Holy speedboats, captain. It's already the last day of April and we're not even half ready for May. But, let's press on in the interest of progress and we'll deal not only with animals and Wine on the 
Roof, but also with filmmaker Sharie Vance's efforts to spotlight a critical position in the rescue community. Read on:
PLANNING AHEAD: If you represent an animal group or someone who is involved in events for animals, pay attention: Urban Animal magazine, published each quarter, is preparing it's summer edition and needs your events for June, July and August (and beyond if possible). The deadline for submitting those events is MAY 12 but it would be nice if you were way ahead of the deadline.
Send the event notices to [email protected]. (If the message bounces back to you, keep trying. We work hard to keep the message list pruned each day so we can receive all messages sent our way. Sometimes the inflow overwhelms the inbox.) Remember, this is a free listing in the widely-distributed magazine.
HOLIDAY IN THE COLONY: Our reliable tipster in The Colony, Patricia Barrington, the director of the city's animal control division, sends us word that the Cinco de Mayo Low-Cost Vaccines and Pet Adopt-a-thon is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the shelter. "Rabies vaccines for a measly 5 bucks," Director Barrington notes. There are discounts on other vaccines, too.
The Colony Animal Shelter is at 4720 E. Lake Highlands in the suburb north of Dallas. You can tour the facility and see the animals during the Saturday event. The adoption fee is $20.
Among the animals in The Colony's shelter is this pup, Sadie, who is around 2 years old and weighs in at 35 pounds. "She's a shepherd, heeler, pit mix or something like that," Trish says. " She’s a low maintenance gal, with a short, shiny coat and a super attitude. Sadie knows all the important stuff; sit, stay, down, roll over, shake and all that jazz. She’s a great little dog. She’s submissive and super gentle with other dogs and people. Sadie is the all-around, all-American, good dog … but she’s not terribly distinctive, so she is easy to walk past and not notice, making her chances for adoption slim. But, her ordinary appearance is quickly compensated for by her extraordinary personality, once one takes a minute to meet her. This dog is a special."
That's Sadie laughing on the right or, as Trish wrote, "My Grandma, what big teeth you have!"
To ask about adopting Sadie the multi-breed, low-maintenance, happy-to-see you dog, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-370-9250.
LOOKING FOR FOSTERS: OK, what group isn't? But, we have heard from Gail Whelan at Companion Animal Network and the foster forces are being tested by such things as the Seagoville gravel pit dogs -- you may recall reading about that load of dumped dogs that was brought into custody. Some of them went to CAN, some went to an Oklahoma rescue group, Gail says. And -- surprise, surprise -- more dogs have been dumped. To offer to foster foundlings call Gail at 214-969-4831 or 214-808-3238 or e-mail [email protected].
SPEAKING OF FOSTERS: Marybelle Denton, our contact with the West Side Animal League in White Settlement reports that the city's shelter came into the week with 23 dogs and a dozen cats in a shelter that has a 12-dog, 12-cat capacity. The League will be helping with an adoption event at the shelter from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, but in the meantime, foster homes could help lower the pressure on this shelter where animals are "on the clock."
Among the animals currently under foster care for the shelter is big dog Copper and her 3 girls and 2 boys that she had Sunday morning in the shelter.
To offer to foster dogs, cats or anything else at the shelter, contact [email protected].
ROOF REMINDER: Our pals at the East Lake Pet Orphanage will host the annual Wine on the Roof benefit at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $55 early, $60 at the door. The event is held on the roof of the orphanage, which is the adoption wing of East Lake Veterinary Hospital. You can order tickets by clicking http://www.welovepets.net/elpo/ticket.html.
Also, go to www.welovepets.net and you can navigate to the adoptables page and also, by clicking on events, see a movie about Wine on The Roof. If you've got questions or want to donate to the cause or adopt a pup you've seen on-line, stop by East Lake at 10101 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas or call 214-349-ELPO.
THE SCARED DOG: People moved out of a house in the 8400 block of Greenmound Ave. in Dallas and left this scared dog behind.
Patti Henslee reports that after quite a bit of trying, the dog was caught -- it had been "very skittish" and nobody was "able to get close enough to see if it is a male or female."
Turned out she's a girl. A scared girl, but she's in custody now after spending some solitary time living in the weeds in a backyard where people used to feed her and care for her -- one hopes, but one doubts.
To offer to help this dog, e-mail [email protected].
AT THE MOVIES, SHARIE VANCE: Last year Sharie Vance got in touch with us at Readlarrypowell.com and said she was working on a film about shelter walkers. We put her in touch with a few renowned local walkers and she put together a film that'll touch your heart.
That film and two other productions by Sharie will be shown at the North Lake College Video Fest at 7 pm. Thursday. You'll see another Sharie film, No One To Blame, a music video Shake Down and her documentary Shelter Walkers. That shelter walker film can also be seen on Sharie's My Space spot. Click HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Is rest the best medicine for carpal tunnel discomfort? Or should a fellow learn to type with one hand or by using popsicle sticks taped to his nose -- you know, the duck and peck method. ... Having surfed the channels the past few evenings and found a number of low-rent reality shows, the question arises: Can TV sink any lower? I mean, geez, I'm no high-brow but, criminy, what a load of stuff that contributes nothing to the world. ... Recliners: necessity or luxury? Or is that too personal a question?
