Things to do this weekend to help furry friends

We have to tell you about two ways to help your furry friends this weekend. First, if you shop at the Evanston Farmers' Market, plan to stop by the Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) booth and buy some home-baked goodies at its bake sale this Saturday, October 2. Hours for the market are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please volunteer your baking services to help raise more money for the doggies and kitties at Evanston’s Animal Shelter. For more information, leave a message on the C.A.R.E. voicemail for Paula - 847-705-2653.

Second, Evanston residents have the opportunity to bring their pet companions to the St. Francis Day Blessing of Animals. Even though we’re non-denominational kitties, we give two paws up to St. Francis, who is beloved worldwide as the patron saint of animals and ecology.

Sunday, October 3, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., will host its Sixth Annual St. Francis Day Blessing of Animals. In keeping with traditions associated with the life of St. Francis and his love for all God’s creatures, the event will focus on thanksgiving for companion animals.

A special Eucharist will be inside St. Luke’s from 10-11:15 a.m., with individual blessings of all animals present. The Eucharist will be offered in celebration of the companionship, service, and joy the pets in our lives share with us.

A street fair will follow outside the church with exhibits and demonstrations by animal-related organizations. Chicago-area animal service organizations, working animals, rescue groups and animal shelters are invited to display information on their organizations and discuss the work they do with St. Francis Day participants.

St. Francis Day Blessing of Animals is open to pets (of any faith) and their people are warmly invited. Due to the presence of animals who do not know each other, it is requested that pets be controlled appropriately. If your pet would not be happy in the presence of other animals, you may bring his/her photo to be blessed. Memorial banners are available for inscription with the names of deceased pets to be commemorated.

St. Francis of Assisi

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who deal likewise with their fellow men."

-St. Francis of Assisi

Running into friends and their pets at PetsMart

Yesterday our mom made a dry food run to PetsMart® and ran into her friend Dana, who was accompanied by her two dogs Josie and Elke.

Which got us to wondering why Mom never takes us shopping with her? It’s probably because she’d need to put collars or harnesses on us and walk us with leashes. “Hell no! We won’t go!” Yeah, like that would happen.

We’re two beautiful bad-ass kitties and if any d-o-g gets too close, we’ll take it down with one swipe. Hissssssssssssss. Meowwwwwwwwwwww. The store on Oakton St. would never be the same. Mom would be banned from PetsMart. Where would she shop? We’ll starve to death.

Whop! “Ouch, Sashi. Why did you whop me on the head?”

“Because you were hysterical, you Shadoe dummy.”

“Calm down, girls! What’s all the commotion?”

We’re sorry, Mom. We’ll get back to our blog. Let’s see, where were we?

Not Elke or Josie, but looks similar.

Mom was talking and cooing over Dana’s dogs. She can’t even remember what breed there were…just that they’re small with white coats. They were cute though and weighed about seven pounds. Really…we’re double that size.

Dana said she brings Josie with her often. Josie gets excited when they pull into the parking lot. That’s because PetsMart gives doggies a treat at the check-out register. Wow…would they give us catnip? Not likely.

This was the first visit for Elke, who is more nervous about strange surroundings. Mom told us she was riding in the shopping cart. Both dogs were well behaved according to our mom.

We think Dana is okay because Mom said she has cats in addition to the dogs. Anyone who likes cats is cool and shows good judgment in choosing pet companions. Dogs can be a good choice, too…especially if they’re at-risk.

To any humans reading this, please adopt a shelter pet. Most of us are sweet and loving. Even if one of us has a few problems, kindness and patience can make a difference.

Martha Stewart has gone to the dogs

Anyone who has shopped at PetsMart^® recently knows that Martha Stewart has introduced a new line of pet care products. After all, she is the queen of branding isn’t she? Martha Stewart this, Martha Stewart that…Martha, Martha, Martha!

Whew. As you can see, M.S. agitates us. She calls it Martha Stewart Pets but all of the models are d-o-g-s. Cats are cute, too. We make excellent models…cats are the very definition of grace.

We asked Mom to check out the M.S. pet products at PetsMart. She reported back that some of the items could be enjoyed by pets other than dogs. Mom is mostly diplomatic, though she did sneer at the pet clothing.

There are lots of toys in the product line, but many are squeak toys. Our mom hates those. If a toy rattles or has a bell attached, she'll snip it off before she lets up play with it. Besides, who wants to bat around a tennis ball when you can savor a catnip-laced mousy?

© PetsMart/Martha Stewart Pets

We’ll give Martha points for being an animal lover and encouraging people to treat their pets well. But we won’t ask Mom to buy any of her products until she starts using kitty models.

Adopt a cat or dog and make a friend for life

We are Sashi and Shadoe two lucky kitties who have very cushy lives. We were about 10 months old when our mom adopted us. That's why we want to tell you about PetSmart Charities® National Adoption Weekend. It runs from September 10-12, 2010 at all PetsMart stores in the U.S. and Canada. 

Our local store is at 2221 Oakton St. (Evanston) and mom is a regular there. She told us it makes her feel sad to see the cats in the adoption area waiting for new homes. Please visit this weekend and adopt all of the kitties and doggies who need a new home.

PetSmart Charities invites local animal-welfare organizations to become approved PetSmart Charities Adoption Partners. Evanston's store works with C.A.R.E. (2310 Oakton St.) and other local adoption groups.

Speaking of C.A.R.E., today (Saturday, September 11) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., they're having a dog wash. It's been raining off and on, so your dog may already be wet, but the group will also trim your dog's nails. 

There's no need to hold a 'cat wash' because our birth mothers do a good job of teaching us how to wash ourselves. Just one example of cats superiority over dogs. (Please don't edit that out, Mom). Yes, we're laying down a gloved paw...the challenge is on.