BLESS THE BEASTS; BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK OFFICIALLY BEGINS

In celebration of the 84th annual national Be Kind to Animals Week, Mayor Paul Sander of Jackson and Mayor Albert Spradling III of Cape Girardeau signed an official proclamation Sunday in support of the event.

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri held an open house for the event. After the mayors' proclamation, the Rev. Grant Gillard offered the "Blessing of the Animals."

Gillard first explained the history of blessing pets, originally a Catholic tradition. He then offered a prayer for the animals and walked among them, blessing them individually when requested.

Cynthia Kothe, program coordinator for the humane society, said more than 1,000 animals are adopted annually.

Sunday, business was brisk. "We're adopting out about a pet an hour," said Kothe. "Mayor Sander even ended up leaving with a cat."

Sander confirmed the cat, named "Bob" by the family, seemed to be fitting in well with the other 15 pets in the household (three cats, two birds and 11 box turtles).

The second annual Alumni Dog Show gave owners a chance to bring pets back to visit with the workers so the animals' progress could be charted.

Requi Salter, president of the local humane society, said, "The Alumni Dog Show is great. We often wonder what happens to the animals once they leave here."

Jenny Leach, a Southeast Missouri State University student and recent volunteer, has always had a love for animals.

"Now that basketball season is over, I had a few hours left to spare," said Leach. "I come in after class to walk the dogs, give baths and hand out treats. I tell all my friends about all the cute animals. My goal is to try to find homes for them all."

Cookies, a mix-breed puppy, may have found a home Sunday. She seemed very content to curl up in Leach's lap, and Leach admitted it was love at first sight.