ReadLarryPowell.com

Animals in need of human assistance and humans who realize what it means...

EDITION OF FEBRUARY 1, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Here we are all done with January and starting on February events such as the Iowa Caucuses on Monday and prepping for Groundhog Day on Tuesday.
It’s an exciting time to be a human. Every now and then it’s a good time to be a cat or dog or any other critter. Now, without getting political, some animal stories:

THE CRISIS IN BURNS FLAT
This is one of those things that happens everywhere -- not just in western Oklahoma.
Ask the folks at DAS Rescue -- even happens in the big city.
This story comes from our relentless rescue pal Terry Lynn Fisher in Burns Flat, the little Western Oklahoma outpost with the big city animal problems. For example, today we have an example of what happens when people don’t spay/neuter their animals and, in an act of supreme idiocy, allow them to roam free.
Terry Lynn writes, “A few nights ago, I received a message about a little dog in the next town.... he had been running around and didn't seem to have a home. I posted, trying to find a safe place for him. Then, the next day, I received an urgent phone call that he had been attacked and was dying.
“I was out of town, so I had a friend rush him to my vet. She called me tears. He wasn't moving. He was so near death. I honestly feared he had no chance. But, I never give up until they take their last breath. So, we started treatment, and my wonderful vet crew stayed with him all night.
“I was so happy to hear he made it through the night. But he was still so critical....

With lots of prayers and the wonderful vet, he is now standing and eating. But his little body has so many bite wounds... his tummy... his legs... but mainly his neck.... How he survived this brutal attack is a miracle. While he is continuing to improve, he is still not out of the woods. He has a long road ahead of him. Sadly, due to other animals I have had to have vetted, my vetting the past 4 months is over $4000. So, I need help with this little guy. My vet has never turned me away.... ever....  but I know someday, he may have to, for the bills are adding up... If anyone can help with this sweetheart, let me know... I need help with the vet bill and also he will need a safe place to go after he heals some.”
Before we get to one more facet of this story, these are the mailing addresses:

ELK CREEK CLINIC, 1301 AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL, ELK CITY OK 73644 (Call 580-225-4863).

TERRY LYNN FISHER, PO BOX 578, BURNS FLAT OK 73624 (Call 580-330-1459.) Email Terry Lynn at [email protected].

So, how did this little 10-pounder come to be in such severely awful condition>
“They were fighting over a female in heat. The other dog is home. I am helping them get him neutered. Working on the roaming unaltered female.” 

[LARRY ASIDE: We’re now considering asking the Oklahoma Legislature for permission to market the official Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment across the Red River. Can’t get it there quickly enough.]

GOOD NEWS FOR SPRING
Oh, no, this isn’t a weather report.
This is a dog report. It has to do with this wondrously attractive dog.
Amy Poskey, who hustles on behalf of animals in the Denton Animal Shelter, sent word over the weekend that “after three long months at the shelter our precious Spring was adopted [Saturday]!  YAY!!!  Thanks to everyone for helping me network this angel and thank you to Siberian Husky Rescue of New Mexico for offering to save her!”
As has been demonstrated repeatedly by several local rescue groups, sometimes you have to leave Texas to find a good home for unwanted animals. Road Trip 4 Paws, the Society for Companion Animals and the Love on Wheels of Humane Tomorrow, until recently known as the Humane Society of Flower Mound. You can google ‘em all.

MEANWHILE AT DAS
Dallas Animal Services has a deal for animals that have been there longer than they need to be -- click on that art to see how you can get an animal at no cost. 

And among the animals who are heading toward that free adoption date but need to get out now is this cat A926370, a neutered lynx point Himalayan who the staff thinks may be TWELVE YEARS OLD, entirely too old to be on a waiting list at an animal shelter. Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt this handsome fellow. Been at the shelter since January 25.
And just as we were about to post this with the intake photo of the puzzled ol’ cat, Molly DeVoss, the catfan and member of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, sent out an appeal for someone to take in this sweet old cat. Her note explains the urgency, “Rescue wanted, please share! Himalayan, 12 years old, neutered, mostly blind, missing teeth, and declawed. A926370.”

 

 

BE ON THE LOOKOUT

This dog Cujo has been missing from his home in the Casa View/Casa Linda area since 2 p.m. on Thursday, according to a note from Shannon Guavin. "He is a gray and white un-neutered Siberian Husky with blue eyes. He is shy so he will run, usually. We have posted on every website we can find, driven for hours in 4 separate cars, reported to local shelters (Dallas, Mesquite an Garland). We have put up about 100 flyers in our neighborhood. ... The last sighting reported by 2 separate people was near Casa View Church off Barnes Bridge in Dallas  on Saturday morning around 2 a.m. ... We are devastated and worried." 
And, the 5 year old dog  "has only been in the backyard and inside the house and on walks just down the street."
If you know his whereabouts, email [email protected]. 

NAMES AT THE SPCA
Usually I’m looking for Earhounds when I scroll the inventory at the SPCA of Texas. 

This time I drew two Aces.
And I also drew two Bonnies.
But I only got one Earhound named Nanna.

Go to SPCA.org to see how to adopt any of these animals.

 

 

CONTEMPLATIONS: The entertaining CBS Sunday Morning had an entertaining story about Sun Prairie, Wisc., its runaway groundhog and the groundhog that bit the mayor.  Now and then, you just think a groundhog gets things right. (I apologize for the commercial you may hae to watch before you get to see the groundhog nip the mayor's ear. Almost worth the wait.) ... In the meantime, this message was posted on the DAS Facebook site. It’s worth a read -- the sentiment is certainly worth contemplating and, you know what, there are lots of us who share it. In case you don't know how to click on the artwork and make it larger, the message says, "Rescued him literally houses before his euthanasia Not the cutest in the bunch but he has also rescued me." Can I get a big ol' rescue AMEN from everybody who knows what that feels like! ... In the meantime, here’s a link to a story about a jerky California family. Maybe someone reading this has (a) a heart that will reach out to Cookie HERE and someone else will pass a law that keeps Cookie’s family from moving to Texas.
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A NAPPING OFFICE CAT & SOME DOGS NEEDING HUMANS

Leo.
Yep. Leo. Great name for a cat.
He has the potential to be a literary cat. Or an office cat. And, especially the potential to be a CCC (Constant Companion Cat).

Leo, our spotlight feline for Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, is experienced as an office cat. There is photographic evidence that he is both an office cat and an office sleeper -- yes, he is very American.
We get the authoritative description of Leo from his current supervisor, our ol’ pal Mark Cooper, The Colony’s Animal Services Division Manager. Many readers will remember Mark
as a beloved member of Dallas Animal Services staff and, later, at Operation Kindness.
Now, he’s the official representative for his pal Leo.
“He is an amazing cat,” Mark says. “But I cannot keep him here in the office forever.”
Why would such a handsome, relaxable cat wind up in a city animal shelter? 

[CAT PEOPLE: Get ready to smile knowingly.]
Why’s he in a shelter? Mark says, “He was surrendered by his owner because he is too needy. He wants your attention if you’re in his sight.
“He would make a great old lady lap cat. He’s so loving and affectionate. He rolls over for constant belly rubs. Don’t you just love his little bow tie? He’s a mess for sure!”

To ask about giving Leo that perfect home, contact Mark at [email protected].

[Nominate your slumbering feline, snoozing canine or any other dozing critter for the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, send photo and info to [email protected] . Remember, we post these photos to give hope to the massive number of global insomniacs that they, too, can find a place to sleep. Of course, don’t show up at Mark Cooper’s office and ask for space on the desk -- it’s taken.]

OVER IN EAST TEXAS
We’ve written for years about CLAW, it’s the East Texas rescue organization, Citizens League for Animal Welfare. Stephanie Muzney of CLAW is trying to hustle up some help because, she wrote, “CLAW has taken on a 41-dog rescue case after larger organizations and local law enforcement  ‘couldn't’ help because the ‘dogs are all in good condition and being taken care of’.  Unfortunately, I guess abuse, neglect or laws have to broken before they can assist. 

“So nobody seems to be able to help the older couple being dumped on in rural Van Zandt County near Edgewood who are asking for help. These folks started taking in the dogs being dumped on their dead end road, but the situation quickly got out of hand with all being unaltered.  In fact, 21 puppies were born during the time they first contacted the folks they thought would be able to help, and being given our group's contact info.”
She also wrote, “This is obviously a situation that is larger than our group can handle alone, especially
with this weekend being First Monday Trade Days, so we are reaching out to our rescue community, family, friends and individuals we feel we can trust. “CLAW has started the process of getting all the adults separated, spayed/neutered, and their rabies/annual vaccs -- 4 at a time until complete. As of today, we have 16 adults remaining.  We have also taken the puppies (20 in all) from the premises and have started shots & deworming.’
“These Good Samaritans have done an excellent job keeping all these dogs healthy, happy, socialized and have provided pens and shelter for months. But it has just become too much. This has been a very good opportunity to educate them about the importance of spay/neuter, and what they need to do when dogs are dumped there. I can't blame them for not wanting to take them to a shelter, as those around here are always at capacity and considered high-kill. They have hearts of gold and mean well. They are also contributing towards the vetting."

You see here some of the pups in need. See more of this story on CLAW’S Facebook site and here are the contact points to offer to adopt, rescue, foster, etc. Call or text Michelle at 903-880-8648, email [email protected] or email Stephanie at [email protected].
Forty-one dogs. Only temporary humans in their lives so far. Got to find some permanent humans. The planet will be richer for it. 

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Stripes, an Earhound, a pair of Blues and chips...

EDITION OF JANUARY 29, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- A month from today it’ll be Leap Day. How about that. Is there no end to celebration in America?
We’ve got Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. The Super Bowl on Feb. 7. Fat Tuesday is February 9. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Presidents Day, Feb. 15.  The Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 18. The Oscars on the 28th.  And there’s Leap Day on Feb. 29.  Got to be some birthdays and anniversaries in the month, too. Hallmark will run out of card ideas.

So much to enjoy. I asked our cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson about the holidays and she replied, “Cats don’t need holiday calendars. We’re a constant celebration.”

That is a mugshot of Kittie Leigh and the other photo is not a mug shot. It is her side, her astoundingly decorated side -- we're thinking of repainting my pickup to match. I mention all this and it’s not even National Cat Day (that’s October 29). 

TWO CATS AND AN EARHOUND IN FERRIS

Well, my goodness, will you look at these critters. Laura Macias, who works to get animals adopted or rescued out of the Ferris Animal Shelter, sent photos of Pippa the Shepherd Mix and her cute little ear and a pair of Russian Blues who are down on their luck because of a human’s asthma. 

The shelter is in Ferris, about a half-hour south of Dallas on I-45. To offer to help these animals, call 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].

The stories:
Pippa: “Approximately 4-5 months old. If you are looking for THE most adorable puppy ever -- look no further. This precious little girl is baby sweet and loves everyone and everything. Likes to play, loves toys.  Cuddly and cute!!  Just a little live teddy bear. One little ear is adorable and sometimes flips back - so very cute.  Please - help save her - get her out of this shelter. She so needs a home - help this little baby have a wonderful forever life ... full of love and happiness.”

Misha & Sasha: [LARRY ASIDE: We don’t know which is which. We also think they should be adopted together to keep from upsetting their lives any further. Now, Laura’s report on the cats.] A pair of purebred Russian Blues, F, Spayed & Declawed

These stunningly beautiful purebred Russian Blues were owned by a lady that suddenly developed adult-onset asthma. It was so very bad that she just could not keep these much beloved kitties and a lady is temporarily (very temporarily) fostering to keep them out of the shelter while we advertise them as available.  They need a home ASAP or they will have to go there.  We are SO hoping someone will adopt or rescue both together.  They are sisters.  This pair loves each other and they also love to eat, LOL. (The current foster has them on some food to help lose some weight from what we understand.)  They are chunky and have the most gorgeous soft velvet plush grey fur.  They are precious, sweet, and loving.  Please consider them - they desperately need a home.  Our preference is that they stay together if at all possible so we are starting with that thought in mind."

TUB-O-PUPS
Well, of course, on National Corn Chip Day (see Contemplations), we offer a tub-o-pups -- sweet little dippers, aren’t they?
Desiree Britt, a veteran animal rescuer and advocate, sent us this note reporting that the “7-week-old puppies need fur-ever homes of their own (& not my home...LOL ) Light brindle has a home. The darker brindle is a female, others are males. 

“First shots and  worming will be done early next week and then they can be picked up. Adoption fee applies and you MUST sign an agreement to have them spayed/neutered at 6 months of age. I will follow up and check on them as time goes. Vet reference if I don't know you. PLEASE SHARE. Thank you. Located in Mesquite, TX. ... I would like to find them good homes ASAP as I don’t have the space to keep them here long.”
Call 214-931-8030 to offer to help or email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS AND DIP: It’s National Corn Chip Day. Fritos come to mind. Are there others? As every Texan knows, they were invented way back yonder in the ‘30s in San Antonio. (See the Handbook of Texas.) How many Texans have enjoyed Wolf Brand Chili (invented in Corsicana and no longer made in Texas) over Fritos with onions and grated cheese? Sorry, didn’t mean to set off any cravings... Favorite Fritos treat? Don’t tell my doctor, but when my mood needs a lift, the King-sized for Dipping Fritos with pimento cheese. Fritos Scoops? Depends on the dip at hand.  Favorite wight loss program? Wait, sorry. Got carried away with connecting one thing to another. I can tell you that I have a reaction to Fritos and just about any dip -- they cause my body to swell. .... I’ve seen people put Fritos on their burgers. No idea why. Anybody ever try Fritos ‘n’ Yogurt? Not me. Ben & Jerry’s Fritobananaberry? Mmmmm.  Mmmmmm. Mmmmmm. Sorry, I was channeling my younger self.

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A toe-tapping cat, available animals and the puzzle of cynophobia

EDITION OF THURSDAY, January 28, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Before we get to James Joyce, the writer, we’re going to explain why most of us can enjoy things that people running for president cannot enjoy.
This occurred to me as I was sitting at the computer keyboard late Wednesday afternoon and enjoying  that quiet spell that occurs before the writer’s brain awakens with a fierce storm of uncontrolled thoughts, words that have no place to go, punctuation running wild and unruly participles dangling like batches of grapes in an Oklahoma windstorm.
As the anticipation of a quick, solid sentence began to fade like the joy of a winning Lotto Texas ticket, the still of the afternoon house, usually accented by the purr of a cat or the snore of a dog, was suddenly moved aside by Bing Crosby singing Christmas in Killarney.
I turned to see this little black cat, Annabelle Bob, sitting upright on our Bose CD/Radio. Not designed for a cat house, the unit has the buttons on top.
Annabelle seemed to listen, then took her right paw and pressed the FM button, moving us along to the classic rock of FM 98.7, KLUV. I rolled my desk chair toward the radio, Annabelle stepped on the off button, lept to the floor and padded off to another dimension or whereever she spends her "meow time." 
Nobody running for president has the time and the brain space to stop worrying about the state of Iowa and enjoy watching a cat. 

MEANWHILE AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES

Here’s the advertisement for animals at DAS. A bargain for January -- just a few days left. No telling what’s coming for February, the month of St. Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl.
The Dallas Cowboys will participate in one, but not the other, of course.
At any rate, a check with the DAS PetHarbor listings Wednesday night showed listings for 115 dogs and 11 cats.
Of the 11 cats, 4 are at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road in far, far, far North Dallas,  and 7 are at the DAS Shelter & Adoption Center at I-30 and Westmoreland.

What this means is, if there is a sudden onset adult cat adoption spree (SOACAS), the City of Dallas will find itself completely out of cats and we’ll have to get some rescue groups to fly unwanted cats in from other cities. Stand by.
But in the meantime, you could stop by the shelter and adopt this cat Lexxy (A926243) who looks like she might have grown a cool beard. About 3 years old, the staff says.

And, of course, there’s always an Earhound somewhere at DAS -- this one is Princess Leia. Got a lightsaber of a personality, we’re betting. Go to the DAS site HERE.  Call the shelter at 214-670-8246.

A LANCASTER FOLLOW-UP

Tomi Ortiz, who tipped us to the desperate request for rescue and adoption help at Lancaster Animal Services Tuesday, forwarded a happy photo about one of the dogs we mentioned, the handsome Louie.
Tom reports, “Louie and Lucille went to a rescue! Hurray! You can tell in the pictures just how fast their little tails were wagging! Let’s hope Sunshine gets the same chance.”
Furbabies of Lancaster Texas’ Facebook page HERE keeps up with the shelter population and the needs. 

The latest report about the happy pups in the photo reads, “A huge thank you to Legacy Humane Society and the foster mom for rescuing Louie and Lucille. The Lancaster Animal Shelter and the Furbabies Family thank you so much for saving their lives. Happy, happy life, Louie and Lucille.” 

Tomi says she’s still hoping the great dogs Spring and Zero get a good deal, too.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Readlarrypowell.com is on a lot of odd mailing lists. One provides a daily quote. The quote that showed up Wednesday was from James Joyce, the Irish writer: " A man of genius makes no mistakes; his errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery. " I think he probably never worked at a newspaper or he’d realize the errors a genius made could become the portals to termination. Doing some research on Mr. Joyce, whose Ulysses has stymied me for years, I discovered that he suffered from cynophobia. I’m sure my fellow dog-lovers know what that is. Let’s just say that Mr. Joyce would have been very uncomfortable had he stopped by our houses for a relaxing drink. One woof and he’d have been on a plane back to Ireland. That dog? That handsome fellow is a free Dallas park dog, Texas Earl the Cheeseman, a Rottie who cannot comprehend cynophobia and does not suffer from metrophobia.   I can’t think of anything that rhymes with metrophobia. That's a poetry joke.

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ON CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY, SOME SWEET DOGS AND A CAT TALE

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- This is one of those special holidays that just shows up and, apparently, nobody can actually explain it.
It’s National Chocolate Cake Day. Readlarrypowell.com is now making its first endorsement outside of the animal kingdom during it’s nearly two-decades of existence. 
Thus, we enthusiastically endorse chocolate cake. We can’t eat it. But we endorse it. Now, our report:
HOW WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE POSSUM

Tomi Ortiz, our longtime tipster about animals in Lancaster, sent up a note about the “emergency” state in the city shelter. Look at the great faces. None of these is a photo of a possum. Keep reading. Oh, that's Louie on the right -- looks like high school yearbook pose.
The dog note came from the Furbabies of Lancaster Texas Facebook page. And it read, “The Lancaster Animal Shelter is in EMERGENCY need of adoptions and/or rescues/fosters. Many in danger of losing their life at any time are little precious puppies that have never been given a chance to have the furever home they so deserve--one full of lasting love and happiness. Furbabies Family please keep sharing and calling anyone that you can think of to save their lives.”

You can read about the animals on the site. FYI: Lancaster adoption fees are $15 for small dogs and cats, $25 for large dogs. The shelter is at 690 E. Main; call 972-218-1210.

While reading about the dogs, I saw a special note that demonstrates the Lancaster Animal Shelter’s enthusiasm for saving animals. It read, “There is an injured possum at the Lancaster Animal Shelter who needs transport after 3 p.m. to Oak Cliff.”
Naturally, we wondered if the possum made the trip to safety. So we asked a Furbabies volunteer who explained, “The possum came in with an injured nose so couldn't be released into the wild.”
He was taken to an Oak Cliff wildlife rehabilitator. And as the volunteer said of Lancaster, “Our shelter staff and volunteers wear many hats.”
She also said, “I don’t think we had a picture taken. Too bad, huh? it would have made a great one.”
Well, we don’t have a photo of an injured possum or a possum in the wild, but I offer instead this photograph of The Senator, our formerly feral cat who was once seen with a neighborhood opossum eating cat food out of the same dish in our twice-a-day Front Porch Feral Buffet.  [LARRY ASIDE: We believer The Senator learned this dramatic dance move while starring in the musical version of T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.]
So, the message is, help dogs, cats and possums where ever you find them. And give them plenty of rehearsal room.  

AND NOW SOME CONTEMPLATIONS: This is an abbreviated edition of Readlarrypowell.com. We were having problems with our AOL email and, well, the frustration was so annoying we decided to simply stop fretting with it, write what we had and move on. We also seriously want to remind people that all animals in shelters need out, all animals in rescue groups need to be adopted. Also, all animals running free in Dallas need to lead us back to the home that allows them to run free where we can deliver a sincere sermon with a brand-spanking new Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment.  That would, of course, be wrong, but not as wrong as letting your unfixed critters run wild in Dallas. ... Which is more entertaining? Presidential politics or the Dallas Cowboys? ... Our pal, the noted cat fan Cathie Desell, sent a note about a New York City story that has a happy ending. It’s about a free-roaming kitten who wound up inside a car and was rescued by two officers from the NYPD. How qualified were they to rescue a kitten? Anyone who has ever wrangled a kitten can relate to this paragraph and immediately see how qualified the cops are to deal with kittens: “Fortunately for the kitten, the officers were from the Police Department’s Strategic Response Group, trained, the police said, in counterterrorism tactics and ‘advanced disorder control’.” Yep, if you’re dealing with kittens you need to know “advanced disorder control.” Read that story HERE.

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Beaver saved; cats in need; Earhounds and Emails...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 (PetPowellPress) --  Ever see a cat and think, “That’s somebody who ought to be in the theater”?

Clearly we have these two examples.
In the cat photos at the SPCA of Texas adoptables site, you’ll found Callie who appears to be made up for a an all-feline production of Phantom of the Opera.

I don’t know what the cat starring in the Cats looks like, but I’d certainly give this Dallas Animal Services Cat Tom an opportunity to audition. [Sounds like a line from a Bond film. Not "Bond. James Bond" but "Cat. Tom Cat."]
This is a public service announcement for the Union of Theatrical Cats, a non-profit that was formed after producers refused to let felines audition for the lead rolls in Starlight Express because of the traditional bad mix of cats and roller skates. [The preceding sentence is fiction. So roll on as we present some actual critter facts today.]
THE STORY OF BEAVER

Readlarrypowell.com has long enjoyed a publicity relationship with the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, one of the most breed-specific organizations in the state.
And, in Monday’s edition we told you we'd tell the story of Beaver, a ward of GALT. Here’s the deal: Beaver’s not a purebred Greyhound, but he’s loved by the Greyhound people.
Last week GALT got in 18 hounds in seven days. Then, seven more arrived. And among those arrivals was this fella Beaver, named after the Oklahoma town where he was rescued.
He is a Deerhound mix. GALT reports, “Beaver's owner didn't think Beaver was good enough hunting material and planned to put him down before a Good Samaritan stepped in.” Go to galtx.org to see how to adopt Beaver, change his name and give him a new mission in life -- like flopping on a couch and watching the Super Bowl with you -- yeah, something that’s actually manly. See Beaver’s link HERE.[LARRY ASIDE: Not a fan of hunting here at readlarrypowell.com unless the animals get to hunt you back. Otherwise it’s not hunting, it’s ambushing.]

HOW ABOUT THIS BOY!

Stacy Carney, aka Stacey The Stylist, sent a note about Forest, currently in the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter in the care of Cheryl Tanferno.
The note reads, “Looking for a foster or adopter for this sweet boy. He just can't catch a break. He came in with a hip injury from being hit by a car and will need FHO surgery that Dr. Glenn (shelter vet) will preform. He was also attacked by three other shelter dogs Saturday. He has mostly superficial wounds and should recover fine. He will need about 7-8 wks. of recovery time after the surgery. Please contact Cheryl Tanferno at 214-734-6218 or the Weatherford Parker County Animal shelter directly at 817-598-4111. Please hurry he's running out of time.”
THE EYES OF DENTON

From Denton’s enthusiastic supporter Amy Poskey we got a note about some dogs that need help.

Some of these have eyes in common. 

We’ve mentioned Spring (left) before -- afflicted and, apparently, cured of a number of ailments, she’s been waiting for help for two months and now it’s time to find her a home, Any says.
Then there’s Dixie, a 2--to-5 year old Catahoula Leopard Dog/Dalmatian mix. Be fun to have her around so you can explain her family tree at a cocktail party.
She’s active and not fond of cats.
Then, there’s Hank, a young male Pit mix “who as adopted from the Denton shelter and recently found as a stray, but his ‘family’ didn’t come for him.”
The boy is just waiting for what comes next. Could be good; could be bad. It’s up to humans.
The Denton McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center is at 3717 N. Elm St. Call 940-349-7594. Email  [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected] 

FROM BURNS FLAT

Our reliable and resilient Western Oklahoma tipster in Burns Flat, Terry Lynn Fisher, sent photos and into about this dog.
The note reads: “This one is heartbreaking.... a lady in Cordell was told about this old girl wandering around a small town north of there... When she went to look, she could not believe this girl as still alive... skin and bones, she was so weak she could hardly walk...
"She loaded her up and took her to the vet... they basically said she is starving to death...
“So, many little meals later, she is actually up and walking... she goes out of the garage to potty and LOVES to lay on her soft blankets...
"But the rescuer is unable to keep her for long, so she asked me for help. Vet said the dog is about 6 years old... she is so very sweet , fine with cats and other dogs... Her name is HOPE.... can you help save her life?” (Email Terry Lynn at [email protected].)

 

EARHOUNDS OF MESQUITE
It has come to our attention that the Mesquite Animal Shelter has been loaded with Earhounds lately. We got photos of traditionals and one that is an Earhound U'n'D -- Up and Down variety.
Enjoy these photos and you see there a load of animals on the infamous “Code Red” list. [LARRY ASIDE: Aren’t all animals in a city shelter automatically Code Red? That’s the prevailing theory at Readlarrypowell.com  after decades of watching the rush to deadline.]

Oh, and that flop-eared dog is a 9-month-old Retriever mix named Penny. She’a 30-pound puppy with a great big heart! 

The contact points? Call 972–216-6283 or email [email protected]  16-6283

CONTEMPLATIONS: Seems like only a couple of years ago that the animal population at Dallas Animal Services could be summarized in one word: “overloaded.” But just Monday night if you clicked on the DAS PetHarbor listing HERE you’d see a listing of only 115 dogs, JUST SEVEN CATS and one rabbit. This one is her: Jessica Rabbit. Wow, if the population at the shelter stays low, will city hall say, "There's a budget we can cut!" -- wait, city hall already said that years ago. ... Presidential politics: more fun than a barrel of vipers? Anyone want to try “barrel of scorpions?” Any other suggestions? ... Odd subject lines arriving in the Readlarrypowell.com inbox: “How to use way less rock salt” (We suggest move to a southern state or drink smaller margaritas.) “Feel years younger with a robotic hair transplant.” (That’s a word photo, isn’t it!) and, finally “51 Sneakily Healthy Desserts That Help You Lose Weight.” I looked into that and one of the recipes was for “Skinny Ice Cream Sandwiches.” I have some experience at this frustrating business of losing weight and there is NO WAY the words “ice cream” or “sandwiches” can appear in a diet plan. Unless, of course, your plan is to diet, but not lose enough weight to require a new wardrobe. 

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The winter show at Indian Lake

EDITION OF MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- As you can see from the photo above, our Monday edition’s focus is snow.
That is a summertime festival photo from Indian Lake at Denville, N.J.
This photo is not. 

That is Annie, critterfan wife our Andy Fisher, our Eastern Snowboard Correspondent. [LARRY ASIDE: “Snowboard” seemed more appropriate than “Eastern Seaboard,” today.]
You see at the end of today's, a contemplative sunrise photo shot over the weekend at Indian Lake. Andy, a veteran print and broadcast journalist, has experience at these weather stories, hence, he shot that one through the window.
The previous family dog was a fan of snow. “Barley would have loved this, nosing around in it and tossing it over his head,” Andy reports. “But Maxie is a dog of another stripe, with his head buried in the side of his living room bed.

FYI: Maxie sent this note with his signature, “I am enjoying this day inside, in the old man's office, where he has thoughtfully provided a bed for me... Your friend, 

Ch. Maxie-milliam Tillinghast Bulldog.” That’s a name that’ll keep you warm. [FYI: Peaches the Cat is around warming and maintaining a very steady wintertime purr.]
With the photo on the left,  Andy adds, “Annie is not as reluctant.”
At the outset of this storm, Andy sent a note, “All that snow we were supposed to get since Thanksgiving? it’s all coming down in one storm! Friday forecast: 3 to 6 inches. Sunday reality: 26 inches.”

He also noted as that snow was falling, “First, they said 3 to 6 inches, tops. Then, it was maybe a foot; now, they're saying we could get two feet or more! Another triumph for meteorology.”

Then, as a wise journalist, he kids, “Meteorology: Only field where you can be wrong 90% of the time and still keep your job." And he adds seriously, "Shout out to the power company that kept the lights on!”

So, on  Monday, as the sun illuminates North Texas, we should all note that if we run into each other on the freeways today, we can’t blame the weather. Unless the sun blinds you now and then. 

[LARRY ASIDE: We’re working on Tuesday’s report already. We’ll be telling you about a hunting dog named Beaver who dodged a bullet.]

HERE’S THAT SUNRISE CONTEMPLATION PHOTO from Indian Lake in the weathery state of New Jersey, which, like Texas, has two NFL teams, neither of them in the Super Bowl. Nobody's water-skiing this morning on Indian Lake. And, in Dallas, it's supposed to be 65 today. And sunny. God bless Texas.

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Enamored of Wendy Wagstaff Arden, Annabelle Bob & Sleep

We've published thousands of photos of other folks' animals over the years. Every now and then I am enamored of our own animals.
Oh, what am I talking about. It’s not “every now and then,” it’s “always.”

Each moment I spend with one of them makes me wonder how people can live without a dog or cat -- or both. They are a comfort. And I am blessed by them.

We’ve had both dogs and cats since we married -- “24 LONNNG years ago,” my angelicspouse Martha will tell you. The wedding was a merger of dogs and cats.
Martha  and two of our critters are the photo focus of our weekly edition of “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”

Where’s Martha? Oh, she made me promise never to post photos of her asleep. I’m aiming for 25 lonnnng years and that is why in these photos you only see Annabelle Bob The Cat and Wendy. Martha is there under the fluffy brown comforter. She is the foundation for the SCZ -- Slumber Comfort Zone.
Wendy is a dog Martha rescued off the side of the road as the poor pup was being monitored by some teenagers who’d taken her away from people who were beating her. The teens demonstrated further good judgment and we got a dog.
Wendy has turned out to be one of the most affectionate, sincere, lovable beings ever to come into our clutches.
The kids didn’t know the dog's name. Martha explains, “Wednesday Louise is the name she told me when I found her.”
It became “Wendy.” Then, as sometimes happens, the dog’s full name began to emerge.
Martha says, “During a viewing of My Favorite Wife [1940] with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, Wendy admitted that she shared the same maiden and married names as Irene Dunne’s character.”
So, that slumbering white dog with the wonderful patches has been revealed to be “Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden.”
Wendy is famous for her ability to sleep while comforting humans.
The little black cat got her first name because Martha likes it. Annabelle got her second name because Martha’s actual soulmate was Bob the Cat, a big black cat who was neutered but didn’t let it affect his assertiveness, demanding nature and Earth’s Alpha Animal attitude.
Martha loved Bob the Cat more than any living being, I’m pretty sure. And when she found Annabelle on Zang Boulevard a few months after the death of the Original Bob, she sensed a connection. Annabelle Bob has lived up to the ways of the Original Bob. Might be something to this reincarnation thing, you start to think every now and then.
About the only thing Annabelle Bob doesn’t do that the Original Bob did is serve as an alarm for Martha. 

When the Original Bob was ready to be fed, he would crawl up on the sleeping Martha, twist his head slightly, lean down and bite the fleshy underside of sleeping Martha’s cute nose.

I didn’t know this would happen until we’d been married a week or so.
One morning I’m in the kitchen and Martha is sleeping in and suddenly there is a horror movie scream echoing through the house.
I went racing back to the bedroom fearful that some specter from my bachelor days had  suddenly appeared, but no. I found my bride cuddling Bob the Cat and rubbing the underside of her nose while explaining, “It’s nothing. Bob just bit me awake again."
As you can see in these pictures, it appears that Wendy is sleeping along until, gently, Annabelle Bob claims her traditional spot at sleeping Martha's side. It's a family photo.
 
[PLEASE SEND US PICTURES of your critters snoozing so we can feature them in our long-running -- more than a decade? -- weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Dogs, cats, newts, in-laws in your recliner during the NFL playoffs. Our aim is to inspire insomniacs to have faith that they, too, can sleep if they can find the right position on the right piece of furniture, floor or car seat.]

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Stock Show Weather, Bailey the Dog and other challenges...

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016 (PetPowellPress) Winter weather is always such a surprise in North Texas. Except for those of us who remember that the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is/are underway. (Sorry about that verb question.)

The Stock Show opened on January 15 and closes on February 6 and for as long as anyone can remember there has always been a phenomenon known as “Stock Show Weather.”
Looks good one moment, ice or snow or soggy Stock Show Midway the next. 

Fortunately, the great State Fair of Texas, the annual extravaganza in Dallas’ Fair Park, has never had to worry about stock show weather. After Thursday’s dismal atmospheric conditions, it seemed appropriate to remind ourselves of a sunny time in Dallas.
Oh, and for crying out loud, you nitwits jump up right now and  bring your animals inside out of the winter. If you don’t, I can’t be responsible for what happens to you when the role is called up yonder -- your dog or cat may be the only witness for the defense. You’ll be up a creek.

 

LET’S PROMOTE BAILEY AGAIN

Readlarrypowell.com has been trying to help our pal Deborah Verner find a home for the rescued dog Bailey for six years, maybe more -- way back from when Bailey was rescued from a dismal dumping area in southeast Dallas County. I’ve explained and explained the plight. Deb needs some sincere help.

Her latest note on Facebook is a bit heart-breaking when you know how she has fought to help this dog while enduring her own challenges. She writes, “Due to my orthopedic problems getting much worse, I have to downsize the # of dogs in my household. Therefore, Bailey, since she doesn't get along with all the others, and given how strong she is, I have to rehome her ASAP. If this doesn't happen in the next 2 weeks, I'll be forced to surrender her somewhere (not Garland...wouldn't have a chance there), which is the LAST thing I want to do.” Email [email protected] or call 214-546-2772 to help this veteran rescuer find a loving home for a dog that is as strong-willed as the woman who rescued her. 

BIG DOG -- BIG, BIG DOG

More than a decade ago I was writing a story about a Chihuahua in the care of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake and, somehow, when it came to typing the small dog’s weight, my fingers developed minds of their own. The next day, after she read my column, the great Sydney Busch of Friends send me a note asking about the 86-pound Chihuahua. Yep, I have no idea.

So, when I got this note from Sydney about this dog, it made me laugh. The subject line reads “big, not spayed yet, GORGEOUS pit bull needs new home please.”
And Sharon Coker, the veteran rescuer, wrote, “This big (157) girl is in need of a home.”
Stopped me in my tracks.
One hundred and fifty-seven pounds?
Sharon explained, “I had the person verify twice this is the correct weight.
“I'm told she is a Pit Bull, has had her rabies but not spayed yet. They are waiting to get her in [to be spayed].”
The family has health problems and is needing help in placing the dog in a good home. Sharon writes, “The dog gets along with small dogs and children but no cats. She hasn’t been around large dogs though.” Email [email protected] to offer to help the big dog.
[LARRY ASIDE: We think the sweater makes her look slimmer. Probably just a big ol’ lap dog.]

TROOPER’S NEXT STEP

Amy Poskey, usually preaching the gospel of Rescue the Denton Shelter Critters, sent a note about a dog. Surprise, right? Yep, from the shelter. But here’s the story from Amy:
“Y’all might remember this precious boy formerly named West, n/k/a Trooper who was brought to the Denton, TX Animal Shelter with a broken leg and then rescued by Mike and Mary Frazier with I AM DOG Rescue in Aubrey, TX.  Well, while he was recovering from his broken leg he was diagnosed with a skin condition so they are looking for a foster home with no other dogs so he can heal.  Poor baby has had a tough time but he is absolutely precious!”
Mike’s note explained, “Little Trooper has cleared the orthopedic work, but is now being assessed for a skin disorder.  Poor guy can't get a break. ... He goes back to the dermatologist in Dallas February 19th.  We'd like for him to be in a dog-free home before that time.” Here are the contact points: 

[email protected] and/or [email protected]. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: As regular visitors to Readlarrypowell.com know, we are in total support of a law that will permit Open Carry Chihuahuas in the great State of Texas. As we were thinking about this, we got a note from Karen Lee of Barkleyworld.com about, yes, a Chihuahua in the Mesquite Animal Shelter. The explanation for Julie Brown is that “Taco is a super sweet 2-year-old Chihuahua who arrive at the Mesquite Shelter with five siblings and his mom.” Mom’s been adopted but Taco, “calmer and quieter than his siblings,” is available. He weighs 500 pounds. Wait. Sorry. He weighs 5 pounds -- perfect size for an Open Carry Chihuahua. Call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to tag Taco -- he's #30602431. ...  Our Northeast/Arctic New Jersey Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, one of the noted humans of Maxie the Dog and Peaches the Cat, sent a link to The New York Times story about animals adoptions rising as New York shelters undergo reforms. Andy explained, “Good news from the wicked home of ‘New York values’.”  ... How to keep you hands warm in winter: Get dog. Pet dog. Or, get cat. Pet cat. 

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Helping Klyde find a home and other tales of animals and actors...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- It’s Thursday. Let’s try to help some animals on National Squirrel Appreciation Day, started in 2001 by North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove, according to the Holiday Insights website. That knowledge secure, read on and keep an open heart. 

A CHALLENGE FOR A FAMILY
We’ve got a story today of a family trying to save a dog that they feel they cannot keep.

This dog, a beloved family dog, has changed. He is still loved, but he needs another home, probably with a single guy -- no women. Here’s the story and it's a love story with a bittersweet situation.
Our pals Kevin Millikan, his wife Kelly and their daughter Kenedy got Klyde three years ago --this was, Kevin notes, after “our wonderful dog of 15 years” died -- I mention this so you’ll know that these are not people who are prone to dumping animals on a whim.
Klyde is a 90-pound Boxer/Maybe Pit-type mix. Where did he come from?
Kevin says, “We got Klyde three years ago from a friend of a friend who was fostering him after finding he had chewed through the ski rope that someone had used to tie him to the cart return at a local supermarket.”

The then-six-month-old dog “got along great with his foster family and their two dogs. Kelly and I fell in love with his rambunctious, puppy attitude (he reminded us of our wonderful dog of 15 years that had recently passed) and that was that. He was coming home to live with us and Kenedy. He proved to be a natural at fetching balls, though clumsy when catching Frisbees.”
Kevin says Klyde also seemed to get along with the farm dogs on family property. But when he was about a year old, he attacked one of the dogs and from that point on, Kevin says, he has “exhibited serious dog aggression with any dog he comes in contact with.”

He went through some PetSmart training, then Kevin and Kelly hired an in-home trainer.
“We learned a lot from her and got really good with the commands we wanted most: heal sit, stay, down, eat. He still exhibited dog aggression but at least now on leash  we could bring him back from the red zone.”
Two years passed and “he was a loved and cherished member of our family,” Kevin says. “He adored people. We used to joke that unless you had a tail, Klyde loved you. That changed, however, when we moved about six months ago. He began to growl and bark at visitors to our home, but only those he didn’t know well. He always ‘talked to his human friends when excited (friendly howl?), but this was much different.”
He was perfectly fine with Kelly and Kennedy and Kevin. “We were his people,” Kevin says. “But, the perplexed Kevin says, “That changed about a month ago. One morning unprovoked, he rushed Kenedy, snarling, then at Kelly when she came to intervene. we were totally shocked. A week later I caught him stalking Kelly silently, the hair on his back raised. I called him off, but not before he gave her a strong verbal display of aggression.”

Earlier this week, Klyde inexplicably charged Kelly and bit her. The family decided they want to find a home for Klyde where he will be safe from his own new mood.
“Do I think he’s a bad dog?” Kevin asks. “One percent of the time. But it’s a very significant one percent.”
It’s a matter of trusting the big dog around Kelly and Kenedy, two of the three people who really love him.
“If I could point to a variable or a trigger that causes these attacks, we would try to address it. We love Klyde. But these are unprovoked, and on us, the people who feed him, love him, play with him, walk him.
“Because of his dog aggression, I won’t put him in a shelter situation. That wouldn’t be good for him or the other dogs.
“And because of his newly formed human aggression, I can only see re-homing him with someone who can handle him....I hope there is someone out there for him. But I’m short on time.”
Klyde is neutered, is on a preventative vet plan and has no health issues, Kevin says.
“He’s been a loveable, obedient dog the majority of the time we’ve had him -- with just one deal-breaking flaw. And that sucks.”

To offer help for Klyde, call or text Kevin at 817-845-8357 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: I’ve known Kevin and Kelly since they were teenagers and Kenedy since she was born -- these are people who love their dog. They’re not giving up, they’re just trying to help the dog they love find a place to live that makes him always happy. Bless their hearts.]

MEANWHILE IN GARLAND

Christine Kallas sent a note Wednesday evening begging for a place for this Garland shelter dog -- she’s developed a cough. She’s been in the shelter a while, but now really needs someone to keep her from falling victim to apparent kennel cough and shelter fate.
Here’s the FACEBOOK LINK.

 “She is a beautiful and sweet dog,” Christine wrote.
And “extremely urgent. 

 

REMEMBER THIS GUY?

Yep, the little pup in the Lake Dallas Animal Shelter? The pup his family didn’t reclaim? A long-haired Chihuahua with a happy attitude?
Here’s someone else with a happy attitude, Amy Poskey, the animal advocate, who reports, “I’m very happy to report that this little cutie pie was pulled today (Wednesday) by Coppell Humane Society and will be in a foster home until he is adopted.”
Interested in adopting him? Go to www.coppellhumanesociety.com.

TWO FROM OUT AT THE LAKE

Sydney Busch of the fabulous Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent a couple of notes about animals, one missing and one found.
DOG ONE: She forwarded this note from Michelle Ashley whose note reads, “Have you seen this dog? He is a small mix, probably 35-40 pounds , not neutered yet. He was stolen out of my brother’s yard about three weeks ago. His name is Monkey.”

Know where Monkey is, email [email protected].

DOG TWO: Sydney wrote, “This adorable 20-pound Beagle either needs his former family or a new one NOW! Rescuer cannot keep him very long.”
Judy Huemmer wrote about the dog: “ Found on 1/8/ in Caney City dodging traffic on Hwy 198.  Male Beagle, no collar, no chip, not fixed.  Sweet personality, loves to play with toys an ball. Not aggressive,  gets along with my dogs, loves a lap.”
Email [email protected] or call 903-451-5449.

 

DO YOU KNOW A FERTILE OR RANDY CAT?

Here is a deal that will save the lives of animals not yet born. Thank the Spay Neuter Network. And go to spayneuternet.org/locations/ to see where to make reservations to end the madness, or at least spay and neuter cats. Not sure about ending the madness -- that’s more of a people thing. 

 

 

SPOTTED ON THE DAS FACEBOOK PAGE

The text reads, “December 2015 statistics show a record number of transfers to partnering shelters and rescue groups and decreased euthanasia along with a record Live Release Rate near 70%. Community support continues to positively impact our ability to save more lives.” [LARRY ASIDE: Doesn't say 70% of how many, but, some is better than none.]

CONTEMPLATIONS: I’m not on the payroll at Pegasus Theatre, I just believe in supporting local theater and I’m a big fan of actors and playwrights -- not all that sure about directors. I’m kidding. It’s a real challenge to put on a show, but when you put on a good show, you ought to get all the praise that can be heaped onto you. So, we’ve come to the final weekend of Pegasus’ latest Living Black & White production. A note from Pegasus reports, “The world premiere of Death is a Bad Habit! has been the most well-attended show in Pegasus Theatre history, and we'd love to extend it! Unfortunately actor and venue commitments make that impossible.” So the show goes on at the Eisemann Center for five more productions -- Thursday night, Friday night, two on Saturday and a Sunday matinee. See perplexed detectives, puzzled nuns and odd companions. To quote Martha Heimberg’s review on the Theater Jones website, “Get thee to this nunnery!” Actors act, a writer has written, a director has directed -- and audiences laugh and applaud. Kind of a nice peaceful thing to enjoy in today’s world. ... Back to our opening paragraph about National Squirrel Appreciation Day. Holiday Insights says January 21 is also National Hugging Day, created in 1986 by Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Caro, Mich. Here’s my theory: Don’t mingle Squirrel Appreciation Day with Hugging Day. Sound’s challenging to the ER doctor.  Oh, and Squirrel Day has an official flower (Shasta Daisy) and a recipe-of-the-day, Spinach and Mushroom Salad. No nuts. Honest. ...  I was contemplating ways to promote the Chihuahua Open Carry Law in Texas and it reminded me of efforts by the late Inky, Cocker Laureate of Texas, to promote the National Literacy for Dogs & People Campaign. He did well with dogs; it was the people who were the challenge. Inky supported literate cats, too, even though he (an American-born English Cocker) had a tiff with American-born British poet T.S. Elliott in their early days of carousing in British pubs. Both were working on their accents. That's the late Inky, our staff impersonator, giving us his impression of a solemn poet about to meet the queen. He always said he found her enchanting and unlikely to bend and pet his head. "Prefers corgis," he always lamented.
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