By Johnnie Rosario
The president of Guam Animals In Need (GAIN), Cyrus Luhr, will be at Dr. Thomas Shieh's clinic tomorrow at 11 a.m. to pick up a check for $1,000 to help GAIN care for stray animals.
The money, a donation from Dr. Shieh himself, will go a long way in keeping some of the older, unwanted animals at the Yigo animal shelter alive longer than usual.
Dr. Shieh is making the donation in honor of his beloved dog and cat, who both died recently, and in protest of what he considers a grotesquely-priced political fundraiser that happened tonight for Guam's governor and lieutenant governor.
The campaign committee to re-elect Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio held a fundraiser Wednesday evening at the Hyatt Regency Guam at $500 a person. The parking garage of the hotel was packed at around 8 p.m., and sources say the fundraiser was a success.
To be fair, Ms. Leon Guerrero needs to raise money; her main rival is expected to be former Gov. Eddie Calvo, whose family has deep pockets and a wide network in the business community.
Dr. Shieh, however, wants to turn his protest of the political fundraiser into something positive for a cause he believes in. Mr. Luhr and animal care activists couldn't be happier; except, perhaps, if others in the business community, especially those who donated $500 to the governor's campaign, will match Dr. Shieh's contribution.
"Instead of giving $500.00 per head to tonight’s Political Fundraiser. I am donating $1,000.00 to Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) tomorrow. Will sponsor kennels in honor of my dog and cat who’s gone to heaven and to share the love for all other four legged friends. Will contact or perhaps someone knows the President of GAIN or someone there make contact with me, I will have check ready. Mahalo!" - Dr. Shieh
Thank you Dr. Shieh for your kind donation ❤️. May your fur babies Rest In Peace 🙏🏼. They crossed over the rainbow 🌈 bridge