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Considering the NBC5 report on DAS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 (PetPowellPress) -- Forecasters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area generally agree that the weather on Thursday will be cold with a 100 percent chance of rain and maybe some snow.
Why is that? Does it have anything to do with the constant barrage of earthquakes? No. It has to do with what’s going on in Fort Worth near the intersection of West Lancaster and University. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is underway and that means the entire region is susceptible to what ol’ timers call “Stock Show Weather.” You can look it up. And, once again, thanks to the person who changed the name of the event, formerly the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show & Rodeo. Always felt like an exhibit when I walked through the gate. 

THE ALARM AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES
[AN EDITORIAL COMMENT] Congratulations to Katy Blakey of NBC5 for breaking the story about Dallas Animal Services being crowded with unwanted pets. See it HERE.
That’s really not the news in this story -- the news is that a TV station noticed the continuing crisis of Dallas and its unwanted dogs. Print media and other outlets have been reminding people for years and years about the euthanasia levels at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. 
The news is that Channel 5, er, NBC5, has taken the time in reporting and the time in broadcasting to bring attention to the continue crisis. It’s the right thing to do. 
You may recall that NBC5’s Chris Van Horn did the same thing for the crowded Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Shelter in May of 2012. Worked like a charm, which is how animal advocates must surely hope it will work for Dallas Animal Services.
DAS is an organization whose bad memories linger longer in the public than its many good memories.
You’ll recall the cat left sealed in a shelter wall until it died of starvation or dehydration and you’ll recall the recent death by bureaucracy of four rescued dogs. But, think of good thoughts and in general there’s the tender care given Bentley the Ebola Dog. And, maybe, there’s a suggestion of a hint that there are other upbeat animals stories -- a nearly forgotten emergency rescue off a highway here and there, maybe a dog pulled out of a draining ditch or a cat rescued from a chimney or something. 

The key is that individually there are stories all over town of people who found new best friends at Dallas Animal Services. What you have to remember is that a family may visit the shelter only once or twice while the kids live at home and in between visits, there is no reason for that family to even think about that shelter unless somebody asks, “Where’d ya get that dog?” or “Know where I can get a cat like that?”
Sadly, while there are many wonderfully told adoption stories among neighbors and relatives, there are some awful numbers, too. The folks at No Kill Solutions  have the stats for 2014 at DAS. Click HERE and you’ll see a chart reporting that in 2014 Dallas Animal Services took in 22,946 animals (dogs, cats, etc.) and adopted 6,879 (a majestic number), returned 1,413 to owners and sent 2,232 to rescue groups or other shelters (who, with the animals THEY recover, generally stay packed around here).
The shelter euthanized 12,057 animals in 2014, the No Kill Solutions stats chart shows.  Yeah, BIG things happen here. That’s an average of around 34 animals a day -- if you’ve got the death needles working 365 days a year.

This horrifying statistic is not on the head of the shelter employes, it is on the heads of the sorry Dallas residents who don’t spay/neuter, who dump animals, who let animals roam free and get into danger, who just absolutely do not have the intellect to care.
These animals die because people have vacant hearts.
If NBC5’s cameras help activate the care enzymes in those hearts, then God bless Channel 5.
Just in case no one rushed to the shelter overnight and adopted every last dog and cat, you can see the DAS Facebook Urgents site HERE.
You can walk into the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center and meet animals one-on-one. Adopt them. There are bargain adoptions -- especially for animals that are older or/and have been there a long time.
Tell your acquaintances that aren’t interested that their aloof and don’t-care attitudes are specifically responsible for the deaths of hundreds and hundreds of animals a year. Like the rest of us they have an obligation to stop this death-dealing madness.
Join the noble effort to stop the City of Dallas from being responsible for ordering employees to shove needles into puppies and kittens and happy young dogs and cats and emptying a solution of irreversible death into their veins.
We humans owe it to these animals to keep them safe. They’re not just plastic bags that fly around the city and tick off a council member until he changes the law that governs how Dallas residents shop.
These sheltered animals are living beings. Take one home and you’d have a friend who knows how to communicate with you. To kill a dog or a cat just so you can make room for the next unwanted dog or cat is a horrible policy brought on by horrible people who don’t take care of their animals and adopted by elected officials who are adept at shrugging and asking, “Hey, whattayagonnado?”
Do something. Rise up against the idiocy. 

If people were lining up 33 dogs a day and poisoning them outside of a shelter, you’d be outraged. Where’s the outrage for the 33 animals a day that are “humanely destroyed”?
Maybe NBC5’s story will help some of that outrage gain a foothold in the continuing battle against stupid in Dallas, Texas. 

[Who are those animals? The cat with one good ear is A872507 and named “Van Gogh” -- no surprise there. He’s a neutered male, about a year old and is at the Every Day Adoption Center on Coit Road. He’s one of 14 cats listed on the DAS Pet Harbor adoption site -- only 14 unwanted cats in the City of Dallas? Can that be? This is the LINK. The pages of dog listings include A870907 -- Han Solo, a neutered Chihuahua/Dachshund mix in the shelter since the day after Christmas. That grocery basket is how animals are moved around in the shelter now and again. They don't all walk at the end of a leash. Get in touch with the shelter by visiting it at I-30 and Westmoreland -- go online to dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt. Tell your friends and neighbors and acquaintances at work and fellow worshipers at church. Anybody ever heard of a church leading an adoption campaign to save the lives of animals? I’ll be happy to mention it. Can I get an amen? Maybe it’s possible to save human souls by teaching the kindness of saving animals.]

DALLAS HASN’T CORNERED THE CRITTER MARKET
Nobody knows that like Irving Animal Services. That shelter is constantly in search of good people to adopt good animals. Shelter walker Russell Posch knows this all too well. He takes photos of the critters and distributes them in an attempt to save lives. 
Each email contains a list of urgent dogs. The latest one HERE shows seven dogs, including this 2-year-old, 60-pound Retriever-mix fellow named Pincky.
And why is Pincky, who is “friendly and likes to play with a ball” on death row at the shelter? The owner dumped him because he is “too active.”
Ain’t that an astounding conflict! Selling point is he’s friendly and likes to play and his dumping point is he’s too active.
It’s a wonder any animals survive encounters with humans in Dallas County, Texas. 
Irving's rescue hotline is 972-721-3597 -- followup with emails to [email protected] or [email protected]. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 57.

CONTEMPLATIONS: It is astonishing, is it not, that year after year after year the don’t care nitwits in North Texas keep shelters busy seven days a week. That line from the film Field of Dreams can sure be used in the North Texas shelter business: “If you build it, they will come and bring their unwanted animals.” ... State of the Union Address and a new Texas governor on the same day -- no wonder the earth is shaking. ... FYI, this is my funspouse Martha’s birthday -- the 21st. Oh. Let me explain: the 21st of January not the 21st of Martha. My goal is to get through the day without making her roll her eyes at something I’ve said. Married 23 years and a month and I haven’t pulled that off yet. She’s a pretty swell person -- ultra forgiving -- and there hasn’t been a day since I met her that I haven’t gotten to laugh at something witty, wise or just plain wacky. So, happy birthday, kid. Because of you, there are a lot of people and a lot of animals who are happy on your birthday. Plays the harp -- never hit a bad note.
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A big ol' dawg; a shot cat; other stories and a gasoline wisecrack

EDITION OF TUESDAY JAN. 20, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- It’s a Tuesday that feels like a Monday. Let pretend we don’t notice and here we go with the day’s report.
JUST A DOG
Karen Lee, the resilient animal advocate, tipped us to this dog in Alvarado, where 35W and U.S. 67 intersect south of Fort Worth. His name is Rugby
What is Rugby? He is a dog. The official line is he’s a 70-pound, maybe year-old shepherd mix. In the eyes of a passerby, he’d be -- trust me -- “a dog.”

Yes, surely you know someone who just wants an ol’ dog around the house. They make great companions. They’re interested in whatever you’re doing -- if you’re awake, they’re away; if you’re asleep they’re both asleep and on guard. he’s a playful guy who is good on a leash and with people. He’s healthy and up to date on shots. To ask a out Rugby or any Alvarado animals, call between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The numbers listed are Janelle at (call)  817-239-4401 or Liz (call or text) at 214-616-6128. 
The new Alvarado Animal Shelter is at 602 S. Parkway in Alvarado.

A COCKER IN NEED
Our pal Patty Sprong tipped us to a partially blind Cocker Spaniel in need.
The post was on the Angie’s Friends Facebook page.
So, we copied it and here it is:
“Meet Ray, an adult cocker that was found abandoned on the side of the highway by some good Samaritans, who are now fostering him. They've reported what an absolute doll Ray is and he has excellent house manners. This sweet boy is blind in one eye.”
You know how to Google “Facebook Angie’s Friends” and make contact through that site. There is no “contact” on the note. 
[LARRY ASIDE: This is a personal testimony on behalf of Cocker Spaniels who can see out of but one eye. I have lived with a blind-in-one-eye Cocker Spaniel named Inky for perhaps more than 14 years -- never once in that time has he had any difficulty in finding his food dish or a flying dog treat. Uncanny. And he is my personal canine companion, giving confident and authoritative advice in all situations, personal or professional. He is also the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and the Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator. If you have the opportunity to pick up a stray blind-in-one-eye Cocker, leap at the chance. Treat the Cocker right and he'll treat you better. That is Inky giving us his impression of a Dallas Cowboy rushing into the post-game locker room and spotting a big steaming platter of Mom's Near Miss Meatloaf with a side dish of LaterTaters 'n' Gravy.]

THE TOOL PANTRY CHALLENGE

Our tipster Sydney Busch of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent us a note about feeding animals in Tool on the southern end of the lake.
She writes, “The Community Food Pantry in Tool (a project of several churches) has many clients who also have pets who are hungry...they try to have pet food on hand to distribute - AND YOU CAN HELP!
“They can take open bags, expired bags/cans - cat or dog...everything is re-packaged (so, yes, they could also use baggies that seal, both quart and gallon sizes)...The food pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To offer to help, email [email protected] or call 903-432-3003.. 

TWO STORIES FROM BURNS FLAT

Terry Lynn Fisher, who has been saving dogs and cats for years at Burns Flat, Okla., out in the western end of the state, sent two weekend notes -- one had to do with this cat and the other had to do with fences making good neighbors (that’s Readlarrypowell’s interpretation of the request).
THE CAT: “She had surgery. Sadly she’d been shot. we are waiting to see if she gains any movement in her hind end,” Terry Lynn wrote Monday.
She reported earlier, “I got a call about this poor baby.... A lady watched her run between the front and back tires last night.  She took her home and tried to keep her calm...Today, the poor baby drug herself out of the box and could not walk on her hind legs... The lady said she didn't have money for the vet, so I took her to mine...

 If anyone can help any, please let me know.”
The cat is at Elk Creek Clinic, 131 Airport Industrial, Elk City, Okla. 73655 (Call 580225-4863.)  You can write to Terry Lynn at [email protected] or 580-330-1459.

THE FENCES: Keep Terry Lynn’s contact handy. 

She’s working with an “urgent” situation. She writes, “I HAVE to put a privacy fence on two sides of where I keep some of the kennels. If not, I have to move them and this is the only place I have where they are safe. The cheapest ones I could find run just under $40 EACH. I have people that can help me put it up, but I need help getting the panels. We need 20 total. If anyone can help with any, I can buy one at a time... I have 30 days to get this done.”
She sent a photo of the fence panels she needs. Sometimes it's easier to find fences than it is to find homes for critters. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: How ‘bout them big football games? Did you realize that the Super Bowl is on February 1 and the next day, on Groundhog Day, there’s a chance that some football fans will have hangovers? Not any Dallas fans, of course. ...Think about this marketing notion that came on an email that landed in our inbox. The photo shows a woman pulling a hood over her head as a drizzle pelts her. The words read: “Hood To Go. Portable Rain Hood.” The question: "What would be the selling point of a rain hood that was NOT portable?” I guess a non-portable rain hood would be for people who don’t have the sense to get in out of the rain. ... Surely someone in the federal government is working to keep gasoline prices right where they are ($1.65.9 at QT in Oak Cliff) for the good of the citizen pocketbooks. Haven’t seen any oil company presidents standing on the corner and holding up a sign that says, “Will work for $3.95.9 a gallon.”
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IT'S A HOLIDAY OF SIGNIFICANCE

Readlarrypowell.com is taking note of this special observation, Martin Luther King Day. At least one staffer at the international headquarters of Readlarrypowell.com was a reporter in the south during the 1960s and saw the changes brought by people with hearts, determination and an understanding of what America should always work toward being -- the land of the free. They clearly demonstrated it was the home of the brave. 

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The way this one worked out...Smile for Sasha

Readlarrypowell.com writes about a lot of animals in need of homes. Sometimes they’re in shelters, sometimes they’re on the street, sometimes they’re being cared for by people who love them and are trying to help them find that forever home.
Now and then we find out what happened to the animal. We love the happy endings!
This cat, by the way, is our featured critter in this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
Last week we got a note from our catfan pal Cathie Desell -- wait a second, I just realized “catfan” and “caftan” have the same letters!  [LARRY ASIDE: Yes, I am easily distracted by language.]

OK, back to the catfan at hand: Cathie sent a note about Nida Colao’s attempts to find a home for a purebred Russian Blue named Sasha. It was a niece allergy situation that caused Sasha to need a new home -- even though she was beloved in her home. She’s a year old, spayed,  up to date on shots-- you know the drill. Perfect cat, just needs a new home “with no other cats,” the note said. “She loves people, kids and wold be OK with dogs, but no cats.”
Just as I started to type the store, Nida sent a gleeful note reading, “I just got her adopted!”
The adoption came quicker than a catpaw! But there’s a back story. Sasha spent four months between homes in the loving care of her foster, Dallas Cat Lady.
On Friday we got the photographic answer to the question, “How’s that new home working out?”
Sasha has gone from being loved in one home to being loved in another -- Nida forwarded these photos from Sasha’s adoptor, Haley Hamilton. As you can tell, Sasha, a beautiful cat when awake, is a resolute catnapper. She is right at home and apparently owns a couch now.
The lesson we learn here is that patience is a great tool in adoptions. We can’t always afford patience, but when we can, it’s a great implement.

[REMEMBER, YOUR SLUMBERING PAL -- dog, cat, iguana, horse, goat, pig, etc. -- can be featured in the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, our world-wide-read weekend feature. All you have to do is email [email protected] a copy of the photo or photos and some information about the animal and the animal’s human. We’ll gleefully post the snoozing portrait -- we feel that such pictures inspire the nation’s insomniacs to have hope that they, too, can sleep -- especially if they can find a comfy couch and figure out a way to, like Sasha does in that opening photo, put their “paws” up next to their noses. Might write a book about that concept: The Bendable Insomniac.]
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The human element ...

[EDITION OF JAN. 16, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Incredibly we are beyond the midpoint of January already -- Christmas decorations still hang proudly in trees and on front doors. But why bring up lingering yuletide conditions at our house. Oh, and Saturday is the birthday of our formerly unexpected twins -- Jan. 17, 1971. That means Bret and Bart will be 44, only 5 or 6 years older than I am.
Yes, I’ve held onto my youthfulness and, skepticism aside, let’s dive right into our Friday report. We’ll get to an explanation of that mugshot of Joe Buck in a moment. And I wish I had more uplifting things to write about, but, dadgummit, there are just too many of the wrong darned humans involved in animal stories for it all to be sweet and smiley.

A PROTEST NOTE
Remember the Pit pup Maximus, out on an unauthorized romp in Cleburne -- a police officer called to him, the dog happily responded and the officer shot the 6-month-old dog to death -- fired many shots. No charges. No problem, Cleburne’s mayor said. So this outcome isn’t sitting well with some people in the animal community and there’s a protest scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday just outside the Cleburne Police Station at 302 West Henderson, according to tipster Dawn K at [email protected]. That’s a camera shot of the hand that pulled the trigger that killed the dog. You can Google it and see the whole video. The Cleburne mayor must moonlight as an NFL referee.
THE STORY IN IRVING
You’ll note that there are 11 dogs in this presentation to the right -- 11 URGENTS waiting in the Irving Animal Shelter, according to the report from Russell Posch, the shelter-walker who tries to save animals with his camera and an email network.
At midweek there were three dogs -- just three dogs -- on the urgents list.
You may notice that there is a blank spot in the bottom right of the collections.
You know who could have fit there? Ranger, a retriever mix, 18-months old and 60 pounds of healthy friendly dog, had been surrendered to the shelter on December 12 by an owner who listed, as the reason for dumping his dog, “Landlord.”
So you’ll know, this great looking dog was euthanized.
[LARRY ASIDE: The shelter has needles that fit all dogs. And, because people outside the shelter are so irresponsible that rescue groups are overloaded, dogs and cats will be killed. It’s a government policy. Don’t blame the shelter. Blame the jerks who don’t respect the animals. And if anyone knows the person or the landlord involved in Ranger's death, make sure they get a copy of this -- not that either of them would have a conscience, of course.]
Read about the available URGENTS HERE. See the shelter’s cats HERE. Call the shelter rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 and email [email protected] and [email protected]. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 57.

THE FACES IN EULESS
Oh, these aren’t all the faces, but these four are stray faces.

 

Readlarrypowell.com has a theory about why they were found wandering. They’re leftover from Christmas. Look at those great faces with the beards -- obviously someone in the metrosprawl was presenting an all-dog version of A Christmas Carol and when the show closed, they dumped the actors.
We have to thank Karen Lee, the animal advocate and big supporter of Trinity GAP Rescue, for this info.
In yesterday’s edition we featured a dog named Seth Rogan. In this edition the Euless shelter has gifted us withe the magnificent mugshot of Joe Buck. [LARRY ASIDE: Someone with connections at Fox get in touch with the broadcaster of the same name and see if he needs a good dog.] This Joe Buck [15749] is believed to be a mostly English Bulldog, a little larger than the purebreds but he has his charm. The bio says he “definitely loves the opposite sex! he lavished kisses on one of our other female GAP dogs today, and also enjoyed cuddling with the GAP girls.”
And the GAP trainer reports that Joe Buck was “obedient” and “is going to be a wonderful dog for some lucky owner.”
Found wandering in Euless. You can read about the GAP dogs HERE http://trinitygaprescue.org/ and contact the Trinity GAP (Girls Awareness Program) Club at [email protected]. The Euless Animal Shelter, with which the GAP Club has had a long-standing rescue and help arrangement, can be reached at 817-685-1594. It’s at 1517 Westpark Way in Euless its hours are 7a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-2 pm. Saturday and closed on Sunday.
ANIMAL NOTES:
-- PATTY BOREN of the Terrell Animal Alliance wrote, “Just sending this to you because I know how much you care.  We had been following the efforts of this Houston rescue to get help for these dogs.  So heartbreaking when we hear of deaths when we knew nothing of the dog's situation.  Heart-wrenching when a rescuer, free of charge, helping a City's animal control department, gets no support to help dogs that could have been saved.  Sometimes it's just more than a rescuer's heart can bear.” It’s a troublesome story with troublesome photo -- click HERE. [LARRY ASIDE: North Texas should pay attention -- colder here than in Houston. Maybe colder hearts here, too.]

-- ABOUT THE IDABEL SITUATION: We’ve gotten several notes about a horrific case in Idabel, Okla., where an animal shelter did not act kindly or properly. It’s an ugly story and you can read a TV report about it HERE. I can’t bring myself to type the details but I will suggest that it is time Texas annexed Oklahoma and imposed some serious animal safety laws.

CONTEMPLATIONS: We’re turning to Terry Lynn Fisher, the relentless rescuer in Burns Flat, Okla., for a very emotional contemplation.  A couple of days ago, she directed this note to all of you who have helped her through the years. She beat the odds for a long time, but, now and then circumstances defeat the heart. She writes:
“So many of you are always there for me and my pound babies. I need to share today with you, just reaching out to people that care. I went through something today that I pray to God I never face again. It started good. I sent a momma cat with three one-week-old babies, a two-year-old cat and five six-week-old babies, all to a wonderful rescue.
“Then,  I had to make a decision that ripped at my heart and soul. Some may judge me and think I did the wrong thing but it was a decision I thought long and hard on, and I really didn't see any other choice.

“See, I have had a beautiful male pit. You can tell he has been fought... the scars... the cut ears... I have been working with him for over a  month. He loved people. He gave me kisses and just loved on me when I went to care for him.

“But he hated animals. He would try to fight all of them through the fence and gates. It got worse and worse. It was to the point that he bloodied his mouth, tearing at the chain link.
“A couple of times last week, when he was in that ‘fight mode,’ when I called to him he actually looked at me with a look that made me very uneasy. It got to where I would make someone stand there while I did his kennel, for if he got around another dog, he went into that mode.
“I had a lady that has worked at rehabilitating old fighting dogs. She even said she felt he was just too far gone. So, with many, many tears, and a very heavy heart, we took him to the vet to be put down.
“I took him some very tasty food with several sedatives and fed it to him... as he started to relax and calm down, we took him and I held him as he took his last breath.
“Even now, as I write this, I cannot stop the tears. Did I fail him? Could I have done more? I do not think I will ever forgive myself.... but I honestly didn't know what to do anymore.
“See, I have done this for 8 1/2 year. Thousands have passed through this pound   THIS is my first loss -- and it is killing my soul.
 Then, I finally find a place for my pregnant girl. I go to pick her up and she is in labor. She had already given birth to 2, had 2 more. She is in a short term foster, but I have to raise funds to help with her. I will do what I have to, for this little family is out of the pound.

“Tomorrow, I have the little guy I had to pay for and another one going to rescue.. This rescue is small and doesn't have the funds to vet them, so I will try to raise funds for them as well.
“But for tonight, will you please remember my sweet Mack and pray I can forgive myself for the decision I made?”
Send some notes of kindness to Terry Lynn at [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: Terry Lynn saved that dog from Lord knows what horrors in the hands of evil people. The responsibility for Mack’s death is not on her soul, though it clearly is on her heart. The responsibility is on the person who decided to make a mean, violent, aggressive dog out of a creature that was, without a doubt, once a warm, cuddly, adorable puppy. That is the person who really killed the dog.]
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Animal tales, a bad call shirt and folk history...

[EDITION OF JAN. 15, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Now and then an eye-catching email subject line hits the inbox. Here’s one: “14 Amazing Mascaras to Try Right Now.”
We'll get to the 1963 movie starring Fort Worth Casa Manana fave Ruta Lee (right) in a moment.
OK, as you contemplate how often you’ve seen the phrase “14 amazing mascaras” in your life, let’s move on: 

ONE QUICK NOTE ABOUT TIGER
You recall the story of Tomi Ortiz’ efforts to get tethered dog Tiger (that's a before photo) some help in Lancaster. Tomi led the charge to convince the Tiger family to make the dog’s living accomodations safer. Tomi got a note from the City of Lancaster Wednesday that reads, “We have checked on this dog on a weekly basis. The dog has shelter and a 5 gallon bucket with clean water. They have been in touch with Lancaster Animal Control on the rabies vaccination and given him blankets on cold nights. The new dog house has been placed there by him. I have requested them to fix the other house as well. They are complying with the city ordinance. The dog is in good spirits and protective of his home. We have advised to bring inside on extremely cold nights. We do have another set visit this week. Thank you for your concern and help with this dog.”
Just thought you rescuers who wonder, sometimes, if there’s a heart in city offices, might like to see this note. Now and then the squeaky animal rescuer wheel will get some relief. Like the barking dog in the apartment can tell you, noise gets attention.
A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
We got this story from Alexandra Kesley of Houston about a dog.
She tells it: “You never know what kind of damned thing you’ll find when you’re just minding your own business and trying to have a nice day.  This is the story of how a nice lady in Westbury ended up with a gorgeous female dog named Mr. Republican in her car.
“On the day in question, this nice lady found a stunning, sweet dog.  A dog with a tag on!  This was great, an easy detour in her day.  Take the dog to the address, knock on the door, leave the dog and go.  You can probably figure out that since you’re reading this note, that particular plan didn’t work out.
“The lady did get the person at the address to answer the door, finally.  The man proceeded to state that the dog was not his dog.  Nope, not my dog and yep, I did put that scrap of plastic on the collar with my address, but I only did that in case the pound picked the dog up.  Don’t want the dog killed.
“When asked what the dog’s name was, the man looked at the lady as if she were stupid and asked if she couldn’t read the dog’s name on the tag.  He pointed at the homemade tag—’Says Mr. Republican, right there on the tag.’

“When the nice lady pointed out that this dog was a female, who’d obviously had puppies, he said he hadn’t noticed that particular little fact.

“Fast forward a bit and we have Mr. Republican now renamed Rita, fully vetted and in a foster home.  All that is great, but at this point, Rita the former Republican needs a new foster home, as she is getting ready to have heartworm treatment.  Rita needs a quiet home, and her current family has toddlers and dogs and a new baby on the way.  It is just too active for Rita during her treatment.  This girl has a story!  Let’s make the next chapter a great one!
“Rita is fully vetted and spayed, house-trained, 1.5 years old and needs a foster where she can be on quiet time during heartworm treatment.  If you can help, contact [email protected].”
[REQUIRED ANNOUNCEMENT:  MY NAME IS NOT MR. REPUBLICAN BUT I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.]

FOUR TO GO IN ROWLETT

We got this note from longtime rescuer, tipster and all-round hustler for critters, Dawna Carabajal, the president of Friends of Rowlett Animals.
Here are four dogs that need some friends.
Dawna says they’ve been in the Rowlett shelter from over 4 months to nearly half a year. “There have been whispers that the city may put a time limit on them. We need to get them out of the shelter before their lives become in danger. Only $25 to adopt and no pull fees for rescues!”
So whats up with the dogs? Here’s the bio info:
KORI is happy, likes almost all dogs, is playful and becomes a “cuddle bug”. She’s 7-17-14-1.
SASHA, standoffish in her kennel, warms up outside and loves attention and petting. Net that keed on other dogs. She’s 7-26-2014-4.
RUFUS is described as “an adorable short-legged boy who needs someone special in his life” Initially frightened, he warms up, too but it takes a while. He’s happy around smaller dogs. He’s 8-16-2014-1.
DASH, described as “a loving, sily affectionate boy” of less than a year, “has practiclaly grown up in the shelter.” He’s smart, probably easily-trained, and “one FUN dog,” the bio says. 

Dawna writes, “All of these dogs have been waiting such a long time. It would be such a shame if in the end they were euthanized. We desperately want to find them a safe way out of the shelter!”
To help find a safe way for these dogs -- adopt, foster, take into a rescue group -- email [email protected] or call the shelter at 972-412-6219. Email Dawna at [email protected] -- she can help with navigating the system. The shelter is at 4402 Industrial St. in Rowlett.
ASSORTED NOTES -- ANIMALS, THEATER AND SHIRTS: Registration opens Thursday for the SPCA of Texas’ annual Spring Break Critter Camp -- runs March 9-11 and is for kids 8-11. Here’s the LINK. ... Looking for a fun time at live theater? Readlarrypowell.com endorses Pegasus Theatre’s current Living Black & White show at the Eiseman in Richardson. It’s a mystery, it’s a comedy, it’s a fun bit of show biz. Get tickets for ANOTHER MURDER, ANOTHER SHOW! via pegasustheatre.org ... DON’T FORGET! We’re still selling our IT WAS A CATCH commemorative bad call shirts and sweatshirts. A portion of the purchase price goes to help a non-profit help animals. the link is HERE

 

CONTEMPLATIONS: Can’t believe CBS 11 has decided not to resign the best ex-quarterback-converted-to-sports-journalist ever, Babe Laufenberg. The guy worked hard  to be a reliable reporter. The media is nuts these days -- print or broadcast, there’s a tsunami of stupid rolling through. ... Might there be a warming trend today? Sunlight? Promise of August? Never thought I’d long for July and August in North Texas. ... Late Wednesday afternoon, TCM showed a 1963 folk music movie called Hootenanny Hoot with a cast that included Ruta Lee (Cowtown loves her!), Sheb Wooley (had a hit with “Purple People Eater” and portrayed Pete the Drover on Rawhide), Johnny Cash, George Hamilton the IV -- it was a folk singing festival. That’s the movie poster. The bit part, “Girl who calls Ted Grover (Peter Breck) the squarest,” was performed by -- get this -- Maureen Reagan, the future president’s daughter.  One of the scenes is of a folksinging trio -- banjo playing man, guitar playing woman, bass fiddle plucking man -- singing and bouncing in rhythm on a trampoline. And they say things are crazy today. Another thing you see in this film is all the guys' foreheads. It was released in August, 1963. Less than 6 months later, in the second week of February, 1964, nearly every teenage boy and musician in America suddenly covered up his forehead with combed-down hair. Windy days? Nope. John, Paul George and Ring on Ed Sullivan. Then, in 1965, as you ol’ folkies know, the darlin' of the folkset, Dylan, went electric. And that concludes today’s presentation on Baby Boomer History.
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A shirt with a message goes on sale...

[EDITION OF JAN. 15, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- First, Readlarrypowell.com owes every reader -- every Texan -- an apology. We failed to warn you that the Legislature was opening on Tuesday. Relax, we kid the hard-working Legislators -- and the other ones, too.
Secondly, we have a special shirt design that we are offering for sale beginning today. It has meaning in the world. We’ll donate part of the proceeds to an animal outfit. Still deciding which one, but we want to strike while the irritation is hot. Read on and pay attention to Contemplations.

NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERVIEW --
THAT WE KNOW OF
This handsome dog is named Seth Rogan -- he’s A870344, a Black Mouth Cur mix, maybe about 3 years old, who has been at the Dallas Animal Services shelter since December 19 -- The Interview release was scheduled for Christmas, so if movie star Seth Rogan was hiding out while disguised as a Black Mouth Cur mix, he came to a place where he might not be noticed by the general public.
He is among six pages of dogs -- 143 entries --  listed as available for adoption at Dallas Animal Services. Six PAGES of dogs. 
Same link has 12 available cats -- a handful at the shelter and the rest on the list at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center. Pretty sure there are more than a dozen unwanted cats in the City of Dallas. You can stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland and visit dogs and cats -- even adopt them. Check out dallasanimalservices.org for adoption info. Go to the Facebook site HERE.

And, of course, click on that cat artwork to make it larger. 

THE HOUSTON POPSICLE CATS AND THEIR ENDORSEMENT
Alexandra Kelsey, reliable tipster from Houston, sent this note with the subject line: “Third-Party Cat Endorsement.”
The photo shows the trio.
And the note reads, “ Meet the Westheimer family!
“I have spent time with these cats, and they are gorgeous.  I had my dose of kitten therapy this weekend, holding and cuddling the babies!!  They are really gorgeous! The little Calico girl (who is a major cuddler) has long hair, and the orange male (who is a real ham) and the buff and white girl (super sweet) are both short-hair kitties.

“Contact Hulya if you are looking for a new family member.  You couldn’t go wrong with these babies.  They were about to be frozen Popsicles in a parking lot when Hulya rescued them.”
Contact Hulya at [email protected] or 713-261-2678.

URGENT IRVING TRIO
I couldn’t think of a third word that started with the “ur” sound. Thanks to shelter-
walker Russell Posch we get to know the challenges of the urgent dogs on death row at the Irving Animal Services shelter.

By challenges I mean how they wound up on the clock.

These three have human problems. Handsome Ranger (24512171), 60 pounds of healthy friendliness, was dumped at the shelter because of “landlord.” That was on December 12, so he’s on a short clock.
That Earhound is Lilly, a 45-pound, 6-months-old Pit mix (24650929). She and the dog next to her, 6-month-old Liquor (24650931), who also weighs 45 pounds and also is a Pit mix, were both dumped  at the shelter on Dec. 27 -- gee, you wonder if they’re siblings -- because the owner had “too many animals.”
And there you have it -- how the human factor can make a dog wind up dead. Three dogs.
See all the Irving dogs HERE and the Irving cats HERE. The shelter has a rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 and you should followup your call with an email to [email protected] and or [email protected]. The shelter business phones are 972-721-2256 or 57.
CONTEMPLATIONS
Our literary pal out in Lubbock, Sarah Hays, sent a link about a mass Dogo Argentino rescue/seizure in Cottonwood, Ala. -- read about it HERE and wrote, “Some places, authorities are helping some dogs out of bad situations.” [LARRY ASIDE: I think I recall reading somewhere “Verily, some in Alabama will lead the lost.” Honestly, sometimes you see these giant rescue efforts and you wonder why less than half a dozen dogs are cats can be such a big honkin’ challenge in a metropolitan area with more than six million residents. Cottonwood, Ala., population? About 1,300. If there are only 1,300, then it’s probably tough to hide when you are ashamed of your behavior toward animals. Yes, Sarah can be inspirational!] ... Maybe you saw the story of a Shar Pei left tied to a post at a railroad station in Scotland. The mystery has been solved. Someone was trying to buy a dog, didn’t like the merchandise, the seller took the money and ran, the buyer left the dog. Read the story HERE. ... And, finally, we’re selling some shirts to make a point. If you are aware of an injustice that occurred over the weekend, you’ll get the drift of this shirt -- you can order it on T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies -- the catalog is HERE. Prices vary. We were going to donate the money to the American Academy of Clear Thinking For Football Officials, but decided instead to give a portion to non-profit animal groups doing GOOD work. It’s a fun fundraiser with a point -- and, of course, will help relieve some staggering bitterness emerging because a certain team’s football season is over three weeks before the big game!  Shop at cafepress.com/readlarrypowell.com.
 Buy one for your favorite ref, your suffering fan, yourself, your pre-teen boy who just doesn’t understand, your favorite league commissioner, your teenage girl who knows right from wrong and didn’t see right late in the game. You’ll be spreading a good message and helping some critters. And pass the link on to other people, too.  It’ll be the start of a fan movement -- the only other time anybody pays attention to the fans is when a fan runs onto the field and gets clocked by a cop or a linebacker. Get your shirt now -- you can't wait 'til next year. 

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A Tuesday report with assorted opportunities and notes...

[EDITION OF TUESDAY, JAN. 13, 2014 (PetPowellPress)]-- Here’s some irony for January 13. On holidayinsights.com January 13 is both International Skeptics Day and Make Your Dream Come True Day. How’s that for a conflict? Now, our report from a town that remains in inexplicably in the grip of winter.
Oh, and, just FYI: I hadn’t gotten a note in a couple of weeks about urgent animals in the Carrollton Animal Shelter and when I asked if I’d been dropped from the email list, I got this note from the great Joe Skenesky of Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise. He wrote, “Thanks for checking in, but do not worry, you have not missed anything. We have had enough adoptions and only a few dogs coming in so we have not had to put out an Urgent List since before Christmas. We are still pushing for adoptions on our Facebook page though. We more than likely will be putting out a list this coming week with a couple of dogs that have been here for quite sometime.”
How about that. Diligent communication and the gospel of animal adoption -- two things to help keep the inventory moving! 

ONE MORE CHRISTMAS STORY
“Jingles, so named because he was dumped off on Christmas Day, is REALLY IN NEED OF AT LEAST A FOSTER FAMILY!” reports our reliable tipster Sydney Busch, the voice of reason in the Greater Laketroplex. She’s the official spokesperson for Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake and is making this pitch for Jingles, victim of a Christmas Catastrophe -- abandonment.
Sydney’s note reads, “He is very gentle, very calm, just wants to be petted and will lie at your feet for hours. PERFECT FOR OLDER PERSON/COUPLE.”
And, as is the custom for folks with the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas, Sydney reports, “He has now been neutered.”  He’s also been vaccinated and a heartworm test “showed him to be positive, but this is now easily treated and is being done so,” she writes.
Sydney says that Jingles is “great with other dogs, even very small ones -- the rescuer is Carol Morel at Pet Palace in GBC and she is working with him to make him even more socialized.” (For more information and to audition to adopt or foster, contact Carol at 903-887-0044. [LARRY AISDE: If you want to enjoy another moment of Christmas, just click HERE for Jingles’ song. Makes you wonder if Jingles’ new human might change the boy’s name. Don’t think I would, though based on those photos "Handsome The Movie Idol" might work.]

AT THE COLONY, SOME AVAILABLES
Oh, goodness, don’t you know that, if you can make human behavior a factor in adoptions, a little six o’clock news story on available animals would cause a rush on The Colony Animal Shelter.
One can dream that such a beneficial rush would help ALL shelters.
Our pal at The Colony’s shelter, Animal Services Division Manager Patricia Barrington provided this list of availables, some on the “urgent” list because of time-of-residents, lack-of-interest, easily-fixable-health problems, etc. Takes the human element to solve these threatening situation and it’s a threatening situation because the shelter is full.
Here are the descriptions, according to Mgr. Barrington:
“Misty: sweet and low-key, this gal has been at the shelter far too long.  Misty will make a great pet for any family. (URGENT)

“Tiffany has been at the shelter for an extended period and needs out immediately.  This sassy little herding dog has a sound mind and body and needs some daily activity to keep both in shape.  Given a job, this gal will make a great, active companion. (URGENT)
“Sabre is a neutered male.  This laid-back dude is hoping to find a permanent job as house-lap-warmer this winter.   What a cutie.

“Meet Nya, the shelter staffs’ favorite.  Nya is a 3 year old, spayed female.  She is obedient, social and well-rounded.  This INDOOR dog is very heat/cold/sun sensitive. 

“This is Leo.  Leo is a 9-10 month old neutered male.  This guy is full of potential and is quite bright. (URGENT)

“Romeo is a 2-3 year old male.  He is PURRFECT.  Romeo is just a big, baby of a cat looking for a spot of his own."
[LARRY ASIDE: We do want to note that we find it interesting that someone would name a neutered tomcat "Romeo." Not sure if kittycats are all that big on irony.]

“Patch is a 3 month old Heeler mix boy.  This little guy is a lovable, blank slate of a dog with endless potential.

“Theo is the resident, plus-size lap dog.  Theo is a 2 year old, neutered, chipped and vaccinated male.  He is getting over a skin condition, but is not contagious.  This lug is truly the biggest baby you will ever meet. (URGENT)

“Charity is a 10-12 month old female.  She will be available for adoption on the 13th.  This gal has shown herself to be a very well-adjusted girl with a sweet disposition.
“Jake is  a 3-5 year old Beagle boy.  This handsome hound is neutered and chipped and can be adopted on the 15th if he isn’t claimed by his person. 
“Look at that face!  Reese is a 5 or so month old Spaniel Shepherd mix girl.  She has what appears to be a slight skin condition that will need treatment, but goodness, what a doll!”
The shelter is open 10 a.m.j-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Stop by 4720 E. Lake Highlands to meet the adorable adoptables. Call 972-370-9250 or email [email protected].

 

PUREBRED RUSSIAN BLUE AVAILABLE--
OOPS! TOO LATE. ADOPTED!

On Monday afternoon our catfan pal Cathie Desell forwarded Nida Colao’s request for help finding a home for a purebred Russian Blue female and I quickly sent Nida a note asking for a photo and more info and a split second later Nida replied excitedly, “I just got her adopted!” That’s the way I wish all of these things would go. Congrats to whomever adopted year-old spayed, healthy, dog-happy, got-to-be-a-lone-cat Sasha. Ah, if only they’d all be adopted with such speed and grace. [CAN I GET AN AMEN!]

THE WONDROUS DOG KEELY
Readlarrypowell.com has, for years, posted tributes to animal friends that have gone on -- it’s a wretched experience for anyone involved in losing an animal, but it does one key thing for us all: It shows us how big animals think our hearts are. They think our hearts can hold a whole lot of love and they fill up every corner. You feel it, too, but that’s a sensation that genuinely honors the wonderful animal. They teach us so much. You can read about one of those special relationships on our Prayers and Passages page (click on the button in the upper right corner) as Jacque Hagerty honors her wonderful Keely.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Think that awful incident with the accidental euthanasia of four rescued dogs just got ink and air in the metrosprawl? Think again. You can see the coverage in the New York Daily News HERE. ... Just one more sports FYI: People in Frisco, where the North Dakota Bison beat the Illinois State Cardinals 29-27 in the Football Championship Subdivision title game on Saturday. FCS is the lower division of the NCAA and used to be known as AA. The game Monday night -- Ohio State vs. Oregon -- was NOT the first “college football championship playoff game ever” as sportscasters repeatedly said during the lead up to the game. The AA Division of college football has had playoffs since the 1970s. AA Division? Any pro players? Here are three famous AA players from the Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo, Northern Illinois; Jethro Pugh of Elizabeth City State and Cliff Harris of Ouachita Baptist. There are more. And, if SMU doesn’t turn its program around, current Cowboy Cole Beasley may find himself listed as someone who played for a team that’s in the “lower division.” ... The video I’m about to link you to probably has never been more appropriate -- as you lament a poor interpretation of the pass reception rule in the NFL, Dandy Don Meredith has the oh-so-perfect SONG. Wait ‘til next year. Right?
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On Monday, "Big Fix for Big D" doesn't refer to the Dallas Cowboys...

[EDITION OF MONDAY, JAN. 12, 2015, PetPowellPress] -- Oh, my. Let’s not even bring up the Dallas Cowboys. Texas Rangers spring training opens in less than a month and that’s what we need to remember.
Now, is that not a Dallas dog? Yes, it is a Dallas dog.  Has absolutely nothing to do with the Dallas Cowboys -- this dog is in a troublesome spot without the help of referees.
More on the dog in a moment. 

BIG FIX FOR BIG D EXPANDS BEYOND ZIP CODES
Once limited to a handful of high-impact Zip Codes, Big Fix for Big D, the spay-neuter initiative, has now expanded its free spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and registration to “pets of low-income pet owners throughout the entire City of Dallas through the end of March,” according to a Big Fix news release. 

The release continues, “ Free spay and neuter surgeries and vaccinations are also extended to community cats in the City of Dallas during the same time period. This limited-time offer is available through the efforts of the four Big Fix for Big D partner organizations: Dallas Animal Services, Dallas Companion Animal Project, Spay Neuter Network and the SPCA of Texas.
“Pet owners who reside in the City of Dallas and would like to take advantage of this limited-time offer can find more information on www.BigFixforBigD.com and make appointments by calling 214-324-4349. Caretakers of community cats should email [email protected] for assistance. Owners and caretakers will need to provide proof of residency at the time of surgery.”

There you have it. Clip this item and put it on office bulletin boards, in church bulletins, on the neighborhood website -- anywhere people with unfixed animals might be reading. Sometimes people who haven't had their animals spayed or neutered actually can read, they just don't pay attention until Frisky or Fluffy delivers a box of unwanted offspring.

ABOUT THAT DOG
We got the tip on this dog from someone who copied us via Facebook and we got luck y and found it still residing on Facebook right HERE. Because Facebook does not have the certainty of identity that one might get from a personal email or conversation, we’ll simply report what the Facebook site message says: “She hangs in Oak Cliff in the Metrocare parking lot on the corner of 10th Street and Zang Blvd. That's where her blankets and dog house are. She may take shelter elsewhere in the rain.” [LARRY ASIDE: IF I were a polite British gentleman I’d perhaps write that oh, wouldn’t it be so kind of someone to give a genuine point of contact to help this dog. But since I’m a lout from Texas, I’ll just write, that, gee, without a genuine point of contact, “Good luck, dog, maybe someone can make the right connection -- tough to do when we don’t have a clue.”] 

BALCH SPRINGS
As long as we’re talking about Facebook posts, someone tipped Readlarrypowell.com to this one about a load of unwanted animals at the low-adoption-traffic Balch Springs Animal Shelter . The post by Ricki Beason reads, “There are so many dogs that are in the high kill shelter at Balch Springs. THEY HAVE NO RESCUES THAT PULL FROM THEM and they need help. If you are a rescue anywhere in Texas they need your help. They are so full and they are gonna have to put more down this weekend please help. Please share with whoever you know and. Tag everyone!! They have two poodles, lab mixes, pit mixes a mastiff and puppies and terrier mixes and AN ELDERLY CHIHUAHUA THAT WAS RETURNED BECAUSE THEY GOT A NEW YOUNG PUPPY. The email for the animal control officer is johnson2640@balchspringspd.com. His name is Kelly Johnson and the shelter number is 972-557-6035. [LARRY ASIDE: See how helpful a name and phone number can be when you’re trying to save lives? Consider that next time you plunk something on Facebook. Remember, their lives are in your hands.]
IRVING URGENTS?
Of course, there are. Thanks to the photo-takin' shelter walker Russell Posch you can see them and read about them HERE.  The shelter is closed on Mondays, but there's a rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 and you should email [email protected] and [email protected]. The shelter's business phones are 972-721-2256 or 57. 
CONTEMPLATIONS: In case you missed a recent comment at the bottom of an edition of Readlarrypowell.com, we’ll mention Jaime Anderson’s tip that leads to “an update on “the bag o’ puppies” at Mazie’s Mission. Click HERE. It’ll take some time to read, but you might find it worth the reading. ... Miserable weather lately. Tough to exercise outdoors. If humans can’t face it to exercise, how can animals survive when they’re dumped into it? ... Something cheerful to end the contemplations? I haven’t had chocolate since the day after Christmas. I don’t even miss it any more. And that last sentence would set off the lie detector like I was a married politician with a girlfriend and a new baby.

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A DAS update, then a careful sleeper, some followups and warmth...

A FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE ON A BIG ISSUE:
DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES FINDINGS--The deaths of those four rescued dogs euthanized instead of sheltered at Dallas Animal Services? Blame human error, according to an investigation of Dallas Animal Services by DAS personnel. No humans and no errors are identified. The big paper downtown has the story and the statement HERE. More to come, no doubt. 

FOR WEEKEND OF JANUARY 10-11 (PetPowellPress)-- Always on the lookout for an odd photo for Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, I hit the end of a sentence on my computer, then turned from the computer and saw this sight.
Yep, that’s the backside of a sleeping dog.
Porche Noel had somehow balanced herself between the end of the couch and the arm of my TVspouse Martha’s chair and gone to sleep. In the years that Porche has bunked with us, I’ve never seen before gravity in charge of her tail.
Because we added a Christmas tree to the living room, the furniture had been rearranged, apparently to Porche’s liking.
She was out like a light. And so was Annabelle Bob, the little black cat in Martha’s lap. You can barely see her in the second photo (blame the photographer’s inability to fathom light), but you can see Porche, who woke as I stepped around Martha’s chair in hopes of getting her sleeping face.
[NOMINATE YOUR slumbering critter for our weekend edition, Let Sleeping Dog’s Lie & Napping Cats Nap, by sending photo and info to [email protected]. We publish sleeping animals to serve as inspiration for insomniacs, some of whom are right now jumping up to slide chairs and couches together to see if they can catch a few winks while balanced on furniture.]

AND NOW SOME FOLLOWUPS THAT MAY HELP ANIMAL PEOPLE SLEEP

RUBY GETS A BREAK

Remember Gretchen Shelby who couldn’t ignore the brown eyes looking at her through the window and brought Ruby inside to try to help hert? Gretchen found some help. That artwork added to Ruby's photo shows you the human reaction. Gretchen writes:
“I believe we have found the best home for her! After contacting 25+ pet organizations and posting on several websites and social media sites, Ruby will be taken in by Karen Cole with Lizzy's Hospice House in the Austin area. Lizzy's provides forever foster homes to senior dogs found in kill shelters and provides them a loving home environment until they are no longer with us.
“Their mission is, ‘To provide a home environment to the most vulnerable companion animals in a shelter environment, or who would ultimately end up in a shelter situation, which are the homeless companion animals that are either terminally ill and/or elderly.’

“Although they normally take in pets from kill shelters in the Austin area only, Karen, who as a soft spot for Rottweilers, is finding room for Ruby. I'm going to be forever grateful to her for what she is doing for Ruby and for all the beautiful souls at Lizzy's Hospice. I am also extremely thankful to Ruby's ‘sponsors’ who are providing donations to Lizzy's. After I offered a $500 donation to any rescue that could help, Dog N Kitty City in Dallas offered to match that donation and has already provided it to Lizzy's. Likewise, Toni Liguori with Katy's Promise Rottweiler Rescue in Austin is donating $100. And my parents, who have four rescues in their home (two Boxers and two newly adopted dachshunds) are donating $250. So altogether, Ruby and her new friends at Lizzy's will have a $1,350 donation to help with their care and medical expenses.
“Lastly, I need to thank the Internet (LOL). After not finding a microchip on Ruby, I put up fliers in neighborhoods and contacted shelters, vets, pet stores. I also posted on Facebook neighborhood pages, NextDoor (great neighborhood resource I've just discovered thanks to this search), Craigslist, PetHarbor,  Lost Dogs of Texas and so many others. But it was just a search for Rottweiler rescues that led me to Katy's Promise and to Toni, who suggested Lizzy's. I sent my plea to them, and now three days later we'll be taking Ruby down to meet her new friend, Karen.
“It's been such an emotional first nine days of 2015 for me! Of course I knew that there were jerks out there who neglected animals. And I knew there were amazing beautiful people who put their hearts and souls into helping them. But I have never spent so much time pouring over lost/found, shelter and rescue sites -- the number of sad faces staring back at me was just too much. I thank every single person who takes in an animal, puts up lost/found posters, microchips their pet -- and most importantly supports spaying and neutering. Ruby has opened my eyes even more to the plight of our pets.”

TIGER’S HOUSE
Earlier in the week we mentioned Tomi Ortiz’ persistent attempts to help a tethered-in-the-weather dog named Tiger in a yard in Lancaster.
The determined Ziva Eliezer jumped on this story and gave support to Tomi and phoned Lancaster authorities and gave them suggestions and word spread as the North Texas temps evolved into one description: “misery.”
Tomi sent a note Friday: “Thanks to you and to Ziva the lady listed below [keep reading to see a familiar name] will be taking Tiger a new dog house this afternoon. Please wish her luck! And pray the owners don’t throw this one away or sell it. ... I pray one day the owners will follow the yellow brick road and go see the wizard for a brain and a heart.”
That new dog house, Tomi says, is courtesy of someone with a familiar name to animal rescuers -- Cile Holloway, president of the Texas Humane Legislation Network. 

Tomi copied us on the note she sent to Lancaster District 2 City Council Member Stanley Jaglowski (along with a copy of Readlarrypowell.com’s coverage of the story.)
She wrote, “Hope all is well with you.  I am reaching out once again regarding the tethered dog [on] Marsalis Street.  The Lancaster animal shelter has gone out to speak to the owners and another person has actually called the police about this situation.  But as usual no progress, same old story ‘nothing can be done’.  I just want to make sure I do my best to help this dog and that’s why I’m reaching out to you once again.  There are so many animal lovers up in arms about this situation.  I hope this situation doesn’t happen but if it does and this dog freezes to death… I would like to think the City of Lancaster will press full charges of animal cruelty! As it is, the City as well as the owners that are letting this dog down.”
If you wanted to let the Council Member Jaglowski know that animal advocates are, indeed, interested in protective city ordinance and in sensible application of laws regarding animals, email [email protected].

A CHALLENGE IN BURNS FLAT
As the weekend arrived, so did this plea from the diligent rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher in Burns Flat, Okla. Yep, another dog. She wrote:
“This sweet Boxer mix was brought to doggie jail today. Her owner apparently went to jail and the person they left her with just let her go. It doesn't look like owner will be coming for her, so she was picked up.
“She has been bred, she has been neglected, she has been thrown away like trash. Yet she is still so full of love and all she wants is to be touched with gentleness...

 She is skin and bones, so I am feeding her little mini meals... And the worse thing is her head. There is a HUGE mass on top of it. I don't know if it is a tumor or what.  But it seems to be painful so as soon as I can, I will get her in to the vet.
“She will also need a safe place to go.”
 Get in touch with Terry Lynn at [email protected]. Mail to her goes to P.O. Box 578, Burns Flat, Okla., 73624 and you can call her at 580-330-1459. She can tell you how to donate to these rescued animals she takes to Elk Creek Clinic in Elk City.

CONTEMPLATION: Go Cowboys? Oh, and, geez, how about a warming spell! Winter’s been long enough in North Texas. And maybe this time the Dallas Cowboys will heat things up in Green Bay. 

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