By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON, Ind. — Rhonda Estes craned her neck far from the pulsing needle plunging into the hot, red and swollen skin of her shoulder.
“In my mind, I’m in Florida — on the beach,” she said, closing her eyes as Jason Fritze put a few finishing touches on her tattoo.
Estes isn’t the tattoo-type, she admitted, but had to own up to her end of the bargain.
In December, Estes pledged to get a tattoo if more than $10,000 was raised to benefit the Madison County Humane Society where she works as an adoption coordinator.
When $31,300 in donations showed up at the Anderson shelter, Estes was faced with keeping up her end of the pledge.
Though she’d already locked herself in the shelter for 30 days — twice — Estes decided to get the tattoo, and chose the Humane Society’s logo as the image.
Fritze, owner of Black Rose Tattoo, donated the tattoo, and performed the inking himself.
“I thought it was pretty cool what she was doing,” Fritze said, wiping excess ink from Estes’ arm.
Covered in tattoos himself, Fritze said he was impressed with Estes’ ability to take the pain of the tattooing process.
“She’s done better than I do.”
Humane Society worker Katie Melvin waited in the lobby of the tattoo parlor, eager to get a peek at Estes’ symbol of dedication.
“I think it’s really cool,” she said.
Estes originally considered shaving her head for the pledge, Melvin said, but settled on the tattoo after a few minutes of deliberation.
“It’s dedication,” Humane Society board member Michelle King said, also waiting in the lobby.
“She’s been such a loyal employee.”
The $31,000 will not save the organization for long, she admitted.
More donations are needed to keep the doors open all year.
“It’s a Band-Aid to the cause,” she said.
The Humane Society shelters 117 animals.
The $31,000 has helped to keep the place warm, though, King said.
“It helps us get through the high-cost utilities for the winter.”
The Humane Society’s mission to raise money is far from over.
This Saturday, a ham and bean dinner will be hosted at Lambert’s Music Shop in downtown Anderson from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the organization.
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com.
