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As November ends...

Holy pumpkin pie, pilgrim, we have reached the end of November, If the month had gone any faster we’d have had to wear astronaut suits and strap heat shields to our backsides.

Now, on this final Monday of the month, here’s our report:

MORE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY: You recall Rocky, perhaps. He was the dog confiscated in Frisco during a cruelty investigation. The story is he was being fed bacon grease and gunpowder to make him “meaner.” When police went to the door of his human’s home, Rocky ran out and hid behind Animal Control Officer Steve Lerner rather than “come” to the guy who “owned” him.

So, what is up with Rocky? And how did his story lead to saving another dog?

We get the explanation from Marsha Duncan-Fleming who with her daughter Ashley Duncan represents the rescue group Before the Bridge in Wylie.

When the rescuers showed up at the Collin County Animal Services Shelter in McKinney to pick up Rocky, they also spotted a pit girl named Dottie. And they took her, too.

Rocky, says Marsha, “is a great dog. Well-behaved. He knows how to shake hands, sit and is very quiet. He is still adjusting to being with so many dogs but he will be OK.”

Apparently people who meet Rocky love him at first sight,

Dottie was a stray picked up in Frisco near the Dallas North Tollway, says Marsha. “Her right, rear leg is injured somehow. Although there is no outward sign of injury – no wound or scar – she does not use the leg at all. Perhaps she was tapped by a car.”

A vet checkup is in her future.

“She is a sweet, wonderful dog but does bark quite a bit,” says Marsha. “She just wants to be with a person and now that she has adjusted to her new home, she is friendly with the other dogs. And such beautiful eyes. Sometimes they look green and sometimes blue.”

Before The Bridge’s goal now is to make sure both these dogs are totally at ease so that when they become available for adoption, they’ll be happy to go to a new home and become treasured family members. To offer to help with these dogs by fostering or donating or adopting, e-mail [email protected].

IN PRAISE OF PETSITTERS: The phrase “’tis the season” really has meaning for petsitters – it’s that rush/rush time of year when people are gone and their pets are not. My funspouse Martha was a petsitter for several years – had her own business, PetPowell Petsitting. She vanished after Labor Day and didn’t show up again until February. Early morning visits, noontime visits, evening visits, late-night visits. Days at a time. These petsitters have fun with their jobs, but they also spend a lot of time frantically negotiating metropolitan traffic. If you happen to be in a freeway and see an economy car blazing past while the driver sips coffee and yells into a hands-free telephone, that is probably a dedicated petsitter trying to get to a house across town to meet the demands of a very punctual dog’s bladder.

What brought this up was I got a note forwarded via Sydney Busch and Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. Someone in Gun Barrel City is willing to pay to have someone walk an older, 50-pound Aussie at noon on the weekends for about 30 minutes. You’ll make $10 for handling this “very gentle dog” who “walks well on a leash.”’

(To ask about this job, e-mail [email protected] or call 903-887-0692.)

Remember, after you walk the dog and all “business” is done, you get the chance to sit and talk and pet this dog and enjoy a few minutes of calm in the storm of the holidays

SPEAKING OF ‘TIS THE SEASON: Lots of animal groups are staging their Santa photos fundraisers between now and Christmas. Check with your favorite group or pet store. In the meantime, here’s a tip regarding Animal Allies of Texas,

Garnell McMichael of Animal Allies sent us the schedule and we’ll post it for your benefit and note that not only can you get a 4 x 6 photo for $5, you can get the photo on a T-shirt for $15. Here’s where to go and when: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.-5 p.m,, Metro Paws, 1910 Skillman St. in Dallas; Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Unleashed Indoor Dog Park, 5151 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas; Dec. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Vhea’s Laundromutt, 718 N.  Buckner 3211, Dallas.

And remember that you can see more Santa photo events in the current edition of Urban Animal Magazine, available at many places in North Texas.

THE BIG PARTY AT M:  This event is called the “Fetching Fun Raiser” and it is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the M Cafe at 15757 Coit Road at Arapaho.  The invitation to attend comes from North Dallas Dog Rescue and DASH Dog Rescue “in cooperation with A Different Breed Dog Rescue.”  That covers a lot of dogs.  There’ll be hors d’oeurves, desserts, raffle times, door prizes, a silent auction, dog trainers, dog supply vendors and pet service specialists. You can RSVP by going HERE.

BUNCH OF DOGS IN BURNS FLAT: Little Burns Flat, Okla., has big city animal problems. Dumped animals, mistreated animals, straying animals, a too-small shelter with a too-small budget. And in the middle of it is our tireless tipster and rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher who keeps working to keep the animals moving out of the shelter so euthanasia for the sake of making room won’t become a bad habit.

Here’s one of the dogs, Peanut, a purebred mini Doxie.Terry Lynn explains, “I actually tried to get her about 2 months ago, when I pulled several other dogs from the family. But they kept her and then gave her to the neighbors.  Well, the neighbors moved and gave her back. She hurt the family’s kitten (not sure if playing ..., so they do not want her anymore, either.

“She is a total doll...there are several other dogs there and several big cats that she seems fine with.”

To help Terry Lynn with any Burns Flat critters call her at 580-330-1459 or e-mail [email protected].

LOOKING FOR WHERE HE BELONGS: On Sunday we got a note from Maeleska Fletes with the Little Forest Hills Animals Alert www.lfhanimalalert.org near White Rock Lake. This German Shepherd was on Garland Road when it was struck by a car.

“He was wearing a choke chain with a leash attached. People chased him from the lake. He must belong to someone.”

If “someone” recognizes this dog and can help get him back home, contact the Little “Forest Hills Neighborhood Alert at [email protected] or call 214-930-5910.

The dog was taken to an emergency vet’s office and has an injured leg.

AT NOAH’S ARK: At the Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter in Gainesville, right up I-35 from Dallas, there is a cat named Morpheus who is waiting a home. The official report from the shelter is that he is “awesome – I mean really awesome.”

Morpheus is a big purrerrrr who likes to follow humans. “Kids can hug and squeeze him. You can cradle him like a baby.”

He’s healthy.

And, according to the shelter report, “The only thing you have to watch with him is if he is on the top of the cat condo he will jump onto your shoulders. He has scared a few people doing that.”

Morpheus is on the clock at the shelter. To ask about saving him, contact Noah’s Ark manager Debbie Lhotka at 940-665-9800 or e-mail [email protected].

ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN: Well, more than one day, really, but, one day his luck will change and he’ll find a good permanent home. We get his story from Helen Shikoff. She has the background.

She writes, “You were kind enough this past spring to post two stray dogs I was feeding in my neighborhood.  I couldn't get too close to them and so it was hard for me to get a rescue organization interested.

“Luckily the feral dog was placed at a sanctuary and my neighbors adopted the other. It was not an easy process to first win them over, catch them and then place them. Thank you for your assistance and "ear". 

“It was also an unlucky time for a third dog that created a pack with those dogs. I found a refuge to take him. No one wanted him perhaps because I thought he was a Pit bull. When the refuge agreed I thought, ‘Wow, I am so fortunate.’

“Not so for the dog. It turns out he was being grossly neglected.”

Helen didn’t like the way the refuge was handling the pit bull contingent, so she insisted on getting the dog back.

“The people there were reluctant to release him. I finally insisted, drove the 200 hundred miles and brought him back. He was in poor shape, had red marks on him, thin and sick with pneumonia.”

Since then, as you can see, Ivan is in much better shape. And, Helen says, “I discovered the poor dog is actually an American Bulldog. He is beautiful with one blue eye and one brown. I fell for him the moment he begged for food on the street. I named him Ivan.  He has seen a vet, been neutered and received all of his shots. Ivan now just needs exposure so he can find a loving home. He loves people follows everyone around and gets along well with other dogs.

“He is heartworm positive and is currently being treated. I'm boarding Ivan in Lewisville because I have a household full of pets. Ivan does not get along with cats. If someone is interested I could meet them with him or they can go directly to the boarding facility.”
To offer to adopt this handsome dog, e-mail [email protected].

HERCULES AND HIS FAMILY TREE: Rae Smith is looking for a home for this guy Hercules. She says he’s “a 7-month-old pointer/boxer mix ...He looks nothing like a boxer -- he is Pointer all the way. .... I recently had to move in with my son and his family due to financial reasons. Also due to lack of income, Hercules has only had his first round of shots and has not yet had his rabies vaccine.  I brought Hercules with me but now my son’s landlord says that we must get rid of him because my son already has 2 dogs.  Hercules is about 50 pounds and very playful.  He gets along well with other animals and is very attached to me. He is house broken and will let you know when he needs to go outside. ...  The one thing that I have not yet been able to break him of is jumping on people.  Part of that comes from my grandson (10) who from the time Hercules was a small pup would jump and wrestle with the dog so he thinks that is part of playtime.  

“It is very hard for me to have to surrender Hercules he is my best friend and a wonderful companion.   I have been trying to find a home for him but have had no luck and am now faced with sending him to a shelter.  I have only a very short time left to find a new family for him.”

To help Rae find a home for handsome Hercules, call 214-502-2709 or e-mail [email protected].

A THANK YOU FROM ARKANSAS: We got this note from our tipster near Dardanelle, Ark., Molli Corbin. It’s a nice thing to read.

“In my busy life I spend a lot of time asking, pleading and begging for help. Sometimes I am working so hard on finding rescue that I forget to thank the ones who do come through and find room, time to post, plan transports, take care of funding for spay and neutering and tons of other helpful things. Here are some of the rescues that came through for the 52 [puppy mill] dogs that were [recently] taken into rescue:

Mill Dog Rescue, Co., Best Friends, Pets Are Not Products campaign, Scottie Rescue, Mo.; Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue Network, Hearts United, NE., NW ARK Pug Rescue, New Beginnings Shih Tzu Rescue and PAWS NE.
“And a very big thank you to you for bring attention to situations like these.”

Thanks, Molli, and the truth is Readlarrypowell.com is just a conduit for information, a place to read about the heroic efforts people in the trenches put into saving animals everywhere.

Some people think animal rescue is all sad stories. But, the truth is, it’s just about 99 percent happy endings because of hardworking people who are persistent and have big hearts.

ANOTHER GARLAND PROTEST: Overnight we got a note saying that the garland Citizens for Reform of the Animal Shelter (CRASH), will stage another protest Tuesday against the city’s policy of gassing some animals at the city facility. The protestors will gather between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Garlands downtown DART station (Walnut Street at Fourth and Fifth) for leafleting, then, at 6:30 p.m. walk to city hall for the evening council meeting. For more info call 972-407-9396 or e-mail [email protected].

SAD ANNOUNCEMENT: For the next several days, you will not likely see updates on Readlarrypowell.com. The unthinkable has happened and my younger brother, Barry, has lost a ferocious battle with leukemia. This is a staggering development and it saddens me and our family more than we could have ever imagined. We did not expect him to lose this fight.

Barry and my angelic sister-in-law Shelley and their sons Aaron and Lewis made their home in Chicago. Their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Oliver was the first pup featured years ago in our weekend series “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”

As many of you know, there is a period of mourning and adjustment that follows such an awful thing – I can assure you that we will mourn but we will never adjust.

We hope to be posting on Readlarrypowell.com again by Friday.

A little cat napping...

There are people who have become adults without ever having had the pleasure of feet kept warm by a cat or Cocker Spaniel or a polite critter who waits until you’re sawing logs before climbing up with you and nodding off.

For that reason – and because Thanksgiving weekend is noted for its exceptional snoozableness – we are designating this particular cat for slumber honors in our traditional weekend feature, “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”

We also picked this photo because it is a really peaceful scene. And in a world where toy stores open at midnight and department stores open at 4 a.m. to handle the crowds, joy to our world when we find something peaceful.

The story comes from one of our frequent contributors and a rescuer with a big heart, Timi Hazle. (She and hubby Terry celebrated their 16th anniversary on Nov. 13.)

Timi sent this photo of granddaughter Hallie Grace, 8 months old, “sleeping on the couch with my cat, Sam, 13 years old.

“My husband claims that Sam gives him Cat Nap Fever and maybe it’s the same with Hallie.

“One minute she was cooing and kicking, the next she was toppled over on Sam asleep.

“Sam loves any sort of touch or attention and he lets both Hallie and her brother Cannon (19 months) hold him, gnaw on him, etc.”

Thus, holiday readers, you see how the habit of letting the cat sleep on the bed or in the recliner with you or on the couch with you can become a lifelong joy. You have to start young toppling over onto the cat.

We could call this “synergistic” but it’s’ more like “synernaptic” – two diverse entities united to achieve one goal: snooze.

And, besides, “synergistic” is one of those boardroom/middle-management words that was adopted so people who want to appear more intelligent than they are won’t have to say “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

(To nominate your sleeping critters and kids or critters and adults or critters and critters for "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap" e-mail the photo and explanation to [email protected]. Remember, at Readlarrypowell.com, we insomniacs celebrate sleep as if it is a triumph over nature. Because it is.)

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Happy Thanksgiving 2009

A pre-holiday report...

Welcome to “getaway day” – lots and lots of Americans are trying to get away from the office early to start their Thanksgiving holidays. This is that time of “busiest” – the busiest travel day of the year, the busiest shopping day of the year, the busiest family therapy sessions of the year....Just a guess on that last one.

Here’s our staff impersonator, Inky the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, giving us his impression of a shopper racing through a department store door and spotting a rack of sale dresses and suits next to the complimentary early morning consumer buffet with a big steaming platter of Mom’s Layaway Meatloaf and side dishes of Discount Green Bean Casserole and Half-Off The Cals Taters and Gravy. It’s an odd store, he explains, possibly resulting from bureaucratic mishandling of a simultaneous corporate merger and  government takeover.

A CUNNING PLOY: We got a note from the folks with Paws In The City announcing that the rescue group had decided to embrace the commercial theory of “Black Friday” and, rather than take the entire holiday weekend off, would host adoption events from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to4 p.m. Saturday at the World Market at Galleria North, 5229 Alpha Road, just north of Galleria at Noel and Alpha.

THE PUPPIES ARE WAITING: Back in mid-November we told the story of the rescue of this dog who, shortly thereafter became a momma dog with all these puppies. Kathy Jenkins and her Mom had picked up the stray at Lake Waxahachie and the reward for the good deed was a litter of 8 blessed events.

Ever since, Kathy has been searching for a home for the dogs and trying to help her mom cope with such a lovely, lively burden – and anyone who has fostered puppies can tell you that it is a “burden,” not an awful one, but you do wonder if you’ll ever get a break.

And so, we’re mentioning this today to see if anyone can give Kathy and her mom a break.

We have directed Kathy already to some people we know who deal with these situations, but, of course, they’re already all full up.

So, if anyone has a way of helping by taking some puppies or all the puppies or the mom and the puppies or if you’ve won Lotto Texas and want to create a Momma  & Offspring Sanctuary, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-938-1407 and offer some relief to these good-hearted people.

FROM OUT AT THE LAKE: There’s a December 1 deadline for Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake project to collect toys for the Red Cross program that gets the unwrapped new toys to the kids of deployed military personnel.  Our Friends tipster Sydney Busch says the toys can be donated at the Insurance Concepts office near the Friends spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City or at the Bluebonnet Emporium nearby.

THE IDEAL DOG? Tina Hamilton of Happy Tails of Gun Barrel City sends us a note that is sure to catch the eye of people who are particular about their rules for dogs. (E-mail [email protected] .)Tina’s note reads. “Apricot Poodle Schnauzer Male needs a loving home to call his own for the holidays.
Does not shed.”

A 101 DALMATIANS BARGAIN: You can get a price break on tickets to 101 Dalmatians, the musical comedy playing Dec. 1-20 at Fair Park Music Hall. Dallas Summer Musicals, which is presenting the show, is offering 50 percent off when you buy 2 regular-priced tickets – basically buy one, get one free. The discount is for shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evening for ticket levels 3 and for (first balcony and rear orchestra). The “reference password” is “PUPPY” typed in all-caps when you order online in the “Family Four Pack Offer.” You can also get the discount tickets at The Box Office at 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center (Open M-F 10a – 6p and Sat. 10a – 4p), via Ticketmaster (Click HERE) or Charge-by-Phone 214-631-ARTS.

NEWT’S NOOK IS OPEN: You may recall that several weeks ago, after being un-invited to receive an entrepreneur-of-the-year honor  from former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s political group, The Lodge owner Dawn Rizos decided to donate the money (more than $5,000) that would have been spent on the “honor,” to help Animal Guardians create a place to help down-on-their-luck pit bulls.

The heated, air-conditioned roof-over-their-heads facility, known as “Newt’s Nook,” is now open and sheltering dogs at the Animal Guardians sanctuary in Celina.  (This is a photo -- click on it to make it larger -- of The Lodge’s VIP Manager Sunny Hunter at the entrance to Newt’s Nook with the sign created by artist Bryan Calloway, who also is bartender at The Lodge, the gentleman’s club in Dallas.)

Owner Rizos says The Lodge was going to host a “bigger party [for the opening] but we decided to devote the resources to this great cause instead.” (FYI: She has long been active in raising money for animal causes in the Dallas area.)

Here’s the additional benefit: Dawn says that for each dog adopted via Animal Guardians through Valentine’s Day 2010, The Lodge will donate $100 to the rescue group and each adoptor will get a gift certificate to either The Lodge or to the great restaurant, Stratos Global Greek Taverna in Dallas.

The official press release regarding the opening of Newt’s Nook, included this quote from Animal Guardians Director Annette Lambert who oversees the more than 100 dogs at the sanctuary. “I can’t tell you how much this new building means to us. Dawn didn’t deserve to be treated like that, but this will do so much for these loving dogs until we find them good homes.”

A FOUND PUPPY: Reader Angela Hadsell sent us this note about a puppy some pals found in Grapevine.

Stacey Sangalli reports that her hubby Dan found the little girl – apparently a Chocolate Lab – on the Grapevine/Southlake border at the now-abandoned Broyhill store parking lot. “She is very sweet and well-behaved,” says Stacey.

The pup may be about 3 months old, Stacey says, and the hope is to find her a good home. “We simply can’t have another dog right now,” says Stacey – there’s already a family dog and there’s also a baby on the way.

To ask about adopting this pup, e-mail [email protected].

ANOTHER DUMPED DOG: This dog is now named Audrey Rose and the story on her comes from Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. The dog was dumped at a PetsMart last Saturday.

“I could not leave her to be taken to animal control, so we took her home,” Gail says.

Audrey Rose is about 7 (“pretty young for a tiny dog,” Gail says), weighs about 8 pounds and had been terribly neglected, which accounts for the discoloration of her lower coat. Her teeth are in bad shape, but the rest of her is in good shape. And she’s heartworm negative.

“Audrey Rose is ecstatic on walks. And she walks ell on the leash....She loves being able to walk on grass and smell the air. She is housetrained.... She is starting to really show a personality and wanting you to hold her.”

To ask about adopting Audrey Rose, call 214-663-4710 or e-mail [email protected].

CONTEMPLATION: Never mind the fate of the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, consider the fate of the seams on your garments as you reach for one more helping of dressing or potatoes and giblet gravy or just one more piece of pie. The reality is seams are only so strong. And, as you go off on your Thanksgiving adventure, I’d like to quote the great Elwood P. Dowd from the magnificent film and stage play Harvey. He said, “I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years,doctor, and I’m happy to say I finally won out over it.” Enjoy that extra piece of reality pie.

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Good news surfaces...

Today, I swear on a stack of cranberries, we’re going to have some happy news. Now,toggle your smile chip and read on:

A BUS STOP PUPPY: Rebecca Kornblum says, “I have friends who ask ‘how do you find all these animals?’ and I ask, ‘How are you not tripping over them?’”

Here’s the latest episode. Rebecca says, “I was just trying to go to Starbucks and get some coffee and got three blocks from my house and there she was.”

“She” is this dog, called “Hannah Banana” and “Puppy, Puppy” by Rebecca.

The puppy was at a bus stop trying to get any human to pay attention to her. But, she had some special problems – in addition to being “wormy” and from a breed with a bad reputation, Hannah had been burned. It appeared, Rebecca says, that someone had been putting out their cigarettes on her hide.

The burns have healed, the hair is growing back, the abundant parasites have been dispatched and she’s gained 2 pounds – beyond the 14 pound mark -- in the 11 days she’s been in “custody” of Rebecca, a member of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission who is actually set up to rescue special needs cats at her home.

Rebecca notes, also that “Metro Paws Animal Hospital  www.dallasmetropaws.com helped me help so many animals. ... I realize being a vet is a business but they haven't forgotten the compassion part of the business.” She’s particularly grateful for the level of personal care given by the hospital founders, Dr. Jennifer Lavender and Dr. Kathryn Junkins Sarpong.

A puppy, while cute and loveable to most of us, has a different dynamic with special needs cats. So, Hannah Banana needs a place to go. (To offer to take in this puppy or help find her a home, call 214-293-5787 or e-mail [email protected].

She is coping with the adventure of rescuing a puppy. And this one is, she says, “the happiest puppy ever.”

And the pup has a great set of ears and, of course, qualifies as our Earhound of the Day. Rebecca explains the championship ears thusly: “One goes to the front. One to the back. They never go the same way at the same time.” 

CINDY LOU WHO IS HOME: Oh, boy, here’s some good news. “We found her!”  Kandace Foley excitedly reported yesterday.

You may recall our mention in October of the case of Cindy Lou Who who slipped her collar at her Lewisville vet’s office and vanished into a neighborhood near the Lewisville High School campus. Keep in mind that throughout all kinds of weather, Cindy Lou Who is an indoor dog and always has been.

Kandace says, “The Lewisville Humane Society and the Animal Mobile vet on Main Street in Lewisville spotted her near the open field behind Wal-Mart and when we went out there, sure enough, she was there hiding in the woods and came out to Mommy and licked me and jumped on me. She has lost 20 pounds but the vet says that she is OK.

“It really was one of the happiest moments of my life! Please tell people never to give up hope.  She was gone October 24-November 21 and I kept calling, emailing, and visiting shelters, rescue groups, humane societies, and vets all over the place. 

“Kat from Dog Gone Detectives with her rescue dog Boscoe were very helpful because Boscoe was able to tell the general area where she had been in Lewisville...So we knew where to keep most of our focus, though, we did search outside of the area as well in case somebody picked her up and she traveled.”

And, there you have it. Cindy Lou Who is going to be home for the holidays.

ASSORTED NOTES

--Yesterday, the SPCA of Texas and the Delta County Sheriff’s Department conducted a joint raid of a property on which animals were kept in pretty ugly conditions – you know the way these things usually go, so no sense repeating the ugly details. Authorities confiscated 101 dogs, 7 donkeys, 4 Chinchillas and a Cockatiel. The custody hearing is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 1 in Justice of the Peace Bud skinner’s courtroom at the Delta County Courthouse in Cooper. Go to www.spca.org to see how to help with cruelty raids and also to see some of the milder photos of this particular raid.

-- Euless Animal Services’ shelter is loaded with cats and kittens, according to a report from Euless Trinity High School’s Girls Awareness Program, the group that has adopted the shelter and works to help the animals find homes. This cat is named Nippers – she’s said to be a nice quiet cat who likes to sit and look out the window. To ask about any animal at the Euless shelter, call 817-684-1594 or visit the Euless online site HERE.

--The noted shelter walker Russell Posch spotted this situation in the Irving Animal Services shelter and immediately got word out to assorted groups. This dog, Annabel, and her four 4-day-old girl puppies, were surrendered to the Irving shelter by their human. Mom’s only about a year old and weighs in at under 45 pounds. Russell’s note says that she “is friendly and calm and allows the staff to handle her puppies.” To ask about rescuing this family, call the shelter’s rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 or call the shelter office at 972-721-2256 or 2257.

-- The now-closed rescue group Pound Pals, based in Mineola in East Texas, continues to shut down, trying to find homes for the dogs it has taken in. There are six dogs left, according to a note from someone who is helping Kerri Haas close her rescue group. Among the dogs, is this friendly fellow Tam. To ask about helping with the remaining dogs either by adopting or fostering or getting into a shelter, call Kerri at 903-530-0266 or e-mail [email protected].

-- In Sulphur Springs, about 90 miles east of Dallas on I-30, they still gas the unwanted animals. Among those animals is this handsome Aussie mix and the shelter’s animal control officer, Denise Stinson, is appealing for some help to save him. He may be 3 years old.  “He is very sweet and loving,” she says. “He can walk on a leash and loves people. He is a very good boy.” And he’s on a quick clock – his time at the shelter will be up on Wednesday. Denise told me this morning that she thinks she may have someone interested in adopting him. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, he’s so beautiful, I just thought people ought to see what magnificent animals wind up in shelters.

To offer to help any animals in Sulphur Springs’ shelter, e-mail [email protected] or call the shelter at 903-438-9369 or (cell) 903-348-3122.

--Regarding Jeffrey Hartman’s attempts to help a mangy, starving black pit bull he picked up off the road, Jeffrey e-mails us that the dog is on the waiting list at Spindletop near Houston and things are looking up. But people can still offer to adopt the dog and Jeffrey can give you a solid assessment of this pup’s character and tendencies. E-mail him at [email protected]. He is driving the dog to Spindletop Friday and notes that he'll have room to bring an animal or two back if anyone needs transportation help in the area. E-mail him at [email protected] or call him at 972-978-3203.

--From our reliable tipster/rescuer in Burns Flat, Okla., Terry Lynn Fisher, we get this note and it starts with a question. She writes, “It never stops. How the heck are there so many dogs here in this small town?” The population is around 1,750 people and who knows how many dogs and cats.

This dog is about 6 months old, “has brown blended in his legs and white on his chest,” Terry Lynn says. “He’s a little Lab mix. He is so sweet and loving.”

But, she says, the city shelter is “in complete overflow. They are threatening to put some down. I do not know what to do any more.”

If a rescue group has room or an individual has a desire to help save some Oklahoma animals, e-mail Terry Lynn at [email protected] or call 580-330-1459. 

CALENDAR AT THE LAKE & A CAT BASKET, TOO: Prime money-raising time right now for Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the rescue group that runs what we’ll call “The World’s Most Successful Spay/Neuter Clinic” in Gun Barrel City.  We get the info from our reliable Friends tipster Sydney Busch.

First, the Friends have proudly published their 2010 version of the Pampered Pets of Cedar Creek Lake calendar. You can get it at Bluebonnet Emporium in Gun Barrel City, at the Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce, at April's Pet Place in Tool, Texas, at Syler Veterinary “Clinic in Athens and at the Friends of the Animals Clinic on Tuesdays. The calendar costs $10. That’s the cover with some genuinely pampered pets.

And Friends is also currently raffling off a cat basket (tickets are $1, six for $5 and 14 for $10). The basket is full of all sorts of cat-related items. Tickets are available through the Friends clinic and you can arrange to purchase them via [email protected]. Drawing for the basket – with items worth $80 – is Dec. 1.

CONTEMPLATIONS:  There’s no “pay wall” for visits to Readlarrypowell.com. We’re free and we have information. It’s the public service aspect of journalism, something we believe trumps all other motives. We figure people who read this site would prefer to spend their money on dogs and cats – their own and those that other people dumped or mistreated.  ... Fun things you see on TV (and I realize people who live in glass houses shouldn’t thrown stonze.) On the Dallas/Fort Worth NBC affiliate this morning, the crawl on the bottom of the photo reminded viewers that the Dallas Stars beat the Carolina “Hurricaines.” (There is but one eye in a hurricane – truth in weather, truth in spelling.) And, the crawl also reminded viewers that the Dallas Mavericks would play “on tonight.” For crying out loud, I’ve heard this error dozens of times on TV and read it in poorly edited publications. If the event is today or tonight, you don’t need the “on.” It’s 7:30 tonight. Not 7:30 on tonight. What is happening to America? Is no one paying attention to grammar? I swear, it are driving me up the blamed wall. Help me off this soapbox before it caves in. ... These are the frustrations that arise when you try to read television. From now on, I’m just reading the radio.

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Monday brings opportunities...

It’s the Monday of Thanksgiving week and some people are already well into a week off from work. And some are counting the hours until “get outta here” time on Wednesday.

The thing is, just as it’s apparently never too early to start Christmas, it’s really never too early to celebrate Thanksgiving. In some of our hearts, Thanksgiving is a year-round holiday. Now, let’s look at our daily report:

HOLIDAY WEEK AT THE SHELTER: It’s a three-day week at shelters. That means animals are on an extremely short clock because, for one thing, human traffic is not going to shelters to pick a friend, it’s going over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house and grandma already has four or five dogs and cats.

We’ve chosen these Carrollton Animal Services animals as symbolic of all the shelter animals in the area. They are awaiting either a kind heart or the needle. Those are the only two choices until one of them can pick the lock on the shelter, call a cab, go to the airport and fly off to Rescue Island. Yeah, the odds are tough.

This dog Odie, a 50-pound shepherd mix, has a long shelter history. Here’s the official shelter story: “It seems his original owners had released him to another city shelter a while back and he was adopted from that shelter, but the new owners never changed his micro-chip to ensure the proper information was on file. The person who adopted him lost him and he ended up here at our shelter and the second owner has not bothered to come and look for him. So here he is waiting for yet another home that hopefully will be his forever and ever home. He is a great dog who is neutered already and has a micro-chip implanted in him (which is how we know his story). He gets along well with other dogs and will sit if you ask him nicely. He is a young adult and is tired of moving from home to home and is already to settle down.” Click HERE to see his video.

That beautiful multi-colored cat is Kelly and she’s available to rescue groups only because she’s come down with a “kitty cold” and needs some minor attention before going into a good home. (In many city shelters, if a cat sneezes more than once, it doesn’t get a hanky, it gets the needle.)

And what else would you name an orange kitten but “Spitfire”? She’s one of four kittens (the others are different colors) and a mom who came in as strays and now await their fates.

To ask about animals in the care of the Carrollton shelter, call 972-466-3420 or e-mail [email protected].

REGARDING THE STARVING PIT: Jeffrey Hartman picked up a starving dog and we wrote about the situation last week. You may recall that he’s in a tight spot and the dog is, too, and things may not work out. Veteran rescuers know this feeling.

Originally, the mangy, starving dog was going to be euthanized on Saturday if no one came forward, but some time was bought when a woman came to visit the dog, but it was subsequently discovered that the guy has a problem with other dogs.

He’s OK with people, it seems, but other dogs stir him in an unpleasant way.

Jeffrey is continuing to try to help this dog and says he thinks that Wednesday will be the last day if nothing can be done.

“I’ve contacted a few rescues/sanctuaries with no luck, but still waiting to hear from SPBR (Smiling Pit Bull Rescue) in New York and will be calling Spindletop in Houston this afternoon. I’m ready to travel with him anywhere, but the odds are getting worse. If nothing changes, it will be Wednesday late afternoon.”

To offer to help, call 972-978-3203 or e-mail  [email protected].

THE DUKE NEEDS A HOME: Our Animal Guardians of American tipster Natalie Blankenship is hoping that “someone in your readership” might have a place for this boy, Duke.

His former foster dad had to take a job with a lot of travel, so Duke no longer has a home and he’s living in a dog run/kennel and “is very depressed,” says Natalie.

He’s a 7-year-old shepherd mix who is “very well behaved and super sweet.” He’s a good and obedient walker, likes to ride in cars and enjoys being with people without jumping on them. His big drawback is he’s not keen on cats.

What’s his history? “AGA found him years ago stranded in a ditch with a broken hip. He is probably blind in one eye as well. He is in good health and desperately wants someone to love him and give him a little attention.”

To ask about giving Duke a home, call Natalie at 214-745-5209.

ASSORTED NOTES:

--A MICHAEL VICK PROTEST ON A PERSONAL LEVEL: Marnie Holden sent us a note last week asking about finding a place to donate $10 to an anti-Michael Vick fund every time the NFL quarterback is sacked. Anybody know of a place like that? (I suggested getting in touch with Three Dog Bakery in Southlake which is donating a bag of dog food to the Tarrant County food bank each time the dog-killer is sacked. He doesn’t seem to be playing that much, however.)

Later Marnie wrote that she’d settled on donating to Downtown Dog Rescue in Los Angeles. “No,” she writes, “They don't have an actual anti- campaign, but I feel good about making a donation to them. They seem to be doing worthwhile work on behalf of pit bulls. I was just SO ANGRY about the whole situation (i.e. him being reinstated after such a short prison term and being welcomed back with open arms by the NFL) that I just had to find some kind of an outlet.

“In your column I read about the person who sent dog biscuits to the [Philadelphia] Eagles top brass and I followed suit, but still wanted to do more to vent my frustration. Anyway, I feel my $$ will be well spent and I continue to be cautiously optimistic that the sadistic monster's career will soon be over.”
--A CANINE CLOTHING OFFER: Our pal Jonnie England, Director of Animal Advocacy and Communications for the Metroplex Animal Coalition, dropped us a note that “an owner whose small dog passed away has given me about a dozen SMALL and EXTRA-SMALL dog sweaters and coats. Some are brand new; some have been used, but are in good condition. She also gave me 4-5
small-sized Halloween costumes.” They’re free. To ask about acquiring them, email [email protected].

--GREYHOUND HELPER: We got a note from Carolyn Perkins who writes, “Elayne Boosler, the comedienne, has a wonderful rescue group in Los Angeles called Tails of Joy. She posted this link http://www.gpawisconsin.org/  which is a call for help in placing hundreds of Greyhounds in Wisconsin in need of adoption/rescue before the end of December due to a greyhound park shutting down.  Don't know if you post for out of state situations since we obviously have many here in Texas but thought I'd forward in case you want to post or forward to any Greyhound lovers you know.”

We’ll help critters anywhere. And, in case you want to help Texas Greyhounds, you can visit the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas HERE. You never know when they’ll bring in dogs from out-of-state, or out of the area code.

--NEAR THE JAIL: Tipster Deborah Trevino, who usually works with the dogs along Malloy Bridge Road, reports to us that there’s a medium-sized female dog living in a field near a bail bond office across the street from the Lew Sterrett Criminal Justice Center on Industrial at Commerce on the west end of downtown Dallas.  “My ex-husband says she’ a beagle mix, but she is larger than a beagle and looks like a type of Spaniel to me,” Deborah says. She may be on the brink of having puppies. So, there you have it: Another dog needs rescue near the Trinity River Levee, a common dumping area and a place where packs of dogs can be seen now and then. This one, though, seems more agreeable to being caught.

--ANOTHER SPCA SEIZURE: This has to have been one of the busiest seizure years on record for the SPCA of Texas. At some point today, you’ll learn through traditional print media or electronic media that the SPCA and the Delta County Sheriff’s Department seized more than 60 dogs and at least 7 donkeys this morning. They were being kept in horrific conditions, the SPCA says. It’s the usual story: starving, no water, overcrowded, ugly, ugly stuff. Stay tuned.

WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT: It sure looked like this dog Molly was going to get every possible thing working in her favor last week.

Russell Posch, the veteran shelter walker at Irving Animal Services had spotlighted her and gotten her some extra attention after she arrived at the shelter all battered and wrecked from an encounter with a car.

A foster home was lined up and people joined in financing surgery to repair her leg.

But not everything works out.

We get the report from veteran rescuer Jennifer Lee who was to foster Molly. On Friday she wrote, “Molly's leg repair surgery was today and everything went fine. It was a little more complicated than anticipated, so the cautious vet decided to skip spaying her. Everything was fine during the surgery and she was in post op doing just fine when she crashed. No warning, no reason. Her heart just gave out.

“The vet and her staff worked on her for 30 minutes and couldn't bring her back. They are heartbroken as am I.”

And she says, “For those of you that donated via PayPal, please let me know if you'd like your donation back. I know times are tough. If you don't, I'd like to ask permission to share whatever is above and beyond the vet bill to help out a fellow rescuer. I will settle the bill with the vet knowing she is overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated by many for how damn hard she works. If there is anything left of the donations made direct to her clinic, I would like permission to leave it for the staff to pay it forward to the next deserving dog/cat whose owners cannot afford the medical care needed to save their pet's life. “

E-mail Jennifer at [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS: As we count down to Thanksgiving, let’s just list some of the things we’re grateful for this Monday morning: The Dallas Cowboys thoroughly defeated and smeared the Washington Redskins, 7-6. Oh, wait, that’s not exactly being “smeared” is it. ... Have all the leaves fallen from the trees in East Texas? I was hoping to go see them this year. Anybody know? ... My funspouse Martha has the day off and slept in. Do you have any idea how disruptive this is to her dogs? They don’t know whether to sleep on the couch and chairs, as usual, or demand to be let into the bedroom with Martha and her cat, Annabelle Bob. My personal assistant, Inky the Cocker Spaniel, chose to sleep on the floor next to my chair, as usual. He is a clever creature of habit and knows he's more likely to get a treat from me than from the sleepingspouse.

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When the new dog sleeps...

Since we’re heading into the week of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d pick photos for Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap that indicate how some of us are nosing into the holiday season while keeping an ear open for hints and suggestions.

Yes, these are photos from our own Readlarrypowell.com household and the nose belongs to a rescued dog named Wendy, or, as my chucklespouse Martha refers to her, Wendyanna Jones. She runs with reckless abandon and bounces through the house on furniture as if she's afraid to touch the floor. We're trying to discourage that. Wendy is a cartoon dog if there ever was one.

When you have a new dog in the house – and there are already some older dogs who long-ago lost interest in chewing TV remotes and the like – you tend to keep one ear open for the sound of unauthorized crunching and chewing.

This particular day I was sitting at my computer writing when I heard nothing. Sends chills down your spine, doesn’t it?

That is often more frightening than hearing big teeth gnawing a cell phone. I turned and did not immediately see Wendy. All the other dogs who usually sleep in this room were sacked out in plain sight.

Inky the Cocker Spaniel was snoring like an industrial chain saw in the hands of someone who enjoys the sound of a metal chain biting through parking meters.

Now, back to Wendy: I looked around and started to get up for a household search when something between the two official human recliners caught my eye. That’s little Wendy’s nose resting on the arm of one recliner while pointed toward the other. You could tell she was sleeping – her whiskers were twitching.

And in that other photo, taken a few days later, you see Annie, the heeler mix, stretched out on the left and Wendy with one big ear up and the other down as she was awakened by my apparently less-than-stealthful approach with the camera.

You can tell when Wendy thinks I’m about to do something interesting. She leaps to her paws and races somewhere – she doesn’t care where, just somewhere else.

This time, assuming what I was doing wasn't interesting, she and Annie stayed flat out on the couch and went back to sleep.

And I envied Wendy. How she can sleep through the cocker spaniel’s snoring is beyond me.

(We’re planning a sweet presentation for the Thanksgiving edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap and if you have appropriate photos – perhaps a friendly Golden Retriever as a napping pilgrim after the feast, a big orange cat as the Great American Pumpkin Pie, a cockatiel who does a spot-on impression of a turkey pardoned by the White House, why, send the photos and info to [email protected]. We'll take ANY sleeping photos. We’re proud to publish photos of sleeping animals because they remind us insomniacs that every now and then we nod off and have something for which to be thankful.)

 

REBUTTAL:

 

And, now, our staff impersonator, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, would like to offer a poetic rebuttal regarding his high-decibel snoring. This photo is of his impression of an indignant client in a libel suit. His rebuttal:

 

To sleep, perchance, to snore

My humanity I cannot ignore

I scratch, I sniff, I even sneeze

Like humans I do what I please

To call a human’s adoring fan you’ll

need to whistle for a cocker spaniel.

We forgive  things that people  might do

but we still have lawyers and we will sue.

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A shepherd in the rain...

Pat Casale, who has a history of trying to help animals that are down on their luck, has discovered an unpleasant situation in Rendon, southeast of Fort Worth on Highway 1187. Remember this morning’s rain? How would you like to be a dog tethered out in that mess?

At Readlarrypowell.com, we have a theory that someone may know someone who can help with this.

Pat writes, “I don't know where to turn. I have spoken to the Tarrant County Sheriff's office and left messages with the Humane Society of North Texas, I need to know if there is anything else I can do.

“A family has a German Shepherd, full -grown, which I think they have had for a short time, maybe 2-3 months. The dog is tethered to a wire which is strung between two trees. The dog is always wrapped around one or the other trees and cannot reach its water or food bowls.

“Today, at 7:50 a.m. I drove by the house and that poor thing was sitting in the yard, tied up, with the rain pouring down on it.

“There is no shelter from the elements for the animal and I am furious. I thought there was a law in Texas that stated an animal left outside should be provided shelter.

“I called the Sheriff's office last Tuesday, reported how the dog was all wrapped around the tree, etc. They told me they would send a deputy out there. When I called, again, this morning, I was told that a deputy did go out there Tuesday and saw that the dog ‘seemed’ fine and that there is ‘NOTHING’ they can do.

“The dispatcher said that if it was summer and 100 degrees, it would be a different story. Someone needs to explain to me why 100 degrees is different from 56 degrees and pouring down rain. 

“Because this area is unincorporated, we are all at the mercy of county services, but I need to know if there is anything else I can do.”

To help Pat help this dog, e-mail [email protected].

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A Friday assortment...

The arrival of Friday is always such a surprise. It had seemed so far away just a few days ago.

Along the way we learned stuff and probably forgot some stuff, too. I don’t think I’m alone.  I do wonder, of course, how current crowding in shelters and the arrival of the Thanksgiving holiday next week will affect things. Anybody know? Now, today’s report.

THE RESCUE OF ROCKY: We got word yesterday from tipster DeDe Whitcombe of the Colin County Humane Society that Rocky, the big ol’ sweet dog who had been rescued from an unpleasant situation in Frisco and placed in the Collin County Animals Services Shelter has been saved from the needle.

You may recall that when Frisco Animal Control Officer Steve Lerner went to the dog’s home to investigate a cruelty situation, the dog ran out the door and hid behind the ACO rather than respond to the commands of the man of the house. Reportedly, the dog had been living on a diet of bacon grease and gunpowder. The gunpowder is supposed to make a dog mean. Didn’t work in Rocky’s case, we’re told.

So DeDe tells us that the rescue group Before The Bridge has claimed Rocky and will be trying to find a good home for him – the anchors of Before The Bridge are the mother-daughter team of Marsha Duncan-Fleming and Ashley Duncan. E-mail [email protected] to ask about helping Rocky and the group.

THE PASSING OF ARCHIE: Be sure to click on our Prayers & Passages page today to see a tribute to Archie, who died last week only a few weeks after being named the ASPCA Dog of the Year.

COLLECTING FOOD FOR CRITTERS: The Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Animal Food Drive is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at three Dickey’s locations (Forest at Central Expressway; Henderson at Central Expressway and 2525 Wycliffe Avenue).

Each of the restaurants will be collecting not only dog and cat food (any type), but also dog houses, crates and carriers, clean used or new towels and blankets and c ash to support animals. The animal groups associated with this drive are Metroplex Animal Coalition, KittiCo Cat Rescue and Angie’s Friends.

A CAT NEEDS SOME HELP: Rawlins Gilliland is trying to help out a “beloved next door neighbor “ in Dallas. The neighbor is in hospice care and needs to find a home for “her goofy and funny grouch of a kitty cat,” he writes. The cat is Garfield.

Rawlins says his home is at the city limit and so he needs to find a good home – possibly someone “older [who] would love an older woman’s kitty. He’s a good guy, although as I said, he’s a sweet grump.” Garfield is 10 years old and came into his home as a kitten. And he’s accustomed to being in a nice quiet home, though he does get along well with other cats and with Rawlins’ dogs.
“Basically, he is low-maintenance and amusing as furniture,” says Rawlins.

To ask about adopting Garfield, call 214-388-4524 or 214-886-1698 or e-mail [email protected].

Rawlins also asks for prayers “for my friend and neighbor ... who has been a joy to know and live next to for over 25 years.”

(FYI: I’m not naming the neighbor, because I figure this is a time for privacy. I suspect any prayers for “Rawlins’ neighbor” will get to the right place. I think that’s the way it works.) 

DAILY STIPULATION: And, of course, your honor, we’d like to stipulate in the Court of Public Opinion that shelters in the North Texas area, and possibly other areas of the nation, are full of unwanted dogs and cats.

As an example, we got an e-mail that carried the notice that things are overloaded at the Little Elm Animal Shelter just north of Dallas about 10 quick minutes. Among the photos in the note was this one titled “One Diva & A Dude” though, clearly, there are 3 kittens in the photo. Someone has adopted one of the girls. That just leaves a perfect pair of 8-week-old kittens.

The Little Elm Shelter operates through the police department when Animal Control Officer Cynthia Medrano is not in the office or is out on calls. But you can ask about these kittens by calling 214-975-0460. The shelter is at 100 W. Eldorado Parkway in Little Elm (Zip Code 75068). You can also e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].

How much does it cost to adopt an animal from Little Elm? A whopping ten bucks.

That’s right. $10. For $20 you can have a pair of kittens and years of entertainment.

Just fyi: The shelter will be closed Thanksgiving and the subsequent Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

ASSORTED NOTES:

--Hold your breath, cross your fingers and all that other stuff. It looks like there may be a rescue working out for Chance the Schnauzer mix in East Texas. We’ll let you know when we know.

--Rescuer Laci Milani Ingalls forwarded this note to us and I’ll be someone can immediately help Sharmon Walters help out a friend. Sharmon wrote, “I have a lady who is looking for a Yellow Lab that is house-broken. Do you have any that might be available?” Oh, boy. How about every city shelter and half the rescues in North Texas. To offer to help, e-mail [email protected].

-- On Nov. 4 we wrote about Magic, an Arlington Animal Services Dog whose euthanasia date was Nov. 7. He was suffering from starvation, mange, a skin condition and poor treatment by a human. He’d been surviving on the streets when he was picked up and put on the clock at the city shelter. What has happened to this dog? We get the answer from Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. “I pulled him and he is now named Merlin. This dog has apparently NEVER been treated humanely. He is so grateful for everything. We are feeding him 3 times a day and he has gained 6 pounds in a week.  Unfortunately, either due to his stay at the shelter or otherwise, he has a severe upper respiratory infection and we're on our second round of antibiotics.  His skin is healing and you can see that he will have a beautiful coat one day. He is truly a special boy. We also learned that he can SMILE. It looks at first like he is snarling at you. But he is not -- he is smiling and thanking us for his fully tummy and cushy bed.” (To offer to help Merlin e-mail [email protected] or go to www.ca-n.petfinder.com.

-- Click HERE to read the Tyler Morning Telegraph’s story about dogfighting convictions.

-- You might be able to get an Earhound at half-price on Saturday. Denton’s Animal Shelter is hosting a special adoption on Saturday – it’s called “Ray of Hope,” says our tipster Amy Pelzel, and during the event all adoptions – dogs and cats – will be just $60. That’s half-price. The shelter is at 300 S. Woodrow Lane in Denton.

Among the animals available will be this two-year-old Carley, a healthy Basset who, the shelter says, “is fun-loving and just a great girl. she loves all other dogs and people.” Saturday is her first day of adoption availability – probably won’t be there long.
--You may remember seeing a photo of this dog on Readlarrypowell.com back on Nov. 12 – she was one of the “in some real trouble” dogs photographed by Russell Posch, the noted shelter walker at Irving Animal Services. Here’s what’s happening with this dog (we get it courtesy of a veteran rescuer who wants to remain anonymous for now):

“Miss Molly is recuperating at the vet for her surgery to repair her broken femur. Upon closer exam, her pelvis x rays did indicate multiple horizontal fractures. It is the opinion of many vets that we should let these injuries heal on their own with strict crate rest. Trying to surgically repair her pelvis would be painful, costly, and might not even get us a more desirable result. So again we wait and we hope for the best.

“Lucky for Molly I am an old pro at post op / crate rest dogs....so I know all about the importance of zero activity while letting broken bones fuse back together with hardware in place.
“For now Molly will stay at the vet's office, free of charge thanks to her awesomeness, for about 1 more week. It's important she get some rest and post op care before moving into my home for fostering. I need the week to survive the holidays, prep my house for Molly, and practice dead-lifting heavy objects so I can carry her to and from the crate for potty breaks. No worries, I'm one tough chick, just like Molly.”

To offer to help Molly by adopting or donating, e-mail [email protected].

--Earlier this week we mentioned that Winona Curfman, a social worker at Presbyterian Hospital, was trying to help a patient find a temporary foster for her two dogs. Winona reports that “both dogs that I was concerned about are in a safe place at this point.” So, there you go. Someone’s doing a good deed. Bless their hearts.

--And in Houston, the no-kill dog/cat rescue group Friends For Life  needs supplies, we learn in a tip from noted relentless cat rescuer Edna Taylor. She forwards a note from Salise Shuttlesworth, the Friends For Life executive Director that says the group is “in desperate need of donations of cat litter and food (canned and dry).” They’ll also take PetsMart and Petco gift cards. “During these hard economic times,” Salies writes, “Our furry friends have been hit even harder as their families are leaving them behind.” To offer to help the group, e-mail [email protected] or call 713.863.9835.

--If you have a desire to help animals through food or supply donations, check with a group you’ve heard of, maybe Google your favorite breed’s rescue group, ask an animal supporting friend, etc. Just ask around – you’ll find a rescue group or shelter that is in need of supplies. Look at it as an investment in your future – if you don’t already have a critter, maybe you’ll get one someday from that shelter or group. It’s the circle of critter life.

WHY NEWSPAPERS MUST NOT FAIL: As you may know, the rescue group A Different Breed has regular noon-to-5 p.m. Saturday adoptions at Pepper Square Shopping Center, Belt Line at Preston. It takes some supplies to run one of these adoption things ADB’s Joni McConnell sent out a note to volunteers reporting “We are in DESPERATE NEED of dry dog food and newspapers!  We took in another 7 mixed-Lab pups last Saturday, and are going through newspaper fast!

“ With 70 or so dogs now under our care, we are down to our last 2 days of dog food.  It's been a very tough year for all rescues, but first and foremost, we have to feed them!  If you can drop off a bag of dry dog food to Pepper Square on Saturday, it would be very much appreciated!” 

(Readlarrypowell aside: And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why corporate America cannot allow newspapers to fail – they are essential and perfectly designed for prolific puppies.)

CONTEMPLATIONS: So, Oprah Winfrey is shutting down her Chicago-based TV show. Can she be looking at a career in politics? Of course not. Why swap the power to do good for a job in politics? ... We’ve had an impressive amount of rain in our neighborhood this morning – it’s chilly, dark and rainy. Apparently this is good sleeping weather for dogs and cats. I am the only mammal in our house who has been awake since breakfast. ... There’s a story on assorted websites about a woman in Arkansas who gave a cop the OK to taser her unruly 10-year-old daughter. My kids were well behaved. But in retrospect, and remembering some of the teenage years, I can only lament “there’s never an Arkansas cop with a taser around when you need one.” Just kidding, boys, just kidding.

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Sometimes saving is easy...then again

We’ve got some interesting things to approach today – a three-legged cat; a pit bull that was picked up starving and may be killed...Some mornings, you just hate to open the e-mail, you know?

The good thing is, people with hearts may be reading this and here’s something else to remember, people with hearts were writing the e-mails. You’ll see. Read on.

PICKED UP AND IN TROUBLE: Usually it’s the dogs that are picked up by animal control that find themselves on the clock, but here’s one who is on the clock and isn’t in a shelter.

And, as you can see, this dog wasn’t in primo condition when Jeff Hartman made the pickup. Here’s Jeff’s story in his words. He recalls another rescue. He writes, “I was fortunate enough to find Paula (a young pit) back in June running loose and probably lucky enough to escape somebody’s backyard in the Pleasant Grove area on the east side of Dallas. She was such a joy to foster, but she finally found a great new home 3 weeks ago in Roanoke -- a family that will take care of her.

“ Seems like as soon as you find a home for one, fate crosses your path again, and again, and you never see the end of it.

“It happened to me again today [Wednesday]. If I had left work 5 minutes early or later, my day would have ended the way I wanted. No surprises 

But, this young fellow found me, one block from where I found Paula. You can imagine what he's been through looking at his pictures, and I think one more night outside would have been it for him.

“Right now he is at VCA Loop 12, warm, full tummy and probably sleeping now. He'll have some medical problems which aren't known yet only because I told them to just make him comfortable.

“I came to a decision after Paula found her home, no more fostering. My sanity is at stake, and it was the misfortune of this fellow for finding me. I was ready to euthanize him right then, but he was wagging his tail at me, I couldn't do it.

“I’m asking everybody for help. Rescues, sanctuaries, foster home? I will transport him anywhere in the country. But, I'm only giving him through Friday for good news, after that, as much as I despise myself for this, I have to carry through.”

Before you jump all over Jeff for having this attitude, remember that he stopped and picked up the dog. He has taken the dog to a vet. He has given his heart to dogs for a while. And he knows the longshot of a pit in Dallas getting a break. “I’ll go up to the vet Saturday morning to do it, and take him to the pet crematory on Highway 78 towards Wylie,” he says. But he doesn’t want to. He also doesn’t want to see the dog moved to a shelter only to be killed or wind up in “bad” hands only to be killed. 

And, he says, “I am not looking, nor do I want donations for his care, I've always taken care of medical expenses myself for my rescues. If I couldn't afford it, I wouldn't have picked them up. This guy needs a caregiver.”

To offer to help this dog and this man, call 972-978-3203 or e-mail [email protected]. 

THREE RESCUES: Over the past few weeks we’ve gotten reports from Halteman’s Haven about two dogs in trouble – Latte was a little dog with purple hair and an eye problem and Peanuts was a Chihuahua who had been hit by a car.

Now, the thing to remember is Keli Halteman started the rescue group to deal only with cats, but these two dogs crossed her path and, well, there you have it, the course changed. Still, she’s dealing with down-on-their-luck cats, too, and when we asked about the dogs (both are in better situations now), she asked if we could also mention Stan the Three-Legged Cat.

So, here are the three stories:

Keli says Stan, born with a stump for a back left leg, was rescued from the Irving Animal Shelter.  He has since been neutered and had that bad leg situation tidied up. He’s healthy, up to date on shots and will be ready for adoption by Nov. 25. “He is a normal, happy, healthy kitten who gets around very well,” Keli says. “He kind of skips. He deserves a loving family that does not care that he only has three legs. You should see him move. He ZOOMS!”

Many readers may remember Latte because of the sorry state in which she arrived at this “rescue” point of her life. The toy poodle mix was found running down Buckner Road and was “covered in purple salve that is used on horses for wound care. It had plastered her eye shut,” the Haven report read. So what has happened? Latte’s vet’s mother-in-law adopted the dog after donating the grooming.

And the story of Peanut touched hearts, too. Peanut, a 3-month-old female Chihuahua mix had been run over on a freeway – a motorist who saw the event reported that the driver didn’t stop. That’s understandable. The car was an SUV and the dog is small. You wouldn’t expect a tiny dog to survive.

But Peanut did – crushed pelvis and all. At first the inclination was to euthanize her, but Halteman’s Haven reports “the three doctors who examined her and reviewed her x-rays” felt she could be saved.

And, now, Peanut has been adopted and will go to her new home around Thanksgiving.

Halteman’s Haven still has bills from these animals and there are more cats (and probably dogs) in the future. To see available animals and how to donate to Halteman’s Haven, click HERE

or e-mail Keli at [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS: This morning on AOL’s welcome page there was this headline: “Janet Jackson breaks silence.” I had no idea she’d been silent. ... Today is the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show and it reminds me that one of the most spot-on Bullwinkle impressions I ever heard was by my late pal Barry Boesch – he’d worked at the big paper in Dallas for decades, then became executive editor of The Denton Record Chronicle. At the big paper, every now and then, in the tension of editing a difficult story in which key elements may have been missing, Barry would, in a great Bullwinkle voice, say, “Hey, Rocky! Wanna see me pull a rabbit out of my hat?” The newsroom would laugh, he’d edit and we’d publish.  ... Any other Baby Boomers have this sensation: Chilly days in autumn remind you of the Cold War, duck-and-cover, East Germany, the Soviet Union and other terrifying touchstones? We’re talking of a time before Dallas had the Cowboys, before Texas had big league baseball and before everybody had credit cards.

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