In These Unusual Times, We Have to Take of Each Other

Charlotte is Catching up on Her Reading and has a Surprise Recommendation

Charlotte has a book recommendation, My Big Dog by Janet Stevens and Susan Crummel. The title is somewhat deceiving. The story's narrator  Merl, a very independent and cantankerous cat, is much like Charlotte. 
Merl can only take so much -- those puppy noises, the chasing, the licking -- the dog is total ick! Merl is quick to point out the differences between the two. "I think it likes me. I think it wants to be my friend. NO WAY. I am a cat and it is a dog." In the end however, Merl sets down some very definite rules and acknowledges that he and the dog can definitely be friends. 
During these uncertain times, when all of the news can seem bad, there are many real life stories just like My Big Dog, where neighbors help neighbors, strangers show kindness to strangers, and people put their differences aside. My Big Dog is available in paperback from Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/My-Big-Dog-Golden-Classic/dp/0375851038/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=my+big+dog&qid=1584714206&sr=8-1

Murphy Takes Over the Computer -- Again!

Murphy has once again taken over the computer! Perhaps he's attempting to be the next great Pinky Pye, a remarkable feline typist and extraordinary storyteller. Eleanor Estes' humorous and heartwarming Pye family books -- Ginger (Newberry Award Winner) and Pinky -- first published in the 1950s, and reissued many times since, are fun, family read-alouds as well as wonderful novels to singularly curl up with. While Murphy is plugging away, I'm going to find a yellow legal pad and pen to use for the time being. I have work to do -- I'm in the midst of planning four weeks of awesome summer camps with interesting speakers, animal visitors, and opportunities for kids to help HRA help the animals. Check out our website https://www.humanerescuealliance.org/kids-camps

Working From Home With Support Staff

No-Sew Blankets are Fun and Easy to Make AND Very Comfy for the Critters!

You wouldn't guess it from that,"pet me, I'm yours," look that Luther is giving, that he enjoys napping on the colorful, plush no-sew blankets a group of students made for him and the other cats temporarily residing at HRA. But he does. He especially likes to curl up on one of the blankets and knead his paws into the soft fleece. However, if a person is in close proximity, then Luther is eager to get up and give head bumps and love nudges. 

HRA is always in need of no-sew blankets for the cats and bigger ones for dogs, too. During these times when we are all sequestered in our homes, making a few no-sew blankets for the shelter animals could be a fun way to pass the time while helping the animals in HRA's care. 

Once the social distancing mandate is no longer in place then the blankets can be dropped off at either HRA shelter, 71 Oglethorpe Street, N.W. or 1201 New York Avenue, N.E. And, while you are cutting and knotting fleece squares into fancy beds, make an extra one for the dog or cat in your home or a friend's beloved critter.

Here is a simple directional video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQrkU9dN54s, created by a couple of animal-helping Girl Scouts.