Denmark Road last month. This cat had been taken care of at one time — so he’s either lost or someone dumped him. The cat, who is about 6 years old, has been declawed and neutered, but not mircochipped.

Nygren said he’s a loveable cat who can’t get enough petting, brushing and sitting on her lap.

Unfortunately, she found out he’s FIV/FELUK positive, heartworm positive and has renal failure. This isn’t a death sentence for the cat, and he could thrive in a quiet home with no other cats. He seems to be OK with dogs.

“How can you dump a cat that you once loved and he evidently loved them?” Nygren wonders. She became attached to him in just a couple of weeks.

If you can help, call her at 446-597.

FOR THE BIRDS

If anyone has a parrot, I have several magazines and four books about parrots (two are specific to Amazons) that I would be willing to give away.

My own parrot, Abigail, has a new home with bird fanciers who can give her more attention than I could.

If you’re interested, call or e-mail me at the number and address below.

If you would like to have your pet featured in this column, contact Mary Wicoff at 477-5161, send an e-mail to mwicoff@dancomnews.com or write to Commercial-News, 17 W. North, Danville, IL 61832.