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Newsflash: Month ends with opportunities to help animals -- (just like 2012 ended and 2013 began)

Last day of January -- let’s try to do a lot of things in a fast fashion. Oh, some will be long stories. But that’s the nature of the beasts.
In no particular order here comes the info flow:
IN IRVING: Russell Posch, the shelterwalker with the camera at Irving Animal Services, shot the photo of this 13-pound Poodle mix, Dusty about 2. He says, the dog was hit by a car on Tuesday and “a witness scooped him up and brought him to the animal shelter. The shelter vet examined him and found no broken bones. He seems to be bruises and sore.” He’s available to rescue groups so he can get some vet care. To rescue him, call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 2257 and send a follow-up email to [email protected] and [email protected].
THE DANBURY DOGS: Like many other people on animal rescue mailing lists, Readlarrypowell.com got a note about two dogs being held in the City of Danbury Animal Shelter. Danbury is south of Houston.
Theresa Farley, the Animal Control Officer for Danbury, told Readlarrypowell.com last night that Texas Husky Rescue says they’ll take Kiko the Husky. “Nothing definite yet on Russe the Black Lab.”
According to Theresa’s earlier note, Danbury got custody of the dogs when their owner gave them up. “When the owner was contacted, she became very emotional and said that she has a new baby and cannot keep these dogs. They are both sweet, smart and loving. And they love each other.
Kiko is about 3 and was adopted from Pearland Animal Control when she was a puppy. Russe (pronounced “Roose”) is 2 and is adorable. 
The ACO says the owner said “that with a 3-week-old baby she just can’t handle these dogs. (She seems overwhelmed.) They put them outside and tied them on cable runs because of the new baby and they kept getting loose. She started to cry and she said she doesn’t have time for them any more and it’s not fair to them.”
There is still time to get these two pals into one home. Contract ACO Farley at 972-922-1551 (ext. 2) and email [email protected].)
THE TWO-DOG CHALLENGE: Word is that the two sort of nicked up dogs roaming near Highway 183 at Mockingbird Lane may be about to go to a safe haven. Stay tuned.
SPCA REMINDER: For you folks in McKinney who have dogs with all their equipment, one surefire way to keep the boys from going forth and the girls from completing the “multiply” contract is to get the fellas neutered and the girls spayed. You can now do that on the cheap. (Larry aside: The preceding sentence calculated to get the attention of people who are thrifty when it comes to doing the right thing for their animals.) Remember, Project SNYP is now operating (so to speak) in Collin County. Details are HERE.
THE DENNY REPORT AND THE URGENT LIST: Last week, at the request of Amy Warren, who was monitoring “urgent” dogs at the Arlington Animal Shelter, we mentioned a guy named Denny. Amy reports Denny got adopted and you can see the happy photo of the dog and family on the Friends of Arlington Animal Services Facebook site HERE.
This morning Partners of Arlington Animal Services issued this collection of dogs scheduled for euthanasia today after 2 p.m.
Click on it to make it large enough to read.
You never know, your new best friend’s mugshot may be in this collection of down-on-their-luck dogs.
Just FYI: I asked Susan about the timing on these collages -- they make things tight for the animals. But the deal is the shelter prepares the list and distributes it about 6 p.m., then the person on “collage duty” on the Partners of Arlington Animal Services Facebook page posts them about 10 p.m. 
“Each evening we get two lists: The ‘code red,’ which are dogs on the euthanasia list, and then the ‘urgent list.’ We do two different collages -- one for each.”
You can monitor these nightly at this Facebook LINK.
THE CUTE CONTEST CONTINUES: That’s Nemo at his birthday party. Yes, Nemo’s adoring human Melissa Boesch has a few photos of her cute boy. And, he’s still competing in the D Magazine Survival of the Cutest contest. He’s in the Adorable Eight Round and needs votes to advance to the Final Four. Melissa explains it, “Only two days left in this round to vote for Nemo. It is imperative that you vote on all your devices today and tomorrow and that you ask everyone you know to do so as well. Nemo will not advance to the Final Four without your assistance. We are grateful for your support...Team Nemo rocks!”
Vote for Nemo at www.dmagazine.com/cutest. [Larry aside: We’re pretty sure someone is forming a Super PAC on Nemo’s behalf. But, honestly, cute is cute and he is cute and electable.]
CONTEMPLATIONS:  Big story on TV today is millionaire athlete’s wife in her 20s gives tips on staying model-slim and fit. I’m waiting for the story on “Woman in early 40s working 2 jobs, raising 3 kids and a baffled husband stays fit and has money to buy gym membership and time to walk an hour each day without falling over.” Oh, yeah, and how about some stories on “Blame the genes for the size of the jeans.” Didn’t anybody pay attention in high school biology? ...Favorite ride at the State Fair of Texas? Bumper cars, Texas Star, Wild Mouse? Just daydreaming -- was thinking about the new Top o‘ Texas Tower ride and the lower attractions came to me. Then, of course, I began to crave a Belgian waffle -- and ache for exercise, naturally. ... Discuss: Dallas has more interesting buildings than you think, but nobody slows down to look appreciate them. 
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Tuckeriffic, two Goggles (1 apparel, 1 cat), sisters and all available on Croissant Day as Nemo rides shotgun

O happy day. Let’s read on while considering the odds of either winning Lotto Texas tonight or finding a $20 bill in the pocket of a pair of jeans you haven’t worn in a year.
Happens. That jeans thing. Not sure the lotto thing happens.
Moving along:
A LOVELY SILHOUETTE: It is clear from this photograph that Earhounds may offer an artistic silhouette.
And this is a special Earhound. Her name is Minnie. She’s a year old, spayed and in the shelter at Dallas Animal Services after being struck by a car.
Minnie is one of several dogs that the DAS Rescue Team is trying to hustle into a rescue -- in Minnie’s case, it’ll help her heal. She’s got some kind of damage to her left rear leg and can’t or won’t put weight on it.
To help Minnie or any of these dogs, email [email protected].
It is clear from this silhouette that Earhounds can take cool photos.
The Benji-looking dog is Gretchen -- she is 11 and in the shelter because her elderly lady owner became unable to care for her, so the family dropped Gretchen off at the DAS. As the Rescue TEam explained, “She is very unsure here in the kennels -- it is so different being in a kennel compared to in your owner’s warm lap.” Still, once Gretchen “gets to know you, all she wants to do is snuggle up close.”
And then there are Sara and Sasha -- sisters. They weigh about 25 pounds each. And they’re both frightened in the shelter environment. 
THE WORD IS “TUCKERIFFIC”: We learned that from our reliable tipster Karen Lee, the rescuer and Euless Trinity Girls Awareness Program (GAP Club) supporter. 
Tucker has been in the Euless Animal Services shelter for so long that he is “exhibiting some serious ‘cage rage’ -- not at people, just within his confines.” 
He’s stir crazy in a kennel. The only cure is open the door and let him into your heart.
According to Karen, “Tucker is a great dog -- he just desperately wants love and attention and he is barking and lunging and biting at his cage bars -- but he is fine once he is out of the kennel. He is such a loving dog -- loves to give kisses.”
Tucker is in the Euless Animal Shelter at 1517 Westpark Way in Euless -- call 817-685-1594. He’s a GAP-sponsored dog.
TEN DOLLAR DOGS AND CATS: The Little Elm Animal Shelter just north of Dallas and on the shores of Lewisville Lake has a bunch of dogs and cats and they’re available for $10 each.
Among them is this little guy Ireland -- he’s little, but they also have big dawgs, adult dogs, puppies, little adult dogs, mediums, etc. 
Do they have cats? Does the Kentucky Derby have horses? Heck, yeah, more cats than they need and they’re all adoptable for $10, including Goggles, a solid white, blue-eyed cat who may be both deaf and vision-impaired. A special cat for an extraordinary home. 
Call the shelter at 214-975-0460.
MILO AND HIS STORY: You may recall that Katy’s Promise Rottweiler Rescue took over the care of Sandy, the big Rottie girl shotgunned in the face by some cad. 
But that was not the only dog KPRR took over from Fort Worth that day.
Our KPRR source Toni Liguori of Austin tipped us to this guy Milo. He’s “the little pup we also pulled with Sandy. He is only about 10-12 weeks.”
She writes, “Milo is a perfect example of everything that’s wrong with Christmas puppies. I have no doubt he was a Santa delivery -- loud and wild and sent outside with a flea collar and a stern warning from parents: ‘You wanted a puppy, now he’s your responsibility.’ Well that almost killed him. Fortunately he’s young, he’ll heal and he’ll never remember those first horrible weeks of life.”
A man in Fort Worth found the nearly lifeless dog under a pile of leaves. He had a very serious open wound on his neck. 
What has happened to Milo?
Toni says “he has a personality as big as Texas. He had the surgery to close his neck wound yesterday (Monday) and he was neutered, so he is officially available for adoption.”
You can see more photos and read his story by going HERE.
And you can check up on Sandy by going to her Facebook site HERE.
An click HERE to see how to adopt Milo or any Rottie and how to help them, too.
THE CUTENESS CAMPAIGN: Here’s the midweek reminder from Melissa Boesch: Vote for Nemo. He’s her cute dog and he’s in the running to win the “Adorable 8” round of D Magazines “Survival of the Cutest” cute dog contest.
To vote for Nemo, the world’s cutest Beagle, go HERE. 
Melissa sent us this photo of Nemo yesterday. It is called "Nemo Rides Shotgun."
FREE INK FOR ANIMAL GROUPS: Send your February, March, April and beyond animal-related events -- fundraisers, conventions, dances, etc. -- to [email protected] and we’ll put it in the “Events List” in award-winning and beloved Urban Animal Magazine. Thanks. Keep it short, to the point, include a contact number.
CONTEMPLATIONS: When that storm rolled across the area after a morning of nearly 80 degrees and dropped the temps a ton, I thought of 3 words: “Stock Show Weather.” Look it up. When the Fort Worth Stock Show is underway, there’s no telling what the weather will do but it’s probably going to be good for ducks and not so good for goats, cows and horses. Don’t know about sheep. ...  From an e-mail I got. “How goes it? Is the dirt I read legitimate? Your neighbor told they conducted a criminal check on your daughter and it says they have a felony.” Ah, the joke's on the spammer. We don’t have a daughter -- but every now and then we dress up a big Dallas street dog in a prom dress and try to get her invited to the Oscars. ... Not to set off any cravings but this is National Croissant Day -- what? Oui, in the United States.
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Got a shelter? Be prepared; A few cases of need for dogs, cats, pigs...

Dogs and cats. Mules, goats, horses, donkeys, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles -- and, and that’s a pig (one of several) at the SPCA’s Perry facility in McKinney -- her name is Primrose.
Good grief, you almost can't name an animal that doesn’t wind up in a shelter somewhere in North Texas.
If you run a shelter, you’d just better be prepared, eh?
Wait a second. Let me tell you pig-familiar folks something kind of funny. I was looking through the adoptables on the SPCA website and, while a pig is named Primrose, that little SPCA Pitty puppy is named “Petunia,” traditionally a pig name. Maybe it’s because of the cute nose. Who nose? Er, who knows?
OK, let’s move along and see what we can cite on a Tuesday.
BIG SNYP IN MCKINNEY: There may be a Big Fix For Big D in the big town but, thanks to the SPCA of Texas, PetSmart Charities and the John and Joyce Webb Family of McKinney, there’s going to be a “Project SNYP” in McKinney.
It’s a 2-year program aimed at reducing “the overpopulation of dogs in Collin County, according to the SPCA of Texas. Residents of McKinney will be able to get their dogs spayed or neutered for $20. (Details are HERE.) 
The big announcement is going to be made at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the SPCA’s Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney -- it’ll feature SPCA President James Bias and Project SNYP supporter Joyce Webb.
That puppy? Oh, that’s a puppy listed as a “hound” in the SPCA shelter in McKinney. The little guy is about 2 1/2 months old and his name at the shelter is Fettuccinni.  [Larry aside: Why would anybody name a dog Fettuccinni? It’ll take him months to figure out how to say it.] 
And that cat is not a puppy, but she is available at the SPCA in McKinney -- her name is Ava, she’s a little over 5 and she wound up in the shelter because her family developed allergies. Great face.
Oh, one more SPCA note. You may have seen the SPCA’s Maura Davies showing off these two dogs on Channel 4 last week.
Maura told us late yesterday afternoon that in spite of the unbridled cuteness of this pair of pals, nobody has decided to adopt them together. 
The deal is, they are quite bonded. They find each other interesting.
The brown Chihuahua mix is Allie, 2 years old and “adorable.” Her former family took her on daily walks and worked with her before surrendering her in mid-January.
She and Bunny, a year-old Miniature Poodle mix, bonded right away and began to create a reputation for togetherness. Bunny was surrendered by a family that traveled too much to keep a lonely dog happy. So, when Bunny saw Allie, there was magic.
You  can see Bunny and Allie at the SPCA shelter in Dallas. 
SPEAKING OF MCKINNEY: We regularly report on the movement of animals in and out of the Collin County Animal Services Shelter in McKinney. Lots of big ol’ dawgs. Lots of cats. Lots of animals of all ages. 
And yesterday we featured this dog, a 4-year-old Husky mix.
No known connection to that post, but by yesterday afternoon, shelter walker Allison Roberts tells us, this beautiful dog was in the care of Homeward Bound Animal Rescue. 
[Larry aside: I can’t explain it -- maybe HBAR has a Hollywood agent and someone sent out a call for a dog with a beautiful face. Of course, all dogs have beautiful faces. You doubters just need to learn how to look at a dog’s face and see the beauty of its heart.]
You can see more CCAS animals on the volunteer Facebook page HERE and you can keep up with Homeward Bound Animal Rescue HERE.
And before we leave McKinney, late yesterday shelter walker Allison forwarded this photo of a sleeping Cocker Spaniel.
She wrote, “This poor boy is blind and may e partially deaf. The shelter lists him as 5 years old, but he’s probably older He is scared in the shelter and we need to get him to a rescue as soon as possible. ... The shelter is way over capacity” [Larry aside: Cocker Spaniels are not even middle aged at 5 -- and a blind dog is not necessarily a problem in a household. Nor is deaf. You’ll simply have the opportunity to learn how much more love you have in your heart.]
And in case you wondered whether there are any puppies expected (so to speak) in McKinney, consider this “sweet Shepherd mix.” Allison sent this about the time she sent the Cocker Spaniel photo. This girl -- you can probably tell by that sheepish look -- is pregnant. Allison wrote that she is “scared at the shelter but hasn’t shown any aggression at all. She seems to be pretty pregnant, so we need to get her out of the shelter as soon as possible.”
The expectant dog’s ID is 395020. The Cocker boy is #394452.
Again, CCAS is overcrowded right now, using temporary kennels to hold the overflow inventory. Rescue groups and adoption-minded citizens are the only hopes for these animals.
THE CATS OF DALLAS: Holy smoke. Does Dallas have cats? Are the Dallas Cowboys idle all winter?
The DAS Rescue Team sent out a note about some special cats in the shelter.  DAS is looking for help from rescuers, but, you know, dear general interest reader, if you just want to stop by and adopt a normal, unburdened, easy-to-hold, smart-as-a-college student or smarter cat, why, they’ll accommodate you.
As you know, the shelter is at I-30 and Westmoreland -- you can’t miss it. They have a giant plastic cow on top of it holding up a sign that reads “Eat more chick....” Wait. I’ve got that wrong. Sorry. I zoned for a moment. They have a big sign on the building that says Dallas Animal Services. There’s plenty of parking. You can walk through and visit any adoptable animal.
Now, back to these cats that need rescue help.
DAS’s Danielle Fry sent out the plea.
That sideways cat is CLF17 A765997. He’s got some puncture wounds -- possibly bites -- on his legs and he may have nerve damage, but nobody can tell until he gets some tests. And the shelter isn’t set up as a diagnostic clinic. Danielle wrote, “We are trying to not handle him so much; we do not want to hurt him. When you walk to his kennel, he gets up and starts begging for attention.”
Then there’s Zoe (CLF45 A765805), a year old and, according to the owner who surrendered her, spayed. She’s “very talkative,” but gets spooked in the “scary shelter,” Danielle writes. The good thing to do would be to get her into a quiet home -- foster or permanent. 
And then there are these three cats (all three are CLF and the mostly black one is A766183, the orange kitty is A766191 and the gray is A766206).
They’re new arrivals surrendered because “the owner has too many cats.”
They kind of uneasy in the shelter situation, but that will vanish with socialization. 
To ask about helping these cats, email [email protected]. 
TODAY’S NEMO REMINDER: Melissa Boesch has long been convinced that Nemo is the cutest dog on earth and now she’s working to make sure everybody can vote to demonstrate his superlative cuteness. So, once again, here’s your reminder to vote for Nemo in D Magazine’s annual Survival of the Cutest contest. “This week is critical,” Melissa says. “Please continue to vote everey day in every way (computer, phone, iPad, Kindle, etc.), forward this email and share on Facebook. Go Team Nemo.”
The place to vote is www.dmagazine.com/cutest.
CONTEMPLATIONS: The weather is some kind of wacky. I don’t know who to blame. Or credit. Depends on your mood, I guess, whether you want to blame or credit someone. But the bottom line is any day is a good day -- if you’ve got good pitching. Oh, wait, sorry, I’m just getting ready for baseball season. ... I’ve been doing more freeway travel in Dallas lately during morning rush house -- more than I’ve done in more than 8 years. And you know what? I thought that by now natural selection would have wiped out the lousy Dallas drivers, but, nope. They’re still out there struggling with the concept of “lane” and “signal” and “speed limit.” ... Here’s a song that simply says DALLAS IN WINTER! Click HERE and smile at how this is spot-on in Dallas. I cite this with apologies to my pals (and sometimes Readlarrypowell.com contributors) Andy and Annie Fisher who have been experiencing an ice storm in Denville, N.J. -- the “weather event” is a problem for everybody except good dog Barley who is invigorated by ice and snow. For him, New Jersey is a winter wonderland.
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Monday, Monday -- Lucy, Lucy; Etc., etc.

Last Monday of January already. Next big thing is Groundhog Day, then the Super Bowl.
You remember Groundhog Day -- it’s the day that if the sun comes out and whether the Dallas Cowboys do or don't see their shadows, they get six more weeks of off-season than the two teams in the Super Bowl.
OK, let’s move on before we’re tempted to mention the other team with a long off-season, the Texas Rangers.
That dog? Keep reading and you'll learn about her.SUNDAY NEWS: We understand from tipster that the big merger was approved by vote at the Metroplex Animal Coalition meeting Sunday. We first wrote about the potential merger back in late October -- the merging organizations are the non-profit Metroplex Animal Coalition and Dallas Animal Advocates and the city-appointed (but not 501c3) Dallas Companion Animal Project, i.e., the former “no-kill task force.”
[Larry aside: More to come on this, perhaps an explanation of how this benefits animals, keeps them off of death row at the city’s animal shelter, makes life easier for rescuers and advocates, etc. We've been promised an explanatory press release. Stay tuned.]
REMINDER: SECOND CHANCE SPCA NEEDS A PLACE TO LAND: We addressed this in our weekend edition. Second Chance SPCA of Plano is losing its location -- property was sold and the rescue group has until April 30 to vacate. 
[Larry aside: As a journalist, I recall writing a story when the “original gang” of 3 volunteers decided to creat this long-shot shelter and I remember how -- because of their hard work -- it grew and gained footing and became an actual beneficial factor i the fight to do right for animals. The organization has persevered and now it’s hitting a rough spot because, in the North Texas area, things change.] 
To offer to help SC-SPCA hunt for a new home, email [email protected] or call 972-424-0077.
LOOKING OUT FOR LUCY: The latest update on Lucy came in the form of a request for information, a suggestion for getting some extra eyes in the hunt for the former West Dallas dog who has been on the lam for a while after having surgery to correct an unfortunate internal issue. (See the weekend’s story for details.)
Our pal Beverly Fyfe, the rescuer and animal advocate, noted Sunday that there had been “two possible sightngs of little Lucy, the Duck Team 6 dog, in approximately the same area. Friday someone thought they saw her in the Maple/Wycliff area and we spent yesterday [Saturday] looking and hanging flyers. Today someone thought they possibly saw her in the UT Southwestern area.”
Melissa Ruiz of Duck Team 6 rescue says the caller “thinks they saw her along Harry Hines by the UT Southwestern North Campus. (That’s along Harry Hines and North of Inwood, just east of I-35 in Dallas.)
As Beverly notes about this West Dallas dog, “If she is trying to get back to where she was first found, this makes sense.”
Here’s the question. Beverly writes, “In the back of my mnd I am trying to think of an animal person who works at UT Southwestern to see if they might be willing to put up flyers in any of the common areas there. Can you think of any off-hand?”
Immediately I thought, “We’ll ask the Readers.” So, anybody know anybody?
And if you’ve seen Lucy, don’t chase her, but immediately call 214-707-7005 or email [email protected].
THE BURNS FLAT SITUATION: Emails from our Burns Flat, Okla., rescue tipster Terry Lynn Fisher get forwarded all over the known universe. One of them was re-forwarded to Readlarrypowell.com by one of our Texarkana pals, Marilyn Hammett who we met at Operaton Kindness a while back.
Marilyn, like most of us, was totally appalled at the situation that was facing Terry Lynn -- a real challenge with some abused animals. So we asked Terry Lynn how this was shaking out and here’s her response.
“Two and a half weeks ago I was asked to go check on a small dog that was listed on a ‘free to good home’ site. It was a tiny Boston mix on a chain, in the dirt.
“When we got there, I was appalled at the conditions, so we took him.... while there, the lady said they had a couple other dogs to give away to.
"One was a VERY pregnant pointer, the other a skinny pit. These two were living in the back of a truck, in a ‘hunting box’. They tied them to the back of the truck with a dog lead. THAT was how they lived....
“She told me the pit was a little thin.... LOOK AT THAT POOR BOY!!!
"I went off -- I could not help it -- when I saw how they were being kept and the condition they were in, I felt sick. I knew I had NO PLACE to put them, so I could not take them at that time.
“I put the fear of God in her and told her I would be back Saturday to get them after I transported some from my pound.
“With a heavy heart, I left them there, with prayers and hugs. When we took some from the shelter to rescue, freeing up kennels, I went by and picked these two up. They were so sweet but so sad. We took them to my shelter and did lots of mini meals and love. ...
“We found a rescue and sent [the black and white pregnant dog] to Kansas City. [Last week] she gave birth to 5 babies -- 4 were stillborn, not fully developed, and the one born alive, died within the hour. Neglect kept her babies from developing and now she is grieving. With love and time she will recover, but PEOPLE did this to her.
“Which leaves Petey.... this boy is about 1 1/2 years old.... friendly, loving and very playful... he is good with other dogs and adores children.... He is putting weight on each day and looks better all the time.
“He will make someone a great companion... all he needs is a chance.”
To help Terry Lynn help the animals, email her at [email protected].
CARROLLTON CATS ‘N’ DOGS: The weekend didn’t empty the Carrollton Animal Services shelter and, according to the folks with CARE (Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprises), there are still dogs and cats that need out ASAP because the clock is ticking.
One of them is this big orange cat, Nico (27528).
Why is a perfectly affectionate, neutered, medium-sized TEN-YEAR-OLD cat on the clock in a city shelter?
He was “released to the shelter by his people because he seemed to be having issues adjusting to the child in the home.”
[Larry aside: Good grief. Either try harder or get rid of the child. There are plenty of people who’ll take a kid - sometimes it’s hard to find anyone who wants a 10-year-old cat. ... Oh, I’m kidding. But, seriously, teach the child to respect the cat and cover the kid with catnip. Works every time. Maybe.]
To ask about any animal in the Carrollton shelter (even that 4-year-old heeler mix Sugar with the nifty dance step), email [email protected] or call 972-466-3420.
THE NEMO REPORT: CUTE DOG ADVANCES: Melissa Boesch reported overnight that her super cute Beagle boy Nemo “made it to round 3” in D Magazine’s Survival of the Cutest contest. He’s among the “Adorable Eight” and Melissa promises “you’ll be getting my reminder emails daily.”
To vote for Nemo go to the D Magazine site HERE and click on “Cast your vote” -- it’ll take you to a page where you can click on Nemo. Melissa says you can vote once per electronic instrument per day -- once on your computer, once on your phone, once on your iPad, etc. 
BOY GETS A BREAK & BECOMES MILO: You may recall this face -- we published Milo’s story in our Friday morning edition.
He’s a 6-year-old, intact fellow with a great face who had been surrendered to Mesquite Animal Shelter. The folks at Mesquite called on veteran rescuer and foster Rebecca Mandeville of Legacy Boxer Rescue to help them save this dog. She managed to get a veteran rescuer, Tyler Z Nasise, to take over the care of this handsome dog.
You may recall that the big fellow was surrendered, Rebecca wrote, “because he jumped up and knocked the wife on her butt. Having met him, I’m sure it was an accident and she was probably off balance to start with because, when he jumps, it’s not like he launches himself at you.”
So, what’s happening now? His name is now Milo and he’s   “settling in at the rescuer's in Devine, Texas. (On I-35 southwest of San Antonio.)”
There’s a chip-in HERE , 
And you can call the Devine Vet Clinic at 830-663-9330 and ask about Milo’s account. The email address for Milo’s foster is [email protected].
The big rascal spent his first night in his post-shelter quarters while settling down in a “Thundershirt.” You may recall that his eyesight is poor -- so he seems to need to be touching a human at all times, Rebecca says. And, he seems to behave perfectly fine around other dogs.
The big challenge now is he’s been diagnosed as heartworm positive, so that’s delayed his neutering and will increase his medical bills. Thus the chip-in.
THE CHALLENGE IN MCKINNEY: Is that not a Hollywood face? This dog oughta be in pictures.
Instead, she’s in the Collin County Animal Services Shelter in McKinney and the clock is ticking. She became available for adoption or rescue as Monday arrived.
The reason we saw her was we got an update on the shelter’s situation from volunteer shelter walker Allison Roberts who wrote, “We made it through last week thanks to some great rescues and adoptions.  But intake remains high and shelter is still full. Please help if you can!”
The shelter is closed on Mondays but there is a way to make contact. Email both these addresses:  [email protected] and [email protected]. You can see available dogs on the Facebook page HERE,  
This dog is #394477. She’s about 4 years old and is a Husky mix. “Very calm, sits for treats, loves for you to give her rubs,” the shelter says.
EARLY NOTICE: We got word yesterday from one of the organizers that Easter In The Park 2013 is “ready to roll” -- indeed, the annual event is scheduled for March 31 in Dallas' Lee Park and for those of you who (like me) cannot keep up with Easter, that actually is Easter Sunday.
Chris Watts of the Petropolitan says the success of previous years has caused the organizers to increase vendor spaces from 35 to 70 -- half will be for rescue/adoption and pet-related vendors and half will be for artisans, jewelers, etc.
More to come regarding online applications, but for now email [email protected] for details.
CONTEMPLATIONS: I was working on this last night as my addictedspouse Martha watched Downton Abby. Good lord, I thought I was listening to late 1960s American soap opera with all the unpleasantness and pauses and, if you looked at the screen, there were only looks of concern and furrowed brows. Made me miss General Hospital and Nurse Jessie Brewer. Yeah, until last night it had been a while since I’d paid attention to a soap opera. ... If you can finish this next lyric you are either a Baby Boomer or a fan of The Kentucky Headhunters: “Davy, Davy Crockett...” ... Over the weekend I heard a guy tell about the time he told someone in Dallas that he was from Colorado and the Texan replied, “Colorado? That’s my favorite part of North Texas.” And as students of Texas know, until 1846, that was literally accurate. 
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Some sleepers -- then some animal crises, i.e., the SC-SPCA needs help

At the end of the day, is it too much to ask for a little sleep?
Insomniacs are always searching for some way to get some guaranteed sleep.
This photo suggests the way to get some sleep is to find the right basket.
So, for this edition of “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap” we turn to our pal Jonnie England, the noted animal advocate, who sent us a picture of Muffin and Daisy sacked out in a basket.
The deal is Daisy “adores Muffin (as does everyone who meets her) and wants to be as close to her as possible."
In this case, for the sake of a nap, they appear to be joined at the hip.
The idea of sleeping in a basket suddenly is attractive -- but I write that as a guy whose wakeup call was a 4:15 a.m. “I need to go out” series of barks from Rosie the Chihuahua. She went out.
Why don’t we put in a doggie door? Because we don’t need a houseful of squirrels, possums and raccoons or a visit from the neighborhood skunk who might just react poorly to being yapped at by a Chihuahua.
[To nominate your slumbering critter for the international spotlight of “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap -- we could use some cat photos -- -send pictures and information to [email protected]. It occurs to me that they probably don’t make a basket my size -- Extra Awake/Extra Awide.]

UPDATES AND SITUATIONS:

 As the weekend arrived we got some emails about things that are newsy. Here goes:
DCAP AND THE MERGER: Looks like this is the weekend the city-appointed Dallas Companion Animal Project -- once described as a “no-kill task force” -- may be merged with the non-profit Metroplex Animal Coalition. Details on this action to come. There’s a meeting of MAC on Sunday. More to come.
PRESSING LOCATION NEED AT SECOND CHANCE SPCA -- THEY NEED A PLACE FOR THE ANIMALS:
Readlarrypowell.com wrote about this now well-established Plano rescue group Second Chance SPCA -- SC-SPCA -- back when determined volunteers decided to begin saving animals. 
President Anne Bracken says, “We have adopted out over 2,300 pets in our 7 years of operation and know that we are doing a good thing -- we just need to make sure we can continue our efforts.”
The problem is, the SC-SPCA needs to find another place to operate -- the deadline is April 30.
So the search is on for a building that can become SC-SPCA. Anne and the SC-SPCA sent a letter to supporters that explained “we are looking for a space to lease, preferably between 2,500 – 3,000 square feet, preferably in Plano but we will consider neighboring cities.   The property cannot be zoned residential.   Free standing buildings, such as old convenience stores, fast food restaurants, businesses, are our preference, but we are open to strip shopping centers.   When looking at space in strip shopping centers keep in mind we have to be respectful of neighboring businesses so many spaces that would otherwise be available to us are not an option due to noise.  Grass or yard space is desired, but not required.   Our finances are also a limitation – rent in the amount of $2,000 with a little wiggle room is what our budget will allow.  Older buildings requiring renovations are candidates.  We will not be discouraged by space requiring some elbow grease.”
[Larry aside: That elbow grease line may be the most endearing part of the note, demonstrating that these people are working on a mission.]
One more option from Anne: “We will also consider purchase of a property for $100,000 or less.  There is a building for purchase in Plano that would meet our needs, however the list price is $180,000 which is beyond our means without a very generous donation to make up the difference.”
So, there you have it. SC-SPCA is networking a plea for real estate help. And here’s how you can contact them with information, bargains, donations or suggestions about real estate: email [email protected] or call 972-424-0077.
Those are the same contact points to ask about adopting an animal from SC-SPCA, like, for instance, that chop-licking cat with the championship whiskers. Photographer Chris Dickinson captured the mood of Atari, about 7 pounds and under a year old. Photographer Penny Clark took the photo of Sprite, a nearly 7-year-old spayed dog whose description puts at least 4 terrier breeds in her family tree. See more SC-SPCA animals HERE.
THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LUCY SIGHTING: You may recall the Lucy story -- living in West Dallas, surviving with a prolapsed rectum or bladder or something, rescued, repaired, moved to a foster home and at the first hint of a way to run to daylight, there she went.
Melissa Ruiz of Duck Team 6, the noted rescue group, sent a note Friday that reads, “We were notified by someone who thinks they might have seen her around 7a.m. near the intersection of Maple and Arroyo. ... They said she was lying on leaves in the gutter. Lucy is about 35-40 pounds, mostly black with a white patch on her chest and a tiny bit of white on some of her toes.”
This is a shy, ready-to-run dog, so if you see her call a number on the flyer (433-366-0597 or 214-707-7005) and email [email protected].
Lucy has been missing since about 6 p.m. December 21 -- that’s right, December -- from the Fitzhugh/Travis area of Dallas.
ON A FAST CLOCK IN ARLINGTON: Late Friday afternoon Amy Warren sent us a note about this dog Denny. He’s got until 2 p.m. Saturday if nobody claims him. 
Crying shame to lose a dog like this.
Amy buttered me up at the first of this message, but she really made a good pitch for Denny, so I’m going to quote her entire letter. Maybe it’ll help Denny beat the grim reaper.
Amy wrote, “As a huge fan of your blog, can you find room in your huge animal loving heart and in your blog to mention little Denny? He is on the euth list  today, however I spoke with Susan [Waits] at the shelter and was told he has until tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. and needs to get out! He is afraid and hides in the back of his kennel so he is not even in adoptions at the shelter.  He is not listed as rescue only, and is only $50 to adopt, or free to rescues.  I did not see his picture on their website, he is only listed on the Partners of Arlington Animal Services website. I am not affiliated with the shelter, just saw the poor guy and feel bad for him since the odds are so stacked against him.
The shelter is at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd. in Arlington. Call 817-459-5898.
[Larry aside: The sad truth is dogs like Denny lose out day after day in the big urban sprawl. There are too many of them around and not enough people willing to take a shelter dog. This is one of those “eternal problems.” I’ll bet, if they knew how things were going to turn out, those soft-hearted wolves who snuck up to the caveman’s campfire to share a meal and a warm place to sleep probably would have just kept on going in search of a smarter species.]
AN OLDER FELLER IN KELLER: We’re still seeking information on this dog, but I’m so disgusted by the situation that I’m going to write about him in hopes of getting someone interested.
He’s obviously older -- the original note from shelter monitor and rescuer Fiona Green says he came into the Keller Animal Shelter last Saturday. “He looked like he had been pretty neglected over the years. His coat was filthy, he had some kind of growth on his foot and he tested positive for heartworm.
“He is not eating at the shelter as he is no doubt pretty stressed being there. For this reason he urgently needs to be rescued a soon as possible. ... We have been told we need to find a solution for him before the weekend which doesn't give us much time. Our group is willing to pay for his heartworm treatment if the vet agrees that he would be able to handle the treatment.”
Yes, maybe it’s already too late.
But, maybe not. We’re making inquiries.
We don’t even know the poor dog’s name but he’s old and I’ll be he aches to hear someone call his name, just so he won’t be so alone.
How can humans do this to a dog? 
The email contact we have [email protected].
OK, WHAT'S THIS VANTAGE POINT AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
Probably you haven't seen this in real life. Few people have.
You know why? 
It only recently came into existence.
We got a note from Sue Gooding of the State Fair of Texas and she reminded us that the Summer Adventures in Fair Park -- that’s a trademarked name! -- and this photo of the Cotton Bowl was snapped from way up on top of that new Top o’ Texas Tower Ride. It’s a 500-foot tower. A ride on the  is included in the “pay-one-price” admission ticket. (I’d call the Tower the TOT but that’s probably already been trademarked too.)
As you ride, if you can keep your eyes open, you’ll be able to see the Cotton Bowl, downtown Dallas and a whole lot of other stuff from way up there.
Probably when the State Fair of Texas opens this fall you’ll be able to see the reconstructed and improved State Fair icon, Big Tex.
Ah,  Sept. 27-Oct. 20 -- those are the dates of the State Fair and can’t you smell the Midway treats already. And, heck, they haven’t even played the Super Bowl yet.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Some day humans will wise up. True or false. ... Old dogs should be treasured -- they are a comfort and they need comforting. That’s a win-win situation for a human with a heart. ... In the past week I saw a lot of stories about animals and kids being abused. “Bless the beasts and children” seemed an appropriate prayer. Regarding the woman who got 86 years in prison for making a kid stand in a hot room without water until he died -- 86 years isn’t enough. The human element is frequently the downfall in unpleasant situations. How can we fix that? Enlighten some hearts. Brighten some minds. Lock up more people quicker and for longer times? OK, I’m going to go take some aspirin and try to shake this headache of despair. And I’m going to look for chocolate -- the mystical calming substance. No wonder I’m an insomniac.
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Friday faces, Earhounds and cats

Our Friday report will include faces and ears and, on the brink of the weekend, we'll contemplate the Cowboys' chances in the playoffs.
 Oh, wait. I must have slipped a gear for a second.
Consider these two faces and read on because we’ll be focusing on some other faces, too.
HEY, WAIT A SECOND! THE DA DID WHAT? You may recall that earlier in the week the Texas Humane Legislation Network issued an “action alert” to get animal supporters to protest the Harris County DA’s decision to ax the animal cruelty investigation unit.
Last night on its Facebook page, THLN posted this note: “Thanks to your calls, letters and emails it appears that for now the situation at the Harris County DA's office is being resolved satisfactorily. Thus, we are asking that no more calls, letters or emails be sent. To all of you who responded to our Action Alert, please know that your efforts worked in favor of the animals. This is what we're about and you make it happen.”
FOLLOWING UP ON SANDY: This is a “nice” photograph of Sandy the dog. You may remember the story from earlier in the month. 
Somebody put a shotgun against the sweet young dog’s head and pulled the trigger.
She was found wandering in a Fort Worth apartment complex, Katy’s Promise Rottweiler Rescue (KPRR) took over and got her to a vet who began the repair work.
Our KPRR contact, Toni Liguori in Austin sent us an update a few days ago. “We've had an unbelievable outpouring of love and support for Sandy - from Canada to Australia!  We've almost met our $6,000 goal for donations and we hope to be able to dedicate some money towards a reward for the identification and arrest of the monster who did this.”
KPRR is taking donations through PayPal HERE or directly to Family Pet Care in Fort Worth.
Sandy’s Facebook page (HERE) has new photos frequently. “If you look at her new pictures, you wouldn’t even know it’s the same dog,” Toni says.
One of the latest medical updates -- she has all that slobber in the photo because the drainage ares are open -- has to do with what the vet can see now that the swelling has diminished. Toni says the vet was “able to see that the saliva duct on the exit side was destroyed. That means the salivary gland will not have anyplace for the saliva to go. There is a chance the gland will atrophy on its own, or it may need to be removed at a later date.
“Other than that, everything is good, WAAAY better than any of us thought possible. While the teeth and roots are intact, as we previously reported, time will tell if the blood supply has been disrupted to the teeth. If so, the teeth may need to be removed and the jaw strengthened with bone material and/or implants. So far, so good!”
That is why the “chip-in” is kept open -- the repair work isn’t over.
Toni says Dr. Tim Morton, the vet who has been handling Sandy’s case, says “that Sandy is not only getting all the medical care she needs, but is benefitting greatly from a whole bunch of cuddle therapy” and Tony says, “I think she’s really stolen a lot of hearts in a very short time. ... I honestly believed we would find she couldn't be fixed and we would just hold her and love her and give her back to God. Boy, did she fool us. She has a quiet, steady, positive strength I wish I could have. Sandy's grace and gentle soul is amazing.”
ADDITIONAL INFO: You can visit KPRR’s site HERE. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s story is HERE and you can see the KTVT (Channel 11) video HERE. Be prepared to see some pretty ugly photos of a dog with a great face and a big heart.
THE FACE OF A HAPPY DOG: We’d just about prepared a report calculated to write this dog Boy into someone’s heart when we got a note saying, basically, “Too late. Someone with a big heart has taken him to a safe haven.”
We’re working on finding out which rescue is responsible -- they may need help with finding him a permanent home. 
But here’s the way he came to our attention.
Rebecca Mandeville, a volunteer and foster with Legacy Boxer Rescue, stepped outside the usual turf for this one. She writes that Mesquite Animal Services “contacted me to ask if I could help network a particularly sweet ‘Boy’(that’s his name) surrendered to them ... He’s a 6-year-old, intact, flashy brindle male, with a natural tail and cropped ears.
“He has trouble seeing and, sometimes bumps into things but, otherwise seems healthy and I have no doubt would do just fine in a stable environment. 
“His owner said he was an inside/outside dog, that lived in harmony with other family dogs.  They surrendered him because he jumped up and knocked the wife on her butt. Having met him, I’m sure it was an accident and she was probably off balance to start with because, when he jumps, it’s not like he launches himself at you.  He just wants to rest his paws on you so it’s easier for you to pet him.  He’s a really special boy and I’m hoping someone out there has a foster home for him.“
Now, Readlarrypowell.com has recommended many films during its existence, but the video of Boy is worth the worth. If you don’t want to hug this guy and chuck his chin after seeing him at play, you need to call a transplant center and sign up for a heart.
Click HERE  to watch Boy.
DALLAS CATS: Yep, these cats have faces.
They are among several Dallas Animal Services cats that need places to go.
Danielle Fry, of the DAS Rescue Team, explains, “Our intake on cats has been down but we still have a few that are too scared here in the shelter.  We try to keep down the stress by giving them boxes to hide in but a shelter is just not a great place for a scared cat.”
The black and white girl is Morgan. “She is a sweetheart,” Danielle says. “When she first came to the shelter she was fearful. She would allow our vet staff to handle her, but kept trying to get away. Now she loves on you and all she wants is attention.”
This cat is Silky -- one of four Siamese cats that were surrendered simultaneously by their owner. “The owner had too many cats and the cats were not living in the best of conditions.  We have been working with the owner on surrendering her cats.  The cats were comfortable in their home and friendly with their owner.  Now that they are here they are super scared and do not want to be handled.  We are hoping that someone can help these four kitties that ended up in a bad situation.”
The longer I look at Silky the more I think "Lone Ranger."
To offer to help these cats or any animal in the shelter, email [email protected]. To see more Dallas animals, go to www.dallasanimalservices.org or visit the DAS Facebook page HERE. 
Oh, yeah. That is a dog. How observant of you.
DAS is also trying to find help for that skinny, 2-year-old Pit who came in with puncture wounds -- apparently from dog bites -- all over his face and near his eyes. But, the report from Danielle says, “We have not seen any aggression from him.  When you go in his kennel he would lick you to death!  When walking him past the other dogs he sniffs them and wags his tail like he is happy to see them.  No barking or growling just happy.  He is a sweetheart and we wanted to give him another chance.”
And, of course, you recognize the famous “Tub O’ Pups.”  They came in when their human was hospitalized. That person is now unable to tend to the dogs, so they’re in the city shelter. Mom’s a 32-pounder. Her pups are about six weeks. “They are too young for our adopiton program and we do not have the space to be able to hold them for 2 more weeks,” DAS says. Adding to the challenge, Mom is being treated for an upper respiratory infection.” 
To help the dogs or cats, email [email protected].
A FORT WORTH NOTE: The Fort Worth Weekly, the spirited newspaper in Cowtown, has a cat story that mentions “Trap, Neuter, Return,” rumors about the “Woodsman” killing cats, etc. Read it HERE.
FREE SPAYING AND NEUTERING IN DALLAS: This isn’t part of the Big Fix For Big D program, but it is in the same spirit and sponsored by a devotee of spay/neuter, the Metroplex Animal Coalition.
Susan Gregory of MAC says the spay/neuter is free for people living in specific Zip Codes (we’ll list them shortly). They are MAC program areas and to qualify their animals, the human annual income must be $35,000 or less annually, Susan says. People may make donations if they wish.
“We also offer microchips and heartworm tests at cost (for pets in for sterilization)," Susan notes. "If someone wishes to donate, they can go to the MAC website (www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com) and donate to the Pat Davis S/N program.”
The next two MAC sessions are Saturday the 26th and Feb. 17 (a Sunday) at Dallas Animal Services, Westmoreland at I-30 in Dallas. You must have an appointment -- email [email protected] or call 972-498-8800.
Here are the Zip Codes: 75201, 75202, 75203, 75204, 75208, 75209, 75210, 75214, 75215, 75218, 75219, 75220, 75223, 75231, 75232, 75233, 75235, 75236, 75237, 75238, 75243, 75244, 75246, 75247, 75253.
IT WAS THE WORD PICTURE THAT GOT MY ATTENTION: Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey sent an email with the subject line “Chi's chained to a tree in freezing rain: Lola & Zoe.”
Then she wrote, “Yes, you read right. Two small Chi mixes, chained to a tree.  No food, water or shelter.  And this happy event took place on a Houston day where we had freezing rain. The dogs were seized from an owner (who was reported).  Lola is the mother and Zoe is her daughter, three years old and one year old.  They’re good with other dogs, with cats and with kids.  House-trained, crate-trained and very bonded. And super sweet to boot!"
They need a home and, heck, I’ll bet transportation can be arranged to anywhere. To ask about helping, email [email protected].
ONE MORE HOUSTON NOTE: The aforementioned animal advocate Alexandra Kelsey also spotted an definite Earhound in Houston and sent the info and photo to Readlarrypowell.com.
As you know, Readlarrypowell.com believes Earhounds make people smile.
Now, the Kelsey focus was on the Schnauzer mix.
What’s the mix? Min Pin.
That explains a lot, doesn’t it! Earhounds are frequently the product of an interesting family tree.
Why would this dog have been surrendered on Jan. 20 to BARC  -- the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care? The kennel record for this dog Donkee -- yep, Donkee -- says he was surrendered because of “LAND LORD.” We think they probably meant “landlord” unless the guy really had an attitude and thought he was the “land lord.” Probably he was just jealous of the ears.
Anyway while we were looking at photos from BARC, we also ran across this picture of  a little stray who’ll be available for adoption today. Red letters on his kennel card read “PRE EUTH” -- that just doesn’t sound good.
He’s about 9 weeks old, has some cute ears and big paws and is probably wondering what’s going on. Be a horrifying shame to kill him just to make room for the next one. (He’s #A1120140.)
Email [email protected].
ONE MORE THING: Don't forget to vote for the ultra-cute Nemo in D Magazine's Survival of the Cutest contest. That's our Friday tip from Nemo's human, Melissa Boesch. Critical voting today. Cast your ballot until 11:59 p.m. Go to this site to cast you ballot: www.dmagazine.com/cutest.  
CONTEMPLATIONS: Ever think about how many new noises there are in the world? All those electronic sounds on cell phones? The National Anthem not sung for real? ...  Anybody else watching Elementary? Is Lucy Liu a good Dr. Watson? ... Why are there so many dogs and cats in shelters? A lot of people think it’s because there are unfixed dogs and cats and they breed vigorously. Not me. I think there are so many dogs and cats in shelters because people are idiots and they breed rampantly.
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An array of challenges and opportunities, a jerk in a car...

Before we get to the unsheltered dogs, let’s just declare this: Marketing, that’s the key. Making the big pitch for the sake of the animals.
Maybe that’s why the opening line of Karen Lee’s note about one particular shelter south of Fort Worth caught my attention. She wrote, “Lots of info from Everman Animal Shelter, the ‘little shelter with the BIG heart!’ ”
Yes. “The Little Shelter With the Big Heart!”
Makes me wonder if they’re selling T-shirts and key chains -- maybe you get one with each dog or cat you adopt. [That's Lightning of Everman More on him later today.]
Heck, Reno got famous as “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Why can’t an animal shelter earn fame as “The Little Shelter With the Big Heart”?
BUT FIRST, SOME DALLAS WANDERERS: You can see from the photos that these are not exactly show dogs -- but they are “show up” dogs. We got the time on them from Kimberly Jones, the animal advocate and rescuer, who forwarded a note about these dogs. Her acquaintance wrote: 
“A friend of mine contacted me about these 2 strays off of 183 and mockingbird in dallas. He said they had been coming around his work then stopped showing up. Then last night [Tuesday night] they came back starving and with visible injuries. One is a pit mix and the other unknown. He said they are both very sweet but he lives with his parents and cannot take them home. He knows what will happen to them if he calls DAS [Dallas Animal Services]. ... I know this isn’t everyone's location or specialty but hoping someone might know someone that can help.”
[Larry aside: The dogs are favoring  the of 4800 block of Alexander Lane, near the big freeway, near the Trinity River at Westmoreland. They could be “river bottom dogs” -- sometimes members of that roaming bunch of dogs go “into the city” looking for food. Nobody to call. Just a note about Dallas strays. We'll let you know if they get help and we can learn about it.]
BACK TO EVERMAN: OK, but lookahere, as one of my old editors used to say: They got some interesting cases in Everman. Maybe you saw that great lookin’ puredee dawg’s face when you started reading this segment. You know what got my attention -- after his dogness, that is? His name. He’s Lightning. Is that not a great name for a 2-year-old Lab/Cur fellow? He and his brother were strays -- the brother was adopted. Lightning waits -- and to add to his misery, he has “some separation anxiety.” Ain’t that a ... well, whatever.
Then, that second dog is Alex -- a 5-year-old Shar Pei mix who, the shelter says, “is in horrible shape.” He’s heartworm positive and has some kind of itchy skin issue that has rendered his skin black, cracked and bleeding. The shelter is looking for help Alex.
The third dog is long-time resident Rocky who, the shelter says, “was dropped off at the pound along with his lil buddy Snoopy after his owner died. His buddy made rescue; but they didn’t take him.” Rocky is “great with other dogs” and he ‘adores kids.” And, the shelter says, “he is a quiet guy who loves affection.”
To foster or adopt, call 817-561-5495. Email [email protected]. And you can see the Facebook page HERE.
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. A DOWNTOWN PUPPY DUMP? This note was making the rounds yesterday afternoon and, if things go as they usually do, nobody knows anything beyond the content of the email.
The subject line read “APB!!!” which is “All Points Bulletin,” I’m almost certain. Then it continued “PUPPIES DUMPED FROM CAR DOWNTOWN DALLAS NEAR CORINTH AND ERVAY!”
So it’s more on the southern brink of downtown, only a handful of blocks southeast of the Dallas Police Headquarters. 
The note read, “A co-worker's wife called and stated that she saw a car slow down and dump two puppies out in the busy intersection. She saw them run away from the street and drove around the area and could not see them again. She says they were very small, sort of like dachshund looking, one white and brown and the other khaki colored, she just emphasizes they are very small.
“This is near a loft area which the building may be called The Cedars. She says that this happened at roughly 3 p.m.”
There you have it. Not much can be done. But maybe some creep will somehow read this and know that someone saw the criminal act. 
AT COLLIN COUNTY: Readlarrypowell.com got an urgent note from Allison Roberts, the volunteer shelter walker at Collin County Animal Services in McKinney. 
That was in the morning. In the evening we got two more notes -- one saying five big dogs had been surrendered to the shelter and more were expected Thursday and then there’s the case of the two scared Chihuahua mixes someone turned over...Never ending parade, I guess.
That first note came with a load of photos of dogs. [Larry aside: I could not bear to pick a photo to publish because -- well, I just don’t want to run the photo of a dog who, by the time you read this and call about him, will be dead.]
Allison’s note read, “CCAS is planning EUs Thursday if we can't clear some kennels.  There are no open kennels and dogs are going into temp kennels.”
 To see the dogs, go to the CCAS volunteer-supported Facebook page HERE.
I hate to think of those happy faces being stilled by the system -- but it happens all over America every day. Why? Because the “general public” is loaded with idiots who don’t take care of these little living beings.
AN IRVING DOG: The story on this dog is she was surrendered to the Irving Animal Services Shelter because of her health. Her owner couldn’t afford to get her well.
What’s she got?
Well, glad you asked. The noted shelter walker/photographer Russell Posch took an interest in her and reports that the year-old, 35-pound dog suffers fro demodex mange -- she’s thin and has rampant sores on her back and neck. 
Her name is Zin. The shelter has her on antibiotics but she needs some careful attention to solve the skin problems. The guess is she’s a Lab/Shar Pei mix. 
The rescue hotline at the Irving shelter is 972-721-3597.
A GAP DOG: Oh, for goodness sake, will you look at this darling dog. Her name is Abby and she’s a dog who is sponsored by the Euless Trinity High School’s GAP Club. That’s the renowned Girls Awareness Program and, as regular visitors to Readlarrypowell.com know, the GAP students sponsor animals and work closely with the Euless Animal Services Shelter.
The big dog with the “prop kitten” is Abby, a 10-year-old Yellow Lab who is said to act “more like a 3 year old.
She was rescued from “an abusive situation” and has been in foster for a couple of months.
The foster says she “loves my 3 grandchildren, other dogs and even  puts up with my 4 cats! ... Loves little kittens. She likes to be brushed, go for walks and thinks that all couches are her beds. ... This is a GREAT DOG.”
To ask about adopting this stylish and congenial dog, email [email protected]. Because Abby is a GAP dog, her adoption fee is $500,000. I’m kidding. She’s a $50 dog. But obviously worth much more.
FROM BURNS FLAT: Several people had asked about Terry Lynn Fisher’s efforts to keep things copacetic in Burns Flat, Okla.,, so we asked her what’s up. Last night, she replied, “Today, my sweet pregnant girl left for rescue. She is already full of milk, so it will just be a matter of time and her little ones will be here.  I am so happy and grateful that they will NOT be born in my outside jail. She is on her way to Kansas City Mo. ... laying in a warm bedroom.
“As for my skinny pit boy, he has already put weight on and looks 100 times better. He is the sweetest thing. Loves the kids and just is a wonderful boy. He still needs help -- and  lots of love.”
To offer to help Terry Lynn help the Burns Flat critters, email her at [email protected].
JERSEY'S SURGERY: You may recall a dog we featured named Jersey Girl -- needed ligament surgery, the family had no money, so folks took up the torch and worked on helping Jersey get healthy so she can stay in her home and be happy, too. [That's a before photo.]
Karen Langston reported yesterday afternoon, “Jersey’s surgery went very well and she’ll be ready to go home tomorrow to recover. Her total bill came out on the low side, which is always nice: $1,381.43. ... Her family greatly appreciates the generosity of strangers with big hearts.”
AND, NOW, A NEMO REMINDER: The daily note from Cute Nemo’s human Melissa Boesch explains the importance of a vote for Nemo in the big D Magazine cute contest. She writes, “Today is Thursday. With only two days left (till 11:59 p.m. Friday night) to vote, we must sustain the momentum and keep voting for Nemo as the cutest dog in North Texas. Please continue to do your part by voting on all available devices [computers, iPads, phones) daily and asking your network of contacts to vote as well. Without your support, he will not advance to the next round. Your efforts are much appreciated.” Vote by going to www.dmagazine.com/cutest.
ELPO ESTATE SALE CONTINUES: This is,as they say, positively the last weekend, for the estate sale benefitting East Lake Pet Orphanage. The house at 8927 San Fernando Way in Dallas is for lease and, once again “as they say”, everything must go. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 
‘HAY! HAY!’: Tina Hamilton who runs the rescue group Happy Tails out in the vicinity of Cedar Creek Lake, has sent out a request noting that horses and donkeys are being rescued and “we are in need of hay badly.” If you’ve got some to donate, email [email protected] or call 903-880-4124 or 903-275-5990.
CONTEMPLATIONS: A couple of my ol’ pals got into a discussion over whether a  restaurant in their childhood neighborhood in Texarkana was a Dairy Queen or a Dairy King.  They may still be discussing it -- both are resolute-type fellows. So, never having been to either place, I began to think about the assorted “Dairy” configurations. I’ve seen Dairy Mart, Dairy Freeze, Dairy Bar and, in Grand Prairie, the Prairie Dog Drive-In ... Most amusing repurposing of buildings? A 7-Eleven in Oak Cliff and a Red Lobster in Garland were converted into funeral homes. Always found it amusing when 7-Eleven’s ad theme was “hot to go” -- pretty sure they got that sign down before the first funeral. ... Point of discussion on a Thursday in a summer-like winter spell: Name 3 favorite latter-day Woody Allen movies: Midnight in Paris, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion and Bullets Over Broadway.  Discuss.
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Quake, critters and contemplations...

Here comes our midweek report. Midweek. Already? I think I can see the weekend from my front porch.
There was an earthquake in North Texas last night? Irving was the epicenter?
In case you missed last night’s 3.0 quake, you can always go to the Perot Museum in downtown Dallas and stand on the earthquake simulator. Yep, they’ve got one.
Probably isn’t a good time to wisecrack about a volcano rising up on the old site of Texas Stadium. You never know what people will believe. 
FOUR CATS: Someone sent me a collection -- a big collection -- of animals taken in by Garland Animal Services in recent days.
The opening montage was this 4-photo set of cats.
What’s that?
Oh, son of a gun. That sneaky puppy is trying to masquerade as a cat in an attempt to find a home before times runs out on the puppy clock.
To ask about the Garland animals, you can see the contact points HERE.
The cats appear to resent the "impersonation of a feline."
[LARRY ASIDE: You could probably put together a quartet like this in any shelter in North Texas. More than one quartet, in fact. Maybe this should serve as a reminder that there are plenty of opportunities to save little critters from Garland to Grapevine, from Plano to Grand Prairie, from Cedar Creek Lake to Possum Kingdom Lake, from the Red River to the Gulf of Mexico, ...yeah, OK, I’m worn out with this geography stuff and now a I have a headache, but that doesn’t invalidate the point that shelters are taking in animals and they all need a happy place to go.]
DOGS BEAT THE NEEDLE: Holy smoke. Two young dogs -- skittish and uncertain around people -- were “last minute” topics of emails forwarded around the cyberlandscape by noted Irving shelter-walker/photographer Russell Posch.
Tuesday must have been the day of “longshots” -- Countess, the missing Greyhound turned up in Farmers Branch (see yesterday's late update) and, against great odds, these two pups were claimed by a rescue group.
Russell says they group that volunteered to give them a chance is Recycled Rovers Rescue of Fayetteville, Ark.
And, of course, they were the last two dogs in the Irving Animal Shelter and...what’s that? Oh. Sorry. I was daydreaming again. Plenty of critters available in the Irving shelter.
THE WAY THINGS WORK OUT: We’ve been making a pitch the last couple of days for the only three animals on this week’s euthanasia list at Carrollton Animal Services. Two pits and a Shepherd mix.
The Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise people report that there just hasn’t been much “action” regarding the three dogs except that Jezel “had a bit of an incident where she snapped at a potential adopter.” Thus her status has been changed from $15 adoptable to “rescue only.”
Jezel -- she’s one of the pits, right?
Nope. She’s the Shepherd mix.
The two pits -- Freda (right) and Wendy  -- haven’t been uncomfortable around people. To ask about helping these dogs beat the Grim Reaper, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-466-3420.
CARE’s Facebook link is HERE.
Today is “their day” if nobody saves them.
AN EARHOUND WITH A NEED: Debbie Barclay, the noted animal advocate, sends us word about this obvious Earhound. Her name is Shorty and she is “some kind of Spitz mix (heavy on the mix),” Debbie writes. 
Shorty wound up in Grand Prairie’s Prairie Paws Adoption Center when her owner died. The 5-year-old dog has been at the shelter since Nov. 19.
“She’s already spayed, heartworm negative and vaccinated, including rabies,” Debbie says. “Shorty is very sweet and walks great on the leash. She’s also good with other dogs. She has big brown eyes that just made me melt. I just love her!”
So, what’s the rub?
Ah, she’s got a “slight medical issue,” Debbie says. “She has been at the shelter long enough to gain weight, but she started losing.  Her hip bones stick out and you can see her ribs.  She’s been seen by our vet and has had blood tests.  The only thing the vet found was that her liver enzymes were a bit off.  He recommended feeding her puppy food and wants to re-test her in 30 days.  He said pancreatitis is a possibility as it appears she isn’t absorbing fat from the food she eats.  She goes back to the vet in about two weeks. 
“Shorty will most likely just require a special diet.  Other than that she is waiting patiently for someone to come fall in love with her and take her home.”
To give Shorty a good home, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-237-8580 or 817-528-9225 or email [email protected].
HELPING BELLA: Tawana Couch, founder of Society For Companion Animals, is trying to hustle up some monetary help for this girl Bella.
She’s a little dog who suffers from hideous growths inside her ears.
The good news is, Tawana says, that vets think they can save her ears so that she can hear.
The dog “will require around 15 laser treatments, plus major surgery and hospital stay,” Tawana says. “It took a lot of work and driving across Texas to find bets to help Bella. To get her fixed up costs $1,640 for both ears. Both are bad.”
To donate, go to www.societyforcompanionanimals.com. You can ask Tawana additional questions at [email protected].
TODAY’S NEMO REMINDER: Our pal Melissa Boesch continues to make the daily pitch for the cuteness of her Beagle boy Nemo -- he’s an ultra-cute competitor in D Magazine’s “Survival of the Cutest” contest.
And you can vote once a day from any electronic device -- phone, laptop, desktop, etc. Maybe even your electric razor for all I know! The link is www.dmagazine.com/cutest.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Is it a rule that dogs bark and phones ring to cover up key lines in sitcoms? That’s probably what inspired some guy to invent the video recorder. ... Do you know anyone who was named after the family dog or cat? Bound to have happened. ... Discuss from the heart:  Fort Worth or Dallas? Isn't that the eternal question.
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Found!

Just before 5 p.m. we got one of those mobile calls of happiness from Susie McQuade of Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.
Countess the missing Greyhound has been found -- Susie was en route to the vet to check on Countess. 
A man out with his dog found her near a creek in Farmers Branch -- the runaway dog was nicked up a bit and thin.
And as this is being written, she's at a vet's getting a complete checkup.
We anticipate additional details to follow. In the meantime, you can learn about Greyhounds by going to www.galtx.org.
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Spots and situations -- the state of things, peace and love

Some days I see spots. Might depend on what happened during the weekend.
So, when I opened the email from Ann Rutledge, well, I blinked a couple of times and when the spots didn’t vanish, I thought, “Whew. Wasn’t that rough a weekend.”
Indeed, this is the “publicity shot” accompanying a notice from Ann that Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas “has been invited to be a part of the 2013 Krew of Centaur Parade for Mardi Gras in Shreveport. That parade starts at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 and you can read about it at the Krewe of Centaur site HERE.
Ann says the “models” in this publicity shot are (left to right) Paul Revels and Robin Devore and Myles and Dali.
Ann says, “We will be taking Abby, Alvin, Dash, Dot, Jasper, Myles, Riley and Willow dressed in Mardi Gras coats to the parade that usually has an attendance of  200,000 people.  We will be on an old-fashioned trolley with several of our volunteers in Dalmatian costumes throwing stuffed Dalmatians [dolls].  A unit from the Caddo Parish Fire Department will be ahead of us in the parade helping to throw the stuffed Dalmatians.
“Pro Plan Rally to Rescue has partnered with DRNT for this event in an effort  to educate [the public about] the work that rescues do and what wonderful animals are out there for adoption.”
The trip isn’t free and DRNT is hoping to get some help with travel -- donations can be sent to DRNT, PJ.O. Box 866081, Plano, Texas, 75086-6081, or go to www.dalpal.com and donate through PayPal. Click on that artwork to make the poster larger, of course.
MORE SPOTTED DOGS? Well, not exactly like the pups in the first item, but nobody’s done a DNA test yet, so who knows what the dad looked like in the case of this litter of six puppies delivered by Susie Q while in custody.
Our pal Krista Mc Anally of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake sent the photos and info because the shelter at Tool, Texas, desperately wants to get this girl and her family into foster care.
Krista says Susie Q “is a small heeler mix. She looks just like a fox. Susie weighs about 15 pounds. We do not know what she bred with. The puppies are primarily white with black or brown spots.”
To ask about helping foster this family, email Krista at [email protected]. You can call the shelter at 903-432-3422. Visit www.hsccl.org to see how to adopt and donate. See the Facebook site HERE.
A BIT OF TEXAS IRONY: Just as the Dallas County District Attorney is establishing a stronger animal cruelty prosecution and investigation system, news breaks via the Texas Humane Legislation Network that the Harris County District Attorney has decided to eliminate its renowned animal cruelty section. Folks at the Texas Humane Legislation Network issued a plea late yesterday for public protests over the decision. See the “action alert” at www.thln.org.
AT COLLIN COUNTY: I picked just two of many photos from the current catalogue at Collin County Animal Services -- believe me, there are plenty of dogs to choose from.
May be some cats, too -- we’ve asked about contacting the CCAS volunteer cat person, but so far no dice. Pretty sure there are cats in the bulging county-run shelter in McKinney.
Canine shelter walker Allison Roberts sent us a note yesterday (the shelter is closed on Mondays) saying, “Intake was unbelievable all weekend and CCAS is still at max capacity..”
There are volunteers who can help with transport if that’s a hold-up --  Alison says let her know (email [email protected]). 
The Chow mix is a 6-year-old fellow named Viking. No idea how he got into the shelter with that face -- he should be on Broadway doing dramas.
And that black dog is named Diesel. He’s 3 years old and they say he needs a home without children (not the only person in America with that standard, of course). The shelter has Diesel pegged as an American Staffordshire Terrier mix, but, honestly, those rounded ears suggest there might be a French Bulldog in the family tree.
To ask about helping these CCAS dogs, email both [email protected] and [email protected] . 
And to see the Facebook site with CCAS dogs, click HERE .
TWO IRVING DOGS: This one was jetting around the inboxes overnight -- these two dogs are in the Irving Animal Services shelter and, according to the note forwarded by shelter walker/photographer Russell Posch, they’re “on the list” for today at noon.
Shelters sometimes have flexible schedules and apparently that’s the hope for these “skittish” strays. 
They’ve been in the shelter for a week. probably are siblings and are about 7 months old, weighing in at 35 pounds. More photos can be seen HERE.
The shelter’s numbers asre 972-721-2256 or 2257. The email contacts are [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]. 
These dogs are “special needs” -- they are described as “slowly starting to trust.” 
THREE CARROLLTON DOGS & A DALLAS RESCUE: The three Carrollton dogs we spotlighted yesterday -- all on the clock for Wednesday -- got no help Monday. None. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Two Pits (that's Freda) and a Shepherd mix -- the first two for rescue only, the Shepherd mix for $15. Scroll down to yesterday’s edition to see the dogs being rejected. ... Danielle Fry of the Dallas Animal Services Rescue team reports that Sara, the little dog who was possibly struck by a car while off-leash and roaming, was pulled Monday evening by Lone Star Westie Rescue. More to come, but that’s the outfit that gets credit for helping DAS help the dog. There are plenty of Dallas animals that need help. Go to www.dallasanimalservices.org to see them.
A SPECIAL DOG REQUEST: Now and then we get a puzzling note from East Texas. This time the note comes via Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake and it originates in Canton, a town whose name makes most animal rescue folks immediately think of puppy millers and sales of dogs at First Monday.
But this is an opportunity to do a really good deed. The note Sydney forwarded reads, “gorgeous 3-year-old spayed Yellow Lab is in Canton Animal Shelter and needs a home now! She was adopted twice and returned both times as being too active. She’s a young Lab, for crying out loud! IDIOTS EVERYWHERE!”
[Larry aside: The emphasis on “idiots everywhere” appeared in the original note and Readlarrypowell.com is reluctant to argue against that, based on the overwhelming evidence.]
To offer to help this dog, email LaDenia Jones at [email protected]. 
A SPECIAL CAT REQUEST: We ALSO got this note from Sydney of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. Friends, as you know generally deals with “fixing” animals. Now and then a special request crosses the radar out at the lake.
In this case Denise Leopard of Malakoff, just south of the lake on Highway 31 in Henderson County. 
Denise writes, “I have a 2-year-old female Chihuahua that needs a buddy. Would like to adopt a female cat (short-hair only) spayed and declawed. i can’t pay much but she would have a good home.”
Now and then we see notes about declawed cats in rescue groups. Now and then we wonder who would declaw a cat, but since the cat is already declawed you just have to hope someone who wants an indoor cat will give it a good home.
This may be one of those cases. Email [email protected].
And, frankly, a cat could have a worse companion than a 2-year-old Chihuahua to grow old with. We’ve seen cats and dogs snoozing together as if they came from the same momma. Sometimes it works out happily.
[Larry aside: But, seriously, never declaw a cat. It’s cruel. The procedure simply cuts the ends of the cat’s toes off -- it’s not like they’re just pulling out nails, you know. What’s the cat to do for protection if it should find itself outside? 
“But what about my precious furniture,” you ask. If you value a sofa more than you value a cat, don’t get a cat, buy a matching chair and some therapy. Cats are cats. Trying to help a cat that is already declawed is an admirable idea. Declawing a cat is not.]
CONTEMPLATIONS: The chill of winter has overstayed its welcome. Not that anybody in his right mind misses 100-degree days, but, seriously, how enjoyable are cold toes? ... Anybody up for an argument about veggie burgers? How’s this for a ranking? (1) Good Eats; (2) The Old Monk; (3) Cheesecake Factory. The last two are sort of spicy black bean burgers and the Good Eats version is kind of normal but huge. The buns can make the difference, but so can whether the onion is white, yellow or purple and whether it’s thinly or thickly or mediumly sliced.  Not sure “mediumly” is correct, but you get the idea. ... Here we go with a song for a calm day. We roll back to 1967 and, if you saw the movie Love, Actually, you’ll recognize that Uncle Billy was “covering” a hit by the fantastic ‘60s Brit group, The Troggs. Click HERE and find some peace and love -- and who doesn't need peace and love on the first day back at the office after a long weekend.
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