By LIBBY CLUETT | lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

As the dog days of summer take a firm hold on Palo Pinto County citizens, several local dog tales emerge from the organizations trying to make life better for discarded and rescued animals.

Typically, summer is a slow time for adoptions, but there is no lack of adoptable dogs and cats, whether at the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter, Palo Pinto County Humane Society, Community Animal Rescue Effort, known as CARE, or the Mineral Wells Petsense store.

Even though adoptions are slow and dogs continue to be discarded in the county, this summer has provided a few rescue success stories.

One such story occurred last week, when county resident Mike Wells got an unexpected benefit from Summer, a rescue dog he and wife, Leanne, foster for Community Animal Rescue Effort, or CARE.

Just before Wells stepped off his back porch, in his bare feet, he said Summer warned him something was in the grass. The Aussie/blue heeler mix stopped and alerted him by almost pointing to a copperhead snake in the grass. He said if he had stepped down he is fairly certain the snake would have struck him.

Like so many other animals that are rescued off the streets, Summer is available for adoption through CARE, and needs a good, loving home.

Wells, who lives off U.S. Highway 281, south of Mineral Wells, said in the past week he has seen two more “highway dogs” that have been abandoned and are running lose.

“With todays economy, we will see more pets hauled to the country and put out to starve,” he said. “I hate what hard times does to the critters. Please, please, please don’t go purchase a dog or cat when so many are good pets and need a home. Adopt a pet from one of your local shelters.”

Operating in the southern region of the county is CARE, which fosters and tries to find homes for animals that have been abandoned or surrendered.

CARE is a “great group of folks and have found homes for numerous animals,” Wells said.

The Mineral Wells Petsense Store works with organizations and the Mineral Wells Animal Shelter to help rescues find homes. It houses as many shelter cats as possible and features dogs from the shelter, CARE, the Palo Pinto County Humane Society and other area groups.

In mid-July Petsense marked its 1,300th adoption of a rescue animal when it adopted out Woodrow, a border collie mix from the Friends of the Jacksboro Animal Shelter. In November,

the local store will celebrate its fifth anniversary, which means it averages adopting out over 260 animals per year.

Store Manager Karon Corner encourages citizens not only to adopt pets from local rescue groups, but also urges people to spay and neuter their animals. In addition to controlling unwanted offspring, she said this can also prevent some cancers and keep animals healthier and closer to home.

Corner noted that the Palo Pinto County Humane Society offers spay and neuter assistance and holds a monthly drawing for a free spay or neuter and rabies shot. For those who want to know more about spay/neuter programs or sign-up locations the drawing, call Vice President/Secretary Nancy Cameron at (214) 906-4563.

The humane society also helps rescue animals and is always looking for volunteers, especially those who can provide foster homes for animal awaiting adoption.

Sandy, an 8-month-old Boxer mix, is a recent PPCHS rescue success story. She came into the hands of the humane society after she was found on a road with infected wounds from apparent burns on her back, according Sherry Seabolt.

“We thought someone poured hot oil or something on her [back] because there were splatter marks on her neck and ears, so you could tell it was something poured,” Seabolt said.

“A homeless guy found her running lose on the base and brought her to Petsense. I fell in love with her,” she added. “We took her to Flint [Immel’s clinic] and got her on antibiotics and he stayed late to treat her wounds. She healed right up.”

Seabolt said Sandy will be at Petsense this weekend along with other rescue dogs and cats.

Corner, Sandy’s foster mom, said the PPCHS not only treated the pup’s wounds, but had her spayed and vaccinated. She said Sandy is now healthy, happy and available for adoption.

She said the pup loves everyone, but is afraid of cats. Sandy has learned many obedience skills and desired household behaviors, Corner said, noting that she needs a well-fenced yard with another dog or a home with children who play with her daily and keep her exercised.

To adopt Sandy, call Petsense at (940) 325-3637.

The Mineral Wells Animal Shelter saw close to 2,500 city and county dogs and cats pass through its doors last year. For many stray, abandoned and surrendered animals, it’s a one-way trip. Although 459 cats and dogs were adopted out – through the shelter, PPCHS and Petsense –  1,749 were euthanized.

Summer is especially slow for shelter adoptions, according to staff. Many of the cats and dogs are taken to Petsense, where customers will see what lovely animals there are, but others don’t.

The Index features a shelter “Pet of the Week” each Sunday, which sometimes helps connect pets with new owners.

Now, a new Facebook group, Help Mineral Wells/Palo Pinto County Animals, will feature weekly photos and information on shelter animals to help spread the word about what animals are available for adoption.

All animal-loving citizens are encouraged to join the group, at www.facebook.com/groups/264458510334781, and help network to find homes for these animals.