{"id":13384,"date":"2014-09-25T04:50:34","date_gmt":"2014-09-25T08:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/?p=13384"},"modified":"2023-06-08T07:57:20","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T11:57:20","slug":"september-25-remember-me-thursday-candle-lighting-event-to-honor-orphan-pets-and-interview-with-animal-lover-and-actor-eric-roberts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/september-25-remember-me-thursday-candle-lighting-event-to-honor-orphan-pets-and-interview-with-animal-lover-and-actor-eric-roberts\/","title":{"rendered":"September 25 – Remember Me Thursday\u2122 Candle-Lighting Event to Honor Orphan Pets and Interview with Animal Lover and Actor, Eric Roberts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1-ER-banner\"<\/a>Today is Remember Me Thursday\u2122<\/a> – an annual global candle-lighting event held on the fourth Thursday of September, created in 2013 by Michael Arms, the President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center<\/a> in honor of people working in animal welfare who are forced to take the lives of pets they love. He felt lighting a candle worldwide for those orphans would be a way for people to let the world know how much they were loved and to “opt to adopt,” reducing the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.<\/p>\n

I shared a post on Monday with some ways to participate in this event (please click here<\/a> if you missed it) and I also promised you an interview with one of the celebrity luminaries, Eric Roberts, who finds loving animals and rescuing them something ingrained in him as naturally as breathing.<\/p>\n

\"Depositphotos_15200603_l\"<\/a>

Eric at the 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards. Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA. Photo by s_bukley<\/p><\/div>\n

His love for animals began when he was a young boy, growing up in Atlanta where he lived in a home that always seemed to have Siamese cats and horses. He spent most of his weekends going to the local shelters trying to find homes for those rescues most in need, typically cats, and as time went on to where he is today – a renowned actor with an impressive resume that includes over 100 film and television performances, an Academy Award nomination for his role in Runaway Train, three Golden Globe nominations for Runaway Train, Star 80, and King of the Gypsies – his love for animals and their importance in his life has never wavered.<\/p>\n

Intertwined in that illustrious career (click here<\/a> for his full bio, as he has far too many credits to list) is an equally impressive and talented family. Eric is the father of actress Emma Roberts and older brother of actresses Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillian. He has been married to casting director and actress, Eliza Roberts<\/a> since 1992 and is step-father to Eliza\u2019s children, Morgan (a chef and owner of a catering company) and Keaton Simons (a recording and performing artist). But, despite all the fame and glory, his life has had its share of highs and lows which prompted me to wonder, was there a particular animal that changed his life? As I suspected he would say, the answer was a definite \u201cyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Eric tells it, he was in a serious automobile accident years ago that left him unable to walk. \u00a0After checking out of the hospital and not wanting to go home to an empty house, he stopped at a pound where he found her – a pure white ball of feline fur – half Siamese, half something else with one blue eye and one yellow eye that changed his life. He was told she was there because she couldn’t be housebroken but when he brought her home, he gave her a litter box and never once had a problem. He named her Mercedes and as he was re-educating his body to learn to walk again, all while struggling with the social pressures that came along with his career, Mercedes became his best friend, and the \u201cone person\u201d who knew him completely. She lived to be nearly 20 years old and because of his love for her; he said every time he saw a white cat that was homeless, he would take it in.<\/p>\n

The more you get to know Eric, the more you realize cats have always been an integral part of his life, seeming to fate him to what was meant to be. Even Eliza, his wife and human soul mate might not have ever been had it not been for a cat. Apparently, both Eric and Eliza were on the same flight heading back to Los Angeles and found themselves sitting next to one another. Eliza had preconceived thoughts of Eric as being a very dark and tough guy. But there he was, sitting next to her with a cat named “Tender” in a box on his lap. At that moment, all images she had of him blew up, and being Eliza was a devout animal lover herself, it was no surprise the relationship took off, eventually leading to marriage.<\/p>\n

That is when you realize when you set out to interview Eric Roberts about his love for animals, that the interview is not about Eric Roberts, but about Eric and his entire extended family who are all connected and compelled to help animals in need. One example is the time he and Eliza were in traveling in Russia. They happened upon a bear named Stepan that was confined to a small cage as part of a roadside attraction. Outraged and heartsick, through their efforts and determination, the bear was successfully relocated to the Rostov Zoo to pair with a companion and was renamed Eric.<\/p>\n

\"DogsBillieDexter0404061954a\"<\/a>

Dexter and Billie are rescue dogs that live with Keaton Simons. Dexter was rescued off of death row (he had a rope that had grown into his neck and a dislocated arm) and Billie was thrown out of a car on the freeway. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Dex-2\"<\/a>

A happy and healthy Dexter. According to the shelter worker who had been in charge of him, he had little hope Dexter would ever be adopted, so he was thrilled to hear Dexter is thriving. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

\"DarlingDuke\"<\/a>

This is Duke who was rescued from New Leash on Life\/K9s Only. He lives with Eliza’s ex-husband, Jimmy Simons, who Eliza remains close with. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Eric-on-couch\"<\/a>

Eric getting some help with script reading from Beaux, a street rescue who lives with producing partner, Jon Hoffman (Jon also has a line of animal protection items he invented). Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Eric<\/a>

Eric and his beloved dog, Muddy. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

Their rescue work continued. Initially through the efforts of Eliza\u2019s children, Keaton and Morgan, who were constantly doing personal rescues for dogs who were least likely to be adopted, such as dogs that were thrown out of car windows. One rescue was a dog that was a junkyard puppy born in the back seat of a car. Eric ended up taking him home and named him Muddy. Muddy was a Pit Bull\/German Shorthair mix that Eric admits did need to go to camp for \u201cmanners\u201d training but after that, he was a sweet and gentle boy and he and Eric were inseparable until 2009 when at the age of 14 Eric had to cross Muddy to the Bridge because he had cancer.<\/p>\n

And of course the cats. After Mercedes passed, Eric finally felt ready for another rescue and when Eliza heard that, she camped out at 5:30 a.m., waiting for a local animal shelter to open, and found that a litter had been left on the shelter\u2019s doorstep without a mom. One of the kittens was white, so naturally, that one went home with her. They named him Stu (aka Streak) and he is still with Eric and Eliza.<\/p>\n

\"Streak\"<\/a>

Stu, aka Streak because when he was a kitten, he ran like a streak of lightning. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

Another rescue cat was Sunshine. Sunshine was an orange tabby famous for starring in music videos and commercials. Once his tenor was done, he found himself at 11 \u00bd years old without a job, dumped outside. The rescue organization, Cat Connection<\/a>, brought him to Eric and Eliza, knowing they would give him a good home in his senior days. Eliza shares that Sunshine\u2019s favorite thing was reading with Eric, giving \u201cfinal script approval\u201d on all his projects and he was very well-loved until he passed on several years later.<\/p>\n

\"Eric-and-old-friend-Sunshine\"<\/a>

Eric sharing some precious snuggle time with sweet Sunshine. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

Then there is Brooklyn Rita, a Russian Blue rescue who was found as a tiny kitten with another litter, trying to nurse off of the mother because her own kitty momma abandoned her, as well as rescue, Heart, who became Brooklyn’s boyfriend.<\/p>\n

Brooklyn was supposed to be it. The \u201cno more cats\u201d mandate issued by Eric. This was all well and good until Eliza drove Eric to the airport for a location shoot. She was concerned that Brooklyn appeared to be looking for her kitten mates, so she went home, picked Brooklyn up for her shots, and brought her to the woman who had given her Brooklyn hoping to find her a friend. Heart was put into the carrier with Brooklyn and they instantly fell into each other\u2019s arms. Eliza took both of them for their shots and when Eric came home, he had a surprise. Naturally, everyone knew all along that Eric would lose the \u201cone cat or two\u201d battle!<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/a>

Girlfriend and boyfriend Brooklyn Rita and Heart sharing some cuddle time. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

According to Eliza, Heart is a real lover and is their \u201cdog-cat.\u201d He loves to be held like a human baby and greets everyone at the door. Eliza sadly states that Brooklyn has recently lost her eyesight and while she does not like to be picked up like Heart, she does like to sleep nuzzled up next to them in bed.<\/p>\n

They also found a feral that had been hit by a car several years prior that they named Kittridge. While it didn’t happen until towards the end of her life, she eventually became trustworthy enough to come into their house to cuddle with them, as well as Heart which is one of Eliza\u2019s favorite success stories.<\/p>\n

\"Kittridge-and-Heart-hit-by-car\"<\/a>

Kittridge with Heart. After several years of being feral, towards the end of her life she finally started to come into the house for attention and cuddling. Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

Clearly, the stories could go on. From Eliza rescuing bees in the swimming pool of an Emmy party she and Eric were attending to them requesting walnuts be in their hotel room anytime they traveled so they could feed any squirrels they happened upon. Eric and his extended family are completely embroiled in rescue and besides living with their own menagerie of rescued dogs and cats, they have shared their home with countless squirrels, raccoons, birds, bees, bugs, horses, goats, and more. All of them treated with compassion for the living, breathing creatures they are.<\/p>\n

\"1-saved-hummingbird\"<\/a>

An injured hummingbird Eric and Eliza found. Eliza brought it to a hummingbird rescuer in Redondo Beach and after antibiotics and gradual therapy, the bird was eventually set free and is doing great! Photo courtesy of Eric and Eliza Roberts<\/p><\/div>\n

They are also both heavily involved with animal fundraisers and charity events as well as hands-on emergency rescue work and are big proponents of promoting the virtues of TNR (Trap\/Neuter\/Return) for feral cats. Two organizations they work with on a consistent basis are Precious Paws<\/a> and Best Friends Animal Society<\/a>. Precious Paws is especially personal to Eliza, as it was founded by her casting assistant, Georgyne La Lone. They are a small group that does foster adoption events, as well as all they can to help educate the public on the need for TNR to reduce the overpopulation problem.<\/p>\n

\"lint-party\"<\/a>

Eric and Eliza in 2003 with Muddy at the Best Friends 10th Annual Animal Sanctuary Lint Roller Party, Barker Hanger, Santa Monica, CA. Photo by s_bukley<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Eric<\/a>

Eric at one of his many adoption events where he shows everyone what a good sport he is! The good news, Jack was adopted!<\/p><\/div>\n

So, with all that, it is clearly no surprise Eric is one of the celebrity luminaries for Remember Me Thursday\u2122. For him, as well as his entire family, it is all about helping the animals which is the message he shares on behalf of Remember Me Thursday:<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything we do comes down to wanting to feel safe. Animals cannot live a safe life without the help of humans in more cases than we can possibly count. Most animals are not headed for a safe, loving home. It’s a no-brainer. Please help change that, one (or two or three) animals at a time. Bring home an animal friend from a shelter or other rescue adoption source today, this week, this month, and this year. It’s magic requiring no magician. On Remember Me Thursday, let\u2019s put the spotlight on our animal friends awaiting adoption.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I thank Eric and Eliza for so graciously sharing some of their personal photographs with us as well as a bit\u00a0about their lives. It was a pleasure corresponding with them and I thank them both so much for what they do for animal welfare.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Please remember to light your candle today for Remember Me Thursday\u2122 and to see more of Eric,\u00a0he will be in the upcoming Season 4 of\u00a0Suits<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(USA Network)\u00a0in a recurring role. He will also be in an upcoming movie that has been listed by the New York Film Festival and the cat will be let out of the bag, so to speak, around October 5th! Stay tuned!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today is Remember Me Thursday\u2122 – an annual global candle-lighting event held on the fourth Thursday of September, created in 2013 by Michael Arms, the President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center in honor of people working in animal welfare who are forced to take the lives of pets they love. He felt lighting a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13395,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,364],"tags":[480,888,1265,379,890,892,887,183,377,886,369,891,279],"class_list":["post-13384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration-healing","category-interviews","tag-adoptions","tag-candle-lighting","tag-cats","tag-dogs","tag-eric-roberts","tag-euthanize","tag-helen-woodward-animal-center","tag-interview","tag-pets","tag-remember-me-thursday","tag-rescue","tag-save-lives","tag-shelters"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Eric-and-Muddy.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13384"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21086,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13384\/revisions\/21086"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}