Puppy Sweet Cream to be guest at prayer blanket social
Make no-sew fleece blankets for sick pets and meet new friends at the third Blanket Social, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26, at Brandy’s On Main restaurant, 200 Main St., Irwin 15642.
For a $5 donation, guests can hold Sweet Cream, a Chihuahua-mix puppy who weighed just 3.2 ounces when she was born prematurely on Sept. 4.
Sweet Cream now weighs 1 pound, and you can see many photos and videos of her on the Pittsburgh Pet Prayer Blankets Facebook page.
Professional dog trainer Penny Layne, of Aunt Penny’s Pet Services, started the project on Aug. 9. So far 187 blankets have been donated to rescue organizations and 87 to personal pets.
Ms. Layne believes prayers on the FB page saved little Sweet Cream, who was born at her Manor home to Peaches, the Chihuahua-mix she is fostering for the Pet Search rescue organization.
People should bring three yards of fleece and very sharp scissors or a rotary cutter. Plenty of people will be on hand to give instructions.
If you’re not crafty the group welcomes fleece or monetary donations. Volunteers also are needed to drive blankets to recipients in the area.
To request a prayer blanket or for more information go to petprayerblanket.com website or the Pittsburgh Pet Prayer Blankets Facebook page.
Dog costume party
The Black Dog Wine Company in Oakdale is having its second annual dog costume contest 2 p.m Sunday.
There will be live music and, of course, wine. Last year the prizes were dog treats, toys and gift cards. Contestants included a weiner dog dressed as a Chia pet, said Mark Rozun, owner of Black Dog Wine.
The business name is an homage to his black Labrador retriever, Elvira, 11. She might come to the party, he said, though she doesn’t like to be dressed up.
Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome to party outside with their owners at 7425 Steubenville Pike, 15071.
Hero dogs on TV
Seven heroic finalists will walk the red carpet as they are showcased at the ninth annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, airing 8 p.m. Monday on Hallmark.
The 2019 American Hero Dog title will be awarded on the two-hour show, which always has many tear-jerker moments.
The gala was held Oct. 5 at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, but I’m not going say who won. The top dog will be profiled in Saturday’s Pet Tales column.
The heroic finalists include three of my personal favorites:
• K9 officer Dax, a German shepherd, tracked and found dozens of missing children and adults, apprehended more than 70 suspects and found drugs in more than 100 narcotics searches.
• Sgt. Yeager, a black Labrador retriever, was awarded the Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds he received while serving with the Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan. He searched for bombs on more than 100 patrols.
• Alice, a German shepherd, was trained by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs to serve her 13-year-old partner, who was shot in the head. Alice alerts 15 minutes in advance that he is going to have a seizure. She goes everywhere with him, including school, and provides comfort and mobility support.
You can read about all seven dogs in the Aug. 17 Pet Tales column.
Howl-o-ween party
Walkers Pet HoTail in Murrysville is once again having a free party for dogs, which includes ghoulish games, a costume contest, a parade and trick-or-treating.
The Howl-o-ween Party is 7-8 p.m. Oct. 24 at 4603 William Penn Highway, 15668. RSVP is not required, but they’d like you to call 724-327-PAWS (7297) so they know how many people and pets will attend.
Jupiter, 10, a Maltese who raises money for puppy mill dogs and rescues, will be there with his prize wheel and treats. His owner, Nicole Orlando of Plum, has raised nearly $40,000 in five years at the annual Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk.
At 6 p.m. pet photo portraits will be taken, with donations to benefit Westmoreland County Animal Response Team.
Four-legged guests should have proof of up-to-date vaccinations and a negative fecal test.
The Pet HoTail is also having a Crystals for the Cause jewelry party on Saturday at 7 p.m. Call Michele at 724-309-6044 if you will attend.
Twenty-five percent of the sale of Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski will benefit Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk.
Goodwill drive
Gather up gently used clothing, shoes and housewares to help two nonprofits — Humane Animal Rescue and Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Drop off donated items from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 to Goodwill’s South Side location, 2700 E. Carson St., 15203. Ten cents for every pound donated will go to HAR, which has shelters in Homewood and the North Side and a wildlife rehabilitation center in Verona.
Free straw for cats
Winter is coming, so Animal Friends is giving away free bags of straw to people who take care of animals that live outdoors. That includes caretakers of feral and community cats.
Bags of straw can be picked up seven days a week at the Ohio Township shelter, 562 Camp Horne Road, 15237.
Animal Friends has been providing free straw for years, and it always gives this disclaimer:
“While Animal Friends encourages pet owners to make their pets part of the family and keep them inside — especially during the winter months — they recognize that some animals live outdoors.”
State and local laws require outdoor animals to have access to proper food, drinkable water and warm dry shelters.
Straw is the best bedding in cold and wet weather because “blankets, towels and pillows can retain moisture and freeze,” according to the Animal Friends news release.
The entrance to dog houses and cat shelters should be covered by a car mat, a rug or a heavy plastic sheet to keep out wind, rain and snow.
The paws, ears and tails of outside animals should be regularly checked for frostbite, which requires treatment from a veterinarian.