We have arrived at Monday morning just a little bit disorganized.
A busy weekend and some distractions kept us from the e-mail inbox and things piled up to the point that no more mail was admitted.
This is not your problem, dear readers, but it is the problem of the aging insomniacal scribe who dares to taunt the fates by taking time off to watch the Dallas Cowboys thump the Chicago Bears. I also read an entire book, an action/mystery called Lost Lake and it was a page-turner. Insomniacs and page-turners should never meet up after 9 p.m.
At any rate, we did not want to begin autumn in such a disheveled fashion, but, that water has passed beneath the bridge and here we are, scrambling to get ourselves organized. (FYI: Though he is not board-certified, that is Inky putting his paws on my shoulders and snapping his wise counsel, "Get a grip, goofball!")
I'm betting that I am not the only person in such ridiculous shape. So, I ask for understanding and forgiveness of my disorientation as we dive into the day's business.
And now, our assorted topics:
INJURED STRAY SPOTTED: Cary Birdwell of Adopt-a-Dallas-Pet reports that this morning he spotted an injured stray dog and admits "this may be a wild goose chase, but for his sake I am sending this out..."
Heavy traffic and the quickness of the dog kept Cary from nabbing him. The sighting was in Oak Lawn, Maple near Motor "but south of Inwood," Cary says. And he realizes the dog could have moved on, but Cary's like most of us -- he's taking a shot at trying to help against great odds.
He says the dog is mostly lab, tan with white chest and socks, an intact male about 45 pounds and his "left front wrist is clearly broken."
This is basically a "be-on-the-lookout" note and a "help if you can" request. Contact Cary at [email protected] or call 214-580-7132 or (evenings 214-521-3611.)
THE MERCY TRIAL: Jury selection is underway today in the case of DeShawn Quattrail Brown, the young man accused of fatally abusing Mercy the Dog by kicking and stabbing her and setting her ablaze. She died in the care of Operation Kindness. If all goes according to plan in Dallas County District Court No. 7, the jury should be chosen by this evening and testimony should begin Tuesday morning.
A CUSTODY HEARING: On Sept. 14, authorities seized 106 animals from a suspected puppy mill at Graham, near Wichita Falls, and today at 2 p.m., there'll be a hearing in Justice of the Peace Stan Mahler's court to determine if the SPCA of Texas can take custody of the animals. Young County deputies discovered Miniature Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Boxers and four cats in squalid conditions. How did this discovery occur? Deputies were investigating a shooting and found the animals in a filthy barn, the SPCA says. (Just a guess by your observant scribe, but I doubt that the shooting had to do with whether the animals were being properly cared for...)
SPEAKING OF PUPPIES: As I was driving on Main Street near Old Orchard Road in Lewisville on Sunday afternoon, I spotted, parked on a lot alongside the street, a tan Suburban-type vehicle with shoe polish signs on its windows advertising Maltese and Chihuahua puppies for sale. The people had the puppies in an aluminum washtub and would periodically pick one up and hold it up for passersby to see. Anybody know if these roadside puppy sales are legal in Lewisville?
BUDDY THE SHELTIE: On Sept. 20, we told about Buddy the Sheltie, the rescued dog Alison Cox is fostering. Buddy has lots of "issues," including barking whenever the TV is on, flinching at the slightest move and, in general, freaking out. Alison wrote to us in hope of getting some help. And, bless their hearts, the folks from Dallas/Fort Worth Sheltie Rescue are stepping up. Becky Ramsey, the group's coordinator, writes, "We will help Alison with the Sheltie and see if we can make this work." There's already a behaviorist volunteering, we're told.
THE AUTHORS LINE UP: Four local authors will be at the Plano Centre from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today including Bill Cochran, author of The Forever Dog, who we've mentioned here before. (You may recall that when Bill set up a book-signing at the White Rock dog park last April, it snowed. This one is an indoor appearance and if it snows, we've got a real story.)
Admission is free. Plano Centre is at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway.
Other authors and their books include . Joel Zeff, Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life; Colleen A. Rickenbacher, Be on Your Best Business Behavior; and Dean Lindsay, Cracking the Networking CODE.
Obviously, three of the authors have focused on business-type books, but a really bright border collie may have an interest in making sure people are on their best business behavior, productive and innovative and prepared to crack the code when herding things into a profitable situation.
POSSIBLE BUMPER STICKER: Think anybody'd buy a bumper sticker this political season that reads "Spay, neuter and stop being stupid"?
That would cover a multitude of sins. And it's either non-partisan or omnipartisan.
