Please help me celebrate my birthday by helping the animals! Thanks to some generous friends, we surpassed our short-term target of $700; I'd love to see the total rise to $1000 by the end of October. 

Even a small donation goes a long way:

• $30 buys 100 pounds of pet food.
• $60 teaches children responsible pet ownership.
• $120 subsidizes the adoption of a dog by a senior citizen.
• $260 evaluates the behavior of five dogs before adoption.
• $600 spays or neuters twelve cats.

Esme and Jethro ("Jethro Hull") were adopted from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in 1992 and 1998 respectively. Jethro was with me until January 2008, when he was taken by a cancer that he hid from me until it was too late. Just a few months later, Esme was diagnosed with sebaceous gland carcinoma and bravely endured surgery, chemo and a new feline companion until March 2009, when nothing more could be done for her except let her go.

Esme was a 5-month-old kitten when she came to live with me and my then only cat, Tuffy. I had just bought my condo and was no longer restricted by leases allowing only one cat. Tuffy was a 16-lb Maine Coon yet this calico kitten who was a fraction of his size was fearless, alternately chasing him and snuggling with him. She was the happiest, sweetest-natured creature I have ever known. She and Tuffy were best buds until we lost Tuffy to old age and thyroid disease at age 17.

Jethro was already an adult when he came to us a few months after we lost Tuffy, having been abandoned in Bailey's Crossroads and carrying a BB pellet under his skin. He was affectionate with me from the start but it took him 6 months to learn it was ok to jump up on the couch. Because of his troubled past he was understandably shy when people came to visit, but if he came out to say hello it spoke volumes for the worthiness of the visitor. He and Esme were never quite the fast friends that she and Tuffy were, but they co-existed peacefully for a decade.

I am grateful to the AWLA for the work they do and for bringing these two wonderful cats into my life. Esme's final companion, an orange tabby named Liam, is also an AWLA alum. The very best tribute that I can pay to Esme and Jethro, as well as Tuffy -- who came from a shelter in Cleveland -- and to young Liam, is to raise money for this organization so other animals can be rescued and looked after until someone comes to take them home.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. If you prefer, you can donate cash, goods or your time to your local shelter or your favorite animal charity. It's all good!

Many thanks for your support!