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AMELIA RAE AND HONEY BUN SLEEP, IVY JOY NAPS AND A HOUSEHOLD HEART SMILES

Think “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.” Now, how many sleeping dogs do you see in that photograph?
For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we found inspiration in the photo posted by our longtime pal and contributor Lezli Ragland.
The answer to the opening question is two. Honey Bun and Amelia Rae.  Honey Bun is the dog whose ear is visible and Amelia Rae is the dog whose ear isn't. In other photos of the two, Amelia is the little dog in the pink harness.
You can’t see a napping cat in the first photo because Ivy Joy was busy snoozing on another piece of furniture in the house. That’s the back of adorable Ivy Joy. You may recall Ivy Joy. We first wrote about her in 2011 or thereabouts when she was rescued from an unattended lot in Houston by Edna and Frank Taylor. The little cat in the box at the Taylor home is the first photo we posted of Ivy Joy. It charmed Lezli and Michael and the free-roaming cat named “Ivy” was brought to Dallas by Edna and Frank.
Ivy Joy was absolutely embraced by the humans and dogs at the Ragland abode. 
That included this Boston Terrier named Luna Rose, who went “back to Heaven” in 2020, more than a year ago. She’d been, as Lezli described her, “the glue that held us all together.”
Keep reading and you’ll see how all of this worked and works together to Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.

Back to the opening photo:
Lezli explained, “Under that blanket on the left is Honey Bun, our senior gal, and the rear end on the right is Amelia Rae (our new rescue). Amelia Rae, we believe, was guided to our family by our angel Luna Rose.  She is bringing Honey Bun so much comfort since Luna Rose went to the Bridge.
"Amelia Rae has had a very difficult past life, but is learning love and  to feel safe with us. She is adding so much goodness to our family."
Lezli included the photos "of sweet Ivy Joy...she loves napping." She also sent us the photo of Ivy Joy posing in a favorite spot in the house. Wide awake.
Lezli wrote that after Amelia Rae joined the family on 1-1-2021 things began to change for the better.
She says, “This little girl was a breeder dog and has obviously suffered at the hands of not-so-nice people in her former days. She was found dumped and roaming on the streets by animal control and put in a high kill shelter. She had cherry eyes and the shelter was kind enough to contact Chihuahua Rescue and Transport (CRT) who stepped up and saved her  and gave her a new start in life. 

“CRT has wonderful volunteers and fosters and she remained in their care for her three eye surgeries and healing....She then came to us for a trial period to see how she could adapt to our household.”
We clearly see how that worked out. Took some patience and understanding, though.

 It was, Lezli wrote earlier, “a somewhat difficult transition for Amelia as her trust and confidence were really low. She has not had a lot of security in her life and probably never been around cats.  Phew! Thankfully, with some intense work and progress on her part, she has adapted.”

Ivy Joy and “Mom’s cat Louie Blue [now departed] were amazingly kind and patient with her," Lezli says. "Honey Bun loves her as much as we do.”

The challenge was getting Amelia to “blossom to be the girl she was meant to be.” Lezli had faith that Amelia would “blossom beautifully” and that has happened.
 (Amelia is in the Little Sis shirt.)
“She is so sweet and loving.....She has a big bark in her little body (8 pounds) and so much joy to give. Thank you to Sylvia, her foster mom, and CRT, for giving us time to work with her and for believing in us.....and for picking us to be her family. We have bonded.”
And Lezli uses her favorite expression to emphasize the love: “Our hearts are connected by paws!” and she adds, “Thank you, Luna Rose....for bringing us some of your joy.
Honey Bun, rescued and adopted in 2013, “is the princess of our family,” Lezli says. “She did not do well when Luna Rose passed away and so we brought Amelia in with the hope it would give her back some joy….and it has. She had almost given up.  She is ourz
senior girl now…..and she has earned her grey hairs through her lifetime of challenges and giving of her heart. Honey is full of love, kindness and loves to talk….She is a chatty chatty gal.  She is my girl and but truly a Daddy’s girl.”
That’s Honey Bun on the left, head tilted and eyes closed, with Amelia Rae, “basking in the sunshine,” Lezli wrote.
Clearly they’re also ready to work in the spotlight. Anybody know an agent? They appear to be accepting applause from a loving audience. Makes you happy to see those faces, doesn't it!
[DEAR READERS: As you can see, your canine sleeper or feline napper can inspire people to smile. And the story of their lives may inspire people to give animals a happy, secure place to live. Send photos and bios of your slumberers to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll show them off in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You may help insomniacs realize they can sleep if they can just replicate Ivy Joy’s pose in that first happily curled for napping photo. That's her mugshot -- great eyes.]
— Offer sleeping advice or waking stock tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com with “Are you still awake?” in the subject line.” —


JUNETEENTH AND A DALLAS ARTIST

EDITION FOR THE HOLIDAY, JUNETEENTH 2021 [PetPowellPress] In honor of the establishment of a federal Juneteenth holiday I’m posting a great piece of artwork by the wonderful Arthello Beck Jr., the respected artist from Dallas. 



You may see that the artist is telling many stories in this scene.

He titled the painting “Juneteenth.”

This computer screen doesn’t do justice to the painting — I remember seeing it (or a big vivid print of it) in person years ago. 
The holiday was always a celebration in Texas, as I recall from my reporting days — might be a community, a church, a school or a family. But Juneteenth is remembered for the news that came to Texas that day in 1865.
This year, Juneteenth may have the biggest celebration in its history — well since that day in 1865 when the message reached Texas about President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation 2 1/2 years earlier. Summarize the message in one word: Freedom.
It occurs to me that some of you may have seen Mr. Beck at work! He was, for many years, a fixture in the entrance hallway of the Creative Arts Building at the State Fair of Texas. Gosh, he died such a young man — 63 (July 17, 1941-Nov. 5, 2004). One wonders what he’d be painting this Juneteenth.
Perhaps at some point during the State Fair of Texas, you walked into that entrance hallway and saw Mr. Beck concentrating on painting and pausing now and then to say hello to a friend or answer questions from strangers moved by his great work. I was one of those for many years. I would walk up and speak to him, but, I was nearly mute because I was in the presence of genuine genius.
It occurs to me that there’s this link to Juneteenth for me, too: As a white kid from Texarkana, Texas, I still have known about Juneteenth nearly all my life. Why? It’s thanks to my folks and to some top-notch teachers at Highland Park Elementary School in Texarkana, Texas, and my junior high Texas History teacher, Mrs. M.M. Knight. In her class we learned about the history of our state and the significant events, i.e., we learned to remember not just the Alamo but Juneteenth, too. 
Of course, that school district didn’t stop segregating its children until after my class graduated in ’66. Some irony? We moved into junior colleges and colleges that were NOT still segregated. [LARRY ASIDE: Explain all-white public schools of that era? Human failings. Sometimes Stupid got elected to schoolboards and city councils and couldn't see how a future of understanding each other would benefit from an America for everybody.]
My wonderful country deserves a society in which everybody who wants to can play sports, everybody can be educated, everybody can get a job and everybody can embrace their fellow Americans and team up to set an positive example for the world. We have shortcomings, after all we are humans and we have flaws. But we can change and we can achieve.
This brand new Juneteenth federal holiday with its foundation set in 1865 is an example. And I’m posting the photos of those American flags because I like a flurry of flags always waving freely over the United States.
You can read more about Juneteenth HERE and learn about Mr. Beck via the Texas State Historical Association HERE. See more of Mr. Beck’s work HERE.
— Offer agreement or objection by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

FOR FRIDAY, THE WEEK ENDS WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF ADORABLE ADOPTABLES.

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 [PetPowellPress] People are out and around and moving again. Let’s hope more of them are going to shelters and rescue adoptions and giving homes and love to animals regarded as “unwanted at-the-moment.” This is a great time of year to get a new critter — you can teach your kids to take care of animals and you can sit in an air-conditioned living room and watch old movies with someone who wants to be sitting with you and watching The Great Race or Dr. Zhivago or Casablanca for the umpteenth times. More movies in Contemplations and more dogs and cats to follow this opening. Remember, nearly every town has a shelter that oughta be emptied by affection rather than policy.
We’ll explain those faces in the opening as you read the text between here and Contemplations.
MIND-BOGGLING, WROTE
THE TIPSTER ON PELUCHE

The tip on this girl Peluche came via veteran animal advocate Jennifer Sellers. 
If our French translation is accurate and it may not be, the word “Peluche” (P’ loo shah) means “Soft Toy.” And that may actually be perfect for this Miniature Poodle baby. 
Jennifer’s email opened with “Mind-boggling that someone would dump a 15-year-old they had since a puppy, but here it is. Adorable dog needs out of the shelter environment as soon as possible.”
See Peluche’s listing on the Richardson Animal Shelter site HERE.
When you call the shelter to make an appointment to visit Peluche, ask about ID #21-0496D. The shelter number is 972-744-4480. You may also e-mail AskRichardsonAnimalServices@cor.gov.
[LARRY ASIDE: “Mind-boggling” — I’m betting shelter intake workers find their minds boggled daily in the Greater North Texas Dump The Dog We’ll Get Another One When We Get Back TroPlex.]
THE FAMILY WAS MOVING SO
KOTA HAD TO MOVE, TOO
Here's a dog who need a big break now.
We addressed “mindboggling” in our opening item about Peluche. In discussing this dog Kota, we’ll consider using the phrase “stomach-churning.”
The tip on terrier mix Kota came from Mesquite Animal Services volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm. 
Terrier mix Kota, 7 months old and an underweight 20 pounds, was surrendered June 15 because the family was moving, according to the surrender info. The owner said Kota “lived indoors” and was “fine with other dogs and OK with children” (ages 10 and 12.). Ah, but there’s more. The report says the 12-year-old boy called Kota “vicious” and, asked to explain, said “the dog was afraid of everything and was always growling when he tried to touch him while he was eating and when he tried to pull the dog out from under the sofa. One of our volunteers interacted with the people who surrendered him and was uneasy about the way the 12 year old spoke about the dog ....  Kota would not walk at the shelter so had to be carried and at no time did he growl even when picked up and carried.  The volunteer sat with him for about 20 minutes in her lap and he never stopped shaking. The concern is that with this being a cute puppy and the $5 adoption special for all dogs at MAS that Kota will possibly be adopted by a family with young children and possibly be put through another ordeal.  Please help get this adorable pup out of the shelter ASAP. [LARRY ASIDE: May someone save him before this even gets to print!]
OK, OK, ONE MORE
FROM MESQUITE:
WE’VE MENTIONED A.K. BEFORE. 
This dog was in lousy shape when she arrived at the Mesquite shelter on April 29 — you may remember her story: Surrendered because of declining health. Inflamed bladder, blood coming out of places it shouldn’t be coming from, on pain medication, kind of limping… But as our tipster, the shelter volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown explained in an email Thursday, A.K. has made lots of progress and is in real need of a rescue to tag her and get her into a wonderful home.
 It's a personal thing. Judi writes, “This is one of the sweetest, lovingest, prettiest dogs at the Mesquite Animal Shelter. I believe in her so much I’m putting $100 pledge toward her rescue. Another one of the volunteer/dog walkers loves her enough to take her home and foster her. However, she needs to get rescued and on the way to a permanent home. Her current foster stated that she is calm, she rests a lot, she never barks, she follows his two older dogs around to be near them, she has had no accidents in the house, she enjoys eating, and she’s mostly mobile but has difficulty with steps.  The vet has recommended more x-rays but for now been diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia, thickening of the joints and a torn ACL. She’s been benefiting from joint supplements, anti-inflammatories, and pain meds.” To help Judi and A.K.’s fans get her to safety, contact the shelter. use A.K.’s ID #47651419 when you call 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.  

KITTENS AND DOG FACES
LIGHT UP LANCASTER’S SHELTER
The veteran rescuers and animal advocates with 4-Legged Helpers saw these kittens and announced, “We have an emergency situation of some tiny baby kittens that need out of the Lancaster shelter ASAP.  THE SHELTER IS NOT EQUIPPED TO CARE FOR TINY BABIES.  PLEASE HELP - PLEASE.  WE so want them to make it.  They are all just precious.”

 There are four tiny kittens from one litter and one tiny kitten who “came in by herself” and by that the Helpers don’t mean she Ubered from wherever she’d been found. She was alone. 
The four from the letter are (left to right and left to right) Colby and Shadow, then Paisley and Kimmie.
And the Lone Cutie is Pixie.
To help the kittens, call or text 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

Now, before we leave 4-Legged Helpers tips, the organization has provided us with photos and bios of dogs currently waiting in the shelter.

They all have magnificent faces. 

Brody is a one-or-two-year-old, 63-pound “Shepherd/Bull Terrier” mix with a great set of years. He also is “such a sweet boy” and “knows how to do tricks for treats.” He also “completely adores children and al people. Great with other dogs, too!” He can do a “High 5.” Shouldn’t be in a shelter, right?
Aaron, 2 or 3, is a Lab Mix who is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Also, “Loves to be with his person and embodies complete unconditional love.  He will give his paw so politely ask for more petting.  Adores kids and other dogs.” Not good with cats.
Boston, a Boxer mix, “loves to catch treats in the air. Cutest thing ever,” his bio reads. “This sweet boy is a great dog that used to live with another female dog before the family moved.  So sad because he is a good boy that adores children and loves everyone.”

Nala actually does smile, just not for the camera, apparently. The Helpers says she’s “super mellow, sweet and very gentle-natured. ..Everyone completely adores this girl. She is great with other dogs. Really loves children” and other dogs. “Very well-behaved”
[LARRY ASIDE: Oh, and this girl? Amber? The Dogue de Bordeaux mix who has been waiting for weeks and weeks at the Lancaster Shelter? We posted her appeal with a poster of Tom Hanks’ movie Turner and Hooch and, son of a gun, if someone didn’t adopt this girl. I’m now working of a gallery of motion picture stars to match with assorted dogs and cats in need of adoption. Whatever it takes, you know! Bless Amber and give her a long, long, wonderfully happy life with a human who understands the term "mutual admiration society."]
ONCE UPON A TIME,
A DOG THUMBED A RIDE…
Well, that’s not exactly what happened, but it’s the practical result. 
We saw the story on DFW’s Furgotten Friends Facebook page and the photograph enchanted us.
The story goes: “This sweet girl followed a cyclist home and has gone through all the appropriate channels and is now ready to move onto the next phase of her life. What is currently known about this girl: 3 years old; Bully mix; 40 pounds; up-to-date on shots; spayed.” Get in touch with Furgotten Friends “if you’re interested in fostering or adopting … If another rescue can take her into their program that's fine. Otherwise DFW Furgotten Friends will be helping out.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
AS THE WEEKEND ARRIVES
Doesn’t look like we’ll have a World Series parade in the Greater Metroplex Give-Up-Homers Zone this season. Remember last year, during the sports-stifling pandemic, when we missed big league baseball so much? Yeah, kind of still missing it. But, you know, bless the Texas Rangers and keep ‘em positive and swinging away. Too bad nobody on the team can throw a discreet spitter. Discreet Spitter — how’s that for the name of a band? …

I think summer would be better if we could count on a brand new James Bond movie drawing Americans back to the cinema. Have to wait until October 8 smack in the middle of the run of the State Fair of Texas (Sept. 24-Oct. 17).
James Bond is back in Thunderball On-A-Stick.
I’m kidding. It’s No Time To Die. Here’s the violent trailer.  The juvenile in me can zone out for make believe violence if I have popcorn and a soda pop that cost so much you need a co-signer on the note to get the traditional treats. …

In honor of nothing in particular except I find Nancy Sinatra’s only James Bond theme song quite calming — beautiful music. Enjoy YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE! As a Double-0 agent, when you click on that link, you have the right to skip the ads.
— OFFER IDEAS OR BLANK SPACES BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENT BELOW’ OR EMAIL DALLRP@AOL.COM AND PUT ‘GROW UP’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE. --

HOT ENOUGH FOR YA? CHILL WITH THE CRITTERS AND THE CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY JUNE 17-18, 2021 [PetPowellPress] OK, everybody check your thermostats. Now, turn the brightness on your computer screens down to “Cool Moodglow” — it’s on the display button. What? You didn’t pay extra for the custom Moodglow button? Well, let’s move along and think cool on behalf of the animals. This one is Justice -- we'll get to her in a moment.
IT’S THE FACES: IS THIS DOG
A STAR OF EUROPEAN CINEMA?
Check out the face on this guy Eli. He’s got a distinct face, the look of a star dog in a 1950 or early ‘60s French film about a circus clown who adores his dog and makes up his face to resemble that of his dog! Maybe you saw Le Coeur Aimant during your Transitional Beatnik-to-Hippie Era at college? Oui? No? Oh, it's "The Loving Heart."
Whatever the case, this guy Eli, an 8-or-9-week old Shepherd mix needs a loving home. He’s in the Lancaster Shelter and becomes available for adoption on Thursday morning. He really does have a face that looks as if it were designed by a legendary cinema artist. His bio, provided by the determined folks with 4-Legged Helpers, describes him as a “little baby cutie pie: who is “precious.”
And that brings us to this obviously precious pair, Grayson and Gia (left to right). Grayson’s the boy and Gia;s the girl and they are “Wirehair Griffon Mixes.” Also available on Thursday. They are about 12 weeks old and wound up in the shelter because they were “found out and about on their own,” the 4-Legged Helpers report.

 We’ve mentioned Benji before. He’s the young male German Shepherd who is about a year old and his most recent adventure was showing up in the custody of the Lancaster shelter. The Helpers say he “looks extremely well-cared for and super cute.”
And we’ve also mentioned the lop-eared handsome man Spike — a chipped stray, attempts to find the human who belongs to this Aussie Shepherd mix have failed. There’s this description: He was dog-tested with other dogs and does awesome with female dogs. He loves the ladies and they adore him — it is so sweet. Great dog with all people! Adores them.”
Also still waiting are Mac and Amber. Mac is the Chocolate Lab/Bulldog mix who has a reputation as “wonderful with kids and loves and adores all people”.
And, of course, there’s the girl Amber we spotlighted in our Wednesday edition, the Dogue de Bordeaux mix who needs to be a family’s only dog.

For any of these animals get in touch with 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
EVER SEE ‘CONNECTIVITY’
WHEN YOU OPEN AN EMAIL?
It was Wednesday morning in the overheated State of Texas when I encountered something cool — one dog note led to more.
If you’re on rescue and shelter mailing lists, you’ve probably encountered this sort of thing before. Readlarrypowell.com believes connectivity and networking are to be celebrated as lifesaving. Here’s how it started. 
First, Christine Kallas of Against All Odds All Breed Rescue “shared friends of Rowlett Animals’ post….” And what was that? 
It was this Meet Coco note. That is Coco, a 7-year-old German Shepherd. She’s #A251827 at Garland Animal Services. Yep, Coco had first been shared by Friends of Rowlett Animals and then Christine shared and, now, here readlarrypowell.com is sharing Coco with you, Dear Readers.
The Garland bio of Coco reads, “Senior pups are great. Out of the crazy puppy phase, and most just want to chill with you. Coco is a pretty laid-back gal, so if you’re a laid back person, she might be the dog for you!”
We checked and Garland Animal Services has a passel of cats and kittens available, too. The cats include
Tiffany (#A251292). As long as we’re discussing older animals, I’ll note that Garland lists Tiffany as a spayed, gray and black cat who the shelter thinks may be 11 years old. Plenty of life left in an 11 year-old cat.
You can see how to adopt these animals — there are special fees on dogs and cats — by going to THIS GARLAND SHELTER LINK.
Now, back to the original connecting point — the note from Christine citing the Coco appeal posted by Friends of Rowlett Animals. Here is that CONNECTING POINT and these photos are some of the many you’ll see at that Facebook site. Not only are there appeals for animals, but there is this wonderful update on a dog who was adopted because Friends of Rowlett Animals makes the noble effort to save ‘em all.
Look at those photos of the dog in the horse barn. Then read this post from the Friends of Rowlett Animals:

“Remember Maddie? She was adopted recently by a family that drove 10 hours each way, just for her!
“Well, Miss Maddie is living the life of a farm dog! Her family just adores her, and she is adjusting so well. Happy Tails, Maddie!”
[LARRY NOTE: Happy tails, indeed, dear Mattie. From someone who never met your but applauds the work of the animal advocates who were involved in making sure you have some happiness in your life. Connections matter. And while you’re look ing at the Rowlett Friends page, scroll down for a look at Mabel the German Shepherd. What is the deal with beautiful German Shepherds showing up in shelters these days? Anybody got a theory?]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
ONE RETURNS, TWO MORE WAIT
These animal stories….every one of ‘em has a challenge. Lots of time it involves a human who didn’t quite live up to the dog or cat. 

Our source on Hunter’s story is the Mesquite Animal Services volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm.
 She reminds us that Hunter first came in as a stray on March 7. Then he was adopted on April 23. But he was returned on June 1. Why? Owner didn’t offer a surrender form, she says, but a “notation on the database indicates that he tried to bite someone” and she adds, “Since no circumstances are known about this attempted bite, it is hard to make any judgment call.  Hunter weighs 58 pounds, is about 2 years old and is neutered.  He has all shots and is ready to walk out the front door.  Hunter walks ok on a leash.  He will jump on you in his excitement and could use some training to correct that.  He is high energy and quite active.” Needs an active family.  His ID is #46853294.
That brings us to Bentley, maybe a year old, a Siberian Husky mix found as a stray on June 10. He weighs 42 pounds and, Debra wrote, “is one livewire with plenty of puppy energy and will jump on you.” Yep, training will stop that. She also says, “Bentley walks nicely on a leash and when walked through the bay did not react to the other dogs. … He has a friendly nature and seems to be sweet-tempered.” She also notes that Huskies can be “escape artists” and that they have exercise needs to run down their high energy.” He’s #47965740. 
Volunteer Dog Biographer Judi Brown provided the story of this dog, Jusstice, a girl who, in this photo, appears to be showing the good sense of a Texas Pittie — Get me out of the heat and into the air-conditioning.

 Judi writes, “Justice is a happy girl that will be even happier when she’s adopted by a loving family! Justice is a 3-year-old stocky, solidly built gray and white terrier Pit that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 6/9 as a stray. I was met in her kennel with wiggles and tail wags. This is another case where the tail wags the dog! Justice is a happy, energetic, friendly girl that loves people. She’s curious and alert. She explored the yard. She’s motivated by treats and takes them gently; however, she does not know how to sit for them. You could teach her that. When I sat down she came to me to have her ears scratched. …She has a very strong pull on the leash but then she weighs 60 pounds! Even though she’s a big girl she’s really relatively gentle.” Justice is #47955157.
To ask about any of these dogs, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com to tag Justice.

CONTEMPLATIONS
STATE FAIR, CONSERVATION, HEAT
Something normal is happening. It is hot in Texas and we are getting news releases from the State Fair of Texas. Is that not a promising indication that we are moving toward “the old normal”? One of the notes from State Fair PR Vice President Karissa Condoianis revealed that “Big Tex Is Hiring!” It takes people to put on the Great State Fair of Texas. Seasonal jobs and opportunities are at THIS STATE FAIR LINK.  The site tells you where to go to apply and what you’ll need to get a job for the Sept. 24-Oct. 17 State Fair. 
And here’s THE LINK to the State Fair Cooking Contests. Pick a contest, sign up — if you’re looking for prize-winning recipes, you can guy a State Fair of Texas Cookbook HERE. Remember, monitor bigtex.com for State Fair news and inspirations for seasonal smiles from memories and anticipations. (That's a prize winner on the right and the cookie-baking contest on the left -- from 2019, the last time we had a real State Fair of Texas.)
A PERSONAL NOTE: As a longtime news story editor at The Big Paper Downtown, a veteran copy editor and a newspaper columnist, I can tell you that the official name of this extravaganza is the State Fair of Texas, not the Texas State Fair. I mention this to help broadcast journalists still unpacking their bags from their last move to town to sound more like they know the territory they’re covering. Calling our State Fair the “Texas State Fair” is as offensive as mispronouncing Waxahachie, Mexia, Rio Vista or calling Grand Prairie “Gran Prahree.” …
A HOT NOTE: Nobody wants Texas to become the Lone Dim Star State. So, yeah, Texans hired politicians to appoint the right people to protect us from the cold in winter and the heat in summer. We might as well have hired a team of monkeys from the Fort Worth Zoo. No offense to the monkeys. Wait. Monkeys are too smart to take the job. Oh, and in case you wondered, I’m almost certain that, in an effort to cool the Great State of Texas households, the Texas Legislature is not authorized to swap ERCOT for EPCOT. ERCOT is the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Might be changing it’s name. EPCOT became Epcot after beginning its existence as the acronym for the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, a utopian city of the future planned by Walt Disney." Texas doesn’t need another utopian city of the future — we already have Dallas, Frisco, Houston, Austin and Luckenbach HERE.  Hmmm. Maybe only Luckenbach genuinely qualifies. I was there once -- it had everything a person could need.
— Offer opinions or objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “CHILL” in the subject line.—-

A LONG MIDWEEK EDITION FOCUSES ON THE LOVE OF DOGS & CATS & VEGETABLES

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We present this edition as we pass only the mid-point of June and while we’re under a warning to knock off the use of electricity -- an “ERCOT Conservation Alert.” Apparently the state’s power system can’t handle the heat. It also couldn’t handle the cold — remember? 
As a lifelong Texan, I am confident our politicians will work all that out. Oh, wait, didn’t the legislature just… well, never mind all that. 
As this is being written, our dogs and cats appear to be conserving energy. “Whatever it is, sleep through it,” was The Senator’s advice to me. Wise cat. Says it’s all in the placement of the paws. If you haven’t shut down your computer to conserve energy, please read on. We have a vegetarian moment in Contemplations.
REMEMBERING GOOD DOG LAC,
‘THE MOST WONDERFUL PITBULL’
Before you read the opportunities to adopt an animal or help an animal in a fix, take a moment to read Tomi Ortiz’ tribute to this boy Lac. He was, Tomi says, “the most wonderful Pitbull.” You can see Lack’s tribute on our Prayers & Passages page HERE.  Or click on the Prayers & Passages button in the upper right corner of this page. The story may touch your heart. As may one of these adoptables we’re writing about in this edition.
ONE OF MANY DOGS
WAITING IN LANCASTER
As you may suspect, there are many, many adoptable dogs and cats in the Lancaster Animal Services Shelter. We keep up with them via the good hearts at 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on helping small shelters with little human traffic. For this edition I’m focusing on one hard-luck case waiting in the shelter on the southern side of Dallas.

Amber. That’s her name.
And her time at the shelter and the lack of known interest have put saving her life into a “Hail Mary!” situation. Someone has to speak up for her ASAP.
She’s young, she’s spayed and she has, by breed, a show business connection.
Amber is a Dogue de Bordeaux Mix, reports the Helpers. And you may recall, Dear Movie Fans, that the dog Turner of the Tom Hanks 1989 film Turner & Hooch was a Dog du Bordeaux portrayed by Beasley.
That’s the movie poster.
The story on young Amber is she “is a beautiful, sweet, loving girl,” reads the 4-Legged Helpers bio. “She is SO cute!!! Only about a year old. We think she would be perfect as the only dog in the family.  It is clear she adores people. AND THAT FACE IS SO EXTREMELY CUTE!”

Again, the pressure is on to beat the clock with Amber’s rescue or adoption. To ask about helping her live a long and happy life in a loving home rather than be a victim of the needle, call or text Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: Save ‘em all, especially in Lancaster.]
THE ‘DOG DAYS OF SUMMER’
CELEBRATED AT STRAYDOG
The enduring sanctuary Straydog Inc., not far from the eastern edge of the Metrosprawl, is making a big pitch this week for two bonded dogs, Ebony and Nelson.
The bio of Ebony reads that she “is a gorgeous Lab mix born in Jan. 2008. She is a very outgoing dog. She loves playing and running around, followed by some ear-scratching time.  She is bonded with her kennel mate, Nelson, and they would love to be adopted together.  You can meet both of them at our shelter.”

And Nelson’s bio says that he is “such a handsome dog - a beautiful chocolate brown Labrador mix, born approximately in early 2009.  He walks well on a leash and would be a great walking partner.  He likes people and loves to play with his kennel mate, Ebony. They are so attached he would love to be adopted with her.”
 To ask about adopting these two great dogs, email straydogshelter@gmail.com.
You can see the adorable adoptables at Straydog by going to straydog.org. And read about the Dog Days of Summer promotion by clicking HERE.
BARON IN BURNS FLAT FAILS
A TEST, MAY GET NEEDLE
The resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher in Burns Flat, Okla., issued an appeal for this pup on Tuesday morning. He’s in a fix.
She writes, “Baron had a rescue, but he tested positive for heart worms. They say they cannot take him now.

“He is young and full of life and love. He is in the small pound south of me. They won’t treat. His only option there is to be killed.
“Please, if any rescues can take him in let me know. Time is very short for this baby.” Email Terry Lynn at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. 
[LARRY NOTE: For any Texans reading this, to get to Burns Flat from any place with paved roads, go to Wichita Falls, then go north about 2 1/2 hours. Saving a dog’s life is always worth the drive.]
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE
SOME DOGS WITH POTENTIAL…
The volunteer dog biographers at Mesquite Animal Services have come up with a quartet of dogs that need some humans and make actually improve a household’s existence.
From bio writer Judi Brown comes the story of Lola (#47921338), a 2-year-old, 49-pound, un-spayed mixed breed who came in as a — everybody now! — stray. That was on June 4. Judi says, “With a slow introduction Lola warmed up to me. At first she had her tail tucked but by the end of the photo session she was coming up to me. She is still cautiously friendly and could benefit from TLC to gain complete trust. She’s not quite sure of what to make of the shelter situation. I get the feeling that she has not had a lot of socialization, but I also feel she would blossom when given more attention.” Walks well on a leash, didn’t show any aggression, and doesn’t “sit for treats but does take them gently.”
She has a significant human tendency: “She was not happy with the humidity outside and wanted to come in,” Judi wrote. 
As you know, when you ask about a Mesquite dog, use the ID number for reference when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
This bring us to a “Pair o’ Strays” — Cassidy and Denver, siblings. 
Bio-writer Debra Chisholm says Cassidy (#47949063), friendly and mellow, is a mixed breed girl — the mix might include, Debra says, Beauceron and Rottweiler. Cassidy is about 2, weighs 70 pounds and isn’t spayed. She’s uneasy on a leash, but adapts. “She seems to be well-mannered, calm and gentle,” according to Debra, who adds, “Cassidy is a friendly girl with a pleasant disposition.  She was not interested in treats and does not seem to know any commands.  Cassidy has a mellow personality.”

Her sibling is “adorable Denver,” Debra says. He’s #47949041, weighs 69 pounds, is about 2 and not neutered. Debra says, “He has an unusual and attractive coat.  This boy walks hesitantly on a leash and seemed intimidated by the dogs he walked past who barked at him.  He is a playful, friendly fellow who is spunky and perky.  He appears to have been well-cared for.  He did his business in the shelter yard.  He has a fun-loving and outgoing personality.  He enjoyed exploring the sights and smells of the yard but also seemed to enjoy interacting with me as well.  There is really so much to like about this boy.  It is surprising that the owner has not come looking for Denver and Cassidy.” 

That brings us to surrendered dog Rookie (#4792631), a mixed-breed fellow who came in on June 5 because his human was no longer able to care for him and “gave him to another person.” Debra writes, “The people that Rookie was given to have gotten a number of complaints and animal control officers have made multiple trips to the home.  Because the current owner wanted to tether him which is against city ordinance, they surrendered him.  Since this surrender was done in the field, there is no surrender form to get additional information from.  Rookie is 9 months old, weighs 40 pounds and is not neutered.  He is underweight and would look healthier with a few added pounds.  He walks OK on a leash but is hesitant.  I don't think he has had much experience with one.  Perhaps the remembrance of living on a tether makes him hesitate to have it placed around his neck.”
 She also says Rookie is well-mannered and mellow and in his tour of the dog bay was “quite intimidated by the other dogs. Surrendering owner claimed Rookie was animal aggressive. That seems unlikely….He is a friendly pup and has a sweet nature.”
 Debra adds, “He is one of the most affectionate little guys I’ve ever met. Wants only to hang out with a human friend and lay his head on your lap or lean against you.”

There you have it, ladies and gents, four great dogs that wound up in a city shelter because of the shortcomings of human beings. Ain’t it always the case! To ask about adopting or rescuing any or all of these, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. 

CONTEMPLATIONS

VEGGIE SURPRISE, POWER & LIGHTS
Last weekend, my Funspouse Martha and I ventured out to a well-known chain that presents Latin Cuisine and even has a Vegetarian Menu. I ordered the Spinach enchiladas — the listing had a green leaf by it signifying “vegetarian,” but I always check. The meal included 2 spinach enchiladas with tomatillo sauce — yep, vegetarian. What about the Spanish rice and pinto beans in the plate? I’ve been to a lot of restaurants and never once encountered a pinto bean dish that didn’t have some kind of dead meat extract or chunks flavoring it. I got the waitstaffer to double check those beans — yep, pinto beans had lard in ‘em. And as I was talking with her, a management type stopped by and confessed that the Spanish rice on the “vegetarian enchilada order” was prepared with chicken broth. So, ladies and gents, I’m just sayin’, double-check those menus. Just because a restaurant says it’s serving you a vegetarian or vegan meal, that doesn’t make it so. Wonder how many vegetarians and vegans have fallen victim to this cavalier attitude? …
If we all switch to electric cars and need to power up, will ERCOT have to issue “Stay Home and Don’t Refuel” advisories for the summer vacation road-trip season in Texas? If we all plug in at the same time, will the Panhandle go dark and traffic lights shut down all over East Texas? (Summer arrives at 10:32 p.m. Sunday, June 20) …
I think that when you click on THIS LINK you’ll see that we can trust Willie Nelson to have a handle on Texas situations. Here’s ANOTHER VERSION  of Willie performing. And here’s a LIVE VERSION. So, hit that light switch and, like all romantic Texans, enjoy the dark. This edition is so long, I make take Thursday's edition off and give you time to read the Wednesday stories.
—- Offer advice or lightbulb bargains by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com and put “TURN YOUR BICYCLE INTO A LEGE-PROOF POWER STATION” in the subject line. —-

FOR TUESDAY, BIG CITY CATS, SMALL TOWN DOGS AND SOME CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Ah, the stories of animals and the people who help them. That’s our main goal for this edition. Usually when I’m writing for readlarrypowell.com, I’ve got a TV show on in the background — I have a Mac Mini hooked up to a monitor and a cable app so I can watch whatever the cable company is pumping into the house. 
But 4 days ago the Mac Mini went off — might have been during a nocturnal thunderstorm storm. I’m not sure. It apparently was deep in the night and I was awake two rooms away trying to go to sleep. Insomnia, you know. 
When morning came, I walked down the long hall into my office, leaned down, pushed the “on” button on the Mac Mini and the Apple popped up on the screen and the “loading line” began to light up and travel and — well, see this photo? That is exactly as far as it’s gone — reboot after reboot. 
Why reboot after reboot? Because I don’t have a Computer Macwrench or a can of MacSpray Relinker or The Official Handbook of MacGeniuses. More on that reboot/repeat later.
We now return to our other regularly scheduled program “Dogs, Cats, People and UFOs.” Oh, wait. Sorry. Didn’t mean anybody excited about interviews I’ve done with space aliens — I’m blaming a guy who hijacked a Mars Rover and reprogramed the electronics for fouling up my Mac Mini with bad signals. We’ll now resume today’s report:
A GREAT PYR IS DUMPED BUT
RESCUED, NEEDS A HOME…
You know, kids, that poor Dowdy Ferry Road in southern Dallas isn’t the only dumping spot in North America. Ask anybody who lives outside of the glare of the Big City Lights and beyond the glow of the Really Bright Municipal Dimwits. The “so what, don’t care” people — if you’re a rescuer or advocate, you’ve see their work. 

Thank heavens there are people who actually care and will try to help dumped animals. We got an appeal about this dog, a Great Pyrenees, dumped in the Corsicana area, about an hour south of Dallas on I-45. 
Diane Godwin reports this mature Great Pyr was “dumped at our property near Corsicana, I have contacted numerous rescues, including national with no luck finding her a home. Also, several social media posts and monitoring local social media for lost pets.”
So, ladies and gents, our challenge is to get this dog in a great home of loving people. Start the networking. And anyone who wants to help this dog should --- WAIT A SECOND! On June 18th we got word that this baby has been adopted. No need to contact Diane for this one!
Diane says this dog is “incredibly docile, eats well, walks on a leash, tolerates our high energy dog very well so I would assume she would be great around kids or other dogs. Seems to be housebroken, no accidents in our house so far.” 
She’s not a puppy, always wags her tail and is friendly, no sign she’s had pups, and “when we pet her, she will lean in for more.” 
[LARRY FYI: The Great Pyr is a fascinating breed. The AKC description HERE says, “The Great Pyrenees is a large, thickly coated, and immensely powerful working dog bred to deter sheep-stealing wolves and other predators on snowy mountaintops. Pyrs today are mellow companions and vigilant guardians of home and family.” And, yet, somehow they wind up dumped. What is wrong with people? Sorry — we don’t have time to answer that question.]
AS LONG AS WE’RE IN 'SUMMER'
TOGETHER, HERE’S AN OKLANOTE
These Oklahoma notes come from our longtime tipsters Terry Lynn Fisher, the resilient rescuer of Burns Flat, way out in the western part of the Sooner State. But, you know, the roads are paved, in case some Texan wants to drive out and help. Also, Oklahoma’s as wired for the internet as Texas is, so you can contact her at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com, too.

These first two dogs, Terry Lynn says, are just babies. Both of them. Sweetest boys ever.” That’s Binky on the left with Boo who has the toy. Terry Lynn says they were both abandoned in the city. “No clue of their story except they are young and very playful and friendly. They need a chance to find a home of their own,” she writes. So, if you can adopt or rescue, email Terry Lynn at rememberingoddball@yahoo.com.
And then there are these two. “Phoebe (left) is a doll,” Terry Lynn writes, then tells the ugly story. “Her owner actually dumped her in the country and I found out.  She wouldn’t come to us so I made owner go with me to get her. She is very playful and friendly.  No vetting yet.
“Ruger showed up at a house in the country and needs a safe place to go. He is neutered and has a chip but the company said not registered.  Very sweet boy. Both are urgent.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: That owner who dumped the dog and had to be forced to go get her…well, isn’t that just like the behavior we see in the Greater Metrosprawl — except Terry Lynn was tough enough to get the creep or creepette to help save the dumped dog.]
Blackie and Brownie are a couple of two-year-old boys who, Terry Lynn says, are “both very sweet and friendly.”
 But, she writes, “I’ve had them way too long. They need to be some place they can be seen and adopted….I have had them totally vetted. They are ready for their new families.”
These two — oh, brother, they have distinct stories.
And you may remember the unsettling tale of Angus. We’ll get to him after offer Terry Lynn’s report on Yagger. 
Why is that “2-year-old sweetheart” in custody? Terry Lynn says “Yagger was always allowed to just run around and after being arrested too many times, the town didn’t let the [owners] have him back. I’ve had him totally vetted so he is ready for his new family.” [LARRY ASIDE: Make him an indoor dog and make sure the back fence is escape proof. He’ll be happy. They have cable TV in Oklahoma.]

That brings us to Angus, a dog we first met during that awful February storm that coated Oklahoma and Texas with so much winter that we all wished for August. Nobody may have wish for a heat as much as poor Angus. That young dog was desperate to find a place to stay warm on an Oklahoma farm with a pasture. The farmer went to check on his livestock one cold, inclement day and found that coyotes had killed one of his cows for food. He thought he saw movement across pasture at the cow’s body and walked over to discover poor, freezing Angus curled up and quivering inside the open carcass fo the dead cow. Terry Lynn and the farmer saved this dog and now the under-a-year-old, fully-vaccinated dog needs a home.
Terry Lynn has had both dogs in boarding and needs to get them into homes or rescues. Email remembering_oddball@yahoo.com.
LET’S TALK CAT & KITTENS
FROM THE BIG SHELTERS
This cat with what sort of looks like a Texas pattern next to her nose, is #47656836 —she’s just under two months old and is in a foster program with Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. She is the very last cat on the adoption list at — hang on. I need to check that. No, a look at FWACC’s cat site shows there are scores of kittens and cats available. They’re not all kittens. For example, Storm Trooper (#47990198) is a 5-year-old girl who arrived just on June 14. She’s available and is listed as “large.” More to adore, right? She more Fort Worth cats at THIS LINK. The cat adoption fee in FW is $25.
Meanwhile, in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center, there are these two kittens with great names and winky eyes. The Notorious C.A.T. is #A1119533, a 2-month-old boy who weighs under a pound. And William Shakespaw (#A1119532) also is a 2-month old, under-a-pound kitten. They are free at DAS. You can see these two and more cats — many, many more cats and kittens — at www.bedallas90.org. DAS has no adoption fees right now. So, only true loving hearts in caring people need apply. [LARRY ASIDE: Relax, the people who don’t give flip about cats couldn’t read this far into this edition. If you’re a good heart, adopt a kitten or a full-grown cat and learn how to grow rich and proper. Well, maybe not, but you can do a lot worse than having an adorable and adoring cat around the house. I swear!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
EARLY HOURS; A QUOTE AND THE ZONE
A couple of mornings ago I was awakened at 3 a.m. — I’d had my usual amount of sleep — from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. — what’s that, 4 hours? I may have been awakened by a such a clatter…after all, Clement Moore set the tone and Charles Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge reminded me to keep Christmas in my heart all the year. Not wanting to wake my Slumberspouse Martha or any easy-to-alarm dogs or cats, my personal counselor cat, The Senator, and I crept into the living room and plopped down on the couch. I won custody of the remote in the coin flip and The Senator and I were going to watch Twilight Zone. It was a great and wonderful moment for insomniac deep-in-the-night TV viewing: The episode was Twilight Zone’s Dec. 23, 1960, version of The Night of the Meek in which the great Art Carney portrays Henry Corwin, a down-on-his-luck guy who, in Rod Serling Twilight Zone fashion, becomes Santa Claus and delivers gives to people on skid row. It is my favorite Twilight Zone episode. Seeing it when sleepless made it worth being an insomniac. I know we’re not in the Twilight Zone, but maybe if I write enough about Christmas, it’ll get cooler around here….
When I was writing about my Mac Mini challenge, I noted that I repeatedly tried to reboot the little electronic malfunctioner. That reminded me of a saying that is frequently credited to the genius scientist Albert Einstein but, as you can learn at quoteinvestigator.com, he probably didn’t have anything to do with this quote: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” Researchers have found that it may have come from a 1981 newspaper story about an Al-Anon meeting (that’s for the families and loved ones of alcoholics, a partner in the AA movement) — the story quoted an Al Anon member’s expression of frustration. The investigators also found that the expression was used by a character in a 1983 novel Sudden Death by the prolific writer Rita Mae Brown. You may recall that Rita Mae Brown has written many respected books and, also written many mysteries with her co-author, Sneaky Pie Brown. That’s Sneaky Pie in the photo from the goodreads.com site where it is noted, “Sneaky Pie Brown is a New York Times best-selling writer and cat who co-authors the Mrs. Murphy series of mystery novels with her owner, Rita Mae Brown.” ….
Yep, in an animal-focused report, we get to write about Twilight Zone, Santa Claus, Art Carney and a mystery writer whose coauthor is a cat. You won’t see that in any of your major global publications, not since Mad Magazine quit showing up on newstands two or three years ago. What is a newsstand? Ah, late-arriving generations, the lack of a newsstand plays into the decline of civilization. It’s part of the reason we’re all living in the Twilight Zone.
—- Offer advice or objection by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put ‘Destination: Twilight Zone” in the subject line, special thanks to Rod Serling. —-

IT'S MONDAY IN TEXAS: MAYBE YOU'LL SWEAT AS YOU ADOPT A PAL, RESCUE A CRITTER

EDITION OF MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to Monday and our presentation, typed as dogs and cats and their female human grabbed a Sunday afternoon nap to avoid the outdoor heat. Great fans of air-conditioning, this gang. Here’s our report:
RUBY NEEDS A PLACE
TO BE FOSTERED OR CALL HOME
The constant rescuer Stephen Foster, founder and president of DFW’s Furgotten Friends posted an appeal on Facebook over the weekend on behalf of this beautiful girl Ruby. “We're running out of time looking for a permanent foster or forever home for 10-month-old Ruby. We've had a couple of temporary fosters and her stay at this one is up on Tuesday. We're not sure why no one is interested in this beautiful girl. Ruby was adopted from us back in October 2020 but started having issues with the cat and small dog she lived with and was returned. She does best with dogs her size. If we can't find a foster, or better yet forever home, we'll have to board her at our vet starting Tuesday. If you can help please let us know.” The email to help this girl is dfwfgf@ gmail.com.
The description of Ruby also reads, “Was tentative at first, but massively improved walking with a gentle lead harness. Doggy door no problem, no house accidents. She is super smart and will look for an opportunity to be bossy, so her human should be smart and consistent.”
IN RICHARDSON, ALI WAS

SURRENDED; TYSON, TOO
I’d been sent a tip about a handsome Great Dane mix and when I went to the Richardson Animal Services site, it appeared that young dog was no longer listed (adopted by a loving human, I hope). But while I was there I ran across this photo of Ali, a 2-year-old, 45-pound Pittie mix looking about as forlorn as a dog has ever looked. He was an owner-surrender on June 5 and he’s been available for rescue or adoption since the 7th and here we are on the 14th and this dog still doesn’t have a loving human helping him cheer up. He’s #21-0481D in the shelter. Why in the shelter? Landlord issues.
Ali has a backstory and it involves Tyson: The shelter site reports, “Ali and Tyson were surrendered to Mesquite Animal Services in January 2021 due to financial hardship. They were surrendered with 3 other dogs, so they've grown up alongside them. They were all born at home. Tyson was adopted and returned after one day because he was scared of his reflection and barked at it.”
 Tyson is #21-0482D, a brindle and white 2-year-old Pittie mix.
Ali and Tyson had been adopted together after the first part of 2021, but, then, the landlord issues arose and “4 months later they were back at the shelter.” 
Now, they are in need of homes. 
Richardson has cats, too, i.e., this 5-year-old tabby girl Kitty Kat (21-0325C) with a look of “Yeah, I’m here. Somebody worthwhile come and get me.” She came in on April 30 and has been available for adoption or recue since May 25.
See the Richardson Animals and how to adopt them by clicking HERE.
ARCHIE, TWILIGHT & CLARA:
THEIR PATHS TO THE SHELTER...
Three strays. Yep, three strays in Mesquite. And they all are in the current care of Mesquite Animal Services and have been spotlighted by the volunteer dog biographers.

Debra Chisholm focused on Archie, a 42-pound, 7-year-old mixed breed fellow who came in on the 8th. 
She writes, “There is so much to like about Archie.  He walks beautifully on a leash and as I led him through the bay past a number of other dogs, many of whom were barking, he didn't react or respond.  Once outside he pottied and pooped in the yard. He was quite interested in exploring all the wonderful smells and seemed to prefer that rather than interact much with me.  He is a well-mannered, calm and gentle dog with a 'chill' and easy-going personality. … It seems obvious to me that Archie has lived his life outside.  He has lots of flea dirt, a scruffy coat, some scaly and flaky skin, there is a tear in his upper right ear and his teeth are not good.  However, apparently this boy has taken it all in stride and does not let it effect how he interacts with people.  Archie is worth the save and wouldn't it be wonderful if he could spend the next years of his life inside with his people with a cushy bed, have a nourishing and healthy diet and receive lots of TLC?” Archie is #47943255.
Biographer Judi Brown had the pleasure of meeting Twilight and wrote, “To meet Twilight is to love Twilight.  She  is a one-year-old, 80-pound black Lab mix that came to the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray on 6/5. She’s a beautiful girl that is mostly black with some white on her chest, soft brown eyes, and a very sweet face. I can’t understand why her owners have not come looking for her as she is truly delightful and has many sterling qualities! Their loss will be your gain! Twilight is laid-back and somewhat timid. Yet even in her kennel she met me with neck snuggles and kisses. She’s alert and explores her surroundings, but for the most part stays very close to her human friends. She has warmed up to children that she has met at the shelter. When walked through the bay she made friends with one dog and ignored the others. She showed no sign of aggression. She is cat friendly. When you sit down she comes to you and puts her head on your lap. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She loves belly rubs.” Twilight's shelter ID is #47926168.

Judi describes Clara, who came in on June 3, as “a four-year-old brown/brindle terrier Pit that  appears to be wearing white socks and has a white-tipped tail. … She is very photogenic. She’s a happy, friendly, enthusiastic, lovable girl. She stays very close for extra attention. She appeared to love to have her ears scratched. When I sat down she would come to me. She sits for treats and takes them gently. It was humid outside and after she’d been out for about 10 minutes she decided she wanted to go back in where it was cooler. …That tells me she would want to be a mostly inside dog ...especially in the hot weather! She is well behaved and didn’t jump on me. She visited with several of the dogs in the bay and did not show any aggression.” The 50-pound dog’s ID is #47911803.
To ask about these dogs, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

COCKER RESCUE BEGINS
TEEING IT UP FOR DOGS!
As you can see from the artwork here, DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue is getting ready to earn some money for its favorite dogs and the mixes that come by now and then. This is the 9th Annual Dogleg Classic and probably, by Sept. 26, we’ll be in a cool spell. Surely.
 According to DFSCSR, the tournament has raised just under $109,000 for Cockers since it’s inception. This year, organizers hope to raise $20,000, not just through enthusiastic golfers, but via advertising and sponsorships. Registration to play in the tournament begins on June 26 at dfwcockerrescue.org. Details for playing will be revealed then. But you can already learn how to support advertising and sponsorships by emailing bunton63@att.net.
Who will you be helping with your enthusiastic golf game? Here are a couple of the dogs currently in the care of ther escue group.
Brody is a 10-year-old chocolate and white Cocker boy and Liza Jane is a 9-year-old Cocker mix described as a “Velcro dog.”
Brody came into the rescue’s care in horrible shape. But he’s enjoyed loving care and happily enjoys his daily walks. [LARRY ASIDE: Because of poor care in his previous existence, Brody is deaf. At readlarrypowell.com where we enjoyed the company of Inky, the Cocker Laureate of Texas for around 15 years, we immediately learned from the young Cocker that he wasn’t deaf, he just didn’t care what I was saying to him now and then. We endorse Cocker Spaniels for patient, loving people who have good hearts and a robust grooming budget. You can’t short Cockers on grooming. They deserve the best care. I miss Inky something awful some days. That’s how loveable and adorable he was.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WEATHER, WORDS AND MUSIC
Just wondering…did your dogs make short trips outside to do their business over the weekend? Ours were not interested in lingering in the heat and humidity. Stephen Foster of DFW’s Furgotten Friends pegged the crisis on Saturday with this Facebook post. “I stepped outside at 4 a.m. and it's already muggy. By noon it will be in the mid- to upper 80's with a heat index of near 100. That's just too hot for the dogs to be out, so we're calling off the adoption event for today. Hopefully next Saturday will be a little cooler with less humidity.” We’ll keep monitoring to see when and where the next adoption event is for the Furgotten Friends. …. Things I miss: The gentle showers of May and early June. I can’t remember if there were any, but I know it rained and it was cooler. Remember back in February with all the snow and ice and cold weather and complaining about winter? And we said that by August in Texas we’d really be missing February’s storm? Yeah, well, I didn’t wait until August. … How about some weather music for Monday in Texas? Grab your reins and click HERE.

DOG AND CAT COMPANIONS — CALMING PARTNERS WHEN THE TV PRESSURE IS ON

It was the evening and I’d been tortured by anxiety for 24 hours.

Yes, that is the opening sentence to this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. It was inspired by a personal moment in the year 2021. 
This Fear & Aggrava- tion began on Wednesday night, June 9. 
Horror of horrors: I had accident- ally watched Part I of a two-part cop show on cable TV.
I never do that. You see here, a photo of my companions, Porche Noel, The Dog, and The Senator, The Cat, helping me calm myself in the hour before the broadcast of Part II was, allegedly, to begin. 

My funspouse Martha, knowing that I never watch Part I of anything because I fear I’ll miss Part II, does not share what I affectionately regard as “My Orderly Affliction.” 
But, surely, I am not alone in this Fail-to-See Part II Anxiety. I have a terror that I will watch Part I, then succumb before I can see how the two-parter ended. Now that you know this, you can imagine why I fear the possibilities of Hell. Nothing but eternal Part Ones.
[LARRY NOTE: Porche, The Senator and I had been reading the crime stories in Texas writer E.R. Bills' non-fiction book Texas Oblivion while waiting for Part II to start. That's my hand petting the Senator and on my wrist you see one of the most romantic gifts I've ever received -- my Sweetheartspouse Martha gave me a bracelet with a tag engraved with the longitude and latitude of where we first met. I wasn't anxious that day. More like hopeless.]
I am so fortunate, though. My companions Porche Noel and The Senator are fans of both The Closer and its spin-off Major Crimes. In fact, they live with a cat named in honor of The Closer’s lead character, Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson, portrayed by Kyra Sedgwick. Our cat friend is Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. [That’s her posing with an anxiety-ridden acquaintance a couple of years ago.]

You see in the couch photo, how I was being comforted by my two dear friends in minutes leading up to the anticipated broadcast of Shockwave Part II. The night before the three of us, with varying degrees of wakefulness, had watched Part 1. What we saw at the end were the three worst words in television: “To be continued.” 

Mercifully, Thursday night arrived without stormy weather, without a power failure and without one of our hijinx-prone backyard squirrels biting through the cable just as the screen read, “Previously on Major Crimes…”
Oh, yeah, trust me, I’d checked. Part II wasn’t available “On Demand.” The pressure was intense.
Porche and The Senator maintained their positions of support throughout Part II. It was worth watching, maybe even worth all the fretting.
So, in summation, if you have Part II Anxiety, I’d recommend adopting a TV-friendly dog and cat to help you through the tough times. They understand.
***
BEFORE WE CLOSE this edition, I have an addition. An edition addition.
 This is our youngest cat, Stevie Ray Treeboy, found as a kitten, dangling in a mimosa tree at about 5 weeks of age, not far from where guitar player Stevie Ray Vaughan grew up in Oak Cliff. 
I have always wondered what Mr. Handsome would look like if he had a 1950s beatnik mustache and soul patch.
As it turns out, when I opened Friday’s email from 4-Legged Helpers about cats and dogs available for adoption and rescue in the Lancaster Animal Shelter, the Helpers Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden had included a photo of this little foundling. His name is Mickey and you can see that he is a kitten. And he answers the question, “What would Stevie Ray look like if he had a trendy mustache and soul patch?” 
Stevie Ray would look handsome. As does Mickey. 

We mentioned Nicki/Nicky before and the jury is still out on whether this cute little black and white kitten, found alone in the Dowdy Ferry Road animal dumping area, is a boy or a girl.
To offer to help Mickey and Nicki/Nicky, call or text the Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Ask about helping the shelter’s dogs, too.
[DEAR READERS, please send photos of your sleeping critters and their bios and why you love ‘em to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.]
—- Offer advice on controlling anxieties or triggering them in people who never fret (they’ll learn from it; it'll be your blessing for them) by clicking on ‘Comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put ‘Get over it, knucklehead’ in the subject line. —-

SAVING CATS, SAVING DOGS, CONSIDERING BALL POINT PENS, DANCING AND FLIP FLOPS

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Ever lose track of your favorite ball point pen? I should have brought this up for the edition of the 10th — that was, Holiday Insights says, “Ball Point Pen Day.” The 11th is National Corn on the Cob Day and National Flip Flop Day. I think that’s a reference to footwear not to politicians. June is also National Adopt-a-Cat Month We’ll tell you about this one in just a second.

URGENTS IN MESQUITE;
CLOCK HAS BEEN TICKING…
This girl is Dixie. And that first photo looks as if she’s posing for a role in a movie.
Our source on Dixie’s “urgent” situation is the Mesquite Animal Services volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm.
 She says Dixie came into the shelter as a stray on April 29 and that means she’s been in the shelter more than 40-something days. Debra says the 2-year- old, 41-pound spayed girl has changed some. “Even after her many days at the shelter, she is a bit timid and nervous. In the yard she seems restless and somewhat skittish. She is friendly, but take a little time to warm up.” When she’s “warmed up,” she walks well on the leash, is an “alert, lively and busy girl” and has potential to be a loving companion, Debra says. She’s #47647544.

Gypsy is #47614283. She’s a mixed breed “surrendered-to-the-shelter” dog. That was on April 24. Debra says, “The person who surrendered her found the dog, kept her for 2 weeks (presumably trying to find her owner) and then brought her to the shelter.  … She is an energetic and lively girl, walks well on a leash and may be house-trained. She takes treats gently.  Gypsy is friendly and enjoys hanging out with people.”

 Readlarrypowell. com decided to use all four Cookie photos because they demonstrated the assorted looks of this year-old, 51-pound Terrier mix who was surrendered to the shelter on April 20. Owners were moving. Long time to be in a shelter. Debra describes her as “a high-spirited girl with lots of energy and enthusiasm.  Obedience classes would be a beneficial for Cookie to learn some basic manners.  She is a fun-loving, spunky, outgoing youngster who is friendly.  Former owners reported that she lived with and was OK with dogs, cats and their 14-year-old child.  She is athletic and likes to run, play and chase balls in the shelter yard and has learned the sit command.  She has tremendous potential and would seem best suited for an active person or family who would spend plenty of time exercising and playing with her and who would take her for walks or jogs.” Cookie is #44509601.

Use those ID numbers when you contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or when you email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

A COUPLE OF BIG OL’ DOGS
AVAILABLE FOR A GOOD HOME
A check-in at Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (galtx.org) revealed that the rescue needs some foster homes. You’d think that all Greyhounds in need of a home are arriving after a race track has closed somewhere in the United States. That’s true for a lot of the dogs, but not for these two. 
These two were rescued from the Duncan, Okla., Animal Shelter after their human surrendered 8-year-old Mac (left) and his pal, 9-year-old Slim, because they were “too old to hunt anymore.” They also were in bad health, but GALT has taken care of improving their conditions. Go to galtx.org to see how to adopt them and to see videos and other photos. 
The dogs were videoed in total enjoyment of their foster setting. And, as GALT says, “Foster homes for GALT's Greyhounds are always a critical need. By being a foster home, you provide a temporary home for one of the Greyhounds that has been brought into GALT's adoption program. You acquaint them with ‘life inside a home’ versus life at the kennel or track. It can be a rewarding, and sometimes challenging, experience.”
And there’s this “thinking point” from GALT: “The most common comment about fostering a Greyhound, is ‘I'm afraid I will get too attached.’ Well, that is very true for each of us, but remember, ‘If you adopt you can save one, if you foster you can save many’.” Learn about GALT’s foster program HERE.
NOW, WE RETURN TO THE
KITTEN IN THE OPENING
Since it's Natio- nal Adopt a Cat Month, I’ll spot- light this cat — Nicky, for now.
You’re probably aware of the Dog-Dumping-Area reputation of Dowdy Ferry Road in southeastern Dallas County. Lots of unwanted dogs thrown out and expected to either survive like wolves in the wild or die because the humans don’t care and they think “so what” when someone says they shouldn’t treat dogs like trash. Here’s a cat someone treated like trash. 
This kitten was found by 4-Legged Helper Carrie Moody in the Dowdy Ferry dumping area. This little guy or gal — jury is still out — is available for adoption or rescue.
Contact 4-Legged helpers by calling or texting Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or by emailing cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Earlier in the week we posted a photo of Gizmo, a black-and-white kitten who looks a lot like Nicky - Gizmo has been adopted from the Lancaster Animal Shelter. There are still several other kittens available there. And among the dogs we’ve posted recently, there’s this new listing for Benji, a German Shepherd. About a year old, he’s already reached “sweetie pie” status at the shelter. And he’s available now. Just contact 4-Legged Helpers (see into above) and you’ll get some help in getting this handsome dog for a friend.
CHARLIE THE CHIHUAHUA MIX
NEEDS A NEW LOVING HOME
Our pal Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake tipped us to Liza Pate’s efforts in Mabank to help a little guy, Charlie, find a big-hearted home. 
He’s 8, he’s neutered, he’s house-trained and crate-trained and “gets along well with dogs and cats.” And, oh yeah, he gets along pretty darned good with people, too. Liza says, “Charlie likes to go on walks and car rides. He would make someone a great companion….I take in stray cats and dogs and I nurse them back to health. I have them spayed and neutered and I find them good loving homes.”

But Charlie is different from the usual mission, Liza explains. “Charlie belonged to a neighbor's cousin who moved in with him and they went out of town and we had thunderstorm warnings for that evening.  My neighbor was worried about the little dog being in a kennel outside of the home’s privacy fence,” Liza says. “She told me they were wanting to rehome the dog so I told her to bring him to me and I would find him a home. Charlie is staying with me till I find him a good loving inside home. I spoke to the owner 2 days later and she thanked me for taking her little dog in.”
 Has Charlie adjusted? Here’s evidence from Liza: “He cuddles with me every night.”
 To audition to adopt Charlie, get in touch with Liza at lizapate1969@gmail.com. [LARRY ASIDE: My rescuespouse Martha and I have had two rescued Chihuahuas in our marriage and we endorse them as great companions. We had black-and-tan Rosie and fawn-toned Belle Starr Carmelita del Vera Cruz, call name “Vera.” I miss them both as I write about Charlie the Cuddler. Someone with a heart, please contact Liza.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
DANCING, PENS AND FLIP FLOPS
Here in the middle of National Adopt a Cat Month, as the temp began to rise and rain became stifling humidity, I began, once again, to give through to changing my career from Resolutely Non-Profit Writer of Disregarded Fiction to Morris Dancer. I’ve been trying to get into shape lately, so perhaps I have the moves for Morris Dancing. Also, I’m on the brink of leading a movement to get Morris Dancing included in the Summer Olympics. If ribbon dancing is an Olympic Sport (Rhythmic Dancing), I don’t know why Morris Dancing can’t be a Gold Medal event. Here’s a Morris Dancing video. …
A BALL POINT PEN DAY FYI comes to us from Holiday Insights which notes that the writing device was invented in 1943 by the Biro brothers of Argentina and first sold in the U.S. in 1945 at Gimbel’s Department Store (chain closed in 1987 after 100 years). Next time you pick up a six-pack of ball point pens for under $10, just remember that in 1945 ONE Birome ball point pen cost $12.50 at Gimbel’s. …. 

THOSE OF YOU who have worn Flipflops may celebrate them. Not everyone does. But, we can celebrate their part in American culture as the most musical of rubberized footwear. Click on this LINK — IT’LL MAKE PARROT HEADS HAPPY and you’ll get to hear, “I blew out my flip flop….”
—- OFFER A NOTE OR A THESIS BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOL.COM AND PUT “CARTRIDGE PEN” IN THE SUBJECT LINE. —-

'FAMILY,' ANIMALS NEEDING 'FAMILY'; CHIMP, TURTLE & NAPPING CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021 [PetPowellPress] I was having an email conversation with Deana Hanson Wednesday morning about the importance of dogs in our lives — you’ll see why in a moment.
We were inspired by the Hanson Family Dog Ky, full name “Esther Kylie Ann Hanson.” It’s a tender story.
I paused during the discussion to recall New Year’s Eve 1999 when my funspouse Martha and I piled our oh-so-happy-to-ride dogs into her Range Rover (what else for a dog car?) and drove them toward the Trinity River west levee in downtown Dallas so we could park a good distance from downtown but greet 2000 while watching the fireworks — we had 8 or 9 or maybe 10 dogs at the time. They’d be shielded from the noise and get treats, too! 
Martha drove with the Great Dane mix Hammy and the wide stubby Lab mix Cosmo riding shotgun in the passenger seat — yes two dogs CAN be a crowd. I was in the back with the rest of the gang and the treats.

Deana replied, “That sounds like so much fun! We used to take all of our dogs in the 31-foot motorhome to PetSmart and then to McDonalds. I know people must have thought we were crazy, but the dogs were family. I get it.”

Dear Readers, I know you “get it,” too. We all have dogs and cats as “family” and if everyone else saw them as “family,” we’d have a much better world for animals. 
As I noted at the outset, the reason Deana and I wound up in a conversation about “family” is a dog called “Ky.” And the story of Ky is featured now on our Prayers & Passages page. You can read it by clicking HERE. 
Be sure to keep reading today’s edition, too — there may be dog or cat destined to be a member of your family waiting for you in an over-crowded area shelter. Remember this word: “Family.”
A DEADLINE LOOMS
IN CARROLLTON’S SHELTER
This little cat is Slate. She’s an 11-ounce, 6-week-old Domestic Shorthair and she’s in a bit of a pickle at the Carrollton Animal Shelter. 
We got an appeal issued by Vanessa Johnson, the shelter’s Senior Animal care Specialist. 
She reports that Slate “came into our shelter as a stray with her mother and siblings a few weeks ago. Slate and her siblings developed URI and she is the only one left. She is currently eating via syringe feeding. She is eating very well, she just needs help eating while she is sick. Since Slate is such a small kitten struggling with URI we are looking to get her out ASAP.  We cannot hold her past Friday, June 11, 2021. She is available to be pulled now.”

To help Carrollton save Slate, call the shelter at 972-466-3420 or email vanessa.johnson@cityofcarrollton.com.
The shelter has other animals on the clock, too. And getting them out safely is part of the shelter’s mission. Here’s the SHELTER LINK.
Among the animals you’ll see there is this newly-arrived Earhound, Bundy (#47915833), a 13-year-old Jack Russell mix. The white and tan lad is in “dog holding” right now, but may soon be ready for your home!
TWO DOGS AMONG THE WAITING
AT THE LANCASTER SHELTER
We’ve been noting for several editions now that Lancaster Animal Shelter is loaded with dogs and cats. And, here are two more dogs cited by 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that helps small, low-traffic shelters promote placing their animals. 
This Wednesday morning appeal from the Helpers cites a genuine Earhound — that’s Spike, listed as a “Doberman Mix.” and he’ll be available next week. Why next week? Because the stray with one ear up and one ear down was found roaming in Lancaster but he is chipped and the shelter is making attempts to find the human on his chip listing. When that fails, Spike becomes available for adoption or tagging by rescue. 

This handsome fellow Mack is also chipped.
The Chocolate Lab mix got no response from the human on the chip info, so he’s now available for adoption or rescue. His bio says the’s neutered, leash-trained, vaccinated and “is wonderful with kids and loves to have someone love him.” 
To ask about either or both of these handsome, distinct dogs, call or text Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Ask about the other dogs and cats, too.

A MUD PUDDLE DOG AND A CAT
WHO ENJOYS BEING SUNG TO —
THEY WAIT AT THE COLONY
[LARRY NOTE: We’ve been monitoring The Colony Animal Services’ adorable adoptables for years. Big dogs who like to play in water, we’ve seen before. But this time our longtime pal Shelter Manager Mark Cooper and the staffers have listed an adoptable cat who likes to be sung to. No, you will not have to audition to adopt Bashful. But have two songs and a monologue ready. Kidding — that’s an old stage show audition joke! Read on!]
Chloe (#47848063) is a 12-year-old Border Collie mix girl with a lot of spunk —loves to run, loves to walk on a leash, has “a habit of finding any and all muddy puddles around” so, the shelter suggests that when you adopt her, maybe a pool, a kiddie pool or trips to the lake would be a good thing to have for Chloe’s recreation! 
She came in on 5/25. Call the shelter at 972-370-9250 or or email at animalservices@thecolonytx.gov. Lots of animals in the shelter — you can see them HERE and read about them on The Colony Animal Services Facebook page.

Cats? Yewbet. Some are young. Some are veterans at being cats — for example, here’s Bashful (#47915368), listed as being 10 years, 10 months and 12 days old when she arrived on June 4. The bio says Bashful is going through the “sadness” a loved cat feels when left at a shelter. It also says that if you sing to Bashful, it calms her down and she will begin “making biscuits” with her “big feet.” Needs to be an only pet, is front-pawed declawed and the noise at the shelter makes this cat, who formerly lived with one quiet human, very nervous. Contact the shelter at 972-370-9250 for an appointment to meet — and maybe sing — for Bashful.
See more of The Colony’s adoptables HERE.
AND HERE ARE A COUPLE
FROM MESQUITE’S SHELTER
Faith and Gizmo. Sounds like a sitcom on the fall TV schedule, doesn’t it. Well, maybe not.
The reality is they’re two dogs waiting for humans to help them out of the Mesquite Animal Shelter. One human has already launched the process — the volunteer shelter dog biographer Debra Chisholm. She met with each of them before she wrote about them. 
Faith is a Pittie mix who came in as a stray on May 24. Then, Debra writes, “Faith contracted kennel cough so was placed in isolation. She has nearly finished her meds and the coughing has ceased so she is back in one of the general population kennels.  Faith is about 2 years old, weighs 59 pounds and is not spayed.  Faith has had a litter of pups.  She is thrilled to be out of ISO and thoroughly enjoyed her romp in the shelter yard.” And, Debra says, Faith “is a tail-wagging, lively and active girl” who “walks nicely on a leash, though is a bit of a strong puller.”  Faith is #47831797. 

That brings us to Gizmo, described as “a mixed breed with Pomeranian in the mix.” Came in a s a stray on Jun 2. May be 12 or 13 years old and weighs 21 un-neutered pounds. Debra writes, “Gizmo arrived at the shelter in bad condition.  He was covered from head to tail in flea dirt.  He had mats in his fur.  His ears were gunky inside.  His eyes are cloudy (cataracts?). … He has the sweetest personality.  He walks nicely on a leash. I led him through the bay and he did not react in any way to the dogs who were barking at him. … He is well-mannered, calm and gentle.  Gizmo thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the bench in the yard and soaking in the sunshine and mild breezes.  He is also friendly.  There is so many positive things I can say about this boy and yes, he has captured my heart!!!” Gizmo is #47899480.
Use those ID numbers when you email rescues@city of mesquite.com or call the shelter at 972-216-6283.

ANYBODY GOING TO HAVE A
GUN BARREL CITY SATURDAY?
We know the folks with Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake will be in Gun Barrel City on Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Friends will be conducting their monthly Low-cost Vaccination/Microchip Clinic at the Friends of the Animal Spay/Neuter Clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City. (Need info? Call 903-451-4701 or 214-808-4701.) Get in touch with the Friends at friendsoftheanimals.org.
CONTEMPLATIONS

CHIMPS, A TURTLE & A CAT …
Maybe you saw the story that Cobby, the oldest male chimp in a U.S. zoo has died at 63 in San Francisco. That’s his photo from Bay Area News Foundation. Here’s a LINK TO THE AP STORY (it has a video) and you can find many more photos elsewhere thanks to Google. The official statement from San Francisco Zoological Society Executive Director Tanya Peterson reads, “Cobby was part of San Francisco. He touched so many lives, and people have so many memories of him. He is irreplaceable, and our hearts are broken. We will all miss seeing his handsome grey beard watching over us from the top platform of the yard.” As I read this story of Cobby and considered chimps “kept” for entertainment and gimmicks, I wondered also, “Should chimpanzees live in zoos? Are they safe outside of zoos in their homelands? Are humans the constant enemy of wildlife? Ask the elephants, right?” Bless the zoos that save and treasure the animals and help humans adopt that policy everywhere.…
While growing slightly morose over the way humans treat humans in North Texas — count the fresh tombstones, right? — I found a bit of a bright light on a neighborhood bulletin board. A woman named Julia wrote “To the guy in blue or black Volkswagen on Barnett” in East Fort Worth’s Meadowbrook section. Her message: “Thank you for stopping to help the turtle cross the road! I was already super late and was happy to see someone willing to stop and help. You are awesome.” May the awesome people gain control of the planet! … Well, what’ll I finish this edition with? Ah, as I was contemplating reminding people to send photos of the slumbering animals to dallrp@aol.com for the weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap, I went to my photo files and found a picture of the back of Stevie Ray as he slumbered atop my computer desk. Then I looked up and discovered an even better photo — Stevie Ray’s face as he slept atop my computer desk at noon on Wednesday! He is one swell office cat. Be sure to send us photos and bios of your slumbering family members — dogs, cats, reptiles, in-laws, etc. — so we can feature them in the weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
—- Leave a brilliant remark by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE ANIMALS IN A PERILOUS TIME; CONSIDERING NAMES MAKING NEWS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 [PetPowellPress] I’d just read an email subject line “Now Available for Pre-Sale: 2022 Calendars” and thought, “Geezalou, isn’t this a little bit early?” when, from the Martha Office at the other end of the house I heard my ShopearlySpouse shout, “Hey, you know what you can get me for Christmas?” We aren’t even done with Spring yet — ends at 10:32 p.m. Sunday, June 20. 

OK, let’s talk dogs, cats and other notions. Hang on, let me take off my sleigh-driving gloves so I can type without misguiding the reindeer. In the meantime you can admire that well-balanced doggie in the window. More on Cosmo in a minute.
Keep in mind that the area’s shelters and rescue groups are all bursting at the seams with as yet unwanted critters. Doesn’t matter what season of the year, dogs and cats are always needing homes. 
We open with a Summer note in springtime from East Texas.
'UNICORN ADOPTERS' WANTED
BY THE STRAYDOG FOLKS…
This is the text of the appeal from Straydog Inc., the legendary no-kill sanctuary east of the Metrosprawl. It reads, “During the Dog Days of Summer at Straydog, our goal is to find homes for 22 of our dogs who are looking for ‘unicorn’ adopters.” Eh? The explanation: “We're looking for folks who are the uniquely perfect fit for some of our dogs needing that special someone to provide a forever home.”

To help with this drive, the adoption fees are cut in half through August 31.

In addition to being able to go to straydog.org and see the dogs needing homes, you may also visit the adorable adoptables in person from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday (June 12!) at the PetSmart at 56204 W. Park Blvd. in Plano.
In case you decide to see the dogs at the adoption day in Plano, you might be able to get this wonderful pair of little guys, the Chihuahua brothers Champ (left) and Popcorn. They need one home and they are available for the price of one adoption.
Get more info and see more adorable adoptables at not only straydog.org but also on the Straydog Inc. Facebook page HERE.
Straydog can be reached by emailing straydogshelter@gmail.com or by writing to Straydog Shelter, P.O. Box 1465, Gun Barrel City, Texas, 75147. (It’s not in GBC, but it’s close.)
MEANWHILE, WORD IS ANIMALS
CONTINUE THE LANCASTER WAIT
We’ve been writing about some of these animals for a while. They’re in the Lancaster Animal Shelter, a small town shelter on the southern side of Dallas. It doesn’t get a lot of human traffic, so rescuers such as the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers work to get them into the public eye.
If nobody knows about the animals, how are they supposed to find good homes and avoid the needle? The burden is on the human hearts in the Metrosprawl. 
That kitten, for example, is Jack, representing his two siblings (we posted them earlier), and other kittens and cats not yet claimed. 

These two dogs have been mentioned before. Kent, with that spot atop his handsome head, is a Lab/Boxer mix who is described as “a lovable lug” and “a very chill dog who very much enjoys the company of other dogs (as long as they are not the puppy type to jump all over him.)” Plus, he “adores people!” the Helpers report.
Amber? She’s a bit different. She’s described as a young “Boxer/Dogue de Bordeaux” mix. Around a year old, she also “adores people” and is a “sweetie pie.” 

There are many other dogs and waiting while the clock ticks.
To ask about these animals or any Lancaster animal, call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-272 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

IS IT ANY WONDER THIS GUY
HAS BEEN NAMED ‘ROMEO’?
Oh, boy, take a look at this Earhound. We learned of him from the Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. She writes, “Romeo is one precious, adorable tri-colored Chihuahua! He arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 5/28 as a stray. 
“The animal control officer that brought him in said he was trying to break through a fence to be with bigger dogs. She wasn’t sure whether Romeo was trying to play with them or fight with them. But once she picked Romeo up he melted into her arms. 

“Romeo and I hung out together … It was obvious he’s very alert and aware of everything going on around him. He even hung out in the cat room and although I’m not saying he likes cats, he didn’t seem to be fazed by them. He’s cautiously friendly at first. He appears to like sitting on a lap but because he’s so alert he doesn’t stay there long. His coloring and hazel eyes make him exceptionally cute. He’s a long legged Chi! He’s highly motivated for treats but instead of sitting for them he dances and spins and I mean he really spins!!! It’s absolutely precious.” The 13-pound Romeo’s ID is #47873659.

Judi also spent time with this 8-month-old dog with the magical eyes. He’s Cosmo, an 8-month-old Shepherd mix who arrived on June 1 as a stray.
She wrote, “His reddish/golden shiny coat and hazel eyes that match his coloring make him very striking. He’s everything you ever want in a puppy! He literally leapt and bounded to play. He likes climbing as he climbed on the bench and some gymnastic equipment we have in the yard. He’s very alert and explored the yard including the perimeter. It was very humid out so after about five minutes he came back to where I was and stayed close. He even went to the door indicating he did want to go in so I think he may have been an inside dog. He sits for treats and even sat in anticipation before I let them know I had treats. He wants to please. He’s friendly, outgoing and rewards you with kisses! … Cosmo weighs 40 pounds. If you are looking for an active dog with a zest for life please come meet Cosmo. He would do well with an active family with a fair-size secure yard.” His ID is 47892683.
Judi also spent time with this girl Athena who she describes as “a real jewel!” and says, “It’s hard to believe that her owners have not come looking for her! Athena is a two- to three-year old (44-pound) photogenic Alaskan Husky that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on May 26 as a stray.  She is not fixed and has recently had a litter. She’s very striking with pale blue eyes and a fluffy tail. She stayed close to me in the yard enjoying having her ears scratched. She’s highly motivated by treats but does not know how to sit for them. When she gets excited thinking she’s getting a treat she jumps up, but she does not jump on you. She is very well mannered, calm and gentle. She is very affectionate, sweet, and loving.”Athena is #47846363.

To ask about any of these animals, included their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
And, you’ll note, that there are cats — there are cats of all sorts of cat colors and to demonstrate that, we chose this photo of Paisley — she’s got every color.
To see Mesquite’s adorable adoptables, click HERE. 
CONTEMPLATIONS
‘BUGS’, SCOOTERS & NAMES
We got a note from the folks at Urban Farmer and it was titled “A Pollinated Garden Is a Happy Garden” and included this work of art. And when I saw the fact that June is National Pollinator Month I instinctively wondered how the vets can spay and neuter butterflies. Then I remembered it’s OK if we have an abundance of free-roaming butterflies. So Pollinate Away! The Urban Farmer text read, “In order to attract beneficial bees, butterflies & birds, oh my, plant attractive flowers and wildflowers! This way, these creatures will visit your garden and pollinate your vegetable plants for a successful season!” There’s a helpful regional guide at ufseeds.com. … 
While reading a recent edition of The New Yorker, I discovered that there’s a big flap in pedestrian-friendly New York City over electric scooters. You may recall that Dallas rid itself of the “laying around everywhere” electric scooters in 2020 after about a 2-year experiment. Now, according to The New York Post, NYC has some rule proposals aimed at controlling the flocks of scooterists in the Big Bruised Apple. Here’s a LINK. …
There's an old rule of journalism: "Names make news." When famed defense attorney F. Lee Bailey died last week at 87, I looked at some of the news-making names in his more prominent cases and thought, “Geezalou, it’s a pop cultural history of the last half of the 20th Century.” Right off the bat I saw his clients included Dr. Sam Sheppard (accused of murdering his wife in 1954), Albert DeSalvo (regarded as the “Boston Strangler” who killed 13 women during a period from 1962 into 1964), Patty Hearst (the newspaper heir whose kidnapping by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974 led to her anti-war era conviction of bank robbery — what a long-running story!) and, as you may recall, he was a member of the legal “dream team” defending O.J. Simpson in his trial for the 1994 murder of his ex-wife and her companion. We were a different nation then. Heck, every day we’re a different nation. Depends on the headlines and the commentaries. FYI: In 1971, Waco State Rep. Tom Moore authored a House resolution honoring Albert DeSalvo for his "unconventioal techniques involving population control." OK'd unanimously by the House which then discovered that Rep. Moore intended the April 1, 1971, resolution as a joke. Yep, that's how close the Lege was reading things. You can look it up RIGHT HERE. Who knows what else the Texas Legislature has OK'd since April Fool's Day 1971!?
—- Offer ideas or objections by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

SOME SHELTER ANIMALS ARE SAVED; SOME ARE TOUGH CASES ON THE URGENT LIST

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2021 [PetPowellPress] There we were fighting mightily to put together an edition that would help illuminate the needs of animals and the people who help them when — suddenly — the block went dark. Powerless. No electricity on a stormy day but after the storm.
No sound of an air-conditioner running. Outside, the heat and humidity were rising.
The power company said “2 1/2 hours” on repair, maybe. Irony: In the morning I ran all my errands so I could have extra afternoon writing time. You cannot write on a 21st century desktop keyboard sans the Juice of Edison. See that cat? He's my personal confidante and advisor. That’s The Senator in an unlit room. He’s a student of philosophy and poetry. He smiled and said, “Planned ahead, did we? Aye, the best laid plans of mice and men….” Then he padded away with a knowing tail twitch.
As many of you know, that “best laid plans” quote is the shortened American version of a phrase from Scottish poet Robert Burns’ work, To a Mouse, On Turning Up In Her Nest With The Plough. Burns wrote, “The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, / Gang aft agley.” I speak neither Scottish nor mouse, but I have oft gang aft agley at the typing keyboard. 
We do have good news of three dogs. Tough news for some others. So please read on.
THERE WERE THREE DOGS
IN A BIT OF TROUBLE….
When we first saw the note about these three dogs, the big red letters atop the email read, “This is the most heartbreaking thing.  RESCUE GROUP DESPERATELY NEEDED - PLEASE…"

The three dogs represented a “medical emergency” that arrived in the Lancaster Animal Shelter on the 4th of June.
They'd arrived in conditions that led the first thoughts to be “parvo.”
We checked with 4-Legged Helpers Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden — they’d been loading inboxes with appeals for help with the apparently ailing trio.
Leighann sent an update note later in the weekend that read, “They tested them at shelter. No parvo. We are thinking possible flea anemia from what was described. A 501c3 group called Pet Lives Matter 2 saved them! Pulled Saturday.”
These “cutest Smooth and Wirehair Fox Terrier puppies” are now in the care of Pet Lives Matter 2, a non-profit based in Cumby, Texas, about 90 minutes northeast of Dallas on I-30. 
When those first photos were taken, this ailing trio of dogs were known as, from left, Cherie, Chelsea, and Chance.
Ah, but as you can see, since they became wards of the PLM2 people, things have changed. We got in touch with Lee Martin, president of Pet Lives Matter 2. Here’s the LINK: petlivesmatter2.com.  The organization has “only one goal in mind…and that is to save as many as we possibly can." 
Lee says she and the PLM2 people have worked with many shelters previously, including Lancaster Animal Shelter. When they saw the appeal from 4-Legged Helpers, they had room had room for these adorable puppies.
Their names have been changed. Lee wanted us to see the post-shelter photos of three dogs that are adapting to getting attention and affection outside of a small, low-traffic city shelter. That’s Dexter in the first photo. Then the only girl, Olivia. And the other boy peeking over that shoulder is Felix.
Lee says, “They are all doing wonderfully. They have had their vaccinations and I’m just making sure they’re all ready to go but actually I think I can’t let these go until they are spayed and neutered. So adoption will probably be minimum three weeks -- maybe two,because I need to go to my vet to get them spayed and neutered as well as get Rabies shots.”
You can see how to donate to Pets Lives Matter 2 by going to the website and by contacting the non-profit’s president Lee Martin. 
[LARRY ASIDE: This story turned out to have a much different twist than expected. Usually when someone mentions puppies and parvo, the results are disastrous. And, mercifully Pet Lives Matter 2 is willing to work with shelters and other groups as long as space and money don’t become an overwhelming challenge. If you’ve been in rescue for 20 minutes, you know how those challenges mount up. Clever management can win sometimes. This time things came together for three little dogs who wound up in a small, southern Dallas County shelter that has low human traffic but benefits from having 4 Legged Helpers looking out for animals in need.]
ARLINGTON CROWDED;
DOGS ON ‘MUST GO’ LIST
We got this forwarded email from our pal Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. The note originated Monday from Michelle Patchett of Arlington Animal Services. It read, “EXTREMELY URGENT Our occupancy for dogs is extremely high and we are having an outbreak of upper respiratory infection in the shelter. We are working extremely hard to care for every dog and prevent the spread of further illness in the shelter.
"Our current reality...Stray dogs continue to come into the shelter and we must allow them their appropriate & allotted stray hold times. This requires them to have kennels to stay in. We are so thankful for our managed intake program and currently have an owner surrender intake waiting list that is scheduling 3+ weeks out, but this is only helping so much. We are seeing a decrease in adoption numbers and an increase of animals who need our help. We are desperately needing to move large dogs out of the shelter as quickly as possible.”

There were many animals mentioned on the note — if you are a rescue partner, you know how to get in touch with the Arlington Shelter to help with the animals not seen in this report. Tag or ask about these animals by emailing NSAnimalRescue@ arlingtontx.gov.
Here’s the real challenge. Every darned one of these dogs is listed as “Urgent and must go to a partner rescue group and has problems in the shelter. Their deadline for exiting the shelter is June 8 -- yes, this very day.... 
From the top:

(1) Bram a Pittie mix, just over 2 years old and “fearful — not available for adoptions. Must be transferred to an approved rescue partner.” He was a stray. Not happy in the shelter. Fearful. (#47731339.

(2) Butch (#47807647) is a Pittie mix with the same “rescue only” label. “Fearful behaviors” in the shelter. But, “Does better with known staff members.” A stray. Never displayed aggression. 

(3) Steel/Zoe (#13933692) is a10-year-old female Terrier mix who came in on May 5 and needs an approved rescue partner to help her live a longer and more adored existence.

(4) Hank (#47799170), lounging on the bed, is a large American Blue Heeler/Alaskan Husky mix who arrived on May 19 and has high “fear anxiety stress” in the shelter. The shelter observations say “Very shy, stays in the same spot, barely moving, unable to walk on a leash, body low, does not come to greet you. Once out of the kennel, tries to hide. Lays completely flat on the floor. Flinches when touched. Mouth closed, body stiff.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: There are many more available to rescue partners. Maybe some love can turn them around. I’d have written about more of them, but the shelter observations of Hank just about broke my heart and put an end to my typing without tears.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
ONE FOR THIS DAY
Why is it that some people can’t be nice to dogs? I've been at an adoption event and had a volunteer say, “Don’t try to pet that dog — she doesn’t like men.” But you’ve never been around a dog that didn’t like you, and suddenly you see a caged dog both terrified of you and ready to chew you to pieces and there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing. You just wonder why. … That was the same feeling I got when I read about poor Hank, the Heeler/Husky mix who “lays completely flat on the floor. Flinches when touched. Mouth closed, body stiff.” That just about made me made mad enough to hunt down the lousy human who didn’t love this dog and didn't teach him some loving and trusting ways. This dog is an example of how, if nobody claims poor Hank, a don’t care/so what jerk can kill a dog without shooting a gun. Got to be somebody who can save Hank now when the odds are against him. You want to pray for the dog and you know you ought to pray for enlightenment for that human because, after all, the BLEEP is probably going to acquire another dog at some point. We’ll pray for Hank first.
—— Offer soothing advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

WHEN SHELTERS NEED RELIEF, THEY ALSO NEED PEOPLE; CONTEMPLATING D-DAY

EDITION OF MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Ah, the opening of the week. We’re fortunate, aren’t we, to enjoy this life in America. Feel free to give your opinion — that’s the American way. We’ll get to that in Contemplations after we look at some animals and some people helping them. Here goes:
THE DRUMBEAT CONTINUES FOR
HELPING CROWDED SHELTERS…
Surely the “overloaded shelter era” will relent at some point soon.
In the meantime, we continue to note animals in local shelters. Here we go with Lancaster, then we’ll get to Mesquite and we’ll get to other notes along the way.
A person could list a ZILLION unwanted dogs and cats in the Greater Metrosnarl and I don’t know how anybody would have time to read ‘em all. But we’ll focus on some here while reminding readers that if you’ve ever heard of an animal shelter, it’s probably overloaded right now. Tell your friends, tell strangers, tell distant relatives — especially those who may have a loving heart and a sense of responsibility. Before we had online networking, we had word-of-mouth -- it still works. Tell people animals need their help. We’ll recall why we still have Freedom of Speech in Contemplations after we look at some animals and some people helping them. Oh, and these are just ‘some’ of the animals waiting in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center. Click HERE and remember there are so many others in smaller shelters. Read on:
THE LANCASTER NOTE came from 4-Legged Helpers and echoed last week’s appeals but with more of a dire tone. It began, “We have not had to write a post like this in a while and we we are truly begging for the lives….” All of the animals in the email — dogs and cats — are “now critical — meaning euthanasia is pending,” the Helpers’ note read, “This shelter is full.”

We begin with the maybe 8-week-old kitten Gizmo. “Adorable and sweet,” The Helpers say. “This little guy was found out and about on his own and was so very hungry. Please help save him.”
Kiwi (top photo) and Peaches, also about 8 weeks old, somehow found their way into the shelter. They’re described as “precious, soft plush babies.” [LARRY ASIDE: No explanation as to how they came to be available for shelter existence, but you can bet your last bag of cat litter that it wasn’t because they knew enough to Uber from their old house to the shelter. There was a human involved somewhere.]

Then, there are these 4 months or maybe 4 1/2 months old kittens -- Jake, Jason and Jack. “Cute as cute can be and so sweet and loving and friendly.” Heck, what else are you going to say about little kittens with these faces?

And, there are so many dogs in that Lancaster shelter. Where do they come from? Well, boy and girls, they aren’t imported from China. They’re all locally produced and dumped or strayed or surrendered.
Check out Denali, the under a year-old Red Malamute described as a “very nice, well-behave dog that is very good with other dogs.”
And there’s this guy Brandon, might be 2 or might be 3, but he’s got a great attitude, i.e, his bio says, “Loves all other dogs and adores people.”
There are lots more unwanted (for now) animals at Lancaster Animal Services Shelter.
4-Legged Helpers is the non-profit trying to get the word out about the overload. To help with these dogs or to be asked to be put on the Helpers’ mailing list, call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
MOVING ALONG TO MESQUITE:
SPOTLIGHTING THESE 3
We’ll start with the contact points and a reminder to include the animals’ ID numbers when you call the shelter or email the shelter. The phone number is 972-216-6283 and the email is rescues@cityofmesquite.com. 

The Mesquite shelter has volunteers who write dog biographies — they meet the dogs in order to better get a feel for what the animal not only needs but what the animal can give! We got these three bios from Debra Chisholm. Sometimes the emails come from Judi Brown. These two are extraordinarily reliable when it comes to reading the personalities and abilities of shelter dogs. And the thing is, they both understand dogs and their ability to relate to humans.
This first pup is Shadow, a spayed German Shepherd/Anatolian Shepherd mix “surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 6/3.Reason for the surrender was that Shadow kept escaping.” [LARRY ASIDE: Yep, apparently it was impossible for the humans to outsmart this girl when it came to blocking escape routes.]
 Shadow, about a year old, weighs 78 pounds. Debra says the surrender form “states that Shadow lived both indoors and outdoors, that she is OK with other dogs and kids (of all ages) and that she does not like cats.  She has fly bites on her ears, confirmation that she has spent a good deal of time outside.  I observed that Shadow walks well on a leash and did not react to the other dogs when led through the bay — even those who were barking at her. She is an ‘on the move’ kind of girl with a moderate activity level.  Shadow is curious, wanting to look out in the parking lot and peeking through the windows of the building. …She is friendly--a real sweetheart. She did display a fair amount of restless energy in the yard and seemed to be looking for a way out!” Shadow is #47905992.
That brings us to Heida, a 3-year-old, 63-pound mixed breed surrendered with Copper, a 2-year-old, 68-pound mixed breed on June 3.
 Surrendered? Why? The surrendering human said the family’s 9-month-old was allergic to both the dogs.

Heida, the white dog, is a Lab/Anatolian Shepherd mix. She’d lived outdoors during the day, inside at night. Had a litter of pups in August of 2020. 
Debra says, “ I noted that Heida walks very nicely on a leash and was not reactive to the dogs as she passed by them in the kennel.  She knows the ‘sit’ and ‘give me paw commands.’  She was very interested in exploring the smells in the shelter yard.  She is lively and perky with a moderate activity level.  She seems to have been well-cared for.  She is friendly and has a sweet demeanor.  This calm and gentle girl would doubtless make someone or person a wonderful companion.” She's #47910469.
And this is Heida’s pal Copper, “aptly named because of his coppery-colored coat,” Debra wrote. He’s believed to be a mix of Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Lab. Doesn’t like cats, but likes kids and “was ok with other dogs.”
He had the same indoor/outdoor schedule as Heida. 
And, Debra wrote, “He is high energy and has a sweet personality. He knows the ‘sit’ command and is house-trained. Cooper spent a good deal of time investigating the shelter yard during the photo shoot.” When you contact the shelter, his ID is #47910448.
CONTEMPLATIONS

D-DAY -- WHEN THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE …
[LARRY NOTE: Most of us these days have only second-hand memories of the events of D-Day and World War II. D-Day — June 6, 1944. The beginning of the end of World War II. Without these people, these allies, these heroic human beings, you and I might not be able to express our thoughts out loud, on paper or at the ballot box. Our pal Andy Fisher, who we refer to as our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief at Indian Lake in Denville, N.J., provided a personal view of D-Day for us on Sunday — the 77th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. Andy’s a veteran of the U.S. Army — much, much later than D-Day. But, like me, he spent decades as a journalist — he was print and broadcast — Andy and I benefited from the freedoms preserved by those heroic Americans and Allies during World War II. We know what freedom of the press means and what freedom means to the person walking down the street in America. Here’s Andy’s recollection of a particularly tender moment on D-Day.]
From our friend Andy Fisher, writer and veteran and journalist:

“To mark the passage of 77 years since the Normandy Invasion, I am flying the 48-star flag my grandfather gave me for my birthday -- in 1948. 
“I don't really remember it, but June 6, 1944, was also the day of my first visits to Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Boston, and everywhere in between. 
“My mother and I were on an overnight train from Virginia on our way to give my paternal grandparents their first in-person look at me.
“My Army-corporal father could not be with us as his parents met me; he was undergoing training with the Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. 
“This trip is the stuff of family legend, since I cannot recall it, having been, at the time,
1) less than 5 months old and 
2) asleep, while my vigilant mother perched on a corner of the coach seat which was all we could afford, terrified that I would wake up and start screaming, which I was allegedly fond of doing. 
—-
In the morning, when the train pulled into Boston, my beaming grandparents greeted their beaming grandson and his haggard mother. 
And a few thousand miles away, the forces of what Andy Rooney once called "one of the most selfless things one group of people ever did for another" continued to pour ashore, brave murderous machine-gun fire and fight their way up the cliffs at the beaches of Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold and Sword.
"Remember the ones who didn't make it, and those who did, but were forever marked by the experience.”

Thank you, Andy, and God bless America.
—- Offer memories of D-Day or people who stood strong for the nation by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

JACKSON: FROM A PUZZLED, FRIGHTENED SHELTER DOG TO A FEATURED SLEEPER...

“He doesn’t snarl anymore! He trusts us now. I think he loves us ❤️”

That’s a wonderfully expressive story in three short sentences. 
From drama to a happy ending. And it was written by our pal, the veteran rescuer and animal advo- cate Della Wallace. Her words and candid photos are why this pup is in the spotlight of our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
We first encountered Jackson (those are his shelter photos) and his plight on May 19 when we opened an email from the 4-Legged Helpers Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden. They were hustling to help find a home or a rescue for this sad, sad dog. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m a pretty macho email opener after all these years, but when I saw the sadness on Jackson’s face, it got right to my heart. There was Jackson, sitting with a glassy-eyed stare and wondering what had happened to his life after he was dumped at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. My first inclination would have been to open that door, take him out and hug him — apparently I’d have been hospitalized to treat lacerations and puncture wounds. Read on to see how things changed.]
We’ll set the stage with these points in the original red: “EMERGENCY - 501C3 RESCUE OR EXPERIENCED ADOPTER NEEDED IMMEDIATELY,” read the appeal. The explanation read, “Jackson is a middle-age Chihuahua that sadly is very upset about being released to the shelter. He came in and is in a little kennel and so far doesn't want to let anyone touch him … Honestly he is just upset about being released clearly. You can also try a different approach of giving him his space in a safe environment and they also come around with some love and treat attention. Please, won't you try to help save him? SHELTER CANNOT HOLD HIM - PLEASE HURRY TO SAVE HIM NOW!!!”
THE BACKGROUND: The first email we got about Jackson had arrived on May 20. Word was then getting around that this dog needed an “experienced adopter.” That very afternoon, we got a note from Della, “We are picking up Jackson from Lancaster tomorrow.” 
Della and her husband David are the “experienced adopters” needed for a tough case. They have several dogs, including many we’ve written about.
One of those was this girl, Callie. On May 12 I’d gotten a note from Della. “Our little girl just died peacefully in her sleep. She was about 15 or even 16,” Della wrote. They had Callie for 12 years. “It is so sad!,” Della told me. “She was a sweet girl. We adopted her when my girlfriend died — Callie had been one of her rescues.”
As you can tell, the timing was right for two hearts that had some love to give a difficult little dog.” Timing was on Jackson’s side.

THE ADJUSTMENTS began. For the next several days I got reports on Jackson’s demeanor — he was snarly. Bared his teeth. Wasn’t interested in being touched. He shared the office with David but Jackson didn’t share a smile with anybody. 
He just wasn’t sure. 
You can tell from these photos that the short little guy didn’t really have a handle on “trust” for a while. Della and David backed off and gave him some room to adjust. But Jackson was being a tough case.
Just two days into the experience, Della sent a note saying, “He needs someone to spend a lot of time with him. He is very frightened. He is better than he was but still scared.”
 And, because he seemed to not react warmly at all to the name “Jackson,” Della and David decided to change his name and see if that might help. So, “Jackson” became “Darin,” in honor of Della’s late friend from years ago, the singer/actor Bobby Darin.

On the 25th Della sent news that she and David were setting up a playpen in their living room for Darin. “Right now,’ she said, “he is reclining in his crate/bed waiting for his dinner. He appears to be quite happy. Hope so!!!”
On the 26th, Della sent a note that read, “He does like it here! I think he has moved!” — that’s an emotional assessment for the pup. She wrote, “He is quite happy. No barking or snarling. He just sits there and looks around. Just gave him a Ritz Cracker. He liked that!! Nearly time for his dinner.”
On the 31st, Memorial Day, Della sent a photo of an obviously happier Darin — he’d decided to take a walk outside of his playpen.
In one exchange, Della wrote, “He is a happy dog. I am hoping he will let us look at the tags on his collar soon. He likes broccoli 😂. Just curious about the info on his tags. Doesn’t make any difference what is on there. We are keeping him regardless 🐾❤️🐾 “
And there was this “breaking news” from Della, “He let us pet him. Friendly little guy. I took his old collar off him and have a new one for him! He had a 2020 rabies tag and a tag with the name of the person who threw him into the pound. Grrrr.”
And on June 3, we got sensational confirmation that David and Della had worked some magic with a dog who’d once been so sad, so frightened, so puzzled, so ready-to-snarl ’n’ bite — basically, it turns out that this dog “loves being in David’s lap.”

One more thing from the 3rd. Della wrote, “David wants to change his name back to Jackson. He was Jackson when we got him. It seems he reacts better to Jackson than he does to Darin. Sooooo, Jackson it is!!! (I liked Darin☹️)”
We also have this photo of Jackson snoozing. Yes, that brings us to the final photo — an example of the result of sincere human affection, patience, the building of trust and regular meals with, now and then, some dog-friendly broccoli. 
Here is this edition’s “Sleeping Dog.” That is the former snarler, nipper, biter, terrified little guy Jackson asleep in his quarters, a wire cage with what has become an ironic “WARNING” sign on it. Yes, as Della says, “Jackson is home.”
May all the dogs and cats find people of patience and love and understanding so that we’ll always be able to “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap” until they’re ready to be hugged, petted and part of the conversation.
And there's Jackson, a success story in adoption, trust and affection, giving one of his more congenial poses for Della and the camera. Happy to be home.
[DEAR READERS, Tell us about your sleeping dogs, napping cats or slumbering “other” animals by sending their photos and their stories to dallrp@aol.com. Readlarrypowell.com is proud to present Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap to show people how they can have happiness in their homes. And, of course, these stories encourage insomniacs to believe they, too, can get some sleep if they can just find the right cage with a WARNING label on it.]
— Offer ideas or questions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing Larry Powell at dallrp@aol.com and put “SHARE’S PILLOW WITH DOG; OTHER PILLOW WITH CAT” in the subject line. —-

SHELTER CHALLENGES, CUTE DOGS AND CATS, MUSICAL TASTES, A LOOSE COUGAR AND ALL-AMERICAN GRIPING

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re a month away from July 4 and that is staggering when you consider we haven’t seen the sun since Mercury went into retrograde. (More in Contemplations, though I’ll confess that opening sentence is more style than substance.)
 But, consider recent news breaks: UFO’s puzzle Earthlings; Earthlings to study Venus — that’s what’s going on these days. Life is like watching a magic show — it’s a festival of misdirection.
Let’s talk new cars and the . Wait. Misdirection. We’re going to discuss animals, such as that unnamed Fort Worth pup with the big face!
AND THE INTAKE WAS …
WELL, HOW ABOUT ‘A LOT’?
We spotted this Wednesday note on a Facebook page — written by Laurie Gautreaux about Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. The opening sentence caught our attention: “Well, another 95 intakes today.”
Holy smoke. The next sentence read, “I made some cute new friends, though. Anyone want to come adopt instead of surrender?”
As you probably know, adoptions are done in person at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. Email fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov to ask about procedure for adopting or tagging for rescue.
These dogs’ photos were included on the Facebook page. 
But you can see many, many more Fort Worth available  canine adorables by clicking on THIS LINK.
And, yes, in addition to a great tsunami of dogs, the FW shelter also has kittens by the handfuls. Example? #47779493, a female black and orange girl who came in on May 17.
See more Cowtown cats and kittens HERE.
And any shelter that can draw a 95-intake day is definitely in need of volunteers who can be a “Foster Hero.” To see how to help, click HERE.
SPEAKING OF FOSTERING,
WE GOT AN APPEAL…
The rescue group headed by busy and determined Mark Verma, Paws in the City, has a need for fosters with a knack for helping animals. 
The appeal reads, “Paws in the City is in need of fosters for small dogs new to our program. We provide all vetting, supplies, and support. As a foster, your job is to help your foster dog be the best version of themselves. The dogs [pictured here] are boarding at our vet partners waiting for foster homes where they can decompress and begin the process of becoming the best pups they can be!”

To ask about becoming a foster, go to pawsinthecity.org and get the application HERE.
Who are these dogs? Glad you asked. Here are the Paws In The City bios left-to-right on each row:
Top row: “Kayley is a friendly, energetic Chiweenie/Min Pin mix. She weighs 9lbs and is approximately 1 year old. Yoshi is a friendly Havanese mix. He weighs 14lbs and is approximately 2 years old.
 SECOND ROW: “Zinnia is a sweet and calm Terrier mix. She weighs 14lbs and is approximately 1.5 years old. Zuri is a sweet and calm Terrier mix. She weighs 15lbs and is approximately 1.5 years old.”
Remember, you may also want to audition to adopt. Either way — adoption or fostering — you’ll helping an animal “be the best version of themselves.”
LITTLE ONES AMONG MANY
OF ALL SIZES IN LANCASTER
Oh, my, the folks at 4-Legged Helpers sent me a whole bunch of animal photos from the population at Lancaster Animal Shelter. I’ve decided to use two “baby pictures” to inspire you, Dear Readers, to ask about getting on the 4-Legged Helpers’ mailing list so you can help spread the word about how small shelters on the southern side of Dallas need some human traffic and some help in networking their adoptable animals. 
To ask about helping these animals or to ask about getting on the mailing list and helping the Helpers reach more people, call or text 214-9492726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. 

That baby kitten is Jason, one of the really cute kittens available right now at the Lancaster shelter. The very similar Jake and Jack may be relatives. There’s no law against having more than one kitten in your house. I don’t know about your apartment. 

And this adorable puppy is a German Shepherd mix currently named Dante. He’ll take a rescue or a home. At his current age, he’s regarded as a “happy cudd- ler.” 

OK, one more Lancaster dog — she’s older than a puppy and was dumped at the shelter with another dog. Her name is “Anabella”and the report reads, “We are not sure of the combination of breeds here, but whatever she is, she is as beautiful and sweet and loving as can be.”
A VISIT WITH THE INVENTORY
AT MESQUITE ANIMAL SHELTER
This girl is Nina. Her bio, written by the volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown, says, “My dog scanner app indicated she might be part Bull Terrier/Lab.” And, why was she surrendered to the shelter on June 1? Judi says the owner listed “financial reasons.” She’s 3 years old, weighs 42 pounds and is “well-behaved.” Judi says that the surrender form described her as having been an “outdoor only” dog. But, during the get-acquainted session, Judy says Nina “spent a lot of time standing by the door, indicating she wanted to go back in. I think that’s telling us that she would like to be inside, at least a good part of the time.” Friendly dog, raised with a 4-year-old human and is said to get along well with kids. She’s #47887916 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

Volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm gave us the round-up on Shelby (#47791466), a bit of a scratched up Staffie mix who came into the shelter as a stray on May 19. She’s about 10 months old and weighs 40 pounds. She had cuts and scrapes on her left read leg and abrasions on her abdomen. Her left eye had a scrape, left front paw had a problem. She got some treatment and has been in the isolation kennel for 15 days. Debra wrote, “She doesn’t seem to realize she has been injured and you wouldn’t know the way she moves about — she’s a real ‘wigglebutt’.” And, Debra writes, “She’s playful friendly and has a sweet temperament. She wanted to climb up in my lap when I was sitting on the bench and give me kisses.” 
Again, use her ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Oh, and you can use those contact points, also, to ask about Zeke, described by Debra as a “little live-wire” and a 26-pound, 6-month-old mixed breed who arrived as a stray on the 27th. 
She says, “he is a high-energy pup, a life-of-the-party kind of guy who just exudes a zest for living….Zeke’s pics do not do him justice as he is a handsome boy and has such a cute stubby tail.” He’s outgoing and athletic and, during the photo session, he was “zooming around” in the exercise yard and appears as a blur in many of his photos! He’s #47858289. The contact points are above.
CONTEMPLATIONS
MUSIC, MERCURY AND GRIPING

As I was typing this Thursday, I’d tuned my background TV to the movie Ghost and heard The Righteous Brothers song Unchained Melody. So, here’s the question of the day for anyone who bopped, fruged, waltzed, discoed, Peppermint Twisted or twerked: The greatest mood-setting/message music came from (a) The ‘60s or (b) The ‘70s. “Mood” may refer to either romance or politics. …

I try to keep up with things and thanks to an email from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, I understand that Mercury is in retrograde from May 29 through June 22. The Almanac says that people who practice astrology know “these times” are “traditionally associated with confusion, delay and frustration. Think undelivered love letters, email blunders, and frazzled travel plans!” Here’s the story LINK. That is a Mercury. It’s not in retrograde. It’s inert — gone — no Mercury cars made since 2011. Yes, that’s a Cougar on a Cougar — advertising in the late ‘60s. ….
I saw a posting on a neighborhood bulletin page and a guy wrote, “If you don't vote, you lose your right to complain.” Well, of course, that’s — hmm, what’s French for “bullfeathers”? Anyway. This is America. You don’t have to vote to gripe about politicians and politics or anything else. It’s a right. Nobody makes you register to exercise freedom of speech. Not yet, I guess.
—- Offer advice or objection by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

FOR THURSDAY, ALL SORTS OF NEWSY NOTES AND ANIMALS NEEDING HUMANS TO GIVE 'EM A HAND AND A HEART

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 [PetPowellPress] What? More rain? How patient can my well-trained dogs be? Well, moving along. The State Fair is going to open. We don’t know if the Texas Legislature is going to stay closed. But it did some animal "bidness" before it shut down in a big ol’ political huff. Both topics are addressed in Contemplations. In the meantime, we have tales of animals and people who need help. So here goes.
AN UNUSUAL REQUEST
FOR AN ANIMAL ISSUE
Giraffe garage? Octopus aquarium? Nah. Sewing machine for dog collars.
 We got this request from Sydney Busch, a mainstay of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. She asks, “Does anyone have an industrial sewing machine? We need repairs on our restraint collars that we lend out for the male dogs…” 
To offer to help, email sydney@friendsoftheanimals.org or call 214-808-4701.
As you probably know, the Friends of the Animals operate, so to speak, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas, a little over an hour southeast of Dallas on Hwy. 175. The photo I’ve chosen to illustrate this story has nothing to do with restraint collars or sewing machines. It’s maybe 10 years old and it’s a picture of the “recovery area” at the clinic after several dogs underwent their surgeries and wound up wrapped in warming blankets and being referred to lovingly as the “Little Burritos.” The volunteers and staff at the clinic take special care to keep everybody — dogs, cats, humans, etc., — safe, even as the pandemic fades. Spay and neuter — keeps unwanted animals from being born just to be euthanized or dumped in harm's way..
AMID THE DOGS, THERE’S
A SAMPLING OF KITTENS
We’ve focused on the dogs in Lancaster Animal Shelter all week, but here’s a switch — A Sampling of Kittens. Word from the 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small, low-human-traffic shelters, is that someone brought in five kittens and the “shelter is not equipped to care for them and they are tiny babies that are fragile….” Here are three of the kittens, but that gives you an idea of what the other little mewers might look like. A couple have an eye discharge — might be from exposure to the elements, one theory goes.
To offer to help these kittens call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. [LARRY FYI: The term for a number of cats is a “Clowder of Cats” but these aren’t cats, so we switch to the term for several kittens: a “Kindle of Kittens.” I’m not kidding. I know about multiple births: my sons Bret and Bart are a “Crowd of Twins.”]
ONCE UPON A TIME,
A DOG …WELL, READ ON
This is a pip of a story, I guess. You see the dog. Here’s what we’ve learned thanks to animal advocate Jeane Anthony. 
This was dog found and when the apparent owners were contacted, the story was the dog had been “gone for a year.” The note from Jean read, “They are in Dallas and the dog is in Crandall. They do not want because they have a baby. We are not sure if someone has had him the last year or if they dumped him. He’s a really friendly boy and liked the kids on the street. He’s 3 and neutered.”
It was clear the original family didn’t want him, attempts are being made to “find a great home or rescue” for him.
He’s biding his time at the City of Crandall animal shelter. The previous people are happy to sign an owner-surrender for a potential person or rescue. 
Jeane’s note reads, “He’s the only dog on the shelter but they don’t like to hold them long as they do streets, water department, etc.”
You have to meet or pick up the dog by appointment because the staff has other duties in this small town shelter.
To ask about meeting, adopting or rescuing this “pretty boy,” phone 832-561-5554.
REVISITING TWO DOGS
IN CROWDED MESQUITE
Local shelters are experiencing population booms and Mesquite is no different. But these two have been waiting a while and they’ve both made progress.
The stories are from updates by volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown who has met both dogs and is aware of their “intake conditions.” That’ll explain the way she approaches the story of Klohe, this pert little pup in the top photos. 
Judi writes: “Have you ever heard the expression,” I’ve come along way baby”? That’s our sweet, sweet Klohe! She used to be temperamental and very selective about the people she chose to socialize with but for the most part she’s learned to trust. She’s become a happy, friendly loving sweetheart! Because of her past it’s best that she be in a family with older children only. She also needs to be the only dog. But other than that she’s absolutely perfect.”

Klohe (#46692625) is a 2-year-old Chihuahua/terrier mix who was surrendered on May 6 “due to landlord issues.” After being treated tenderly by shelter personnel, Klohe has come around and Judi says she’s going to be someone’s great “snuggle bug.”

That brings us to A.K., another dog who got to meet Judi and, thus, has been moved into a possibly positive position on the shelter’s list of animals. 
A.K., who’d recently had a litter, came in on April 29 with a host of ugly physical problems, including bleeding from areas that she shouldn’t be bleeding from. But there was something extra sweet about this 5-year-old “Gray/Brindle low-rider” Pittie mix surrendered because of her health.
 Things got better — she’s still not 100 percent, but nothing is coming between her and her personality. A.K. is #47651419.
Judi writes that a shelter staffer began a recent medical update “by saying that she is one of the sweetest girls you’d ever want to meet. I concur. That being said she needs a superhero! A.K. was having difficulty with movement in her back legs. She’s back from the vet and was diagnosed with a torn ACL. She will need rest for this to heal. She also has a heart murmur and thickened joints. The good news is that her urine is normal. She is on antibiotics and pain medication. And I guarantee if you come and meet her even though she’s has some health issues she’s dealing with, she will give you tail wags and snuggles.  If you cannot tag to rescue please network this deserving sweetie pie!”

For these dogs, use their ID numbers when you call the Mesquite shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
BIG TEX; BIG TEXAS NEWS; BIG TEXAS NIGHT
Well, my goodness, let’s just contemplate these things:
WHAT WILL RUN SEPT. 24-OCT. 17 2021? Dallas Cowboys seasonal relevance? Just kidding the home team. We all know, anyway, that the great State Fair of Texas will run Sept. 24-Oct. 17 — the Fair announced it Wednesday and also revealed many other attractions including musical acts and real and puppet rodeos. The news release from the top-notch State Fair public relations department began, “Hello, hola, bonjour, nǐn hǎo, ciao, konnichiwa, guten tag, howdy.” Yep, it all boils down to Big Tex saying “HOWDY” from his Midway stage. I probably don’t have to remind you that the darned pandemic turned the 2020 Fair into a drive-through kind of virtual event. This will be the 135th State Fair of Texas. And at bigtex.com you can see all sorts of Fair info. If you click HERE you can access the news releases that reveal the free musical acts on the Chevrolet Main Stage — well, there’ll be a comedian, too, the great Bill Engvall on Oct. 9. Current hot group the Black Pumas will be there on Sept. 25. And if you never thought you’d get to see Grand Funk Railroad live, put Oct. 3 on your calendar — you know they’re an American band, right? Disco band Le Freak will be there Oct. 11. and on Oct. 15, our pal and possibly the world’s greatest Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will perform. Kraig’s got not just the moves, but he’s got the pipes, too. All this and the rest of the attractions indicate, of course, that, as the song goes, “Our state fair is a great state fair.” That top picture is the Fair Park Esplanade all lit up for a full-out Fair. Might be a good year for night visits.
MEANWHILE, THE TEXAS HUMANE LEGISLATION NETWORK, not involved in the odder goings-on at the Statehouse, sent out an email titled “THLN Scores Big for Animals This Session” and spotlights the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, currently waiting on the gov’s signature. The opening paragraph read, “As the 87th Legislative Session wrapped up yesterday, we are celebrating a number of wins for animals, many of which THLN worked hard to advance through the legislative process! Our main legislative priority, the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, will finally be signed into law by Governor Abbott after nearly six years of dedicated advocacy by THLN supporters! We are so grateful to our Safe Outdoor Dog Act co-authors, Chairwoman Nicole Collier and Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., who showed inspiring leadership during a very challenging session. We are also deeply grateful to all our supporters who called, emailed, and even testified on behalf of our legislative efforts.” Go to thln.org to see other things THLN was working on during this louder-than-usual session of the Legislature. Got to THLN’s Facebook page HERE  and you can hear THLN’s Director of Government Relations Stacy Sutton Kerby recap the — using THLN phrasing —“imPAWtent wins” in this session. …
CONTEMPLATE THIS: Texas is such a great state that it has not only the entertaining State Fair of Texas but the entertaining Texas Legislature. Top that, any other state… We’ll end with some Saturday night music HERE.
Try not to chuckle when Willie sings the Rocky Mountain line. FYI: There’ll probably be an ad before you get the song, but, heck, this is America. Everything’s got a commercial.
—- Offer Texas praises by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —

ACCORDIONS, CATS, DOGS AND POPULATION CRISES ...THAT'S WHAT'S NEW, PUSSYCAT...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re going to get to King in just a moment.
 In the interest of Informing the Public, we took a look at the Holiday Insights online calendar and discovered that among the many months assigned to June is Effective Communications Month. No known connection to the Texas Legislature.

June is also National Adopt-a-Cat Month, Rose Month (love roses!), Turkey Lovers Month (Not November?) and National Accordion Awareness Month. I worked hard to get a picture of my cat Stevie Ray playing his accordion, but he was reluctant because he’s in negotiations for his upcoming Cat With a Squeezebox Tour. Lifting the pandemic rules opened a lot of paths for musicians to reconnect with their fans. That first photo is Stevie Ray on his “Thought Pillow” — I thought he might play Lady of Spain, but he declined. “I don’t play for busker’s pay,” he mewed. 
In the second photo, that’s stand-up bass player Porche (she has the trademark "jump up and pluck" style), demonstrating her devotion to Adopt-a-Cat Month, and taking some time off between sets with Stevie Ray.
KING, WHO CAME IN WITH SPOT &
MOOMOO, WAITS IN MESQUITE
In the Tuesday edition I mentioned two of three dogs who’d arrived at Mesquite’s shelter on May 26 — I’d been unable to find King’s report in my many in-and-out mailboxes. No big deal. I was bailed out by the two volunteer dog biographers at Mesquite Animal Services. Debra Chisholm found the text written by Judi Brown about her visit with King. 
That’s King. And you’ve met MooMoo (standing below) and Spot (sitting, below) before.
Scroll to the June 2 report to get their info — it’s a lot like King’s. All three of them came in on May 26 — seized by police. Bad living conditions. 
King is a 3-year-old, 51-pound Pittie mix. The bio by Judi reads, “It’s my understanding that they were kept in a medium-size kennel together.”
 There’s more. She writes, “Back up to the end of 2020. King was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter by a young lady that was living with her grandparents and King did not get along with her grandparent's dog. You could assume that since King has been living for the last six months with two other dogs that he gets along with other dogs. However when walking him through the bay he reacting negatively to the dogs that barked at him. Further dog-testing is suggested. He may just be dog selective.
"I fell in love with King last year when he was at the shelter and again this year! He's got so many good qualities! He's friendly and very lovable. King craves human attention. He wags his tail, gives kisses, and will put his head on your lap. If given the opportunity he will even get on your lap! He sits for treats and takes them gently. He walked well on a leash. He did his business as soon as he got out into the yard. Besides that he's adorable! BONUS: he's already fixed!”
 King is #45585317 — use his ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email recues@cityofmesquite.com.

Before we go, we’ll mention, also, that Debra has the biography of this guy Sam, a German Shepherd/Belgian Shepherd mix — he’s a year-old, weighs 40 pounds and isn’t neutered. Why is he in a city shelter? Surrendered on the 27th because “the owners are moving.”
Debra says he “ walks well on a leash and when led through the bay past barking dogs, he kept his gaze straight ahead and did not respond in like fashion.  He has a moderate energy level.  He does not jump on you.  During the photo session Sam exhibited nervous energy and restless pacing in the yard.  It takes a bit of time for him to warm up but he will in his good time and then enjoys receiving attention and petting.  At this point he is cautiously friendly.  It seems possible he was a watch dog and perhaps not socialized much.  But he would likely be a wonderful companion when trust is established with a new owner.” He’s #4785666 — that’s his ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER,
WHERE VISITORS ARE FEW
From the folks at 4-Legged Helpers we get the “loaded shelter/rare human traffic” appeal for Lancaster’s facility. The Helpers have been helping Lancaster’s animals find ways out — could be adoption, could be rescue, could be just a happy moment when people and pups/cats happened to fit together. 
This dog is Cattle Dog mix Marissa. She’s described as a “beautiful sweet girl that poses for pictures and is just as sweet as can be. She is so cute….”
And this handsome Husky is Luka, a “beautiful sweet lovable guy with the most gorgeous big pastel blue eyes.

The third dog we’ll feature is Mack, described as a “Chocolate Lab/Bulldog mix.”
The Helpers say he has “really beautiful eyes and fur…”
And, “He is so very cute,” they say.
Also there’s this: “He is wonderful with kids and loves to play.” And “would be best as an only dog.”
To ask about these dogs or any animal in the Lancaster shelter, get in touch with the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
FORT WORTH’S SHELTERS
NEED VOLUNTEERS DURING
POPULATION CRISIS
That artwork from the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control website pretty much sums up the needs to help the city shelters get through these post-pandemic population crises. Here’s the FWACC link.
Now, because it’s Adopt-a-Cat Month, I took a look at the adoptable cats and found this cluster of dessert-names, plus a photo of an-older-than-a-fresh-kitten cat named Luna. Get a better look at the Fort Worth Cats by clicking HERE. Appearing with Luna are Sundae, Hot Fudge, Sprinkles, Caramel and Butterscotch.

CONTEMPLATIONS
RETURN TO NORMAL? JUNE DAZE & TOM’S FAMOUS ‘CAT
How about this artwork for a theater? Doesn’t this make you think that possibly Pegasus Theatre is in the vanguard of “return to normal” in the United States? “Normal” being a social climate that’s good for everybody and puts a smile on faces, too. As you can see from the titles of the plays, Pegasus is going to rely on Superheroes to pull civilization out of Pandemic Bayou and back onto the highway of happy lives. Pegasus, in the pre-pandemic era, was known for producing plays in Living Black & White, as developed by playwright and Pegasus founder Kurt Kleinmann. You may recall the leading character in the Living Black & White mysteries, Harry Hunsacker. I think his most famous line is “All the world’s a stage and you have to have tickets to get on it.” Wait, maybe not. But the thing about these two productions is tickets. They’re $10 for each streaming and Pegasus says that during the run of the shows — June 4-June 20 — “you can view performances of Hammer Toe and The Adventures of Ability-Lad and Genius-Lass for only $10 each. That’s $10 for as many people as you can fit in front of your computer (or your TV, if you’re tech savvy!)” More info is at pegasustheatre.org. …
Notes for June 2: Holiday Insights reports that June 2 is Rocky Road Day, in honor of the ice cream (not the path of the Texas Rangers toward the end of the season). June 2 is also National Bubba Day — The Insights people say it “honors anyone named or called Bubba.” [LARRY ASIDE: I was once called Bubba — I lost the honor by ticking off my sweetspouse Martha one too many times. Two tick-offs might have been the limit. It was early in the marriage. As most Bubbas will tell ya, “I never knew what hit me.” Heck, I have since inspired her to find other endearing things to call me.] … See that opening photo today? That’s Stevie Ray sleeping on the pillow on the shelf above my keyboard. He doesn’t snore. He purrs with a cool rhythm that makes an accordion player envious.  FYI: REGARDING Stevie Ray’s finesse with the accordion, insiders to the Young Feline Star’s career path report that he’s currently working on an accordion arrangement for this great hit from the 1960s. Enjoy it when you click HERE DURING Adopt-a-Cat Month. 
—- Seek cat advice or marriage tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “REVOKED BUBBA” in the subject line. —

HELLO, SWEET JUNE! AS THE LAND BEGINS TO DRY (MAYBE), READ THESE ANIMAL TALES...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, June 1, 2021 [PetPowellPress] How about this. We’re down to a 4-day week. Well, hello, June and put away that umbrella. Anybody got a “weather toe” that’s suddenly feeling the relief of a dry forecast? That’s the only surefire confirmation of a TV weather prediction. "Weather toe." Could just be a myth. Let’s talk dogs and cats.
TWO DIFFERENT STORIES:

A CAT IN A BOX; A DOG IN A MOTEL
(1) DATELINE DALLAS: We got this one off the weekend Facebook page for Dallas Animal Services and it sort of points out how big hearts are associated with DAS these days. 
Here’s the text of the DAS Facebook entry about an incident in Dallas on Sunday morning: “Not all heroes wear capes... some, like Budgie (#A1118326) have tails. Sweet Budgie boy was out on his #D90run this morning with our volunteers when his nose sniffed out a tiny orphaned kitten in an empty Nutella box on the side of the road less than a mile from our shelter. He took our volunteers right to the little kitten and they were able to get the kitten (later named Lil Nutella #A1121604) safely to our kitten nursery.
“Our staff worked quickly to get Nutella fed and warmed before placing her in a foster home where she’ll get big and strong.
"Budgie the hero is available for adoption! Learn more about him at BeDal- las90.org /pets.
“Special shout out to our #d90runner volunteers for following Budgie’s nose right to the kitten and getting Nutella to safety as quick as they could.”
 FYI: DAS also reports that on Saturday, it adopted out 57 animals. [LARRY NOTE: We have more on DAS in Contemplations.]
(2) DATELINE BONHAM — THE MOTEL DOG was photographed inside a crowded car. The story came in a Memorial Day weekend appeal from animal advocate Jennifer Sellers.
The subject line read, “DOG SOON TO BE IN KILL SHELTER,” and the text read, “This sweet girl is still in need of help.  Her owner is in a motel, soon to be homeless and the dog is going to a shelter.  She did have two dogs and found a home for one of them.  This girl has not been spayed yet. She is very good with children and other dogs.
“She is in Grayson County, Bonham, and will be going to the shelter which is a high kill one.  Please network this girl.  She needs a chance at a good life.  I'm sure transport can be arranged to the Dallas area.” To offer to help save this dog, “call or text Thoa at 903-815-5955.”
MOOMOO, SPOT & AND OTHER
TALES FROM MESQUITE…
Not all dogs are dumped at shelters; some are seized by the police and delivered there! 
Consider the cases of MooMoo and Spot and a third dog named King. Our tipster, Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm reported that the three dogs “were seized by police, taken to the Mesquite Shelter and placed in protective custody.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: We’re not sure why this happened, and we’re attempting to find out about King, but in the meantime, MooMoo and Spot need places to live.]

Debra’s report on MooMoo (left and right)  is that she’s about 5, weighs 52 pounds and is spayed. She’s also “uneasy in the shelter environment and doesn’t walk well on a leash because of her fear. She was frightened by the dogs who barked at her when she was led through the bay.  MooMoo has a low-key and mellow demeanor.  She is well-mannered, calm and gentle.  She takes treats gently and will sit for them.  MooMoo is a friendly and affectionate girl and wanted to climb up on my lap on the bench.  She is happy to receive attention.  It must be confusing to her to be at the shelter with all the noisy dogs and activity.  However, she needs a new home in which she will receive the TLC she deserves.” MooMoo is #47519243. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@ cityofmesquite.com.
Same contact points for Spot (#47852183). I couldn’t decide which photo to use of Mr. Cuteness, so I picked 3 with personalty. Spot is about 3 months old and weighs 35 pounds. Debra’s bio reads, “They don't come any cuter or sweeter than Spot.  He is a perky, spunky and playful youngster.  He has the most fun-loving, tail-wagging personality.  He would not walk on a leash at first (probably has never been on a leash) but began to walk somewhat hesitantly but this smart little boy will pick it up quickly no doubt.  I think he preferred to be carried.  Spot will be a big boy with his weight at 35 already and his large paws.  He is friendly and affectionate.  Spot takes treats gently.  He will sit but not because he is obeying a command but because he seems to just want to rest his bottom.” [LARRY ASIDE: That “rest his bottom” line made me think “They’re so human, these dogs!”]
Until we learn about King, I’ll remind you, Dear Readers, that there are many more dogs and cats in the Mesquite Shelter — like all local shelters, it’s experiencing a pandemical population boom. You can see more dogs and cats and puppies and kittens by going to the shelter website HERE. This kitten is Aries (#47761026), a smallish Siamese mix who may be a couple of months old, but who is, most certainly, a kitten with a great face — and she’s either winking at the camera or awaiting some treatment for a minor eye problem. She came in on May 14. Remember, use her ID# when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesqite.com. 

CONTEMPLATIONS
OLD THOUGHTS AND OTHER NOTIONS
When I was reading the story of Budgie and Lil Nutella at DAS, at the risk of sounding geezerish, I thought, “Good grief, things are a lot different now at DAS than they were a decade or so ago when the EU needle was constantly being worn down." That was the era of the “Leave the Cat in The Wall” episode. If that nameless cat had not escaped inside the shelter, crawled into a wall to hide and been left in the darkness and crying out en route to death, nothing would have changed at Dallas Animal Services. Nothing. Readlarrypowell.com
continues to maintain that a statue honoring that cat ought to be placed on shelter property so that people can remember The Cat That Changed Everything. It was an awful time. And now it’s so much better. Bless that cat…. If we forget these challenges, we’re not doing the right thing for future cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and, especially, the children and people who come in contact with a city shelter that has worked so hard to change its image.
Now the challenge is to get hearts OUTSIDE the shelter to change — stop the dog-fighting, stop dumping animals in out-of-the-way sections of the county and, of course, stop putting kittens into boxes and throwing them away on the side of a road.
People — what a challenge we are.
— Offer ideas or hope by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put ‘Hope for the future’ in the subject line. —

A DAY FOR HEROIC AMERICANS...

EDITION OF MEMORIAL DAY, 2021 — On May 31, Readlarrypowell. com focuses on an American day of commemoration that was created to honor those who have given their lives to protect the United States of America. 
Our gratitude is based on what we believe to be the truth: These Americans fought for peace, not for more wars. They wanted a safe and honorable nation for their families and the futures of those people. They didn’t want to fight wars so they could go into battle again. Peace and a strong, peaceful nation, an example for the world — those were the goals.
Here’s a link to some history of Memorial Day.
God bless America. Even in tough times and an era of political spats and ugly relationships, God bless the United States of America.
-- Offer opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. --

THE TV WEATHER REPORT CAPTURES THE ATTENTION OF A DELIGHTFUL CAT....



For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we feature one of each, including a cat named Simon who was caught watching the weather, sports and news on his TV.
We don't know why: He never goes outside, doesn't Uber to sports events and has never been caught in a rainstorm.
Simon Mycroft Holmes is, perhaps, the most meteorologically concerned cat in the Lone Star State. He’s a native of Dallas, born several years ago in Oak Cliff, about six miles south of Downtown Dallas. 
He began life with two siblings and a mom and then, when he was around 3 or 4 weeks old, Mom and the siblings (one orange, one tabby) vanished and left Simon kitten-screaming for food in the shubbery. I had the privlege of reaching into the brushy thicket and pulling out a kitten who was too small to be on his own. He grew.
In subsequent months, Simon adjusted to his life as a Beloved Housecat. He loves dogs, he loves cats and, yes, he loves the female he bonded with — my funspouse Martha? It’s a tossup between Martha and Porche Noel, my personal canine companion. Sometimes, Simon likes to hang with Dudley, the Border Collie/Chocolate Lab mix. Kindred formerly abandoned spirits in our front yard.
Simon has affection, also, for watching the weather and news reports. Until I snapped these photos, I did not realize how dedicated he has become to weather reports from Fox4 Meteorologist Evan Andrews.
If you’re from out of town/state/nation or, quite possibly, from one of those UFOs we’ve been hearing about lately, you should know that we’ve had a bit of rain and stormy weather around here. If you’re not from elsewhere, I guess the polite thing to do is hope that you and yours are not soggy.
One morning during this past week I caught our big cat Simon intently watching the weather forecast.
My photography is kind of lousy, but you can see Simon watching the reports and predictions and, then, in one photo, he appears to be holding his chin up so the weatherman can tickle it!
And, you can see that Simon is a baseball fan (after that sports clip he turned to me and said, “Heck, I coulda jumped and caught that one before it went over the fence and I don’t even wear a glove!” 
|
You also see that he took a gander at the traffic report.
After that, he turned to me, his feline and canine colleagues and said, “Here’s our lesson for the day. If you are in Dallas, stay indoors and off the roads and you’ll be safe.”

He claims that in his historical studies of Dallas he discovered that for a brief time in the Slumpin' 70s, the city’s marketing theme was “Out of the weather, out of the traffic — Buy Into Big D.”
After watching the weather, sports and traffic, Simon stood, stretched and announced, “Alright, ladies and gent’s, it’s time to Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap” and he jumped onto the couch and lived up to the title with his pal Porche Noel, who snores louder than Simon purrs. She also snores louder than a State Fair hog napping before judging and louder than a four-beers-too-many uncle at a family reunion.

Still, the pair of them managed to meet up on their couch and Let a Sleeping Dog Lie & a Napping Cat Nap.
Yeah, I woke 'em up to hug both of them. Simon resented it and went off to nap somewhere else. Porche's patient and went right back to sleep.
[DEAR READERS, Send us photos of your slumbering critters and the stories of their lives — it’s an opportunity to tell the world on the wide web how much you love ‘em. That address, you delightful animal nuts, is dallrp@aol.com. You’ll be helping people decide to add a loving animal to their home and you’ll inspire insomniacs to get some sleep, perhaps by getting comfort from watching a newscast in 2021. Nah, probably not from a newscast. Anyway, remember this: Save ‘em all and get some sleep!]

— Offer slumber tips or diet recipies with milk chocolate by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and putting “Drop that Snickers Bar, Smiley!” in the subject line. —-

ANIMALS TO SAVE & FOSTER AS HOLIDAY ARRIVES...STEAMBOATING THE TRINITY?

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Not that I’m unfocused, but the first time I typed in that dateline I typed “Friday, May 28, 2030” and halfway through the next keystroke I realized, “Wrong.” I was being inattentive and thinking about the holiday weekend. I suspect I am not alone. This will be my first trip to Disneyland. I’m kidding. I worked in newspaper newsrooms for 40 years — it was Disneyland every single day.
We’ve been writing about shelter animals needing help all week. We’re finishing the week’s reports with more of the appeals for help with shelters in the area. They seem to be reaching “full” at the same time. Read on — and this is a situation in all geographic directions from the Center of the Universe, which, near as I can tell is somewhere between the High Five in Dallas and the Loop 820-I-35W merges in Fort Worth. More on that flying dog in a moment. He's available.
WE START IN RICHARDSON,
WITH ‘RELATIVELY LARGE’ DOGS
The note from animal advocate Jennifer Sellers begins with “All the dogs at Richardson are relatively large and need out as they are so full!”
Here are three of the dogs in the Richardson shelter:

Grover (#20-0978D) is a 52-pound Pittie mix who is the shelter’s “longest resident.” His birthdate is listed as 11/23/2013 and he’s been in the shelter since Dec. 8, 2020.
 He and two other strays were running in traffic “from Greenville to Beltline to Highway 75.” Officers caught them. Nobody came to claim them. Grover was starving, and “had a black strap tied in a knot around his neck”. Though he can be “shy with new people: ”He is comfortable with car rides” and is getting more easy-going with people.
The 8-year-old spayed Akita mix is named “Kita,” and she weighs 52 pounds. She’s #21-0348D. The story reads, “Resident who found the dog said they saw the dog get kicked out of a car. Will bolt if she gets loose — isn’t a dog that can hang out with you off-leash.” The shelter vet removed a tumor from the girl and, the note says, it “came back as cancerous, but we were able to remove it all. It is unlikely to come back.”

Bowen is a year-old Lab mix (#21-0364D) who weighs in at 59 pounds and quite a bit of it may be ears. He’s a return (came in on 4/24/21_ and the “adoptor didn’t introduce him to any dogs or cats while they had him.”) He’s “very energetic” and, the story reads, “Didn’t ever bark.” He’s active, but he also “chewed things on the patio, like the umbrella and the screen door.” This was a brief adoption, so he may not have had time to adjust to new surroundings. According to the note, Bowen “was adopted and returned because he was too strong.) 
See more Richardson dogs by clicking on THIS LINK. And if you want to see adoptable cats, here is THAT CAT LINK.
 

This kittycat guy is Trickster (#21-0252C), a 7-year-old fellow who came in on April 9 and has been ready for adoption ever since.
See how to adopt an animal from the Richardson Animal Shelter by clicking on THE CITY’S LINK HERE.

MEANWHILE, IN LANCASTER
THE SHELTER LIST IS GROWING…
It’s springtime and it’s also an odd time in our civilization, so should it be a surprise that shelters are getting more animals released to them and, perhaps, “set free” in within a city’s limits?

n this case, we’re speaking of Lancaster as the volunteers at the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers work to line up rescue agencies and the occasional adoptor to help animals dodge the needle.

We’ve posted many photos — some of the faces stick with us and that’s why, for this holiday weekend edition, we’re re-posting Cash, whose name is spelled Kash on the Lancaster site — what does it matter to the dog? Same sound "Cash" or "Kash" when someone he loves calls his name. He and many other animals are on the Lancaster PetFinder LINK HERE. 
Kash/Cash has been at the Lancaster shelter longer than any other resident, we’re told by 4-Legged Helpers. To ask about him, contact the reliable folks at 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. [LARRY ASIDE: I'm holding off on beginning a note "What is the matter with you pickleheads? Can't you see this is a good dog with a whole lot of love in his face?" I don't know many of you well enough to call you a "picklehead," though, of course, there are some that I do know that well....]
OPERATION KINDNESS
DESPERATE FOR FOSTERS
Based on the news release from the legendary no-kill shelter Operation Kindness, timing has depleted the number of available foster families at precisely a most-difficult time.
 The release says that OK is at full capacity with kittens and needs some fosters to step up and help the kittens. According to the news release, “TNR (Trap, Neuter, Spay, Return) efforts across the country were halted due to the pandemic, resulting in a booming kitten season—that time of year when the warmer weather results in the influx of kittens being born. Due to the recent arrival of kittens, Operation Kindness is seeking foster families to help care for kittens that are bottle babies or older. With a high demand of requests for help with kittens, the shelter is turning to the community to help support animals in need.”
 To ask about getting involved, call the shelter at 972-418-7297 or visited operationkindness.org/foster.
And if you’d like to see some available kittens, here are two video clips: Purring napper HERE and cute little rascal saying "Hey, does my paw look big?" HERE.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
WE BEGIN WITH BUTTERCUP
The dog bio volunteers at Mesquite, Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm, never run out of animals to write about. So, as the holiday weekend arrives, we’ll cite some of them and hope there are good hearts out there just aching to have a good dog forever.

Judi says Buttercup is the “beautiful, tawny-colored, one-year-old terrier pit with eyes that compliment her coloring nicely.”
 Came in as a stray on the 21st and is “a delightful, friendly, happy, wiggly girl who appears to love everyone.: Laid-back personality. Sits for treats, takes them gently. Weighs 42 pounds. She’s #47815124 and get this description, “She wiggles so much that she was even wiggling while she was sitting!”

 This dog Frankie (#47815678) isn’t even a year old, but he’s already been picked up as a stray and delivered to the shelter (May 21). Judi met 10-month-old Frankie, too, and wrote, “At the window and in his kennel he was very friendly. When I walked him through the bay he tried to make friends with all the dogs right down the line. His tail was wagging constantly. Then when I got him out in the yard his demeanor changed. I could see that he was fearful.  He had flight issues. He kept wanting to hide underneath the bench.  So for that reason I did not take his leash off. He would cautiously come to me and tentatively take a treat from my hand. He also did sit for treats. He would flinch when I went to reach out to him. Because he has trust issues I also had a behavioralist  work briefly with him. He is a work in progress. I plan to continue working with him and and enlist other volunteers to do the same. Hopefully in a few days we can post another evaluation showing that he is more trusting and friendly”
Here the basics on Coco: Mixed breed girl, owner surrender on 5/25, weighs 35 pounds, spayed, about 3 … And there’s this: She has charmed Debra! 
The devoted biographer Debra writes, “There is so much to like about precious Coco. She walks beautifully on a leash.  She did not react to the other dogs when walked through the bay.  She knows the sit and shake commands.  She is a frisky and spunky girl without being hyperactive.  She is so happy to sit for treats and will take them gently.  Coco is amiable and is A-OK with receiving attention.  She has the most beautiful soul-searching eyes.  She is a tail-wagging, fun-loving girl with such a sweet and gentle disposition.  Can you tell I'm crazy about Coco?” Use her ID #47807882 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

Debra also met Patches, this Pittie mix who has two definite looks! The 55-pound, 3-year-old former stray (came in on the 20th), has an unpatched side and a patched side as you can see in his photographs. 
Debra says, “He has a confident and outgoing personality and is athletic. He chases balls but doesn’t know to return them.” And, he’s happy when treats are available. He’ll need “an owner who can handle his energy level,” Debra says. He’s #47802356. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Debra also met Maverick, described as “a nearly pure-bred Siberian Husky” surrendered to the shelter on the 17th. Why? “Reason for the surrender is that they could not keep him inside their fence. He would jump the fence and run away.”
 He’s a year-and-a-half, weighs 67 pounds and, if that photo can be believed, Maverick can fly. None of his paws are on the ground!
His surrendering humans acquired Maverick about six months ago and he just sort of was a bit too lively, energetic and escape-prone for the people. As Debra explained, “Huskies are known escape artists so Maverick needs to have a rescue foster or adopter who can give him plenty of exercise and a fence that cannot be scaled or dug under.” Maverick is #45611264. You know the drill: Use the ID number when you call the shelter at 972-824-9037 or email at rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

You’ve all seen dogs with special needs. Lance is a dog with a special don’t-need. [LARRY NOTE: Using my native Northeast Texan, I’ll type in the language of the tall pines: “He don’t need to be around no ducks ’n' chickens.”

That’s what cost him his home. The 56-pound, 4-year-old Lance was returned to the shelter by a sad adoptor. Debra included the adoptor’s praise and explanation. The adoptor said, “He was great with the babies, the dogs (all female), no signs of food aggression, didn’t chew anything up, liked to play outside and run around, super chill inside - just laid around close but not too close to be tripped over, never got on the furniture. He will be an amazing dog for a family with no birds."

As Debra wrote, “The issue was that Lance chased their chickens and ducks and actually got one of the ducks and injured it. This is an amazing dog and will make a wonderful addition to someone's family.”

Lance is #47731038 — use the ID when you call the shelter at 972-824-9037 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS
OVERLOADED SHELTERS, MOWING, THE CRUISE
I’ve gotten notes from several places this week about “overloaded shelters” and the question becomes, “Are people who got animals to help them cope with the pandemic, now unloading those animals?” I hate to think ill of humans, but I’ve been watching the species for a long time — still waiting on DNA testing to see if I am a member of the human race. (Martha has voted “no,” but I think she’s smiling about the vote.) I’m secretly hoping DNA tests will show I’m descended from a Laughing Hyena ancestor who was assigned to babysit the puppies and kittens from the FDLs. You don’t know FDLs? First Domestic Litters. I might have made some of that up. Not the overcrowding stories, though. It is springtime. Not everybody heeds spay/neuter and not everybody is mindful of keeping their animals in safe places, i.e., yards without escape routes, etc. … 
At some point soon, I’ll be mowing our gigantic yard. Thank you, constant Texas deluge. The grass in our yard grew faster than a well-fed puppy. ...
The thing about writing an edition for the Friday launching a 3-day weekend is you cannot get your mind off what you have planned. We’re leaving at Midnight Friday on one of those new Riverboat Gambler cruises on the Trinity River. We board the paddlewheelin’ casino boat, The Big D Moneymaker, at the Trinity Bay near Houston, then steam north to Dallas. It’s really fast, but the name “BulletBoat” was copyrighted by the people who invented the proposed BulletTrain between Houston and Dallas. I might have made that up. I have been in Houston and Dallas traffic and I can testify that a riverboat on a typically nearly-dry river is going to be faster than a car ride on the "improved" Dallas freeways. 

—- Begin your weekend with an opinion on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com and put “find a steady tiller goofball” in the subject line. ——

SUCH ADORABLE FACES; CATS AND THE PLANETS; LOOKING BACK AT DEJA VU

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 [PetPowellPress] On Wednesday morning I awoke uncharacteristically late and, while brewing my first cup of coffee, looked out the kitchen window to the east and discovered the sun was there, as if it had always been there for the past two weeks of rain and cloudy obstructions. Kind of comforting to know that the Sun, like lots of Earthlings, has been waiting for the sky to clear so it could get about its routine business.
Not that any of us are as bright a the sun, of course. That dog? A ray of sunshine in need of a home. Read on.
SISTERS LUCY AND ETHEL,
TERRIFIED STRAYS UNCLAIMED;
& 'CUTE PUPPY ALERT’
We got the sisters' story from Judi Brown, the volunteer dog bio writer at Mesquite Animal Services.

Lucy is the girl without the white streak on her muzzle. Ethel is her sister. [LARRY ASIDE: Some of you much older readers will recall the characters of Lucy and Ethel in Lucille Ball’s pioneering sitcom, I Love Lucy.]

Judi says the girls are a year-and-a-half old Australian cattle dogs who came into the shelter on May 18. 
“Both of them had to be carried in as they were very scared,” Judi wrote. “Lucy is the dominant of the two and is very protective of Ethel. If a treat is thrown into the kennel, she’ll make sure she gets it before Ethel does. But on the other hand, when Ethel is scared and needing comfort, Lucy will lay on her. Both are a work in progress."
Lucy (#47788118) weighs 44 pounds. Ethel (#47788045) weighs about 52 pounds. Judi writes that Ethel “is particularly a work in progress. For the first three or four days, she hid under the bench. She is learning to trust and allowed me to pet her…. Since they are a bonded pair and have been together for one-and-a-half years, hopefully they will get to go to the same home.” 
Use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Debra Chisholm, Judi’s volunteer colleague in canine biographies, sent us this note from Mesquite and labeled it CUTE PUPPY ALERT. The young stray #47798760, known as Mia, came in as a stray on May 19. She’s about 4 months old and weighs 29 pounds. Debra wrote, “The Dog Scanner app identifies her as a mixed breed (with possibly Australian Kelpie, Manchester Terrier, Carolina Dog in the mix).  Whatever she is, she is completely adorable.”
 [LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com has identified her as an Earhound. Look at those accessories! Cute and big ears!!!]
 She was initially uncomfortable with being on a leash, but Debra worked with her — “Possibly had never had one on before,” Debra wrote. Mia adjusted, however. 
“She knows the sit command and will take treats gently.  She is a friendly youngster and wanted to sit next to me on the bench or climb up to be near me. She is happy to receive loving attention.  She is a bit uneasy and nervous in the noisy and busy shelter environment. … She is active and lively but not hyperactive.”
 Mia is #47798760. Use her ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
 You can see many more of Mesquite’s adorable adoptables by going to the website HERE.
[LARRY ASIDE: I couldn’t help myself when I spotted this listing in the Mesquite cat section. 
You’ll note, if my science holds up, a kitten representing almost every planet in our solar system though, of course, there are two missing: Uranus and Pluto — he’s a dog from the Disney universe. But some of us still list Pluto as a planet, but we’re old-school planetarians. Nobody with a heart would name a cat Uranus. Right?]
IT’S THE FACES
THAT GET TO YA, RIGHT?
We opened an email from 4-Legged Helpers and the first passage echoes that headline. Writing about this girl Tasha, currently in the Lancaster shelter, the Helpers said, “Every once in a while a dog comes in where your heart just breaks to see her sweet eyes. This is the most precious, loving little girl but her face and eyes say it all: ‘PLEASE, won't you help SAVE ME?  Please???’ ”
You see, also, the face belonging to Flynn as the young male Rhodesian Ridgeback/Shepherd mix, looks up to show some appreciation for the loving hand that is helping him cope with his day.
The face on Lady is happy in spite of things. She’s a young Lab/Boxer mix who came into the Ferris Shelter (at Lancaster temporarily) when her human died. She’s “very sweet and loving”

There are so many dogs in the Lancaster Shelter and the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers are hustling to get them out and into happy homes or happy rescue situations..
And, of course, we feel the need to make another pitch for this guy Cash, the Bulldog mix who has been in the Lancaster shelter for a long, long time and is very available.
For these animals or any other animals in the Lancaster Shelter, contact 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

CONTEMPLATIONS

LOOKING BACK AT DEJA VU
Call this “A Note About Siblings.” Some of you are siblings. Maybe you can relate.

Over the weekend I saw a feature on CBS Sunday Morning about the legendary 1970 hit album Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. CBS interviewed Crosby, Stills and Nash but not Young. Seems to be some bad blood between some of those boys. That aside, I remember the first time I heard the album. 
My little brother Barry had come back home during a break at the University of Texas. I was still working at The Texarkana Gazette so it was easy for us and our little brother Garry, still in high school and living at home, to meet up at Mom’s and Pop’s house. 

We isolated ourselves in the small bedroom we’d shared as kids and Barry, with his UT hippie hair, says, “You’ve gotta hear this album.” He plopped it onto the Montgomery-Ward stereo turntable I’d bought for the room a few years earlier and opened a new world of music to us. 
So, yeah, on Sunday morning a half-century later, watching the CBS tribute to the album, I missed my brothers a big danged ton. And, as I write this, I’m listening to the album — not the actual album, but the version you can click on with a mouse and hear on speakers hidden somewhere in my computer screen. Mouse, onboard speakers and computer screens — things that wouldn’t be commonplace for another decade. Now, in 2021, I am thoroughly miffed by the fact that I can listen to the 1970 album but not hear the voices of my brothers. It would be neat if they called me and asked what I’m doing. It would also be a hallucination, I fear.  
Deja Vu is a listening album — not sure anybody ever danced to a song on the platter, as we used to say. 
Looking at the album cover, my funspouse Martha asked, “What's the dog’s name?” and my research could find no info about this dog other than it just happened to be walking across the set when the picture was snapped. Timing — it’s the key to everything. Hit songs, snapping the photo and getting to spend time with a hippie brother, a cowboy brother and a record album that was a signature of the era. The eras rolled on and so did the brothers. Enjoy your siblings — their company and their memories.  And, if you were ever in a big-time rock band, try to find some harmony for the good of yourself and world.
—- Offer memories or wishes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “NO TIME MACHINES WORKING” in the subject line. —-

A HAPPY FACE ON CENTRAL; DOGS AND A KITTEN WAITING....

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Personal driving note: I was on Central Expressway — wait, let me rephrase. On Tuesday morning I’d been trying to get onto Central Expressway at the downtown entrance for several minutes. 
I waited through three red lights and two DART trains.
Finally, our lane was cleared for entry. 
It took me back to my days as an assignment editor.
I didn’t see any happy faces driving cars and trucks in the lanes next to me. 
Finally, the bottleneck opened up and we managed to pick up some speed and spread out a little bit. I thought, “If I were still a newspaper editor, I might assign a feature-writer to find the happiest face on Central Expressway."
That reporter would have a challenge — I guess Central has been a Freeway of Unhappy Faces since it was paved.
Ah, but, then, just before the rain began to unload on us in buckets, I looked ahead and, yes, there it was, The Happiest Face on Central Expressway. I have no idea who the driver was or what the dog’s name is, but that was one happy face on a dog. Hang my mug out the window and let the wind whip my ears as I look around at all the action and the stormy skies, too. Bless dogs. I wish they could teach humans who to enjoy all the events of a lifetime. We try to teach dogs how to “shake hands” and “sit” and they’d rather \enjoy life as if it exists just to give them happy moments. And, maybe, that’s the reality of existence and humans just can’t fathom that. I thought “fathom” was appropriate usage considering how deep the water got at some of the “run-off” spots on Riverside as I was trying to get out of town. Deeper than the Trinity River in August.
Happy traveling, beautiful car dog!
SO, THIS KITTEN AND A GERMAN SHEPHERD
HAD AN ENCOUNTER AND THE CAT …
Yes, the cat escaped and that is why Beckett is waiting for adoption or rescue at the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
The bio note from 4-Legged Helpers describes him as a “precious little fluffball.” It continues, “This adorable tiny, little baby guy was way up a tree trying to get away from a German Shepherd. The ACO had to rescue him by planting a ladder to get him. He is baby sweet and extremely friendly and loveable.”
Then, following in the Black and White theme, we present Ethan. 4-Legged Helpers describes him as a male Pointer or Mix, adding, “Beautiful guy with big, pretty eyes and beautiful markings. Ethan is a cutie that is posing for the camera. … He is a gentle, sweet soul that clearly had never been in a shelter before and so much wants someone to save him.”
While there are many dogs and cats waiting for help in the Lancaster shelter, we’ll cite this girl Alyssa, a young “Bulldog Mix” who has “blue” coat tendencies but “has an interesting blonde overcoat,” the bio reads. 
There’s also this note about the beautiful girl: “She loves to show her tummy at every opportunity, so wanting love and petting, and is a great little girl.” Beautiful eyes, adorable ears and, of course, a certain amount of pure charm! 
To ask about her or any of the animals in the Lancaster shelter, get in touch with the 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on being the go-between for animals held in smaller, low-traffic shelters in the Metrosprawl. Call or text 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Oh, and once again we’ll feature this guy Cash, possibly the longest-tenured resident of the Lancaster shelter. He is a bulldog mix who was an owner-release. And he “adores people,” his bio says. The 4-Legged Helpers describe him as “the perfect guy for someone looking for that one, special dog in their life.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
OPERA, TOENAILS, HUMMINGBIRDS
Have you seen the current “opera on the bus” commercial for J.G. Wentworth? It’s a continuing theme with the Wentworth company's ads. In fact, my intense research, spurred by memories of the song, found that it once was a Viking Theme Opera. Click HERE to see the Viking Opera version of the commercial....

I’m accustomed to getting emails from animal people, from politicians, from newspapers, from publications — but at 1:14 p.m. Tuesday, I got an email from “Ugly Toenails.” I thought it was one of the guys I went to high school with. Wasn’t. It was an “anti-fungus” promotion. It said, “These two nutrients reverse nail fungus while you sleep.” No idea if the bottle has a line that says, “Insomniacs should check with physician.” No telling what that stuff does to your toes if you can’t sleep….

And here’s a spring note: I got an email with the subject line “sparkling lanterns and hummingbird stakes for your garden.” Oh, come on, the lanterns I understand, but who stakes out hummingbirds?
—- Offer a thought or a consideration by clicking on “comment” below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “Staked Hummingbirds Fire Up Texas Electric Grid” in the subject line. —-

 

ON TAP DANCE DAY, WE'RE SENDING MESSAGES ABOUT A DOG AND A CAT AND BOJANGLES....

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Please. Feel free to change into your dancing shoes. Why? Because this is National Tap Dance Day, as declared on Nov. 7, 1989, by President George H.W. Bush. The folks at Holiday Insights, the online calendar, report that Tap Dance Day was declared by a U.S. Congressional Joint Resolution approved by both houses and sent to the prez for his signature without argument.
Things used to be so much simpler in Washington.
The day honors Bill “Bojangles” Robinson — read more when you tap your way to Contemplations. That is the star dancer in a long-ago pose. Of course, the way it’s been raining we’re more likely to take a shot at Gene Kelly’s splash dance in Singin’ in the Rain. But, Bojangles’ Stair Dance is an interesting performance. Read on.
WE FIND OURSELVES SEEKING
A NEW PLACE FOR AN UNEASY DOG
That headline addresses something that comes up every now and then in local shelters. This time, however, we’re joining with longtime pals and animal rescuers and advocates Della and David Wallace to help place a dog who is "difficult" and that attitude of "difficult" is simply not good for the dog!

Last week Della and David saved him by adopting him out of the Lancaster Animal Shelter (that's his shelter photo)where the clock was ticking —he came to our attention via rescue efforts by the non-profit 4-Legged helpers.
 He was on the Helpers’ radar because he was a difficult case in the shelter. So, as last weekend arrived, David and Della got the boy. 
You may recall from our first appeal for Jackson that he is a “middle-aged Chihuahua who, as the bio read, “sadly is very upset about being released to the shelter. He came in and is in a little kennel and so far doesn’t want to let anyone touch him.”
When David and Della got him home, he continued to be untouchable. A show of teeth, a growl, perhaps a warning bark. This went on for days — and David and Della are not rookies at charming shelter animals.
Everybody knows there is a "good dog" waiting to emerge from the terrified, uneasy dog. 
But, Della, because she cares more about the dog than about forcing the dog to be miserable for the sake of a nervous love, declared it is time to get Darin into, perhaps, a one-animal home with extraordinarily patient people, i.e., a place he can embrace. (That's Darin's 'I'm-cautious-in-my-crate' photo. He was having nothing to do with the photographer.)
About 10 p.m. Monday, Dellas sent a note about this little dog. “He is quiet,” she wrote. “I think if the right person gets him, he will not act aggressively. He is afraid. He stays in his bed most of the time and has not destroyed anything that I can see. He gets up and strolls around when he wants to. He is not locked in a crate. FYI, I haven’t touched him yet because he is still too nervous. I think he would maybe do well with a doggy friend, but I’m not sure about that.  He really needs a loving forever home.”

To offer to help this dog re-learn that he can trust people and even love them, email Della at 
dellawallace39@gmail.com.
CRYSTAL THE CAT…
HER LOVING STORY
We learned of this from our longtime rescue tipster Deborah Lynn Verner — in fact, I’m almost certain Debra is the first rescuer to tell me about the Dowdy Ferry dumping area years and years ago. She’d been out there picking up dumped animals and saving lives.
Now, in 2021, she’s having some health challenges and has been moving her dogs and cats into other homes for their own good. 
That brings us to Crystal, this cat. “I still have one cat that needs rescue or a new home due to (my) worsening health issues,” Debra wrote. “I rescued Crystal 11 1/2 years ago from my neighborhood. Her Mom was a feral. The first time I spotted Crystal, she was walking down the sidewalk with her two sibling and Mom. Rather, she adopted me. I took her in when she was about 3 months old. I actually rescued her brother first after finding him in the front yard, panting, etc. He had much worse vision problems that she does, and he went to a rescue.
She's a small Siamese mix, a spayed female with crystal blue eyes (hence her name). She's very shy but sweet. She is UTD on shots, spayed and not microchipped. She gets along with dogs and other cats. She stays in my bedroom all the time, where she is most comfortable due to vision issues.”
Deborah also wrote, “I love this little cat, but she needs a better home. I'm desperate at this point.” (Here’s a LINK to Deborah’s Facebook page.
CONTEMPLATIONS
TAPPING, BOJANGLES & A PERMIT TO CARRY?
The good folks at Holiday Insights listed four ways to celebrate National Tap Dance Day. (1) Learn how to tap dance. (2) Watch a movie with tap dancing. (3) Learn more about tap dancing. (4) Learn about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. As promised, CLICK HERE TO SEE Mr. Robinson doing the Stair Dance.  You can read about him in several places by Googling “Bojangles Robinson.”
If you’d like to see me tap-dancing to The Typewriter Song, click HERE. Come on, did you really think I’m a tap dancer? Not me; I’m a typer. …
Speaking as a native Texan without a firearm and armed only by bad moods, I’d like to point out that in the State of Texas, you may currently open carry cats and kittens, dogs and puppies, but you will need a permit, i.e., a license to carry them in public so everybody can see how cute they are!
—- Offer doubts or expectations by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and putting “FREE KITTENS; HALF OFF!” in the subject line. —-

NO MELON COLLIE DANE THIS HAMLET; AVAILABLE CANINES & FELINES; CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 [PetPowellPress] As William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” We’ll get back to another Hamlet in a moment. First, we cite a Dane, perhaps unrelated to The Bard’s “melancholy Dane” — this dog is no melon collie.

GALINDA THE DANE MIX
WAITING IN ARLINGTON
We got the tip on this dog Galinda early in the weekend and a check of the Arlington Animal Shelter website shows her still there Sunday, i.e., no notice that someone has tagged the “rescue only” girl Galinda, a Great Dane mix.
[LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com lived for more than a decade with a big ol darlin’ Dane mix named Hammy (Hambone Jack, Canine King of the Blues). Sweet and tender guy. Maybe a human heart can help Galinda be a sweet and tender girl.]
Here’s the LINK to Arlington’s animals.
Galinda is #47779274, a little over a year old, and she’s listed as “XL” in size — according to a note about her, that translates to 110 pounds. She came in on May 17 and is in “Dog Holding” as a “Rescue Only.”
The note that came with her photos says she’s a bit timid in the shelter, also, “shy, body low, mouth closed and body stiff….not comforted by gentle voice.”
 Just needs the right gentle voice to give her a good life.
A FIRST IN THE CATEGORY
OF DOGS AND THEIR NAMES

(THE CAT NAMES ARE FAMILIAR)
Yep, we’re almost certain this is the first dog we’ve encountered who bears the moniker of “Blueberry.” Our tipster, volunteer Mesquite Shelter dog biographer Judi Brown, says Blueberry is a “delightful 2-year-old Catahoula/Blue Heeler mix” — came in as a stray on the 14th. Big tailwagger, big kisser. “He is friendly, enthusiastic, happy, fun-loving and affectionate," Judi writes. Motivated by treats, needs work on his ball-chasing and return skills. Takes treats gently. Weighs 40 pounds and needs an “active family,” Judi says, “One that would love him and keep his active intelligent mind occupied.”
He’s #47762232 — use that ID number when you ask about him at the shelter’s # 972-216-6283 or when you email rescues@cityofmesaquite.com.

Those are also the contact points for this fellow Draco, a Mixed Breed boy who came in as a stray on the 14th. He’s #47759182 and weighs around 65 pounds at six-months old, according to reliable tipster Debra Chisholm, also a volunteer dog biographer at Mesquite Animal Services.
 Draco “walks OK on a leash” and is a high-energy pup who “is very much in need of manners training.” He does it for treats and take’s ‘em gently, so that’s a sign that he’d be happy to be trained by a someone gently but firmly devoted to dog manners. 

You can see more Mesquite dogs and cats by going to THIS LINK.
That cat is #47655815, Bailey, a 10-year-old brown and orange girl who came in on April 30 and is in quarantine at the shelter.
While Bailey’s an older girl, the shelter also has kittens — from the Snow White catalog there are kittens Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Dopey and Sneezy.

And from the bread rack there are kittens Ciabatta, Brioche, Pita and Rye.

There’s also a 4-year-old Tabby fellow whose name is Bob.

Bob Cat, I guess.

He’s #47679258.

HARK, HAMLET AWAITS
AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES

You don’t often see a dog named Hamlet waiting for adoption in Dallas Animal Services. But, there he is, #A1120208, a year-old, 70-pound German Shepherd mix who certainly has the ears to qualify as an Earhound.
No telling how the Immortal Bard would have described this dog had they met along the Avon and enjoyed a day of walking and thinking and observing human situations that could be turned into plot twists and fabulous scenes with swordplay and romance.

Speaking of fabulous, this guy Hamlet is among the many, many free adoption dogs waiting in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. Go to
bedallas90.org to see how to get this free dog.
And remember, no knaves need apply.
CONTEMPLATIONS
CESAR, SLEEPING & CAT CAN
While listening to Texas Rangers baseball and with the TV silently tuned to the PGA golf tournament, I found this sentiment on a Fort Worth neighborhood page that daily has a bunch of notices about found or lost dogs. A resident wrote, “If I could be anyone, I’d be Cesar Milan so I could adopt all the lost dogs in our neighborhood and add them to my pack.” Have to have a pretty big cattle spread to handle that many dogs. The ranch would have to be so large that Mr. Milan, known as “The Dog Whisperer,” would have to shout! ….
Anybody else having trouble sleeping in these last few days of May? No idea why. It’s not too much coffee. Might be not enough ice cream — that’s what I’d prefer to believe, of course. …
Perhaps you read our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap — it focused on my office cat William Powell and the need for a well-equipped Cat Starter Kit when you adopt a fresh kitten. I mentioned that anyone adopting a kitten should make sure the Cat Kit has a box of bandages for coping with that period during which kittens learn to use the pointy claws on their little paws. You see here a photo of my hand with a finger I had to bandage after a kitten bit it off… I’m kidding. Here’s what happened: As I was preparing our cats’ evening meal Saturday, I popped the top on a can of Turkey & Giblets Pate’ and, after about 20,000 of those cans, I finally sliced open a finger on the lid. I have no idea how I did it, I just know that a finger laceration can bleed like it needs a battlefield tourniquet. I used antibiotic cream, direct pressure and an unyielding bandage. Did this bother my typing: You’ll note this edition has no “o’s”, “l’s” or >s. I’m kidding. Still, my apologies to cats and kittens for suggesting that they’d be the cause of bloody fingers. My solution to this problem? Welder’s gloves at feeding time. Or just watch what you’re doing when you pop the lid on a can of critter food. I should be able to resume playing the piano in time for the holiday performances of The Trinity Bottoms Yuletide Orchestra this fall. I’m kidding — you think state law lets a guy who cuts himself on a cat food can get a license to tickle the ivories?
…. Offer opinions or make musical requests by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “Play Misty For Me” in the subject line. —-