Friday PM edition: Help wanted...

Welcome to our second edition of this fine Friday, the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Let's get right to the opportunities (and, yes, that is Joker, the dog in the pink "choker" necklace. He's still awaiting a home at The Colony Animal Shelter -- loves people, loves jewelry, says our tipster, The Colony's Animal Control Division Manager Patricia Barrington. He also is a big ol' slobber boy. Call call 972-370-9250 to ask about him.)

LIVE FISH DELIVERY: Inexplicably, we're told, the live fish delivery with press releases continues around here. More bettas in bowls -- they're known as "Siamese Fighting Fish" -- arrived in a local newsroom today, we're told by a reliable witness. The fish found homes.

We're still waiting to hear from the people who are sending living creatures out as gimmicks. Made calls. Sent e-mails. No response.

Live fish as a press release probably seemed like a good idea at the time. And, outside of a person who got the unwanted fish, there has yet to be a symphony of protests regarding this gimmick that puts living beings at risk. Maybe enough people don't know about it.

It used to be bad enough when PR outfits and marketing departments sent press releases in envelopes filled with glitter -- it fell into keyboards on expensive electronic equipment.

A HOUSTON CAT WITH A NEARLY NO-SHED POLICY: We get this from our reliable tipster Edna Taylor who is a veteran cat rescuer, thus a veteran cat hair removal specialist.

She says this cat, Hootie, is "a frisky, playful, funny loveable cat whose hair is so short she hardly sheds."

The cat "loves to snuggle and then she goes zipping around the room, throwing her toys in the air." Might not be a good fit with young children because she is very playful, according to Edna.

Edna says Hootie is under a year old (a month or four under) and weighs only about six pounds.

To ask about adopting Hootie, call 713-628-4052 or e-mail tayloredna@msn.com.

A WEIM OPPORTUNITY; A LAB UPDATE: We get these things from Keri Lane of Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas and a Jacksboro shelter volunteer and independent rescuer.

First, Keri write, "Could you mention on your website that there will be an Estate Sale benefiting Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas this Saturday (June 21) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.? There will be furniture, lamps, accessories, clothing, etc. and it is also sponsored by Freedom Furniture & Design - so you know that there will be some great things there."  The sale is at  10737 Webster Terrace in Dallas. You can access a map by going to the Weim site HERE.

And this is Caesar, one of the many Weims available for adoption. Caesar hails from Dallas. And isn't that a great mug!

And here's an update regarding a Black Lab found in Jacksboro. Keri writes, "I ran into Pam, his new owner, at the vet clinic. She was picking him up from his neuter. They love him and he is getting along great with the other dogs in the home and has discovered that cats aren't so bad, leaving them alone. He has managed to meet a skunk and was sprayed, but Pam was just laughing about it, was not fazed at all about having to de-skunk the smell. I am sure I will hear many updates since Evan, my son, is friends with one of the boys. I can't wait to see if they teach him how to enjoy swimming in their saltwater pool or in one of the tanks they have. The boys named him Boogey and when he saw Pam, he was all waggy and happy. Thank goodness for a happy ending."

FROM IRVING: First we have Garnet, a recent mother who has been spayed but is in need of a home. Her story comes to us via Rhonda Barrientos with Citizens for Irving Animals.

Garnet's kittens have been weaned and she's available for adoption at the Irving Animal Shelter -- she's being treated for an upper respiratory illness but is responding and her meds go with her when she is adopted. Her tracking number is 6786. the shelter is at 100 N. Briery, east of the Belt Line/Rock Island intersection. Call 972-721-2256.

Now, about this sad-faced dog. He's one spotted by Russell Posch, the noted shelter walker, and the tip comes from Margaret Morin.

George is about 2, a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix. The 12-pounder came in with a female, Gracie, but she was more fetching and was adopted, leaving mopey George behind, though he does warm up after an initial period of distrust.

George has tested positive for heartworms, so there's the Challenge of Being Quiet ahead for him, but otherwise he's a good fellow to have around the house, we're told.

To rescue George, call 972-721-2256 -- that's the shelter's number during business hours.  George's ID number is 7479.

TWO DOGS VICTIMS OF HARD TIMES: Our reliable tipster/fosterer Natalie Blankenship helped us pull this item together. The dogs are Yellow Lab Toby and Black Lab Shadow.

They need homes because, according to the tip, "family in trouble and devastated -- lost jobs, losing home. Thee beautiful dogs are two more victims  ... The family is heartbroken, but has no options."  To help place these dogs, contact their human, Sharon Driscoll, at susitnablu@hotmail.com.

Toby is a 4-year-old neutered male who is microchipped, up to date on shots, obedience trained, house-broken and good with kids. "He knows and likes his schedule of walks and feedings and will bark to remind you when it's time for either."

Shadow is a 9-month-old purebred Black Lab who needs to be spayed, but is up to date on everything else and knows her manners commands.

TWO CATS NEEDING A CRIB: Jim Patterson is trying to help find homes for his daughters cats in Fort Worth.

"She is having to move out of her apartment and cannot take her cats. She wants to find a home (or a no-kill shelter) for them and we are running out of time because she has to be out of her apartment before the end of June."

the cats are Jax, a 9-year-old male with semi-long hair. He's neutered and friendly.

Millie is a 2-year-old small female shorthair.

Both are indoor cats and get along well with people and other cats, Jim says.

To audition to give these cats a home, call 817-991-0579 or e-mail jimpat4000@sbcglobal.net.

GRAVEL PIT DOGS UPDATE: As you know the Gravel Pit Dog project involves not only dogs at the now infamous abandoned property near Seagoville and Mallow Bridge Road, but also the nearby abandoned tree farm and other "rustic" areas.

One of the little dogs (left) that came out of there last week had a broken pelvis. Deborah Trevino who rescued that dog reports, "Family members of the vet clinic employee (to remain anonymous) fell in love with her got her the surgery she needed, and she has a forever home. ... I feel so much better now knowing that she is SAFE."

In the meantime, Deborah says that Johnna Bigley, one of the pioneers in saving this bunch of dumped dogs, is wondering about organizing a team of people to meet at the site and round-up the dog with the severely injured paw. See yesterday's report for details. E-mail DTrevino60@aol.com to volunteer to help.

FOLLOWING UP ON THE CHAINED DOG: Our tipster on the chained big dog in Garland, the one where food and water are tough to get to or tough to find, reports that things have changed slightly and there may be a change in "caregiving attitude" regarding this tethered dog. People are monitoring the situation. And we will too.

Our tipster writes, "Thanks to you and all your readers who care and responded! Hopefully this little guy will have a better life now!"

HELPING SAMMY: Leanne Hayden is trying to find a foster home for this fellow Sammy. He's a cuddler and he just started heartworm treatment. He'll have hip surgery about a month after that's finished. "It's going to take about 3 months of foster care, during which time Sammy needs to be kept quiet and contained. With his injured hip, it probably won't be hard keeping him quiet, since it's not like he can truly run around. We know a rescue group out of state that may be able to take him after he's well if we can get him well enough to travel."

So, a local foster is needed in the interim.

Since none of this medical care is free, a fund has been set up at Corinth Veterinary Clinic in Corinth in Leigh Anne Hayden's name. Call the clinic at 940-497-5383 to arrange donations or e-mail leighannmc@att.net to ask for information or to volunteer to foster or adopt.

Now, here's the background on Sammy from Leanne:

"This sweet gentle little dog has been living in South Dallas at the Dallas International Street Church. He has been lining up with the homeless people for the Soup Mobile and begs them for food, which they willingly share. When I first heard this, my heart really went out to him - that he was smart enough to know where to go to have someone help him, and that people with basically nothing in this world and nowhere to live were willing to share their food with him.

"People with the Soup Mobile tell me he has been down at the church since last fall, living at the church, and this is probably where he was injured - this sweet little dog can't put much weight on a back leg and the homeless tell us he was hit by a car several months ago.

"I met the lady from the Soup Mobile that let me know about Sammy last Friday and brought a dog crate and lead. Catching Sammy was no problem -- he seemed SO grateful. He put his sweet head down right into the lead and walked along with us back to the SUV, full of kisses and love.

"One of the homeless gentlemen seemed incredulous that we were wanting him and kept asking if we were sure. Did we really want him? When we said yes, he laughed and said he knew where quite a few more dogs were if we wanted dogs.

"The other homeless gentleman with him, also walked over to my vehicle and right before helping load him into the crate, patted Sammy's head, then his back, and quietly said - "You are getting out of South Dallas." It was said with such sweetness and wistfulness, that I realized he, too, so badly wanted out of South Dallas and he realized the dog was headed to a better life. A world that this homeless man cannot get away from, but maybe this dog could and that was wonderful in his eyes. I felt tears spring into my eyes, as I fought back crying."

AND NOW: Tears come pretty easily when you read about homeless people wishing the best for a homeless dog in a tough section of Dallas.

I'm out of time and out of gas for the rest of Friday. It's pushing 4 p.m. in the central time zone and people are watching the clock and shutting down their office computers except for the solitaire games.

This weekend, watch your neighborhoods and help those animals and people who are either too clever for their own good, too stubborn for their own good or too set in their ways for their own good. Don't tell me you never see strays and you never see people down on their luck. If you don't, then get off the streets of Dallas because you are obviously driving while wearing a blindfold.