Zeus Dillon is our cover canine for this issue , a stately and handsome creature whose photo was submitted by Ashlee Weidenburner .
CONTENTS
6 Making Hearts Race Danville couple shares home with greyhounds
10 Angel Among Us Local woman helps find lost pets
14 Pets are part of family memories Jennifer Bailey ’ s family pets
16 Ringo and Me — A Package Deal Hannah Shillo and her pup are inseparable
17 Pet Pals Readers ’ photos of their pets
27 In Season Bug-repelling plants
28 Food & Drink Braised beef short ribs , steak and peach salad
Publisher Amy Winter ( 217 ) 477-5111
Editor Max Jones ( 217 ) 477-5183
Design Natalie Reidford ( 812 ) 568-8991
Reporters Jennifer Bailey ( 217 ) 477-5178
Hannah Shillo ( 217 ) 477-5117
STAFF
Sales Manager Cindy Decker ( 217 ) 477-5105
Advertising Sales Bonnie Newberry 217-477-5133
EDITOR ’ S NOTE
Pets provide love , joy wherever they are
Welcome to the summer issue of Illiana Magazine !
As warm-weather months settle in , there ’ s no better time to celebrate our nonhuman companions and recognize the happiness they bring to the world around us . We decided there is no better way to do so than to dedicate an entire magazine to the amazing pets that keep us perked up and feeling playful even when our spirits may otherwise be lagging . It ’ s hard to be sad when greeted by an awesome pet that seems to know when you need loving attention .
In late April and early May , we invited our readers to submit photos of their pets for possible inclusion in this issue of the magazine . We were hoping for a lot of submissions , and you did not disappoint us . We received responses from approximately 40 people who sent us more than 80 pictures of their beloved pets . It ’ s been fun going through all the photographs and we ’ re excited to be able to share many of them in this issue .
What came though so clearly is how proud people are of their pets and how they love them and make them a part of their families .
Reviewing the photos brought back fond memories of the pets I have known throughout my life . My first pet experience was with our family dog named Archie when I was just starting school . As much as I enjoyed playing with the rambunctious rascal , I wasn ’ t happy with him when he escaped his pen and caught up with me as I walked to school . The teacher didn ’ t like it that I “ brought ” my dog to school , and no amount of pleading could convince her that I really didn ’ t have much choice once Archie got loose .
My most recent pet experience was with our family dog named Abbey , a miniature Dachshund that my then-pre-teen daughter convinced us we had to have . I was skeptical at first of this addition to the household , but it didn ’ t take long to recognize her immeasurable value to the family . She was one of us , and when
my daughter left to go to college and start her life in another city , Abbey remained at home and in the middle of everything .
Abbey has been gone for several years now , but I wanted to share her as part of this celebration of pets . My colleagues Jennifer Bailey and Hannah Shillo at Illiana Magazine and the Commercial-News are also joining the fun and have written columns about their current pets or pets they have known . Hannah also contributes a story about a local woman who operates a pet rescue service . Former reporter Carol Roehm , who still writes feature stories for us , presents a compelling piece about a local woman who rescued two greyhounds from the racetrack circuit .
The rest of the magazine , however , belongs to those who submitted delightful photos of their pets . We don ’ t have space to publish all the photos we received , but we are sharing a large sampling , from cats and dogs , to goats and even a horse .
I hope you enjoy them , and just as Abbey brought joy and comfort to my life , I am confident these pictures will reflect the love and affection each of these pets bring to their owners .
Max Jones Editor , Illiana Magazine
Abbey poses in 2004 with her human siblings , Chelsea and Nick .
Abbey the Dachshund was a very good girl .
4 ILLIANA MAGAZINE — SUMMER 2022