Before we get to these sleeping dogs, I want to tell you Readers (with a capital R) that you have lived up to your reputation as big-hearted people. On Wednesday we mentioned a situation in The Colony – a former firefighter, his daughter and tough times -- and ... well, I’m saving the outcome for last today. I hope you’ll take time to read the things that precede it. You'll see the makings of a merry Christmas for animals and people.
This holiday weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is the lead story on a collection of happy endings and assorted tales that might make you feel pretty good about things. As if you don’t smile when you see the faces on these two slumbering dogs, well, your elf shoes are too tight.
Now, when I got this photo from Melissa Farnsworth last week I thought it would make a great photo for the Christmas season. We have key elements here: a fireplace and, obvioiusly, no creature is stirring.
I thought right off they were rehearsing for Christmas Eve and waiting for Santa.
Melissa describes the situation thusly: “Here are my two babies passed out! Molly is our furry black dog and Amelia is our sweetie that we adopted two weeks ago from Metroplex Mutts.
“We saw Amelia's picture on their website and it was love at first sight! There is something about her eyes that just had me the first time I saw her. Of course, you can't see her eyes here because she is sacked out! The dog beds that they are sleeping in are their early Christmas presents and they LOVE them. They go straight to them as soon as we get back from our run around the block.”
I took the liberty of using the magic of the computer to home in on the faces of this sleeping pair and, as you can see, they are quite adept at sleeping.
And aren’t those some spectacular faces. It is easy to see how a mere mortal could fall for these angels.
A FOLLOW UP ON A COLLIN COUNTY DOG: Yesterday we ran a photo of a mangy dog that had been dumped by its owner in the Collin County Animal Services shelter in McKinney.
The odds were bad that the dog would survive the experience. Generally a mangy dog isn’t going to get out of any shelter unless some human steps up on its behalf.
That’s what happened. DeDe Whitcombe, the rescuer and shelter walker at the Collin County facility, met the dog Wednesday morning. She says she “really spent some time with this one. .... What an awesome dog and since he was neutered already (amazing!), I just took him. He has obviously suffered so long, I just could not let him die.
“I am still looking for a rescue for him. I do not think he is a Husky. With every rib protruding, he is 54 pounds. I think he is a Malinois mix or something wolfy looking. Would love to have the Mal folks ID him if they can – he has amber eyes and a reddish gold coat.”
Here comes the Christmas miracle part: he is heartworm negative. Let me just say that again because it’s worth repeating in the case of this neglected dog. Heartworm negative!
His main problem is demodex mange and an infection from it – wait, I’m wrong. His main problem is he doesn’t have a good home. Mange is easily fixable compared to finding a good home.
IN the meantime, he’s getting good care because someone stepped between him and an ugly fate. DeDe says that “in fact, I am already quite smitten with him.”
They’re calling him Dylan and he’s under care at the Tri-County Vet Hospital in Anna. If you want to help out with his medical bills, you can write to Tri-County Vet Hospital, Dylan Account, 8261 FM 2862, Anna, Texas, 75409 or call 972-924-3622. And if you’re interested in adopting him, e-mail [email protected].
A KID MAKES AN IMPRESSION AT CHRISTMAS: We got this story from Amity Thomas who sent it to us on behalf of the folks with Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.
“Last week, the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT) received a voicemail message from Debbie Woodard, who advised that her 8-year-old son, Calvin, wanted to make a donation to GALT in person. It seems that Calvin thought he really didn't need any new toys or other gifts for his birthday on November 8th. He decided that he would rather make a donation to a very special charity. After researching several worthy beneficiaries, Calvin chose GALT as the lucky recipient of his generosity. Calvin invited several of his friends and family members to donate to his charity of choice in lieu of presenting him with birthday gifts. He even decorated a special donation box with pictures of greyhounds! When Calvin and his parents strolled into the Petco Allen store during our December 19th Meet and Greet, the GALT volunteers were expecting to receive a donation of $20 or $30. Imagine their surprise when Calvin presented them with an envelope containing $200!”
The photo shows Cole the Donation Dog, Calvin and Debbie and Shaq.
And GALT’s official statement is, “Debbie and her husband, Will Woodard, have raised a very special boy who has taught us all a thing or two about the true spirit of giving.”
HELPING THE DAD AND THE LITTLE GIRL: Yesterday we mentioned the situation Patricia Barrington, animal control division manager in The Colony, and Animal Control Officer Stephanie Byington were dealing with after the ACO made a call on a suspected animal cruelty case. There was no cruelty to the animals, she determined, but the people – a former firefighter who’d suffered a debilitating stroke, and his 11- or 12-year-old daughter – were having worse than a tough Christmas. They were having no Christmas -- and not much else, either.
What happened? We got this note from Patricia last night after a whirlwind of a day:
“Well, here's the scoop,” she writes. “This little Christmas put together in a matter of hours was a tremendous success. Your readers and the good people of The Colony made this a Christmas to remember for this lovely family.
“We managed an iPod, a bike, two boxes of toys and games, clothes, ten-plus bags of groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, gift cards galore to numerous eateries in The Colony, Wal-Mart and Target. [A Reader donated a Christmas tree, too]
“A vet very near and dear to me donated yearly vaccinations for their 4 dogs. The good ladies on staff at the clinic put together hundreds of dollars of goodies for the little girl.
“Seriously, in a matter of hours, people pulled together and filled an entire pick-up bed with items for this family...and the fire department in The Colony delivered all the items (we didn't want them to know that we pulled it together for them ... by we I mean mostly Stephanie -- that girl got to work!).
“The fire guys said that the appreciation was overwhelming and assured us that we ‘picked the right family.’
“It's amazing what people can do ... and will do, just downright amazing. This has been a great day and I am so thankful for all your help with this little people matter. My heart is happy right now. And, I just got a call from Stephanie - her heart is happy, too.
“Thank you and your readers and may you have a holiday filled with peace and happiness.”
Yes, Readers, Merry Christmas and bless your big ol’ hearts.
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