EDITION OF FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Here we are with a 2017 hurricane reality looming. Human and animal rescuers are in action -- planning and executing -- the SPCA of Texas was at work on this with other groups on Thursday. Earlier this month, the SPCA took in tornado dogs from Oklahoma. Volunteers and donations -- two ways to fight natural disasters. Bless all the heroes as Harvey follows its rainy storms to landfall on the Texas coast.
SOME IRONY FOR ANIMALS:
BODY COUNT IN KUWAIT, DALLAS
In early August, The New York Times ran a story headlined “America Is Running Out of Bomb-Sniffing Dogs.”
On Thursday, the Daily Mail in England ran a story outlining how an American security company in Kuwait killed dozens of bomb-sniffing dogs after an oil firm contract ended.
Seems like in the age of communications, things might have been done to save the dogs.
Oh, and while you’re outraged over the senseless death of those bomb-sniffing dogs, take a look at that little chart on the right.
That’s lifted from the Dallas Animal Services statistics for July. Go to dallasanimalservices.org, click on “about” and go to the July 2017 "statistical report" where you’ll find that (left to right on the chart) during the current 2016-17 fiscal year, DAS euthanized 7,302 animals. The second column is July 2016, and that third column is July 2017 (the month before “Clear the Shelters” on August 19) -- last month DAS killed 665 dogs, 345 cats and 43 “other.” They didn’t all arrive at the shelter because they were suffering fatal injuries -- for most of them, the only fatal act was being processed through intake. Oh, and then being unrecognized as living beings with minds and hearts by the blissfully ignorant public. See that entire July chart HERE
How can euthanasia in Dallas be explained? The residents of Dallas who don’t care about animals perceive Dallas Animal Services as a place to solve a problem, to get rid of an annoyance, to unload a barricade to a worry-free summer vacation.
It is not the minds of the animals that need to be enlightened.
A ‘COMPLETE EMERGENCY’
The folks who work to help animals to safety from smaller shelters, use this sentence to describe the current situation at the Red Oak Animal Shelter: “We have a complete emergency -- shelter is full.”
Animals listed on the “must save” list last week are still there, plus there are some additions of a curious nature. They seem to be arriving in pairs.
The arrivals, according to the email from Leighann Hayden on behalf of Laura Macias (the small-shelter angel), include Paislee (left), an Aussie Heeler or maybe a mix who, less than a year old, arrived as a “gentle sweet soul full of unconditional love to give” and two dogs that may be her younger siblings, Peyton and Parker (right).
[LARRY ASIDE: This might just indicate that somewhere in the Red Oak neighborhood, there’s an unfixed momma dog who has puppies now and then. At least the “owner” didn’t just throw these three away when they didn’t sell.]
Also traveling in pairs, these little dogs: Kody is a male long-haired Chihuahua and Kaelyn is the female. Under 2 and available for adoption individually.
Then there is the pair Danielle and Damien. Danielle is the “stretch” version, a Chi/Doxie mix. Damien is the boy Chihuahua. Came in together -- they’re under 2, also.
The cat who knows how to pose is Caleb. The note reads that, inexplicably for such a cute boy, “The rest of his litter have all been adopted.” He’s not the only kitten left at Red Oak.
And here are two of the many left over from previous notices.
That purebred Staffie with the adorable look is Daisy, under 2 and very available. She’s “cute and as adorable as can be. Loves everyone.” She’s healthy and loves to be happy.
The Lab fellow is Ryan -- sweet and beautiful and unwanted so far.
To help any of these animals via rescue or adoption, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email her at [email protected]. She’s your contact with the shelter’s ACO.
THE BURNSFLATTROPLEX?
We usually refer to Terry Lynn Fisher as the resilient Burns Flat., Okla., animal advocate and rescuer. It’s high time we came up with a new description: Western Oklahoma Regional Resilient Rescuer might work. In case you’re traveling out in that direction this weekend, here’s the story from Terry Lynn: “I am swamped with dogs in need. Burns Flat seems to be over run with idiots. I have several in very short term foster.” Dogs, she means, not idiots.
Many dogs are at the city pound. She adds, “One in treatment at the vet (as well as boarding) for HW, and 2 just in boarding needing a place to stay. The sad thing is, all the three at the vet right now are from different towns. None are Burns Flat dogs but they were dogs in need, and I could not just turn my back on them. So for boarding ALONE, it is costing me $40 a day THAT takes away from my medical needs.”
That brown dog is from a city pound north of Burns Flat. You may recall from an earlier readlarrypowell.com post that Terry Lynn “was informed she was a Doxie mix. Imagine my surprise when I saw THIS. But she was in a pound that is not a good place with a BROKEN JAW. So I had her taken to my vet. The break is an old injury and has healed over. She eats and drinks fine. She just needs a place to be seen and available for adoption. VERY sweet and loving.
“The other boy is from the hell hole town of Reydon. He supposedly bit a child. I saw the mark. It looked more like she scratched herself falling down. He was taken to my vet for a 10-day hold... NO AGGRESSION AT ALL. After the 10 days, the town called and said they would pick him up to take back to Reydon TO SHOOT! Yes, THAT is how they handle things there. My vet crew asked if I would take him on. I made the mistake of seeing him, so I could not stand the thought of him being shot.”
To ask how to help Terry Lynn with mounting vet and boarding bills and a supply of unseen adoptable dogs, email her at [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN DENTON
Upon further review, there were some dogs left behind on “Clear the Shelter Day” last Saturday in Denton. Our tipster Amy Poskey let us know about Zeus and Sherman. “My heart breaks for these two babies cuz they watched all their pooch pals find love and leave the shelter on Saturday for ‘Clear the Shelter Day’ -- but Zeus and Sherman were left behind.”
Zeus is under 2, a male Shepherd mix with a lot of energy and jumping ability -- needs a home with a high fence or he’s jumping to daylight. He loves walks and is “food motivated so should be a breeze to train,” his bio reads. He weighs 45.8 pounds and is, darn the luck, heartworm positive, but the shelter “will provide five months of HW preventative when adopted or
rescued,” the bio adds. Here’s his PETFINDER LINK.
Sherman, about the same age as Zeus, is quite the Earhound -- he’s described as a Pittie/Labbie mix “who is high energy, toy-driven, focused and goo with other pooches but can be dominant.” He’s a healthy, 55-pound Earhound with a grin. His PETFINDER LINK IS HERE.
They’re in the McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton. Call 940-349-7594. Email: [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected] .
A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Hello, my name is Porche Noel and I’ve been engaged by Readlarrypowell.com to make this public service announcement on Friday, August 25. My job is to remind you that Saturday is National Dog Day.
Until I was about six months old I didn’t even know I was a dog. I was just a “kept mammal” and I don’t even know why. I managed to escape my confinement -- I was starving, walking with a horrible limp and puzzled at a world without walls. Just before Christmas a few years ago I was taken in by a human family that already had dogs. We meshed perfectly after my mental condition settled down. I began to understand the joy of being a dog. Free treats. Hugs. Belly rubs. Warm in winter; cool in summer. Conversations with people who interpret my tilted- head stares as an intellectual response. Companionship -- it’s good for the human, it’s good for the dog. If you already have a dog, celebrate with the dog. If you don’t, get one. Texas is loaded with free dogs. They wander the streets and parks of Dallas and other cities. When you open your heart and home to a dog, you’re giving a purpose to your human life. Otherwise, you’re just paying taxes so people can figure out a way to either pave the planet or blow it up. Celebrate dogs -- that’s me snoozing with my Rottie pal, Texas Earl the Cheeseman. May I suggest that we borrow from Charles Dickens’ character Ebenezer Scrooge: “I will honour Dogs in my heart, and keep them all the year.” I’m sure Dickens will support that merry change on National Dog Day.
CONTEMPLATIONS: In honor of the actor/personality Jay Thomas who has died too, too early at 69, our contemplation is dedicated to his nearly annual appearance on LateNight with David Letterman and what all fans came to know as “The Lone Ranger Story.”
Listen HERE FOR THE 2009 VERSION.
Or, click HERE FOR THE 2014 VERSION for the Letterman show’s last Christmas.
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