Purr-fect Project!

"Hi! I'm Hudson! and I approve this purr-fect Girl Scout project!"


























"Make the world a better place," reads, in part, the Girl Scouts of America law. It's a maxim that Brielle, my oldest granddaughter, has pledged to honor as a "Daisy" (Kindergarten level) scout. I am very proud of her!

Scouting involves contributing; it's the same vision shared by grandparents who recognize that devoted time and attention help raise a new generation of compassionate and socially responsible citizens. "We make a living by what we get," reflected Winston Churchill, "but we make a life by what we give." Who among us doesn't wish to bestow satisfying gifts of purpose, generosity, tolerance, and gratitude upon society's youngest members? Modeling virtues of giving back, and gently guiding grandchildren toward the same goal accomplishes exactly that! And, not to cast a gloomy spell of morbidity or anything, but it also fulfills personal pledges to leave the world a better place!

Brielle's troop leader recently appealed to parents for project ideas. I was delighted to be called on to help my daughter, Christy, with a charitable activity that will benefit the cause closest to my heart. We will deliver small paw-printed fleece blankets to a local low-cost spay-neuter clinic. Each Daisy made one of these popular items, following directions given below. Clinic staff and volunteers will distribute them to worthy cats or small dogs. Think of the post-surgical comfort 12 needy fur-babies will find in the warmth of these blankets on their way back home to a new life that won't contribute to an overpopulation of pets!













Our troop will also collect clinic "wish-list" items from their community of family and friends. Paper towels, cat food, trash bags, office supplies - all of these things are needed on a continuing basis. Every donation helps! An extra bonus for us was the response Christy recieved from her daughter's principal when she requested permission to initiate an all-school drive. Seems his wife is a rescuing over-the-top animal lover like we are! Somehow, I think our box for donations is going to fill to "over-the-top" too, especially since we were also invited to submit our feature to the community newspaper!

And by the way, if you're a "dreamer" like I am, hoping that someday every single puppy and kitten born will enjoy a safe, happy life in a loving "fur-ever" home, be encouraged! Locally, we are experiencing a "kitten shortage." Its even been featured on the news! "It's spring! Where are all the kittens?" they've asked. And potential adopters have been greeted by shelter door signs that read, "Sorry! No cats left! Try again next week!" Spay-neuter initiatives have made an impact here on a surplus formerly destined for euthanasia, and I am delighted!

If you can't adopt - foster....
If you can't foster - sponsor....
If you can't sponsor - volunteer....
If you can't volunteer - donate....
If you can't donate - educate....
Everyone can do something!

Make 2 kitty/small dog sized blankets from 1 yard each of paw print and solid color fleece. Cut the 36" x 60" wide lengths into two 36" x 30" pieces. Stack a print and a solid with right sides facing out. Trim to match. Cut a 4" square out of each corner. Continue to cut 4" slashes all around perimeter, each about 1" - 1.5" wide. Double knot each pair of fringes to complete.





And what's a grandma to do with those leftover 4" corner squares? Well, make them into catnip toys, of course! Sew, turn, stuff, hand close - purr-fect!