We find ourselves on Friday and sort of gobsmacked, as the Brits say, by the course of things. There's a Pat Seward rescue story, some animal people trying to help some human people and some Boston Terriers in predicaments.
We'll get to all that, and a tax tip from the boxer people, too. Please read on:
ONE MORE PAT SEWARD RESCUE: The spirit of Pat Seward continues on behalf of the usual beneficiaries -- humans and critters..
We got a couple of e-mails to that effect. You may recall that Pat, longtime Straydog Inc. volunteer and veteran rescuer, died week before last leaving behind quite a legacy of rescue and decency. She helped animals and people.
We got this view of things from her fellow Straydogger Consuelo Murray on Thursday:
"It's funny how things happen - or perhaps it is not just coincidence. There are angels around us always.
"In her years of rescuing dogs, Pat Seward had learned a lot about what they needed; she and her husband Greg had added a mini-sanctuary to his garage workshop annex where a stray could be safe, fed, and cared for until they found a forever home for the stray - or the entire litter of stray pups and their mother. Pat had named this sanctuary
"Barkingham Palace" but said to her friend Sue Knudsen that she was afraid that this sanctuary would never be used for its intended purpose after she died.
"Funny how things happen.
"On Christmas Day, Greg visited Pat's grave, heard a sound, and behind him had appeared a skinny little pup in need. Of course, he scooped her up, and took the little thing to Barkingham Palace where she was fed, bathed, and allowed to sleep as long as she wanted.
"This little pup is about four months old, and has gotten her vaccinations, and has been pronounced healthy; she weighs about 35 pounds, and looks like a pit mix. Of course, she has a sweet disposition.
"Pat Seward rescued puppies, and it looks like at least one puppy got to enjoy the luxury of her 'palace.'
"We need to find a foster or a forever home for this little puppy; Greg has his hands (and heart) full right now."
About the time Consuelo's letter arrived, the in-box got another one about this from Holly Elms, also a noted Straydogger.
She wrote, "All of us who loved Pat feel strongly that this was her not-so-subtle way of telling us to dry our tears and get back to work.
" Pat's nephew spoke at her funeral about how God winks at us through different things that happen in our lives. He then said he could feel his Aunt Pat winking at him often, and assured us we, too, would each feel Pat wink at us at some point in the future.
"I would say this little gal showing up like this was more like Pat punching us in the arm! We're in the process of coming up with a name that suits the puppy and the situation, a name that also sends a wink back up to Pat."
To volunteer to foster adopt or help this special dog in anyway, e-mail Sue Knudsen at billknud@aol.com.
Spay surgery and microchipping expenses are already covered and if there are other incidentals, they'll be covered, too.
Sometimes you see these unusual "winks" and you just have to shake you head and say, "Well, I'll be darned."
AND NOW, A FORMULA NEED: Before we get to this critical need, let me report that Audrey Merritt reports that Ellis County-based Chrystie's Kids, thanks to the donations from many people (including our readers) provided gifts and food baskets to 113 senior citizens and 486 kids and their families at Christmas.
And, as you know, nothing is ever finished. Audrey says that "one of the client's daughters, age 6, that we assisted with Christmas found a 6-month-old puppy on Christmas Day and it had been hit by a car. The pup is going to be fine. They took it to a vet and they got her fixed up with my help. Sarah wants to keep her and is taking great care of her."
Turns out that the pup has heartworms and needs treatment. The vet wants to start next week. So, Chrystie's Kids is taking on this fund-raising project.
In the meantime, some of the animal rescuers have snuck off and helped some humans, specifically Alexander Guzman, a 6-year-old with cerebral palsy.
Imagine that -- animal people helping humans. These volunteers built a ramp for, as Audrey says, "a severely handicapable child" last week. That helps with access. But in talking to the family, they discovered that the child also needs "a special formula that the family just can not afford all the time," says Audrey. "The cost of the formula is $55 a case of 24 bottles. He is supposed to drink 2 a day and he has only been able to have one a day due to cost." The product, in case any of you know a way to get it to the family of this youngster, is Resource Just for Kids 1.5 Cal. (French Vanilla).
You can read the story of Alexander and the volunteers by my reporter pal Randy Bryan Bigham of the Ennis Daily News by clicking HERE.
And to help, e-mail ChrystiesKids@aol.com or call Audrey at 972-875-1597.
BOSTON NUMBER ONE: We don't have a photo yet, but you can imagine what a Boston Terrier looks like. Wanda Jewell of American Boston Terrier Rescue says the call came in on Wednesday from a shelter on the east side of Dallas. "They'd picked up a little Boston with his leg almost chewed/mangled off," she said. Indeed, the leg had to be amputated at the Trinity Pet Hospital in Carrollton.
Wanda says they're calling the little dog "George Clooney" -- he was an ER case. "Poor little guy," Wanda says. "He got a new name -- George Clooney -- 'cause I couldn't think of any of the other ER actors in a pinch."
George will likely recover and be a very adoptable three-legged dog. But he's running up a bill. to help American Boston Terrier Rescue, you can donate to the George Clooney Fund at the Trinity Pet Hospital, 2523 Josey Lane, Carrollton, Tx., 75006. Or you can donate to the ABTR, P.O. Box 525, Sanger, Tx. Just note that it's for the medical fund or for George Clooney. George isn't the only Boston who has been running up unexpected medical bills lately.
You can also get more info or get in line to adopt George Clooney by e-mailing bostonrescue@wanderz.net.
BOSTON NUMBER TWO: Regina Karhunen of the Dallas Boston Terrier Society is helping her friend Robin, a rescuer, hunt for a Boston Terrier named Jester. He's been missing since about 9 p.m. on Dec. 27 from the Frankford/Midway area in Far North Dallas. He's microchipped, but not wearing a collar. There have been door-to-door walk-throughs in the neighborhood, flyers have been posted and lost dog notes sent to many websites.
If you know of Jester's whereabouts, e-mail forensicbio@yahoo.com or call 214-403-3051 or 469-241-5151.
Regina writes, "We are in a group of friends who happen to have dogs instead of children - and as you can imagine our dogs are like "our children". We're all anxious to have a happy reunion story to share. Jester is such a great dog! We would appreciate it if you could help spread the word."
GINGER IS FOUND: You can get all the details Ginger's disappearance by scrolling down to our Dec. 20 entry. But here's what's happened, thanks to a late-night note from Julie Maupin, our tipster in Corsicana. And it shows the value of doing the routine things when your dog or cat goes missing. Julie's note:
"Happy News today! Ginger, the Beagle /Corgi mix, is safe at home with Sandy and Maxine. We had not given up! In fact, yesterday, Wendy Huffman made up wonderful fliers for Sandy to distribute. Sandy started distributing them yesterday [Wednesday]. A caring lady who lives on Elmwood saw the flier this morning [Thursday] and spotted Ginger on Bowie Drive this afternoon about 2:30, not 3 blocks from Sandy's home. Carolyn put Ginger in her car and came to our house. We immediately called Sandy and within minutes - Sandy, Maxine, Jon Ed and Donna were all here to pick up their wanderer! After 10 days on her own, Ginger could have wound up in Timbuktu, but fortunately she stayed close by.
"Carolyn came to my house this morning to tell me about the death of a sweet neighbor. Had Carolyn not come to my home this morning and asked about the dog and then taken a flier with her, Ginger might still be on the loose. We are all so thankful!"
LOOKING FOR FOSTERS: The folks at Companion Animal Network have plenty of dogs, what they need is foster homes to hold onto these rescued animals until the real homes can be found.
These two dogs are Faith (left) and Hope (right). Gail Whelan says they are six-months old and "have been boarded almost their entire lives. Very sweet. Fully vetted. These girls MUST stay together."
To volunteer to help these two or any of the other dogs (Cedric, India, Alex, Gretchen, etc.), e-mail gailwhelan@companionanimalnetwork.org or call 214-808-3228.
Cedric is a lab/terrier mix (we featured him yesterday), India is a 3-year-old flat-coated retriever whose owner died and Alex and Gretchen are puppies in need of attention.
Here's their common thread: They are all black dogs with size working against them. Some people think a big dog is like having a horse around. Not so. Big dogs are careful where they step, careful where they sit, careful where they sleep and usually very vulnerable to affection.
NOT TO SCARE YOU, BUT TAXES...: Those folks at Legacy Boxer Rescue are always thinking. This time they're thinking about how you can help them and help yourself at the same time.
They've sent out a note reminding people that they can still donate to non-profit Legacy Boxer Rescue and "get a tax deduction. Help a boxer-in-need and help yourself at tax time! But hurry -- the last day to take advantage of 2006 tax deduction is Dec. 31." Conveniently, they've set up a donation system at this SITE.
And, just fyi, that white boxer is Ida Claire, a 2- or 3-year-old rescued boxer who is looking for a home that understands the value of a tax break.
One more thing: According to the Legacy website, Ida Claire is accustomed to sharing the bed with whatever human is taking care of her at the moment. And she snores.
In some households that would be just one more instrument contributing to the nocturnal snoring symphony.
TRADITIONAL: Happy new year to all of you if we don't meet up again before the calendar clicks over to 2007. Hard to believe, isn't it? Headed toward 2007 and so few of us have won Lotto Texas.