Elsewhere you can read a story by reporter John Cairns about the Battlefords Animal Shelter鈥檚 second annual jail and bail fundraiser. In it you will learning I am going to be arrested.
Traditionally those ending up in jail under these conditions make a pitch to be bailed out, but as last year鈥檚 event proved, it is easy to do all your fundraising ahead of time, so you don鈥檛 actually have to spend any time in the cage.
Rather than looking to be bailed out, shelter manager Michelle Spark has made a pledge to sleep overnight in the cage if enough money is raised by her supporters. That鈥檚 really brave. I鈥檝e been in that building. To say it is a bit smelly would be a huge understatement, although I expect Michelle is accustomed to it. Then there is the noise factor. Put a bunch of dogs together and they鈥檙e going to chat. So, if Michelle is willing to do that for the good of the shelter, then I think the community should get solidly behind her and pledge, pledge, pledge.
As I said, it鈥檚 not that hard to fundraise ahead of time to post bail so you won鈥檛 spend any time in the cage. Here鈥檚 my challenge. If you want me, not always the most popular woman in town on occasion, to actually spend three hours in the smelly cage, then you need to get behind the 鈥淛ail the Editor鈥� campaign.
Give the shelter a call at 306-937-MEOW or drop by with a donation. You can text 306-937-PETS to check up on the campaign, to see if more money is needed to keep me behind bars.
You can also follow my incarceration through the News-Optimist Facebook page on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 2. I鈥檒l be keeping you posted on whether I think there鈥檚 enough money coming in or whether I might just cut a cheque and go home to take a long, soapy shower.
But, don鈥檛 worry. I鈥檓 still social media challenge. I鈥檒l be channeling my posts through John Cairns.
鈥淭alk鈥� to you next Tuesday.
