On a fine sunny day...

The air is crisp and the sun is shining in our little Dallas neighborhood today. Holy smoke, is that sun a mood-changer!

As you try to figure out how you can take the afternoon off and spend some time in the park or at the lake or in a mall (weather doesn’t keep some people from shopping), read on. Today’s topics range from a cat show to a contemplation of an anniversary. Here goes:

WAXAHACHIE WILL BE PURRING: You see this cat? That is a Turkish Van. We know this because we got the photo from Cheryl Hogan’s e-mail regarding the upcoming weekend cat show in Waxahachie. Cheryl is handling publicity for The International Cat Association (TICA) show.

There’ll also be Bengals, Maine Coons and many other breeds competing at the TICA show and the household pet cat show at the Ellis County Youth Expo Center on Halloween (Saturday) and on Sunday (It’s already November 1!).

The Turkish Van Cat Connection is official host of the show which is themed “Cats and Gingerbread,” since Waxahachie, because of architecture, is “The Gingerbread Capital.”

Also, some of the proceeds from the show will go to rescue groups Little Orphan Angels and DFW Purebred Rescue.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 55-and-older and kids under 17. Get a dollar off by bring cans or bags of cat food for rescue. .  

Personal testimony: I have been to cat shows. They are a hoot. The presentation of the contestants is as good as any clean-and-jerk in Olympic weightlifting. One hand under the front legs, one hand under the back legs and lift! And the cats act as if nothing odd is going on.

At a cat show several years ago, my snickerspouse Martha and I saw a competitor’s human who was dressed, perhaps intentionally, as Peter Pan. And some of the cat cages are very elaborate – one we saw was styled after Tara, the mansion in Gone With The Wind. So, yes, there are more things to see than cats with show business egos.

CONCERNED ABOUT STRAYDOG: The great sanctuary near Gun Barrel City east of Dallas, Straydog Inc., has many dogs, many fans and many needs, prime among the needs being cash. We’ve heard from two fans this week. Here are their comments:

--Britta Sjostedt writes, “It seems like every rescue organization is struggling right now and Straydog is no exception.  They have a notice posted on their website that they only have less then a week's worth of funding left plus a huge outstanding vet bill. I think this year has been especially tough. Is there a way to mention them on your website this week? I am hoping a little extra notice can help them through until their next big fund raising letter goes out.”

--And Carole Walsh wrote, “Saw this morning that Straydog had an emergency appeal on their website.  I've sent Terry Lynn Fisher [in Burns Flat, Okla.] and Straydog what I can afford, which is not a lot. What do you think of asking your readers to send $5 or $10 to Straydog?  How about asking them to just put a $5 bill or a $10 bill in an envelope.  It won't change their lives and they might have to give up a Starbucks or in my case an ice cream cone today, but think of the effect it could have on Straydog.”

And, there you have two appeals for Straydog Inc. You can see how to donate at www.straydog.org. You’ll see photos of the work those folks do.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT IN ARLINGTON: There are two dogs in this photo, the black dog Granpa and the other pup, Cari. Granpa is missing.

Kathleen Reaves reports, “My dog Granpa came up missing last night [Monday] --  he actually pushed the bottom of the gate open and squeezed himself out. He is a black brindle pit mix - missing front teeth on bottom - has a white mark on his check.  He is fully intact, having gone thru several life-threatening illnesses.  He was a rescue - I didn't get him fixed because I didn't think he'd survive the operation.”

Both Granpa and Cari are rescues and Kathleen says they are “both mine now, once I found out how pits get treated.”

Granpa is a “60-pound lap dog” who is friendly toward other dogs and cats and also people.

He was last seen Monday evening in the Wildwood West Division near Bowen at Norwood (just west of where Abrams becomes Norwood). If you know Granpa’s whereabouts, call 214-926-3823 or e-mail nov101983@msn.com.

A SCRUFFY DOG IS RESCUED, SORT OF: Stacy Hague of North Texas Basset Hound Rescue is looking for help with “a scruffy dog a few of us pulled at Collin County Animal Shelter on Saturday.”

This guy was an owner-surrender – he came in with a Dobie and a Basset – they were victims of foreclosure, Stacy says.

The Dobie went into adoption, she says, and NTBHR took the Basset. “This left Scooby. When I left with the Basset he gave me a look that haunted me. .... Lone Star Prys and Paws offered to pull him but didn't have room to keep him. I found a temp foster but now this temp foster and I are sharing fostering him. He is the BEST dog.  About 6 years old, neutered, up to date on shots, heartworm-negative, microchipped and housebroken!  He also has the best smile!  He gets along with dogs but not cats and would fit in any household with kids. He is a large dog, weighing 57 pounds. ... He did not deserve to die and is loving every minute of being out of the shelter!”

To offer to help Scooby, e-mail Stacy at holdat29@verizon.net.

REGARDING CARROLLTON: A number of animals in the Carrollton Animal Shelter found homes or rescue groups yesterday, but there are still a few left (including Bevo, the big orange cat we featured on Readlarrypowell.com.)

And there is also this girl, Gaviota – which I think is Spanish for “gull.” She’s 3 years old and was an owner surrender. Sweet, gets along with other dogs, the shelter says, and is limping, so she needs someone to adopt her and get her to a vet for a check up.

You can see her in a video HERE.

To ask about any animals in the Carrollton shelter, call 972-466-3420 or e-mail joe.skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com.

TODAY’S EARHOUND: In honor of all the dogs and cats in the Irving Animal Shelter, we’re citing a third category today, the Earhop Earhound. This rabbit was surrendered to the Irving shelter last week, according to a note from Russell Posch, the noted Irving shelter walker. The rabbit’s available for adoption. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257.

AT THE COLONY: It is always amazing to see the dogs and cats that wind up in an animal shelter. They all are wearing an imaginary sign that reads “Somebody didn’t want me.”

Now, in The Colony, there are a number of animals that you’d think would be shoo-ins for adoptions.

And, yet, some sit and sit and wait while the clock sticks.

Here are just a few still waiting at The Colony. There is 6-year- old George, the Bassett Hound, an owner surrender. George obviously qualifies as an Earhound.

And there is Dan who is believed to be a combination Dandie Dinmont, Lhasa Apso and Schnauzer. He’s “3ish,” friendly and well-mannered.

And the cat? That is the “incredibly friendly and well-mannered Rodney,” a neutered and declawed housecat described as a “stunning, cross-eyed seal point Siamese.” (You can have him for “the cost of a rabies shot and a $20 adoption fee,”

To ask about any animal in the Colony Shelter, contact Patricia Barrington, The Colony’s Animal Control Division Manager at 972-370-9250 or e-mail pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov.

QUICK HELP NEEDED: My former colleague at the big paper in Dallas, Aline McKenzie, is trying to find a new “foster or forever home” for an old pal of hers, Doris the Dog.

“Things went great at first with her new home,” Aline says, “but the kid developed emotional problems she took out on Doris. Mom is now keeping them separated. Also, Dad has a job that takes  him away for long periods, so Doris hasn’t ac accepted him as a permanent feature and barks at him when he’s home. This isn’t a good situation for anyone. We have cats and she’s cat-not-getting-along so it would be tough for us to take her.”

Doris is a 55-pound, 2-year-old shepherd mix who is spayed, microchipped and up to date on shots.  She’s also house-trained and “obedient to hand commands.”

Aline will handle transport if needed. To ask about help with Doris, e-mail aline.mckenzie@sbcglobal.net.

TWO DOGS IN A FIX: Because of personal reasons, we’re not identifying the human in this story except by the name Colleen. she’s looking for a temporary home for her “two precious dogs, a Bichon Frise named Jake and a mixed breed named Joey. Jake is 4 and Joey is3.

“We recently moved in with a relative who will not allow the dogs to stay here as she is not an animal person, and I am looking for a family with a  loving heart of gold to take them into their family for an indefinite period, but likely 3 to 6 months.  They are the best of friends so I would never want to separate them, and they are up to date on shots and are both housebroken.
“I would want to meet the family personally to see if I feel they are a good match, as these guys are just like children to me. They are indoor dogs but love to play outside throughout the day, and also are neutered. I would so appreciate it if you could help me find a wonderful family to take care of my precious guys for a while until I can get myself settled into a place of my own.”

To offer to help Jake and Joey, e-mail suzideer@me.com.

SEASONAL NOTES AND THINGS:

Wuf Pet Resort and Spa is hosting “Wuf-O-Ween” from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to help raise money for the Metroplex Animal Coalition and its spay/neuter program. Wuf is at 3417 E. Carpenter Freeway (near Texas Stadium in Irving). There’ll be contests and Dickey’s Barbecue. And there’ll be doggie trick-or-treating. Tickets are $10. RSVP at 972-785-2983 or e-mail wufatus@wufspa.com.

--“We have so many dogs that we are doubling them up outside,” reports Everman Animal Control Officer Teresa Weldon. “We do not have enough dog houses to go around. Any dog houses, any8 size would be greatly appreciated.” Call 817-451-5495 or e-mail evermananimals@yahoo.com.

-- The Humane Society of Navarro County is also looking for dog houses – call 903-875-1060 or e-mail admin@thehsnc.org. And the society is also looking for supply help for the City of Corsicana Animal Shelter. Paper towels, cleaning supplies, litter, food, shampoo, bleach – the usual shelter supplies. Contact through the humane society number and e-mail.

CONTEMPLATION: This is the fifth anniversary of my unscheduled (by me, anyway) departure from the big paper in Dallas after 29 years.

Oct. 27, 2004 – they let a lot of us go that day. I’d been in the newspaper business as a reporter, editor or columnist since the first Friday in September in 1965 and now we have been meeting here at Readlarrypowell.com on a daily basis for five years and in the editions of the magazine Urban Animal for that long, too.

During the five years, lots more people have lost jobs – both in newspapers and in other industries. If we’re all in the same boat, it’s a big boat. I still dream about newsrooms. So do some of my laid-off friends.

I miss the business, but I’m told it has changed. Maybe the business has, but the mission of newspapers is the same: Tell people what’s happening and why, shine a light on the bad and good guys (the good guys don’t mind the light) and be respectful of readers and institutions, all the while being fair and honest, too. It’s a juggling act.

I worked for three newspapers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area beginning in 1972. Two of them are out of business and the third’s circulation is ...well, you’ve seen the reports.

I couldn’t let this day go past without honoring my fellow ink-stained wretches who had a really jolting moment five years ago today. Their work and efforts to live up to the difficult mission of newspapers should not be forgotten – they’d helped carry a corporation to new heights. Thanks to you all for the work. Thanks, also, to visitors to Readlarrypowell.com for helping keep this part of the mission of informative and helpful journalism alive.

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Comments

[Maria]

Here is to you and your years of hard work! I am willing to bet your readership has been high at every paper and now your blog. It is my daily stop, no matter how busy the day. Now, I hope your readers will remember to give to Straydog. I am going to write a check right now:)

[Dianne]

Ditto on that. Larry did an article with me and my husband and our two dogs, Lady and Cisco, when he was at the big paper. It was a sad day when they let him go, but he now has many faithful followers. It's a daily stop for me as well and my check to Straydog is in the mail.

[stacy]

While it may not be a traditional newsroom, you still carry out the mission of a journalist by letting us readers know the good and bad of the animal world. If it wasn't for this blog, I'd be short two cats - both of which were mentioned by you.

[A]

See you all at the cat show ( hey I only have to drive 6hrs...) can't wait to show my newly adopted boy!