The family Shnay had four dogs. Each was loved and cared for.
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When Tosca, a Sheltie mix, was little more than a puppy, she was clipped by a car and rushed to the vet. You could almost see the bone before she was sewn up. We hovered over her for nearly two weeks before she was able to amble on her own.
Gonzo was a “sweet” dog with little brain and great heart. He liked leaping over fences. Open windows were too much of a temptation, and crashing through window screens was a challenge he easily mastered.
Gazoo, our infamous Jack Russell terrier, belonged to our daughter and was given to us when she moved. Gazoo could cuddle with you but had a chip on his shoulder for the rest of civilization. He nipped our son, two of his friends, two of our friends, and the mailperson on Christmas Eve. Ho-ho-ho!
Grover, a schnauzer, was rescued from a family on the next block. He was the easiest to care for. Eating, sleeping and getting petted were his three basic requirements. Other than being petrified of any utensil, Grover was almost perfect. We think children of his first family had much to do with his fear of spoons.
We even had a pet tortoise. Barney ate lettuce and dog food and often attempted a mating ritual with the vacuum cleaner. We gave Barney to Brookfield Zoo, where his love could perhaps be returned.
We cherished and cared for all of our animals for more than 30 years. Personal schedules were altered to make sure their needs would not be forgotten. We loved them all and have nothing but fond memories of them. They were part of our family, but they were never our children. The kids wore Halloween costumes, not the dogs. And this is where we differ with those who, on Halloween, wish to dress their dogs as pirates or throw a tutu on their cat.
The National Retail Foundation estimates we will spend about $350 million this year on Halloween pet costumes. What could happen if we spent $10 less on outfits for Daisy the dog or Clara the cat and used the difference to help feed the hungry? We all know the answer.
For years, the Chuck Schaefer family, on the next block down from us, decided that feeding the hungry was more important than tricking or treating. Along with a neighbor one house down, they’ve decorated their front yard with all manner of ghouls, ghosts and goblins. It’s done for a purpose. It calls attention to the national Haunts Against Hunger campaign.
Working in connection with Calvary United Protestant Church’s haunted house, the set-up last year resulted in donations of goods and money that meant more than 1,500 food items were provided to both the Rich and Monee township food pantries.
When you buy your Halloween candy, please stock up on a few nonperishable items and drop them off in the collection barrel in front of the Schaefer home at 127 Shabbona Drive. Your pet will still love you, while others will have something to eat. It’s win-win all around.
You can’t convince everyone, however. The subject came up in a recent conversation with a close friend who has a cat. It was agreed that for some people a pet is an important family member and must be treated as a doting parent treats a child. The question was asked, “Would you buy a Halloween costume for your cat?”
“I never would buy a costume for my cat,” he said.
“Why?”
“It’s not a dog.”
Jerry Shnay is a freelance writer who covers the Park Forest community. He can be emailed at [email protected].