Stray Thoughts Winter 2020
Blue Belle Continued
I don’t know about you, but I would be pretty freaked
out. This is where patience comes in to wait for their true
personality to come through.
buddy. I got a lot of backlash for adopting a dog at my
young age, but it is the best decision I have ever made.
Blue Belle helps me become a better person, and I like to
think I help her become more of a well-mannered dog.
After a few days, Blue
Belle settled and
became the crazy
little bug I knew in
the shelter. After
playing with her in
the yard, long and
slow walks, and a lot
of heeling exercises
on the daily, she finally started to settle and become a
more “traditional” dog. She still gets excited, and tries
to jump on people, or needs a reminder that she needs
to play nice. Overall, her behavior has changed. I can
leave for class all day, and she naps. She isn’t destructive
or stressed. When I get home, she doesn’t jump on me
or get obnoxious, she only walks over and wags her tail
like a mad man, waiting for me to touch her. With a little
training and patience, Blue Belle is amazing.
Blue Belle spent over a year at West Suburban Humane
Society. It breaks my heart to know that many other dogs
like her are sitting in the shelter waiting for their forever
homes. Dogs like Milee, Pumpkin, Bark Obama and
Woofrow Wilson,to name a few. Dogs that people look
past because they seem unmannered or look like they
may be too much work. The list of requirements to adopt
them seems like a lot. When you meet them, they have
a ton of energy, act obnoxious and excited, but they are
fantastic dogs. I know once they come out of the shelter
environment and with a little work, love and patience,
they will be exceptional. They will have a story similar
to Blue Belle’s. You will be their person, the person that
saved them and taught them about having a home.
These dogs will take effort, and most likely some further
training once they get home. However, I can guarantee
if you stick with your new family member, it will be
worth it. You will have a remarkable dog and a feeling of
accomplishment that you turned a dog’s life around.
Over the past six months, she has become my best friend,
my confidant, my adventure partner, and my snuggle
WSHS Wish List
• Paper Towels
• Laundry Detergent
• Bleach
• Anti-bacterial hand soap
• Dish washing liquid
• Food (our animals are on a specific diet: so that
we don’t upset their digestive system, we must be
specific) Purina One Smartblend Lamb and Rice
dog and puppy formulas and Purina One cat and
kitten formulas. Any canned cat, dog, kitten and
puppy food is fine.
• KMR (kitten milk replacement), small baby bottles
and nipples
• Dog and cat toys (washable and indestructible!)
• Cat litter
• Stamps (to be used for postage)
• Garbage bags (13 & 30 gallon sizes)
• 6" paper plates
• Stretch and Scratch Pads (stretchandscratch.com)
• Lint Traps
• Volunteers!
• Monetary donations are always appreciated!
West Suburban Humane Society
Board Members:
Jim Ingold, President
Brian Liedtke, Vice President
Christian Ambler,
Recording Secretary
Cathy Pesavento,
Controller/Treasurer
Jessica Audette, Director
Dr. Tim Brandes, Director
Dexter Evans, Director
Janine Komornick, Director
Scott McMillin, Director
Mark Stromberg, Director
WSHS Staff:
Executive Director: Carolyn Mossberger (Ext. 25)
Animal Care Manager: Sarah Stromberg (Ext. 23)
Night and Weekend Managers: Nanette Delaney,
Carol Thygesen, Jill Clavet
Animal Care Assistants: Lexi Vitale and Grace Lohrmann
Adoption Desk Manager: Catherine VanGemmeren (Ext. 10)
Volunteer Coordinator: Heidi Janss (Ext. 45)
Events Coordinator: Jill Clavet
Humane Education Managers: Carol Thygesen and
Roberta Diehl (Ext. 24)
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