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Precious is the word...

When we began the weekly presentation of "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap" in May 2005, the sworn mission was to present entertaining photographs of dozing critters while simultaneously honoring, appreciating and encouraging the delicate art of slumbering.

Insomniacs crave sleep. We know it exists. But we cannot grasp it -- it eludes us. We can see it on the backs of our eyelids and then, just as we think the embrace is coming, it dashes away, a vapor vanishing in the night, leaving us to fit and fret with our eyes wide open.

And that is why it is so easy to be envious of these three dogs. Look at them. They are peacefully, comfortably, enjoyably, restfully sleeping like the happy dogs they are. Hard to believe all three are descended from wolves.

These photos came to us from our pal, Christie Hansen, who toils in marketing and public relations at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas.

Her mom and dad, Henry and Ann Dilday had come into Dallas from their home in Alba near Lake Fork. And they brought with them Mikki, their 6-year-old Yorkie, and Sam, their 16-year-old Dachshund. Doesn't look like they had to hitch up a livestock trailer to make the trip, does it?

Christie says Mikki "looked so darn precious" that she "snapped an extra one of Mikki by himself." And, he does look precious -- and he looks wonderfully comfortable.

In the photo with the slumbering trio, Sam and Mikki are joined by Christie's 3-year-old Chihuahua, Ginger. She's "a little character!" Christie says proudly.

That's Ginger's backside pointed toward the camera. She simply couldn't be disturbed. After all, she was busy sleeping with the other wolf-descendants.

Isn't that a great slumbering trio? Makes you want to crawl down there with them, fluff a pillow and sack out, maybe benefitting from the influence of three animals that really know how to catch some Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Bless their hearts. It's good to know they're in such a safe place that they can just hit the snooze button and wait for someone to yell "Come and get it."

(To nominate your slumbering critter for spotlighting in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send a photo of the sleeper and your info to dallrp@aol.com. We believe all animals -- dogs, cats, horses, cows, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, in-laws -- should be celebrated for their abilities to surrender themselves to sleep. Bless their hearts and the insomniacs who envy them.)

Things to smile about...

This is the last day of June -- probably didn't need to tell you that, but I do need to tell you this. Today I'm going to focus on positive stuff. And, if I have to write about negative things, I'm going to do it in a positive way.

Yes, people are able to do that when they are in command of at least 23 of the 26 letters of the alphabet. Some people. Maybe I can pull this off. I've had a nice breakfast, the trash has been rolled to the curb and the dogs and cats have settled in for their morning naps. Ain't that a tableau de tranquility?

Our topics are going to range from a little girl dog who is healing to a really nice response to a vacation question.

You see, this is the long Fourth of July weekend and I want all of you folks -- stateside and abroad -- to have a sensational holiday that celebrates the great things about the United States. For example, in the United States, I can write a sentence poking fun at any politician if I want -- right now I don't happen to be in the mood. Get back to me along about Nov. 7 -- that's election day. Or, maybe on Jan. 9 -- that's opening day for  the 80th Texas Legislature or, as we refer to it,  "The Comedy Corner."

Now, let's see what's on the agenda today:

NEWS OF PERSONAL INTEREST: Ah, Georgie Anne the puppy. This is her. You may recall that earlier in the week I reported on the adventure of trying to catch a white, female undocked boxer and, instead, being handed this puppy by Jimmy Young, who was crossing the vacant lot as I arrived. The boxer had led him to this little girl. My literatespouse Martha had just made the acquaintance of author/correspondent Georgie Anne Geyer, so, we named the puppy after the writer.

Now, the skittish boxer has vanished from that big lot -- two tractors with "bush hogs" mowed the weeds flat the morning after the puppy was rescued.

Geogie Anne, in the meantime, is in the care of Operation Kindness. OK's Sandi Laird reports, "Georgie Anne is not a happy camper right now. She is in a full leg cast and has to wear an Elizabethan collar so she won't chew the tape off. Luckily, she had what is called 'greenstick fractures' of the leg. The bones did not break clean through. Since the leg was not out of alignment, the vet was able to just put it in the cast. We will have to change the cast once each week to allow for growth since the puppy is so young."

Ah, restricted activity for the next six weeks is Georgie Anne's future. But it beats the future she was facing when Jimmy Young picked her from the vacant lot. She was flea-covered, weak from hunger and dehydration and being attacked by ants. Six weeks in a cast is a great trade-off.

AN UPDATE: Reader Cathy Burke asked about our pal Montie, Mary Garrett's sweetheart. You may recall that Montie, an Oak Cliff dog, has wrecked his leg by being a dog and jumping where he probably shouldn't have jumped...you know how they can be.

Mary was desperate to get her pup healed and we wrote it about his plight here around a month ago. People from all over responded. (That's Montie in pre-distress days.)

So, what's up with Montie. Here's the news from Mary: Montie is "more spoiled than he has ever been in his entire life. Ice cubes for his water and a pillow for his head. Yogurt from a spoon and boiled chicken to hide his meds in." He's due at the vet's on Monday for an x-ray to make sure the healing is continuing properly. His recovery has been "slow but steady," Mary says. "He is limited to straight-line walking and only to take care of his business. No stairs, no couches and no more than 5-minute walks. Every day I ask Montie if he knows how lucky he is and he just wags his tail and gives me a soft woof.

"I continue to be amazed with the generosity of your readers and how quickly the donations came in. Montie received donations from four different states and Switzerland.

Montie's surgery and me not having the money to pay for it has made me re-think what rescue work is all about. Just knowing that there are nice people that were willing to help and are interested in how Montie is doing has made his recovery a thoughtful as well as a healing time for me."

So, folks, there you have it. Montie is recovering, anxious to romp with his pal Angelita, happy to be treasured by Mary and you folks are responsible for reminding a human heart that there are good people on the planet.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SIT: Wendy Miller of Southeast Dallas Humane Society is looking for an invite to sit with a group at a PetsMart or Petco adoption. She's got two dogs that need placement -- possibly a third. The place she usually goes to "does not let us inside and it is too hot to sit outside." (To help Wendy find a place to help the dogs, e-mail sedhs@comcast.net.)

Ah, summertime in Texas. Outdoor weather fit for neither man nor beast -- but certainly a benefit to the electric company.

MOMMA MIA! Well, not a momma. And certainly not part of the cast of the Dallas Summer Musical Momma Mia, the ABBA fest that opens July 4, but, this is, indeed, Mia. And if this picture doesn't give you a grin, go to a hospital right away and see if you've got a pulse.

Mia needs a home. She's been Becky Delgado's foster dog (through Companion Animal Network) for nine months. The truth is, Mia is not an apartment dog, Becky says. So she needs someone to adopt her who can give her a place to romp and some loving attention.

"She is the most wonderful dog," Becky says, "and, as much as it is going to break my heart to let her go, she really needs a permanent home." (To volunteer to adopt Mia, write to canadoptions@yahoo.com.)

You can see other CAN critters at www.ca-n.petfinder.com.

I mention this because, frankly, it's that time of year when shelters and rescue groups are loaded with dogs and cats that have been "dumped" because the humans are going on vacation or people are changing jobs and...well, no sense going into all that. Sometimes these situations absolutely break the hearts of the people. Of course, sometimes the people don't look back, also. But that's between them and the big roll call in the sky.
FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER AND FIND A JOB: Our pal Gail Whelan of the Companion Animal Network says CAN is just absolutely desperate for foster homes and for financial help. She, herself, is looking for employment while continuing to do her rescue mission. If you have some job-hunting guidance for Gail, e-mail gailwhelan@companionanimalnetwork.org.

It's difficult to foster animals when you find yourself wondering about the next paycheck. In Dallas, land of the unfixed animals, you never worry if another dog or cat will show up, but you do wonder about those paychecks!

Seems like a lot of folks have been trying to walk on the banana peel in an odd economy. The numbers look good, they say, but, still, people who should never be out of work are out of work. Go figure.

So, we've all heard these stories of "compassion fatigue," a curse of the rescue world. People wear themselves out trying defeat an opponent that can't be beaten -- human idiocy. You keep thinking the supply of unwanted dogs and cats will begin wane to a trickle, but it never does.

Then, one day you wake up and realize that half of your income is going to rescuing other people's animals and the rest of your income is being eaten up by increased gasoline prices, medical bills and assorted indignities (you now have to buy Rolaids in the giant tub rather than by the roll)...

I guess we need two things. One is  a new term to describe "financial and compassion fatigue" -- perhaps BAAS, pronounced "bass" like the fish. BAAS stands for "Bankrupt Angry Angel Syndrome." That cover the baases?

The other thing we need to do is thank people more for stepping up in these cases. Just sometimes a polite "thanks for going the extra mile for these animals" might help make somebody's day. If you want to make their year, find them a job or find them a winning lotto ticket. Either one of those will work.

DON'T FORGET: You may be taking a long weekend, but Readlarrypowell will still be working. This weekend we'll present a team of snoozers for our "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap." On Monday, we'll feature a great dog in need of a well-matched home. And on the Fourth of July, we'll post a video of our remake of the 1942 film Yankee Doodle Dandy with Inky the Cocker Spaniel dancing his little paws off in his interpretation of Jimmy Cagney's performance as song-and-dance man George M.Cohan. All week Inky's been practicing his "hook-and-wing," an impressive display for someone with four legs and no elbows.

THOSE ABANDONED DOGS: A few weeks ago we mentioned that Kristen Beauregard was trying to find help with rescuing three dogs abandoned on property in Boyd. Here's the latest, thanks to Sue Owens writing on behalf of Animal Angels., the sanctuary Carole Sanders runs at Jacksboro.

Two of the dogs have been caught and one is still avoiding the trap on the property, but it's just a matter of time until all three are ready for adoption. Sue says, "Word is that the first two are sweet and will be very adoptable once they are settled and ready."

Then, after that update, Sue drops in a little "advertising." She writes, "We still have LOTSA PUPPIES ... just in case anyone is looking for that special pup to liven up their home."

And that photo, of course, is of some of the lively pups at Animal Angels. Kind of a cute angle, isn't it? They look interested in something outside that fence. Maybe they're thinking of challenging the lame U.S. World Cup Soccer Team in a match.

AND NOW, THE SUMMER TRIP: Yep, it's time for the family trip. Goodness, a family trip can be fun and produce amazing memories.

A couple of weeks ago, the Readlarrypowell.com "Daily Notion" (upper right corner of this page), offered this for contemplation: "Your favorite summer trip? By car, train, plane?"

The first person we heard from was our longtime pal, Liz Bleiberg (mom of Harrison, wife of Larry), the Major Gifts Officer at the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation.

So, car, train or plane?

"That's an easy one -- by boat, er , SHIP!" Liz wrote. "The Wideman Family (my maiden name) plans an annual family reunion the first full week after July 4 each year. (We have lots of school teachers in our family, plus a few students.)

"My mother, a cleaning fiend (she iron's towels, for pity's sake!) had trouble staying with us in a large house in, say, Seaside or at a Costa Rica condo. My dad would pull one of us aside and say, 'How can you let your mother kill herself like that?' Unfortunately, none of the five of us seems to have inherited this super-clean trait. Add a few kids, some beach towels and a range of feeding times and you do have a recipe to kill a clean freak.

"Fortunately, the cruise lines came to our rescue. If my mom wants to fight someone to do the dishes, she has to take on a shipload of folks -- not in her nature, being 'raised right.'

"So, I vote for a ship of fools for a summer excursion -- I see one every year about this time."

And there you have it thanks to Liz's description: a summer trip that is -- literally -- good, clean fun.

Enjoy your time off, wherever you sail, fly, motor, hike, bike, rollerblade or recline.

Gunshots, dogs and chances to help

Big American holiday weekend coming up. The long Fourth of July weekend. It's only Thursday, but some of you patriots are already packed and ready to roll.

City parks will be full. Highways will be busy. And, you folks in other parts of the world, say a special prayer for the firefighters in North Texas -- may they never have to hook up to a hydrant during the whole celebration.

Perhaps you folks in the soggy Northeast can figure out a way to redirect your extra rain toward the crunchy brown North Texas prairie. We'd appreciate it.

Now, let's move on -- we have more than a few items today:

THE NEWFOUNDLAND'S STORY: If you go to the American Kennel Club listing for Newfoundland dogs, you'll see this sentence: "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed."

Why, then, we ask, is one of the big black dogs currently in a DeSoto animal hospital recovering from at least two gunshot wounds? Why would someone shoot a Newfie?

Karen Volchok reports that the Newfoundland "was abandoned and shot -- don't know in what order." He was, she says, left by the side of FM 660 in Ferris. "I worked with the Ellis County Sheriff's Animal Control and we were able to trap him after five days."

According to Karen's report, the dog had been shot in the hip -- the 22 caliber bullet is still in the dog's hip -- and the hip bone was broken by the impact. The dog was also hit with a blast from a shotgun -- the toe on the back right leg may have a bone infection from a pellet. And the dog has heartworms.

Still, the dog "shows no signs of aggression and is just a frightened boy."

In a note to friends, Karen wrote that she had "been crying over how people could shoot this beautiful creature and why. What purpose is served in that soul going through that experience and torture?"

This dog should weigh about 90 pounds, but only tips the scales at 58. He's too weak for some treatments, but is being carefully medicated and allowed to rest and regain his strength for what will be a substantial recovery effort.

Karen says she's already had several offers to adopt the dog. Right now, she needs someone to foster the dog. (E-mail KVolchok@aol.com to volunteer to foster a big, sweet dog.)

Meanwhile, the big problem is paying for the dog's medical care.

The vet, Dr. George Tabone at VCA DeSoto Animal Hospital, is enthusiastic about the dog's progress, says Karen. She's going to be caring for the dog over the next two weeks.

"We rescue so many that we actually have a 'feral' account that Dr. Tabone has set up for us and this baby is on that account," Karen says.

The gunshot issues will drive up the bill. The heartworm treatment will make it skyrocket.

Here's a way to help get this dog healthy: Send donations to Dr. George Tabone, VCA DeSoto Animal Hospital, 200 N. Hampton Road, DeSoto, Texas, 75115. Be sure to designate "Volchok/Newfoundland" in your note.

Sometimes a dog facing so many problems just won't make it -- but Karen and her friends are working hard to give this dog every extra break. "If he pulls through, I will need to find him the best home possible with lots of love and security."

That sentence was written BEFORE he did so well in the vet's personal care. So, maybe it's now "when he pulls through."

And we are left to wonder, why would someone use such a loving dog for "target practice?" Will kids be next? Somebody standing in the wrong place on a street corner? These people with guns are dangerous. They do not have the Newfie's "sweetness of temperament."

TRAVEL NOTE: Deborah Baldridge of Doggie's Wonderland in Plano reports that the daycare/boarding/training/grooming facility has a new service that sure might come in handy in travel-happy North Texas: an airport shuttle service.

You may recall that the folks at Doggie's Wonderland were instrumental in helping the vibrant (and much needed) Second Chance SPCA set up an adoption facility on the property earlier this year.

Deborah says the airport shuttle service works like this: "We will pick up the client and their dogs at their home, take them to the airport, bring the dogs here to board and when they come home, bring their dog to the airport, pick them up and take everyone home again. Door-to-door service."

The fee is $90 round-trip and $50 one-way. (Consider the cost to park your car at the airport, get your dogs to boarding the night before, etc. Lots of things can go awry -- late planes, flats, etc.)

More info is at www.thedoggieswonderland.com. And, heck, if you're not leaving town for the holiday, stop by the property at 505 Alma in Plano and visit the Second Chance SPCA -- they'll have someone you can spend the holiday with who isn't going to quiz you about why you aren't married yet, don't have a better job or are still in grad school pursing an upper-level degree in Restaurant Color Scheme Management.

HERE'S BOO: Caroline Felps, who toils with the noble rescue group A Different Breed, is now trying to help a "sweet little guy" who was found by her husband's co-worker. That dog is Boo. In this photo, of course, it looks as if Boo is accepting a "laying on of the hands" --and maybe he needs it.

Boo was "absolutely covered in fleas from head to toe, but we got him a flea bath and flea treatment and now his coat's nice and shiny," says Caroline. "He does have some patches of hair loss, but the vet believes these are from all the flea bites and his fur will grow back in fine."

Boo is a neutered pit bull mix, about 18 months old, and full grown at 40 pounds. He wants to be the alpha dog in a family, but he got along just fine with a submissive female lab mix as they rode together in the car to the vet's office. To volunteer to foster -- or adopt! -- Boo, e-mail cfelps@huntoil.com or call 214-394-4414.

For now, Boo needs a foster home -- he's currently in boarding and that's eating up money.

FROM THE WEST COAST: This one comes from Robert O'Donnell. He writes, "A lady in your area, Susan Tonjes, suggested I write you. My daughter lives in Dodd City [near Bonham in Fannin County northeast of Dallas]. She is ill and is trying to find a home for her dogs .... My daughter doesn't have a computer. I am 78-years old, live in California and am unable to take the dogs here. I have several illnesses. ... Anything you can do would be wonderful."

Robert included a note from Alix McMurray, Animal Help Specialist with the legendary Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. She writes,

"There are two beautiful, mellow older dogs in the Dallas area who need a forever home -- hopefully together as they are lifelong companions.

"One is Maggie [left], a spayed female blue-heeler and the other is Muffy, a spayed female Australian Shepherd mix. Both girls are 9 years old, 'play well with others' and won't wear you out with hijinx. They're sweet and loyal and were rescued by their person as pups. Now their person is ill and Maggie and Muffy must find a new forever home to live out their golden years."

To help the dogs and to help the family with this emotional challenge, call Robert at 408-262-5180 or e-mail odonnell28@sbcglobal.net.

As Alix says, by helping "you might contribute to Maggie and Muffy finding their dream retirement home."

A SHELTIE CRISIS: Our pal Sigrid Mureen with Sheltie Haven writes, "Well, here it goes again." You rescuers know this lament: too many dogs, not enough foster homes. It's an epidemic around here.

"This week," says Sigrid, "I've had calls about seven dogs I need to get in and I'm full already. Can you put out the word? I could use several more foster homes."

Among those shelties that need a foster home are a 4 or 5 year old large (50 or more pounds!) male who has, Sigrid says, "been on Prosac for a number of years. I could really use an experienced dog person, preferably an experienced sheltie person here." She's hoping to get the dog off the meds to "see what we really have. I have my doubts he needs them, but the foster parents need to be flexible and adventurous."

There are others -- strays, foundlings, turn ins because a human is moving, etc. You know the drill. Imperfect humans demanding perfection in dogs.

To help Sheltie Haven by fostering a dog, e-mail sigridm@texas.net. 

Now, you might wonder about the wonderful dog in this photo -- click on it to make it bigger. That is Sigrid's dog. "Zip is my energizer bunny," she says. He's an older fellow who "can't see well, hardly hears, but what a character!" Great face, too.

FAIR WARNING: OK, it's more like Fair reminder. The State Fair of Texas is not that far away -- it'll run Sept. 29-Oct. 22 in Dallas' Fair Park, a gem of a municipal park and recognized around the world for its Art Deco style.

The theme for this year's fair is "Big Tex and the City."

And, if you want to enter one of the Creative Arts contests, check out the handbook at www.bigtex.com. All sorts of cooking, canning, crafts, photography, collections contests. Amazing congregation of skills best appreciated in the context of the State Fair of Texas, the greatest state fair in the United States.

Consider this: On Sept. 29, there's a contest called "Glue-a-Shoe" -- it's for people who can decorate boots and shoes in an artistic fashion. And on Oct. 2, there's the American Egg Round-up -- it's has contests for people who can cook with eggs and who can decorate them, too, though maybe not at the same time.

Then there's the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Contest -- oh, wait. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels isn't a contest -- it's the musical that runs during the fair in the Fair Park Music Hall. I was mixing it up with the other "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels  Contest" -- the election in November. The Fair may be crawling with politicians. Can't remember ever seeing a State Fair sign reading "No politickin'--This means YOU!"

Cookbooks and critters...

Whew, it's Wednesday morning and I have to remember to buy a winning Lotto Texas ticket. I keep using my "lucky numbers" and so far I'd have to say they're not all that lucky.

All of our attention today is not aimed at critters. Read on and you'll see before we start working on the animal stories.

Speaking of animal stories, I caught Inky the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas relaxing on an end table as I was writing Tuesday afternoon.

He stayed in this half-on/half-off position for about a half-hour, so he must have been really comfortable. I envied him.

He wrote this:

For my afternoon nap I found

an o so wondrous angle,

climbed atop a nearby table

and enjoyed a restful dangle.

A COOKBOOK: Oh, that got your attention, didn't it? Read on.

Many of you rescuers know Audrey Merritt -- she's loosely retired from the North Ellis County Animal Adoption Program -- NECAAP, pronounced "knee-cap." (Nobody ever really retires from rescue, do they?)

Audrey has a project that is very dear to her heart. It is the Chrystie's Kids Foundation, named after her daughter who was killed several years ago in a hit-and-run incident. Chrystie loved animals and kids and Audrey has continued to honor Chrystie's life by trying to help both.

The Ennis-based foundation, which distributes clothing and gifts and necessities to Ellis County children and elderly folks at Christmas,

Three things:

(1) Audrey is organizing a fund-raising raffle -- "We have a location that we can hold a raffle...but nothing to raffle at this time," she says.

(2)  The group needs, Audrey says, "sponsorship of a new office and equipment and we are also in need of a small minivan for transport of families and supplies.  Transport? Chrystie's Kids delivers box fans to the elderly and disabled who don't have air-conditioning and, in the fall, socks, pajamas and gowns. And needy kids, Audrey says, get school supplies and "this year the school district has voted to go to uniforms and we have several applications already for assistance to provide uniforms."

(3) Here's where you cooks come in. Chrystie's Kids also has an emegency fund for families involved in domestic violence and child abuse. To raise money for that fund, Audrey says the foundation is putting together a cookbook. They need recipes from folks -- and they need sponsors to advertise in the cookbook starting at $25 for a quarter-page age, $50 for a half-page and $75 for a full page.

To help with any of this -- from buying box fans to submitting Grandma's Sweet-as-a-Chihuahua Jalapeno Taffy recipe (or one of your own) for the cookbook, call 972-875-1597 or write to Chrystie's Kids, P.O. Box 432, Ennis, Texas 75119.

SAFE: Regarding yesterday's report, Legacy Boxer Rescue reports that the brindle female who was facing the needle unless someone stepped up has been saved. (See www.savetheboxers.com for boxer info.)

SPOTTED IN NEED: Here we go with some of those great spotted dogs that need help. This comes to us from Ann Rutledge of Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas. (www.dalpal.com)

Katy is a 4-year-old former breeding female dumped in San Angelo. She arrived at the shelter with an upper respiratory infection, but "months of tender care" led to a full recovery. Her poor care as pup, however, led to "a compressed disk" in her back and she's a "special needs lady," DRNT reports. She's loving, gentle and house-broken.

Six-year-old male Landry has spent most of his life being ignored and neglected. Still, Ann's note says, "He has a heart of gold. He needs someone to love him and let him live out his life with love and good food and a warm and loving home."

Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas' mailing address is P.O. Box 866081, Plano, 75085. Call 972-250-DALS. E-mail adoptme@dalpal.com.

Remember, Dalmatians are not cartoon dogs. Of course, no need to tell people in rescue that -- they hear about it every time somebody films a Dalmatian movie.

RODNEY AND LADY ARE BACK: Oh, good grief. In all my time of writing about animals -- throughout several presidential administrations and many disappointing Texas Rangers seasons -- I may never have run across two dogs that come more highly recommended than Rodney and Lady.

For a while it looked as if this pair had finally found a home.

Alas, no. Becky Delgado of the Companion Animal Network writes again on their behalf, oting that "you may remember them" and that my bigheartedspouse Martha even paid to help board them earlier this year when they were in dire straits.

Rodney and Lady were originally dumped into a kill shelter when, Becky recalls, "their former 'owners' decided that they didn't want Rodney and Lady any more."

CAN rescued them. Rodney and lady aren't related, "but they have been together since the beginning," Becky says. "they need each other like they need aire to breathe, which is why they have to be adopted together."

Just when things had gotten to the crunch point on boarding these two, a couple stepped up and volunteered to foster them. things have changed and now the dogs need a permanent home soon. Real soon.

"I know you get hundreds of e-mails every day with pleas for this dog or that dog, all in great need, but I hope that you will consider printing a plea for a 'forever' home for Rodney and Lady."

To ask about adopting this beautiful pair, e-mail adoptions@companionanimalnetwork.org.

Becky says, "They are such wonderful dogs -- and NO ISSUES! That's the amazing thing. A lot of rescue dogs have some type of issues due to what they've suffered in the past. it's not often that you run across two beautiful dogs who are fully trained, healthy, loving, social, don't bark, don't chew don't pee in the house, get along with kids, etc. Talk about the best of everything!"

THE PASSING OF 'EDDIE': Word hit the world yesterday that Moose, the Jack Russell who played "Eddie" on the TV show Frasier, has died in Los Angeles at age 16. Just thought he deserved some mention here. He made a lot of people smile. Maybe we ought to hope that, when we go to the big Dog Park in the Sky, people will say such a thing about us. Be nice to hear St. Peter say, "He made a lot of people smile."

Good dog, "Eddie," good dog.

My theory about these angels isn't "All dogs go to Heaven," it's "All dogs go back to Heaven." 

Sadie's nose, travelin' dogs & a movie

Hello, readers. Let's contemplate the meaning of this phrase that has popped up in local business reports: "voluntary severance program."

Hmm. "Voluntary severance program" sounds faintly like the Bolshevik era -- like either you volunteer to dispatch yourself or we'll be more than happy to dispatch you anyway. Now, let's move on, voluntarily, of course:

LAB MIX IN NEED NOW: Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network is also a "Placement Partner" with the SPCA of Texas and reports that "they have a beautiful, fully vetted, male Lab mix that only has today left. He has passed all their temperament tests and is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Unfortunately, he has developed a runny nose and they CANNOT keep him past today. ... There is no time for this dog....He has done nothing wrong except get an upper respiratory infection."

If you can help save this dog, call 214-808-3238 or 972-686-8987. 

THE NIPPED NOSE DOG: Oh, my, good fortune has found Sadie. These are her photos.

And, as you can see, a substantial chunk of her nose has been bitten off. And, she needs to put on some weight.

Fortunately, an "Angel With a Mission" has stepped up to take on the challenge of helping Sadie recover. "You can tell your readers this baby is safe," writes the Angel.

This nice person, who doesn't want to be identified, enjoyed a wonderful Monday afternoon with Sadie and reports, "Sadie is such a sweet baby. We sat outside most of the afternoon -- she didn't leave my side. Just wanted to lick my hands and fingers and be loved on. She can't weight more than 20 or 25 pounds -- just skin and bones."

Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Control says Sadie was moved out of the kill shelter under the auspices of "Homeward Bound...so she is safe and will be taken care of.  we took care of her vaccinations, heartworm test (Whoo! Hoo! It was negative!), de-fleaing and de-worming today [Monday] at the shelter. But she is going to need lots more medical care."

The nose wound is a problem and it affects her breathing, says Ginger.

Barbara Richardson of Homeward Bound Animal Rescue says the group has established a "Sadie's Fund" to help pay for this pup's recovery. Mail donations to Sadie's Fund, Homeward Bound, P.O. Box. 210157 Bedford, Tx. 76095.

As Sadie's angel says, "You had to see beyond the face and see the loving in her eyes and know how much love was in her little body."

AND NOW SOME TRANSPORTATION, PLEASE: You may recall that Sandra Terrazas has been keeping us up to date on the situation in Odessa in which a very ill fellow named Jim has been forced by health issues to close his dog sanctuary. He has been trying to do this in a dignified manner in which all the animals are very carefully placed.

Sandra e-mailed Monday night that there are just over 50 dogs awaiting transport from Odessa.  (Please don't write your own Odessa punchline. I've been there, too, and I know that it's way out in flat, sandy West Texas, but, by golly, those skies are something to see and not everybody wants to get out of the Permian Basis...well, back to the dogs...)

Now, the dog in this picture is a female lab mix, about 5 years old, named Dorsie. And she seems to know that out there in West Texas, you don't want a "hot tub," you want a "cool tub." Bless her heart.

Carie with Animal Friends Rescue says, "I have places for all those dogs, but the person who was going to transport got called up for active duty. We're back to square one for transporting these dogs. Six need to go to Arizona, 12 to Idaho and the remainder to the West Coast. I'm at my wit's end with figuring out how to get them moved."

To help Carie, Sandra and Jim move these dogs to other -- cooler, perhaps -- areas of the continent, go to www.animalfriendsrescue.org/extra/texasdogs.html.

At that site you'll see that a lot of the dogs are big ol' dawgs -- the same kind of big ol' dawgs that wind up packing Dallas-area shelters. Big loveable dogs that just need a place to call home and some people to love. And maybe a big tub to sit in and talk philosophy.

SO, HERE'S ONE MORE: This brindle female boxer is scheduled to be put to sleep on Wednesday, according to the folks at Legacy Boxer Rescue.

So, the rescue group, already slammed with boxers needing help, is turning to folks outside of the group to help this dog. She has "an open wound on her stifle that needs medical attention."

To volunteer to help this dog, e-mail info@savetheboxers.com. You can't refer to the dog by name, but when you write, refer to "BIN 151."

BIN 151 -- not much of a name for a great dog.

PLANNING AHEAD: This seemed to be way off in the future until it struck me that this is the last week of June. Whew! Time flies when you're typing. But here's the first notice: The Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake are planning the 2006 Dog Fest from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Mabank Pavilion. There'll be the usual stuff: contests, microchipping, snacks, photos with your dogs, an animal behaviorist, etc.

But, there also is a scheduled special appearance by the ol' Hound Dog himself, Elvis. They swear. Look, if he is still alive (and I'm not saying he's not), he's only a little bit older than the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards -- and he's been climbing trees and falling out.

HEADS UP IN CORSICANA: The Humane Society is planning on a whizbang July 3 adoption day on July 3 (Monday) on the Westminster Church Lawn in Corsicana -- it's across from the Corsicana National Bank, which will be serving hot dogs and sodas while the shelter staff and volunteers show off the "inventory." A good adoption day will help the shelter be a little less crowded.

SCRAPE THE BARN MOVIE REVIEW: To refresh, the guiding principle of the Scrape the Barn Movie Review is answering the question, "Will my time be better spent at this movie or scraping the paint off an old barn?"

I've always thought our movie reviews should have a sponsor. So, this week's "Scrape The Barn Movie Review" is brought to you on behalf of Barncats Inc., the folks who try to match up North Texas cats with barns, scraped or unscraped. They always need more barns.

Today our film is A Prairie Home Companion. It has been out a few weeks, but we've been busy and, besides, people who visit www.readlarrypowell.com are unlikely to get their primary arts criticism from this site, anyway. Ah, but there are many of you who also are too busy to get to the theater when a film "first comes out" and you're probably spending your money on pet food or vet bills for somebody else's animal. So we have had some time to chew over this film and give a perspective that the hot shot big-time film folks may not give you.

After all, they look at the worth of the film in the context of attending films. We look at the worth of a film in the context of "Do I really want to burn off 2 hours of my life watching that piece of puppy poo?"

OK, here's the deal on A Prairie Home Companion: If you can't sleep and there's a 10 p.m. showing and you've got a discount or free ticket and you have an affection for Garrison Keillor's radio show of the same name, you might want to spend money on this movie. We saw the 10 p.m. showing Saturday night in Grand Prairie. The film isn't playing in a lot of theaters.

A Prairie Home Companion, the story of the last performance of a radio variety show,  has maybe one really funny scene -- a bawdy song composed of old jokes song by Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly (who actually can sing). Decent people would be embarrassed by the song, embarrassed further to be caught laughing at it. (I, thus, must not be all that decent.)

The rest of the movie is mildly amusing -- mildly, though Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep are fun to watch.

Tommy Lee Jones plays the standard Tommy Lee Jones stern face/taut delivery character, but it looks as if he shot his stuff in one day on a sound stage. And Virginia Madsen is cast as the Angel of Death in a role that surely was intended for Anna Nicole Smith. Ms. Madsen, who has shown great acting chops in the past, must have been directed thusly: "Act dazed."  I figure the Angel of Death in a comedy ought to have a little more vah-vah-vah-voom.

Kevin Kline as Guy Noir, the Sam Spade-like detective? Embarrassing. If you think you lose life-force watching this film, think how much he lost making it. I'll bet when the roll is called up yonder, they count off for this performance.

Garrison Keillor portrays himself. Just a guess, but, based on the performance, don't expect a sequel.

There's lots of other stuff, but why pile on. Oddly, the movie works as a curiosity piece. But the planet is awash in curiosity pieces these days from politics to business shenanigans.

So the verdict is: Put on your overalls, get your work gloves and a wide-brimmed hat and scrape the barn. Stop every now and then to pet a barn cat -- a prairie barn companion.

Situations and sympathies

Oh, my, we have things to examine today. From circus acts to cinema with dogs and cats and a chef in between.

HEADS UP: TIME OUT. CALLING AN AUDIBLE. SOMETHING MUST HAVE WORKED, or as Rosanne Roseanna-Danna used to say, "Never mind." Seems that the circus item was removed from the city council agenda.

So find something else to talk to your council member about -- potholes, going no-kill at the city shelter?....Anyway, here's the original item:

The folks at the Metroplex Animal Coalition are gathering steam for a bit of a protest at the Dallas City Council meeting Wednesday, reports MAC Prez Elaine Munch. (Go to www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com.)

Seems the council is considering exempting "in-state circuses" from the ban on exhibiting "prohibited animals" in the city. Allowing such exhibits would, MAC says, "add more duties to an already overburdened Animal Services staff." The MAC site has an explanation of the proposal and phone numbers and e-mails for Dallas council members.

That list might be a good thing to printout and keep around the house in Big D -- not that anybody ever has a complaint about the way the city is being run.

And, frankly, there are enough loose animals on the streets around here without having to worry about some goofball accidentally setting free a clatter of howler monkeys to rampage through the city. Or, geez, what if the RV that doubles as some nitwit's roadside snake museum turned over and set loose a load of Gaboon Vipers?

Worst case scenarios? Not really. Remember when the poor gorilla got out of the Dallas Zoo exhibit and the time a couple of years ago when a guy at an apartment complex in Dallas "lost" a cobra? If something can go wrong in Dallas, it will.

IMMENSE PRESSURE: Let's gather some sympathy this morning for people who are working for the big paper in Dallas -- for the time being. Ugly tales of buyouts and layoffs are shaking the foundations of the building like Marley's Ghost rattled Scrooge's bedroom.

Such pressure is awful, as many of you know. It's difficult to keep your mind on the task at hand when you wonder if a "friendly visit" by a supervisor is a prelude to a farewell, or, more accurately, a prelude to "You don't fit our genius plan for the future. Get out of the building. You're costing us money."

No known connection, but since the last round of layoffs (Oct. 2004 -- I was one of 'em), circulation has dropped, the stock's price has dropped and -- well, why go on? The known problems are well-documented.

When you are a journalist, your first loyalty is to the truth -- it is an honorable mission that, when done correctly and courageously, keeps the bad guys from permanently taking over your neighborhood or your nation.

But nobody's ever really figured out a way to keep the bad guys from taking over the company -- they may get their due in the aftermath (Enron, Tyco), but before that, these "gifted people" are free to wreck lives, ruin marriages, make families sell their homes, derail kids' college plans, etc., all for the sake of trying to look like genius businessmen riding to the rescue. And, all the while, keeping their own jobs and benefits and bonuses, etc., or, maybe even trading up in an world gone nuts.

Indeed, there may not have been anything to rescue anyone from in the first place if the geniuses hadn't run amok and create unnecessarily irreversible situations by use of poor judgment or greedy actions. Sometimes you get the feeling that they apply the theory of "If it ain't broke, break it so you can show how smart we are by fixing it."

Here's the deal: When you sign on as a reporter, they give you a spelling test, a grammar test, sometimes a writing test. When you sign on in a higher capacity, the only tests you may have to pass are drug and DNA.

Everybody else is at risk. So, bless the hearts of all those who are working hard because they are noble and just trying to make an honest buck while doing the right thing. To those doing all the genius-level thinking, no doubt you'll be able to sleep nights. Not to get Shakespearean, but, go ahead and sleep, perchance to dream.

A DOG IN NEED: Every now and then a dog winds up in a city shelter and, for some reason, touches the heart of a city worker. This dog -- no name yet and isn't that a shame -- is one of those dogs.

We were tipped to her plight by Jacki Scott, a volunteer with the Frisco Humane Society. Jacki says the pup's "nose has been bitten or torn off. She looks like a possible pit mix or boxer mix. ... Not many rescue groups will take pit mixes. She is at the Fort Worth shelter and Ginger Leach, the ACO, said she hasn't gotten any interest in her for adoption or from rescue. I can't imagine how this puppy must feel with her nose being like that. I posted a donation offer to the rescue network and still no one has offered to take this pup.

"Would you be willing to post her on your website for adoption and/or to help raise money for medical treatment in hopes that someone would step up and offer to take her?"

OK, there's the note. Here's the info. You can reach Jacki at Jacki_Rescue@msn.com. To reach Ginger Leach, e-mail mailto:gingerleach45@yahoo.com or call 817-392-3737 ext. 1865 or punch in 1830/1831 to page.

OH, MY GOODNESS: As regular readers know, we have a particularly soft spot in our hearts for cocker spaniels -- our Inky is one of the cuddly rascals. And the fellow in this mugshot is an adoptable cocker named Bruiser Joe.

Here's a note from Beverly Miles at DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue.

"We took in a dog who had mange and whose original owners poured motor oil on him as they heard somewhere that would take care of the mange. Needless to say, it didn't cure the mange and probably damaged his eyes. ... Fortunately, he's got a ton of personality and has been adopted."

Scruffy, according to the doctor's report, is now blind in his right eye because oil entered the interior. His left eye, the doc says, is likely to recover from his current near-blindness.

Beverly asks a question that bears repeating, "Don't you think volunteering for many hours/weeks/months at an animal shelter would do wonders for these people? Or would it just make them meaner?"

I just don't know. I used to like to think that almost anyone could get smarter. I'm starting to wonder. And, I'm starting to think some people just can't get any meaner than they already are.

Visit www.dfwcockerrescue.8m.com and you can see how to help foster these cockers or how to adopt them. Bruiser Joe is on the list of adoptables.

COOKING UP A VEGGIESTORM: Our pal Jeanette Prasifka, executive chef and owner of Crosby Cafe & Catering, is going to teach her kitchen magic on July 1. Yep, she's offering a class -- finally demonstrating her carefully guarded secret recipes and techniques (I may be overselling that part, but I know how some chefs just don't want the world to know "all" the secrets).

The class is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 1522 Highland Road in Dallas.

Many of you have sampled Jeanette's vegetarian dishes at assorted animal events around town. She has this cheesecake recipe that will knock a fat man's socks off -- believe me, at the Operation Kindness Canines, Cats & Cabernet celebration a couple of years ago I became a sockless fat man. (You have to register for the classes by 5 p.m. Thursday. Call 214-770-5573 or e-mail info@crosbycafe.com.)

Among the dishes that'll be taught: green gazpacho, traditional gazpacho, tropical gazpacho and a strawberry spinach salad. Cool summer taste treats.

AND FROM IRVING: This is kind of a rotten story that deserves a happy ending. it comes from Russell Posch, the "independent rescuer" who keeps an eye on things at the Irving Animal Shelter. This cattle dog is Daisy. She's 10. Her owner left her and her 7-year-old dachshund "companion," Butch, at the shelter last Monday. Butch was adopted last week, leaving Daisy alone, possibly for the first time in her life. The person who dumped Daisy says she's good with kids, dogs and cats, Russell reports. He adds that her "disposition day" is Thursday -- and I think you folks know what "disposition" means. Ugly, isn't it.

Here's how much uglier it is, according to Russell. The euthanization starts at 8 a.m. -- the shelter doesn't open until 9:30 a.m.

The Irving shelter's phone number is 972-721-2256. The shelter is at 100 N. Briery Road, just east of the intersection of Belt Line Road and Rock Island Road.

FROM OUT AT THE LAKE: We have a dog and a bunch of cats to spotlight today, thanks to the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.

Buddy, a deaf, white boxer, needs a new home. He's six months old, "very loving and sweet," they say, and does well with kids and other dogs, but not so swell with cats.

(Call Pat Hawkins at 903-887-8358, 903-603-0632 or 903-887-5423 or e-mail patrodh@dctex.net. If a dog inspires that many phone numbers, he's got to be worth the drive for a "meet-n-greet.")

Speaking of cats, the Lakefolk send a note that there have been 16 cats (including two mommas with kittens)  that need foster homes.

And there's Charlie (lounging in the cage), who is about 5 months old and needs a home.

There are so many cats that I can't possibly outline all of their assorted attributes and needs here, so enjoy the photos and do what you can. (Call Erin at 214-642-5177 or e-mail erinskittycats@yahoo.com.) SPEAKING OF CAT-LIKE MOVES: Radio personality and sports genius Norm Hitzges from The Ticket (1310-AM) will be at Dick's Last Resort near the American Airline Center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wedneday to do a live broadcast of the NBA draft. Perhaps the Mavericks can get someone who'll be able to hit 3j-point shots in tense playoff conditions. Or, heck, under playoff conditions, someone who can hit just a 2-point shot.

Livin' large in Louisiana...

Months and months ago, the folks at Great Dane Rescue of North Texas received a note of relief from fellow volunteer Jamie Brunner.

It joyfully began, "I'm pleased to announce this is the last update I'll send regarding Miss Molly..."

Happily, it wasn't the very last overall Molly update from Jamie and that is why this grand Great Dane is in the spotlight of this weekend's "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap."

And now we have a human in the photo, too. In this case, that's Molly with one of her humans -- she's now living large in Louisiana with Paul and Phyllis Karlowitz of Monroe..

These folks aren't new to Danes. Over the years, Jamie says, they've adopted nine from Great Dane Rescue of North Texas. They have six GDRNT dogs now and a "seventh Dane literally appeared out of nowhere one day shortly after their beloved Bullet (their giant Great Dane) crossed the Rainbow Bridge. They [have] ... a king-size bed in the middle of their family room just for the dogs."

And, of course, we've got a photo. Paul says Molly is the smallest of the Danes and "was a bit timid at first, especially with the bigger boys, but she quickly warmed up. For some reason she took to me and to Shadow. Phyllis loved her from the moment she saw her on the [web]site and wanted her, but we all know how that can turn out. Molly is my baby."

(You'll see the crowd when you get to the bottom of today's report. Click on the photos to enlarge.)

Now, let's refresh everyone on Molly's "back story," as they say in Hollywood.

This photo, of course, indicates that things haven't always been so swell. Before finding her new home, Molly had "survived being starved, injured and -- worst of all -- abused by the people who were supposed to save her. Remember the shelter worker who thought she was just lazy so he roped her neck and pulled her on her back alway the way from her hiding spot to his truck," says Jamie. "He didn't even take the time to notice her injured leg hanging limp or her hips and vertebrae poking through her skin. I have a few choice words for him, but they're not printable here."

As Jamie says, "All that is a distant memory because she won the forever home lottery. Life with the Karlowitz family is as good as it can get for a dog. Seriously, where else do the humans share their bed with over 600 pounds of Great Danes?"
Paul writes, "I was a bit worried about her 'bad' leg when she would play. It doesn't seem to bother her at all. She dives into the biggest pile of mouth-wrestling Danes with reckless abandon.  They out-weigh her by some 100 lbs......so you see my concern.

"But, she has yet to be injured in any way.  It’s almost like they know she isn't 100%.  Or perhaps it's their realization that I'll vaporize the first one of them to hurt her.

"She always sleeps by me pretty much as in the photo. ... Other than the occasional 'punch in the mouth' from her extending her front legs, it's a mutually comforting arrangement and we sleep well.  If she is late to bed. she has to find an allowable path to me. Three other Danes sleep close to me as well.  After a bit of grousing at being awakened, the others let her pass.  She like to sleep by dad. And of course dad kinda likes it, too."

Jamie points out that "Molly's new life wouldn't be possible without all the generous monetary gifts she received and the many prayers said on her behalf. ... It can seem so overwhelming when there are so many animals that need to be saved. I know that Molly is just one dog, but her story represents the pain so many animals suffer at the hands of humans and I'm hopeful her happy ending will serve as a reminder that all our hard work as rescuers really does pay off in the end."

(Ah, a happy tale in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. If you have a happy sleeper, send a photo and the info about you and the critter to dallrp@aol.com. You need not be sacked out like Paul was, but we'll take what we can get. At Readlarrypowell.com, we endorse naps for all species.)

Big Friday report -- dogs to politicians...

Oh, we have a bunch of stuff for today's readers.Don't move your lips. You'll wear yourself out.

FOUND AND INJURED: Stop me any of you rescuers have heard this one. You go onto a weedlot in an attempt to catch or lure or hypnotize a dog you've seen from the road and while you're there, you don't get that dog but you get a dog you didn't know existed.

Happened last night.

This is a little puppy, probably 6 or 8 weeks old, currently called Georgie Anne because my funspouse Martha is an enlightened and literate fan of Georgie Anne Geyer, the author, whom she met this week. Who she met this week?

So, I was on this giant weedlot at I-35 and 5 Mile Parkway in Oak Cliff Thursday evening because I'd seen what may be a purebred white, undocked, female boxer on the lot. I was on my third day of trying to make friends with her.

As I got out of my pickup -- handy vehicle -- in the middle of the lot. A man was walking from the other end of the lot and yelling at me. "Is this your dog?"

And, in his arms, cradled like a baby, Jimmy Young held the puppy that would be known as Georgie Anne. Jimmy says that he was walking across the lot when the white dog began making a fuss -- "like those dogs in the movies that want you to follow them," he told me.

So he followed the dog and, sure enough, she led him to this brown puppy, laying on its side, being swarmed by fleas, ticks and ants. Jimmy picked her up and began brushing her off and decided to take her home and that's when I arrived. Jimmy didn't really have a place to keep the pup, so I took her.

(I went back twice later to try to get the white dog, who may be this pup's mom. But she's too shy. I put out food and water.)

Georgie Anne has something wrong with her right back leg -- either it's broken or her pelvis is broken. So we'll be taking a look at that today. Lord knows what else she has. Dogs out on their own usually don't get a clean bill of health. (The extra photo is of one of our front porch feral cats, Harvey the Untouchable, rasping up to take a look at the intruder -- he may never have seen a puppy. We're keeping her in our cooled garage because we don't want to endanger our adult dogs with possible puppy ailments..)

If you'd like to foster her or adopt her or help her someway, e-mail me at dallrp@aol.com. In the meantime, we're going to try to find a place for her in a no-kill shelter.

TORNADO WRECKS SHELTER: Bonney Williams of Etosha Rescue & Adoption Center at Seguin says the "mini-tornado" that hit the shelter earlier this week wrecked the storage shed and carried off a bunch of dry dogfood, dumped it nearby and the rain ruined it.

"We have had some dog food noted already but still need Pedigree or natural Choice if we can find it. Science Diet, Iams or Eukanuba would be OK, took, just some type of food with good ingredients for our Greyhounds and Ridgeback pups. They can't seem to tolerate food with a lot of corn or additives. ... I hope it doesn't seem like I'm picky or anything. Some of the dogs already have diarrhea from eating [a different brand].  Poor guys were spoiled on good food."

While it would be really nice to have money donated, bonney says, "Honestly, at this point I'd almost rather have used building materials or canopies donated for shade. But whatever we get will be greatly appreciated."

Got to www.etosha-rescue.org. Or, if you've got some building material that might help, e-mail Bonney at etosha@texas.net. (And thanks to Dana Dicker in Houston for getting the word out about the mini-tornado damage.)

ASSORTED DOG FOLLOWUPS: Debbie Barclay, the shelter walker and volunteer at Grand Prairie's Prairie Paws Adoption Center e-mailed us the great news that Toby was adopted Thursday. You may recall that Toby was a candidate for that special Gifted Animal Placement program but picked up the wrong toy during the test and washed out. So, now, he'll be able to show someone else how gifted he is and he can be adored as all good dogs should be. ...Christy Storaska had been fretting over the fate of 3-legged pit boy A.J. She e-mails the news that Thurday morning a woman who "works closely with A Different Breed" called her. "We met and she took A.J." Later in the day, Christy reports, "She just called me to update and informed me that she may end up keeping him for life because she justd fell in love with him. He's in her kitchen on his bed with his new toys having a grand time. Sounds like a very happy ending." ... A really great note from Sandra Terrazas in Odessa regarding the bloodhound that she was trying to rescue from the Crane, Tx., pound: "Larry, Thank you so much for your help. I have found a place for Jughead the Bloodhound. He will be coming to the DFW area next week and has found a home there. So, again, thank you and all your readers." Yep, thanks to ALL YOU READERS! ... Earlier in the week we mentioned that our friend Ancil Jennings in New Boston and her fellow rescuer Jenni Lou Morgan were trying to find homes for a 2-year-old black Lab male and a e-month-old, 18-pound honey tan female "loveable dog." Here's the latest from Ancil: Jenni Lou found the original owner of the Lab. "the lady was shocked to learn the people have moved away and left it." She's claiming the dog on Friday and already has a foster home for it. "We still need a foster home or, better yet, a forever home for the little mutt puppy," Ancil says. (Call 1-903-628-5884 to help the deserted dog.)

OH, BOY, ISN'T THIS A BEAUTY! And she was just waiting to be picked up. Indeed, Ki-Min Sung who toils for the big paper in Dallas, found this pup in Oak Cliff. Ki says the dog was "at a gas station on Hampton and Jefferson just sitting there was if she were waiting for her owner to come back. There was no one in sight. it looks like someone tied her up witha shoelace for the leash and she broke free. I'd love to keep her but I can't because of the housing situaiton...If you know someone who can help, I'd be most grateful."

She also says, "I have no idea what breed she is but I'm calling her Cookie because she looks like cookies and cream ice cream. She's still a puppy, maybe about 6 months, very smart and has the sweetest temperament. She looks like she will grow to be a medium-sized dog and is about 20 pounds right now. She obeys 'sit' and sometimes 'stay.' "

To offer a home or help to Cookie, e-mail Ki at ksung@dallasnews.com. Bless her heart for stopping to rescue this sweet Cookie.

FAMILY TRYING TO PLACE CHLOE THE RAT TERRIER: A family in San Antonio has contacted Readlarrypowell.com in hopes of finding help. The unsigned e-mail reads, "We are looking for a loving home for a year-old rat terrier female spayed. Need home with no children. Please call us for more details. 210-404-1785."  So, there's a rat terrier that needs help in the Alamo City if anyone's in the neighborhood or flying down and wants to drive back with something other than extra weight from too much time at the table in Mi Tierra. Mmmm.

SHOW TIME: Nancy Nichols of D Magazine is looking for help on behalf of a friend who "has a registered Shiba Inu (2 1/2 years) hat comes from a great champion blood line." He's wondering about training the dog for the show ring. So, anybody know of a good show trainer? (We're can't help at the Powell Casa de Critdters. We can't even train the dogs to get off the couch and let us sit on it.) If you can help Nancy's friend, e-mail nancyn@dmagazine.com.

ZIPPER & STITCH: Sounds like a vaudeville act, doesn't it? Alas, Zipper and Stitch are a couple of wards of the no-kill shelter in Dallas, Dog and Kitty City. (We were tipped to these two by noted dog assessment guru Cary Birdwell of Adopt-a-Dallas-Pet.)

Zipper the Rat Terrier was "a citizen turn-in." He's young and still has plenty of personality for any household. He "has a pleasant demeanor" and is not overly active, just happy and interested.

Stitch is a Chihuahua/terrier mix described as "a sweet little guy with a big personality for his 12 pounds. He always appears to be smiling. Appreciates any attention he receives." He was rescued from a local kill shelter.

These dogs are available in the greater Dallas area only. (Call Dog & Kitty City at 214-350-7387 or e-mail info@dognkittycity.com.)

LEE HARVEY'S IS HOPPIN': It's all dogs, all weekend at Lee Harvey's. Earlier this week we reminded folks that Great Dane Rescue of North Texas will have a Dog Day Afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Lee Harvey's -- that's at 1807 Gould Street, near Old City Park, south of Downtown Dallas.

Then on Sunday, there'll be a Kinky Friedman for Governor fundraiser at Lee Harvey's -- it's from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and features live music.

Also says spokeswoman Diann Nichols, bring your polite dog. Lee Harvey's has a yard where nice dogs can play. Also, Dr. Chelo Murray, long-time Straydog Inc. volunteer and tipster to readlarrypowellcom, will be there with a program about basic dog training tips. "Also," Diann says, "We will be giving out free dog treats to keep the dogs happy and have lined up musicians to keep the humans entertained."

And, as  you all know, the Kinkster and the other independent in the gubernatorial race, State Comptroller Carol Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn Jingleheimer Schmidt, have both qualified for the November ballot. The comptroller is the mom of departed White House spokesman Scott McClellan and she also has campaigned as "One Tough Grandma."

Mr. Friedman, on the other hand, is the father of no one in the White House and is a gentle soul who is a founder of the Utopia Rescue Ranch. Except for the time he was in the Peace Corps, he may never have drawn a check written on the government accounts filled by taxpayers' involuntary donations.

ONE MORE THING: I hope you're making a practice of forwarding a link to this website (www.readlarrypowell.com) to every human in the known universe so all the rescue groups (and dogs and cats) can get some help. I know there are good-hearted people who would join up if only they realized help was needed. Heck, most of us used to be those "good-hearted people with nary a clue."

From dogs to cats to diapers

OK, ladies and gentlemen, let's get busy with our daily report:

BEAUTY GETS A BREAK: Dr. Angie Bettcher-Patton, the intake coordinator for Partnership for Pets in Longview, reports that Beauty, the mutilated dog, has been saved from the local shelter and is going into foster care.
You may recall that the dog's ears were brutally chopped off -- whoever did it taped her muzzle shut so she wouldn't bite them. No doubt she was being prepared for life as a fighting dog.

Dr. Bettcher-Patton says that Beauty "seems to feel fine -- if you can believe this after what she went through -- and has an outstanding personality. Beauty is sweet and well-mannered. She is in excellent physical shape, except for her ears, or what is left of them."

She's gotten her early shots and is on pain medication. The doctor reports that Longview's animal control officer is "investigating the incident and may have a few leads. A lady at the apartment complex found Beauty wandering around the apartments and called AC."

(To offer to help Beauty or to give tips about her tormentor, e-mail bmwdgsvr@yahoo.com.)

Sadly, the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas help hide such an ugly thing as dog-fighting. Partnership For Pets makes a point of trying to save these "fighting dogs" -- as you know, many of them just aren't "fighters." They are victims.

YOU CAN STILL VOTE: Geez, this Meow Mix House vote-for-your-favorite-cat-contest is being held in New York City but you can vote like you're living in Chicago. Vote early, vote often at www.meowmixhouse.com for Sam, the Operation Kindness cat. (Voting has been extended through Aug. 11 and the winner will be announced on Aug. 18 on cable's Animal Planet.) The winning cat gets a gig as "vice president of research and development" for the cat food company.

Meanwhile, Sam is due back from New York at about 7:45 Friday at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. At noon Saturday at Operation Kindness, Sam will be "reunited with his adoptor," Ron White of North Richland Hills.

WHAT ABOUT CLARK GABLE AND AARON: These two older cats, victims of an eviction involving an elderly man, have been mercifully moved into the care of Operation Kindness, reports the woman who was trying to save them. They're fresh arrivals, so it may be a few days before the older guys are available for adoption. (Keep checking with www.operationkindness.org.) A cat named "Clark Gable" deserves a good movie-star quality home. (Someone explain to the young people just who Clark Gable was...)

KIND OF A NON-CITY EMERGENCY: This comes from the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake -- I'm starting to think that the dogs that don't wind up on Dallas streets are being dumped on the roads out by the lake.

Somebody found a12-week-old yellow lap pup on the side of a road. the dog has a broken leg. It needs to be fixed. Local rescue groups are full, reports Sheri Tuggle, "so we're spreading the word out to everyone else." Surgery to fix the leg will cost about $500. The deal is, the dog has nobody right now. Nobody. No money. If nobody steps up, the dog will likely be euthanized. (E-mail satug@sbcglobal.net.)

ALSO, the Friends Spay/Neuter Clinic will get a portion of the proceeds from a garage sale running through Saturday at 108 Shadowwood in Tamarack -- markdowns after 6 p.m. Saturday.

AND, the Trinity Valley Community College is offering this class: Introduction to Small Animal Acupressure. It's from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 5. Call 903-675-6212. (The class cost $60, according to the Trinity Valley website.)

KIND OF A CITY EMERGENCY: Oh, OK, there are plenty of dogs being picked up in Dallas. Here's another one. Our Animal Guardians tipster Natalie Blankenship reports that Angie Manriquez, known as "the Fairy Dogmother of West Dallas," has "pulled a really sweet girl from a crack area" in Dallas. The dog appears to be a sharpei/terrier mix and weighs about 35 pounds. Currently the dog is at a vet clinic getting shots and her spaying surgery. But Angie has no place to park this pup. To help her, call 214-688-5585.

(INSERT EDITORIAL COMMENT: You know, in Dallas, we just nearly have to give up on the people in the crack areas and concentrate on saving the animals. The people often aren't interested in being saved. And that is a gigantic tragedy. Lives lived and lost.)

BLOODHOUND HELP? You may recall from back in the spring that Sandra Terrazas was hustling up help in the Dallas area for an ailing fellow in Odessa who was having to shut down his dog sanctuary.

Now, Sandra reports, "I am in need of a Bloodhound rescue group. Any info will be great."

She's trying to save a dog that has wound up at animal control in Crane, Texas. He's about a year old and needs to be putting on some weight. to help Sandra, e-mail cajungirl914@yahoo.com.

TOM STILL NEEDS A HOME: A week or so ago we ran a photo of a cat with a duck. That cat needs a home.  The duck does not. So, we're running this photo of Mary Roach's 8-year-old cat, Tom.

Yep, that's Tom the Texas Cat awaiting a new home.
Mary says he comes with "his basket bed, carrier, litter box and plenty of food. he is looking for a lady who needs a furry friend to love and cuddle with."

Tom doesn't like to travel -- it upsets him.

So, Mary's hoping someone near Cedar Creek Lake will need a good Texas cat with a really nice personality.

To volunteer to give Tom a home, call 903-880-9850 or 903-340-6822.

NEUTER SCOOTER ONE MO' TIME: You may recall that Neuter Scooter for a Nickel was celebrated (well, not by the tom cats, of course) last February across the nation and in Dallas, too. But the SPCA of Texas decided not enough neutering was done -- heck, there are kittens all over the place and that might indicate the neutering drive missed a few fellows. So the SPCA's Village Fair Spay/Neuter Clinic (it's in the old Red Lobster building at I-35 south and Loop 12 in Oak Cliff) will be conducting another Neuter Scooter for a Nickel Day on Monday (June 26).  You've got to have an appointment and proof of vaccinations (or you can get the shots for your cat at the clinic that day for an extra charge.) For an appointment call 214-372-9997.

Now, I know that most people reading this have already "fixed" every mammal within their grasp, but maybe you have a neighbor who keeps wondering why all those kittens keep showing up where Kitty and Tom spend their evenings.

Education -- that's the key. And so is spay and neuter.

Feel free to print this out and write a threatening note on top of it, clip it to some pinhead's windshield or front door and sign my name, Tom Happicat.

PUT THIS IN YOUR CD PLAYER: You may recall that a week or so ago the Companions for Life folks held a seminar at Babys R Us to help couples prepare their pets for the new babies that soon will be rearranging schedules and sounds throughout the house. It went well, says CFL Prez Rebecca Poling.

And CFL Veep Beth Hickman, teaching the class, revealed that there's a recording of baby sounds that you can play for your critters to help them get accustomed to the noises (We had twins -- "noises" is the right word). By the way, CFL folks are available to present educational programs to your group. (This, by the way, is a photo of Murray, the CFL's official spokesdog.)

The recording website is called "Preparing Fido: A Comprehensive Collection of Baby Sounds on CD to Help You Lovingly Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Baby." (Go to http://preparingfido.com.) Sounds like a title by committee, doesn't it? Focus group, maybe. Cover all the bases.

Of course, having had twins, it wasn't really the sounds that interested the dog, it was the smells. But, that's a lecture for another day.

Dreamer's farewell...

We're going to begin our day with a farewell for a fantastic dog, a whippet named Dreamer, who died Tuesday morning. He was the genuinely adored and adoring companion of D. Ray Fuller of Dallas.

Dreamer was the first of his breed to become a "certified hearing dog." In Sept. 2003, I had the privilege of writing about this special relationship for the big Dallas paper.

Dreamer "heard" for D. Ray. What D. Ray could not hear, Dreamer heard on his behalf -- a faucet that shouldn't be running, a Vent-a-Hood left on, things that were out of the ordinary and even dangerous.

"News of Dreamer's death hit the 'dog' websites from Boston to New York to California to Colorado -- and messages are coming in at the rate of about 20 per hour," D. Ray reported Tuesday. "I've got to do Dreamer PROUD because he certainly was, as you know, far more than 'just a dog' and while I am OK, I am heartbroken because he was my sole constant companion, loving unconditionally for 13 years."

We're posting Dreamer's farewell on our Prayers & Passages page -- click the button on the right side of this site.

D. Ray has always been so proud to show off Dreamer. He says that "my deafness never meant a thing to him. He just loved me as I am. Care to tell me a greater joy?"

The passing of this hearing dog leaves nothing less than a big loud empty in D. Ray's heart. Please read the posting on Prayers & Passages.

WELL, GOOD GRIEF: This is just an ugly thing. As Kristin Riebel of the Frisco Humane Society says, "A poor pup in need."

She forwarded this note about this dog from Belinda Wiggins of Partnership for Pets: "Duct tape residue is still apparent where they bound her muzzle to chop off her ears. This puppy is so sweet and trusting, it breaks my hear. How can people be so stinking evil?!!!! Beauty is at the Longview shelter. If anyone can help this girl, please e-mail and we will help however we can." (E-mail bmwdgsvr@yahoo.com.)

There seems to be an epidemic of such abuse in Texas -- remember Little Joe in Jacksboro just a month or so ago? Lord knows how many other ugly cases exist.

If such behavior in humans really ticks you off, take time to go to www.thln.com and get involved with the Texas Humane Legislation Network -- those folks are trying to persuade the Texas Legislature to toughen animal cruelty laws.

These guys who abuse animals are extraordinarily fortunate that most animal rescue people don't have time to get involved in vigilante justice.

JUST A THOUGHT: Earlier this week I asked our pal Cary Birdwell of Adopt-a-Dallas-Pet if he thought there'd lately been a big influx of pit bull mixes and pit bulls into assorted rescue groups, shelters and pounds. Based on e-mails and phone calls and assorted contacts, the answer is "yes." A resounding yes. Now, we all know how tough it is to place one of these dogs. So, what can we do to solve this overpopulation of pit bull-type dogs?

The sermon "spay and neuter" comes to mind. Also, the  idea to "whap some people upside the head with a two-by-four" came to mind, too. But, that, of course, would be wrong.

This really may be one of those problems we can't solve -- a situation we have to endure until these pit-type dogs go out of style. I don't think I can hold my breath that long.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE SMALL DOGS, TOO: This note arrived Wednesday morning from Sydney Busch and the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake and it shows that not only the big dogs are "tossed away."

The subject line reads "Small Rat Terrier Needs Home" and the message from a "Friend" named Sharon reads, "We have had a small 3-to-5-pound male rat terrier dumped in our neighborhood...He gets along with other dogs and is hanging out in my next door neighbor's yard and he has very large dogs. Gets along with kids and cats apparently, since we have several around here. I can't bring him in since I have one that does not get along well with small dogs most of the time and I hate to take a chance." To see about adopting this roaming rat terrier, e-mail hcoker@airmail.net.

HORSES IN NEED: Jennifer Glick, the noted animal activist and all-round intense animal protector from Rowlett, has sent a note about the wild horses that are currently living in the Shelton National Wildlife Refuge.

According to the folks at the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (http://wildhorsepreservation.com), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is currently running a roundup of more than 1,200 horses, including many foals and mares about to foal.

Horse supporters see this as very dangerous and, frankly, wrongheaded. To read more about it go to the Wild Horse Preservation site.

After being rounded up, the horses will then be "sold" to bidders in mass -- thus, the fear is, they are being sold into slaughter rather than protected and treasured.

ROADSIDE PUPS AND KITTENS: A reader asked yesterday if it's OK to call the cops on people who have set up roadside puppy and kitty stands.

Colleen Ament of the Humane Society of Lewisville has run into this. She writes that she agrees that the law varies from city to city. "I know that in Lewisville it is against the law to sell anything on the roadside or in parking lots without a permit. When I see people selling puppies I call the [Lewisville] non-emergency number, 972-219-3600, and ask for an officer to verify if the sellers have a permit. (They really don't like us to use 911 since it's not a people emergency.) If I have time, I stick around and watch them [the sellers] leave the premises. I think most of these people are 'backyard breeders' who don't care a thing about the dogs and have no idea that it's illegal. They don't care what kind of home the dog gets as long as they get the cash."

So, there's the response from one area. And, as Colleen wrote, "Now, help me down off my soapbox."

THE DALLAS MAVERICKS: Great season. Lousy but interesting finals. And the NBA made a lot of money in fines. What a nerve-wracking series. Now we are left to gather in small disappointed clumps of people and fret anew about the U.S. soccer team's World Cup play and, of course, whether the Texas Rangers can pull out of what may be the early stages of a traditional tailspin.

Wonder what the City of Dallas will do with all the money saved from not having to put on a victory parade and pay overtime to cops and city employees? Maybe they'll shift that money to the Calatrava Bridge Fund which apparently needs a booster shot. Otherwise, we'll probably just have the Calatrava Old-Fashioned Planks-Across-The-Stinky-River Span.