EDITION OF FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017 (PetPowellPress) -- The challenges of dogs and cats in a human world are dramatic. And so are the challenges of humans. Read on about animals suddenly without homes and humans who work to protect animals. Oh, and there is this microchip confusion note...
COME AGAIN? MICROCHIP? RABIES?
Anybody got any questions about the new City of Dallas microchip law? This question arises because apparently people are confused. I have a friend who is trying to get the low-down on the registration/rabies shots angle and is concerned that the legendary Dallas “honor system” (insert laugh track here) isn’t going to be strong enough to get people to vaccinate their animals. Another person posted a Next Door note that reads, “I have been on the City Of Dallas web site trying to register my dog. So does the microchip register you or do you still have to go thru the city? I cannot reach any one by phone, and I don't see where the web site will let you register.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Remember that Dallas campaign: Big Things Happen Here? It is times like these when I think the word "things" needs an adjective -- like, maybe, "backward" or "peculiar" or "puzzling" or, of course, "extraordinarily smart things happen here." We have it on good authority that this registration/vaccination thing is going to come up again on August 4 at the next Dallas Animal Shelter Commission meeting. Not everyone on the commission is behind this ordinance. Sure, microchips work. But so do rabies shots. And rabies is a viable concern in North Texas. If you click HERE you can see the official Texas rabies map for this year. Sure, it mostly gets skunks in our area, but an un-vaccinated dog isn’t checking the skunk’s paperwork when he goes running after one of the rabid little guys.]
WHAT ABOUT FREDDY?
The email subject line read “Freddy a unique and unwanted puppy :(“
Our longtime tipster and genuine animal fan Tomi Ortiz wasn’t focused on Lancaster’s Furbabies this time -- she was helping a family friend who is concerned about this dog.
Freddy is a Catahoula mix, Tomi says.
“He belonged to a friend of my great-nephew Anthony.”
Anthony called Tomi looking for help getting Freddy out of the Plano Animal Shelter.
Anthony’s friend “was told by his parents that they didn’t want Freddy at their house and he would have to get rid of him. Like he’s something you can just throw out?!
“Anthony’s friend was heartbroken and Anthony volunteered to drive Freddy to the Plano animal shelter which he did yesterday. Anthony asked me to please help ask if someone out there would take Freddy. I said of course I would do my best to put the word out for Freddy! ... Freddy has such a unique look I’m hoping he catches someone’s eye! Freddy deserves a chance at a happy life.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I went online to the Plano adoption site HERE and could find no photo of Freddy. Doesn’t mean he isn’t there. And, maybe, someone has already adopted the guy. I’m trying to be optimistic.]
WHAT? ZOEY IS STILL AVAILABLE?
Yes, that is the case. The inexplicable case. Look at that Earhound!
We got the update on Zoey from Karen Lee, the resolute animal advocate at barkleyworld.com. Her note says that Zoey, in the Watauga Animal Shelter since June 12, appears to have beaten a urinary tract infection.
“Still no interest in her,” the note reports. Barkleyworld donated toward her vet bill. So, what needs to happen now is a simple rescue or and even simpler adoption. Here are the contact points (and keep in mind that the shelter WANTS to save animals. Email
amagee@wataugatx.org or call 817-656-9614.
AN OK DEAL!
Don’t you love that artwork?
I read that line about getting a $65 discount on adoption fees for “humans age 65 or better and animals 7+.”
We already have the limit of 7+ animals in our house, but if we can find a “65 or better” human who can help me clean out the garage, we’ll be on our way to Carrollton ASAP.
Of course, upon further review, we think that means if you’re “65 or better” you can adopt an animal at the discount rate at the Operation Kindness no-kill shelter. The adoption break runs through July 24. Got to operationkindness.org to check out the “inventory” and any other details.
[LARRY ASIDE: I did love the news release about this Operation Kindness “Senior Special.” The headline read, “$65 Discount off Adoption Fees for Senior Humans and Animals.” Of course, we’re pretty certain OK isn’t using human trafficking to raise money. You can see how to donate without getting a discounted senior human at operationkindness.org.]
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
WILL IT HELP ADOPTION?
OK, no suspense. The cat is named “Hillary.” Some people will like that. Some people will not. Adopt the cat and keep or change the name. However, this cat is 8 years old and accustomed to the name. We got the story from Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, which operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas.
The original note, from Carol Larimore, reads, “This kitty needs a home! Mother-in-law can't care for her any longer. Lost her best cat friend 6 months ago and is still mourning. Needs a lot of LOVE. Is an indoor cat and plays well with like kind. I don't think she has ever been around dogs. She needs a forever home.” |
To offer to help Hillary triumph, email jockeyfox@yahoo.com. The cat is 8, fixed and available.
A REQUEST FROM BURNS FLAT
We’ve told the story several times of how the Burns Flat, Okla., rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher came to be involved in this never-ending mission of “saving ‘em all.”
Her two friendly sweet dogs escaped the yard in the early 2000s and, in Burns Flat, a police officer called friendly, inadvertently stray Oddball up to his car window and when happy Oddball romped up, the guy shot the dog and killed him.
Terry Lynn said, “Never again.”
Now, she is concerned about Oddball’s companion that day. Here’s her note: “My Sweet Stubby. He was born March 14, 2002, to a stray we took in to our home. After not finding anyone I trusted to take the litter, I ended up with 4 of them. This is the sweetheart that was with my Oddball that horrible day -- she was gunned down in the street but he made it home.
"Through the years, the other siblings passed away... But Stubby has made it past 15 years. I love this sweet old soul. He is my precious boy. Sadly, he is going downhill fast. He is struggling to get up and limping badly. He is so tired. I feel he is getting close to leaving this earth. And I do not know how I am going to let him go. I pray he will go to sleep one night and pass peacefully. Making the decision for him is so hard. I will do it when he lets me know, but it is so hard.
“Please,” Terry Lynn wrote, “May I ask all of you to send love and prayers for my old boy? This is such a hard time.” You can email Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: Bless Stubby and Terry Lynn. That is a friendship that has carried meaning and inspired devotion to doing good things.]
CONTEMPLATION
This is a video contemplation. It has a big bird in it. You may have seen it -- word is it went "viral." It’s fascinating and it makes you feel good to see people working to help a puzzled bird. Will Brown of Creve Coeur, Missouri, posted it on FACEBOOK HERE. It takes a bit to watch it, but it’s worth the time when you think about people helping the owl and compare them with the people who fight dogs and roosters. Three heroes saved a big bird. Creeps hurt animals. Pretty much the size of things. [LARRY ASIDE: Enjoy the photo of that baby, too -- the youngster has apparently been born into a very kind household.]
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