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As November closes, Moms in crises...

As the final day of November arrives, I cannot tell you how greatly I wish the month had gone slower or, perhaps, had at least 60 days. It is my favorite month – a month of Thanksgiving’s big parade and, sometimes, entertaining family feasts and – let’s be honest -- even more entertaining feasts with people avoiding their families. It is a glorious month of cooler weather, beautiful colors of nature and sparking colors of factory-made lighting.
It is a month of promise and a month of reflection simultaneously. Maybe they all are. Maybe I just notice it more in November.
But throughout the months, no matter what humans were celebrating, animals kept arriving in shelters.
Some future  November, perhaps, more will walk out of shelters than arrive.
Speaking of arriving. This morning we got an e-mail from Allison Roberts, the volunteer shelter walker at Collin County Animal Services (more on this shelter in a moment). The note included this photo of a skinny mom and a pile of puppies. “This momma and her six adorable puppies were left in an RV park after the owner was evicted. mom is black with a little white on her chest – and very skinny. Five of the puppies are black (some with white chests) and one is Gold. One of the puppies has long wavy hair.”
What do they have in common? No home and a ticking clock.
Picture got to me. So I lead with it.
So did the photo of this odd-looking dog from The Colony Animal Shelter. I am staggered by the number of breeds I think I see in him. His name is Bucky and we’ll discuss him a little more in a moment. He is an available dog and I guarantee a conversation-starter. “Whuut kinda dawg is thayut?” people will ask.
THREE FROM DALLAS:  As the evening hours arrived last night, Mark Cooper, the hardworking rescue liaison at Dallas Animal Services, sent out a note about these three dogs. They are all scheduled to be euthanized Wednesday at the close of business.
But Mark things these three all have potential as household companions.
The boy Chiweenie is “scared, but wants to be loved to badly,” Mark explained. “After some baby talk and a treat he will climb right into your arms.”
The large male Yellow Lab (left) is sick with a “nasty” upper respiratory infection that the DAS vet has been treating. “He feels terrible and sounds terrible,” Mark says, “but he is super good-looking and very sweet.”
And that great face belongs to a female Shih Tzu/Pekinese mix who is older and has “some temperature issues, but, Mark says, “I believe that with some TLC she could be a super great dog.”
And, she, like our opening segment’s dog, would obviously be a real conversation-starter.
To ask about these dogs, e-mail [email protected]. Other animals and contact info are all at www.dallasanimalservices.org.
NO DECEMBER ANIMAL SHELTER COMMISSION MEETING: The Dec. 8 Dallas Animal Shelter Commission meeting has been canceled because, says Chairman Skip Trimble, it was just too close to the last one – that was week before last. The next meeting will be Jan. 12 – time and place TBA. Business scheduled for the 12th includes the ASC Annual Report. Probably there’ll be some Dallas Companion Animal Project discussion, too – that’s the no-kill project.
FOUND ON THE STREET:Diane Cannon (rescue runs in the family -- Karin Campbell, one of our tipsters, is her sis) e-mailed this morning about this dog. "My son found a pitty mix on the street last night and brought him home. I believe he is still a puppy. He is skinny and kinda beat up. I fed him and bathed him. ... He limps on his front legs. ... I cannot take him to a pound where he will be killed. I believe he will make a great pet for someone. ... I am so upset because I have called several rescue groups and have gotten nowhere."
The little guy was found limping along the Northwest Highway area near the Garland/Mesquite borders, Diane says.
To ask about helping this dog, e-mail [email protected].
The household already has other dogs, including a very territorial deaf pitty girl who isn't keen on having this little guy around.
THE EARS IN COLLIN COUNTY: As you can see here today, we’re presenting two types of Earhounds.
One is the traditional German Shepherd – a 4-year-od cool and calm girl named Cinnamon. Allison Roberts, the Collin County volunteer shelter walker, says Cinnamon is “great going down the aisle past the other dogs” and “walks great on the leash.” She also says she’s “not sure why this girl hasn’t been swept up yet.
You can ask about adopting this great Earhound contacting the shelter – e-mail both [email protected] and [email protected] and call 972-457-7292 and press 1 at the prompt. See more animals and adoption rules HERE. These rules will also help you rescue that skinny momma dog and her six RV park pups.
I don' know what will rescue the human that let the dogs get into such a dire situation -- surely they would not have wanted this to have occurred. Surely.
Oh, yeah, while looking at the animals in the Collin County Shelter, I ran across this Earhound, known to most people as a donkey, but, so obviously a member of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Dynamic Earhounds Society.
That sheep? Well, I’m just pointing out that the Collin County shelter has a number of barnyard animals and maybe you’d want to acquire one for your live nativity scene – if, you know, your Homeowners Association will allow it.
Yeah, sometimes we forget that more than dogs and cats wind up in animal shelters.
AN IRVING DOG: [UPDATE: On Dec. 2, this dog Jed was claimed by AWOL Rescue -- we'll have a complete update on Monday Dec. 5. Reminder: Jed was not the only animal in the Irving shelter -- in case you know people who'll feel better if they step up and snare an animal off death row.] Margaret Morin, more famous for monitoring the Dallas Zoo’s treatment of elephants and other animals, has a soft-spot in her heart for domestic animals, too, and tipped us to this dog Jed, who, she says, is on a fast-moving clock at the Irving Animal Services  Shelter.
“Irving said they have not had one inquiry about Jed despite two weeks of cross-posting,” Margaret told Readlarrypowell.com. “He is such a handsome, exceptionally sweet and well-behaved little dog, this make no since. So Irving is doing their best to keep him alive until someone notices his fine qualities and saves him from death.”
Jed’s neutered, is about 18 months old, weighs 45 pounds and has as “friendly” temperament.
He was an owner-surrender. He’s been among the animals listed on shelter walker Russell Posch’s photo collection of available Irving animals. Call the Irving shelter at  972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257.
AVAILABLE IN THE COLONY: Yes, this is Bucky and he is among the dogs and cats who are available at The Colony Animal Shelter.
He’s listed as Cane Corso Mastiff mix. Indeed, if you look at a photo of a Cane Corso Mastiff, you can see a little bit of Bucky in the big purebreds. But, you can also see some Shar-pei. Maybe some Bassett around the ankles. And, of course, those paws look like they might have some armadillo in them.
And, of course, he’s all dog, too.
Then, there are the before and after photos. The big fluffy looking dog is Ike and so is the little unfluffy dog. Ike is a Poodle/Maltese mix who came to the shelter in desperate need of grooming. That happens in every shelter – people can’t afford to pay for grooming and the dog winds up suffering.
To ask about any of the animals in The Colony shelter, e-mail Patricia Barrington, the Animal Control Division Manager, at [email protected] or call 972-370-9250.
That cat? Oh, I was looking at The Colony’s on-line inventory and spotted this cat and the name earned him a spot in today’s report. His name is Larry. I haven’t met him so I haven’t had the chance to ask if he’s a “Lawrence” or, like me, just a “Larry.” All Larrys, however, tend to be congenial and non-profit while the Lawrences and Laurences rake in the money and are either cranky actors or run corporations. That's what I heard.
THE MOVING DOGS FROM TOOL: Word went out yesterday about the need for transport help for three Shepherd-type sisters (that’s a photo of one) who can be moved from an on-the-clock kennel to a safe haven in Michigan.
The plea was from Krista Mc Anally, manager of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake shelter at Tool, Texas, about 50 miles southeast of Dallas. The goal was to raise $350 to pay for transportation costs.
Krista found someone to drive the dogs to Michigan, and, she says, “They leave Thursday if I can raise another $300.”
To help with the drive drive (yes, the drive drive) go to www.hsccl.org and hit the donate button – put “Shepherd Sisters” in the PayPal note so the donation will go to these dogs. The mailing address if HSCCL, P>O> Box 43531, Seven Points, Texas, 75143.
Of course, you don’t have to just give to the Society, you may also adopt from the shelter -- maybe even adopt one of these pups and save the rascal a long trip. Call 903 432-3422. You can see more Humane Society animals by going to the Texas Little Cuties website HERE.
ONE MORE DAS NOTE: For you folks outside of animal welfare and rescue, we have a note about a mom and her kids.
We got the tip on this from Rekka Melby of Take Me Home Pet Rescue, a group that takes in hard luck critters and monitors Dallas Animal Services for animals in a tough spot.
This mom and her pups are in a tough spot in that they are in a shelter. The mom is Roxie. She was an owner-surrender.
Why? Not sure, but here’s the circumstantial evidence: The day after she was turned into the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center, Roxie had six puppies.
No takers yet. And this photo shows Roxie and assorted pups. Roxie knows there’s a world outside an animal shelter. The puppies have no idea. They just know they’re with mom.
Probably it will be up to a rescue group – and they are all overburdened with animals and expenses – to pull this entire family and save their lives.
If no one steps up, well, the sad truth is the animal shelter cannot be the “forever home” to dogs nobody wants. These six puppies will have been born just to be killed.
The mom came into the shelter on Nov. 11. The family ID number is A700867. The e-mail contacts are [email protected] , [email protected] or [email protected]
In the harsh world of descriptions Roxie might be referred to as a “nondescript mutt.” The puppies? Same.
In the world of “give the dog a chance,” they might all be described as “the best dog I’ve ever had.” Just need a chance to show off their personalities and adorable nature. Depends on the people they encounter, doesn’t it?
Good grief, look at the way this world is going. Would you really like to be in such as fix that your life “depends” on people?
QUESTION: Looking back at these photos today I am moved to ask this question: Wasn't "puppy and kitty season" months ago?
CONTEMPLATIONS:   If possible, please e-mail tonight’s winning Lotto Texas numbers to me. Quickly, please. Bills are due and Christmas is coming – to borrow from Princess Leia, “You’re my only hope, O Be One Good Lotto For Me.” ...  I drove out through Fair Park one day last week and thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if the State Fair of Texas ran on into November?”  I’ve been meaning to mention this: On the last Friday evening of the fair, there were three women running the coupon booth at the north end of the Midway. Every time someone handed them a $5 or they had to give a $5 in change, this delightful trio enthusiastically sang the “Five Dollar Footlong” Sonic Drive-in Jingle. Sort of reminded me of how much fun people can have working. Not all people can do that.  But bless the hearts of those who can! ... Six days after the holiday, do you still have Thanksgiving leftovers in the icebox? Would you keep leftovers that long any other time of the year? Do you keep the poison control center on speed dial?
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A look at life: dogs, circus elephants and Doris Day...

Though we have wintry temperatures in Texas today, Readlarrypowell.com has an autumnal cornucopia of info and opportunities today. It’s a roundup of rescues, missing dogs, a return by a beloved star and a very touching tribute to a beloved dog named Shiloh.
We’ll even have a note about PETA’s successful investigation of the way the "Greatest Show on Earth" treated elephants and other animals – in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Bullhooks and beatings. Read on:
AND NOW, A MAKEOVER: Oh, this makeover didn’t occur in the most ideal of situations, but the fact that it occurred at all is a bit of a miracle.
What you see here is a little dog who is in the custody of the rescue group Mazie’s Mission and has been all cleaned up! Now she just needs a place to go.
Veteran rescuer Patty Sprong explains that Mazie’s Mission (the rescue started by Dr. Erin Shults) “took 9 of the dogs that were seized in Collin County recently... We have a bunch of Chihuahuas now, along with a Pom, a Yorkie and a Boston Terrier. All of them are on their way to a better life.
“One Lhasa Apso or Shih Tzu mix was horribly matted and had an awful ear infection. You can see her before and after pictures. She must be in heaven now!
“Connie Eppley  at Custer-McDermott Animal Hospital donated her time to groom all the dogs we pulled! We are so grateful to her.”
This particular little dog will need some extra care, perhaps, because of the ear infection which was allowed to rage – she probably has suffered hearing loss, but she is on the rebound, Patty says.
To ask about adopting any animal via the Frisco-based rescue, go to www.maziesmission.org.
MEMORIES OF SHILOH: Our Prayers and Passages page (click on that button in the upper right corner of this page) has a tribute to Shiloh by his human, Lynn Gatlin. Regular readers recognize her name because she and hubby Tony are the rescuers at Project Pawz in Corsicana and we’ve written about them and their efforts for years. The whole time they’ve been working with other animals, they’ve had a constant canine, Shiloh. Last Friday, they lost Shiloh to natural causes and, Lynn says, “We’re both beyond heartbroken. Only other dog people truly understand the emptiness you feel when you lose one of your own.  We can only hope Shiloh knew how much we loved him and was at peace, feeling he had a life fulfilled when he passed.  Oh how we loved that boy.”
Go to Prayers & Passages and take a box of tissue with you. Be sure to come back and read about opportunities to help other animals.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT: Two Weimeraners have been missing in Dallas’ North Oak Cliff for nearly two weeks, but there have been sightings, says their human Ryan Hall.
He’s papered the neighborhood, cyber-papered the internet and brought in Doggone Pet Detectives to track the dogs. To see the flyer with phone numbers, click here.
If you know the whereabouts of these two dogs, e-mail [email protected] or call 214-228 3053  214-810-0248.
Ryan says the dogs are Maggie and Emma and “we've had confirmed sightings at Sylvan and Fort Worth Avenue, and at Vilbig around the Police Impound yard. The last sighting was [Sunday] and tracking dogs put them around Hampton between Commerce and Singleton.”
(Larry aside: You may recall that last week the on-the-lam dog Wigs was believed to have been in the vicinity of the Dallas auto pound on Vilbig on the north side of I-30, but was found  a couple of miles away at Kidd Springs Park on the southside of the freeway. The message is, I guess, dogs keep moving sometimes.)
According to Ryan, “Emma is 2 and has lived here since she was 10 weeks.  She is the Blue Weim.  Maggie is the silver, is 9, and has lived here for 6 years.  They know the neighborhood pretty well, but the trackers and spottings have all happened outside of what I would consider the neighborhood.”
There is a reward for their safe return.
They appear to have wandered into a tougher neighborhood than they should be in – the West Dallas area that is known for rough treatment of animals. Ryan feels this hurts their chances of recovery because people are not as sensitive to their needs. As many rescuers can attest, his fears are well-founded.
WHEN THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN: The next time the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to Dallas and Fort Worth – a visit to each city each summer for decades – there’ll should be a new staffer with the show. This person --- employed by the circus as per a settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- is to be assigned exclusively to make certain the circus follows the regulations of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act,, according to Delcianna Winders, the Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement for PETA (People For Ethical Treatment of Animals).
PETA announced yesterday that because of its years long investigation into the use of bullhooks and other painful training methods on elephants, Feld Entertainment Inc., parent company of the famous circus, had been fined $270,000 – most ever -- for “violations of the Animal Welfare Act dating from June 2007 to August 2011.”
[Aside: The fine was an administrative settlement and not the result of a court case.]
Director Winders says Feld has already paid the fine – “They would not have paid the fine if they were innocent,” she says. The money goes into the U.S. general treasury – it is not earmarked for animal protection.
While none of the specific evidence presented to the USDA was from appearances in Dallas or Fort Worth, Director Winders says the illegal methods cited were employed throughout the circus’ tour. Also cited was the training method used on baby elephants at circus headquarters in Florida and treatment of other animals, including using the same scoop for feces as for food for the big cats.
And, in case you wondered, bullhooks look like fireplace pokers and have a big nasty hook that is used to yank the animals into a desired position or influence them to perform.
You can see elephant training and beating videotaped by PETA operatives at the website www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com.
You will wince.
And, just FYI, PETA’s Captive Law Enforcement Division also monitors zoos.
CONTEMPLATIONS: From an organization infamous for exploiting captive animals we move to a star famous for helping them, Doris Day. Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d get to type: Doris Day is releasing a new album. The legendary movie star/singer and animal welfare angel has compiled a new album of songs and it’ll be in stores and available online on Dec. 2—that’s Friday. The announcement is all over the World Wide Web, so just Google Doris Day and new album and it’ll show you what’s on the “platter,” as we used to say in the old days. In the meantime, enjoy this Doris Day recording HERE. ... I’ve always found the circus boring – almost as big a crime as beating and mistreating the animals. (Went to the big one once -- that was enough.) Always thought it would be more exciting to have everybody work without nets, including the guy shot out of the cannon who, if there is justice, would be one of those bullhook beaters aimed into a big cage of irritated lions and tigers. Now, THAT would be a great show and answere the question, "How fast can a human climb out of a cage?" ... I think I’m going to go wake up the dogs and hug them, pick up the cats and rub their tummies.  If idiots turned elephants loose in Kiest Park near our house, I’m sure we’d have the city limit on those guys, too.
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Freedom of speech and animal stories...

We have some happy rescue stories – Shep and Wigs -- to report today, but first we must speak about this highly publicized constitutional affront Just in case no one else stands up for the genuinely American Right:  freedom of speech.
A huge, profitable corporation has stifled freedom of speech and freedom of expression for one of its lowest-paid but most visible employees. Doesn’t sound so funny when expressed in the barest of forms, does it?
The Dallas Cowboys – if media reports are to be believed   (Google them) – have killed a cheerleader’s Twitter account because she good-naturedly tweeted about being run down by the Cowboys’ Jason Whitten on national television on Thanksgiving Day.
That’s right, someone paid to lead cheering has been told to pipe down. This is, of course, corporate oppression by an organization that once used legal maneuvering under the “eminent domain” laws to remove people from their homes so a football stadium could be built in Arlington, Texas.
Good thing they don’t let football teams hold seats in Congress, eh?  We’d all be paying rent to a football team and sitting very, very quietly except during football games.
And now, with freedom of speech and expression gloriously embraced at Readlarrypowell.com, we move on, careful not to offend anyone who writes the checks. That solemn dog? That is Inky, not just the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, but also a board-certified attorney sworn not to allow the stifling of freedom of speech, be it tweet or woof.
Now, watch your tweetmouth and read on:
SHEP’S ADVENTURE: You may recall that people were desperately searching for Shep last week after he took off through an open door following a neighborhood run with his humans on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 20.
The Shep Recover Team reports success. The initial note came from our tipster Sally Hoover. Then we quickly got an explanation from rescuer Marsha Fleming’s daughter Ashley.
“Happy to inform you and all of your readers that Shep is home and safe! We got a call from a very nice lady named Pam who told us that Shep had taken up residence under the bushes on the side of her house! She set up food and water for him and a small carrier that her dogs no longer use.|
“We headed out there at the crack of dawn Saturday morning, and he had already gotten up for the day. He came to my Mother after some herding and baby talk. Shep is so very happy to be home! Thank you, Larry for posting our baby. We are very thrilled he's back!
“Funny thing, he was literally across the street from his new adoptive parents’ home. Shep is a creature of habit, no doubt. He stayed in the area and God answered our prayers,” Ashley wrote.
Then this morning we hear from her Mom Marsha that there are “no happy reunion photos. I had his capture on my mind and didn’t even take the camera.”
She did include this photo of handsome Shep on the day before he was adopted. She says the photo shows “the red Richardson AnimalLuv Blessing tag that helped us find him. It rattles just enough and shines like a beacon. We are so glad that volutnteer Sally Hoover had him blessed at the Richardson City Wide Pet Day. That tag helped him get home!”
Now, there’s this development: He’s going to need another home. Marsha writes, “I talked to his adoptive parents last night and they don't feel like they can handle Shep so he is back in our [Before The Bridge] adoption program. He's a good dog and will need someone who can keep up with him!”
So, to give this guy Shep a good home, e-mail Before The Bridge Rescue at [email protected].
AND WIGS IS BACK HOME: Yep, another one of those Thanksgiving week wanderers has returned home. You may recall that Wigs sort of escaped from his yard and ventured out into the Oak Cliff/West Dallas area and vanished.
His human Kathi Kibbel, the pet communicator, reports, “A friend on Facdbook saw a posting on a neighborhood site and forwarded it to me. Wigs really liked being the only dog there.  He is not as happy as I would think to be home. He got his medicine tonight [Thanksgiving evening] and is sound asleep.”
[Aside: Geez, he’s almost human, eh? How many of us were worn out and snoozing by Thanksgiving evening?]
Kathi says her hubby told her that Wigs was “was trying to dart out again. I think he has the wanderlust in him now...LOL.”
Now, as it turns out, even though a pet detective traced Wigs out of the neighborhood and north of I-30 to Singleton at Vilbig near the Dallas Auto Pound, he was found far south of there near Kidd Springs Park in North Oak Cliff. He could have doubled back, I guess.
Kathi says his former escape route has been clogged by "many cinder blocks." He has a heart condition and is back on his meds and "special needs" treatment.
She included the “the email post that was forwarded to me and when I read it I knew immediately it was him.”
The post read: “Found a dog - or rather he found us. Wandered up on the porch on Sunday and my son opened the door and he came in and flopped himself on the couch. He looks like a Pit Bull with some Lab mix. Black with white on his chest and paws. Long tail. Seems friendly and house-broken. I don't think he had been out long - he was clean and well fed - but no collar.”
Of course, he had a collar on when he vanished, but probably scraped it off at some point during his escape or while he was on the lam.
This photo is of Wigs before his daring escape. He’s now back in the house and, of course, lounging on his ol’ familiar couch.
ASSTORTED QUICK NOTES (if I can control my keyboard):
-- The SPCA of Texas is running a Cyber Monday donation campaign and it’s right there on the website when you go to www.spca.org. You can even donate in honor of other people if you’re looking for a way to honor someone with a Christmas gift.
--PetSmart Charities and the City of Fort Worth are teaming to open another enhanced adoption center on Dec. 3 at the PetSmart at 2900 Heritage Trace in Fort Worth. Official ceremony at 10 a.m. This is the second “enhanced adoption center” opened by the partnership – PetSmart says it has increased adoptions from the Fort Worth shelter by 110 percent. (Hello, Dallas?). Read about it at www.petsmartcharities.org.
-- Several weeks ago we reported on an attempt to preserve the Cedar Hill Pet Cemetery (big-time media has finally followed up on it). In case you want to help, here’s the foundation website: www.cedarhillpetcemetery.org.
-- The annual Metroplex Animal Coalition's general membership meeting, including election of 2012 board members, will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive in the industrial complex adjacent to the northern lanes of I-30 and just west of Hampton Road. Guest speaker will be DAS Manager Jody Jones and topics during the meeting will include the Dallas Companion Animal Project, known as the “no-kill task force.” To RSVP (they need a count for the refreshments), e-mail [email protected]. (Larry aside: Relax, nobody will try to force a dog or cat on you as a door prize. Maybe. Some of us do have spare kittens right now...I hear.)
CONTEMPLATIONS: Can one week of unbridled feasting really result in that much of a weight gain on Monday morning? Stop the madness, eh? Put down the fork and step away from the pie. ... Christmas shopping – there are some people who finished in the summer. Now they are spectators. I hope their mirror freezes on the “smug” setting. ... Let’s remember that we all have a responsibility to ..where was I going with this...oh, yeah, to help people slowed by unexpected carbo and sugar intake to finish their sentences in ....uh..uh..a polite fashion? And, of course, our nomination for the new Dallas Cowboys cheerleader motto comes from the New Hampshire flag, “Tweet Free or Die.” That may be a little dire. Let’s go with something from Texas: “Tweet friendly!” Or, perhaps, let’s adapt Alamo hero Davy Crockett’s motto: “Be sure you’re right, then tweet ahead.”
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Happy Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving from Readlarrypowell.com – we issue this greeting around the worldwide web because, even though every nation isn’t celebrating the American holiday, there are Americans everywhere and it is in their hearts.
Our best to each of you all, dear  Readers,  and may, at the end of the day, you find a thankfulness in your heart accompanied by a newfound and immense happiness. A happy planet gets along.
Our official corporate Message of Thanksgiving comes in the form of a nostalgic poem from Readlarrypowell.com’s spokespup Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and our staff impersonator.  (We’re showing his impression of the great American silent film star Buster Keaton today. Uncanny, eh?)
Inky presents to us a poem of memories of life with siblings and cousins and family – it also evokes a later era when adults gather with people who are kin only by shared happy attitudes and grateful nature.
Here Inky gives us his impression of a Pilgrim rushing into the Plymouth Rock Emporium & Cafe and spotting a big steaming platter of Mom’s Mayflower Meatloaf with side dishes of Squanto Squash and John Smith’s Hatchet Mashed Pocahontas Potatos. (We mix eras there, but the Plymouth Rock E&C is not a strict constructionist at Thanksgiving.)
In honor of the continent’s first actual Thanksgiving in 1598 at El Paso, Texas, the Plymouth Rock serves flagons of Beat You to the Punch and, in a mix of American cultures, sugar-sprinkled Fortune Sopapillas. We have one here today and the fortune inside reads “You will eat one more bite than necessary.”
And now, Inky’s Thanksgiving poem titled  A Day With Leftovers:
Pilgrims and cranberries
and stuffing galore
conversations with relatives
who – surprise! – aren’t a bore

Calm rules the great gathering!
People who appear to be stable
Keep all their surprises
To what’s tasty on the table

Something chewy in the potatoes,
an odd taste in the gravy
and something you drank
makes everything wavy

The kids in the room
giggle at their pranks
For those fun memories
we offer our thanks.

The preceding poem provided by Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, as permitted in perpetuity by the Pilgrim Cocker Appointment & Acknowledgement Act of 1621.
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Shopping and critters (missing and found)...

OK, it’s the day before a holiday and, as has been cited here for years, you will not find me in a grocery store today.
It’s in the post-nuptial agreement. Only took me 11 or 12 years to figure out that I needed to dodge that madhouse to save myself. We have a special Thanksgiving shopping contemplation today, but, first, our daily report which will show a link between Santa Claus and Victoria’s Secret. Oh, my. Read on:
BE ON THE LOOKOUT: [AN UPDATE ON FRIDAY: We'll follow on this later, but you should know that Wigs was found on Thanksgiving and is happily back home. We're working on a followup story. In the meantime, Shep (see next item) continues to dodge the people who are trying to get him back into a safe haven. More later in the weekend.]
Now, this is a curious case. The dog’s listed as Wigs the Foster Hoarding Dog on his Facebook page HERE and he’s been missing since about 6 p.m. on Saturday.
He was last seen in the vicinity of his home near 12th and S. Clinton in Oak Cliff.
HIs human, Kathi Kibbel, and Maggie Dahl of Animal Rescue of Texas, are going back out into the neighborhood to look for him this morning. Wigs is believed to be in the general area of Oak Cliff/West Dallas somewhere between 12^th street on the south and Singleton on the north.
He is an adored dog. But, as we say here at Readlarrypowell.com, dogs are always too clever for their own good. Wigs managed to go on his adventure after dark last Saturday.. He was outside with Kathi’s hubby who was working on the “flashing” on their home and he went under the house on one side and pushed through flashing on the other side and was off and gone. Kathi says they looked for him until 3 in the morning but didn’t have any luck spotting a black dog in the dark.
Kathi says Dog Gone Detectives traced him all the way on the other side of I-30 to Singleton at Vilbig – near the Dallas Auto Pound and, also, not far from the city dog pound, to use the old unenlightened geezer term for Dallas Animal Services’ Shelter and Adoption Center.
Kathi is, herself, a pet psychic, but she says she is “too close to this to get a clear picture.” So she’s working on bringing in a fellow psychic to add to the search party. You may have seen Kathi at the recent Dallas Animal Services Howl-o-Ween Pet Psychic Fair.
If you know the whereabouts of Wigs, call 214-943-3776 or 213-505-7434. You can also e-mail [email protected] .
Wigs is, as you can see, black and white. He weighs around 40 pounds. And he’s tagged and microchipped and “very friendly.” He also enjoys his couch.
And he’s called Wigs the Foster Hoarding Dog because when he first came to Kathi as a foster dog (he’s a permanent family member now), he would hoard things in his crate – once he even managed to stash an unopened bottle of champagne in his crate.
THE DRAMA OF SHEP: Late yesterday afternoon we posted a “Be On The Lookout” for Shep, an adopted rescue dog who, on his first day of residency in Plano, went for a run with his masters and, after being toweled dry, took off through an open door and vanished.
Overnight we got a note from  Marsha Fleming of Before the Bridge Rescue which had been Shep’s rescue/adoption group. 
Things are looking up for Shep, but also, those of you have enjoyed household crises during holidays, will certainly relate to the story.
Marsha reports, “Shep was spotted in Plano yesterday not too far from where he ran away.”
He’s on the brink of re-rescue and Marsha write, “After the hot water heater gets put in this morning, we'll go to where he is and bring him home. He's found a park - the dog park is there too - and is running in the culverts. Thank God he's OK! Everybody keep praying. We have to get him home!”
If you have info about his specific whereabouts, e-mail [email protected].
UPDATE FROM COLLIN COUNTY: Earlier in the week we mentioned all the Chihuahuas that had come into the Collin County Animal Services Shelter in McKinney because of a hoarding situation. That load of incoming dogs included some Labs, too.
Here’s the latest update from shelter walker Allison Roberts. “Last week CCAS took custody of over 35 dogs as part of a hoarding case.  All but 9 have been rescued.  There are 6 tiny Chihuahuas. They are in generally good health but have some minor skin issues (believed to be from fleas) and some may need dental work.  Almost all of them have warmed up to people - none of them show any aggression to people - and one of them is a total snuggly lap dog!
“There is one yellow lab mix that is highly socialized, and there are two black Lab mixes that are shy/fearful but show no aggression.  They can be petted and warm up if you sit with them.  One of the black labs has been bred and may be pregnant now.”
The shelter will be closed Thanksgiving, but open Friday and Saturday (and open to rescue groups on Sunday if you make arrangements earlier.) To ask about any of these animals, e-mail both [email protected] and [email protected] or call 972-547-7292.
LOOKING FOR A DOXIE: Karin Campbell got the dog Buster from The Colony Animal Shelter and, she reports, “He is happy and spoiled!”
Now she’s working on a project that could result in a good home for a homeless Dachshund – perhaps another “happy and spoiled” dog. Here’s her note: “I have a friend looking for a young, (1 year or so) female, brown Dachshund. She is a responsible owner, has a Jack Russell. Her daughter has fallen for the breed, and wanted to get it for Christmas.” (If you know of a dog that fits the description, call 214-793-6609 and leave a message or e-mail [email protected].
A SAMMY NOTE: We’ve been writing about Sammy since the Blizzard of ’11 nearly 10 months ago. Janie Peralman, the do-gooder who picked him up out of the storm as traffic slid around on Maple Streete in Dallas, has been trying to find a home for the rascal all this time.
If you’ve got good thoughts and prayers for Sammy, this is the time to use them. He may have a home. The factors at work include human patience, dog wisdom, and mutual admiration. You know how it goes. Not everyone is a match right off, but sometimes things work out. This may be one of those times.
SOME NOTES ABOUT ANIMAL THINGS:
-- The 21^st Annual SPCA of Texas Adoption Pavilion opens at NorthPark Center on Friday and operates through Dec. 23. It’s open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
(ASIDE FROM LARRY: As I was reading the SPCA press release this sentence caught my eye. “The adoption pavilion at NorthPark Center will be located in the main entrance hallway next to Victoria’s Secret, near Santa Claus.” Suddenly it became clear to me why Santa is such so darned jolly. And, of course, that may be, indeed, Victoria’s secret.)
--December 11 – that’s the date of the Creature Comforts event at Dallas Animal Services. it’s a Sunday – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, I-30 at Westmoreland just west of Downtown Dallas.
Adoptions that day will be just $30 and you’ll get a free pet photo. And if you donate treats to the animals, you’ll also get a free pet photo. You can also “help just the Animal Services staff decorating contest” – no, don’t assume. They’re not decorating each other – they’ll be decorating the shelter.
Donations will help buy bedding for the animals in the city-run shelter. You can get more details from Dallas Animal Advocates HERE.
--Pappy’s Pet Lodge and Trooper’s Team are combining efforts to raise money and collect pet items through Holiday Pet Angel Trees at all four area Pappy’s locations. The drive starts today and runs through January 2.  You can get the details and see how to help by clicking on Trooper’s Team HERE.  All of this info came from Kim Whiting, founder and vice president of Pappy’s Pet Lodge – and Kim is looking for a big time media outlet to promote this drive – if anyone can drop any hints to the “mainstream” electronic and print folks – or maybe a billboard company or possibly free ads on the sides of buses, links on Smartphones and special tattoos. I made that last one up. But this time of year there are so many “do-gooder” groups crying out for publicity, you really have to almost get lucky to get any notice.
CONTEMPLATION: GROCERY STORE CHALLENGES ON THE EVE OF A HOLIDAY
If you are going to a grocery store today, my heart is with you unless you are one of the speedbumps on an otherwise smooth cart ride through the aisles.
What you will find is a challenge: people who arrive at the checkout completely and thoroughly surprised that they need to be ready to pay.
That is the only way I can explain the stunned looks on their faces when they suddenly dive into their purses and scramble for the cash, card or check. Please do not think of me as sexist, but I cannot recall a single instance of being behind a guy who was stunned to learn he was in the pay line. Nope, the men who stymie the situation pull out a card that requires them to call home and ask for the secret number or tell the person to move some money into that account in a hurry. I’ve seen this far too frequently for it not to be a trend.
Seriously, these people stand in line for 15 or 20 minutes, then, when they get to the stand they are gobsmacked to discover they should be ready to pay. What are they doing? Pondering Einstein’s Theory of Cornbread Relativity? E=MC2, i.e., E equals moist cornbread, 4 servings. Are they in a daze waiting for Calgon to take them away – Sir, please, hold my place, I’ve forgotten to get my Calgon...
And there are the people who shop with a thundering herd of kids. Those people wait in line and keep shopping by sending the little pipsqueaks off in search of things they should have picked up when they were walking slowly through the aisles and snarling cart traffic. They are raising bad shoppers.
 Inevitably the efficient shopper is denied the triumph of his moral position because of a disorganized and disoriented mind is shoving the buggy ahead.
Look, these people exist in every day shopping, but they congregate on the days before a holiday. Hours at a time you can find them clogging otherewise smooth exits.
And if you’re in a store that takes coupons, stand by because everybody who shops with a suitcase of coupons is going for the record. That’s why some stores not only have a checker but they also have two official witnesses from the Guinness Book of World Records and a film crew at the checkout stand.
Look, I’m not going to be there with you today, but I’m going to be ticked off about it on your behalf.
I want to be perfectly clear about this: I am thankful that we have this problem in America. You may not be able to shop without irritation, but you can shop without fear. The only thing they’re going to be out of is stuff that sold out, not stuff that was held captive by rebels in a different zip code.
Seriously, people, respect the concept of customer and shop with The Three Ss of Shopping: Speed, Sense and Essentials. Make it snappy and stay out of the way.
OK, drive carefully today and also drive your grocery cart carefully. And somebody help me down off this soapbox before the boards collapse sending me tumbling and we have to go to a store and stand in line with bandages, ointments and snarls.
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One missing; 3 needing help

Here we go with some afternoon updates and needs on the 22^nd.
SHEP IS ON THE LAM: This dog is Shep.  He’s a runner. We learned about his current plight from Sally Hoover, one of our longtime tipsters and a veteran rescuer.
He’d just been adopted from Before the Bridge Rescue on Sunday. And, according to a note from the rescue group’s Marsha Fleming, Shep might be somewhere around Legacy or Custer Roads in Plano. Sally says “We think he might be in Plano around Legacy or Custer road. He was originally found in a culvert in Garland, so maybe had has found another culvert.”
He’s microchipped.
Here’s the deal. He’d just been for a run with his new folks and the front door of his new home on Spanish Trail was open while they dried him off. As soon as the leash was off, Shep bolted out into the strange neighborhood.
The guy chased him on foot for two miles before the dog wore him out.
Shep could still be in the area. He could be in a shelter. He could still be moving.
There is a reward. He’s a loving dog when he’s not on the run, his fans say.
If you know his whereabouts, e-mail [email protected].
LOOKING FOR SAFE HAVEN: This tip comes via Maeleska Fletes of Little Forest Hills Animal Alert and has to do with the saving grace of Dallas’ Angie Manriquez, also known as “the Fairy Dogmother of West Dallas” and “the Fairy Dogmother of Oak Cliff.” Her territory may have expanded through the years outside of West Dallas.
Never mind geography, we’ve got dogs to cite.
Maeleska says Angie “needs to find a home for these three Terrier mixes. They all are current on shots, spayed; the white ones are 3years old with blue eyes and the other is 5 years old Beagle/terrier mix.”
Now you animal people, I’m going to warn you not to get your hackles up when you read the rest of this note.
“They were housebroken before the husband tied them up outside. They must be out by Friday. Should they go to the city we will probably have to get them anyway. Let's try to avoid them going through that terror.”
If you have room for one or all of the dogs, e-mail Maeleska at [email protected].
CONTEMPLATION: Surely there’s ONE good spot to list lost critters so that all humans know to go there to list when they’ve lost one and to see when they’ve found one. Right now there must be a half-dozen online lost-and-found spots but why not just ONE. Wouldn’t that make sense? Oh, look at me. Foolishly asking for something that makes sense in the world of animal rescue.
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A roundup for November 22...

November 22. You can’t be in Dallas on Nov. 22 or you can’t be a child of the 1950s and early ‘60s without a flood of memories.
Oh, wait, that was 48 years ago. There’s a whole bunch of people who weren’t around when President Kenney was assassinated. Holy smoke. There’s a phrase: “seems like only yesterday.”  Sure seems to fit, if you were around back then.
All the black-and-white photos remind me that my hair used to be black. Oh, my. Can life move this quickly? 
Well, we’ve got to make new colorful memories from happier events, like, for example, the upcoming first annual Petropolitan Santa Paws Celebration and Waggin’ Parade. More on that Dallas event in a minute.
Now, our daily report:
STIPULATION: Rather than post a photo and bio from a local shelter or group we’ll just stipulate that they are all full of animals who need homes. If you are looking to add an animal to your household, adopt one. Take some time, look in the shelters. Computers make it easier to spot a dog or cat you might want. Use your Google, use your brain – match the animal to your household. Most shelters and all rescue groups have someone who can counsel you about getting a good fit. Remember find a good fit for your heart AND your house. Both you and the animal will be happier. And don’t shop for a dog or cat like you’d shop for a shirt or blouse – you can’t hang an animal in the closet and forget it. It’s a living being and due more respect than that ill-chosen “must have for spring” outfit. Respect and love – such a simple formula for success.
PRAYERS AND PASSAGES: On our Prayers and Passages page (click the button in the upper right corner) you’ll find Cari Weinberg’s tribute to her ol’ pal Gator, a great fellow she lost over the weekend. As Cari closed her note to me, “Here’s to old dogs everywhere and the people who love and appreciate them. Now, pass the Kleenex, please.” Yes, the ol’ newshound teared up while reading about the escapades of Gator, a rescued dog who lived a long time.
FOUND IN MESQUITE: Oh, boy, here’s a dog in the hands of the “Friendly Neighborhood Cat Ladies,” as the group Texas Pawprints is known.
Maggie Smith a volunteer with the group writes, “Texas Pawprints received a dog today [Monday] that was found running around in a parking lot in Mesquite around Barns Bridge and La Prada.  ... He’s really sweet and is neutered already.  He is wearing a collar, but unfortunately he has no ID tags or microchip.  Vet estimates he’s between 6 and 12 months old. 
“I’m hoping he got lost or escaped and has a family looking for him. He’ll be fostering with me for the time being. People can contact me about him at 469-544-4411.  We’re calling him Bridges since he didn’t have any ID.  If we don’t hear from anyone looking for him, we’ll of course adopt him out and anyone interested in adopting him can also call me.”
REMINDER: The SPCA of Texas and the Deep Elm pizza place Il Cane Russo are teaming today for the “eleven22eleven” fundraiser. Drop by the SPCA at 2400 Lone Star Drive, west of Downtown Dallas (near Hampton at I-20) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and donate money and get free Il Cane Russo pizza. Or, stop by Il Cane Russo, 2612 Commerce, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for Yappy Hour benefiting the SPCA.
And has anyone mentioned that SPCA President James Bias has won the “Excellence in Non-Profit Leadership Award” from the Center for Non-Profit Management? How about that!
YULTIDE OPPORTUNITY AND NO-KILL DALLAS: The Petropolitan will host the first Petropolitan Santa Paws Celebration and Waggin’ Parade 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on December 17 at City Gardens, Main at Harwood, in Downtown Dallas.
Yep, an opportunity to costume your critters and let them lead you through City Gardens – is it Christmas or what?
The organizers, led by the Petropolitan’s Chris Watts, are looking for vendors and rescue groups. Space at the festival is free, according to the press release (though if you sign up and don’t show up, you get charged $50 to help set aside expenses for marketing).
There’ll be Santa photos, an Apple Cider/ hot cocoa bar, and other pet-oriented attractions.
According to the press release from The Petropolitan, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings’ “office has asked us coordinate this as a destination event at City Gardens annually.”
In fact, at this inaugural event, the mayor is scheduled to speak on behalf of efforts to make Dallas a no-kill city.
Vendors and groups that want to participate should contact Chris Watts at 214-741-4100 or e-mail [email protected].
COMMUNCATION AND UNDERSTANDING:  Never mind taking a village to save animals, it takes smarts, too. Like you’ve got to be smart enough to have all the paperwork in order and the ability to communicate with shelter personnel.
Consequently, the Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Grand Prairie is gathering information from rescue groups so it’ll know who can pull animals on behalf of rescue groups.
Anna Dodwell, the Senior Animal Services Officer for Prairie Paws, the City of Grand Prairie shelter, is currently gathering and updating area rescue group information. (This is in advance of an Open House at which the shelter would like to show off its rescue partners.)
Here’s what Grand Prairie needs from rescue groups who want to pull animals from Prairie Paws:
501(c)(3) documents and by-laws with the rescue’s mailing address; rescue group contact’s names, e-mails and phone numbers; a list of people authorized by the rescue group to act on behalf of the rescue group and pull animals from the shelter.
Send your info to [email protected] or fax it to 972-237-8579.
[Aside from Larry: This simple information keeps imposters from pulling animals and enthusiastic do-gooders from overloading rescue groups, it would seem. This opinion is based on watching people – not that the term “animal nut” might apply to anybody, of course. But, frankly, order is better than disorder when it comes to saving animals – organization helps and a bitter free-for-all is bad for the animals and the people, too.]
CONTEMPLATION: Black and white images on television at an amazingly unthinkable point in history – yep, time for the annual trip back to the dark day in American history. For those of you too young to remember, we’re talking about the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of John F. Kennedy as he was leaving Downtown Dallas on a route so many millions have safely taken through the years. Absolutely unthinkable.
The assassination became an industry – publishing, video, lecturing, debunking, creating, speculating, etc.
It is human nature to think “What if this had never happened?” How great a president would JFK have become? What would not have happened? Would sons and daughters not have been lost in Vietnam? Would the Soviet Union have collapsed? Would anything about human nature been changed for the better?
Would we, as JFK suggested, be asking not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country?
Perhaps the legacy for some of us is an annual opportunity to contemplate the consequences of actions and events – not just things seen on a TV or (nowadays) computer screen, but the things we do. Perhaps, after witnessing the lessons of vicious behavior, kindness will prevail. Or, perhaps, I am giving humans too much credit for having brains. Let’s end this on an up note: We each have a chance to be better on our own. We’re not perfect, but we can do better.
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Quiet morning along freeway...

The holiday week has arrived and you can tell about 5:30 a.m. – the usual solid wall of automotive roar is diminished by two-thirds on the downtown-bound freeway a few blocks away from the international headquarters of Readlarrypowell.com.
You can hear birds chirping through their gas masks.
Clever schedulers started their Thanksgiving holidays last Friday
Some kids are still in school, right? Any other old codgers remember the glee of that last bell on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving? Holy smoke, four days away from school and no homework unless some spoilsport assigned a term theme or a book report.
I guess nowadays kids get the whole week off. Too bad. There’s a place in life for the happy freedom of a 3-day school week and a 4-day session of goofing off. It teaches appreciation instead of stress.
Now, let’s see how much we can cram into this Monday report without overstressing the seams, which, I believe, is the traditional theme of the week: “Overstress the seams.”
That is our Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, giving us his impression of a freshman returning from college, opening the front door of the home where he used to live and spotting a big platter of Mom’s My Baby’s Back Meatloaf. Mom serves it through gentle tears and the student displays the manners learned in a dorm – “It’s dog eat dog,” he explains, “Where’s the taters and gravy?,” before he learns that Mom is watching his diet for him.
OK, enough of Norman Rockwell’s America, here’s our report in no particular order:
PET PEEVE: Oh, for crying out loud. I got a copy of a note about a bunch of dogs and cats on the clock in the Arlington Animal Services Shelter and one of the dog is this big pit bull fellow named Boo Radley (#14502601).
First, the poor guy (named after a character in To Kill a Mockingbird) must have run into a real dunce – and, as you know, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area we have an annual bumper crop of dunces.
But the idiot who had the dog decided to treat the mange by pouring motor oil onto him. It’s an old folk cure and it didn’t work on old folk, either. Idiot.
Also in the Arlington shelter is Snickers, a Pit Bull pup who came in with a broken leg but has managed to charm the staff during recuperation. Of course, there’s no need to recuperate if nobody adopts her. She has been healed just to be killed.
Call the shelter at 817-459-6156 or 817-878-7033. For more info Google the shelter – anybody can Google. If you are smart enough to pour motor oil, you can Google.
Yes, anyone who pours oil on a dog to treat it for mange ought to be charged with cruelty. Or soaked with runoff from a cesspool. Idiots.
BREEDER’S PUPPY DODGES DEATH FOR NOW: Garnell McMichael sent out a note explaining that Tiny Tim – this fluffy little Shih Tzu pup  -- was on the brink of being sent to a shelter by a breeder at Trenton, Texas, in Fannin County.
The little guy can’t stand up – something’s “wrong” with his hind legs but he gleefully gets around. Could be fixable, might not be. Could be the result of bad breeding. Don’t know for sure. A vet’s involved because the little guy is now in the care of Tzu Zoo Shih Tzu Rescue and the group wants to make sure Tiny Tim is healthy and in peak condition when he finds a new home.
Garnell explains, “This sweet 8-week-old boy was about to be taken to the shelter to be euthanized by a breeder. A rescue friend sent out a plea for a rescue group to take him. Tzu Zoo (a Shih Tzu rescue) stepped up for him, and now he has a chance at a great forever home. ... He is full of tail wags, and doesn't seem to realize he is ‘special.’
And, of course, he was named Tiny Tim, after the kid in A Christmas Carol.
To ask about helping Tiny Tim’s medical case or to volunteer to adopt or foster, go to the Tzu Zoo Rescue website HERE.
ASSORTED NOTES:
-- Collin County Animal Services has its traditional load of available animals right now, but also has, according to shelter walker Allyson Roberts, FOURTEEN Chihuahuas “from a hoarding case.”
Most weigh 8 pounds are less. Other than a flea infestation, they appear to be healthy – and they’re available to rescue groups only. To ask about them, e-mail both [email protected]   and [email protected] Also, call  972-547-7292.
--The population increases at the little Burns Flat Animal Shelter in smallish Burns Flat, Okla., but it’s a crisis. Our reliable tipster Terry Lynn Fisher writes, “I am too swamped...They HAVE TO LEAVE. The city has given me a week to find place for all of these, or they will be KILLED.  PLEASE, I am begging...I cannot bear to lose all these innocent babies...If you can help, even with just ONE, let me know ASAP.  Even if it's just short term. I will work on getting more kennels I just need them gone from the shelter.
Lab mixes, shepherd mixes, a Dachshund, pit mixes, heeler mixes, a Cocker Spaniel mix, and a dog named Dusty described as “pure cuteness.”
And there’s also a pit -- Roudie is the dog’s name -- that's her in the photo. Terry Lynn angrily writes, “This one p****s me off. I tried to get her 2 months ago...but her family LOVED HER AND COULDN'T DO WITHOUT HER...YEP...now, they call me every day to come get her because I have that magic place for all the unwanted dogs She is only 4 to 5 months old and sadly, I think they have thrown her out back and pretty much ignore her.”
To help Terry Lynn help the dogs, e-mail [email protected] or call 580-330-1459.
MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON: When I opened the latest report on the animals available at Carrollton I was immediately taken by the handsome Elvis – that’s Elvis the Earhound, thankuvurymuch.
He’s in the Carrollton Animal Services shelter because he was a stray. But, Adell, the cat – well, there must have been some divine intervention somewhere.
Adell arrived as a very loving stray and was going to be available to the general public when, over the weekend, she delivered four kittens and now is available to rescue groups only.
Elvis and Adell are on the Carrollton euthanasia list for Wednesday.
Again, the euthanasia list for Wednesday.
To ask about saving any animal in Carrollton’s city shelter, call 972-466-3420 or e-mail [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS: Gasoline – why can’t it be cheap year round? Cheap -- wait, that's the wrong word. ... Now and then wouldn’t it be neat to be an elementary schoolkid learning about Pilgrims and Squanto and Plymouth Rock and – wait, do they still teach that stuff? ... Mincemeat pie. Yes or no? FYI: I vote a dramatic and adoring “yes.” Of all the pies, mincemeat is the most exotic of the holiday pies. Pumpkin – traditional and perfect. Mincemeat – magnificent. And it has no calories. That’s what I heard.
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Dax, a natural sleeper...

First, let’s just stipulate this: Nobody sleeps like a puppy. Well, maybe a kitten. But if you’ve been around puppies you know that, well, nobody sleeps like a puppy. They don't really have to pursue it.
They’ll be romping across a floor and decide, “Hey, I’m sleepy,” and in mid-romp they’ll just flop down asleep. Some will seek shelter before falling over, but, mostly, puppies are practically narcoleptic.
Take this guy, Dax. He’s a puppy. He’s a sleeper.  Thus he's in the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
He was nominated by Erin Dickson, a volunteer who serves as Puppy Coordinator for the noted rescue group Paws In The City. (You may want to ask Erin about acquiring a puppy –  e-mail [email protected].)
Dax was fostered by Erin and was adopted in September. His litter came from Fort Worth Animal  Care and Control, Erin says. He had 5 siblings – the snoozing rascal was the last of the available pups.
And Dax, who enjoyed a solid sleep next to a pair of sneakers and in a “den,” is now living in a home where, Erin says, “His ‘parents’ tell me he still likes to get under the furniture and sleep!”
[To nominate your sleeping dog, napping cat, slumbering mongoose or dozing dromedary for spotlighting in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send photos and info to [email protected]. FYI: For the Thanksgiving weekend, we’d love to get some photos of people in recliners with their snoozing beasties -- turkey and football will do that to you.. Kind of a seasonal photo, you know. Also, for my fellow insomniacs, if anyone else attempts the “crawl under the furniture and try to doze off” method, let us know if it works. I can’t get under the furniture but I’m not above balancing the sofa legs on 4 sets of encyclopedias and sliding under to seek my snoozymuse.]

A wanderup pup and a Christmas drive...

A WANDERUP PUP: Mountain View College is in Southwest Dallas County and the campus is a big piece of property. If a dog wanders onto that campus, there’s a chance someone said, “This looks like a good place to dump this little rat” and shoved him out of the car.
Maybe that’s what happened in the case of this dog, currently called “Eddie Munster” and oh-so-obviously an Earhound.
Of course, the campus has a reputation – scarcely a stray puts a paw on that campus without one of the staff do-gooders grabbing it and finding a foster home or a home.
Little big-eared Eddie arrived this morning. Our reliable Mountain Valley tipster, Dianne Cole, who hails from my hometown of Texarkana, Texas, was there today when Eddie was found on the campus parking lot. She quickly filed a tip with Readlarrypowell.com and, of course, had a personal visit with Eddie.
“He is so CUTE.  He looks like a Chiweenie, young (less than a year), very sweet, happy, attentive, mild mannered.  I didn't find him, but I was the first person my co-worker called.  LOL!  Lots of animal lovers here at MVC and we think he's got a foster for the weekend, but we need to find him something more permanent pretty quickly.”
To offer to give young Eddie a place suitable for an ultrasweet Earhound, e-mail [email protected].
A COLLIN COUNTY CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN: We got a note today about giving some publicity to a Christmas wish campaign being run by the Collin County Humane Society.
Society President Molly Peterson sent the note about a project called “All I Want For Christmas Is a Bone.” On the Society website there’s a story about a little boy who didn’t know “where his next meal was coming from” but when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas he said, “I really want a bone for my best friend...my dog.”
This story inspired the Humane Society to create its Wishbone Holiday Campaign, designed to help families who are in need. Go to the Society website, www.collincountyhumanesociety.org, to read about the campaign, read the rules for applying and see who is eligible.
Applications have been slow in arriving, Molly writes. “We know there are many families in need with debts to their vets. ... We can’t help them if we don’t get your letters, so please spread the word.”
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