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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