ReadLarryPowell.com

Animals, politics and flu

Last day of April, the fastest 30-day month so far in 2009.

Now, let's see what's up:

READY FOR HER CLOSEUP: Oh, boy, some dogs really are camera hogs. Scout is one of those dogs. We get the story of this young stray from Sarah Copp, who lives in northern Oak Cliff where the wanderin' dog was wanderin'.

"A week ago, she says, "A young border collie mix followed our neighbor home as she was walking her dog."

The dog wasn't wearing a collar. Surprise. Surprise. Sarah reports that "we've gotten no response from the signs we've put up around the neighborhood, so Zac and I are fostering her until we can find a good home for her. She appears to be 9 months to a year old and seems to be in excellent health.

"Scout, as we call her, is truly a special dog. She is very sweet and affectionate both towards humans and other dogs. She is a quick study as well...in the week we've had her, she has learned to fetch a tennis ball and has improved tremendously on walking on a leash."

To ask about giving Scout a good home, e-mail sarahcopp@gmail.com.

Of course, Readlarrypowell.com is impressed by this dog -- we've had many dogs who'll run after a tennis ball and look at it, but none that'll bother to fetch. They seem to resent the implication that we have influence over their decision-making process.

MARIA THE GROUCHY: Well, of course, she doesn't look grouch in this photo. But, seriously, who isn't grouchy when we're awakened in the middle of a darned good sleep? That's the deal with Maria, we hear from our pal and longtime tipster Audrey Merritt.

She's working to find a home for Maria, a Chihuahua mix who "really needs a special home with no kids. She is a sweetie. Her only quirk is if she goes to bed before you do, you better make sure she is awake before you try to get into bed. She is grouch when wakened out of a deep sleep. That is the only time. Because of this she can't be placed with small kids."

Otherwise, Audrey says, Maria is a "sweetie" who "loves to be at your side and is aimed to please."

She's 3- or 4-years-old, house-trained, good with other dogs ("Not sure about cats.") She weighs in at a healthy 9 pounds.

And Audrey says, if you can't find her at first, "start with your bed -- she loves to get under the covers."

To ask about adopting Marie the Sweet-but-Grouchy dog, call 972-875-1597.

ONE-EYED PEPPER: Oh, boy, who knows how Pepper, the 3-year-old Aussie Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler mix, lost her left eye. All we really know now is that Pepper, after a stay as a "stray" in the Denton Animal Shelter, is being fostered by our reliable Denton tipster Amy Pelzel and is available for adoption through the Flower Mound Humane Society. "I'm am fostering her for now, but she is really looking for her forever home," Amy says.

"She has been spayed and has all of her shots. she is completely house-trained. She currently uses a doggy door and goes out whenever she pleases. She loves other dogs. She loves to run and play even get in the pool. She has a wonderful personality. She is quite the snuggler, as well."

Unless you're a cat, and then Pepper isn't all that congenial. So she'll need to go to a catless home.

Amy says, "She also tends to respond better to women. She is not mean toward men or anything, but seems to shy away from them at first. She has been at my house for almost 2 weeks and avoided my husband for the first week, but now wants to sleep in bed right next to him."

Amy says the dog should go to a patient home. To ask about adopting her, call 940-381-6879. You can fill out an adoption application at www.fmhs.org.

ELECTION NOTE & JENNY CAMPAIGN: A lot of people think the May 9 City of Dallas election is about the big convention center hotel. Others think it's about electing city council members. And still others, the SaveJennyNow.com folks, think it's about getting Jenny out of the Dallas Zoo and into a sanctuary in Tennessee. They way to do that, Concerned Citizens for Jenny founder Margaret Morin says, is to elect council members who are animal friendly. The organization has even posted a list of suitable candidates HERE.  And the group is planning on leafletting polls on May 9. To volunteer for that, call 972-380-6685. Margaret says, "We will target just a few polling stations and will peacefully display 'Vote Your Conscience' signs."

AN ACTION ALERT ON COCKFIGHTING: The Texas Humane Legislation Network has distributed "action alerts" asking people to contact their state reps in support of House Bill 1320 which makes life tougher for people involved in cockfighting. the bill's up for a vote on the House floor on Saturday. THLN asks, " Please contact your State Representative and ask him/her to VOTE FOR HB 1320.  To find the name and contact information for your State Representative click HERE.

MICHAEL VICK AND THE NFL: In case you wondered, there is a place online called "Campaign To Sack Michael Vick." It's at www.sackvick.net. One of our regular tipsters, an anti-Vick person, Barbara Lukas, doesn't want the former Atlanta Falcon quarterback playing again. She's writing to the NFL to keep the ban. "I am warming up my pen right now. I certainly don't want to turn on the TV and see his face on it. But it's all about the money in football (other sports too). The NFL position will probably be 'he has paid for his crime'.  But until he can un-do his crime and bring back to life the dogs he killed, in my opinion, he has not compensated for his crimes."

A STALL IN IRVING: Our tipster Holly Elms, chair of the Irving Animal Services Advisory Committee, tells us that construction has stalled on the city's new shelter because the contractor has shut down. City officials are working on re-starting things, she says, and probably the situation will be the hot topic at the Advisory Committee's meeting on  May 7.

USUALLY IT'S A CRITTER NEEDING TRANSPORT, BUT HERE'S A GENERATOR THUMBING A RIDE FROM HOUSTON TO MCKINNEY: We get word from Nicole Seca that "Lone Star Pyrs and Paws has a generator here in Houston that needs to get back up to the DFW area [McKinney]. The generator is relatively small and can fit into the back of a mid-size car. Anyone headed North from Houston by May 9, please e-mail me directly at editor@poocini.com." One thing about transporting a generator, you don't have to pull over at rest stops and let it out for a walk.

CONTEMPLATIONS: If you've wondered about flu in the 2007-2008 flu season (we're in the 2008-2009 season), you can click HERE and read about the deadliness of last year's flu and the CDC's explanation that it can't really tell you how many people the flu kills. Having had the flu a time or two, I can tell you from personal experience that you may think it's going to kill you. Oh, my, worse than a hangover, which one also assumes at the time will be fatal. ... Wonder if baseball executives will blame the flu for a drop off in attendance or admit that their teams aren't worth watching even if there isn't a threat of flu. The current Texas Rangers, however, may be worth risking the flu. ... Heard on the sly that some journalists witnessing the tsunami of stories about the current threat are referring to the Swine Flu epidemic coverage as "Aporkalypse Now."

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Cats ... and some dogs...

It is Wednesday in our part of Texas and when I walked outside briefly, I noticed that the air is muggy, there's some heat in it and the birds are quiet.

I'm not sure what any of that means except that we probably don't need to expect snow and mockingbird lungs aren't made for the tropics.

Now, here's our midweek report with chances to help people and animals:

A MULTIPLE CAT SITUATION: This is a photo of a cat named Great Hope. He is among six offspring and a momma cat who need a place to stay with their human after an "iffy" experience in temporary cat quarters in a barn.

Yes, the human and the cats need a new place, says Therese Clare, who prefers to go by her pseudonym. She'd like to find a place in North Arlington so she can be near her parents.

Therese has been bouncing between family crises and trying to help her cats. She says, "Just to be extra clear: I would be happiest if someone could help to find us a safe place to live, where the cats can be happy and not be a problem. They are very sweet, but used to only a few people right now."

These are indoor cats who are accustomed to being pampered -- until recently when they were being kept in a barn. For now, Therese will settle for a responsible foster home for the cats if no one can come up with a home for her and the cats.

"I am in between jobs and moved home to assist my 77-year-old father in care-giving for my mother. My dad is allergic to cats. A few days before Valentine's Day, a friend of mine offered to care for my cats in her barn in the country. I was relieved...Two Saturdays ago, I traveled to the country to visit my cats and discovered a shocking situation: my cats looked skinny and starved!...My cats used to be happy and on the plump side. Now they are thin and very scared."

And her friend, she says, wanted the cats moved by May 1, but Therese has bought a little extra time. Not much -- just days. So, that's the situation, according to Therese. To help her with a foster home or some advice, e-mail Therese at lovJesus@swbell.net or call 817-247-8527.  She writes, "Please place 'Miracle' in the subject line. I believe in miracles."

MIRACLE THE CAT: You may recall that last week we told the story of Deb Danilow pulling over on a crowded Fort Worth freeway and scrambling to get a cat to safety while her two Aussies waited and watched from the car.

She'd seen the cat get "clipped" by a car and sail through the air. But she was able to pick up the stunned feline.

Over the weekend, Deb found a home for the cat and the new mom, D'Anna Mitchum, reported, "She seemed to adjust just fine at our home.   She was purring and rolling around on the bed, and laid there a long time with me. She also has already adapted to lying in our window to look outside. Jackson, our dog, seems to like her and she him.  My other two cats are curious but a little testy for now."

KITTICO AND PETCO TEAM FOR A BARGAIN: Just $19.99 for a spay or neuter -- the only way you could beat that bargain would be to marry a vet and browbeat the doctor into fixing your cat for free.

But, KittiCo Cat Rescue Spay/Neuter Clinic and Petco will be offering the $19.99 bargain Thursday at the Casa Linda Petco, 1152 N. Buckner Road at Garland Road in Dallas. Sign up at the store or e-mail csorr@airmail.net. You'll need an appointment and there's a limit of 5 cats per customer. Be prepared to drop off your cats from 6:30 a.m. until 8 a.m. -- pickup will be from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cats need a little "me" time after this. Use your brain: Don't show up with 5 cats in a paper bag. Everybody needs their own carrier or cage with a thick towel in it. These are not just cats, they're patients.

Read about KittiCo and its work HERE.

AND NOW FOR SOME DOG NEWS:  Remember, there are plenty of dogs and cats in crisis in shelters all over the area, the state, the region, the nation, the globe. If you need a friend, a shelter is a good place to get one. Generally, they don't care what channel you're watching as long as you let them doze off.

            -- A CAN DOG: This is Marnie, who has been in a fix. We get her story from Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. Marnie is a dog with a tendency to roam and she'd already been picked up once and "against my wishes," Gail says, "returned to the adopter."

            On Tuesday the dog was "out again only this time hit by a car," says Gail. "She will absolutely not be returned again. Please help us find a foster for this beautiful girl."

            The young red hound weighs in at about 50 pounds and is "fully vetted." E-mail can_rescue@yahoo.com or call 214-808-3238.

            -- Grayson County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace James Harris has awarded custody of six dogs to the SPCA of Texas. According to an SPCA news release, Judge Harris found that the dogs had been cruelly treated and he removed them from the custody of Geneva Jones and ordered her to pay $600 in restitution to the SPCA. These dogs were neglected -- no food, water, shelter, human contact. The rescue raid was on April 24.

            -- The rescue group Paws In The City has scheduled "Paws At The Oasis 2009" for 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday at Hotel ZaZa's "poolside retreat," Urban Oasis in Dallas. Tickets are $22. You can get them at the door, but you have until 6 p.m. today to purchase them and drink vouchers online at www.pawsattheoasis.com. Drinks and appetizers are provided by Beam Global and Urban Oasis, we're told. Proceeds go to helping the animals in the care of Paws In The City.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Why does time move faster when you're trying to beat a deadline? ... Anybody else miss afternoon newspapers? Oh, wait, we have a 24-hour news cycle now -- if anybody still has reporters working the night shifts. ... I think I can pinpoint what's wrong with America. I saw a local car dealership TV ad and the guy offered $10,000 off his featured model. Cars shouldn't cost so much that you can proudly shave off TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS and still make money. Good grief. Where is reality? Where is sanity? Manufacturers are going bankrupt and dealers are giving $10,000 discounts? Oh, wait. Wasn't an American-made car.

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Saving Swimmer...

We're spotlighting a survivor of a dog who may be living his last day unless humans come through for him again.

+++++++++

We interrupt this report to let you know that at mid-afternoon, Joe Skenesky of Carrollton Animal Services sent us a note saying that this dog, so close to disaster, has been adopted. We'll let you know the rest of the story when we get it. And I'll leave the rest of the initial story online here so you can see why this dog's adoption is a symbol of goodness.)

++++++++++

This dog has a name based on his history, "Swimmer" and he is one. It saved his life. And now his life is threatened.

We got the story of Swimmer from hustling Joe Skenesky who's always trying to find homes for the dogs and cats at the Carrollton Animal Services Shelter. He says he's "trying to get a dog with a sad story into a home."

Joe says they found this dog when "was caught in a drainage canal during one of the heavy rainstorms last week. He had swam for an unknown distance before finally coming to some trash and debris that had gotten caught by the steep embankment, he managed to get himself out of the water, but was still stuck in the canal and trying his best to stand out of the current so he would not be swept back into the water. Witnesses said he fell in a few times but managed to get out again.

"When our officers got there we were able to pull him out and get him to safety. Unfortunately though no one has come to reclaim him and as of yet no  one has come to adopt him. He is scheduled to be euthanized if he is not adopted by tomorrow night [Tuesday] at 6 pm. It would be a real shame to see a dog that fought so hard to save his own life, lose it to euthanasia simply because of lack of shelter space."

Joe hopes this notice about Swimmer will "get someone's heart going" and someone will come in and adopt him. "A dog with this strong of a will to live does not deserve to be euthanized. We have him down as a terrier mix, but truth-be-told, he is a Chow mix and is about 3-5 years old. He is neutered as well and weighs in at about 40 pounds or so.

"While he has been here with us, he has been on the quiet side. I don't think I've heard him bark yet. He likes to be petted and still likes to go for walks in the rain."

To help Joe save Swimmer, call Carrollton Animal Services 972-466-3420 or fax 972-466-4873 or e-mail Joe.Skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com.

TODAY'S EARHOUND: This is Salty and he was nominated for earhound by Nancy Underwood. We get the story from her and we must note that Salty has drawn some interest though, as of this writing, he is available for adoption.

Here's the story according to Nancy: "Sweet Salty has not had a totally fabulous couple of years, but things are looking up lately. First, he was a puppy at the Humane Society of North Texas, and he was adopted there, which he was pretty happy about. Unfortunately, he recently ended up alone once again. One day last month, Salty's family left him with friends and he got lost, and he was picked up by a very kind stranger. She contacted his family multiple times in hopes of reuniting them with Salty, but, alas, his family refused to come reclaim him, saying they simply 'do not want him anymore.'  So Salty is on the market again, and this time it needs to be for keeps!

"Salty is a handsome and very adorable Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier mix, neutered and vaccinated, 8 pounds, 2 years old. He's house-trained, leash-trained and gets along 'swimmingly' with other dogs.  And here is the kicker: Salty knows Spanish commands!  You can imagine the surprise of his foster mom when a Spanish-speaking friend came over and discovered this."

His foster mom calls Salty a "total cuddle-junkie" who is an excellent guard-barker.

To ask about adopting Salty, e-mail nancycunderwood@gmail.com.

ASSORTED NOTES: Ah, yes, the word "assorted" kicks in a craving for boxes of Christmastime Whitman candy. But I'll get over it as we proceed, I hope.

            -- It's WINE ON THE ROOF time again at East Lake Pet Orphanage in Dallas. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 9 and will feature a "Project Runway" fashion show for pets and local prize-winning wines, silent auction, a raffle, conversation, etc.

            Plus ELPO will present the treasured John LaBella Award For Kindness to Animals to radio personality Redbeard and his wife, Bonnie Hill, founders of the Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project. The award is named for the late beloved and respected Dallas radio personality John LaBella.  (Just FYI: I was the proud honoree several years ago and it's an award that genuinely touches the heart of the recipient. Looks good on a shelf, too.)

            Tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. All proceeds benefit homeless pets at East Lake Pet Orphanage. Order tickets at the East Lake Orphanage, the adoption arm of East Lake Veterinary Hospital, or visit www.elpo.org and click on events.

            -- The Velvet Snout Canine Adventure Center in Richardson is starting its "Hungry Snout" Pet Food Donation Program on May 1. You can donate unexpired and unopened bags of dog food to the Velvet Snout's Hungry Snout program and get a certificate for a free day of dog daycare as a "thank you." The food goes to the pet feeding program at the North Texas Food Bank. Families who are having trouble feeding themselves and their pets get help from the Food Bank. To offer to help with the Velvet Snout's program go to www.thevelvetsnout.com.

URBAN ANIMAL DEADLINE APPROACHES: Now, pay attention all you shelters and rescue groups and do-gooders. May 13 is your deadline for sending in event notices to URBAN ANIMAL  magazine for publication in its SUMMER edition. If you have events scheduled in June, July, August and beyond, send a note (nothing elaborate) to lrpmail@aol.com AND PUT THE WORD "EVENTS" IN THE SUBJECT LINE. That e-mail address is my special EVENTS INBOX and, again, it is lrpmail@aol.com. Please be mindful of that detail. Keep your announcement simple. Who, what, where, when, why and how much will it cost someone to participate. Write a paragraph, don't send a pamphlet. We already know of some September events. We're talking fundraisers, new adoption events and other things geared to animals.

            --- Reminder, the first annual Operation Kindness Hope Gala is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday at Sambuca, 15207 Addison Road. Details are at www.operationkindness.org.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Yesterday we wisecracked about a local reporter's pronunciation of Mexia (muh-hee-uh rather than the proper muh-hay-uh). That reminded our pal Diane Combs of a TV story about a week ago -- the reporter pronounced Manana Drive "Ma-nan-ya." Here's a way to remember the pronunciation. Envision Scarlet O'Hara and think "Manana is another day and ma-nan-ya isn't." ... I miss afternoon baseball games with the neighborhood gang. Nobody has a big vacant lot any more, I guess. ... Regular flu is bad enough. Swine flu must be the curse of curses. We are trying to identify Pig X, the first patient involved in the latest outbreak -- Chester White has no comment. Relax, that's a pig joke. I'll laugh at a pig, but never at the flu.

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Storms, situations & GTO

Some storm this morning over North Texas and the Soggyplex.

More pre-dawn thunder and lightning than all of last year's storms rolled together.. Heavy rain, too. Maybe some hail, depending on your neighborhood. Quite a spring show. Let's move on, while gratefully noting that the power didn't fail once in our neighborhood. Usually we lose power when a beat of water rolls off a duck's back as it flies over a transformer.

SOME SHELTER ANIMALS ON THE CLOCK: We got a note from Ginger Leach, the tireless shelter worker at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control that cites several animals that need some quick help or else. And you know what "else" means in a city-run, tax-payer financed animal shelter. Curtains.

One of those dogs is this fellow Hyatt, a 4-year-old Rottie mix who has been in the shelter since December. He gets along well with the other dogs and he's "super healthy, playful and happy." He's up to date on all his shots and is heartworm negative. In other words, he's good-to-go if someone will go get him. He's a big ol' dawg who is waiting for help.

At the other end of the size spectrum is this schnauzer mix Sassy. She was adopted several weeks ago at the grand opening of the shelter's clinic. But, according to the shelter folks, Sassy was "brought back because she was 'too big'." Yes, this little dog was too big. She's about 4 years old and "wiggly." She's "fully vetted and heartworm negative."

To ask about these or any of the animals at Fort Worth's city shelter, call Ginger Leach at 817-392-7087 or 817-680-0849. You can also e-mail gingerleach45@yahoo.com .

TWO FROM DENTON: Oh, these are not the only two in the City of Denton Animal Shelter , they're just two that we picked at random to spotlight.

As you can see, that black-and-white cat really gets into a good petting session. That is Crystal (#40533), a cat with a "chunky body and build," the shelter's description reads. "She is darling. Looks like a little Panda Bear almost. ... Cutest little girl we've seen -- similar to how they draw those darling little fluffball cartoon kitties."

Then, this dog with the striking face is Sambuca. She's #40677 and she's a Border Collie/Jack Russell mix.

Yes. Border Collie/Jack Russell. That means she'll not only herd your critters, she'll scatter them again so she can re-herd them. Or, maybe she'll just stop working for a while and come to you so you can pet her and hug her. She's about 2 years old and "very calm and does well with the other dogs at the shelter," according to the official assessment.

Click HERE to get contact info and see other animals on the clock at the shelter in Denton.

MISSING LABS:

            -- Remember Big Jake, the Lab who vanished a tree knocked down part of his fence in Fort Worth in mid-April? He's back, "safe and well," reports our contacts with Animal Angels of Texas in Jacksboro.

            -- In the meantime, Bob and Linda Livingston continue to search for their missing Lab Beau. Linda sent a note this morning: "Lots of people have been helpful so I have seen other black Labs, but not ours. It appears he was dognapped, after all."

He's been missing since the afternoon of April 15. (See our April 17 report.) A neighbor says he thinks he saw Beau being wrangled into a white SUV. The dog had slipped out of his University Park backyard through a dislodged gate. To report Beau's whereabouts, call 214-363-5754 or e-mail b.livingston@sbcglobal.net.

AND IN OKLAHOMA: Well, goodness, our reliable tipster Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, Okla., just can't go anywhere. On Sunday, Terry Lynn, her son Jason and daughter-in-law Tara transported a rescued dog to Oklahoma City.

"After we handed her off, we stopped by the big flea market there. We walked by these very stupid people, and there was this little girl. She was in a small fence, on the hot concrete parking lot, no shade, no water, nothing.

"I asked them why she was on the hot concrete and where the hell was her water? They got water and poured it on her, then gave her a little.

"I was furious. I asked what happened when they left the flea market and they said they would dump her off somewhere. You can imagine what words came out of my mouth.

"So I bought her."

I asked Terry Lynn what she paid for Misty The Dog and she said, "Fifty dollars. It was cheaper than bail."

So, this little pup is in a foster home now and enjoying water, cool temps and a nap whenever she wants.

She's about 10 weeks old "but will be a big girl," Terry Lynn says. "Her feet are huge."

To ask about adopting her or fostering her or to offer to help Terry Lynn finance the rescue and subsequent vet expenses, e-mail remembering_oddball@yahoo.com or call 580-330-1459.

As Terry Lynn explained, "I just knew I could not leave her with those idiots."

(Note from Larry: My fellow Texans, I mention this event so you'll know that not all the idiots are in Texas, though these people may have been at one time. Who knows? We have a pretty big crop around here.)

ASSORTED NOTES: We hear from Tina Hamilton with Happy Tails of Gun Barrel City that someone left a "beautiful male black Lab" in a park. He was rescued and now the 11-month old dog, who is "great with kids and other dogs," needs a home. Call 903-880-4124. Gun Barrel City is southeasterly of Dallas out by Cedar Creek Lake.

            -- IS THIS IRONY? A spay/neuter clinic is hosting a blade-sharpening event. OK, maybe you've been in cloth stores and seen an announcement that reads "The Scissor Man is coming..."  In this case, the Scissor Man will be at the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday to sharpen things for $3.50 to $7. He'll sharpen scissors of all sorts and pinking shears and even do grooming blades for clippers (that's a $5 fee). Proceeds benefit the clinic. Call 903-880-4188.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Wonderful spring storm. Would have enjoyed it more if it had started about 8 a.m. instead of  6 a.m. -- or, as we insomniacs refer to 6 a.m. "in the middle of the night." Always tell which TV weather people are new to the area. They (as the Channel 4 noon forecaster did today) pronounce Mexia as "muh- hee - ahh" rather than "muh-hay-uh."  ... Hard to get excited about the Dallas Cowboys draft picks when the Detroit Lions' helped the Park Cities add another multi-millionaire to the address book on Saturday: former Highland Park quarterback Matthew Stafford, $41.7 million-plus. ... A lot of people think the first Italian word out of a Baby Boomer was "spaghetti." Maybe, but the first Italian phrase was Gran Turismo Omologato. Shortened, it's GTO. And now, GM is dumping Pontiac, the motherbrand of GTO. In case you wondered, there are people who embrace the GTO. Click on http://cruisintigersgto.com and pop the clutch.

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Two pals at play before a nap...

 

Two dogs romping -- sometimes you wonder who's having more fun, the rompers or the witnesses to the romp.

In this case the rompers are Jazzmyn, the Great Dane/Lab Mix, and Clancy, the Catahoula/Basset Mix.

And one of the rompers is a slumberer, so that's why they're highlighted in this weekend's Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.

Both are foster dogs -- they're adoptable through Animal Rescue of Texas (ART). And they were nominated for spotlighting by Sheri Olson, who with her hubby Bob, fosters for both ART and the Richardson Humane Society.

As you can see from the photos, these dogs really enjoy a good high-spirited game of "let's be dogs."

Both came from shelters. Jazzmyn arrived about a year ago as a "very abused puppy" -- skin and bones at only 41 pounds. Sheri says the poor pup was "terrified of humans and had marks of abuse on her body." Now she's a loveable, playful, "sweet and loving" 85 pounds. "She'll put her big head in your lap for an ear rub and look at you with her gorgeous brown eyes."

And Clancy, Sheri reports, "is probably the most fun dog  we've had in a long time. He's Mr. Personality. He's a great size since he has the short, long body of a Basset Hound. His coloring and playfulness comes from the Catahoula in him. We call him the 'cartoon dog' since he has such an unusual look. He loves to play all day and be a part of everything going on around him." He's gentle with kids, too.

Sheri's "rescuer's dream" is that both would go to the same home so they could continue to enjoy each other's company.

After all the romping Jazzmyn has the instinct of truly beloved big ol' dawgs. "In true Great Dane style," says Sheri, "Jazzmyn takes over the couch whenever she gets sleepy. We've given up trying to convince her to sleep on the dog bed on the floor."

(To nominate any critter anywhere for spotlighting in our weekend report, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, e-mail the sleeper's photo and info to dallrp@aol.com. At Readlarrypowell.com, we celebrate sleep -- it's solid gold to an insomniac.)

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Saving and blessing...

In our early Friday edition of Readlarrypowell.com we mentioned that the SPCA of Texas was involved in another seizure of mistreated animals.

We'll give you that follow-up in a second. It seems appropriate first to mention the note that Erin Eads sent us this afternoon.

"Our church is going to have another free 'Blessing of the Animals' tomorrow (let's hope for another sunny day')," Erin writes.

Here are the details: The blessing is at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, 3014 Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas. Erin says each  blessed animal gets a free certificate with the pet's name and the blessing.

When I saw Erin's note, it struck me that there will be a lot of animals who need "blessing" that won't get there Saturday. So, maybe, someone can just say a "blanket" blessing for all of those and a prayer that they'll all find a helping hand from a good human. There are good humans, though we tend to overlook them sometimes and forget that they, too, are blessings for their animals and all animals they encounter.

Maybe someone can come up with a "Blessing of the Animal People."

Now, this morning we mentioned the news release from the SPCA's Maura Davies. The organization had been busy in Van Zandt County to the east of Dallas on Thursday, picking up 8 small dogs and 3 cats from an unpleasant and dangerous "rancid" house. Those dogs went to the SPCA's Dealey facility in Dallas.

On Friday morning, the SPCA and the Grayson County Precinct 2 Constables's office teamed to confiscate six dogs -- no evidence that the dogs were receiving food and water. (Click on the photo to make it larger and you can see the tether on the dog's neck.) Fleas were everywhere and didn't just bother the dogs -- the infestation was so dramatic that the SPCA rescue staff suffered from intense attacks.

(Aside: If you've ever been in one of those situations, I apologize for the graphic detail. I know your skin -- like mine -- is crawling already.)

How did the SPCA and the Constable know about these six dogs? A "concerned citizen" tipped authorities.

Despite visits by authorities, the owner made no effort to improve things, so a seizure warrant was issued. Those six dogs are at the SPCA's McKinney facility.

As per usual, the animals seized will be subjects of custody hearings. Eventually, if all goes like it usually does, courts will grant custody to the SPCA and order the dogs' original owners to pay restitution. Then, the dogs, if they're healthy and social, will be available for adoption.

Read more about the SPCA's rescue work and see how to submit rescue tips to the organization at www.spca.org.

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A Friday assortment...

We have several things to discuss as the weekend arrives, but before we get to dogs, Miracle the Cat and other things, here's a consumer question:

Dear General Motors: I've owned some of your cars -- the Vega, for example, but why bring that bad 1971 memory up? Anyway, if you close many of your plants for two months, how long should a consumer wait before buying a Chevy that's been built by post-shutdown workers?

Sincerely, Careful Consumer.

FYI: That's a photo of a Vega. Where's the driver? They often didn't have drivers because we were angrily walking somewhere in search of help -- aluminum engines melted down in the Texas heat.

And now, our Friday report:

MORE SEIZURES: We heard in an early morning news blast from the SPCA of Texas that on Thursday, the agency, with help from the Van Zandt Country Precinct 4 constable, seized 8 small dogs and 3 cats that were "cruelly confined" in an un-air-conditioned , filthy "dwelling" in Grand Saline. They're all being checked out by vets today.

Also today: look for news of an additional seizure in a nearby county. More on this later. We don't want  to tip anybody's hand before the animals can be rescued.

ANOTHER LUCY: Yesterday's eardog, the Chorkie named Lucy (a Chihuahua Yorkie) has been adopted, according to our Winters, Texas, source Debbie Ballard. Ah, but Debbie points out that there are more cute dogs named Lucy out there in West Texas.

This older dog is Lucy Jane, a dachshund in the care of the Coleman County Humane Society. Lucy has been with the humane society "for a while," says Debbie. "She's an older girl, but still has lots of love left to hand out."

The little dog's vet record says she's 8 but she's probably 11. "She's being fostered at a horse ranch and is running around with the other dogs," but she's happy to curl up with her human for a sleep, too, we're told. Lucy Jane's in the society's care because her human had to move to a nursing home.

Click HERE to visit the Coleman County PetFinder site and link up to the society so you can save Lucy. And, from the photos, it looks like small dogs are very available in the Humane Society of Coleman County Shelter which is, coincidentally, in Coleman, Texas. Coleman is near Winters and from Dallas you can get to both places by driving west to Abilene and turning left.

LOOKING FOR SOME PUBLISHING HELP: Noted friend of animals Tawana Couch, who has been picking up stray critters for a long, long time around here, has written a book she calls "The Dog Rescuer (One woman who has dedicated her life to rescuing hundreds of dogs)." She says she's also looking for "anyone willing to take a look at it and proof read it." Lots of photos surrounded by text, she says. The tales and photos come from her more than 400 rescue adventures.

"There are some really good stories and great pictures," Tawana says. (To help Tawana with this project, e-mail tawanacouch@me.com.

SPEAKING OF ADVENTURES: On Monday, Debbie Danilow was en route to her vet's office with her two Aussies, Bandit and Boo, when they happened upon a Miracle. Miracle the Cat.

Near the Alta Mesa exit ramp from I-20 in southeast Fort Worth, there's a big retaining wall. "As I passed Alta Mesa," Debbie says, " saw a cat frantically trying to keep from being killed as it ran from left to right across the four lanes. About that time I saw someone 'clip' the cat and launch it

into the air 8 or 10 feet. The cat scrambled on the pavement and I was past it, not knowing what happened to the cat. All I could see was the LOOK OF TERROR in that poor cat's eyes; it was frozen in my mind."

Debbie pulled over onto a grassy area, left her dogs in the car and walked back to the ramp to see if she could find the cat. She saw it "huddled next to the twenty foot concrete retainer wall about 100+ feet in front of me. Since I had a full hip replacement not even four weeks ago, I warily made my way up the 2-3 foot shoulder (without my crutch!) as semi trucks and cars whizzed past me getting on the freeway and off the freeway doing 60-90mph....until I could get to the cat.  As I reached down to pick up the poor bloody creature she looked up and meowed softly."

Debbie managed to maneuver back to the car and then take the terrified cat to the vet with her two dogs (Irony: at the vet's office she learned that her vet was in the ER with a knee injury and she had to go to another vet.)

An exam showed that the young cat had lost part of her lip and tooth in the "clip" but her jaw was intact. Her foot pads and claws were wrecked and she had some road rash.

But  otherwise, this constantly purring cat was in good shape.

Now, Debbie is looking for a home for Miracle. And you can e-mail her at. debdanilow@sbcglobal.net. You may not get an immediate reply -- Debbie's busy this weekend consulting with her surgeon in Chicago. It'll all work out, though. This is just a rescue story with a lot of moving parts: Rescuer with new hip, cat in a crisis, two dogs, vet with a knee injury and a busy freeway. Not quite routine.

THE MIND-ALTERING REPORT ON PATRIC: You may recall this kitten known as Patric. Yep, Patric. Lost the right rear leg because it was tangled in placenta. Keli Halteman of Hartman's Haven has offered this report. "An update on Patrice. Yes, that's right: Patric is a GIRL." Once the kitten's medical condition settled down, the vet "gave the official findings," Keli says. To ask about helping pay Patrice's bills or to foster or adopt this tough little kitten, e-mail kellyhalteman@att.net .

A CAREER NOTATION: Big day today for our pal Andy Fisher, who has been quoted here now and then. As a former newspaperman, I recard Andy's as a rarity: a real writer who worked in broadcasting. His career began in "hot type" newspapering in 1960, but he "transitioned" to broadcasting, including a spell as a writer for the Today Show. Now, he is retiring from the cable news station CNBC where, in addition to writing, he has appeared as an actor in skits on Jim Cramer's show.. Click HERE to get a brief summation of his long, successful career. I hope he writes more for us all -- he's pretty nimble on the keyboard. And, wish him well today as he cleans out his desk and runs across some memories.

ASSORTED NOTES:
     -- At the annual Derrick Days celebration in Corsicana on Saturday, the Humane Society of Navarro County will host the adoption booth helping residents of the city's shelter find new homes. Go to www.derrickdays.com for the schedule.

     -- The West Side Animal League will be trying to adopt residents of the White Settlement Animal Shelter on Saturday at the Sonic '50s Car Show at the Sonic Drive-In, 8625 Camp Bowie Blvd. in Fort Worth.

     -- On Sunday, Heritage Farmstead Museum and Second Chance SPCA will host the Little Orphan Animals Adoption & Fundraising Pet Event on the 4-acre grounds of the museum. Hours are 1-4 p.m.  The museum's Angie Carroll says the grounds will host animal-related demonstrations, vendors, seminars, microchipping ($20 a pet), a presentation by Paws & Claws holistic vet Shawn Messonier and psychic Debbie Fletcher offering adoption advice.

     -- Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent a note seeking volunteers to help trap feral cats in Athens Alley. They trap the cats on Monday night and deliver them to the Friends' Spay/Neuter Clinic in gun Barrel City on Tuesday morning. (Call 903-681-1676 to volunteer.) The cats are fed and watered daily, Sydney writes, "but the procreating HAS TO STOP!"

     -- North Richland Hills has a low-cost pet vaccination scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Linda Spurlock Park, 6400 Glenview Drive. You don't have to live in the Hills to take advantage of the bargains.

     -- Operation Kindness' first annual Hope Gala is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 30 at Sambuca Restaurant, 15207 Addison Road. Details are at www.operationkindness.org. Emcees for the event are scheduled to be Kellie Rasberry and Big Al Mack of the Kidd Kraddick show on KISS-FM.

CONTEMPLATION: The Tarrant County District Attorney, Tim Curry, died overnight. Cancer. Here a LINK  to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram online story. When I was a young reporter at the now out-of-business Fort Worth Press in the early 1970s, Tim had just been elected district attorney. The office had been enjoying several "newsy" years. Tim brought stability. He also brought a mannerly, quiet style and he was extremely helpful to reporters. He was a square-dealer who was "transparent" before it became a word politicians hide behind. Maybe that's because Tim wasn't a politician. He was THE district attorney.

A PERSONAL SLEEPY NOTE: Last night we had a rare family gathering of brothers, sons and wives at a favorite Dallas restaurant and laughed a lot and stayed up late. This morning Inky the Cocker Spaniel woke us at 4:45 a.m. -- he has some frat boy in him, I guess. My slumberspouse Martha went back to sleep and I moved my insomniacal act to the computer. About 7:40 a.m., Martha rushed down the hall, saw me at the computer and in the nature of someone still asleep, said, "Sweetheart, thanks for getting me up. I almost forgot I have an 8:30 hair appointment." "That's Saturday," I said kindly. "This is just Friday." "Oh," she said. Then, she staggered back down the hall and went back to bed -- her entourage of three or four dogs and one cat jumped up in the bed next to her and they all effortlessly went back to sleep. Inky stayed with me -- but he's flat out asleep on the floor next to my chair. It's nearly 11 a.m.. He's been asleep for hours. Definitely not an insomniac.

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A corner of Thursday's world...

Spring note: I've complained (with love for all the earth's critters, of course) about the mockingbird that screams at the top of his lungs in our front yard in the mornings.

In the afternoon, he (or one of his multi-decibeled ilk) moves to the backyard. He is the State Bird of Texas so he can go anywhere he wants, I guess.

THE DOG THAT WAS DUMPED: Molli Corbin, our rescuing tipster from Dardanelle, Ark., up in the Ouachita Mountains, tells us, "I have a new foster. This one was dumped on me."

Hero is the name.

He's a male pit, under 2, and "everything that a pit should be," Molli says. "Loves other dogs, cats and kids. I had him neutered and all that, but just to prove I have no luck, he is heartworm positive.."

She's looking for a foster group that can take over the medical care for Hero. His heartworm treatment will be about $400. "I can foster him, feed and train him, but I do need some help in the funds department."

And, in the spirit of the big state university, Molli says, "I have not had time to stick a 'Razorback' on him, but I will, and when I do, I will send you the new pictures."

Surely some Arkansas Razorback booster club can help provide for Hero -- and I'm almost certain Molli could be persuaded to rename him "Frank Broyles" if that would free up some funding. To offer to help Molli and Hero or to guide her toward a rescue group that can help, e-mail mollicorbin@yahoo.com.

ONCE UPON A TIME THEY WERE WANDERERS:  We get the story on this pair of shy dogs from Shawn Bryant who advises us that they are currently in the Rowlett Animal Shelter. "These two lovely girls had been wandering a Rowlett neighborhood because of neglectful owners," Shawn says. "They were recently picked up by the municipal animal control officers. ... We are looking for permanent loving homes for them; in lieu of that, someone that will foster or a rescue group that can take them in. We just want to get them out of the shelter and give them a second chance at finding a good home. All costs and fees for their veterinarian needs will be taken care of -- spaying, shots, heartworm preventative, medical care, microchipping, etc."

(To ask about helping, call Shawn at 972-463-4899 or e-mail dsbryant@verizon.net.)

The black dog with the dignified look is Stormy, possibly a Lab-Catahoula mix and she weighs about 50 pounds. She's not as shy as her running mate Chloe, but she's not a glad-handing politician, either. she walks well on a leash and is house-trained. Amazingly, this former wanderer is heartworm negative.

It's speculated that Chloe is a Husky-German Shepherd mix. She also weighs about 50 pounds. "She is quite shy, but very sweet" and walks well on a leash, Shawn says. And, of course, she is heartworm positive.

RAVEN & OZZY, ON THE CLOCK IN OKLAHOMA: The tireless rescuer of Burns Flat, Okla., Terry Lynn Fisher, is working for find a place for Raven, a 7-month-old Lab mix who "used to have a family."

She's an owner surrender at the Burns Flat Animal Shelter. She's also one of several animals Terry Lynn is trying to get out of the kill shelter.

In Burns Flat, the animal pens are outside of the shelter offices -- yes, outside of the building. So, the dogs are constantly alert, subject to weather variations and bugs.

Terry Lynn makes daily visits, but says that is no substitute for having a family with kids -- like she used to have before she was dumped.

And this dog with the intense look into the lens is Ozzy, a heeler mix who is in the cage next to Raven. They're pals, Terry Lynn says. And Ozzy, whose tail is docked, shakes his entire backside when he greets Terry Lynn and visitors.

We just can't believe such swell dogs wind up in shelters. Even though we've seen the evidence for decades.

To ask about helping Raven, Ozzy or any of the other animals at Burns Flat, e-mail Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com or call 580-330-1459.

And, there you have it, the summation of two lives that deserve better. And isn't that a great mug shot for Ozzy!

NEWS FROM THE BIG CATS (AND BEARS): Noted fan of all cats, big and small, Cathie Desell does a periodic garage sale benefiting the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary at Boyd. The latest, a couple of weekends ago, "made about $500," she says. "Not too shabby considering we had nothing big ticket to sell. We will be holding another one sometime in the Fall. The cats are doing well and probably bracing for the really hot weather -- like the rest of us."

Now, you might want to help the sanctuary by donating to Cathie's next garage sale.  You can e-mail her at desellc@yahoo,com or cathie.desell@cna.com, or call 214-220-5729.

If you click on the sanctuary site at www.bigcat.org, you'll not only see magnificent cats, you'll read about the sanctuary bears waking from their hibernation.

And that reminds me I'd like to get a picture of some sleeping bears for our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Of course, I think someone with sleeping bear experience ought to snap the pictures. I'll just wait for the e-mail from a bear expert. (Click HERE to watch George the Grizzly scratch his back.)  Sure, I've done stupid things, but I'm not quite dumb enough to try to sneak into a bear habitat while they're all still in their "wake-up mood."

That photo? That is our staff impersonator, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, giving us his impression of a bear waking and rushing into the sanctuary cafetorium to spy a big steaming platter of Mom's Poke-The-Bear-Meatloaf-On-a-Stick. He tells us that this impression is similar to his "Tiger spots a big steaming platter of Mom's Foolish Tourist Meatloaf." Nuances -- the Cocker Spaniels' specialty.

TODAY'S EARHOUND: We got this note about Lucy from Debbie Ballard in Winters, Texas. That's about 200 miles west of Fort Worth -- you drive to Abilene and take a left to get to Winters.

Debbie writes, "This is Lucy whom I've deemed a Chorkie.  I think she's part Chihuahua and part Yorkie. I'm fostering her and she's going to be up for adoption soon.  I thought you would like her ears.  If anyone is interested in her, they can e-mail me at Postalgal1@aol.com."

Lucy is too cute. She's got the look of a dog that says, "I can hear everything you say and some of the things you're thinking."

GOOD TASTE AT THE ART MART: Chef Jeanette Prasifka of Crosby Catering & Coffee is going to be at the Art Mart at the Bath house Cultural Center this weekend.

The Art Mart is described as an "eclectic variety of art, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, pottery, mixed media art, jewelry, mosaics, glass and more."

And, some of us think Chef Jeanette's cooking is art, too. The Crosby booth's hours are noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Bath House Cultural Center is on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake. Click HERE and you can see directions to the center and get a look at the menu. As you'll see, Chef Jeanette specializes in vegan delicacies. Here's an example of a "lacto" dish: Blue Cheese Wedge made with a "generous wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with creamy blue cheese dressing, chopped spiced pecans, dried cranberries and blueberries." Oh, my, the taste buds are tingling already. And you can get a Chunky Monkey smoothie -- I'm not sure what's in that but I think I can rule out the instruction "Add one monkey. Stir well."

JENNY AND THE VEGETARIAN LUNCH: At Sunday's Vegetarian Network of Dallas luncheon, they'll be handing out posters supporting Jenny, the Dallas Zoo's "controversial" elephant. Margaret Morin, founder of the SaveJennyNow.com (Concerned Citizens For Jenny), is also active in the Vegetarian Network of Dallas. She'll be distributing "Save Jenny" posters at the network's Fourth Sunday Compassionate Lunch noon to 2 p.m. at the Veggie Garden Restaurant, 516 W. Arapaho Road, Suite 112, in Richardson. It's open to the public. Margaret says Jenny will be a topic of discussion because the city council elections are May 9 and this will be an opportune time to discuss which candidates support efforts to move Jenny to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Readlarrypowell.com is proud to be read in many places -- not just the U.S., but around the globe. We recently had a visitor who clicked in from the United States Minor Outlying Islands between Hawaii and the Marshall Islands way out in the Pacific. We're happy to help with the native critters -- is there a USMOI Laysan Albatross Spay/Neuter Program? Thanks to everyone for reading and helping critters. ... Speaking of mockingbirds, as in today's opening paragraph: Inky usually barks when he's ready to come in from his "walks." But, yesterday afternoon there he was, sitting on our deck and glaring an alarmingly loud mockingbird merrily screaming from a limb just out of the reach of a short, stocky cocker spaniel. When I say "glaring," I mean focused as sternly as a one-good-eye cocker spaniel can focus. Inky likes a quiet yard -- unless he's doing the barking.  Could be worse, I guess. Could be a Laysan Albatross -- their cry is sometimes called a "moo."

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Butters and assorted tales...

Here we are at mid-week and things seem to be improving.

I can't really cite anything. But we can't be gloomy all the time. We've got baseball, celebrity gossip and the chicken dance. By the way, National Chicken Dance Day is May 14.  

A LITTLE GUY NEEDS A HOME: "He is a fantastic little dog who has been through a lot in his life that he didn't deserve," says Dawn Robertson about her foster dog, this 8-year-old Chihuahua, Butters.

The woman who found him in Samuel Crawford Memorial Park, a common dumping ground in Dallas' Pleasant Grove neighborhood, named him for a South Park character.

Butters is an older guy, about 8, who a "sweet lady" found in a Dallas-area park recently.

Dawn says he had apparently been attacked by another animal -- he had a broken jaw and an unpleasant abscess on his leg. And he's heartworm positive. And in a few weeks he's going to have knee surgery.

Dawn is fostering him through Animal Allies of Texas and if you want to help his cause or adopt him, go to www.animalalliesoftexas.org.

She says he's a genuinely sweet and warm cuddler who loves to bond while watching television.

His only bad habit, she says, is he'll take a dash toward and open door and that may be how he got lost in the first place.

THE FACE OF SHELTER DOGS: OK, here's an American face. An American Bulldog face, we're told. This mug belongs to Axel, a year-old 70-pounder who is an owner surrender at the Irving Animal Shelter. He's been at the shelter since early April and is beginning to get unhappy about it. Shelter walker Russell Posch spotted him. The big lad's official number is 15847. To ask about adopting him, call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 57.

Axel is one of many, many dogs in kill shelters in the North Texas area. Owner surrenders, strays, dumped dogs, newborns -- they all wind up in shelters. And so do a bunch of cats.

This cat is Pebbles, practicing her pose for her high school graduation photo, no doubt. Pebbles is a year-old tortie who weighs in at 6 pounds and came into the Dallas Animal Services system when her owners surrendered her because they claimed they could no longer care for her. She's been in the shelter since March 23. You can read more about her and other dogs and cats in the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center by clicking HERE.

JAMES IS LEFT AWAITING A HOME: Perhaps you remember the photo of six Lab mix puppies we ran a few weeks ago trying to help DeeDee Pratt find homes for them. She's had some success and only James, "a very adorable" Lab mix pup is left. "He has cute little white tips on his front paws," says DeeDee.

He's about two months old and needs someone to play with, she says. To ask about adopting James, e-mail diedrepratt@yahoo.com.

ASSORTED NOTES ON GOATS, GROUPS AND A TEXAS SENATE BILL: Bill Mckenzie, general manager of the La Quinta I & S Arlington North, is trying to help some folks in Midlothian find "a small goat to keep their goat company," Bill says, "They have two acres and have a dwarf goat currently. A mini donkey would be a good fit as well." To help Bill help the goat-seeking family, e-mail bmckenzi@laquinta.com or call 817-640-4142, ext. 100. ... The multi-group adoption event cancelled by Ol' Man Winter on March 28, is now scheduled for Saturday at The Marquis in Uptown in Dallas, we hear from Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CAN, the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake and Dallas Animal Services are scheduled to have animals there, Gail says. ... Go to www.thln.org and click on Action Alerts to see how the Texas Humane Legislation is trying to make sure Senate Bill 691 doesn't classify dogs and cats as "invasive species."

CONTEMPLATIONS: So we don't forget, take some time and Google the name Elisha Ray Nance. He was 94, died Sunday and was a survivor of D-Day who came home as a dedicated American citizen. Worth remembering these WWII folks and all they did for us. ... We were up early at our house this morning. Someone turned the TV on and before long we were all watching the Albert Brooks/Debbie Reynolds movie Mother. This lead my sleepyspouse Martha and I to our first agreement of the day: Albert Brooks doesn't make enough movies. ... Click HERE and if I handled the technology right you'll got to a New York Times blog story blaming fat people for global warming. Not that I'm sensitive, but I knew they'd eventually get around to pointing fingers at my peeps.

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Flocking for charity...

On Tuesday, we have a number of things to put forth including a charitable flock. Read on:

PRETTY CHARITABLE IN PINK: Dot Lott of the Humane Society of Flower Mound sent us a note about "flamingos" and we had to smile -- you can't adopt one pink flamingo, but you can get a whole flock.

Here's the deal, according to the FMHS news release: "It's flamingo extortion! But it's al for a good cause. For a mere $25 you can have a flock of plastic flamingoes set up in an unsuspecting friend's yard. Perfect for the proud graduate, the birthday boy or girl, the parents of that sweet new baby or anyone who appreciations a bit of humor."

The FMHS volunteers, "under cover of darkness," sneak into someone's yard and set up a giant flock of pink flamingoes. "Imagine the look on your friend's face when they awake to a yard full of flamingos." And, yes, the volunteers actually do politely reclaim the flamingos.

To ask about "Flamingo Flocking" someone, call 972-874-0807 or e-mail flamingos@fmhs.org. The flocking begins in May.  FMHS vice president of administration Tracy Kempf is wrangling the flamingo project.

fmhs.org.

So, just who will the flocking help? For starters, the animals that come into the Flower Mound society. Among those available animals are the two in the photographs.

That's Victor, the young cat, who, based on the pink highlight in his portrait, appears ready to help with the flamingos -- though who really knows how much help a young cat would be during a flamingo outbreak.

And that dog? That is Pepper, a heeler/cattle dog mix, who, no doubt would be first in line for the "Herd a Flock of Flamingos" contest. Pepper lost an eye due to injury -- the humane society found her in a local shelter and rescued her. Can you imagine this one-eyed dog, a fan of stuffed toys and riding in cars, trying to herd a flock of flamingos? One more sweet thing about her. "She sleeps through the night in a dog bed beside her foster mom's bed." That is a good dog.

You can ask about adopting these animals and others by going to www.fmhs.org.

SHELTER CRISES: Lots of shelters are overloaded around here right now. Pass that along to your friends and acquaintances who need companions. And remember, these animals are only human -- they need companions, too. Wait. Animals will sue me for slander. Animals are not human. Maybe they're better than human.

They do wind up in trouble -- like humans. For example, Russell Posch, the shelter walker/photographer who focuses on the Irving Animal Shelter, spotlights this dog Belle, a "calm, friendly girl" with a possibly broken back leg. Bells about 2 and weighs about 30 pounds and has a definite Beagle look.

To ask about helping Belle, call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257. The shelter is at 100 N. Briery, just east of the Belt Line/Rock Island intersection south of 183 in Irving.

Remember, the official mission of city shelters (though most do the best they can in these emergencies) is not to be a veterinary hospital, so this dog needs some help from outside sources.

-- On the north side of Dallas, the Denton Animal Shelter is loaded with dogs and cats, including this gray cat named Ellie whose previous humans drove up to the shelter and tossed out a litter box that had been taped shut. Inside the box? Yep, Elle, a "sweet, gentle and loving" cat. Inexplicable human behavior. Also at the Denton shelter is the Dachshund Mix, Gorgon -- a small playful dog who in this photo appears to be levitating his rear end. (To ask about helping these animals or any animals in the Denton shelter, e-mail amy_pelzel@yahoo.com.)

 -- On the south side of Dallas, the Ferris Animal Shelter has a bunch of critters, including three yellow Labs with one hard luck tale of being surrendered to the shelter. The shelter also has this little guy, Max, a 3- or 4-month-old Aussie mix who hasn't had much socialization in his life. The shelter folks have been working with him and he's evolving into an adorable guy with a look of "I'm ready for fun" on his face. To ask about adopting the Labs, Max or any other Ferris critter, call 972-877-1210 or 469-682-5441.

-- In Marshall, about 3 hours east of Dallas on I-30, Animal Control Officer Eva Sepulvado is looking for some help with this Jack Russell -- a young girl named Jinny. "We have the sweetest JRT girl that was found on the side of the road by a kind lady!" Eva says. Turns out the little dog has a broken leg and will need foster care for about two months.

The folks at McClendon Veterinary Clinic says the dog's femur is "out of its socket." So, she'll need some surgery and the bill is going to approach $300. To donate to Jinny's care, contact McClendon Veterinary Clinic, 7379 Highway 59 South, Marshall, 75672. Call 903-938-1117.

To offer to adopt or foster Jinny or any of the many animals in the Marshall shelter, contact Eva at 903-935-4530 or 903-926-2695 or e-mail sepulvado-aco@hotmail.com.

That photo of Jinny is a little blurry -- but that's typical of Jack Russells. They're always moving faster than the shutter.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Mowed the front yard yesterday without horrific effects from mold, pollen or dust. Can't imagine why. Have I finally grown out of allergies? ... We've had quite a beautiful spring so far though a weather forecaster said our afternoon temp would approach 90 today. By August, we may be in the 120s. ... Yesterday we asked you to contemplate "Life is good" and list five reasons. Today, contemplate: TV is good. List 5 reasons. OK, here goes: In Plain Sight, Monk (in its last season), The Big Bang Theory, live news, the off-switch. Just kidding about that last one. We never use it.

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