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 dallrp@aol.com. 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 secondchancespca@yahoo.com 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 info@duckteam6.org.
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 greenkunagl@verizon.net.
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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