Arts, crafts and some yummy goodies will be served up Saturday at HOPE Animal Shelter’s Craft and Bake Sale.

All proceeds from the sale, with food and items lovingly made by HOPE volunteers, will go to help the animals.

You may find treasures at the sale/Art and photo Ryn Gargulinski

HOPE is Tucson’s only no-kill dog and cat shelter and, like the rest of the world, can use all the extra help it can get through this economic crap.

We’re not sure what types of craft you’ll find. Part of the fun of such sales is the wide and interesting variety. Heck, you may be lucky enough to snag a crocheted Santa Claus toilet paper cover.

What: HOPE Craft and Bake Sale
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
Where: Outside HOPE Animal Shelter, 2011 E. 12th St.

For more info on the sale or the shelter, visit HOPEanimalshelter.net

Sawyer Says: Go.

What’s the coolest thing you ever got from a craft sale? The cheesiest?

Are you a bake sale fan? Are they more fun or less fun than cake walks?

Did you ever bake or make a craft for a sale and have everyone laugh in your face?

Treat your dog to two exciting events this Saturday and Sunday – and plan to create some crafts or baked goods for a third.

Enter your dog in the archery contest/Ryn Gargulinski

Strut your pooch’s stuff at Arizona Greyhounds Rescue’s
Greyhounds & Friends Fall Festival Fundraiser

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Ramada A
How much: $5 per family, includes raffle ticket

From best dressed to coolest trick with the closet human/dog look-alike in between, a cache of Canines Got Talent contests is on the agenda. Sawyer, Phoebe and I are especially eager to see the entries as I’m one of the judges.

Folks will also get to meet a host of foster dogs, in case they are looking to adopt, and get a $5 nail clipping (Phoebe’s favorite), a chance to win prizes, decorate a pumpkin, enter a dog biscuit bake-off and more.

“We really want to encourage the community to get to know the greyhound breed so our event is for more than just greyhounds,” said dog lover, AGR volunteer and food blogger Karyn Zoldan. “This is the first time AGR has ever done an event outside our breed so we’re really excited.”

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Get tips from Responsible Dog Ownership Day/Ryn Garguilnski

Don’t be a jerky dog owner like the folks that own Bimbo and Dumbo by attending
AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day

When: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Reid Park, Ramada No. 7 (enter at first 22nd Street entrance east of Country Club)
How much: Free, raffle tickets $1

Loads of information and activities are on the agenda. Fun stuff includes dog demonstrations and photo booths for you and your dog where you can get your dog’s mug on a coffee mug.

Adoption info from dog rescue groups; info on how you can get any dog, purebred or not, involved with AKC performance events; info on training classes; and $20 microchipping will also be available.

You can also get your dog’s manners tested to see if he passes the Canine Good Citizen exam. Sawyer says he wants nothing to do with that one. Phoebe just barked incessantly when I asked if she were interested.

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Southern Arizona and other Tucson dog lovers joined the American Kennel Club to host the event. You’ll be able to meet some fine German Shepherds and learn more about the breed.

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One more animal nugget:

HOPE Animal Shelter’s Craft and Bake sale is coming up Nov. 21 and they are looking for crafters and bakers to donate yummy and interesting creations.

Craft donations can be brought to the shelter the week before the event with baked items brought in the day of. The shelter is located at 2011 E. 12th St. and can be reached at 792-9200. For more info, e-mail Marsha Wronski at mlwronski@yahoo.com

What’s your pet’s best talent? Has he won any contests?

Is your pet an obedient pet or could he use a dose of training?

Are you a fan of greyhounds and/or German Shepherds?

HOPE Animal Shelter is living up to its HOPEful name, but Tucson’s only no-kill dog and cat shelter is going through some tough financial stuff.

HOPE's Barkin' Ball is Saturday/submitted image

Yes, we know, we all are.

But these guys are living month to month and sometimes scrambling to cover the rent – not to mention the food, shelter and medical bills for dozens of rescued animals.

You can help by checking out the Barkin’ Ball this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Phillip’s Plaza. The event comes complete with live jazz, tasty eats, auctions and socializing under the stars. Dogs, of course, are welcome.

The shelter is offering a 2-for-1 special on tickets. Mention when you call or contact them.

If 2-for-1 tickets and live jazz are not enough to persuade you, consider another argument.

The Barkin’ Ball is about more than just having a good time – it’s the main fundraiser of the year that allows the shelter to keep its doors open.

The shelter takes in the unwanted, if you will – the shoe chewers, the scaredy cats, the ill or otherwise ill-behaved.

“Since HOPE’s inception, we have rescued sick, injured and behaviorally challenged dogs and cats from other local shelters,” said HOPE’s Executive Director Susan Scherl. “With medical care, including surgeries, patient socialization and lots of love from our wonderful volunteers we have been able to place these animals, who otherwise would have been euthanized, into loving forever homes.”

Can’t afford a ticket? You can still donate through the shelter’s website at HopeAnimalShelter.net so they can keep a good thing going.

Can afford a ticket? Enjoy the jazz.

What: HOPE’s annual Barkin’ Ball
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: St. Phillips Plaza, corner of East River Road and North Campbell Avenue
Tickets: $65, 50 percent of which is tax deductible
Dogs and kids age 11 and under are free
Buy tickets at the door, by phone at 792-9200 or online at HopeAnimalShelter.net

Do you donate to any animal charities?

Will you put HOPE in your will?