WELCOME TO
OLIVER'S LIGHT FOUNDATION

Hello everyone, and thank you for visiting Oliver's Light!

My name is Deb and my best friend is Oliver.

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I'm a midwestern girl, born and raised in Algona, Iowa, graduated Iowa State in 1983, then spent

the next 15 years exploring the world outside of rural Iowa.

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Our story begins in Corpus Christi, Texas, site of my first job out of college.  It was my first 

Christmas away from home and family and I was working a grueling schedule.  There was no time

for socializing, so my network of friends was non-existent.  It was Christmas Eve day, and as 

usual I was at work, missing my mom's homemade bread and a good snowstorm.  I had left 

work for a quick lunch and upon returning, discovered a box on my desk...the top open.

My coworkers said someone sent me a Christmas gift!  I was SURE it was from my parents and

contained all the goodness of Christmas!  I stepped closer to get a look inside.  But, there were no treats, no Christmas card.  What was inside was the best gift I could have received.

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Inside this open box, was a tiny little puppy with big fury red eyebrows.  I stared down at him in confusion, but he looked up at me with big brown eyes that said...I was brought here for you.

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Turns out a client of mine (with a beloved dog that had an accidental liter of pups) brought me

the last pup...the runt that no one wanted.  They knew I was alone, and they knew this little

creature would be exactly what I needed.  I name him TC, and for 16 years, I was never alone.

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When TC crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I found myself alone for the first time in 16 years.

Strangely, a parade of wayward creatures began coming into my life shortly after TC left.

Lost ducklings, orphans of all sorts; bunnies, birds, racoons, squirrels and kittens.

All were in need of help...my help.  Helping them survive and thrive was the comfort I needed.

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In 2006, there were two special babies I raised and released named Baxter and Daisy.

I was overwhelmed with joy but extremely sad as I watched them romp off to enjoy their lives.

I'd stopped at Pet Kingdom to grab a bag of kitten food for some feral kittens a friend of mine 

discovered under his front porch.  While I was waiting at the checkout, I heard a small voice say;

"Can someone help me?  I grabbed this off the road before a car hit it."  I turned to see a very

lovely blonde woman with the sun from the upper level windows illuminating her and this tiny

creature she held.  He was mostly bald, covered in filth and fleas.  She held him up and I reached

out for him.  As I cradled his emaciated body, an instant and overwhelming rush of joy filled 

my heart.  I looked up and said without hesitation declared;  "this is my dog...Oliver."

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Animals have always been there for me.  A look, a lick, a cuddle or a plea for help.  

They've given me purpose, made me laugh, filled by heart with joy and kept me creative.

They've been my companions when I was isolated and gave me a reason to get out of bed.

They have also give me tears.  Tears of joy when they "flew off" to live their lives, and bigger tears

when life was not on their side.

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As I look towards retirement and my own life's countdown, Oliver and I decided that before we

leave this earth, we're going to create something that will continue helping animals.

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So, we've created Oliver's Light Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping animals.

This Foundation will go on long after Oliver and I have left on our eternal walk.

The funding it will provide organizations will help them give safe refuge and loving care to the

lost, the abandoned, the abused, the discarded and the misunderstood.

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This is Oliver's Light...because where there's Light...there will always be hope.

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"Until one has loved an animal,

a part of your soul remains un-awakened"

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