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Triumphs for the New Year and assorted animal tales...

Four-day work week to start the New Year – can’t beat that.
Not nearly as lucky as the Dallas Cowboys – nope, enjoying the traditional long off-season again.
But, it hasn’t been a bad year for everyone around here. We specifically refer to the SPCA of Texas and the City of Seagoville Animal Shelter. Those are two triumphs. Seagoville is setting the trend for the area and the SPCA has new elbow room.
Also, we’ve got a personal thanks to all of you for making the transition from 2011 to 2012 with us and we’re grateful that you’ve clicked on Readlarrypowell.com. Each click means something to an animal.
That photo? That is our Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, giving us his impression of the image that should appear on the next new U.S $100 gold coin, his vision of a federal employee returning to work after a 2-week holiday and spotting on the buffet table in the Pork Barrel Dining Room big steaming platter of Mom’s Back To Work Meatloaf with a side of aspirin and a cup of Joltin’ Joe Triple Caf Coffee with a federally approved 8-hour Adrenalin dose. (The Cowboys could have used one of those at halftime.)
Here’s our daily report:
THE SPCA’S BIG NEWS: You see these announcements now and then about the SPCA rescuing some animals and getting custody and planning projects and endorsing proposed laws. The SPCA is a busy organization.
On Monday, it was busy in its own office because it opened the brand spankin’ new 70,000-square-paw – sorry, that’s square foot – Jan Rees-Jones Anima Care Center in West Dallas. It’s at 2400 Lone Star Drive, near Hampton at I-30 and visible from the freeway – not far from Dallas Animal Services’ Adoption Center.
[Aside: I mention that because some unenlightened people use SPCA and “Dallas animal shelter” as if they were the same thing.]
Now, our pal Diane Combs, a longtime supporter of the SPCA and noted for her volunteer work there, enjoyed the opening tour of the new facility Monday.
We ought to declare that she’s an official “newshound.” She was snapping photos at the opening and among the many was this one that demonstrates the new way animals will be housed – gone are the cages and in their places these walk-in “suites” where humans and animals can mingle.
Read more about the shelter on the SPCA page HERE. At www.spca.org you can also navigate to animals that need homes. Google SPCA and new shelter to see news stories about the event. And, remember, the SPCA is open to the public and proud to show off its facilities and its animals. As with taxpayer-supported shelters and rescue groups, the animals are the focal points – nice as shelters can be, animals still need homes.
SEAGOVILLE’S STATISTICS: Shortly after the first week of January 2011, Seagoville Police Sgt. Karl Bailey took over direction of the small city animal shelter and began inviting volunteers and veteran rescuers to help with the effort to make the shelter no-kill.
This weekend he issued a report on that reveals no animals were killed to make space for the next load of unwanted animals. None, he told supporters in an email blast.
(The city is going to celebrate this winning attitude with a special anniversary weekend adoption event Jan. 7-8. Click on that artwork to make it larger.)
[Aside: This enthusiastic cooperation between a city government and knowledgeable volunteers demonstrates how cities can take a step toward saving money on euthanasia drugs, eliminating the chances that the “wrong animal” will be euthanized, gaining positive public relations for your city and a good mark on the “come live here, we’re nice” report card.]
Now, here are the stats from Sgt. Bailey (they cover the Jan. 10-Dec. 31 period):
Dog Intakes: 437
Dog Bites: 21
Cat Intakes: 131
Cat Bites: 2
Dogs Adopted: 250
Dogs Rescued [taken in by rescuers]: 131
Dogs RTO (returned to owner): 44
Dogs EU: 12 (This includes all dogs EU'd for injury, illness and aggression)

Cats Adopted: 77
Cats Rescued: 61
Cats RTO: 3
Cats EU: 3 (This includes all cats EU'd for injury, illness and aggression)
In a postscript to the figures, Sgt. Bailey’s note read, “No animals were euthanized for lack of space. No adoptable animal has been euthanized."
He adds, "This is a far cry from previous years when more than 30 animals a month were being euthanized. This is in no small part due to the volunteers, rescues, fosters, networkers and adopters. Thank you all for helping us achieve this goal!”
You can read about the Seagoville shelter on Facebook HERE and you can see adoptable animals HERE.
IF THE NAME FITS: I get a lot of forwarded emails about animals in shelters all over the place. We can’t write about all of them because there are only 24 hours in a day and I need to schedule time to lay awake and wonder why I’m not sleeping.
Every now and then I’ll open an email (this one was originated by Gina Piner of Homeward Bound Animal Rescue) that’s been forwarded a dozen times in an 8-hour period and find an animal that lives up to his name.
In this case, the dog is named “Stretch.” And there was a photo showing the rascal doing what got him his name.
He’s #14890678 in the Arlington Animal Services shelter. Yep, Pit Bull-type. Out of time. AAS euthanasia starts at 2 p.m. today and Stretch isn’t the only pitty type on the list. You can see the Friends of the Arlington Animal Shelter Facebook page HERE. You can reach the shelter by calling 817-459-6156 or 817-879-7033.
IN BURNS FLAT, THE CHASE WAS ON: Terry Lynn Fisher, our reliable tipster in Burns Flat, Okla., is trying to find some help for a couple of dogs. One is a no-name dog and the other is a fellow named Badge.
The no-name dog has the police history. Terry Lynn writes, “On Christmas Eve, we listened on the scanner as the cop was chasing this poor baby down. They finally caught him and texted me to ‘Be careful. He is very vicious.’"
(Aside: That's a photo of the vicious dog on the right.)
Terry Lynn continues, “I went down there and he was crouched in the corner, growling, eyes filled with terror. I just spoke to him, fed and watered, then left him to calm down.  Each day, as I went to care for them, he would come a little closer, but always with total fear. If I went into the pen, he ran into his house. Saturday, as I loaded two pups to take to rescue, one of them kept running from me. I finally caught it and was kissing him and talking to him. I looked at this boy and for the first time in a week, HIS TAIL WAS WAGGING.
“I put my babies in the car and went back to the kennels  he actually started kissing my hand and looking at me without the terror. Slowly, he has got better. Today (Monday), he even came out of his pen, wagging at the other dogs and kissing me and playing. He has been through a rough time. But I have seen that he is a wonderful boy --just in need of a safe and loving place to go.”
That’s one story. The other involves Badge, the lower photo), now around 8 months old. “He has been thrown out like trash over and over again, from one worthless home to another -- he always found himself living on the streets. But he never let it get him down. He always offered to love and cherish anyone that came his way –kids, adults,  dogs, cats --whatever it was, he would love them. He has been in jail way too long and now, the city has said he MUST LEAVE -- either to a safe and loving place through me..or on a cold table, with a needle jabbed in him and killed.”
To help these animals, contact Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com or call 580-330-1459.
IN NEED OF FOOD AND FRESH LITTER: The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Shelter at Tool, Texas, has plenty of animals but is running low on food, according to shelter director Krista Mc Anally.
She issued an appeal that reads, “The cupboard is getting bare.  We are still getting puppies and litters left and right. And we seem to be fighting the flu or some virus that turns to pneumonia.  So we are in need of canned food, preferably lamb and rice or chicken and rice.  We also need cat and dog milk replacer. As always, if you cannot make it to the shelter, you can make a donation at www.hsccl.org  and please note that it is for dog food. You can also mail donations to HSCCL, PO Box 43531, Seven Points, TX 75143.”
Now,, if you feed cats, what do you need? Ah, here’s the next request from Krista: “We are also looking for someone to go to Nacogdoches to pick up 2,000 pounds of cat litter.  The pick- up has to happen during the week, from 9 to 5.”
To offer to help with the food or the litter or both, call the shelter at 903-432-3422.
THE CARROLLTON CAT AND DOG REPORT: No cats on this week’s euthanasia list. Not a one. How about that! So, we’ll turn our attention to a couple of the many dogs in the shelter – euthanasia is scheduled for Wednesday. Yep, tomorrow.
Oh, man, look at that Godiva. Isn’t she a beauty! She’s #25213 at the Carrollton Animal Services Shelter and she’s there because, at 4 or 5 years old and 45 pounds, she was a stray on the city streets.
Not much of a future there. Not much of a future in a shelter for a pit-type dog.
She’s available to rescue groups. Carrollton wants to make sure she gets into a situation that has her best interests at heart.
Her official shelter description reads, “While her ears are cropped very close to her head, her tail is full and wags away at the thought of being petted or going outside. She does seem to do well with the other dogs and is as good of a dog as there has ever been.” [Aside: Sure looks like some nitwit with a knife and scissors took her ears away from her. It isn’t ears that ought to fall off of that jerk.]
And, oh, for crying out loud. The story of Lucky, this female, fluffy, 30-pound shepherd mix, will in all likelihood tick you off. But here it is, according to the shelter:
“This pretty lady was released to the shelter by her people who were unable to keep her due to the sudden expansion of relatives living in their home.”
That’s bad enough. Picking relatives over a dog. But, she’s 12. Twelve and dumped at a kill shelter. Good grief.
Lucky is house-trained, friendly and puzzled, probably.
Again, a 12-year-old dog dumped at a shelter because of a “sudden expansion of relatives.” Makes no sense. The relatives can call a cab, take a walk, find shelter without getting a death warrant on their heads.
Call the shelter 972-466-3420, or email CARE@cityofcarrollton.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS: The first e-mail I saw in my inbox today had this subject line: “You will be Killed in December 21, 2012” Isn’t that nice. Some wacko sent me a come-on for something called “Survival Guide 2012” warning of all sorts of mayhem on the planet – kind of gave me a bit of nostalgia for the Terrors of the Millennium back in 1999.Some of you are still nibbling on those stale Y2K crackers, aren’t you? ... The second e-mail I opened was for a coupon for golf on a local course and it had no expiration date though, probably, I should use it before Dec. 21. ... Life is good, though my funspouse Martha went back to work after more than a week of vacation. The house is quiet, the animals sleeping.I’m finally in charge of the TV and there’s nothing on.  I miss the laughter. I miss the crowd of dogs following her around while she sings to them. It’s like a Disney movie around here sometimes.
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Stormy Dallas and other tales...

Alright, ladies and gents, let’s dive right into the day’s activities. Our topics will include how to convince a Cocker Spaniel to take one more college-level algebra class.
I’m kidding – Inky’s a drama major. Like algebra, however, we do have some puzzling equations to present:
DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES AND THE FUTURE: Stand by for some noise. There’s a promise of quite a racket being raised over the city’s budget-cutting, philosophy-changing plans for Dallas Animal Services.
The declaration of protest arrived in an e-mail last night from the Metroplex Animal Coalition.
Many of MAC’s people worked very hard for decades to get the City of Dallas to build a new animal shelter with an active, inviting adoption center.
Now, after only a few years, the whizbang shelter has iffy air-conditioning and has become, in spite of monumental efforts by shelter employees and rescue groups, a warehouse for holding thousands and thousands of unwanted dogs and cats that are about to be killed by lethal injection.
Based on the MAC note, there is a feeling of betrayal in the animal welfare community.
You may recall that a couple of weeks ago, readlarrypowell.com reported on changes coming to Dallas Animal Services, particularly the exchange of about 50 senior animal care staffers for contract temporary labor. The city says not to worry: change is difficult but it’ll all work out and the city has been happy with temp labor in other areas.
You may also recall that things really blew up last year when the guy who managed the animal shelter was indicted for felony animal cruelty – allowing a cat to die inside a shelter wall rather than letting employees open the wall and save the cat. No trial yet. But the guy keeps drawing his city salary. Meanwhile, innocent shelter workers are being canned to save money.
Here’s some of the text of the note distributed to MAC members and supporters by MAC President Elaine Munch: “A storm is coming. I wish a meant a ‘blue Norther’ as we could sure use one, but sadly, it's the storm we are going to have to create to once again set right what our city's management has turned upside down. ... We are going to need your help, and if I know this great animal welfare community, it's going to feel like a hurricane down at City Hall.”
There is a blog, Now Or Never For Dallas Animal Services HERE that is the information point for rallying on behalf of Dallas Animal Services.
The opening comment on the blog reads, “Perhaps it was wishful thinking, unbridled enthusiasm, or just misplaced faith in the City of Dallas to do the right thing.  Whatever it was – it was premature.”
The changes at animal services will be addressed Thursday at the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission meeting. That starts at 1 p.m. at the Dallas Animal Shelter, on Westmoreland at I-30, just west of downtown Dallas.  That meeting is open to the public – this is a democracy and the majority rules unless the majority doesn’t bother to show up.
There will be city staffers at the meeting. In reality, they have already set the course for the shelter’s immediate future and no amount of protesting at a meeting is likely to change anything unless the elected council members can have some influence over the hired hands. Council members are often unaware of citizens’ true interests, so they may not know that there are concerns within the animal community about the path the shelter is taking. (FYI: We’re told that Council Member Delia Jasso, a devoted supporter of DAS and the shelter, may discuss these developments during Wednesday’s council meeting.)
On Thursday, at the commission meeting, the city people will sit and listen, perhaps respond kindly now and then, and nothing will affect the decisions. By the time all the changes get to this point in the process, they are no longer proposals, they are realities. The clearest evidence of the reality of change is the distribution of reduction in force notices to shelter workers.
In the meantime, residents unaware of or indifferent to the reality of the true purpose of a municipal animal shelter, continue to dump dogs and cats into the facility at a pace that results in the deaths of thousands and thousands of animals a year.
But, the budget will be balanced and those residents no longer have to fret about “what do we do with all these kittens?” or “what do we do with the dog when we go on our Labor Day trip?”
See those animals at www.dallasanimalservices.org. That dog? That is a 2-month-old puppy who is among the many, many animals at risk at the shelter. He was an owner-surrender. He is Larry the Lab Mix. (I always thought Larry was a good name for a mutt and there he was today on the city’s website. Nobody want’s big ol’ black dogs, except those of us who have lived with them. This guy probably will be a great fellow to have around the house – if he doesn’t wind up in a body bag in a cost-conscious shelter.)
ON THE CLOCK IN CARROLLTON: The Carrollton Animal Shelter has a number of critters on the clock for Wednesday. This is Tuesday. Time grows short.
Remember yesterday  we posted a photo of a Dallas dog with eyes of two colors. Today we have this dog, Benny, a retriever mix, who was picked up as a stray. He weighs 47 pounds, is house-trained and is thought to be a retriever mix. (Aside: Readlarrypowell.com has already established Earhounds as a viable “type,” and with two odd-eyed dogs in a row, we may have to declare another type, iMutts.)
Now, this black dog is Rasha has been on the clock before. She got a reprieve. But now she’s in a bit a trouble.
The shelter reports, “She was originally released to the shelter by her people who moved back home after college and could not keep her. She then thought her luck had changed when she was adopted the very first day she was available. Unfortunately that home lasted less than one week before she was returned as she was too active for her new people. So now here she is again hoping that the third time is going to be the charm and her next home will be a permanent one. She is about 5 months old, altered and has her current rabies vaccination as well. She is a great young lady who weighs in at 36 pounds. She is a very active and playful lady who just wants a home with patient people who will play with her and love her for who she is.”
How many hundreds of dollars will Rasha cost you? Fifteen lousy bucks. That’s right. $15.
To ask about the Carrollton animals, call 972-466-3420 or e-mail CARE@cityofcarrollton.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS: So a juror in a Fort Worth trial tries to “friend” the defendant on Facebook? Yep, guilty of contempt of court. But do you think there’s a movie company trying to buy his story? Sometimes stupidity and romance make the best comedy. But, why bring up politics?  ... Walking in our front yard where the brown grass crunches, I got a whiff of an odor coming off the yard – it’s the same smell I used to get in Boy Scouts just before a bit of kindling caught fire. Yes, I think our front yard is on the brink of combustion. ... Please apply this to wherever you wish: At some point we all have to say, “Enough, already.”
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The parade of sweethearts....

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentines Day Daddies!

 

 

Love Chase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentines Day Macey!

 

 

 

Love Mommy

 

 

 

 

 

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The parade of sweethearts...

 

Peek-a-boo!

 

Happy Valentine's Day Mommy-Bear!  Love, Sebastian.

 

 

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The parade of sweethearts...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've attached baby pics of everyone.  I'd just like it to say:

Happy Valentine's Day to Max (upper), Nadia (right) and Tiny!

Melissa

The Sweethearts parade...

 

TOBY -

You've never faltered in your love, even through all the changes, losses, and additions we've seen together in life. You're the BEST

Love ya - Sarah

 

 

 

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Happy Birthday to our Princess Valentine!

Thank you for 14 years of sweet kisses.

Val's family ( The Hanson's)

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Dear Aunt Faye,

You took me in (with my human) when I needed you the most after my sister Petey passed. You gave me the opportunity to get new siblings with Angel, Cooty, Romeo and Acorn. I wish you Happy Valentine’s Day.  

Love,

 Suzi

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The sweetheart parade...

 

 

 

For Parker and Shiloh,

the Bryan camping buddies....

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentines Day to our babies who make love a year-round occasion. Our Parker, who was found dumped on the side of the road, and our precious Shiloh who was one day away from being put down...thank you for making our lives complete. We love you! 

 

 

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The parade of sweethearts....

 

 

"For Rover"

 

 

This is a Valentine for a dog named Rover that lived at Straydog for 10 years. Yes he was finally adopted at 10 years of age in 2004. The sweetest, most beautiful dog. Rover went to the Rainbow Bridge on June 2008. I miss him very much.
Love,

Rover's Mom Janice

 

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For a 'now long gone beau'...

I wrote this many moons ago for a now long gone beau!!  But, it's Valentines and for a good cause... hope it's not toooo long!! 

sandy

I have always loved you..

When I first laid eyes on you..
i knew then that i had always loved you
when i first heard your voice..
i had heard you a million times before
when you kissed me for the first time...
i knew i had kissed you before
when you held me all nite...
i knew then i had felt your strong arms around me
when i looked into the depths of your eyes
i knew i had looked into them before
i had heard your laughter, seen your smile...
a million times before
for you see ...
i have always loved you..
in my dreams...

++++++++

The parade of sweethearts...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOLA

 

To Lola, our sweet and surprising dog, who is the embodiment of unconditional love.  Mom and Dad

++++++++++ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUNKIN

 

To Punkin, who lights up our lives and rules the roost.  Love, Mom and Dad

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The parade of sweethearts...

BIG WALLY  

    

For nine years Big Wally lived at the end of a chain - then they abandoned him.  Now, he rides in the car and sleeps on the bed and gets cookies and  kisses all day.  Happy Valentine's Day my sweet baby bear!

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PEPPER

Pepper arrived as a foster – bringing great intelligence and sweetness, kindness for the old ladies and tolerance for the cat.  She remains as a constant source of joy.  We love you Pepper Ann.

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