OK, it’s Friday and, assuming everyone has a busy weekend to get to, we’ll jump right into the day’s activities.
TWITTER’S BIG NEWS: Yeah, you thought Twitter was a social site on your computer, but there is another Twitter. , a little Boston Terrier who has been undergoing some difficulty.
We got his story from Heidi Trimpe of American Boston Terrier Rescue.
This little guy was hustled into rescue by a caring worker at the Mesquite Animal Shelter, Heidi says. This launched the rescue group into a stretch of medical drama.
His situation was pretty awful – prolapsed rectum. But it turned out that the usual simple surgery did not work. And the rescue group, after two temporary fixes, took Twitter to a vet with experience in the more complex repair and yesterday Twitter underwent the repair work.
Heidi reports that the complex surgery “went off without a hitch and the little fella is resting comfortably. If all goes well, he should be released Saturday morning.”
Twitter is among several “emergency need dogs” the ABTR folks have taken in this year and, says Heidi, “our resources have been stretched beyond anything we thought was possible. Doing more with less has always been our M.O., but this year has been ridiculous. It's the same story everywhere, unfortunately, but I was hoping Twitter's story might touch some hearts and open a door or two.”
You can read more about Twitter and see some graphic photos HERE. And when you click HERE you can see the assorted ways the group is trying to raise money to replenish the emergency medical fund. Plus, Heidi says, ABTR will be at Saturday’s Frisco Humane Society Barktoberfest. Get information about Barktoberfest HERE.
A DOG NAMED WOBBLES: If, like me, you tend to wobble when you walk now and then, you’ll understand why this dog is named “Wobbles.” The story isn’t a pretty one, but it may be headed for a happy ending.
We learned about Wobbles from Leona Berry Cleveland of the Corinne Smith Animal Shelter in Brownwood.
“When she was about 6 weeks old someone brought her to the shelter saying that he saw someone beating her with a 2 x 4 and they thought that her back was broken. It wasn't broken, but she does have some neuro damage. She is the sweetest dog and everyone at the shelter loves her but she has been there now for 6 months and I would love her to have a better home. “She is about 7 months old, up to date on all vaccinations, spayed and on heartworm meds. Like I said, she does have some neuro deficit -- she walks like a person with palsy or Parkinsons, but it does not really slow her down. She is housebroken and loves to be with people, she really is the perfect puppy because she doesn't chew, dig etc. She is good with other animals but probably be best if she is in a home without a lot of other animal stimulation.....only because she doesn't have the coordination to run and play at full speed.”
To ask about adopting Wobbles, who has no problems with a Halloween costume, obviously, e-mail Leona at leonaberry04@msn.com.
Leona has spent a lot of time with Wobbles and says “she loves to swim, loves people, good food and belly rubs.”
And we can only hope that the jerk who beat her with a board finds himself on the receiving end of a home run swing by someone who works out and enjoys applying attitude adjustments.
THEN THERE IS CHARLIE: This is another example of people treating animals in a completely unfortunate fashion. We get Charlie’s story from Jennifer Szarek who tell us that about a month ago “he was dumped at the vet clinic in Rendon [on the southwest side of Fort Worth] -- stuffed into a tiny crate and starving. He is a WONDERFUL boy but I think I would feel more comfortable putting him into a home as an only dog. He likes MOST dogs but some he does not. I do volunteer with a few different rescue groups and there is an application for his adoption if someone is interested. “Call 817-706-7468 or e-mail dfwboogiegirl@yahoo.com.
Charlie is about 2 years old and housetrained.
And, he has “amazing green eyes,” according to the up-close-and-personal reports.
Yep, just shoved into a crate and left on a doorstep – could have been worse. He could have been beaten with a 2-by-4 or used as bait for dogfighters or wandered until he starved. So many options and, yet, here we are with an option for a happy ending.
AND IN THE SHELTERS: Once again we’ll stipulate that all shelters are overloaded and the relief for this should come not from euthanasia but from good-hearted people stepping up and adopting dogs and cats.
Today, thanks for an e-mail report, we’ll focus on some animals at the Denton shelter – to ask about any of them, e-mail amy_pelzel@yahoo.com or call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
You’ll notice right away that we’ve got an Earhound in the mix. That’s C.J., a 2- or 3-month-old shepherd mix who is “super cute,” the shelter says. He is, of course, playful with other dogs and with people. He becomes available for adoption on the 26th.
And the Denton folks have a little “marketing” thing going for the Yellow Lab. His name is Cleveland and the shelter bio asks, "Have you also wanted to own your own ‘Marley’ dog?” Cleveland is 2 or 3 years old and gets along great with everyone. He’s available for adoption on Saturday.
The third dog with the really distinct photo is Kingsley, a pit bull, who is adorable and available for adoption on Saturday. He looks sort of like a canine version of a really ripped bodybuilder.
Once dogs become available for adoption, the clock really begins to tick with a vengeance. So, all of these guys are playing or about to play “beat the clock.”
A PIT QUESTION: This comes from rescuer Holly Forsythe who asks a question for which someone surely has a good answer. “Anybody know of an organization here that rescues pit bulls that are a little bit more aggressive? Someone told me about one that takes them in and works with them, but it was a long time ago ...: She’s asking on behalf of a dog and a human in Plano. Email hforsythe@remglobal.com.
THE BURNS FLAT SITUATION: Tireless rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, Okla., reports to us that the shelter there is in “complete overflow.” She says, “I am actually working on 19 dogs – 8 of them are a small momma pit (under a year herself) with her seven 7-week-old pit babies.”
And there is Badger, the distinctly coated dog we featured earlier in the week. Then there is this Beagle who, in this photo, isn’t quite sure what’s happening.
Terry Lynn says, “I got a call late last night from the police that there was a little Beagle girl in the parking lot at the store here in town. He said she had been there for a long time and was trying to get into cars and people were kicking her away and some almost ran over her... Tara and I went and picked her up. She was soaking wet and shivering so bad. We dried her off and took her to the pound with some warm blankets and broth.
“A lady at the store said she saw a guy pull up about 5 hours before we got her and throw her out – she was trying to get into everyone’s car after that.”
The pound is so overloaded, says terry Lynn, that euthanasia has been scheduled for Monday morning if nobody springs some of the dogs.
To help, e-mail Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com or call her at 580-330-1459.
HUNTING A HOME FOR SARGE: This guy, Sarge, will turn 5 on Monday and lose his home on Tuesday. Some present. But it’s a difficult situation for Sarge’s human, Jerry Quast, a lawyer from Lewisville, whose health issues are forcing him to find homes for his big dogs.
“Even though Sarge is almost 5 years old, he still acts like a puppy as far as his ever present desire to play (fetch the ball, catch the Frisbee, play chase, play hide and seek, etc.). He is very protective (which is how I trained all of my 6 German Shepherds over the last 34 years since I wanted to have my 7 kids protected at all times),” Jerry says.
He says Sarge is obedient, has been good with kids and would rather play than sit still, so he may need a home with a yard for romping. “He will miss his play partner, Sierra, my other 9 year old registered German Shepherd, who is a female, who I think is going to be taken in by my ex-spouse.”
To help Jerry find a home for his pal Sage, e-mail gdquast@gdqpc.com or call 214-488-2162.
FLO AND RYDER NEEDING A HOME: Here are a couple of pups who are needing a new home. The note came from Jeanie Malcom who is trying to help her son, Tyler, with his dogs.
She writes: “Flo and Ryder are in urgent need of a new home. My son, his wife and their infant son are currently in an apartment and are being forced to find new homes for Flo and Ryder. They love these dogs and are heartbroken that they must give them up. “Flo is an American Pit Bull Terrier. She will be two years old in December and weighs 65 pounds. She is very affectionate and is great with people (adults & children). She is very energetic and loves to run and swim.
“Ryder is a 10-month-old American Bulldog who weighs 60 pounds. He is very calm and affectionate. He is great with people (adults & children), but not so much with new dogs. He is great with Flo, but has been with her since he was a puppy.
“We would love for these two to stay together, but understand if that isn’t possible. If you or anyone you know can help, please contact my son, Tyler, directly at 817-614-9457or tylermalcom1223@att.net.”
WEEKEND THINGS TO REMEMBER:
--My funspouse Martha and I will be giddy at some point Saturday. Why? Because we’ll be watching Golden Retrievers being Golden Retrievers at the 10th Annual Golden Retriever Picnic – it’s from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Meadowmere Pak at Lake Grapevine. You can get the details HERE. Believe me, if there is a lake (and there is), Goldens will go into it (and I’ve seen them do it!).
--Also on Saturday and Sunday, you can get an international flavor and learn about the world by attending Worldfest in Addison. Details are at the website of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth HERE. The Town of Addison and the World Affairs Council are the “presenters” of the festival – and, on Saturday evening, you’ll be able to greet my internationalfunspouse Martha in the World Affairs Council booth. You can talk about international issues or dogs and cats – she’ll converse about either and please do not give her a dog or cat – we have plenty.
--A note from Joni McConnell of A Different Breed rescue reminds us that the group’s big garage sale is Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pepper Square Shopping Center, 14856 Preston Road at Belt Line. You can read about A Different Breed HERE.
--The American Association of University Women – Arlington Branch Book Fair continues through Sunday at the Arlington Museum of Art, 201 W. Main Street, in Arlington. It’s open through 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday and, on half-price day Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. My literatespouse Martha and I went to the sale’s opening last night and left with two big bundles of book. Our pal Diane Feldman, a veteran book-toter and volume-stacker for the AAUW fair, knew we were coming and had already scouted out some of our interests. So, Martha got some new cookbooks and I got a volume of humorous writing by pianist/raconteur Oscar Levant – I found that on e in a section of books published prior to 1950. And I also got a little book of humor published in genuine pocketbook size for soldiers in World War II. The place is full of treasures. We also managed to find some great Beverly Cleary books for the grandkids. You can walk out of there with boxcar full of books for about $20 – most of the 20,000 items are priced at $2 or less. There are videos, tapes, etc.
And last night, as we shopped, we were treated to music by Frank Sinatra and other great voices. Who was responsible for that pleasant background music? Someone with the museum picked it, we were told. To get to the museum’s website, click HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS: The City of Dallas is putting a roof on the Woodall Rodgers Freeway downtown and turning it into a park – the question arises: Who will be first to rescue a stray dog from the new park? It’s a fact in Dallas: if you’ve got a park, you’ve got stray dogs. ... Another reason not to fly: Good grief, a Northwest Airlines commercial jet overshot its destination by 150 miles. Better than prematurely ending the flight, I guess. ... In the category of headlines you never thought you’d see, courtesy of today’s AOL homepage: “Ice-skating bear kills trainer.” Hockey is a rough sport.
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