Have you ever wanted a portrait of your pet, but didn't feel like paying more than a couple dollars for it? Saturday, November 2, could be your lucky day. Here's what you do: Go to the Holly Day Bazaar at the Westerville Community United Church of Christ between 9 AM and 3 PM. You'll pay $2 at the door to get in, and you will be given a raffle ticket. Take your raffle ticket and find the baskets that are being raffled. Look for the Dog Lover basket--you can't miss it--it's huge and it's filled with all kinds of things you and your dog will like (Teddy-tested and Maggie-approved) including--ta da!--a little matted deal-i-o that entitles you to redeem it for a framed and matted  9" by 12" commissioned portrait or your pet (doesn't even have to be a dog). If you want a larger portrait, I'll let you apply your portrait prize (that's $175) toward a bigger picture. Want a better chance at winning? Then dig deep, go crazy, buy a bunch of additional tickets, and stuff the box. I bet there'll be a bunch of other awesome raffle baskets, too, so you'll want a few tickets to toss around. After you finish admiring the raffle baskets, go ahead and find something to eat, because you've earned it and there'll be lots of food opportunities awaiting you. This church knows how to feed people. Besides, you need to fuel up for the shopping frenzy that awaits you. Lots of vendors of hand made goods--and Christmas is less than two months away. You need this shopping opportunity. How do you find this place? It's at the corner of County Line Road and Spring Road in Westerville. Here's a link to some more information:  http://www.westervillecucc.org/upcoming-events. I hope you check it out!

One year ago today, we lost Sophie following surgery to remove a tumor from one of her lungs. It was the third time in two years that cancer appeared, and we had a difficult decision to make. She was 16 and had had cancer in a less invasive form twice before, but she seemed so happy and otherwise healthy...We knew if we didn't have the surgery, we would soon be faced with deciding which day would be "the day" because she was suffering from coughing spells that were rapidly getting worse. Maybe the surgery would give her some more time and make her comfortable....Tough decisions. We chose surgery. The morning that I took her to OSU, where she would have her procedure, I walked her down the sidewalk a little way, thinking the whole time that it may be the last time I would have that privilege, that joy. So, I videoed that brief walk with the thought that I could experience it over and over again, in case it was her last. I tried not to think of it in those terms, but it did turn out to be her last walk.

She looks so happy, so healthy...not a clue about what was wrong or what was going to happen. Sophie loved an adventure of any kind, whether it was a walk around the block or a ride across town.   I'm really glad I have the clip, but I'm sort of wishing I had done it before it was "her last" so I didn't have to think of that every time I watch it. You can see why we wanted to keep things going, to give her more time... It wasn't meant to be, I guess, and until I can walk with her among the stars, I have this, and I thought I would share it with you today, on the anniversary of her passing:

Last Saturday, Canine Companions for Independence hosted Dogfest. I made the 'triever and bone necklace for them to raffle or auction off during their fundraiser. I hope it arrived in time....I wrote down that they needed the item by the 12th of October, but the little secretary in my brain kept telling me that the event wasn't until the end of the month, like the 20th-something. Ugh. I think it made it, but it was unintentionally right up to the wire. Sorry CCI--didn't mean to take you right to the edge. 

Also last Saturday, I participated as a judge for a pet parade at Sunrise Senior Living in Bexley. What a delightful bunch of pets, and what a nice group of people. 

When they called to invite me to participate, they explained that they are a totally pet-friendly residence. The senior residents are allowed to keep a pet, the facility has three resident pets, family members are encouraged to bring pets to visit, and it's a pet-friendly workplace for employees who want to bring their pet to work. You can't get much better than that, can you? I was so impressed by the way they recognized the value of pets in the lives of their residents that I was really happy to go and be a part of their event, and I'm so glad I did.

There were several participating pets, all of which were adorable and well-behaved and well-socialized. They were all winners!

This sweet guy is Chucky, and he is the official resident dog (and, for last Saturday, the town sheriff). He stole my heart with his calm and affectionate greeting as soon as we walked in to the building. What I did not realize upon meeting him was that he is blind. The vet who tends to Chucky was one of the other judges, and he told us that about six months ago, Chucky lost his vision when his retinas detached. (He also told us another story about Chuck that had to do with his propensity to steal food from the residents' rooms when he was on a restrictive diet. Turns out that not everything he stole and ate was actually food. I won't go into detail, but dogs will be dogs, and I love you anyway, Chucky.) Chucky started out as a pilot dog-in-training (the other judge was from Pilot Dogs--so cool!) but was a little too laid back for a career as a guide dog, so he was adopted by a senior resident at Sunrise. When that resident passed away, Chucky stayed on as the resident dog, and he's perfect for the job. I think he found his true calling. 

Just a quick note about an upcoming event... the Wedgewood Holiday Boutique...I am a participating vendor this year. It takes place at the Wedgewood Country Club in Powell on Thursday, October 24 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. There is a $10 admission fee, which goes to support People in Need of Delaware County and buys you access to over 40 vendors, a generous table of hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar. So, give a little, nosh a little, and shop a lot! Check out the flyer below: