We have many things to address today. So, let's move right along -- we've got rescue stories and adoption tales and a tip, too. And, the Carrollton Animal Services shelter has a Bassador -- or maybe a "Lassett," they say -- up for adoption. Read on:
A CAT'S STORY: Every now and then we run into a story that doesn't have a traditional happy ending, but it had such a long, happy, remarkable middle that it is a lesson to us all. Our pal Jonnie England has sent us the story of her cat Peeper and we have posted it on our Prayers & Passages pages (Click on the "button" to the right side of this column.)
The story of Peeper involves a "lucky" phone call and a good heart.
CAUGHT AND SAFE: Back on Feb. 4 we told of reliable tipster Christie Hansen's efforts to get a mangy ol' dawg to safety.
Things worked out. And that is the dog has been caught -- yep, off the streets of Dallas. Thanks to people from Fort Worth.
We got a note from Christie on Saturday. It reads: "I have great news about the black dog. He was captured today. The people that helped me catch him did it in 30 minutes! They have this 6-foot-by-6-foot enclosure they set up, put food in then they tie a rope to the door and hide and pull it closed once the dog is inside."
Because the dog was so tough to catch unless you had special equipment, a foster spot fell through. But, fortunately, the people from Paws and Claws Rescue in Fort Worth had a place for this mangy dog. And, Christie says, Paws and Claws "will be getting medical attention for him and also will foster him.... I am so relieved and excited for the dog. I can't wait to send you 'after' photos."
We'll be happy to post the "after" photos.
By the way, the dog is now named Diesel -- "The lot he lived on was a diesel repair shop," Christie explains.
Repairing mange is easy, but it costs money -- and if this dog has been out on the Dallas streets, lord knows what else might need "fixing" but I'm betting heartworms will be in the diagnosis. To help Paws and Claws Rescue, send a donation to Diesel at P.O. Box 121522, Fort Worth, Texas 76121.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE FACES: Oh, good grief, look at the face on that dog -- and the mug on that cat. Both of these critters are in the City of Carrollton Animal Shelter and both are facing the big needle. That's right. They're on death row.
(STOP THE CYBERPRESSES: As the noon hour approaches, we hear from Carrollton's Joe Skenesky that Paws In The City is taking Abigail and two other death row dogs this afternoon. "Now I just have to work on my cats that are in need.")
You may never see a dog like Abigail again. She's a year-old, 25-30 pound female Labrador Retriever/Basset Hound mix. Right now, her only known health issue, according to a note from the shelter is a slight case of kennel cough.
She's said to be very gentle, not aggressive toward other dogs, and is prone to "gently nudging your hand for a bit of attention."
They're referring to her as either a "Bassador" or a "Lassett."
That tough-looking character is Jackson the Cat. Tough? He "has some of the scars to prove it," the shelter says. "But he is a marshmallow on the inside."
To ask about adopting animals at Carrollton, call 972-466-3420 or e-mail [email protected]. The shelter is at 2727 Nimitz Lane in Carrollton.
And here's the deal: The adoption fee at Carrollton is a lousy TEN BUCKS. If the animal isn't fixed, you have to drop another $50 -- only FIFTY -- to pay for having that done at a local vet's office. If you live in Carrollton you have to pay a $5 city registration fee. So, tops, adopting a critter will cost you $65. A bargain in any town. And you get a story to tell at church and at cocktail parties or both.
A QUESTION ABOUT BARKING: One of our readers, Laurie Kline, asks, "Do you have any suggestions for curbing incessant barking? Our 8-month-old puppy seems to have a thing about the neighbor directly behind us. She barks at him incessantly, to the point where he’s complained to the city about it."
They've tried the water pistol method but they're not home all the time to squirt the dog. "I don’t want to put a shock collar on her, or crate her all day. Have you heard of any other humane ideas that might be helpful?"
Well, of course, when we were facing a serious barking problem, we turned to technology and used a thing called the Dazer. (Click HERE.) It's a hand-held sonic device that sort of gets a dog's attention without harming the little barker. You push the button and the dog pauses to ask, "What the heck was that?", looks around and starts to think about barking.
Better to have the dog pause during a barkfest than to have the city issue tickets or the neighbor file suit or a court order you to get rid of the dog. Besides, you can always reward the former barker with extra pets and hugs and a treat. (If you have an anti-barking idea, e-mail [email protected].)
I'm almost certain this sonic device doesn't affect humans, though, a time or two I've paused during a dramatic recitation of my side of a marital argument to think, "What the heck was that?" I'm almost certain my funspouse wouldn't turn the Dazer on me. Almost certain.
