ReadLarryPowell.com

Winter tales in autumn...

Last day of November 2006? How can this be? At this rate of speed, by the time you finish reading this sentence, it'll be Christmas Eve.

Weather report? (First day of winter is Dec. 21) The TV forecasters still have a chance to be right about the winter storm, though in my neighborhood the temp is still above freezing and the rain that's falling is not much colder than the rain we had a month or so ago. I'm sure it'll change. Why? Because I watched the great Bob Goosman, the CW33 forecaster in Dallas/Fort Worth, and he predicted last night that a second wave arriving later today will be the Big Problem -- it'll have more moisture and colder temps and we'll have some true winter weather. I'm thinking of getting a bumper sticker that says "I Believe In Bob"  -- if he's right, this time. I have faith in him because he was the only guy who predicted that Thanksgiving Day 1993 snow storm that coated North Texas and Texas Stadium when Miami beat Dallas, 16-14.

OK, enough history -- we don't want to be frozen in time.

THE DOG AND THE WEATHER: I've been watching a situation via e-mail and other peoples' eyes. Here's the deal. There's a possible boxer-mix who has been living inside the fence on a large corporate property in Garland for a while.

An animal friendly person has been monitoring the dog and says she got permission from one set of security guards to enter and feed the animal. The goal was to gain the animal's confidence, then, once it was within reach, remove it from the property and get it to safety. Things were going swell until a different security shift decided "no" and called the cops.

You know how these things go. Communications fail. Philosophies change. People get frustrated. It's the way of the world.

As the winter storm approached, there was a new sense of urgency in getting this dog to safety. Now, there are several people and rescue groups working on getting the dog to safety, I'm told.

My theory is that a charming phone call to management sometimes works a lot better than setting up a picket line and demanding the head of the security chief, but that's just me. Maybe I'm too nice for this sort of thing. Maybe I'm to optimistic about people. Maybe I oughta know better. We'll see.

And, while many people are skeptical of trying to get help from Animal Services, this is not the "old days" and many municipal animal services departments have enlightened directors and employees who work to save animals, not just "catch and destroy." Animal Services can be very helpful in getting a dog out of a dangerous situation and releasing it to a rescue group. And they're legally authorized to do this sort of thing. That helps get access on restricted property.

We'll continue monitoring this situation. Sadly, this is not the only dog in trouble around here because of the weather and people.

STAKE-OUT: In the meantime, I got a call from a neighbor telling me that someone a little further down the street has staked their pit bull out in the backyard and it looks like they're expecting to leave the dog there no matter what the weather. (I did a drive-by and couldn't see the dog -- could be they let the dog back into the house.)

You know, we have all these methods for altering the behavior of dogs, but we just don't have a good way to change the behavior of some humans. They're gonna do what they're gonna do.

People need to be reminded of the current Texas laws. Click HERE. Texas law says a "person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly...fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, care OR shelter for an animal in the person's custody."

Unfortunately, dogs and cats don't carry cell phones and can't dial 911. They generally must depend on people.

Which reminds me of an old dog quote from Groucho Marx. "If man is dog's best friend, the dog is in trouble."

ANTIFREEZE WARNING: Just a reminder (though I'm probably preaching to the choir on this).  Procrastinators who think they can work on their own cars will be "servicing" them for the winter -- that means antifreeze will be placed where animals can get to it. It's a deadly thing when animals drink antifreeze. Goes into their systems and kills them. It's almost impossible to save the animals once they've taken in antifreeze.

One of the saddest sights I can recall was standing at the emergency vet clinic near Greenville Avenue at LBJ in Dallas and watching an entire family weep as they were given the bad news after their dog had lapped up some antifreeze in the garage.

For crying out loud, this is something that just doesn't have to happen. Something else that doesn't need to happen.

NOTES FROM THE LAKE: We have some tips today Sydney Busch and the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.

Someone dumped this dog. He was injured -- either hit by a car or abused. So far he's OK with his rescuer but skittish around other folks. He's about 35 or 40 pounds and, trust issues aside, is "very mild mannered." Still, he's destined for a shelter if no one steps up to take him soon. (You can see about adopting him by e-mailing [email protected].)

Oh, one more dog! This is Annie, a 23-pound dachshund mix who is spayed, on heartworm preventative and, thanks to her foster parents, "already a bit housetrained."

The report is "she is the sweetest, gentlest dog -- gets along great with other dogs -- she knows how to walk on a leash and loves to climb in the nearest lap for cuddling." (To volunteer to adopt Annie, call Sydney at 903-451-4701 or 214-808-4701.)

And here's a holiday reminder, the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City will be closed on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 -- the two days after the two holidays. The clinic is usually open Tuesdays. It's goal is to spay every dog, cat and reindeer in the county. And, as you may suspect, there has never been a report of an unwanted reindeer litter at Cedar Creek Lake.

If you need a place to write down your reminders, you can buy -- for $10 -- a Friends of the Animals 2007 Calendar at the clinic, at Bluebonnet Emporium in Gun Barrel City and, in Seven Points, at Excite Realty and  Skip Smith Insurance. It's worth the trip to this LINK just to see the pastoral setting on the cover of the calendar!

ADOPTABLE IN EULESS: Can this be a wandering Great Pyrenees? Laurie Denny sends this note: "I found this wonderful dog in my neighborhood in Euless and he is currently at the Euless Animal Control offices. He will be up for adoption [today] or [if not adopted] euthanized due to lack of space." Laurie calls him a "super friendly gentle giant."

To save this dog e-mail [email protected] or call the Euless Animal Shelter at 817-685-1594. And thanks to Laurie for sending out the heads-up on this great-lookin' dog.

What worries me is I don't know if the death clock calls a "time-out" when there's an ice storm that paralyzes traffic.

We humans should work hard to change a system that allows euthanizing a "super friendly gentle giant." What is wrong with us? Why must we have a solution that says "kill it"? (OK, I'll get down off my soapbox. Cold up here anyway.)

FRONT PORCH REPORT: My adoreablespouse Martha is about as soft-hearted a hard-shelled person as there is on the planet. That explains why there are THREE heating pads lined up on our front porch: one for each of the feral cats who stops by twice a day for the free buffet.

Ol' Doc White's pad is empty now, since he's gone on to the Big Cat House in the Sky. (You can read about my pal Doc White by clicking on the Prayers & Passages button on the right side of this website).

There are three standoffish cats left: Moriarity and Smidge (who usually cuddle together) and rasping Harvey, the unpleasant battleship gray feline. Compared to Harvey, Moriarity and Smidge look like members of the diplomatic corps. When I put the food down, Moriarity and Smidge are almost friendly.

Not Harvey. He comes up to the feeding pad and prepares to attack. Harvey has not only lacerated me with his claws, but has bitten the fat of my thumb (who am I kidding -- all of my thumb is fat) in a surprise lunge. And he has even, like some sort of short, furry shark, tried to bite through my loafer while my foot was still in it. He enjoys biting the hand or foot that feeds him. We've learned to distract him while we put the food down.

So the heating pads are warm and there's not a cat on the porch now at mid-morning. That's how cats are: Like humans, they have their own plans.

Drive carefully today (and every day) and be kind to animals in this weather (and any other weather).

Midweek mutts, feline, film...

Note to readers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area: I'm forecasting that this is the day the TV weather folks begin backing off yesterday's prediction that a coating of foot-thick ice and run-amok glaciers and sleet the size of footballs will be devastating our area Wednesday night.

There may be an Arctic Front coming, but there's a little thing called the Red River over which temperature inversions occur and sometimes that creates an impenetrable wall in autumn through which a winter-style storm may not pass. Not saying that's what is going to happen, just that it might. Probably a 55.628 percent chance of the Big Stall and a 38.7 percent chance of a volcano erupting under the man-made falls at Wichita Falls. Yes, we predict weather and lava for your entertainment.

Now, having eased your minds regarding the need for snow plows, snow tires and a neighborhood Zamboni, we'll proceed:

THE BIG GUY AND THE ROBERT REDFORD OF DOGS: Our pal Elaine Munch of Metroplex Animal Coalition is trying to find homes for a "full-bred big beautiful male Rottweiller and his traveling companion, a male golden-blonde shepherd chow mix."

Both are in the custody of Dallas Animal Services and are becoming eligible for adoption at the Forney Road shelter.

They'd been living in the neighborhood of a "lock and store" place at I-35 and Royal Lane. Elaine and the woman who manages the place managed to capture these dogs who, by the by, turned out to be quite friendly and loveable.

Elaine is home that "someone with a heart for a big Rott can help" and she says the golden dog is "just a 'Robert Redford of Dogs -- great looks and fun attitude."

We hope to get photos soon. In the meantime, they're on the clock at Dallas Animal Services.

THE STORY OF INDIA: We get this via Gail Whelan at the Companion Animal Network. Three-year-old India, who may be a flat-coated retriever mix, was formerly owned by "an abusive person," the theory goes. the story continues, "One day she escaped the abuse by digging out -- only to be hit by a car. A young woman witnessed the accident and took India to the vet, nursed her back to health and adopted her to a single woman with two other dogs.

"This should have been a happy ending. Tragically, the new owner died suddenly last week....The remaining family has been able to take in the two elderly dogs, but there is no room left for India. She is mourning the loss of her 'mom' and also the comfort of the other dogs in her pack."

India (her coat has been shaved and will be thicker) is house-trained, spayed and, the official report goes, "great with children, cats and dogs. In short, she is perfect!"

To adopt this "perfect" dog, call 214-808-3238 or e-mail [email protected].

SHOW BIZ CAT: Dana Dicker, who monitors things in Houston, reports that this cat, Seymour, a ward of the Houston SPCA,  is going to be featured on Animal Planet.

The 3-year-old tabby was part of a cruelty case that Animal Planet filmed as the HSPCA was going through the rescue efforts.

Dana says HSPCA wants to find a great permanent home for this photogenic rascal.  (Go to www.spcahouston.org.) Contact Anna Perez at 713-869-7722, ext121, or 713-545-2663 (cell).

SCRAPE-THE-BARN MOVIE REVIEW: This is a tough one to review. It was a tough one to watch. The Departed. It's been out a while, but some of you are likely to try to catch it at the discount houses, so I feel compelled to present a rational review, an assessment not based on some odd desire to "talk" Martin Scorsese into the elusive Oscar. Not that other critics might be fawning over him. But, surely, this won't be the Oscar-winner. Surely.

As regular readers know, our Readlarrypowell.com movie reviews are brought to you on behalf of Barncats Inc., the group that places cats -- potential mousers and layabouts --  in barns and outbuildings. It's a synergistic thing for felines and people.

And, of course, this is called the Scrape-the-Barn review because it endeavors to tell you whether your time would be better spent at this movie or scraping the paint off an old barn.

About The Departed, what a great cast: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg. May I point out that the New York Yankees had a great cast in 2006, but they didn't make it to the World Series.

This is a remake of  Japanese gangster film called Infernal Affairs. There are some people who say "remakes" are never as good as the original, but one must point out that The Maltese Falcon is a remake.

I've never seen Infernal Affairs, so this review approaches The Departed from a point of "let it stand on its own feet, if it can."

If The Departed tries to stand on its own feet, someone will shoot its bunions off.

There's lots of blood. People are just flat nasty to each other. The Nicholson character, Frank Costello, is a totally worthless human being around which this whole mess revolves. He does ugly stuff. He says ugly stuff. The only nearly likeable character in the film is the female love interest (Vera Farmiga), a psychiatrist, who has simultaneous flings with two different cops -- one bad cop, one not so good cop and they're both trying to catch each other.
The film just never shows any respect for decency in humans -- it is a one-dimensional film. Everybody's bad. All humans are fatally flawed in disgusting ways, destined to commit great moral mistakes that affect the way people do even the simplest of things in their depressing existences.

It is a story of corruption and needless deaths and, without spoiling it, I can tell you the end looks as if the writers said, "We've run out of ideas. Let's just kill everybody."

As a guy, I could watch this movie for what it is: a gangster film with lots of gunplay and absolutely no charm. If it is a message film, I got the message years ago when I watched The Lone Ranger: Good is better than bad.

My cinemaspouse Martha, still savoring the afterglow of Stranger Than Fiction, was put into such a foul frame of mind by The Departed that I thought for a second she might never go to the movies with me again. I thought she might pound on the cashier's booth and demand her money back. I'm talking a serious dark cloud emanating from a rancid post-movie mood. Too much violence for her, too many bad people in one movie, nothing redeeming at all.

So, here's the verdict: If you don't care what you put your eyes through, go see the film. If you do care, grab some safety goggles and go find an old barn to scrape. You'll be happier with a freshly scraped barn. If you have already seen The Departed, when you do scrape the barn, you'll expect someone to shoot the ladder out from under you.

Age, animals and ice, ice, maybe

Before we get to any animal business this Tuesday, let's just consider that this may be a good time of year for introspection. Just who are we? Or, more horrifyingly, just who do people think we are? (Even now I wonder if that should be "just whom.") Moving along:

Consider this episode (more on the lappin' dog photo as we continue):

Sunday afternoon I stopped by my favorite grocery store to buy some fruit that didn't come in the form of a holiday pie. A long weekend of unhealthy food was bugging my conscience.

And as I stood in line staring at bananas, pineapple and assorted things in my basket, I suddenly realized the woman in front of me, who had been discussing cooking for her husband with the cashier, had re-directed her discussion about the dish she was making that night. Her conversation moved from Luis the Cashier to me. She smiled and said, "I bet he knows that song. It has pasta fazool in it."

I replied like a quiz show contestant: "Dean Martin. When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore."

There was some laughter. She paid and left. I paid and left. Luis, a nice guy who's always helpful to me, stayed and worked though I am almost certain he'd loved to have played more "Name That Tune" with two goofy customers.

And as I thought about this episode, I began to wonder just how old I look to other people under those grocery store lights. Old enough to quote a Dean Martin song from 1953 -- That's Amore, featured in the Martin and Lewis movie The Caddy? That's not so old, is it?

Oh, beg your pardon. Martin and Lewis? See, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were once a comedy team and...oh, no, you're thinking of Lewis and Clark. Seriously, I'm not old enough to remember them.

And as I write that last wisecrack, I wonder whether people are more likely to know what Martin & Lewis did or what Lewis & Clark did?

Yes, that is Inky doing his impression of a Paisano Cane spotting a platterful of meatloaf and a bowl of pasta fazool on the holiday table at a local trattoria. He'll have to jump onto the table himself, I'm apparently too far along in years to lift him. Old? That's not the moon that hit my eye, it's a cataract.

Thanks for putting up with my whining.

THOSE CFL TREES!  The Companions For Life tribute holiday trees are beginning to draw a crowd of ornaments. the Trees are up at two Starbucks outlets.

At the Starbucks at Arapaho and Shiloh in North Garland, the tree (left) is a 9-footer, we're told. The Preston Starbucks tree is a delightful white tree with plenty of room for tribute ornaments.

Money from purchasing the tributes goes to the education-minded CFL and helps support the Top Dog lecture series. Details are HERE and HERE.

The Top Dog series features speakers who are involved with rescue or animals. The Dec. 7 Top Dog lecture, hosted by Pappy's Pet Lodge in Plano from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7, is free to local rescuers and shelter staffers -- but you'll need to make a reservation at [email protected].

That night's program is titled "Taking Better Pet Photos" and the lecturer is Margaret Bryant of Bryant Dog Portraiture 

The idea is tips from a pro can help shelter and rescue folks learn how to take photos of rescued dogs and cats so that the pictures will help "sell" the animals -- the theory is "a cute picture is worth a thousand words."

You might even find some "cute" photos on the CFL Tribute Trees.

BOXERS ON A CALENDAR: The Legacy Boxer Rescue folks have assembled a 2007 calendar. All proceeds go to the rescue group's efforts to save boxers.

Check it out by clicking here www.savetheboxers.com.

The calendars are $20 each.

As long as you're there shopping for a calendar, you can also click on "Why foster" and perhaps learn if you're up to temporarily bringing one of these lively, lovables into your home.

RING TONES AT THE LAKE: If you happen to be shopping at the Wal-Mart at Gun Barrel City on Dec. 2, you might see some folks ringing the bells and tending to the Salvation Army Red Kettles. Those will be volunteers from the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake and they'll be working on behalf of the rescue group and getting a portion of the day's proceeds. So, remember that for each holly jolly moment in your heart as you enter or leave the store that day, some animals will benefit. Be sure to ask about the Friends of the Animal's annual Reindeer Adoption Special -- just kidding. I'm pretty sure the Friends have never taken in a wayward reindeer. Almost sure. You never know what's going to wander up down by the lake.

CORSICANA CHRISTMAS: OK, most folks know Corsicana at Christmas because of the famous Collin Street Bakery fruit cakes. But there's more to Corsicana than flour, nuts and fruits. For example, staffers and animals from the Corsicana Animal Shelter will appear in the annual Corsicana Christmas Parade downtown on Saturday evening.  Also happening on Saturday, the Navarro County Animals at Risk Foundation will host "Pet Photos With Santa" at the Gander Mountain store at I-35 and 287.

WEATHER REPORTS: If I understand correctly from the TV and radio weather people, by Wednesday evening the greater metropolitan area will be frozen solid, people will be trapped in their homes and streets will be skating rink. We'll see. Texas forecasters are really good in July and August ("Sunny and hot), but clouds appear to really throw 'em off. The Old Farmer's Almanac isn't expecting the Icepocalypse. The concensus? Keep an umbrella handy and be prepared to sweat while shopping because all the stores crank up the heat in anticipation of a "wintry mix."

Monday's mix

Let's be honest here folks. The struggle to suit up for a Monday is always difficult after a 4-day weekend. But, return to the fray we must.

(Sorry, I spent part of the last 4 days watching assorted Star Wars movies and picked up Yoda's speech pattern I have. At least I haven't gone Jar Jar Binks, one of the most annoying characters in any universe.)

Old news on Jar Jar, that is. But here's some trivia for you: In 1999's Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) has an entourage of assistants and among those actresses are future Academy Award-winning director Sofia Coppola and reigning screen beauty Keira Knightley.

This is what happens when a fellow decides to really relax. He just goes nuts with the small stuff such as reading the movie credits and spewing his newly nabbed trivia. Or, as my patientspouse, Martha says, "As long as I have you, I'll never miss that know-it-all mailman on Cheers."

HERSHEY NEEDS A HOME: Renee Johnston of Grand Prairie Animal Services' investigations division is working to find a home for a chocolate lab/pit mix "that is a sweetheart. I seized her from a resident that basically neglected her. ... I named her Hershey and she is about 8 months old.

"When I seized her she was very lethargic and could not even stand. She was very dehydrated and only weighed 30 pounds. I took her immediately to a vet for an examination and he stated she should weigh approximately 60 pounds...there was also another dog in the backyard that was already deceased, on a chain -- obviously been there for a few days but the owner had neglected to even check on the dogs.
"The judge awarded Hershey to Grand Prairie Animal Services and now we are doing all we can to get her the home she so truly deserves. It's not very often that we seize an animal that we can save. Usually citizens wait until it's too late to call and then we have no other option but to humanely put them to sleep and end their suffering."

(As you can see, Hershey was emaciated when "seized," but, in the photo at the right, has really enjoyed the Grand Prairie grub.)

Hershey will be spayed and microchipped before she leaves Grand Prairie's custody. Renee says, "I need her to go to a one-pet household -- I'm unsure if she gets along with other dogs, but I do know she was with another dog for a period of time before she died.

"We have worked with her a lot. She now sits and shakes and potties mostly outside, however, she still will need a little more work. 

“Hershey basically needs someone to treat her like the angel she is and to offer her the home she has never known. She still has some bad manners about jumping up on people but I am sure that can be corrected with al little work."

Renee says she realizes that the holiday season is a tough time to find a home for a special dog, but maybe someone who visits Readlarrypowell.com will have a happy solution for placing Hershey, a dog that deserves a chance.

To ask about adopting Hershey, call Renee at 972-237-8566 at the office or on her cell, 817-909-4262.

BIG DOG: The folks at A Different Breed are looking for a home -- foster or forever -- for this dog Grendle. the story is he's in boarding now and "has spent most of his life in the backyard or in a boarding facility. ... You can see in his eyes the loneliness he has experienced in his five years," writes Debbie Farrell.

This is a big dog who'll need special handling. As you can tell, he's not a lap dog.

To volunteer to foster or adopt this dog, e-mail [email protected] or call 214-316-6604.

MAKE A NOTE: Wendy Gunderson, president of the Animal Rescue Klub, says the group is initiating "meet and greets" on the second Saturday of each month at the Pet Supplies Plus, Legacy at Coit, in Plano. People can visit with the critters from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (See www.animalresuceeklub.org.)

GOOD NEWS: Jerri Locke has this report on Cotton, the dog she rescued and we mentioned here at Readlarrypowell.com last week.

"As it turned out, one of your faithful readers saw Cotton's picture and thought he would be the perfect dog for her 8-year-old son. We set up a time to meet and when I went to my parents' home to retrieve him, he had escaped to a neighbor's house who immediately took him to the pound. I made a mad dash there, but since it was after 5:30, they would not release him to me."

Ah, but the next day Jerri "went back, paid the fees and fine and a friend delivered him to the new owner." Seems to be a "perfect match."

SISTERS: These dogs are Faith and Hope. And they were dumped near Kaufman when they were 12 weeks old. Since that time they've been to a vet and have been well cared for and are health. Also, they've been boarded for almost three months, draining their rescuer and inspiring a call for help.

If no one steps forward, of course, then these dumped dogs will be once again at peril. You know how this works. So many animals, so little money.

It's preferred that they go to one home because they've been together all their lives. If, however, that doesn't work, they'll be separated so their lives will be saved. The dogs will arrive with "a commitment of one year's worth of heartworm prevention, leashes, collars and undying gratitude."

To apply to adopt these dogs, e-mail [email protected]. Gail's the go-between on these dogs.

THOUGHT FOR THE SHOPPING DAY: If you want to park near the door at a mall, find one that's out of business.

The All-American Holiday Portrait

We have reached Thanksgiving weekend and, in searching for the perfect photo to represent this American celebration....Well, why wax on with faux eloquence? Here's the deal:

Thanksgiving is a holiday where people yak and eat. Yak and eat. Hug and laugh. Watch football and sleep.

Yep, sleep. Thus, this photo perfectly represents the Thanksgiving weekend.

Two buddies out like a light on the couch. It won't the only time you see it this weekend. It's an American tradition: Celebrate, then find the couch.

Thus, we present for the holiday weekend's "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap," this "Study in Somnolence" featuring two slumbering mammals.

The fellow is Jim Falk, president of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. He's usually a blur of energy. He's a runner and a devoted canine agility enthusiast. And, here, he's out like a light. The photo was snapped by Jim's wife, Terrell Falk, vice president for marketing and communications at Cinemark USA. She knows pictures.

Jim's couch partner is Rope. Rope is an agility dog. Breed? Vizsla. Eh? Hungarian hunting dog. Vizsla -- hard to spell (z before s or s before z?) but easy to love. Also easy to train, according to the experts.

Now, as Rope catches a few Zzzzslas with his pal, Jim, we'll tell you that he's not the only agility dog in the house. There's Maggie. That's Maggie easing down the A-frame while Jim coaches her during a recent agility trial in Garland. Maggie's a veteran at this while Rope is still gaining experience.

And they have a running buddy who is working on a whole new career in agility. This is him: Gus, a Jack Russell Terrier born earlier this year.

While Jim and Rope were sacked out, Gus and the missus took the opportunity to work on Gus' agility skills.

Obviously, he could also work as a model or, perhaps, star as a super spy in the movie Canine Royale.

As you can see, Gus has no problem with an athletic leap through the hanging tire -- that's Terrell coaching in the background.

And, as you can also see, there are no photos of this Jack Russell sleeping. I'm not sure anyone on the planet has a photo of a Jack Russell asleep.

In agility training, one of the things a dog must do, while racing through the timed course, is jump onto a table, then sit still for a count of five seconds. This is not a chore for a Great Dane or a Mastiff, but to get a Jack Russell to sit still for five seconds --  that, folks is a challenge.

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, today we offer a sight of something seen in millions of homes this long holiday weekend:

Guys sleeping on couches. America, the snooziful.

(To nominate your slumbering mammal, reptile, fowl or any other being for spotlighting in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send the photo and the info to [email protected]. Remember, at Readlarrypowell.com, we honor the sleepers for they achieve a peace that insomniac could only dream of it they could sleep.)

The prez, pups, cats and an ode

We're on the eve of Thanksgiving. Many people will be traveling. Some will be standing still in lines at grocery stores. Others will be at home involved in the beginning wrestling of the big feast.

I know the president has been busy, but the White House finally posted a note about pardoning the Thanksgiving Turkey. Go to www.whitehouse.gov and you can read about it, plus you can vote on the names of the turkeys who'll be pardoned. They'll announce the names today. Last week I talked to both the National Turkey Federation and the White House about this annual event and neither one had a bit of info -- in fact, the turkey folks said they hadn't been contacted by the White House. I guess the background people pulled things together while the prez was in Vietnam and Hawaii. Sorry you didn't get earlier notice about voting on the names of the turkeys -- blame the government. (Habit-forming, isn't it.)

Now, let's move along with our last-minute, pre-Thanksgiving items and some of them are doozies.

A TWINKLING TRIBUTE: Companions for Life, the group that pushes education of people as a way to solve animal problems, is introducing a fund-raising project that involves red and white twinkling Pet Tribute Trees and personalized ornaments.

The Pet Tribute Trees will be on display beginning Friday -- the busiest shopping day of the year -- at the Preston/Beltline Starbucks in North Dallas and the Shiloh/Arapaho Starbucks in North Garland. The displays continue through New Year's Day.

Here's the way this works, according to info sent by Rebecca Poling of CFL: "With each $5 donation to our humane education programs, we will illuminate a white light in memory of a person or pet who has passed on, or a red light in honor of a person or pet who still graces our lives.  We'll also fashion a beautiful holiday ornament using a tribute message you submit.  Each ornament will be displayed on one of our Pet Tribute Trees, and you will receive an acknowledgement of your contribution.  With each $10 donation, pet lovers are invited to submit a photo of their pet along with their tribute message.  A light will be lit, and your photo and tribute message will be used to create a unique ornament which we will hang on a Pet Tribute Tree for everyone to admire." 

You can get the tribute farms at the participating Starbucks or go to www.companionsforlife.org.

Proceeds, according to CFL, go to programs "aimed at elevating the role of companion animals in our society and creating a world where there are no more disposable pets."

HOW ABOUT THAT RUSS! This is something you'll see in the Operation Kindness 2007 calendar: radio talk superstar (and longtime Operation Kindness supporter) Russ Martin of 105.3 FM giving his pal Abbey a ride. It's one of many, many photos in the Operation Kindness Best Friends Calendar -- $10 at Operation Kindness, 3201 Earhart Drive in Carrollton, and online HERE.

The photos in the calendar -- one for each month and 15 honorable mention photos -- came from the annual Operation Kindness Pet Photo Contest. And the calendar includes, at the request of Operation Kindness, an essay on "best friends" by your friendly neighborhood critter-writer (me).

The calendar, designed by Lynda Transou and written by Poppy Sundeen, is dedicated to Mercy the Dog.

ABOUT CATS: A couple of weeks ago one of our reliable Houston tipsters, Edna Taylor, wrote a heartbreaking and anger-filled letter about a cat. Rescuers will relate. People who don't do rescue may learn from her emotions. Her belief is cats should be indoor animals. I've posted the plea on our Prayers & Passages page -- I think that's the appropriate place because it involves both a passage and some prayers that people will be better than they usually are. (Click on the link to the right of this page.) And read it with an open heart.

AVAILABLE KITTENS: We got this from someone who'd been dining at Poppy's Garden Cafe -- several "adorable, starving kittens" were there begging for food from the diners. They're not feral and they need homes. I checked with Nomi Marcos, the general manager, and she told me that the staff and management is desperate to place the kittens so no harm will come to them. The cafe is at 107 S. Church in McKinney. Call 972-562-8386 or e-mail [email protected].

THE BIG SHOW: The folks with the Lone Star State Pit Bull Club are hosting their big two-day show Saturday and Sunday in Cleburne at the Johnson County Sheriff's Posse Arena. Go to www.lsspbc.com and click on events to see the details. This show will involve weigh-pulling competition and conformation events for these registered dogs. The event usually draws about 200 dogs and more than 400 people.

If you're wondering about pit bulls, this might be an informative event to attend.

OH, MY GOODNESS WHAT A PLIGHT! This is one stressful, dreadful situation. We got the tip from Melissa Singletary who says contacts are being made in an effort to solve this problem.

Straydog, the fabulous but perpetually full animal shelter over by Gun Barrel City has heard from this man in Terrell and word is going out to try to find help for a man who has 45 dogs, several puppies, a cat and two horses. These dogs range from young to senior, from small (Chihuahua mixes) to big ol' dawgs.

According to our tipster, "The story is that his wife worked for a vet’s office and they have taken in many dogs over the years with the intention of adopting them out.  However, this apparently has not happened, his wife has left him and he recently had open heart surgery. His house is being foreclosed on and he is trying to find homes for these dogs. There are a couple of purebred dogs but most are mixes.  He states that up until a month or two ago all of the dogs were all on heartworm prevention, they are all being fed and given water daily but he says the money is running out on food."

This story is accompanied by a separate incident in which a woman is trying to get 20 dogs removed from a property where care is iffy and spay/neuter is nil.

Basically, the rescuers have just nearly run out of all the magic spells and incantations that usually work to save animals in such huge numbers. If anyone has a suggestion about where to park these animals and save their lives, e-mail [email protected].

What a challenge. And isn't "challenge" a nice way to put it.

LITTLE PAPPA FINDS A HOME: On Nov. 16 we wrote about this dog, Little Pappa, being found in Frisco. Efforts were made to find his "real" home, but no dice.

Caydee Barrera initially decided she could not keep him because of her allergies, reported our tipster Perri Taylor.

Now, Perri reports, "Little Pappa has found that his new 'forever home' is quite familiar...Caydee has decided to brave her allergies since the family has become so attached to little Pappa (especially the 3-year-oldboy in the famiy!). So, I guess that pup knew what he was doing when he made himself comfy on the couch."

WRAPPING FOR THE BOXERS: Volunteers are wrapping gifts on behalf of boxers this year -- it's a project of Legacy Boxer Rescue (www.savetheboxers.com) and they'll be at the Barnes & Noble near I-35 and 121 in Lewisville on Saturday, other locations throughout the season. Go to the Legacy website for sites and details.

Frankly, I'd pay money to see boxers trying to wrap gifts. Boxers having a big time in a roomful of wrapping paper -- now that would be entertainment!

A THANKSGIVING POEM: As regular readers know, Inky is the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, inspired to create poetry to note every significant event in the Lone Star State.

He is also a gifted impressionist. And for this holiday outing, he has been asked to perform his traditional Thanksgiving impression.

So, once again, here is Inky. This time he is giving us his impression of a Pilgrim spotting a turkey standing next to a platterful of Mom's Mayflower Meatloaf in a cabin in Plymouth, Mass.

And, as the Thanksgiving aromas begin to fill the homes across America, it is only fitting that we turn to our pal, Inky, for an ode to the holiday.

The Thankfulness Of A Dog Too Short To Reach The Counter

By Inky

This holiday of thanks

is not wasted on the furry

When roused by the great smells

To the kitchen we must scurry!

There stands the brilliant chef,

a cook beyond compare,

someone with special recipes

to enhance the household air.

We stand, we wag and then we sit,

And finally we just flop

But we remain alert, you see,

for morsels that may drop.

Sad! 'Tis human food

in all the containers

and we, alas,

are forced abstainers

O, beg a bite of punkin pie,

a nibble off a yam,

a nip from a buttered roll

with jalapeno jam.

Dreams we dogs will have

this blessed Thanksgiving night

At least we know when mornin' comes

It's not OUR suits that'll be too tight.

Critters, creeps and caffeine

Here we are on Tuesday and the world is percolatin'. I'll have a caffeine note at the end of today's presentation. Caffeine and chocolate -- the twin demons.

But, in the meantime, let's get into the day's business, including a disturbing report from Animal Angels.

COTTON NEEDS A HOME: Jerri Locke is looking for a home for a dog named Cotton. Cool name for a dog, eh? "I took in this stray right before Halloween -- just sure his family would come looking for him," Jerri says. "Through a friend I found that he had been found at a construction site where he lived temporarily and they were glad he was gone.

"He is a real cutie, great personality and only about 20 pounds. My best guess is he is about one year old -- I have nothing to base this on except his exuberance and puppy-like nature. He does not chew on things and loves to be loved. He is good around kids, but has not been trained not to jump."

To offer to give Cotton a home, call 214-448-2727 or e-mail [email protected].

THOSE DO-GOODER LAWYERS: The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers' Animal Welfare Committee is once again working the day after Thanksgiving. It's FAT Friday (Feast and Treats) -- DAYL is joining with the SPCA of Texas to provide all sorts of free pet services for folks who can't afford them. All of this will occur at the SPCA of Texas Village Fair Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic -- that's at I-35 south at Ledbetter about 6 miles south of downtown Dallas. Go to www.spca.org and click on events to read the details and how you qualify for help. You may know someone who has hit a rough patch but still wants the best for their best friend.

GOOD NEWS: The little lost terrier we posted Monday has been claimed. Holly Becka, the local newshound, reports that the dog found in rural northwest McKinney has been identified as "Cubby Bear" and returned to his home. "It was a wonderful reunion," Holly writes. There you have it: A simple good deed is rewarded. We are, after all, approaching the Season of Miracles.

UNCATCHABLE: We first wrote about these dogs last spring. Once (the brown one in this photo) has since vanished, but there are two that are still living on the run near 150 Glass Street -- Market Center at Industrial -- in Dallas.

Barbara Oates is hoping to find someone who can help with catching the dogs. The people who have been tending to them, trying to catch them are leaving the neighborhood at the end of December.

So, time is now pressing on things.

Barbara sends along a note from her friend, Lorraine, who has been working with these dogs. She writes, "I have quite a few that are interested in taking the dogs. I have decided I will take them in if I have to while they are waiting to be adopted out. I will have to keep them in my fenced yard, get a house, etc. but I am willing to do that to get them off the streets.

"I am at such a loss right now. These dogs we have been feeding really need to be caught. Not only are we out of this building at the end of December, but I think the female dog is in heat. I fear that she will end up getting pregnant if not caught soon. I really don't know what to do, we have tried literally everything from the humane trap, to coaxing them with really good food, to talking with them. Nothing is working, we can only come within about 10 feet of them before they run off."
To help with these dogs, call 682-622-9057 or e-mail [email protected].

FROM JACKSBORO, A SEQUEL: Carole Sanders of Animal Angels out in Jacksboro wrote to us not too long ago about a guy who allowed his blue heeler to fall out of the back of his pickup not once, but twice. The second fall blinded the dog. And it inspired quite a letter from Carole (check our Oct. 6 entry in the archives.)

Now comes this incident -- and remember this blue heeler guy as you read this.

Carole is pretty steamed about things that happened in this incident. She has some stern words. "It seems few people where we are, not only don't care about animals, theirs or others' but the people who do care ... are afraid to voice their disapproval for fear of 'offending' these worthless wads of living matter, so they say nothing.  This behavior is unforgivable since their silence is taken as approval by the perpetrators of these inhumane acts.

"[On Nov. 12], I was told there was a very pregnant female dog and two younger male dogs, thought to be pups of hers from an earlier litter, at ... the 'rock crusher plant' a short distance from town.  I was asked if we could come get them so I loaded up a live trap and a couple of crates and took off. 

"The sweet little female was indeed very pregnant.  She looked to be ready to pop so she became the main focus.  If she was allowed to have the puppies at this place, the chances were they would not survive for long and since we couldn't tell what kind of condition the little mother was in, we didn't know if she would survive delivering her babies. We had to get her. then we could come back for the boys.  The lady who worked in the office came out and told me what little she knew about the dogs. 

"They had been there for a couple of months, obviously dumped by one of the many uncaring and irresponsible idiots that live out here. Nothing new here. I offered that she could be pregnant by one of her two male pups but the woman said no, the father was a Blue Heeler that had been hanging around a couple of months ago.  You'll need to remember this later. 

    "I was able to catch the black pup when he ventured into the live trap.  We put him in a crate and reset the trap for mom but she was wise beyond her years and would have none of it.  A girl who worked there had managed to befriend her and she would roll over and let her scratch her belly so she was able to slip a lead over her head. 

"That made two with only one little black & tan pup to go.  It was time to close the place so I left the trap there, hoping he would go in overnight.  That didn't happen but about 2 this afternoon, the lady from the office called saying he was in the trap and was not a happy camper.  I told her he would be okay and that I was on my way. 

"I quickly left and drove the 10 or so miles to the plant. As I pulled up, I saw the trap was empty.  I got out and asked the lady, 'Who let him out?'  She said he must have gotten out by himself.  I told her that was not possible.  Once in, there is no way he could get out.  Someone had let him go. 

"I was fit to be tied and mad as hell. I got the trap, threw it in the back of the truck and left.  I'm afraid I wasn't able to wait to get to the top of our hill to cry, cuss and scream at the top of my lungs.  For the next 10 minutes, I screamed obscenities at the windshield of my truck and cried tears of anger and frustration.  I LET IT OUT. 

"I thank God I had at least been able to get the mom and one of the pups.

"OK, now, you remember the 'Blue Heeler'?  About this time, I get a phone call from some idiot who said it was his dog that was the father of the yet unborn puppies.  He wanted to know how the mother dog was and that he wanted one of the puppies.  Later, I found out this is the same worthless wad whose Blue Heeler had been blinded when he was thrown out of the back of his truck for the second time.  I told him he would never get a puppy from us and hung up on [him].

"When the vet got a look at her, it was clear Mom was in terrible condition.  Her skin crawled with fleas and ticks.  Her gums were almost white, signaling that she was anemic from being pregnant, not being cared for properly and from the fleas and ticks that have literally sucked the blood out of her. The decision was made to take the pups and save her.  She deserved to be given a chance.  She had suffered enough.

"There are those who disagree, like the idiot who wanted one of her pups since he was so proud he allowed his blind dog (who he cared so much about that he tried to kill him twice) to get her pregnant and the girl who could have seen that she got proper care instead of leaving her to fend for herself for the three weeks she knew about her.  I make no apologies to anyone for not letting her deliver puppies.  Nobody likes making these tough decisions but someone has to. 

"Those of you who are wondering what will happen to the little guy that remains at the plant.  He'll be killed or he'll starve or be shot by some idiot who has nothing better to do than use him for target practice. 

"I hasten to add that most of the "bubbas" out here can't hit the green side of a red barn so he'll be maimed and will suffer greatly before he dies but I pray God will have mercy on him.  We had him and he was safe or he would have been. ...It's a wonder we were able to rescue two out of three.  Because I wasn't able to save him, I'll cry myself to sleep tonight and every time I think about him. We will do all we can for his mom and brother and see they are loved and cared for and have a long happy life. It's all we can do because try as we may, we can't save them all."

Amazing story. No wonder Carole is frustrated and upset.

Just in case, you can click HERE and go to the Texas Humane Legislation Network to get involved with urging the Texas legislators to toughen animal cruelty laws.

A SNACK WITH A BUZZ: Why am I buzzed as this is being typed? Proud to tell you.

A week ago today I got to speak to the Dallas Association of Directors of Volunteers -- these are the folks to wrangle volunteers for all sorts of non-profit agencies. As I told them, "You control the chaos!"

And volunteers probably appreciate that description -- volunteers will do anything for their cause, but they need to know what it is they need to do and when, you know?

Ismybuzzapparent?Lookhere'sthedeal:IfeellikeI'mtypingreallyfast.

The event was a noon luncheon at the new SPCA headquarters at 2400 Lone Star Drive in that sprawling industrial complex that runs parallel to the north side of I-30 in West Dallas. James Bias, the SPCA director, was in the building in work clothes measuring stuff, doing handyman work and proudly showing off the facility. It's huge. If you get a chance, visit it.

My hostess for the speech was Gina Alcala, director of Outreach and Volunteer Services for the SPCA and an officer in the DAVD. The reception to my talk was more than nice, i.e., nobody threw anything or walked out and people actually laughed in the right spots. That's all I ask for in life. I'm sure Seinfeld's Michael Richards feels the same way today.

So fast forward to Monday. I'm rummaging around the house for something to nibble on while I write. Some writers drink. Some eat. Neither is good for your health if you're in a sedentary profession.

I remembered the aluminum box of Harry & David Espresso Bark inside the DADV gift bag. So I nibble some. Then I nibble some more. And I think, along about a half hour later that it's a little stout -- I'm not normally a coffee chewer.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why, two hours later, my fingersaremovinglikelightning and the words are pouring forth as if they made sense and Martha has urged me to go stand on the porch until I can defeat the compulsion to comment on everything in the world. But the candy tasted so good and I am so grateful to the DADV for that extra jolt of energy in my day.

And I will now save the rest of that candy until I need a holly jolly jumpstart during the holidays. It's the defibrillator of confections.

Traffic, critters and Bond

Monday rush hour traffic may have been less annoying in your major metro areas today. So many Americans take Thanksgiving week off that freeways actually move, well, freely.

Of course, in Dallas the freeways were empty because so many Dallas Cowboys fans are under a doctor's care. Anxiety problems. Held our breaths for three hours while waiting for the Cowboys to foul up the Colts game and, like they did in Washington, lose after the game was over. But, no, Dallas beat previously undefeated Indianapolis, 21-14. You probably already knew that -- heard it from your nurse when you regained consciousness.

If you're traveling this week, enjoy it and be safe. Bring something extra with you to your destination -- good feelings, good conversation and appropriate jokes for the dining table.

If you're at work, enjoy the slack time created by everyone else taking the week off -- no need to waste time with a bunch of  cubicle conversations that begin "how 'bout them Cowboys."

Now , please join me in taking this solemn pre-Thanksgiving Vow. Put your  left hand on the can of jellied cranberry sauce and repeat after me, "I will not go to a grocery store at any time on Wednesday unless the U.N. sends in troops to oversee crowd control."

SPOTTED IN IRVING: Our pal Holly Elms, a veteran rescuer, spotted this girl, Kate, on Russell Posch's list of adoptables that he'd found while walking the Irving Animal Shelter.

Kate is a 9-year-old owner-surrender. It must have been simply jarring for her to have been dropped from the family after nine years. She must be bewildered.

Anyway, Kate is a 30-pound beagle/border collie mix and the card on her cage says "good with kids/cats."

She's available for adoption. It's a short work-week. This is a city shelter. Time is, no kidding, of the essence. (Call the shelter at 972-721-2256. Shelter weekday hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)

THE AUSSIE WITHOUT A HOME: This is the dog that was found wandering a downtown Dallas newspaper parking lot and rescued by award-winning journalist Brooks Egerton. Brooks has been trying to find a home for River for weeks.

A family that was going to take River decided they already had too many dogs.

So, the challenge now is to find this great, personable, attentive and adorable dog a good home.

Frankly, the look on this dog's face says, "I'm ready for whatever you're game for, chief." And how about those ears? They're arranged like a pair of rabbit ears on a 1950s TV set -- pointed in the directions to get the best reception possible.

CHRYSTIE'S KIDS: If it's the holiday season, then Audrey Merritt is hustling things for the Ellis County charity, Chrystie's Kids. This group works on behalf of kids, women, elderly folks -- it's kind of a sweeping mission and it's outlined on the organization web-site.

In preparing for the Chrystie's Kids Angel Trees, Audrey says they need printer cartridges (Lexmark #70 black and #20 color). And they'll need copy packer, box tape, film for 35 mm cameras, postage stamps, etc. Lots of stuff, including donations for nursing homes and kids. Call 972-875-1597 to help.

AN INJURED CAT: This is six-week-old Babe, a kitten who lost its eye in an incident with its mom. These things happen.

Keli Halteman saves cats via Halteman's Haven.

The story is that the Mom and the kittens came into the Haven three weeks ago. Sometimes something snaps in these cat moms and they attack their kittens. That's what happened to Babe.

The mom was immediately separated from the kittens. The kittens were bottle-fed and all are fine now. In the meantime, antibiotics failed to save Babe's eye. The cat was in pain and a doctor did the removal for a reduced fee. The cat still ran up about a $400 bill.

"When I went to pick her up [after the surgery]," says Keli, "She greeted me with outstretched paws and had charmed the entire hospital staff....I know it is the holidays and we are all on budgets, but a half-pound kitten who is just shy of six weeks old has lost her eye. But she still manages to purr every time a human holds her."

Babe has been treated at VCA Loop 12 Animal Hospital. (You can donate to her cause at VCA Loop 12 Animal Hospital, Babe's Fund, 3607 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, 75228. go to www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX824.html to see about adopting.)

NEEDING A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: The folks at the North Tollway Pet Hospital are trying to find a home for this "stray" who has wound up in their care. She's about a year old and "very sweet" and loves to be with people.

This is one of those dogs who might not get a second glance from someone looking for a "purebred," but she will get the attention of someone who is looking for a friend. We just have to make sure that she is seen by that particular person -- so spread the word that the "stray" needs a home by Thanksgiving.

You can see her at the clinic at 4727 Frankford at the Dallas North Tollway or you can call the clinic at 972-733-3340.

The pressure here is that the clinic's boarding area is spoken for at Thanksgiving and this dog will have no place to go except, perhaps, a city-run shelter where the clock will begin ticking.

A FOUND DOG: Well, my goodness, what a cutie. And our ol' newsroom colleague and animal fan Holly Becka wants to get the dog to its rightful home. She writes, "We found a small terrier (weighs maybe 4 pounds) on a rural road in northwest McKinney just before nightfall on Saturday ... I saw a car speeding up the road just before I spotted the dog, but this sweetie isn’t the typical dump job we normally see. The dog is well fed, well-groomed, smells nice and is very well behaved. Maybe the speeding car was just a coincidence. I’m hoping that the dog is lost, and that the owners will have a wonderful Thanksgiving if they are reunited with their beloved dog.SCRAPE-THE-BARN MOVIE REVIEW:  Bond. James Bond. Yep, we've seen Casino Royale and the signature line is a splendid "introduction" at a magnificently key moment late in the film. Bond fans will love it.

"I called the SPCA in McKinney but they said no one reported a missing terrier breed, and I’ve left a message with Collin County Animal Services to see if anyone reported such a lost dog. There were some dog trials up at the Collin County Youth Park, which is about two miles away from where we found the dog, so we went over there Sunday to see if anyone had reported an escapee. No such luck."

So, readers, Holly is turning to you to see if someone recognizes the dog or knows someone who is looking for their lost pup. E-mail [email protected] or call 214-208-3524.

As regular readers know, our movie reviews are presented on behalf of Barncats Inc., the organization that places cats in barns and outbuildings and has plenty of cats but needs some barns. Go to the website to see if you can help 'em out.

Now, we'll try to help you decide whether you should go to the film or go scrape the paint off an old barn.

Here's the deal with Casino Royale: It's the first Bond tale from Ian Fleming, the author who created the super spy.

We've now seen both movie versions and the TV version. What? Yes, Barry Nelson starred as James Bond in a TV version of Casino Royale back in the golden age of television in 1954. And, in 1967, there was a lackluster spoof with David Niven and Woody Allen and all it shared with Bondness was the title.

Sean Connery was, of course, the ultimate Bond.

So now comes Daniel Craig, bad guy in The Road to Perdition, to try on Mr. Bond in a bold Casino Royale.  The clothes fit -- when he's wearing them. In a scene near the end, the bad guy strips him down and in an odd scene tortures the part of Mr. Bond's body that Mr. Bond might treasure most. It is the only nude scene in the film and all you see of Mr. Bond is the reaction to the pain as the bad guy tries to torture information out of him.

In the past, Bond films have been known for the extended stunt-crazy openings before the credits. Not this time. This time the director/writers/whomever are trying to establish the ruthless character of Bond and it works.

This is no ultra-cool James Bond winking at the camera. This guy is tough. Mean. Able to pull the trigger.

In one of the early scenes, Bond chases a minor villain through a construction site for 15 minutes easily -- lots of daring jumps, flops, drops and rolls. It's like watching Daniel Craig as The Terminator in his relentless pursuit of the bad guy. While the chase takes them into an embassy, it still ends as if it were a disturbance in a Texas bar on Saturday night -- everybody shoots at everybody else.

For you Bond devotees, here are some things that are different in this film:

There's no Miss Moneypenny, Q doesn't show up with fancy gadgets and there are no women in a dreamy opening sequence. In fact, no femme fatale type shows up in this movie until 20 minutes have passed, and then she is just a quick shadowy figure crossing a room. Ultimately, of course, she winds up (a) in the arms of Bond and (b) ...well, I can't tell you.

And the "Bond Girl" doesn't have a double-entendre name -- she's Vesper Lynd.

Usually when you praise the "scenery" in a Bond film, it's not the landscape you're talking about, but in this case, it is the landscape -- Lake Como in Italy, for example. And Venice.

Judi Dench is M, again, and her performance is quite clever and engaging.  M understands Bond. There's a relationship between the two that is interesting to watch -- can't say that about every Bond/M scene in previous films.

And this Bond is one fit specimen. If I had a body like his, I'd never wear a shirt.  And such blue eyes. Cold blue eyes.

The story is traditional -- double-crosses, bad guys, bullets, hand-to-hand combat -- and sometimes it looks a lot like the action master Jackie Chan might have choreographed the fights.

It's long, but you'll probably sit still for it.

And it has a villain who cries blood from one eye -- injured tear duct.

Eva Green does a great job as the Bond girl/love interest. It's a pivotal role -- unlike so many Bond girls, she's not a damsel in distress. Not exactly.

The lone really disappointing thing about this film is the theme song. Hear for yourself by clicking here and watching a Youtube sequence. The thing is, a Bond film ought to have a memorable theme song and this one is just not remarkable. But you only have to hear it once, twice if you sit through the credits. The traditional Bond twanging theme doesn't show up until the credits roll. But you get the feeling this is part of the filmmakers announcing this is a New Bond.

The new Bond is pretty darned good -- a tough guy whose soft center is completely obscured by events in Casino Royale. But he has bumped everybody after Mr. Connery down a notch.

So, if you have a chance to see this, put away the barn-scraping tools and go see Casino Royale. If you don't like fake violence on screen, scrape the barn.

Frankly, speaking on behalf of the teenaged male who lives within me, it is really good to see James Bond back on the big screen Casino Royale achieves one very important thing for the film's investors: It makes fans of James Bond wonder what's going to happen next. We'll have to wait for the next Bond film in 2008 to see if Mr. Craig actually is good enough to carry Mr. Connery's Walter PPK.

Super Sam's Sink

At first glance one is reminded of the occasional announcement regarding the household feline: "Oh, that cat is always bathing himself."

But, this is Sam and Sam is simply enjoying that sink feeling.

You may recognize Sam. He has achieved a bit of fame in his life. (Click on the photos to make them bigger.)

Last summer he was the Texas entry in the Meow Mix House contest in New York City -- it was a sort of "Feline Survivor!" in which people voted online for their favorite cats that were wandering through the cat house in New York.  He didn't win that (finished respectably, however).

He does, however, wear a "Super" tag on his collar. So he is our spotlight cat for this weekend's presentation of "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap."

Operation Kindness' Executive Director Jonnie England did a lot of the transit work with Sam, taking him to New York, bringing him home.

And, he'd already been adopted. After he returned from New York, he went to that adoptive home, but, alas, says Jonnie, "the 10-year-old timid kitty already in the home was actually quite happy being an only cat, so Sam was returned to Operation Kindness.

"Sam and I had really bonded when I fostered him before his trip to NYC and during the flights up there and back, so I decided to adopt him myself."

And that, folks, is why this rascally cat is dozing in the sink. Don't let the "quiet" photos fool you, Sam is, Jonnie says, "quite a talker."

"He's one big lump of love in more ways than one and loves to snuggle on my pillow and purr the night away," says Jonnie. "He's such a character and is always making me laugh. He has a tremendous curiosity and is always getting into unusual places. He's fascinated by running water, so I think he just plopped down, took a bath and then decided to catch a few Z's while he was there."

When Sam came to Jonnie's to live he came into an extremely animal-friendly home. "I have three [other] cats, P.J., 7; Slinky, 2, and my baby and miracle kitty, Peeper, who's 17 and has had asthma and only one eye since I got him at 4 weeks."

The three dogs in the household are Marigold, 6 (left in the 2-dog picture); Choicey, 14 (right in that photo) and Muffin, 3, taking it easy with toy.

For Halloween costume contests, Muffin usually wears a poodle skirt. (Not making that up, readers. A dog in a poodle skirt!)

Jonnie was pretty excited when Sam became available -- she'd fall for him pretty completely.  "My main concern was my Peeper, who's pretty frail. But Sam totally ignores him, which is great. Sam and the dogs are fine, but I have to admit that P.J. and Slinky didn't welcome Sam with open paws.

"However, I've caught Sam and Slinky cuddled up a time or two, so I think it's a ruse of some sort."

So, there you have it: A cat that'll sleep in a sink and some critters that are quite comfortable in their surroundings. In this home, it's easy to let sleeping dogs lie and napping cats nap.

(Remember, if you have a photo of a sleeping critter -- dog, cat, rabbit, reptile or in-law -- nominate it for our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, by e-mailing info and photo to [email protected]. In this feature we celebrate the art of sleeping -- it's an art practiced by individuals in beds, chairs, on the floor or in the sink. And, as an insomniac, I can guarantee you that there will be people of my sleepless ilk staring at their lavatory and wondering if there's some way to squeeze in under the faucet and grab a few winks. Insomniacs -- the planet's desperate people.)

NEEDING SOME HELP: This message, sent to us by Elaine Munch of the Metroplex Animal Coalition, arrived Friday evening and, since timing is everything, maybe someone can help out on Saturday.

Hard-working Janet Henderson of Dallas Animal Services is looking for help for this little guy, Parker. He's a 3 1/2-month-old pointer mix who is neutered, micro-chipped and up to date on his shots, Janet reports.

"The problem is he has a broken leg. We have his x-rays here and all of his medical information."

Animal Services simply needs a rescue group or -- I guess -- some good heart to step up and take care of this little guy.

To help Parker the Pup, get in touch with Janet at Dallas Animal Services' Forney Road Shelter, 8414 Forney Road. Call 214-671-0179 or 972-998-4915 or e-mail [email protected].

ONE LAST REMINDER: The Operation Kindness Barksgiving celebration in the Big Thicket Area of White Rock Lake is 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. It's a festival for humans ($10 for a traditional Thanksgiving meal) and pups. Humans and dogs who have saved up their allowances can buy entire pies from local bakers, we're told. Details are at www.operationkindness.org.

Hard to believe we're already looking at Thanksgiving -- no doubt many of you will be taking the whole week off, some will take part of the week and some will just keep on working because you have too many dogs and cats to take a day off! When that happens, the definition of "thankful" takes on a whole new, more intense meaning. Like, you know what it means when someone says, "I'm as thankful as an ol' dawg with a new biscuit." Mmmmmm.

Huts, Mutts & Hunsacker's return

Here we are beyond the midway point of November and the speed with which the month is passing is absolutely stunning to contemplate. Thanksgiving is next week. When you reach a certain age, apparently, the term "slow as Christmas" no longer applies. Even the holidays have the pedal to the metal.

OK, everybody, tap the brakes and enjoy what's left of November. Still plenty of time to do some good deeds and thrive. Or, you could take extra naps and promise to do better in December.

HUTS FOR MUTTS: In Hamilton, Texas, southwest of Dallas in the land where the trees are low and the sky is high, they're raffling off spay/neuter operations.

It's a program set up by Huts for Mutts and supported by local business. Marion Stanford is the director of Huts for Mutts Dog Rescue, a group formed three years ago. Marion says that "each year brings our community closer to realizing our shared goal of 'no more homeless pets'."

Each year, also, Huts for Mutts partners with the Denton-based Texas Coalition for Animal Protection to bring the mobile spay/neuter clinic to town. But, says Marion, "Thanks to local businesses, our event will be 'no-cost' instead of 'low-cost.' Twenty businesses have funded a lottery to pay for spay/neuter."

The businesses kicked in $100 each. As many as 25 spay/neuters will be financed thanks to the good hearts of the business community. Make a purchase at one of the participating businesses and you're automatically entered in the lottery -- you may not have a dog or cat that needs "fixin'" but you may know someone who does.

"I'm so excited about this! Individuals have funded our operation since its inception and now with the business community on board we can set our sights on local governing bodies to get involved ... I remind folks that sooner or later the powers that be in government are going to mandate the counties be responsible for animal control and those who still rely on the rural 'five-cent bullet solution' are going to be left with a huge tax burden -- beginning from scratch -- to control their ever-increasing stray population."

Just FYI: According to the Huts for Mutts website, the organization was founded in 2003 when then-Hamilton High School seniors Jamie Jones and Julie Oglesby "set out on a personal mission to end the 99 percent euthanasia rate at the city pound."

LET'S TALK RABBITS: The North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary has a great deal going for people who'd like to help some rabbits: Extreme Bunny Home Makeovers. Basically, this is a campaign to raise money to improve the living conditions of rabbits in the sanctuary -- the conditions are fine now, but they want the rabbits to have the best.

For $25, you can sponsor a "Mini-Makeover" which includes a new litter box, 2 new water bottles and a hay rack.

For $50, you'll sponsor a Deluxe makeover that includes two new cage trays a new litter box, two new water bottles and a new resting board.

The $75 donation for the Extreme Makeover includes a new cage, two new cage trays, a new litter box, two new water bottles, anew resting board, a new hay rack and a bunny toy.

And who is this bunny rabbit? He is one of the wards of the North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary. He's a mixed-breed rabbit "filled with personality." He's an indoor house rabbit who needs a good family home.

You can see him and donate to the Extreme Makeover project by going to www.ntrs.org. You can learn about house rabbits at www.rabbit.org -- before you adopt, you need to learn about rabbits and their rabbit habits.

MOMMA AND PUPS: Oh, boy, here's one for the books. We were tipped on it by Caroline Felps of A Different Breed. It comes from Debbie Farrell, veteran rescuer. And, now, an even more veteran rescuer. (Click on the photo to make it larger.)

Debbie says that about a month ago while on her way home from work she saw a momma dog padding across six lanes of traffic on Forest Lane to get to a service station where she was looking for food. Debbie says, "I got out and managed to get her to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of my hand and two cheese sticks (I was giving her what I had with me -- now you know my lousy diet)."

The service station didn't sell dog food, so she bought four hot dogs, which the dog ate. A bystander gave her a pretzel for the dog.

Debbie couldn't get the dog into her car -- if you've ever tried to rescue dogs you know this Readlarrypowell.com Truth: Dogs are often too clever for their own good.

The dog walked back across the traffic and went into a neighborhood. Debbie followed her and found the yard she lived in with four nursing puppies. A neighbor said the family had moved a month earlier and left the dog -- probably left the dogs.

Debbie, by now having invested more than 3 hours in the rescue,  called Susan McBride and told her of this adventure.  Susan went to the site and, with the help of neighbors, got the mother and all four pups into her car.  The neighbors told her that another dog had been tied up in the yard, but it had died from lack of food and water.

Anyway, the short story is the dogs are safe but need foster homes now. Like right now. If you can step up and help these dogs that were left behind, call Debbie at 214-316-6604.

Amazing story. And, abandoning animals just happens to be a crime of cruelty in Texas. Let's hope someone got the forwarding address.

A RESCUED PUP NEEDS SAVING: This note comes via Debbie New at the Plano Animal Shelter. This dog is Jester. He and two other dogs were found in the summer locked in a wire crate in the sun in a backyard. One Lab was dead and "Jester and the other dog were barely alive. They had to be put on IV fluids due to dehydration."

The other dog was adopted but Jester is still at the animal shelter. He's a year old, neutered and current on shots -- and he has a microchip.  To see about adopting Jester, e-mail [email protected] or stop by the shelter at 4028 W. Plano Parkway. Phone 972-769-4360.

UNPLAIN BLACK AND WHITE: There is absolutely nothing plain about a Pegasus Theatre production of a Harry Hunsacker murder mystery -- it's produced in "living black and white," a special makeup and set design process that makes a theater production look like an old black and white movie.

And we're about to get lucky around here because there's a new Harry Hunsacker play scheduled to open Dec. 29 at the Eisemann Center and run through Jan. 28.. It's called A Critical Case of Murder!

In this photo, Harry Hunsacker (portrayed by playwright Kurt Kleinmann) is holding a paper with a headline that reads "Theater Critic Killed! City Paralyzed!" Ah, the plot thickens! (Based on my years in the newspaper business, whenever a critic is murdered the first question is, "Was it justifiable homicide?")

For tickets to A Critical Case of Murder! call the Eisemann Center at 972-744-4650 or go to www.eisemanncenter.com.)

And go to www.pegasustheatre.com to read about the playwright, the production values and the special "In Living Black and White" process. It's an amazing visual -- and you also get an entertaining laugh-out-loud play, too.

IMPORTANT SPORTING NOTE: OK, Arlington, if your perpetually rotten baseball franchise can't get you to the World Series, you might as well try to finesse the Super Bowl in 2011. Ah, 2011, when all of us Texas Rangers fans will still be waiting 'til next year.