I’d like to shoot some numbers at you this week: 465, 578 and 653; and 416, 467 and 446.

I wish I could tell you that those were the amounts I’ve won in the state lottery; usually my winnings are more like “Congratulations! You’ve won one free $1 scratch-off ticket!” or “Sorry! Please play again.”

These figures actually represent the numbers of cats and dogs, respectively, that we’ve handled and cared for at the Lawrence Humane Society during June, July and August of this year.

Here are a couple more numbers: 9 and 7.

That’s the numbers of full- and part-time staff members who did the handling and caring for all those cats and dogs at the shelter.

Hard to imagine, isn’t it? That’s a lot of bowls of kibbles, a lot of kennel cleanings, and a huge number of walkings and pettings and bathings for just a few staff members.

And the worst part is, they sometimes don’t even have the cash in hand they need for some of the basics. Just a week ago I received an SOS asking me to notify the board members that they were out of paper towels and litter, and could we please help out to get them through the week?

As always, we’ve hit our toughest financial stretch of the year.

But also, as we’ve done for a dozen previous years, we’re working to remedy that by holding our 13th annual Pawsible Dream Auction.

This year, the auction will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Lawrence Holidome Ballroom, 200 McDonald Drive (silent auction starts at 6 p.m., live starts at 8). We’ve been planning and preparing for months, and our staff, volunteers, friends and the area businesses have been generous as always in providing us wonderful household goods, books, DVDs, tickets for sporting events, collectibles, trips, meals and services. In fact, here are a few more numbers: 370 and 63. That’s how many items are in our silent and live auctions so far, and more have been coming in. Bids start at a variety of prices, so we’re offering something for every budget.

And what a deal it all is! For $25 per person or $40 per couple, you’ll receive your numbered bid paddle, and you can begin the evening by enjoying live musical entertainment and visiting the fabulous all-your-care-to-eat appetizer buffet. Browse the tables of auction items and start up some lively bidding competitions with your friends – we have it on good authority that the auction is most fun when you come with your favorite group! Be sure to listen for your bid number throughout the evening – we always have some fantastic door prizes.

Also, visit the Lawrence Humane Society table inside the entrance to the ballroom. We’ll have T-shirts, hats, tote bags, cups, mugs and Frisbees for sale, and free informational material will be available. You can make a donation for additional raffle tickets, and if you’re not yet a shelter member, this is your chance to join so you can receive our regular newsletters.

If you just can’t wait to see what we have available this year, we invite you to visit our Web site (www.lawrencehumane.org) to look through the advance copy of our auction booklet, and in the coming days we’ll post pictures of the live-auction items.

Highlights of this year’s auction items include a selection of KU game tickets, an autographed basketball and an incredible collection of memorabilia. Real crimson-and-blue fans won’t want to miss this opportunity to carry home such items as a autographed and framed Gale Sayers “throwback” football jersey with an autographed Topps card of Sayers as a KU player in 1965. Or how about a parquet square from the old Allen Fieldhouse floor, autographed by the 20062007 KU men’s basketball team? We also have a framed autographed 1991 KU men’s team calendar (this was the group that included Terry Brown, Mike Maddox, Mark Randall, Kirk Wagner, Alonzo Jamison, David Johanning, Malcolm Nash, Sean Tunstall, Rex Walters, Doug Elstun, Adonis Jordan, Patrick Richey, Richard Scott and Steve Woodberry).

And here’s a piece you won’t find anywhere else: a memory piece titled “KU – The Fab Fifties.” An original (not a reproduction) KU pennant from the 1950s is the focus of this framed collection. Flanking the pennant is a photo collage of 1950s KU highlights. For those who may not remember: Allen Fieldhouse was built, the Campanile was dedicated, KU won a national championship, the campus glittered with sports stars Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Lovellette, Al Oerter, and the great runners Wes Santee and Billy Mills, and the great Phog Allen won his 400th game. It will be a unique addition to any KU collection.

Finally (and who could resist bidding on this?), we are offering an original framed 1920s photograph of Forrest C. “Phog” Allen. Best of all, it’s inscribed and signed on the back by the man himself! This is definitely a rare collector’s item for any KU fan.

Please plan to join us on the evening of Sept. 28 for the most howling good time Lawrence has to offer each year. The ticket order form is available in PDF format online at our Web site, or you can purchase tickets at the door on the night of the event. Help us make those huge numbers of companion animals easier to deal with by making our annual Pawsible Dream Auction the biggest and best ever.