ReadLarryPowell.com

SAVE SOME ANIMALS, HONOR THE SQUIRRELS AND IT'S NATIONAL HUGGING DAY

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to the first edition on this Brand New Day in America. No matter who is in the White House, the following expression is ALWAYS true: There are dogs and cats who need homes. A lot of them are in your neighborhood or pretty close to it! 

Remember, wear your mask, wash your paws frequently and always be kind to animals. We’re about to highlight opportunities to be kind to animals. 
One more thing: The 21st, Holiday Insights says, is National Hugging Day — good luck celebrating that one. The 21st is also National Squirrel Appreciation Day — it’s a real thing, created in 2001 by an Asheville, N.C. wildlife rehabber, Christy Hargrove. More on a scurry and a drey and the defrocking of that tree in CONTEMPLATIONS.
JUDGING A DOG BY THE PHOTO?
HAPPY TO DO IT, OF COURSE!
We mentioned this Denton McNatt Animal Services dog already this week, but, for crying out loud, Nala needs a home.
Maybe you remember her story. In and out of two homes — one in October, one in November — mostly because the humans may not have understood just how to work with a dog who doesn’t understand that she is loved. It takes time.

Our Denton tipster, Amy Poskey, reminds us that the 2- or 3-year-old Hound mix girl weighs in at 72 pounds and, in general is people friendly and dog friendly. She’s #90098 at the shelter. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email these shelter folks: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com and dorcas.johnson@cityofdenton.com.

In an email conversation with Amy, I confessed, “I must be nuts, but I'd adopt this dog just to sit around and look at her!“

Of course, I already have a houseful of dogs and cats who fit that description. I sit around and look at them and they look back, sending me telepathic messages about treats.

Now, I’m re-posting Nala because I simply cannot believe there isn’t someone who would love to have that big, beautiful dog as a friend.
We know he has a good personality unless frightened — matter of working on her ability to trust a human, I suspect. What we don’t know are her preferences in reading material or what she likes to stream on her Kindle.
[LARRY ASIDE: One thing I’d like to note is how wonderful these photographs are — I don’t know who took them, but they have a texture and a clarity that give us a vivid look at this great dog. How good are they? I’m thinking they are nearly as great as the portraits painting by local artist Laura Alton — she also captures the clarity and the spirit of the animals she paints. You can see her work on her Paw Prints page HERE. 
I think what I’m saying is Nala looks as if she’s a walking, tail-wagging piece of living artwork. Someone’s bound to save her soon, right?]
UPDATING FROM LANCASTER:

PULLED AND LEAVING TOWN
We got word from Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers Wednesday that Kenzie, the dog with bum leg in the Lancaster Shelter, has been “pulled by ARF” (Animal Rescue Foundation of Texas) . And Brent is “going to Grateful Dog in Vermont” on February 4.
ARF also found room for the two sibling cats, Ash and Alea who is said to be pregnant.
Still waiting at the Lancaster Shelter are these two — Gabe and Pebbles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To ask about helping Gabe, the Blue & White Bully (left), or Pebbles, the Blue & White Bully, call or Texas 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias at 949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Both have stories of being sweet dogs in need of homes.
THE STORY OF SAMSON
NEEDS HAPPY ENDING
Oh, boy, our Mesquite Animal Shelter tipster Judi Brown, the dog biographer, has come across a fellow named Samson who has been engaged in some challenges. 
He’s a 10-year-old Lab/Plott Hound mix who was dumped, er, surrendered on the 19th. He weighs 55-pounds and his ID is 46450655.
 She writes, “The surrender form says that he was surrendered because he nips at the UPS delivery people. The owner also told one of the intake people that he knocks over an elderly person in the household. Yet they also said he was an outside dog only! This sweet boy did not make a good presentation when I first met him at the window because he was barking a lot. It was obvious that he was very nervous and unsure of his environment.
“It took me spending time in his kennel to build trust. However, once that was established he became my BFF! He’s a very sweet boy. In the yard he spent a lot of time smelling as hounds do. When I sat down he did come to me and let me pet him. He did sit for treats. His previous owner said that he likes to play fetch. He did not do that for me but it was probably because he had so many new smells to investigate.

“His previous owners also said that he was raised with other dogs and cats and was friendly with them sometimes. When I walked him through the bay he went nose to nose with several dogs and did not show any signs of aggression. It was also stated that he was raised with children. They stressed that he was very LOYAL. I can definitely see how that would be. I absolutely fell in love with this delightful older gentleman.
"Samson weighs 55 pounds!  Hopefully, his next adopters will recognize his sterling qualities and want to spend time with him in the house snuggling up watching TV. He deserves that!”
 Use his ID46450655 when you call the shelter at 972-216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS
FIR, DREY/DRAY & CREPUSCULAR
That is Martha removing the ornaments from her favorite flocked Christmas tree on Monday. She felt confident that she could reach into the branches of this flocked fir sans fear of grabbing a squirrel dreaming of sugarplums. We paid extra to get a Certified Squirrel-Free Tree (CSFT). I’m kidding. But I may copyright that and talk some tree company into teaming with me on the marketing concept. … 

FYI, my Wikipedia research reveals that a group of squirrels may be referred to as a “dray” or “scurry.” That is my Office Cat, William Powell, in his window post on the lookout for a scurry. Well-read William notes that while the reference page referred to a “dray” it should have used the word “drey.” William previously worked as a Professor of Squirrelian Studies, holding the Rocket J. Squirrel Chair, at Forest Tech in Oak Plains, Texas — it’s big on STEM courses, gets to the root of education and then branches out.
We’ll now note that some squirrels are “crepuscular.” Yes! You knew that already, didn’t you. Active during the twilight zone of a day. Not all squirrels are active at twilight. George Orwell explained that in Animal Farm when he wrote, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more awake than others.” I’m sorry. He wrote “more equal than others.” My fault on that quote — college dropout, you know.
—- Offer IDEAS or NOTHING by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and wear a mask while you type. ——

CLOSE CALL DOGS; DOYLE'S BONDED CATS; ADORABLES; A FAIR, A SHOW & A FLOWER

EDITION OF JANUARY 19-20, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Anybody else find holidays disruptive to your personal routine? 
That question is my way of saying this two-day edition is my way of trying to catch up with things! I still have time to wrap my kids’ Christmas presents, right?…I’m kidding. That sleigh has sailed. Let’s start the edition with a bit of an uplifting experience for someone who says, “I’m not usually a rescuer.”
THE BONDED CATS
THAT DOYLE LOVED
Dear Readers, we didn’t know this fellow Doyle. But Frances Sinclair did. And when Doyle died, the mission became “find a new home for the 13-year-old kitty brothers.” 
Frances’ friend Doyle left behind these 13-year-old brothers, Dylan and Roscoe. In her appeal she explained, “It was my friend’s main concern while he was sick and in the hospital” that they have a loving home after he was gone.

“Both have been neutered and one of them has been declawed. It was my friend’s wish to keep them together so that they can support each other,” Frances wrote in her appeal. And she was seeking someone who’d “have room in their heart or in their home for these sweet boys.”

Several people called Frances with advice about surrendering them to a shelter. But she was determined to find that proper home for the boys.

On Friday, I made a call to Frances to see how the hunt for a home was going and the same day she called back to say, with a hint of astonishment in her voice, “I have the most amazing news! I found a home for them.”
A woman who’d seen an on-line posting about them adopted Dylan and Royce. As Frances said, “She loves seniors! How often do you know someone who wants a senior cat — and wants TWO OF THEM!”
Frances was so happy. And, thinking of her friend Doyle and his cats’ new home, she said, “He must be smiling from Heaven.”
FROM A DOMESTIC RESCUE
TO A ROADWAY RESCUE
Now and then we find a “whew!” moment in the emails. As in “Whew! What a close call!”
This boy is Ace. And he’s currently in the care of Paws in the City, the Dallas-based rescue guided by our friend Mark Verma. 
The story of Ace is a “whew” moment.
The non-profit reports, “This boy was laying in the middle of a country road with diesel trucks narrowly avoiding him. A Good Samaritan thought he had been hit, but once he opened his truck door, Ace happily jumped right in.”

The 10-month-old, 46-pound German Shepherd/Rottie mix is in the Paws In The City Foster program and needs either a place to live and learn how to be a well-mannered companion or he needs a patient adopter who is ready to devote some time and energy to helping Ace excel as a canine pal. See how to adopt, foster or donate for Ace’s care at pawsinthecity.org.
TWO BEAUTIES AWAIT
LANCASTER RESCUE
When the workweek resumes and you see such beauties as these two, a person might just be moved to ask, “What is wrong with people? Why are these dogs in a municipal shelter where the needle gets some use?”
This first beauty is Rayne, according to our note from the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers who focus on small shelters with limited foot traffic but not limited dumpings, surrenders, etc. 
Rayne is a “Red Doberman” who’ll become available on Thursday the 21st. Our tipsters report that she is “sweet and loving and just as precious as can be.  She is an awesome girl.”

And that takes us to Gabe, a “Blue & White bully” -- TIME OUT. A red dog and a blue and white dog -- yes, Red, white and blue -- how's that for a timely post!
At any rate, Gabe is a fellow who’ll be ready for adoption or rescue on the 22nd. The Helpers say, “This adorable guy loves absolutely everyone. SUCH A CUTIE PIE.  He knows sit and shake and is such a sweet lovable boy.  Absolutely wonderful dog.”

To ask about these dogs or the Lancaster dogs and cats we cited in our earlier edition today (cats Alea and Ash and the dogs Kenzie, Brent and Pebbles!), call or text 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias at 214-949-2626 or email cat_girl_71@ yahoo.com. That's Pebbles, the beautiful girl who loves children but was surrendered to the shelter because of events not in her control -- human things. And now she's without the children she loved and waiting for a home where she can love and be loved. [LARRY ASIDE: I don't have room for Pebbles at my house, but surely someone in the millions of people in the metrosprawl has a place for Pebbles.]
SUNNY AND JAKE ON DIFFERENT
ROADS: SEEK HAPPY DESTINATION

Our reliable tipsters Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm, the volunteer dog biographers at Mesquite Animal Services, have come up with a couple of pups who need safe places to be loved for the rest of their lives.

Debra cites Sunny’s story — the mixed German Shepherd/Canaan Dog/Carolina Dog/etc., is about 2 weighs 55 pounds and found herself being returned to the shelter on Jan. 16 after one mere week in a new home. Debra writes that the “adopter brought her back because Sunny and their dog were not a good fit.”
 Debra, who’d met Sunny in early January when she came into the shelter, had described her this way: “Sunny has a low-key and mellow personality and is a calm and gentle girl.  She will need a bit of extra TLC and a chance to warm up in her own timing.  However, when she does she will undoubtedly be the most devoted and loving companion.  If you spent some time with her, she would quickly win your heart.”

What happened to Sunny in the new homes? Debra writes, “ Not knowing the circumstances, it's hard to know what the problem was. Introductions not properly done?  Current dog not wanting to share his/her home and owners?  Not enough time and effort spent before returning to make it ‘work?’ Whatever the reason, Sunny is in need of a home to call her own.  Former adopter reported that Sunny lived both indoors and outdoors and that she is housetrained.  Can you please help this very sweet girl out of the shelter?  She is still timid and a bit standoffish.  But she seems so much to want to warm up and trust.  She has lots of potential!” Ask about #463544521 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

Judi’s report on 3-year-old Kelpie/Heeler mix Jake reports that he “was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/16 due to behavioral issues. He was in bite quarantine for biting a family friend that was trying to put him into a crate. His family reclaimed him and then kept him for 10 days. At this time he nipped at a roommate. The owners reported that he had not given any warning. He did not puncture the skin. They said that most of the time he was very sweet but felt he had become unpredictable. He was raised with other dogs, cats and children from 4 to 11 years old.
“Up to this point there had been no problems. Jake had been an inside/outside dog. I didn’t have any problems with him. He did spend a lot of time pacing the yard and looking through the gate. I felt like he was looking for his owners. He sat for treats and took them gently. He let me scratch his ears. He walked OK on a leash. When I walked him through the bay he went nose to nose with one small dog and then another dog barked at him and he jumped away. Jake weighs 43 pounds. Bonus: he’s already fixed.” When you contact the shelter to ask about Jake, use his ID 46326437. Call the shelter at 972-216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
There also are cats in Mesquite! And more dogs. You can see the dogs and the cats, such as this guy Freddy when you visit the shelter online HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE FAIR, THE STOCK SHOW
& THE FLOWER QUESTION
No theme yet for the 2021 State Fair of Texas (Sept. 24-Oct. 17) — usually revealed in February. But that doesn’t mean Big Tex and his team aren’t making news. We got this note from State Fair Senior Vice President of Public Relations Karissa Condoianis. She wrote, “I’m proud to share that despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, Big Tex Urban Farms never stopped operating in 2020 and was able to harvest and donate more than 26,000 pounds of food, which equates to more than 295,000 servings of fresh produce donated to nine organizations in the Fair Park and South Dallas communities. In response to the global crisis, the Farms adjusted the harvest and donation procedures to include proper safety protocols so the State Fair could continue to serve the community in this dire time of need.” Read the whole news release HERE and you’ll learn how the Fair’s Big Tex Urban Farms — can you say “hydroponic?” —launched in 2016 and keeps operating. Production increased 26 percent from last year, according to the Fair’s Director of Horticulture Drew Demler. He also said, “Early on when the pandemic began and everyone was asked to stay at home, grocery stores and pantries were at a loss, so we knew our contributions were more important than ever.”
MEANWHILE IN COWTOWN…The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for 2021 was scheduled for Jan. 15-Feb. 6, but was cancelled in early October. Why? Here’s a viral hint from the news release: “Daily Stock Show attendance can exceed 140,000 people that crowd into buildings at the Will Rogers Memorial Center to see livestock, shop, dine, enjoy the carnival-midway and petting zoo as well as watch the many shows and competitions. Each year exhibitors typically travel from approximately 235 of Texas’ 254 counties and 40 states filling the various barns where they work in close proximity preparing their animals for exhibition. Consultations with infectious disease professionals and public health professionals indicate the Stock Show would rank as a ‘very high risk’ for spread of COVID-19, potentially impacting populations and healthcare systems.” No date yet for the 2022 Stock Show. But remember the marketing theme: “This thing is legendary.”
THE ARKANSAS QUESTION? From Arkansas via the Texarkana Gazette, came news last week that for the second year in a row, the Covid-19 pandemic has cancelled the annual (since 1968!) Jonquil Festival in Washington, Ark., the settlement that was a stop-on-the-road taken by Defenders of the Alamo, including Jim Bowie and former U.S. Congressman David “Davy” Crockett. You remember him, right? Washington, Ark., is just northeast of “a town called Hope,” which is just northeast of a town that's "Twice as Nice," Texarkana on I-30. No word yet on when the Jonquil Festival will return.  The photo on the left is from the Camden, Ark., Daffodil Festival and the photo on the right is from the Washington, Ark., Jonquil Festival. So, in the meantime, the key question is this: Are the celebrated flowers “daffodils” or “jonquils”? Another question that keeps good people awake at night.
— Offer flower info or animal tales by clicking on ‘comments’ or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR TUESDAY'S EDITION, AN ASSORTMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 [PetPowellPress] I don't know what the weather is like where you are reading this, but on our calendar, it's National Popcorn Day. A lot of people think Wednesday the 20th is Inauguration Day, but Holiday Insights notes that it's also National Buttercrunch Day, National Cheese Lover Day and Penguin Awareness Day.
This is Tuesday. We have no other Penguin notes today, but by Wednesday, who knows? We could wind up in an airport restaurant interviewing the rare flying Penguin who wants a cheeseburger and follows it with Buttercrunch Ice cream for desert. It's America -- anything can happen, apparently. [SIGN EXPLANATION: That's a helpful penguin sign from mysafetysign.com. Who could have predicted that sign would be for sale somewhere in the world?] That dog? That's Conway and we're going to get to him a little bit later in this edition -- he may be about the size of a penguin...I'm not sure.
PONGO IS FOSTERED;
BEAUTIFUL NALA'S CHALLENGE
Here's a good story to get our post-holiday session of weekdays going. The upbeat report comes from Amy Poskey who announced as the weekend was arriving that she was "thrilled to report that Heart of a Border Collie Rescue (HOABCR) in Minnesota has tagged Pongo."
You may recall that Pongo is an older, heartworm-positive dog.
Here's what's happened lately. Amy reported Monday, "After lots of juggling, shuffling, emails, discussions, blah, blah, blah…  The wonderful dynamic duo, Mike & Joyce McKennedy, pulled Pongo this morning and will be fostering him until his road trip Minnesota!  THANK YOU, MIKE & JOYCE!!!  So, Pongo will be able to enjoy being in a loving home environment here in Denton instead of going to boarding with the vet in Irving!  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO OFFERED TO TRANSPORT PONGO TO IRVING!"
This is a photo of Pongo "getting settled in with Mike & Joyce so he can decompress while being spoiled rotten with lots of love and good food. Again, I am just so humbled by EVERYONE in the world of rescue and I can’t thank y’all enough for helping this precious boy find love!!!" [LARRY ASIDE: You may recall Pongo is going to need medical care when he gets to Minnesota. Here's the LINK to support the efforts to make Pongo totally healthy again.]
THAT BRINGS US TO NALA THE ELEGANT!  Honestly, isn't that a beautiful dog? Whoa. Our tipster Amy refers to her as an "elegant lady."
And she's got a peach of a story, too. Here's what Amy reports. "On October 21, 2020, Nala was found on a country road and picked up by an officer. On November 3, 2020, she was adopted and then returned the next day because 'Nala was chewing on her bed, most likely due to nervousness from being in a new environment, so the owner 'scruffed' Nala in an attempt to make her stop the chewing and was bitten as a result.' When the owner arrived at the shelter with Nala it was noted that there was no break in the skin, etc.
"Nala was adopted a second time in November and had a similar experience… 
“Nala was in her new home and began to chew up her dog bed so the owner shouted at Nala in an effort to stop the chewing. Nala growled at the owner and then the family dog growled at Nala which resulted in an altercation between the two dogs.  When the owner attempted to separate them, he was bitten.
"
The shelter staff strongly believes Nala is just needing positive redirection and a patient owner.  She has been an extremely sweet girl, with a sprinkle of stubbornness, while in their care!"

Nala is a 2- or 3-year old Hound mix -- she's healthy and weighs 72 pounds and is said to be "people friendly" in spite of the incidents.
Call Denton's Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center at 940-349-7594 or email the shelter personnel: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com or Dorcas.Johnson@cityofdenton.com.

As Amy says of Nala, "She reminds me of the sleek and elegant gazelle appreciated for their grace and beauty!  Look at those long legs!!! 
MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER
A COUPLE OF CATS PLUS DOGS
The folks with 4-Legged Helpers sent this appeal for help with two cats that need a place to go rather than the Lancaster Animal Shelter where human traffic is limited.
 Alea is the apparently pregnant girl (right) and Ash is the boy. 
Our tipsters report that the person who brought them to the shelter  said the cats' owners "had moved and apparently left both kitties.  So extremely sad. They are loving, sweet, gentle, and really beautiful.  This sweet boy (shelter believes male but had not checked at the time of this posting - we will ask they verify) is very sweet.  Please, won't you help save them? We will try to get more pics - shelter staff took these quickly before they closed on Friday."

To help Alea and Ash, call or text 4-Legged Helpers' Laura Macias at 214-949-2626 or email cat_girl_71@ yahoo.com.

The dogs still waiting include three we've mentioned before: handsome Brent (saved from wandering in southern Dallas County), Kenzie with the possibly broken leg and a substantial donations to help her and, of course, the wonderfully beautiful child-loving Pebbles who was handed over to the shelter, taken from the kids she loved and now waits for either a human or the needle.
AH, CONWAY --
HELLO, DARLIN'!
Can you possibly top the "cute rating" on this little guy? We first wrote about him last week thanks to Barbara McCurry who is tending to the fellow and trying to find a great home for him. He's currently in Seven Points southeast of the Metrosprawl near Cedar Creek lake.
The first photos Conway sat for were not quite revealing of his total sweetness, so Barbara got her granddaughter Emily Haley to snap some new mugshots of this little boy.
You may recall that he'd been living with some other pups and not getting along well. It was upsetting to him. No way for a smallish dog to live.
So Barbara's trying to find a good home for him and, if next attempted home doesn't work out, she'll take him back and try again.
 When she tried to take photos of him, "he acts like he's afraid of my phone. He runs under my bed when I point it at him."
She says, "He's not big but he's full grown. He was bought as a 6-week-old 3 years ago at Christmas, so I assume that's a big as he'll get."

Bottom line? He's very sweet and he's available. Call or text 1-903-880-7794. (You may recall that our original tipster on Conway's story was Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world's most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas.)
CONTEMPLATIONS
A SIGN, A SQUEAK AND A BIRD
This photo? Snapped it from the parking lot of the Fort Worth Library's branch near I-30 and 820. Not sure why the Dallas message is on a Fort Worth billboard. Mi espanol es muy malo. (How's that? Please be like my high school Spanish teacher and grade me with abundant mercy.) ...
It's only January 19 -- that too late to watch a Christmas movie? FYI: That's the "topper" off our 2019 Christmas tree. Martha took it down Monday. The "topper" is sitting next to a toy that a friend sent to our dogs. If you walk on cute little paws and happen to step on that outstretched arm, the "doll" squeaks loudly and makes a cat jump about 2 feet into the air. The jumping cat was our youngest fellow, Stevie Ray. He's learning about the world and one of the things he's learning is "Watch where you step, kitty cat!" ...
An Episode of "What The Neighbors Said" from the holiday weekend.
A thoughtful neighbor posted "Robins and Cedar Waxwings. The birds are migrating through the area; they're really thirsty. Please clean and keep your bird baths full."

Then a neighbor, including a photo of a bird on its back, wrote, "I had one laying on the ground in my backyard with no visible injuries and the windows have screens on them so I wouldn't think he hit the window but am puzzled as to what caused it to die.
A third poster wrote, "You sure it's dead? Sometimes they pass out from eating the fermented berries of privet and other berry plants. It does look a bit stiff."
And that concludes this episode of "What The Neighbors Said."
--- OFFER INFO OR SMILES BY CLICKING ON 'COMMENTS' OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOL.COM. ---

QUOTES FOR THOUGHTS ABOUT AMERICA

EDITION OF MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021 [PetPowellPress] For our Monday edition, we're going to look briefly at the human condition. 

It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States and a good day to take some time to think about things. 
There are entire books dedicated to the comments and the wisdom of Dr. King. Based on current events, we could use some wisdom from calming voice.
We're going to cite just a few quotes. Maybe they'll inspire you to think about what the nation needs in the current era. And all of you may not agree -- that's part of what makes the U.S. great. The peaceful right to disagree.
Here goes:
 One of my favorites: "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." [LARRY ASIDE: A quote from the 20th Century sure seems to fit today!]
--"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." The ability to love one another might just be what we need right now.
--"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." [LARRY ASIDE: Might be one of those comments that becomes a goal and works best when you say it as you look int the mirror each morning. We darned sure need fewer people hating each other. That's an AP file photo of Dr. King speaking at a church in Atlanta.]
Then there's this quote that suggests there's a good reason for all of us to monitor events and tendencies and to write to our Congressional reps and senators and anybody else we've elected to office.
-- Dr. King said, "Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.” And if you don't know what that means, let me suggest that you "read up on it." 
And consider this quote from Dr. King: "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Isn't that an awful and scary thought! History books site the instances.
-- Dr. King also said, “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” This is an effort of peace that we all ought to make for the sake of our beloved nation.

And this quote is a favorite. I have kids and grandkids and the dream continues for their sake. Dr. King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Amen to that.
[LARRY ASIDE: Click here for a history of the creation of MLK Day posted a year ago on the website Constitution Daily. The lead on the story reads, "The fight to make the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday a holiday took 32 years, a lot of campaigning, and guest appearances including Stevie Wonder, Ted Kennedy, and the National Football League."
Makes you think maybe 2020's assorted involvements in fiery issues were not all that pioneering, doesn't it?]
From the same boat we're all in, God bless America.
-- Offer opinions by clicking on 'comments' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---

AH, JANUARY 17 — A SUPER SUNDAY IN ’71!

 

[SPECIAL EDITION OF READLARRYPOWELL.COM] — SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 1971! That was such a stunningly surprising day. 
But to get to 1971, we have to start with 1970.
We’ll spotlight 1971 — FIFTY YEARS AGO — in just a moment. 
And this really has not all that much to do with football. Or with the wedding of my fundimpledspouse Martha to the guy with the black hair and beard. [The story may help explain why my once-black hair and beard are now the color of my dog Porche's dominant coat. Porche notes that she had nothing to do with the wedding or the expectations of Jan. 17, 1971, and, she says, "My hair looks better than your beard, smart guy." Please read on.]
Everything seemed to be going well during the year 1970. I had a steady job and was continuing to build a newspaper career. The Dallas Cowboys were marching toward an NFL championship and would go to the Super Bowl on Sunday, January 17, 1971.
 The Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars had not yet been invented. And soccer-as-an-adult-American-sport was still trying to establish itself in Dallas. It did well: the Dallas Tornado won the North American Soccer League title in September of 1971. City’s only title that year.
Cable TV was in its pioneer growth-spurt era. Without it, most towns had 3 channels and some had 4 — ABC, CBS, NBC and Public Television. All was going well on the tube.
And, the newspaper business was vibrant. Dallas had two daily papers — the Morning News and the Times-Herald — and Fort Worth had two — the Star-Telegram and the legendary tabloid The Fort Worth Press.
Back in Texarkana, there was one daily paper, the Texarkana Gazette. I was a columnist and editor in 1971. 
The expectant mom, my bride of 3 years, was, as they say in the Twin Cities of Texarkana, “coming along nicely.” The ladies in the newsroom threw a baby shower for Carolyn and me in the fall of 1970. She was enjoying most of the aspects of being pregnant. Heck, we were both in our early 20s — what did we know?
Her doctor kept telling her that “the baby” was “coming along just fine.” The families were excited — my parents and brothers; her parents and sisters and brother. First pregnancy for both families’ oldest kids. Everything was coming along just fine.
Gonna be a big baby, the doc said at some point in late fall. Made sense. The guys and some of the women in the families were substantial people. DNA, you know. Yes, things were coming along as we were enroute to the “SUPEREST SUNDAY OF ALL.” Click HERE to see how things were coming along 50 years ago. A hint? I didn't have a hint of what was to come -- I'm not giving you a hint, either. Now, really! CLICK HERE AND READ ON. There are photos.
 

THE CERTAIN SCIENCE OF NAPPING CATS

We present a scientific report for this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Napping Cats Nap.

The experiment has not been authorized by the International Society for the Study of Peculiar American Feline Behavior. We are, nevertheless, anticipating a nod from the Nobel Prize committee when the scientific advancements are analyzed for their benefit to the planet.
Our question that inspired this study is this: If one puts a pillow atop a computer desk’s shelf in the year 2021, will a cat immediately appear from nowhere to use that place in space and time as a platform for observation or somnolencian meditation.
[SCIENTIFIC ASIDE: Our studies have revealed that there is a medical term “Cataplexy” which has nothing to do with cats, but is a sudden loss of “voluntary muscle control” and is a symptom of narcolepsy. Thus “cataplexy” has as much to do with cats as the words catapult, cataract and catapleiite. What? Oh, come on. Just about everybody knows catapleiite is a rare mineral found largely in small amounts in Norway. No cat has ever been named “Catapleiite,” we are almost certain.]
Back to our place and time experiment. We engaged the services of Apprentice Office Cat Stevie Ray Treeboy (found in an Oak Cliff mimosa tree as a lone kitten). 
Though our measurements were not precise, we determined through observation that while taking up a position on the pillow on the shelf over the computer screen, young Stevie Ray neither gained nor lost mass and was inclined to neither move nor be still, thus his total being remained at times as it would have been seen if observed via telescope from the International Space Station passing overhead. 
[NOTE: In Photo #3, it is clear that the scientifically napping cat is using his tail to pinpoint two adoptable dogs in the Lancaster Shelter, the top dog Brent and the lower dog Pebbles.]
Ultimately, after two “placings” of the pillow and the same “Leap and Lay” reaction from the Earthling cat, the answer to our scientific query is, “Yes, a cat will gravitate to an elevated pillow and remain there until the mood strikes him to not be there.” 
As you may observe in Photo #4, a quilted vest does not
produce the same results as the scientific pillow.
We thank the judges for a positive review of our scientific project. We fear a poor reception of our study will call the integrity of the judgment process into question and result in Stevie Ray taking up the practice of caterwauling.
[DEAR READERS, please send photos of your sleeping/napping animals and their bios to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll post them in our internationally read weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Napping Cats Nap. Any animal will do. Even an in-law as long as there’s a critter in the photo. You’ll be inspiring people to open their homes to animals. And you’ll be suggesting to insomniacs that they, too, can get some sleep if they have the balance to linger atop the shelf on the computer desk.]

— Offer scientific responses by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

WEEKEND ARRIVES WITH FOWL INFO; ADOPTABLES INFO; RESCUE OPPORTUNITIES AND 'FRIENDLY' TUNES

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 [PetPowellPress] The wind blew over our duck.
Bet that’s a sentence you didn’t expect to read today.
Remember the windy front that blew through? It tipped over our little ceramic duck in its yellow raincoat, right next to our sturdy chicken. Blew the dogs’ playground ball out into the yard, but they haven’t been in the mood to bring it back to the patio.
So, since dogs are rarely known to restore fallen statues to their original positions, I went out and helped Duck get into a sheltering-position with the approval of Chicken. While Chicken didn’t find anything to crow about, Duck was quite happy.

I don’t know what they talk about all day. Probably the weather.
So, as the Sentinel Fowl stand watch, our Friday report:
FIRST UP, A DOG WHO DRAWS MONEY
BUT ISN’T DRAWING A RESCUE
We posted Pongo previously. You may recall that the senior Border Collie mix is in a bit of a fix while waiting for help in the Denton McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center. 
He’s got a threatening infestation of heartworm — has a high reading — and he’s got dental problems, too. Maybe he even has some other problems, but, the folks who are promoting his cause say that after the heartworm and dental treatments, they “think he still has some good years left and we know he has lots of unconditional love to give.”
Our original tipster Amy Poskey reports, "Our sweet boy Pongo has a very generous sponsor to cover his heartworm treatment, an additional $500 to cover his dental, plus $200 in donations, but we still need a rescue who already has a foster available or a foster for Salvaged Souls Pet Rescue.”
Pongo is #90939 in the shelter. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. If you want to volunteer with Salvaged Souls Pet Rescue to foster Pongo, email Denise Primm at info@salvagedsoulspetrescue.org. The application to be a foster is online HERE.
SUGAR, THE TREAT-SEEKING,
BIG-JUMPING, LOVING DOG
Trust Judi Brown, volunteer dog-biographer at Mesquite Animal Shelter, to find a dog that is multi-talented and adorable, too. That’s Sugar. 

Judi says year-old, 51-pound Pittie mix Sugar (#46406720) is a stray who came in on the 11th, “She’s not the prettiest dog at the shelter but she sure is sweet! She will meet you at the kennel window wagging her tail. She’s a happy, energetic, fun-loving dog that’s looking to have a good time. She’s also looking for someone to love her as she has a lot of love to give! She’s very friendly and outgoing and her tail wags constantly.” [LARRY ASIDE: In that 2nd photo, you can catch a little blur of her tail — it was moving too swiftly for the camera to catch it!]
 Judi also says, “She’s also very alert and curious. She explored every corner of the laundry room when I was doing the photo shoot. She sits for treats and will do just about anything to get one. She is a jumper and even jumped on the table in the laundry room in order to get a treat. Since she is so motivated by treats, she should be easy to train. Besides she wants to please. Sugar went nose to nose wagging her tail with a few dogs in the bay, but mostly was not interested. She did not show any aggression. … If you’re looking for a loving dog that will absolutely adore you — please come meet Sugar.”
Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email at rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Use her ID 46406720 tag to help the process glide with nary a bump.
WAITING FOR A RESCUE, A HOME
AS THE WEEKEND APPROACHES

[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve posted these dogs before but it staggers us to think that no household or heart has room for them in Texas’ second-most populous county, Dallas County, around 2.4 million people. Somebody open up a bedroom and give it to a dog!]
We’re taking this opportunity to remind you, Dear Readers, of three dogs cited by the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers. If you know someone who just hasn’t noticed them but has a spot, get in touch with Laura Macias at 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or by emailing cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Kenzie is the smallish Bulldog mix who has a problem with one of her back legs that probably is going to need sincere veterinary care — the Helpers say she’s got $650 in donations for the rescue group that can save her.”
And, once again we highlight the “sweetest teddy bear of a dog” who was apparently dumped in a rural area of southern Dallas County — the Good Samaritan who happened to live near the dog-dump site took Brent in and has worked with 4-Legged Helpers to try to get this Boxer/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix a place to live a life of beloved adoration.
That brings us to the beautiful picture of nobility, Pebbles, a “Blue & White Bully” who was an owner release “from someone unable to care for her.” That person “said she adored their children,” the Helpers’ note reads. She is really stunning in person — beautiful face and eyes. Would make someone a wonderful companion.”
Pebbles is probably wondering what she did to lose the children she loved and the children who loved her. Rotten thing to have happen to a noble, loving dog.
[LARRY ASIDE: So, that’s our summary on these dogs for the whole weekend. Pass this around. Surely there is someone with a working heart still left after the election and aftermath and after that local tragedy, the Dallas Cowboys 2020 season.]
A RESCUE APPEAL
ON BEHALF OF CHASE
Gayla Geist tipped us to this appeal from Betty Jones about a dog named Chase who is in Terrell, Texas, just east of Dallas.
The story reads, “This boy needs rescue. The owner got evicted and needs help. Rescue only. Very friendly. Likes kids. Not sure on dog or cat-friendly.
"Been on a chain his whole life — please help. They have by the weekend to find help or will go to shelter.”
The contact points for helping Chase are call or text Betty at 214-229-4807 or email bettyjones6894050@gmail.com. 

CONTEMPLATIONS
TIME, TIME TRAVEL, TIMELY MUSIC
How can we already be in the middle of January 2021? How bad is my insomnia? Have I lost touch with the space/time continuum? Did I take a room at the Rip Van Winkle Inn and oversleep? Geezalou. As our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief and resolute St. Louis Browns fan Andrew Fisher points out, the Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training on February 17. … Anybody else miss spending a couple of quiet, thoughtful hours in a motion picture theater? I miss seeing French police thrillers at the Inwood in Dallas and the Granada Movie Theater on Greenville Avenue — only way for me to see a foreign film at the Granada in 2021 is to rent a time machine from Spring Back/Fall Forward Time Trips. That company may not exist yet. FYI, not to frighten anybody who is just now getting adjusted to the to the time change, but it’s 8 weeks until we spring forward. … How about some music to get us into a very calm, tranquil, agreeable weekend? [LARRY PAUSE: Engage yourself in the feline world and you’ll discover an interesting existence. That dominating photograph is new, a portrait you might say, of my confidante and trusted advisor The Senator groovin’ meditatively to some early 1970s songs that touched his heart — he’d just finished what he calls “My catch-up reading” of best-sellers from 1971: Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Erich Segal’s Love Story and, in contrast to those stories, William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist. Back to the music.] Allow me a moment to thumb through my albums. Here’s one from Carole King’s Tapestry album of 1971. This one is live by the wonderful songwriter HERE (excuse the adverts). And this one is from the album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, also 1971, by James Taylor. Wore grooves on that Tapestry vinyl. Carole King wrote it, both recorded it. Yeah, the concept of “Friendship” — it’s a Texas thing, thanks to, research reveals, the Caddo tribe’s word for friends: “teyshas.” Enjoy the weekend, all you teyshas. Remind people to be kind to animals.
—- Offer info or fiction by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. --

NEWS ON THE PIPE DOG; MOUNT PLEASANT'S MARNIE WAITS FOR EXPECTANT RESCUE

EXTRA EDITION OF JANUARY 14, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Dear Readers, Just as I pushed the publish button on the first version of this extra edition, we got word from Tomi Ortiz that the fellow trying to get the "Irving Pipe Dog" dog off the streets has this update.
She forwarded Nick Vaccaro's post of just minutes ago: "So update. IAS (Irving Animal Services) was able to capture him and he was returned to his owners this morning about a half-hour ago. The PVC was used as a 'tool' for keeping him from escaping. I'm glad they were able to get him,"
[LARRY ASIDE: I've never worked with pipe, but I have worked with dogs and I'm prepared to say that using a pipe as an anti-escape tool is a stupid idea, as this dog has proven.
Below is the earlier edition of the Pipe Dog's story. And below that is the story of Marnie the Pregnant Mount Pleasant Cat -- someone help her!]

THE EARLY PIPE DOG STORY FOLLOWED
BY APPEAL FOR MOUNT PLEASANT MARNIE!

As we’ve frequently declared on readlarrypowell.com, “Some dogs are just too clever for their own good.”This might just be the case of this dog with the pole tied to his neck in the Plymouth Park area of Irving.
Our pal Tomi Ortiz, the veteran rescuer/advocate who’s been monitoring this situation, reports this morning that after not being seen for a day, “The poor dog has reappeared. Yesterday, a lady looked at the lost dog report on the Irving website and there’s a dog listed that looks just like him by the name of Spike. But whoever filled it ut didn’t leave any info!”

Tomi also forwarded the neighborhood website posting that, she told us, shows Nick and his family are angels that have not given up helping this poor dog.”

Nick Vaccaro wrote this morning, “So after apparently taking the day off from hanging around, he just made an appearance in the alley behind my house. It seems he’s back today,”
He reports that the dog is “still super skittish. My wife was out talking to him. He did sort of respond. She said his ears perked when she said ‘Spike’, so I’m thinking that’s definitely the dog from the website.”
As you may recall, the Irving Animal Services plan is to entice the dog into a safe trap at Nick’s home. Stay tuned. [LARRY ASIDE: Bless that dog and the people who are trying to help him. The pipe-hanger we’ll discuss later.]
ONE MORE THING….THERE'S
MARNIE IN MOUNT PLEASANT
Last week we wrote about the efforts to help the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter help animals and, this morning, right after I read the note from Tomi about the dog, up popped a fresh post from Cheryl Morse-Sephenson, our MP tipster, about this cat Marnie.
Cheryl writes, “This sweet girl is about a year old and was found abandoned at a local hotel in Mount Pleasant. We believe she had a family at one time because she was found wearing a collar. Who knows how long she had been on her own but long enough to come into heat and get pregnant! Oh dear! Now residing at the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, she is looking for a rescue to help her raise her babies (not born yet!). An animal shelter is no place for a young mother kitty to raise her young.”

So, 501(c)3 rescue groups may call the shelter at 903-575-4174 to tag Marnie and get her and the soon-to-be-born babies into a good birthin’ and cuddlin’ situation.
—- Offer info or support by clicking on ‘comments’ below. —-

AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS, A PHONE SITUATION AND A CONTEMPLATION OF THE LEGE AND DAVY CROCKETT

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Once upon a time I prepared to type a text response and the only thing that could stop me was a malfunctioning phone. More in Contemplations. Now, let’s talk critters!
Now and then I’ll wonder about the announced “breed” of a dog in a shelter. Cat’s I’m not too sure of, but on Wednesday afternoon I decided to feature some cats that are listed on the SPCA of Texas website and I found two cats named Pepper, one named Piper, a Queen Vegeta, a Reba and an different kind of cat — I’m unsure of the breed, named Quill. Cats - tough to figure out sometimes. But you can go to spca.org and see how to adopt dogs, cats and other animals, When I clicked on Quill’s listing (#41539636) I discovered the kind of cat he is: “Barnyard Standard Domestic Shorthair Long-muzzled Prickeared Cat.” Also known as “Donkey.” Not much of a mouser, I suspect. Can't get his paws into the little mouse house doorway. [LARRY ASIDE: Thank heavens the good folks at the SPCA have a sense of humor when I write about the animals and the organization!]
KIMBELLA CATCHES A RIDE;
SO DOES HER WAITING BROOD
Remember this girl Kimbella? Amy Poskey, our Denton tipster, sent word that the really pregnant Kimbella needed out of the Denton McNatt Shelter so she could deliver her babies in a non-shelter environment. Amy reported Wednesday afternoon that “Kimbella and her soon-to-be-puppies are heading to greener pastures with FRONT RANGE GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE (FRGSR) in Colorado!!!  THANK YOU FRGSR!!!”
If all went as planned, Kimbella left the shelter around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday for a foster home before making the trip north to Colorado with Pilots-N-Paws.
And, Amy cautioned, “Of course, Kimbella could pop with puppies any day now, so that will dictate the timing of her flight to Colorado.  Regardless, she is in good hands!” [LARRY ASIDE: Is that not a wonderful dog face!!!! No telling how the change in altitude will affect her “delivery schedule.” Hard to pull over a plane so you can help a dog deliver puppies, but I’ll bet there are born-aloft puppies somewhere named Captain, Prop, GoodLanding, Rudder and even Aileronnie.]

Amy says to help FRGSR fund the care of Kimbella and “her little angels,” click on the this WEBSITE.
[LARRY ASIDE: Anybody else think ‘FRGSR’ is a secret message to TCU meaning “Frogs Rule”?]
MEDICAL ISSUES ARISE
FOR 2 LANCASTER DOGS
Oh, boy, they show up at the shelter and they present medical challenges — all in normal day for a place that takes in unwanted dogs, right?

Here’s the story on these two Lancaster pups from 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small shelters without much walk-in traffic — or any these days, of course.
That first pup is Ty, a Catahoula fellow who appears to have a problem with his, er, his, central boypart. It does not return to its, uh, normal position. The 4-Legged Helpers note — thank you Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden — says the shelter staff is worried. “He needs a veterinarian,” the note reads. “Could be an infection or injury. He is a very cute, very sweet little baby guy. [LARRY ASIDE: One brown eye, one green — he’d probably rather be know for that than for the, uh, other thing.]
Now, this girl Kenzie is a “small Bulldog mix who is “short and cute — just above knee-high.” And the Helpers say she appears to have an injured back leg. She holds it slightly up and off the floor most of the time. “Definitely needs a veterinarian,” the Helpers say. How’d she wind up in the shelter? “A Good Samaritan saw her limping along a street and brought her in.” She’s “very sweet-natured. Extremely lovable.”
Consider helping these two to be an “urgent situation.” Text or call Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
TWO BROTHERS IN MESQUITE
& A RING-TAILED EARHOUND, TOO
The volunteers who do the dog biographies at Mesquite Animal Services are continually spotlighting dogs that I’d adopt in a split-second if I hadn’t already adopted the limit in a previous split-second. I suspect I am not alone in that opinion. So, spread the word about these pups.
For example, Judi Brown highlights a pair of brothers — Brindle’s the brindle one with the great face and Blue is the black and white fellow with the other great face.
They’re 2-year-old Pittie mixes who were surrendered to the shelter on January 12 “due to financial reasons.” Both were handed over “out in the field.” That means no surrender form. But as Judi wrote about 44-pound Brindle, “I do not need a surrender form to know that Brindle is a very sweet, loving dog looking for someone to love him in return. He stayed very close to me and kept looking up to me with his sweet face and adoring eyes. He even welcomed me when I went into his kennel with hugs and kisses. He does jump on you, but I get the feeling he just has not been taught manners. It seems like he just wants to be close and doesn’t know any better.”
Blue (#46352619), weighing in at 45 pounds, is “a little bit more active” than Brindle, Judi says. She says Blue’s “tail never stopped wagging.  He wanted to please and stayed very close. It was difficult to get good pictures of him because he stayed so close. I found myself going around in circles! He definitely wanted human contact. He appeared to like having his ears scratched. He’s friendly but not overly so. He’s sweet, calm, and gentle. He’s got a laid-back, easy-going personality.”
Remember, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Debra Chisholm provided the information about this “Ring-Tailed Earhound” named Wheatley (#46352524). This 2-year-old, 30-pound, not-yet-spayed Earhound came into the shelter on New Year’s Day after being “abandoned by her owner.” Things went a little sour after that. Debra reports , “Unfortunately for Wheatley, on the day she was brought to the shelter, a new and inexperienced employee attempted to place a leash on Wheatley and was bitten, resulting in a 10-day quarantine.  This was due to Wheatley having just arrived and being scared and nervous.  Now that she has had time to decompress, she is less fearful.  She is still somewhat skittish and a bit standoffish.  However, when she gets to know you she will stay close and seeks your approval.  She needs to figure out how to trust again. … She knows the sit command, is highly treat motivated and takes them gently.   Wheatley is moderately active and energetic.  She should probably not go to a household with small children at this point. This precious girl has such potential and would undoubtedly make the right person or family a devoted companion.”
Again, use the ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283  or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
See more Mesquite dogs and also Mesquite cats by clicking on THIS LINK. As you can see that cat is named Oreo — he’s a 6-year-old neutered fellow who arrived at the shelter on January 13. [LARRY ASIDE: Why anyone would give up a handsome, pink-nosed cat is beyond my feeble brain’s comprehension of human behavior. But I’ve had black and white cats and they’re pretty entertaining in an adventurously entertaining way. Other catfans may agree. My tabby cats agree. I swear!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
Phones, debates and Davy Crockett
So, there I was trying to make a phone call from the road and my cellphone wouldn’t work. Just a couple of hours later, with Inspectorspouse Martha holding it, I was found guilty of “continuing stupidity regarding my own phone.” That’s the last time I buy a phone that is on a party line. [People from the 20th Century will laugh at that — as they fumble with their own cellphones.]
 See that cat? That’s Simon, my attorney, who’s ability to mew English includes the plea, “Your honor, I throw my idiot defendant’s phone fate on the mercy of this great and benevolent court. Be kind with your justice.” Charged me double because I had to wake him up to go to court.
HOUSE RULES? Yep, 2 hours of debate on an issue that was already decided — I was once in a marriage with a constant docket like that. …
THE LEGE: The Texas Legislature is in session until the end of May. It is appropriate, then, to quote Gideon John Tucker who wrote, “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” Texan? Nope, New Yorker. Mr.Tucker was a fellow who, according to history, was a lawyer, journalist and politician. Sounds like he could have been in the Texas Legislature if he’d followed the message of U.S. Congressman David Crockett who, when voted out of office, told people (including his enemy President Andrew Jackson), “You can go to hell— I’m going to Texas.” Ah, if Andy Jackson hadn’t ticked off “Davy, Davy Crockett” the King of the Wild Frontier” would be with us today. Well, OK, he’d be 235 years old but he’d still be on all the talk shows.
—- Offer historic insights or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put ‘Lone Star State of Mind’ in the subject line. —-

EVERY DAY IS A SPECIAL DAY, 'MAKE IT SO' FOR THE ANIMALS, TOO...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021 [PetPowellPress] In addition to this being “prepare the trash day for Thursday pickup” at our house, Wednesday has other purposes. I checked with the experts at Holiday Insights, the online calendar, to see what else is celebrated. [LARRY FYI: I quoted Jean-Luc Picard in the headline -- it's his only appearance in this episode.]
Four “holidays” celebrate this January 13 as their own: National Take the Stairs Day (second Wednesday of each month and, darn the luck, I have no stairs); National Rubber Duckie Day (and darn the luck, I have no rubber duck); Make Your Dream Come True Day (and darn the luck, I’ve misplaced that storage box — one of my dreams is to organize the boxes) and, finally, International Skeptics Day. Believe it or not, there are ISDs on Jan. 13, Oct. 13 or the first Friday the 13th of each year. 
Oh, January 14 is Dress Up Your Pet Day. Somewhere in a box in either the garage, the bedroom or self-storage, there’s a wardrobe for each of our companions. However, that is the internationally skeptical look on Dudley the Angel’s face when I told him he might have to go through some fittings again. He’s uncomfortable with measuring his inseams — all 4 of ‘em. In the second photo, he's dreaming of his favorite suit -- has an expanding waistline so he can have seconds on dessert. He's so human. Now, let’s move on with our mission for this day.
THE SEARCH CONTINUES
FOR FAMILY DOG LAYLA
We posted Tomi Ortiz’ appeal for help finding Layla the Dog just after New Year’s Day. Still no sign of this girl who was adored by Tomi’s now-deceased parents. 
Layla was living with Tomi’s brother in Lancaster when she vanished. While he was at a grocery store, she apparently fled the fenced back yard —frightened by nearby unexpected fireworks the day after New Year’s Eve’s big assault on canine and feline ears and anxieties.
She is a Corgi/Pittie mix and was spotted in Lancaster and posted on a Nextdoor app. That’s the “distance” photo of her near a fence. 
Tomi says, “The last place my Layla was seen was on Chapman and Pleasant Run. She could have gone down Wintergreen or Houston School Road. ☹️ I’m praying she’s inside someone’s home getting her belly rubbed. 🙏”
If you know Layla’s whereabouts, call 214-532-4665.
TRYING TO HELP ROXIE
DODGE GOING TO A SHELTER
How’s this for a dog with snuggle-worthy face? [No need to reply, my fellow dog-snugglers, I know the emotion first-hand!]
This is Roxie — young, spayed, vaccinated Bulldog mix needing a new place to live ASAP.
We got her story from 4-Legged Helpers. It reads, “Roxie is not yet at the shelter but she only has a couple of weeks before that happens.  Sadly her people are unable to care for her and must move. She is the most precious little girl.  Petite and cute as cute can be.  SHE IS FIXED, HOUSETRAINED, CRATE-TRAINED, and best of all LOVES and ADORES other dogs and even cats!!!  SO ADORABLE!”

Yes, that is Roxie and a cat sharing a human’s attention.
To help her find a place to live, call or text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
PONGO, THE SENIOR FELLOW,
NEEDS A HOME TO HELP HIM
Our reliable Denton tipster Amy Poskey forwarded this appeal for help placing Pongo in a good home. He’s a senior Border Collie mix — fully vetted, the note says. The bio reads: “Heartworm positive, dog-friendly, people-friendly and weighs 46 pounds.” He’s #90939 at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter.
And Amy writes, “Come on y’all, I just know there is someone out there who can give this SWEET, SWEET senior boy the love and care he needs for his golden years!  I wish I could provide more details about the possibility of other things going on with him, but that’s the only info I received. ... PLEASE consider saving this handsome, suave, debonair, and super sweet boy!”
 She suggests "a loving home where he will be spoiled rotten, please contact the shelter.”
Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email any of these staffers:
gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi. Weinberg@ cityofdenton.com,  julien. peralta@cityofdenton .com, Ethel.Strother@cityofdenton.com, roxanna.burson @cityofdenton.com, Dorcas.Johnson@ cityof denton.com, Martinez.Erica@cityofdenton.com, Nicole.Heyer@cityofdenton.com.
HELLO, DARLIN'! SEEKING A HOME
WITH A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT
We got the tip on this dog from Sydney Busch at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas.
Sydney has contacts and one of them is trying to help this guy Conway find a new home. The source asked, “Can you share this in hopes someone would be interested in taking this cutie pie?
 Conway is in a household where the other two dogs are biting and attacking him and each other.

“Owner wants to rehome. He was given to her about 2 years ago. He is really sweet and does well around children. She wants to try to stop the fighting and especially when they bite him, too. He hasn’t been neutered.”
 To ask about helping Conway, text 903-880-7794. And if it doesn't work out, the tipster says she'll take him back and try again.
[LARRY FYI: I spoke with the source and we’re pretty sure this dog was named for, yes, Conway Twitty. You can always teach him to respond to, “Hello, Darlin’.”]
CONTEMPLATIONS
NOISE AND SOUNDS
You’d think that, after the past four years and the elongated presidential campaign and the post-campaign, we’d be accustomed to noise in the United States. Or at least be able to sleep through it. But there are some things that you just can’t get past.
EXAMPLE 1: A neighborhood post reads, “Car alarm. Thanks so very much to the rude person that parked their car on the side of my house and let their car alarm go off for three-and-a-half hours. It would go off for 5 minutes, then shut off for one and repeat the process over and over and over. Pay the money and buy a sticker and actually park in the apartment parking lot where you belong and then it can ruin your day with the noise.
EXAMPLE 2: This was “Posted in General to Anyone. TREAT PETS WELL, PLEASE. It’s 2:30 am and there's a dog nearby that's been barking for over a half hour. The part that bothers me isn't the barking, but the fact that it's 36 degrees and it's been raining/snowing all dang day and someone is cruel enough to treat a pet that way."
EXAMPLE 3: A reason to be glad the NFL season is heading toward the final game. The artificial enhancement of the stadium sounds — it’s like the laugh track on a sitcom with no laughs. Much like a political campaign — a sitcom with no laughs. Ignore the commercial when you CLICK HERE.
—Offer a good, clean, multi-partisan political joke by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol. Find a clean joke, win the admiration of the readers. —

IRVING DOG IN A FIX: THERE'S A PLAN

[EXTRA EDITION JANUARY 12, 2021] We’re posting this note from our pal Tomi Ortiz, veteran rescuer and animal advocate, who is as appalled as any good heart will be.
There’s a dog with a pole attached to his neck running free in the area of Grauwyler and Story Road in Irving. Looks like he might be a Rottie mix. He’s being monitored by a fellow on the Nextdoor page in Irving.
This morning’s note reported that the dog “is still out there, very cold and skittish.”
But, at mid-morning, Tomi reported that there are people who are teaming up to help the dog. So, if you’re in the area don’t try to catch the skittish terrified dog. Let the "team" handle this.
The fellow who has been monitoring the dog is allowing Irving Animal Control to set up a trap in his yard — appropriate since the dog “keeps showing up at his house,” Tomi says, adding, “It takes a village!”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ll continue to monitor this situation. There is another “loose” dog in that area — mangy, starving -- and it may benefit from from getting city attention. Say some prayers for both dogs.]
Hard to look at those photos and not feel some emotion. As Tomi writes, “I am so heartbroken for this poor dog in Irving. …[People] haven’t been able to catch this poor dog. Several people try, but he’s so scared and skittish they can’t catch him and are afraid he’ll run into traffic.”

These are the Nextdoor illustrations we got from Tomi.
The dog has been at Grauwyler and Story and also at John Smith and Bradford, the neighborhood posts say. And there’s this photo of the dog at a shopping center in the area.
There’s more to come on this story, no-doubt. [LARRY ASIDE: Of course, we’d sort of like to hear the explanation for why the dog has a two-foot pole anchored to his neck — whatever the purpose was, it was a poor theory, a lousy decision and an incredibly disrespectful action to such a noble and now-terrified dog.]
To end this on an up-note, Tomi says “Every time I see people with such caring hearts it makes me feel a little better about this world we’re living in!”
— Offer opinions by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

AFFECTION FOR DOGS; OPPORTUNITIES FOR CATS AND DOGS; THINGS THAT TICK YOU OFF; AND SEAGOVILLE CELEBRATES

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Hang on just a second …. Wait a minute… OK….. Alright… Thanks for you patience. Just as I was typing the dateline, one of my dearest friends walked through the office door and I couldn’t resist the urge to spin my chair around and talk to her for a while. That’s her. Porche Noel. I don’t know how to explain her except that we’ve been friends for years. We never discuss politics and we agree that our favorite vegetable is the hot biscuit. We share pillows, couches and beds — but we don’t share our biscuits.

HOW ABOUT TEN QUICK YEARS
FOR SEAGOVILLE’S SHELTER!
Paula Colby tipped us to this achievement’s anniversary and she led us to the Facebook announcement HERE by Sgt. Karl Bailey, the guiding light of the Seagoville Animal Shelter. He’d posted this on Sunday: “Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the Seagoville Animal Shelter going No Kill. It's only possible because of the great staff and volunteers that help find these animals new homes, get them veterinary care, spay/neuter, etc.”
The shelter is described as “the first municipal no-kill shelter in the State of Texas,” our note from Paula said.

We’ve taken the liberty of lifting some photos of Seagoville’s adorable adoptables from the shelter’s Facebook site HERE.
It’s more than mug shots — there are videos of the dogs and cats. In particular, there’s this dog girl Lila — currently the shelter resident for the longest time. She’s about a year old, weighs about 40 pounds, is healthy, microchipped and available. The shelter says “She’s a young active girl, really sweet, just wants your attention.”
And if you go to that site, you’ll also see videos of these available cats. The gray girl is Sabrina, recently spayed, and now lively and ready to go to a good home. And the cat in the warm litter box (cats will rest in those boxes, as you know!) is Hannah.

In honor of the 10th anniversary, Paula posted a congratulatory note. and suggested that people celebrate this achievement with a “$10 donation to STAAR, the non-profit singularly dedicated to the health and well-being of every animal that comes through the shelter’s door.”
Non-profit STAAR is “Seagoville Texas Animal Advocates and Rescue.”  Cool how those letters worked out, right?
Here’s a link to a donor site and, yes, you're allowed to give more than $10 in honor of all the people who united to save the animals.
KIMBELLA: ‘GONNA POP
WITH PUPPIES SOON’
I hope that by the time you read this appeal from our reliable Denton tipster Amy Poskey, we'll learn that this girl Kimbrella has been taken into the loving care of a rescue group who’ll help her deliver and find homes for her puppies. 
Amy’s Monday PM note said the girl, somewhere between 2 and 5 years old, is “gonna pop with puppies soon. … Bless her heart, she was found as a stray and, thankfully, brought to the shelter.”

That is some wonderful face, isn't it! She weighs 68.3 pounds (with puppies). And, the note reads, “She has a precious personality, is very relaxed, approachable and walks well on a leash.” 
To offer to help her, call the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter at 940-349-7594 email any of these staffers:
gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi. Weinberg@ cityofdenton.com,  julien. peralta@cityofdenton .com, Ethel.Strother@cityofdenton.com, roxanna.burson @cityofdenton.com, Dorcas.Johnson@ cityof denton.com, Martinez.Erica@cityofdenton.com, Nicole.Heyer@cityofdenton.com
A FLOCK OF ADORABLES AWAITS
ADOPTION VIA 4-LEGGED HELPERS
The non-profit rescuers at 4-Legged Helpers are back from their vacations in the Alps — I’m kidding. Like most rescuers, they’re busy during the stretch of holidays and days that aren’t holidays, too. What we have here is a representation of dogs that need some help finding safe homes. We’ve posted some of them before — inexplicably they remain unadopted. 
Remember, the best way to ask about these dogs is to call or text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com. 4-Legged Helpers is the connection between the dogs in the Lancaster Animal Shelter/other temporary spots and the people who can help them.
That German Shepherd with the giant ears and the fluffy tail is Shay. “This beautiful sweetie pie was found out and about on her own. She is a gorgeous dog. So lovable,” the Helpers report. She becomes available on the 13th.

This young Bulldog mix is Rylen. “This little guy is the cutest thing ever! Beautiful markings and so cute and so sweet Check out the ears.” Yep — two styles and that second “flaps down” photo shows he’s an adorable dog — and that’s just from looking at him. He’s adoptable on the 14th.
Amie is a Bulldog mix, also adoptable on the 14th. Her bio reads that the young girl is believe to have had puppies recently. “She is the sweetest, most precious little girl. Just as lovable and cute as can be.” (In that second photo you can see how busy her tail is! Click on the pictures to make the package grow! It's worth it to look at that dog's face and maybe you can see her heart, too.)
Ryleigh? With the ears? The helpers report, “You will not meet a sweeter little girl anywhere.  Everyone at the shelter loves this little girl.  Ryleigh ADORES other dogs too and is very good with them.  … Poor baby has clearly been lost — she is very emaciated (ribs showing) and desperately needs out of the shelter ASAP. She is a WONDERFUL cute loving cuddlebug who loves ALL people and dogs alike.”
That brings us to Evie, the girl who was found quivering in a garage that wasn’t hers on New Year’s Eve. The Helpers report, “She is just as sweet as can be. Incredibly loving. Fun, goofy — actually poses for the camera and cocks her head. Just as cute as can be.”
And then we come to Brent, listed as a Boxer/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix — “showed up at a Good Samaritan’s home out in a rural area of Dallas County which is a known dumping area for dogs. …Why anyone would have dumped this sweetie pie is a complete mystery. He is everything anyone would ever want in a dog and he adores people of all sizes, including children."

OK, DEAR READERS, I’m closing with Pebbles, and as anyone who is a fan of these dogs knows that history records that among their initial “jobs” in a household was babysitting -- they were called "The Nanny Dogs," but that was before people began to ruin their reputation.

So we haves regal Pebbles, the female “Blue and White Bully” who was an owner release. The person who gave her up “said she adored their children. She is really stunning in person — beautiful face and eyes. Would make someone a wonderful companion.” [LARRY ASIDE: This whole situation ticks me off. First, the dog has no idea what the hell happened. Why is she no longer with those kids she loves? She’s got to be so confused. And the kids, well, either they’re going remember and love this girl until the day they die or they’re going to be raised to get rid of a dog or cat if it’s too much of a bother to take care of her. Perhaps I am too harsh. Perhaps I actually see the world as it is. Somebody with a good heart, go get Pebbles and show her humans will love her forever. Help me off this soapbox before a slat snaps and I wind up trying to sneak into a hospital for treatment for breaking something in my non-bouncing breakable posterior.]
Again, the contact point for saving any of these dogs is
call or text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com.
SAINT BOUNCES BACK
TO MESQUITE SHELTER
Oh, brother. Look at this beautiful dog. What a story.
First, he is a mixed breed (possibly Canaan Dog/Carolina Dog and some more) who wound up in the Mesquite Animal Shelter when the police brought him in on December 11. The report from shelter volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm reminds us that Saint’s human died from a medical issue. The famiy wasn’t able to take care of the 3-year-old, 59-pound dog with the mellow personality. 
So, once at the shelter, he was adopted and 12 days later, on January 9, he was returned to the shelter. Why? “Reason for the return was that she found out that Saint is heartworm positive and the fee was much higher than she could afford, so she brought him back to the shelter.” While he lived with this new human, Saint was an indoor dog, fine with other cats and dogs and kids and had been well-trained by his late owner. Obedient, sweet…and now his life is on the line because of the heartworm diagnosis.
 Somebody needs to rescue this dog. He’s #45995635. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283; email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
PORCHE; PROTECTING ANIMALS; A TUNE
Back to Porche, the dog who graced me Monday morning with her presence while the office cats Stevie Ray and William wandered off to nap elsewhere. Would you believe we paid $14,000 for this dog? Bought her from a cloning researcher who specializes in “Certified Urban Companion United Breeds” dogs — known to admirers of DNA fusion as the “CuCu.” (Pronounced “cuckoo.” The “B” for “breed” is silent.) She likes to work crosswords in the morning. Oh, I made all of that up — Porche’s a former street dog with a couple of family trees — didn’t cost us a dime. In Dallas, when people say the best things in life are free, they’re talking about the wandering dogs that village idiots have dumped or “set free.” In the meantime, I hope you’re in a position right now to take a moment, turn, cuddle your canine or cat. Helps the soul ease into the day. … 

I’M STILL TICKED about the story of Saint. You probably know people who don’t have a clue about heartworm prevention. Print this out and hand it to them. Dear Knucklehead: Heartworm prevention is available in pet stores — it’s not hidden in a safe; it’s on a shelf where you can purchase it. And it’s a lot cheaper than heartworm treatment, which I’m sure you’d never pay for as long as you needed the money for a facelift or something. Readlarrypowell.com has endured heartworm treatment with several dogs and while it gives you a chance to quietly bond with them because there’s no romping, no running, no daring behavior, it’s tough on an active dog — they think they’re being punished, I fear. While the treatment is tough for it’s “stillness”, it’s not as tough as the damned heartworms — they’re not just annoying, they’re fatal. But, heartworm prevention is  like spay-and-neuter — you just can’t convince some people to protect their animals by doing the smart things. I think the word “smart” scares the dumbasses. Pardon my entirely accurate French. Show us you’re no dumbass, get your animals protected and treated. Sincerely, Fan of Dogs and Cats and Some People.
OK, let’s close this with some music guaranteed to soothe our souls and get our minds right. Stand up, turn your speakers past “apartment level” and feel free to move when you click HERE unless a darned ad shows up before the song and then, well, be patient, then go nuts dancin’ with a falsetto.
—- Offer opinions or gleeful adjectives by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

EERIE PHOTOS, SHOES, MOUNT PLEASANT, MESQUITE, CATS, DOGS AND LIGHTS

EDITION OF MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021[PetPowellPress] First the pandemic and, then, on Sunday morning we're greeted by the Blizzard of '21. My comfortspouse Martha keeps hunting for that perfect pair of shoes -- the shoes that match a pair she bought 10 years ago and wore out and couldn't replace because the design was discontinued. Evil corporate decision — you’ve seen such things.
But in the week between Christmas and New Years’s Day she found the company had, in an act of corporate civility, restored that design and she quickly ordered the "familiar comfort" for her feet. 
The box arrived Saturday and, as snow fell on our home atop a hill on Sunday, Martha decided she'd open the box, slip her feet into the the comfort shoes and enjoy the warmth of the old familiar fitting.

I have included here a photograph of the pair of shoes in the box. Yep, a pair designed for someone who steps are always circling to the left.
 Somewhere there's another pair almost exactly like them.
We'll get to these mysterious lights in Contemplations. First some animals….
NORTHEAST OF THE METROSPRAWL:
A SHELTER IN MOUNT PLEASANT
Early last week we were in conversation with Cheryl Stephenson about the adorable adoptables at the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Texas. Where in East Texas. In Northeast Texas, right up I-30 about 90 minutes from Dallas.
[FYI: Mount Pleasant is also the home of a former Fort Worth mainstay, Sweet Shop USA, producer of renowned chocolate truffles and other delights. So, it’s possible that you could go to the Mount Pleasant shelter, get a cat or dog, stop at the Sweet Shop, and return to your home with more sweetness than anyone you know!]
Now, I don’t know how these cats feel about the chocolates, but I do know that Cheryl sent their photos as a reminder that there are adoptables awaiting the right humans not to far up the interstate. 
The top three cats are Bobbie, Ellie and Jazzy; the bottom three are Marnie, Mindy and Petie.
You think nobody from the Metrosprawl deals with Titus County Cuties? Here’s what I learned from Cheryl and it involves one of the rescue groups we have long-adored — adored, I’m telling you! 
A couple of Saturdays ago, Cheryl says, “Humane Tomorrow from Flower Mound came out to rescue some of our kitties. Oh my goodness, they ended up taking 12! We were beyond full and close to having to euthanize (I do not get involved in the EU – the animal control officers have seen me cry!).  Many cats had been there a good while.  Humane Tomorrow took the top ‘urgent’ cats.  Two of them were adults.  They didn’t intend to take adults, but the cats worked their magic and they were loaded up!  The pressure on cats is relieved but there are some black kitties and they are always slow to go!”

The Mount Pleasant adoptables are kept in “a wonderful, new state of the art shelter,” Cheryl says. And, as we all know, being state of the art doesn’t mean the clock’s not going to tick on unwanted animals. The Facebook link for the shelter is HERE.
And, as luck would have it, the first notice we read on that page Sunday was from Jan. 7 and read this way: “The Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter will be temporarily closed until further notice. If you have an animal related emergency or need immediate Animal Control assistance, please call the Mount Pleasant Police Department at 903-575-4004. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to be back open soon.”
You can also check with Cheryl’s Facebook page HERE to keep up with animal needs. She says, “You can see many of the pictures from Mount Pleasant on my page.  I volunteer only once a week. I would love to do more but my emotions get the best of me and I cannot get ‘attached’ to any more cats.  I need my sleep and positive attitude!!!”
Still, she confides, “I have also been known to transport kitties from MP shelter to Hillsboro, where they are picked up and transported to the Austin/Round Rock area.” They receiving organizations are usually Central Texas Feline Rescue, Austin Pets Alive and the Austin Humane Society.
 That’s a photo of the shelter’s dogs Cheryl posted on New Year’s Day. [LARRY ASIDE: It’s already the 11th of January, but those of us not involved in politics are really picking up speed now when it comes to helping other species, right?]
Go to the Mount Pleasant shelter website HERE and you can link to the Petango site with other MP animals awaiting homes, including that fabulous year-old mixed breed girl Midnight.
SEVERAL MUGSHOTS
FROM MESQUITE
We’re going to go with mugshots and one, maybe two, sentences for these Mesquite animals. Might be long sentences. Hard to believe there are so many “I don’t want you any more” dogs in the whole darned state of Texas, but, yep, like the weekly trash bin, somebody will dump ‘em. [DEAR READERS: At the end of each notice, we’ll tell you whose carefully written bio we mentioned to get more animals listed! Don’t hate me and my delete button.]
CINDER (#46379710) is a year-old, 51-pound German Shepherd mix surrendered on the 6th because “owners are moving.” He’s a couch-cuddler who is “OK” with dogs and cats; he knows “sit, lay and stay and is well-mannered. — DEBRA CHISHOLM
GORGEOUS (46188262) is “truly a gorgeous tri-color” Pittie surrendered Jan. 8 “in the field” because the 4-year-old, 54-pounds “of sweetness” had a human with financial difficulties. Cautious at first in the shelter, her biographer sat in the kennel with her “until she was comfortable with me” and the dog began to relax and feel safe.— JUDI BROWN.
AVA (46366153) A 3-year-old smoky gray Pittie arrived on Jan. 4 as a stray — she’s smallish at 41 pounds, recently had a litter and is a “real sweetheart!” who recently had pups and is motivated by treats. There’s this for the affectionate “loving, loyal” companion: “Her hazel eyes are gorgeous and speak to you.” — JUDI BROWN
DUKE (35954069) is a 5-year-old, 82-pound Pittie mix surrendered on Jan 6 “due to financial hardship.” A previous owner had not “complied with the contract” to neuter Duke, so he’ll need that, but this big dog, the bio says, “gets really happy and likes to jump but is just a big teddy bear.” — DEBRA CHISHOLM
KODA (46353541) is a 2-year-old, 52-pound Siberian Husky mix who was a “returned adoption” on January 2 — no reason given, but someone needed to dump him. He’s said to be OK on a leash, may be house-trained, “has an outgoing, confident and strong personality” and is energetic, spunky and playful” and who “enjoys receiving attention, who lives up to the Husky reputation of needing lots of exercise and a good fence. — DEBRA CHISHOLM

EDDIE (46362675) is a formerly stray Pittie mix who arrived on January 4 at 70 pounds — he’s about 6 and not neutered. But he’s friendly, has a sweet nature, walks well on a leash, can fetch balls, knows “Sit,” is “active though not hyperactive,” and needs some TLC — plus, “Eddie takes treats and can catch them in his mouth.” — DEBRA CHISHOLM
PANDA (46391301), a year-and-a-half-old, 58-pound Pittie/Whippet/etc. mix, came into the shelter on the 8th “because her owners had too many animals." She’s been decompressing since then, but warmed up to her biographer, followed her everywhere and “put her head on my lap and indicated she would’ve like to get up on the couch next to me.” Panda’s tail continually wags as she works her way through being timid — she’s an indoor dog who gets along well with adults and is “definitely very sweet wants to make friends.” — JUDI BROWN
That’s our Monday load of mugshots. To ask about them use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. One more mugshot? OK, you can see more Mesquite dogs and cats by clicking on the shelter’s site HERE. And unless someone has claimed him you’ll see this photo of #45435115, a nearly 2 1/2-year-old medium-sized fellow named Felix, as in Felix the Cat. He came in on the 9th. Where is he in the shelter? He’s in the “Cat Room.” Appropriately.
PLANNING VIRTUALLY AHEAD
AT THE SPCA OF TEXAS!
The 25th Anniversary Paws Cause is going virtual this year, according to the SPCA of Texas. As many of you recall, the Paws Cause benefits the Southern Dallas Spay/Neuter and Wellness Initiative and the Mary Spencer Clinic at Village Fair at I-35 South and Ledbetter.
Why is Paws Cause going virtual in 2021? Viral carryover from 2020, of course. 
The event will be “held virtually on Feb. 20, 2021,” the SPCA says.
Get more details at www.pawscausedallas.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
GHOST, AN ACCENT & A NECKLACE
We’ll get to explaining this eerie photo in a moment. … Sunday morning I was surfing the cable and ran across Ghost -- did you realize that film was released in 1990? It always feels so new when I watch it. Still, Martha and I saw it on a date before we got married! How's that for a film that time-travels well? .... In honor of Tom Brady leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past the Washington Football Team in the opening round of the NFL playoffs, I will now type the team's name as the great Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry always said it: "WAR shintun." Texas boy, you know. … Now that brings us to the eerie lights moving in our yard. Turns out Martha and her Rottie pal, Texas Earl the Cheeseman, teamed up with a necklace of battery-operated Christmas lights to add a twinkle of festivity to the night before the Blizzard of ’21. When you CLICK THIS VIDEO you’ll see an odd light display and ultimately Porche Noel having wondered just what the heck was going on and why didn’t she have a necklace of lights. When you CLICK THIS VIDEO
you’ll see Earl happily wearing the decoration of his favorite season. Yes, dogs are fabulous performers. Ours love applause. Feel free to clap.
—- Offer ideas or declarations by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

SLEEPING, NAPPING & PORCINE SHUTEYE

For this edition of our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we focus on some traditional barnyard snoozers who understand and appreciate having a warm, safe, comfortable place to nod off while watching cable TV. Or after a good meal, I guess.
So, this edition becomes Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, Nappng Cats Nap & Celebrate Porcine Shuteye.

A QUESTION: Can pigs capture the human heart?

Of course, they can. Read on: This photo was taken by the great animal advocate with Dallas rescue roots, Maggie Dahl, when she encountered the tableau a few days ago. Found ‘em in her garage one cold morning? No, of course not.
These pigs are at home on the New Mexico Farm Sanctuary at Tijeras, N.M. It’s accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. [LARRY ASIDE: For you travelers to the Land of Enchantment, Tijeras is along I-40, east of Albuquerque and west of the famed tourist stop, Cline’s Corners.]
So, what’s the story on these sleeping pigs! Maggie, a volunteer who has moved into a leadership role, began her note with “My Happy Place” and explained, “I arrived early today and Hemingway, Batty and SodaPop were still snoozing. Took a while to get them moving.”
Sometimes life throws you curveballs. That is what happened and it's how Maggie Dahl of the Metrosprawhl wound up in New Mexico with a farm sanctuary.

She explains, “After losing my son to suicide in 2018, I decided I needed to move closer to my family.  At end of 2019, I landed in the cool little village of Madrid, N.M., and knew I wanted to be involved in hands-on animal rescue again.  After being a vegetarian for 20 years, and recently vegan, a farm animal sanctuary sounded like a good fit. In 2020, I did a simple google search and found the New Mexico Farm Sanctuary was closest to me (40 minutes).  It was kismet.
“NMFS opened in late 2019 and their style fits my personal rescue philosophy… your rescued animals deserve the best shelter, food and vet care; don’t take in more animals than you can afford or physically can care for.  I started volunteering every Saturday.  I was recently asked to join the Board and am so proud to watch the sanctuary grow and our mission evolve. [LARRY FYI: We’re closing this Sleeper/Napper edition with the Mission Statement. First, what about the pigs…]
HEMINGWAY AND BATTY
Maggie’s note reads that Hemingway and Batty “came to the Sanctuary as our very first rescues before it were actually open. They were surrendered by someone who was told they were small pot-bellied pigs who needed a home. They are farm pigs that would grow to be over 600 pounds each.”
[LARRY ASIDE:  That photo of SodaPop, Batty and Hemingway is off the Sanctuary's Facebook page in a warm mid-December post!]
Maggie continues, “As they [Hemingway and Batty] grew, they were moved to different places in different states; they were abused and moved from place to place by hitting them with iron pipes. They ended up in a vacant lot in winter with a small, one-horse metal trailer with no roof as their shelter. The owners gave them [the Sanctuary] 24 hours to remove the pigs or they would take them to auction.
“The Sanctuary was originally only going to give them space until they could be moved since we had not yet taken in any animals.  We had the land purchased and the fencing completed, but there were no structures or barns built and we didn't even have a name picked out! We threw up some cattle panels and stuffed the only standing structure on the property with straw, bought some heat lamps and ran an electrical cord from the house to the structure. They came in the dark, freezing rain and cold and shuffled off the trailer into the shed. They were terrified and untrusting and pretty beat up.”
SODAPOP AND PONYBOY
That's SodaPop in the cap.
“Four months after getting Hemingway and Batty (and 6 barns, 3 garages, 4 paddocks, and a goat later), Pony and SodaPop came on our radar.  Pony was small and was found in the back of a feed store garage where he was left to die, as they no longer wanted to spend money feeding him. He had developed an infection due to the unsanitary conditions the pigs were kept in and he was no longer an asset that could be sold, but a liability that needed medical attention.
“The first vet said it would take money and time and he would likely not live - they should simply put him down. He was given multiple surgeries and after a lengthy recovery time, he did survive and has grown into the gentlest boy we have. He is kind and currently raising the two piglet girls that the sanctuary rescued in October!
“SodaPop was originally sold on Craigslist as a 'Teacup' pig. Given that there is no such thing, it was discovered he was in actuality a farm pig that was a few days old.  He was raised with PonyBoy and they bonded together as Pony recuperated from his infection and surgeries. He now hangs with Batty and Hemingway and during the day he and Mocha the Goat can be found napping under the big pine at the back of their pasture.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: That's Mocha the goat preparing for a well-balanced meal. And see that photo of PonyBoy snoozing — those are the piglets Dolly and Jolene. Dolly and Jolene — hmm, that sounds so familiar…. musical, you know? And here’s a link to PonyBoy discovering how easy it is to operate the “treat ball.”
Like most animal rescue and support groups, there’s a need for financial support. Maggie included these links in her explanation of the slumbering pigs: PayPal; Venmo; Patreon; and Amazon Wish List.

Maggie says, “We will always be a small sanctuary.  We are hoping to add 2 baby goats in March and possibly 2 cows in the spring (one dairy cow, and one who would have been used for meat) at which point we will be at capacity.  Our animals will live their lives out at the Sanctuary.  We do not adopt them out, but use the Sanctuary to promote our mission.”
While this young Sanctuary has an animal-focused mission, it also has touched one person as gently and affirmatively as it has touched its “residents.”
Here’s what Maggie wrote, in case you’re wondering about an animal-related mission: “Finding NMFS has been my ‘Saving Grace.’ Taking care of these animals is an honor and developing a relationship with each unique individual soothes my soul.  After several months, Hemingway and I have become good friends (or maybe he’s more friends with his favorite tomatoes that I bring him!) The founders, Julie and Gabriel Cerros, are now treasured friends. I am so incredibly grateful.😊”
That's Batty's mugshot....It's a face more than just a mother could love, to borrow from the ol' line.
The organization’s mission statement reads: “New Mexico Farm Sanctuary is a farm animal sanctuary and protection organization that promotes compassionate vegan living through education, conservation and advocacy. We exist to show how everyday choices make a difference to both sentient beings and the planet.”
[DEAR READERS: SEND PHOTOS OF YOUR SLEEPING OR NAPPING SENTIENT BEINGS to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll post their photos and bios in our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap (Etc.). You’ll be inspiring humans and you’ll be suggesting to the world’s insomniacs that when the bed fails to let you sleep, fill the bedroom or the garage with hay, cue soft music, apply gentle heat and nod off.]
—- Offer opinions or pig note by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put ‘save ‘em all’ in the subject line. —-

A FRIDAY EDITION THAT GETS PERSONAL AND STILL PRESENTS DOGS AND CATS IN NEED

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 [PetPowellPress] I’m tired of fouled up days and nights of anxiety wondering what’s happening next.
So, here’s a bit of focus on something happy. You can still see Monk in re-runs. I found a Stevie Ray Vaughan CD I’d never opened, got our Bose Radio/CD player out of its storage place and cranked up Stevie Ray’s Texas Flood. Click HERE and ignore the advert. It’s America, everybody’s got a right to make an annoying buck.

Now, one more upbeat thing: Contrary to any healthy diet on the whole darn planet, I ate pimento cheese with Fritos Scoops and didn’t once wonder whatever happened to King-Size Fritos.
See, that’s advancement in the modern world — being able to say goodbye to a former member of the basic food group “CHIPS.” Screaming Yellow Zonkers are gone, too. Didn’t even flinch when I read that.
See that dog Wendy? She loves Fritos. For the right money, she’ll sign on as a Fritos spokesdog. Heck, I’ll put on a dog suit for the right amount of money. It’s 2021 — it’s a dog eat chips world. That line reminds me of the Norm Peterson quote from Cheers. “It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m wearin’ Milkbone underwear.”
As I looked at Wendy trying to persuade me to share chips, I thought, “With those whiskers, she looks like a mix of a Bird Dog, a Boxer and a California Sea Lion. We oughta be able to exploit all that for a profit!” 
OK, my ambling through the disconnected brain completed, let’s focus on helping some animals and the people who help them. HERE GOES:
THAT LITTLE GARLAND DOG
In our previous edition, we outlined the challenge of trying to help animals if there are no contact points listed in the emailed or posted appeals. Our pal Karen Lee at barkleyworld.com is on the brink of being declared “Investigative Reporter of the Year.” She searched and found a connection and another and some more and tracked the upbeat news to the area Wine To the Rescue group
The response includes that Wine To The Rescue is looking for donations to help with vet care for the Garland dog with the broken jaw. WTTR’s home page is HERE.  It’s phone is (972) 567-8666. And it’s email is bark_at_us@winetotherescue.org.
The story Karen sent to us begins with WTTR’s note: “Wine to the Rescue  is asking for donations. It takes a village... We received a plea to help a poor dog in the Garland Animal Services from Living the Doxie Dream Rescue and Sanctuary. We knew we needed to help but couldn’t get to her so we called our partner. Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, Inc. - DFW Region who picked her up for us and immediately took her to our Doctors at Preston Royal Animal Clinic of Dallas, TX.

“Had this not come together she wouldn’t be here tonight. This sweet girl had been roaming the streets for well over a week with a broken jaw. In pain and unable to eat she’s suffered but today [Tuesday or Wednesday] her life changed! This yet to be named girl underwent surgery at 3 p.m. The jaw was completely broken and separated. Infection had set in so the only option was to remove it. She did fantastic and is in recovery. While she has a long road ahead we are so hopeful. …”

A posting on WTTR’s Facebook gave some great hope for this dog. The writer explained that it was the front mandible so they removed that piece but were able to close it in the front. She looks like she has an overbite but will be able to eat soft food and even hard food in a few weeks. She has her back teeth. … She’s doing really good considering.”
[LARRY ASIDE: While she was at Garland, she was known as “Patricia.” We don’t know if that’s still the case but we’ve made inquiries. And it’s possible that someone kicked her or hit her with something. People are villains, sometimes. That's what I hear.]
PRADA AND JUBILEE NEED PATH
OUT OF THE CARROLLTON SHELTER
The City of Carrollton Animal Shelter is trying to find places or a place for these two cats to go and avoid death due to ringworm. Prada (on the left) and Jubiliee, have ringworm.
A note from Senior Animal Specialist Vanessa Johnson says, “We are needing to get Prada and Jubilee out ASAP; we will not be able to hold them past Monday, Jan. 11, 2021,  at 5 p.m." Vanessa’s the contact at 972-466-3420 or vanessa.jonson@cityofcarrollton.com.
Prada (#4637225) is about 8 years old and came into the shelter as a stray. Vanessa’s note says, “She is a friendly girl who has ringworm. Due to this, we are looking to get her out of the shelter ASAP so it does not spread to the other animals in our shelter. She is available to be pulled now.”
Jubiliee (46372214) looks young, but also is an 8-year-old cat. [LARRY ASIDE: I checked with the shelter -- Jubilee looks young, but is 8, they say.]
Jubilee also came into the shelter as a stray, Vanessa says. And she has the same pressure of being placed somewhere else without spreading the ringworm. It’s treatable, but it’s pretty darned contagious and a challenge for a taxpayer-financed animal shelter.
ONE MORE ANIMAL NAMED PRADA;
SHE’S AMONG MESQUITE’S ADORABLES
How about those eyes! Mesquite volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown provides the background on 3-year-old Lab/Shepherd mix Prada, a stray who arrived on December 28. She’s just now up for adoption because there was a chance that her human would show up. “Unfortunately,” Judi writes, “The owner did not come for this sweet girl. She is on the timid side and will need a slow introduction and TLC. Because of her lack of trust, she does not make a good presentation at the window.” Changes once she's out “in the yard.” Probably hasn’t had a lot of socialization but is motivated by treats, Judi says. And she says the 50-pound dog “would love to go home with you and snuggle up in a doggy bed or on warm blankets on the couch next to you.” Her ID is 46333265.
And Judi also had a visit with Milo, a year-old, 55-pound Plott Hound surrendered to the shelter on January 2 “because the owners were moving and couldn’t take him with them.” She says his “brindle markings make him a very handsome, outstanding dog!”
And he’s energetic, playful, friendly, outgoing, fun-loving — plus, she says, he was “raised with teenagers but would most likely do well with younger children, also.” He’s been an indoor dog. And he loves playing in the yard at the shelter. Milo’s ID is 46356196.
Also waiting in Mesquite is Hercules. Judi says he’s a 2-year-old, 72-pound Pittie mix surrendered on the 4th “because his owners were moving to an apartment. His coat is smokey gray with a slight tinge of brown and he has hazel eyes.” He lived in his former home for a year. Judi writes, “He was an indoor dog and even though it was a relatively nice day, he kept going to the door wanting to go in. The current owners that surrendered him had had him for one year. Apparently he formed a deep bond with these owners as he was whimpering and crying during the photo shoot. It was so sad! The good news is that he is capable of deep feelings and loyalty.”
Debra Chisholm, who also writes bios of Mesquite dogs, provided this one of Sunny, a 2-year-old, 55-pound “sweetheart” of a girl who is “mostly German Shepherd and a bit of Canaan Dog/Carolina Dog in the mix.  She arrived on Jan. 2 as a stray … Sunny is truly a sweetheart who is very uneasy, timid and nervous in the shelter and is just beginning to feel more comfortable.  She continues to be a bit standoffish until she gets to know you and then warms up.  She does walk nicely on a leash, although a bit hesitantly, and when led through the bay she did not show any aggression toward the other dogs--but rather intimidation. Sunny has a low-key and mellow personality and is a calm and gentle girl.  She is not interested in taking treats.  She will need a bit of extra TLC and a chance to warm up in her own timing.  However, when she does she will undoubtedly be the most devoted and loving companion.  Her ID is 463544521.
Remember, to ask about any of these Mesquite animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
And you can see these animals and more by going to THIS MESQUITE SHELTER LINK.
What? Are there cats? Why, yes there are! For example that gray cat with orange highlights is the beautiful Krystal, a girl who is a little more than a year old and arrived at the shelter on the 4th — ready to go to a new home, you know. As is Brandy, a “wee-little” 2-month-old girl who came in before Christmas. Ready to get a 2021 home and enjoy life outside the shelter.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE….
As a husband, when you hear the dogs barking and look out the window to see a guy carrying a big flower arrangement to the front door, you wonder “What the heck?” You think, “Who signed that card?” Turns out this arrangement was for my funspouse Martha in honor of her 15th anniversary at The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. The Council is a non-partisan non-profit that focuses on helping people in the Metrosprawl understand current affairs, current issues and historical events — it pulls in authors, personalities, international figures and people who have an ability for understanding and explaining global dynamics. My cleverspouse Martha describes The Council as “The best beach I ever washed up on.” High praise for her — she used to work for a big city newspaper and left it to start a very successful pet-sitting service. She explained to one editor, “I’d rather work with animals than with editors.” She didn’t know me when I was an editor. I’m pretty darned proud of her — she’s entertaining, adorable and enchants dogs and cats. And an old goat. …
Snow? Really? Potential snow in the Metrosprawl during the weekend? I’m tempted to leave our Christmas decorations up for photographic reasons. Still, I prefer a safe, dry street. Why, I don’t know? Every car wreck I’ve had was on a dry, sunny street. See next item. ….
The day was dry and nice on December 18 when a guy swerved into my lane without looking and sideswiped the driver’s side of my beloved 2013 Ford Edge on I-30 east entering Grand Prairie. He pretended to be pulling over as I struggled to steer my car out of the Highway 161 exit and back onto the freeway. As I slowed to park for the info swap, he took off. I followed and took photos — that’s one of them. So, to the guy who was driving the small black Dodge: I got a clear photo of your plate as you fled the scene. I got really clear photos of your paper license plate, buster. Know what that means? Both the officer who helped me fill out the wreck form and my insurance guy said (in almost the same phrasing), “Good picture! Tag is clear. Yeah, usually these things are worthless.” 
Nobody was physically injured, though I did pull the muscles in my lower back while trying to climb over the console and get out via the passenger door. And, when I lifted my right leg up to move over the console, my size 10 1/2 sneaker kicked the control knob off the windshield wiper lever. No more driving in the rain. 
So, Dear Driver I Never Met, aka “Uninsured Driver who fled scene,” may that freeway accident make you the most cautious driver in all of North Texas. Drive safely. Drive smartly. 
I’m figuring you’re a young guy who didn’t know that you needed to pull over, stop and swap insurance info. What really makes me happy is the thought that you drove stray home and when you got there, your momma saw what you’d done to her new car and she spanked you until you cried snot-slinging tears. Wait, isn’t that a 20th century reaction?
OK, there’s this: You should know that I’m going to get a novel out of our encounter because I think you may have been a space alien trying to blend in with earthlings who weave behind the wheel. Cue the spooky music. And stay in your lane, putz.

— Offer motoring advice or lucky lotto numbers by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR THURSDAY: DOGS, CATS AND A MONUMENTAL CAT NAMED FOR A SNAKE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Well, in the words of a veteran people-watcher, “Dang, now I’ve seen about everything.”
OK, let’s leave the human behavior and move into a more positive arena of the American heart: helping animals.
I’m going to have to ask Kellen of Lancaster to gaze hypnotically from sea-to-shining-sea and urge Americans to settle down and embrace each other’s right to political opinions. Speaking as a former reporter, I can tell you it’s easier to understand the answer to a question if you’re not having to think about ducking! This is the land of many freedoms and we want to keep ‘em all, including “freedom to shoot off yer mouth in a humorous fashion!” More on spell-binding Kellen later in this report.
FASCINATING EYES AND OTHER TALES
OF ANIMALS NEEDING HOMES
Look at the shiny orbs on Blue. We got the tip on this 2-year-old, 78-pound boy from animal advocate Kelly Haferkamp who spotted the Mesquite Animal Shelter resident’s biography by Jamie Dotson. Blue was an owner-surrender on the 2nd — the owner was moving and Blue couldn’t go. The bio says he’s a “very happy boy.” He’s in need of some “training to help curb his over-zealous behavior.” Loves to be petted and has a “tail that keeps wagging with a big smile on his face.” Lived outside most of his life and has an alpha dog tendency. (#46336489)
And you can click HERE to see Blue ecstatic over getting some petting and scratching — he is one happy dog!!
Kelly also forwarded a note from Danni Alcantara, Mesquite Animal Shelter & Rescue Supervisor, abut Lady, a Cane Corso mix who came into the shelter as a surrender on November 25 — “financial hardship reasons.” That was the day before Thanksgiving — so, gee, uh, thanks, right? Lady (#46166378) is a strong dog — she’s 4, not spayed and weighs more than 100 pounds. Needs a strong human to help her learn to be a well-behaved dog.
Here’s the rub: She’s been at the shelter for 43 days today.

In some cases, it’s the eyes and the ears. We cite this boy Junior (#46342544) in the Mesquite shelter. Our tipster, the volunteer Mesquite dog biographer Debra Chisholm, wrote, “Junior is an attractive American Pit Bull mix who was abandoned on 1/1 after having been with his owner for three days.  He weighs 45 pounds, is 2 years old and is not neutered. … Junior knows the sit command, will sit for treats and takes them gently. He walks well on a leash.  Junior is fearful and nervous and not comfortable in the shelter environment.  He is skittish at sudden noises.  However, he is friendly and wants to stay close to a human companion when he warms up. Unfortunately he does not present himself well at his kennel window, but out of his kennel he is a different dog.  Junior really does have potential to be a wonderful and loyal companion but in my opinion just needs to learn to trust.  He has been with at least two owners so please give him another chance.”
Judi Brown, our veteran tipster in the art of dog biography at Mesquite, sent a note about this guy Patch. The 10-month-old, 54-pound Pittie mix was surrendered to Mesquite on January 4 — and why was that? Here’s a beaut, Dear Readers. “Because the owners were not allowed to continue tethering him due to city ordinances.”
Judi wrote, “Besides having beautiful coloring, Patch is such a pleasure to be around. He’s a happy go lucky, fun loving, playful, tail wagging, friendly guy that appears to love everyone and everything. You probably noticed in some of his photos he appears to be smiling. He gets so excited that his whole body wiggles!  He sits for treats and would continually sit wanting to be rewarded. He chases balls and brings them back. He will entertain himself with balls he finds. He rolls over willingly for belly rubs. He’s extremely affectionate. According to the owner surrender form his last owners had only had him for three months. So now counting the shelter he has had three different homes. Hopefully the next family that adopts him will give him a forever home” Patch is #45580330.
We’ll close the canine report with Obo, a 45-pound, 2-year-old Black Mouth Cur/Shepherd mix surrendered because of “financial reasons.” Judi wrote, “I had to spend time sitting in his kennel in order to get him comfortable with me. Obo is on the timid side and will need time to build trust. He flinches, cowers and when you raise your hand, he darts off. With TLC, he comes around. He definitely wants loving. He liked having his ears scratched. ….
"He’s a pretty boy with dark eyes and a gorgeous fluffy tail.” He’s #46356426.
Remember, to ask about any Mesquite animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Also, remember to use the ID numbers. An "ID" helps with — get this — identifying the animal you’re trying to help.
A DOG IN GARLAND,
ACCORDING TO REPORTS
We got a few versions of this note, but they all read about the same and they all seem reliable.  Something's missing. They’re appealing for help for Patricia (A249135), an injured girl who may be in Garland Animal Services. The story is she was found “stray and injured” and appears to have a broken lower jaw. The note says the 17.5-pound dog “acts fearful, but let staff gauze-tie the jaw for stability. She was administered pain meds and is in need of immediate rescue.”
And, according to the note going around, as you may suspect, every organization that usually takes these little dogs is already full of “Holiday Season” little dogs who have been found, surrendered or somehow wound up unwanted or injured.
[LARRY EXPLANATION: So, here’s the skinny on this. In none of the forwarded notes is there a clear contact point for getting in touch with someone so you can help this dog. We can’t tell if the dog is still in the shelter or has been rescued or has been euthanized. There’s no number to call, no email to address. So, if someone knows for sure, let us know and we’ll tell as many people as we can that Patricia needs some help right damn fast. Please.]
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE LAND
OF THE 4-LEGGED HELPERS
We began Wednesday’s report with a photo of the same dog with which we began this report: Kellen the Husky or, maybe, Husky mix. He’s in the Lancaster Animal Shelter and 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small shelters, is trying to find a safe place for him. He was found as a stray. Our tipsters say, He is such a cute dog. And he is awesome with other dogs — so calm — great with boy and girl dogs alike.” He’s available on the 11th unless his real-life owner shows up and claims him.

The dog with the snack is Isabella. She’s fixed and microchipped and listed as a CorgiShepherd mix. The 4-Legged Helpers say that “some people asked for help in finding her a home. Fortunately she did not have to go to the shelter because we found a foster for her. ….Awesome with other dogs. ….She even likes chickens. Adores children. She may be an older girl, but that’s OK — she has so much love to give.” And she’s not very big. 

Adorable Shelby is a Flat Coat Retriever mix who becomes available on Friday. “Her soft fur swirls.” and she is “baby sweet and precious,” her bio reads.
This girl is Ryleigh, a female mix “of some kind.” She “adores other dogs.” …”Poor baby has clearly been lost — she is very emaciated and desper- ately needs out of the shelter. She is a wonderful loving cuddlebug….”
[LARRY ASIDE: And from her photos, you can see that she’s developed the talent of “leaning.”]
That brings us to Taffy, a young “Pocket Shepherd Mix” who got these descriptors “cute, energetic, sweet, fun, silly, playful” and she “really loves other dogs, too.”
And, don’t forget Brent (left) and Evie. Evie’s the girl who showed up in a guy’s garage as she attempted to hide from the recent cold rain. Adorable Brent was found in a traditional southern Dallas County dog dumping area — some creep “got rid of him” and a good-hearted soul took him in.
We’ll close with the very regal Pebbles.
She's a female “Blue & White Bully” who was an “owner release from unable to care for her. Said she adored their children. She is really stunning in person — beautiful face and eyes. Would make someone a wonderful companion.”
To ask about ANY of these animals, call or text Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE IMPORTANCE OF CATS (THE COMPANIONS, NOT THE MOVIE)
The official stance of readlarrypowell.com is that cats are important to the happiness of humans. Here you see my personal dog Porche Noel on her “Hippy Mat of Tranquilizing Meditation” — she is teaching her patented course “HipMatTranqMed” to her young pal, Stevie Ray, the household’s Apprentice Office Cat.
Stevie Ray also has dreams of being in the ballet —as you can see from his leg-stretching exercise.
In the meantime, that big tabby is one of our formerly feral kittens. She is Martha’s personal cat, the beloved Esme, named after the snake in the Chevy Chase/Goldie Hawn film Foul Play. In this case, as Martha explained, “This is Esme doing her Sphinx impression.”
 We love cats, our dogs love cats, our cats love cats and our cats love dogs. We’re an American expression of household love. And if you stand on that rug with Porche, you’ll feel tranquil from the ankles up. Your toes might feel like dancin’. It’s a tranquil conflict within the sole.
—- Offer tips or gripes by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com —-

HYPNOTIC EYES; HUSTLING FOR ANIMALS AND SHANNON'S FOSTERED; A TOP CAT; FACES, POLITICAL POWER AND THE YEAR

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to an abbreviated version of our report — we're calling it Juggling Wednesday. Lots of things in the way of our usual business. I have called upon this dog Kellen to look hypnotically into your eyes and help all of you with juggling your daily business and
AN UPDATE ON SHANNON
We told the story in Tuesday’s edition of the heart-felt efforts being put forth by 4-Legged Helpers to save a girl named Shannon from losing out to ringworm.
The dog needed a foster or a rescue in order to prolong her treatment. And 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias reported first thing this morning, “We found a foster for Shannon finally. … We try so hard….” [LARRY ASIDE: You veteran rescuers know exactly what that feels like — you keep hustling and you find yourself on the verge of tears until the right things fall together and a miracle appears for an animal nobody wanted.”]
Feels good when you get that break, doesn't’ it. Makes me want to get a skywriter to stream “PRAISE THE RESCUERS!” across the Metrosprawl — except, of course, it was so cloudy when I wrote this that nobody would even look up! But if I win Lotto Texas tonight…look up on the next sunny day!

We’ll keep you posted on the progress of Shannon — she’s the kind of dog somebody wants. Get in touch with 4-Legged Helpers by emailing cat_girl_71@yahoo.com or call or text 214-949-2726. Those are the contact points for these dogs, too.
Here are some coming attractions for our next editions.


 

 

 

 

You’ve met Kellen The Hypnotic Dog already. There’s Rylie the Leaning Dog, Isabella the Snack-Nibbler and baby Shelby, the affectionate young pupster. More later on these.
IN THE MEANTIME, A COOL CAT
GETS AN ENDORSEMENT
Every now and then I’ll drop in on the Facebook page of David Maldonado, the Lifesaving Initiatives Coordinator for the SPCA of Texas. What caught my eye this time was that cat. Looks famous, doesn’t he? Might be some day, I guess.
David’s message reads, “Do I have any friends in the market for the coolest cat there ever was? Hobbs was a cat that hung around our shelter for close to a year. Recently he decided the streets are no place to live so he just walked right in our front door.
“We think he is about 6 years old, 13lbs, will be neutered [Tuesday], FIV+.
“Hobbs has the coolest temperament. He loves belly rubs, chin/heads scratches, as well just hanging out on your lap.
He will be available soon through the SPCA of Texas. Let me know if you might be interested in him!” David’s Facebook page is HERE.
[LARRY ASIDE: As you know, there are lifestyle restrictions regarding an FIV-positive cat. But that doesn’t mean the cat won’t have a long, affectionate and enjoyable life with the right human being. The SPCA can explain all that to you.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
FACES. DATES AND SOCKS
Sometimes it’s the faces that get to me. Here are 4 from the current inventory at Dallas Animal Services.
Personalities come through those eyes and muzzles, don’t they! (See more at dallasanimalservices.org.)

Every time I click onto the DAS online/Facebook pages, I look back to the time when you almost could not find out what dogs and cats were available for adoption in the City of Dallas shelter. It was the political power of the rescuers and the animal advocates that changed the attitudes in Official Dallas. Bless all of you stubborn, hard-working and animal-loving people. You changed things for the better in Big D. It’s a constant mission. …
Ever think about how infrequently these days you have to rewrite the date on a personal check? With a debit card, there is no scratching out 2020 and scrawling a tiny 2021 in the corner. ….
Here’s a Christmas story: I was bragging to a friend of mine that for Christmas Martha gave me what I wanted — a battery-operated, handheld vacuum to tidy up around the door to the office cats’ litter box. And my pal replied, “I got battery-operated heated socks. That’s the last time I tell my husband my feet are cold.” Yep, that story enhanced my happy new year.
—- Offer advice or alarm by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and telling us your holiday triumphs. —-

SHANNON'S RINGWORM; NIKKI'S ROPE; SANDI RETIRES & AND A PUPPY NAMED HOPE

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Some days are more rotten than others. Having declared that uplifting reality, we’ll now focus on helping animals.
FYI: Thank you for reading this far into the daily report. It's a car thing. So, more annoying than threatening. Maybe later this week I'll try to explain it. In the meantime, focus on helping animals.
RINGWORM IS THE CULPRIT,
AND THE GOAL IS SAVING A LIFE
[LARRY NOTE: This is Shannon. In my decades of writing about animals, I have encountered needless cruelty committed by humans with guns, fire, poisons, duct tape around the muzzle, etc. I have also encountered needless deaths because of such contagious problems as mange and ringworm. Today we have a chance to help Shannon dodge euthanization because of ringworm. There are shelters that immediately euthanize dogs and cats with ringworm to prevent an outbreak. Humans get to wear masks and socially distance when threatened — dogs and cats with ringworm sometimes are at the mercy of financial ability and policy and wretched luck. Here’s a moment with Shannon —a moment FOR Shannon. She has some humans trying to help her, but they cannot do it without assistance. These photos of Shannon are provided to us by 4-Legged Helpers.]
Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden have been, via non-profit 4-Legged Helpers, trying to get this girl’s ringworm problem cleared up so she can be lined up with a rescue group and find a happy life. But ringworm expenses knocked that train off the tracks.
Laura told me, “She has only ringworm and it is so sad! We need either a foster committed or another rescue. We prefer another rescue. We just can't do anything. At this point she may die and we will be out of rescue because we can't save anymore without the money. NO money, no dogs leave Texas. It costs $150 to transport and $100 to get rabies and health certificate with shots and HW test. So this is it for us over ringworm!!! Crazy: a rescue getting shut down over a case of ringworm.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Anybody involved in rescue knows this stuff isn’t free. I quoted Laura’s “getting shut down over a case of ringworm” so that people who don’t usually get deeply involved in rescue — i.e., “I found a cat. She might be sick” or “A puppy wandered up to my house.” — will know that rescuers give more than their time and their hearts to the cause of saving animal lives. This is an opportunity to join in and save a life.]
If you can foster this dog until she’s healthy or if your rescue group has a way to tend to Shannon and help her heal, get in touch with Laura by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo. com. The paypal for donations is helpingshelterbabies@gmail.com. You can also donate on the 4-Legged Helpers. Inc. Facebook page.
Leighann’s note about Shannon says 4-Legged Helpers got involved with trying to save Shannon in September, and now, in January, she’s still in boarding with no place to go. She spent all of December in treatment. But time and money are running out simultaneously.
Leighann adds, “Please, please help save her. You won’t regret it. This is a sweet cuddly girl that only wants to be loved. It’s not her fault she got ringworm. …Being in air and sunshine could make all the difference for her.”
AT ANGIE’S FRIENDS,
NIKKI ’S ODD CHALLENGE
You’ve probably seen this by now but in the spirit of reminding people to be kind to animals, I’m re-posting it on behalf of Nikki the Cat and in honor of the Fairy Dogmother of Dallas Angie Manriquez and the organization she inspired, Angie’s Friends. 
I’ve been around a while and this is a picture of a cat in a situation that I’ve never encountered. I’ve seen dogs with collars grown into their necks, dogs with their muzzles taped shut, dogs with their ears cut off by amateurs and villains…you get the drift. I even remember the story of that Texas vet who killed a cat by shooting it with an arrow through the head. But I’ve never before seen a cat that looks as if she’d been roped by a guy trying to loop hind legs.
There is some question whether this feral Nikki actually was roped or accidentally roped herself. Feral cats get in screwy situations sometimes on their own. Sometimes it’s not on their own.
I’m coming down on the side of “was roped” because I think that, had she been free to do so, she might have chewed that rope off her ankle. Also, there’s plenty of evidence in this world that there are some freaky bad people roaming here and there.
Fortunately, there are good people, too. And this was posted with the photos on the Angie’s Friends Facebook page Monday. I’m not sure who wrote this, but it reads like it came from the heart. Here goes: “Please, we really need your help & support! We know that some people have a hostile attitude toward feral cats, and Nikki somehow got tied up, literally, by one.

“Nikki's been in pain with a steamed-bun-looking foot caused by the cruel rope, and it took Angie several days to finally trap her while caring for Nikki's colony, and then take her to the vet.

“Nikki needs to be hospitalized for more than a week to receive laser treatments for the badly swollen foot. While other existing medical bills have piled up, Angie could never refuse Nikki the care she needs to heal, and maybe someday to find a home.
“Please help us to pay for Nikki's medical care; even just a few dollars from each of us can bring a significant change to Nikki's life.”
Donate at these links: https://angiesfriends.org/how-to-help/ and https://angiesfriends.org/about/.

Some of the responses on the Facebook page are worth repeating. One reads, “This looks deliberate - may karma catch up with the person(s) that did this to a helpless cat.” And another reads, “Ole Lucifer is waiting on the person that did this!!!” Might be. Or Ole Lucifer might have been with him giving directions when Nikki was roped. [LARRY ASIDE: This doesn’t have theological backing, but now and then I’m almost convinced that humans will do things that not even the devil wouldn't do. I'm probably wrong,]
CONTEMPLATIONS

A RETIREMENT; A STILL-FRESH MEMORY
Sandi Laird, a mainstay at Operation Kindness since way back in the 20th century, retired on the last day of 2020 —you can count that triumph as one more thumb-of-the-nose at 2020 and one GREAT thing for Sandi beginning in 2021. 
Speaking as both a long-time newspaper columnist in Dallas and a writer of critter lore for decades, Sandi was a steady lifesaver many times, especially when my rescuespouse Martha and I would find unwanted dogs or cats but we had already filled up our household with street dogs and feral cats. Sandi always worked hard to find that extra room in the shelter.

But there was this one particular cold winter evening when we got to go look for a dog, not just encounter one. We had a request from Sandi.
It was many years ago. Sandi called us about 11 p.m. and said she’d seen a story on TV news about a house fire in southeast Oak Cliff. As the humans were rushed away for critical medical care, a maybe 10-week-old puppy had been left on the property. 
Could we get it, she wanted to know. Of course, we could — we theorized. We were always up for midnight-hour rescue adventures.

Without Sandi, we’d not have known this incredible feeling of helping this little puppy. 
Yes, we would try to get the dog — two people out of our traditional element (daylight).

At the site of this residential fire, we stepped carefully through the darkened scene and crawled around to look under the still-smoking house. We really didn’t know what we were looking for other than “a puppy.” 
And, after about 20 minutes of squinting through the remnants of smoke and the nearly lightless night, we found the little girl huddled next to a support under what was once her home. She had no other place to go — she probably wasn’t old enough to know there were other places.

She was gray, covered with smokey ash, a puppy who’d wag her tail and look at us as if we were longtime friends. Her hair felt “bristly” — later we’d learn she’d been “singed” in the fire.
 We quickly got her to the emergency clinic. And the Operation Kindness medical people took over her care a few hours later.

Several of us fell for that little survivor, of course. But living through a fire is sometimes so very difficult. A few days later Sandi called, and speaking through really tough tears, told me that the little girl, being treated for some burns and smoke inhalation, had been “doing just fine and then, suddenly, her heart gave out.” We loved a dog that didn’t live to be adopted by anybody. But her spirit survived, as I’ve just demonstrated by telling her story. Her name was, so very appropriately, Hope.
Through the years Sandy was part of lots of stories of trying to beat the odds with animals facing challenges. She also was part of lots of stories of dogs and cats that made their ways into the homes and hearts of loving people who adored them every day.
Such work is a mission of goodness and grace. You don’t pull that off without having a heart bigger than Texas, dear Sandi Laird.
In honor of Sandi, bless all the animals and the people who are helping them.

— OFFER CONGRATS AND HELPFUL NOTES BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENTS’ BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOL.COM. —-

ON MONDAY, ISN'T IT MARVELOUS TO BE NEARLY BACK TO NORMAL? A 5-DAY WORK WEEK?

EDITION OF MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Toward the end of the year, how many of you were worn out?
Yeah. I know. One word describes it: “Allofus.” That’s three words? Well, that’s how worn out some of us were. Didn’t have enough fuel left to put spacesbetweenthewords.
So, in keeping with the theme of our times, we’re going to make proper space between words. For example, see that dog: Could be a minpinmix. OK, MinPin mix. Ah, but, not so fast! Could be a Chihuahua. More later on this little cutie.
OLDER DANCER STILL HAS
PLENTY OF STEPS, BUT
NEEDS A PLACE TO GO
This guy is Dancer (#90774). The “SOS” appeal from our Denton tipster Amy Poskey reads, “Dancer is as cute as a bug’s ear but he needs our help!  He has severe dental disease, startles easily and will growl and snap at leashes in his kennel so he is RESCUE ONLY.  However, once he’s out of his kennel he is calm and doesn’t mind being picked up and carried around.  Bless his heart, he is also missing an eye so that might possibly explain why he startles easily."
[A DANCER UPDATE!!! We interrupt this previously posted item about Dancer to bring you an update from Amy Poskey. In mid-afternoon she writes, "I’m so happy to report that Roberta Womack with LUCY’S LOST LOVED ONES RESCUE will be pulling Dancer first thing in the morning!!!  THANK YOU ROBERTA!!!  And, thank you to Denise Primm with Salvaged Souls Pet Rescue and Chloe’s Pet Rescue for offering to take him, as well!  Thank you EVERYONE!!! If anyone would like to make a donation for Dancer’s care, please click on the link below.  No amount is too small.  Thank you!  Amy." Here's THAT LINK to Lucy's Lost Loved Ones. We now resume the original DANCER story from Amy.]
"Poor baby has been shuffled around so much he’s probably just scared in the shelter environment.  Personally, I think Dancer is PERFECT!”
Clearly older, a male, long-haired Chihuahua/Papillon mix, heartworm negative, fully vetted, appears house-trained and weighs a WHOPPING NINE POUNDS. His shelter link is HERE.
Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email any of the following: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com,  julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Ethel.Strother@cityofdenton.com, roxanna.burson@cityofdenton.com, Dorcas.Johnson@cityofdenton.com, Martinez.Erica@cityofdenton.com, Nicole.Heyer@cityofdenton.com.
IS THERE A SIGN THAT READS
WELCOME TO THE DOG DUMP?
There must be some signage somewhere in largely rural southern Dallas County that says, “FEEL FREE TO DUMP UNWANTED ANIMALS HERE.” So many of them get dumped out there. Not enough law enforcement to watch every hour of every day or even keep drones hovering over the area like some kind of science fiction patrol device.
This dog Brent, a young male Boxer mix, got lucky. Wound up in the home of someone who likes dogs. He’s now available for adoption or rescue but a good home would be great because rescues and shelters are crowded after the Traditional New Year’s/Day Rush of Terrified Animals.
Our tipsters at 4-Legged Helpers say, “This sweetest of sweet guys showed up at a Good Samaritan's home out in the rural area of Dallas County which is a known dumping area for dogs.  Why anyone would have dumped this sweetie pie is a complete mystery.  He is everything anyone would ever want in a dog and he adores people of all sizes including children.” The person who took the dog in “doesn't have a place for him (has other dogs) and needs somewhere for him to do and we don’t want him to go to the shelter.”
Then there’s Evie, also a Boxer mix, the Lancaster shelter says.
Evie’s bio reads: “Evie’s name is due to being found on New Year's Eve, :-)  This SWEET girl went into someone's garage when it was very cold and decided she would like to stay.  Sadly, that did not work out for her, but hopefully someone else will give her the warm cuddly home she deserves?  SHE IS JUST AS SWEET AS CAN BE.  INCREDIBLY LOVING.”

And we’ve mentioned this beautiful cat before, Smokey, the Gray Tortie described this way by 4-Legged Helpers: “SO SWEET - Beautiful young meow meow.  She has beautiful swirls of pastel but is mostly gray.  Gentle, sweet, and loving.  Fine with being held — purrs.  Very soft silky fur.”

For any of these animals (and many others on the southern side of the Big D sprawl, call or text 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
THE MYSTERY DOG TOSH
AND A SENIOR BOY DART
Take a look at these photos. They make Tosh the Chameleonic Chihuahua, don’t they. That sitting photo sure likes like he’s a Min Pin, and that may be part of his heritage — who knows? You think he looks “aggressive”? Read on.
We got these tips over the weekend from the volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm. Tosh is in the Monday list online, but Dart is not. You may already be too late to adopt DART. 
He may already have been adopted or rescued, but just in case, we’ll mention him anyway.
Tosh was surrendered to the Mesquite shelter on NEW YEAR’S EVE because, Debra reports, the former human said Tosh “is aggressive but did not say whether it was toward cats or other dogs.”
Tosh is a 10-year-old, neutered, 23-pound dog who “walks well on a leash.” He also “has an outgoing and confident personality. He seems to have been well cared-for He is frisky and spunky.” As you know, the dog biographers meet the animals they write about. Debra says Tosh “wanted to climb onto my lap a few times.  Former owner reports that he likes quiet time and is a bit of a loner, that he lived indoors and is OK with children. “ He’s #46351009.

Dart, also came into the shelter on New Year’s Eve. Why? Family’s moving and new home doesn’t have a fence, they said. Eight years old, 12 pounds, neutered. Debra reports, “At first he was timid, shy and a bit standoffish and had his tail tucked but as we got better acquainted, Dart warmed up and was happy to hang out with me.  He walks well on a leash and is an active and alert fellow.  Former owners said of him that he lived with other dogs and was fine with them, that he lived both indoors and outdoors, that he loves attention and is truly a lap dog.  He does not like cats.” He’s #46350269 if someone hasn’t already adopted him.
To ask about any of Mesquite animals, email rescues@cityofmesquite.com and call the shelter at 972-216-6283. Use their IDs to help with the adoption/rescue process.
And you can see more Mesquite Animal Shelter dogs and cats by going to THIS LINK.
You want a kitten? There are several at Mesquite — some grown cats, too. This kitten is Mint (#46308276) who came into the shelter on December 21. The shelter lists him at 2 months, 2 days, old. But he’s registering way off the “Cute Meter."
CONTEMPLATIONS
AN ASSORTMENT, SOME WITH FUSES…
In my first lengthy experience with neighborhood online reports, I’ve become enchanted with the complaints and the responses. For example here’s a weekend note: “Fireworks again, why no crackdown on this?” it began, followed with “I just don’t understand why our finest aren't cracking down on all the gun fire and fireworks. Its so inconsiderate. I have two dogs that just shiver and cower until it stops. I would love to wait till about 4:00 AM and stand right by their windows and empty my 9 into the ground, of course. But I have more consideration for others. Wish Texas would outlaw them not that that would matter — they know they can get by with it...just venting.”
One person responded, “I, too, am fed up with fireworks and gunshots all the time. I feel like a sitting duck in my own home.” 

Another poster, a wise one, noted that there are a zillion people and a relative handful of peace officers and it’s unlikely that anybody can be caught doing anything. Seriously, those holiday fireworks outbursts are like every crook in town decided to rob every bank at the same time — no way the peace officers can get to all the banks while the bad guys are still explaining how to put the cash in the bags.
So, the thing is we have to depend on our residents to be responsible and honorable — and, boy hidy, don’t that work every time! (Typed the old police beat reporter with experienced cynicism.)
ON SUNDAY MORNING, I was awake way too early for no particular reason and as I was reading messages and emails, I came up with a 2021 New Year’s Resolution: "I will not shake my head in disbelief when scofflaws blast fireworks or fire guns to celebrate a holiday. The vigorous shaking sometimes “throws my back out.”

HERE’S THE DEAL: Seven months from now July 4 is on a Sunday and that means the official government holiday will be Monday, July 5. People will take long holidays. So, understanding the minds of some of my fellow humans, that means the July 4 holiday will start on Friday the 2nd, go through Saturday the 3rd, really explode on July 4 and probably finish off the fireworks on the 5th, the official government holiday. Seven months is an early enough “heads up,” don’t you think? Fire departments and police departments are probably already planning for the likely “fireworks set off house fire” and “bottle rocks set off pasture fires.” Yep, responsible and honorable citizens with enough money to buy fireworks and set off alerts at police departments, fire departments and insurance offices. ….
ONE MORE NOTE: So, it’s a new week in a new year and everybody is back to work — well, except the Dallas Cowboys. Just kiddin’ America’s Team. Bless Andy Dalton for running better than the running backs and livng through that game-long siege against the New York Giants. And, some words of wisdom to Dallas Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy: (List 1) Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett. (List 2) Tom Landry Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer. Which list of former Dallas Cowboys coaches do you want to be on? So much for Motivational Monday.
—- Offer advice or gripes by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “Happy 2021” in the subject line —-

A DOG'S REACTION WAS TO FLEE -- LOOKING FOR LAYLA IN LANCASTER

[EXTRA EDITION, SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re posting this to help our friend Tomi Ortiz, longtime rescuer and reader and a devoted animal person, find her late parents' dog -- frightened by fireworks on a night when fireworks weren't expected.
Layla is missing — the event occurred Friday night, when most of us thought the coast was clear on the fireworks. Tomi sent a note saying that on Friday night a routine event became “different.” She says that “my brother let my deceased parent’s dog, Layla, out to do her business. He then went to the store for some groceries and when he got back she was gone!
"He said that when he drove into the driveway he heard fireworks and he thinks that’s what spooked her. She’s lost in Lancaster and is not microchipped. ☹️

“She is the weirdest mix of Pit and Corgi. She was spotted by someone in Lancaster and they posted it on the Nextdoor app.”
Tomi sent us that posting and also the latest photo the family has of Layla.

“God willing she’s returned back safely!” Tomi wrote. If you’ve seen Layla or around Lancaster, call 214-532-4665.
A SECOND SUNDAY NOTE
WHEN A DOG OR CAT goes missing after a fireworks-blasting holiday, it’s not a funny thing. The animal is terrified and human hearts are broken. But every now and then, there’s an odd moment that deserves a look.
IN ANOTHER PART of the Metrosprawl, someone posted an appeal for help looking for a dog that went missing during New Year’s Eve fireworks and the photo that was posted with the appeal was this one of a large black and white cat.
While things were being sorted out, someone, apparently a cat lover, posted this explanation, “He identifies as a Pit bull — never underestimate a cat! :)”
[LARRY NOTE: Bless the people whose animals fled the fireworks. May all the missing dogs and cats be home in time for their Sunday dinner. That’s from the heart.]
—- Offer solutions to illegal fireworks by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com —

A HAPPY NEW YEAR MESSAGE WITH WILL ROGERS FROM AN AMERICAN CAT, THE SENATOR

[LARRY ASIDE: We have offered this space for the holiday to our dear friend and trusted advisor, The Senator, an lntellectual individual with a sense of decency and justice. He suggested it could be our long-weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, with a good share of philosophy and politics, too. Please read on.]
Hello and Happy New Year 2021!
I am The Senator, as you Dear Readers know. I am a wander-up dignitary currently living in the Embassy of The American Feline Foundation for Clear Thought and Reduction of Apprehension.
I retain no current affiliation with the Upper House in Washington, D.C., but that was of my own choosing. There are better guilt-free things to do than spend public money.
 I am reshaping my career path, reorganizing my thoughts and reassessing my approach to each day. 

I think of humans and believe, “A cat shall lead the way.” 
And, I am writing this in the happy surrounding that gives me companionship and a number of nice places to catnap.
Speaking of sleep, some of you are reading this on the 31st and you will be up a little later than usual and will, of course, get some sleep once the traditional and idiotic gunfire and fireworks go quiet.
 Others of you may be reading this on New Years’s Day and you will appreciate the fact that there is no loud soundtrack to aggravate your self-inflicted headache. We’ll pause now so you can take some headache pills and, perhaps, slug down a properly-dissolved bicarbonate in a glass or a plastic, whichever you were drinking from on New Year’s Eve when you fell asleep around sun-up on the 1st.
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: Those are my colleagues, the older Rottie Texas Earl the Cheeseman and the entertaining dog of unknown heritage, Porche Noel. They are sacked out on Porche’s  Ol' Hippie Rug of Transitional Contemplation and trying to get over the pressure of barking repeated unexpected-noise alerts for hours on New Year’s Eve.]
As a veteran feline, I will now make use of my powers of observation and hope to encourage each of you to get a grip for the new year. True, I may be bold with my suggestions, but, really, don’t we all need a better grip for 2021 than we had on 2020. Get the grip on the year before the year gets a grip on us, right?

I watched a lot of TV news during the past year — the number of people with a firm grip on reality you could count on the toes of maybe two paws on a good day.
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: That tabby cat is my feline colleague Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, a veteran of public service who is quite comfortable napping on the household’s faux buffalo robe. As is the girl Porche Noel. She’ll sleep anywhere. I don’t know why she didn’t stay longer in Washington.]
What can you do to have a happy new year? Wear a mask, of course. Wash your paws. And, as a Feline of Faith, I’d suggest that you get some faith, too. Have a foundation for progress and a goal of doing good. What would be so bad about that? And for mewing out loud, do this: Be nice, be kind, be honest, share your goodness.
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: When it comes to being nice, I cite this dog Wendy, aka Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden, a formerly unwanted Dallas puppy who has become accustomed to the comfort of a former law office’s waiting room recliner. That girl knows furniture!]

While, as The Honorable Senator, I chose not to partake in the party lifestyle on New Year’s Eve, I did have some friends who did. Nothing’s quite as tedious as finding out your ex-colleagues in the U.S. Capitol Building are prone to drunk-dialing you on New Year’s Eve.
So, yes, learn something about your nation in 2021. For example, your first lesson is biographical in nature. Study up on Will Rogers, the Cowboy Philosopher, the Oklahoma Cowboy, the actor, the entertainer, the legend.
Drunk-dialing by my former Capitol colleagues reminds me of a quote from Mr. Rogers: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
And, I’m not real certain about the context of this quote from Mr. Rogers, but I do recall my time in the Upper House when I marveled at this line: “About all I can say for the United States Senate is that it opens with a prayer and closes with an investigation.” 
Funny how some quotes from the last century might fit into this century.
Now, as someone who has, in his honorable service to the nation, read assorted bills and proposals presented in the center of American government, I am quite fond of this next wise expression from Mr. Rogers. If you’ve been thinking about all the “throw-this-in-too” items that in the recent spending bill, you may appreciate this quote, too.
Mr. Rogers, one clever cat, said, “If I studied all my life, I couldn't think up half the number of funny things passed in one session of Congress.”
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: That dog on the rug with artsy squares is my friend Dudley the Angel, a Border Collie/Chocolate Lab mix who prefers a solid flat surface as a foundation for his happy dreams. Can you get any more American than that? Comfort and dreams on a solid foundation.]
Let me do a quick reminder of who Mr. Rogers was — he lived from 11/4/1879 to 8/15/35 when he died in a plane crash in the U.S. Territory of Alaska. He was born in Indian Territory (the proper political designation, abbreviated "I.T." in newspaper datelines.) That was long before the Sooners came into I.T. to settle unclaimed property in the Land Rush of 1889. And that rush was long before the OU Sooners existed and long before they (and all those Texas-produced football stars) thumped the University of Florida, 55-20, in the 2020 Cotton Bowl — a good year for OU, a bad evening for the Gators.

Back to Will Rogers: He identified as a Cherokee and once said, “My ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.”
He also declared, “America is a land of opportunity and don’t ever forget it.”

And he also said this, a message particularly important for 2021 in the United States and the whole wide world: “We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.“
So, maybe for 2021 we can all not just think about things and react to them, but consider the opportunities and the consequences before we do anything.
in particular, we need to let the people who work for us, people who sought our support — from the Oval Office to the city council and schoolboards -- know what we really want in America. We have to tell them, otherwise the only thing we’ll actually know about them is they were clever enough or lucky enough to get elected. And getting elected was just the opportunity to do the job we hired them to do. Look around — anybody can get elected. Who can actually do the work?
As an Independent Cat, I could close with this famous quote from Mr. Rogers: “I am not a member of any organized political party. i am a Democrat.” 
But, that would be unfair to both disorganized sides of the aisle.
Or, 
I could close with this: “All I know is just what I read in the papers and that’s an alibi for my ignorance.” But, check those 2020 circulation figures — not so many people with a printed alibi for ignorance these days.
Remember that miserable 2020 political campaign and how it spread from the campaign trail to your TV set. Will said this about politics: “Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.”
I found a funny Will quote that has an element of predicting the future in it. He said decades ago, “I hope some of the men who get the most votes will be elected.”

And, there you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, from your appreciative cat, The Senator. I have endeavored to be truthful and inspirational.
In the wake of this celebration of the arrival of the year 2021, I now retire to the lap of luxury, i.e., my confidante Larry’s funspouse Martha’s lap. Only a cat could diagram that sentence.
And, yes, I will nod off without regret, something I’m sure a lot of young partiers with pounding sinuses and sloshy brainpans wish they could do on New Year’s Day, 2021.

Happy New Year, Dear Readers, and God bless the United States of America and the rest of the world, too. Protect the animals and love them.
Honorably,

The Senator
Your Proven Public Servant
Comforting Cat 2024*

*I may have jumped the gun on that announcement. -- The Sen
—- Offer applause or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

TRYING TO BE UPBEAT AS THE RUGGED YEAR OF 2020 REACHES THE LAST DAY

EDITION OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Imagine that! The last dateline for 2020. Let me call a “time out” to remind people to protect your animals from the sounds and sights of fireworks. Some knuckleheads won’t, but they weren't reading this, anyway. As my dear friend, a devoted name-not-disclosed churchworker says of such unkind people, “There’s a special place for you.”

Now, about the year 2020: I get the feeling that a bruised and battered year is running alongside our time-travelin’ bus and crying out to us all, “IT’S NOT MY FAULT! BLAME THE HUMANS!” Somebody sloppily tinkered with a virus; other people made election year an unpleasant experience. So, maybe, I think the poor year is right and the refs oughta send 2020 to the “blue tent for concussion protocol.” Not sure how we’ll exit 2020 on a 100 percent upbeat note in this edition, but we’ll give it a shot.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE UPBEAT
AS WE BRING 2020 TO A WEARY CLOSE

OK, good hearts. Gail Whelan at Companion Animal Network, headquartered in a mostly rural East Texas county, is trying to get in one more good rescue before the calendar turns over to 2021. She writes, “Someone contacted me about this dog.  He was found a few days ago and the people who found him WILL NOT foster. There are no shelters out here so he will be turned out in the woods or worse.

“He is still a pup, maybe 6 months old, is all I know. Trying to get him to a vet for basic exam and shots.” Email Gail at can.adoptions@yahoo.com to tell her you can help this young dog as 2020 draws to a close. It’ll be a good thing to do. [LARRY ASIDE: If someone beats you to this dog, ask Gail what else she’s got waiting for help! It’s not like there’s an off-switch on the idiots who put animals at peril. Such a switch would be an “upbeat invention” for 2020 or any year!]
***
LARRY CONFESSION: I need to spend about a week killing out emails I’ve gotten since about a month before election day and in the ensuing weeks and days. If I were going to finish this confession with an upbeat note, I’d have started it with “You won’t believe all the crap I got in my inbox from both sides in this election!” I’m an old-school journalist — be fair and accurate in reporting. Let the unvarnished truth speak for itself. If you think you want to respond to this assertion, ask yourself, “Do I really want to confess how I spent 2021 typing ugly notes in the middle of a Pandemic?”
***
MONITOR YOUR CITY’S
ANIMAL SHELTER/SHELTERS
Remember, the New Year arrives on Friday and shelters may be closed — check the websites if you suddenly decide you want to adopt a dog or cat on New Year’s Day. Might have better luck on New Year’s Eve — google your shelter and check the inventory and the hours.
We’ve selected this dog from the Facebook page of Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center to illustrate the concept of being adorable for the New Year. Who is he? He is Peter Potamus (#A1111885). Ask about him at dallasanimalservices.org.

***
LARRY CONFESSION: One of the emails I’m going to enjoy deleting has this subject line: “Eat these to shave pounds off your stomach…These 11 desserts actually melt fat off your body.” I’ve been dieting for decades. The word “dessert” is NEVER used in connection with a successful diet. Never. Unless someone has come up with Kale Surprise Pudding or “Crunchy Peppermint Onion Petals.”
***
‘PASSENGER #1 CHLOE,’
BEGAN THE STORY…
My young friend of more than a half-century Bobbie Malsh of Shreveport posted this photo on Wednesday. (You may recall the Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap feature we did on Bobbie and her dogs and hubby Jim in mid-September. She’s a volunteer with the non-profit animal-movers, Louisiana Transport.) I found this photograph from Bobbie to be wonderfully upbeat for the ebbing of 2020. The explanation of the photo? “Passenger #1 Chloe to Arkadelphia today.” Bobbie says Chloe’s whole trip was from New Iberia, La., to Dover, Ark. Yes, when a good heart is taking a good dog to a good place — that’s an upbeat event! Looks like a dog who’d be cheerful over being adored.
***
LARRY CONFESSION: I got an e-mail titled “Winter Driving Tips and Road Conditions” aimed at potential wintry conditions in the Metrorink. In all the years I’ve lived in this area, I’ve had two wrecks — 40 years apart — both in sunny, dry weather, both with uninsured motorists. So, my assertion is it doesn’t matter what kind of weather we have, someone’s always a lousy, inattentive, don’t-care driver on the highways of North Texas.
***
KEEPING UP
WITH THE TRAVELERS
Legendary Foster Mom Patty Sprong posted this photo and wrote, “This is the little girl I transported a while back. She got her nasty teeth cleaned and is now ready for adoption through Oak Hill Animal Rescue.” (You can see this healthy, adorable girl Daisy and other Oak Hill adoptables by clicking HERE). I’d say it’s pretty upbeat at the end of a year to learn that an animal you helped is now in a position of being adopted into a wonderful home that’ll love her so much that she’ll be totally excited to be loving 'em back!
A CAT’S PHILOSOPHY
OF LIFE CHANGES
We spotted this photograph on David Maldonado’s Facebook page as we were looking for upbeat notes to end the year. David is a Dallas Street Dog Advocates vice president and Lifesaving Initiatives Coordinator at the SPCA of Texas. We’re not sure where this cat is right now, but the message was upbeat. Readlarrypowell.com is friends with many cats and a few of them are formerly feral kittens. You can tell the difference. If a kitten's feral, reactions are employed before thought processes. But that can change. 
David posted this photo of the cat cuddled by a human and this explanatory text: “When the shelter feral cat decides he no longer wants to be a feral.” Can I get some upbeat “amens” for the end of 2020. Save the ferals; love the ferals; spay and neuter the ferals! Three easy steps to helping cats avoid unpleasant moments in life for an upbeat 2021.

CONTEMPLATIONS
MONET, A TYPEWRITER & ONE CONSONANT
Now, you’re going to see this photo of our cat Monet and wonder about it. So, here’s the story — and it’s upbeat, I swear. She was one of our front porch ferals from our old house in the southern Oak Cliff section of Dallas. Through the years we’re caught many ferals, had them fixed, found them homes, got them into safe places. Now and then we’d keep one. Monet, named for her exquisite beauty, was one we kept. That was an outdoor photo we took on the day I convinced her to come on in and join the gang. Monet was a devoted indoor cat after she learned of the concept of "indoors." Monet even practiced playing Martha's harp. She was extraordinarily affectionate. She loved to cuddle. Loved to be held. Adored being adored. And, then, one day in late spring 2020, in her young adult years, she began to change. She was not herself — it was alarming. Her vets and their staff and all of us were trying to get Monet through whatever she was going through. It was a roller coaster ride. She’d improve; she’d fail. And the villain turned out to be something ugly with her liver that just couldn’t be defeated. And sweet, wonderful, beautiful Monet died while we held her. It was a release from suffering and the very ill little girl finished off her earthly relationship with us by purring sweetly to the end. The upbeat part of this story is our little cat lives on in our hearts. She’ll always be there. What a privilege it was to know her, a joy to love her. I though you ought to know how a great cat will affect a human heart. …
I found hope for the future on a neighborhood bulletin board page. A woman wrote, “My daughter wanted a typewriter for Christmas so I got her one, but it needs to be serviced. Does anyone do this on the side for reasonable rates or can recommend a place that won’t break the bank? It looks to be a very old typewriter. Thanks in advance.” No idea for that repair query, but I will tell you that I felt upbeat when I read that a young person wanted a typewriter. Why? Because when you write on a manual typewriter, you can feel what you’re writing. And all you really have to learn —rather than computer tricks — is how to change the ribbon and how to work carbon paper. That Underwood, by the way, looks a lot like some of the first newsroom typewriters I encountered at The Texarkana Gazette in 1965 -- it was only about 40 years old then -- young by newsroom equipment standards. Be nice to walk into an office in 2021 and hear the clattering of a typewriter — in a museum, probably. …
Speaking of typing, online I ran across a story on The Herald Weekly site titled “Women of the 70’s Amazing Careers.” Right away I spotted the misplacement of the apostrophe — veteran editor, you know. In the opening to the item about actress Adrienne Barbeau, the writer described her as the “Scream Queen of the 80’s,” again misplacing the apostrophe — it represents the omitted “19” not anything possessive. (That’s a photo from 1982’s Swamp Thing.) Then came this paragraph in which one lousy incorrect consonant changed the entire meaning of a marriage. The long sentence reads, “Besides the time she spends on screen, she likes to spend her time with her husband Billy Van Zandt and their two twin boys as well as with her son from Adrienne’s precious marriage.” If you say “twin” you don’t need say “two,” but never mind that. If only the letter “v” had replaced the letter “c” in “precious” accuracy might have prevailed in the description of Ms. Barbeau’s previous marriage. No what eye mien?
— Offer upbeat notes for 2020 by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “PREPOSTEROUS” in the subject line. —-

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR DECEMBER 30 FROM THE RESILIENT RESCUER IN BURNS FLAT, OKLA.

[A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT INSPIRATION: You may have seen references in  readlarrypowell.com's editions over the years to Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, a little town way out in far west Oklahoma. She's a relentless rescuer. "Why?", you may have asked. Here's what Terry Lynn wrote and sent us today. There are no photos. The pictures would be distressing. But you'll see them in your heart.]

Terry Lynn wrote:
"December 30th, 2002... a day that changed my life forever.   

"I was off of work for Christmas break.  My young sons were home, too.  

"We had four puppies. That had been born to a stray we took in. They were 9 months old at that time.   I couldn’t find homes I approved for those four.  (The one that was with Oddball that day, Stubby, lived to be 16 with me) 

"They had been getting out of the fence so I was out back fixing it.  Two of them slipped under and ran around the corner.  I called in to the boys and told them to go get them.  Within five minutes, she was dead.  

"A city official was down the street shooting a skunk.  He saw my dogs and drove up to them.  He stepped out of the truck, whistled for them, and as they ran to him, happy and thinking someone wanted to love them, he opened fire.    This evil man shot her in the street, four times, before ending the suffering he inflicted on her.

"He bagged her and threw her in the back of the truck.

"We were devastated. I could not believe this had happened. Yes, she shouldn’t have been out but she also didn’t deserve to die that way.  

"I later learned this was what this horrible person did to every dog he saw loose.  There were so many missing dog posters at the post office.  It all made sense after that.

"I vowed to prevent that from ever happening again.  I fought the entire Town Hall when I learned the way they euthanized the dogs at the pound. They took them out back and shot them in the head.  I promised Oddball I would fight to keep that from happening again. 

"It took 3 1/2 more years before it all fell into place but in July of 2006, I worked it out where I would take over the pound and get the animals into rescues.

"From that day on, I took on total responsibility for the pound  dogs.  Clean, feed, walk, provide all supplies and food, search for rescues transport. From the moment they enter 'til the moment they leave. As a volunteer.
"And from the day I took over, I took this pound from being 99% KILL to 0 % kill ...
"It's sometimes so overwhelming that I feel like I can’t continue.  Then, I look into their eyes and know I can not ever stop. Stopping would mean their death.  

"But with the help of wonderful people, we continue to save their lives.   

"So on this day, EIGHTEEN YEARS after my innocent Oddball was gunned down by a soulless person, I will whisper my prayer for her and continue to move forward and save what we can.

"Oddball didn’t die in vain...as sad as I was over her murder, it is because of Oddball that thousands more have been saved.
"Remembering Oddball: Today, tomorrow, forever 💕"

[LARRY NOTE: Dear Readers, Terry Lynn's email address has, for years, been remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. Every time I type it into an email or a story seeking help with an animal in Burns Flat, I think about that dog I never met and how inspirational she became. Tery Lynn became inspirational, too. Bless Terry Lynn's heart and keep it strong.  Save 'em all. Wherever you live.]

TIME MOVE ON, SO DOES THE GUY WHO DUMPED A DOG; OTHER TALES: CATS & PEGASUS, TOO

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30, 2020 [PetPowellPress] The clock is ticking toward the final day of the year.
Did we really think -- back on the final day of February 2020 -- that this was a year that needed an extra day? Got that answer in a hurry, didn't we! Turns out this was a Leap Year that would come to inspire use of the common phrase, i.e., "Take a flying leap, 2020." [LARRY NOTE: That's my personal feline counselor, The Senator, in his public service mode. He's reminding us of the line from French novelist Colette, "Time spent with cats is never wasted.”]

Let's just acknowledge, also, that there are a lot of animal rescuers and rescue groups that would have benefitted in 2020 if I were better at picking lucky lotto numbers.
AN OBREGON RESCUE
'FOUND AT 4:30 A.M.,'
[LARRY ASIDE: I first wrote about rescuer Judy Obregon several years ago. So, on Wednesday morning, I popped open my Facebook page and found this story from Judi. We should all remember that during one of the most annoying and threatening years since the last century, the animal rescuers and animal advocates have continued to be dependable. Read on, please.]
Judy Obregon's post begins, "It never gets easier finding them, and why I continue routine searches!" 
This one happened at Echo Lake in Fort Worth, Judi reported. She found this dog at 4:30 a.m.
She wrote this personal message to the dog's human and I hope you'll see the strong theme: 
"To the person (s) who left him, I just want you to know that when I pulled up to him he wagged his tail, seemed happy to see me. Until he realized ( I'm assuming ) I wasn't you !!! 

"He went back to the trashcan you left him at to wait for you!!! He would not leave that spot. After 45 minutes I was able to convince him I was there to help him.

"You left him in the most dangerous spot!

"You need to know that he felt hurt!

"Ugh , I will never understand how people can do this and sleep at night .
"He's safe now!!!"
 She closed with these hashtags: #animalsarenotdisposable #taoanimalrescue.
SOMETHING UPBEAT
ABOUT ADDY THE DOG
[LARRY ASIDE: I'm beginning to think Texas is the nation's leading supplier of great formerly unwanted dogs. Consider the facts in this story about Addy, the German Shepherd.]
We've mentioned Addy's plight in Denton for the past two editions and now we have a note about Addy's success. Credit people with the rescue!
 Our tipster, Amy Poskey, writes, "I am just SO HAPPY to report that Addy has left the building!!!  Our wonderful Bill Duncan just pulled her for Renee Riegel with Greater Dayton Lab Rescue in Ohio!!!  THANK YOU, RENEE!!!  Addy will be going to boarding for a few days and then Bill will temp foster her until transport to Ohio!  I want to thank everyone for helping make this happen!  Happy life, Addy!!!"

You may recall that Addy came out of a cruelty situation, was in bite-quarantine for a while (details posted previously) and she's got a smiling face that sets an example for us all.
Amy sent along two ways to donate to Addy's care so her life in Ohio can have a headstart! The rescue links are: https://www.gdlrr.org/ and
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterDaytonLabRescue/.
DOGS AND CATS
IN SMALL SHELTERS...
Our latest correspondence from 4-Legged Helpers leads off with a "gentle, sweet and loving" female Gray Tortie named Smokey. She becomes available for rescue or adoption on Wednesday the 30th -- she was found before Christmas. She's described as a "gray" cat, but her bio reads, "She has beautiful swirls of pastel but is mostly gray." And there's this: "Fine with being held -- purrs." To ask about adopting her or rescuing her call or text 4-Legged Helpers' Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Remember, Lancaster still has dogs available for rescue or adoption, including the "Tri-Color Aussie Shepherd Mix" fellow named Paxton who is "just so gentle and sweet and lovable."

And young male Bulldog mix Trevor is available also. He is "Not a very big dog -- and he is just as cute as cute can be," according to the 4-Legged Helpers.
Then, there's this still-waiting dog Teddy, also known as "Peanut."
He's the dog who, in September, was found bleeding profusely at the traditional southern Dallas dumping grown at Malloy Bridge. He'd been fed rat poison. It nearly killed him.
But Teddy has recovered.
And he is a sweet boy who is available for a great life in a wonderful home.
Get in touch with Laura -- call or text her at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
DOGS WITH GREAT FOOTWORK...
Checkout the poses by these two dogs currently awaiting rescue or homes at the Mesquite Animal Services Shelter.
Our tipster, volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm, says Koa is an American Bulldog mix who was surrendered on the 28th "because of financial reasons." The 88-pound dog is about 3 and "fixed," and, the original owner told the shelter, 
has lived outdoors, is house-trained, as well as "loving, protective, playful and very active." He's been in the process of decompressing after suddenly losing the only home and the only people he's ever known. Debra's note says, "Koa walks well on a leash. He has a mild manner and is calm and gentle." Not keen on cats. His shelter ID is 46329965.
Check out the grin on Saint! Debra's note says he is a mix whose family tree includes Canaan Dog/Carolina Dog. Why is Saint in the shelter?
The note reads that he "was seized by the police on 12/11 and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter.  Saint's owner had a medical issue, was rushed to the hospital and subsequently passed away.  None of the family members is able to take Saint.  This fellow weighs 59 pounds and is approximately 3 years old.  He is not neutered.  Saint walks nicely on a leash. ... He has a mellow personality, is well-mannered, calm and gentle.  He is however, active and lively.  Though Saint is friendly, during the photo shoot he was most interested in exploring the yard and did not interact a lot with me.  Doubtless he would make a faithful companion with his sweet and gentle nature."
His ID is 45995635. Use it when you email the shelter at rescues@cityofmesquite.com or when calling the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email at rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Same contact points for Koa.
CONTEMPLATIONS
PRAISE PEGASUS' & CONSIDER CATS!
Get ready for the glow of the small screen for the big show Pegasus Theatre performers in Dallas. Pegasus, known famously for the "Living Black & White" productions of original mysteries by founder/writer Kurt Kleinmann, is pulling together a triumph on the screen with its 35th anniversary production of "A Trifle Dead! - The Movie.” A Pegasus news release read, "After much debate and watching the numbers, we concluded there is no way to produce a live show that would be safe for cast, crew, and audience." Thus, Pegasus is "producing our first online show" -- it's also the show playwright Kleinmann wrote that introduced decades of audiences to "the inept but endearing detective Harry Hunsacker and friends Nigel Grouse and Lt. Foster." Go to pegasustheatre.org to read more about the production and click on this Eisemann Center SITE to get tickets into a whole new world of theatrical production for A Trifle Dead -- The Movie. If things go right for the theatre world and the rest of the world, too, there probably will be actual live-and-in-person Pegasus productions in 2021. APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
In our opening for today's edition, we referenced a quote by the French novelist Colette: "Time spent with cats is never wasted." She wrote Gigi, which became an Audrey Hepburn musical. In doing research on this writer we found a story about her on a website called Johnny Times. It addresses "The Art and Science of Storytelling, Presented by the Abyssinian Cat Johnny." That site is where we found this photo of Colette dressed as a cat. How about that! Here's the Johnny Times link to the Colette story. SOME PURRS! SOME PURRS!
FYI, that moody photo is of the flocked Christmas tree my merryyulespouse Martha decorated and we’ll leave up until Groundhog Day when The Senator, napping in the foreground, traditionally puts on his groundhog suit and avoids his shadow. I’m kidding. That tree comes down after New Year’s Day — we leave the lights up until the time change on March 14. Everybody needs a cat who can celebrate in costume. Before his public service position, The Senator had been in so many horror films that he became a member of the Scream Actor’s Guild.
--- OFFER STAGE ADVICE OR LOTTO NUMBERS BY CLICKING ON 'COMMENTS' BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOLCOM AND PUT 'STAGE FRIGHT MEMORY LAPSE' IN THE SUBJECT LINE! ---

A MISSING TREE; A DOG IN A FIX; HELPING ANIMALS AND A BICARB, PLEASE.

EDITION OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Before we get to the “nobody’s asking about Addy” story, let me tell you that The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a story about the disappearance of the “Homeless Christmas Tree” — a community yuletide tradition just west of Oakland atop a hill on the northside of I-30. The tree (that’s a picture from Texas Country Reporter’s recent happier episode), has been decorated for decades and seen by millions of travelers through the years. It has suddenly vanished. Here’s the LINK to reporter Gordon Dickson’s Star-Telegram story on the mysterious removal of the original tree and its successor tree. 
Lots of TV newscasts have spotlighted the tree, lots of newspaper columnists have written about it and Texas Country Reporter, Bob Phillip’s great show, featured it during this 2020 Christmas season.
Yet, this Fort Worth tradition is gone like it was in the way of a Dallas developer’s parking lot project. More to come on the “who did it and why," we suspect. And hope. What PR firm is going to get to explain that mistake?
BACK TO THE SUBJECT
OF ADDY AND HER NEEDS
We posted the story of Addy in our previous edition. From Amy Poskey, our veteran Denton tipster, we learned that Addy needs a home, that she was in a cruelty case and that she’d bitten someone.
Amy issued a follow-up notice about Addy on Tuesday. And it’s worth reading if you’re on the fence about adopting this beautiful German Shepherd. Amy wrote, “Some of you have asked why Addy was a cruelty case and why she has been labeled ‘dangerous’ so I would like to provide more info on this beautiful girl. 
“Addy was a cruelty case cuz she was living in unsanitary conditions in her outside enclosure with no dog house/shelter and the entire area was covered with feces.  She was deemed ‘dangerous’ cuz she bit a person who was trying to break up a dog fight.  Well, I’ve been bitten many times while trying to intervene in a dog fight but that was my fault, not the dogs.  So, in my opinion, just because Addy doesn’t like other dogs doesn’t mean she is dangerous.  Addy loves humans, including children, and she deserves a second chance!  Just look at that ginormous smile and you can see the sweetness exuding from her happy face!”
The 59-pound, healthy, 2- to 4-year-old girl is #90938 at the Denton Shelter. Call 940-349-7594 to reach the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center. It’s at 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton.
SOME HAPPINESS ARRIVES
THANKS TO BARKLEYWORLD
We’ve written many times about the work of barkleyworld.com, the non-profit started by Karen Lee and husband Dennis in honor of their dog Barkley. They provide financial help for tough cases. Does that work? Here’s the sentence posted by Juliet Lopez Garcia: “Barkleyworld, we are forever in ur debt. U saved our baby!”
That baby is this guy Chuckie — festive Chuckie! What was his problem? Just before Christmas, the family dog Chuckie decided to eat some stuff a dog shouldn’t eat and took in a bone that fouled his system dramatically. The vet work was going to be expensive and Barkleyworld, whose mission is to help animals, answered the appeal. The result is Chuckie is healthy.
You can read all about this Chuckie “adventure” — and other projects — by going to Barkleyworld’s Facebook site HERE and reading through the stories. It’ll make you happy to be on the same planet with people who have good hearts and have been working on helping to finance miracles for the season! And for the next season. And the next. …

CONTEMPLATIONS
TIMING FOR RUFFLES; A VOICE FOR GREYHOUNDS; PLANNING AN EVE…
Timing is lousy sometimes. And, in the case of Ruffles, it’s something to contemplate. We learned about him from one of our steady tipsters, Mesquite Animal Services volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm. Ruffles, a Bichon Frise mix, was surrendered to the shelter on the 23rd. Why? The surrender form read that Ruffles was "too old, going blind, hard of hearing.” [LARRY ASIDE: If I was married to that person, I’d be out on my ear like Ruffles!] 
Ruffles’ human for the past 8 years has medical issues and can’t care for the 15-year-old, 32-pound dog. Ruffles has his own problems — going blind, lost hearing and has arthritis in one leg. He’s been an indoor dog forever. Likes kids but not cats. Walks well on a leash. Debra wrote, “He’s a lively boy for 15 years.” He’s friendly and loving and, Debra writes, “This senior doesn’t belong in a city shelter.” He’s rescue-only because of his medical issues. He may already have been moved out of the shelter, but just in case, his ID# is 46318545 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. That is quite a cute dog. He’s in need of a quite a good human heart.
HEADS UP FROM THE GREYHOUND PEOPLE! I’ve written about the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas for years. Those great dogs sometimes find themselves in really tough spots. But, there are people who work hard on their behalf. For instance: Dallas Mavericks basketball and FC Dallas soccer broadcaster Mark Followill has a fantastic message about the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas — he and wife Jennifer have invested their hearts in Greyhounds, as you’ll see when you click on Mr. Followill’s post HERE  If you think finding a place for displaced Washington administration employees is tough, listen to the challenges that will face Greyhounds in 2021 as Florida shuts down dog racing. The GALT website is galtx.org.Yeah, they run fast, but not always. One guy at a Greyhound adoption years ago told me, “Greyhounds are notorious couch potatoes.” Don’t know about you, Dear Readers, but I find comfort in watching sports with a dog or cat who nods off when our team is coughing up a hairball. …
What I’ve learned from Holiday Insights, the online calendar. December 29 is “Pepper Pot Day.” How’s that? It’s a day that honors the “warm and hearty” stew that, the Insights people say, “was first made to serve the Continental Army on Dec. 29, 1777.” FYI: December 30 is “Natonal Bicarbonate of Soda Day.” As in “This indigestion is killing me. Fix me a bicarb, will ya?” No known marketing connection between a Pepper Pot and a Bicarb.
—- Offer ideas or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-