Tuesday's collection...

Here we go with a Tuesday report that will not mention politics. That ought to encourage you to read on with a feeling of relief.

TWO YEARS: Well, goodness gracious, we hear that there's a bit of a celebration coming Sunday at the Second Chance SPCA, the little shelter that was established because, well, some hard-headed, good-hearted volunteers saw a need.

Second Chance is a no-kill adoption center that has manage to ring up more than 600 adoptions in its two-year history.

The big celebration is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the shelter, next to Doggie's Wonderland at 505 Alma Road, between the George Bush Expressway and the Plano Parkway. There'll be treats for dogs and humans, games for dogs and humans (including a dog/owner look-a-like contest), face painting for kids (our the young at heart, I guess), airbrush tattoos, prizes and giveaways.

You probably can also browse for a new friend -- like all shelters, this one always has some inventory hanging around. (For more info about the big party or the shelter, call 972 424-0077 or visit www.scspca.org.) Among the wards of the SC-SPCA is this 28-pound fellow, Murphy, a young Beagle/Cocker Spaniel mix. He's a long-eared dog with a good nose and a sense of fun, I'll bet.

AFTER THE PUPPIES: Last month we ran a series of stories about a series of adoptions -- Lynn and Tony Gatlin of Corsicana had taken on the task of fostering nine puppies found under an old house.

Anybody that'll foster nine puppies deserves a medal. But, they weren't the only patient folks in the Gatlin household. There are also a couple of patient cats. Judging from their photos, they appear to be in no rush to move on.

The orangish cat is Bevo and the lounging striped rascal with the white paws is Jack.

Lynn says she and Tony have been fostering them since May 2007. She says, "We've had so many other critters in and out of here since then that Jack and his brother, Bevo, haven't been fairly 'advertised' for lack of another term.  They're just so easy that we forget they're foster cats and not our own! But to make room for more homeless kitties in need of a temporary place to land, we know we must find forever homes for Jack and Bevo."

These guys will be a year old in early May. They're very social, very friendly and accustomed to being with each other. So, the ideal thing would be for them to go to the same home -- but that may not happen.

Bevo and Jack are lap cats, couch cats and bed cats. And, not that they've been spoiled, but their bedtime snack is "chicken-flavored baby food."

To offer to give these cats a home or homes, call 903-874-3722 or e-mail [email protected].

THE DOG NEEDS A HOME: You can just about figure that when you see photos of a dog as adorable as these pictures that there's a human situation involved.

Indeed, we get the story from Bonnie Bowman who, on behalf of a friend, is trying to find a home for Raider, a 70-pound dog who is out of a home. His human lost her business and had to move in with her mom, we're told. There was no room for 2-year-old Raider -- and Raider was on at least his second home, having been abandoned at a grooming shop a year ago.

Raider "needs to be an inside dog," Bonnie says. And she says he currently "hangs out in the backyard" and spends his nights in a kennel. Bonnie says, "He's incredible. He's just a big love." (And, as you can see in the photo to the right, Raider can "stand at attention" if needed.)

To ask about helping Raider, e-mail [email protected] or call  817-266-8569.

ASSORTED NOTES OF NEEDS AND INFO: Tina Hamilton who wrangles the Meals on Wheels Pet Program over near Cedar Creek Lake, has issued a call for "Ol' Roy Bones and Bits -- if possible Yellow Bag. Seems to be cost-efficient and liked by many seniors' pets." She might also need at food at some point. Check with her by e-mailing [email protected] or call 903-880-4124 or 214-789-0265 (cell). .... Shelters hustling for adoptors because of dramatic needs: Carrollton, White Settlement. You can Google 'em and see their PetFinder lists. ...Our horse rescue monitor, the tireless Jennifer Glick of Rowlett, tips us to a "well done video" about the plight of horses. It's on YouTube HERE.

REMINDER: They're still gathering participants for the first "adoption event" at The Marquis at West Village apartment homes in Dallas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 5. Camp Bow Wow and The Marquis are the co-sponsors -- The Marquis is at 3700 Cole Ave. in the Uptown/Knox-Henderson area. To see about getting your adoptables on display in this pet-friendly environment, contact Becky Delgado at 214-729-6330. You don't have to be a group, you can be an individual rescuer. Among the scheduled participants are Paws In The City, the Companion Animal Network and Dallas Animal Services.

CONTEMPLATIONS: When you work with the TV almost always on you hear things. For example, there's a noontime anchor on Channel 8 who can't say the word "distribute." Comes out something like "distri-BUTE." ... Do dogs sleep better in the autumn or in the spring? It's a toss-up at our house. ... Baseball season opened at 6 a.m. Dallas time Tuesday when the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A's played in Tokyo. Boston won, 6-5, in a 10-inning game. And, now Texas (with two other idle teams) is suddenly atop the American League West, having not played a game and with its opening game not coming until March 31. They finally found a way to be atop the division -- don't pitch. Be interesting to call the club's front office to see if the phone is answered, "Thank you for calling your first-place Texas Rangers."