Welcome to Monday, no country for old men. Take two aspirin and a shot of Jolt Cola. In the 
meantime, let's see what's going on in the world. Never mind the Oscars, though we did enjoy former stripper Diablo Cody's acceptance speech for the original screenplay Oscar for Juno. She looked as if she expected the vice cops to jump onstage and hustle her off.
And we were stunned and pleased to see that Oscar let that musician come back out and give a touching thank-you for the Best Song Oscar after the orchestra gave her the bum's rush in order to get to a commercial break.
If trend-setting Hollywood is going to kindly let people finish their sentences, can the rest of the world be far behind? Will dialogue suddenly be revalued up? Sorry, just delusional for a moment.
(That photo? That was Inky in his new Academy Awards coif last night as he was being driven to the awards where he was a seat filler. His nomination for "Best Costume" had been withdrawn when the academy discovered that he was not wearing a costume.)
Let's move back to reality:
STOP THE PRESSES: If you see a note that begins this way "At my husband's work place there is a male pit (very timid but very sweet personality, and also traumatized)....." don't forward it. And stop worrying. Debbie Gasparek, who originated the note last week, says the dog that Augie Doggie, as they were calling him, has been saved. He had been living in a hay-strewn, 55-gallon drum on its side and tethered on a heavy chain. He was abandoned by his owner. Debbie told me this morning that, "I have a lady with Mid-Cities Humane Society who will have him in boarding until a foster home comes up -- he's fourth on the list."
So, people, stop forwarding the original request for help. You're filling up too many in-boxes. Sometimes you can go the extra mile and check before you forward. Thanks.
Of course, it is Monday and who among us is alert?
FOUNDLING NEEDS QUICK HELP: Dee Hill did a good deed...and needs some help, now.
"I found this tan, short-hair, mixed-breed bull terrier female (medium-sized, about 20-25 lbs) Friday night in the Fair Park area where she was underfed and suffering from the cold. I thought she might be pregnant at first because she has really pronounced nipples, but now think not. She probably gave birth sometime in the last year though.
"She is affectionate, mild, tail-wagging, takes well to the leash, seems to get along with cats, other dogs & humans. Adaptable to indoors, rapidly becoming housebroken. Has some mange sores on her butt, tail, muzzle and between toes.
"I brought her in from the cold at night planning to take her to the SPCA the next morning, but every no-kill shelter I've called so far is full.
"My apartment does not allow dogs, and the landlord has already seen me walking her...I promised she would be gone within a few days. This is an emergency - I can keep her 48 hours tops and then she has to go to a shelter, probably to be euthanized."
To help Dee help this dog, e-mail [email protected] or call 469-583-9216.
TWO WHITE SETTLEMENT TALES: This one is an annoyance -- the wrong beast is in the lockup.
According to the folks at the White Settlement animal shelter, this is Jordy and the "completely hairless dog is the subject of an abuse case. There is some concern at this time that he may have been poisoned with meth."
Methamphetamine -- not really a dog treat, you know?
The White Settlement people are hoping the dog can be saved and moved into a rescue group that will help him "recuperate while this case hopefully goes to court."
The White Settlement animal shelter phone is 817-246-7070. It's at 209 Bollinger Blvd and White Settlement is adjacent to the northwest side of Fort Worth.
Now, while you're thinking about Jordy, consider that on Friday evening at the shelter, Tessa, a shepherd mix, gave birth to seven puppies. Yep, seven puppies. They need a rescue group to step up and help those puppies and that momma.
BOXERS: Our reliable Texarkana rescue tipster Suzy Hlavinka has sent a note demonstrating that the rescue of animals knows no state lines -- just like dogs and cats pay no attention to city limits when they're wandering, rescuers cross state lines looking for help.
In this case, the dog is Abby, a 3- or 4-year-old boxer who is currently in the Caddo Animal Shelter in Shreveport, La. But, it is BoxAR Rescue -- Boxer Rescue of Arkansas -- that is reading out to try to save this dog.
Abby and her sister Haley came in as owner-releases. You can ask about Abby by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. The Arkansas group's website is HERE and you can see the boxers in need in shelters HERE.
SOME CARROLLTON NOTES: Isn't this a striking face? Looks like a work of art, right? Like maybe Picasso? Anyway, the cat's name is Pearl and she's a domestic longhair Calico who was picked up as a stray in Carrollton. Her clock is ticking at the Carrollton Animal Services shelter. The story on her? "This unique looking lady was found like most of our cats as a stray. She has 
a very laid back personality and likes to lay back and watch the all the people walk by and act like she isn't paying attention to them. But open her cage and offer her a hand she is all purrs..."
Also at the Carrollton shelter, there is this 11-year-old dog named Lady. She's under 15 pounds and is the victim of circumstances. The story? "Her person had passed away and no one in the family could see their way to take in this 
elderly lady. She is a very calm dog...She is gentle and looks towards the door each time she hears it open, hoping for her new family to come through."
Then there is Midnight, a 3-year Lab mix. The shelter report: "According to the person who released him, Midnight was a pillar of strength and a source of comfort when her husband passed away in late summer. Now she had to move into an apartment that would not allow him to enter. He is a sweet, gentle boy who so far has been a bit on the shy and timid side not understanding why he is here and where his people have gone to."
To ask about any of these Carrollton animals, call 972-466-3420, or e-mail [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS: Would you rather live in the mountains or the desert or Dallas? ... Favorite Best Picture winner? Casablanca, The Godfather (I or II), The Adventures of Ford Fairlane? Just kidding about that last one. ... American politics: Spectator sport or matter of life and death?
