William Penn Life, 1987 (22. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-03-01 / 3. szám
March 1987, William Penn Life, Page 3 A doggone shame A family searches for answers as the story of Moily Starlight continues By Barbara B. Botkin National Director Part II I had been quite simply stunned that our frisky 11-week-old cocka-poo, Molly Starlight, had been diagnosed as having floating knee caps which would leave her hobbling and crippled within a few months. The decision to return her to the pet shop had been a painful one for our family and not without reservations. Three hours had passed since my husband had left to return our dear little puppy. It seemed like days to my two children, though, as they anxiously awaited their father’s return and news of Molly’s future. At the dinner table, 7-year-old Sara and 5-year-old Lester looked so sullen as they pushed their food around on their plates, unable to eat. Later, as I was getting them ready for bed, they were full of questions as to what was to become of Molly. "Mommy, what’s going to happen to Molly?” Lester asked. "Will someone want her?” inquired Sara in a wondering tone. "I don’t know,” I replied. "We’ll just have to wait until Daddy comes back and hear what he has to say.” I was reading a bedtime story to the children when we heard the garage door go up. My husband Les had finally returned from the pet store. The children vaulted off of the bed and raced downstairs to cross-examine their dad. Les settled the children’s questions telling us that the pet store’s veterinarian would have to examine Molly and confirm the diagnosis before talking to us about a new dog. The store manager had assured Les, however, that under no circumstances would he put the dog to sleep. That made us all feel a little better but I wondered how the manager could make a promise like that. I wondered. What would the store do with the dog? Who would care for it? And, was it really best for the pup to grow to know such physical pain? Our questions were to be answered the next day as Les and I picked the children up after school and headed for the pet store. Linda, the nice lady who had sold Molly to us, was there to greet us. She expressed her sadness about what had happened and told us that the manager had just returned from the vet with Molly. He would speak with us in a few minutes. We surveyed the puppies in their cages as they peered back at us. They were all cute but not one like our Molly, white with brown spots denoting a definite cocker spaniel look rather than the other part of the mixture, poodle. The children were uncharacteristically silent, and I could see the tears in their eyes. Just then, the manager appeared. The store vet had confirmed the diagnosis of Molly’s condition. I had to speak up at this point. "Our vet detected Molly’s condition immediately upon feeling her legs during his examination,” I said. "He told my husband it was very odd that your vet had not discovered such a blatant physical defect which would have prevented you from putting the dog up for sale.” The store manager contended that all of their dogs are checked thoroughly before they are put in the store for sale, but somehow Molly’s condition had just slipped by the doctor. I doubted his veracity but calmly suggested that in the future, he have puppies more thoroughly checked to prevent a sad experience such as ours for another family. "We’d like to have another dog just like Molly,” my husband interjected. "Also, please tell us the truth. What is going to happen to Molly,” I asked. Linda, the saleslady, chimed in. "I told my boss that I would like to have Molly. She’ll fit right in at my house.” Linda had two cats and three physically handicapped dogs, one with an amputated leg, one with just one eye and a third which was deaf and blind. We all hugged Linda joyfully and tearfully but 1 quietly and cautiously quizzed her. "Okay, you have three handicapped dogs, and you are wonderful to care for them. But they are in no pain. Molly is going to become crippled and she will develop arthritic-like pain. How will you deal with that?” Linda replied gently, "I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” Les and I understood what she meant and said no more. Regardless of what was to happen to Molly over the next few months, our family felt serene joy in knowing that she was going to be with Linda. But now, what about a new pup for the Botkins? I knew that the best course of action for our family would be to find another puppy to love right away. The children wanted one just like Molly Starlight. But I was thinking I would be happy with any cuddly, healthy dog. To be continued ... Fraternal Focus By John F. Kenawell , Executive Vice President Sales and (raternalism Some people ask, "What does insurance sales have to do with fraternalism?” This is an easy question to answer. Fraternal societies, such as ours, were founded on the same principles that insurance companies operate on today — "protecting your family and loved ones by sharing the financial risk among many.” William Penn Association has maintained an opportunity for its members to protect their family since its founding in 1886. Today, we not only offer new and modern insurance programs, but also have automatically updated the coverage of over 18,000 of our long-time members’ policies. William Penn Association has constantly strived to provide the most protection at the least expense to our members. The profits from our insurance sales are returned to our members in the form of dividends and the funding of fraternal programs. Our home for the elderly, youth corps, branch activities and national fraternal programs are all supported through our insurance sales and member donations. Insurance Sales and Fraternalism - Hand in Hand. Our insurance programs provide the financial support for fraternalism, and fraternalism is the reason for our insurance programs. So the next time your William Penn Association agent asks to review your insurance, welcome him into your home; he also represents the future of our fraternalism. Official Notice Branch 49 Members Aurora, Illinois After many faithful years of service, Mr. Bela Aros has resigned as Branch Coordinator of Branch 0049, Aurora, Illinois. It is our desire to keep the tradition of service and lines of communication open to all members of Branch 0049. Therefore, effective March 1, 1987, all members of Branch 0049, Aurora, Illinois, are hereby notified that they are being transferred into Branch 0024, Chicago, Illinois. The Branch Coordinator for Branch 0024 is: Mr. Paul Varga 23 Downing Road Buffalo Grove, III. 60090 Phone: (312) 541-1567 If you have any questions pertaining to your life insurance requirements, please contact Mr. Varga or the Home Office. E. E. Vargo, FIC National Secretary
