I thought that once the presidential election was over back in November we wouldn't have to put up with a bunch of political ads. But, sure enough, I just saw an anti-Dick Cheney commercial paid for by some "PAC." That's what I get for having the TV on a news channel instead of a cartoon channel.
Yes, I keep the TV on when I'm working. I'm a child of the 1960s -- you can't do homework without extra noise. That's probably the reason so many of us aging baby boomers suffer from attention deficit disorders. We've trained ourselves to think that we can't work unless there's rock 'n' roll ripping our heads apart.
I have a younger brother who has incredible powers of concentration. He and my funspouse Martha share the trait. They could be reading and you could set off TNT under their chairs and they'd keep on reading until the firefighter showed up and hosed them down. I envy that mental power. I'm easily distracted by shiny objects and slight thoughts. Now what was I doing? Oh, yeah, on with the day's items.
SAVE THE SHEPHERDS: This plea comes from Debbie New at the Plano Animal Shelter -- she's issuing it on behalf of a couple of white German Shepherds at the Carrollton Animal Services shelter. "The story is sad yet sweet," Debbie writes. "These two dogs, Mickey and Mouse (left), were given up by their owners. Mickey is a one-year-old female and Mouse is a one-year old male. The sad but sweet part lies in the fact that Mouse is blind and relies on Mickey to take care of him. Both are very gentle and sweet and the great folks at the Carrollton Shelter would like for them to be adopted together because they feel that Mouse would be lost without Mickey."
Debbie has visited the dogs and says they "are absolutely gorgeous and very loving."
Carrollton Animal Services is at 2727 Nimitz Lane. The phone number is 972-466-3420. It's a city shelter, so, as you know, the clock is ticking on all these animals.
By the way, earlier this year we mentioned a Plano shelter dog -- a border collie -- that Debbie pegged right away as the "Blue Dog" because of its resemblance to the famous art dog. Debbie reports, "The Blue Dog is now in a foster home and the foster Mom is probably going to keep her. She loved her other dogs and was extremely gentle with her toddler."
Every border collie needs a toddler to herd. Having had toddlers to herd myself, I can only say to the dog, "Good luck."
SCOOTER NEEDS A HOME: My former colleague at the Big City Daily, Lois Reed, is turning to us for help with an animal situation. Lois is moving into a condo but she has a 9-year-old, gray Schnauzer, Scooter, who needs a new, good home.
Lois says 25-pound Scooter is "diabetic and when he needs to urinate he needs quick access to the yard -- which is what he has now, via doggie door. He'll be miserable, not to mention unhealthy, if he had to take scheduled walks while living the condo life.
"This makes me so sad. Scooter's just the sweetest thing, wants to be next to you or in your lap. He's really bright and will alert when it's time for his feeding and insulin shot. In fact, if you forget his shot after he's eaten, he'll do his little 'dance' until you get the picture and stick him. Imagine, telling his human to give him a shot!"
To help Lois place Scooter in a good home, e-mail [email protected].
We know that Scooter must have a good, forgiving personality -- you've got to have that to live with an editor.
NEEDING A HAPPY ENDING: Cary Birdwell sends a note about Senta who has enjoyed lodging at Tailwagger's Country Inn in Van Alstyne in Grayson County northeast of Dallas since last year. But Senta needs a permanent home. She's been through a lot.
It's the typical Texas tale: Owner tied chain too tight around the dog's neck, the chain cut into the neck, rather than take the dog to a vet, the owner simply turned her loose.
REMINDER: Such behavior is cruel and animal abandonment is AGAINST the law in Texas. Right now, Texas has a chance to put more muscle in its anti-cruelty law. Go to www.thln.com and see how you can help the Texas Humane Legislation Network force a strong proposal out of a legislative committee and into a vote.
Now, back to Senta: She's a 50-pound, 2 1/2 year old coonhound mix with "a lot of puppy left in her."
She's been somewhat socialized, but still needs the sturdy commands of a loving human voice. And, Cary says, she's got to be placed by Saturday. If you can help either by adopting her or fostering her, e-mail [email protected] or call 214-521-3611.
Remember, if you have this loving dog, you'll have a wonderful story to tell about how she was rescued from dire straits and has become the "best dog ever."
And don’t forget to visit www.thln.com and help make pinheads who torture animals a vanishing breed in Texas.
