Conference misery::feline_v1

1988.0. "Have Your Cat's Picture Taken with Santa!" by PROSE::FISCHER () Mon Nov 21 1988 11:24

    As a fund raiser, the Hearing Ear Dog Program (HEDP) has arranged
    for you to have your pet's picture taken with Santa at any one of
    several convenient locations.  At one of these locations, Slade
    Veterinary Hospital, a Hanukkah setting will also be available.
    Each photo session has been scheduled for a different date during
    the holiday season.  

    The HEDP is a non-profit organization, located in West Boylston,
    MA, just outside Worcester.  They train dogs to be hearing ear
    dogs for the deaf or hearing impaired.  About a year ago, they also
    started training dogs to become assistance dogs for the physically
    challenged in wheelchairs.  Cats are kept at the facility as part
    of the training program.  (The dogs have to learn to get along with
    the cats and not be distracted by them while they perform their
    duties.)  The HEDP director has been known to rescue and place a
    number of cats.  So, please know that cats, as well as dogs, are
    welcome to participate in a Santa photo session.  (I know, I've
    placed this notice in FELINE, but I didn't want anyone to think
    that this is just for dogs.)

    Please phone ahead for an appointment at one of the following
    locations:

    Location                    Date             Phone Number
    --------                    ----             ------------

    Fitzgerald Animal Clinic    26-Nov-1988      (508) 342-5892
    Fitchburg, MA               9:00-12:00 a.m.
                                1:00-4:00

    Slade Veterinary Hospital   29-Nov-1988      (508) 875-7086
    Framingham, MA              6:00-10:00 p.m.

    Hearing Ear Dog Program     03-Dec-1988      (508) 835-3304
    West Boylston, MA           9:00-4:00

    McGrath Animal Hospital     06-Dec-1988      (508) 667-2194
    Billerica, MA               6:00-9:00 p.m.

    Wachusett Dog Show          17-Dec-1988      No appt. neces.
    Royal Plaza, Marlboro, MA   8:30-4:00        (Hmmm, I would guess
                                                 that this would be
                                                 for dogs only! ;-( )

    Thank you.

    Cindy
    (HEDP Volunteer)

    Any idea how much?

    I just called McGrath Animal Hospital in Billerica.  They said the
    charge would be $10.  That's not bad considering it's for a very
    good cause!
    
    (This should be interesting with 3 cats!)
    
    diane
    

    $10 per picture (which is reasonable)
    
    or
    
    $10 per cat (which is more that I want to spend)

    at the Hearing Aid Dog Program.  I just called and made an appointment.
    It's right in the same town as the party in the South!
    

    I apologize for not having monitored the responses to my base
    note.  Our system was out of commission for the better part of
    two weeks.  I worked on another system and was just negligent
    about getting to the questions.

    I wish I had had better information about the donation for the
    pictures.  Drs. Kaplan and Migday decided to charge $10, but
    everywhere else, the donation was $5.  I'm afraid McGrath might
    have given some misinformation about the fees.  The cost was
    $10 per picture, and not per pet.

    The response to the fund raiser has been terrific!  And thank
    you to those of you in FELINE who participated.  I had a great
    time as an elf in charge of animal control at McGrath.  I got to
    meet lots of cats, dogs, and one hamster.  There was one group
    picture of one cat, two kittens, one dog, and one hamster -- Santa
    had his lap and arms full!  One of the cats arrived in a red sack;
    she's been traveling like that since she was a kitten.

    Dr. Migday made every pet feel like it was extra special, and
    Santa's elf got some great pictures.  (I suspect, however, that the 
    pets thought we humans were just a little nuts!)

    Merry Christmas, everyone!
    
    Cindy