It was a routine Sunday morning of mediation and reading until we got a desperate call about this threatened dog Pumpkin.
When the Sunday routine is interrupted, you know a critter needs some help. In this case, the clock is ticking on a former chained dog.
Pumpkin is on Monday's 8 a.m. "to-be-euthanized" list at the Denton Animal Services shelter. That's right -- 8 a.m. Monday.
Shelter volunteer Amy Pelzel is fighting time to try to get the shepherd mix to safety.
This is Pumpkin's second close call (that we know of). Amy says that Pumpkin was initially brought into the shelter in "protective custody" because she was an abandoned dog -- left chained and without food or water to the outside of a home when her people moved.
(Ironically, this is the final day of the Dogs Deserve Better group's 2009 Chain Off commemoration. The group wants to get people to stop chaining their dogs and staking them out and ignoring them.)
So, Pumpkin, about 7 years old and rail thin, is facing death at the hands of the system that saved her. More irony.
As you can see in the larger photo, she has a peculiar skin condition on the back portion of her body. Amy says there's no diagnosis yet, but it might be easily treatable. Could be an odd mange. Or maybe an allergy. Nobody will know until they have time to look at it. And from the time you read this until 8 a.m. Monday may not be enough time.
Amy says Pumpkin is a very sweet dog, probably a shepherd mix, but might be Akita -- "It's hard to tell without the hair," says Amy.
To help save this dog, call 214-924-2339 or e-mail amy_pelzel@yahoo.com . You can see more animals at the Denton shelter by clicking HERE.
AN ADOPTION/PUPPY MILL NOTE: We heard from Joni McConnell of A Different Breed that the rescue group had lots of foot traffic which led to a strong adoption session Saturday at its Pepper Square storefront center. Final figures aren't in, but the group adopted out dogs and a kitten.
And Joni, ADB's volunteer coordinator, finished her report with, "Here's the next challenge: There is a puppy mill shutting down with 19 pregnant dogs. Breeder of Rat Terriers, Chihuahuas and Jack Russells. ... They are currently in a metal barn with no air conditioning." ADB is looking for foster homes to help with these animals. More on this later. Go to www.adifferentbreed.org to volunteer to foster or to adopt.
SUNDAY CONTEMPLATION: Maybe by Monday, we'll be able to report that Pumpkin has been saved. That would be a great way to start a week. ... Today is probably a good day for prayer when you consider the plight Pumpkin and other critters and, not to judge, but also when you take a look at the state of the immortal souls of people who are a threat to good things on the planet. Not to get preachy, but since we can't beat 'em "upside the head" with a two-by-four, maybe we can pray for their enlightenment. Though I am thinking about selling official Readlarrypowell.com Mind-changing Two-By-Fours of Enlightenment on this website.
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Larry - Sounds like a new fund raiser to me. I'll gladly chip-in $10 for a "Mind Changing 2x4 of Enlightenment". If you can find a chunk of "2 by" for less than $10, feel free to keep the profit to help out... heck, you can even keep the 2x4. I may have one around here already.
Posted by: Mike | July 12, 2009 at 04:07 PM