Twinkie, Perky & Ebby

Let us celebrate the joy and pleasure that animals around the world bring to our lives, each and every day. Let us also give silent, meditative yet thunderous tribute to the billions of innocent animals who suffer and die at the hands of humans.

Here are photos of a few of my beloved animals from when I was a child to the present. Sadly many of the photos taken throughout my years in Greece were lost as were most of my personal items during "freighter" transport of my packing trunks; from the port of Piraeus to New York harbor.

My animals and every animal that took up residence in my heart are the world to me. The joy and happiness they brought to every moment of my family's and my life is unfathomable.

One day I will tell you the unbelievable story of Twinkie - the little Jack Russel rescue from Skiathos Island, Greece, who saved my life in New York City. Each one of this precious souls has an incredible history and their journey into my life is nothing short of many, many miracles!

This page is a tribute to their suffering, their rescue, their "paradise on earth" and their sojourn over the "Rainbow Bridge". If there are no animals in "Heaven", then, I sure as heck do not want to go there!

Sadly, animals are the innocent victims of unimaginable abuse, ignorance and indifference. "Whether they are
companion animals who are needlessly killed simply because of being abandoned or unwanted, animals slaughtered for food and clothing, beasts of burden, creatures exploited in circuses, hunted for sport or enslaved for entertainment; or those tortured subjects born to die in experimental laboratories - all are brutalized daily by those who profit from their innocence and their powerless and stoic silence." Zelda Penzel

Animal advocates feel a deep sense of love and compassion for all the creatures who share this planet and with dedication and determination, battle daily to educate the public and elevate the status of animals in every society across the globe. It is long past time for citizens of the world to join in a united stand for all the unfortunate animals who are victims of cruelty, greed and ignorance.

My Foster Dog

Unknown Author

My foster dog stinks to high heaven. I don't know for sure what breed he is. His eyes are blank and hard. He won't let me pet him and growls when I reach for him. He has ragged scars and crusty sores on his skin. His nails are long and his teeth, which he showed me, are stained. I sigh. I drove two hours for this.

I carefully maneuver him so that I can stuff him in the crate. Then I heft the crate and put it in the car. I am going home with my new foster dog. At home I leave him in the crate till all the other dogs are in the yard. I get him out of the crate and ask him if he wants "outside." As I lead him to the door he hikes his leg on the wall and shows me his stained teeth again.

When we come in, he goes to the crate because that's the only safe place he sees. I offer him food but he won't eat it if I look at him, so I turn my back. When I come back, the food is gone. I ask again about "outside." When we come back, I pat him before I let him in the crate; he jerks away and runs into the crate to show me his teeth.

The next day I decide I can't stand the stink any longer. I lead him into the bath with cheese in my hands. His fear of me is not quite overcome by his longing for the cheese. And well he should fear me, for I will give him a bath. After an attempt or two to bail out he is defeated and stands there.

I have bathed four legged bath squirters for more years than he has been alive. His only defense was a show of his stained teeth, that did not hold up to a face full of water.

As I wash him, it is almost as if I wash not only the stink and dirt away but also some of the hardness. His eyes look full of sadness now. And he looks completely pitiful as only a soap covered dog can.

I tell him that he will! feel better when he is cleaned. After the soap, the towels are not too bad, so he lets me rub him dry.

I take him outside. He runs for joy . . . the joy of not being in the tub and the joy of being clean. I, the bath giver, am allowed to share the joy. He comes to me and lets me pet him.

One week later I have a vet bill. His skin is healing. He likes for me to pet him ( I think). I know what color he will be when his hair grows in. I have found out he is terrified of other dogs, so I carefully introduce him to my mildest four legged brat. It doesn't go well.

Two weeks later a new vet bill for an infection, that was missed on the first visit. He plays with the other dogs. Three weeks later his coat shines, he has gained weight. He shows his clean teeth when his tongue lolls out after he plays chase in the yard with the gang.

His eyes are soft and filled with life. He loves hugs and likes to show off his tricks, if you have the cheese. Someone called today and asked about him. They saw the picture I took the first week.

They asked about his personality, his history, his breed. They asked if he was pretty. I asked them lots of questions. I checked up on them. I prayed. I said yes.

When they saw him the first time they said he was the most beautiful dog they had ever seen. Six months later, I got a call from his new family.He is wonderful, smart, well behaved, and very loving.

"I expect to pass through this world

but once. Any good therefore that I can
do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now.
Let me not defer it or neglect it, for
I shall not pass this way again."

William Penn (1644 - 1718) Humanitarian, Philanthropist, Founder of the State of Pennsylvania.
Now adapted to a prayer in Christian liturgy.

The favorite expression of my father -
Francis Edward Gillis