Saint Charles Humane Society
Community Outreach
Rummage sale, dog wash and co-op adoption extravaganza

Spyke, official greeter and all around goodwill, good time guy

Spyke won the promotion when Balto Man  finally found his own family. You may remember the hound formerly known as the Caped "Adopt Me" Crusader - he had been around forever - now checks in from time to time with hiking and jogging reports, but no darn cats sighted ... yet!

Warm and fuzzy,"Farewell"?

Not quite ... "Keep your nose outta my stuff," warns Ember after forcing herself grudgingly, and only temporarily, to descend from a favorite computer station perch. Ember much prefers Spyke's laid-back style and less inquisitive manners on his regular rounds.

Incidentally, the office princess is considering making herself available for adoption - after Halloween. Black cats are always in demand this time of year for all the wrong reasons, some actually sinister. Never leave any animal unattended and don't think a fence will stop thieves collecting for laboratories, "backyard breeding" and a wide variety of sickening alternate purposes all year.

Lecture over - just remember, the unthinkable can, and will, happen in your neighborhood - sooner or later.

Next stop: goodie bags, more info and promo items

Teeniest full-grown baby "Peeps"

and then there was ...

Jefferson

Leaning on (that's a Dane thing) and showing off his new mom while visiting the Almost Home rescue gang. Peeps, also an Almost Homer, already had several adoption applications on the waiting list.

This little cutie arrived right after Jefferson, she's all set with new folks too - I couldn't resist the shot of black and white comparison.

Dig these snazzy digs.

Abby, a junior volunteer under Mom's supervision, and friend Alex

Yes those are real beds and every other comfort the feline set could need. Note PVC pipe condo lounge and carpeted tree - all cats rooms are more than graciously appointed with donated furnishings, many handmade (more about that below).

Didn't take long for somebody else to get into the act, back-scratching visitors always appreciated.

Beautiful day for a getting-acquainted walk

Special need adoptions

Trying to pose "Adopt Me" juniors on grooming table set up for doggie wash

Duchesne High School volunteers suggested the wash and raised more than $100. for the shelter - WOW ($220. total proceeds split). They want to do it again. You bet!

Always open to new ideas and sponsorships, call 636-949-9918. Any group, club or business can participate.

Puppy wiggles make kids giggle, Dad Jason too. Skylar (middle) and Austin's mom is an adoption counselor for SCHS.

County Humane Info

Bonnie

Apollo

One more Halloween warning - already (Sept. 29), two cats from one St. Louis suburb have been found mutilated and five more are missing - all different coloring.

Check links at end of page for more warnings and information, concerning other animals too.

Also in recent news, a sheepdog pup ending up at a local shelter when the breeder who flew the pup cross-country refused its return. Stupid, irresponsible, completely senseless and no excuse for either side - pup was supposedly too aggressive for kids. Right, those kind of people need to stick to stuffed animals. Serves them exactly right losing their money, but the important point/lesson is lack of conscientious investigation from both ends. Reputable breeders ask questions before sales. They also expect and are happy to provide complete information on parentage. Not checking records is the main reason so many purebreds can be found in shelters and why breed-specific rescue groups exist - ethical breeders offer return guarantees. Mismatches still happen even under the best circumstances but it's always due to human fault.

Toby's message to the people who dumped him (pure gold) http://www.therealmartha.com/kissthis/index.htm

Special guest

This lovey girl is living with a foster mom who happens to be my sister in Baytown, TX. Maggie Mae would be permanent if two Labs and one very large nobody-knows-for-sure-whut-mutt were not already in residence - all of them rescues. More Maggie pics and info: http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/dogsinfoster.htm

Click on links to see all BHS adoptables. Delivery transportation can be arranged to almost anywhere in Texas and Louisiana after references clear. Besides fosters, the BHS site features animals in several Houston area shelters.

Hand crafts

I'm all jazzed after finding out how much a friend's donation of beaded earrings and pine needle basket went for at a recent silent auction - big buck$, as in hundreds. Need to finish an afghan for my sister's rescue group (because she asked which also gave me the idea - yes I can be dim), then I'll do one for SCHS.

Dancing bear pattern is an old fave - excuse the age spots. I usually do it in ecru cotton with fringe instead of the scalloped edge. Three DCs per mesh in a worsted weight makes a perfect baby size.

Cotton thread works out to doll size and four triples in bulky yarn can be almost single bed size or a lap blanket. If a copy (right click to save) doesn't enlarge and print well enough, ask me for a download. The original was labeled play rug, could also be done in cross stitch.

More afghan pics and other critter-type fund-raisers
http://www.therealmartha.com/CraftyPix/index.htm

Free patterns - knit, crochet and more
http://www.craftown.com/projects.htm
http://crochet.about.com/cs/freepatternslist1/index.htm
http://lionbrand.com/

This pattern is long gone - scan should be OK as a guide.

I'm also working on a flag that converted very nicely from a graphic using the Instant Stitch program. Any patriotics would be good sellers.

Yarn, thread and fabric stash points would be cool so anyone who has the time but can't stretch the budget could work on auction or gift shop donations. People are always buying supplies, then losing interest. I've picked up tons of good stuff for almost nothing at garage sales and thrift stores. Used bedding can be cut into mat-size pieces and critters don't care about a few snags or color clashes. Many more could be living cushier.

Past-wearable jeans and other denims are great for all kinds of projects, patch works especially. Different fade shades and worn areas (ripped-out seams, pocket marks) make each piece unique.

Cut circles using a dessert size plate for large template and a bowl or any round container/lid for the small. The circles turn into hexagons by whip or blanket stitching the sides together in sections, raw edge up. I used leftover embroidery floss, all different colors. Every time they're washed the fraying looks even better. Hope I've made the instructions clear, if not, please ask. Could dress up with more stitching - flowers, paw prints, whatever.
More ideas
http://www.therealmartha.com/CraftyPix/index.htm

MarthaJones1@aol.com - Please use SCHS as subject line.

http://www.therealmartha.com/adopt/index.htm ~ Meet more shelter sweeties, includes most complete list of off-site links

http://www.therealmartha.com/CritterIndex/index.htm
My critter pages index

http://www.therealmartha.com/spayneuter/index.htm ~ Not the usual Spay/Neuter messages, printable and easily customized (do it yourself or ask me)

Meet the perfect poster boy/spokesdog promoting shelter adoptions: http://www.therealmartha.com/ScooopPoster/index.htm ~ custom masters for print available by request.

http://www.therealmartha.com/HeroDog/index.htm ~ Last year's Ho Ho Happenings ~ includes hero dog ceremony, Santa pics and more

http://www.therealmartha.com/adoptstray/index.htm ~ Adopt-A-Stray day, another community co-op

http://www.therealmartha.com/AnimalProtect/index.htm ~ For anyone who works for animals, paid or volunteer

http://www.therealmartha.com/HalloCritters/index.htm ~ Critters in Halloween costumes, includes warning link

http://www.therealmartha.com/HolidayCritters/index.htm ~ All dressed up waiting for Santa

From http://www.inch.com/~dogs/halloween.html (edited for this publication):

Sick and sadistic individuals have been reported to frighten, harass, steal, injure or kill friendly dogs and cats when left alone unprotected outdoors. Livestock and zoo animals are also at risk.

Holiday foods, desserts, candy and beverages can cause digestive upset, diarrhea and vomiting. Food packaging (such as cellophane, tin foil, and food- or dessert-laced wrappers) can also cause choking or intestinal obstruction.

Never give chocolate as a treat, or leave within reach. Chocolate contains Theobromine which can be poisonous - dark, semi-sweet and baker's can even be lethal. Small dogs can die from eating much smaller amounts of chocolate than large dogs.

Dogs may become frightened and/or aggressive toward strangers wearing masks and costumes, or may suddenly run out when you greet trick-or-treaters.

Halloween parades or wild parties may frighten dogs, or they could get loose in the crowd. A defensive dog may also bite.

Burning candles could burn your pet or start a fire if knocked over. Other displays or ornaments might be swallowed by your pet or cause other injuries.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa100600a.htm - More tips including costume warnings

http://cats.about.com/library/weekly/aa100402a.htm - Black Cat Month, the Perils of Halloween (the extremely annoying pop-up ad will go away in a few seconds)