Rappaport To The Rescue

One on one with the Dreamgirls legend and current star of ABC's Abbott Elementary, Sheryl Lee Ralph.  This multi-faceted star still makes rescue and adoption her number one priority.  We are also joined by David Ceely from Little Shelter who found Ralph her forever fur angels.

Today we have an incredibly special episode lined up for you with the multitalented and compassionate, Sheryl Lee Ralph.

From rescuing a neglected dog in Texas to adopting and nurturing pets during the quarantine, Sheryl shares her heartwarming journey of animal companionship and giving back to furry friends in need. She'll also recount her relationship with the wonderful David Ceely, joining us from the Little Shelter in Long Island, renowned for their exceptional work including finding forever homes for animals, especially during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And it's not just about the pets. Sheryl opens up about her illustrious career in the entertainment industry, the challenges of aging under the spotlight, and how self-care and rest keep her ready for new adventures. As we mark the 40th anniversary of "Dream Girls," she reflects on her inspiring experiences with legends like Sidney Poitier and delves into her philanthropic passions, including AIDS awareness and the production of impactful shows like "Abbott Elementary" and "Motherland, Fort Salem."

So, hold onto your leashes as we dive into a conversation that not only touches the heart but underlines the significance of compassion, resilience, and building meaningful connections—both with our two-legged and four-legged friends. This is "Rappaport To The Rescue." Let's get started!

"And I have to tell you, that dog was perfect from the moment I got her. She knew how to do everything. She knew how to live with me or in an apartment. And it was wonderful for as long as it lasted."

— Sheryl Lee Ralph

BIO:

Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress, singer, author, and activist. She made her screen debut in the 1977 comedy film A Piece of the Action, before landing her breakthrough role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (1981), for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

Ralph has appeared in a number of movies during her career. In 1991, she received Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role in the drama film To Sleep with Anger. Her other film credits include The Mighty Quinn (1989), The Distinguished Gentleman (1992), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), and Deterrence (1999). On television, Ralph starred from 1986 to 1989 in the syndicated sitcom It's a Living, and later had the leading roles in the short-lived ABC sitcom New Attitude (1990), and CBS medical drama Street Gear (1995). From 1996 to 2001, she starred as Dee Mitchell in the UPN sitcom Moesha, and from 2013 to 2015 as Maggie Turner in the Nick at Nite sitcom Instant Mom.

Sheryl Lee Ralph released her first book Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl (2012) by Simon & Schuster. In 2016 she played Madame Morrible in Wicked on Broadway, and currently stars in ABC's Abbott Elementary.

Transcript:

Jill Rappaport [00:00:00]:
Welcome to Rappaport to the Rescue on Pet Life Radio. I'm Jill Rappaport. Great show. Coming up, our spotlight guest is superstar Sheryl Lee Ralph. Of course, you have to remember her from her hit roles in Moesha. It's a Living and Abbott Elementary, her current role on ABC. She is so talented, so diversified. Cannot wait to catch up with her.

Jill Rappaport [00:00:22]:
And the reason she is here today is the connection she has with my guest, David Ceely, my dear friend who runs by far one of the best shelters in the country, little shelter on Huntington, Long island. And we don't want to give it away yet, David, but you can acknowledge that you have a very unusual and special relationship with this superstar, don't you?

David Ceely [00:00:43]:
Of course I do. She's a friend. I consider her a friend, yes.

Jill Rappaport [00:00:47]:
And you have a rescue connection, which we will get into once we interview Sheryl Lee. But in the meantime, I want to talk to you. I had you on right at the top of the show because the story right now, animals are being returned or not adopted. And it's so sad because Covid is at its height and the animals are suffering the most, aren't they?

David Ceely [00:01:08]:
They definitely are. Covid has hit the animal world pretty hard. What we're seeing a lot is the shelters are packed. And one of our little shelters, most recent rescues, is totally Covid related. Woman fell ill and had to be hospitalized due to Covid. Her family thought she had about five dogs, so she asked if they would go take care of them. And unfortunately, when they got there, they found out it was a hoarding situation with 25 dogs. And they all needed our help, so we had to step in and the shelters are full.

David Ceely [00:01:37]:
It's probably about the third hoarding situation that I've seen probably in the last two or three months.

Jill Rappaport [00:01:41]:
And, you know, when Covid first started. Oh, there's Oscar putting in his two cent again. Oscar, Mommy's doing a podcast. Anyway, when it first started, we talked all about the fact that people were saying, rescues were saying this was a good thing only because animals were getting adopted.

David Ceely [00:01:59]:
Yeah, a lot of people had time, so they thought that their life was going to give them this time for a really long period of time. And then once work started to return or they had to go start working from home or get back to the office a little bit more, they had less time. So some of those dogs you did see go back to the shelter and the cats, which was very difficult for the shelters to adjust to.

Jill Rappaport [00:02:22]:
And you have such wonderful animals. I was there for personal reasons recently. Peppy, who's been with me for almost 20 years. He's like a son, and he and his family wanted to adopt a dog. We recently lost our CJ, who was like his dog as well. She was 20 years old. But because he has two young sons, they wanted to go younger. I, of course, always go older, but they wanted something very young.

Jill Rappaport [00:02:45]:
We came to your shelter, little shelter on Long island, and I have to tell you, due to a hoarding situation that we just talked about, there was a litter, or litters of at least 20 of the most adorable young dogs and puppies I've ever seen. And David, Peppy was fortunate enough, through you, to be able to get one of those amazing dogs. And I say amazing because this young pup, she is housebroken. She goes to the door when she wants to go out. She is the perfect puppy for Peppy. How is that for alliteration? And I just want to commend you because Lord knows, they had such a difficult start. It was really a harrowing situation. And these dogs, unbelievable.

Jill Rappaport [00:03:31]:
And that's what I want to tell people, that please go to your local shelters. Reach out to David at little Shelter. The animals are there now, waiting for their forever home. And it's up to us to give.

David Ceely [00:03:43]:
That to, you know, with these situations, we always try to run at full capacity at little shelter. It's just what we do. But unfortunately, with the situation and the dogs coming into the shelters and the cats coming into the shelters, it's very easy for us to be at full capacity at any given time. We're always full.

Jill Rappaport [00:04:00]:
Well, that's the message right there. And David, if you would like, before we have our next guest on, please give information how people can contact you. Go online and see the wonderful animals you have needing a home and a guy can tell you firsthand they're amazing and wonderful.

David Ceely [00:04:16]:
You could always give us a call at 631-368-8770 we're on the web@littleshelter.org at little shelter. On all of the social media platforms. But the thing that I always tell everybody, the best thing to do is to come to the shelter. You'll get the pick of the litter, and we've got something from everybody. I always say we got something from cheese to chow mixes, from puppies to seniors and everything in between.

Jill Rappaport [00:04:40]:
And you're very supportive of the seniors. Your heart is with the seniors, and that's where you try to really take in all of the wonderful seniors and find them a home. And bless you for that. And David, thank you so much. When we come back. You're staying with us because Sheryl Lee Ralph, coming up. Welcome back to Rappaport to the rescue. I'm Joe Rappaport, and I'm joined again with David Ceely from the wonderful little shelter in Huntington, Long island, who is going to be taking part in this next interview as well because he has a very special relationship with our spotlight guest.

Jill Rappaport [00:05:54]:
Coming up, the one and only Sheryl Lee Ralph. What an incredible woman. Such a diversified and talented actor on the big screen, the small screen, on stage, she's a singer, director, author and activist. She was Dina Jones in the original cast of Dream Girls, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary. And she felt that it was really a full circle moment because on the anniversary, she was producing thoughts of a colored man on Broadway. And she also runs the Diva foundation, which has been helping fight AiDS since the height of the epidemic. She made history as the first black Madame morable in the play wicked on Broadway. And she's currently starring as teacher Barbara Howard on ABC's new show Abbot elementary.

Jill Rappaport [00:06:43]:
This is her very special baby. We are so excited to talk to her about all of these projects and more, and especially her love of Animals, which she rescued. Sheryl Lee Ralph, I am so excited to have you here. Welcome to Rappaport to the rescue.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:07:01]:
Thank you. Good to be here with you today at the invitation of my friend David.

Jill Rappaport [00:07:07]:
Yes. And we're going to talk about that David Ceely, who runs the wonderful little shelter in Huntington, Long island. And your relationship started because of your love of animals and you rescued. Tell me about that.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:07:21]:
You know what? It was one of those moments that for me, it was just, like, perfect. I went to NBC to tape an interview. On which show was it, David?

David Ceely [00:07:33]:
That was New York live.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:07:34]:
New York live with my friend Jackie. And I was there, and then David had been on before, and then he came on after, and he had the cutest little tiny dog. And I thought it was a puppy. Come to find out, the dog is just like me. It's an old dog. It just happens to look very young. I saw this dog, and I was like, I will take the dog. And then David was like, well, you have to come out to Huntington.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:08:09]:
I was like, honey, I'm taking the dog now. And he stopped for a minute and he said, okay, you're taking the dog now. I'm going to email you everything. Email everything right back to me right away, and it'll be done. And I have to tell you, that dog was perfect from the moment I got her. She knew how to do everything. She knew how to live with me or in an apartment. And it was wonderful for as long as it lasted.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:08:40]:
We were sad. Know. Thank God that David is able to give you the history of the animal that you rescued. And my dog had come from Texas and had been mixed up in the whole. Was it the flood, David, that they had had?

David Ceely [00:08:58]:
Yes, it was back when they had those disasters. Yeah, it was terrible.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:09:01]:
Yeah, it was back then. And so the dog, she had really been suffering, lost in all of that. And so she was shipped from Texas to the little shelter. And when she first got know, her fingernails were real long. She needed a manicure and a pedicure.

Jill Rappaport [00:09:21]:
Bless your heart. You adopted a senior. I love that.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:09:26]:
Yeah, but I'm telling you, she looked so young. David, am I exaggerating? No, you're not. Yeah, the dog was so. I wish I should have had a picture so you could see it. Because she was living the life. All of my friends loved her. And anytime I traveled, they were like, oh, no, we'll take her. So she was everywhere, living a fabulous life.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:09:46]:
But the best part was, whenever she saw me, she was just like, oh, here she is. Oh, it was just great. It was great.

Jill Rappaport [00:09:57]:
And you have a dog now, right, cotton, is that the dog you have now?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:10:01]:
Oh, my gosh. So the quarantine happens, and I'm with my husband in Pennsylvania, and I'm like, we need an animal. So many people felt like that during the beginning of the quarantine. I need an animal. And David, once again, got in the car and says to me, I found your dog. And once again, it's never just like some ordinary dog. I mean, this was a coton de tullier. A very.

David Ceely [00:10:32]:
Oh, I'm sitting right next to mine right now.

Jill Rappaport [00:10:35]:
Unbelievable.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:10:36]:
They're very beautiful. And the dog, cotton, when cotton is all groomed and everything, she's so bright and white. It's almost like she could glow in the dark. But it's the middle of the day, and the dog can glow. And she's got the best personality. So we have a great time during quarantine and everything. And I go back to California. My niece loses a dear childhood friend.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:11:03]:
And my niece comes over Marley, and she's holding cotton, and she says, auntie Sheryl, I just need something to love. And I was just like, all right.

Jill Rappaport [00:11:14]:
Take the dog.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:11:15]:
Take the dog. She took the dog. And if the dog was living a good life with me, oh, no, the dog is. She is so fabulous. She's in Palm Springs enjoying everything about.

Jill Rappaport [00:11:28]:
Well, I was talking about that in the open. Of the show because my dear Peppy, who's been with me for almost 19 years or actually going on 20, and he's like a son to me. He and his family were looking for a dog. David found the perfect pooch for Peppy, and I thank him every day. I message him saying, oh, my goodness, this dog is perfection. She's housebroken. She's wonderful. David, what is it about you and little shelter that you have the perfect animals?

David Ceely [00:11:55]:
So listen, we've been around for 95 years, so we kind of know what we're doing by day.

Jill Rappaport [00:11:59]:
Well, you haven't been well, you look good for 95, let me tell you.

David Ceely [00:12:07]:
We'Ve been around for 95 years, and I have the most incredible staff that supports me and the animals. And I'd put the little shelter animal care up against any organization in the country. They really make it happen. And they work with the dogs, they train the dogs, they're medically evaluated, they're behaviorally evaluated, and we make sure they go into great homes.

Jill Rappaport [00:12:29]:
You certainly do. I've been working with David for years. I have to tell you, there's no one like him. There's no one like little shelter. And, shirley, I am just so honored. And I know David was so happy that you even had the time to do this interview. Your list of credits is longer than my first marriage.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:12:45]:
Okay?

Jill Rappaport [00:12:46]:
And let me just tell you, I have never read so many accolades in my life. You are unbelievable. Going back to Moesha, dream girls who didn't love dream girls. And I want to talk to you about your career because you're now starring in this amazing show on ABC. You never stop, do you?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:13:04]:
You know what? I really have to thank God and goddess this great spirit and energy around us. Know, it would have been easy to stop. Know, show business is not for the weak of heart, not for the faint of heart. I mean, you have got to be able, like animals, to work through it all through people's bad days, good days, all of that, and still have an open heart, still be happy to go into that next audition or meeting. So I am so thankful that I've been able to maintain a career, maintain relevancy through the decades and carry on. And I'm very grateful.

Jill Rappaport [00:13:49]:
You are constantly reinventing yourself and you can do it all. I mean, an actor, singer, director, author, activist, what have you not done that you would like to tackle?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:13:59]:
I haven't been as quiet as enough as I would like to. I probably have not rested as much as I should, but I do take it seriously. Me, time, time, with myself, to just gather myself so that I could get my energy up again to do whatever the next thing is in the world for me to do well.

Jill Rappaport [00:14:19]:
And you can hear one of my rescue dogs in the background. They're loving your voice and they're reacting to you. Oscar, don't be rude, but I want to talk a little bit about your career and how you never stop because you mentioned it's a tough business. You have to be used to rejection, and you have to be very thick skinned, because, let's be honest, for women as we get older, I don't care how many roles they say there are now. It's definitely more difficult at a certain point in life, isn't it?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:14:44]:
It really is. And I tell you, I am just so thankful that I think about being very young and I think about doing dream girls. I think about going from dream girls into Moesha. I think about going from Moesha into instant mom and fam. I think about being able to go into now.

Jill Rappaport [00:15:06]:
Oh, wait.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:15:07]:
Motherland, Fort Salem on.

Jill Rappaport [00:15:09]:
See, you can't ever remember all the things you've done.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:15:11]:
That's a great show.

Jill Rappaport [00:15:12]:
And now this ABC show and now.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:15:14]:
This show, Abbot Elementary. I mean, at every decade, every few years of my life, there's a brand new series, something new to tackle, and I'm thrilled.

Jill Rappaport [00:15:28]:
And Abbott elementary is doing really well, isn't it?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:15:32]:
Yeah, it really is. People just love the, you know, it's all know, education. A school in an urban area, Philadelphia, and it is challenged. But the teachers that are there, those who are not going to stop, not going to burn out, but find ways to give their kids, their students, what is needed to thrive in their classrooms. And I love that teachers here are not the butt of the joke. They are the heart of the show.

Jill Rappaport [00:15:59]:
Oh, no. It's amazing. And I have to tell you, dream girls just celebrated a huge milestone, which.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:16:05]:
I can hardly believe. Everybody's got the ten year challenge. What did you look like ten years ago? What do you look like now? I did the 40 year challenge. What do I look like at dream girls? And what do I look like 40 years later? Yes.

Jill Rappaport [00:16:22]:
And this is where I'm so frustrated, because our listeners cannot see how beautiful you look, and you do look just like you did 40 years ago in.

David Ceely [00:16:33]:
Dream with her natural smile.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:16:39]:
I always have to thank my orthodontist. I always tell people, it's like, if you have a dog, please pay attention to your dog's teeth. People always want to forget about the dog's teeth and treat yourself like you would the dog. And take care of your teeth, too, because they change in life. So that's my little tidbit right there.

Jill Rappaport [00:16:59]:
Take care of your teeth and your spirit and your love of life. I mean, I think that also keeps you young, that you really wake up every day and treat it as a gift, don't you?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:17:09]:
But it is a gift. I think of this. Millions did not make it, but I'm one of the ones who did. I was able to wake up, open my eyes, see what in front of me, above me, around me, dress myself, feed myself, and go out there and walk in the world and do my thing. Those are amazing gifts that should not be taken for granted, because a lot of people will just not get to do a few of those things. They just won't.

Jill Rappaport [00:17:42]:
That is so true. And sadly, we lost one of our greatest legends of all time, who you were fortunate enough to work with, the one and only Sidney Poitier. I mean, what was that like, not only being able to meet him, but work with this incredible human being?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:18:00]:
Mr. Poitier was a great mentor for me. I met him when I was 19. It was my very first film. A piece of the action was the last of a trilogy of films that he did with Bill Cosby. And that time on set with Mr. Poitier was amazing. He took time to pour into know behavior, attitudes, thoughts, attention on the know, respect of the script, respect of the writers, and the words on the page.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:18:32]:
There were things that he did when I was a young person that have lasted with me my whole career. And it was a great blessing. Really, truly a great blessing.

Jill Rappaport [00:18:44]:
Oh, I can't even imagine what it was like just to be able to meet him, let alone work with him. Everyone who met him and worked with him. What an indelible mark he left on all of your lives forever.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:18:55]:
Absolutely. And it is forever. And he was a girl, dad. He had six lovely daughters. And as much as he really appreciated the strides of the male actors and artists, he really pushed the women that he had know, from Whoopi to halle to myself and so many others. He was really, really a giving uncle, a giving father to all of us trying to make it in this industry.

Jill Rappaport [00:19:23]:
Oh, that's just so beautiful to hear. And you would expect what you're telling me, that that would be the person that he was. And you're such a philanthropic person, too, Sheryl Lee. You have done so much for AIDS and the cause and to raise awareness. Did he affect you in that way? And what is it about you that it's so important for you to help others, especially with this one.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:19:45]:
Cause I think when you look at those who have come before you and the heavy lifting that they did to create the kind of road that we get to walk on with our know. We're coming up on MLK day. And what Mr. Poitier did to get people to pay attention to the rights of all people in these United States, I mean, the idea that he turned his passion into purpose for everybody was amazing. So for know, doing dream girls, losing so many friends to HIV and AIDS, and people acting as if just because they were gay men, and quite a few women, too, who contracted this disease, that they were less than. And I said, okay, my friends, my people, that's my passion. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat everybody with the respect that you would want in life, no matter who they are.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:20:48]:
So for me, that was just a natural thing. And I had good leaders before me, like Mr. Poitier, who put themselves on the line for others. Sometimes they took a beating for it, but it was always the right thing to do.

Jill Rappaport [00:21:04]:
We've made great strides with AIDS, thank goodness. I mean, we can see a light at the end of that tunnel.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:21:10]:
We would be making much better strides with Covid-19 if people would remember the lessons from HIV and AIDS. I mean, these are two viruses that are so very similar, and people refuse to pay attention, just like they refused to pay attention in the past around HIV and AIDS, to the detriment of us all. HIV did not have to become endemic to all of us, but it is because there were some people who stood back and said, that's what they get, that's what they deserve. It has nothing to do with us. So you've got all of these people out there thinking that, oh, the vaccine isn't real, I don't need it. It's those people with all those comorbidities. No, honey, it's all of us. And the reason we have all of these variants is because people won't pay attention to being respectful of each other, no matter who they are.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:22:16]:
That's what's going on right now.

Jill Rappaport [00:22:18]:
Everything you do, you take on with such gusto, and you throw yourself into it 100%. I talked about this a little earlier. What is left on your. And I hate to use the word bucket list because hopefully that's going to be 50 years down the road for you. But what is left on your bucket list to do that you would really love if you had to say one project of all, you know something?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:22:41]:
I honestly have to say, I don't have a bucket list. What would I really like to do? I would really like to produce some important shows and movies that really uplift people and give them something to love, think about, apply to their own lives. I'd like to be a part of memorable entertainment, and that's not always easy, because sometimes people like sensationalism. They like guilty pleasures where they watch things that are less than or what they don't really need. But I would really love to be a part of some important entertainment. Classics, things that people pay attention to. That's why I really love what Quinta Brunson has done with Abbott elementary. Right.

Jill Rappaport [00:23:30]:
I was going to say your role now is very important and very relevant.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:23:34]:
Thank you. And people laugh. They laugh and they enjoy it. And it's important. It really is. I really think that what we do on motherland, Fort Salem, putting the power of femininity and the feminine on a platform for people to see. What would this world be like if women truly ran the world? And in that show, I play the president of the United States, and I'm definitely a president that. It's quite the role, written and created by Elliot Lawrence.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:24:11]:
And it's just another great show. But I like them because both of those things are important entertainment, I feel. But I can tell you, I've enjoyed what I've been doing. I enjoy my life.

Jill Rappaport [00:24:25]:
Right. I can tell that. That's great. Now, you mentioned the doggy. Now, know your niece. Now, on that subject, David's here. Is there any chance you might be looking for another little fur angel to fill your life?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:24:40]:
Well, you know, we always have a dog, and David knows my son has a dog. That's the closest I've got to a grandchild, and it's so good enough.

Jill Rappaport [00:24:51]:
Yeah.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:24:51]:
Theo is always with us, and David knows that. With my schedule, I need a tiny dog. I need a small dog. The first dog he got me was perfect for me. So he's always on the lookout for a tiny dog.

Jill Rappaport [00:25:06]:
Well, I don't want to start anything here, but the one we just got, David got a litter in from a hoarding situation down south. Oscar, I'll get to you in a moment. You hear my dog in the background. He wants attention. This group, there's at least 20 of them, from three pounds to ten pounds. I have never seen a more beautiful, wonderful. I don't rescue puppies because I'm all about the older dog. Seniors.

Jill Rappaport [00:25:30]:
And I wrestle with that a lot, because who doesn't love puppies? But I must take the older ones. But, boy, David's got some incredible dogs there right now. Right, David?

David Ceely [00:25:40]:
Yes. And we've got something for everybody. We've got puppies, we've got seniors and everything in between. I always tell everybody, well, you heard.

Jill Rappaport [00:25:47]:
What Sheryl Lee just said. You know, you must have something that.

David Ceely [00:25:50]:
I'm in touch with her a lot. I'm so happy to be friends with. Know, I don't know if I told you the story, but a week before, I went to go see wicked, and I'm sitting there in the front row, by the way, and Sheryl Lee comes walking out onto the stage as Mrs. Madame Marble. And I'm like, I think she's looking at me, and I feel like I know her. And then the play ended. And then three days later, I'm in there on New York live, and Sheryl Lee comes walking into my life. And we've been friends ever since.

David Ceely [00:26:18]:
So she knows I'm always on.

Jill Rappaport [00:26:19]:
I know, because he's been raving about you, Sheryl Lee, and he's been telling me, oh, she should do your podcast. She's such an animal lover. She's so animated and fun. And I'm just so thrilled that we got you, literally, to get a window of your time is so rare. And I hope maybe today this will spark a new interest. Maybe to get another little pooch from David. You never know. Another match made in heaven, right?

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:26:43]:
Trust me, you never know. Plus, I know you'll call me up or text me or message me and let me know. You should think about this. But I want to encourage everybody. If you're on social media, please follow the little shelter. And every now and then, there's a message that there's some simple thing that they might need. Like, david is very good about saying, okay, this is the kind of detergent we might need this month, or this is the kind of food we might need for this if they get a certain group of animals in. And if you go to Amazon, it's very easy that if you shop, you can donate part of what it is you shop to the little shelter.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:27:26]:
And when you're on Amazon, you can actually put them in your address and you can shop and send them things that they ask for. So they've made it very easy for people to help. Not everybody has 500 or 1000 or whatever, but sometimes somebody says, let me give them 30 pounds of food, and they've got the 25 or $30 to send them some food. Trust me, the little shelter is not going to say no to you. Sending them good food for the animal.

Jill Rappaport [00:28:01]:
Yes. And David was explaining to us how the shelter is sadly so full right now due to Covid and so many unbelievable situations that David, you said, have arisen literally in the last week.

David Ceely [00:28:13]:
Yeah. We try to run a full capacity all the time because it's what we do. We want to save these animals. So we were always constantly out there rescuing and rescuing, but they just seemed to be coming to us in need of help just so frequently lately with this virus.

Jill Rappaport [00:28:27]:
Oh, well, that's the message for us. Couldn't come from a better person. Wow. What a delivery. Sheryl Lee, if you can't get people to go out and help and rescue and adopt, nobody can. I want to thank you so much for your time. You are an incredible inspiration. I am thrilled and honored to have you on the show.

Jill Rappaport [00:28:45]:
David Ceely, as always. And for our listeners, David will be a regular. We're going to be checking with him often to hear how the adoptions are going again, please go to little shelter online. It's in Honey in Long island. Call, make an appointment, go visit, see what he has. You will be so excited when you go there. I'm like a kid in a candy store. I would take them all if I could.

Jill Rappaport [00:29:09]:
And thank you both so much for being here and I wish you safe. Wonderful times you.

Sheryl Lee Ralph [00:29:16]:
Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Jill Rappaport [00:29:19]:
And that's it for another edition of Rappaport to the Rescue on Pet Life Radio.

Timestamped overview:

00:00 Shelter on Long Island rescues 20 dogs.
05:54 Cheryl Lee Ralph: Multitalented actor, activist, producer.
07:34 Visiting New York, met friend Jackie, adopted dog.
11:28 Grateful for finding the perfect dog.
13:04 Grateful for career and happy to continue.
17:09 Grateful for the simple gifts of life.
19:45 Remembering MLK and Poitier's impact on rights.
25:50 Close friendship formed after serendipitous encounters.
26:43 Encouragement to support animal shelter through shopping.

Key topics and bullets:

1. Introduction to "Rappaport to the Rescue" and Special Guests
- Host Jill Rappaport introduces the show and upcoming guest, Sheryl Lee Ralph.
- Mention of David Ceely from the Little Shelter as a guest.
2. Sheryl Lee Ralph's Pet Rescues and Advocacy
- Story of Ralph rescuing a neglected dog from Texas.
- Adoption of a coton de tullier during quarantine and gifting it to her niece.
- Her special relationship with David Ceely and Little Shelter.
- Ralph's ongoing enjoyment of having dogs in her life.
3. David Ceely and the Little Shelter's Efforts
- Little Shelter's work in finding the perfect pets for people.
- Challenges faced by animal shelters during Covid-19.
- The example of a hoarding situation resulting in the rescue of 25 dogs.
- The situation of pets adopted during Covid being returned by owners.
- Little Shelter’s commitment to supporting senior animals.
4. Insights into Sheryl Lee Ralph's Career and Personal Life
- Ralph discusses her wide-ranging career in the entertainment industry.
- Challenges of aging in the entertainment sector.
- The importance of resilience, reinvention, self-care, and rest in her career.
5. The Impact of Covid-19 on Animal Adoptions
- Increased capacity issues at shelters due to the pandemic.
- Encouragement for potential adopters to consider visiting or contacting Little Shelter.
- Praise for Little Shelter’s role in a successful puppy adoption for Rappaport's friend.
6. Sheryl Lee Ralph's Adoption Experience and Encouragement
- Ralph’s experience adopting a senior dog from Little Shelter.
- The immediate positive impact of her adopted dog.
- Encouragement for the public to support the shelter in various ways.
7. Final Thoughts and Expressions of Gratitude
- Concluding thanks from host Jill Rappaport and guest Sheryl Lee Ralph.
- Highlighting the importance of adopting from Little Shelter in Long Island.
8. Discussion on Education and Teachers
- Ralph acknowledges the challenges and importance of teachers in urban schools.
- Reflection on her personal experiences and helping students thrive.
9. Celebration of "Dream Girls" and Emphasis on Health
- Recognition of the 40th anniversary of "Dream Girls."
- Conversation on Ralph’s timeless appearance and dental health importance.
10. Sheryl Lee Ralph's Inspirations and Philanthropy
- Reflections on waking up each day with gratitude.
- Impact of Sidney Poitier as a mentor in Ralph’s life.
- Philanthropic work towards AIDS awareness and comparisons with the Covid-19 pandemic.
11. Sheryl Lee Ralph's Current and Future Projects
- Desire to produce shows and movies with an uplifting and entertaining impact.
- Involvement in projects like "Abbott Elementary" and "Motherland, Fort Salem."

 

"Rappaport to the Rescue" Theme Song Written & Produced by Mark Winter
© Copyright 2021 Such Fun Music (ASCAP)