Boo and the rest of her siblings were rescued off the country road. They are all very happy, playful puppies. Boo is a 2-month-old border collie mix that weighs 10 pounds today, but may grow as big as 30 to 40 pounds as an adult dog. Boo and her siblings are looking forward to growing up with you!

Many other great dogs and cats are available for adoption from Operation Kindness, located at 3201 Earhart Drive, 1 street south of Keller Springs and 2 blocks west of Midway Road, in Carrollton. The no-kill shelter is open 6 days a week: Monday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Tuesday; Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $110 for cats, $135 for kittens, $150 dogs over 1 year, and $175 for puppies. The adoption cost includes the spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccinations, heartworm test for dogs, leukemia and FIV test for cats, and more. Those who adopt two pets at the same time receive a $20 discount. For more information, call 972-418-PAWS,
or visit OperationKindness.org.

Angel is an angelic brown tabby with white markings and enormous gold-green eyes.

She’s just 8 months old and weighs a mere 4 pounds. Angel is sweet, calm, laidback and loving. Why not adopt an Angel of your own this holiday season?

Angel and many other cats, dogs, puppies and kittens are available for adoption from Dallas Animal Services, 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30, just minutes west of Downtown Dallas. The shelter is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. The regular adoption cost is $85 for dogs and $55 for cats, but discounts are offered for animals in the shelter longer than 45 days, to senior citizens and to those who adopt two animals at the same time. All dogs are negative for heartworms, and cats have been tested for FeLV and FIV.  For more information, visit DallasAnimalServices.org or call 214-671-0249.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 16, 2011.

ANGELS IN AMERICA | A Jacksboro animal sanctuary benefits from, from left, Matt and Beth Kelley, Carole Sanders and Nita Burgoon, who serve 300-plus dogs and horses. (Photo courtesy Rodrigo Orta)

STEVEN LINDSEY  | Contributing Writer
stevencraiglindsey@me.com

There are dog lovers, and then there’s Carole Sanders. With 300 dogs and counting under her roof, Sanders’ Animal Angels Rescue, Rehabilitation, Adoption and Sanctuary represents a last chance for many unwanted canines. But unlike the fate of many other homeless animals on this 38-acre ranch in Jacksboro, Texas, these dogs (and 18 horses) have a place to live out the rest of their lives with food, shelter and most of all, love.

Sanders, now 72, loved dogs from a very early age and knew that somehow her life would end up in the service of animals.

“I just didn’t know I was going to do anything at this level, but I’ve always seen the need out there and I have the will and determination to do what I had to accomplish. You have

OVERRUN WITH DOGS | The author, above, learns first-hand how friendly a rescue dog can be — and how adorable they are just being themselves, below. (Photos courtesy Rodrigo Orta)

to take time,” she says. “If you try to do too much too fast, you can’t do it well. That’s why some rescue groups burn out and fail.”

It was vitally important to Sanders that the sanctuary, which she started in 1992, grow slowly and that everything was in place to sustain it. In 1993, Animal Angels received its non-profit 501(c)3 tax status. Then in 2001, Sanders retired after 40 years of serving a completely different yet equally unruly animal — the airline passenger.

“After being a flight attendant for so long, I figured out that I’m a giver,” she says.

Thankfully, she’s not alone in the giving department. Along with her life partner, Nita Burgoon, Sanders continues to buy up surrounding land — not just to provide more space for the dogs, but to keep neighbors far, far away (300 barking dogs could lead to complaints that might jeopardize the entire mission).

In the cozy lodge that Burgoon had custom-built for the couple, more than a dozen smaller dogs have graciously allowed the two women to share their space, though it’s difficult to find a chair, sofa or any other soft surface without a furry face staring up from it.

More recently, former Operation Kindness intake coordinator Beth Kelley, her husband Matt, and three children have moved into a house on the property and are in charge of many of the daily chores and upkeep that an organization like this entails. Serving the needs of the animals has created a unique situation for Kelley and her family.

“When making the decision to all work at the sanctuary as a family and not having to commute to an outside source of income we feel that we not only have enhanced the upbringing of our children, but the lives of animals that are in great need while educating the community that we live in,” she says.

Part of that education is in-your-face messages that appear on every Animal Angels vehicle. “Only and idiot would let a dog ride in the bed of a truck” adorns their pick-ups; a gestured middle finger from bubbas who drive past isn’t uncommon.

Other messages are less provocative, though no less thought-provoking — like the fact that one female dog and one male dog can be responsible for 67,000 more dogs in just seven years. (For cats, that’s 420,000 in the same time frame.) These statistics are just one of the many reasons that every dog at Animal Angels is spayed or neutered by a vet who comes to the on-site medical facility at least once per month.

With all the dogs spayed or neutered, there is no threat of breeding, thus presenting opportunities for less restrictive doggie interaction. When Kelley first came on the scene in February of last year, most of the dogs were in chain-link “neighborhoods,” large fenced-in areas where dogs could socialize with each other in like-minded packs.

“We couldn’t let them roam the whole property at the time because we didn’t have a full perimeter fence,” Sanders says. “So the best solution was large neighborhoods with dogs that got along. We’ve now taken it a step further. Other sanctuaries still have a lot of pens, but here we have a lot out and I think that’s the best place for them. Thanks to Beth, she started turning dogs loose left and right.”

Now there are more than 170 dogs that are lovingly called “free range.” Dozens of shelters dot the landscape under large trees and among rocks and low-lying bushes. Huge containers of dog food are available on-demand for any dog with an appetite. And baby pools serve as the drinking bowls necessary to quench the thirst of so many active animals.

What’s immediately noticeable after spending any amount of time at Animal Angels is how sublimely happy the dogs appear. With little hope of adoption, they’re still able to get the human interaction that many (though not all) crave. Even more importantly, they benefit from the instinctual bonding with fellow dogs. Throughout the grounds, packs have formed naturally and few dogs within any of them venture into the territory of others. Occasionally they fight, but little more than a growl or a quick nip is needed to keep the peace.

The remaining 130 or so dogs are segregated into neighborhoods for good reasons. For one group, they’re too small to roam freely and safely among a majority of large-breed dogs. Others have been in the neighborhoods too long to adapt to a life outside their fences. The rest simply can’t be trusted to be loose because they don’t get along with people.
With other dogs, however, they’re right at home.

Not all dogs that come to Animal Angels are immediately lifers, either. Puppies, small breeds and other more “adoptable” dogs are given to rescue groups that will give them a much greater chance of finding a forever home. If that doesn’t work out, they always have a place at the sanctuary.

Yet keeping the sanctuary operational takes more than the 24/7 dedication of Sanders and her crew — it requires consistent monetary donations. Animal Angels is able to purchase food, medication and other supplies at such deep discounts that they can stretch a dollar — an important skill given that they need approximately 10,000 pounds of dog food per month just to feed their current residents. That doesn’t include any other operational or medical expenses.

But one look at the loving eyes, happy faces, and spastically wagging tails and it’s clear that these dogs have found heaven on earth. And Sanders, Burgoon and the entire Kelley family truly are angels to each and every one of them.

“You can’t save them all, but you try. That’s what counts,” Sanders says.  “You do the best you can.”

To learn more, or to donate, visit AnimalAngelsTexas.org.  

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 16, 2011.

Mark is an adorable, medium-haired blue tabby with pretty green eyes. He’s very friendly, great with other cats, curious and playful. Mark is 6 months old and just about purrfect in every way!

Mark and many other cats, kitten, puppies and dogs are available for adoption from Dallas Animal Services, 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30, just minutes west of Downtown Dallas. The shelter is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. Adoption discounts are also offered to senior citizens and those who adopt two animals at the same time. All dogs are negative for heartworms, and cats have been tested for FeLV and FIV.  For more information, visit DallasAnimalServices.org or call
214-671-0249.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 2, 2011.

Lava is an adorable chocolate-and-red merle heeler mix. He’s 5 months old and currently weighs about 20 pounds, so he won’t be too big when full grown. Lava is super-friendly, affectionate and full of energy. He’s good with other dogs and loves everyone he meets.

Lava and many other dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are available for adoption from Dallas Animal Services, 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30, just minutes west of Downtown Dallas. The shelter is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. Since Lava has been at the shelter for more than 45 days, his adoption cost is just $47 (half the usual fee) and includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip and more. Adoption discounts are also offered to senior citizens and those who adopt two animals at the same time. All dogs are negative for heartworms, and cats have been tested for FeLV and FIV.  For more information, visit DallasAnimalServices.org or call 214-671-0249.

Alice is a full-grown Australian cattle dog mix. She is about two years old and weighs almost 40 pounds. Alice has a lot of energy so she will require plenty of walks and activity to tire her out. She loves to play with her toys and can keep herself busy with those for hours. She gets along with other dogs but we recommend a dog intro because she does like to be the boss at times. Alice is very alert and curious and would make a great pet for the right family. If you’re interested stop by and meet our Alice.

Many other great dogs and cats are available for adoption from Operation Kindness, located at 3201 Earhart Drive, 1 street south of Keller Springs and 2 blocks west of Midway Road, in Carrollton. The no-kill shelter is open 6 days a week: Monday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Tuesday; Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $110 for cats, $135 for kittens, $150 dogs over 1 year, and $175 for puppies. The adoption cost includes the spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccinations, heartworm test for dogs, leukemia and FIV test for cats, and more. Those who adopt two pets at the same time receive a $20 discount. For more information, call 972-418-PAWS, or visit OperationKindness.org.

Lola

Lola

If you’re looking for a loving lap cat, Lola is your girl. She’s a 3-year-old tortoise shell with big, gold eyes and a beautiful fall-colored coat. Lovely Lola is friendly, gentle and playful. As a bonus, she’s also declawed on her front paws.

Lola and many other cats, kittens, dogs and puppies are available for adoption from Dallas Animal Services, 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30, just minutes west of Downtown Dallas. The shelter is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. The cost to adopt is $85 for dogs and $55 for cats and includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip and more. Adoption discounts are offered to senior citizens and those who adopt two animals at the same time. All dogs are negative for heartworms, and cats have been tested for FeLV and FIV.  For more information, visit DallasAnimalServices.org or call 214-671-0249

…………………..

Shasta and many other dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are available for adoption from Dallas Animal Services, 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30, just minutes west of Downtown Dallas. The shelter is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. The cost to adopt is $85 for dogs and $55 for cats and includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip and more. Adoption discounts are offered to senior citizens and those who adopt two animals at the same time. All dogs are negative for heartworms, and cats have been tested for FeLV and FIV.  For more information, visit DallasAnimalServices.org or call 214-671-0249.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 23, 2011.

IT’S SHOW TIME | Breeders Linda Moore, left, and Laurie Foley, along with champion bitch Miranda, are all the proud parents of Beckham, a cocker and favorite headed into the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show later this month. (Arnold Wayne Jones/Dallas Voice)

Partners Linda Moore and Laurie Foley love their dogs like kids — really gifted kids who are national champions

ARNOLD WAYNE JONES | Life+Style Editor
jones@dallasvoice.com

If you think that breeders of show dogs would be akin to the high-maintenance stage parents seen on Toddlers & Tiaras, well, that’s just not Linda Moore and Laurie Foley. It all begins with a love of animals.

Moore’s first dog as a child was a Dachshund; Foley’s, a cocker mix — both, coincidentally, were named Princess. They both love pets, though 22 years ago, Moore went in a more serious direction, becoming a breeder of cocker spaniels and other purebred pooches.

She achieved some success on the dog show circuit. But nothing like what’s happened in the last year with Beckham, her solid black American cocker spaniel.

“There are two ways you get into the Westminster Kennel Club Show: If you are a ranked dog, you are invited; otherwise, you have to apply. Last year, Beckham was so young he hadn’t qualified so we made the entry,” Moore explains.

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM | The top cocker in competition, Beckham trots to victory with his handler at a recent dog show.

Oh, the difference a year can make. In 2010, Beckham was the No. 1 cocker spaniel, the No. 2 sporting dog and the No. 5 overall dog. In the world. In 2011, Westminster asked him to show up for the most prestigious dog show on the planet. And on Valentine’s Day, that’s just what he’ll do.

“Westminster is so unique because of its long tradition,” says Moore. (It’s second only to the Kentucky Derby in history of its continuous operation; the show later this month will be its 135th.) “It’s the only show where only champions are shown, so it’s the one show where virtually every top dog will be there.” Think of the Academy Awards with flea collars. Or the Nobel Prize for shiny coats.

Because it comes so early in the year, it can also catapult a relative unknown into the stratosphere. That’s basically what happened with Beckham last year.

“Theoretically, a dog of any age can win,” says Moore, a lawyer by day. “Generally, though, you need to be over a year old — some judges think you don’t have the maturity before that. There is one judge in particular that at the first of last year would not put us as high in the sporting group because she didn’t think Beckham had the maturity.”

Now just over two-and-a-half, Beckham is still at the start of his career, and with 23 best in show finishes last year, the sky seems to be the limit.

Moore admits, however, that she didn’t always see the championship potential in the striking solid black American cocker spaniel that is probably the favorite this year for the winner’s circle.

“Even as a puppy, there was a little bit of seriousness to him,” Moore says, but she was betting on his sister to become the star of the litter.

“We knew her whole litter, just in looking at it, that it was very, very good.” Moore says. “They just kinda had a look, even as babies, of being balanced: The front and the rear go together, they don’t have the angle on their shoulders. This whole litter was very nice. But I thought the sister was standout.”

Then at 10 weeks, a friend with show dog experience saw Beckham and declared, “He might really be great,” Moore says. There was a lot of discussion about him being a bit different.

“He just took to it,” says Foley. “It’s like he was born to do this.”

Not everybody agreed, though. “There is a good friend of ours who is a judge who saw him when he was four months old and didn’t like him; she has since given him a best in show,” Moore beams.

Beckham lives most of the time with his trainer-handlers in Tennessee. But the household for the rest of their brood is much like any other pet-friendly place.

“We have 14 dogs,” Moore says without batting an eyelash. “We have kennels, of course, but there aren’t too many rules.”

“Well, there is some furniture they can’t get on,” chimes in Foley, who, until she met Moore 10 years ago, was more of the mutt-loving, dog-rescuing variety pet owner.

While Moore breeds and shows cockers (American and English) and pugs, she also has a standard poodle as part of the household — and, of course, Beckham’s mom, Miranda. And they have a sense of humor about their four-legged children: All the pups in that championship litter were named after sex symbols: Harrison (Ford), Patrick (Swayze) and of course Beckham, who ended up astonishing everyone.

“The goal is to breed the perfect dog — which of course is not possible,” Moore concedes. “Each breed club develops written standards for what the perfect dog would be, everything from the coat texture to their head to their eyes, teeth, shoulders, movement. Miranda was reserve winner’s bitch and she was second-best black bitch in more than 100,” so Beckham had the genes to be a champion.

Even if he hadn’t been the best, he’d still be their sweet cocker. But on Feb. 15, they hope he might be something else, too: Best in show at Westminster. That would be something to bark about.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition Feb. 4, 2011.