EDITION OF FEB. 1 & 2, 2015 (PetPowellPress)-- I’ll be open about this: I’m as stunned as the next guy to realize this is February if 2015. To me it seems like it ought to be about October in 1975 at the most. Seriously, how fast can a January move? (Our Readlarrypowell.com personal counselor reminds us to note this disclaimer: Not a reference to actress January Jones (right) of Mad Men and many other productions as Readlarrypowell.com has no idea how swiftly Ms. Jones can run.)
Before we get to the big news from Operation Kindness and a story on a Dallas street dog, we must note the changing of the months. To celebrate the arrival of February we call upon the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and the official impersonator of Readlarrypowell.com recently declared CPOBE (Cocker Poet of the British Empire), Sir Inky, to provide a tribute to the transitioning of the months.
He has written a poem titled “Three Days Short of a Full Belly.” Sir Inky’s poem.
How swift our January!
Quick as a Cocker
in flight for a treat
The sadness, o, Feb’ry
then’s this my friends:
three less days to eat.
[That is our staff impersonator Sir Inky giving us his impression of a Dallas Cowboy rushing toward the winner’s post-game lounge at the Super Bowl and spotting, through the knees of a guard blocking the way of individuals without winning credentials, a steaming platter of Mom’s Wait ‘Til Next Year Meatloaf and no gravy.]
HELP NEEDED FOR NEAR-MISS RAMP DOG AND ANOTHER TURNED IN AND LEFT TO DIE...
This is one handsome dog. And he’s in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter -- the second part of that DAS structure is “and Adoption Center.” That’s the part that Lisa Cobb hopes works for this pup. He’s A873510. Lisa found him a week ago Sunday and took him to the shelter.
When she found him, she says, “He was about to enter the ramp on I-35 South and Jefferson”
That is across the Trinity from Downtown Dallas and it is in such a highly intense construction zone right now that few drivers have time to look at anything except the dangerous traffic around them.. It is no place for pedestrians. And, frankly, it’s nothing short of a miracle that the dog wasn’t killed.
No tags, no chip. Of course. And Julia, who rents her home, has the city limit on dogs already. She and A873510 were in a fix, but the shelter was there and that’s where this guy went.
Lisa explains the rescue and aftermath: “I managed to steer him to safety. He came right to me, let me pet him, pick him up and put him in my car. Since it was this past Sunday, no vets open for me to see if chipped. I couldn’t take him home because I am renting and at my dog limit. He had on a collar but no tags, and is not neutered. “Several other dogs entered DAS [as he was being processed] and he seemed curious, but not aggressive in the least. Looked a bit dirty, but like he had been well fed. I took him to DAS and he was not chipped. They give them 72 hours if not chipped, then evaluate for adoption or rescue. They tagged him as rescue only because of hair loss (I didn’t see any, must have been on belly) , and that possible dog aggression. He is a Pit mix, probably cattle dog. He showed absolutely no signs of any aggression whatsoever.”
Lisa’s friend Julia Stocker, a volunteer at DAS, reported to Lisa that this pup seems shy at first, but when he’s went to the exercise yard “he warmed up, cuddled in her lap and gave her kisses. He knows the commands sit, down and shake. ...He is at high risk of being euthanized very soon unless we can find a foster and/or rescue group.”
You know the drill: DASrescue@dallascityhall.com. Go to the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland. They’ll be glad to see you, especially if you leave with a dog bound for an extraordinary life-long home.
AND IF YOU DON’T THING THINGS ARE TIGHT AT DAS -- This appeal in a save today or die situation came from the shelter around noon on Sunday. Click on the artwork to make it larger.
If you can help this guy (or any other dogs and cats in DAS) email dasrescue@dallascityhall.com. They aren’t kidding when the needle comes out. Not the shelter's fault. Somewhere along the way, it is the city's humans that fail the animals.
A TRIBUTE TO BIG DADDY
Don’t miss reading about a wonderful dog who came to a home after being advertised as a “senior” and turned out to be practically a puppy. Click on our Prayers & Passages page (upper right corner) to read Chérie King’s tribute to this beloved dog.
It is a story from the heart that reminds us all to look beyond the surface of the beings we encounter.
OPERATION KINDNESS’ NUMBERS
We’ve been writing about Operation Kindness for decades and it’s always a joy to see the shelter celebrating its numbers!
It is, as you probably know, the leading no-kill shelter in North Texas and maybe North America.
In 2014, the Carrollton-based shelter registered a record-breaking 4,387 animal adoptions.
Operation Kindness CEO Jim Hanophy, in a news release, said this was the third consecutive year the numbers have increased by more than 10 percent.
He said, “We are so appreciative of the support we receive from the community who help make this possible. It is through our dedicated volunteers, community partnerships, and increased awareness through special events, corporate and community education programs — that we were able to achieve such success.”
Oh, yes, there are still animals available for adoption at OK. That Boxer mix is Holly Day with her toothy pose. And that cat, the one who looks as if she's posing for the cover of her new gospel album is the tabby Grace.
What’s up for 2015? OK is introducing the Foster Talent agent Training program, described as “a volunteer foster program designed to provide adoptable animals with a ‘human wingman’ to find their perfect match.”
OK’s adoption fees are $135 for cats and kittens and $175 for dogs and puppies. See operationkindness.org.
[LARRY ASIDE: Every time I see a triumph for Operation Kindness or a mention of the magnificent Carrollton shelter I think about my pal Jonnie England who was there from the inception of the organization until 2008. Last time I was at the shelter, several months ago, it occurred to me that I didn’t see any sort of block of cement or framed certificate on a wall or sign on a door or gate commemorating the decades of life-force Jonnie gave to the shelter and has since given to so many instances of animal rescue and advocacy. Seems like a life dedicated to the no-kill concept ought to be honored somewhere on the grounds of the shelter she built through determination and leadership. Lord knows how many animal lives she saved and how many human lives were improved because of Jonnie England. No telling how many people got involved in rescue because Jonnie is such a role model. Might be time for someone at Operation Kindness to consider a permanent display of gratitude. Comment by clicking below or email dallrp@aol.com. Pass it on, please.]
CONTEMPLATIONS: I think we can get away with calling Leland Melvin a former Dallas Cowboy -- he was, at least, in spring camp with the Cowboys in the late 1980s, according to Wikipedia and it’s never wrong. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1986 after a stellar career at the University of Richmond and stellar may be the key word because he became an astronaut. Star traveler. My earthorbitspacespouse Martha spotted this photo a couple of days ago on that Cheezburger site HERE and it showe up on AOL’s site, too. The dogs are Scout and Jake. So many Dallas Cowboys have gone on to become astronauts, traveling in space in small living areas on recovery missions -- wait, let me check the records. Yes, many former Dallas Cowboys have gone on to live in confined quarters with minimal contact on earth. ... Things you never thought you’d see advertised in one email’s subject line: “Tempered Glass Protector, Double Wide Detox Stomach Wrap.” I don’t know if they are connected by mishap. Someone’s stomach wrap snapped and broke a windshield? That’s all I can figure. ... Ah, the Super Bowl. That ending was the biggest surprise ending on screen since The Sting. Now, with football season just a memory, what can you say? Click HERE.
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