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Financial crisis doesn't change needs...

Big week. Politics. Finances. Aren't we all wrapping ourselves in the comfort exuded from our elected officials in Washington.

So, since there's nothing we can influence there, let's move on:

TWO DOGS: The story of these two dogs arrived via Karen Westmoreland. According to her note, these two dogs were found by a police officer. They'd been dumped in a rural area "where there is a coyote problem -- apparently, and very sadly, on purpose."

Both dogs appear to have birth defects. Maya's front legs don't function properly -- the left front leg swing to the left when she walks and the right front foot is malformed. "This hasn't stopped her at all," Karen writes. "She has learned to hop that front leg forward and uses it for balance. She will tire and has learned to just lie down when she needs to..."

Koda's back legs are weak -- they're without deformities, but weak. The vet suggestion was to get him into a home where he could get some exercise and possibility build up his muscles.

A vet at a specialty clinic in Dallas wants to look at Maya again in about 10 months to see how much natural compensation may have occurred.

To ask about fostering these dogs or somehow helping them, call 817-367-3710 or e-mail [email protected].

BE ON THE LOOKOUT: This is one of those "sightings" where things didn't work out. Vicki Furstenberg, the veteran rescuer/foster, had delivered a dog to his new home in Red Oak on Sunday and was returning home when, she writes, "I saw a skinny male basset running along I-20 between Lancaster Road and Bonnie View. I stopped and so did another lady. We almost had him, but he was faster than us. (I didn't know those big dogs with such short legs could run so fast). This poor dog is scared to death and would not let us get near him. After an hour we gave up. The Dallas animal control was called several times about this dog. He likes to hang out under a small shade tree or under the overpass. I hope someone can get him before he gets hurt."

North Texas Basset Hound Rescue has been alerted. But this is going to take an individual effort, or team effort.

A HUMANE SOCIETY WITH A LOAD OF DOGS: And there may be more on the way. This dog Ruby, first mentioned last week, is pregnant. She was in the Collin County Animal Services Shelter and when nobody spoke up for her, the Collin County Humane Society took her on her "last" day.

She's giving indications that she's going to deliver at any time, so the Human Society is "going to do x-rays and possibly a sonogram -- very expensive," says our CCHS tipster DeDe Whitcombe who, also, is a shelter walker at Collin County Animal Services.

(These expenses are eating into the medical fund at the Human Society. You can see how to donate to Ruby and the other dogs by going HERE.

Among the other dogs are Yoda, a 6-month-old long-haired Chihuahua mix who knows how to curl up and slumber --he's only curling up a whopping 5 pounds. Then, there's Flower, a Great Pyr/Golden Retriever mix -- 10 months old and 50 pounds.

When you go to the Collin County Humane Society website HERE you'll see lots of unbelievably fetching dogs. Hard to believe such wonderful animals could be homeless.

ONCE UPON A TIME: Well, Sulphur Springs ACO Denise Stinson's note begins this tale with a most appropriate sentence. "I know this sounds crazy but it happened."

Look at these pups. Pretty darned cute, aren't they. Great coloring. Great faces.

"The mom is a Beagle/Terrier mix-- she looks like a Beagle and has the Beagle color. Did not have the Beagle ears. Did have the Beagle color and height."

Dad? Why, he's is a St. Bernard. Now you can see it, right?

The four female pups are 2 to 3 months old and "very sweet and loving," Denise writes. "Does anyone know of someone that might be looking for a pup like this?"

The pups are in the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter, city-operated shelter, therefore the clock is ticking on all the critters.

To ask about adopting any or all of these pups, e-mail [email protected] or call 903-348-3122.

You know how breeds have tendencies? A St. Bernard/Beagle mix -- a dog that'll rescue you from a snow bank, then bury you in the back yard and dig you up again just for fun.

A WANDERING DOG: Our tipster Sassy Davis sent us a note about a dog found Sunday.

The original appeal for help came from Andrea Davis who wrote about a Farmers Branch incident. "My neighbor's daughter showed up with this little Chihuahua yesterday. She found him wandering around our park. He is skinny to the bone, so has possibly been out wandering around for a while or has not been taken care of."

So, the effort is underway to try to help this little pup find a home, call 214-354-7798.

ASSORTED NOTES:

            --From our Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake tipster Sydney Busch we get a report that Martha Sawyers is needing some help. "I have a bunch of kittens here to good homes. They are gray and white or black and white. Some have tails, some don't. Two different litters. I'm trying to catch the wild male or female to get them fixed but no luck yet. I just got the kittens so they won't be wild." To offer to help with these kittens, call 214-738-0557 or e-mail [email protected].

            -- We're always getting notes with stories that claim to be true. And we check them out. Lisa Hendricks tipped us to this Xylitol thing and she'd already checked it out! Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in sugar-free gum. The story was that Xylitol can be fatal to dogs. Sure enough, that's what the fact checker-of-all-fact checkers, Snopes.com, reports. Click on www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp.

            --- The Texas Humane Legislation Network is growing and developing a "chapter" system. There'll be a chapter for North Texas, for the Panhandle Plains, for West Texas, etc. You can see all of these plans at www.thln.org. Interestingly, the North Texas "cities of focus" include DFW, Wichita Falls and Abilene, which, near as I can tell, believes itself to be in West Texas.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: Once again, we're going to attempt a roundup of weekend activities. It's not everything, but it's everything we know about. (Feel free to e-mail us with things we may have missed.).

            SATURDAY, OCT 4

            -- Animal Guardians of America hosts the first Black Dog Barkapalooza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PetsMart, 12100 Inwood Road, just north of Forest Lane. The event will feature 35 to 40 BBDs (Big Black Dogs) available for adoption. Also, a magician, face-painter, clown, popcorn, raffle, etc. The event attempts to spotlight the most overlooked dogs in shelters and rescue groups, the Big Black Dog. See www.animalguardians.com.

            -- Noted TV Critic and animal lover Ed Bark hosts Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban on the media hot seat at The Uncle Barky Show at 4 p.m. at Stratos Global Greek Taverna, 2907 W. Northwest Highway in Dallas. Admission is free. Fab Greek food and drinks specials all day. 

            -- Equest's 24th Annual Ridefest Community Fun Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Equest Riding Center, 3800 Troy Road, Wylie. Ridefest benefits children and adults with disabilities. Details are at www.equest.org. Call 972-412-1099.

            --Seventh annual Canine Classic Golf Tournament benefiting the Richardson Humane Society. Shotgun start at 2 p.m. at Eastern Hills Country Club in Garland. (See www.richardsonhumanesociety.org or call 972-234-5117.

            --Monthly SPCA Grief Counseling Program, 1 p.m. (first Saturday of each monthly) at SPCA offices, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas. Free. Call the Pet Grief Hotline at 214-461-5131.

            --The Ticket (Sportsradio 1310) hosts Barktoberfest 2008 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Woof Dog Park, Beach Street at I-30, in Fort Worth. Proceeds benefit the off-leash Fort Woof Dog Park and CLASP (Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets). Dollar donation at both entrances, 9 a.m. fun run, dog contests, demonstrations, vendors, caricatures, pictures, etc. See www.theticket.com.

            -- Lone Star Miniature Schnauzer's annual Schnauzer Roundup. Games, demonstrations, contests. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Paschal Park in Mesquite. See www.lonestarmsc.org.

            -- Collin County Humane Society's First Annual Golf Tournament, 4-man scramble, 10:30 a.m. tee time at L.B. Houston Golf Course (LBJ at Luna Road). Click HERE for registration info.

            SUNDAY, OCT. 5

            -- Second Annual AIDs Arms Inc. LifeBark Celebration, noon at Lee Park, 3400 Turtle Creek Blvd., in Dallas. Registration at noon with walk at 1 p.m. on 3.6 miles through Turtle Creek and Uptown.  Details at www.aidslifewalk.org.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Does exercise boost your morale? Or does it create a new addiction? Probably better for you than an addiction to apple fritters. ... Most prominent ex-Texas Ranger in the playoffs? Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Teixeira? Oh, many Rangers have made the post season -- just not as Rangers. ... Whatever happened to the concept "paperless office"?  OK, time to clean off the desk.

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Monday challenges...

In the spirit of full disclosure, we must confess that it is drowsy this morning in the Dallas office of Readlarrypowell.com.

Drowsy bordering on sleepy -- maybe draggy. Totally appropriate for a Monday morning after we spent the weekend worrying about our great fotune. Let's move on:

PENNY, AS PROMISED: On Friday we offered a "coming attraction" regarding a dog named Penny that had been rescued by Barb Oates and her colleagues with "Chicks & Mutts."

Here's the story from Barb: "The Miss Penny Project is a collaborative effort among myself and my three rescue partners. She landed in the Bedford Animal Shelter as a result of her scofflaw owner's unfortunate incarceration, and has since been released into our care."

Penny was spayed Friday and is up-to-date on her shots and heartworm prevention.

"She has not met a stranger and in fact has changed the heart and mind of at least one animal lover who just happened to be a little on the uneasy side around dogs like Penny (Don't believe the hype, we say!).

"After meeting Penny, this woman not only has become a true believer in the wonderful attributes of Penny and her kind, but she also went so far as to make a lovely donation toward Penny's care!  This girl's sphere of influence is widening.  Several Bedford police officers were also inspired to donate to the Penny Fund. Penny was tested with a somewhat reluctant kitty cat in the shelter, and she was interested in the cat, but not overly so.  She's about three years old and weighs 52 lbs."

You can ask about an audition to foster or adopt by e-mailing [email protected].

I'm not sure if she comes with her own boa. If you've got the right home, they'll probably throw in an entire formal wardrobe for Miss Penny.

THE SCHNAUZER TRADITION: The Annual Lone Star Miniature Schnauzer Club's Schnauzer Roundup is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Paschal Park in Mesquite, we are reminded by longtime tipster/Schnauzer supporter Evelyn Hoover. The Roundup offers raffles, demonstrations, contests and a "Canine Good Citizens Test." See www.lonestarmsc.org.

LAST MINUTE CALL: Ginger Leach, our hard-working tipster at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control sent us a note about two dogs and say, "I know this is last-minute, but can you please post these kids?"

These two dogs are "long-timers" at the shelter and you know what that means. The clock is ticking rapidly. They're available to anybody -- rescuers looking for a mission and people looking for a friend.

Brandy (right) is a 2-year-old Chow/Shepherd mix who is described as "super wonderful, friendly and gorgeous. ... She has a great temperament and is a very loving girl" and she's housebroken. She's also in the On Wings of Angels program which means half of her adoption fee has been paid (It'll cost $70 to save her life.)

Then, there is Brutus, a year-old Norfolk, Wirehair Terrier mix. "His only downfall," the report reads, "is we have we have been told is that he can climb a fence so he is not a dog that can be left outside unattended. He is such a happy fellow and just loves people. A true gem and great family dog."

To save these dogs, contact Ginger at [email protected] or call 817-392-3737.

THE UNEXPECTED TURN IN EVENTS: We've mentioned rescuer/fosterer Tina Hamilton here many times through the years and this morning we have another reason. We get this courtesy of our longtime tipster Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.

She says Tina, who lives in Gun Barrel City, "is having her yard (and, thus, her fence) torn up by the city to lay new sewer ... She needs foster homes for only one week for two small dogs and three medium dogs. They are house-trained, spayed/neutered, vaccinated."

To help Tina for a week, call 903-880-4124 or 214-789-0265.

FERAL CAT PROBLEM: Here's the new challenge for Terry Lynn Fisher, the hardworking shelter monitor in Burns Flat, Okla. Not only is she trying to find homes to protect dogs in the shelter, but now she's taken on the challenge of protecting feral cats in the little western Oklahoma town.

The photo shows just a few of the cats that live at a store on the main highway through Burns Flat. "There are about 80 or so, and many of them are tiny, tiny babies," says Terry Lynn. "There are dead ones every morning, run over by cars and there has been talk about people killing them.

"I have the support of the city officials to try and trap these poor innocent creatures."

And she's getting guidance from Oklahoma City's Forever Friends regarding trapping and relocating to a safer place.

"We need funds for the vetting. We need traps (We have a couple.) I am supposed to start feeding them in the same area t night, so they will come to that area when we get ready to trap them, so I need help with cat food."

And she needs volunteers to help her.

"This is going to be a huge deal," Terry Lynn writes as she asks for help. "I am lost here, but I just know I cannot sit back and do nothing about them."

To contact Terry Lynn, e-mail [email protected], call 580-330-1459 or write to Terry Lynn Fisher, P.O. Box 578, Burns Flat, Okla., 73624.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Ouch. Hate to lose to the Washington Redskins -- sensation left over from the old days of the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL has fined Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $25,000 for criticizing a referee -- that ought to wreck his empire. Will they be able to finish the stadium in Arlington? ... This is a theory based on unpleasant eyewitness experience: If you have a dog lost in the neighborhood or in the forest, play a recording of a cat trying to gack up a hairball. Seriously, nothing draws a crowd of dogs like that unpleasant sound. ... Point of discussion: There must be a lot of really smart guys in Washington.

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Taking a position on sleep...

Every now and then, as an insomniac, you'll see a picture of a sleeping critter and think, "Oh, man, I wish I could stretch out and doze like that."

That's why we've picked Betty Willliams' cat Tomi Girl to be the spotlighted napper in this weekend's edition of "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap."

Look at that full body-twisting stretch. That's a cat with handle on comfort. A grip on the reality of relax.

"Don't know if you can tell from the picture," Betty says, "But she is sleeping on her back with her head bent all the way back. Amazing how she can sleep this way."

Tomi Girl is an 8-month-old "kitten" who was adopted from Operation Kindness, the no-kill shelter in Carrollton. And you're about to see one of the benefits of volunteering at an animal shelter.

Here's Betty's explanation: "Tomi Girl was found by a contractor doing some work on a house in my neighborhood. She was a tiny kitten in the mud and scared of everyone.

"The neighbor called and asked me if I could take her to Operation Kindness, where I volunteer.  I picked her up and took her, but our intake coordinator called me the next day to see if I could come get her and take her home to socialize her (as she spit and hissed at everyone).

"Well, I did, but when it came time to take her back I had gotten too attached to her and ended up adopting her. As you can see from the picture, she is now TOTALLY relaxed."

Tomi Girl was found in December and will be a year old in mid-October, Betty says.

So, perhaps you wonder, "Is Tomi Girl an only cat?"

Nope.

"I have 3 other cats -- one male, 4 1/2 years old, 2 females about 10 or 11 years old. Tomi Girl drives the two older females nuts and she jumps all over them and wants to play. They don't like it. But my male will play with her for a while, then tells her to go away so he can rest.

"She is still somewhat scared of other people, but is doing much better ...  She follows me every place and sits on my lap when I am on the computer!"

Betty's oldest cat is Lucy, adopted as a kitten from Operation Kindness in 1997. Millie is a totally declawed cat "found as a stray by a young man that brought her to Operation Kindness about 4 years ago. I fostered her and ended up adopting her. My male is Rookie. He was rescued from Hurricane Ivan and brought to OK. I fostered him and once again, ended up adopting him."

Betty kids, "I have begged them not to let me foster again!"

(To nominate your slumbering dog, cat, muskrat, sandpiper, sloth or any other beastie for the spotlight in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send a photograph of the sleeper and info about the both of you to [email protected]. At Readlarrypowell.com, we insomniacs celebrate those who can sleep. We celebrate with envy. Pillow envy.)

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Stop the 100 dogs e-mail...

100 DOGS TO BE EUTHANIZED (WERE SAVED LAST WEEK): OK, now we've got this thing from Montgomery County that's going around -- been circulating like bad rash after a teenage romp in poison ivy.

The subject line reads "100 dogs to be euthanized in Conroe" and it was legit when it first appeared about two weeks ago. But the situation was almost immediately resolved -- happily resolved -- and the original sender, volunteer Maile Schuyler, a shelter volunteer, sent out a note to that effect.

But some people pay no attention to the good notes. They just go into a gasping blind state of "omigod" and they leap before they look, sending the out-of-date note to everyone on their "list."

Seriously, I understand erring on the side of caution. But, sometimes it just takes one e-mail or one short phone call to confirm facts. Just forwarding an out-of-date request can take away time and energy from efforts to save animals that really are in trouble.

Now, if you still want to help Montgomery County, there are animals there that need adoption. The shelter is linked through Petharbor.com but if you can navigate that bewildering layer-upon-layer of selections, good luck. The shelter is at 8535 State Highway 242 in Conroe. The number is 936-442-7738.

Call 281-465-0570 to confirm that the e-mail is out of date. And at that number you'll get instructions for negotiating the Petharbor maze. Like they said to the guy trying to run through a mine field, good luck.

And if you get the "100 dogs" e-mail, don't forward it. You'd think a fellow wouldn't have to say that, but, you know, some people....well, they just need direction.

Oh, yeah, feel free to copy this and forward it to everybody you sent that "100 dogs" e-mail to -- it would be the right thing to do. Be sure to mention www.readlarrypowell.com.

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As the weekend approaches...

The State Fair of Texas begins today and the Texas Rangers' season mercifully ends this weekend. Well, that's two upbeat things. We won't mention politics or financial wrangling -- it's more like financial wrestling. Not much wranglin' going on. Wranglin' would indicate a change in direction.

A REPORT ON THE BOXER BOY: Anybody who saw the initial photographs taken after this dog had been hit in the neck with a shotgun blast would have figured he was a goner. I couldn't even publish the photos -- just too ugly, even for me, and I used to be an ambulance attendant.

But, now, a week later, the folks at Legacy Boxer Rescue have sent these "after" photos of Magnum, formerly known as "Rocky."

Lots of people teamed to save this dog: Sharon Fabrega at Grand Prairie's Prairie Paws Adoption Center sounded the alarm, Vasha Howery and the folks at Legacy responded with lightning speed, and Dr. Robert Norris of the Bridge Street Animal Clinic applied his skills to stitching this dog back together. Astounding work.

The report from Legacy is that Magnum is recovering well, though he has encountered an unrelated infection. Hopefully, they say, he will be released today into the care of Legacy. And, at some point, this horribly wounded dog will be available for adoption.

Amazing.

COMING ATTRACTION: Oh, boy, this one's just about ready. Barb Oates and her "three rescue partners" (Let's call them Guerrilla Rescuers and sell t-shirts to benefit the cause) are working on "The Penny Project."

"Penny is a dog who is as sweet as they come. She is getting spayed today and we will be ready to begin foster or adoption auditions on Monday."

For now, that's all we're getting from The Penny Project. The rescuers just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that there's an extra special dog in the "pet pipeline."

You could get your name in the running early by e-mailing [email protected]. We'll hear more on Monday.

TWO THINGS FROM THE IRVING SHELTER: Irving Animal Shelter adoptions to the public, suspended briefly because of "several recent cases of distemper," have been resumed, we're told (as of Saturday afternoon Sept. 27.) In the meantime, the shelter not only has dogs and cats, but, Russell reports, there are a couple of young javalinas who have found their ways into custody. He's wondering if anyone with a Javalina Rescue could get in touch with the shelter and help out with the animals' care. (Call the Irving Animal Shelter at 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2251.)

LOOKING FOR HELP PLACING FERAL CATS: Our longtime, reliable tipster and cat-rescuer Cathie Desell has run into a "situation" in her neighborhood. Here is her story:

"I have been feeding some stray cats in my neighborhood for about 1 1/2 years -- I've trapped them all and taken them to KittiCo to get fixed, etc. Because a couple of nasty people have complained (and made a lot of false accusations) the Homeowners Association is now threatening to sue me to enforce the HOA Covenant that says you cannot have animals running free in the common areas, feed strays, etc. (I guess that means I cannot put up a bird feeder in the winter, too!)

"I have tried to find anyone who might know someone to take one or two, even as barn cats, with no luck. The kittens (about 1-year-old) are feral, although one lets me pet her and another one will sit and listen to me when I talk to him, but strict 'no touching' rules are enforced!

"Do you have any leads on any place where I could re-locate them to safety? I would be glad to make a donation to any organization and/or provide some food to get these guys started out in a new life. My only other alternative is to trap them and take them to the Irving city shelter, which will, of course, euthanize them. This really sucks. They are just plain gray and tan tabbies, nothing startlingly gorgeous about them but they deserve a life as much as any other creature.

"Thanks for letting me vent!"

If you have an idea regarding moving these cats and saving their lives, e-mail [email protected].

LUMPY: Well, goodness, he just looks like a happy guy. This is Lumpy, a bulldog mix who weighs about 50 pounds, according to the description sent to us by Maeleska Fletes of the Little Forest Hills Animal Alert.

Maeleska is working with a friend to get Lumpy a home -- he's not a Little Forest Hills Dog, but he's from Hollywood Heights and is a "Friend of Little Forest Hills Dog." Right now he's being boarded at a vet's kennel and is running up a bill. If he doesn't have a home or place to go by tomorrow, he'll be turned over to animal control.

The story on Lumpy is he barks at boy dogs and likes girl dogs but 'this could be because he is not neutered."

He is said to have "a very funny personality and is cute and wiggly" and walks well on a leash.

To help give Lumpy a break, call 214-334-5062.

JENNY THE ELEPHANT NEWS: The Dallas Stars have a pre-season match at American Airlines Center on Saturday and fans will be greeted by Concerned Citizens for Jenny supporters handing out leaflets urging them to support moving the elephant to a sanctuary rather than leaving her in solitary at the Dallas Zoo. Leafleting will occur between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

And, while many people are sending pro-Jenny letters to city officials (See www.concernedcitizensforjenny.net) there is a movement to send cards and letters straight to Jenny at the zoo. The address: Jenny The Elephant, Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas, 75203.

WEEKEND EVENTS: The Friends of the Tri City Animal Shelter, the SPCA, the State Fair of Texas -- they all have things this weekend. Many other people do, too, so we'll list as many as we have heard about. Here goes:

            SEPT. 26-OCT. 19: The State Fair of Texas (www.bigtex.com) will offer many things to many people and will have a display of adoptable Dallas Animal Services critters every day except for Oct. 11 -- that's right, the city won't expose animals to the rigors of Texas-OU day at the fair.

            SEPT. 27: Friends of the Tri City Animal Shelter will be among the participants at Bark in the Park -- the event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- at Lakeside Park, 515 Hill City Drive, in Duncanville. The Friends will be selling photo greeting cards featuring pets from the Tri City Shelter. (It's at 1150 E. Pleasant Run Road in Cedar Hill and serves Duncanville, Cedar Hill and DeSoto.)

            -- The 2008 SPCA of Texas Fur Ball "Disco For The Dogs" at 7 p.m. at Hilton Anatole Dallas Grand Ballroom, 2201 Stemmons, Dallas. Features All Funk Radio Show and comedy by Dave Little. Cocktail or '70s attire -- disco, you know. Tickets $150. See www.discoforthedogs.org.

            -- Lepidopterist Dale Clark leads a Butterfly Walk from 10 a.m. to 11 .am. Saturday at Twelve Hills Nature Center in Oak Cliff. (The center is regarded as a "hot spot" for viewing butterflies (See www.dallasbutterflies.com). To RSVP for the walk, e-mail [email protected] or call 214-941-6069. Directions and roadmap HERE.

            --The DFW Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club hosts Responsible Dog Ownership Day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Curtis Park, 3500 Lovers Lane, Dallas. Sponsored by the American Kennel Club and open to the public. For details email [email protected] or visit www.dfwckcsc.com (link wasn't working ealier today).

            --Lewisville Western Day featuring rescue groups in the Tailwaggers Ranch area, music by the Eli Young Band; the Fourth Annual World Tamale Eating Championship (for humans only). Western Day Parade is at 3 p.m. with animal groups participating. (See www.cityoflewisville.com.)

            -- The 9th Annual Citizens of Azle Saving Animals Weiner Dog Derby. Info HERE. Racing begins at 9:30 a.m. The Derby is now part of the Azle Sting Fling which replaces the Jumpin' Jack Jamboree. Sting info is HERE and there we learn that the Azle Sting Fling replaces the Jumpin' Jack Jamboree. (Can anyone explain "Sting Fling"? Ah, is it an homage to the Azle High Hornets?)

CONTEMPLATIONS: Does watching Cable TV news all day make you nuttier or more informed? ... It's an all purpose greeting. Traditional salutation and farewell at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington: "Wait 'til next year." ... Which would you rather be today, a member of Congress trying to save the nation from greedy villains or a member of the Dallas schoolboard trying to decide if you ought to layoff a couple of hundred teachers to "fix" an administrative foul-up? Geez, school is well underway -- will you bring in counselors to explain why Miss Johnson isn't in class any more? Early life lesson in trust for the students, right?

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PM edition: critters & crises

Here's our afternoon edition. We hope you took time to read about the puppies posted this morning. Please scroll down if you haven't. In the meantime, here are some situations and updates.

The photo?

Why, as longtime readers know, each year I plant a pumpkin patch in my front yard. In the past it has always turned out to be either a pumpkin plant patch or, indeed, a "pumpkin patch" -- not a pumpkins patch. Just one pumpkin.

And, as Hammy and I surveyed our agricultural masterpiece at noon, we discovered that so far we have just ONE pumpkin in the patch. More may develop. But if not, we're just as proud of this little fellow as if he was an Atlantic Giant so big that he'd threaten the axles on the truck used to move him.

Now, a cornucopia of critters, etc.:

THIS JUST IN: Patricia Barrington, Animal Control Division Manager for The Colony, reports that the city shelter has a "bottle baby" who needs some individual attention. This is the little guy. "He's a lover. We call him Freddie. He's about 2 weeks old. And it simply isn't feasible for us to raise him properly at the shelter. We just can't make all the time to keep him on schedule."

To help The Colony help this little guy, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-370-9250.

CAT CRISIS: Our sources with the Irving Animal Shelter report that there are 10 cats that came into the Irving Animal shelter because "their owner left them at the front door of a business. She stated she could no longer care for them." This handsome rascal is one of them. You can see them all HERE. They're between 4 and 6 years old.

This guy doesn't have a name but he is regarded as "very friendly." They are on the put-to-sleep list for today. The shelter is at 100 N. Briery Road in Irving. Call 972-721-2256.

IN MARSHALL: Animal Control Officer Eva Sepulvado and the folks at the Marshall Animal Shelter  are working to find homes for lots and lots of animals.

As I was looking at the photographs, I realized that three of them, Cooper, Tucker and Momms, have ears that are symbolic for takeoff.

You've got flaps down, flaps ready and soaring.  These are young Jack Russells.

And there is Lisa Marie, the young pointer mix, with the "sweet little face" who has long droopy ears and looks kind of like she's just given the OK for takeoff to her three shelter pals.

Marshall is about 2 hours east of Dallas on I-20. As many surrendered and stray animals as it has, you'd think it was a lot closer to Dallas, the Empire of Unwanted Animals.

IN SEAGOVILLE: Our tipster Deborah Trevino reports that the smallish Seagoville Animal Shelter currently has three Dachshunds and a "hyper Shepherd mix pup." The adoption fee is just $16. The shelter is at 133 E. Mallow Bridge Road. Phone 972-287-6830.

CATCHING UP: Reports from the Johnson County Humane Society are encouraging about Hope, the dog dropped from the balcony and deposited at the Prairie Paws Adoption Center in Grand Prairie last week. PayPal donations for Hope's care nudged toward $200 and you can still give by going to the society's site HERE. You can also use snail mail: Hope c/o Johnson County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1991, Cleburne, Texas, 76033. Hope continues to recover from the head injury -- she still turns to one side when walking, but, as a layman with not one hour of veterinary study, I'm wondering if this is happening because of detached retinas and her vision is so "off" that it is confusing her and she is walking in the only direction she can see. We'll wait to hear before we send the Humane Society a bill for consulting. ... Reports from Legacy Boxer Rescue are that Magnum, the boxer formerly known as Rocky who was hit in the neck by a shotgun blast last week, is recovering nicely, if expensively. You can see how to donate to Magnum's cause by going to www.savetheboxers.com.

FORT WORTH DOGS: We got this one passed along to us overnight. There are several older, long-time residents of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control who are facing a bad thing if nobody comes to get them.

Among the dogs is this handsome 7-year-old neutered Collie/Retriever mix named Scooter.

Hardworking Ginger Leach of FWACC says that Scooter is available through the "On Wings of Angels" program -- that means his full adoption fee has been paid, he just needs a home.

Email [email protected]. You can see these animals by clicking HERE.

BURNS FLATS CATS: That sounds like the name of a rock group, but, in reality it's the way things are going these days. Our hardworking shelter monitor in the little western Oklahoma town Burns Flat, Terry Lynn Fisher, is trying to help cats from two different litters.

One batch was found at her son's work; another batch turned up last night after their mom was hit by a car and the guy who had them brought them over to Terry Lynn.

the good news is, Terry Lynn says, "a rescue in Evergreen, Colo., has offered to take these babies, but I have no way to get them there fast."

But she's looking and maybe someone in the reading audience is driving from Texas to Colorado (not like that never happens!) and will have time to swing by Burns Flat and pick up a load of cats. E-mail Terry Lynn at [email protected] or call 580-330-1459.

FROM COLLIN COUNTY: Our Collin County Animal Services shelter walker/tipster DeDe Whitcombe has spotted some dogs that are ripe for rescue in the McKinney shelter.

"This girl is maybe 2-3 years old, covered in fleas and ticks the size of my toes!" DeDe wrote. We don't know how big Dede's toes are, but, if a tick is half the size of the little piggy that went to market, it's a big tick.

Of course, this is the sort of thing that makes a dog vulnerable to diseases, anemia, etc.

"She is very small, maybe 30 pounds, and pregnant. She is absolutely terrified at the shelter and of people. As scared as she was, she allowed me to pet her, feel around on her stomach, check her teeth and treat her for fleas and ticks. She will be having puppies very soon....She has had numerous litters as well, it looks like. ... She is so precious and has stolen my heart." And this small husky mix is "all white with blue eyes," says DeDe. "As soon as she sees you, she starts talking and does not stop. Make no mistake -- she is not barking! She is really talking

(Rescuers can call the shelter at 972-547-7296 or e-mail [email protected].)

AFTERNOON CONTEMPLATIONS: Regarding today's financial goings on and listening to all these congressmen, I wonder if I'd really be scared if I had studied economics in junior college? If I were in a position to lose a LOT of money, that would be one thing, but I'm neither an heir to a family fortune nor a mortgage banker without a conscience. ... Which is better for the economy: overeating or exercising? ... Altogether now, let's wish for a happy Friday -- after all, it's opening day for the State Fair of Texas.  

Puppies, more puppies & angels...

Remember that e-mail about the nine puppies that were going to be thrown into the Trinity River? The e-mail everyone's been sending around in a viral swirl?

There is a new message today on Diana Phillips' phone but it's still a message about puppies. This is a good story, as we used to say in the newspaper business. (Those are two of the puppies in her original e-mail.)

Diana called us this morning. She's the person who posted the original note on My Space and sent around just a couple of e-mails when her husband took 9 puppies away from a clown who was going to toss them into the Trinity River.

The response to her e-mail was an avalanche of phone calls. In just a few hours on one day she had 220 "missed calls" on her cell phone. She says she couldn't return calls because every time she started to dial, the phone rang again.

She's been inundated, swamped, overwhelmed, staggered by the number of calls regarding the 9 puppies. And they've all been adopted for several days now.

MORE TO THE STORY: Diana is a former volunteer with Operation Kindness and now volunteers with Flower Mound Humane Society nearer her home. She says the huge response to her plea for help "actually restored my faith in humanity. I was so angry about that man. Obviously his dog's not fixed, which drives me crazy. Of course, this is something that happens every day...."

What made this day different was based, oddly, on a routine.

For 16 years, Diana's husband, Ron, of Fleet Services in Irving, has stopped at the same store at Harry Hines and Loop 12 every day to get a cold drink. There's a homeless Vietnam veteran who hangs out there, Diana says. Ron, who was in the Army, has a soft spot for veterans and talks to the guy now and then.

Last Thursday, Ron stopped and the homeless guy asked him if he wanted a puppy. Ron said the family already had 3 cats and 2 dogs and went in to "get his Gatorade," Diana says. When he came out, the vet asked, "Are you sure?" and told him that a guy was about to throw a litter of puppies into the nearby river.

"Who goes to the liquor store to get rid of puppies?" Diana asks

Well, this guy did, she says. And when that failed, he walked off toward the river. Ron caught up with him and asked what he was doing and the man said, "I put them in the water and go home."

Ron got the puppies. And that's how the big e-mail explosion began.

He called Diana on the way home. And as their son Justin pointed out, they not only got the puppies, but they got a new laundry basket, too, because Ron bought one to carry the pups in. "I'm lucky my husband is the kind of guy he is," Diana says.

She say that "Ron gave the veteran $20 and thanked him for telling him about the puppies. He didn't give anything to the guy who was going to throw the puppies in the river. It's a wonder Ron didn't throw the guy into the river."

THE PUBLIC REACTION: People really responded to her e-mail and by Friday afternoon, six people were lined up to come visit the puppies. Hundreds of other calls had come in.

Diana says their daughter, Michelle Hackney, a Realtor with William Davis Realty in Dallas, took one of the pups and named him Baxter (that's Baxter sacked out in the door of his kennel). And their son, Justin, decided to take the appropriately named Rio. (More on that in a minute, but that's Rio playing with the big dogs.)

Other people -- folks from friends' offices, acquaintances, etc. -- took the rest of these threatened puppies.

And the phone keeps ringing. She's been called by many rescue groups and shelters and by "people from Minnesota and Pennsylvania....It started ringing at 7:30 this morning," she told me today.

HELPING MORE PUPPIES: As long as people were going to keep calling, Diana decided earlier this week to put her greeting to good use. One of the callers she'd talked to had been asking for help in placing 9 Great Pyrenees-mix puppies a momma dog had birthed beneath her dad's front porch in East Texas. The woman, Carla, didn't know where to turn. So she contacted Diana.

"I changed my message ... to say that my puppies have been rescued, but we have another 9 puppies that need homes," Diana says. As long as people were calling, she figured they might still be willing to help some puppies. When you call Diana's number (214-686-0832) you'll hear Diana tell you that her puppy situation has been solved, but there are plenty more puppies that need help, including the 9 Pyr-mixes and she says to help that batch, call "Carla" at 972-633-9412.

THE WAY THINGS WORKED OUT: Now, to wrap-up the story on the original nine, we know that Michelle has Baxter. But what about Rio? Well, Justin and Rio live with Ron and Diana. Yep, one of the puppies is staying with the rescuer.

Rio has two big dogs to play with now: Sachi, a Shiba Inu/Husky mix adopted from the Denton Humane Society, and Maulie, who looks like Sachi and was adopted when Diane saw her while volunteering at an Operation Kindness adoption event. Maulie is "Hawaiian for 'calm,'" says Diana. "She was so calm when I got her. She's not calm now. She tricked me."

The cats, like the dogs, are all rescues: Chessie, a Maine Coon, and Baby Baby, a grey and white cat, and that big fellow in the photograph.

Diane says he's a "big ol' orange and white cat who totally thinks he's a human." He came into the family as a tiny, tiny kitten. A worker at Ron's Fleet Service shop found the tiny cat under a truck 8 years ago. He put it in a bucket and was going to throw it into a trash bin. Ron took the kitten home -- it's eyes hadn't opened and it had to be fed with a syringe. Obviously he thrived under the care of the Phillips household.

The huge cat is now known as -- no kidding -- Itty Bitty.

And that's the story of the threatened puppies, the new batch of needy puppies, the people who helped them and, of course, the supporting cast of cats.

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Squirrels, weather, dining, Bonnie...

OK, now that I've taken care of the "throwing the puppies into the Trinity" e-mail (see earlier post today), we'll get into our more traditional reports with the exception of one squirrelly story from the SPCA of Texas.

Here's today's cornucopia of critter tales:

BOTTLE BABIES: Arriving at the SPCA of Texas's McKinney facility today, somewhere between 175 and 200 "rescued unweaned baby squirrels" who survived Hurricane Ike.

A news release from the SPCA's Maura Davies says the squirrels will become wards of WildCare Foundation of Noble, Okla.

When they arrive in McKinney, the babies will be bottle-fed by 10 volunteers from local state-licensed wildlife rehab groups. Then they'll be sent on their way. (The photo is courtesy of the Houston SPCA.)

Just FYI: Earlier this week, the SPCA took in another 175 or so squirrels from Houston. I'm sensing a cunning ploy on the part of the Bayou City. The next time we drive into Houston the city limits sign will read "Welcome to Houston. America's Squirrel-Free City."

OK, I like squirrels. Like to watch them. I think our Dallas squirrels are fluffier right now than I've ever seen. I like to think of the squirrels as "God's Weather Rodent." The fluffiness is an indicator of upcoming wintry weather. And, to back up this prediction,  there's this forecast from The Old Farmer's Almanac: "above normal snowfall from the Alamo to the Metroplex."

NIBBLING FOR BOXERS: Oh, you can do more than nibble. You can really dive in -- no calories when you're eating for charity, you know. In this case you'll be dining for boxers between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Sweet Tomatoes in Addison this evening.  Legacy Boxer Rescue will get 30 percent of dinner sales. You've got to do two things to have the money go to the boxer group: Purchase a beverage and present the official flyer: Click HERE and you'll get a printable version. Remember, these funds will go to help Legacy care for such dogs as Magnum, the dog that was shot earlier this week and Legacy stepped up to take the injured dog.

VOTING FOR A FAVORITE SHELTER: The folks at Care2 are sponsoring America's Favorite Animal Shelter contest and there's a chance for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win $10,000. That'll neuter a lot of critters. Click HERE to vote. We know about this because we've gotten e-mails about it from Legacy Boxer Rescue and from Forever Friends (based in two cities in Oklahoma -- click HERE. ) Lots of shelters have been nominated.

Every shelter deserves at least ten grand, so, if you know someone with that much laying around the house, remind them that animals can put it to good use.

CONTEMPLATION: The Bonnie Hunt Show is fun -- 11 a.m. weekdays on Channel 5. Watching it as this is being typed. The great Don Lake is her sidekick. ... Would have gone to the last Texas Rangers home game today but I'm still sore about (a) getting rid of Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez years ago and (b) the lousy pitching year after year after year. Plus, why give this franchise more money if they're not going to spend it on pitching. ... I'm buying a Lotto Texas ticket this afternoon. A former colleague at The Big Paper in Dallas once gave me his definition of a "Poor Man's 401K": A six-pack and a lottery ticket. Turned out to be less "punchline" and more "prophesy."

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Viral puppy e-mail...Stop it.

OK, let's lay off forwarding the e-mail about the nine puppies that were going to be thrown into the Trinity River in Dallas.

You may have gotten one or more copies of this e-mail from well-meaning "forwarders." This thing has gone viral.

And, when you call the number of Diana Phillips -- the name and number on the original e-mail request -- you get a recording that says she is "happy to say all nine have found good homes."

As near as I can tell, this is record time for placement of nine puppies. Less than 24 hours. Perhaps it's time we hire this person to run area shelters and keep them empty. (Note to Diana: I've left to messages explaining I'd like to check the basics on this story. Please e-mail me or call me or send a carrier pigeon. I'm just a reporter and you're not running for office -- it'll be an easy interview.)

So, yeah, I'm wondering if it's a true puppy story. Too many questions, you know? These are pictures that accompanied the e-mail. They are (a) photos of puppies and (b) attached to that e-mail, but, as you may see, that is all we know for sure.  (Years ago I traced one of these things from Dallas to an office in California. Read about it on Snopes.com HERE This is why I'm skeptical.)

If you haven't gotten the e-mail, it's signed by "Diana Phillips" and reads, "Yesterday my husband stopped at a store over off Loop 12 to get something to drink. An old man approached him and asked him if he wanted a puppy. Since we already have 3 cats and 2 dogs, he said no.

"Well, the old man proceeded to tell Ron that the man who had the puppies had been out there trying to get rid of them and since no one would take them he was on his way to the Trinity River to throw them in and go home!

"Well, Ron headed the man off about half way to the river and brought home all NINE puppies in a laundry basket! They are now in our bathtub! I am so thankful that Ron came along when he did. I hate to think what would have happened to these adorable puppies had he not!

"PLEASE, if you or anyone you know can give one a GOOD home, let me know. They are about 6 weeks old and look like maybe a Boxer/Shepherd mix."

That's the e-mail going around. Here's the phone number: 214-686-0832. Call for yourself and listen to the alleged Diana's message. Judging from the forwarded e-mails, only 1 in 10 people bothers to call the number to check to see if the situation has been resolved. "The Madcap Forwarders" simply read the story, gasp appropriately and hit the "forward" button. Who can blame them? It's an emotional tale.

So, consider this an effort to head off more needless e-mailing so people can be free to focus on real crises. You may, however, copy this entire passage and forward it to the people to whom you sent a copy of the puppy e-mail. That would be the kind and decent thing to do and it would free those people up to worry about animals that really do need help.

In the meantime, I will continue to try to reach the alleged Diana in an attempt to find out if (a) the story of the puppies is true, (b) if she actually knew 9 people who would take a puppy (c) if any of this is real or just some kind of odd prank.

As for those of you who "forward blindly," thank you for the effort, but every now and then if time permits, please check things out first. It's the right thing to do. Truth always trumps convenience.

Oh, yeah, and some of you have forwarded that puppy note WITHOUT including a phone number or e-mail address of the person who needs help. How good is a request for help without a phone number or e-mail address or any way to contact the person who is crying out for help?

Bless your hearts, you tender people, and keep working hard for animals. Work smart.

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Be on the lookout: Samson

HURRICANE REFUGEE MISSING: Samson, the 6-year-old black Lab in this photo, has been missing in the Las Colinas area of Irving since Sept. 14.

Clay and Alejandra Abbott had moved Samson out of Ike's path to a relative's home in Irving and the rascal bolted from the backyard in a neighborhood near the Las Colinas Country Club.

"It's been really hard being home without him," writes Alejandra. "The kids miss him very much."

He weighs 85 pounds and has no dew claws. He's also not neutered. He's "very friendly, active and loves to play with a ball or a stick."

A number of people are monitoring shelters for the guy -- after all, in the Dallas area the arrival of a big black dog at a shelter is nothing unusual, so the family needs extra eyes looking for Samson.

If you know the whereabouts of this dog, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] or call 936-788-3965.

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