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It's the hearts that make a home...

Readlarrypowell.com has always explained that the purpose of the weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, is to give hope to insomniacs.
We have two additional purposes, of course. One is to show how animals can simply relax without a care in the world in the right environment. The other purpose is to show that it is the human element that gives an animal a long and happy life.
Yes, the human element. So, for this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we turn to the human element, our pal and fellow Texas High School alumnus from Texarkana, Texas, the rescuin’ critter fan Dianne Cole. Her husband Mike also plays a role in these canine lives -- they've got him wrapped around their little or big paws. And looking at Cisco and Abby napping on that couch, what else can you say but “those dogs are home.”
Perhaps, a couple of years ago, you remember reading here about Dianne’s efforts to save a bunch of little dumped dogs in the area around Mountain View College in Southwest Dallas. She pulled it off. One of the dogs took a little bit of time to rescue. Read on.
These photos are from a recent weekend -- and that may mean a recent weekend without a Dallas Cowboys game on TV because that season ended later than usual but earlier than fans hoped. 
Here are Dianne’s explanations of the photos.
“The first is Cisco (red collar) and Abby (pink collar) napping on the couch.  It was a lazy Sunday and we were all napping.  I have to keep a cover on the sofa at all times.  Abby usually claims the sofa for herself...stretching out her full length right in the middle so nobody, or no other dogs, can get on it.  LOL!  We call it ‘Abby's Couch,’ but occasionally one of the other dogs will sneak up there with her.  The all have a ‘dog’ chair that is their chair only and you never know which dog you will catch napping there.
“The middle picture is our precious Lady.  For whatever reason, she always sleeps on the dog bed with her head hanging off onto the floor.  Cisco does the same thing.  Abby very seldom sleeps on a dog bed, except in the bedroom at night.  I think she deems herself too good to sleep on a dog bed when she has the couch.  LOL! 

“Lady at 13 and is getting old and frail...not quite as steady on her feet as she used to be...often has trouble getting up and getting around on our tile floors can be tricky.  
“She was beginning to lose her hearing, but after suffering with a bout of vestibular disease (also known as ‘old dog’ disease) a couple of months ago she is now totally deaf.  She doesn't let that slow her down, but occasionally I can see the confusion in her sweet eyes, like she's thinking, ‘Mom, I can see you, but I can't hear you.’  It just breaks my heart. 
“She often lays out in the backyard in the sun and barks for no other reason other than she can...we know she didn't hear anything. Her bark isn't the same either since she lost her hearing, but we love her with all our hearts.  She is the matriarch of the pack and still rules the roost.

“The last picture is my sweet Lil' Bit...the one I spent 4-1/2 months trying to rescue over by work at Mountain View College.  She lived on the Dallas National Golf Course, just north of the college, after being dumped with 3 of her puppy  siblings that we caught quickly.  Two, Neko and Bella, now live with Stephen Pyler in New Mexico and Stephen found a home for Arianna.  Lil' Bit was the lone holdout...I provided food, water, toys, heart worm preventative and lots of love for her during those long months before she let me catch her.  Now she lives THE LIFE!  At 14 pounds she thinks she's as big as the three Lab mixes that are now her fur siblings! 
“She's been with us for just a little over 3 years now and still ‘just tolerates’ Mike.  LOL!  She is MY dog.  She has more to do with Mike when I'm not home, but the minute I walk in the door he no longer exists and she will actually bark and growl at him. 
“Several weeks ago he was sick and she actually went to him and got in his lap several times that day while I was home.  We think she must have realized he was sick and tried to make him feel better, but she hasn't had much to do with him since.”
[LARRY ASIDE: So, dear readers, you see by reading this that, indeed, the key to a happy life for an animal is not just a human, but a human heart. It’s the essential element. That’s why readlarrypowell.com celebrates the people who rescue animals. You may have the first good heart that animal has ever encountered. Yes, indeed, bless those hearts!]

REMEMBER: To nominate your slumbering critter -- dog, cat, ferret, emu, mule, emule, e-tcetera -- for the spotlight of internationally-read Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send photos and info to [email protected]. We publish these photos of safe and happy animals to help insomniacs find inspiration to nod off -- and, of course, some insomniacs have just rushed out to a pet store to buy a big dog bed to hang their heads off and try to assume the effective “Sleep Like Lady Head-drooping Position.” Good luck, my fellow turners-n-tossers.
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Desperate cases that work on the heart and other notes...and the SPCA's Notorious Pig

[EDITION OF FRIDAY, JAN. 30, 2015 (PetPowellPress)] -- Friday’s edition is always difficult to write. People send thousands of animal-related emails ricocheting through the cyberuniverse starting Thursday afternoon --it is a genuine pre-weekend tsunami of pleas for help. These pleas are desperate. They tug at the tender heart.
And many times there may be almost no way to help.
You start to think, “There’s got to be a better system than this,” but then you remember, this IS the better system everybody always hoped we’d have. Computers -- email, Facebook, etc. --- have saved Lord knows how many lives after they replaced phone calls and luck. Still it’s a hustle to save lives and it tears the nerves to shreds.
As this is being written, we have two Thursday afternoon notes that fit into the wretched pressure category.
[LARRY ASIDE: Not the fault of the email senders, I hasten to add. These people didn’t put the animals in a tough spot. Somebody else did. Someone else who chose to find a solution other than keeping the dog or cat and giving it a good home. Sometimes I think that if a good lawyer can get me into Heaven, I’ll see what amounts to a big dog park and a bunch of angelic rescuers -- and I’ll hear a lot of people banging on the Pearly Gates and desperately yelling, “Ask that dog, he knows me!” Well, enough judgment from this heathen, let’s talk helping cats and dogs. You see the photo there of two cats cuddling.]
People have been working for weeks to find a home for these two guys. The first email went around in early December. Leticia Beauchamp has been trying to help this family place the cats since then. Max and Jinx are 12-year-old siblings, lifelong companions, and like to snuggle with their mom, but she -- in only her early 50s -- has developed dementia.
On Thursday, Leticia reported, “I received an e-mail today from the owner's family, and they are going to take Max and Jinx to the vet on Saturday if they do not find a home or rescue group.”
They’re not going to the vet for a checkup. To offer to help these two cats -- they need one home -- email [email protected] or call or text 214-724-2393. 

As rush hour was revving up in Dallas, Readlarrypowell.com got a note about this dog, Chiquito. 

The message had been moved on into more hands than a pin-up photo in a junior high boys’ study hall. And the message in the subject line was unsettling: “A197630 LAST DAY FOR CHIQUITO!! $125 DONATIONS !SENIOR CHI NEEDS RESCUE...AND A DENTAL.” That was sent at 11:23 a.m. As the evening progress the messages got more desperate.

Chiquito had an hour left. Then a half-hour left. This is being written way after that last deadline. At some point he’s either saved or he isn’t. Just in case there’s been a reprieve, we’ll finish this note.
Chiquito had been on the volunteer-run Garland Urgents Facebook page since before noon. age unknown, unfixed male ... Call the shelter at 972-205-3570 or email [email protected].”
He came off stray hold on January 7 and nobody has claimed him. There’s a video, too. Click HERE. 

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: Hugo Espinoza of the Garland shelter told our tipster Jennifer Sellers Friday morning that Chiquito has been adopted. We're trying to find out whether an individual or a rescue group pulled the boy to safety. If it's a rescue group, we'll you know where to adopt him. If it's someone who has a new best friend, why, congratulations and hallelujah, right?

[LARRY NOTE: Not to repeat myself, but there's got to be a better way to keep animals out of a fix like this-- oh, wait, there is. Convince people who own animals to treat them as valuable members of the family, not just road trash or tossable unfeeling pieces of garbage.] 

 A RESCUED DOG NEEDING ANOTHER RESCUE

Gabriela Pataro,, who has focused her rescue efforts on the Red Bird area of Dallas, is trying to hustle a guy named Buddy out of Dallas Animal Services.

She explains, “He wandered into our trap because of hunger. We believe he and another dog were dumped because of their sweet nature. Buddy has quite a few healable wounds on his nose and around his neck. He is incredibly docile and NOT aggressive. He is intimidated by bigger dogs barking at him yet his demeanor is so curious and grateful. He is about 3...originally from the Fort Worth shelter.  There are no humans registered as his owners. His original owners claim they gave him away years ago and don't want him back.His days are numbered at DAS. 

"His adoption fee is FREE. He has the classic rags to riches potential because he knows gratitude and loyalty to people that treat him humanely.His A# is 872049.”
And there you have it. A free dog. A free darned dog rejected by two different sets of humans and, now,in a situation where his reward for being a “good dog” is the death needle.
You know how to get in touch with Dallas Animal Services -- email [email protected] . Go to the shelter. Save the dog that has been rescued only to become an inmate on death row. 

MEANWHILE IN IRVING
Ten dogs, still, on the urgents list at Irving Animal Services, we learn from the photo-shootin’ shelterwalker Russell Posch. See them HERE. See adoptable Irving cats HERE. There’s a rescue hotline -- 972-721-3597 and follow up with emails to [email protected] or [email protected]. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257. Duke -- going stir crazy in a shelter -- is still on the list.

REMINDER: The SPCA of Texas has a low-cost pet vaccination clinic set up for Sunday -- it’s scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic at Village Fair in Dallas -- it’s right off I-35 south at Ledbetter. You can see it from the freeway if you look west. Also you’ll be able to sign up for spay/neuter if you live in Dallas -- that’s through www.bigfixforbigd. Free. Free spay/neuter. For crying out loud! Oh, yes, Super Bowl Actual Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Central Time. Should be finished with the clinic by then. Just in time to catch the Dallas Cowboys tee it up -- what? Oh, sorry. Seattle and New England.
And those two critters are among the SPCA adorable adoptables. The Readlarrypowell.com theory is Kobe the Cat had just scene Notorious Pig for the first time. Name cracks me up. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: Pick a Super Bowl winner? Seattle by two touchdowns. Maybe more. But what do I know? I expected Peyton Manning to be leading the Broncos against the Seahawks. ... What’s the worst thing about the absolute end of the National Football League 2014 season? Nothing. ... Just saw the note about Rod McKuen's passing. My pal Phyl was a fan -- way back in a time when newsrooms had a different sound -- typewriters, not electronics. A more poetic time, I think. Different than today wherever you look. Someday, maybe, I'll write the book. ... Here’s a fun idea my pal Lee Zethraus forwarded -- if you click HERE you’ll see a Park Cities People story revealing that this year Highland Park Village, instead of celebrating Groundhog Day will be celebrating Found Dog Day. If people from Dallas can cross the city limits into Highland Park, the shopping center may not have enough parking. 

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Juno gets a break; many are waiting...

Is that a Valentine’s Day
heart on that dog's chest?

More on this Ferris shelter dog
in just a minute. We’re starting
with a Juno update!

JUNO FIND A PLACE -- [EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Every now and then you run into a happy ending that is under way. 

The story of Juno is one of those things. You soft-hearted people might want to have a hanky handy.
You may recall that Russell Posch, the photo-takin’ shelter walker who monitors Irving Animal Services, sent a request for some extra help for a dog named Juno.
On Monday, we published her photo and the story. Russell told us that Juno had been surrendered by her owner on January 21. He added, “She is friendly, about 8 months old and weighs 10 pounds.  Juno was born with a cleft palate.  This will require a specialized surgery to repair.  She is available immediately to RESCUE ONLY. Can someone help Juno?"
Someone did. Late Tuesday Russell sent word that Paws In The City had stepped up to rescue her.

We checked with Paws In The City President Mark Verma and he sent word that she’s getting an appropriate veterinary examination so that a proper path of care and correction can be determined.
She’ll eventually be available for adoption unless, along the way, someone she meets falls for her and there apparently is going to be an opportunity for that. And a likelihood. How do we know? We know from this report from the volunteer who picked her up at the Irving Animal Services Shelter.
The obviously move volunteer wrote, “She is so cute !  Friendly as can be.  The shelter staff was tearful when she left --  and they are NOT usually emotional folks.”
When a dog breaks through the necessary hardened carapace of the shelter workers in North Texas, that is a very special dog indeed. 

[LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com will continue to monitor the story of Juno. Her treatment will, no doubt, be costly. When I saw her face, I thought, “Someone’s going to spend some money on this dog.” Maybe she can’t be fixed. She’ll still need splendid veterinary care. No reason to euthanize her just because she isn’t wearing the “usual” dog face. Her heart is there -- as those tearful shelter workers will tell you. Fortunately, the University Park McCulloch Intermediate School Destination Imagination Team of 5th graders raised $4,000 for Paws In The City with the Tailwaggers Tour 5K lastd weekend. And tonight -- Thursday night -- the annual Paws In The City Martinis and Mutts Fundraiser starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Candleroom in Dallas -- get tickets HERE. The Candleroom is on the short street Willis which is the bottom street on the south of a triangle drawn when Henderson intersects with Central Expressway. (Remember, EVERY rescue group needs spending cash. There are needs that animals bring with them -- vet, grooming, feeding -- donating to a non-profit animal group is more than a tax break, it’s an added glow to your halo.)
And speaking of halos, Russell Posch reminds us that there still dogs in the Irving shelter -- Juno wasn’t the last one left. You can see the 10 urgent dogs of the day (thanks to Russell) at the link HERE.] Duke is still there (mentioned yesterday -- and still growing more cage crazy with each minute. That black dog is Rav, a spayed Retriever mix who is healthy, friendly, a little meek, is 5 months old and --- PAY ATTENTION HERE -- weighs 50 pounds Why was she dumped at the shelter? Owner said she was “too big.”  The shelter has rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 -- follow your call with emails to [email protected] and adoptapet2cityofirving.org. The shelter phone numbers during business hours are 972-721-2256 or 57.]

MEANWHILE IN CARROLLTON

Some dog, huh? How in the world does a little dog like Minnie wind up (a) a stray and (b) on death row in Carrollton? The folks with CARE are trying to cure that situation by finding Minnie and several other dogs and cats a home. Read about the adorable urgents HERE. Call Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise at 972-466-3420, or email  [email protected].

THE CHALLENGES IN FERRIS

Well, goodness gracious, what are the chances that you’d find a dog who appears to have a white Valentine’s Day heart on his chest.
We saw him thanks to Laura Macias who is hustling on behalf of the animals in the Ferris Animal Shelter. She asked if Readlarrypowell.com could “help me send out to see if any of these dogs can get adopted or rescued. We have had these dogs since right after Christmas and no one has stepped in to look at any of them. They are not going to be put to sleep very soon, but the problem is that if the shelter gets in a few more dogs, then these guys are all the first to go.
“So, we need to get them out and they are all big dogs which are hard to adopt out -- especially Prancer and Precious even though they are awfully cute.” To ask about any of these dogs, email Laura at [email protected]. The adoption fee is $29 a dog, she says.
Prancer is a Boxer mix with a Valentine Heart and a Christmas name -- he was dumped after Christmas. Yes, a Christmas pup dumped. He’s sweet, likes other dogs and kids. 

Indy  is a Lab mix, surrendered to the shelter by his owners. Someone had given him to them, so the people dumped Indy and his sister at the shelter. The theory is he is Lab/Husky.
Ty is a Lab/Collie mix, just a puppy, dumped to run free -- the Ferris ACO found him and brought him to the shelter. He, too, is a dumped Christmas puppy.
Precious is the Catahoula/Lab mix, dumped by her owners -- gee, say hello to Prancer, you know? Precious is not handling the isolation from loving people all that well and demonstrates some shelter depression.
AND IN THE COLONY, A CROWD OF CRITTERS
These animals demonstrate that it’s the faces that catch your attention -- and sometimes the ears! All of these animals are urgent at The Colony Animal Shelter and very adoptable, according to our pal Patricia Barrington, the Animal Services Division Manager for The Colony.
The good thing is that from now through the 30th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can adopt any available pet for only $50. Fifty lousy bucks will save a life. You’ll get not only the critter, but a $75 voucher that goes toward a rabies vaccination, a microchip and spay or neuter surgery.  You can stop by the shelter at 4720 E. Lake Highlands in The Colony, just north of Carrollton. Call 972-370-9250 or email [email protected]. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTEMPLATIONS: Walking in Kiest Park in the nice warmth of late Wednesday afternoon, I saw many people jogging or walking with their dogs. I’m accustomed to seeing friendly Pits walking along -- they’re usually always up for a good pet from a stranger. This particular day, in addition to four or five Pits, some Chihuahuas, some fluffy big and small mutts, there were several -- four or five -- big German Shepherds all being walked by different people. I’ve been walking in that park for around decades and I can’t remember the last time I saw more than one German Shepherd being walked in the park. They all looked huggable to me -- and I say that even though the first dog that ever bit me was a big ol’ German Shepherd named Waldo, way back in the mid-‘50s when having a German Shepherd was an echo of World War II. I loved Waldo, though. He belonged to my friend and contemporary Julie Ann who always brought him when she came to visit her grandmother, our next door neighbor, known to kids as “Meemaw.”  Waldo and I were good friends even after he bit my kid-sized arm. Never knew what got into him that day -- maybe he thought I looked like I’d need a story to tell more than six decades later. Dogs are generous, you know. ... FYI, thanks to my pal Ray Hughes, I have a new favorite place to dine -- the Gas Monkey Bar n Grill in Dallas. What won me over? Giant onion rings the size of go-cart wheels and the “Backyard Salad.” All items are served in a big deep cakepan. Darnedest thing. ... Countdown to the Super Bowl continues but the swirl around it is so odd that it reads like fiction. For those of you who are paying no attention, congratulations. I know you’re saving yourself to watch the 2016 political circus that is beginning to show its coming attractions.
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DAS stats, a boy named 'Sadie,' available adorables and the way things go...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Well, well, well. Look at that artwork. Found it by accident on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook site -- it tells its own story. The live release rate has increased.

Stats. There are other bits of artwork on the SITE HERE that indicate a rosier picture than in the past. I also cribbed the intake vs. euthanasia chart (below). And, indeed, it shows the number of euthanasias dropping through the years. We’re down to around 15,000 -- which means, if my math is correct, the City of Dallas Animal Services kills more than a thousand animals a month. Not the fault of DAS. It’s the residents. Irresponsible, don’t care, dimwitted, unloving people.  
But, you know, things have sure changed at DAS since Dallas Police Lt. Scott Walton heroically stepped in to take over after the previous administration allowed a cat to die while trapped in a wall of the building. (Lt. Walton is now Deputy Chief Walton. Nice guy, too.) While he was working hard to change attitudes and images the city, with the help of the rescue community, found Jody Jones to take over as DAS manager. Every day has to be a giant challenge at a shelter 

And, of course, you can still adopt critters from DAS. That dog is Bentley and that cat is Oscar and they’re available at DAS. And here are the euthanasia stats.


A TRANSITION SANS SURGERY

Another tip arrives from Stacey the Stylist, as Stacey Carney is recognized because of her email handle. This tip is about this “Code Red” dog in the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter. Watch THIS VIDEO  while you read this odd little story.
This dog was originally named “Sadie” but upon further inspection, says Cheryl Tanferno of the shelter, the fellow’s name was changed to Shadie.
Except among the people who’d had him first.
Cheryl writes, “I discovered that Sadie is a male so we renamed him Shadie, even though he is an owner surrender and that was the name they gave him.  Too confusing so we picked one similar so he wouldn't get confused. “
He’s #492056, a neutered Shepherd mix, a young fellow who was an owner surrender. “We were told he doesn't like men but we have tested him staff and volunteer men and he seems fine. He is energetic and sweet. Seemed friendly with other dogs.”
Ask about him by emailing [email protected]. Call 817-598-4111.

Adopting Shadie will cost you 25 lousy bucks. Hardly any expense at all to get a super dog for a roommate.

URGENTS IN IRVING
[Wednesday morning update: Russell Posch reports that Juno, the cleft-palate dog in the Irving shelter we wrote about Monday, was rescued by Paws in the City Tuesday. More to come on this story -- the pup will need a good home.]

These are the urgents at Irving Animal Services and they all have a story which you can read (thanks to shelterwalkin’ photographer Russell Posch)  by clicking HERE. Some are available to the public, some to rescue groups only. And that guy Duke (that’s his mugshot to the right) is a 2-year-old, 75-pound guy who is healthy but shy and he is a stray who is now “showing stress” and is “barrier aggressive.”
No wonder. He’s been in the shelter for more than a month. He’s going nuts. Who wouldn’t?
The shelter’s rescue hotline is 972-721-3597. Follow up your call with an email to [email protected] or [email protected].  Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 57.
 MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
We got several notes from the resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher in Burns Flat, Okla.
We’re mentioning the content of three of them -- a picture being worth a thousand words, here are about 2 million words in photos.
“This is urgent,” Terry Lynn wrote about that puppy photo. “These 7 puppies were just dumped at a very high kill rural pound. Please.  Can anyone help?”
That big brindle dog is one that is going to the pound in Burns Flat unless Terry Lynn can find someone to take the dog before the drive-by-dump-off occurs. Obviously she’s comfortable in a couch. Terry Lynn writes, “The sweet brindle girl is a doll... she is crate trained and loves dogs and cats... she is such a good dog.... her owner is leaving this weekend and she will wind up at the pound.”

Oh, goodness, that final photo. Terry Lynn explains, “Then there is this sad boy... He was taken to a pound 35 miles from me. He was so sad and scared they thought he was ill. Turned out it was total depression. He is doing better and loves to be loved on but he is still so very sad. So if anyone has room, please take this young sweetheart in and show him life can be good.”
Get in touch with Terry Lynn at [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS: Long work day Monday and my observingspouse Martha came home, took a look at me (after I complained about the lack of sleep) and said, “I can tell you’re tired.” “Is it the giant bags under my eyes?” I asked and she replied. “No. It’s the bags you’ve got OVER your eyes.” She was serious. ... I’m nodding off. Good thing we’re between football and baseball season around here -- I won’t be tempted to stay up watching games in which I have no monetary interest. ... I was up Monday night from about 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. -- no particular reason. Insomniacs don’t need a reason. I watched an episode of Psych on my Kindle and nodded off until Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson walked up my body to check to see if I might still be breathing. As you can see in the photo of Kittie Leigh, her “arm” across her eyes, she had no trouble sleeping at 3 a.m. -- likes to curl up on the quilt next to my feet. She’s protecting me from whatever it is that keeps me awake. Did a lousy job Monday night. But it was nice to see her getting in her snoozetime. Nice to know someone can sleep.

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Buzz, Hootie, the McCulloch winners and snow...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JAN. 27, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- It’s Tuesday’s edition. Let’s make this quick.
We’ve got and update and some opportunities. And it’s not snowing here. That’s our flocked Christmas tree, waiting for pickup in our front yard. I left it upright in honor of everyone having a White Tuesday in the northeast. Prefer the wintry rain to the misery of snow -- one day and gone, that’s the way snow ought to work. No ice. Now, our report:

BUZZ GETS A BREAK


The Dallas Animal Services folks had a happy moment Monday morning. Remember Buzz, this dog who was on the brink of the needle? DAS Rescue reported that Chris Watts of Petropolitan came to Buzz’s rescue. Chris Watts, for those who don’t know, serves on the Dallas Animal Shelter Advisory Commission -- has for a while and is a big proponent of saving animals’ lives. DAS says Chris will get Buzz some training while trying to find a new home for the handsome fellow.
As regular visitors to Readlarrypowell.com know, the DAS shelter is loaded with unwanted animals. Each one that gets adopted or rescued doesn’t just make room for the next unwanted dog, but sometimes it buys extra time for an animal who would have moved up a notch on the “Next for the Needle List.”
HOOTIE THE FOSTER, FORMERLY OF A MILL
Jennifer Umbright of K9 Mill Rescue  sent us this story at the suggestion of veteran rescuer Patty Sprong.
Jennifer describes this obvious Earhound as “my foster -- a sweet Chihuahua mix, Hootie!”
Year old Hootie was, she says, “part of the Home for the Holidays breeder rescue release of 25 pups. Mill dogs are usually from large scale commercial breeding facilities, often keep in crowded, dirty living conditions with little or no vet care; existing only for the sole purpose of breeding puppies for sale in pet stores or over the internet.  We pulled Hootie from one of these facilities - this breeder is downsizing due to the breeders age/health.  This breeder is on our radar to close down this year

“Hootie has been fully vetted-current on vaccines, neuter, HW-negative, micro-chipped and dental (polish).  He is a darling little guy at just over 6 pounds.  Hootie loves other dogs of all sizes, and people too.  He enjoys snuggling and of course, occasionally, gets the ‘zoomies’ and races all around the house-enjoying the freedom to run and play!  He is a very happy, loving boy.”
To offer to audition to adopt Hootie, email [email protected]. You can read about the organization at k9millrescue.org. 

IN HONOR OF SOME HUSTLING STUDENTS
Wow. Say it again. Wow. A few weeks ago we mentioned the Tailwaggers Tour organized by the Destination Imagination team from University Park’s McCulloch Intermediate School. Sixth 5th graders organized this 5-K fundraising walk, then went through the ordeal of postponing it because of weather. They rebounded.
On Saturday the determined students managed to present the Tailwaggers Tour in Curtis Park -- it drew more than 100 people and many of their dogs. The humans bought raffle tickets, had treats from the food truck, sipped coffee, introduced dogs, met kids, and walked.
The money raised would go to Paws In The City, the Dallas-based rescue group.
How much money? Four grand. That’s right. These fifth-graders raised $4,000.
Each year the Destination Imagination team picks a community challenge to solve. This year the challenge was to fight animal abuse. Parental participation in the project was limited, so most of the planning and execution was accomplished by the students.
You see in the photo Paws In The City President Mark Verma accepting the giant check from the fund-raisers.
Mark also said he learned something at this event. “Spencer, the organizer, asked me if I knew why they selected orange as their theme color. I didn’t know. He said they researched and found that orange is the color of anti-animal cruelty. So, I learned something that I never knew before!”
Paws in the City volunteers brought some of the Paws adoptables to the event and managed to reconnect with former Paws rescues, generally Dallas street or shelter dogs, now living in the Park Cities.

CONTEMPLATIONS: I got a letter in the U.S mail addressed to “OUR NEIGHBOR” and I looked at the return address and it was in West Chicago, Ill. The phone company that sent this advertisement has a loose definition of “neighbor.” I’m wonder how loosely they define “bro” as in, “Hey, bro, can you give me 10 grand no questions asked?” ...  This art is an example of getting the word out early. Mazie's Mission is hustling already to work on building that shelter that is the goal of the organization. (They may need to bring in the McCulloch students as consultants!) You can read about Mazie's Mission HERE. I don't know where they got that dog's hat. Looks perfect, though. ... A note to anyone in the Northeast: Here in North Texas, we are enjoying a spring-like winter -- I hiked 2 miles in Kiest Park Monday afternoon and worked up a sweat. But I felt guilty about it knowing y’all are trapped indoors with lousy TV and no pizza delivery. At least in the 100-plus days of July and August, we can get a pizza -- heck, we can heat it up on the hood of a car. Scorch it, in fact.

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Getting the story on animals...shelters...snow...

EDITION OF MONDAY, JAN. 26, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Here we are at the outset of the first full work week in a while thanks to holidays and clever manipulation of personal schedules. Some professions never quit working: peace officers, firefighters, ambulance crews, hospital personnel, waitstaffers, bail bonderologists (that a real title?), some journalists and, of course, PR people. (Oh, and Border Collies -- like these two in DAS -- never stop working either. 
And, yes, public relations people the Border Collies of Communications, always on the clock, always herding publicity. When you get a former working journalist who has moved into the PR world, well, you get Jeff Crilley, once of Channel 4 and now of Reals News PR. In his newsroom days he was famous for doing animal stories in Dallas. He keeps his hand in by doing daily news tip sheets for assignment editors and journalists and his Sunday tips included one that is so absolutely newsy in North Texas.
While Jeff tries to relate news stories to his clients, in this case he let his heart and news experience do the talking. He wrote, “No clients here. In the weeks following Christmas, countless unwanted pets are dumped on shelters.” Then he tipped journalists, “Talk to any media-friendly shelter director to localize.”
We’ll explore Jeff’s tip further in today’s Contemplations, but for now, we have some shelter animals that need some help -- just as Jeff suggests.

CATCHING UP ON A DOG SITUATION
Over the weekend Dallas Animal Services -- explaining that the shelter was uncomfortably full -- issued an appeal for help with at least four dogs taken in from a situation where a person had become overwhelmed by around 30 unsocialized, mostly medium-to-large -sized dogs. (Those two dogs in the opening are among these threatened pups.) Here’s the update: This case is in Zip Code 75236 in southwestern Dallas -- and it is still under investigation. In the meantime, the four animals in the care of DAS as the search for safety continues -- rescue group, perhaps -- can be seen on the DAS Facebook “urgents” page HERE .  Email [email protected]. 

BUZZ UNDER PRESSURE
Holy honeybaby, look at this boy Buzz. As the sun was setting Sunday he was on the “list” for a bad thing to happen to him. He’s been in the shelter long enough for people to realize he’s going to need some extra salesmanship to get a new home. So, if you click HERE  and HERE you can see Buzz at play. 

Danielle Fry, the Animal Transfer Coordinator, has been hustling to get him to safety. Her note reads, “Sweet Buzz came to DAS with a cute little fur-cut.  He was loved by someone but that person never came.  He now needs out of the shelter ASAP!  He is fearful here in the shelter and can be growly while in the kennel.  If you take the time to get to know him, he is a love bug.  He seems to get along with other dogs and loves to play chase.  If you have a place for this boy, please let us know.”

You know the drill: [email protected]. 

JUNO IN IRVING
This story comes from Russell Posch, the veteran shelter-walker who saves Irving Animal Services critters with his camera.
You’ll notice that this photo of Juno shows a little something different in her darling face. She needs some help.
Russell explains, “Juno was surrendered by her owner on Wednesday, Jan. 21.  She is friendly, about 8 months old and weighs 10 pounds.  Juno was born with a cleft palate.  This will require a specialized surgery to repair.  She is available immediately to RESCUE ONLY. Can someone help Juno?"
Here's the LINK. The shelter is closed on Mondays but there is as rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 -- followup your call with emails to [email protected] and adoptapet2cityofirving.org. The shelter phone numbers during business hours are 972-721-2256 or 57.

THE BURNS FLAT CAT NEEDS A RIDE
We recently told the story of this girl Marble. Terry Lynn Fisher, the resilient rescuer in Burns Flat, Okla., way out in the western parter of the Sooner State, is issued an appeal for transportation help for Marble.
Terry Lynn writes, “This little girl was thought to have been hit by a car... I rushed her to my vet after someone found her dragging her back legs.... Sadly, she had not been hit... Some evil person SHOT her in the back... you can see in the picture where she was hit in the spine... My vet removed the bullet and we had hoped she would regain use of her legs... so far, she has not, so chances are, she never will...

“But I couldn't give up on her... she is full of love, life, and playfulness.... When you touch her or speak to her, she purrs so loud.... all she wants is to be loved...

 She eats great... her personality is wonderful...

 “I have found a rescue/foster home for her... It is a perfect place, for this wonderful lady has others just like her...

 “As most of you know, I am struggling to stay on top of everything... I have been so swamped with vet bills from injured animals... I have been transporting so many out of state... Just the general care of the pound babies...
“So I am asking if anyone can please help with this transport, let me know... the sooner the better, so I am shooting for next Saturday....I need to get this sweetheart to Mesquite, Texas. It is roughly 330 miles.”

Email Terry Lynn at [email protected] or call her at 580-330-1459

ADORABLE AND AVAILABLE
Karen Lee, the noted animal advocate of Barkleyworld.com sent this appeal on behalf of an “adorable Poodle mix” named Oakley who needs a home. 

The little pup (who obviously gets along with at least one larger dog!) is in Weatherford.
The description reads, “Oakley is an adorable 5 year old poodle mix who longs for a home with lots of love and attention!!  She would just love to be your spoiled little princess girl!!  She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped and on heartworm preventative!!” Ask about her by emailing [email protected], 

CONTEMPLATIONS

In today’s opening we mentioned Real News PR founder and former newsman Jeff Crilley’s tip about post-holiday shelter-dumping. You can read the story that inspired his tip HERE. And, yes, shelter dumping goes on year-round. Other big times of the year are as school is letting out (“Can’t take the dog on vacation, kids. We’ll get you another one before school starts.”) and family-oriented holidays. Oh, in reality the surrender of animals to the shelter is a constant challenge in Dallas -- as is dumping in parks and on the streets, etc.,  so that the animals eventually wind up in the shelter. You’d think that a town referred to as “The Buckle on the Bible Belt” would find some way to permanently remind residents to be kind to animals. Contemplate that. ... Quick, name the manager of the Texas Rangers.  Yeah, had to think about it didn’t you? ... Perhaps you’ve noticed that snow photo. Arrived during the weekend from our Northeastern Snowbound Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, veteran print and broadcast newsman and guy who lives at Indian Lake in Denville, N.J., smack in the path of the big storm. That's neighbor Gary using the neighborhood snowblower "Big Red" to fight what may be a losing battle against Mother Nature.  Regular and irregular visitors to Readlarrypowell.com have met the family dog Bella, famly cat Peaches and family heroine and wife, Annie,  who revealed to Andy the wonder of confessing his Inner Animal Nut for all the world to see. May our pals in the path of winter find something to enjoy as those of us in North Texas contemplate the fact that the sun shines way bright and spring is in the air. Twenties in New Jersey and nudging 70 in Dallas. We finally took our Christmas tree down -- not related to the weather. 

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DAS SEEKS HELP IN DOG SITUATION

[We interrupt our usual Saturday presentation for a bit of news and a request for help. Please remember to scroll down to see our Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap column. It stars a couple of great cats, Kian and Nolan, and a rescued girl named Mama Dog. We had to insert this bulletin into our usual weekend report because there's a chance to save some lives and the person who loves this cat knows exactly how important that is. Read this rescue appeal, then scroll down to see how to helpe an overcrowded shelter and an overcrowded home. Rescue these dogs and maybe you’ll find a place in our Sleeper/Napper column.]

In the deep of the night, just after Friday became Saturday, Dallas Animal Services‘ rescue folks issued an appeal to the shelter’s “transfer partners” for help with some dogs with “little to no socialization.” One reason outside help is being sought is the DAS shelter is overloaded, too.
The request for help says DAS is “currently working with a citizen who has become overwhelmed with animals on her property. We estimate that there could be about 30 dogs in need of homes.”
Age and health of the animals isn’t known, but, DAS Rescue says, “We do know that they have had little to no socialization.  We have 4 of the dogs at the shelter ... They will come up and take treats from us and do not appear aggressive.  They will shy away from human contact but are not shutting down while at the shelter.  The majority of the dogs on the property look similar [to those in the photos] and are collie/aussie/husky mixes according to the owner. “
[The photos are of the four dogs currently held at DAS and awaiting rescue -- email [email protected]. The black-and-white, 2-year-olds are girls. The brown 2-year-olds are boys. All four will come to eat treats but are wary of human contact.]
Just as that owner has become overwhelmed, so has Dallas Animal Services. DAS Rescue says, “The shelter has been struggling with space so is unable to bring these animals in.  We wanted to reach out to see if any of our partners would be willing to help us with these animals.  We need to be contacted by close of business Sunday by any groups who are wanting to assist these animals.”
DAS Rescue says it will then work with groups for the safety of all the dogs.
Also, these four dogs in the shelter “must also be tagged by close of business Sunday.”
DAS is also attempting to bring the owner into compliance with city statutes.
“If we are not able to find help, we will have to impound these animals,” the note reads. “We do not have e space for them at the shelter and will not be able to hold them.”

Email [email protected].

[LARRY ASIDE: Could be a backyard breeder, could be someone who -- like the shelter -- semi-involuntarily wound up with more animals than could be handled because Dallas is overpopulated with idiots. Just a couple of theories. We'll let you know.]

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Kian, Nolan & Mama Dog -- a slumber story; Also: One injured in Mabank; 2 waiting at DAS

These sleepy pals are Cats of Today with Names of Yesterday.

We got the photo -- and many, many more -- from big-time cat fan Joyce Coologhan. She initially wrote about the orange one, Kian, and added Nolan, and they are perfect examples of the title of our traditional weekend edition’s featured column: Let Sleeping Dog’s Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
Kian and Nolan are sincere nappers.
Now, of course, your question may be “How in the world are they connected with ‘Names of Yesterday’?”
Two words: Texas Rangers. (FYI: Rangers’ spring training opens Feb. 20, the online sources say. Cactus League. Surprise, Ariz.. After that big skipper surprise in 2014, the Surprise in Arizona is the only one we Rangers fans need.) Keep in mind the names of departed second baseman Ian Kinsler, now a Detroit Tiger, and departed President of the Rangers and All-American Hero Nolan Ryan, named executive advisor to the Astros prez last year. (Inside baseball: Houston and Texas are in the same division and last year the Rangers finished dead last, just behind next-to-last Houston. It was the worst year in baseball since 1919. Back to the felines at hand, either of which could probably start at shortstop in an emergency.)
So, here’s the deal. Kian lives with Nolan the Cat and Mama Dog -- yes, an actual dog but no known connection to the Rangers other than sharing with us a staggering disappointment over the 2014 season, if I may be so bold as to speak for this lovely dog who has a pretty impressive story of her own. Some of you may think she looks familiar. Read on.
About those cat names, Joyce explains, “My daughter Courtney, a Texas Ranger fan, got him (Ian Kinsler = Kian) as a kitten at the City of Arlington pound and a few months later got Nolan (Ryan).  

“She was your typical 20-year-old student, living with a roommate.
“The roommate accidentally let Kian out and he was missing for 8 days.  (He had never been outside before).

“Forward to April 2014.  Daughter was moving and asked me to keep them both for two weeks.  

“She also said she would be declawing them when she picked them up, because of new furniture.  Between being opposed severely to declawing, the addition of two additional roommates and two untrained wild dogs, we decided it was best they stayed with me permanently and  be spoiled.”
Here comes the testimony that will be applauded by cat fans everywhere.
Joyce declares, “I've had cats for over 50 years and he is THE BEST one ever.  Jumps in my arms on command, noses his way under the covers every morning, carries toys around and throws them in the air, etc.” [Yes, that is a human smiling in the upper right corner of the sleeping Kian Kitten photo.]

Joyce also explains about the time she got in touch with Readlarrypowell.com to get help finding a home for a stray mother dog in Dallas. “You actually posted a 'find the stray a home' request about Mama Dog on June 29, 2007. I obviously kept her.”

[LARRY ASIDE: “I obviously kept her” -- those are some sweet words to go with the lovely Mama Dog. You can read her story from 2007 by clicking HERE.]

BACK TO KIAN: You might wonder how this photograph of Kian in full-on slumberstretch would remind me of journalism.

Here is why. In the ol’ days, every now and then, when I was an editor, I’d walk into a newsroom in the early morning hours and find a reporter or two sprawled out like that either dead-tired from working all night on a story or trying to get over whatever happened the night before while, uh, doing research in a local bar. I’m contemplating adding a facet to this weekend report called “Let Newshounds Sleep It Off” -- I’ll appeal to editors around the country for photos of their favorite reporters at rest.
[A REMINDER TO ANIMAL LOVERS: Readlarrypowell.com PROUDLY posts these photographs of sleeping dogs and napping cats. Send photos and info to [email protected]. It’s a privilege to show the world -- yep, we’re world-wide-web-read -- how dogs and cats and other sleeping critters add so much to the human existence. Also, these photos of slumbering animals give our favorite human specie, the Insomniacus Dramaticus, hope that some day they, too, can fall asleep if they can just buy the right office chair and figure out how to arrange their bodies. Snore with hope. That’s the motto.]

TWO WEEKEND NOTES

ON BEHALF OF CRITTERS

A DOG NEEDS HELP

We have a rescue situation in Mabank. We learned about it from Sydney Busch of the fabulous Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. Leslie Davis of Mabank had turned to Sydney for help.
She explained that the dog simply showed up on her front porch. “She was soaked and freezing. She can't get up and I believe she has been hit by a car. I have fed her and will keep her inside tonight [Friday night] but I cannot keep her. Can you share this information and ask everyone else to repost so I can see if anyone can claim her? I don't want to have to take her to the humane society in fear they with euthanize her.”
To offer to help this human help this dog, email [email protected] or call 903-603-8627.

SOME ADOPTION RECOMMENDATIONS AT DAS’ SPECIAL FACILITY

Earlier in the week Readlarrypowell.com mentioned this apparent one-eared cat Van Gogh, currently at the Dallas Animal Services PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road. 

Our pal Ziva Eliezer, a determined animal advocate, stops by that place now and then and made a special visit to see Van Gogh. 

On Friday she reported, “Van Gogh is still there, mostly hiding in his box. Please go and take him!  ...This is a sweet kitty that needs a loving home.

“Adoptions are up to 2,549 and this has been a good week, according to the attendants.
“There is also a small tan and white male dog whose fee is being waived because he's there over 14 days. Looks like part Chihuahua.

“Please somebody, take him and love him!”
Ziva is like most of the rescue folks in this region -- all full up with rescued critters.
All it might take to help Van Gogh and this pup -- his name may be Fred -- is to stop by and do some paperwork. You’d be a hero. And this town needs more heroes.
Check out facebook.com/dallasanimalservices and you can see dogs and cats that need homes -- go to dallasanimalservices.org and click on the Pet Harbor adoption link to see even more. It’s not like DAS is running low on inventory.
But you’ve got the weekend to make a big adoption push. Be nice for the staffers to come in Monday morning and find empty cages and thank-you notes. 

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Saved dogs, a name-your-price SPCA cat, birding (no connection to the cat), seeding and feline celebrations...

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JAN. 23, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Whoa, how about that Stock Show Weather! Thank you, Fort Worth! Haven’t see this much of a rainy spell in years.  We’re dedicating this report to people who live with former street dogs. In rainy weather dogs that once scrambled to survive on the streets in all sorts of tsunamic and terrifying weather suddenly are just too darned dainty to dash out into the rain and do their business. Bless their sensitive souls!  Now, our report.
A DALLAS DOG
By the time you got to see this note, the dog had already gotten some help. Dallas Animal Services’ rescue folks put out a call for an “emergency transfer” for this Shih-Tzu mix “boy with broken jaw.”
A couple of hours after the appeal had been issued, DAS Animal Transfer Coordinator Danielle Fry told Readlarrypowell.com, “I am happy to report that Dallas Pets Alive pulled this sweet boy.  He was surrendered but other than that I don’t know much about his story.  Not sure when it happened or how it happened. The good thing is that the owner sought out help and even though she had to give him up, he is getting the help that he needs.”

If you want to help Dallas Pets Alive by adopting the dog, donating to the cause or volunteering, you can link up HERE.
Earlier, the DAS note explained, “Our veterinarians have examined him and believe that it can be repaired, we just do not have the resources to do so.  He is about 6 years old and weighs 15 pounds.  He was sweet when he came in and allowed the vet staff to do an initial exam on him.  When I went to see him he was a little growly and was wanting to bite but you could see him shaking all over.  He is just terrified and hurting. We did give him pain meds so those should start helping him to feel a little better.”
Was this injured dog walking a tightrope? Heck, yes. The DAS note had explained, “He needs out of the shelter as soon as possible!  At the moment his condition is stable and he is able to lap up canned food. If his condition worsens and our veterinarians believe that he is suffering we will not hold him any longer.”

[LARRY ASIDE: “Will not hold him any longer” doesn’t mean they’ll take him to a park and drop him off, like many Dallas residents would. It meant that some poor city staffer would get the unfortunate assignment of loading a syringe and forcing enough death juice into the dog to kill him dead as a mackerel. That is a decidedly unpleasant thought. Happens every day, though, to unhealthy and healthy animals, thank you, heart-free North Texans.]
One more DAS note: The big newsburst by NBC5 brought DAS into the public eye and this may be the reason for the big 56 celebration on facebook.com/dallasanimalservices.

A REMINDER OF CATS

Here are the facts: There are animal shelters in the greater metrosprawl.
They have cats available for adoption. Cats make great companions. (LARRY ASIDE: My tabby cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, responds, “I second this emotion” noting that she sang backup on The Miracles’ 1967 hit   of the same name. )
This sensational mug belongs to a fellow named Watson, a 3-year-old Siamese currently in the care of the SPCA of Texas Perry Center in McKinney. His number is 137899.
The adoption fee for this extraordinarily rare RPPN Siamese is $352,000. RPPN? Rare Photogenic Pink Nosed Siamese.
Nah, you can get this cat for -- well, here’s what the SPCA says on his adoption page  HERE.  “Adoption Fee: Name Your Own Price You can't put a price on love, but if you could, what would my price be? That's right, you decide what my adoption fee is.”
Yes, you can decide what you want to donate to adopt him. Remember, money is the fuel that keeps cats moving.
Check out all the dogs and cats, volunteer opportunities, programs and happy stories at spca.org. 

A VISIT WITH A DOG ONCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Usually Tomi Ortiz starts her notes, “I’ve got this dog I’m trying to rescue...” but this time there was a wonderful revelation in her email.
“Thought you’d get a kick out of ‘Hank’s’ Birthday Picture.

“My friend Lauren adopted him into her family after you posted the story about his situation almost a year ago. ... He’s in such a wonderful and loving home! Makes me smile!”
We first learned of Hank via rescuer Gabriela Pataro who was trying to help the guy find a new home after his human became terminally ill. That second photo is the one we posted when Hank was looking for a home. The birthday photo is a great tribute to the good hearts who network animals.
Let’s see if we can steal a line and alter it to fit a situation: “IT TAKES A VILLAGE OF RESCUERS.”

And, you now, good for Hank! Let him be an example and lead the way for the metrosprawl’s unwanted animals. ‘ 

CONTEMPLATIONS
Readlarrypowell.com got two announcements from one of our favorite Oak Cliff places, the Twelve Hills Nature Center, a bit of earth reclaimed from the site of a demolished apartment complex famed for its narcotics marketing. It was years in the making and now Twelve Hills has a loyal following. The first announcement was for the “Beginner Bird Walk” from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Sunday the 25th. It urged birdwalkers to bring binoculars and read, “We’re likely to see some winter migrants (ruby-crowned kinglets, yellow-rumped warblers, cedar waxwings, American goldfinches) as well as resident birds (red-bellied woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, mockingbirds).” The second note’s subject  line read “Sunday January 25 Seed-planting at Twelve Hills” and I immediately wondered if this might affect the bird watching! The seed-planting, to replenish native grasses, is scheduled for 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Seems like if they’d reverse the schedule, the birds would show up early for sure! Make reservation or ask questions by emailing [email protected]. Weather will affect the schedule -- for the humans. Not sure what it’ll mean to the birds. Read about this remarkable 5-acre site at www.twelvehills.org. ... Debra Gray sent a seconds-long video of one of the funniest yoga events ever. Click HERE. ... My pal Kris McCarty, who loves cats and dogs and lives with rescued dogs and her rescued-from-bachelorhood lawyer husband, Dennis, sent this link to some of the most riotous cat photos ever. Click HERE  and enjoy such amazing things as the closet dweller. The piece, on BuzzFeed, is titled “The 100 Most Important Cat Pictures of All Time” and each one has some clever text by a BuzzFeed staffer with two names that have nothing to do with felines, Jack Shepherd. And surely his middle name isn't Russell. Surely.

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Animals in need and a quake theory Thursday

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- It’s Theory Thursday here at readlarrypowell.com. And, frankly, it is high time someone came up with a, so to speak, rock-unsolid hypothesis regarding the swarm of earthquakes afflicting the area. We’ll get to that in Contemplations. Meanwhile, here’s a hint: Ponder the concept “Ski Grand Prairie.” Here are some animal stories.

THE CHAMPION EARHOUND SO FAR

Wow.
What else can you say when you look at this dog but “Wow!”?
She is Jingle (just one Jingle), a stray -- possibly Rhodesian Ridgeback/Retriever mix who came into the Carrollton Animal Services Shelter and is believed to be as old as 13 or 14. She is described as “a very good girl, full of spunk and smart, too.” Somebody’s good dog without a home -- that’s the story.
Why does Readlarrypowell.com cite this dog? Well, for one thing, she’s an obvious Earhound with magnificent communications potential and, for another thing, she’s got a great face to go with those ears. How could someone not be missing a dog like this?
We were also inspired by the note sent by the Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise folks at the shelter. It reads, “We have not had to put out an Urgent List since before Christmas, but now unfortunately we are at a point with these great dogs and cats that we need to get them somewhere else with a different adoption clientele or a different venue that the may finally find their own forever home.”

There are other Christmas leftovers on the “urgents” list, including that black cat Nutcracker and, with some minorly-naughty gender-based humor, a girl cat named Jewels. She’s got a severely injured right eye and the shelter says she’s available to a 501c3 rescue group. (Nutcracker and Jewells -- cracks me up in a junior high boy way.)

That handsome big dog is 70-pound, less than middle-aged Good Will, also known as G.W.), but since he came in on Dec. 5, it’s the “peace on Earth, good will to men” theme his warm countenance presents.
That gray cat? Silver Bell. And she has no tail. There’s a discussion over whether that’s naturally occurring or if she lost it somehow.
So, in summation, there is still time to arrange for these Carrollton animals to have a Merry Christmas. Just get in touch with Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise at 972-455-3420 or email [email protected]. You can read about the URGENTS BY CLICKING HERE.  

AN IRVING UPDATE
Someone in Irving surrendered this 6-year-old, 76-pound healthy fellow named Rocky to the Irving Animal Services Shelter on January 15. On January 20 he was euthanized. Why was he in the shelter? The owner turned him over and said the dog was being surrendered because “not enough time.” As it turns out, the being with “not enough time” was Rocky. Nobody claimed the big guy so he got the needle.
Readlarrypowell.com believes that it is just as important to know that the statistics have faces as it is to know the dogs still waiting have faces.
Thanks to hard-working shelter walker Russell Posch, you can see the current “urgents” list HERE. These are the animals “most likely to be next in line for euthanasia.” 

The rescue hotline number is 972-721-3597 -- followup a call with an email to [email protected] and [email protected]. The shelter phone is 972-721-2256 and 57. Call, adopt an animal and save a life.

WHERE TO FIND CATS OR TIRE NEEDS A HOME
As veteran rescuers know, cats can be found anywhere. Who knows why? Because cats are cats and sometimes they want to be dry, sometimes they want to be warm, sometimes they just don’t want to be bothered.
Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake forwarded this note to us from this cat’s foster.
The note explains the cat’s rescue -- the cat, as you can see, is perfectly at home now. Ah, but there was a time, as the note says: “She was found on the tire of a car and trapped by the Mabank Police Department. She's sweet and playful and uses the litter box with no problems.  We are calling her ‘Tire' but can be renamed. She is great with my little girl and loves to sleep with her at night. She doesn't do too well with dogs, but seems to not have a problem with my other cats.” To ask about adopting Tire, email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS
Back in the fall, the City of Grand Prairie began working with people who are planning to build an indoor ski slope, the Grand Alps Resort, at I-30 and Belt Line. That is not too far from the epicenter of the quakes at the old Texas Stadium site.
From these facts one may theorize that the sympathetic North Texas earth has begun buckling in order to create a friendly mountain range running from the edge of southeastern Irving to northeastern Grand Prairie. Once the slope is up and skiing -- and the movement of the earth has stopped -- instead of referring to ourselves as living on the “other side of the Trinity,” we’ll be able to say we live on either “the Eastern Slope” or “the Western Slope.”
And, of course, the envious Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will hire someone to design a bobsled run that starts at the top of AT&T Stadium and runs around the giant building, then he will make a bid and become the first individual to be awarded the Winter Olympics.
Dallas will, naturally, counter by adopting a marketing campaign themed either “Big Things Happen Near Here” or “Ski Near Dallas; It’s Closer Than Aspen.”
So, with winter bearing down on us as schussing history appears on the brink in the Metroslopeplex, and in honor of the most talked about movement in North Texas since Tommy Vandergriff organized the campaign to get a big league baseball franchise, here’s an APPROPRIATE SONG.
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