We'd like to be able to work with shelters everywhere, but we will confine our project to Astrid's former shelter, the Santa Cruz Humane Society that is located right on the US/Mexico border in Nogales, Az.
We may have pictures of the dogs in the shelter from time to time. Don't pity them! First, Santa Cruz Humane Society is a 'living shelter'. There is none of the routine euthanasia that goes on at other shelters. All dogs here have homes for as long as they need them. When we feature older dogs, they are just waiting for their second chance and some wait just a little longer than others. Unfortunately, large, black dogs are some of the last to be adopted, but look at Aspen! She found her new home at age 7!
How can you participate with this project? It's is easy. First, make a commitment to make a shelter dog's life just a little bit better by providing them with a blanket to call their own. Next, decide if you are going to 1) send a gently used blanket that you have at home, 2) buy a new one....or 3) our favorite, make it ourselves, turning it into a labor of love...love of shelter dogs.
You dont need to be super crafty or have a lot of craft tools on hand...you don't even need a sewing machine. With a yard of fleece, you can make a really easy no sew blanket that you can have on it's way to a special pup in no time. Here's the simple tools you'll need...
Next, cute a four inch square out of each four corners. You might want to have a 4"x4" square cut from a heavier paper to use as a templete.
Using the cut as a guide, cut 1" x 4" strips all around the material being used.
Knotting each piece of fringe...
until finished. As you can see, Sugar, a rescue dog that has been happily in her home for over two years now, loves her new blanket that her mom made for her. and the dogs at the shelter will love having one of their very own, too.
Please, drop us a note telling us about your blanket! We'd love to see it and hear about your experiences making it!
