In Memory of Jane Bodwell - Jane's Fund Donations

Jane an animal's best friend

There were three aspects of Jane's life that were very precious to her: her family, her friends and her animals.........although not necessarily in that order.

Many if not most people that knew Jane associate her with her love for animals- all creatures great and small.
In the beginning she would get a critter because she wanted a dog or cat but over the years that changed into acquiring them because they needed to be rescued as part of a hardship/ humanitarian /compassionate case. Consequently over the years our critter critical mass expanded considerably not so much because she wanted more animals but because some animal needed love, affection and a good home.

The approach was always the same; in fact, I guess it was a routine we went through. She always had a good rationale as to why this particular critter in question had to be saved, usually due to some life-threatening situation, Irrespective, I would say no we have enough animals and shortly thereafter the new critter would arrive. I guess it was like I had my say but she had her way. Maybe this is one place where Jane did have a little gray zone or at least she could recognize a weak NO from a strong NO.
So as a result of all my weak NOs we have had all kinds of dinged up birds and turtles, 3legged critters, critters with one eye, all kinds of animals rescued from bad situations, a horse with club feet and more than one lame duck. The last one was named lucky. Named not for being lame but for ending up at Jane's place where she wouldn't get culled. These animals taught our family a lot about spirit- not a one of them ever gave up, they were all tough as nails, yet displayed an enthusiasm for life, and they certainly were much more feisty than their peers. Hmm Sounds a lot like someone else I knew really well.

Once we got to the petting Zoo stage, Jane's critters were a magnet for people walking or driving by our place, especially those with kids. Friends would bring inner city kids visiting for the summer over so they could actually see a live horse or sheep or ducks- No matter who stopped by Jane always took the time and went out of her way to made sure they a good experience with the animals.

However it was as a result of Katrina and Rita that Jane was at her finest. In addition to the loss of life these storms imposed there was a huge number of pets separated from their families. Jane Bodwell PI threw herself into the problem. For months and months she put all her energy into this project spending countless hours tracking down pets and trying reunite them with their families. She was talking to everyone from the chief of detectives in the Chicago police dept to every veterinary in Louisiana and the adjoining states plus literally hundreds and hundreds of people that were looking for their pets. She got very good at dealing with the various pet databases and how to work with and around them. I was just amazed at how well she could follow a lead. Jane loved this work so much that she kept doing it until she was unable to physically continue. When co-workers in the animal rescue network found out about her condition they established a fund in her honor to recognize the enthusiasm, energy and hard work that she had put into this effort -It is called Jane's Fund. The establishment of Jane's Funds came very close to the end of her life during a period when she was not very coherence. Our worst fear was that she might never know about her fund and the recognition that it bestowed. It was almost as if she knew we needed to communicate and for one last 5 minute period her mind became clear we were able to tell her. A wide-eyed unmistakable grin came over her face and she said, "cool as a moose"

Jane was one of the most honest, sincerest and kindest people I have ever met yet at the same time she was frank and blunt and always expressed her opinions. It was this unique blend that made life with Jane so interesting and enjoyable over these last 30yrs. While in a certain respect the family feels cheated in losing her so soon, we are also very grateful for all the years we did have with her and will always cherish those times.

Without a doubt Jane's greatest attribute was that she had a wonderful sense of humor and a trademark laugh to match it. That laugh was loud, .... that laugh came from some honest place way down deep, .....that laugh was contagious, and ..............that laugh will be greatly missed.