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One moment....

Well, of course, here at Readlarrypowell.com we are enamored of any "moment of cuteness."

That is the phrase Wendy Pfau used when sending this photo to our tipster and longtime rescue supporter Cathie Desell.

The "moment of cuteness" is the reason we've chosen Katie and her human, Sierra, to be in the spotlight of this weekend's Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Napping Cats Nap. And, if we had to guess, we'd figure that this pair started out watching TV together and one of them is still watching while the other was completely zonked until someone snuck up with a camera.

Cathie wrote, "Here is a cute entry for 'sleeping critters' although I am not sure Sierra qualifies as a critter! She is the cute 51/2-year-old enjoying a restful moment with Katie, the family's 2-year-old Chocolate Lab.

"Sierra Merritt is (one of) my sister's granddaughters and lives with her older sister and parents in Clovis, N.M. Both parents are in the service and have lived in such diverse places as Alaska, Florida and now New Mexico. Alan, the dad, has also served in Afghanistan."

And, there you have it, a "moment of cuteness." I'll bet it's not the only moment with this pair. They look like their pretty tight pals, don't they? We're proud to show off a "moment of cuteness" that demonstrates how little girls and big ol' dawgs can be the best of friends.

(To nominate your sleeping critters and kids or critters and other critters, or critters and you, send the photo or photos and information to [email protected] . At Readlarrypowell.com, we celebrate people and critters who are familiar with sleep because it is a stranger to us. Insomniacs -- we're sleep-deprived but never to drowsy to suddenly be completely awake.)

Things on a Friday...

It is Friday and there is no time to waste.

Cold weather is coming and warm hearts are needed. Read on:

THE CRISIS WITH TYLER: We've been monitoring the case of young Great Dane/Lab mix Tyler for the past few days. He was -- and is --  on the euthanasia list at the Irving Animal Shelter.

As of this morning, we're told by shelter monitors, he's still on that list -- he's gotten two days worth of reprieves, but that's about it. Sometime this evening, if no one steps up for him, he'll be led away from his kennel and that'll be it.

His only crime? Being a stray. Biggest mark against him? He's a big black dog in a world that wants little and cute.

He's a 70-pound dog. He had no collar, no chip. He's in the Irving Animal Services shelter at 100 N. Briery. Call 972-721-2256. He's available to rescue groups or individuals.

EYEWITNESS: One of our veteran tipsters Timi Hazle happened to be near Arlington's main library earlier this week when she saw an animal control officer loading up a Lab mix stray. Upset at the gloomy prospect, Timi  contacted us about this little dog and got in touch with veteran rescuer Dianne Watson..

And the pup, now called "Maggie", will be come available for adoption after 5 p.m. today, Dianne says.

Maggie appears to be a Lab mix with a little Border Collie in the family tree. She'll probably be a medium-sized dog, Dianne says. (Maggie is ID# 7233511.) The shelter is at 1000 SE. Green Oaks Blvd and the phone number is 817-459-5898.

THE DUNCAN REPORT: You may recall that at Valentine's we asked readers to help raise money to support hip dysplaysia surgery for Duncan, a big, young Irish wolfhound-type dog at Straydog, Inc., the sanctuary near Gun Barrel City.

Duncan's first surgery was yesterday, and as Straydog's Juana Arnold reports, "Duncan's surgery went good. It was a complicated surgery, doctor said, but everything went well. It was around 5 pm, when they got thru with this surgery.... Duncan was sound asleep with the morphine that they gave him. Right now (just after 10 a.m.)  we are on our way to pick him up and bring him back home."

We reported earlier that people who posted Valentines on our Sweethearts page had raised $1,470.

And, Straydog's Bill Arnold tells us that in addition to the cash, one person donated a 1996 Dodge Avenger to the cause.

And, we can tell you that the auto donor for Duncan is Susan Strough, the owner of Canines First, a behavior modification and obedience training service. (See www.caninesfirst.com.)

A friend of ours who tipped us to this donation (we had to sort of kindly beg Susan to ID herself), reports that Susan "accepts dogs that other trainers turn away and it's a beautiful thing to see a once unhappy owner and dog become a confident and happy partnership."

Be sure to visit www.straydog.org and read about the work that sanctuary does.

TEDDY FINDS A HOME: A couple of days ago we ran a picture of a poster for Teddy, a 12-year-old cattle dog who was in need of a home because his mistress had been placed in assisted living. Laverne McCall, who has been helping the family, called this morning to tell us that Teddy has found a home with a man who has property to romp on and also has a couple of other older cattle dogs. Laverne was elated that Teddy is going to a home that loves dogs and, especially, cattle dogs.

BISCUIT NEEDS A HOME: This is a bit of a tragic -- but all too common -- situation. When this cats people left their apartment last summer, they left behind Biscuit the cat, reports A Different Breed's Joni McConnell.

Biscuit is FIV positive and has been living outdoors, a combination one can describe only as "wrong."

So, Biscuit, pictured here where she sleeps each night in front of an apartment door, needs a good indoor home to extend her life and to keep her from spreading FIV to other cats. To help Biscuit, e-mail [email protected].

TODAY'S EARHOUND: Usually we feature a dog with enormous or floppy or mixed directional ears. Not today. This time we're featuring Eddie, a Pit Bull in the Human Animal Rescue Team of Texas program.

HART's Patty Sprong sent us this photo and wrote, "As  you can see, some idiot cut his ears to make him look mean. Truth is that he’s 75 pounds of love and kisses. He’s currently being boarded because he could get over his foster’s 5-foot fence, and he continually did so. Poor Eddie, when he’s out roaming, people freak out and call the authorities! I guess I would too if I saw him running towards me.

"Eddie has a lot of energy and would be too much for both small children and small dogs. He definitely doesn’t need a home with cats. He could use some obedience lessons, but mainly just needs someone to show him love and attention. Please have anyone who knows a qualified Pit owner contact HART at www.hartoftexas.org, or email me at [email protected]."

There you have it. Eddie and his ears.

A ROADSIDE DOG NEEDS A HOME: What we have here is a dog named Travers. And the story involves a guy who is most often connected to the legal side of animal issues, but has made a practice out of being a hands-on rescuer.

In this case, Skip Trimble reports that he "rescued this little dog on Interstate 20 this past weekend. He is very, very sweet and I need to find him a good home."

Travers is about 8 months old, a Lab mix, has all his shots, is neutered and in good health.

To ask about giving Travers a home, call 214-855-2960 or e-mail [email protected] .

A COUPLE OF PUPS: Of course, they need homes. And the story is a typical tale. Pregnant mom shows up in the neighborhood, kindhearted soul feeds the mom and mom gives birth.

This all happened around Christmas in a neighborhood in North Plano, reports Debra Gray, who is helping her neighbor place the pups.

One of these pups is a boy and the other isn't. But they are both sweet, reports Debra. The mom isn't available for adoption, but the puppies are. (To audition to adopt one or both of the puppies, call 972-786-1207 or e-mail [email protected].)

CONTEMPLATIONS: I was going to do some serious contemplating, but, you know, it's Friday and I'd just as soon reach the weekend with a smile on my face. Heck, to avoid seeing something that'll make me frown, I may not even look in a mirror today.

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Updates and more...

It's a Thursday and probably too early in the 21st Century to check and see if civilization has made progress. So, we'll just keep plugging along and try not to think about the hotelier's response in this next item..

THE CAT QUESTION:The cellist Emily Wright has come across an interesting and disturbing situation at an inn in Arlington's entertainment district. (And this is the photo of Emily is the first of a cellist we've run on Readlarrypowell.com.)

She reports, "There are 3 cats (allegedly feral, but two of them let me give them pats and scratches) that they [the inn]  are trying to trap and have killed. I'm wondering if there's anything we can do. My blood sort of boiled when she [a hotel employee] said that hotel guests were upset because they are black cats, hence unlucky. I couldn't bite my tongue and I reminded her that stupid people are unlucky, not cats. Anyway, I thought I would drop you a line to see if there's anything we can do for these sweet-eyed little guys." Anybody with any cat-saving connections in Arlington or the area can reach Emily via [email protected] and Readlarrypowell.com.

AN UPDATE FROM MARSHALL: Hardworking Animal Control Officer Eva Sepulvado of Marshall, Texas, Animal Services, sends us an update on the load of mangy puppies that had come into the shelter.

Nearby Longview's Partnership For Pets took two, Kilgore took two, two other were so sick that, Eva says, "we though tit best for them to end their suffering."

Five of the mange puppies went to CARRA, a California-based rescue group "with ties in Arkansas where they will rehab until they are well, then they will be flown to California for adoptions."

Amazing. Bless all their hearts and the hearts of those who helped them. And remember, Marshall still has dogs and cats that need homes. Click HERE.

AN UPDATE ON A FOUNDLING: Dr. Jennifer Lavender has sent out an update on a stray found on Galway in the Lake Park Estates neighborhood last Saturday. He's now named Bentley.

Dr. Lavender writes, "Thanks for help from Karen Mosher and Will White, I was able to pick him up around 11p.m. and take him to Metro Paws for x-rays. His back right leg was broken. I started him on a morphine drip and he had a comfortable Sunday.

"On Monday am, I repaired his broken leg." (You can see the pins in the x-ray.)

She says he's "apparently a Rottweiler mix" about a year old and, astoundingly for the Dallas/Fort Worth area,  "heartworm NEGATIVE."

And, if you click on this YouTube LINK you can see him romping only a day after surgery.

"He is very sweet," the doctor writes. "Not knowing his history, it is incredible how affectionate and well-socialized he is."

Bentley's bill is at the $2,000 mark right now. "any help in fundraising or home-finding for this boy would be very much appreciated," writes Dr. Lavender. Call the clinic at 214-887-1400 to discuss donations or fostering or adopting. The clinic is online HERE.

  TWO TO GO IN BURNS FLAT: Oh, my, the hardworking rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, Okla., is hustling to find places that'll take two pups, Chloe, the "little ball of fluffy fur" and Speckles who was named after her coat which is, indeed, speckled.

Chloe is about 3 months old and is running out of time at the city animal shelter. The "precious" dog "wants to play with all the other dogs and loves to cuddle with you," says Terry Lynn. "Overall, she is a calm and sweet girl."

Also on the brink at the city-run shelter is Speckles, a dog whose family moved on and left her behind. She roamed the streets for a few weeks until people decided she'd be safer at the pound. Now, the clock is ticking on Speckles.

To help these dogs, call Terry Lynn at 580-330-1459 or e-mail [email protected].

THE STORY ON GUS: Brooke Richards has taken on the responsibility of "finding a loving home for this sweet doggy, Gus."

He's a "sweet as pie," nearly 2-year-old Australian Shepherd, says Brooke.

"My husband's grandfather bought Gus as a puppy -- without running it by his grandmother first. Big mistake! Once she had a few days of a hyper puppy in the house, she said 'no more' and Gus was related to the farm. Sounds like a great life for an Aussie, right? At a farm? It would be except for the fact that this is a farm nobody lives on. So Gus has spent the last year of his life in a concrete enclosure within and open barn. He is out there 24-7, whether it's 100 degrees or 20 degrees with snow. He is lucky if he perhaps sees the foreman once a day for five minutes to freshen his water and food (the foreman does not live on this farm). Other than that, he rarely has company and certainly no real attention or exercise.

"So, I just couldn't stand it any longer, and we had a heart-to-heart with granddad and convinced him that we need to find Gus a better home.  He has finally agreed…he really does love the dog and he has agreed that this life isn't fair to Gus."

Brooke warns that right now, when Gus is "let out," he is immediately high-strung and "gets so dang excited....that he just jumps around and wants to run like crazy. But as you know, thee are very intelligent dogs and I know with just a few weeks of attention and someone working with him he will surely calm down and learn commands. The only thing he knows at this point is 'sit'."

Gus will have some socialization challenges, but should adjust. He is "super fun and just loves to play fetch," Brooke says.

Her theory is that "Gus would ideally make such a fun ranch dog for someone...as long as it's a place where there is actually a home for him with human interaction.  And I do think that Gus could even make a fine house dog too someday after the right amount of love and training.  He is just such sweetheart and is begging for attention and love."

To ask about helping Gus, call Brooke at 214-537-5000.

THE ILLUSION:  Rescuer Diedre "DeeDee" Pratt says she usually is trying to find homes for puppies, but she's got a bit of a different situation on her hands these days.

"I have been fostering moms and puppies quite a bit lately and most of my extra resources have gone to keeping them fed, warm, socialized and immunizations (also other vet necessities).

"Before I started fostering, we took on two puppies that were in serious need of help.  The tip of the iceberg is that they were not being fed properly. We were told that they were 'toy shelties.' I am attaching a recent picture of them. Harley [the white pup] now weighs 31 lbs.  So much for a 'toy sheltie.'

[Jude is the other "toy sheltie."]

"Here’s the hard part.  Harley the white male in the picture started limping a couple of weeks ago.  I gave it a little time to see if it was muscular and if it would work itself out.  It didn’t.  I took him to the vet yesterday (right after picking up 7 puppies to foster for a couple of weeks).

"Harley needs surgery on his leg.  The actual surgery that needs to be done is reattachment of his tibial crust.  The cost of the surgery is going to be $850.  If the surgery isn’t done, he will not be able to put any weight on that leg basically for the rest of his life (he’s only 6 months old).

"My finances are very tight right now and I am asking for some help in covering the cost of this surgery.  The surgery is scheduled for March 16 at Cedar Hill Veterinary Clinic, 1026 North Hwy 67, Cedar Hill, Texas, 75104.  Their phone number is 972-299-5261. The vet is Dr. England.  If you feel more comfortable making your donation directly to the clinic, I completely understand.  Please just let them know it is for Harley Pratt."

To offer to help, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-955-4392.

KARMA UPDATE: Back on Feb. 2, we published the story of this dog, Karma, who'd been dumped at Linda Barnes' property in Prosper. Karma's her 9th dumpee in three years. Here's the latest from Linda: Since that post, we've had her spayed and she's now worm-free. What a sweetie! We've also discovered that she's a 'smiler' and grins at us whenever we approach with food, toys or anything else that's fun. I'm hoping to capture her grinning face in a new photo for your website." We'll happily post the smiler. And, if you want to help out with Karma's cause or adopt the smiler, e-mail [email protected].

SKIP THE CAT: Remember the little broken-legged black cat that Keli Halteman of Hatleman's Haven was trying to help? Surgery was conducted and Keli says, "I was worried initially that he would not want to use the leg. He held it up for a day.

"THEN? I used the Keli Halteman ,Reggie-tested, Doctor-approved 'laser pointer rehab technique'. ... I brought out the pointer and he COMPLETELY FORGOT HE HAD SURGERY! He uses his leg to bat balls, cover litter box deposits and he will paw your face gently with it!

"I LOVE THIS CAT," she writes. "He curls up on his back and wraps his left leg on top of his head -- .does not seem to have ANY pain!"

So, Skip is approaching normal and "the only way you can tell he had surgery is his shaved leg."

She also writes, "I wanted to thank all of you who sent donations, kind words, and forwarded my pleas for help to pay for his medical needs. Your dollars made all the difference. You fixed this broken little cat. Now he is whole healthy and looking for a home."

To ask about adopting Skip the Well-Healed Cat, e-mail [email protected].

A SITUATION NEAR DUNCANVILLE: Sherry Kunz, a veteran rescuer who works in Dallas, is looking for help with a roadside situation.

"I have been seeing a small, young gray and white tabby cat in an open field off the Mountain Creek Pkwy. exit ramp of I-20 coming out of Duncanville. I usually see her on my way home from work, sometimes just laying in the grass, sunning and once beside a big drain opening. I believe it is living and feeding off mice in the field and around the drain. I saw the cat yesterday [Tuesday] and went back home to get food and water, but when I came back, it was gone. I left food and water by the drain opening, but that is no guarantee that it will get the food. There are no homes near this exit. I'm worried about it's safety considering it is a high traffic area. It is also not an easy area for a human to get to because it is an exit ramp. That being said, I'm a dog person. I have 3 big dogs and one Yorkie. One of my dogs thinks he is a hunter of small game, so I'm sure the cat would not be safe around our house. I don't even know if it is friendly or if it is a girl or boy, because I have not yet been able to approach it. I also don't know anything about cats. If someone would like to help try and get this cat to a safer area or a rescue group or even a new home, any suggestions would be appreciated. Please contact me at [email protected]."

There you have it -- a cat that needs help whether it knows it or not.

THE PARIS PROJECT: One of our East Texas readers, Montez Brown of Clarksville, spotted a story on a great animal project in nearby Paris in The Paris News. Reporter Stephanie Norman's feature appeared under the headline "A Sheltered Life" -- it tells of a student project to help solve the homeless animal problem in Paris. The students are "Future Problem Solvers" and their project involves educating people about the animal shelter. You can see the story in the online Paris News HERE. Connecting some dots here: This is the kind of educational link between students, adults and animals that our pals at the Companions For Life group have been working on for years. Make people smarter -- sometimes you just have to show them the way to help.

 CONTEMPLATIONS: Too many animals in too many shelters around here. I hope Tyler (see yesterday's emergency post) finds a good heart with room at home. ... Viewing pleasures: Life, a freaky copy show (with the great Adam Arkin in a supporting role), is on at 8 p.m. Wednesdays opposite Lost. Then Life on Mars, another freaky cop show, is on at 9:06 Wednesdays on ABC, which means you can watch Life, switch to ABC and see the last 6 minutes of Lost and be caught up on that inane show, then watch all of Life on Mars and enjoy some fascinating creativity on television. So, to summarize, watch any Wednesday night show that has "Life" in the title. ... Did you really think politickin' would end on election day?

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Dane/Lab racing the clock...

We have a late afternoon entry in the Emergency Derby, the race to beat the Grim Reaper to a good dog.

This guy is Tyler and he was supposed to be euthanized today. We got his story as the evening rush hour was in full bloom.

He's in the Irving Animal Shelter, according to our tipster, Kerri Hass at Pound Pals. The photo is courtesy of shelter walker Russell Posch.

Kerri says Tyler "is a large black Great Dane/Lab mix. He weighs 70 pounds and is 2 years old.  He was scheduled to be euthanized today [Wednesday].

"The shelter thought he had an adopter. The adopter never showed. I begged for an additional day for this gentle giant. Tyler is at the Irving shelter and they have really been working hard to get their animals out."

Kerri says that Tyler "has such a sweet and friendly temperament not to mention his 'precious moments' eyes. He has a big heart and just needs someone to love."

And, she says, that she will "pay for a 30-day vet insurance policy" for anyone who adopts him Thursday. And, "If anyone will foster the big guy please have them contact [email protected]."

The Irving Animal Shelter is at 100 N. Briery. The business-hours phone numbers are 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257. After hours, the rescue hot line is 972-721-3597.

We have a Great Dane/Lab mix at our house, Hambone Jack. You will never -- never -- find a sweeter gentleman than Hammy.  Best mannerly and loving tendencies of both breeds. Tyler has that look of love.

What are the chances...

We sometimes look at things and think, "What are the odds?"

Will someone save that dog or cat? Will there be a miraculous intervention?

Late yesterday, as I was opening e-mail (and I get a ton of it), I ran across a e-mails focusing on one dog. This happens a lot.

But this dog's survival initially depended on two things: (1) People noticing his poster at an estate sale and (2) people stepping forward to save him.

He's not in a shelter, so there won't be any foot traffic. He's not running loose on the streets, so some kind soul won't stop the car and grab him. He's just a good boy waiting for fate to help him.

That's his poster.

The first e-mail on one of those "forwarded collections" was from Claudie Shelton to her circle of acquaintances. Sent Monday just after 1 p.m., it read, "Teddy needs a home" and explained, "A friend of mine went to an estate sale and this picture was on the door. She saw Teddy and said he is a really nice dog, very pretty - about 12 years old - but acts much younger.  His mistress had to go to assisted living and he couldn't go (what a shame!). Please forward and let's see if we can find a home for Teddy."

Then, attached to that was an e-mail from just after 5 p.m. Tuesday by veteran rescuer Janet East of Dallas:

"Subject: DALLAS, TX: TEDDY NEEDS A NEW HOME - OWNER HAD TO GO TO ASSISTED LIVING AND POOR TEDDY CAN'T GO - PLEASE HELP TEDDY - SITUATION NOW CRITICAL!!!
Importance: High

"I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY IN AN EMAIL THAT TEDDY’S SITUATION IS NOW CRITICAL AND HE DESPERATELY NEEDS A FOSTER – A PERMANENT HOME WOULD BE BETTER, OF COURSE…..IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP THIS POOR BABY?"

And that brings us to Wednesday morning.

I called the number on the poster and got in touch with Laverne McCall who is helping the family deal with this woman's situation. The woman's brother has come in from out of state to help deal with her affairs. And they're both trying to find a home for Teddy.

Laverne says he's a great dog who doesn't act nearly as old as he is. She also says she doesn't really know how he does with other animals, but, he has a tendency to want to chase cats.

 He is a cattle dog; he probably wants to chase and herd anything. Call 214-696-3844 to offer to help Teddy find a new home.

PRAYERS & PASSAGES: Our Prayers & Passages page has a touching report today. (Click on the button in the upper right corner of this page.) It is the story of a dog that was found too late to help, but not too late to respect.

A SCHNAUZER'S TALE: Melissa Singletary, the veteran rescuer, managed to rescue this guy from Abilene in West Texas and move him to Athens in East Texas. He's 10 and only now has he been neutered.

"His name is Max and he's a love," says Melissa. She told us this morning that Max is "safe with a rescuer friend of mine. We'd just like to see him find his own home if possible. He is not under any group as I'm independent and try to help with Schnauzers when I can."

Here are the basics on this lively guy: "He has been neutered, had a dental and his shots. He is heartworm positive but we have chosen not to treat him with Immiticide (the conventional treatment) due to his age and put him on Heartgaard.  His blood work profile done before surgery was perfect and that is a real positive. 

"He came in very matted and had to be shaved completely down but you can see he is still a very handsome guy. The person who groomed him had him around cats and other dogs, and he did great. He is such a sweet, sweet boy and is looking for his forever home.  He is safe and will be residing with a rescuer friend of mine but if we could find him a family of his own, that would be wonderful."

To ask about adopting Max the Wonder Schnauzer, e-mail [email protected].

A CAT GETS A BREAK: Yesterday we got a note from Kim Innes of Animal Allies of Texas about a cat that had been rescued on Sunday and, on Monday, had been diagnosed with both Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Aids. That meant he'd need special living arrangements -- not with healthy cats, but in a home with no cats or with cats that are similarly afflicted.

Kim's question was, "Do you know if there are any groups in the area that would be able to take this guy?"

He's a 2- or 3-years-old, un-neutered, black cat who is "very friendly and sweet, probably an abandoned pet," says Kim.

A few hours later Kim followed up with a hopeful and happier note. She writes that "I found a rescue group that has a special room for FeLV cats and they have space to take BK."

Which group? Ah, Texas Pawprints, the group that bills itself as "Your Friendly Neighborhood Cat Ladies."

WORKING GIRL: After President George Bush got a lot of pub for his trip to Elliott's Hardware, we got an e-mail noting that people are trying to help Laura Bush find some gainful employment, too. According to our tipster, Pappy's Pet Lodge owner Kim Whiting sent former First Lady Laura Bush a letter offering her a position. Owner Whiting was quoted as saying "With all the incredible people skills she developed in public life, she'd be perfect for the job. We're creating a position for her. She would become the 'Director of First Impressions.' " And, according to the news release, "The work hours would be flexible, she would get free boarding for Barney, Miss Beazley and India and the compensation package would be much more generous than a greeter would be paid at a hardware store." Read the letter HERE.

CONTEMPLATION: I'm trying to find something positive about today's economic environment so we'll have something to build on. How about this? Baseball season is coming and Texas Rangers fans will either have new things to gripe about or old, familiar things to gripe about. Baseball, it's like national politics dealing with a crisis: It's all in the pitching.

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Critters and a pharmacy

We're going to be discussing a pharmacy later today. First, though, we'll try to help some animals.

BOSTON'S THE NAME: Obviously this dog, Boston, has a way with the camera. He's currently a   resdient of The Colony's shelter.

--- Stop the presses: We've just gotten an afternoon report that Boston has been adopted! Congratulations to Boston and his new human! Now back to the early report on this great shelter dog. ---

The Colony's Animal Division Manager, Patricia Barrington says that this "sweet, loving boy" is "guessed to be a Terrier mix of some sort --  possibly Jack Russell and Beagle mix?

"He’s a little low rider, who is submissive and attentive. He’s about 10 months old and about 12 pounds, so he’s the perfect size for the average lap!  I’m baffled that this perfectly marketable canine hasn’t stolen the heart of one of our many visitors…but he hasn’t. ... Boston is actually helping me type his bio.  He’s in my lap and every time a finger lifts from the keyboard, he’s ready to lick all the germs off it before it hits the next key.  It’s a bit tedious, yet completely irresistible.  I’m such a sucker!  When I manage to put him back in his kennel, I’ll break out the germ-x and Lysol … until then, I guess I’ll type about 10 sticky words per minute!"

This obviously gifted dog is on the clock -- it is, after all, a city shelter. To ask about him, call 972-370-9250 or e-mail [email protected].

We are, of course, just as stunned as Director Barrington that such a dog is still in a shelter. He shows no signs of being afflicted by the dreaded "Big Black Dog Syndrome." He's not big and he's not wearing a shiny black coat. So, why hasn't he been adopted? It's a mystery. Perhaps, like Snoopy, he is about to sit down at the typewriter and start, "It was a dark and stormy night" in honor of the annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest sponsored the by good folks at San Jose State University.

EARS AND EYES: OK, once again, the poor dog lovin' sap who runs this website, Larry Powell, is a sucker for dog ears. Cat ears, too. Today we look at the personalities currently in the car of the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center at I-30 and Westmoreland on the west side of Dallas.

Here is who we have, all available for adoption:

Dean is the guy whose photo looks like he just finished basic training and they're sending this picture to his hometown paper. Note the sincere chin, the firm look in the eyes, the ears that look as if they've never before been exposed to daylight. That is a military photo if ever I saw one. Dean's a 7-month-old Shepherd/Collie mix who weighs in at 40 pound. He came in as a stray in mid-January.

Paprika, (also listed as Sydney) is a Shepherd mix, but was not issued the traditional Shepherd ears, but received, instead, what appear to be "teddy bear" ears. The 8-month-old weighs 40 pounds and arrived as a stray just as the year 2008 was ending.

And there is Sambuca, who is not a shepherd mix, but is, instead a year-old Lab mix who keeps her ears in a most respectful position while she lets the rest of her face do the talking. She is 65 pounds and came in as a stray on Dec. 30, same day Sydney arrived.

That glowering cat? Well, of course, that is Echo. Echo is about 2 and has a championship tortishell coat. She is about 7 pounds and arrived at the shelter on Jan. 11 because her previous owner "could no longer care for her." (Thank you for noticing the double Echo play with wordswords)

So, if you'd like to ask about any of these dwellers on the clock at the City of Dallas Animal Servcies Adoption Cetner, drop by 1818 N. Westmoreland or call 214-671-0249 or 214-670-8246.

Echo and the Ears. Sounds like a musical group, doesn't it?

CHECK OUT FERRIS: Our veteran tipster Deborah Trevino, who keeps an eye on several area shelters as well as the Malloy Bridge Road dumping area, has sent us a note about the Ferris Animal Shelter just about a half-hour south of Dallas on I'45. We've mentioned ACO Misty Clark and her efforts here before. The shelter is small and fills up quickly.

This week Deborah is pitching a dog named Macy, a sincere little puppy -- 4-month-old Lab mix -- who was dumped.

She is so young, Deborah says,  that "she didn't even know how to find food. So sad, makes you wonder what is wrong with someone that they could put any sweet face like this out a car door and not think twice."

To ask about adopting any critter at Ferris, call 972-877-1210. Ask about the baby border collies, too.

CONTEMPLATION: WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET DRUGS IN OAK CLIFF: There is a drug store in Oak Cliff that is consistently too slow and too sloppy. Its pharmacy employees are often too doltish to deal with -- especially when you have a blood pressure problem and don't want to blow out an artery. They never get prescriptions right on the first try -- I'll swear to it on Abe Lincoln's Bible.

I have never gotten pleasant, swift or competent service at this drug store, so I quit going.

Ah, but Martha is a goodhearted woman who lives with hope that people will do what they are paid to do -- except for Congress, of course. And last night we got another example of why it's best to avoid this particular pharmaceutical cesspool.

Martha, diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis about 4:30 p.m. yesterday and, coughing like a coal miner on dusting day, dropped 4 prescriptions off at this store at 5:30 and was told they'd be ready at 8:45. We watched The Closer, which ended at 9 p.m. and as the credits rolled she drove to the store -- not far away -- and got there at 9:05.

She was then there -- at the pickup window -- for 1 hour and 15 minutes, waiting on four prescriptions of common medicines that had been promised for 8:45.

During her waiting time, the people played "lost-and-found" with two pharmaceutical discount coupons handed over during the 5:30 prescription drop. They lost one prescription entirely and had to hunt for it. Then, after keying the codes in wrong on one prescription, refused to speak to a pharmaceutical help line specifically set up for drug stores having problems with discounts.

All the while, the clerks were juggling a line of customers, some of whom had found that only half of their prescriptions had been entered into the system hours earlier and they weren't getting the medicine they needed, either.

I know this doesn't happen at all drug stores. But, I think it may be time to start pinpointing the stores where lives are put in danger by sloppy and irresponsible behavior.

Geez, they could be killing people by failing to get the meds to them on time and in the right dosages. Who knows? This is the kind of thing that slips under the radar when Granny dies. Nobody ever asks, "Did she get the right meds from that drug store she had so much trouble with?"

Martha finally got her meds after a long wait and insulting experience.

We are forceful people and we will be nice but firm in our dealings in these matters. But there are people who just don't like to make a fuss or who are too sick to raise sand. It is those people who are at peril when a pharmacy isn't managed responsibly.

I looked on line to see which state agency handles pharmaceutical complaints. It is the Texas State Board of Pharmacy -- to get to the complaint area click HERE.

I read through the website. The board once shut down a pharmacy in El Paso -- it had no pharmacist, but still distruted meds; the Oak Cliff store has a pharmacy but is iffy on distribution. It looks like the pharmacy board was set up by the same people who set up the famed Texas Public Utilities Commission. Ain't that a kick in the teeth. This board is about as likely to shut down a drug store as the PUC is to block a rate increase for the electric company.

Anybody else I need to slap around in this matter?

It simply offends a sane person to the marrow that a store designed to "help" consumers -- a store with a big ol' OPEN sign on the front door -- will waste the life force of its consumers in such a cavalier fashion. Nobody wants to put anybody out of business -- indeed, we'd like to see them doing more business without putting their customers at risk. Unless, of course, they're in league with the undertakers.

GET THIS! At 9:30 p.m., as Martha was sitting in a waiting area chair at the store, she got an e-mail that said her three (not four) prescriptions were ready. They would not be for another 40 minutes.

The email arrived, but the prescriptions had not been filled.

Someone at that store obviously IS getting drugs.

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State Fair picks a theme

The State Fair of Texas has revealed its 2009 theme: ALL ABOARD FOR FOOD AND FUN.

The fair runs Sept. 25-Oct. 18 and so do the trains.

What's the Fair connection? Hint: Connection is the right word.

DART's Green Line, a 28-mile light rail route, will "arrive at historic Fair Park just in time for opening day," reports the Fair's PR department. Yep, take a Dallas Area Rapid Transit Train to the fair -- almost like the old days when Dallas' street cars ran that way.

When the passengers get to the fair they can experience this: 70 rides, 200 food "locations," college football, livestock shows, cooking competitions and the 2010 State Fair Auto Show."

If you monitor www.bigtex.com, you'll be able to see the events as they are added to the Fair's calendar. Expect to see some spectacular musical acts on the assorted stages at the fair.

Dang, makes me wistful for the smell of the Midway right now. Almost wistful for the smell of the stock shows.

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On Monday, rejuvenation...

It's the day after the Oscars and, goodness, what is the word to sum up the experience?

Not a clue. Yeah, I wasn't there, either, and could only take fleeting glances at the TV. So, I'll do better next year when, apparently, the broadcast will originate from Bollywood.

Now, our daily report:

FOLLOWING UP: One of these photos is awful, but it helps make the point that mange shouldn't be a death sentence.

This is the little puppy taken in by Respect A Bull Inc., a small group that focuses on pit bull-types that wind up in the Arlington Animal Services shelter. Kristie Miller of  Respect a Bull has been keeping us up to date on this little dog's case.

That first photo was taken as she was being cared for at the shelter. The second shows her in a foster yard playing.

"She's doing great," Kristie reports. "She's got a lot of her hair back and she's up to 15 pounds."

She's due at the vets this week for another follow up.

And they're calling her "Turtle," because, says Kristie, "She kind of looked like a turtle with no shell when we brought her home."

Food, meds and loving attention -- they'll go a long way toward turning a yucky puppy into a tubby little darlin'.

To offer to help this dog or to get involved with the group, e-mail [email protected]. Write to Respect A Bull Inc., P.O. Box 170711, Arlington, Texas, 76003, or visit the still-under construction website at www.respectabull.com.

OUR OLD PAL DUFFY: This astonishes me. Duffy still doesn't have a home. He's the guy Martha picked up off the side of a freeway entrance ramp way back before Christmas.

Paws in The City has custody of him. He's had heartworm treatment, been moved from kennels to foster homes and back to kennels. And he still loves people.

We already have as many dogs as the Dallas law allows or we'd take him.

I've spent time with him. Ridden miles with him in my pickup. And, this is a good pal of a dog.

Duffy, I fear, is suffering from the awful Big Black Dog Syndrome. He's just not little and cute. He is big and handsome and he's a fellow who likes to ride and look at the world.

You can read all about him and how to audition to adopt him at www.pawsinthecity.org.

Give him to one of our relatives? We've already cleaned all the ore out of that mine.

TWO THINGS FROM TOOL: Now, some of us believe dogs are works of art. In this case the dog is Gypsy. She's an Akita mix currently in the care of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake's shelter at Tool, Texas, and in this photo she looks ready to go.

She's 2, up to date on shots and microchipped. Krista Mc Anally, the shelter manager, says Gypsy was surrendered by her owners. They'd had her since she was a puppy, but a family  member has developed a health issue that requires out-of-town travel and there's no one to care for Gypsy. She's friendly to critters and loves people. (E-mail [email protected] or call 903-432-3422.)

To support its efforts to help animals, the Society is staging the Fourth Annual Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Art Auction on April 24 at the Whatz Up Arcade in Seven Points.

Volunteers are currently collecting items for the sale. They're looking for framed art work, decorative items, sculptures, glassware, crystal, small lamps, textiles, jewelry and small antiques. To ask about donating, call Kay Carter at 903-451-4446 or Cynthia Walters at 903-451-0159.

CONTEMPLATIONS: It's Monday and I'm already whipped. Not to declare a victory yet, but my coughingspouse Martha returned to work today after at least six days of trying to defeat a cold. She's tough, but that cold was a mean one. Bless her heart. She's convinced I gave her the cold. Mine only lasted three or four intense days -- a lesser person would still be in the care of scientists researching stamina and resolve. I'll bet NASA could make a lot of money if, from November through March, it scheduled "Orbital Cruises -- Avoid Colds and Flu. In Space, No One Can Hear You Sneeze." ... Speaking of the Oscars, we saw Slumdog Millionaire weeks and weeks ago. It reminded me of Grease -- had a big all-cast song-and-dance scene at the end. Oh, I'm kidding the Bollywood style. It also made me certain that if I were to recover from near-insolvency and fear of flying, I would not book an excursion to the slums of India. Too much reality for me. ... OK, in the category of places I'd like to visit one more time: Don's Seafood & Steaks in Shreveport, La.  Too late. Closed in August after more than 40 years. Found out over the weekend by accident. Sentimental loss -- first big-time restaurant I ever encountered. White tablecloths, you know? I got all mopey about it and when Martha didn't she said wisely, "You can't expect me to get sentimental over something that happened to someone else before I was born." Rose up from her sickbed to say that.

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Big sleepers...

In mid-January we told the story of how Rex The Great Pyr went missing during an unscheduled stop on a trip from Alvarado to Burleson. He was found and his Mom, Patricia Melton,  went to get him and came home with two big dogs, Rex and a new pal.

Rex was found by Nancy Taylor who, coincidentally, has Great Pyrs. Why did Patricia leave with Charlie?

Because Charlie and Rex had bonded in just the short time they'd been together.

 

As it turns out, both have the Gift of Sleeping. So, they are in the spotlight in our weekly feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. As Patricia says, "I'm always looking for an excuse to show off my boys, anyway."

We've got a photo of Rex asleep on the couch with Maggie the Cat. Then we have Charlie sleeping.   And, a photo of Charlie being held so you can see just how big a Great Pyr puppy really is.

Now, there are also the costume photographs.

Charlie may pose, but Rex endures. That's him with a bucket on his head and in an outfit that, well, sort of defies description.

How does this sort of thing happen? Well, the bucket is, literally, an act of Grace.

"Rex is pretty good about being dressed up though sometimes I think he is a little embarrassed," says Patricia. "As for the bucket, I didn't think he would really sit and let us put it on him. My 5-year-old sister, Grace, was visiting... and was out at the barn running around with a bucket on her head. She thought Rex needed one, too."

(If you'd like to nominate your dog or cat -- or any other animals -- for our weekend Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap feature send the photo or photos and the info about you and the critter to [email protected]. You don't even have to have a bucket on your head when you do it, though if you send us a photo of you and your critters wearing buckets as fedoras, well, we might make special arrangements. There is the temptation to strap a bucket on one's head and see if the thoughts actually go round and round before falling out onto one's shoulders and escaping. Don't tell me you haven't had a thought fall out of your ears and vanish.)

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A Friday afternoon tip....

We're already lining up our reports for next week, including some catching up with dogs that were desperate.

But, this afternoon, please take a moment to go to our Prayers & Passages page (click on the button on the right side of this page). You'll see the story of Reecie, a Dalmatian who brought a special presence to The Blankenships, Natalie and Bob, a couple of people who have fostered and rescued many animals through the years. Reecie's story is one for your heart.

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