A Monday report...with pressure

Good grief, it’s Monday already and we were just getting accustomed to weekend living.
As we’re actually enjoying – enjoying – a whole new type of anxiety over the Texas Rangers being in the World Series. It’s like a dream.  But, we have to wake to get into the day’s business. Here goes:
COMING UP  TODAY: (Late news: Briefing has been cancelled. Unsure why, but, no doubt, more later.) The City of Dallas Quality of Life Committee was scheduled to get a briefing today about the operations of Animal Services. See the agenda HERE. The animal services portion of the meeting is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – the meeting begins at noon.  If you go to http://www.dallasanimaladvocates.org/ you’ll see that people in the animal rescue community feel they’ve been kept out of the loop on this event. The meeting is in room 6ES at city hall. You have to pay to park – just another little benefit from trying to be involved in the future of the city. (Is Dallas the only city hall with parking meters? We’re pretty sure it’s the only city with an animal shelter manager indicted for animal cruelty.)
MEANWHILE IN ARLINGTON:
(WE INTERRUPT THIS ITEM FOR A HAPPY BULLETIN: Our tipster Dianne Watson reports just before 2 p.m. that “Clifford has been TAGGED! He will be SAFE! Folks can contact Jan Rosen at doggielady@doggiekamp.com and/or Dana Payne at dpayne6132@yahoo.com if interested in adopting him. Clifford is going to Doggie Day Kamp and Rehab Rescue!” Yes, Clifford, on death row this morning, is destined for a happy ending this afternoon.)
We got this note from Dianne Watson of Friends of the Arlington Animal Shelter and West Texas Chow Rescue about Clifford, the big fellow pictured here. Her note began, “Clifford is still alive.”
As it turns out, he has been tap-dancing around euthanasia for a while in Arlington – and, over the weekend, according to a note sent to Dianne from the shelter, the facility’s phones and computers were out, so communication about saving Clifford shrank to zero.
Dianne reports, “He has several interested adopters, but is ‘rescue only.’ Shelter said his owner was found and they didn't want him anymore. Don't know how the owner was found; maybe they came to the shelter. ... He had NO tags and NO chip to trace and was listed as a stray on his kennel card. Anyone who knows anything about chows knows that many display fear in a shelter setting and often are labeled as aggressive.
“If you recall, Clifford landed on EU for showing signs of aggression, our shelter walker was told that Clifford ‘likes some folks and doesn't like others.’ It's her hand holding his head in the picture. The shelter said in an email this evening [Sunday], ‘While at the shelter he has been very unpredictable in his behavior, and for that reason I have put him as a rescue only dog.’
“Clifford has a substantial donation (offered to the group that is willing to pull him) from one of our own fellow DFW rescuers. The original plea for his life has traveled all over the country and several folks were trying to find out how they could adopt him. BUT, we need a rescue to save his life!”
Dianne asks that a rescue group e-mail Samantha Castillo at NSAnimal.Rescue@arlingtontx.gov AND at her personal email of
 samantha.Castillo@arlingtontx.gov. Clifford’s ID is 11616869, DH116. He’s 2 or 3 years old and weighs just over 51 pounds.
Dianne says, “This is likely Clifford's last chance to get out of the shelter alive!”
ONE THAT WENT TO A SHELTER AND CAME RIGHT BACK OUT: We get this story of this adorable dog from John Martinez and his wife, Francis.
John writes, “I just recently rescued a dog from the Mesquite Pound. I was originally the one who took him there hoping they could find him a new home. This was a dumb mistake on my part as they only gave him 1 day to be adopted before putting him down. I just couldn't let that happen and decided to foster him till I could find him a home. I was hoping you could post his information and picture on your website in the hopes that he could be adopted out to a new family.”
John and his wife Francis already have two dogs that, he says “o not play well with others.”
So, this 3- or 4-month-old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix is in need of a home where he can be accepted.
“We are getting him used to being on a leash and are teaching him to sit and shake hands. Being a puppy, he loves his chew bones. He would make a wonderful family pet in a household with kids that could give him the love and attention he needs.”
To help John give this dog a better chance for happiness, call him at 214-317-1529 or e-mail raggadyanne98@yahoo.com. You may also call John’s wife, Francis, at 972-675-2510 or (cell)  469-789-6464.
Francis says that the dog “wandered onto our lawn” and they “asked neighbors and no one knew him or had seen him. So my husband took him to the shelter up the street from our house. Well, they told him that the next week he only had one day for adoption or they euthanize. So my husband couldn't have that on his shoulders, so he went that next week to pay for him to get neutered, microchipped and also to get a rabies shot. I work at a vet clinic so I brought him here to get his ears checked out and to finish off on vacc's (1st DHPP & Bordetella). We also dewormed him and started him on antibiotics for his ears. His ears came out neg for mange and ringworm. We have started to train the little guy as best as we can since he's young. We call him ‘Buddy’ for now! I know, how typical! But whoever takes him, I'm sure they will be changing his name.”
TWO MALTESE LADS AND A BOXER MIX: All weekend I got forwarded e-mails about two Maltese boys dropped off at the Granbury Animal Shelter. So I checked with Corinne Hopkins, the shelter volunteer who’d first alerted people to their plight. They were brought to the shelter Friday by their owner who had “lost her job and is moving,” Corrine wrote. “Both are neutered.  Owner says they are ‘current’ and one has a rabies tag but she [the owner] did not bring any vet paperwork in with her.  Buddy is the larger one .... 6 years old, about 10 - 15 lbs.  Chewy is smaller... 2 years old, about 8 lbs.”
When I told Corinne I’d be happy to write about them she told met that she was at the shelter Friday just after the boys came in and the shelter isn’t open on weekends, so they’re probably sitting in the Hood County Animal Control Shelter in Granbury waiting for someone to come get them.
Corinne is confident the two little dogs will get help, but she says, “Actually a dog that really needs help is the very skinny Boxer mix, ID 19376.  The boy was picked up by animal control after breaking loose from his chain he was tied up with. He looked half-starved. ... He has been at the shelter since September 23.  The supervisor loves this guy and felt so bad for him that she is holding onto him longer than normal. He was in the Hood County paper as Pet of the Week but no one has adopted him yet. It would be wonderful to get this guy adopted to a good home.  He is loving, friendly and does well with other dogs.  About 1 year old.  He has a good appetite and is filling out nicely.”
Click HERE to contact the shelter or e-mail corinne_hopkins@yahoo.com.
THE GOLDEN POSTPONEMENT: That annual Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas Picnic was postponed by the weather Saturday and has been rescheduled for October 30. (I could only imagine Golden Retrievers sitting at the windows Saturday and looking forlornly out at the rain.) Go to the website HERE for details.
VERY PREGNANT IN DALLAS: A lot of people can relate to that description, I guess. At any rate, this is Mossy and we got the tip on her from Jonnie England, the noted animal rescuer who goes to the Dallas Animal Services shelter and takes photos of critters who need homes and help.
Mossy is “ready to op at any minute,” Jonnie reports. The dog is about 9 months old and has been in the adoption program since Sept. 22 – she’s vaccinated and negative for heartworms but also too pregnant to spay. . She needs immediate help so her pups will arrive in a situation other than a cold, shelter cage with all those discomforting shelter sounds and scary situations.  To ask about helping her, e-mail teresa.cleek@dallascityhall.com or Nicole.self@dallascityhall.com or call 214-671-0249 or 214-670-8312 and if you represent a rescue group, e-mail mark.cooper@dallascityhall.com or call 214-670-8298.
IN CARROLLTON: The clock is ticking toward euthanasia on Wednesday morning at the Carrollton Animal Shelter.
The animals include this guy with the great dog face, Hugo, said to be a Transylvanian Hound – is that not appropriate for the Halloween season?
The shelter description reads, “This big ole boy was found running the streets looking for a place he could hang his collar and call his home. He is a very friendly boy, and has a very outgoing personality to him. He is neutered already and weighs in at 75+ lbs. Some of our staff think him to be a Transylvania Hound which is specific type of hound which is not listed as an option on the websites. He is a boy who loves to play and gets a bit excited when he finds a toy he can rough house around a bit with.”
Then there’s Chaney (upper right), the retriever mix who has a kind of look resembling that which you’d get from former Vice President Dick Chaney if you asked a question he’d rather not answer. He came in as a stray.
Then there are two dogs who came in together when they were surrendered by their people. Blanca is a Lab mix described as “the braver of the  
two, walking right on up to a new person to get all the loving and petting she can get. She does well with her playmate and reportedly with other dogs as well.” Sandy is the standoffish Shepherd/Lab mix. Both are about a year old and weight just over 50 pounds.
And, from the cat side, there is Sushi – an older cat with a magnificent set of whiskers, a great face and a problem hitting the litter box every time.
Here’s the shelter report: “This older gentleman was originally found as a stray wandering about without a place to call home. Some people had taken him in and tried to keep him as their new pet, but he did not work out so they brought him here to find a new home where he might have a better life. He is
estimated to be at least 13 years old and is neutered, has current vaccinations and is front declawed already all of which makes him an easy adoption and an easy fit into any home.  His previous owners said Sushi has trouble using his litter box.  From what we have seen here at the shelter, although he tries his best to use his litter box, he is such a large cat that he sometimes misses hitting inside the litter box.  It is possible that this big ol' boy could just need a large covered litter box to help with this problem.”
To ask about any Carrollton animal, e-mail Joe.Skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com or call 972-466-3420.
THREE DOGS IN COLLIN COUNTY: Our tipster DeDe Whitcombe sent us notes about these three dogs.
One was “hit pretty bad by a car” (right) and “a nice lady paid $500 for her to go to the emergency room and patch her up.”
The irony is, of course, she’s been made healthy and if no one claims her, she will be euthanized.
Not every animal who comes into the shelter has a compelling story. But DeDe mentioned these two – a Catahoula mix and a Hound mix – because they are so “ordinary” that they get overlooked. She calls them “my two favorite mutts.” The note read, “Nothing special looking about these two so they are easy to pass over, that is until you meet them.  These two are so loving, and docile.  Each one is so surprised if you stop to give them attention, and so grateful for every moment.”
To ask about helping them, e-mail Lisa Drummonds at the shelter at ldrummonds@co.collin.tx.us  or call 972-547-7298.
CALENDAR CRITTERS: The Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake’s 2011 Pampered Pets calendars are available for sale and that’s the cover of the latest edition of the group’s “biggest fundraiser.” (Thanks to Friends’ Sydney Busch for forwarding us the photo of the big ol’ happy dawgs.)
As you may know, Friends operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas.  Proceeds from the calendar support the continued success of the clinic.
Where can you get a copy and how much does it cost? Ten bucks. Just ten bucks. And you can buy copies at the Syler Veterinary Clinic in Athens, Bluebonnet Emporium in Gun Barrel City, Solar Screen in Gun Barrel City, April’s Pets on Highway 274 at Seven Points and at the Friends clinic in Gun Barrel City from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.  If you want to order  some or arrange to have them sold at your place of business, e-mail sydney@friendsoftheanimals.org.
SANGER REPORT: You may have seen KTVT-TV’s report (HERE ) about the operations of the Sanger Animal Shelter. Maybe read some other things or heard other things. In response to those criticisms, Sanger has appointed a committee to look into improving operations at the city shelter and work is underway on upgrading operations and procedures. More info to come, no doubt.
CONTEMPLATIONS: How about those Texas Rangers! They’re playing “small ball” – running the bases, getting singles that matter, etc. Should match up well against a National League team. Dare we predict a World Series triumph? Too soon to get giddy. ... How ‘bout them Cowboys? Play tonight. On ESPN. Against the New York Giants. Remember when Monday Night Football mattered? ... At a computer store over the weekend I heard a woman ask a clerk if he had a GPS that also has a radar detector. I thought, “There’s someone who may not know how to get to where’s she’s going but she sure wants to get there in a hurry.”
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