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Reminders and opinions -- and Deep Throat

Oh, my, former FBI guy Mark Felt says he's Deep Throat. The Washington Post's Bob Woodward confirms it. And now, just when we were wondering what talk radio would have to discuss while awaiting the Michael Jackson verdict, there's the answer.

Too bad Saturday Night Live's season ended two weeks ago.

To borrow from the 1970s, "Our long national nightmare is revived anew."

Wow.

I just hope that tomorrow he'll admit that he's been helping Elvis live in hiding and that the King will return from working at a donut shop in Fort Worth for his "REVIVED: The King's Comeback in the 21st Century Tour."

Then the Circle of Odd Life will be complete.  The great mysteries are answered: We know who shot J.R. and the ID of Deep Throat.

Of course, based on my years of journalistic observation, I never had a doubt that Mark Felt was Deep Throat. And I'm sure other journalists will be telling you the same thing. Politicians, too. Heck, yeah, by midnight someone will be saying, "Oh, this was an open secret in Washington. We all knew Mark Felt was Deep Throat."

AT FIRST BLUSH: Sure, it feels like Monday, but look at it this way: It's not.

If you're a traditional Monday-through-Friday person, this is a four-day week. If you're like the rest of us -- something's going on every day -- well, it's a Tuesday with an extra helping of "catch up."

HERE ARE SOME REMINDERS:

DOG DAY AFTERNOON: Operation Kindness' Dog Day Afternoon starts at 9 in the morning on Saturday! It is, perhaps, the nation's only afternoon in the morning. But it also is, perhaps, the nation's most entertaining afternoon in the morning.

Get there early to participate in the 9 a.m. "Honor Walk" (There are prizes for raising money via pledges -- check out the details at www.operationkindness.org.)

After the Honor Walk, there'll be agility and working demonstrations with dogs. The celebrity hosts are Jack Fink of Channel 11 (KTVT-TV) and Christina McLarty of UPN 21's Daily Buzz.

And, of course, the big attraction (other than hundreds of people and dogs gabbing about each other) is the schedule of contests. "Barkin' and Bobbin'" for tennis balls, "Ears to Die For," Frisbee toss, pet tricks, best costume and doggie bulldozer -- that's a good one. In doggie bulldozer, you ask your dog, who you've trained to not knock stuff over, to walk through plastic bottles and knock them ALL over. Sometimes the big dogs are like ballerinas instead of bulldozers.

And there's a new contest this year for Shelter Alumni that will spotlight shelter-rescue dogs and judge them on "smile" and "poise." My mannerlyspouse Martha and I have been asked to help judge that one. We've been practicing on our dogs -- they've got "smile" down pretty good, but "poise" is a problem, especially when a stranger walks past their posts at the picture window.

Expect to see a lot of interesting dogs at this event. There'll be all types. And they'll all be accompanied by interesting people, too -- people who have a place in their hearts for animals that needed rescuing or animals that simply needed a good home.

You might even see some dogs that have rescued some people -- maybe not from dire straits, but from loneliness. And, I guess, that's how they got the label "man's best friend."

MAC'S BIG PARTY: Don't forget, the Metroplex Animal Coalition's Second Annual Artists for Animals Fundraiser is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Iris Restaurant. Proceeds (tickets are $50 each) benefit the Patt Davis Memorial Spay/Neuter Fund. Food, art and animals -- an unbeatable combination. (Artists Jimmy Ellis and Rich Poling will be there to discuss their work -- and your animals!) Go to www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com for tickets. The folks at Iris love animals. So, expect to have a good time with the good food. And remember that animals benefit from your evening.

WORKING WITH HORSES -- AND KIDS: Our buddy Dan Kirkland, who has more brainy letters behind his name than most people dare dream about, has long used horses in his counseling work. (www.kirklandclinical.com)

He still has some slots open on Saturday June 11 for a new session called "Taking the Reins: Parenting Without Fear or Intimidation." The idea is to use horses "to develop parenting strategies, coping skills and processes to help you connect with our child." (The cost is $125 per parent. The session -- no kids will be there -- lasts from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more details, call 972-231-2555 or e-mail Dan@KirklandClinical.com.)

I'm an unlearned person, but even I know kids can be a stubborn as horses -- and on a bad day, as stubborn as mules. Sometimes when you have a stubborn adult and a stubborn kid, well, it's just too much stubborn in one place.

Big as they are, there's a certain gentleness to horses that, I guess, we can learn from if we'll pay attention. An ounce of persuasion can avoid a ton of frustration.

EVERYBODY HAS ONE: My funspouse Martha and I found time for an afternoon movie Sunday and went to Irving Mall -- we have no theaters in Oak Cliff, you know.

Anyway, as we're leaving the mall, Martha points out a storefront with a sign that reads "The Opinion Store" and then she says something like, "There's the perfect place for you to work." It did have a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. I'm not sure what kind of help they wanted, but I could offer an opinion.

On this holiday....

As this is being written, most members of the household are napping. That's how some people spend holidays.

This is Memorial Day, a holiday meant to honor Americans lost in wars. Kind of a shame that we have so many wars. Like most Baby Boomers, my war experience is limited to conversations with reluctant relatives and time spent watching motion pictures.

Last night, in the wee hours, I watched Cary Grant in Destination Tokyo, a submarine movie from 1944. It has a scene in which a ship's pharmacist uses kitchen utensils to remove an ailing sailor's appendix. That's based on an actual event -- a sailor named Wheeler Lipes did the operation in 1942 aboard a submarine. (Mr. Lipes died at 84 in April, 2005. His patient survived the emergency surgery and returned to active duty in WWII.)

The film also has a few scenes with handfuls of Japanese soldiers. I wondered if they were Americans who had been excused from detention camps long enough to be in a movie. American families all had their own style of hard times during the big war. Some went to “camps,” some went to work, some went to war. Some got telegrams with the phrase "regret to inform you."

As I watched the movie it struck me that these fellows making the film didn't yet know the outcome of World War II. There were still a lot of tough times ahead for the nation's armed forces and families.

Things are tough for the nation today, too. Tough in a different way. Seems like back in World War II, according to what I’ve heard, the nation was pulling together. Now it's just trying to hold together.

This might be a good day to devote some time to just thinking about things and people who invested their lives in our nation. There's more to America than bad TV and crowded airports.

I guess some of those WWII fellows would be surprised to return today and find their young relatives driving sporty Volkswagens and proudly taking a stretch Mercedes Benz limo to the prom. They'd be stunned to find homes where you had both a Mitsubishi car and Mitsubishi television. They might even be a tad surprised to find that the Soviet Union is mentioned only in past tense.

Just some idle thoughts on a holiday. Enjoy your families. Don't forget to think something warm and good about the folks who went off to Europe, Africa, the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc....Long list. Lots of heroes. Maybe in the 21st Century, we can keep it to a minimum.

Bobby's cat takes a nap in Arizona

In this week's entry to our "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie/Catnapping" feature, we have a kitten who is so advanced that he knows how to "catnap."

This is Smokey. He was recently adopted by some folks in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Nita and Mike Foster, on behalf of their 12-year-old live-in grandson Bobby. And Bobby adores Smokey. Heck, who wouldn't? Look at him. He's the perfect picture of "cute." And who among us isn't envious of this kitten's ability to catch those extra winks!

Here's the story courtesy of Nita: "We adopted this little six-week-old gray and white kitten a couple of days ago [in mid-May]. His name is Smokey and he is quite the character.

"A couple of friends of mine rescued five mother cats and 35 kittens from a hoarder. Several of the kittens couldn't be saved, but the ones that were are up for adoption.

"I took my 12-year-old grandson over to see the kittens and he fell in love with this one.

"We have a 14-year-old black female cat [Sable] that hates other cats, so I was afraid to bring a kitten into our home. My poor grandson cried himself to sleep that night about this little gray kitten. I talked to my husband he said it was alright with him if I got the kitten.

"After much deliberation, I went and got our little bundle of energy. Yesterday our grandson had a few of his friends over to see Smokey and they played and played for almost an hour. They then had him up on the couch and my grandson was rubbing his belly and he fell to sleep.

"Poor baby was plumb worn out from all the fun he had that day!"

So, there's the story of Smokey's nap! May he enjoy a lifetime of catnaps and cuddles.

Remember, if you have a photo of your sleeping dog or napping cat or lounging lizard or drowsy duck or slumbering pet of any kind, e-mail it to dallrp@aol.com and nominate the rascal for our special photo feature. Thanks to all of you who have nominated so far ... we'll work everyone in as time goes by. Keep your camera handy. You never know when someone cute will nod off.

More good than bad, thankfully

It's no secret to anybody that we live in a land of contrasts. The blessing is some people care so much. The other side is some people care so little. Here are some examples of "care so much" followed by ... well, you know.
FOUR DOGS: The caretakers of these four dogs have their backs against a wall. They're desperate to find a foster or permanent home for the dogs. Why are they needing a home? Because the man who has them has, according to the report, "AIDS and cancer and a couple of other problems and, until now, has been able to stay home with consistent help." Sadly, his health is failing and his dogs are in need of someone who can care for them. The report is that "they're so sweet and the owner is really worried about them." To help e-mail the Companion Animal Network contact Gail Whelan at gail_whelan2000@yahoo.com or kymber75@airmail.net.

BORDER COLLIE-MIX: Slippers, now living in Highland Park, is working against a deadline, reports reliable animal source Cary Birdwell. He sends a note saying that her owner "has fallen on rough times and must move into a new apartment." Can't afford the high pet deposit. So, Slippers, because of economics, is out of a home. The dog is 4 years old, spayed and vaccinated. (Call Cary, who is acting as go-between, at 214-521-3611 or 214-742-8000 or e-mail him at mailto:misanthrope667@yahoo.com or at adoptadallaspet@yahoo.com.) The person who adopts Slippers will have to audition via a "home check."

HELPING HONEY BEAR: Here's a dog that's just too busy. Consequently, she needs a nice roomy place to romp, according to the folks at A Different Breed (www.adifferentbreed.org.)

Honey Bear, her friends report, "has a bunch of energy like any young lab has! She has a beautiful golden coat and needs some obedience training to keep her from jumping up. She is just so excited to see people!"

How important is this obedience training? It's key for ALL dogs, but especially important for Honey Bear because at her current home she actually jumped up and knocked down "the lady next door." All has been forgiven, we understand, but people who love animals know they need to be properly guided so that they don't quickly wear out their welcome. (To help Honey Bear find a good foster or temporary home, call 214-316-6604 or e-mail moniquevoelker@attglobal.net.)

SPEAKING OF BEHAVIOR: Ron Ackerman, secretary of the North Texas Family Protection Dog Club, e-mailed a recommendation for "a pretty good program," he says. It is Dogs and More Dogs, shown this week on Nova on KERA-TV in Dallas. Indeed, I saw the show and one great line echoes from the dialogue. Narrator John Lithgow says something like, "Today's dogs are sometimes asked to live lives they were never intended to live."

I wish we could get people to remember that when they think about adopting a border collie and trying to keep it in an apartment bathroom or when they consider adopting a Great Pyrenees and turning it into a lap dog in a duplex.

Of course, at our house "Dogs and More Dogs" isn't the name of a show, it's a description of the living room.

OH, MY GOODNESS: This is just swell. Someone moved out of a house in Pilot Point and left a dog tied to a fence. Acting on a tip, the SPCA of Texas investigators and the Pilot Point Police Department went to the property and found this poor dog.

The dog is a 5-year-old brindle male Lab mix -- he weighed just 48 pounds, according to the SPCA (www.spca.org). That's way awful. The emaciated dog also suffered from the usual parasites. According to the news release from the SPCA's Maura Davies, the SPCA, using the Tufts Animal Care and Condition Scale to rank body condition, lists this poor dog at "5." One is the best condition. Five is the absolute worst.

A custody hearing is set for 10 a.m. June 2 in Denton.

Abandoning an animal is a crime in Texas. Someone who just moved out of a Pilot Point house might oughta get ready for a few days in court.

Sweet dogs and a TV host

As I traveled through the channel listings via remote last night, I spotted a program on VH1 called "How Thin Is Too Thin?" And I thought, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

We're up a little early this morning -- pre-dawn -- because Baby Jane Doe, one of our big dogs, thought today was "Pre-Dawn Conversation Day" on the modern calendar. She got some conversation, alright, but, by then, it was too late to celebrate the unofficial National Sleep-In Friday. Oh, she's a sweet dog. I'm sure she meant well. And, mercifully, she has been able to eat her breakfast and go back to sleep without tossing and turning. Another reason to envy dogs.

GOLF COURSE RESCUE NEEDS A FOSTER HOME: Marni Carter of the Humane Society of Lewisville has a catch-up note about an old story. Back in mid-April folks from the society were able to catch Cheyenne the Dog -- it was a six-day project on the North Texas Golf Center course at I-35 and Walnut Hill..

Now, Cheyenne is undergoing heartworm treatment and needs a foster home where she can be kept in quiet confinement. You know, when these dogs are being "cured," they simply must be still and calm. It's part of the deal -- rowdy behavior puts them at risk. Trust me, it's bad stuff.

(In the photos, Cheyenne demonstrates her acting talent with, first, the "I'm interested" look and, next, the "Ah, I see. That's sweet" expression. Note the flexibility of her ears -- this gift separates her from the run-of-the-mill actors. Jack Nicholson is good, but he can't pull this one off.)

Cheyenne is a Shiba Inu/Basenji mix, says Marni. "She loves children, women and is shy of men at first and then warms up."

She, however, also gets a tad excited around other dogs and cats so she needs to be in an only dog spot.

Now, here's a little bit of her personality from Marni's eyewitness report. Cheyenne "prances around when she walks. She dances in circles on her back feet with you and she buries her food to save it for when she is hungry. She will either bury it with a toy or with a towel. We make sure to give her an extral towel to use just for that. She positions the towel perfectly over the bowl in a little bitty ball so that all you can see is a balled-up towel and nothing else. It's the cutest thing I have ever seen. She also loves to give kisses. If it weren't for the cat and dog thing, she wouldn't be going anywhere! We absolutely are in love with her!"

To help the Humane Society of Lewisville find a good foster or permanent home for Cheyenne, call 972-353-4840 or e-mail office@hsltexas.org. And if you'd like to see a well-done website, go to www.hsltexas.org. It's got photos of animals you can adopt and it has a nice gentle sermon about the benefits of spay/neuter.

WEBSITE TIP: I used to work a lot of nights and weekends which means, of course, that I was a fan of/victim of late night television. This was before the networks realized that people who were up late had jobs, thus had money to spend in the daytime. So, generally, when it got past the midnight sign-off for the three networks, only NBC had something interesting for insomniacs: Mister Tom Snyder. Mr. Snyder has been off television for five or six years, but sweet memories from his "Tomorrow" show and his "Late Late Show With Tom Snyder."

You can still catch his delightful sense of humor and his take on the world at his website www.colortini.com. He's undergoing chemo right now, so, maybe it would be good if some of his old fans let him know they're still thinking of him. He's a fan of toy trains and dogs and he is among the smartest people ever to appear on TV. I'm not sure that's much of a compliment, but you get my drift. He had conversations with his guests -- they weren't just on the show to pitch a product.

Some day, maybe, the pendulum of sanity will swing back and the "really smart and important people" who run the 21st Century's media will go butt a stump and allow un-frenetic, smart programming and helpful design replace the quick-cut, racket-filled hodgepodge of short-term experimentation that consumers must suffer today. Here's a thought for you TV programmers: If everybody is loud, nobody stands out.

OK, off the soapbox. Hand me the remote. Where is that mute button? By cracky.

COMING UP NEXT: Stay tuned to this site for our continuing weekend series "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" and "Cat-napping." This time we'll be featuring an Arizona kitten named Smokey! Remember, nominate your critters by sending a photo of the slumbering rascals to dallrp@aol.com. And Smokey will make you smile!

Graffiti, Canton, Plano & Grinch

OK, gang, that kid from Oklahoma has won "American Idol." We can get back to worrying about Sunday's European Union vote in France, the price of gasoline down the street, the Michael Jackson trial, what's wrong with Tiger Woods' golf game and ... aw, never mind. Life's too short to worry about most stuff involving transitory humanity. We've got dogs and cats to save and Plano has that fabulous Books and Barks thing coming up!

THE ODD GRAFFITI: Sometimes I have trouble reading and understanding the graffiti on signs and walls. It's the font. Or the spelling -- I've never bothered to learn "streetlish." No trouble with this one, however. It's on a wooden fence on the west side of Zang Boulevard near the I-35 entrance/exit. It reads, in two-foot-high letters, "GO NAVY." I guess we've got some patriotic gang roaming the streets in bellbottoms and funny hats.

NEEDING A HOME: Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network sends this note about this dog in the Canton Animal Shelter. "He is less than 2 years old and a Husky/Malamute mix. He was chained and left to die when the owners moved out. A passerby saw movement in the tall grass and called for help."

Now, let me just halt this for moment to remind folks that abandoning animals is a crime. If someone can track down the jerks who abandoned this animal, why, I wouldn't mind spending a little tax money on a good trial and a few years of jailhouse food for them.

Moving along, Gail writes, "Despite what this dog has been through, he has a fabulous personality. He is recovering from some injuries -- from being kicked or hit....He is heartworm negative and now on HW prevention.
"As soon as we can find a foster home, we will pick him up and have him neutered.....This unbelievably sweet dog deserves to live the rest of his life in loe and luxury."

Respond to canadoptions@yahoo.com.

Gail adds, "The next time any legislation comes up for vote to strengthen or add any laws to stop this type of abuse, please contact your representative."

Yes, indeed. The current session is drawing to a close and by "sine die" on May 30, well, every problem in Texas -- from taxes to school finance -- will no doubt be solved slick as grackle poop on a downtown Dallas car.

It is not too early to begin working on the state's fine bunch of legislators for the next session. Animal abuse is a year-round problem. Putting pressure on legislators should be a year-round effort -- the professionals see it that way, so should the "amateur" citizen/lobbyists.

The big challenge is persuading thick-headed legislators that animal protection bills are not meant to make life difficult for farmers and ranchers, they're meant to put pinheaded animal abusers into cells. I don't know -- there must be some sort of "off-switch" that is installed on the logic process when some of these birds take the oath of office. I'm just talking about a tiny percentage of the legislators, of course. Honest.

PLANO'S HOLIDAY PLANS! Debbie New at the Plano Animal Shelter reminds us that the big Books & Barks celebration is scheduled 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Memorial Day -- that's Monday, May 30 -- at Hoblitzelle Park, 7500 Red River Drive, in Plano. (It's off Legacy between Custer and Alma.)

It's for dogs and people! there'll be flyball, frisbee, agility and training demos and dog games. Sparky the Firedog and McGruff the Crime Dog will be there. So will a bouncing house for kids -- always wanted to try one of those, but, dangit, I'm well beyond the weight limit unless they can set one up on the moon and get me there on an economy flight.

Among the dog contests are Best Wagger (10:30 a.m.), Best Barker (11:30 a.m.) and Best Trick (12:30 p.m.).

Personal aside: Are there "morning dogs" who'll wag better at 10:30 a.m. and evening dogs who wag better as night falls? And, I know there are "best barkers" after midnight.

Debbie says, "We expect over 1,200 persons to attend an the proceeds from vendor booths are divided between us [Plano Animal Services] and the Friends of the Plano Library."

The event is free -- there'll be free ice cream, water and chips and free bandanas for dogs. (Visit www.planotx.org/animal/.)

Books & Barks combines two great loves of most of our lives, doesn't it? Reading and critters. It may be the ideal event. And with ice cream!

THE VOICE: You probably read about the death of Thurl Ravenscroft. Most stories made a big deal out of the fact that he was the voice of Tony the Tiger and a whole generation of TV-watching Baby Boomers knew the slogan "It's GRRRREAT!"

I can even remember trying to imitate that voice as a little kid after watching Frosted Flake commercials on black-and-white TV set -- probably caught the commercials during an airing of Superman with George Reeves or The Mickey Mouse Club with (swoon) Annette Funicello.

Memorable all those things are, indeed, Yoda, but let's not overlook Mr. Ravenscroft's great contribution to Christmas and to trivia contests all over America. The question began "Who sang?" The answer: In the 1966 TV special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Thurl Ravenscroft sang the unforgettable "You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch."

Dr. Seuss wrote the song, but Mr. Ravenscroft delivered. It opens with "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You're as cuddly as a cactus, You're as charming as an eel...." Ah, they don't write 'em like that anymore. And nobody sings 'em like Mr. Ravenscroft.

The art of animals; protect us from the bride

BRUSHING UP FOR ANIMALS:

Here's an event you'll enjoy. Metroplex Animal Coalition's Second Annual Artists for Animals fundraiser is 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 5 (that's a Sunday) at the wonderful Iris Restaurant, 5405 W. Lovers Lane.

The First Annual at Iris last year was a laughfest with great art and great people.

The evening benefits the Patt Davis Memorial Spay/Neuter Fund run by MAC.

You'll get to mingle, laugh, bid on silent auction items and enjoy fine cuisine. And you'll get to meet artists Jimmy Ellis and Rich Poling. (Tickets are $50 each. They're available via paypal at www.metroplexanimalcoaltion.com -- where you can also see some of the artists' work on the invitation. For other info, e-mail info@metroplexanimalcoalition.org.)

ARREST THAT BRIDE; KEEP THE BIKE: The world moves along in odd ways, doesn't it?

One month a woman is on the brink of being a bride, the next she's on the brink of being a felon. A grand jury in Georgia has indicted that poor runaway bride on some sort of felony charge. I'm not sure that would happen anywhere else but the genteel South where running out on a wedding would be seen as seriously injuring polite society.

I see it as cutting divorce attorneys out of some fees three or four years down the line.

Oh, wait a second. She was indicted for lying to authorities. Second big case that I know of -- remember Martha Stewart?

Ever think how ironic it is that it's a big deal if you lie to authorities, but not such a big deal if they lie to you? Oh, why bring up politics at a time like this.

Duluth, Ga., must have lots of spare time at the police station and courthouse. Heck, in Dallas, according to news reports, the police are trying to figure out ways to avert their eyes -- they just don't want to spend time responding to lesser crimes when they could be solving the big ones. I guess the city limits sign can read "Welcome to Dallas. Free Bicycles."

There are people who'll tell you that the authorities long ago quit monitoring crime in some areas of town -- dog rescuers can tell you many tales of watching drug deals on West Dallas streets, for example.

I wonder if announcing that you're going to ignore certain levels of crime will result in a reduction of the crime rate -- you know, sensing no challenge, the crooks left town. (The preceding sentence brought to you by Big Cynics.)

Seems to me that it is the lack of the little crimes against people that makes a city livable. Protect people, protect their property.

Maybe making Dallas livable is not all that big a priority.

The Theft of Buddy

Before you begin thinking unkind thoughts, let me tell you nobody feels as bad about this event as the woman who left her dog in the car and it became a target for a thief.

Lougay Toles is very upset -- keeps saying things like "I know better." So, now that we've dispensed with that, let's try to help her.

She left her 8-pound Yorkie, Buddy, in her car -- with the windows "cracked" -- about 7:15 p.m. Sunday when she raced into a grocery store at Northwest Highway and Plano Road in East Dallas. She went in to buy dog food.

Buddy, still wearing his leash attached to his collar after his "walk" with her, was in his usual comfy place in the car. And, yes, he had his tags on.

When Lougay came out a mere handful of minutes later, she "beeped" her car door, opened it and there was no Buddy. Someone had apparently reached through the "cracked window," pushed it down and stolen Buddy.

She's contacted Find-a-Pet (www.find-a-pet.org, 214-827-4357), posted notices in the area of the theft, etc. She called her son, Holland, up from Austin -- he'd rescued the stray 8 months ago from a dirt road in a rural area. Mom fell for the dog big time and kept Buddy. Mom and Son went through apartment complexes and neighborhoods looking for Buddy. They talked to people, they posted notices. They really worked the area.

This sort of auto burglary happens frequently around here -- there are evil people who stand around parking lots and watch for people who are too trusting. That's probably what happened to Buddy. An opportunistic thief grabbed him and will try to sell him.

Maybe someone will see this dog -- perhaps you know someone who suddenly had a new mature Yorkie and no good explanation for how he or she got it.

Maybe you've seen a Yorkie wandering near that grocery store. Maybe you've just got a hunch that you know where the dog is. Whatever the case, call 214-348-0722 and help Buddy get home.

Lougay has been told about all the various shelters and rescue groups and ways to monitor the comings and goings of shelter dogs. She's also been warned about scam artists who play on the hearts of victims.

She filed a police report. She talked the Dallas police into taking fingerprints off her car windows. Maybe someday soon a thief will be shocked.

Meanwhile, Buddy is missed. And Lougay is beating herself up. "I'm in shock. I'm torn to pieces ... He means more to me than I realized," heartsick Lougay says. "I feel so guilty."

Nothing in particular

A friend of mine sent an advertising come-on from a local business. It urged folks to get busy purchasing their Memorial Day gifts.

My friend, a sane person, asks, "Since when did Memorial Day become a gift-giving occasion?"

Good question. It was originally a solemn holiday honoring people killed in wars.

So, there you have it. At least they're not trotting out Santa to demand that kids get their Memorial Day Wish List into the mail.

Most of us don't have time to make a wish list for Memorial Day. We're busy working on our July 4 wish list. "Dear Uncle Sam, I've been a good citizen all year. Please bring me some new deductions for next year, a price break on gasoline and a solar-powered air-conditioner for my house. I will leave cash and Dr Pepper out for you on the kitchen table."

Memorial Day Gifts? Sheesh. Next thing you know, we'll be asked to send cards and gifts for Aug. 27. What? You don't know the significance of that date? It's Lyndon B. Johnson Day in Texas.

And, now, some of you who are victims of the Texas Legislature's eternally lackluster handling of the state's education system will ask, "There's a freeway day?"

SPEAKING OF POLITICS:  The Kinky Friedman for Governor campaign appears to be gaining strength. I first mentioned the Kinkster Bandwagon on a pet blog more than a year ago. He's an independent candidate who has a track record of caring for animals (See www.utopiarescue.com). Now, his official website has a new gubernatorial look. (Go to www.kinkyfriedman.com -- click on events and you'll see where he'll be politicking, including several Dallas-Fort Worth sites.)

If you click on the "Why not Kinky" button, you'll see that he lists education reform as "Priority One."

Say, didn't we hear that from the Democrats and Republicans before the current legislative session? These elected officials say they're working on "emergency" education funding provisions right now, but the legislature adjourns May 30. These people handle important issues like I handled studying for tests when I was a Texas school kid -- put it off until the last minute and hope for the best.

I'm not sure money is the complete answer, anyway. Seems to me educating kids takes the team concept: Teachers teach, parents enforce, legislators appropriate money and stay out of the way.

Shelter delay; a dog's dilemma

Well, this is, simply, disgusting news.

Apparently, the long-awaited new Dallas Animal Shelter is going to be even longer-awaited. This has upset folks in the animal rescue community -- it ought to upset every taxpayer.

The construction bids -- no firms were jumping up and down to get this job -- came in late and sky-high, we're told. Something like 60 percent over budget, the word is. Sixty percent over budget -- how can that be?

Spirits were high at last November's groundbreaking (site preparation was a separate contract, fyi.). The mayor was strong in her remarks about getting this shelter built. Councilmembers were strong in their remarks. Lots of "strong" feelings that day.

There must have been too many human variables to get the shelter erected swiftly, efficiently. The big problem is, I guess, animals don't have a "season" -- if they'd been a pro basketball or hockey team, why, their big new gym would have build slickly on time for the next season so the millionaires could dribble or skate.

But these are just animals and most of them are going to be killed anyway right?

What difference does it matter what the killing chambers look like? Here's the deal: It's not the killing chambers that matter, it's the adoption areas. They will be key to dropping the shameful kill rate in Dallas. At www.adifferentbreed.org you can read this city-produced official fact: "In 2004, the city of Dallas impounded 28,686 dogs and cats. Out of these, 25,699 were killed by lethal injection." Good grief, we should be shamed to tears. (Spay/neuter, increase adoptions, keep animals properly confined -- sounds so simple. Yet beyond the insensitive human brain.)

If there's not a strong mayor hammering the city into shape, then the council members who said they were strong enough themselves to run Dallas need to pick up their hammers and work as a team. Citizens are key to this effort, too. Make some noise at city hall. "Inspire" your elected officials to pay attention to your squeaky wheel.

At www.dallascityhall.com you can click on "elected officials" and see how to contact your council member and the mayor.

Don't be discouraged, be determined. Make the council form of government responsive to the taxpayers. Pass this link www.readlarrypowell.com on to anyone who pays a sales tax, pets a puppy, cuddles a kitten or doesn't want to see tax dollars wasted. Tell them to read this posting and get involved in a life-saving effort.

HELPING 'EM ONE AT A TIME: Sharold Prather of Safer-Stray and Feral Rescue, says right up front that "I normally only deal in kitty cats but it would seem this dog has decided I need to help her. She has been roaming the streets in my neighborhood for a couple of days now and I have put up posters but no one has claimed her."

The big problem is, Sharold can't find a group to take this dog right now. She needs someone to step up and take the "very sweet" possible pit bull mix. Ah, yes, there's the problem -- breed discrimination. Also, the dog prefers not to be confined alone in a backyard. How does her rescuer know this? The dog dug her way out from under a fence and went back to her front-lawn lifestyle.

She doesn't seem to have a problem with cats, but Sharold's cats have a problem with her. "I would bring her in if I didn't have all the cats and a baby on the way, but I just really can't take her in. Maybe some of your readers will have a place in their homes and their hearts for this sweet girl. ... I have been giving her food and water on my porch and she lies by my front door in the shade and greets all who come over."

If you can help this expectant mommy find a safe place for the "walk-up dog," e-mail safer@att.net or call 972-222-5508.

It's too darned hot for this dog to not have a good home.

And I know what you animal rescuers are saying, "Just what we all need, another big dog."

We have a bunch of big ol' dawgs at our house. Someday I'm going to write a book called "The Gospel of Big Ol' Dawgs." Can I get an "amen"?