There are marches for peace, for Brest Cancer, and for cats. Tree House Humane Society annual Stray Cat Strut was June 4, starting at the shelter's Uptown location at Carmen and Broadway, then strutting to the Lake and back to the shelter for a barbecue. If there's anytime to stand up for cat's it's June, American Humane Association's Adopt-a-Cat Month. If you missed the strut, enjoy these images by me and also talented Dallas Yanez (famous skateboarding, pet-loving photographer).
Aside from getting a specially designed Stray Cat Strut t-shirt (a collector's item), everyone walked away with a 'doggy bag,' and most of all knowing you helped Tree House to help cats. (photo by Dallas Yanez)Well earned snack (photo by Dallas Yanez)Back at Tree House on Carmen for a barbecue and various other goodies to eat, as well as tours of the shelter. As I said, June is Adopt-a-Cat month. (photo by Dallas Yanez)The home stretch....(photo by Dallas Yanez)A few new drinking fountains in Lincoln Park offer dogs a quench at their level. I love this!
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Wear and tear of a grueling walk ....but marathon strutters keep going even with a disabled sign (photo by Dallas Yanez)After a 15 minute game of fetch, we eventually returned to the Stray Cat Strut, but dogs can only do so much for cats without a swim in between.I don't know how this happened - but a great way to cool off, for dogs and people, it's dog beachUgh...meanwhile, Ethel took us on a slight detour: The Dog Beach! Cat Power! (photo by Dallas Yanez)
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She's got the Royal Wave down. Mom is a Tree House volunteer. (photo by Dallas Yanez)One this hot day - these volunteers at water station are heroes. (photo by Dallas Yanez)Marching with purpose (photo by Dallas Yanez)Superb Tree House veterinarian Dr. Lynda Ewald and familyUnderpass to the Lake, at Foster Avenue - it's new and very nice.
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Cat lovers. (Photo by Dallas Yanez)Then, others thought the group was quite a strange thing....don't know why? Passerby's honked their horns. Signs should say, 'Honk if you like cats!'Marching for cats. (Photo by Dallas Yanez)It was my honor to announce the start of the walk. On this warm day remind everyone - fill up on water (especially for the dogs). And now, the big moment - little Mia officially kicks it off! I asked her first, "Do you want to be Kate Middleton when you grow up?" Her answer, "Huh?" Then I asked, "Would you like like to start this official Stray Cat Strut for 2011?" Her reply, "Go!" And so they did, as little Kate gave the royal wave. (Photo by Dallas Yanez)
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Preparing with proper attire (photo by Dallas Yanez)Several dogs participated, among over 100 strutters. This Greyhound was recently rescued from a track, and available for adoption.Tree House development director Jenny Schlueter giving the stray cat oath (Photo by Dallas Yanez)Marching or strutting the streets and through the park - standing up for cats! This is Chicago's Kate Middleton - just a few years younger. Mia Fritsch-Anderson, newly-crowned Little Miss Illinois 2011 for Young American Miss! Mia is 6 years old and attends Kindergarten in the Regional Gifted Center at Pritzker Elementary School. She is the proud adoptive guardian of two Tree House Humane Society cats.
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Tree House Humane Society, cageless and no kill, a shelter respected around America. When it comes to helping feral cats with TNR (trap/nueter/return) programs, Tree House is a leader. Here is executive director Dave DeFuniak and his two Very cute kitties.Psyching up for the big walkThis year's t-shirt designed by the very talented Anne Leuck Feldhaus. Not sure how many, maybe five or six Stray Cat Struts - walking for the homeless cats! Photo by Dallas Yanez
An exploration of Chicago from a dog's point of view. Written by a dog for dogs (with an occasional interruption from humans for the two-legged perspective).
