ReadLarryPowell.com

Sleeping Dogs With Histories.

So, there I was scrolling along when I ran across this photo and this caption on Facebook and it led to two slumbering pups -- Baron Von Puppy and Minnie --  to highlight our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.

"Highlight” is the word because these are upbeat stories!
And what do the dogs have in common besides the ability to doze? They are linked by the Trinity GAP Rescue, the devoted animal fans from Euless Trinity High School’s Girls Awareness Program.

We’ve been writing about GAP’s work since ... well, a long time in dog years. I suspect that some of the original GAP rescuers are already well into their post-education careers. Wouldn’t surprise me to find that some are working in the animal medicine professions, shelters or non-profit people-helping organizations. I think they might have become a GAP Rescuer to help animals and discovered along the way just big their own hearts really are.

Steffenie Vela, an original teacher sponsor of Euless Trinity’s GAP Club, posted that sleeping photo on her Scout Ann Vela Facebook site with this paragraph,
“Is this the sweetest photo ever? Baron, the former Rufe Snow puppy who was saved from euthanasia by Trinity GAP, is one pampered puppy after his recent surgery to remove his mangled leg. Thank you to everyone who helped including Dr. Riley and Keli! Sweet dreams Puppy Von Baron!”


We checked with Karen Lee, the Barkleyworld.com animal advocate, who had the inside story. It reads, “Baron von Puppy is the name and title now bestowed upon ‘Rufe Snow,’ AKA Yukon, who was rescued from the Urgent List at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control by Trinity GAP Rescue.”
Why did he need to be rescued? This dog -- clearly an Earhound -- “had Parvo and a broken leg.”  The break was so old that the bones in his leg had grown “back together at a complete right angle and there was some nerve deficit in the leg.”
GAP got two opinions and the specialist and the GAP vet agreed that amputation was the best route. Baron’s leg was amputated on April 25th and “he is doing great.”
 He’s about six months old and weighs in at 35 pounds though will get larger. Might be a Shepherd mix.  There’s an occupation therapy video HERE. You'll enjoy it, but come right back and read the rest of this edition!

Now, in looking for Baron von Puppy info we stumbled across this photograph of Minnie. Clearly, Minnie is a championship sleeper.
Is there a connection? Not one. Two.

Minnie’s a GAP dog and Stacey Johnson Wade, who adores Minnie, is the sister of, yep, Steffenie Vela.  
This proves, of course, that there is an animal rescue gene. Rampant in some families.

Stacey’s caption reads, “This is Minnie. We rescued her almost 9 years ago from the Euless Animal Shelter through the Trinity Gap Club. She used to go to school with me and read to the kids, she loved that! ... She doesn't much care what we are doing as long as she can sleep on one of her beds! Such a sweet, sweet girl! Love her!”


Just in case you want to support the work of the Trinity GAP rescuers, you can visit the Facebook site HERE.
See adoptables and read about GAP Rescue at trinitygaprescue.org. 


The GAPsters’ partnership with the Euless Animal Shelter that has proven to be a magnificent benefit to animals. Here’s the official explanation: “One of their community service projects is volunteering with the Euless Animal Shelter and sponsoring as many animals as their funds allow to provide spay/neuter, shots, and other vetting costs for the pets. Adoption fees collected from sponsored pets recycle back into their program so they can continue to vet as many pets as possible.” And every now and then the GAPsters sponsor a special event that raises money to keep the program working.

Why does GAP need to keep working?

Because dogs such as Suki, Tanner and Crackles need homes. That’s the trio playing at the Euless Animal Shelter, 1517 Westpark Way, Euless. Call 817-685-1594. And, as you can see, Suki is clearly an Earhound.
[Nominate your sleeping dogs, napping cats or homeless slumberers for the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap by emailing photos and inphos, er, info, to [email protected]. Remember, we post these slumbering animals to give inspiration to the nation’s insomniacs. We give hope to those who cannot nod off. All they have to find is the right position, the right bed, the right couch, the right blankie... Good snoozing, everybody!]

Animals in need & a note about Blackie

EDITION OF FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 (PetPowellPress) We’ll have a contemplation in this edition about the great writer Blackie Sherrod, gone at 96 but still vivid to those who read his work.
We're starting with dogs in danger --  and Blackie would have been in favor of saving the animals first.

If you do anything this weekend, give Denton's McNatt Animal Shelter some help.
We got a note (and a load of Pitty-type dog photos) from Amy Poskey. She wrote, “The shelter is filling up fast and I’ve been told that ‘some decisions will have to be made’ and I think we all know what that means.  Unfortunately, the Denton shelter does not provide a EU list so I don’t know exactly whose number will come up, but I can certainly guess.”
We mentioned this guy Socks before (upper right and left) . He’s mastiff mix who been in the shelter for 90-plus days. Yet, he’s still adorable and the staff loves him.
Why is he there? Owner surrender. The family’s other dog didn’t get along with him. Not a real good reason to shove a needle into a dog and watch him stop moving, is it? Humans are better than that, aren't we?
THEN THERE ARE DENTON DOGS MISSY AND BUDDY.  Amy has been pitching them for a while, too. “I haven’t gotten any nibbles on these two babies at all,” she told us. “I’m just gonna keep trying.”
Their stories courtesy of Amy:
-- “Missy is a beautiful Labby mix girl who is about 50 days pregnant and the shelter is no place to start a family.  So, we are hoping she can have her puppies in the comfort of a loving home.  Missy is very sweet and submissive and what a precious smile, too (see attached pic)!  She is about 1-2 yrs young and has only had her dhlpp vaccine since she is pregnant.”

-- Ah, Buddy. A handsome fellow. We posted his tale before, too. But, criminy, surely it’ll touch someone’s heart. It reads, “This poor boy was hit by a car and left to die in a ditch for two days before someone called for help.  He was found with a chain around his tummy and in a lot of pain.  The shelter gave him pain meds but they were gonna EU him when his stray hold expired; however, one of our AWESOME shelter volunteers was able to convince them to give Buddy a chance.  His sweet eyes were begging for help so they sent him to the off-site vet for x-rays and found that he has broken ribs that have caused the stomach to shift downwards.  Buddy  needs to have a very quiet environment with little movement to begin the healing process.  The shelter environment will not be conducive to the healing so we’re hoping a rescue can make room for this angel.  The recovery will be about a month.  Due to his injuries Buddy has not been vetted.”
To do something good for the world this weekend, start by rescuing a dog from the McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3717 N. Elm St., Denton. Call 940-349-7594. And here are FOUR email addresses to use: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THESE ANIMALS?
For a while on Thursday you could find them at Dallas Animal Services, but Danielle Fry, the animal transfer coordinator issued and appeal and things happened.

Danielle wrote late Thursday, “Big thanks to Rockwall Pets for helping the kittens and Dallas Pets Alive for helping the pups!”
She added a note that is a reminder to rescue partners, to adoptors and to people who don’t spay and neuter their free-roaming animals. 
Danielle wrote, “As we all know, spring has sprung and the babies are pouring in!  We have had many partners step up for these delicate babies and want to thank everyone of you!  We all know that it isn’t over, so if you have available bottle baby fosters, please keep us in mind and let us know!  You all do amazing work and we appreciate every single one of you!  Let’s keep saving these precious lives!!”
Offer to help by emailing [email protected].

THE SPCA’S PITTIE PARTY
(FRIDAY THROUGH THE 1st)


This SPCA “Pittie Party” adoption drive is the organization’s “effort to highlight the many Pit Bull mixes available for adoption at the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center on the SPCA’s west-of-downtown campus, 2400 Lone Star Drive.  

Adopt a Pitster at the SPCA and get a bunch of special things from food to toys and “a gourmet dog cookie.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Just the thought of that cookie sets off a craving. And, of course, we’ve never met a dog that we didn’t like more than we like cookies and that’ll tell you how much we like dogs.]

The two dogs in the photos? Readlarrypowell.com is going out on a limb and betting that they qualify for this SPCA special.  There are plenty of adoptables at the SPCA. Visit spca.org to read about the organization, opportunities and how to adopt; go to www.spca.org/findapet to see the available critters.

LOOK, UPON THE ROOF!
IT’S ELPO’S SUPER WINE EVENT!
Yep, May 14, East Lake Pet Orphanage hosts “Wine on the Roof: Pets in Paradise," described as ELPO's "largest and most visible fundraiser event that supports the homeless pets of our community!” 
Go HERE and you can see ELPO’s Founder Dr. Karen Fling and a ferret named Thor in a promotional video for Wine on the Roof.
Tickets are $75 in advance, $95 at the door.  Go to wineontheroof.com to buy tickets and get other details. These animals? They are some of the animals you’ll help when you participate. A couple of those cats look like they’re wearing stage make-up after being cast in the role of “Bushy, gray-haired old man.”

These other critters are Thor the Video Ferret, Miss Piggles (clearly rehearsing for a role in a major motion picture) and some dogs that are waiting for the call to charm an entire household.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those are three faces that would be fun around the house! In order, a star ("I'm ready for my close-up), a sincere dog and a dog waiting for your call.


A CRIME: No other word for it: CRIME. The story in the Big Paper Downtown is that someone in East Oak Cliff set a dog on fire. Read it HERE.  The dog is allegedly OK. Who really knows? No word about a police investigation, but someone should remember, this is against Texas law. We can’t allow this behavior in our city, state, nation or world. Humans are better than this. We have to work at it, but we are. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: BLACKIE SHERROD
Legend. First word that gets used. Like so many formerly young journalists in Dallas and Fort Worth, we read Blackie long before we met him. He was the guy who knew how to write. He could tell a story. I worked at the tabloid paper, The Fort Worth Press, after Blackie left for the Dallas Times-Herald. Because of Blackie, the little tabloid Press was famous for the writers it had produced. Working there felt like a blessing, even if the place wasn’t air-conditioned. It folded in the mid-‘70s and I was already at The Dallas Morning News when Blackie came across town from the Herald to our sports department. It’s interesting to look up from your desk and see a legend -- you wonder what great gift to readers he’s creating. You didn’t wonder what he was “sportswriting” -- you wondered what he was WRITING -- all caps. He went beyond any newspaper labels. And as is always the case with legends, there was more to him. He and I were walking down a hall together one afternoon -- he was going to his office and I was headed to the cafeteria to get coffee. I’d been writing some Metro section columns about animal rescue (this was probably in the ‘80s or early ‘90s) and Blackie, out of the blue, said, “Love those animals. I’d save ‘em all if I could.” You rescuers made an impact on a legend. He was a gift to us all whether we only read him or caught a glimpse of a legend at work. He is one reason I hope civilization doesn’t return to depending on glyphs, icons and scratches. Blackie knew the power of written language, the joy of a simple sentence, the importance of story telling that carries a message. When you read a good story, now and then think of Blackie Sherrod. If you never read him, I’m sorry you missed him when he was fresh. The Big Paper Downtown ran a nice story by another pretty darned good writer, the great Kevin Sherrington. Click HERE to read Kevin’s story and see some links to the things Blackie wrote. If you’re a consumer of news or magazines or websites, you should demand that all of the assorted methods of delivering news, features and opinions try to match Blackie’s ability and style. It’ll be good for the nation.
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Big Cats, Small Cats, Earhounds, Sweethounds and idiot humans

EDITION OF THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- A point for discussion: Nothing makes you appreciate a responsible U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator like the things you see in a presidential campaign. Lord help us all no matter which team wins. Strengthen the four branches of government: Executive,  Legislative, Judicial and Stand-up. 
Now, let’s get into a world we can do something about.
LET’S GO TO THE BIG CATS! 

Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a new cat coming to the MetroLitterbox. Remember that Tiger that was found wandering the streets of Conroe during the flooding? Veteran catfan AND supporter of the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd tipped us to this story in USA Today. Her announcement gleefully read, "Yay! The sanctuary got the tigress! Can't wait to see her."
She also forwarded a tip to us from her daughter Kim who is, as you might suspect, similarly blessed with an appreciation of animals and a desire to help them. She forwarded a story about a book about Cecil the Lion. You may recall that Cecil was killed in Zimbabwe by a dentist from Minnesota, Walter Palmer. FYI:  On April 24, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune ran a story noting that TIME Magazine  has named Cecil the Lion the most influential animal -- sadly because his death changed the U.S. government listing of endangered species, i.e., Lions, to keep hunters from going after them to bring the trophies back to the states. I don’t know where the dentist is -- haven’t seen him on any influential list.

BIG CAT IN FERRIS


Well, clearly Oscar is not as big as a Lion or Tiger, but he is available and you don’t need an exotic animal permit to keep him in the style to which he has become accustomed.
He’s one of the animals awaiting an adoption at the Ferris Animal Shelter. 
We’ve told the shelter’s transformational story before: Ferris has gone from having a police chief who wanted to shoot wandering domestic animals to having a structure at the shelter that promotes adoptions and 21st century animal welfare.
Laura Macias, now working with the Hutchins Animal Shelter while keeping an eye on Ferris, helped set up all the promotional stuff.
And, as you can see, Tin Star Photography does a bang-up job with the artwork.

You also see, here, other animals that need a home. How about those photos! 

To ask about adopting, you can drive just 15 miles from the southern edge of Dallas on I-45 and visit. Or you can call ACO Chelcee Juricek at 972-877-4180 or email [email protected]. Adoption fee is $40; bona fide 501c3 rescues pay no fee because THEY ARE SAVING THE ANIMALS!

And, as you can see, there is the ultra-photogenic Lily the Cat. And how about that Hondo -- looks like a perfect family dog.
While he’s a family dog, there’s also a family: Brownie, Cookie and Cupcake, a Chihuahua family. Why would an entire Chihuahua family wind up in an animal shelter? It’s clear to veteran rescuers and Chihuahua fans that they didn’t call Uber and have themselves driven to the shelter. Got to be a human involved somewhere.

CHECK ‘EM OUT AT LANCASTER
Tomi Ortiz, veteran rescuer who also keeps an eye on the Lancaster Animal Shelter sent a note about the situation of three dogs that had been declared an “EMERGENCY!” because “NOTHING IN THE WORKS FOR THESE 3!”
Naturally they’re incredibly adoptable and, if you’re a rescue who can help them, there are substantial pledges. 

Zeus, about 9 months, is a Lab mix. Bonnie doesn’t have a breed listed but does Sweethound work? And Tia is a Basenji mix.
Not on the “EMERGENCY” appeal -- but aren’ all shelter animals in a bit of an emergency state? --  is  this obvious Earhound Ruby, who in this photo does bear a slight resemblance to a Texas armadillo. Except for the fur, of course.

Go to the Furbabies of Lancaster page HERE and you can see a community working with a shelter to save animal lives.
CONTEMPLATIONS




That’s a screen grab of the Facebook note Brenham veterinarian Kristen Lindsey posted after she shot an allegedly feral cat in the head with an arrow, then proudly had herself photographed with her "trophy". You can follow the legal proceedings in the current case -- she’s attempting to keep her license -- by going to the VINNewsService (Veterinary Information Network News Service) site HERE ... And then there's the FORT WORTH STORY ABOUT SOME JACKASS WHO DUMPED 14 LIVE KITTENS INTO A TRASH BIN. Fortunately, someone heard the kittens and they were rescued.  The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has the story HERE  but allow me to warn you that it has one of those idiotic “cute” leads that indicates the editors -- pardon me while I invoke my decades of experience an editor/writer for newspapers --  don't really take the threat to lives of animals seriously. It begins, “What could have been a cat-astrophic day for 14 abandoned kittens...”. These cats apparently came from three litters. Sounds like intent on the part of a human, doesn't it? No word on whether the Fort Worth Police will pursue this cruelty case, but, please, allow Readlarrypowell.com to remind the authorities that animal abandonment is a crime in Texas. Somebody knows something. And somebody needs to be punished. And punished publicly. Kittens are not trash. ... Saw a story online that says a study in Psychology Today reports that dogs dislike being hugged. They didn’t interview our dogs. Our dog Wendy, who looks like a Boxer/Bird Dog mix, aches to be hugged whenever I actually get to sit on the couch. The survey must have asked dogs, “Do you like to (a) be hugged (b) sleep on the couch in front of the TV or (c) eat a treat and bark madly for the next one.” In that case, yeah, hug finishes last. (That’s an artistically enhanced photo of me on the couch with huggable, flophound Wendy. She was quite happy being cuddled and hugged when my funspouse Martha snapped the shutter or whatever phone cameras have these days. Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden is NOT a lap dog, though, of course, she shows all the characteristics of a 4-pound Yorkie. Except for the 4 pounds. 
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A midweek assortment from Tulsa to Batman...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- With each key that I strike I wonder if we are closer to a power-failure in the middle of a post-midnight thunderstorm. But, optimistically, we move along. 
Aren’t you glad you’re not a Texas dog staked out in a yard or a “she loves to roam” family cat dodging hailstones and coyotes?

LET’S SEE WHAT’S ON THE RADAR IN OKLAHOMA

We get good-hearted blips in two places. Burns Flat and Tulsa.
    FROM BURNS FLAT -- Our longtime reliable tipster and the resilient Burns Flat animal advocate Terry Lynn Fisher is working to find places for Tawny and King to go. (Email her at [email protected].)

She says, “ These two are beautiful. They are friendly, loving and get so excited when I pull up at the pound. Both love children and appear to be fine with other dogs. Both come from bad pasts. Both were just thrown away like pieces of trash.
“Tawny is a big girl... very tall, possibly Dane mix.... She is so funny... She prances and plays and will talk to you.... When found, she was so skinny, but has filled out nicely....
“King was chained his whole life... finally saved from abuse by the Sheriff Department, he escaped the short-term pound he WAS in and roamed the country for over a week before I got him back. He was scared at first, now is so loving and playful. He sits for his treats and when he sees kids, he gets so excited. They have been in jail way too long. They both are running out of time and my personal kennels are full.”

    FROM TULSA -- Our Tulsa Tipster Karen the Brighterstar sends word that this “very nice, handsome, year-old dog needs a rescue or home.” (To offer to help, email [email protected].
Karen’s note reads, “This little boy is about 60 pounds. All that he needs is his heartworm test. The rescuer who asked me to post this told me the woman wants the dog gone; she is asking that he be gone by the end of the week. The rescuer has met the dog and told me he has a very good personality.This handsome boy has been neutered and has had his shots. He is a year old and is VERY easy going and sweet, gets along with everyone, cats, dogs , kids. A really nice dog. Transportation can be worked on.”

THE CHALLENGE OF THE CRATES

How skilled are you? How much does it take to assemble a crate? Tawana Couch can let you test your skills on Saturday when the Society for Companion Animals hosts “Crate Day.” Email her (she’s the founder) at [email protected] to volunteer  for Crate Day or for anything else the organization needs to safely get endangered dogs out of North Texas.
We know SFCA needs volunteers and donors. Get Tawana to put you on her mailing list.

LAKE KITTENS

Pretty darned cute, eh? Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent a note that read, “Two adorable kittens need a home.” 
Jan Wadsworth, explained, “Need a home for TWO male HIGH ENERGY kittens, six weeks old.”
Heck, they look high-energy, don’t they! Bet they’re fun. Email [email protected] to offer to adopt and enjoy.
[LARRY ASIDE: As you know, Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas. The problem is not everybody brings their fertile cats through the clinic and, now and then, people drive in from out-of-county and dump animals. The official Readlarrypowell.com theory is they drive from Dallas to get to the lakeside neighborhoods. Once the state paved the road between Dallas and Gun Barrel City, we knew there was going to be trouble.]
A GREAT BIT OF ARTWORK

 
First time I saw "DASF" I thought it was Denton Animal Shelter Friends, but it’s Denton Animal Support Foundation. The Foundation is friends with the animals.
This Wine and Whiskers -- the third annual -- is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday (yes, THIS THURSDAY) at Oakmont Country Club in Corinth. Tickets are $70 each and the money goes to “provide adoption subsidies for animals at the [Denton] Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, and to care for pets in the Denton community.” Click HERE to purchase -- the button in the photo doesn't work because I have limited technoskills.
The glass with the whiskers is nothing short of great artwork -- congrats to the designer/artist!
 
CONTEMPLATIONS
 

 

 

 

 

You see these two photos. Both were snapped in Dallas -- "Suprman" on I-35 South and Batman at a 7-Eleven at Ledbetter and Hampton. What are we contemplating? Is Dallas headquarters of the Justice League of America? (The preceding wisecrack presented in honor of everyone reading this who also read D.C. Comics in their childhood.) ... Anybody else think its amusing that you have a few dogs that spent months living on the streets but you can’t get ‘em to leave the back porch when there’s only a slight hint of a sprinkle? Bless their hearts. They do enjoy the couch. ... Had to check the calendar to see if it’s November. The U.S. Mail brought 5 catalogs one day, 4 the next. We’ve still got Christmas lights in a shrub out front. Wondering if its attracting catalogs.
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WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' & DOGS, CATS AND BOOKS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- The Holiday Insights website lists April 26 as National Richter Scale Day. Hello, to everyone in the vicinity of the former site of Texas Stadium. Some of you might think the Curse of the Quakes is a result of the Dallas Cowboys moving to Arlington to play, but, based on medical reports and scores, the Cowboys apparently took all curses with them.
THE HUTCHINS PUSH    
We reported a few weeks back that Laura Macias, who’d helped get attention for the animals in the Ferris Animal Shelter, is trying to work some magic on the Hutchins Animal Shelter, another light-traffic facility south of Dallas.

Here are a couple of the extraordinarily available Hutchins dogs. 
Asher’s bio reads that he’s “the best pup ever” and that he’s affectionate. He’s pretty young, so a loving heart will be matched by a loving heart. Probably exceeded, based on our observations of Pitty-type pups. Laura’s note says, “Asher will have his neutering and all vaccinations covered through a kind offer of someone who is working directly with the animal shelter. The animal control officers cannot say enough good things about Asher.  THIS IS A GREAT BOY.  He is going to make someone such an excellent dog and would be great for any family.”

Then, there’s this dog Max, a young Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix. Owner surrender. “Big, sweet, cuddly teddy bear of a dog,” his bio read. Like Asher, somebody’s already paying for his neutering and vaccinations. And, Laura’s note says, he had a bath for his photo and “he loved it!”
Laura is the contact for these two and is also able to arrange transport. The contact points are: [email protected] or call/text 214-949-2726.
MEANWHILE AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES

While looking for cats at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center online, I ran across a note from DAS reporting volunteers are being taught “how to properly bottle-feed orphaned kittens.”

Naturally, I thought, “That never happens in Dallas! Why I haven’t seen an orphaned kitten needing bottle feeding in ages.”
And, of course, that is total bull ploppings. We run notices frequently from Danielle Fry and her Animal Transfer/Rescue crew at the shelter. In case you want to become a bottle-feeding kitten volunteer (bet it might work for puppies, too), visit this SITE.
[LARRY ASIDE: While looking for a cat to feature, I ran across this photo of a Shar Pei/Pittie mix named Alexandria. No idea how she came to be in the shelter, but I can tell by looking that she’s had puppies and her human either can't read spay/neuter notices or doesn't care. My theory is some jerk didn’t feed her enough and she wandered looking for food to nourish her puppies and was picked up. The jerk now just has puppies to sell and his “producer” is waiting for a new home.]
While looking for the cat I was suddenly jarred by this image of an Earhound, but as it turns out, someone in dark pants is standing behind Charmed, listed as a Labby girl. But at first glance, Charmed sure looked like an Earhound. On the other hand, a little further down the list I found this dog, Lennox, who clearly is an actual Earhound.

 Finally, I found a cat to promote as adoptable. You can probably see why. 
I don’t know anything about this cat except the name the shelter gave him. My mother probably agrees that it’s a great name for a household favorite, but she hasn’t lived with me since 1968. 

If you’re in the mood to audition to adopt a cat or dog or just stop by to tell Danielle and the Gang that you support their work, the shelter is at I-30 and Westmoreland, just west of Downtown Dallas.
Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt.

LET’S TALK CHIHUAHUAS
Yap-yap-yap-yap-grrrrrrr.
I'm kidding. They aren't all like that and the ones that are aren't like that once they get to know you. The fact that these dogs find it hard to like a human sometimes is perfectly understandable. You've met humans before, right?
OK moving along, Readlarrypowell.com has enjoyed the company of two Chihuahuas through the years: Belle Star Carmelita del Vera Cruz, i.e., Vera, and Rosie, so named because when found, she didn’t smell like a Rose. We were reminded of them over the weekend when we caught former stuntwoman Laura Dash and Jim Peterson, a military veteran, on the National Geographic TV Show Barkfest episode Second Chance Chihuahuas that featured their successful rescue, Dolittle Ranch.  
Lots of the little dogs in California, it appears. We have a few in Texas, too. 
And, on Monday we got notes about these.
That boy Chihuahua in his lake gear was the subject of a note forwarded by Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The subject line reads, “3 yr old chi needs new home NOW!”  It’s a bad situation or the dog wouldn’t need a new home. He’s described as “very friendly, not neutered et -- family in distress...needs home for this boy NOW! Call Casey at 903-386-5023. (FYI: Read about the Friends on Facebook HERE.)

We got a note from Melissa Stiles of Positive Outcome Chihuahua Rescue about these two. They are Olivia, the mom, and Tori, the daughter. Not to steal anything from a presidential candidate but these dogs are YEWWWGE! Olivia is 5 pounds, Tori just 2.
But they are ready to go to any proper adoptor in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Just call 817-266-5580 to register to audition to adopt. And read about Positive Outcome Chihuahua Rescue on Facebook HERE.
 
PRIZE-WINNING WORK!


Been meaning to mention this for about 2 weeks. We’ve been writing about the literary efforts of author James Martinez and artist Timothy T. Civic for a while now. Gentle, sweet stories that touch hearts and minds, wonderful artwork that inspires smiles (and, yes, envy!). As you can see from this photo, Martinez/Civic is a prize-winning team. James sent a note saying that judges in the recent North Texas Book Festival in Denton couldn’t decide which book they liked best, so they made both of them 2nd place winners. To quote the author, “Isn’t that cool?” Yes, indeed. (Other winners are listed at the festival site ntbf.org. ) Visit the Helping Tales Publishers site HERE and you can read about these books and the team’s latest book Cooper: A Rescue Dog’s Tale.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Saw a story in the New York Post that “Millennials” are eschewing pub crawls for juice crawls. You pay money, then go from place to place drinking healthy juices. No challenge in that -- but you probably don’t have to explain yourself to an officer, either. ... Let’s talk actors. Anybody see Jurassic World? Just saw it over the weekend. Featured Vincent D’Onofrio (right mug) as a bad guy. Let’s talk two actors: Is Vincent D’Onofrio becoming the new Brian Dennehy? ... In honor of National Richter Scale Day, we present this tribute from a man who knows how to get things shaking. Ladies and gentlemen, grab the handrails and click HERE 
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On Monday, it's critters and the Bard

EDITION OF MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Alright, it’s Monday's edition. Let’s everybody try to be interesting without being felonious. That’s an appeal for all of civilization, of course. And, especially it’s an appeal to the uncivilized.
Our topics today will range from critters to Shakespeare.
Consider this quote from Henry VIII. "Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds." As theater fans know, that is the assessment from Henry VIII’s dog Hoaxus advising the king to do better than he speaks and pointing out that dogs are able to do much good without the power of speech. [LARRY CONFESSION: The preceding passage is made up -- Shakespeare made up the quote, and I got the rest of the passage from an old script written by Inky, the late Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas.]

 Speaking of Cockers, still time to sign up for next weekend’s Dallas/Fort Worth Cocker Spaniel Rescue’s 4th Annual Dogleg Classic Golf Tournament. Anyone who has ever swung a golf club will appreciate the fact that this tournament is on May 1, or, as the cry for help goes, “Mayday. Mayday.” Many a golfball has shouted “Mayday. Mayday.” as it hit the water hazard.

AN EAST TEXAS DOG

Save Pets on Death Row is an offshoot of Smith County Pets Alive (biggest city in the county is Tyler, in the heart of beautiful pines and terrain). This dog is in nearby Carthage, according to a note from Marie Garza. 

Here’s the latest story from Marie:  "Hi Everyone!  Thank you so much for your continued support.  Our last crew got off To Colorado and arrived safely April 10th! This week we have 5 puppies we were able to get out of the Carthage Pound they are here in foster but need to get to Colorado asap!  We'll have a separate fund raiser for their transport.  
"However, this week we are trying to save MARY the pit bull in attached photo!  We desperately want to get her out of the shelter alive!!  She dies 043016 at 9 am. Very few pits make it out of this facility alive!   We are trying to raise funds to have her fully vetted and then offer funds to a rescue so they can fend for her while in their care until she is adopted.  Please any amount is always greatly appreciated.”
Here’s the Youcaring.com address. And if you want to get involved somehow, email [email protected].


THE AGE-OLD STORY
She’s pregnant and has no good place to go. Sound’s like something out of the ‘50s or ‘60s, but this is Missy and she’s got the challenge right now.
We heard about her from Amy Poskey who promotes helping Denton’s McNatt Animal Shelter critters. She wrote, 
“Missy is a beautiful Labby mix girl who is about 45 days pregnant and the shelter is no place to start a family.  So, we are hoping she can have her puppies in the comfort of a loving home.  Missy is very sweet and submissive and what a precious smile, too (see attached pic)!  She is about 1-2 yrs young and has only had her her dhlpp vaccine since she is pregnant.  ID# 62531. PLEASE, can anyone give this sweet girl a loving home to have her babies?!  Thank you!  Amy”
 Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email [email protected].

Amy also reached outside of the shelter world to help a dog that hasn’t quite been dumped yet. “Poor Bailey needs a new home because her family is moving to a “no dog” rental home. Don’t get me started.”

The bio reads, “Bailey is about 3 years old and great with children… very loving and protective; appears to be a Lab/Shepherd mix.  She is spayed and microchipped;  last visited veterinarian in December and tested negative for heartworms, but has not had prevention in last two months.  She is up to date on core vaccines.  Bailey is currently just east of Denton.”
To help Bailey, contact Susan kern at If you can help this sweet girl find her forever home, please contact Susan Kern at 469-662-7660 or email [email protected].

CELEBRATING GALT AT 15! 

Here are two Greyhounds that currently need homes and the way to apply to adopt is to go through the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas site at galtx.org -- and you’ll be doing it as GALT celebrates its 15th anniversary.
In that time period GALT, its news release says, has “assisted more than 2,700 Greyhounds and other sighthounds in finding their forever homes and has become an internationally recognized organization.”

That modelesque dog is Vera Wang. The other is the Earhound Greyhound Zena. Both are currently in the loving care of GALT.
The big GALT birthday party is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Pilot Knoll Park on Lake Lewisville. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 10 and under. Party beer glasses are $10 and come with free bear.  Raffles, a live auction and other attractions including (here’s a pitch for authors, book-signings:  Hearts and Hounds book signings by Barb Christian and The Rise of the Phoenix book signings by Suzanne Burke. 

And there’s a play area -- muzzles required (on the dogs, though some people, well, you know...)
There’ll be contests for Greyhounds, too: They include (and try not to laugh):
 Longest tail, shortest tail, earliest GALT tag, latest GALT tag, fastest sit, baldest butt, softest coat, and most unique markings.” Yeah, I thought that “baldest” category might elicit a giggle.


HOARDING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Thanks to our pal Jonnie England, the legendary animal advocate, for forwarding a reminder that registration is now open for the Sixth Annual Southwest Conference on Hoarding -- it’s from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 3, at the Hurt Conference Center, 1601 Campus Drive in Hurst. 
This conference is “jointly organized by the Hoarding Task Forces of Dallas and Tarrant Counties” and will feature as keynote speaker the author and Smith College psychology professor Dr. Randy O. Frost discussing “Understanding and Treating Hoarding Disorder.” He’s an expert on hoarding and obsessive-compulsive disorder.  See how to register HERE. 
 
CONTEMPLATIONS: One of the great daily pleasures of opening our inbox is finding the morning news tip sheet THE RUNDOWN from veteran broadcast reporter, animal supporter and president and founder of Real News PR Jeff Crilley. One story included a Science Daily story about how “Americans believe civility is on the decline” and another, from The Toronto Sun, declares that watching reality TV “lowers the IQ and increases rudeness.” As an observer of the current human condition from the campaign trail to the nightly news, it’s hard to argue those points. In person, however, we find people are much nicer than they appear on TV. Helpful and kind, even. So, possibly, today’s TV shows are as representative of reality as I Love Lucy in the ‘50s and Batman in the ‘60s.
.... PETA since out a note praising the late Prince for his pro-vegan stance and noting that in 2006 he’d been “crowned PETAs Sexiest Vegetarian celebrity.” Declaring that he “spoke up for all animals,”, PETA quoted him as saying he didn’t “eat anything with parents” and that “ ‘Thou shalt not kill’ means just that.’ ” ... From one eloquence to another, we move to William Shakespeare -- do I need to explain who he was? Sometimes I fret about how broad education isn't in today's test-focused classrooms. At any rate, former writer at The Big Paper Downtown Deborah Voorhees who, before that, had been a film actress, has a new triumph. She reported that two of her films “unspooled” at last week’s Elsinore Shakespeare Conference at Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark, “for Shakespeare's 400th celebration at Hamlet's castle!” The films are Hip Hop Hamlet and Othello: Good Night My Sweet.”  You can see The Sonnet Man doing Hip Hop Hamlet, To Be Or Not To Be HERE and the “mature” Othello: Good Night My Sweet HERE. These selections, of course, keep Deborah from being a “Melancholy Dame,” no offense to the Melancholy Dane, of course. We’ll end with that wisecrack because, as Polonius says in Hamlet, Act 2, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
 Oh, wait, as long as we’re mentioning great Danes, that dog is Tyson, one of the availables on the Great Dane Rescue of North Texas site danerescue.net. Not a melancholy Dane.
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The Face of a Beloved Sleeper

In the years since we published our first Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping cats Nap, on May 14, 2005, we’ve posted hundreds and hundreds of color photos of dogs and cats sleeping, napping, dozing, etc.
This time we’ve got two black and white photos. 
And is that ever a proper photo combo for our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.

We first spotted these photos on Facebook when they popped up on a post by Mark Cooper, The Colony’s Animal Services Manager -- he’s the guy this dog was missing when the photos were shot.
Mark explained in the post that he’d just been sent photos of “my Tonka Bear waiting on me to get home. She hasn't seen me in almost two days. She's beside herself and missing her daddy. Sleeping on her favorite fluffy binky.”

So we got in touch with Mark to get the OK to publish the photos and get a little bit of info about his “Tonka Bear.”

Mark was quite excited to tell us and wrote, “You know she’s my furry child! Tonka is obviously an English Bulldog. She is now 8 years old, but she’s a young 8. She doesn’t realize she’s a dog. She honestly believes she’s a human. She will only eat from a fork, NO eating from a bowl. That’s for the dogs! She drinks from a purified flowing water bowl and only eats the best food. She has her own Lazy Boy recliner and must have her fuzzy binky to sleep on. She’s a diva, in other words!”

Mark has experience with napping cats, too. He recently posted a scene from the office demonstrating how a cat can take over the office. This one, from a recent photo, is a 13-year-old cat named Mia sleeping on his desk and making her presence known while he’s trying to work!

The spayed, declawed cat was an owner surrender. Mark described her as a “a love bug with her big ole floppy belly and loving eyes.”
She may have found a home by now, but in her time at The Colony, she had “only one problem,” Mark wrote. “SHE WON'T LET ME WORK!! She insist on rubbing her head against my keyboard and hand as I try to type. She needs a new home. Somewhere besides my desk! If you're interested contact The Colony Animal Services.”

And if Mia’s already adopted,  believe me, The Colony has more than one cat who is prepared to be an annoying but adorable deskmate for a human. See The Colony’s Animal Services Facebook page HERE and visit the Friends of the Colony Animal Services HERE.
 

[To submit a  photo or photos of your sleeping dog or napping cat or a snoozing picture of a woodland creature or a relative who takes over your recliner and passes out during visits, email the artwork and the info to [email protected]. We’ll use the photographs to highlight our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, we post the photographs to give the nation’s insomniacs encouragement that they, too, can find a way to, finally, get some sleep. Make a face like a bulldog and nod off!]

Another Dowdy-dumped dog, pregnant cat, SPCA challenges, Tigers?

EDITION OF FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Every now and then I get a kick out of just looking at the faces of our dogs and cats. Makes me wonder what they feel like when they look at mine. I know small children are alarmed. Fortunately, dogs are more forgiving. This is Dudley the Angel who was watching me try to nap on the couch Thursday. Yes, I hugged him. He’s a good boy.
And after I read the material for this first note and saw the video, I hugged Dudley again. We got him after he was dumped in our Oak Cliff neighborhood. If the driver hadn't been pressed for time or needed gas money, he might have dumped sweet Dudley out on Dowdy Ferry Road where he wouldn't have had a chance. Now our report:
A DOWDY FERRY DUMPING    
Just a few weeks ago, a bunch of dedicated animal advocates installed a display of nearly 100 crosses along Dowdy Ferry Road -- each cross represented a dead dog dumped there, or, maybe a live dog that died after it was dumped. 

The installation made a big media splash. But, the point still escaped some Dallas-area idiots. 

We got a Facebook tip from “VF Roy” about this story on the “Leslie YH” Facebook page. It has to do with this dog, Aubrey, who, the page reports, “was abandoned on Dowdy Ferry in a junkyard at just 2-3 months old. Luckily, she was found by kind men who kept her until help could arrive. She can't walk and seems to have been attacked by another dog. We are having her stay at the vet tonight [Thursday] for reevaluation. Please make all donations to [email protected] for her care. We want to provide this girl the best care possible and will not be giving up on her.
This photo is from the video. The upper right photo is an “after” shot from Leslie YH’s page. She look’s better but she’s still in need of help. You can see that video HERE.

[LARRY ASIDE: That video will make you want to leave an impression on someone’s head. To make the proper impression, we suggest using the Readlarrypowell.com two-by-Four of Enlightenment. Repeatedly. But, of course, that would be wrong. Maybe it’s time for another demonstration in the dumping area. Or, some signs that read, IF YOU ARE ABOUT TO DUMP A DOG, CALL US. WE WILL TAKE IT. The Good and Decent People appear to be, after all, at sort of a “last resort” point in solving this problem.]

DAS AND CRITTERS IN NEED
At least twice in the past 24 hours, before I can post a note about a dog or cat in need at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter, the staff has managed to find someone to help the animals.

Where’s the news in that? Just a theory but there was a time in recent memory when an injured dog or bottle-feeding kitten didn’t have a prayer.
Things have changed. It seems appropriate to offer congratulations to the DAS’s rescue and transfer folks for working hard to save animals that would have been doomed before. In saving animals, they're changing the image of the shelter.

We checked on this first dog (we’d posted her Wednesday) and she’d been claimed by Dallas Pets Alive after Danielle Fry, the DAS Transfer Coordinator, issued an appeal. The dog had no use of her back legs, but did show evidence of “system” health. So, someone needed to get her into proper care.
Thursday afternoon when I asked Danielle if anyone was helping the dog, Danielle replied excitedly, “Yes!!  Dallas Pets Alive is here right now picking her up!!!  We are so happy!  I just love her!!  And Humane Society of Dallas County took the single kitten....”

Yep, I was checking on that kitten, too, a “single bottle baby kitten in need.... only 10-14 days old and needs the love and care o a foster mom. The baby appears healthy and is eating well.”  [Larry aside: Look at that kitten’s face! Is that a robust kitten or what!]
Then there was the late afternoon appeal on behalf of this ultra-cute dog. 
Danielle’s note read, “This little girl came to us after being hit by a car.  She is only 2 months old and weighs 5.2 pounds.  Our veterinarians believe that her right femur is fractured and an injured/possibly fractured right shoulder.  At the moment, we know that she is not stable around her shoulder area.  She will need x-rays to determine the extent of the injuries.  Our veterinary staff did not have time to get them done.  This little girl needs out asap.  We have her on pain meds and she is pretty sedated at the moment.  She was in a lot of pain and needs to get a thorough exam to make sure she doesn’t have any internal injuries.”

So I checked with Danielle, and she reports, “Dallas Pets Alive has picked this sweet girl up.”
And she also wrote that "not to waste an email," she was including some more animals in need. And she included a link for DAS dogs and a link for DAS cats. Want to see ‘em in person, just drop by the shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30. Call the transfer office at 214-670-8298.
Email [email protected].

HORSE DAY, CINCO DE MEOW &

A LOAD OF MISTREATED DOGS (& 3 PIGEONS)
It’s hard to beat the SPCA of Texas for staying busy. And you can get more info on each of these notes at spca.org.

--ON SUNDAY, THE SPCA’S RUSSELL H. PERRY ANIMAL CARE CENTER (8411 Stacey Road in McKinney, hosts Help-a-Horse Day, a celebration of the state’s steed. And the SPCA is competing to win a $25,000 grant -- maybe more. It’s in honor of the ASPCA’s 150th anniversary.  
--Cinco de Meow? Yes. On Cinco de Mayo, the SPCA will be hosting Cinco de Meow -- on Thursday, May 5 (for those of you who don’t know what Cinco de Mayo means), you can get your tomcat neutered for FIVE BUCKS at any of the three SPCA spay/neuter clinics. Plus, there’s a feline adoption special from Cinco de Mayo through Ocho de Mayo. (Info for making appointments and scheduling neutering is at spca.org.)
-- Funding for rescues? Absolutely. Here’s what the SPCA is working on now. The SPCA Cruelty Investigations Unit worked with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department to save 24 neglected animals -- 15 puppies, six dogs, and 3 pigeons. 
You see the puppies in the photo.  The SPCA says, “The puppies were found all together, confined in one large crate with no clean water. The pigeons were together in a makeshift birdcage with no access to food or clean water and the adult dogs were found loose on the property.”
SPCA needs funding to help get vet care, shots, food, etc. Go to this SPCA online appeal to help.
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, go to the website to donate. Then get your Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment and go to Ellis County to ... wait. That would be wrong. It would feel good, but it would be way wrong.]

PROOF THAT NOT SPAYING OR
NEUTERING PROMOTES PREGNANCY
Yep, pregnant cat. In Denton’s McNatt Animal shelter.
Dallas Newell’s cat note reads “Need help IMMEDIATELY” and, “This is my most URGENT cat I need to find a rescue for. This is a new picture as of today, 4/21/16, of Trinity.  Boy is she BIG!!!  And a sweetheart and a half.  She LOVES to be given attention.” To offer to help expectant Trinity, call or text Dallas at 940-390-0555.


MEANWHILE THERE’S A DENTON DOG. Amy Poskey, the tireless promoter of Denton Animal Shelter inhabitants, sent the note reading “This poor boy was hit by a car and left to die in a ditch for two days before someone called for help.  He was found with a chain around his tummy and in a lot of pain.”


[LARRY ASIDE: Doesn’t that just make you sick?]


 Amy’s note continues, “The shelter gave him pain meds but they were gonna EU him when his stray hold expired; however, one of our AWESOME shelter volunteers was able to convince them to give Buddy a chance.  His sweet eyes were begging for help so they sent him to the off-site vet for x-rays and found that he has broken ribs that have caused the stomach to shift downwards.  Buddy  needs to have a very quiet environment with little movement to begin the healing process.  The shelter environment will not be conducive to the healing so we’re hoping a rescue can make room for this angel.  The recovery will be about a month.  Due to his injuries Buddy has not been vetted.”
Buddy is #62540. He’s 3-to-5-years old and a Cattle Dog/Bully Mix.  Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Or email any of these: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].
FROM OUT AT THE LAKE


Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, which operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas, forwarded this note from rescuer Sharon Coker, also a frequent tipster to readlarrypowell.com.
Sharon wrote, “Seven-year-old Bruce is in need of a new forever home. He's pretty docile. I don't have all the facts other than he's been neutered,t hey aren't sure about shots but they do have a vet. He has some allergies and would probably need home with no children or older children. I know this is sketchy but I'm hoping an older couple or senior citizen would love a little lap dog.” Email  [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS: Before everybody shovels dirt on the hole they’re burying journalism in, let me suggest that the consumer needs to keep the craft alive by actually reading and discovering the talents that produce the interesting stories. The Big Paper Downtown still has writers worth your time. One is Robert Wilonsky, a favorite since his days at The Dallas Observer.  Writer/reporters like Wilonsky will save journalism if it can ever regain the attention of readers. For example, a city employee taking an unauthorized bathroom break becomes both a government and an environment story. Read it HERE.  ... Tigers in Texas? Roaming? KSAT in San Antonio had this brief a tiger found roaming near Houston after the floods. That story is HERE. A little research ran across a 2013 story about a Tiger set free by Hurricane Ike and a Lion sleeping in a church with his human on the Bolivar Peninsula. That one’s HERE. Seriously, who needs a Tiger in Texas? And why? .... Prince. Dead. Really? How can that be? In honor of the artist, this video.
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Dogs, cats and werewolves...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2015 (PetPowellPress) -- Full moon over Dallas. Please, be careful how you howl. We’ll get to Werewolf Rescue of Texas in Contemplations. First, we’ve got some sympathetic creatures to present. Quick, open up the big hearts.
GIVING A DOG A CHANCE


Dallas Animal Services has sent out an  appeal for help giving this dog a bigger chance that she might have gotten years ago. She’s 10 months old, may have a spinal chord injury, but shows signs of still being able to urinate.
“Her legs may not be working, but her spirit is not broken,” read the note sent by Danielle Fry, the DAS Animal Transfer Coordinator. 

The note also reads, “Our veterinary staff has given her a reprieve and will give her through the night in hopes that someone can step up for her in the morning.  We will reassess her in the morning to see how much more time we can try to give her.  The sooner she is out the better so she can get started on healing and living a better life!  We are all falling for her and hope you do. too!”
Call the DAS office at 214-670-8298; email [email protected].

Click HERE to see a video.

GUS: FOUR YEARS IN BOARDING


Yes, FOUR YEARS. 
We got his story from our Oklahoma Brighterstar, Karen, who wrote, “I am hoping, so hoping, you can write and help this dog. Gorgeous Gus has been in boarding for way way too long. A network of people support him. He has even been on TV.
“No where has a home been found for him yet. He is a good dog and it is a very sad fact that there are others like him in other clinics and boarding facilities and rescues that have been there for years. But Gus is the one I know about now. I have networked him far and wide over the years and not one response except rescuers who care and hope he gets his loving forever home soon.


“Please, write about Gorgeous Gus and see if you can help him. Transportation can be worked on. I am cc'ing Sherrill, the wonderful lady who has worked so hard on his behalf.”

Here are two email addresses to contact about helping this handsome dog find a home: [email protected] and [email protected].
He is quite the handsome dog. And, there must be a heart somewhere that has a spot for him.


GIGI -- EASY TO LOVE, HARD TO MOVE


Our pal and longtime tipster, the rescuer Patty Sprong, sent a pensive note about a little dog. 
“Would you believe that I still have Gigi? When I first emailed you about her, she was at an adoption event at Christmas time and you featured a picture of her with Santa.
“Would you mind mentioning her again? I've had her a while and she is just a tad too attached to my family. Why the lack of interest? Most likely because I have her listed as requiring a home without young children. She loves kids, but she is too mouthy for them, she plays rough, and she resource guards if she gets a hold of something she isn't support to have! Such Chihuahua-tude!
“I'm almost hesitant to let her go because she fits in so nicely at my house, BUT, I know the goal is to help more dogs. I'll have to let her go when the right home is found. I'd appreciate your help. The link to her listing is below.”
Click on the Animal Rescue of Texas page HERE  to offer to adopt a spectacular pup who, as you can see, already has a connection to the Big Red One.

CHALLENGES IN WEATHERFORD
Our reliable west-of-Fort Worth tipster Stacey Carney, aka Stacey the Stylist, forwarded an appeal from Cheryl Tanferno at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter. They’ve got some challenges on the euthanasia list. Several dogs have heartworm, some don’t get along with other dogs and a few are downright animal-aggressive.
It’s heartbreaking that they haven’t been socialized, but maybe there’s a chance. 
See that dog Phoenix (56174), the brown one? “Returned because she is not good with small children (herds them), challenges other dogs in kennels, and no cats.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We had a Border Collie when I was a kid. Beloved family dog. Beloved. Queenie herded children. Didn’t bring any home, but did vigorously monitor the three who lived with her.]
That dog-in-a-basket is Rhonda (56357), available since April 5 -- but she “has a severe heart murmur” and needs some vet help. Maybe a pill will help her. 
You can see the whole list by clicking HERE.
To ask about any animal, call 817-598-4111 or email [email protected].

FELINE ELEGANCE


Readlarrypowell.com has experience with a Maine Coon, my then-fiance now funspouse Martha’s beloved Lucy. Extraordinarily affectionate to me, which puzzled Martha. 
Anyway, here’s a chance to get some Lucy-like kittens at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. Dallas Newell says this is not the ONLY LITTER at the shelter. It appears to have become an intergalactic vortex for newly arrived kittens. Call or text Dallas Newell at 940-390-0555.

CONTEMPLATIONS

Werewolf? Full moon topic:  Pick your favorite. Jack Nicholson in Wolf (1994), James Spader in Wolf, Lon Chaney Jr. in The Wolf Man (1941),  Benecio del Toro in The Wolfman (2010),  Michael Landon in I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)? There is a certain fright to lycanthropy, don’t you think. I’m already getting in the mood for Halloween and we haven’t even hit 4th of July yet. Maybe it’s because south of the equator the residents are enjoying the chill of autumn. Earth -- what a mystical planet. We’re trying to get the contact number for Werewolf Rescue of Texas. Might be shared by Lone Star Chupacabra Rescue & Rehab. ... Whoa! How about that Michael Strahan leaving Live With Kelly and Michael? After the shock wears off, who’ll replace him? Regis? Will Kelly return (she’s taking the week off, in shock). Ah, here’s a solution: Kelly and the Losing Presidential Candidate. ... Our longtime feline tipster Cathie Desell loves big cats -- like those at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary (yep, www.bigcat.org) in Boyd -- and little cats -- like the ones that may be sitting in your lap while you read this or who might be testing gravity by knocking magazines to the floor. You know how they are. A pal who knows Cathie and her ways sent her a note with this picture that read, “Saw this -- and thought of you.” And that made me think that aren’t we fortunate to be able to see a reference about an animal and be reminded that we love the critters and we also love the people who work so hard to help the critters. Yep, it’s a human bond made stronger by animals.
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Only humans can help these animals...and a Super Hero note...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016 (PetPowellPress) How smart am I? I labeled yesterday’s edition “Tuesday, April 18.” Tuesday was April 19. This edition you are reading is correctly labeled. That does not guarantee that any of the rest of it will be correct. But, we’ll give it our best shot. Because there was a respite from the rain Tuesday (yes) afternoon, I was able to get my new 2016 mower and make the lawn look less like cattails growing out of a marsh. Now, our report -- and we’ll get to a super hero at the end of today’s report.

Among the items sent to us: That touching photograph of a boy and a dog? Destined not to be “a boy and his dog.” A home is being sought for this pup -- more on it in a moment. 


A CHOCOLATE LAB IN NEED OF A HOME


Remember when these dogs were the rage? Yeah, doesn’t take long to find the “latest dog” needing a new home.
Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue forwarded this note about Keira. 

It reads, “Keira is a sweet young Chocolate Lab. She was violently abused as a pup. And ended up with epilepsy as a result. Her phenobarb prescription is less than $20 a month and she is fine on her pills.

"However, her owner is homeless and kept the dog in her mom’s office for a while - and then the pipes burst and the office flooded. Now poor Keira needs a place to go!”

Call 972-896-6313.


DUMPED AT THE VET’S


Karen Lee, the Barkleyworld.com animal advocate, forwarded this note that originated with Mandie Melms who works at Avondale Haslet Animal Clinic.

Her note reads, “We have two dogs that have been abandoned here for 6 months that we are desperately trying to find a home for. It is getting close to busy boarding season and I don't know how much longer we can keep them.
:
She’s trying to find a home or rescue group for these two.
They are described this way:

“Hemi is a 7-years-old Boxer mix around 65 lbs. He is a neutered male. He has become a little cage aggressive while here, but is very sweet once the cage door is opened or if you take him outside.
“His housemate, Charger, is a 1 1/2-year-old Jack Russell mix around 30-35 lbs. She is not currently spayed. Both dogs are fully vaccinated.”
To offer to help, contact Mandie at 817-439-5252 or [email protected].

As Karen wrote, “How horrible for people to abandon their animals like this -- what sweet faces.”


THE DUKE AND MOLLY APPEAL


Yep, another one funneled through A Different Breed. This note from Toni Filler of The Filler Family, is a heartbreaking appeal.

She forwarded the photos. The story reads, “Last April while volunteering for the Scouts we took home and fostered these two puppies from the Fort Worth animal shelter because they were slated to be destroyed that day.    
“We ended up adopting them because we couldn't find them a new home.  We have 2 kids with chronic health concerns and never intended to keep them forever, just wanted to make sure 2 great dogs found great homes.  
“We just have been unsuccessful at finding them new homes. They are great with my kids and really sweet and gentle with them.   
“Duke loves to swim and they both love to play for hours in the backyard with my kids.   We have had them for a year and unfortunately we are unable to keep them any longer.  I have been strongly encouraged to take them back to the shelter and let them be adopted from there. 
“My concern is I know that the shelter has a large Kill rate and I love them so much it breaks my heart that two great dogs be put down.   
“They have all their shots. They are heartworm negative.   They are spayed/neutered.   They are very healthy.  
“We believe they are Lab/German Shepard mix but don't know for sure.   They are house-broken.   They sleep in kennels at night.  ... I just can't bear having these wonderful dogs not go somewhere they can be loved.”
To offer to help these two pups, email [email protected].

A GARAGE SALE FOR MID-CITIES CATS!

MidCities Community Cats is hosting a garage sale. Info is on the artwork with that cat doing an impression of ET: The Extraterrestrial. As Neil Diamond sang, “Turn on your heartlight.” Well, long time ago, but this sale is coming up this weekend.  Read about the organization at www.m-ccc.com -- the slogan is “Promoting Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return in the Mid-Cities area of NE Tarrant County, Texas. There’s a Facebook page HERE. 

EAR HOUNDS; VARIETY: GREY

How’s that for a cavalcade of ear designs? I got these Greyhound Earhound photos off the Greyhound Adoption League’s website, galtx.org.  Galt’s 15th birthday party is coming up April 30. In the meantime, you can help GALT raise money to help these unwanted dogs by going to the 2 Hounds Design auction site HERE.

MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT


These two are BB King (top) and Tawny. They are currently in the care of the Burns Flat, Okla., animal shelter and the resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher is trying to find homes for them.
Email her at [email protected].

She says, “These two have been here way too long. They need rescue ASAP.
You see the dogs here. But when you click HERE you can see a video of life in the Burns flat pound. 
Terry Lynn explains, “This is our small town pound. What you see is it. Five kennels, with a roof over the top. No indoors for the heat, no indoors for the cold. I put tarps around kennels in the winter and a water mister in the summer.
"I do the best I can, to make these dogs feel safe and comfortable. I alone take total care of this pound 100% as a volunteer. That is supplies, dog houses, food any medical issues... anything that comes up, I am the one who cares for them. I feed,  water and clean, I post, I find rescues, and I often transport far away, all to keep these poor pound baby safe.
I ask for help, and often receive donations of food supplies and help with medical.”

Who are these dogs?
 Terry Lynn explains:
“BB KING is just over 14 months old. He lived a horrible life on the end of a tangled up chain. His owner didn't care. He would go days unable to reach his food and water. The Sheriff’s Department was called, and they called me for help. We were full here, so we had him taken to the pound 10 miles east of there. That pound is horrific, and I had plans to bring him to mine the next day. Before we could get him, he escaped. The pound there is in the middle of nowhere, with so many coyotes around... we were so worried...  He was spotted a few times about 4 miles away... finally, someone that lives near that pound saw him around it again and called. We rushed there and sure enough, he had made his way back. When we first got him, he was skittish and very leery of men. But he LOVED kids. Slowly, my sons gained his trust and he is great with everyone. He sits for his treats and loves to be loved on... he is a great boy.... he has been here way too long and his time is up.

“TAWNY -- I honestly cannot believe nobody ever came for this beauty. She had on a collar and except for being thin, she was in good shape. Clean and very friendly. This girl is big. She is very tall -- young, maybe a year at the most. She loves kids and other animals and wants to play all the time. She is a ‘talker’ and it is so adorable. If you can help with either of these innocent ones, please let me know. They are out of time.”

Again, email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS: More rain forecast for North Texas? Maybe we can divert rain that would be going to Houston and San Antonio. Those folks have had enough. Oh, and maybe it’ll dodge Parker County, too. Looking at the levee-to-levee Trinity River downtown, I am always stunned to see water in the riverbed. The view just seems unnatural for a river that usually isn’t wide enough to be called a “creek” in East Texas. ... Here’s a headline from the online version of The Big Paper Downtown. It’s a headline I never thought I’d see and I spent 40 years in the newspaper business: “Midwife rides inflatable swan through Houston floods to deliver baby.” As a veteran editor I immediately asked, “Did she deliver the baby to safety through the flood or was she going through the flood to deliver the baby?” And, also, “Was the inflatable stork out on another run?”  Named the baby “Uber Swan,” I heard. Not really. Bob N. Wade owns the swan. I’m kidding. ... OK, by now you’ve seen that photo of the Caddy SUV with a license plate that reads “SUPRMAN.” I snapped photos of this car first on I-30 west, then on I-35E south from downtown. I could never catch up enough to snap a picture of the driver. Make sense. Faster than a speeding bullet, you know.
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