ReadLarryPowell.com

WE BEGIN WITH DODGER, VISIT A SMALL SHELTER, THEN A LARGER ONE AND CLOSE WITH CONTEMPLATING DODGER

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY DEC. 7-8 2023 [PetPowellPress] On a beautiful Thursday, we report opportunities for human hearts to help animals. We’re pretty certain helpful human hearts are not just a myth that surfaces only during the holiday season. 
MEANWHILE, THIS IS DODGER
AND HE WAS A TARGET…
PART I OF THE DODGER STORY
That first photo just below is the dog Dodger. Longtime visitors to our site will recognize the name Terry Lynn Fisher. She’s the animal rescuer/advocate who just about single-handedly turned around the despicable attitude of management at the animal shelter in Burns Flat, a town of about 2,000 residents in far west Oklahoma. Her motivation is in her email address: [email protected].

Many years ago, her young dog Oddball escaped from the yard and wandered gleefully along a street in Burns Flat until a patrol car came along. The officer rolled down his window and as Oddball romped up to say “hi,” the officer waited until the tail-wagging pup came up close to the open window and he shot him in the head. 
You’ll see the connection to this guy Dodger as you read on. On Monday, Terry Lynn emailed a note with this subject line: “DODGER URGENT.”
She wrote, “This is Dodger. I gave him that name because for two years now he’s been able to dodge everybody from catching him. He can clear a fence like none other.

"He is a beautiful boy with that deep Coonhound bark. It’s got to the point where when he barks at people now they say he’s severely aggressive… The town wants him down. Since I no longer do the City Pound, but I still rescue dogs, I don’t hear what they are really talking about. But tonight at the Town meeting they got real quiet when his name was brought up. All eyes were focused on me.
“Someone has set a crate out, and he’s been sleeping in it, so I had hoped to replace it with a trap after he was real used to it, hoping to get him. He has a hound rescue in Tulsa but I’ve got to catch him first.

“If I don’t catch him by this weekend, I’m afraid it’ll be the end of his time. [One local authority] took seven puppies out one time and shot all of them in the head. I know for a fact he’s been fired from several other towns for killing dogs in the middle of the street. I have no doubt that he would gun Dodger down without a second thought.
“As for our town board members? They’re fine with it. That’s how they used to kill the dogs until I got involved”
After the fatal shooting of Oddball, Terry Lynn worked hard to change the town’s philosophy toward animals.
Terry Lynn’s note continues, “With my health, I cannot do this alone. There are trappers in Oklahoma, but they charge a fortune, and it’s not something I can just get done. I need people to help. My sons will help me as much as they can, but I need somebody that knows what they’re doing to get this dog. He lived a horrible life and was severely abused was dumped out the country. He made his way into town … He probably has 3 million puppies, because nobody gets their damn dogs fixed. Of course, that’s ‘Dodger’s fault’ and another reason they all want him dead…
“I need help ASAP. If I do not get him out of town by this weekend, they will probably gun him down. This is Oklahoma, y’all, they make their own rules.

“Please, if anybody has any advice, you can give me, let me know. My heart is breaking over this beautiful boy.”
[LARRY NOTE: Please read on and see if you can help these animals in the DFW area. Advocates are working for these animals but they still need some help. We’ll return to the story of Dodger in “Contemplations.”]
MEANWHILE IN EVERMAN,
THE CLOCK TICKS ON BROTHERS
As you can see, one of these dogs is DMX and the other is Dirk.
We got the tip on them from our longtime Everman Animal Shelter tipster Heather Harrison. She wrote, “Everman Shelter is now enforcing timed stays so all animals are in critical need!

“Dirk and DMX are 4-month-old male Lab mix siblings.  Very goofy, curious & active.  Love to romp & play.  Vaccinated.
“To rescue, call the Everman Shelter at 817-561-5495.”

The shelter is at 3961 Bluebell Dr. in Everman, a town of around 7,000 just across I-20 from the southeastern side of Fort Worth. [LARRY NOTE: The roads are paved and the hearts are sincere about helping DMN and Dirk find homes that'll love 'em and keep them from becoming a couple of unnamed statistics at a crowded shelter.]
SOME WAITING ANIMALS
IN MESQUITE’S SHELTER
Among the many positive things you can say about volunteers at the Mesquite Animal Shelter is this: They keep hustling on behalf of the animals. 

We’ll start with a tip on Pittie mix Jewel who came in as a stray on Nov. 29. Volunteer dog-writer Debra Chisholm says Jewel (Shelter ID #54865603) is a little different. “Unlike the other two pups I did evals for today who are confident, playful and happy-go-lucky, Jewel is shy and uneasy in the shelter environment.  She seems underweight at 43 pounds and is about 10 months old. She has a mild-mannered demeanor and is a shy somewhat timid girl right now.  She walks very nicely on a leash. … She spent a great deal of time in the yard playing Sherlock Holmes by sniffing out all the interesting smells.  Jewel is athletic and easily climbed our play equipment.  … She did warm up after some interaction with me and her tail wagged, indicating she wanted to be friends and learn to trust all the other nice folks at the shelter.  I will continue to socialize her as she has won a place in my heart.” 
Use her ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to ask about rescuing or adopting (or maybe even fostering?) sweet Jewel. That system holds firm for any Mesquite animal mentioned in this edition.
This is Carmella (#54858389), a 31-pound, year-or-so-old stray who arrived on Nov. 28. Debra writes, “My Dog Scanner app suggests she is a Carolina Dog mix.  She is a real charmer!! … She is a real ‘love bug.’  She is amiable, wants to cuddle and climb into your lap and be hugged.  She is active and spunky and likes playing with toys.  She does not jump on you.  She is well-behaved, calm and gentle.  Carmela appears to have been well-cared for with her sleek, glossy shiny coat, with no skin issues or fleas and seems to have a healthy weight.  She likes treats and is happy to receive them though I could not get her to sit for them.  She has the most adorable face that matches her personality.”

Her bio by Debra also included this caution: “Our shelter is critically overcrowded with newcomers like Carmela and other dogs that have been there for months and months.  So many highly adoptable and loving dogs in need of adoptions and rescues.”

Demi is #54841830, an “adorable and lively pup… listed as a Lab Retriever mix who arrived as a stray … on 11/25.” She’s about 10 months old, weighs 27 pounds and “is excitable and loves to play and romp. She has an exuberant personality.  When she turns her bright shiny eyes on you imploring you to play, you can't resist!  She is friendly and happy to have you pet her and show loving attention.  Demi could use some manners training just as all puppies need in order to fit in with their family.  … Please help Demi find a family that would provide these things and would be patient with some of the challenging puppy behavior that needs to be worked through.”
Smokie is a Rottweiler mix who came in as a stray on Nov. 25. He’s about 2 and weighs 70 pounds. [LARRY ASIDE: I’ve been a fan Rottie and Rottie mixes since I rescued purebred Texas Earl the Cheeseman out of Kiest Park in 2009 — he and other Rotties I’ve met have a genuinely sweet and loyal quality in relationships with loving humans. Heck, most dogs do. However, I have looked deep into the eyes of a Rottie and benefitted from it. Oh, OK, I always look deep into the eyes of dogs and cats -- if they're OK with it!]
Back to Smokie: Debra writes that “because of his size, he may look a bit intimidating but he is a sweet and gentle fellow.  He walks OK on a leash but is a strong puller.  He knows sit, paw and down, indicating that his owner had worked with him teaching him some commands.  He also seems well-cared for and yet sadly his owner has not come to reclaim. Smokie spent a great deal of time in the shelter yard during his eval sniffing out all the interesting smells in the yard.  In fact he covered nearly every square inch of ground. 
"He was also alert to what was going on outside the confines of the yard, especially when he would spot a dog being walked in the field outside the yard.  He is obedient and displays good manners.  He has a low to medium energy level.  Smokie likes treats and will sit for them.  He is friendly and OK with a loving human touch.”
 Smokie is #54842311 at the shelter. Use that number when you ask about him or tag him for rescue at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
You can see many more dogs and a lot of cats and kittens by going to the shelter’s website HERE.
Among the adorable cats you can see is this 3-month-old fellow named Oreo. He’s #54577947. Listed as 3 months old, he came in on October 12 and is currently waiting in the shelter’s Conference Room. [LARRY ASIDE: At readlarrypowell.com we have cats who believe EVERY room is a conference room.] Oreo, by the way, is that exquisitely rare breed, the Domestic Medium Hair Mix. [LARRY NOTE: Oh, OK, that may not be a rare breed, but he’s still a spectacularly coiffed cat. And think of the fun you’ll have sitting, watching TV and sharing an Oreo with Oreo. Well, probably he won’t be inerested, so enjoy that extra cookie, slim.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
A DREAM COMES TRUE? 

THE LATEST ON DODGER

Around 6 a.m. Oklahoma/Texas time Thursday morn, I got an email from Terry Lynn Fisher with the subject line: “DODGER UPDATE.”
The note begins with some dreaming and has a climax representing the size of the hearts that power the nation’s animal rescue and advocacy efforts. Here’s what Terry Lynn wrote: 
“I woke up this morning to a ‘dream’ of Dodger… He is the Coonhound I’ve been after for two years.

“The town decided they were going to ‘do away with him’ which in this town means ‘kill him.’

“I hired a professional trapper. She came in from Tulsa a couple days ago. She has a camera set towards the trap. He has gotten so close but this dog is smart.
“I’ve been going throughout the days placing fresh food in the trap. No luck at all.
“I’ve been so stressed out it’s not even funny  
“So, back to the dream: I was driving a car and went around a curve… It wasn’t in Burns Flat, but there was Dodger, sitting in a Front yard. I pulled over and yelled at him to get in the car. He ran up and got right in.  Then someone called me and said let that dog go. I just hung up and they kept calling back.”

AT THIS POINT, DEAR READERS… WELL, READ ON….
Terry Lynn, after writing about the call-backs in the dream, explains, “Than, I woke up and realized my phone was actually ringing. At a little after five, that’s never good. I saw it was Tina and I knew! Dodger was caught 💕💕💕💕!
“So now, I’ll be sitting down here watching the trap to make sure he stays safe while she drives the three-plus hours to get him.     We don’t want him out of the trap until he is safe at rescue because, after this, he won’t go back in.

“So here I am: Sitting in the dark on the side of the road keeping watch. Y’all, I can’t explain how my heart feels right now    I’m bawling my eyes out. My boy will be safe.   ❤️"
And there you have it Dear Readers, a demonstration of how a rescuer with a big heart can benefit the life of a dog who was dumped on the side of a road. Email Terry Lynn at [email protected]. There'll be more animals you can help her save and place.
—- OFFER HOORAYS AND HELP BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW OR BY EMAILING [email protected] AND PUT ‘I LOVE DODGER’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE —-

IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WE DEAL WITH HELPING ANIMALS; BUT SOMETIMES THE ROBOTS WIN IN LIFE

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY DEC. 6/7 2023 [PetPowellPress] Pardon the publishing delay. My past two days have been wretchedly challenged. Though, without giving anything away, a person in a respected field described me as “aging gracefully.” I got that tendency from our dogs and cats and, of course, my influentialfunspouse, Martha.
From the dogs and cats I learned “sleep matters” and from Martha I learned, “A goofball who watches what he says at home has a tendency to live longer.” I do work diligently on that last one.
Oh, and the mention of “sleeping dogs” reminds me of “napping cats” and the fact that we’d appreciate it if you’d send us photos of those who own your household — you know, for the weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. That’s my dog Porche Noel on the couch around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. I’ll explain in Contemplations as I go through many, many e-mails I missed because I was AFK — away from keyboard.
USUALLY THE NEED IS
HOMES FOR ANIMALS, BUT
WE CITE SHOTS & SUPPLIES
[DEAR READERS: Ever think about what it takes to create and sustain an organization that is not only a friend to animals, but a provider of “routine but frequently ignored” medical needs for animals and also spay and neuter surgeries? That is an organization that has evolved from upstart to legend. Therefore, in this note, we cite the work and the needs of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.]
First, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Friends of the Animals have scheduled a session to help keep pets healthy. Our tipster, the great Sydney Busch, reports that people can drop by without an appointment for “affordable pet vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing, other non-surgical stuff...NOT WELLNESS.” 
That’ll be at the Friends of the Animals Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic at 122 Old Gun Barrel Ln #8, Gun Barrel City, Texas, Zip 75156. [LARRY ASIDE: Yes, it’s close to a lot of places and all the roads are paved, you skittish city dwellers. You might enjoy looking at some place other than your own paved ands striped corner of Texas and you might enjoy working with these Friends of the Animals to make sure your critter stays healthy. Pardon my preachin'.]
In the meantime, if you’re headed that way and have a charitable heart, the Friends of the Animals Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic has a vigorous, devoted bunch of volunteers who, for their various efforts, could use donations of the following, Sydney reports: “8-1/2 x 11 copy paper; distilled water (we use 2 gallons each Tuesday); bleach; isopropyl alcohol 70% cases of drinking water, soft drinks for our thirsty volunteers.”
 These things can be brought to the clinic on Tuesdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. or to the clinic on the Second Saturday of each month — 9:30 a.m.-noon —- when the vaccination clinics are conducted. Question? Call the Friends of the animals at 903-451-4701 or  214-808-4701.
CHECK OUT THE FACE, MOOD
ON THIS ARLINGTON DOG….
Oh, for crying out loud, why hasn’t someone saved this dog? 
We got a note about Tyra from one of our Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs contacts. It was titled, “A plea for our very special girl, Tyra….” and originated at the Arlington Animal Shelter.  “We know Tyra is a long shot,” the note read. She’s #54611091 and she’s just over a year old. The appeal on Wednesday reported, “Today is Day 50 of Tyra being in the shelter. She is extremely urgent due to her time spent here with us. Unfortunately we only have so many dog kennels and we have SO many dogs in need. (As this is being written, there are only 3 dog kennels available in the entire shelter and more dogs are already scheduled to be brought in.) … 
“Tyra needs someone to take a chance on her. Someone to look past her hair loss (look at how great she is looking already in her new holiday photo!!!!). It will grow back. Someone to look past her being a black dog (they always have the hardest time getting adopted) but make just as wonderful pets as any other dog. Someone to look past her being a Pittie mix breed... just look at those ears and eyes. We think she is beautiful. We know she is perfect.” And the bio also reads, “Tyra is a loving, well- mannered dog who loves belly rubs and pets from people. She has done well around other dogs in the shelter and was the PERFECT doggie date when she went on her field trip to PetSmart and Lazy Dog. Tyra is just a wonderful dog who needs to find her furever family. As a VIP Pet, she can be adopted for just $10. 
“We want Tyra to find a responsible pet owner who is ready to love her forever. If she isn't the right dog for you, maybe there is another one who is. We need adoptions. We have SO many wonderful dogs waiting to meet you. View all of our available pets online at https://arlingtontx.gov/adoptablepets."
The Arlington Pawlidays Adoption Specials are $30 for dogs and cats or $10 for VIP animals.
Arlington Animal Services is at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd. The phone number is 817-4595698. Email [email protected]
And in case you wondered about the cats waiting at Arlington’s Animal Shelter, one of them is this kitten. He’s small, just-over a month and has what can be described only as a championship set of eyebrows. He's #548475517. Possibly he might answer to the name “Groucho.” (Look it up, kids.)
CONTEMPLATIONS
MISSION & 21ST CENTURY ROBOTS
Dear Readers, my mission for the next slab of unoccupied hours is to briskly, efficiently go through all the emails I’ve missed the past two days. I blame personal disruption of my lifestyle. Fortunately, I managed to get all my appointments met (happily) and to straighten out the darnedest debit card complication I’ve encountered since New York businessman Frank McNamara invented the Diners Club credit card in 1950 and changed the way Americans picked up the check, paid for school clothes and even settled the account with hardware stores, hospitals, law offices, bars and, I guess, strip joints and politicians. Read on and don’t expect a lurid tale emanating from “strip joint campaigning with a congressman.”
And, please, if this has ever happened to you, email me about the swift, easy way you solved the problem. I was quite challenged. I couldn’t even buy gas.
ONCE UPON A TIME
SOMETHING FROZE
ACCESS TO MY CASH….
Keep in mind that when it comes to dough, I ain’t operatin’ on empty. On Monday I used my debit card to flawlessly buy a hundred bucks of life-calming meds for our ol’ dog Wendy. 
Then I politely drove about a mile to my usual grocery store to buy some supplies for humans and critters, took about 20 minutes to collect $36 worth of goods. I put the same debit card into the register and it immediately was rejected. 
I tried again. Rejected again. Then, one more time. Alas, puzzlingly nixed again. I summoned a staffer who, also, was puzzled and we went to a third machine to make sure it wasn’t the store machine’s fault. Rejected again.
 I paid in cash — happened to have a pair of $20s in my traditionally thin wallet.

A WRETCHED EXPERIENCE: A couple of hours later I tried to sign into my account remotely — something I’ve done probably a hundred times in the past three or four years. Only this time, the Computer Robot wouldn’t recognize my password. It suggested I change passwords, but that didn’t work, so I’m not sure the robot really intended to help me.
 I decided to call my credit union to ask what’s-the-what. But, heck, there ain’t no phone number listed for that office! The Dallas-based CU does, however, have a human-sounding robot that pretends to be helpful but is actually more of a stall-the-customer wall between the credit union and the people who trust it to hold their money and let them have some of it when needed.
I tried to change the passwords, but the attempt, though invited by the robotic site, was rejected. 

THE PRESSURE OF TIME:
Getting the card to work was critical because the next morning (Tuesday) I was scheduled to be at a doc appointment where I’d need to produce a $15 co-pay before they could even persuade me to stand on the scales and depress myself anew. 
Ah, but I had cash ready — I needed cash for parking and tipping the valet so I just kept an extra $20 to feed the copay kitty.
 When I arrived at the doc’s and asked if I could try that debit card one more time — just in case it had healed over night — the helpful clerk said, “Sure” and we did and it was rejected in a split second. So I said, “I’ve got cash.” And the helpful clerk smiled and said, “We don’t take cash.” 
I reached back into my wallet and grabbed my ol’ trustworthy, but rarely used, back-up Amex Gold Card. It whistled through the pay process like it was jet-powered. 

THE FROZEN CARD’S
AFFECT ON A HEFTY GENT:
Ticked off (I cleaned that up) by the debit card’s continuing lack of performance, I waited in the comfortable, polite, helpful doc’s office to have my blood pressure checked. It’s always iffy in a doctor’s office. “White coat syndrome” its called. Indeed, my BP scored so high that the professionals checked it twice — I think they may have called Ripley’s Believe It Or Not to see if it was a world record. [I won’t say what it is, but when it peaked, I swear I heard a village bell ringing somewhere in Wales, the historic land of some of my people.] I monitor my BP and blood sugar daily and always provide the chart for my doctors. Honest listings of healthy BP and blood year after year. Available for bidding before I donate the collection to The Smithsonian’s exhibition Hefty Men Fight For Health in the Fastfood ’n’ Fat Era.
FIRST THINGS FIRST (HE STEAMED) Before I could return home and celebrate my positive medical report, I had to go to the credit union office to see if I could get help. This may sound like I’m exaggerating, but one of the really efficient fellows tried to quickly help me resurrect my relationship with my money. He thought a few keystrokes would bring my debit card back to life. Hah.
 Inexplicably, something had occurred that had frozen my account — “Probably tried to connect too many times,” was the staffer’s guess. Who knew there was a limit on trying to get to your own money?

DETECTING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR?
I’ve been told that freezing occurs when the system believes it has discovered a thief at work. Apparently it is very sensitive. Too many attempts to reach into my own account and judging me as a potential thief. Hah.
In my life as a personal banking consumer, I’ve never bounced a check, never once “hung paper” as the ol’ cop saying used to go. But, now, remotely, I must have, through some quirk of safe-cracking finger pressure, given off a bank robber vibe and frozen my own checking account.
One theory offered by a savvy relative is that the system is programmed to watch out for prospective thefts and my purchases of dog drugs at one place and buying cat food at another signaled “thief” loud and clear. Hah.

ANXIETY AND BLOOD PRESSURE?
And that gut-smothering anxiety, ladies and gentlemen, is why my blood pressure was elevated and my ability to produce has been diminished.
  Also, that is Porche Noel, my power-of-attorney dog (sleeping in this photo in the wee hours — she co-signs on all my loans). She was so upset that she got up to bark and go outside at 2 a.m. two mornings in a row — Tuesday and Wednesday. It was how she and I operated in our drinking era before we brought Martha into our family. It was like closing time in a Dallas bar: No more libations? Nothing else to do, you just go outside and howl. 

THE INSOMNIACAL CHALLENGE
As an insomniac, once awake, I’m awake. That’s why in the nocturnal punishment hours early Wednesday morning, I watched the 1995 University of Texas vs. Hawaii University football game on cable TV. Nothing else was on that I thought might put me to sleep. It didn’t. I ached to see a Dragnet episode with Joe Friday bagging a bank robber holding up a cell phone with a pin number on it.

AND NOW THE CARD IS REVIVED
But who knows for how long, right?
OK, whew! The card was working again Wednesday after the fellow at the credit union, in a stretch of time Tuesday, had solved the mystery and typed in a bunch of magic information that revived it. Well, honestly, it has worked just ONE TIME. I dare not try it twice without first making a call to get get permission from the CU’s Debit Card Robot Overlords. FYI, Dear Readers, That's my BP reading from about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday -- looks pretty danged healthy, doesn't it. It had been a dazzling bit higher during The Frozen Card Crisis of 2023.  Thanksfully the blood pressure gadget didn't get a "freeze" notice from the robots.
THANK YOU, DEAR READERS
For allowing me to whine about inaccessible banking and the stern robots stifling my otherwise enjoyable existence. FYI: I couldn’t find a phone number on line that would ring in the credit union’s office. But, I persuaded the perplexed credit union guy, tangling with the mystery freeze, to cough up the secret number that rings in the office where live humans are actually working. May I never have to call you. 
Next time — sure there’ll be one — I won’t have to dial up a robot who’ll put me on hold and play irritating music while my blood pressure rises to blow-out-the-top-of-his-head level. 
For the health of Americans, hire some people to answer the phones.

—- OFFER COUNSELING BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW OR BY EMAILING [email protected] AND PUT ‘THE ROBOTS ALWAYS WIN’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE. —-

FOR A MONDAY EDITION; OPPORTUNTIES TO ADOPT AND CHANCES TO THINK AND HELP (PLUS, TELL US ABOUT LOUSY MOVIES)

EDITION OF MONDAY, DECEMBER. 4, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Sunday was a sunny day, wasn’t it! And no rain or snow in our neck of the yuletide woods.
FYI: No kid in my family (3 Bowie County boys) ever got a sled for Christmas. That’s something that only happened on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post or for kids in the far northern regions of the nation. (You kids who missed growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s will need to google that magazine to understand the cultural connection. I’m not paid enough to try to educate the world about its past. That cover, by the way, is by John Falter, published on Dec. 18, 1948, and called “Sledding by Sunset.” Yeah, I thought it was a Norman Rockwell, too. Nope. (After you read about these animals below, you can click HERE and see more Post covers with sleds.)
Now, in the spirits of the season, here are some animals you can help:
PEBBLES: ‘NO LONGER
A GOOD FIT’ FOR ADOPTORS:

AH, DOGS TO LOVE & A CAT

Well, of course "no fit" happens, and our tipster Debra Chisholm, one of the volunteer dog-writers at Mequite Animal Shelter, tells us about this lovely girl. Pebbles is a Terrier mix. She was surrendered to the shelter on Nov. 27 as a 3 or 4 month old pup. Now she’s been surrendered again “because the family situation has changed and Pebbles is no longer a good fit for them.” She’s 10 months old and weighs 44 pounds. On the surrender form, the giving-her-up owner said that Pebbles is “house-trained, knows the sit, kennel and lay down commands.  She lived both in and outdoors and is OK with other dogs and children. … Pebbles has lots of puppy energy and will jump on you in her excitement.  She walks well on a leash and yet tends to wrap the leash around your legs when walking.  She was fascinated by all the smells outdoors and in the room in which she had her eval done … She is well-behaved, appears to have been well-cared for and is active and alert.  This very sweet girl is friendly and was more than happy for me to pet her.  She really liked the yummy treats I offered her. Her dream forever home would be with a person or family who would let her live with them inside so that she will be an integral part of their lives…”
 Pebbles’ shelter ID is #52629317 — use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Same system for these additional animals from the Mesquite shelter. 
Start with Maxie, #54841696. Debra writes, “I have named this delightful youngster Maxie, a German Shepherd mix brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray on 11/25.” At about a year old and 46 pounds, Debra writes that “this fun-loving playful girl exudes spunkiness.  When I took her out into the yard she was beside herself with excitement to be out of her kennel. She is a lively and high-spirited girl. She ran with abandon and chased balls though did not return them.  Undoubtedly she could be taught to fetch because she seems like a smart girl. I tried to encourage her to climb on the play equipment and though she was hesitant, she finally made it to the top step and then the platform.  In fact she seemed quite pleased with herself for accomplishing it. … She is friendly and let me pet her (once she slowed down).  She is not at all timid or nervous.  Maxie communicated to me that she has no interest in living outside in someone's backyard filling the role of watch or guard dog.  She has so much love to give that she wants to be inside with her people as an important part of the family unit.” 
These photos give you two view of Gunner (#54837704). He’s got a quick tail and a lot of spunk. Debra writes that the “mixed-breed cutie” was picked up as a stray on Nov. 24. He’s abut a year-and-a-half old and weighs 45 pounds.
 Personality? “He is confident, outgoing and trusting,” Debra reports. “Not a trace of fear, nervousness or shyness.  He is excitable and full of zest and energy...an on-the-go kind of guy. He knows the sit command and was happy to sit in order to receive them.  He seems to have been well-cared for. This is an amiable fellow who welcomes loving attention.  Gunner walks nicely on a leash, though has a bit of a strong pull.  Even though he seems to have adjusted ok to shelter life he would gladly welcome the idea of a loving home with a person or family who would give him plenty of daily time to play, exercise and would teach him some commands.  He enjoyed playing with toys and especially liked playing with tennis balls. … He's a tailing-wagging fun-loving boy who would love to have his stay at the shelter to be a brief one.”
Debra adds this note about the shelter. “We are critically overfull and a rescue or adoption would help by providing kennel space for one of the dogs coming in (and you'd get a wonderful companion!).”

Here is the LINK TO ANIMALS IN THE MESQUITE SHELTER. Dogs and cats await your love.
Call 972-216-6283 or email at rescues@ cityofmesquite.com. Use the prospective pet’s shelter ID# when you talk to the staffer. We took a look at the cats waiting in Mesquite and in a sea of black kittens, we found this beautiful cat Skittles, now 3 months old. She’s #54577945. Smallish, grey and white, she came in on October 12. She’s waiting for her human in the shelter’s Conference Room.
[LARRY SEMI-FACTUAL ASIDE: And, fyi, she’s a Domestic Medium Hair mix, perhaps one of the rarest styles of felines on the North American continent — wait, I think I keep overstating the rarity of Domestic Short and Medium Hair mixes. We’ve had a couple at readlarrypowell.com and they’re cool cats. Of course, in our world, all cats are cool — depends on how you treasure them, right?]
A HEART-BREAKING NOTE
FROM A TRUE ANIMAL FAN
Readlarrypowell.com would include the photo that accompanied this neighborhood bulletin board post, but it is heartbreaking. 
The lifeless darling is a little, hairy dog — perhaps an unkempt Maltese or a small Poodle mix. At any time in the constant traffic of Dallas/Fort Worth, the poor dog could have been a big Pittie-type, a Shepherd type, a mutt of any kind or a Chihuahua or a Pug. Cats of any kind, too. Either this dog outsmarted a human and fled or was betrayed by an inattentive human who though no dog can get out of a guaranteed fenced yard.
The woman who posted this is a dedicated rescuer in the western portion of the metro sprawl. I guarantee you that her heart is broken.
With the photograph, she wrote, “Is this your dog? I am so very sorry but I hit her this morning (Friday) on the way to the doctor. I did stop and go back and stayed with her but she passed away within a few minutes. I did scan her for a chip but there was none - no collar. She deserved so much better and I cannot apologize enough. Please contact me if this was your baby. Thank you to the three young women who tried to comfort me.”

[LARRY ASIDE: May we all work harder to keep our dogs and cats safe. Teach your children how to treasure these animals. Make the world a better, safer place for animals. And for people, too. And, yes, bless this person who stopped to care for an animal — she’s a genuine protector of animals. This hurt her heart. Call her a role model who tries to protect animals.]
CONTEMPLATIONS

ASSORTED NOTES FOR A MONDAY
Here’s a note of happiness to all of you non-profits who scramble and fret and work hard to find support.  Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that runs the worlds’ most successful spay and neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, is calling for appreciative supporters to attend a special event at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Sydney Busch, co-founder and guiding light of the Friends, reports that the Friends supporters will be honoring a benefactor. The Friends are “the beneficiary of Valvoline Instant Oil Change, a new company in Gun Barrel City and a new member of the Chamber of Commerce (The Friends have been a member for a while.) …Sydney says that at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday there will be a ribbon-cutting (146 S. Gun Barrel Lane in Gun Barrel City) and a "presentation of a check” to the Friends of the Animals. She says the Valvoline Instant Oil Change is “on 198, just south of 334— you could walk there from the Friends of the Animals Clinic at 122 Old Gun Barrel Lane. Contact the Friends by calling 903-887-7388 or emailing [email protected]. Read about 'em on Facebook.
JUST WONDERING ABOUT MONEY: Anybody know of a low- to no-fee class for non-profit animal outfits to learn how to apply for grants and fundamental help financing their mission? Let us know by emailing [email protected]. Got to be a helpful system, right? Sometimes animal people who’ll run into a swamp to rescue a litter of puppies are too shy to ask for money. Applyng for it may be a better fit. ….
I was reading the subject lines of my email Sunday afternoon and found one that read “ Guitars are not a problem anymore" and then I reread it and it actually said “Clogged Gutters are not a problem anymore.” The older I get the less helpful it becomes to be a really fast reader. For instance, do you get this line “Texas Our Taxes” right the first time through?
Worst movie I’ve ever seen? Currently a toss-up, but I’m working on making a decision. Feel free to offer your worst film opinion at [email protected]. The pandemic kept us out of the theaters for a while, so we may have missed some real popcorn pukers.
—- Offer tips and joyous notes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘DON’T GIVE ME CALORIES FOR CHRISTMAS’ in the subject line. —-

A DOG NAMED TAFFY; A CAT (TEMPORARILY) NAMED STINK & SOME HUMANS, TOO

Our weekend edition at readlarrypowell.com was long-ago named Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Those are some of the goals for every dog and cat in a shelter or a rescue group or wandering without hope or direction on a city street or a country road.

The tip on this edition's slumbering critters came from a veteran of the world of animals, Erin Dickson of PetsittersPlusOne. She wrote, “These are not my animals but I can put you in touch with the people that have them if you are interested for your sleeping feature.” [LARRY INTERRUPTION: We are ALWAYS interested and GRATEFUL!. We love showing off other folks' critters. My own critters have hired agents and are getting costly. Email your critters’ biographical information and slumber photos to [email protected].]
Erin continued explaining that “Taffy is a foster with The Street Dog Project & the kitten is with a friend of mine but she is looking for a home for him. I thought they were both extremely cute pix.” 
Before we could “go to print” — an old newshound term — with the kitten’s story, we got some good news. Keep reading.
We're starting with sleeping puppy Taffy — still needing a home. 
Her current foster Christine Colling, owner and lead designer at Mod Haven, wrote: “The backstory on the Puppy Taffy is that her mother survived being shot in the face while she was pregnant.”[UPDATE: Erin reports that mama Ruthie had 10 pups and 5 went to “a partner group in Colorado via ‘ground support” and 5 are with The Street Dog Project…]
Christine’s report continues with Taffy info: “The Street Dog Project took the mother and her litter in as rescues.  Taffy is a 12-weeks-old female Staffie/Chihuahua/Hound/supermutt mix and quite a ball of energy.  

“But when she is sleeping, she is an absolute snuggly angel!  She goes on serious adventures in my back yard everyday.  I refer to her as Mighty Mouse and while she isn’t very big, she is ready to face the world with spunk and fun. She loves other dogs and pretty much everyone she meets.  She is insanely smart as she immediately figured out within a day where her food is stored and she routinely goes to the closet door and asks for food.

“I used to foster years ago and ended up foster failing with a dog that was a difficult placement.  We couldn’t have other dogs in the home with her.  Sadly our sweet Sophie passed away earlier this year. [LARRY ASIDE: Keep the story of Sophie in mind as you continue, Dear Readers.]

Christine writes, “Since I couldn’t foster because of my foster fail dog, I have used my photography skills for over 10 years for various rescues to try to help them find homes.  

“I photographed Taffy and her siblings three weeks ago and immediately knew it was time to open our home again to fostering. She is a hoot and the BIGGEST snuggle bug when she is done saving the back yard from sticks.  
"We hope she finds a wonderful forever home soon because who wants to miss out on this cute puppy stage!  Taffy is available from The Street Dog Project Rescue.”  
Christine also says that Taffy “will be at the Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming in Plano this Saturday Dec 2, from 11-2pm.  Address 18208 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75252.”
If you can’t make it to this meet-up with Taffy, get in touch with The Street Dog Project at this link: https://www.thestreetdogproject.org.
AND THIS IS A FOUNDLING

WITH AN OH-S0-TEXAS ELEMENT:
Erin put us in touch with Andria Lai who has been fostering this kitten since finding and rescuing him.
 Erin wrote, “Andria found this guy a few weeks ago and would like to find hm a home.” A handful of hours after I read that, the situation changed and Andria had happy news about this cat as he awaited official introduction to his new home in his loving foster home!
I asked Andria about “the kitten” and she sent me what she labeled the “Story on Stink.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ll get to the cat’s name in a second — and if you’re a genuine cat person, you’ll appreciate the tale as much as I did. They have a way of owning your humor and your heart. Moving along…]

Andria writes, “I volunteer for a horse rescue and he was found at the entrance out in Wolfe City.” [LARRY ASSESSMENT: Right person at the right time to save a kitten temporarily named Stink. He's upside down, toes exposed, in that photo on the left.]

“Most likely dumped with a littermate that we found hit by a car in the road,” Andria explains and continues: “I brought him home to take to the vet, He rode like a champ the 45 minutes home all the way on my shoulder. I think he was just so happy to have a human. He was 5 weeks old, full of parasites. Hence the name ‘Stink.’

“He has turned into a little sweet demon — haha. I have never seen a cat so full of piss and vinegar!  I tried to keep him myself but my older 17-year-old cat was not going to have it. I contacted a local rescue Rachel’s Rescues in Anna where I live and she put him in her rescue.

“I am still fostering him and he has since been adopted and goes to his new home on Monday ( thank goodness ) He will have 5 playmates . He thinks I am his human playmate and attacks me all the time.  He is a wild man and his new name is Loki - God of mischief!  Very fitting. He fetches like a dog, has the coolest personality but wow is he a handful!”
NOW, THE HUMAN ELEMENT: 

You animal rescuers and advocates know how you cross paths with people while both of you work for the sake of assorted animals. Andrea knew somebody at Rachel’s Rescues and that worked out for Stink, er, Loki. 
Links, connections and the “I know a guy” philosophy of triumph!
We also got an “unexpected connection” story from the folks working with Taffy.
 As readlarrypowell.com was assembling this edition, we got a note from Erin at PetsittersPlusOne about something special in the past. 
She wrote, “I don't know if you will think this is as exciting as I do but Christine adopted one of my puppy fosters from me 16 or 17 years ago, I think that timings right, Christine? Anyway I submitted 2 puppies I was fostering back in the day to your Let Sleeping Dogs Lie feature. Their names were Mira and Chira — both almost solid white puppies (one had some black spotted ears) they were curled up so cute together I thought it was a good pic for this. This was on a digital camera I think! lol.

“Christine adopted Chira and renamed her Lily!! I think that's so cool, it just hit me a minute ago. :)  A couple of years after Christine adopted Lily, she went to the Wags & Waves event and saw a dog that reminded her of Lily who was a DAS VSP; if anyone remembers that classification. At the time I was volunteering with Paws in the City. She contacted me about fostering and she ended up fostering that dog, Duckie, for PITC at the time. Then she started volunteering her amazing photography skills after some fostering. :) So cool!”

And Christine responded, “You are correct, Erin.  We adopted our sweet Lilly from you in 2006.  I’ll never forget that day that little white dog with huge ears arrived at our house with you.  She lived to be almost 15 years old but sadly her body gave out at the end of 2020.  We still miss that girl!”

[LARRY ASIDE: There, Dear Readers, is how “unwanted” animals become so wanted that they live on as legends in the hearts of those who loved them. I write that sentence as a guy who is so grateful to have had the privilege of knowing dogs and cats who arrived as question marks and answered by becoming important elements of my life. Hang on a second while I dab my eyes and begin to smile and maybe laugh at the antics of this gone-for-years great rescued by me in Kiest Park Cocker Spaniel Inky. May all you humans have such love in your lives.]
Send the photos and stories of your wonderful companions to us at [email protected] so we can show the world how magnificent it is to have the love in your heart grow because you’ve got a good friend in a fur coat!
—- Offer ideas or opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘GOOD DOG, GREAT MEOWKITTY’ in the subject line. —-

A CROWD OF CATS RESCUED; DOGS WAIT FOR HOMES; A BIRD ON A PARKING LOT

EDITION OF FRIDAY, NOV. 31, 2023 —MADE YOU LOOK —FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Seems like only yesterday was summer and the sun wasn’t shutting down for the night during evening rush hour. I walked out onto the front porch in mid-afternoon Thursday and in the coolish, wet air as drops dripped (what else would they do) off the roof, I came up with a description for this fall not-quite-rain weather condition: “autumnal oozing drip.” Sounds like a sinus problem, doesn’t it. Let’s talk dogs and cats.
CATS AND A COUCH — 

45 FELINES RESCUED
[LARRY ASIDE: FORTY FIVE!!?? In my personal rescue episodes, it’s usually been one-on-one with me trying to coax or corral one loose dog or one wandering cat and that was only if my personal charm didn’t work in beckoning the critter into the safe place known as my “rescue hug.” So, bless all of you Big-Hearted Softhearts — that’s a double-positive — who convinced these cats to come along with you to a safe place.]
Our tipster who goes by the moniker Murphy Rescued tipped us to this note from the Garland Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. It was posted on the shelter’s Facebook page Wednesday. It’s a cat story — and a human story.
This happened a day or so ago, but it didn’t happen in a split-second. Rescue rarely does.
This note from the Garland folks began:
“Today, our dedicated team rescued 45 cats from a hoarding situation. These poor kitties were living in unsanitary conditions with dangerously high ammonia levels.
“We're thrilled to announce that after working with the owner, they have agreed to sign the cats over to us. This means we can now provide them with the care they desperately need and work towards finding them loving forever homes.
“To ensure that these precious fur babies have the best chance at finding their forever families, we are partnering with Operation Kindness. ... Every single kitty will undergo spaying and neutering so that they can be immediately placed up for adoption and/or rescue.”

The Garland Shelter also revealed that “in celebration of this remarkable rescue and to encourage as many adoptions as possible, we have decided to waive the adoption fees for ALL cats from Friday through Sunday this week.”

The Shelter also wrote “So if you or someone you know is ready to welcome a feline friend into their lives, now is the perfect time!”

To help Garland finance the care of these cats, go to this “Donations” LINK.
The note from the shelter says, “This is the largest number of animals we have had come in at one time.”
Here's the shelter online LINK and here is the shelter's FACEBOOK LINK.

One of the many comments on the Facebook post reads,”The home they’re pictured in looks relatively kept up with! Cats look healthy too. Maybe they were just trying to help strays and it quickly got out of hand! Praying for the humans and pets involved!”
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The Human Element was also noted in a passage from the Shelter’s report: “Thank you all for your continued support and for helping us give these cats a second chance at happiness. Let's spread the word and find them the loving families they truly deserve. Together, we can make a difference!”
ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE
OF BIG D? JAG & TWINS?
There’s a 4th dog, too, Reilly, who we’ve mentioned previously as she waits in the care of the tiny suburban Wilmer Shelter.
Contact points are the same for all of these dogs — the 4-Legged Helpers email at [email protected] and the call/text # 214-949-2726.
These puppies are Justin and Jordan — we don’t know which is which, as you’ll see when reading on. 
The bio read that Justin and Jordan are “possibly Swiss Mountain Dog Mix or Aussie Mix, Approximately 4-5 months old.”
 And the bio continues, “These pups are complete twins - so much so we have trouble telling them apart.  They are so fun and so cute. Sadly, a Good Samaritan found them after their mother had been rescued from a rural area, then suddenly passed away from heartworm disease. 
"So fortunate that the Good Samaritan located them. Not to worry, they are already being put on heartworm prevention so they do not suffer the same fate as their sweet mommy.  
"PLEASE, Won't you help save one or both??? They are both adorable.”

JAG has a name that means something. He’s about a year old, a neutered Hound/Boxer mix. 
HIs bio reads, “Jag was found by some Navy people so what better name than Jag?  So cute. This is a great young dog that has been FULLY VETTED.  He knows some obedience.  Loves other dogs.  Enjoys cuddle time and chasing balls. 
"He is wonderful with everyone and EVEN HOUSETRAINED.  VERY SWEET FACE. Big pretty brown eyes.”

Again, to ask about any of these dogs, email [email protected] and call/text # 214-949-2726.
STRAYDOG’S PUPDATE
ARRIVES WITH A NOTE
ABOUT HUMAN NATURE…

Oh, OK, that’s not “officially” how The Straydog Pupdate opened the bi-weekly e-newsletter, but it does spot-on reflect the happenings in the opening paragraph. If you’ve been in rescue or advocacy for longer than 30 or 40 minutes or endured the holiday season, you’ll see the truth in the opening paragraph. Straydog’s newsletter opened:
"During the holiday season, it warms our hearts to see adoption rates increase. But for every adoption, we receive at least three requests to take in a dog with nowhere else to go. As you can imagine, each time a neglected or abandoned dog arrives in our care, it breaks our hearts.”
Thus, during the “Season of Giving,” Straydog is slicing its $175 adoption fee to just $75. Yep, a hundred bucks off. (Click on the art to make it grow.)
Not only is that the current fee, it also will be the fee on Saturday, Dec. 16, when Straydog hosts its Home For The Holidays Event 10 a.m.-3 p.ml.) at The Shops at Willow Bend’s Neiman Marcus Courtyard (6121 W. Park Blvd in Plano.) Here are three of the adoptables waiting for their humans at the Straydog shelter.
This edition of Pupdate also notes that there’s a way to help without taking a dog home. (Though, who can resist, right?) Look at those three above. Right off the current list of Straydogs’s adordable adoptables.
 Here’s that paragraph about Straydog’s “blessing.” It reads: "Since the holidays are also the traditional time of giving, we are blessed to have a group of dedicated supporters who have pledged a matching gift challenge of $75,000. Through the end of the year, every dollar you donate will be matched – dollar for dollar – up to $75,000. With our intake rates increasing, this matching gift challenge couldn't have come at a better time.”
Go to straydog.org, the East Texas “No-Kill Dog Shelter and Sanctuary” and scroll down to the “bottom of the website” — takes about a second-and-a-half to “CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE” on that site.
CONTEMPLATIONS
A BIRD, THE SKY & RICE…
When I took this photograph Thursday I was reminded of sportswriter Grantland Rice’s immortal opening passage in a 1924 sports story. It began “Outlined against a blue-gray October sky….” That was how he described the setting in a story about the Notre Dame/Army game at the Polo Grounds in New York. [LARRY HISTORICAL NOTE: Notre Dame’ Fighting Irish beat the Cadets, 13-7. I wasn’t there and it wasn’t on TV. Cable was down and the communications satellites were malfunctioning. I might have made up that last sentence.]
BACK TO THE BIRD: He is outlined against a November sky. And that bird is? A temporary friend I made while I was putting grocery baskets back in line — what do you call those big metal parking things? — on the parking lot of a big grocery store Thursday morning. The baskets were slammed together as if someone with no sense of direction or the term “line ‘em up” had dropped ‘em off. No. Really they looked as if they’d been shoved haphazardly by people you usually encounter on Dallas freeways. Yeah, those people with “no sense of white lines or traffic signs.” 

That bird watched me, then, when he was satisfied with my work, he flew away and I left, wondering if I have some kind of  undiagnozed syndrom that forces me to keep grocery carts neatly stored on the lot. Wasn’t the first time I’ve done this. Probably won’t be the last.

HERE IS THE FULL OPENING of Grantland Rice’s game report that has transfixed young sportswriters for nearly a century! He wrote this on Oct. 18, 1924:
 “Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below. — Grantland Rice, October 18, 1924”

Yeah, sportswriting has changed since 1924. I’m a former sportswriter/editor and for this edition I had to rely for inspiration on a bird who stopped by to watch me line up grocery carts. He was, however, “outlined against a cold gray sky” and is now part of dramatic lore who, with wings spread, formed a crest across his chest and peered down on a bewildered panorama spread out on the asphalt below. Yeah, I got out of sportswriting in the 1960s and went to the news side of reportage and editing before I was, after several decades, swept over the precipice in Dallas.
Well, at least the grocery carts were orderly when I left the parking lot. and the bird was happy.

—- Offer advice on anything by clicking on ‘comment’ before or email [email protected] and put “FOR THE BIRDS” in the subject line. —-

SPCA PICKS A NEW TOP DOG: MISSING FORT WORTH PUG; CONTEMPLATING ANIMALS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY NOV. 29-30, 2023 [PetPowellPress] The big animal news in town Wednesday was human — the SPCA of Texas has a new "Top Dog." The SPCA announced that J. Christopher ‘Chris’ Luna, is the new President & CEO of the enduring non-profit organization for helping animals. 
He’s a former Dallas City Council member — 3 terms starting in the early 90s. (More work and mission history is in the announcement on the SPCA website at spca.org. That history includes work with non-profit organizations.)
The new SPCA president & CEO has live in Dallas for 35 years, the release says. And it also says that the SPCA Board of Director chose him “following an extensive national search process. Luna replaces Karen Froehlich, who resigned rom the organization in February 2023.”
The news release also notes that Luna and “his husband, Kent Mecklenburg, and Bacio, their senior doggy daughter.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’re dedicating today’s Contemplations to an SPCA dog and cat who need homes. Some adoptions into good homes would really be happy launching of the Luna Administration.]
SOME THOUGHTS
ABOUT DOG THIEVES
Not having attended law school in Texas and kept up studies of the law, I have no idea what the punishment is for stealing a dog or a cat. But I have a thought or two on how severe I think the punishment ought to be.
I shall, of course, keep those thoughts to myself as we remind ourselves that all criminal cases have two kinds of punishment — one is designated for the villains and the other is experienced by the victims.
The case of this pug popped up on a neighborhood bulletin page in the area of eastern Fort Worth. The posts report that this male pug was stolen from a gated front yard a couple of days ago. Happened in the area of 29th and Long Avenue. And there’s a police report.
The many-times-forwarded note reads, “The owner is devastated. Praying for the power of social media. He has recently been groomed with cheetah print. Have all documents to prove ownership. He’s an emotional support dog and takes daily meds.”
Another note read that the dog’s human “is devastated. She’s walking around asking neighbors and local businesses. She’s at a loss. Praying this reaches the right person in any neighborhood..”
And one comment on the bulletin board asked, “Microchipped?” and the response was “No, and I’m trying to comfort and scold her all at the same time. Reality is without that microchip there’s very little chance of reuniting. I promised I would share in my neighborhood for her. …. Police report has been filed.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Just thought I’d mention this cruel crime — it can’t be easy for the dog — in case you know someone who trusts people to not steal things and who thinks microchips aren’t needed and who thinks, “Aw, nobody’s gonna come into my yard and steal my dog.” We’ll monitor this case and let you know what happens. Yeah, some people steal dogs to sell ‘em. Drugs are cheap. And bad behavior can be heartless.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE FACES, THE WHISKERS, THE FUTURE
Ziggy Pawdust? Ziggy Pawdust? Keep reading! When we first got the news that the SPCA of Texas had a brand new chief executive, i.e., Chris Luna, now the President and CEO, we thought “Knowledge of how Dallas works is a good thing to have in the non-profit community.” And, as you probably know, the SPCA of Texas is a legendary animal welfare organization. It’s people — employees and volunteers — are extremely dedicated to the cause. And, yes, so are its “clients,” the people who find canine and feline members of the family waiting for them at the SPCA.

So, we decided to dedicate this segment of CONTEMPLATIONS to the future, i.e., President & CEO Chris Luna and the staff and volunteers AND the supporters and, especially, to the animals. So, here are two very adoptable animals waiting at the SPCA of Texas.
You can see these and the many more available adorables by clicking on the SPCA’s Find-a-Pet link HERE.
We scrolled through page after page of dogs and cats and chose the very last dog on the canine pages for highlighting. That fellow (right) is Ziggy Pawdust (#525440067) at the SPCA.
 Clearly Ziggy is a creatively literate dog and that explains why his bio is in the first-person.
It reads, “ABOUT ME: I'm a star-man, waiting in the sky ... Actually, I'm waiting in the shelter. For YOU! Won't you come and meet me? I know it'll be worthwhile I My foster friends say that I ride well in a car, loved meeting new friends out and about in town. I am heartworm positive, so I can't be at my most physically active until my treatment has finished, but that would be completely covered after my adoption.
“From my foster friend that took me out on a day adventure: ‘Ziggy Pawdust is awesome! He is very smart. He's so sweet and would give kisses and body hugs, seemingly appreciative for a day out. His favorite was exploring shaded walking trails in a public park. He sniffed for squirrels and watched people play Frisbee golf. He is eager to explore new places and did well inside Home Depot and Pet Supplies Plus, where he met new people, sniffed plants and toys, and investigated Halloween decorations.’
DREAM HOME: I'd be comfy anywhere, I'm not picky! DOGS: I could hang out with another dog who wants to play - bring them to meet me!”
[LARRY ASIDE: AND THIS CAT? Yes, it was the world championship whiskers that drew me to Cutie Pie. Here’s her bio.]
“Introducing the one and only Cutie Pie! Her name isn't just a name; it's a description. She is a bundle of sweetness and affection. If you're in need of some purr-fectly sweet moments in your life, Cutie Pie is your answer.
She's a true cuddle enthusiast, always ready to curl up in your lap and shower you with affection. She is extremely curious and will entertain you with her playfulness!
“FOSTER TESTIMONIAL: "Cutie Pie is so curious and goofy! She is always wanting to know what I am doing or be a part of it if she can. My favorite thing about her is that she'll turn everything into a game, which makes me laugh so hard. She gets these crazy random zoomies and jumps off the walls ... She also loooves giving you kisses like a puppy would. She is very affectionate towards humans and has the sweetest little meow."
Then, in a first-person portion of the bio, Cutie Pie writes, “I will need to be on a prescription diet to help me keep me happy and healthy for the rest of my life. Feel free to talk with an adoptions specialist for more information on my medical needs. I decided I did not want to be friends with my Foster mom's resident cat, BUT I loved her DOG! Canine buddies are more my style. Kids may be great, but I have been around them so I would like to meet the whole family to be sure we are a match. Come meet me any day of the week at 2400 Lone Star Dr. from 12pm to 6pm.”
 That’s the same place you can meet up with Ziggy Pawdust. Go to spca.org to see how to adopt animals or how to foster animals or how to volunteer or support the SPCA of Texas. You can call the SPCA at 214-742-7722 to ask about meeting an animal.
ON it’s opening page, the SPCA has this passage that is, as many of us can testify, a rock-solid expression of truth:

“Adopting a homeless animal will change their lives and yours in rich, meaningful ways.”

—- Offer HOPE or LUCKY LOTTO NUMBERS by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Save ‘em all. —-

GIVING, SPENDING, ADOPTING, RESCUING, LOVING AND OTHER WORDS FOR HELPING ANIMALS IN TOUGH SPOTS

EDITION OF TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY NOV 28-29 [PetPowellPress] It’s been chilly, but I still don’t miss the Summer of 2023. Here’s our report:
AS IT TURNS OUT…
I began this note with “as it turns out” because somehow I did not realize this particular Tuesday was beyond “just a Tuesday” — it is also “Giving Tuesday.” Lots and lots of animal advocate and rescue organizations are signed up as participants — in case people have some extra cash with which to do good things. 
They range from the young and small — such as founder Michael Shaub’s Dallas-area rescue Lend a Paw (saved 4 dogs from West Texas last weekend, we’re told) —- to the established places you’ve known for years that make headlines for good works, i.e., the legendary Straydog Inc., the “No Kill Dog Shelter & Sanctuary” in East Texas.
There are many more of these places registered as Giving Tuesday participants. The emails arrived in droves.
These places are fueled by wonderful hearts, but they run on money. You know how the non-profit world works. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m prepared to suggest that no one from a non-profit animal organization has ever won Lotto Texas or any other big gamble.]
Giving Tuesday has been around since 2012 when it was founded in New York at the 92nd Street Y’s Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact. It’s a global Tuesday these days. Here’s a link to Giving Tuesday. 
SPEAKING OF HEARTS
WORKING FOR ANIMALS
We cite this dog Reilly — a fixture on appeals by 4-Legged Helpers for a number of weeks now.
She’s in the Wilmer Animal Shelter on I-45 not far from the southern city limits of Dallas. And, if you’re a 501c3 who needs help with transporting, the Helpers can, indeed, help with that.
Reilly’s bio describes her as about a year old and a “German Shorthair Pointer or Lab Mix.”

The bio reads, “Reilly  is so INCREDIBLY SWEET and SO PRETTY.  A really beautiful dog.  The more we look at her the more we think German Shorthair Pointer or Lab mix. Look at the markings on her feet. Very sweet and she so much wants to be loved.   PLEASE HELP SAVE HER!!!”

To help the Helpers help Reilly, call or text the 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. And, to see more animals that need homes and help, go to the 4-Legged Helpers Facebook page HERE.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE
MR. HANDSOME’S WAITING
Thanks to Mesquite Animal Services volunteer dog-writer Debra Chisholm, we’ve gotten a look at “this handsome and lively youngster” Otto. He’s said to be an “American Staffy/American Pit Bull Terrier mix that arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/21.” He’s about a year old, weighs 47 pounds and Debra describes him as “one tail-wagging, high-energy, life-of-the-party kind of guy.  He is quite energetic and playful.  He does jump on you so will need to receive some manners/obedience training in order to fit int with his family better.  He walks nicely on a leash.  …  He is a curious pup and seemed interested in what was going on outside the confines of the shelter yard.  He positioned himself at the gate in order to watch what was going on in the parking lot and field outside the shelter.  He is happy to receive loving attention from a human friend... that is, when he slows down long enough!  He has an underbite that only adds to his cuteness.”
Otto’s shelter ID is #54826615. Use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Same system when you ask about these other Mesquite animals.
This guy who appreciates a hug is Boyd (ID # 54800543], a “mixed breed boy picked up by one of our officers and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/16 as a stray,” Debra reports. She says, “My Dog Scanner app suggests the following in his breed: American Pit Bull, Boxer and Jindo.  Whatever is in his breed, he is one thoroughly charming and delightful youngster.  He is approx 1 year old and weighs 56 pounds.  Boyd is a bundle of exuberant, fun-loving, high energy.  He walks well on a leash.  He is athletic and entertained himself in the yard (as well as us!).  His passion is everything tennis balls!  He spent most of his time during the photo shoot chasing balls, fetching, chewing on them and running around with them in his mouth.  It was comical to watch. … With his propensity to jump, he will need a high secure fence.  A 4-foot chain link fence will not do for this fellow.” And Debra added, “If you could meet Boyd I think you would find him to be as delightful as I did.”
This is Sweet Pea (#54808925), so named “because she is just that: SWEET!!,” Debra wrote. She came in as a stray on the 17th — she’s about 2 and weighs 51 pounds. And Debra writes, “My Dog Scanner app suggests the following in her breed mix:  English Pointer, English Foxhound and German Shorthaired Pointer.  She is a thoroughly charming happy-go-lucky pooch.  She walks well on a leash.  …  She has an outgoing and confident personality.  It was fun to watch her doing zoomies in the yard and enjoying the beautiful cool sunny weather.  She is energetic and lively.  She climbed on our play equipment to enjoy the scenery from that perspective. Sweet Pea enjoys playing with toys and balls.  She will sit for treats and takes them gently.  This girl is friendly, affectionate, gives kisses and is happy to be petted and loved on.  Often I ask myself, ‘Why is this dog in a city shelter with her owner not coming to reclaim?’  It totally baffles me ….”
Year-old Boomer (#54813050) came in as a stray on the 18th — he weighs about 52 pounds and, Debra write, “This is a boy with tons of puppy energy and enthusiasm.  He has a zest for living!  He is high-spirited and energetic.  He does jump on you and that will need to be addressed.  In fact, manners training would be an excellent idea for this pup and help to make him more adoptable.  He walks well on a leash.  … He loves treats and seems quite treat-motivated, perhaps making the training process somewhat easier.  He is athletic and climbed on the play equipment in our yard.  He is friendly, affectionate and is more than happy to receive loving attention.  His soft, fluffy coat is perfect for cuddling and hugging,  This would a good fit for a person or family with an active lifestyle. 
Look at this dog’s photos and then read this description from Debra: “To say she is shut down and terrified is an understatement. She sits in her kennel with her head down or facing the wall. She will not look at you and perhaps she thinks if she can’t see you then you can’t see her. On the 10th day in the shelter, she allowed a volunteer to briefly touch her.  She was very uncomfortable during the encounter but did not flee. She is so frightened of the leash that when it’s put on her, she starts screaming and thrashing and will not stop until it’s removed. She’s having to be removed from her kennel daily so it can be cleaned. This is so traumatic for her that any progress made the day before is lost and we have to start fresh again. She has shown an indication that she wants to trust but in the shelter environment it’s going to be difficult to achieve.  Therefore, she needs to be rescued and the sooner the better as the shelter is over capacity and realistically speaking it’s hard to justify kennel space for a dog who seems unadoptable. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it is to be that scared for that long.”

Whisper arrived as a stray on Nov. 16. She’s about a year old and is a Husky mix. To ask about helping Whisper, use her shelter ID 54802206 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]
 
Here’s the LINK TO THE SHELTER AND ITS ANIMAL BIOGRAPHIES.
We have some personal thoughts on cats in the next segment.
CONTEMPLATIONS
CATS AND OTHER NOTES
As you probably know, Dear Readers, there are available cats in the Mesquite Animal Shelter — quite a few of them, including this fellow Tyke. He’s #54134439 and he’s one of several little black and white kitties in the Mesquite Shelter. Tyke is just over 3 months old. He arrived on Sept. 11 and he’s available for adoption. What kind of cat is Tyke? That rarest of all cats: a Domestic Shorthair Mix — I’m still researching the true rarity of that type of cat. I suspect Tyke may be fully adorable in each stage of his life. That’s been my experience with cats, and I’ve lived with at least three black and white cats — Cyril, Poirot and, now, my Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray. ….
Too much stuff is cramming is way into my existence. Call it the December Approaches Syndrome. And I don’t have a single problem in the pressure — just things that probably will make me smile. Now and then I’m so human that I manage to overcrowd my calendar and undercrowd my bank account. …
I watched a few minutes of the service for First Lady Rosalynn Carter — I heard prayers and stories and heard hopeful songs (including John Lennon’s Imagine as performed by country couple Garth Brooks and Miss Tricia Yearwood). As I listened to the part of the service I was tuned to, I immediately thought, “Yep, that is almost certainly based on the Southern Baptists funerals I heard in my earlier years. Music, preachers, a quiet crowd of mourners — and, quite importantly — laughter. I think there is laughter because good souls cannot go through life without a sense of humor. I’m not a clergyman, but I have played one on stage.
—- Offer advice or caution by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “AMEN AND DOGS & CATS — SAVE ‘EM ALL” in the subject line. —-

THERE WAS A CAT, THEN THERE WAS A DOG... SOME RESCUE; SOME DON'T CARE

EDITION OF MONDAY, NOV. 27, 2023 [PetPowellPress] It’s Monday and I’m emotionally/energly/focusly “holiday weekended.” I just needed one more day off, maybe, to properly gather myself.
 Let’s get right to the point. Hang on, I’ve misplaced that index card. Ah, it was under Senior Office Cat William Powell (left) as he and Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray awaited Monday morning treats. 
On the right that is their ol’ pal, that deer wearing a post-Thanksgiving seasonally appropriate red nose. The boys like to listen to gentle cello music while they watch me type. I don’t know why office cats are not mandatory in high-pressure corporations. Oh, wait. Yes I do. They’re too amewsing in the board rooms.
We’ll open with a Cat Cogitation that evolves into a Canine Consideration.
FIRST A CAT, THEN
A DOG, THEN A ….
Well, the third thing in that headline is a consternation over the number of “lost” or “dumped” or “strayed” or “ignored until they must escape to survive” animals who are the victims of a human “don’t care/so what?” attitude during a “holiday time-out.”
What brings this up is the chance encounter Monday morning with some people who rescued animals and posted their appeals for help on a Next Door neighborhood page. Praise these people as good hearts doing the right thing. I don’t know them or the animals. But I know bonafide rescuers and animals that have been saved. I know the challenges when idiots gamble with the lives of animals.
 That cat wrapped up in a towel and cradled in a car is a “found” feline. The note posted by Sarah over the weekend reads, “Cat found on entrance ramp of 30 and Bridge Street. Right in front of White Lakes Hills neighborhood [of Eastern Fort Worth]. Very sweet and calm, has to be someone’s pet.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Possibly, but as one person wrote on the site, “Probably dumped like so many lately. Such a beautiful kitty.”]

Aanastacia posted the note about this dog in a picture that looks as if it might have been clipped from an award-winning motion picture or was a hot-rod pasenger scene in the film American Graffiti.
Anastaciia, on the Next Door site, posted this brief note about that dog running loose in southern Fort Worth. She wrote, “Found someone’s fur baby on Summer Creek Dr. He was almost hit and (I) stopped to put blinkers on but he ran up to my car. He is pretty young, telling from his claws and paws and was whining.”

CONTEMPLATIONS
WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH SOME PEOPLE!!!!!

Neither of these weekend notes about rescued animals has a resolution as of around noon on Monday — I’ll keep looking for the results. 
Both notes were posted on a neighborhood bulletin board in Fort Worth. But they represent what happens in so many neighborhoods throughout the metrosprawl — ask any rescuer or animal control officer in Dallas, Irving, Mesquite, Arlington, Grand Prairie, etc. Just pick a town.

Our theory, based on observation, is that sometimes innocent folks who aren’t prone to cat and dog rescues will stop and pick up, i.e., save the life of a dog or cat. 
Because they are good-hearted people, the may assume that the person who used to have the animal is a big-hearted human being who’d do the same thing near a busy thoroughfare on a cold day in November. 
Fat chance. Nope. Most of the time, we’re willing to declare, the people who “lose,” “dump,” “fail to shut a gate,” etc., are simply boneheads with an attitude of don’t care/so what about the animals. If they “lose” a dog or cat, it’s OK by them — “I was tired of feedin’ it,” they’d happily explain. Or, “I was on vacation and couldn’t find anybody to take care of it.” 

No amount of preachin’ is going to change their minds which are set-in-concrete-but-not-nearly-as-smart-as-it. Not even a loving application of the readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four-of-Enlightenment will make ‘em brighter.

The rest of us just have to keep an eye out for animals who used to live with these morally bankrupt individuals. And if they aren’t morally bankrupt, then I apologize to the clearly unqualified-to-have-an-animal pickleheaded goofballs. My apologies to all pickles for lumping you in these people.
—- Offer an opinion about the pickleheads or a solution to their behavior by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] and put FIX THE HEARTLESS WHO DUMP ANIMALS in the subject line. [Fix may be used in two ways. But that would be wrong, of course.] —-

TESTING OLD PHOTO SYSTEM IN CASE SANTA'S PAYING ATTENTION....

Practicing carols, I'm led to believe.

Cats can mew.
That's what they do.
And they can purrr
But my dogs can grrrr
And not a one at any time
Can figure a way to
make a dime.
(Poet: Larry No Rhymin' Nor Reas'nin Powell 11-25-22)

AND, YES, SOME OF US DO ENVY THE ABILITY OF DOGS TO NOD OFF.....

Ah, for the last weekend of November we get the opportunity to sleep. We may not take it, but it's there. No everybody has the nod-off skills of a happy dog.
As an example living up to the weekend edition's title, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we've picked out a Thanksgiving morning photo of Porche Noel (brown ears, foreground) in full-on napping, and, head up and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the wonderful Porche.
I'm not sure how many Macy's parades she's watched with me, but something about it fascinates her. Could be the marching bands -- I think she's always been interested in learning to play the slide trombone.
Her leg reach means she can only hit two or three notes.
 Short legs, big heart. That's Porche on the living room couch during the  Cowboys game -- her usual NFL viewing position.  She'd set her alarm so she'd  have enough time for a quick walk before rushing back in to watch the Dolly Parton halftime show. Big fan of Dolly's. And I caught Porche going through a costume catalogue and looking for sparkly dog tights and other gear. For a long time Porche thought Jolene was the name of a dog who'd run off. We finally explained the song to her.
Wendy, some mornings, prefers to ignore her tendency to nap and, when I'm on the laptop, she'll just stick hear head around the corner to see if I'm hitting all the punctuation correctly. She was up Sunday watching the KERA-TV Doc Martin marathon when I got back from buying supplies, i,e., dog and cat food and my diet salad supplies. Happy girl. Not a fan of salads.  [The final photo is of Wendy snoozing in Martha's lap during the UT/Texas Tech game. Comfort radiates from her face! Martha was comfortable, too. Also napping.]
Cats, dogs and writing stories about them -- it just somehow seems to always fit together, not necessarily for major profit.
As for this edition, we're having technical problems with photos and "stuff" -- I'm not schooled enough to define "stuff" but I can tell you, in kind words, that it fouls up everything I've been trying to accomplish on the keyboard for two days. I'm almost certain I am to blame, I have been led to believe. And I have no douts.
[DEAR READERS, Please send photos and biographies of you beloved dogs, cats and other critters who'll nod off for the camera. We love to show them off to the world. The addess is [email protected]. The fee is nothing. Try finding that this time of year!]

SOME GENTLE THANKSIVING MEMORIES -- FROM PEOPLE TO PIE.

    Ah, Thanksgiving. A favorite holiday that’s a feast of memories, right?
    Here are some personal recollections of Thanksgivings Past. I probably won’t need a lawyer after you read these.
    Oh, and there’s this: I hope something will inspire you to go into the kitchen and give a Thanksgiving hug to the cook — unless you’re in a restaurant, then tip big and yell, “Thanks, Kitchen! Easy on the garlic!”

    Not everbody has a home for the holidays. But they’ve got hearts and, now and then, a sense of humor.
    
(THANKS NOTE 1) From early on I remember Thanksgiving excitement over watching the black and white movie about the Bob Cratchit family in London celebrating Thanksgiving with all the kids.

TIME OUT!
    Some of you caught my little movie joke. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, as my teachers at Texarkana’s Highland Park Elementary School told us each year. Teaching Context: That was in the ‘50s, when World War II was still a fresh memory for our moms and dads. 
I was clearly thinking of the Cratchit family from a 1938 film based on ol’ Charlie Dicken’s ghost story, A Christmas Carol. I’m just kidding. 
    Here we go back to Thanksgivings of the past.

    (THANKS NOTE 2) When I was a kid we didn’t watch any movies at Thanksgiving except for the 1946 black-and-white Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life. For years and years local channels could show this film repeatedly and night after night (starting at Halloween) because it was not “owned” by anyone. That went on right up until around 1994 when NBC’s lawyers discovered that the big network could, indeed, own it, be the only network that could broadcast and make money off of it. NBC put it on a limited schedule: once on Thanksgiving and once on Christmas Eve. Of course, if you still have a VCR you can show your decades-old videotape copy. Or, if you’re hooked up to the modern world you can stream it free on Amazon Prime these days. Don’t know how long that’ll last. “Free” isn’t a popular word in the languages of marketing and commerce.
That’s a scene from the film with Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey and Henry Travers as Clarence the Angel. I’m thankful we can still see the movie and celebrate it’s themes and triumphs as we review things we are grateful for on this American holiday.
    (THANKS 3) Oh, yeah, there’s this family memory: In the ‘50s and early ‘60s if my family watched a movie or TV program broadcast “in living color” at Thanksgiving we still saw it in black and white. The family didn’t get a color TV until around 1968 after I’d left town to become a world famous sportswriter — a noble but failed experiment.
 Another reason for giving thanks — I couldn’t handle the travel and schedule that challenges sportswriters. I am thankful for some stories I acquired in that era. Maybe some day I’ll be thankful I took notes so I could put ‘em all in a book. I also took notes when I was covering courthouses and politics — those notes may need a lawyer when published. I’m kidding, kind of …. That’s one of the early colorful peacock versions -- Thank you, Google! -- that NBC used to announce that program was brought to you “in living color.”
    (THANKS 4) Moving back to Thanksgiving traditions. Like many of you, Dear Readers, my funspouse Martha and I have Thanksgiving traditions. 
My primary tradition is I don't go to grocery stores at any time on the day before a holiday. 
I've been trapped in the madhouse of overloaded baskets and underfunded shoppers at the checkout. What you are watching will either melt your heart or melt your ice cream. I’d rather shop early than put my emotions to the test.
|
    (THANKS 5) Martha’s got a Chocolate Pie tradition. It’s a family hand-me-down that is a blessing for which to be so thankful when it shows up on a holiday menu! She’ll bake it more than just at Thanksgiving. Either of our sons calls up and asks, “Can you make me that pie?” and she asks, “Just one enough?”
Back during the most recent State Fair of Texas, Martha and I were among the judges for the Creative Arts Department's pie-baking contests. [LARRY FYI: We judges and fans of the fair are THANKFUL for the hard work by State Fair of Texas Creative Arts Director Kathy Bennett and her team. Here’s a reality: Counting contests, competitors, workers and volunteers, the State Fair’s Creative Arts contests have a lot more precision moving parts than Big Tex or a ferris wheel!] 

There were a LOT of pies judged at the great State Fair of Texas in 2023. Lot of categories, too. Martha and I drew the challenge of tasting chocolate pies. There were more than 30 chocolate pie entries. You see a photo of one of the many tables filled by entries in the assorted pie contests.
And, with that emblem of Texas highlighting it, that’s one of the chocolate pies in the contest. [LARRY ASIDE: I've never had a bad competitive pie (or cookie!) at the State Fair of Texas!] 
How did I feel about getting to judge the pies? In keeping with today’s theme of Thanksgiving, I was incredibly thankful. I was getting to live out the childhood fantasy of the little Texarkana, Texas, boy I’d been: Holding a spoon and being within reaching distance of sampling all the chocolate pie I could eat! 
Thus, from early in October we have a solid reason for me to be thankful for this holiday. I actually got to taste all the chocolate pie I could eat. Well, all I could eat until Thanksgiving, of course, when I intend to taste some more. I think an alarm just went off in my doctor’s office. Or it could be the alarm on the oven where, amazingly, a second Thanksgiving chocolate pie is being baked.
    (THANKS 6) My funcookingspouse Martha and I have always enjoyed Thanksgiving as a family holiday -- though in my lost and wandering years as a bachelor feller, I did have great times with friends who also worked newspaper schedules, i.e., early and late and overtime on holidays to get the paper out. 

Thanksgiving in my early years was in Texarkana, Texas. I think some of the original Pilgrims still lived in our Hazel Street neighborhood — that’s how far back I go…
I am quite grateful for memories such as watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in black and white. Mom was in the kitchen making Thanksgiving Dinner — Chicken and dressing and giblet gravy and mashed potatoes and green beans and biscuits and .. What’s that? No, we didn’t have turkey — poor families were thankful for chicken! The chicken at our Thanksgiving could come from nearby Piggly Wiggly or A&P or it might have been one of the chickens we’d met at Grandpa’s and Grandma’s house out in the country on the Arkansas side of town. [LARRY ASIDE: That might have inspired my inclination toward being a vegetarian. Don’t eat your friends just because it’s a holiday, you know?]

Back to Thanksgiving mornings: That Thanksgiving parade artwork is from 1956, (if Google's source got the date right).
I’d watch the entire Macy’s parade broadcast. But at some point, brainy middle brother Barry would wander off to find another book to read. Baby Brother Garry might nod off or he’d put on his boots and go out into the backyard to play with Queenie the Border Collie. 
She was rarely allowed in the house (nowadays the dogs at our house are rarely outside!). But that was the 1950s and the only dogs who’d have been allowed in our built in 1949 wood frame house were Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Roy Rogers’ Bullet and Nick and Nora Charles’ Asta, The Thin Man’s detective dog. Wait a second -- you see that photo of the parade balloon Snoopy with Woodstock on his noggin. Our Weatherford pals Deana, Jim and Lee Hanson recently sent me a card with a photo of Charlie Brown's dog from the TV comic strip Peanuts in the parade -- yeah, they know my adoration for what the locals call the "Macy's Day Parade!"
And, of course, fans of the parade and the Rocky & Bullwinkle show recognize one of the stars of The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle -- it was on ABC 1959-64, not NBC. Except for the characters appearing in the parade. I've included a publicity photo of co-star Rocky. It's Thanksgiving, you know?
While there was a time when dogs and some cats wouldn't be allowed in the house with their kids to watch a parade, those times are gone. Thankfully. At our house, the dogs and cats watch the parade with me. They might nap a little. But I don’t. That's my beloved Porche -- recent football game put her out like a light. Internal clock woke her up for dinner.
    (THANKS 7) My dad usually worked overtime on holidays — he was a mail-handler at the big railroad station downtown. That means that no matter the weather or the temperature or his temperature or his mood, he’d be outside on the back dock at the railroad station throwing giant bag-after-bag of mail either into or out of a boxcar. 
The mail was always on the move — holidays didn’t stop the trains. The overtime Pop earned paid for a lot, I was told as a child. School fees, school clothes, shoes we walked in, morning oatmeal, etc. We must have been the 3 most costly boys in Bowie County. 
Mom held off on serving the big meal until after 3 p.m. when Pop got home from work. 
In the evening, family members from in and out of town would stop by — aunts, uncles, cousins. They loved to sit and talk and laugh with Uncle Calvin and Aunt Pearl. (In Northeast Texan that's "Unkul Cahvin 'n' Ain't Purl.") Those visits — reasons to be grateful on Thanksgivings through the years. 
That's my pop as a young soldier -- it wasn't long until he waded ashore at Normandy and he and his infantry unit began the drive to free Europe. In my childhood. I was born several years after the war, but Pop would still show signs of being so happy to be home. For that I am thankful on this very day. He deserved joy in life. Pop had started working at the railroad station when he was a kid, then took some time off for that expenses-paid walking tour of Europe -- it was no vacation, but it was a learning experience. I'm thankful he was our daddy.
    (THANKS 8) Getting back to chocolate pie, a topic of thankfulness from which I am never far!
 Among the family traditions since 1991 when Martha and I married: THE Chocolate Pie.
 It is made by following a recipe handed down from her grandmother to her daughters including Martha's mom, my beloved mom-in-law Violet Muse.
There's a family story about Grandmother Eunice Lewis’ last minutes. Her daughters and other relatives were solemnly gathered around her bed. This was a beloved woman the family was praying over. 

I've known a few of her daughters and they all had great hearts of faith and great senses of humor and tradition, too. 
That day in 1981 as the family stood around the bed and prayed for comfort and joy for this wonderful role model, suddenly all realized that treasured Grandma Eunice had "gone on.”
All too quickly she had left them. 

And there was weeping and hugging and quiet contemplation and gently, in a voice heard by the mourning cooks once counseled by Eunice, someone very quietly, very seriously asked, "Did anybody get Momma's chocolate pie recipe." 
After a moment of dramatic silence, a younger niece, dabbing her eyes, provided relief as she said solemnly, “I've got a copy. She gave it to me." 
And, there, suddenly, was one more reason for giving thanks at the family tables, including the one Martha and I will be at when our little boy Bret hosts our other little boy (his twin) Bart and his kids and assorted folks on Thanksgiving 2023.

Grandmother Eunice's 20th century legend as a pie-baker, enhanced by Martha’s 21st century skill of baking with affection, will add piepan joy to another family gathering on Thanksgiving Day.
As my cleverspouse Martha once wrote, “A great pie recipe can travel through time.”
— MAY THIS BE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING FOR YOU ALL.  MAY WONDERFUL MEMORIES ABOUT AND THE CALORIES NOT COUNT ONE SINGLE OUNCE!  —-

AS THANKSGIVING DRAWS NIGH, ANIMAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

EDITION OF 11/21/22/23 [PetPowellPress] Already it’s the Tuesday moving to Wednesday before Thanksgiving — the 21st heading to the 22nd then to the 23rd in 2023. I’m rarely this good with numbers. Got ‘em all in the right order.

November of 2023 and we’re still here after what can only be described one hot son-of-a-gun-summer. So? Ah, as the temps in our Texas Zip Codes descend, we turn to the magnificent writer John Steinbeck and his 1962 road trip with his Standard Poodle: Travels with Charley: In Search of America. Mr. Steinbeck wrote, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” [LARRY ASIDE: That’s a 1963 cover of the book. And may your 2023 Thanksgiving have some sweet pies. Maybe some sweet peas, too. I’ll be dieting. As is my holiday custom. And watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in my Santa costume. Oh, wait, this is an odd-numbered year — I wear the Big Turkey Costume in odd years.]
SPOTTING A DOG
ON A TUESDAY…
I clicked on something — can’t remember what —- and suddenly I saw this note by Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs poster Florence M. DiGennaro.
 The dog’s name is Joe and his number is A1195879 at Dallas Animal Services. He’s a 4-year-old, 43-pound dog who is — stop me if you’re surprised in Dallas — “Heartworm Positive.” 
He becomes available for adoption on the 22nd — that’s Wednesday. 
And the post on the Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs Facebook site reads, “Joe was found as a stray in the community. He is a little nervous around unfamiliar people. We are hoping to find him placement soon if he is not reclaimed. Email [email protected]."
And here’s a link to Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs.
[LARRY ASIDE: In general, treatment for heartworms is no big deal for dogs — just get a vet to help you and then you help the dog stay calm and quiet while the medicine does its work. You and the dog will both benefit from the relationship. Preventing heartworms is also a snap — if you’ll just take the animal to the vet first thing and get the preventative. If you don’t do this stuff, you’re just killing the dog you said you’d love. Harsh? Hell, yes, I’m harsh. So is watching a dog who loves you die when it didn’t have to. Please value your animals. They value you. There’s probably not a person reading this who doesn’t have a good relationship with a vet and a heartworm-free dog. Yeah, I’m preachin’ to the choir. Frustration with human behavior is a genuine aggravation. Can I get an ‘Amen!’?]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE
WE CITE BEN & JERRY

AND A FEW MORE….
Pretty sure there’s not an ice cream fan in the Greater Metrosprawl who isn’t aware of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Some of us are too aware of it. But never mind ice cream, let’s talk dogs.
Thanks to the volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm we have the story of a couple of dogs who showed up as strays on Nov. 10.
Debra opened her bio of Ben with “They don’t come any cuter than this adorable youngster.” Ben and his brother Jerry came in at the same time and are, Debra reports, American Staffy/American Pit Bull mixes, both about 4 months old. Ben weighs in at 25 pounds and Jerry scores 35 pounds on the shelter scales.
 Ben, the brownish dog, is #54761709 and Jerry is #54761695. Use their numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for the other animals in this report.
Debra reports that Ben is “timid and shy” in his kennel, but “once out into a good-sized room that was quiet and away from the commotion of the other dogs, he blossomed.  He is playful, enjoying toys and tennis balls..a tail-wagging little charmer.  He does not walk on a leash, as undoubtedly he has never had a leash on.  He seems more comfortable and trusting than his sibling.”
 Ben’s story reads that he “loves and takes treats gently and would most likely be easy to train when offering tasty treats as rewards.  He is friendly, affectionate, and likes belly rubs and petting.”

Debra writes that Jerry “is a pup that has potential to become a devoted and loving companion to some fortunate person or family but currently is timid, shy, fearful and nervous in the shelter environment.  His brother is more active and playful.  In fact, when they were brought into the room in which I did their eval, pics and video Jerry found a comfy, fluffy doggie bed and parked himself there for the entire time he was in the room.  It was a quiet place away from the commotion of the other dogs and he just wanted to relax and chill.  He will need additional time and interaction with staff and volunteers in order to warm up, trust and figure out that no one wants to harm him. … He was fine with my petting him.  He wasn't interested in treats, toys or exploring the room.  I will do another video and eval when he has warmed up more.”
This girl is Okie (#54726091), “an American Pit Bull/Argentino Dogo mix that was picked up by police officers as a stray and brought to doggie jail at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/4. This very sweet youngster is 8 months old, weighs 46 pounds and was spayed last week.  She walks very well on a leash.  She thoroughly enjoyed stretching her legs and checking out the smells in the shelter yard. She is well-behaved, lively and spunky. … She is also friendly, has a sweet personality and is perfectly fine with being petted and loved on.”
And this is Dora (#54788096). Debra says Dora is “an American Pit Bull mix picked up by one of our officers as a stray and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/14.  She weighs 21 pounds and is approx 5 months old.  
“Though truly a sweet and loving girl, it is obvious she hasn't had good care.  Her skin is dry and flaky and her coat scruffy.  Her nails are incredibly long and that will be taken care of by our staff.  But even though she has not had the attention she deserves, she is still sweet and gentle.  Dora does walk nicely on a leash.  She loves treats and sits for them.  She has a low-key personality and is mild-mannered.  And yet she is playful and especially loves to play with tennis balls.  She had no issues with me petting her and giving her TLC.  Dora deserves far better than she's had so far in her short life.”
See more adorable adoptables in the Mesquite Animal Shelter by clicking on THIS LINK. You’ll see dogs and puppies and cats and kittens.
Among the cats is this baby boy with the odd name for a cat: Parrot. He’s #54497017 at the shelter. Around 3 months old now, the little kitten in the photo is still regarded as “mall. He came in on Sept. 20, is listed as “rescue only” and is waiting in the shelter’s Conference Room. What kind of cat? The very rare Domestic Shorthair Mix — we’re not sure how rare, really. OK, maybe we’re pushing things to describe Domestic Shorthair Mix as rare. But this is Parrot and like all cats he is “One of a Kind.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
CAN’T AFFORD A TOY? A QUESTION…
As Thanksgiving is nigh, I’ve heard a number of radio spots about donating money so people can afford a toy for their kid. And, mean-spirited as I am, I thought, “If you can’t afford to give your kid a toy, don’t give your kid a dog or cat. It’ll probably just tend tragically for the kid and the animal.”
So, Dear Readers, is that good advice? Or am I just underestimating the ability of humans to take care of animal they’ve adopted with the best of intentions? …
FAVORITE PART OF THANKSGIVING? The people you’re with, of course. And, naturally, watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and, also, contemplating attempting to stay awake throughout the Dallas Cowboys football game. But, mostly, the fun conversations are the big draw. ….
Favorite thing to watch on Thanksgiving? It ain’t the scales. Slice me off some more of that pie. For which I intend to be extraordinarily thankful. It is America The Beautiful, right?
—- Offer diet tips and avoidance advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “DROP THAT FORK. HAND OVER THAT SPOON, SLIM’ in the subject line. Mmmm. —-

EVERMAN ANIMALS & COOLER TEMPS; EILEEN'S EYE SURGERY SUCCESS & 1923

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPT. 20, 1923 [PetPowellPress] Oops~!~ I meant 2023. That’s a mistake we millionaires will make now and then.
 On Monday I’ve got the Jerrys. Perhaps you saw the Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones announcing that the great Super Bowl-winning Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson would go into the Ring of Honor on “Dec. 30, 1923…” Only a century off. I just want to say, “Mr. Jones, I understand completely. Might have typed that a time or two myself this year — I have the benefit of not having a camera trained on me with a hot mike.” It’s why I sought a career in print journalism rather than broadcast.
MEANWHILE, EVERMAN
ISSUES COOLING NOTE
The tip on this came from our longtime pal and tipster Karen Lee, founder with hubby Dennis, of the noted barkleyworld.com, the non-profit that helps people help animals with medical challenges. .
In this case, Karen sent us clicking to the Everman Shelter’s facebook link here:
https://www. facebook.com/ CityOfEverman AnimalShelter
The note Everman posted about this dog didn’t include his or her name or shelter ID number, but it did give us this weather-related information:
“The temps are cooling again so the staff is working hard to get the dogs warm! TO ADOPT: Everman Shelter 817-561-5495.”
 [LARRY ASIDE: Yes, that is clearly an Earhound Giganticus.]
We scrolled down a notch and found this photo of a cat with a championship set of whiskers. 
That cat’s photo came with this text: “Looking for an adorable new friend?
“This lil guy is the silliest! He absolutely loves everyone he meets, including other kitties! Very social. TO ADOPT:
Everman Shelter 817-561-5495.”
The shelter is on the southeastern side of Fort Worth, just across I-20 from Cowtown. It’s at 3961 Bluebell Drive in Everman. Email [email protected].
[LARRY FYI: This is probably my failing, but I clicked all over the place on the Everman sites and couldn’t find a single place that listed the shelter ID numbers for the animals or  their names or told anything about their ages or weight, etc. Just saw the photos of great animals. But, maybe someone at the shelter can do what I couldn’t do and provide helpful information for potential adoptors.]
THREE HAPPY WORDS:
‘IT WAS A SUCCESS’
We got those words from our pal, Kim Pierce, the cat rescuer/animal advocate/ writer/ex-colleague at The Big Paper Downtown. “It was a success” is description of the surgery performed on this cat Eileen.
That’s Eileen’s “before” picture and below you can see her “post surgery” photograph — she’s still in the waking up stage in that picture. But things are definitely better for her.
Here’s Kim’s report. [LARRY ASIDE: You may recall some of the background, but in case you missed earlier notes, I’m including all of Kim’s note.] She writes:
 “Eileen was born without eyelids, which means her corneas were constantly irritated from rubbing. Most cats like her would be put down. But she was so loving and lovable, that East Lake Pet Orphanage decided they would raise funds ($5,000) and do the unusual surgery. It was performed last Thursday by Dr. Darryl Bubrig, who specializes in surgery and dentistry. And it was a success.

 “Now they are just waiting for the swelling to go down, as you would for any plastic surgery procedure. Dr. Bubrig says she is seeing well and doing well in recovery.

“One of the staffers told me, 'She … was purring in Dr. Bubrig’s arms when I saw her today (Saturday).' The surgery, I’m told, is rare and ELPO was lucky to have someone on staff with the know-how to do it.”
Read more about ELPO by going to this website: eastlakepetorphanage.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
JERRY, CANDY & PARDONED ‘BIRDS’

Yeah, Jerry Jones was probably excited when he announced the Jimmy Johnson Ring of Honor revelation as 1923 instead of 2023. But how many of us have written the wrong date on a check? Of course, how many of us write checks these days? I’m always typing the dates on our editions and I’ve typed lots of 1900 dates rather than 20..whatever. More than likely I typed 1966 or, maybe, 1991. Graduation year; happily married year. My mind has been known to wander like a dog exploring the smells in a new yard, i.e., quickly going nowhere. …

Anybody else still eating Halloween candy left over from a lack of visitors that evening? I have GOT to clean out the pantry. Usually I’ve finished secretly nibbling all the Halloween candy by Thanksgiving week. …
Enjoy your Thanksgiving week. I understand from media reports that a lot of people are traveling. My plans are to stay within 5 miles of this office chair. That’s just in case a holiday short story or novel breaks out in my brainpan.
President Biden pardoned the Thanksgiving turkeys Liberty and Bell at a traditional event in Washington this morning. The phrase “Pardon the turkeys” is not related to the behavior of anyone in the U.S. Congress or the Texas Legislature. I am almost certain, typed your vegetarian critter writer Larry. Here’s the video of the presidential pardoning of the turkeys and if that doesn't work just gobble it, er, google it. You can hear President Biden saying, “Congratulations, birds, congratulations.” As we say in Veggieland, “Save ‘em all. Have some greens and a hot biscuit. Finish off with a diet pie.” Diet pie? Hah.
— Offer a veggie holiday menu or a favorite recipe by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “KINDA HEFTY, FOR A VEGETARIAN, AREN'T YA, SLIM?’ in the subject line. —-

NO SIZE LIMIT ON A LAPDOG WHO LOVES YOU -- WENDY SNOOZES

Each weekend we try to offer a little uplifting enjoyment of animals in our long-running feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
Lately we’ve enjoyed a challenge — pilling a dog who isn’t interested in being pilled.

That dog is Wendy. We’ve guessed her to be a Bird Dog/Boxer Mix or something in the neighborhood of a meeting of those two breeds. Whatever’s on the family tree, she’ll never qualify for any of Westminster’s “Lapdog” categories.
 We’ve had her since Martha rescued her in 2009 and, yet, Wendy has never bothered to produce her documents of birth or, possibly, arrival on this planet from another star system.. She may have a lawyer, I’m not certain.
She is, of course, a delightful dog. She has always run swiftly, gracefully and happily across the backyards and down the hallways of our homes. Loved to lead the other pups on merry chases. Gets along swell with the cats. Will bark at relatives, sales personnel on the porch and skilled individuals who’ll tweak the air-conditioning and the plumbing. We’re not sure how he managed to make the burglar alarm guy vanish. It is her way, you know. I’m kidding about the burglar alarm. She was unusually quiet when he was here working. My theory is she began to wonder why she wasn't getting paid monthly for sounding alarm at the approach of strange footsteps.
The bottom line is Wendy is a happy dog. 
Until I’m trying to pill her.  Once it's done, she gets over it quickly and goes to Martha for comfort.
 FYI: We’ve tried wrapping those pills in everything from cold cuts to cheese to $20 bills — not for Wendy. Too smart. Too determined. My attempts  usually come down to these instructions: “Foolish human: Hold dog jaws open and shove pill way back. Remove fingers quickly. Quicker than that!” Within a half-minute she’s done with being bitter and is calmly waiting for treats.
That opening photo was snapped Thursday night as Martha watched British mysteries on PBS while Wendy slept off the trials of the day. She’d already gotten her evening pills and had nodded off in Martha’s lap.
Earlier, as Martha sat in her favorite chair and relaxed, Wendy, a substantial dog, got up onto the nearby Favorite Couch of Martha’s and gently stepped from it into Martha’s lap. I thought the scene looked familiar.
So, on Friday, as I went through the photos in my computer, I ran across this picture I’d snapped on Dec. 30, 2015 — we’ve had Wendy since 2009 and she’s always been “Martha’s girl.”
In that photo you see Martha in a Determined-to-Relax pose and Wendy in the “I Beat You To It, Martha” pose. And joining the Let Sleeping Dogs Lie fest to add letting napping cats nap is Martha’s absolutely beloved cat, Annabelle Bob. She was a rescue named in honor of Martha’s BCOAT — Best Cat Of All Time. Yep, Bob the Cat inspired the name Annabelle Bob.
So, as things go, we’ll continue to enjoy the company of dogs and cats and even each other.
Martha has the ability to nap, but she is married to an insomniac. That can’t be easy. I lay awake nights worrying about it.
[DEAR READERS, Please send photos of your slumbering dogs and cats or any other snoozing critter to [email protected]. Also send the bios of your beasties and tell us what they mean to you. We’ll spotlight the animals and their tails, er, tales, in our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Your happy tales may inspire someone to rescue a dog or cat out of an overcrowded city shelter in the Winter of 2023.]
--- Save ‘em all before a system can claim another one.---

EXTRA EDITION; JASMINE MISSING IN DENTON; ADORABLE ADOPTABLES WAIT

EXTRA EDITION FOR FRIDAY, NOV. 17, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Ah, it’s Friday and we’re going to play a little catch-up before we get to Thanksgiving Week. We have an Office Cat issue to discuss, but first up some eyes are needed.
GREYHOUND LOST
IN THE DENTON AREA
The appeal to keep your eyes and your hearts open comes from the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. One of GALT's rescued and adopted pups is missing in the area of Robson Ranch. That's mssing Jasmine in the photo.
Here’s the background from GALT:
 “On November 12th, Jasmine escaped her forever home in the Denton, Texas, neighborhood of Robson Ranch, near Perimeter Street and Rivercrest Drive. When she escaped, she was wearing a pink and black collar. If you see her, please call Michelle at 915-637-1107 with as much information as possible.” 
Don’t chase the dog, they say, just make a quick call with location information.
Here’s a link to GALTs first bio of Jasmine.
And here’s a link to GALT’S advice on keeping the adoptables safe.
AND,  A QUICK CANINE QUARTET
FROM MESQUITE & WAITING CAT, TOO….
As the pre-holiday weekend arrives, here’s an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving by adopting a dog or a cat or one of each, etc. We got this info from our reliable tipster, the Mesquite volunteer dog-bio-writer Debra Chisholm who frequently joins Judi Brown in tipping us on available adorables.
SCRAPPY (#54781289) is first up. Debra writes that the “cutesy pup” is “a mixed breed girl found as a stray and delivered by a concerned citizen to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/14. She weighs 18 pounds and is approx 2-3 months old.  She has a chill nature and is somewhat timid and shy.  Scrappy is uneasy in the noisy shelter environment. She is very friendly, in fact quite the cuddle bug.  One of our volunteers spent a fair amount of time with her and she grew quite attached and wanted to stay close to her. She is affectionate, gives kisses and has such a sweet, calm and gentle personality. She did not know how to walk on a leash so had to be carried.  This would be a wonderful youngster for a person or family wanting a puppy to raise, train, and stay committed to in her forever home.”
 Remember, use the ID number for Scrappy and these other animals when you contact the Mesquite shelter to ask about meeting and adopting an animal. The phone is 972-216-5283 and the email is [email protected].
PUNKIN? Indeed. Debra says, “This little livewire is Punkin” (#54777574). And she’s “a Staffordshire Bull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier mix that was brought in as a stray on 11/13.” She’s about 3 months old, weighs 14 pounds and is “a lively, playful, exuberant youngster--a real wigglebutt! I don't believe her tail stopped wagging the entire photo session.  She loves toys, be they squeaky, plush or tug toy as well as tennis balls.  She entertains her human friends (and herself) with her stash of toys.  She's crazy about treats.  Punkin is friendly and is perfectly happy receiving petting — but only once she slows down to take a ‘breather.’  Her dream is to get rescued or adopted by a person or family who would be patient with her during the sometimes challenging puppy stage…” Debra says it’s clear that Punkin “wants to live inside with her people.”
ROBIN [#54772471] How about those photos! Robin has a sweet dog demeanor, doesn’t she? Debra calls her a “beautiful soul.” And she describes here as “a mixed breed youngster picked up by one of our officers as a stray … on 11/12.  She weighs 33 pounds and is about a year old.”
And Debra writes, “As you can see from her pictures she is very emaciated.” Also, Robin "|s being given
extra feedings in order to reach a more healthy weight.  It has been a difficult adjustment for Robin to acclimate to a city shelter with all kinds of noises from the other dogs and people she doesn't know.  Can she trust any of them?  Well, one of our volunteers has taken a special interest in her and is working to help her feel more comfortable, relaxed and trusting.  Robin is fearful of the leash, but does walk OK once it is on.  She knows the sit and paw commands.  She will sit for treats and takes them gently.  She is fearful and nervous and who can blame her?  However, our volunteer discovered that once the trust of a human friend is established she is affectionate, gives kisses and wants to snuggle.  In fact, she seems starved for affection. There are signs that she may have been abused so our volunteer is working to help her understand that no one is going to hurt her and that we want her to find her perfect home.”
CASPER [#54736793] — We’ve decided to use that Casper’s Kiss photo first but you’ll see what looker he is in the photos. And get the story from Debra who opens with “Meet handsome Casper, picked up by one of our officers and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray on 11/6.  My Dog Scanner app suggests Jindo and Siberian Husky in his breed.  He is underweight at 58, is about 3 years old and is neutered. … He could use some extra groceries to increase his weight. He walks quite nicely on a leash.  He likes treats and takes them gently.  He was very interested in scouting out the smells in the yard.  He even showed off his athleticism by climbing up on our play equipment.  He is well-behaved, calm and gentle and did not jump on me.  Casper has a low-key, chill personality.  He is sweet-natured, friendly, affectionate, and is even generous with kisses.  He most likely has lived his life outdoors, judging from fly bites on his ears and callouses on his elbows.  He is hoping to attract a person or family who would allow him to live inside and be an integral part of the household.”
You can see many more dogs and a dynamic array of cats and kittens by clicking on the Mesquite shelter link HERE.
We’ve featured this girl Rosa before but readlarrypowell.com can’t believe this beauty hasn’t been adopted to enhance the feline intellectual needs in a home of loving people smart enough to live in the great State of Texas — never mind that summer heat. Cats adopt well to air-conditioning.
Rosa is #54071242 — she’s pushing a year-and-a-half old, is small, has an orange coat and came into the shelter on August 31 — you remember, perhaps, how sizzling the temps were back then.
Also, look at her coat — she is listed as a Domestic Shorthair Mix, one of the rarest breeds on the face of the earth (don’t buy that until we double-check the stats). However rare her “type” may be, she’s worth having around so you can say, “Check out my cat’s whiskers!" Rosa’s got a championship set of whiskers.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THANKSGIVING, ADOPTIONS & OFFICE WORK
At readlarrypowell.com I don’t know how many people adopt animals during the pre-Thanksgiving weekend, but if you do, you’ll have something to really be thankful for when Thanksgiving arrives. That’s been our experience with animals and holidays — except for the cats, of course. The cats hear strange voices and retreat to their comfy hiding places. My funspouse Martha and I have never adopted an animal at Thanksgiving — in the score or more of animals we’ve lived with, we just picked ‘em up off the streets or they showed up in a yard or on our porch. We did adopt Glinda the Maltese  via Operation Kindness because we fostered her after she was found wandering in Lancaster, a survivor of the 1994 tornado. She never liked being picked up, always wanted her paws on the ground. I’m not kidding. Named after the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz.
LET’S TALK CAREER DAY.
 My gainfully employed funspouse Martha had an assignment at a career day for high school students and as she was leaving this morning, I attempted to be helpful and encouraging.
So, I quoted Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray Treeboy who asked, “Why don’t these career days ever feature appearances by Office Cats or Office Dogs? Wisdom on stage, you know. Nothing creates a calm and focused work area like a sidekick cat or pal-around dog who is just a little bit smarter than the person in the office.” 
I took no offense — I know my place in the office. Martha ignore my quote from Stevie Ray and left. 
Stevie Ray and I cuddled in disappointment, having seen our dream of The Texas Academy for Office Cats ’n’ Dogs go down the drain one more time. 
Hang on. Oh, OK. Senior Office Cat William Powell, from his window, mumbled, “You need to stay focused. Stop daydreaming about big cash payoffs and just tell the stories. Write something marketable. Get a cup of coffee. Make it light on the fake cream. And avoid chocolates. Now type something helpful.”
See, how bossy an Office Cat can get? Bossy but spot on, right? 
OK, so, y’all have a great pre-Thanksgivng weekend and a great holiday week, too. If I don’t win Lotto Texas, I hope you do. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the story of how the Pilgrims crossed the Red River near what is today Ashdown, Ark., and traveled just a little bit south to stage the first Thanksgiving with the table sitting squarely astride what would eventually become the state line separating Texarkana, Ark., from Texarkana, Texas. You probably remember one side of the table got catfish and fries and the other side got chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes.
I hope I remembered that legend right — I’ve misplaced the ol’ Twin City Hist'ry textbook I studied in high school.
—- Offer any advice on dieting by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] and put ‘DROP THAT PIE, SLIM!’ in the subject line. —-

DOGS, CATS, OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP AND THE THANKFUL HOLIDAY APPROACHES....

EDITION OF FRIDAY, NOV. 17, 2023 [PetPowellPress] I am typing this while sitting on one of our living room couches as Wendy is flopped down against me and dealing with her periodic anxiety over the challenges of being an ol' dog. 
Yes, for Wendy, I am a comfort.
And, indeed, for me, Wendy is my comfort, along with the other dogs, cats, my funspouse Martha and the refrigerator.
I mention all this because I'm handing out free advice in this edition. Here’s some now: If you don't have a dog, find one that fits your dwelling, your lifestyle and your ability to be happy when someone adores you just because. 
Remember this (I'm slipping into my native Northeast Texas pine forest and manmade lakes accent): "If yawl don't fit the dawg, don't git the dawg." Cat advice? I'll work on that for Contemplations later in this edition.... 

The wounds on my hand? Yes, a cat rescuer will know them right away. They are the “hello greetings” from a grown-up cat who didn’t hang around with mom long enough to get lessons in manners and behavior for that odd moment when a human wants to pick him up.
So, yes, while Wendy loves to nudge me, Hastings prefers to leave a mark.
That’s Hastings reaching out to say hello as I attempt to shoot a close-up. That is also Hastings opening his mouth in anticipation of a fight with a jungle cat. Relax. I managed to catch him in mid-yawn. He was a feral kitten I picked up when he was about 4 weeks old and blind by gunk on his eyes while nearly motionless in the middle of Hastings Street in Duncanville. No mommy around. He needed someone to love him. Keep your eyes open in Dallas/Fort Worth and you can get your own street kittens. Puppy & Kitten Season is year-round in our climate.
A PICTURE IS WORTH ...
A BUNCH OF PITTIE SMILES
Puppies are a reason to be thankful. And, of course, any of you rescuers and animal advocates who've been around your colleague Maeleska Fletes are probably thankful for her sense of humor and mission -- she loves laughter and critters! Reasons to be thankful, right?
So, when I spotted this Maeleska post on Facebook, I thought, I'm "borrowing" that! 
And that's why you see the picture and the text. There's the photo and here's Maeleska's caption: "How many Pittie puppies can you get in one bed that would be six. If you’re interested in a sweet baby message me. They will be available through DFW Furgotten Friends."
Here's the link to Maeleska's page https://www.facebook.com/maeleska. And DFW Furgotten Friends is on Facebook HERE. Those folks are always looking for foster homes. Email 'em at [email protected].
AND A FEW MORE
FROM SMALL SHELTERS
Big shelters have lots of connections and plenty of news-making abilities. Lots of dogs, lots of cats. Lots of humans and lots of spats? [LARRY ASIDE: In that -- call it "doggerel"? -- I couldn’t think of anything else that would rhyme and reflect human behavior under pressure so I went with “spats.” Wait! Lots of humans and lots of bats! Nah, not quite right. Let’s move along.]
 Back to the small shelter challenges. Limited human interest from residents and potential adoptors. Animals are stored until it’s over. [LARRY REVISE: Oh, wait, that could be Dallas or Fort Worth, too.]
So. in our previous edition we cited a number of cats and dogs waiting in the small shelters on the southern side of Dallas. Then, on Thursday we popped open an email from 4-Legged Helpers with more animals in need.
 See that cute dog’s photo in the opening paragraphs of this section? That’s Daisy, a Chiweenie who came into the Wilmer Shelter. Her bio reads, “Sweetest little thing ever. Found out and about on her own. Loves everyone and everything.  She poses for pics!  Absolutely adorable. PLEASE HELP SAVE HER!!”

This girl is Mila, a “very young female Lab/Boxer mix.” She may be only 5 or 6 months old, her bio says. She’s in the Ferris Animal Shelter. 
Mila’s bio reads, “The sweetest puppy girl that loves toys and loves to play. Loves other dogs. She is the cutest, and sweetest little thing.  Very friendly and very affectionate. Little pup from Ferris.  Her original owner was located but they were no longer able to care for her. We now know her name is Mila. Please help save her," the Helpers wrote.
We posted Reilly earlier, but this Wilmer dog deserves another mention. The bio of this year-old girl reads, “Reilly  is so INCREDIBLY SWEET and SO PRETTY.  A really beautiful dog.  The more we look at her the more we think German Shorthair Pointer or Lab mix. Look at the markings on her feet. Very sweet and she so much wants to be loved. Please help save her.”

Here are the key numbers, according to the 4-Legged Helpers: 
For Wilmer: Call or text Carlos at 214-306-1567.
For Ferris/Hutchins, Call or text Casey at 580-919-1852 or Drew at 972-225-2225..
And to get a good general indication of reaching the right party, call or text the Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS & STUFF
Just stuff -- not stuffing. Mmmm. Sorry, had a dietless moment. Back to the point:
Everybody traveling for Thanksgiving, please be safe. We need all the readers we can get here at readlarrypowell.com. And the animals need you if you're a rescuer, a foster, an adoptor, etc. Animals need you no mater what you are -- as long as your not a creep, a jerk, a person of limited affection, a person who can't be kind, a person who doesn't comprehend the concept of "family member."  Whoa! Aren't you thankful I didn't get REALLY carried away with that lecture!
The deal with that dog face? That is what you see when you’re sitting in a living room chair and typing on your laptop. Suddenly a dog named Wendy will put her front paws on your kneecaps and shove her big ol’ head over the top of the screen and suggest one word with her look: Treats. If you don’t respond, she enhances the message to “Treats now.” Ya gotta love a dog who can communicate with more efficiency that a U.S. Senator or a labor leader. I’m gonna buy her a new car soon as she learns how to reach the pedals and see out the windshield at the same time. I have showed her how to change radio stations without taking her eyes off the road. Yeah, I adore that girl. That's her next to me while being "cheek-to-cheek" (so to speak) with my adorable dog Porche Noel. They've been pals for years....
YOU WANT SOME PRESSURE? Schedule a weigh-in and a health check the week after the American Thanksgiving. You can hear scales screaming for relief throughout the nation.
So, drive safely as you leave for a Thanksgiving trip and eat safely, too. America’s dogs and cats need you more than you need a highway speed record or an extra serving of taters and gravy or dressing or that third slice of Aunt Tart’s Extra Sugar Chess Pie with Chocolate Accents.
Speaking of pies, I’ll have a cup of decaf, no sugar and no cream. On a diet, you know….

One more note: As it turns out, there’s not anything that’ll make you miss Texas Rangers baseball like the desperate scheduling on cable TV after the Texas Rangers 2023 season ended. This should remind TV programmers to begin lining up entertaining, interesting and enchanting programs to present after the Rangers win the 2024 World Series.
—- Offer dining or exercise advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] and make the subject line read: “Dear Slim, you’re straining the floors” —-

HELPING CATS AND KITTENS, DOGS AND CATS -- WE LIVE AMID CHALLENGES

EDITION OF THURSDAY, NOV. 16, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Because I try to keep up with the calendar and I also try to keep up with Washington, D.C., I’d like to remind you all that November 16 is International Tolerance Day, as declared by the United Nations in 1993. More on this and the endearing United States Senate in Contemplations. First, let’s talk cats. No! Let’s talk cats and dogs.
CATS AND DOGS DIE STORY
IN THE FW NEWSPAPER…
We’ve reported many times on animals on the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Code Red list. Confirming the theory that “numbers add up,” is a story in the Wednesday edition of The Fort Worth Star/Telegram. 
The basics of this tale come as no surprise to people who monitor the City of Fort Worth’s animal shelters and the constant appeals for help placing dogs and cats.
The headline in Wednesday’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram reads “At Fort Worth’s city-run animal shelters, hundreds of dogs and cats are killed every month.” 
When you’ve got some time to consider how much Dallas and Fort Worth are alike in the challenge of tending to unwanted animal, click HERE to read the story of tragedy after tragedy for domestic animals — it’s written by Star-Telegram Investigative Reporter Emily Brindley. And here’s a link to the Fort Worth Code Red list. 
MEANWHILE, WHAT TO DO
WITH LEFTOVER CATS?
These cats — a momma and two of her kittens are not in Fort Worth, but they could be. They’ve inspired an appeal for help.  We learned about them in emails from Leighann Hayden, one of the mainstays of the small-shelter oriented 4-Legged Helpers non-profit. 
The subject line read, “DFW. URGENT!! Emmie Kitty and Bo, and Cole Kitten. Person willing to FOSTER for your rescue group if she can get help with these sweeties!!! Also available individually or together for ADOPTION.”

Leighann’s note was headlined, “URGENT!!!  PLEASE SHARE/ RESCUE GROUPS OR ADOPTERS/Dallas/Fort Worth.” And the note begins, “I was contacted last night by a very sweet person that found a pregnant kitty a few months ago. She has been unable to find a home or rescue for the kitty or her two remaining babies. (She did place two kittens with some co-workers).  “She even had the momma kitty Emmie fixed and dewormed and rabies vaccinated. She has posted on NEXT DOOR and called numerous rescue groups on PetFinder but has no access to Facebook and no one has responded.
“She would be willing to foster for a rescue group and it sounds like she might be able to continue to be a foster if she could only find a rescue group willing to help.

“I am so worried she is starting to give up.  It is not often when you find someone truly doing everything right the best they can but it is still not working. So few people we all hear from really try.” 

Back to these cats. Leighann writes of Emmie’s kittens, “The two babies, Bo Kitten and Cole Kitten, are precious.  10-12 weeks old approximately.
 
“This is a wonderful opportunity for someone to either adopt a very friendly, sweet, and beautiful cat or kitten OR to help someone who will continue to help your rescue group by FOSTERING. She is willing to drive to any adoption events.  Vets. Anything to help save them. … If you want to adopt (all are available individually to adopt) or would like her to potentially foster for your group, and can help these 3 sweeties ASAP, CALL/TEXT Alma at 972-363-3034   Thank you!!! … Help save this little family?” 
SMALL SHELTER ANIMALS
NEED BIG HELPERS, TOO

One of the most frustrating things that small shelters have in common is a lack of human foot traffic. Another thing is humans don’t mind setting animals free, i.e., dumping, in small towns. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Consider this quote. ”That house looks like a good place to put Sweetie out before she has those blamed puppies. I told her and told her not to run around in the neighborhood and get herself pregnant.” Show of hands, please: How many people think that quote is fiction. If you do, you’ve never been around the Picnic for the Don’t Care/So What People with no concept o the bird and bees when it comes to dogs and cats.]
The 4-legged Helpers — they focus on small shelters — provided the info and photos for these animals. That opening cat Mei Mei is a Tiger Tabby in the Ferris Shelter. Her bio reads, “SO friendly and SO loving. Has some of the prettiest markings  Adores everyone.  Very affectionate little girl that so much wants someone to love.  Apparently a Ferris police officer found her out and about and she seemed to know nothing about being outside (following him) so he brought  her in.  She needs someone.”

Also in the Ferris Shelter is this girl Keiko, also a Tiger Tabby. Her bio reads, “Cutest of the cute and very friendly  - just as adorable as can be. Look at those stunning eyes.  Gorgeous.  Found with a little collar. This little girl was apparently in Hutchins and someone could no longer care for her.”

 This beautiful Aussie Shepherd Mix & Earhound is in Ferris, also. Her name is Hannah. She’s described as “the sweetest little thing ever. … Loves other dogs. Such a little cutie pie!|” She’s in the Ferris shelter because that city has a working agreement with the City of Hutchins to try to help the animals.
And Hutchins also has Teddy, this “FOX TERRIER OR SCHNAUZER OR WESTIE MIX,” as described in the appeal for help for the puppy. The bio reads, “This little baby guy is just as adorable and precious as can be. He was released to the shelter by someone no longer able to care for him. Loves other dogs. Little Hutchins pup.”
We’ll finish this appeal with a dog in the Wilmer Shelter which, as the 4-Legged Helpers repeatedly note, “is the shelter that floods when it rains.” 
Reilly is a Labrador Retriever or mix, her bio says. She’s about a year old.
And, the bio reads, “Reilly  is so PRETTY.  A really beautiful dog.  Hopefully you can see her Labbie type ears and her tail is adorable too. I see some spots on her feet so may have some GSP mixed in.  Very sweet and she so much wants to be loved.”

Here’s a general number to call or text about these animals and how to help them: 214-949-2726.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES & TOLERANCE
Yeah, my rescuespouse Martha and I have experience at finding pregnant dogs and cats and then finding safe places for the families to go. On occasion that safe home for the animals has turned out to have our address — yeah, we’ve kept some of ‘em. Sometimes we’ve even rescued animals that wound up living happily in other states and even in England. It's pretty cool to find good homes. It's also a great sensation for your heart to save animals from dire straits. ...
Nov. 16 would have been my baby brother Garry’s 70th birthday. He was the ringleader of fishing expeditions for my little boys, Bret and Bart. Tall, congenial, good-humored, married to a swell girl named Brenita. He's been on Heavenly fishing ponds since 2014. Our middle brother Barry, a high-achieving academic/lawyer/daddy who died in 2009 in Chicago, was husband of Shelly and father of Aaron and Lewis. So, my sons Bret and Bart had a citified uncle and a “gimme the country uncle.” (They also have an Uncle in Arkansas on their mom's side, Dwight Bowlin, also a fan of dogs! Country boy, too.)
That dog in our “masthead” is Garry’s dog Calamity on the day I handed her over to him. Martha and I rescued her and a half-dozen puppies from beneath a neighbor’s storage shed in Dallas. I’d been trying to catch her for more than a year in our neighborhood. Calamity was too crafty for me, but once she became a mommy, we knew where she’d be: with those babies. We got the pups into East Lake Pet Orphanage — except for Calamity’s girl Annie. We kept her. Garry took Calamity. It was a perfect match. …
If you didn’t see the big threatening fisticuffs jawing in the U.S. Senate, here’s a video from NBC News. The headline on it is a classic for any Democratic Republic in history: “ ’Stand your butt up': Fistfight nearly breaks out during Senate hearing until Bernie Sanders steps in.” Surely the presidential race isn’t going to follow suit and become a best two-out-of-three falls in a Candidates in Tights Festival in Vegas. Speaking of public conflicts at taxpayer expense, this date —Nov. 16 — is the annual United Nation/UNESCO International Tolerance Day. Has been since 1993. Don’t know if they observe it in the U.S. Senate. Here’s a link through Holiday Insights to an explanation of International Tolerance Day. You’ll note that it offers a quote from the Chinese philosopher Confucius: “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” Confucius lived 551—479 B.C.E. — so, he was probably a little bit ahead on that declaration. Never drove on LBJ in Rush Hour. Never saw a near fist-fight in the U.S. Senate….Well, tolerance has its time and its place — it’s a thing of beauty. In some eyes.
—- Offer a view or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and ask, “Has the price of being tolerant gone up, too?” —-

PEOPLE HELPING ANIMALS, ANIMALS NEEDING PEOPLE; CONTEMPLATING STUFF

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to our mid-week edition. Please wish me the best of luck with tonight’s Lotto Texas numbers. Ah, a triumph would really make the season of Thanksgiving solid! Yeah, I dream big.
DAYS IN ANIMAL RESCUE
CAN BE CHALLENGING
We saw the tip on this need because our ol’ pal, the catfan/rescuer//writer Kim Pierce posted an appropriately gentle note about it. Here’s how it read:

“To all my cat and rescue loving friends, that accident yesterday on I-30 [at Gus Thomasson] involving the overturned truck container also involved a volunteer for Cat Matchers, who had several cats in the car with her. I don't have a lot of details, but you can read more about the cats and the recover efforts at the Cat Matchers page.  The group is assuming financial responsibility for all the injured cats and respectfully requests contributions toward their care. …”

You can read more on how to help the Cat Matchers on their Facebook page HERE.
A SENIOR CAT 
&
A LITTER O’ PUPS
Yep, that is a senior cat.
We learned about this girl in a post by our longtime pal and the legendary animal advocate and rescuer Jonnie England.
She cited the posting on the East Lake Pet Orphanage page about Baby, a 12-year-old “senior cat.” The bio read, “She had a home before with someone who loved her but could no longer take care of her. This brown Tabby girl is low-maintenance and loves to sit around and watch the action. Let’s find her a new forever home!”
ELPO also has a bunch of puppies who need homes — that note was posted about the same time Baby’s note was posted — Baby and the puppies are related only by the angels at ELPO who are trying to find them the best homes in the known universe. 
The note about the pups had a baseball tone to it. It reads, “Achieve a grand slam when adopting this 4-week-old Shepard mix puppy, Garcia! She arrived at our pet orphanage with her 6 litter mates. Come by any day of the week to meet them and put in an application today!” 
ELPO’s website is   eastlakepetorphanage.com. ELPO’s phone number is 214-342-3100. It’s address in Dallas is 10101 E. Northwest Highway. And the ELPO FACEBOOK PAGE IS HERE.
FIND A CANINE/FELINE PAL
WAITING IN MESQUITE
The Mesquite Animal Services Shelter has quite the team of animal advocates trying to help animals find homes. 
For this edition, we turn to reports from volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm.

We begin with Debra’s report on Gypsy (#54746709) who came into the shelter as a stray on Nov. 8. Debra says that her Dog Scanner app says “the following may be in her mix: Malinois, Manchester Terrier, Beauceron.
”
Gypsy is 3 months old and weighs 21 pounds." And, Debra writes, “She is ‘all puppy’ with her exuberant, spunky behavior and energy! This frisky and perky life of-the-party girl is so much fun! She’s crazy about treats and was pretty much focused on the receiving of treats during my time with her. She walks well on a leash for such a young girl, and was quite interested in scouting out the room in which we took the pictures.

“This playful and fun-loving girl is friendly and was more than happy to let me give her plenty of loving attention. She is dreaming of a home that has a nice backyard with a secure fence in which to run and play but wants to live inside with her people. If you’re looking for a young pup to raise and train to become an important part of your family then this just may be the dog for you.  It will take an investment of daily time and effort, enrichment, exercise, and learning commands, but it would be well worth the investment.”

To ask about Gypsy, use her ID #54746709 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for these other Mesquite animals.

This guy “handsome Desmond” also cane in as a stray. That was on Nov. 7. And the Dog Scanner app, writes Debra, “suggests Desmond has English Pointer and terrier in his breed mix. Though a bit timid and uneasy in his kennel, once out in the yard his true nature shows through! He thoroughly enjoyed stretching his legs and romping about the yard. He is high energy, is playful and has an outgoing personality. He does jump on you and this is something that will need to be addressed. He is friendly and was happy to receive loving attention from me. He loves treats and takes them gently. … Desmond has some sores on his right front leg and tail. He doesn’t appear to have had the best of care. This is a boy who would like to have a different sort of life from here on out. He would like to be adopted or rescued by some person or family who would allow him to live inside, spend daily time with him, exercising, playing and teaching some commands and giving him the TLC he deserves.” Desmond is #54744444.
Cooper is #54744686 at Mesquite. Yep, picked up as a stray. Debra writes, "Cooper is underweight at 14 pounds and is about 4 months old. Dog scanner app suggests the following in his breed mix:  Malinois, German Shepherd, and Black Mouth Cur. He’s a charming boy with lots of puppy behavior and energy. He loves treats and takes them gently. It is obvious that he has not been well cared for. He has super long nails, a scruffy coat, itchy flaky dry spots on his skin and is underfed. 
“However, he is a tailwagging happy boy with a pleasant personality that would make someone a wonderful and devoted companion. His health issues would undoubtedly be easy to remedy. He is friendly and was happy to have me pet him and show him a little love and tenderness. So much to like about this boy and I hope he can be rescued or adopted and given a far better life than he has experienced so far.”

You can see many more Mesquite adorable available by clicking on this SHELTER LINK.  
Cats? Does Mesquite have cats? Does a cat have a climbing gear!
Yep, this is Skittles (#54577945), a 2-months and 14-days old Domestic Medium Hair Mix — she’s small and came into the shelter on Oct. 12 — she’s waiting in the shelter’s Conference Room.
Coincidentally, this black and white kitten Oreo (#54577947) is also listed as 2 months and 14 days old. He is a small male Domestic Medium Hair Mix. And he arrived, also, on Oct. 12. And, where do you think you can see Oreo. Yep, probably chatting it up with Skittles about their food product names in the Conference Room at the Mesquite Shelter.
CONTEMPLATIONS
NOTES IN THE 21ST CENTURY
That’s my Senior Office Cat William Powell — he wasn’t in his usual spot when I began typing Tuesday, so I went looking and found him with my cable remote nearby as he lounged on one of my old destined-for-laundry household chore shirts and watched the news. “I’m always looking for diet tips for the household,” he told me, then purred with a grin. As I left the room, I heard him change the channel from the news to a talk show. He’s not watching political stories until 2024 “when you humans get serious,” he told me. …

I’ve had some time to once again consider the autumnal time change. It gets dark at our place at about 5 p.m. As an insomniac, I don’t need darkness to arrive while I’m still hours away from trying to sleep. …
Do you realize that people born when we were all saying goodbye to the 20th century are old enough now to get nostalgic about the prices of gasoline through the years. FYI: This site has gathered the prices of gasoline through the years and reports that as 1999 ended, a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. was $1.17. A buck-seventeen. I’m nostalgic, too, and I was born way ahead of 1999. The year I got out of high school, when I was driving a VW Beetle and working nights as a reporter, this chart says a gallon of gasoline was 32 cents. The U.S. minimum wage in 1966 was — hang on: Congressional vote generally determined small town newspaper raises in those days. Not that newspaper owners were, uh, “thrifty.” In ’66 that minimum wage was $1.25 an hour. Ah, one more sweet memory from history. 
—- Offer sage wage advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and make the subject line read ‘Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?’ —-

A CAT RAN ACROSS THE KEYBOARD; AN ADORABLE DALLAS DOG; TALK TO A CAT....

EDITION OF TUESDAY, NOV. 14, 2023 [PetPowellPress] I took some time off last week to try to get a grip on …well, heck, now I’ve forgotten what I needed to get a grip on! Oh, yeah: Sleep, rest (two different things), focus, diet determination (massive failure — dadgum cookies) and clean up my office. Fat chance.
ONCE UPON A TIME,
A CAT RESHAPED
A COMPUTER SCREEN
This is what Stevie Ray looks like when he’s been put into “time-out” on the alternative desk. 
It also serves as a place where cats can get treats from the guy who is at the real desk and trying to type.
Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray thinks he has the ability to pull open the top drawer and reach into the bag of treats. He doesn’t. He needs a human.
Monday morning Stevie Ray was lounging across the room on the short bookcase that gives him a window view of the front yard.
 William Powell, the Senior Office Cat, came smooth-walkin’ into the room and jumped up on the alternative desk. I reached into the plastic bag and gave him a few treats.
This got Stevie Ray’s attention. Then our eldest cat (and only girl), Esme, came mewing into the room and walked over to the right side of my chair, raised up to a sitting position and began to meow as she shoved her front paw claws into the right leg of my jeans and me. Ouch, you might say. It was a "Hey, you!" gesture.
I quickly paid attention, yelled some words. Then reached for the treat bag again and got a few out to drop to Esme.
Simultaneously, Stevie Ray jumped off the bookcase, onto my desk and dashed heavy-pawedly across the keyboard as I was dropping treats to Esme.

I immediately turned back to face my computer screen.
And it was a stranger to me. 
That is what it usually looks like. See the image of Texas in the middle? This is carefully organized into "areas" of my life and my efforts to write stuff and remember stuff and have photos of "stuff." I knew what I was seeing when I looked at that screen.
Every one of the many work folders on that screen had been shoved flush right and re-organized.  Organization -- a villain in my carefully understood world. Screen placement meant NOTHING to me.
Also, I could click on ‘em but they wouldn’t open. And I couldn’t create other folders. Nothing worked.
That was about 10 a.m. and Martha was in her home office working remotely with her downtown Dallas office and other people.
As a veteran of calling the computer people to help me with terrifying onscreen problems, I did what they always tell me today: REBOOT! REBOOT!
 Which I did twice without improving anything. The cats continued to munch.
One of the things I work so hard to avoid in life is asking Martha to help me with a computer problem. She views those situations as confirmation that she married a dolt. And I guess they are.
I cooled my heels for about 90 minutes until she was free in her office and then I explained to her that I hadn’t committed the computer error. I handed Stevie Ray over to the sheriff, so to speak.
 Martha walked into the office, looked at the wickedly challenging flush right screen and said something like, “Oh. OK.” And she struck (confidently) two keys and the dadgum folders jumped back into proper position, Stevie Ray got some treats and life was as normal as it ever gets one more time. 

We had a repairman stop by to spruce up a security system Monday --  anytime a stranger enters the house, the cats vanish.
That is a photo of Stevie Ray on Monday -- chillin’ in his usual hiding place, one of the cabinets under the big screen TV. He resents having a human open the door and ask, “What are you up to?” 
And he may respond, “What kind of question is that? Can’t you humans come up with anything new to say to an idle cat?”
He had me there.
A DOG NOTE WITHOUT
A RESOLUTION SO FAR
For a brief while there appeared to be a successful event coming for this guy Walter. 
We got his story from the folks with Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs, the Facebook site that alerts people to animals on the brink of doom at the city’s big shelter. 
A note on the website read, “Walter had an adopter. Their life changed and now he won't be leaving Dallas Animal Services today. Can anyone step up for this awesome 7 month old puppy? [email protected] [email protected] 945-249-8573.”
 And a note was added, “For clarification, he wasn’t returned. His adopter never showed. Thank you to the rescue that stepped up.” 
So, at some point, if we read this correctly, Walter will be up for adoption again. Through a non-profit. [If anyone can clarify this dog’s current situation, email the info to me at [email protected]. Whatever the case is, may this dog and all the others in Dallas and other shelters get a break from the humans on this planet.]
CONTEMPLATIONS:
POSITIVE NOTE ABOUT A CAT FRIEND
I have fouled up computers enough on my own without having to sub-contract a cat to come in and work over the innards and displays of a machine I’ll never fully understand. 
Yes, decades ago I was quite at home on an an Underwood typewriter that you didn’t have to plug in. The only thing a cat could do to a big typewriter was try to swat the moving keys or reach into the machine, grab hold of the ribbon and dash across the room while stringing typewriter ribbon behind him.
Oh, OK, I guess a cat could have looked at the words on the paper, and then rewritten and improved the text. (That's Stevie Ray on his nap towel on the dining room table. Out like a light. Not a chance he's step on a keyboard from that position!) 
Why do I have office cats? Because they’re cuddly. When you’re trying to break a thought loose from the stalactites in your brain pan, a cat is a good friend for cuddling, cooing, purring and petting. Conversation, too. And if you look a cat right in the eyes, you can see at least three suggestions for your next novel. That’s what I’ve heard.
Thus, I begin work this Monday evening on a novel with the working title, “One More Dropout and I’ll Run For President.” Subtitle is “My Dog, The Vice President.” Chapter I begins “It’s never too early to get some Artificial Intelligence when the real brain starts to sputter like a bad engine on your first high school date.”
—- Offer solutions to any problem by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and begin your note “I ain’t no genius, but…” —-

LOTS OF DOGS & CATS IN LARGE & SMALL SHELTERS; PLUS, YOU HAPPY AS A LARK?

EDITION OF MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Show of wingtips, er, hands, please, are you "happy as a lark"? And, if you were raised in Texas, have you ever seen a lark?
Me, neither.  Let talk dogs and cats before we get all chirpy and irritate people. More lark notes in Contemplations.  
SMALL SHELTERS, BIG NEEDS
FOR CURRENT PUP RESIDENTS
Most of the time, the appeals focus on the animals. This time we got one from the 4-Legged Helpers folks that focused on the human element at shelters.
The note reads, "The Animal Control Officers (ACOs) at Ferris/Hutchins Shelter (Casey and Drew) are begging for your help in finding rescue or adopters for these incredibly deserving dogs (and even sometimes cats). Carlos is also asking for help from the Wilmer Shelter on a very sweet dog at his shelter.
[We'll tell you about that handsome dog in a minute.]
"THEY TRULY NEED YOUR HELP AND ASKED THAT WE LET YOU KNOW. They want to begin to develop direct relationships with rescues.  Please reach out to Casey or Drew or Carlos!!!!  (Note that Ferris/Hutchins will even allow a foster-to-adopt type situation so anyone has time to ensure the dog is a match with their family. No fees to rescue or adopt.)"
Here are the rules for connecting, according to the Helpers;
"LOCAL DFW RESCUE GROUPS:  Please CALL or TEXT Casey at 580-919-1852 or CALL Drew at 972-225-2225 (city number - tell them you need to reach Drew about a shelter dog/cat) 
"LOCAL DFW AREA ADOPTERS/POTENTIAL FOSTERS: Please call 972-544-2225 (city number - tell them you need to reach Casey) or  972-225-2225 (city number - tell them you need to reach Drew).?"
BENJIE --  He's either a Bulldog or a bulldog Mix, the bio reads. At a year -old and 45-50 pounds he's "cutest of the cute" and "as adoptable as can be," his bio reads. He's said to be "very gentle and very sweet."
How'd he wind up in the Ferris Animal Shelter? You may recall the answer from an appeal a few weeks ago. His bio reads, “Benjie is a dog that was found underneath a truck in Ferris when the truck drove away. Fortunately he was not injured. He is the sweetest most lovable young guy anyone could meet. If you want a dog that absolutely adores and we mean adores all other dogs, and is great with everyone, he is the best of the best.”| 
SNOWBALL — This “approximately 6-month-old “Lab or Lab Mix” is described as a “beautiful little guy who loves to chase tennis balls.  Still learning to bring them back… So cute.  He is a super-smart puppy per the ACOs and INCREDIBLY SWEET with a BIG HEART.  Just a complete love.  Friendly with other dogs, but seems like he does not know he's a dog.  Apparently was in a home since he was tiny where there were not other dogs, but he is doing great here learning to play.”
JONAH is also known as “Jovie" because he is so happy and sweet,” his Ferris BIO READS. He’s described as a “very young” Black Mouth Cur or mix — 5 or 6 months old and “so sweet and so cute.” He’s said to be “very calm for a young pup. Extremely affectionate. Great little guys.”
WENDI, also in the Ferris shelter, is a 5- or 6-month old Lab/Boxer mix. She is described as “the sweetest puppy girl who loves toys and loves to play. Loves other dogs, too. She is the cutest and sweetest little thing. Very friendly and very affectionate.”
KENDRA is described as a 2-year-old “Bulldog” who is “absolutely adorable. Cute as cute can be!,” her bio reads and adds, “Loves to trail along with the ACOs Loves other dogs and does not mind cats. Wonderful girl who is hoping for a home.”
And that brings us to the last dog on this list — Riley, the first dog we mentioned today -- that was his mugshot in the opening portion of the report. Riley is a resident of the “tiny Wilmer Shelter,” according to the note from Leighann Hayden, a veteran of the 4-Legged Helpers’ efforts on behalf of small shelters.

MAISIE AND PATSY —
SISTERS IN MESQUITE
Yep, a pair of sister strays in the Mesquite Animal Shelter came in on March 25, according to their bios on the Mesquite Animal Shelter website HERE. YES, MARCH 25. 
Our tipster, Jamie Dotson, provided the bios and the info.

Maisie is described as a 3-year-old spayed mixed breed who weighs in at about 75 pounds. Might be a Boxer/La/b/Shar Pei, but, Jamie’s note read, “No matter what, she is a fun-loving beauty. … Maisie is such a sweet loving girl that will roll over for tummy rubs and have the biggest smile on her face. She will give you kisses too! She does know the sit command, takes treats gently, but does walk strongly on leash. When she gets too excited she will jump on you, so she would need redirection to learn not to pull so strongly or to jump. Due to this it would be best to not be in a home with young children until she understands its not necessary.

“She would do great with an active family that could take her for walks or hikes. Having a secured backyard to run and play in, then to come back inside and spend time getting those tummy rubs is what she dreams of! 
“Even though she is kenneled with her sister, and can be adopted separately, when we walked through the shelter with other dogs barking at her, she did not show any aggression towards them. … Maisie is such a loving girl, that enjoys meeting other people, she would make a great addition to a loving family.”
 Maisie is #52310064 at the shelter — use her ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Same system for asking about adopting Sister Patsy, #52310006. 

That's Maisie on the right, but that regal photo is of the royal sister Patsy.
Patsy’s bio says she’s about 2 and weighs 68 pounds. She’s spayed.
Her bio reads that “Patsy enjoys running through the shelter yard and investigating all her surroundings — but she always comes back for petting and, of course, treats! She enjoys having her ears scratched, putting her head in your lap and will give you kisses. She is a gentle girl, yet active too. She would love to have an active family that would take her own walks or hikes. Having a secured backyard she can run and play in would make her very happy, but most importantly she would live inside where could spend time with her human companions, or taking long naps on her own dog bed. She knows the sit command, takes treats gently and is ok on a leash. … Patsy is well-behaved, friendly, happy girl, with just the right balance of being playful. She deserves to have the loving home she deserves and I promise plenty of love to give. Come meet this wonderful girl!
 Come spend some time with this loving girl, see the sparkle in her eyes, her smile, and see if you can open your home and heart to give her the home she deserves,” the note from Jamie reads.

See these bios and those of many other dogs at the Mesquite Animal Shelter website HERE.
Ah, but you also can see many cats and kittens. 
And among those younger feline is 54155508 who is known to her shelter pals as “Twix.” She’s 7 months old and spayed. [LARRY NOTE: And, she is that rare Domestic Shorthair Mix — we’re starting to doubt just how “rare” Domestic Shorthairs can be in a metrosprawl that has so many waiting in shelters for the right homes that are kind to cats and understand the intellectual world shared by cats and cat admirers. Heck, yeah, I had to go through both an IQ test and the Personal Sensitivity Measurement Program before we could give my pal William Powell his position of Senior Office Cat. I passed, but I studied hard for that sensitivity quiz. Oh, that colorful cat? That’s J.B. (#54758213), just over 4 months old. She came in on November 9 and she is a multi-colored, small Domestic Shorthair Mix. Another rarity, right? We’ll double-check. Adopt more cats and love ‘em — that’s the message.)
CONTEMPLATIONS

LARK, TREES AND 1968
We opened today’s edition with a note about a lark. I’ve never seen one. But I’ve heard the saying. “Happy as a lark.” According to research, that line is from the late 1700s and refers to the bird’s happy morning song. You’ve probably known people who are relentlessly happy as a lark in the morning — they might be the reason you asked for a transfer to the less-irritating evening shift. Anyway, I’ve never seen a Lark (that's a photo of a Horned Lark), thus I’ve never heard a lark. But this is a photo of a Lark said to be common in Texas, particularly in "the dryer open country of West Texas and the Panhandle." I got that off the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website HERE .
That photo of the Horned Lark also came from the Cornell college. Ah, but if you want to hear a Lark song, click on this LINK. We live next to a nature preserve, but I’ve still never seen nor heard one of these feathered rascals. Might buy some binoculars and head out to Muleshoe to see what’s in the trees. Pardon? What trees? Pretty sure there are trees in Muleshoe, right? I know there’s mule statue. If you can display that you can display trees, right? South of there, I’m almost certain there are no trees or Larks in Monahans....
I got a note from The New Yorker over the weekend about an online feature the magazine i promoting. The title is “How To Maintain Hope in an Age of Catastrophe.” “Age of catastrophe?" I had to ask, and added, "I made it through 1968 — how much more do you want outta me?”
— Offer something useful by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “HECK YEAH, AHM SMAHWURT” in the subject line. —-

EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY THAT ANIMALS MAY BE GOOD FOR HUMAN LIVES...RIGHT?

My dogs and cats make me think happy (almost nobody else has been able to do that day after day, well, except Martha, my animalnutspouse), he typed with pride..

The strained thinking I endure usually occurs after I’ve spent 20 minutes or more clicking through notes and photos about dogs and cats nobody wants. Might be ailing, might be healthy — but nobody wants ‘em.


You know them: Animals shoved out of cars on country roads and city streets or left behind in parks on grocery store parking lots. 
And, don’t forget the animals handed over to packed and likely-to- euthanize city or county shelters. These short-of-good-sense dumpers live within the fairy tale that “Whiskers is so cute, he’ll find a home right away.” Or, “Sweet Fido will have a new home within 72 hours. It’ll help that we dropped him off with his ‘wife’ and their dozen new babies. They’re so cute they’ll go fast!”
Get real. This ain’t Mayberry. [LARRY ASIDE: Ask an older adult to explain that snide remark to you.]
Taxpayer-supported animal shelters weren’t created to act as placement agencies for unwanted and found animals. They weren’t created to take up the slack what passes for a morality code in the lives of these don’t care-so what people. Taxpayer-supporter shelters are holding pens until an adoption or rescue or until the healthy and happy animal’s time expires. It’s, as I’ve written many times before, the traditional Texas theory of animal control: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.” 
Heck, yeah, volunteers and (sometimes) city employees work hard to protect the animals, but there are too many idiots on the other side of the issue. The don’t care/so what people. The theory they use is this: “Into a shelter; out of my sight. Who cares and so what?”
I try to be upbeat because of the many, many good hearts who work so hard to save the unwanted animals around here. But, honestly, the existence of so many “bad guys” weighs on my soul. Good grief, what are they like around kids? And WHY are they like that? Anybody with a degree on the wall answer that question? 
It’s so depressing, it’ll grind a veteran animal writer to declare a time-out — as I’ve done for the past week — so he can think about anything else for a while. 

These yahoos are just about NEVER reminded to do the right thing in an up close-and-personal way — of course, we can no longer lock people into stocks on the courthouse lawn and paint “MISTREATED ANIMALS” on their bare backsides. 

In this edition, I find myself acting as a supreme whiner. But it’s surely even worse for the hearts of rescuers and advocates — how many times have you dear people looked an abandoned/injured dog or cat and asked yourself, “When is this madness going to end?” 
You tough people take a brain-beating day after day in the greater Metroplex where the don’t care/so-what people live up to their reputation quite proudly.
They must be proud, otherwise why would these doltish humans keep putting dogs and cats and other animals at risk and then saunter away like bad consequences aren’t their responsibility. These deaths in shelters and fatalities on streets and in neighborhoods absolutely ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, YOU CHOWDERHEADS.

In this edition of readlarrypowell.com's weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re trying to climb out of a rotten mood and into a productive attitude.
Describe this whole edition as a guy who types is honoring people who work with their hearts. And he’s trying to stir up interest in saving animals by getting people who can read to consider joining the good side of the effort. There’s not a rescue or advocacy group in town that can’t use some more dedicated people.
I’m relyng on our personal models of previously unwanted animals to get the point across — our dogs Wendy, Porche and Dudley and a cat named Stevie Ray. Every one of them came off the streets, except for Stevie Ray who came out of a mimosa tree and was yelling at the top of his not quite properly developed 4- or 5-week old lungs when I reached into the flimsy twigs and rescued him. He’s now my Junior Office Cat.
All of these dogs and Stevie Ray came from the same Dallas Zip Code: 75224 — generally in the area of the intersection of Polk and Ledbetter in Oak Cliff.
In these photos I first caught Wendy in the community dog bed near the TV. She’s been ailing lately but still hustles quickly to find a good place to sleep and, depending on the time of day, to beat Porche and Dudley to the meal being served. Dudley and Porche usually eat theirs like starving dogs and, when they finish, they sit down and watch Wendy mannerly finish her bowl of MarthaGrub, a special recipe my DarlingchefspouseMartha mixes and cooks to keep the girl’s energy up.
The day I took the photo of Wendy in that bed, I turned to look back toward the other end of the room and there was Porche Noel, watching all the activity and, as it turns out, waiting to be photographed.
That big boy dog is Dudley The Angel, our Border Collie mix.
How’d we get lucky enough to purchase all three of these dogs through reputable breeders? "Hah!" typed Larry. "Hah!" he typed again.

Martha talked two indifferent teenagers into handing over the pup who was chasing them as they walked through a busy parking lot on Polk Street near U.S. 67. That was in 2009.

Porche showed up on our front porch at Christmas 2009, hence Porche Noel. She couldn’t bark because a collar had grown into her neck and she rasped. She also couldn’t walk right because her back hips had been injured, she had no manners and she snarled and, ribs and teeth showing, went after everybody else’s food — dogs’, cats’ and human’s. It wasn’t charming, but she came around once she began to trust her humans. 

Dudley came to us in 2013 — dumped under cover of darkness in our front yard with two much smaller adult dogs. We kept Dudley and got the two smaller dogs into a reliable local rescue that made sure they went to good homes. 
Dudley’s full name is Dudley The Angel — after the Cary Grant character in The Bishop’s Wife and the Denzel Washington character in The Preacher’s Wife. Our Dudley the Angel has lived up to the name.
Sometimes, when I’ve hit the end of the writing road, I’ll leave the office and go sit in a recliner I despise and watch TV. I’m never alone. In this case, that’s Stevie Ray Treeboy staring at me while I read The New Yorker as a British mystery is on TV and providing the background noise. It helps the other critters sleep. 
These animals are members of our family. They’re not something we own. They are family. Yes, of course they own us! Once unwanted, they are now our family.

So, Dear Readers, campaign with your neighbors and your loved ones on behalf of animals. These dogs and cats all have hearts and they know how to love a human. As you can see in the world today, humans have trouble loving humans. Maybe we humans — because we’re all so danged smart — can learn how to be kind and loving someday. 
Wouldn’t that be good for this odd little planet?
[GOT A DOG OR CAT YOU LOVE? Send us a note about why you love ‘em and a photo of them sleeping and another of them awake and we’ll spotlight ‘em in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. The address is [email protected]. About what you might write, we don’t count off for spelling and we have a cat who likes to swat dangling participles.]
— Offer ideas for helping animals by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE BAD PEOPLE’ in the subject line and add ‘FAT CHANCE’ TO THE NOTE. —-

SCURRY AND DOGS; AN EARHOUND; DOG FACES, AND A CAT POSE -- SAVE 'EM ALL

EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY NOV. 6-7, 2023 [PetPowellPress] We’ve already addressed the calamity of the Cowboys and the disruption of the time change, so what have we got left to complain about? Absolutely nothin’? Perhaps we can address more positives in Contemplations. First, some animal tales.
A TRIO OF DOGS WANDERED
UP IN A PLACE CALLED ‘SCURRY’
I don’t know if these three dogs were scurrying around Scurry to find some help, but I do know that our pal Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake did hurridly email this appeal to us. 
Scurry is southwest of Kaufman and northwest of Gun Barrel City. It’s on all the maps. The roads are paved and cell phones work and there’s easy access to anybody who wants to help these three dogs. 

The note forwarded from a veteran animal fan reads: “Animal control won't come up here as the shelter is full. I have had these dogs 9 days and I am not a rescue.  I have been feeding them, wormed them and gave them flea and tick meds. Great dogs. They were starving … Can you take them or post them for me on your site. I can't afford to feed them as I do not have a job and my mom is done.  Please can you help?” Email [email protected]. 
Two white dogs and a third dog who likes to pose in an artistic fashion -- that's what readlarrypowell.com figures is going on with that third photo! Dogs have style, you know!
[LARRY ASIDE: So, as you can tell, Ktalton402 depended on the great Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals to recognize the challenge and begin to contact people who might be able to help those three dogs in Scurry. Among those people? You, Dear Reader. There are some very big hearts that read this site and a lot of you know a lot of people who might be able to get three dogs a safe place or safe places to live happy lives. Kind of makes me tear up to think of the good hearts that work so hard for animals that are dumped by the so-what/don’t care residents of Texas.]
GENUINELY AN EARHOUND,
HILDA & ANGIE’S FRIENDS
Over the weekend I got a tip from veteran animal advocate and sincere catfan Andie Allen. She posted a note from Angie’s Friends, the noted Dallas rescue, about this girl Hilda. 
We don’t know this morning if Hilda was adopted at an Angie Friends event over the weekend, but those ears have earned her a place in this edition of readlarrypowell.com. 
Hilda is a genuine Earhound. 
The Angie’s friends bio reads, “Yes, these ears are real (no filter!) and they're waiting for you at our adoption event today! Hilda is going on 9 months old and she's been looking for her furever home her whole life. Hilda came to Angie's Friends when Angie convinced the owners of her momma to not give the pups away to just anyone and let us find good, loving homes. Hilda is a smart girl and loves to play with other dogs. She's a little shy at first and will need a little help gaining her confidence. However, she cannot resist the power of treats, so it's easy to win her over.” 
Just in case Hilda is still available to good home with good-hearted people, you can made contact with the legendary Angie’s Friends on Facebook HERE or by going to the rescue’s website at angiesfriends.org. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Angie’s Friends is among the most enduring rescue and adoption organizations in Texas and Angie’s heart is among the largest in whole world. She’s a legendary rescuer.]
A COUPLE OF DOGS WITH
FANTASTIC FACES
Look at these faces. Year, readlarrypowell.com is a sucker for dog faces, cat faces, my twins' faces, grandkids' faces, friends' face, my funspouse Martha’s face. But, mainly we see dog faces as the happy path to a happy home. Don’t you think that might be the way adoptions work out sometimes?

These two faces are in the Mesquite Animal Shelter according to the note we got over the weekend from volunteer dog-writers Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown.
We’re starting with Demi, described as a 2-year-old “solidly-built tri-color Terrier Pit/exceptionally gentle and laid back.” She’s 54689412 in the Mesquite Shelter.

As Judi writes, “How could you not fall in love with this sweet face? She’s not only as cute as a button, she’s got a loving, laid-back personality. Demi is a 2-year-old, 51-pound stocky, solidly built Terrier Pit. She came to Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray on 10/30.”
[LARRY TIME-OUT: How in the HBLEEP can a dog like this be a stray and have no one come looking for her? I once again have misjudged the ability of the human heart to function with kindness, love and grace of the beautiful soul..]
Judi’s bio of Demi continues: “There’s nothing not to like about this girl. She stays close, looking up at you with her gentle brown eyes. She wags her tail a lot indicating she’s a happy girl. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She’s highly motivated by treats and will continue to sit in anticipation of one. When I went into the yard, she followed me. When I sat down, she put her head on my lap. She was not interested in meeting other dogs. She has a semi strong pull on the leash.”
And there\’s this: “She has either been over-bred or has just had a litter. She is gentle, sweet, calm, curious, and well mannered. She doesn’t jump on you! As gentle as she is, she would do really well hanging out with you in your house.” 
Use her shelter ID #54689412 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email Email [email protected] .
Same system for asking about this girl Peaches. She’s ID #54691007.
Judi’s bio of this pup says Peaches is a tan-and-white, 5-year-old, 51-pound Pittie girl who arrived on Oct. 30 — brought in by one of the shelter officers.
Judi writes, “Do you like to have fun? Peaches does, too. … Peaches is a spirited, happy, active girl, who craves attention. I had to check her teeth to verify her age as she was bounding around the yard as though she was much younger! She explored the yard with her nose. When I called her, she bounded across the yard to come to me. She gets excited and jumps on you so some manners training would be helpful. She does sit for treats. When taking a treat, she sometimes gets overexcited so you’ll need to be careful about that.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, she shares a biographical note with the love Demi above. Of Peaches, Judi writes, “She has either recently had a litter or has been overbred.”]
Judi adds, :Peaches would do well with an active family with a goodsize-yard where she can play. However, she would like to spend most of her time in the house, cuddling and loving on her new family.”
At this LINK you can see these girls and also many other dogs and cats the Mesquite shelter works hard to find homes that’ll be loving and fit the animals perfectly.
At that link, you’ll see quite a few kittens and this is #54521732, in the shelter since Oct. 3, but not yet named. That could be your privilege if you adopt this 2-moth-old smallish fellow waiting in the Shelter’s Conference Room. [LARRY ASIDE: He is Black/Brown coated Domestic Shorthair Mix, generally regarded as one of the rarest cat types on the planet — wait, we’re still check on that readlarrypowell.com unofficial designation regarding the cat’s “type.” We have one of those at our house — years ago, he had at least three other Domestic Shorthair Mixes in his life with us. Frankly, you can look at that cat’s face in that pose and see that patience is a tendency. In Latin, that’s “Patientia es Kittyus Maximus virtus.” Loose translation, “A greatly beloved cat has a lot of the virtue of patience.” My Latin teacher must be so proud of me. — Larry]

CONTEMPLATIONS
MOVIES AND STUFF
I don’t care what time system we’re under right now, some hours still flow fast and some are agonizingly slow. I don’t like wasting time trying to figure out what time it is. The clock on our oven is an hour different than the clocks on our cellphones. A smart human could fix that problem, but I am the only human in the house right now, i.e., fat chance that i’ll do it right in a timely manner. I don’t think we had this problem when I was a kid. Yep, I am correct — the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Ah, there was a time when we were NOT guaranteed confusion twice a year. …
HAPPY TV MORNING because cable was showing both The Godfather (1972) and American Graffiti (1973). Sometimes, the time-setting in films encourages me to do mental time travel and the movies can help me. Plus in The Godfather I get to see Robert Duvall work as a mob lawyer. There’s a guy with a great career — remember him as Lucky Ned Pepper in the 1969 version of True Grit? How about the fantastic performance of Ginger the Cat as the feline General Sterling Price at Rooster Cogburn’s dwelling? 
Which reminds me, over the weekend I think I saw more TV commercials for “non-sequel/non-cartoon” movies than I’ve seen since before that lousy pandemic changed the social conditions of America.
Still, as we putter along in November, I realize the state of this world is ticking me off. I may take a few days to think about it. Peacenik, you know. Love dogs, cats and a peaceful planet. And, of course, ice cream.
—- Offer tranquil thoughts and peaceful chants by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘BUY MORE LOTTO TEXAS TICKETS, MR. LUCKY’ in the subject line. ——

HELP SOME ANIMALS WHILE YOU QUOTE CHICAGO: ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

[EDITION OF MONDAY, NOV. 6, 2023 [PetPowellPress] We have a brief guest message from a staffer at the outset of this edition. Our writer is Senior Office Cat William Powell, veteran napper and beacon of management. He writes: "Dear Congress: The time change fouls moods in offices all across America. Stress is rampant in schools, businesses, traffic and other elements of the on-time nation. You won't believe what happens to the moods in Catland and Dogville when meals don't arrive on time -- and I use the phrase "on time" with a smile. What the heck is "on time" for the next two weeks? Perhaps, Dear Congress, for the good of the nation you could just pick a time and stick with it.
Sincerely,
William Powell, Senior Office Cat and Believer in Temporal Stability.
P.S. Yes, that is me curled up on a bed when I should be up and moving through the house and rousting the other cats for breakfast. This is my "Fall Back" position.
 I still don't know what time it REALLY is. I won't know for weeks. Nobody will know. We're caught up in the American Disturbance. " To quote from the hit by Chicago "Does anybody really know what time it is?"
TIME TO CHECK IN
OUT AT THE LAKE

(CEDAR CREEK LAKE)
Yes, we're discussing the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the organization that operates (so to speak) the world's most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas.
Before we get to the good deals on some health care, we need to cite our Friends contact Sydney Busch's note about two dogs under a table. [LARRY ASIDE: Two dogs under a table beats the BLEEP out two dogs loose on the side of a busy road in East Texas.]
Sydney, the mainstay and longtime voice of the Friends send the note about these "kids." She writes, "These two precious girl puppies, rescued from the side of the road, are being vetted, will be spayed soon - and ready for their new adventure. ... They will be medium-sized dogs...

"Be a big part of their lives!  Call Melissa at 214-505-7499 for more info on them."

In the meantime, Sydney also reminds us that Nov. 11 is the Saturday of the 10 a.m. to noon "affordable pet vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing, more!" event at the Friends clinic in Gun Barrel City.
Questions about the event? Call Sydney at 903-451-4701 or 214-808-4701.
MEANWHILE, BACK ON THE
SOUTHERN SIDE OF BIG D...
We got this over the weekend from the folks who work to help animal in small shelters in the southern shadow of Large D, er, Big D, er Dallas where lots of animals are waiting for homes.
These, however, happen to be in the Ferris Animal Shelter unless (I hope with all my heart) they've been rescued in the time since the email plopped into my inbox.
The Saturday note from Leighann Hayden read, "We received a msg yesterday from Casey, the ACO at Ferris Shelter begging for some help. 

 "A resident of Ferris with a beautiful medium long-haired momma kitty (we named her Lyric) and her 3 babies that we named Melody (baby female), Jazz (baby male), and Tango (baby male), plans on bringing the kitties into the shelter either Wednesday or Thursday. The resident is just not able to keep them. "
You can pick Momma Lyric out of the quartet pretty easily. The kittens are Tiger Tabby Melody, Tiger Tabby With White Highlights Tango and the grey and white kitten, Jazz.
The appeal reads, "This shelter is not truly equipped for kitties.  And this mom and her (3) 8 week old babies are all just gorgeous.  Beautiful and very loving.  Very well socialized.  All trained to use litter box with no issues.
"We can arrange transport to you if you can help.  PLEASE, WE ARE REALLY BEGGING.  THE ACO IS AWARE, just as we all are, that NO [human] EVER COMES INTO THIS SMALL RURAL SHELTER.  THE KITTENS JUST WILL NOT STAND A CHANCE THERE."
To offer to help, call or text 972-897-4926 or call or text 214-906-7680.
[LARRY ASIDE: A note to anybody with a cat that hasn't had that special visit to a vet yet. Spay and neuter. You don't want cats and kittens sitting in a shelter just waiting for the needle, do you? Wake up. You're a responsible human, right? Sheesh. Born just to be killed -- that is so morally wrong....]
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES ON A MONDAY
This is one of those things that makes an animal fan sick while also wondering, "How in the heck did that happen? The story was in the Weatherford Democrat about a city shelter staffer accused of killing more than 2 dozen cats and kittens. Here's the LINK to the WEATHERFORD DEMOCRAT. The headline read, "Cat killing case sent to DA's office, 30 new cases filed,"
MOVING ALONG: I was watching the Dallas Cowboys/Philadelphia Eagles football game late Sunday afternoon -- I'm not really sure what time it was because it was dark outside and inside the clocks were uncertain. As the Eagles nudged ahead by adding a touchdown, I thought "Gosh, I sure do miss watching that championship World Series Texas Rangers team play." I dropped by the parade site on Friday, but couldn't find a parking place so I drove back home and watched the parade on TV. Several channels. I have attended championship parades for the NHL Dallas Stars, the NBA Dallas Mavericks and the NFL Dallas Cowboys. So, I'll catch that Texas Rangers MLB World Series parade in person next November. Right, my fellow RangeRs fans!
OK, what time is it now? Yeah, I don't know, either, but the Cowboys appear to have needed lots more time on the clock.
--- Offer timely advice by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and put "YOU NEED MORE SLEEP, SECOND-HAND MAN" in the subject line. ---

THREE DOG NAP IN HONOR OF THE (CHEER!) MLB WORLD SERIES CHAMP TEXAS RANGERS

We long-ago named our weekend feature "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap."

What we didn't do is declare that we could figure out a way to get dogs to sleep or cats to nap.  OK, we didn't have to, did we? These rascals have the gift already, don't they.
There are instances, of course, where the animals simply nod off like a well-practiced slumber team..
We'd call this a "Three Dog Night," in honor of the "Joy To The World" rock band, but, the three dogs didn't nod off at night. They are Texas Rangers fans and they nodded off while watching the early broadcast of the Texas Rangers World Series Victory Parade on Friday in Arlington. 
We jumped from channel to channel to see who had up-close photos of their favorites stars (they're big fans of Hall of Fame Radio Voice of the Rangers Eric Nadel -- he's the dog fan who introduced the concept of dog parks to Dallas and the area years ago).
These three dogs are great fans of the big league team itself -- all the people involved with the actual playing of the game. They like the way these Rangers played in 2023 because it made their "mommy," my bigleaguerazzthefoespouse Martha very happy. I recall that her shout of delight rattled neighborhood windows when that Arizona player took the called third strike to end the game and the Series! 
So, as we watched the Martin Scorsese-length broadcast of the parade special Friday, now and then I'd catch our trio of ol' dogs nappin'.
That's Porche Noel on the dog bed beneath the parade picture on the big screen. And, on the living room rug --- I'm supposed to vacuum it this weekend, maybe -- that big ol' huggable lump of dawg is my pal Dudley the Angel. He loves to fetch a baseball. Might have been an outfielder in a previous life. Porche was in management -- I'm basing that on the way she gets humans to do things for her.
And, that big ol' wonderful dog on assorted blankets on her couch is Wendy -- Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden. She is a fan of the 7th inning stretch. Practices it during other innings so she can really stand out in the 7th. 
You might ask, "What the heck is that giant cat doing in the slumberdog edition?"
 His front leg is dangling off the tabletop and he's anticipating a cat treat. He might have been trained to expect a treat from some humans in his home.
That is Stevie Ray, the large cat I saved as he dangled yowling from the flimsy limb of a mimosa tree when he was a tiny, tiny loud kitten. 
He has grown up and the truth is, yes, he was raised by dogs. Cat manners with dog attitude. When I saw him on the breakfast nook table in that pose, I asked, "Stevie Ray, what are you doin'?" and he replied, "Season's over, man, I'm already waitin' 'til next year." Then he meowed, "Let's go, Rangers! Let's go, Rangers!" And woke the dogs.
They looked at the clocks and calendars on their phones went back to sleep. Quickly.
[DEAR READERS, Send photos and bios of the dogs and cats and other critters you love to [email protected] and readlarrypowell.com will put 'em in the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We love showing people how much an animal  can improve your enjoyment of life and enhance your imagination. On the record: Only one of our dogs played pro ball -- Dudley was a catcher with the East Texas Cones of the Piney Woods Bayou League. I might have made that up. Imagine that.]

HELP THE ANIMALS AND ENJOY, ALSO, THE HAPPIER-THAN-USUAL 'WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR' BASEBALL ATTITUDE

EDITION OF FRIDAY, NOV. 3, 2023 [PetPowellPress]  
On the day after the Texas Rangers won the World Series -- there's a phrase that was a long time comin' -- I caught myself watching a Mission Impossible movie marathon on cable. At first I thought, "They scheduled Mission Impossible in honor of the Rangers' in the past half-century of seasons." But then I figured, "Nope. Just a coincidence, not a joke." Not this time. 
FYI: I was up about 4 a.m. Thursday -- thank you Porche Noel, the early morning dog -- and, unlikely to nod off like Porche can, I settled in the living room and turned the TV on. My Senior Office Cat William Powell, alarmed at my early waking, stopped by to demonstrate how to close my eyes, turn my nose pink and nod off. I'm a bad student at 4 in the morning.
At least two sports channels were repeating the championship game between Texas and Arizona. 
It was a joy to re-watch the last two innings. Ah, but I looked very carefully at the final credits. Not that I'm doubtful of these Rangers, but I just wanted to make sure one of the closing credits didn't read something like "A.I. By The Stephen Spielberg Corp." Nope, real life reality. No A.I. in baseball. Yet.
ONCE UPON A TIME:
A DOG NOT IN A SHELTER
We got the heads-up on this dog from our pal Karen Lee of the legendary help-the-animals organization barkleyworld.com. 
This pup is 8-month-old, female Yellow lab pup who needs a foster or adoptor. She wasn't in a shelter; the note describes as a "Facebook dog." Yep, the focus of an appeal on Facebook. But someone with experience has stepped up to try to help the dog. That is Gail Whelan of the Companion-Animal Network. The key info is call Gail at 903-967-3226 or email [email protected]. 
Karen describes this girl as "an absolutely beautiful dog in need of a home." 
The bio from Gail reads, "This precious little girl is a 'Facebook' dog -- given away. She is not spayed but is fully vaccinated. She does not have a microchip. She is kind and gentle and loves people, other dogs, cats, and kids. She is crate-trained and potty-trained. She is leash trained. I will sponsor her spay and microchip for the perfect home for her."
Adopt her and you get to name her.
MEANWHILE, A SHELTER
WITH PERFECT ADOPTABLES.....
Our tipsters at the Mesquite Animal Services shelter have encountered some adorable adoptables. 
And the first one up comes via volunteer dog-writer Debra Chisholm. She writes, "This handsome boy is Jasper, a Siberian Husky with some Jindo  in the mix ... [He] was picked up by one of our officers as a stray and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 10/26.  Sweet boy weighs 56 pounds and is about 2 years old.  There's a lot to like about Jasper.  He is well-mannered, calm and gentle and yet is lively and active as well.  He is very observant, leaning on the shelter wall to look out onto the field and parking lot to see what was going on that might be of interest.  He also was quite fascinated with watching through the window at a worker mopping the hallway floor.  He does well on a leash and did not seem to have any issues with other dogs he walked by. ... He chased and sometimes returned the tennis balls I threw him. ... He was uninterested in treats.  He may have lived outside as he has callouses on his elbows.  He is friendly and let me stroke his beautiful soft fur." Jasper is #54674124.
Volunteer dog-writer Judi Brown tipped us to Kirby, a 2-year-old, 48-pound Shepherd mix who came into Mesquite's shelter as a stray on Oct. 27. His ID is #54678343 
Judi writes, "The bonus is that he’s already neutered. He’s a sweet boy that wants to please. He occasionally jumps on you but gets down when told to do so. He sits for treats and takes them gently. When I sat down, he came to me. He absolutely loves having his ears scratched. He’s very alert and curious and investigates his surroundings. He’s quite athletic and likes to climb but will get down when you tell him to. He’s very affectionate. When I stood up near a table in the laundry room, he came up and stood right next to me and leaned on me. He’s friendly and seeks attention. He appears to be happy, because his tail wags constantly. He sniffed other dogs in the bay and didn’t have a problem. When I walked him through the lobby with other dogs, the hair went up on his back. We suggest if you have another dog to let the shelter do a dog test. He has a strong pull on the leash."

Judi also did the bio on Penny [#54666868], writing, "The first thing you’ll probably notice is that Penny has either been branded or tattooed [on her head] with a $ sign. But she’s worth bundles more! This marking does not seem to bother her. We’re not sure whether hair will grow back in or if this mark will be permanent. The important thing is that she he’s very sweet and would make a loving companion. She’s friendly, welcoming, active, alert, playful, and affectionate. She gently jumps on you for a hug. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She sits quietly to have her ears scratched, but then turns around and tries to entice you to play.  At the end of the photo shoot she did happy zoomies around the yard!"
We're going to close this Mesquite dog report with Judi's bio of a dog named, appropriately, "Gusto." He's #546668932. Judi writes, "Gusto is a happy. tail-wagging, fun-loving boy that’s looking for an active family that will play with him. He’s got a zest for life. Gusto is a one-year-old, 61-pound, tawny-colored [Pittie] that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 10/25 as a stray. He’s a regular wiggle-butt. He chases and retrieves balls with gusto! He sits for treats and takes them gently. He’s highly motivated by treats. He does like to hear himself bark. When he was in the shelter yard, he was barking at people and cars that came into the parking lot. At the same time he was wagging his tail. I think he barks just to hear himself bark. He wants you to know he’s there! Gusto is one energetic, active guy that will keep you on your toes. He would do well with a good size yard and children to play with. And after a good romp, he would love to chill out with his new family on some comfortable blankets on the couch."
CONTEMPLATIONS
BASEBALL AND TWO PEOPLE
Usually at this point in the sports year I'm a little blue because there's no more baseball. This year, I'm -- what is the word?.... oh, yeah --- this year I'm HAPPY with the end of the Major League Baseball season. The team I introduced my kids to when they were around a year old has won the World Series. My little boys believed. I was a doubter -- call it the reaction of a longtime grown-up fan with a history of hardball heartbreak. My little boys, now past the half-century mark themselves, have been positive all year about the current Rangers and the current Rangers management. Not me. Until now. Finally I have a reason that moves me to declare that I'm happy in the "wait 'til next year" mood. It'll be great to see this bunch repeat the World Series title in 2024.

I wish two baseball fans I knew were still around to celebrate with us -- I'm quite certain they've been celebrating in a primo luxury box with angelic staffers and fantastic views of the field. 
One is my sweet mother-in-law Violet Muse, lost way back in Jan. 2002. She was a Pentecost Preacher and she did a lot of praying for that era's Texas Rangers. She and I watched a lot of baseball together. She was usually doing some sewing in her recliner while the game was on. And we'd talk about baseball and the players she adored. And Mrs. Muse, who was about 5 feet tall, would talk about her days of playing "hind catcher" in the games in her neighborhood when she was a kid. She loved the Rangers. And, charitable soul that she was, she'd forgive them when they didn't win. Every now and then she'd be busy sewing and she'd look up at the screen and see a ball sailing over the outfield fence and get excited about another Rangers' home run and either Martha or I would say, "Replay!" and Mrs. Muse would laugh out loud and say something like, "Well, too bad, They can use another run."
The other person in this baseball recollection is my ol' pop, the WWII infantryman, John Calvin Powell. Made it through the Normandy Invasion and back home with only a few pieces of enemy metal clanking around in his body -- lots of bad dreams came home with him. But he was an American kid all the way and baseball made a happy difference in his post-war life. He taught me and my two younger brothers how to play baseball, how to let Queenie the Border Collie run down balls we'd missed in a challenging backyard game. Pop loved watching baseball -- live games with a nephew in a school lineup and the local semi-pro Texarkana Bears. 
Way back in the first year of the Texas Rangers, we got tickets for the boys and Mom and Pop and me and we all sat in Turnpike Stadium up high behind home plate. Mom was more interested in watching Bret and Bart marvel at the big sky and the people. Pop was focused on the ball game. Along about two or three innings into the game, someone hit a homer for the home team and the crowd went ape, my Pop along with them. Then he regained his composure and sat down and I was next to him. And he looked at me with his hazel eyes gleaming under his jet black curly hair and he said with a catch in his voice, "I never thought in my life that I would ever get to see a big league baseball game in person." I'd have teared up if I hadn't been such a tough character. Not so tough now, so, yeah, I'm doing a little blinking to clear the vision while I type. I'd really like to hug my daddy one more time at a baseball game. 
Pop loved baseball. I'm pretty sure there are no rain-outs in the hereafter. They've probably got a pretty swell domed stadium Up There. 
--- Relax and cheer for the Rangers in 2024,, click on 'comment' below or email [email protected] and put "DROP THE PARKING PRICES" in your subject line. ---