By Susan Shinn
sshinn@salisburypost.com
Pam Hylton Coffield will always have a special place in her heart for Knitwit, her original shop cat at The Stitchin’ Post.
But Pam also has made room in her heart for Sasha, who arrived on the scene a couple of years ago.
Because pets are so near and dear to Pam, she thought: why not have a celebration for Sasha, and help other animals in the process?
So from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, the Stitchin’ Post, 104 S. Main St., will host Sasha’s Birthday Party.
The event will feature free goody bags for the kids, refreshments and prizes. Best of all, a percentage of the day’s sales will be donated to Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Plans are being finalized for the donation of land for the no-kill animal shelter.
Just in the nick of time, evidently. Anne Ingram, the faithful lady behind Faithful Friends, has as many dogs and cats as she can possibly foster, according to Pam.
Pam thinks you can never advocate enough for pets.
“You’ve got to have them neutered and spayed,” she says. “You’ve got to take them to the vet and get their shots, period.”
Knitwit was a downtown kitty from the get-go, Pam says. She found him at a yard sale downtown.
“I felt like we rescued him,” she says.
Knitwit and Sasha spent just a year together before he died at 15.
The two never got along, Pam admits.
Pam found Sasha through an ad in the paper. She was a stray someone had taken in.
“She was real scrawny and skinny,” Pam says.
Pam kept the ad for a week before making the call.
“I knew that once I saw the cat, I couldn’t turn my back on her,” she says.
Pam was the only person who called about Sasha. Bonding with the pretty kitty was instantaneous, she says. “She’s just real calm and real sweet.”
As if on cue, Sasha suddenly sashays up to her owner ó as if to say, “Oh, are you talking about moi?” ó and jumps onto her lap.
Today, Sasha is wearing a hot pink collar with her name in rhinestones and a white bow in her tail.
“She’s just a perfect, perfect cat in this atmosphere,” Pam says.
Both seem to be looking forward to Saturday’s big day.
“I always regretted not doing this for Knitwit and coordinating with a charitable organization,” Pam says, stroking Sasha’s fur. “I just didn’t want to let it slip by again.”Shoppers who bring in cat food and cat supplies will receive a special Sasha gift. Refreshments are being made by Caniche, L.A. Murph’s and Okey Dokey. Children can write birthday messages to Sasha, and everyone will have the chance to buy a Sasha T-shirt. They’re priced at $15, with $5 from every shirt going to Faithful Friends.
Be sure to check out Brittany Burleson’s window display on all the “gifts” for Sasha from her fellow downtown shop dogs and cats.
You might catch a glimpse of Sasha ó who admittedly doesn’t look all that impressed ó napping in the window.
“We’re happy to be able to include our neighbors,” Pam says. “We need to help each other and keep people shopping in our central business district.”
Hmm, shopping at The Stitchin’ Post while helping out Faithful Friends. I can’t think of a much better day than that. See you there!