Breaking the Chain

Kids, this is your chance to show off your story telling talents! This contest is open to all 3rd thru 5th grade students. It has been endorsed locally by the Mayor of Naperville, George Pradel and the Naperville Animal Control Department. The national non-profit organization, Dogs Deserve Better, which is dedicated to advocating on behalf of chained and penned dogs, has also fully endorsed our contest.

The winner of this contest will receive a day with the staff at the Naperville Area Humane Society. They will be able to go “behind the scenes”, have lunch and enjoy a day with the shelter animals. The winning entry will also be posted on our website and a press release will go out to our local newspapers.

Read the story here. Feel free to send along a picture to help tell your story. Contest entries will be accepted until May 1, 2009. The winner will be announced during Be Kind to Animals Week, which is the week of May 4, 2009. Entries will be judged based upon creativity and the humane values expressed in the story.

Be sure to include your name, address, school name and grade along with your phone number. Mail entries to: Naperville Area Humane Society, Attn: Terri Hancock, 1620 W. Diehl Road, Naperville, IL 60563.

Contact Terri, Humane Education Manager, with any questions (630) 420-8989 x17.

Chips!

Hello again, friends! I was a little bored today so I wanted to interview somebody who I knew was full of fun. Chips is a great dog who has been here at the shelter for 60 days. If you ask me, the only reason such a lovable dog is still here at NAHS is because he is very energetic and needs a super active family who isn't intimidated by his playful nature. Sure, he loves to run, but there just has to be a family out there that can keep up!

Chips, I know you're quite a catch, but what can you tell potential adopters about yourself?

There is so much I'd like people to know about me! I'm just about a year old and I'm a Catahoula Leopard Dog. Pronounced cat-a-hula, my breed is the state dog for Louisiana, and I hear we're quite popular in the southern part of the USA. Dogs like me were bred for hunting black bears, wild boars and other large game. I've also been told that we can be highly intelligent so I would love a family that would take me to obedience classes. I can learn very quickly! But don't get me wrong, even though I'm active and smart, I'm also very affectionate. I am a staff and volunteer favorite here at NAHS because I love to play and give hugs and kisses.

What kind of family are you looking for?

One that will love me! And play with me! And give me lots of toys! I'm not too picky, I love just about everyone. Kids in my new home should probably a little bit bigger because I'm a big guy. I would never try to hurt one of my friends, but my size can sometimes make it seem like I play a little rough. I probably shouldn't be left alone full time because I am awfully smart and I will look for any way to keep myself entertained! I also love to play with other dogs and wouldn't mind living with another playful dog like myself. The one thing I really shouldn't be around is cats. I think they're great, so great that I just wouldn't be able to resist chasing them all day!

What's your favorite thing about being here at NAHS?

Great question! There are so many things I like here at the humane society. Some volunteers will come and take me on long walks through the forest preserve. I even got to walk in the Naperville St. Patricks Day Parade with my friend and NAHS volunteer, Ken Moore! I also like how the staff and volunteers are always trying to find ways to keep me entertained in my kennel. They make me doggie pinatas and give me frozen Kongs. I also love to play in the dog run with my buddy, Timby, who's a great black lab looking for a home too. Although I do have a lot of fun here, I can't help but hope to find a family to call my own.

I hope you folks come in and meet Chips soon. A dog like him would be a great addition for the right family.

Meet Nugget!

While waiting for my perfect family to come in and adopt me, I've been putting my free time to good use and interviewing some of my fabulous feline and canine friends. You would not believe how many great cats and dogs are here! It is really something you need to come in and witness for yourself.

For my first interview, I just knew I had to go to my good friend, Nugget. Nugget has been here at NAHS for a shocking 190 days. No one can figure out why, given that he is extremely affectionate and devastatingly handsome. Unfortunately, Nugget just might have fallen prey to the dreaded 'Black Cat Syndrome', where an otherwise completely perfect companion gets passed solely because he is, indeed, a black cat. Black cats (and dogs) are often long time residents here at NAHS. But don't let the 'bad luck' notion fool you! Proud owners of black kitties often swear that their cats make up for not having a flashy coat by dazzling everyone with great personalities. Nugget is no exception, he is a great cat, and although I would be sad to see him go, my goal is to help him find a loving home where he can bring smiles and laughs to his new family.

Without further delay, enjoy my interview with Nugget:

So, Nugget, what brings you here to NAHS?

I came here to NAHS on October 1, 2008. Before that I was stuck in stray holding over at the Naperville Animal Control. Sure, the girls there were super nice, but what I really wanted was a chance to find a forever home. After spending a week snuggling and winning over all the great animal control officers, they finally gave in and brought me over here. I've been enjoying my time here, but it really can't compare to being in a home.

You mention finding a home quite a bit, can you tell me what you're looking for in a new family?

Honestly, I'd probably do great just about anywhere. I enjoyed a stay up here in the NAHS lobby for bit and got along with the other cats and didn't mind most of the dogs that came in to visit. I also enjoy snuggling and playing with most people, but sometimes real little kids can make me feel a tiny bit nervous. What's most important to me is just to find a home where someone will love me, spoil me and keep me inside! I really don't want to be thrown to the streets again!

It sounds like you're not too picky, what can you tell potential adopters about yourself?

Well, without sounding too conceited, I really am a great catch. If you're looking for an affectionate cat, then I'm your guy. I absolutely love snuggling with my people! I also enjoy spending time laying around in the sun and taking naps. I love to play, eat and just spend time with my family. I really hope someone will come by soon to meet me!

One last question, what's your favorite thing about NAHS?

I really enjoy how the volunteers here spend time just being with the cats. I get super excited when I see a cat socializer coming in to be with me. They talk softly to me and give me lots of love. I'm just hoping I can find somebody who will love me just as much in their home!

Big thanks to Nugget for being my first interview. I really hope you'll come meet him (and me) soon. In the meantime, enjoy this picture of Nugget lounging in the sun.

They Put Me in a Bee Suit

Hello. My name is Prowler, but you can refer to me as Sir Prowler. Or Prince Prowler. Believe it or not, I have been here at NAHS for 170 days! I finally got bored of all the playing, lounging in the sun and talking about dinner, so I've decided to chronicle my adventures here at NAHS and introduce you to all the wonderful animals, people and events that are part of the organization.

But let's be honest, the real reason I wanted to start this blog was so you would be amazed at my personality and come in to adopt me. Don't worry, I've already made arrangements for someone to carry on in my place once I've found my forever home. Which I'm hoping is soon.

So let me tell you all about myself. I'm two years old and came here as a stray. I'm not going to lie, I'm a big guy. The last time they weighed me, I tipped the scales at 19 1/2 pounds. The girls here noticed I had a big belly, so they made me go to the vet to make sure I was okay. Sure enough, after all sorts of medical goobly-gook the vet just said I was a hefty boy! I could have told them that from the start! Silly girls...

My favorite things to do is eat. I love food! Every morning I sing until they bring me breakfast. After the ordeal at the vet, they started giving me fancy canned food. Boy, do I love it! I get half a can in the morning and then around 3 o'clock I start telling people it's my snack time. Pretty soon, somebody gives in and gives me the other half of a can. I know I may sound spoiled, but I am awfully handsome, so I get away with it.

When I'm not eating, or talking about eating, I like to greet people here in the lobby at NAHS. I also enjoy lounging in the sun and every now and then I'll play with my buddies, Cinder and Butters. I have to be careful not too look too bored, because then the staff here will dress me up. Seriously. Just look at the bumble bee picture. I'm embarrassed to post it, but I'm hoping it will encourage you to come in here and rescue me from any further humiliation.