Winter, ears and other things...

Here we go on a Thursday morning in Dallas that is so chilly we almost need to unpack our sweaters. It was only 80 degrees at 8 a.m. and we wonder if the frost will hurt the crops.

Now, collars turned up against the winter-like wind, let's move on before the chill gets to us. Oh, that dog? That's today's Earhound. Read on.

DOGFIGHTERS IN TROUBLE: Well, my goodness, isn't that awful. And imagine this: Dogfighting in East Texas. Why, heck, you don't have to imagine it. It's there. And so were the feds and that's why 26 people from 7 states were indicted in connection with dogfighting.

According to The New York Times, this wasn't one big ring, but a number of smaller groups. Of course, it may not be one big ring of dogfighters but it does represent one big ring of mean stupidity. Some of the people arrested are from Texas.

To see the New York Times story click HERE  See the story on the East Texas investigation at the website for KLTV-TV HERE. Eight arrests were made and dogs recovered near Beckville.

Here's a note from the New York Times' story to give credit where credit is due: "It is the most recent in a series of investigations that have taken place since President George W. Bush signed into law the 2007 Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which makes dogfighting a felony. Under the law, each of the counts could result in a maximum of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000."

And none of these 26 pinheads will ever play in the NFL again.

PRAYERS & PASSAGES: Please take a look at the story of Bella on our Prayers & Passages page today. You'll find not only a story of human/dog friendship and support, but also a bit about a project called 2 Dogs 2000 Miles to bring attention to the cause of fighting canine cancer.

NEEDING HELP IN A SHELTER: This skinny momma has a bunch of puppies (some are shown here) and they're all in the Collin County Animal Services Shelter in McKinney.

Our tipster, DeDe Whitcombe of Collin County Humane Society, monitors things in the shelter and says, "This family will be euthanized at the end of this week."

DeDe says there are "buckets of owner- surrendered puppies and the intake is not slowing down. They are doing adoptions now for the most part and was encouraged to see two families there this am picking out their new family member.  So many sad faces."

Among them is a (left) "mangy Pyr," a "very sweet senior" Chihuahua, a senior Jack Russell and a senior blind Shih Tzu.

To reach the shelter, call 972-547-7292 or e-mail animalshelter@co.collin.tx.us.

AN IRVING CRISIS: Sandy Lewis sent me a note this morning about an ancient Affenpinscher in the Irving Animal Services shelter, so I checked with noted shelter walker Russell Posch to see what was up with Wire. Turns out Wire has been spoken for by a rescue group.

But Russell had another dog that "I'm worried about," he says.

And, as you can see from the photos, he has provided us with today's "Earhound." That's quite a set on Emily, isn't it? Picks up signals from space, I'll bet. Here's the story from Russell:

"Emily was dumped at the shelter by her owner. I think 'moving' was the reason. She looks ordinary and she's not very waggy when she first meets a new human (you have to win her), but she warms up after you win her trust and will be such a grat pet if only she can get out of the shelter. She greets me enthusiastically now when I pass her cage. She's smart and loves to give and receive affection."

The Irving shelter is at 100 N. Briery, just east of the Belt Line/Rock Island intersection a couple of miles south of Airport Freeway (183). Call 972-721-2256.

FOSTERS NEEDED: First, every rescue group and shelter needs three things: (1) Adoptors (2) Money and (3) Fosters.

If you wonder whether a group or shelter you know about needs any of the above, they do.

Two examples:

DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue has openings for foster homes and opportunities for adoption and helping in other areas. Click HERE.

The Little Forest Hills Animal Alert, www.lfhanimalalert.org , which works to help critters in that White Rock Lake neighborhood, recovered an injured Chihuahua -- we ran the photo a couple of days ago. The dog's eye had been popped out of the socket. "She had her eye surgery yesterday and it went well," reports LFHAA's Maeleska Fletes. "In a few days she will be spayed and have the [pregnancy] termination." She needs a place to stay when she's out of the hospital. To offer to foster, call 214-930-5910.

ASSORTED NOTES: Reliable Houston critter contact Alexandra Kelsey sends a note with a good point. Regarding the Humane Society of North Texas' rescue of 500 puppy mill dogs, Alexandra says "I was especially impressed to know about these companies who helped." And she notes the helpers: Chesapeake Energy which donated warehouse space,  Chesapeake’s vendors DynaTen, Ross Electric, Cowboy Welding and Signature Contracting for work converting a former stockyard slaughterhouse into a  temporary puppy home and PetSmart Charities for donating crates, food, supplies and volunteers. Yep, it takes a village to triumph over animal cruelty. ... Amy Pelzel, hardworking volunteer at the Denton Animal Shelter, reports that big dog Jake (see earlier post) has been taken in by the Frisco Humane Society and has "found a home." ... Jay Sabatucci, who has been a hard worker (and regional top guy) for the Humane Society of the United States around here, sent out word this week that he's leaving the HSUS to take a new position and it will "allow me more time with my family." He had this passage in his note: In my time at The HSUS, I have made many friends and learned many things, making my experience there the highlight of my animal welfare career.  I admire each of you for the great work you do, and I urge you to continue to fight the good fight.  Remember Edmund Burke’s passage that evil will triumph if good people do nothing.  ... Someone e-mailed us a tip on an animal cruelty charge filed against Tucumcari, N.M. Mayor Antonio Apodaca. Click HERE and be prepared to shake your head. Like that situation in Ferris this week, I'm sure there was just a "misunderstanding" -- and I am starring at the Dallas Summer Musicals as Peter Pan.

CONTEMPLATIONS: My former colleague at the big paper in Dallas, Jean Nash Johnson, is running a "vote for your favorite Michael Jackson song" survey on her blog HERE. At last glance, "Billie Jean" was in the lead, though you have the opportunity to vote for Thriller, Beat It and others including the somewhat ironic "Man In The Mirror." ... Sir Paul McCartney is going to perform at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington and that brought this memory from veteran animal rescuer and Beatlemaniac Jonnie England: "I paid $5.50 to see him the FIRST time he was here. He had 3 other guys with him then." ... An unpleasant thing has happened. Someone has used the Readlarrypowell.com e-mail address  to send out loads of spam all over North America. The bounce-backs from un-deliverable mail have been filling my inbox. If you sent me a legit e-mail and it bounced back to you overnight with a "mailbox is full" message, that's why. We hope this bad behavior did not harm attempts to help animals.

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Comments

[Maria]

This Mayor in N.M. should be fined, jailed and fired! Wow...