Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell

Today’s good news comes from station KDFW, which serves Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Screengrab of Eban Barns from FoxNews 4

Royse City Boy Scout builds doghouses for Dallas Animal Services

by Lori Brown

ROYSE CITY, Texas – An eighth-grade Boy Scout from Royse City is working toward the prestigious Eagle rank by helping save the dogs’ lives in Dallas.

He built and delivered 20 dog houses to Dallas Animal Services this week to be given out to families in need.

Eben Barnes is only 13 years old but already making a big difference

“I really enjoy being around dogs, and I found out that they can be removed from their homes because they don’t have a shelter,” he said. “So I wanted to do a project for that so that dogs wouldn’t be removed.”

Eben reached out to Det. Michael Bono with the Dallas Police Department’s animal cruelty unit to find out how he could help animals in a city that is struggling with shelter overcrowding.

There are almost twice as many dogs in the shelter as there are in the kennels, forcing the shelter to euthanize adoptable pets.

“One of our biggest challenges we have in the animal cruelty unit is individuals that don’t provide a means of shelter,” Bono said. “Whether it’s they just don’t have the means to do so, or they choose not to. But animals in North Texas are at risk based on not having shelter.”

Eben researched how to build a doghouse, but that had its challenges. His prototype broke after the first try. He contacted businesses to collect donations for the supplies he needed.

Eben’s mom, Brooke Barnes, said she was proud of his perseverance.

“He sets a goal and sticks to it,” she said. “So to see him build the prototype, see him get everything organized, and then to see him oversee the work day and the delivery of the doghouses yesterday, it was really exciting.”

And now it’s 20 dogs that will soon have the excitement of their own.

“We’ve seen animals come in because the families just couldn’t provide,” Bono said. “And I think through Evan’s Eagle Scout project, he’s able to help 20 of those families.”

The hope is others will be inspired to follow Eben’s lead.

“I think Eben really nailed this project. I think the doghouses turned out excellent. I think it’s the tip of the iceberg,” Bono said. “I think a lot of other scouts and individuals could do this, and it could greatly impact the greater Dallas and North Texas area.

Eben has now completed all of the requirements to become an Eagle Scout. The next step is his board of review to verify his work.

The good news here is a young man saw a need and did what was necessary to satisfy that need. Today’s JohnKu talks about action. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Need by John W. Howell © 2023

There’s a difference,

Between just seeing a need . . .

And action to solve.

 

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

78 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  17. What a fantastic kid. Can you imagine what kind of an adult he will become? What an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, John. Happy Friday to ya!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. What a wonderful young person!
    I wonder where he’s going in life? If he keeps going. the way he’s started, he could be great president one day.

    Yes… your JohnKu applies, and then applies to more.
    Thank you John!
    🐂🐂🐂🐂

    Liked by 1 person

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