We're heading into a weekend that promises heat and more heat.
Probably that makes it very appropriate that the folks with Animal Connection of Texas are joining with Dogs Deserve Better to note the 2009 Chain Off finale.
As you may recall, Dogs Deserve Better is a national organization that wants to keep dogs off tethers and chains and ropes and whatever else pinheads tie them up with and leave them lonely and unsocialized -- and dangerous or dying -- in yards.
The ACT Chain Off is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Unleashed Dog Park, 5151 Samuell Boulevard in Dallas.
ACT's Susan Oakey distributed an announcement regarding how to help with the 2009 Chain Off.
There are traditional ways such as handing out literature, donating to ACT or Dogs Deserve Better, and helping to educate people about the idiocy of chaining dogs.
You may also "join the 'Unchain Gang'. Live like a dog for a memorable 8 hours in the heat at the end of a chain." E-mail soakey@sbcglobal.net.
LEFTY AT THE COLONY: "This is Lefty. I think he's an Australian Cattle Dog-Catahoula mix ....maybe?" says Patricia Barrington, the Animal Control Division Manager for The Colony."
Whatever he is, the dog with one brown eye and one blue eye needs one good home.
"He’s about 45 pounds and is an incredibly likable dog. Sadly, though, he’s just sort of a mixed up, plain dog and he doesn’t get many looks because he’s in a shelter with fancy Yorkshire Terriers and handsome Doberman Pinschers and the like. Someone should look, though, because this fella is a gem. He’s full of love, intelligent, obedient, and loyal. What more can a person ask for in a dog? Heaven knows Lefty isn’t asking for nearly that much in a person.
"I am just really impressed with this boy. He’s a great dog in an unfavorable situation and I would really like to see him find his way off the euthanasia list and into a home of his very own."
To ask about helping Lefty -- or any of the fancy, handsome or plain critters -- at The Colony, call 972-370-9250 or e-mail pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov.
CHEVY IN CUSTODY: Relax, Chevy the Dog is in protective custody. And we learn why from veteran rescuer Barb Oates.
"Typical abuse. Family of 7 living with the grandma because she gets Medicare. I think it's her son. He came home stepped in what he thought was [urine] then proceeded to beat the puppy. "Opened the door kicked the puppy out, so hard the pup hit the door across the breezeway then kicked the puppy down the stairs.
"A witness who ended up coming forward (thank goodness) said it was the most awful event and the sound of the puppy was horrific. Said the puppy just laid there at the bottom of the stairs. ... The ironic thing is there was another dog in the house and when the man started beating the puppy the other dog attacked him. I do not know what happened to that dog other than it went to quarantine. I will find out though - as neither dog should ever live that kind of life again!"
So, Chevy, a 17-week-old pit mix, is in the protective custody of the city where this occurred -- it's in the Metroplex.
Barb says, "We are trying to get him safe and the shelter will release him to rescue. They would like to get him out because the suspect who is still in custody is sending friends up there to adopt the dog. I'm sure we all know it's not because he wants the puppy to make a statement."
Chevy, says Barb, is a happy-go-lucky puppy who didn't sustain serious injuries or lasting problems.
He may, however, be a camera houn -- as you can see in the photo to the right. He's ready for his really close-up.
To ask about rescuing or adopting this puppy, e-mail barboates@sbcglobal.net.
A COUPLE OF ADOPTION NOTES: It's so hot. Got to be tough on rescue groups that schedule regular adoptions -- lots of volunteers working to set up things, hustle animals from boarding and foster homes to the adoption sites, etc. Bless all of you animal people and may you find a cool breeze this weekend.
We'll mention two adoptions:
Paws In The City is appearing where its never gone before, the Smith & Hawken Store, at 3300 Knox Street in Dallas. (Details at www.pawsinthecity.org.) You know it'll be a cool event. Plenty of adoptables and shopping.
And, from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, A Different Breed will be at its usual place, the storefront adoption center at Pepper Square on the southeast corner of Preston at Beltline. The ploy, we hear from ADB's Volunteer Coordinator Joni McConnell, is to have plenty of "big chew sticks so the dogs will be happy to stay inside their cages in the a/c!" (FYI: The recent Tin Star restaurant fundraiser for ADB brought in $400 for the building fund, Joni reports.)
COLLIN COUNTY UPDATE: The Collin County Animal Services shelter has a number of critters and yesterday we highlighted some including the skinny momma and her pups and mentioned a few others. We know what has happened to one, described as a "senior blind Shih Tzu."
Stephanie Jones of Tzu Zoo Rescue reports that the dog is safely in the hands of the rescue group and has been named Gus.
"He is so sweet and very cute. He climbed in my lap and rested the whole time we were driving to the vet. Once he did his business and got some fresh air, he was rolling on his back and enjoying the grass I had placed him in. He tried so hard to kick his feet and act like the 'big boy' he was. ... He was not neutered and I really feel he came from a backyard breeder. He had all the tell-tale signs of it. Matted hair, stickers in his fur, not altered, gunky eyes (has a little vision). It was sad, but we feel he has a real chance at life now."
That's what you caring humans do.
MISSING IN AUSTIN, COULD BE ANYWERE: This is Church, a nearly 4-month-old French Bulldog puppy who "went missing" on the morning of July 4 from a backyard in South Austin. Brooke Walsworth says she fears her puppy has been sold and could be anywhere. "I'm so depressed about this," she told us this morning. She named him "Church" because she got him on Easter Weekend.
There's a cash reward. And she's been warned to watch out for scams.
If you've seen Church or know his whereabouts or know someone who is proudly showing off a French Bulldog puppy without a good explanation, call Vincent Salvaggio at 713-398-4499 or Brooke at 512-659-9001.
Church is white with a gray patch over one eye and ear and a brown patch on his back, Brooke says. "We miss him so much."
SOME CORSICANA CATS: The folks with the Humane Society of Navarro County continue to help the City of Corsicana keep things moving in the city's shelter as officials work on solving staffing and other problems. In this case, the cats are Tom Tom and Bubba.
The Society reports, "They are owner- released cats that truly need to find a new home together. Bubba has 3 legs and Tom Tom watches out for him. They are inseparable. Both cats are current on all their vaccinations and are neutered. For information or to inquire about adoption, call the City of Corsicana Animal Shelter on S. 12th at 903-654-4928."
FYI, these are not the only cats in Corsicana. When you call the shelter, just ask and they'll fill you in on the available felines. Oh, of course they have dogs. Plenty.
HANDSOME HANS: Goodness, gracious, these German Shepherds are good looking dogs. And, by the way, it took me years to realize that GSD is rescuer shorthand for "German Shepherd Dog."
Anyway, Bekki is foster Hans, "a purebred GSD male" for Camp Wolfgang. He was picked up June 28 by The Colony Animal Control as a stray and moved to safely with Camp Wolfgang.
He's neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. "He is very sweet and friendly," Bekki says. Hans understands one command, 'Sit,' but he will learn quickly. He is dog friendly. A handsome and loyal dog. Hans is about 1 1/2 years old."
And he's available for adoption. E-mail bharvey@tx.rr.com.
GSD -- good, sweet dog.
PETWATCH SUMMIT: It occurs to me that I'm not sure whether pet watch is two words or one-- as in neighborhood petwatch. Crimewatch is one word, right? Well, whatever the construction, there is a "Pet Watch Summit" scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, (the meet 'n' greet starts at 6:30 p.m.) at the For The Love of The Lake office in Casa Linda Shopping Center, Garland at Buckner in Dallas.
The purpose is to gather these pet watch groups to swap info and to help neighborhoods form pet watch groups. Every neighborhood has pets -- every neighborhood has critters that happen to show up. Pet watch groups can rescue the lost animals and save the wanderers. We've seen it happen many times.
For more information, call 214-328-0508 or e-mail info@lfhanimalalert.org.
And, maybe, at the meeting they can vote on whether, for these purposes, pet watch is one word or two.
PETLAND DEMONSTRATION SUMMER HOURS: One of our Petland protest tipsters tells us that there are new hours for demonstrations this weekend.
The Dallas Petland demonstration is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the store at 11909 Preston Road. The Plano protest, at the store at 340 Coit Road at Mapleshade, is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the demonstration at the Frisco Store, 2930 Preston at Gaylord, is from noon to 1:30 p.m. (Click HERE for an Animal Connection of Texas link to the Petland situation.)
As you may know, these protests are by people who want Petland to stop buying animals from puppy mills -- though some Petland officials say the stores don't deal with puppy mills.
On the other hand, you can read the Humane Society of the United States' latest report on this controversy by clicking HERE.
We'll simply cite a quote from the great newspaper columnist and author, the late Jim Bishop, "Some stories just have one side."
CONTEMPLATIONS: I meant to mention this last Friday, but we got busy and it slipped my mind. Still a fun quote those for you music fans. And it comes from our longtime Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas tipster Anne Visser. Noting that Independence Day was on Saturday, she wrote that this year we could "sing the words of the Chicago song "Saturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July" and not have people look at you like you don't know what day it is!" Ah, the sounds of summer for geezers such as myself who live with a constant soundtrack. By the way, the annual Golden Retriever picnic is set for Oct. 24 -- it's a genuine spectator sport to see all those happy Goldens frolicking at Lake Grapevine. ... A headline on the Drudge Report today announces that Sears is starting its Christmas sales in July and that reminded me of a note I got back in June from my reliable tipster Sandy Meltzer who had just returned from the Hobby Lobby. "It started as we hit the door. There is a turkey with 2 pilgrims on one side of the door. ... On the other side of the entrance were the pumpkins/scarecrows... All BEFORE we get inside! (You know where I am going with this..) They are making space for the Christmas decorations/trees! Some of the ribbons and ornaments are already out!" That was back in June. Obviously parts of the country are trying to rush us past the tough economic periods and get us thinking about happier days ahead. ... So, perhaps the greatest female tennis player ever, Serena Williams, is catching flack for not being rail thin. How come nobody mentions that the once elfin David Spade is looking like someone about which people would whisper, "Oh, he's really let himself go." Yep, life ain't fair.
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I certainly hope Chevy's abuser is behind bars and will be charged. It just boggles my mind to think any human can treat a precious pup like that and get away with it. I hope they can get the other dog and get Chevy into protective custody. Wish I could take him in.
Posted by: Dianne | July 10, 2009 at 12:18 PM