MRS. A SHARES HER LIFE WITH PUPPY

Mrs. A has a new friend for this Christmas season -- an adorable fuzzy puppy that looks a lot like Gizmo from the movie "Gremlins."

That puppy has brought a lot of happiness to Mrs. A who has had her share of hardships. She is a widow and spends a lot of time alone. Her health is failing. In fact the list of ailments continues to grow. She has diabetes, heart disease and glaucoma.

Mrs. A can't get around very well anymore. A visit to the doctor is about as much as she can manage.

Her medical bills are quite high. Mrs. A never has enough money to pay them all each month.

But Mrs. A doesn't let her troubles keep her down. And now she has a little puppy to keep her spirits up.

A holiday gift for Mrs. A and her dog would be a welcome treat though.

She would like a toy for the dog, along with dry puppy or dog food.

Mrs. A. would really like a new sweatshirt, size XL. She says red and pink are her best colors. She also needs new nightgowns with long sleeves. Mrs. A would also enjoy a gift certificate for a hair cut and permanent at a Jackson beauty shop.

But the best holiday gift for Mrs. A would be a new queen-sized electric blanket. As a diabetic, Mrs. A often feels cold. An electric blanket would help her stay toasty during the cold months ahead.

Like all the people featured in Christmas for the Elderly, Mrs. A can use gift certificates for groceries and medications and also a fruit basket.

Christmas for the Elderly is a project of the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or the Health Department, 1121 Linden.

Gifts or monetary donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699.

For more information, contact Kim McDowell at 335-6611.