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Weather for napping, the GAP Fair in Euless, Everman dogs and a happy vote......

We'll tell you how to cast a happy vote for a deserving fellow at the end of today's report. Keep reading.
Call this edition of “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap” a weather report.
Yes, we found a great photo of a sleeping cat named Garfield on the Euless Animal Shelter site as rain was sweeping through North Texas and the Texas Rangers appeared to be doing all they can do to avoid getting into the playoffs.
The Saturday weather has some importance for the people with the Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program (GAP Club). They’ve got their autumnal Gap Club Pet Fair & Garage Sale scheduled Saturday on the parking lot of Trinity High School at 500 N. Industrial in Euless – in case you don’t know, Euless is on the Airport Freeway just west of the DFW International Airport Exits.
The garage sale is supposed to start at 8 a.m. no matter what the weather is. The main events for the Fair begin at 10 a.m. and go until 2 p.m.
We got a statement from the GAP folks last night that said the “Fair will be held rain or shine and now it looks like rain!” [Some attractions will be moved indoors in the event of unpleasant weather.]
Of course, this is being typed about 9 p.m. Friday and by 8 a.m. Saturday the sky could be clear and the sun could be delivering a 100-degree autumn day. Who knows? It’s Texas. Carry all manner of sweaters, jackets, sandals and shorts in the tool box of your pickup.
Proceeds from the Pet Fair benefit the Euless Animal Shelter Pets – that is in line with the GAP Club’s longtime mission. These students work to get animals out of the city shelter and into the safe havens of foster homes and permanent homes.
Among the activities during the fair: TCAP low-cost vaccinations (10 a.m-1 p.m.), microchipping for $1, 8 by 10 photos for $10, a vet to answer animal questions, nail clipping for $5 (that’s for the dogs, sir.) And, three’s also going to be dog bathing, but if it’s raining you might as well go ahead and wash your car in the rain, too, then let your dog make muddy, freshly clipped pawprints on the exterior and interior.
[Larry aside: Someone ought to market some T-shirts that read “NO SHEEP AT OUR FAIR. WE'RE EWELESS.” OK, I’m working late on minimum sleep. Now I feel sheepish.]
Can’t leave this out: Feed Me Now Food Pantry for dogs and cats is scheduled to collect dog and cat food donations at the fair. And Carter Blood Bank will also be there collecting from donors. They say they’re from the blood bank and this is going to be in the daylight – pretty sure that rules out any vampires playing tricks on people. Relatively sure.
Now, here’s the story of these critters.
Garfield is described as a 9-week-old “orphaned” cat. Yep, that happens. Kittens just show up sometimes. And, it is clear, that Garfield knows how to do the Concave Slumber.  That is a cat that is comfortable with himself. his kind surroundings and his shelter bed. He is also said to be a “cuddler” who will “sit up like a prairie dog” to see what’s happening around him.
The black and white dog is Boo Ray. He’s an adult American Staffordshire Terrier/Great Dane mix. Boo Ray and a Beagle/Jack Russell mix named Cookie came into the shelter at the same time – their human had died and the shelter was the only place that would take them.
Cookie has since been adopted but Boo Ray waits. He’s “a very sweet dog and makes a cute crying whine when he wants attention.” He’s described as a “big ol’ baby.” Doesn’t like cats, but other than that he’s apparently perfect.
[LARRY ASIDE: When I hear that a dog doesn’t like cats, I sometimes think, “Maybe he just doesn’t like YOUR cats.” We’ve had dogs who initially didn’t cotton to cats, but things worked out pretty quickly once the dog realized that cats come with a hair-trigger and don’t mind carving up a nosey nose. Still, you always have to be careful – you don’t want the cat injured, but you also don’t want the dog injured. Remember, humans are supposed to be the smart ingredient in that people/animal relationship.]
I almost hate to bring this up, but that cute dog with the big paws – the one dressed in home uniform red – is Kissable Kinsler.  Yes, that is the name on the shelter website. No word on how good he is in the field, but he’s supposed to be enthusiastic at the plate.
You can see Euless’ adoptables by clicking HERE. The shelter is at 1517 Westpark Way in Euless – call 817-685-1594.
The GAP club website is HERE and the Facebook page is HERE.
Remember, sleeping dogs and napping cats are always available in shelters.
AN EVERMAN FOLLOWUP --DEATH LOOMS FOR FIVE: Earlier in the week we ran a note about six dogs that were on the euthanasia list in the Everman Animal Shelter south of Fort Worth. Friday night our tipster reported that shelter personnel say five of the six dogs have developed kennel cough and will be euthanized Monday unless someone steps up and takes them to a safe haven for treatment and survival. Scroll down and look at their photos. To help them, call the shelter at 817-561-5495. Email [email protected].
[To nominate your sleeping dog, napping cat, slumbering Leghorn, snoozing shorthorn, tuckered out tiger, lounging lion, tongue-lolling turkey, etc., for our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send photos and info to [email protected]. I’ve included this photo, shot Friday night, of Porche Noel, the dog who showed up on our porch at Christmas. She is a good sleeper and she’s in my lap and I’m using her to prop up my iPad while I process email and contemplate the likelihood that the Texas Rangers have a chance at making it back to the World Series. With such a question unanswered, I just don’t see how any body including Porche can sleep. Like me, she likes to listen to the radio broadcasts – Porche is old school – picked up a degree at Harvard Yard. And nobody was fast enough to catch her and take it back. Heh, heh. Yes, I shot the photo with my phone, using the Left-handed Stretch Without Moving Method of Photographic Triumph.
Oh, and FYI, vote for Eric Nadel, the Rqngers radio voice and a genuine animal fan, to win baseball's Ford Frick Award. Go to the Texas Rangers website HERE -- the link is in the middle of the page. ]
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On Friday, a sampling of issues, opportunities and contemplations...

This is the first day of the great State Fair of Texas (Sept. 28-Oct. 21) and by Monday it will be October. Whew. Were there no brakes on September?
Our Friday report includes items gleaned from Thursday’s Dallas Animal Shelter Commission meeting – some are uplifting, some still disheartening.
Yes, we will list the euthanasia numbers. It would be immoral to ignore the number of animals killed on behalf of Dallas’ don’t care residents, the people who relegate animals to mortal dismissal at the local landfill.
THE NUMBERS: We place this information near the front of today’s report because, frankly, it is the primary point of assessment for determining how Dallas is doing in its announced quest to be a “no-kill” city. (Special thanks to the folks at DAS for compiling these figures.)
July intake (Dogs, cats and “other”):  2,617
July euthanized: 1,828 (That was 1,186 dogs, 599 cats and 43 “other”)
August intake: 2,463
August euthanasia: 1,460 (938 dogs, 464 cats, 58 “other”)
You can see the entire Dallas Animal Services sheet of statistics for July by clicking that art on the left and for August by clicking on that image on the right.
You’ll note that there are improvements in adoption and in other life-saving or “death-avoiding” areas. Primarily those appear to be the result of the shelter’s employees hustling to get animals to safe haven via rescue partners, reduced adoption fees and other promotions.
And while that is good for those animals and the people who got them, that doesn’t change the bottom line – the City of Dallas, for Fiscal Year 2011/12, killed 17,849 mostly healthy, adoptable animals. That was down from the 21,763 killed last fiscal year.
Still, killing animals by the thousands is a staggering concept. As the DAS staffers told the commission Thursday, the city has to figure out some way to convince its residents to stop surrendering so many animals to the shelter, to properly maintain their animals in good homes.
Clearly, if the animals weren’t in the shelter, they wouldn’t be killed in “The Lab, “as the euthanasia room is known. But, as readlarrypowell.com has frequently noted, the City of Dallas’ policy – until the City Council changes it – is to stick to the old Texas theory of critter care: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.”
     -- THE SHELTER AIR-CONDITIONING: Members of the commission who volunteer at the shelter and visit it expressed – what is a kind word to use – “disbelief” that readings taken by city staffers showed the “average temperature” in the shelter in August was in the low-70s. Probably, the discussion suggested, “average” was not the way to go with determining the inefficiency of the much maligned and possibly poorly maintained extraordinarily expensive shelter heating and air conditioning system. So, after five years of failed efforts to make the system work as expected, the city has agreed to spend $200,000 for maintenance and assessment so the people in charge will finally know exactly what is going on with the system.
    --THE NEW MASCOT: This dog has no name and, so far, no gender. But it is the new Dallas Animal Services mascot and will be visible at shelter events and promotions and wherever there is an opportunity to remind people to be kind to animals and adopt them from DAS.
There will be a contest to name the dog and that should get some additional attention.
 Jimmy Martin, the Director of Code Compliance Services for the city, says, the city had $5,400 for the custom-made pup from Promo Costume. “We were able at the end of last fiscal year to encumber some funds from Code Compliance to purchase the costume. I believe it will pay for itself eventually through donations and whatever Jody [Jones, the DAS director] can think of as a contest to name and decide what gender of ‘Doggy X.’”
So, look for that promotional contest coming soon. (That's Doggy X with Mr. Martin and DAS Director Jody Jones at the meetng. FYI: Doggy X has a sturdy tail that, if Doggy X turns swiftly near a table, will clean off the flat surface -- just like a real dog!)
FYI: Mr. Martin says the idea for getting a costume mascot to help market and promote DAS came from procurement manager Gehan Asaad.
And, another FYI, when the big dog bounced into the commission meeting yesterday I was almost convinced the “actor” in the costume was Mayor Mike Rawlings, but, as it turns out, the mayor was elsewhere holding a press conference about the city demolishing 250 home designated as unfit for habitation.  So, no, it wasn’t the mayor in the suit. I don’t know where the rest of the council was.
We’ll get back to the Commission meeting shortly. Please read on.
FROM OUT AT THE LAKE TO A WINDOW AT NORMA’S: This dog was found in Oak Cliff. How do I know? Two ways: (1) I got a note about the dog from Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake – about 50 miles southeast of Dallas and (2) I saw the “Found” poster taped to the entrance window at our favorite Oak Cliff down-home diner, the legendary Norma’s at 1123 W. Davis, just down the street from the busy Bishop Arts District.
That photo was snapped at the entrance to Norma’s.
Someone who lives at the lake but works in Dallas tipped Sydney to this dog and she forwarded the note to Readlarrypowell.com. It arrived about the same time my funspouse Martha and I were sitting down to a mental health-conscious evening meal at the counter at Norma’s. So fate has put this dog into our line of sight twice.
Therefore, we are publishing to the dog’s photo in hopes of finding the person who belongs to the dog. (If you know the dog or where it belongs, email [email protected].)
According to the report, the dog was found between the Kessler Park and Stevens Park neighborhoods in North Oak Cliff earlier this week. The finder can’t keep the dog (landlord’s ruling), but a neighbor is trying to help with the reuniting of the animal and the human.
When the dog was found, the note explained, “She was “wet and smelling of soap …sounds like she escaped her bath.”
YESTERDAY'S EVERMAN DOGS: Our source in the effort to save six dogs from the needle at the Everman shelter says there has been no movement on behalf of the dogs (We ran their photos yesterday). "There have not been any offers of help for any of the dogs!" she says.
You can see the Facebook page HERE.

A COUPLE OF COMMISSION MEETING NOTES:
            -- Animal Shelter Commission Chair Mary Spencer, who toiled with the SPCA on its spectacular building project, appealed to commissioners for ideas to help encourage a facelift for the 5-year-old Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. The facelift would catapult the big shelter out of “utilitarian” to warm and inviting, a place where people will enjoy visiting. It would enhance the attempt to get people to think of the shelter first when they are considering acquiring a dog or cat or “other.” (Rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens – whatever shows up and doesn’t have a home and isn’t either euthanized or spirited away by a wildlife group).
            -- No figures were given but Animal Shelter Commission Chair Mary Spencer told the commission the Big Fix For Big D $20 spay/neuter program, in place all summer,  was “kind of slow.”
(FYI: We’ve been promised figure from the Big Fix For Big D people “soon” for a few weeks now. So stay tuned.)
You may recall that Big Fix will spay/neuter animals for $20 in Zip Codes south of I-30 across a great swath of Dallas that has been determined to be the “trouble” area for unwanted puppies and kittens. Some commissioners wondered if the area could be extended to areas of North Dallas and East Dallas that are also fertile, but that’s not in the plans for now, they were told.)
Big Fix For Big D has been expected to make a major difference in the number of unwanted animals that wind up in “The Lab” at DAS.
More on the commission meeting later as time and space permit over the next week or so.
LARRY SOAPBOX MOMENT: On behalf of all shelters and rescue groups, we’ll stipulate that there’s not a city or county shelter around here that doesn’t have animals that need to get off death row. Whatever town you live in, you can Google your shelter and see animals that need help.
Why is that? It is because people frequently see these shelters not as “shelters,” but as places to dump problems, i.e., a cat that just lays around the house, a momma cat that “won’t quit having babies no matter how much I talk to her,” a dog that is an “escape artist” because he or she has to leave the yard to get water and food; a dog that won’t quit barking at strangers, etc.
The bottom line is “people are idiots.” Stop! Don’t try to argue against that – the evidence is abundant.
ONE MORE FROM OUT AT THE LAKE: Yes, Dallas County doesn’t have the monopoly on idiot behavior. You’ll see when you read this note forwarded to us by the aforementioned Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.
It came from Pat Townsend who is asking for help in placing some rescued dogs.
”These pups are adorable and so loving,  they have had a rough start after being dumped,  I figured they had survived on eating grasshoppers,  they seem to have developed a taste for them.  We are overrun with animals as it is. We have all our cows,  plus my husband has to tend to his disabled brother's cows, and then we have a neighbor that seems to think that cows don't need to eat anything, so, he also feeds the neighbor’s cows, plus his horse, not to mention our own dogs. So, we just can't take on anything else right now, and I have to be very careful as I am on blood thinners and these pups, if
> they just barely try to get on me or their little teeth snag me, accidentally,  it really does a number on me.
”These dogs deserve a chance at life. … I rescued them twice: once when I picked them up off the road,  where they were starving and dehydrated and then again when they both fell into my water garden. That tells me that this little brother and sister are supposed to be here. Who knows they may return the favor one day.”
But that day isn’t today and Pat is trying to find a safe haven for the two youngsters. Call 972-962-6909 or 972-978-0540 or email [email protected].
SLEEPERS AND NAPPERS: Our weekend supply of photos of sleeping dogs and napping cats and snoozing in-laws has diminished and we need some fresh ones. People proud of their slumbering critters should send photo and info to [email protected] and be sure to put “sleeper” or “napper” in the subject line. Or “worthless brother-in-law in my recliner.” That’ll work, too.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Yesterday I saw a headline on The Drudge Report that read “Doctors Grow New Ear On Woman's Arm” and I hoped with all my heart that the story would include a quote from a doctor telling the press, “Listen, we were a little off target, but, long sleeves should cover this although the cloth will muffle her hearing.”. … Frankly, I’m worried about the Texas Rangers pitching. Be nice if some doctor could legally transplant six week’s worth of big league hardballs into those arms. … FYI: That photo is of an artist's green rendering of State Fair of Texas symbol Big Tex. Where would you see it? Next to the elevator on the 2nd floor of the west end of Dallas City Hall. ... Regarding our earlier assessment that people are idiots – not all are. Animals depend on the not-so-idiot people to help them happily live out their lives. The animals don’t know that, but it’s the blessed truth. especially in Dallas. Dallas Animal Services has a public service announcement promoting happiness and critters. You can see it HERE. It’s a nice thing to watch and, perhaps, pass around to people. Turn your speakers up – when it comes to Dallas Animal Services, the Sex Pistols never sounded so good. I'll bet nobody's written that sentence before. I’m kidding -- no Sex Pistols. Music is some chamber quartet playing something nice.
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The Era of the Iambus; the challenges of the day...

Welcome to Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, or as it’s known in so many households, the day before the State Fair of Texas opens.  
Today we’re going to work in as many topics as possible – just like we do every other day of the year. And we’re going to write the entire report in iambic pentameter.
Relax, we wouldn’t know an Iambus or a Pentamepotamus if a litter of either showed up on the front porch. I know it would be a litter – this is Dallas and something about Dallas makes all beasts extraordinarily fertile.
We’ll get to that very available Pentamepotamus – I’m kidding, that’s Rottie girl who was abandoned. More on her in a second. Read on:
REMINDER: The Dallas Animal Shelter Commission meets at 1:30 p.m. today at Dallas City Hall in Room 6E South. Open to the public. Neither Justin Bieber nor Lady Gaga is expected to attend. So, don’t worry about having trouble finding a seat. (We posted the agenda yesterday.)
PUPPY MILLS: Go to the Texas Humane Legislation Network site  HERE and click on the Puppy Mill alert to see how the battle is shaping up over animal breeding in Texas. You’ll note that THLN’s posting cites the Responsible Pet Owners Association as urging dog and cat breeders to “defy” the recently enacted state law regarding registration and regulation. RPOA has long been in opposition to the THLN’s stances on breeder regulation. The RPOA folks prefer to communicate through emails. You can read about RPOA’s Texas Outreach HERE.
LEFT BEHIND: The folks at Animal Health Care in Arlington are trying to help two dogs that were initially boarded at the facility but their humans never came back.
The Rottie girl is Bella – she is 9. That’s a nice pleasantly mature age for a Rottie and she “loves attention and is happy to give you a good smooch, too.” And she does well with other dogs. Healthy, spayed, vaccinated – got everything but a loving home.
Same for Boss, an 11-month-old Pit Bull fellow – he’s neutered, vaccinated and healthy. He’s “very friendly….loves attention and would do very well in a home with other dogs.”
A spokesperson for Animal Health Care said, “These babies were dropped off for boarding and never picked up. They have been in our facility for 3 months and we are down to a deadline of Oct. 1 or they will be turned over to the animal shelter and most likely euthanized. We need to find them a foster or forever home.”
To offer to help the clinic place these two, call 817-467-6688 or email [email protected].. Read about the clinic HERE.
CODE CONTEMPLATION: Lately I’ve been getting a number of animal crisis emails with the SCREAMING words CODE RED in the subject line. Is there an animal in a city or county shelter who is NOT “CODE RED”? Lord, delivere us from hyperbole and give us just the cold, dark facts of life.
THE FIFTH: Chef Chris Ward’s fifth annual Cooking For the Hounds at The Mercury in Dallas is scheduled Sunday – VIP spots are sold but there are guest spots you can purchase so the celebrity chef can help raise money for Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. Get the details at www.galtx.org.
ANOTHER HUNT COUNTY SEIZURE: The SPCA of Texas and Hunt County Precinct 1 Constable Terry Jones joined forces yesterday to seize 48 animals – 25 dogs, 14 rabbits, six cats and three pigs – from a property y at Caddo Mills. The dogs, rabbits and pigs went to the SPCA Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney and the cats are at the Han Rees-Jones center in West Dallas – that’s the big SPCA complex visible from I-30.
 The custody hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 2 at the JP’s court, 2801 Stuart St. in Greenville with Judge Sheila Linden presiding.
According to the SPCA investigator, the property owner wouldn’t allow investigators onto the property but the stench was evident “20 feet from the front door.”
The pigs weighed about 350 each. A vet onsite at the seizure euthanized a dog that was “near death at the time of the seizure.”
Read the Greenville Herald-Banner report HERE.
Don’t know if this means there’ll be one less “Animals For Sale” booth at Canton’s First Monday.
AT THE COLONY, SOME MIXES OF NOTE: Earlier this week we mentioned cats at The Colony and the dance-ready Doxie Ben (still waiting), but now we get to the odd mixes.
As you can see there are six puppies at The Colony who stack up cutely.
They are 7 weeks old and are Golden Retriever/Sheltie mixes.
BULLETIN: These puppies have been claimed -- one was adopted,  the six siblings taken in by K9Kat2 Rescue and soon to be available for adoption there. Momma still needs a home.
The mom and the puppies were surrendered to the shelter.
In a note from the front office at The Colony’s shelter, Animal Control Division Manager Patricia Barrington explains that they come equipped with “puppy breath, sleepy yawns and cuteness. These little loves will be between 45 and 75 pounds when fully grown.”
Then Manager Barrington uses her Voice of Experience to write, “And, please keep in mind, these babies are puppies, but they won’t be forever.  They will chew, whine, dig and be quite mischievous as adolescents.  These little pups will create quite a demand and their supply is limited.  So, if you aren’t a FOREVER home, please allow them to go to someone who is.  Adopting now and returning to a shelter when they are gangly and goofy will make them very difficult to place.  So, please consider the long term commitment prior to adopting ANY puppy.
Who’s the momma of these puppies? That’s Sammie, upper left. She is “athletic and intelligent” and said to be an excellent “Frisbee dog.”
What about that hound-looking guy? That is Snoopy. He is a Basset/Lab mix. How’s that for a combination? He is described as “an excellent football-watching couch potato.”
Oh, and how does Manager Barrington know about “returns”?
See that Shepherd? That is Lola. “This timid little girl just needs a patient hand.  She is about a year old and was adopted from us as a puppy and returned this week,” Patricia says. “Sweet love has no idea what is going on or why she is back.”
The shelter has a bunch of cute little Chihuahua types, cats and bigger dogs available. Email [email protected] or call 972-370-9250.
SEEKING IDENTIFICATION, INFORMATION: It’s tough writing this without offending someone or without caving in and saying “I know you mean well” but, heck, sometimes the frustration boils over: First, I’m frustrated that it’s so difficult to save all the animals on the assorted North Texas death rows and, secondly, I’m kind of ashamed of even griping about the e-mails with incomplete or puzzling information. Someone sent a note with this photo collection purporting to be from the Everman, Texas, Animal Shelter south of Fort Worth. (Click on it to make it large enough to read.)
Nobody signed the note. There was no indication that someone with either the shelter or a rescue group had collected these photos.
And, indeed, as you’ll see, the text appears to have been written by someone using an “old school” word, i.e., “pound.” Gave me chills.
Still journalism aside (trying to get the “who” so we can be certain of the authenticity of the request for help), we figured we’d go ahead with this photo collection and the note and remind –- nay, BEG – people to be sign their emails and give active email addresses or phone numbers in case we have questions and need to double-check facts. 
Honestly, it is so frustrating to have to play detective just to get some simple facts from people who are asking for help. It’s a situation of people writing “I’m asking for your help but I’m not going to give you a clue about how to help me, smart guy.”
Yeah, I’ll get another cup of coffee and settle down, but here’s the text of the anonymous note as written by some mysterious do-gooder:
”The Everman Tx pound is packed & must make space!! There are 6 dogs on the euth list for Friday 9/28 ..all being pitbulls or mixes!!! 3 of the dogs in the pictures are brothers! Surrendered together! Super sweet & just want to be loved! All the dogs are friendly, sweet & outgoing!!! Great with humans & other dogs.! If anyone is able to help plz contact Everman Shelter ([email protected]) 817-561-5495.”
Now, Readlarrypowell.com is publishing this because we are certain there are dogs at Everman that need to be tagged by rescue or adopted. We don’t know which of these dogs are brothers  We don’t know if the person who sent the note wrote it or is from the shelter or just goes online for fun and copies photos and makes collections because they’ve got a new computer and they’re so happy to be able to show off the trick. We don’t know if these animals are still in the shelter or if they’ve been adopted.
And, finally, as I get another cup of coffee -- I don't smoke so this is the "Chain Java Concept" -- I must note that my irritation regarding inadequate information in emails just happened to boil over while looking at the Everman note.
Information helps save lives.
Trust me, in some emails I could get more information by using my old 2-cell Boy Scout flashlight to aim Morse Code questions at the Rovers on Mars. 
Dear people, I love you and what you try to do, but you could help the animals so much easier by including the key information: Who, what, where, why, when? That’s the template. Since timing is so important in saving animals from shelters, consider that if you do not include key information, you may have moved a dog or cat closer to the needle because the lack of information is a barricade to saving a life.
It seems so simple. Go with the Joe Friday Dragnet school of reportage: Just the facts.  And, trust me, whoever sent the Everman note to me, I hope this gets enough attention to save every dog and cat in that shelter.
Color me a jerk, but, like you, I mean well.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Here’s a theory of NFL refereeing: The replacement refs were simply not as good at hiding mistakes and shortcomings as the regular NFL refs. Who among us has not doubted a holding or interference call or the favorable spot of the ball for the other team? … There are many stories from China recently about people protesting government seizure of their property. Never happen in the United States of America, Ask the folks from Arlington who used to live where that big domed football stadium that makes money for private businessman Jerry Jones is now. …. We opened today with a joking reference to “iambic pentameter,” a term that first mystified us in high school when we were studying Shakespeare’s sonnets – the ink was barely dry on that parchment. At any rate, all these decades later we went to the Free Online Dictionary to get the definition of “iambus” and it is this very clarifying explanation: “A metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables.” We’d have all been better off if I’d explained that the Iambus is an unusually docile herding dog from Iambica where it is known as “The Freeloading Lazy Herder.”
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Ah, the faces, the tails and tales...

 Heads up, Dallas animal fans.
The Dallas Animal Shelter Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday and we’ll write about that later in this report.
In the meantime, just for the sake of sanity, we’re going to praise the joy you can see in a dog’s face.
Perhaps you’ve never seen anyone who was happy to see you. Dogs simply aren’t afraid of showing that emotion -- sometimes it's vivid and sometimes it is like this dog's face: a warm weather, tongue-lolling look that asks, "You got water?"
Some people think dogs only bark or growl greetings. But the truth is they will show you how glad they are to see you walking in the front door. They’ll smile at you in the morning when no one else will.
This face belongs to Creek, a 2-year-old Lab mix currently on the clock at Collin County Animal Services (He’s #368698.)
Our CCAS shelter-walking tipster Alison Roberts sent out a note that read “Intake is still out of control and shelter is still in a very critical state with no open kennels.”
To ask about Creek or any animal in the shelter in McKinney, email  [email protected] and [email protected]  
ADOPTABLES IN ROWLETT: Our Rowlett tipster, the veteran rescuer Dawna Carabajal, sent us a situationer regarding that small town shelter. “The adoptions have been up at the Rowlett Animal Shelter lately, thanks to the great work Donna Hurst is doing for us on our Facebook page.
”But as always, there are plenty of babies that need our help.
”If you get a chance would you mind a little write up on a few of our animals? First, we have a ‘Rescue Only’ Rottie mix. The staff and volunteers all report that he is a really sweet boy but he growled at the vet so he was deemed unadoptable. That's it, no second chance. One of the volunteers reports that yesterday he climbed right up into her lap. He just wants some love. …
”Next, there is Blossom. She is an adult Labrador/Pit mix. She is quite the Earhound. One of the volunteers reports ‘This sweet girl really needs a home. She's been at the shelter awhile. She will look through the toy basket, choose one and play fetch. She's a live wire with a great disposition and shiny black coat.’ Her adoption fee has been bought down so it is only $25.
”Finally, we have a real cat situation. We worked hard over the last 2 weeks to bring down the cat population and we were making real progress. Then the shelter had to seize 15 cats from one home. The seized cats must be held for 7 days so that has put all of our other cats in real danger.
”Due to this situation all cat adoption fees have been reduced to only $25. I have attached a picture of Farrah. She is an adult Tabby/Maine Coon mix that has the most luxurious fur coat. Poor Farrah has been at the shelter since May and her time is running out.” [Click on the artwork to make it larger.]
Call the Rowlett Animal Shelter at 972-412-6219 or email [email protected]. There’s also a Facebook page -- Friends of Rowlett Animals.
[Larry aside: Not just the dog-faces are nice to see in your house, but a regal cat – that’s a definite plus around the house.]
HOLLY’S SITUATION: Dallas Animal Services has issued a call for help with this girl, Holly, who has a wound on her leg that just doesn’t seem to be healing. So DAS is trying to find a rescue group to take Holly in and get attention for her medical needs.
BULLETIN: Just as we hit the "go" button on our report, we got a note announcing that Operation Kindness, the no-kill shelter in Carrollton, has agreed to take this dog and tend to her. You can email [email protected] to ask if there are other animals you can help. Animals that are in the position Holly was in: Tag and save or get the needle.
More DAS animals coming up later in this report. Keep reading.
A DISTEMPER CASE: We got a note from Kathryn Davis, the volunteer coordinator of A Different Breed rescue about a dog the rescue group took in from a small shelter on the southern side of Dallas. This guy’s name is Golden and he’s less than a year old, she says.
But the Golden Retriever puppy is being treated for distemper.
This little guy is fighting the good fight – and, indeed, there are distemper survivors around, though it’s a tough and expensive treatment.
Kathryn writes that this dog is “wonderful and well-mannered but will require medical treatment ASAP for his current condition.”
She says ADB hopes to raise $1,500 to cover the pup’s vet care. You can see how to help by clicking HERE and navigating to donate.
THE CATS MOVE ON AND THE $20 DOG STANDS READY: Yesterday we mentioned three adoptable but “lingering in the shelter” cats that weren’t getting any interest at The Colony’s Animal Control Shelter.
Patricia Barrington, the AC Division Manager, reports that Second Chance SPCA (www.scspca.org) took those three kittens – Roo, Boo and Scout. “So, Second Chance SPCA took those kittens!,” she wrote. “They are available via their program.  And, if someone adopts them from Second Chance, then Second Chance has space to take in more shelter critters ... That's what we call a win-win situation.”
Ah, but then there’s Ben – we’ve mentioned Ben before because he’s obviously a trained dancer – got a stance just like some of those performers in The Turning Point or The Red Shoes or Burlesque – wait, I’m not sure about Burlesque -- didn't see it. 
Anyway, Ben's a year-old, 12-pound, wire-haired Dachshund mix. Manager Barrington writes, “He's a doll.  He's been a resident at our lil shelter for a long time... he needs out.  So, in an effort to save this lil fella, here's the deal.  If someone comes to adopt this cutie patootie (by) 6 p.m. Wednesday, they get him for $20 and we throw in a voucher good for up to $100 of vet work at the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection clinic in Denton.  Now, of course, that $100 must be used toward Ben's rabies vaccination, microchip and neuter ... but still it's a great deal!  And, he's a great dog.”
To help this dog have a future, email [email protected] or call 972-370-9250.
A BURNS FLAT FAMILY: You can see in the photo that at least one little puppy knows which side of the room divider the spigot is on.
They’re in Burns Flat, Okla., and our tipster, the tireless rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher reports, “I got this family after some idiots moved away and left them to fend for themselves. The neighbor took them under their carport but stray dogs were attacking them.
”I found a lady to foster them, where she has become very friendly with the kids and other dogs, but she just let me know her husband wants them gone NOW. I have NO PLACE for these babies….I need help now.”
To help Terry Lynn save this family, call 580-330-1459.
STARVED IN SEAGOVILLLE: Our Seagoville Animal Shelter tipster Piper Redman, the president of STAAR (Seagoville Texas Animal Advocates & Rescue), told us about these “severely emaciated male Pitties that were dumped Monday and are now in the shelter.  They are severely malnourished and we are frantically searching for a rescue or someone to take them in. The shelter is busting at the seams and we will continue to feed and help these two little guys but they really need a loving foster/rescue who can give them the time and attention to feeding that they need. They are very sweet boys! We have posted them under our URGENT DOGS IN NEED on the shelter's Facebook page.  Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.”
That Facebook page is HERE. The shelter is at 1330 E. Malloy Bridge Road in Seagoville. Phone 972-287-6838. Email [email protected].
BACK TO DALLAS: We got this list of VSP – Very Special Pets – animals from Dallas Animal Services yesterday. We’ve publicized VSP animals before with photos and stories, but somehow, the “list” seems to be impressive on the heart. We’ve all see photos of animals, but to see the “list of the animals to die” is sort of sobering.
All animals on these lists have been in the shelter for 45 days or longer and haven’t gotten a nibble even though they are healthy, adorable and adoptable.
Earlier in the week there were two on the list for Oct. 6, but now there’s just one (the parenthetical info is the date of intake).
DOGS:
”AD# 63 – A# 734566  Pit  Brown Brindle   “Laci”  F  1 yr  48 lbs  (8/2/12).”
This long list is scheduled for euthanasia on Oct. 9. Here goes:
AD# 16 – A# 736474  Pit  Brindle  “Pete”  M/N  9 mos  63.6 lbs  (8/15/12)
AD# 17 – A# 735861  Pit  White/Tan  “Diana”  F/S  3 yrs  67.2 lbs  (8/11/12)
AD# 20 – A# 736223  Lab Mix  Cream  “Duke”  M/N  3 yrs  47 lbs  (8/14/12)
AD# 33 – A# 734076  Pit Mix  Fawn/White  “Chevy”  M/N  5 mos  33 lbs (7/30/12)
AD# 35 – A# 735499  Pit  Brindle  “Blue”  F/S  2 yrs 1 mo  56.6 lbs  (8/9/12)
AD# 39 – A# 736695  Lab  Wht/Yellow  “Marley”  M/N  2 yrs 1 mo  54 lbs  (8/16/12)
AD# 43 – A# 662135  Lab Mix  Yellow  “Georgie”  M/N  2 yrs 1 mo  57 lbs  (8/11/12)
AD# 53 – A# 734018  Pit  Wht/Brn  “Hope”  F  1 yr 2 mos  28 lbs  (7/30/12)
AD# 90 – A# 736023  Hound/Lab  Brn/Blk  “Lucy”  7 mos  25 lbs (8/13/12)
PAWS 9 – A# 735837  Pit Mix  Fawn/White  “Melinda”  F/S  8 mos  40 lbs  (8/11/12)
ID# 5 – A# 734641  Beagle Mix  Brn/Wht  “Cesar”  M/N  4 yrs  12.9 lbs (8/3/12)  HW+
ID# 11 – A# 735576  Pit Mix  Chocolate/Wht  “Joy”  F/S  9 mos  42.6  lbs  (8/8/12)
CATS:
AC# 17 – A# 735903  DSH Brn Tabby/Wht  “Tabitha”  F/S  1 yr 1 mo  3.4 lbs (8/12/12)
AC# 21 – A# 735779  DSH  Black  “Gracie”  F/S  7 mos  5.8 lbs  (8/11/12)
AC# 25 – A# 736790  DSH  Black  “Cecey”  F/S  7 mos  8.8 lbs  (8/16/12)
AC# 51 – A# 736033  DSH  Blk/Wht  “Oreo”  F/S  2 yrs 1 mos  9 lbs (8/13/12)
AC# 59 – A# 735744  DSH  Wht/Blk  “Rose”  F/S  1 yr 1 mo  5.2 lbs  (8/10/12)
Go to www.dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt animals from the City of Dallas’ shelter. And rescue groups who want to tag animals from the list should email [email protected]
CONTEMPLATION: This is probably a very proper contemplation today. The Dallas Animal Shelter Commission – 14 people, each appointed by a member of the Dallas City Council – monitors Dallas Animal Services and the Shelter and Adoption Center and animal-related issues such as court cases, spay/neuter rates, etc.  The council advises the city’s bureaucrats and elected officials. Doesn’t mean anybody pays attention to them, but they do have solid, knowledgeable advice and they know when to be outraged and concerned.
The next  commission meeting is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in at Dallas City Hall in what has traditionally been the city’s coldest venue, Room 6ES. There are microphones for the commissioners, screens for video reports and, in case the meeting runs long, Dallas City Hall has had indoor toilets for years.  Signs of progress abound, though, of course, the city still hews to the long-standing Texas theory of animal care: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.” (Just FYI: That German Shepherd is Max, one of several of his breed currently awaiting either rescue, adoption or the needle at DAS.)
Among items on Thursday’s agenda: introduction of the new shelter Operations Manager, an update on the perplexing and long-running woes of the shelter’s traditionally overwhelmed air-conditioning system, a budget explanation, legal matters, a commissioner retreat, an update on the shelter “facelift” project and the DAS manager’s report which will include the euthanasia rate for the last couple of months.
Other things will probably come up. There’s always time at the end of the meeting for comments from the interested parties in the gallery.
So, what do you contemplate? Perhaps you can contemplate that for as many years as Dallas has had an animal shelter and for as many years as Dallas has had rescuers and a commission and interested city council members, basically not much has changed in the fundamental philosophy of municipal animal shelters. They are places to hold animals until they are rescued or adopted or “processed” with a needle, bagged up and tossed out. The building may be new, the employees may have changed (from permanent to temporary) and the elected officials may have changed, but the shelter still has the same challenge: too many unwanted animals.  Yep, this blame is on the shoulder of the “General Public.”
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Earhounds, free dogs, cats with bad timing and the loophole for idiots

You’ve heard of “stream of consciousness”? Today we’re more like a “gurgle of consciousness” – I’m not sure what’s going to show up. I got one more hour of sleep than usual – inexplicable! But appreciated. And it likely will influence the mental processes. And set off a longing for a full 8 hours rather than the usual 5.
And, of course, we keep typing along because, frankly, we’re lousy at yard work, plumbing, carpentry, painting and electrical repair. In an act of self-preservation, we sit at a computer and type madly. Or, sometimes, angrily. And, even merrily at times. Rarely profitably.
One of the things that makes us merry is an Earhound. This one is Chloe. We think the Earhound American Registry Services (EARS) will catalog her as a “Dynamically Diverted Variety.”
SPCA of Texas Communications Coordinator Stephanie Daniels sent the photo to us. “Meet Chloe, a 6-month-old Hound – Earhound that is! Abigail Glavy, digital communications coordinator, took this one!” And, of course, Chloe is available at the SPCA. Remember, an empty cage at the SPCA makes room for an animal that needs a safe spot. (FYI: Do yourself a favor and schedule a visit to the SPCA – you’ll adore the doggie display and be calmed by the cat rotunda. Honest.)
THE REWARD INCREASES: Nobody’s been arrested or charged yet in the case of two Fort Worth boxers apparently intentionally poisoned with anti-freeze, but Legacy Boxer Rescue has faith and has added another grand-and-a-half to the reward for information leading to arrest and conviction.
Sharon Sleighter, the president of Legacy Boxer Rescue, sent us the new poster – click on it to make it larger.  “No leads yet,” says Sharon, “We raised the reward today [Monday].”
Anybody who uses antifreeze to kill an animal can’t be punished enough. It’s a horrible, horrible way to die – and there’s no way to save the animal once it has sampled this stuff. There are pet-safe antifreezes but hardly anybody uses it in their vehicles.
[Larry aside:There are other area animal cases that are still unsolved, i.e., nobody knows who shot the dog that Dallas Animal Services had to euthanize last week because it had been damaged by pellets, nobody knows who poisoned the dog of the pastor who was offering counsel to the young man charged in the Justice the Dog case… No doubt there are other cases still open. It’s not like there’s a squad of investigators assigned to pursuing animal cruelty cases.]
MEANWHILE IN ARLINGTON: Our tipster Susan Tandukar with Partners of Arlington Animal Services reports that there are “14 dogs on the EU list for today at 2 p.m.” at the shelter. “If you could please share that would be wonderful..” So, here’s the collage of the dogs in danger and the place to email to try to help is [email protected].

FREE DOGS IN  DALLAS: Two ways to read that headline. Either it’s a directive or it’s an announcement of the adoption fee for these five dogs.
That’s right. There is no adoption fee. Just go save the dog’s life.
Yes, there’s a reason they have no adoption fees. These five dogs are scheduled for euthanasia on Oct. 6 – they have all been in the shelter for at least 45 days without drawing anything except the admiration of staffers at the shelter. These dogs are all very adoptable – good attitudes, nice manners, no health problems and two of them have been on Dancing With The Stars. I may have made that last part up.
But as you can see, they are all very distinct.
And they are among scores and scores and scores of unwanted animals currently awaiting either rescue, adoption or the needle at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center at I-30 and Westmoreland just west of downtown Dallas.
 To adopt or to ask more about these particular critters, email [email protected] or [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]. You may also call 214-671-0249 or 214-670-8312.. Rescue groups should email [email protected] or call 214-670-8298.
Who are these dogs? The first photo is of a dog we’ve mentioned here before, Delilah (A#734783), who is spayed, just over a year old and weighs in at 31 pounds.
Then, the dog that looks as if he is an actual piece of art created by a careful brush is Johnson (A#734771), neutered, almost 2 and 55.6 pounds. “Gentle dog, very polite and well-mannered,” the shelter says.
Then comes Laci (A#734566), a year-old, 48 pound “super-friendly girl! “ She has a video HERE.
Sasha  (A#733914) is a 3-year-old, 16-pound spayed pup – she’s heartworm positive, but there is a deal for treatment that comes with her. (Dallas Animal Advocates has a program to help rescues with heartworm treatment – email [email protected]  for more info – or contact  KCAAP about its “lower-cost” heartworm program at [email protected]  or call 972-472-3500..
And Tony (A#735021) is a 2-year-old, 46-pound neutered fellow who is “happy and handsome.” And, oh so obviously an Earhound.
WAITING IN CARROLLTON: We mentioned these two hardluck dogs yesterday. Both are in the Carrollton Animal Services shelter and waiting for a rescue group to claim them.
Chico is the top photo and Triston is the second photo.
This morning we got a note from the folks at CARE (Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise), the shelter personnel who work hard to find homes and safe places for animals to go.
It was an unusually dark message because Carrollton usually has great success in its appeals. The message reads, “Come on folks only 2 dogs this week who need rescue and we have not had an inquiry about either one. Both are good boys, and both need your help. I have seen this group get 10-15 animals out of the shelter and into save havens, this should be an easy week. Please consider pulling one of these great boys, if you have any questions please contact us.”
Call 972-466-3420, or email [email protected].
COLONY KITTENS: We got the tip on these three available kittens from Patricia Barrington, The Colony’s Animal Control Division Manager who explains the situation facing Roo, Boo and Scout thusly and it gives some insight into the challenges that vex taxpayer-supported shelter management:
”They are precious, playful and cuddly. But, they have been at the shelter since the 17th and no one has given them a look. It isn't the height of kitten season, so one would think maybe their marketability might be on the upswing, but not so much. 
”A shelter might consider keeping them until December when shelters will be inundated with folks demanding holiday kittens and puppies. But, they might just grow and simply be young adult cats that have gone mad due to months living in a shelter -- so, that won't work.
”Quite the dilemma, folks wanting to save lives when it is convenient and expecting shelters to produce orange tabby, declawed Persian kittens, precisely 6 weeks prior to their daughter's 10th birthday party. 
”Leaves perfectly lovable critters dead because they couldn't time their birth just right.”
Then she kids, “I'm going to have to work on this. Maybe get some pamphlets out to the stray cat population letting them know they should breed only at certain times. Seems reasonable, right?
”Oh, wait!  I could tell people, via voice, television, print and social media to spay and neuter their pets to prevent babies being euthanized!  How simple!  And, then, kittens and puppies would have more of a demand than a supply and people would save the ones that needed saved because there wouldn't be endless options out there!!  … Nah, that's just crazy talk.
”Heavens to Betsy, it is hard out there for a cat.”
You can ask about adopting any or all of these kittens or any other animal in The Colony’s shelter by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 972-370-9250.
CONTEMPLATION: We’ve been excited since the first week of June -- when it was announced -- to see the effect Big Fix For Big D will have on the unwanted animal population and we’re told the figures on fixes are still being compiled and processed.
If you go to the Big Fix For Big D Facebook page you’ll find a paragraph that says the project is “working to get 209,149 pets in South Dallas spayed and neutered.” Not sure if that means in the whole 3-year, $3 million project, or just this year. But we’ll find out. The other thing is the 18 Zip Codes targeted by Big Fix are not just in “South Dallas,” they are spread across the southern sector of town below Interstate 30 from the East to south of Downtown to well into Oak Cliff and West Dallas. So, maybe “southern Dallas” is better than South Dallas, since South Dallas refers to one specific neighborhood and this is animal over-pregnation (just made that up) is a problem across a giant swath of this fertile town.
You can get the details on how to get an animal fixed for $20 by going to the Big Fix For Big D site HERE.
In the meantime, last week one of our readers suggested in a comment that cities ought to have mandatory spay/neuter laws.
As it turns out, there is some irony to that suggestion: The City of Dallas has had such an ordinance in place since 2008. You can look it up HERE.
Here’s the problem, as I explained to our spot-on commenter: You know those speed limit signs on the freeways? The ones everybody in Dallas ignores? That's exactly the way the spay/neuter ordinance works.
You can look at the number of puppies and kitties that came through the DAS from January through right now and you can see that the mandatory spay/neuter law has been every bit as effective as the yield sign on a freeway ramp.
Why is it that Dallas’ animals breed madly, why do people neglect their animals (in violation of laws), why do people injure animals (in violation of laws),why do people allow their animals to roam and breed (in violation of laws), why do people dump their animals on streets and in parks (in violation of laws), why, why why?
Because all animal laws have this one shortcoming that lets fiends beat the rap: The laws deal with people who take advantage of “The Loophole of Ignorance and Don't Care and Underfunded Enforcement."
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An astounding Earhound and other tails...

An email arrived with autumn on Saturday – the subject line read “colorful fall getaways.”
And in Dallas, the weekend temp was 95 degrees.  Dallas was not on the list of “colorful fall getaways.”  Having acknowledged that things are normal for North Texas, here’s our Monday report.
And, please, let me draw your attention to this opening photograph – yes, that is an Earhound – there is no doubt. None. Keep reading and you’ll see the transformation.
BIG CITY SITUATION: Dallas Animal Services sent out a note last night in hopes of inspiring someone to help this dog, Holly. Danielle Fry, of DAS’ rescue team, wrote that Holly “a Golden Retriever mix and she is the sweetest. She was found as a stray with an injury on her left front leg. We have been trying to medicate it but it has not been healing. She needs to go to a veterinarian where they have more resources to help her.  She is just so sweet and her picture does not due her justice.  Once you see her you will just fall in love with her!!!!  She is so gentle and loving, she deserves a second chance!!  Due to her injury we need to get her out ASAP, we want to make sure she gets the medical care that she needs.”
To offer to help Holly, email [email protected]. Her shelter designation is “A740856 DLF121A.”
To see the adoptables at DAS, go to www.dallasanimalservices.org.
THE CHUTNEY SURPRISE: Well, goodness, Allison Roberts, the volunteer shelter walker at Collin County Animal Services, sent out the usual giant list of endangered animals at the shelter – it’s closed Monday – and as I was going through the photos I was brought to a sudden halt by the dog Chutney. Owner surrender – though “Why give up a set of ears like that?” is the big question. She’s described as a year-old gentle Lab mix who “doesn’t jump” and “enjoyed meeting children.” Chutney is #373117.
She is also described as “a medium-sized girls” but those are obviously ears installed from another model. They probably create a couple of whirlwinds when they pop up.
See the volunteers’ Facebook urgents page HERE  and see the county’s site HERE .
To ask about Chutney or any animals at CCAS, email  [email protected] and [email protected] .
MISS CONGENIALITY: We got a tip on this dog, Candy, the female Pit mix, at the Cisco Animal Shelter about 2 hours west of Fort Worth on I-20.
Yes, it’s outside of the Metroplex and, frankly, that may be what makes Cisco worth the drive. When you’re that far past Fort Worth, you are in God’s Country. West Texas. Where jackrabbits roam and the terrain has a certain gritty beauty that enchants a person who grew up either in verdant East Texas or has lived for decades in the land of earthtoned concrete and  jackrabbit drivers.
Now, the tip on this beauty – shown here with the other contestants in the Adopt Me Or It’s Curtains Contest at Cisco – came from Stacey Carney, known by her email address as [email protected]. Email her and she’ll help you adopt or transport these dogs to safe havens in or out of West Texas.
Stacey says Candy is “almost out of time” and “is a sweet girl” who “gets along with others.” She also says, “The shelter gets no traffic so her only chance is through networking.”
IRVING OPPORTUNITIES: The famed photographer/shelter walker Russell Posch has a raft of adoptables at the Irving Animal Services Shelter posted HERE
The shelter is closed on Mondays but the rescue hotline is open at 972-721-3597 and you should also email  [email protected]  and [email protected]. The shelter’s business phones are  972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257.
MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON:  Two dogs, no takers.
There are two dogs on the “urgent” list, according to the Carrollton animal shelter folks, CARE (Carrolton Animal Rescue Enterprise).
No cats this week.  Yes, Carrollton is completely out of cats so please feel free to drop boxes and boxes of cats and fresh kittens off at the shelter – yes, I’m kidding. They have a feline inventory, just none that are on “the list.” Of course, if you stop by and adopt one or two, that’ll keep cats off the list.
To ask about these two dogs, call 972-466-3420 or email [email protected]. (The deadline is 6 p.m. Tuesday.)
Chico (#26848) is a year-old, 31-pound Retriever/Beagle mix. Why was Chico an owner-surrender? Family had children and became concerned that Chico wouldn’t get along with the kids – he already wasn’t letting along with the family’s pre-existing little dog, so, it was his time to move along, drop the tension level in the house.
Look, we don’t all always get along with the inhabitants of a household – it’s just difficult to unload a sibling or in-law at an animal shelter.
And the Pit mix boy is Triston (#26901) a 55-pounder who is anywhere from 1 to 3 years old and came in as a stray. The shelter folks say he is “all about playing and laying in the sun when ever he can. He is a good boy who comes to us as a stray and is looking to be transferred to a rescue as soon as he can so he can work to find his forever home. … He just knows he can be a good dog if given the chance he needs.”
Yep, rescue or the needle for both these dogs.
HUMANE JEWELRY: The deadline for RSVPing to the Texas Humane Alliance Silpada Jewelry Fundraiser (6 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday in Dallas) is tomorrow. Email your response, si vu play, to [email protected].
Relax, I know it’s “"répondez, s'il vous plaît.”  I was just typing with the Northeast Texas French accent – LaSalle’s final expedition had such an effect on our Bowie County inflections, le y’all.
The Facebook link to Texas Humane Alliance is HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS: The Dallas Cowboys – is Tony Romo tough, or what? Or maybe he’s just not susceptible to concussions. …  Justin Beiber. Lady Gaga. New York Yankees. Pumpkin pie recipe. Emmy winner. Find lost car keys. What? Oh, just listing some things that might drive up the clicks on Readlarrypowell.com.  Like remembering to vote for animalfan Holly Forsythe in D Magazine's Most Beautiful Women of Dallas contest HERE. …. Fall is here. If you can’t spend autumn in North Texas watching the leaves turn (insert laughtrack), where would you like to spend some time? New Mexico? Vermont? East Texas? FYI, East Texas has trees and sometimes they're not pines.
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The Chicago Style -- rescued snoozers...

Our featured animals for autumn’s first Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap have something in common besides sleeping.
They managed to capture hearts while being rescued.
That's Oscar sacked out on a sleeping human. He could sleep anywhere -- happily. [Usually a cat is on a keyboard, but Oscar found a way to get comfy on a laptop.]
And, ladies and gents, if you’re not in tears when you read the story of Clementine the Pit and her human’s loving gesture one Chicago evening when it began sleeting, you need to talk to your doctor about a heart transplant.
Now, you’ll note there are several photographs – some sleeping, some not, but all significant to human hearts. (That's Oscar in the bed -- his tail poking out from under the covers.)We first learned of these championship sleepers from our pal Beverly Fyfe, the Dallas rescuer and animal advocate, who has a niece, Dr. Rondalea Rhoades. Doc Rhoads and her partner Dorothy Knudson have been making Chicago safe for dogs one or two at a time and not always in the traditional “pick a dog” way.
That’s a reference to dogs getting free rides in ambulances and patrol cars.
We interrupt just a second so you can see how proud Aunt Beverly is of the doctor/niece: “This is a young woman who loves action - she worked on the ambulance for several years before going to medical school - and now is in her third year of residency as an emergency room physician in Chicago.  You can imagine the stories she has to tell - such as running into a pitiful little Pit that she ‘rescued; at the projects and putting it in a City of Chicago ambulance in violation of about 15 rules to make a get away!“
Now, let’s not get ahead of things. Let’s resume our story and keep in mind that Dr. Rhoades says this is “a very abbreviated version of some the dogs who have blessed us with their presence.”
This weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is extraordinary. The humans are former paramedic now a physician and a Chicago cop.
As Readlarrypowell.com has pointed out frequently through the years, when you hear of an animal problem, look for a human, but when you hear of an animal triumph, you should also remember there’s a good human involved>
We’re going to let the good doctor tell the good stories, with an assist now and then.
Read on – and enjoy the photos. You can always tell someone is nuts about a dog by the number of photos that came in the email – we can’t use them all. Cyberspace is huge but it may not be big enough for all the photos of the late, great Oscar, the beloved Doxie fellow. As you can see from the early photos here, Oscar was a skilled sleeper!
Here’s Dr. Rhoades’ explanation of the raft of photos she sent at the encouragement of her well-known animalfan aunt:
”My aunt, Beverly Fyfe said I should send you more photos of our furry friends.  Most of the pictures in the file are of our little old guy Oscar (he came with that name) and he was a champion sleeper. 
”He lived with a lady in Arizona for the first 10 years of his life, and then she got married and her new husband didn't like the little guy and took him to the pound....  A friend of ours (my partner Dorothy & I) rescued Oscar at an adoption event.
”About 9 months after she got him, she was re-deployed to Iraq (The Colonel was in the Army).
”I had just started medical school and we were not planning on any more doggies until I was done with residency.  The Colonel put Oscar in a carrier, hopped on a plane and showed up in Chicago on our doorstep with him almost 5 years ago... best thing that ever happened to all of us :-)”
[Larry aside:  Somehow the e-punctuation fits this kind of amazing across-the-time-zones rescue. Good example for the rest of America, I figure. Most cities have airports – Dallas Society For Companion Animals takes advantage of the airline system to move unwanted animals around. Nice to know that The Colonel had a heart the size of regiment or maybe the entire Pentagon and that gave Oscar a great life.)
Back to Dr. Rhoades’ narrative. It’s the sad part of the story, but you have to tell it to understand how much Oscar was loved. On July 7, Oscar’s health began to rapidly deteriorate. Dr. Rhoades says, “He was diagnosed with lymphoma 2 years ago and our vet said he had 2-4 months to live.  She called Oscar her ‘little iron man’ because he did so well with treatment for most of his last 2 years.”
”The Little Iron Man” hadn’t just moved into their house, he’d moved into their hearts. And you can see it in the photos of him being happily sacked out as he’s cuddled or enjoying a snooze at the hearth or with his head stuck under the bed.
He was “The Little Iron Snoozer,” too.
The other photos are of “some of our past friends and guests,” Dr. Rhoades explains. “Schroeder (Bichon) and Torry (Westie) were our first 2 dogs, over 20 years ago.
We interrupt for a second to let Dorothy explain the Westie in the suitcase. “If you look closely, you can see her drool on the blue jeans!” Dorothy says. “She was a senior rescue from a group in St. Louis, probably about 10 or 11 years old.  Her little old man was placed into a nursing home, and she was fostered in a home with other rescues. Because she always came running with the rest of the pack, her foster mom had no idea she was completely deaf. We discovered it shortly after getting her home. She was very smart and very ‘independent.’  Her original name was ‘Lil Runt.’  Since she could no longer hear, we renamed her Idgie after the character in Fried Green Tomatoes. We were very lucky to share our lives with her for 5 years.”
BACK TO DR. RHOADES AND THE RESCUES:
”One day, Dorothy (a Chicago police sergeant) saw a black doggie, on 3 legs, being chased by several kids throwing sticks and rocks at the dog. 
””Dorothy threatened the kids with imprisonment at Alcatraz and scooped the skinny puppy into her squad car and took him into the district... and called me. 
”I picked the puppy up, took him to our vet where X-rays showed the hind leg had been badly broken and had already started to heal poorly positioned. She said he would never be able to walk on the leg again and recommended amputation... or an orthopedic surgeon.  The surgeon re-broke the leg and pinned/screwed it into good position.  We kept the puppy (named Murphy because he was just a big goofy happy dog) 8 weeks until his leg healed and found him a family who loved and adored all 80 pounds of him for the rest of his life. The picture is of Murphy the 25-pound big dog pup with a 2-year-old Schroeder who loved his new play pal, and Torry, the 10 month old alpha Westie who promptly took possession of Murphy's big bone.
”The other photos are (of course) Schroeder & Torry sleeping on my bed with Clementine, the orange Pit Bull.
”I used to be a Chicago Fire Department paramedic.  One bitterly cold December, my ambulance responded to a call at the infamous Cabrini Green housing projects (baby with a fever).  The elevators were broken, as usual, and so we walked up to the 12th floor where I saw a timid, skinny little Pit Bull run around a corner and watch us go by.  We got the not-so-sick baby and her mamma and walked out of the apartment.
”I saw the dog again, and asked a neighbor lady who the dog belonged to.  She said ‘somebody's cousin's brother's uncle’ had left the dog out on the open breezeway for 3 days... no food or shelter.  The temp was 10 degrees and 30 below with a wind chill the night before.  No dogs are allowed in the projects and when I asked to speak to the owner, no one fessed up to owning her.  I called to the little girl and she came right to me. 
”I scooped her up under 1 arm, with our medic bag on my other arm and told my partner to move fast.  We hurried the mother with the baby down the 12 flights of stairs while listening to the dumb ass little gang-bangers yelling for the owner.... the ‘M***f**** Fire Department is stealing your dog. ‘
”We hit the parking lot at a dead run, put the pit bull in the passenger seat, the mom and baby in the back, and my partner drove a little faster than usual to the hospital where we dropped off the baby and her mother. 
”We drove back to the firehouse and took the dirty dog inside.  Her pads had been blistered by the cold concrete.  I gave her a fast bath to knock the grime and bugs off her, put a couple of blankets on the floor in my room at the firehouse, and gave her some food and water, and ran out on another call.  When I got back, several calls later, she was sound asleep on my bunk. 
”I took her home the next day, a Sunday where she ate like crazy and slept on my bed (again) with the 2 little white doggies. 
”On Monday we took her to our vet for a check up. The little orange Pit Bull was about 9-10 months old, weighed 14 pounds and had already had a litter of pups at some point. 
”One of the techs at our vet works at a Pit Bull rescue and found a foster home for the little girl.  Her foster parents named her Clementine for her orange color and promptly decided she would not be going to another home.
”I stopped by her new home 6 weeks later to check in on her.  She weighed almost 50 pounds, was sleek, silky and very happy.  Her new dad was coming back from a walk with her when I got there, and he realized he had locked himself out of his house.  While we waited on the sidewalk for his wife to get home from work to let us in, it started to sleet. 
”I knew Clementine was in the right place when he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her to keep her warm until we got in the house.”
Go ahead, dear readers, dab your eyes.
[To nominate your critters for the spotlight of “Let Sleeping Dogs Sleep & Napping Cats Nap, send photos and info to [email protected].  Readlarrypowell.com is proud to be the news site that shows the insomniacs of the world that sleep is possible. Theoretically possible, we mean, of course.]
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A sign in Dallas and opportunities to help animals...

Since one of the benefits of publishing a daily blog about animals and the people who help them is to offer uplifting opportunities, we proudly present this photograph, snapped at the Apple Store next to Starbucks in Oak Cliff this morning.
(Just kidding. the photo was snapped yesterday. There is neither a Starbucks nor an Apple Store in Oak Cliff.)
The point of view is through a wistful Android cell phone lens in the front seat of a 1999 Ford F150 powered by gasoline that cost $3.54.9 in Duncanville two days earlier.
Don’t’ rush to the station on Edgefield. It’s out of business. I don’t know how long it’s been out of business and I can’t remember actually seeing gasoline at $1.59 in this century. I looked on the internet and the price of gasoline skyrocketed with the turn of the 21st Century.
This station is in the same blocks of Edgefield where Tom Cruise and Oliver Stone filmed Born on The Fourth of July back in 1988. Gasoline in Dallas that year was about a buck a gallon.
So, there you go. Something to smile about. Keep reading, maybe you’ll find something else – like the price of pie declining for autumn. A fellow can wish.
BRIDGET’S CHALLENGE: Alison Roberts, the volunteer shelter walker at Collin County Animal Services in McKinney says this dog Bridget was returned to the shelter after six months in a home --- allegedly got nippy with grandkids – and the person returning the dog painted an ugly medical picture complete with high-dollar procedures prohibiting continuing to keep the dog. 
But wait. Read this. Alison reports that “another vet requested the vet records from the adopter's vet and discovered that they [the adoptor’s vet] did not do a radiograph, so there is no way they would have concluded that she definitely needs surgery [kidney stones, possible bowel infection].  We think the adopter exaggerated since she was giving that as the reason for returning the dog.  So the vet care may not be very expensive at all - but she does need to get more tests and get on meds.
Bridge – 2 ½-year-old Lab mix with a great happy attitude and an iffy medical story for now.
It’s a take a chance, save a life situation – but isn’t it always?
To ask about Bridget (#336088), email [email protected] and [email protected]. As regular visitors to Readlarrypowell.com know, CCAS is overflowing with dogs and cats and euthanasia is a definite threat.
GET OUT THE VOTE: The voting continues in D Magazine’s annual Most Beautiful Women of Dallas contest and the pro-animal person needing votes is the noted advocate and rescuer Holly Forsythe. Click HERE to go to the poll and vote for the co-owner of Sambuca who makes room for animal –support events at the restaurant.
SOLD OUT: Wow. The SPCA of Texas reports that its Fabulous Fur Ball 2012, scheduled Sunday at the Hilton Anatole, is sold out – co-chairs of the casino-themed event are Tricia Linderman and Jennifer Bledsoe. The Spencer Humanitarian Award – named for “for warm-hearted entrepreneur and SPCA of Texas Board member Mary Spencer (also author and chair of the city’s animal shelter commission) – will go to the “individual, company or group whose extraordinary efforts have made a positive difference for animals.:  The 2012 recipients are long-time benefactor to the SPCA’s medical care programs, Myron Martin; high-profile Texas philanthropic powerhouse, the Meadows Foundation; and the SPCA’s corporate partner, Hill’s Science Diet. (More details at www.spca.org.)
ELPO SALE: Second Chance Treasures, the shop that supports East Lake Pet Orphanage, has a sale scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the shop at 7939 Heinen Dr, Dallas (that’s Zip Code75227.)
Proceeds benefit the homeless animals that wind up in ELPO’s care (ELPO is the non-profit adoption arm of East Lake Veterinary Hospital, 10101 E. Northwest Highway, in Dallas.
Proceeds go to help baskets of Min Pins (that link is HERE and if you go to the ELPO site at www.elpo.org you’ll see many adoptables including this bunch of boxer mix pups who were among 11 born to a momma who couldn’t handle them all.  People bonded to save the dogs. Read the story on the ELPO site.
Those are among the animals you help when you buy at Second Chance Treasures.
COWBOY AT EVERMAN: Good grief, it seems like months and months ago when we first mentioned this fellow, Cowboy, an ailing, starving, infested and infected dog picked up off the streets of Everman.
He’s about 5 to 7 years old, the Everman Shelter says and he’s completely healthy now – in spite of all the things that afflicted him, he was free of heartworm. Kind of a miracle in this neck of the woods. According to a note from Anna Horton, who has been working to find Cowboy a home, “The vet says he has some good things going for him: teeth and ears look great, and he has some spunk. He is a real sweetheart, but is understandably confused. Went from living on the street, to the shelter, to the vet’s office in two weeks time.”
Nobody’s got a handle on his family tree so Readlarrypowell.com will reach into the bag of phrases from yesteryear and declare that Cowboy is a mutt. Some of you older people may have heard the term.
He’s at the Everman Animal Shelter and needs a good break to avoid what so many animals do not in shelter situations. To help 45-pound Cowboy find a place to live,
contact Anna Horton at 817-443-2680 or  [email protected] 
[Larry aside: “Mutt.” Haven’t heard that one in a while. Not a darned thing wrong with being a mutt. If it came down to adopting me or Cowboy, go with the dog because his “teeth and ears look great and he has some spunk.” I am a sweetheart, but moody. He’s probably not moody.]
A NOTE ABOUT CATS: Our Houston tipster, the caftan and feline rescuer Edna Taylor,  sent us a link to an article about a spay/neuter controversy regarding cats in Alabama. She wrote, “Since you reach so many people, I thought you might be able to share this link since it will have a HUGE impact (and not in a good way) on the animal overpopulation problem in Alabama.” The link is HERE. Alabama has cats. Who knew?
HELP FOR A DOG NAMED MARS: Becky Haisma, the veteran animal advocate and rescuer, is trying to help this dog Mars get some medical help. Obviously Mars has an admirer. He also has a story. He was scheduled to be euthanized when he was saved and the family that got him ran into some medical challenges with him so Becky is trying to help find an avenue to funding to help family and dog. The diagnosis is dire, but there may be help in modern veterinary science. To read about this dog’s situation and how to help, click HERE.
A MATTER OF ADJUSTMENT: Our pal Martha Hofmeister who has the highly respected and gloriously effective Marthanet email system for helping animals, is trying to solve one seemingly out-of-the-ordinary problem for a woman with an older, big dog.
Readlarrypowell.com is confident that our readers may have a solution for this problem and if you do, please send the suggestion to [email protected].
Here is the note from the dog’s human: “I just moved to a new home.  My 11-year-old Great Pyrenees never lived anywhere other than in my other home. I was worried that she might have difficulty with the transition because can be a nervous dog.  So for 4 months before the move, I took her to the new house 2-3 times a week and spent at least a couple of hours with her there.  That helped.  She is very comfortable with the back yard.  But she is terrified of the house. She does not like to be in the house at all. When I bring her in she starts to pant and pace.  The problem is the worst at night when I am going to bed (of course).  I have a lot of hard wood floors in the new house and I don’t think that she likes those much but she is walking on them just fine. I was hoping that some of your contacts might know how to help an older dog who is very set in her ways and does not like change to her routine at all adjust to a new home.”
[Larry aside: My first thought was to get a couple of sheep to graze in the house and keep the dog busy, but on second thought that seems impractical. You can’t get grass to grown in a living room. The thing is, from the heart, you’ve got to feel for this dog who really doesn’t understand the concept of “move” in terms of human migration from one place to another. Bless her heart and may she find peace by the time you finish reading this.]
WHO SAVES DOGS? Last week we focused on the story of Hampton, a German Shepherd pulled off his namesake Dallas street by Paula Trapp who got out of her car and joined the dog in dodging traffic.
Then she kept an eye on him at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and as we reported, the big guy was adopted in the nick of time.
Why would anyone act so sweetly toward a dog she’d never met?
When I first read a note from her I misread that she was in the “gourmet coffee business” and I responded that there are plenty of animal rescuers who survive on coffee and lots of it
She sent back a nice note and said, “BTW- my business is a TOFFEE business not a coffee business. Common mistake! :-).”
Sure enough, www.sweettrapp.com takes you to Paula’s Sweet Trapp Toffee page and it set off such cravings in your correspondent.
In my view of the world, the angels on this planet save animals, protect children, keep donut shops open after noon and create toffee, a longtime favorite in our household. Toffee and Tocker Spaniels – no home should be without them. Tocker Spaniel? That’s a Cocker Spaniel who has developed the ability to sniff out -- sniff, not sample -- toffee in a plastic bag carried by a human. We have one, Inky, the Tocker Laureate of the Tate of Texas.
BIG TEX AND BARKING:  Sue Gooding of the State Fair of Texas sent out a reminder that the Fair’s getting ready to open next week and that on Monday, the Midway’s giant Cowboy greeter Big Tex will be installed. He’ll be helping celebrate his own 60th birthday, the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America and the introduction of the Chinese Lantern Festival at the Fair.
In the meantime, the folks with Dallas Animal Services and DFW Rescue Me will be combining to display unwanted availables from the big Dallas shelter during the fair. [Look for these critters near the big trains and the craft tent on Centennial Plaza which, if memory serves, is also near the big free stage with all the musical acts.] 
Barbara Naylor of DFW Rescue Me sent a not telling us that DAS will staff the booth from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week and DFWRM will run the booth from 4:30 p.m. to close during the week and all day on weekends. The booth opens on the first day of the fair on Sept. 28 – a week from today – and runs through the close on the 21st of October.
Also Barbara says the DFWRM effort needs volunteers. “This is a HUGE undertaking with many volunteer hours!” she says. “Last year there were over 150 dogs adopted during the fair. We expect to adopt out even more this year. “
Fill out the volunteer application on the DFWRM site HERE.
SPEAKING OF DAS: Yesterday we repeated the bulletin from Dallas Animal Services that the cat room is full. The cat room is always full at DAS. Orange, black, combo colors. You know the cat drill. You cans see the adoptables on the clock at www.dallasanimalservices.org. And, if the Residents of Dallas Behavior Pattern continues, there will always be more adoptable cats waiting at the shelter. It’s at I-30 and Westmoreland.
Larry aside: If one unwanted animal sits in a shelter, that’s a crisis for one unwanted animal. When there are scores and scores of unwanted animals in a shelter and the clock is ticking, why, that’s just Dallas.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Most entertaining talk show on television (hope you have cable)? The Graham Norton Show. BBC. Of course, the BBC has entertaining programs and, inexplicably, last weekend instead of showing the programs the BBC is famous for,  BBC America showed the great British classic, Escape From New York with Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken.  What? Not British? Oh. …  Dallas Cowboys?  Big win in New York; big loss in Seattle. They’re a con game – at the start you’re sure you’re going to win and then as things continue, you begin beating yourself with the dead carp of hopelessness as they drop the ball at the wrong time, fail to catch it at the wrong time, fall over the chalk lines on key runs, etc. Yes, I said it. The Dead Carp of Hopelessness. – by the way, that’s the title of my first book of romantic poetry. Wrote it with Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. … Autumn starts Saturday. You won’t be able to tell. It’ll still feel like summer. That’s OK, any season in Texas is a good season – except the Cowboys’ season, of course.
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When animals need help...

The clock keeps ticking on unsuspecting dogs and cats.
Humans are their only hope. How’s that for a fix.
We press on with hope that the humans who can help haven’t run out of money and heart simultaneously.
FYI: Wednesday night, Dallas Animal Services sent a desperate note to its rescue partners because its cat room is full. Three ways for animals to leave the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center: (1) Rescue. (2) Adoption. (3) Needle. See www.dallasanimalservices.org to navigate to photos of Dallas' unwanted cats. That cat is Penelope -- one of the unwanted cats at the Dallas shelter -- we featured her Wednesday morning, before the bulletin was issued.
THE BEDFORD INCIDENT: Normally we talk with Maryann Izzarelli about things that show up on the Team Bedford Facebook page that monitors and supports the Bedford Animal Shelter.
This story takes Maryann from the keyboard to the streets to the anxieties of “what happens next.”
The purpose is to save this dog. (Obviously the dog knows how to ride in a car.) 
Here’s the story: “On Saturday I found a chocolate Pit running loose dragging a chain so I picked him up and took him to the shelter. He hasn't been claimed and his stray hold is up, but he isn't going to be available for adoption because he's an intact alpha male pit.  He hasn't done anything questionable.
”As you can imagine I'm feeling pretty responsible for this guy and the only way he's going to make it out of the shelter is through a reputable Pit rescue -- are all overflowing.  I will personally have him vaccinated and neutered if a 501c3 group will take him into their program If they're not local I'll figure out transport. I just need some kind of help and his time is limited.”
To offer to help this specific dog, email [email protected]. See more photos on Maryann’s Facebook critter page HERE.
MEANWHILE AT THE LAKE: Our pal Krista Mc Anally, the director of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Shelter in Tool, Texas. expressed the situation quite clearly.
She wrote, “I would sure like to save Patience.  She has led a life of neglect and heartbreak.”
Here’s the story from Krista: “Patience is now HSCCL's and we need her to move her into rescue ASAP.  She is a sweet girl and deserves a new start at a real life with a family to love her. We will help with transport.  She has been spayed and is current on her shots….
“She is a 2-year-old female pit bull. She was seized for neglect by Seven Points PD. Patience has lived her entire life on a 5-foot chain. She has had at least 3 litters already.”
Krista has been trying to line up a place for Patience to go since last month before a custody hearing. She says, “I want her out of this area as soon as possible. We are having a huge increase in dog theft on the lake. And I have dealt with Patience's owner and he will try to get her back…
”She is loving and has been very patient waiting for her time and her chance at a new life. …I will help with transport and she has been given her shots and wormed.”
To offer to help Patience, email Krista at [email protected] or call 903-432-3422.
THE ANIMALS OF THE COLONY: Like most shelters in North Texas, there are always too many animals in The Colony Animal Control Shelter. It’s just north of Dallas.
And if you showed there today, these are among the photogenic animals who are there.
At first glance, the dogs appear to be giving us impressions of scenes from motion pictures.
The dog in the upper left is obvious recreating a scene from a James Cagney prison film. Maybe barking, “You dirty rats. You gotta come get me. I gotta get outta here.” That dog is Thing 1, a Great Dane/Pit mix with a great face – sort of like the faces Frank Gorshin (left) and Lou Antonio (only a Trekker knows that actor) wore in the original Star Trek episode "Let This Be Your Battlefield" in 1969 -- it was about needless killing.
Then, there’s the Dachshund Ben who, obviously, based on his pose, has studied the dance, the ballet and Anne Bancroft’s performance in The Turning Point (1977).  
And that little kitten? That’s Katie. Too young for motion pictures, but she obviously is familiar with the great poem “Fog” by Carl Sandburg and, of course, is acting out the initial line, “The fog comes on little cat feet.” Fog was written in 1913 – 99 years ago – shortly after both fog and kittens were invented.
You can see these and more animals from The Colony by clicking HERE.
We got the tips on these animals and their need for a home from Patricia Barrington, The Colony Animal Control Division Manager. She can fill you in on details and how to adopt. Call 972-370-9250 or email [email protected].
On her note about helping these animals, she included this line: “When selecting a pet companion, make adoption your first option.  It’s a lifesaver.”
CONTEMPLATIONS: We're filing our Thursday report on Wednesday evening though, if you're reading this in London, it's already Thursday, so "Good morning!" to you. We have some computer line problems vexing us right now – for two days our DSL, normally quick as a Star Trek space ship, has been moving at dial-up speed. It’s as frustrating as trying to stack month-old kittens, I’m filing this report on Wednesday evening in case the computer line doesn’t make it through the night – I also bought a Lotto Texas ticket Wednesday but you can imagine how much faith I have in those six lucky numbers. … Sweater weather. Has a different meaning in Texas. In the northern areas of the nation, sweaters might have autumn leaves on them. In north Texas, you get a sweater with Santa Claus on it, then ditch it around noon. … Consider things in the news in politics, sports and entertainment, The question: The world is nutty. True or false? You may present a thoughtful essay for extra credit.
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A day of animals and a contemplation...

It is very difficult to bark “Avast, ye mateys!” but when Inky woke me at 4:58 a.m., that was what it sounded like he was saying when he avasted my sleep.
We don’t even own a boat. Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and here is Inky, the Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator giving us his impression of a dressed-for-boarding pirate with flair (calls himself Cap’n Inkstar) swinging from his boat to the next and rushing into the captain’s dining room and spotting a big steaming platter of Mom’s Maritime Meatloaf with a side dish of Barnacles ’n’ Boot-Mashed Spuds and Big Wave Gravy. His favorite question is, of course, “Aye, matey, whare’s yer poop deck?”
Even pirates should have manners, Inky believes.
NOW, HOW PREGNANT WAS THAT DOG? Here’s a Rottweiler story that goes from Denton to College Station then expands with happiness.
Toni Liquori, our reliable tipster with Katie’s Promise Rottweiler Rescue, sent us a note yesterday with the subject line “Here’s a happy story” and the opening line, “In the midst so many sad animal stories I thought I'd send you one to make you smile, and even perhaps chuckle.”
The dog’s name is “Sandra.” That made me smile, too – don’t run across many critters named Sandra.
The note included these photos. Call them before and after.
Toni explains, “My understanding is that she was stray, picked up with 2 males.  When Kim [rescuer Kim Gaffey] sent me that first picture I said Holy COW and I DO mean COW!!!”
Where was this dog? She was in the Denton Animal Shelter, Toni says.
And Toni explains that on Sunday “I was contacted by Denton rescuer extraordinaire, Kim Gaffey, about a female Rottie in the Denton shelter. VERY pregnant.  We knew time was of the  essence, so I began working to get the word out to other Rottie rescuers who might have space available for this Mom-to-be.  Thanks to the efforts of several people throughout the day and much of last [Sunday] night, we secured a foster home for her in Austin, under the protection of Garcia Rottweiler Rescue in College Station.
”We wanted to be certain we got her out as soon as possible so Kim agreed to pull Sandra from the shelter as soon as they opened, hold her for a few hours until she could meet transport in Waco.  Sandra, however, had a slightly different agenda.
”As Kim got Sandra settled in to her temporary digs and prepared to run out to the store, Kim noticed that Sandra had a new little addition!  Surprise!!!
”Totally unprepared but ever the trooper and Sandra's angel, Kim assisted with
the delivery of TEN brand new lives!
”I just wanted everyone to know just how wonderful Kim has been to care for
Sandra and her litter until we can get them safely transported to Austin. The
positive attitude and graciousness Kim has displayed is really beyond belief,
and just shows how very, very special the hearts of animal people are.”
Toni says the pups and their mom will be available for adoption through Garcia Rottie Rescue in College Station. Email [email protected] . You can read about Garcia Rottie Rescue and see other available dogs HERE.
In the meantime, that handsome dog on the left has nothing to do with this mom and her pups. He swears. He wasn’t even in the same Zip Code when Sandra found herself in a fix – or, I guess, in an “unfix.”
His name is Comet and he’s among the Rotties and other dogs Katie’s Promise. You can see more HERE.
Toni says KPRR currently has “12 lovely males, one adolescent (Tyson).”
KPRR also has two 9-month-old mixed-breed small dogs named Allie and Samantha. And, says Toni, there is “a fine adult gentleman named Cruiser, rescued by the Austin Cruelty detectives from a terrible situation. Cruiser will not be ready for a new home for a few months while he recovers from his ordeal involving an embedded collar and no food.”
[Larry aside: Dang! Embedded collar? Starving? Sounds like someone from Dallas moved to Austin and took their idiot ways with them.]
BASIC NEEDS AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES: We’ve been trying to work this in for a while, but it kept getting bumped by animals who needed immediate rescue. Let’s just stipulate today that all shelters have animals that need immediate rescue and all rescue groups have animals that need immediate adoption so they can open a place for animals that need immediate rescue.
Now there are some basic cat needs and here is the list as provided by Dallas Animal Services (the shelter is at I-30 and Westmoreland and the roads and parking lot are all paved even though it is in the part of Dallas that some people regard as “scary” and won’t go. It’s just a few blocks west of the SPCA of Texas. And you’ll go there. In fact, it is easier to get on and off the freeway at the Dallas shelter than it is to get to the SPCA shelter. Both are worth the trip, however.
For example, if you go to DAS you might see these three animals among the hundreds of homeless dogs and cats awaiting either adoption or rescue or the needle and a bagging like household trash.
The dog on the left, I’d recognize as a Dallas dog even if I sped past him in a crosswalk in downtown Chicago. He’s got that Dallas street dog look – one lop ear, one battered and ragged ear, eyes of someone who doesn’t know what’s going on.
He’s listed as Benji, a stray designated A738528.
And he’s listed as a “collie.” Coincidentally, A738528, an obvious Earhound is also black and white and has a pointy nose. She is A734783, call name Delilah, and she is not listed as a Collie but as a Pit.
That third animal, though black and white and with pointy ears, is neither a Pit nor a Collie, but is a Cat, a black and white cat named Penelope (A738625). All are available at Dallas Animal Services.
OK, back to the needs. These are labeled “Dr. Cate’s Wish List,” on the DAS Facebook site and that’s in honor of Dr. Cate McManus, the new Dallas Animals Services operations manager.
These are for cats:
Catnip, pillow cases, towels (preferably hand towels, but DAS says it’ll cut the big ones down to size), cat beds, pipe cleaners (to make toys), plastic and metal strainers or bowls big enough for the cats to curl up in, cat toys,  small cat-sized cardboard boxes for them to hide in, cardboard flats (i.e., the kind canned food comes in), shoe boxes, tissue and paper towel rolls and, finally, classical music CDs.
Then there are the dog needs: Hard rubber toys (Kongs, Nylabone, etc.), big dog beds, blankets, rawhide chews, and peanut butter and cream cheese for stuffing in and freezing in the dog toys. (If you follow the DAS Facebook page, these needs are periodically posted.
[Larry aside: I’m assuming the cats get the classical music CDs because they find it calming; the dogs make their own music. You haven’t experienced music until you’ve heard Claire de Lune performed on the cello by Yo Yo Maltese.]
And, there’s this note from Rebecca Poling, the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission member who also works as the shelter’s social media organizer.
Last week she told us that the dogs list now includes “empty yogurt and cool whip containers….They're for making frozen treats to keep the dogs cool and busy.  Also, since we [DAS] only have one location (I-30 at Westmoreland), we're looking for businesses willing to serve as drop off spots for donations.  We have two so far but could use more.  Businesses interested can contact [email protected] for more information.”
The two drop-off spots include Texas Handgun Academy at 10201 Plano Rd, Suite 107 (that’s at Plano Road and LBJ) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week and Primo Brothers Pizza, 9310 Forest Lane # 334 (corner of Forest and Abrams, a block south of LBJ) in Dallas. And if you want your business to become a helper for Dallas’ animals, e-mail [email protected] and volunteer.
CONTEMPLATION: This dog is dead now. We wrote about the dog yesterday, but today he is dead. While he died at Dallas Animal Services – euthanasia – that is not really what killed him.
Circumstances killed this dog. Human circumstances.
You may recall that yesterday morning the folks with DAS sent out an “emergency” note to rescue partners asking for help. The dog appeared to have been shot with pellets and, indeed, the pellets may have entered organs inside the dog’s body.
He’d become listless overnight and the shelter gave him until noon yesterday to get some help or he’d be euthanized to end his suffering.
Nobody helped. The shelter ended his suffering.
What went wrong for this dog?
 Why was this dog not saved?
Circumstances.
(1) Lousy human owner. Didn’t keep the dog properly confined and cared for – probably wasn’t fixed, either. And down the street, maybe, there was an unspayed female in heat. Or down the street there was food and water. Or maybe the human opened the gate one day and said, “Git out” and that was that.
(2) Dallas is a lousy place to be a stray. The climate is great for dangerous bugs and parasites. The streets are filled with fast cars and people who don’t care. In some residential areas, antifreeze is the only thing left out to drink. And people are armed  -- air pistols and rifles and guns that go “bang,” too.
(3) If by some miracle a dog who has been shot does not crawl off and die but is picked up as a “stray,” it will come into a shelter that is already overwhelmed by the castoffs of Dallas’ don’t-care citizens. It enters a system where adoption is a long shot, rescue is a long shot and the budget is limited to basic needs.
(4) This dog was a Pit-type. That’s the mark of the devil in some eyes. There are so many Pit-types around here that reputation and availability of other breeds and mixes conspire to make a Pit with pellet-shot wounds about as likely to be adopted as the Titanic is to bob back to the surface while the band plays Good Day Sunshine.
(5) Inside the shelter, this dog does not find a 24-hour, highly technical emergency animal hospital. Frankly, the City of Dallas barely budgets for animal services’ basics, so there’s no way a department reduced by “right-sizing” during a budget crunch can have the Star Trek-style veterinary equipment that might save the life of a dog regarded as virtually unadoptable anyway. Taxpayer dollars aren’t supposed to be spent on things that “may have a chance.”
So, contemplate these things and see if you can come up with an idea that’ll not only save the healthy animals being put to death in Dallas by the thousands, but also protect the wounded and ailing animals that deserve the opportunity to rise above the humans that injured or neglected them onto death row.
Would it be possible for the City of Dallas to contract with a veterinary hospital for emergency services? Surely there’s a grant somewhere that would pay for this life-saving gesture.
What about someone funding a full emergency hospital inside Dallas Animal Services?
Of course, the irony would be that while a whizbang hospital would be onsite to try to save unhealthy animals, down the hall in The Lab, the needle would be claiming ‘em as quickly as they can be lined up.
The whole system has to change. “Processing” has to be replaced with “pampering.” And the attitudes of Dallas’ don’t-care or “didn’t know that” residents need to be changed. "Got an animal problem? Let's kill it." should no longer be the policy.
Maybe there’s a marketing grant.
And, of course, we’re anxious to print the story of someone being charged in the case of the shooting of this particular dog – the wounds may not have been fatal but they certainly proved to be mortal.
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