ReadLarryPowell.com

A LOOK AT THE STATE FAIR AND ANIMALS THAT NEED A BIG TEXAS SERVING OF HELP

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Finally Friday. Ah, but on Thursday I visited the State Fair of Texas again. Walking along in my sneakers I started conducting an informal survey of footwear and I’ll bet only about 1 of 100 visitors to the State Fair of Texas was wearing boots on Thursday.
Fortunately, in the State Fair’s Home on the Range Barnyard, this critter wore furry ol’ west chaps. I am not sure what species that cute little beastie is, but maybe its an Alpaca. It’s not a camel. The camels were snoozing.
 More on the great State Fair in Contemplations:
ROSCOE AND HIS FANS
KEEP TRYING TO FIND HIS HOME!
We have two cute photos of Roscoe, the Beagle mix Tami Kukla has been promoting for some time now — he’s been at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control since last March, thus has been there longer than any other critter, we’re told.
In one photo (I got that blurry copy from a video HERE) Roscoe is happy in an autumnal grass wallow. In the other, he’s happily snoozing on his bed.
He needs a human.
Tami’s post with the video of Roscoe enjoying a gleeful wallow, reads, “Roscoe on Remember Me Thursday. He really wants a forever home. Just a reminder this sweet 7 year old has been waiting since March but he smiles each day. Loves to play outside. Hikes and walks he is a big fan of. Chillin at the end of the day. Need a buddy to always be there? That is Roscoe. His adoption fee is sponsored and he is ready to go. Will you be his bff?” 
The shelter is at 4900 Martin St. in western Fort Worth. Phone 817-3921234. 

THE STARS ALIGN
FOR SPCA OF TEXAS
Some of you will know already that the annual Dallas Fan Days exhibition opens at Friday and runs through Sunday at Irving Convention Center. You can see stars there, including these four clipped from the Dallas Fan Days site HERE .
But there’ll also be adoptables from the SPCA of Texas — that’s from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the convention center. We’re not sure which SPCA animals will be there, but you can go to spca.org and get a good look at dogs and cats who need homes. 
Dallas Fan Days is teaming with the SPCA to “offer animal lovers an exclusive 15 percent off tickets.” Use the discount code SPCA15— get tickets HERE.
In case you’re new to this particular world, here’s the official description: “Dallas Fan Days™ is an annual comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Irving, Texas. It is packed with exciting family-friendly activities, celebrity & comic guests, and much more! And this year the SPCA of Texas is bringing adoptable dogs to the event on Sunday, October 20! So after you meet your favorite celebrity stop by the SPCA of Texas’ mobile adoptions vehicle located outside the Irving Convention Center for a chance to meet your forever friend! #DallasFanDays #SPCATexas.”
MEANWHILE, MORE DOGS
APPEAR IN LANCASTER
Yeah, I know, more dogs and cats appear everywhere in the metrosprawl. The reason we’re citing these animals is because the people with 4-Legged Helpers, the newly formed 501c3, are still looking for someone to help the organization meet its goals of getting dogs out of small shelters.
The contact points for volunteering to help the rescue or to ask about adopting an animal, car text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
These dogs happen to be from the Lancaster Shelter, newly added dogs of varying descriptions and stories that all end, so far, with “The dog is in the shelter and waiting on either the needle or a rescue.” The information comes of a note sent by Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers.
That first beauty — with the eyes of different colors — is Bonita. She was surrendered “by someone unable to care for her.
Trapper is the Boxer describe a “super cute and very sweet.”

Bonnie is the “American Bulldog or mix” who is “everything a sweet dog should be.” Friday is the first day that she is available for adoption, Laura’s note says.
The tubby Staffie girl is Pebbles. “So lovable and sweet. Sweet and cuddly and cute. Loves everyone. If you are looking for a great bully, this is your girl.”
And we close with this German Shepherd named Ginger. [LARRY ASIDE: No idea how she came to be in the small shelter in Lancaster. Probably an error of the human heart or maybe an error by a heartless human.]
SOME CATS FROM
OUT AT THE LAKE
We got this note from Sydney Busch of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world's most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City. The note included a photograph with letters on each kitten.
And Stacey Dowd explained the letters in her note to Sydney.
She wrote, “Can you help me hare these kittens’ information in hopes that we can find them a home. Mom is the a feral cat that I feed.

"The picture has the letter of the name that we have been calling them. They are about 8-9 weeks old.”
We asked Stacey about the names and she cracked us up with some of them. She explained that these are “just names we call them to tell them apart in conversation.” [LARRY ASIDE: Anybody who’s ever fostered a litter of kittens can relate to that philosophy! Kittens can look alike and move too quickly to yell their name with any authority!]
So the names matching the letters are the boys Hungry Man, Camshaft, Peanut and Spitz. The female is Digger. Stacey says, “I found a home for Munchkin. So just 5 need homes.”

To adopt, email Stacey at stacdowd@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
AFTER A VISIT TO THE FAIR
On Thursday I made my second visit to the 2019 State Fair of Texas. I never get enough of it — there’s just something great about the traditional celebration of Texas. There’s Big Tex, for example, and I’m such a lousy photographer that I think my photo of Big Tex from behind is far better than the frontal photo, though it is kind of a mood shot. You’d think the City of Dallas would figure out a way to get Big Tex to rise over Klyde Warren Park ever so often just to give the park a Texas flavor. … Remember when the lines for the rides were the longest at the Fair? Hah! The lines for Fletcher’s Corny Dogs eclipsed those numbers! You’d have thought they were handing out free money at the midway Fletcher’s stand around noon Thursday. There were probably 200 people lined up when I shot this photo of the winding line. Later, I was walking along the area near the Creative Arts Building — there’s a Fletcher’s stand there — and I heard a young woman with a non-Texas accent ask her young man, “Are the corny dogs really that good? Why do so many people want them?” and he replied, “Tradition.” I haven’t had a Fletcher’s corny dog in more than a quarter-century, but back then it wasn’t just the tradition. It was the taste. I became a vegetarian and got over having to have the taste of a lot of snacks! Save the animals! … In the new car area, as I was looking at automobiles I cannot afford, I spotted this Corvette and heard a young woman say to her mom, “There’s a yeller car.” Yes, indeed, that is beyond yellow, it is yeller.
—- Offer advice, animal identification or fair tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ——

A MISSION IN NEED; RAMPING UP A TECHNICAL EFFORT; FRISCO/PETLAND & CONTEMPLATING BUZZARDS, SNUGGLING FOR CASH & KIDS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Call this photo “Cat Noir.” Two foundlings, young William Powell and much younger Stevie Ray are atop the shelf on my computer desk as I type. My usual feline confidant, The Senator, is laid up with the sniffles right now — got his shot, his meds and extra affection. 
Join us in this edition’s efforts to help animals and the people who love them. Remember, the people who love animals are dramatically important to the future of the animals and the hearts of the humans who don’t yet realize that their best friend is waiting somewhere in a shelter or a foster home or, yep, on the streets.
STEPPING IN TO MAINTAIN
MISSION OF SAVING ANIMALS

In recent hours we’ve gotten several note about a loss that changed a mission.
The original note came from Kim Lehere writing on behalf of I Am Dog Rescue. You may have seen that organizations name in stories on readlarrypowell.com — Mike and Mary Frazier were renowned for saving dogs through the organization. Mike, the Founder, died suddenly at 67 on October 7 and now, there is new urgency in the need to help the animals in their care. 
The note from Kim explained that Mike and Mary were the “primary caregivers of many of our rescue dogs at their family farm in Pilot Point, Texas. With his passing, the burden of daily care for many of these dogs will quickly become too much for his widow. While our volunteers can provide help with the day-to-day care and feeding of these dogs in the short term, we need help moving/transferring as many of these dogs as we can to other rescue organizations, as quickly as possible to ensure their continued well-being. Unfortunately our current foster network is unable to accommodate these dogs.” 

Most of the dogs are “ready for adoption now,” the note reads — that includes medical checks, spaying/neutering, microchipped, etc. 
The big girl is Wendy, a 3-year-old, 70-pound Lab mix who is good with kids and dog, is one of the dog. Rescue groups with room or willing fosters should email info@iamdogrescue.org or call 940-202-0951. Perhaps an adoptor will wish to help, also. 
And that little guy is Fisher, around 3-years-old and about 20 pounds and he “can be nippy at times.” The rest of the time he is clearly adorable.
See more of the I Am Dog Rescue pups HERE.
Donations may be made in Mike’s memory to I Am Dog Rescue, 11450 US Hwy 380, Cross Roads, TX 76227 or online at iamdogrescue.com. The obituary is online HERE.
MEANWHILE, 4-LEGGED HELPERS
PLANS TO GROW, WORKS ON RESCUE
Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden keep plugging away with their small-shelter advocacy 4-Legged Helpers and their attempts to help animals in Lancaster.
First, they need some help of their own. The organization needs a social media worker who can also work a phone and call vet offices to set up appointments for dogs that are one check-up away from being adorable adoptables.
And they need someone to help with transporting animals from shelters to rescue groups. Maybe a few other little chores that take some energy, but not money and not a lot of time. It’s all a coordinated effort. 
Without this non-profit group’s effort, animals in low-traffic shelters will have virtually no “public relations” representatives. The only way they get human foot traffic is if someone walks through looking for the men’s room. Volunteers are needed for 4-Legged Helpers. Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
You’ll note that we’ve posted three animals with this item. All three are in the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Their names may not match their photos on the Lancaster site. Laura explains, “We name them what we know is marketable and keep their names when they are decent. But I wouldn't dare name a dog 'Spud'! UGGHHH. And we have a more complete listing of dogs. They do not keep that up to date at all…. And we need money for boarding of dogs before going on transports and HW treatment at $400 a dog as some states would take the dogs but can't accept HW positive as it is illegal to send them into the state. We can HW treat and send them on their way!”

Back to the names: “Pepper” in one place is “Pippa” in the other and “Spud” is “Jack.” 
Here’s the PetFinder link to the Lancaster shelter,
Laura is looking for someone to efficiently help 4-Legged Helpers organize  and post the animal photos and bios where people can see the available animals. Until that happens, you can email Laura at cat_girl_71@yahoo.com to ask to be put on the mailing list.
The 4-dog photo is Pippa, i.e., Pepper, a “Bulloxer,” i.e., a Boxer-Bulldog mix who is “just the most loving sweetheart you can imagine.”
Dave is the Lab/Border Collie Mix — found living out on his own and very shy. He comes around after he gets accustomed to a person, 4-Legged Helpers reports.

Champ is the dog with the multi-colored face - he is described as the “cutest, sweetest guy.  Has the biggest prettiest eyes.  He is super sweet.  This is the most interesting looking beautiful dog.  He is the sweetest guy ever in person.”

Again, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com to volunteer to help these dogs escape the grim reaper with a needle.
THE PETLAND/FRISCO
ANIMAL CHALLENGES
If you’re keeping up with the Frisco/Petland controversy, then you probably already know people spoke to the Frisco City Council Tuesday night in an attempt to the the city take action, i.e., “shutting down” Petland. Mark Verma, President of Paws In The City, the non-profit rescue, posted a notice about speaking along with Laura Schavrien Rummel. His post is HERE.
 And you can see that he wrote, “Passing an ordinance making it illegal to sell animals via retail would do that [shut the store] as well. If you are not familiar with the Petland situation, they are horrific in their abuse of puppies and other companion animals. They are constantly exposed all over the country on how they will do things like put a sick animal in a freezer instead of vet services. …” If you go HERE https://www.facebook.com/stopfriscoanimalmillsales/ you can see more commentary and a video of the great Dr. Erin Shults (founder of Mazie’s Mission) discussing her concerns. At that link you’ll see more Petland-related commentary.
CONTEMPLATIONS
BUZZARDS, SNUGGLING AND LIFE
This was posted Tuesday by the great rescue/adoptor Joyce Conley, mom of Rowdy, in semi-rural almost East Texas near Terrell — that’s Rowdy. We have photos of him, but none of the buzzards. Buzzards? Yep. Here’s Joyce’s note and we’re hoping some ornithologically inclined individual can explain this behavior. Joyce wrote, “About an hour ago, at least 100 buzzards flew over our house at a high altitude. Just slowly cruising. I have never seen something like this before. At one point they seemed to focus on something and circled for a while then moved on. It was eerie to say the least. They just kept descending out of low clouds to the east of us. I lost count at 100.” Anybody got an idea? Email our readlarrypowell.com Buzzardologist at dallrp@aol.com.
..
WHAT!? CHECK THIS STORY OUT: The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is seeking volunteers to snuggle with dogs. Right away some of you started checking the price of flights from DFW to Tampa Bay, didn’t you! I’m thinking of renting a kiosk in a local mall and, from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, charging people $5 to take a 5-minute time-out from shopping and snuggle with my Rottie, the very snugglable Texas Earl the Cheeseman. We’ll make a mint. [That’s Earlyboy snuggling with bottle-fed baby Simon who grew from hand-held size to the size of a suitcase.]
AND THE SENATOR'S SITUATION? I took The Senator to his vet Wednesday morning — he’s come down with a respiratory infection. The Senator’s vet is in Dallas and worked us in at 9 a.m. Love Freeway Animal Clinic — bless their hearts. I worry about my ol’ fellow’s health -- in dog years we're both at least middle-aged. The Senator is old enough to have worked on a Watergate committee, I’m pretty sure. That's one of his campaign photos where you can really see his hairline is senatorial in a plugnificent manner. Anyway, as The Senator and I waited, we carried on a nice cat conversation with two women who each had a cat in a carrier. You know what it was like? It was like when my kids (in this 6-month-old photo), Bret and Bart (in order of birth by two minutes but righty Barty on the left and lefty Bret on the right) were infants and toddlers.  I’d take ‘em to the doc’s office and sit and chat with the other moms about how kids behave and how much they mean to the household. Yep, the vet conversation made me miss my babies a whole lot. Then I cuddled The Senator and got over it. I’m kidding. I still walk down the childcare aisle at grocery stores just to imagine I’m getting a whiff of the past — you know, the baby powder and the ointments. The Senator prefers Hai Karate. Old cologne joke.
—- Offer advice or buzzard info by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

PHOTOS AND SAFETY TIPS AND CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As autumn begins to become a familiar state of mind, we also have familiar appeals for help for humans and animals. Before we get to them, I have a cheery note to report.
WHAT’S IN PUMPKIN’S FAMILY TREE
I was scrolling Facebook — someone had tipped me to look at something — and I accidentally found this photo of Pumpkin and the challenge from Kim Motteler Gaffey, the admired and appreciated foster mom and supporter of the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. 
You see here the photo she posted and the challenge: “Pumpkin’s DNA results are in! Any guesses?”
Well, of course, your guessing mechanism is immediately thrown off by the perfect pose and adorable face! What’s her story? Kim says Pumpkin “was found as a stray a few years ago in the country in October, close to Halloween. She was VERY pregnant, hence the name Pumpkin since she was orange and round."
[LARRY ASIDE: We're going to tell the rest of Pumpkin's story in our weekend eition of Readlarrypowell.com and our traditional feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You'll be impressed.]
What did Pumpkin’s DNA test show? This baby is 62% Boxer, 25% American Staffordshire Terrier and 12.5% German Shepherd Dog. Here’s a LINK to the explanations.
So, there you have it: Good and loyal breeds with heart. Pumpkin charmed a family and wound up with a mission -- read about it this weekend.
HOW ABOUT THIS BEAUTY?
Here’s the deal: I love to post photographs taken by the great Teresa Berg. And there’s also this: I wanted to give someone a heads-up on the opportunity to adopt Twyla.
The hold-up is Paws In The City is having to raise money to pay for her TPLO surgery (that’s some kind of ligament/leg repair). Why is she in the custody of the non-profit organization?
A note in the appeal reads, “Twyla was recently rescued by Paws In The City from an overcrowded shelter.”
So, there she is. Waiting to get healthy enough to adopt. Here’s the LINK
to the appeal for help with the surgery.
[LARRY ASIDE: Nearly every 501c3 animal outfit has a dog or cat waiting for medical care. If you know of one, let us know. Maybe we can help. I’m buying another Lotto Texas ticket for Wednesday night. Hey, it could happen. If I’m elected president, I think it will be important to create Peticare for all. Hmm, “Peticare” i already trademarked. Unless I win Lotto Texas Wednesday night, I’m going to have time to work up another name. My manager/editor, The Senator, is working with me on this proposition. He first suggested “Cat-CHING!” but I think he was kidding. He was in The Swamp a long time. This is The Senator burying his face upon listening to political commentary — oh, wait, this was taken at the end of the Cowboys/Jets game.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
TESTING, COWBOYS AND A CAT TIP
Yeah, I go to doctors. Went Tuesday and part of the event was answering questions on the “Medicare” test. One of them was, “Have you felt depressed recently?” and I replied, “Well, I saw that Cowboys game Sunday.” I’m probably not alone in that diagnosis. Just a hint to The Jones Family. … I got a pneumonia shot Tuesday. Why? Because I had pneumonia two winters ago. I rode in an elevator with some gentlemen who were coughing and hacking. I didn’t think a thing about it until about 3 days later when I found myself unable to comprehend how to work the TV remote. My former CandystriperSpouse Martha said, “I’m taking you to a hospital.” Bless the folks at the William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, I’m happily repaired. And sensitive to preventative measures. … Speaking of PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, someone posted this great BANG ON YOUR HOOD reminder on Facebook Tuesday, it wound up on my Facebook “incoming” page or however it works. I tracked it down and the thing was posted by “CatManChrisPoole” in Tampa, Fla. Having once bandaged a cat that nearly got caught in a radiator fan, I can testify that banging on the hood is a life-saving gesture when the temp dips. (Here’s a link to the CatManChris site. Pay attention to animals — sometimes they’re all too clever for their own good.
—- Offer ideas or advice or winning Lotto Texas numbers by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ——

COMMUNITY CATS, AVAILABLE DOGS, WEST END NOODLE HISTORY AND CHARTS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 [PetPowellPress] 

Ah, this is the eve of the big day…Well, maybe not all that big in many lives, but certainly a notable day in the lives of people who have the gift of being able to spot free-roaming felines.
Wednesday, October 16, is National Community Cat Day.
What’s a “community cat”? Free-roamers. Outdoor cats that have no human. The SPCA is honoring Community Cat Month with a “free spay/neuter surgery event for the first 100 community cats brought to the SPCA of Texas on October 31st.” Yep, Halloween.
[LARRY ASIDE: I needed some artwork to illustrate a community cat, so I caught my office-mate, William Powell, lounging in his chair and looking out the window. William used to live outside with the run of a neighborhood — he was one of the kittens who arrived a couple of springs ago. I talked him into the house and, yes, he's a good boy. He is, FYI, the last of his generation of “community cats” in one block in Dallas! The last? Yep, he's had his surgery!]
The SPCA says that in additional to the Wednesday celebration of National Community Cat Day and the spay/neuter Halloween event, on the 26th there’ll be an Education and Trapping Class. 
Read the SPCA’s news release HERE. 
It includes this passage, clearly the motivation for spaying and neutering community cats. It reads: “There is a direct link between the intake of kittens in area shelters with the number of unaltered free roaming cats in a community, and kitten intake is on the rise. Most experts agree the best and most humane way to manage the outdoor cat population and reduce its numbers is through the Trap-Neuter-Return method. This method involves spaying and neutering the cats, vaccinating them for rabies and returning them to their environment to be overseen by people in their community.”

DFW COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE
DINNER AND AUCTION DEADLINE
DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue is adding new wrinkles to its fundraising dinner and auction. (Tickets are $35 before Oct. 21; $40 at the door on Nov. 9.) Get more details and register HERE .
[LARRY ASIDE: My longtime Cocker companion was Inky the Cocker Spaniel. From him I learned about the jovial and adorable nature of Cocker Spaniels — splendid companions. I also learned how to be persistent in writing poetry. After all, Inky was the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. He was adept at doggerel.]
 The Cocker Spaniel, research shows, was America’s most popular breed from the year Texas celebrated its Centennial, 1936, until 1952, when Big Tex first came to the State Fair of Texas and Beagles became “most popular.” Beagles? This is just theory, but Charles Shultz’s comic Peanuts debuted on Oct. 2, 1950, so by 1952, the Beagle Snoopy had plenty of time to help build the breed popularity.
 My lad Inky was the greatest. And DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue works hard to help the members of the breed survive bad luck, bad moments and bad humans. Go to dfwcockerrescue.org and see the Cockers and read about the dinner.
Cockers are dogs that need a responsible human to take care of their grooming. They come in many colors — there are American Cockers and English Cockers, young Cockers and older Cockers. We’ve highlighted this guy, 9-year-old Duffy the Buff — owner-surrender in Sanger. His bio says, “He is a sweet boy, very obedient and loving. He is housetrained and knows some simple commands.” And 9 is barely middle-aged for a well-tended Cocker.
ONCE AGAIN, ROSCOE
IS NEEDING A HOME
We’ve mentioned Roscoe several times — he’s been at For Worth Animal Care and Control longer than any other animal currenty in the shelter. The shelter’s Tami Kukla is trying to find a great place for him.
 On Monday she sent out photos and this note: “Roscoe says happy Columbus Day. Do you know he is an adventurer, too? He loves to be a study buddy and then get some exercise and then take a nap. Every dog steals your heart and Roscoe does this 10 times over. He has waited for over 7 months. He doesn't want to wait one more day.”
Roscoe is 40885789 in the Fort Worth shelter’s foster program.
This LINK will get you to the adoptable Fort Worth dogs and THIS ONE gets you to the cats. 
That cute girl — clearly a Texas Tabby — is Gracie (42932934). She came in on October 8 and is waiting at the FWACC PetSmart Hulen Adoption Center. Gracie is 3 1/2 years old.

CONTEMPLATIONS
CHARTS AND SPAGHETTI
At the end of this Contemplations, we’re presenting two animal shelter charts — one from Dallas, one from Fort Worth. Click on them to make them larger. Please feel free to offer an opinion. …  Speaking of making thing larger: Downtown Dallas is a million percent different than it was in the '70s and early ‘80s. It looked like a ghost town -- no pedestrians, cyclist or open stores. And now comes the news that the Old Spaghetti Warehouse, a mainstay of the West End, is closing after a . Used to take my little boys there when they were little. When I first began working downtown in the mid-70s, the Old Spaghetti Warehouse may have been the only restaurant — there were no Mavericks or dining and drinking magnets to draw people. For a while, I was commissioner of the Downtown Dallas Stickball League — played the games in the middle of a street in the West End — didn’t have to worry about the traffic. There was none, except people going to stickball games. Gosh, I wish I had a time machine and could have one more visit to the Old Spaghetti Wearhouse with my little bitty boys. Yeah, I get sappy now and then about the twins -- conquering spaghetti was a triumph of their forks. ... Here are those shelter charts.
—- Offer chart analysis or opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

NEVER MIND THE COWBOYS, HELP SOME DOGS AND CATS AND THEIR ADVOCATES

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This paragraph is being written as The Senator and I watch the 4th quarter of the Dallas Cowboys/New York Jets game. 
That’s The Senator who, every now and then, raises his head off the table and asks, “They score again?” 

As you fret about the Dallas Cowboys, try to remember our weekend suggestion of “Keep the Shelters Clear” enhancing the “Clear the Shelters Movement.” 
In this photo, The Senator, a former free-roaming Dallas cat, is giving me just enough room to type on the laptop. Good boy. Now and then he’ll nip me if my sleeve tickles his ear or if he doesn't like what I've written.
Ever really love a cat? It’s a great feeling to know your heart has the ability to love a wander-up cat. Ah, The Senator. An example of a cat somebody didn’t want. And maybe an example of a cat that didn’t want somebody. Wisely. 
OK, let’s get on with helping other animals and -- oops, an interruption. “Oh, for crying out loud,” The Senator declared harshly as Dallas coughed up a hairball. Let’s move on.
ANOTHER LOOK AT FRED:
DEADLINE IS OCT. 18
Bottom line? “No offers for Fred yet,” read the response regarding the 17-year-old fellow who is losing his home because his human’s granddaughter is allergic.
Our tipster Kelly Haferkamp sent us another photo of the handsome lad, reporting that Fred’s still in need of a home or he’s going to a shelter on October 18. 
The other person trying to help Fred avoid a shelter is Lauren Haworth — she’s not his human but she doesn’t want to see him on the clock in a friendless shelter. Email her at lhaworth@gmail.com.
The tipster’s note reports, “Fred had a hematoma on his ear several years ago so he has the cutest wonky ear. He's a handsome fellow.”
 And he is “a very passive cat. He’s lived with both dogs and cats in the past and is fine as long as he has somewhere safe to escape. He’s not much inclined to defend himself.”
 He’s “pretty easygoing for an older guy. Since he had to be out of the house to make room for the granddaughter he's currently living with someone else. She initially said she would take him and has now decided another cat is too much for her. She is the one giving the deadline. Fred can't go home and has nowhere else to go but the shelter (and we all know how that will turn out).The owner can't take him back as his highly allergic granddaughter is already living with him. She's had previous severe allergic episodes and mom is adamant that Fred stay away.”
[LARRY ASIDE: OK, everybody, don’t bash Mom, just concentrate on saving Fred. That’s the right thing to do…right?]
FRISCO AND PETLAND
We got a note from Tanja Pattist about a planned demonstration of concern at the Frisco City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Frisco City Council chambers, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco, 75034. 
The concern is that the Frisco officials are not giving enough attention to a Humane Society of the United States declaration that there has been “neglect, sickness, death and concealment” at the Frisco Petland.
 Tanja’s note explained, “If you care about puppies, we need your help.  We need people to attend the Frisco City Council meeting to show the Frisco City Council the public cares about the sick puppies that were sold from Frisco Petland for the past 10 years.  You just need to sit and listen to the proceedings.  We will have stickers for your lapel, and speakers attesting to their Frisco sick puppy purchases.”
There's the 2018 declaration about Frisco.
POLITICS: GUN BARREL CITY
AND THE STRAY CONTRACT
We’ve mentioned this before, but the movement needs help in attempting to make certain Gun Barrel City keeps its stray dog contract with the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake shelter in near by Tool. GBC is voting on Oct. 22 on whether to maintain its HSCCL contract or get a new arrangement with the City of Athens. 
Our tipster, Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, says HSCCL supporters should be at the GBC City Hall for the 6:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22. 
And, she adds, “There was such a great turnout at the last meeting in support of HSCCL - WE NEED YOU BACK AGAIN TO SHOW THE COUNCIL how the community is behind this.
She also wrote, “HSCCL works very hard to get its animals adopted - they do 3-4 adoption events every weekend - they have a contract with ASPCA to transport the big adult dogs north where they go to rescue groups and into good homes...as Lanette Ainsworth (president of HSCCL board) told the council at last meeting:  ‘We have not euthanized a single animal this year because of space issues.’  if this matters to you, please be at the GBC meeting Tuesday October 22 @ 6:30.”


MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
A GIRL NAMED SPRINKLES
How about that face? How about that 44 pounds of canine cutie attitude?
Yep, somebody apparently doesn’t want Sprinkles [ID 42933022]. 
The great Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer biographer, Judi Brown has the story about this year-old “Catahoula Leopard Mix” who came in as a stray on the 8th of October. She wrote, “I’ve been told that someone was looking for a dog that looked like her online. This person has been contacted but at this point has not come to claim her. I can’t imagine anyone not coming back for her as she is everything you would want in a dog!!! She is stunningly gorgeous! She’s well behaved. She wants to please. She stays close to her human friend. She knows how to sit for treats. It was difficult to take a picture of her in a standing position because she kept wanting to sit to be rewarded. Since she is so highly motivated by treats, she should be very easy to train. She’s very sweet, affectionate, and friendly. Her tail wags constantly. She appears to be very happy. She’s energetic and alert. She fetches and retrieves. She loves toys. She walked OK on a leash. She went nose to nose with some dogs in the bay without a problem. She does not like cats.” [LARRY ASIDE: Well, not every dog is completely perfect. Still, doesn’t mean Sprinkles ought to sit in a shelter until someone walks up with a needle.] 
To offer to tag her or adopt her, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. And you can see more Mesquite dogs and cats by going HERE. Among the cats is this 3-month-old Brown Tabby with a championship set of whiskers. She’s #42891475. And, if memory serves, she is the first cat I’ve ever seen named “Hazelnut.”
CONTEMPLATIONS

THE GREAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS AND ITS WONDERFUL COOKIES
My funspouse Martha and I were among the judges for the annual Cookie Contest at the State Fair of Texas on Sunday. We've helped judge this event before. I've never met a bad cookie at the State Fair of Texas. The 2019 contest, it was announced to the crowd, set a record for entries — 256. We were assigned to the Holiday Cookies category and got to taste those 32 entries, plus the seven division winners in the best of show. [The award-winners will be listed in the Creative Arts section of bigtex.com — and you’ll be able to buy the recipes in the State Fair of Texas Cookbook at the 2020 Fair. My kitchenspouse Martha has “at least 30” State Fair Cookbooks, including this one she bought Sunday.] Hang on ... I’m having trouble reading my notes — I developed “cartoon eyes” about 20 cookies into our tasting — so I can’t remember exact names of cookie recipes except for the one the triumphed in our Holiday Cookie division: Hanukkah Regulach. A delightful masterpiece with a grandly satisfying combination of fruits and …well, let’s just say veteran winning baker Kate Rovner’s entry stopped me right in my tracks. Oh, my. Just what a guy with a weight problem needs — another craving. But what a pleasure. It’ll make you turn your back on anything served from a drive-up window. … Speaking of things at the Fair, here’s a photo of one of the offerings from a booth on the backside of the Cotton Bowl. I cannot believe it exists. But, anything is possible in the land of cotton candy. … Several years ago one of the most amazing and triumphant cookies at the State Fair was the “Orange-Scented Clementine Shortbread.” I’d put it up against anybody’s grandmother’s or aunt’s or talented daddy’s cookies. It’s so good that I wouldn’t share it with any of my wonderful dogs. Now that’s a championship cookie.
—- Offer advice, recipes or diet tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com with the words “ATTENTION MR. SLIM COOKIEMAN.”—-

ON AN OVERLOADED SATURDAY, WE ASK: ' SHOULD IT BE ‘KEEP THE SHELTERS CLEAR?'

EXTRA EDITION OF SATURDAY, OCT. 12, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Rockwall. Mesquite. Fort Worth. Dallas? The
numbers are staggering this weekend. We’re highlighting these shelters in our Texas-OU Weekend Extra Edition.
Naturally we want you to be sure and read our traditional weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, posted late Friday and intended as the weekend highlight. That’s our featured sleeper, Moose, an SPCA of Texas alum, and when you finish reading this EXTRA, you can segue right into the story of Moose and our tribute to Tabby cats.
[LARRY ASIDE: Before I get started on these “critical appeals” with a death row threat, is it possible that the focus of “Clear the Shelters” should be enlarged from a once-a-year event to an every day campaign called “Keep the Shelters Clear”? Geez, that's what we want, right? Clear shelters with no death threats? Consider that public campaign as you read on.]

Every now and then, we encounter weekend notes that need attention to save lives. Here are some:
ON THE CRITICAL LIST
AT MESQUITE ANIMAL SERVICES
Late Friday evening, the great Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services, sent notices of 4 dogs and each was preceded with the information that “shelter overcrowding” was putting new and potentially fatal pressure on dogs that deserve good homes. 
This was the way Judi began her moving note about 38-pound DARLING (42655730): “🔴URGENT!!! We are more than full and dogs are being put down. I beg you when you get a sweet girl like this that has made so much progress I can’t bear to think of her losing her life. Yesterday when I went into her kennel she ran around in circles wagging her tail. That’s a long ways from a dog that hunkered down in a corner!! $75 pledge to a 501(c)(3) in the form of a check private message Judi Brown. On one thread I saw that there are over $400 in pledges on this sweet girl!!!! If you cannot adopt or tag please network.
“Darling is a 2-year-old American terrier pit mix that came to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/5 as a stray. She obviously was traumatized by the experience of being lost and arriving at the shelter because she hunkered down in the corner and was basically unapproachable!! It took two days of sweet talk and ear scratching for her to stand up and start wagging her tail. She still is timid but has come along way, baby! She still flinches when you reach for her head. With a loving understanding family she will be able to grow into her potential.”
Some of Judy’s notes began (with gender accommodation) this way: “🔴CRITICAL Due to shelter overcrowding this very deserving sweet girl is on the critical list. If you cannot adopt tag for Rescue, please network this deserving girl.”
WHY IS QUEEN ON DEATH ROW? It’s ironic. Judi notes that Mesquite’s ordinances (and the state’s cruelty laws) prevent the constant tethering of a dog. The law that protects the dog also results in Queen being under threat of death. Queen [42731039), is a 44-pound, spayed 3-year-old retriever mix, who “was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/13 because our ordinances do not allow people to tether. The owners reported that she was an outside dog only and when not kept tied up would try to escape. She did test the borders of the shelter yard. She will need a secure fence.” She’s a beautiful girl who “gives lots of kisses” and, Judi suggests “letting her be an inside dog…as she does want to be around her people.”
DOTTIE (42768225) is a 48-pound, 2-year-old Pittie mix who arrived as a stray on September 18. Clearly she’s an Earhound. Judi writes, “She’s a beautiful girl with a beautiful attitude. Her tail wags constantly, and if you’re patient she’ll even give you kisses. She wants to please. She sits for treats. She just seems so happy, and it almost looks like she’s smiling in many of her pictures. … She’s recently had puppies.” [LARRY ASIDE: Veteran rescuers may suspect she was stray because her human was “done with her” and selling off her puppies. My theory.]

TODD (33696961) is this Jaunty Earhound, a 65-pound, 2- or 3-year-old Shepherd mix. He came in on September 12 as a stray and he wasn’t out looking for a date —- he’s already neutered. Judi cites his “tawny coloring and appealing hazel eyes. Besides being very attractive, he’s a real sweetheart. He is friendly and affectionate. When I sat down he came to me to be petted. He stays close. He doesn’t jump on you. He wants to please. He sits for treats. He does have a strong pull on the leash. He did go nose to nose with many of the dogs in the bay. He actually touched noses with some of them. Because he’s so gentle Todd would probably do well in a family with young children.”

Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com to tag these dogs. 
 See more Mesquite animals HERE. Adopting one or rescuing one will save that dog and buy some time for the next animal to come in. [LARRY: There are always “next animals” going into shelters in a metro area. Why? Because a metro area is blessed with many village idiots. Lots of angels, but way too many people who don’t care and respond “so what” when told what happens to dogs and cats in government-run shelters. Village idiots.]
THE CHALLENGE IN ROCKWALL

 Veteran animal advocate Patty Turner’s note to us read, “Hey! We are at 200% capacity at Rockwall!!! We need help. Go to Rockwall Adoptions on Facebook or rockwallaoptions.com for available animals.”
That Rockwall dog is a puppy named Duke. And in honor of Tabby Cat, the focus of this week- end’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re highlighting the 4-week-old girl Peaches, waiting in Rockwall with all the patience of a kitten.

On line it says the animals are in the shelter at 1825 Airport Road in Rockwall. The shelter is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the shelter at 972-771=7750 ext. 2 or email info@rockwalladoptions.com.
THE FORT WORTH CHALLENGE
These are some of the indications of how tough things are for animals on the clock in Fort Worth this weekend.
If you're on Facebook, here's a quick LINK to Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. It's at 4900 Martin St. in Fort Worth -- Call 817-392-1234. The link is http://fortworthtexas.gov/animals/.
And here's a posting from earlier in the week:
THE DALLAS FOCUS
Yeah, I made an eye joke, but the focus of the campaign is no joke. Dallas Animal Services has a sponsor for a campaign to find homes for animals. Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see the online listings -- stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland.

A CLOSING CONTEMPLATION

Holy smoke. Remember that “Clear the Shelter” thing? It was on August 17. Remember everybody celebrating the "cleared" of the shelters?
Let’s see, that’s Aug-September/September-Oct. Good grief — around SIXTY DAYS LATER AND SHELTERS ARE OVERLOADED AGAIN!!!! 

Maybe we need a “Keep The Shelters Cleared” campaign every day of the year.
The “Don’t care/So what” people apparently see a cleared shelter and think, “Oh, good, they’ve got room for this dog and her puppies.” Or, “I keep telling Kitty not to get pregnant. Hell, take that cat to the pound — that’ll teach her and her kittens to get pregnant.” Sound harsh? Nope. Sounds accurate.

Perhaps, someone with money -- or a TV/radio station needs to finance a constant public reminder to Keep the Shelters Cleared.”
Asking to change the hearts of the Don’t Care/So What people — not gonna happen. The focus has to appeal to the people who have yet to activate the good side of their hearts on behalf of animals.
Spay/neuter only works in people who have a sense of responsibility. 
Sending the dogcatcher to a Zip Code to snare free-roaming dogs only results in dead dogs — the nitwit who lets his dog “roam to death,” just gets another puppy from the pinhead pal who is mystified that his dog is always pregnant.
This isn’t an animal problem — it’s clearly a people problem. And, like comic Ron White says, “You can’t fix stupid.”
Maybe it's possible to work around stupid without putting animals at risk. We're open to suggestions. Most of mine involve a firm application of the patent-pending Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment. But, of course, that would be wrong. Feel so good, but be so wrong.
—- Offer enlightenment, advice or some kind of solution by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

TABBY TIME IN TEXAS: A NAPPING CAT & OTHERS

For this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we offer a certified napper.
These are two views of, if I read the info on his window correctly, “Moose.”
A week or so ago I spotted him in a “slumber” situation in the window of his display cage at the PetSmart at 5500 Greenville Avenue in Dallas. 
At the time, Moose, 9 months old and neutered, was a cat nobody wanted. Now, since he’s no longer on the SPCA Find-a-Pet website, we’ll just assume someone came into the store, saw the display and woke the Brown Tabby fellow and Moose said, “Yeah, I’ll go with you. What’s for dinner?” [For that second photo, he opened his eyes when I was snapping his photo. He wasn't interested in being awake at the moment. Eyelids were the only thing moving! The more I look at his markings, the more he looks as if he has 4 eyes -- two vertical above his eyebrows and two horizontal below!]
Moose had become an SPCA cat when someone found him but couldn’t keep him. 
He was one of several cats in the SPCA PetSmart Charities display that day. 
In a display kennel a few feet away was beautiful Madison, 4 years old, small and wide awake. She was “surrendered to the SPCA of Texas because my previous family had too many animals,” her bio reads. 
She is beautiful. And, as of this writing on Friday evening, she is still listed as available at the Greenville Avenue PetSmart.

 Readlarry- powell.com has seen a lot of cats. We even tended to a feral colony for about 20 years — spay- ing/neutering, finding homes for the calm cats, finding spots in shelters sometimes and, when forced to do so by the demeanor of the feral, returning them to the front yard where they snoozed and relaxed until either moving on or agreeing to become housecats.
As the Romans used to say about cats, “Patientia rara virtus.”

Our colony started out as black cats with white blazes on their chests. Now and then we'd have a sudden appearance by a white cat or a tortie or maybe an orange and white fellow. Through the majesty of spay/neuter, we watched the colony evolve into nothin’ but Tabbies. Same philosophy: Fix ‘em and either find homes or feed ‘em on the porch every day.
[LARRY ASIDE: We only named maybe three or four ferals through the years -- didn't want to get attached, you know. Hah. My Oak Cliff catladyspouse Martha named two of the black cats: Smidge was a girl who liked to sleep on the roof and Moriarty was a boy who spent his days "gone somewhere mysteriously." I got to name the old solid white cat who dragged onto the porch every morning as if he'd been on a bender after a rough Saturday night in the OR -- Ol' Doc White.] They were a swell bunch of cats and I'm glad to have known them and not known any of their offspring. Oh, yeah, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, was one of the Tabby kittens who charmed us when we weren't expecting it. So, she's still with us -- she's at least 10 years old. This photo of me an Kittie Leigh is about 10 years old, too -- her left eye is a little bit crossed an her nose has retained its pinkish tint.]
When you look at the cat listings on North Texas shelter pages, you’ll see Tabbies are well-represented. My own personal cat Kittie Leigh has been a cuddler her entire life. From her I have learned the joys of having a cat who believes you exist to be her pillow. Perhaps that is a Tabby trait, the conquering of a human for purposes of napping. 
Just as I let sleeping dogs lie, I will, of course, let the Tabby cat nap. [That photo on the left was taken one night when I was on the brink of nodding off and she crawled up onto my chest and snapped a selfie with her SmartFelineFone -- all our cats have whatever accessory they want, of course.]
I thought for a while that Tabbies were probably created within the State of Texas — after all, their kind, friendly nature and their loyalty speaks honorably for the Lone Star State. Then I read about this Tabby research on catster.com. Tabby cats were created for the world and entirely through naturally occuring feline love affairs.
If you don’t have a Tabby, get one. If you don’t want a Tabby, go to a shelter or a rescue group and adopt whatever other kind of cat they have. We’ve highlighted a few of the SPCA Tabbies from the spca.org website.
Yep, plenty of Tabbies.
 They are AVAILABLE -- Millie, Molly and Oranges!
Trust me, we’re not running out of cats in the greater North Texas Mewtroplex.
[DEAR READERS: Got a sleeping dog or napping cat you’re proud of? Snap a snoozing photo and send the picture and a little bit about why you love this critter to dallrp@ aol.com and we’ll spotlight your beloved friend in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We’re proud to show a trusting critter relaxed in a home. It helps us give hope to insomniacs that they, too, can sleep — honest. Maybe. 

Insomniacly yours, Larry “Wide Awake With No Good Reason” Powell. What? That pig? Not a Tabby. Caught her snoozing while nursing one year in the Childrens' Barnyard exhibit  at the State Fair of Texas-- for all I know, the barncat is a Tabby.]
— Offer opinions, sleeping tips and Lotto Texas lucky numbers by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOOTBALL, ART, BASEBALL, DOGS, CATS & STATE FAIR COOKIES

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Yes, you probably don’t need to be told one more time that we’re entering Texas-OU Weekend in Dallas, or OU-Texas Weekend if you’re crossing the Red River to get to the big game at the State Fair in Dallas. Drive carefully. The highway signs are confusing in the downtown mixmaster or whatever they call it. More in Contemplations. Maybe.
SPCA SPECIAL OFFERS
‘HUDDLE UP, CUDDLE UP’ DEAL

Every now and then the headline on a new release catches our attention and the SPCA has pulled off the trick with this: “Huddle Up, Cuddle Up: SPCA of Texas Offering Football Adoption Special.”

 It’s pretty simple, as the release notes: “Starting tomorrow [Friday], the SPCA of Texas is having a Huddle Up, Cuddle Up adoption special at its two Metroplex-area shelters. From Friday, October 11, through Sunday, October 13, wear your favorite team's sports gear to the shelter and receive half off the adoption prices for dogs weighing 40 pounds or more. To see all of our available dogs, visit spca.org/findapet."

The Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center is the Dallas facility, 2400 Lone Star Drive . In McKinney, at 8411 Stacy Road, you can visit animals at the SPCA’s Russel H. Perry Animal Care Center. 

While the focus is on dogs for this weekend’s special, you can also adopt cats.
Cats and dogs love to huddle and cuddle.
You see the dazzling Earhound named "Rocky Mt."
And, of course, there's Oya, the 2-year-old cat with the “Don’t bother me, I’m watching the game” look on her face. She's probably adorable in person. Loves to cuddle.
UPDATE FROM 4-LEGGED HELPERS

Claire, the “last dog” in the Wilmer Shelter this week, is in the midst of a victory. Laura Macias reports that Claire has now been spayed and “this weekend we are going to try to get her to her new home. It is in Buda, Texas, so it is a little bit farther!” Yep, it's south of Austin on I-35 --not exactly in the Metroplex, but a happy home for a dog is a good thing.The photo on the left is the one we usually posted; the one on the right shows a happier dog outside of a kennel. Congrats to 4-Legged Helpers for scoring one more success. If you’d like to get involved with these determined animal helpers, text or email Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com.
WINTER’S COMING TO BURNS FLAT
It’s the time of year when Terry Lynn Fisher starts thinking about the Oklahoma weather. Burns Flat is out in the western section of the state and winter gets there before it gets to the Lone Star Metrosprawl. 
Terry Lynn has specific needs for the shelter at Burns Flat and the shelter at Sentinel. She proudly notes, “Both have become no-kill since I took over — Burns Flat for more than 13 years and Sentinel for more than 3 years. Both are totally outdoor pounds.

“The cold weather is quickly approaching...  So we are putting out the plea for some of the needs we have to help keep these innocent creatures safe, comfortable and warm...  We are unable to board like we have in the past, due to still having a huge boarding bill that I am working on…"

What does she need to “warm up” the pounds? 
Her list: 6 by 10 foot heavy duty tarps heavy plastic water buckets that “won’t crack when they freeze”; medium heavy-duty zip ties…”
And there’s this: “Blankets —lots and lots of blankets. We go through them because we have to change them out several times a day. We wash them, but eventually they fall apart.”
Terry Lynn adds, “Please know how grateful I am for any help we get to keep these babies warm...More than anything, they need rescues to be seen and have a chance for adoption and fosters.”

Here are the contact points: Email Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. Her PayPal is bfvfd_109@yahoo.com. Write to her at P.O. Box 578, 206 Iroquois Tr., Burns Flat, Okla., 73624.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE ART, THE GAME, THE WEEK
Sure, the Texas Rangers are enjoying the traditional long off-season, but there really is an active baseball event in Arlington on Saturday and Sunday. It’s the “26th Annual Martin Baseball Craft & Specialty Show” at Arlington Martin High School, 4501 W. Pleasant Ridge Road, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
I learned about it from local artist Diana Dupré whose website is notjustcanvas.com — the bluebonnets are painted on stemless wine glass and that fabulous dog with the great expression is on a tile. Her work will be available at the show. Read more about the Martin Baseball show HERE. Ah, baseball — the art of the game. We’re now rooting for the Martin Warriors and the Texas Rangers…
Back to the State Fair: My bakingspouse Martha and I will be helping out at the Fair again this year, joining many other fans of fab cookies in helping to judge entries in the Creative Arts cookie competition Sunday. True fact: I have NEVER had a bad cookie at the State Fair. The contests are in the Creative Arts building, in the shadow of the Cotton Bowl, where the Big Game will be played by Texas and Oklahoma Saturday. Yep, the Cotton Bowl — famous for Texas-OU, but nicknamed “The House That Doak Built.” Why? Because Doak Walker starred for the SMU beginning in 1945 and inspired the growth of the big stadium to accommodate the fans who came to see him play for neither Texas nor Oklahoma. He was a Pony. You can look it up! …
On Thursday, October 10, I got an email from The Big Paper Downtown declaring, “It's National Newspaper Week! Join us in taking a moment to give thanks for freedom of the press.” National Newspaper Week is October 6-12 — the email arrived on the 10th. Missed the deadline, I guess. Coincidentally, this week, National Newspaper Week, I noted, thanks to our pal Sydney Busch, that the non-profit Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake is seeking donations of newspapers for the spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City. Newspapers — a multi-purpose product. I oughta copyright that slogan.
—- Offer enlightenment or understanding by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

OCTOBER BRINGS AN INTERESTING WORLD AND ANIMALS IN NEED

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 [PetPowellPress] The world is an interesting place. We’ll get to a sincere need for daily newspapers in a moment. 
Sometimes the world is more interesting than a person might want it to be. Yeah, I watched the news Wednesday so I’m trying to reach out to someone who can tell me a good dog joke and distract me. I’m a simple person, Cat jokes may be too complicated. Let's try to help some animals. Read on:
ONE WAY TO HELP ANIMALS

Now, as a fellow who worked in the daily newspaper business for many decades, I have always celebrated the need for a daily newspaper. Nobody celebrates the need for daily papers like a non-profit that works with animals. Hence, we got a request from Sydney Busch of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. Her appeal reads, “Please save your newspapers for us. They can be brought by the clinic in Gun Barrel City any Tuesday between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m."
The world’s greatest spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City starts the day early. And there are no more afternoon editions of newspapers, so it all works out. Read about the clinic at www.friendsoftheanimals.org and on Facebook HERE .
That, by the way, is where you can see how to buy raffle tickets for this great fundraising quilt “handmade and donated” to the Friends clinic by the Gun Barrel Quilters Guild. Drawing is Dec. 1. Tickets are $5 each and you can get them at the clinic or by emailing sydney@friendsoftheanimals.org. The proceeds go to the clinic. [LARRY ASIDE: Maybe they’ll use the money to buy a subscription to a big newspaper — wait, are there any?]

HOW TO HELP AN OL’ GUY NAMED FRED
Here’s the story: A guy has a granddaughter who is wickedly allergic to Fred the Cat, now 17. He needs a new place to live by October 18 or the family is taking Fred to a shelter. 
Fred, who made it to 17 while being loved ans adored, is on the brink of waiting in line to end an otherwise happy life with the cold feeling of a needle. 
[LARRY ASIDE: How can this stuff happen, Larry blurted out in a fit of anger and then edited out the ugly words.] Here’s a paragraph from the tipster’s Fred appeal: “Fred is a 17-year-old gentleman in good health whose interests include naps, more naps, and occasionally carrying socks around. He does have food allergies and requires a limited ingredient food (Natural Balance duck and green pea, found at Petco, etc). The tipster also wrote, “Fred is a very passive guy who won't defend himself too strongly. He just gets the tar beat out of him at my house, and that's not how anyone should spend their golden years. He is pretty shy initially, but once he warms up to you he's a big, fluffy, happy purr machine.”
 The contact point is NOT Fred’s human. Email the person trying to help Fred at lhaworth@gmail.com. 
Remember: October 18, the deadline for Fred.
AND NO ONE HAS ASKED
ABOUT ANY OF THE ANIMALS

Yep, the mainstays at 4-Legged Helpers, Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden report that there’s been no interest at all in any of the animals they’ve highlighted in the Lancaster Shelter.

We’re going to show you some of the animals they’re promoting.
The big dog is Trinity, a 17-month-old “Bully girl” — fixed, microchipped, homeless. Her bio describes her as a “sweet little girl who is so very loving and cute.” And a former housedog.
Lucy is a spayed Lab/Heeler mix who is “adorable and sweet” and a dog “that someone could no longer care for.” So, she’s sitting in a shelter. Waiting.
The Lancaster Shelter also has cats.
According to a 4-Legged Helpers note, “Someone brought in 8, yes 8 kitties — all just as adorable and sweet as can be."
We picked one photo to use — it appears to show a pair of tabbies (Shay and Serene) joined at the hip stripes.

To offer to help the animals, call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
DOGS WITH GREAT FACES….
These tips, of course, come from the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services, Judi Brown. Here we go:

Moxie, 2, is a spayed Brindle pittie mix surrendered on Oct. 5. In this photo, she’s talking with her eyes, isn’t she? Judi writes, “She’s a beautiful girl with gorgeous eyes that  seem to be pleading for you to adopt her. The people that surrendered her said they were surrendering her because she did not get along with their dogs. They had only had her two weeks. Their recommendation was that she needed to be the only pet in the household. I walked her through the bay and she was non-reactive.” Ask about Moxie by number, ID 42672205.

 Princess (42867566), also 2, is a Pittie mix who came in as a stray on October 1. “Her markings are very unique and very attractive! To top that off she could win a personality contest. She is a real wiggle butt!! If you get too close to her her tail, that wags constantly, it will whack you. She’s happy, friendly, affectionate, sweet, and obedient.”
Judi also says, “Princess weighs 54 pounds. Actually I was surprised by this because she’s got a very broad back and I reweighed her thinking she had to weigh more. But no, she does weigh 54 pounds!”

 This is Freda, a 4-month-old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix surrendered on Oct. 7. Judi writes, “The owners said that they could not afford to raise a pet and they didn’t have the money to take care of one. Although poor Freda is only four months old this last family only had her for three weeks so now that she’s at the shelter that means she’s been displaced three times already in her young life. Hopefully her next home will be her furever home.
“She is a very rambunctious, enthusiastic, lively puppy. She is obviously very intelligent. She already knows the sit command. Her previous owner said she also knows how to give her paw but did not do that for me. She could benefit from obedience training.”

Freda weighs 44 pounds. Her number is 42920436
.
To ask about any of these animals, call 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS
A REMINDER, OCTOBER AND NEW MEXICO
This photo? It’s a reminder picture — it’s designed to remind you folks with sleeping dogs or napping cats or a snoring brother-in-law in your recliner to snap photos and send them to me at dallrp@aol.com. We’ll post the photo and the story of the beloved animal or brother-in-law in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. 
Right now, at 5:45 in the PM, I’d have to wake a dog or cat just to say hello. They’re out like lights in a California power failure. …. You recognize my personal dog, Porche Noel — a flat surface makes her drowsy. So does a surface that isn’t flat. The ability to sleep — it’s her gift. Your dog or cat similarly gifted? Email dallrp@aol.com. … The busy-ness of October always surprises me. I’ve been planning to spend a week in New Mexico in October since about 1991. Yep, still planning — can’t find the time. I’d also pick any other month to go to New Mexico! … If Texas ever reclaims its national territory (Read history book, you know?), I hope the first place it regains is New Mexico — that way New Mexico will have a big league baseball team and Texas will have real ski slopes. Sounds like a great trade, right? Yes, I meant the Houston Astros. And the Texas Rangers, too — sometimes.
—- Offer explanations of life by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com, currently in the Great State of Texas. —-

THE WAY THINGS WORK OUT FOR ANIMALS; USE OF THE WORD 'IGNORAMUS'

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We have updates on animal stories today — Cinder’s state and 4-Legged Helpers' mission —and more opportunities to help and as I type this long sentence I am staggered by the fact that the year 2019 is beginning to draw to a rapid close.
Staggered. 2019 — nearly over. It already sounded so far into the future that it had the tone of science fiction to it and now it’s almost history. Holy smokin’ robot oil on the driveway! Quick, get me either a sedative or big vanilla calming ice cream cone. The cone, I hope.
REMINDER: 4-Legged Helpers!
Some animal shelters are more unvisited than others — “unvisited” may not be an actual word, but it’s an actual situation.
The newly-minted group 4-Legged Helpers —the eyes on the shelters for those who do not visit — is looking for someone to help with social media listing and making phone calls to set up vet appointments. Laura Macias, who with Leighann Hayden, has been focused on helping small municipal shelters, says the volunteer position won’t take up much time, but will be very important to saving the lives of animals in small, low foot-traffic shelters. 
Dogs? That’s Dave from Lancaster. That cat? No name (yet) from Lancaster, too.
Wilmer and Hutchins also are in the spotlight of 4-Legged Helpers. 

And, fyi: That girl is Claire, a Boxer/Bulldog mix who is in the Wilmer Shelter — she did have a friend, Aubree, but Aubree (that’s her looking through the bars) has been claimed by a rescue group, Laura says, and now Claire is alone in the shelter,
 She’s quite a lonely dog in the low-traffic shelter. Get in touch with Laura. This is the opportunity to give a dog a life. And to inspire you, here’s one of the descriptions of the situation: “This one girl is all alone in the hellhole I call Wilmer.” 

There had been two of them “stuck in a small, dank shelter with no lights on and barely any AC or water. So sad!”

CINDER'S GOFUNDME SITE
TO HELP WITH KEY SURGERY
We told you earlier in the week about Kimberly Jones efforts to both rescue and repair this beautiful big ol’ girl — after all, Kimberly had first rescued her five years ago and things didn’t work out in the home.
Now Cinder needs ligament surgery (TPLO surgery is the vet shorthand) and that takes money. So Kimberly has set up a gofundme campaign HERE .
Joining in on the fundraising is the great Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com: “Barkleyworld will match up to $1,000 in total donations for Cinder’s surgery. So double your donation and your impact! If you donate through Barkleyworld,” the gofundme site notes, “your donation is tax-deductible.” You’ll get a receipt. Go to barkleyworld.com and note that the donation is for Cinder.
The goal is $3,000.
As Karen wrote, “Cinder Girl has been though a lot, but Kimberly has not and never will give up on her!”    

[LARRY ASIDE: I picked my two fave photos of Cinder to illustrate this appeal. Cinder looks both happy and dignified — few humans can manage both of those appearances at the same time!]
COMING UP ON SATURDAY,
WAGS & WHISKERS IN ALLEN
You may recall that the rescue group Animal Rescue Crusaders of Texas has recently been helping animals in the Lancaster city shelter. You’ll have a chance on Saturday to thank the rescuers for doing good work — you can support them in their appearance at Wags and Whiskers Howl-o-Ween festival and adoption event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm in Allen. 
We got the tip on this from Animal Rescue Crusader J’Anna Mann. She says there’ll be rescue groups, kid activities, pet adoptions, vendors and DJ Ryan “The Caveman” Cave with music (don’t know which era, but I’m betting you’ll hear Who Let The Dogs Out). Also, there’ll be free professional Halloween photos based on the theme “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” [LARRY ASIDE: Holy jack-o-lantern, it REALLY IS AUTUMN!]

And these animals from ARC of Texas will be at the event — stop by, you might just find a new friend. 
Scheduled to join the Crusaders at this event are volunteers with The Street Dog Project, White Rock Dog Rescue, Millie’s Mutts, Oak Hill Animal Rescue and Rescue Row. 
Watters Creek is at U.S. 75 at Bethany in Allen.

Go to www.watterscreek.com for more info. And Google the animal groups to check out the adorable adoptables.
MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
:
DOGS, CATS AND TERRY LYNN
We’ve heard from Terry Lynn Fisher, the resolute rescuer of Burns Flat, Okla., and she’s got some dog and cats stories.
If you’ve ever won- dered what an Ear- hound looks like when he’s traveling, take a look at Foster’s ears. In the car, their down. In the yard, they’re sky-high!
We’re lucky we get to see him at all. He didn’t have a good start in his life. Terry Lynn writes, “This little guy came in as a baby with a chain padlocked around his neck.. He had a rescue offer but the timing wasn't good for transport so he missed out. I feel so bad, because a personal problem of mine kept him from finding his own home. He has had his shots. Vet says he is under six months. He is such a sweet young boy. He went to a foster home and it didn't work out — not his doing. It was the foster mom’s issues and she was unable to keep him. So he is back in the Sentinel jail and is so very unhappy.”

Beautiful Chloe, now about 4 months old, is “so precious,” Terry Lynn says. Loves dogs, cats, even chickens. Adores children. She is now crate-trained and housebroken. I have had her in a foster home but they had a death in the family and need to bring her back to the pound. I am full there, so I haven’t gotten her yet…

“I am trying to Keep them all safe!”

To help with these or any other animals in the Terry Lynn Sphere Of Influence, email her at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
Cats? Of course.
I know that in Texas we’d call this a “litter of kittens,” but in Oklahoma I think, based on this collection of photos, the term is “A Wiggle of Kittens. 


Terry Lynn writes that she does not have a place for cats. These four kittens’ mom was killed, so a friend of Terry Lynn’s bottle-fed them until they got old enough to be adopted.
And there’s a big cat available, also.
She says, “He came in with three dogs from a man who was placed in a nursing home. All the dogs have left for rescue. The cat went to foster, but it is home with a death in the family so I need a place ASAP.”
Yep, email remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
My focus is diminished by the realty that (a) we have self-driving cars getting a try-out in Dallas, (b) we have phones that are for a lot more than just talkin’ and (c) we have grandchildren who missed the entire Y2K panic. Kids, find some old relic to explain that to you — you’ll understand why you always get stale crackers when you get a snack at dear ol’ Aunt Scary’s house. … When self-driving cars take over in Dallas, will there be a reduction in the need for the ability to curse creatively? I know it has already been diminished by layoffs in newsrooms and the closing of newspapers. But, seriously, how will people relieve stress if being a passenger diminishes the need for a colorful vocabulary? … Speaking of vocabularies, I saw video of the Dallas Community Police Oversight Board’s first meeting and someone yelled something like “Shut up, you ignoramus.” Haven’t heard “ignoramus” used in a public meeting in a while -- usually it's reserved for pro football coaching discussions.  Nope, hadn't heard it in a public meeting. Mighta thought it. Just didn’t say it.
—- OFFER SMART VIEWS OR CALMING WORDS BY CLICKING ON COMMENT BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOL.COM AND I WILL NOT BE OFFENDED IF YOU BEGIN THE NOTE ‘DEAR IGNORAMUS’ —-

4-Legged Helpers seek a helper; Laundry at the Lake; & Contemplating Snoop

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019 [PetPowellPress] For this edition of the second Tuesday in October, we’re going to help Laura Macis and Leighann Hayden make a pitch for new help with a newly formed rescue group — 4-Legged Helpers — and animals in the small shelters on the south side of Big D. This is one of the dogs who’ll need some help. He’s Champ, the Boxer mix with the great face, currently waiting in the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
The other photo is of a performer (and an entertaining actor), Mr. Dogg, i.e, the famous Snoop, who has had an interesting time in Kansas. 
It’s like the people at Kansas University were surprised to learn that Snoop Dogg was not a 1960s folk singer performing If I Had a Hammer or This Land Is Your Land. You know how there are areas of the nation that get out-sider funding so they can be wired for the internet and cell phones. I’m starting to worry about Kansas. 
The University of Kansas booked Snoop Dogg for the annual “Late Night in the Phog” pre-basketball season rally Friday night (that's an ABC photo) and the star showed up with pole dancers and … well, he was Snoop The Entertainer and a quiet Friday night in Kansas became so controversial that even The Washington Post wrote about it.
Somebody ought to start a CONNECT KANSAS gofundme campaign -- get the university's athletics deartment all wired up so they'd know Snoop wasn’t a guy in a big dog suit doing songs from the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. More in Contemplations -- I'm kidding Kansas before the Jawhawks start beating every basketball team in Texas...
4-LEGGED HELPERS NEEDING HELP:

ARE YOU GOOD WITH SOCIAL MEDIA?
WANT TO SAVE LIVES WITH YOUR SKILLS?
For quite some time now we’ve been watching Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden clear paths from the outside world into the quiet, sometimes dark, world of small shelters to rescue dogs and cats. 
The social/domesticated animals — some strays, some dumped — are usually confined without much human contact in shelters financed by cites with budgets that don’t focus on animals. The facilities have two things in contact: (1) They’re on the southern side of Dallas and (2) there’s no budget for public relations plans that promote the animals as adoptable adorables.
Previously, they’d simply been parked there until it was time for them to die. Laura and Leighann changed all that. Now, having formed a 501c3 known as “4-Legged Helpers,” the determined animal fans are increasing efforts online.
They need a volunteer — someone who, Laura says, “someone who can do social media and Instagram/ and make apps for dogs for vetting.”
To make certain Laura knows you want to be THE helper for these animals, call or text her at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

Laura says of the tasks, “It isn't a ton of stuff — just too much for me and Leighann with everything else we are doing now.” 

The person who helps 4-Legged Helpers will not be going to shelters (unless that person wants to), but will be working online to enhance the visibility of the 4-legged (sometimes 3-legged) animals they are helping. And, the helper would be calling vets to make appointments for dogs that are one good medical exam away from getting into a rescue group. 
Laura says that, as envisioned for now, this volunteer would “not need to produce something every day. And it will be just an hour or so a day. Some days just a quick post for a dog or a ride. Other days nothing. Just depends on how many dogs.”

And you don’t have to live in the southern sector — nobody knows where you sit at the keyboard, just that you’ve put a spotlight on an animal that they want to help.
Here are some examples of the animals 4-Legged Helpers pinpoint in the small southern shelters: That stretched out dog is Dave, the Border Collie/Lab mix, who, the note from 4-Legged Helpers reads, “has an extremely sad story. He was living out on his own, probably for a long period of time. A Good Samaritan worked for two hours to gain his trust when they found him foraging for food. He is a dog who needs someone special since, as you can see, once he meets you and trusts you, he will adore you…..”
  In addition to Champ’s great face (he’s the opening dog in this edition and right), there is the great face of Boxer/Pointer mix Holly, described as “a complete sweetheart.”
Again, to ask about any animals in the Lancaster, Wilmer and Hutchins shelters, get in touch with Laura by calling or texting her at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
MEANWHILE, OUT AT THE LAKE,
LET’S TALK DOIN’ THE LAUNDRY
Now here’s a job that doesn’t require familiarity with computers. Computers and online technology, I believe, are the reasons some people are uncomfortable in the 21st Century. 
 Here’s your chance to get a clean start in volunteering, so to speak. We got a note Monday from the great Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. It has to do with a key part of the mission of the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter operation in Gun Barrel City, Texas.
 Sydney writes, “The spay/neuter clinic is in need of someone to spend much of the day on Tuesdays (about 9-4 or as long as you can stay) doing the endless laundry we have.”
 The dates are Oct. 15, 29; November 12, 26 and December 10, 31.
And, yes, “There will be training,” she says. “Our laundry is different from everything else!”
Volunteer by emailing sydney@friendsoftheanimals.org or calling 903-451-4701 or (cell) 214-808-4701.
That photo, by the way, is one of my all-time favorite pictures from the clinic — the Friends’ caption referred to these dogs in post-op recovery as “The Burritos.” Those “comfort towels” must be properly laundered for these babies.

CONTEMPLATIONS:
SNOOP, WEATHER, COWBOYS
Do you think Snoop, when the performers' plane crossed the state line back to the West Coast, said, “Well, schizzle me Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Snoop Dogg’s best performance? The Monk episode of July 20, 2007 — Mr. Monk and the Rapper, in which Snoop plays Russell Kroy, known as Murderuss. The Kansas Athletic Department should have asked him to stick to the script and let someone else cast the pole dancers for the pep rally basketball crowd. …. This edition is being typed while I wear a sweater — first time I’ve added a warming accessory to my wardrobe since before Groundhog Day. Well, I do cuddle a cat now and then — it was a mutual warming accessory situation when the a/c would get a little bit too cold for man and beast. Didn’t happen often this summer. That cat photo? That's my current kitten, Stevie Ray, who, it turns out, is St. Louis Cardinasl fan -- I snapped this as he celebrate the Redbirds' extra-inning victory over Atlanta in the playoffs Monday. Likes the Redbirds, he says. .. . After Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, it was hard not to hear this song in the aftermath. I’m almost certain things will be better next week. Almost certain.
—- Rap some opinions or theories of life by clicking on “comment” below or send an email to dallrp@aol.com —-

DOGS, CATS, TAXES AND 'DEPLOYS AT 35 MPH'

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 [PetPowellPress] New week. New stuff. Old moods, i.e., the weekly post-Cowboys game slump. 
Let’s do a Monday edition.
At readlarrypowell.com we’ve recently been getting information that many non-profit rescues are concerned about Texas taxing the rescue groups in a particularly tough fashion. We’re looking into that situation. In the meantime, get involved with the Texas Humane Legislation Network to see if you can help THLN convince the Lege to layoff non-profit animal rescues and help the state's animals. Next Legislature will be here before we can shake a stick at it -- not actually, just with your imagination. [LARRY ASIDE: For years I’ve written that the quickest way to get rich in Texas is to get involved in animal rescue….but I was joking. You don't think some state official took that seriously, do you? I think the phrase “non-profit” was invented to describe animal rescuers. Help me off the soap box before a slat snaps and I find myself in a taxing situation.]
CINDER’S NEEDS
The noted rescuer Kimberly Jones is trying to help (once again), this dog Cinder, nearly 7 — she rescued Cinder after the dog was dumped 5 years ago. 
Things were OK until the dog’s home became unstable and the adoptor ran into a tough spot financially. Cinder had heartworms, which Kimberly paid to treat. 
Now, Cinder’s facing some surgery — TPLO, which is “tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy” or, in non-medical terms, she needs, a bad ligament fixed and it’s not cheap. She will need a foster and a new home. 
The dog comes with a great recommendation. “She is crate-trained and such a good girl,” Kimberly wrote.” Also, “She loves toys and treats.” And she’ll finally be getting some attention “She is precious and deserves the very best,” Kimberly writes. To offer to help or to donate to the cause, email kimberlya4@gmail.com.
THE SPECIAL IN DALLAS
Still going on. Here the online artwork on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page.

 How many dogs and cats and others are we taking about? Quite a few.
The listing on dallasanimalservices.org shows one count (left in black and white) and the DAS listing on PetHarbor shows another. Either way there are hundreds of dogs and cats and a few rabbits and hamsters.

COOPER NEEDS A HOME…
Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com tipped us to the latest appeal from the small-dog rescuer Roberta Womack in Fort Worth.
It reads like a Hallmark Channel movie and is waiting on a happy ending. . Roberta’s appeal: “My dance instructor rescued this boy and had him fully vetted but at only a year old he’s got way too much energy for her.  Gets along with her two cats and her Pomeranian and other large dogs but she’s having knee replacement surgery after our Veterans Day show and desperately needs to rehome him. Neutered, vaccinated - 40 lbs  Thanks!” To offer to give Cooper the great home he deserves, email Roberta at threeweedogs@yahoo.com.

MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE
Our tipster, the Mesquite Animal Shelter’s volunteer biographer Judi Brown, describes 3-year-old Pittie girl Fawn as having “captivating brown eyes that look like she’s wearing eyeliner. She’s an energetic, fun loving dog that loves to run.” Recently had puppies — the 72—pound dog came in as a stray on Sept. 30. Her # is 42865654.
Angel (#42871332) is a 3-year-old Dachshund mix who strayed into Mesquite’s care on October 1. 
“Other than being a little timid (which can be a positive) she has everything going for her!” Judi writes. “She’s really cute! She’s a happy girl who wags her tail a lot and gives kisses.” Weighs in at 14 pounds, a lot of it described as “angelic.”
 To ask about these two pups, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com and use the dogs’ ID numbers in any communication.
See more Mesquite animals at the shelter’s website HERE .
That girl with the championship whiskers is Haruko (42637950). She’s a small female — she’s six years old and has been in the shelter since September 3. Just needs a human. Yep. Don’t they all! Has to be the right human.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THINGS I DON’T UNDERSTAND
We’ll start with the Dallas Cowboys. Well, that’s enough of that. Let’s move on to something more puzzling. … Ice cream — are there people who don’t like it? That’s what I’ve heard. … Finally, I was on I-20 in Arlington Sunday and spotted this on the back of a truck as we drew down to about 30 miles an hour where I-20 and 360 meet up — traditional traffic knot.
As you can see if you blow that artwork up by clicking on it, there is a sign on the back of the big rig that reads “STAY BACK: DEPLOYS AT 35MPH.”
As I sat there on the interstate re-reading that, I wondered, “Deploys what?” Is that a space alien truck? Will a swarm of bees fly outta there when they hit the right deployment speed? I have enough puzzles in life. Anybody explain this sign? And don’t tell me its part of a promotion for comic Bill Engvall’s act. “Here’s Your Sign.” He wasn’t driving. Heck, yeah, I changed lanes and looked.
— Offer answers, questions or nothing in particular by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com where we’re ready to deploy at any speed. ——

WHEN YOU DON’T REALLY WANT TO LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE….

From an August 12 email: 
Subject: Hit by car or heatstroke? Dog dragging leash near PetSmart on Taylor Street (Houston 77002)

THE STORY OF AN ATTEMPT
TO RESCUE A DOG IN A FIX
For going on 15 years we’ve been presenting a weekend feature called Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
We’ve always intended that sentiment as a positive thought, focusing on the dog lounging around your house or the cat grabbing a few winks next to a fragile vase on a book shelf or maybe both of them curled up next to you on the couch while you watch members of Congress make sleep-inducing speeches on C-Span.

That opening photo gives you an idea of the type sleeping dog we’re addressing in this edition. Not the honorable, beloved housepet — yet. 
This dog Marvel has a future. Now.
CHAPTER I
MARVEL IN HOUSTON

When it comes to such dogs, you don’t really want to let them lie. You want them scooped up and spirited to the heart of affection and safety right away. Same thing for napping cats on the roam.

We just happen to have that photograph of a morsel of a dog named Marvel — courtesy of our longtime Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey. She provides the story for this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
Oh, and that’s Marvel, the little one (and an Earhound, as you'll see), sacked out with Betty, another rescued pup.

[LARRY HINTING: They look like someone oughta just step up and take two dogs! For the sake of the planet. Pass it on.]

Our great Bayou City source Alexandra says Betty “has been very shy with new people, so she is with a long-term foster.  But, if there is some great person out there who likes shy dogs, Betty would be their girl.”
That is such a great photo of Betty and Marvel taking it easy. Humans, no doubt, envy them for their ability to relax.

CHAPTER II
THE RESCUE

On August 12, one of the notes AKelsey sent about the dog-at-peril read, “The worst thing in rescue is seeing an animal in dire need but not being able to catch them to help.  Right now, there is a small tan mommy dog darting in traffic near the PetSmart on Taylor street (near downtown), looking for her puppies.”
Looking for her puppies?
Alexandra's friend was “desperately trying to help this dog.  Here’s the short story: Small tan dog with broken leash dumped at PetSmart 8/10/19 with her babies.  Someone takes the babies.  Mommy is frantically running in and out of traffic near Sawyer and I-10.”

The friend “didn’t have a phone with her to take a photo. The dog is tan, emaciated, obviously nursing, about knee-high in size.  She is dragging a broken rope or leash.”

Food was left for the uncatchable dog and calls for help were made, suggesting that a “professional trapper” might be the way to go with this elusive, confused dog.

CHAPTER III
A RED COLLAR RESCUE
Here’s the way Alexandra Kelsey writes this story. Her opening mentions Charlotte Liberda of Red Collar Rescue.

“If the world is ending, you want Charlotte with Red Collar by your side because she never, ever, ever gives up!  Here is the latest Amazing Charlotte story.”

AK wrote this as August was evolving into September. “Twenty days ago, some sterling character dumped a small dog and her puppies at the Taylor Street PetSmart.  The puppies were rescued but mommy dog was terrified and ran away.  Despite several people seeing her and putting out food and flyers and walking the area, this little dog was elusive.

“A couple of days ago, someone closer to downtown saw the flyers and called in a sighting.  Keep in mind that this dog is a 20-lb. brown dog, which means she is small and blends in and would easily escape scrutiny.  Not from Charlotte, though!  Charlotte went out in the dead of night [that's a night photo of Marvel "grazing"] and spent hours tracking this dog, and she then got expert help for darting and sedating the dog.”

At that point in the rescue, little Marvel was taken to the VERGI vet hospital (VERGI is “Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc." 
AK continues, “Charlotte said that from the first moment, this little girl was so sweet.  She now is safe inside, getting vet care, and she has a name!  Charlotte named her Marvel, which is a synonym for ‘miracle,’ and which echoes the female Captain Marvel in a recent movie.”

Well, the vet reported that little Marvel wasn’t traveling alone: She had hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and heartworms.” She wasn’t spayed.
 All that has changed and young Marvel “has a bright future,” AK wrote.
[LARRY FYI: You can read about Red Collar Rescue at redcollar.org and you can donate there, too.
And Red Collar always needs dependable fosters — email redcollarrescue@gmail.com.]
And we’ll close this chapter with a note from the writer Alexandra Kelsey about the Red Collar rescuer. “Thanks to all who worked to get this pup safe, and in my opinion, you should never bet against Charlotte, because if she says she is going to do something, take it to the bank...it’s happening.”

And that’s why the little dog Marvel is able to spend some time quietly sleeping on a bed in a safe home with Betty, the shy dog who now has a friend who once ran wild and puzzled on Houston’s streets.
CHAPTER IV
AND WE'RE WAITING
We’re waiting for someone to send us this next chapter — it’ll explain what wonderful dogs they adopted and how Marvel and Betty are a perfect fit for “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”
Now and then, Dear Readers, the animals triumph. And the bad guys don’t. 

***

[EVERY RESCUED DOG AND CAT is a victory in this world. First, the animal-at-peril is saved. Then, there’s the blessing on the human who saved the animal via adoption or rescue or destiny. (“I opened the door and there was my new cat — I have no idea where he came from.”) We’re happy to celebrate your snoozing critters by posting their photos and their stories on readlarrypowell.com in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Send bios and photos to dallrp@aol.com. Remember, you’ll be helping people decide to adopt a critter and you’ll be helping insomniacs understand that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just get cozy on the right mattress on the right floor. Insomniacs understand desperation. That's my personal editor, The Senator, demonstrating that a formerly free-roaming cat can happily, cutely take a nap on a desktop if the clown with the keyboard will stop clacking the keys.]
***
— Offer opinions, solutions or elevations of thought processes by clicking on ‘comment below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

ON FRIDAY, THERE ARE ANIMALS IN NEED AND PEOPLE DESPERATE TO HELP THEM

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 [PetPowellPress] The folks at Holiday Insights list 3 holidays for October 4: World Smile Day (bet that’s a tough one in some nations); National Golf Day (I won’t be playing golf today) and National Frappe Day (and I won’t be playing Frappe, either —clubs get sticky). Here’s a photo at which you can smile: I caught my personal dog Porche Noel and my personal cat/advisor The Senator, enjoying a discussion of bedroom comforter designs and how some of them can keep you awake. Now, let’s help some animals before we get to Contemplations. Take some time to read about the animals. Humor me and the people who are trying to help them.
MEANWHILE, BACK TO LANCASTER
WHERE DAISY NEEDS SOME HELP
Oh, goodness. When you have a full house of critters and you see one that needs a place to go, you find yourself thinking about winning Lotto Texas and adding an extra room to the back of the house.
So, that brings us to Daisy, listed as a “senior female English Bulldog mix” by the Lancaster Animal Shelter and by Laura Macias and the small-shelter support people. Laura’s early note says the shelter will “release now on a medical release — Rescue group needed ASAP.”

[LARRY 2 P.M. FRIDAY UPDATE: Laura just reported that the rescuers at Dallas Dog RRR -- Rescue. Rehab. Reform -- have claimed Daisy from the shelter. We anticipate updates. But that's where the girl has gone, in case you're interested in helping this phase of her life.]

In the noon hour Thursday, Laura Facebooked this note of urgency: “She will not make it long! She was having a heat stroke when they picked her up! She went to the vet and they gave her pills! She won’t eat and her back legs are weak!
She needs to eat or can’t even take pills! She has no chance if no one can help her; it would be more humane to let her go!"

Her original biography, sent by Laura, reads: “The most precious, sweetest girl you can imagine.  Just adorable. A complete love.  Shelter willing to release NOW on a medical release now since she is having trouble getting up on their concrete floors.   Please, won't you help save her?” Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
And if someone beats you to giving Daisy a place, there are still plenty of dogs waiting for a place to safely live. Laura can tell you about them — we featured several in Thursday’s edition, including Rylee— formerly “someone’s emotional support service dog.” 
And as long as we’re looking at small shelters, consider the description of the dogs' situation from Laura as she addresses the fate of Claire and Aubree in the Wilmer Animal Shelter — use Laura’s contact info help these two.
Claire is a Boxer/Bulldog mix who tries “so very hard to show you that she so very much wants to be loved.” And, as it turns out, she and Aubree, the “pocket-sized” Bulldog mix, has become a great friend of Claire.
Here’s what Laura’s note said: “NO INTEREST IN THEM AT ALL! THEY ARE LOSING HOPE STUCK IN A SMALL, DANK SHELTER WITH NO LIGHTS ON AND BARELLY ANY AC OR WATER. SO SAD!” 
Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
POLLY’S PREDICAMENT:

A FUNDRAISING SITUATION
Look, here’s the deal: When a rescue group takes in a dog or cat in trouble, there are going to be medical bills. That is the case with Polly, an injured dog being cared for by the Van Zandt County Humane Society.
It’s a typically sad story that involves don’t care/so what humans and the angels of rescue.
[LARRY ASIDE: Having seen this first photo of Polly, I’m almost ready to declare that Porche Noel and The Senator (in the opening photo today) were actually having a prayer meeting on behalf of Polly and the Van Zandt County Humane Society. Can I get an “Amen!”?]
We learned about this situation from our longtime reliable source Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. 
She writes, “VZHS has been a long-time friend/client of ours — they have been through some tough times recently but the core group remains strong.
“They recently spent a lot of money on the dog of an idiot person — the dog was hit by a car, owner did nothing for her. VZHS took responsibility, got the dog to a vet but they were unable to save her.
“Now it’s ‘deja vu all over again’ - stray dog hit by car, at Morton clinic in Athens - hoping for better outcome.

“BUT VZHS NEEDS FINANCIAL HELP, please. You can make a donation directly to Morton Small Animal Clinic with credit card on the phone (903-675-5708) or to Pay Pal (vzcountyhs@gmail.com) or mail a check to P.O. Box 421, Ben Wheeler 75754.
“This very sweet dog (named Polly) is doing fine after her surgery - she will go to a foster home to recuperate for 6-8 weeks, will THEN BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!”
To ask how to audition to adopt Polly, email VZHS’s Rhonda Wilson at vzcountyhs@gmail.com. And to ask how you can help the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, email sydney@friendsoftheanimals.org. They operate, so to speak, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City.
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, Polly’s going to survive and she’s going to a need a home that will care for her as much as she will care for you — of course, the dogs always outmatch us, don’t they! That’s why we love them so much — they inspire us to keep trying to do better with our hearts.]
A QUESTION ABOUT
WHAT TO DO
JUST IN CASE!
A pal of readlarrypowell.com was spending some time in a local hospital and began to fret about his pups and cats at home. If his wife had to go into the hospital, he wondered, is there an organization that can come and take care of their dogs and cats?
We suggested, of course, PetSitters. And we also seemed to recall a local organization that did caretaking for hospitalized people with dogs and cats. Anybody else remember that? Know of it? Know of PetSitters who specialize in hospital cases? Let us know. Email dallrp@aol.com.
IN THE MESQUITE SHELTER,
THERE ARE SOME ANGELS!
Without the work of devoted shelter biographer Judi Brown, we’d not be able to give you a snapshot of the lives of these animals.
She meets them and learns of their quirks and assets and helps people get to know these adorable adoptables.

We’ll start with 56-pound King, maybe 1/maybe 2, who arrived on September 26 as a stray and, Judi says, has coloring that “almost reminded me of a Boston Terrier. He’s particularly cute when his ears are sticking up.” Friendly but not “overly so,” she says. Likes treats, needs to learn to sit for them. “I get the feeling that he has been an outside dog and has not had a lot of human interaction. He’s a bit shy.” She thinks he’d “like to be in the house with his new family.” He’s #42800370.
That moves us to Twilight, 2- or 3-year-old Pittie mix, who has a dy- nam- ic set of ears. Oh, my. Photogenic. Stray, of course. The 56-pound dog ID’d as #42845460 arrived on September 27. Judi wrote, "It’s hard to imagine why her owners would not have come looking for her. She has recently had a litter of puppies. I fall in love with most of the dogs I take pictures of but there are some that are more special than others and you know that immediately. Twilight fit in that category.  If I were to give her another name it would be Precious. She’s very striking with her smoky grey coloring and her big standup ears. She’s very friendly and affectionate but not overly so. She’s well behaved...a  real southern belle! She wants to please and sits for treats. She’s very alert and in tune to her surroundings. She did her business as soon as she got out into the yard. She went nose to nose with many of the dogs in the bay wagging her tail. Twilight weighs 56 pounds. As gentle as she is would think she would make a great family dog. I can picture her sleeping on the bed with one of the children.”
You can see more Mesquite Shelter animals by clicking HERE.
When you look at the Mesquite cats, you’ll see a familiar face — yes, Bond. James Bond. We first wrote about him back in early July. He is inexplicably still waiting at the shelter. What are you waiting on? Orders from “M” to acquire the target? This guy (42099196) came in on July 1. [LARRY ASIDE: He’s now approaching 3 years old and is a large fellow. Black and white cats, based on the experience of readlarrypowell.com, are zany, adorable, cuddly, curious and examples of how you can love a cat and benefit from the experience. It’s a mental thing that touches your heart. I swear.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
FOR SMILE DAY, MAYBE…
We recently acquired a fresh loaf of bread and about 6 slices into it, the center of the loaf began to get artsy. Kind of reminds of that painting The Scream. I’ve titled this slice “A Tribute to the Uvula.” Yep. That thing that dangles in the back of your mouth. 
There were about 8 slices like this — but this was the most Uvulaesque. The Uvula is dear to my funspouse Martha and me because we once played the lead characters in a stage play based on The Bickersons, the classic radio show. John Bickerson's dramatic snoring was blamed on his longer-than-usual uvula and there were several uvula punchlines. Relax, Martha called up The Bickersons creator, the great writer Philip Rapp in LA and got the OK — very nice man. We did the show at Theatre on the Hill in Cedar Hill, then took the show on the road to a theater venue in Oak Cliff. One of the guys at the “Hall” kept introducing us to people as Marge and Wade. [That photo shows The Bickersons in front of the ON THE AIR sign an at the radio microphone. I snapped this with my phone from a photo in an old frame. The speckles are the rhinestone’s on my stagespouse Martha’s snood and the rest are stardust (maybe they weren't photographable), of course, falling on beautiful Marge and out-of-his-league Wade as they portray John and Blanche Bickerson. Ah, the days of Wade and Marge. So if you go to a wedding or to vote or to a cheap motel and see that Wade and Marge Wadoo have signed in ahead of you— well, there you go, a snapshot of the interests in our life: weddings, theater, voting and motels with modest fees and free coffee when you pay cash by the hour. I’m kidding about the cheap motels. Wade and Marge have credit cards.
—- Offer advice, therapy or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com, which is copied to Wade and Marge. —-

SAVING DOGS, SAVING CATS, APPLAUDING THEATER, AVOIDING POLITICS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 [PetPowellPress] You know why I’m leading this edition with a theatrical announcement? Because we all need some good news and this is beyond good, it’s great. There’s a whole new Pegasus Theatre play coming as the year draws to a close. In fact, there’s a new wrinkle to the next big show. Kurt Kleinmann, the noted playwright who knows how to create a world on a stage, has escalated his famed entertaining “In Living Black & White!” productions with a play that is not only in that tradition but also is presented with some, as you see, “Vivid Techno-Color!”
More in Contemplations. Now let's talk cats and dogs, triumphs and needs. Here goes:
ALL THOSE LANCASTER KITTENS
AND AN EXTRA DELIVERY, TOO!

Well, more than “one” extra delivery. It was a litter of a delivery.
That's why Laura Macias, the small shelter advocate who hustles for the Lancaster city facility (among others), has been grinning over this unexpected expectation and delivery.
The litter was born, either ironically or appropriately or coincidentally, in a “litter box.” 
Here’s how this developed: the group Animal Rescue Crusaders of Texas, based in the northern crest of the Metrosprawl, got in touch with Laura and got busy with saving Lancaster cats. [LARRY ASIDE: That trio is an example of some of the recent Lancaster cats who got a break because the small-shelter folks care enough to work for them].
 Laura says ARC of Texas pulled 17 kittens over this week and last. “They also pulled 12-14 two months ago. They usually pull all the kitties as they don’t want to leave any behind,” Laura says, then adds, “A nice small group! If anyone can donate, that would be so nice." Paypal is arcrescuetx@gmail.com and their Facebook is HERE. 
On Wednesday morning, Laura wrote, “They also pulled, in addition to the 6 kitties today, a female that we didn't know was pregnant. She had her babies in her kitty litter last night. They took all 7 newborns! So they got 13 kittens today and 11 last week and 12-14 a few months ago. 
“If you are able to say anything nice about them we would really appreciate it! They are really great and small but they work hard and are very good!”
FYI, as regular readers know, Laura and the small shelter team are happy to get animals out of Lancaster, Wilmer, Hutchins and other small shelters and deliver them to viable rescue/foster groups. As Laura noted, “You know, we deliver, just not as fast as Domino’s! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” [LARRY ASIDE: It’s refreshing to find rescuers with a sense of humor!]
Y
You see the photos of the dog? That first one is Rylee, a female Aussie Shepherd Mix. The note from Laura reads, “This little sweetie pie was someone's emotional support service dog.  We are not sure what happened or why she ended up here, but usually in a case like this it is a very sad story.  Please help save her."

That Lancaster dog with the great face and smile is Champ, a Boxer mix, described as “the most interesting looking beautiful dog. He i the sweetest guy ever in person.”

And that affectionate bully girl is Trinity, described at 17 months as the “best bully ever. Seriously! Wonderful dog. Housetrained. Sweet little girl that is so very loving and cute….lovable lap dog — very cuddly….”
Those dogs and more —- and, by now, probably more cats and kittens — are waiting for help in the Lancaster shelter.
If you can help them, get in touch with Laura by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or emailing cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
THE GUN BARREL CITY ISSUE
WITH HSCCL ON OCT. 22 AGENDA
The community in and around Cedar Creek Lake, southeast of Dallas about 90 minutes, has an animal issue — it involves the contract between Gun Barrel City and the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake.
We learned of it from Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The organization is an anchor for animal affection in the area, operating the successful Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic in GBC for years.
The HCSSL link is hsscl.org and from there you can go to the organization’s Facebook page.
The note about the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake issue reads, “GBC is considering cancelling their animal contract with HSCCL (the shelter in Tool) and sending the animals picked up to Henderson County Animal Shelter in Athens.”

This issue of keep the contract/end the contract is on the voting agenda for the GBC’s council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at GBC City Hall.
The note from Sydney reads, “HSCCL works very hard to find homes for all the animals who come into them — they do 2-3 off-site adoption events every weekend - they have contracted with the ASPCA to transport medium, large adult dogs (always the ones no one wants) north to states desperate for these dogs.
“So to reward the Tool shelter for all this work, GBC wants to save some money by not sending the animals to Tool. They are willing to have most of the animals euthanized to save a few bucks.”

We’d be remiss if we didn’t show some photos of the adorable animals available at HSCCL. That 5-year-old relaxed black and white cat is Kitty (#1977). The big dog with one blue eye and one brown eye is 2-year-old Daisy (#1977).
MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT,
FAITH AND HOPE GET HELP
AND NEED A LITTLE MORE
Who wouldn’t work hard to help a couple of dogs in trouble? Well, we know there are some people who wouldn’t. But we also know that in Burns Flat, Okla., there is a star in the western section of the Sooner State, the great Terry Lynn Fisher. She tells us the story of these two dogs. 
“This is Faith and Hope. I believe they are mother and daughter. Most likely dumped out here about a month ago. Last week, Hope had been seen not using her back leg.. We finally caught them. Momma Faith is in the pound, and Baby Hope is at the vet — we are guessing she was either hit by a car or some other blunt force...  

“The breaks were too bad, so we decided the best thing to do was to remove the leg.
“Hope is only about 7 months old. I was so shocked at how wonderful she adapted to the removal of that leg. My heart is so happy. She went from a dog that hardly moved and was so scared to this baby that is running around on three legs.

“Hope is also getting to try out a new machine at the vet. She is getting MLS Laser Therapy. This helps heal it all so much faster.

“Hope will be at the vet at least another week. After that, she AND her Momma will need a place to go. Both are very sweet and loving. We need help with her vetting as well... This is an expensive time and we still have an outstanding bill from before. If anyone can help with any of these things, please know how grateful I am for any and all help we get. Thank you all.”

You can write to Elk Creek Clinic at 101 Airport Industrial, Elk City, OK 73644 or call to ask about helping Terry Lynn — the clinic (580-225-4863) helps her help the animals. Get in touch with Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. 
Remember, also, that it may be “a mite warmish” now, but winter temps and precip will soon be sweeping into the open-air pound in Burns Flat — so ask Terry Lynn how you can help her with donation — not just money, but equipment to protect the animals.
CONTEMPLATIONS
SHOW BIZ AND OTHER NOTES
Now, you may ask, “Why would this guy open a traditional dog and cat publication with a theater announce- ment?” Because (a) I’m not traditional and (b) I adore the determined souls of live theater — from the writer to the actors to the support team and “the money.” I adore those folks nearly as much as I adore a loyal ol’ dog or cat who shows up at my house and takes over a forever spot in my heart. In fact, I choose to believe the term “hangdog look” has theatrical origins. Possibly, research shows, it was used by British writer Thomas Otway in the 1676 comedy We Cheats of Scapin. I’m sure you’ve all seen it. Me, neither. …
There are several productions in the Pegasus Theatre upcoming season — it starts in December which isn’t that far off, it suddenly seems. You can learn more about the season by going to pegasustheatre.org or calling the theater at 214-821-6005. There are season tickets available. ... Here’s a reminder: You may need to take several breaks for entertainment in 2020 — it’s an election year. … |
I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention to the people who were on the line with the Ukrainian president, but in President Trump’s press conference Wednesday he mentioned some of the people on the phone and, mercifully, did not mention readlarrypowell.com or its personnel. So, yes, I am one of the Americans who did not hear the conversation. Just wanted that out there. I also wasn’t at Hailey Baldwin Bieber’s wedding — either one of them.
—- Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on “comment” below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. ——

AVAILABLE ANIMALS, SOME BARGAIN CAT SURGERIES & A VEGETARIAN'S VANTAGE POINT

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As I was reading some notice online Tuesday, I ran across a note that said October 1 was World Vegetarian Day. Has been since 1977. We’ll get to more munchiness in Contemplations. Grab yourself some baby carrots, maybe some walnuts, a banana, some blueberries to nibble on. Here are some animals to help.
THE LATEST ON LUCKY,
A DOG IN DENTON’S CARE
We’ve been writing about Lucky, this 3-month old “Cattle Dawg/Heeler mix,” as described by the great Amy Poskey who monitors critter situations in Denton’s McNatt Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. 
The deal with young Lucky, a certifiable Magnificent Earhound, is he’s just a little bit high energy and needs something to keep him busy. 
He’s been moved from the regular shelter listings to a foster home with the fab volunteer/dog trainer Kim Gaffey. Amy says Kim is “doing her best to help this little wild man.” He’s simply unfocused and young and learning how to be a well-behaved dog. “He’s a handful, but Kim is an excellent trainer, so we have hope!” Amy says.
[LARRY ASIDE: Look at those ears! I think he’s getting signals from outer space and they’re inspiring him to be rowdier than he ought to be. Kim will teach him which signals to listen to! In that second photo, you can tell that he knows how to relax!
] How’d he wind up in a city shelter? Amy says, “Lucky was surrendered with a litter of puppies who have all been adopted but Lucky hasn’t been so lucky.  He’s the only ‘unique’ puppy in that litter.” 
If you want to get on the waiting list for the well-trained Earhound Lucky, these are the shelter contact points: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, and/or julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com. Call 940-349-7594.
AND HOW ABOUT THIS GUY:
HIS NAME IS JAY, HE’S A DOG
Yeah, you didn’t need that species identification, did you. He’s all dog alright. He happens to be in the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Shelter.
Early on Tuesday, Tami Kukla posted this note on Facebook: “Can anyone help save this guy? We are down to two hours. Please help if you can. Jay needs a miracle. This boy is adorable. Send your tag to fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov."

Some kind of miracle occurred.
 He’s still available, Tami reports.
Got to be someone who would enjoy having an adorable dog around the house. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Apparently Jay has a fan club at the shelter. But don’t they all?]
A COLORFUL SPECIAL
AT THE SPAY/NEUTER NETWORK

This notice showed up in Tuesday’s email from the Spay/Neuter Network. 
It reads, “Cats with ANY orange or black in their fur can be fixed for only $20 at any location in October! Request an appointment online or call 972-472-3500. Ask for the $20 October Cat Special. Thank you PetSmart Charities for support on this Life-Saving program.”
Go to spayneuternet.org and you’ll find locations and times and assorted services that will help eliminate the litter pressure that is a year-round situation in the most fertile region in North America.

LEGACY'S ANNUAL MUMS ’N’ ROSES!

IT’S SATURDAY (WITH PUMPKINS, TOO)
Legacy Boxer Rescue, as I’ve pointed out for years, has a website address that is also a mission statement: savetheboxers.com. 
Takes money to save and protect Boxers. 
This annual event at NRH20 Family Water Park in North Richland Hills is a big help in fundraising.
What if there’s a cold snap? Unlikely. The National Weather Service predicts a 92 high and mostly sunny skies. Happy splashing; happy shopping!
And, in case you want to explore life with a Boxer, you can see available adorable Boxers on the Legacy website at savetheboxers.com and among them is this 4-year-old fellow name Mookie. Got a bit of cute in that face, doesn’t he? [LARRY ASIDE: I’ll bet he even slobbers when he’s happy to see you — and don’t we we wish more people felt that way about us!]
FRITZ THE DOG
AND HIS CHALLENGE
We learned of this dog’s situation from the great Patty Sprong, one of the world’s — maybe one of the galaxy’s — top foster moms. 
She has the story on this guy, currently in the Richardson Animal Shelter. He has a history.
 Patty posted: “This is Fritz, the dog that was hit on George Bush on Saturday. He was originally surrendered with his brother at four months because he was ‘too much.' Then he was adopted and given one day to get along with the resident dog, and then returned. Then, the third strike, he was adopted into an apartment and it didn't work. Poor guy can't catch a break. He is an anxious mess, and I can understand why. He needs a rescue group to treat him and train him. He is at the Richardson shelter. I hope they DON'T adopt him out to the public again. Please contact them with offers to help! He had abrasions on his tongue, but appears otherwise unscathed.” [LATE NITE UPDATE: We got word late Tuesday that Fritz has been adopted rather than rescued. Bless the adoptors and keep Fritz healthy and give him a long, happy life!]

[LARRY ASIDE: I know you can’t judge a dog by his cover, but this guy looks like he could be a littermate of my late beloved Baby Jane Doe, found at a DART bus stop when she was a puppy. She was sweet and wonderful for 15 years. Fritz probably can handle that, too. God bless him and keep him safe.]
CONTEMPLATIONS

IT WAS NATIONAL VEGETARIAN DAY. CHOW DOWN!
Yep, I didn’t even give it a second thought. After 25 years as a vegetarian, you sort of just live a normal life — well, except for the people who are always concerned about hosting you for a meal or picking a restaurant for you. Heck, you can get a head of lettuce in just about every restaurant in the phone book and it’s always good with some spices and maybe a little mustard or vegan dressing. Martha always says that when she told her family I was a vegetarian, they sort of assumed I was a Communist, too.
Maybe you didn’t celebrate Vegetarian Day on Tuesday. You can always celebrate on Wednesday. Enjoy some vegetables — you’ll be surprised by the wonderful flavors you’ll discover in things that grow out of the earth or on trees and brushes. As as vegetarian for a quarter-century I can promise you that I have a favorite vegetable. Many, in fact. Pinto beans (left over from my days in Northeast Texas). Broccoli. Brussels Sprouts. Lettuce. Oh, my, Spinach is my favorite green, leafy vegetable. Save the animals: eat the baby carrots, pickles, onions and grill those magnificent Portabella mushrooms.

I didn't realize it was Vegetarian Day Tuesday until I'd already had a handful of strawberries, some blueberries, some walnuts, some blood pressure and popular “pre-diabetic meds” and 3 different vitamins, including one my GP insists that vegetarians always need to take — a big dose of B12.
As a kid in northeast Texas, I grew up eating fried chicken, burgers, hotdogs, chili, meatloaf, bologna — all of which is now available in a non-meat product. The fake bologna is a real treat on a salt-free cracker with fake mayo, a thin slice of onion and a squirt of mustard. It’s as good as a time machine back to the late 1950s summertime lunch when school was out and the neighborhood kids were hungry. 

But, you know, I still have an actual favorite vegetable — it torpedoes my diet now and then. Ah, bless my favorite vegetable: the hot biscuit.

Why am I a vegetarian? For my health? Nope. For the health of the animals. It was a moral issue. Honest. No more killing just so I could have a greasy cheeseburger. Join me in meals that are guilty only because of the calories, not because of the origin.
—- Offer an opinion or vegan/vegetarian recipes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ——

CATS, DOGS, THIEVES, RESCUES, FOSTERS AND LIFE IN GENERAL

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We’re a whole month away from Halloween, but September closed with some frightful situations. Here goes:
THE MISSING DACHSHUND
WAS IN A STOLEN CAR….
That sounds like the long title of a mystery novel, but it’s a bit of reality.
We learned about it thanks to KRLD-AM reporter Andrew Greenstein whose story about this bold theft was on the 1080-AM news Monday. 
Nancy Staley is the driver of the LexusSUV who left the car running with Sophie the Dachshund inside when she dashed into Central Market at Hulen and I-30 in Fort Worth about 11 a.m. Andrew’s story HERE reports she had the key fob and she says after the car is turned off, the bad guys can’t restart it and once it runs out of gas they can’t restart it. That’s good for the car, but what does that mean for Sophie?
If you know anything about the car theft or the bad guys or Sophie’s whereabouts, call Fort Worth Police and tip the crimefighters. Sophie could wind up as a stray at a shelter or an adoptable at a rescue event -- or the bad guys could give her to someone as a birthday present. You never know how low people will go. Keep your eyes and hearts open.
[LARRY ASIDE: Bless Sophie’s puzzled heart. These things happen to innocent dogs all the time in the crime-ridden Metrosprawl. Animal people and police preach a continuing gospel about not leaving a car running with anything precious in it when you “dash into a store for just a minute.” These criminals have no heart. P.S. Thanks to KRLD’s Andrew Greenstein for covering this story and thanks to KRLD for the photo of Sophie and the photo of the stolen car’s tag.]
THE MINIATURE HORSES
AND THE RUSH HOUR TRAGEDY
The most complete story on the Monday morning rush hour problem in Dallas — horses loose on the freeway — was in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Here’s the link.
Miniature horses, carried in a trailer, spent the night in a parking lot of a motel, then, the driver of the truck told police, when he pulled out, the lock malfunctioned, the door popped open the horses fell into an awful situation, The Star-T reported.
[LARRY ASIDE: Wouldn’t it be nice if a camera caught video of the jerk who opened the lock and, basically, killed two horses. What in the heck is wrong with people? I’d ask “Didn’t their mommas teach them anything?” but this isn’t Mom’s fault. The personally fouled heart of the rancid individual is to blame. Yeah, I’m judging. Two horses are dead for no good reason. I’m moved to judge. Thanks to the Star-Telegram for covering the story with details.]
WILMER AND LANCASTER,
SHELTERS NEEDING ADOPTORS
Adoptors and rescuers, in fact. Our small shelter tipsters Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden point out that there are dogs and cats needing homes. Neither the Wilmer Animal Shelter nor the Lancaster Animal Shelter gets enough foot traffic to offset the overpopulation.
That big dog is Marshall, a Lab/Border Collie mix currenty waiting for either rescue or adoption or the big cold needle at the Wilmer Animal Shelter. The bio says, “Everyone adores Marshall with his big, sweet, chocolate brown eyes. He’s a complete love.” Also waiting are Aubree and Claire, the two Wilmer dogs we highlighted last week. 

Meanwhile in Lancaster, the new waiting dog is little Zoe, a young Hound/Terrier mix who is “funny and cute and just as sweet as can be.” 
The Lancaster Lab mix is Logan, said to be a “sweet boy” who is “as submissive and sweet as you can imagine any dog being…He has such a sad story. was originally at this shelter and adopted a few years ago. The owner has another dog that was very mean to him and, sadly, decided to keep that dog.” So, Logan needs a sweeter home and a sweeter human in his life.

And, for both of these shelters, the important contact information is this: Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Cats at Lancaster? We focused on Addison (the tabby) and Emerson last week. Still there. Scroll down to last week's editions to see the waiting Lancaster animals.
CONTEMPLATIONS
IT’S PERSONAL; A WEATHER NOTE; AN ANTHEM…
Saving animals is nothing but personal. Monday afternoon, Stephen Foster, founder and president of DFW’s FurGotten Friends, posted a note about this dog. That is some photo, right? Stephen, a veteran of all sorts of rescues and canine situations, wrote about 6 p.m. Monday, “I'm picking up a special pup in the morning. No matter how sick I am I have to suck it up to save another puppy that couldn't speak for themselves." [LARRY NOTE: Show of hands, rescuers, have you felt this way before? Wait, you're too busy to take your hand off the wheel! I know!] Stephen continues: "From my house in Dallas to this puppy in Lancaster and back to my vet might be long but I'll bet this boy will never forget our trip and love me for life. They do understand when you save them. By the way. Does anyone want to foster?” The 3- or 4-month-old puppy “was living under an old home in the Lancaster area. He’s at the shelter and they are taking care of him, but seriously, who would walk in and adopt a puppy that looks like this.” Stephen posted that note earlier Monday afternoon, then wrote, “Thanks to all the donations you guys made during the North Texas Giving Day we have the funds to get this pup vetted and healthy.” Now, he needs a special foster. Foster application is HERE and you can email dfwfgf@gmail.com to ask about the most loving job in all of rescue. …. Is it possible that there was no measurable rain in Dallas/Fort Worth in the month of September? Apparently. Our yard looks like it’s on the brink of converting to a desert landscape. But there is hope. Our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher began his September 30 note, “Just barely into the 60s here in North Jersey this morning.” Record snow in Montana? Nineties in the Metrosprawl. Neither Andy nor I have made plans to visit Montana. … I feel like hearing an anthem. Comes with a video. Here’s a video of the final performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at a big league baseball game at Globe Life Park. Go Rangers. Enjoy your traditionally long off-season break and come back ready to win in the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Except in June when the Rangers play the Blue Jays in Toronto. Here’s that anthem with Anne Murray when Toronto played in the World Series in 1992.  Toronto won that World Series and the ’93 Series, too. Texas? Continues to be a “Wait ’til next year” situation.
—- Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

LATIN, DOGS, CATS, ART AUCTION, OTHER THINGS, BASEBALL & CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This is being written as I listen to the Dallas Cowboys/New Orleans Saints game. Why? Old habit. In the 1960s I learned to translate Latin while listening to rock ’n’ roll -- writing while football is on is not much different. Not sure Latin is helpful on a website dealing with canum et felium. My Latin grades? This is a phrase that best demonstrates the situation: Sic friat crustulum. Idiomatically, "That’s the way the cookie crumbles." That photo? That’s my friend The Senator surprising me by nodding off next to the sink — I was looking for him in his usual haunts and found him in this new space. Why? (Translations come from research, not my memory.) The Senator also speaks Latin and says he was demonstrating “dormientes feles,” i.e., translates as “sleeping cat.” Oh, and “descendo” is Latin for “Get down!”
THE ROSCOE SITUATION:
TIME FOR A DOG TO GET A HOME
We’ve written about this guy Roscoe several times. He’s kind of a shelter legend at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. Tami Kukla, on the behalf of the shelter, explained things this way: “Daily Communication from Roscoe as he waits for his forever home. Hopefully he only has to wait till tomorrow. Today we did a training session with Rachel and boy is he smart and a quick learner. He is motivated by you giving him a hug or rubbing his back. Oh and did we mention he would be perfect to sit with on your deck and have coffee and do a crossword puzzle. Help us help him get a forever home. He is available for a meet and greet.”

The photo has his vital statistics. And, as you know, email the shelter at fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov or visit FWACC's Chuck Silcox Adoption Center, 4900 Martin St., in southeastern Fort Worth.
GALT AND ART
FOR DOGS’ SAKE
Greyhound Adoption League of Texas is “kicking off a series of online mini-auctions” to raise money to support the non-profit’s habit of saving lives and getting the “Greyt” rescued dogs healthy.
 
Bidding has begun already. You can see the whole inventory and the bidding rules HERE. Plus you’ll see photos of the items available in the auction.
We’re citing two. One is “Bewitched” by Kent Roberts. The other is “Reading Greyhound” — no artist listed. Might be somebody famous — or maybe the dog is famous.
Whichever the case, it’s a conversation-starter with a Greyhound!

MEANWHILE, CAN IT BE TIME FOR THE 26TH DOG DAYS OF DENTON?

Holy smoke — 26 years. That’s a year longer than Globe Life Park as a Major League Stadium. 
Yes, indeed, it is the Dogs’ Day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, at the North Texas State Fair Grounds. We learned of this because the people from Greyhound Adoption League of Texas are going to be there with their beloved breed representatives.
Learn more at dentondogdays.com.

And, FYI, the 2019 Dog Days of Denton Spokesdog is this Bichon Frisse Jazz. He’s a rescued dog who “loves attention…has many costumes and his favorite hobby is traveling with his mom.” The Fair Grounds are at 2217 N. Carroll Blvd. in Denton.
AN OLDER GENTLEMAN
IN THE CARE OF DAS
As you know, or maybe you don’t, Dallas Animal Services is filled with kittens. But the population also includes some older cats including this guy Pedro (A1075255), thought to be “about 15 years old” and a “shelter cat” since August 29. A month. A MONTH! Currently, Pedro, a neutered Orange Tabby, is at the PetSmart Everday Adoption Center at 16821 N. Coit Road, in Dallas. See him online at dallasanimalservices.org or drop by the adoption center.
 [LARRY ASIDE: At readlarrypowell.com, we endorse adopting older cats — well, we endorse adopting kittens, too — but getting an older cat is a pretty rewarding act. The older cats we’ve taken in have become genuine household partners — you know, of course, how I love and trust The Senator, my sometimes editor. He may be 15 or 20 even. Older guy who wandered up and swapped comfort and sage advice for steady meals and a selection of places to sleep. Pedro probably has the same laid back attitude. If you’re 15, you’re a pretty cool cat.]
 CONTEMPLATIONS

SEPTEMBER, LOTTO AND WAIT ’TIL NEXT YEAR
As I was typing madly -- on something that’ll never see print -- around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, I looked out the front window and saw that the sky was already dark. Clearly, I miss the long days of summer already. I report this for the edition of the final day of September, 2019, because I am determined to enjoy one more day of this month. There were some I didn’t enjoy, so I’m trying to make up for lost time. … Hang on, let me check my Saturday night lotto numbers. OK, stop celebrating. I bought 4 chances and out of 24 numbers drawn, I picked one. Disappointed? No, I’ve merely become amused at my number-pickin futility. …Oh, my, the Texas Rangers closed out their time at Globe Life Park by taking two out of three from the New York Yankees. And, just like that, on a Sunday afternoon the 2019 Rangers season is suddenly over and the excitement builds for opening the domed Globe Life Field next season. Like a good baseball fan, I’m still excited about winning the American League pennant and then the World Series next year. I don’t care if they’re playing on a freshly mowed pasture near the big airport. Just play ball. And sign some pitchers.
—- OFFER ADVICE, LUCKY NUMBERS OR VERB ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOL.COM. —-

PERSONAL SNOOZERS: MY DOG, MY CAT; SEEKING HELP FOR 'UNWANTED' ANIMALS

For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap we present some photographs of a personal nature and some appeals for animals that don’t yet have a human.
The opening portion is “personal” because the spotlight is on my personal dog Porche Noel and my current office kitten, the growing and lively Stevie Ray Treeboy. He's an Oak Cliff kitten found at about 5 weeks old clinging to a limb in a mimosa tree. No idea where Mom went. Never saw her. So, either Stevie Ray is an angel deposited in a tree to catch my eye, or he’s an abandoned kitten who’d finished up his mom’s patience for nursing.

I was typing madly earlier in the week on a novel about managerial misjudgment and newspaper adventures in Dallas — I’m kidding, so far — when I turned from my big monitor screen to ask the question, “Porche, where are you?”
And, there she was. From the angle in that opening  photo, she looks as if she were giving us her impression of a Giant Lab Rat snoozing next to the “cat facility.”
You see, in the second photo, the way she looks when she turns around and nods off while reading my attempts at best-selling fiction. 
She’s a pip of a dog. Found on our front porch at Christmas many years ago. Hence, Porche Noel.

While she was lounging, Stevie Ray struck a pose at the office door — he may not yet realize that the doorknob rat is a toy for scratching. But he’ll figure it out. He’s a clever boy.

[A PERSONAL APPEAL: Dear Readers, send us photos -- email dallrp@aol.com -- of your slumbering dogs and cats and we’ll feature them in our long-running weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We believe in demonstrating how cool it is to have a dog or cat that trusts you enough to sleep and snore in your house. Also, we believe that we can help insomniacs have faith that they, too can get some sleep if they’ll just hang a big fake rat on the bedroom doorknob and join the kitten in staring at it until both of you grow drowsy.]
ONE MORE NOTE FOR
OUR WEEKEND EDITION
Possibly you have some free time and some free space in your house that needs to be filled by a kitten or a dog. Perhaps you’d like to have some Personal Sleepers & Nappers to entertainingly photograph. Here’s a clue, in case you don’t have one: 
We’re going to preach the gospel of saving the shelter souls in Lancaster, Texas, once again. We get the word, so to speak, from the dedicated small-shelter promotors Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden. 
Thanks to my technospouse Martha, a long email with a lot of photos and appeals from the “brink of euthanasia” in Lancaster has been converted into a PDF so you can click on THIS LINK  and see the animals in danger in the loaded and lightly visited shelter.

Ryleigh, the Flat Coat Retriever, is in the Lancaster shelter with her six puppies — not all of them are “flat-coated.” And Mika, the German Shepherd, is one of FOUR GSDs waiting in Lancaster for a loving human or the cold needle. 


The tabby cat is Addison and the black cat is Emerson. Two of many in the shelter.

 We added Lancaster’s population to our weekend edition because, frankly, the shelter’s population needs some human traffic to help save lives. And you can help by getting in touch with Laura at 214-949-2726 (call or text) or by emailing cat-girl-72@yahoo.com.
And if you scroll down to Friday’s edition, you can see an appeal for Princess, the dog who was thought to be pregnant but isn’t and, thus, have moved one step closer to getting the sting of the shelter’s needle. And that would be a damned shame. No other way to describe it.
[LARRY ASIDE: As the great Blackie Sherrod, the famed sports columnist, once said to me in a hallway conversation at The Dallas Morning News, “I’d save ‘em all if I could.” Maybe we can. It would make Blackie and a bunch of big-hearted, genuinely pro-animal people really proud. 
Bless you people who are already burdened and calling for more help. And enlighten you people who don’t have a clue before we have to lobby the Texas Legislature for the right to apply the educational readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment. 
Help an animal — it’s good for your heart. Hallelujah.]
—- Offer opinions, solutions or your puzzling objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com where we don’t think every human is an idiot. Not every human. —-

THE STATE FAIR OPENS; DOGS AND CATS STILL NEED HOMES! THE DALLAS BONEHEADS AT 100?

EDITION OF FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Oh, my, Friday is opening day for The Great State Fair of Texas. Got an anecdote for that. It’ll be in Contemplations. 
First, though, believe it or not, during the first 4 days of the week, the good-hearted humans of our vibrant region were unable to help all the animals that found themselves needing a helpful human.
And we’ll get to this Mesquite-surrendered Cocker named Brandy later in today’s edition. Geez. Double-geez. Read on.
[LARRY ASIDE: Why is it that all animal problems can’t be easily solve? Because it takes a village to offset the village idiots. The sprawling village of Dallas/Fort Worth has an oversupply of “Don’t Care/So What?” chuckleheads, knuckleheads and doofusses. I leave anybody out — other than the “just plain mean”?]
A LOOK BACK AT A DOG
THOUGHT TO BE PREGNANT
We frequently write about the Lancaster Animal Shelter’s population of un-viewed animals. That’s thanks to the diligent work of small-shelter supporters Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden.
This week we got a whole new list of dogs and cats in need of help in Lancaster. Missing from the list, however, was a previously featured dog, this girl Princess.
We’d been noting her situation for several weeks. She was thought to be pregnant. Princess arrived microchipped — she’s a “short and chunky—super cute” Lab/Bulldog mix, the note from Laura and Leighann said.
The original note read, “She is an abso- lutely won- der- ful dog - just as sweet as can be. Owner was located but never came in for her….”

When she didn’t show up on the latest Lancaster appeal, we checked with Laura to get the story. She has an answer that calls for someone special to step up for Princess. Laura reports, “She is not pregnant and she needs HW treatment so she is still at the shelter as I have nowhere to put her to get that done. A rescue in Connecticut wants her but she needs to go through HW treatment first. I am just out of room to put her. Too many animals.”

So, someone who can save Princess’ life, get in touch with Laura. Call or text her at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. What? That cat? Has nothing to do with Princess except that Laura says the “little tuxedo girl” is in Cage #4.
She’s sweet and loves being held. And, while her supporters think her eyes look sad, we’re going to focus on her facial markings — that looks like a white heart decorating the right side of her little muzzle. Get in touch with Laura to adopt or rescue her.
ONE MORE LANCASTER SITUATION

This one isn’t in a shelter yet, but she is in a “roaming the neighborhood” state in Lancaster. On Thursday morning I spoke to one of the people “watching over her” for now. I’d learned about her from Laura whose note said this dog’s name for now is Heather, based on “her beautiful heather gray coat.” She’s in Lancaster — not in the shelter, but the ambition is to avoid the shelter for Heather. 
She is either lost or was dumped “by someone in an area that the ACOs do not normally pick up from,” Laura’s note explained.
Heather wandered up to a home that has a kiddie pool and that’s how this video came to be. Click HERE.
 Laura says, “The lady whose kiddie dog pool this is that the dog got in says this dog comes up and is clearly homeless. She adores children and other dogs.”

Then Laura adds, “I know this is probably the impossible quest, but this dog is going to die out here not belonging to anyone. This reminds me of the dog that was found out by the Lancaster Shelter and later died — was in such terrible shape. Please, please, do not let this happen to her. She still looks healthy at this point.”

The number to call to offer to save Heather’s life is 214-245-7825. You’ll reach a home, not an organization. [LARRY ASIDE: I called Thursday morning to make sure the dog was still there and needing a home. A really nice person spoke sweetly on behalf of the dog.]
DENTON HAS AN EARHOUND
AND A LITTLE GUY IN NEED
Here are two very different pups from the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.

[FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: Our tipster on these two dogs, Amy Poskey, who monitors tough animal situations at Denton's McNatt Shelter, sent this note: "I’m very happy to report that Pug Rescue of Austin will be pulling our little Cinco! THANK YOU!!!  However, our sweet puppy boy, Lucky, hasn’t been so lucky, yet, so please consider giving this cutie pie a place to call home!" Here's the rest of the original appeal.]
The Earhound is Lucky (83906), a 3-month old Cattle Dog/Heeler mix who, according to the note from our longtime tipster Amy Poskey, ‘is the most adorable, smart, playful pup around.’ In foster care the “smart boy learned sit, shake, down spin and roll over very quickly! He is a high-energy pup….” Might need some land for romping, she says. also, “he has a lot of Heeler traits and will nip when frustrated or over stimulated.” Healthy, crate-trained, sleeps through the night. Loves toys.
And that brings us to Cinco, anywhere from 2 to 5 years old and a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier/Pug mix. Weighs 10.38 pounds — how’s that for precision at the Denton McNatt shelter? “Cinco was brought to the shelter after being abandoned by his owners,” Amy’s note reads. “They left him with some friends and never returned.” Here’s the rub: “Sadly, this sweet boy is needing femoral head ostectomy surgery. His x-rays revealed a left femur crack at the hip joint.”
So, rescues lining up? Adoptors with extra pocket change?
Offer to help either or both of these pups by calling the shelter at 940-349-7594 or by emailing gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, and/or julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com.
A COCKER IS A VICTIM OF FATE
AND SO IS A CHIHUAHUA —BOTH 13
Our Mesquite Animal Shelter tipster Judi Brown sent a note about Brandy, a 13-year-old, 22-pound Cocker Spaniel who was surrendered on 9/24 after her human died. “She looks angry and sad and who can blame her?” Judi asked. Brandy "looks angry and sad and who can blame her?" Jufi wrote. "When I interacted with her she wasn’t very interested in socializing but instead wanted to explore the volunteer room. However, when I took her back into her kennel after the photo shoot she warmed up and snuggled up next to me. The relatives that surrendered Brandy said that she was an indoor dog and her favorite activity is sleeping! They also said they thought she might be losing some hearing. … She has an infection in her right eye and may be developing cataracts. However she does get around well. She has a large fatty growth on her chest that doesn’t seem to hurt her when touched.” And she probably has a broken heart. Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
And there’s also this 13-year-old Chihuahua Mindy (#42816740) who was surrendered “because she was too old and they couldn’t take care of her,” Judi wrote, then continued, “From my point of view, all she would need was a little bit of food, love and a soft blanket or lap.” 
Mindy weighs 5 pounds. Just 5. The family had her for 3 years. 
Judi reports, “The mark beneath her eye is a scab. She’s a sweet little thing that’s receptive to being picked up and appears to love laps. She’s very gentle and calm. Her previous owners stated that she was an indoor dog only and that she lived with children. … When I took her through the bay she did go nose to nose with several smaller dogs. [The surrendering humans] also said she likes to go for walks. She did walk really well on a leash although she walked very slowly. That could be because of her long nails.”
May have cataracts, needs some dental work. And, Judi writes, “I can’t say enough about how sweet she is.”
Again, how do we ask the shelter about these dogs? Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE GREAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
Yep, it’s opening day at the State Fair of Texas — not the Texas State Fair, though some people shorten it like that before they learn to pull on their boots like a native-born child of the Lone Star State. Here’s the bigtex.com report on the open-to-the public event: “The Opening Day Ceremony” at Fair Park.  It reads: “The Opening Day Ceremony is a State Fair tradition that celebrates the first day of the annual event on the Hall of State Steps. Held at 7 p.m., the ceremony includes special appearances, the presentation of awards, a performance by the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, Kilgore Rangerettes and more. Join us as we officially begin the celebration of all things Texan.” [LARRY ASIDE: Am I wrong, or is it a state law that you can’t open any important event without an appearance by the Kilgore Rangerettes? I found that photo on Pinterest and couldn’t find a date or photo credit — but I’m betting it’s by one of the hustling photographers at The Dallas Morning News. Has that “Big Tex” look. ] … While perusing the bigtex.com site, I spotted the Fair’s “Mission Statement.” It reads, “Never mention ‘calories’ near the concession stands’.” I’m kidding. Here’s the State Fair Mission Statement: “The State Fair of Texas celebrates all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment.” … OUR OPENING DAY RECOLLECTION: Several years ago I encountered a Dallas organization called The Bonehead Club of Dallas. It had been around since 1919 and, may be celebrating its 100th anniversary even as we speak, but I haven’t seen hide nor hair of a Dallas Bonehead in a decade. Maybe they’ll show up at the State Fair Friday. Their hijinks used to get a lot of newspaper attention back in the middle of the 20th Century — you know, back when not everybody you ran into was some kind of comedian. The Boneheads would show up at the State Fair on opening day each year for a very special ceremony. They conducted the closing of the previous year’s fair. One of the Boneheads once told me, “Our theory is you can’t have an opening for something that’s never been closed.” And, yes, I’m glad the State Fair of Texas is still going strong since that first exposition in 1886. Before radio and TV and Big Tex — that’s the debut version of Big Tex, 1952, on a tile we bought in 2019 in Oak Cliff. The enduring State Fair and its Midway Cowboy. Have a great fair.
—- Offer opinions or explanations or Dallas Bonehead whereabouts by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

IN THE AUTUMN OF 2019, HEAT SURROUNDS US AND DOGS AND CATS NEED COOL PEOPLE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This is being written on the third day of Autumn, 2019, in Texas. Let me recount, please: Monday 1, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3. So, Thursday is the 4th day of autumn and the North Texas forecast is for temps in the high 90s. In fact, the Channel 5 noon weathercaster Samantha Davies, on Wednesday, said something like “Temperatures are running high for this time of year…” Summer temps are lingering, too, she predicted. That’s a Texas sky this week -- shot through a windshield, of course — can’t really say those are rain clouds looking for companionship. They're just Texas Fluffy. Sounds like a name for a cat, doesn't it? Anyway, we’ll be addressing Texas Autumn in Contemplations in this edition. Not bitterly, I swear. 
Now, let’s get into some animal opportunities.
LOOKING AHEAD, IN CASE
THERE’S A NEED FOR A ‘SITTER’
We have a writing pal who has been “enjoying” some hospital time and he’s wondering if there’s an organization in the Dallas area that provides “caretaker services” for animals when their humans are out of commission for a week or two. Anybody know of an organization that offers that help? 

We’ve suggested petsitters — my funspouse Martha spent a few years owning and being owned by PetPowellPetsitting but she got out of the business. The memories of beloved dogs and cats remain strong nearly two decades later.
If anyone knows of a “relief organization” for pet owners, or has an idea for a petsitter who handles such things, email me, Larry “No Ideas Since the 1960s” Powell at dallrp@aol.com. FYI: For our illustration, I hired two feline actors, William Powell (left) and his young sidekick, Stevie Ray Treeboy, to sit in my office and look out the window as if they were wondering where their next meal was coming from. That captures the problem my writing pal is trying to solve before it occurs.
IS PUPPY & KITTEN SEASON YEAR-ROUND
BECAUSE HUMANS ARE PERSISTENTLY DAFT?
Perhaps that question is too harsh — that “daft” part. I should have stuck with “irresponsible.” More accurate and less incendiary, right? 
But, you see this photo? It oughta make everybody (a) in love with a momma dog and her pups and (b) outraged that they’re all in a shelter and depending on the rescue groups to have room.
We got the tip on this from Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. She named the dog. Ginger posted a note pre-noon Wednesday that said “Mama Pumpkin” had 8 babies. Then, about 30 minutes later, another note announced: “9 now 4 boys and 5 girls so far.”
So, that’s 10 dogs that weren’t wanted by someone and now they’re in a taxpayer-supported city shelter that works hard to find homes for everybody. 
Ginger’s first note about Mama Pumpkin (#42793625) urged, “Someone come rescue her with her babies. She is the sweetest mama. I've moved her babies and rubbed her belly while she took care of her babies and not once was she aggressive. She lets you help her … Someone come get her out.”

I don’t know what the backstory is on Mama Pumpkin, but the clues we have suggest someone didn’t want her, didn’t care if she had babies and didn’t want the babies or care about them, either. 
A rescue group who can care about Mama Pumpkin and her “li’l punkins” can contact the shelter at fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov. Don’t call, use email — that’s the way FWACC wants it. Mama Pumpkin and her “punkins” are at FWACC's Chuck Silcox Adoption Center, 4900 Martin St., in southeastern Fort Worth.
AN UPBEAT POSTING
FROM DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES
Something has returned to the DAS Facebook site. The note posted Wednesday reads, “We are thrilled to bring back DPD's Pet of the Week! For our inaugural week, we're featuring Natasha (#A1080599), a 4 year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix that loves other dogs, and Senior Corporal Amber Roman, who serves in the Office of Community Affairs and as DPD's LGBTQ+ Liaison. Come meet Natasha and take her home for FREE during our #FallInLove Adoption Event! Read more about Natasha and Senior Corporal Roman: HERE. Thanks to our friends at Dallas Police Department for their support of adoption, responsible pet ownership, and DAS! They are #Dallas90! #DPDPOW."
Now that was an uplifting note. Then DAS’s Facebook page also posted something “live.” It began “We’re live from DAS playgroup this morning! We do playgroups here every single day to help keep our pups happy and healthy. All of these dogs are available for adoption and are ready to go home! Remember, now through the end of September, all animals are free for our Fall In Love adoption special! See who’s available at dallasanimalservices.org. 
Now, click HERE and you’ll see that live romping video from playgroup."
Oh, and by the way, those cats? Those babies are a reminder from readlarrypowell.com that DAS doesn't just have an outbreak of kittens but also has a great assortment of grown-up felines. See 'em at that dallasanimalservices.org address.  Click on the artwork to make it grow like a kitten.
MEANWHILE, CRITTERFANS, THERE’S
THE BRAZORIA CHALLENGE
Several times a year we’ll receive a note that originates — but may be forwarded several times — at the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control in Angleton, south of Houston. 
Great dogs and cats and too many of them — that’s the traditional theme.
Those sisters are Lab/Great Pyr or Husky/Great Pyr mixes. May still be in the shelter, may already be gone. You see their numbers. 
The other white dog? Number not a name, but quite a story. The shelter note reads, “Urgent. Broken front leg. Needs out now” and calls him a “wonderful sweet boy.” He wags his entire body, the note says, and in an appeal straight to rescuers, the note from a staffer reads, “Came straight to me, nudged my arm to be loved on and started waggin' his entire body when I spoke and loved on him. he is wonderful. Please, please help him.”

 This shelter also has a load of tabby cats, too. 
How do you reach the shelter to offer to help save some lives? The phones are 979-388-2365 and (cell) 979-997-2486. Email bcsoaco@gmail.com.

The shelter is at 3602 County Rd. 45 in Angleton, about an hour south of downtown Houston.
FYI: The logo atop Brazoria County’s website tells you something important about the place.

CLOSER TO THE INTERSECTIONS
OF I-30/I20 at THE TWO I35s

 There’s a geography lesson for you. Thus we turn to the team of Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden for information about animals on the brink of either rescue or disaster — we expect rescue because we have seen evidence of big hearts at work around here. Great expectations, you know.
FIRST WE LOOK AT WILMER. Wilmer is a little town on the southeastern side of Dallas along I-45. The note we got from Laura and Leighann reads that “there are two sweet girls there now.  Two that most people would pay no attention to.  They are sitting there now.  Waiting.  Day after day. They are both just the sweetest, sweetest girls.  Both adore other dogs.” (Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Transport is available for any 501c3 rescue.
The big dog is Claire and the smaller dog is Aubrey. Claire is a Boxer/Bulldog mix. Aubrey is listed as a serious“bulldog mix.” She’s “a little pocket-sized girl.”
Wilmer’s shelter gets no traffic — except people dumping animals.
THEN WE LOOK AT LANCASTER, a shelter that is not really getting the positive publicity it used to get when it was rolling with the Furbabies of Lancaster non-profit rescue group. While the human situation has changed, the animal situation has not. Full shelter, no human traffic. So, Leighann and Laura keep plugging away, trying to get interest in the small shelter on the southern side of Dallas. 
These are some of the kittens at the shelter and that dog is also there. His name is Champ; he’s a boxer mix. The note from Laura and Leighann read, “We know the pics look serious, but he is the sweetest guy ever in person. Beautiful markings, Great boy. Please, he is here waiting and hoping to meet you. Won’t you save him?”
Again, the best route to helping the Lancaster animals is this: Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Please, also, take some time to CLICK ON THIS LINK. Sadly, I don’t have the techno skills to put all the photos of needy dogs and cats on that link. It’s part of a copy of the email sent by Laura and Leighann. Email Laura at cat_girl_71@yahoo.com and asked to be added to the mailing list to keep up with the challenge in Lancaster and see the photos. I’ll keep trying to defeat my lackluster technical performances.
CONTEMPLATIONS
HOT TIMES, THE TEXAS AUTUMN
I went to elementary school in the 1950s — don’t judge me because you think that makes me old. I type young. Here, read this: I haven’t had a steady job in years, I’m following a dream. That’s beyond a Baby Boomer, it’s darned near Millennial, isn’t it?
 Baby Boomers — I once heard a much younger colleague tell another one, “I’ll be glad when all these Baby Boomers are gone.” Yeah, well, I didn’t say anything then — too polite, but I got over that, so, now I’d like to say …..WAIT. Sorry, I can’t type what I want to say, so if you’re a Baby Boomer, go ahead and fill in the blanks in what would be my response — there are two blanks. Hint, hint.
So, hop into the time machine with me. We’re going back to an era before sophisticated regionalism in advertising. In the 1950 and ‘60s, “Back To School” meant the same products across the nation. Sweaters were for sale — never mind the fact that you’d collapse from heat prostration if you were showing off your brand new back-to-school Vermont-style autumn sweater to school in Texas. Jeans with flannel lining? I once saw a kid wear some to school in Texarkana — turned the cuffs up to show the red plaid lining. What a peculiar playground sight in a land where you’d wear shorts — after school, of course — nearly until Thanksgiving.
Halloween? You had to be careful with your costume — trick-or-treating sweat would wreck your illusion. The face of Frankenstein would become the Incredible Melting Man.
 So, here we are in 2019 at the end of the local Major League Baseball Season— it’s autumn and Texas hot. Kids are back in school. The old stadium — once beloved as “The Ballpark In Arlington” — is heading toward the end of its big league career.
Autumn means football and marching bands — and kids practicing and practicing. At halftime on Friday nights, the band has to be as carefully hydrated as the running backs and blockers.
That’s autumn in Texas.
And, here we are, sitting on the crest of a hill in Fort Worth — able to look East and West and North and South and the only indication of autumn is the arrival of Halloween merchandise in neighborhood stores from Texarkana to El Paso, from the top of the Panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico.
 And, you know what? All this Texas heat makes the arrival of that first chilly Autumn morning so wonderfully precious. Now, go find a sweater and get ready. Texas is already cool — we’re just waiting for the weather to catch up.
—- Offer opinions or objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “sweater weather” in the subject line. —-

A CAT'S POSE; A TRIBUTE TO MELI WITH ZOE; FOSTERING; BURNS FLAT & A CONTEMPLATION ABOUT A DOG

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 [PetPowellPress] How long can a cat sit at a window and stare out at a yard that has no moving beasts in it?
 The answer? Until he nods off? Until a painter’s van rolls past. The van was the answer in this case. Maybe a van. Keep reading. 
That’s my office cat, William Powell.
My editorcat, The Senator, was asleep in the big middle of our kingsize bed and chose not to be disturbed. Has a little sign he hangs ont he doorknob. So, William continues looking at the world from the window next to the desk. He’s not answering questions as this is being written, so I’ll simply have to guess what first caught his attention in this mid-morning exercise. He may see things humans can’t see. But we’ll save that theory for the movie, Cat Eye Curiosity and The Scary Man From Mars. I’m kidding. For now.
THE TRIBUTE TO MELI,
THE PHOTO WITH ZOE
Our Prayers & Passages tribute to Meli is a most wonderfully written expression of love by Becky Dodge. She really tells the story of loving her dog. And she includes this photo of Meli cuddling with Zoe. 
That brings us to these two note that are oh-so-human and and oh-so-rescue in nature. Becky sent me this “so human” note Tuesday morning when I asked about the little dog cuddling with Meli. When you lose a dog, you have emotions that are, sometimes insurmountable at the time. Becky told me, “Eventually there will probably be another dog in the house but right now I think that Zoe needs to be the only one for a while. They do tend to appear when I'm ready, often with no effort on my part.
“Because of Callie and Meli being ill for their final months (even though Meli's death was sudden. she had some problems with arthritis and Intervertebral Disc Disease and her legs were getting weaker all the time) — Anyway because of their illnesses, Zoe, although very much loved, got the short end of the stick and I think she deserves some undivided time.”

Zoe came into a household with Meli and Callie, both now gone. Becky recalls, “Zoe is the one who was dumped on me when she was about 8 months old. A woman in the neighborhood and I had chatted briefly when I went to get the mail one day. I saw Zoe playing around in her drive and said something casual like ‘cute pup.’ Darned if about 8:30 that night this woman knocked on my door. She was carrying Zoe and said, ‘Here. Her name is Zoe, she is 8 months old, you have dogs, we don't want her.’

“Zoe came in, greeted Meli and Callie and insisted on sleeping with me that night. She still insists on sleeping with me. No shyness there. Zoe will be 4 in November so there was a 10-11 year age gap between her and the other dogs. Zoe was not exactly a planned addition to the household but she is very much loved.”

Meli had different ideas about where she wanted to sleep. That’s part of the Prayers & Passage tribute to Meli — click on the Prayers & Passages link in the upper right corner of this website.
THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS
OF A DAS/OK PARTNERSHIP
Noel Hampton, our Operation Kindness tipster with TrizCom Public Relations & Pitch PR, sent over a note Tuesday  that had us kind of in a “way to go” mood.
Foster emphasis on pregnant dogs and cats. Good idea, don’t you think?
 Operation Kindness and Dallas Animal Services are partnering in a program to help little ones arrive.

[LARRY ASIDE: Of course, both organizations already have dynamic spay/neuter philosophies, but, as you know, Dear Readers, not everybody in the world’s most fertile city will “fix” their animals. There’s a majestic level of “don’t care/so what” that prevails in the arena of people who think that because they can teach a dog “sit,” they can lecture a cat or dog into celibacy. “I keep telling her not to leave the yard and get pregnant!” Idiots. Sorry for that outburst. At least I didn’t use any “French.” Back to the topic.]
As summer temperatures maintain a grip in our autumnal area, there are more and more pregnant dogs and cats showing up in shelters, we’re told.
How can they get responsible, personal care? Fostering. So, citing the need for help with newborns and expecting moms, Natalie Buxton, OK’s director of marketing and communications, said, “We provide fostering opportunities in these situations so that all vulnerable animals have the time they need to flourish in a temporary environment until they’re ready to be adopted.”
 The announcement says that foster families provide the safe, loving environment for the moms while DAS and OK “will provide the rest; both organizations provide all medical care for pets in their foster care programs.” 

How do you become a foster for an expectant momma dog or cat? Email operationkindness.org/foster or attend the DAS foster orientations at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays or 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the OK announcement says.
 Above, that’s a photo of Operation Kindness mom Fantasia and her pups — they’re in a foster home and being nurtured until they’re ready for adoption.
And that puppy at Dallas Animal Services is #A1082803, designated as “Puppy 2,” a resident of the shelter since September 18 — came in at about a week old, according to the dallasanimalservices.org listing. Aussie Cattle Dog mix, they say. Probably could use a foster home. That kitten is Desiree (A1081559), one of about eleventyzillion Tabby kittens currently in the DAS shelter — she’s 7 weeks old and has been in the shelter since Sept. 6. She’s “rescue only” right now — email DASRescue@dallascityhall.com.
Fostering or adopting or rescuing — animals in city shelters almost always need help. Animals in no-kill shelters always need adopting so the shelter can take in another animal and save another life.

MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
Ah, the western Oklahoma outpost of Burns Flat continues to always have an animal crisis at hand and, mercifully for the animals, the resilient Terry Lynn Fisher is always working to save the critters.
Here’s one of her latest. A Chow girl. No name known. Here’s why. Terry Lynn says, “I had another one that had an owner move away and leave her behind. How do so many here do that? She is about 3 years old and so sweet. She loves to be touched and is great with children. She doesn't acknowledge the other dogs. She is URGENT.”

Email Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS   

WHAT IS THE DURATION OF A PROMISE TO AN ANIMAL? MIGHT ‘FOREVER’ BE APPROPRIATE?
This contemplation arrived as a note from Stephen Foster, founder (in December 2012) of DFW’s FurGotten Friends. He’s president of the organization and, also, a hands-on rescuer who, yes, makes promises to the animals.
Here’s his latest post on the obligation to animals. It’s personal for him — and this dog Chelsea. Stephen wrote: “This is important for people with puppies or young dogs to read. Also, I know this is long but please read it all before commenting. I started my rescue to save dogs and sometimes I have to keep them to make sure.
“On September 29, Chelsea will be a year old. My wife and I have kept 5 out of our 7 dogs due to issues that made them unadoptable. Chelsea is one of the 5 due to not being able to keep down dog food. Although the rest of her siblings were all healthy and fat, Chelsea was skinny and weak because she was kicked out of Mom’s nursing by the bigger siblings. When they got old enough for puppy food, Chelsea would throw it up right after eating.

“I started feeding her the food I cooked for my other dogs and she kept it down and started getting healthy and growing fast. After about 7 months, she finally got a strong stomach and can now eat regular dog food I mix in. However. The damage was done during that important growth period.
“Now we have a new issue to deal with. As a small puppy we noticed she would limp, just a little, after playing hard with the rest of the big dogs, but would stop limping within minutes. With all the stray and surrendered litters I've had this didn't worry me. Puppies do strain themselves as they're growing and playing but get over it fast. 

“Now, fast-forward to 10 months old. We noticed Chelsea started holding up a leg as she was walking around. We thought she just strained her leg but it continued to get worse. It started to turn in to both back legs to the point she would suddenly stop and lay down.

“We took her in for multiple images to see if she had puppy hip dysplasia or spinal issues. Everything from her paws to her spine looked perfect. Including her knees. 

“Our vet manipulated her legs looking for any weakness but couldn't find anything wrong. After a month of watching her suddenly pull up one leg or the other we took her back to the vet and he finally got a knee to pop out. 

“All of this is to say we now have a visit with our vet and surgeon today [Monday] at 4 to decide on the next steps and possible luxating patella surgery on both back legs. I'm grateful I didn't let her get adopted and fall in love with a new family that might have sent her back. She is part of our pack and we will make sure we do everything to make her life the most comfortable happy life possible.”

What’s the outcome of the medical exam?

Stephen posted, “Well, it's official. Chelsea needs both knees fixed. My poor baby. First surgery October 16. I've been told to stop her from running, playing, climbing stares or jumping up now because the damage is getting worse.”
So, Dear Readers, there’s the story — so far — of Chelsea the Dog. It’s clearly a story of responsibility and what’s at the heart of rescue and rehoming: Love. That’s it, in four letters. 

Here’s the Facebook link to Chelsea’s caregiver. Use it to offer to help or just to say, “Thank you for helping a dog.”

We’ll close with this quote from Stephen: “We have a sign in our house that says, ‘This home is maintained for the comfort of the dogs.’”

That is a great rule for life.
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

SWEET TREATS; SWEET CRITTERS; & FOR THE SAKE OF DOGS & CATS, SWEET PEOPLE NEEDED...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, SEPT. 24, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Here we are heading toward the big opening at the end of the work week — State Fair of Texas. But you knew that already unless you’ve just crawled out of a cave in Borneo. The Texas Rangers are closing out a “learning season” in the “old Ballpark in Arlington” and prepping for the move to the new version of a metropolitan prairie baseball diamond. That photo? Has nothing to do with the Dallas Cowboys setting up fans for a fall (not my first rodeo), the Rangers failing to make the playoffs (again) or (as old guys used to say) the price of eggs in China — if there are the new tariffs.
That’s a picture of one of the new treats at the 2019 Fair, the “Deep Fried Energy Bites.” Why am I posting this photo before we get to animals and other tales? Because whoever photographed this for the State Fair deserves some extra credit. Why? Look at that photo for about 5 seconds, then come back to this colon: The shadow cast by the Energy Bite is the State of Texas. How cool is that subtle tribute? What’s in Deep Fried Energy Bites? Check it out in Contemplations. [LARRY ASIDE: Yeah, I started with a treat. Every now and then we need to remember that we can enjoy life and still rescue animals from dire conditions.] Oh, that cat. Odd thing about that Dallas Animal Services cat (A1077076), aside from the fact that she's been at the shelter since July 31, she is the first cat I have ever encountered named "Puddles." That's usually a puppy name. Email DASRescue@dallascityhall.com to ask about her.
MORE FREE ANIMALS OFFERED
IN SPECIAL SEPTEMBER DAS EVENT
Yep, read the bargain notice that was posted on the Dallas Animal Service website at dallasanimalservices.org. That’s in addition to the Sunday Tailgate bargain offering at DAS.
So, how many animals are we talking about? 

The official DAS listing is in black and white; the DAS listing on PetHarbor is in color. What they agree on is 3 “other” — both listings say those 3 are hamsters.
WAITING AND PLAYING
IN THE FW SHELTER
Allie Contreras tagged readlarrypowell.com and a number of other people on the possible fate of this girl known as “Life.” She's a 5-year-old bulldog mix currently in the care of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. Here’s a video of Life having a good time playing with a rope toy.
And here is Life getting excite over a belly rub — this came from Rani Parkinson.
People who have met this girl really want to make sure she goes to a good home and lives a long, happy life. Life (#33700057) is 5, weighs 75 pounds is spayed and healthy. The report is “she’s been in and out of the shelter since 2016 and is now Code Red for not doing well with other dogs in previous homes an at the shelter. She’s a volunteer favorite and loves to flip over for belly rubs and show her goofy side.” 

You have to adopt in person. If you want to get her to the safety of a rescue group, email fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov [LARRY ASIDE: She is Code Friggin’ Red and big dogs need a break — it’s a cute puppy world and apparently only us really smart people, Dear Readers, realize that puppies become older dogs and bring adorability along with them. Geez, give a grown dog a chance, you know?]
THE CONTINUING STORY OF SNOW WHITE
This obviously “ain’t no Walt Disney movie.” The Denton dog, Snow White, is having trouble getting to the happy ending. She’s the 6- to 9-months old Chihuahua mix with the heart murmur that is said to treatable. For while it looked as if she might go to an Arkansas rescue but those folks backed off over budget issues with the potential health problems. So, that meant that Snow White would become a foster dog and our tipster, Amy Poskey, who monitors Denton’s McNatt Shelter and Adoption Center for the hard cases, reports, “No new updates on Snow White, yet, but I will keep trying until the cows come home.  At least she’s safe with a wonderful foster for now.”
If you’ve got a home for Snow White, contact the shelter via gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, and/or julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com
CONTEMPLATIONS
A FAIR BITE; EDITED FOR CLARITY?; & THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA
How about those Deep Fried Energy Bites? Sign me up — oh, man, just one more Fair craving I need to encounter. The list is already happily long. The State Fair description: “A protein-packed energy bite, fried in a sweet rolled oat batter, graciously drizzled with an espresso chocolate glaze, and served on a bed of fried coconut shreds. These nutritious bites of goodness are the perfect blend of peanut butter, chocolate, honey, oats, and coconut.” Bet it goes great with a cup of coffee. … Now and then , I’ll read an entertainment piece in The Big Paper Downtown. The one that caught my eye Monday was headlined “Pete Townshend on the absurdity of The Who in 2019.” The story noted that Townshend, the enduring British rocker, agreed to the interview only if he, described in the intro as a “former editor and part-time fiction writer,” could do the Q & A by e-mail. The paper agreed. And before you can read the first question, you get this note: “The interview has been edited for clarity.” Don’t you know there are politicians and other newsmakers who wish they'd been "edited for clarity." (That's The Who's upcoming album cover.). … Yeah, I’m watching the Country Music story by Ken Burns on KERA. The latest episode reminded me how much I adore and respect and envy the writing of Kris Kristofferson. The words and music are plenty. But, also, the sudden visit to the past came with the songs. What a cavalade of a challenging American era. Maybe the emotion Monday night could have originated decades ago during the times with the awful war, could have been the wonderfully optimistic and smart people I knew back then — it all fit together so well that I still smile when I think of it. So does my heart. Might also cry a little bit. The writer gave us a great soundtrack to life — a time of frayed cuffs on jeans, bargain guitars and cheap strings, maybe some college classes if you didn’t sleep late and maybe some political arguments. Glad we still have the songs and the memories of people we loved, but we don't still have the challenges that took so many of them. Yeah, now and then I hear a tune from yesterday that works like a time machine — you probably do, too. I hope we all hear a good one today.
—- Offer favorite songs or recollecitons by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com where your memories will be discreetly read and treasured. —-

WELCOME TO AUTUMN 2019; FORECAST: THERE'S A FLURRY OF ANIMALS

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPT. 23, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As we present the edition dated for the first day of Autumn 2019, let’s consider how we can make this season a better season. Drop the high daily temp about 15 degrees. Start with that and then we’ll move along — when the temp is in the high 90-somethings, all those Christmas decorations look ridiculous in the Greater Metrosweat.
Here’s our Monday edition, including a note about a vote in Gun Barrel City — are animals at risk? Might be. Read on, please. And what about those SMU jerseys?
SOME DOGS  FROM COWTOWN
Tipsters from the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control community cited these two dogs over the weekend. 
Tami Kukla focused on Hula, a 9-month-old puppy who “loves other dogs.” She is, Tami’s post read, “code red and at highest risk of being euthanized.” Sandy Bentz noted that Hula is the “smallest dog in Kennel 2, just a little ‘pocket’ pit.” And, if you’ve ever rescued a young dog who has clearly been ignored, you’ll understand the emotion involved when you read what Sandy wrote: “All she does is bite the leash, because no one has ever taught her, much less taken her for walks.”
Tami also posted a note about Mila, this white, not too comfortable dog. At 9 months, 42 pound, she was surrendered by her family and the note reads, “She is terrified. Poor girl just wants to leave and will try her best to not be seen till that happens. She needs a patient loving person who will let her decompress at her own pace.” Here’s video LINK TO MILA.
ONCE UPON A TIME,
THIS DOG WAS A STAR…
Well, she still is, just not in Big D. We’re referring to a recent New York Times article about changes in the animal shelters across the nation. Dallas Animal Services got some positive “ink” as we used to say in the pre-cyber era of journalism.
Her photo was used on a Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center Facebook post over the weekend. it reads, “Ruthie was a long-time DAS resident, playgroup rock star, staff favorite, and was featured in The New York Times article...yet, she couldn't seem to find the perfect home. Thankfully, DAS has great rescue partners! Ruthie went into a wonderful DAS foster home temporarily before being transported by our partners at Rockwall Pets to a shelter out-of-state in need of placeable pets! We are so appreciative of our amazing rescue partners and foster parents that make these types of outcomes possible. Help us save more lives by becoming a foster parent today! #FostersSaveLives #BeDallas90."
 [LARRY ASIDE: There you go, a demonstration that Dallas is just one or two road trips and maybe a flight away from a safe place for animals.]
 See more Dallas Animals for adoption at dallasanimalservices.org. And Rockwall Pets is https://rockwallpets.com.
MEANWHILE, OUT AT THE LAKE,
A VOTE AFFECTING GBC’S DOGS
GBC is, of course, Gun Barrel City. The vote is over a city contract with an animal shelter.
 We get this note from Sydney Busch, the notable mainstay at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, a little over an hour southeast of Big D on Highway 175.
Sydney’s note reads, “GBC is considering cancelling their animal contract with HSCCL (the shelter in Tool) and sending the animals picked up to Henderson County Animal Shelter in Athens.
“HSCCL works very hard to find homes for all the animals who come into them - they do 2-3 off-site adoption events every weekend - they have contracted with the ASPCA to transport medium, large adult dogs (always the ones no one wants) north to states desperate for these dogs.

“So to reward the Tool shelter for all this work, GBC wants to save some money by not sending the animals to Tool.  They are willing to have most of the animals euthanized to save a few bucks.”

The discussion of this proposal is scheduled at Monday’s Gun Barrel City City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the GBC City Hall. Sydney’s note reads, “Please be there to show support for HSCCL.” (Email sydney@friendsoftheanimals.org to offer help or support.)

ANYBODY NEED A MOVIE DOG
HAPPILY HANGING AT THE HOUSE?
Before we get to the movie dog or beautiful Cinnamon, we’re going to do a little note about Louie, 7, a poodle mix (#42787897), surrendered by a woman to Mesquite Animal Services on September 20. Our tipster, the volunteer biographer Judi Brown, reports, “The story is that Louis was left at the woman’s sister’s home and then the other sister didn’t pick him up!” So, what happens? He’s “surrendered” out of the family’s hair.
 I think you understand the phrasing.
Louie has got another problem, Judi says, “He is blind in his right eye, and he has partial sight in his left eye judging from the fact that he maneuvers quite well when walking on a leash. He has some sort of eye infection in both eyes that would need to be treated. He also has a hard growth on his left ear. This does not seem to bother him when touched. He is so sweet, calm, and gentle that you can’t help but fall in love with him! He would make an ideal lapdog. When I first met him he was shaking in his kennel. However when I gave him a bath and put a blanket in his kennel he relaxed. He likes human attention and followed me around like a Velcro dog. He went nose to nose with other dogs when he walked through the bay and also went nose to nose wagging his tail when he met our shelter cat. I just can’t say enough about how deserving this sweet boy is.”
Now, back to Cinnamon: Judi sent these photos with her report on former stray 30-pound Cinnamon, 2- or 3-year-old old, a Pittie girl who arrived on Sept. 16. “She has beautiful reddish gold coloring with hazel eyes and perky ears. Not only is she very photogenic, but she’s got a wonderful laid-back personality. She’s calm and gentle. At the same time she’s friendly and a real wiggle butt. She seems to be very happy. It almost seems like she’s smiling. She explored the yard but spent most of her time close to me. She wants to please. She’d recently had a litter of pups. She did her business as soon as I took her for a walk. She has a strong pull on the leash. She went nose to nose with many of the dogs wagging her tail. If a dog barked at her she ignored him.”

The two dogs? Lucky is the 6-year-old black and tan Chiweenie and Peanut is the 6-year-old Chihuahua — they were surrendered on Sept. 20 because of their humans’ “financial hardship.” Judi says both are timid and “decompressing.” Lucky (42787309) is both more fearful in the kennel and more alert. Peanut (42787296) is timid and “was visibly shaking but was receptive to being held,” Judi wrote. Lucky weighs 10 pounds; Peanut only 7. Judi also wrote, “Lucky obviously has not been ‘lucky’ to end up at 6-years-old in a shelter.” She suggests adopting him and “sweet” Peanut together to change their luck.
She also wrote, “If you’re looking for someone to sit beside you while you watch TV or read a good book Peanut and Lucky would fit the bill.”
To ask about any of these animals or any other animal in the Mesquite Animal Shelter, call 972-216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Use their shelter ID numbers.
Here’s the Shelter’s adorable adoptables link 
and that is Sonic (42133742), just over 4 years old and in the shelter since JULY FIFTH — might have been a stray scared off by fireworks. Very interesting coat with what appear to be a muted “M” on that forehead. Needs a home that’ll appreciate a colorful cat.
CONTEMPLATIONS
SEASONAL THOUGHTS,TCU, DOORKNOBS


Perhaps you were awake when Autumn arrived in the big middle of a Texas night. Perhaps you’re reading this on Sunday while it’s still summer. Perhaps you have forgotten that Autumn arrived so early on Monday morning that it was still late Sunday night — 2:50 a.m. Monday. You people who work the late shift know what I mean. Ever seen a sunrise after a night at the office? Yep, go out for a relaxing dinner and a few drinks after work and it’s already time for breakfast. … Ouch. TCU was beaten by SMU over the weekend, 41-38. SMU may be better than expected, but as a veteran observer of the Dallas Condition I couldn’t help but notice the logo on the Pony helmet is similar to the City of Dallas logo and the word “Dallas” appears across the chest of the jerseys even though Southern Methodist University is proudly in University Park, Texas. This next thought is not connected to SMU of course, but the Dallas Cowboys blur the lines of association: They office and practice in Frisco and call a stadium in Arlington their home field. All that and yet they are “Dallas.” I don’t know where this world is going — are we still in the same solar system or will some developer start marketing Earth as being The Heart of Optimum Profiteerum Maxima?” …. THE MISSING DOORKNOBS? Our contractors finally painted our new French doors over a four-day weekend and on Sunday morning one guy showed up to take the plastic covering off the window panes because the paint on the wood was dry. My funspouse Martha then asks, “Are you going to put the doorknobs on the doors?” and the puzzled painter asks, “What doorknobs?” We know they exist. The contract team leader has been talking about them for a couple of weeks. Somewhere there are two lonely doorknobs waiting for a warm hand to embrace them and twist — let us know if you’ve seen them. We know the cats haven’t been playing with them. They were slapping the screws from the hinges up and down the hall. Fun, but not doorknobs.
—- To offer advice, objections or hints about the doorknobs, click on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

CANINE? FELINE? ---- RECLINE?

“What’s the big difference between dogs and cats?”, a rank amateur may ask.
Frankly, it has to do with how sleeping dogs lie and napping cats nap.

We have engaged some professional models/ slumber experts to help us enlighten those who did not take Household Animal Observation & Recognition in their junior years of college. Traditional course, as I’m sure you all know.
Be prepared to take notes. There may be a quiz later. This would be, of course, the first quiz presented in the more than 14-year-history of our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Oh, let’s just 86 the quiz and move on with the interviews featuring this weekend’s spotlight slumberers.
They are: Porche Noel (found on the porch at Christmas) and William Powell (named in honor of the coolest cat in movies, the great film star of the same name, famously in the title role of The Thin Man motion pictures).
Each of these cohabitants of our home is a wander-up personality who has been embraced by two people who have managed always to find an extra place for a dog or cat to sleep.
Porche’s usual place turned out to be smack in the center of the human bed — not at the foot, right in the center. Or, she may nod off anywhere else — she’s just not choosy. William’s usual places are in a chair, on a shelf, under a desk, atop an unpacked moving box or, of course, in a cat bed. He regards it as his cat bed, though, clearly, he cannot stir a dog that is three or four times his weight.

OUR SLEEPER/NAPPER INTERVIEW

INTERVIEWER LRP (Larry Powell, veteran insightful reporter/editor/columnist and former part-time Montgomery Ward deliveryman in the mid-‘60s): “DO EITHER OF YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING?

PORCHE: "Not so much now that I’m older and realize that most unexpected sounds turn out to be clumsy cats tripping over a computer mouse or cats testing gravity — checking to make sure a vase falls from shelf to floor at the same rate of speed day after day."
WILLIAM: "My napping is properly timed. We cats have an internal clock that reminds us to nod off at precisely the most feline advantageous moment."
PORCHE: "Internal clock? Internal clock? We don’t need no stinkin’ internal clock. My apologies to the writers of the 1948 Humphrey Bogart film, The Treasure of The Sierra Madre. But, seriously, folks, as a veteran canine, comfort is my first requirement. Fortunately, I can be comfortable on a rug under a desk chair, or I can be comfortable shoving my nose into a blanket in the corner of a room that nobody’s put in order because he’s too lazy to open the office boxes he moved from Dallas to Fort Worth.”
[LRP ASIDE: The dog is correct -- not the first time I've said that since I met Porche. I have been remiss in unpacking. But I will sell the boxes — unopened — to anyone for $50 each. Could contain a treasure, could contain curiosity pieces, i.e., "What the devil is this?" Labels fell off some of the boxes. So “SURPRISE BOX” is fitting and $50 could be a bargain. Caution: You may not return the box after purchase. Not ever.]

PORCHE: "I think, also, you see in the photographs that I do not fall victim to ‘stereotyping,’ i.e., a cat curling up in a round bed. I made that bed my own. It’s the ART of sleeping. It’s NOT generational copycatting. No offense, my little whiskered colleague in torporific achievement.
WILLIAM: I look at you sloppily snoozing on my round bed and I immediately think ‘square peg.’ I would suggest that you are incapable of appearing ‘round’ but, of course, now and then I see you walking and realize you have no problem achieving round. I see you with your nose shoved into the corner of a room and I think, ‘Bewildered by a corner, she fell over while waiting for a snack.’ ”
LRP: Please, let’s keep it civil. Moving along: Porche, do you snack before sleeping, and if so, on what?

PORCHE: "I love a good dish of unsupervised cat food — dry or wet. The thrill is in the discreet, rapid capture."
WILLIAM: "And now your readers know why I have no problem curling up in a perfect circle in a traditional cat bed. You can’t gain weight when someone else is eating your food. If I wander away from my dish, when I return, there’s a chance that there’s a tubby dog walking around with cat food breath."
LRP: So, dear friends, is there anything else you’d like to say about the joys of sleeping and napping?
WILLIAM: "Napping comes easily to me. I hope that everyone reading this, in spite of the challenges of the political season, can find a way to nod off and stay energized throughout the campaigns."
PORCHE: "And I’d like to add that being able to sleep worry-free in a home — even with a smarmy cat — is a great pleasure that goes a long way toward happiness. And a dog can go even further on the Happiness Highway if you’ll make certain the treat bowl is never empty. And, Interviewer LRP, whatever that is, as Autumn 2019 arrives in Texas at 2:50 a.m. Monday, I'm sure you’ll make certain that the control on the electric blanket is properly adjusted. By that I mean, adjusted to a natural dog’s needs. You and the cat can go cuddle a pillow. And I mean that with all the sweetness in my soul.”
LRP: Thank you for your time and honest attitudes, Porche and William. Now, go catch a few winks. You can wink, can’t you?
WILLIAM: "More of a blink."
PORCHE: "Never bat an eye — you may miss a meal."
[LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, please send sleeping/napping photos of your dogs/cats/relatives/‘other’ to dallrp@aol.com. Include their biographies, too. We’ll happily tell their stories and why you love them so when we spotlight them in the long-running readlarrypowell.com weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people see that having a snoozing critter around the house is comforting. And, you’ll be helping the global insomniac community realize that sleep is possible if you can just curl up in the right bed or learn to stretch-out across it without feeling abdominal pressure. That is my editor, The Senator, demonstrating happy napping. ]
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-