ReadLarryPowell.com

Assortment for the midweek edition...catching up, getting ahead and campaigning for Nadel

DATELINE: SEPT. 18, 2013, DALLAS, TEXAS (PETPOWELLPRESS) -- That’s the new dateline. I went with PetPowellPress rather than PPPress -- no need to explain that to you gigglers, I guess. It’s subject to change. I just couldn’t figure out a way to brand this site CYBERIANHUSKY without feeling bad every time I looked in a mirror.
The PetPowell needed permission from the owner. About 2 decades ago my funspouse Martha owned and operated PetPowell Pet-sitting -- resounding success. Didn’t see her on weekends or holidays. That got old. Of all the people I love to be around, Martha is the one. That’s my glissandospouse smiling through the high strings on her big harp. And now, our daily report.
PUMPKIN’S PHOTO SURFACES and we’ve got it thanks to our Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey who got it from the original Pumpkin tipster, Jennifer Sellers. You may recall Pumpkin’s story -- he and Sugar (below left) were --- what’s a good word here? abandoned? -- made available after their human was placed in a care facility.
Sugar is 10, spayed, microchipped, very loving and sweet. Pumpkin is 15, a long-haired orange tabby fellow who is in good health, up to date on shots, neutered and -- though left outside since the departure of his loving human -- DECLAWED. Ain’t that swell.
To contact the people attempting to help these cats, email twelyn@yahoo.com.
That’s Jennifer’s email and she says she’s gotten not a single nibble on saving these two cats. They’re doomed if nobody helps.
Kelsey wrote, “Can you imagine putting an old declawed cat outside? Oh, well, if people bury dogs in holes in the ground and stone starving dogs who come up to them wanting food, I guess anything is possible.”
We agreed that we don’t have enough villages for all the state’s idiots.
AND IN ARLINGTON, they’re planning a big Paws In The Park celebration on October 12 and need sponsors, vendors and participants, our reliable tipster Timi Hazle tells us. You can click on that artwork and blow it up big enough to read and see how family-friendly this event is going to be. And if you have a mind to participate, you can get the vendor, etc., form by clicking HERE.They’re going to have a 5K run and a Dog Walk, too. [LARRY ASIDE: Fit as I am, I’m going to have to stay in the booth we’re planning on setting up - THE DUNK ‘N’ SOAP INKY BOOTH. My writing partner, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, has said he’ll just be a lot happier if strangers give him a bath. He says he doesn’t like it when I pick him up and we step into the shower together -- doesn’t like the Pantene Extra Curly Conditioner. And, of course, let me apologize for introducing that visual to an otherwise pleasant day.]
“SING IT, BABY, SING IT,” I just want to shout at this dog! In a previous edition I wrote about the five Chihuahuas surrendered to the Lufkin Animal Shelter when a fire ruined a family’s house and they had to move into a tent. The dogs moved onto Death Row at an East Texas shelter. But people are working to get them out.
This dog (thanks to our pal Karen Lee with Barkleyworld.com) is Bonnie -- the rest are fawn or brindle. And what she’s doing here is sort of dog-singing “I love you,” which is what she does when people tell her “I love you.” She mouths and sounds the words, too.
The contact for Bonnie, Megaloo, Killer, Tiny Tim and Jake is dyannjones@hotmail.com. 
Jake is the youngest at a year-and-a-half. Megaloo is 17. In between you’ll find the other 3 and all 5 are healthy, have been loved and enjoy being held and loved.
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve had Chihuahuas in our home for two decades. They are treasures. A caution:They will become a good habit for your heart.]
SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT ALL THE WANDERERS are not in Dallas. This little sweetie is in Fort Worth and Kirk Kilgore says, “We call her Honey.”
She obviously knows “sit.” Someone says “Sit” and Honey goes to her chair.
Kirk says, “We found her tied to a security gate in upscale neighborhood in southwest Fort Worth . The vet said she was a white full-bred Pit Bull at 8 weeks old. She has had her 8 weeks puppy shots and appears to be healthy and happy. She interacts well with our other dogs but she can play hard. Honey loves to cuddle and will easily fall asleep in your lap. She could become a big baby. We are unable to foster another dog but want her to find the perfect home. We have her exam report and shot history we completed Sept 16.”
To ask about Honey, call 817-658-3626 or email kirkkilgoredfw@gmail.com.
AND WHO CAN FORGET FORT WORTH GUS, THE DOG WITH THE BURNED PAWS? You may recall that we posted the story of Gus, a dog found wandering with paws burned -- probably just from the heat of the Texas asphalt. But he needed help and Chris Watson and family took the dog in.
Nobody has called to ask about him. In the meantime, Chris says, “We’ve been really working with him as he has never had attention before.  It is tough to work with a dog when you have 4 large male dogs in the house.  He is such a sweet, loving dog that just wants a good home.  I’d say he’d make a great single dog or a part of two.  He’s got a lot of energy, but I think his energy comes from competing for attention with my other 3.”
To offer to help Chris find a great home for Good Dog Gus, call 682-561-1569 or email kelsouta03@gmail.com.
NOW WE COME TO THE EVERMAN ANIMAL SHELTER, just south of Fort Worth where Alffy -- memorable spelling --- what is it all about, Alffy? --- has been a resident for 6 months and nobody wants him. Nobody. He waits. He’s a 2-year-old Shepherd mix and is “very outgoing,” according to Everman shelter tipster Heather Harrison. He loves to be with humans and other dogs, but he’s not keen on cats. Yes, that works against him in the animal rescue world, but, there’s bound to be some dogless and catless home that needs a good faithful ol’ dawg who’ll get them through the rest of this Texas Rangers season, the tough times in the Cowboys’ season and the holiday shopping season. After all, this is not an election year -- it’s quiet, real quiet.  To ask about Alffy, email nickale7@yahoo.com or call 309-299-5665.
MY CONTINUING EFFORT TO BE A KINDER PERSON meets with a roadblock every time I run into a story such as this one from Fort Worth about a guy named William Leak who, angry at being fired, crept onto his old boss’ land and slit the throats of two dogs in retaliation. This guy only got a 5-year sentence and is going to do 2 1/2 by state math. But a guy like this -- who threatens humans and kills innocent animals -- really ought to get a little more time than a two-bit burglar. Here are two links to the Leak story: Dallas Observer is HERE and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is HERE. ...  So, anybody know what’s happening with the case of the woman whose storage closet yielded the emaciated body of a St. Barnard in Dallas earlier in the summer? ... There are not enough prayers for some of these people and, for many, prayers are wasted. You can’t keep that Leaks guy in jail long enough, can you? He does a few years hard time for "teaching someone a lesson" -- what's he going to do when he gets out? Open a charm school?
CONTEMPLATIONS: You want to cast a vote that actually means something. Got to facebook.com/baseballhall and like it and navigate to the voting for the
Ford Frick Award and cast your ballot for Texas Rangers radio broadcast legend Eric Nadel. Eric is a genuinely nice guy who has seen more bad baseball than 5 dozen T-ball coaches and made it great to listen to every last at bat. Not kidding. He knows baseball, he knows broadcasting and he knows animals, too. He’s the guy who convinced the City of Dallas to open dog parks. You may remember he got Nolan Ryan to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the White Rock Dog Park. Vote for Eric. It’s the rare ballot you can cast without fear of taxes being raised. ... Two email notes. One subject line reads “8 scrumptious recipes for your best Christmas ever” and the other reads “Get instant wrinkle reduction now.” Both came from Redbook magazine. (a) It’s too early for Christmas and (b) eating scrumptious recipes too frequently may actually fill out those wrinkles.  ... Words calculated to drive up the clicks on Readlarrypowell.com: Miley Cyrus, wrecking ball hits homes thanks to  boobs at Fort Worth city hall, naked truth, stripped of all dignity, bare in the woods. Yeah I know, it’s “bear” in the woods, but anybody that would search for those words isn’t smart enough to spell bear. A click, however, is a  click, and, of course, welcome to all you new visitors and please be kind to animals no matter how bare your bear.
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For Tuesday: Faces and critters, people and possibilities...

Nothing starts a day quite like the face of a happy dog. And for Tuesday’s edition of Readlarrypowell.com, we’ve chosen the face of this dog, Boo.
Yep, Dallas street dog. Taken in by folks with Duck Team 6. More great photos on the DT6 Facebook page HERE but come right back so you can see other animals that need some help. Boo goes from being a scrufflin' street dog to riding around in a DT6 Canine Limo. You know how those people treat dogs -- like they were angels on earth. 
AND NOW, ASSORTED STORIES FROM THE LAND WHERE ANIMALS GET A BREAK AND HUMANS CAN GET A BLESSING:
-- “THIS LITTLE SCRUFFY LOVE,” began the note about the dog that showed up Monday morning in a Fort Worth neighborhood. He’s said to be dog-friendly, not fixed and “was wearing a half-chewed-up harness with no tags.” Needs a place to stay. The contact is mindi@thereddogbarkery.com. We heard about this “little scruffy love” in a note from Karen Lee with Barkleyworld.com.
As you can tell from the photo, here in the waning days of autumn, this guy is maintaining a healthy summer tongue.
THE TROPHY DOG REMAINS UNCLAIMED, but LouAnn Norris, at Trophy Tractor Inc. in Grand Prairie, has faith. In an update about this dog we mentioned weeks ago, she writes, “He is still here – but he is a good dog and doing well.  We will continue to look for him a permanent  home for sure -- he deserves it!
[LARRY ASIDE: I ran this photo so you could see that the folks at Trophy Tractor have been coping with a championship sleeper. He must take up two full display tractor sites in the showroom!]
To offer to help Trophy Tractor help this dog, email louann@trophytractor.com or call 972-264-6700.
THIS CAT IS SUGAR -- you know why? Because we don’t have a photo of Pumpkin. There has been a hold up. The bottom line is there are 2 older cats who need homes. Their human went to a nursing home and the family isn’t doing anything but saying there are a couple of old cats, you can have ‘em if you want ‘em.
Sugar is 10, spayed and up-to-date on shots -- chipped and loving, they say.
Pumpkin is 15, a male Tabby who has been declawed and, according to the note from Jennifer Sellers, “They have left him outside the apartment he is living in until they can find a place. He only has a few days before the shelter and at his age, that is a death sentence.”
Call 214-769-7677. Email twelyn@yahoo.com. 

AND HERE’S ANOTHER FORT WORTH FOUNDLING, a little guy. It’s one of those vibrant neighborhood situations. The neighborhood is Oakhurst. The note reads, “Neighbor Erin Cofer sent this message about a stray dog she's been caring for but must find a home for -- if you're interested, her contact information is below her message.  This dog sure is cute!”
And Erin’s note reads, “This little guy finally warmed up to me and is now living in our backyard. He's been stray in the neighborhood for at least a month.  He's super sweet and still very shy. We are taking him for his shots today [Monday], but we cannot keep him--we are moving in two weeks and our new house does not have a fenced yard and our much larger dog is mean to this little guy.  If you could circulate his picture in case anyone is interested in adopting him.  We call him Bob!” To ask about Bob, email erinwcofer@gmail.comor or call 817-235-1884.
WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, here’s a collection of cat photos and info regarding the availables at Dallas Animal Services. Bunch of cats to go with the bunch of dogs currently bunking at the big city shelter.
[LARRY ASIDE: Where did all the cats come from?No telling. We’re pretty sure that spay/neuter campaign that was introduced in Dallas way back in the 1950s took hold. Oh, wait. There was one staggering variable that could never be overcome: humans. The don’t care humans trump everything -- not just animals but in every element of society.
You can have two very intense sides to an issue but the “don’t care” people will be the most influential element every time. Ultimately it bites them in the don’t care backside, but they’re too dense to see it coming.
Now, somebody help me down off this soapbox before a slat breaks and the ensuing crash wakes up Inky the Cocker Spaniel, currently bunked on the floor next to my chair, Earl the Rottie and Annabelle Bob the Black Cat.]
MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON: Bunch of cats and dogs still on the Carrollton Urgent list for this week, including this guy Prince. Great eyebrows on this fellow. And he’s available. You can see the “urgent album” on the Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise Facebook page. Call the shelter at 972-466-3420 or email CARE@cityofcarrollton.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS: We’re needing some sleeping dogs, napping cats and snoozing critters of all sorts for our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Send photo and info to dallrp@aol.com. Remember, it’s world-wide-read. .... Speaking of World Wide, my new favorite email arrived yesterday from William Okwadike. He forwarded a message from “Mr. Ugo Chris” The note told me, “I have registered your consignment Box with EMS COMPANY this morning and we agreed up that the delivery of your funds will take off tomorrow morning.Contact Mr Ugo Chris Tel: +(229) 99 413 908. Email: upsglo@live.com. The amount in your Card is US$3.7 Million.” There you go. The reason I’m thinking about not playing Lotto Texas this Wednesday. ... What is the best good deed that you can do today? That’s a puzzler. Quite an array of opportunities. OK, how about this: If you work in an office situation and the music moves you, start to sing, but don’t. I plan to practice that myself today. An appropriate song? Click HERE. ... The Texas Rangers are breaking my heart. Just wanted to go on the record about that. 
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Monday edition: You can't help the Cowboys or Rangers, so help some animals...

It’s always good when you can find something to do instead of getting emotionally involved with either the Dallas Cowboys or the Texas Rangers on a Sunday afternoon.
Oh, you want a Chihuahua that can bark "I love you"? Keep reading. Let’s just move on and try not to remember the years we had Super Bowl parades or that time we were all planning for a World Series parade that never came.
It’s Monday. Other things on the agenda.
SHELTERS: Over the weekend we got a few emails about the usually crowded shelters still being crowded.
And one of them, of course, is Dallas Animal Services. So, from the raft of photos sent to us by the shelter, we picked this little fellow -- A806213.
Here’s the explanation from DAS: “Poor Oreo was surrendered when his owner moved to an apartment.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We have an explanation, perhaps. As you can see, Oreo has a championship set of ears, thus must obviously be an Earhound. The problem must have been that every time Oreo turned his head, channels changed on every TV set in the complex.]
Oreo is a year old, a little fearful but works on it. DAS’s Danielle Fry writes that “my favorite thing about Oreo is his tail.  He has the longest tail that curves up over his back.  Super cute.”
To offer to help the little guyor any of the animals that need an immediate rescue email DASrescue@dallascityhall.com. For those of you who don’t understand how things work, you may also adopt animals from Dallas Animal Services -- go to dallasanimalservices.org and see how.
ASSORTED MONDAY NOTES: 

--FROM LUCY’S LOST LOVED ONES -- you’ll want to read about these -- came a note over the weekend that had this line. “Family is living in a tent and had to surrender their pets. Some are seniors - so very sad. Can anyone help?” The contact is dyannjones@hotmail.com.
Breaker box on the family home set a fire. Family had to move into a tent. The Red Cross is helping the humans. Up to other people to help the dogs. That's the quick summary.
The five were taken to the Lufkin Animal Shelter, reports Roberta Womack of Lucy’s.  Roberta’s trying to hustle help for the dogs, too. Lucy’s is slammed right now.
You might wonder, why is there just one photo of these dogs. You know why? Because it doesn’t matter what they look like. They all need help. They were all taken to the Lufkin shelter.
Here’s the list: Megaloo, 17, spayed female; Killer, 14, spayed female; Bonnie, 12, spayed and “will bark ‘I love you'.” --- yeah, that’s Bonnie’s picture. And there are Tiny Tim, 10, neutered and Jake, 1 1/2 and intact. (You can read about Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones HERE. In the mean time, remember, that dyannjones@hotmail.com is the contact point for these 5 possibly doomed Chihuahuas.)

-- LOLA REMAINS MISSING. She’s the little dog who was lost during a hotel visit to Dallas. you may have seen the story last week or run across it on Facebook. We pursued an update from Susan Garcia over the weekend and she reports, “No new developments. Facebook did take it down. I just made another one under my name Susana Garcia and Lola has a community page. She also has a website lolavalencia.com in case Facebook deletes me again. I am waiting for someone to call but nothing yet. We are still devastated and sick about the whole thing.”
--DOG COLLARS, SPECIAL CRATES NEEDED for some traveling dogs. We get this from Tawana Couch, the hustling animal advocate who founded the Society For Companion Animals and manages to fly hardluck cases to save haven away from North Texas. She issued an appeal over the weekend that reads, “Please help us ASAP by donating dog collars new or used, We also have an urgent request for special size crate. The crates we need are only sold (that I can find) at Canine Commissary in Garland. The crates are white and are 23 inches high.” The special size -- not carried by chain pet stores, is used for medium-sized dogs. You can drop crates at the same address as SFCA’s mailing address (send collars by mail, too, if you want). That address is SFCA, 619 Woolsey Dr., Dallas, Texas 75224. Email Tawana at tawanacouch@mac.com.
Tawana also reports that SFCA is “in need of volunteers during the day this Wednesday and Friday. Transporting dogs to various locations during the day.”
-- GARLAND IS NEEDING some cat litter, according to our tipster, the rescuer Patty Turner. Garland has plenty of animals, but, like all shelters with a growing populations, the supplies can get to be as sparse as the space. Patty says the shelter “has a bunch of cats right now” and is “running low on cat litter.” Also, the shelter needs blankets, towels, cat and dog food and cleaning supplies, Patty says.  The shelter is at 600 Tower St., Garland 75041.
 -- A HAPPY NOTE FOR MONDAY emanates from a happy report on Friday. Stacey The Stylist distributed a note that read, “This has been a very lucky Friday the 13th for me!! All 3 dogs I have been networking this week are safe. Maddy the Maltese is headed to a foster for Friends of Homeless Animals in Arkansas. Jake the Lab went to Operation Kindness. Tina the senior has been offered a place .. at Sentry Place. I'm so thrilled to report this and I want to say a huge thank you to each and everyone who shared them for me. It would not have been possible without your shares!”
-- THE CATS IN THE COLONY are stacking up. A weekend note from Patricia Barrington, The Colony’s Animal Services Division Manager, tells the story. “Our shelter has 11 cat kennels.  Currently, our shelter is housing 24 cats. …if the sunny spot beneath your dining room window is looking a little empty, one of these frisky felines would be happy to fill it for you.”
She sent several photos and I picked this one -- Orange on Orange. An autumnal cat for certain as we enter the last full week of summer. Autumn arrives at 3:44 p.m. on Sunday and by then your orange cat -- her name is Nell, by the way -- would be acclimated to a happy life in an air-conditioned home with cable TV and unlimited adoration. 
To ask about this orange cat or any animal in The Colony shelter, call 972-370-9250 or email pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov. See The Colony’s PetFinder page HERE  and its Facebook page HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS: I’m as stunned as the next guy to discover that Miley Cyrus now has brown hair. Stunned, I tell you. ... Football season is really rolling now -- you’d think these cantankerous nations would give all this war talk a rest and try to get along. ...  Hope you’re all making good memories today. Even if it is a Monday. Say, now there’s a goal that’s tough to meet: be somebody’s good memory today. I’m going to work really hard on that. I’ve got a great funspouse who deserves the best of me. I’m pretty sure I’ve got it packed in a box somewhere around here. Probably with some old books or some now useless newspaper clippings.  Nobody saved paper like newspaper people. You could save paper, couldn’t save a lot of money, but you could stack up the clippings!
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Alastair and the Gift of A Comfortable Sleep...

Fear biter? More like bed hog.
And that is how Della Wallace’s little fellow Alastair winds up the featured character in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
I know we’re still a week away from the arrival of autumn (3:44 p.m. on the 22nd) but, judging by the American merchandising philosophy, it’s not too early for a Christmas story.
Just before Christmas last year Della spotted this dog at Dallas Animal Services, became determined to get the little guy and did just that. “He will be our Christmas present," Della wrote last year only a couple of days before Christmas. "He is a Chihuahua/Terrier. Feisty, it seems. [The shelter staffer] said he is afraid and is a “fear nipper.”
In the same note Della included this line and it truly underestimated Alistair’s ability to adapt, as you can see in these sleeper photos. Della wrote, “He’ll probably be fine when he knows he is home and loved.”
And, there you have it, the result is in the photos. He knows. And he's loved.
That’s Alastair taking advantage of assorted sleeping spots and, apparently surprising the dickens (so to speak) out of his pal the stuffed gorilla. (That other dog with Alastair is Emily.)
And that photo of Alastair riding in the wind -- Della calls it “Alastair breaking out of The Joint in Dallas.” That was on Christmas Eve.
And you see assorted photos here of Alastair in various poses of sleep. And, yes, that is Alastair’s wide open paws and "naughty bits" peaking out from beneath the blanket on Della’s bed.
Where did his name come from? He was named after Alastair Sim, Della says. You may recall, as Della explains, he was ‘the Scottish actor who played Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.”
Now, how did young Alastair wind up in a big city shelter? 
“He was dumped because his people moved and didn’t take him.”
Yep, someone lost out on a great dog and a sensational sleeper.
[To nominate your sleeping dog, napping cat or snoozing critter of any stripe (even a drowsy zebra) for the international spotlight of our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send the photo and info to dallrp@aol.com. We’re proud to run these photos and tell these stories -- insomniacs profit from being encouraged by sleeping animals and we all gain from exposure to happy stories. Makes for a kinder world. One hopes.]
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Buried, beaten, abandoned -- 3 different dogs and stolen dogs, too -- it's Friday the 13th...

This is Friday the 13th and all I can say is “Heads up!”
More importantly, it’s Friday. Hello,  weekend! Sounds mundane unless you're desperate, eh? 
Here we go with some stories from the pet side of life. Astounding stories of human involvement with animals. Some astounding good, some astounding not so good.
THE GOOD DOG GUS: A month ago when the temp around here was a searing 100-plus, Chris Wallace found this dog Gus on the neighborhood streets. Gus’ paws were burned and he was malnourished. So, Chis took him in.
But Mr. and Mrs. Watson already have 3 big dogs -- all rescues -- and Gus is fully recovered and needs a place to go. The family is expecting a baby in November and needs a little room. All the dogs weigh 50 pounds or more.
Chris has nothing but high praise for Gus -- “extremely loving, great with dogs, loves to play and very curious. He is also house-trained and knows to go outside.” 
Plus, Gus knows sit, stay, lay down and other commands. He simply needs a home.
To offer to help Gus, call 682-561-1569 or email Christopher.t.watson@lmco.com.
HERE COMES ANOTHER DOG: Yesterday we posted a photo of Maddy, a Maltese who needs a home (still) -- the story came from “Stacey The Stylist,” the west-of-the-metrosprawl rescuer. Real name: Stacey Carney. Real goal: Help animals.
Want some good news? Stacey says Maddy is going to a rescue in Arkansas. (That's Maddy on the left -- in her summer cut.)
Save Stacey's email address -- stacey_the_stylist@yahoo.com because you may want to ask her about helping this sweet ol' dawg Tina.Stacey explains, “I know the odds of anyone taking this one are slim but this poor dog is in a very sad disposition. Her name is Tina she is 10 years old and was my neighbor’s dog. She use to escape her fence and come over and hang out at my house a lot.
“She's so sweet and was fine with my cats. Never bothered them.
“My neighbor recently moved out of her boyfriends home and had to take Tina withher. Ever since she started dating my neighbor, poor Tina (who is normally a indoor dog), has been banished to the backyard because her boyfriend wouldn't allow her to come inside. I spoke with the lady yesterday and she said she is living with friends right now and Tina is noticeably miserable. ... It breaks my heart. She was such a sweet girl and always wanted to come inside. She hasn't been around other dogs or kids but does good with cats and needs somewhere to live out her ‘golden years.’ She is up to date on shots and is fixed.”
The dog is in Parker County --Weatherford is the big city in the county -- and transport is available, Stacey says.
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve had big dogs like Tina. Deserves her own couch indoors in front of the TV and near a window so she can raise up and bark at the letter carrier.]
A NOTE FROM BRAD KIRBY ABOUT LOST DOGS: You may recall reading about Brad Kirby. After his dogs were stolen in Dallas, he became an activist on behalf of people who suffer the same heartbreaking crime.
He sent this note, “Again the House Bill to protect our dogs from getting stolen has died in the House.  Looking for support to get the bill passed in the next session. Over 3,000 dogs are stolen in Texas every year!!  They need our help in protecting them against thieves.  Join me in the fight and call your State Representative and voice your concerns about this crime.  As of now, stealing is only a Class C Misdemeanor, a $60 fine at the most.  The Dallas Police Department said that they would NOT go after dog thieves because it is not that big of a crime and always look the other way when it comes to charging a dog thief with a crime.  Call your State Representative today!  Call your dog loving friends and get them to call!  We need to stop the dog thieves from stealing our loved ones!!  Thanks.”
You can read about Brad’s work in this effort and what inspired him at the website  www.lostdogsofdallas.com .
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME: Sorry, that was my reaction when I read  Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey’s story about Sheba the Shepherd. Yes, that’s her, happily playing in a kiddie pool, but, good grief...OK, read on. The subject line of the email read, “He buried her...over and over and over again (German Shepherd Dog, Houston, TX)”
And Alexandra writes, “Sheba is a great dog, but being a great dog doesn’t protect you from having an evil family.  Sheba can’t talk, so she can’t tell you how deep the holes she was buried in were.  She can’t tell us what heavy objects the man piled on top of her to pin her in those holes.  Nor can she tell us what the man’s wife thought, as she had to watch this happen over and over again.  And Sheba has no way of telling us how the woman finally convinced her husband to give Sheba up.
“All we really know is this: Sheba is a gorgeous, sweet 5-year old German Shepherd Dog, spayed and vaccinated.  She sometimes dug holes in the ground.  Her human buried her in those shallow holes as punishment.  And now, Sheba is free and with a wonderful dog trainer.  And she needs a great home.  Not just a great home, but a really great home.  This dog has literally been in hell and she deserves for the rest of her life to be amazing.”
To offer give Sheba a good home, email amy.hamala@gmail.com or call 713-859-8104.
Yep, every time the dog would dig a hole, the guy would put the dog in the hole and cover her up. She probably thought it was a game up to a point. 
CONTEMPLATIONS: Anybody else see Fil Alvarado’s story on Fox 4 (KDFW) last night about the beaten dog in Balch Springs -- the attack with a stick cost the dog an eye, did a lot of damage to the face but, looking at the tail and the demeanor, no damage to the dog’s heart. Channel 4 says the Balch Springs police officer who worked the case is going to adopt Zuri. Maybe someone will hunt down the kid who hit the dog and put him in jail. that wouldn’t be asking too much, would it? How hard could it be? The kid was walking down a street with two other kids. Someone knows something. Yeah, it’s no murder of a  human being but consider that “Cycle of Violence” theory. Read about it HERE.  Watch the story HERE. ... I’m accustomed to getting emails about problems with body parts not working right or about money I’ve inherited in either England or Nigeria, but this one kind of puzzled me. It begins, “Dear Manager, Thank you very much for your attention.One of my costomer inform us you may need pipeline products and petroleum drilling products.” The spelling was awful and though I am a native of Texas, ah have nevur bin in thu awl bidness. ... What the heck. It’s Friday the 13th. Here’s a lucky song from The Boss.
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Lola -- a North Dallas be-on-the-lookout could be anywhere

[Editor's note: We have a morning update to the Thursday edition filed overnight. It follows this item. And while this incident happened at a North Dallas hotel, the missing dog could have been picked up and could be anywhere - it was a hotel parking lot and people were traveling.]
Here is why Sergio and Susan Valencia of San Diego are upset.
Their dog Lola is missing in Dallas.
The Valencias say they were staying at a large hotel at the Galleria over the weekend and left their veteran traveling companion Lola in the room when they went out.
When they returned at 11 p.,m the dog was missing. They say the front desk said a guest had complained about the dog barking, so the hotel staff went in and got the dog.
A staffer claims to have taken the dog outside and while walking in the busy area, the dog slipped the leash and vanished.
The Valencia’s say the on-duty manager said the dog was hiding beneath a parked car at a handicap parking spot near the valet area at the main entrance. Unable to get the dog, she went back insight. the dog was running around on the parking lot, then disappeared.
The visiting couple searched for their dog until 6 a.m. and staffers and other guests helped with the search, they say.
According to a note from the Garcias, “Facebook page for Lola is Lola Valencia, she is also on instagram: susyandthecity and on twitter: suzyvalen. We are issuing a petamberalert ... She is also on the lost dogs of Texas facebook page.”
This information arrived while the Valencias were on the road home. It was a lonely ride. Both are quite upset.
If you know Lola’s whereabouts or know someone who does, email suzyvalen07@gmail.com or use a contact point on this poster.
Suzy told Readlarrypowell.com, “We got her when she was about 2 months old. She has traveled with us many many times, she is our traveling companion. We have stated at many ... hotels this year and never had an issue with her anywhere. She is 2 years old. she is my baby and my best friend. Pet Amber Alert has been issued and we will not stop until she has been found. Success in finding Lola is our only option.”
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THURSDAY'S EDITION: Cats, dogs -- a cat with a hairline, dumped dogs, an honored dog, boxers and chocolate

Got new glasses. Can you tell? Prescription this time. Oh, I broke my old cheaters weeks ago. These new bifocals help me see the alphabet. Don’t know if that will improve my writing, but it sure does make the dogs and cats look hairier.
Now, let’s see what else we can eyeball in the viewfinder today.
We’re going to look at an estate sale, the honoree of a Cocker Spaniel golf tournament and a few other things including well-populated shelters in -- imagine this -- the North Texas area. Adjust your goggles and read on!
Oh, and we’ll explain that cat, too - that’s not a Disney creation who’s a member of the Hair Club for Men.
BEST OPENING BOXER LINE EVER: You’d think is great opening boxer line would belong to Muhammed Ali or some pugilist, but, nope, the best opening boxer line belongs to Patricia Barrington, the Animal Services Division Manager for The Colony.
“If ever you have thought to yourself, ‘Man, this house would look so much better with a Boxer or two in it’, well, have we got a deal for you!”
Cracked me up when I read it. George Burns (a legendary comic, for you whippersnappers) said something like, “Two things are funny. The expected and the unexpected.” That line was unexpected.
You see the boxers here. Trish reports, “This week, three boxers have been given up by their owners.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Why? Look at those great faces. Must have been something dire to cause a person to give up a Boxer. Comet. Volcano. Plague of locusts?] 
Jasper (left) is a 3 1/2-year-old  “sweet fella who simply wants to be with his person - all of the time.”
The other basic brown Boxer is Rocky, described as “a stately gentleman.” He and Jasper came from the same home.  Rocky is 7, “intelligent and obedient  he’s a sweetheart.” 
That white Boxer is Sweet Sue, 3, who was adopted from The Colony 2 years ago and was returned Monday. Poor girl probably thought she had a home. “She is energetic, eager to please and good-natured - a great dog.”
Yep, three Boxers in need of a home right now. Ask about them by emailing  pbarrington@thecolonytx.gov or calling 972-370-9250.
THE CAT WAS LAYING ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, NOT MOVING: Happened in Everman, according to tipster Heather Harrison who works to get animals out of that shelter, but, this time, is working to get an animal some medical help and aftercare.
She writes, “ACO responded to a call today [Wednesday] and found this poor girl!  She was laying alongside the road not moving. ACO quickly rushed her to the vet as she was responsive but unable to move her body.”
The female Tuxedo cat may be 7 or 8 -- she’s sweet and purrs, Heather says. And this battered cat is declawed, “very emaciated,” and has broken teeth. She spent the night at the vet’s getting fluids and being monitored.
“The Everman Pound cannot take on a case like this,” Heather says. “If rescue is not found she will be euthanized. ACO is now pleading for a rescue to step up for this sweet, sweet girl!”
And Heather says the cat’s going to lose the damaged front leg -- apparently too much nerve damage, the vet says.
To offer to help, email Heather at nickale7@yahoo.com or call 309-299-5665.
“She has lived a hard life,” Heather says, “She was declawed and living on the streets.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Do NOT declaw cats. No piece of furniture is worth more than a cat.]
THE ‘SERVICE DOG’: Our tipster Patty Turner tells us that “The family is planning picking her up. Not sure when.” That’s regarding the “service dog” in the Garland shelter we wrote about yesterday. Patty tipped us to the story -- the dog is in the slammer because the owner is in the slammer.
IS THIS THE ULTRA DUMP OR WHAT? We get the story from Allison Roberts, the volunteer shelter-walker at Collin County Animal Services in McKinney.
“We need a rescue or home for Titus ASAP!  Shelter is completely full and dogs are going into temp crates. He’s 9 and look at how he was dumped.
“Titus was picked up by animal control late Saturday night -- found running loose in the country. He was micro-chipped so the shelter left a message with the owner. Well, we got a call back from a lady in tears saying her husband dumped the dog because he snapped at their child. We convinced them to come in and sign Titus over so he could go up for adoption. He will need a home without small children, as they do make him nervous - he has arthritis and pins in his rear leg.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Arthritis, pins in his rear leg and kids -- who wouldn’t snap?]
She says, “He did great in the shelter office all day Sunday and he is a wonderful boy who deserves to live his life in a home that will love him. He is house-trained and does fine with other dogs (per the owner).”
He’s neutered. Ask about #425470.
Email ldrummonds@collincountytx.gov and animalshelter@collincountytx.gov.
A MALTESE: This note was forwarded from Stacey The Stylist, a great name for a critter rescuer (Stacey Carney, who usually monitors things west of the Metrosprawl). This dog, however, is in Arlington  Stacey is the contact.
This 4-year-old Maltese “needs to be rehomed,” Stacey reports, while also explaining that the dog was “recently shaved.” We had a Maltese for years and the “summer cut” was her least favorite -- it grows out and gets beautiful.
Now, what’s the story of this dog? Stacey sent us a copy of the letter that came with the appeal for help. Read it and grind your teeth, but know that Stacey’s hustling to get this dog into a dog-friendly household. The person seeking help for 4-year-old, spayed Maddy wrote, “I have a new grandbaby that I have in my home a lot and he is beginning to crawl and walk. Well, Maddy, our dog, has recently reverted to urinating on occasion in our home on the carpet. She is fully housebroken, she just chooses, when left alone, to go in one particular spot in the house. I have tried to break her and she will obey. I'm just not home a lot and she then reverts. She is very sweet and loving and great with children. We do love her but cannot have the un-sanitariness around the baby. If you know of a good home or have any suggestions for placement/rehoming, I would greatly appreciate your suggestions. I am urgently trying to place her (hopefully by this weekend).”

And, there you have it. A Maltese is available. Email stacey_the_stylist@yahoo.com.
MEANWHILE, THE GAP CLUB’S EULESS MISSION: Animal fan Karen Lee is also a fan of the Euless Trinity High School GAP Club -- the Girls Awareness Program. The GAPsters adopted the Euless Animal Shelter years ago. Karen tells the story this way. “The Trinity GAP Club is constantly juggling pets from the shelter to boarding to foster homes to keep them alive. Thanks to GAP’s efforts, pets in this small space-based shelter are rarely ever put down due to lack of space, but it becomes extremely difficult when foster homes are full and boarding is expensive.  So please consider all the foster pets in need, too, and there are a LOT!  Adopting a foster pet frees the home to take in a new shelter pet!  Please click on this link trinitygaprescue.org  for ALL pets in need— wayyyyy too many to feature on this email.”
Too many to post here, too, so we have focused on just two. Toby the Dog and Reno the Cat.
Toby the Dog (14824) has supporters. “GAP would like to let everyone know that although he is super hyper and vocal in his kennel, once you get him outside the shelter in the yard area, he is a completely different dog!  He settles down and walks well on a leash.  We believe he is potty-trained because the first thing he does when taken out is to go potty in the grass. He is such a good boy, but his first impression, except for his handsome face, is not the best one for a potential adopter.  He just needs an opportunity, but I am fearful that he is going to need a foster in order to show his wonderful personality to potential adopters.  He does get along with other dogs at the shelter.”
And that cat with the incredible pattern -- looks like the cat takes hair-dressing lessons from some of the distinguished gentlemen in the U.S. Senate.
Reno (14836)?  Reno! Great name for a cat. And Karen writes, “What a uniquely beautiful young girl!  Reno is white with black markings and could be a sibling to Lyken (left), another terrific cat waiting for a home. Reno enjoys playing, but is happiest when she is being petted or held. This sweet kitty will make the perfect lap cat, and needs to be in a home, not a cage at the shelter.  Please stop by the shelter and take her home today!”
Call the Euless shelter at 817-685-1594. It’s at 1517 Westpark Way in Euless. More info is available by emailing trinitygapclub@gmail.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: Don’t forget this. Trinity GAP Club Pet Fair & Garage Sale! Sept. 21 at Trinity High School. Garage sale starts at 8 a.m. and the Fair Starts at 10. The GAP people have lots of energy. They’re too young to know better. Thankfully.]
ABOUT SIR INKY: You see a silhouette of a grand Cocker Spaniel on this poster for the golf tournament benefiting D/FW Cocker Spaniel Rescue. That is Sir Inky. We asked and Karen Campbell of the rescue group was happy to explain Sir Inky’s role.
She wrote, “I think Inky's family would prefer to remain anonymous to the general public.
“If I do say so myself, Inky was a very cool dog!  But his roots don't exactly fit this story.  Back in the ‘90s I enjoyed showing Cocker Spaniels in conformation at dog shows.  “Over time I had 2 litters of show dogs and Inky's littermates went on to be champions.  Inky chose a different route in life and lived the most happy, long life anyone could wish for on his ranch.  Each morning he would go out on the patio with a beautiful view of the ranch and would stand there and watch for a long time, as if to ‘oversee his kingdom.’
“Inky enjoyed other animals at the ranch, but he really liked his dog friends, most especially the cockers; he would run and play and tease them until they all wore out.  His people often had guests out to the house for meetings and before long Inky began to regularly jump into the chair at the head of the table.  He would sit there, head held high, for the duration, as if he were overseeing the business at hand.  At some point someone called him Sir Inky and it stuck. He certainly lived up to that title.
“Inky's owners love animals of all kinds, but because of Inky and a few others, Cocker Spaniels hold a very special piece of their hearts.  Because of this great love and the great memories, they have chosen to support this worthy group in their love for saving Cocker Spaniels who are down on their luck. ...
“Our friends have chosen to honor the memory of Inky, their most extraordinary Cocker Spaniel, through their title sponsorship of DFWCSR's first golf tournament.  Inky was a most beautiful black Cocker Spaniel who had amazing intuition; he had a special way of touching the lives of everyone he met with his happy spirit and endearing air of nobility.  It is very fitting that his legacy touches people's lives by helping other Cocker Spaniels become happy and healthy and in turn touch their new families' lives.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Google DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue and you can see the details for the tournament -- if you can't make them out on the poster. As frequent visitors to Readlarrypowell.com know, our own Inky is a Cocker Spaniel. We endorse these dogs -- we endorse all dogs and acknowledge that Inky is my writing partner and, in Texas, gets 50 percent of all I make from writing. My musespouse Martha gets the other 50 percent.]
AN ESTATE SALE: We’re posting this one on behalf of an animal advocate who has been dealing with the loss of her dear Mom and, though nothing is easy in these situations, maybe a show of support will help. The sale is being run from Thursday through Saturday at 2733 Bonnywood Lane in Dallas -- its in Oak Cliff just south of Kiest and between Hampton and Westmoreland. Easy to find. And, of course, easy to shop. Sale hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Cash only -- but this is Oak Cliff and we do have ATMs in the assorted Zip Codes. The sale is being run by Sharon Shaw Estate Sales (www.shawestatesales.com).
Some of the sale items, furniture, milk glass, cut glass, TiaraWare, dishes, flatware, bakeware and serving pieces. There also is a Kenmore washer and a dryer and a chest-style freezer. And candles, collectibles, a vintage Singer sewing machine in wood cabinet (excellent condition from the 1950s), electronics, a console TV/stereo, lamps, tables, bedding, ladies clothing, shoes and elderly health aids (wheelchairs, walker, bath bench, etc.
For the literary minded, there are cookbooks, fiction, some first editions and 1950s-‘60s paperbacks, newspapers and “magazines of memorable events from the ‘60s through the ‘90s.
The line that got me was “more picture frames in every size than you’ve ever seen!” That would indicate this estate belonged to someone who was loved and loved the family photos.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Anybody else notice how it’s getting dark earlier? Makes me wonder when the time changes. Ah, here’s the answer. We fall back on Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m. Lord knows what time Inky, the Alarm Cocker, will wake us up. Has been in the 4’s lately. He’s either working on a novel or doing day-trading overseas. ...  The Texas Rangers. Wait ‘til next year already? ... What’s a good song for the day?  I went to an online site that lists holidays and celebrations and September 12 is not only National Day of Encouragement but National Chocolate Milkshake Day -- I don’t need that much encouragement! I’m celebratin’! And in honor of a key ingredient, here’s your SONG. 
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For Wednesday: A tight squeeze everywhere and two Cockers and some grackles...

Let’s start this Wedneday edition with something upbeat other than the fact that the sun came up.
OK, take a look at the face on this dog.
Envious aren’t you. Wish someone would put two arms around you and let you enjoy some big ol’ dawg bliss? Heck yeah. Oh, my and you know what? That dog is on death row in Rowlett. Keep reading. We’ll get to crowded Rowlett in a second. First we’re going to report on a curiosity in Garland.
That flag? Twelve years ago. It still matters. America thrives even with challenges and we are fortunate to live here.
THE SERVICE DOG: Maybe. I once wore white coat, but I wasn’t a doctor, you know? Still, maybe the dog is a service dog and not just a dog in a vest. Information is scant.
Our tipster, the animal advocate Patty Turner, sent a note explaining that this dog was “confiscated by the police -- not sure why! Suspect the owner was arrested!”
The dog is now lounging in the Garland Animal Shelter awaiting something. Maybe release, maybe the needle. The note also says, “The shelter is slammed full.”
It’s also half-price Wednesdays at Garland’s shelter. 
Of course, if the dog is on a legal hold, nothing can be done until the hold is lifted. So, this is a dog to watch.
Still, we don’t know what kind of service this service vest-wearing dog might be trained in nor do we know if the dog is chipped, but it seems most dogs that have been trained for a service have been chipped and that would lead to an organization that might want to claim the dog while it is still alive. That’s the shelter kennel card. Looks bleak. But they all do when they’re hanging on a door in a crowded-to-death kennel.
Call the shelter at 972-205-3570, punch option 2, then 4. The Abe Tuggle Shelter is at 600 Tower St. in Garland. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Couldn't someone set up a rescue group that only fosters animals confiscated by police in an arrest situation? That way if the clown never made bail, the dog wouldn't get the death penalty. Seems like an easy thing to set up.]
MORE TO HELP IN DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES: However many animals there are awaiting either freedom or the needle at Dallas Animal Services, there are always some that catch the eye of people in a position to try to help them. You’ve got to applaud the effort to make life last for these animals.
Danielle Fry, the DAS Transfer Coordinator, sent a two-story note last night -- you can’t say it’s a “two-dog note” because, obviously, there are more than two dogs.
The Boxer mix is Caesar, surrendered to DAS with his sister who was adopted. But Caesar was “very scared and would growl,” Danielle wrote. Not much of selling point -- except that in reality, Caesar “is a sweet boy. When you scratch him on his back, his lip will do the ‘Elvis lip curl’!” Danielle wrote.
He’s 3 years old, neutered, microchipped and coughing. Yep coughing -- he was started on treatments but has to be out by Wednesday. “Out” comes in 3 ways: Rescued, adopted or needled until dead. 
What might help is a pledge of $100 to help the group that pulls Caesar. 
The second dog here is a year-old, house-trained Momma with a litter of 6 pups about 5 weeks old. “She lets our kennel staff know when she needs to go out and they take her. The staff loves spending time with Momma outside; she is such a good girl.” Also a good Momma who loves being with her pups. Momma and her pups also have a $100 donation available to the saving rescue group.
That contact point is dasrescue@dallascityhall.com. 
THE CROWD IN ROWLETT: Our longtime tipster and pal Dawna Carabajal sent a note that included this staggering news: “The Rowlett shelter is overflowing again.”
I’m kidding, of course. Not staggering news. Rowlett is so close to Dallas and nestled into the eastern edge of Garland. If you’re that close to Dallas, you can guess that people who’ll dump a dog in Dallas have no problems dumping on in Garland or Rowlett -- probably depends o the price of gasoline.
Anyway, the animals in the Rowlett shelter -- dogs and cats, “are in grave danger,” Dawna’s note read. “There are no pull fees for rescue groups and adoption fees are only $25.”
And Dawna notes, “We [Friends of Rowlett Animals  and other supporters] are working so hard to try to take our shelter to No-Kill status but we cannot without the help of the community, rescue groups, and adoptions.”
As it turns out this dog with the great mug is Rosie who “is in the most danger,” Dawna says. “Word just came through that if she is not out by Monday (9/16/13), she will be put to sleep. She had a home for a little while and was a good girl but the other dog tried to beat her up so she was returned... Not her fault! She really liked him and the child and parents! She is a wonderful girl! Rosie does bond quicker with women and is picky about which men she likes. She is a large adult Pit Bull. She came in as a stray and was never reclaimed. She is heartworm negative.”
You can see Rosie’s video HERE. See more Rowlett dog’s HERE.And see Rowlett’s cats HERE.
Click on this LINK to see how to contact the Rowlett shelter.
VACCINATIONS AND FREE SPAY/NEUTER AT SPCA  CLINIC: Coming up on Sept. 15 at the SPCA’s Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at  Fair, some bargains.
The clinic is a repurposed Red Lobster in a shopping center at I-35E south and Ledbetter (across the street from the under-construction super Wal-Mart).
For this particular Saturday, you can get vaccinations at $5 each for bordetella, FVRCP, Distemper combination for dogs and cats and a rabies shot. Microchipping is $10 a critter. And there’ll be heartworm  preventative and flea control available, too. 
And, while people are getting their animals all vaccinated and pilled, they can also m”make an appointment that day for a free spay or neuter surgery at any one of the SPCA of Texas’ three DFW area spay/neuter clinics.” Make that appointment and get a free heartworm test.
This vaccination event is going to occur on the third Sunday of each month through December. It’s noon to 4 p.m. 
The SPCA say, “The SPCA of Texas is grateful to the Colleen Baggarly Fund for making this low-cost vaccination clinic possible, as well as the generous support of those who have purchased an ‘animal friendly’ Texas license plate.”
[LARRY ASIDE: How about that -- something benefiting from those Texas animal plates. Of course, the reality is you could put an animal-friendly plate on every car and pickup in the state of Texas and still not have enough money to spay and neuter all the animals going forth and multiplying in Texas because our have an overabundance of village idiots.]
I was looking for a photo to illustrate this story and I went to spca.org and clicked on the adoptables and did I ever find a winner! That happy-looking Lab is the young dog -- barely done with being a puppy -- Apple Sauce. Yes. Apple Sauce. [LARRY ASIDE: We’re not going to adopt this girl but I can tell you if we did, we’d keep that name. She looks like she’s a happy Apple Sauce. You could caller her “Ap” or “Sauce” or “Saucey” but if you were able to call her in your house, it would, indeed, be a great household. What a wonderful face.]
CONTEMPLATIONS: I went outside late in the afternoon to replenish the feral cats’ buffet and I could swear I felt a hint of autumn in the air. Took a breath without searing my lungs. ... Don’t forget to (a) help the threatened Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Shelter and don’t forget to (b) contact your favorite Dallas City Council member and the mayor to remind them to give more money to the Dallas Animal Services budget. I swear, if a city-level politician takes up the torch on that campaign, I’ll arrange to have Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, write a commemorative poem celebrating that enlightened individual -- Inky will read it at a council meeting. He’s no stranger to the podium, you know. He once appeared before the Texas Legislature in hopes of getting the state to create an organized program for highway repair. I kid TxDot and the Lege, of course. There’s bound to be some reason some highways are constantly being repaired and others are constantly not. ... Quick, name your favorite bird. I once met a man who declared that he loves grackles. He’d apparently never parked his car beneath a flock’s favorite tree. They’re not exactly songbirds, either. But, I think they will eat West Nile Mosquitoes.  If we could just get the mosquitoes to park near the grackles. There are a bunch of grackle videos on YouTube including this one from Dallas -- click HERE. Grackles are to songbirds as Joe Cocker is to the opera.  Those photos? Two distinguished Cockers, one rushing into a post concert backstage lounge and spotting a big steaming platter of Mom's High Note Meatloaf with a ladle of A Little Help From My Friends Gravy. Rock on. Save the grackles.
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Tuesday's edition: An earhound, 3-legged dogs, $20 cats, Tilly the great and an ACO with a Taser

Look, it’s Tuesday, there’s talk of war, the temp is frying pan-level and Christmas and Halloween decorations are fighting for space on shelves.
And there’s an ACO in Burns Flat, Okla., who is (a) afraid of dogs and (b) uses a TASER on them, our rescue tipster says. Grinds your teeth to think about it, doesn’t it. Read on.
TIME OUT: What do we need? Something to smile about and by now you’ve seen the latest SPCA Earhound sent to us by SPCA Communications Specialist Stephanie Daniels.
“Check out this cutie patootie that our communications coordinator, Meaghan Swan found [at the SPCA facility] in McKinney this morning![Monday] 
“Meet Seattle Slew, an adorable 2-month-old Shepherd mix who was transferred to us from another shelter. Those ears sure are something else! Enjoy!”
And enjoy we will. That is a dog with personality. And into what category does the American Earhound Registry Society place Seattle Slew? Ah, this dog is so obviously a Master of Disguise. As Stephanie nailed it, the dog is an “CutieEar PatootieEar” also known as the Dual Identity Earhound in the subcategory of the “Up ‘n’ Downer Lop ‘n’ Point.” 
Seattle Slew can be yours. Contact the SPCA at spca.org. Seriously, how can you look at that dog and not smile. 
AT THE CARROLLTON SHELTER: Last week things looked pretty dismal at Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise -- the shelter had lots of animals on the urgent list.
A check with the Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise folks Monday revealed that “because of the great rescue support we receive and the adoptions we did, we were able to hold the animals who were left from last week over until this week.  So none were euthanized last week.  Prince, Bandit, and Mocha were held over from last week and Poor Patches has gotten two reprieves this is his third week on the Urgent list, and probably his last.”
Here’s the current deal at CARE: There’s an adoption special going on through September 13 -- the whopping ten buck adoption fee is waived and so is the city registration fee for Carrollton residents. Call CARE at 972-466-3420 or email care@cityofcarrollton.com.
See the urgent list HERE.
Yep, we pitched Mocha last week and didn’t expect to see the big great face alive again. But, there he is -- saved and waiting for a home. 
The dog with the odd posture and the distinct smile is Gambit.
That lively brown dog is Patches.
And, as readers can tell, that cat is Kidders, one of many feline individuals awaiting rescue or adoption to avoid the needle.
[LARRY ASIDE: Remember, rescue people know what their mission is -- it’s the general public that holds the key to making sure animals aren’t just stored long enough to be killed. Those people have to step up and make protecting the animals a city-wide, county-wide, region-wide, state-wide practice. Bless those CARE folks for establishing a platform for rescuers and animals in need.]
TWO STORIES OF DOGS WITH LEG INJURIES: We’re batching these stories because there’s a theme: Only people can help solve these heart-breaking situations:
-- Michelle Upchurch spotted a note on Craigslist about this dog and forwarded it to Readlarrypowell.com and other pro-animal people. The sequence of notes reads:
“Black dog seen over the past few days on construction site located at the new L'Oreal facility on N. Dallas Ave (Lancaster Rd.) between Cedardale Rd and Telephone Rd. The dog is wearing a red collar. It appears to have a partially missing front leg. The bone is exposed. I don't know what else to do to help this poor animal besides contact the Dallas Animal Services. I know they will pick it up and more than likely it will end up euthanize. That is the very last thing that I want to have happen to any animal, however, I know this dog has to be in a lot of pain. Time is of the essence with it having such an awful injury. If you think this might be your dog or if you might be able to offer it any help, PLEASE CONTACT me ASAP at 214-537-4300 or by replying to this ad by email.
“P.S. - I originally posted an ad describing the dog as a small black poodle looking dog. I also stated that it is wearing a blue collar (turns out its red). I apologize for the misinformation. My co-workers out on the construction site are apparently a little confused as to what a poodle looks like! Honest mistake ;) Anyhow, I am sorry if I may have mislead anyone (particularly one very kind hearted woman who I spoke with today who was interested in helping get him medical care and a home. The poodle thing may or may not be a deal breaker.)”
Click on the link HERE.  If someone can volunteer to foster this dog, it’s possible a rescue group will capture it and get it to safety.
--This dog in Dallas Animal Services is about a year and a half old and in a fix, reported Danielle Fry, the DAS Animal Transfer Coordinator, in a plea for help Monday afternoon. “When he came to us, his leg was all wrapped up.  We found that his leg was fractured and his foot was injured.  It appeared that the make-shift cast was too tight, cutting off circulation to his foot.  We were treating him to see if his foot would get better, but it has not improved.  His foot has become necrotic and it appears that his leg will need to be removed. ... He is eating and drinking very well.  We are doing our best to manage his pain but he needs surgery that we are unable to do.”
To offer to help this dog, email dasrescue@dallascityhall.com . [LARRY ASIDE: If you miss out on helping this dog, just ask if there are any other animals that need help. This is Dallas - it never runs out of inventory.]
AN EXTRA SPECIAL CASE WITH -- GET THIS -- THREE LEGS:  We learned about Tilly the Extra Special Dog from our longtime pal and tipster and animal advocate Jan Gifford.
It’s one of those cases people run into but never expect to encounter. Jan sent us the note from Louis Ygartua of Dallas about his dog Tilly.
“We are moving to an assisted living apartment that will not allow our dog Tilly to be there.  We are very desperate to find Tilly a good home before we move in about 2 weeks.  She is either a Basenji Mix or a Red Heeler.
“We got her from a rescue group about 13 years ago when she was a year or so old.  She had a hurt leg that had to be amputated when we got her. She has no health problems otherwise. Her health records are up to date and available from Highland Park Animal Clinic 214-528-3360.  We give her Heartguard every month.  She is very protective of my wife who she shares being handicapped with.  She has snapped at people who come up and try to pet her right away but is otherwise okay with people who give her space and time to get to know her.
“She always friendly with other dogs when I walk her.  I feed her in the back yard twice a day and let her do her business then come back in.  She sleeps on our bedroom floor in her dog bed but she has a crate she gets in when we leave the house.”
Tilly -- good girl. To ask about her email Louis.ygartua@marcresearch.com .
CATS IN THE COLONY:  Patricia Barrington, the Animal Services Division Manager at The Colony sent a note that appears to be solid fact. It reads “The Colony Animal Shelter has a wonderful selection of wonderful cats and kittens awaiting adoption! Many are vaccinated and sterilized, making their adoption fee only $20.”
That’s right. Twenty bucks for an entertainment center and comforting companion.
We’ve picked two out of the bunch.
Batman is the 8-month-old kitten with the appropriate Batcoat. He’s a social fellow and as you are reading this on Tuesday is being neutered and vaccinated. You can pick him up on Wednesday.
That basic gray is Warner the Great -- “loving and gentle” and he’s going to be Batman’s suitemate at the Neuter Inn on Tuesday. That makes him a $20 cat on Wednesday.
There are more -- Google The Colony Shelter and navigate to the inventory.
To ask about any animal in the shelter, email pbarrington@thecolontyx.gov or call 972-370-9250.
MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT: Life isn’t always easy for either animals or humans in the Western Oklahoma town of Burns Flat. Our longtime tipster and the veteran rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher has run into some personal challenges lately, but she is reaching out now to get help for three dogs on a fast clock in the town shelter.
Here are three dogs in the shelter and their explanations. Terry Lynn, who has been dealing with a personal crisis, says she feels personally responsible for putting these animals at risk -- in reality we know it is the jerks who had them in the first place and broke the bond of trust.
Brutus‘ story: “Dear God, this poor boy went through hell. Our ACO, who is scared of dogs, got a call on him. He chased him, then put the dreadful catchpole on him. As he struggled, the idiot TAZED this poor boy. He went down twice, and the prong broke off in his side. I was out of town, but when my son went to the pound that day, he called me so mad. This boy was terrified. The metal prong  is still in his side, his mouth and face all bloody.
“He is NOT mean at all. He is great with my kids and grandbabies. I have seen no aggression towards the other dogs. He is NEUTERED, and knows basic commands  he is well behaved and a good boy”
Fritz’ story: “This is another one that was TAZED... Why? He is vicious. Yet when we go feed, my kids ‘dance’ with him. He stands with them on his hind legs and wraps his paws around their neck. He shows no interest in the other dogs, other than sniffing them through the gates. He is so precious but he, too, is totally out of time.”
Velvet’s story: “This baby girl is so sweet. She is about 7 months old and looks to be pure Lab. Loves the kids and all the other dogs. She cries like a human baby when we leave the pound each time. She wants out so bad. She kisses the other dogs through the gates each time she gets out of her pen. Her time is totally up this week as well. She will be killed after this week.”
And, Terry Lynn, asking that people contact her to help, reports, “We are so full. There are so many they are trying to catch. I will lose all three of them after this week. ... I can't stand the thought of them dying because of my personal problems.”
To offer to help, email remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS: About the Texas Rangers against the red hot Pittsburgh Pirates. Nice try, fellows, but style points don’t get you to the playoffs. Note to batters: Stop swinging on the first pitch. Work the pitcher, for crying out loud. Nothing quite as ugly as a walk-off out in the 9th. ... I missed my summer vacation -- since 2004 I’ve missed my summer vacation. Only time I’ve taken off in 9 years is for funerals. I must be the dumbest human in Dallas County -- and that’s going some. ... Look at the animal situation, the city budget situation, this evil serial rapist in Fair Park, the robbers, the drug dealers, the drunk drivers  now and then I find myself pretty sick of Dallasites. Wait, maybe I’m sick of Dallassians -- that’s a more fitting name, pardon my entirely accurate French. I’d blame the heat, but really it’s the rampant stupid that roams this burg.
ONE MORE NOTE: Remember to contact your City of Dallas council representative and the mayor to insist that Dallas Animal Services' get a better budget in the next fiscal year. And, for crying out loud, go to www.hsccl.org and see if you can help the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake beat a money problem brought on by a government decision in Henderson and Kaufman Counties.
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Public support sought to fight budget challenges in Dallas (just as at Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake)

City and county budgets affect the life and death of dogs and cats.
[Aside: We’re posting our Monday edition Sunday evening because it’s too important to wait. Read on.]
We mentioned the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake’s plight on Friday and we’ll follow up on it today. But shortly after HSCCL shelter manager Krista Mc Anally’s appeal arrived, we got two letters about the city budget challenge facing Dallas Animal Services.
And these letters were from two people very, very involved with DAS and its mission of saving more animals than it kills and trying not to kill any at all.
Yes, politicians and bureaucrats are going to decide by mathematics whether dogs and cats live or die.a
So what’s new about that? Nothing -- except that it is contrary to the City’s announced goal and ignores the steps made after the city’s previous shelter manager was accused of letting an escaped cat starve to death within a wall inside the shelter -- the guy beat the rap but the cat is still dead.
And Dallas is the city that appointed a no-kill task force, hired a new animal services professional who brought in people to help meet that goal and who, upon arrival, discovered that her veteran shelter staff had been dismissed and was being replaced by contract labor. Welcome to Dallas. 
DAS has taken great strides to change image, to change practices and to change results. And, yet, here’s the city tightening the budget and making an already tough situation in a don’t-care town even more difficult. [Think the city’s budget decisions don’t affect rescue groups? When budgets are squeezed, priorities change.]
You may recall that a couple of weeks ago we mentioned the City of Dallas and its budget process and how Dallas Animal Services and its big shelter face problems every time some knuckleheaded bureaucrat or politician decides a “little cut won’t hurt much.” We didn’t say in those words exactly, but that’s the essence.
What the HSCCL shelter has in common with the DAS shelter is this: Every time a government cuts a budget, animals move onto death row.
So, basically, big hearted animal people have issued appeals for help in neutralizing the disappointing attitudes of people elected by the public. The public has the obligation to remind the officials of what is important.
Since animal rescuers and animal lovers are part of the voting general public, two significant parties have distributed letters appealing for the public’s help in influencing City of Dallas councilmembers as they consider budget manipulations.
The first letter to hit the emailbox came from Elaine Munch, longtime Companion Animal Network president, member of the Dallas Companion Animal Project board and a veteran of many animal issues. She addressed her letter to “Dallas Companion Animal Project Friends & Supporters” and explained, “You are receiving this e-mail because you were a member of a MAC Member Group or a concerned Animal Advocate.”
She urged that this be read and shared.
Elaine’s letter reads, “We're down to the wire on the City budget. There's still money on the table - perhaps as much as $1 Million. Dallas Animal Services has soared to new heights these last two years - saving lives, winning awards, making our community proud. But the shelter is understaffed and seriously underfunded. How are they expected to keep moving forward without more money?
“The Dallas Animal Shelter Commission has been lobbying hard for weeks for more funding -- we need some of the $ 1Million for spay/neuter, staffing, outreach -- to save more lives and solve Dallas' pet problems. But the majority of the City Council says they're not hearing from anyone who wants more money for animals - they're hearing about bike lanes and libraries and senior centers. They're hearing about arts and culture and everything EXCEPT animals. If you live or work in the City of Dallas, stop what you are doing and call or email your City Council representative RIGHT NOW and ask for AT LEAST $ 200,000 for DAS. There's no time left. HURRY! And please keep SHARING!
“We desperately need funding right now to keep our Spay Days and Spay/Neuter Voucher program alive. The city should see the wisdom in investing money in the Spay/Neuter solution. REMIND THEM THAT ANIMAL SERVICES IS A CORE SERVICE and is disproportionately underfunded compared to other core services. ...Please speak out - money does save lives. And it can help make Dallas no-kill of adoptable and treatable animals.
Please let our leaders hear from you.
“Elaine Munch, Director
“MAC Spay/Neuter Program
:The Dallas Companion Animal Project
dallasanimals.org
www.realmenneuter.com “
Then arrived this similar note from Mary Spencer, chair of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission and involved first-hand in the challenges of getting positive attention for Dallas Animal Services. There’s some repetition, but facts are facts. She wrote, 
“To my Animal Loving Friends,
Over the last month, the entire Animal Shelter Commission has worked hard and attended everyone of the Town Hall Budget meetings to request additional funding for the animals at Dallas Animal Services.   Much like the "Friends of the Library" does each year.  We have been told there is approximately $1 million surplus money which will be distributed.  As most Dallas citizens are aware, Dallas Animal Services has soared to new heights these last two years - saving lives, winning awards and making our community proud.  The Live Release Rate is higher than ever and few adoptable animals are having to be euthanized today.
"But the shelter continues to be understaffed and seriously underfunded.  How are they expected to keep moving forward without more money?  The Commission has been lobbying hard for weeks for more funding - we need some of the $1 Million to be able to continue with Spay/Neuter, staffing, and outreach efforts to provide surgeries, food and care for low income pet owners - thus keeping additional pets out of the shelter.   All of these components are helping to save more lives and to solve Dallas' pet problems.
“Sadly, the majority of our City Council doesn't seem to care.  Many of them have said they are not hearing from anyone who wants more money for animals - they're hearing about bike lanes and libraries and senior centers.  They're hearing about arts and culture and everything EXCEPT animals.
“If you live or work in the City of Dallas, stop what you are doing and call or email your City Council representative RIGHT NOW and ask for AT LEAST $ 200,000 for DAS.
"There's no time left.  HURRY!  And please keep SHARING!  Every call or email will make a HUGE difference to stop the unnecessary killing of shelter animals in the Dallas shelter. ...
“Thank you so much.  Please forward this to everyone you know and ask them to just send a short note requesting for additional funds for DAS!  Your email will save many lives!
“Mary Spencer
“Dallas Animal Shelter Commission Chair
"SPCA of Texas Board Member
“Dallas Companion Animal Project  Board Member
“Dallas Arboretum Board Member”
What you’ll need to know, of course, is who your council representative is. You can determine that by going to this link:
http://www.dalcoelections.org/findprecinct.asp 

See how to email your council member here:
http://dallascityhall.com/government/council/contact_mcc.html

Make a call to your council rep. This link takes you to the phone list:

http://dallascityhall.com/pdf/mcc/mayor-cm_phone-list.pdf

You may recall that the City of Dallas has been the site of some horrendously awful animal abuse: Justice the Dog, for example. And there are other cases of starvation, tethering, hoarding, etc. All of these cases require investigation and investigation takes money. You can’t put the bad guys in the slammer if you don’t have the evidence.
We could go on an on about the things DAS needs money for - instead we’ll simply post these animal photos and a poster about the vaccinations at the shelter.
Without proper funding, an animal shelter becomes an animal warehouse -- a place unwanted animals are stored until they can be killed.
It’s part of the City of Dallas ELECTED officials buying into the old Texas style of animal management: Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.
IN SUMMATION: Contact your Dallas Councilman and the Mayor. And don’t forget to read about the threat to the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake. You can scroll down and read Shelter Manager Krista Mc Anally’s explanation or you can go to www.hsccl.org and make a donation to stave off the threat of killing 150 animals because of a lack of government support.  [That handsome fellow is Homeer, currently awaiting for either a home or the needle of death at the HSCCL shelter. He’s not along. And he needs more human support.]
CONTEMPLATION:  What about those photographs? The Earhounds are in the City of Dallas shelter. That brown dog with the big ears came in Saturday after being struck by a car at West Davis and Cockrell Hill -- it’s an area where people traditionally let their dogs run free. It’s one of the spay-neuter focus areas, too.
That multi-colored Earhound is Max -- surrendered by his owners because they couldn’t care for him. He’s on the DAS Facebook page. 
And that dog who looks as if she might be kin to Yoda from Star Wars is Ginger -- she’s been in the shelter since August and nobody wants the little terrier-whatever mix. No idea what star system she’s from but she deserves a break in Dallas.
Why did I pick that cat? Never seen a cat named “Beans” before. Kind of an admirable name for a cat -- got a pink nose, a championship set of whiskers and a distinct name. Doesn’t have a home.
You know the drill -- go to www.dallasanimalservices.org and navigate to the adoptables or get up and drive to the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland while it can still afford to keep the doors open. Good grief. This is the City of Dallas. When they say “BIG THINGS HAPPEN HERE,” they don’t mean “BIG STUPID THINGS HAPPEN HERE,” do they?
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