IN THE WAKE OF A HOLIDAY, SOME ANIMALS ARE IN NEED OF A LIFE PRESERVER...

EDITION OF MONDAY, JULY 5/TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2021 [PetPowellPress] As we reached July 5, we discovered that — surprise! surprise! — animal challenges had not called a time-out for the Fourth of July holiday. We begin in Plano.
LUCY — ONCE A FAMILY DOG,
FATE RENDERS HER HOMELESS
This note about Lucy came from veteran Plano animal advocate Debbie New. 
It’s sort of a “legacy appeal”. Lucy is currently waiting for someone loving and responsible to come get her at the Plano Animal Shelter.
As Debbie began in her note, “Ages ago I volunteered for what was then called the Collin County Humane Society. We were a tight knit group and many of us are still in touch with one another. A few weeks ago, a dog wound up at the Plano Animal Shelter because her owner passed away. That owner was a volunteer with the Collin County Animal Shelter. Someone had been keeping the dog for a few months but could no longer care for it. A relative was contacted and could not get the dog. Lucy is up for adoption and is just the sweetest thing ever! … She is a spayed female German Shepherd mix and about 11 years of age. She is house-trained and knows how to use a doggie door. Lucy is good with other dogs as well as children and is protective of children but not in an aggressive way. She is a smart girl who knows the commands sit and lie down and she likes to sleep on the sofa. Lucy loves to cuddle with you and just smiles and smiles. I hope she can find a good home so please share. Her ID is A180376. The shelter phone is 972-769-4360. I just want to cry every time I see her.
Like most people who have been involved in animal issues for a while, there’s no place in our homes. As Debbie wrote, “I wish I could take her but am going to do whatever I can to find her a forever home. It’s so sad.” 
Here’s the PetFinder LINK to Plano’s animals-in-waiting at the city’s shelter.”
FROM NORTH OF BIG D WE GO
WEST TO FORT WORTH’S SHELTERS
This one will make you really want to lecture someone.
The story was posted by Kristen Barg Morrison and has to do with Gorda who was still in the shelter Monday. She’s #A46808571. The 4-year-old, 65-pound, not spayed and heartworm positive girl with the incredibly sad look was surrendered to the shelter on June 8. Why? “Escapes,” the owner said.

Kristen’s description of her encounter at the shelter read, “I was taking out other dogs and her sad eyes and demeanor broke my heart. I could easily leash her and take her outside. She was still very timid in the yard ... but eventually came up to me for some pets.
“Her previous owner said she jumps over the fence and chases cars. She got along with dogs, children, farm animals. Lived mostly outside, enjoys tennis balls and walks, knows sit. Her kennel card said she can be selective with other dogs. I’m going to assume she doesn’t like hyper dogs all over her.”
To ask about this girl, email [email protected]."
She’s at the FWACC Chuck Silcox Adoption Center, 4900 Martin St. in southeast Fort Worth.
WAIT, THERE’S MORE: THIS IS ELEPHARE 
Another Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Dog, Elephare (#47954116) came to the city shelter via a hoarding case about a month ago, the report sent to us said. “I love her,” reads the bio sent by Kristen.
This dog is 10, weighs 65 pounds, is Spayed and heartworm negative.
The bio reads, “She lived with other dogs (big and small) and cats. She had an ear infection but the shelter cleaned it out and started her on meds. She is so sweet and easy going! Her tail does not stop wags, easy to leash/unleash, and enjoyed exploring outside.” (Contact point is [email protected].) She’s at the FWACC North Animal Campus, 351 Hillshire in FW. [LARRY ASIDE: No idea where a dog would get the name 'Elephare.' Anybody know?]

ONE OTHER FORT WORTH NOTE has to do with a subject dear to my heart, writes yours truly, Larry Powell the longtime newspaper reporter, editor, columnist. This item points out why someone should always be publishing daily papers. 
A note from Fort Worth Animal Care & Control reports that the “south shelter ran out of newspaper…They use newspaper for all the cat areas. They currently are caring for over 100 cats, so it’s really important they get more donated!”

The note continues, “You can drop it off at 4900 Martin St., Fort Worth, 76119, before 6 p.m any day of the week….”
We took a look at the cats on the FWACC list of residents. You probably can’t blame the shortage of newspaper on this cat. But the cat needs a home, anyway. That beautiful girl with the spotted abdomen is young Lily — she’s available. Here’s a LINK to the FW animals. Lily is #48045430, a resident since June 21.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES FOR A TUESDAY
Is it possible that the 2024 presidential campaign has already begun? Gosh, remember when the politicians would give us about a year off before they started slinging stuff. Ah, the good ol’ days. … Our dogs and cats were very calm during the Fourth of July weekend. Didn’t seem to give the nearby flashes and explosion a second thought. My nativeDallasOakCliffspouse Martha explained, “They’re all born and raised in Oak Cliff — they’re accustomed to gunfire and explosions.” She was kidding. About halfway. … And that brings us to this photograph. It came from a neighborhood bulletin board in eastern Fort Worth. A neighbor posted on Sunday night, “These two little ones are … under our truck. They’re terrified of the fireworks, and I cannot get them inside. Does anyone recognize them?” A note Monday afternoon read that the dogs were still under the truck. Animal control had been called.” And someone else said, “Awesome job! If they are chipped, they will have them home soon.” Based on observations of human nature, I’m seeing too many “ifs” in that sentence. [LARRY ASIDE: May those dogs have a guardian angel that is strong as can be after spending a weekend getting knocked around by fireworks and bad intentions.] And, you know what? Bless those neighbors for having faith in the system that is supposed to shelter animals when their humans let them down! May it work like a charm.
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