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.
