When the FBI showed up at Dallas City Hall, I thought certain that the feds were investigating why it was taking so long to get things going on the new Dallas Animal Shelter.
Forget that. It's a bribery investigation, they say. If only animal supporters had extra money laying around, we could have bribed somebody somewhere to get that shelter built in a timely fashion.
ABOUT PRINCESS: Her photo ran in yesterday's posting -- she's the magnificent black and white dog who was on the tightrope of "move on or be shot." Della Wallace, the tipster, reports, "I have her in a temp home. ... Right now she is in a safe place." A number of people responded to Princess' plight, bless your hearts. More to come on this one -- we're awaiting the happy ending.
DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY GOING TO THE DOGS: No, that's not a comment on the library, it's a scheduling notice. Friday is Take Your Dog To Work Day and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library will celebrate it in association with Pet Sitters International, the world's largest association for pet sitters.
We got this info from library tipster Lisa Lipton, who also tipped us to this site: www.friscohumanesociety.petfinder.com.
And that is where this dog, Nikki, is the featured dog for June. (You can also see other critters and a darned good Fourth of July fireworks warning.)
It occurs to me that kids are out of school and this is a good time to introduce them to the vast joy of dogs and the wonder of the Dallas Public Library at the same time.
(As a Dallas taxpayer, I'm in awe of the public library -- it survives to collect knowledge in spite of budget-nibbling from Dallas City Hall right across the street.)
Now, back to the library's Friday event. Dallas Animal Services will have adoptable dogs available at the library all day. You can also visit with the Delta Society's therapy dog Molly; visit with the Canine Companions for Independence puppies-in-training; get spay/neuter coupons from the Metroplex Animal Coalition; view dog films; and see the Dallas Public Library/Texas Kennel Club Pet Memorial Memory Book. (You may want to learn more about that last thing -- it's a way to note the life of a dear friend.)
Also scheduled: At 10:30 a.m., Golden Retriever Luke appears for a singing/story session in the 2nd floor Children's Center; at 11 a.m., Kathrine Breeden of Canine Communications will demonstrate "Clicker Training" in the first floor Dallas Rooms; at 11:30, Mark Rothenberg and his pup Boozer, on behalf of the SPCA, will focus on avoiding dog bites in the Dallas Rooms; at 1 p.m., Dallas Police Sr. Corp. C.E. Allen and his K9 partner Bart in the Dallas Rooms; at 2 p.m., Doggie Story Time for kids in the Children's Center; at 2:30 p.m., dog-themed movies for kids in the Children's Center.
If you haven't been to the downtown library lately, take time and visit. It's a treasure trove. Did you know there's a Shakespeare First Folio there? And an original copy of the Declaration of Independence? And there's a Bonnie and Clyde exhibit, too, if you lean toward the sensational side of things. (Here's the link: http://dallaslibrary.org/central.htm.)
One more thing: The whole library system has hardworking employees who'll help you with almost any project you're working on. My projects have always been in the nature of research, but, I swear, some of the people I've met are so eager that I'll bet they'd help you roof your house.
Seriously, if you're researching a term paper or a family tree or trying to find a recipe from a 1940s Good Housekeeping, the library can help you. I'm pretty sure tax money isn't wasted at the public library. Besides, if you need some quiet time away from the house and you want to read while enjoying air-conditioning, too, the library could become your favorite spot in town. It's a comfort to the literate.
