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Oreo's gives "legacy" two meanings! (And we have some other animal stories, too...)

We have a very special Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap this weekend. It is a  piece that was originally prepared for Urban Animal Magazine and would have been used as the “Part of Our Family” feature. 

After 10 years in print, Urban Animal has gone away. But in that decade editor/publisher Bob Walton managed to raise the level of animal rescue and discussion in North Texas. And, in honor of Bob’s work, and with his permission, we’re declaring this an Urban Animal combination of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie  & Napping Cats Nap While Being Part of Our Family. We were tipped to this great story of a dogs and the legacy of dogs by Gabrielle Wallace of Forté Group Inc., a marketing person with a love of pups.
And it’s a story that ought to be told -- a story of the value of a dog to a man who loves the rascal. This dog is following a legacy and enhancing a Legacy! 
As you can see from that opening photograph, Oreo the Dog absolutely qualifies for “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.” Oreo is one good snoozer!
But Oreo has a lot of other positives, too, as we discovered in an interview with Michael Ellentuck who, if it were not for Oreo holding the title, would be the “Top Dog” at The Legacy Senior Communities. As it is, Mr. Ellentuck settles for being the company President. (Read about Legacy and its dog-friendly philosophy.) Here’s our report with thanks to Gabrielle, Bob Walton, Mr. Ellentuck and the great Oreo.
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       Gatsby the Dog had passed away and Michael Ellentuck was not quite ready to adopt again, not quite ready to have a dog that would be compared to the great Gatsby.

          Around three years ago, Michael says, “My wife Linda had been asking ‘When are we going to get another dog?’”

          Without telling Linda, he went to Operation Kindness, the no-kill shelter in Carrollton. But this particular day, he was just not finding the right dog -- after all, Gatsby, who’d died at the age of 18, left quite a legacy on the family heart. 

“I was about to leave when there was my dog -- reincarnated! -- laying there in the corner. It was frightening how closely they resembled each other! He came over, got in my lap and looked in my eyes.”  

That sealed the deal. Since that moment, Oreo has been part of the Ellentuck family and other families, too. 

          Some dogs have one home. Oreo has two. He lives with Michael and Linda but in the daytime when Michael, President/CEO of the Legacy Senior Communities, is at his office, Oreo is at home there, too! He is the walking (sometimes slumbering!) symbol of The Legacy animal-friendly senior communities Ellentuck leads, particularly The Legacy at Willow Bend in Plano.

         “Our community is dog friendly. We built Legacy to be dog friendly-- several hundred people live here and about 20 people have dogs -- and part of what we did was to build a doggie park.  This is about the dog’s quality of life, too. I wanted to make sure the dogs have a quality of life ”as did the people who are considering moving here with their “best friend.”

          Oreo, an 8-year-old terrier mix, follows in Gatsby’s paw steps from home to the office. They are significant paw steps – the cocktail lounge at the Legacy Willow Bend is named Gatsby’s. It’s an indication that Michael’s dogs are both part of the family and part of the office.  “Fortunately I’ve always been able to do that -- always had dogs I could take to work with me.”

           Taking Oreo home to Linda produced a bit of a surprise. “When I walked in the house with him, she was just shocked and thrilled, almost crying. It was a shock; here was Gatsby reincarnated.”

          Other people who’d known Gatsby were also shocked. “The first time I took him to work, our main receptionist, Julie,  literally gasped and said, ‘I thought Gatsby was dead.’ ... They do have very different personalities. But this was just an omen. It was meant to be.”  Oreo weighs in at 28 pounds, just like Gatsby. Both were rescued, as was Michael’s dog before Gatsby, Monty, who lived to be 14.   Michael praises Oreo as “the sweetest most mellow, laid-back dog you’ll ever meet in your life.”

          At the corporate office and on the property, Oreo “lays on his back and people walk by and pet him. ... He never barks -- he’s just a mellow dog. Gatsby was a lot more hyper!”

          Oreo had a history. “The guy who originally owned him had Oreo and a couple of German Shepherds,” says Michael. “He had to give up all his dogs. Oreo was at Operation Kindness for a number of months and another family adopted him. But he was a ‘marker‘ and they brought him back.” 

          When Michael started the adoption process, the OK people warned him about the marking. Not to call Michael  “The Marker Whisperer,”  but he has a way of communicating with Oreo. “We came home. He peed, marked a spot. We had a conversation and he never did it again.”

PICK YOUR PET OR YOUR PET PICK YOU? He definitely picked me. 

HOW ABOUT THAT NAME? He was already named Oreo.

ANY MARKETABLE SKILLS, SPECIAL TRICKS?  “He doesn’t have a job. He doesn’t have an income, which would be a nice skill. If I said, ‘Lay down,’ he lays down, rolls over. “

CELEBRITY LOOK-ALIKE? He looks most like Gatsby, his predecessor.

ON A POLITICAL PARTY MAILING LIST? He’s independent.

WHOSE HAIRSTYLE COSTS MORE? “His is the most expensive!”

TAKE YOUR PET CAR SHOPPING? “Yes. In fact, I was buying a little Mini Cooper. I went back a half dozen times and took Oreo. I said the last part of this deal is I want at Mini Cooper dog collar for Oreo. He [the salesman] gave me one, so Oreo wears a Mini Cooper Dog Collar. He sits in the front seat like an adult. He has to have the window open. He has learned in each car we have to push the button to open the window. I put it up, he puts it down!” 

ALL PETS ARE PERFECT, BUT... “He doesn’t destroy anything. He’s never destroyed anything. Gatsby would take my socks and hide them.” 

MOST ADORABLE THING? “When we’re watching TV on the couch, he sits up like a raccoon on his little fat butt like a person sitting in a chair ... When I come home he runs to the couch and sits up like that.” Then, first thing, Oreo gets his treat. “He’s definitely modified my behavior.”

ODDEST THING YOUR DOG DOES? “He talks. I will get him talking. It’s not barking. It’s like talking. People watch it and they’re just freaked out by it. He doesn’t bark -- it’s a whole different sound. He’s a very smart dog.” 

FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WANT TO TAKE YOUR DOG HOME? “Yes, nobody wants to take me home but everybody wants my dog.”

DOG HAVE A JOB? “When he comes to works with me, his job is to go and visit the residents. I have him in meetings in my conference room; he gets up in the chair. People come back and want to see him.”

IN A PREVIOUS LIFE? “He was a person.”

TREAT WE SHARE? TRAIT WE SHARE? “I don’t eat his dog treats -- he likes apples and carrots. ... We both like to go for walks.” 

AT BEDTIME? “He sleeps on my head. I have to make his pallet behind my pillow every night. He’ll sit there while I make his pallet just right. ... He licks my head in the middle of the night.”

I’VE SNUCK MY DOG INTO...? “Where ever they’ll let me take  him, he goes.”

MY DOG WAS IN MY WEDDING? “He would have been.”

DOG HAVE POWERS OF PERSUASION? “At 2 p.m. when he’s at work, he goes and just lays down in the hallway. That’s my first signal he wants to go home. At 4 p.m., he finds me and sits right in front of me and just stares at me. You won’t see him all day, then it’s 4 o’clock and he sits right in front of me and says it’s time to go home. It’s a stare like no other.”

When it's smoochy time, I kiss my pet on the lips, top of the head, nose or we do a Hollywood air kiss-kiss? “I kiss him anywhere. My other dog and I used to eat Popsicles together!”

[TO NOMINATE your slumbering critter or office mate for our weekly spotlight in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send photos and info to [email protected]. If you’d like to feature your critter in a “Part of Our Family” column, we’ll happily help you do that, too! Send a request and we’ll send you the questions. Giving people an opportunity to see the joy of critter companionship is a great mission and we’re proud to be part of it. The fact that animals have happy lives helps my fellow insomniacs get some sleep! That’s our theory. Now, keep reading because we’ve got opportunities for the weekend.]

TANK’S FACE -- IT’S MAGIC! 

Oh, goodness, have you ever seen such a handsome face? Sydney Busch of the great Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent us these photos and this note:
“This handsome, incredibly sweet boy can't help it that I'm a terrible photographer!  He looks much better than my photo is making him to be!

“He is now neutered, vaccinated, recovering and is available for adoption at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake (shelter in Tool)...Their phone number is 903-432-3422...Go check him out!  (Hint:  he loves peanut
butter!)” [LARRY ASIDE: That may explain the "larrupin' " pose in the photo on the right!]
Yes, this guy is one of the happy customers at the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas. 

Ask anyone who has a Pit pup laying around the house, they’re great companions and keep Peter Pan Peanut Butter, Skippy, Jiff and other brands in business. And they’re huggable -- add some grape jelly to the sandwich and their doggie breath smells like childhood. 

Tank is being restrained because he has a tendency to greet the camera with affection! He’s the photographer’s friend. And anybody else’s friend if they have a jar of peanut butter!

FOR YOUR WEEKEND PURSUITS:
We’ll try to keep these short. If you’re out near Jacksboro, northwest of Fort Worth, or feel like a nice drive, the Jacksboro Animal Shelter has a male and female Chihuahua pair -- 9 years old, fixed, mannerly, good with all sorts of critters and people. “No one adopts in Jacksboro and these guys are in a small pen and need out.” To ask email [email protected] or call Star Kinder at 940-507-2165. ...
From the other side of the metrosprawl, Yantis, southeast of Greenville, an appeal is issued on behalf of this dog. (Contact is [email protected].) Terrell Animal Alliance’s note says, “We were contacted by a lady who came across a sweet girl who is chained in a field with no shelter whatsoever from the elements.  She is in Yantis, Texas, which is Southeast of Greenville.  And chained ACROSS the street from where her 'wonderful examples of humanity' owners live.  Just heartbreaking. Picture attached and looks like she's still holding out some hope with maybe a little blur of a tail wag?  She [a rescuer] has talked to them and they don't want her (obviously) and are willing to give her up.  This GS [Good Samaritan] is looking for a place that has room to take this girl in.  Border collie mix maybe?  I have no information about vetting - but whadda ya bet no vetting??” 

And there’s a little kitten note, too. It was forwarded to us by Karen Lee, the animal advocate. The note from Christina Bartha reads, Our pet sitter rescued this adorable kitten (maybe 3-4 weeks old?), and we’re looking for a home for it.” To ask about giving this kitten a home, call 817-939-6928 or email [email protected].
These two Cattle Dogs are sisters and they’re currently on the west side of DFW. Heather Harrison, the noted rescuer/tipster, reports, “These girls were picked up alongside the highway a few months ago. They were very thin, covered in trash, and terrified! The owner (who adopted them from DAS [Dallas Animal Services]  only a few months prior) decided she didn’t want them back!  Without any other options available, they have been in boarding for months now! Both are quite timid, really need some one on one human time! Once given some reassurance they will likely be fine.  They are bonded but would likely benefit from being separated. Fully vetted. Well mannered.” Get in touch with Heather at [email protected]. ...
Wherever you go this weekend, remember that there are animals in need. Help one of them and you’ll have a weekend to remember. 

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For Halloween, Bolt gets a break, Bentley passes the test, animals ready for help and Inky's costume

DATELINE: DALLAS Where the Hobgoblins Are Many and So Are the Candy-based Calories, Texas (HALLOWEEN, Oct. 31, PetPowellPress) -- That photo is our official Halloween Photo 2014 and it was taken by Ann Fisher, wife of our pal Andy Fisher of  the shores of Indian Lake at Denville, N.J. The occasion was Andy was watching the recent Monday Night Football contest with the Cowboys and Washington and Ann and her son Ian were carving, or as Andy describes it, they were “busy creating their version a Jets fan and a Giants fan.” Yes, that is appropriately scary for Halloween! 
The thing that caught my eye right away was how Ann had managed to catch the pumpkin-colored Peaches working her seasonal job as a Jersey Jack-o-Lantern Inspector. There’s one more photo of this event and we’ll get to it in a moment.  And we’ll unveil the 2014 Halloween costume of Inky the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. First some critter tails, er, tales.

BOLT GETS A BREAK
Readlarrypowell.com has run several photos of Bolt the Rowlett Shelter On-the-Clock Dog and this is the best one yet! Here’s the story from our Friends of Rowlett Animals tipster Dawna Carabajal, one of our longtime rescue-tipsters. She was relieved as is Readlarrypowell.com that Bolt beat the system. It took a human to help him.
Dawna writes, “I wanted to let you know that we got our miracle 10 minutes before Bolt was to be euthanized [Wednesday]. A wonderful woman, Vicky Thomas (who is a manager at our local PetsMart), reached out to us and offered to foster him. She had gone up there and met him and felt he was too sweet to be killed. She has experience handling dog aggressive dogs. She has dogs of her own but she has had to ‘shuffle’ dogs before, so I am confident that she will provide him a safe environment until we can find him an adopter. We are so blessed to have such an experienced foster. Obviously this is not a permanent placement for him, but at least this will allow us more time to advocate for Bolt and find him his forever home. Vicky created Bolt his very own Facebook page so people can follow his progress (and see all of the adorable pictures she is posting of him). If anyone is interested in meeting Bolt they can contact me at [email protected] or email FRAs at [email protected]. And if anyone would like to follow Bolt they can like his page at https://www.facebook.com/boltneedsahome. 

[LARRY ASIDE: Among the photos are some of the Great Bolt being fitted for Halloween! One day he’s on Death Row, the next he’s a costume model! Makes you appreciate human hearts, doesn’t it! And if I ever get the chance to meet this dog Bolt, I’m going to hug him -- he looks like a huggable dog.]

A SUREFIRE NEWS MOMENT IS COMING
You remember Bentley the King Charles Cavalier who is the canine companion of Ebola survivor and nurse Nina Pham. He’s been in quarantine for more than three weeks waiting to see if he might have the disease -- Nurse Pham has been in quarantine, too, and is free of Ebola.
Oh, my, get the cameras ready! Here’s the news from Dallas Animal Services Executive Leader (not her read title, but it works) Jody Jones. In a special bulletin Thursday evening Jody wrote, “The final tests are in and Bentley is negative. We are so excited about reuniting Bentley with his mom on Saturday and hope you will share in our celebration and the festivities on our Facebook page!” 
You can see how this goes HERE.
[LARRY ASIDE: In honor of Bentley surviving this ordeal, how about people line up at Dallas Animal Services and adopt a dog in honor of Bentley -- empty the shelter of Ebola-free dogs! I’ll hold my breath.]

THREE DOGS ON THE CLOCK

There are many animals in the Irving Animal Services Shelter and photo-takin’, shelter-walkin’ Russell Posch makes a pitch for ‘em all. In the October 30 edition of his photo collection he included the animals likely to be “next.” Each of these has an interesting story, according to the script accompanying their photos.
Two-year-old, 10-pound Chihuahua Sofia (left in the Chiphotos) was surrendered to the shelter because she is “aggressive to humans.” [LARRY ASIDE: Probably just aggressive toward the humans who were dumping her. That’s some set of ears on her -- Earhounds are rarely beyond becoming lap dogs and influential members of the community.]
The second dog is Juan, a year-old, 7-pound stray Chihuahua mix who has become “friendly and playful.” 
The dog in the two-shot is Ladi, a 45-pound, 2 1/2-year-old Pit mix who is an owner surrender who arrived “afraid.” [LARRY ASIDE: What would you expect? A dog who has never been in a shelter is suddenly dumped in one. Fear is so very normal -- it’s torturous to a puzzled animal.] Why did the human dump the dog? “Animal aggressive,” was the reason. [LARRY ASIDE: I think I can suspect which animal she was aggressive toward and probably she had good reason.]

That girl with the ill-fitting collar and the intent eyes is Misty, a Pit who is 2 and weighs in at 50 pounds. She came in as a stray. [LARRY ASIDE: Doesn’t have much of a prayer in the current climate of North Texas. Perhaps someone can see the good dog in her splendidly beautiful face.]
See the Irving canine inventory HERE and the feline adoptables HERE. The Rescue Hotline is 972-721-3597 -- email [email protected] and [email protected]. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 57.

COSTUMED? OR THE USUAL EVENING WEAR?
Karen Lee, the animal advocate and sincere supporter of the Trinity GAP Club’s rescue efforts sent us a note about the Euless Animal Shelter availables -- the GAP girls adopted the whole shelter several years ago and they work to save the animals.
This guy is Bojangles (15575), a wire-haired Jack Russell. The year-old dog “loved all the attention from the GAP girls and was perfect while getting his vaccinations ... He walks well on a leash, but enjoys being carried around, too.  He played well with the other dogs, and showed he is a well-mannered little guy.  He seemed to enjoy wearing a TCU party collar today, and would probably love to watch football with his new owners or even chase one out in the yard.  Bojangles is definitely a team player, and is in desperate need of his own home team!  Contact the Euless Animal Shelter at 1517 Westpark Way in Euless, 817-685-1594.” You can keep up with the GAP Club’s Euless adoptables HERE.

CONTEMPLATIONS: One way to see how swiftly a year is moving is to have a good calendar and if you have an entertaining calendar that makes you smile, it makes the passage of time a bit more pleasant. We’re speaking, of course, of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake 2015 Pampered Pets Calendar. It’s available all around the Greater Laketroplex. Sydney Busch, our reliable tipster with the Friends, tells us that the proceeds from the $10 calendar go to supporting the Friends clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas. Where can you get it? Sydney has news. She reports “Our fabulous 2015 Pampered Pets calendar, in addition to being available at Flair Printing in GBC, McDade's Nursery in Tool, Syler Vet Clinic in Athens, CCL Chamber office in Mabank and Friends clinic on Tuesdays, is ALSO AVAILABLE NOW AT Mabank Cafe - in Mabank (duh)...Have you had their homemade potato chips?? Wow!  Oh, and they are selling our calendars for us!  Still only $10!” [LARRY ASIDE: I can’t find an on-line menu that shows what the Mabank Cafe charges for home-made potato chips, but probably not Dallas prices. So you might be able to get a $10 Pampered Pets Calendar, an order of homemade potato chips, a burger and a Coke for under a hundred bucks. It’s getting to be autumn -- the drive isn’t that far from Dallas and you might spot some beautiful trees.] ... We have an answer to the question, “What costume will Inky wear for Halloween?” Here it is. Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and the Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator, is going to be asking for treats while doing an impression of Angelina Jolie at the Oscars. It is spot-on, to use a dog term. ... And now, our final contemplation is a sister photo of our opening picture. In this instance, you see that Ann Fishers’ Foto has captured Peaches the Cat finishing off her Jack-o-Lantern inspection and, with a questioning gesture, leaving the artfully carved pumpkins behind. So, from Oak Cliff, deep in the heart of Texas, Happy Halloween! Mind the sugar intake. Yeah, right.

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Assorted tales: Shelter situations, a puppy mill (?) raid, voting for a vet, Halloween and Christmas

DATELINE DALLAS Where Halloween is gearing up but some people are
just that scary year round, Texas (October 30, PetPowellPress) -- Today we’re starting off with yet another proposed costume for Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas and our Readlarrypowell.com staff impersonator.
He’s got a bundle of potentials and this one is a staff favorite. This is Inky the Vulcan. But not just any Vulcan. Inky has a specificity of range. In this case, he is giving us his impression of Laurence Luckinbill as Spock’s half-brother Sybok in the 1989 film Star Trek: The Final Frontier. The resemblance is uncanny.
AN APPEAL FROM ANGLETON

Tammy Grable of the Brazoria County sheriff’s Office Livestock and Animal Control has issued an appeal and as you can see from the photo there is something appealing!
A momma dog and her pups “must get out now,” Tammy says. That’s because the small shelter is not just loaded but “overloaded.”
“I have to have as many as possible out by the beginning of the month and many have been here a while ... ,” Tammy writes. “I have to have them picked up or if tagged, out within 72 hours of tagging.  We are full and unable to hold many much longer.”
Call the office at 979-388-2365; cell is 979-997-2486.
And, for those of you who have never been around a mom and her litter, this photo shows what happens when Mom feels the need for some “me time.” She’s going to have to walk fast to get it. Puppies are persistent.
MEANWHILE IN UPSHUR COUNTY
We don’t know how those Brazoria County pups came to be -- but probably not a puppy mill. Just a lack of spay/neuter practicality. On the other hand, in Upshur County in East Texas (about 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas on I-20), the SPCA and an Upshur County Constable “took custody of 37 cruelly treated animals--30 dogs and seven puppies--from a suspected puppy mill near Gilmer, Texas. Additionally, three deceased puppies were found stuffed inside dog food bags on the property. One deceased puppy was decapitated and the head was not found.”
[LARRY ASIDE: That is pretty disgusting. But, you know, to puppy millers these animals are not pets, they are inventory. Idiots.]
This photo shows some of the puppies found. You can see more photos HERE. They’re disgusting, but not as awful as that opening paragraph.
The SPCA says, “Eighteen of the animals were found living inside a single-wide trailer home on the property. Some of these dogs were living in wire crates, and others were loose in the trailer. Additionally, four puppies were living in a feces- and urine-filled bathtub, one Cocker Spaniel was found inside a closet and one Shih Tzu with extreme hair loss and severe eye issues was found in a back room.”
[LARRY ASIDE: All of these situations are awful, but, for crying out loud, what kind of demonic soul would lock a Cocker Spaniel in a closet?]
The breeds in this raid  included Cane Corsos, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels, Shepherd mixes and Border Collie mixes.”
Custody hearing is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, in Judge Laura Norred’s court , 301 E. Butler St., Gilmer.
See how to help these dogs at spca.org.
A CAMPAIGN WITHOUT POLITICAL ADS! 

How’s that for something special right now! This is a campaign to help a rescue group get $1,000. We learned about it from Rosemary Adkins of St. Clouds Rescue (www.stcoudsrescue.org.) Those folks are trying to get Frisco vet Dr. Lollie Mensik named “Best Vet” in a contest run by Pets Best Pet Insurance. Voting continues through Nov. 6. There are just 8 contestants and Dr. Mensik is the only Texas vet. She’s in second place, Rosemary says.
“Dr Mensik does most of our vet work on all of the dogs ,” she says. “This has included over 650 rescue dogs thru the years.”
 Here’s the LINK TO VOTE FOR DR. MENSIK.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Did you hear or see the story about that homophobic guy who started the big dust-up in line at D/FW and ultimately was wrestled down by bystanders and taken into custody by police? Check out THIS STORY in The Dallas Voice and you’ll see that the big doofus has a bit of an animal cruelty record as a horse trainer. Glad he was just passing through. Texas already has enough jackasses. ... Here’s something to contemplate: In Houston, they’re turning Halloween into a 2-day holiday, Friday the 31st and, thanks to the great group Pup Squad Animal Rescue, Saturday the 1st. And, of course, thanks to the Dallas Cowboys, around here we’ve been celebrating horrifying things since the 4th quarter last Monday night.  Click on that artwork to make it as big as Houston -- or at least big enough to read. Pup Squad does some pretty good work and those folks also know how to celebrate Howl-o-ween. ... Last night, as my festivespouse Martha and I took 30 minutes off from our assorted chores and work-related tasks to watch Modern Family, we spotted what may be the first actual Christmas ad of the year on TV -- for an electronics store. I carped about it, though, really, I’m one of those “Christmas year round” guys in my heart -- isn’t that from Ebenezer Scrooge? Anyway, back at the desk I opened an email from Jacki Scott at Frisco Humane Society and, son of a mistletoe, if it wasn’t a Christmas fundraising notice! Click on that to make it larger, too. (Or click HERE  to go to the Frisco Facebook site.  You can register to participate HERE .) What will Frisco do with the proceeds? Good question. It is my understanding that the money goes into a legal defense fund for rowdy reindeer. Apparently there was an incident last Christmas involving a flying reindeer and failure to get clearance to land at Love Field --- that was before the Wright Amendment was lifted and, of course, this year we’re told Santa can now fly in and out of Love. Who knew the Wright Amendment had authority over mammal-powered international flights? Well, whatever the case, if you’re in shape to run a race in December, you’re in shape to shop. And, as you know, North Texas is where shoppers go to thrive!
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Costumes, critters and catry music...

DATELINE: DALLAS Where a Cold Front Might Be a Weather Term But Not a Reality, Texas (Oct. 29, PetPowellPress) --  It’s midweek so before things begin to pile up on Thursday, here are some things that need attention.
One of them is this dog. Doesn’t usually dress like this, but could if you adopted him. More on him later.
Did you know there was a 2.4 earthquake early Tuesday morning with the epicenter near the 183/114 split? That’s right. Pretty close to the old haunt of the Dallas Cowboys. Our theory is the quake was caused by the ghost of Texas Stadium heaving up a hairball over that stupid Cowboys loss in Arlington just hours earlier. Now, some opportunities to triumph: 

OWNER SURRENDER
That’s a sad term. “Owner surrender.” Says so much in two words. Two sad words. Here are a couple of examples of “owner surrenders.” We learned about them from our palPatricia Barrington, the Animal Services Division Manager at The Colony.
“Both these guys were owner surrenders and both need out of the shelter immediately, if not sooner,” she wrote.
“Diesel (his name before he got here, I would never name an animal after a nasty chemical) is a good little fella.  He is about 9 months old and was neutered and vaccinated last week.  He’s a social and outgoing young man with a good heart.  There is NOTHING wrong with this dude, but he’s been at the shelter for nearly a month.  He needs out.”
And the black and tan? “Boomer is a Rottie Shepherd mix.  He is around 2 years old and he is neutered and microchipped.  This guy is HANDSOME.  Boomer is friendly and aloof and just loves people of all shapes and sizes; he’s a good dog.”
Good hearts. Good dogs. Need good homes -- or at least safe havens in rescue.
Email [email protected] or call 972-370-9250. You can drop by the shelter to meet any animal -- it’s at 4720 E. Lake Highlands.
REPORT FROM THE CARROLLTON URGENTS LIST

This note arrived Tuesday afternoon from Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise -- an assessment of the urgents list at the city shelter. “Okay, folks, the cats are all good and so are the little ring worm pups, BUT there are still three dogs who need your help. We cannot hold any of the three over as we are busting at the seams here. ... We can take a rescue tag up until 7 a.m. tomorrow [Wednesday] morning for pick up later in the day.”
Here’s the Facebook LINK. Call the shelter at 972-466-3420 or email [email protected].

FOLLOWING THE IRVING SHELTER SITUATION

The big strip of animal photos is the current list of “urgents” at Irving Animal Services. The photos were taken and forwarded by noted shelterwalker Russell Posch whose camera may have saved more animals than any of us with a computer keyboard! Read about the urgents HERE.

Now you’ll note I’m including photos of two dogs we’ve mentioned before. They remain in the Irving shelter and they are still waiting for rescue. They are special cases. Bolt (23741175) is a 12-year-old 15-pound stray Min Pin mix who “might be blind” but is friendly and has been in the shelter since early September.
And Lois, the Chihuahua mix (23771215), is the dog who was abandoned in a house when the humans left. She’s described as “shy” and who can blame her? She’s about 2 years old and weighs a staggering 10 pounds. She, too, has been in the shelter since early September.
Click HERE to see the available dogs. Click HERE see the cats. Call the Irving shelter rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 and send emails to [email protected] or [email protected]. The shelter’s business numbers are 972-721-2256 or 57.

TEDDY THE CUTIE

Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue is trying to help Alexis Cole find a place for Teddy, a 12-year-old Malti-Poo. That’s Teddy in assorted cute poses, including the opening photo in the suit -- Halloween? Star Wars? Custom-made for his mood? Who knows.
Alexis is trying to find a home or a foster home for him. “I had rescued him from a family that had him since a puppy and was going to put him down bc they were too busy for him and traveled a lot and he really needs to be with his people, and I unfortunately am in situation where I cannot keep. He just turned 12yr old, he was never neutered. I took him to vet he is UTD on Vx, and on monthly heartworm preventative. Other than missing some teeth, he is in good health. He is house trained, good on harness/leash, he doesn't get into anything- I leave him free in my apartment and he just curls up on chair or bed. very friendly-good with kids, and other dogs even big dogs. He does have some separation anxiety esp. left for longer periods of time and he will display that by barking,licking a lot. Otherwise he is very sweet, cuddly, and still has lots energy. He probably needs home with other pets, or someone who has calmer schedule someone that can be around more to give him attention he needs and deserves. He is so very precious.”
Email [email protected]. 

THE REPORT FROM BURNS FLAT
As colder weather blows toward the Western Oklahoma town of Burns Flat and it’s “exposed” animal shelter with no solid walls, the city’s persistent rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher sends this appeal:
“We have been so swamped.... so many injured.... so many dumped... thrown away, like a piece of trash....I hear the happy barks as they see me pull up... the love and trust in their eyes.. the wagging tails as I love them.. petting each of them, letting them know SOMEONE cares...

“But it is the cries as I am leaving that haunt my thoughts.... They look at me, with begging eyes..." please don't leave us... please... we will be good  we promise..."

“I try to let them feel love.... I show them there are kind hands... I give them the food and water they need to survive... but still, they are in a cold, concrete floor jail... they do not feel someone's love when its time for bed... they don't have the warmth of a home or the love of a family... my heart breaks for them... especially the ones that have been there for months... they have watched so many come and go... each time, hoping it was their turn... but it never was... so here they are... the four that lay on the cold hard floor... Can you help them? do you have place for just ONE?
“MINNIE.... little black border collie mix.. she was obviously dumped, for she ran the highway, searching every car that passed by... finally caught, she doesn't understand why she is here, with the other throwaways....
“GINGER.... this tan girl loves to run.. you can see her ears flapping in the picture... sweet and precious, she was arrested on the fourth of July, terrified by the fireworks going off all around her...

“TANNER... he breaks my heart... his owner was a little punk that just decided he no longer wanted him so turned him loose... when I got him, he was so skinny he looked like a skeleton.... slowly, he gained weight and now is a beautiful healthy boy... just over a year, he was a baby when he came in... yes... this boy has been here since JUNE.
“OTIS... still a baby, he is probably 6 months old... he came from a girl we have taken so many from... he barks and cries so sad that it breaks my heart... he wants to be loved... he wants to go home... he wants a family of his own....
“They are all good with kids... from the 4 year old to the 12 year old... fine with men... all seem OK with other dogs... all want to play and be loved...

“Do you have it in your heart to try and make room for even just one of these babies?  Months in jail is breaking their spirit and it is killing  my heart.”
Offer to help Terry Lynn by emailing [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: Just when you think all the poorly behaving humans are in the Greater North Texas Metro Sprawl you find out there is a loose bunch of ‘em running stupid in Western Oklahoma.]

CONTEMPLATIONS: This is the anniversary of that special day in 1929 -- Black Tuesday -- when the market crashed and the Great Depression arrived, giving the parents of Baby Boomers a never-ending source of conversational warnings and reminders to turn the lights off when you leave a room. ... We're thinking this might be the costume worn by Inky, the Cocker Laureate of Texas, for Halloween 2014. He says it is symbolic of his love of going from farmhouse to farmhouse once a year and getting treats. (I'm not sure when he was ever near a farm, but I'm never one to doubt the stories of this great dog. How interesting a life has he had? Let's just say that the guy that does the most interesting man Dox Equis commercials was second choice.)   ... What a great World Series! The Texas Rangers are looking better than ever -- the bats are sharp, the pitching divine, the base-running spectacular, the fieldingSTOP! That’s enough torture for 2014. The closest a Texas Ranger has gotten to the World Series is going to a Dallas Cowboys game at the big stadium across the street from the cobwebbed ballpark. But, wait ‘til next year, right? ... OK, this one is for all you lovers of country music and cats! Click HERE.

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Bolt and a bunch of dogs in trouble; some cats thrown from a vehicle and other notes...

DATELINE: DALLAS Where The River Runs But Not all That Riverly, Texas (Oct. 28, PetPowellPress) -- Here we are the morning after and if you have to ask “After what?” you’re probably not in touch. (Oh, it's a football joke for those of you who pay no attention.) Now, our report on some animals in trouble and a troubling animal allegation.
TRYING TO HELP BOLT

A dear, friendly and affectionate dog is going to be dead as a doornail if nobody helps him before Wednesday morning. Check out the tail on that dog -- ONE ring! One big thick ring, like maybe you’d find on a style maven.
We’ve written about Bolt before -- weeks ago -- and you’d have thought someone would have claimed this guy from the Rowlett Animal Shelter
But, nope, says our Friends of Rowlett Animal tipsters Dawna Carabajal. In fact, they’re getting the needle ready for Bolt.
Dawna wrote, “Bolt is almost out of time!! Bolt loves humans and is very friendly, but does NOT like dogs. Bolt needs to be an only dog in the home or be rescued by a group that specializes in abused dogs. Bolt LOVES people though, very affectionate and playful. We think perhaps he was abused in his previous home as it appears someone cut his ears with scissors. You have to come and meet him in person, he is simply stunning! The shelter has given Bolt until Wednesday 8 a.m. to be tagged for rescue or adoption or he will be euthanized. His adoption fee is $25 -- no pull fees for rescues. He is at the Rowlett Animal Shelter. Phone 972-412-6219. email [email protected].”
[LARRY ASIDE: Humans let Bolt down. Surely humans can save him.]

A CHRISTMAS EVE DOG GETS HIS NOTICE
[TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: This dog is now going to live with a cousin of his human. So, if you still want a Chihuahua, there are zillions on "the list" in area municipal shelters -- check out Irving and Dallas, for example. Here's the original story on this fellow.]
Our pal Della Wallace sent this note: “Just got a call saying that this little guy needs a home asap. He  will be 3 years old on December 24. He is not neutered.  He is not good with children but is good with other animals.  I wish I could take him but we are full,  really full!!. His name is Chuey.  My number will be the best for  contact: 972-294-7415.”

[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve had two Chihuahuas at our house. Rosie and Vera. You couldn’t beat them for companions -- they were dear dogs we had a long, long time.  In fact, Chuey would be living with us right now if the City of Dallas didn’t have limits on the number of animals you can save from miserable existences. But, this is Dallas, where some people don’t have good sense. You can pick 'em out.]
A DOG NAMED MAGNUS AND A GAP RESCUE SUPPORTER
We got the tip on him from Karen Lee, a noted supporter of the Trinity GAP Rescue bunch -- those Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program people. She says John Cobb, a middle-school teacher, got in touch with the GAP Club because Magnus ate a cat toy -- plastic stick, string and ball.
The short of it is Magnus wound up at an emergency vet clinic and in surgery and, holy smoke, was that expensive!
So Karen reports that John has set up a gofundme.com site to augment his teacher’s pay -- the bill was $2,200 and, before Cowboys kickoff Monday evening, nearly $300 had been raised.
Magnus, an 8-year-old Chocolate Lab, is “recovering nicely from the surgery although he is still not feeling well and is on pain pills and a very bland diet,” Karen reports, “But he's eating, drinking, eliminating, and not happy at all to be wearing the cone of shame.  But at least he is back at home.
“Magnus is not a Trinity GAP dog, but John is a big GAP supporter and an animal lover, so I told him I would try to help him raise funds for Magnus. In addition to teaching middle school in Irving John also volunteers by managing the social media for Trinity Trojan football - Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   John says, ‘Magnus has been by my side since he was about 6 months old.  He will be 8 years old in January.  He is a super affectionate and smart dog.  He knows how to give kisses and hugs as well as shake.’ 
“If you would like to donate to Magnus through Barkleyworld, I will ensure that all funds go for Magnus’ vet bill and I will issue you a receipt.  Barkleyworld is a 501c3 Rescue.  You may donate at BARKLEYWORLD  or  thru the Go Fund Me link [above]! If you donated to Barkleyworld thru the North Texas Giving Day fundraiser in September, and would like for your donation to go to Magnus, please contact me  (Karen Lee at [email protected]) and I will make sure that it is donated.  John is very grateful for all donations received…and we are happy that Magnus is recovering.”

MEANWHILE IN IRVING



These are the dogs that populate the Irving Animal Services Shelter -- presented here thanks to the kindness of shelter-walker Russell Posch.
Below are photos of dogs on the “urgent list” at the shelter.
Read about the big bunch of dogs HERE and read about the urgent dogs HERE . See the Irving cats HERE. The rescue hotline is 972-721-3597 -- follow up by emailing [email protected] and [email protected]. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 972-721-2257. These are the urgent dogs.

URGENT IN CARROLLTON

Here’s the way Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise began it’s Monday night: “Very Urgent List this week lots of dogs and cats came in over the weekend so we really need your help this week, please follow the link below to see our Urgent Album maybe take one, two or even three.” The link is HERE.  
This particular dog is Donald. He’s 8 months old, weights 55 pounds and is out of luck. He was dumped at the shelter “by his people who could no longer take care of him and were hoping he would find a home where he will be cared for.” [LARRY ASIDE: Rubbish. They wanted to be rid of the dog. Otherwise he’d still have a place to stay. If nobody gives Donald a chance, he’ll get the needle this week and fade from the memory of every human on the planet. He will have been a good boy for 8 months and then will be lifeless -- no tail will wag, no eyes light up when his human walks into the room, no happiness, no nothing. Just another life taken for the sake of municipal animal management. Happens all over North Texas and we ought to be ashamed.]

Email [email protected] or call 972-466-3420.

CRITTER CONTEMPLATIONS: Do you trust everything you see online? For example, there’s a Facebook post that reads, “A friend witnessed a larger man in this vehicle throwing baby kittens out the window of the truck at 183 and O'Connor. 2 were seen getting ran over by cars. When he was approached he smiled and sped off. The police were called but they have no idea if anything was done. What a horrible human being!!! Another friend of ours looked up his info from his license plate. ... This is despicable!!! Help us get this man behind bars by mass sharing this post and calling the Irving police.” The post identified someone as the villain, but how do we know? Perhaps someone is mad at a guy and decided to say despicable things about him? There are other questions: Could the witness be wrong? Here’s the LINK. Perhaps someone else witnessed this despicable act and can help the police with more information. Got to be some way to stop these dumbasses from roaming free in our towns. Pardon my entirely accurate French.  ...  Remember, the Texas Legislature is within mere months of being called back into session. Go to THLN.org and see how you can help the Texas Humane Legislation Network influence the giant brains in the legislature to work on behalf of animals. Sorry, I think I just turned the phrase “giant brains” into something pejorative. ... On a Tuesday in North Texas, contemplate this: How can the people in animal rescue reach the hearts and minds of people who just don’t care? Give ‘em Cowboys tickets to leave town? What town would want them? Geez, what a mess. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: Can this really be the Dallas Cowboys? If they won it's amazing, if they lost it's astounding. ... Halloween is at the end of the week. Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, is still trying to figure out what costume he will wear. This is one of his from the past -- Pirate Inky.  Yes, those are his buccanears. ... How about a nice seasonal song? Try THIS ONE.  

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A THLN training class, critters in need and ol' newshounds a decade later...

DATELINE: DALLAS Where Summer Is a Tough Customer Even in Autumn, Texas (Oct. 27, PetPowellPress)-- We’re going to have a personal contemplation today, but first a few critter notes.
REMEMBER THAT TRAINING BILL THAT DIED IN THE LEGISLATURE?
You’ve probably seen the story about the people in Cleburne protesting the shooting death of a dog by a police officer who appears to have called the dog over to him. The Cleburne Times-Review story is HERE and the incident has been in papers and on websites all over the place. 
But perhaps you’ll recall that during the last legislature the Texas Humane Legislation Network was trying to get the Legislators to set up proper canine-encounter training courses for peace officers. Died in committee -- the traditional Texas legislative death. Click HERE and see how it might be possible next session to make the world a little safer for animals encountering the police. 

ELPO’S ANNUAL PET FAIR
Readlarrypowell.com has long been a big fan of East Lake Pet Orphanage, the non-profit adoption arm of East Lake Veterinary Hospital (three big ol’ cheers for the great Dr. Karen Fling!). Coming up from nopn to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2 (November already!?!), there’s the 13th Annual East Lake Pet Orphanage Pet Fair. It's in front of the hospital and on the side of the hospital and maybe a little bit inside the hospital, too, at 10001 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas.
According to the PR material,  the Fair will be “representing the largest interspecies adoption & pet educational gathering in Dallas.” The orphanage will benefit from proceeds and, of course, so will people who attend the event.
Free admission. And there’ll be, the organizers say, “food, pet adoptions, silent auction, prize drawings, microchipping for pets, bounce house, teddy bear surgery, cake walk, football watching party, Paws and Palm reading, and lots carnival games. Animal behavior specialists will be on hand as well as a variety of live local entertainment.”
Paws reading. Cracks me up. Might be done by a Swamihound, I guess.
CUTE DUMPED PUPPY NAMED DANGNABIT. 

Judy Raab is looking for help with a dog whose been down on his luck. Here’s here note and these are his pictures: “I have a sweet, cute puppy that was dumped near my home in Alvarado.   I really need to find him a home, or I’m afraid we need to take him to HSNT (Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth).  Here’s a message that I sent out to some folks.  Photos are attached.    Any ideas?  We’ve tried every no-kill shelter we could and no one wants a black dog.
“Dangnabit (aka Fred) is crate training/housebreaking well (sadly, our travel and work schedules are requiring that he is in the crate A LOT – it’s not fair to him). 
“He’s a good boy—gets on well with my dogs.  Playful, but not hyper. Very smart – learns quickly. Rides great in the car.   Learning to walk on a leash. The vet said he’s 7-8 months old.   Black with cute white feet and a white mark on chest. Weighs 24 lbs. and I bet won’t get that much bigger, so he’s a great size. Has had his first set of shots, but not yet neutered.  I would help his new owner with that cost.”
Contact Judy at [email protected] or 817-296-9347.
[LARRY ASIDE: In that opening photo you see the livestock that Dangnabit/Fred hearded one afternoon while looking for something to do. I’m kidding. He’s a good boy who likes to nod off, as these photos demonstrate.]

UPDATE ON BUBBA AND SISSY
One down, one to go, bless Sherry Kunz’ heart and the folks at Duck Team 6 (DT6), too. Here’s Sherry’s note that arrive Sunday evening. “Just wanted to give you a brief update because I'm exhausted. I picked up a trap from DT6 on Thursday and Pat Rodriguez with DT6 came down this morning to help me set it up. Long story short, we caught Bubba. We were not able to catch Sissy but my neighbor and I safely transported Bubba to Animal Refuge Foundation in Sherman.  We have a plan to catch Sissy and hopeful she will be caught before she has her puppies. Thanks for all your support. If anyone wants to donate to their vet bills, the website is arfhouse.org. Hopefully, I will have more news for you later this week.” 

FROM FRIDAY: BUDDY AND DAISY 

We told the story on Friday of three dogs that were abandoned at a home after the humans were evicted. These are the dogs. (Rosy the Mom already has been moved into a foster home, but Buddy and Daisy have not.)  We’ve got several photos here -- one shows them when they were being rescued and fed. The other shows the trio taking off on their first “walk.”
Ivy Lopez is the contact point to help these dogs -- [email protected] or text or call 817-999-8101.
Writing about the dogs, she explains, “They are black-mouth cur hound/boxer mixes, or at least that is what we've been told, but we are pretty certain that this is the case.”
Describing that photo of the three dogs walking she says, it is “the three of them with us on their way to recovery. This was the fist time we took them on a walk and they were just so incredibly excited! Buddy is the bigger one with those beautiful honey eyes and Daisy is the little dainty one with that adorable squishy face. Rosy is the medium sized one and also the one who was worse off when we found them. ... They are doing so well! Their coats looks wonderful and shiny they are not only at a healthy weight but they are also very muscular. Looking back at these pictures it makes me see how far they have come and really cements the idea that we are doing the right thing!”
You can scroll down to last Friday’s post and click to read Ivy’s initial long letter- in it you can tell how much these dogs have survived in the way of bad luck and timing.

AN EARHOUND AT GARLAND

Patty Turner tipped us to this nameless dog. “Cute puppy at Garland,” she said. “Nothing but ears!”
The 3- or 4-month-old dog is in a bit of a spot at the Garland Animal Shelter -- “SHELTER IS SLAMMED FULL, PLEASE CONSIDER ALL DOGS OFF HOLD AT RISK,” read the note and that’s where this dog is. Email [email protected]. Call 972-205-3570, option 2, then 4. He’s A195607.

CONTEMPLATION: This is a personal contemplation -- not a news story but a contemplation. An anniversary contemplation. 

Let’s stipulate this: Journalism is still alive. It is practiced by people who work for small, medium and large shrinking papers, TV stations, radio stations, magazines and online sites such as the very small Readlarrypowell.com and the very large sites across the nation. We’ll address diminished readership on another day.
A free press is key to a free nation -- if you don’t think so, ask the Germans whose newspapers succumbed to Hitler’s public relations campaign. See if you can pick up a National Enquirer in North Korea and make fun of The Limping Dictator in a column in The Pyongyang Picayune-Herald. 

A responsible free press is best for our nation. It keeps everybody honest -- including itself and especially the SOBs you elect. And pardon my entirely accurate French.
Why do I bring this up?
This is a significant day for scores of ol’ newshounds-- 10 years ago today the big paper downtown gave us the heave-ho. Lives changed. Kids just starting college, confident in the ol’ man’s ability to earn the tuition -- well, tough luck, eh? Dream home house payments? Dream somewhere else.  Stay in Dallas where you’d made a life for a decade or more? Hah. Fat chance.
“The 10/27s,” as we were called, got the ax on October 27. Editors, reporters, columnists, librarians, ad types, sports types, computer types, etc. Not just employees, but people engaged in a mission in which we’d been invited to participate.
Those of us on “The Layoff List” were in the big vanguard of the initial flush of newspaper employees, i.e., that far-from-expensive but burdensome segment of corporate expense known as “talent.” It was the corporation’s way of combatting the profit-sucking progress of online news and advertising. 

This new competition had ruined the “monopoly” of print. (Some newspaper execs around the country had been advised to create their papers’ own online spots, but, of course, they were far too successful to listen and even today they’re scrambling to find out how to get a foothold on the cyberturf.)

Since 10/27/04, some of us have thrived in new positions, new professions or adapted our skills to new areas. Some, having had enough, stopped being journalists. Some retired. Some took jobs at other papers, then got the heave-ho again as staff cuts became epidemic.
Some wrote books. No need to change the names to protect the innocent -- they’re not that innocent. Relax. I’m kidding. I don’t know of a single published book from this episode. However....well, we’ll get back to you.
Print-minded newspaper executives lost the wrestling match with the 21st Century’s cyberworld. They had simply been paying no attention when science fact shoved science fiction aside and cellphones became clickable, instantaneous news delivery devices a lot more efficient than a sleepy guy in a speeding pickup throwing plastic-wrapped papers in the general direction of your yard at 4 a.m.
So, we move on -- some of the execs who were doing the “gosh I’m sorry” routine in 2014 are no longer involved in the newspaper business. Some people have golden parachutes, the rest of us get paper napkins for a canopy and dental floss for straps. But, heck, life ain’t fair, kids. Surprise. Surprise.
And a decade later, the sun still comes up, the Texas sky is still beautiful and people find joy to replace disgust and bitterness. What the sun illuminates is how 10 years goes pretty fast. You remember the things you loved, you remember less vividly the things you hated.
You, also remember funny moments, like when, after three decades, you were being given your walking papers in a temporary hallway office set up just for dismissals. You recall some execs you like stopped by to lament your departure and, after a few BS moments that made everyone uncomfortable (except the one nervous dunce in the room), you said, “Gosh, I’d like to stay and chat, fellas, but I’ve got to go downstairs to circulation and cancel my subscription.”
And I did. Still makes me smile.
I couldn’t find any old photos of me and my long-running newspaper column, so I’ve published photos of three key Readlarrypowell.com staffers -- Inky, the Cocker Laureate of Texas and my key advisor in all areas. And there’s Porche Noel, the injured starving dog who squeezed through our front-porch gate one Christmas, ate the feral cat buffet and couldn’t get back out, so we kept her. We tried to adopt her out but nobody wanted her. And there’s a selfie with me and Big Tex this year. He’s lucky he didn’t work for the paper - nobody was safe in that layoff!
And there’s me with Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, a wander-up kitten who adores me more than almost any newspaper executive ever did. Never had a single newspaper executive crawl up in my lap and beg to be petted -- not a single one, anyway. I wasn’t married at the time. I may be kidding about that. Perhaps. Probably be in the book.
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Pits, Boos, Adoptions and Sleep -- a weekend roundup

We’ll get to that rarest of Dallas dogs, the Pit Bull, in a moment. Also we’ll mention the big adoption push at DAS and the big Halloween event at Mazie’s Mission. It’s a busy weekend and we’ve got to make time for some shuteye, too. Here’s our traditional weekend report -- enjoy it, then keep looking.

THE SLUMBERING LITERARY CAT

Our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dog’s Lie & Napping Cats Nap focuses on a photograph taken around 5:30 a.m. Friday in the international headquarters of Readlarrypowell.com in Oak Cliff, Texas.
Inky the Cocker Spaniel slept in and didn’t bark me out of bed until later than usual, but he did, indeed, bark me awake.
(Martha, bless her heart, sleeps so soundly that to wake her, sweet Bob, her first cat, had to cock his head to bite the underside of her nose -- she brought Bob into the marriage and the first time I heard him wake her up, I came running from the kitchen because, from the scream, I thought Jack the Ripper was in the bedroom! Never got used to that scream. Bob’s gone on -- he’s probably continuing to wake angels, then purr lovingly.)

Adorable Annabelle is more like Martha than Bob -- she likes to sleep quietly. Usually, overnight, she’s curled up in the desk chair with Kittie Leigh, but this time she’d curled up on my keyboard, resting part of her right side on a pack of unopened AA batteries. (Now that she’s awake and moving, I’m afraid to move the batteries -- I don’t want to upset her.)
My theory is she went to sleep while writing. I’ve gone to sleep while writing -- one of my docs had changed my blood pressure medicine and when the first morning pill kicked in, I sort of gently collapsed face-first onto the keyboard. I woke up about a half-hour later with “RTYUI” on my forehead and a space bar imprint on my nose.)
Annabelle doesn’t take meds, except for annual allergies, so the logical conclusion is she was writing when she grew weary and curled up to rest.
Well, now that I think about it, there is one other conclusion. She’d clicked open some of my fiction and it put her out like a light. I prefer to think she was writing rather than reading.
But I’m going to take the hint and spend the weekend trying to catch up on sleep. One weekend ought to do it if I can just figure out a way to curl up on the edge of the keyboard without falling off the desk. Lord knows what that would register on the Richter Scale.

[SEE YOUR DOG OR CAT SLEEPING IN AN ODD POSITION OR SPOT? Catch a deadbeat in-law sleeping while leaning against your open refrigerator door, one hand stretched out toward the last beer in a six-pack? Snap the photo of the critter or the animal and send it to [email protected]. We’ll highlight it in our internationally read weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. These photos are therapeutic and encouraging for my fellow insomniacs. They give the sleepless hope that there is a way to nod off and rest.]

RARE PIT BULLS? 

Longtime tipster Tomi Jasso sent Readlarrypowell.com a note about a special pit bull program Saturday and I wised off, “Pit Bulls -- they’re rare in Dallas, right?”
Of course they’re not. And Tomi was tipping us to the North Texas Pit Bull Alliance event from 10  a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Main Street Garden, 1902 Main, in Downtown Dallas. 
You see the poster here. Ah, but in case you would like to have one of these special dogs, there are places to find them. For example, you can go to Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center, I-30 at Westmoreland, and -- guess what -- they have a few just waiting for a home. One of them is this dog Lucky, thought to be about two years old and a swell guy. He’s already neutered. You can see him on the adoptables pages at www.dallasanimalservices.org. 

This event at Main Street Garden is designed to change public perception of Pit Bull-types. It’s an uphill battle, but, many people will tell you how they live with the sweetest, most adorable dog they’ve ever known, their Pitty baby. Lucky is A852041 at DAS.
SPEAKING OF DAS ADOPTABLES:
Here’s a note from the DAS Facebook page -- the shelter is lagging on its ambition adoption rate for October. Lucky is available. So are scores and scores of other dogs and cats. Get them out of the shelter and save money on syringes and the euthanasia solution Dallas buys in bulk.



AND DON’T FORGET THE MAZIE’S MISSION HALLOWEEN EVENT

Here’s the poster. Click on it to make it larger. 

 

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IN THE LIGHT OF DAY, APALLING SITUATIONS FOR ANIMALS, TIME FOR HUMANS TO HELP

DATELINE: DALLAS Where An Eclipse May Not Darken The Mood, Texas (October 24, PetPowellPress) -- Before we get into Friday’s assorted animal stories -- and one of them is a doozy! -- know that I took my cell phone into the yard about 5:45 p.m. Thursday and attempted to photograph the partial eclipse of the sun for scientific purposes.  I wanted to study the effect of a barely reduced in intensity North Texas sun on human behavior. The result: It made the human blink while standing in a yard near trees. There has got to be a government payoff with a study that insightful, don’t you think? Now, let’s go to the animals, bless their hearts, stuck on this planet with a bunch of humans!
MAGGIE IS A LOAD OF CHARACTER
This is a dog that is in a fix. She’s in a shelter and she needs to be out. Lots of dogs and cats are in the same boat. But there’s something special about Maggie and it caught the eye and the heart of Patricia Barrington, the Animal Services Division Manager at The Colony where Maggie currently waits.
Manager Barrington writes, “She is a SWEET (totally overused term, but equally appropriate) girl.  Maggie is chipped and spayed and has a crook in her tail which adds to her already brimming character.  I can’t say enough good things about Maggie.  She was found by a woman who fosters Poodles and spent about 40 hours in a house full of yappy furballs and was peaceful, gentle and content with the environment.  She’s been nothing but love with us, but does NOT show well as she tends to bark behind caged walls and that makes her appear a bit less than adoptable.  Maggie has been at the shelter far too long and needs out immediately as we are past full.  Maggie is about 4 years old and around 52 pounds.  …and, here’s her beautiful mug.”
To ask about Maggie, email [email protected]. Call 972-370-9250. Or just drop by the shelter at 4720 E. Lake Highlands in The Colony (Zip 75056).
[LARRY ASIDE: Area area rescue groups so full that they cannot help this one loving dog beat the needle? Maybe we need an “Empty the Rescue Groups Day.”]

BE ON THE LOOKOUT: DESPERATE TO FIND DEAR SHADY
Caitlin Simms got tis girl Shady from the Rockwall Animal Shelter a little more than two years ago. She was about nine months old. Caitlin has, thus, become Shady’s bonded human and Shady has become Caitlin’s bonded dog.
Here’s how Shady came to be missing, Caitlan explains: “She ran out the back door when a friend left it open, and my husband and I were at work and were not informed that she was missing until after about an hour had past. By the time we were notified she was already over 2 miles away. Her collar fell off, but she is chipped and her chip is registered. She is in a new area. We live off of Trinity Mills and Scott Mills in Carrollton and she crossed the over pass and ended up at Josey and Frankford. I have spoken with and provided information to Operation Kindness and Carrollton Animal Services as well as the local police force and all pet lost and found pages I can find for this area.”
If you know this dog’s whereabouts, email [email protected]. Call 817-832-6085.
Click on the artwork to make it larger and I couldn’t get the photo of Shady to rotate, so I copied it and pasted it with this item.
HELPING A HUSKY
Christy Giles, long-time Readlarrypowellcom tipster, asks for help in helping. The dog that needs help is, as Christy describes her, “Jolly, this beautiful Siberian Husky, 11 years old, in need of a home or temporary home... house-trained, good with kids, cats.”
All positive! Here’s the heartbreak. Christy explains: “Iva, the lady that I have been helping the past few weeks recently lost her husband to cancer and just this week is losing her home and her dear precious pet family.  We all know that when we lose a loved one we cling to our pets as a comfort and now Iva is losing her beloved pets...Who will she cling to?  It was heart wrenching to see her carry out her beautiful kitties as tears streamed down her face. If you are interested in adopting Jolly or would like to foster Jolly, please contact Iva Phifer @ 682-203-9130.”
(If you want to ask Christy for more information, email [email protected].)

A LONG STORY WITH THIS SUMMATION: IGNORED DOGS NEED HELP
Bless Theresa Jennings for putting Ivy Lopez in touch with Readlarrypowell.com. We’re going to try to help find a solution to an awful situation laden with bad luck. Theresa Jennings is among the hardworking Partners of Arlington Animal Services. And Ivy is a person who needs some help. Here’s the summary paragraph -- we have no photos yet, but hope to get some. Ivy’s word picture, however, is absolutely disturbing enough.
She writes, “In August my aunt and uncle were finally selling their house that they had been renting to some people from their church for a year. We went over to there to clean out and get it ready for the sale and when we arrived, the tenants had taped a sign to the door going into the backyard that read: Dogs are aggressive, they will bite! 
We eventually had to go outside to clean, and what we saw was a totally different story.
This is a long story and you should read it in one sitting -- take about two minutes if you concentrate. Ivy spells out the details HERE. When you finish the story and you want to help Ivy and these dogs, email her at [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: You will want to hunt down the people who left the dogs behind and, perhaps, lecture them sternly. I swear, I bet there’s a market for my Two-by-Four of Enlightenment.]
THIS ADVERTISEMENT PRESENTED ON BEHALF OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING OUT AT THE LAKE
It’s not really an advertisement, but, kind of, it is. I’ve written about this calendar so many years now that it’s more of a habit!
To quote the great Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, “The Pampered Pets of Cedar Creek Lake 2015 calendar is hot off the presses and is now available at:” -- And before we get to the “ats” you should know that this calendar annually -- sold for a mere $10 a copy --  is the biggest fundraiser for the Friends of the Animals’ Spay/Neuter Clinic, which operates, so to speak, on Tuesdays in Gun Barrel City, right on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake. The calendar contains many photographs of, indeed, “Pampered Pets” and it makes a great gift for animal lovers. Might even convert people who aren’t!
Here’s where you can buy the calendar: Flair Publishing on Main Street in GBC across from Dairy Queen;  CCL Chamber of Commerce office on Highway 198 in Mabank;      Syler Veterinary Clinic across from the hospital in Athens; McDade’s Nursery, Highway 274 in Tool and the Friends of the Animals Spay Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City any Tuesday.

[LARRY ASIDE: You probably can talk Sydney Busch into mailing some calendars to you for distribution at a holly jolly time of year. What would be nice would be that you would order several, then kick in a donation that exceeds the amount of postage needed. Sydney doesn’t know I’m writing this, but I’m preachin’ to you about it because this clinic does good and deserves to be supported. Email [email protected] and offer to help by buying some calendars. Do something good.]

CONTEMPLATION: I’m for contemplations of the soul every day of the lifetime. Something I’ve held onto through the years although, I confess, my soul is going to need a good lawyer when the roll is called up yonder. Now, let us spay? Yes, but, also, let us pray? Good idea.  And there’s a good time this weekend. We bring this up because of the people who love and rescue the Greyhounds of Texas and all the rest of the critters, too. We’ve long been supporters of the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas -- these people take in Greyhounds from shelters, from abusive situations, from puppy mills and from racetracks where they’ve run their last race because maybe they’re old, not so fast or they broke a leg trying to outrun the other dogs.  GALT has scheduled a very special program at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot at Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church in Dallas -- it’s a “Blessing of the Hounds.” According to GALT (go to galtx.org), “This gathering honors the memory of the hounds we have lost this year and blesses the hounds still in our company. All leashed and well-behaved dogs welcome to attend.” [LARRY ASIDE: Those Greyhounds in the photos -- don’t they demonstrate the existence of Earhounds! -- are all available. See them at galtx.org.] 

Continuing the GALT statement, “The Blessing on Sunday will be performed by Rev. Melissa Bitting, and St. Francis of Assisi medals will be given out to each dog blessed. Dogs will also receive a Blessing certificate.” They’re going to be handing out bubble wands instead of releasing balloons -- environmental question, you see. And, heck, with all the bullets flying on this planet, bubbles make a happier projectile. Besides, the whole point of this is to give animals a blessing not a balloon. Will a blessing get the animals into Heaven? Here’s the official Readlarrypowell.com stance on that: All dogs don’t go to Heaven -- they all go BACK to Heaven. We're going to copyright that line. I’ve been around dogs since before I can remember anything -- each and every one was clearly an angel on Earth. We humans ought to be grateful to be allowed to stay on the planet with animals. I’m not sure any of this is in any of the Bibles -- either in the original language or in the latest version. But it’s in the heart. I’m so sincere about this that I’m thinking of renting a tent and hosting a revival for people and their dogs. Maybe I’ll get a cable TV channel and encourage people who don’t care for animals to donate their fortunes to me. I’d share. See, I told you my soul was a little bit tarnished. Now, contemplate, if you will, your place in the Hereafter if you are not kind to animals. Scary. Can I get an amen!
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P.S. JUST FOR FUN here is a bit of information about the State Fair of Texas' 2014 run. As regular readers know, Readlarrypowell.com is a big fan of the State Fair -- it is splendid spot in the big city that once a year has a bit of the ol' time rural flavor. It's linked to the past, yet reaches to the future. And it's entertaining. We've got to remember to enjoy Texas. It is a great place to live. A great place to enjoy a State Fair. And, according to this bit of artwork provided by the State Fair's PR Person Karissa Schuler, the Fair does good in areas that need good being done. Click on it to make it larger. 

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One dog gets a scientific break; other animals need some help...

DATELINE: DALLAS, Where Now and Then Something Good Happens,

Texas (Oct. 23, PetPowellPress) --  Don’t you love beautiful North Texas autumn days -- they’re like you wish summer could be. Now, today’s report. And remember, our approach here is to report for the sake of animals and the people who are trying to help them.
See these two great faces: Dogs that are in trouble, one in Oklahoma, the other right here in the Lone Star State.

STARTING WITH BENTLEY
Perhaps the most famous dog from Texas since Ol’ Yeller. Bentley is the King Charles Cavalier whose human is Nina Pham, the first Presbyterian Hospital worker quarantined for Ebola. DAS Top Exec. Jody Jones sent out the announcement Wednesday that Bentley, whose been in quarantine for a couple of weeks at DAS, passed -- and that will become wordplay when you see how he is tested -- the Ebola test. 

Here’s the official statement from the City of Dallas: “On Monday, October 21, samples from Bentley were sent to a lab to be tested for Ebola. The test results show that Bentley has tested negative for the virus. Specimen collection will be conducted again before the end of the 21-day quarantine period. Bentley will be monitored for a full 21-day period, similar to people exposed to the Ebola virus.” Yep, “passed” the test.
[LARRY ASIDE: Bless Bentley’s heart -- don’t you know it’ll be a great photo op when Bentley and his favorite nurse are reunited!]
That’s a photo of sweet Bentley being hauled off to quarantine -- City of Dallas photo. You have to know that DAS worked hard to get that look of anxiety off that little boy’s face.
Another Dallas Animal Services note: Remember the little dog who vanished from the DAS Every Day Adoption Center at the Coit Road PetSmart? Been found. This was the announcement on the DAS Facebook page. Click on it to make it larger or go to the page facebook.com/dallasanimalservices.
And, finally, the DAS dog found in a dumpster. that’s here in the photo and in the 4-shot packet.
Danielle Fry, the DAS Animal Transfer Coordinator, sent an appeal on behalf of the girl, hoping to find a safe place to go by the time she’s off the hold list on the 24th. /she’s A852143. Email [email protected].
Danielle’s note reads, “This sweet face belongs to a girl that has had a difficult life.  So difficult that it appears she has lost trust in the human race.  We don’t know her whole life’s story, we have only known her for a few days.  She came into our lives on October 20th when a concerned citizen found her in a dumpster.
“Yes, a dumpster.  We do not know how she got in there.  Whether she was put in there or jumped in there looking for food, we may never know.  We can only be thankful that someone looked into this dumpster and saw her.  Our officers quickly went out and brought her back to the shelter.  Her first days here were frightening…and still are.  She shakes in her kennel and does not seek out attention from people.  I was able to take this sweet girl outside.  She walks very well on a leash and didn’t react to any of the dogs as she walked by. She was very scared at first and would sniff around and look at anything that made a noise. 

“I sat on the ground and she would come and sit with me.  You could see in her eyes that she wanted love but was not sure if that was the kind of attention she would receive.  She allowed me to pet her, you could tell that she actually liked it.  She even warmed up enough to rub her belly!  I know that she will be a love bug if she can find someone who will treat her as she truly deserves.  Someone who will give her confidence to be herself….to be happy enough to wag her tail!  She has a ways to go, but she can get there. The little time that I spent with her, was enough time for her to win my heart.”
Oh, wait, one more: This guy is Circles. He’s 3 or 4 and neutered, but he was surrendered to the shelter “when the owners could no longer care for him,” Danielle says. “You might think that Circles is a weird name…which it is…but he was named that because he walks in circles.  He seems to get a comfortable path going and continues on it.  There has been concern that the circle walking could also be neurological…and that maybe poor Circles is hydrocephalic.  Before this can be determined he does need further tests which we are unable to perform.  His foster reports that he is doing great, is crate trained, getting along well with her large and small dogs, and is just a great boy!  We are hoping that someone will step forward and give this adorable pup a chance.”
FROM THE IRVING SHELTER

Russell Posch’s photo report on the state of things at the Irving Animal Shelter brings glorious news that Shady was rescued. Shady the long-shot pit. How about that! (Little Luke, the 3-year-old, 10-pound Chihuahua was euthanized because he’d suffered an injury that made his back legs useless.
You can see how many dogs were rescued or adopted by going HERE. And you can read about the dog’s next on the list HERE.The rescue hotline is 972-721-3597 -- email both [email protected] and Adoptap[email protected]. Call the shelter at 972-721-2256 or 57.

STILL WAITING
Still no help for fabulous Valli Lane, the Pit who is being run out of her home because of landlord attitude. We got the lament from Karen Lee of BarkleyWorld.com that nobody has responded to Lyn Sykes appeal on behalf of this 2-year-old “people-friendly Pit” with the fabulous eyes. Headed to a shelter if nobody helps her. You know how Pits can fare in shelters.  Here are the contact points: Call Lyn at 817-675-0953 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS: A DOG WITH SCARS FROM A HUMAN AND A HUMAN WHO IS TRYING TO MAKE PAROLE
We’re contemplating two cases related only by this fact: Someone abused a dog. First, if I were a cursing man, and I try not to be though I do have some skills I’ve tried to mute through the years, I’d give someone in Burns Flat, Okla., a good cussin’, as we used to say out of earshot of our Momma and Daddy. Terry Lynn Fisher, the relentless rescuer in Burns Flat, Okla., sent this note: “She is the sweetest girl ever.... but someone has cut her ears and it looks like they tried to poke her eye out... it is an old injury, but appears to be infected... she is oozing puss and rubbing at it...I have a foster for her, but she needs this eye looked at... I have an appointment for her ... Please share and if anyone can help, let me know.... trust me, even a dollar helps... I have been so overwhelmed with hurt dogs it has been so rough.” Contact Terry Lynn at [email protected]. ... Darius Ewing sent to prison for animal cruelty -- set Justice on fire in Dallas in 2012 and was sent to prison in August 2013 for five years -- has been eligible for parole since Monday. There’s a letter-writing campaign to keep him in prison for the full term. You may recall DFW Rescue Me took a big role in caring for Justice and organized a massive memorial for him on City Hall Plaza. DFW Rescue Me wants people to write letters urging that parole be denied. “We want to be sure that the public's opinion is taken into consideration when reviewing Ewing for parole,” the rescue group says. Address your letters to Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, P. O. Box 13401, Austin, Texas 78711-3401and note that you are opposing the parole of Darius Dwayne Ewing, SID Number 08089490, TDCJ Number 01879523. (There’s an email address, too, but one attorney counsels that actual letters have more impact:  [email protected].) ... So, there you have two cases of human cruelty to animals. What we have to contemplate for our own good is how many people are wonderful to not just their animals but animals they find and rescue. And we need to contemplate how to break the  trend of dumping animals at city shelters just to be rid of them. May take mass hypnosis.
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A kitten's rescue, dogs in trouble; contemplating Annie Lennox

DATELINE: DALLAS, The City With Interesting Situations But Why Bring Up The School Board Member and the Superintendent, Texas (Oct. 21, PetPowellPress) -- One of the great things about writing real-life animal stories is you run across people with hope. Absolute, unbridled hope. Good-hearts expecting other people to have hearts, too. And sometimes it works that way. We have some opportunities today, in addition to a convergence of hearts on behalf of a kitten. We’ll start with that one. Then we’ll segue to an SPCA offering and a Watauga dog who is probably going to a shelter Wednesday.
THE LITTLE KITTEN

Margaret Prather got in touch with readlarrypowell.com about this little kitten and before we could even jump on the case, the good folks with Texas Pawprints had made arrangements to help the little guy.
Here’s the story from Margaret: “I plucked a 5 week-ish old kitten out of the middle of the road 2 days ago. Took him to the vet and she said he may have a fractured femur on his back left leg. She said surgery is the best option for fixing the femur and not a splint. She quoted me over 2k which is way out of my budget. Ideas? Thoughts?”
That was enough of a challenge, but here’s the rest of it: “I'm having to basically force feed him with a bottle because he won't eat on his own. He is doing much better though and is showing signs that he is a fighter and going to make it. Yesterday he wouldn't move and today he's acting like a kitten...purring, hissing, exploring, but still not eating on his own. I've tried formula in a bowl, formula mixed with dry food, tuna. The only thing that works is me opening his mouth and squirting small amounts of formula in.
Any advice would be much appreciated and if you have any ideas on how to fix the leg without much cost I would love to hear them.”
Before I could offer any genius ideas -- win the lottery, sell your car, etc. -- Texas Pawprints, billed as “Your Friendly Neighborhood Cat Ladies”, lived up to the slogan and took the kitten to “City Vet to get fixed up,” Margaret says. “She [Laniq Adams of Texas Pawprints” has taken him to a vet at City Vet to get fixed up. She was so helpful...I am hoping to be fostering him after.”
[LARRY ASIDE: As I wrote in the opening, a convergence of hearts. Click HERE to see a video of the kitten.]

SPCA WAIVES ADOPTION FEES FOR SPECIAL DOGS
This weekend, thanks to the support of VCA Animal Hospitals, the SPCA will waive adoption fees on 40 special dogs that were “either rescued from inhumane conditions by the SPCA of Texas’ Rescue and Investigations team or surrendered to the SPCA of Texas’ Rescue and Investigations team.” Do those adoptions from Friday through Sunday at both the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center, 2400 Lone Star Drive, in West Dallas (next to I-30), and at the Perry Animal Care Center at 8411 Stacy Road in McKinney. You can start shopping today.  

DOGS LEFT BEHIND
Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Animal Rescue tipped us to this Fort Worth situation.
You see the dogs here.
And here’s the note: “Bear is an 80 Pds friendly Pit mix. Gets along with other dogs. Social. Good watchdog. Housebroken.

“Stevie is a terrier. Very sweet and friendly and loving. Twenty-five pounds give or take. 

People for evicted dogs still in the house need homes!

The number to call to help the dogs is 817-353-5197.

SHELTER BOUND IF NO ONE STEPS UP
We mentioned these dogs before. You may recall the story:

Claudette Howard saw them running loose on a road in Watauga in Tarrant County, stopped, opened the car door and they jumped in. They belong to a couple in Watauga and the lighter dog is destined to go to the Humane Society of North Texas today because he’s a “digger” and “escape artist” who lead Daisy Mae astray.
Tuesday afternoon we got a note from Claudette. The woman who has the dogs left a voice mail about Buddy the Digger. “She said that her husband  will be taking him back to the Humane Society Wednesday.”
Email Claudette at [email protected] to ask how to help. Or call the people who have the dogs at 817-281-9057 or 817-673-8425.

LANDLORD PRESSURE UNDERMINDS SWEET DOG
This is a photo of the big dog Valli Layne with an unidentified smaller pal. And of course, that is Valli Layne’s mugshot. Why is this dog in the news?
Karen Lee of BarkleyWorld.com forwarded this case of desperation. The note came from Lyn Sykes and explains, “Beautiful, people friendly Pit approximately 2 years.  Fabulous colored eye.

"Mostly white with brown markings. Loves to run and play. This girl is great with both adults and children. Gets along with large dogs if introduced properly.
“She does not do well with cats or small dogs. Not fixed or vaccinated but that can be arranged. She needs to be gone by Friday or will be shelter-bound.
“The lady that has this dog, has had her about a year. Landlord wants her gone immediately. Does not want a Pit on the property.” 

Call Lyn at 817-675-0953 or email [email protected].”
AN UPDATE ON AUTUMN AND HER 15, UH, 14 PUPPIES
We’ve been monitoring the progress of former Euless dog Autumn through Karen Lee. She’s been in touch with foster mom Shelley and “Autumn and all 14 puppies are doing well.  In all the excitement, she had a miscount but the total is 14!   There are 9 girls and 5 boys!!!”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’d reported 15 yesterday and now I want to go on record asking “How many times in a one life do you get to try to count more than 8 or 9 puppies?” What a privilege! Also, if a 15th shows up, I think he should be named Chad, in honor of another recount. And, bless the living hearts of these puppies, but we endorse spay/neuter.]
Karen sent a copy of Shelley’s note: “I cannot believe how strong, healthy and pudgy the pups are.  Fingers-crossed that they stay that way.  Autumn is a great mom.  As my 12-year-old daughter keeps saying, ‘She just loves them all so much.’  I finally got her to leave them this morning to go outside.  She was very energetic and very skinny!  She did eat two cans of puppy food and about two cups of biscuits.  I am picking up bottles and formula today to help her out a bit.”
You may recall that Autumn and the gang, pictured here in the household library, are under the official care of Operation Kindness.
PROFESSIONAL NOTE: Rest in well-deserved peace, stellar Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. (If you kids don’t know just who it is who died Tuesday, Google Watergate.)

CONTEMPLATIONS: World Series continues to be not as much fun without the Texas Rangers ... October 22 is National Nut Day. National-Nut-Day! I don’t know who they are talking about specifically -- oh, wait, they mean like walnuts and almonds. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend any real nuts. But who in Washington reads this report anyway? ... Readlarrypowell.com has long been a fan of the great Annie Lennox and her latest interview with Billboard Magazine  raises her in our estimate. She said, “Twerking is not feminism.”  Enjoy her performance HERE.

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