An Angie drive, an SPCA spay deal and assorted animals including one who is back home...

Muggy outside, they say.
Tess the missing Doxie is home (that's her "missing" photo from earlier this month). So there’s a miracle we’ll tell you about today.
You’ll have to tell me about the weather – I’m indoors for now. Solar flare allergy is all I can figure. It’s March 13, and we’ve got the air-conditioning running here in Oak Cliff, Texas. Second or third day out of the past 7, if memory serves here in Winter 2012.
The electric company is happy, people who like warm weather are happy and, of course, our household dogs and cats are out like lights – their sleeping habits are temperature resistant.
Here’s our report:
ANGIE AND FEEDING THE SADDEST ANIMALS: Last night, my funspouse Martha and I met up early for dinner at the iconic Norma’s in Oak Cliff and ran into our pal Karla Kirk, the determined rescuer.
She told us proudly about her latest adventure, joining efforts with the legendary Angie Manriques to try to help a “very neglected Pitbull” in West Dallas.
Karla explained that she wanted to honor Angie’s efforts in this case by “doing a food drive” for Angie, known to many as the Fairy Dogmother of West Dallas.
And, in case you’re unaware of this, residents aren’t always happy to see people coming to “help” their dogs – they’re resistant, sometimes threatening, so Angie and her supporters have to diplomatically negotiate the opportunities to save and help animals. It’s an ugly thing sometimes – ailing dogs tethered without food or water, but with raging illnesses and disease. The good hearts work to prevail over the ignorant and the don’t-care. Sometimes the people don’t respond until all that can be asked is “Can you get this dying dog out of my yard?”
It’s a constant battle.
Karla says she gave Angie 50 pounds of cat food, the adds “But you and I know that can only be enough for a week. I go through a 40-pound bag a week, I cannot imagine how she feeds so many dogs and cats. She uses dry and canned food. If somebody wants to donate food but doesn’t want to drive, I will pick it up for her.”
To offer to help with Karla’s Angie Food Drive, call 214-382-7523. You can also read about Angie’s work in West Dallas HERE and see animals that are being helped by Angie’s Friends HERE.
SPCA’S NEW “SPAY, DON’T LITTER PROGRAM” – The SPCA of Texas has created a free program. Here’s the press release (and note that the program also gets unwanted litters into an adoption program). Here’s the press release. You might want to clip and save it so you can hand it to people who need help being responsible with their animals.
The SPCA release: “In an effort to spay, neuter, vaccinate and find homes for more animals in North Texas, the SPCA of Texas offers a new program, called ‘Spay, Don’t Litter,’ that provides free spay surgery and free Rabies and Distemper combination vaccines for female cats and dogs. This program is available at any of the SPCA of Texas’ three spay/neuter and wellness clinics when that female’s litter of puppies or kittens is surrendered by their owner to either of the SPCA of Texas’ two animal care centers to be spayed and neutered, vaccinated and placed up for adoption.
”To surrender an owned litter of puppies or kittens, set up a reservation by calling 214-742-7722 (SPCA), Mondays through Fridays. The SPCA of Texas takes in surrendered animals seven days a week at its two shelters. To take advantage of the free spay and vaccinations for the mother, make the appointment by calling 214-742-SPCA (7722) or by visiting www.spca.org/spayneuter. Bring the surrender contract for the litter to the appointment to receive the surgery and vaccinations at no charge.
”The free vaccine portion of this special offer, available while supplies last, is made possible through a generous grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA).”
Want more info? Call the SPCA at 214-742-7722 or click on www.spca.org.
[Larry soapbox moment: For those of you who were absent the day your biology class discussed the birds and bees, this particular SPCA free program is “spay only” which means it’s for the girls. You can’t spay a boy dog or cat – they get “neutered” by having their testicles removed. It is not as expensive nor as invasive as spaying, but it is as sincerely effective.  And if Dallas is to truly become a “no-kill city,” then you’re going to have to either teach dogs and cats to use contraceptives or you’re going to have to eliminate the old-fashioned doin’ what comes naturally. But, of course, I don’t need to tell you geniuses that, do I. Don’t even know why I brought it up.]
THE GOLF COURSE DOG: Rather than take the little dog shoved out at Dallas National Golf Course to a city shelter, the guard, Steve, who showed such kindness to the pup has moved it into the Sanford Oaks Vet Clinic in Arlington.
Our tipster, Dianne Cole, the rescuer who works at Mountain View College (adjacent to the golf course in southwest Dallas), says Steve has used this vet for years and everybody’s agreed to keep the ultra-adoptive dog in safe haven.
Diane says, “The vet will keep him for a week while we try to find him a home so right now he is very save and I’ll keep networking…”
You may recall from yesterday’s story that some creep shoved this puppy out of a truck and drove away while the little guy ran after the disappearing vehicle.”
To offer to help this little dog or give him a great home, e-mail dcole5200@yahoo.com.
SHELTERS AND THEIR CHALLENGES: Dallas, Carrollton, Denton, Collin County, Irving, Rowlett, The Colony – we’ve been through this before. Pick a city – it’s shelter has animals that need homes. Sometimes the animals are in more imminent danger of euthanasia than other times. This week, it’s the cats in Denton facing certain death right now, if the “CODE RED EMERGENCY OMIGOD ARMAGEDDON” e-mails are to be believed. Just Google your city and you’ll see how to adopt.
We’re running these three Carollton critters here because they are up for the needle tomorrow at Carrollton Animal Services – Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise, as the shelter is now branded, is trying to save them. Call 972-466-3420 or e-mail care@cityofcarrollton.com.
The cats are former strays Flip Flop (left) and Taz. And that dog is a Pug/Chihuahua mix named Daisy who is in the shelter because her human ran into a “personal crisis” and Daisy’s out.
Word on Daisy is she likes to sleep under the covers is house-trained, loves toys but not other dogs or cats and isn’t all that keen on small children. She sounds so human.
CONTEMPLATION: THE RETURN OF TESS: Holy smoke. What are the odds? I’m using this as contemplation today because it reminds all of us of the thing that Readlarrypowell.com declares: Dogs are often too clever for their own good. Recognize that, and you’ll make sure you’ve properly protected you pal.
Jennifer Bell, Tess’ human, agrees.
One other thing, our late pal Joe Cranford, who ran Find-a-Pet for many years, preached and preached how valuable signs are when your critter goes missing.
Having noted that, here’s Jennifer’s story. She sent it just this morning with that "back home" photo of Tess. Jenifer is still glowing from the weekend developments. You may recall that Tess vanished from the believe-to-be secure backyard on the afternoon of Feb. 26 in North Garland.
Jennifer wrote: “Our heavy hearts have been lifted – our prayers have been answered.  Our beloved furry family member, Tess has found her way home.  Our sad experience turned into glorious outcome.  I witnessed humankind in the most pure and extravagant nature.
”On, Thursday, March 1^st (5 days since Tess went missing) a woman visiting her mother at the retirement home located behind our home came across Tess in the parking lot.  Tess was fragile, dehydrated and starved.  ‘She looked near death’ they said.
”The woman asked the staff members at the home if they were aware of anyone missing a pet.  When the staff at the nursing home said no, this kind woman immediately took Tess to her sister’s house in Rowlett, who then took Tess to a vet’s office in Dallas so she could get medical care Tess so desperately needed.
”The compassionate and generous woman in Rowlett cared Tess back to health – and continued to provide Tess with the diva lifestyle Tess had become accustomed to. 
“On Saturday, March 10, (14 days since Tess went missing) I received a phone call that dreary and wet evening from a woman who had just visited a loved one at the same retirement home behind my house.  She had seen the large neon sign posted in my front yard.
”The woman said she thinks my lost dog was brought in to the vet’s office in Dallas where she works.  I sent her some photos of Tess – and she confirmed it was Tess who had been treated at the office back on March 1.  She immediately called the owner of the vet’s office to ask for permission to call the client who was caring for Tess to let her know she found the owners. She called back and said she would meet us at the retirement home at 8 p.m. that Saturday night.
”My heart and tear ducts exploded when I saw Tess from inside of the SUV when they drove up in.  The moment is furr-ever inscribed in my memory.  Pure joy, pure bliss.
”I had the pleasure to meet the woman caring for Tess.  Tess and my family are truly grateful and humbled by this stranger’s unselfish and kind act. It is clear there are sincere caring people who walk among us.  The woman caring for Tess has a beautiful and compassionate soul.  I thank God for her every day.  And, I’m fortunate enough to be her friend on Facebook now.
”The blessings provided during this experience are a true gift from God.  My eyes are open and my heart magnified.  I’ve met so many astonishing people with incredible hope and faith – and the things they do for our furry friends is simply magnanimous and unbelievable.
"A sincere ‘Thank you’ to all.  I am grateful for all the kindness, love and wisdom I’ve gained from so many people during this journey of searching for Tess.”
In a second e-mail, Jennifer told me that the fence has been readjusted to keep clever Tess from wandering. She’s going to be micro-chipped and Jennifer vows to immediately put Tess’ tags back on immediately after each bath.
She adds, “I'm throwing a ‘Welcome Home; party for Tess this weekend - as my family rolls their eyes.
”And, yes, she is never far from sight.  In fact, Tess likes to burrow in blankets and such so now the whole family freaks when we can't find her immediately.  But, instantly relieved when she pops her head up from the blankets.
”I'm advising all my friends and family to have their pets chipped and fixed.”
In a postscript on her email, Jennifer wrote: “A note to all my friends and family: Adopt pets from the shelter or animal rescue organizations.  To see the looks on these creatures’ faces will affect your heart furr-ever.   Provide these innocent creatures a chance of a loving home they deserve; microchip your pets; and do not forget to have your pets spayed or neutered.”
Now, dear Readers, see how this all fits under the “contemplations” umbrella. Contemplate the emotions, the longshots, the good people who had to cross paths with this dog. Now, I’m going to go hug as many of our snoozing dogs as will bother to be awakened so I can hug them.
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