COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
‘Donation Boot’ kicks up $1,600 for BMD
|
JULY 30, 2020 | 5A
Pet Tips
‘n’ Tales
By Mary Ellen
“Angel Scribe”
Julie’s Shadow
COURTESY PHOTOS
Mary Jean’s (pictured above) cowgirl boot has been a part of fundraising for 56 years, including this year for
the BMD.
Submitted By
Cindy Weeldreyer
I
would like to take a
moment and thank
the wonderful do-
nors to the recent fund-
raising drive for BMD at
Coiner Park, who raised
over $1,600!
My special thanks to
those who put money in
the boot to pay expens-
es, advertising, phone
bills, etc, until we can
achieve a much-needed
get-together in 2021.
We are all hoping and
praying this virus will
pass and we can resume
a normal life of comrad-
ery, meeting friends and
relatives on the midway
in the storeroom, wait-
ing for its mate to be
found — until the reju-
venation of that single
boot through Cindy’s re-
quest for a vessel for the
donation of BMD.
The ironic part is, the
original purchase of the
boots were through a
fundraiser for a gover-
nor’s campaign in 1964.
The boot has traveled
full circle in 56 years
as being connected to
fundraisers.
My sincere thanks,
one and all — volunteers
and donors. Your BMD
committee is working
toward a bigger, bet-
ter, brighter festival for
2021.
Mary Jean bought
of Bohemia Mining
a pair of riding boots
Days.
Until then, thank you, (cowgirl boots), which
she wore only for special
donors.
events.
In 1975, we were trans-
The story of the dona-
ferred from Washington
tion:
A few weeks ago, Cin- to Oregon and the great
dy called and asked if Willamette Valley. Then
I had a cowboy boot to 1979-1980 brought Jean
lend her for a collection and I volunteering at the
vessel for fundraising Bohemia Mining Days
at Coiner Park. I had a Festival.
Again, to dress the
cowgirl boot that goes
part, Mary Jean brought
back to 1964.
My deceased wife, the boots out of the clos-
Mary Jean, and I had, et.
This went on at special
at that time, a commit-
ment to help a candidate events until 1988, when
running for governor of the boots began to both-
Washington. One of the er her feet. Somehow, in
fundraisers for this cam- storage, one boot was
paign was a full-blown lost.
The single boot rested
rodeo in Ellensburg.
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LORANE COUNTRY NEWS
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60% of smalled businesses
close within 6 months
of a cyber-attack.
Call today (541) 942-0555.
PayneWest.com/Cottage-Grove
• Everywhere I go,
people are doing a great
job wearing their masks
and keeping social dis-
tancing of 6 feet or
more.
As time continues on,
we must not waver, even
as it gets hard to do —
especially in our Lorane
community where we
have many over 65.
• Lorane Christian
Church is continuing
its Drive-Up Church
services, while the vi-
rus continues. If you
miss a service, they can
be found on the Lorane
website.
• The construction on
Stoney Point is moving
along. Please be sure to
watch for workers and
equipment as you slow
down in that area.
• Lorane Grange
meets next on Thurs-
day, Aug. 6, beginning
at 7 p.m. with potluck
snacks.
Members will be
wearing masks and ad-
hering to the 6-foot dis-
tancing rule. They will
discuss the dinner and
bingo evenings in the
fall.
Rural Art movie
nights are also hoping
to resume in October
at the Grange. It all de-
pends on how we are
doing with COVID-19
and the Govenor’s man-
dates.
• Stay safe, everyone,
in the heat.
Ground Ambulance
Memberships
$65 per year
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Air Membership
$124 per year
Call 541-942-4493 for info.
FOR EMERGENCY DIAL 911
Serving South Lane County.
Julie and Shadow shared a joyful reunion when a
good Samaritan brought him home.
J
ulie moved from a small farming community in
one state to another. She was escaping an abusive
partner. Often, the family pets in domestic violent
situations are also in danger. The abuser hurts the
animals to “get back” at their human victim. Sadly,
the victim often stays too long because they have no-
where to go with their pets.
Julie came up with a good plan for her much loved
cat... or so she thought. She gave seven-year-old Shad-
ow to neighbors.
“It broke my heart, but Shadow was safer and hap-
pier,” said Julie. “I gave his new family explicit instruc-
tions that should they be unable to keep him then he
was to be returned to me.”
Then she moved away; but months later, one of
her old neighbors told her that Shadow’s family had
moved and abandoned him. How could that be paws-
ible, wondered Julie. Everyone loved Shadow, who
was a sweet and gentle soul.
“Even though he is a big cat, he is a lover. He’d rath-
er turn and run than fight,” said Julie.
Luckily, Shadow’s life was about to make a turn for
the better. Other neighbors rescued him and gave him
space in their carport. (Their ‘crabby old cat’ would
not allow the homeless kitty into its home.)
Julie was in turmoil because her ‘crabby old car’ was
“acting up” and she knew it would not make the long
drive up and back to get her kitty.
Not knowing what to do, she posted her cat-conun-
drum on Facebook message boards in each county.
The results were heartwarming.
“The outpouring of good will and the willingness
of people to help reunite us was moving,” said Julie.
“One reader, Rabecca, said that she was driving up
and back for a one-day turn-around trip and would
love to pick up Shadow. On the day of her 550-mile
trip of kindness, I waited with anticipation. I had
warned her that he was a big cat, but apparently I
wasn’t descriptive enough. She was surprised to see
that he is a 25-pound Maine Coon, 3/4’s the size of a
bobcat. There is no way he would fit into the normal
cat carrier she had for his trip home.”
Like a champ, Shadow happily roamed in their ve-
hicle. He was content because he had only been in cat
carriers on those scary trips of running and hiding
from the abusive man in his life. This was a new ad-
venture.
“When they handed him to me, he immediately
rubbed his head against my hand in recognition,” said
Julie. “We placed him in his old cat carrier for the rest
of the trip home. He fearfully began meowing asking,
‘What is going on’, but as soon as I put my hand in his
carrier and told him he was back with his mommy
who loved him, missed him terribly, and apologized
profusely, he quieted down. He kept rubbing his head
against my hand and gave it kisses.
“Thank you so much to everyone who responded
to my Facebook posting and to Rabecca for her gift of
time and my cat. This community has many wonder-
ful-caring beautiful souls. Shadow and I are happy to-
gether, to be here, and look forward to meeting many
more of you.”
Note: The names and locations were altered for the
woman’s and cat’s safety.
Tips:
Victims with pets remain in dangerous domestic
situations because they feel trapped; with children, no
money and nowhere to take a pet. Immobilized vic-
tims know that their pets won’t be safe when left with
a violent partner, so they stay for the sake of the pet’s.
Over 70 percent of victims report that the abuser
has already injured, maimed, killed or threatened to
harm family pets. Today, many animal shelters and
Women’s Shelters (Safe Houses) have developed a net-
work of people to foster pets while women transition
their lives.
These facilities are always looking for foster volun-
teers and donations. (Some Safe Houses have opened
spaces which allow victims to also house their pets.)
Share your fur-avorite pet memory or adventure at
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Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assistance Program.
541-942-2789