ReadLarryPowell.com

From therapy, to cool, including a freezer and a dog on a countdown...

DATELINE: Dallas Land of a Thousand Questions and No Straight Answer That Doesn’t Involve Road Construction, Texas (April 30, PetPowellPress) -- As we type the text for this Wednesday edition, it is difficult to grasp that this is the last day of April. Next month come the high school graduations -- kids who weren’t even old enough to spend the night alone 4 football seasons ago are about to be launched into a fascinating, challenging world of puzzles and triumphs.
Oh, to be able to do it all over again! And now that Readlarrypowell has set off daydreams while having a discussion with our staff therapist, Dr. Inky der Shrinkenpup, we’ll continue with a few tales of critters and a freezer. Oh, yes, Dr. Inky is a practioner of the Red Nose Therapy in which the nose becomes a visual instrument to help the patient focus. After a few minutes, you simply cannot avoid focusing on the nose and that allows you to throw off the burden of daydreaming and simply begin asking key questions such as, "Wonder if I could get away with wearing one of those noses when I'm out in public?" [My funspouse Martha asks from across the room, "Do they make those noses big enough to fit yours?" See, already I'm focusing.]
IT IS THE HUMAN CONDITION
Karen Lee, the animal advocate, tipped us to this story on the CLASP Facebook site. CLASP is Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets, only this dog isn’t in a shelter yet, so I guess it is Cowtown Loves Animals Pre-Shelter, or CLAPS.
Here’s the deal -- this is a 14 1/2-year-old Heeler type who is named Sweat Pea. The summary by Karen reads, “She is heading to the shelter on May 1” -- unless she gets a foster or a new home, so, looking at the calendar we see that this is urgent.
The dog’s human explains, “I need to find a home for my dog. We have had to move into an apartment and my son was able to take her nut now his job is moving and he no longer can keep her. ... She ... was born Sept. 25, 1999. She weighs 60 pounds and is very sweet. Is used to my two Frenchies and two cats. The one thing that is a must is she needs a place where she can be allowed to come inside . She had a bed in my utility room and she is very used to that. She takes medicine for her bladder, also joint medicine. I would be willing to continue to buy her meds. Aledo Vet Clinic has all her records. I am at my wit's end because I cannot find a place for her. I would appreciate any help you could give me. My son has to be out of his place by 1 May.”
To ask about helping Sweet Pea, call 817-304-4538.
THE GIFT OF THE FREEZER
Back last last year, when the air was cold and we were all sluggish from holiday treats, A Different Breed issued an appeal for a freezer to help with food storage at the ADB sanctuary in near but remote Desert, Texas, in Collin County.
About the third time we repeated the appeal, There was a dynamic “We’ll do it!” from Ann and Danny Pote. They donated $500 for the freezer.
It took some work to get it installed -- electricity never works the way you want it to, nothing is ever as simple as it seems at the outset. But now, the freezer is in and running and filled. When ADB’s Dinesha Schmidt sent me a copy of the thank-you note, she went beyond thanking Danny and Ann.
I figured this out. It takes a village to feed a sanctuary!
Here’s the list in addition to Danny and Ann,according to Dinesha:
“Kate and Viktor Nersesov for the food from a Russian restaurant unsold at the end of the day -- the dogs love their chicken!
“Harlow’s Exxon station for unsold food at the end of the day.
“All the people who pledged on the Smith County dogs and saved tons and tons of dogs who otherwise would have lost their lives.
“Carl Roach for donations for vehicle repairs - a vehicle belonging to an individual rescuer who is not a 501 and does not have access to fund-raising.
“Ute.S.Queen for transporting the Smith county dogs from Terrell to our place, or her place so she can take them to the SPCA the next morning...
“And all the volunteers who show up at adoption drives or at the sanctuary to give the dogs some much needed attention and play time and a walk along the county road!”
So, you see, the running of a shelter involves more than picking up dogs, doing some paperwork, getting them adopted and doing some more paperwork.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Second weirdest story going these days is the one involving the Fort Worth animal clinic and a dog or dogs “kept”  as transfusion donors after their owners thought the animals had been euthanized. The Channel 8 version of the story is HERE. The weirdest story continues to be that owner of the LA Clippers who managed to keep the team for years even though the world around him knew he was a racist cad. ... George Clooney to wed? What will be the next big Hollywood news? They’re remaking Hudson Hawk with Texas-born Ethan Hawke in the lead? Life is strange, but not that strange. ... A bunch of us were playing a game, call it Cool People I Have Met, and I came up with Tony Bennett and B.B. King.  I could have won the game if the rules had included critters. I once had lunch with Benji and I met the German Shepherd who starred in K-9 with Jim Belushi. Cool dogs. Cool isn’t restricted to people. Or dogs, either. Though cats are so cool they just won’t get involved.
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On Tuesday, some animal notes and musical notes...

DATELINE: DALLAS Which Has Lots of Empty Land But Toyota Went To Plano Instead, Texas (April 28, PetPowellPress) -- OK, let’s just say congratulations to Plano for getting that big deal worked out with Toyota USA to bring thousands of jobs to town.
And, of course, Dallas can use that available open space to host the Olympics (we're sure to get the summer games once that freeway through the flood plain is completed) or, perhaps in the style of Dallas, build a spaceport. If only we’d gotten  those plastic bags out of the trees quicker.  If only the Dallas school system had ...well, let’s move on and help some people who are helping animals.
That dog in the photo is not a Rottie. Read on.

MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON
The Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise folks work so hard to save so many animals and one of the reasons is they actually have so many animals! The latest note from care begins, “Still lots of great animals on this week’s Urgent List; we need your help to find them a home and/or a rescue.”
We’re spotlighting just two. There’s that wandering Chihuahua in the photo above. And there’s this Russian Blue cat to the right. 

See more of them on the CARE Facebook urgent page HERE. They have until 6 p.m. today. That’s right. Not much time. Click on their art to make it larger. To offer to help them, call 972-466-3420 or email [email protected].

Bless their hearts -- those of the beasts and the CAREtakers, to coin a term for Carrollton. There is already too much death on this planet.
AMONG TOPICS SHOWING UP IN OUR EMAIL TODAY
Concerns about adequately -- aggressively -- publicizing animals in a tight spot at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. ... Concerns about the way WalMart is displaying Betta fish at a North Texas store. (Longtime nationwide concern, as I recall from previous emails and stories across the country!)... Don’t forget that the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers’ Animal Welfare Committee is presenting a one-hour course, Advocating on Behalf of Animals, at noon Wednesday at The Belo Mansion in Dallas. Free event. Lunch is optional -- great salad selections at the mansion, just fyi. RSVP to [email protected]. You don’t have to be a lawyer and if you aren’t maybe this will help you understand how the law works and how lawyers work and how lawyers who work in animal law face an uphill battle every time they try to protect animal rights. Repeat after me: “Good grief I hope the judge is an animal fan.” Might have been uttered a time or two in a hearing. ... A note from a rescuer tells us the pendulum has begun to swing in Ferris, south of Dallas. The city that once tossed out a devoted animal control officer and had a police chief who advocated shooting strays, is again working on being decent to animals in the shelter and promoting adoption and rescue. More to come on that development. Feel free to comment.

RABIES WARNING

Perhaps you saw the story on KDFW (Channel 4)  about a kid in Farmers Branch being bitten by a rabid skunk.   Once again we remind people of the importance of getting their animals vaccinated, especially here in Rabies Alley in North Texas. Farmers Branch, despite its name, is not rural. It is citified.  Skunks, bats -- they’ll all wander into your yard and they are notorious carriers of rabies. Go to the Texas Zoonosis site and read all about it. And remember that every weekend around here someone is holding a low-cost or maybe even no-cost rabies clinic. This is serious business.  Rabies is fatal -- unless you’re lucky enough to start the treatments in time. (LARRY ASIDE: People do show up for the rabies vaccination opportunities with their animals -- go to the DAS Facebook page and scroll down to the Beckley-Saner Rec Center event. Big crowd.)
CONTEMPLATIONS: It’s “Walk Around The Rottie Day” at Readlarrypowell.com. Earl has decided he wants to sleep with his backside in the living room and his front in the den, so to get to the kitchen, our favorite room,, Inky the Shadow Spaniel and I have to hike around him or climb over him. For a dog dumped in a park, Earl has adjusted quite well to owning a home in Dallas. ... Discuss: It is entirely appropriate to stop typing long enough to hold the cat that just jumped from the floor to your lap and mewed gently in your face. (A tip o’ the cat hat to Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson for this inspiration.) ... Just for fun, here is something thoroughly entertaining sent to us by veteran animal advocate Val Laughton. Usually we get an appeal for an animal in need, but, this time we got a great bit of entertainment and it doesn’t have a dog or cat in it! Just four sensational musicians. Click HERE and relax with a smile. 

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On a Monday in April...

Dear readers, we’re beginning our Monday edition with a tough revelation. My little brother, the 6-4, big-hearted giant known by families and friends as Uncle Garry, died Sunday at his home in the community of Branch on Lake Lavon.
Cancer beat on him for nearly four years until finally he glared at Big C and said, “I’ve got one more way to whip you” and he did it. He’s gone on and left cancer behind.
More today in Contemplations. He would want us to help some animals -- he'd help them. For years he and his wife Brenita had two dogs, Tuffy and Lady, and for fun he built them a two-story dog house. Yep, that's an animal fan.

MILLY STEPS UP
This little girl was a stray in Everman, reports our Everman shelter tipster Heather Harrison.
But she became much more than that. “Momma Milly is an amazing girl!” Heather writes. “She was a stray, unfortunately when she was caught her older babies were not!  However, 3 orphan babies came into the shelter, which she gladly took in.  She is now nursing & loving them as her own.   This adorable family is in need of immediate rescue! 

“The shelter currently is holding 17 cats, FAR over the limit!”
To offer to help the cats and critters at Everman, email [email protected] or call 309-299-5665.
A ROTTIE NEEDING A NEW HOME
Heather also sent this note about a dog currently in a home in Burleson. [Larry aside: Readlarrypowell.com endorses Rotties based on our relationship with the dumped-in-a-Dallas park Rottie called Earl but officially known as Texas Earl the Cheeseman for no particular reason. He’s a splendid companion.]
Rouge is this 2-year-old female Rottie. According to Heather’s note, she’s a “very sweet, outgoing girl.  She loves everyone that she meets & will smother you with kisses.  She loves to play out in the yard, throw her toys around, and wrestle with the others.   She does best with other male dogs, as she likes to be the boss. House-trained, leash- & crate-trained.”
Drawback? Heartworm positive. Easy to fix with patience and vet care.
Deadline of June 1 to get her into a new home. Email [email protected] or call 309-299-5665.
MEANWHILE AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES

Sassy is officially A570591. She is among many, many cats at Dallas Animal Services that need some help finding a homes or rescue groups.
A note sent by DAS Transfer Coordinator Danielle Fry reads, “This pretty girl is Sassy.  Sassy is about 14 years old and was surrendered by her owner because of allergies.  Sassy is a sweet girl and will allow me to pet her on the head.  When she first came here she would hide in her box, but she is starting to come out and seek attention.  She is not the most affectionate kitty yet but at 14 who can blame her .”
Email [email protected].
Fourteen years and allergies pop up? Surely there’s more to that story. Doesn’t matter though, the cat needs a safe place to go.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Garry’s wife, our wonderful sister-in-law Brenita, and our son, Bart, were sitting with Garry and, as he slept, they were swapping tales of his adventures and life when he quietly left. The last things he heard were laughter from the woman he loved and one of the nephews he adored. We should all hope the last things we hear are people enjoying the laughter we’ve inspired in their lives. 
You see that dog in the pick up with me at the top of this page? That’s his dog, Calamity.  She was a neighborhood stray that it took me nearly two years to catch. Only reason we got her was she had puppies under a storage shed down the street 10 years ago. Garry took Calamity and Martha and I kept one pup, Annie, and found homes (thanks to East Lake Pet Orphanage) for the others. There are many more facets to Garry than “critter fan” and “adoring, hijinx-prone uncle” and “totally dedicated, enraptured husband.” 
Some people knew him as “Uncle Garry” because they were friends of our twins, Bret and Bart. Some knew him as a hard-working, horse-trader. Some knew him as a fisherman. And some knew him a the guy who built stuff with his hands -- he won several State Fair  of Texas Arts and Craft Show ribbons, including a “Best of Show” ribbon with a wooden train being ridden by Big Tex.
One year, after the Fair, I had to go to Fair Park to pick up his winning entry. He couldn’t go because he was in Chicago donating stem cells to our brother Barry, stricken with leukemia. As Barry told me in a phone call, “You’re off the hook. Garry won the donor match derby.”
My two little brothers worked hard together to help Barry beat leukemia, but, in the end, nature triumphed over science. And now, my brothers are together again. Heaven is a little louder -- probably a lot louder -- today. And Pop is going “Shssh, boys! Hold it down. Some of us are trying to nap.”

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Sleeping, waking, planning, working, enjoying -- it's a rescuer's life...

In honor of our long week of computer difficulties, we’re spotlighting a very calm couch in this weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
My certified computer adjustment specialist and husband-lecturer Martha is stretched out reading something on her iPad and the former starving, limping Dallas street dog Porche Noel is sacked out on a big couch cushion behind her. How often does a fellow catch two of his favorite souls in a comfy situation?
Porche likes that spot. She nods off there every day while watching me type -- could be watching me while I'm writing, but I’ve read some of it and it’s mostly typing, to borrow from Truman Capote.
Check below to see assorted upcoming events.
[REMEMBER, NOMINATE YOUR SLEEPING CRITTERS for our i by sending photos and information to [email protected]. We publish these photos to give hope to insomniacs, some of whom will no doubt be trying to balance on the back of a couch and grab some Zzzzs this weekend.]

THINGS TO NOTE
That pair in the crown? Models for this year’s Wine on the Roof artwork. East Lake Pet Orphanage is hosting its 13th annual Wine on the Roof at 7 pm. Saturday, May 3. You can see a video and you can navigate to adoptable animals and tickets to the rooftop fun at www.elpo.org. ELPO is at 10101 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas.
PETS FOR LIFE and DALLAS COMPANION ANIMAL PROJECT are hosting a comprehensive event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Beckley Saner Community Center, 114 W. Hobson, in Dallas. The event includes “Community outreach and companion animal welfare education, free vaccinations, free spay/neuters, rabies and micro-chipping for residents of District 4 in select areas of zip codes 75224 and 75216.” [LARRY ASIDE: My pals Jonnie England and Urban Animal publisher/editor/braintrust once worked for months to rescue a dog down the street from that center -- the famous Church Lady. Not the only dog rescued from Zip Code 75224, right Porche Noel? As a resident and periodic rescuer in those two Zip Cods, I can testify that animals in 75224 and 75216 are relentlessly fertile.]
And here are some more events to note. You mingle with humans and support animals. Click on the art to make it larger -- and readable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONE MORE THING: Remind people who don’t yet know that they want a dog or cat that when they adopt one from a shelter or from a rescue group, they are saving lives. It’s a noble thing to do.
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Back and spotlighting some critters...

DATELINE: DALLAS Where Downtown Is Soaring And Residents Walk Their Dogs With Pride, Texas (Friday, April 25, PetPowellPress) -- Hello, Friday!  Hopefully our long, national website platform nightmare is over and Typepad is safe from villains. Hopefully, when you clicked on readlarrypowell.com today it popped up as quickly as the IRS after you won the lottery.
The post-national attack problem, Typepad told us finally, was a bit of malfunctioning java script (whatever that is) in the animal adoption links that used to be on the right side of this page. It’s all related -- bad guys and bad script.
We’re working on restoring the listings without the fouled script. When I say “we,” of course I mean my technofunspouse Martha. She’s the brains of the outfit and I’m smart enough to know it. [That is our staff impersonator Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, giving us his impression of the federal prosecutor who will take after the computer disruption villains and throw them so far into the slammer that daylight will forever be just a memory.]

Now, let’s see what’s in the mailbag.
RAIDER NEEDS A HOME
This arrived during our outage and I like to think this dog Raider is reacting to a computer outage in a mature fashion. Nap while someone else fixes it.
After the outage, tipster Desiree Britt wrote, “I'm resending this because he is still looking for his fur-ever home. He is not my dog so questions that are not answered below need to go to [email protected].” That’s also the contact point to ask about taking Raider into your heart. He’s currently living in Forney, east of Dallas.
His story: “Raider is housebroken, UTD on vaccines, neutered, microchipped, great with kids, and he gets along with our other dogs (so I assume he gets along with other animals. (I mean he barks at the dog across the fence, but I think that's just being territorial).  He is about 7-8 months old, very affectionate and loves snuggling; he loves playing ball and running like most puppies. Raider IS an inside dog.”
[LARRY ASIDE: He’s obviously couch-trained with an understanding of beneficial application of pillows.]

MUGSHOT OF A MANGE VICTIM

This is Eeyore. This also isn’t what he should look like.
But he’s been savaged by a “severe case of Demodex Mange as well as intestinal parasites,” according to the folks with Mazie’s Mission Rescue Veterinary Clinic in Frisco. That’s the clinic set up by Mazie’s Mission founder Dr. Erin Shults.
A report from Mazie’s Mission -- an appeal for financial help with the expense of treatment -- reads, “He is safe in the arms of a Mazie's Mission foster, but he needs your help with his medical issues, so he can get back to being the handsome fella we know he is.”
Link to the funding effort HERE. 
The clinic is at 307 Main St. in Frisco, Zip 75034. And you can call it at 214-436-4591 or contact the clinic by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Remember, Masie’s Mission has it’s B.A.R.C. Gala coming up on May 10 -- money goes to help fuel the clinic. Mazie’smission.org is the place to get tickets.
[LARRY ASIDE: This guy will eventually have a proper coat. Mange is reversible. We know because our own luxuriously-coated Inky once had hair on only one ear! Of course, it isn’t a crime to have a dog with mange -- it is, however, a crime to abandon a dog with mange and probably a sin to let this happen to a dog. This may be a good time to start marketing our Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Fours of Enlightenment. Complete with user’s manual.]

REGAN’S AVAILABLE
We got the tip on Regan the Dog from Karen Lee, the animal advocate and tireless supporter of the Trinity Girls Awareness Program, the famous GAP Club of Euless Trinity High School.

She writes, “Trinity GAP does not let any Euless shelter pets go down without a fight and we are working hard to save Regan. He has been pulled from the Euless shelter and is in boarding BUT this is less than ideal for him. He is kenneled for far too long and has too much energy for this situation to continue. It is detrimental to his mental health and he is growing more and more depressed – plus, he is bursting with energy. If he can't find a foster or a home VERY soon, a tough decision will have to be made.”
His adoption fee is $100. With that you get the great dog and “a training course for his new owner (or foster) by Juan, the host of PawTalk Radio who is also a dog trainer and dog behaviorist extraordinaire!!!    Juan will give Regan’s adopter an in-home training session on how to walk Regan and keep his energy level under control.  This is easily a $400-500 offer!!!    “Also, GAP’s amazing resident dog trainer, Ray, will help with introductions and will also work with anyone adopting or fostering Regan who lives within the Euless area. So we have 2 GREAT trainers willing to help!!!   We will also loan you a wire kennel if you need it! Regan is neutered, vaccinated and heartworm negative!”
Every person who has worked with Regan praises him. And, Karen’s note included this story about Regan and GAP Club Sponsor Steffenie Vela of Euless Trinity. “GAP Sponsor Steffenie was walking him the other day and fell in a hole (don't laugh!). Regan stopped, didn't run or pull, and came back to her immediately and started licking her face to make it all better.”
Regan, who weighs in at 70 total mutt pounds, is #14885. To audition to adopt this dog or to foster him and help him out, email [email protected].

WONDERING: Read this all the way through before you jump to an unpleasant conclusion about officers of the law and animals. Should there be a way to help peace officers understand how to handle situations involving dogs? Help officers avoid unpleasant situations such as this one in Rains County as reported by Fox 4 in Dallas? Click HERE.

Awful situation. Needless. Heck, there may already be seminars on this topic. Look, anyone whose been around rescue can tell you that many, many officers are rescuers themselves. They probably know officers who could use some sensitivity training -- heck, we know rescuers who need sensitivity training when it comes to dealing with people! Truth is, you don't have to look all that hard to find officers going the extra mile to protect animals, to help them get away from cads. Remember that. Bless those police officers, deputies, troopers, marshals, constables, etc. -- they not ony have to deal with animal situations, they have to deal with people situations and who makes enough money to deal with people on a daily basis! 
CONTEMPLATIONS: Now and then I’m moved to echo the most famous quote from Los Angeles’ police beating victim Rodney King. "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?" You could post those billboards from Dallas to Ukraine and people would still find a reason to be unpleasant to each other. And I’m not even mentioning the Buffalo Jills cheerleaders. ... It’s a pretty world in springtime. Our wisteria was skimpy with blossoms this year, but the front yard weeds are vibrant! ... How about some music from Sir Paul, an old Elvis number. Click HERE. 

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Update and opportunities...

If this works and anyone can read it, Dallas Animal Services needs help with bottle-baby kittens (in addition to yesterday's baby-bottle puppies.) Also, the earless dog we wrote about last week still needs a helping human; Arthur the Bad-Leg Dog is in the care of Paws In The City. And Typepad is still working to set things right with its customers. More to come sooner than later, we hope.
To comment, click below.  Maybe. Depends on Typepad. FYI: If you Google news stories on Typepad, you'll see that the outage affected folks from little ol' Readlarrypowell.com to the great big Chicago Tribune. And you'll see that the FBI is in pursuit of the villain or villains who created this outage and tried to extort money from Typepad. If the villain or villains is in Dallas and convicted, we will proudly contribute a sturdy Two-by-Four of Enlightenment to the punishment phase of the trial.

A NOTE ABOUT OUR SITE, TYPEPAD

In recent days Typepad, the platform that hosts Readlarrypowell.com, has experienced some difficulties due to some kind of "attack." The Typepad people say they've solved the problem.
Please click on comments below and let us know if you're having trouble getting to see all of Readlarrypowell.com.  Remember, we're dealing with lives here -- saving the animals and helping people find happiness in their lives. That's our mission -- writing animals into the hearts of people.
Thanks,
Larry

A mid-week collection and topics...

DATELINE: DALLAS where if a road isn’t under construction, it’s not going anywhere, Texas (Wednesday, April 23, PetPowellPress) -- This town ought to declare a moratorium on rush-hour wrecks and construction for about 2 years -- long enough to let people see what it’s like to drive without threats. Having mentioned the impossible, we move on to the do-able challenges.
BOTTLE BABIES
The note arrived after sundown Tuesday -- or thereabouts. Late in the day. Animals don’t really operate on the clock unless they’re being fed. Coincidentally, these three were the topic of a note about feeding.
Danielle Fry, the Animal Transfer Coordinator at Dallas Animal Services, sent the plea:
“Three little babies at Dallas Animal Services need transfer.  These 3 little puppies were found in an abandoned, burnt-out apartment complex.  Our officers asked around the neighborhood and asked the owners of the complex, [but] no mom had been seen.  The pups had been cared for and appear pretty healthy.  They have not had much human contact but we have been working on that.  They are about 3 weeks old.  Their teeth are starting to poke through.  At this point they will try to lap up milk, they don’t understand eating canned food, and are not used to the bottle. 

“We do not have the staff to care for them.  They need a patient loving person who can get them used to people.  Luckily with little ones like this, a little warm milk will do wonders!”
This is a situation for a rescue group -- then, in about five weeks, it’ll be a situation for adoptors. To offer to help, email [email protected].   

FROM CARROLLTON

This note came Tuesday evening -- we featured many of these unwanted animals Tuesday morning. Adorable adoptables.
The note from Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise reads, “It is almost 6 p.m. here and we have had no tags, or offers to take any of the dogs on this week’s Urgent list. We are full this week and will not be able to extend anyone’s time with us.”
8 A.M. Wednesday. That was the latest tag time. We posted the info about these animals Tuesday morning. Would have posted late last night but our international server was down. For hours. It’s up now. This info was on Facebook sites and in inboxes all over North Texas. We’ll try to get a count later on how many made it.

Click HERE  to see animals that could have been saved.

PUPPIES? BUT WHAT ABOUT SPAY/NEUTER?

Yeah, DAS has a bunch of puppies, but Dallas hasn’t cornered the market on fertile dogs. Consider these from Everman, 5-week-old Chihuahua mixes.

OUR tipster, the Everman shelter volunteer Heather Harrison, says, “They are both very sweet, but terrified at the pound.  Were surrendered today [Tuesday].  Both were dewormed today, no vaccines yet.  Need to get to safety!”
To help them, email Heather at [email protected] or call 309-299-5665.
FOR YOUR SPCA PLANNING PURPOSES
The SPCA of Texas has a low-cost pet-vaccination mobile clinic scheduled from  8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Jubilee Park Resource Center, 907 S. Carroll Ave. Vaccinations are $5 each for rabies, distemper combo for dogs and cats and bordetella. Microchipping is $15.  And if your critter needs to be spayed or neutered, I’ll bet they can even tell you how to take advantage of some of the Big Fix For Big D deals. Or other programs.
CONTEMPLATIONS -- We’re just going to throw out some topics for contemplations. Fishing. Mountains. Dallas. Cowtown. Cowboys. Cowgirls. Jeans. Nachos. Margaritas. Margaritaville. Terlingua. Alpine. Tequila. Lakes. Drought. Stumps. Boats. Biscuits. Morning. Nightfall. Stars. Radio. Baseball. Rangers. Victory. Coast. Hardball. Millions. Game. Writers. Poverty. [LARRY ASIDE: OK. That’s enough to think about and, if we stacked the words on top of each other, no doubt some critic on public radio would declare “magnificent Japanese-style thought-poem.” Teasing.]
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From faces to a musical express...

DATELINE: DALLAS A Curiously Interesting Town, Texas (Tuesday, April 22, PetPowellPress) -- Monday was a wonderful spring day here -- a little stormy in areas, but not so bad. Rain gets the pollen out of the air -- maybe it suppresses the particulate matter, too. Bits of tire, asphalt, plastic bags, paper bags, etc. All that aside, let’s move along without fear of snow.
AT THE COLONY
Over the weekend we spotlighted a former resident of The Colony Animal Shelter. And -- get this -- they still have animals for adoption there.
Among them are these three. Amazing faces.
And how about the eyeliner used to outline that cat’s ears. Surely that sort of skilled outlining cannot occur anywhere but in the driver’s seat of a car on a freeway headed into downtown Dallas -- not that anybody has ever put their makeup on during rush hour, right?

Canelo is that wonderfully sad face. Prince us the obvious earhound.
And Dallas is that great cat.
These photos are of animals that are among several adoptables available at The Colony Animal Shelter. The appeal was sent to us by our longtime reliable source Patricia Barrington, the Animal Control Division Manager.
For more information, contact TCAS at 972.370.9250 or stop by the shelter at 4720 E. Lake Highlands. You can also email [email protected] 

ANOTHER FANTASTIC FACE

The noted animal advocate Jonnie England forwarded a note about the Sherman Animal Shelter -- crowded with adorable, thoroughly adoptable dogs. Probably 20 were on the note, but they’re all available to see on Sherman’s PetFinder listings, so I’m just going to photos on this fantastic face. That is Rosie, a Lab mix of some kind. She’s an adult, but, boy is that a face with a character actor’s countenance.
The Sherman PetFinder list is HERE. To ask about this dog or any Sherman critter, email [email protected] or call 903-892-7255. 

MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON
The Monday note from Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise pinponts three dogs and a bit of desperation.
It reads, “Okay folks,  we needs some help with these great dogs, especially Lucy and Lady, who have been on the urgent list for several weeks, and Dino, who is on his second time around. To help out we are offering free spay/neuter vouchers to any rescue who pulls them. The voucher can be used at any veterinarian and is worth $50 off of the cost to spay or neuter the animal.”
Adopt animals from the Carrollton shelter and you open cages for animals that can only be released to rescue groups because of their “breed.” Contact Carrollton /animal Rescue Enterprise at 972-466-3420 or email [email protected].
These animals asre on the clock for 6 p.m. Tuesday -- Tuesday the 22nd. Today. The only things standing between them and the needles are human hearts.

 

ONE FROM EVERMAN

Everman Animal Shelter tipster Heather Harrison forwards this fellow Loki. He’s a 9-month-old Scottie/Poodle mix. “Very sweet and well-mannered guy,” she writes. “Great with other dogs and cats. Loves to cuddle. Housebroken. Leash-trained.”
To ask about the well-mannered guy named after the character some regard as the Norse god of mischief, email [email protected] or call 309--299-5665.

 THE LEGAL QUESTIONS...

I’ve been writing about these DAYL folks for years and years -- and they’ve been helping animals for years and years. You may have run into them. [LARRY ASIDE: We ran into Shelby Bobosky, one of our longtime contacts, earlier this year when Mazie’s Mission opened its rescue animal vet clinic in Frisco and hosted an open house. Lots of conversation about the fun side of people and critters. That’s the thing all who do rescue should remember -- there is a fun side to animals and people. Fun, dear, enjoyable and worth the fight!]
Click on that artwork to make it larger.
WHAT'S THE STORY ON YOUR DOG?

Ask ART...

CONTEMPLATIONS: It’s good to see attorneys becoming acquainted with animal law -- that means that more and more people are taking it seriously. And, of course, I’m all for lawyers trying to get the IRS to designate animals as dependents. ... Lindsay Lohan has gotten so much ink lately, I’ve nearly forgotten about Charlie Sheen. .... And now, against the protest of my funspouse Martha who says, “Honey, move into this century every once in a while,” I offer you this upbeat ride. Which reminds me, there was so much rain and sogginess in Dallas at that live outdoor music festival during the Final Four, I don’t know why someone hasn’t created a Woodstock style poster and labeled the event “Three Days of Peace & Mud.” Someone from this century will get that joke, surely.

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A Monday smile, opportunities and 'Sideshow Love'

DATELINE DALLAS Where Some Things Just Make You Smile, Texas (Monday, April 21 PetPowellPress) -- Seriously, is that not an adorably funny photo?
If you caught our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & napping Cats Nap, you saw this dog Dougie in a sleeping mode.
After we went to press with that, Dougie’s human, Jan Marie Goode, sent a thank-you note and included this photo of Dougie dressed for hoppin’ down the bunny trail.
You have to ask yourself, “Can I steal this image and make a million bucks with a cartoon character modeled after Dougie?”
Well, you don’t have to ask that, but you might wonder how such a cute guy in rabbit ears can avoid being the star of some kind of TV show. I mean, geez, Monk is out of production, Psyche has ended its run -- got to be a place for Dougie, Master of Disguise. And, besides, on a post-holiday weekend Monday morning, you need something to smile about and Dougie is the little man!

ASSORTED NOTES FOR A MONDAY

Monique Voelker is still trying to hustle a home for this dog Midori. We’ve mentioned her before. Monique sent us some “excerpts of an evaluation of her behavior done over the weekend by a volunteer/dog-trainer.”
Here may be the key sentence. “I think she is highly rehab-able with good leadership and ideally in a foster home and not in a shelter.” 

Here’s the challenge: “She was clearly very needy and had no sense of boundaries. I walked her, she was very open to feedback, re: walking with a loose leash, etc., an did not exhibit any other notable bad behaviors.” Bottom line, in my opinion, Midori is a VERY insecure dog, and not well-socialized around other dogs. I have worked with other dogs that exhibited almost identical behavior, and their aggression towards other dogs began to subside as soon as they were placed in a home and got regular attention and guidance.”
Patience is the key. Human patience with a dog betrayed by some human somewhere.
You may recall that Monique found this 2-year-old, 40-pound girl in the Dallas Design District a couple of weeks ago. If you are a kind enough person to help this dog find a good home, email [email protected] or call 214-601-2345.
The Triple Me Mac Equine Sanctuary at Bulverde, Texas, way south of the metrosprawl down near Spring Branch,  is hosting a seminar called “Healing Horses; Mind. Body. Spirit” from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday (April 26). It’s part of ASPCA National Help-a-Horse Day. the subjects are “Equine Massage,” “Healthy Hooves” and “Equine Thermography” which is a “non-invasive Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging” technique that helps pinpoint pain. Seminar is $35 a person. Click HERE to get more info or register.
[LARRY ASIDE: This has nothing to do with that seminar. I haven’t been on a horse in 40 years -- shameful for a native Texan, but good for the horse’s back. There is, however, something wonderful about being near a horse -- it’s like their hearts are big enough to notice before you see anything else. The other thing is a horse’s back is a lot higher off the ground that you thought it would be when you were shoving your foot into the stirrup and pulling your big backside into the saddle. Ah, but the ride is a joy. Taking care of a horse is a lot more difficult than taking care of a cat -- ever try to saddle a cat? Moving along, horses, like cats, ought to be loved every step of the way. I was feeling wistful and decided to run a photo of a real Texan with a beloved horse -- that’s Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, with Champion. I mention Champ for the benefit of those who think the only ride Gene was ever concerned about was a red-nosed reindeer. Gene Autry may be the richest man from Tioga, Texas, who ever sat on a horse! Maybe sitting on a horse and thinking about things is a good way to plot a future. If so, I’m way behind on thinkin’, buckaroos.]

Meanwhile from Out At The Lake, we get a couple of notes from our reliable tipster Sydney Busch of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. One has to do with recyling -- and, heck, so does the other one, as it turns out!
First, the volunteer who has been picking up recyclables at the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake Spay/Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City is taking some time off. So, the Friends are looking for some transport help -- “several large plastic bags each week.” To volunteer, email [email protected].
Then, there is this dog.
Little Girl.
She’s about 2, spayed, vaccinated and “needs a new home -- family is moving and cannot take her,” Sydney’s note explains. “She is great with kids and other dogs -- is house-trained and on heartworm preventative. ... Great disposition, loves attention.”
Got 30 days before she’s taken to a shelter. To volunteer to help the family place this obviously bed-trained dog, email [email protected] or call 972-741-5091.
CONTEMPLATIONS: The Texas Rangers. Ooof. Chicago White Sox win, 16-2. How is that possible? Was it the pollen in the air? Got to get these things out of your system if you’re going to be playing in October. Otherwise we might as well all move on and begin complaining about the Dallas Cowboys. ... A wander-up cat you’re feeding on the front porch wheels and nips you on the finger when you’re trying to socialize him with some tender petting. What do you do? I gave him more food. I’ll let you know when the rabies kicks in. ... How about a good song for the day. For something oddly romantic, click HERE.
 
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