ReadLarryPowell.com

Weather, mange & anchors

Goodness, here in the quiet of our Oak Cliff home, there's a sense of "waiting." Well, maybe it's just a sense of napping.

All the critters are dozing and I'm typing. It's pleasant. I spent years in the clatter of a newsroom and grew accustomed to working in wrestling arena conditions. Now, it's nice to turn the TV or radio or CD player down and listen to the sounds of the city.

Today there is no gunfire in the neighborhood, no choppers overhead -- we're all just waiting for the sound of sleet falling on the unraked leaves in the front yard. (In this photo, shot about 9:30 a.m., freshly coiffed Inky vamps at his "listening post" on the back of the couch. Today he and the other dogs are listening for two things: the hiss of sleet and, as usual, the garbage truck.)

We suspect the garbage truck is more predictable than precipitation, but we'll be happy with the arrival of both.

Now, we might have it a little dicey over the next couple of days in Dallas and surrounding area, but we're practically tropical. Consider this note from reader Carol Swenson in Bemidji, Minn. -- that’s the "Center of the Curling Universe," for all you Olympics fans.

Carol reports, "When I drove to work this morning it was 23 below zero with a wind chill of 40 below. The schools are closed today because of the wind chill. Our high today will be 10 below zero, but tomorrow it will warm up to zero (Yippee!)." She says that until this week, the town had "been positively balmy with most days in the 30s."

Yes, we are warm in Dallas.

PLANO'S NEUTERING FOR A NICKEL: Ladies, ladies -- cats, not husbands! Yep, this is a reminder from our reliable tipster Debbie New of Plano Animal Services. Plano is participating in Spay Day USA with a "Neuter Scooter for a Nickel" program on Feb, 28 -- that's the official nationwide day. This "fixing" of tomcats will occur at the Plano Animal Shelter, 4028 Plano Parkway. You need an appointment: 972-769-4360.

(Fixing aside: When I was writing a column for the big city paper, I'd mention "fixing" a cat and every time a nice lady would call and anonymously leave a message saying, "Mr. Powell. There's really nothing broken about those cats. They're going to be spayed or neutered, not repaired.")

Plano's neutering event will include rabies shots for $10 and city registration for $7.50. You can get microchipping for $15 per cat. So, on Feb. 28, you can take your tomcat to Plano Animal Services and take care of a lot of pet-related things for under $40. That, folks, is a bargain.

If you don't already have a cat, Plano Animal Services can get one for you. A dog, too, if you want.

Other area shelters and groups are participating in the spay/neuter campaign. And don't forget to visit the MAC site -- www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com -- to give a donation to the Have-a-Heart campaign supporting the Patt Davis Memorial Spay/Neutering Program.

GET A GANDER AT THIS GUY: The description on the e-mail subject line included the word "precious."

I guess we can see why.

Chuy's the name, being a dog is his game.

He's a 7-month-old Aussie mix described as "45 pounds of love" and a determined "lap dog."

He's healthy, his shots are up to date, he's house-broken and he's beginning to grasp "basic obedience."

Also, reports Sydney Bush of Friends of the Animals, "his long, silky hair does not shed (says his foster mom!)."

Ah, one can dream, responded the man who has bought more vacuum cleaners than a hotel chain.

To ask about adopting Chuy, call 903-451-4701 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit the Friends of the Animals website at www.friendsoftheanimals.org. Make sure your speakers are at a polite level -- the site opens with a gleeful, entertaining presentation.

TIP: Ah, yes, from our reliable tipster Natalie Blankenship. Natalie, like so many of us, listens to KEOM (88.5 FM), the radio station run without advertising by the Mesquite school system and students. At our house, we're big fans of Dr. James Griffin and the KEOM staff of professionals and student DJs.

Natalie heard a public service announcement on the station that may be of interest to some of you. It has to do with the Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project (www.kcaap.org). The KCAAP clinic in Crandall is offering low-cost spay/neuter surgeries. (Call 1-972-472-3500.)

Might be worth checking on if you're in that area and need some low-cost work on a dog or cat. As areas such as Crandall draw more and more people, they also draw more and more pets. It's important that proper pet responsibility becomes a part of the foundation of a growing community. You don't want to wind up like the big cities, always struggling to play catch-up with a sad situation.

SPEAKING OF SAD SITUATIONS: Our official Canine Assessment Guru Cary Birdwell runs across some infuriating situations sometimes. Here's one he got a few days ago from rescuer Angela Highfill.

Angela wrote "This morning across the street from our house, there was a mom lab mix and 5 pups, maybe 8 weeks old, sitting on the steps of the water department building."

That's the building near Moss Park in North Oak Cliff.

"They were freezing cold, very hungry and covered with mange. ... We were able to get all of them, including mom, who was very protective of her pups, but also very hungry."

So, Angela put out the word that her critterful house had some pups and a mom that needed another place to go and, sure enough, the cry for help was met by Pat Seward who has taken the dogs in.

She also took them to the vet for their initial care and, sure enough, that's sarcoptic mange and mom is heartworm positive, Angela told me this morning.

Now, all of these dogs will eventually need homes and may need fostering. Angela says, "Mom looks like a black lab mix, small in size and all pups are black or black with a little white. Two are short hair and three are fluffy."

Angela, who works with A Different Breed rescue when she's not doing this stuff on her own, suggests people willing to help Pat with this puppy project e-mail [email protected].

Aside: I wish I had a nickel for every dog rescued from Dallas' parks each year. All of Oak Cliff would be swimming in nickels -- and so would North Dallas, too.

LOOK AT PETIE THE PUPPY! He does sort of have that eye thing going like Petie the pup in the Our Gang comedies...Anyway, the aforementioned Cary Birdwell, Dog Assessment Guru, reminds us that earlier in the year someone found this tiny puppy, probably 4 weeks old, dumped on the streets of Dallas "unless he managed to open the front door on his own and make his way to the streets."

Time has passed and Petie is now a maturing male blue-heeler mix. Cary got to spend time with him last Saturday at an adopt-a-pet. He says Petie warmed to him "after he got to know me. He was great in the car, and for a Blue Heeler mix, he was very, very calm an laid back."

Cary was Petie's buddy at an adoption event over the weekend. "Towards the end of the day, I sat him in my lap and he just laid there for about half-an-hour just letting me love on him. On the way back home, he slept with his head in my lap. Petie is a wonderfully sweet, gentle and adoptable dog. He is very low key and would be great in any household."

His only bad habit is he likes to dig holes in the yard. That can be fixed with behavior modification or "by giving him his very own sand box to dig in," says Cary.

Six-month-old Petie is neutered and vaccinated weights in at about 40 pounds and has a body sort of like a whippet -- and he has a "long, long slender tail." It wags properly.

To see about adopting Petie, call 214-521-3611.

SOME BROADCAST STUFF-- MURPHY MARTIN AND MICHAEL REY: Sometimes you don't learn about TV until you read about radio. Former Fort Worth rock DJ and current national radio consultant Larry Shannon has a radio blog at www.radiodailynews.com/rdndaily.htm. It was there that I discovered a link to Murphy Martin, the former ABC newsman who was on Channel 8 in Dallas for years and, of course, announcer for Dallas Cowboys games at Texas Stadium. Mr. Martin discusses current events and assesses historical events at www.murphymartin.com. Years after leaving the screen, Mr. Martin remains a nationally recognized "voice" of the news.

Speaking of trusted reporters, we've had a couple of queries regarding the whereabouts of former WFAA/TXCN anchor Michael Rey, a really nice guy and pretty swell on-air reporter/anchor, too. He's been a fixture on radio and TV around here for quite some time.

But, of course, nothing is stable in today's media world. If we hear where's broadcasting, we'll let you know ASAT -- that's As Soon As Tuned.

Sometimes, finding lost broadcasters is like finding lost dogs, you’re going to need some help.

Gunfire, Beau and other topics

Before we get to helping Beau and other issues, let's take a few paragraphs to consider helping humans.

If I may get serious for a moment, this Cheney/shooting flap is a news story -- no doubt about that. The Veep doesn't spray someone with birdshot every day of the week.

But this morning, I'm sitting in my usually calm and quiet home in Oak Cliff, Texas, and, just across Loop 12 in another nice Dallas neighborhood, the police and news choppers are swooping around, roads are blocked and cops are all over the place.

Why? Because there was a drug-raid that went sour and four cops got shot. God bless those cops and their fellow peace officers. Good grief, what a tough job being a cop. Even when nobody's shooting at you it's a tough job. All of us citizens aren't the most pleasant of people.

So, we're dealing with the morning shooting.

Two days ago, a woman was shot to death in a shopping center parking lot about 5 miles north of there. Think about the things you've seen on TV or read about lately. People shoot each other all the time. Kids sleeping in their beds get plugged by drive-by shooters, a woman sitting in her car in a drive-up lane at a restaurant in Pleasant Grove was killed by a stray bullet, children playing with guns shoot each other. And in all that mix, there are mean people with guns shooting good people and shooting their fellow bad people, too.

This has to stop. The vice president's incident was obviously a hunting accident -- and we have lots of measures to try to prevent those things -- hunting classes, orange vests, etc. Human error almost can't be defeated.

But we try. We have a way for properly educated people to carry firearms in Texas. They are rarely involved in shootings and when they are, it's usually because some jerk tried to break into Grandma's house and she stopped him with her "equalizer."

What we don't have, apparently, is a way to keep the rest of the sorry, braindead, morality-impaired idiot gun-toters from shooting other people. Never mind bird flu, there's an epidemic of fatal gunfire in this country.

The sad thing is, this isn't new. We've apparently decided to accept death-by-firearms just as we accept common colds -- except, people keep working on curing the common cold.

I don't know what we can do to change things -- taking away guns won't work. You've got to take the bad people away. Mandatory jail time in gun incidents only works after the fact, after the chalk outline is drawn.

I wish someone smarter than I am could figure this out. And I'm not interested in arming everybody. Guns scare me. The bad people with the guns scare me more. I don't mind a good argument, but when someone introduces a pistol into the conversation, there's often no opportunity for rebuttal.

My goodness, we are a mess.

FIND A HOME FOR BEAU: Well, lots of gunfire in society, and lots of opportunities to help make things better, too. Here's a chance to help a boy named Beau. Ain't he a beaut!!

From North Fort Worth, Barbara Hawkins writes, "He was howling at our next door neighbor's garage door. Lonely, hungry and lost, he was so sad. He had a slight limp in a hind leg and was wearing a collar.

"We have had him at our home for three weeks now -- tried every way to find his people.

"Beau is wonderful, about 3 years old, the vet confirms. He is housebroken, crate-trained and knows basic commands.

"He also wants to sit in your chair, sleep on your bed and be by your side constantly. We have three dogs -- one large and two small -- and they all get along....Our neighbor took him for a day and says he got along fine with her cat. He love the 6-year-old next door."

His limp has cleared up and it's time to move this Weimeraner boy into a home where the older dog won't be quite so unsettled by his presence.

So, Barbara is looking for a home for Beau. He's a good boy with a good personality. (Call 817-281-1429 or e-mail [email protected].)

I took a glance at Weimeraner Rescue's site (www.weimrescuetexas.org.). When you look at it, you'll see that this sturdy rescue group has 33 dogs in its care already with 13 on a waiting list. Beau's fighting sincere odds.

But somewhere there's a good home for this rascal. Just make sure you have room next to you on the couch for him.

ANOTHER NEUTER REMINDER: Good grief, there can't be enough of those. Check the death rate in local shelters. Animals born only to be killed. Makes no sense.

So, as you know, February has Spay Day USA. Most groups celebrate it on Feb. 28.

But the SPCA of Texas has scheduled its "Neuter Scooter for a Nickel" program on Feb. 22 at its assorted clinics. For just a nickel, they'll neuter your randy tomcat.

You need an appointment: For the clinic at the Dallas SPCA, 362 Industrial Blvd., call 214-651-9611, ext 116 or 133. For Collin County's clinic in McKinney, call 972-562-7297, ext. 105 or 107. For the Village Fair Spay/Neuter Clinic, which the SPCA took over last week, call 214-372-9997.

Please check with your favorite shelter or rescue group to see about spay/neuter programs. And go to the Metroplex Animal Coalition website (Click here) because MAC is running its "Have-a-Heart" fundraiser right now to finance the wonderful Patt Davis Memorial Spay/Neuter Program. This free program neuters animals for people who can't afford the simplest of vet care for their pets.

By the way, the Village Fair clinic is at Loop 12 and I-35, about 2 miles west of where the big shooting was Thursday morning near Loop 12 and Polk. This is Feb. 16 -- by the 22nd everybody will have reloaded. Oh, I'm kidding. Our part of town is like any other part of town -- most of us are peace-loving people whose primary weapon is a credit card.

ONE MORE THING, OK, TWO MORE THINGS: Back to the gun thing:

--My rescuespouse Martha once spotted a dog limping across Polk Street near Camp Wisdom and managed to rescue the tick-coated, gimpy, emaciated dog. Why was he limping? Someone shot him. Nice, huh? The wound cost him his leg but he's recovered to be a stellar fellow named Buster who is now living with a postman and his wife and some other dogs and he romps like the happy dog he was born to be.

--About the Vice Presidential Hunting Accident: The outrage over the handling of the situation is approaching silly. Reporters are supposed to pursue stories, not sit on their backsides in the pressroom and wait for a handout. Disgusting -- I've been a reporter or editor or columnist since 1965. I know how it works. They oughta be mad at themselves for missing a scoop rather than mad at the White House for not spoon-feeding them.

Sure the White House has some responsibility to be forthcoming, but, for crying out loud, if all reporters sat around waiting to be handed stories we'd never find out about some of the crooks and creeps. Makes me wonder what stories these people are missing.

Credit, critters and 'crezy'

Pardon my mood. I've been dealing with a credit card problem today. Some guy somewhere has been using the numbers on one of my cards to hire escorts, buy porn, software and airline tickets.

He's having the good time I always dreamed of. Fortunately, I was able to make the right calls to end this folly.

It was an adventure. I first called the "Customer Service" number on the credit card statement and told the woman the charges weren't mine. She said, "I'm going to transfer you to card replacement." I said, "Wait a second. What about these charges?" And she said, "You will need to call customer service." I said, "I called customer service -- that's how I got you." She said, "I must transfer you to replacement."

Replacement took my info, promised a new card delivered by FedEx by 7 p.m. Thursday and tried to hang up without taking my "disputes."

I browbeat replacement into transferring me back to customer service where, when I mentioned the bad charges, the new woman said, "I'm transferring you to our fraud division." Fraud promised me a report within 30 days. She also gave me a "confirmation number" -- what it confirms, I have no idea. The charges have been removed from my account.

But I still get the feeling that the morning crew was standing in the same room handing around a satellite phone while sipping java and nibbling sugar-glaced apple fritters or whatever the traditional morning snack is in whichever nation I called. Did the job, though, even if we did have a couple of "can you hear me now?" moments.

THE BIG SHOW: Yeah, I missed it last night, the finals of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Fortunately, my viewingspouse Martha was in front of the TV, knitting, with both a cat and a cocker spaniel in her lap.

Rufus, the bull terrier (colored), won the whole shebang. But I understand from Martha that a pug wowed the crowd by pulling away from a judge. Can't say that I blame the pug. Those judges touch "places" and they're not wearing gloves.

Click on  RUFUSWINS  to get the skinny from Westminster.

Not that I'm against cute, fluffy or weird, fluffy dogs, but it was nice to see a shorthair win the title. Handsome dog, that Rufus. And the dog in the photo with this section is our beloved, adorable Rosie, who cannot enter Westminster competition because her papers read "Chihuahua Etc." Besides, there would probably be a big ruckus in the ring because Rosie is often shadowed by Annabelle Bob, the black cat. She also has no papers for the dog show.

SOME NEEDS: Sydney Bush of the Friends of the Animals says the Cedar Creek-area spay/neuter outfit is in need of a large wire crate for the clinic. It needs to be 4 feet long, 28 inches wide and 3 feet tall. "We'd be thrilled with a used one if it's in good condition -- not sure what they cost at pet stores or in catalogs, but if anyone would like to make a tax deductible donation so we could buy a new one, that would be cool, too." (E-mail [email protected]. Visit www.friendsoftheanimals.org.)

Also, word is the Gun Barrel City animal control officer, Rene Alonzo, has been assigned a new truck by the city, but needs an 8-foot camper "at a great price." Call 903-887-7151 to help improve animal control conditions in Gun Barrel City.

A CASE OF DOING GOOD AND HOPING FOR HELP: Debbie Schwagerman e-mails us about her latest rescue project. She tells the story well. "I live in Rowlett and made a 3-hour trip each way with my four other border collies (in a Honda Civic, mind you) to Wichita Falls to pick up this boy who I am calling Tango."

She'd seen an ad for "Free Male Registered Border Collie." The owners were moving, the ad said. "I pondered for two weeks about going to get him, but living with my parents I knew I would be dead meat if I brought home another dog...."

Still, her heart won. And she drove to Wichita Falls to get the dog. "Tango was living in a mall dog run which was full of hay and did have a dog house in it. However it looked as thought it had NEVER been cleaned....He was so dirty it frightened me. The woman gave me $50 to take the dog away -- can you believe that?

"I felt so bad for him I took him home and gave him a bath and have been brushing and brushing and brushing. The fur won't stop coming out. He has never been inside, so I had to drag him spread-eagle though my front door to get him in. He hates going into his crate, but he has to when he is inside. He is perfectly quiet and content once he is inside the crate, though.

"He is a darling, sweet, lovely dog who has had an unfortunate start to life.

"Tango is nearly 2 years old, purebred, ABCA registered. I have his papers. He is currently not neutered but will be before he is placed."

He also is still with Debbie, but that can't go on much longer. He seems to get along with other dogs. However, she says, "He HATES the linoleum and won't even go into the kitchen."

A vet check shows he's healthy. His focus is good -- so she thinks he might make a great agility or performance dog. "He has zero obedience training but is working on 'sit' and
'NO!' " she says.

If you need more info about this swell dog, e-mail [email protected]. Debbie is more than happy to tell you everything about Tango as long as it helps him find the perfect home.

OH, SWEETHEART, YOU MONKEY: My amorespouse Martha, attending some sort of special software school in North Richland Hills, took time at her lunch break on Valentines Day to do what all people with lots of animals do -- she went to a store and bought critter supplies. At a grocery store in NRH, she found "big Valentine displays with red paper hearts." These were home-made, she says. And sentiments were written in big letters on each heart. Her favorite? "I'm monkey crezy for you!"

Spelled "crezy." Must be some sort of simian lingo. Of course, we are crezy. Crezy like menkeys.

Sweethearts and homes

Happy Valentine's Day. As I recall, this holiday is similar to Groundhog Day in that it also is in February and if things don't go right, there can be six more weeks of winter chill.

Now, speaking of chill, on cable TV yesterday I heard an announcer describe Bemidji, Minn., as the "hotbed" of curling in America. Readlarrypowell.com has a faithful reader in Bemidji, so, obviously, it is also a hotbed of literacy and canine and kitty affection. Curl big, Bemidji! (I'm not sure if that's an actual rallying cry in the Olympics, but use it if you wish.)

HAVING A HEART: The Metroplex Animal Coalition's annual Have a Heart campaign begins today. We hear this from MAC's sweetheart, er, president Elaine Munch.

It's the third annual Have-a-Heart campaign that raises money to support MAC's free spay-and-neuter campaign in low-income areas. The goal is to raise $30,000. And you can see how to help by clicking on www.metroplexanimalcoalition.org. We've mentioned MAC's Patt Davis Memorial Spay/Neuter Program many times.

Elaine's official note reads, "During 2005 when two major hurricanes struck, we all saw strong images of just what pet overpopulation means. Without great programs, such as the one MAC provides to the community, we would, no doubt, have a much higher rate of stray and abandoned animals. By working on spay/neuter with City of Dallas Animal Services, we are beginning to hold the line on overall impoundments and euthanasia. We believe that both the city's free program for people on public assistance and MACS's free program for low-income citizens must be expanded if we are going to se real declines in impoundment and the number of animals that must be euthanized."

And, Elaine is so right when she says those hurricanes taught a lesson -- suddenly the Dallas-area animals shelters that were already full of strays and turn-ins were asked to take on even more of a load.  This strained finances and made survival tougher for local strays and turn-ins.

SPEAKING OF SWEETHEARTS: It was Saturday night and there was a social event underway in the home of Brandon and Kelly Andrus. They're currently fostering a bulldog named Frankie. That's him in the photo. He's a ward of DFW Bulldog Rescue.

"Brandon and the boys were playing poker in the game room and had the Olympics on the big screen in there," says Kelly. "Frank was chewing on his Kong under the pool table. Apparently he didn't like the TV being on because he went up to it and kept hitting his nose on the front of the TV until he turned it off. Everyone laughed and they turned it back on. Frank turned it off three more times before they gave up on it and left it off! Smart boy -- cross-country skiing was on. BORING."

Frank is available for adoption and TV and sports criticism. "If Brandon and I didn't already have too many dogs, we would be keeping him in a minute. Get this: Never gone to the bathroom in the house, doesn't chew anything except his toys, gets along with all other dogs and is young (2-3) and in good health. he is just an angel." (To inquire, go to www.dfwbulldogrescue.org.)

And, of course, he'll be happy to nose off the TV set -- better than a remote. Needs no batteries and won't disappear into the recliner.

TWO DOGS NEED HOME: For crying out loud, I can't believe Rodney and Lady are still needing a home. Look at this pair. They're adorable. ADORABLE.

Gail Whelan of the Companion Animal Network says that at the end of the week, if no one has claimed this pair, they're going to a sanctuary -- that's better than the needle, but it's not really a "home" for two great dogs. Gail says, "These dogs deserve a loving home. For the last time, please help us find a foster home. I really believe if we had the time to spend, we would eventually find a home willing to take them both. They cannot stay in boarding. They are beginning to show cage aggression from being locked up. We have had a couple of people show interest, but then they did not return calls or e-mails."

So, e-mail [email protected] and check out the possibility of making these two dogs your companions. They'll be happy, and you probably will, too.

Remember, these dogs once had a home but they wound up on death row at a city shelter. They've been spared for a reason. Maybe it's to comfort a particular human soul who'll see this notice today. Copy it and send it around. There's a match somewhere. There's desperation in the air and it's needless.

From birdshot to badgers...

Ah, before we get to the animal tales and the attack of the Badger 5 (Grrrrr!), let's just say that we'll always remember the weekend. It was the time when the pendulum begin to swing back toward a balanced earth.

Dick Cheney shot his hunting buddy.

Finally, the vice presidency is returning to its traditional role: comic relief.

Dan Quayle never shot anybody.

He also never won a ribbon at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog which starts tonight -- TV coverage starts at 7 p.m. on the USA Network (Channel 31 in Dallas) and it's always great to see how the pugs do in the luge. ...Am I mixing up my events?

THE RESCUED CHIHUAHUA: This is Roxy. She's the little dog who was seen alongside the Trinity River at the Sylvan Crossing by Gary Johnson. You may recall the story from last week. One Chihuahua had been killed, apparently by a car, and the other was lingering near the body for days. She's now in the care of the Companion Animal Network.

Becky Delgado of CAN says Kerry Mantrop, who fosters for CAN and for Chihuahua Rescue, is Roxy's rescuer. "Kerry did indeed finally coax little Roxy to her after about an hour, which included several interruptions by the Dallas Police who were chasing some criminal element in the area. Kerry took little Roxy to her vet and, thankfully, aide from being on the skinny side, she is none the worse for wear."

Roxy has been properly vaccinated, bathed and, Becky says, "currently being 'loved on and spoiled' a lot by Kerry while she waits for her new mom to pick her up."

Yep, already she has a "new mom."

As Becky writes, "Thank God for the happy endings. We definitely need them when we have so many -- too many -- sad endings."

Take a look at www.petfinder.com/shelters/ca-n.html -- maybe you can help with a happy ending.

MONTE CARLO AND A 'WEINER ON WHEELS': This fellow is Monte Carlo. And he's got a problem. Then there is Larry the Dachshund -- quite a story.

They're both in the care of the Richardson Humane Society. Martha Denton says both of these dogs were adopted out by RHS a few years ago but were returned "around the holidays in 2005 when the families could no longer care for them."

Larry the Dachshund has a back injury and is recovering from surgery provided by RHS and the adoptive family. He seems to be making progress toward walking without a cart, but it's a time thing. Only time will tell.

And after Monte Carlo, a Boston terrier mix, was returned, it was discovered that his "difficulties" were related to his vision-- he has cataracts and is "nearly blind," Martha reports.

"We're accepting donations toward cataract surgery for good ol' Monte and just looking for a forever home for a wiener on wheels....," Martha says.

To contribute to the cataract surgery fund for Monte, write to Monte Carlo, c/o RHS, P.O. Box. 852515, Richardson, Tx. 75085. Visit www.richardsonhumanesociety.org.

NEUTERING FOR A NICKEL: Yep, it's that time of year. Feb. 28. The annual Neuter Scooter for a Nickel event -- turning randy tomcats into guys who spend more time reading and watching TV. It's the brainchild of the Doris Day Animal Foundation, organizers of Spay Day USA.

Anyway, we have a few notes about this:

Debbie New of Plano Animal Services says department will neuter male cats for a nickel on Tuesday, Feb. 28. You've got to make an appointment (Call 972-769-4360.). This neutering will occur at the Plano Animal Shelter, 4028 Plano Parkway. If cats don't have proof of rabies vaccination, they can get a rabies shot tht day for $10. You've got to have your cat vaccinated to participate. Plano residents must register their cats with Animal Services (that $7.50.) And you can get your cat microchipped for $15 -- there's an additional fee the cat's human must pay o the microchip company to be registered.

Still, getting a tom cat fixed can cut down dramatically on new litters of unwanted kittens in Plano. Or maybe in surrounding towns, too. Cats pay no attention to city limits signs.

Also on Feb. 28, the Richardson Humane Society will pay for the spaying or neutering of the first 20 pets attopted from the City of Richardson Animal Shelter. (www.cor.net/AnimalShelter/Homepage.html).

And on Feb. 25, at its adoption at PETCO, 1401 E. Spring Valley Road, and on March 4 at the PetsMart, 16821 Coit Road, RHS will hold a drawing for a free spay or neuter. (See www.richardsonhumanesociety.org for details.

And the SPCA of Texas is hosting its Neuter Scooter for a Nickel sessions on Feb. 22. Go to www.spca.org for details.

There are other participants and I'll be happy to mention them -- send the info to [email protected].

LOOKING BACK: Monday seems to be a day like any other day, except some things are different. It is a time of unders. The Olympics are underway. The Northeast is under snow. The author of this site has been under the sink.

I spent most of Sunday afternoon and evening installing the new Badger 5 (Grrrrrrr) disposal. (I added the ferocious "Grrrrr" sound effect.)

For some reason, every pipe I touched either crumbled or leaked. The world's greatest hardware store, Elliott's Hardware, on Maple in Dallas, was closed, so I was forced to go to a big box warehouse-style hardware store where the knowledge of plumbing was only slightly better than mine.

Well, at least I got the Badger 5 (Grrrrrr) installed and working without electrocuting myself. We just can't run any water through the system right now.

Why was I replacing the old disposal? Because, it turns out, you can't grind a quarter to pieces in one of those things -- it just brings the little engine to a halt. How did a quarter get into the disposal? Who knows?

If my typing seems a little h a l t i n g today, it's because I spent way too much time on my back holding a Badger 5 (Grrrrrrr) up with both hands and trying to smoothly fit it into the undercarriage on the drain. If someone tossed a watermelon to me today, I'd just have to let it splat.

Mercifully, the animals were only mildly curious about my project, though Inky, the deadpan cocker spaniel, did sit next to me for a while and watch. When he realized I wasn't installing a "Treat Dispenser," he moved back to the recliner and piled up with my yarnspouse Martha while she knitted.

My shoulder discomfort actually began Friday night when Martha, Hammy, Baby Jane and I were leaving for a ride. I had turned to shut the porch gate and was standing on the top of three steps. When I turned back in the dark, Hammy had moved behind me to stick his giant nose into a pile of leaves on the sidewalk. Martha was leashed to both dogs. I put my foot down on top of one of Hammy's huge paws.

Rather than hurt Hammy, I simply picked up my foot. Meanwhile Hammy screamed like I'd dropped a brick on his tail and Baby Jane yanked Martha with her leash. In all the four-legged mayhem in the dark, I realized I could neither fly nor balance on one leg on a tiny step. So, to avoid hurting a dog, I sort of keeled over -- "like a giant Redwood," Martha said -- and fell across the sidewalk and onto the soft, wet earth.

I went back inside to change clothes. Later Martha said, "Didn't you think it was nice of us not to laugh until after you'd gone back into the house? I kept a straight face, but the dogs went to the other side of the car and just howled."

Hammy's fine, Baby Jane's fine, Martha's fine and I was well enough to grapple with the Badger 5 (Grrrrrr.).

Olympic sleeping team...

These appear to be the surefire winners of the Olympic  Gold Medal for Synchronized Sleeping!

Maybe they're practicing for the 2-Pup Sleeping Luge.  Or the Tandem Pupsled.

Yes, indeed, these are the spotlight pups for this weekend's “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.” I'm pretty sure they don't even know what a cat is yet, so they're doing this sleeping thing based on a beginners course in the Handbook of Canine How-To.

Rule No. 1: When the cameras come out, keep on sleepin'.

Anne Visser of Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas submitted this photo of fat-bellied pups in the midst of a mid-winter's nap. They are the largest and smallest females of the litter produced by Winnie.

We mentioned them here before, back in January, when Winnie, a Golden Retriever surrendered to the rescue group by her owners, gave birth to ELEVEN purebred pups. Eleven. And the rescue group named each pup after a candy. You can keep up with their progress by going to the group's website (Click HERE.). You can also donate to help finance their care -- 11 puppies ain't cheap.

Oh, my. Thank heavens a rescue group could step in and handle this situation.

If you are a friend of anyone with Golden Retriever Rescue -- look out! You know those three dogs they've already talked you into adopting? Why, heck, you really need an even number of dogs -- for balance! They can fix you up with that fourth dog!

I'm kidding, of course, but I've been around rescue long enough to know that there is such a thing as a "Pup Ripple Effect." One person finds a spare pup and immediately begins going through the remaining friends in hopes of finding a home for it. The good thing is, rescue groups tend to be pretty strict about who gets their dogs. After all, there's emotional, financial and moral investment in saving these dogs.

Anne says these puppies are "active and busy discovering there is life beyond the puppy pool. They are all very healthy and mom Winnie is doing great. I think her foster mom has fallen in love with her, too."

The foster mom has been keeping a diary of the dogs' progress and marking such things as when they cut their first teeth and their first "break out of the puppy pool."

The theory is, "One big girl must have crawled onto the top of the puppy pile and pulled herself over the edge."

If you're at the Fort Worth Home and Garden Show this weekend, look for the Golden Retriever folks -- they'll have a booth and a display of photos of these puppies at the Fort Worth Convention Center. I'm not sure which section of the show -- home or garden -- 11 puppies might fit into but they definitely qualify as a convention. Too big to be just a litter. That's a convention of puppies.

(To nominate an out-like-a-light critter -- human or otherwise -- for our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, e-mail your nominee's photo and info to [email protected]. Remember, this site is dedicated to insomniacs, the people who wish they could take cat naps and sleep like chubby puppies.)

Challenges: Remotes, etc.

The end of the week arrives on a delirious note. Last night, while my yarnspouse Martha was at a knitting class at the Shabby Sheep downtown, I was sitting at the computer working on some stuff and I spun around to change the channel with my handy, brand new Jean-Luc Picard Star Trek Space Age Phaser remote.

As I aimed the raygun at the cable box, a glint of silver caught my eye. And there, on the floor, under the big recliner, was the missing remote -- the remote that vanished last week. The remote we searched for as if its name were Osama Bin Ladin or as if we were narcs with crowbars going through the walls a dealer's house with a team of drug dogs. I swear I turned that chair over and shook it. I shoved my hands into it so deeply I thought I might need a medical license.

But, somehow, the remote unit managed to avoid detection until last night when it slipped gently to the floor under the chair. Stunned. I was. Stunned.

So, now, we have three remotes for the cable. No wonder other nations hate us. We're the land of plenty. We may also be the land of "can't find anything with both hands."

I am, however, so relieved to find the remote that I would turn cartwheels if it wouldn't upset the U.S. Geophysical Survey Richter machines across the continent.

A PUPPY IN ITS NATURAL STATE:

Looks like this kid knows how to use the camera. This is one of the 20 puppies recently rescued by the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. They're young, but they're aging. And two are growing up so fast that they are now available for adoption. (E-mail [email protected] or call 903-887-7691.) Note the poise, the grace, the puppiness. Gives you have a craving for cuddling, doesn't it? And this is an Aussie mix -- probably born to fetch either a Frisbee or ride shotgun where ever you want to go.

A CLINIC CHANGES HANDS:

On Saturday, the SPCA of Texas takes over operations of the Spay/Neuter and Animal Wellness Clinic in Oak Cliff. It's in that former Red Lobster in the Village Fair Shopping Center at I-35 south and Ledbetter. It's the third spay/neuter and wellness clinic in the SPCA of Texas chain, says SPCA President James Bias.

Hours, services and costs will stay the same. As you may know, the clinic is easily accessible to folks in Dallas ZIP Codes that show the highest incidence of unfixed animals.

The Humane Society of the United States operated the clinic for about five years after taking over from another organization. The clinic opened in 1996 under the auspices of the Animal Foundation International of Las Vegas. They gave it to the Fund for Animals which gave it to Houston-based SNAP (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program) and then HSUS took over. The facility is owned by the City of Dallas, i.e., the taxpayers. The annual Paws Cause gala benefits the clinic.

LOOKING FOR THE GENERAL:

A few days back we reported that Jim Wolfe's miniature schnauzer General Patton has been missing in the Hillcrest/Campbell area of North Dallas. The 13-year-old dog weighs about 18 pounds and was wearing a collar and tags when he was last seen.

This is the poster that's been tacked up throughout the neighborhood in hopes of getting Jim's companion back to him. Jim has also registered with Joe Cranford at www.find-a-pet.org. When you spot this dog, get in touch with Joe at Find-a-Pet (214-827-4357) or call Jim at 972-931-6952.

REMINDER:

Get our event info into e-mail [email protected] so we can list it in award-winning Urban Animal magazine's monthly events roundup. It's a free listing. Deadline is approaching.

ONE MORE THING ABOUT THAT REMOTE: I haven't been so stunned by a discovery since I found that Martha would marry me. That was way back in 1991. If I get this stunned only every 14 1/2 years, it'll be a good life. And if the biggest crisis I face is the disappearing remote, then it's a good life indeed.

By the way, you may recall that as the remote went missing, our kitchen sink quit draining, but I was able to, with advice from my baby brother, successfully clear it by opening a "relief valve." A couple of days later, the garbage disposal, the Badger 5000 or something like that, quit whirring. There's a little wrench you use to twist the mechanism free, if you know how to do it properly.

I twisted it with all of my brute strength two nights ago and my superhuman torque pulled the Badger 5000 loose from the sink drain.

I'll be spending Saturday under the sink. But I'll be under there working, knowing that the sink will drain. It’s iffy whether the Badger 5000 will work again. I do know now, however, that the remote isn't stuck in the blades.

Cold pickles, etc.

It's a beautiful morning here on the North Texas prairie. There's no rain, the air is crisp, the sun is shining and cable TV is working. It's great to be an American....

Now, let's race through today's items so we can go outside and play -- or do some housework...we'll flip the coin later.

BIDDING: Now, here's an interesting thing. Bidding for names. Yep. It's a fundraiser for DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue (www.dfwcockerrescue.8m.com).

Bid high enough and you can call any one you want the name of your choice. I'm kidding. But that's a good concept for a fund-raiser, isn't it? Sort of a verbal dunking booth for charity.

Well, back to the innocence of puppies. Just before New Year's Day, DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue took in a cocker who was about to have pups. She did. And now the rescue group has five that need to be named. That's one of them in this photo.  She looks as if she's saying, "I'll be happy to come if someone will call me. Call me what? Oh, yeah. I'm nameless."

You can buy the right to name the puppies at this E-Bay link, http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdfwcockerspanielrescue . The winning bidder gets to name the puppy. The money goes to helping DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue offset the cost of caring for dogs that are taken in when they are not in the best of conditions. Medicine, grooming, surgery -- the financial investment in these foundlings, turn-ins and strays sometimes almost matches the emotional investment.

DOGS GOING TO THE MOVIES: Usually people say "the movies are going to the dogs," but in this case it'll be dogs from Adopt-A-Husky (www.adoptahusky.org) of Dallas appearing Feb. 11-12, 17-18 at the Rave theater in Irving. Why? Because the movie 8 Below, about some heroic huskies, will be showing on the big screen .Steve Hensley of Adopt-A-Husky says Rave "is one theatre owner who wants to help stop the purchase and abandonment of cute puppies because of yet another dog movie and they are giving us a chance to do something positive by teaching the public about our breed and about dog rescue in general."

ICE, ICE BABY: The Humane Society of North Texas is going to get an icebox, or refrigerator, as the kids refer to the appliance. (See request for help in yesterday's postings.)

Deana Hanson reports that she and Jim -- they live way out in Weatherford -- bought one from a man for $25 "and it's a large one that even came with a jar of cold pickles. Can't beat a deal like that." She says other people have responded to the plea for a fridge for the Fort Worth shelter and negotiations are underway.

STILL LOOKING: There's just something about the dignity on the faces of these dogs, Rodney and Lady. They were brought up together, they were dumped together. They need to stay together. Gail Whelan of the Companion Animal Network says the search is continuing for a good home for this pair. Surely someone knows someone who doesn't already have a houseful of dogs and cats. E-mail [email protected] to help give Rodney and Lady a good home.

TOO EARLY TO PANIC, I'M SURE: Oh, yeah, last night I saw a news story about science not being able to prepare humane vaccine for bird flu until the virus crosses over into humans. So, somebody within reach of a scientist has to come down with the bird flu before the rest of us can be protected.

And I'm thinking, "Wow. The world flies into DFW International Airport. It's no 'clean room'." Oh, my, viruses can fly. Call it "Bugs Without Borders."

Maybe I'm just paranoid. Probably I ought to just worry about my blood pressure and avoiding mange.

Old issues to cliche cats...

Geez, it's Wednesday already. We've all got work to do.

Sometimes you think the work is all done, but then somebody wiggles around the lawfully erected roadblock. Yes, that's a direct reference to the people who sell horses for human consumption.

They've found a loophole in the law that would have stopped the sad practice of slaughtering horses and turning 'em into meals for humans. The Texas Humane Legislation Network is issuing a rally cry again to try to shut down this business. (Of the three plants in the U.S. that do this, two are in Texas: one in Kaufman County, one in Fort Worth.)

The Texas Humane Legislation Network has begun a drive to get citizens to get in touch with their congressmen and press them to support H.R. 503, which would shut the businesses down. Go to www.thln.com to get involved.

Just an FYI: When I went to work as a young reporter at the now-departed Fort Worth Press in 1972, one of the first stories I covered was an attempt by good-hearted citizens to get the Tarrant County DA to shut down the Fort Worth horse-slaughter plant because selling horses for human consumption was against the law. More than three decades later, the issue is with us still.

HOW 'BOUT THEM BOXERS! Our contacts at Legacy Boxer Rescue are working hard to find foster homes for a number of rescued boxers, including these two, which I'll simply label as "Boxer 1" and "Boxer 2" because they really need someone who knows them to give them a good name. You can begin the adoption process by going to www.savetheboxers.com. Or, you can volunteer to foster these dogs.

The astonishing thing is that such wonderful purebreds wind up in shelters where the rule is "if you can't find a home for them, go ahead and kill 'em. Good luck, Fido."

CATCHING UP: Yesterday we mentioned a little roadside Chihuahua too skittish to be caught. A "nice lady" stopped by the site near the Sylvan Road crossing and the Trinity River and managed to charm the dog. So, that dog is safe. In fact, dog-spotter Gary Johnson reports this morning, "She is with the rescue group and already has an adoptive parent prepared to take her in." So, that's one that's safe. Lord knows how many other dogs are roaming in the bottoms (I've seen 'em in packs.) ... Rebecca Poling of the Metroplex Animal Coalition reports that there has been a magnificent response to Angie Manriquez call for shelter for West Dallas dogs. "The folks at Operation Kindness have stepped up to provide five dog houses for Angie," writes Rebecca. "They're [the houses] at the shelter at 3201 Earhart Drive in Carrollton. But they need help getting them to Angie...Is there anyone who can get these dog houses where they're needed, and quickly before the cold weather sets in?" (To help with the transit, e-mail [email protected].) As I recall, Operation Kindness has a doghouse program called Habitats for Hounds.

THE FERRIS REPORT: Our buddies at Animal Rescue Friends Inc. have managed to hold onto Angel, the dog with three working legs, but she still needs a home and if she doesn't get one by the end of the week, there's a chance that she'll not make the cut. (Scroll down to the Feb. 3 entry and you'll see her story and the way to get in touch with her guardians, Animal Rescue Friends Inc. (Visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/animalrescuefriends.html).

Meanwhile, Ferris Animal Control Officer Traci Nettles reports that the agency confiscated some dogs from a "hoarder" over the weekend and now "we are extremely busting at the seams with dogs."

Among those is a mom with 3-week old pups -- five of her own, two from another dog who'd abandoned them. Mom's a smallish (22 pounds) Dalmatian-appearing dog. Her five pups have gray spots, the other two are Dachshunds. (Call Ferris Animal Control at 214-251-5556 or e-mail [email protected]).

CATFOOD AND AN ICEBOX: That lead-in oughta get your attention!

This is a two-item thing involving a couple of nice people, Deana and Jim Hanson from Weatherford. Jim drove in from Parker County earlier this week to deliver cat food to a Dallas woman who is dealing with 40 cats. And, reports Deana, Kittico Cat Rescue (www.kittico.org) is helping that woman with spay/neuter and assorted cat things.

In the meantime, Deana writes, "I am looking for a refrigerator for the Humane Society of North Texas. I got an e-mail...that the compressor in theirs has gone out. So, if you know of anyone willing to donate one or sell me one cheap, please let me know. They need one for the lunch room but also could use one in the room for the meds..." (E-mail [email protected] to help with the refrigerators.)

KRAMER IN COPPELL: Cary Birdwell, the noted dog assessment guru and finder of adorable/needy dogs, forwards a family's plea to help their dog Kramer, a healthy 13-year-old chow/shepherd.

A woman writes that Kramer, who was adopted by her husband when the dog was just 8 weeks old, is, after a couple of years of trying, just not adjusting to being in a family with children. "He has been a loyal and loving pal and it has been a very difficult decision to surrender him ....We feel this is in our family's and Kramer's best interest in order to prevent any unnecessary injuries and to provide him with a loving and caring home like is used to being in," writes the family Mom.

Kramer is "completely house-trained and responds to sit and stay and does 'high fives’ with both paws."

He's never bitten a kid, he just doesn't like being around them. And, of course, there are many people who can relate to that -- lord knows I've growled at a kid a time or two. (To help with Kramer's future, call Cary at 214-521-3611 or e-mail [email protected].)

IS THIS CAT A CLICHE? Oh, you know that cats really do rub up against your ankles! And this is Patches, a foundling, who is needing a home. David Howard of Kinder Harbors Animal Sanctuary is speaking on behalf of the folks who found Patches. He writes, "Patches needs a place to hang his catnip..."

(To see about adopting this adorable cat, e-mail kinderharborsanimalsanctuary@Gmailcom or call 214-547-9507.)

The story on Patches is he's mostly healthy -- probably some residual stuff from being "on-his-own" for too long -- but he's very possessive.

In fact, the people who have had him for the past few weeks say that he "should not be in a home with other cats or animals. He becomes easily attached and very territorial."

He's OK with people and kids, but other animals are threats to him.

You know, that's just how it works out with some cats. They behave as if they are the only animals in the world. On a chilly night, they will set aside principle for the sake of a comfy snuggling.

Tuesday traffic notes, etc.

Let's see...the Super Bowl is over. That leaves just one great big event for the winter. The Olympics? No. Are you kidding? Heck, no. We're talking about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 13-14, in Madison Square Garden and on your USA Cable Network channel. (See www.westminsterkennelclub.org.)

Coincidentally, on Feb. 12, in nearby Edison, N.J., the Late Show with David Letterman will host auditions for Stupid Pet Tricks. Click HERE.

I'm not really certain how close Edison, N.J., is to Madison Square Garden in New York, but, as we're fond of saying down here in Texas, "It's all real close together up there."

TWO RISKY DOG SITUATIONS:

EVENT A: During rush hour this morning there was a "beautiful golden retriever sitting along the exit ramp from eastbound I-20 to Highway 67," reports our keen-eyed rescue contact, Kim Kirkham Davis. She says the red-coated dog was "moving rather slowly, watching traffic exit the highway. Not sure if he's cold, injured or maybe old." This was one of those situations where you can see the dog, but you can't quite get to the dog or stop the rush hour traffic and there's always the fear of flushing the dog into harm's way. So, if anyone's in that area today, this is a "Keep your eyes open" note on behalf of this dog. Don't put yourself at peril -- or the dog, either. Could be he's a Texas A&M traffic counter, I guess. (Congratulatory note: This sighting occurred as Kim and Karen Davis were en route to work downtown -- Kim's returned to work after having their baby boy, Karsen Kayde Davis, in November, and no doubt he'll be a pro-animal rescue lad. Also, I remember watching Karen play girls softball when she was probably 7 or 8 years old -- and here she is parenting. I need a sedative and counseling to help me deal with my advanced age.) ...

EVENT B: Meanwhile, a few weeks ago we mentioned some pups rescued by the folks over at Chase Bank. Now comes Gary Johnson again having spotted a horrible thing on Sylvan at the Trinity River. "Last night on my way home I just happened to see on the side of the road a small Chihuahua...This past Sunday, in the same spot, I had seen a Chihuahua that had been run over. I stopped last night and the dead Chihuahua is on the side of the road and the other one is sitting beside it crying and cold and scared. Every time I tried to approach it, it would run. I couldn't get him to come to me at all. So I went home, got some blankets, food and water to put out close to the deceased dog and he finally came to eat. I went back later last night and he was curled up in the blanket asleep. This morning I went by and he is still there and would still not come to me. There was so much traffic, I didn't want o startle him too much...." So Gary, his options limited by the reluctance of the dog, went to work and began e-mailing for help. The dog is near the western levee of the Sylvan crossing on the Trinity River.

Gary is attempting to get the dog into the care of the Companion Animal Network or anyone who can help. If you have questions about this dog or want to help, call 214-437-7977. Lord knows how these two dogs wound up in the Trinity bottoms but I'll bet some jerk human had a hand in the event.

SOME GOOD NEWS: This comes from Jennifer Lee who had been taking care of Princess when the pit vanished from her yard in December.

"I have the MOST WONDERFUL news," she writes. "Despite my efforts of blanketing the area with missing flyers and getting multiple dead-end leads .... the planets aligned in a way I never dreamed possible. Exactly 2 months to the day from when she went missing, she turned back up on my office steps a little worse for the wear but alive. She is now staying in my garage/laundry room until I can find her an appropriate home or no-kill shelter. As much as I would love to keep her, one of my own dogs does not agree. ...

"Princess and I have been given a second chance and it is my ultimate responsibility to make sure the next place she lays her weary head is the last: her forever home!" Read more about Princess at this site: www.dogster.com/?259303. Call Jennifer at 972-910-9088 or 972-741-8033.

Princess is healthy and sweet and, as Jennifer put on all of her "lost dog" notices, "loved without measure."