ReadLarryPowell.com

PARANORMAL, MYSTICAL, EERIE NAPPERS -- OR, JUST CATS DOING WHAT CATS DO?

There are suggestions that cats have nine lives. There are suggestions, also, that a home is a housecat’s natural haunt, so to speak. Cue the spooky music. Wait, we don’t have any. Just hum the theme from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken as you consider the possibility that, at our house, all cats are normal. Maybe.
We’re not sure how The Handbook of Mystical Cats & Puzzling Events defines “normal.”
For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re attempting to build up readership boost through the use of these words: paranormal, poltergeist, ghostly, apparitions, temporal warp, Martian sand masters and this eerie phrasing, “eliminate the income tax.” Kidding about that last one — doesn’t have a ghost of a chance.

What we have there is a photograph of our happily napping cat The Senator. Below him, there is a cat of a different color, i.e., a shiny-eyed apparition who suddenly appeared out of nowhere while The Senator napped.

The Senator, possibly a 14- or 15-year-old who mysteriously materialized on our front porch, is flat out on a bare shelf of my literatespouse Martha’s reading cabinet. Usually there are books stacked there. 
That eerie countenance with the mystically glowing eyes is young Simon, about 2. He never heard of Woodstock or The Altamont Speedway Free Festival or The Flying Burrito Brothers. I mention those to explain why he has glowing eyes and not kaleidoscope eyes. Also, he thinks “counterculture” refers to dogs.

Nevertheless, ambitious to be a proper feline meditator, he’s studying the skills of The Senator. He has enrolled in The Senator’s college-level course, “The Active Path To Inactivity —A Life In Office.” It’s easy to enroll. Just offer a bribe — ooops! I mean, a donation.

Speaking of clairvoyance, The Senator says he knew I was going to write about the eyeglow photograph. Also, he is a practitioner of psychokinesis — roughly defined, that’s the ability to make objects move by using your mind. I frequently will have him sitting in my lap and he will suddenly begin staring at my wrist and, inexplicably, I will move just as he decides it would be fun to bestow a love-nip on my forearm. 
Yes, he is a telekinetic cat. He is also a cool cat who has taken young Simon on as a candidate for the feline force for good, the NapKnighters. May the purrs be with you.
The other photos show Simon meditating behind my computer screen — for a while I thought the “ommm” was a bad fan in the cooling unit. And, in that darker photo, you may be able to see him activating his bio FCD, i.e., an enhanced gland known as the Feline Cloaking Device that allows him to disappear under the right circumstances. And that other photo of The Senator? That’s him in his Time Tunnel — he will enter it, become motionless for a brief time and emerge into a whole different world on the other side of the tunnel.
 He only uses his power for good, he tol me.
[REMINDER:As you are reading this, send telepathic messages to our clandestine reception site. You’ll know what ESP code to use. Also, send your sleeping/napping critter photos and the story of the animals to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll post the tales in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap on readlarrypowell.com. Contemplate how the love of your cat may influence others to adopt a homeless Earth feline— same dynamic for your terrestrial dog. And you may be helping insomniacs feel confident that they, too, can stretch out on a flat board and get some sleep. Enjoy this appropriate closing music.
—- Offer slumbertips or stock advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com or by sending your telepathic signals to me at -- well, those of us with "the gift" know where the router leads, right? —

FROM GOOFING OFF TO WOODSTOCK WITH DOGS AND CATS IN BETWEEN

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 [PetPowellPress] — While many people celebrate this particular day year round, March 22 is the designed date for National Goof Off Day. It also is International Goof Off Day. I’m betting this is another category in which Americans lead the globe. OK, just some Americans. Not any of ‘em in animal rescue or advocacy or shelter work. You can’t goof off and “be there” for animals.
The history of Goof Off Day is at Holiday Insights HERE. I don’t really know anyone with the talent and ability to “goof off” but I do envy them. 
That, is The Senator goofing off with me. He’s quite a student of the practice — he’s not called “The Senator” for nothin’.

This, of course, is my beloved little dog, Porche Noel, formerly a starving “stray” who is, in this photo, demonstrating how she can goof off. She went to sleep watching me type. She told me she’s not sure it’s writing that I’m doing but she does know that I’m typing. I feel the same way. 
Porche is also a “Message Dog.” And the message she is presenting is “readlarrypowell.com needs photographs and bios of sleeping dogs and napping cats for our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.” Send photos and info to dallrp@aol.com. We’ll show the world how wonderful your companion is when it comes to nodding off, curling up and snoozing or cuddling. If you don’t have a sleeping dog or napping cat in your life, get one. You’ll discover new dimensions of happy existence.
THE BUBBA REPORT
Thursday afternoon we got this update on Bubba, the dog who was battling some awful intestinal problems. His human, Chris Harp, has been working and working to get this boy healthy. Chris wrote, “Bubba continues to get better with every day! We don't have the results back yet from the disease testing that was sent out, but his regular blood panel has shown continued improvement. He is transitioning to firmer food and is finally showing his amazing personality again. He goes back to the vet on Tuesday for suture removal and a re-check. Bubba sends his love and sincere gratitude🙏❤️ We thank you 🙏 Bubba and Chris.”

You remember Bubba’s past. Chris wrote, “He was a rescue from Louisiana. He had been chained to a porch where he was burned horribly and had an eye poked out.  Most of his hair will never grow back and he is one of the most beautiful beings I've ever seen.” [LARRY ASIDE: Bless that Bubba and his man Chris. Don’t you just want to have a vigorous conversation with that jerk in Louisiana!]
WHAT THE HECK IS THE HOLDUP?
DOESN’T ANYBODY CARE ABOUT SADIE?
For a while now — back into last week — we’ve been promoting a rescue of Sadie (80804), a Lab mix who, after being hit by a car, has been waiting in the Denton McNatt Animal shelter for somebody to get her so she can get her leg fixed before it has to be amputated.
If someone takes her, then she won’t be enduring life-saving surgery just to be healthy enough to be killed in a city shelter. Amy Poskey, our tipster, says the 2- to 5-year-old dog has lacerations and a fractured knee. She’s being sustained at taxpayer expense, but she needs to be repaired so she can thrive.
Call the shelter at 940-349-7594 or email these addresses:  gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
ANOTHER CONTINUING TALE: TATERTOT
RETURNS TO VIOLET’S SIDE
Violet — former breeding dog dumped twice and the second time she was dumped the dumpers dumped the two family Chihuahuas right along with her. We wrote about Violet earlier and the big development is that her former companion has joined her in her foster home.
We get the information from  Mary Sullivan, president of Share Our Space Fosters for Pets in Need, Inc. She told us that sweet Violet, a 5-year-old, 61-pound Bull Terrier mix and former “breeding dog” had been adopted and dumped twice at Dallas Animal Services. But now she’s in a foster home. Efforts to ID her fellow dumpees, two Chihuahuas, were successful. One had already been adopted. The other has been named Tatertot and is now living with Violet. 
Oh, why was he named Tatertot? Mary’s note reads, “The family never named him despite the fact that he’d been with them for years! We decided to call him Tatertot because he’s delicious.”

There’s this, too: “He’s got a gimpy leg.  The family said that he’d been hit by a car; it’s unclear when that may have occurred or whether he received veterinary attention (although we think he did),” Mary writes, then adds, “He gets around okay but does have a little hitch in his git-along (as y’all Texans say).”

Tatertot may be 8- or 9-years-old. He weighs 11 pounds but will weigh slightly less shortly because he’s two lightweigh body parts as soon as he gets the vet’s OK. To offer to audition to adopt this pair, call or text 214-783-2060.
And, FYI: Both dogs are adorable, enthusiastic lapdogs.
A SEMI-LOP-EARED DOG
WITH THE NAME OF SARGE
How about that for a great name for this guy! At the Mesquite Animal Services shelter, Sarge is listed as a Shepherd/Back Mouth Cur. [LARRY ASIDE: When I was a kid we might have called him a “mutt” and made sure he spent the rest of his days being hugged on, adored and treated as a member of the family. That’s the kind of treatment he deserves in 2019.]
 Sarge (41068881) came in as a stray on March 14. Our tipster, the shelter biographer Judi Brown, says the 51-pound boy has “a  soft reddish coat and a ready smile. He does  have some scars around his nose. These give him character. He’s a fun loving happy, friendly guy that wags his tail a lot. He  actually whines for attention. He is highly motivated by treats so should be easy to train.
Please call 972–2 16–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. to tag Sarge.
ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON…
HOW MANY CATS ARE THERE?
We checked the animal populations at Dallas Animal Services about 3 p.m. Thursday and found that the cat population, down to 8 cats on Tuesday before spring arrived, has DOUBLED TO SIXTEEN cats. And a lot of them are — guess what — kittens. Why is that? Two reasons: This is spring and this is Dallas the most fertile city in the nation. (There are 227 dogs and 7 “other” (all hamsters) in shelter care.
One of the cats in the care of DAS is this beautiful black and white girl is Zinnia, just over a year old, and in the shelter’s custody since March17. She’s at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road, in Dallas. Go to www.dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt #A1058390, Zinnia The Beauty.
CONTEMPLATIONS
KNOW YOUR DOG; WOODSTOCK; MUSIC
One of the great points of contemplation is “How well do I know my dog?” On Thursday, the great Della Wallace sent me a note about one of her rescue boys, Roscoe. She wrote, “He’s an escape artist. He opens doors if they are not locked. Driving me nuts!!!  Steals socks and anything else he wants to play with. I’ve never seen a dog with so much energy and Joie de vivre.  His best friend is Nipper (from Mesquite Pound) and he is full of it, too. They are very happy dogs.” [LARRY ASIDE: When I read about Roscoe’s behavior -- and he looks very innocent in that sweet mugshot -- I told Della, “What an entertaining dog! Take him to a bank and let him try out the vault while the staff is distracted. Maybe he's also a retriever!” I was kidding, of course, your honor.]
… OK my fellow ‘60s Refugees, they’re gonna have Woodstock 50 Aug. 16, 17 and 18 at Watkins Glen. N.Y., and there’ll be some legends from the old days on the bill: Santana, John Sebastian, Melanie, David Crosby, Country Joe McDonald, Canned Heat — the last act listed for each day is the famous “And More.” Always a hit. And by that I don’t mean “hit,” I mean “successful appearance.” The first Woodstock in 1969 was described as “Three days of peace and love.” This one is going to be three days of “peace, love, & music.” Not sure it’ll have the hippie/revolutionary element of Woodstock 1969. I remember the biggest problem was keeping up with your cellphone in all that mud. Here’s the LINK to Woodstock50.  …Just for old time’s sake, here’s a Woodstock LINK to Melanie. Right on. Groovy. Peace now.
— Offer opinions or suggestions by clicking on “marketing” below and don’t bogart that mouse, my friend, you can email notes over to me at dallrp@aol.com. —-

AN OLDER CAT; DOGS ON THE CLOCK; LABS NEED HELP; TRAVELIN' I-30--WHAT A TRIP

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As Winter was doing the handover to Spring at 4:58 p.m. Wednesday, I was on Interstate 20 marveling that, from the westbound lane, there must have been 50 trucks and cars lined up to take the I-35 Waco exit and nothin’ but open highway on the exit to Dallas.
That was my second big mystery of the day; the first was “Why are so many dogs dumped or ignored by people in the Greater Metrosprawl?” Are we overloaded with Tin Woodmen who don’t care whether they have a heart? 

OK, there are two paragraphs I never expected to write. One with Waco and the other with Oz. Too much time trying to stay within the lines on interstate highways with stretches that have been constantly under re-construction since I moved to Fort Worth in 1972. You can bet your bippy Dorothy Gale would never let Toto languish in a shelter. [LARRY ASIDE: And, there, I’ve used two cultural landmarks: The Wizard of Oz from 1939 and source of all things bippy Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in (1968-72).]
And that’s a cat. That’s Alex (A1061339), a female gray tabby who has been in Dallas Animal Services since Monday. So what? So, she’s about 12 years old, the shelter thinks. Somebody help her. No 12-year-old cat oughta be in a shelter. She oughta be in a lap. (Call 214-670-6800 or go to the big shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland.).
SOME GREAT DOGS
TO MAKE YOU THINK (OR ACT)
Now, what animal advocates and rescuers may think is this: What the heck is wrong with people? But what will those PEOPLE think? Nothing. Otherwise the dogs wouldn’t have been on death row in the Mesquite Animal Shelter.

We’ve got the whole list of animals that were at-peril as Spring arrived. As of this writing, we have no idea if any of them were saved. We’re going to cite three of the many and urge you to click on this LINK to see the whole appeal sent to us by the shelter volunteer Judi Brown.
The light-tan girl Ivee (31094227) was not only on death row, but she was being treated for an “earlaceration” that may cause her ear to be removed if she survived being on death row. Why was she in the shelter? Three dogs were trying to get out of a fence; the other two attacked Ivee. She was the only injured dog, so, Judi wrote, “her owner refused to provide medical treatment, so she was surrendered to us.”
Beautiful 2-year-old Nutmeg we’ve mentioned before — he came in as a stray on Feb. 25. Judi says, “There is someone in Ontario who really wants to adopt Nutmeg — can anyone help?” The dog was terrified when she arrived, but the staff and volunteers have helped him begin “to gradually trust.” Judi says proudly, “When taking him back to the kennel, he actually leaned up against me and wagged his tail.”

The last we’ll highlight is Ria, 7, “who was surrendered after all of her puppies were given away.” She’s quite thin. As she was being introduced to the population at Mesquite, another dog “mounted her to play” and she was frightened and fought back, but suffered wounds on her face, neck and leg. The 44-pound dog however, is good with people and, Judi wrote, “She looks up at you with adoring eyes and wants so badly to be loved on.”
Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: And there you have it. Some of the dogs that may have survived in over-crowded Mesquite Animal Shelter on Wednesday. Or, they may not have. The pressure on the Mesquite shelter is made immense by people who dump dogs and cats and, when the animals go “stray,” these 'people' blissfully act as if they’d never existed. How can they live with themselves? Yeah, like we can answer that question without inventing a probe that seeks out rancid, misfiring cells in human brains.]
MEANWHILE IN COLLIN COUNTY,
3 OLDER LABS NEED SOME HELP
The subject line on this email says that three Labs have been surrendered to the Collin County Animal Shelter in McKinney and they “have until Saturday.”
Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network alerted people to this situation after hearing from a contact who was involved in trying to save the dogs.
The forwarded message reads, “I have a friend who had a stroke and cannot take care of her 3 Labs anymore. This is heartbreaking because she has had them since puppies and they are older now. It is so hard to find someone to take one older dog, but 3 together may be impossible. The oldest is 12 (white lab) and she is the mother to the other two who are 9 (Chocolate/White Lab mix). She has put in writing a surrender form and needs us to help find them a home asap.

“These are very good and domesticated dogs. More couch potatoes than dog, but still playful. They love to play outside and would swim all day if allowed.”
The contact points are: renie@renierealtor.com OR CALL JERI AT 469-867-8214
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE RIDE; THE CANDIDATES; THE VIEWS

Thoughts from 5 hours on two interstate highways and one hour between them. … Lots of cattle can be seen from I-30 between Dallas and Texarkana. Some have impressive horns. There’s one place east of Sulphur Springs that has either an alpaca or a llama — I was driving too fast to make a good ID on the beast, but I do know that it didn’t have horns. Unless it was a shape-shifter. Wednesday was Alien Abduction Day. … 
Watching TV news: Dallas has more candidates for mayor than the Democrats have candidates for president. What does this mean? Does it mean anything? Does it mean that there are a lot of people who don’t know what a punishing task it is to be mayor of Dallas, Texas? Don’t they follow the news? … Back to the interstates — I-30 looks a lot like this most of the way — this was Wednesday morning and I’d just passed a car — there are constant signs reminding that the left lane is for passing only. I chose to go to Texarkana on Interstate 30 because it’s the quickest route from my house unless traffic inside the city of Dallas is fouled up by construction and collisions and surprise hazards. If that’s the case, your quickest route is by canoe up the Trinity to the Red River and then down to Ashdown, Ark., where you rent a bike and pedal down U.S. 71 into T-town. I came back via I-30 to Greenville, then took Texas 34 down a comfortable, soothing throwback 2-lane highway route through horse and cattle country to Terrell where I caught I-20 to Dallas. Why did I do that? Because the last place a sane person wants to drive on I-30 is into Dallas during rush hour. Doesn’t matter what direction you’re going, you’re not going anywhere fast. This is especially true if you’re going west and passing through Rockwall. If you go too fast in Rockwall, there are efficient police officers monitoring your speed. I’m law-abiding in Rockwall. And that almost concludes my Thursday ramble. I’d be interested in hearing if anyone enjoys traveling on I-30. Not that we can change it. When it comes to seeing any breath-taking landscapes, the closest thing not involving towering pine trees is the maybe 10-story high pile of dirt at the landfill right off the highway at the New Boston exit.

—- To offer answers, advice or opinions, click on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com and I’ll read it during one of my spells of insomnia — this time I’m being kept awake wondering if it’s true the landfill’s mountain is named after a former mayor of New Boston. —-

SPRING, SPACE ALIENS, TERRIFIED DOGS, RESCUED DOG, AVAILABLES, DAS CAT STATS & WAFFLEHEISTS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Spring gets to Texas today — 4:58 p.m.
 Just to make sure we didn’t miss anything else, Holiday Insights notes that the 20th is also International Earth Day, Proposal Day, National Agriculture Day and, one my family always celebrates, Extraterrestrial Abductions Day. [LARRY EXPLANATION: That’s an old snapshot of our late beloved Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and Assorted Planets, in his favorite uniform. I found him in Kiest Park — a puppy hairless except for one ear. Not sure of his origin, but he and I would sit in the yard at night and look at the stars. I alway had a feeling he knew what he was looking at in the Milky Way.]
TERRIFIED TRIO IN EULESS
This photo popped up Tuesday and we first saw it on the Trinity GAP Club Facebook page — Jesica King had posted it there. The GAP Club, the organization of young animal advocates from Euless Trinity, works with Euless Animal Services to get animals such as these to safety.
 No doubt anybody with a heart nearly broke into tears when they saw these three dogs huddled in terror. Shouldn’t happen to animals. The note read, “Sure wish people would leave collars and tags on their animals. These 3 are literally shaking in the corner.” 
They came into the shelter on Saturday. Jesica and others are trying to find a foster home for them. “I’d like for them to stay together until they feel safe,” she wrote. To help these dogs, call or text 214-709-3332. There’s a video HERE on the Lost and Found Pets: Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Richland Hills, Haltom City, Texas Facebook page.

DESPERATE PLEA FOR BLIND DOG
Our inbox was peppered with “BEYOND URGENT” notes about Jack. He was in the Garland Shelter and described as “Terrified,  White, Blind, GSD X  w/Dysentery **CODE RED***  THERE IS NO MORE TIME TO HESITATE HERE, NONE!!!  BEGGING FOR HELP & PLEDGES!!!  AGE UNKNOWN!!!”
At the noon hour, Amy Poskey, the veteran animal tipster and advocate, sent a note: “I’m beyond happy to report that SNOW CAPPED SHEPHERD RESCUE [based in Colorado] has tagged this sweet boy!!!  This just makes my day!!!  Amy.”
You can catch up with the rescue group online HERE.
PUDDING AND JOY
AMONG MESQUITE AVAILABLES
This guy is 2-year-old Pudding, a Jack Russell/Dachshund mix who, the Mesquite shelter’s volunteer biographerJudi Brown writes, “was surrendered …on 3/16 due to landlord issues. Pudding is a beautiful boy with huge brown eyes. I’m sure you can tell from the pictures that he is not completely comfortable with his surroundings. He will be a work in progress. He does want to make friends. After spending some time with him he would cautiously come to me. At one point he even got on my lap. However, a few minutes later I had to start the process all over again. He will need TLC..” The 20-pound Pudding’s shelter number is 41084014. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6293 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com to tag him.
Mesquite also has a bunch of available cats including this 5-year-old named Joy. She’s 41105512 at the shelter and listed as “small” but that’s an awful big-looking small, wouldn’t you say? She’s in the cat room as of Tuesday afternoon.
You can see many more Mesquite adoptables by clicking on the shelter site HERE.

MARSHALL GRAIN IN GRAPEVINE
CELEBRATES ON SATURDAY
Joyce Connelley, one of the guiding forces at pet-friendly Marshall Grain Co. in Grapevine, sends word that the company is “commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Grapevine location with a special day-long celebration on Saturday, March 23. 
Official hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the pet-friendly store at 3525 Wm . Tate Ave. in Grapevine.
[LARRY ASIDE: In the news release, Joyce included a photo of kids and a clown from the grand opening of the store — so the kids are 10 years older and the clown, of course, has not aged.]
The party includes gardening tips and talks, vendor give-aways, refreshments, other things and, of course, pet adoptions.
Go to Marshall Grain online to see details of the store and the event and these storecats. Told you they were animal-friendly.


CONTEMPLATIONS

BEAGLES; DAS STATS; WAFFLE HOUSE HEISTS

Tuesday morning, I had Dallas County jury duty — not chosen. Didn’t even make it out of the big jury room at Frank Crowley Criminal Courts Bldg. So, I arrived home to open the email and discover a story (thanks for the tip to the great Andy Allen, legendary animal advocate) about a lab in Michigan that has been testing pesticides on Beagles. If those people had been on the docket in Dallas County Tuesday, I know one “throw-em-in-the-slammer” vote on the jury. Here’s the LINK. … About the DAS daily stats. We monitor the shelter’s animal population at dallasanimalservices.org where you can see photos of available animals. Just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, the shelter had posted 214 adoptable dogs, 9 adoptable hamsters and 8 adoptable cats — can anyone explain why the shelter that one had scores of cats now is down to just 8? We suspect it’s the rescue partnership and an aggressive adoption program. Anyone want to comment? … Did you see the story about the two guys who robbed 4 Waffle House restaurants in 80 minutes right here in the Metrowafflesprawl earlier this week? Apparently the early version of the charges is “aggravated robbery.” But, as a loyal Waffle House customer, I was scattered by this affront and, frankly, rather than a pedestrian robbery charge, I’d like to see them charged with a “home invasion robbery.” The Waffle House is like home — someone’s always busy in the kitchen and the familiar food is served hot. To many of us, a Waffle House breakfast at any hour, night or day, is like dining at Mom’s. And I’m pretty sure, young bandits, Waffle House doesn’t cater the Texas prison system. Years without the Waffle House? Buddy, that’s some hard time.
—- To offer an opinion or a solution, click on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR TUESDAY: VIOLET LEADS THE LIST OF ANIMALS WHO NEED HUMANS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Pardon me while I take a moment to pet my dog Dudley who just woke and ambled over to say “Hello.” … OK, he’s back to his slumberpoint. Here we go with some animal stories — let’s make that animal/human stories.
THE VIOLET STORY
This note was forwarded to us and it has to do with a former Dallas Animal Services resident. The original story came from Mary Sullivan, president of Share Our Space Fosters for Pets in Need, Inc. She wrote, “After a long winter, we’re all ready for some spring flowers, right?  Well, have I got a beautiful Violet for you!  This sweet girlie was adopted out almost two years ago to a home with other dogs.  Everyone got along famously and we believed that Violet had found the perfect forever family.  Unfortunately, she landed back at DAS the other day…along with the other dogs in the family.   Apparently, no one had time for Violet and her pals any longer.  So, back to the drawing board.”

When Violet’s chip was ID’d, a connection was made and people immediately got her to safety. To offer to adopt or help her now, call:214-783-2060. And, yes, people are trying to ID Violets’ co-dogs and get them out of the shelter, too
Here’s Violet’s story: She’s a 5-year-old, 61-pound Bull Terrier mix. Also, “She’s a happy dog, affectionate with people, and very much the snuggler.  She’s also great with other dogs (including little ones – her former roommates were Chihuahuas) and good with kids, though when she gets excited, she’s strong enough to knock a little kiddo over, so she’d probably do better with kids over 10.”

Here’s what she’s been challenged by in her life — in addition to being dumped twice. Mary wrote, “Once upon a time, she was a breeding dog and was probably overbred, but that hasn’t had an adverse impact on her.  Also, she’s got a cleft palate, but it doesn’t require surgery and she seems to function perfectly well with it (except that she snores…ah, but don’t we all sometimes?).”
[LARRY ASIDE: And I don’t which dogs came in with her to DAS, so go ahead and adopt all the dogs at DAS — at 2:38 p.m. Monday, the Dallas Animal Services site HERE listed 225 dogs and 10 cats available for adoption. Ten cats? Holy smoke. Most were at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center; one was in a foster home; and Pepe and Juan were at the big shelter. And, oh yeah, there’s this girl Tori (1058529) — nope, not photographed on Ash Wednesday, that’s her natural look. She’s 6, came in on Feb. 15 and is a spayed blonde and black German Shepherd. Call the shelter at 214-670-6800 or go there — I-30 at Westmoreland. You can’t miss it — it’s the place with the CATS WANTED sign out front. I’m happily kidding about that.]
MERGING THE EFFORTS:

HUTCHINS/WILMER/FERRIS 

Here’s the report from the folks who generally deal with the small shelters south of Dallas in the Help The Animals Corridor — I made up that title. But here’s the deal, our tipsters report, “We have some changes in this small rural shelter posting.  Hutchins dogs will soon be joining Wilmer dogs at the Wilmer Shelter per a new contract between the cities.  And as you are aware. Dallas County dogs are already part of the same shelter. We are also attempting to now help Ferris Shelter which could mean posting not only dogs, but some kitties in the future too, since Ferris does take in kitties.” 
The postings will now be united since the contact info is the same, they say. And this is the contact point: Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
In this episode of UNITING THE CITIES: SAVING THE DOGS, we cite that big girl in the opening photo. She is Hallie, either a Vizla or mix or Redbone Coonhound or mix, maybe. She was, according to the info, “found out on the highway with a dog she was with that had been hit and killed. Just so sad. She is absolutely precious.” A year old, calm, sweet and in foster care.

The baby dogs are Chloe and Zoey, thought to be siblings but the only evidence is they were found together.
There is another puppy still loose, our tipsters say. So, stand by. 

FROM PANOLA COUNTY,
THREE PUPPIES WAITING
This story of Tash (left) and tan Lux and Cate comes from Marie Garza in Panola County in East Texas. The three “were  dumped to die on a rural secluded road!" she says. "They laid sleeping literally one foot away from the road for three cold days and nights until I could get them in my rent car!
“They are now safe!  They've gone to the vet where they got ALL their shots including rabies, Nexguard for fleas and ticks and shampoo for their Demodex manage.  They are approximately 4 months old.  All of this vetting was paid for by Barkleyworld.com but we need funds to have them all spayed—approx $70 per pup for a total of $210!  Donations gratefully appreciated thru Barkleyworld ...
“We are looking for an approved rescue to take the pups so they have a chance for a forever loving home!"
Contact Marie at mariepmbs@yahoo.com.

[LARRY ASIDE: You all know the heroic animalfan Karen Lee of non-profit barkleyworld.com. And here’s her Facebook LINK.]
MEANWHILE IN DENTON
Once upon a time we were tipped to three dogs that needed out of the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter — Mouse, Jack Jack and Sadie. Amy Poskey tells us that Mouse and Jack Jack have been rescued, “but sweet Sadie is still waiting for her miracle. Sadie is the sweetest girl and she loves her treats, but she’s just lying in her kennel and her knee/leg needs medical attention.  Look at that sweet face and those eyes just begging for love!  All she needs is a little extra TLC and she will be as good as new!”
Sadie (80804), a young Labby mix, has been hit by a car — cuts and a fractured knee. Needs some help. 
Here are the contact points: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.

TWO DOGS STILL BEING SOUGHT:
SHELBY AND COSMO
We’ve reported on their stories. Shelby is lost in northern Irving — may have gone over a tall fence after a squirrel, as Border Collies might do. Cosmo bolted during a rescue transfer north of McKinney. Keep your eyes open for them. Click on these posters to make them grow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTEMPLATIONS
ROXY'S DAY, STAR WARS?, IN THE LOUNGE
We read a note from the Mesquite biographer Judi Brown suggesting that if people wanted to adopt this girl, Roxy, about 9, they ought to move quickly because the old girl was the kind of dog people would love to have around the house. I was working ahead in my schedule and asked myself, “What are the odds?” and went ahead and posted Roxy’s photo. Sure enough, here came the glorious note from Judi, “She went to an adoption event at PetSmart Saturday and was adopted from that event. One of the volunteers met the lady that adopted Roxy and felt like it was a good placement. Roxy is a real special girl that is overweight and because of her excess weight was somewhat listless. Hopefully the new owner will put her on a diet!” It’s a really good feeling to know that older dogs have a place in Texas homes. We’ve had a few through the years and they’ve all been great joys. … Cable station TNT has been running the Star Wars movies for the past few days, one after the other at times. Here’s a point of discussion: If Star Wars, now subtitled A New Hope, had not been the first strong presentation back in 1977, none of the others had enough charm and muscle to lead a parade of sequels. And, yes, I do miss Carrie Fisher, the actress/writer. Surely you knew she was a famous “script doctor.” Here’s a LINK. And that's her photo from another classic, Blues Brothers. … Here’s an appropriate song from a famous lounge singer. And some of you will recognize the piano player, too.
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com —-

MISSING IN IRVING: SHELBY

EXTRA EDITION, MONDAY MARCH 18, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This is an extraordinary BE ON THE LOOKOUT for a wonderful girl dog who was saved only to be lost. 
We got Shelby’s info from veteran rescuer Carol Duncan who helped her survive some serious ailments after she’d been rescued from Dallas Animal Services. She fostered Shelby during her pneumonia and heartworm treatments. That was in September. 

And now, Shelby, at 42 lively pounds, is lost somewhere in the area of Northwest Park in Irving, in the big area north of Irving Mall where her human, Mark Pierce, lives. Or, she may have been picked up! Or someone took her in! If you have seen Shelby or know her whereabouts, call Mr. Pierce at 972-255-0744 or Carol at 214-680-0514.
Mr. Pierce, who is retired, had adopted Shelby in mid-February — she’d become his dog after, Carol writes, “he lost his beloved Border Collie Cheyenne due to lymphoma.”

As you can tell from the photo, Shelby is a frisky dog — that is an element of this story. Mark has a doggie door and a 6-foot stockade fence.

On March 8, Mark had stepped inside his home briefly and when he returned, she had vanished. Carol says, “We believe that she was chasing a squirrel on the top of the fence and somehow managed to go over it.  (Yes, I've had a dog before who could sail over my 6-5’ fence.)”

Carol says, “A woman called the Border Collie Rescue Texas number a short time later from a park that is a block away from Mr. Pierce's house (Northwest Park in Irving) and said that there was a dog there wearing a BCRT [Border Collie Rescue of Texas] tag.  However, she left without taking the dog or confining her in any way.  No one has seen Shelby since then.”
She adds, “Mr. Pierce is broken-hearted … We have listed Shelby all over Facebook, through the microchip company, on Pawboost, and every other venue that we can think of.  Flyers have been created and posted all over the area where she was lost.  The night she was lost, I drove over to Irving and walked the area until after 1 a.m. with no luck.  The Irving shelter has been notified and has her listed as a lost dog on their website.  Yet there have been no reported sightings.
“I believe that someone who was at that park after she got lost may have taken her home with them.  They may not live in the immediate area, as people go there for various activities, so they might not have seen the flyers.  I'm at a loss however, as to why they would not have contacted us through the BCRT tag that she is wearing or by having her scanned for a microchip, which leads back to us, as well." (Once again, call Mr. Pierce at 972-255-0744 or Carol at 214-680-0514.)
[LARRY ASIDE: The dog I was raised with was this Border Collie girl named Queenie — there wasn’t a fence that could hold her. She loved being active — three boys kept her busy. I miss her every day. It is in honor of Queenie and in honor of the hearts of people who rescue and adopt these glorious dogs that I post this appeal for Shelby. May she be safe and may she be returned to her home for a long and happy life befitting a legendary Border Collie.]
— Click on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR MONDAY: A CAVALCADE OF CRITTERS AND A FEW HUMANS IN THE MIX, TOO

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Chalk this up something previously unseen. At dallasanimalservices.org on Sunday afternoon, the city listed 236 dogs available for adoption and only 16 cats.
Sixteen.
And here we are at the official outset of puppy and kitten season in the most fertile city in any of Texas’ legendary 254 counties. 
Among the available cats is 4-year-old Beau (with his tongue out), in the shelter’s care since DECEMBER 1, 2018. How can he not have been adopted? He’s in a foster home so email dasfoster@dallascityhall.com.
The other older DAS cat is Frisk, thought to be about 10. He’s been in the shelter care since February 18. You can see him at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road in Dallas.  When you see him, he won't be as warped as this shelter photograph!
FOUND ON THE ROAD
We learned of this dog through our veteran rescue pal Deborah Lynn Verner who reports that the “pup kept crossing Miller Road @ Rolando, almost getting hit. Found out that he used to have an owner on this street, but they died. .He with Garland Animal Control now. Deb says, “He’s a very calm pup. No collar, not neutered. He's small/medium size. NO microchip.
The link TO ADOPT HIM IS HERE.
As long as you're reading, there’s an impressive bunch of animals needing help on the Facebook group site for Lost & Found Dogs and Cats of Garland/Mesquite HERE.
A RUSTY REMINDER
The Just Save The Dog folks posted this note about Rusty, the dog facing death because, while at an adoption event at Klyde Warren Park, he bit a kid. The suggestion is that if Frisco and Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott can work out a deal to save the life of a free-roaming, human-biting Pittie, Icon, surely the big ol’ progressive and tender-hearted City of Dallas can keep Rusty from getting the needle. Here’s the FACEBOOK LINK to see how to help. 
Here’s quote from the note: “JSTD has been advised that the Rusty case will be discussed in Council’s closed session this Wednesday, March 20, 2019. We have the support of a few councilmembers to argue in favor of the city dropping the city’s appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. However, WE NEED ALL DALLAS ADVOCATES to email or phone their councilmembers, educate them on the issue, and encourage them to DROP the city’s appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.”

A RESCUE DOG WHO’LL
PROBABLY RESCUE YOU

That’s generally the way it works out. You're moping; the dog you rescued walks up and, with a nuzzle, changes your mind about life. 
In this case, Roxy (41070453) is an 8- or 9-year-old Golden Retriever who is rescue only because of her age. Our tipster, Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer for Mesquite Animal Shelter, says Roxy “was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 3/14 because the owners were moving! … Roxy is a total sweetheart! She not only is absolutely gorgeous, she is also friendly and very affectionate. She appears happy as she wags her tail constantly. She is gentle and calm.” 
The 71-pounder loves belly rubs. Judi writes, “Her previous owners, who had had her for three years, said that she was an inside outside dog and that she is good with children of all ages and with other dogs.”
Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmequite.com.
AFTER THE STORM, IT’S BREEZY
AT APOLLO SUPPORT & RESCUE
You may remember that the Justin facilities of Apollo Support & Rescue got blown around quite a bit by last week storm.
 Apollo says support has been “amazing” and that “we were a bit worried since Facebook wasn’t fully working …but everyone really came through!”
And the Apollo folks also wrote, “As the clean-up at our facility continues, so does our main mission, saving dogs.” 
That is the appropriately named Breezy, currently in an Apollo foster home where she’s working out tummy issues and hoping to put on some weight. She’s only 14 pounds right now, but, Apollo says, “still such a sweet and loving girl.” See Apollo Support and Rescue on Facebook or check out the website HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
DAVE BARRY, A WOLF AND A SONG
We got this report from our Easter Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, known as a respected journalist though also recognized as husband of Annie and the human who is carefully looked after by Maxie the Dog and Chloe the Cat. He also has contacts in the news world, including famed ABC reporter Bill Diehl. This time it was a Diehl-to-Fisher tip about a soon-to-be-released book by the famed Miami-based writer/humorist/columnist Dave Barry. It’s called Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog. You can’t judge a book by the cover, but if it has an old dog on it and the byline DAVE BARRY, it’s probably going to be happily worth the investment. … I’m probably not the only Texan who is enamored by wildlife and doesn’t want to shoot any of the free-roaming critters. Now and then I wonder if there were wolves in the Ark-La-Tex woods where we camped when I was a Boy Scout back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Maybe that’s why this story about the giant wolf Yuki caught my eye. I remember seeing GIANT shadows among the towering pines. Read the Yuki story HERE. … In honor of wolves of all kinds, here’s our MUSICAL TRIBUTE. If you’re reading this in an office, crank your speakers way up. It’ll make people look differently at you.
— Offer opinions or explanations by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

SPRING ROLL IN DENVILLE; ST. PAT’S, THE K9 EVENT & BUBBA THE AILING DOG — HE’S HOME AND BEING LOVED!

We’re going to get into a spring salute to a New Jersey dog and cat shortly, but, as you can see in the headline, this edition has several elements — all touch on the love for animals. It’s a topic for the heart.

For our regular weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we start not with a slumbering animal, but with a dog who is having a spring roll on the grass a little bit early. 
That is Maxie, a staffer in our Eastern Seaboard Bureau, based on the wonderful shores of Indian Lake in Denville, N.J.
Our Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, veteran of newspapers, radio and NBC's Today Show, reports that even though spring won’t officially arrive until 5:58 p.m. EDT on March 20 in Denville, Maxie took advantage of the 70s-plus temps on Friday.
[LARRY ASIDE: Temps in Dallas Friday? In the 50s. Apparently before spring arrives, the Earth is spending some time off its axis, otherwise there’s still be a half-a-foot of snow on the ground at Indian Lake and Dallas would be hovering in the 80s. Not sure that's an exaggeration.]

 You might wonder how Maxie has the energy to flop down by the lake and roll around like an enthusiastic puppy.
He gets his sleep. You see here examples of where he sleeps. He has the small bed, and he has the large bed, though, as you can see, Chloe the Cat, another of our Eastern Seaboard Bureau staffers, has a different opinion about whose bed that big one is. In fact, she’s known to “influence” Maxie to get up and change beds.
Maxie, FYI, has been reluctant to go outside for much of the winter — it’s too wet, too cold, or too icy/snowy for a smart pup to try to negotiate a single step into an arctic environment.

Maxie and Chloe are both rescues. The person who turned Bureau Chief Fisher into the famed Critter Whisperer of Indian Lake is Mrs. Fisher, Annie, a veteran at the rescue adoption mission.
 That's Maxie with the pair of them in warmer times on Indian Lake.
You might wonder about that photo of Chloe in the suitcase. Annie was packing for a weekend trip and Chloe thought she’d give a big hint that she’d like to go, too.
She ultimately stayed with Andy and Maxie and caught a little TV now and then.
[REMEMBER: We’re proud to post photos of your slumbering animals in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Send the photos and inphos, er, info, to dallrp@aol.com. Your life with your animals demonstrate that a household can benefit from having a calm sleeper in the home. Also, you’ll inspire insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some sleep — if they find the right suitcase to crawl into, but they’ll start to belief.]

THREE MORE NOTES:
IRISH RITA; K9S; BUBBA AT HOME
NOT AN IRISH WOLFHOUND, but, Rita’s probably got some Irish in her — don’t we all? We offer this photo snapped by our pal Diane O’Combs. Wait. I got carried away with the Irish. That’s Diane Combs, longtime SPCA volunteer and famed adoptor of rescued dogs — in fact, she adopted Rita through Cody’s Friends, a note rescue group.
Here’s Diane’s little girl Rita reminding us that St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday and that Dallas celebrates it for at least the 48 hours of the entire weekend. So, be careful. 
My theory is Rita is dressed as a Leprehund. I’m sorry, I’ve misspelled Leprechaun. Luck of the Irish that she’d get me for a speller.

A NOBLE EVENT ON SATURDAY

 

Here’s the announcement for an important K9 event at the Cedar Hill Memorial Park. You may recall how the people with Cedar Hill Pet Memorial Project saved an entire cemetery for animals and gave it some wonderful focus with tributes to “War Dogs” and acknowledgment of the K9 first responders. Click on it make it larger.

CATCHING UP WITH
THE STORY OF BUBBA
As we reported during the week, Bubba has been enduring some really tough medical challenges. They shut down his intestines for a while and rendered the poor boy quite ill. But his human, Chris Harp, has been taking extraordinary measures to save this dog he loves. And Chris hasn’t been too shy to ask for financial help to save his wonderful Bubba. 
(On the left you see a mugshot of Bubba in post-surgery recovery.)
I asked Chris how he came to be Bubba’s human. 
Dear Readers, I’m going to warn you ahead of the explanation. You are going to read it and get a mad as I did at a stranger or strangers. You also are going to want the best things in life for Bubba. 
Chris explains: “He was a rescue from Louisiana. He had been chained to a porch where he was burned horribly and had an eye poked out.  Most of his hair will never grow back and he is one of the most beautiful beings I've ever seen. I foster failed on him. He's quite the soul!!!
“Here's Bubba before he got sick.”
Bubba is now back at home after visits to an emergency clinic and his regular vet after he became so ill. He’s had the limit of two surgeries to correct his obstructions and function, so he’s at the point of time and medicine doing the healing work.

Chris says, “Bubba is stable and home. His kidneys are starting to show signs of failing, but, hopefully, now that he's stable their function will improve. Main goal is to keep his intestines moving and monitor his kidney function....we will go from there.”
Barkleyworld.com's guiding light Karen Lee, who first tipped us to Bubba says you can donate to Bubba’s cause thru Barkleyworld at http://www.barkleyworld.com/. “We are a 501c3 and I will send you a tax receipt and a huge thank you. All donations through Barkleyworld are paid directly to the vet performing services and never to individuals,” Karen writes. She says, also, Bubba Rasmussen’s vet account is at Animal Health Care Center, 817-467-6688. The gofundme site to cover Bubba’s emergency surgery is HERE.
And you can text Chris at  (817) 896-2607 or email itzmaui69@gmail.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: God bless Bubba and all who love him. And, may some force for good get hold of the Louisiana villain or villains and change their hearts.]
— Offer opinions or solutions at ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-

STILL SEEKING COSMO

Our pal Jan Gifford sent us a copy of the latest flier about the search for Cosmo, the 10-year-old fellow who was "lost in transit."  Click on it to make it larger.
He's had enough time to move beyond the area near McKinney where he was last seen on March 7. But you never know. He may still be in the neighborhood. He could be too terrified to move -- he hasn't been without his loved ones for his entire lief. Or he could have been picked up by someone and driven off to another city. Whatever the case, his rescuers need to know about him. Contact information is on this flier. Keep your eyes open!
--- Bless the animals on this planet. Click on 'comment' below or email dallrp@aol.com. ---

 

THINGS OF BEAUTY: ANIMALS NEEDING HOMES & RECALLING ONCE-COMMON PHRASING

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Just before I began to type this edition, I was walking down the hall and our cat Simon was leading the way. From above, Simon looks like he’s smuggling a swinging bowling ball in his abdomen and I said to the innocent cat, “Got a little mid-drift bulge there, Simon?” He didn’t reply. Nor should he have responded. I’ll bet I haven’t heard “mid-drift bulge” out loud since the 1960s when it was the “selling point” of Playtex TV commercials. Simon, born in late 2017, may never have heard the term. This is a photo of substantial Simon with his Rottie mentor, Texas Earl the Cheeseman. More on bulge and non-bulge items in Contemplations. First, some animal opportunities for people who need animals and don’t yet know it.
THE LATEST REPORT
FROM BURNS FLAT
We keep up with Burns Flat’s animal situations in western Oklahoma because we find it interesting that the one-woman force of animal-saving nature Terry Lynn Fisher keeps working away at her mission. Thursday morning we got an email headlined “BURNS FLAT, OKLA … ONLY FIVE LEFT NEEDING RESCUE.”
This is after weeks and weeks of a tsunami of animal situations that had tried and failed to beat down Terry Lynn’s spirit. She kept running into humans who are such disappointments when it comes to protecting their own critters. 

About the phrase “only five left needing rescue,” Terry Lynn said, “Writing those words is almost unbelievable.... There are 5 needing rescue... While I still have large outstanding balances at the clinic and boarding, the dogs are LEAVING for rescues...
“Here are the last five needing a safe and loving place to go:

“BRUNO: I pulled this big goofy boy from the Hammon pound. It is also an outdoor pound and the wind chill got below 0. We put him in boarding to keep safe and warm....he only has enough for 4 more days in boarding. He now needs a rescue, or he will have to go back to the pound and face being killed... They do not like holding them past the stray hold because they have to care for them.” Then she writes, “I have taken a dog (from there) that had been attacked to get treated, then they were going to take him back and kill him... WHAT???”

“EMMA: This doll was picked up at the edge of town... She is young and a wiggle worm… She just cries when I leave... She is in our pound and really needs a rescue... Lab mix, maybe 35 pounds.”

“OREO: This poor girl was dumped by her people and the family members that took her in are awful… I have taken so many dogs from them... They took Oreo and two nights later, she was viciously attacked by their male... She had some serious injuries...  Now all better, she is still in boarding at my vet and ready to leave for rescue.”
“RUFUS: This boy was left behind when his owners moved... The friend with him went to rescue right away. Rufus had mange, so he went to my vet. Now all better, this love bug needs rescue so he can find his forever family.”

“ZEUS: This big boy is not happy at all in the small outdoor kennels at our pound.. he is so unhappy... He is a beautiful boy and really needs out asap.”

The best way to get in touch with Terry Lynn is to email her at remembering_oddball@- yahoo.com.

[LARRY ASIDE: As you can see, Terry Lynn gets more than her share of tough cases to handle — mainly because of the people. And sometimes I think, “Holy smoke! The free-roaming idiots of Dallas have crossed the Red River and are trying to colonize western Oklahoma!” That sounds like an exaggeration, but I’m still not sure it isn't too far from reality.]
A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER IN NEED
OF A MODELING AGENT
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, geez, we mentioned yesterday that the Mesquite Animal Shelter was facing an
overabundant population of stray and dumped dogs. Sure enough, many of the animals were on the clock for 11 a.m. Thursday. Perhaps they were rescued or adopted or somehow beat the clock.

This dog is not on the Code Red list — yet.
But, she’s been there since March 7. With any luck, she may just have a future in modeling, based on these photos provided to us by the shelter’s volunteer biographer, Judi Brown. 
She began this bio with: “According to the  app ‘Dog Scanner.’ Flower is 87% terrier pit and 13% Staffordshire pit.” [LARRY ASIDE: That may be the breed, but that ain’t the breeding, pilgrim. Environment is a giant influence on dogs —love being the key ingredient.]
 The 4-year—old, 65-pound Flower is a former stray. Judi adds, “She’s a beautiful dog with a sweet face and eyes that look like they’re lined with eyeliner.
“She’s got a stocky body that’s relatively low to the ground. This adds to her cuteness. She’s a happy girl that even tries to engage you at her window. She’s another wiggle worm that seems to love everyone.

 “She’s a happy, gentle, affectionate dog. She wants to please, and she sits for treats. Once she checked out the yard she stayed close — wanting closeness. She does not jump on you. She went nose-to-nose with other dogs in the bay, wagging her tail.
“She would no doubt make a wonderful family pet. I can see her bringing many years of joy to a loving family. … She’s apparently been well cared for. It appears as though she’s been an inside dog.”
To get a place in line of modeling agents and big-hearted people (I’m hoping) who want to rescue or adopt Flower, call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com — be sure to use her shelter ID 41022035.
See Mesquite’s adoptable dogs and cats online HERE .
Pass it on. There are millions of people in the Metrosprawl — they can’t all already have the statutory limit on household animals.
[LARRY FYI: I’ve seen human modeling portfolios that didn’t have this much expression in the photographs! Flower’s got spirit. Just needs a human to step between her and the needle.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WILD ANIMALS, TIME MACHINE AND BULGE
Remember that incident last week in which the woman was attacked by a Jaguar at the zoo near Phoenix? Yeah, I’m not planning on getting that close to a wild animal, myself. I think there’s a place for people who dare to test the striking range and speed of a wild animal; it’s spelled ER. And, oddly, in the email Thursday, I got a note from PETA about some otter petting that occurred at SeaQuest Fort Worth. Xander is an “Asian small-clawed otter,” but no matter how big his claws, two people were wounded by the attempts at affection, PETA says a U.S. Department of Agriculture report found. Here’s the PETA release. And here’s a way to dine with Xander (click HERE ). This SeaQuest photo shows him having a snack — those are, perhaps, fingerlings, not fingers. …
A newspaper in the United Kingdom, The Sun, posted a story about the invention of a tiny time machine. It’s a start. Here’s the tech-heavy story.
If the machine were not so small, I’d rent it, crawl into it and go back to the Lakewood Dixie House for some fried green tomatoes and a nice salad with blue cheese dressing and some cornbread muffins with extra butter. And that is why no time machine is big enough for me and why I won’t be leading any expeditions by the Temporal Force, sister agency to the Space Force. I’m also not going to space anytime soon. Need a bigger rocket. … Speaking of “mid-drift bulge.” Yeah, I haven’t heard that term used in years and years — maybe since the appropriation of “muffin top” as a synonym. Here’s a LINK to an old TV commercial. It also has the phrase “seven-way stretch” for a girdle. Who needs a time machine when we have old TV commercials?
—- Offer diet tips or opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com (we open all mail that has the code word ‘cash.’) I’m kidding. —-

APOLLO'S STORM DAMAGE; A DOG NAMED BUBBA IS ENDURING HARD TIMES

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Good grief, some storm. About Texas weather: I can live with the heat; I can endure the cold. The pollen season doesn’t even bother me since I became a vegetarian 20 years ago. 
But the wind? Texas wind is scary. You never know when it’s gonna turn on you. And that gets us to the Apollo Support and Rescue organization in Justin. We’ll also address the story of Bubba the Dog. That’s his majestic sleepy face. Here we go:
AFTER THE STORM
Yeah, that Wednesday morning storm knocked things around a bit on the 5-acre spread that is Apollo Support and Rescue on Dove Hill Road in Justin. The nearly 4,000 population municipality that advertises itself as “Justin: Everything A Hometown Should Be.”
Before Facebook went dizzy on us Wednesday, Beverly Fyfe, the veteran advocate and rescuer, managed to give us a heads-up on the situation at Apollo. We got in touch with Rebecca Jankowitz, the Apollo social media volunteer. To get things back in order, she says, “Right now we are desperate for some 10x10 kennels, airline crates, bottled water, tarps and bales of hay.” 

Go HERE to see photos of the storm damage.
There are ways to donate at http://PayPal.me/asrpets and http://cash.me/$asrpets.
You can get in touch via the organization’s PETFINDER SITE. Or, email Rebecca at becnbelle@gmail.com.

Among the many adoptable dogs and cats you’ll see on that site are (top) Delilah the Dog, born in 2010, who “doesn’t like to be messed with too much. She will sit with you and cuddle. She would prefer no kids or rambunctious dogs or cats.”
That Dachshund mix is Oscar who was, the Apollo site says, “dumped with Abigail and Weston.” He’s a 38-pound “love bug” who “lived in a kennel at an apparent breeder, so his front teeth are broken off because, the vet said, he tried chewing his way out.” He’s been in a foster home since May 2017.

Those cats? The stretched out cat is a girl, Skinny Mini, and the fellow with the big paws is her brother, Fatty. They “enjoy playing with each other,” Apollo says. 
Not sure how any of them feel about Texas wind, but it can’t be comforting!
THE STORY ON BUBBA:
A DOG WHO NEEDS HELP
Anybody who’s ever had an ailing “companion animal” knows the challenge that confronts the human heart. You ask over and over, “How can I make this better?” We’ve learned from Karen Lee of barleyworld.com of the effort Chris effort Chris Harp is making to save his beloved dog Bubba. It’s a medical situation.

Right now, it's day by day supportive care with his vet,” Chris says. “He has had two surgeries and another surgery is not an option if his intestines don't get working right. 

“After the first surgery he was doing amazing, then suddenly he was horribly sick. So, after a night in the ER we headed back to his vet for exploratory surgery. Nothing was found except that his intestines had become extremely inflamed, so much so that they were twisting and sticking together which was causing another obstruction. 
“At this point, it's a waiting game to see if they will start and continue to work correctly. He does have extremely runny stools and now his entire backside is covered with sores because it's constantly running out. Right now we owe approximately $2,800 and we are working on raising the funds to get him to an internal specialist, which starts out at approximately $1000, but more likely in the $2500 range. …People.can donate donate through barkleyworld they are a 501 and pay the vet directly or you can call your donation directly to the vet under Bubba Rasmussen (817) 468-6688.”

Chris says an “inquiry lifts us up because it reminds us that people are out there what care about Bubba.”

The gofundme site is HERE. Karen says you can donate to Bubba’s cause thru Barkleyworld at http://www.barkleyworld.com/. “We are a 501c3 and I will send you a tax receipt and a huge thank you. All donations through Barkleyworld are paid directly to the vet performing services and never to individuals,” Karen writes. She says, also, Bubba Rasmussen’s vet account is at Animal Health Care Center, 817-467-6688.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN TEXAS
The atmosphere sure calmed down and turned what we can confidenty call “Texas Beautiful” by Tuesday afternoon. I think it was an invitation to the wonderful Texas Bluebonnets to come on out and brighten up the late winter landscape. Other trees and plants are blooming already. Might as well have a championship season for the Bluebonnets. … Don’t forget, we need photos of your sleeping dogs and napping cats to continue our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Send photos and bios of the critters to me at dallrp@aol.com. That’s our formerly feral kitten, Simon, all grown up and napping amid the wires on the desk behind my computer screen. He’s dreaming of seeing photos of other napping cats. … When Facebook went into Malfunction Junction Wednesday, that was an interesting development. Who do you call when you can’t msg anybody or post an opinion? Have a calming cup of decaf and pick up a novel. Computer problems are like driving on the poorly-signed Downtown Dallas’ freeways — everything eventually reconnects.
—- Offer opinion or inspiration by clicking on “comment” below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

STORM NOTE: FOR ALL AREAS OF NORTH TEXAS

[EARLY MORNING STORM EXTRA EDITION, MARCH 13, 2019 -- PetPowellPress] If you're reading this, then I hope that means you didn't suffer any electrical outages or other damages from that pre-dawn storm.
We have two important storm-related notes that affect a lot of hearts. We’re starting with Mesquite and also, in McKinney, the lost dog Cosmo. But this storm creates an area-wide situation.
On 
Tuesday, before the big storm blew through, Mesquite Animal Services issued an appeal for adoptions and rescues. According to a note from Jeanne Saadi, Managing Director of Mesquite Animal Services, space was already getting tight at the shelter. 
Referring to a number of dogs, Director Saadi wrote, “Based on the space available this morning and the calls that came in overnight and this morning for owner surrender requests and trapped strays, I am predicting we will fill up today.”
That meant animals are in danger IN the shelter. And Mesquite doesn't want that. Among  the dogs mentioned was this guy Connor, one of several we’ve highlighted from Mesquite recently because the clock was already ticking on them. Email RESCUES@CITYOFMESQUITE.COM to ask about helping an animal. And here’s the LINK to the online listings. Dogs already there more than 2 weeks are critical for rescue, Jeanne’s note said.

Also BEFORE the big storm was the be-on-the-lookout for this dog Cosmo, a rescue who ran from his helper north of McKinney and is lost in the wide-open spaces of a roomy neighborhood. Lord knows how the storm affected that poor little dog. [LARRY PRAYERFUL ASIDE: May Cosmo be safely in a home that doesn’t know anyone is looking for him or in a home where someone decided to hold onto him until figuring out where he belongs. That’s a wide-ranging prayer, but we've all seen happy endings to such tales of woe.] If you’ve seen Cosmo “a little north of 121, off 160 on County Road 584”, email j.gifford@att.net.
Saving other animals today? Mesquite and other storm-struck municipalities will, no doubt, be taking in “storm strays” today — animals whose fences were knocked down or dogs who were living outside “because they like being outside” and fled the storm in the only way possible: running for their lives.

Perhaps this is a good time for people who have never fostered a dog or cat to get involved — just in case the new arrivals are overwhelming the city shelters. It’s an opportunity to save lives.
Animals that have been in the municipal and county shelters for a while already will probably be the animals that pay with their lives when the new animals arrive after the storm. 
[LARRY ASIDE: About dogs that “like living outside.” Yeah, well, they REALLY like living inside in Texas. That’s where their humans are. That’s where they find comfort from the storms. You can’t fully love your dog by keeping a closed door between your hearts. Just move over and make room on the couch.]
--- Offer ideas or responses by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com ---

FOR MIDWEEK, MANY TO HELP AND A CRISIS OF CHANGING TIME

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As we all continue to adjust to the time change, let’s just move along as if each facet of our existences was not disturbed by a wretched event that upends our mornings and evenings. More in Contemplations, including a WRR radio note and a Beatles note and moving Earth.
Two things I hate — the time change and animals at peril. We can help the animals; the other will take an act of Congress. Keep reading. (That’s me and The Senator in a failed attempt to nap Tuesday morning. I’m coping with the stress of time change. The Senator doesn’t own a timepiece — he has a staff.)

BE ON THE LOOKOUT REMINDER
FOR MISSING COSMO, 10
Every now and then, I get my calloused newsman’s heart touched by the story of an animal. Such is the case with Cosmo.
The story, as we reported in an extra edition Tuesday morning, comes from our pal Jan Gifford, a veteran animal advocate and rescuer.
 Cosmo’s humans had been moved to hospice and to a nursing home and that meant everything that was “normal” in this dog’s life was gone. He wound up being transported to a foster, but before he got there, he “ran to daylight” in an area north of McKinney. Jan says he was last seen in an area “a little north of 121, off 160 on County Road 584.” If you’ve seen him in this area of homes “separated by lots of acreage,” immediately email Jan at j.gifford@att.net.

[LARRY ASIDE: Tuesday morning, as I was typing something else, a dramatic rainstorm swept through our Oak Cliff area, a long way from where Cosmo was last seen, but it hit me that, God help him, Cosmo may never have been caught out in the rain before. He may be terrified. He may be sheltered in a place that draws water. 
And, maybe, he has wound up in the home of someone who saw him and coaxed him to safety. I hope that is the case. But, please, if you’re in the area, keep your eyes open for Cosmo, a dog who lost his home and lost his way.]
SPCA’S LUCKY DOG ADOPTION SPECIAL
Through the 17th — yep, St. Patrick’s Day — the SPCA of Texas has a by-the-pound adoption special. According to the news release, “If you adopt a dog that weighs 40 pounds or more…through Sunday, March 17, you will receive anywhere from a 25% discount on adoption fees to a free adoption. It all depends on the luck of the draw! Adopters will get the chance to draw their discount amount out of a lucky hat!”

This includes all the dogs at the SPCA’s two shelters — the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center at 2400 Lone Star Drive in West Dallas and at the Perry Animal Care Center, 8411 Stacy Road in McKinney.
Details are at spca.org and you can see the adoptables at www.spcafindapet.org.
That’s a variety pack of dogs I clipped from the screen featuring the many adoptables at the SPCA.
And that cat with the distinct look — don’t ALL cats have distinct looks?) — is the beautiful Mona Lisa (163467), nearly 5 years old, and waiting for the right human at the Perry Center in McKinny.

People who appreciate famed artists and people who know how a fixed cat can be ID’d right away, will appreciate the fact that this SPCA cat, waiting at the Dallas facility, is 170796, a 2-year-old handsome orange fellow named Vincent Van Purr.
MAXI IS A RESCUE ONLY;
HE’S A SPECIAL CASE IN DENTON
Amy Poskey, our “eyes on the Denton shelter” began her note about Maxi with this line: “These ‘special case’ pooches just keep rolling in and now our sweet Maxi boy needs a little extra help!  RESCUE ONLY!”
 He’s anywhere from 5 to 8 years old and he’s “friendly with people (including children) and other dogs,” reports the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter & Adoption Center. 
He’s heartworm negative but there is a rough part of the road: “Poor baby has chronic skin issues, a bladder infection (which the shelter is treating) and had a procedure done to his right ear.”
He’s #80918. And He needs a rescue to get him ready for adoption. 
Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email these shelter addresses to ask about helping Maxi: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE
It’s a constant thing — this arrival and departure at the Mesquite Animal Shelter. Hopefully, you’ll recognize that the work of Judi Brown and other volunteers is helping with the “safe departure” ratings. Here’s your chance to help one of the Mesquite strays.
This guy is Lucky (4100212), a year-old Black Mouth Cur/Shepherd mix — he came in on the 5th of March. 
Judi’s note reads that “hopefully someone will see what a handsome boy he is and he’ll get some of that good old Irish luck and be in a loving home by Saint Patrick’s Day!

“Lucky is a very striking dog with beautiful reddish gold soft fur. He also has a very sweet loving, happy personality. He’s very friendly. He gets so excited about getting attention that he does jump on you. He could use some manners training to teach him not to do that, but since he wants to please he should be easy to train. His tail is in constant wag.”
To offer to adopt or rescue or somehow help this 44-pound dog survive his “stray” experience, call 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: Judi frequently gets photos of the big ol’ Mesquite dogs standing on their back legs to look at the outer world. To me, it’s heartbreaking to think that is as close to freedom as some of these dogs will get because there aren’t enough rescuers and adoptors to handle the load of stray and dumped animals. Not the shelter’s fault — it’s the don’t-care element of the American population that puts animals at peril day after day. Now help me off this soapbox before a slat breaks, I crash to the floor and wake every animal and Richter Scale technician within 50 miles.]
A GENTLE PLEA FOR AN ANGEL,
SAROYA, SHOT IN BOTH BACK LEGS…
Goodness, how about a gentle reminder that Saroya the Dog needs a home.

Our longtime tipster Gail Whelan with Companion Animal Network wrote, “If you ever have the space for a dog NOT in danger, would you post my angel, Saroya?  I've had her 7 months with no interest!!  We believe she is a 2-year-old purebred Anatolian Shepherd, about 85-90 pounds. Fully vetted, heartworm negative, microchipped, etc.  I got a call from the sheriff last summer about a dog dumped out at Lake Quitman.  Turns out she was shot in both back legs.  She is fully healed and runs like the wind now. She has a great temperament!  Anyway, she really needs her own home.”
To offer to be the home that Saroya deserves, call Gail at 903-967-3226 or email can.adoptions@yahoo.com.
A FOLLOW-UP ON DIXIE
You may remember that photo of Dixie the Lab. Her human is going to Africa with an oil company and can’t take his dog, so he was trying to find a place for this 7-year-old girl to live. It was a tough moment in his life, but Bonddie, as he’s know, reports, “I am happy to tell you that Dixie has found a new home with very nice couple in Houston. Thank you very much for all your help! I really appreciate it.”
Bless Dixie, Bonddie, and travel safely across the world.
CONTEMPLATIONS
TIME-CHANGE, NOTES AND MUSINGS

The dogs slept late Sunday morning and we hardly noticed the time change at all. I also believe a swamp creature roams the river bottom woods near Texarkana, reindeer can fly and my diet is working.
 All that aside, if your dog is having trouble adjusting his or her bladder to the arrival of Daylight Saving Time, just ask your U.S. representative to pick a time and stick with it. We’re in that awful fix: We have to depend on Congress.
I was talking with a clerk at a big store about the time change and how it would take an act of Congress to change things. And she said something like, “You’d have better luck changing the movement of the earth than gettin’ Congress to do something.”
….
Contemplating modern day employment: I think there are people who don’t like their jobs. Never felt that way for very long. But it was like this when I did: I’d get tired of the relentless pressure of performing for my employment like a sideshow clown in a traveling carnival — you’d have two jobs: Make people happy and clean up after the livestock. ….
Did you realize that March 12 is the anniversary of the day in 1922 when, according to the onthisday.com site, “WRR-AM in Dallas TX begins radio transmissions.” WRR is FM now and there’s a history lesson on the wrr101.com site that takes you back to before the licensing era. Last year, WRR got the OK from its owner, City of Dallas, to stop broadcasting the City Council meetings in favor of more pleasant entertainment with listeners. Other notes from this site? On March 12 in
"1923 Lee de Forest demonstrates his sound-on-film moving pictures (NYC)
"1930 Clyde Tombaugh announces discovery of Pluto at Lowell Observatory [LARRY ASIDE: Who knew Disney characters were interested in astronomy? Oh, sorry, not THAT Pluto. This was the former 9th planet.]
"1965 Beatles' Eight Days a Week single goes #1 & stays #1 for 2 weeks.

And this: "2012 Encyclopaedia Britannica announces that it will no longer publish printed versions of its encyclopaedia.” What’s an encyclopaedia? Look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls. [Pre-21st century wisecrack.]
—- Offer info or opinion by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com where no fact is too tiny to exploit. —-

MISSING NORTH OF MCKINNEY: COSMO, 10, WHO'D LOST HIS HOME

Oh, goodness here’s a story that needs a happy ending. We got the details from our pal Jan Gifford, longtime animal advocate.
Cosmo was last seen in an area north of McKinney — “a little north of 121, off 160 on County Road 584,” Jan says. If you have seen him or know his whereabouts, email j.gifford@att.net.
He was being “transported to a foster shelter Thursday at about 7 p.m." when he and bolted. Here's why he was going into foster care: "His elderly owners went into hospice and a nursing home.” 
So, you see, Dear Readers, Cosmo is accustomed to being loved, and now, bewildered by the changes in his life, he is alone and lost.
The area, Jan says, is “very country and the homes are separated by lots of acreage. … With a lot of luck maybe one of your amazing followers will spot him or know something.” Again, email j.gifford@att.net.
--- Click on "comment" below. ---

HOW TO BE HAPPY? ADOPT A DOG, ADOPT A CAT -- SAVE SOME LIVES

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2018 [PetPowellPress] OK, let’s just dive right into the day’s report. First this editorial comment: If you don’t have a dog, get one or two. If you don’t have a cat, get one or two. 
If you have any kind of a heart at all, give part of it to a companion animal and they’ll take the rest and share it with you.
(FYI: That photo is what my brain looked like this morning on the second day of Daylight Saving Time — obscured by fog. Where is that? Old Faithful. You can watch it live online.) HERE WE GO with animal stores…
RESCUE ONLY
AND ON THE CLOCK
We got the tip on these two darlings from the Denton Animal Shelter tipster Amy Poskey.
 “These two beautiful girls have been at the shelter way too long and now their time is limited and they are RESCUE ONLY.” Amy wrote Monday. “So, please take a look at Patty and Midnight, read about them, and give them the love they crave!”

Midnight (78346) is the dog with the floppy ear, a genuine Earhound, 2- to 5-years-old and whose favorite things are “going on walks, treats, and toys!  She loves people but is choosy with her dog friends. Midnight is fully vetted, microchipped and is HW POSITIVE, but DASF (Denton Animal Shelter Friends) will provide a $100 voucher to go towards her treatment.”
Patty is the same age. And the story is this: “Her previous owner stated that she's good with children, other dogs, and cats, but doesn't like to be confined to a crate.  However, Patty has been stressed at the shelter and isn’t doing too well with all her pooch pals.  Patty is fully vetted and HW NEGATIVE!”

Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Here are the email addresses: gayla.nelsen@- cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg- @cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@city- ofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: Well, what can you say? Two dogs with a real shot at being happy companions for a responsible human and, well, it’s North Texas where the odds are always tough for animals. Bless those rescuers for being there and may one of them win Lotto Texas to finance these dogs!]

THE LATEST DAS DOG PROMOTION:

IT’S IRISH AND SO ARE SOME CATS
Here’s the note that was on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page. “Stop by #DAS and find your lucky dog during our #PetOfGold adoption special! Now through March 17th all dogs are free at both of our adoption locations: our main shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd. and the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center on N. Coit Rd.”
As rush hour arrived in Dallas Monday afternoon, the DAS online inventory at dallasanimalservices.org, showed 238 dogs, 26 cats and 2 other (yep, still Oreo and Petunia, the rabbits). Go to that site to see how and where to adopt.

You can see the dogs online and on the Facebook page.
So, yeah, I decided to look at cats. Among the 26 on the list are some we’ve featured before. I was looking for a cat with an Irish name to highlight in keeping with the theme. Couldn’t find one. So I settled on this handsome 3-year-old (1059883) who is listed as “Isreal” but I’m betting he’ll answer to the name “Israel” or maybe “Izzy.”

Neither is an Irish name, but I’ve got a white and black cat, The Senator, who’ll diplomatically celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as if he were representing Dublin in the U.S. Senate. That’s The Senator nuzzling my face as we are about to perform a duet of My Wild Irish Rose. Danny Boy is too high for both of us - neither of us being a tenor in spite of The Senator’s surgery.
Somebody get a free dog who is compatible with this cat. Save two lives. How tough could it be? This cat, in DAS care since March 2, is currently at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road, in Dallas. No blarney, cats makes great companions when you begin to philosophize on St. Patrick’s Day. After all there’s this Irish proverb: “Nature shines through the cat’s eyes.”] .

CONTEMPLATIONS
TIME, PEANUT BUTTER &  POCKET SEALS 
I’m contemplating Daylight Saving Time but I can’t quite get a grasp on it — give me a few days. … According to the night site Holiday Insights, March is National Nutrition Month and National Peanut Month. I celebrated both on Monday by trying out one of those new Snickers Peanut Butter Candy Bars. Not just peanuts, but peanut butter, too! I took one bite and an alarm went off in my doctors’ offices. Worth it though, unless it wrecks my blood pressure and blood sugar. I don't fly, but that doesn't mean I'm not a risk-taker. … I saw a sign on a business recently that advertised “Aquariums. Mammals. Reptiles.” Are mermaids mammals? Because that’s the only one I can think of that’ll fit into an aquarium unless someone is marketing Pocket Seals 'n' Pigs  and I would not be surprised.
—- Offer opinions about dogs and cats or ways to make money in the stock market by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com (I’ll open the moneymaking ideas first.) —-

'HOUSE NO. 5,' ISLAND PARADISE MEMOIR, ON SALE; DOGS, CATS NEED HAPPY HOMES

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We’ll get to helping dogs and cats in a moment. Let’s talk weather and the Greek Island of Paros for a minute. 
Maybe you’re tired of winter. Maybe you’re ready for a place that makes your heart feel like you want it to feel. The Greeks have a word for it: “charoúmenos.”
In Greek that’s “χαρούμενος”. It means “happy” — one of several Greek words that mean happy, according to my research. 
As my author pal Bob St. John once wrote, “The Greeks have a word for it — I just can’t pronounce it.”
More on this and Bob’s final book, House No. 5, about a life of creativity, fun and joy on the Greek island Paros with his artist wife Sandy (she did the cover) in Contemplations. House No. 5 is newly available online at Barnes & Noble.
PEOPLE CHANGE IN WILMER BUT
DOGS STILL NEEDING ROUTE OUT
We got the tip over the weekend that administration changes are coming to the city shelter in Wilmer, Texas, just south of Dallas by about 2 minutes on I-45.
Our tipster Leighann Hayden took the opportunity to note that the shelter currently houses “the two best little Bullies ever. Seriously sweet!!! Honestly the two best little bullies ever. Seriously sweet!!  They both love everyone and everything.”

 The little guys are Chase (left) and Chance (right). And still waiting is that beautiful girl Lexie.

Leighann writes of Chase and Chance, “We think one looks Dogo mix. He has little black spots like a younger Dogo. The other clearly looks bulldog mix.”

Then there’s the third dog. “The little girl dog Lexie absolutely adores people but not all dogs. Interestingly she really liked the little Dogo mix. Gets along fine with him. We have someone willing to pay for her to be spayed.”

Chase is the cute little guy with the “cutest little nub tail.”
Lexie is a Keeshond/Shepherd mix (in a foster home right now). And Chance is “a super cute guy with the sweetest, big, pretty eyes. Gentle and loveable.”
To save their lives, call or text  214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
DENTON DEVELOPMENTS:
TWO WAITING, MOUSE CLAIMED
Our Denton tipster Amy Poskey reports that of three hard-luck dogs mentioned last week, two are still waiting in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter.

Jack Jack (80792) is the nearly 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who has “a slight heart murmur and needs some dental work. He is neutered, has a docked tail, weighs 17.5 pounds and is heartworm negative.”

Sadie (80804) is the 2- to 5-year-old Labby girl who possibly was hit by a car and is being treated for “lacerations and a fractured knee.” Healthy other than that. If a rescue takes her, the group gets pain meds to help her get to a vet painlessly.

Mouse is that long-haired Chihuahua boy who “ran in front of a deputy’s car and was clipped.” Fractured pelvis. Needs about six week of crate-care for his 8 1/2-pound body. The good news is, Amy says, “Mouse was rescued yesterday [Friday] by Diana Hightower with Chihuahua Rescue and Transport!  YAY!!!”
To help Jack Jack and Sadie, call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.- com, dentonshelterdogs@- yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.

A MESQUITE PROJECT DOG:
NUTMEG -- FRIGHTENED STRAY
It is always heartbreaking to see a terrified dog in a shelter situation. Their chances of adoption are evaporating with every minute. 
But, our Mesquite Animal Shelter tipster Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer, reports that Nutmeg, this 35-pound, 2-year-old Pittie mix, is making progress.
 He came in as a stray on Feb. 25. Judi writes, “It’s hard to understand how any dog could come to be so intimidated and scared! When Nutmeg first arrived he wouldn’t leave the corner of his kennel. He became a SHELTER  PROJECT! With the help of the employees and volunteers, patience and time Nutmeg started to gradually trust. ... Today we actually hung out in the laundry room. He cautiously came to me . He loves to have his ears scratched. He walked well on a leash. When I took him back to his kennel he went nose to nose with a few of the dogs. When taking him back in the kennel he actually leaned up against me and wagged his tail! I know there is a beautiful spirit in this dog that has so much love to give to a family that will be patient with him. He will certainly blossom once he exits the shelter.” 

Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Use Nutmeg’s ID 40843694.

That other guy is one of many trying to beat the clock at the Mesquite Shelter, Mojo (40995958), a 44-pound, easy-going 1- to 2-year-old mix who came in as a stray. Judi writes, “It’s hard to understand why the owners did not come looking for him. He’s a very handsome young dog with southern manners. His beautiful white coloring with brown flecks and  bi- color eyes make him particularly attractive. He has a very sweet face. That face goes along with his sweet personality.
See more Mesquite dogs and cats at this SHELTER LINK.
Unless he was adopted Sunday, you’ll see Connor (40777430), this handsome Pittie boy — 3 years old and a stray who arrived on Valentine’s Day. If he was in the movies, you’d call him a character actor because his handsomeness is the kind that makes the movie work no matter how lousy an actor the handsome star might be. Connor has beaten the “Red Alert Clock” at least once in the past week.

And a reminder: This older girl Bones (40879065) can be seen among the cats listed on the website. She appears to be the oldest — 10 years old, small, house-trained and just $35. A 10-year-old cat generally knows the value of a human. And a human ought to know the value of a 10-year-old cat. 

CONTEMPLATIONS
THE SWIRL OF THE WORLD

If it had not been for legends such as the late stellar writer Dan Jenkins and other famed writers from The Fort Worth Press, I may never have met Bob St. John nor my funspouse Martha. In 1972, weary of small-town newspaper salaries and possibilities, I took a job at The Fort Worth Press. I wanted that mojo from the typewriters used at some point by the legendary Jenkins and Blackie Sherrod and Gary Cartwright and Bud Shake in that un-air-conditioned building. When The Press closed in 1975, I hired on with fully air-conditioned A.H. Belo and  The Dallas Morning News and met Bob St. John, author of such books as his best-selling The Landry Legend and his spectacularly reviewed rodeo book, On Down The Road. About a decade later I met Martha when she came to work in the executive offices. Things worked out splendidly: I got to marry Martha and I got to edit Bob’s column and a couple of his books. This latest Bob book I’m really proud of — not for my editing, but for Bob’s writing. House No. 5: Paradise on Paros, is now available at Barnes & Noble online HERE  and amazon.com HERE. It is a memoir written from the heart of a guy who accidentally found paradise on the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. He and his wife, the artist Sandra St. John found artistic inspiration— the book has many of her paintings and photographs, including some of the great blue doors and blue sky of Paros. Bob was moved to write about the island. He found history and heroes, challenges and triumphs and, yep, love and laughter. And, the mysterious reach of the famous Greek Fates from that small island in a sea to Galveston Island on the Gulf of Mexico. Apparently, The famous Fates can make it “a small world” when people need a connection from one side of the world to the other. 
You may remember Bob for his legendary work as a sportswriter covering the Dallas Cowboys in the Tom Landry era. You may remember him as a metro columnist telling the story of life among the people of Texas. Others will remember him as the husband of the artist Sandy who was co-pilot/navigator on their travels. They ultimately arrived on Paros for calm, beautiful adventure and the tranquility artists and authors need to keep the creative engine running and their hearts beating in unison. Reading Bob’s book you’ll see how he and Sandy fell in love with this beautiful island of gleaming white stone structures, blue doors, fantastic stories and fabulous people. Bob might have said that when he was enjoying his respite from deadlines and Dallas on Paros, “Είμαι μια ευτυχισμένη Texan.” If Babel didn’t betray me, that translates to “I am a happy Texan.” You can see that in House No. 5, a dear, funny and, yes, romantic accounting of the search for paradise and the discovery of a wonderful place to live on a faraway island. And this is Sandy's portrait of the beloved landscape around House No. 5, their vantage point and launching pad for Bob's wonderful story of Paros, its adventures and the people who became friends to this couple from Texas.

—- Offer opinions or solutions or stories of Paros by clicking on ‘comment’ or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

DEPUTY CHIEF KITTIE LEIGH JOHNSON -- NEVER MIND DST, SHE'S IN NO MOOD TO SPRING

This edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is not only a report on a household development, but it is a “predictive” report. 
I’m going to predict that this cat will be in this position at 2 a.m. Sunday, Dallas time. Yes, I may be springing forward. You may be springing forward. But Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson doesn’t spring just because the U.S. Congress votes “Jump” in the Uniform Time Act of 1966.
Here’s how we got this cat-napper for the Daylight Saving Time 2019-edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap:
 I was on my way back to the bedroom to fold clothes when I needed to do something at the computer and I put a clothes basket full of warm attire and towels down on a chair. 
It was like a cat magnet. You’d think they were arguing over a box of day-old fried chicken remants thrown out bag and all on a Dallas street. Arrrrrghhh…Mee- wrrrrrr. That sort of stuff until everyone backed off but Kittie Leigh.
So, my smartspouse Martha and I decided to get an old basket and create yet another “Catsnooze Paradise” for our household felines. 
Didn’t even put warm clothes in it. Just filled it with dog and cat blankets and old towels — you know, the kind of stuff you’d throw away if you didn’t have dogs and cats. 
If animal people didn't hold onto those remnants, U.S. landfills would be overwhelmed and find themselves the center of feral cat populations because those towels and blankies attract cats like a backyard fishfry on a Friday night.
Now, we’re demonstrating this magnet effect with the help of my own personal cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, a former front porch feral.
As you see in that third photo, she was in the auxiliary chair with the basket and watching television when she nodded off in the comfort of the basket.

She’s a small girl. Has a left eye that’s not quite right — her right eye is right. Yes, word play with the word “right.” And, she asked, back when he was still a gray tabby rather than an evolving dark-gray tabby, “May I have my photo taken with your big nose?” There it is.

But her left eye is healthy and was crossed when she was a kitten. The other thing she has — and Martha can testify to this — is a great desire to be cuddled by me.
And I have a great desire to cuddle my Front Porch Kitten, the cat we named after the Kyra Sedgwick character, Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, in the TV detective series, The Closer. The star is married to the actor Kevin Bacon, the inspiration for the parlor game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” So, of course, there’s Kittie Leigh Johnson, named for Kyra Sedgwick who is married to Kevin Bacon. and that’s a quick connection. Kittie Leigh -- isn't that a full-on yawn! -- chooses to eschew the glory of Hollywood in favor of counseling me in matters of writing, cat cuddling and catnapping.
[LARRY REMINDER: WE PAY absolutely no money, but we give a lot of gratitude when you provide photos and stories of your sleeping dogs and napping cats for our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Send photos and stories to dallrp@aol.com. We love to use those photos to show people that their homes will be enhanced by adopting a dog or cat. And we also love to show insomniacs that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just figure out how to curl up in a clothes basket.]
—- To offer opinions, objections or sleeping tips, click on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com where every letter about sleeping or napping is treated respectfully while fully awake. —-

THE THREE 'STRAY DOGS' FROM MESQUITE -- DID THEY BEAT THE CLOCK?

On Thursday morning we posted a story about three "stray" dogs on the clock for 11 a.m. Thursday at Mesquite Animal Services.
Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer, has a great mailing list that reaches many animal advocates. And this morning we have this information from Judi:
"Bosco was adopted yesterday. Tanner was rescued. Connor is still there."
Bosco is the smaller Rottie mix. Tanner is the dog who wagged his tail so much it got to bloodied he had to move to another holding area.
And Connor is this 3-year-old (40777430) Pittie boy who arrived on Valentine's Day. Maybe that explains why his bio reads, "Connor has a cute, sweet face but no one would ever accuse him of being the cutest dog at the shelter. However, he may be one of the sweetest!"
Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescue@cityofmesquite- .com to save Connor's life by rescuing or adopting.
[LARRY ASIDE: Remember: Saving Connor's life will open another spot for an incoming dog and will buy that dog a little more time for adoption or rescue. Just as humans are responsible for the at-risk status of these dogs, humans are the life-saving force that protects these wonderful, noble beings on a planet that has enough more than enough killing every day of the week.

--- Offer opinions or suggestions by clicking on "comment" below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

FOR FRIDAY: HAPPY STORIES AND STORIES ON THE BRINK OF HAPPY

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 [PetPowellPress] On a Friday, with warmer weather and the promise of a rainy Saturday, we’re going to suggest that a good companion for a late-winter day is always a cat. Or dog. Or both. But for photographic purposes, we’re going with cat right now. Now and then I scroll through the availables at the SPCA of Texas and ran across this boy, Markie (162117) as he enjoyed a curl-up in his bed. Like he’s practicing to be a loyal lap cat in, perhaps, the home of someone who is reading this. Markie is a nearly-4-year-old Siamese, the SPCA says. He’s small. 
But look at the size of his left paw in that curl-up photo. Yeah, that’s an illusion. I checked by looking at another photograph and that second photo reveals Markie’s normal-sized paws and a set of championship whiskers that accent his nose like chrome curb-feelers on an early 1950s Mercury. Go to spca.org to see how to adopt Markie. [LARRY ASIDE: You’ll have to look up “curb feelers” to enhance your knowledge of American culture.. I’ve got other things to write about while proudly retaining my knowledge of tiny things in the history of the nation.]
AN ADOPTION TO CELEBRATE
Kimberly Jones, who we’ll hear from later in Contemplations, has been trying to make sure two dogs she rescued, Ginger and Roxy, were going to have wonderful lives. She was fairly bursting with excitement Thursday morning when she couldn’t keep her “secret” any longer and proudly announced, “My sweet girls have the best home and the best family that loves them both so very very much! Ginger & Roxy ARE ADOPTED!!! I can't keep it a secret any longer!!! Ginger & Roxy are being ADOPTED TOGETHER by their AMAZING and AWESOME foster family!!! They are SO VERY LOVED and SO VERY HAPPY!!!

“I could NOT have asked for a BETTER home for these VERY deserving girls!!!.” 
AND AN UPBEAT NOTE
ABOUT A BOY NAMED DUKE
Well, hello, there happy hound dog! 
We got the announcement from the great Amy Poskey who monitors animal situations and the shelter in Denton.
We wrote about Duke the Bloodhound earlier in the week. He's the boy who was found wandering in a Texas oilfield -- no sign of his human anywhere.
Amy says, “I’m very happy to report that Karan Graham with Hillcrest Animal Rescue in Farmersville jumped all over this and Duke already has a furever home!  A former adopter, Carolyn, who lost her Bloodhound boy to old age decided she needed Duke and Duke needed her!  Carolyn picked Duke up and took him to the vet so he could get vetted/neutered and everyone has fallen in love with this handsome, sweet boy!  Carolyn also has a spoiled rotten Basset Hound, PJ, who will be Duke’s new brother and best friend!  So, Duke is safe, happy, and loved!
“Thank you to Karan Graham, Carolyn and EVERYONE who helped make this happen! I love happy endings! Amy!”

AND ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON
ANOTHER  AMY APPEAL ARRIVES…

Yes, Amy Poskey has found a situation in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter that can be solved with the help of anywhere from one to three to 50 humans. I have no doubt that those people are out there who can help place Jack Jack, Sadie and Mouse — three dogs that need a rescue to get them through some tough times.
Here are the bios:

JACK JACK (80792) is an 8-10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who, Amy’s note reads, “is sweet as can be but has a slight heart murmur and needs some dental work. He is neutered, has a docked tail, weighs 17.5 pounds and is heartworm negative.”

 SADIE is a 2-5-year-old Labby mix who “is absolutely beautiful!  Sweet Sadie may have been hit by a car cuz she has some lacerations and a fractured knee,” reads Amy’s note. “She has been given her rabies shot so her rabies certificate and tag, antibiotics, and pain medicine will be provided to the rescue who can take her.  Sadie is also hearworm negative.”
MOUSE is a 1 or 2-year-old Chihuahua boy who, Amy’s note reads, “is the most perfect lap dog! Poor baby ran in front of a deputy's car and was clipped. He has a fractured pelvis and needs about 6 weeks of crate rest.  Mouse weighs 8.5 pounds and is heartworm negative."
To ask about helping these three, call the shelter at 940-349-7594 or email gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
FIONA WAITS
IN BURNS FLAT

We told the story of Terry Lynn Fisher’s rescue of Fiona a couple of weeks ago. Fiona, as Terry Lynn, the relentless rescue angel of Burns Flat, Okla., reported, had been “hit by two cars and left in the street.”
 In a note asking for an adoptor to step up and for help with Fiona’s bills at Elk Creek Clinic, Terry Lynn explained, “This girl landed in the pound in Elk City. Many scraps and bruises; her front leg was mangled. The pounds around here have no budgets for vetting, so this baby laid there in pain. The ACO reached out to me and I had her taken to my vet... It was decided it would be best to remove that leg. Once it was gone, this girl perked up and became the sweetest most loving girl ever. She is under a year and this leg loss does not slow her down one bit 

“She is now ready to leave the vet and find a home of her own. We do need help with her vet bills as well. If you can help, please know how grateful I am. Thank you all…"

Elk Creek Veterinary Clinic is at 1301 Airport Industrial, El City, OK, 73644. Call the clinic at 5890-225-4863. Terry Lynn’s PayPal is bfvfd_109@yahoo.com. Or email her at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
PIGGY PETUNIA, DAK’S DOG, RABBITS
The animal advocate Kimberly Jones, rescuer of Ginger and Roxy, took this photograph of Petunia on her morning walk and posted it on Facebook. Kimberly wrote, “She is a precious piggy that I see some mornings on my way home from my very early morning job. She is so adorable and her mom said she bought her at 3 weeks old (she didn't know that at the time) and was told she is a 'Micro-pig.'
“There is NO SUCH THING as a micro-pig...They are babies who should be with their moms...Petunia is EXTREMELY intelligent (and stubborn according to her momma). She also weighs about 300 pounds. Please do NOT contribute to this horrible pet trade unless you're prepared for a 300- pound baby." [LARRY ASIDE: Here's an AMEN to Kimberly Jones' request!]
NOTE TO FRISCO/COLLIN COUNTY: Please Don’t kill Dak’s dog, Icon. Dak Prescott’s dog goes through an improperly secured door and, not knowing friends from enemies, bites a neighbor. Now he’s up for a Dangerous Dog hearing in Frisco. One potential result is the needle. Taking his life because of human error with a door. Just doesn’t seem right, does it? ...
AND, YES, I’ve been bewildered by “backyard breeders” of dogs, by colonies of feral cats and by human behavior. But this Kaufman County rabbit story continues to grind my brain. As we reported yesterday, a man's property was raided and 452 rabbits were seized Monday by the SPCA and Kaufman County authorities. The story was he was trying to earn money by selling rabbits. Clearly he’s an economic genius. I’m wondering if he’s giving advice to Sears, daily newspapers and 2020 political campaigns. Look, I’ve never had a rabbit for a pet. But I’ve seen rabbits -- never 452 rabbits in one spot. In my journalism career (started in 1965), I've been to three different state fairs (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana), the Fort Worth Stock Show and a bunch of county fairs, sporting events and family reunions. Add all that to other exhibitions, tragedies and gleeful stories I’ve covered and I don’t recall ever having seen more than 30 or 40  rabbits together at one time. So, 452 rabbits on one property is absolutely unfathomable. (These photos are from the SPCA.) This has got to be some kind of record for "Idiocy Associated With Failed Bunny Rabbit Stupid Entrepreneurship.” Geez, somebody have that guy seen to! Animal lives mean something. They ought to weigh on hearts so heavily that those hearts rise to save and protect all animals. People ought to follow the speed limits, too, so you can see how big a chance I think we have to convince the don’t-care people to wise up. All rabbits ought to have two ears, two eyes (click on that 2nd rabbit photo to see that horror) and a good place to live.

— Offer opinions or disgust by clicking on “comment” below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

CALL THIS THE 'IRRITATION EDITION': THREE STRAYS FACE THE NEEDLE AT 11 A.M.

THREE STRAYS ON THE CLOCK: 11 AM TODAY! Human failure threatens dogs. Yes. Human failure.
Anybody who cares about animals knows that shelters all over the area have dogs and cats facing death because no human wants them. Their stories are more than the single word description: “stray.”

Overnight we got these notes about three strays who are on the clock for 11 a.m. today. Mesquite Animal Services makes the effort to publicize the dogs’ personalities and histories so that people have a hint at what they’re getting when they adopt or rescue these guys. Judi Brown visits the dogs and writes about them. And we get the reports. 
All three of these dogs may be killed today because of “shelter overcrowding.” That is a human problem and dogs will die because of it. Humans dump dogs, let dogs run free and simply treat these magnificent residents of our planet as if they are trash.
 Here are the three to save THIS VERY MORNING. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email recue@cityofmesquite.com and include the dogs’ shelter numbers in the subject line to enhance the effort to save their lives.

The first dog is Bosco (40763150), a 2-year-old, 44-pound Rottweiler mix who arrived as a “stray” on February 12. He hasn’t been in the “adoptions” area long because first he had to defeat kennel cough. He beat the sickness and now is healthy enough to adopt, rescue or kill. Ain’t that some bitchin’ irony. Pardon my entirely appropriate French. Judi says “He is on medication now and is doing well.” (Two rescues have donated toward saving him — but fosters are hard to come by sometimes and adoptors walk on by.)  "He’s friendly and definitely needs a playmate. He loves to chase balls but wasn’t quite sure how to retrieve them."
Tanner (40709931), a year-old 40-pounder, had to be moved from a kennel to the “exotic room because his tail was getting bloodied from hitting the kennel bars. He’s a happy dog that has never given up hope,” Judi writes. He has donations to hep, also. He’s a year-old Pittie mix, a stray who came in on February 5. Judi says, “He’s got gorgeous hazel eyes and a cute underbite. Besides that, he’s a friendly wiggle-butt. …He sticks to you like Velcro and he gives kisses.” 

Connor (40777430), is 3 and weighs 40 pounds. The reddish Pittie mix came in as a stray on Valentine’s Day. And Judi writes, “Connor has a cute, sweet face, but no one would ever accuse him of being the cutest dog at the shelter. However, he may be one of the sweetest!” He’s a “good boy” who is “well-mannered” and adorable. 

ONE MORE TIME: Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescue@city- ofmesquite.com to save their lives. We simply must escape from the horrifying traditional Texas theory of animal management: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.” Besides, this isn’t an animal problem. This is a human problem. Somewhere in Mesquite, there are at least three humans with such diminished souls that they don’t care of their dog are killed by strangers in a place that is called a “shelter” when, sadly, human behavior forces it to operate as a “warehouse for the doomed.” 
This isn’t the shelter’s fault — it’s the fault of don’t care humans. They’re all over the place. Wandering free. And their actions have fatal consequences for dogs and cats that are far more loveable than these nitwitted hard-hearts.
Yeah, help me off the soapbox before I shatter the wood, set off the seismographs and blow the top off every Richter Scale in Texas. From my heart people, save the animals in all the shelters! It’s the right thing to do.
—- To offer an opinion, click on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com and if you’re the nitwit who let one of these dogs “run off,” have somebody read this whole ticked-off edition to you. The feel guilty as sin and vow to live a better life on behalf of animals. —

WEATHER, RABBITS, RESCUE & WANDERINGS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Get the flip-flops and the “Hi-wah-yun flowerdy shirts,” as they say in my beloved Northeast Texas. The temp is supposed to be downright tropical — around 70 degrees! 
That photo? Had to take our boy Texas Earl the Cheeseman to visit his favorite doc at Love Freeway Animal Clinic to help him with a painfully gimpy situation and there he was, turning away after reading the "Please turn Off All Cell Phones" sign right at Rottweiler-eye level and saying, “They don’t mean me, do they?” Then he snapped these selfies with his phone. I swear he did. By Wednesday morning he was up and moving like arthritis was something other people have. [LARRY FYI: I love this ol’ Dallas dog. And to the person who dumped him in Kiest Park about 9 years ago, too bad, chump, you’ve missed out on great gentleman. Sincerely, Larry “Dog and Cat Admirer” Powell.]
OH, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD:

FOUR-HUNDRED AND FIFTY-TWO RABBITS?
That’s what the SPCA of Texas news release said Wednesday. FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO RABBITS!!!

Yep, on Wednesday the SPCA and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office “removed 452 rabbits from a property in Kaufman County.” 
They’re at the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center being evaluated though many of them have medical issues and will be “evaluate by the medical staff for placement on a case-by-case basis.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: This may make you weep. The SPCA says those issues include “long nails, hair loss, missing ears, missing eyes, wounds, matted fur and injured limbs.”] 

These hundreds of rabbits were in a big “barn-type structured covered with tarp and other material.”
Dirty, feces-filled crates were stacked atop each other and rabbits were trying to survive inside them. Two dead rabbits were found. Many litters of juvenile rabbits, too. See more photos HERE.
And, clearly, they weren’t all “tiny bunny rabbits.” That rescuer has a big armful of rabbit!

An SPCA investigator had visited the property on Monday — there’d been a suggestion that a “welfare check was warranted at a location the SPCA of Texas had previously seized animals from in July of 2013,” the news release said. Once again, the SPCA made contact with the owners, discussed bringing the conditions into legal compliance and when the Wednesday visit occurred, the conditions were the same. The owner “agreed to surrender the animals to the SPCA of Texas.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: We don’t know if rabbits fall under the category of “non-livestock animals,” the term used in cruelty cases against dog and cat breeders/hoarders.]
SAVING SOME DOGS
IN HAWKINS, TEXAS
Hawkins Police Chief Manfred Gilow posted an update Wednesday on the rescue of 48 dogs from a hoarder situation in the East Texas town on U.S. 80, about 20 miles north of Tyler. On the Hawkins PD Facebook page, the Chief wrote, “I can’t express how thankful we are for the tremendous positive response to save those sweet dogs! Calls coming in from all over the state, so thank God !! We are still working on details but as of now It looks like every one of the dogs will have a new home after treatment!!! The Guardian Of Rescue is getting a team together to treat every single dog and they take care of adoption for them !! Special thank you Linda with her rescue of many inside dogs !! AGAIN thank you ALL !! The final update will be posted as soon I know definitely all are out and taken care of !!!”
Earlier the chief had noted that “we have secured the assistance of the SPCA of East Texas (in Tyler) and will be working with them this week to remove the dogs from the house.” [The chief is issuing updates on the Hawkins Police Department Facebook page. And, thanks to our pal, the rescuer Kimberly Jones, for tipping us to this situation and providing photos.]
LET’S TALK BARGAINS SHOTS
AND STATISTICS OUT AT THE LAKE
How about this triumph. The photo is of Hailey.
Why is she special? First, she’s the beloved Catahoula who makes life happy for Elizabeth Paul of Gun Barrel City, according to the caption on the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake website.
  Secondly,, according to the Friends, Hailey was “the 40,000th animal to be spayed/neutered by Friends of the Animals. Dr. Glen Campbell has been the surgical veterinarian since Friends opened the doors in July 2002.” 
We checked with Friends guiding light Sydney Busch and she says this photo was taken in “maybe late 2017.” So, the clinic, which averages about 50 surgeries each operating day, has performed about 2,500 since then and the total of spayed/neutered animals is beyond the 42,000 mark. [LARRY ASIDE: Dear, Guinness Record people, Could Dr. Campbell hold the world’s record for “most animals lovingly spayed or neutered”?]

 Back to the weekend: On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, the Friends are hosting a low-cost vaccination/microchip clinic. The venue is the Friends’ Spay/Neuter Clinic “on the southeast corner of Highways 198 and 334 in Gun Barrel City.”
You don’t need an appointment, but dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.
A rabies shot is $14; parvo/distemper, etc. shot for dogs (and cat equivalent) is $17; feline leukemia vaccination is $17. And a microchip with registration is $25. [LARRY ASIDE: If your dog or cat isn’t “fixed,” ask the folks about getting that done. Dr. Campbell still has plenty of energy!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
BEAVER, PERRY, CISCO, PANCHO, O. HENRY, SOD POODLES… SOD POODLES?
Look, as I began writing this segment after having been appalled by the rabbit story and that photo of the one-eared bunny, I found myself needing something to take my mind wandering in Contemplations. So here we go with a stream of stuff. Feel free to join in. I accidentally watched a Leave It To Beaver episode on cable’s MeTV channel Wednesday morning — I haven’t watched that show in 40 years, probably. This episode was from 1961 and Beaver’s voice had changed. First time I ever realized Beaver had gotten so old that his voice had changed. … Next up was an episode of Perry Mason that had the lawyer in Hawaii solving a murder — I looked it up. Entire episode from 1965 — it featured a surfer as the victim in the Beach Boys era — was filmed in California. The “Hawaiian beach” was really Leo Carrillo Beach near Malibu along California’s Pacific One. That's Perry (Raymond Burr) with Della Street (Barbara Hale), who didn't travel to Hawaii in the episode -- that I can remember. …Of course, no kids reading this will know that Leo Carrillo was an actor/con- servationist who played Pancho, sidekick of The Cisco Kid on TV 1950-56. Cisco was played by Duncan Reynaldo from Romania and Pancho was played by Mr. Carrillo who was a native Los Angelean. (Some of the series was shot in color, but I’m using a black-and-white version because we didn’t have a color TV way back then.) The Cisco Kid was created in a 1907 short story written by the great O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) — he lived in Texas for many years and died in 1910 in New York City, too soon to really make a mint off of TV and movie versions of his written work, i.e., The Gift of the Magi and other stories. … OK, I’m feeling a little more chipper right now, so let’s address the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Yep, minor league baseball team — the Class AA Texas League affiliate of the San Diego Padres. They'll play the Frisco Roughriders. "What is a “Sod Poodle?,” you may be asking. It’s said to be the ol’ timey name for “Prairie Dog.” How did Am- arillo’s team get this name? Public contest, says an article in Sports Illustrated.
The article says, “The name was chosen in a ‘Name the Team’ contest over Boot Scooters, Bronc Busters, Jerky and Long Haulers.” Amarillo’s previous Texas League team (it left in 1982) was the Amarillo Gold Sox. It is difficult for me to make fun of team names — my hometown of Texarkana had the Big State League Texarkana Bears. But prior to that, the big team in Texarkana was in 1902 when my hometown fielded a Texas League team, the Texarkana Casketmakers. Yep, finished dead last in their only season. I like the Sod Poodles for a good minor league name! And that concludes this edition of Contemplations. Today’s presentation supported by the Make Larry Laugh Foundation, dedicated to changing the direction of a day’s thoughts.
—- Offer opinions or uplifting commentary by clicking on “comment” below or by emailing me at dallrp@aol.com, the email address where everybody is somebody and delete is just a theory. —-

REMEMBER THE ALAMO, AND GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO HELPING DOGS AND CATS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019 [PetPowellPress] So, March 6, 1836 — not that there’s anybody new to Texas reading this, but it’s the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo — when Mexico’s Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his huge army, on the 13th day of the siege, made Lone Star immortals out of Jim Bowie, William B. Travis and David Crockett, the former U.S. Congressman from Tennessee. More about the Alamo and this stamp in Contemplations.
THE BIG SPECIAL AT DAS
How about that! DAS is running a special for Mardi Gras and, as this is being written on Tuesday, the dallasanimalservices.org site says there are 285 dogs, 19 cats and 2 rabbits available.
We’re citing Arwyn (1056141), a 12-year-old cat who needs a home.
That’s a cat who understands comfort.
Maybe some humans can learn from her.



TRYING TO PLACE A LYNX POINT
This is Xima, about 3, and she needs a home — is that not a perfect cat pose with her tail wrapped around her ankles? 
Her story comes from Nikki Foxx who is trying to place the beloved cat. She explains, “I live in Fort Worth and I've have had a beautiful cat for about 3 years and she is a Lynx Point named Xima. Ever since my boyfriend and I broke up, she's been upset since I am the only human in the house. Her breed loves humans, and I work a lot and travel.  She’s not happy being home alone, and is very jealous of my 18-year-old cat who needs a lot of attention because of his medical issues. I've spent 2 years trying to do everything possible to make Xima happy. Her breed is very affectionate but also very territorial; as much as it breaks my heart, she needs a different home.”

Xima is spayed and up-to-date on shots.
To ask about auditioning to adopt Xima, email nikkifoxx7@gmail.com or call 814-574-0847.

TWO CAMPUS HOUSING CATS
THAT NEED TO BE ELSEWHERE
Sanjana Srinivasan, a PhD student at MD Anderson in Houston, is trying to help these two cats find a home for both or a home for each! Doesn’t matter as long as they’re safe. Their other big problem is they’re both positive for FIV. Sanjana says this has made placing them tough.
They are among cats that have been living around university housing. Sanjana says, “There have always been community cats in the complex that are fed and cared for by the students, but management has been threatening to evict students that are feeding the cats, and are also calling animal and pest control to have kittens put down. I have been working to TNR most of the cats in the complex, but two young cats in particular are extremely friendly and loving, and after getting them spayed, I have been fostering them and trying to get them placed into homes or shelters.” She’s got to move them to a safe place immediately.
And, she says, “I am willing to drive them up to Dallas and cover any costs for vaccinations and the associated intake fees. These two are really lovely cats and I don't believe they deserve to be out on the streets where they risk illness or being put down by management given that they are so loving and friendly.”
To offer to help save the lives of these two cats, email sanjana.srinivasan@hotmail.com.

MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE

The parade of unwanted dogs continues.
This girl Cookie, a 49-pound, year-old Doberman/Retriever mix has quite the story, according to our tipster, the volunteer biographer Judi Brown. She was surrendered on March 4.
But, Judi writes, “The kennel card said it was because the owners were moving. The surrender form said that they had just adopted her this weekend and returned her. When I asked at the front desk I was told that her bark was intimidating to the young children.

“Cookie is a very unique but beautiful dog. Her goldish red coloring and hazel eyes make her a stand out! She has a docked tail. She was like two different dogs. In the kennel she was very shy and even somewhat fearful. She does not like leashes so she had to be carried to the yard. Once she got into the yard there was a metamorphosis. She literally scampered around the yard  as if to say she was so glad to be let out of jail. She would bound up to me with pure delight. She was like a free spirit. She is a happy friendly dog.” Cookie is #40990972.
MAGGIE SUE (40851408) is a 2-year-old Black Mouth Cur mix — a 40-pound stray who arrived on February 26. “She is one of the kennel techs’ favorites,” Judi wrote. “I can understand why — because she has so much potential.”

Keller, a year-old Lab mix (40869233) is also a stray, having arrived on the 28th. Judi says he is “particularly good looking due to his charcoal coloring and his beautiful eyes. Besides being a very nice looking dog, he’s just about as perfect a dog as you could get. He’s very sweet. He gives lots of kisses. He’s friendly and affectionate. He’s also well behaved.”
And Reggie, 3, a Lab, is also a “stray” who came in on the 28th. Judi writes, "Reggie is absolutely gorgeous! He has a regal stance, a glossy black coat, and captivating hazel eyes. To top it off, he could win a personality contest!! He’s friendly, happy, affectionate, well behaved, spirited, and playful. He loves to play with toys, but he also loves to be close to a human friend.” He’s 40863998 and 62 pounds of available adorable.

To ask about any of these, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

HELPING THE CATS,
A MADDIE’S FUND GRANT
The SPCA has announced that it’s gotten a $5,000 grant from Maddie's Fund, the national family foundation, to “provide supplies for the SPCA of Texas’ new Working Cats Initiative.” 
According to the SPCA, “This initiative will prepare indoor cats, who have come in through animal cruelty situations, for jobs in warehouses, storage facilities, offices, police stations, restaurants and other locations that need rodent control.
“The SPCA of Texas' Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit (ACI) rescued almost 600 cats from inhumane conditions last year. A large portion of these cats were saved from hoarding situations and because they never lived outdoors, they are not good candidates for a traditional barn cat program. They also can't be adopted as house pets or returned to their previous location because they are unsocialized. The SPCA of Texas' Working Cats Initiative will give these cats a second chance by preparing them to be working cats.” Read the news release on the SPCA’s website HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
REMEMBERING THE ALAMO
The the 13-day siege of the Alamo ended on March 6, 1836, and the rebellion against Mexico effectively ended on April 21 when Sam Houston led the riled-up Texian army to a victory over Santa Anna in 18 minutes, according to historians.
Texas, having declared its independence on March 2, 1836, rocked along as an independent nation until February 19, 1846. when it became a state. How soon was that commemorative stamp issued? June 14, 1956, at San Antonio.
FYI: Walt Disney’s TV show Disneyland, in 1954 and ’55, showed a series of episodes titled 
Davy Crockett and starring Fort Worth-born Fess Parker in the title role. The show made the actor incredibly popular, just as it made Davy Crockett’s coonskin caps popular for American kids. 
There have been two big-screen treatments of The Alamo. One, starring John Wayne as Davy Crockett, was a hit in 1960. Most recently, there was a bit of a failed version of The Alamo starring Billy Bob Thornton as Mr. Crockett. John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa. Billy Bob Thornton was born in Hot Springs, Ark.
Mr. Crockett was born "on a mountaintop in Tennessee," the song goes, but the town was Limestone, Tenn. (That's Mr. Thornton's photo atop a famed portrait of the actual U.S. Rep. Crockett.
There were three Billboard magazine “chart” versions of The Ballad of Davy Crockett in 1955. Actor Bill Hayes (soap star on Days of Our Lives) went to number one with his version, Fess Parker’s version went into the top 10 and Tennessee Ernie Ford’s went to the top 10 on the country charts.

In the 1956 presidential campaign, Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson’s running mate, Sen. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee, wore a coonskin cap during the politickin’ — they lost to Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, neither of whom can be found wearing a coonskin cap. 

And, while the Battle of the Alamo ended on March 6, 1936, there’s been fighting over it as recently as 2015 when Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush got into a tussle with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and moved the care of the hallowed Alamo from the DRT to the Texas General Land Office. 
The Alamo had originally been saved from developers in 1903 — mercifully Clara Driscoll, 22, granddaughter of soldier at San Jacinto, teamed up with the San Antonio chapter of the DRT. If you study Texas history, you’ll recognize her as “Savior of the Alamo.” 
To help demonstrate how David Crockett and the Alamo travel across the years, here’s a treatment by The Kentucky Headhunters.
So, here in 2019, 183 years later, we do as was urged by the multi-ethnic heroes who called themselves Texians, we “Remember the Alamo.”
—To offer opinions or observations, click on “comment” below or put on your Davy Crockett coonskin cap, type your note and and email it to dallrp@aol.com. —

CHILLING THOUGHTS, A CAT, DOGS IN NEED, ARRESTS, MUSIC AND SOARING VIDEO

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 [PetPowellPress] I thought I’d do a weather interview with Simon The Cat. He had to be found. There’s a hint. Look along the top of my computer screen. That's Simon's pretty paw. I’ll avoid the question-and-answer portion of the interview, and summarize the young fellow’s response to the question: “Cold ‘nough for ya?” He said, “#@!$#&*!, yes.” Which, translated from Feline Esperanto is “Oh, my goodness and snap my whiskers, it is quite cold enough.” 
Having been bearded journalist for more than a half-century, I concur. Please note that if you are a big, growing boy cat, there is enough warmth on the desk behind the computer. The other cats and dogs prefer their blankies on the couches so they can watch TV and monitor weather reports. Simon is a Stealthcat. 

Read on about other animals and, yes we’ll get to the annual Artists For Animals Concert for Kindness in CONTEMPLATIONS.


AREN’T THERE LAWS ABOUT
‘WEATHER-PROOFING’ ANIMALS
Yes, indeed. So, do you think people need to be told to protect their cats and dogs and other critters from the hot, cold, wet and dry elements? Why, yes, I do. Why do I think that? Because there is an ugly swath of humanity that has Goldilocks Flawed Thought Process Syndrome: Their thought processes don’t operate when it’s too cold, too hot or just right.
Humans are stubborn or stupid or don’t care and the animals pay for it, sometimes with their lives. Sometimes, the authorities step in. Keep reading. But help me off this soapbox first.
THE DOG PUDDIN’
AND TWO ARRESTS
In a press release release, the SPCA of Texas reported that two people were arrested on February 27 “in connection with the case of a cruelly-treated dog removed by the SPCA of Texas from a property in Hunt County in December of 2018.”
The charge:I "Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals.”
It’s a Class A Misdemeanor. Take a look at that photo of the year-old Boxer mix, Puddin’, a clearly underweight dog tethered in a dirt pen with no sign of drinkable water. FYI: The SPCA says the investigation showed his body had multiple scars, fly bites on his ears, heartworms, intestinal parasites and, the SPCA news release said, “his tail appeared to have been docked unprofessionally at an earlier time.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Yeah, call it a “Class A Misdemeanor” but, maybe the Texas Humane Legislation Network can convince the Texas Legislature to make cruelty a felony. Click on thln.org.]
In the meantime, to see how to help the SPCA continue its crusade against animal cruelty, go to www.spca.org. 
To see the entire news release about the two people arrested for the shabby treatment of Puddin’, go to this link:
https://www.spca.org/page.aspx?pid=992 . At that site you’ll see photos and names of the two people arrested in the Puddin’ case. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m just posting Puddin’s picture because, well, sometimes I’m not moved to dishonor the dog by using his photo with those of the accused.]
DUKE’S IN TEXAS
AND HE NEEDS A HOME
You know how there’s a network that keeps its eye on dogs that need help? Here’s the network at work. We got the note from our reliable Denton tipster Amy Poskey. She got the note from Debbie Pahler in Plano. And Debbie got the request for help from a friend in Alaska because that Alaskan knows the people who have Duke in Plano. All the while, Duke, probably under 2 years old and more than 50 pounds, is a majestic presence waiting for a place to live.
Or, if you know of a reliable Hound rescue, mention that in your response to the people who have Duke.
 Here’s the story according to the note about Duke: He was “adopted from a mutual friend down near Pearland. They found Duke wandering around in an oil field last September and were unable to locate his owners. He was not microchipped. … I broke my leg in a skiing accident in December and his weight and my inability to quickly and easily move around the house is making it nearly impossible for me to do anything with him. He is not neutered and they said they did not take him to the vet but they have had him on monthly heartworm medication the whole time they have had him. He is absolutely beautiful and the biggest sweetheart! He is also great with our tiny Dachshund and walks pretty well on a leash. He knows how to sit, but no other obedience commands. He does not like his crate, but does calm down if you put him in it and have to leave the house. I can’t speak enough about how great he is with kids… Even my five-year-old can roll around on the floor with him and he is great”

To ask about adopting Duke, contact current human Kelly Counts by emailing thecounts2002@yahoo.com or 972-890-7814 or Debbie Pahler, Friend of Duke, at saydi1@aol.com or 214-336-3766.
[LARRY NOTE: I included that second photo because most of us rarely get to see those big old hound jowls at rest! Hound Jowls, I believe, was my nickname in Boy Scouts…I’m kidding.]

MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT


Take a good look at this dog. 
She’s called Momma. 
She’s been in boarding in Burns Flat, in far west Oklahoma, for a year, says our reliable tipster, the resolute rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher.
She deals with “innocent dogs in need.” That’s not cheap. “Our vet bills and boarding bills are in the thousands... Sadly, we had so many we got overwhelmed.  The good thing is most are gone now, safe with rescues and homes, but the old boarding and vetting has added up and is still outstanding.”
Terry Lynn needs help with “downsizing” the accounts in Burns Flat. 
Her go-to vet is at this address and phone: Elk Creek Clinic, 1301 Airport Industrial, Elk City, Okla. 73644 or call 580-225-4862. Her PayPal is bfvfd_109@yahoo.com . And you can email her at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com, call her at 580-330-1459 or write to her at Terry Lynn Fisher, P.O. Box 578, Burns Flat, Okla. 73624. 
Momma, in boarding for more than a year after being rescued, needs a real home. Terry Lynn says, “The boarding lady has taken her home a lot to give her a break. When there, she is so well-behaved. She loves to cuddle and sleep in the house. She is four years old and totally vetted. All she wants is a home of her own — someone to love her. Please help me give her that.”
You may recall her story. She and her son Buddy (left) “belonged to a person that loved them very much. They were well cared for and lived a good life. Sadly, drugs took over her life and she was involved in an armed robbery.She was sentenced to 7 years and BEGGED me to save her dogs.”

CONTEMPLATIONS

HAVING GIFTS, CHILLING THOUGHTS & A FLYING VIDEO
It’s been a pleasure to write about the Artists For Animals annual Concert for Kindness for — how many years? Holy tuneful treble clef, can this be the NINTH?! It’s at 6 p.m. Sunday at Moody Performance Hall in Dallas’ Arts District. (Click here.)

In addition to classic, fun music, there’s an auction,
wine, “a savory bite and dessert” and the money is for Operation Kindness, the no-kill shelter in Carrollton. The event was founded by the great photographer Teresa Berg and Erin Hannigan, Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Oboe and 2018 recipient of Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service.
How about that photograph? Pretty cool bit of photography! (Teresa’s photo work will be on exhibit at the event!) Here are two wonderful people helping animals by using their gifts of photography and music. So many other people use their gifts of chasing, coaxing, luring, caging, kenneling, driving, spaying, neutering, dipping, cuddling, etc. It takes a gifted village to help the animals. Here’s Fox 4’s story on the concert featuring a performance by four musicians on licorice sticks (translating for those of you who didn’t experience the Big Band ‘30s, that’s 4 clarinets). … Honestly, if you’ve lived through summer in Dallas and sweated like a married man trying to make up a five grand loss at Winstar, you feel guilty complaining about the cold. Why? Because in August, you’ll look back warmly. … I found this video online by accident, but I find it entertaining and interesting. It’s the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flying in formation over the Super Bowl in Atlanta — but it's filmed from the pilots’ view rather than that of everybody on the ground looking up. It’s fascinating. CLICK HERE.  I don’t fly, but I would if I could be the pilot. I’d trust me at the wheel, er, stick, er, controls - I guess there’s a reason I’m not the pilot. …
— To offer opinions, appreciations or objections, click on ‘comment’ below or email CaptLarry@spaceshuttle.com — I’m kidding — email dallrp@aol.com. —-

BRIGHTEN UP A MONDAY WITH BARKUS AND SOME ADORABLES

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019 [PETPOWELLPRESS] We’re all caught up in that Mardi Gras thing — well, not really. We did eat out Saturday afternoon. But people have been partying for a while and you’ve probably seen mention of Mardi Gras in New Orleans in the past several days. Geez, if you’re looking for relief from politics, Mardi Gras is the answer. Grab your terrier and follow the yellow brick road in New Orleans!
Bonnie Lovell, my dear friend and former colleague at The Big Paper Downtown (she’s a skilled, sharp editor), has a brother, Charles Lovell, who is a professional photographer and artist and resident of New Orleans.
 Over the weekend she sent me several photos and links to Charles’ “photos of this year’s parade of his favorite ‘krewe,’ Barkus,” aka The Mystic Krewe of Barkus, founded in 1993 for canines. 
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ll have more in Contemplations, thanks to Charles and Bonnie and the people who made sure New Orleans and its traditions didn’t vanish after Katrina.]
MEANWHILE IN DALLAS
On Sunday, the online list of available animals at Dallas Animal Services was 265 dogs, 27 cats and 3 “other” — the “other” being Oreo the Rabbit (1059265) about 7 months old and a shelter resident since Feb. 23, another rabbit named Petunia and Luna the Guinea Pig, who we’ve featured before. (See these and all the computer animals at dallasanimalservices.org. 
Among the felines on the clock is Stray the Cat (1059373), neutered, about 6 years old and in the shelter since Feb. 25.
Buddy (1039287) neutered Chihuahua with a championship set of ears. He’s about 3 and in the shelter since March 1. [LARRY ASIDE: How does an Earhound like Buddy wind up on the clock in a big city shelter? Human failure.]

TWO DOGS GET THE GIFT
OF RESCUES STEPPING UP
Our tipster Amy Poskey, who keeps an eye on the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter’s  efforts to help animals , had two over-the-weekend celebrations for critter fans. 

Mini, described as “the adorable, pregnant terrier mix,” was clearly in a bit of a spot, not having a place to go.
Sweet little Mini weighs 20 pounds (with babies) and is heartworm negative.”
So Amy wrote Sunday morning, “I’m so happy to report that Dashing Dog Rescue will be pulling this little doll baby TODAY!!!  We had several rescues step up for this precious angel and I want to thank EVERYONE for EVERYTHING!  As always, it takes a village!” [LARRY NOTE: Dashing Dog Rescue’s village location is Flower Mound.]
You may recall the story from last week that Eva was in the shelter and expecting — inexplicably, Eva lost her babies. She was under care and recovering at the shelter. And efforts were still underway to find a rescue for her.
Amy wrote, “I’m very happy to report that Western Australian Shepherd Rescue will be pulling Eva on Monday morning and I want to thank EVERYONE for helping make this happen!”
 Then she added a Texas emphasis that all the rescuers in the Wyoming-based organization will recognize: “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW!!!.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: I believe that translates into Wyomingian.]
FOLLOWING UP ON ROXY
You may recall that rescuer Kimberly Jones has been attempting to get her pal Roxy into adoption shape so she can live a good life with her bonded colleague Ginger. After a vet visit last week, KJ reported: “I have to take her back on Tuesday morning and leave her. They thought they could remove the growths with a local but she was too wiggly and will have to be sedated.

“As for her leaking urine (which I didn't get into before because I thought they would just prescribe her Proin or something similar)… They want to do labwork because she had leaked in the lobby and the vet collected some and looked at it and her glucose levels are high so they are thinking she might be diabetic so they want to run labwork... Not REALLY what I wanted to hear but we will figure it out and take care of her whatever the issue is. The labwork will be done first on Tuesday before they sedate her. She is 12 years young so prayers are needed.” OFFER TO HELP with the bills by emailing 
kimberlyaj4@gmail.com -- you can also ask about giving the girls a good, wonderful home.
THE EVERMAN ADORABLES
Heather Harrison sent notes about these dogs currently in the Everman Animal Shelter south of Fort Worth. 
Ace and Bella are 4-month-old Shepherd-Mix siblings. Heather’s note reads, “Both are super sweet & playful!  Love to explore and chase each other.  Social with other dogs.”

Then, there’s Lucas. His story reads that he’s “a 3-year-old, male Hound/Lab mix.  Gorgeous brindle guy!  He has been at the shelter for 7 months without any interest, and his time is now about up!  He is dog and kid friendly.  Loves to play!  Vaccinated and heartworm negative. Currently has a skin allergy … His skin is needing medical attention.” To ask about rescuing or adopting, get in touch with Heather at NICKALE7@yahoo.com.

OPPORTUNITIES IN MESQUITE.
The volunteer Mesquite Animal Shelter biographer Judi Brown sends us stories and photos of animals on the clock. Her latest notes include photos of this girl Venus (40862848), 2, a Shepherd/Black Mouth Cur mix who has been in the shelter since Feb. 27 — she was a stray. We picked two of her mugshots — one shows happy Venus and the other shows “What? I’m on a clock?” suddenly-gets-serious Venus. The 49-pound dog has natural eyeliner and a “big fluffy tail,” Judi says. “It’s hard to understand why the owners would not have come looking for her as she seems to have a lot going for her.”

We also have two photos of the little guy Rocky (40865792), just about a year old and a whopping 13 pounds with legs like you’d find on a runway model in Paris! Why is he in a shelter? He’s a “return adoption,” Judi says, adding, “Apparently Rocky was not good with their children.” [LARRY ASIDE: A teachable moment about making friends with a dog lost in favor of the “git a new one” philosophy of canine care. The teenage rebel years may be rough on those kids.]
Judi says Rocky has “a sprinkling of freckles across his nose. I found Rocky to be super friendly and extremely lovable. He’s a happy guy that lavishes you with kisses and if given a chance likes to snuggle in your neck.”
To help these dogs survive human failure, call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
To see other animals in the shelter, click HERE.
Among the cats is this beauty, Bones (40879065), a house-trained TEN YEAR OLD domestic shorthair. [LARRY ASIDE: Bones is neutered and has no business living anywhere except in the comfort of a home that loves him. Geez, 10 years old and on the clock. How does that happen?]
Oh, and let me break your animal-loving heart with one more story. This is 5-year-old Tuck (40865792), a 35-pound, neutered Australian Shepherd/Heeler mix who was “surrendered due to the death of his owner,” Judi reports. “He’s got the most beautiful brown eyes! He stands by his window being his own best salesman. It may be he’s waiting for his owner to come back and get him. He is somewhat timid but definitely friendly. He wags his tail and gives kisses. … The people that filled in the surrender form said that he is good with cats, dogs, and children. They also said that he is good when left home alone.”
Again, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS

Returning to New Orleans, a city I’ve never visited, we cite more photos from my pal Bonnie Lovell’s brother the artist/photographer Charles M. Lovell who actually lives in the Crescent City. You can see more photos on his Facebook site HERE and learn about his work HERE .
And, yes, we love the Krewe of Barkus photos because of the adorable animals.
Not sure you could pull this off in Dallas. No Mardi Gras connections, right? Though you can get some King Cakes at area bakeries! Unless you’re on an eternal, infernal diet. Thanks to Charles for letting us bright up a Monday with some Mardi Gras photos.

— To offer opinions or parade suggestions, click on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com, where all tough questions get answered. —-

A MAGNET FOR COMFORT

For the first weekend of March, 2019, we are examining the concept of “ComfortMagnet” in this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
The focus is on dogs and their “ComfortMagnet.” We got the illustrative photo from Della Wallace, noted animal rescuer and advocate, who snapped this portrait her animal fan husband David as he was attempting to catch a few winks and had gathered a crowd.   (FYI: The dog on the left is Alastair, in his ride home from the shelter -- he has a star role. Keep reading.)
Let’s consider the assorted elements of comfort here. First, there’s the chair that fits like the best sneaker you ever slid onto your foot.
 Then, there’s the  human, mindful of the needs of a bunch of rescue dogs.
And, finally, there are the animals who know that they’re piling up with someone who embraces the opportunity to enjoy the company of Earth’s Most Splendid Creatures — dogs, cats and any other animal that’ll put up with people.
Of course, dogs don’t just put up with people, but people get to put up with dogs, too. One day last week, Della emailed me, “Gave the dogs rawhide chews yesterday. Woke up this morning with three chews in my bed.”
Then there was this note a couple of weeks ago. “One of the dogs has stolen David’s TV remote. We’ve looked everywhere we can think of. Think it was Roscoe. He’s not talking.” Within a couple of hours came this note. “Wasn’t Roscoe. We owe him an apology now.” Oops, human error with the remote, it turns out. 
[That's Roscoe in one of his favorite sleeping positions.]
Then there’s this explanation about a little dog adopted on Christmas Eve, 2012, from Dallas Animal Services. “Alastair saved David’s life by alerting me at 4:30 one morning that David was having a stroke. We saved him from the Dallas pound, he in return saved David.!! Hero Dog!!!!”

At DAS, Alastair was known as “Chico” until Della and David got him and, Della says, “promptly changed his name to Alastair after the Scottish actor Alastair Sim who plays Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (1951).”

In March 2016, David had been feeling poorly and was spending the night in the recliner with Alastair. When Alastair began barking desperately, waking Della who found David in distress. Dallas wrote, “Had it not been for Alastair…” Well, you know. Della says they call Alastair “Hero Dog” now and she says that, “At the hospital, the nurses all wanted to meet the ‘hero’ dog, so I had to take him to see them. They made a big fuss of him and of course, he loved that.”

Nipper, the other little black dog, was at the Mesquite Animal Shelter and was named “Bubbles” when David and Della rescued him. (That's him relaxing in a bed at home.) “We were told there was a possibility that could bite, but he is the sweetest boy who doesn’t bite an plays well with our other rescues. He especially likes to play with Roscoe who I plucked off the road as he was running into oncoming traffic.”
 He and Nipper “play together for hours,” Della says.
In the opening photo, here’s the ID from Della’ “Big snuggling dog is Chewy. The dog on the floor is Callie. The small black dog on the arm of the chair is ‘Hero Dog’ Alastair. The black and white dog looking at the camera is Annie.” 
And in the middle, there’s David under a blanket of household canines, all warmly happy to have him to cuddle with.

In that other chair photo, Alastair and Nipper are on the back of the chair. The rescue in the chair is Annie, the girl “David rescued a few years ago as SHE was running in traffic.”
Like Roscoe, the other road rescue, she wasn’t chipped and nobody was looking for her.
Of course, they don't all challenge freeway traffic. Izzy, that totally out-of-it, upside-down sleeper, "was running around a lakefront community ner Little Elm," Della says. "Nobody claimed her, so, of course, we adoopted her. She is a sweetie pie." (And that's her doing her "Sit" trick right side up!)
We’ll close with a regular visitor to the grounds at The Wallace Estate.
His name is Zorro and he is seen here entering the garage through the cat flap. Could be a she, i guess. Nobody’s gotten close enough to as to see the driver’s license in the raccoon’s wallet.

 So, in summation, things are so comfortable for the dogs at the Della and David Wallace Home for Formerly Unwanted Dogs, that the neighborhood raccoon has been exploring possibilities and, according to rumors, is considering a more “canine-like” grooming in order to fit in. Zorro prom- ises not to leave chews in the bed and vows not to move the TV remote without telling someone.
[SEND YOUR SLEEPING CRITTER PHOTOS to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll post them on readlarrypowell.com in our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We’ve never had a photo of a sleeping raccoon, a slumbering duck or a napping snapping turtle. But we’re hoping to at some point. These photos of animals sleeping comfortably in their homes, we think, inspire other people to make room in their hearts and homes for unwanted animals in local shelters or running along the traffic or dumped in the neighborhood to survive on their own. And, of course, insomniacs are inspired to believe that they too, can get some sleep, if they can just figure out The Roscoe Method — putting the right pillow in the right place and flopping your backside onto it and your head onto the hardwood. Anything for some rest.]
—- Offer opinions, sleeping tips or tax strategies by clicking on “comment” below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-