EDITION OF TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We have stories of available animals who we hope will stir a human heart to respond. One of them even has a "slobber note." And we also have the story of a Dachshund named Sweetie who went for a walk in East Dallas with her human on July 4 and hasn’t been seen since. Her “confused mom” was found on July 5 at a 7-Eleven in West Dallas. Here’s our Tuesday report — Sweetie and her posters are the final item. First some dogs needing homes.
THE EARHOUND BENNY
NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE
It could be that Mary Sullivan, the noted animal advocate, has found a way to boost spirits.
You see to your right the portrait of Benny, clearly a VDLE (“variable display lop-eared”) member of the wondrous division of dogs, the Earhounds.
Deep in her one-page appeal for this fellow, Mary allowed Benny to “write” his own message. It reads, “C’mon, lose those Covid blues and come meet your new best friend—me! You’ll be glad you did.”
Normally we avoid first-person notes from animals, but in this case, Mary at SOS Fosters for Pets in Need, had a good point. This dog might really help you get past being shut-in or miffed by the circumstances of our lives. The way to apply is to call 214-783-2060 or email msully2011@gmail.com.
Benny’s 9 months old, has completed heartworm treatment and is “ready for the next step in his journey,” Mary wrote. She also called him a “lovely guy” — got along with daycare dogs —and he rides well in the car”, though the entrance and exit need
some working on! Sits on command, “walks well on a harness” and “enjoys training.”
I’ve saved the last sure-fire magnet for adoption for last. Mary writes that he “adores people, too, especially those who like a little slobber.”
Like Renee Zellweger’s character said to Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire, “You had me at slobber.”
SOME ANIMAL AND HUMAN
REMNDERS IN LANCASTER
Yep, you’ve seen most of these photos before. Kimberly (right) and Heather are in the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Valkyrie isn’t, but she has fallen under the “sphere of influence” of the non-profit organization 4-Legged Helpers which focuses on small shelters and small-town situations in North Texas.
About Lancaster, Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden of 4-Legged Helpers remind us that Lancaster is now gearing up to work with rescue groups after a period of cold-shouldering. New management. ACO Jonathan Harris is the link when a rescuer spots a Lancaster animal the rescuer or the group can help. Email jharris@lancaster-tx.com or call 214-436-6424 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (And, of course 4-Legged Helpers is still involved with helping Lancaster and other smaller shelters — text or call Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.)
We’ve told Kimberly’s story before — young spayed Lab/Boxer/Bulldog mix who was “dumped” rather than cared for properly as her initial owner had wished. So, she’s in the Lancaster shelter and waiting for either a good-hearted soul to adopt her, a rescue group to claim her or — well, you know what could come next.
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UPDATE ON KIMBERLY: An e-note Tuesday AM from 4-Legged Helpers reports that there has been a "$400 donation to a 501c3 rescue that can help save her."
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Then there’s Heather, about a half-year-old and a Boxer mix who, her bio says, “is the SWEETEST girl. Very sweet and submissive. A bit bashful on first meeting but just as sweet as can be and adores other dogs. She is still just a big puppy “
That brings us to a dog that is NOT in a shelter but is in the care of a “good Samaritan.” And her contact is Laura (call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com).
Valkyrie is a spayed Lab/Shepherd/Border Collie mix. She’s about 10 months old, spayed, and microchipped. Her bio reads, “She is absolutely adorable and is cat friendly and dog friendly. A sweetie pie that so desperately wants to have a home that will love her.
A STORY OF SWEETIE HAS
ELEMENTS OF HEARTBREAK
BUT A CHANCE, SOME HOPE
This may be a situation solvable by someone along Westmoreland on the western side of Dallas. This story grinds the heart of anybody who has a dog with a mom or a friend with memory problems. It oughta grind the heart of anybody who’s drawing a breath.
Our pal Kimberly Jones, the veteran rescuer, tipped us to this story on the Facebook page Lost and Found Pets of Dallas Texas.
You see the posters and the photos.
This is the story that as posted on Facebook: “Sweetie is a 13-14 year old female Dachshund mix weighing 15-20 pounds. She is not microchipped. She is possibly wearing a faded collar with a tag that says Sweetie and a phone number. She is very sweet.
“Her elderly mom (who has dementia) and her were on a walk in their East Dallas neighborhood on Sat July 4 when they went missing... They were both seen at the Westmoreland Dart Station at 3am Sun morning (July 5). Sweetie’s mom was found at 10am Sun morning (7/5) at the 7-11 at N Hampton and Singleton but Sweetie was not with her....Sweetie is lost in West Dallas South Oak Cliff)... Please share this email far and wide. It is imperative that Sweetie is found.
There is a reward.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
Sweetie, people & the odds
This Sweetie thing is such a long-shot situation. The dog hasn’t been seen for about 10 days. Ten awful days in Dallas weather — too stormy, too hot. May Sweetie’s Guardian Angel be handling this situation so that a good human has this dog and has her happily waiting to see the face she loves. Kimberly Jones has been visiting the area and putting up flyers and checking Dallas Animal Services online reports — efforts that you’d hope will be rewarded with a happy ending.
This story, Dear Readers, is getting to me. Too much sadness in this story.
Probably you don’t need to be told to take extra precautions with loved ones who are exhibiting problems with dementia. Love is a great barricade between behavior and mishap. It’s a matter of being aware and alert. But you don’t need to be told that.
I’m just feeling really lousy about this situation. It could have been avoided. Or, maybe it could not have been avoided. We weren’t there. This may have been the first “goin’ for a walk” incident.
We’ll hold the Mom and Sweetie in our hearts. Just as we’ll hold other dogs and cats who don’t realize that something is wrong and, as they always do, they proudly, happily, go along with the person they have loved for all those years.
I have no answers. I only have feelings. And I’m prayin’ that somebody finds a tail-wagging dog with a faded collar and a tag that reads “Sweetie.”
—- Offer advice or your feelings by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-
