Comedian Jim Krenn and wife Hedy's lives have gone to the cats and dogs
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Jim and Hedy Krenn with their four dogs and two cats at home in Green Tree. -
The newest member of the Krenn family is Larry, a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier-chihuahua mix that was found in a garbage can. -
Ralph, dressed as a devil in this photo, was the inspiration for Krenn's radio character, Ralph the Cat. -
Jim Krenn with Sundance, his German shepherd mix that died two months ago. -
Jim and Hedy Krenn with their pets, from left, Snoopy, Gizmo, Larry, Olive, Elvis and Roy.
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Long before Hedy and Jim Krenn ever joined Animal Friends, they'd had plenty of 'em.
Mr. Krenn, a stand-up comic and longtime morning radio host on WDVE-FM, grew up in a one-bedroom apartment above a restaurant equipment business in the Strip District. No pets were allowed. So, when he was around 12 or 13, he began visiting the nearby Animal Friends shelter, letting himself into the cages and playing with the strays.
"I always thought they were my dogs," he said.
Growing up in New Castle, Hedy Polifroni had German shepherds and two or three cats. But she tried to bring home more.
"I was always trying to sneak things in. I tried to bring chickens from school," she said.
Her father had one question for Mr. Krenn when he asked to marry his daughter 18 years ago:
"Jim, you like animals? ... You're going to have a lot of 'em."
The Krenns currently share their Green Tree home with four dogs and two cats, many of them rescues from Animal Friends, which has since relocated to Ohio Township. Mr. Krenn became involved with the nonprofit 20 years ago while working on a charity CD. His wife joined him, and last month they hosted its annual Garden Party, helping to raise $22,000.
More than half of that was raised during a $2,000-in-2-minutes matching challenge as friends of the Krenns put their money where Mr. Krenn's mouth is. One anonymous donor gave $10,000.
They "epitomize the true spirit of Animal Friends and help give each of us the energy to continue our work," Executive Director David Swisher says. "They have earned the right to be considered true legends in the animal welfare community."
About 19 years ago, Mr. Krenn got his first pet from Animal Friends, a cat named Ralph, followed by a dog, Pooch. People who say cats don't have personalities should have met Ralph, Mr. Krenn says.
First Published July 13, 2011 12:00 am
