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The Practice of Sleeping

While dogs know how to circle and flop over and sleep with abandon, veteran observers of felines may reflect that cats take a different approach. Just as a physician practices medicine and an attorney practices law, cats practice sleeping. It is their business, their calling. Well, OK, cats have several callings, but a napping cat is a work of art.

Thus, for this weekend's version of "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap," we turn to Frank and Edna Taylor of Houston and their confident nappers Rascal P. Kat and Crazy Mazie.

Note how Rascal P. Kat blends his form with the form of the pillow. This is a cat who paid attention to how he'd approach his nap -- like an Olympic diver making certain the bend of the legs is good enough to catch the judge's eye.

And Rascal may really appreciate being able to enjoy a pillow! He's got asphalt in his background.

Edna says, "One night Frank and I were taking a walk and we saw a cute, skinny, black and white kitty laying in the street."

Sleeping with a pillow beats sleeping on the pavement any day of the week.

"He followed us home and kept looking in the window and meowing so I put him in the bathroom until we could get him to the vet the next day," recalls Edna. "We assumed he was only 6 months old because he was so skinny. The vet said he was 8 years old and starving. Of course, we added him to our ever-growing herd of kitties and he is now a 20-pound love bug and has been with us for about 6 years."

Edna says, "Crazy Mazie has found what she considers the best spot in the house to sleep and that is ON Dad."

That's Mazie stretched out atop Frank. And, as you can see in the photo of Mazie on the mantle, if she can't sleep on Frank, she'll go to the mantle and meditate next to the plaque with "Frank" on it and await Dad's return to the bed.

Mazie has a story, too. "Crazy Mazie was found by some kids in Houston," Edna says. "She had been tortured and then tied up with electrical wire and duct tape. They even taped her mouth and nose so she could not breathe. I saw the email go out asking for a foster home and Frank and I knew we had to foster her. We ended up keeping her because no one would understand her occasional biting and no one could love her as much as we do."

Edna recalls that "when we got her, she had been so traumatized from the torture that when someone would try to pick her up or walk towards her, she would growl at you and come at you swinging!

"Even though she is tiny, she wasn't afraid of ANYTHING, so, because she came at you with such fury and is so small and covered in fur, Frank calls her 'Two Pounds of Furry.'

"Her little paw that she used to swat at you had to be rebuilt by our vet because it was all mangled. Now, when she wants sympathy she will hold it up and hop over to us. We just love her!"

And, there you have it, folks, two rescued cats who have found safe places to nap.

(Remember, if you've got a sleeper or napper at your house, send a photo and info to [email protected] and Readlarrypowell.com will feature the slumberer in our weekend spotlight, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. At Readlarrypowell.com we celebrate the ability to sleep, the joy of napping. We're insomniacs -- and we are in wide-eyed awe of any critters who can sleep.)

Thank-you notes and other stories

We have several things to discuss today. First, it's one of the happiest days of the year -- the State Fair of Texas opens. (See www.bigtex.com.) Now, let's discuss doing something nice.

REGARDING CRIMES: Our reliable tipster who was a witness to much of the trial of Ryan Coleman, 21, the guy who tortured and killed Tiger the Cat, plans to send thank-you notes to the folks who prosecuted this human oddity and persuaded the jury to give him 8 years in prison.

And she thought other people might want to join in thanking the prosecutors. So, here are the names and the address: Dallas County Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Bennett and Josh Healey, District Attorney's Office, Frank Crowley Courts Bldg., 133 N. Industrial, L.B. 19, Dallas, Texas, 75207.

These cases can't be easy -- the facts may be a slam/dunk, but when you deal with motive and method, it's got to stick with you for a while.

To read more about this case, go to Lisa Foronda's Animal Attraction at KHOU-TV in Houston.

Now, the newest case of animal abuse is developing in Dallas. It is the case of the people who tossed tiny kittens to a dog. Read about it on the WFAA-TV site HERE.

As our tipster points out, just a few years ago these instances would have been regarded only as sick behavior, something mean that someone did. Now this animal abuse is a crime thanks to the hard work of many people, especially the folks at the Texas Humane Legislation Network (www.thln.org).

TRAINING CLUB OPEN HOUSE: Isn't that a happy face on that dog? (More on that later in this item.) Big doings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Dog Training Club of Dallas County, reports our pal Stella Moore. It's the Training Club's Open House where they'll be showing off their well-trained pups and celebrating American Kennel Club Responsible Dog Ownership Day.

There'll be obedience demonstrations, a square dance demonstration, a dancing with dogs demonstration, a "Healing Hounds" therapy dog demonstrations, some dog tricks and a doggie clown.

You can also get information about training dogs, advice on bettering your pup's behavior, teaching your dog some tricks and there'll be a rescue booth and a grooming booth.

The Dog Training Club of Dallas County is at 604 Crestside in Duncanville -- it's an easy trip from Dallas because the club is almost adjacent to U.S. 67. Simply take the Cockrell Hill exit, follow the service road to Crestside and turn right.

Go to www.dallasdogtrainingclub.org to learn about classes and the group's activities. (Our pal Inky the Cocker Spaniel has not been to any training at all, but he is a noted impressionist, so I have asked him to impersonate a well-trained Irish Wolfhound reacting as he suddenly spots a platterful of meatloaf at the Dog Training Club of Dallas County Open House. Again, I emphasize, Inky has had NO formal training -- in anything. Hard to believe, eh?)

COMING UP NOV. 12: Things are coming together for the annual Paws Cause gala, we hear from our reliable tipster Karol Wilson. The event will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ciudad Restaurant in Oak Lawn and will benefit the SPCA spay/neuter programs, specifically the Animal Wellness Clinic at Loop 12 and I-35 in Oak Cliff. Karol's co-chairing with Diane Brierley. Tickets are $125 a person and you can get them at www.spca.org/pawscause.

Karol messages, " The evening will feature margaritas, music and a great live auction featuring pet and people items.  Returning are designer pet beds.  New this year are celebrity-decorated pet bowls - so far we have the GMT team at Channel 8, The Rock, Kinky Friedman, Reveille [the Texas A&M collie], Coach Mack Brown at UT, Sam Shepard, Glenn Close, and the famous Powell duo." (The famous Powell duo? Puh-leeeeze. It's really just me and my funspouse Martha -- I'm supposed to paint a bowl and, believe it or not, Martha has knitted a decorative bowl. It's pretty nifty -- knitted and felted...makes it look like a "real" bowl.)

Karol says there also will be a "restaurant prize drawing called 'Bone Appetit.'  And it's the debut of the 2007 Paws Cause desk calendar with Murdock, beloved Pomeranian of Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens on the cover and lots of Dallas types with their pets inside."

O, CANADA NEEDS SOME GOOD STORIES: There's a singer/songwriter in Ottawa, Tammy Raybould, who is working on an idea "to raise money for animal rescue societies by compiling successful rescue and adoption stories into a book." She's looking into the folks who visit Readlarrypowell.com for stories and pictures. (You can e-mail her at [email protected] or call her at 613-440-0999 and you can hear her music at www.tammyraybould.com -- it's worth clicking on an listening.)

The stories she hopes to compile would be happy stories. She hopes people will "tell me how your pet has enriched your life/your family's life and also maybe share some funny stories about your pet."

Does she have pets? Three rescues. "I have a wild rabbit who we'd found on the side of  the road.  He was hit by a car, but he's all better now.  He just can't be released into the wild again because he's partially blind...he'd never be able to protect himself.  His name is Evie, after Evander Holyfield (he looked really beat up when we found him).  Barney is a part beagle that I  found (a woman was looking for a home the 6 week old sweetheart) while I was out on a long run training for a marathon.  And Betty is a part beagle as well, we adopted her from the Ottawa Humane Society."

DOLLAR STORE: David Howard of the Kinder Harbors Animal Sanctuary is trying to help Wilmer resident Deborah Hauser find a home for a dog she picked up. She found him at the Dollar Store, David says, "thus I'm dubbing him Dollar Store."

Deborah's house is already loaded to the gills with dogs and cats, so it's imperative that this dog find a good home. She writes that she found him on the Dollar Store parking lot as "he was licking the remains of an ice cream wrapper. I have given him his distemper shots and sponged him for a little mange that is clearing up nicely.

Because she is currently caring for 12 dogs and 28 cats, she says "I am at my wit's end financially and emotionally. The only place I have for him is my front yard and I must keep him on a chain because of the cats. I know that is no life for a puppy." (To give Dollar Store a good home and Deborah some relief, call 972-441-6697 or e-mail [email protected].)

DOXIE LAD: Reliable tipster and rescuer Linda Barnes is trying to find a good home for this handsome dog.

The boy Doxie was found in Prosper in the Gentle Creek subdivision. Efforts to find his original home have failed.

Linda writes, "He is a great listener, loves to snuggle and take long walks. He doesn't eat much and will always kiss you when you come home. He's very fit, young and loyal."

To audition to adopt him, call 214-587-6699 or e-mail [email protected].

THOSE FORT WORTH DOGS IN A PIT: Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control has ferreted out the info regarding the two dogs found in a 20-foot-deep pit -- we featured them on yesterday's post and you can scroll down and see the big brown dog and the dirty Dalmatian.

Ginger says the pit is at a Caterpillar factory. "They have metal sheets that they run through a chipper and dump in this 20-foot pit and then a big magnet picks the stuff up out of the pit. there is not really a way into the pit. It does have a railing around it so people can't fall into it, but I guess the dogs were able to go under it. they have people that go and check things out a few times a week at the site. About a week ago they found the dead dog but they have procedures they have to follow before they can have the carcass removed. When they checked the other day, the two live dogs were there. They called us out. We had to call the fire department to get a ladder to get down in the pit. The ACO had a rope put on him, went down and put a rope around each dog and carried them up the ladder.

"So this was just a weird accident as far as we know."

The dogs remain in the custody of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. They appear to be congenial, happy and ready for good homes -- but it's a city-run shelter and, as we all know, the city can't care for  them and feed them forever. So Ginger is working hard to find homes for two rescued dogs who fell into a hole.

You can reach her at [email protected] or by calling 817-392-3737, ext. 1865, or use extensions 1830 or 1831 to have her paged.

What is the lesson here? It is the same old lesson: Dogs are often too clever for their own good. If there's a way to get into trouble, they'll find it. It's up to humans to keep them, for lack of a better term, "properly grounded."

8 years to do

Our tipster at the Dallas County Courthouse reports late Thursday afternoon that the guy who mutilated, tortured, stomped, set-fire-to and killed Tiger the Cat has been sentenced to 8 years in prison. Plenty of time to contemplate his unfortunate decisions.

Thursday afternoon ALERTS

TWO BE-ON-THE-LOOKOUTS: One in local, one is governmental, but we ought to all be alert all the time anyway!

THE LOCAL DOG ALERT: A few years back I wrote about a dog named Jag when he and his siblings, Mercedes and Beemer, were having a problem getting adopted from the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter.

Jag found a home with one of the shelter workers, but on Monday, the now adult Doberman/Rottweiller mix "came up missing," reports our Tri-Cities tipster Tammie McHam. "He belongs to one of my co-workers here at the shelter and it's tearing her up."

Jag is a black and brown dog with white on his chest. He's neutered and he was wearing a red collar with an ID tag when last seen.

Tammie says, "He was lost in 'The Woods' area of Dallas, on the border of both Cedar Hill and Duncanville." (Tri-Cities is the municipal shelter for Duncanville, DeSoto and Cedar Hill and is a pro-adoption shelter.)

The Jag search party has put up fliers all over the area, Tammy says, and contacted all area animal control offices. "We thought more exposure might help."

If you happen to spot Jag, call the shelter at 972-291-5335.

Heck, if you see any dog loose, pick that pup up and give it some help.

THE GOVERNMENT NOTE: Margaret Morin, a Dallas fan of animals, sends us a note reporting that a vote is due Friday in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding what's called the "Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act." It's HR 4239. And it is designed to curb protests at facilities such as animal testing labs, factory farms, etc. See http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas.

Supporters see the bill as an "anti-terrorism" measure. Opponents see it as an attempt to squelch free speech in the arena of protecting animals from abuse. Opponents also say other laws already cover what this law is designed to cover.

PETA's take on this is at this SITE.

ONE MORE THING: It is such a beautiful day in Dallas -- perfect temperature, perfect sky -- that we ought to all take a moment and enjoy it. We're not quite to the "let's go see the foiliage stage" yet, but there is beauty in the big skies over Texas.

WHERE THE SUN IS SHINING: For a long time, there was a company-ordered blanket over local TV coverage by nationally famed and skillful TV critic Ed Bark, but Ed is now operating under his own colors and you can read about his assessment of the Terrell Owens coverage at www.unclebarky.com. It's worth the visit, especially if you are convinced that too much attention is paid to sports freak shows in the Goofball Carnival We Call Dallas.

Crises, criminals and canines

Let's get into the day's activities. The top part may stir you to anger, but toward the end you'll see opportunities to enjoy life.

HERE'S AN ODD ONE: Two dogs are found in a 20-foot deep pit. How did they get there?

We're trying to find out.

Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control reports that the dogs were in the pit "with another dog who had perished a long while back -- only bones were left."

The recovered dogs are a male Dalmatian and a female shepherd mix.
Ginger says, "They are in relatively good shape, they are somewhat underweight -- the shep mix gal more than the Dalmatian boy."

How long they'd been in the pit, no one is sure (except maybe the person who put them there). But, says Ginger, she gave the Dalmatian a bath and he's "still not white.. Poor baby, who knows how long they were in that hole.

(To offer to help these dogs, e-mail [email protected] or call

817-392-3737, ext. 1865.)

THE CLOCK IS TICKING: This is Layla, described as a "sweet female pit bull with burn scars."

She'll need to be pulled from the Little Elm Shelter in order to avoid a 4 p.m. date with death on Friday.

Isn't that nice?

She's described as a "4-year-old female pit owner-surrender" who is "sweet as can be" and "has major scarring on here right side as a result of burns. She also has scars on both knees from knee surgery."

The Little Elm Shelter has been sensationally overcrowded lately and needs relief.

What's the adoption fee for this dog? Ten dollars. That's right. Just ten bucks. (To help save this girl, e-mail [email protected].)

FROM THE COURTHOUSE: One of our reliable tipsters has been attending the Dallas trial of Ryan Coleman who pled guilty Tuesday to animal cruelty in the case of Tiger the Cat. The trial is now in the punishment phrase, which means that evidence is being presented and that evidence will be used by a jury to determine what punishment should be applied. Tiger was mutilated before being killed in Nov. 2003 and it took a while to make the case, it seems.

As often happens in criminal cases, defense attorneys summoned family members to testify on the bad guy's behalf. The father of the accused, we're told, "first made sure that the courtroom knew he and his family were Mensa members and that the son he raised was a DISD chess champion -- 'a prodigy,' according to him."

The father also said he thought the son's killing of the cat stopped his bipolar son's out of control spiral. (Aside: Mensa member? I'll bet Mensa's reviewing those membership rules.)

The father, noting that his son had been in jail since February, testified that "enough is enough," says our courtroom monitor, who adds, "I wonder how much little Tiger thought was 'enough' as he was being tortured, shot, had his ear and tail cut off and was set on fire."

OKLAHOMA STORY # 1:  We got this courtesy of tipster/rescuer Kim Tharpe in Dallas.

She is looking for help in "getting justice for two purebred Huskies shot in Oklahoma for killing a chicken."

A woman named Angie Ruckman is attempting to develop a legal case against the neighbor who shot her Huskies at Altus, Okla., about 100 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. She's got someone helping with research on gunfire and bullet trajectories.

She has arguments with other elements of the man's story, too. He is scheduled for trial on Oct. 19 on a charge of "discharging a firearm in the city limits," she says.

And, Angie says, "I was asked by the city attorney to bring the vet bills in hope that he has to reimburse the fees."

She writes that the shooter told police he shot the female pup twice "when she was caged in the chicken coop," Angie says. "There was no way for her to get out. When I arrived on the scene, I actually had to unlock the cage. The male (the larger one in the photo) was shot in the forehead at point blank range. The shooter stated that he was being attacked by the dog, but a point blank shot is unlikely if a dog is attacking you and there are no physical bite or scratch marks on the man."

The female was beaten and shot twice at while caged, we're told. She underwent surgery Tuesday.

Angie's husband is currently serving with the military in Iraq. (To help Angie or offer support, e-mail [email protected] .)

In the middle of her heartbreak, Angie asks, "What are my options? I can get statements and I have video that these dogs are not aggressive. Husky's were not bred to be aggressive, they were bred to be family dogs."

OKLAHOMA STORY #2: This comes from Judy Arledge at Hitchita, Okla., about 100 miles east of Oklahoma City. "I am trying to get some justice for Scrappy, a very gentle pit. he belonged to my neighbor and her kids and grandkids."

Judy says that as some of the kids were walking Scrappy, one particular neighbor shotgunned the dog. "He has shot several people's dogs and the law says there is nothing they can do," she writes.

Scrappy was shot on Sept. 20. the kids were riding a power mower that was pulling a trailer. It was loaded with brush and they were riding along the road. Scrappy, who went everywhere with the kids, was trotting along behind them.

The kids said the man fired once in the air, then aimed and the dog and fired.

"Scrappy walked about two blocks and collapsed on their grandpa's lawn. When their grandma and I got there, Scrappy was nearly dead," Judy says. "I called my vet and we piled into the car with Scrappy and tried to make the 16 miles to the vet to try and save him, but he died in route."

Judy is asking people to contact McIntosh County Sheriff Terry Jones and influence him to "do something" with this shotgun-toting neighbor "or it'll be the kids next." Write to Sheriff Jones about Scrappy at 110 No. 1st, Eufaula, Okla., 74432. The office phone is 918-689-2526. To contact Judy to help her with this project, e-mail [email protected].

Judy says the guy with the shotgun told a deputy that Scrappy was in his yard; the kids say the dog was in the road.

I'm a city guy, so, maybe I don't understand why a guy would be lounging in his front yard with a 12-gauge just in case a dog wandered past. I'm sure he has a good reason -- and it's probably outlined in a psychiatry book somewhere under the chapter heading, "Send To State Hospital For Observation."

SOME GOOD NEWS: Whew, about time today. And it's a pleasure to remind people that the folks at Paws in the City have scheduled a sensational fundraiser with stars for October 14 -- it's called "The Dog Days of Hollywood" and it'll be hosted by Dallas Cowboys great Preston Pearson and you'll be able to meet and mingle with the "Emmy Award-winning cast members of The Young And Restless"  Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Abbott) and “All My Children” Star Ian Buchanan (Dr. Greg Madden).

Music will be by the Ricki Derek Band and the Phonophreaks Trio. There'll also be a casino set up, cocktails, buffet, live and silent auctions (a signed Anne Rice book!) and awards to people who have helped animals and Paws in the City.

The event (too bland a word -- how about "dazzling theme party") is at 7 p.m. October 14 at Splashlight Studios, 2410 Farrington in Dallas.  Dress is "cocktail attire" and tickets are $100 -- get 'em online at www.pawsinthecity.org or call 214-522-5112.

AND BACK IN ODESSA: You may recall that earlier in the year many folks around here helped Jim Bates, stricken with a serious illness, move scores of dogs out of his sanctuary in Odessa. Sandra Terrazas, who worked to spread the word about this need for help, reports that Jim still has 45 dogs that need placement so he can close the shelter and get on with his medical treatment. Sandra writes, "I am praying that each one of you will forward this on to all who may be able to help as the situation here grows more desperate daily. ... He (Jim) is very worried about the coming cold weather and even though there are dog houses, he cannot get out and do as he used to because  of his illness."

If you can help, e-mail Sandra at [email protected].

SOMETHING HAPPY: If you think you had trouble reading all the misery outlined in today's post, trust me, putting it together was no picnic. Such abominable behavior by humans. The bright spots include Sandra trying to help Jim out in Odessa and the note about Paws in The City's gala!

But, I feel we need one good dose of "normal behavior" to help get our minds right today.

And to get that happy treatment, we must summon the skills and charm of The Cocker Laureate of The State of Texas, Inky the Cocker Spaniel. (Yes, this is his Official Action Portrait.)

I have awakened Inky to ask him to write a poem that gives us a view of the world that we might not ordinarily consider. He is, after all, barely shin-tall on a 6th grader and when you trot that low everything is always looking up.

So Inky presents us with what he calls

"Paean to Prone"

A mystery dog barks on TV

The loyal spaniel looks up

He gives off a low bark

Toward the television pup.

The cocker has his habits

He is a dog who's barked

He also intends to stay

Exactly where he's parked.

From canines to cockroaches

Welcome to midweek. Time to help some critters, maybe counsel some humans regarding an idiotic publicity stunt for roach-eaters at Six Flags Over Texas. But, first things first, we'll help some animals before we lament the idiocy of some of our fellow humans.

A COUPLE OF DOGS NEEDING SOME HELP: First, we have an update (as of about 3 p.m.) on Honey Baby, the dog at the right.

Our tipster Beverly LeRoux reports: "Bad news, just talked to vet's office. Dog has fracture on both sides and vertebraes.  She will have to go to the Dallas Surgical Center on Trinity Mills for surgery, or else be put down.  She is in a lot of pain."

As earlier reported, Honey Baby, hit by a car, had been in the temporary care of Noah's Ark while she was being stabilized.

Beverly says, "The vet bill at Noah's Ark is $177.  They have received one donation for $25 as of 2:30 today.  What happens to Honey is going to depend a lot on what the ortho surgeon tells us.  I hope we can save her, I just don't know right now."

To donate to Honey Bear's cause get in touch with Noah's Ark Pet Hospital, 2155 Marsh Lane #106, Carrollton, Tx., 75006. Call 972-416-6624.

Honey Baby was rescued, Beverly says, by a "lady named Mari" on Monday. The dog had been hit by a car and somehow managed to reach (or be flung to) the curb. Mari wrapped her in blankets, took her home, tended her wounds and, with some networking help, found a vet who could work with the rescuers on helping the pup.

That's what Beverly calls "Case No. 1."

Here's "Case No. 2." A Brittany Spaniel found its way into the Carrollton Animal Shelter -- the dog has a shattered leg that is likely to be amputated. And this dog, also, had been struck by a car. (A special thanks to the folks at Carrollton for stepping up to make sure the dog got some help)

The noontime update on the Brittany is that her leg is shattered so that it'll require a specialist's approach to possible limb-saving surgery -- and she's been sent back to the Carrollton shelter with some pain pills and anti-inflammatory meds. Cage-rest is best until the surgeon gets a look at her and determines whether there is a chance that the leg can be saved.

Our tipster tells us that the dog is going to be pulled from the city-owned shelter and taken into the fold of the American Brittany Rescue group in Fort Worth. (To help finance this dog's medical care, write to American Brittany Rescue c/o Patti Nitschke, 6616 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth, Texas, 76133 or call 817-300-8301.)If you can help either of these by fostering or adopting or some other way, e-mail [email protected].

ZORRO NEEDS A HOME: Debbie Barclay, a volunteer at Prairie Paws Adoption Center in Grand Prairie, admits she has fallen for a dog named Zorro and is "desperate for him."

He's a "super sweet dog and nobody is even looking at him or has inquired to me about him. He is listed as an Australian Shepherd mix, found at Lloyd Park in Grand Prairie. I have walked him in my volunteer capacity at the Prairie Paws Adoption Center and he walks great, is very friendly and has a beautiful personality. He deserves a chance.
Officially, Zorro is Animal A050667. He's about a year old and has been in the shelter since Sept. 7. To ask about adopting him, visit the Prairie Paws center or e-mail [email protected].

THE STORY OF DAWN: This is a dog who needs a home -- surprise, surprise. It is the "backstory" that will get you. We were tipped to this by the folks at Straydog Inc. who put us in touch with Sharon Hirschler, a rescuer who lives in Denton. Here's the story from Sharon:

"In June, a policewoman sent me an e-mail  plea for help with a dog she found. She found an 8-month-old puppy, almost looks to be purebred Staffordshire Bull Terrier. "This puppy was so emaciated she could barely stand or walk. She was found in a neighborhood known for fighting pits but she had not been a fighting girl.

"The policewoman picked her up and took the pup to her vet. The vet wasn’t sure he could save her. She was put on IV Fluids, antibiotics and a prescription diet. After she was hydrated enough, the policewoman brought her to me.

"I have to tell you, I have been involved in fostering and running dog programs for 8 years and this dog was the worse case of starvation I have seen and still be alive. Yet she was friendly and loving even in her pain. After a couple of nights in my home the cough she had became worse and very bothersome. So back to the vet where she stayed another week on IV fluids and antibiotics for a bacterial pneumonia. Oh, did I mention that she also had heartworms!

"Long story, shortened, I have fallen in love with this sweet girl, even thought of keeping her for myself until she and my 100-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback engaged in a scuffle. My RR, who has always been the dominant female, became afraid of the pit and would actually run to her crate for safety when I took Dawn out of the crate.

"The interesting thing is, there are 15 dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages in my house and out of 15 dogs my RR is the only one that the pit has shown any aggression to. Puppies and smaller dogs climb all over Dawn. She loves running and playing with the other dogs and best of all she is an oversized lap dog. She adores people.  I believe there is an appropriate home for her somewhere."

Dawn is healthy, housebroken, crate-trained and is a "loving house dog," Sharon says.

To adopt Dawn or help pace her, call 940-320-0551 or e-mail [email protected].

EXTRAPOLATION ON PARADE: Just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, an ESPN reporter covering the Terrell Owens gets-his-stomach-pumped story told the morning talk show hosts on 103.3 FM that, as the day progressed, he hoped "to extrapolate more" on the story. Just fyi: "Extrapolate" does not mean "report more facts." The really sad part of this? The broadcast reporter used to be a print reporter -- ah, you wonder how hard his editors had to work to make him look good. Oh, we all oughta be glad we don't live our lives with a live mike in front of us. Extrapolation would be the least of our sins.

THE SEVENTH FLAG WOULD BE STUPID? Wouldn't you have loved to have been in the meeting when the Six Flags geniuses decided, "Ten zillion dollars worth of heart-stopping thrill rides isn't quite enough for Halloween's Fright Fest, let's give people the opportunity to move ahead in line by eating a Madagascar hissing cockroach." Surely you've heard of this revolting development. The plan is literally to let people move to the front of a long line if they'll eat a live hissing cockroach.

Now put that concept on hold for a moment while we note a couple of stories from the past two days:

According to WFAA-TV, Dallas police have been investigating a case where some punk kids fed kittens to a pit bull in a northeast Dallas apartment complex -- to show you how awful this is, when a woman tried to stop the kids, one of the kids' mothers punched her. Mom of the Year, no doubt.

At Fox 4 News (click here) you'll see that a sorry excuse for a human, facing a jury trial in an animal cruelty case in Dallas, changed his plea to guilty in the torture death of a cat named Tiger in 2003. After the jury saw photos of how the cat had been mutilated and abused, the guy apparently called a time-out and decided to admit guilt. He could get 10 years in a state jail for the animal cruelty felony charge.

Now, back to Six Flags and the decision to take a live creature and turn it into a prop in  a carnival-level geek act. It just somehow doesn't seem right that a corporation would encourage park guests to kill something in order to get ahead in the line -- that sort of activity is usually seen only in management.

It will probably fall on deaf ears, but someone at Six Flags needs to Google "circle of violence" and "animal cruelty" and "domestic violence" and read the studies that connect the dots on mean behavior patterns. Then, someone responsible should say, "Whoa. Are we really participating in this sort of behavior?"

Here's a quote from that WFAA story on the Six Flags situation. It came from a park spokesperson: "It's going to be a fun promotion, and it's voluntary, so anyone who does it will think it's fun." Yeah, except the roaches, and, of course, "thinking" something is "fun" might not be a good rule to follow.

PETA's on the case. Click here.

Just doesn't make sense that a fun-oriented company would incorporate such a distasteful stunt in its holiday celebration. I guess at Holiday in the Park this year, we can expect Six Flags to stage a "reindeer shoot" and "Strangle the Elf" competition. Wouldn't that be "fun"?

Buttercup and other notes...

Ah, the sun is shining, the air isn't hot, the car starts when you turn the key. It's a wonderful world.

BIG NEWS FOR BUTTERCUP: Princess Buttercup, a dog at peril in the Grand Prairie animal shelter, has developed a following -- we first mentioned her on Sept. 22 (scroll down and read her tale).

Here's the latest from LaDonna Wernersbach:

"I am supposed to pull her on Friday." That's the bottom line. She'll be out of the shelter.

LaDonna says Buttercup will be boarded at Noah's Ark -- she'll pay for a week, then Sandi Allison will pay for a week. "Then two people from out of town said they would pay for the boarding and shots.....I am pulling her under A Different Breed and many people have been involved." Among them, LaDonna says, are Marilyn Welhaussen, Barbara Staves, Barbara Canter and Beverly Leroux.

So, the dog is apparently spoken for by the rescue community and will soon be in safer place.

More to come on this, I'm sure. But, if you can help with Princess Buttercup's future, either by fostering or adopting, get in touch with A Different Breed or e-mail [email protected].

WEEKEND WASH: Animal Rescue of Texas is hosting its Dog Spa Saturday fundraiser this Saturday -- already Sept. 30! -- from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Doggie Zen Den, 2257 Ridgeview, in Plano. Small dogs are $10, medium dogs are $15 and the big ol' dawgs are $20.

Paw Prints Pet Photography (www.pawprintsphotograpy.com/events.htm) will be at the Doggie Zen Den from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. to take pictures of the "after" pets -- unless you just want a photo of your dirty dog. (The PawPrints crew will be back at the Zen Den on the next day, too, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

And, as long as you're around the Animal Rescue of Texas folks, keep in mind that they are also taking donations on behalf of the Companions for Life Project Hope -- CFL is building a collection of animal friendly and educational books for the Dallas Animal Services new shelter, under construction at I-30 and Westmoreland (on the southeast corner of the convergence).

BULLISH ON A HOLIDAY: Our pal Kelly Andrus with Lone Star Bulldog Rescue reminds us that Bull-o-Ween 2006 is coming up -- this is the fourth annual Bull-o-Ween, a festival of costumes and canines and a cakewalk.

(This is a photo of one of the smiling participants from a previous Bull-o-Ween.)

The 2006 version is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Best Western Inn & Suites, 2000 Beach St., in Fort Worth (that's at I-30 and Beach, an easy on, easy off freeway spot).

Admission is $5 per adult -- kids and pets are free. You'll be qualified for entry into assorted contests and get a goodie bag. Plus, if you're looking to adopt one of the magical creatures, there'll be some on hand.

And there's still time to donate to the silent auction or to get a vendor table at the Bull-o-ween. E-mail [email protected].

SOMETIMES YOU SEE THINGS: Along Stemmons Freeway close to downtown but north of the big American Airlines Gym-o-Rink, there is a high bluff atop which for years have been two "landmarks": The billboard with the waterfall and the restaurant, Baby Doe's Matchless Mine.

The waterfall is still working, but the restaurant is boarded up. And just yesterday, from the freeway, you could see big yellow earthmoving equipment and a banner that read "Dallas Demolition Company."

I'm guessing if you always intended to eat at Baby Doe's, but didn't, it's too late now.

I ate there once -- a few years ago -- it was site of the retirement luncheon for longtime newspaper columnist, former sportswriter and author Bob St. John. (As a retirement gift, I gave him a First Aid kit -- which he has subsequently used many times -- you'd think a writer wouldn't need that many bandages.)

I still have the shirt I wore to that luncheon. It has a big splotch of oily remnant of salad dressing from a tasty bite of a Baby Doe's salad. Memories -- sometimes they're merely oil spills on a cheap shirt.

Perhaps the passing of Baby Doe's and the anticipated "terraforming" of Goat Hill, as the bluff is known, demonstrates one thing: In Dallas, everything is subject to change. Except, maybe, attitudes.

Full shelters and old songs

Here we go with a Monday report. I installed our new dryer yesterday -- old one sort of played out.
To get the new one properly installed, I had to use wrenches and pliers, plug in an electric wire and balance the thing by properly unscrewing the "legs" under the machine.

I also had to hook it up to the gas outlet. Not that my household skills are questionable, but I've dried a load without mishap and, still, everybody else in the house appears to be awaiting an explosion.

NEEDING SOME VISITORS: We hear from reliable source Debbie New that the Plano Animal Shelter, a vigorously pro-adoption facility, is packed with adoptable animals these days. If you have a friend who needs a friend, the Plano Shelter may be a good place to visit.

Click HERE.

HERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS: Dash the Dog has been saved. We mentioned his plight on Sept. 21.

And over the weekend Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network sent a celebratory e-mail that began "We got a new foster! HOOOORRAAAAAY!"

Yes, Dash is in the care of the new foster, Aimee Moore. And also in foster care is a 14-to-16-month old bloodhound named Lucy. She was on a "put to sleep" list Friday and was saved.
"She needs a permanent home -- just like Dash," writes Gail. (To see about adopting either or both of these great dogs, e-mail Gail at this ADDRESS.

SHELTER UPDATE: Our journalistic pals at www.kaufmancountyonline.com, a vigorous news site run by seasoned professionals, report that the Humane Society of Cedar Creek is open again. You can read the story by clicking HERE. And to see about available animals, go to this site: www.petfinder.org/shelters/TX854.html.

PLANNING AHEAD: Here's a little more than a month's notice, just in case you need time to get ready. Mart and City Ratliff  are leaders of Dog Scouts of America Troop 119 and send word that the Third Annual Dog Scouts of America Texas Mini-Camp is Nov. 3-5 at Lake Texoma.

The 3-day weekend will include backpacking, dog-related activities and "swimming," though I'm almost certain that by November that swimming will be something only the water pups will enjoy.

To learn more about the Dog Scouts, go to www.dogscouts.org, call 817-446-7791 or e-mail [email protected].

On a personal note, I've been camping with a dog and I've been camping with relatives. Write your own punch line, but the dog doesn't gripe.

GRRRRRAGE SALE: Oh, I made that up, but, still I think calling this event a "Grrrrage Sale" might help draw attention. Our reliable tipster Cathie Desell dropped us a line about the Oct. 14 garage sale benefiting the International Exotic Feline Sanctuary. It'll be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the sanctuary.

The non-profit sanctuary for "big cats" is on Highway 114, 3 miles west of Highway 287/81 and, Cathie writes, "2 miles east of 'downtown' Boyd. I guess it qualifies as 'downtown' since it does boast a traffic light!"

You can read about the sanctuary at www.bigcat.org.

ON THE SMALLER SIDE OF THE SPECIES: We got this notice via the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. As you can see, they are not lions and tigers, oh, my, but they are, indeed, in need of homes.

Lilo is described as "short-haired black and white, looks like he's wearing a tuxedo. Very sweet, always purring. He's about 12 weeks old. Gets along with other cats and dogs. He is a very curious little boy."

And the other cat is Stitch. "He is black and white, about 12 weeks old. Not sure if he will be long-haired or short, sort of n between. Very laid back. Playful and sweet. Gets along with other cats and dogs."

To ask about the cats, call 214-862-4238 or 214-826-2967.

And, I believe in that photo of Stitch, you can see the legs of Lilo. If they like to play together, you should know that you can't find cheaper entertainment than two kittens having a tumble session across the living room floor.

LOOKING FOR A FOSTER OR A HOME. "This poor guy was almost hit by a car and the owners relinquished him," reports Wendy Miller of the Southeast Dallas Humane Society.

"He loves kids, other dogs and is very friendly and learns quickly. He is already crate-trained and it took him a whopping three days.

"If you can foster, know someone who is looking for a "beautiful boy like this" or can help in any other way, e-mail Wendy at [email protected].

FOUND AND NEEDING HELP: Our pal, and the city's notable canine assessment guru Cary Birdwell, reports, "A woman not far from me has found these two dogs. She has put up posters, called vets and shelters and Dallas Animal Services but has not been able to find the previous owners.

"I know this may surprise some of you, but they were not wearing tags and are not microchipped, either."

Cary says the, dogs, found in Dallas, are in good shape and apparently had not been strays for long.

One, he says, appears to be a German Short-haired Pointer and the other is a yellow Lab mix. Both are between 4 and 6 years of age, weight about 40 pounds each  and the vet thinks they're already spayed.

Cary says, "I've already met them and they are both sweet and friendly dogs. They are demure but not too shy and they did not jump on me at all."

The woman who saved these wandering dogs already has two other rescued dogs and five rescued cats.

To see about adopting or fostering these dogs, call 214-521-3611 or e-mail [email protected].

Again, we'll ask the question: How did these two great-looking dogs wind up loose on the streets of Dallas? Happens all the time. Can't get used to it, though.

OLD FRIEND ON THE RADIO: This note is for you old-timers. Remember from the early 1970s when Fort Worth National Bank had a fetching TV and radio commercial that went "Fort Worth Nationallllll -- that's MYYYYY  bank!" Sung by a young woman, if you recall. Just today, while listing to the online broadcast of WBAP (820 AM, www.wbap.com) I heard a newer version of the old jingle -- here's the new singer: http://www.corrianonline.com/.

My memory chips need refreshing, but if I can recall the origin of that jingle (I've got it in some old notes in a box somewhere) we'll walk down radio memory lane. This isn't just history -- it's heritage. As I recall, the original commercial was recorded by a young woman who was working for the bank as a teller. But, my memory may be clouded by the years. That commercial was a bigger hit than anything sung by Paris Hilton. 

The purrsuasive cat...

They say there is no faith stronger than that of the converted.

Today we present, in the category of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, Jypsy, a cat that converted a dog person to a cat person.

Jann Jeter had, a few months ago, responded to a request for help on this site. Someone was looking for a vet in Fort Worth and Jann had a recommendation.

Jann recalls, "I told you that I was 100 percent a dog person, but had been adopted by a kitten.

"I had nothing to do with it whatsoever!  I came out early to work one day so I could get a walk in while it was still cool, and she appeared from underneath some steps.

"We get a lot of dumped cats out where I work, but most of them we can never catch. She walked right up to me meowing loudly and started rubbing against my legs. She was skin and bones, and all I had to feed her was part of a hamburger bun I found in the break room. 

"When my boss went out for lunch he asked if he could bring anything back for me, and I said, 'Yeah, a coupla cans of cat food.'  You can tell by the 'first meal' picture she hadn't eaten in a while.

"Much longer story cut short, I wound up taking her home with me.  I named her Jypsy and she's extremely smart.  (Don't all owners say that?)  She has yet to meet a stranger. 

"My vet verified that she's a Manx - her tail is about 2" long, her back legs are longer than her front legs, and her ears look like satellite dishes.  She's gained weight, gotten a little bigger, and seems very comfortable in her new house.  When you walk in she flops down on the floor or rolls over on top of your feet and stretches completely out."

As you can see from the gallery of photos, this cat is a favorite target of the shutterbug. There's a photo of the first meal, a photo of the "first nap" a year ago this month in the box next to Jann's desk, and assorted other shots of a cat that knows how to stretch and slumber.

And Jann ends the Tale of Jypsy with, "By the way, have I mentioned that I'm highly allergic to cats?"

So, there you have it. Jypsy, the cat with personal influence.

(Readlarrypowell.com celebrates sleeping animals weekly in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. To nominate  your sleeping critter, send us [[email protected]] a sleeping photo and the info (your first and last name -- unless you are Cher, city, a little bit about the critter (more than "This is my dog asleep"), and other info you think will add to the story. We're happy to demonstrate that sleep is a good thing for animals and people. Remember, people from all over the world click in to read this website, so your sleeping critter will be viewed by an international audience. Kind of comforting to know that there are animal lovers around the globe.)

Not challenges, opportunities...

Well, this is it. The last day of Summer 2006. If all calculations are correct, autumn arrives at 11:03 p.m. in the Central Time Zone. Tomorrow you'll wake up in fall. Better than waking up in freefall, I guess.

Want to hear irony? Thursday night's Companions For Life class on the new FEMA emergency plan was cancelled because says, CFL president Rebecca Poling, the lecturer "had to go on duty because of the tornado watch."

They're watching the skies and hoping to reschedule.

Let's move on:

PRINCESS BUTTERCUP'S FATE: This is a serious deal. This dog, known as Princess Buttercup (no doubt someone's a fan of The Princess Bride) has won fans left and right but has no home to go to and, because the Grand Prairie city shelter is a kill shelter, this great dog faces doom.

As you can see from one photo, the Princess enjoys a game of "rasslin'" on the floor of the shelter. And what you see in the second photo -- a trusting dog looking up at a human, may be exactly what will happen when it comes time for the shelter worker to come get congenial Princess Buttercup, trusting  Princess Buttercup, and take her to the room where she will be given shots that end her life.

Not really a great thing to think about, is it?

Princess Buttercup is about 2 years old, weighs 69 pounds and is "quiet and gentle." The report from Sharon Fabrega of the Grand Prairie shelter is that when called "she comes up to you and sits at your feet with her body against your legs ... and will scooch closer and closer if you inch away....

"She sits wonderfully if you get her attention and softly tap her booty. ... I introduced her to my three Chihuahuas and she is very polite and gentle with them. ... She is very gentle when she asks for attention and even gets excited softly, wiggling her booty like a fat caterpillar. Also nice is that she listens even when one is gentle and speaks softly to her. There has been no need for me to use the strong teacher voice like one would use in obedience lass when commanding a dog's attention."

So, folks, here's an opportunity to save a gentle life. E-mail [email protected]. (The shelter is at 2222 W. Warrior Trail on the south side of Grand Prairie. Call 972-237-8575).

A HUNTING DOG "SET FREE"? This dog, now named Matthew McConaughey, is in a Gilmer, Texas, vet clinic after being found by a good soul who knew he needed immediate help. As you may discern from the photos, this may be a Brittany spaniel -- the tail is bobbed, so, folks in the know think he's probably not an English spaniel. Whatever he is, Matthew is in trouble. He was picked up in rural Pritchett, a handful of miles southwest of Gilmer.

Here's the story from rescuer Sharon Jackson: "Well, there I am in my car going to work (running late, of course) and this dog walks by my car at the stop sign and across the main highway.

"He was limping on a back leg that has a large gash in it. He has sores on his pads from walking, barbwire cuts on his body, hair loss, flea infestation and sunburn and is malnourished. He ran through huge thistles before I finally got him to come to me. I guess he had been run off by everyone else and didn't have me figured out yet. I put a blanket around this stinky, flea-infested doll and he put his head on my shoulder and whimpered. I was thinking 'Damn, I can't afford this, but what can you do when they look at you with those big brown eyes?

"He is still not out of the woods, but at least he is off the streets. ... He looks so much better in pics than in real life."

The dog is currently at Wright's Vet Clinic, 2423 Highway 271 South, Gilmer, Tx. 75645. You can donate there to the "Bird Dog Fund" -- call 903-734-6845 or 903-734-6846.

Leanne Hayden, a rescuer who'd learned of Matthew's plight, called the clinic and learned he'd "tested negative for heartworm, Lyme Disease and Erhlichea, which is great news." He's still got an infection going, so while he's out of the East Texas woods, he's not out of the medical woods.

Susan West has created for him:  http://ibrmatthew.blogspot.com/.

Sharon says, " I have already had several donations to his account at the vet clinic and will make sure he goes to a wonderful forever home."

SHHHHHH! LOADED GUNS AHEAD: Oh, brother,  Oh, brother. Some guy has been ordered to keep his kids quiet on his property while hunters try to kill deer on the land next door. You can read about it at this Fort Worth Star-Telegram link sent to us by Kayrene Jones-Janak. She writes, "Gosh not only are hunters allowed to take away an animal's joys and happiness in life, they have the right to subdue another human beings now?  Unbelievable."

There's a lot of deep thinking going on in this hunter vs. neighbor thing. First, guns make noise. That'll probably scare off a deer quicker than Kevin Federline through a loudspeaker. Second: Why kill the deer? Can't you just sneak up on 'em, snap their mug shot and proudly display it on your wall?

We'll discuss my vegetarianism some other time. In the meantime, please eject your shells and put a smile on your face. Think how stunning you look in an orange vest.

HUCK NEEDS SOME HELP: This is a polydactyl cat. That's right. A six-toed cat. His name is Huck and he was among several kittens claimed from the Carrollton Animal Shelter last week by Dawn Burton of Adopt Me Rescue.

(As you may know, there's a whole famous colony of polydactyl cats at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West, Fla.)

Now, here's the deal with Huck: He and three other kittens are the survivors of 8 kittens taken in by Dawn. "He is believed to have feline distemper," says Dawn. She is trying to drum up financial support for the medical care of Huck and the other three kittens. Huck's at Kingsbridge Animal Clinic, 725 Belt Line Road, Garland, 75040-3641. (Call 972-95-6110. The website is www.kingsbridgeanimalclinic.net.)

When she lost the kittens, Dawn says, it  was "like a light has gone out of my home in the short time they were here. They were so intense with fantastic personalities."

Adopt Me Rescue is recently formed and doesn't have non-profit status yet, Dawn says.

SOMETHING CLASSY: We hear from our pal Pat Reeder that his wife, Laura Ainsworth, the songbird-writer-comedienne, will join Michael Gott, the celebrated pianist, for a performance of their well-received revue "Cole Porter: Elegance and Decadence" this very night at the new Stone Street Theatre in downtown Dallas.

Outside of a city council meeting, this will be the most harmonious show in downtown Dallas. (Rimshot, please.)

Tickets are $15. Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8 p.m. The theater is at 109 Stone Plaza, between Main and Elm and across from the eternal landmark, Neiman Marcus. For reservations, call 469-619-2609. Read all about it at http://www.lauraainsworth.com/porter/porter.html.

Laura and her husband Pat Reeder, in addition to writing comedy (The Comedy Wire is their business), are "bird people," taking part in rescue and appreciation of feathered friends and acquaintances.

Oh, and you remember Cole Porter, right? Wrote Night and Day and Love For Sale, among many others. Oddly, the lyrics of a Cole Porter song and the performance of such are clearly understandable -- out of step with today's huff-and-puff-and-gruff performances or such anthems as T-Pain's "I'm In Love With a Stripper." Oh, yes, the key is in the title of the Porter show: that word "Elegance." Capital "E".

OLD FRIEND DRESSES UP: You may recall the story of "Gangsta," the dog staked out in a West Dallas yard for years. Finally rescued from dire conditions, just after he was spirited away to safety, somehow, the house caught fire and he probably would have perished had he been chained in his usual spot.

His biggest champion is one of his rescuers, Mary Garrett of Oak Cliff, who is already at her quota for dogs and is trying to make sure this fellow has the best possible place to live.

Now, nobody who has been around him believes that "Gangsta" is an appropriate name for this sweetheart. So he gets called "Gang-Gang" and "Prankster" and, of course, "Sweetie," when he's at adoption events. "All of us who know Gangster call him by different names," says Mary. "He answers to all of them, especially if he wants his belly rubbed. I've been trying to teach him to sit but he seems to think that 'Sit' means 'lay down and get his belly rubs.'"

Mary and the pup will be at the Petco at Preston and Forest Saturday as she continues her drive to find a proper place to live for her great friend.

These photos of The Moods of Prankster were shot last week as Mary and the dog sat in at Petco's on-site adoption with the Southeast Dallas Humane Society. The dog likes the attention and Mary promises she'll be dressing him and showing him off this Saturday, too.

In the photo on the left, he sort of resembles absolute royalty in that hat. Maybe. Maybe.

THE PET FAIR ARRIVES: Girl Scout Troop 2742 and Companion Animal Network are hosting a pet fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the PetsMart at 12100 Inwood Road. There'll be a pet parade at noon, costume contest, games, a raffle, animal-related booths, a pet psychic and "much more," according to our reliable sources.

By attending this fair, you'll not only be helping animals, but you'll also be helping Stefanie the Scout earn her Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, we're told.

(Maybe they'll put you on the list for early orders of Girl Scout Cookies!).

ABOUT THAT FOUND DOG: On the 19th we mentioned the "found dog," a fluffy white rascal PK Dailey came across at White Rock Lake. One of the steps in making sure a dog has a good home is to name him. The dog is now known as Toby.

I e-mailed Toby's finder to ask, "Anything new on the found dog?" and the response was "Only that I've found a lovely home for him, if I don't find his owners."

Nice to hear good news, isn't it.

CAT NEEDS SOME HELP: This cat is Blackie and her mom was recently placed in an assisted living residence. Naturally, Blackie couldn't go along.

We get this story via the Friends of the animals at Cedar Creek Lake.

Leslie Kelly writes that Blackie, 10, "had a wonderful home for many years and  now is spending most of her time in a kennel waiting for someone to rescue her.

"She was very scared when she first arrived at the vet clinic where I work, but has since warmed up to me and is starved for love when I spend time with her. The perfect home would probably have her as the only cat, but I think she could learn to get along with another cat of her same age range."

To help Blackie fined a home, call 903-451-1983 or e-mail [email protected].

A NEW CATEGORY IN LIFE: Today, based on this week's news, we name two new Honorary Dixie Chicks -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Cowboy, take me away.