Weather, laws & critters...

Well, whew! That was about the newsiest 4-day weekend we've had in a while. Politics and weather teamed up to hog the headlines. So, as things settle down, maybe, here we go with a report on the first work-day of a 4-day week.

IN THE SHELTERS IN DALLAS: Jonnie England, who is among the many Dallas-area folks who spent the weekend involved in hurricane refugee (humans and animals) activities, sent us this photo of a couple of young fellows from Louisiana.

They were staying in the human shelter in Dallas and walked from the convention center several blocks to the temporary animal shelter set up at Reunion Arena to visit and walk their puppy, Jonnie reports. Jonnie is on the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission and is the Director of Animal Advocacy for the Metroplex Animal Coalition.

On Monday afternoon,  she says, the "head count" at the Dallas Animal Services temporary shelter at the Reunion Arena parking garage was 63 dogs and puppies, a turtle and one cat. (Jonnie sent us a photo of that one cat. You know turtles -- shy and reluctant to come out of their shells.)

The animal supply donation center opened at the SPCA's Lone Star office Monday evening and there were a number of donations from Cat Matchers and some individuals, Jonnie reports. (This operation will continue until the weather all-clear is sounded.) The donations center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It's at the SPCA's office at 2400 Lone Star Drive, west of downtown Dallas, adjacent to I-30 and between the Hampton exit and the Westmoreland exit. (See www.spca.org)

The SPCA, by the way, took in nearly 200 animals from the hurricane zone over the weekend -- they're at the McKinney facility. And remember, the SPCA is running a half-off special on adoptions to help ease shelter crowding.

PAYING ATTENTION TO THE LAWS IN DALLAS: Before Jenny the Elephant and before Gustav the Hurricane, the biggest animal-related storm around here was the hot spell unleashed by attempts to pass and block a comprehensive animal ordinance in Dallas.

The ordinance reform made it through the Dallas City Council. And, now, the folks with Dallas Animal Advocates have created a brochure that is, basically, a "quick study" of the ordinances -- it is designed to answer questions that people might have about pets in Dallas..

Rebecca Poling, President of Companions For Life and a member of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, reports that there's a "comprehensive brochure that explains all about the current City of Dallas animal ordinances" at the Dallas Animal Advocates website: Click HERE. That is www.dallasanimaladvocates.com if you want to commit it to memory. Rebecca also suggests that you forward the link and the brochure "to everyone you know.  Everyone who owns a pet needs to have this information!  Friends! Family! Co-workers!  Feel free to post this notice to chat groups, blogs, etc!  We need this information distributed as soon as possible!"

You can even ask questions by e-mailing dallasanimaladvocates@gmail.com and, she says, "we'll do our best to answer them."

You may recognize the photo of Inky, our staff impressionist at Readlarrypowell.com. He is already registered under the new ordinance -- as are all the other animals at our house (thanks to my funspouse Martha who speaks bureaucratic better than I). Here, Mister Inky offers his impression of a freshly registered dog boldly dashing into the National Bureaucratic Society's Lodge Hall on meeting night and spotting a big heaping platter of Mom's By-the-Book Meatloaf with a side dish of Street Legal Shredded Vegetable Medley.

TOO MIXY BUT STILL NEEDS A HOME: Oh, this is one of those stories of a loose Dallas dog. Phyllis Petersen of Russell Rescue Inc. sent us the first note about a "beautiful young black Lab hanging out by a fire hydrant on 1800 Barnes Bridge in Dallas. He will not leave the fire hydrant. People are feeding him -- including me. Can anyone help?"

Not too much later we got a note from Phyllis that read, "I got him on a leash and in the back of my car. I met DFW Lab Rescue tonight. They think he may be a mix, under a year, looks like a good temperament. he has been on the streets a while and is emaciated....I am hoping he gets a good home."

Phyllis, who works with Russell Rescue Inc. says, "I am full with JRTs."

DFW Lab Rescue took the little guy in, but he is "too mixy" for that program. So, they're looking for an all-breed rescue group to take him. He's about 10 months old, has been on the streets for a while, loves to chase balls, is crate- and house-trained and in need of a home.

They're calling him "Fireplug."

To offer to adopt this dog or give him a place to stay until someone adopts him, e-mail petersenjrt@msn.com or call Phyllis at 214-538-4485 or call DFW Lab Rescue at 214-244-6430.

SMALL DOG: Tracie White reports that she has "taken in a small dog that ... was living in the field next to my daughter's" house near Kaufman.

The dog had been living with his sister in the field, but she ate something that was poisoned and died.

"So," Tracie says, "I have taken him in, but I have seven of my own and cannot keep him. I would like to find him a home ASAP."

She says he weighs only 9 pounds, is great with dogs and kids and "should have a chance to have someone love him."

To ask about this dog with the curlicue tail, call 214-909-6529. or e-mail giz211@yahoo.com.

JENNY SPEAKERS SOUGHT: Margaret Morin of the Concerned Citizens for Jenny reports that the group is lining up speakers for 3-minute open mike sessions at Dallas City Council meetings on Sept. 10, 17 and 24. Concerned Citizens will help the speakers create their brief talks. (To volunteer, call Tanja Pattist at 972-898-3156 or e-mail tanja.pattist@tx.rr.com.) They're also looking for ushers to "guide the Jenny supporters to their seats and to hand out 'Save Jenny' stickers..." (For Jenny protest info or to volunteer, call 972-578-0370.)

And if there is a group that has organized to oppose the Concerned Citizens, let me know and in the interest of journalistic fairness and informing the public, we'll post that group's info.

DOG IS GETTING HELP, NEEDS MORE: We got a note from Terry Lynn Fisher in Burns Flat, Okla., that Kim Bowers of OK Save a Dog in Prague has taken over care of a dog found flopped over on the side of an Oklahoma road.

This Great Dane is "total skin and bones, but she is eating," Terry Lynn says. And she says that she has had "a couple of offers to try and get her to other out-of-state rescues, but at this point I really do not feel she will make it on a trip."

Kim reports that the dog is almost blind right now, probably from an "advanced case of Ehrlichiosis with Uveitis (inflammation of the eye)...."

A vet will examine the dog as soon as possible, Kim says. "I would bet that she is also heartworm positive, but [suffering from] basic neglect. She weighs about 50 pounds and should weigh 100. She is in pretty good spirits and enjoys people. She takes her meds so very gently. ... She is hard of hearing, but not deaf. This may get better as the swelling goes down...Only time will tell."

How old is this dog? Probably about 5, says Kim.

To offer to help this dog, e-mail Kim at k9saver@gmail.com or get in touch with Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com or call her at 580-330-1459.

Kim reports that in OK Save A Dog, there are currently 5 heartworm positive dogs, her rescue food bill is $550 a month and the vet bill pushes a thousand a week. "I am struggling for sure," Kim says, "But how do you say no to her?"

A CAT WITH A CONSIDERATION: Robert McAlear has a cat named Spanky and Spanky needs a new home. He's a 2-year-old neutered male with a heart murder. "We are not sure how long he has to live, but he appears to be doing fine with one exception -- he will not stop marking (severely) a favorite chair in the middle of our living room. We have tried everything to no avail and are looking for a good home..."

Spanky is 2, declawed and likes dogs and cats and people.

So, readers, any suggestions for saving Spanky? Anybody know a behaviorist who can rescue this cat from an unpleasant situation? E-mail your helpful answers to rtmcalear@gmail.com.

WHAT THIS DOG NEEDS: This is Jamie and his request for help is sent from Krista McAnally of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake.

"I have a male yellow lab, Jamie, that has been at the shelter since November 2007. He now has rescue space in New Hampshire. He will be transported on the 18th but the transport will not take him unless he has been out of the shelter environment for 14 days. I have boarding for him because I cannot find a foster.  Boarding for the period of time will be $320. If you can help with these expenses, please contact me at the shelter at 903 432-3422 or my cell phone is 903 603-2342." (You can also e-mail dogshsccl@yahoo.com.)

Heck, if you can adopt Jamie, that might solve all the problems.

BIGFOOT, OR COUNT THE TOES: Our Houston tipster Dana Dicker opens her pitch for this cat this way: "Meet my magical Piper," she writes.

"That is what we tell her since she brings such a magical sense to the room when she enters it!

"Piper is an adorable 12-14-week-old loveable little girl.  She has a medium fluffy coat that feels like down and super cute mitted white feet. 

"She is has extra toes on the front that make you melt. Piper has 7 toes on each front paw to be exact and can hold onto me like she has regular little hands. She also stands in what looks like a ballet position, it’s unbelievably adorable.

"She is quite the cutie-patootie.  Piper is very outgoing and social, and loves to play with all other kitties. She would definitely want a playmate in her forever home. She is the first to get everyone in the house moving in the mornings. Piper can also snuggle with the best of them and has a favorite stuffed animal that she brings to bed to sleep with every night.  Piper’s personality will win you over the minute you meet her..."

Where did this 7-toed cat come from? She was among cats rescued from Laporte, southeast of Houston. "I had to send her to you because she is so special," Dana told us.

Now, you can see other Scouts Honor critters HERE. And if you'd like to adopt Piper, e-mail ddicker@earthlink.net or call 713-502-4002.

TWO BIG BOYS: Our longtime Arlington tipster Dianne Watson is working hard to help "two special Big Boys, both mixed-breed dogs who need some extra help. We both know how difficult it is to get a big dog adopted, let alone one who is not a purebred.

"Jedi is already in our [Arlington Animal Services] safe house, Building C, but his 30 days will expire on Sept. 9. ... Poor Zeus hasn't even made it into Building C, not because he doesn't deserve it, but because there just isn't any room."

Now, Dianne is taking a week off and visiting her ol' home town, Pittsburgh, Pa., and monitoring Arlington via computer and phone calls, no doubt. But just because she's crossed the state line that doesn't mean she's abandoning hope for these two dogs.

Jedi (ID#5644262, C24) is around 18 months old and is a Lab mix. Dianne says ,  one year-18 months-old, Lab mix. He was "found as a stray by a caring citizen who kept him for two weeks while trying to locate his owner. When that failed, he brought Jedi to the shelter. I discovered in just a few minutes with Jedi that he knows the 'sit' command. So, Jedi is smart and does have some training in his past...Jedi is so easy to like, he makes human friends effortlessly and he doesn't seem at all interested in annoying any other dogs. So, once again, a big black dog makes my 'shelter favorite' list."

Big Zeus (ID# 5796308 , A10) is a 2-year-old Border Collie/Lab mix. Dianne says that "two women out for their morning walk came upon him and Zeus joined them; he never left their side! Eventually their walk ended, and with no owner in sight, they took Zeus home with them, gave him a bath loaded him up in their car and brought him to the shelter! Zeus is a  gorgeous guy, approximately two years-old. Though Zeus IS BIG, he has manners; he sits on command and he sometimes is willing to obey the 'down' command as well. ... This calm, gentle and AFFECTIONATE fellow will CHARM his way into your heart and your home! Wait till you see his 'freckles!' in person!"

Here is the LINK to the Arlington shelter. Call the shelter at 817-451-3436.

FOSTERS NEEDED: Veteran rescuer Tina Hamilton is looking for foster home or homes for a momma Yellow Lab and her 5 puppies.

You'll note from this photo that the puppies aren't all that interested in staying in the frame.

The mom and pups were found "in the lake by Ocean Drive in Gun Barrel city off of legendary" when Momma was spotted frantically looking into Cedar Creek Lake and was "unable to get her puppies out, up a retaining wall."

Tina's note read, "Are these anyone's? Can anyone foster? Does anyone want some wonderful dogs?"

And there you have it -- a close call at a lake and an opportunity to give some dogs a good home. To offer to help, call 903-880-4124 or e-mail txtina1201@yahoo.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS: In case you wondered, there are 20 days of summer left -- The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the autumnal equinox as occurring at 10:44 a.m. CDT on Sept. 22. What's that? When does the time change back to CST? We fall back at 2 a.m. Sunday on Nov. 2. ... I hate to bring up Major League Baseball, but, seriously, is anybody really going to support a "wait 'til next year" pitch for the Texas Rangers -- again. They're so far out of first place that if you figured the standings for all baseball teams in the world, at least two YMCA T-ball teams would finish ahead of them. How much longer are people going to give money to this persistently lousy franchise just because a few stars show up every now and then. Who knew this year's Rangers marketing slogan would turn out to be a team prophesy: "You could use some baseball." ... We mentioned yesterday that the Metroplex Animal Coalition was involved in hurricane emergency support with the Dallas County VOAD -- Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. VOAD was a new one for me. I'm not sure there is an "EOAD." Elected Officials Active in Disaster. But there probably could be some who are active in disasters -- natural and man-made. I'm sure the FBI has a list.

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