ReadLarryPowell.com

SUMMER SITUATIONS FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE

EDITION OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, IN THE HELLISH SUMMER OF 2019 [PetPowellPress] Wait. It’s not all that hellish. Heck, I thought I felt a cool breeze in the park the other morning. Could have been a sensory slip-up, some kind of wind mirage brought on by the 3-digit thermometer reading. 
That dog? That’s my personal assistant Wendy at the vet’s office last week. Her advice? If you feel hot, simply flop down on cool tile. It’s important, she says, to pull your shirt up so the tile can reach your navel which serves as the thermostat for your body. We’re checking the accuracy of that anatomical assertion. Pretty sure Wendy didn’t study human anatomy. But she did enjoy the cool tile. That cat? Not ours, but he could be yours. He's 4-years-3 months-old Squidward (41487114), available at the SPCA of Texas. Cool cat. Keeps his whiskers even in a Dallas summer. 

A BOXER’S FACE;

A SPONSOR’S NOTE
This great face belongs to 5-year-old Mr. Mo, more popularly known as “Mo.” He’s on the “adoptables” list at Legacy Boxer Rescue where the website address outlines the organization’s mission: savetheboxers.com. 
Mo is said to be a “very sweet boy” who “loves everyone.” And his online bio says he’s also working on accepting his crate as his bedroom but in the meantime has found that his “mom’s couch is a very comfy place to sleep.” 
His bio quotes him as saying that Mom’s couch works OK “except when there are storms.” When that happens, he’s a fearful dog. The quotes — I’m almost certain someone made ‘em up — have Mo saying that during storms, “I get very afraid and my foster mom has to stay with me all night. I am working on that and I don't like to be away from my people — I am afraid they won’t come back.” He has also “learned to play” and carries a big orange ball wherever he goes.
 Go to savetheboxers.com to see how to adopt Mo. 
While you’re there, you’ll see a sponsorship note under Mo’s listing. It’s from Elizabeth Taylor-Mead who wrote, “In memory of Fred Maenza, and his lifelong stream of beloved boxers, each named Shirley, from his niece Elizabeth whose lifelong love for her uncle continues.”
 Those Boxer people — they are dedicated to these adorable dogs and to the people who love them, too.
A NOTE FROM PLANO
RE: CLEARING THE SHELTER
Plano Animal Services announced Monday that it had “91 adoptions yesterday (dogs, cats, a hedgehog!!).”
 Then, the person who typed the announcement directed the readers to look at these faces and wrote, “These photos of were of animals there today who have not been adopted, and there were many other dogs and cats at this shelter (and so very many companion animals at all shelters & rescue groups) who still need homes and a family to love.” The Plano shelter’s Facebook page is HERE. Yep, animals-in-waiting is the case in probably every shelter.
The announcement below came from Dallas Animal Services which STILL has plenty of unwanted animals waiting for homes or rescue groups.

TWO TO GO
IN BURNS FLAT
The resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, Okla., highlights a couple of dogs who have wound up in the care of the local shelter.
The big black and white dog is Max. “This big boy is so beautiful,” Terry Lynn writes. “Sadly, here in our small town, the rent is pretty cheap. That means many people move here, then cannot find a job, so they move. Summers are worse, an the worst thing is many just leave their animals behind. That is what happened with sweet Max.
“He is neutered. That surprised me, for so many here aren’t. He is tall; he is a big baby — loves people and kids are his favorite.

“He loves Sissy. They showed up at the same time in the same area, so while I cannot prove it, I honestly feel they were from the same people.

“Sissy — how I love this girl! Friendly and loving, she gets so excited when my grandkids are with me. She greets each dog at their gates when I let her out to clean her kennel.  She is so friendly  she wants to play with all the other dogs.
“If anyone has room for either or both of these babies, please let me know. They are listed as urgent, for we are full again.”
Email Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. Burns Flat is WAY out in Western Oklahoma, but, you know, I’m betting it’s a nice drive from anywhere to Burns Flat when your mission is to give a home to a couple of deserving dogs.

CONTEMPLATIONS

PLAYING TWO; BEAU CHILLIN'; A NOTE ABOUT A SPAT
THEY'RE PLAYING TWO? IN THIS HEAT? As I was typing this, I had the Texas Rangers’ game on in my earphones and I heard the announcer say that the local nine would play the LA Angels in a split doubleheader Tuesday. The first game starts at 1:05 p.m. and, for those players who survived that event, they can play in the second game which starts at 7:05 p.m. Don’t you know the 2019 Rangers are looking wistfully at the new domed ballpark. Opens in 2020 and we probably won’t have another 100-degree day around here for the rest of the century Those dogs? They are from Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. Pedro (A41777585) is 
“laid back” on the left; the other dog Max (A30387595) is “friendly and affectionate…loves getting his neck rubbed.” I used their photos because, clearly, they have North Texas Summer Tongue and they are both smart enough to find some shade. Neither will be playing in the doubleheader, but both are available at FWACC — email fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov. ...
LOOK AT THE CUTENESS OF LITTLE BEAU! Back in the first weekend of August, for Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we spotlighted Beau, the little snoozer adopted by my ol’ pals Greta and Rudy Godfrey. How determined is he to get in his naps? Greta sent this photo and the explanation: “This was my baby yesterday during the power surge in Mineola. Apparently the heat didn’t upset him too much as long as the kitty fan was running!!!”
….NOW AND THEN, YOU HEAR THINGS IN PUBLIC...We close with a note about a dog and a couple in Dallas. The story comes from animalfan and retired social worker Carol Duncan who was a popular warehouse-style store Monday evening when, in the pet aisle, “overheard a woman telling the man who is with her that her dog sleeps on a pillow beside her head in her bed. The man says that she will now be an outside only dog. I could not stop myself from saying that dogs should be part of the family. He said, ‘She is part of the family. It's just that her room is outside.’ I blurted out that his room should be outside.

“I am worried not only for this dog but for the woman's safety. I have chills on the back of my neck. I wish I could tell her to get away as fast as she can. I'd probably get my lights punched out if I did.”
In case the dog’s female human is reading, help is available and putting a dog outside in this lousy heat might just be a crime.
—- Offer advice or opinions by clicking ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

SCHOOL DAZE; FOSTERING, SUPPLIES & WOODSTOCK

EDITION OF MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Here we are, Monday Mornians (that a word?), the first day of school in lots of districts including Dallas. 
Yep, probably some kids who got a new dog or cat over the weekend during the Clear the Shelter event packed the book satchel (figuratively speaking) and left home. Now, the not-quite-adjusted critter is wondering what happened to the new friend. The house is quieter than the shelter and will anyone get fed? Oh, my. Yep, school has started — bless the beasts and children. We’ll continue this discussion in Contemplations and explain this sleeping cat, too. In the meantime. Let’s talk fostering and rescue.
THE WAY THINGS HAPPEN:
TIMING AND TEAMWORK
First, I saw an endorsement of fostering on the DFW’s FurGotten Friends Facebook page. Then, I saw a Facebook notice about a pretty sick little dog that had found her way onto the FurGotten Friend’s radar and into the care of some of the organization’s friends.
This is the girl. Stephen Foster, founder and president of the organization, reported on this girl’s situation over the weekend. He wrote, “Our friends who own Camp Bow Wow Dallas High Five found this girl on Northwest Hwy near 635. She was heat-exhausted and dehydrated so they brought her home. … They believe she is between 12 to 14. She has terrible teeth and really bad breath. She is so sweet with all their dogs and loves lap cuddles. If you recognizer her let me know. We're posting on Garland and Dallas shelter pages. Camp Bow Wow is covering all her vetting [dental, mammary tumors, etc. though she is heartworm negative] and fostering so if we don't find an owner she will be looking for a forever home.”
Fostering. Yes, that brings us to what originally caught our attention. 
Stephen wrote this brief and heartfelt explanation of fostering last week before the arrival of the little dog above. He wrote, “I've told people, who've been afraid of fostering, I've had 300 dogs come through my home. I spent this day going back and looking at all the dogs from when I started rescuing dogs in 2010 through today. 

“It turns out I've had nearly 400 dogs live here. Yes, there were many pregnant girls and their puppies or just puppies I agreed to take but, out of all those dogs and puppies, there was only one time I didn't cry my eyes out when I took them to their new forever home. That dog was crazy and I was happy his new adopters were willing to deal with it. LOL!!.

“I do understand when I hear I'm afraid of fostering because I will fall in love and not be able to let them go. What you have to say to yourself is: I just gave a homeless dog a home until they found a forever home. Now I can save another one until they get a new forever home. You, opening your home to to dogs in need, makes you the saviors to assure many other dogs will be saved.”
There’s the noble mission, outlined in a few paragraphs. 
And if you want more evidence of how fosters can help the “desperate situation,” consider the story of this dog Reba, a project of the FurGotten Dogs folks. She was, according to the post, “from a litter of puppies that were all fine and went to new homes with no health issues. But Reba was hit by a parasite that attacked her brain and nearly killed her. Reba spent her first six months between the vet's office during the week and a foster home on the weekends to keep her alive.
"Reba recovered and her extraordinary journey led to her becoming a wonderful girl with a little bit of a wobble when she walks or runs.” You can see a video of happy Reba an her running wobble during an outing in June. She’s a champion. Here’s the LINK.
THE BURNS FLAT LIST
OF SIMPLE NEEDS
In summary, the needs for the Burns Flat, Okla., shelter are supplies, adoptors/rescuers and cooler weather.
Cooler weather? Heck, yeah. For the past week , the western Oklahoma town has been “hottern Dallas.”
We got a note from the resilient rescuer in Burns Flat, Terry Lynn Fisher, who sent that photo of the Burns Flat open-air shelter. She also sent the needs. Directing the appeal to her supporters, she wrote, “As most of you know, I not only take total care of our small town pound, but I help with several other small towns around me.. The main one is Sentinel, a little town 13 miles south of me. Here are some of the needs we have as of right now.” 
Here you go, Dear Readers: “Food bowls, fly traps, tick meds (for dogs and kennels, small water buckets (Ace Hardware had a sale of the 5-gallon buckets so I bought a bunch of those; need small ones for little dogs);
“Zip ties, collars, leads, dog treats, food (anything except Ol’ Roy), moist food (the old toothless ones I have love Lil Cesar), bleach, cat foo, cat litter (we have ended up with so many cats in foster lately.”

Get in touch with Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. Call her at 580-225-4863. Her PayPal address is bfvfd_109@yahoo.com. Write to her at
PO BOX 578, 206 IROQUOIS TR BURNS FLAT OK 73624. Call her at 580-225-4863.

She’s also trying to help this little pup. "He is just a baby," she wrote. "When an elderly lady saw him walking down the street with that huge chain LOCKED around his neck, she could not believe it. She got him and called the police. He is in the little town I help south of me. Their pound is not a good place. We have him in a very short term foster home. He is about three months old and full of love and energy.

 “After the Police officer cut that nasty lock off, the pup rolled and ran and jumped around. Of course, nobody claimed him. They probably knew we were planning on filing charges.

“He has put on a little weight and is in pretty good health. But he needs a safe place to go.”
That brings us to this dog. Terry Lynn writes, “This is one of those cases that make me cry. This beautiful big boy was found wandering around in the country.
"He was so hot and tired. We took him in and he was accepted to a rescue. But when he went to get his health certificate, we learned he was heartworm positive — that meant the rescue would not take him.

“So, we are down to this. Do we just put him down, or do we do the very expensive and timely treatment? We do not have a place here to contain him for what is needed when treating heartworms. So, before the decision is made to put him down, I have to reach out and see if there is ANYONE willing to take this sweet lovebug on.” (Email Terry Lynn ASAP at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.)

CONTEMPLATIONS
FISHSTICKS, THE OL’ SCHOOL & WOODSTOCK

Back to school? What did the first day of school mean in my era of the 1950s and ‘60s? It meant that after a 3-month-long parade of Friday lunchtime baloney sandwiches, homegrown tomatoes and Fritos, we’d once again be having fishsticks on Fridays.
[LARRY PERSONAL NOTE: Happy learning to the kids at Highland Park Elementary School in Texarkana — my alma mater {1954-60). Proud of you all for carrying on the Highland Park tradition of being strong learners — be sure to thank your dedicated teachers for their work and your parents and siblings for their support. It takes teamwork to get an education.] 

Oh, in the ‘50s and ‘60s, as I recall, we’d get out of school for summer in the last week of May, spend June, July and August clowning around, and then not have to go back to school until the Tuesday after Labor Day (the first Monday in September).
[Odd thing: I’ve been searching for about 25 years for a photograph of the Highland Park Elementary School of my era — when I was a columnist at The DMN, a reader asked if I could appeal for help finding a photo of the ol’ school. People had plenty of suggestions about where to look, but nobody had a photo. It was a majestic building from the ‘30s, maybe earlier. Ah, for a time machine. Or, check your closets for old photos, my fellow HP Elem kids.]
Back to the current school year: I’ve never understood why the school year was elongated. Maybe if I’d gone to school for 10 months a year instead of 9 I’d be able to understand that.
That cat? Of course, that is my editor, The Senator, demonstrating how he’d have reacted if he’d been my tutor in the ‘60s. [FYI: The Senator was at Woodstock. You may see him in some of the crowdshots in the famous documentary — he’s the cool cat. Every now and then I catch him mewing Goin’ Up The Country.]
—- Offer opinions or favorite Woodstock songs by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com, but, hey, man don’t let it harsh my Monday mellow. —-

TWO DOGS SLEEPIN' AND AVOIDING KEY HOUSEHOLD CHORES

The thing about Porche Noel is she’s big into snoozing and that is why she is in the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Porche Noel (found at Christmas on our front porch) sleeps a lot — she’s comfortable on a bed and, of course, off a bed, too. (She has, through the years, evolved into a body shape that suggests we might call her, now and then, "Piglet." And then we hug her.) In the second photo, Porche opened one eye to suggest that it was time to put away the camera and let her snooze.

Oh, and when it comes to competitive sleeping, Wendy, i.e. Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden Powell (name influenced by an Irene Dunne character in 1940's My Favorite Wife), is an Olympic-quality slumberer. She’s comfortable on a couch. 

Why are these dogs snoozing? My funspouse Martha and I have been on a “clear-the-house” mission lately. Old “collectibles” are being uncollected. Never-read magazines a decade-old— that kind of writer-type stuff, is in a green bag now. Lots of books are going to charity. 

So, rather than get involved in learning how to pick up books and move them into a box, our two girls slept. I could almost swear one or maybe both of them came to us and said, “Gee, I’d sure like to help you with these old recipes and clippings, but, you know, uh, like, dude, we’re in a thumbless situation here.”
They are happy when we stop for a break. It usually involves the distribution of dog treats.
On a personal note, I adore these two dogs. They both have family tree on which every limb is shaped like a question mark.
And Porche, the short stubby dog, was once a starving, limping street dog. Wendy, a scolded neighborhood dog nobody wanted, looks like she might be a boxer-bird dog mix. She's slim as a runway model. Never puts on a pound — that makes her the only mammal in the house who doesn’t gain weight.
Porche’s photos were snapped Friday as she flopped on a old “dog quilt” atop the bed. She loves the bed.
Wendy’s photos on the red couch were taken Friday evening. She loves to stretch her slim front legs out and dangle a paw or two. Big paws. And she’s a very sincere dog.
What is the lesson learned from looking at these two dogs? I have no idea. I just love being in the same room with them — and I can’t say that about everybody running for president.
[REMEMBER: If you love your dog or cat or any other slumbering creature in your sphere of influence, send photos of the little beings asleep and awake to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We’ve been publishing this on weekends for going on 15 years. That’s a lot of dogs and cats. We believe this feature encourages people to open their homes to dogs and cats by demonstrating how cool it is to have a critter who is relaxed in your presence. We also believe these photos encourage insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just find the right red couch or a properly ratty quilt. That’s me and Wendy — we’re both about to nod off.]
—- Offer opinions of canine beauty and human Lotto Texas number selection frailty by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

BABIES; THE PASSING OF THE FAMOUS MEL; CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Let’s get right into the Friday report. I’m not in the mood to try to come up with a clever opening paragraph. Heat stifles a clever mind — I don’t have a clever mind, but I am stifled anyway. We'll open with one of my favorite topics: “Bottle Baby.”
 That’s not a bottle baby, that’s one of six — wait, EIGHT, not six — little shepherd mixes who were surrendered to the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Shelter Friday evening -- timing: Clear the Shelters is Saturday.
Ginger Leach of Fort Worth's AC&C reports that the puppies "have hair loss and are covered in fleas. One is possibly blind/deaf.” Tag these babies for rescue by emailing fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov. Keep that address in mind as we address this Bottle Baby — we were double-checking the Bottle Baby when we saw the puppies.
COWTOWN BOTTLE BABY
Something about this kitten’s face grabbed me. And the fact that she was on her own at such an early age. 
The appeal for rescue for Jenny (42482280) came from Ginger. She wrote, “This sweet little 2-3 weeks old nugget was found out in the big city of Fort Worth ALL ALONE!! She needs a rescue/foster to step up and help her get her life off to a much better start.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: As I’ve written many times, it’s the faces. Like that one of the puppy and the face on this little solo kitten taking what may be her first car ride — though you never know. Some jerk may have driven to a different neighborhood to dump her.]
To ask about becoming the person or the rescue group who makes a big difference in Baby’s life, email fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov. Remember, FW’s rule is email only in thee matters. The Fort Worth Animal Care and Control/Chuck Silcox Adoption Center is at 4900 Martin St. in eastern Fort Worth. [LARRY FYI: If you’re in Dallas, it’s OK to go to Fort Worth. The roads are paved and you don’t have to wear boots.]
A NOTE ABOUT MEL, A DOG
WITH A TRIUMPHANT LIFE
This is a mugshot of Mel, the canine companion of broadcaster/ podcaster/ animal protector Richard Hunter, formerly of Dallas radio. Before Richard acquired Mel, Mel had been rescued from a hellish fix. He was a captive in then-NFL Quarterback Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring, Bad Newz Kennels.
Vick — the courtroom testimony was hideous — went to prison; Mel went to Best Friends Animal Society, then to a good and loving home.
And, now, Mel has gone on. The story of his passing is told by Richard in a post on the Best Friends Animal Society page. HERE. 

In his heartfelt account of the passing of Mel earlier this week, Richard wrote: “When that criminal enterprise was busted, and when very few were willing to come to the rescue of the dogs, Best Friends stepped up and launched what would become one of the greatest reclamation success stories in the history of animal rescue.

“Adopted out to loving families around the country, Mel became just one of many examples of a horrifically abused animal that became a loving family pet.”

He closed with this: “Mel was so loved, and he will be missed more than we can really say, but we’re taking that love and carrying it on to another homeless pet, and another, and then another still. Join us, and let’s save them all. We love you, Mel!”
CONTEMPLATIONS
FAIR FOOD, SPARKLING NAILS AND WENDY
Where’s the stick? As you may have seen on TV, heard on the radio or read in a newspaper, the State Fair of Texas’ 15th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards picked its semifinalists earlier this week — and of all the savory and sweet semifinalists, there not one of ‘em that is “deep-fried on a stick. The closest to being on a stick may be Ruth Hauntz’s “Ruth’s Stuffed Fried Mexi-Cone” — at least you hold it with one hand and you don’t need a spork. See all the semifinalists’ photos HERE. And you can buy tickets for the championship judging at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 25, in the Tower Building at Fair Park. Tickets are $125 [proceeds go to scholarships] at BigTex.com/tickets. Watching this competition may be the closest you get to seeing a World Series or a Super Bowl involving local competitors this “season.”
I like a little dazzle when I stop by the vet’s office to pick up medicine for Texas Earl The Cheeseman, our family Rottweiler (free Kiest Park dog, you know). As I was being handed the meds I was enchanted by these nails. The shade of red is wonderful and it’s splendidly accented by some sparkling bling. This staffer, I’m betting, has the attention of any cat who catches the sparkle. …
Thursday night I was having a nice snack of Morningstar Farms faux chicken nuggets and I shared them with our dog Wendy. She loved the soy-based product and I said to Martha, “Did you know Wendy is a vegetarian?” and Martha, looking up from the book she was reading, replied, “No. She’s not. She’s an ‘eataterian.’ She’ll eat anything.” Wendy does like the jalapenos-style Fritos. I have no other product names to mention in this edition. Much to Wendy’s chagrin. Wendy the Dog’s chagrin — not the restaurant Wendy’s. [That’s Wendy and me, two pals with similar tastes. She was a free Dallas dog, too.]
—— Offer chip advice and opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email a bag of Cybertos to dallrp@aol.com. The low-cal, low-salt variety, please. —-

SHELTERS, CANINES, FELINES, PEOPLE AND CONTEMPLATING A BOOK

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Yes, Clear the Shelters is coming up on Saturday and that inspires a consideration that maybe we ought to partner it with a “Don’t Fill The Shelter Month.” Wait. Let’s make that “Don’t Fill The Shelter Week.” We don't want to get over-ambitious with the North Texas’ free-roaming Don’t Care/So What people -- they can easily fill a shelter in a month, so we’ll start small — one week at a time. A concept that cannot become reality, but it’s nice to dream about.
After all, the animals are not Ubering to the shelters. There’s a human involved at some point.
(That’s probably how Rick The One-Up/One Down Earhound, a year-old Pittie mix, came to be in the Dallas Animal Services care on June 26 and is currently at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption center, 16821 N. Coit Road. The cat is 5-year-old Tom. Yep. Tom Cat, a shelter resident since Aug. 12. See these and other animals and how to adopt or rescue them at dallasanimalservices.org. )
MEANWHILE IN FORT WORTH,
HERE’S A DOG NAMED DALLAS
This guy, Dallas (42459504), is about a year-and-a-half old and “available for adoption, foster or rescue” from the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Shelter, according to a note from Paige King.
 If you’re going to adopt, you have to show up in person. If you want to tag for rescue, the email address is fwacctag@fortworthtexas. gov. The shelter is at 4900 Martin St. in eastern Fort Worth.

The little guy has “a skin issue” but the “scrape was negative” for mange. You can see a video of the still-cute in spite of his misery fellow HERE.
THREE CATS RACING THE CLOCK
By the time you read this, they may already be gone — gone to a rescue, or, well, sadly gone.
 Sondra York forwarded an appeal for these cats — the originator was Tammy Grable in the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Livestock and Animal Control Division in Angleton, about 45 minutes south of Houston. 
Three cats, all on the notice of a severe deadline Wednesday night. But, just in case a miracle is in the works, here’s who they are:

The first cat is 8880. The note reads, “Such a wonderful sweet kitten. Great with others and people. Loves attention and is very mellow.” Gender is unknown — same for the other two. 
Cat 8801 is an adult who is “an absolute sweetheart” who “loves attention and loves to just relax.”
And 8802 is also a kitten who, like 8801, is an “absolute sweetheart.” The report says the kitten “loves attention and loves to be next to you” 

The bottom line is in the note from Sondra: “Know of anyone looking for a new kitty or that might foster one of these or a rescue group that might take them in? They only have ’til Friday. I am sure transport could be arranged.”
The contact is the Sheriff’s Livestock and Animal Control Division 979-388-2365 or (cell) 979-997-2486 or via email at
bcsoaco@gmail.com.

MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER
“New dogs still coming in,” read the note from Laura Macias about the state of things in the Lancaster Animal Shelter. You know, by know, how this goes — the shelter has little human foot traffic and too much paw traffic.
If you’re a 501c3 rescue, transport can be arranged, Laura says. 
To help these animals, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Two of the most urgent are Maryann (left) and Lauren.

Maryann is “just precious — sweetest little girl ever.
And Lauren is described as a “great dog — beautiful color and she is very cute and very lovable. Everyone who has met her adores her….”
MEANWHILE IN DENTON

The story of Joyce — “our sweet wonderful Joyce” — is nearing a climax — whether it’s a happy solution depends on humans. Our tipster, Amy Poskey’s note
reads, “This precious girl is slowly fading away at the shelter.  Not only is Joyce HW+ but now she’s losing weight and her hair is falling out most likely from a poor diet and all the stress at the shelter.  One of our wonderful shelter volunteers, Joyce McKennedy, has fallen in love with her namesake and has been trying so hard to get her adopted, to no avail.  Joyce has offered to cover the cost of her HW treatment and DASF will provide a $100 voucher to go towards her HW treatment, as well.”

Joyce (ID 83126) is about a year old, a Labby mix who weighs 36 points and has “a cute little nub of a tail.”
The email contacts are gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, and/or julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
CONTEMPLATIONS
HOW ABOUT A VISIT TO PAROS,
A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND IN AEGEAN?
Reader of books Amy Briscoe, writing for the Between The Covers Facebook site, gives a great review of House No. 5, the book by our longtime friend and The Dallas Morning News columnist Bob St. John and illustrated by his wife, the artist Sandra St. John. 
I read Amy's review and it reminded me that I haven’t had an actual vacation since 2004. I’m thinking the Greek island of Paros would be the perfect spot — if I can get there without having to fly. 
Here’s what Amy wrote: “Speaking of memories…if you haven’t read House No. 5, Paradise on Paros, by Bob. St. John, you’re really missing out. It is literally the perfect summer read. I stayed up for 2 nights straight because I just couldn’t put it down. Bob will take you to Greece and introduce you to old friends and you won’t ever want to come home. I laughed, I cried and I laughed some more! I’m currently reading it again because I couldn’t stand for it to be over. Get it on Amazon & thank me later! And if you see our friend, Sandy, give her a BIG hug for making sure Bob’s brilliant work was published.”
That's Sandy at an art show. 
The book you can find on Amazon HERE and also on Barnes & Noble’s website. [LARRY NOTE: When you read the opening pages of House No. 5, you’ll read that Bob and Sandy asked me to edit this book. It was a privilege. It was an adventure, traveling via written word with Bob and Sandy and discovering the wonder of a beautiful island and its people.
A PERSONAL NOTE: Bob and I were columnists at The Dallas Morning News at the same time — before I became a columnist, I edited Bob’s column in Metro. One time he handed me a sheet of paper with about 50 commas printed on it. “What’s this,” I asked. And he said, “You’re having an effect on me. These are the commas I was going to use in my column today and decided not to. I thought you should have them.” Bob was always happy to talk about the joy he and Sandy found on Paros — the book is, yes, a love story. And an adventure story. But don’t take my word for it — get the book. House No. 5 is a labor of love — and, as Amy wrote, a work of laughter. I miss Bob’s laughter, but his sense of humor is vivid in the book.]

—- Offer notes and ideas by clicking on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

A MID-WEEK ASSORTMENT: CATS, DOGS, FASTFOOD & COLD FRONT PREPARATION

EDITION OF AUGUST 14, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Once upon a time there was a very hot city. … Hang on. This isn’t a fairy tale — it’s been hot around here more than once upon a time. OK, enough whining about the weather, let’s move into the land of dogs and cats and the occasional human.
STILL LOOKING FOR HELP
WITH A CAT COLONY IN DALLAS
A week ago we reported on Marta Slobodián’s need for help managing a cat colony a couple of miles east of downtown.
 These are some of the cats being fed.

“I have been feeding homeless kitties since July 2018. I saw them one day by chance at the 7-Eleven and around the corner of the 7-Eleven in Dallas, on 111 N. Carroll Avenue to be precise.  A friend who used to rescue kitties helped me in rescuing a few. We took them to the vet; the little ones found foster homes and eventually were adopted. The bigger ones were trap/neuter/returned. I feed them every morning before I go to work. There are about 5-7 new kittens that should be rescued and the rest should be TNR if they are not tame-able and adoptable.  I travel quite a bit and can't feed them all the time. I need assistance. They are so unprotected, always hungry and run to me when I arrive.  Any sugges- tions/help would be greatly appreciated.”

So, there’s the situation: Marta needs a bit of relief in keeping this cat colony fed and monitored. Not every day. But maybe everyday if you’re enthusiastic about helping with a cat colony.
When we mentioned this last week, Marta got absolutely no response. So, having some faith in catfans, we’re listing Marta’s email: mslobodian@aol.com. Offer to help her or offer encouragement or help with the breakfast bill.
You may also email dallrp@aol.com and reach readlarrypowell.com, the Dallas-based website that gives a hoot about cats in every Zip Code in Texas.
ANOTHER HEADS-UP FOR
CLEAR THE SHELTERS
This one came early Tuesday afternoon from Tami Kukla and it’s about her ambitions for Clear The Shelters Day Saturday at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. 
She wrote to people on her mailing list, "This Saturday is Clear The Shelter and we need your help to find every pet at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control a loving home. I will be there all day and really hope each of you and your friends will join me as a volunteer and commit to help get at least two pets adopted. My personal goal is 25.” 

Then, later in the afternoon, on her Facebook page, Tami made an appeal for a Fort Worth shelter resident, Vinny (#42418066), about 6, a 45-pound Border Collie/Aussie mix who is neutered but, yes, as is the case for so many North Texas dogs, he is “heartworm positive and likely has demodex mange,” Tami wrote, adding, “He makes me sad.”
Tag Vinny by emailing fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov — don’t call the shelter. Fort Worth rules.

MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER
The small shelter advocates Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden sent a note about helping the Lancaster shelter population get some attention from humans — there’s little foot traffic.
Laura’s note read that these dogs (Honey the smiling American Bulldog mix; Sophie, the Heeler/Boxer mix with the long-as-a-whip tail) have been in the shelter “the longest. So very sad — very full shelter and we only have pictures of those there the longest at the highest risk. We have asked the shelter for more pics but this is still pending.”

Yep, the political disagreement in Lancaster may be affecting the lifespan of perfectly healthy dogs and cats.

To help the Lancaster shelter help the animals it is holding, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS:

MAC ’N’ CHEESE, IMPOSSIBLE & COLD FRONT
So, the announcements have been made: Chick-fil-A is introducing Mac ’n’ Cheese to the menu—oh, my. I don’t go to Chick-fil-A (not a real vegetarian hang-out). Online the nutrition list says the dish has 440 calories and 1200 mg of sodium. As my mac ’n’ cheese fanspouse Martha says wistfully, “All the good stuff has a lot of sodium.” ... Burger King is serving the Impossible Whopper. According to Prevention Magazine (prevention.com) the Impossible  patty — vegetarian friendly — is 240 calories with 370 mg of sodium. But when you dress that patty up like a Whopper, the calories are 630 and the sodium is 1,080. Yep, these are two dishes any teenager can eat and anybody else should consume in moderation and realize they cannot relive their teenage dining years. On a more impossible note: If I ever backslide on being a vegetarian, you’ll find me enjoying a double-meat and cheese What-a-burger with fries and a jalapeño and, of course, a Diet Coke to even things out. … Nobody knows how to be prepared for the weather like people in Texas. TV weather forecasters said Tuesday night that we were getting another cold front. You can blister your fingers putting snowchains on your tires during a cold front in August.
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com and telling it like it may be. —-

A CHIP WORKS FOR FRILLY; PLUS, OTHER ANIMALS, GOOD FORTUNE & THE FAIR

EDITION OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Two decisions made years apart and made miles apart made the difference in a dog’s life and the lives of two people who love dogs. We’ll tell that story of Frilly’s perfect timing in Contemplations. 
Read on — perhaps you’ll find your opportunity to help animals and people.
PURLOINED PUPS 

BACK HOME IN TEXAS
We’re quoting the great animal advocate Beverly Fyfe because she touched the bases in this case. 
She wrote, “Great news to start the week: Thanks to a bunch of good people (including the SPCA's Courtney Gustafson and Jason Burns…, Davi and Pepper are back home. May the ‘rescuers’ that ‘allegedly’ stole them and took them to Wisconsin to sell for profit -- pay serious consequences.”
And she also writes, “I am told the Van Zandt County DA (Tonda Curry) was instrumental and determined to bring this to a successful resolution. After a couple of decades of hearing about serious cruelty issues being ignored by ‘the authorities’ in many North Texas counties, this is encouraging news. Planning to send a big thank you to the Van Zandt County DA and Constable Jesse Ison.”
Click HERE to go to Beverly’s Facebook page and also Courtney’s “Weekend Mission Recap.”
ZIPPY’S IN THE CARE
OF A FELINE RESCUE

Thanks to Patty Turner’s note about Zippy in Rockwall Animal Services, we were able to write about her situation. She’s the cat who had two broken hips and “needs some weeks of crate-rest so her pelvis can stabilize.” 
Tuesday we got a note from Brigitte Barnard of North Texas Cat Rescue: “She will be with us for a while. I am am sure we will find her a great family.” (See how to help by going to northtexascatresccue.com or visit the North Texas Cat Rescue Facebook page HERE.)
TWO THINGS
(1) The story of the young woman putting the dog in the dryer (for a matter of seconds has exploded on the internet. And, according to news stories, the dog is OK. [LARRY ASIDE: Matter of definition, I think. No dog is OK after such a lousy trick.] And the idiot event didn’t occur in Dallas; it was in Lewisville and the police there are investigating, according to news stories. The alleged perp is a juvenile. Geez, how about some counseling? … (2) The cats under the Dallas church? One saved; three may still be under the East Dallas church. This is a photo of one of the cats scooting through an opening and hiding out. Don’t know that anyone has invited the SPCA of Texas’ cruelty unit to get involved in this ugly situation. Read more on on the DFW Purebred and Domestic Cat Rescue Inc. Facebook page HERE. You’ll have to scroll to Jennifer Styers’ postings.
SCRAPPY GETS A BREAK
In Monday’s edition, we mentioned the little Chihuahua girl Scrappy who was terrified in the Denton Shelter even though those big-hearted people were trying to help her understand they were on her side! You can imagine how it feels to be a little 2- to 5-year-old dog in a very different situation with strangers.
 Our reliable Denton tipster Amy Poskey has the announcement: “I’m very happy to report that Roberta Womack with Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones Rescue in Fort Worth pulled this little angel [Monday] morning!!!  Happy tails, Scrappy!!!  THANK YOU ROBERTA!!!”
Then Amy importantly adds, “If anyone would like to make a donation for Scrappy’s care, please click on the link below.  No amount is too small.”

Here’s that ‘LINK BELOW’:
https://www.lucyslostlovedones.org/
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT
THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
Oh, my, Wednesday morning there’ll be excitement at Fair Park — has to do with the 15th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards. Can it be 15? Time flies when it’s deep-fried.
The Fair’s Senior Veep for PR Karissa Condoianis tells us that the 10 finalists for the assorted titles in the 2019 Big Tex Choice Awards will “compete for the respected titles of ‘Best Taste—Sweet,’ ‘Best Taste-Savory’ and ‘Most Creative.’” [LARRY ASIDE: Just thinking about the Fair and the treats set off cravings, didn’t it!? Hold on — the Fair opens Sept. 27 and runs through Oct. 20. I new you’d want to know.]

FYI, it’s important for the competitors to triumph. But there’s an even larger triumph, we figure. The news release notes, “All proceeds from the Big Tex Choice Awards ceremony will be donated to the Big Tex Scholarship Program. In 2019, the Fair awarded nearly $1.25 million in new college scholarships to 196 graduating high school seniors throughout the Lone Star State and seven Seasonal Employee Scholarship recipients.” 
Kind of a nice to now that knowledge is a byproduct of the contests.
CONTEMPLATIONS
HOW THINGS CAN WORK OUT
We teased this story in the opening paragraph. Sometimes things have to line up to get a dog back to where he belongs.
The dog is Frilly and he’s the dear companion of Michelle Vaughn. The rescuing human is our pal Diane Combs, longtime animal advocate and an alumni of the SPCA’s volunteer system. This happened on Saturday, Aug. 3, in Dallas. Diane wrote:
“I was coming home from lunch around 12:15 and took a shortcut that I sometimes take to avoid a light where there's no turn on red.  I was going down that street when, lo and behold, I saw this cute little dog (looked to be a small terrier mix) with a collar but no tags just wandering by a school.  Oh dear.  It was starting to get hot outside - oh dear again.
“I stopped and called her ‘Come here Sweetie.’  She came right up to me wagging her tail - VERY sweet dog.
“About that time a girl pulled up in a car and asked me about the dog.   Her name was Rebecca.  She said the dog looked familiar but didn't know where she lived; however, she thought she MIGHT belong to this lady a few streets away that has rescues & fosters.  She said, ‘If you want to follow me, I'll show you where her house is.’   So I did - but the lady didn't answer the door.
“I then took the dog to City Vet close by. I would have taken her to [my vet’s office] but they close at noon on Saturdays.  I wanted to see if she had a microchip.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve noted Diane’s decision to take a “different” route to avoid a red light. Now we reach the other key decision in this rescue.]
Diane continues: “City Vet scanned her and she DID have a chip BUT it was a Waco address - about an hour and 1/2 drive from here.  The City Vet gal called the number but just got a voice mail and left a message with their number on it — but they close at 2 p.m. They thought she was a terrier mixed possibly with Dachshund mainly because she had a long body and short legs, but she definitely was more terrier looking. 

“However, still, I couldn't help but start to think about keeping her IF I couldn't find the owner.  I even started thinking of names.  I came up with ‘Becca’ - short for Rebecca, the nice gal who originally helped me when I first found her.”

Diane has a dear relative she visits frequently. She explains, “I was planning on seeing Lane today, so I went ahead and went over there with ‘Becca.’  Of course Lane loved her, and 'Becca' was VERY good with Lane.  
 “Then I took her home and she met my clan.  They all got along great.
 “I then tried calling the same number that the City Vet gal had called (a Waco number) and a girl answered.   
 “I said, ‘You don't know me at all, and I'm in Dallas, but are you by any chance missing a dog?’  

“She got all excited and said ‘YES!!  I'm in Dallas visiting my parents with my dog. They are having some work done on their fence and my dog got out this morning.  I've been searching for her.  Do you have her?’ 
"She sounded very worried and seemed like a good person who loved her dog, so I said yes. Turns out her parents live just a few blocks away and all her siblings went to the same high school as my sister and I.  She went to a private school.
“Anyway, I told her where I lived and she came right over to get ‘Frilly.’ She told me they rescued her when she and her husband lived out in the country and the dog was dumped along with her puppies.  She's about 5 years old.  
“She said she has another collar with all her ID tags but somehow that slipped off and it was lost. … She really did seem to love Frilly and Frilly was so excited to see her - so I felt real good about the reunion.”

The pictures we’ve used show Frilly — and the name matches Frilly’s entertaining hairstyle — it’s really “frilly” in that first photo. The second photo shows Frilly with two of Diane’s dogs, Rita and Maxine. The third picture is Frilly with Rita and Myrtle.
FYI: The first pup to greet Frilly at Diane’s was her famous Dachshund Larry, known to all who meet him as “The Public Relations King.” He can charm an entire dog park just by happily walking in. Yes, he’s named for a certain local writer who loves dogs and cats.

But, Larry aside, the point is this is a story of a dog rescue and it occurred for two reasons: (1) An animal fan who’ll stop to help an animal in distress took a different route on the day she needed to and (2), years ago, a little dog got a life-saving chip. 
Our lessons? Be kind to animals and turn loose of the money and get the animal chipped! You might keep a critter off death row at a shelter and you might save yourself some anguish and misery while wondering where your dear friend has gone.
Oh, and this: If you’re going to get lost, always try to do it in Diane’s neighborhood.

[LARRY FYI: That’s a photo of Larry and Diane when they met for the first time in November of 2013. It's a great photo with a suggestion of mutual devotion to come.]

—- Offer opinions or suggestion by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR WORLD ELEPHANT DAY, SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANIMALS

EDITION OF MONDAY, AUG. 12, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This is World Elephant Day. Readlarrypowell.com endorses protection of these animals whether they are in the wild or on display in a zoo or carnival or roadside attraction. We also urge a ban of trophy hunting of these magnificent creatures. There’s more in Contemplations today. [LARRY ASIDE: I swear, I would not be surprised some day to get out of my car at Kiest Park for a healthy walk and about 10 minutes into my sweaty stagger discover, right in front of me, an elephant that had been dumped there overnight — probably tethered to a “dogs must be leashed” ordinance sign and with a bag of dog food and a bucket of water slightly out of reach. Dallas is that kind of town. Somebody has an elephant in a backyard pen or the garage? Waiting to cut a deal with a “collector.” You think I’m too harsh? Heck, I’m probably underestimating the tendencies of some Dallas brainiacs.]
HERE COMES
CLEAR THE SHELTERS
Readlarrypowell not only endorses saving the wildlife, but saving the animals in shelters, too, and in backyards and in lousy situations. [LARRY ASIDE: Don’t get me started on farm-to-market animals. Save the animals, eat the vegetables, you know?]
 Back to good opportunities for humans and animals. As you probably know, the annual Clear the Shelters event is coming up on Saturday the 17th. Free adoptions. Free. [LARRY ASIDE: Anybody reading this have a dog or cat they got during a Clear the Shelters event? Send us a photo [address is dallrp@aol.com] and tell us how much that baby has added to your lives. We know there are success stories and we love to tell them. We don’t have a Clear the Shelters animal— we got ours off the streets and out of parks and from the front yard where they wound up after being dumped because the street looked “nice.”]
Back to Clear the Shelters: Dallas Animal Services is participating and there’s a note on the dallasanimalservices.org official website that seeks volunteers at both the big shelter (I-30 at Westmoreland and the PetSmart Everyday Adoption center (16821 N. Coit R.).
The appeal urges, “Be a part of the largest lifesaving event of the year: Clear the Shelters! We need lots of volunteers to help us make sure we find great homes for the more than 350 pets we have available to go home that day.”

 Hmmm, 350? OK, so I went to the dallasanimalservices.org site and found that there (around noon Sunday) are more than 350 animals in the shelter — then I went to the DAS listing on Pet Harbor and found a LOT MORE than 350 adoptables listed. That's the DAS website listing in black and white and the Pet Harbor listing in color. There's a number difference, too.
Of course, almost any adoption is a good adoption — depends on the quality of human who adopts the animal.
Probably no impulse-shoppers are going to want a 10-year-old dog named Daisy (A0706644), so you can get a jump on giving her a good home — she’s barely past middle-aged if she’s in a loving home! She’s a Lab mix who has been at the shelter since July 31. (Call DAS at 214-670-6800 or stop by the big shelter.)
 That ol’ boy Rottie mix is King (A0783271), believed to be about 9 years old — he’s been in the shelter since June 12. Somebody must be watching over him.”

 Sookie (A1038776) is a 13-year-old black cat who has been in the care of DAS since Aug. 3 — he’s currently at the adoption center on Coit Road.
Call 972-381- 1588, ext. 5, or stop by the center. 
And the little guy, small enough to be held in one hand for his “shelter shot,” is Opossum (A1069708) — shelter spelling for O’Possum.)… He’s about 4 months old and has been in a foster home since August 1. Email dasadopt@dallascityhall.com.
HELPING ZIPPY
AT A TOUGH TIME
Oh, man, what a fix for a kittycat! 
We learned about Zippy through Patty Turner at Rockwall Animal Services. 
She writes, “Zippy really needs rescue!!! She has two broken hips and is really sweet!!! Per our vet she needs some weeks of crate rest so her pelvis can stabilize....Can anyone help her??? Please email info@rockwalladoptions.com if you can help!” 
Time out! We just got a note from Patty that Zippy’s been tagged by rescue.
[LARRY ASIDE: As I was typing this, my personal cat and editorial advisor, The Senator, had flopped own on half of my mousepad. I think my days have been better ever since this old cat wandered up on our front porch and accepted the invitation to “come on in.” Zippy needs such an invitation and, no doubt, would enhance the human existence.]
IN LIEU OF SCRAPPY (THOUGH

SHE MAY BE AVAILABLE)
As the weekend came through at 101 MPH — WAIT! I meant 101 degrees. Anyway, during the weekend, we got a note from Amy Poskey about a Chihuahua named Scrappy who needed an adoption at the Denton Animal Services McNatt Shelter. We checked Sunday and Scrappy may be on her way out of the shelter — possibly a rescue but nothing’s done until it’s done in the rescue world. 
She came in with a hair loss and she has a cataract in one eye. She’s between 2 and 5 years old and, Amy’s note read “very scared and shy at the shelter, but does great when she is out of her kennel. In fact, you might say she is an absolute ham.”
But as long as we were at the website, we decided to browse the list of dogs and cats.
That Pittie boy (#83747) with the magnificently distinct face and (probably) amateurish ear trimming is Tank. He’s a year or two old. Adoption fee is $60.
And that cat is Raja (83720), maybe 8 to 10 years old. Beautiful cat. 

For all these animals, call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
So, if you adopt Tank or Raja, your thanks should be directed to Amy Poskey and Scrappy!
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE:

THE PRESSURE ON BOSS
This is Boss (424-12065), a 60-pound, 9-month old Pittie mix, who ha a “beautiful Hershey coloring” and is “affectionate and sweet — neutered.”
Why is he in the Mesquite Animal Shelter? Our tipster, the volunteer shelter biographer Judi Brown writes, that he “was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 8/6 because of landlord issues. His owners hated to have to surrender him as they had only good things to say about him. They raved about how friendly and affectionate he is ....also saying he’s a really good dog! Boss is very striking with his Hershey coloring and hazel eyes! He stands by his window watching everyone that goes by. He was somewhat timid and a little nervous when I interacted with him but definitely wanted affection. He enjoyed being petted. He is very gentle. … His previous owners said he was an indoor/ outdoor dog. They also said he knows the sit, down, and ‘no’ commands.”
Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
 [LARRY ASIDE: As you’ve probably guessed, Boss is an Earhound. Note how his right ear droops — when I saw that I realized he is very special category of Earhound — the Veronica Lake Earhound, named after the movie star of the ‘40s who was nicknamed “The Girl with the Peak-a-boo Hairstyle.] 
Oh, and there are other animals at the Mesquite Shelter, see the dogs and cats HERE .
Among the cats is this fellow we’ve spotlighted before, the very handsome Lord Byron (42302377). He’s just over a year old, has been in the shelter since July 24 and is in The Cat Room. [LARRY FYI: Few shelters have a Romantic Poet Room.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WEATHER; OAK CLIFF CATS & ELEPHANTS
If it’s too hot to plow, it’s too hot to write . I’m kidding. I’ve seen those big tractors tilling the soil with farmers in air-conditioned comfort at the wheel and talking to their brokers on their cell phones, listening to the radio or watching Netflix on the screen in the cab. I kid the farmers — I’m a vegetarian; I want you to be as comfortable and money savvy as is possible! … You might note this cat photo and wonder what it has to do with Interabang Books in Dallas. Two words: Stevie Ray. Here’s the deal: Alan Paul and Andy Aledort are scheduled to be at Interabang (10720 Preston Road) at 6 p.m. Friday to discuss their book Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan. The cat fits in because he's another cool Oak Cliff cat so his name is Stevie Ray Treeboy — I pulled him out of a mimosa tree about a month ago — he weighed 2.5 pounds and now is pushing 5 pounds. Adorable. … Back to World Elephant Day. You can read about the Humane Society of the United States’ efforts to ban trophy hunting HERE, read about World Elephant Day efforts HERE , and see some magnificent elephant photos in this feature from The Atlantic magazine HERE. Power to the pachyderms. All categories of ‘em.
—- Offer advice or share consternation by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

IT'S THE HEAT -- THE HEAT AND THE PICCOLO...

About 4:30 p.m. Friday, the guy on TV said the Dallas temp was 101.
I was at my desk; Martha was at her desk in the adjacent room.
 She doesn’t like the heat. She does love cats, however.

So, I crept cat-like into her room and quietly asked, “Sweetheart, what’s the most important thing about cats.”

“Their ability to play the piccolo,” she replied confidently
And, suddenly, I had the answer to several questions, ranging from “Hot enough or ya?” and “Is it time for me to leave the room?” to “Does Martha exist in a separate universe?” 
All that aside, I’ve picked these two cats for the spotlight of “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.” (In the first photo they are so close you cant tell which one the tail belongs to -- The Senator enjoys sleeping face-down...)
They’ve lived together for years and years and never enjoyed a collegial relationship. In fact, they’ve been downright unpleasant to each other. 
Thus, imagine my surprise to be able to capture the tabby, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, and the older gentleman, The Senator, snoozing together as if they’d met up at happy hour at a state political convention. Not that such a thing would happen, of course.
I've been cleaning out my office and stacking stuff until I can get to it, and Kittie Leigh and The Senator decided thee two piles were good places to camp.

Their stories are similar — both showed up on our front porch. Kittie Leigh was a feral kitten; The Senator stopped by for the breakfast buffet during a campaign swing and stayed.

At times through the years, they both have taken up editing positions as I’ve been attempting to write. Not together, you understand. Different cats at different times — I’ve worked in newsrooms that, now and then, would resemble a catfight. These two are rank amateurs compared to newsrooms when newspapers were vibrant elements of the information generation.

Back to the cats: They’ll sit on my lap or on my leg and lean on my arm while watching the light-speed typing I do on the screen. Neither is happy with my sloppy typing and periodically will slap my hands with a claws-out paw just to remind me to pay attention to what I’m typing. 

As you may suspect, neither of these cats is a pedigreed feline. We know that Kittie Leigh came from an unfixed momma in the neighborhood years ago. The Senator (named for the plug pattern at his hairline) is a bit of a miracle cat: He arrived without tomcat testicles. Such a thing may never have happened before in our part of Oak Cliff. 


May I call your attention to the penultimate photograph? What is that huge growth emerging from the white stripe on The Senator’s back? It is not a bulbous growth. He fell sleep in front of the bowling pin my kids and grandkids presented to me after one particularly relaxing afternoon of kegling.
 (Click on the photo to make it grow.)
Back to the importance of cats So, “Their ability to play the piccolo”? Perhaps it is the most important thing about cats. But, as a veteran catfan, I lean toward the quiet companionship of grown-up cats. To me, it’s a compliment when you pick up a cat and he or she responds with a wonderful purr.
However, in doing research on Martha’s response, I did find a video of a guy and his cat putting a piccolo through its paces. Click HERE . If you listen all the way to the end, it may be the longest time you’ve ever knowingly listened to a piccolo entertaining a cat.
[SEND US PHOTOS of your sleeping dogs and napping cats and we’ll post their stories and their photos in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. That’s my dog Porche Noel, a sleeping dog who has no concept of a piccolo. Send your photos and stories to dallrp@aol.com. You’ll inspire others to adopt animals to make their houses real homes. And you’ll inspire insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some rest if they can just find the right bowling pin to induce sleep. Oh, don’t apply the pin! That would be wrong — there’s a difference between “unconscious” and “asleep.” I’m blaming this entire edition on the heat.]
— Offer sleeping advice or piccolo tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY, SOME HOT TOPICS WITH ANIMALS

EXTRA EDITION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Don’t tell me animal people don’t have their limits. I got this note from A Different Breed Animal Rescue Friday morning. 
It was sent in red text — perhaps to emphasize the subject: 
“Due to temperatures reaching the 100-degree mark and above, there will not be an adoption drive this Saturday.” 
Then the announcement adds hope: “We should be having one next weekend and you will all get the email with the details. Thank you all for your great volunteer work.”
 So, since the dogs won’t be won’t be subjected to the lovely Texas temps, we’ll remind you to go to adifferentbreed.org and click on adopt-a-dog. And, to influence your decision to click on that site, we’re offering up the photo of Adidas (2019-343), one of several Lab/Border Collie puppies available. [LARRY ASIDE: We live with a Lab/Border Collie named Dudley the Angel — he loves to herd, but he’s very polite when he does it — great mix of two breeds.]
And, they’re not all puppies at ADB. This guy is Issac (2019-338), a 7-year-old Maltese fellow who tips the scale at 10 pounds. Why does ADB have him? ADB says, “We received him from a breeder release program, and will have him cleaned up and neutered, vetted etc. He came in very matted and had to be shaved down and start over. Don’t know too much more about him just yet!” [LARRY ASIDE: We “fostered” a Maltese for more than a decade, Glinda — darling, darling, darling and a joy to the household!]
 Now, everybody stay cool.
LANCASTER ANIMALS:
NEWS IS SPREADING
That’s the face of Jenna, one of many dogs waiting at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. And we got a Friday reminder from Laura Macias, the small shelter advocate. She reminds us all that there are animals on the clock in the shelter, including this girl Jenna, a Lab Boxer mix who is “incredibly urgent” and has magnificent eyes, the kind that are designed to look right into the heart of the human she loves. Get a list of more animal and learn how to help by calling or texting Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

[LARRY ASIDE: Note to Lancaster…Word of the Lancaster Shelter’s abundance of kittens has made its way to Houston. We got a copy of an appeal that had been sent to our Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey. People are reaching out to other areas of the state and maybe the country to help the situation in Lancaster. The cats on the email include Sasha, the Pastel Tortie, whose photo we’ve run recently, and Tallie, the Tortie, in a “be still and pose grip.” Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.]
AGAIN, IT’S THE FACES
ON THE SHELTER DOGS
This guy is Chester and we learned about #42407354 from Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services. Judi says he “has a worried look” and that appears to be an accurate assessment.
Chester is 5 and weighs 76 pounds and is pretty confused because he was “surrendered’ to the shelter on August 6 — his humans were moving and he wasn’t going with them. Instead, he’s on the clock in a city shelter.
Judi says, “He’s a really good guy! He’s friendly. He does not try to jump on you. After exploring the yard, he stayed close seeking attention. He’s just needing some assurance right now that everything will be all right and that he will get a loving home. He would like a home where he can be inside most the time with his family. I had him out in the yard on a hot day and all he wanted do is go back inside.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: That is the behavior of a really smart Texas dog. He knows his place is on the couch in the cool, napping while you watch TV. Dang-it, if we weren’t at the limit, he’d have a home right now.]
MEANWHILE, SPEAKING OF
TEMPERATURES AT THE LAKE
We got this appeal for help with a transport project — it came from Sydney Bush of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake on behalf of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Shelter in Tool. 
The subject line read “Want to help save some lives?” and then the note got quickly to the, as Sydney wrote, “good part” of this 25-dog event. She explained that each dog has to have a health check and “Here’s the good part: You can help with this! Each dog will need his temp taken as part of the health check. NEED VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE TEMPS.”
[LARRY ASIDE: The hard part is getting to dogs to hold the thermometer under their tongues…what? Oh, sorry. Not that kind of thermometer.]
 This event starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 26. To volunteer, email Wendy Rapp at wendy.rapp@embarqmail.com.
 Keep up with the work of Friends of the Animals on Facebook HERE.
THE HANDSOME DUKE
NEEDS A BREAK IN DENTON
Yep, Basset/Beagle mix, just like you thought when you saw those front paws.
Our tipster Amy Poskey is trying to help Duke find a new home — Duke is close to 8 years old, healthy, house-trained and weighs 57.8 pounds. Amy explains, “Bless his heart, through NO fault of his own he just can’t catch a break.  Duke was surrendered to the Denton, TX Animal Shelter last year with four other dogs and he was adopted by a very sweet girl; however, she has recently moved in with family and the resident dogs are picking on Duke and instigating fights with him.  Poor baby got along just fine in his first home with four other dogs and he got along just fine with his adopter’s dog, but the resident dogs in his new home apparently don’t want him there.  Duke has done nothing wrong and now he’s looking for a new home again.” 
One of our occasional tipsters, Debra Myers, is the go-between for Duke and his human. Contact her at 940-367-4627 or email dkmyersone@yahoo.com.
AND THEN, ON JACKSBORO HIGHWAY…
Yep, over in Fort Worth, there’s a dog who is the target of a rescue. Tracie Rives says the dog roams in the area of Jacksboro Highway and Long Avenue and has been the target of some unpleasant behavior by children in the area. “She has a big skinned area, that is healing, Thank the Lord, on her shoulder…I’m not sure how that happened”
The dog needs to be spayed, but needs a safe place to go first!
Tracie’s early note read, “I have been feeding her for a couple of weeks now, hoping her owner would claim her. That is not happening.”
 The skinned place on her shoulder may have come from being hit by a car. No proof.
And Tracie says, “She is super sweet. Not a mean bone in her body. Even the cats that I feed are not afraid of her; they eat next to each other.”
To help Tracie and the dog, email tracie.rives@gmail.com or call 817-454-2623.
CONTEMPLATIONS
MUSING DURING A FRIDAY NOON HOUR
Last week I wrote about a couch that had been sitting on the side of U.S. 67 South at I-20 for several weeks. It’s gone now. Replaced by a line of orange barrels as someone gets ready to reconstruct the freeway. Which would I rather have: A couch on the side of a Dallas road or more road construction in the Metrosprawl? Yeah, line up the couches. … I’ve been walking in Kiest Park in the cool early spells this week. I have seen a runner or two hustling Chihuahuas and other small dogs along the walking track and other runners leading panting big dogs along the path. I’d like to go on record as saying that no dog in Texas should be forced to “tag along” on a Texas running/walking/biking path from about April 16 through October 15. Humans, well, we’ve got the ability to say, “No, do you think I’m stupid?” Dogs just do their best under all that fur. … That’s the tri-level water fountain outside the rec center at Kiest Park. You may think that some dog has stopped by to drink, based on the water splashes, but it could have been where the out-of-shape dog-and-cat writer flopped over and shoved his face into the basin just to try to cool down his forehead, cheeks, eyeballs, bearded chin and big ol’ nose. Or, maybe a Chihuahua stopped by and took a stip. I can’t remember who I shoved out of the way. I’m kidding.
—- Offer opinion or agitations by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

RILEY'S LEG, NOAH'S RIDE, HEIDI & JAN; PLUS A CONTEMPLATION ABOUT WAR

EDITION OF FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019 [PetPowellPress]Here’s our Friday report as we try to remember what a gentle, cooling summer rain looked like.
THE UPDATE ON RILEY
When last we wrote about Riley, the Lancaster stray who’d been hit by a car, he was suffering from a broken leg and was bleeding from an open wound. 
There’s an update, as you may guess from looking at that photo of a dog with a big thick leg bandage. 
Year-old (maybe) Riley, until he was taken by Purr & Bark Rescue of North Texas, was in a shelter kennel where, the report was, he “just sits there quietly whimpering! Not mean at all or anything just so sweet and calm and loving!”
 But things have changed for Riley. First, his medical care is going to cost more than about $2,200, according to small shelter advocate Laura Macias, who explains that’s for the repair surgery on the leg and the “few hundred” spent just getting him into shape for diagnosis and treatment. You can go to purrandbark.org and click on the donate button.
But that’s not all the news. Laura reports, “And the woman fostering is fostering to adopt! So he may have his home already…”
 This was posted by Beth Tyler-Rindahl on her Facebook page: “Yesterday I saw a post for this pup needing to be saved from a certain death sentence due to the shelter he was in and the fact he had been hit by a car and suffered a bad break on his rear leg. I begged for someone to help this sweet puppy and my sister stepped up and said she wanted this dog. I didn't mean for that to happen because I knew she couldn't afford high medical/surgical bills but she insisted. While I was trying to get more info, this wonderful rescue stepped up. Some might ask why this is important. A rescue is responsible for all medical treatments until an animal is adopted and these rescues aren't run by big corporations....they are run by individuals with huge hearts for animals but mostly small pocketbooks so they ask for your help with donations. This little guy's surgery, etc., will be at least $1,900!! Please please consider any size donation to help this baby...and this rescue!! They are the saviors here!! Please consider donating to his rescue!” 
Again, go to https://purrandbark.org.
[LARRY ASIDE: After a spell of bleak news, I thought it would feel pretty good to end the week with a dog-is-saved story and a way for people to get involved with making his life better.]
ONE MORE NOTE FROM LAURA:
IT’S ABOUT MOVING A DOG
This big, adorable, happy guy is Noah.
As Laura writes, “Help!! Can anyone give a dog a ride?” She’s been trying for two weeks to get this dog transported. Why does he need a ride? “Sweet shelter boy Noah needs a ride to get neutered and such!” 
I’m not sure what “and such” may be, but I do know what "neutered" means. Noah's in Fort Worth and needs to “get only 10 miles down the road on Tuesday the 13th. His foster has no car and can’t drive. Can anyone help? I can pay the gas money!” 
Offer to help neuter a dog and such through transportation by calling or texting
214-949-2726 or EMAIL cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
TWO WAITING IN MESQUITE
Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services, tipped us to this “very stunning” dog, Heidi (42367106), described as a 55-pound, 8-month old “Belgian Shepherd Malinois.” She is also an Earhound Magnifique.
She arrived August 1 as a stray and, Judi writes, “It’s amazing that her owner did not come for her. She not only is very stunning, but she has so much else going for her. She was very interested, as is typical of her breed, in exploring everything with her nose. She’s very alert and was in tune to everything going on in her surroundings. After she got done exploring she came around to me wagging her tail and wanting some attention.”

[LARRY ASIDE: Now, Dear Readers, before you read about this girl, let me just warn you animal nuts (and I am one) that part of this story is going to p**s you off. It represents a bit of cruel behavior, I think. But, that’s just me. I tend to think of dogs as kindred souls on a planet that needs devotion and peaceful moments.] 

Judi says “Jan” (42411509) is a 50-pound 7-month-old terrier who was “surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 8/6 because her previous owners were moving and couldn’t take her with them. The owner surrender form did not have her name listed. When I asked the front desk what her name was they told me that the owners had known  they were not going to keep her, even though they had her since birth, and so they NEVER  GAVE HER A NAME ! She was born in January hence we gave her the name Jan.”

[LARRY ASIDE: Now if that name thing isn’t enough, see if you can spot signs of neglect in her previous home in this next passage.] 
Judi writes, “She’s a pretty dog with a very sweet face. Right now she appears bewildered. She was not used to a leash so she had to be carried out into the yard. Once she was out in the yard she started to venture out some. She would tentatively come to me wagging her tail indicating she did want to make friends. She’s definitely very gentle and sweet and thrives on TLC. However, she does crouch down when you reached to pet her. She would thrive in a safe secure environment surrounded by people that love her, and she’s easy to love!!”
 There you go. Two of many Mesquite dogs to help. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Go to this LINK to see other dogs and cats in the shelter. This very dignified fellow is Paul — he is SIX YEARS OLD and ought to be in a home where a “large domestic shorthair mix” can get some adoration and companionship. He came into the shelter on June 30 — so he’s ready to leave. Look for him in the shelter’s Executive Suite.
CONTEMPLATION
I've got to confess: Tears filled my eyes as I watched a TV story of the plane arriving at Love Field with the remains of a Texas pilot killed in Laos during the Vietnam War. That happened in 1974. His remains had finally been identified and Canadian Journalist Jackson Proskow had been covering the El Paso horror and was headed back home when he encountered this scene at Love Field in Dallas. Read his story HERE. 
And here is the opening paragraph on USA Today’s story by Doug Stanglin: “When Air Force Maj. Roy Knight, Jr., left Dallas for Vietnam 52 years ago, his 5-year-old son, Bryan, came to Dallas Love Field to see him off. On Thursday, Bryan, now a captain for Southwest Airlines, brought back his father's remains aboard a flight to the same Dallas airport.” 
What a story. What a touching story in the aftermath of a tragedy echoing from so long ago.
—- Offer opinions by clicking on “comment” below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR THURSDAY, A CAT COLONY, SHELTERS WITH ANIMALS AND CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to Thursday’s edition. Please proceed and react appropriately, kindly. I have yet to check Wednesday’s Lotto Texas numbers, so I’ll be typing as if I am not suddenly wealthy.
LET’S TALK FERAL CATS
THAT NEED SOME HELP
We got this report from Marta Slobodián, Cat Colony Caretaker. That’s not an official title, but that is what has happened. 
 She needs some help with a Dallas colony — it’s at the 7-Eleven at 111 N. Carroll Avenue, where Columbia Ave. becomes Main St., a couple of miles east of downtown Dallas. You see here photographs of several of the cats being fed. They appear to be grateful for the grub. Probably, there’s no other place for them to eat.
 As you may expect in the nation’s most fertile city, Dallas, Texas, the usual colony care places are all full up right now. So, Marta is looking for help. 
“I have been feeding homeless kitties since July 2018. I saw them one day by chance at the 7-Eleven and around the corner of the 7-Eleven in Dallas, on 111 N. Carroll Avenue to be precise.  A friend who used to rescue kitties helped me in rescuing a few.we took them to the vet; the little ones found foster homes and eventually were adopted. The bigger ones were trap/neuter/returned.

“I feed them every morning before I go to work. There are about 5-7 new kittens that should be rescued and the rest should be TNR if they are not tame-able and adoptable.  I travel quite a bit and can't feed them all the time. I need assistance. They are so unprotected, always hungry and run to me when I arrive.  Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated.”

Please send suggestions to Marta at mslobodian@aol.com and to readlarrypowell.com at dallrp@aol.com.

RILEY AFTER RESCUE,
A SUDDEN CHALLENGE
We got an afternoon note about Riley, the dog struck by a car in Lancaster and rescued from the city’s shelter Wednesday morning by Purr and Bark Rescue of North Texas.

We’re awaiting updates. You may recall seeing the x-ray of Riley’s broken leg. We posted it in our special edition Wednesday morning. 
The report in the afternoon, from small shelter advocate Laura Macias, who arranged the rescue, was that Riley was being taken to an emergency room. “He is bleeding, and we don’t know where,” she reported.
So, ladies and gents, you see what rescues can be up against and why donations fuel the treatment of unexpected injuries and conditions. The Purr and Bark Rescue website is purrandbark.org.

BALCH SPRINGS FOLLOW-UP
Earlier this week we mentioned the joint seizure of 176 animals being kept at a particularly aromatic (that odor led to the initial investigation) property in Balch Springs. The SPCA of Texas, Balch Springs Police, Balch Springs Animal control and Balch Springs Code Enforcement teamed to get the animals to safety.
On Wednesday, the property owner agreed to give the SPCA custody of the animals: 111 hens, 31 roosters, 10 chicks, nine puppies, seven pheasants, six dogs, a peacock and a kitten. The SPCA’s news release read, “Criminal charges are expected to be filed.” 
Go to spca.org to see how to financially support the SPCA’s cruelty investigations and, also, how to help the animals.
See the seized anmals' photos HERE And I picked that cat’s photo because he or she appears to be puzzled at the entire situation. Then I picked that photo of that box because it was found on the property with all those hens and roosters. No idea what it suggests.
LET’S GO TO THE MESQUITE REPORT
Our tipster, Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services, cites FOUR dogs that are on the “urgent” list because, indeed, the place is crowded. So these dogs need either adoption or tagging for rescue.
Oreo is the 5-year-old Black Lab mix surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on June 28. Why? “Landlord issues.” After a year. Oreo is 43 pounds, 
“long and lean” and adorable and adoring. She’s #42076517.

Hudson (40644798) is a “real sweetheart and does not deserve this (none of them do),” Judi writes. He’s also on the urgent list because of the crowd at the shelter. He’s a year-old “American terrier, Pit/Dalmatian mix” who came in on July 2 — yep, “landlord/apartment issues.” He’s a year old and had been in the apartment for just 2 months. Hudson weighs 63 pounds. He fetches and retrieves.
Pepsi (42178870) is a 2-year-old, 46-pound, already-fixed Lab/Pittie mix who came to the shelter as a stray on July 14. Judi writes, “He is stunning with his glossy black coat and shiny brown eyes! He is affectionate and playful. He actually entertained himself by leaping and bounding back-and-forth in the yard. He also chased toys and would play with them but would not bring them to me. Because of his need to run, he would do well with someone that is looking for a running partner. He would also need a large yard and an active family.”
And that brings us to Bella (42161672), an already-spayed 48-pound, 4 year-old Pittie Mix who is in the shelter because, the family says, the son couldn’t take care of the dog. She’s beautiful — with a happy face,
now, but not so happy in that early photograph in her shelter experience. She’s a “work in progress,” Judi says, a dog who needs some time and some patience on the part of a loving human. Great face — and clearly an Earhound.
For any of these dogs, call the shelter at 972–2 16–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. See more animals — dogs and cats — by clicking on this LINK https://www.cityofmesquite.com/1239/Animals-in-the-Shelter. That cat is 4-month-old Halsey (42397714), a small girl who is a Gray/Orange combination currently awaiting her first real family in the Mesquite Cat Room. [LARRY ASIDE: “Mesquite Cat Room” sounds like a jazz club.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
ATTEMPTING ONE LINERS, FAILING
The Texas Rangers managed to lose two more games in one day Wednesday and that may eliminate the “team of destiny” hopefulness, though destiny doesn’t always turn out so swell — I cite the Dallas Cowboys of the 21st Century. … Hot enough for you? Please. Yes. I have no good response for “Hot enough for you?” Other than to quote my funspouse Martha who announced, “I don’t want to live in a world without freon.” Honest, if Texas banned freon, I’d be typing this in one of those places that brags about a “midnight sun” — as an insomniac, I could use a midnight sun now and then. … Just for the sake of hoping this will influence someone around here, “Spay and neuter. Spay and neuter. Spay and neuter.” After all, Dallas continues to demonstrate that it is the most fertile city in the Western Hemisphere. Dogs, cats, freeroaming nitwits… Any arguments to that point?
—- Offer opinions or objections by clicking on “comment” below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ——

DOG STRUCK BY CAR WAITS IN LANCASTER

[NOON HOUR UPDATE: Laura Macias, the small shelter advocate, reports that Purr and Bark Rescue of North Texas is taking Riley! Reach Purr and Bark at purrandbark.org.]
MORNING EXTRA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 [PetPowellPress] In the overnight mail, we got this from Leighann Hayden of the small shelter advocates. This is part of a list of several dogs waiting in the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
But this one is different. As Leighann wrote, “Pictures of injured dog Riley - please help - EMERGENCY - Has broken leg - needs rescue!!!  There is a $500 donation and a foster that wants to help.  He has to have a rescue group to get out and be helped - please, please, won't you help?”

To get involved with saving this dog’s life and helping him heal, call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

Riley was hit by a car. Now he’s waiting for the next turn in his life. 

To get on the mailing list for these Lancaster appeals, email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com or lhayden4652@gmail.com. 
There is no Facebook page, no website because, the advocates report, there is no one working with them who can set up such mechanisms. So, they rely on a mailout. Maybe someone with free time can help these advocates set up a simple page on behalf of animals in the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
Some Lancaster animals are listed on PetFinder HERE. The dogs, not the cats.
—- Offer opinion or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

CHECKING THE TEMP & HELPING ANIMALS, PLUS A TREE GROWS HIGH IN TEXARKANA

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We arrive at midweek in a state of disorganization. For the duration of this edition, we will attempt to be organized. 
I’ve been cleaning out my home office and discovering everything from magazines I saved for six or seven years, some 12-year-old utility bill receipts and a collection of pen and ink drawings of Inky, the late Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and our staff impersonator. 
Here’s one of the drawings that was committed to computer years ago. It shows Inky participating in the Olympic Ice Fishing competition at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
 (It's signed by Ivana -- that was my artistic nom de pencil in 2014.)
That year Sochi experienced the warmest Winter Olympics ever with temps for the winter sports events ranging between 33 degrees and 68 degrees. This may have affected the fishing on that part of the continent and account for Inky's failure to win the gold -- noboy else won the gold fishing medal, either. And, of course, I’ve chosen to highlight Inky at the Olympics because maybe it’ll help you feel cool when the local temp nudges or passes 100 on Wednesday.
The 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled for Beijing and, no doubt, all those trade hot spots will be worked out by then. Beijing is usually colder than Sochi in February. Well, let’s, uh, ski on.

WAITING IN LANCASTER
Here are a couple of the many dogs (and a by-now familiar cat photo) from the Lancaster Animal Shelter. 
You know why the Lancaster Shelter is like the Moon? Very few human footprints these days. The shelter and the moon don’t get a lot of visitors and, according to the small shelter advocate Laura Macias, that puts the animals at peril. No traffic means no adoptions, no rescue groups working to help the animals. It’s an odd situation for this era of the 21st century. 
That Husky is Kylan, describe in the appeal as “incredibly urgent. This is such an amazing dog — stunningly beautiful with the pretties blue eyes and very, very sweet and loving.”

Then there’s this expressive girl Jenna, a Lab/Boxer Mix.
And that cat is Sasha, the Pastel Tortie who has been waiting for a while now in the Lancaster shelter which also has 11 kittens that nobody’s looking at except the small shelter advocate team. 
Ask about any animal in Lancaster’s shelter by calling or texting Laura at 214-949-2726 or email her at cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

MEANWHILE, ANGIE’S FRIENDS
HUSTLE TO HELP SOME KITTENS
We learned about this thanks to the longtime rescuer and Angie’s Friends advocate Beverly Fyfe.
The story on the Angie’s Friends Facebook page reads,
“URGENT cat rescue or foster needed. This little baby just came out of one of the feral colonies Angie feeds. Maybe only 3 weeks old and in need of experienced kitten foster or rescue. Please contact us ASAP if you can help. This kitten is in Dallas, TX."
The Angie’s Friends link is HERE.

[LARRY ASIDE: When I first wrote about Angie Manriquez and her efforts years and years ago, the people who admired her referred to her as the “Fairy Dogmother of West Dallas.” 
Her reach and the reach of Angie’s Friends go beyond the West Dallas now. She is an inspiration to so many who find themselves facing insurmountable odds in rescue. Angie would convince drug dealers to turn over their tethered guard dogs to her. She’s rescued a lot of dogs and a lot of cats and influenced other people to do the same. Dallas never runs out of the need for heroes like Angie.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
CHANGES, A TREE AND SPOTS

I spent most of Tuesday taking care of some business in Texarkana, Texas, my hometown, just across the line from Texarkana, Ark. As is my tradition with a visit to the Twin Cities, I took a spin through downtown to see if it's gaining momentum in its recovery from several difficult years. As happens in many small towns, downtown commerce moves out to the interstate, in this case, I-30. Some of Texarkana’s formerly empty storefronts have new businesses. Maybe things will change; maybe downtown will be revitalized, fueled by people determined to honor a downtown that was once the foundation for the economy of the Four States Area, the Ark-La-Tex, the Bi-State Area or whatever other marketing tag it has used through generations. 
I was snapping photos on my downtown tour and I happened to look up and spotted a tree near the top of a building on Broad Street, about a block inside Texas. You can see, I hope, from the photos that the little tree is growing not from the roof, but from a seam between bricks near the roof. Yep, that’s a wacky place for a tree. On my way out of town, I spotted — so to speak — this house on College Drive — I thought, “Holy smoke, they must really love Dalmatians — or
maybe a firefighter and a firehouse dog live there.” Probably that’s just prep work for a paint job. Probably. But, we live with hope that whimsy can survive this decade.
—- To offer opinions, solutions or lucky lotto numbers, click on “comment” below or email Larry Powell at dallrp@aol.com. —-

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP ANIMALS ABOUND ... PLUS, A CONTEMPLATION

EDITION OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019 [PetPowellPress] —- Let’s get serious. The Holiday Insights calendar says that August 6 is “Wiggle Your Toes Day.” Bet you did it when you read that. I don’t know if there’s a Wiggle Your Ears Day, but local shelters are full of dogs who can help you celebrate. Call up shelters online and look for the Earhounds.

ABOUT TO POP! THEN, POPS
The opening line to a note from Amy Poskey began, “Britt, with newborns Brianna & Brandy, and Bree, who is about to pop, need our help!!!” These Chihuahuas were waiting in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. That was the 12:29 p.m. report Monday. 
They left the building. It was to take an eventful, not-all-that-ordinary trip. And here’s the announcement from Amy’s 4:29 email: “Thanks to Animal Allies of Texas, Britt, Brianna, Brandy, and Bree have left the building!!!  AND, while traveling to their foster Bree gave birth to one little healthy angel in the car and we’re waiting to hear if Bree had more babies!

“If anyone would like to donate to Animal Allies of Texas for both of these little families, please click on the link HERE. No amount is too small.”
The background is the father of all the pups is a small brown Chihuahua who was released to the shelter when the two moms were surrendered. The moms, according to a shelter note, are relatively young. Probably they have not been indoor dogs. The note read, “They were on a man’s property and had apparently been there for quite some time. He just wanted them to be removed.”
The opening photo is Britt, the second photo shows Britt tending to Brianna, the third photo is Brianna and sibling Brandy and the final photo shows “about to pop” Bree.
 [LARRY ASIDE: That first Momma looks so much like my now-gone Chihuahua girl Belle Starr Carmelita del Vera Cruz, i.e., Vera, that I had some emotional charliehorses looking at her — I’m just testifying that a Chihuahua is a great dog to have around the house. They are a comfort. So, someone needs to get in touch with Animal Allies of Texas and prepare to show the moms and the babies that there are properties where NOBODY just wants them to be removed.]
MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER

Well, ladies and gents, the subject line on Laura Macias' Monday note about post-weekend Lancaster Animal Services Shelter carried quite a depressing tone.
It read: “NOT A SINGE ONE SAVED — CRITICAL.”
Before we show some of the many dogs and cats that get NO attention except from the small-shelter do-gooders trying to beat the odds, the person to contact to see how you or your rescue group can help is Laura — call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: I do not know if Lancaster will be participating in the annual Clear The Shelter Event. Maybe someone with a connection could give the shelter a hint.]
The exquisite canine beauty is Honey, described as “a young American Bulldog or mix….A complete lovebug— cuddly and cute, cute, cute.” 
Still waiting, also, the girl we’ve mentioned before —- Samantha, aka Sam, a Shepherd mix who “posed for the picture —- just as cute as can be.”
[LARRY ASIDE: They don’t store dogs and cats forever at a city shelter. That’s why they buy euthanasia juice in bulk. And, these days, perhaps, saving animal lives is not top priority in Lancaster. Municipal politics appears to be.]
 "
The 11 kittens and the young cat we mentioned in last week’s note about Lancaster? Still there. Why? Laura’s note reads, “This shelter has very few walk-ins and no one comes in for kittens or cats.” 
Got to be a rescue group somewhere with room — a rescue group Lancaster will work with, of course.

That tuxedo kitten is Tallie, not exactly being cuddled for her photo. The other cat is Sasha, a “Pastel Tortie” photographed in front of a sign that may not accurately express the emotions at the Lancaster shelter or city hall.
HERE’S ONE FROM MESQUITE
THAT REALLY TICKS OFF ANY FAN
OF BORDER COLLIES & KIN
Before we get to the story of D’Arby, you need to know that this appeal was sent by Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services. She meets the animals she writes about. 
Here’s what her Monday note said, “I just received word that D’Arby (#42370737) is on an urgent list. This poor boy has not had much of a life, living most of it I’m assuming in a confined area in a backyard. He needs a break. Please someone be his hero. If you cannot tag or adopt please network this deserving dog. D’Arby is a 5-year-old Border Collie mix that was surrendered on 8/1. Because he was surrendered in the field I do not have an owner surrender form. I do know he was kept in a confined area. 

“The owners were told they would need to extend his living space (the city even offered to give them the money to make these accommodations) but they didn’t want to bother. So it seems that D’Arby has spent most of his life outside. 
“It also seems that he has not had much socialization. He is friendly, but just doesn’t seem to know how to accept love and affection. He was more interested in exploring the yard than spending time with me. He’s a sweet boy and deserves to be pampered and loved on. He did not show any aggression. He walked okay on a leash. He went nose to nose sniffing many dogs in the bay.”

To ask about adopting or rescuing this 65-pound handsome dog, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@ cityofmesquite.com.

At this LINK, you’ll see a number of dogs — adopting or rescuing one makes saves that life and makes room for another dog whose life buys some time. You’ll also see a number of cats — all ages from babies to “experienced cats,” such as this 7-year-old “large” baby Belinda (42376429). She’s in the Cat Room, but she oughta be in a living room or den enjoying a life with adoring companions.
CONTEMPLATIONS
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'BACK THEN' AND 'NOW'?
This is personal. It’s a little longer than usual. Maybe it’s therapeutic. I don’t know.

I get caught up in the updates on the latest shootings. Can’t help it. I’m feeling despair at not being able to “un-do” things that happened. Foolish thought, but it’s been that way since my first year as a newspaper reporter. I’d been hired by the great Texarkana Gazette editor J.Q. Mahaffey in late summer of 1965 and spent my entire senior year of high school working the 4 p.m.-1 a.m. shift 5 nights a week. Daytime in school, nighttime in a newsroom. It was a glorious time. I wrote a lot of obits, did some feature stories, police stories, learned newspapering and earned some trust from the old hands, most of them at the paper since the days of World War II.
In the relatively calm of the summer of 1966, I was 17 and excited about newspapers and about starting junior college. But on Monday, August 1, 1966, I learned something new.
I learned the importance and the difficulties of setting aside emotions to report a story with strong, accurate journalism.
That was the day Charles Whitman went to the top of the landmark tower on the campus of the University of Texas and began killing people. The first people he shot were from Texarkana — including two boys I knew from high school — the older brother was horribly injured but survived. His little brother was killed right next to him as Whitman ambushed the vacationing family in the observation deck stairwell. 
Whitman, had stabbed his mom and wife to death the night before, then killed 14 people ( -- victims including an unborn child and a person who died in 2001 as the result of wounds suffered that day). Thirty-one other people were wounded by the “sniper” shooting from the tower onto the UT campus -- I didn't remember the numbers. I had to look them up on Wikipedia.
Another thing: 
I didn’t understand that whole horrible incident. Some might say I was too young to understand it. But I don’t understand the two latest shootings. And I haven’t fathomed the incidents in between.

Later that winter, I was working the police beat when the desk sergeant got a call that there’d been a shooting at a home not far from the office. This was before 911 calls. You called the police like you were calling a cab. I jumped into my black 1963 VW Beetle and drove to the address, arriving before the police car. But the officer was quickly there and I got out to follow him into the house — things were looser in those days and, maybe, I didn’t have as much sense.
The officer yelled, “Police!” — maybe several times — and, pistol drawn on the dark front porch, he opened the door and stepped into the fully lit living room. 
He was ready to fire and I was right behind him, ready to take notes. 
The body of a woman was on the linoleum floor in a pool of blood in front of the living room couch. An older man in khakis pants and an undershirt was sitting in a slump against the back of the couch. He had a pistol in his lap. 
And he was repeatedly declaring “She’s dead, oh, she’s dead.” He looked up at the officer and, motioning toward a back door, says, “There’s another one. He went out there!” 
The officer looked at me, reached down and took the pistol off the man’s lap, hands it too me and says, “Hold this gun on him and if he moves, shoot him.” 
I’d never held a pistol in my life. The man must have sensed the danger of the moment — he didn’t move and he quit moaning “She’s dead, oh, she’s dead.”

The officer was soon back and said, “I didn’t see anybody else. I think we’ve got our man. Better let me have that.” 
He took the pistol as an ambulance arrived outside. I asked the guy for the woman’s name and he gave me a woman’s name. Might have been the victim’s.

And I went back to the office to try to beat the late deadline with four or five paragraphs about what I’d seen. 

All these years later, after a career that took me into more mayhem and city council and county commissioner arguments over funding law enforcement and more political jawing over ending “unnecessary violence” and a presidential assassination attempt, and writing obituaries of some of the Oklahoma City bombing victims, I still don’t understand why on one night in a small town in the corner of Northeast Texas, a guy felt the need to kill a woman right there in his living room.
One murder puzzles me as much as a mass murder. 
Basically, human behavior is the most dangerous thing on the planet. It can also be the sweetest, most understanding, most comforting behavior. I like to think there are more of us than there are of “them” — and that our human behavior can have a beneficial effect on the people who need to see goodness some morning when they have lost their way. Call me an “optimist in spite of the evidence.”
—- Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on ‘comment” below or by emailing Larry PowellPowell at dallrp@aol.com. —-

ON MONDAY, HELPING ANIMALS AND PUZZLED ABOUT LIFE...

EDITION OF MONDAY, AUGUST, 5, 2019 (PetPowellPress) Rough weekend. We’ll address it in Contemplations. First, we’ll try to help some people who help animals. The people who help animals have good hearts.
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER

The annual Clear The Shelters Day is coming up on August 17.
And Dallas Animal Services has a related campaign going — it’s trying to find 100 foster homes for animals that will then be available when the city’s big shelter participates in Clear The Shelter Day.
You can read more about this on DAS’s Facebook Page or on NBC5’s Clear the Shelter page HERE
[LARRY ASIDE: Probably no stats available on how many animals are returned or found wandering or dropped off at other shelters after a month or so. Not that I don’t just generally have faith in people who accept free animals. OH, WAIT. Heck, I’ve got nothing but free animals in my house — they all either wandered up or we rescued them from a city park where someone had dumped them or from a city street where they were desperately trying to chase down some teenagers who didn’t want them. May every animal cleared from a shelter have the most envious of great lives.]

OH, GOODNESS, OH, MY!
ANOTHER BIG SEIZURE
This one happened on August 2 in Balch Springs after someone filed “an odor complaint” about a residence in the city on Dallas’ southeastrn side. 
The SPCA of Texas, Balch Spring Police, Balch Springs Animal Control and Balch Springs Code Enforcement teamed for this one. 

Here’s the count: 111 hens, 31 roosters, 10 chicks, 9 puppies, 7 pheasants, 6 dogs, a peacock and a kitten.
They’re all being evaluated at the SPCA’s Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center. A custody hearing will probaby be next.

These photos were provided by the SPCA of Texas and more may be seen HERE. 

Where does a residence keep that many animals?
 Here’s the SPCA run down: “The birds were found in various pens and coops, placed in narrow, winding rows behind the residence. Two of the dogs and the puppies were found in a feces-filled garage and the remaining dogs were found in pens, separated into male and female pairs. The kitten was found roaming freely on the property. None of the animals had access to adequate water, and only some animals had food or shelter. The animals appear to be suffering from several medical issues, including overheating, dehydration, open wounds and missing feathers.”
You can see how to help the SPCA finance its cruelty efforts by going to spca.org. Also, at that site you can see how to volunteer, how to adopt, how to foster, how to get involved with the Society’s many facets.

THREE SPECIAL DOGS WAIT
FOR ADOPTION IN DENTON
We got the tip on these Dentonian dogs from Amy Poskey, the veteran volunteer “shelter watcher” at Denton’s McNatt Animal Shelter.

She describes this trIo as “three youngsters who need our help.
The black Labby mix is Joyce (83126), approaching a year old and fully vetted. She’s people friendly and dog friendly and weighs 36 pounds — alas, she is heartworm positive. The bio reads, “She is just the sweetest girl with a cute little nub of a tail. Everybody absolutely loves Joyce, including potential adopters.” Denton Animal Shelter Friends “will provide a $100 voucher to go towards her heartworm treatment.”
These other two are clearly bonded. Skillet (83468) is the boy on the left and Runaway (83470) is the girl on the right and “they are fully vetted and terrified in the shelter environment. Poor babies just want to stay curled up next to each other. They are not aggressive at all — just afraid. Bless their hearts, all they need is a little time, patience and love.”
To ask about these pups, email gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, and/or julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com
Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
AND THE FIRST NOTICE
OF NT GIVING DAY ARRIVES…
Just as some people await the first swallows’ return to Capistrano or the first robin of spring, readlarrypowell.com celebrates the first non-profit to mention North Texas Giving Day.
Arriving first for 2019? One of the most admired and determined non-profits in the area, Mazie’s Mission, the rescue hospital, scores the "first" rating.

Click HERE to see how to help Mazie’s Mission.
The non-profit’s “motto” is “Serving Rescues. Saving Lives.” The area’s first non-profit vet hospital for rescues was opened in 2014 by Dr. Erin Shults and her team. The non-profit continues to grow and so does the organization’s ambition to help more and more rescues. 

CONTEMPLATION
WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?
There is so much good at work — yet, the bad manages to draw our attention. 
There’s no wisdom here to help people endure. I’ve got nothing. Maybe that’s the appropriate reaction from some guy hundreds of miles from either site.
In this century, as people in the last century learned, it is uncomfortable to live a wary lifestyle. But we have to accept the reality that we cannot ignore awful possibilities and awful people.

And the horrible truth is there are people who are up to no good and we need to realize always that they are there — whether their heart is determined to kill a score of people or just one person who gets in their way in a parking lot or on a freeway or won’t hand over the cash quickly enough at a convenience store. 
We must watch out for the bad. Report them to the authorities. Show courage BEFORE someone has to die bravely. And, sadly, we often don’t interpret “peculiar” as “potentially dangerous.” Heck, we’re not all walking around with a textbook on psychiatric diagnoses.
In the meantime, we must be confident that we can nurture and protect the goodness in our lives. That sounds like a nearly empty sentence. Maybe it’s all we’ve got.
It’s all I’ve got — finishing this paragraph as the TV news shows more video of hospitalized victims wondering “Why?”
—- To offer an opinion, click on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com.---

BABY BEAU OWNS HEARTS & THE SPOTLIGHT

Maybe you’ve noticed that warm glow in the sky toward Mineola in East Texas over the past few days.

Here’s why there's a glow: Beau is generating puppy love and creating starry-eyed affection within his two new humans.
 He’s the happy addition to the household of Greta and Rudy Godfrey, my longtime friends and former colleagues at The Dallas Morning News.
The first message I saw about this pup was attached to a photo of Beau. Greta typed it for her new pal. It read, “My name is Beau and my new mama and daddy are Greta and Rudy and they rescued me from the SPCA in Mineola.”
That's the Animal Preservation of East Texas SPCA in Mineola. Greta spotted Beau there and, she says, "Of course, I fell in love immediately!"
And, as you can see from these “action photos,” he quickly earned the spotlight this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
Beau is six weeks old. And, if you’ve been around puppies you know how to interpret these flop-over and pass out poses.
Puppies do that flop/pass out thing. They romp and romp and then they suddenly see “time to sleep” on their personal activity dial and wherever they are, they just flop down and go to sleep. It’s the cutest thing. So we’re proud to present Beau’s “sleep poses.” 

Because Greta was so swift in showing off photos of the little boy, I kidded her, “I assume he’s now the most important dog in Mineola.”
And Greta replied “Yes, he’s very important. He chased the neighbor’s chicken back home this morning.” It was a puppy chase.
As a good reporter, I asked the followup question, “Does the chicken come over to have morning coffee with you and Rudy? I hear those East Texas chickens are neighborly.”
Greta replied, “The chicken didn’t, but their head rooster comes over and pecks at my window in the living room.” And there is the photo of the “head rooster” dropping by for a howdy-do.

Greta also sent a photo of a “hen party” in her yard and noted that the neighborhood fowl love the birdseed she keeps out for them. [LARRY FYI: Mineola has been known as the "Birding Capital of East Texas" since around 2003 -- you can look it up! Not sure chickens fit into the binocular/birding category. But they are loved in the Greta/Rudy neighborhood.]
Back to Beau: You may wonder which family tree young Beau might call his. 
We got the clue when I asked Greta to send me some sleeping photos of Beau. 
She replied, “I’ll see if the little [rascal] will sit still long enough. This morning he’s full of p*ss and vinegar. He’s part Lab and, I think, monkey!”
So, there you have it from someone who adores him: Beau is a Lab/Monkey. The most important Lab/Monkey in Mineola and in Wood County, Texas. 
And, Greta also sent this photo of Beau, sporting his brand new harness, as he explores the joy of gnawing with his newly discovered teeth! Ah, as puppy-lovers know, there’s more chewing adventure to come in this puppy’s life. That’s why pet stores have an entire aisle of chewable merchan- -dise. 
The other thing puppies need, in addition to hugs, is sleep.
[LARRY REQUEST: It’s such a pleasure to write about the love people have for their dogs and cats — I mean that with all my heart. We write at least five days a week about dogs and cats and other animals that need just one human to love them and help them live good live, that on weekends, when we can write about the adorable and the adoring, it’s a joy. Send photos of your sleeping dogs and napping cats and whatever critter is snoozing at your house to us at dallrp@aol.com. Include the critter’s biography.  We'll post their tales in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping other people decide to enhance their home with a beloved animal. And you’ll be helping the planet’s insomniacs believe that they, too, can get some sleep if only they can find the right chickens, geese, puppies, cats, dogs and ducks to provide the background chatter.]
—- Offer puppy advice or note about your own happiness by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing Larry Powell at dallrp@aol.com. —-

AS THE WEEKEND ARRIVES, THE ANIMALS HEAL AND WAIT AND PEOPLE HUSTLE ON THEIR BEHALF -- OH, AND A SPACE ALIEN?

EDITION OF FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Whoa, hello Friday. Our topics are dogs, cats, Big Tex and space aliens (maybe). Here goes:
THE HISTORY IS UNKNOWN,
BUT THE PRESENT IS TRYING
TO CREATE A FUTURE
A dog was found in the street. 

That’s not where this 4-month-old dog’s story starts.
But that’s where The Colony’s Division of Animal Services, helmed by shelter veteran Mark Cooper, got involved.
 Mark says a man called the shelter on Tuesday and told staffers that a dog was laying in a street — looked as if it might have been hit by a car. He told the staffer, “I can bring it to you.” So he did. 
Mark says, “He walks in the door with it. [Our staffer] looks at it and heads out the door with it. … It was probably headed to emergency in less than 5 minutes.” 

At first everyone assumed “Phillip” had been struck by a car “because it was in the road,” Mark says. And there were some horrible injuries to the dog’s head.
But the emergency vet exam didn’t support the theory — it supported the probability that this dog had been attacked. By either another dog or more dogs. 
And the attack wasn’t Tuesday — it was probably a week earlier. The dog was afflicted with horrid infections.
Mark says, “He had been like this for some time, so we don’t know whether he just collapsed in the street, just gave out, we don’t know.”

There have been posts referring to Phillip as a “bait dog” and suggesting that he’d been in a dog-fighting circumstance. But there’s no evidence to support that. Mark notes that The Colony has never had a reputation for dog-fighting and that it’s possible the stray could have wandered into a yard where other dogs attacked him. Whatever the case, Mark says the injuries are horrible — cheekbones and sinuses are crushed and his tail is broken, but it is the infection that he has to conquer before anything else can be done.
When Mark posted notes on Facebook seeking a foster to help tend to this dog, several rescues contacted him but they did not have fosters immediately available. Dallas Dog RRR (Rescue. Rehab. Reform.) was ready and now has custody of Phillip who has been renamed Phantom.

Mark says the dog’s face is so horribly swollen that the fear is he’s likely to be permanently disfigured. Also, the swelling keeps the vet people from telling whether his eye is still in the socket.
This dog is a mess.
But people have stepped up to help — starting with the guy who stopped to get the dog off of the hot Texas road surface and into a place that is, yes, a shelter.

[Funding is needed — by both The Colony Animal Services and by Dallas Dog RRR. The Colony Animal Services uses donations (CLICK HERE) to help with emergency animal situations, such as the injured dog Phillip/Phantom. And Dallas DogRRR is accepting donations at www.dallasdogrrr.org.]
THE FACES ON THE CLOCK
AT THE MESQUITE SHELTER
Holy smoke. A happy dog. A handsome runway model dog. And a fascinating Bull Terrier face. All awaiting adoption in the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
We get their stories from Judi Brown, the shelter’s volunteer biographer who meets the animals whose stories she tells.
 That stretched up white dog is named — what else? — Snow. She’s about 5 months old and weighs 37 pounds. Judi says the people who had her “found her two weeks ago and then for some reason decided they couldn’t keep her. The lady that surrendered her had two children who were crying when the dog was turned back in.” Snow’s a cutie with floppy ears and she’s timid at first but warms up. She’s #42351787.

Then there’s future runway model Dixon, a 3- or 4-year-old Pittie mix who came into the shelter as, yes, a stray. Judi writes, “He’s a beautiful boy with reddish gold coloring and captivating eyes that match his coloring! He’s a very sweet, cautiously friendly, laid-back guy! Judging from the calluses on his elbows, I would say he probably spent a lot of time on concrete. He did come to me when I sat down, but I suspect he has not had much socialization.  I was really impressed with how he walked on a leash. He stayed right beside me without pulling!”
 Dixon is 60 pounds and already neutered. His # is 42303146.
Holy smoke, look at that distinct Bull Terrier face on Koda, around 4, and inexplicably a STRAY. She was held a little longer than usual at the shelter because, Judi explained there was “thought to be a possible owner.” No dice. So Koda is available for adoption. She’s happy, has waggy tail and, Judi says, “stays close looking up at you with such adoration in her eyes.” The 36-pound dog is #42286812.
 You can see, in that first picture, that Koda knows how to “stack,” as they say at Westminster.
To ask about these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email recues@cityofmesquite.com.
You can see more Mesquite dogs and cats at the shelter’s LINK.
Among the cats is this Felinus Palindromus, Hannah, #42349143.

The astounding thing is she is NINE AND A HALF YEARS OLD and not in a happy family home being cuddled and having conversations about the NFL or the Texas Rangers. You know, stuff cats like to talk about.
She’s spayed and she’s currently in the Cat Room at the Mesquite Shelter. 

BIG DEAL FOR LITTLE DOGS
THROUGHOUT AUGUST
We opened the the email and read the big type: “CHERISH YOUR CHIHUAHUA” and in reading type, “Spay/Neuter your Chihuahua and Chihuahua mixes during the month of August for only $20! Sponsored by PetSmart Charities." You can find out more about this at the Spay/Neuter Network HERE.   [LARRY ASIDE: During our decades together, my funspouse Martha and I have had two Chihuahuas — a tan rescued girl named Belle Star Carmelita del Vera Cruz and a black and tan girl I rescued from Kiest Park — she was nearly naked from quite a smelly mange. We’d run out of names for rescued critters, so our vet back then Dr. Catherine Marr suggested that we name her “Rosie because she doesn’t smell like one.” We’d have another Chihuahua now if Dallas didn’t have a limit. Chihuahua shouldn’t count for a “full dog” though they frequently believe they are the biggest dogs on the block, maybe even the planet. But get yours spayed or neutered — that way shelters won’t be euthanizing so many little dogs that nobody wants. FYI, that’s Vera and my free bus stop puppy who grew up, Baby Jane Doe — Baby Jane is the lookout and when she gave the warning yip, Vera would hit the window and the blinds like she was going bash through the glass to slam the intruder to the turf and hold him or her until the cops arrived. And, doing her Batdog impression is Rosie, the dumped-in-the-park dog. All three are gone now, but they still own enough of my heart to make me reach for a tissue and dab my eyes.]
MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER
(& DON’T FORGET WILMER & HUTCHINS)
You can scroll down to the week’s earlier editions and see the Border Collies Duke and Daisy and other dogs in the Wilmer and Hutchins shelters — small, low-traffic, no budget for public relations shelters.
And, in the meantime, our small shelter tipsters Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden sent a particularly alarming word: “CRITICAL!!” and added “11 baby kittens and young cat” are on the brink of disaster at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. The note reads, “Please— No one will come for these babies. This shelter has very few walk-ins and no one comes in for kittens or cats…
Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com
Here are some of the kittens and the previously highlighted Jordan, the boy cat with the silent meow.
And, yes, there are dogs, too. Many are puppies just waiting for a needle they don’t even know exists. And there’s Honey, the beautiful “American Bulldog or Mix” described as “a complete lovebug — cuddly and cute.”

Laura can arrange transport for 501c3s. Again, call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com

[LARRY ASIDE: The only hope of these animals may be the activation of a team of human hearts to get with Laura and arrange transportation and fostering and adoption. Otherwise, a political conflict — people spatting with people— may result in the deaths of dogs and cats. Deaths. Humans above this, surely.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND
First weekend of August and we have State Fair of Texas news. I think I felt the temp drop 10 degrees when I finished that sentence. First, the annual pre-Fair equine events begin this weekend. Here’s a BigTex.com LINK to the
Also arriving on August 1, a note from the Fair’s PR Executive Karissa Condoianis that says that “with less than 60 days until Opening Day, guests can now purchase their general admission tickets to the 2019 State Fair of Texas.” Adult prices are $18 at the gate but $16.50 online. See all the prices and rules and how to buy food and ride coupons online at bigtex.com/buy-tickets. That’s Big Tex in his 2013 cowboy outfit and clunky boots. He’s getting new boots this year. … I know there is supposed to be a movement to reduce the number of robocalls, but I seem to be getting more, for lack of a better term, robo-emails and, Thursday, as I was listening to soft music on my Amazon Echo, Alexa’s quiet efforts were interrupted by a commercial. That was jarring. …. We’ll close with a “What’s That?” I stopped by my frontyard rose bush and snapped a photo of a glorious bloom because sitting on a petal was what surely must be an Albino Arachnid. Or maybe a space alien enchanted by the scent of a Texas rose. Heads up, Tyler, Texas. Being the “Rose Capital of Texas” gives you a galactic reputation.

—- Offer opinions, solutions or tell us about space aliens by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing me at dallrp@aol.com and don’t type in Martian — the punctuation is confusing. Oops, I shouldn’t have confessed that. —-

THE FACES, THE HEARTS, THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A CITY'S 'FEEL' BETTER WITH ART

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019 [SweatPalPress] — Hang on, that’s PetPowell Press, not SweatPalPress. I was born in Texas — in November. It was misleading. OK, enough of that. It’ll be Autumn soon. It’ll arrive at 2:50 a.m. Dallas time on Monday, Sept. 23, according to the Odd Farmer’s Almanac — wait, that’s the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Speaking of cool, where is that mural-in-progress? We’ll explain shortly and show you what the finished product looks like -- in addition to some great charcoal work featuring animals…But, first, some opportunities...
ONCE AGAIN, IT’S THE FACES
THAT GRAB THE HEART!
Every now and then we feel the need to remind people that rescue groups have great adoptables, too. And they’re always in need of fosters — that helps save more animals. 
So, we got this note about this fabulous dog Alice that described her as a “senior” dog. We went to the pawsinthecity.org website and found out she’s 10 years old, a “Border Collie/Bulldog/American” and she’s spayed. She’s house-trained and crate-trained and up to date on shots. And she’s available through Paws in the City, the Dallas-based rescue group at pawsinthecity.org — Mark Verma is the vibrant prez.
So, when I clicked on the Paws site, I also spotted this fantastic photo of Droopy, about 5, a 16-pound Spaniel mix. What’s his story? “He was found and brought in to the shelter with an injury to his right eye, multiple bite wounds and tears to the skin in addition to being severely matted and in generally poor condition.

“The good news is, he'll be fine. After a minor eye surgery and a shave down to remove his matted fur, he is looking and feeling much better! Droopy is already settling into his foster home. He's doing great with the other dogs and kids in the home. He's very calm and will make a great family pet.”
Again, fostering is a life-saving adventure.  See how to foster and also see how to adopt at pawsinthecity.org.
TWO DOGS TO GO!
If that had been a restaurant announcement I’d have ordered “two dogs walkin’.” But, never mind cafe society, we’ve got an uplifting note from Amy Poskey about these two dogs that wound up in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter.
These two pups — Penny on the left with life-long friend Holly — were surrendered to the Denton shelter because their human was going through a divorce and couldn’t “afford to take care of them.” 
Ah, but there’s good news. And the elated Amy sent a note reading, “I am beyond happy to report that Freedom Street Rescue in Houston has offered to take this precious twosome and already has a foster to adopt lined up!!!  HOWEVER, WE NEED HELP WITH TRANSPORT, PREFERABLY THIS SUNDAY, 8/4/19.  Jeanie Royal has offered to meet someone halfway on Sunday so we just need someone to pull Penny & Holly from the Denton Animal Shelter and meet Jeanie somewhere.”
 To volunteer to deliver the dogs, email tj.royal14@gmail.com.  Amy writes, “The shelter staff and everyone involved are also copied to this email cuz they will need to know what time someone can be at the shelter to pick them up.”

DETERMINED TO FIND A HOME
FOR RESCUED ROSCOE
We’re still trying to help Della Wallace find a home for Roscoe, the dog she rescued last fall when he was running headlong into traffic in Little Elm. 
He’s all ready for his new home — doesn’t get along with Chewy, Della and David’s dog of longest residency.
That first photo demonstrates that Roscoe knows how to relax. That is one of the images we published when Roscoe was the featured snoozer in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. 
But, it’s important now to find a really good home for loving Roscoe. He’s ready to be the head dog in a household. He’s an affectionate fellow. 
Sure, he’s got some anxiety challenges — heck, he was on the street and in the traffic for a while. Della can tell you how much and why she loves him and what you need to do to adopt him.
Email dellawallace39@gmail.com or call (972)294-7415.
CONTEMPLATIONS
WHEN ART TURNS A WALL
INTO SOMETHING FOR A CITY
Aren’t you pleasantly surprised when you see some authorized artwork on the side of a building? Last week I parked in the lot behind Mai’s. That's the won- derful Viet- namese rest- aurant at 4812 Bryan Street. I was totally focused on Mai’s vegetarian tofu Imperial Rolls until I got out of the car and turned toward the building and saw an artist brushing paint onto the wall. I took some photos of the unfinished work and had a chat with Sheri Johnson Lopez, the artist from That’s Flippin’ Smart Art.
This was early last week and she said it would probably take the rest of the week to finish the piece with heart and angel’s wings. I stopped by this week to see how things were going and they were done. That’s the final product. It was worth the drive. Kind of tranquil and hopeful in the City of Dallas where the police are kept busy by the not quite orderly residents.
Sheri, by the way, is a product of Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth — that’s the university that advertises with those “Smaller. Smarter.” billboards. Sheri’s the first mural artist I’ve ever interrupted. She was happy to tell me about all the artwork she does in addition to painting walls. And, because I’m a fan of animals, I went to her Flippin Smart Art link and found these representatives of the charcoal portraits she does of animals. You can reach her at that Flippin' Smart Art website here.
As you look at them consider the joy of having your beloved animals around you and, also, consider the tranquility in the finished mural on the building. Dallas needs more tranquility.
—- Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing Larry “Never Painted a Wall” Powell at dallrp@aol.com. —-

JULY HITS THE END OF THE LINE; WE KEEP PITCHING ANIMALS NEEDING HOMES

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 [PetPowellPress] End of the month. Bills are paid. Dogs and cats are fed. The Cowboys have personnel crises. The Texas Rangers are not going to the playoffs. We’ve celebrated the 1969 Moon Landing which occurred a month after the final episode of the first Star Trek series. That reminds me of the year our late companion, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of Texas, dressed as a Vulcan Spaniel for Halloween. If you don’t look at that photo, summertime seems nearly normal.

And the mercury hit 100 degrees on the penultimate afternoon of July. Yep, I’ve seen Halloween merchandise for sale in stores — right next to the back-to-school signs. 
Well, all that aside, following an afternoon of computer/online challenges (and that, doctor, is how I lost my mind), we’ll move into the world of dogs and cats and animal advocates.
TWO PUPS LOSE
‘LIFE-LONG FRIEND’;

WANDER TRAILER PARK
Well, this is an awful fix for some Dallas dogs. The story was posted by David Maldonado and says the dogs can get some help “if” — it’s the “if” that’s the challenge. 
David wrote, “These two pups just lost their life-long friend when their owner died. Their owner had lined up a family friend to take them in but that person has now left them abandoned.
“They are now wandering aimlessly around the trailer park where their owner once lived.”
 Well, ain’t that a sweet situation.
David writes “These pups need a hero to get them off the streets. The Lab/Boxer mix is a female and about 3 years old. The scruffy is a male but not sure on age. Both are dog friendly.”

And he says, that Dallas Street Dog Advocates “can help if there is a foster” and the link to volunteer to foster is www.dsda.org/foster. Email David at david@dsda.org, He also suggests the dogs may need some pledges to help with assorted needs. 
Readlarrypowell.com hopes that even before the cyber ink is dry on this report someone has said, “I’ll help those dogs.”

MEANWHILE, SOME CATS

It’s not just the taxpayer-financed shelters that are loaded with cats, there’s quite a selection at the non-profit, constantly- hustling SPCA of Texas, too.
For example, Tuesday evening I clicked on spca.org and went to the cat listings and found this photo of a bedraggled cat named Tori (40480712).
She’s spayed, but here’s the thing: She’s 12 years, 2 months old and that means she needs a lap and a couch. And whenever I see a cat in one of these collars in a shelter, I get the feeling the cat is about to announce, “Excuse me. I don’t know why you’ve got me in this satellite dish, I was promised cable.” (She’s at the SPCA’s McKinney shelter.)

And why this cat isn’t in somebody’s home is a mystery — her name is Agatha Christie. She’s small, spayed and 3 months old. She’s described as a “white and blue tabby domestic shorthair.” She was transferred to the SPCA from another shelter so she, her listing reads, “continue my search for the purrfect forever home.” She’s at the Grand Prairie PetSmart.

RAVEN WAITS IN MESQUITE WITH
BANDIT BOO, DOGS AND CATS
Our Mesquite tipster Judi Brown says Raven, one or two years old, arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray. She’s officially ID 42309724, a 51-pound Shepherd “with glossy black hair, a long body and a long nose,” Judi writes. “She is truly regal looking! It’s really hard to understand why the owners didn’t come looking for her. It seemed like her whole objective was to please. I had a difficult time taking pictures of her body as she kept wanting to sit for treats. She also stayed very close. She loved being petted and loved belly rubs. She’s sweet, gentle, obedient, affectionate, and friendly. She’s the whole package!”
Also at the shelter is this boy Bandit Boo, a 53-pound, year-and-a-half-old Pittie mix who arrived as a stray on July 22 and “had an injury that was an open sore on top of his head….He’s been receiving medication and it is now scabbed over,” Judi writes, then adds, "I think this is why he has been overlooked! It’s certainly not because of his personality because he could win a personality contest for being so sweet, gentle, mild-mannered and well-behaved. … He’s a real love bug.” Though, she says, he may need some manners training when it comes to dealing with other dogs. 
FYI: I picked a photo of him doing a very “good dog” thing — lickin’ his chops!
 To ask about Raven or Bandit Boo or any other animal in the Mesquite shelter, call 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
 See more Mesquite dogs and cats by clicking HERE.
Among the cats is this quite distinct year-old fellow known as Lord Byron. He’s 342302377 and he’s in the cat room. He came in on July 24. This cat, by the way, is inclined to live a less excited life than the famed poet Lord Byron — unlike his namesake, the cat has been neutered.
CONTEMPLATIONS
These will be brief.
Topics to contemplate: Was the first hit rap song Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean? … Was the pushbutton transmission given a fair shot at success in the 1960s? … Do you have favorite summer song? Is it by The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, The Ventures or Bobbie Gentry? Geez, just how old ARE you? … Seriously, what is Dallas going to do about all this violence — the shootings, the car crashes, the robberies, the domestic disturbances? Is there really anything a city government can do to make people behave? ... And then, there’s this photo — fyi, the U.S. 67-at-I-20 shoulder-of-the-road couch was still there Tuesday. In the meantime I took West Five Mile Parkway from Polk Street up a slight wooded hill to Brook Spring Drive and just as I reached the bend where Five Mile becomes Brook Spring, I snapped a picture of this refrigerator that had been dropped off. I was surprised that I didn't find litters of puppies or kittens living in the open compartments and waiting for help. You may guess, of course, that this is not an authorized city dump. Doesn’t matter to someone who wants to get rid of an appliance. Attaboy, Dallas. Oh, and, yeah, the short street is littered with fast food trash and, now and then, chairs and tables. And, sometimes grown men, walking through the wooded area, will simply have a lie down. A few weeks ago, I saw a guy flat out in the weeds and, fearing he'd passed out from the heat, I stopped to offer him water and held, but he was kind of mildly irritated that I'd ruined his nap. Big D, my, oh, yes.
—- To offer opinions or solutions, click on ‘comment’ below or email me at dallrp@aol.com. —-

THE SOFA, THE EARS, THE CRITTERS AND A BENCH-CLEARING STROLL

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Well, goodness, it’s Tuesday. Monday was kind of tension- filled, rough and warming up Texas-style. And I think I saw TV reports of highway difficulties. Say, that reminds me: I’ve been watching this green couch on the side of the road at the Wheatland exit off U.S. 67 South at I-20. It’s been there for several weeks. SEVERAL WEEKS, I emphasize, noting that such a thing would never happen north of the Trinity River in Dallas.
It hasn’t stayed in the same place — someone, now and then, must drive past, stop to see if it has potential and resposition it before driving away and leaving the sofa sitting on the shoulder. I've got a few weeks of photos -- I didn't start taking pictures until about the third or fourth time I drove past it.
There may not be as many free-roaming dogs in that area as there used to be — otherwise you’d drive by and see three or four happy but drowsy dogs about to nod off on the couch while they watch the traffic. Not sure who to call about furniture on the shoulder of a Dallas highway. There is no number for the Department of Who Cares About This in Dallas.
ANOTHER EARHOUND
WAITING  IN COWTOWN
We were reading a post by Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control and discovered a sentence we wish we’d written. It perfectly captures the glory of an Earhound. And we’ll get to the “phone card around his neck” in a minute.
Ginger wrote, “I love this guy and he has got ears for days.”
“EARS FOR DAYS” — is that not a perfect description of this little boy?
He’s called Bones, his ID number is 42311717 and he’s about, maybe, 5 months old.
Ginger says, “This scared boy was found almost getting hit by a car, and a citizen brought him in. He got away in the parking lot and we were able to catch him again. He had a phone cord on his neck, like someone tied him up with it. He was very nippy due to be scared too death at first but he is easily motivated by food. he is doing better but needs someone to help him learn people and the world are not so bad.”
He clearly could us a few square meals and some huggin’.
Email the shelter at fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov.
LOOK INTO SMALL SHELTERS

WITH BIG CHALLENGES
We speak, specifically, of the small Wilmer and Hutchins animal shelters and, of course, the crowded and contentious Lancaster Animal Shelter, formerly a proud spot on the animal advocacy landscape because it embraced being helped by volunteers. 
But, never mind all that human conflict, the goal is to save the animals. Yes, save the animals. Humans are on their own.
Of course, there are humans who step up on behalf of animals and that’s why we get emails from Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden about these small shelter challenges.
 These animals are in the Wilmer/Hutchins area and you can offer to help them by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or emailing cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Transportation can be arranged if you're a 501c3.
We’re starting with four — three of them are Border Collies and one is not but what they have in common is, according to the note, they were “found as strays at a local business. The person that owns the business had been attempting to care for them, but the business will or has closed, and there are headed to the shelter if a rescue or adopter cannot be found.”
 Duke is the first one, about 4 years, old. Daisy “may be middle-aged,” Beth is about 2 and Roxy, the possibly spayed “Scruffy Terrier, is around 3 or 4.
 The deal with Daisy is she is in need of veterinary care to examine and treat an odd lump on her abdomen. 

And, you see there the little kids in this appeal, Chase and Chance — Chase is the hound mix and Chance is the Great Pyr mix. The story is that even though they look alike only in that they are dogs, they probably are brothers. Only about 4 months old, “both ust as cute as cute can be” and they were found by a Good Samaritan who cannot keep them.

MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER, the population continues to be affected by the lack of human traffic and the appointment-style access to animals facing the needle.

The note from the small shelter advocates cites Jordan, a “young Tiger Tabby” who is “One of the best kitties ever — we are serious.” [We've chosen to post both of Jordan's photos.] The note adds, “So loving.  Adores being held.  Loves people.  Look at that sad little silent meow - heartbreaking to see ... please help - wonderful kitty so deserving of having someone to love ... very pretty fur too - beautiful.”
And, we’ll mention this Lancaster girl once again — her name is Samantha and you can call her Sam or whatever you want if you adopt her or rescuer her. Laura’s note reads, “She is incredibly urgent. This is the absolute sweetest girl — she is wonderful. Beautiful girl who posed for the pictures. Just as cute as can be.” 

Again, call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, NAMES
|
& A 'BENCH-CLEARING BLANK'?
Zeke Elliott — He’s been in the National Football League 3 seasons and spent the first six games of the second one in suspension. So here we are, at the outset of his 4th season and WE'RE in suspension because he’s a holdout. Yep, no Super Bowls. … I watched video of the Oakland/Texas game in which a Rangers pitcher and an Athletics’ batter were at odds over post-homer bat placement on the ground. Big League Baseball, you know There was some shouting, some talk you wouldn’t hear in Sunday School. When you hear the term “bench-clearing” the next word is usually “brawl,” but this was such a lackluster standoff by two ho-hum teams at homeplate that you could call it a “bench-clearing stroll.” …. We noted last week that Dallas Animal Services had dumped, er, traded Rudy the Mascot dog to VCA Hospitals and picked two new mascots. There was voting to name the new mascots — DAS reports that the new public relations representatives are Chip the Dog and Tag the Cat. Two familiar instructions in the animal care business, Chip ’n’ Tag. Take a hint. Not sure if their full names are Chip Spay and Tag Neuter.
—- To offer advice or opinions, click on ‘comment’ below. —-

THERE ONCE WAS A DALLAS CAT

EDITION OF MONDAY, JULY 29, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Over the weekend there was a post on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page congratulating the shelter and its supporters. Why?

Because, the post read, the city shelter live release rate has gone from 13% in 2007 to “exceeding 90% for four months in a row earlier this year!”

The post also read, “This critical transformation has been the result of years of hard work from animal lovers throughout the community and though there is still plenty of work to be done, we want to say THANK YOU to everyone -- adopters, fosters, volunteers, staff, rescue partners, advocates, elected officials and donors -- who have made an impact on this climb. You are #Dallas90."

That is a really nice sentiment. And bless those deserving individuals with the heart it takes to move things along. [LARRY NOTE: Over the weekend, as you can see in this DAS Facebook photo, the famed host of TV’s My Cat From Hell Jackson Galaxy and the city’s leading cat advocate Molly DeVoss (of the city's shelter advisory commission) visited cats at the big shelter.]

As any observer of the city’s animal shelter advancement since the turn of the century knows, this change for the better has had a tendency to move at glacial speed — except when it moves in politically-fueled spurts during a dramatic crisis.
Possibly the most lingering shelter incident to those of us who celebrated the political triumph and subsequent construction of the new one, has to do with the death of a cat.
Dear Readers, I am very serious about this suggestion: As I recall, the really sincere movement for attitudinal and managerial change at the new shelter began in 2010 when a cat escaped from his/her kennel at the shelter and crawled into a wall in the shelter break room. 
It then meowed and yowled in that space between sheets of wallboard until it stopped. Days later. 
Nobody did anything. Only then was the wall cut open and the dead cat removed. There was a trial. Nobody was found guilty of animal cruelty. 
But things began to change. The city stopped promoting people from Code Enforcement to be head of animal control and went outside the city to search for shelter professionals.

In the meantime, in this crisis, the task of running the shelter had been assigned to then-Dallas Police Lt. Scott Walton who only recently retired from his position as Deputy Chief.
In the wake of the death of the cat, the officer stepped into the shelter and began to make positive changes — the attitude toward dogs and cats and rescue groups and “animal nuts” (God bless us, every one) began to change in a previously unseen positive manner.
Animal services and animal advocates began to have a lessened adversarial relationship.
It took a Dallas cop to show the City of Dallas that the city’s animal shelter could be a place of respect and service, not just a place to warehouse animals until the needle was ready. (We'll tell you about these DAS animals a little later in this edition.)

So, while it is nice to praise the city’s managers and elected officials, the real motivating factor in this evolution from “pound” to “shelter” was a smart-right-mind-at-the-right-time Dallas cop and an un-named cat who died in the dark, crying out for help and getting none.
Yes, the “embarrassment factor” helped Dallas change its ways.
I’m serious about this: We should have a statue at the animal shelter — a memorial reminder. It should be a cat with no name, nothing really specific except that at first glance you can see it is shelter cat, perhaps raising one paw to greet an approaching human. All of us would be able to see our cats, our dogs in this artwork.
And that cat with no name and no shelter number would represent a better future for every cat and kitten, dog and puppy, and any other animal brought into the care of a rejuvenated Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center.
The cat would be the reminder the incident when there was a failure to be a “shelter” and, perhaps, a reminder for all of us to do better at helping animals.
If that cat had not been allowed to die inside the shelter wall, the ensuing beneficial changes may never have occurred. Isn’t that a shame? 
Wouldn’t you think a city hall that thinks of itself as “sensitive” would have already worked to save the lives of the helpless?
But, no. It took death to make changes in Dallas. That’s a sad city tradition. After the floods inundate family homes in low-lying poor neighborhoods, after the factories belch lead smoke into neighborhoods, after inadequate design leads to fatal car crashes — yes, only after the headlines and petitions show up will the city put saving lives ahead of saving money.

And that is why the city’s animal shelter is just now, nearly two decades into the 21st century, reshaping itself into a welcoming-to-humans facility that has a mission of consistently saving more lives than it takes.
All it took to inspire change was an embarrassingly dead cat. God bless that little creature. It did not die for nothing — unlike the thousands of healthy animals that, almost without notice, have been — to use a word inaccurately — “euthanized.”
But, you know, the City of Dallas has long embraced that ol’ Texas theory of animal management: Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it."
So, there’s this other thing, too. I’m unclear on whether the 90% figure applies to the number of animal listed on the City of Dallas Animal shelter website at dallasanimalservices. org or on the Dallas Animal Services PetHarbor list of animals in the care of the shelter. Is there a difference? These two boxes demonstrate a difference on Saturday evening. The black and white list of animal is the DAS site and the colorful listing is the PetHarbor report.
In the meantime, you see a dog, a cat and a ferret. We’d be remiss if we didn’t show you some of the animals awaiting to be rescued, adopted or executed (“euthanized”). 

That dog with the “oh, my God, what awful thing am I waiting for now” look, is A0992098, a spayed “tricolor German Shepherd Dog mix” named Sammie, according to the city’s list of adoptables at dallas animal services.org. The “shelter staff thinks” she’s nearly 3 years old. She’s been at the shelter since July 24. 

The first big cat is Katerina (A10697040), spayed and just over 3 years old. Listed as a “tricolor and brown Domestic Shorthair,” she has been surviving at the big shelter since June 22.
The little orange kitten reaching out is Tapioca (A1073719), maybe 9 weeks old and in a DAS foster home snces Sunday, the listing says. Little guy. Big paws.
Amid the domestic rats and Guinea Pigs awaiting either adoption, rescue or the needle at the Dallas Shelter is this “tan and cream Ferret,” the already-spayed Cinnamon (A1076692). She’s been a shelter resident since Saturday.

And the tall, thin tabby is Louie (A1067772). He's about 16 weeks old and in the shelter's care for about a month. [LARRY ASIDE: And when I look at that face, I can see the little guy asking, "They left a cat in the wall? Why?" Sorry, the incident continues to puzzle me. If I heard a kitten in a wall, I'd make an opening. Opening in wall can be fixed; nobody's brought a shelter cat back to life yet.]
For any of these animals, stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland. Call the shelter at 214-670-6800. Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt, how to help. Get with a rescue group that partners with the shelter -- learn that you can foster.
Also on the shelter’s Facebook page was this note: “We are so honored to be one of the first 25 cities to be recognized as a BETTER CITY FOR PETS by Mars Petcare US! We have a long way to go, but we are grateful that the efforts of our community to be an ever-improving place for pets have been noticed!”
And if you want to read more about the cat who died in the wall, here’s a story
that gives some insight into how business was being done nearly a decade ago. Click HERE.
That little cat changed the whole animal rescue/animal sheltering system in Dallas. One little cat changed attitudes and prosecutorial decisions for cases yet to come. Cruelty crimes became no longer “just an animal case” stalling out somewhere on the highway to justice. City Hall realized voters cared. The Dallas County District Attorney’s office endorsed efforts to protect animals with the laws.
Things changed. God bless that little cat. And all the other animals that cross the threshold of Dallas Animals Services and Adoption Center.
—- Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com.---

KITTIE LEIGH IS OUR NAPPING CAT; COOPER IS THE DOG WITH LONG SHELTER LIFE, BUT HE NEEDS A HOME

This weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap takes you into the life of a dear feline and the astounding existence of a dog who has been in the custody of a local shelter for more than a year. I’ll be keeping the cat, but you can adopt the dog. Please read on.
THE KITTEN WHO STAYED
NAPS LIKE A CHAMPION
My cat, Deputy Chief Kitty Leigh Johnson, was once light gray with black stripes and she was cross-eyed. That’s how I first saw the little kitten staring at me through the front porch ornamental iron bars.

It took a split second to fall for her and about 30 seconds to convince her to come through the bars for breakfast. That might have been in early 2006 or thereabouts. I’ve misplaced the records and the photo I snapped of her way back then. Might have been 2005.
Age changes us all and the once delicately gray kitten has a much darker coat. And she is our featured feline in this edition of our weekly weekend presentation, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
 She is one of a parade of former ferals born somewhere in our yard during the quarter-century we’ve lived here. We’d catch ‘em, fix ‘em, adopt ‘em out or, if they were too testy, return ‘em to the yard. I think we only returned two in 25 years. And they hung around like they had half-interest in the deed. [That's her on her editing table while Texas Earl the Cheeseman, our rescued Rottie, sprawls on the floor.]
Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson is named in honor of Kyra Sedgwick's character, Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, on The Closer . And Kittie Leigh is a personal cat. She sleeps in my arms, not on my lap. When I’m sacked out, she’s been known to crawl up and turn my neck into her pillow.
As I was typing madly on something this week, she stepped from the back of my desk, to the “cat table” next to me.
Then she wrote that note, curled up and went to sleep. Pretty sure she wrote it and signed it with her initials.

She has stripes that suggests a kinship with jungle tiger [see the photo with the old crank in the last graf of this Sleeper/Napper edition]. Kittie Leigh has a demeanor that suggests she could easily hold down a diplomatic corps position with the U.S. State Department.
People who don’t give a cat a second glance should know that this cat is more than a “companion animal,” she’s a companion soul.
You can sit with Kittie Leigh and study the world without getting into a big ol’ snit. Fan of Yoda, she is.
And, when she curls up to sleep, her fantastic coat displays elements of gold as it catches the light. She’s a radiant cat. 

The Radiant Cat is a benefit to a household — you find yourself watching the cat instead of the unpleasant political stories that won’t mean diddly in six weeks.
[ LARRY BEGGING: If you have a Radiant Cat or a Glowing Dog in your household, snap some photos of the critters sleeping and at play. Send the photos and the bio of the beloved baby to Larry Powell at dallrp@aol.com. We’ll put together the report and, as you can see from this photo, I’ll wear outdoor writing gear and Kittie Leigh will edit keenly. We'll post it in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Also, by telling the world about your sleeping dogs, napping cats, etc., you’ll be inspiring the world’s insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just get the right spotlight to make insomniacs look brighter than they are — and, as an insomniac, I woke up enough to laugh at that last sentence.]
HERE’S A CHANCE
TO GET A GOOD DOG
The message I got from Maryann Izzarelli was pretty simple. The veteran rescuer, an original member of the Team Bedford Facebook page founders, wrote: 
“If you have any space coming up to talk about Cooper that would be great. He’s been waiting over 400 days at the Bedford Shelter.”
Holy crap, I exclaimed silently. FOUR HUNDRED DAYS?

He is beautiful. And lively. And well-behaved. And a shelter favorite. 
As you can see in this handshake photo, he “backs the Blue.” 
You see his photos and the shelter info on that collection of photos of Cooper (#37831173).
Here’s the explanation Maryann sent: “Cooper originally came into the shelter in February 2018. He waited 4 months and was adopted in June 2018 into a very loving family who adored him and made him part of the family. Unfortunately they lost their employment and then apartment so Cooper ended up back at the shelter in October 2018. Although large and full of energy he actually did very well in an apartment but they devoted time to socializing and exercising him.”

So, he clearly knows how to behave!
And, Maryann reports, “Cooper has won the hearts of the shelter staff as well as the volunteers; he has many folks who have worked hard to make his long stay as pleasant as possible. He loves everyone he meets, but he needs a forever home with humans who will stick with him for the rest of his days.”
Here’s a link to a video of Cooper playing ball in the shelter yard. He’s clearly a lively dog who loves to be doing something — especially with a human.

So, how does someone with a heart and a good sense of responsibility visit Cooper to see about adopting him? Go to the Bedford Animal shelter at 1809 Reliance Parkway on the north side of Airport Freeway. Call 817-952-2191.
WHEN YOU VISIT COOPER, tell him Kittie Leigh and I said "hey" and we hope the next story we edit about him is the one where he gets a loving home and settles in for a long, happy life with people who love him more than they knew they could love.
—- Offer suggestions on helping Cooper find a permanent home by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

'HELP HELP' -- ONE FOR EACH OF 2 DENTON DOGS; ASSORTED NOTES; DEEP-FRIED WONDERMENT FOR THE 2019 STATE FAIR

EXTRA EDITION FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2019 [PetPowellPress] At first we were going to take Friday off…do household chores, pack up things to either store, donate or bag for the trash. But, then, we opened the morning email and found opportunities to help and to deep-fry. Two things a true Texan needs: a chance to help and something deep-fried.
SOMETHING’S PUT ASUNDER
SO
 DOGS ARE ON THE CLOCK
I hope by the time you read this Penny and Holly are in a loving home. 
We got the story from Amy Poskey, the noted monitor of situations at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. She writes, “These two angels are pulling my heartstrings, not only because they are seniors but also because they were surrendered together and I’m hoping they can stay together.  
“They were surrendered because their owner is going through a divorce and can’t afford to take care of them.  Breaks my heart. It would be great if they can stay together but not required; however, they are being kenneled together at the shelter and they are ADORABLE.”

Penny is a “senior” Chihuahua girl who is —- oh, my — “heartworm positive, has a heart murmur and is missing most of her teeth.” She has enough of herself left to be “super sweet” and aware of her surroundings and her need for her loving companion.
 Holly is the 8- to 10-year-old that Amy’s note describes as a “female Heinz 57 mutt dawg who is heartworm negative and weighs 45 pounds. She is also super sweet and check out those radar ears!” 
The contacts at the shelter (940-349-7594) are gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
CROWDING AT MESQUITE
PUTS ANIMALS AT PERIL
One of those dogs closer and closer to the needle today is Jessie, a 2- to 3-year-old Shepherd Mix who came in as
a stray on July 5 — he might have been running from fireworks since the night before…and nobody came looking for him. Dammit that’s sad. Not unusual, but sad.
 Our tipster, the shelter volunteer biographer Judi Brown, says Jessie (42137564) “has a very interesting appearance in that he has big eyes and big ears that twitch back-and-forth changing his appearance. He’s sweet looking, and he truly is a real sweetheart! In his kennel he has the look of a deer in the headlights. He’s timid but warms up and will cautiously come to you. There’s no doubt he wants to make friends. He’s very gentle and calm.” 
 [LARRY ASIDE: Check out his Goth nails!]
Same euthanasia threat for Mercedes (42154807), a year-old Lab mix who arrived as a stray on July 8. She’s a playful puppy who weighs 63 pounds. Sits for treats. Needs an active family and, like most human children, needs some obedience training. [LARRY ASIDE: Oops, memories of kids I’ve seen in restaurants recently slipped into my writing.]
Bella’s a year-old Shepherd mix surrendered to the shelter on Thursday the 25th because — get this — “The owner said that she got too big for her small children.” Bella’s a lively girl who is spayed and weighs just 41 pounds. Judi said that after Bella romped in the exercise yard for a while, “She came to me for petting and I was rewarded with kisses!”
To ask about any of these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com. You can stop by, too — it’s at 1650 Gross Road. 
And you can see more dogs and cats currently in Mesquite’s shelter by clicking on this LINK. Among the cats are a zillion (traditional guess!) kittens including this guy BB 4 (42282642) — He looks like he ought to be on a poster hanging in a dorm room. Or maybe on the back windshield of my car with the information for tailgaters on a Dallas freeway: “Back off. This driver is scary!”
LATEST REPORT ON AMORA

The South Texas dog with all the ticks, Amora, continues to be treated for the misery caused by the little blood-suckers. Her blood has to get healthy, she has to recover from all sorts of side effects…but the ticks have fallen off or been removed. And Dallas DogRRR, which posted these photos, is hoping to bring her from the vet in Edinburg to the organization’s Dallas vets soon, according a Facebook posting.
CONTEMPLATIONS

BIG TEX TASTES — INCLUDING DEEP FRIED MOLE AND DEEP FRIED TEXICAN…OH, MY!

The State Fair of Texas owns the Lone Star funride chamber of my heart. As the weekend arrived we got a note from State Fair Public Relations Karissa Condoianis about the semi-finalists for the 2019 Big Tex Choice Awards — that’s the contest with all the Fair fare. These are among the competitors for the final titles Best Taste—Sweet, Best Taste-Savory and Most Creative. [The finals are Aug. 25, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Tower Building in Fair Park. Tickets are HERE ]
I’m just going to nab a few of these entries that I have never imagined in my entire life of eating whatever I can find in the refrigerator. Among the semifinalists: PB & J Bacon Pickle Dog; Pig in a Cannoli; Deep Fried CRACKER JACK, Fried Southern Bourbon Bread Pudding. You can see the whole list in the Fair’s news release HERE.
One of the items is listed as a “Deep Fried Mexican Mole” which, for you people new to the cuisine, is NOT a yard pest, it’s pronounced “Moe-lay.” 
And, finally, there’s a listing for “Deep Fried Texican.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I don’t know the recipe but to me, as a native Texan who recalls we once were way back there referred to as “Texicans,” the name makes me think that’s a new festive way to display your loved one’s ashes on the fireplace mantle. Yep, there’s Granny — she’d put on her boots ’n’ spurs and run that ranch tougher than a big bite of tofu gristle. Always called herself a “Deep Fried Texican through and through.” You can salute her with another semifinalist, a “Champagne Jell-O Hot Shot.” Oh, my, I’ve just written a scene for a film titled Granny and the Texas Toast. Need I remind you, Dear Readers, that the Fair’s 2019 theme is “Celebrating Texas Creativity” and, fyi, that guy is wearing my shirt. Hmm, maybe not.] 

Back to reality: The Fair opens Sept. 27 and runs through Oct. 20. The weather may be a lot like it’s been for the past 48 hours in Dallas. Oh, yeah, that’s a photo of my late pal Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, showing us his impression of a State Fair fan who has just enjoyed a sampling of everything at the Fair that is deep-fried. I think he’d have been partial to the Southern Bourbon Bread Pudding — he was a gentleman.
—- Offer thoughts, recipes and lucky Lotto numbers by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

DUMP DOGS; BURNS FLAT; EARHOUNDS; CATS; MOM'S MIMOSAS, SLY/DALLAS & MUSIC

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY JULY 25-26, 2019 [PetPowellPress] A moment of honesty: I don’t care who shows up for the Dallas Cowboys training camp — I’m interested in who shows up to help dogs at the Dallas dump. Here goes:
IS THIS A MOVIE SET?
OR THE DALLAS DUMP?
This looks like a publicity shot from a motion picture about post-apocalyptic Earth. It’s not. Here’s a hint in one sentence:
 This is not the first dog to live with human trash in Dallas, Texas.
That’s right, this is a photograph of a dog who appears to live at the City of Dallas McCommas Bluff Landfill. Michelle Mitchell took the photo.
She is looking for help. Wednesday she sent this note: “I’m hoping for assistance, direction... anything. I have seen three dogs in bad shape at the McCommas Bluff Landfill…”

Here comes a horror story from Michelle. She writes, “Wild boar gored the male who was covered in maggots when he was alive. Not seeing him anymore. The second dog I haven’t seen in weeks. The third, a very pregnant Aussie mix, is in desperate need of help. I tried to catch to no avail and was told to get back in my vehicle. Dallas animal control won’t help. My house is at capacity with dogs so I couldn’t keep. I have photos of her from this past Monday.”


Of the beautiful, pregnant dog in the photo, Michelle writes, “The last place I saw her Monday was all the way at the top where the commercial garbage is dropped. …  All of the other rescues said that they couldn’t search for her because they needed permission.  She’s pretty big.  I’d say 70 pounds or so.  I have not seen her since Monday morning.  The times I’ve seen here are typically between 6 and 10 a.m.  Originally I would see her just after the main gate scales — Monday was the first time I saw her scavenging at the top of the heap. I did get out Monday and tried to lure her over — she was skittish and the employees yelled at me to get back in my truck, which is understandable since there’s huge equipment moving all the trash.”

Patty Sprong, the veteran rescuer/fosterer/animal advocate, suggested that Michelle check with the SPCA cruelty unit to see if something can be done.
And, who knows — as unlikely as it sounds, City of Dallas Sanitation may have a policy for dealing with wander-up, dumped or miraculously appearing dogs and cats. Surely. After all, the City of /Dallas prides itself on being prepared for all sorts of contingencies.
If you’ve got some suggestions for Michelle or you want to help her, email her at
michellepellegrino1968@yahoo.com. You can leave a comment on this page, too, by clicking below. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Dumped, “set free” or “wander-up,” no animal needs a life on the edge in the city dump — no telling how many come out after dark and scavenge for food. Having been around Dallas for a while, I would not be surprised to hear that now and then, a puppy or kitten will fight its way out of a plastic bag and thrive for a while at the dump. People — trash. Yeah, I’m judging.]
REPORTS FROM THE FRONT

AT BURNS FLAT, OKLA.
Our longtime Oklahoma tipster, Terry Lynn Fisher, way out west in Burns Flat, has some updates and needs for dogs and cats. Here we go:

First this handsome fellow: “We've named him Rueger,” Terry Lynn writes. “He is just a baby. He belonged to a couple that could not afford the vet bills when he was hit and drug by a car. After learning they just let him run loose all the time on a busy highway, we spoke with them about surrendering him.. They agreed, so he is now ours. My vet did the initial treatment. But due to the severity of the many breaks in his front leg, he decided to send to a specialist for the surgeries. This beautiful boy is now on the mend. But he has a good-size vet bill. I have him in a very short term foster for now. I had many people offer to help with his vetting. Below is the information on where to help pay his vet bills. Any amount is greatly appreciated.  I believe his part at my vet has been covered. More updates to follow. Thank you all for being the people you are and understanding why every life matters... You all are the heroes.” 
The Terry Lynn Reuger account is at Deer Creek Animal Hospital, 20501 SE 29th St., Harrah OK 730654. Call 405-391-6220 or use PayPal at bfvfd_109@yahoo.com.
Then there’s this little upright kitty. “It was very touch and go on saving that leg. But now, he is up and playing and ready for rescue. Sadly, the vet bill is going to be pretty high, so as much as I hate to always be begging, we need help... AND, this little cutie needs a rescue to come to.” This account is at Terry Lynn’s local vet (the clinic is well aware of her work on behalf of animals), Elk Creek Clinic, 13 Airport Industrial, Elk City, OK 73644 or all 580-225-4863. And the PayPal is  bfvfd_109@yahoo.com. (underscore between letters and numbers)
Meanwhile, at the city shelter: Terry Lynn writes, “Our pound is NOT set up for cats, so, sadly, I can not offer help with them very often. Right now, I have SIX kittens in urgent need of rescue.
“The first two are ready to go. Their momma and siblings were killed by coyotes. These two were up under a pile of stuff and the owner got out there before the coyotes got them. They were still nursing and their eyes weren't even open. They are now ready to go. Very social and loving.

“The others are a heartbreaking story. An elderly man about 30 miles east of me had a bunch of cats at his property. He decided it was time for them to go. His solution? To put them in a bag and THROW THEM IN THE LAKE. Seriously. While the person that knew would not tell me who he was, I know this happens a lot. The mutual friend was able to catch three of the tiny's and one of the older ones..The bigger one is ready to go...  My foster is bottle feeding the three tiny's…  but the larger one is ready to go too.”
And then there’s this: “I received several calls on this boy.. He was hanging around at the north edge of town. People stopped and tried to catch him but he was too scared. About 10 last night, I got a call that he was stuck in someone's fence where it faced the backroad he was hanging around. We went out and he wasn't actually stuck, just laying there. It took awhile, but he finally came to us...

“He is now in jail. He is thin and had some ticks, but overall, not too bad. He is very sweet and loving. He is a little scared at first, but then he just falls against you for love.”
Then she adds, “The ACO picked up two other dogs last night (I have not been up there yet for pictures) which means we are totally full again.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Does that dog look like he might have a bit of Harlequin Great Dane in his family tree? How beautiful is that dog! Bless his abandoned heart—may a loving human immediately give him a home!]
To help any of these dogs or cats, get in touch with Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
SPEAKING OF GREAT DANES
Sydney Busch — we’ll call her the Guiding Light of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake — sent a note about this guy Tucker. 
He’s 8, neutered and current on his shots. And, the note reads, this Great Dane is “sweet as he can be!” [LARRY ASIDE: We have experience with a Great Danish dog, Hambone Jack, the Canine King of the Blues — “sweet” is an understatement for these babies.]
Tucker's previous home didn’t treat his skin infection — but his foster is and reports that he’s “completely housebroken.” He’s in Athens. To ask about adopting Tucker, email mwarrick1369@yahoo.com. (And remember, Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas — see www.friendsoftheanimals.org.]
EARHOUNDS IN MESQUITE:
THERE’S A COLLECTION
First we visit Pinto Max and Brownie — sounds like a Willie Nelson song, doesn’t it. But they’re a couple of Chihuahuas who were dumped at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on July 23 “due to landlord issues.” 
Our tipster, the shelter’s volunteer biographer Judi Brown, says, “They find comfort in curling up together in a carrier that they were brought in with. They are a bonded pair and have been together for six years."

 Six years? Yes. Here’s why. Brownie (#4229 1457) is 13 and he probably is 6-year-old Pinto Max’s daddy. Pinto Max (#42291447), like his dad, is on the “shy side,” Judi says. “After spending some time with Pinto Max, he did come to me and start wagging his tail.” He’s a 10-pounder, already fixed. 
Brownie weighs 15 pounds and, Judi says, when she was visiting with him, she discovered that “He wanted attention! He is surprisingly spry for his age. He got around quite well. … His body
is slightly chunky but this only adds to his cuteness.”
And that brings us to a Mini, a 2-year-old Yorkie Mix — clearly a purebred Earhound, like Brownie and Pinto Max — who arrived on July 19 as a stray. “She has been passed over because at first she had an attitude,” Judi writes, “Now she has decompressed and is an absolutely sweet, gentle, loving, friendly, lapdog wannabe! She has a skin condition with hair loss down her back. It may be mange. She was very cooperative when given an oatmeal bath. She seemed to know that I was helping her. Her back is very bony . She needs a proper diet. In spite of the skin condition she’s lively and very alert. She walked very well on a leash. Mini is truly 'mini' weighing only 8 pounds. At this weight she could almost fit in your pocket and go anywhere with you!”
To ask about any of these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. You can stop by, too — it’s at 1650 Gross Road. 
And you can see more dogs and cats currently in Mesquite’s shelter by clicking on this LINK.
The cats include a bunch of kittens, some ferals (Mesquite as a free-adoptions Barn Cat Program) and some cats beyond the “kitten stage.” For example, this is Ruby (41567189), 3 years and 2 months old, neutered and in the shelter since May 11. She’s in the cat room. [LARRY ASIDE: Based on my experience with these Tortie babies, a sane intellectual can sit and look at the patterns in this cat’s coat until the cows come home. Then you go outside and stare at the cows. I’m kidding. A cat is as adorable as a human — hmm, that’s not the recommendation I intended to give. Try this: A cat is MORE adorable than most humans, give or take a few points on the Adore-a-Meter.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
‘SMORES/THE ‘B’ WORD; STALLONE; THE MUSICAL REASON
My pal Kristine McCarty, the writer/momma/wife and former boss in the marketing industry (best boss I ever had, I swear), now publishes a blog called Mom’s Mimosa —read it at https://moms-mimosa.com . She recently wrote about “Spicy S’Mores Quesadillas” and I have dodged making them. But her latest is a examination of “WHEN IT’S OK TO BE A B*TCH.” This is the kind of thing that may come in handy when you're in animal rescue and some jerk just isn’t listening. You activate your “AUTHORITATIVE B*TCH.” I think this can apply to men, too. Some of us are too nice at the wrong time, I’ve been told by my authoritativespouse Martha, also an admirer of Kristine McCarty’s. … The magazine Vanity Fair has published a wide-ranging interview of Sylvester Stallone by writer/Co-Editor of Variety Claudia Eller and it touches on a Dallas topic. Here’s the LINK and here’s the passage in which the star explains his mid-career slump:
 Answering the question “Why do you think you found yourself on the outs?” Stallone says he “wasn’t as diligent as I should have been with making certain career choices” then he says, “For example, I did a film called “D-Tox,” and it had a really good cast, but one week into the film the producers decided to change tack, and the film had a cloud over it. It sat on the shelf for two years, and so that was kind of the beginning of 'Stallone is [over].' ” Here’s the deal: D-Tox, also known as Eye See You (released in 2002) began life as a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and novelist Howard Swindle, my late colleague at The Big Paper Downtown. It got great reviews from such people as mystery writer Tony Hillerman. The movie treatment changed the tale from a local cop doing detective work and juggling it with personal demons to an FBI agent sent to a remote sci-fi style detox clinic in Wyoming. If you never read the book, maybe you’d like the movie. Here’s a link to getting the book. Authors matter. And sometimes the “collaborative nature” of movies works out and sometimes it doesn’t. Rocky, for example, worked out. Eye See You did not. … We close with a musical note in honor of Terry Lynn Fisher and her work in Burns Flat, Okla. Click HERE.
—Offer opinions, film and book reviews or suggestions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —