TORNADO DOGS: 5 p.m., 2/26/16

"When she arrived at the shelter she was terrified and would just stare at the wall."
This is human tragedy made worse.
The post-Christmas tornado ended lives, changed lives, ruined futures, brought the promise of tears with every holiday, every special moment with a missing loved one.
The damage is beyond housing and loss of keepsakes strewn by unthinking winds. It is misery of the heart.

The quote that opens this special Friday edition of readlarrypowell.com  is about Celia, that dog with the sincere face and the pointy ears.

Dawna Carabajal, President of the Friends of Rowlett Animals, has issued an appeal to get  Celia and other unclaimed tornado dogs and a couple of extras off of death row. [Don't forget to scroll down and read the early Friday edition of Readlarrypowell.com. There are opportunities to help there, too.]
Dawna writes, “As most know Rowlett was hit by a devastating tornado the day after Christmas. So many pets were immediately displaced from their homes and families. Thankfully most pets were reunited with their families over time.
 Unfortunately a few dogs were never claimed, so they have been waiting in the Rowlett Shelter.

“It has been over 7 weeks now and the shelter is full so these dogs have until 2/26/16 at 5 p.m. to get out or will be euthanized.”
As Dawna explains, after the tornado, pets were placed on hold to give people time to reclaim them. To ease the pressure at the shelter, some rescue groups claimed dogs that were already there.
She says that “we had so many offers of help immediately after the storm, but now that these tornado dogs need help, there doesn't seem to be any offers. These dogs have all found themselves homeless due to no fault of their own.”
To ask about a Rescue pull or an adoption, contact both Friends of Rowlett Animals on Facebook or by emailing [email protected] and also notify Shelter Manager Maria Martinez at [email protected]. Dawna notes, “There are no full fees for 501c3 rescues.”
WHO ARE THESE DOGS?

TASER: About a year old, he is “most likely a Pit or Cane Corso mix. Taser is neutered and heartworm negative. Taser just isn't fazed by anything. He came in a few days after the tornado but seems just fine about it all. He loves life and everyone in it. We feel Taser would be an easy addition to a home. At our last adoption event he was friendly and playful with every dog we brought and every dog [and] ...with every person he met and very gentle with the children. We even took him over to the cat kennels and he and one of the kittens were gently trying to play with each other thru the plexiglas. Taser had been adopted once but was returned because the adopters would not crate him and he destroyed some items when left home alone all day. ...Taser is one fantastic dog that we just do not understand why he has not been adopted yet.”

SARINA: May be between 4 and 6. Could be “a Dogo mix or a Pit mix. Sarina is already spayed and is heartworm negative. When Sarina first arrived at the shelter she was very unhappy and let everyone know about it. Her bark was quite intimidating. But that was exactly what it was meant to do, intimidate; because she was so scared. She still puts on a show for you at her kennel gate, but she is a sucker for treats. And once you take her outside you see her true nature. She still seems a little more comfortable with male humans, but she is so much better now with everyone. She is a real love bug who enjoys belly rubs. She loves to play with some of the other dogs at the shelter; Celia is one of her best friends. Sarina has not been cat tested. She would do better with older children. “
CHIEF: About 2, perhaps a Pit/Mastiff mix, he’s neutered and heartworm negative.  “Chief is another super friendly, fun guy. Chief was found shortly after the tornado but was never reclaimed. Chief is a strong boy, so he is going to need a strong pack leader. He has a strong toy drive, so that will be helpful in his training. He is very smart and attentive to whoever is handling him. He also gets along with most of the dogs at the shelter. He was adopted once but was returned because he chewed things up when left home alone. When he was adopted the ACO at the shelter tried to get the adopters to take a free Kong large wire crate, but they refused it. Then they returned him for chewing. So sad.”
CELIA: About 2, perhaps a Pit mix. “Celia is spayed and is heartworm positive. However, Friends of Rowlett Animals will sponsor her treatment (we will either pay the full amount at our vet, Premier Vet Clinic, or we will donate the same amount it would cost us to your preferred vet). Celia was found shortly after the tornado tied to a pole. When she arrived at the shelter she was terrified and would just stare at the wall. However, after volunteers and staff doting all over her she has made a remarkable change. Celia is a really great dog. She loves every single person she meets and all dogs too! She even makes friends with dogs that are picky about their canine friends. Celia was adopted twice but returned both times. The first time she was returned because one spouse did not want a bully breed. She didn't do anything wrong. The second time she was returned was because the adopter said she jumped on the 4 year old. She is really not a jumper so we don't understand. She is very sweet and calm. We would love to see Celia finally get a FOREVER home.”
ROOSTER: Not a tornado dog, Dwana says, but he’s still in a storm of his own. “Rooster came to the shelter a couple of weeks prior to the tornado. After the tornado hit he was adopted but was returned the next day because the adopter's dogs did not like him. Due to all of the storm dogs being held at the shelter Rooster had to be transferred to a neighboring shelter for a short time. Once there was space available again at the Rowlett Shelter, Rooster was transferred back. Through all of the back and forth he has remained his sweet, goofy, lovable self. Rooster is a shelter and staff favorite and we are all desperate to find him a rescue or loving home. He has now been at the shelter for 2 months. The ACO's are even begging us to help find him a way out.”
TUGGER: “Just came into the shelter on 2/9/16 so we don't as volunteers have a lot of info on him yet. He is between 6-8 years old and weighs about 70 lbs. He is heartworm negative. He came in with a female Pit so we know he likes her, but we have not had a chance to test him with anyone else as he just became available. Staff reports he will need an experienced handler to work with him, as he seems unpredictable with some people. He has been added to the euthanasia list due to space and behavior.”
[Maybe this extra edition on a blue-sky Friday will help save some dogs who need to finally get out of the “storms.” Don't forget to keep reading our earlier Friday edition of Readlarrypowell.com. Just keep scrolling.]