October 31, 2007Yappy Happy Hour!Six Wags Dog Park in Salem will be hosting a Yappy Happy Hour this Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. 
Yappy Hour admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. If you have never taken your pooch to a Yappy Hour, you may want to go tonight or Saturday morning to make sure your pup will have a good park experience. Volunteers are needed for decorations. E-mail Katie Halsted at katie@roanokedogtrainer.com if you are interested. I understand designated drivers will be available, but I recommend bringing your own. Lucky me, I married mine. Another pampered pooch taleThis is from blog reader and co-worker Annie Johnson. She posted this as a comment to my last entry, but you really have to see the picture to get the "awwwww" factor:
 Mission complete: the dog is spoiled rottenA new routine developed at our home while we were on vacation. Usually at bedtime, Dexter settles down on a pillow in our room, we give him a dog cookie, and then we turn off the lights and go to sleep. This happened like it always does when we came home on Saturday night, ready for bed after 12 hours of traveling. But after we turned out the lights, Dexter got up, went to the spare bedroom down the hall, and slept for the rest of the night on the guest bed. “So, our dog has his own bedroom now?” I asked my husband. 
My husband has a point. Dexter was a pampered pooch before he ever discovered the comfort of the double bed in the guest room. Our sweet and affectionate pup already has an extra-large, over-stuffed pillow on every floor, and his own loveseat in the family room. He has a wardrobe of jackets for varying degrees of weather and a toy box full of squeaking stuffies, rawhides, Frisbees and tennis balls. Dexter has an active social circle of friends in the neighboring yards and we pretty much drop whatever we are doing to let him out when he spots one of his buddies outside. We even sing him a little ditty we made up based on his hip-hop nickname, Dexter Doggy Dog. I guess moving into the room was the last component that completes the total spoiling package. Still seems a little indulgent to me; it’s like the final step before we become “those weird people with the dog-child.” Last stop on the road to crazy town. But I am a little proud of Dexter, who came to us two years ago with separation anxiety issues typical in greyhounds, and now feels so secure he chooses to be alone sometimes. Our baby is growing up. Here’s my shameless plea for empathy: please share your spoiled-rotten pet stories. If there are enough of us out there, maybe we can start a support group. October 30, 2007Win a trip to the DogCatemy Awards!Want to impress America with your talented pet and win a trip to a celebrity gala in New York? Then get your video camera ready and record your dancing dog or singing cat to enter the first annual DogCatemy Amateur Petflix online contest, "My Pet's Got Talent" . North Shore Animal League America, a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in New York, is sponsoring the contest searching for the nation's most talented pet. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 31 at midnight, so there is no time to waste. Entrants should upload their 30-second to 3-minute video on YouTube and then submit their entry to North Shore Animal League America. Ten finalists will be chosen and the winner will be selected by a popular vote on the league’s Web site. The grand prize filmmaker, a companion and the talented pooch or kitty will be flown to New York City and will walk the red carpet at the DogCatemy Awards ceremony on Nov. 29, where the winning video will be viewed along with celebrity pet films.
Viral cat video and more cute pooch snapshotsI caught this video over the shoulder of a co-worker last week. This is an excellent demonstration of how felines engage in human behavior modification. If you live with a cat, you will understand and appreciate. Be sure to have the sound turned up.
October 29, 2007One more entry...Here are a few more adorable dogs from Howl-O-Ween. Look for more photos in Thursday's Inside Out section of The Roanoke Times. 
 
October 28, 2007It's all about the adoptionsEven though October is almost over, it is still national Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month. Meet Ruby and Daisy, two former shelter hounds that found a loving, forever home. These two lovely ladies were having a wonderful time at Howl-O-Ween on Sunday at Elmwood Park.
 
 Little Amy is now in foster care, but soon she will be ready to adopt from the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Cuties in costumesA few of the Howl-O-Ween costume winners: Dakota the Siberian Husky in his bat wings was named scariest pooch, and a reluctant Pikachu, a cockapoo, and Lexi took home the cutest costume prize. 
 Pairs everywhere!Dogs must be like potato chips; it's very hard to stop with only one. Many of the pet families at Howl-O-Ween at Elmwood Park on Sunday had two or more cute pooches. 
Good times at Howl-O-WeenIt was a splendid afternoon in Elmwood Park on Sunday for Howl-O-Ween. The Roanoke Valley SPCA collected more than $18,000 in donations to help homeless dogs and cats find their future families, and hundreds of dogs and their families had a great day in the park. Fun! 
 October 26, 2007Remember Sunday is Howl-O-WeenIt should be a spooky-good time Sunday at Howl-O-Ween in downtown Roanoke. If you plan to dress your pooch for the costume contest this weekend or for Halloween and want to share your creative process, post a comment. Where are the best costumes for dogs in the Roanoke and New River Valleys and are there still any good ones left? 
October 25, 2007HomecomngMy husband’s business meeting is over, so now we are really on vacation in Colorado, visiting family and taking in the local attractions. I have heard stories that some pets can seem to know when family members are coming home, even when the return trip is not part of the daily routine. Dogs will wait by a door or a window in anticipation of their favorite human’s reappearance. If your pet seems to know you are in the neighborhood long before your turn into your driveway, you might be able to contribute to a study being conducted by OpenSourceScience.net. According to the Web site, OpenSourceScience is a free, Web-based collaborative project for facilitating the discussion and replication of controversial scientific experiments. I think that means they try to explain the unexplainable. I don't see much controversy in trying to figure out if dogs have a sense for the return of a beloved human. It just seems like a fun way to share stories about your smart and sensitive pooch in a the name of science. When we board the plane back to Virginia later this week, I really doubt if Dexter will have any sense that we are homeward bound. But as soon as we open the door, he will do his happy-dog dance. I can document that phenomenon conclusively. 
October 24, 2007Plan for a safe HalloweenPumpkins are popping up on porches, spooky decorations are adorning homes, and the candy and costume displays are front-and-center in retail stores. Halloween is almost here. 
But the hectic Halloween holiday can be very scary for your pets. According to Animal Wellness magazine, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Halloween-Safety.com, consider these tips to keep your pets safe and healthy: Never give animals chocolate. It’s especially toxic for dogs. Giving a dog a little bit of chocolate is like giving a human just a little bit of arsenic; it may not do immediate damage, but it’s certainly not a good idea. Keep other candies and gum away from pets. Treats like this aren’t very healthy for humans, but they are actually hazardous for animals. Be sure to keep the wrappers out of reach, too. Don’t let your pets munch on the decorations. Dogs can’t digest veggies that aren’t pulverized into mush. Raw pumpkin can cause intestinal blockage, especially if swallowed in large chunks. If you expect a parade of trick-or-treaters, try to keep your pets away from the constantly-opening door to prevent an unwanted escape. A steady stream of small kids in weird costumes can make even a the most calm dog or cat very anxious. Keep burning candles far away from wagging tails and curious noses. Your pet could knock over the open flame, or could get his or her fur singed or skin burned. It won’t make for a fun holiday if your house smells like burned hair, your dog or cat is crying in pain and you have to run for the fire extinguisher. If you dress your pet in a costume, make sure the get-up does not limit movement, hearing, sight or breathing. Inspect the costume for hazards and always keep an eye on your pet while he or she is wearing it. [Editor’s note: While dogs will tolerate all manner of indignity to make you happy, I have never met a cat that likes to wear a costume.] 
October 23, 2007A litter box in the SkyAh, what a wonderful distraction the Sky Mall magazine is when you are crammed into the middle seat on a long, turbulent flight, as I was last Sunday. Sure, I was losing feeling in my feet and legs, but I am always happy perusing Sky Mall, chock full of hundreds of cool things that I never knew I needed but I am pretty sure I can’t live without, including fashion-forward litter boxes. I hate the unsightly litter box we have now, so I am thinking about investing in one of these attractive alternatives. I like the cabinet, but I think the planter would be more versatile. 
My daughter’s cat, India, will be fine with either choice. My concern is my cat Thai, who is very picky about his toilet facilities. He insists on Tidy Cat litter, and if the pan is not in pristine condition, well, let’s just say he does more than think outside the box. I would hate to drop serious cash on one of these decorator kitty restrooms just to find Thai expresses his displeasure all over my floor. This laser thingy, however, is a must. I may not be able to wait until Christmas to give my kitties this toy. 
I am glad I only fly a few times a year. I really can’t afford airfare and the Sky Mall. October 22, 2007Pampered pets out WestIf you happen to need a hotel in downtown Denver while traveling with your favorite canine, may I recommend the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa? 
I am here tagging along on my husband's business trip, and we are not traveling with our dog, but if we ever do get out here with Dexter, we would consider this historic, 116-year-old hotel. It reminds me of the Hotel Roanoke in its decor and atmosphere. And it is not only beautiful, but it is dog-friendly. According to the pleather-bound guest services directory in our room, dogs of any size are welcome to stay in the guest’s room at no additional charge. Proof of current vaccines is required upon check-in. Just for the dog, that is, not for you. Once you check in with your pooch, a Brown Palace dog bowl and dog bed will be delivered to your room, along with a "Bone-Appetite" welcome treat from the Brown Palace kitchen. As for us human guests, all we got was a little piece of chocolate. It was pretty tasty chocolate, so I am not complaining. There are spa services here, but I think they are only for two-legged guests. If you travel with your dog, post a comment on pet-friendly places you have found. Howl-O-Ween this SundayI am on vacation this week, but since writing this blog seems more like fun than work to me, I plan to do at least one entry a day. Right now, I am blogging from the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver. More about that later. Now it's only Monday, and I am on vacation, but I am already planning for the weekend back in Roanoke. This Sunday afternoon, you can walk your dog for a good cause as a participant in the RVSPCA Howl-O-Ween. The event is a fundraiser for the Roanoke animal shelter and promises to be all kinds of fun and healthy activity for pet families. The event is a mile-long walk, and participants are asked to gather pledges from sponsors. The walk starts at 2 p.m. in Elmwood Park at the amphitheater. The route is from the park to Jefferson Street to Campbell Avenue to Market Street, then returning to Elmwood Park. Walkers who raise at least $50 will receive an official event T-shirt. Besides the walk with hundreds of families and their Fidos parading downtown, the big event will be the pet-and-people costume contest. I know from attending last month's Dogtoberfest that Roanoke dog-lovers are very creative, so I can't wait to see what you come up with. 
There will also be pet photos and caricatures, face painting for your two-legged kids and a blessing for your four-legged babies. Tail-wagging good fun for the whole family. You can download a pledge sheet and get more details here. I plan to be there with Dexter, so I hope I can meet some Happy Wag blog readers in person. October 19, 2007Name gameGet your creative juices flowing, blog readers. The Roanoke Valley SPCA is looking for a name for their e-newsletter. So fire up your imagination and send your suggestions to mail@rvspca.org. If your title is selected, you not only earn bragging rights but you get your choice of either Chessie or Waggles, the official bean bag mascot of the RVSPCA. I racked my brain, mined all my resources, and checked countless copyrights before settling on a name for this blog, so I wish them well in their search. I do love the name of Six Wags Dog Park's mass e-mail, the Wet Noseletter. And while we are on the subject of the RVSPCA newsletter, they recently featured a picture of Natasha, a kitty princess who has ascended to the throne of queen of the playroom at the SPCA. Natasha has the dubious honor of being the longest resident of the SPCA, nearly 18 months and still no home. 
I have met Natasha and she's a beautiful girl. I don' t know if you can clearly see it in this picture, but she has one eye that is gold with brilliant flecks of amber and brown. The newsletter admits she is a bit of a diva, as anyone of such exquisite beauty should rightfully be. She will get along fine in a home with other cats as long as they respect her authority and recognize that she is queen. Perhaps a tiara would help. If you or someone you know needs a new monarch in their heart and home, think about Natasha. October 18, 2007The not-so-natural zoo?Even though I love animals and have lived in this area for more than two years, I have never been to the Natural Bridge Zoo. The zoo is located in Rockbridge County. And from the sounds of things, I am glad I haven't made the trip. From what I read in the newspaper and what I have seen on television, it seems pretty dreadful. If any of you have visited the zoo, post a comment and share your impressions. Raw diet seminarI will be out of town this Sunday and will not be able to attend a free seminar at Six Wags Dog Park about raw diets for dogs. The seminar starts at 4 p.m. at the park building. 
I have read a little about this and I know some pet parents are passionate about feeding their four-leggers nothing but uncooked, natural foods. According to the flyer I picked up last night, a raw diet can improve not only your pooch's digestion, but their overall health and appearance as well. The seminar will include a demonstration on how to prepare the food and promises to help design a diet for your dog.
"We're hoping for at least 10 or 12 people [this Sunday]," she said. My advice would be to take the information you learn and run it by your vet before making any drastic changes to your dog's diet, especially if you have an older pooch or one with health problems. If any of you blog readers get to attend, post a comment and let us know what you thought. A night in the parkLast night we took Dexter out for his first visit to Six Wags Dog Park in Salem. Five acres of open area to run and dozens of new friends to meet; he was in heaven. The park is located on Apperson Drive in Salem in what appears to be an old driving range behind the Pancake House. The park is fenced, so you can take your pooch off the leash and let him or her explore, run, bark, roll in the grass and just be a dog. 
First-time park visitors are asked to attend a Yappy Hour, a social test for newcomers to make sure your dog will play well with others. Yappy Hours are Wednesday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 10 a.m. You will need to fill out some paperwork when you arrive. The dogs seem to have a blast running and playing, while the pet parents can meet and socialize. Dexter is a Greyhound, and even though he was clearly having fun, he tires out pretty quickly. If you have a high-energy, high-stamina dog, Six Wags is a great venue for working off that excess energy. I think this park is ideal for people and dogs that live a home without a fenced yard. I will keep you posted on upcoming events, including an off-the-leash wine tasting and doggie nutrition seminars.
October 17, 2007Read before you adoptComedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is in the headlines after she tearfully confessed that she gave a dog she adopted from a California rescue group to her hair stylist. During a post-adoption call, DeGeneres told the non-profit group, Mutts and Moms, that the dog, Iggy, did not get along with the cats in her home and she had given Iggy away. The owners of the rescue group later seized the dog from the hair stylist's home. DeGeneres admitted she did not realize re-homing the dog would be a violation of her adoption contract, and she has asked that Iggy be returned to her hair stylist's family, where she said the dog had bonded to the woman's 11- and 12-year-old daughters. According to the Associated Press, the owners of the rescue group said they will not give Iggy back to his new family, citing a policy of not allowing families with children under the age of 14 to adopt small dogs. They also said today they have received death threats since the incident became public. In what seems to be one giant overreaction after another, everyone in this mess claims to have the best interests of this little dog at heart. And yet Iggy has bounced to two homes and now has no home at all. 
Bill Watson, executive director of the Roanoke Valley SPCA, said that his organization's adoption contract stipulates that if an adopter cannot keep an animal, they ask that the SPCA be notified within 30 days of sending the pet to live with another family. If you cannot find another family, they ask that you return the animal to them. But, since space is limited, they may not have room for the returned pet. "We have to recognize that we can't take back every animal," Watson said. “Our goal is to make sure animals are put into a good home." In an e-mail, Laura Walters of the Pulaski County Human Society said it is their policy that an adopted pet be returned to them if the new family cannot keep it. However, she wrote, in a case similar to the one DeGeneres has described, they would probably not seize the dog from the new family. "...we would still request that the new family complete an application and let us check it out," Walters wrote. "If the dog was at risk with a family that had a questionable pet history, the situation would be different." Before adopting a new pet from a rescue group or shelter, carefully read the contract and try to be realistic in your expectations of the adjustment period for the animal. Contact the adoption agency if things aren't going well. Most shelters test a pet's temperament to better match the animal with a home where both the pet and the family will be happy, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. "Once an animal is away from here," Watson said of the SPCA shelter, "its environment can change and behavior can change." Walters said they will work with families to see if additional training is needed so a pet can stay in the new home. October 16, 2007Need a little daytime relief?Many working people decide not to add a dog to their family because they honestly know they can't get home during the day to let their pooch out for much-needed relief. That's good and responsible thinking, but unfortunately it means good, responsible, thoughtful people may miss out on a chance to welcome a lovable canine into their family. The answer for canine-loving workaholics is a dog-sitter. Check out this video from pets.roanoke.com: An NRV pup in needMeet Justin. 
No one knows exactly where he came from or what happened to him before Pulaski County Animal Control found him, but this handsome, happy dog is in need of some medical attention and a loving home. He is now in the care of the Pulaski County Humane Society.
According to Laura Walters, the organization's president, Justin came to the shelter with an injury to one of his legs, more than likely from being hit by a car. A vet has said it would be costly, and probably ineffective, to try to repair the damageand reconstruct the leg , so the best remedy is to amputate.
This sounds like a grim diagnosis, but dogs are remarkably resilient and usually get around just fine on three good legs. And Justin is the kind of mild-mannered dog that will rebound and make a wonderful companion. Despite abandonment and injury, he has kept a good attitude. He scored an A+ on his temperament evaluation at the shelter, meaning he's as sweet and loveable as a pooch can possibly be.
The shelter is in need of donations to help pay for Justin's surgery. Donations can be sent to the shelter at P.O. Box 1046, Dublin, VA, 24084 or dropped off at the shelter, 80 Dublin Park Road. You can also donate through PayPal. October 15, 2007Dogs for a causeThere is nothing that my husband and I enjoy more on these cool fall evenings than watching Dexter gallop around out back yard while we lounge on our deck and enjoy a glass of wine. 
A portion of the gross adjusted sales of the wines will be donated to the organizations that help train and place these talented dogs with people with emotional and physical disabilities. The vineyard has guaranteed a minimum donation of $5,000 to each organization for the first year As someone who loves good dogs, good wine and good causes, I was thrilled when I found these tasty and reasonably priced ($11.95) bottles at my Kroger wine shop. These highly-trained, highly-skilled dogs perform tasks and provide support that mean independence for thousands of physically challenged adults and kids. Service dogs placed with autistic children can improve motor and communication skills as well as protect the child. October 12, 2007In praise of older kittiesHappy Wag blog readers have shared a couple of wonderful stories about finding true love in the local animal shelters. AKC wrote about adopting a mother cat after all of her kittens had all been adopted at a shelter. While the kittens and puppies are hard to resist, please take time to meet and consider adopting an adult dog or cat. These are the animals that are often overlooked, and wait a long time to find their forever home. That time could be better spent curled up and purring on your bed with you, or rubbing your tired shins when you've had a bad day. Even the very best shelter care is no substitute for a real home and a family. If you are thinking about adopting a cat, here is a candidate to consider: 
Culpepper is a big, sweet kitty who tried his best to get me to take him home (it almost worked, too!) One word of warning: he's a major swirler. If you adopt this loving kitty, be prepared to have cat hair all over your pant legs. I recommend you pick up a lint brush on the way home from the Roanoke Valley SPCA with Culpepper. Keep sharing your shelter-adoption success stories. Your cat probably can't type (my cat Thai tries, but he just can't get his paws over the home row) so you have to tell the world your love story. October 11, 2007Doggy dress up dayIf your dog is a real ham and enjoys playing dress up, head out to Vinton's Farmer's Market on Saturday for the Doggy Pageant, part of the town's annual fall festival. 
Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the show begins at 11:30. As with any paw-friendly event, make sure your well-behaved pup is on a leash. My dog is a former participant in this event and it is fun if you like to dress up your dog. There seems to be very little gray area on that subject; either people really like putting their pooch in a costume or they are completely turned off by the idea. My husband and I are on opposite sides of this issue. I love costumes and he hates the idea. We meet in the middle by dressing Dexter in holiday-themed bandanas. If you plan to dress your dog up for this weekend's pageant, or for Halloween in a couple of weeks, post a comment or send a picture. October 9, 2007Share your shelter storiesAccording to a press release I got yesterday, October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. That's a great idea, but of course I think any month is a good month to adopt a pet who needs a home. 
If you are thinking about adding a new furry member to your family, you should definitely consider a dog from a shelter or a rescue group. I met with Kathy Perdue, director of marketing and special events for the Roanoke Valley SCPA on Monday. She gave me a tour of the shelter. There are many happy, healthy dogs, like Glavin, pictured here, that are looking for a forever home. The RVSPCA does personality tests on each of the adoptable pooches, and there are counselors who will work with families to find the right dog. If you really can’t handle the maintenance of a dog, a cat may be better suited to your lifestyle. There are plenty of cats and kittens at the RVSPCA in need of loving homes. If you found your perfect match at a shelter or rescue, post a comment and let us know how it all began. Everyone likes a good love story. May I see your license?Did you read The Roanoke Times story yesterday about Bedford County government officials contemplating raising the license fee for dogs ? From talking with friends and co-workers, I know there are many pet owners who are unaware they even need to license their dogs. In Virginia, dogs need to be licensed in the city or county where they live. After Jan. 1, you can expect to get a bill from your local treasurer's office some time after you get your dog vaccinated at your vet's office. 
This may sound like more government bureaucracy, and indeed it is adding another chore for the workers in local government, but the tax is minimal and it helps to pay for necessary services like animal control. It also has an added benefit for dogs and owners. If your dog is lost, the license tag on a collar could help your pet find his or her way home. It also helps when you want to take your pooch on a social outing, like a play date at a dog park or an event like last weekend's Dogtoberfest. A few dogs were turned away at the gate because they did not have proof of vaccination. Having that license tag will save you from toting around your dog’s vet records. Until you do get the bill in the mail, you can pay your dog license fee at the treasurer's office in the city or county where you live. October 8, 2007More Dogtoberfest!If went to Dogtoberfest this weekend and had as good of a time as we did, post a comment or send me a picture here at The Happy Wag. You can also post your pictures on Pet Pix on pets.roanoke.com. And here's one more picture from me. This is a super-sized sweetie named Flash. He is a two-year-old Saint Bernard and he is the pride and joy of his pet parents, Dorothy and Randall Carroll of Roanoke. 
Faces from the 'festHundreds of people and pooches had a tail-wagging adventure this past Saturday at the annual Dogtoberfest fundraiser for St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation. By the enthusiastic attendance, it's very apparent that people in the Roanoke and New River Valley's really love their dogs. We arrived early, and I am glad we put Dexter's dog license tag on his collar last month because they were checking vaccine records at the gate. Once we got inside, Dexter tried to meet as many new friends as he could. A butt-sniffing good time seemed to be had by all.  October 5, 2007Bark for the cameraWhile looking through the snapshots of your summer vacation, keep an eye out for any stunning photos of your traveling pet. AAA, the travel specialists, are looking for the perfect pooch to grace the cover of the 2008 edition of “Traveling with your Pet: The AAA Pet Book,” scheduled for release next spring. 
In addition to the honor of being the cover model for the national travel guide, the first-place winner will receive a $250 AAA Visa gift card, five complimentary copies of the book and a year’s supply of Milk Bones dog snacks. In my case, that would be a valuable prize; my Dexter does love him some Milk Bones! A second-place photo will be chosen for the book’s spine, and the winner will get a $100 AAA Visa gift card and two copies of the book. According to the AAA Web site, the winning photo should be a candid shot of your pet enjoying time away from home. Nobody likes a phony, so refrain from entering any staged shots. And no studio photos with your little Fluffy in a beret and the Eiffel Tower in the background, please. For official rules and instructions on how to enter, click here. Deadline is Nov. 30.
Ewww, that smellDexter came back into the house early one Saturday morning, and within minutes I knew he encountered a smelly new friend while in our backyard. 
I tried to be philosophical that at least it happened on a weekend when I had time and help in de-fuming him. I looked him over for injury. Skunks can carry rabies and even though Dexter is current on his vaccine, if he’d been bitten that would bring a whole new set of problems to this dilemma. Luckily, he was wound-free. Armed with a shopping list, I headed off to Kroger to pick up a variety of ingredients designed to descent my dog. While I was gone to the store my husband bathed Dexter with dog shampoo several times. Cross dog shampoo off the list of helpful things to de-skunk a pooch. We tried tomato juice, a remedy we had heard of before and was attested to be reliable on the Internet. When we were done, Dexter still reeked, but now he smelled like he had been sprayed by a skunk with a taste for Bloody Marys. October 4, 2007Spay-ghetti, anyone?I am never disappointed in the creative fundraising efforts of the good folks at the Roanoke Valley SPCA. First, there was “cocktails for a cause” this summer, where a portion of the proceeds from dinner sales at downtown restaurant were donated to help RVSCPA. Now, I can order a spaghetti dinner for my family and help remedy the pet overpopulation problem. As a person who loves pets and food, this is most appealing. “Spay-ghetti” is being served on Thursday, Oct. 18. Dinners include spaghetti and sauce, with or without meat, salad, bread, a dessert and a beverage, all for $6 per person in advance and $7.50 at the door. Dinners can be eat-in or take-out from St. John’s Episcopal Church at Jefferson and Elm streets in downtown Roanoke. Order more than 25 dinners and the price is only $5 each.  October 3, 2007Ooompah! Dogtoberfest!Put your pooch on a leash and welcome the fall season this Saturday at Dogtoberfest, a fundraiser for Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation.  October 2, 2007Low-cost microchips
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