Many cities and towns in our region take on beautification projects every year, but animal lovers and artists are getting together in one community for a unique approach to just such a project.

Debbie Eoff is an artist, and on Saturday at the Pendelton Arts Center in Ashland, it was her first chance to get her hands on her next project.

“Hopefully it will be an eye stopper,” said Eoff. “They will say that is wonderful, who did that and where did they come from?"

They might not look like much right now, but the first of what could be thirty or more fiberglass animals that will be decorated by local artists and next spring will line Winchester Avenue in Ashland.

Terri Tomondi is Co-Founder of the Ashland Dog Park and says the project is a great way to promote and raise money through corporate sponsors for the arts and the fund for the betterment of animals.

“Pet owners are wonderful people and they love to participate in things that involve their animals,” said Tomondi.

The basic idea came from similar projects in other cities, but the idea of dogs and cats is completely unique. The paws along the river project could be the cat's meow well into the dog days of next summer.

The number of animals decorated will depend on how many corporate sponsors "adopt" them. Artists from all over the region are encouraged to submit designs for the project. When finished, the artwork will be displayed from April until the end of Poage Landing Days.