Faraday Spruce-Up

Look at the colorful new sign on the children's playground at Faraday Elementary!

During our visit yesterday for a meeting, we saw Principal Dr. Shirley Scott thanking the volunteers from Heitman who spent the day painting, planting flowers, and generally sprucing-up the school grounds.

That's third-grade teacher (and Sit Stay Read supporter) David Groves pictured with Dr. Scott. Although the dogs aren't likely to notice the colorful improvements, our volunteers sure will!

New! Collectible Dog Bookmarks

Here they are--our fabulous bookmark models!

That's Slugger and Brady the winners from Guest Bartender night at Lizard's Lounge, Rocky our Dog of the Year, and Shandy, the original Sit Stay Read dog.

We're so excited about our first edition of collectible bookmarks and can't wait for the kids in our programs to see them.

For a limited time you can get your very own set of these fun new bookmarks. Simply make a donation before Oct 31st and we'll include all four bookmarks with your acknowledgment letter. You help kids learn to read and get a gift, too, how's that for a win-win!

Today in the Office

Does this ever happen to you? Everyone's working quietly (or sleeping) and suddenly spontaneous play breaks out. No? Watch the video. You need to work with us at Sit Stay Read.

Pierre--Our Online Star!

We were so excited when author Joy Butler asked to use a photo of Sit Stay Read dog, Pierre, to illustrate an article about reading assistance dogs!

You can read Joy's article and see Guy Franklin's Pierre here.

Shandy's Birthday Tribute Page

My sincere thanks to Shandy's generous friends for honoring her birthday by supporting Sit Stay Read.

It was her love of children that got us started on the therapy dog path and look where we are now. Because of one little dog, this year alone more than 500 at-risk kids will get reading help and meet some new canine pals.

To paraphrase one of my favorite quotes, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed dogs can change the world."

A Perfect Day

Shandy's Birthday Album

Shandy had an absolutely perfect day for her 16th birthday. Great weather, great food, and, of course, great friends. You can see pictures of all the fun in Shandy's Picasa album by clicking on the photo.

Many thanks to Shandy's wonderful friends for making her day so special!

We even had some surprise guests. Mary Pankonen's 16 year-old Kurt Russell was such a trooper to come brave the canine hoards. And I was so excited when two of our foster puppies and their families arrived to help Shandy celebrate! (Look for the "Puppy Album" on Picasa to see photos of them as tiny pups.)

This was a party I'll truly never forget. Thank you again to all Shandy's guests for memories we'll treasure forever.

Shandy's Sweet 16!

Yes, unbelievable as it seems, our Shandy girl is turning 16.

Please help us celebrate and make it a special day for her this Saturday, Sept 12th (her actual birthday), from 1-3, in the park behind our place, 4900 N. Francisco (near Lawrence & California.)

Shandy loves her friends (two- and four-legged) and food so that's what we're having. Please join us for cake (for people and pups), fun, and a group photo. No gifts but feel free to pamper our girl with treats.

The event is listed on Facebook but, even if you can't access it, just come. She'll be so happy to see you and so will I!

Dinner & a Movie--at the grocery store?

Ok, so it's not just any grocery store, but the new Whole Foods in Lincoln Park. Still, who'd expect dinner and John Travolta (they showed "Grease") in the parking garage?

Whole Foods is a great community partner (remember the delish food they provided for the Sit Stay Read anniversary party?) Now they're going even further by offering free entertainment.

The store has a ton of food stations with a huge variety to choose from (the blue cheese cole slaw was killer) and plenty of seating with river views--indoor or out.

As you can see, the views are great and, as an added bonus, just as the movie ended, the Navy Pier fireworks started. A fun time. Thanks, Whole Foods!