I’ve just returned from the groundbreaking for the new City of Dallas Animal Shelter -- it could not have occurred on a more beautiful day. And, bless the city’s heart, I think the folks at city hall have picked a spot that is easy off the freeway, easy on the freeway and its in a neighborhood with room to expand.
And, as Council Member Ed Oakley pointed out, the new city streets will be finished and in tip-top shape by the time the shelter opens in June, 2006.
Lots of folks turned out for the event, including virtually the entire staff of Dallas Animal Services and their director Kent Robertson who, at the urging of Mayor Laura Miller, got a nice round of applause for the hard work they do under trying circumstances. The mayor also praised the various animal groups and supporters that had, through determination and polite arm-twisting, persuaded the city to build a state-of-the-art shelter and adoption center. She cited Skip Trimble, Fred Brodsky, Andy Allen and others from the hardworking Dallas Animal Shelter Commission. Elaine Munch of the Metroplex Animal Coalition came in for a round of praise, as did the faithful rescuers and animal fans who make up the coalition.
And there were several dogs there, too, including some darling rascals who are among the dogs one-woman rescue unit Tawana Jurek has pulled out of the city pounds and turned into very charming and adoptable dogs. The dogs didn't applaud, but, hey, "clapping" wasn't on their list of things to do today.
Look, let’s just admit it -- there was a lovefest on a big spot of bare ground where Oak Cliff and West Dallas are separated by a freeway. You don’t see a lovefest in Dallas all that often. It was a pleasure to be there and a wonder to behold.
I should have taken names, but I was there mainly as an approving spectator. I can tell you I spoke with, among others, Becky Haisma of A Different Breed, the bunch that targets animals in Dallas’ shelters; Enid Breakstone of The Queenie Foundation (organizer of the annual Homeless Animal Vigil); Anita Edson from the SPCA of Texas and many, many others.
All of these animal people -- the ones I can remember and the ones I can’t -- know how important a step this shelter is in the cause of animal welfare.
Jonnie England of Operation Kindness was there -- she’s probably worn to a frazzle from last night’s Canines, Cats and Cabernet fundraiser. Operation Kindness is way up in Carrollton (if you live in Oak Cliff, as I do, Carrollton is “way up there.”) But, here’s the deal: A lot of strays from Oak Cliff wind up in care of the no-kill Carrollton shelter.
Council member Dr. Elba Garcia was there. I’ve never heard her give a speech when she didn’t cite the importance of education -- I'm with her on this issue. She did it again at the groundbreaking, citing how the new shelter will help educate Dallas residents about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets and taking care of them, too. (Once, at a literacy event in West Dallas, I watched her keep a few hundred kids spellbound as they listened to her own story of her pursuit of education and career. Heck, a few adults were spellbound, too.)
Well, it was simply a great thing to see the groundbreaking for this shelter. Dallas has taken a step toward a more humane approach to animals. And that means we’re a kinder place than we were yesterday.
I’d rather my town be thought of as a “kind city” than a city that is tough on both man and beast. This town is big enough to be kind to animals.
Years and years ago, Mayor R.L. Thornton advised the civic leaders of Dallas to “keep the dirt flyin’.” Finally, we’ve got the dirt flyin’ for the new animal shelter. It’s a beautiful day in Dallas.
