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Jake waits, Zena is stolen, Woody is missing -- but Charlie is found...

EDITION OF MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Let’s dive right into things. Over the weekend we mentioned Jake, the dog who may have a tumor on his side and who is an owner-surrender at Mesquite Animal Services. No news on him yet. Situation’s being monitored.
Now, in this First Day of Probably a Much Less Soggy Month we have a stolen dog, a redux on a local missing cat and a bit of a happier-than-usual story from Burns Flat, Okla. Let’s go:

STOLEN FROM A CAR
This tale of insulting woe comes via Sydney Busch of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. She’s forwarded a note about this dog Zena, stolen on Saturday “while waiting in her car in Eustace in Henderson County, about 60 miles southeast of Dallas. And the car was running and the air was on.
“This is Zena. She is a sweet Pittie girl. She is spayed and house broken, good with other dogs. If you think you see her or know where she is, please call Phil at 512 909-5184. Her owner is heartbroken and her brothers and sisters miss her.”
WOODY IS STILL MISSING
We introduced readers to the Woody story on Friday and here are the contact phone numbers if you see him somewhere. (Our initial story had some bad contact info -- fault of Readlarrypowell.com.)
Our pal Cathie Desell is quite worried about Woody, the cat who usually doesn’t go missing at all.
She’s been missing since Wednesday when she, as we wrote last week, “left her usual  comfort zone” at Cathie’s home in Irving, near the intersection of Walnut Hill and Belt Line. We added: “Woody is 2 years old and weighs a whopping 12 pounds INCLUDING the microchip.”
If you’ve seen this beautiful cat (an alumnus, with her kitten brother, of Terry Lynn Fisher’s rescue work in Burns Flat, Okla.) call the cell number 214-415-1825 or the work number 214-220-5729.
Cathie says Woody probably won’t come when called, so immediately get in touch with her and things will be worked out.
A CONTEMPLATION FOR MONDAY:
Terry Lynn Fisher, the veteran rescuer in Burns Flat, Okla., sent us a note about something that touched her heart.  She wrote:
“ I have had so much heartache and sadness lately, this has MADE MY DAY. Last week, I passed a bad wreck up on I-40. A big SUV, pulling a large cargo trailer was flipped over.  As I passed, I saw the ambulance loading the person..

“The next day, I was sent a message about the wreck. A little tiny Chi, named Charlie, ran from the scene, across I-40.

“We immediately went and searched. My heart was heavy, for it is a very rural area and the coyotes are awful. I contacted the owner and for the next couple days, felt Charlie would never be found. I sent her picture and info to all my friends in the area.

“[Sunday] morning, I woke up to a message  from a friend in Foss, 1 mile from the wreck site, that she may have found the dog. I rushed up there and IT WAS HER.

“I called the people and they were STILL here. They were staying in a motel, searching for her still. They met me and the joy from both dog and people was so overwhelming... My heart soared..... This was a much needed pick me up and it made me smile and my heart feel good so I wanted to share it all with you.

“I have included pictures....HAPPY HAPPY DAY! I feel so blessed to have been a part of this and see this wonderful reunion.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Connections -- great implement in the effort to help animals and the humans who love them.]
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A SATURDAY EXTRA EDITION

We have two notes that need attention before you scroll down to see our weekend napper, posted Friday evening.  Timing is important in animal affairs, so we've produced this extra edition. It also serves as a reminder to check shelters and save lives. 

A TRADE DAYS LOOKOUT

We interrupt the tranquility of our rainy Saturday in Oak Cliff to present this note about a possible situation in Canton since those folks are in the middle of First Monday Trade Days. The tip came from Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake and involved a note from Carol Whatley, the veteran rescuer with the Van Zandt County Humane Society. 

No photo, but the note’s descriptive. Stella’s a year old Australian Shepherd. She’s white, brown and gray with a blue right eye. Smallish.
“Lost near Trade Days Blvd in Canton May 23,” Carol writes. “Her human is frantic, he's been to Dog Alley twice with no luck.  He said she was microchipped; however, those puppy mill vendors at DA don't care about that.  She's been spayed, which they also can't tell but will be rudely surprised when she can't make puppies.”
If you know Stella’s whereabouts, call the Lost Pet Hotline at 1-877-875-7387 or Stella’s human at1-214-455-0915. 

IS ANYBODY HELPING OLD DOGS?

Oh, geeze, the look on this dog’s face says to me that Jake thinks he’s just waiting on the people who had him for a decade to come back and get him.
But, no, he’s on death row at the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
He’s 10 and he’s got a big growth on his side. It’s described as a “tumor” but who knows who made the diagnosis.
The note that came to Readlarrypowell.com reads, “Jake is a 10-year-old yellow Lab who was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter because he has a tumor on his side. His owners couldn't afford to treat it. Jake is overweight which makes it difficult for him to get around. However that doesn't stop him from trying. He even jumped for joy when showing attention. He is super sweet and seems to always be smiling in spite of his circumstances. He walked well on a leash. He showed no reaction to the other dogs. His animal number is 27908526 and he resides in kennel 32. 

Please call 972–216–6283 or email [email protected] to tag Jake.”
[LARRY ASIDE: This amounts to treating a living soul as if he were a used up bag of microwave popcorn. Just throw him away. Got to be some rescue group around here with an extra spot and some respect for an older fellow.] 

CONTEMPLATION: Is there an animal organization that deals exclusively with older dogs surrendered to shelters? Heartbreaking to contemplate the uncertainty in the minds of loyal companions dumped into a cold, steel cage to wait for the needle and to never have the hand they love touch them again, never again hear the voice they adore. I almost can’t think about it without crying. I know I’m not alone. What’s the solution to protecting animals all the way to a dignified and loving end? Anyone have a suggestion? Know something that works in another city that might work in North Texas?
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A blend of stripes and plaids bonded by a napping cat; other stories of animals including cats and dogs and humans

Our weekend edition, titled for more than a decade “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap” has a fashion statement today. [And some extra weekend items, too.]
Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson is successfully demonstrating that stripes do go with plaids. All you have to do to confirm this is curl up and nod off.

Our sleeping/napping portion of this edition will be abbreviated because we have some animals to help and that situation is the kind of thing that keeps people awake, right my fellow insomniacs? [LARRY ASIDE: How anybody in animal rescue can nod off is beyond me -- don’t know why we aren’t all a bunch of chain-smoking, coffee-swillers with bags of antacids and shrinks who want to sign us up for special studies of this special brand of insanity.]
This is Kittie Leigh, a former front porch wander-up kitten who came to visit and stayed. She’s usually sleeping on the foot of our bed where, if I stretch out too enthusiastically, she sails off, lands, meows, jumps back up and goes back to sleep. The Miracle Rebounding Cat of Big D. Charming, adorable and she was a FREE kitten. Can’t find a lot of those free kittens in Dallas. What? Oh. Yeah, I guess you can. [LARRY ASIDE: If you can’t find a spay/neuter bargain in Dallas, you need a guide dog and a lecture.]

[AN APPEAL: We’re low on photos of sleeping dogs and napping cats and other slumbering beasts to fill our weekend feature. Please send your photos and info about the animals and their humans to [email protected]. We’re proud to post these photos internationally and happy to encourage insomniacs to do such things as mix plaids and stripes and, without a sensation of guilt, curl up to catch a few winks.]

SOME WEEKEND ANIMAL SITUATIONS
This is really long and I apologize for that, but the animal world isn't made of up of one-sentence appeals and explanations. We’ll start with The Colony, move on to a missing cat in Irving, then the story of unofficially named Dexter of Mesquite on Friday and of Houston by Saturday, then some other stuff. Read on and be prepared to help. Humans are the key. 

THE COLONY’S PRESSURE
Our pal Patricia Barrington, the Animal Services Division Manager for The Colony, has been our "Eyes of The Colony” for years. And the whole time I’ve known her, she’s been resolutely devoted to moving animals safely out of the city shelter. 

This is a mission that, like humans, is affected by the weather. How, so?
Saturday afternoon she told me, “The last two days have put our little shelter far past capacity … however, only a handful of animals are actually available for rescue/adoption.  It is critical that we place those who are available and place the others as soon as they become available – we are getting in so many right now due to rising water levels, downed and damaged fences and homes and the usual owner surrenders.”
[LARRY ASIDE: The “usual owner surrenders.” You know the explanations. Moving. Landlord issues. Too many dogs. Not enough time. She won’t quit having puppies. Yeah, humans have plenty explanations. Not many real reasons.]
Patricia gave us the explanations for the animals pictured here. They are all available at The Colony Animal Shelter -- email Patricia Barrington at [email protected] or call the shelter at 972-370-9250 (fax 972-370-9259). Probably the very best thing to do is make a personal visit. The shelter is at 4720 E. Lake Highlands in The Colony. The city is just north of north of Carrollton. Go to FM 423 north of The Colony and go south or go to FM 423 south of The Colony and go north. Turn East onto East Lake Highlands and you’ll find the shelter pretty quickly. Remember, The Colony shelter staffers are known for socializing animals to nearly the “spoiled” point. And that’s a good thing.
You see the animals here and they’re all certifiably available -- unless someone beat you to them on Friday.
The black-and-tan dog in the chair is Toni. “She is spayed, chipped and vaccinated.  She is an owner surrender … Sweet as pie; loves sitting in laps and stealing hearts.  She has a great attitude and a soft coat!,” Patricia says.
Her explanation of Tigger is this: “Tigger here is good guy.  He’s a 3 year old fella.  He is neutered and chipped.  Tigger was adopted a year ago and returned two days ago.  He doesn’t like being along and broke his crate to try and find his people … couldn’t find them so he chewed up a sofa.  And, when he is left in the backyard alone, he tears pickets loose and escapes to play with the neighbor kid; he just needs companionship.”

[LARRY ASIDE:Why would you get a dog if you were not interested in companionship? There is great honor
is being a dog’s companion. Great honor!]
The Colony's shelter office has a "comfort suitcase" that some of the dogs and cats like to pose in for their official portrait. Coco Puff, Patricia says, “is a GREAT dog. This Lab-Weimaraner mix is about 2 years old.  He is current on his rabies vaccination and is neutered.  This fella is skinny, but some groceries can easily fix that… that’s his only issue.”
The two dog package? “Stetson the Corgi mix and Dottie the Lab-Border Collie mix came in together.  They are great, hearty little dogs.  Stetson is about 3 and Dotty is about 2.  They are social and friendly little dogs.”
Not very often that you run into a girl “frog-faced” dog named Olive. But here is one. Patricia says, “Olive is a frog-faced Bull Dog mix.  She’s about 2-3 years old and is around 30 pounds.  Olive is an ATHLETE; she climbs and jumps and romps and plays ALL THE TIME.  She is a loving little thing and would make a great companion for an active person.”
And because it’s spring, it almost goes without saying for a shelter, but we’ll let Patricia express the fact anyway, “Then, we, of course, have kittens.” Yep, of course.
In addition to the kittens there a grown-up cats. “Little Bit (lower right) is a great cat!  This big guy is neutered and ready to have his very own spot on someone’s couch.
“Elmo (left) is a goofy boy.  He’s a friendly and loyal guy with a big ol’ personality.”
Those are the capsulizations of the life stories to this point. It is now up to loving humans to help these animals write the rest of their life stories. Happy endings, that’s what we’re looking for -- and it’ll be happy for the critters and happy for you. Your heart will discover new levels of love. Ask around -- animal people will gush as they explain the difference between a sleeping heart and a heart awakened by the love of an animal. It’s not a lesser love.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT
This beautiful cat is Woody, missing since Wednesday when she decided go go on a walkabout and left her usual  comfort zone at Cathie Desell’s home in Irving, near the intersection of Walnut Hill and Belt Line.
Woody is 2 years old and weighs a whopping 12 pounds INCLUDING the microchip.
Woody and her brother were from a successful rescue two years ago by our Burns Flat, Okla., tipster, the rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher. 
Signs are being distributed, doors knocked on, etc.
Cathie says she will “just keep praying that she will show up as if nothing had ever happened. This is the same girl who got locked int he attic a few months ago -- so I know she has a good set of lungs if she got locked in some place, even in a neighbor’s garage by accident.” If you’ve seen this domestic-shorthaired orange tabby Woody, call 361-362-3624. Don’t chase her, make a call, Cathie says. “She probably will not go up to strangers.” 

THE GIFT DOG
Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue tipped us to this situation. Veronica Hall is trying to do the right thing by a dog who needs a companion.
“I have a dog, mixed breed, that was given to me. She is a medium-large dog golden in color just under a year old. She’ s never met a stranger, is friendly with everyone and with other dogs. She’s kennel-trained and potty-trained. When playing she can be mouthy but not aggressive/bite. She does not bark often. She is fixed, and has her rabies shot. Her name is Bear and unfortunately I work too much to take care of her and she needs a yard to run around not a small apartment. She’s a happy puppy just wanting to spend time and play with her people.”
To become Bear’s people, email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: Great face. Needs a great home that appreciates the wonder of a dog.]

THE STORY OF #27916555

 Our first notice of this dog, #27916555 in the Mesquite Animal Shelter, came when our veteran tipster Alexandra Kelsey forwarded a note about the dog “Dexter.”
We tracked the ID number to the Mesquite Animal Control website and found the dog designated as “13” and with that ID number. But we got very luck because the originator of the email was a veteran Mesquite volunteer Debra Chisholm.
She says the pup will be listed in the Mesquite database until “he is actually transported out of the shelter.” That is supposed to happen Saturday, weather permitting, of course. And it’ll happen “thanks to the wonderful Sharon Rode,” Debra wrote.
Sharon is with Save Our Strays in Houston and that’s the rescue group that is coming all the way up to Mesquite to save this cute little rascal. (You can still adopt Dexter fro the shelter until Save Our Strays picks him up, then you can adopt him from Save Our Strays -- e-mail Sharon at [email protected].
Debra says, “I have volunteered at the shelter for nearly 3 years and since last August, my fellow volunteer and I have been taking photos and writing descriptions of as many dogs as we can and sending them out to rescue organizations. ... We always try to name them as that seems to make them more adoptable (don't know why).”
And that’s why Dexter wasn’t listed on his “official site.”
Kelsey wrote about Dexter, that the “boy is just too, too cute! You can just tell that he’d love to be curled up next to you, watching TV or helping you read a good book.”  She didn’t want him to be a “casualty of The Shelter Is Full,” she wrote.
And Debra’s bio of Dexter describes him as “a sweet-natured approximately 7-year-old Terrier mix. ... He weighs about 35 pounds. He's a gentle fellow who doesn't know how or why he ended up in a shelter at 7 years of age. Dexter is timid and cautious but will warm up and enjoy a soft embrace and a good back rub!”
If you’re in North Texas and want to adopt him from Mesquite, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Again, to arrange an adoption when he’s in the southern part of the state, email [email protected].
He’s cute enough for all regions of the Lone Star State. [LARRY ASIDE: We have a whole state full of dogs who fit that description, don’t we.]
[LARRY ASIDE: What’s that? Why was Dexter a shelter dog? That’s between his former human and the Good Lord.]
Now, when we were searching for Dexter’s listing on the Mesquite shelter website, we found him -- he’s “13” in the middle of the top row. But, son of a gun, look at those dogs around him! Those are some fantastic dogs. From ol’ reliables right on down to the last row with the magnificent Earhound Philo. All of them are at this site.

A DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES NOTE

Perhaps you’ve read about the DAS affiliation with Finding Rover, the human/dog facial recognition program -- read about it on the DAS Facebook site. The important thing here is there’s a deal working for adoptions. Join Finding Rover and adopt a critter for just $5. 

Go to DAS's Facebook page or Google the Finding Rover program and you’ll learn about it all. And, of course, click on that artwork to make it bigger than a cyberbreadbox..
CONTEMPLATIONS: Josh Hamilton. Oh, my. Where is that Major League all-star ballot? ... If CDs are going away like video cassettes went away, what am I going to stack up around the house? ... Back to our opening sleeper, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. I’m not sure what occupies her thoughts. Unlike everyone else in the house, she is not motivated by food. Could be politics, I guess. Does a lot of reading. Might be The Cat Who is a fan of Lillian Jackson Braun -- not sure. How about some mystery music? Father Brown? Click HERE and enjoy the visual and the theme.

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Family stress on animals, a 'Singing Chiweenie', cats in a spot, a couple of cancellations and other tales

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- We’re going to call this our “As The World Turns Edition.” We have some family-oriented situations that have been rough on the critters. Oh, and, some people need some quick help getting a momma cat and four kittens out of the bushes at the Cafe at the Dallas Museum of Art. Only humans can help. Of course, most of the time only humans are the cause. That dog? Tater. Lancaster dog. Read on. There’s a “Singing Chiweenie,” too, in Oklahoma. And, while yesterday was our three-sentence day, today’s stories involve marriage and family problems and they're always more than a three-sentence tale. 

TWO BASSETS TIED TO CAR

Karen Langston of Rescue Connections of Texas has been seeking help with a genuinely disturbing situation. We first learned about it from Karen Lee, the barkleyworld.com animal advocate. Karen Lee forwarded Karen Langston’s first note about two Bassets needing a home. Then things sort of fell apart. In a pretty unpleasant way, in fact.
The early Langston note, arriving just before 9 a.m. Thursday read, “Have been talking with a woman going through some rough family issues who is needing urgent help rehoming her 2 Bassett hounds (Hank and Audrey).  They're 2 year old siblings who she loves dearly but she's been evicted from her home and her father is forcing her to take them to a shelter. The dogs have no behavior issues or health issues just caught in the middle of family drama.  

“The father took the dogs to the woman's workplace and tied them to her car!  Her work has required her to remove the dogs from their property.  She has no place to take them, no money for boarding, and is desperate to keep them out of the shelter but running out of time and options. ...”
Then, Thursday afternoon, Karen wrote, “I just heard back from the owner and she's already surrendered them to FWACC (4 p.m. at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control). I was hoping she'd let me get off work and talk to her about boarding to give us a little bit of time to find a place for them but she didn't.  I asked 2 or 3 times for her to give me a number or email address so we could communicate easier than on a FB post but she never responded.  Basset Rescue Across Texas did call to get more information about them (which I was unable to get from the owner) so I've left them a message that they're at the shelter and to call me if we can do anything.  I don't know when they'll get the message or if they will be able to help or if FWACC will keep them long enough to get them out if we can find a foster.   Just so ridiculously depressing that people can't or won't keep their dogs or ask for help a little earlier or something!.”

If you can help, contact Karen Langston at [email protected].

CAT FAMILY AT THE MUSEUM
After we figure out how to save a momma cat and her four kittens, maybe we should wonder how this little family wound up living in the bushes at the Dallas Museum of Art right outside the legendary Cafe.
We got the tip on this crisis from local marketing/PR legend Vicki Young of The Young Company. She reports, “The Museum is going to start bull-dozing the bushes next week. Is there a kitty rescue group that is capable of catching 4 feral kitties and maybe the mom  ...? We have a contact at the museum who has put out food...She can work with the rescuers before the Museum is open to the public.”
The contacts in this case are Vicki at [email protected] and Rachel at 214-922-1854.
[LARRY ASIDE: Surely there is some way to save this family. And, seriously, that area of downtown, near Klyde Warren Alway Busy Park, is so frantic sometimes, it would appear that the only way for that cat and her kittens to get there would be by drone or by some jerk in the middle of the night rolling by and “setting them free.” Are we sure it’s against the law to introduce someone to the official Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment?]

CATS AND MATRIMONY

Our longtime tipster Linda Ashton of Texas Pawsprints Cats & Kittens Rescue (“Your Friendly Neighborhood Cat Ladies”) describes this situation as “two middle-aged cats in a sea of kittens.”

If it’s spring, there must be kittens. Linda writes, “The friendly neighborhood cat ladies are weathering the annual kitten tsunami - but our foster homes are now full and these two girls need help really quickly.  If we could find a new foster home for two weeks, we could accept these girls.
“Although I usually get annoyed with people who want to surrender their pets because they're moving, this guy has a ton of additional problems to cope with (I called him yesterday). And he is keeping their less adoptable/elderly pets.”
The explanation is, the man says, “I just got a divorce. We had 3 dogs and 4 cats. My ex-wife has already moved out of state and refused to take any of the animals with her. I am planning on keeping the dogs and one of the cats. I have already found a home for another cat and that leaves two left. I have been unable to find a permanent home for them and refuse to take them to the pound where I now they will be killed. I seriously can't bear the financial burden (especially with child support and all the other animals) any longer and need help badly. They are both house cats, litterbox-trained, should be up to date on medical. They are about 6 years old. I am relocating out of state in a week as well to be near my daughter and can't take them with me. I really don't want to take them to the pound.”
Offer to help by emailing Linda at [email protected] or call the cats’ remaining human at 817-771-8234.

LANCASTER BEAUTIES ON THE CLOCK

Tomi Ortiz, our reliable tipster about cool critters in Lancaster, sent a note about these two dogs. Tater’s running toward the camera and Clare’s the Earhound.
They’re on the clock.
The Furbabies of Lancaster note about Tater reads, “When thinking or talking of Tater, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘Great dog.’ Because he really is. Tater is a calm, already neutered male dog who is bigger, but so perfect. Not only does he have great manners, but he is so sweet and affectionate. And handsome! Who doesn't love all of that?... He's URGENT, so he needs a home quick, and he is so deserving.”

That Earhound is Clare, “a sweet girl, ready to get out of the shelter and become part of a wonderful family. She will need a little training, but she'll make a great companion for anyone.”
Readlarrypowell.com asked Tomi if she knew how these two dogs came to be in such a fix. She replied, “I have no idea why such beautiful dogs with huge personalities wind up in shelters.  The owners who let them down should be the ones locked up.  I wish there was a law that would make irresponsible animal owners have to spend a week or even just weekend locked in a cage to teach them a lesson! >:(“
I’m not sure what that symbol is after the exclamation point, but I suspect it deserves a resounding “AMEN.” 

MEANWHILE IN IRVING
The clock ticks swiftly for those in a shelter. Who are these dogs? Maybe just statistics.
Russell Posch, the dedicated shelterwalker who saves Irving animals with his camera, sent the photos and the explanation and the appeal to rescue groups: “These dogs are holdovers from last week's euthanasia list.  They have lasted into this week because of low intake last week.  Intake has been high  
the last several days and there is no room at the shelter.  Dogs will be euthanized for space tomorrow (Friday, May 29).  Please have a look at these dogs and see if you can find room for them in your rescue. If you are able to save any of them please use the rescue hotline to let the shelter know which dogs you want.  When you call the hotline you will be directed to leave a voice message.  The messages are played back prior to euthanasia being performed.  This is the number 972-721-3597 .  Here's the link to pictures of the dogs on the euthanasia list: http://fototime.com/inv/309058A2DF9DB62.”

When you message that hotline, follow up with emails to [email protected] or [email protected]. Call the shelter’s business numbers at 972-221-56 or 57.

All of these are strays, save one. That’s Clifford the Big Beige Dog, the one with white spots over his eyes. He’s a 60-pound, 2 1/2-year-old  Shepherd mix -- neutered fellow. Dumped because the human had “too many animals.” Nice, huh. 

TWO OKLAHOMA TALES
Our Burns Flat, Okla., tipster, the relentless rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher has the stories.
Episode One: “A rescue in Elk City shared this with me -- she is totally full and cannot take at this time. The town they are in is awful for animals... almost abusive. Please, read the message she sent, look at these sweet faces. If you can help, let me know.” 
The note reads, “These 2 were found in a garage. I think they are litter mates. Terrier mix? Both still have puppy teeth. Smaller one is a female, maybe 9 pounds. Bigger one is a male maybe 12- 15 pounds. Both are thin but smaller one is more so.”
Episode Two: “This was a weird one,” Terry Lynn writes. “Stolen from a town 16 miles east of me, found 4 miles west of me. I had him a week, then the owner came forward.  He went home. And two weeks later I learned he was in a hellhole pound for a week. So I went and got him.
“He is a doll. Loves my dogs, kids and everyone. He uses the doggie door. Sleeps under the covers -- but I cannot keep here and the pound is full. ... He is small, he is well-behaved -- oh, and if you sing, he sings with you.” 

Yep, “The Singin’ Chiweenie.” 
(Email Terry Lynn at [email protected].)

CONTEMPLATIONS: How has rain affected our lives? Interesting question. Someone mowed half our front yard on Wednesday. No idea who or why. One theory is lawn service landed on wrong yard and half-way through read the big 

numbers on the door. I don’t want to have to put up a sign that reads, “DO NOT MOW. URBAN WILDLIFE AREA.” ... Not only was the K9 Chief on the Beat Going to the Dogs event at Reverchon Park canceled for Saturday, but the grand opening of the re-done White Rock Dog Park was rescheduled for June 6. Visit the park’s dry Facebook page HERE.  ... I will pledge money to KERA-TV if some public broadcasting genius can figure out a way to just go with a crawl and dim the audio when there’s a flash flood alert five counties away. One of the way high cable channels has figured it out. Missed key dialogue in Foley’s War Thursday night. In the age of Star Trek communication, surely we can warn some of us without ticking off the rest. Surely. There’s a challenge for any of the nation’s 200 presidential candidates. Jump on it, ladies and gentlemen and other candidates, too.
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Dogs and cats -- in just three sentences an item...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- With the sincerest of intentions, I’m now going to write this edition without crossing the 3 sentence mark per item. Writing short is more difficult than writing long. Read on:

IF IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOGS

A lot of them are landing in Garland, such as “This Cat,” (the name on the shelter list) who can read the paper and whose number is A20193, and is in the shelter with a number of Schnauzer or Schnauzer mixes such as this one, but the situation is summed up by Garland Animal Services Community Resource/Rescue Coordinator Hugo Espinoza: “We are really full at the moment and only have a few kennels  and cat cages open.” See the animals HERE and follow the rules if your a rescuer by emailing [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
Our longtime Burns Flat, Okla., tipster and resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher is trying to find a place for this dog, an un-neutered 12-year-old, blind Shih Tzu with a heart murmur (on meds) and eyes problems (has meds) but, in spite of the fact that the little fellow gets along with calm dogs of all sizes, he’s still got to find a new home. Terry Lynn is trying to help the old fellow, who sometimes forgets his manners,  find a home in which he can have a loving existence for the rest of his life. Email [email protected] and help her beat the Saturday deadline.
STARLA’S ON THE LIST


You can see the other dogs and cats on the clock for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at the Carrollton Animal Services Shelter by clicking HERE. Call Carrollton Animal Rescue Enterprise at 972-466-3420, or email [email protected]. Keep in mind that there is no bailbondsman for animal shelters -- the animals are depending on the kindness of strangers.

THE IRVING REPORT

The Chihuahua Wayne, who we highlighted in our previous addition, has been saved at the Irving Animal Services Shelter, reports renowned shelter walker Russell Posch who provided the link to the current urgent dogs HERE  and the rescued or adopted dogs (lots of Chihuahuas) HERE and Irving’s available cats HERE.  The Irving shelter’s Rescue Hotline is 972-721-3597 -- followup your call with emails to [email protected] and [email protected] and the shelter’s business numbers are 972-721-2256 or 57.

A SOUTH FORT WORTH STRAY
Karen Lee, the famed animal advocate, forwarded a note from Jessica Draheim who explained that she found this dog roaming the streets in South Fort Worth on Wednesday. He was nearly hit buy a car, is skinny, is new to walking on a leash, isn’t neutered, may have mange and is in need of a no-kill shelter. There was some deadline pressure because of pre-existing dogs and uncertain moods and, well, you know the drive, but if you can help, email [email protected] or call 480-544-3182.

CALLED ON ACCOUNT OF RAIN
Theresa Brandon of the Cedar Hill Pet Memorial Project reports that the organization has made “not a fun or happy decision” and postponed the Barks-N-BBQ event that was gong to be held Saturday in a Cedar Hills Park, but the park is soggy and lousy for people and Theresa, urging everyone to stay tuned, says, “We really want this to be a fun and memorable event (in a good way) so at this time it is in our best interest to re-schedule.”
FINALLY, AN ACTUAL EARHOUND!
After years of pointing out assorted Earhounds, check out the ears on this baby! Sure enough, Sydney Busch of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, which operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas, forwarded the story and the photo about this beautiful, house-trained, un-spayed, currently in a foster-home Earhound. Help this dog find a new place to live by emailing “Janet” at [email protected] or calling 505-488-1166. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: Anybody ever seen a dog that didn’t love french fries? Is it even possible to contemplate that a dog wouldn’t like french fries? ... For no particular reason, show of hands, please, how many of you have enjoyed a bit or bite of the famed Scottish dish haggis? Yep, there’s a vegetarian version of haggis and you can read about it right HERE. ... Favorite Marlon Brando Movie in “The Later Years”? How about The Freshman for comedy and, maybe, for small role in a drama,The Score, with Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton and, of course, don’t discount Don Juan DeMarco for romance with Johnny Depp. Anybody able to tell us the title of a movie they've seen lately that was worth the price of admission?

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Dogs, cat, humans, rain and Dallas when it's dry

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Just an FYI as we being this edition, your fitness-minded correspondent went to Kiest Park Tuesday afternoon to put in some exercise time and the Deluge of ’15 has part of the park soaked and stinking like an Arkansas bayou. For a while, I was looking around for trot lines, giant frogs and alligator gar. All that nature aside, consider the attitude on this dog. His name is Wayne and he’s a ward of the Irving Animal Services shelter and is on the clock, one of the many “urgents” at the shelter. (More of them later). Note that he’s been reading the local paper -- or at least putting it to good use. Now, our daily report.
IT’S BLACK AND WHITE AT DAS

A quick check of the Dallas Animal Services Pet Harbor adoption list showed us four interesting animals, a study in black-and-white. Interesting tidbits on these adoptables; they are among 207 dogs and 35 cats on the “Get Me Out of The Shelter Now List.”

Here’s the ID info.
Tucker (#A878666) is described as “a male, black and white Border Collie mix.” The shelter lists him at about a year old and he’s been there since March 8, the listing says.
Now Pixie (A879195) is described as about 7 months old, at the shelter since March 12 and a “spayed female, black brindle and white Boxer and Dutch Shepherd.”
Before we ponder the similarity of those two mixed breeds, here we come with Marble (A888556), a 15 week old, at the shelter since May 10, and a “spayed, female, black and white Labrador Retriever Mix.
Finally, we get to our logic portion of today’s presentation: If Prince Boots (#A888522) is black and white, about 2 and a resident of the shelter since May 9, what kind of canine mix is he?
If you answered anything other than “cat,” we need to get you into an animal identification course. We’ve never met Prince Boots, but we’re almost certain he is not a Dutch Shepherd Mix.
If you want to adopt any of these adorable animals -- or any other animal in the city’s shelter, stop by. It’s at I-30 and Westmoreland and open to the public. You can go online at dallasanimalservices.org and navigate through the adoption protocol to reach the photos and descriptions of the dogs and cats.
Remember, get an animal out of a shelter and save the animal’s life while making your life a lot better. 

MEANWHILE IN IRVING
Photo-snappin’ shelter walkin’ Russell Posch provides us with the most recent “Urgents” in the Irving Animal Services shelter. We opened today with Wayne, who you’ll see is in this bunch of endangered animals. 
  

Some of these animals are strays. Some are dumped. Some surrendered because the humans were moving or didn’t have room or -- well, you know humans. They sometimes have a knack for creating “excuses” to dump man’s best friend or classic cats. 

You can read about the urgent dog’s HERE.
And you can read about Irving’s adoptable cats HERE.
This acrobatic fellow is Beiber, 18 months old and ready for a home...Not Canadian, but is a bit of a rock star in the cat world, no doubt.
The Irving shelter’s Rescue Hotline is 972-721-3597 -- followup your call with emails to [email protected] and [email protected]. The shelter’s business numbers are 972-721-2256 or 57.

CONTEMPLATIONS:
Here are a couple of upcoming events to think about. Both involve animals and both involve people. The Texas Humane Legislation Network notice deals with elected humans in the Texas Legislature and the Yappy Hour notice involves people trying to get dogs out of Texas, no known (or announced) connection to the behavior and voting trends of the 2015 Texas Legislature. (Click on the art to make it larger) [LARRY ASIDE: I’ve enjoyed writing about the Texas Legislature for decades, poking fun now and then as I enjoy the benefits of living in a nation that respects the free press, print or cyber. Besides, I kind of like some of the Legislators I’ve known through the years -- both sides of the aisle. There are smart people in the Legislature -- like the general population, they work against great odds.] ... Got these two great emails Tuesday: “Learn how to help the mentally ill with online psychology degrees” and (these typos were in the email subject line) “Be a Psychoologist in Less Time Than You Thiink.” Those are a couple of ridiculous come-ons but I’m betting some people fall for them. You’d have to be crazy; maybe these are self-help programs. Here’s a Readlarrypowell.com rule: “No form of medicine should be practiced by amateurs.” Though, of course, I was an ambulance driver briefly in the mid-‘60s and am not certified for anything but I never lost a patient. Always made sure the back door was closed on the ambulance. ... As this is being written Tuesday night, thunder is rocking the ol’ household. If we ever stop having thunderstorms around here, I don’t know what we’ll do for noise -- sirens, gunfire, lawnmowers, leaf-blowers, roofers. Ah, the normal sounds of Dallas When It’s Dry.
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ASSORTED DOG AND CAT OPPORTUNITIES

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Anybody who has lived through an August in Texas should feel pretty stupid declaring, “I’m sick of rain.” But, here we are, driven to this point by a spring that has soaked North Texas to the point that rumor is babies are being born with gills. Now, with everything going swimmingly, here’s our report and it includes a shelter appeal, a dumped cats appeal and an old dog in a tough spot. Read on:

REMINDER: MATER

This dog Mater we wrote about a few days ago -- he was on the clock for Tuesday morning if nobody stepped up and took him out of the Rowlett Animal Shelter.
UPDATE: Dawna Carabajal, our contact with Friends of Rowlett Animals, reported about midnight that arrangements had been made but he still needs a place to go.
"He will not go back to the shelter. He is out, safe , and getting love and attention," she wrote.
But nothing is certain except Mater's in need of a home or foster home. To help Mater find a permanent home, contact the Friends at [email protected]. 

OFFICIALLY DESPERATE AT FERRIS
That’s the phrase tipster sent about the animals at the Ferris Animal Shelter, about a half-hour south of Dallas on I-45. 

The original appeal to help the animals came from Laura Macias who has “adopted” the shelter and is trying to help
the city turn things around in the lightly-visited facility.
One email writer explained, “I've been contacted by a few people saying because Ferris has a bad history they don't want to help.  I don't understand this rationale.  These cats and dogs are not responsible for the town they ended up in or the actions of people or city officials that were in that town at that time.
“We are trying to save the kittens, cats and dogs here before the shelter closes for 10 days for maintenance.  That's who we are helping.  Trying to save the lives of some that would not make it otherwise. THIS SHELTER HAS NO WALK-IN TRAFFIC.”
These animals are among the population scheduled to be euthanized at the close of business Tuesday.
There are the kittens Jazz and Jayda and their mom, Jasmine. Then there is Cody the blond and white Pittie mix. He’s “sweet and loveable,” they sayy.
Kip is the /g/old Retriever/Chow mix who “looks like a golden fluffball.”
This is a photo of Holly, a young girl whose lookalike sister Heather came in with her. The human who dumped them onto Death Row kept the litter of puppies.
And we’ve mentioned Tanner, the Belgian Malinois, before. He came in with his lookalike sister, Tasha.
All of these animals will be dead -- lifeless -- by Tuesday evening if no one steps up to reverse the peril other humans have put them in.
EMAIL [email protected] or CALL or TEXT 214-949-2726.

THE CATS: ‘MOST WE ‘TRAPPED’ CAME TO US OR JUMPED IN THE CAR’

This is an Irving story of cats. Not feral cats. Domestic cats that appear to have been dumped. 

Our tipster of the rescuer Janie Perelman who said, “Most we ‘trapped’ came to us or jumped in the car.” [LARRY ASIDE: That’s sure not the feral cats most of us run into, is it?]
Janie explains, “I came across about 10 stray (not feral ) cats that appear to have been dumped. Living in horrific conditions. I feed every day and became friendly with the lady who lives in the apartment pt next to lot who helps.”
Six of the cats have been fixed and vetted. “About 10 remain. Four are very friendly, love to be handled. Rescue group I was working with is full.
“[These cats] come with sponsorship. Need help at least with the 4 I can catch any day. The other 6 I would still love to trap, fix and at least move somewhere healthier if feeding and shelter is there.”
And how did Janie find these cats? “I saw a loose small dog about to run onto MacArthur from that lot. I pulled into the lot to grab the dog (which ran home into the apartments--I confirmed) and found the cats.”
To help Janie with these cats, email [email protected].   

AN OLDER FELLOW IN MESQUITE
This appeal brings to mind a question: Is there a rescue organization around her that deal exclusively with older animals and has people who foster them for the rest of their time or places them with people willing to love them to the end?
Surely there is.
We got the tip on this from Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue who forwarded the note from Jamie Dotson.
Here’s the explanation from Jamie who is try to “save a special dog” at the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
“I volunteer at the Mesquite Animal Shelter and when I arrived today I found a 13-year-old Black/White Boxer mix. He was surrendered by his owner as they could not afford him. He was dropped off on 5/22. Mesquite Animal Shelter is a kill shelter as they run out of room....you know the rest.”
Jamie says, “I don't want to see him live out the rest of his life in a shelter or a shorter one being euthanized. I sat with him today and he is underweight a bit, never fixed, just a tad scared, but you would be too if your life was turned upside down in a day. I can tell he has arthritis as he prefers to stand vs sit, but he is a sweet dog. I petted him and he gave me a kiss or two, no aggressiveness, just a bit shy.  He did have a small patch of hair missing near his tail, but his eyes were bright and showed no signs of ailments. I do wish I could take him in or even foster, however I have a house full of rescues, 3 cats, 3 dogs. ...If I can find an organization or foster that can take him in I can promise I will give a donation of $300+ and help out with medical bills if needed.”

Get in touch with Jamie at [email protected].

 CONTEMPLATIONS

This has to be the earliest announcement of any event in animal rescue. I got a note Monday from Operation Kindness volunteer Candace Morgan about the annual Canines Cats & Cabernet Gala -- scheduled for October 3 at the Omni Hotel (Go HERE to see about sponsoring, participating or donating. It’s not the next big thing on the OK Calendar -- that’s Operation Kindness’s 21st Dog Day Afternoon on June 6 at Flag Pole Hill.  The 21st Dog Day Afternoon, the 23rd Canines, Cats & Cabernet -- two of the longest-running traditions in rescue, thanks to the leadership of the rescuer who built the foundation of Operation Kindness, Jonnie England. Just a hint that there ought to be an OK plaque or something honoring Jonnie. ... What drought? And which politician will claim credit for ending it? ... George Clooney in Tomorrowland. See it or won’t see it? Instead will watch Bruce Willis in Hudson Hawk as a reminder that movie stars rebound better after a bad performance than the Dallas Cowboys.

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Tornado animals; Jeppetto missing; Emma needs a home...

EDITION OF MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Memorial Day. Anybody who has ever done anything that required a personal freedom to accomplish -- write for the free press, own personal property, complain about the government -- this is your day to honor those military personnel who gave their lives for the United States.
Here’s a quote from the late Massachusetts senator Paul Tsongas that explains what these people protected: “America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.” 

AFTERMATH OF THE VAN STORM

Our pal Lisa Buick sent a note about getting some attention for the efforts to help “the dogs and catds that have been rescued after the Van tornado who are in need of fostering or adopting.”
You see one of the photos from the Facebook site “Van Texas Tornado Animal Lost and Found: HERE.
Reading the fine print on that page, we discovered there are more than 30 animals who were lost or displaced but found after the tornado. See that SITE HERE. 

BE ON THE LOOK OUT IN ALLEN
Jeppetto The Cat slipped out an open door of an apartment and vanished over the weekend. We learned about him from grandmom Jenny, the “sweet angel” of writer/animal fan A.J. Hewett.
Jenny helped create flyers that are being distribute throughout the neighborhood of the Mission Eagle Pointe apartments at Jupiter and Park Place.
Jenny’s granddaughter, Krystle, was on vacation when Jeppetto went on a walkabout, probably on Friday night. She has returned to look for her cat. Jeppetto has lived in the apartment since December, but is not really familiar with the area. He's neutered and front-paw declawed. He’s about 5 years old and loved. 

Number to call is 469-952-1754 if you know Jeppetto’s whereabouts.

[LARRY ASIDE: Finding a lost cat frequently depends on the cat. You can always put out food near the door, leave a favorite toy, etc. The cat may be hiding under shrubbery and may be too timid to go to the door, but can be “lured” with familiar items. Bless their hearts and the hearts of people who love them.]
A LABRADANE? SHE NEEDS A HOME

Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue was approached by Will Mullenger with the challenge of finding a home for this wonderful dog, Emma. [LARRY ASIDE: She is a Great Dane/Lab mix and one of those owned our home for more than a decade. These dogs are the best of two great breeds. These two photos show you what “adorable” looks like.]
Will’s letter to Dinesah explains, “I'm contacting you because we are searching for a loving home for our sweet girl, Emma. She is a Great Dane-Labrador mix and she turns 6 years old on May 29, 2015. She is very well trained, and exceptionally well-behaved. Emma loves people so much. She is not aggressive towards people, children, or other dogs, unless she senses aggression from them. Even then, she's not over-reactive, she's just very unaware that she is so big. The best home for her would be one without babies/toddlers and without small dogs/cats. She loves playing ball, one walk each day, sleeping, and giving kisses. We know that she would make a family very happy with her gentle, sweet nature.” 

To ask about adopting Emma, call 972-974-4441 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
While searching for an appropriate American-oriented quote for Memorial Day, I found that Paul Tsongas quote in the opening graf, but I also found a wonderfully American quote from the great Mark Twain. He said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” Spot on, Mr. Twain, spot on. ... Soggiest spring I can remember, made even more miserable by the lack of Blue Bell Ice Cream. What if it never comes back? What do we do to keep our weight up? ... OK, here’s one more look at a tornado dog. This fellow is on the Van tornado animals Facebook site and the reason I’m posting him is so maybe he’ll touch someone’s heart and find a home. Orange collar, kind of battered by the storm and walking with a limp. [LARRY ASIDE: We had a little Maltese, Glinda, who lived through the Lancaster Tornado many years ago -- after that she didn’t like being lifted off the ground. When we started fostering her, the day after the storm, she lived under our couch for weeks until she was certain the storm was gone.] This guy is no Maltese, but he’s got a heart that brought him to humans to seek help and comfort at a tough time. Someone surely loved him and someone can love him again. Surely.

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A SATURDAY APPEAL FOR MATER; SPREAD THE WORD AND SAVE HIS LIFE...

MAY 23, 2015 (SATURDAY NIGHT NOTES --PetPowellPress) -- How about those legs on that dog -- kind of looks like some kind of artist’s work, doesn’t it?  As much as it’s rained around here, you need long legs to keep your backside out of the water. (Our usual Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap was posted earlier and you can scroll down to see the Sleeping Beagles of Gun Barrel City.)

Yeah, I went for the attention-getting angle on this dog, Mater. Anybody can show you a dog’s face.
You’ll note that the legs are attached to a friendly-looking, smilin’ dog with a tail that moves to fast for the camera to actually capture.

Moving fast is the theme here. This is a holiday weekend. Saturday’s over. On Sunday and Monday the Rowlett Animal Shelter is closed and that means someone’s going to have to act fast to save this dog on Tuesday morning
The dog’s name is Mater. I’m not sure why -- could be short for “tomato” -- maybe the dog’s name-giver has northeast Texas roots. “Hey, Mater,” you could yell and he’d come runnin’.  Or, if nobody gets to him by Tuesday morning, well, we humans are a sad lot to let the practice of killing dogs continue to be a public policy.
Dawna Carabajal of the Friends of the Rowlett Animals has been hustling to find help for this dog and readlarrypowell.com has joined her in the effort.
No dog deserves the needle in a shelter.
And, for crying out loud, look at this dog. That’s a dog full of life. Why take it?

Here’s Dawna’s appeal to rescue groups, “I know that many of you work with smaller dogs or breed specific groups, but if you cannot help Mater can you please share with your contacts? Sharing saves lives!”
That is a significant appeal and, of course, we urge anyone reading this to forward it to everybody who’s drawing a breath to make sure Mater can keep drawing one. 

Dawna wrote, “URGENT - Mater has a Deadline ** TO BE EUTHANIZED TUESDAY MORNING! **

“Mater is a 1 yr old, possibly Hound or Shepherd mix who needs your help. Mater is a young boy with the energy that goes along with his age. Mater can sit, shake and he absolutely loves belly rubs. It is reported that Mater has been with other big dogs at the shelter and done well but has not been with the smaller dogs so we are unsure how he is with small dogs or cats.
“Right now Mater has a really bad ear infection that is causing him a lot of pain that the shelter reports has made him nippy. However, the volunteers state they have seen zero nipping or aggression issues. Friends of Rowlett Animals took him to the vet Friday and paid for his ear to be treated and packed. The volunteer who took him said he did fantastic and the vet had no issues with him while treating his ear infection.
“Unfortunately Friends of Rowlett Animals is not a rescue group so we do not have the resources to pull Mater, but we are sponsoring his medical treatment for his ear to make sure that does not stop someone from adopting or rescuing him. Please contact the shelter directly at 972-412-6219 or [email protected] or you can contact Friends of Rowlett Animals by email at [email protected] or by messaging us on our Facebook page. 

“Since the shelter will be closed on Sunday and Monday it might be best to reach out to Friends of Rowlett Animals so we can try to assist in making sure he is tagged for adoption or rescue with the shelter in time. Mater must have a confirmed adopter or rescue before 8 a.m. Tuesday or the shelter will euthanize him. Please help if you can. There is no reason for this dog to be euthanized!”
Here are a couple of Rowlett links: http://friendsofrowlettanimals.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfRowlettAnimals .
And, oh, yeah, they've got cats there, too. That's Lightin', an 8-year-old cat who needs a home.

MEANWHILE IN IRVING
As we went into the big middle of the holiday weekend, Russell Posch, the veteran shelterwalker at Irving Animal Services provided this collection of dogs on the Death Row Countdown in the shelter. (Read about each of them HERE.)

Remember, the countdowns of area shelter clocks can be made shorter by a Monday holiday. Call the rescue hotline at 972-721-3597 and follow with emails to [email protected] and [email protected]. The shelter’s business phones are 972-721-2256 or 57.

FOLLOWING THE PODCASTS

How’s this for a cute dog pitchin’ a podcast! 

Yep, it’s the East Lake Pet Orphanage podcast with all sorts of interesting critter news and comments and tips.

Don’t click the arrow in the picture because Readlarrypowell.com doesn’t have the technocomprehension to make it work, but if you click HERE it’ll take you right to the site featuring the ELPO podcasts and the stars, Dr. Will McCauley and Dr. Karen Fling. 
Also, according to ELPO, “It's Mother's Month at East Lake Pet Orphanage! During the month of May, adoption fees for cat and dog moms are half-off! Come meet one of our wonderful mothers who deserve a loving home just as much as their kiddos.” Go to the ELPO site HERE.

I’m taking this opportunity to mention The Cheese Litter at ELPO. You can see them on the ELPO website -- we’re featuring just two, Colby and Cheddar. Colby seems quite calm for the camera, but Cheddar appears to be complaining about the lighting on the set of the shoot.
CONTEMPLATION: Be a friend to animals. It’s easy. Find a rescue group and get involved as a volunteer. You don’t even have to touch an animal -- but maybe you can write for their websites, write grant applications, transport equipment or supplies, help raise money, or, if you are OK with critters, you can foster. It’s a gift to be able to help animals when other people in the local Zip Codes are not giving a darn. Set yourself apart from the inattentive crowd, use your heart to help animals.

--- To comment, send an email about Mater to as many people as you know, then grab your mouse, click below and let people know you’re Clickin’ for Mater. Bless his heart. ---

A vision for your holiday snoozing...

For our Memorial Day Weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we have something few people have seen.
Perhaps you hope to see “different” things during your holiday time off. Different things such as, if you are from North Texas, mountains fall into that category. Maybe you want to see New York City. Or San Francisco. Or, perhaps, Thackerville, Okla., where Texas money goes to find a new home.
What we have here, though, is a photo of something you may never have seen: Four Beagles sleeping. Seriously, think about it. Have you ever seen a Beagle quartet snoozing?
The story on this photo? Four Texas Beagles pooled their savings and took it to Winstar where they won big on the slots and the Casino comped them this Canine Speciality Suite. 
I’m kidding. This is a photo of four Beagle visitors to the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas, on the edge of Cedar Creek Lake. As you know, the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake operate, so to speak, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City.
In my career as a journalist (approaching a half-century), I have never seen four Beagles sleeping. Anybody else ever see four Beagles stretched out and sleeping? 
The story was posted on the Friends Facebook site HERE.

The caption, from back in April, reads, “It was HOUND DAY at Friends yesterday...These four adorable Beagles were there for surgery along with a couple of Bassets and a Bloodhound - needless to say, it was NOISY at the clinic until they all went home!”
[NOMINATE YOUR sleeping canines and napping felines and other slumberers for the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap by sending their photo and the info to [email protected]. We’re proud to show off your friends to our reading friends around the world. FYI: As you know we post the sleeping dogs and napping cats to give encouragement to insomniacs that they, too, may find sleep. So, heads up, Friends of the Animals, if you get calls from people saying they don’t need to be fixed, they just want to borrow a towel and have a nice lie-down in the recovery room. Charge ‘em a good room rate -- insomniacs will pay anything to catch a few winks. Everybody, enjoy your holiday weekend and if you need sleep, I hope you get it. If you don’t need sleep? Well, aren't you the lucky insomniac.]
--- To comment, yawn, stretch, grab your mouse, click below, comment and nod off. ---