Bunni's theft and other notes...

Our June 5 report is one of backgrounding and an encouragement to get more eyes looking for a beloved dog.
THE MISSING BUNNI: In our Monday report we published a report about a dog missing near Cedar Creek Lake. This is more than just a “dog runs off” story.
Bunni was apparently stolen from the yard of Krista Mc Anally, the director of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Shelter.
Bunni is 5 and deaf, spayed, chipped and had her collar and tags on when she was taken from the family front yard on Highway 274 between Seven Points and Tolosa. She was behind a chain link fence when taken, Krista says. That was about 3 p.m. on June 1.
”Because she was a Pit,” Krista writes, “she was never allowed outside unattended.
” My aunt has been at my house, remodeling my bathroom. She let Bunni outside and went in the house to get some tools. When she went back out, Bunni was gone.  In the first 2 days, I drove 200 miles looking for her.  But with the fighting in our area, I do not hold out much hope finding her. Since she was taken on the 1st, I looked at Canton Trade Days as well.  No luck.”
Bunni is not an ordinary dog. She cannot hear, but she knows sign language. “When I found out she was deaf, she and I went to obedience training with Joan Gertin [a noted trainer in the area who has since moved to Arkansas]….She taught me how to teach Bunni. It took us about 6 months to really get the signs down.  She knew sit, stay, come, NO --that was a popular one -- and some more.  Bunni was a great dog, intelligent attentive and wanted to please, as most Pits are.
”She loved my 2-year-old granddaughter.” [That is Cheyenne with Bunni.]
In the other photo, that is Buddy, the household Boxer. “They were inseparable.  He is very depressed and looks for her constantly. They both slept with me and my husband and they were always touching each other when they were asleep.”
Krista writes, “I know I will never see Bunni again and it is heartbreaking to me, my husband and Buddy.  I appreciate everyone looking for her.  But I feel sure she is gone.  What I would like people to know or learn from my situation is that it only takes a minute for these Bully breeds to be taken advantage of.  I try to talk to people everyday at work about the serious responsibility that these dogs are and that they have to be protected from the people that want to make money off these dogs’ pain and suffering.  Potential Pit adoptors think I'm being prejudiced against them or the breed, when I will not adopt a Pit to them because I know what a responsibility they are and how hard it is to keep them safe in certain areas. 
”Recently I read something from HSUS about how we (Shelters and Rescues) have to start treating the Bully Breeds as the NORMAL dogs that they are.  Not making special concessions for adoptors to adopt these dogs. And they are perfectly normal or even exceptional dogs.  I have had them for years. I got my first one before my oldest daughter was born and she is 30 now. 
”It is not the dogs that are the problem. It is the people that want to use them for their perverted and demented entertainment and financial gain. If you have a pit or bully breed, please guard them.
”Bunni slept with me every night for 4 years and now I have to  picture her torn up, sleeping in a blue barrel in the dirt on the end of a chain.  It is devastating to both me and her.  Know she wants to know where I am and why I'm not helping her.”
The numbers to call to report her whereabouts or arrange a return are 903-603-2342 or 903-432-3422. She can be returned to the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake shelter in Tool or the Animal Medical Clinic in Seven Points
REMINDER IN DALLAS: Yesterday we mentioned the Dallas Animal Advocates benefit at Fish City Grill< Preston at Royal, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. today. Fifteen percent of the meal tickets go to the Advocates.
”What for?” you may also ask
I checked with Dallas Animal Advocates and here’s the answer, courtesy of our pal Andy Allen, long time animal advocate:
Dallas Animal Services’ shelter “is always in need of things, especially during these lean times. And we do have a couple of fence-reconstruction projects underway to help low-income doggie owners. … Also, at the last couple of spay-day events that MAC [Metroplex Animal Coalition] did at DAS (these were for pets in the community…), it turned out that some of the pets needed a little extra veterinary care in order to be up to snuff for surgery. DAA covered those extra costs as part of our mission to make Dallas ‘a kinder place for animals.’ This was a new item for us. We definitely wanted to make it worth their while for these pet owners to do the right thing by spaying or neutering their pets, so the collaboration was very rewarding.”
SPEAKING OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING: Dallas Animal Services will host a free Metroplex Animal Coalitiion spay and neuter “event” on June 23 at the shelter at Westmoreland and I-30.
First, you’ve got to have an appointment: Email spaydallas@yahoo.com or call 972-472-3500
Then, to get your dog or cat spayed or neutered without fee, you must live within these Zip Codes:  75201, 75202, 75203, 75204, 75207, 75208, 75209, 75210, 75211, 75212, 75214, 75215, 75216, 75217, 75218, 75219, 75220, 75223, 75224, 75227, 75228, 75231, 75232, 75233, 75235, 75236, 75237, 75238, 75241, 75243, 75244, 75246, 75247, 75249, 75253.
These areas have been identified as neighborhoods with spay/neuter, er, challenges.
Maybe you know someone who lives in those Zips who has a dog or a cat and who complains, “She keeps having babies and I don’t know why.” Perhaps you can help them understand how to stop the madness of being born just to be euthanized, dumped, drowned, etc.
Here’s what the organizer’s will need to register your animal for this program: Your name, address, home or cell phone, e-mail address, the pet’s name, cat/dog, male/female, breed, age, weight.  That’s weight of the animal. Dogs and cats must weigh more than 2 pounds to undergo the surgeries.
I don't know what Zip Code that momma cat and her kittens came from -- but they were photographed at the Dallas Animal Services shelter and their picture has been distributed by shelter walker Kelly Bond of Homeward Bound Animal Rescue. These felines and dozens of other felines and canines are available at Dallas Animal Services. See how to adopt at www.dallasanimalservices.org.
AND AT THE LONDONER: Metroplex Mutts is celebrating the rescue groups 3rd birthday today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the patio at the Londoner, 2909 Thomas Ave., in Dallas.
Among the attractions:  a pet/people look alike contest, bobbing for dogs and “a few more surprises.” A $10 donation gets you a goody bag, prizes, a happy hour buffet and special drink pricing.” Read about the group HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Ouch, those Texas Rangers. Ouch. Good thing they’re getting all these ugly games out of the way before the all-star break so the team can have a smooth trip into the playoffs. … Done with your Christmas shopping yet? … As a fan of coffee, seriously, is any cup of coffee actually worth more than 50 cents? It’s not gasoline.
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