At mid-week, animal issues, successes and St. Louis' weather...

Ah, it’s the middle of the week and we’re already irritated.
Feels good, doesn’t it? What’s irritating? Don’t have time to make the list. But some of you know who you are... OK, in no particular order, let’s dive into the day’s activities.
THE NO-KILL TASK FORCE DAY TWO: The big announcement about the Dallas Companion Animal Project was made yesterday though work started much earlier on establishing a no-kill task force for Dallas. People have been gathering resource information for several weeks. (Aside: Of course, some people were immediately critical of this task force’s personnel and efforts. That is human nature. The democratic process isn’t always pretty.)
 To summarize, the City of Dallas has appointed a task force of animal-types to establish this peculiar town as a big city with a taxpayer-financed “no-kill” shelter. Anybody can have a non-profit no-kill shelter – you just quit taking in animals and don’t kill any to make room for more animals. Appointment-only shelters, you know?  They’re usually always full.
But in a city this big, with a legal responsibility to control unwanted animals and the law says you can’t turn any away, how do you make a legally must-take-all shelter with hundreds of always-full cages a no-kill shelter?
Ah, the challenge. Can you just declare that you’re no-kill? Or do you apply a thoughtful approach of coordinated efforts? And how quickly can you achieve this no-kill status? So far the no-kill status hasn’t been achieved since 1841 when John Neely Bryan set up what would become the city of Dallas. But, this is the 21st Century and – look around – humans are a lot smarter now than they were in the 1840s. [FYI: Founder John Neely Bryan died in a state asylum for the insane – anybody who has lived in Dallas for one election cycle can understand that fate.]
If you want to get involved in this task force’s efforts, get the key information by clicking HERE. As you may have read, the task force believes community involvement – not just animal groups, but businesses and other entities -- is going to be key to the achievement of no-kill status. (More on public involvement later in today’s report in the form of a letter from Metroplex Animal Coalition President Elaine Munch. In the meantime, we’ll touch on other notes. Keep reading, please.)
Oh, and that dog? That is a dog that made it out of Dallas Animal Services – rescue group coordinator Mark Cooper of DAS had issued a plea for help with her. The story is this small, female terrier was brought in as a stray a couple of nights ago. Mark reports, “Our front desk staff member Danielle Fry noticed ... what appeared to be a rubber band wrapped around the dog’s snout. With the shelter being closed and no vet on the property, Danielle and Supervisor [Dayanara] Castillo took matters into their own hands. With the instruction of our surgical vet, Dr. Angela Paben, on the phone they tranqued the sweet dog and carefully removed what ended up being a hair band that had been placed around the dog’s muzzle and embedded so deeply that the sinus cavity, the roots of the teeth and jaw bone were all visible. The dog was given pain meds overnight.
Dr. Paben came to the shelter on her day off to check on the dog and begin giving her antibiotics. In the meantime, Mark reports, Forgotten Tails Rescue stepped up and took the dog. (We have messages in to the folks with Forgotten Tails to see what else the dog might need besides a new home.)
[Larry aside: We’ve seen this sort of thing before – people put tape and elastic bands on the muzzles of dogs to keep them from barking. It is a cruel act – people have gone to jail for this behavior. If anyone recognizes this dog or knows about the “banding” incident, perhaps a call to authorities would be appropriate.
And, yes, there you have some of the human element the task force must cope with when establishing a “no-kill city.” ]
FOOD FOR ANIMALS: We got a note from Roni Seely of Habitat 4 Paws this morning that might interest you folks who have a crowd of critters to feed.
Roni writes, “Habitat 4 Paws wrapped up a week-long food drive this past weekend held by Blissful Bark in Flower Mound.  Paws Pantry has a few hundred pounds of dog and cat food available.  Our program is designed to help those truly in need, so would you mind posting that if anyone knows of a shelter, rescue or individuals in their community that are feeding strays who need help to please contact us at [email protected] .”
There you go. Someone’s prayers may be answered.
A WEEKEND REQUEST: Usually on the weekends at Readlarrypowell.com, we run photos of sleeping animals – dogs, cats, etc. – in our long-running feature “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”
Because it’s the Halloween season, I thought it might be nifty if we ran photos of your costumed animals. I know that many of you dress your critters for Halloween. Extra points if you and your animal are costumed in the photo. No prize, no money, no nothing except gratitude and the opportunity to show the world how cute your critter is and maybe even how cute you are. Send the nominations to [email protected].  [That is Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, in an artist's rendition of what he'd look like if he were "The Crimson Canine," the hero of the high seas. If he shows up at your door Halloween, no chololate, no fruit, no treats. He'll prefer money.]
FOUND IN OAK CLIFF: We got a note this morning from Susan Lee who lives in the Elmwood neighborhood of Oak Cliff where, as she writes, “stray dogs are a constant.
“ In most cases, I would be resigned to Dallas Animal Services, but this fellow has potential.  If the timing and space are right, would you consider writing about him in your blog?
“The dog is probably under a year, about 60 pounds, wavy red/chocolate coat, looks a little Lab in the face, has a docked tail, not neutered, somewhat submissive-very sweet and wants to belong.  Smart, takes direction well.  Don't see any obvious health issues. Had dog scanned, no microchip found.
“He was waiting on my porch when I got home last Friday.  I've checked for owners through neighborhood association with no luck. I'm also checking with local shelters - which are turning out to be full up.”
To offer to help with this handsome dog, e-mail  [email protected] or call 214-499-6462.
REPORT FROM SEAGOVILLE: As you may recall, a few months ago Seagoville Police Sgt. Karl Bailey, with the help of a steady bunch of volunteers, began operating the suburban shelter as a no-kill facility.
Here’s the latest report from volunteer Johnna Bigley. “The Seagoville Animal Shelter is currently swamped with 33 dogs in only 10 pens.”
That means something’s got to give.
Among the animals on the quickly moving clock are Cisco, an owner-surrender. He is an 8-pound dog described as “older and terrified.”
And the other dog pictured here is Vader, who Sgt. Bailey has taken a personal interest in, we’re told. Vader is a “good dog” who just wound up in a bad spot – the story of so many animals in so many shelters.
To ask about any of the animals in the shelter, call 972-287-6838 or e-mail [email protected] or e-mail [email protected].
ROWLETT SHELTER’S EMPTY PLAN: Veteran rescuer Dawna Carabajal sent us a note about the City of Rowlett Animal Shelter and Friends of Rowlett Animals have scheduled an “Empty the Shelter Adoptathon” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the shelter, 4402 Industrial Street. (Phone 972-412-6219).
The Friends group and local businesses have chipped in enough dough to drop the Rowlett adoption fee to $50 all day – the usual fee is $75. And there’ll be a $20 (cash only) microchip clinic from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. See Rowlett’s animals HERE.
This kitten, Dusty, is one of the available animals – I ran his photo (click on it to make it larger) because he’s sort of an Earhound with that set of big ears, but also because he’s got the “reverse Groucho” eyebrows. Cute kid.
OH, MY, WHAT A COMEBACK: We got this note from Rekka Melby of Take Me Home Pet Rescue and, included, was a “photo comparison” of a dog now named Emily.
We wrote about the dog on Aug. 29 – someone from TMHPR had gone to the shelter to get one dog and spotted this battered pit. (Click HERE to see the original story and photos).
So, Emily represents not only the animals that go into the Dallas Animal Services shelter and get out, but animals that could get out if only there were places for them to go.
Emily got lucky – timing, the key to everything.
Rekka reminds us that Emily “had severe lacerations all over her body and a very swollen front leg. She has made a full recovery and is ready for adoption!  Her ‘before’ and ‘after’ picture is pretty incredible so I wanted to forward in case you want to share it in your column.  She's about 2 years old, housetrained, knows basic commands and is great with other dogs.  For adoption info folks can email [email protected],.”
Included with the note was a link to a video of Emily leavng the shelter. See it HERE.
TMHPR has about 50 dogs and cat in foster and awaiting a loving home.
That dog looks natural in a tutu – a lot more natural than she does limping around a shelter and bleeding from places all over her body.
God bless the idiot thugs and creeps in Dallas, of course.
MAC AND THE TASK FORCE: Last night, Metroplex Animal Coalition President Elaine Munch, a member of the task force, issued this letter to MAC members: “By now many of you may have heard about the new initiative designed to lead Dallas toward becoming no-kill of adoptable companion animals and then eventually those that are treatable and rehabilitatable.
“Several of us who serve MAC in a leadership, rescue or volunteer capacity are serving on this task force. Plus there are members of the community ‘at-large’ and breed rescue as well. It is a broad representation of people who know the work that needs to be done, but make no mistake.....it is different in one key respect.
“As the official announcement ...states, the goal of the Dallas Companion Animal Project is to involve the entire community. The Task Force will  ask the entire Dallas community to be responsible for solving this problem, not just ‘pass the buck’ to the overburdened and financially-strapped rescue community alone. And for the first time in a very long time, we have the backing and strong support of our City's staff and leadership in this endeavor.
“We hope to soon increase awareness, and fair and humane treatment for all our daily "companions" as well - be they songbirds, feral cats, or wildlife. We share our community with these creatures as well as our canine and feline ‘pet’ companions.”
CONTEMPLATIONS: One of the almost insurmountable burdens of the animal welfare arena is a difficult challenge known as “personality conflict.”  How difficult are personalities? MSNBC reporter Mark Helperin’s description of President Obama is not strong enough to describe the behavior of some animal people.  We really ought to focus on the animals instead of the rhetoric and personal attacks. ... I tell ya, kids, some days I read the mean statements animal people say about other animal people and I think I’d just as soon spend the day in a drunken stupor. Then I remember, I’m already in a stupor without drinking and look how much money I saved on liquor. ... How will we know the no-kill task force is having a positive effect? Numbers, I guess. Count the euthnasias. Maybe the people who make the death juice will have to lay off workers. ... The key really is people – getting their attention and changing their minds. It’s a political campaign. But it’s year-round.
THE WORLD SERIES: The Texas Rangers just have to win one game. One game. And the weather in St. Louis may keep that game from being played tonight.  Holy smoke, how much anticipatory angst can a whole fan base stand? Remember when just getting to the Series was enough anxiety? Now we’ve gone through “getting BACK to the Series and, today, we’re into the anxiety of “win one more game and the Rangers are world champs.” It’s the most joyous anxiety in a baseball fan’s life. And we must repeat, “GO RANGERS.”
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