ReadLarryPowell.com

SHELTERING IN PLACE? GO AHEAD AND NAP...

For the final weekend of March 2020, we present our Shelter in Place Edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. And, as you possibly know, travelers from New Jersey are being told they have to go into quarantine once they get to Texas.
That’s the way thing are going right now, but that does not keep us from appreciating this report from Andy Fisher, executive director of our Eastern Seaboard Bureau on beautiful Indian Lake in the Garden State’s town of Denville.
We’ve posted photos of these two Jersey rescued souls before so you may be familiar with the dog Maxie and the cat Chloe. They are setting the theme for this edition, i.e., sheltering in place at the lakeside estate and allowing their staff — Andy, Annie and Ian — to tend to them during these interesting times.
Andy titled Maxie’s photo “The Lakefront Squire” and wrote, “Maxie, out for his afternoon stroll around the yard, takes a break under the big old maple tree.”
 The second photo, that of Chloe turning a long flat box bottom into a place of sheltering was taken on March 25 which, in the Catholic Church, is St. Dismas’ Day, honoring the repentant thief who was crucified with Jesus, according to church history. Andy wrote, ”Chloe just thinks it’s Boxing Day.” (LRP NOTE: Every day is Chloe Day at Indian Lake, so the fact that Boxing Day is the day after Christmas does not affect her idea of sheltering in place in a box.]
In keeping with the sheltering in place theme exhibited by the wonderful Chloe and Maxie in New Jersey, we cite some Lone Star State residents who also have spent their years learning how to “shelter in place” while disguising it as a nap.
You see my sturdy and wise companion, the famed black and white cat The Senator, sheltering in two different places. One is in the U.S. mail receptacle on the table in our breakfast nook. If it looks like a box, The Senator will try it out. 
In the second photo, The Senator discovered a due-to-be discarded box that once held frozen chocolate croissants that were used at an office gathering. Martha put the box on the floor so I’d put it in the recycle bin. The Senator saw the pastry box as an opportunity to “shelter in place” and curled up inside the cardboard cube. Only a veteran cat can curl in a cube.
FYI, when the senator was done sheltering, Martha flipped the box over, reinforced its seams with tape, cut a circular hole in the bottom the size of our Rottie Earl’s dish and turned it into a reliable table so the ol’ fellow wouldn’t have to bend down so far to eat his meals. [LARRY ASIDE: If you have to shelter in place, you want someone with you who knows how to convert trash into a practical implement.]
The final photo is that of our Border Collie/Chocolate Lab mix Dudley the Angel as he shelters in place on the living room rug. He’s in front of the big cabinet that features a cubby hole in which my yulespouse Martha keeps a display of miniature Santa Claus figures. That almost gets us to Chloe’s “Boxing Day” celebration.
As you can tell from the look on Dudley’s face, he has embraced the great quote given to Ebenezer Scrooge by author Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol. Mr. Scrooge said, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
Of course, Scrooge never had to cope with empty paper product aisles and, when he wanted, he could step out of his London abode and walk down to El Palacio Tex-Mex de la Reina for ale and chips. 
Some day my chips will come.
[DEAR READERS: Email photos of your slumbering, sheltering in place dogs and cats and any other critters or in-laws to dallrp@aol.com and readlarrypowell.com will spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dog’s Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, you’re setting a positive example for people who wonder if they need a cat or dog in their lives. And you’re helping insomniacs believe that they, too, can catch some sleep if they can figure out how to compress their bodies into a box built for compact frozen pastries.]
—— Offer opinions or tips for sheltering in domestic tranquility by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR FRIDAY'S EDITION: Animals saved; some are waiting; and we contemplate a kid's birthday

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Here we are, reaching Friday -- completing an entire workweek of "shelter in place" and anxiety and disruption. In this emotionally amped-up state, trying to avoid chocolate takes up all my energy. While sheltering in place, who needs to be adding poundage in places? I sure wish Major League Baseball had opened Thursday -- just like the schedule said it would. Stadium's might have been safe -- surely no virus could afford an opening day ticket plus pay for parking. [That photo? That's my confidant, The Senator, giving a good stretch on Thursday afternoon. He's a darned good companion. Inspirational. Makes me want to learn to nap on demand and stretch like a cat.]

LET'S TALK DALLAS ANIMALS
AND THE TELE-ADOPTION DEALS

Two things. First, Dallas Animal Services has a quarterly report HERE and that's a copy of the cover. Then there's this note: Through April 3, DAS "will be doing only 'tele-adoptions.' You can now make an appointment to speak to our adoptions staff over the phone by clicking HERE.
[LARRY ASIDE: Do we not live in astounding times -- a virus moves the animal shelter even further into the 21st Century's sophisticated communications. It's like we're all stuck on HAL 9000's spaceship Discovery 1 in 2001: A Space Odyssey. We're just waiting to make human contact again -- and maybe even adopt a dog or cat while we're doing it.]
That cat? No name, but a number: ID#A1098779. This handsome fellow may be 10 years old, the DAS staff thinks. He's been at the shelter since March 17. Neutered already, he's listed as a ""black Tabby and brown Domestic Shorthair."
That girl Sapphira (A107229) is a spayed Cane Corso, the shelter says. She may be 8 years old. Came into the shelter on March 23 and as of Thursday evening was on "stray hold" with a "pre-adoption pending." Still might need an adoptor. Email DASadopt@ dallascityhall.com.

Remember this: You can click on dallasanimalservices.org and see the animals currently waiting for adoption in either the shelter or a foster home or an off-site adoption facility. As of around 3 p.m. Thursday, DAS had 181 dogs and 30 cats waiting for homes --- way, way down from pre-virus numbers. The single "other" listing was for a female Guinea Pig and she is listed as "adoption pending."
MAGNIFICENT MILLIE
GETS A BREAK!
Tami Kukla first tipped us to the case of Magnificent Millie, "The Cadbury Rabbit Dog" in Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. Millie, in the shelter for 5 months, was on the brink of a needle.
But Tami reports, Magnificent Millie has acquired a foster. And how about that!
Every now and then, a shelter dog finds a different place to shelter. (See Thursday's edition for Millie's background information.)
THE SCOOBY SITUATION
IN WOOD COUNTY, TEXAS
Oh, boy, we told you about this one earlier. Remember? Scooby was confiscated and cared for by the Wood County Sheriff's office. An attempt was made to get him back to the people who once had him, but that fell through and Scooby was given a Friday euthanasia date. 
But there's good news from Gail Whelan and CAN Adoptions. She'd been hustling up interested in this boy. Here's the story from Gail: "A wonderful young man and his girlfriend came to meet Scooby today.  He has extensive experience with Pits and is willing to see if Scooby can be adoptable.  I need to have Scooby neutered, vaccinated, and heartworm tested on Monday (and could really use financial help).  The sheriff has agreed to let him stay one more week while he recuperates from his neuter surgery.  Then the young man is going to take Scooby for TRAINING and foster him."
In her note to people who pledged on Scooby's behalf and to people who forwarded his story around the universe, Gail wrote, "I CANNOT GIVE ENOUGH THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR CARING ABOUT THIS THROW AWAY DOG OUT IN THE COUNTRY!!!!"

Gail frequently needs help getting other animals to safety. Keep her contact information handy -- she could use a "way to go" note every now and then. Call 903-967-3226 and can.adoptions@yahoo.com. She periodically runs into tough cases made tougher by don't care people.
THEN THERE'S BENNETT,
A CALM AND GENTLE YOUNGSTER
This pitch for a Mesquite Animal Services former "stray" comes from the volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm who says Bennett (44056414) is an "adorable boy" who came in as a stray on the 20th. Mixed breed fellow. Weighs 51 pounds, he's about 3 and not neutered.
 Debra writes, "This youngster is delightful--has a well-mannered, calm and gentle personality and is a sweet-natured fellow.  He knows the sit command, loves to receive treats and takes them gently.  He was interested in exploring the shelter yard and enjoyed stretching his legs during the photo shoot.  He walked nicely on a leash and when led through the bay he did not react to the other dogs who were barking at him."
 Debra says, "Please help his stay at the shelter be a short one."  [LARRY ASIDE: Look at that face! Perfect for taking in your hands and nose-nuzzling, right my fellow dogfans?] Use his ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE TIMES, THE TWIN CITIES & THE KID
OK, I'm sick of "living in interesting times." And that reminds me of the virus and it's alleged origin. For many decades I've heard the line, "There's a Chinese curse that says 'May you live in interesting times'." But I did some research and it appears to NOT be a Chinese curse. Here's a link to The Quote Investigator. ...
I still read The Texarkana Gazette, my first newspaper, and nowadays you can get news bulletins from the paper. Late Wednesday an alert read that the mayors of the Twin Cities -- Texarkana, Texas, and Texarkana, Ark. --- had teamed to establish a "curfew affecting all citizens of both cities." They must stay in their homes from10 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily. The curfew went into effect immediately on the Texas side and the next day on the Arkansas side. Don't know if this has anything to do with that, but the Arkansas side has all the liquor stores. ...
My final contemplation for the day is a "Happy Birthday" for our eldest grandchild, the fabulously artistic Hannah Rose (yellow sunglasses in black and white pose), older sister of tennis player Emily Grace and jazz pianist Connor "Crash" Powell. On the 27th Hannah Rose turns 19, is well into her "College Era" and has a wicked sense of humor. It runs in the family. A caution for those of you who have brand new kids and grandkids, 19 years goes by in a split-second. That toddler photo was Hannah Rose about 17 years ago watching our twins -- Hannah's dad Bart and his brother Bret, known as "Uncle Buck" since she was born -- play softball.
For people who are actually 19? My advice is watch your step and pay attention to Baby Boomers' advice because we are some wise-ass people. Pardon my entirely accurate French.
--- Offer opinions or protests by clicking on 'comment' below or email dallrp@aol.com. ---

HIGHLIGHTING ANIMAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REMEMBERING A VETERAN...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 [PetPowellPress] I mowed the backyard Wednesday afternoon and the whole time was listening to news about the virus and, you know what, it depressed me. Might have been the unexpected heat of the day that got to me. But, then, when I came in I got some news about honoring a Marine Vietnam veteran who became a journalist and a set a high bar for husbands.
ONE MORE LOOK AT SCOOBY,
DOG ON A FRIDAY DEADLINE
Yes, we wrote about this guy for our most recent edition but things have changed. Donations are well beyond the $350 mark to try to save his life. He was confiscated by the Wood County Sheriff's office, a deputy fostered him, people fell for Scooby and, yet, there has been no life-saving adoption. Friday is his last day, according to our tipster Gail Whelan of Can-Adoptions. Offer to save Scooby's life by emailing Gail at can.adoptions@yahoo.com or call 903-957-3226.
The clock is ticking. This isn't anything to ignore. Scooby's got to have a hero.
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PUPPIES
;
AND READ ABOUT THEIR MOMMA
These are more dogs in East Texas and have you ever seen a more beautiful litter? 
We were tipped on these pups by Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. She'd gotten the info from, yep, Gal Wheelan. 
Here's the deal: These pups are 6 week old and have had their first vaccinations. Gail says they'll be adoptable after their 2nd set of vaccinations in 3-4 weeks: They're getting all the life-protecting measures puppies ought to get. How did they come to be? 

Here's the story from Gail: "A beautiful little dog was seen for months living in a cemetery in a small town. A wonderful woman spent 4 months feeding her every day to gain her trust and eventually was able to bring her home. Ten days later she gave birth to 8 gorgeous puppies. There are at least 3 or maybe 4 fathers in this litter and we have no way of knowing exactly who they were. The mom is a Red Heeler and Basenji cross. She is about 25-30 pounds.
"These puppies have been hand-raised -- loved, cuddled, and touched since the day they were born. They have been inside only. We believe they will all be medium sized dogs.
"If you have interest in any of the puppies, we are taking applications so that, hopefully, we can have homes ready for them." You'll have to sign a contract to finish their vaccinations and spaying/neutering. Email Gail at can.adoptions@yahoo.com.
Here's the ID on the puppies: Reese, Blossom, Bonnie, Buster. Then, Cinder, Oakley, Racer and Rayban.
And the momma dog? Gail says, "Yes, she is keeping momma dog. Poor little angel.  Brenda put collars on the puppies Monday so we could take them to the vet and momma dog came up to her, put her paws on her knees and waiting for HER collar!!!   She wanted one, too!!!"

God bless the soul that saved these babies.
AN INFLUENTIAL VOICE
FROM DALLAS' PAST
Readlarrypowell.com and many other animal-advocate types always enjoyed running into James Bias when he was the top executive at the SPCA of Texas. Now, in these tough virus times, he's taking a guiding role in Connecticut where he's Executive Director of the Connecticut Humane Society. 
Click HERE to learn how he's guiding the Connecticut Humane Society through these trying times.
MAGNIFICENT MILLIE
READY TO AUDITION
FOR LIFE AS A DOG
The girl is Magnificent Millie, a resident of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. The story of her desperate spot came from Tami Kukla and was forwarded by a lot of people. Here's Tami's note: 
"Magnificent Millie has been waiting 5 months for a home. Patiently. And we only have 9 hours left to save her. We have to save her. She doesn't understand why no one hasn't adopted her yet. She truly could try out to be the Cadbury Bunny. And she is just gorgeous and loves to cuddle. This girl has heart. We need a creative solution and someone to at least decide to let her do a sleepover for a week to start. Between everyone we all know there has to be someone who is ready to foster or adopt and wants a bff. Or someone who may have another pet but could keep them separate. We need your help and a tag sent to fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov by 8 am tomorrow [Thursday]. 5 months is too long to wait and we can't let her down now and lose her."
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE MARINE WHO BECAME A JOURNALIST
This is a very personal Contemplation about a guy I met in the mid-1970s when we were both youngish and happy to do journalism at whatever they'd pay us. Here's what sent me reeling down my own memory lane.
 His wife Carol sent an email with the subject line "In memory of Bob Bocell." It jarred me. She wrote, "Just wanted you to know. Some of our best 'early married' days were spent with you."
 That was way back in the mid-'70s when I was named editor of the Grand Prairie Daily News -- Bob was the city hall reporter and Carol Chapin, the Missouri veterinarian's daughter, was reporting on several things. All three of us had basically just met at the newspaper in downtown Grand Prairie. Pretty soon Bob, the Vietnam veteran Marine, was head-over-heels and so was Carol. 
My little boys were about 4 and became enamored of Bob and Carol. It was a loving, entertaining time for kids and grown-ups.
But on Wednesday afternoon, Carol's note read: "My beloved Bob peacefully passed away this beautiful Texas morning, March 24, 2020. Shortly thereafter, in a moving Final Salute at Arlington Memorial Hospital, Bob was honored for his service in the United States Marine Corps. More than 50 hospital staffers and nearby friends lined the long hallway as the flag-draped gurney passed by."

Bob was born on Sept 23, 1948 -- about six weeks before I was born. We worked together at not just the Grand Prairie paper, but also at The Dallas Morning News. And we laughed a lot. He could tell stories, he could make wisecracks, he could be sweet and understanding. Will people talks about all this stuff at his funeral?
Carol's note carried this information: "A customary memorial service with family and friends is not possible during our current national health crisis. Instead, please consider honoring Bob by flying your American flag this Saturday, March 28.

"The family respectfully requests no flowers or food gifts. Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Arlington at missionarlington.org."

Then Carol's note gets to the explanation of circumstances: "I am immeasurably grateful for your friendship, prayers and support as Bob lived these last 25 years with Huntington's Disease."

She closes with this: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

I included those last two paragraphs because Bob and Carol are not the only people in the nation to have encountered this misery-producing Huntington's Disease. The folk singer Woodie Guthrie, Arlo's dad, was a victim. Maybe you'll find comfort in the Bible verse in these odd times in our nation.
Maybe you, too, know Bob and Carol -- they have lived a genuine love story.

Bob and I -- back in the days of using film in cameras -- used to develop news photos in the little lab at the Daily News. Were we proud of that work in the darkroom? Sure. But what really made us proud was the time someone in advertising complained to the publisher that we were laughing too much in the dark room and nobody should be laughing that much at the newspaper. Hah. I'm still laughing. It's a tribute to a Marine who earned the right to laugh.
-- Click on "comment" below or email dallrp@aol.com --

ASSORTED ANIMALS IN A FIX; STUFF TO PONDER

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 24-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We're a little late getting off the starting line for this edition -- it's not the virus, it's the household plumbing. Someone soldered a pipe in a wall long before we bought the house and, yep, the unfortunate repair blew up behind the shower wall late Friday and spewed hot water into the area inaccessible by anything except a hammer or a Star Trek phaser.  We called a genuine plumber who knew what to do. It will come as no surprise to anyone who's seen me stumped by a screwdriver that I do not possess keen knowledge of plumbing. My range of knowledge is this: It works. It doesn't work.
Is that not a cute dog? Has nothing to do with a virus, but I need a photo in this spot. Read on.
HERE'S AN IDEA: People who are sheltering in place and who are prone to dumping animals or not properly tending to escape-prone animals should change their ways and shelter smarter in place than they'd planned to do. Take this time off from your usual "too busy to care schedule" or "too dense to think about it" plan for the day and show some responsibility with your animals. You could be the critter hero of the pandemic.
[LARRY ASIDE: If this appeal works, somebody let me know. I'm not holding my breath.]

MEANWHILE IN EAST TEXAS,
NO MORE REPRIEVES FOR SCOOBY
(UNLESS ONE GOOD HEART SCOOBY DOs THE RIGHT THING)...
This is a story that has been going on for a while. The dog was confiscated by the Wood County Sheriff's Department, fostered by a deputy and is apparently a pretty swell dog. 
An attempt to reunite the dog with someone from his past went awry (not the sheriff's fault!), so now Scooby's on the clock. He'd gotten one euthanasia reprieve until March 20, but now the absolute euthanasia date is Friday the 27th. NO MORE REPRIEVES unless that special person steps up, reports Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. (She's got transportation for the pup.)
 And, someone made a $200 donation to help this "incredibly sweet, young, male dog" beat the odds.
To help save Wood County Scooby's life, email Gail at can.adoptions@yahoo.com or call 903-967-3226.
NEW ARRANGEMENTS
FOR FRIENDS OUT AT THE LAKE
The Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake are determined to continuing helping animals during this virus thing.
The note from Friends' legendary spokesperson Sydney Busch reads, "Starting next Tuesday, March 31, Friends [Clinic in Gun Barrel City] will be open from 10-2 for non-surgical services (vaccinations, heartworm testing, etc) EXCEPT FELINE FELV/FIV TESTING. Dr. Robert Garcia, who has headed the non-surgical services for Friends since 2015, will continue doing so."

How will they pull this off? Aha, here's the answer: "Every person who plans to attend this will have her/his temperature taken before entering the building – and only 3 clients at a time will be allowed to enter.  Anyone with a fever or showing symptoms will be turned away."
Details are at friendsoftheanimals.org.
[LARRY ASIDE: And here is one of my favorite Friends of the Animals' rules: "There is a surcharge on every service for those animals not spayed/neutered.  This surcharge is refundable upon proof of this surgery (and does not have to be done by us). Questions?  Call Sydney @ 903-451-4701." Yes, it's a Clinic with a spay/neuter mission.]
MEANWHILE, GET THIS:
A STRAY HAD NO CHIP!
Yeah, what are the odds in North Texas, right? Anyway, Amy Poskey, the veteran Carrollton animal-in-a-fix spotter, sent this note: "Hey, everyone, this handsome boy was found as a stray and, unfortunately, he's not chipped.  His caregiver, Sara, reports that he's a very good pup, loves animals and people, walks beautifully on a leash, and is doing great with crate training and learning commands.  He's very young so he's still working on housetraining, but is showing improvement.  He's probably not neutered or vaccinated, but Debra Myers has graciously offered to cover that cost if a reputable rescue is able to make room for this angel."

Here's the contact; Debra at 940-367-4627 or email dkmyersone@yahoo.com.
 [LARRY ASIDE: In that second photo, the pup looks as if he'd be right at home on an air mattress in somebody's hot summer swimming pool!]
SPAY NEUTER NETWORK
HAS SOME NEW STRATEGIES
This notice arrived Tuesday afternoon from the enduring Spay Neuter Network: "Our Dallas clinic and Fort Worth clinics are currently closed through April 4. Our Crandall clinic will be closed March 30 through April 3. Flea prevention and heartworm medication can be ordered by emailing info@spayneuternet.org. You can find out additional information about how to schedule spay-neuter surgeries or safety protocols for walk-in vaccines by CLICKING HERE. Remember, things change in the viral world. Maybe for the better at some point!

THIS IS LIZZIE,
A GENUINE EARHOUND
One of our Mesquite Animal Services volunteer biographers, Debra Chisholm, sent this note about Lizzie (see our opening photo today), described as "an American Pit Bull/American Bulldog/Staffordshire Bull terrier mix." Clearly Lizzie is, more succinctly, an Earhound of the Cutely Lop-eared Variety.
The 56-pound girl came in as a stray on March 20. Debra's note reads, "This little charmer walks nicely on a leash and when led through the bay, she did not have negative reactions to the other dogs.  At this point, she is a bit standoffish.  She has a calm and laid-back personality.  She is sweet-natured and is cautiously friendly.  During the photo session she did her business in the shelter yard so may be house-trained.  She appears to have had a litter.  My heart went out to this youngster because she seems so unsure of herself and why she is at the shelter.  She is calm and gentle and oh-so-sweet.  Please help her out of the shelter front door by networking or tagging at rescues@cityofmesquite.com, typing in the subject line TAG, ID 44042131.  You can contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email the address above.  There is currently a special on adoption fees of $20."
Then, there's the SAGA OF APOLLO, another Mesquite dog, but this guy has a bad luck story. Biographer Judi Brown writes, "I’m sending out Apollo again because he was adopted and then surrendered through no fault of his own. Although  the potential adopter was told that a big dog like Apollo would not do well in an apartment, he was adopted anyway. The apartment manager said that he exceeded the weight allowed in their apartment. He’s a beautiful boy that needs a second chance! This time hopefully someone will have a large yard for him to run in when he’s not sharing the couch with them.  Apollo is a 2 to 3-year-old husky/shepherd mix that was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 3/3." The 64-pound dog is already fixed. His ID is 43709800. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
AND THEN THERE'S HERO. Judi says the 3-year-old, 48-pound Cane Corso/Staffie/Bulldog mix has been at the Mesquite shelter since the 19th. "This is an exceptional dog," she writes. "He captured my ❤️ from the start. For one thing he’s absolutely adorable with a personality to match. He’s very friendly, without being overly so, affectionate, sweet, obedient, mannerly , calm, and very alert. He wags his tail constantly and sparingly gives you kisses. When you sit down he comes to you to be petted. He also checked out the yard and liked to watch the people outside the gate. He sits for treats. He didn’t have a problem meeting other dogs in the bay. He particularly spent time with some smaller dogs. ... How can you not love that face? Hero weighs 48 pounds. He could be your hero!"

Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Be sure to mention his ID: 44053519.
MEANWHILE AT DAS
You can see slight adjustment in the number of animals at Dallas Animal Services on Tuesday afternoon. These figures are available at dallasanimalservices.org -- that's where you can see how to adopt and who's available. 
Among the cats? This guy. He's got a striking face.

But we couldn't resist posting the 3-year-old because of his name. Someone naming incoming cats must be a fan of movies and maybe even Ghost or Roadhouse or To Wong Fu, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar.
THE VIRUS GETS IN THE WAY
OF HELPING COCKER SPANIELS

The great group DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue has postponed the 8th Annual Dogleg Classic. Why? Here's the official announcement: "To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will practice social distancing. We have decided to postpone the 8th Annual Dogleg Classic until further notice. (hopefully Sept/October 2020 time frame).
"This year we had a tremendous response with 21 teams (84 players) registered. Thanks to everyone that had committed to support this wonderful cause as our organization continues to work tirelessly to rescue pups in need of finding their fur-ever home."

Read about the group or see how to adopt or help by going to dfwcockerrescue.org. 
We'd be remiss if we didn't highlight a couple of Cockers who are available -- the girls are (left to right) 10-year-old black and white Cocker Phoebe and Ollie, the 4-year-old buff girl.
CONTEMPLATIONS
A COCKER IN THE HEART; A TV SHOW; TRAINING FOR THE OLYMPICS
We have enjoyed life with a Cocker Spaniel -- Inky, the Cocker Laureate of Texas. The greatest thing is Cocker Spaniels own your heart. Forever. I haven't seen Inky since 2014, but I know he's still with me -- I can feel him and sometimes I even seem to maybe see him in the shadows in the early morning, along about the time we used to get up together and pad quietly down the hall toward the kitchen. Sorry, I felt like crying, so I did.] That's Inky giving us his impression of a hungry baseball player dreaming that he's rushed into a big league stadium and found the concession stands are open and serving Mom's Get To First Base Meatloaf. Inky had a knack for predicting the future. ...
WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? We're watching episodes of Bosch, a cop drama with personality presented on Amazon. The great Titus Welliver has the lead role as a grumpy but smart cop. One of the supporting roles in the police department is played by the splendid Amy Aquino -- she was the mean Girl Scout troop leader who made Ray Romano's character quake over cookie sales in Everybody Loves Raymond. Yeah, there's bad language and ugly events -- it's got the flavor of "reality." And I say that as a former reporter who worked the police beat off and on for years. ...
BIG ATHLETIC NEWS? Doesn't involved Major League Baseball so how big could it really be? Anyway, the 2020 Summer Olympics have been moved to 2021 -- this gives me time to train either to run the Olympic Marathon or to become an ultra-sleek, well-muscled 25-year-old gymnast. Fat chance, as they say.
--- OFFER TV ADVICE OR READING SUGGESTIONS BY CLICKING ON 'COMMENT' BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOL.COM ---

RECORD LOWS AT DAS; MISSING CHIPS; THE VIRUS CHANGES AN ENDURING SCHEDULE; CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 [PetPowellPress] OK, nobody at our house got up and rushed into Dallas Monday morning for work. The officials call it “shelter in place” but I think it’s more like “fester in place.” It’s ticking me off not to have any place to go that I’m not already sick of seeing.
Show of chip-less hands, please, how many of you will be heading toward your favorite Tex-Mex place as soon as this virus thing is lifted? I have optimism. Blind optimism. To quote a favorite Disney song from 1937’s animated Snow White, “Some daaaayyy my chippps will come….” Store-bought chips and guac just don’t have the same allure.
OK, let’s talk miracle numbers.

GOOD, GRIEF I NEVER THOUGHT
I’D SEE THESE NUMBERS IN DALLAS
In the years I’ve been writing about animals — decades, really — the only time I ever saw such low counts at the big Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center was when it was under construction and nobody was there but stray mutts, curious cats and foraging o’possums. 
Those numbers were posted on the dallasanimalservices.org site Monday morning. K
eep in mind that at DAS “all adoptions will be free until further notice,” DAS has announced. Go to that link to fill out an adoption application ahead of time.
Here are some of the critters still waiting. That dog with the magnificent face is Javi (A1045136), a 3-year-old “blue and white Pittie” who came in as a stay on the 19th.
The only “other” on the critter list Monday morning was A1098766, this really attractive female Guinea Pig. No name yet, but if I adopted her, I thinl I’d give her a hopeful name. How about “Remedy Pigedy.”
We’re citing two cats. I’m particularly partial to Dallas cats — live with a few of them, you know. Also I’m a fan of Tabby cats — they’re interesting in a pensive way (and they know how to nap, a pursuit I may attempt while festering in place). 
The big cat is A1098779, a neutered fellow, who is thought to be 10 years old. That’s prime age territory for a tabby boy. He came in on the 17th as a stray. No name. But “Huggy Bear” comes to mind. (Shout out to Starsky & Hutch.)
And that little guy is A1097550, an 8-week-old orange Tabby who arrived on March 4. No name, either. But I think I’d go with Catster until he works out his personality.
[LARRY ASIDE: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, when all this viral stuff is over, DAS could never have dog and cat and “other” populations higher than the list it has this very Monday morning. You’d like to think Dallas could have a low shelter population without having to kill animals to make room for more unwanted animals. You’d like to think this could be achieved without having the whole damned nation living under threat of death-by-disease. Help me off this soapbox before a board snaps and I surprise a sleeping cat.]
MEANWHILE, OUT AT THE LAKE
THE VIRUS CLOSES THE CLINIC

AND POSTPONES A GALA
The Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City is pausing its long-running routine because of the virus threat.
An announcement on the Friends’ site reads, “In the interest of safety for our volunteers and staff - and our clients - we will be closing until further notice.  Please watch the website for more information.”
 That's friendsoftheanimals.org.
Also, the threat of Covid-19 has led organizers to reschedule the 8th Annual Whiskers & Wags Gala benefitting the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake and the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. Originally scheduled for early April, the Gala is now on the calendar for September 26. Click HERE for tickets.

VOLUNTEERS KEEP REVIEWING
AVAILABLE CRITTERS IN MESQUITE
The great thing about animal people is they just keep working — the animal are important to their hearts. The Mesquite Animal Services Shelter has volunteers who maintain the focus.
Here are some of the animals in the shelter that we have learned about thanks to Judi Brown, Debra Chisholm and others. Here we go:

That first dog is Brite (ID 44042318), a year-old, 68-pound Pointer/Dalmatian/Pittie mix, according to Judi’s hands-on report. Brite came in as a stray on March 17. Judi writes, “The owners didn’t come looking for him which is really surprising. Their loss will be your gain because this is one heck of a great dog! He’s a true southern gentleman. He’s on the timid side but definitely friendly, loving, social, gentle, calm, sweet and extremely good looking! You can just tell by looking at his sweet face that he’s a good boy. He has gorgeous brown eyes! He gives kisses and his tail wags constantly.”

This is Binky (ID 43977655), about 8 years old and a slightly chubby 13 pounds, Judi says. This Yorkie came in as a stray on March 7. You’d think someone would be missing a Yorkie, right?

“Can’t you imagine just how much cuter he will be once he gets groomed?,” Judi writes. Wants to be a lap dog. He’s rescue only right now because he has dental issues and “an enlarged prostate, possible liver disease and a collapsing trachea.” Judi emphasizes, “This seems so overwhelming and yet this little guy just keeps on trucking!” 

Then, there’s Dallas (ID 43997548), a 70-pound, 5-year-old, already spayed, retriever mix who was surrendered to Mesquite on March 10. Why?
The story reads, “The man that surrendered her was an uncle of a niece that had dropped her off for him to take care of and then never came back for her.  Since the niece’s name was on the microchip she was contacted and said she would come, but sadly she never showed up! In spite of this sad story...Dallas seems to be happy. Fact, she seems to be grinning. I think she’s thinking positively and thinking she will get a forever home this time. She’s a beautiful reddish golden color with squinty eyes. This makes her very unique. She’s timid until she gets to know you. …She likes to play Frisbee.”

For any of these animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6284 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Be sure to use the ID number for the animals.
And you can see more at Mesquite’s LINK HERE.
Take a look at the cats and you’ll see that this boy Cornelious (44025750), nearly 3, is still waiting in the Cat Room for a new home. He’s quite handsome. And he’s listed as “large.” [LARRY ASIDE: A cat is only as big as you need him to be — it’s the ol’ how big is your heart thing. Is your heart big enough to live with this cat? If you think you have a smaller heart, maybe you’ll take on Stormie Dae (440523540), 8 months old and “small”. She came in on March 19 — a gray domestic shorthair. Waiting in the Cat Room.]
CONTEMPLATIONS

WEATHER, ALTERNATIVES AND DIAMONDS
Let’s talk weather. Nah, let’s talk Spring: The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a story that says 2020’s spring is the earliest one in more than a century. Here’s the LINK. We have no other springtime notes. Except, all the rain is really making the grass grow in our yard and I’m about to have to mow it again —I’m bettin’ I won’t have to mow it every 5 days after July 4 through Labor Day. …
Things people can do online because of the virus? The Scardello Cheese people in Dallas are teaching Virtual Cheese 101 online. Hosted by “Head Monger Rich Rogers and Sommelier Marco Villegas! Much like our traditional Cheese 101, Rich and Marco will guide you through the eight cheese types, paired with tasty accompaniments to showcase the different attributes in each cheese type. And the best part is, you can participate in your own home!” … The Plow & Hearth website is conducting its “first-ever Stuck At Home Sale.” I once bought some solar-powered birds from that site. Couldn’t get that out of the old Sears & Roebuck Christmas Catalog. …
And, in closing, we have a baseball suggestion for jewelers. To celebrate the return of Major League Baseball, allow people to put diamonds on lay-away for use in wedding proposals made during the first Opening Day of this season. Here’s the theme: Honor The Diamond With Love. Free usage of that marketing idea in exchange for a nose ring for my dog Porche Noel. She’s a hip chick — she’d like something silver and red. Bright red. Perhaps a glamorous ruby that dangles but won’t clang on the water dish. Here she is posing for a fashion shoot by an undisclosed magazine but we think it might be an outfit called Fuffy Rug Passion. Porche will be happy to sign autographs.
—- Offer ideas or objections by clicking on “comment” below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR SPRINGTIME 2020, WE TAKE A LOOK AT LITTLE OLIVE LITTLE, A WELL-BALANCED CAT....

For the first weekend of Springtime 2020, we spotlight Little Olive Little in this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.

The humans involved are some longtime friends of readlarrypowell.com, Sandy and Walter Stallings. I met both of them when we all worked at The Dallas Morning News starting way back in the 1970s. They now live in Bandera and, as you can see from the photos, their current companions are critters. Their kids have grown up.
Sandy, the former copy clerk, has the sense of humor that gave us the caption for the photo of Little Olive Little in the pot on the fence. "I'LL HAVE TO REPOT HER," Sandy wisecracked. Walt has the sense of humor that allowed us to post that photo of the crack security unit -- the family dogs -- guarding their favorite guy. I'm sure they're in a state of "alert." 
[LARRY FYI: Sandy, Walt and I go so far back, as people say, that when my kids were little and we came upon some unwanted kittens, we managed to unload, er, give one to Sandy.]
What sort of critters does she have today? "Seven dogs and four cats. And a cussing parrot, three horses and a chicken."
That's the parrot Elvis who, Sandy swears, Walt accidentally taught a word that, in polite company, can best be described as an "unfortunate expression" from a bird.
[Sandy and Walt also have grown-up kids, Katie, who's a mom, and Meg. And there are grandkids, too: Charlie, 8; Jay, 5; and Bradley 3.]
So, here's the story of Little Olive Little. Sandy says, "Olive was apparently dropped by her negligent mama (or fell from under the hood of a car), under a bridge in San Antonio. Katie and I literally ran OVER her. Walt was following, so I jumped out at a light and saved her. We took her to have her euthanized, as she had an obvious head injury, but she was fine." 
And now Little Olive Little is at home relaxing in a flower pot.
Now, about that photo of Walt with the dogs. He's no short guy. Sandy caught the tall fellow on the couch with the gang. As she explained, "You'll love this -- it's a terrible picture, bu it made me laugh (very quietly)." 
[LARRY ASIDE: Walt, who I met when he was an editing intern from UTA, was a top editor for many, many years -- he's earned every nap he can get. That's the couple caught on camera.]

Sandy gave us the IDs on the dogs you can see with Walt. "Tippy is on the back of the couch. Rudy is under Walt’s arm. Casey is the baby—little tan fella, and Huey is white. Mac is the old man of the house. He’s pushing 15. ... Casey is the newest addition. After he had emergency surgery in January, he’s worth about $1,200 a pound!"
We'll close with the tabletop photo.
"This is Rudy," Sandy says, "He's sleeping on my 10-foot picnic table." She says the table has usually been occupied by grandkids, but business interests have taken Katie and family to another state. And Sandy really "misses my babies," she says.
Rudy apparently likes a little elbow room when he's a sleeping dog.
And, FYI, Sandy works for a veterinarian. She's always got a connection in the animal world. Not that unwanted dogs and cats ever show up unannounced at vet's office!
[SEND US PHOTOS of your slumbering dogs and cats and their life stories, too. We'll proudly post the pictures and their stories in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You'll be inspiring people to think about adopting a household companion and you'll be inspiring the world's insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some peaceful sleep if they can just figure out a way to balance a flower pot on a fence rail and cram their bodies into it. Balance -- insomniacs seek comforting balance.]
-- Offer thoughts or emotions by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and we'll respond sweetly. ---

GOT TO BE SOME WAY TO SAVE 'EM ALL INCLUDING THESE CRITTERS...AND A HOME OFFICE TRANQUILITY TIP FOR THE VIRUS ERA

EDITION OF FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Let’s see what we can do in this edition to give us all a little respite from talking about the biggest news of the month….Superstar QB Tom Brady going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yeah, I know. How goofy can an opening paragraph be these days? OK, get serious. We’ve been spoiled by a “quick click/instant answer” 21st century lifestyle and some things just don’t work like that. Darned virus. We’re concentrating on something that might be fixed by a quick click or two: Save this dog Dusty.
We’ve already written about him once — he’s 11-years-old, is one of the rescued “Joe’s Dogs” in the southern part of Dallas County and he doesn’t have much of a chance if he’s not adopted or taken into a rescue group that’ll make sure the cheerful, congenial ol’ pup has a good home. 
Key passage from Laura Macia’s 4-Legged Helpers appeal for “Joe’s Dogs” left behind after Joe died: “The dogs have to be off the property or will be shot or euthanized by the new property owner who is apparently building some type of warehouses. If we can catch the other dogs, they at least have a place to go, but we wanted to do a special plea for this guy.”
[LARRY ASIDE: There’s enough killing in this world. The times are threatening enough already. It’s time to save lives, protect lives. Do something good. Elbow tap a salute to a good deed.]
Ask about helping Dusty or any other threatened dog by calling or texting Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
A CRISIS OUT AT THE LAKE:
FOSTER COORDINATOR NEEDED
A Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake weekend adoption was canceled and HSCCL’s Lanette Ainsworth issued an appeal that said as a result of that act things are about to get tougher. “With the ASPCA transports and adoption events being cancelled, this will not have a good outcome for fur babies at the shelter,” she wrote. “We need a Foster Coordinator! … I think this would be an hour to two a day for a few weeks in an effort to get this rolling.  Is there any of you that can help with this for a few weeks?  Or If you know someone that you can reach out to that would be the right person.”
 Email lanette2002@yahoo.com to get details of the job and see if you match.

That intent little Tabby girl is available for adoption at HSCCL — she’s Deanna (#29-2559).

And there are many dogs along with the many cats waiting for home at HSCCL. The dog on the left is Athena (20-0597), listed as a “baby Belgian Malinois." The dog on the right is the big German Shepherd boy Judd (20-0438). 
There are many others — and, of course, readlarrypowell.com spotted a fantastic dog face — this is Albus (20-0447), listed as an adult “male Labrador Retriever” and I’m betting that’s a fellow we’d refer to as a mix. But he’s got a a great face that cries out to be loved by a human with a good heart. Don’t they all. 
The HSCCL shelter is at 10200 CR 2403 in Tool, on the southern end of Cedar Creek Lake. Call 903-432-3422.
[LARRY ASIDE: Be a sinful shame if we humans couldn’t figure out a way to keep the renegade virus from standing between us and saving the lives of animals.]
LET’S BOUNCE BACK TO WILMER
AND AN EMACIATED FELLOW…
Another report from Laura Macias with the 4-Legged Helpers, this time from Wilmer south of Dallas where this emaciated dog with leg lacerations arrived Wednesday. Some kind of Spaniel/Golden Retriever mix maybe. 
“Everyone says he’s so sweet,” Laura writes. CALL or TEXT Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
You know the situation: Small, underfunded, understaffed, under available to the public shelter in a small town on the south side of I-20 from Dallas. Other animals are waiting and 4-Legged Helpers works to get them out, but it takes other people to help, too.
[LARRY ASIDE: At some point, SOMEONE wanted this dog. Now, someone apparently DOESN’T WANT HIM. Know what that’s called? “Betrayal of the heart.” Makes me wince.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
AN ASSORTMENT, PLUS MARITAL ADVICE FOR WHEN EVERYBODY'S WORKING AT HOME...
Need some springtime sounds other than a government press conference about a virus? Try Chris Jackson’s DFW Urban Wildlife website HERE. Texas birds can be quite relaxing — unless you get a Mockingbird who thinks his job is to rattle windows. Those little rascals can shred the morning quiet. We had one at our Dallas house and I miss him. He taunted the feral cats -- inspired them to wear helmets because he wasn't too shy about dive-bombing a sauntering, inattentive cat. …
I think we reported this already, but because of the way things have been working out lately, we can get away with mentioning that the Holiday Insights online calendar people list March 9 as “National Panic Day.” It was NOT created by the Charmin people in case of a run on the product. And, it was just ONE day -- not a combination of months, so let's lay off the panic now, OK? …
A lot of people are staying home from the office these days — that means there could be two people per household staying home. That’s the case at readlarrypowell.com. But I’d like to cite this note I saw on the Facebook page of local writer Mary Dunklin —her hubby Reese Dunklin has a reputation as a pretty swell journalist, too. On her Facebook page this week she posted this entirely appropriate-for-the-era note: “
Pro tip for couples suddenly working from home together: Get yourselves an imaginary coworker to blame things on. In our apartment, Cheryl keeps leaving her dirty water cups all over the place and we really don't no what to do about her."  [LARRY FYI: Martha and I are trying to engage the right personality for the job at our house -- probably a disgruntled former presidential nomination candidate. In the meantime, things go like this: Martha walks from her office in one end of the house, I stumble from mine at the other end and we meet in the kitchen like two colleagues running into each other in the break room and arguing over who should have bought the coffee supplies. It’s still fun to see her. We elbow bump, of course.]
—- Click on “comment” to offer psychological help or arguments about government decisions or email your gripes to dallrp@aol.com. —-

A THURSDAY EDITION IN AN EXTRAORDINARY TIME ON PLANET EARTH...SPRING ARRIVES

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 [PetPowellPress] At 10:15 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Thursday the 19th, Spring arrives for 2020. Is that not amazing? Not even the federal government could delay springtime. 
And it's also not the first spring without big league baseball in the Metrosprawl. More on this in Contemplations. 
FYI, that boy with the Happy Springtime face needs a human' heart to step up for him. Keep reading.

CONSIDERING THE FUTURE
OF ANIMAL LAWS IN TEXAS
The Texas Humane Legislation Network's interim executive director Shelby Bobosky sent out a note and a suggestion Tuesday. 
The email noted that THLN has "canceled all planned public gatherings for the months of March and April. For now, we will tentatively continue plans for events and gatherings in May and beyond, but we may make future changes to our event schedule based on CDC guidance."
Then, noting, that there's an opportunity at hand to help THLN, the letter read, "Please reach out for some home-based volunteer work that can help us meet emerging needs in these challenging times and lay the groundwork for a successful 2021 Texas legislative session. There is much to be done! "
 [LARRY ASIDE: If all things go as planned, the 87th Texas Legislature opens its 2021 session on January 21.It will be light at least one member who had great pleasure in foiling pro-animal protection laws in the last session -- he chose not to seek re-election. His name shall not be typed here. But you can google "Loudest and Least Effective Legislator" and see how Texas Monthly used those terms to introduce a story outlining his anti-animal actions.]
MEANWHILE, OUT AT THE LAKE
IT WAS A GOOD TUESDAY
As readers of this animal-friendly news site know, the good folks with Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake operate the world's most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City. How was business on Tuesday in the midst of all the virus bulletins nationally and all of the restrictions on Metroplexians? 
Our reliable source with the Friends, the great Sydney Busch, reported, "Because there had been NO reported cases of coronavirus in Henderson County, yesterday, Tuesday March 17, Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic was open for business with someone at the front door taking temps of EVERYONE coming into the building and limiting the number of people in at any one time.

"With most of our crew there working very hard, we did 61 surgeries ... and had 37 animals for non-surgical services.  A busy day!"

Who knows how many unwanted dogs and cats will NOT be born just to be killed in a shelter or abandoned and starved, run down, shot, poisoned, tortured or turned into training bait for jerk dog fighters. Spay/neuter is an act of kindness. Drop by a kill shelter and look at the puppies and kittens that show up in the spring. They don't all find homes.]
HERE'S A PET-RELATED NOTE
ABOUT THE COVID-19 CRISIS
This was posted on a NextDoor page by Selena Sanchez of the Fort Worth Office of Emergency Management. 
It read, "We've received a lot of questions regarding pets and COVID-19. We wanted to make sure we addressed your concerns. During this time of social distancing, spend a little extra time with your pet and consider adopting one if you can as Fort Worth shelters reach capacity!"

There's the artwork that came with the posting.
[LARRY ASIDE: I'm almost certain there's no way anybody with a working brain can blame dogs and cats for this virus event. "Working brain" being the key phrase. I'm almost certain these people don't think "Chickenpox" come from handling too many chickens or "Red Measles" were inspired by an itchy guy with spots named Red.]
AN EARHOUND IN MESQUITE
AND A HAPPY DOG NOBODY WANTS...
We're spotlighting two dogs from the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
That 7-year-old, 10-pound  Chiweenie is Clover -- clearly a dynamically cute Earhound. We learned about her from the volunteer biographer Judi Brown. Clover came in on March 12 as a stray -- how did a cute dog like that become a stray? Somebody's heart betrayed her. Anybody in her past has yet to come get her. 
Judi says Clover is "a real cutie with big round eyes, freckles across her nose and stand up ears.  She has a cute personality to match! She’s sweet. She’s also very alert and explored the volunteer room. She kept going to the gate and whimpering. I get the feeling she is missing her owners and wondering why they haven’t come to get her. I can’t help wonder the same thing." (She's #44010110). Keep that number in mind when you call or email the shelter.
Our other Mesquite contact Debra Chisholm sent a bit of a re-run on this guy Max. What a great dog face! 
Debra writes, "I originally sent this email out 7 weeks ago.  I'm sorry to say that Max is still at the shelter and is now on an urgent list with 4 other of the most long-term residents.  Max is a really good boy but just seems to get passed by when potential adopters are looking at him.  Part of the problem is that he does not present himself well at the window.  However, when he is out in the shelter yard he is the friendliest and sweetest youngster!!  He's one of my faves!!"
The year-and-a-half old dog Max (42405881) came in as a stray on January 21. She writes, "Max is a tail-wagging bundle of energy with an outgoing and confident personality.  He takes treats gently and knows the sit command. In his enthusiasm he will jump on you so manners classes would certainly be in order."
To help make sure Clover and Max get a home and not the darned needle, email rescues@cityofmesquite or call 972-216-6283.
THINGS COULD CHANGE, SO
JUST IN CASE ....
As of this writing Tawana Couch says the annual fundraiser for Society for Companion Animals  is still scheduled at the Ozona Grill in Dallas on April 5. 
Tawana asks, "Please let people know as of this date, the event is not cancelled but that we are offering deals now."
As you probably know, funding for the Society supports the organization's efforts to fly unwanted Texas dogs to places where they'll have loving homes they can't find around here. [Shame on the Metrosprawl, but thank you good hearts elsewhere, you know?]
 Tawana asks that we post the available fund-raising gift certificates so people can get an early jump on the bidding. "Hopefully SFCA can get some good offers." 
Make an offer on these items by emailing Tawana at
tawanacouch@me.com. She'll let you know if your bidding is successful. You don't get to be successful in animal advocacy without having a strong streak of optimism. So, Tawana says, "As of now, 18 days away from the event, there is no cancellation. A lot can happen in 18 days." 
(She'll update us on the items that are sold -- so stay tuned.)
 Here's the current list of items on which to bid:--
Uptown Yoga- one month unlimited classes for all Uptown Yoga Studios. Value $145 expires 4-5-21; Pet Portrait by Guy Brown- one hand-drawn portrait of your pet. Value $150 sorry no sample drawings; Happy Tails Grooming on Northwest Hwy- $50; Happy Tails Grooming on Northwest Hwy- $50; Tootsie's women's clothing in Dallas- good for $100 off full price item

Haynesworth Photography- one 10x10 Family or pet portrait expires April 2021 Value $750; Robin Jackson Photography- Family Portrait Package 11x14 Value $500 minimum $100; Chuy’s Fine Tex Mex- $45; Ziziki’s Restaurant any location Sunday Brunch - $50; Market Street Gift Card on Preston Road in Plano, TX- $75;

Kenny’s Smoke House Barbeque Restaurant  expires 4-5-21 - $100; Cafe Pacific Sunday brunch for 2- $60; Moxie Grill- $100;

Texas Rangers Baseball Tickets for 2 plus buffet. Game to be determined. Value $300 very good seats; Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth expires 2021, Value $60; Dallas Arboretum 4 general admission tickets plus parking expires Dec 31, 2020 Value $128;
Pinots Palette Addison paint class for 2 expires 4-30-21 Value $135;

Obstacle Warriors 2-hour party for up to 10 kids. expires 12-31-20 Value $250;
Visa Cards each are $100 MUST GET $100 EACH for these. We have 10 to sell.;
Four Seasons Resort - one night stay plus breakfast for 2 Las Colinas Irving expires 4-5-2021 Value $557.79;

Lake House in Granbury with pool. Four bedroom on the lake. No holidays, No pets, No kids under 10. No to June, July or August. Value $1,500 Weekend or a week. Minimum $300; Move Studio- 5 classes plus 5 infrared sauna sessions valid through 12/20 Value $130; Medical Spa - Enlighten MD in Dallas one photofacial for sun damage OR $250 TOWARDS ANY SERVICE must be new patient Value $250.

REMEMBER: SEND YOUR BIDS TO tawanacouch@me.com
[LARRY ASIDE: Thank, Tawana, for sending the list and, also, thanks for being optimistic for the animals and for the Ozona fundraiser, too!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
SPRING, BASEBALL, PAPER PRODUCTS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE , A FINE DAY IN MARCH, ETC.
Back to this being the earliest start of Spring in 124 years (according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. Yep, it's a trick of a man-made calendar. Read about the arrival of spring HERE
and read about the way man's creation of "calendar time" figures into the whole thing HERE.
...
PERHAPS YOU'LL AGREE that Texas Rangers' special home openers are jinxed. When the team first began playing in the old Arlington Stadium (upgraded from a minor league park) in 1972, the start of the season was delayed for two weeks by a player strike. Finally big league baseball arrived. Now, in 2020, comes a delay based on a virus crisis as the Texas Rangers attempt to open their brand new roofed ball field. Yep, jinxed. On the other hand, it could be the fates at work: Perhaps because of the delay, the crowd-favorite Willie Calhoun will have enough time for his hit-by-pitch jaw to heal and he can suit up for the home opener...
Regarding the Friends of the Animals Tuesday at the clinic. Apparently there's "no panic at grocery stores" out at the lake -- I suggested to Sydney Busch that this might work: The non-profit could raise money by selling easy-to-get toilet paper online to Dallas County residents. Then, son of a gun, I saw Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins at a press conference during the 6 p.m. news. Judge Jenkins speaking directly to grocery store hoarders, said with exasperation, "You don't need to get every frickin' roll of toilet paper at the grocery store. We're making more toilet paper." [Funniest declaration ever out of the mouth of a Dallas County official! It's funny AND true.] ... 

We'll finish with what may be the final St. Patrick's Day note of 2020. A guy I know was talking about life Wednesday and announced, "This is the first March 18th I've awakened in years without feeling like hammered crap. No St. Patrick's Day celebration on the 17th. Felt pretty good. Different, but good." [LARRY ASIDE: Still not going to thank a virus for that.]
--- Offer advice or concern by clicking on 'comment' below or email dallrp@aol.com. ---

HERE'S A MIDWEEK EDITION THAT RUNS FROM EERIE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS & CHEAP GAS TO CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We live in an age of irony. Gasoline is dirt cheap and, yet, we have no place we can go.

On Tuesday morning, after an early appointment with a doc to check my assorted routine readings (fyi: exemplary!), I drove from down Central Expressway at Walnut Hill, south to the Ben Franklin Apothecary in Duncanville.
There were several odd things about the trip. First, I could actually drive or exceed the speed limit on Central because there were NO bright red taillights ahead of me. I haven’t driven at the speed limit on Central since I was working nights downtown in the 1970s and even then it was an iffy trip because the "toy" freeway was only slightly wider than a graveled country road.
Then, there was this incredibly soggy mist that shrouded even the low-level sky, as you can see in this photo I snapped around 9:30 a.m. in Duncanville. I half expected to roll down the window and hear the Twilight Zone theme.
As the eerie atmosphere enveloped my car and I listened to hits from the 1960s on my satellite radio, I snapped that photo at the Main St. QT in Duncanville. Gas for $169.9. I can’t remember the last time I paid that little for a gallon of gas. It didn’t happen Tuesday, either. I'd filled up Monday with $1.77.9 gas because I didn’t think it could possibly get any cheaper in the 21st Century.
The rest of today’s edition will try to mention a lot of stuff in short bursts. 
As the research scientist said to the human guinea pig, "Let's see how this goes.
THIS ISN’T THE ONLY DOG
ON THE CLOCK IN WILMER

Yeah, he’s not, but he’s the one whose photos got to me because I simply cannot stand the thought of a dog’s unhappiness being so thorough that it shows in his pictures.
I mean, geez, for crying out loud — he’s a fellow with a distinct appearance.
This guy is JJ, a “very young male Bulldog,” according to our tipster Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small, under-funded city shelters such as the one now holding J.J. in the City of Wilmer. 
You can save this “completely adorable, lovable little boy” by calling or texting Laura at 214-949-2726 or emailing cat_ girl_71@ yahoo.com. She writes that JJ is “is baby sweet and precious and has the sweetest little face. Currently stuck in the shelter, a place no dog should be. Please, this is critical.  He is so deserving.”

There are many other dogs there, too. Get in touch with Laura to help them. Ask to be put on her mailing list. You’ll be astounded at the wonderful small shelter animals at peril.

MORE AMUSING IRONY:

IN THE SCARY VIRUS ERA
DAS CANCELS VACCINE CLINICS

BUT NOT ABILITY TO ADOPT!
Blame that darned virus. This popped up Tuesday afternoon on the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center Facebook page. “All vaccine clinics held at DAS in the month of March have been canceled. Our main shelter (1818 N Westmoreland Rd.) is still open to the public and we are still in need of adopters and fosters, particularly for large dogs like Bubba (#A1095119)."
Among the adoptables beside Buddy are more than 200 other dogs and several dozen cats (you can get a close-to-current count and see dogs and cats at dallas animalserv ices.org). 
One of the cats in the care of Dallas Animal Services is #A1095824 — no name (yet), but look at that dramatic orange Tabby face and those big ol paws. He may be 4 years old. He’s been in the shelter since February 24 and he’s “on stray hold” — probably not going to be anybody sobering up and wandering in to announce “Oh, yeah, dewwwd, now I remember. That’s my cat. I forget his name. Hey, I forget mine, too. It’s harshin’ my mellow, man.” [LARRY ASIDE: So, someone with a sense of responsibility and an ability to love needs to step up and adopt this handsome guy. Or if you’re his human and you won’t claim him, I will hunt you down… oh, sorry. Pressure of the times got to me for a second. I won’t hunt you down. Until the virus thing is over, of course.]

CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES ON THE LIFE WE ARE LIVING AND, IN FACT, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SHOW MUST NOT GO ON….
We got this announcement Tuesday from the great folks at Pegasus Theatre in Dallas — they’d vowed to go on with the show, presenting A Critical Case of Murder in RadioVizion at the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library. Alas, fate lowered the curtain. The theater announcement said, "On 3/14/20 the City of Dallas cancelled public access to the public libraries which impacted the run of A Critical Case of Murder! presented in RadioVizion at the Lochwood Branch Library. If we can re-mount the show later in the year we will, but, for now we must wait and see along with the nation and the world what will happen with the COVID-19 containment efforts.” For those of you who love the literary comedy of playwright Kurt Kleinmann, there is this opportunity. Pegasus live-streamed the 3/13 performance of A Critical Case of Murder and it’s available on the Pegasus Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pegasustheatredallas). Pegasus’ people ask that viewers “please consider a donation to Pegasus Theatre to help offset costs associated with this production.” [LARRY ASIDE: As I’ve mentioned before, readlarrypowell.com adores dogs, cats, actors and playwrights. I can’t explain why I lump them all together — except that donations help them all survive and they're all affectionate in their own special ways...]
Now we move to a cute presentation by Cheri Fults of Recycled Pomeranians & Schipperkes Rescue (recycledpoms.org).
Yeah, it has a St. Patrick’s Day theme, but, you know, we just didn’t get enough of the St. Patrick celebration this year, so enjoy this array of Poms. [LARRY ASIDE: I have no actual documentation of this, but I’m almost certain Poms are the favorite dogs of Leprechauns. Almost sure.]
And then there’s this wisdom from the Facebook page of Rawlings Gilliland. Reading it beats the heck of yet another “NEWS ALERT” on that darned virus. And the last line has more solid truth than an entire campaign trail.
—- Offer coping tips or list restaurants you’ll immediate go to when this is over by clicking on ‘comment’ below. —-

HERE'S A MIDWEEK EDITION THAT RUNS FROM EERIE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS & CHEAP GAS TO CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We live in an age of irony. Gasoline is dirt cheap and, yet, we have no place we can go.

On Tuesday morning, after an early appointment with a doc to check my assorted routine readings (fyi: exemplary!), I drove from down Central Expressway at Walnut Hill, south to the Ben Franklin Apothecary in Duncanville.
There were several odd things about the trip. First, I could actually drive or exceed the speed limit on Central because there were NO bright red taillights ahead of me. I haven’t driven at the speed limit on Central since I was working nights downtown in the 1970s and even then it was an iffy trip because the "toy" freeway was only slightly wider than a graveled country road.
Then, there was this incredibly soggy mist that shrouded even the low-level sky, as you can see in this photo I snapped around 9:30 a.m. in Duncanville. I half expected to roll down the window and hear the Twilight Zone theme.
As the eerie atmosphere enveloped my car and I listened to hits from the 1960s on my satellite radio, I snapped that photo at the Main St. QT in Duncanville. Gas for $169.9. I can’t remember the last time I paid that little for a gallon of gas. It didn’t happen Tuesday, either. I'd filled up Monday with $1.77.9 gas because I didn’t think it could possibly get any cheaper in the 21st Century.
The rest of today’s edition will try to mention a lot of stuff in short bursts. 
As the research scientist said to the human guinea pig, "Let's see how this goes.
THIS ISN’T THE ONLY DOG
ON THE CLOCK IN WILMER

Yeah, he’s not, but he’s the one whose photos got to me because I simply cannot stand the thought of a dog’s unhappiness being so thorough that it shows in his pictures.
I mean, geez, for crying out loud — he’s a fellow with a distinct appearance.
This guy is JJ, a “very young male Bulldog,” according to our tipster Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small, under-funded city shelters such as the one now holding J.J. in the City of Wilmer. 
You can save this “completely adorable, lovable little boy” by calling or texting Laura at 214-949-2726 or emailing cat_ girl_71@ yahoo.com. She writes that JJ is “is baby sweet and precious and has the sweetest little face. Currently stuck in the shelter, a place no dog should be. Please, this is critical.  He is so deserving.”

There are many other dogs there, too. Get in touch with Laura to help them. Ask to be put on her mailing list. You’ll be astounded at the wonderful small shelter animals at peril.

MORE AMUSING IRONY:

IN THE SCARY VIRUS ERA
DAS CANCELS VACCINE CLINICS

BUT NOT ABILITY TO ADOPT!
Blame that darned virus. This popped up Tuesday afternoon on the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center Facebook page. “All vaccine clinics held at DAS in the month of March have been canceled. Our main shelter (1818 N Westmoreland Rd.) is still open to the public and we are still in need of adopters and fosters, particularly for large dogs like Bubba (#A1095119)."
Among the adoptables beside Buddy are more than 200 other dogs and several dozen cats (you can get a close-to-current count and see dogs and cats at dallasanimalservices.org). 
One of the cats in the care of Dallas Animal Services is #A1095824 — no name (yet), but look at that dramatic orange Tabby face and those big ol paws. He may be 4 years old. He’s been in the shelter since February 24 and he’s “on stray hold” — probably not going to be anybody sobering up and wandering in to announce “Oh, yeah, dewwwd, now I remember. That’s my cat. I forget his name. Hey, I forget mine, too. It’s harshin’ my mellow, man.” [LARRY ASIDE: So, someone with a sense of responsibility and an ability to love needs to step up and adopt this handsome guy. Or if you’re his human and you won’t claim him, I will hunt you down… oh, sorry. Pressure of the times got to me for a second. I won’t hunt you down. Until the virus thing is over, of course.]

CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES ON THE LIFE WE ARE LIVING AND, IN FACT, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SHOW MUST NOT GO ON….
We got this announcement Tuesday from the great folks at Pegasus Theatre in Dallas — they’d vowed to go on with the show, presenting A Critical Case of Murder in RadioVizion at the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library. Alas, fate lowered the curtain. The theater announcement said, "On 3/14/20 the City of Dallas cancelled public access to the public libraries which impacted the run of A Critical Case of Murder! presented in RadioVizion at the Lochwood Branch Library. If we can re-mount the show later in the year we will, but, for now we must wait and see along with the nation and the world what will happen with the COVID-19 containment efforts.” For those of you who love the literary comedy of playwright Kurt Kleinmann, there is this opportunity. Pegasus live-streamed the 3/13 performance of A Critical Case of Murder and it’s available on the Pegasus Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pegasustheatredallas). Pegasus’ people ask that viewers “please consider a donation to Pegasus Theatre to help offset costs associated with this production.” [LARRY ASIDE: As I’ve mentioned before, readlarrypowell.com adores dogs, cats, actors and playwrights. I can’t explain why I lump them all together — except that donations help them all survive and they're all affectionate in their own special ways...]
Now we move to a cute presentation by Cheri Fults of Recycled Pomeranians & Schipperkes Rescue (recycledpoms.org).
Yeah, it has a St. Patrick’s Day theme, but, you know, we just didn’t get enough of the St. Patrick celebration this year, so enjoy this array of Poms. [LARRY ASIDE: I have no actual documentation of this, but I’m almost certain Poms are the favorite dogs of Leprechauns. Almost sure.]
And then there’s this wisdom from the Facebook page of Rawlings Gilliland. Reading it beats the heck of yet another “NEWS ALERT” on that darned virus. And the last line has more solid truth than an entire campaign trail.
—- Offer coping tips or list restaurants you’ll immediate go to when this is over by clicking on ‘comment’ below. —-

ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY: DOGS & CATS, FOSTERING & ADOPTING; BIG LEAGUE MEMORY

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Against great odds, HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY. And, here’s an FYI: This cute dog is not up for adoption. But this handsome fellow is. We’ll explain    Mr. Hand- some’s situation in just a moment and we're posting Ms. Cute’s explanation in our daily Contemplations.
FIRST, SOME WISDOM from the longtime animal advocate Andy Allen. She noted in a Facebook post that this virus thing is really disturbing shelter routines — adoptions, visits, etc. And she urged, “Please consider fostering during this crisis! Shelters are bursting at the seams, and you’re home anyway. Call your local shelter or rescue!”
Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center posted that artwork on Friday the 13th. The pressure was on in the large dog kennels.
And, here we are on St. Patrick’s Day and, based on experience as a resident of Dallas, it is unlikely that the city can go a couple of months without bringing in any more loose Dallas dogs or, here in puppy season, any more big dog mommas with litters. 
So, yep, Andy’s got the right idea about stepping up to save animals in a really rotten spell of the seems-like-sci-fi 21st century.

And that “save and foster” attitude is needed in Fort Worth, too. On Monday, Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s Facebook page had this request: “As of this morning, we have 557 animals in our care at our main shelter. With the increasing risk of COVID-19 in our immediate and surrounding areas we know our adoptions will decrease and we will reach a critical capacity.
We have an immediate need for emergency foster homes and/or adopters - especially for large dogs and animals undergoing medical care. 
If you feel that you can help, please complete the emergency foster application below. Our team will contact you with the next steps.
https://forms.gle/SmifL6KgLduaadYNA."

That Fort Worth Earhound is Sadie (42796819), a Pittie girl who is 5 years old and has been in the shelter since September 21. There are many more distinctly handsome and beautiful and interesting dogs in area shelters.

ONE MORE VIRAL NOTE
In the midst of an era where wide-eyed people rush into the store hunting toilet paper like an 1849 prospector trying to grab a California gold nugget, there are calm islands of routine in the world. One is the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake Spay/Neuter Clinic at Gun Barrel City. We checked with Friends spokesperson Sydney Bush who reports the clinic will be operating as usual on Tuesday. Contact info is at friendsoftheanimals.org. [LARRY ASIDE: This place didn’t get to be the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City by going into a panic every time the words “news alert” popped up on a cable TV news channel.]

NOW WE GET TO DUSTY,
THE DOG WITH A DEADLINE
Several days ago Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers sent out an appeal for this guy Dusty — she’s hoping to get him into a safe place before “time runs out for Dusty” on March 31.
On Monday I asked if she’d gotten any response to her plea and the answer was “Nope. … He is old and needs a home! Such a sweet boy.”
Where did he come from? Ah, you may remember reading here about the efforts to save “Joe’s Dogs.” Joe had saved a bunch of dogs through the years and then he died and people began working to save his dogs. 
The initial Dusty note read, “We have one dog where we have done a terrible injustice.  We had no idea, but Dusty, who is apparently the oldest dog of the group is VERY SWEET. He enjoys being petted. He really enjoys being around people.
“While trying to catch a couple of dogs at a time, we all realized Dusty wants desperately to go with us.  To go with anyone.  He is such a sweet dog.  We found out he is about 11 years old.

“Please, this is just heartbreaking.  This dog is not a sanctuary dog.  He is a dog deserving of being with someone and having a home for the rest of his life, however short or long that might be. 
“One of the sisters who currently owns the property — and has several dogs of her own — felt so bad for him, that she let him go home with her one evening and she said he slept the happiest of sleeps.  SO HAPPY. Then he had to go back...she cannot keep him.”

To offer to take Dusty into your rescue or into your heart and home, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
HOW HAPPY CAN A DOG LOOK
WHEN HE’S IN A CITY SHELTER?
Well, Russ look pretty darned happy. He’s in the Mesquite Animal Shelter. Clearly Russ is a Jack Russell — about 3, he came into the shelter on March 3 as a stray. The 18-pound dog, already neutered, is described as “a lively and active little fellow.” Lots of energy, likes to play with balls, walks “nicely” on a leash. Russ’ ID is 43971609. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Keep those connection points handy because you may fall for this girl Molly (43961420). Volunteer Debra Chisholm’s note about the 2-year-old Pointer mix (came in as a stray on the 5th) reports, “No one suspected that this little charmer was pregnant but on Thursday (3/12) morning, she delivered a litter of 6 pups! …She is a good mama an caring nicely for her little ones.”

You want a dog who’s ready to play? Look at Bo, the 43-pound, 8-month-old American Bulldog/Boxer mix. Debra wrote, “He is the most delightful and playful boy.  In the shelter yard during the photo shoot, he jumped up next to me on the bench and showered with me with kisses and wanted to be on my lap.  He's friendly and affectionate.  He has a confident and exuberant personality.” 
Bo has a lot of positives. His number is 43889957 and you use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
See Mesquite’s available dogs and cats by clicking HERE. That’s where you’ll see such distinguished gents as #44025750, known to his acquaintances as Cornelious. He’s just over 2 and arrived at the shelter on March 14 — he is described as “large.” [LARRY ASIDE: Surely someone would miss a cat like that and claim him. But, you never know about people.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
FAIR QUESTION; EXPLAINING THE DOG; TEXAS RANGERS MOMENT
First, don’t let this jar your thoughts, but if this virus thing doesn’t get cleaned up pretty soon, it won’t just be concert-goers and fun-places in other states that are fouled up. Can you image a world without the State Fair of Texas? Oh, my. Oh, my. …
Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, we snapped a photo of an appropriately attired dog. Spotted the great-looking dog on Monday while transacting business at Resource 1 Credit Union just across the DART tracks from Dallas Police headquarters. The stuffed dog is the office mascot, I guess. He was tinseled up at Christmas. I don’t now how the CU dressed him on President’s Day — oh, wait. I think the pup had the day off. … Had a memory flash when I inadvertently wondered what time today’s Texas Rangers’ game starts. I had my little boys — elementary school age — with me at the old Arlington Stadium for an evening game — we had three tickets along the third base line and we were sitting there watching the players when Reggie Jackson, the great slugger, came walking past, glanced our way and suddenly stopped to make sure he saw twins and wasn’t just seeing double. I think he went 4 for 4 that day with two homers — not sure, but that’s a funny way to explain that his double-vision cleared up. Beat the virus & PLAY BALL.
—- Offer enthusiasm or intellectualism by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

A FERAL CAT'S FATE; GARLAND DOGS IN A FIX; ASSORTED OPPORTUNITIES AND A CONTEMPLATION WITH VARIETY

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We're beyond the halfway point in March 2020, so we'll focus on helping animals in a way-too-fast year and we'll celebrate the feral cat who owns a piece of our hearts.
SUGAR MOMMA THE FERAL
HAS GONE TO A HAPPIER PLACE
(AND THAT'S A GOOD THING!)
There is an empty spot in our home as the second half of March arrives and we are grateful. 
For a while now we've been tending to a cat named Sugar Momma. We got her 18 months ago when she showed up on our Dallas front porch with a litter of kittens. She was the final feral momma in our 20-year attempt to safely find homes for our front porch feral colony.
That's her in her "traveling cage." The kittens found homes almost immediately, but Sugar Momma would have become another statistic at a kill shelter. She deserved better, so we hung onto her -- we had faith something would work out. On Sunday, bless their hearts, the good folks at Panther City Feral Coat Coalition picked her up.  [The Coalition has a specific mission -- it takes money to support it. I'm hinting -- just in case there's some other softy out there with a cat that is not interested in life with a human.]

Sugar Momma, in that photo, was about to travel to her new home north of Dallas -- a place where she could be her own cat, keep a barn pest-less and not have the pressure of living with humans.

In the cage you see a ball. She never played with it, try as I might to entice her. She is the only cat in our rescue history who would not let me pet her or hug her. Dedicated feral, even though she called upon us to help her and her kittens when they were nursing babies.
As I was getting food ready Sunday evening for our longtime housecats, out of habit I lifted a dollop of food and started to turn to put it into Sugar Momma's dish. Know what happens when a guy suddenly remembers that the difficult cat is gone? He has to put the spoon down and grab a paper towel to dab his eyes. Yep, grown man tearing up over a cat he'd never been able to pet. Know what I did? I picked up The Senator and nuzzled his neck with my big nose and told him how much I love him.
He said, "Grow up and feed the cats who ACTUALLY DO put up with you." The Senator -- a vessel of wisdom.
MEANWHILE, IN GARLAND
SOME DOGS NEED A HELPER
Our longtime pal (and former colleague at The Big Paper Downtown), Sandy Stallings, is attempting to find some new homes for several dogs who -- no fault of their own -- are in a bit of a fix.
Sandy explains, "I need some help rehoming some sweet, large-breed dogs. Owner must go into assisted care. If anyone can help, please PM me. All are healthy, vaccinated and hw negative...and play well with others." Here's Sandy's Facebook link so you PM her.

She says, "My sweet friend Julie has to put her old ward into assisted living, and he has all these rescue dogs (including one chronic fence climber), that have to be placed ASAP. Unfortunately, they’re all from high kill 'pound' situations that they can’t go back to."

The Australian Shepherd is 5- or 6-year-old Mama. That other big dog is Nala, an Andalusian mix, about 2. The Hound is Cowboy, 2, the only boy in the crowd.
And the beautiful black "fence-scaling Pittie pup" is Daisy. Sandy says, Daisy is "only about a year old and can climb like a cat. She's super sweet and needs stimulation. Wants to be with people all the time. High energy."
There are also a couple of Chiweenies -- they have to stay together and may already be placed.
 (If you don't do Facebook, you can email dallrp@aol.com and readlarrypowell.com will forward your offer to help.)

FOR RESCUE ONLY,
A LITTLE DENTON DOG
It's the health situation that puts the "rescue only" tag on Lolita (#87041), a Yorkie mix who is 5-to-8-years old, barely a teenager in tiny dog years. We learned about her from our reliable Denton McNatt Animal Shelter volunteer tipster Amy Poskey. Lolita has a heart murmur and "advanced dental disease." This was learned after she was "picked up as a stray with her pooch pal and he has been adopted. So Lolita is looking for a place to call home, too."

The McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center is at 3717 N. Elm ST. in Denton. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. The email contacts for Lolita are gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com,  julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Ethel.Strother@cityofdenton.com and roxanna.burson@cityofdenton.com.
AND THEN THERE ARE
THE MESQUITE ADOPTABLES
Judi Brown, the Mesquite volunteer biographer, sent several bios of unwanted dogs. Of course they're unwanted -- why else would they be in a city shelter? Either they were conveniently lost or dumped or forgotten after they didn't show up for dinner. Ah, don't-care humans -- there's our problem. So, here we go with the bios of dogs at peril because humans failed them.
The beautiful Mila (ID 43913642) -- check out those dreamy eyes -- is a 3-year-old Alaskan Husky surrendered on the 12th because -- well, we don't know, but the dumping "previous owners...only had her for two weeks" and "did not disclose the reason on the surrender form but did say that she jumps fences." She'll need a secure place to romp, toys and exercise, Judi says. She's a tail-wagger, knows the "sit" command and is "sweet friendly and affectionate."
Sweet Pea (#43977595), a Lab Mix, is a 6-month-old, 25-pound former stray who is "one high-spirited youngster with plenty of puppy energy. Bottom line is that Sweet Pea has lots of potential and if guided and taught like most dogs will make a fantastic pet," Judi writes.

Amelia (#43968517), maybe 5 months old, is a "mixed-breed girl who arrived as a stray" on March 6. She weighs 29 pounds.
Not spayed --yet. "She walks well on a leash and when led through the bay, she did not show any aggression or an unfriendly spirit toward the other dogs.  During her photo session she ran, romped and raced through the yard.  It felt so good to stretch those legs!! She also spent a good bit of time scouting out the interesting smells in the yard.  She has lots of puppy energy and has a spunky and exuberant personality.  She is friendly and has an oh-so-sweet nature."

To ask about any of these dogs, email rescues@cityofmesquite.com or call the shelter at 972-216-6283.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ALL SORTS OF STUFF
Interesting Sunday to see the California governor ask residents 65 and older to "ground" themselves during the virus crisis. "Ask" is one step from "order." Some of those Boomer docs and researchers and support medical personnel may need to get a note from their mommas so they can go to work. Not a political note, just a note about irony. Not everybody retires at 65. ... Life gets more interesting than we need it to be sometimes. Remember just a couple of weeks ago when the biggest crisis in Big D was The Leaning Tower of Dallas? Ah, the good ol' days. ... People who think not holding church services will end worship don't really understand faith, do they? ... As I was typing this, one of the presidential candidate debates was playing in the background. Making Major League Baseball safe for spectators hasn't come up yet. ... I have faith we'll see a season -- I have a belief that the Texas Rangers will win the pennant. Faith is reality-based. That belief is a fantasy. ... Ah, Dear Readers, live safely and enjoy every moment of your day, wherever you spend it -- at work or at home. ... Animal rescuers? I'm betting it'll take more than a virus to keep you from picking up a stray or nabbing a bewildered kitten. ... Everyone should make certain they wear their Anti-virus Collars. Oh, I made that up, but for a second you thought it might be true. If a collar can repel a flea, why not a virus, right?
--- Offer gripes or hypes by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com -- we're working at home (over 65, you know). ---

FISHER THE DOG -- WHAT DOES A BEAR HAVE TO DO WITH THIS YOUNGSTER?

The crack, underpaid, but diligent research department at readlarrypowell.com was assigned to pinpoint the origins of two breeds of dogs.
The report from online sources is the Plott Hound "is a large scent hound, originally bred for hunting bears."
And the Boxer dogs were "bred to be medium-size guard dogs."
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a Plott/Boxer mix named Fisher. Though he appears to be out like a light, Fisher is guarding the couch in case a sleepy bear shows up.

Yes, Fisher is the spotlight dog for our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. And, I know his human: My son, Bret. He adopted Fisher a few weeks ago from Waggin' Tails Adoption Center run by the Humane Society of North Texas in Benbrook. The A-boy-and-his-dog relationship was immediately sealed.
Bret had been contemplating getting a dog for a while. He said, "I was looking for a good-looking, shorthair, larger male dog who would sleep all day. Nailed it."

Fisher was was an owner-surrender. The story was his previous humans were allergic to him.

I ask, Ladies and Gents, is that a face to sneeze at? 

You can't really tell in the "Fisher running" photos but the big dog has no tail. When people ask about his dog's missing tail, Bret replies, "Yeah, he didn't come with a tail. He was $75 and it was an extra $20 for the tail."
Fisher, a young fellow, has also been around long enough to be diagnosed with heartworm, so he's scheduled for treatment at the end of the month. My veteranrescuespouse Martha and I have gotten dogs through the treatment before so we have been happy to constantly advise Bret that the dog will need to be still and quiet and unexcited throughout the treatment. Bret nods patiently. He is accustomed to being harangued by his father.

Bret says, "We have been training to stay calm and watch golf on the weekends,  preparing for the Masters. He was glad to hear it was postponed and not canceled."

I asked Bret what he liked about Fisher's demeanor and he said, "He only barks when it's appropriate."
In the final two Fisher photos, you see a dog who is very focused on a treat. He caught on quickly to the behave-for-a-treat philosophy.
FYI, I conducted a large part of this interview by constantly texting Bret at his office. One of the last questions I asked was "What is your favorite thing about Fisher?"
And Bret replied from his desk, "He can't text."
[LARRY APPEAL, SUMMARY: Dogs run in our family. You've previously been able to see the sleeping dogs at the home of Bret's twin Bart and his wife Erinn -- Bixby the big, adorable Chocolate Lab/Weimaraner mix and Max the feisty Jack Russell mix and Lucky the lovable "Red Heeler Mix" who claims Hannah Rose, my college student granddaughter. That's grandson Connor posing with his dog Max. We'll all have a family dinner as soon as we don't have to sit 6 feet apart at the dining table -- other granddaughter Emily, the tennis player, join us with her racket. (She probably smiled at that!)
readlarry powel .com is proud to publish photos of your slumbering felines and canines in our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Email photos and bios to dallrp@aol.com. The photo feature celebrates the love between humans and animals. Helps insomniacs realize that they, too, can sleep if they can just find the right couch to guard while restlessly waiting for sleepy bears.]
--- Offer coping-with-life advice or stock tips for 2020 by clicking on 'comment' below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

FOR FRIDAY'S EDITION, WE ARE DAZED BY NEWS AND MADE HOPEFUL BY HUMANS HELPING ANIMALS...

EDITION OF FRIDAY THE 13TH, MARCH 2020 [PetPowellPress] First the rigors of a time change and now a Friday the 13th. Next thing you know the opening of the Texas Rangers new baseball stadium is delayed. Doesn't matter I can afford neither tickets nor parking. So, let's get on with the day's report.
That cat? Why, that's the beautiful Chloe of our Eastern Seaboard Bureau in Denville, N.J., on Indian Lake. Bureau Chief Andy Fisher has provided a photo of Chloe for the current newsy contest of the nation. We used it in Contemplations. You'll see that Chloe's beauty reaches from tip to tip.
Oh, and coincidentally, while I was working on this, I got an uplifting note from Pegasus Theatre titled "The Show Goes On." We'll get to that later in the edition.
 And, remember, send us photos of the slumbering dogs and cats you adore so we can feature them in the weekend's Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. This weekend, we're featuring a rescued dog I've met.
PETA'S NOTE ABOUT
THE CIRCUS IN GARLAND
Yep, this weekend the Carden International Circus is at the Curtis Cullwell Center in Garland. How do I know? PETA told me. People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals promises supporters will be picketing and handing out anti-circus animal shows literature.. PETA says this circus has a history of mistreatment of animals. Here's the PETA link.
[LARRY ASIDE: That photo is the promotional picture used on theCircus's Groupon site. I can't get housecats to line up like that. Maybe I don't wear enough sparkles.]
PETA's note in protest of this circus, includes this: "Modern audiences are turning away from abusive circus shows. Ringling Bros. went out of business in 2016, citing the public's changing attitude toward its use of animals as well as a decade of declining ticket sales. Numerous cities and states across the country are enacting bans on wild and exotic animal shows, and more and more circuses have dropped their archaic animal acts and are touring animal-free. Meanwhile, circuses that feature talented human performers and no animals—such as Cirque du Soleil—are thriving."
A MOM AND PUPPIES GET
A LONG-DISTANCE RESCUE;
TRANSPORTATION NEEDED
We got the tip on the story from animal advocate Amy Poskey, a frequent source cited on our website. At first the situation really burned my gizzard. I've had a couple of minutes to refocus.
This Pittie mix girl had six puppies and Amy wrote, "My heart breaks for this little family cuz they have found themselves in a nondescript, tiny building/shelter with no foot traffic, only 8 kennels, and 2 animal control officers who go there twice a day to feed and water the poor souls who end up there.  UGH!!! "
Things were looking bleak. Then, suddenly, as the light of a day of virus news transitioned into an early evening of virus news, I got an email with GOOD NEWS from Amy.
She wrote, "I’m beyond thrilled to report that Carla Murino with Near and Far Animal Foundation in NY (https://near andfaraf.com/) has offered to save this precious little family!!!  Now we just need someone to pull them from the Forest Hill, TX shelter and transport them to VCA at 2555 N Belt Line Rd, Sunnyvale, TX 75182.

"If anyone can help, please contact Officer Charles Hernandez and/or Bill Duncan to make the arrangements (contact info below). I have also copied Bill to this email.  Thank you!  J  Amy"
That contact info is officer Charles Hernandez at 817-771-5342 and Bill is at 214-727-9891 or email WJDUNCAN1@MSN,COM.
The background is in Amy's earlier note. She said Officer Hernandez contacted Bill asking for help with this family "so we’re hoping someone can save this sweet family." Amy's appeal must have touched a heart or two.


ON THE UP SIDE
OF HELPING ANIMALS...
We got this announcement from the SPCA Thursday: You see the logo of the event there. 
The SPCA says that "to help our 4-legged friends find 2-legged ones, the Helpful Honda People, from the North Texas Honda Dealers,
have arrived to spread Random Acts of Helpfulness. They will be helping North Texas animals find their forever homes by hosting Helpful Honda Pet Adoption events throughout the month of March in partnership with the SPCA of Texas.
Here's the schedule for for the Helpful Honda people

-- Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Perry Animal Care Center, 8411 Stacy Road, in McKinney.
-- Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Jan Rees-Jones Animal care Center, 2400 Lone Star Drive just west of downtown Dallas (visible from I-30).

--Noon-4 p.. Sunday, March 29, where the SPCA and Honda people will be at the SPCA's Mobile Adoptions Vehicle at Fan Expo Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas.
Readlarrypowell.com would be remisslarrypowell.com if we didn't mention animals available through the SPCA of Texas. That horse? That's a mare named -- yes -- Beowulf, a 5-year-old Mare -- she's at the Perry Center.

 And that cat is Tootsie (43936573), a nearly year-old girl who is currently available at the SPCA cat cages in the Denton PetSmart. She has such a set of ears that we're declaring Tootsie to be an official Earhound.

You also have your choice of 3 dogs named Max. On the left is the 9-year-old large Pittie mix, #43913473, That Max's bio reads, "My owners had to move and sadly could not find pibble-friendly housing (the humans at the SPCA of Texas say this is a top reason beloved pibbles
like me end up here!). 

Happy Max with the lolling tongue (41455158) is a nearly 3 year old Shepherd mix -- he's got some restrictions on kids and other dogs. But he's healthy and can smile big for the camera. He's at the Perry Center in McKinney.
The third Max (43772049), a 3-year-old Australian Cattle Dog boy who knows how to lounge by the pool is at the Dallas SPCA shelter.
WHILE BROADWAY GOES DARK,
THERE IS A LIGHT IN DALLAS
We got a note from Pegasus Theatre Thursday about coping with the closings and the uneasy feelings surrounding this Coronavirus thing, i.e., now known as COVID-19. It's upbeat. 
It has to do with show business and laughter.

Here's the way it opens: "We hope this email finds everyone in good health. Health, of course, is on all our minds, as the country prepares for whatever the Coronavirus has in store."

Then it gets to the "dedicated to theater point."

"With some area events being canceled, we thought it wise to let you know our plans for the next three weekends and the RadioVizion show at the Lochwood Library. At present our plans are to proceed with opening night [that was Thursday, fyi] and with the remaining eight performances in the run. 

"We are also taking precautions. Every day we will spray down the seating area with a disinfectant that kills the virus. We will also have plenty of hand sanitizer available for cast and audience use. Should a cast or crew member exhibit any symptoms, we will cancel shows and refund ticket purchases or substitute for a future production. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and know that we will transfer or refund your tickets. 
"If you’re like us, you could probably benefit from a good laugh these days. A Critical Case of Murder! by Kurt Kleinmann is perfect for your comedy needs! We hope you’ll join us and forget about your troubles for a little while! -- PEGASUS THEATER."
FYI: A Critical Case of Murder! is a mystery -- someone is killing the newspaper drama critics in the city and, in this radio play, Harry Hunsacker, the detective-would-be-actor, solves the mystery. Tickets are at pegasustheatre.org.

CONTEMPLATIONS
A TV, TENNIS AND THE CLIMATE
One of our TVs has shut down We get no sound. Just a dark screen. I Googled "troubleshooting" and learned that there is a problem peculiar to the brand of the TV and it even has a name: "The Black Screen of Death." Technospouse Martha may get the repair assignment. All of the problems seem to be electronic though I'm wondering if a TV will shut down because a big white cat likes to walk across the TV table and rub his side across the screen. .... After seeing the list of sporting events canceled, I checked with my son Bart to see if the tennis season of my high-school granddaughter had been canceled and he texted back, "Just the doubles." If you know anything about tennis and appreciate the term "social distancing," you'll see the humor in "just the doubles." ... We got this photo and quote from our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher. It seemed to fit the tone of the day.

The coronavirus will never find me here!"
-- Chloe 


---- Offer Literary Advice Or Pie Recipes by Clicking on 'Comment' Below or by Emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

WHAT A COLLECTION: FROM A CHIHUAHUA RESCUE TO A FEVERISH CONTEMPLATION

[EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Well, the Presumptive Cat Simon has been posed on the other side of my laptop for a while as I write this and I'm declaring that he is no longer presumptive. He is the Confirmed Cat Simon. I have no idea what he has been staring at -- though there has been an ear-blasting songbird sitting just outside the nearby window. I think the bird is in training -- could be a Mockingbird who was hatched near the testing station at a siren factory.
 Simon has no idea what a bird is -- he was rescued from beneath the shrubbery when his kitten eyes were barely open and since then has been outside only to ride to the vet's. Now he's a full-grown cat with traditional feline concerns, i.e., food, napping and will anyone save the animals mentioned on the readlarrypowell.com site. 
Like, for instance, will anyone help that kitten. Name is Mikey. Read on and you'll see what color he's going to be. Or that West Texas Chihuahua, one of SIXTY rescued on the 7th in Parker County -- read on.
THE PARKER COUNTY
CHIHUAHUA TSUNAMI
We don't know the whole backstory on these Chihuahua yet, but we do know, thanks to animal advocate Becky Dodge, that a big load -- is SIXTY CHIHUAHUAS A 'BIG LOAD'? -- of the little dogs suddenly came into the care of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter and the adoptions have begun as medical checks are made. 

The dogs were taken from one house. ONE HOUSE. There was a family emergency -- the owner reportedly passed away and left a hoarding situation.
Most of these dogs, the shelter's Facebook post (HERE ) said, "will need to be sterilized before available for adoption." The shelter promises updates on the Facebook page. 
The dogs came in on the 7th and adoptions began on Wednesday. These two pups, Rita and Caleb, are among the early approval adoptables. 
And according to the Facebook posting, "Until further notice, all adoptions are $10. Please spread the word and help us find homes for these animals."
See more of these babies and their descriptions by clicking on the Weatherford site HERE. (Thank you, Becky!)
In a personal note, the shelter post reads, "We are very appreciative of all the support we have received from the community thus far concerning these dogs. Please continue to help us by helping find homes for all the dogs currently available for adoption at the shelter this week."
THE WILMER SHELTER'S
WAITING INHABITANTS...
Little shelter, no foot traffic by perspective adopters, no public adoptions -- that's the way the Wilmer Animal Shelter is described by Laura Macias of the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers that focuses on small shelters on the southern side of Dallas.
 She also says, "Interestingly though, the dogs at this shelter never have illnesses like the larger shelters and the dogs are just the sweetest most deserving dogs." That brings us to the roster she cites in the most recent email about Wilmer.  
Brady is the dog in the mugshot. He's described as "a gorgeous Newfoundland or possibly flat coat retriever mix that is so very sweet.  He needs out. Please. There is a cut on the side of his face that needs Neosporin and possibly a vet. Please. Found as a stray."
[LARRY ALERT: STOP THE PRESSES! A stray in Dallas County? Well, ahh swan...Pardon my reaction. You'd think as many decades as do-gooder animal groups have been hammering the idea of safely confining animals that there wouldn't one wandering dog left in the great TV watching area. But, noooo. One of these days these days there's going to be a sign at the big airports that reads, "Welcome to the Metroplex & America's Largest Population of Village Idiots. Help me off this soapbox before a slat breaks and I startle another dog.]
The girl Kimber and her puppies -- sheesh. An "American Bulldog mommy with 3 pups," Laura writes. "She likes other dogs and is the most precious loving girl.  The puppies are all very loving.  Owner release.  All very friendly and outgoing."
[LARRY LAMENT: Owner release -- a mom and three puppies. I can hear it now, "I have told this dog not to get out of the yard and get herself pregnant but she just won't mind me." Yep, ladies and gents, another facet on the bejeweled crown of the Village Idiots. Find someone who's been in rescue a while. They've heard those excuses. Yeah, Village Idiots are puzzled by these three words: "spay and neuter." Sorry, I guess I'm in a mood today to try to insult people into getting smarter. Probably a theory of behavior modification that just won't work.]
The bio portion of the note reads, "This little sweetie pie appears to be a purebred American Bulldog and she came in with these 3 puppies that interestingly look Aussie Shepherd mix.  She is very sweet and loving and just adorable and so needs someone to save her.  The babies are all just as precious and as loving as can be.
And, of course, we have photos of Murphy and Peaches -- two dogs we've been writing about since Wilmer took them in weeks and weeks ago. Murphy came in with an odd injury that has since "disappeared." Peaches loves to play with balls and needs a human to help her in the recreational portion of her day.
To ask about these or any animals in the Wilmer shelter or in the "concern" of 4-Legged Helpers, get in touch with Laura by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email her at cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Ask to be added to her mailing list -- you may find an animal your can't resist saving or you may find yourself wanting to get involved in the noble cause of saving animals that are basically invisible because the shelters don't open their doors to the public.
MANY, MANY OPPORTUNITIES
TO SAVE MESQUITE ANIMALS
There's a headline that will only surprise the ignorant and don't care people. But it's a reality. Mesquite has a lot of dogs and cats available and the shelter has a team of volunteers trying to get attention for them all.
Readlarrypowell.com is blessed to have connections at Mesquite -- volunteers Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm. We begin their report with the girl Browny (left) who was surrendered with Honey on May 3 "because the owner had too many animals." Browny, at 40 pounds and a year old, is not spayed. She "has had a difficult time adjusting to the shelter environment. She is nervous and fearful of being in the unfamiliar surroundings and hearing the noise of the other dogs.  However, one of our volunteers is working with her and Browny is making some progress.  She does not like to the leash placed on her and today she would sometimes walk ok and sometimes not.  Probably former owner did not leash train her.  The dogs were in the yard together today for the first time since they arrived and though they seemed friendly, they did not seem particularly bonded."
 Browny is #43935293 and Honey, about a year older than year-old Browny, is #43935308. Honey is #43935308, 2 years old and medium size. 

Cash (#43937973), at 8-months-old, arrived as a stray on the 2nd -- described as an "American terrier pit/Staffordshire bulldog mix." Yeah, call him a "pittie." And is usually true with this kind of dog, he's "a delightful , fun loving boy that makes you smile just to be around him. He’s a frisky  energetic puppy that could use some training to teach him not to jump on you. But other than that he really wants to please and he already knows how to sit and to shake. He’s highly motivated by treats which should make his training easy. He loves people. He’s a lap dog wannabe and he washes your face with kisses. He loves belly rubs ." Thirty pounds and still growing, Judi wrote.

That 3-year-old Yellow Lab is Cowboy (# 43952124) -- yet another stray. Arrived on the 4th. "At 81 pounds he's a gentle giant," Judi wrote. "He seems to be a happy fellow and even appears to be smiling in many photos. He has a strong sense of smell and spent the first part of our time together investigating the yard with his nose. I get the feeling that he has not had a lot of socialization but he definitely is receptive to petting once he’s done investigating his surroundings. He does not jump on you. Yesterday some young children were in the yard and he was very gentle with them. ... wags his tail a lot."
There are also several German Shepherds at the Mesquite shelter. 
Baxter [#43700885), is an 85-pound 3-year-old who was surrendered on the 9th by people who, Judi writes, "had only had him for three weeks. They said that he didn’t get along with other dogs. When I walked him through the bay he didn’t seem to have a problem. Another volunteer worked with him and didn’t notice any aggression. However, further dog testing is suggested. They also said that he was an indoor dog only and yet said that he would scale a fence to escape. So he would need a large yard due to his size and a tall secure fence."
Then there's Hans (43948368), 61-pounds, maybe 3 years old and a stray who arrived on the 3rd. "Hans walks nicely on a leash, and did not react to the other dogs when walked through the bay.  He did his business in the shelter yard. ... He is moderately active, friendly and enjoys chasing balls though doesn't know to return them.  He seemed to thoroughly enjoy scouting out the yard and stretching his legs.  Hans needs some help in getting out of the shelter and getting a second chance at a good home.
"
To ask about any of these animals, use their ID numbers when you contact the Mesquite shelter by emailing rescues@cityofmesquite.com or by calling the shelter at 972-216-6283. You can see many more dogs and quite a few cats, too by going to the Mesquite shelter's website HERE. 
There you'll find that black cat Midnight (#439357646), an 8-month-old boy who came in on March 2. 
That little bitty handful of a cat is Mikey (43953301). His Scrawniness came in on March 4 -- he's around 2 months old and, according to the shelter's page, when he dries out after that bath, he'll be a beautiful orange kitten. 
[LARRY ASIDE: You know, we could write these things about dogs and cats all over the Metrosprawl. Feel free to submit your animals in need of life-saving efforts by emailing info and photo to dallrp@aol.com. Bless the folks who care enough to devote their hearts to these "project" animals.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
IT'S NOT THE FEVER PEGGY LEE LOVED
Well, sports fans, I don't know about this -- the Seattle Mariners are moving the 2020 opening series against the Texas Rangers out of their hometown into a different place because of the Coronavirus threat. What that means, it would seem, is that fans from feverish Washington State will get into cars and onto planes and fly to a place that's not quite so, uh, epizootic -- you know, not so infectious until the virus hitches a ride to the replacement stadium. Maybe the virus can't get through the pat-down at the airport. God bless America and keep it from getting any more feverish than it already is.
...
I have a longtime friend, Ann Godwin, who worked at The Big Paper Downtown with me for years, and she posted this question on her Facebook page earlier the week. "Have you ever thought about how many people handle your mail before it comes to your house? I’ve never thought of it before but somehow I thought of it today when I retrieved my mail. Threw most of it in the trash and washed my hands." Ann has always made me laugh with her wisecracks and observations. And today, I looked at my U.S. mail differently, too -- I may throw anything that looks like a bill into the trash -- you know, just in case. 
....
On the East Coast, there lives the actress Autumn Weisz, my friend since our days at Highland Park Elementary School in Texarkana and one thing I'll say is this: The girl has a sense of humor that has endured the decades. I present to you, this posting:

 And, in honor of the great Peggy Lee and the great musician/actress Autumn Weisz, I present a more enjoyable Fever than any currently sweeping the country. Sanitize your mouse and click HERE.
-- Offer positive notions or unsupportable doubts by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

WE PRESENT AN EDITION OF VARIED CONTENT, FROM MAMMALS TO WORMS AND BEINGS DIFFICULT TO CLASSIFY

EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY, MARCH 8/9, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Don’t ask me what time it is — I’m still trying to catch up. Our chiming clock stopped working Sunday. Yes, I changed the batteries. No known connection to the Uniform Time Act, but I’m willing to blame the government — it’s the American way.  Let’s move on and we’ll get to the Worm Moon and other notes in a moment. 
And, by the way, here’s a “Heal swiftly and have a Hall of Fame season” for Willie Calhoun, a favorite Texas Ranger who suffered a broken jaw when hit by a pitched ball in a spring training game Sunday. The team is going to need him in the World Series, typed the blindly faithful fan confidently.
THE CHALLENGE OF PETEY THE DOG
Karen Lee’s one-word sentence captured this cute, adorable little dog’s situation perfectly. 
“Seriously?” asked Karen, the founder of barkleyworld.com. She’s a veteran of tough dog situations. And we've written about Petey before -- I mean, geez, look at Mr. Handsome!
Karen wrote, “Petey is STILL in need—please please keep sharing!! We know the perfect someone is waiting for him---we just have to find them!!”
 Petey, adored by everyone who meets him, is being given up for adoption because he’s not mixing smoothly with other animals in his current home. The story from his human is, “I adopted Petey after I lost one of my dogs and he gets along with my girl pups but they are more sedate and a bit older and they don't run and play with him - which he loves to run and play.  Petey is a Chi/Jack Russell Terrier Mix (possibly),  5 years old, about 15 lbs, neutered, up to date on shots, heartworm negative and on preventative, microchipped, sweet, and will cuddle at times.  He is NOT good with cats.”
 To offer to give this guy the great home he deserves, email tigerlady69@verizon.net.

KITTENS, CATS AND STUFF
Yeah, you almost can stand on your front porch these days and hear the tsunami of kittens sweeping through the neighborhoods of Texas. Over the weekend, the Richardson Animal Shelter made a move to get ready. It had a “Kitten Shower” — the shelter can always use more help with supplies for kitten season. Here are some of the special needs: KMR (kitten milk replacement); Purina kitten food (dry or canned); Science Diet kitten food (dry or canned); Heating pads (without auto shut-off); Dawn dish soap; Cat toys; Baby wipes; Cat beds; litter; flea combs; nursing bottles and replacement nipples; Pet store gift cards.
That’s not a photo of a big kitten, that is a mugshot of the 10-year-old Calico named Abby who came in on March 4 and needs a home. See more cats and opportunities at www.cor.net/animalshelter.
[LARRY ASIDE: I’m sure I don’t need to suggest to people that they check the shelter in their own city to see if supplies are needed to help with kittens, puppies, cats, dogs and other critters. See, here’s what happens: People don’t spay/neuter, so puppies and kittens are born just to wind up on death row in overburdened shelters — those are the lucky ones because the rest die under houses, on streets or at the hands of mean jerks having fun with frightened animals. You, dear taxpayers, have to finance things that could have been avoided if only the slackers had given a hoot about the lives of animals. Me? I’d pay extra taxes just to put the creeps in jail and keep ‘em there. Help me off this soapbox before I decide to run for an office for which I am not qualified.]
BUDDY THE TREEING HOUND
IS GETTING TO BE UP A CREEK
This challenge has been going on for a while, according to info from our tipster Alexandra Kelsey in Houston. That’s where Buddy the Tennessee Treeing Hound mix is waiting for some help.
She forwarded the appeal from Louise Hewitt who says the “gorgeous and very smart and super-sweet,” heartworm-negative dog is in a time-pressured spot.
The note reads, “A local cat rescue is trying to help him, as his foster can’t keep him but two weeks more.  Their only other option is euthanasia. Buddy loves people but is selective about other dogs.” 
To offer to help save Buddy, email Louise Hewitt at coollahoma@aol.com.
BALTO WAITS IN MESQUITE;
HIS RACE IS FOR SAFETY
You may recall the name “Balto” from a Disney movie or you may recall that the “original” Balto was a sled dog hero delivering life saving serum on the Iditarod Trail in Alaska — inspired the Iditarod sled dog race, an annual event underway right now —you can look it up! But do that after you find a home for this Balto, a year-old Dutch Shepherd/Pittie mix who arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Services on Feb. 28.
Our source for Mesquite’s Balto is the volunteer shelter biographer Judi Brown who meets all the dogs she writes about. Of 57-pound Balto she says, “He’s a gorgeous fellow with stand out tiger like brindle striping and one brown eye and one blue eye. You will definitely take a second look when you go by his window!!. He’s a very good dog. He’s only one year old so it’s understandable that he sometimes gets excited and jumps on you, but basically he’s a gentle dog that stayed close. He was affectionate and wagged his tail constantly. He gives gentle kisses. He likes to play and grabbed a toy and swung it around entertaining himself. He’s very alert.” His ID number is 43923938 — use it to ID the dog when you call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS
IDIOTS, ODD NOTES AND MOVIE MADNESS
I was born in Bowie County, Texas, grew up there and became a reporter there — covering the police beat, I saw a lot of nutty things. In today's opening headline I mentioned "beings difficult to classify." Here they are:  I opened the online Texarkana Gazette Monday to see a story about two local nitwits who decided they’d do some drinking, drive the backroads and shoot up a cow standing in a pasture around 3 in the morning. She turned out to be a pregnant cow. The Gazette story HERE says they used a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol and two magazines of shells. Poor cow must have been terrified. The rancher had a security camera that picked up the big ol’ brave cow-killers’ truck. Once again I have been surprised by the idiocy that rolls freely on Texas roads — though I hope and pray, they won’t be rolling freely for the length of the the maximum sentence. The Gazette says a third degree felony criminal mischief conviction might get them two to 10 years in prison. Ten years is OK by me thought not nearly enough, but I hope a judge will also have the legal power to assign them to get some psychiatric help — these two bleepheads are in need of good sense and stability so the rest of us can feel protected. Give 'em more than jail time. (Maybe the Texas Humane Legislation Network can persuade the Legislators to jack that hard time up and add psychiatric therapy to make life safer for the rest of us. If you’re so stupid that you’ll shoot up a cow for drunken entertainment, then two years in prison is a vacation, not a rehabilitative punishment. ...
That illustration came from The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s announcement about the current full moon — it’s known as the “Full Worm Moon”; the Almanac says, the name “refers to the fact that earthworms and grubs tend to emerge from their winter dormancy at this time of year, marking a sure sign of spring!” …
I’m hooked up to the neighborhood Next Door page and on Monday one of the leading items read “Dog found thrown in dumpster in East Fort Worth, Bridge Street.” (The rescued dog -- on your left -- was being cared for by Fort Worth Animal Care and Control.) The next message read, “Poor scared baby! I sure do wish they could catch whoever put him in there!” And the next note read, “Owner possibly found. She says he jumped off balcony.” Oh, my. Where does one begin with the “corrective behavior therapy?” Teach the dog not to jump? Teach a human not to store a dog on a balcony? Maybe we’ll learn more later.
FINAL NOTE: It is with some careful amusement that I point out the film scheduled around the noon hour Monday on Turner Classic Movies arrived today in the middle of the biggest germ scare to hit this country since the 20th century. The film is Pacific Liner and the plot has — coincidence or irony in the 21st century? —a ship’s surgeon coping with an outbreak of disease that leads to quarantines and terror on the S.S. Arcturus, sailing “from Shanghai to San Francisco.” When was it in theaters? 1939. Same years as Gone With the Wind, which is what I'd rather see happen to the virus than to my massive investments in the market.
— Offer opinions or soup recipes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

THE FERAL CAT IS NOT CAUGHT NAPPING, SO AN ACTOR IS HIRED...

This is being written as the Feral Cat Sugar Momma is enjoying an overnight stay with her vet.
She's getting all of her meds up to date in hopes of getting her into a special program that finds jobs for cats who would just as soon not work so closely with a human.
Perhaps, Dear Readers, you may feel the same way now and then. 


This edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is dedicated to the feral cats of the world and, especially, to the loving people who devote their time, money, energy, hearts and tears to trying to keep ferals safe from humans and other predators. 

The photo on the left shows Sugar Momma with two of her four kittens. Her story is the inspiration for this edition.
We’ll explain the second photograph toward the end of this edition.

We have had Sugar Momma for more than a year. I have never petted her. I have never hugged her. I have never been scratched by her nor have I scratched her, but I have been threatened dramatically.

Here’s the story: The incident was totally my fault. I accidentally let her loose in my bathroom. I was trying to move her into larger living quarters — thought it better to do it in a room with fewer hiding places than a bedroom. No telling how long a determined feral cat can hide under a bed or a chest of drawer or behind floor-length curtains. 
My goal was to achieve a quiet, calm transfer from a poodle-sized cage to a Mastiff-sized cage.
Everything was going fine until she spotted an opening the size of a cat's head next to my ankle and rocketed out of the smaller cage right past me, bounced off the door like foul ball off a big league bat, landed on the counter, scattered stuff everywhere, ran right up the wall and kicked out a bulb in the lighting array before ricocheting over me to the shower door where she slid down to the floor and ran around the corner to hide her tabbiness behind the big green toilet.
But that is not why she is named Sugar Momma …….
How’s that for a segue?
She's Sugar Momma because when we acquired her she came with her four tiny kittens.
Neither I nor my Rescuespouse Martha discovered this family. Nope, that was done by our pro-cat Rottie Texas Earl The Cheeseman (sleeping in my office with that large white cat -- more on that later). Earl’s a certified FOF — Friend of Felines. One afternoon, he was lounging near the chain-link gate in our Dallas backyard and a little bitty kitten sauntered through the gap at the gate. The little rascal apparently walked up to Earl and Earl must have said something like, “Climb on up and take it easy.” Martha goes out to get Earl and sees a little gray kitten kind of snoozing on Earl’s head.
Naturally, she picks up the kitten. Then three more curious kittens come inside the yard, followed by, yes, a momma cat. Martha scoops up Mom and the kittens and brings ‘em into the house and puts them into the “pre-weaning cage” in the “cat room” (our “patio room”) and the rest is feline history.
As long as Sugar Momma was with her kittens, she was happy. Martha could move the kittens and Sugar Momma by hand. I could not get Mom to give me the time of day.
 While the important nursing/feeding process was underway, Sugar Momma was civil. But there came a time when Sugar Momma grew weary of the constant sharp-toothed dining and we moved the kittens into their own quarters. Sugar Momma returned to being standoffish.
Mercifully, the SPCA of Texas was able to take the kittens into the adoption program. They were Qwerty (top row of keys on a typewriter), Alfie (as in “What’s it all about…”, Dragon (because he’d rise up off his hind legs like a tiny furry dragon) and Ivy Diane (after our pal, the rescuer and advocate Diane Combs). 
I have no idea which is which in these kitten photos. I just know they were all sweet, all purred loudly, all let me cuddle them and all got adopted quickly.
We held onto Sugar Momma, got her spayed and treated her like one of the family — if one of the family is openly distrusting, hissy, spitty and full-clawed slappy. (Again, cats can be so human, not to bring up any behavior at family reunions, of course.)
Sugar Momma had remembered who she was: The Oak Cliff Feral Tabby. Only instead of hunting for her food, she was served her food by her household staff. Instead of having to scramble for a safe place to sleep, she was given one that had comfy blankets and climate control.
You’d think I would have some photos of Sugar Momma napping. I believe that no one can actually catch a feral cat napping. I think that is a state-wide fact. A housecat will sleep. A feral cat is constantly alert. My son Bart suggested that while Sugar Momma was a perfectly good name, we might have more success marketing her if we renamed her “Will Feral.”
Anyway, because Sugar Momma was unpleasantly unphotographable for the “Napping Cats” purpose, we have have had to engage an actor.
Thus, in this Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, the part of Sugar Momma is being played by Porche Noel, noted performer and sleeper. During the audition I asked, “Can you portray a cat with as much presence as anyone in the recent motion picture Cats?”
And Porche replied, “Of course I can play a cat. Almost any gifted actor can,” she declared. “It’s method. You focus your entire being on laying around and sleeping. I’ve been studying the technique for years. If the character is a Feral Cat, you do some hissing instead of purring in your sleep.”
You see, in the closing photo, the "cat" Sugar Momma stretched out and overflowing the comfy confines of a striped, round cat bed. As Porche said, "Sometimes an actor has to think outside of the litter box. Stretch yourself to be bigger than the role."
So, ladies and gents, dogs and cats, we close this edition with Porche assaying the character of Sugar Momma, a gray Tabby who, if things work out over the next several days, will go from being a wonderful cat I could never hug and nuzzle to being a spectacular barncat that I will forever love and fret over. Fret over? Yes. Because Sugar Momma is the only cat I could never conquer.
[AN APPEAL FROM LARRYPOWELL.COM: We love writing about cats and dogs and the people who love them. Please send us photographs of your slumbering dogs and cats and their stories and we’ll spotlight them in our long-running feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be inspiring people to open their hearts and homes to cats and dogs who may have had no chance at a good life. And you’ll be inspiring insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some sleep, if they can just figure out a way replicate the yoga position “Curled in a Circled Cat."]
—- Offer sleeping tips or stock market advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. Use that address to send fan letters to Broadway-bound Porche Noel, soon to star in the title role of a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. —-

THLN'S EVENT; ASSORTED ANIMAL CHALLENGES: CONCERT FOR KINDNESS; STATE FAIR & THE ICONS OF TEXAS

EDITION OF THURSDAY MARCH 5/FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2020 [PetPowellPress] So, now we’ve got a cultural reason to despise the coronavirus — it’s caused the bumping of the next James Bond film No Time To Die from April 3 to November 25 in the United States.
 And, Thanksgiving 2020 is on November 26 — so you can watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, then go to an evening showing of James Bond. That’s AFTER the election, you know, so some Americans will follow the family tradition of a Thanksgiving viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life. I hope you see the humor in that non-partisan wisecrack.
Of course, there’s always the chance that because of a virus the parade will have no crowds, the Dallas Cowboys game will be played at an empty stadium and a wise movie company will offer free streaming of the new James Bond.
Rather have things the old-fashioned way. Hate for a bug to change the way things are done in the USA. And to lighten the moment, that’s my dog Porche Noel on the bed for a lie-down when, suddenly, the kittenish Stevie Ray appeared and thought he'd entertainingly bite Porche’s tail. This photograph is an action shot. Nobody drew a foul and they played on.
COFFEE, DONUTS AND DOGS;
THLN HONORS THE MISSION
The next session of the Texas Legislature opens January 12, 2021, which used to seem a long way off, but it isn’t. Officials, taxpayers and interested parties are gearing up. 

Coming up Saturday morning at Humane Tomorrow in Argyle, the Texas Humane Legislation Network is hosting an event that honors three State Reps — Jeff Leach (Dist. 67) , Tan Parker (Dist. 63) and Matt Shaneen (Dist. 66) — for “all they have done to support our mission.”
And, of course, there’ll be a public discussion session about “ways to get involved that matter for Texas animals.”
 The event starts at 10 a.m. at Humane Tomorrow, 1961 E. Hickory Hill Road, in Argyle, RSVP HERE so they’ll know how many donuts to buy and how much coffee to perk. Argyle is about a half-hour north of Fort Worth right up 35W — only a little farther from Dallas — you just make Argyle your destination instead of Winstar.
[LARRY ADVICE: If you’re in animal rescue and advocacy, this is an opportunity to make an acquaintance in the Legislature so if you have an issue in the rep’s district, you’ll have someone who knows you and can speak to your concerns and vote with you on an issue. It’s politics at the meet-n-greet handshake level. Bigger the crowd, the larger the influence, too.]
You’ve noticed some photos. We’d be remiss if we did not mention some of the adorable availables Humane Tomorrow is helping to find good homes. In keeping with our constant drumbeat on behalf of loving Tabby Cats, we clipped a trio off of the Humane Tomorrow adoptables list HERE.
You can also find dogs there, such a this magnificent 7-year-old beauty, the fab-faced Stella! She’s 87 pounds now, but her story reads, “Found as a stray foraging for food in the winter.” Whole body wiggles when she wags her tail, the HT bio says.
Go to this event, maybe you’ll make a friend in the Texas House and get a new friend for YOUR Texas house.
ANNUAL CONCERT FOR KINDNESS
TO HELP THREE LOCAL GROUPS;
IN SUMMARY: PAWS, CATS, PITS
We’ve written for years about the Concert For Kindness — and it’s described by organizers as “A unique blend of musicians, artists and photographers coming together to raise money for the homeless pets of Dallas! Join some of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra musicians, local artists, vocalists and photographers and our Emcee, WFAA's Kara Sewell, as we perform at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District on March 8th, 2020 to benefit three local area animal rescue groups: Paws In The City, Dallas Cat Lady and The Love Pit!”
On the right, that's The Love Pit Rescue's photo promo. Left is photogenic morning TV news anchor Sewell with one of the also photogenic pups symbolizing the animals that will be helped. 
You can read about Paws In The City’s work HERE; Dallas Cat Lady HERE and The Love Pit HERE.

Get tickets to the event HERE.


CAMPAIGNING FOR FOOD
TO HELP PEOPLE, DOGS, CATS

Our reliable Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey sent a note about a “tradition” in need in the Bayou City:
“Elizabeth Asher asherelz@aol.com is working to help Meals on Wheels get cat food for their clients.  AniMeals is a great program but they seem to get more dog food donations than cat food.”

The note about the Animeals drive reads, “This month the need is Dry Cat Food And Wet Dog Food.  The average need for dry cat food is 1800 pounds per month! And, donating is so easy you don’t even have to leave your house. See instructions below for ordering online.  If you are unable to donate, please considering sharing this post.”

"Those links are:
--https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2YG9Y71UUUE8M
--chewy.com,
Please use the ship to address: 3202 San Jacinto, Houston, TX 77004."

NEMO THE EARHOUND
IS ALSO A HUSKY MIX
Look at those ears! Clearly year-old Nemo, listed as an Alaskan Husky mix, is an Earhound.
He’s also an ex-stray — arrived at Mesquite Animal Shelter on Feb. 24 and needs a place to go where he can be safe and finish off his entertaining puppyhood. 
Our reliable source, the Mesquite shelter’s volunteer biographer Judi Brown says 63-pound Nemo (#43566349) is “all puppy. He’s energetic, enthusiastic, friendly, affectionate, happy, and very alert. In some of the pictures he even appears to be smiling. His tail wags constantly. Being a puppy he gets over excited and jumps on you for more loving and attention. As smart as he is with some training, he could be easily taught to break this behavior. He did explore the yard but for the most part stayed close. He loved having his soft coat brushed! He stood perfectly still while I did that. He has a strong pull on the leash. He did his business as soon as he got out into the yard. He went nose to nose with some dogs but mostly was pulling me to get outside. He really didn’t seem interested in meeting other dogs.”

To ask about adopting or rescuing the already-fixed Nemo, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
See more Mesquite dogs and cats by clicking HERE.
And, fyi, that soaking wet boy is Donny (43953283) who, on the day this photo was taken, was just over 2 months old. He arrived in the shelter Wednesday. Perhaps he’s dried out by now and we can tell if he’s a tabby or an exotic orange-tinted cat who puts up with a bath without squawking. That big ol’ Tabby is 2-year-old Toby (43890542), listed as “large”— he came in on Feb.24.
[LARRY ASIDE: There’s not a shelter in the state that doesn’t have a Tabby cat ready to adopt — well, unless it’s a dogs only shelter or just deals in potbellied Tabby pigs. I’m sure those pigs don’t exist, but I’m also sure there are people who will spray paint an M on a pig’s forehead and convince rubes that it’s a Pocket Tabbyhog.]
DENALI IN CARROLLTON;
WAITING, NOBODY COMES
This guy Denali was on the Carrollton Animal Services’ available page when I clicked on it Thursday afternoon. You can click HERE, too.
Senior Animal Care Specialist Vanessa Johnson sent out a note asking for help with Denali, a 2-year-old, neutered Pittie mix. “He came to our shelter as an owner-surrender at a scrawny 20 pounds. While he has been with us since 2/12/2020, he has gained 10 pounds and is now a healthy 30 pounds. He is a loveable guy who wants nothing ore than to play and get attention. He seems to do well with other dogs, is house-trained and has never met a stranger…”
And here’s the really rotten sentence about this guy: “WHILE HE HAS BEEN HERE WITH US, NO ONE HAS ASKED TO SEE HIM.”
You can ask to see him. Email vanessa.johnson@cityofcarrollton.com.
Look at that Hollywood portrait pose! Denali’s a star.
CONTEMPLATIONS
TEXAS ICONS AND YOU
Winter is not even over and we’re already looking toward autumn and the State Fair of Texas. The Fair’s PR Exec Karissa Condoianis sent out the news Thursday that a theme has been chosen for the 2020 State Fair. Here’s a link to a brief State Fair theme intro video.
And here’s a paragraph from the announcement: “When you hear Texas, there are certain things and certain people that spring to mind – modern marvels like Dr Pepper®, Selena, Blue Bell® Ice Cream, George Strait, and our beloved Big Tex®, to those who laid the foundation for our state like Stephen F. Austin, Juan Seguin, and Sam Houston. Everything is bigger in Texas, including our icons. That’s why for 2020 we’ve decided to honor those larger than life symbols of our state through our theme, ‘CELEBRATING TEXAS ICONS’.” [LARRY ASIDE: Join me, fellow Disney Boomers, as we put on our coonskin caps and sing ‘Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild fron... tierrrr.”]
THE POLITICAL SEASON: And, in case you’re counting the days to your next corny dog or Belgian waffle, the dates’s of the 2020 Fair are Sept. 25-Oct. 18, right in the big middle of the red-hot presidential election campaign. Oh, my. Will there be extra handshaking and baby-kissing booths at the Fair? Just for the political season, the Fair might need to hire more people with barn experience to keep the bull areas shoveled. 

THE ANTIDOTE? This may be the year we find out if Big Tex is more powerful than a virus. May the current virus be corralled by sun-up tomorrow and may we learn in the aftermath that the best post-scare treatment may be a combination of extra-jalapenoed Midway nachos with Texas-borne Dr Pepper. Don’t go takin’ that seriously. It’s just a gentle joke and hopefully will be soon forgotten and may that also be the fate of the virus.
—- Offer advice or gripes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. And stay healthy. —-

PUPPIES ABOUND; DAS ADOPTION SPECIAL; HONORING A CAT....

EDITION OF TUESDAY./WEDNESDAY MARCH 03-04, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Politics. Puppies and kittens.  No need to flip a coin. We'll go with puppies and kittens every time -- more potential for making voters happy.
THE WILMER LITTER,
AND MOM'S CHALLENGE
More evidence that North Texas has a year-round puppy season. Mom and 8 puppies in this story.
The report from Laura Macias and 4-Legged Helpers is "someone found these babies under a mobile home and took them to the city people at Wilmer.  They are very small and still nursing so when the city people called about them, some rescue people worked yesterday [Monday] to immediately get them and start bottle-feeding and worked hard to find Momma dog and fortunately they were able to find her last [Monday] night."
Mom's name is Krissy -- said to be sweet, friendly and "apparently a stray girl who needed someone to help her with her babies." 
Laura's note says the canine family needs a rescue group to take over their care. The contacts are Carrie at 214-683-2159 or call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com or moody1pisces@yahoo.com.
[LARRY REMINDER: Spay/neuter. It's not Krissy's fault. Where's the human who's responsible for these dogs being in a fix?]
ON SECOND THOUGHT,
MAYBE THE WHOLE STATE'S
THE 
MOST FERTILE PLACE IN U.S.
We got this from Amy Poskey, usually dealing with Plano McNatt Animal Shelter residents. She got the heads up from Debra Myers, usually focused on animals anywhere. This time Debra's project is in Harlingen, way down south in Texas.
 Amy's note reads, "This precious momma pooch, Cherry, has had a rough life and now she and her babies need our help!" [LARRY ASIDE: SEE the puppy video HERE and turn your speakers up to puzzle-the-office level -- people will gather, maybe.]

Amy continues: "Cherry is a 7-year-young Rottie mix and on February 5th she had 9 adorable puppies -- 7 males and 2 females.  Cherry has probably never seen a vet and this little family is in desperate need of rescue cuz the owner wants them gone.  Heartbreaking.  :(
"If anyone can help Cherry and her babies, please contact Debra Myers." 

To offer to help foster or adopt or rescue or set up for a long happy life, call Debra at 940-367-4627. Email Dkmyersone@yahoo.com.
[LARRY REMINDER: Spay/neuter. It's not Cherry's fault. Where's the human who's responsible for these dogs being in a fix? Geez, same story time after time -- only the names of the innocent are changed.]
KASSER SURRENDERED. WHY?

NOT ENOUGH TIME OR SPACE
There's got to be somebody who'll give this beautiful dog the time and space he needs. You don't have to be Einstein or James T. Kirk to solve this space/time situation. Kasser is only 2, according to our tipster, Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services.
The "golden German Shepherd" was surrendered on Leap Day -- yep the 29th -- I guess the surrenders had to have an extra day in order to have enough time to get him to a shelter. 
Judi writes, "Their loss is going to be another owner's good fortune. This is an absolutely stunningly gorgeous specimen of a German Shepherd! He is absolutely majestic! He has soft golden fur and a fluffy tail to die for! He spent a lot of time exploring the yard. Since he’s very curious about what goes on beyond the gate I would recommend a high secure fence. I get the impression that he has not received a lot of attention as he seemed to want to spend more time investigating than with me. However, he seems to have a special affection for one of the workers that did his intake. He is sweet and gentle. He did not jump on me. His previous owners stated that he is good with kids, that he is housebroken, and that he likes to go for walks. They added that he will chew through a cloth leash." To ask about adopting this 68-pound dog, use his ID# 4399171 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or emailrescues@cityofmesquite.com.
A CAT'S EYES
INSPIRE FUNDING
Not all the animals in rescue have just delivered a half-dozen kittens or puppies. Sometimes they simply need some serious veterinary help.
The Plano-based Animal Rescue Crusaders of Texas has been working on helping this cat Cyla.
The story is, according to the Crusaders, a sad tale of human behavior. The Facebook post reads, "Cyla was dumped outside with horrible eye infections. Thankfully one of our wonderful volunteers found her and asked if we could help her. We couldn't say no to this gorgeous face. Cyla has a genetic problem with her eyelids. Her lids don’t close all the way causing her lid hairs to scratch her corneas & get debris in her eyes causing infection.
"What [the] animal eye specialist is going to do is the distichia Cryoepilation procedure to get rid of the hairs around her lids. The procedure the doctor will do freezes the hair follicles growing out of the eyelash area & removes them. She will also need moisture eye drops, like a person, to help keep her eyes moist & clean for the rest of her life.
"We're hoping to raise $500 to help with the expense of the surgery.
Every donation helps! No matter the amount."
 Go to the ARCT Facebook page HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
TORNADOES, POLITICS AND A CAT TO REMEMBER...
Bless those folks in the path of the Nashville tornado. North Texas has felt that horror. A sky that once was beautiful and friendly becomes angry and violent and there's not a darned thing we can do about it. Dallas is still working on the aftermath of last year's tornado. The word "tornado" still sends shivers down the spines of people in Fort Worth, Lancaster, Mesquite and other spots -- Tornado Alley, you know. Pray for a peaceful springtime. Whew. ...
ABOUT MARKETING: As someone who remembers the era when Dallas didn't allow for any kind of adoption specials at its under-sized, over-populated city shelters, how about this approach!  Now, Dallas Animal Services gleefully markets its many animals -- a life-saving philosophy. Anybody else remember those disgustingly high euthanasia rates? There's the artwork for the latest DAS adoption promotion. When you're adopting from DAS, you literally draw a coin from a DAS "pot of gold" and the adoption fee may be "free" and will be no more than $20 and could be less. View the adoptables at dallasanimalservices.org. That's Dulce (A0982388), a 3-year-old sugar-sweet Pittie girl. That cat wearing the green in an odd cat way is Jericho (#A1094741), about 2 years old. ... 

LARRY POLITICAL STANCE: If I am elected governor of Texas, I will insist that a statue be erected at Dallas Animal Services in honor of the cat who died within the shelter break room wall and forever changed the attitude about DAS standards for protecting the animals in its care. If I win Lotto Texas (more likely than being governor), I'll have the statue created and donate enough money to make the city agree to install the statue.
That cat has meant everything to every animal encountering the DAS since the day it died. It should not be forgotten, it should be honored. I'm not kidding.
--- Offer support to honor that cat by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com ---

POLITICAL CAT; CUTENESS; CUSTODY EXPENSES; UGLY TALES AND MORE TABBINESS

EDITION OF MONDAY, March 2, 2020 [PetPowellPress] It is the eve of Super Tuesday, that much-publicized festival of political party primaries.
Once again we turn to the online calendar Holiday Insights. March 2 is Old Stuff Day, a time "to recognize the boring nature of your daily routine and make some exciting changes." That's scary.

And though the Holiday Insights staff researchers couldn't find who declared it, March 3 is ""If Pets Had Thumbs Day." My cat, The Senator, has no thumbs — he always voted “paws down.” Politics and thumbs aside, America is moving closer to temporal disruption day, March 8. It's officially "Daylight Saving Time" change day -- spring forward and puzzle your well-regulated dog while irritating your “Don’t go disturbin’ me” cat.
[I caught The Senator — who endorses adopting and fostering felines — napping on a pile of political mailings and critter advertisements on our breakfast nook table. I noticed the big mailout reads “One Mayor Uniting Us All” — wasn’t Mayor Pete’s mailout. And, of course, The Senator was not in the Senate when the Uniform Time Act of 1966 was passed — back then DST began the last Sunday in April and ran through the last Sunday in October. Nowadays? Tweaking the law has gotten us to the second Sunday in March; first Sunday in November.]

FYI: That Tabby girl is on stray-hold at Dallas Animal Services. She’s A1097143 — about a year old. Came in on Friday. Email DASlost@DallasCityHall.com. More on Tabbies in Contemplations.
EULESS TRINITY GAP RESCUE
HAS SOME AVAILABLE CUTENESS
It has long been known, “cute” is responsible for a lot of adoptions. We opened our Facebook page Sunday and found this guy Lucky. He’s 9 weeks old and “looking for his forever home.” You can apply to adopt him by filling out the pre-screening application HERE. Email it to evegapfoster1@yahoo.com. We went to the GAP Rescue site trinitygaprescue.org and discovered that not only is Lucky cute on the lawn, but he’s cute in the house, too.
Also at the GAP site on Sunday there was this photo of Blue, a 12-year-old Poodle. The text read, “Don’t let his age fool you; he’s a loving boy who is in good shape. He’s completely vetted & we had his teeth cleaned. A big thank you to Jade from Earthwise grooming for volunteering her time and giving him a new do at his foster’s home in a Sunday. For information on adopting him contact steffeniegaprescue@gmail.com."
As you may know, Trinity GAP Rescue is a project of the Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program, the GAP Club, and it partners with Euless Animal Services to save lives.
A FOLLOW-UP ON A SEIZURE
We reported last week on the seizure of dozens of animals from a property in Hunt County, northeast of Dallas. In court on Thursday, Judge Sheila Linden awarded civil custody to the SPCA of Texas for a ton of animals seized on Feb. 19 and 20. Plus the judge awarded $44,927.75 “in restitution to the SPCA of Texas for the cost of investigation, expert witnesses, housing and care for the animals. …” The SPCA’s news release says the non-profit organization “does not expect to receive any of this money to help offset costs.” The “owner” has 10 days from the date of the ruling to appeal. 
After the 2-day seizure, the SPCA had rescued 146 animals (119 dogs, 19 puppies, six donkeys, a horse and a cat. Since the SPCA got the animals, 21 more puppies have been born.
And such massive seizures is why the SPCA needs donations for the basics — food and shelter. Go to spca.org.
TWO FROM MESQUITE,
AN EARHOUND & A ‘STAR’
There’s some irony in calling Rina an “Earhound.” While she has a great set of ears, she also has a aural problem — this girl is deaf, according to our tipster Debra Chisholm, a volunteer at Mesquite Animal Services. Rina (#43852987) is 2, weighs 33 pounds, is spayed and is “sweet-natured and friendly. She loves treats and takes them gently." Plus, she’s high-spirited but “walks nicely on a leash.” (Click on the photo and check out Rina's cute little teeth! What a doll!)
Our other stellar volunteer tipster, Judi Brown, reports that this girl Mugsy, an 8-month-old, 41-pound Pittie type, came in as a stray on Feb. 24. She’s #43889969.
 We chose to display her “shelter window pose” to demonstrate why she might just be called Mugsy. She’s mugging for the camera like an old-time Hollywood star. 
Judi says, “She is surprisingly calm for an 8-month-old puppy. She jumps on you, but even that she does gently.” Constant tail-wagger. She “gives tender kisses.” And she’ll chase a thrown ball, but doesn’t know how to retrieve it — Judi says that shows she needs a loving human to help her maximize her canine life.
Use the shelter ID numbers when you call 972-216-6283 or when you email rescues@cityofmesquite.com to tag or adopt these pups.
You can see more dogs and cats at the Mesquite site HERE. Among them, this Tabby named Toby — ID#43890542. He’s 2, large and has been in the Cat Room since Feb. 24. [LARRY ASIDE: Again, more on Tabbies in our Contemplations coming up RIGHT NOW!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
A BOBCAT, SOME JERKS AND A STAR TABBY
OK, the first couple of items are going to be downbeat. But maybe there’ll be something uplifting if the right prosecutors can get involved.
The Big Paper Downtown published a story Sunday about the injured bobcat in Grapevine — you may have seen the story on TV, too. The bobcat had stepped on a trap that snapped shut on its leg and, of course, the cat was injured and would flee. But on Saturday the animal was found and euthanized. The story HERE says the cat’s leg was caught in an “illegal foot trap.” The paper reports that the bobcat was euthanized because of its injuries and condition. So, yes, we are all for finding the jerk who put out the illegal trap and killed a native Texas cat for no damned reason. … 
Then there’s the story about an Indiana roadside zoo shutting down because the owner “beat a Leopard cub to death." Read a story about this guy HER  and see a broadcast story that’ll creep you out HERE.
And you know how our pal, the Burn Flat rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher, is always finding animals in a fix? Here’s a story from Oklahoma that she’s not involved in, but it will really tick her off, too, just like it did me and it may just get to you, too. A CBS17 story labeled “CHECK THIS OUT” tells of an abandoned dog found with its ears glued shut and its legs strapped together. 
So, yeah, all the BLEEPING BLEEPS are not in Texas. Pray for the prosecutors to have strength, witnesses and juries that aren’t shy about putting people deep into the slammer. …
LET’S TRY TO RECOVER THE UPBEAT SIDE OF LIFE with this story of a Tabby cat. Over the weekend I turned the TV on an was surprised to catch the opening credits to the 1990 film Ghost. I kept watching and, son of a gun…well, if you look at the weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap you’ll see that we celebrated Tabby cats, including the great Chloe, who lives with Andy and Annie Fisher at our Eastern Seaboard Bureau on Indian Lake in Denville, N.J. And we wrote lovingly of our household Tabby Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. The point is Tabby cats are great companions. Apparently they’re pretty good movie actors, too. You see these photos — they’re from Ghost and that is Patrick Swayze, as murder victim Sam Wheat, “communicating from beyond” with Floyd the household Tabby who lives with him and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore). Floyd’s role is key to moving the film’s story along. If he had not reacted properly to being able to see the unseen specter of Sam Wheat, he wouldn’t have jumped onto and scratched the face of the murderer Willie Lopez, played by Rick Aviles. That's Floyd on the famous revolving pottery sculpting stand from that infamous love scene in Ghost. Yes, a Tabby is frequently a necessary cat on stage and in life. So, adopt a Tabby, get a theatrical agent and hire a really good tax attorney to protect your massive earnings. Kittie Leigh and I are waiting for the call back on the remake of a classic. This time it’s called “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Cat.”
—- Offer showbiz advice or groans by clicking on comment below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

THE TABBINESS OF SWEET SLUMBER -- CAT COMPANIONS SHOW THE WAY

For the final day of February 2020 and the initial day of March 2020, our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap focuses on a couple of Tabby cats.
 One lives on the East Coast, the other on the Trinity Coast, er, near the Trinity River. 
That East Coast Cat is the famous Chloe who shares the household on Indian Lake in Denville, N.J.,  with our East Coast Bureau Chief Andy Fisher and family, including Maxie the Dog.

 That first photo shows Chloe at full snooze recently. Andy explains, “Chloe has been enjoying the morning sun and catching up on her sleep after a busy night of ghost-chasing.”
 The second photo shows Chloe “after she rolled ‘snake eyes’ on a lottery ticket,” Andy explains. He also explains that photo of Maxie and Chloe with this caption: “Breakfast makes our eyes light up, but we wish the old man would move a little faster preparing it.” 
Both of them are rescues.
Andy writes of the Tabby girl: “Chloe was born on the street, so she knows survival, and that probably sensitized her to human suffering. She was most supportive as I coped with my broken ankle. She seems to know when I wake up during the night feeling stressed, snuggling down under the covers next to me, purring soothingly. She's an essential part of the household!"

Andy’s ankle is healed now. Chloe has done her job.
The no-where near a coast but close to the Trinity River Tabby is our own Dallas-born girl, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, named in honor of the Kyra Sedgwick police detective on The Closer.
This week I caught Her Tabbiness sleeping while stretching on the back of the couch in front of the TV. The thing about Tabbies is they have so many patterns and distinct “things,” that you discover them over a period of years — about 10 years for Kittie Leigh. That’s why I was stunned to see that she has one white toe. Then, that other photo shows her posing with me after her vet healed an odd and unusual condition that developed overnight in her left eye. In this photo you can see that eye is a little bit “crossed” — she’s been that way since infancy. When she came through the burglar bar cage on our old front porch in Oak Cliff, that was the first thing I saw! Possibly the cutest kitten ever born in Dallas County.
 Yes, people who live with Tabby Cats have a magnificent an unimpeachable tendency toward hyperbole. See?
Now, what I did Friday, when I decided to praise two Tabbies in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, was go online and pull photos of Tabbies from area shelters. 
This, I hope, will encourage people who don’t know the comfort of a purring, to adopt a Tabbilicious companion and learn that it is a good thing to make room in their homes and hearts for cats that are great around the house. If you can’t find a Tabby to adopt, adopt another kind of cat. Adopt a puppy, too, so the cat will have someone to train besides a human.
 [LARRY FYI: That is Simon the Bottle-fed Kitten overlooking the slumbering former Dallas street dog Porche Noel. Neither is a Tabby.]
Here are only a few of the MANY Tabbies I found online in a brief search around dusk on Friday the 28th.
First up is Lupita (A1086998), Tabby at Dallas Animal Services. She’s been in DAS care since Feb. 4 and is in a foster home. See her and other dogs and kittens and Wilbur (A10965990), a 6-month old tabby — wait, I’m sorry. Wilbur is a pig — a stray in Big D. He’s been at the shelter since Feb. 21. The link dallasanimalservices.org will take you to the adorable adoptables.
This 4 and1/2-year-old orange Tabby (note the M on the forehead) is Fuseli, #41488827 at the SPCA of Texas’s McKinney facility. His bio says he loves “to be brushed. Specifically with a toothbrush.” Yes, another interesting Tabby. FYI: Freddy Spaghetti, who we’ve featured before, is at the Dallas SPCA facility. I guess this is a tribute to the Pasta Family Tabbytree.
That handsome orange Tabby is a Cowtown Cat, Sim (41706002), a 9-month old who came into the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s system on Feb. 23. He looks very huggable. For FWACC, click HERE.
This girl with the hint of a red collar above her white blaze is Genesis, a knows-how-to-pose Tabby girl currently at Arlington Animal Services. On her bio page HERE under “Personality Traits” the key word is “Cuddly.”
And from the word’s most successful high school animal rescue program, Trinity GAP Rescue, we present Diana, described as “a lovely silver-/grey Tabby girl with big beautiful eyes.” The year-old is at the Euless Animal Shelter and on the Trinity GAP Rescue page. Adoption fee? $5,000 — wait, I’m sorry. My fingers went wild. You can actually adopt this girl for just $5. FIVE DOLLARS. She’s healthy, up-to-date on shots and house-trained. Ask about her by emailing latkinson@eulesstx.gov. We nearly got a napping photo of her, but I suspect the click on the camera woke her and she was wide awake before the sleeping image could get to the phone. Fast cat.
Many a cat has lived to take a catnap because of the GAP Rescue students. Here’s the official “about” line: “The Trinity GAP Club (Girls Awareness Program) is an all-girls club that functions through Trinity High School in Euless, TX.” We've been writing about this heroic mission for years. .
That’ s 9-month-old Axel from The Colony Animal Services. (He’s #43741630.) He came in on Groundhog Day — can’t remember if he saw his or anybody else’s shadow. Beautiful gray.
And we’ll close with Katy Purry (A168444) a 2-year-old who was surrendered by her owner. She “loves to play with hair ties and ping pong balls.” Katy Purry is in Plano’s McNatt Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. 
[LARRY REMINDER: As you’ve seen, the readlarrypowell.com examination of Napping Cats Chloe of New Jersey and Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, now of Cowtown, turned into a celebration of Tabby cats all over. Send us photos of your napping cats (any type will do) and sleeping dogs (any breed or variety — email the photos and bios to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll post them in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap. Since May 4, 2005, going on 15 years, we’ve been publishing weekend tributes to slumbering animals and their people. We like to think the stories help people decide to adopt an animal. And we’re almost certain insomniacs are inspired by cats balancing on the backs of couches — they’ve already tried out the seating part of the couch and it didn’t work.]
--- To offer Tabbythoughts or Slumbertips, click on 'comment' below or email dallrp@aol.com. ---

For the final day of February 2020 and the initial day of March 2020, our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap focuses on a couple of Tabby cats.
 One lives on the East Coast, the other on the Trinity Coast, er, near the Trinity River. 
That East Coast Cat is the famous Chloe who shares the household on Indian Lake in Denville, N.J.,  with our East Coast Bureau Chief Andy Fisher and family, including Maxie the Dog.

 That first photo shows Chloe at full snooze recently. Andy explains, “Chloe has been enjoying the morning sun and catching up on her sleep after a busy night of ghost-chasing.”
 The second photo shows Chloe “after she rolled ‘snake eyes’ on a lottery ticket,” Andy explains. He also explains that photo of Maxie and Chloe with this caption: “Breakfast makes our eyes light up, but we wish the old man would move a little faster preparing it.” 
Both of them are rescues.
Andy writes of the Tabby girl: “Chloe was born on the street, so she knows survival, and that probably sensitized her to human suffering. She was most supportive as I coped with my broken ankle. She seems to know when I wake up during the night feeling stressed, snuggling down under the covers next to me, purring soothingly. She's an essential part of the household!"

Andy’s ankle is healed now. Chloe has done her job.
The no-where near a coast but close to the Trinity River Tabby is our own Dallas-born girl, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, named in honor of the Kyra Sedgwick police detective on The Closer.
This week I caught Her Tabbiness sleeping while stretching on the back of the couch in front of the TV. The thing about Tabbies is they have so many patterns and distinct “things,” that you discover them over a period of years — about 10 years for Kittie Leigh. That’s why I was stunned to see that she has one white toe. Then, that other photo shows her posing with me after her vet healed an odd and unusual condition that developed overnight in her left eye. In this photo you can see that eye is a little bit “crossed” — she’s been that way since infancy. When she came through the burglar bar cage on our old front porch in Oak Cliff, that was the first thing I saw! Possibly the cutest kitten ever born in Dallas County.
 Yes, people who live with Tabby Cats have a magnificent an unimpeachable tendency toward hyperbole. See?
Now, what I did Friday, when I decided to praise two Tabbies in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, was go online and pull photos of Tabbies from area shelters. 
This, I hope, will encourage people who don’t know the comfort of a purring, to adopt a Tabbilicious companion and learn that it is a good thing to make room in their homes and hearts for cats that are great around the house. If you can’t find a Tabby to adopt, adopt another kind of cat. Adopt a puppy, too, so the cat will have someone to train besides a human.
 [LARRY FYI: That is Simon the Bottle-fed Kitten overlooking the slumbering former Dallas street dog Porche Noel. Neither is a Tabby.]
Here are only a few of the MANY Tabbies I found online in a brief search around dusk on Friday the 28th.
First up is Lupita (A1086998), Tabby at Dallas Animal Services. She’s been in DAS care since Feb. 4 and is in a foster home. See her and other dogs and kittens and Wilbur (A10965990), a 6-month old tabby — wait, I’m sorry. Wilbur is a pig — a stray in Big D. He’s been at the shelter since Feb. 21. The link dallasanimalservices.org will take you to the adorable adoptables.
This 4 and1/2-year-old orange Tabby (note the M on the forehead) is Fuseli, #41488827 at the SPCA of Texas’s McKinney facility. His bio says he loves “to be brushed. Specifically with a toothbrush.” Yes, another interesting Tabby. FYI: Freddy Spaghetti, who we’ve featured before, is at the Dallas SPCA facility. I guess this is a tribute to the Pasta Family Tabbytree.
That handsome orange Tabby is a Cowtown Cat, Sim (41706002), a 9-month old who came into the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s system on Feb. 23. He looks very huggable. For FWACC, click HERE.
This girl with the hint of a red collar above her white blaze is Genesis, a knows-how-to-pose Tabby girl currently at Arlington Animal Services. On her bio page HERE under “Personality Traits” the key word is “Cuddly.”
And from the word’s most successful high school animal rescue program, Trinity GAP Rescue, we present Diana, described as “a lovely silver-/grey Tabby girl with big beautiful eyes.” The year-old is at the Euless Animal Shelter and on the Trinity GAP Rescue page. Adoption fee? $5,000 — wait, I’m sorry. My fingers went wild. You can actually adopt this girl for just $5. FIVE DOLLARS. She’s healthy, up-to-date on shots and house-trained. Ask about her by emailing latkinson@eulesstx.gov. We nearly got a napping photo of her, but I suspect the click on the camera woke her and she was wide awake before the sleeping image could get to the phone. Fast cat.
Many a cat has lived to take a catnap because of the GAP Rescue students. Here’s the official “about” line: “The Trinity GAP Club (Girls Awareness Program) is an all-girls club that functions through Trinity High School in Euless, TX.” We've been writing about this heroic mission for years. .
That’ s 9-month-old Axel from The Colony Animal Services. (He’s #43741630.) He came in on Groundhog Day — can’t remember if he saw his or anybody else’s shadow. Beautiful gray.
And we’ll close with Katy Purry (A168444) a 2-year-old who was surrendered by her owner. She “loves to play with hair ties and ping pong balls.” Katy Purry is in Plano’s McNatt Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. 
[LARRY REMINDER: As you’ve seen, the readlarrypowell.com examination of Napping Cats Chloe of New Jersey and Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, now of Cowtown, turned into a celebration of Tabby cats all over. Send us photos of your napping cats (any type will do) and sleeping dogs (any breed or variety — email the photos and bios to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll post them in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap. Since May 4, 2005, going on 15 years, we’ve been publishing weekend tributes to slumbering animals and their people. We like to think the stories help people decide to adopt an animal. And we’re almost certain insomniacs are inspired by cats balancing on the backs of couches — they’ve already tried out the seating part of the couch and it didn’t work.]
--- To offer Tabbythoughts or Slumbertips, click on 'comment' below or email dallrp@aol.com. ---

9 GROWN DOGS NEED A LOT OF RESCUING -- PLUS OTHER TALES OF DOGS, CATS & WORDS

EDITION OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 [PetPowellPress] In our continuing mission to make life better for someone somewhere on this planet, we’ll proceed with some notes about animals and people. Here goes:
THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT?

A NINE-DOG RESCUE
Look at their photos. These aren’t puppies just birthed last week.
We got the story on “Joe’s Dogs” from Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden of the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers. 
It begins this way: “There is a special group of 9 dogs living out on some property in the Wilmer/Lancaster/Dallas County area that had been owned by a man named Joe.  Joe loved these dogs with all his heart.”
This project is going to take money to complete — NINE DOGS! Some needing spay and neuter surgeries. The address to donate to 4-Legged Helpers is this: helpingshelterbabies@ gmail.com. Laura says be sure to note that it’s for “Joe’s Dogs.”
To ask about adopting or rescuing any of the nine dogs here are the contact points: Carrie at 214-683-2159 or Laura at 214-949-2726. Carrie visits the dogs daily, so she knows their personalities. Email Laura at cat_girl_71@yahoo.com
The note says the rescuers met Joe “a few years ago when asked to help with some puppies. At that time we helped him get some dogs fixed but at the time Joe was very frail and ill, and he told us he did not believe he would live long, that his heart was very bad.  He was so concerned about what would happen to his dogs. Really heart- breaking.

Recently, and sadly, Joe passed away, leaving behind his 9 dogs, two daughters, and good friend Dave.”
Now, here’s the appeal from 4-Legged Helpers: “We would like to, and we hope you [anybody reading this or hearing about the dogs] will be interested in helping to come up with a plan to save the lives of these dogs in his memory.  They are very deserving.  We understand from Dave that these 9 dogs love other dogs and even cats (all are cat friendly) and there are at least 5 that are fixed and 4 that will need to be fixed.”
The daughters are selling the property, but they’re also trying to help save Joe’s Dogs.
And Laura’s note says, “They honestly have nowhere to turn.  Time is running out very soon, since by end of March these dogs must be off the property for the new owner. If they are not off by then they will most certainly be killed.
“
Joe’s friend, Dave, is willing to help with loading and transporting. And there’s a transporter who might help take dogs out of state.”

There’s also the possibility that dogs that aren’t adopted might go to Animal Angels of Texas, near Jacksboro, but that will take dedicating some money to care for each dog for a lifetime.

The dogs are, in order of presentation: Dusty (Male); Smiler (Neutered); Mr. Mutt (Neutered), Buster (Male); Gravy (Male); Micki (Listed as ‘not-fixed,’ but there are no new puppies so she may have been spayed.); Jeff (Neutered); Sweetie (Spayed) and Fluffy (Spayed).
[LARRY ASIDE: These are beautiful dogs who survive because a human heart protected them — it is only right to continue that mission.]
REMINDER
Over the past few days we’ve posted photos of dogs and cats from Wilmer and Lancaster — all under the watchful eyes of the 4-Legged Helpers. Scroll down to previous editions and read about Murphy (left) and Peaches and the others. And read about the beautiful cats: Nicki, Benji and Teddy (right).
To ask about any of them, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE
We’re going to try to summarize these three in a swift, clear fashion. All of these dogs are in the Mesquite Animal Services shelter. Use their ID numbers when you email rescues@cityofmesquite.com or call the shelter at 972-216-6283. 

TOBY, THE PLOTT HOUND (43864583) — A year old, this 55-pound boy came in as a stray on Feb. 20. Volunteer biographer Judi Brown says he’s “fairly well-mannered” and walks “relatively well on a leash.” Energetic. He’s still a puppy. He’s got a sign on his shelter window that says “he’s good with children and dogs.” Indeed he seemed to get along in a happy tail-wagging manner with small and large dogs. 

RAY, THE BORDER COLLIE (43875836): Judi uses the phasing “spunky, energetic and curious” to describe the 10-month-old, 56-pound dog who arrived as a stray on Feb. 21. She also says, “He’s friendly, welcoming, affection- ate, and a regular social butterfly.  A customer came up to the gate when he was in the yard and he immediately welcomed her and was rewarded by getting his ears scratched (that’s the photo of that moment) … He could use some manners training. As smart as he is I’m sure he would learn quickly [not to jump on people.] …
I can see him snuggled up on some blankets next to his new owners on the couch.”

BELLA, THE PITTIE MIX (43858332): Two years old, the 37-pound girl came in as a stray on Feb. 19. While she’s officially a “Pittie mix,” some of the staffers considered here “very slick and lean” body type and think she may have some Greyhound in the family tree. Judi writes, “Whatever she is she’s extremely striking with her beautiful coloring and penetrating gray eyes! She’s a true beauty! She’s very alert and spent a lot of time exploring the yard. She would get excited and come running to me leaping and bonding.  Although she is affectionate and wagged her tail a lot, I get the feeling she has not had a lot of socialization. That’s where you come in.”
SPCA, PETSMART CHARITIES TEAM
FOR NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKEND
A news note from the SPCA of Texas announces that PetSmart Charities has presented a $3,000 grant to the SPCA to “bring adoptable pets to three Metroplex PetSmart locations in support of National Adoption Weekend [Feb. 28-March 1].” Look for those adoptable SPCA pets on this schedule: PetSmart, 5500 Greenville Ave. in Dallas (3 p.m.-6 -.m. Friday; Petsmart, 170 E. Stacy Road in Allen (noon to 4 p.m. Saturday’ and the Denton PetSmart, 1441 S. Loop 288 (noon to 4 p.m. Sunday) in Denton. 
[LARRY ASIDE: I don’t know if this guy Freddy Spaghetti (43676729) will be at one of those sites, but he is still on the adoptables list at the SPCA — we featured him in a recent edition. Something about that cocked head suggests a great personality for a housecat. Like the cat is saying, “I heard what you said, but I think you need to rephrase it so we’ll both understand the implications.” Cats are that smart. Go to spca.org to see even more cats and dogs].
CONTEMPLATIONS
BIG D AT DAS; A ROAD STORY; WORDS AND WHAT THEY MEAN
Dallas Animal Services has this special running now. And, at the same time, the DAS Facebook page posted a photo of this stray pig. He’s #A1096599 — no name, so I’d call the 30-pound pig “Big D”— and is available for ADOPTION. The DAS says he “is a little shy at first but loves scratches.” Email DASadopt@dallascityhall.com. Geezalou, I hope the ham-hungry creeps don’t get this pig.
Lately we’ve reported on porcine strays in Fort Worth. No doubt people in the suburbs keep pigs, too. We should be grateful, I guess, that none of us has happened upon a momma pig and a litter of a dozen or so hiding in the bushes next to a walking track in a city park. I have no doubt that, as certain that ugly virus makes its way to the U.S., piglets in the park are in our future, Dear Animal People. ….
I’m on a couple of neighborhood “pages” in the Metrosprawl and this report came from an area in eastern Fort Worth and it’s disturbing. It was headlined “BUDDY THE BLACK LAB” and it reads, “Whoever the owner is of Buddy the Black Lab who is always loose, he may have just been clipped by a car on the corner of Sandy and Beatty. I saw something run across the street in front of a car, the guy slammed on his brakes and left the car in the middle of the street and ran over to the grass at the gas station. I saw Black Lab standing there so fingers crossed he was just trying to catch him but just a matter of time unfortunately.” Someone responded with, “It's sad that you had to post this. … Pet owners should not allow their pets to be left to roam outdoors. Both cats and dogs roaming neighborhoods are often an unwanted, and in some cases, dangerous situation. Especially when toddlers and young children are present. I hope the dog was okay and it was the latter situation of an owner trying to catch a dog that got out in error.” [LARRY ASIDE: This sort of thing isn’t unusual and it’s often fatal. I don’t know how to get people to wise up about taking proper care of their critters. I’m pretty sure the Two-by-Four of Enlightenment is not strong enough to make a dent in the rockheaded stupidity.]

Words do have meanings and, sometimes, meanings ought to be respected. Here’s an example. This headline popped up in The Big Paper in Big D: “Slain rapper Nipsey Hussle visited this spot on his last trip to Dallas. Now, he’s there forever.” It’s that word “forever” that trips me up. The story is about an awesome mural painted on the side of a building in a Dallas neighborhood shopping center. Dallas isn’t known for letting artistic structures survive forever — though the Leaning Tower of Dallas had a pretty good shot at it for a while.
—- Offer calming advice or diet chocolate recipes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

LUKE THE CAT; MONA THE MOM PLUS NINE; 4 TO GO IN EVERMAN & THE OATMEAL DOG

EDITION OF THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to Thursday. I'm energized with a cup of coffee and a desire to help animals. Coffee -- it's what I have when I'm dodging milk chocolate. We're opening with a fantastic formerly stray cat who is in need of some special help.
We learned about him from Vanessa Johnson, the Senior Animal Care Specialist at Carrollton Animal Services. She's the heroic staffer who made the key appeals to help the dog Nala, in the "on-the-clock" photo below, beat the needle and find a spot with Marleigh's Friends Rescue. (See last weekend's Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.)
Now 5-month-old Luke is developing a reputation for -- well, Vanessa tells it best in this
passage: "He came in as a stray but has so much love to give!! He is a fearless guy who has no fears, even when it comes to his meds. The second you look at him he starts purring and looking for love!"

Here's why he needs to be in the care of an "approved 501c3 rescue organization" so he can, Vanessa note read, "get on the road to recovery."
What's he's needing to recover from? It is "suspected" that he has "herpes as well as ringworm."
Here's the bad part of the note: "Due to the highly infectious nature of feline herpes and ringworm, we will not be able to hold him past Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at 5 p.m."
 So, rescue groups, volunteer to save Luke's life by contacting Vanessa Johnson at 972-466-3420. Email vanessa.johnson@cityofcarrollton.com.
 And when you work out a deal to save Luke's life, let us know -- we love to post the success stories and the links to contribute to the organization that will spend money to save a life.
AND HERE IS A
SPAY/NEUTER LESSON...
Look, I've never met this dog, but I love her. You know, Dear Readers, what I mean. You probably feel the same way. I also love ALL NINE OF HER NEWBORNS. Holy smoke. 
Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control provided the background on Mona (#43906553). Mona's a 2-year-old Shepherd/ Beagle mix and Ginger labels her as: IMMEDIATE RESCUE NEEDED.

"Mom is a little stressed right now since they just came in and she had to be darted," Ginger wrote Wednesday evening.
She added, "We need this family to go to a rescue or foster as soon as possible since we all know shelters are not the best place for them." 
To tag Mom and the kids, email fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, anybody with a working soul loves Mona the Mom and her babies. We also know that they are all at peril in an era of unwanted dogs. You think Mona was wanted? Hardly -- why would she be out having babies on her own and then having to be darted to be caught? Some human let her down by not properly giving her a loving home. Let me know if your rescue saves her and the kids. I'll make an appeal for money to help you finance this good deed. Email me at dallrp@aol.com. And keeping telling people why spay/neuter is important in North Texas.]
4 DOGS OF EVERMAN
STILL WAITING IN SHELTER
We wrote about these dogs and post their photographs a few weeks back, thanks to Heather Harrison, the volunteer who monitors things in the town of Everman on the southern edge of Fort Worth.
She has reissued an appeal to help these four dogs. Get in touch with her at nickale7@yahoo.com.
Here are the mini-bios of the dogs no one apparently wants. Please feel free to copy this and send it across the nation -- somebody somewhere surely will fall in love with one of these dogs and maybe all of them will be adopted rather than euthanized. Here are Heather's descriptions:

"JJ -- 2yr old, male Rottweiler mix.  Large, handsome fella with lots of energy!  Loves toys & playing.  Fully vetted, Heartworm Negative.

"Dodge -- 2yr old, male Hound mix.  Sweet, docile guy that just wants to be loved.  Very submissive & loving.  Dog friendly. He was brought into the shelter after being hit by a car.  Has since recovered & is doing excellent. (REQUIRES A FOSTER HOME SETTING, NOT KENNEL)
"Teddy -- 3yr old, male German Shepherd mix.  Gorgeous guy that will steal your heart with his endless love.  Cautious of new people but warms up quickly. Fully Vetted, Heartworm Positive (undergoing treatment).
"Cleveland -- 2yr old, male Lab/Pointer mix.  He is a big, stout boy that loves to explore!  Always has his nose to the ground looking for something good.  Loves to get tummy rubs & scratches.  Fully vetted."

And Heather's appeal also reads, "These dogs have been at the shelter for months without any adoption interest due to minimal foot traffic.  The shelter is filling up again so they are all in need!!   They are all so deserving of a home to call their own!!." (Again, email NICKALE7@YAHOO.COM.)

CONTEMPLATIONS
THE OATMEAL DOG WITH A CIRCUS HISTORY
Sometimes when I'm sitting at the dining room table and typing on the laptop, our girl Wendy comes to visit me. Wednesday night, that's when I snapped this photo. It was after Modern Family and before I started watching Royal Wedding (1951) with Fred Astaire and Jane Powell (no kin) but right after watching the end of Swing Time (1936) with Mr. Astaire and the incredible Ginger Rogers. Anyway, I think Wendy is a possibly a showbiz dog. When I look at her, I can see some Boxer and some Birddog and maybe something else. But mostly I see this great face of a fantastic friend. And I suspect that when my rescuespouse Martha picked her up off a Dallas street, Wendy was between gigs as a circus clown dog. 
Don't tell me you don't imagine the true history of your adopted rescues.
 Look at the natural makeup on those great brown eyes. Those are the eyes of a star! You think I can concentrate on writing The Lesser American Novel when this dog walks up to say hello? Usually, each morning I have oatmeal for breakfast and so does this slim dog. I get a bite, she gets a bite. She doesn't like bananas. Last week I made a batch of oatmeal and offered her a spoonful and she looked at me, looked at the spoonful plopped on her "breakfast site" next to my chair and stared at me. Then she glared and said, "NO bananas!" I quickly gave her a bite with the fake sausage patty. She wagged her tail and the stars in her eyes lit up. I hugged her. Can't resist. 
Wendy was never a shelter dog. No dog ever should be. No cat, either. But, outside of Martha, I don't know how many people drive around with one eye on the road and the other on dogs needing a lift home. 
That last photo is of Wendy (full name Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden) demonstrating how she used to curl up so that she could fit in the circus clown car and suddenly jump out with 25 other clowns and a mini-horse. Sometimes Wendy's "history" can offer opportunities for fanciful imaginings.
--- Offer ways to make people smarter by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

LITTLE DOGS, LOVELY CATS, BIG DOGS, POLITICIANS WITHOUT HATS: 2020

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Holiday Insights, the online calendar, reports that February 26 is “Tell A Fairy Tale Day.” The origin is unknown, the site says, but readlarrypowell.com will suggest without shame that it was created during an election year. Now, let’s talk about some small critters who could cast spells. Once upon a time…Oh, wait, these aren’t fairy tales. And who needs the drama? It’s time for happy endings.

THREE LITTLE SLEEPERS
You’d think Readlarrypowell would have saved this for our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, but, nope. We’re using it as a hint that you should send photos of YOUR sleepers, nappers, snoozers and dozers to dallrp@aol.com. We’re proud to show off the love you have for your critters.
In the meantime, Stephen Foster and the folks with DFW’s FurGotten Friends have a trio of Chihuahua girls who need a home. Or homes. The Facebook post with the sleeping photo read, “Our three Chi-Dolls are searching for their forever home!” [LARRY ASIDE: They appear to be dreaming of the perfect homes. A dream we hope comes true before February can leap to a close!]
The pups are “around 4 and 6 months old” and they are named Denise, Reba and Marcie, as you can see from the photo of the girls wide awake. To audition to adopt them, fill out the application form online at https://dfwfgf.org/.
Oh, and don’t forget that among the dogs Mr. Foster and gang are trying to place is one we’ve already mentioned, the adorable almost 3-month-old Murphy, still just a puppy. Same contact point — your heart to DFW Furgotten Friends.

THE FRIGHTENED CHIHUAHUA

AND SHE’S MAKING PROGRESS

Debra Chisholm, one of our volunteer tipster at Mesquite Animal Services, sent us this touching story of a Chihuahua mix named Flo, one of the wandering little dogs we seem to have all over North Texas. Flo arrived as a stray on Feb. 17. She’s 3 years old, weighs 12 pounds and — what else! — NOT spayed. 
Debra writes, “She came in as a frightened girl and has struggled with adjusting to the shelter environment.  Her fear is manifested not in trembling or cowering, but in attempting to bit or nip at anyone who gets too close.  She has possibly been abused.

“Three volunteers have worked with her and though she is a work in progress, forward movement has definitely been made.  With Flo, trust needs to be established before she is comfortable with you.  She does not like to have a leash put on her, but will walk on a leash.

“One of our volunteers, Bill Duncan, has offered to help her further as he was the one who was able to ‘break the ice,’ and begin to build a relationship of trust.  Another volunteer is working daily with her and is helping her to become more trusting.  Flo has been kenneled with other dogs at the shelter and is fine with them.  

“She would not be good for a family with small children.  She also would most likely be more comfortable in a quiet and ordered home environment.  Flo has so much potential and will make someone a wonderful companion with some work and a generous dose of TLC.”
Her ID is 43839148. Email the shelter at rescues@cityofmesquite.com or call 972-216-6283.  

THREE CATS IN A CUDDLE
AND TWO DOGS WAITING
As we’ve reported, the folks with the non-profit, small shelter-focused 4-Legged Helpers moved animals out of the Lancaster Animal Shelter in order to give them a shot at a better life. The small shelter and the Helpers aren’t working together, but the rescue group has several Lancaster-origin animals on the adoptables list.
4-Legged Helpers President Laura Macias sent a note about these “3 babies” who are “about 6 months old and they were originally at Lancaster’s shelter. They are all just as sweet as can be. A foster has had them. They desperately need a rescue group or home — the foster can no longer continue to care for them…. All 3 love to be held and petted and are very friendly. They adore other cats and love dogs, too. They are the sweetest big cuddle kittens.” 
Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

The male (top photo) with the adorable look and the “adorable fluffy mitten paws and long bushy tale” is Nicky.

 Benji is the white and tiger tabby boy who is “just so very sweet,” Laura’s note says. 
And the tuxedo fellow with the championship whiskers is Teddy. His eyes, Laura’s note says, “have an orange tint…He is a very sweet little Teddy bear.”
We’ve mentioned these two before. Murphy is that smiling dog who was saved from the Wilmer Shelter by 4-Legged Helpers. He was found “in a known dumping area by Malloy Bridge” on the southeast side of Dallas. Laura’s note reads that a friend of the finder “convinced her to that taking him to the Wilmer Shelter would be a good thing. Sig. Not sure how anyone can be more wrong.” The shelter doesn’t have regular visiting hours, so animals that go in, well, unless they get really lucky, well, you know…. 
 And Peaches, who “likes to play ball and fetch,” was rescued from the Lancaster Shelter. The note reads, “Peaches’ time was up at Lancaster and we had to get her out to save her but no one has shown any interests and she is such a good girl.” She was an owner-release.
Again, to ask about the 4-Legged Helpers’ animals, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ODD THOUGHTS AT THIS POINT IN TIME
Politicians in hats? Only on Texas TV commericials. Will anyone write a presidential nomination campaign book titled Jokes I Wish I Hadn’t Told? How about What I Wish I’d Said? Or, from the electorate, LearningTo Speak To My In-Laws Again. I mention these fake titles to remind people that we are only in the nominating process for every race. The real race comes after the conventions. I don’t vote in the primaries because I’m not a member of any organized political party. Is there an organized political party at this time?
Here’s a quote from the great Will Rogers. “When the votes are counted, let everybody, including the candidates, get into a good humor as quick as they got into a bad one.” …In case you wondered if a Boomer can have a favorite Richard Nixon quote, I have one regarding the TV Age, an American era that came between radio and tweeting. Nixon, who is said to have lost his historic TV debate with JFK because Nixon sweated on TV, later said, “In the television age the key distinction is between the candidate who can speak poetry and the one who can only speak prose.” Not so sure in 2020. ... A reason to not vote early? You never know what a candidate will try to pull at the last minute. I’m sure that’s negative thinking. But this isn’t my first election campaign.
—- Offer advice or reprimand by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

A VARIETY PACK FOR TUESDAY, INCLUDING COYOTES, DOGS, DUFFERS & A CAT QUOTE

EDITION OF TUESDAY, FEB. 25, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We’ve had a coyote alert in our neighborhood in Eastern Cowtown. Coyotes and Cows. Never had a Cow alert. Matter of time. Our house backs up to a nature preserve — so do several other homes.
 The coyotes were here first, of course. That photo was posted by KERA-TV in April 2019 when there were several coyote-spottings in the Metrosprawl. My theory is this guy was trotting along in the proper lane and about to enter the Dallas North Tollway — he clearly has a pass and is focused on his steering, unlike many other DFW-area drivers.
By the way, we haven’t spotted any coyotes yet — our neighbor has. I figure all of the back gates on our street have a little mark that only coyotes can read. It’s Coyotean for this: “Fake being a happy dog and you’ll eat free the rest of your life.” (That’s Porche demonstrating her version of the "Happy Hungry Dog Why Don't You Feed Me Face"  on Monday afternoon.) 
More in Contemplations. And before you get there you’ll be able to read about dogs in need, including one in Wilmer and one in Lancaster.
HERE WE GO WITH SOME ASSORTED NOTES IN THE WORD OF ANIMALS:
THE WEARIN’ O’ THE GREEN
BY DOGS THAT ARE O’ THE GREY

I was reading an announcement about the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas participating in the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas and ran across this phrase: “Because of the Greyhound’s Celtic connection.”
Time to ask Google. Look what I found en route to learning that the Greyhound was a favorite Celtic region hunter in England. Several references say the Greyhound is “the only dog mentioned by name” in the Holy Bible — Proverbs 30:29-31 in the King James Version. That’s Old Testament! Way before Westminster.

OK back to GALT at the Festival. It runs March 6-8, but hours for GALT are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 7 and 8 at Fair Park in Dallas. And the notice from GALT says, “Because of the Greyhound's Celtic connection, GALT will be featured in our usual location in the cultural area of Centennial Hall and will be offering t-shirts, collars and shamrocks for sale. Come visit Clan Greyhound!”
 Read the latest GALT newsletter HERE . And read about the 38th annual North Texas Irish Festival HERE.


TEEING IT UP TO BENEFIT
THE FABULOUS SPANIELS
Golf — it’s just a game. Unless you’re playing for Cocker Spaniels and then it’s an important game. Last year’s DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue Dogleg Classic raised $18,700 to help the organization help the dogs. And, according to the DFWCSR folks, in the past 7 years, the event has raised “nearly $90,000.” So, when they tee up the 8th Annual Dogleg Classic on Sunday, April 5, the goal is to raise “more than $19,000.”
 Volunteers have been signing up. People are buying advertising and promotional spots on tees, fairways, greens, flags — just about any place you can stick a sign. Lots of prizes have been donated. 
To volunteer to help with the tournament or to sign up to play, go to dfwcockerrescue.org.

Usually we’d post photos of Cocker Spaniels currently under the organization’s care. But there’s this special case we first heard about from Amy Poskey, the volunteer tipster at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter.
Coco is a “senior female” Cocker who came into the shelter as a stray maybe more than a week ago and she may have been out on her own for a while. She weighs in at 25 pounds was found to be blind and deaf and suffering from an awful ear infection. She was just a mess.
But she still has some affection and life in her. And Amy reported over the weekend that Coco had been tagged by DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue. And, Amy wrote, “If anyone would like to make a donation for Coco, please click on the link below.  No amount is too small and this precious girl will be needing lots of TLC.” Here’s the link: dfwcockerescue.org.
And, remember, you can help Coco and other Cockers with less dire physical problems by grabbing your clubs and hitting the links on April 5 and Fort Worth’s Rockwood Park Golf Course on on Jacksboro Highway just north of downtown Cowtown. Click HERE.
TWO DOGS ‘DESPERATE’
FOR THE HELP OF HUMANS

Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers sent out an appeal for some assistance with two dogs — Murphy from Wilmer and Peaches from Lancaster. 
Laura doesn’t speak well of either of the low- foot traffic shelters. Cites things that’ll curdle your hemoglobin. We’ll put those things aside to focus on the two dogs that were, basically, claimed and, Laura says, “put in boarding situations to save their lives.”

Murphy is the dog who came in with an injured “boy part” and has recovered but still needs a place to go — a home, a foster or a rescue group. Not a single inquiry for this handsome guy even though, Laura says, “he is extremely sweet, extremely lovable and sill very shy.” The photo of smiling Murphy was taken when he thought he was going to a home, Laura theorizes. He was going to boarding. 

As you may recall, 4-Legged Helpers hit the end of the line with Lancaster Animal Services and its new management after trying for nearly a year to make sure every animal in the small shelter was rescued.
“Peaches’ time was up at Lancaster and we had to get her out to save her but no one has shown any interest and she is such a good girl. Just as sweet as can be, just like her name.  Loves everyone.  Seems to get along well with dogs we observed her interacting with when we had her out. She is fully vetted and housetrained and loves children (and is great with them)  Super sweet. Look at that cute face.  She loves to play ball and fetch. Owner release by someone unable to care for her.”

To offer to adopt or somehow help these two, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com.
THREE FROM MESQUITE
WAITING FOR GOOD SOULS
The volunteers Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown provided the info about these three dogs in the Mesquite Animal Services Shelter.

The German Shepherd mix is Harlow, about 2, 62 pounds and a stray who came in on Feb. 17. Not neutered and his bio reads, “He is one high-spirited youngster who leaps, bounds and races around the shelter yard.  He is a fun-loving, tail wagging bundle of energy who would be a great pet for an active person or family willing to walk or run with him or take him to the dog park for some exercise. His number is ID 43843259.
Coconut (43847623) is a year-old , 21-pound terrier mix who arrived as a stray on the 18th. Judi wrote, “The shelter had him down as a Chihuahua  but appears to be too stocky and heavy to be a Chi. My pet scanner said he’s part Jack Russell terrier and Lab mix. Because of his long body it looks like he may also be part Dachshund. Whatever he is he is adorable, cute, and sweet. He is low to the ground, has a long body, is very soft, and has one blue eye and one brown eye. In spite of the fact that he is very low to the ground he was easily able to jump up on a table in the volunteer room! He is timid at first but quickly warms up. He is calm and gentle. He’s receptive to affection and gives affection. He gives kisses.”
Koda (#43846631) is also a former stray. The year-old, 46-pound Pittie mix arrived on Feb. 18. Judi writes, “You would be sure to get lots of compliments on this good looking dog if you took him on walks. Besides being good looking, he’s also got a wonderful personality. He’s the right mix of being laid-back and spunky. He appears to be very happy as his tail wags constantly. He’s gentle. Sometimes he forgets and jumps on you because he wants some attention but even that is in a gentle manner. He’s not likely to knock you over.”

For any of these animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
DEMOLITION, A SMILING DOG, COYOTES
After watching a little bit of the wrecking ball/Leaning Tower of Dallas confrontation, I began to wonder, “Is Dallas tearing down the toughest structure in town — the only one that could withstand a tornado or nuclear attack?” …

Leighann Hayden shared this on Facebook — the dog is Burreaux and he’s currently delivering that toothy grin with the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana, based in Shreveport. Zip right down I-20 from the Metrosprawl and you can audition to adopt a dog who knows how smile even when he’s been watching the news on TV. You can reach the no-kill HSNWLA by goin to hsnwla.com. [LARRY FYI: I was a sportswriter at The Shreveport Times for a little over a year in the late ‘60s. Shreveport’s the big town in an area of hunters and fisherfolk and people who love animals. I like to think that the entertaining elements of Shreveport/Bossier City were created and built because of all the Texas money “donated” at the casinos and the horsetrack.] …
In the meantime, for those of you who have just moved to North Texas from the planet Mars or some place without an understanding of nature, coyotes are wild animals and must be respected. They are predators and will come after your unattended cat or dog. So, love your animal and keep him or her out of the reach of a fence-jumpin’ coyote. 
Canis latrans is the official name. Some people call coyotes “ghost dog.” 
Here’s something to remember: Humans are the invaders who have to terraform land to live on it — coyotes don’t have to do anything except be coyotes and avoid humans and they’ll get along just fine. [LARRY FYI: Not having a mugshot of a coyote, I decided to use this photo of me and Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, our household peace officer givng her Clint Eastwood "squint." She enjoys quoting classic motion picture lines. In this case, she looked into the camera and, summoning The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, said, “Coyotes? Coyotes? We don’t need no stinkin’ coyotes.” Being a housecat for more than decade, she’s not really sure what a coyote is, but she prefers to stick to the safe side of things. So, like the Deputy Chief says, keep your critters ’n’ kids safe from coyotes.]

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