EDITION OF MONDAY PM, FEB. 15/TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2021 [PetPowellPress] For the first
Monday edition I wrote about looking out the window on Sunday and watching snow fall. On Monday during the noon hour, I was looking out the window and watching the sun shine on our snow-covered front yard and cars.
That snow isn’t melting all that much at our place. In this photo, a vast layer of snow is beginning to slide off our roof like an avalanche in the Himalayas.
In summation, I am really missing July and August. Though, the way things are going for 2021, we’ll have frost warnings in July and August. In case you wondered, Spring arrives at 4:37 a.m. Saturday March 20 — that four days AFTER you’ll “spring forward” at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 16. The snow — probably — will be gone by then.
TERRY LYNN’S LATEST
ADVENTURES WITH CATS
Burns Flat, Okla., a town of aboit 2,300 way out in western Oklahoma, has an angel working on behalf of dogs and cats. For this edition, we’re focusing on two of resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fishers’ recent cat tales. You’ll shake your head when you see that each of these cats has
encountered humans with no soul and been saved by some people with glorious hearts.
In the Monday mail Terry Lynn wrote that she’d received a call “concerning this little guy. The lady said he was at her house for about two weeks, then was gone. She didn’t think anything of it until she heard a meowing from under their tub.
“Her husband cut a hole in the wall and there he was. He had been there over a week.
“She doesn’t know what happened but he was very thin and tired. His front leg is injured. She said it just dangles and is cold to the touch. She thinks the leg is totally dead.”
Terry Lynn says she has no place for cat at the Burns Flat shelter or at her home and she’s got “several animals in boarding and a cat at the vet right now. So the only way I can take this on, is to have sponsors or a rescue step up. He is very friendly, but really needs vet help ASAP.”
To offer to help, email Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. She’s waiting for help and so is the cat.
THEN THERE’S THIS DESPICABLE BEHAVIOR by a driver in Burns Flat. See this cat?
Terry Lynn says, “We learned tha a car purposely swerved and ran over this innocent creature. She laid in the street, flipping over and over in pain. She then drug herself to the curb.
“A lady and her daughter picked her up off the street and called me. We rushed her to my vet.
“They’ve ended up having to remove her tail. Her pelvis is broken and she has multiple severe open wounds. But, she does have use of her back legs. That was my big worry. She is using her litter box and eating. She can walk; it’s just still very painful. They have her on pain management right now.
“Her bills will sadly rise high. She will have to be crated for awhile for the pelvis to heal so I’ll probably bring her home once she is strong enough. If anyone can help with any of her bills please know that each and every dollar is appreciated so much.”
You can also ask about adopting this girl that was the target of a jackass driver. Pardon my entirely accurate but insufficient French.
You can donate directly to the vet at Elk Creek Clinic, 1301 Airport Industrial, Elk City, OK. 72644 or by calling 580-225-4863. And Terry Lynn’s PayPal is terrylynnfisher59@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: What can you say about a person who swerves a car to hit an animal? Hell isn’t hot enough? Yes, the proper thing is to pray for that soul to be enlightened. That driver isn’t the only person who sometimes finds it tough to do the proper thing.]
OUT AT THE LAKE,
SNOW EFFECTS
Yep, snow has its effect on routines. As you know Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake
operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas. Only, there’s no operatin’ on Tuesday the 16th — yep, same reason the rest of us are out of our routines: too much winter.
The Friends spokesperson Sydney Busch sends word that weather has squelched the usual Tuesday operations and the Clinic will re-open for “surgeries and regular-non-surgical services on Saturday, Feb. 20.”
Those surgeries are, of course, by appointment only — if you’ve got an appointment, you know what to do. You DO NOT need an appointment on Feb. 20 (that’s Saturday) for the non-surgical services the clinic provides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info is at friendsofthenimals.org.
THE WAITING DOGS
OF LANCASTER, TEXAS
As you know, we keep up with the hustling nature of 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that works to get attention for animals in small shelters with low or no foot traffic. These determined angels have been successful a helping make the connections that can get unwanted/unexpected dogs and
cats into safe rescue organizations and loving homes.
So, here’s the next load in Lancaster Animal Shelter, a place the Helpers describe as “now very full.” The contact point for all of thse animals is Helpers Prez Laura Macias — call or text her at 214-949-2726 and email her at cat_girl_71@ya- hoo.com.
In order of appearance, they are:
BROOKS — Described as a “cutie pie” who is “incredibly sweet” and fun-loving, he was “found out and about as a stray and it was definitely his lucky day since he was found right before the weather hit.”
JAMIE — This Shepherd/Hound mix was “found starving” and living behind a Home Depot. Shelter ACOs “were able to trap him and they have found he is really coming around nicely. … He is more than happy to let anyone touch him and pet him, even while eating. This guy is going to be a great dog if someone takes a chance on him.” The Helpers note that he has a “sweet face and those big adorable brown eyes.”
MELODY — She’s a young Lab mix who is “very gentle and calm.” The shelter reported that “she is a bit bashful upon first meeting, but is the sweetest little girl you could meet.” [LARRY ASIDE: Another “sweetie pie” on the clock because somebody didn’t respect her and take care of her.]
RAEGAN — The bio-writers have some superlatives for Raegan, describing her as “the sweetest, sweetest, swweetest girl. Precious, adorable and a very calm, gentle, lovable girl.” She was “found as a stray in an area where people dump dogs. Just hearbraking because this girl is great. Walks great on a leash, too.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Would the person who dumped Raegan please get in touch with me? I need to explore the mental state you were in when you shoved her out of the car and drove off. It’s something I need to know so I can better understand the idiot BLEEPBLEEPS I share the planet with. Are you a heartless jackass? A mean jerk without soul? A don’t care/so what person without regard for living beings? What is the matter with you? Email me your answers and explanations to dallrp@aol.com and use your real name if you can spell it. Otherwise I’ll be forced to refer to you as “Hey, heart-deficient” or words I picked up under deadline pressure in newsrooms, you bleephead. that “bleep” is multiple choice. All of ‘em fit.]
AND, DEAR READERS, NOTE THESE THREE who were out roaming together when apprehended!
LUKE — Described as a “young male English Lab or Mix” was originally thought to be a Mastiff, but the shelter decided his ears suggested “Lab” more than “Mastiff.” He’s said to be “very calm, very loving and very gentle.” He was found running free with Logan and Lia (see below.)
LOGAN — Described (aptly) as a “beautiful, beautiful dog.” He’s also “very timid and very shy. So much so that when they brought him out to the lobby to take pics, he was shaking. Bless his heart,” the Helpers note read. He’s “clearly well-fed,” the note continues. “So, one has to wonder where he came from. And he was out and about with 2 extremely friendly dogs, Lia and Luke, so, perhaps, this is all
just new to him….” He acts as if he’s never been in a shelter and never encountered a leash.
LIA — Listed as a “Lab/Bulldog mix” is said to love “everyone and everything. Very good girl. Very lovable. Shelter staff already adores her.”
Again, to help save the lives of the Lancaster pups, call or text Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 and email her at cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
THEY KEEP COMING TO MESQUITE:
JUELZ GIVEN UP; GHOST ABANDONED
One of our Mesquite Animal Shelter tipsters, volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm, sent us notes about these two dogs: Juelz and Ghost. Unusual names for dogs in an all-too usual situation.
ABOUT JUELZ: This Staffie mix was surrendered to Mesquite on Feb. 9 “due to financial hardship.” The 9-month-old, 68-pound guy is a former indoor-only dog. He’s a lively pup, Debra says. But, “he will sit for treats and takes them gently. … Former owners reported that Juelz lived indoors with his people, that he knows the following commands: sit, stay, high 5, paw and get down. That last command is a handy one because he does jump on you! This is a youngster with an abundance of puppy energy … Obedience classes would help make him more adoptable. He raced
around the shelter yard during his photo shoot and exhibited athleticism and agility. … Juelz is a pup with so much potential but really needs someone with a firm hand who will be able to handle his energy level.” He’s #45113935.
That bring us to Ghost, a 2-year-old, 48-pound, not neutered Staffie mix who,
Debra writes, was ”surrendered to the … shelter on 2/9. Ghost had been abandoned by his original owner and the people who had been taking care of him for two months were not able to continue to do so. … Reported by the owner was that Ghost is house-trained, that he lived with and was
OK with other dogs, that he lived with children (theirs were 14 months-18 years), that he likes to play with a ball and go for walks. Ghost has been kept in the yard during the day and in the house at night. …a calm and gentle boy … takes treats gently. He is a friendly youngster with a nice personality and demeanor.” Ghost’s ID is #45619780.
And, of course, he is clearly an Earhound -- capable of both the down and up Ear Maneuvers of Happiness.
Use those ID numbers when you get in touch with Mesquite Aimal services by calling 972-216-6283 or emailing rescues@cityofmequite.com.
See the Mesquite dogs and cats by clicking on this SHELTER LINK.
The many cats at Mesquite include this guy Zeus, 8 years old and in the shelter since Groundhog Day. He’s a “large male” domestic shorthair mix. (#46577368) and he’s neutered. An 8-year-old cat is barely a teenager in cat years.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE MONDAY SUN & FAT TUESDAY, A STORY-TELLING RACCOON HEADLINE & A RESPITE
After spending the day typing, I looked out a window and thought I was seeing a summer day, the sun was so bright. Ah, the promise of things to come. …
In the mean time, if you're reading this on Tuesday, this is Shrove Tuesday, known to partiers as Fat Tuesday which is, I’m told, the English
translation of the French “Mardi gras.” I always lay low and avoid carbs on Fat Tuesday. The day has something to do with Lent, which I’m almost certain nobody brought up in my childhood Baptist Church — “It’s a Catholic thing,” some adult would explain. Lots of Baptists have enjoyed Mardi Gras, I’m led to believe. … FYI: That's a photo of me and William Powell catching some Zs after reading: He had a copy of the script for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and I had a book named The Invention of Tin Roof Ice Cream. It's a very sweet story. ...
I read this headline on the CBS 11 website Wednesday and thought, “Now that’s a headline that tells a story. It read:
“Fort Worth Firefighters Safely Remove 2 Raccoons From Home That Crashed Through Ceiling.”
A home crashed through a ceiling. So, based on information suggested by the headline, apparently 2 raccoons were
joyriding in a stolen motor home when they argued over who would hold the wheel, the RV ran off an elevated highway and fell through the ceiling of a suburban home. What? Oh. I was misled by the “home that crashed through ceiling” sentence construction. Can't anybody diagram a sentence these days? So, no stolen van, just raccoons up to mischief in somebody’s house. FYI: On the left you see a book jacket photo with me and Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson -- the book, a mystery, is A Cat Can Stare at a Computer, Too. Has to do with hypnotism and elections.
NOTE FROM LARRY: Weary of winter, fed up with politics, agonized by people who don’t take care if their dogs and cats and let ‘em freeze, I’m taking the rest of the week off. Call it "coping with a spell of compassion fatigue.” Rarely lasts more than 72 hours without treatment, i.e., ice cream, pizza, my bakespouse Martha's peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies (the traditional medical mood elevators -- check with your doctor before attempting this treatment).
I’ll be monitoring the inbox at dallrp@aol.com and hanging out with my own dogs and cats. Double-checking my Lotto Texas numbers. Unpacking boxes we moved
nearly 18 months ago. I had a jar of Instant Sanity in one of them -- stir it into your morning coffee and see a clear day ahead. I may read a book. See you Saturday, if not before. Remember, readlarrypowell.com is written for the animals and the people who love and protect them. If you abuse an animal, my dog won’t bite you — but I may. I’ve had every vaccination but rabies. Hang on, I have a little foaming drool in the corner of my smile. Grrrrr. Maybe it’s cabin fever, not hydrophobia. I don’t know — I’m not a doctor but I have played one onstage. That's Porche Noel, my personal attendant, having just examined my head to see if she could see from one side to the other by peering through my ears. See you Saturday in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
—- Offer relaxation advice or tense moments in life by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. Put “Ommm. Relax. Avoid Cookies.” in the subject line. —-