ANNA MONICA / L’Observateur / August 15, 2000

Members of my family and I recently celebrated brother-in-law O’Neil’s birthday at a very nice restaurant that was a bit costly, also. They didn’t,however, have any such thing as a complimentary little birthday treat with a candle sticking in it for the honoree. Would I go there again for acelebration? Not me! Then one night recently, Dr. Dana and I were enjoying a salad at Shoney’s inLaPlace and the place was really busy with plenty customers and plenty of birthday celebrations. There must have been at least five birthdaycelebrants there, and each one was sung to by the staff and given a little treat. Whether the treat was complimentary or not I don’t know. Regardless, though, the staff had to include that activity in their busy schedule and it is such a nice gesture.

A special treat for me was to discover that one of the honorees was our own Heidi Hogan, animal lover and caretaker. She was having a birthday dinnerwith her friends and fellow animal lovers, Linda Allen and Cheryl Trigo. Wetalked afterward, and I learned that since they were dismissed from the parish shelter the three are continuing with the St. John Human Society as apublic non-profit organization with the required papers. With Heidi aspresident, the organization is run by volunteers.

Linda and Cheryl came to my house last weekend to pick up items I was donating for the animals in their care which included floor rugs, blankets, leashes and toys. They also delivered the new name tag I had ordered forEppie Jo. They can deliver or pick up from you, too, if you call 652-2082.They are planning a garage sale sometime in October. The society will also beglad to get your aluminum cans and any pet supplies you don’t want or need.

There is a newspaper recycle bin dedicated to this cause at 301 Airline Highway, toward the back of the parking lot.

At present, the owners of the Bonnet Carre’ Animal Shelter, in an effort to give something back to the community, have dedicated about 10 kennels to the society for its use. The group is not in a position to pick up strays,although Heidi, I am told, still gets numerous calls from people concerned about them. They know, as I do, of her ongoing love and devotion to them. At the kennels, though, they can accept animals whose owners can no longer keep them, as long as they have the room. Then the animals can be cared foruntil adopted and kept safe instead of being put to sleep, which idea really repulses me. Cockroaches, mosquitoes and the like, kill them, yes. Being ananimal lover, I just cannot see animals destroyed for no reason except for a lack of accountability in not having them spayed or neutered or for a lack of compassion.

Heidi’s husband, Tim, very much approves of Heidi’s activities. Oddly enoughhe never had an animal in his life before Heidi came into it but now is very involved and wishes he had them when he was growing up. He supportsHeidi’s dream of finding property to build a small “no-kill” facility in the future where animals can be kept indefinitely, or, as Linda puts it, “until they find homes or until it is time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge.”Anything anyone donates to the Humane Society is tax deductible and will be put to good use. Then, when Heidi’s birthday comes around next time,perhaps she and her volunteers will find themselves closer to realizing that dreams come true.

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