In yesterday's opening paragraph I mentioned that it looked like rain, but it might not rain. Forget the might-not-rain part of the sentence. It rained on North Texas overnight.
Lots of thunder, lightning, wind and rain.
In the meantime, it continues to rain cats and dogs around here. We'll try to help them land softly. Here we go:
AT PERIL IN MESQUITE: Our longtime reliable tipster Christie Hansen spotted this crisis case at the Mesquite Animal Shelter. This English/American bulldog mix is on death row at the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
The dog's original name was "Monster," but, mercifully, he's now being called Morrie. And he looks more like a Morrie than a Monster.
Christie writes, "He's an owner surrender and appears to be a English/American Bulldog mix. The owners surrendered him because he jumped their 4-foot fence twice to get to two female dogs (probably in heat). He is not neutered.
"The lady at the shelter says she doesn't feel comfortable letting him go to rescue because of these circumstances. My feeling is you (1) get him neutered and (2) place him somewhere that has a taller fence and this probably won't happen again.
"She says he is very friendly and gets along well with the dogs at the shelter. So, I went by the shelter on the way home from work [Wednesday] to meet him and he is a doll. Very friendly, licked me all over. He can however, jump. He would need to be placed somewhere that has an fence taller than 4 feet. From a standing position, he jumped vertically probably 3 feet off the ground.
"I think this guy deserves a chance. He is scheduled to be euthanized by 3:30pm Thursday. I'm looking for a rescue group to take him. Don in bulldog rescue is willing to pay for his neuter and we will both do everything in our power to find a forever home for him. Can anyone help?"
To help this dog, e-mail Christie at [email protected].
(NOTE TO CUT-AND-PASTERS: Some well-meaning soul posted this Mesquite situation on Craigslist without an explanation at the top that it came from this website. First, that's rude. Secondly, it may not be legal. Remember, before you post copy from Readlarrypowell.com on another website, you must ask permission. It helps keep the universe in order. Thank you. larry)
THE ADORABLE PRAIRIE DOG IN DANGER: Well, not a real "prairie dog" exactly but a real dog 
with a real problem. Ladybug is a 2-year-old Rat Terrier but she is "living on borrowed time" at the Prairie Paws Adoption Center in Grand Prairie. She needs help from a rescue group -- she's in quarantine and we'll explain it shortly.
Renowned shelter walker Debbie Barclay reports, "Ladybug was to be euthanized, day before yesterday - but the ACO who called me, Sharon Fabrega, likes her so much and realizes what a great little dog she is, made a plea for her and Ladybug was taken from the table and given 24 hours. Well, nobody has stepped up for Ladybug; so now, Sharon has stashed her in her office! When she called me again I told her I would contact you, and make one last desperate attempt for Ladybug."
Surely there is someone in our readership who can help out a little dog.
How'd this cute dog wind up in the Prairie Paws Adoption Center? Debbie explains that her owner "had mental challenges, and was eventually committed.
"Ladybug grew up with a Pit Bull ‘brother’ and other dogs that were being bred --including Ladybug. The police got involved and requested that animal services go in and retrieve the dogs. All were a police hold for a while. Ladybug was adopted and was getting along great, until a minor skirmish with the new adopter’s previous dog over food. When the adopter went to break it up, Ladybug nipped her on the end of her finger. Ladybug was immediately contrite and apologetic. The lady didn’t want to, but knew she needed to report the exposure. Now Ladybug is back at the shelter and after being in quarantine is 'rescue only'."
So, to save Ladybug's life, get in touch with the Prairie Paws Adoption Center, 2222 W. Warrior Trail in Grand Prairie. The phone number is 972-237-8575 -- hit option 0 and ask for Sharon or Marcie.
PUPS & PEARLS PARADE TONIGHT: The Paws In The City Pups & Pearls Fashion Show Fundraiser starts at 7 tonight at the Starlight Room, 608 Munger in Dallas. Local models walking the runway with a dozen Paws In The City rescued animals -- that'll be something to see. Tickets are $20 at the door.
There'll also be a silent auction with more than $11,000 worth of items, champagne and wine will be 
provided and -- get this latest trend -- a "mac 'n' cheese martini bar." For me, it's one treat or the other, but, maybe some people like noodles with their vodka.
Now, this gives us an opportunity to mention that these two rotties from Dallas Animal Services, were pulled from the city shelter by Paws In The City and are now being prepped for adoption to good homes. We featured them on Readlarrypowell.com earlier in the week and they were among four dogs Paws took from the city shelter.
And that brings us to this, Paws In The City is looking for foster homes. Click on the group's website HERE to volunteer to foster.TWO ONLINE TIPS: The folks at Purina have decided to declare a single birthday for all animals whose actual birthdate is not known. Yep, Purina picked May 17 as the date to celebrate. Check it out at the Purina site HERE . ... Our vegetarian chef pal Jeanette Prasifka, who has catered many animal events in the area, has gone into the blogging business. You can read it at the Crosby Catering & Coffee website HERE.
OAK CLIFF DOG: This dog has been surviving with the help of humans in a neighborhood in Oak Cliff, near the DART tracks, just a short walk south of the Dallas Zoo. Liz Baer is trying to find help for the dog.
"I have been feeding this one particular dog for months now at an abandoned house ... and a wonderful woman ... Pat Rodriguez helped me pick the dog up. She provided him with probably the best night he has ever had, which consisted of food, shelter, soft blankets, a bath and more importantly, love," Liz writes.
But there was no room at either human's home -- each has two dogs already, says Liz.
So, this dog is at Dallas Animal Services "where he will be held until Friday," Liz says. "Is there anyone who has a spot for a dog where he can be nurtured back to health and given a second chance?
"He looks like he has some American Bulldog in him and he has some hair loss, arthritis, problems with his left eye and slow heavy breathing. I know that there are so many dogs that need help and so little homes but if there is any way that someone could save this guy, you have no idea how much it would mean to him. He has had a hard life on the streets and he has the saddest eyes you have ever seen. Yet, when he sees me coming, he is still able to wag his tail as if he knows that I am trying to save him."
To volunteer to help this guy, contact Liz at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 972-375-2026. You could also drop by the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center at I-30 and Westmoreland in West Dallas.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Some storm last night. The TV weathergeeks were so excited -- their machines really lit up! And, bless Channel 11, KTVT did its end-of-the-world report during the commercial break on David Letterman's show so we missed not one minute of the lackluster interview with driver Danica Patrick. Don't know what the other stations were doing at the time and I switched over to Frasier on a cable channel after that. ... Heartfelt note to the Texas Rangers, beaten by two touchdowns and an extra point by Detroit yesterday, 19-6. Try to live up to your own advertising spots: "You could use some baseball."
