By Carol Cole-Frowe
Sooner fans may find something else to root for besides rock chalking the No. 16 Jayhawks at Saturday's University of Oklahoma football game vs. Kansas.
About 20 furry, friendly dogs and about a dozen cats from the Second Chance Animal Sanctuary will be available for adoption at the the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center at Asp Avenue and Cate Center Drive near the OU dorms. The site is also known as the old Stovall Museum site.
The Sooner Mascots event will start at 9 a.m. and last until after shortly after the game has started at 2:30 p.m., said Lynn Pettyjohn, Second Chance board president. The event is sponsored by the Henderson Scholarship program, with volunteers from the program assisting Second Chance staff by walking dogs.
"This is a huge deal for us," she said.
Pettyjohn said for people who fall in love with one of the Second Chance animals, arrangements can be made to pick that animal up at Second Chance later Saturday evening or Sunday.
Another adoption event is planned for Sunday.
The fourth annual Blessing of the Pets and Pet Adoption sponsored by Raising Cane will benefit Second Chance.
The Louisiana-based restaurant chain known for its marinated chicken fingers and secret sauce was founded by Todd Graves and named after his yellow lab Raising Cane.
The blessing is a custom conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures. This year's adoption will be 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Cane's, where Second Chance will be showcasing several animals ready to be adopted. Drew from 98.9 KYIS FM will be at the restaurant 4 to 6 p.m. to kick off the festivities.
Father David Egbert from St. Michael's Episcopal Church will perform the blessing around 5 p.m.?
Raising Cane's at 12th and Alameda in Norman is extending an invitation to all pets and pet owners to participate in this year's celebration.
Sooner Vet also has partnered with Raising Cane's and Second Chance this year and will provide the first round of vaccinations free to every animal adopted that day.
Pettyjohn said Second Chance will have its annual Dog Day Afternoon 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, on the north side of the parking lot.
There also will be a flea market to benefit Second Chance, a silent auction and vaccination clinic. Games will go on throughout the day, including lookalike contests and the Dachshund Dash.
Animals will be available for adoption at Dog Day Afternoon, Pettyjohn said.
Carol Cole-Frowe
366-3538
ccole@normantranscript.com
