Author: robyndexter

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Chloe and the Tymkew Family

robyndexter

Once upon a time, Needy Paws rescued a little white fluff ball named Chloe. When she was rescued, Chloe had kennel cough and tested positive for heartworms. Just when the Needy Paws staff thought she was out of the woods, Chloe tore her ACL, probably due to a patellar luxation on both knees. The little dog had one surgery for each knee and then underwent therapy.

Around the same time, Barb Tymkew was browsing the internet for a lap dog companion. Since Tymkew’s Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease requires her to consistently be on oxygen, the dog would need to be low-key and possibly older. She found Needy Paws’ website, and Chloe was the second dog she saw.

“I wanted a dog that was completely house and crate trained and was basically a lovable little fur ball,” Tymkey recalls. “When I saw Chloe, I contacted them right away and put in an application.”

Fortunately, the woman who was fostering Chloe lived in Affton, where Tymkew lives. Chloe’s foster mom said she’d like to bring Chloe over to visit, and Tymkew agreed.

“At the time, my husband was in the nursing home,” she says. “I was hoping Chloe would be good for him, too, and could just sit on his lap.”

Unfortunately, Tymkew’s husband passed away before she could adopt Chloe, but the little dog was ready to go to Tymkew when she needed her the most. She adopted Chloe officially in, and the two have spent the last few months providing each other with love and support.

“I love her, and she loves me,” Tymkew says. “She’s such a good little dog.”

Though Chloe’s age is unknown, Tymkew says she thinks the little dog is around 6 years old. After her surgeries, though, going up and down steps is hard on Chloe, so Tymkew’s son built the pup a ramp that allows her to go up and down stairs with ease.

Chloe’s exact breed isn’t known either. Although her adoption papers say she’s a miniature poodle, Tymkew thinks she might have some Bichon Frise in her, too.

“Her fur is curly like a poodle, but when I have her groomed, it’s so soft,” Tymkew says. “Regardless, she’s exactly the right size and loves to go with me wherever I go.”

Although the little dog is easygoing and loves to sleep on Tymkew’s lap, sometimes she think she’s a lot bigger than she actually is.

“When I first took her to my son’s house, she barked and barked at his lab that’s three times her size,” Tymkew muses. “They’re fine now, but it was so funny.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

Dancing Astronaut

Trippy Turtle releases new single ‘Super Song’ with Disco Duck [+ Interview]

robyndexter

The Jersey Club master has released another work of art from his arsenal of bouncing melodies.

Shortly after announcing his debut EP, Trippy Turtle began releasing singles from the forthcoming collection. So far, these have included “Lettuce,” “Animal” and now the latest: “Super Song.” Each release has been more unique than the last. While they all include elements of Jersey Club, “Super Song” contains a groovy, old-school beat that’s sprinkled with Disco Duck’s electrifying influence.

The reptilian producer also announced the EP’s accompanying Lettuce Turnip tour this week, with dates in the U.S., Canada, Norway, England and Germany. Part one of the tour begins in September and continues into November.

From new music to building a record label to a huge upcoming tour, Trippy is taking the world by force. Though the shelled producer has a hectic schedule amidst his variety of endeavors, he took time to answer some questions for DA to coincide with the release of “Super Song.”

How long has this EP been in the works?

I’ve been working on this EP for a while now. I’ve actually been playing the unmastered demos in my set for about a year! It really helped me figure out how to get the songs to a finished place, I was able to read the crowd, and then when I was in the studio, I made changes based off my mental notes from that night. It was also so exciting to see people post videos after the show of the new music. Luckily I run my own label, so I can’t get in trouble for doing shit like this. Now that some of the songs are out, I’ve been getting tweets and comments about how they were at my show a few months back and remembered the song. That’s so awesome. SO AWESOME.

What/who are some of your influences?

The whole Brick Bandits crew and the whole Cartel Music crew. Especially DJ Sliink, DJ Jayhood, DJ Tray, Mike Gip and DJ Tr!ck$.

Why Jersey Club? What’s the appeal of the genre to you?

Because Jersey Club is the most exciting and fun place in electronic music right now and the native Jersey Club DJs are some of the most creative people when it comes to chopping samples and making people dance. It gave me so much joy that I wanted to be a part of it.

What was the creative process like for the “Lettuce” music video?

Digital Boy and I sat down with the song and came up with a bunch of buzz words that we knew had to be in the video. Since this was a summer song, we knew we had to incorporate the season and what better way to do it than with a pool party? Summer has a special vibe to it. Everyone’s happier in the summer time. I’m one happy turtle, so I just want to spread the love.

What was it like working with Lil B and Soulja Boy?

They were both so professional and took their part in this record really seriously. Soulja and Lil B were so easy to work with and could not have been more on top of their shit! Lil B don’t even got a manager and he’s out here on that grind. I’ve been a big fan of both of theirs every since I was a hatchling – never thought I’d get the chance to collaborate with them.

What can fans expect from your upcoming tour?

TOUR IS GONNA BE FUCKIN’ NUTS – you gotta come out if you’re around in one of the cities. We’re coming up with some special stuff to bring on the road + I’ll have merch, new and old, which I only sell at my shows.

Why anonymity?

I was born a turtle, didn’t choose this life…

What are you most excited about for Fofofadi Records?

Can’t wait for my fofofamily to drop their EPs. Chacha, Drippy, Pretty, Baile and Faded all have original music in the works.

If you had to describe your music in three words to someone who’s never heard it, what three words would you choose?

Colorful Babymaking Music (I know baby making is two words, but I made it one so I could use it to answer this question because it IS my sound).

This story was originally published at dancingastronaut.com. Read it on DA’s website here.

Happily Ever After Stories

Happy Ever After: Hoonah and the Scott Family

robyndexter

Once upon a time, Hoonah the dog was found as a puppy, piled in a crate with his brothers and sisters. They were left outside Stray Rescue, where the organization sheltered them and cleaned them up. As time wore on, all of Hoonah’s siblings were adopted, and he was sent off to the Puppies for Parole program; there he continued to grow and grow … and grow.

Jenny Scott, a social worker for Saint Louis University, was participating in an online conversation with college counseling staff across the country. The topic fell on therapy dogs, and her colleagues talked about how helpful the dogs can be for new incoming students who miss their dog(s) from home. Scott had always talked to her students about how great Stray Rescue is, often sending them to volunteer at the shelter.

“I saw they had a program where you could get therapy dogs,” Scott said. “I contacted them, and they sent me a whole list of dogs. I was looking for a dog that was cat-friendly and would be trained and ready to go for the fall semester.”

This was May 2016. Some of the dogs weren’t ready yet, but Scott was told there was one that would be perfect for her. So she went to meet him.

“My jaw dropped when I saw him,” she says. “He was so adorable and huge.”

Weighing in at 120 pounds, Hoonah greeted Scott. She fell in love immediately, which was good, because the staff at Stray Rescue asked if she could take him home that day.

“I took him straight to work,” Scott says.

Hoonah hit the ground running as a therapy dog in SLU’s counseling office that day. He was at SLU the entire fall semester, welcoming freshmen to orientation and even getting to go to a square dance with approximately 1,000 of his new best friends.

“I use him for outreach events and also in sessions with students who have panic or trauma issues,” she says. “They can pet him and ground themselves when those anxieties come up.”

While Hoonah had a great first semester at SLU, second semester was harder for him. Since he’s such a big dog, he has hip dysplasia. He tore both of his back leg ligaments and had to have surgery to fix his knee in February 2017. Then, in May, he had his second surgery. Being kennel-restricted was hard for Hoonah, but he was very patient. Scott worked with him on colors and numbers while he healed. Though she had to haul him up and down the couple of stairs she has, she says it was a bonding experience for them.

On July 21, Hoonah got to go back to work.

“He was so happy to be back,” Scott says. “He loves being outside of his kennel and going for walks.”

Now that he’s on the mend, Hoonah’s quirks have come out. He loves sticks, apples and doughnuts. Scott says he absolutely despises water and will avoid puddles at all costs, but she’s working to try to get him used to water, because she knows it would help with his rehabilitation.

“It’s been a challenge with his surgeries. The students were so sad when he wasn’t there,” Hoonah says. “But Stray Rescue has taken care of both of his surgeries and medications. They’ve been so amazing.”

Scott believes dogs like Hoonah can help reduce the stigma of counseling.

“Having a dog there softens everything and reduces the stress of talking to someone,” she says. “It’s almost like magic.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here. 

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Howard and the Kirby Family

robyndexter

Once upon a time, Howard the cat, his six siblings and his mom waited at Animal House Cat Rescue and Adoption Center for a forever home. As time passed, Howard was the only sibling left at the shelter.

Miles away in Chesterfield, the Kirby family had been debating about getting a pet for a long time. Though they’re self-proclaimed “dog people,” they decided to look at cats. Kim Kirby went online and found Animal House. She was impressed with what she saw on its website, so she and her two kids ventured to the shelter to “take a look.”

“The people there were just lovely, and my kids fell in love with a cat named Howard,” Kim says. “He was fun and friendly and playful.”

Kim told her kids she and her husband, Aaron, would think about adopting the feline, but they kept asking about Howard. At the end of May, the Kirbys ended up bringing the 8-month-old cat home.

In the time that’s passed since then, Kim says Howard has been “a lot of fun.” Her 11-year-old son and almost ninth-grade daughter “absolutely love him.”

“He’s very easy [to take care of],” she says. “He loves to run around and chase his tail.”

Kim says Howard loves to jump on her, especially in the middle of the night.

“He’ll come tearing up the stairs to our room and walk up and down my back,” she says.

Howard also enjoys the family’s screen-in patio, where he has safe access to the outside world without being an outdoor cat.

“He loves being out there, since he’s never really been outside before,” Kim says. “He asks to go out there and will sit and watch the birds in the backyard.”

In addition to being a birdwatcher, Howard is quite the sports enthusiast.

The Kirbys have a Ping-Pong table and a floor hockey set in their basement, both of which Howard has completely embraced.

“He’ll get the Ping-Pong ball down off the table and bat it all over the basement,” Kim says. “He’ll also play in the hockey net.”

In addition to his basement antics, the young cat will claw his way into Kim’s bed and wiggle down to her feet, where he’ll fall asleep.

“It’s nice to have his affection,” Kim says. “He’s fun to be around.”

Howard’s new mom had nothing but praise for Animal House.

“They were fabulous to work with,” she says. “They did a great job with helping transition him to our family.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Shiva and the Quartuccio Family

robyndexter

Once upon a time, Shiva the pit bull was left for dead. She had several facial scars and a bad infection in her tail that left most of it useless. She was picked up by one of the animal crews in St. Louis in November 2016 and was taken to get cleaned up.

The name “Shiva” means transformation and was a perfect fit for the rough road the pup would have ahead. The Even Chance Pit Bull Rescue team knew she’d have to have surgery to remove most of her tail, but it would be an expensive procedure. Miraculously, Jamie Buehrle, wife of Major League Baseball player and St. Charles native Mark Buehrle, saw the post about Shiva online and donated the money for the dog’s surgery.

Enter Tony Quartuccio, who’s currently dating Even Chance vice president and director Heather Roberts. Quartuccio was interested in getting a dog, and Roberts knew exactly whom he had to meet.

“We went to a Christmas event at a pet store, and I had the opportunity to take a bunch of pictures with Santa and Shiva,” Quartuccio says. “I filled out an application [to adopt her] immediately.”

He adopted Shiva officially a few weeks before Christmas – the perfect gift.

“She’s improved so much since her surgery and since her adoption,” he says. “Sitting was really hard for her at first, so we had to work on that when her tail had healed.”

Since her adoption, Shiva’s learned to sit and shake on command. Quartuccio says he recognizes that she’s had some trauma over her short life, so sometimes it’s hard for her to learn things.

“I’ve had her for a while, but she still tries to go through the hinge side of the door,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t think she’s all there, but she’s the absolute best.”

Since she’s still pretty young, Quartuccio says Shiva frequently gets the “zoomies,” where she just runs around like a maniac. In one of these running fits, she was going full-tilt through the house and jumped up on the buffet table.

“She knocked everything off and then realized she didn’t know how to get down,” Quartuccio recalls. He had to pick up his 60-pound pup to get her down off the table.

Shiva is also a bit of an attention hog and will demand to be loved if Quartuccio is in the middle of something else.

“If I’m doing dishes or laundry, she’ll sit there and stare at me like, ‘Please love me,’” he says. “She’s so great.”

Quartuccio says he’s had dogs his whole life, but Shiva tops them all.

“She’s so loving and attentive, and her overall demeanor is amazing,” he says. “She’s the perfect remedy for a hard day.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

Dancing Astronaut

Grabbitz discusses the evolution which led to his debut album, ‘Things Change’ [Interview]

robyndexter

Over the past few years, New York producer Nick Chiari has risen to the challenge of personally handling every aspect of music production on his own. A skilled producer, vocalist and musician, Chiari has released a string of strong tracks on Canadian label Monstercat and independently under his alias, Grabbitz.

Chiari’s musical inclination was obvious from early on — the producer wrote his first song before his age hit double digits. Since then, he’s produced everything from hip-hop to drum & bass to alternative tracks. The versatile artist’s style continually evolves each release, with the greatest example being his debut album, Things Change.

Released on May 19, Things Change consists of 12 markedly unique tracks. The album’s tracks include standouts like “Play This Game,” a gritty song that features a grinding guitar riff and even brief rapping from Chiari. Other noteworthy tracks like rock-heavy “Follow Me” and emotion-packed “Don’t Let Me Go” were released ahead of the album and were warmly received by Chiari’s loyal fan base.

We caught up with the producer alongside the album’s release to discuss what went into this LP and he was excited to talk about the new direction he’s taking with his music.

Chiari’s previous release, the Better With Time EP, released on Monstercat in February 2016, is indicative of the vastly different angle he pursued on Things Change, which Chiari says is due to a realization of wanting to create a personally authentic sound.

“Things Change is a more drastic step into the direction I’ve been wanting to go in, which is more of a rock hybrid sound,” he says. “Better With Time still had its tiptoes in the dance world and, while there’s a little influence from dance music in the new album, Better With Time had more. This new record leans into the full song spectrum.”

Chiari says Things Change has been complete for nearly a year. Instead of releasing it immediately, however, he spent time planning and assembling a live show to accompany it.

“We realized these records weren’t DJ-able. We had to take a step away from it and build the live show and get the performance right. We also had to transition everyone who was expecting EDM at the time to accepting a different kind of sound from me.”

As an artist, Chiari says he’s constantly growing and exploring new sounds. Looking back at his productions from three years ago, he says he realized he was trying to “emulate the EDM-type sound [his] idols were making at the time.” Once he felt like he had perfected those sounds, though, Chiari recognized it wasn’t truly the music he wanted to make.

Grabbitz embraced his rock, alternative and hip-hop roots and the musical inspirations he grew up listening to, like Kurt Cobain, Alice in Chains, Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, and Eminem. These influences shine through in Things Change, evidenced by its embrace of a wide range of musical elements and a deliberate desire to not be confined to an EDM-constricted box.

Things Change is a 12-song musical journey about accepting change and learning to grow with it. It’s about being able to understand that things aren’t always going to be the way you thought they were going to be, Chiari explains. The name has a dual meaning, because the record is about that happening in his own personal life, but for the fans, it’s also what happened with his music.

“It’s a double meaning I take a lot of pride in. I overcame a really tough time and came out better, and now the music’s going to be come out better, too.”

Going forward, Chiari will be stepping away from DJing for the most part and focusing on his newly-developed live performances. Fans who come out to the live shows are going to be in for “a wild ride,” he says.

“I’m going to perform my heart out at every show,” he says. “I may still DJ at after parties, because that’s still really fun, and I love dance music.”

He also notes that the next album is “pretty much ready” already, and that he will be touring with his live show later this year.

The artist says that feedback on the album so far has been overwhelmingly positive but notes the importance of deeper, analytical listening. “I hope people get to marinate on it,” he says. “Everyone takes a certain amount of time to digest music, so I just want to give it time to sink in.”

Musically, Chiari has already learned an important lesson that takes some artists decades to realize.

“You can’t sacrifice your art for anything. When it comes to people wanting you to make a certain sound or make money of of you… You can never let anything like that control the art, because then you’ve already lost.”

As an artist, Chiari notes that he has the ability to make music that he truly feels and is passionate about instead of feeding into what the industry wants.

“That’s what’s going to set this album apart,” he says. “It’s not made for any specific reason or to try to appeal to a certain group. It’s just me.”

Read the full interview with Grabbitz below.

It’s been a little over a year since Better With Time came out. What are some key differences between Better With Time and Things Change?

Things Change is a more drastic step into the direction that I’ve been wanting to go in, which is more of a rock hybrid type of sound. Better With Time still had its tiptoes in the dance world. There’s a little influence from dance [music] in the new album, but Better With Time had more. This new record is a little more leaning into the full song spectrum.

How long has this album been in the works?

The album’s been complete for a long time, actually. It’s been a year, almost. We basically realized that these records weren’t DJ-able. We had to take a step away from it to build the live show and get the performance right. We also had to transition everyone who was expecting EDM at the time to accepting a different kind of sound from me.

Will we see more of a focus on your live performances going forward rather than DJ sets?

100 percent. You’re going to get a wild ride. It’s going to be a crazy show. I’m going to perform my heart out at every show. I may still DJ after parties, because that’s still really fun and I love dance music.

How would you say you’ve evolved over the past few years as a musician and producer?

I feel like I’m evolving all the time. I write music every day and naturally, everything just slowly grows and expands every day in different areas. Sometimes things get more experimental in certain areas and you get better at something. Over the last three years of putting out music, I realized I was trying to emulate the EDM-type sounds my idols were making at the time. Guys like Skrillex and people who gave the feeling of community where you can make these records and make the coolest wobbles and dubstep sounds. I was really into that. But when I felt like I’d perfected that, it wasn’t necessarily the records I wanted to make as a person. You only get to live one time, so I need to make the records I really want to make: full-blown songs.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned over those past few years?

I think the most important thing I’ve learned musically is you can’t sacrifice the quality of your art for anything. When it comes to people wanting you to make a certain sound or make money off of you… You can never let anything like that control the art, because then you’ve already lost. As an artist, we have the ability to make songs, and you’d better believe I’m going to make what I feel instead of feeding into some big money play or industry play. That’s what’s going to set this album apart. It’s not made for any specific reason or to try to appeal to a certain group. It’s just me.

Who has had the most influence on your music over the years?

I love Eddie Vedder, Kurt Cobain, Alice in Chains, Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, Eminem, The Gorillaz… I get inspired by a lot of different people. My library contains an outrageous amount of music.

What’s the next instrument you’d like to learn how to play and why?

I can play a little bit of cello, but I would never in a million years that I’m a cello player. I want to master that. There’s a whole lot to master. It’s so much harder than it looks.

What has listener feedback on the album been like so far?

The feedback so far has been fantastic. A few of my really diehard fans that I love to communicate with have just been flipping out. That is very important to me. Everyone’s really digging it. I hope people get to marinate on it. Everyone takes a certain amount of time to digest music, so I just want to give it time to sink in.

What do you hope people take away from the album?

This album is about accepting change and learning to grow with it. Being able to understand things aren’t always going to be the way you thought they were going to be. That has a double meaning, because the record is about that happening in my own life, but to the fans, that happened with my music. It’s a double meaning that I take a lot of pride in. I overcame a really tough time and came out better, and now the music’s going to come out better.

What do you see for the future of your music?

I have the next album pretty much ready already. I have a new song coming up with Savoy. We’re supposed to be playing a couple of shows together, because our styles fit together and coincide in a way. I’m going to keep releasing content and music and videos. We’re going to be playing shows, so you can come see the live show later this year.

This story was originally published at dancingastronaut.com. Read it on DA’s website here.

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Sammy, Iris and the Evans Family

robyndexter

Once upon a time, a litter of five kittens suffering from severe viral eye infections was dropped off at Open Door Animal Sanctuary. Since viral infections can’t be cured, all but one of the kittens lost at least one eye. Iris, though, lost both of her eyes ; her brother Sammy was the only one to retain full sight.

Open Door Animal Sanctuary had a post on its Facebook page about the kittens, and they caught the attention of Gina Evans, who regularly peruses the facility’s adoptable animals.

“I’ve always known about [Open Door],” she says. “They do great work, and when we were looking to adopt our puppy last summer, that’s where we went.”

When Evans saw Iris on the page, she knew she wanted to bring the blind kitty home. She found out Iris was in a foster home with Sammy, who was “her seeing-eye buddy,” and knew her family needed to adopt them both.

Gina’s husband, Frank, says they were initially a bit worried about Iris navigating the stairs in their two-story home.

“Their main spot where they stay is upstairs, but Sammy manages to wiggle his way downstairs for most of the day,” Frank says.

The stairs haven’t stopped Iris, though. Gina says the kitten will sit at the top of the stairs and listen to her surroundings. She navigates with ease, climbs couches and gets on top of the sink.

“It’s really pretty incredible,” Gina says. “She sees beautifully without her sight.”

The brother and sister are a tightknit pair and often get into trouble together. Gina says Iris is prone to toe-biting – her way of getting attention. The kitten has to be shut in another room while the litter box is being cleaned because she loves to play and will grab at the scooper.

“Sometimes you can hear her up there flailing around [in the litter box],” Frank says.

Sammy, on the other hand, loves hugs and “will ask for them,” Gina says with a laugh. “If you don’t pet him, he’ll paw at you until you do.”

The Evans family has only had the kittens for a few months and said they were only 2 months old when they adopted them from Open Door. The Evans’ two daughters, Gwen and Grace, love playing with the kittens, and Frank calls the girls “a big help” in taking care of the boisterous kittens.

“I just love having animals in the house,” Gina says. “They make it feel like home.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Elliot and the Bogunovic Family

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Once upon a time, a utility worker was turning off the water at a home and found an English bulldog alongside six pit bull terriers in deplorable condition. The worker called the police, who contacted animal control.

The bulldog, Elliot, was 2 years old at the time and weighed only 25 pounds. He was covered with plaque scabs, and his feet were swollen and infected. When the vet contacted St. Louis English Bulldog Rescue, Elliot was in danger of organ failure. The rescue organization worked with animal control and the vet to come up with the best plan for Elliot, since he couldn’t be released for 10 days. In those 10 days, however, the pup gained 8 pounds and was more alert.

Diana Engeszer of St. Louis English Bulldog Rescue said the organization had Elliot on a regimen of antibiotics, antifungal medications, medicated baths and creams for his sores. The vet believed Elliot had an extremely suppressed autoimmune system. Luckily, Treats Unleashed in Ladue donated a very expensive raw food to help stabilize Elliot.

He became healthier and was in foster care for a year. Though his various foster parents met his needs as he recovered, he still hadn’t found a forever home.

Lily Bogunovic had fostered bulldogs for the organization in the past, and after her bulldog passed away in December 2015, Bogunovic was bulldog-less. In January 2016, she agreed to foster Elliot.

“At this point, he was needing weekly baths, had allergies and was on multiple antibiotics,” she says. “I had him for a while, and I just got to the point where I wanted to keep him.”

Bogunovic says Elliot is the smartest bulldog she’s ever had. Though he has permanent scarring on his body from mange and past neglect, he’s a “happy-go-lucky dog.”

“I moved from my condo out to Chesterfield, so he now has a yard and a doggy door,” she says. “He also has a French bulldog sister!”

Bogunovic is really into CrossFit, and Elliot has sort of become the gym’s mascot. “He loves to come hang out with us, and everyone knows and loves him,” she says. “He loves to go for rides in the car.”

Once a month, Bogunovic makes his food, since his allergies don’t really allow for consumption of regular store-bought food. She also has to bathe him regularly, which is a process Elliot has come to protest.

“When he knows there’s a bath coming, he’ll lie down and roll over so it’s harder to get him to the bath,” Bogunovic says.

Though caring for Elliot’s particular needs is a little different from regular dog care, Bogunovic loves how sweet and loyal he is.

“I’m shocked he has such a lovable, friendly demeanor considering how he was treated in the past,” she says. “Rescue dogs are just so appreciative. When you save them, it bonds you immediately.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Effie and the Delaney Family

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Once upon a time, Effie the pit bull terrier was found wandering the streets of East St. Louis, pregnant. Gateway Pet Guardians took her in, and she gave birth to 10 puppies, all of whom were named after characters in The Hunger Games. Effie weaned her puppies, and they all went to forever families – while she waited at Gateway Pet Guardians for her forever home.

Jason Delaney and his daughters, 16 and 19 years old, had to put their dog down, and it had been about six months without a dog in their lives. Delaney knew it was time to get another pup.

“I had several friends who had gone through Gateway to do adoptions,” Delaney said. “I got online and found Effie and wanted to go meet her.”

Delaney took Effie outside to play and went for a walk. By t
he time they got back, about 15 minutes later, “it was a done deal.”

“I wanted to take her home right then, but I had to wait until that night,” Delaney says. “She snuggled up on the couch and knew this was where she was supposed to be.”

Delaney said that while all Effie’s puppies quickly went to forever families, Effie just wasn’t being adopted. He was told that Effie had a lot of anxiety and could be destructive, but he didn’t care. Delaney wanted to give Effie the best life he could.

“I’ve always had dogs. They’re not just dogs – they’re part of your family,” he says.

A week after Delaney adopted Effie, Gateway Pet Guardians called to see how everything was going.

“I told them my biggest concern was that while I have a king-size bed, I only get about six inches of it, and Effie gets the rest,” Delaney says with a laugh. “She also makes sure I’m safe from all the squirrels in the backyard.”

They’ve had Effie for about six months, and Delaney says she really “completes the family.”

“Everyone who meets her absolutely loves her,” he says. “She’s beautiful, smart, regal, a total princess and a great protector.”

Delaney was a little worried about Effie meeting his parents, since they were used to small terriers and didn’t have much experience with bigger dogs; however, Effie won them over right away with kisses.

“I’m so fortunate to have gotten her,” Delaney says. “There’s nothing better than coming home after a long day at work and hearing her tail thumping just inside the door.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

Happily Ever After Stories

Happily Ever After: Molly and the True Family

robyndexter

hea_true01Once upon a time, Lynn True was lonely without a cat. In June 2016, her cat of 18½ years passed away.

“I knew I was going to have to adopt another cat,” True says. “I’ve had both dogs and cats, but cats are my favorite.”

Since she was planning a trip to Alabama to visit friends in October, True told herself she wouldn’t browse any websites for cats until she got back, not wanting to leave a newly adopted pet behind.

“But there was just this pull to look,” she says. “I got on the [APA Adoption Center’s] website, and that’s when I saw Molly.”

True knew she didn’t want a young cat, and at 13 years old, Molly certainly wasn’t a kitten. But after meeting her at the APA in August, True came back for Molly just a few days later. She ended up not going to Alabama, since she was a cat mom again.

“I wanted to stay with her and get her used to the house and the environment,” True says. “She’s just the cutest thing, and she definitely has an attitude.”

Molly is a cuddly senior kitty, and she and True curl up in the living room together and watch TV.

“I was a volunteer for the Humane Society, so I’ve seen firsthand how much people gravitate toward the younger animals,” True says. “Rarely do they choose an older animal. But [senior animals] have so much to offer. I knew Molly would be perfect.”

When she first brought Molly home, True says Molly was getting sick daily, and she couldn’t figure out why. True discovered the cat had been eating plastic: grocery bags, casings for water bottles and so forth .

“Now, she’s on a plastic-free diet!” True says with a laugh.

One of Molly’s favorite things is a box she discovered when she first came home with True. True had brought up a box of things from the basement and set it down in the living room. Molly has since claimed the box as her own, running to it whenever she’s alarmed or if she hears the mailman come to the door.

But when True has visitors, Molly has to be right in the middle of everything, going from lap to lap and getting as much attention as possible.

“She just makes my day every day,” True says. “I love waking up and knowing she’s part of my day. She’s going to have a good life for however long she has.”

This story was originally published at laduenews.com. Read it on LN’s website here.

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