Ah, this is a fine day to do some good in the world. If you don’t have any influence over the international crises, then take a moment to consider the beauty of springtime.
Then remember that the Texas Legislature will reconvene on April 17 and don’t let that spoil the fact that the bluebonnets may be in full glory by then. You just hope they don’t figure out a way to charge you for viewing bluebonnets.
Now, let’s get into today’s business:
A REAL CAT LOOK: Oh, boy, look at that expression. This is Travis. He’s currently a ward of the Flower Mound Humane Society -- for the second time.
Dot Lott of FMHS says that he is a “return, a produce of divorce and moving. FMHS had him a few year ago and he was adopted by his foster mom. Then she got divorced, then moved out of state, then, most recently, began a new relationship and there was no room for Travis….
"So, he came back to FMHS and is with his original foster. He is easily 12 years old and is a great big cuddle bug. He is part Balinese, so he talks to his foster when she doesn’t give him what he wants -- which is usually canned food. He has a very loud purr and, even though he loves his foster, would love to go to a ‘real’ forever home.” (Visit www.fmhs.org or e-mail [email protected].)
I think Travis has a look of "My patience is wearing thin, people."
THIS IS WORF: He’s a 2-year-old neutered male rottie who is, apparently, facing death just because nobody can find room for him. Your friendly writer, that’s me, Larry Powell, has read the e-mail about Worf seven ways from Sunday and can’t quite figure out from all the forwardings just where the dog is or who has the dog or if the dog is in the care of a rescue group. But, erring on the side of caution, I'm mentioning this guy and listing the only phone number mentioned in the long, long story of this dog's life.
So, maybe you can help save Worf, who, according to the note, is to be put to sleep this weekend if he doesn't have a home. The only point of communication on this e-mail is a number for "Dianne" at 1-817-467-9469. I called to check and got an answering machine at 9 a.m. So, this person may be an employee somewhere and you can call all day long and not help Worf. No e-mail was listed.
So, Worf, my friend, I'm doing the best I can to save your life, but it's going to take some cooperation from humans. No, I don't know how I can make them understand that each e-mail regarding a threatened animal needs to include a quick, surefire way of reaching a human who is working on saving an animal's life.
You can't just send a note that says "This dog needs help" and then not include a way to help the dog. Seriously. We live in the Information Age. Include the information, for crying out loud.
Pardon my lecture. But, please, if you're going to help the animals, you have to give us some information about how to reach you. Don't just cut-and-paste and forward an e-mail without making sure it has the information necessary to help the animal.
Whew. Where's my jar of Rolaids and my tequila? And get me a stack of apple fritters --this frustration is driving me nuts.
AT THE HOP: We first heard of this from Sydney Busch at the Friends of the Animals, the spay/neuter folks at Cedar Creek Lake. Then, quick as a bunny, came another e-mail. This one was from Erin Wise at Best Friends Animal Society.
Best Friends, the internationally known sanctuary, has "launched a massive effort to save the lives of more than 1,000 rabbits from a backyard rescue operation in Reno, Nev., that had gotten out of control. We are looking for connected, informed rabbit lovers to help us find donors and volunteers to help care for these creatures in need, as well as to spread the message about proper rabbit care and management."
You can help by going to www.bestfriends.org and reading about "The Great Bunny Rescue of 2006."
SARAH JANE NEEDS A HOME: A few weeks ago we mentioned Sarah Jane, a dog in the care of the Companion Animal Network. She'd been dumped so many times that my sweetspouse Martha said they oughta call her "The Goodbye Girl."
Gail Wheelan of CAN says of Sarah Jane, "She is wonderful. Truly. She wants you to love her with all her heart and soul. She was an SPCA dog. .. This dog had been adopted out two times and came back." She later was dumped at a vet clinic -- you may recall from an earlier post that she was suffering from an ear infection and the owner decided to euthanize her rather than cure her. So CAN found someone who paid for the surgery and she is healthy, but she's being boarded and that is draining the CAN bank account.
To adopt or foster this wonderful dog -- look at that face! -- or to help CAN with its funding, e-mail [email protected] You could do worse things with your money.
SHOW DOGS: Jacqueline Alcaraz calls these "show dogs." Here's the explanation: "Over the weekend, someone dumped off two Labs (large yellow male, black female) on my property to join my many other 'show dogs' (short for 'showed up dogs'). I am very overwhelmed with all these animals (dogs, pigs, horses) who need loving homes. I need some help in finding people who are willing to give them love and care they need."
She has tried contacting rescue groups, but isn't having any luck. Her property, on the east side of Benbrook Lake southwest of Fort Worth, is a magnet for "dumpees." To help her, call either 817-294-2366 or 817-296-9748 or e-mail [email protected].
And, the yellow lab is going to the vet this week to get his "fix," if you catch my drift. Jacqueline says any animal that winds up on her property always gets the special surgery. Bless her heart and her pocketbook.
WHAT A DOG: This purebred collie is Lucky. In several ways. He's being fostered by Donna Dutkofski, self-described "Benevolent Dictator of the House of Mutz." But there's more to the tale. The 6-to-8-year-old 75 pound Lassie-looking collie was found living in a park and was so skinny and mangy that he "did not even look like a collie."
Now, of course, Lucky looks like a showbiz collie. He knows sit and shake and doesn't chew. Lucky hasn't had any "accidents in the house, but he does like to mark a lot outdoors." Read more about these great dogs at www.dfwcollierescue.com.
In the meantime, to adopt Lucky, e-mail [email protected].
ONE MORE NOTE: When such beautiful dogs and cats as these have trouble finding and keeping a good home, what does that say about the state of humanity? Just a thought.
May all of you who take in multiple animals and find homes for the unwanted enjoy the peace that comes with a giant lottery check.
