ReadLarryPowell.com

A napper with a message; a dog in a spot, a garage sale with no threat from Bonnie & Clyde and a Manila surprise

This appears at first glance to be a feline who is the spotlight photo for our traditional weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
That is true. But there is more. We're interpreting this as (a) a promotion for spaying and neutering and (b) a pitch for adopting cats and (c) a chance to smile at a cat who belongs in a home where he’ll be a loved, cherished and honored member of the family.
We learned about him from our longtime tipster Linda Ashton who as a member of Texas Pawprints is “one of 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Cat Ladies’,” as the Pawprinterians are known. [LARRY ASIDE: Pawprinterians sounds theological, doesn’t it. Friendly Neighborhood Cat Ladies sounds a bit inviting with a hint of threat. Probably works better.]

Linda’s note about Storm reads: “Here's a photo of a sleeper who seems totally unashamed of his recent neuter. Maybe he's just letting everything air out? :O

“Like all other cat rescues, Texas Pawprints was drowned in kittens this spring. The heavy rains seemed to contribute to higher numbers of bottle babies, but thankfully we have some dedicated bottle baby volunteers (read that insomniacs - tiny kittens need feedings every four hours).

“One of them, Storm, recently found the evening's TV entertainment boring and dozed off next to his foster mom. He was rescued with a sibling named Rain, who decided to spend his time doing something more productive.  Storm will be ready for adoption very soon. Interested parties can visit us on  Facebook.

[To spotlight your sleeping dog or napping cat or your rescue groups’ slumbering adorable adoptables, email the photos and info to [email protected] and we’ll highlight the adorable animals in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, we post these inspirational stories to give insomniacs faith in their ability to sleep. Naturally, we are almost certain insomniacs will not opt for such intimate surgery as Storm's in order to catch a few winks, but, you know, as a veteran insomniac, readlarrypowell.com can tell you that sometimes you can really get desperate. I think, however, a good rule of thumb is always to try to find a comfortable position before you check into day surgery at the clinic.]

OUR ADDENDUM
TO THE REPORT

This is your chance to help a dog find a new home, to help a rescue group fly animals away from local peril and a chance to read about an awful incident that doesn’t involve animals and, of course, is absolutely NOT true. Our stories:

ROCKY’S CHALLENGE -- NO FAULT OF HIS OWN

Our pal Tomi Ortiz, a persistent rescuer and monitor of things in Lancaster, turns her heart toward helping a member of the family this time. The dog is Rocky and needs a new home. So Tomi is stepping up. T  

Tomi knew him when. “Rocky is a very loving dog who is 1 year and 8 months old. He is a Dallas Animal Services rescue and when he was adopted his paper work listed him as a Pit mix. After she took him to the vet they said he had very little Pittie in him and he was more a Weimaraner mix.  He is up to date on his shots, microchipped (with my info...long story) and is crate-trained.  He loves to run in a back yard and LOVES attention which does get him hyper! He's great with children but having been around him myself I would say older children would be best since he does like to jump from excitement. Can’t say I blame him thou he’s in his crate quite a bit while they are at work. He's been an only dog but has shown NO aggression towards other dogs when taken on walks. I would take him myself but ... I am at capacity.”
Tomi has an emotional link to Rocky. “He is such a sweet boy! I really wish I could take him! When they picked him out for their daughter off the DAS website I was so excited! Then they said they couldn’t make it to DAS before they closed.  Having him spend one more day at the shelter broke my heart! So I volunteered to go get him and drive him to them. Of course that meant I had to put all the info in my name and that’s why on the microchip info he has belongs to me.  Now I feel more than responsible for him finding a good home and not winding back at a shelter ‘cause he just doesn’t deserve that.”
To help the sweet Rocky, email [email protected].

HELPING DOGS FLY THE DALLAS ESCAPE ROUTE
Tawana Couch saves dogs from the needle in North Texas by flying them to places that want them. Unwanted becomes wanted because of the work Tawana and her volunteers do. Read about the Society for Companion Animals HERE. And you can help out by visiting the garage sale Saturday. (Click on the art to make it grow.)

This garage sale is in Oak Cliff. But if you’ve never been to Oak Cliff, don’t worry -- the roads are paved, there are traffic lights, there are places to eat and meet nice people.  The sale is near Wynnewood Village where there was a bank once owned by movie star John Wayne (I think it's a school now.). Oak Cliff was once part of the territory traveled by West Dallas sweethearts Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, a couple of practitioners of “open carry,” but when you go to the garage sale, don’t worry about them. They’re in town, but if they show up, call me right away. I think we’ll have a big story.

THE REPETITIVE CRIME
Readlarrypowell.com has received this identical message from probably 8 or 9 people in the past two years. The email addresses belong to people we know who are as likely to be in Manila as I am to be in a Speedo splashing around in the Koi Pond at the Dallas Arboretum. 

Here’s the text, in case you want to make a note about “messages to ignore.”
“Good Morning,

“Sorry for any inconvenience, but I'm in a terrible situation. I'm in Manila, Philippines right now for a short Holiday trip, last night on my way back to my hotel room I was robbed at gunpoint, my wallet and mobile phone and personal effect stolen off me, leaving my passport and life safe. my luggage is still in custody of the hotel management pending when I make payment on outstanding bills I owe. I called my bank for a wire transfer but it has proven almost Impossible to operate my account from here as they made me understand international transactions take 7 working days to be effective which I can't wait. I need you to help me with a loan to pay my hotel bills and get my self home. I will reimburse you soon as I get back Home. I will appreciate whatever you can assist me with. Let me know if you can be of help.”
“Dear Fake Friend,
“I think I can be of help. En route to you is a Lotto Texas ticket that may prove to be worth enough money to help you get back to the states. I have not checked the numbers, but I’m almost certain they are winners because I divined them by reading the grounds from a cup of coffee I got at Lucky’s Bar ‘n’ Garage while getting an oil change. See you when you get back -- got you Cowboys tickets; you’ll enjoy the new picnic suite at Texas Stadium -- unobstructed views!”
“Sincerely,
“P. Nohkio Lohngsnaut”

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Long Friday report with heroic tales, fun, and box fans for a Laketroplex shelter...

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 (PetPowellPress) Last day of July and I thought we’d open with a photograph of heroic people and Pippa the Dog who was saved from an awful situation. Despicable situation --AND CRIMINAL. The story may just make you mist up -- especially if you’re a parent.
And, we’re going to mention Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones and the rescue’s work with little rascals. Oh, and the bounced-back dog Camo. And the SPCA’s movie night on Saturday and shots on Sunday!
There’s more for this edition but the thing to remember is the weekend is here and you have opportunities to help through adoption, rescue, fostering or donating. Maybe just stopping by an off-site adoption or a shelter and telling a volunteer thanks for showing up and helping. Do something nice for animals and the people who love them. And, of course, make sure you root for Readlarrypowell.com to win Lotto Texas. Now, on with today’s report.
FINALLY, THE ANSWER, PLUS A ONE-EARED DOG
Last weekend I walked into the Montgomery Plaza PetSmart in Fort Worth and got a big hug. If that happened in every PetSmart, I’d buy a lot more pet supplies. Of course, Roberta Womack, the guiding light of Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones and my hugger, isn’t trying to get dogs adopted in every PetSmart.  But there she was, surrounded by volunteers and little dogs -- polite, quiet, little dogs. And she hugged me. We’re ol’ acquaintances in the rescue world.  And, as usual, she had a load of little dogs, each in search of a new, safe, loving home. We took ‘em all. I’m kidding. But there are some we’ll mention in a second who need a special home. (They’ll be back at the PetSmart on Aug. 8.)
Of course, you know the famous dog question, the one first asked by the Baha Men. And, on that shirt you see the answer. That’s a shirt being sold by Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones, the Fort Worth-based rescue group that focuses on little dogs. Click HERE. In the meantime, there are some dogs they’d really love to “let out” to a great home. We cite Sister and Van Gogh, siblings who should go to the same home because of their devotion to each other. And they have a sister named “Stormy” who needs a home, too. 

By the way, Van Gogh is an Earhound, the Earhoundus Accidentalus variety. He lost his ear when his surrogate momma dog gnawed it off. Doesn’t bother him and it gave him his name.
The dogs came to Lucy’s in September 2013, a month after their owner died.  They’d been “living outside in a small chain link fenced area and although they were provided food and water by the previous owner’s daughter. Sister was not spayed and aside from being left in the elements, I feared for Van Gogh who was altered in the event sister were to go into heat and Lord knows what would be coming after her. Lucy's took five additional Chihuahuas from the owner’s daughter; four have found forever homes but sister, Van Gogh and Stormy are still waiting.

Van Gogh is a joy to be around and loves it when i bring him a new toy. Sister has so much love to give to the right person; one who understands why it took me two years before she felt comfortable enough for me to hold her. The rewards of her sweet kisses was well worth the wait. Maybe they've been with us because I won't separate them? Or maybe because V.G. only has one ear and Sister a cute underbite. Either way they are safe but are still available for adoption.”
And, of course, one look at Stormy and you see a companion animal, someone to watch TV with, perhaps to discuss under-inflation of footballs in the National Football League.
 Lucy’s has invested some food and vet care money in these dogs over the last couple of years, but you can still get them for a $200 for both adoption fee. Call 817-714-0990 or email [email protected]. Go to www.lucyslostlovedones.com to get the adoption info. And, remember, Lucy’s is ALWAYS looking for foster homes, temporary safe havens for unwanted Chihuahuas. [LARRY ASIDE: Though, as long as I can crawl to the refrigerator, there’s no such thing as an “unwanted Chihuahua."]

PIPPA’S PLIGHT -- A GOOD HEART INTERVENES

This is a story told by a Mom who is really proud. Dawn Ladny sent the story about -- let’s just call it what it is -- an attempt to murder (no other word) a dog. The dog’s vet bills need some relief, too. 
Here are the key players in this drama: Mallory Ladny, radio-TV-film major at UT; Ashley Kim, biology major planning on being an optometrist, also at UT; heroic Dallas cops; Pippa the dog; felonious creep in a car.

Dawn also says, “Our hope is to find her a loving home when she is ready for adoption in about a month.  We also hope to bring awareness to the fact that animals are being discarded daily in cruel ways and we want the NTTA to change their cameras to record activity so that these subhumans who commit this atrocities can be brought to justice.”
Here’s Dawn’s account of this episode involving some really cruel people:
“My 18 year old daughter and her friend were on their way home from their freshman orientation at UT Austin about 6 weeks ago. It had been storming all day and it was a scary trip. It was late at night and they were traveling through south Dallas (35E north at Camp Wisdom) and were about 30 minutes from being home when they witnessed someone throw a puppy from a car - right in front of them - at about 70 MPH. They immediately stopped and called me on the phone because they didn't know what to do.
“Ashley got out of the car to try to catch the poor dog, who had hit the ground and tumbled several times, and then got up and ran scared, hopping on three feet.  A Dallas PD car happened to enter the freeway while her friend was running in the emergency lane and calling the puppy to her. The officers stopped and helped them catch the baby. We opted to bring her home, rather than letting the officers call Animal Control. All the shelters are full down there, and if she was taken in, I'm sure she would have been euthanized because of her injuries. Long story short, we are nursing her back to health.  We have named her Pippa. 

“She just got her cast off her leg a couple of weeks ago and she is learning to play....I think for the first time in her life. She had badly dislocated and rotated radius and ulna bones in her right front leg that required resetting and casting for 3 weeks (a new cast every week). She also had several other infections as a result of her neglect. She is SO loving with people (adults and kids) and loves all the dogs in our home. We couldn't vaccinate her (except rabies) at the time because of her injuries and weak immune system, so we will be doing that in the next couple of weeks. Then she will be spayed and ready for adoption.
“The officers told my daughter that this happens nearly every day down in that area. People drive in the middle lane, and wait for a car to be in the HOV lane just behind them, then they throw the dog out into the HOV lane because they know that the cars in that lane have nowhere to go unless they swerve left into the concrete barrier or swerve right into the other cars. So they usually just drive straight and hit the dog. What kind of sick human does this? We filed animal cruelty charges (my daughter was only able to tell that it was a black 4-door sedan) and the investigator contacted NTTA for video from the freeway. Unfortunately, the cameras are only live feed and don't record, so without a license plate, there was nothing that could be done.

“We have a fundraiser set up for Pippa to help with her vet expenses, which are currently at about $2,000.  She still needs shots and spay before she is available for adoption. [HERE'S THE LINK. ] I am fostering her for Animals First Foundation of Texas (AFFT).  She is approximately 7 months old.  We would LOVE to get some exposure for her.”

[LARRY ASIDE: What heroism on the part of all: these college-bound young women and the cops who stopped to help! And what a wonderful dog rescue story. And what a load of creeps in the car. If anyone might have seen anything, contact the authorities. This is a felonious act. And people who will do this will do anything evil. They need to be off the streets and in psychiatric facility where they can be cured and then turned over to a prison until they forget what the sky looks like.]

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES WITH THE SPCA & FIRST SUNDAY SHOTS!

Full weekend at the SPCA of Texas -- showtime on Saturday and shots on Sunday. [That is 7-pound Fiona, whose face appears naturally lit for the movies. She's at the SPCA.]
The free movie on Saturday is on the lawn at The Shop at Park Lane, 8080 Park Lane. The SPCA and Jack FM radio will be showing the great film Beethoven -- big St. Bernard, Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt. A big hit and you can’t go wrong with Bonnie Hunt! Gordon’s pretty darned good, too. [That's SPCA adoptable Pumpkernickel, a St. Ber-- wait, sorry, a Pom mix.] 
It’s free at 7 p.m. It’s for the whole family -- well-behaved children, well-behaved dogs are welcome. The event starts at 7 p.m. with an introduction to SPCA adoptable pups and assorted SPCA features. [Speaking of assorted features, that dog with the different ears is Tex, a Directional Earhound at the SPCA]. The movie starts at 8:30 pm. Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs and snacks.
Then, on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., you can get bargain critter shots at the First Sunday session at the Mary Spencer Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic at Village Fair, 4830 Village Fair Drive -- that’s on the southwest corner of the intersection of I-35 south and Ledbetter. (FYI: This is just a couple of miles north of the area where Mallory and Ashley and the DPD rescued Pippa the Dog.)
Just for fun, here’s a quote from the great Bonnie Hunt: “I won't wear fur-never, ever. I'm an animal lover. I wouldn't even wear faux fur. I prefer to go the cheap route and not shave my legs.”

CAMO NEEDS A NEW HOME AND A SPECIAL HEART TO HELP HIM
“It is heartbreaking to see a young dog so fearful. He almost needs to start over with a new owner who can give him all the support and training he should have had from his first family. He was adopted out at 8 weeks of age and the family assumed the other dogs in the home would raise him! Aaagh!” -- Fiona Green.

There’s a quote that tells the basics of Camo’s needs.
And here’s one from Fiona that explains the way the rescuers feel:

“One of the happiest moments in animal rescue is when our foster animals find a home. One of the saddest moments is when we learn that the home was not a forever home.”

Here’s the way this all started, according to Fiona of Animal Advocates of North Texas: “Last summer a local vet found a young dog by the side of the road. She was pregnant and in bad shape. We agreed to take her into our program and were happy when Delilah and her 5 puppies found homes. 

“Sadly one of those puppies was returned to us today [Thursday] as he was apparently very fearful in the home and not a good fit with the family’s other dogs - a large senior dog who was past the playing stage and a tiny York who was overwhelmed by a larger, rambunctious puppy.

When Camo’s family contacted us they did not ask for advice on integrating their new family member but simply stated that they wanted to ‘return the dog’. From numerous conversations and observations it was apparent that Camo had not been adequately socialized. As a result he was fearful when meeting strangers or when faced with a new situation. He adored the little girl in his last home and he got along well with the other members of his family with whom he lived but whenever anyone new came to visit he would become fearful and bark. Instead of teaching him how to behave around visitors the family simply shut him away in his crate in another room.

When we spent time with him today he was initially a little nervous but when he realized we were not going to hurt him he started to relax. We are confident that with the right family and consistent training he can develop to his full potential but we realize that it may take time to find that right person or family.”
He needs an experienced dog person who can love him into overcoming his fear. If you’re that person, email [email protected]

CONTEMPLATION IN THE HEAT: We humans know it’s hot, and so do the animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake Shelter at Tool, Texas, in the heart of the Laketroplex about an hour southeast of Dallas. Our reliable tipster Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent a note saying, “The shelter in Tool is in need of box fans to help in this heat." [That's one of the pups in Tool, demonstrating that there is an identifiable outbreak of Canine Summer Tongue Syndrome.] The note continues, "Call 903-432-3422 for more info or you can bring them by the spay/neuter clinic any Tuesday.” That clinic is, of course, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City -- it operates, so to speak, on Tuesdays only. Go to the Friends site to learn about it. If it were up to Readlarrypowell.com, we’d all be taking air-conditioning units to the shelter in Tool. Got to be some experienced non-profit fund-raiser who can take an afternoon and raise enough money to air-condition the shelter. ... There was a great quote in the Big Paper Downtown’s obituary for mountain-climbing Dick Bass. Jim Bass said  his dad credited his 5th grade poetry teacher for making a big difference. I post this so you teachers will remember that you make a difference. The quote reads, “What she left with him was the sense that life is much, much more than the material. It is all about one’s endeavors into new things and learning and a love of the human condition.” Teachers matter. ... And, in honor of Lucy’s Loved Ones and ALL CRITTERS EVERYWHERE that need a good break, click here for that FAMOUS QUESTION SONG. 

--- To comment, find a cool spot for you and the critters and enjoy a Friday nap, but, first wake your sleeping mouse, give thanks for kids raised right and click below. --- 

 

From cats and dogs to a Zoo zebra and giraffe and an NFL QB's phone

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- We’re going to talk Tyler cats, other critters, rescues and opportunities today. And we’ll mention the Dallas Zoo and Tom Brady in contemplations.

Right now we’ll explain why my hands are shaking over the keys. Has to do with exercise. Was in Kiest Park walking  for 40 minutes on Wednesday afternoon and the bottom line is it felt just like Texas -- not the one we saw in May with all that -- what was that stuff? oh, yeah, rain -- but the one we usually get this time of year. It felt good. But my attitude was assisted by the fact that I knew there’d be air-conditioning at the end of the hike.
No, that is not a photograph of me as I finished the walk in 100-degree temp. I was looking for evidence of an outbreak of Canine Summer Tongue Syndrome at Dallas Animal Services and clicked onto the adoptables at the DAS website. There I found this dog Bonnie giving it the ol’ “My dish is empty; feed me; look how cute I am upside down” effort to get some grub. And maybe  we can even use that look to get someone to adopt her. She ‘s A846624 at DAS. Half off in July. Said to be a “spayed female, and and white Collie-Smooth mix.” Whatever she is, “cute” fits.
THE SPCA GETS THE ANIMALS IN COURT, NEEDS FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT
That headline is a simplification of things, but, basically, that’s the story.
You remember that on July 23, the SPCA and the Ellis County Sheriff combined to confiscate 72 animals from a cruelty situation in Ellis County. In court Wednesday in Waxahachie, the SPCA was awarded the animals AND $18,309 in restitution from the person who’d let this happen to the animals. The SPCA kindly says it “does not actually expect to receive any of this money to help offset costs.” [LARRY ASIDE: Yeah, the SPCA will start getting restitutions the day Sports Illustrated puts me in a swimsuit on its cover.]
See how to support the SPCA’s rescue efforts at spca.org.
Interesting sentence in the news release: “Seven dogs have already been reunited with their owners and the SPCA of Texas will work to facilitate any other reunions between pets and their owners.” Sixty-eight dogs, three cat and a bird were recovered. Twenty dead dogs were found on the property. 

BE ON THE LOOKOUT IN DALLAS
 

This big dog is Hope -- she’s missing, last seen in the 1600 block of Tantor Road in northeast Dallas, west of I-35E. Heather Jones wrote, “I’m almost crying too hard to post this. During a walk this evening (Tuesday), Hope slipped out of her harness and took off.” 

Hope has a history of being hard to catch. Won’t fall for traps. Had to be DARTED!" 

If you know her whereabouts, email [email protected] or call 817-703-4079. Read her story and see video and photos HERE. Heather has it posted NOT to collect money, she says, but so people can read Hope's story and see the video of the dog's challenges before she escaped. And Heather urges that anyone who sees her should take a phone photo and contact her immediately. “Do not chase her...she will not come to you even if you have a steak in your lap. If we see her, we will get a professional to help us.”

THE TYLER CATS 

Earlier in the week we focused on a three-legged, one-eyed cat in Tyler named Stanford. He’s in need of a home and while we described him as being in the care of the  SPCA of East Texas, we oversimplified things and, thankfully, Heather Nash was able to help us straighten things out AND let us know about other animals that need some rescuing.

Heather’s a volunteer for the O’Malley Alley Cat Organization in Tyler. And she linked us to O’Malley Director Judith Carnes who tipped us to some more animals besides the enchanting Stanford. 

The SPCA of East Texas and O’Malley Alley Cat are partners with the SPCA focusing on dogs mostly and O’Malley being a cat rescue, describing itself as “the only rescue dedicated to cats in Tyler.” [LARRY DISCLOSURE: I was once a feature writer for the Tyler Morning Telegraph and the afternoon Courier-Times which vanished in 1995 -- yeah I worked in the era of PM papers. But that stint in the late 1960s is why I fell in love with Tyler and its roses.]

Back to Judith who explained, “A couple of months ago, one of our O’Malley Alley Cat – Tyler fosters agreed to take in a semi-feral mom and her 3 kittens, when the kittens were about a week old.  Mama was a long haired black and white beauty who made little progress while in a home environment, so she was fixed and released into a controlled setting.  She tested FIV+, as did her 3 offspring.   We lost the little male kitten at about 8 weeks.  His intestines were not fully formed or were formed incorrectly and he had severe, horrible problems.  The two young girls have flourished in their foster home and are loving, silly, playful girls.  They do tend to have goopy eyes at times and have been on antibiotics off and on, which seems to help.

“Here’s the deal:  We are in Tyler, Smith County, Texas, with a population of 260,000+ people and one city “temporary” shelter with housing for maybe 20 cats and we are the only cat rescue in town.  We have very few adoptions for our beautiful “normal”  cats, and these two girls have little to no chance of finding homes here.  They are about 13 weeks now and current on vaccines.  We can send a donation to help with spays and send HomeAgain microchips, if another rescue can take them.  Our foster is having ‘semi-permanent company’ arriving on August 14 and will need the room that is now occupied by the girls.”
To help these two kittens or to help Sanford or any other O’Malley cat, email Judith at 

[email protected].  See more adoptable cats HERE.  

 

LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR BUDDY
Karen Lee, the noted animal advocate who created barkleyworld.com, forwarded this story of older guy Buddy from Tammy Geisler.
Buddy needs “a new foster or adoptive home ASAP.  He is a super sweet 12.5 years old and believed to be a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd mix. He is approximately 50 pounds. He loves attention and to be loved. He is a very calm dog. He is house trained and crate trained although current foster puts him up in bed to sleep with her. He likes toys and chew treats. Buddy does okay with other dogs and cats but is elderly so does not love the rambunctious nature of young puppies trying to play with him. He tolerates it but is a little grumpy. He has some joint pain and is on glucosamine so would prefer a home where he does not have a lot of stairs.

Buddy is current on all shots. He is heartworm positive but on Heartguard preventative. Vet does not recommend treatment as Buddy does not exhibit any symptoms. He also has several lipomas (fatty tissue tumors which are benign). Vet has indicated that there is no need to remove these.”
Yes, there is a real heartbreaking explanation for why this dog needs a new home: “Buddy has lived with his mom most of his life. She recently had to move to an old person facility that only allows dogs up to 20 pounds.”
Offer to help Buddy by emailing [email protected].

AVAILABLE MANGE DOGS IN OKLAHOMA

Remember those mangy puppies Burns Flat, Okla., rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher pulled out of the weeds on the side of a road in a rural area of the western section of the Sooner State? Ugly photos.
Here they are now. Active, not sickly.
“This week, they are done,” Terry Lynn says. “They are no longer contagious. They are healing and trusting people. They are playing like little puppies should be. So now, I am looking for rescue so these little ones can have a chance at finding a good and loving forever home. ... They appear to be little terrier mix babies, will be medium size. 

“ I have no place for 6 dogs, so they will continue to be boarded... that alone has already cost over $2000, and adds up $84 a day.”
Help these pups by emailing Terry Lynn [email protected] . 

LOTS AND LOTS OF CATS AND DOGS ON THE URGENT LIST AT CARROLLTON
You can see the “urgents” in the Carrollton Shelter by going HERE. Offer to help by calling Carrolton Animal Rescue Enterprise at 972-466-3420 or emailing [email protected]. 
That’s Sissy the Dog on the left and Precious the Cat on the right. 
Two great faces on the urgents list.

CONTEMPLATIONS: We can't be anything but upset about the death of the Dallas Zoo's baby giraffe, Kipenzi (Swahili for "Loved one," the zoo announced in April. Kipenzi died by running into a wall. FIVE YEARS AGO THIS MONTH AT THE DALLAS ZOO A ZEBRA DIED by running into a wall. You may remember it. Here’s a quote from the Big Paper Downtown’s July 14, 2010, story: "On Saturday morning, something, we don't know what, startled the zebra and it broke its neck running into a wall of the holding area," said Lynn Kramer, deputy zoo director. Channel 5 (KXAS) examines the Zoo’s record HERE. Don't know anything about designing a zoo, but could wall design be a problem? ... Is it conceivable that New England quarterback Tom Brady didn’t destroy his cell phone to hide his exchanges from the NFL but to hide other exchanges that he didn’t want seen by someone who might be kin to him by marriage? ... Time is moving so swiftly this year that you’d think Congress, with all the wisdom it shows in changing the time twice a year, would simply declare that we’ll have two Julys in 2015. The electric company would probably enjoy that.

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A downtown dog saved, a yellow dog is sought, a wolfdog is rescued, it's Cherry Garcia Day for Poptart and a contemplation about puzzling brains

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015 (PetPowellPress) --July 29 is Global Tiger Day. We don’t have a Tiger story but we do have dog and cat tales, an SPCA movie and rescue update and a contemplation about a lion.
We’re opening with a downtown Dallas dog rescue story that will simultaneously cheer you and tick you off.

DOWNTOWN DOG GETS A BREAK, NEEDS ONE MORE
This one of those stories that will surprise some people and confirm what other people think about derelicts and drifters and nitwits in Downtown Dallas.
We learned about it from our pal Gail Host, witness to the drama with her husband Jeff and their Silver Lab Lily, just beyond the “baby puppy” stage at 5 months.

Lily has a key role in this drama. If she hadn’t exhibited some “sick” symptoms on Monday, Gail and Jeff would not have been at their vet clinic at the right time to help.
Gail and Jeff were at Hillside Veterinary Clinic on Mockingbird in Dallas paying for Lily’s vet care when, Gail explains, “We met a young man in the lobby who was holding a small lab mix puppy.
“The man, Stu, is a visitor to Dallas from Philadelphia, staying in the city for the next two weeks for a training session for his job.  
"Earlier in the evening, Stu was walking downtown near the hotel he is staying and saw a few homeless people abusing the puppy.  
“They were pushing her into the wall of the building they were leaning up against and threatening to choke her.  Stu could not let this continue to happen so he offered the homeless people $80 for the puppy as they would not just give her up.  
“The money was accepted and Stu googled and found Hillside, a 24/7 vet and emergency center, and took a cab there.  
“The puppy, while still happy as could be, was very dirty and appeared to have a few scrapes and what looks like a cigarette burn on the top her tiny head.  The folks at Hillside cleaned her up, got her de-wormed, de-fleaed, bathed and gave her the first round of puppy shots. They estimate her age is 8 weeks.  
“She is a lovely little thing with a spunky personality.  After some Googling we think her breed might be a Beagle/Lab mix based on photo comparison. 

“We are fostering her until we can get her into a good shelter or a proper home.”
To offer to help with this dog or to audition to adopt her, contact Gail at 917-288-6485 or Jeff at 347-930-8260.  (I think Lily’s getting a phone for her first birthday -- not that Gail and Jeff are nuts about her.)
[LARRY ASIDE: You can tell from these photos that this little girl, temporarily being called “Puppy” or “Winehouse,” depending on who is talking, is a dog who adapts well to living “off the street.” The fellow Stu is to be applauded for his decision to save the dog. And, we must note that burning a spot on a dog’s head with a cigarette may actually be against the law in the Great State of Texas. And, if anyone can pinpoint two people downtown who are suddenly missing a black puppy but spending big money at a beer depot, contact the authorities. Maybe there’s something that can be done about cruel people roaming free in downtown Dallas. We’re still waiting on the Texas Legislature to approve an open carry law that will allow proper and righteous use of the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment. Don’t think we wouldn’t apply it vigorously if it were legal -- if not legal, of course, that would be gleefully wrong. Now, help me off this soapbox before a slat breaks and I have to turn my two-by-four into a cane.] 

SPEAKING OF ICE CREAM
This cat has nothing to do with ice cream, of course, but she has a name that’s about as close to a non-diet food as you can find. Poptart is in the Irving Animal Services shelter and, unlike Blue Bell Ice Cream, you can go get her today.
Why bring up empty shelves and Blue Bell Ice Cream? Did you realize that today is the anniversary of Ben & Jerry’s and Jerry Garcia reaching an agreement on the name of the new flavor, Cherry Garcia. That was in 1987. Time flies when you eating ice cream.
Ice cream and a lap cat -- two kinds of therapy.
OUTSMARTING THE YELLOW DOG

We told you about this dog a couple of days ago. Briana Cuellar is trying to catch this dog and get him/her to safety. The first night of the trap attempt wasn’t successful Monday, so the effort was rebooted for Tuesday night. We’ll let you know as soon as we know. 

[LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com suggested to Briana that the way these things frequently work is the harder it is to catch these dogs, the more the dog appreciates being in custody. I’m not the only person who has dabbled in rescue and seen impossible-to-catch dogs suddenly become  face-licking, you’re-my-best-friend lap dogs.]

You may recall that the concern is the area near Highway 380 in Little Elm is populated with coyotes, wild hogs and varmints and the traffic is a hazard, too.
To offer to help with the capture or placement or vet bills, email Briana at [email protected]. Call 972-785-7817.  

THE WOLFDOG’S RESCUE

He is a don’t-fence-me-in canine, possibly a wolf hybrid, maybe with a little Husky, and he loves to play with kids. How is that known? Because his rescuer Lisa Higgins discovered that when he was playing with the kids, he could be caught.
He was describe as “beautiful but scared” in the plea for help she sent out Monday.
She appealed to many people, including our pal Jonnie England, the legendary animal advocate. Jonnie forwarded the note and Lisa’s plea which read, “I’m not even sure I can get this dog into a car, much less a crate, but I’m going to try.”
Lisa explains that he was found on “our street in Mesquite. I have rescued so (too) many dogs just on my street. It’s sad. He’s been roaming the neighborhood for several weeks and finally last Wednesday I was able to get pretty close and while I fed and watered him I was hoping to get close enough to pet or leash him but he was to sly for me and took off.  This took about 40 minutes and I was late to work so I gave it up hoping he would come back for food and water and I could try again.  Then on Friday night he came around again and my husband and I spent about an hour trying to pet him while feeding him treats from our hands but he would take the treat and back off and dodge any petting. 
"Just as we were about to give up for the night the neighborhood kids came out and we discovered he loved kids and would let them pet him all over, even tummy rubs so I was able to leash him.  By this time it was almost 10  p.m. so I thought I could put him in our side yard for the night … the kids walked him in but as soon as they left he would not let me pet him or get very close so I left his leash on.  I went to check on him about 15 mins later and he was trying to escape between our electronic gate and the cement and I quickly realized that we needed to contain him better so I put him in the garage for the night ...”

The poor fellow gnawed up the interior of the garage. “We couldn’t even open our garage -- he chewed the sensors! LOL   My husband was very upset and our own dogs were going crazy with this dog in the garage so he made me let him go as we still had 7 more hours before the shelter would open.”
Probably it was as good for the animal as it was for the family and the garage.
On Monday, Lisa got some tranquilizers from her vet and waited for the wolfdog to show up again.
“The neighborhood kids were around to help and they did,” she says, leashing the poor fella and getting him pilled.
“When [the pills] started taking effect, we put treats in the crate with the kids at the other end and he went right in. ... I had to give him another pill after we closed the crate because he started freaking out, but the drugs worked and he calmed down and he had a comfortable ride to Jacksboro.”

Now it’s quiz time. Can anybody say why the destination was Jacksboro?

Yes, you over there with your hand up, that is CORRECT. Animal Angels of Texas, the sanctuary run by the great animal advocate, rescuer and all-round swell human Carole Sanders.
The wolfdog (for lack of a better term) is now known as Buddy and was dropped off at Animal Angels about 2 p.m. Monday. When Lisa and the neighborhood kids caught him, Lisa says, “I took him straight to Jacksboro where he was greeted by a pack of about 15 or more orphaned dogs on the property.  He got put in special housing to observe and evaluate him and hopefully with get to join the pack soon. His chances at the Mesquite shelter would have been slim and I didn’t know what exactly his fate would have been, but thanks to Carole and her organization Buddy has a place to call home with a BIG family and in the country!”
Jonnie sent a note declaring, “Kudos to Lisa for her diligence and determination in trying to rescue this handsome fellow.  And a big thanks to Carole Sanders and Animal Angels for taking him in.”
She suggests that people help Animal Angels by going to www.animalangelstexas.org and also liking the sanctuary on its Facebook page.

[LARRY ASIDE: People unfamiliar with Texas should know that it is not necessary to be sedated in order to be driven to Jacksboro.  Wide awake people drive from Fort Worth to Jacksboro all the time to eat at the legendary Green Frog restaurant.]

CONTEMPLATIONS: It was disgusting enough that a Dallas guy went to Africa and hunted down an old rhino just to kill it. But, there’s a dentist in Bloomington, Minn., who may have performed an even lower execution -- he’s being ID’d as the guy who killed Zimbabwe’s famous lion, Cecil.  To read a thorough investigative report by British journalists, click HERE and see what “The Telegraph can reveal.”
That’s CBS-TV’s picture of Cecil at home, not expecting to be killed by a guy from Minnesota. Some animal stories: Dr. Walter James Palmer -- lion killer in Zimbabwe; Corey Knowlton -- rhino killer in Namibia; Kristen Lindsey -- cat killer in Brenham. You know the cases. Any of this make sense in a world where people are working so hard to protect wildlife and domestic animals? The term for this human behavior is “bloodsport.” Michael Vick -- dog killer in the NFL comes to mind. What’s the answer to eliminating this horrible behavior? Got to be a psychiatrist somewhere who has an answer. 
--- To comment, offer up a prayer for “all creatures great and small,” click your mouse and comment below. You don’t have to keep it mannerly. ---

New banner, some dogs and cats and summertime...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- O, say, can you see the new flags in front of Barbara Jordan Elementary School in Dallas!
My DISDgradspouse Martha took her usual route past the school Monday afternoon and quickly shot this photo of the new American flag that has replaced the sad, proudly waving in tatters flag that had been atop the flagpole since Lord knows when.
And now, in addition to the U.S. flag, there’s a Texas flag! Not there before!
How did this happen? Some people who saw the photos of the abused flag on
readlarrypowell.com got in touch with the school and the Voice of the Public has apparently had a positive effect on the DISD.
So, readlarrypowell.com issues an official “thanks” to all involved in providing a proper representation of the two greatest flags in American history on a campus that is the place where teachers will be helping kids build their future. Those flags matter. Understanding and respecting the past is a great foundation for the future. Barbara Jordan Elementary School in Dallas is now my second favorite elementary school in the nation, right behind my ol’ school in Texarkana, Highland Park Elementary School, where we said the pledge every morning. And we all turned out pretty good. Maybe. But we did know the pledge!

MEANWHILE IN THE DALLAS SHELTER

The Dallas Dogs In Need of Transfer Facebook site currently carries a message that reads “Shelter management has advised us that the shelter is now considered full and hard decisions are having to be made this week....” 

That message sounded dire, so Readlarrypowell.com quickly went to the DAS site and discovered that as of late afternoon Monday there were 130 dogs, 72 cats, 5 hamsters and 3 rabbits taking up space is the big shelter.
Where are they going to go? Rescue groups? Lots of ‘em are full and their fosters are overloaded. Out of state? Some of them, no doubt. Into other shelters -- like they’ve got room! Ah, adoptive homes! Maybe, but that many?
So, we’ve got a few photographs to show off.
First up is Poncha (A901855), an Earhoundus Leporidae, or, the “Harey Earhound.” She’s a “black and black smoke shorthaired rabbit,” possibly 4 years old and she came to the shelter Monday.
Paisley (A898475) is, of course, the exact opposite of the Harey Earhound -- she is a “black and Tortie Domestic Longhair mix.” Possibly 10 years old, DAS says.

Dana (A900549) is a spayed, 10-week-old tabby who, honestly, may grow into those ears but, for now, we’re going to declare Dana a “Felinus Earhoundus in Waiting.” It’s a waiting game. Be nice to have her around to watch her grow into her ears and assert her full catness.
Ryder (A899860) is a female “black brindle Australian Shepherd mix” and it is clear that, unlike Dana the cat, Ryder will not have to wait to grow into that Earhound status. She’s about 2
Then we get to Mocha (901891). She’s a 7-month-old Chihuahua mix who definitely is a Purebred Earhound.

Find them all at Dallas Animal Services -- the big shelter is at I-30 and Westmoreland. Plenty of parking. Plenty of helpful people. And, you can see these animals and others online at the DAS site HERE.

[LARRY ASIDE: It’s a crying shame that Dallas, Big Things Happen Here, Texas, has to use the traditional Texas theory of animal management to keep shelter cages from being overloaded: “Got an animal problem? Let’s Kill it.” It’s also a crying shame that residents are so nonchalant about the lives of animals. Is there any way to touch the hearts of Dallas residents without having to hire a search party to find the hearts?]

PLENTY OF TIME TO WORK ON YOUR GREYT SWING

Our tipster Amity Thomas sent us a note Monday about the September 22 Greyt Golf Tournament benefiting one of our favorite rescue organizations, the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.
They’ll play it at the Canyon Creek Country Club -- shotgun start, four-player scramble. The traditional prizes will be awarded: 1st and 2nd place; longest drive, hole-in-one, closest to the pin and more.
Proceeds will help GALT help dogs -- it’s helped “more than 2,500 Greyhounds and sight houses” since it was created in 2001. Among the dogs currently in GALT’s care is this girl Maddie, a 10-year-old racing victim who was in an adoptive home for six years and lost it “through no fault of her own,” GALT says.
The reason Readlarrypowell.com is running her photo from among all the adoptables at galtx.com is Maddie, whose racing name was Mayflower Madam, appears to be the RARE DOUBLE ARCH EARHOUND. Check out the rollercoaster swoop on those ears! (She’s available!)

Back to the tournament: This is one of my favorite features of this tournament and it doesn’t involve having any talent as a golfer: “The tournament will be preceded by a golf ball drop.  Numbered balls dropped from a helicopter onto a flagged hole.  The ball closest to the hole will win a $1000 Visa gift card.  Winner need not be present to win and will be contacted by GALT.  Cost is $10 for 1 ball, $25 for 3 balls and $40 for 5 balls.”
People who actually do play golf will pay $12 per person or $500 for a team of four. That covers breakfast, lunch, range balls, greens fee, cart fee, contests, dinner, goodie bag, team photos, rattle tickets and more. 

And they’re still selling sponsorships for $200 and up.

Speaking of “up,”  buy golf balls for the helicopter drop at www.galtx.org or email [email protected] or call 972-503-GALT. Same place to register to play.
Isn’t that a great bit of promotional artwork? If I could hold my driver that still, I’d take dozens of strokes off my game.

CONTEMPLATION: This particular array of contemplations is dedicated to the memories of summers gone by -- not just mine, but summers shared by many people throughout the decades. It’s easy to go to the ‘60s and cite the Beach Boys or the Beatles, but how about Dick Clark’s afternoon show Where The Action Is (1965-67) with Steve Alaimo, among others. Or maybe hanging out at A&W Root Beer Drive-in with the gang and -- wait, before we go any further, let’s check the statute of limitations. ... The Dallas Cowboys are arriving in Oxnard Tuesday for training camp and the Texas Rangers are, well, not the worst team in baseball. But there’s still about half-a-season to go. They could rally. ... From the heart of Readlarrypowell.com, thanks to the person or persons who arranged a new U.S. flag for the Barbara Jordan Elementary School at Kiest and Polk in southern Oak Cliff. God bless America and her schoolkid -- the future of the city, the state and the nation.

--- To comment, close your eyes, pick a favorite summer memory, grab your summertime mouse and click below. ---

A BRIGHT FACE FOR MONDAY; A GOOD MOVIE NOTE...

 

EDITION OF MONDAY, JULY 27, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Readlarrypowell.com endorses dogs daily. Cats, too. And what better way to start the final workweek of July than with a face that makes you smile. And a pair of orange kittens.
This is the “Dog of the Week” at Take Me Home Pet Rescue. The “Cats of the Week” are a couple of look-alike siblings, the orange kittens Opie and Tiggy.
As regular visitors to our news site know, Readlarrypowell.com is the nation’s leading promoter of Earhounds and a leading advocate for Orange Cats In The Household. OK, we support the loving adoption of any dogs or cats, no matter ear-styling or color highlights.
But when we smiled at the photo of Rosemary the Earhound, we felt it was important to share that happy feeling with all who click here. She’s obviously an Earhoundus Varietus, i.e., one ear up, the other in waiting.
The story of Rosemary is, according to Take Me Home Pet Rescue, she “is a sweet little girl who was rescued with her two siblings. Her short black coat leans into a deep brown; very pretty. She is a little shy, but warms up quickly once she knows you are willing to scratch her ears. She has learned to shake and sit, and is working on lying down. She sleeps through the night quietly in her crate already. Rosemary loves to run around the back yard investigating new smells. She comes running when we call, ‘Puppy, puppy, puppy!’ This little one is smart and fun and will make a great companion for nearly anyone. She is a Shepherd mix and may reach 40 to 60 lbs. Rosie's approximate birthday is 3/1/2015.” [And there you see a photo of her enjoying a nice ride.]
The cats Opie and Tiggy arrived at their foster home with their mom, Candy -- only Candy had yet to deliver. So Candy came into the foster home and, a few days later, gave birth to four kittens. Be cute to be in the same home. [LARRY ASIDE: I believe it was the Ancient Philosopher Socats, feline advisor to Socrates, who said, “A home with two orange cats is twice as blessed, twice as entertained and twice as likely to be named ‘Cathouse of the Year.’ “ Something may be a little off in that translation from the original Greek. There’s a Texas link to that philosophy: Socrates was from Athens. FYI: This is being fact-checked. We’ll get back to you.]

See how to adopt via Take Me Home Pet Rescue online HERE.

AT LARGE NEAR LITTLE ELM

This note is making the rounds and this dog -- might be a Golden, might not be -- is roaming in a tough area.
The note originated with Briana Cuellar of Little Elm who is trying to find help for this “new stray dog living in the woods off of Highway 380 which is in my neighborhood.”

She says the area “is highly infested with coyotes and wild hogs all over. And Highway 380 is a death trap for all animals. They don't make it across. I contacted Duck team 6 to see if they could help me trap. They agreed if only there is a foster home for this dog to go into once trapped. I have him (?) on a feeding schedule twice a day. He is terrified, but has shown no aggression. His back hip bones are sticking out bad,  I became aware of this dog about a week and a half ago. Its also in a construction area which brings me to my next issue. They have all agreed to let me do what I need to to save this dog. But within the next week they will be tearing up the whole area in which the dog has made its home. If he isn't trapped and placed before then, I will lose his location and will be back at square 1.”
Help this dog? Email Briana at [email protected]. Call 972-785-7817.  

FROM THE ‘HELP US FIX TYLER’ FOLKS

Tyler isn’t a dog in this case. It’s a town -- the big city just south of I-20 in East Texas. Home of all the roses.
But the SPCA of East Texas has a bigger mission than growing roses.
Our Houston source Kelsey Alexander spotted the case of Stanford the Cat and tipped us to it with this bit of writing she sent as the weekend was beginning: “Friday night isn’t really a great time to be a wounded cat.  Everyone is inside at home, and depending on their age, they’re either getting ready to go out on a hot date or settling down with a glass of wine to watch a favorite TV show.  One thing no one is doing is skulking around outside to find black cats in the dark.
“One little black kitty proved that you can’t generalize about life, though, because his Friday night turned out to be better than all the nights that had gone before.  A good Samaritan found Stanford and realized he needed medical help.  The vet said one of Stanford’s leg had probably been broken two years before, and it was obvious to everyone that there was still a lot of pain from the old break.  So, the decision was made to amputate that leg.  Stanford is blind in one eye, and now he’s a tripod, but this boy is absolutely loaded with charm and good looks!”
He’s 3 and he’s among the animals needing a home and in the care of the SPCA of East Texas where the slogan is “Help Us Fix Tyler.” See it at spcaeasttx.com. You can also see how to adopt Tyler and lots of other animals. To meet Stanford, email [email protected].
Oh, and as you can see from the dogs below, there is an outbreak of Canine Summer Tongue in East Texas. It’s cured by adoption, air-conditioning and ministering of petting and cuddling.



TWO DOGS NEEDING ONE HOME
Donna Eddington of Garland is desperately looking for one home for her two dogs -- this  search is being forced by health issues, unemployment and loss of home.
“I am looking for a foster home placement or animal rescue for my two dogs,” she told Readlarrypowell.com. “I am not at ALL happy about having to do this but unless a miracle takes place, I am not going to be able to keep them. ... I am devastated and heart broken!! I rescued them both from an animal shelter. They are house dogs and they sleep with me every night. They are spoiled and use to being treated like my family. I don't want to take them to a shelter unless I ABSOLUTELY don't have a choice.”
Call 903-424-1314 or email [email protected].
Zenah is under 5, chipped and spayed, a female Staffy mix who is “absolutely a precious, loving and sweet dog. She’s a big baby and needs to be love don.” 

Zach is the “male terrier of some sort -- I think.” He’s about 4, chipped and neutered and “a little more anxious than Zenah but such a cool dog.”
Both are healthy.
“They are just fabulous together,” says Donna, who has had them more than 2 year. “And it breaks my heart to separate them.”
MOM AND BABIES AT RISK
You see the photo -- not exactly luxurious surroundings for a new momma and her babies. We got the note from Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue. She’s hoping to help Linda Rose (Call 214-7239057) find a place for these animals before they are taken to a shelter.
They’ve been surviving in an apartment without air-conditioning.
Or, as Lynda’s note read, “Dying in the heat for 3 days!!! Going to be surrendered to Garland shelter!!. Please call 214-723-9057. Linda.”
THE DENTON PRESSURE FOR BART AND HERCULES

Amy Poskey, who relentlessly hustles homes and rescues for animals in Denton’s Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, sent a weekend note saying there are 21 dogs waiting for help. and she focused on two; Bart the Bully Boy and Hercules, the dog in front of the flag.
You see Bart’s photos and they show his great markings and his energy. Looks like a dog nearly everyone would want to have. Yep, nearly everyone.
Amy’s note about the young fellow reads: “Bart’s person actually came to the shelter several days ago to see if this was his dog and he confirmed that Bart was his, but he was riding his motorcycle and said he would have to come back and get him.  Yep, you guessed it, he never returned.  How awful is that???!!!  Poor Bart thought he was gonna get to leave with his daddy but that didn’t happen.”
That note was followed by an update that read: “The shelter staff has contacted Bart’s owner several times in an effort to help him get Bart back home because the shelter is overflowing (we know what that means), but he doesn’t seem to care about coming back for this precious boy.  Breaks my heart. Bart is such a love sponge, too!”
Amy wants someone to “take this handsome boy home with you and tell him he will never be abandoned again!”
Hercules, about 2, is a male Pittie who is doing everything he can to show he’s ready to go to a new home. Amy’s note read that when she and hubby Dale met him they fell in love with him and “his sweet little tail was wagging ever so slowly as if to say, ‘I want you to love me so bad and I want to love you back, but I’m afraid to get too excited cuz I’ve been waiting such a long time and nobody has fallen in love with me’.”
There you have it, two special dogs of many special dogs at the McNatt Adoption Center, 3717 N. Elm in Denton. Call 940-349-7594. Email these folks: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].

DAS CATS
These are just a few of the cats available to be helped or homed at Dallas Animal Services as the weekend vanishes. We got the photos from Kelly Bond, the veteran rescuer with Road Trip 4 Paws. You can contact the shelter via it's site HERE and offer to help them. They aren’t the only cats and kittens needing rescue. That orange cat? He's a whopper. Four pounds. And they says he's a bit hissy right now. But who wouldn't be if they're lively, young and stuck in a cage in a big city shelter. 

A LANCASTER DOG
There are many dogs on the clock at the Lancaster Animal Shelter just across I-20 from southeastern Dallas. (Thanks to Tomi Ortiz for pointing out the challenges to Readlarrypowell.com!) Among the animals need a home or a rescue group is this dog Melinda. According to the report, Melinda has “ulcerated wounds on her hind legs” and they’ll require a bunch of vet help -- about $200 worth at this time.) To help her or to offer to help pay for her bills, the shelter at972-218-1210. See the Furbabies of Lancaster site HERE.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Let’s talk movies. On Sunday afternoon my cinemaspouse Martha and I saw a movie that had no gunshot, no F-word, nobody naked and no CGI. What was it? An 8mm 1950s family vacation film? Nope. It was Mr. Holmes, a new film starring Ian Kellen as 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes pondering his final case. I don’t know what will draw you to the film, so, let’s just say it was worth watching and move on to discuss one of Readlarrypowell.com’s pet peeves that doesn’t involve pets. The matinee fee was $8.50 a ticket at the Angelika in Dallas. I’d use my Geezer “By-Cracky” astonishment here and talk about seeing sci-fi double features with Batman serials for two-bits at the Strand Theater in Texarkana in the 1950s, but I’m saving my By-Cracky for the discussion of the concession prices. A small bag of popcorn, with about as much popcorn as you could shove into an empty saltine box was $6 -- yes, six bucks. The accompanying small Coke -- a container barely larger than a can of Coke -- was $4.50.  That’s $10.50 for the items and the taxes jacked it up to $11.37. I’m not kidding. If anybody is sneaking into the country these days, it’s not because they’ve got a craving for a bag of popcorn and a small Coke at the Angelika. On the whole, great experience for movie-going -- smart, quiet crowd. Still, when concessions cost that much I expect to shaken awake by medical personnel, told that I’ve been dreaming and that that I am NOT at AT&T Stadium about to see a Dallas Cowboys game.

--- To comment, remember you can buy movie popcorn at the grocery store but they don't show movies in the produce aisle, wipe the salt off your hand, grab your mouse and click below. ---

A napper first for the sleeper edition...

We have a first this edition of our internationally read, long-running weekend series, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
You see it here. A cat sleeping on the lawnmower’s grass-catching bag.
Never had that before. And, relax, the mower was off.
Cathy Baker and her pal had gone out to do some yard work last fall. [LARRY ASIDE: Yes, this photo is from last fall -- only a fat man with a hospitalization wish goes out to mow the lawn this week! I’ll be mowing Monday. Call Martha to ask where to send the “Get well,Stupid” cards.]
Naturally, animal people do not have a delete button on their camera phones. That is why some of us have moved hundreds and hundreds of pictures to our computers and keep them handy to look at and smile.
Cathy explains, “Saw you were looking for sleeping creatures and thought I'd  nominate my Mimi.  This was last fall.  I'd taken a break from mowing the lawn when she took over for me.  Not sure I'd recommend this for a human but she was quite content on a warm October afternoon.
“Mimi was adopted from the SPCA 15 years ago.  She is the first cat that I raised from a kitten and that was a true learning experience.”
[FYI: Readlarrypowell.com has featured Mimi’s roommates before. Max is the black and white cat who curls up to sleep. Fiona is the Mini-Doxie -- this is one of our fave photos of pups. Fiona is wearing her rain gear. No, this photo was not taken in May. It’s older, taken a couple of years ago when Fiona, unlike the rest of us, was getting ready for the rainiest spring in Texas history.] 

Cathy says Mimi is “an indoor cat who spends most of her time on the couch or kitchen counter where she directs me
to turn the faucet on and off. Now bowl of water for her. I don’t set an alarm any more since she starts screaming about 6:15 a.m. for breakfast service.”
So, what does Mimi charge for yardwork?
Veteran catfans accustomed to cat fees will appreciate Cathy’s response: “I’m not sure what she charges, but I know it’s more than I can afford! I had to finish the lawn myself.”
And, apparently Cathy couldn’t charge Mimi for the nap on the lawn equipment because, indeed, Mimi OWNS that grass bag!

[Nominate your napping cat, dozing dog or snoring relative with a slumberbuddy by sending the comforting photo to [email protected] for spotlighting in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, we post these photos of snoozing critters to inspire the world’s insomniacs to try to catch some winks. Our photos demonstrate that there are many places to sleep -- and we’ll see if insomniacs are buying used grassbags to convert to a “Backyard Bunk” just to catch some Zzzzs. Anything can happen when you’re desperate for a night’s sleep. Just remember to spray for bugs first.]

--- To comment, consider the plight of insomniacs, close your eyes and nod off, but not before grabbing your mouse and waking the Comment Clicker. ---

A flag triumph, animals in need and the eyes have it...

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Welcome to our Friday edition. Please read on and see if any situation matches the room in your heart. And if our Contemplations topic inspires your eyes.
Oh, and, fyi: Someone who visits Readlarrypowell.com appears to have influence in the Dallas Independent School District. This tattered American flag has vanished from the flagpole in front of Barbara Jordan Elementary School at Kiest and Polk in Oak Cliff. It had only been there all summer and long enough to be rent asunder.

[LARRY ASIDE: If the district does not have a replacement flag to greet the kids when school starts, Readlarrypowell.com will proudly start the campaign to raise the money to buy a suitable American flag -- 13 stripes and all 50 stars. What might be appropriate would be if someone could get the area’s Congressional representative, the honorable U.S. Rep. Eddie Berniece Johnson, to acquire a flag that has flown over the nation’s Capitol and donate it to this school. What also would be appropriate would be if area citizens and captains of industry adopted the school and vowed to help the kids raise grades and create an exemplary future for themselves and a lasting tradition for those who will follow.]
AN ELLIS COUNTY SEIZURE

These are some of the dogs and the parrot found on Thursday wehn the SPCA of Texas, with help from theEllis County Sheriff’s Office, seized 68 dogs, three cats and the bird from a property in the county south of Dallas County.
One person, Gayle Justice, who said she was a longtime dog trainer, was arrested and charged with a Class A Misdemeanor of animal cruelty. Bodies of 20 dead dogs were found in  bags on the property.
The SPCA has the animals. The traditional post-seizure custodyd hearing is at 2 p.m. Wednesday In Preceinct 2 Justaice of the Peace Jackie Miller’s couretroom at 701 S. I-35 E in Waxahachie.
If the judge grants custody to the SPCA, the usual procedure is the SPCA gets the animals into adoptable shape and they become available for adoption.

STILL DEALING WITH THE STORM 

A Different Breed Animal Rescue continues to work toward recovering from the awful storms that battered the sanctuaryt in Desert earlier this year. The group’s canine situation is outlined on this poster sent to us by ADB’s Dinesha Schmidt. Below it you’ll find an outline of the funding needs and volunteer needs. But finding a place for the dogs is critical.

The Gofundme.com site  showed Thursday evening that ABD has raised $2,806 of the $20,000 goal. 

To volunteer to help the shelter with routine work such as dog-wlaking, cleaning crates, feeding and “much more,” call or text Dinesha at 972-896-6313. [LARRY ASIDE: You can always donate your Lotto Texas winnings -- you know how lucky animal people can get.]

A NEW KINDNESS SATELLITE

If a satellite adoption center works for Dallas Animal Services (the successful Coit Road PetSmart facility), maybe it’ll work for Operation Kindness, the legendary no-kill shelter in Carrollton.

OK has opened Kindness Klubhouse, a satellite adoption center, at 13394 Preston Road in Dallas -- that’s across from Valley View Mall and just a few blocks north of LBJ. It’s open Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Has kittens and cats on Fridays; puppies and dogs on Saturdays and Sundays. 

OK’s home shelter, built under the leadership of legendary animal advocate Jonnie England, is on Earhart Drive in Carrollton, west of  Addison Airport.
Since Friday is Kittens and Cats Day at the Klubhouse, we went to operationkindness.com to look at adoptables and found the busy kitten Nicholas and the beautiful Patches. Perhaps they’ll be at the Klubhouse. If not, you can always adopt at the shelter.

A HOUSTON CAT NEEDS A HOME
We got this from our pal Alexandra Kelsey, the Houston animal advocate who knows her way around a typewriter -- wait. Who uses a typewriter these days? OK, so she uses a computer keyboard.
Here’s what she wrote about Stanley:
“Stanley had a person who loved the fast-track, busy corporate life.  You can imagine how that lifestyle works for a cat.  Not so much.

“So, Stanley got a new home.  The family loved him to pieces, but they had a dog and various other critters, and it all scared Stanley to the point that he hid constantly.  So, this sweet boy is now being boarded at a lovely vet clinic and he’s hoping for some great blind dates to come up soon!  

“Stanley is eight years old, fully vetted, adores humans and has a third-party endorsement of his huge charm quotient!  You would just love him…he is gorgeous and such a character!”
To ask about adopting this beautiful cat, contact the Memorial-610 Hospital for Animals http://www.mem610.com at 713-688-0387. The clinic’s addresss is 910 Antoine Drive in Houston. 

A REMINDER ABOUT VISA

This dog appears morose in this photograph -- and maybe poor Visa is morose. He’s lost his human to cancer and now people are desperately trying to find the 5-year-old Lab mix a good home. He’s about 60 pounds of house-trained, calm and polite love.
His advocate, Maudia Gentry, says he’s “so calm. There is a cat that comes into his yard often; he just looks at the cat, no reaction to the cat. There is a dog that is next door to Visa, he sits at the fence and just looks at the dog. Visa, appears to be calm and attempting to figure out what has happened in his world." 

What’s the rush to find him a home? “The family is desperate to find a home for him. He is all alone at the house and time is running out as they will soon have to put the house on the market.”
To offer to help Visa -- so named because his late owner paid his adoption fee with a Visa card -- contact Maudia at 817-417-6440 or via cell at 214-801-8399. Email [email protected].

CROWDED IN MESQUITE?
We got this note. Not sure the dog is still there or has been sprung or has met a bad fate. But just in case, here’s the info. And if you’ve missed Sugar, there are plenty of Mesquite animals left to save.
 

IF JULY IS ENDING AND AUGUST IS CLOSE
TWO THINGS ARE HAPPENING
(1) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to both Dallas and Fort Worth and
(2) PETA and Animal Connection of Texas are organizing demonstratons to protest the way circus animal are treated.
A note from PETA included this sentence: Ringling has announced that it will phase out the use of elephants in acts by 2018, but their retirement day needs to come now." 

See the protest sked and how to get involved on the ACT Facebook site HERE.

HAIR OF THE DOG? DON’T FORGET. 
IT BENEFITS THE ANIMALS

 
CONTEMPLATIONS: One of the emails that arrived via our Readlarrypowell.com inbox -- no postage necessary -- had this subject line. “Boring Eye Makeup Is So Over.” Some kid wrote that. Probably never saw a photo of Liz in Cleopatra, the 1963 film that captured everybody’s attention during filming and lost it once the movie hit the screens. Oops, sorry, "Liz," kiddos, is Elizabeth Taylor who was a Hollywood star and....well, look it up. That's Liz in her far from 1963-boring Cleo eye makeup.

We went online looking for astounding eyes and found, on the Dallas Animal Services website and found the incredible Matt (A895652), a 2-year-old Lab mix with a set of dazzling orbs.
DAS also was home to Boots (A899752), a 2-year-old cat with a great look around the headlights.
We thought it important to go beyond 1963 and the local animal shelter to cite some notable eye make up.

On the left we have the amazing singer, the tragic Amy Winehouse and her signature eyelights. (I think I just made up a marketing word! Eyelights. Where’s my lawyer. Got to copyright that. Wait. I Googled it. Looks like I'll still have to buy Lotto tickets.) And on the right we have a definitely interesting eye look, that of the singer Boy George.
Yes, on this Friday in July, the eyes have it. Enjoy a Boy George duet right HERE.

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Earcritters and Angel, Snowball in July, sleeper photos and that disintegrating DISD American flag...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- A picture being worth a thousand words, or thereabouts, we have some today from assorted sites in the animal rescue world.
And, now, let’s begin without a single complaint. Yet. In Contemplations we will get to that flag at Barbara Jordan Elementary School. 

HOW ABOUT A HOLIDAY STORY?
Sure it’s early, but it’s time. At the SPCA of Texas today, there’ll be a party celebrating the Fourth Annual "Home for the Holidays” event at NorthPark (Nov. 16-Dec. 7)  -- the SPCA is partnering with the American Institute of Architects- Dallas and TEXO, the giant Texas contractor consortium, to present the event that features luxury doghouses.  There’ll be judging of the dog houses and raffling and all sorts of things celebrating this event that raises money to help unwanted animals find good homes.  You can read about the event on the spca.org site.
In the meantime, I wondered if the SPCA had an animal up for adoption that had a holiday name. See that dog upper left? That is Angel, closest I could find. She’s got a hardluck story about how she wound up in the care of the SPCA. (It’s on the spca.org site).
In the meantime, I did a quick check of the SPCA critters for some Earhounds and I found Smokie the Earcat, Stooge the Eardonkey and Blade who is not only an Earhound but also is enjoying a season of Canine Summer Tongue Syndrome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you tempted to look at Stooge and ask, "Why the long face?"

 

MEANWHILE IN IRVING
We took a quick look at the Irving Animal Services stats Wednesday evening and discovered that the site has 93 dogs and 108 cats listed for adoption 

In a spasm of irony, I could not resist posting this photo of one of the Irving adoptable cats: Snowball. Irony.
Then there is the Irving Earhound -- Dano, a 7-month, 4-day old Chihuahua mix. Pretty precise on that age, so he must have been someone’s beloved dog at some point.  [LARRY ASIDE:  Kind of a shame that a dog will never again hear the name he thought was his called aloud by the human he thought loved him and who he still loves. I’d call him “Amigo.” Hope he manages to dodge the needle. He be at our house but we don't have an open spot in the home -- lots of room in the heart, just not in the home. It's Rescuer Crowd Syndrom.]

Then there is this heartbreaking photo of an adult Aussie mix who is listed as #28240514. Surely someone wants to get that girl and take her home. She’s called Batman on the shelter card. Who can explain that? But the explanation should take a back seat to getting this dog a good home.
Click on the art to make it larger. The Irving number is 972-721-2256. The shelter is at 4140 Valley View Road, in northern Irving. The website is HERE .Email [email protected]

WHERE ARE THE SUMMER SLEEPERS
Our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Sleep and Napping Cats Nap, is looking for summertime slumber photos of animals and their people. Don’t be ashamed to show that your dog or cat can pile up on your husband, wife, partner, roommate or elected U.S., state, county or city representative and nod off. Do not, also, feel ashamed to show that your slumbering animal prefers to nod off alone, upside down, hanging off a chair, flat out on a floor vent... The possibilities are many, as we have demonstrated for the first decade and a half of the 21st century at readlarrypowell.com. Send photos and info to [email protected]. 

CONTEMPLATION: THE U.S. FLAG AT BARBARA JORDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

That photo was snapped Wednesday afternoon. Who knows how much longer Old Glory can hang onto that flagpole? Pieces are already gone, it appears.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain how important it is that the symbol of the United States be treasured on the Barbara Jordan Elementary School flag pole rather than be allowed to flutter into strips and pieces in the Texas wind.
Let’s start with history. Before the school was named for one of the smartest people ever elected to office in Texas and a pioneering, respected black politician,  it was named Jefferson Davis Elementary School.

That’s right. Named for the President of the Confederacy.  Now named for a hero of the 20th century.

The Dallas Independent School District’s board, in a rare glimpse of good sense, changed the name of the minority-majority school to honor the attorney and politician Barbara Jordan rather than keep alive the legacy of the Confederacy on that corner of real estate. (The Confederacy, from the 19th century, has kind of been in the 21st century news lately, hasn’t it?)

Earlier I’d written about how important it is to protect the flag that soldiers have fought for since the Revolutionary Era. I thought about mentioning all the kids who died or who fought or served in the Vietnam War -- the era of my contemporaries. I mentioned the World War II heroes. I even knew Doughboys from The War to End All Wars in my early newspaper career. Korea? Got an uncle who went to war in Korea. Could have -- should have -- mentioned all those folks.

And the Middle East? American coffins are still coming home -- wrapped in American flags.
Yet, on the corner of Kiest and Polk in Dallas, Texas, there is a flag that is so ragged it looks like a cannon shot caught it while Francis Scott Key was napping.
So, here’s the truth: By letting this flag fly until it disintegrates, the DISD is not just dishonoring veterans. It is dishonoring citizens and its own students. It is basically sneering via indifference at people who have paid taxes to keep the nation running. People who vote to keep politicians as honest as possible. People who believe in this nation as the greatest hope on the planet for the protection of the individual.
And, also, failure to take care of that flag properly actually dishonors the little kids who walk onto that campus and look up to see the flag rotting in the air, whipped apart by winds, stripes turned into strips of cloth. They are the future and they are being taught there’s no reason to respect the symbol of the nation. Their nation. They are American students and, yet, the symbol of their nation (by birth, by migration or by good fortune) is not respected.
Yeah, school’s out, but, surprise, kids roll past that school on their bikes, in family cars. They walk to the nearby 7-Eleven. They say, "That's my school." Oh, yeah, the one with the rotting flag out front.

You know what the motto of Barbara Jordan Elementary school is? “Where Dreams Become Reality and Excellence is Expected.”
Unless you’re the American flag, of course, then excellence doesn’t apply to following the rules of flag etiquette. This banner is out there 24 hours a day. Rain or shine. Shame on the school.
Here are some quotes about America and its people from Barbara Jordan. Maybe one of them will explain to someone at the DISD why it is important to honor her campus legacy by respecting the American flag that represents the nation she loved and tried to make better.

For example, consider this quote:  "What the people want is simple. They want an America as good as its promise." -- Harvard University Commencement Address, June 16, 1977.
And here’s an appropriate quote for the context of a campus display of an American symbol. She said, “Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment.”
Why America is important. It’s in this quote. “The majority of the American people still believe that every single individual in this country is entitled to just as much respect, just as much dignity, as every other individual." --Speaking at a symposium hosted by the University of Texas at Austin and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, May 3-5, 1990.
So, DISD, those kids are the future. Help them build a future by teaching them about respect in the present.
To quote Barbara Jordan, “We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation... but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America.”

The flag, the future, the students -- they’re all connected. If anyone from the school or the district would care to comment, please get in touch with me at [email protected].
In the meantime, it’s the right time to change the flag rather than letting it rot off the flagpole and giving people yet another reason to say, “Yeah, that’s about what I expect out of DISD.”
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Faces, ears and the future -- humans and animals...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- It’s the middle of the week and we’re going to shoot for fun notes and helpful notes and if it all comes together, the cats and I will perform Bohemian Rhapsody in Klyde Warren Park at sundown Wednesday. Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson loves to sing “Scaramouche! Scaramouche! Will you do the fandango!” Really gets into it.
That is her. Kittie Leigh’s face is designed by a known Hollywood film make-up expert who has asked not to be identified. We’re hoping to market her facial design as a stick-on applique for Halloween. It’ll save tons of money on plastic surgery. [FYI: Portions of the preceding paragraph may have no relationship to reality.]
SPEAKING OF CATS AND DOGS -- AND REALITY

Just as the sun was setting on the metro sprawl Tuesday, we clicked to dallasanimalservices.org where we found that the PetHarbor list showed that the city’s big shelter has these available animals: 118 dogs, 61 cats and 7 “others.” An info click showed that the others are a guinea pig and six hamsters. No photos of the rodents.
We did, however, find a photo of a great-looking kitten. [LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com believes the kitten bears a resemblance to Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh
Johnson, suggesting that a cat’s family tree has many branches, but we know that Kittie Leigh and Dancer are not kin because the Deputy Chief is lawfully spayed.]
Dancer is A899381, is spayed and about 10 weeks old, the shelter says.
That dog is Left Eye. Also, as you can see, an Earhound. Left Eye the Earhound. (She’s #A899878.) Left Eye is spayed, about 2, and described as a Lab mix.  Could be.
Are they bargain animals? Yep, through July. As you can see from this DAS online poster. Move quickly, while the iron is hot and so is everything else in Dallas.

NEW KIDS GETTING DOGS OFF THE BLOCK

Perhaps you are aware of this initiative, perhaps not.
A note from Kelly Bond, the noted rescuers, updated the latest rescue effort by Road Trip 4 Paws. She wrote, “We sent 73 dogs to Colorado Monday. That’s 107 dogs in less than a month! So excited about our new partnership.”
Read about it on Facebook HERE.

[LARRY ASIDE: If I’d known they were going to Colorado, I’d have hitched a ride to Colorado Springs where it was in the low 60s, according to online weather maps. I’d even have worn a flea collar, gotten myself microchipped and neu-- wait...Two out of three. That OK?]
CONTEMPLATIONS: The Dallas County District 4 Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia is one of the area’s more animal-friendly elected officials (she’s recipient of East Lake Pet Orphanage’s annual prestigious John LaBella Award for kindness to animals).  The reason I bring up Dr. Garcia is she also cares about humans.  She sent out a reminder to residents to “Immunize your kids early so they are ready for school!” The note reminds people that Dallas County Health and Human Services has six clinics where kids 18 and younger may be immunized for $10 on the first visit and $5 on the second.  See the how-to info by clicking on the county site HERE. Kids and animals -- they always need proper care. And that’s your first “Back-to-School” reminder.... Speaking of the Big Paper Downtown, I was reading a story about the Carrollton cop who has been suspended because he’s possibly too hefty to to the job safely. The writer or the editor managed to include this description of Carrollton: “A city about 20 miles north of Dallas.” FYI: There is a map HERE that will demonstrate that Dallas is north, east and south of Carrollton. They abut on the north and east and are separated on the south only by Farmer’s Branch which is, of course, not 20 miles across in any direction. But, readers may have come to suspect, in the digital age of reporting, 20 miles is close enough. Remember, also, that in the digital age they don’t have to hit your driveway with the paper. Twenty miles is close enough. ... This is a note from my heart: A lot of good journalists are taking a buyout, leaving the Big Paper Downtown. We hear my longtime colleague Steve Blow -- we’re both ol’ Fort Worth Pressers from the early ‘70s -- is among those leaving. The face of local journalism changes once again. It is important work -- a free press is standing between democracy and doom. A distance of at least 20 miles, I understand. 

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