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The August rush...

Last day of the month and before we get to any of the usual dog and cat business, I’d like to repeat a couple of paragraphs from a personal note sent by a “barrister.” You’ve seen these notes. You’re asked to help someone sneak money out of a distant nation.

In this case, the note is from Barrister Bennett Scott who writes that he is “a personal attorney to the deceased (Engr. Silvan). I am compelled to write you this email… His Will left for someone a Cash deposit (US $1.2Million). The truth is that, I do not know if you are the beneficiary or not. For two years now, l have tried effortlessly to locate the name on the will without success…”

O, dear, Barrister, I live in the United States of America where our system of government proudly contains a great number of politicians – we’ve already got enough people “trying effortlessly” on our behalf.

That photo? No, that is not Barrister Bennett Scott. That is Readlarrypowell.com’s staff impersonator, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of Texas, giving us his impression of a dignified barrister entering a courthouse cafeteria and spotting a big steaming platter of Mom’s Make-The-Case Meatloaf with an appetizer of Double-Billed Duck Soup.” Ask Inky how difficult this impression is and he’ll confess, “I try effortlessly.”

HUSKIES IN A FIX: Over the weekend there was some serious hard work to put things in order for a moment that may come soon: A court hearing is scheduled within about week regarding the custody of 24 dogs taken “out of deplorable, filthy, chained or cruelly-confined conditions,” according to a note from Mary Ann.

Eighteen of the dogs are Siberian Huskies and one may be blind. The rest are assorted breeds and mixes.

Right now, Mary Ann says, they are in the custody of the Collin County Animal Services Shelter and the call has been issued to rescue groups to help pull these dogs. (As you may know, the SPCA of Texas handles adoptions for this shelter and it has been overwhelmed lately with puppy mill dogs.)

Mary Ann says she’s posted the crisis on the National Siberian Husky rescue site and contacted local rescue groups. “I know that all of the rescues are always full to capacity, hope some can help,” she says.

To offer to help e-mail siberianxpress1@tx.rr.com  or contact the Collin County Animal Services Shelter (Click HERE.) We’ll offer photos soon as we get them.

TWO DOGS IN CHANDLER: This would seem to be a picture that really captures the lives of these two strays – chowing down and ribs showing.

We learned of their story from Michael Phelps who lives in Chandler, a small town along Highway 31, southwest of Tyler. He’d contacted Straydog Inc. for advice.

Here’s the story: “Recently 2 stray dogs showed up outside my fence, the first dog looks like a collie mix and has fleas – the mange is bad on the right rear leg and it was so hungry it was whining. The second dog appears to have some pit/Rott mix and has fleas, mange and is starving so bad I could count the ribs.
“When my wife looked at the dogs she started crying. I started feeding and watering these dogs so they would not starve to death. I have contacted SPCA with no results on getting help for these dogs. I have called all local animal control agencies and their only reply was that if I could take them to Athens the humane society would take them. I have no idea how the dogs would react if I attempted to pick them up and no cages big enough to hold them. I intend to keep feeding them as long as I can afford to do so.”

So, here’s the deal. This man has taken these dogs in and is giving them the basics. But he knows they need more than that. Is there a rescue group, he wonders, that can help provide these dogs proper vet care and find them a place to live? To offer to help him, e-mail m.phelps50@yahoo.com.

CATCHING UP:

     Goodness, as August draws to a close Sam the Elusive Dog continues to be on the lam in North Dallas. Over the weekend we got a note from Debbie Schwartz, one of his original neighborhood rescuers. You remember Sam—neutered and having received his first heartworm shot, the slipped away from the vet’s office and has steadily avoided recapture ever since. Over the weekend he was spotted on Woodford, that’s a relatively short street east of Midway, north of Walnut Hill and South of Royal Lane. We’re publishing the poster again. As rescuer Schwartz says. “It took my friends and me a month to catch him the first time around, so it may take another few weeks to get him again.”

    Last week we mentioned that Murphy the Leonberger mix was in the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Shelter and tireless shelter worker Ginger Leach was trying to find a way to save the big ol’ dog. Over the weekend she followed up with this a note of thanks to the St. Clouds Rescue for agreeing to take Murphy. See the group’s contacts HERE. Read about the beautiful Leonburgers on the AKC page HERE and read the skinny on the breed’s history on Wikipedia HERE. The name is shorthanded as “Leo” as in “I wish we had two Leos.”  Oh, yeah, Murphy wasn’t the last dog at the Fort Worth shelter, there are plenty more.  Click HERE and you can see dogs and cats including this tuxedo female, Jewel, and the Border Terrier/Wirehaired Terrier mix, Cupcake. I don’t know if she comes with the tiara.

     HOW CUTE CAN YOU GET? Boss Man is the dog and we wrote about him last week.  Maliko Ubl is trying to find a home for this guy before she departs for a winter job with sled dogs in Michigan. “We are still desperately looking for a home for him,” she writes. “Karen Lee with the West Side Animal League has generously offered to donate $100 to any rescue that takes him and I will be donating two months supply of his medication.” To offer to take this happily-riding fellow, call 469-877-3282 or e-mail Maliko Ubl maliko.ubl@tricksterdkennels.com.

     AN IRVING EARHOUND: Thanks to the photographic work of Irving shelter walker Russell Posch, you can see many of the dogs in the Irving Animal Shelter by clicking HERE.

We picked out a genuine Earhound from the Irving crowd. This guy is Dewey. He’s official No. 8306124 and he’s an 8-pound, 3-month-old Papillion/Fox Terrier Mix. He came into the shelter on Aug 25 – owner-surrender. I’m sure there were extenuating circumstances. After all, an 8-pound dog can be one horrific burden. He’s probably as confused as his ears. Irving Shelter Telephone: 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257

Remember Jasper, the dog who got his by a car in McKinney and his jaw was so broken it had to be wired back together? Lisa Drummonds sends word that Jasper is now out of the Collin County Animal Services Shelter and in the care ofHomeward Bound Animal Rescue.

     METROPLEX MUTTS will benefit Tuesday when people dine at Half Shells Oyster Bar and Grill, 6617 Snider Plaza during the restaurant’s First Tuesday Charity event – the beneficiary gets 15 percent of the day’s proceeds E-mail  metroplexmutts@tx.rr.com  and check out the rescue group at www.metroplexmutts.org.

     THE ANNUAL BOW WOW POW WOW in The Colony has been scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Hawaiian Falls in The Colony, we’ve learned from Patricia Barrington, the Animal Control Division Manager for The Colony. For $8 a person and a dog may participate, for $12 a person with two dogs gains entry. No one person can bring more than two dogs and all dogs must be vaccinated and spayed or neutered to attend. There’ll be swimming, vendors and adoptions.  More to come about this as the even nears.

CRIMINAL CONTEMPLATIONS: Our pal Patricia Nethery who hails from rural Kerrville and is no stranger to the joys of having big ol’ dawgs around the house, writes, “I suppose you have heard all you can stand about the Michael Vick situation. Me, too. Some people are on the side of ‘he has served his time’, etc., and some are on the other side and don't think he deserves the breadth of the second chance he is receiving. Regardless of all of this, his receiving a standing ovation [at last week's pre-season game] is, to me, the last straw. What is wrong with people?  How can we come to terms with this?” Good questions and both of them are tough to answer – I know we will come to terms at some point. Either he’ll foul up or he’ll prove to be a magnificent spokesman for animals, which, of course, doubt. That other question -- “What is wrong with people?” – well, that’s a puzzler. … For example, while the Vick situation is exasperating, what in the world should happen to that nut who kidnapped the 11-year-old and kept her as a slave for 18 years and fathered two of her children – is there anything bad enough that can be done to that man? First, a normal person can’t fathom the crime. Second, a normal person can’t fathom a proper punishment. OK, I don’t know what normal really is but I do know it’s not THAT.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Holy sweat beads, it’s the last day of August. I wish I had spent more time with the Summer of 2009. One wishes things like that when he doesn’t know how many more summers he has, contemplated the old codger. … This poorly executed photograph [click on it to make it larger] is of the construction area on the eastern side of the Dallas Zoo – it’s the area that will hold the zoo’s elephants, Jenny and Gypsy, and assorted other animals when finished (That should be in the spring if all goes well and no blizzards hit Dallas after Labor Day). The giraffe, zebra and impala barns are underway. You can read about the Giants of the Savanna habitat at www.dallaszoo.com. This photo was shot from the Marsalis Bridge over the zoo and the DART tracks. I used a camera that I can’t explain and a technique best passed on to no one. … Summer’s end doesn’t mean we have to give up the Beach Boys. Seriously, we need some Good Vibrations.

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Here on earth, some nappers...

 

Is it possible that what appears to be a sleeping cat may actually be either an inter-dimensional or intergalactic traveler -- a being en route to a different plane of existence?

Nah. That’s a goofy thought.

We’re just talking about cats who nap.

Still, there is almost something mystical about a cat involved in a nap.

They can be so still. Maybe it’s the fact that a cat can sleep anywhere and unless you know to look for them, they won’t materialize, er, you won’t see them. Seriously, how many times have you done a cat census at your house only to find, after desperate searching, that the cat was where you thought it was all the time? How do they do that?

And, based on this picture to the left, I'd never suggest there was a connection between cats and crop circles.

Oh, you know what, never mind that fanciful stuff. It could just be that a nap is nothing more than a cat simply recharging the batteries. Just like a human.

(Wait a second -- I’m sure there are studies underway somewhere trying to identify the cats’ home planets. All that government money doesn’t go to pothole installation programs and congressional junkets.)

So, in the meantime we earthlings can enjoy our own studies of our little sleeping friends.

For example, here are some photographs submitted for our weekly feature, “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap” by Jonnie England, the Director of Animal Advocacy and Communications for the Metroplex Animal Coalition.

Jonnie writes, “Here are a couple for your consideration.  This is Winky (more white) and PJ. PJ is almost 10 years, and I’ve had him since he was a 5-week-old foster.

“Winky is almost 2 years, and he was a 4-week-old foster.

“I have 3 other cats, but these 2 just really love each other and love to cuddle…and stretch out.

“Sometimes Winky’s sister, Bitsy, joins the kitten caboodle.

“And sometimes it’s just PJ and Bitsy (here, just awakened from a snuggly snooze).”

Ah, yes, they’re probably just earthling cats, put here to show us humans just how easy it can be to catch a catnap.

(To nominate your slumbering critters for spotlighting in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, e-mail photos and info to dallrp@aol.com. Remember, at Readlarrypowell.com we publicize sleep because we are bleary-eyed insomniacs and we admire the sleepers and nappers. And we’d curl up like a cat if we had bendable parts.)

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Eyes needed in Plano, Allen

BE ON THE LOOKOUT: This guy Gomez, who has a boxer face but is a Bulldog mix, managed to slip out of his yard on Cobblebrook Lane in Plano on Tuesday. He has been missing since then.

Bonnie and Rene Soliz, who are very upset at the disappearance of "one of our babies," went into action right way, Bonnie says. “We’ve posted signs contacted animal shelters, walked miles and even hired a search and rescue dog yesterday morning.”

The major cross streets in his neighborhood are Jupiter Road and Spring Creek. A search dog traced Gomez several miles from Plano to near Allen High School “then lost his scent,” Bonnie says. “They believe he may have been picked up…”

Gomez, a 2-year-old, weighs only about 22 pounds. He has a “brownish red coat” with a boxer face and one white front paw. He’s neutered. He wasn’t wearing a collar.

“He’s a rescue and is very afraid of people he doesn’t know and will most likely run from them,” Bonnie says.

To report the whereabouts of Gomez the former rescue dog, call 214-497-1182 or e-mail rs387@verizon.net or  bjsoliz@verizon.net.

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Sadie finds a home & other tales...

We are at Friday. It is a good time to look toward the weekend, maybe see which way your heart is headed. It’s also a good time to look back a little bit at old friends and common, everyday situations that go unnoticed to most. We have several things today, but we’re starting with a story of humanity.

THE SADIE REPORT, IN WHICH GOOD HUMANS PREVAIL: It seems like a hundred years ago that I first wrote about Sadie.  In fact, the record reflects that it was a long time ago in dog years, June 19, 2006. That was when hardworking Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control sent out word about a dog that was going to be put to sleep the next morning.

The dog, Sadie, had lost her nose. (That's one of the first photos we ran of Sadie.

Everybody figured – knowing what sort of jerks live around her – that she’d been mutilated in a dog fight.

Nope. Different kind of jerk. Some creep shotgunned Sadie in the face. The x-ray shows the shots that lodged in the poor dogs head. The blast destroyed her nose.

Nancy Twitty, the big-hearted rescuer, stepped up to take in Sadie The No Nose Dog.

She recalls, “I fought my conscience for hours and finally e-mailed Ginger I would tag the dog. I went out the next morning to get the dog. The minute the dog walked through the kennel door, I could smell the infection in her nose and it was awful. Then, I began to wonder how I would be able to afford the vet bills for any repair/reconstruction, and all the other vet work that needed to be done to her.”

At that point, Nancy recalls, neither she nor Ginger knew that Barb and David Oates would sponsor all the vet work. Barb and David are veteran rescuers -- they know the challenges.

Nancy took Sadie to Deer Creek Animal Hospital – Tina, who was Nancy’s “live-in caregiver during the cancer stuff” she endured, worked at the clinic.

Dr. Bob Denton “did some research, talked to Texas A&M and another vet he knew and came up with a way to try to give her a nose,” Nancy recalls. “While she was sedated, Tina cleaned her teeth and discovered pellets in the tissue and gums. Someone had tried to kill the dog I named Sadie by shooting her while she was looking up at the person. Her head and neck were full of shotgun pellets.”

Throughout all this, Sadie was a lady. She had a horrific nasal infections, was suffering from a shotgun wound and was being examined and probed. Yet, Sadie was a lady.

“Three surgeries later,” Nancy writes, “Sadie had a nose of sorts. Did she look normal? No. Could she breathe? Yes. Would she have infections from time to time? Yes? Was she loving? Yes. The Oates paid all the vet bills including spaying and microchipping, and all shots.”

It was around this time that I wrote about Sadie for Urban Animal magazine and she was featured on the cover.
“With the surgery to her nose and the fear of hitting her nose before it all healed, she was crated. Then when she was healed I let her out in the house with my dogs and cats.  No problems.  She slept on a blanket by my bed.”

After an unfortunate incident with a cat, Sadie spent her indoor time in a large crate and had access to the backyard – this went on for three years. “I put her on PetFinder and only had one man call about her – I immediately turned him down for many reasons.

“Then on August 10th of this year, I received an e-mail from a couple who were interested in Sadie.  I nearly fell out of my chair. On my Petfinder site, I had asked anybody that was interested to go to the Urban Animal Magazine site (gave the date of publication) and asked them to read her story, which they did. In her long email to me inquiring about Sadie, the woman said that Sadie was the kind of dog they wanted, one that no one else wanted.

“She sent me another very long email telling me their history of dogs, their love of pit bulls, and the pit bull they pulled from Operation Kindness (which wasn't even up for adoption due to injuries, such as someone cut most of the dog's ears off and dog was thrown from a truck going 70 miles per hour and permanently damaged one of the dog’s legs). They went there to adopt another pit bull but once they saw this pit, they asked could they adopt him, which they did and a woman from Operation Kindness took that dog down to Bosque County.  And once they adopted, a pit puppy from BARK in Bosque County that was going to be shot-- male brindle.

“I sent them an application, and she sent another long e-mail about their dog of choice … and the only dogs they had ever had were pits. They had had ten pits in their lifetime. One particular pit was a brindle pit bull named Sadie …  To me, this was just too ironic.  Sadie was a brindle pit bull.
“After checking with the three vet references (even the horse vet they use), I got glowing reports from all three vets. Only thing left was the home visit. All their dogs had all been vetted, neutered or spayed, all shots, and on heartworm preventative during all the years of having pits.

“On Tuesday before the 16th, I took Sadie back to Deer Creek because of the smell of infection.  One of the pieces of tubing that he reconstructed her nose with was slipping through what was left of her upper gum and jaw. 

“While there, I completely updated everything, including rabies since Bosque does not recognize three-year rabies vaccine certificates. All shots, nails clipped, HW test, fecal test (all neg), and he removed the tubing then sewed the gum up. She was ready to go.
“On Sunday, August 16th, Tina drove me down to Bosque County, close to Meridian, so I could check out their house and such, and see their two male pits, and of course I took Sadie.
“Their place is 50 acres, a beautiful two-story house, and a two-story office building they lived in while their house was being built. Sadie immediately took to them. We went to their office while we visited with each other and I checked them out with Sadie, and I loved on their two other pit dogs.
“Then it was time to introduce Early (the pit from BARK) to Sadie. They did the usual ‘I'm top dog around here’ smelling, stances. Then time to introduce her to Ezra (the dog from OK).  No go there.  Ezra said absolutely NOT. Since their dogs were indoor dogs, they took Ezra up to the house, and left Early with us and Sadie in the office building. Todd, the husband, took Sadie and Early out together and just stayed out with them.  No problems. They are big pal, buddies, friends now.
“The couple, Jill and Todd, were so calm, cool and collected. Todd took care of the introductions of the dogs - and Jill, Tina and I were sitting in the office just keeping our paws crossed.  Todd came in and said, 'It will be OK.  We will work this out.'
“They both work out of their office and are home seven days a week. He trains young thoroughbred horses, and has two beautiful horse barns. They also have cows. 
“After about an hour, I don't think Sadie even remembered I was there. She kept going to Jill for hugs and petting. She walked around the office like she had always been there. Sadie walked up to Jill, put her paws up on Jill's leg, and put her head under Jill's chin.  Jill said, ‘I love you Sadie.’ 
“Well, I came home without Sadie....many tears shed before I even left there. Tina and I stopped in Meridian to eat, but I could hardly swallow from the tears.

“I get an email every day from Jill telling of Sadie's progress. Todd took her down to the horse barn last Tuesday, she never left his side.  No leash. Wherever he goes, she is right beside him, so Sadie has bonded to him.  The former female pit named Sadie was HIS dog also. So, Sadie gets up at 6 a.m., goes to the horse barn with Todd, stays with him all day, even going out to feed the cows. 
“Jill said that in the future, they hope to turn some of their acreage into a pit bull sanctuary -- for those pits that no one wants.  Can you imagine - a pit sanctuary!  When, I don't know - but I hope it is in my lifetime.
“For once in her life, Sadie is getting to be a dog. A regular dog, with a loving family.  They have no kids, saying the dogs are their children. She has someone to play with, places to go, sights to see, cows to look at, and horses to be around as Todd does his thing. 
“No one can understand how much this adoption meant to me.  Of all the dogs here, Sadie was the one I was the most worried about when the time comes for me to die. Many of my dogs are 13-14 years old, or 8 -10 years old.  But Sadie was only 3-1/2-years-old.

“They invited me down any time to spend the night, or weekend (which is impossible as I have no one who could handle all these critters here), but I do hope to get down there a couple of more times -- when it gets cooler. I can't drive that far, but I will find someone to drive me -- just to see Sadie again, see Jill and Todd again, and to smell the wonderful air of the country. …

“My dining room is empty, crate is gone, and the house seems so empty (which it isn't - still have dogs and cats), but she has left a big hole in my life and my heart.  But I think you all can understand my happiness, joy and tears that she has a HOME of her own now.

“Sadie will always be my girl - but she is happy now - and that is all that matters.”

[From Larry Powell: A special thanks to Nancy Twitty for writing from her heart. Even a hard-shelled ol’ newhound is moved to misty-eyed happiness over Sadie’s tale. Sadie was shotgunned and it took a team of people to overcome the horrible act of one bad person. Sadie helped them – she had the spirit.]

FOLLOWING UP ON NACOGDOCHES: We learned late yesterday from Patricia Barrington, the Animal Control Division Manager for The Colony, that the dog known as “Number 7” from Nacogdoches will be coming to the suburban Dallas shelter on Saturday. Patricia promises to keep us up-to-date on the dog’s situation. In typically optimistic fashion, Manager Barrington says, “She’s a good girl, I am just sure of it.” (If you want to help find a good home for this dog, e-mail pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov or call the shelter at 972-370-9250. Remember if someone beats you to getting this dog, The Colony has plenty of dogs and cats that you can adopt who also need a good home. If they’re in a shelter, you can bet that they come from a sad situation, too. They’re unwanted, were unattended or were the victims of human economic folly.

(A special note from Readlarrypowell.com  to the folks who worked hard on the “backwoods puppy mill” project in Nacogdoches: Your work is noble. People will remember your kindnesses and your heartaches, too. There is nothing easy about being in animal rescue. One reason it’s not easy is that whenever there is an animal problem, there is a human at the core of the rotten mess.

These people who run puppy mills have something twisted in their brains.

But the people who buy from puppy mills are culpable, too, for the torture that goes on. If you insist on buying a dog from a breeder, make sure that breeder is bona fide. Don’t just assume anything. Be a detective. Look at the kennel. If it isn’t clean, back out. Don’t give money to villains. If they won’t let you see the kennels, back out. Don’t give money to villains.

Puppy millers may own the car, but people who buy from them put fuel in the tank. Visit the Texas Humane Legislation Network site HERE to see how you can personally help stamp out this villainous factory breeding of puppies and kittens.

In the last few months, animal agencies in North Texas have raided several mills where the animals are sick, hurting, frightened and even dead. Only the pressure of an informed electorate and a willing law enforcement agency can stop this madness. Get smart. Now help me down off this soapbox before it caves in.)

SPEAKING OF BAD BEHAVIOR: Tina Hamilton of Happy Tails of Gun Barrel City sent out an emergency note late Wednesday about an “intact male” Chocolate Lab, this fellow, who “has dog-hating neighbors who shoot at him.”

The dog has been getting into the neighbor’s trash.

So, what we have here is a dire situation (get the dog evacuated) that involves humans who (a) don’t properly and safely restrain the dog and (b) some jackass with a gun who believes in the Texas theory of fixing animal problems, “Let’s kill it.”

Now, while we have a photo of the dog, we don’t have the dog’s name, but we can fret about that later, after he’s safe. To help save this dog, call Tina at 903-880-4124 or e-mail txtina1201@yahoo.com.

CAT MUTILATION CASES: We got a note from Carolyn Perkins regarding a crimewatch notice that her Midway Hollow neighborhood has gotten this week. As you may already know, the Dallas Police have set up a “task force” to investigate these things – cats have been attacked by a machete-swinging fiend, it appears to some.

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This just in at 11::11 a.m.: “The SPCA of Texas is offering $5,000 as a reward to any individual who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s) who has allegedly mutilated and killed cats in Northwest Dallas. Two of the cats were found cleanly severed in half,” the news release reads. “Anyone with information should contact Senior Corporal Kimberly Crawford with the Dallas Police Department at 214-670-6037.”

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Carolyn says that the most recent mutilation occurred on Coppedge in the Midway Hollow neighborhood but it is not the only Dallas neighborhood with such awful things, i.e., “recently a couple of burned dog carcasses have also been found in the area….”

One person reported encountering a “very bizarre boy around 14ish” who had a bandage on one hand was acting oddly in the area where these mutilations had occurred.

If you see peculiar behavior, know of anything that may be related to these things or can give any sort of a hint, call 911 or call the Dallas Police tip line 214-672-0567, according to the Midway Hollow Crimewatch people.

DOG DAY AT LEE HARVEY’S & A CHANCE TO SIGN A SHIRT: These are things that are connected by coincidence, or perhaps by dog-loving hearts.

First, Lee Harvey’s, the unpolished place south of downtown Dallas in a neighborhood near the Dallas Police Headquarters, is hosting Dog Day on Sunday and the featured group onsite will be the Humane Society of Dallas County. Eh? Yes, that’s the official name of the group that operates the long-time Dallas no-kill shelter, Dog & Kitty City. (Read about it HERE. That’s one of the available at Dog & Kitty City, the famous Oona, rescued as a stray in North Dallas and named by Metroplex Animal Coalition President Elaine Munch in honor of Charlie Chaplain’s wife Oona O’Neill.)

The society will be selling doggie bag “with special canine treats and tees” to raise money to support the shelter. There’ll be available animals. And, on Dog Day, Lee Harvey’s encourages people to bring their dogs to the bar’s yard.

(FYI: We’re working on a newsy item about a dog who is sort of famous at Lee Harvey’s. More next week.) 

You can participate in the Dog & Kitty City fundraiser between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday at Lee Harvey’s, 1807 Gould St.
 Now, we have heard from one person who has announced she’ll be at Lee Harvey’s that evening, Paige Sevovia of Lone Star Pyrs and Paws Rescue. (The dog here is Lilly, who is available through the rescue group – she’s a Great Pyrenees/Lab mix and obviously this is her high school yearbook photo.)

Paige’s cause is a concern shared by many people. She writes that she “lost my dear sweet Bella on June 30 this year to cancer. She wdas 3. Statistically, 1 in 6 dogs will die of cancer.”

On Sept. 18 she plans to be in Washington, D.C. for the Luke Robinson Canine Cancer Walk on Washington. She says the event is “just the beginning os something that may be the beginning of some answers to why or how to find the cause.”

Paige says she is bringing a special shirt with her to Lee Harvey’s Sunday night and “you can sign the shirt with your dog’s name on it and whatever message you want and I will wear that shirt on the walk.”

This isn’t a fundraiser – Paige just wants to give people the opportunity to sign the shirt in honor of their dogs and to show support for curing canine cancer. (You can Google Luke Robinson and get a boatload of stories about the walk. E-mail Paige at paigesegovia@msn.com.)

 

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DOGS ARE ABANDONED:  This is Gretchen, one of the infamous dogs from the Malloy Bridge area of southeast Dallas. Our tipster Deborah Trevino has the story. “Three weeks ago, we managed to get Gretchen trapped, due to unforeseen circumstances regarding the owners of the property where she lived. 

“For 4 days, she sat in the Seagoville Shelter until foster care could be arranged.  Unfortunately, that fell thru, and she was due any day to have her pups. 

“Well, I pulled her from the shelter and brought her to my house. That was on a Thursday.  She rested comfortably in my study until the following Wednesday, almost 2 weeks ago, when she started whelping pups.  It started at 11:50 a.m, and didn't end until after 9 p.m. that night...She had 11 pups, and 4 were in distress when born, so I had to step in and help. That was definitely an experience.  I had never witnessed whelping before.  Anyway, we have 7 boys, and 4 girls.  They are all in need of homes ASAP.  I've had to help bottle-feed these babies due to mom not producing enough milk…

“Also, Charlie, the male dog, is still on the property on Malloy Bridge, and needs a foster home ASAP … efforts have been undergoing to trap him, but he is too smart.  He is believed to be the Daddy to these pups.  Also, Fluffy, Gretchen's 7.5 month old pup, needs a home as well.”

Obviously, Deborah needs help handling puppies and handling expenses. Contact her at DTrevino60@aol.com.

AND IN ILLINOIS: Diana Sharp, who lives in Washington state, sent us a copy of a note from Cherie Preston regarding this dog, Babs. You might wonder why someone in the upper left corner of the country would send a note to Texas about a dog in Illinois.

Well, you never know who clicks onto Readlarrypowell.com and where they’re living and if they might just have room in their homes for a little ol’ pit mix currently in the custody of Logan County Animal Control in Lincoln, Ill.

Cherie explains that she works with pits and pit mixes “so they will be ready to be adopted and rescued.”

Babs, she says, “is small and I have three others that I had vetted and am waiting for a rescue … Babs has just come back from getting spayed. [She is] heartworm negative and has her rabies shots and she weighs 36 pounds. She is a lighter black color and very small. She will not get any bigger and is not very old. She loves to play and gets along with other dogs.”

Cherie says, “I transport every Saturday from Lincoln to Chicago area and further north if needed to get all the dogs to rescues. I help pull and transport from 3 other pounds as well as mine in Lincoln, Ill.”’

To offer to help, e-mail cappieyou@yahoo.com.

MICHAEL VICK: Well, frankly, something happened last night that I never thought would happen – the guy actually got to suit up and play in a National Football League game. Our pal Diane Combs tipped us to a very heartfelt response to the Vick situation from an executive with the Purrfect Paws Rescue group in Drexel Hill, Pa., a western suburb of Philadelphia, where the convicted dog-killer now plays for the Eagles. Read it HERE.

A WORD FROM TEDDY OF THE BISCUIT PROTEST: On Aug. 20 we wrote about this sly Michael Vick protest – everywhere you see Philadelphia Eagles products for sale, just drop a dog biscuit on the shelf with the merchandise.

We got a note from Teddy Gambol yesterday as Vick was preparing to hit the field as an Eagle. “I was born in Philadelphia (something now I might try to avoid telling most people) and live in New Jersey. I have been a football addict from the time I was old enough to drive my father crazy with questions about why the players were doing this play or that. 

"As for the animal lover part - that really took root 5 years ago with my 2nd husband and the adoption of our 1st dog.  Long and short of it, we live with 4 rescue dogs and devote our Saturdays and Sundays every weekend to traveling to help transport rescued dogs coming from kill shelters in Virginia and South Carolina.  Maybe it is this interaction over the last 5 years with these precious and lucky souls that makes me feel so much more strongly about what this -- and I use the term loosely -- human has done to these poor innocent dogs.  We see so many neglected and abandoned but nothing compared to the horrors he inflicted on those in his care.

“I am grateful to you for recognizing my small effort in keeping alive the disdain for this person and what he has done.  I know that this is the NFL and that people love their football and sadly I believe that this will win out.  I for one, though, will not forget what he has done and I will continue to quietly carry my little bag of biscuits and leave them where ever I find Eagles merchandise no matter how long he remains with them.”

CONTEMPLATIONS: Sometimes the world is nuttier that it first appears each morning. … Pro football can be a boring event -– last night’s Tampa Bay/Miami game is a prime example. … Beets – do you really think it was intended that they be eaten by humans?

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Opportunities & a contemplation

Welcome to our daily conversation -– if this were about cows we could call it our “dairy conversation" -- about the state of the world within our reach.

Or maybe just beyond it. Or maybe we’re knee-deep in the world and even deeper than that in alligators. Having summed up the state of civilization, let’s move on and please be sure to read all the contemplation at the end today.

THE PUZZLEMENT IN FORT WORTH: Our longtime tipster, the hardworking Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control sent me the photo of this big ol’ dawg and began her note with this: “We do not understand why we still have Murphy.”

Murphy is this “super wonderful” Leonberger mix. “Our director absolutely loves this dog but he unfortunately cannot take him or he would already be lying on the sofa channel-surfing with him.”

Murphy has been at the shelter since June – long time for a dog to survive. (I think thats a cellphone photo, so what your seeing is an impressionist's view of the dog.) Here’s the official report: “He is a handsome, sweet, loving and playful 1-year-old fully VETTED Leonberger mix….He has an awesome immune system. He has never ever thought about getting sick.   He is good with other dogs, loves people and travels well. He has been to all the off-site adoption events we have had in the last 3 months.”

You can see Fort Worth Animal Care and Control animals, directions to the shelter, etc., by clicking HERE. Call Ginger at 817-392-7087 or 817-680-0849.

MEANWHILE IN DENTON: Holy smoke, the “intake” is way overloading the “outgo” at Denton. In the past few days, we’re told, the Denton Animal Control shelter has taken in 30 new dogs – and that’s not a puppy mill raid, that’s just business as usual. Humans turning in their animals and hoping for the best.

Among those animals is Princess, a “Shepherd-Staffie mix “released “by someone unable to care for her.” She’s spayed and good with children, the shelter says, and she’s a bargain adoption at $60. She's also, obviously, an "Earhound."

Then, there’s Alvin the Basset Hound, a drooping "Earhound." He’s around 3 years old and a purebred.

These dogs are on the clock in Denton and because of the sudden influx of animals, the clock is moving faster as the week progresses.  To ask about them, e-mail amy_pelzel@yahoo.com. For directions to the shelter and to see more animals there, click HERE.

IN CARROLLTON, SOME PROGRESS: The folks with Carrollton Animal Services have been hustling all week to get animals adopted or into rescue groups and many of the animals we’ve featured have been fortunate enough to find a haven.

Joe Skenesky sends us this note about three that still need a place to go. As is the case in most city shelters, their survival depends on (a) strangers speaking up for them or (b) fewer people dumping animals at that shelter.

There’s Dover, a Doberman mix the shelter bio describes as a “happy-go-lucky boy who appeared at our door one morning asking to be let in so he could find a home to call his own.”

He’s playful, but also enjoys napping. And what man can’t relate to that?

Then there is Robby, the retriever-boxer mix, who came in as a stray. He prefers to eat alone, but other than that the 60-pounder gets along with other dogs.

And the girl in the mix is Therma. The 8-month-old pit bull mix arrived as a stray. She likes to play with other dogs and is available to a rescue group only.

Call the shelter at 972-466-3420 or e-mail joe.skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com.

THE LAST TIME WE SAW FERRIS:  Seems like only a month or so ago there was big turmoil surrounding the Ferris Animal Shelter.  That, apparently thanks to a show of force from animal rescuers, subsided somewhat and now business is almost back to usual because the little shelter is full again and animals are on the clock.

Adoption fees are $40 and rescue groups don’t have to pay. The problem is the shelter doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.  Ferris is about 20 minutes south of Dallas on I-45. Misty Clark is the dedicated animal control officer.

Amazingly, you can get a “Tub O’ Cats” at the Ferris Shelter. Anyway, that’s the way they lined up for this photograph.

And there are three German Shorthair Pointer pups – could be purebreds – that were dumped. The two girls and their brother are about 3 months old and if they’re going to get any older, someone will need to step up for them.

The soulful Lab mix is Megan, under a year old. She “has the cute webbed feet,” the shelter bio says. She’s “very, very sweet” and gentle e and knows how to pose for the camera.

To ask about any of the Ferris animals, call Misty at 972-877-1210.

FROM YESTERDAY: The little white Lhasa Apso at The Colony Animal Control shelter has been claimed by Tzu Zoo & More Rescue and the Beagle with the soft ear went to Second Chance SPCA of Plano, reports The Colony’s Animal Control Division Manager Patricia Barrington who ads, “We still have plenty to choose from, though!”

LATE NIGHT REPORT FROM BURNS FLAT: As we were about to shut down the computer last night, we got this note from our reliable Burns Flat, Okla., tipster, hard-working rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher. “OK, it is 9:30. I am trying to finally settle down for the night. There is someone banging on my front door. I go look. There is some crazy lady with a puppy. Either I take it or it goes to the country.

“Look at this dog. She is tiny. Maybe 6 weeks at the most. I bet she does not even weight 4 pounds, a little ball of fur. If I take her to the pound, which is full, she could squeeze through the bars. I have no place for her. Please, if you have a post for a bundle of fur, let me know.”

Now this note followed on the heels of Terry Lynn’s correspondence about EIGHT puppies that are soon to be en route to the pound. “The owner has a registered boxer that she planned on breeding and selling the pups – before she could do it, some sneaky hound dog went into the yard….Now there are 8 babies that she ‘cannot get rid of’. They are still at her home but will become pound puppies very soon.

“The ‘good’ thing is she was educated on how many pure boxers die every day and she is now taking momma to be spayed and not doing the baby thing again.”

But, that leaves these little guys out on a limb. You can tell they’re rowdy little pups – two got caught wrestling, then there’s the “puppy gang” romping near the sliding door that they can’t enter.

Terry Lynn has more shelter animals that need help, too. Contact her at 580-330-1459 or e-mail remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.

ASSORTED NOTES:

     Denise Rinker, who is working to end gassing as a means of euthanasia in Texas shelters (click HERE) has also created a video that is “dedicated to all rescuers.” You can see it by clicking HERE.

      The West Side Animal League, which works to help animals in the White Settlement Animal Shelter, is looking for donations for its October garage sale. Big items, little items, working electronics, toys, etc. The sale is billed as the “First Annual Rummage For Rover.” To arrange to donate something, call 817-350-3450.

      Many rescue groups are aware of the Linens For Animals project. Here’s the new WEBSITE. Take a look and see if they can help you or you can help them.

Famous rock band Three Dog Night and ardent animal rescuer/candidate for Texas Governor Kinky Friedman are teaming for a fundraiser on Sept. 18 in San Antonio to benefit Texans For Kinky. I figured that since the Republicans have been getting all the Texas gubernatorial news stories with incumbent Rick Perry and challenger Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, we might as well mention that Kinky’s hat and cigar are sailing toward the ring. This event follows on the heels of the Sept. 16 A Bloody Mary Morning with Willie Nelson and Kinky at the Gleneagles Country Club in Plano. That show, according to the Kinky website HERE will begin at “Elevenish (unless Willie wakes up earlier.)”

A CONTEMPLATION FROM NACOGDOCHES: We’ve reported on the state of things in Nacogdoches where volunteers and shelter workers are still coping with the overload from the “backwoods puppy mill” raid week before last.

You folks who have helped with puppy mill raids can relate to the emotions so eloquently expressed in the letter from Volunteer Nancy Hinds. Today, her letter is our daily contemplation. You can still help animals that were rescued, but the clock is ticking on them and it will stop later today. E-mail nants@att.net or call 936 615 7715 to ask how you can help. Click HERE to see a slideshow of the animals. The shelter is at 3211 SW Stallings in Nacogdoches. Call 936-560-5011

Nancy sent us a letter about this experience that is so touching and inspiring that it should be shared.

She writes that “to date there have been 50+ adoptions from the Expo center of the dogs seized on 8/12.  Mostly small dogs, of course, even some oldsters who just want a nice corner to lay in.  I hope the people who adopted these guys will be kind and gentle with them. They certainly deserve it.  I hope everyone who came looking for a companion and didn't find one at the Expo center travels a few more miles down the road to the shelter.  There are plenty to choose from there and they are just as important as these guys.

“All the little dogs are gone, even the cranky old one who we thought had some sort of dementia going on.  Maybe that happens after a while when your toenails are grown into your foot pads - it goofs up your thinking.  Now we have a sea of Pit Bulls, all sweet, all wonderful and deserving.  There is Humphrey, the brown Pit who has the biggest smile.  All he needs is a cigar to look like Humphrey Bogart.  My little girl is still there, the one with the empty eyes who radiates resignation. She has curable demodectic mange so bad even her toes splay because of the scabs in between them.  I keep praying someone will see her beauty and take her home to love.  She makes my heart hurt. 

“Many dogs are staying right here in Nacogdoches, with local families.  I have a heartfelt hope the shelter does not see a rush of these guys coming into the shelter in a couple of weeks as the new families are faced with some of the peculiarities of puppy mill dogs. 

 “The cats are going South this weekend to their new digs. Their foster homes are excited to see the moms and the kids. The bunnies left today [Wednesday] in a small eco-car along with a couple of doxies, a mama poodle and her five newborn babies, a Chihuahua or two, and a big dog who shall herein go unnamed but we called him Spud.  Oh and Dad came along for the ride.  I hear it was quite a sight to see them all fit into the little eco car and drive the 2 hours home. The person who took them made a great impression on the staff manning - or should I say "womaning" - the Expo adoptions.  The humans all wanted to go home with her.

 “Someone I know from down the road just a bit piled four Pits in her Mustang yesterday and drove off into the sunshine with them.  I hear they are smiling and have full bellies tonight. 

 “Another wonderful rescue person came from due north yesterday and took some pups we had in the isolation ward because they were exposed to parvo.  Although asymptomatic, the pups did test positive for this awful disease but because of the rescuer's diligence, they were treated with preventative immediately upon getting to their new hometown.  Two more lives safe tonight because of the goodness and dedication of a rescue person.”
Nancy says she “saved the best for last.” The dog identified as Number 7 “will be going home on Saturday.  She will be under the care of a rescue/shelter person in the DFW area. This person was calm in the storm today; her email was so kind and compassionate.  I feel #7 will be in the best of gentle hands.”

And there is the pit challenge. Nancy writes, “Our local Pit rescue person has been trying desperately from day one of the seizure to find someone, anyone, who can take some of these Pits and help get them into good homes.  She has tried calling every Pit rescue organization she can think of - but hears either ‘no, we are full’ or gets no response.  She has a number of messages in to Best Friends network -- but I don't think they are going to make it here in the Miracle Bus by tomorrow [Thursday] at 6p.m.  I can't begin to imagine how she is going to feel if/when these dogs are euthanized …  after she has carried them out of hell, worked with them, walked them, loved them for two weeks, every single day. The pain is almost palatable to think about  -- Humphrey, Mama Dog, the clown dog who cocks her head at you to get your attention.  The dogs we have grown to know and love, who have thrived under the limited care a handful of volunteers can give them each day.  I can only imagine how they would feel to have a steady diet of love.  They would think they were in heaven. 

“Soon it will be over.  We will go back to our lives and wait for the next call out. This is our first time to work together as a group and it has been an incredible experience.  Bonds and friendships formed over piles of poop, lessons learned, spirits soared and crashed with each day.  Right now I tend to mourn the losses - I think they deserve to be mourned, the ones who we will lose tomorrow [Thursday] night.  They deserve a pat, a hug, a proper farewell after all they have been thru.  I hope the donated rawhides they munched today helped just a tiny bit to make them feel valued.  They certainly were surprised at their gifts and were like the proverbial kids in a candy store with them.  I hope they know how hard we tried and how every minute we spent for them was a labor of love for each and every one of them.  

“Later I will be able to celebrate the successes - Eco car animals, down the road animals, the neurotic, the tiny, the fat, the toothless.  But right now I can just watch for the Miracle Bus and hope it comes on time for a few more souls. 

“These animals gave Nacogdoches a gift - one that will be very expensive for some of them.  The gift of watching a community of people work together side by side, hot, stinky, sweaty, but with all our hearts tied together for Smiley, Clown Face, The Sorority Sisters, and all the rest.  It makes me proud to see us go from separate groups of individuals to a mass of humanity doing what we can for these guys.  I just wish it was enough for all of them.”

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Solutions & challenges...

Today we’re going to open proceedings with some good news stories. Things that have worked out, so to speak. Lord knows there are still plenty of challenges, but we all need to know that sometimes things work out better than expected.

THE LAKE DOGS: Last week we mentioned the story of George and Gracie, a couple of dogs abandoned at a recreation area at Cedar Creek Lake. Mike and Linda Buick, who have property there, were concerned about the dogs.

They couldn’t bring them home, but they knew people would be keeping tabs on them until they could get back and get the dogs.

Now, word comes to us from Linda that North Dallas Dog Rescue is taking George and Gracie in to foster and they’ll be adoptable pretty soon. You may recall that Sara Shepperd of North Dallas Dog Rescue helped take care of the Rottie girl Jazz when she was rescued from that lonely existence in a local backyard. NDDR’s site HERE can tell you how to adopt from the group.

The story of these dogs involves a few people pulling together. Some of them wish to remain anonymous and we’ll respect that – after all the point of the story is to celebrate the rescue.

Linda explains the rescue: “Our wonderful neighbors in Winnsboro, Dick and Carolyn, knew that we were going to come get George and Gracie, so without telling us, on Saturday they went and picked them up and kept them in their huge fenced yard, fed them, cared for them, loved them, until we got there Sunday morning to pick them up. George and Gracie are now here in Grapevine with us waiting to get spayed and neutered.

“Both are napping right now and even slept together in a crate last night without a whimper. 

“Dick and Carolyn are wonderful people and I can't thank them enough for helping us out.  I also want to thank Jerry and Liesse who went to feed and check on George and Gracie every day after they were found at the lake.

“I am eternally grateful to Sara and Denise at NDDR for helping with George and Gracie's rescue and also to you … and I don't want to forget Sherry Kunz.  She is the kind lady who rescued Buddy, the black lab, from the streets of Dallas; his story was also on your blog the same day ours was. Buddy eventually was taken in by Animal Angels. When I read Buddy's story, I emailed Sherry and asked her if she wouldn't mind sharing any info she had about rescue organizations in the DFW area. She immediately wrote back to me and sent me tons of information, which eventually led to me getting in touch with NDDR.  Isn't that truly what ‘paying it forward’ means?  Wow! 
“One other thing I wanted to mention was that I was incredibly shocked at the number of animals that I saw on Petfinder.com, adoptapet.com, and pets911.com (not even mentioning all the pets I viewed on other websites) that are in need of homes.  I knew there were many of them, but this many? I never imagined.  May God bless everyone who has ever helped an animal, and may those who adopt them learn that adopting a pet is a life commitment.”

As you veteran rescuers know, Mike and Linda and Dick and Carolyn and Jerry and Liesse and Sara and Sherry are examples of what it takes to rescue animals. Dedicate yourself to taking the next right step on behalf of the animals, one at a time. Or, maybe, two at a time. And sometimes an entire litter at a time. At the center of the effort, though, is one heart. Might work with another one, but, still, it takes one heart to start the movement.

THE DOG THEY TRIED TO HANG: Back in mid-June we got a note from Denton Animal Control volunteer Amy Pelzel about a dog named Li’l Rob, a Red Heeler mix that was picked up by one of the facility’s officers after getting a tip from a good-hearted citizen.

“A man saw kids trying to hang this poor pup with a noose. He immediately ran to the aid of the dog and saved him but all the kids ran off.  Luckily he was able to get the dog unharmed and we have him at our shelter."

Whatever happened to Li’l Rob? Amy sent us a follow up note and so did the person who has Lil’ Rob, Jennifer Powdrill.

Jennifer writes, “Just wanted to send an update on Josh (Li’l Rob).  He is still the sweetest dog you'll ever meet.  We get compliments on him everywhere we go.

“We went to the dog park and he hugged every person there. He loves dogs and people. His only fault is that you can't leave anything in his path or he will chew it up. We are hoping he'll outgrow this. Here are some pics of him with his sister Page and our neighbor’s labradoodle Roxie. He's very happy and we are thrilled to have gotten him.”

NACOGDOCHES REMINDER: Our contact with the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter in the Piney Woods of East Texas, Nancy Hinds, tells us today that the “backwoods puppy mill dogs” that were seized week before last “have today and tomorrow only to get out.” She and the rescuers of those animals are trying to find ways of saving their lives. Small dogs have been blessed with more adoptions and rescues, but hope for the big dogs is fading, she says. Reach Nancy at 936-615-7715.  Call the shelter at 936-560-5011. The shelter is at 3211 SW Stallings in Nacogdoches. Click HERE to see the Petfinder site.

TWO NOTES ABOUT EUTHANASIA BY GASSING:

     --Denise Rinker, a Waco-based rescuer who has decided to work against the gassing method in Texas shelters, has a website now to help fight the battle. Click on www.stopgassingtexaspets.com. The site is up “thanks to some caring individuals,” Denise says. And she adds, “I am also looking for a well-known backer/spokesperson who can help take the cause on, so we shall see if I find one.”

     --The Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter, about  90 minutes or so east of Dallas on I-30, has a gassing shelter.

Animal Control Officer Denise Stinson works hard to keep animals moving out of the shelter – she highlights them, e-mails notes, etc.

The latest is this 7-month old Lab/Border Collie mix, Sasha. Why is this dog in a shelter? Owner surrender. Why? Because this dog, not much more than a puppy, chewed the water hose.

Let me repeat that: chewed the water hose.

What, pray tell, do you expect a puppy left alone in a backyard to do? Read a book? Invent a new app for an iPhone? Good grief.

To offer to save this dog from being gassed to death for chewing a water hose, call the Sulphur Springs shelter and volunteer to take the dog. That number is 903-348-3122.

 

 

 

IN SEARCH OF HEARTWORM SUPPORT: Our pal Tricia Todd with Metroplex Mutts has issued a plea for help supporting the heartworm battles going on in the rescue group.

All of these dogs have undergone or will undergo heartworm treatment, Tricia says.

“It must seem that rescue groups are always asking for something, but … we are in desperate need of funds for heartworm treatment for our rescued dogs. Deuce's level 4 heartworm treatment has been completed as well as Olivia's, but we still have Harry and Sally, Bonnie and Clyde, Oreo and Ace that need treatment. On top of the heartworm treatments, our medical expenses have been huge this year due to the unusually high number of cases of distemper, parvo and kennel cough.”

Donations can be made online at www.metroplexmutts.org or they can be mailed to: Metroplex Mutts 4925 Greenville Ave. #200 Dallas, TX 75206. All donations are tax deductible, Tricia says.

THE DOG BISCUIT PROTEST: Rescuer Susan League, who is a friend of Nancy Hinds and Teddy Gambol of Michael Vick dog biscuit protest infamy, wrote to us yesterday about her biscuit protest of the situation. “I was thinking about Teddy’s Biscuit Protest and wanted to pass along the names and addresses of the Powers That Be with the Eagles organization.
“I am sending little packages out today with dog biscuits in them with a note that lets them know I’m mad about this hiring and their lack of regard for those dogs and others like them who are still suffering for the name of this ‘sport’ -- and hope maybe other people will, too. I’m still shocked about this Michael Vick thing – that they hired a convicted felon. If that were you or me… well, we’d never have the chance to earn a million bucks a year.”

The address for the executive offices of the Philadelphia Eagles is Philadelphia Eagles, NovaCare Complex, One NovaCare Way, Philadelphia, Pa. 19146. Susan ferreted out the names and positions of the executives and here they are: Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer; Joe Banner, President; Don Smolenski, Senior VP/Chief Financial Officer; Pamela Browner Crawley, Senior VP/Public Affairs.

Susan says, “Maybe Teddy’s protest will get even bigger.”

ONE MORE VICK NOTE: One of our Houston tipsters, Alexandra Kelsey, sent us a note about an “opinion” posted on the website of the Faithful Friends Inc. No-Kill Animal Shelter in Wilmington, Del. As you may suspect, these people are also no happy with the way things are working out. Click HERE to read the comment.

MARTINIS FOR MUTTS: The folks at Paws In The City rescue group are hosting Martinis For Mutts from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at the Candleroom, 5039 Willis Ave., in Dallas. Tickets are $25 each at www.margsformutts.com where you can read all about the assorted extras. Who does this benefit?

Ah, glad you asked. There’s Nugget, the Chihuahua, who someone witnessed being tossed out of a car on the side of a road in Denton. Ain’t that sweet?

Then there is Betty Boop, a young Staffordshire Terrier who has charmed everyone she meets.

And, there is the tuxedo kitten Bob. The official description of Bob reads: “Bob is a special kitten.  He and his mom were rescued from a desperate situation where his other 5 siblings were tragically killed at the young age of 10 days old. Bob is a survivor and lives life with gusto. He is most unusually marked and seems to always be wearing a smile.”

Those of just three of the many animals Paws In The City will help with money earned from Martinis For Mutts. 

BOSS MAN’S IN A SPOT: Maliko Ubl of Dallas has issued “a desperate plea for help for Boss Man!  His adoption fell through last week and he is now in limbo.”
Maliko has Trickster D Kennels in Dallas, a combination dog-training and rescue group. And on Sept. 1 she is leaving Dallas for her winter job, caring for sled dogs and driving sled dog tours in Michigan.

Boss is “an epileptic 3-year-old lab/boxer mix. He is house-trained, knows basic obedience, crate-trained and fully up to date on shots.”

“I’ve been speaking with a couple of other people regarding Boss finding a place at a shelter,” says Maliko, “but it’s been slow going.”

The Boss Man adoption fee is $150, but Maliko will also entertain the idea of a foster. “Be better, though, if someone can adopt him and give him a lifelong home. And, epilepsy, while something to be concerned about, is easily treatable in most dogs.

To ask about adopting for fostering Boss Man, call 469-877-3282 or e-mail maliko.ubl@tricksterdkennels.com.

SAD DOG FACE: I may never have seen a sadder face on a dog. Maybe this guy, Emmitt, a Lab who is under a year old, knows that he’s on the “put to sleep list” at the Carrollton Animal Shelter today. He’s one of several big ol’ black dogs that the folks at Carrollton have been trying to save and by the time you read this, he may be down to his last few minutes – or worse. He’s No. 20304.

He was an “owner surrender,” which means someone he once loved dumped him at a kill shelter. To offer to help this dog call the shelter at 972-466-3420 or e-mail Joe.Skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com.  Time is very short.

OBVIOUSLY AN EARHOUND: This photo comes to us courtesy of the South East Dallas Humane Society sedhs.petfinder.org and Wendy Anderson. Brownie is about 4 months old, friendly and loving and, since yesterday, neutered.

He was a “dumpee.”

Hard to believe someone would give up a dog with such a fine set of ears.

He’s obviously small, but he’s got plenty of ear.

To ask about adopting him, e-mail tallee_01@yahoo.com.

He may be able to pick up signals from Cowboys Stadium.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Just a point to ponder,  and not a comment, but do you know anyone who ISN’T taking blood pressure medicine? …  The big swine flu shot campaign is scary to some of us. About 15 years ago my father got a swine flu shot and wound up nearly dead from Guillaine Barre Syndrome, a body-paralyzing ailment that has been traced to swine flu vaccine. It wasn’t pretty. And since I share a bit of DNA with the old man, I think I’m going to pass on the vaccine and isolate myself from all you disease carriers – except the grandkids, of course. … I guess Baby Boomers will be a little more wistful than usual today with the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy.  And I think that’s probably OK – some of us saw the assassinations of the 1960s and wondered about our nation. We shouldn’t have worried, but we didn’t know any better.

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Mills, shelters and things...

Goodness gracious, that photo grabs the tender heart.

A dog looks up as a worker in the aftermath of a puppy mill rescue reaches down so the Number 7 will show in the catalog photo.

Yes, this is the cataloging of dogs in Nacogdoches, in East Texas. We got these photos and the info from Nancy Hinds, a volunteer at the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter. You may recall that authorities got more than 100 animals in a raid on a “backwoods puppy mill” near Nacogdoches week before last.

These dogs and many others are now available for adoption. Nancy writes that the availability date was moved up and “the public is invited to come apply for the dog/cat/rabbit/rat of their choice. … The catch is all animals must be out of the Expo center by Thursday afternoon. We simply have no place else to put them.”

While many of the animals will go to people not involved in rescue, Nancy asks, “What do we do with 80+ Pit Bulls, the majority of whom want to be lap dogs?  How about the one eyed Pit, or the lovely submissive girl with mange?  Who is going to take home the old Chi who stares into space like he has dementia?

“I am asking rescue folks to take a look at the Nacogdoches dogs and see beyond the physical imperfections and past the empty eyes, and see the possibilities.  Please take a look at the pictures, come see these guys in person, please take home the animals who look "imperfect" to all but ones who listen with rescue hearts. These guys need you. They deserve a chance.  It’s not even a second chance, it’s a first to so many who were born in hell and lived there until August 12 when we carried them out one by one.”

See photos of the animals HERE and HERE.

To offer to help, contact the shelter at 936-560-5011 or 936-615-7715 or e-mail nacodochesanimalshelter@yahoo.com.

LUCAS IS BACK ON THE CLOCK; MISHA WAITS: The City of Arlington is now famous for its huge athletic venues – the Rangers Ball Park and the Cowboys Stadium. But there’s another building in Arlington that steadily draws a crowd: the Arlington Animal Services shelter at 1000 SE Green Oaks.

Right now it’s loaded with dogs and cats and it’s waiting on people to stop by and help these animals survive. Once animals reach the shelter, they’re on the clock. Sometimes they last longer than other times. But Arlington is not a small town and it has a big city animal situation.

One of the dogs is our ol’ pal Lucas who bought extra time about a month ago thanks to the work of Dianne Watson, the longtime Arlington shelter volunteer who has since moved to the Panhandle but keeps her eye on her beloved Arlington animals.

Susan Waits, the Animal Care Coordinator at the Shelter, says Lucas is still available. He’s a staff favorite because of his attitude and loving nature.

Then, there’s Misha, a chow/heeler mix, who was found as a stray. She’s affectionate, playful and has a “great temperament.” But in her early days at the shelter, she “accidentally scratched a volunteer.” The stray’s toenails needed clipping. So Misha wound in up in quarantine. But she’s done that time. And is now ready for adoption. She “has endured more than a month of shelter life and still displays the qualities that made her so adoptable in the first place.”

Oh, and the shelter is loaded with adoptable cats, too. This one is named Angel. And, based on my experience with cats, you can tell by the way she fits comfortably in a pair of hands that she’s probably a cuddler. Might even be a lap-sleeper.

To ask about these or any of the animals in Arlington’s shelter, visit them at 1000 SE Green Oaks – it’s on the south side of I-20. Call 817-459-5898.

PUDDIN THE LOVER AND HANK THE EARHOUND: Oh, brother, this Puddin, this little fluffy white dog, is one ambitious stud, you might say. And, to show that being an “Earhound” is not all looks, we note that the testimony is sometimes it’s the “feel” that qualifies you as an earhound.

Both of these dogs are available at The Colony’s animal shelter. To ask about them, contact The Colony Animal Control Division Manager Patricia Barrington at 972-370-9250 or pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov.

She has the explanation for the Puddin Saga. Hold onto your hat.

Puddin is about 3 and is a Lhasa Apso-type dog.  She writes, “Puddin is packed with self confidence.  You see, he ran about town, evading us for several hours last week. Then a nice man called saying a little white dog was in his backyard with his dogs. 

“Sounds innocent enough, right? 

“Upon arrival, Puddin was in a backyard with an 80ish pound, in heat Pit Bull Terrier and a 70ish pound, in heat, Boxer. And he was intent that he wasn’t leaving until he got what he wanted. The big dogs were absolutely lovable and happy to have visitors, so they basically crawled into our laps as we squatted and tried to coax Puddin our way.

“Well, Puddin finally decided to come over and see what the heck we wanted, but the two big girls didn’t want him taking their attention and pettin’ – so, they treated him like a soccer ball and rolled him under the backyard shed, and came back for more belly rubs. Of course, we fished this little guy out from under the shed, but we had a really good laugh first. Puddin is full of life and personality, but no one has given him a second look and his time is past up at this point.”

Then we come to Hank, who had nothing to do with the Puddin incident. He’s about a year old, neutered and affectionate.
“He has the softest ears I’ve ever had the pleasure to rub on my cheek,” says Patricia. “I mean someone should make faux beagle ear blankets – I’d certainly buy a couple.

“Hank is still puppyish and has tons of energy, but he is also equipped with that tolerant hound personality and will endure just about anything with a smile and a lick to the nose.  He’s a great dog and he needs a family.”

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND DROPS OF WATER: You have to admit, you probably didn’t wake today and expect to see a photo of a Great Dane in a shower cap. Our pal Sara Craven of Great Dane Rescue of North Texas sent us the poster with the information about a fundraiser and it just happened to be topped by this amusing photograph.

This is Mocha, the SpokesDane for the Great Dane Rescue of North Texas/Dirty Dawgz of Plano Dog Wash & Low-Cost Micro Chip Event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Dirty Dawgs, 4801 W. Park Boulevard in Plano.

All tips and a portion of the day’s proceeds will go to Great Dane Rescue to help pay for the medical expenses of Great Danes that find themselves in need of help from the rescue group. Read about the Great Danes at www.danerescue.net.

THE WOOD COUNTY DOGS: Yep, as expected, Wood County Justice of the Peace Mike Moseley in Mineola has awarded custody of 64 animals to the SPCA of Texas. And the person who had these animals, Lenda Pazdan, who has left the state has been ordered to reimburse the SPCA $8,960 for their care after the seizure. Some of these dogs will be available for adoption Saturday at noon at the SPCA’s Perry Animal Care Center, 8411 Stacy Road, in McKinney, and at the SPCA’s Dealey Animal care Center, 362 Industrial Blvd., on the western edge of downtown Dallas. You can see the adoptables at www.spca.org/findapet. There may be more to this case -- an animal cruelty charge is being considered.

FOOD IN NAVARRO COUNTY: We got a note from the folks with the Humane Society of Navarro County based in Corsicana, a quick hour south of Dallas on I-45. The society has been getting phone calls from “people who are in dire need of pet food. HSNC is totally out of dog and cat food and has been for quite a while,” according to the society’s news release. “Rather than asking people to drop off pet food, we are asking instead for donations towards the purchase of food.  Because we don't have space for storing the food, your monetary donation enables us to buy the food as it is needed.”

You may recall that the Society has been standing in for shelter workers in Corsicana as the city overhauls its shelter system.

Send donations to HSNC, P.O. Box 1734, Corsicana, TX  75151 or deliver donations to the HSNC office behind Today Homes on 7th Avenue, in Corsicana. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 903-875-1060 or e-mail admin@thehsnc.org.

CONTEMPLATIONS: While working this morning I had the TV news on in the background and listened to President Obama renominate Fed Chair Ben Bernanke. The president said (and read it carefully). “We must build an economy that works for every American, and one that leads the world in innovation, investments, and experts.” Then he corrected himself to say “exports.” Though, of course, by just looking at Cable TV news shows we know that the country leads the world in “experts.” … Consider this: A used book store is a great place to find for treasure. For example, the Half-Price Book Store at Lincoln Square in Arlington currently has a record album titled “Robert Mitchum: Calypso Is Like So...” for under $10. Yep, Mitchum had a Calypso period. … If you judged Americans by TV commercials you’d think we all have bad skin, eat fast food constantly and have complete access to surefire diets 24 hours a day, have been at odds with a doctor and gotten relief from a gadget or miracle ointment, need lawyers because of car wrecks, need household scooters to get around, worry about the fine print on drug packaging and need new cars. Maybe the prez was right in the first place, we do need more experts to get us through the day.

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Ears, critters and rescue contemplation

 

How about that set of ears. This is Vera, one of the dogs Jonnie England photographed last week at the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center. There are many earhounds in that big city shelter. But Vera has a distinct set.

And, she does have Texas weather ears – like the wind is blowing, blowing, and it finally folds those ears down, then suddenly, she hears a freight train. Yikes!

Jonnie, the Director of Animal Advocacy and Communications for the Metroplex Animal Coalition, says “I took these photos, but I couldn’t decide whether these are dancing ears, or if they simply have a mind of their own! I especially like the fact that they can just fold up in case she’s going under a low bridge or through a tunnel.”

Vera is a “9-month-old brindle shepherd-earhound mix,” Jonnie writes. “She’s great with other dogs, playful friendly and very attempted. She comes equipped with her own personal GPS system at no additional charge.”

The Dallas Animal Adoption Center is on Westmoreland at I-30, just south of the freeway. To see more Dallas animals click HERE.

SAM’S SEARCH: Even though this dog doesn’t know his name is Sam, the search continues for this former North Dallas neighborhood stray who, after being neutered and getting his first heartworm shot, managed to escape from a vet clinic near Preston at Beltline.

He hasn’t exactly vanished – he has been spotted repeatedly, but this dog is so crafty that people cannot get close enough to capture him. All sorts of theories are at work, plots being developed, cunning ploys unfolding and yet, a dog who desperately needs additional vet care is too sharp to be caught. Still, we’re rerunning his “wanted” poster in case someone knows his whereabouts. Remember, don’t chase him – just call the number on the poster.

MISSING IN ARLINGTON: This dog, Gracie, has been missing since Aug. 19 in Arlington.

She as “last seen in the empty lot between a nail and spa equipment dealer and apartments off East Pioneer Parkway….Cross streets are New York Avenue and Shady Path Lane.”

We get this tip from the folks at Pound Pals who are looking for their foster dog after she escaped from a foster’s home. It happens – sometimes dogs are simply prone to go on the lam.

The scouting report on Gracie is she’s a “very sweet dog. Skittish with strangers, however she picks up on the energy of people so if they are nice then she doesn't run off and hide. If they give off odd energy she will go and hide. She has not once showed any aggression towards other stray dogs … She wouldn't allow people to touch her -- she will just duck and move away. She is just the sweetest dog and has the most peaceful energy.” 

If you know her whereabouts, e-mail at pound_pals@yahoo.com.

MAGGIE’S IN A PRESSURE COOKER: Oh, boy, the family that currently is caring for Maggie is going out of town and if Maggie hasn’t been placed by Wednesday, she’ll be going back to the SPCA of Texas, according to veteran rescuer Debbie Farrell who has been trying to help place the dog.

Debbie writes that Maggie is available to “anyone out there who has the type of lifestyle that would include a wonderful companion to train for agility or flyball -- someone that would love a dog to
work with and enjoy the challenges and fun associated with training. She is the perfect pup.”

Maggie weighs about 35 pounds; she’s 10 months old is housetrained healthy, spayed and microchipped. To help Maggie find a home, call 214-316-6604 or e-mail debbie1jack2@verizon.net.

TWO BLACK DOGS: You know, Dallas and Fort Worth and surrounding plexomess aren’t the only places with an overwhelming population of unwanted black dogs. We cite Burns Flat, Okla., the little town in the Western part of the state, and we also cite Angus and Shadow.

They are in the pound, according to hardworking Burns Flat rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher and they need a way out.

Angus is about a year-old, a Lab mix, with white on his chest. And the “little guy” is 5-month old Shadow.

There is not much time left for these two dogs as the week begins. Maybe not even until sundown. But, Terry Lynn continues to try to help all dogs avoid the needle in Burns Flat.

To ask about helping them, e-mail remembering_oddball@yahoo.com or call 580-330-1459.

ELLIS COUNTY SPCA AND THE ECONOMY: We got a news release from Ellis County SPCA Shelter Director Dana White about how, as it read, “falling donations are hitting local shelter dogs and cats hard.”

In the release, Dana is quoted as saying “Right now, things are not well at the Ellis County SPCA. Our bank balance isn't even at half of what we need to meet our financial obligations for the next three months. And the only thing I know to do is to cut back on the care we provide, let go of some of our employees, or both.”

A drop in donations means an increase in euthanasia. A lack of adoptions adds to the problem.

She says, “It's a lose-lose situation right now. Our donations have dropped, and our adoption rate has dropped. So at the same time that our cages and kennels are filled to capacity, fewer people are coming in to adopt, and so we're also seeing losses in the amount we raise through adoption fees.”

As you probably know, the Ellis County SPCA is a non-profit organization. It’s at 2570 FM 878 in Waxahachie. Call 972-935-0756. Click HERE to see the website.

The shelter has many adoptables. Among the cats: Moo-Shu Si-Mon, a 2-month-old male Siamese who has been at the shelter since July 26 – basically all of his life.

Then there is 9-year-old Moses, who is a little bit lop-eared, but still a vibrant cat. He “was left behind when his people moved.”

And, then, there’s Louie, an 18-month-old Catahoula Boxer mix “whose owner gave him up because he didn’t have enough time for him.”

Holy smoke. If you don’t have enough time for a dog, you need to re-think your life.

MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON: Of course, the folks at the Carrollton Animal Services shelter continue to try to hustle up homes for cats and dogs. Readlarrypowell.com is on the mailing list and we’re constantly astounded at the dogs and cats that find their way into this suburban shelter.

Such stories.  Such tragedies. Such opportunities.
One of the dogs is this Sheltie mix Beethoven, who is more than 10 years old. What’s the story? The shelter reports, “This handsome little fellow was released to the shelter by his people who were allergic to him. He is a sweet, shy boy not quite sure what he has done to cause him to be here. According to his people he is at least 10 years old and gets along well with other dogs, children and is house-trained to boot. He is hoping to find a new home where he can make beautiful music with his new people.”

Allergic? Please. And I am a ballerina.

Then there is Daisy, a Boxer/Lab mix (“maybe a bit of Australian shepherd”). She’s 5 and arrived as an owner-surrender. The people explained that they’d “had a lifestyle change that did not include Daisy.”

While those folks said Daisy didn’t get along with other dogs, she has been sharing her kennel run “without issue,”

What does it cost to adopt Daisy? Fifteen bucks if you live inside Carrollton; ten bucks if you live outside and don’t need to register her with the city.

To reach the shelter about any of these animals, call 972-466-3420 or e-mail joe.skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com. To see more Carrollton animals, click HERE.

A CONTEMPLATION INSPIRED BY A KITTEN: You may recall last week when we told the story of the rescue of Boo, a kitten thrown from a car window on I-35 North in one of the busiest stretches of freeway through downtown Dallas. Commercial Realtor Shila Jackson (shown here with Boo) risked her life to park near the median of the freeway and capture the stunned kitten. The kitten is in a home now and doing well.

But the incident continues to haunt a number of people.

One of them is our longtime pal and veteran rescuer and animal fan Melissa Boesch. The post about Boo prompted her to write “about something I have wondered about,”

She offers this contemplation and we don’t have an answer, but, surely, someone around here can explain things. Here’s Melissa’s pondering:

“The rescuer stated that when she finally reached DAS (Dallas Animal Services) they refused to come out and try to rescue the kitten. I have only had cable TV for less than a year, but am hooked on Animal Cops (disturbing as it can be). The cities they feature -- Phoenix, Houston, Philadelphia, Detroit, New York -- all seem to have small fleets of trucks and officers/employees that can respond in short order to an emergency, whether it be thru the city shelter or the local SPCA. 

“I know the SPCA of Texas takes cruelty calls, and of course I am aware of their involvement in the many puppy mill/hoarding cases we seem to be inundated with, but I do not know how big their department is or how quickly they can respond to a more individual situation.  I also think at one time the SPCA had a pet ambulance, but have not heard one word about it since I first read about it years ago.

“I guess what I am trying to ascertain in a not-too-succinct manner -- Does Dallas (either Animal Control or the SPCA of Texas) provide the kind of immediate service depicted in these shows?  Or perhaps I am being naive about the magic of television, and what is being shown is not really what takes place in day-to-day operations. But it seems to me a city the size of Dallas and the surrounding metrosprawl should have services available at least on a par with Houston.

“Any enlightenment you can provide me would be appreciated.  And if these things are not in place, are any of the local animal advocacy groups working with the city toward these goals?”

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Sleep -- the gentle art...

 

Ah, there is a genuine joy in sleep. Just look at the face on Rusty.

That aura of unbridled snoozing is what moved us to select Rusty, and his “girlfriend” Abby, for spotlighting in our weekend feature, “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”
These dogs were nominated by Stephanie Logan of Dallas. She writes, “I just had to share some pictures of my expert sleeper Rusty.”

She says her boyfriend, Shane Buss, “always says, ‘I wish I could sleep as well as he does.’”

That photo that shows Rusty and Abby snuggling and snoozing was taken two months ago when Abby came to visit – Abby is 10 months old now and Rusty is 11 months.

Stephanie says, “We did NOT pose them – he did that all on his own!”

Rusty’s sleeping habits are to be envied. Stephanie says, “He normally sleeps wherever he happens to fall when he decides he’s tired – dog bed, couch, my bed, middle of the floor, etc.”

The great thing about sleeping dogs is once they’re comfortable with you, they don’t mind flopping down and going off to the land of chasing rabbits or trotting after carriages or running up the down escalators. Whatever they’re dreaming doesn’t seem to keep them awake nights. Or days, either.

(To nominate your slumbering critters for spotlighting in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, all you have to do is send the photo and the info about the animal and the humans to dallrp@aol.com. We’ve proudly been publishing this each weekend for years and we’ve monitored the “clicks” and discovered that people around the world stop by to enjoy the pictures and stories of the sleeping animals. We’re proud to offer something to the world that isn’t the least bit threatening and doesn’t cost a dime to see, though, of course, the pictures are priceless.)

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Pressing business for dogs...

BE ON THE LOOKOUT IN ARLINGTON: We got this alert from Jay Hellerich of Smiling Dog Farms in Wharton, near Houston. It involves this “ancient chow” Harley who was being transported from Tennessee to the sanctuary.

Somehow along the way, rather than a leg of the trip going all the way to the Houston area, the dog wound up in Arlington and as arrangements were being made to finish the trip, the dog managed to escape from the backyard of the Arlington home.

The dog was last seen near Miller Elementary School in Southwest Arlington, according to the note from Jay.

If you have seen this old dog or know his whereabouts, e-mail HELLERICH@aol.com or call Smiling Dog Farms at 979-559-1062. Jay says the Arlington Animal Services Shelter has been alerted. More eyes in the search would obviously help.

DEADLINE LOOMS: This is Maddy, a Lab mix. We get the story from Michael Christian who writes, “A friend of my wife's needs to find a last-minute home for a lab-mix named Maddy he found in traffic. He is going to Russia on Sunday and can't keep her. She will go to the SPCA tomorrow if she doesn't find a home. Could you please post this on your blog to see if a permanent home can be found for her?”

According to info from the finder, Maddy was found on Aug. 7. She’s sweet and likes to play. She’s about a year old, healthy (no heartworms!), has her shots but is not spayed. To ask about adopting or fostering or helping immediately call 214-280-7458 or e-mail cherryjd@juno.com.

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