See beyond the dog...

OK, merchandisers, Friday was "Black Friday" and Monday was "Cyber Monday." What is today?

Ah, Buyers' Remorse Tuesday.

Well, never mind all that. Put away your plastic and let's help some people and some critters:

SEEING BEYOND THE DOG: This is a dog, indeed. Patricia Barrington, the Animal Control Division Manager for The Colony, writes, "He's no special breed of dog; just a simple one."

The 9-month-old fellow as surrendered by his human because he played a little rough with the smaller dogs.

"Bo the Dog ADORES toys," says Trish, pointing out that the dog has wrapped his big mouth around not only a green turtle doll but a green Santa doll, too.

He also loves attention, she says. "His big ol' tail nearly dented my file cabinet as I was petting him and feeding him treats...He is a big, happy, simple dog. He's quite ordinary and is looking for somebody who will see something extraordinary in him – some little glimmer worth giving a good polishing – someone to help him achieve his potential as an extraordinary companion.  Bo the dog needs a home for the holidays.

(To give Bo a home for the holidays, contact Manager Barrington at 972-370-9250 or e-mail pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov.)

DOG WITH A PROBLEM: We get this tip from the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The note comes from Tina Hamilton who asks if there's someone out there who can help a dog. "Do you have a warm place for a Malamute/Husky with no hair? Looks to be a thyroid problem and she is in the freezing cold Or know anyone with a warm garage or place? She is on Harbor Point Road right at the city and county line. So the city will not pick up but will issue tickets and the county won't do anything." To offer help to this uncomfortable dog, call 903-880-4124 or 214-789-0265 or e-mail txtina1201@yahoo.com.

THREE DOGS IN NEED OF HOMES: This is a "custody" story involving two Border Collies and a big ol' yellow dog.

Robert Weaver writes, "Recently I was given custody of three great dogs, Yosemite and Sam (short hair Border Collies) and Peach (a short hair yellow dog) through a divorce. My current rental apartment does not allow pets and I'm at my wit's end trying to find good homes for them.  All three are wonderful, loving pets that deserve great homes with yards to run and play.

Please help if you can, I'm running out of time and options and their present quality of life is not great .  They are all approximately 10 years old and in excellent health.  I have full veterinary records for each and they are up on all shots, etc.  Any assistance you may give in finding them a good home will be greatly appreciated."

To ask about adopting these beauties, call 214-213-4481 or e-mail drw3500@yahoo.com.

What are the dogs like? Robert says, "Yosemite and Sam are brothers and have grown up together and Peach, Yosemite and Sam have been together for the last eight years and all get along famously, and have very temperate personalities. They will love you to death."

YOU JUST HAVE TO WONDER HOW SOME THINGS HAPPEN: This one comes to us from Dana Dicker, our Houston contact. "Picture a dog running through Kroger's, up and down the aisles. That would be Phoenix. Ms. Phoenix was rescued by a dog trainer who just happened to be shopping at the time.

"This was Phoenix’s lucky night – she was rescued and taken to safety. Once she was looked at more closely, it was evident that the poor girl had just had kerosene poured down her back. Since it was just before Halloween, there is no telling what could have happened next.

"Phoenix is a young adult – about one year old. She has those beautiful brindle stripes and appears to be a mix – maybe Lab, maybe Houston street terrier. Whatever she might be, she is a very loving girl for what she has been through. She has very good manners when walking on a leash and seems to be willing to get along with most people and dogs. Phoenix has attended several training classes and seems to catch on easily – but then she is a female!

"She has recently been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped and she is almost healed from the kerosene burns – so she is ready to fit into someone’s life and become a faithful companion."

She's currently in the care of Scout's Honor. Her adoption fee is $125 and you'll have to pass an audition. To ask about adopting this grocery store dog, e-mail barkwood@swbell.net or call 713-446-7469.

DALLAS GROCERY DOG: Here's an update on Faith Quintana's attempt to find help for a dog that's living on the parking lot at a Minyard Grocery Store at Polk and Camp Wisdom. "Situation is still the same!  I go feed her, but am unable to catch her!  Just wish there was someone with a miracle way to catch her.  I've tried the trap, with no luck!  When I go to see her, she's happy to see me, just too cautious to come close. I just don't know what to do anymore for her!  The winter will be setting in & will be getting colder!  Wish I knew where she slept at, at night!" (If you can help Faith with this project, e-mail her at fquintana001@tx.rr.com.)

OVERHEARD IN A FORT WORTH GIFT SHOP: Three women were chatting as they perused items in a nice gift shop just west of downtown Fort Worth. One said, "Did you hear that if you put an egg in a cup of water and a cell phone on either side of the cup and leave the phones on and come back in an hour the egg will be boiled?"

And one of the women replied, "Good thing I don't have two phones. I'm just half-fried."