Home Again

Joanne Peterson

Several readers have asked whether I would write again soon about The Dogs of Edmonds. I thought of this yesterday when I met a cute little guy named Chewy, out walking with his person.

Chewy, of indeterminate origin, having something to do with China, wasnt very friendly to me. My hand did not pass his sniff test. Some dogs realize that cat people can also be dog people. (I certainly am.)

But Chewy saw orange cat fur on my sleeve and lost all interest in being friendly. Anyway, I liked him.

Ive written before about my friend Kizzies sweet dachshund, Max. A while back, Maxs health failed, and he had to rely on Kizzie to make the only loving choice for him. Max had a shy streak, a big kind heart and a sleek dark little body. Smart as all-get-out, he never criticized anyone or treated anyone rudely.

I loved Maxhis sweet disposition, his cute knuckles, his imploring brown eyes. Max was a trooper, a small dog with large lessons to teach. Hell be missed, always.

My cat Benjamin, the best animal in my world, seems to be faring quite well. Last week, he joined Friends of the Edmonds Library. Yes. When I paid my Friends annual dues ($4) at the latest meeting, I was asked whether Ben might like to join. Well, yes, I said. I knew he would! So I paid his dues ($1!) and hurried home to tell him.

He was pleased. At the time he joined, six other cats had purchased memberships, too. (I was told that dogs are not allowed to join. I suppose soon there will be a lawsuit over that, but in the meantime, my Ben feels quite smug and important.)

Many people in Edmonds have pets they cherish. Most pets are given nutritious food, taken to the vet regularly, and live contented lives. But other animals are not so lucky.

Heres a suggestion: When next you buy pet food, pick up an extra bag to drop off for the food bank at Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers St. Buying food for a family pet is beyond the budget of many clients of the Edmonds food bank, and they are grateful when animal-lovers provide pet food, thus allowing them to keep their pets through difficult times.

Speaking of poverty, I hope after reading last weeks Beacon article about the Nov. 7, 4th Annual Poverty Conference at Edmonds United Methodist Church, you plan to attend. Theres still time to call 778-2119 to register for the 8:30-3:30 Saturday conference.

If you appreciated Greg Mortensons best seller Three Cups of Tea, about his work building schools in remote mountain regions of Pakistan, youll be drawn to the related experiences of Julia Bolz, an American woman who gave up her career as an attorney to devote herself to building schools for children in Afghanistan.

She will speak at 9:15 a.m. Saturday. (Not registered? Youll still be welcome. Ill see you there.)