Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Permanent Markers


We all know that our pets leave permanent marks on our hearts.  There are those, however, who choose to wear these marks on their skin as well. 


Quite a few Red Door volunteers and adopters sport tattoos of their current or former animal friends.  Rabbit Adoption Coordinator Toni Greetis has a tattoo in memory of Drake, her beloved Big White Bunny who passed away last year.  "It really didn't hurt too much and I'm happy to have something to remember Drake by".

Toni (and others) have gotten their tattoos as part of the Tattoo You events, where the artists at Insight Studios partner with Red Door and all proceeds from tattoos and piercings done during the event go to support the shelter and its programs.  The next event will be held this weekend, February 18th and 19th, at the studio's Wicker Park location.

Since opening in 2005, Insight has contributed more than $62,000 to various local charities through events as well as direct donations.  In fact, the studio's partnership with Red Door stemmed from a volunteer who was getting a tattoo as part of a fundraiser for Tree House Humane Society.  The first Red Door Tattoo You event was held in 2010.

Red Door Volunteer Liz Jakus got her first tattoo at the 2011 Tattoo You event.  "Everyone there is super nice- it was my first tattoo and I walked in there shaking and totally panicked. the staff was really nice and totally calmed me down making it a very good experience"

Like most people, Liz designed her tattoo to have deep personal meaning..  "Every thing in the picture has some meaning to me....the bunny was drawn from photos of my rabbit Ringo- a Red Door alum.  The lily is for my niece whose name is Lily- both of us were born in May and it is our birth flower.   The bee flying across is for my sister Maria who goes by the nick name Bee."

So if you've been thinking about getting a tattoo, or adding another piercing, consider doing good by it as well.
 
February 18 12pm-10pm
February 19 12pm-8pm
This benefit will be a walk in basis only.

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