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AH, DALLAS: A TOWN WITH CHALLENGES...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 (PetPowellPress) Here we are on Tuesday and there are changes coming to Dallas Animal Services and there’s news on Broadway with a Dallas connection. So, let's proceed.


SURE TO STIR SOME OPINIONS

Well, after several months of studyin’ and talking and talking about a study, Dallas announced it was putting two police officers in charge of Dallas Animal Services and bumping two experienced animal service professionals down a notch. It'll probably take a while to see how the strategy works. 
This occurs after a woman was killed in a loose dog-attack and after a study found that there are around 8,700 loose dogs in Dallas. [LARRY IRONY: Animal advocates have been urging Dallas to take the loose dogs seriously for years. Until death made the issue political, city hall ignored the “animal nuts,” and I think you know I use that as a term of endearment.]
The study, if we recall correctly, did not address the number of times through the years the City of Dallas has neglected the opportunity to fund additional staffing and additional equipment for Dallas Animal Services. So, while the outgoing city manager can shake up the organization, and the police chief is retiring, only the voters can shake up the elected officials.
What will happen at Dallas Animal Services? Last time a police officer was in charge, it was a good thing. The great Scott Walton, then a lieutenant and now Field Services Division Deputy Chief, did a magnificent job of rescuing the shelter after the previous manager was indicted for animal cruelty when an escaped shelter cat was allowed to die inside the wall of the breakroom. 
It’ll be tougher this time. Bless those officers who are at the center of the political spotlight. 
The Dallas Police are a noble, dedicated force, but as the department has demonstrated, without the city council’s budgetary support, the whole town is up a creek. The unhappy officers move to the suburbs, but I don’t think the free-roaming critters will.

FOUR FROM LANCASTER


Look at that face on Precious.
We were tipped to these four dogs by our reliable Lancaster observer Tomi Ortiz who wrote, “Sending out a plea for these sweet babies who’s time is running out!  Sherman looks like such a cutie! Spice is beautiful! Precious is...well the name says it all! And Harvey looks so proud and majestic, looks like he should be in the military! It would be horrible if they lost their lives.”
Humans are the only barrier between these dogs and death. Humans.
Geez, what a fix to be in. Call the Lancaster Animal Shelter at 927-218-1210. Drop by 690 E. Main St.  in Lancaster. It’s easy to get to off I-20 in Southern Dallas.
Here’s the link to the Furbabies of Lancaster PAGE
 

 

 

 

MORE WOOOHOOO NEWS FROM AMY
Amy Poskey, our tipster who monitors things at Denton’s McNatt Animal Shelter, told us about Mia and we wrote about this Great Dane Mix who had been rescued from death row at the shelter and was facing a difficult time again because of a child vs. dog situation wasn’t going well.
Amy’s note reads, “I’m very happy to report that Mia is safe with her foster parents, the AWESOME Bill & Lorrie Duncan, before making her trip to Renee Riegel in Ohio who is with Greater Dayton Labby (and Dane) Rescue!!!  The attached pic is Mia, Bill Duncan, and Page Butler, the AWESOME transporter!  Page’s wife, Sheila, took these pics cuz they are the dynamic duo transport team!
“

THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR HELPING MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!  J Amy.”


Nobody uses the keyboard to express glee better than Amy “YAY! & WOOOHOOO” Poskey.


And Amy includes this note, “As always, if you are able to make a donation for Mia’s care, please click on the link: http://www.gdlrr.org/”


[LARRY ASIDE: That’s a photo of Mia at the shelter. Beautiful dog. May she have a beautiful future]


CONTEMPLATIONS:  What could be the Dallas connection in The Showbiz411.com headline “Bette Midler Scores Best First Day Sales in Broadway History for ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Revival”? Ah, Carter High School graduate Kevin Ligon -- that’s his photo -- a working actor on Broadway since the ‘80s and whose wonderful singing voice is heard on many showbiz cast albums. He’s in this already-a-hit production. It costars Frasier Crane’s TV brother, David Hyde Pierce. Previews begin March 15 and the opening is April 20 at the Shubert. If you’ve seen the Nathan Lane/Matthew Broderick version of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, that’s Kevin in the opening as the handyman on the ladder changing the letters on the theater marquee. ... Jeff Crilley in his Real PR’s daily tipsheet The Roundup included a video of a dog photobombing a TV broadcaster HERE. This may explain why there are no dogs in studio during national broadcasts. ... As you’re voting in the presidential race, do you ever look at the down-the-ballot candidates and wonder about them? Here’s a story from The Big Paper Downtown that may amuse. 
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A HALO GLOWS; DOGS AND CATS AND FASHION

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 (PetPowellPress) As you’ve probably noticed, this is “new season” week on American television. Once again our TV pilot Shopping For Couches For Dogs and Cats didn’t sell. We’ll fine tune it and try again next year. 
We still think it is comforting to a household when the dogs or cats are secure enough to own the couch. It’s one of those concepts that may not play in a network boardroom. If we could just figure out a way to finance Kardashians & Critters On The Couch -- except one guy said the title sounded like a show about the challenges faced by a psychiatrist.
120608porchearl That’s a snapshot of Porche Noel, the white dog, and Texas Earl the Cheeseman, the Rottie, demonstrating dominance over the couch a few years ago. We’ll get to mind-melding with a cat in a minute. OK, moving along with rough reality:
PAIGE ANDERSON
“Celebrating the life of one of the most badass women that walked the face of this earth!”


That was one of the many heartfelt messages that appeared on Paige Anderson’s Facebook page HERE Sunday after word reached people that the great Paige, a guiding light of Animal Rescue of Texas, had died way too early. Considering her mission in life, any time would have been way too early. She is an animal-protecting inspiration for people. Teresa Gubbins, my former colleague at The Dallas Morning News and now a member of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, wrote a tender, spot-on report about this for the online site culturemap. Here’s the LINK
.
At that site you’ll see this photo of Paige and Lemmy.


The theology at readlarrypowell.com is that “badass” people who help animals on earth have already been fitted for the deluxe, extra bright halos in the Hereafter. The inspiration that is Paige lives on.

GIVING DAY ON THURSDAY


The 8th Annual North Texas Giving Day is coming up on the 22nd as we’ve been reminded by a tsunami of deserving non-profits ranging from deserving Twelve Hills Nature Center in Oak Cliff to deserving SPCA of Texas, Society For Companion Animals,Paws in the City, Mazie’s Mission, Animal Rescue of Texas and, leaving a ton of deserving animals organizations out of the list, one of our favorites, the deserving World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, an organization that works to make North Texans aware of international issues and opportunities. Yep, do-good for the brain.
You can go to northtexasgivingday.org and see the organizations that will benefit from your donations.
And we’ll also mention the Dallas County Association of Redirected Strategically Obstructed Rush Hour Roads and Bridges. Hey, wait a second. That last one doesn’t exist. There isn’t enough charity in Dallas County to help clear the traffic snarls. [Example: That’s an actual arrangement of signs in a downtown Dallas rush hour. Only 3 lanes on that bit of road.]

There are plenty of deserving non-profits that really do need extra donations to help their causes -- I didn't have room or ability to list them, but they're at that Giving Day site and if you know someone who could use some money to help animals, click and hunt for the group. [LARRY ASIDE: Just in case someone reading this won Lotto Texas over the weekend, please remember, Readlarrypowell.com is (a) not a registered non-profit and (b) we’ve never made a profit but (c) you can send us money just for fun.  I guarantee we’ll use it for fun! I’m kidding -- send your donations to noble causes, but use some of your good intentions to remind people to readlarrypowell.com where we try to write animals into the hearts that need them.]
A HAPPY NOTE,
SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Thanks to Amy Poskey we were able to mention in a  recent edition that Axton the Dog needed a quick adoption at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter because there was a fear that he’d been exposed to ringworm. And, some shelters will treat ringworm with euthanasia -- yep, as we noted, the ol’ traditional small-minded Texas method of animal management: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.” 
But, Axton beat the odds and Amy wrote that she was “very happy to report that our little Axton was adopted” and then she added one of her trademark exclamations: “YAY!!!”
This is akin to her expression, “WOOOHOOO!!!!”

We did a quick check of Denton’s current inventory Sunday -- here’s that LINK and discovered that the shelter has many animals still awaiting adoption.
Those Guinea Pigs are (left) Bacon and Porch Chop. Yep. Adopt ‘em and you can change their names. 


And that dog Blue? Looks like she just heard the Dallas Cowboys won a football game. “No kidding?” she’s saying.
 "How 'bout them Cowboys!"

And there are cats and cats. Among them are Batman (the Dark Knight-looking cat) and Bernie (the smaller cat) at the McNatt Animal Shelter in Denton.

And one caught my eye because I’m infatuated with my funspouse Martha and the cat’s name is Martha. She’s clearly a high-minded cat (takes after my philosophyspouse, perhaps) because she clearly moved so she could pose in front of a famous Ghandi quote: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Here’s the Denton McNatt Shelter info: 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton, 940-349-7594 and email [email protected]. That’s from the website. Amy adds these emails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].

AN OKLAHOMA NOTE

This is from Terry Lynn Fisher, usually working on Burns Flat animal situations, but now trying to help a friend’s cause.

These photos are of some of the dogs at risk, according to the note. 


Terry Lynn writes, “For about 6 months, I have been helping my dear friend, Heather, work at keeping the Clinton Pound no kill... This is where MANY of the injured and abused animals [I’ve helped] have come from. Rumor had it that they use to [euthanize] by locking the animals in a box and gas with an automobile exhaust. Many rescue groups took over, but after a couple months, bailed on them. Heather never did. She does like I do and fights for them. She spends her time and money getting them to rescues. She pours her heart and soul into it. I have helped her the past 6 months and we have kept the pound there NO KILL.”


As the weekend arrives Terry Lynn's friend Heather was told that the Clinton shelter is going to kill five dogs for space reasons. “She is devastated; this will kill her spirit,” Terry Lynn says.


Terry Lynn is working on solutions.

To offer to help with kennels, fencing, adoptions, fostering, etc.,  call Terry Lynn at 580-330-1459. Email
[email protected].


Clinton is about 4 1/2 hours north of Dallas/Fort Worth and about a half-hour northeast of Burns Flat which, from downtown Dallas, is way out west and north of Wichita Falls.
Sometimes you have to go out of your way to save animals.



CONTEMPLATIONS: What you see here is a photo of a Wander-up Cat, The Senator,  mind-melding with a local individual whose planetary origin is in question. Why is this newsy? It’s an indication that Readlarrypowell.com has long been ahead of the the new fashion publicity trend. Christina Geyer, writing for Papercity, begins her story this way: “Meow is the new black. Yes, dear reader. You heard it here, first. Cats are trending for fall. Forget Yeezy. Forget Oscar. Forget Tom Ford and his I’m-seasonally-relevant-now fall collection. Forget it all. Here’s why: All you need to be stylish for fall is, well, a feline.” Click HERE.
[LARRY ASIDE: I asked The Senator what he found in the mind meld and he said, “Nothing important” and left the room.] ... From Jeff Crilley’s Real PR daily situation report The Roundup, this note: “According to a new study, one out of every five corporate bosses is a psychopath.” [LARRY ASIDE: Here’s that study LINK  and, by my own experience with newspaper/broadcast firms, I’m betting the ratio in media companies may be 4 out of 5. One of the researchers was quoted as saying, "Their personality usually leads them to exploit every avenue open to them, whether it's in a criminal setting, or within organizations." But you cannot paint with a broad brush -- unless your CEO insists, of course.] ...  CBS Sunday Morning had a great story about the sled dogs in Denali National Park in Alaska and it includes this quote from Jennifer Raffaeli, the kennels manager at Denali. “These dogs have brains and hearts and memories better than most rangers.” Readlarrypowell.com, based on experience, believes their brains, hearts and memories are better than most people. And, they also are more forgiving. Yep, dogs are role models.
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IGGY: THE CHRISTMAS EVE DOG

 One of the great things about our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is it allows people to speak with their hearts about their spotlighted loved ones. 

Stephanie Timko sent us this magnificent slumber mugshot of her pal and introduced it with this sentence: 
“Here is my angel Iggy. I love him so much....especially when he is sleeping or snuggling.”

We sent her a note asking for a bio on this handsome fellow and she responded with an absolutely dear report, plus a bonus sleeper photo. 

Stephanie writes:


“His full name is Ignacious Bear-Bear Timko.


“I lost my soul-mutt, Bella Grazie Timko, in June of 2010. I was grieving her very hard when my husband and I went to the ... adoption event at North Park on Christmas Eve. Iggy was overgrown and shaggy and pretty lethargic. He wasn’t particularly friendly but, my husband thought he was adorable. I couldn’t bring myself to connect to another dog after loosing my Bella.


“My husband, Tom talked me into adopting Iggy on Christmas Eve and although I wasn’t very excited about it I didn’t want him to spend Christmas Eve in a kennel. So, we adopted him and took him home.
“Iggy’s paperwork said that he was a 3-5 year old  ‘owner-surrender with requested euthanasia.’ I couldn’t believe it. 

“He is a gorgeous black/tan Cocker Spaniel. We believe he is purebred. But, we did find out that he had horrible ear infections that been left untreated for probably his entire life. He could not hear much of anything. The smell from his ears was overpowering and he was terribly lethargic. Just touching his head made him cry out.

“We took him to four vets before we found someone we trusted to work with Iggy. He had ear canal reconstruction in lieu of ablation and we went to Dr. Dennis Crow, an allergy specialist. The combination of the partial ablation, special allergy medication, Chinese herbs and a strict diet brought Iggy to back to health. We occasionally battle itchy ears and some smelliness but we stay on top of it.

“He LOVES toys that move. He HATES fuzzy rugs but loves the Tempur-Pedic bed. He goes nuts for apples and watermelon but despises carrots. He tolerates sweet potatoes but only when there are no other treats in sight.
 
“When we first got Iggy I was  working full time and my husband was traveling for work and Iggy had to be alone a lot. I would come home, tired after a long day, take Iggy for several short walks and eat dinner while watching TV shows in my computer. The apartment would get very dark with only the glow of my screen for light. Iggy would lie at my feet. I went to bed very late one night after watching shows all night long. I heard some scratching in the dining room where I had my computer. When I went out I found Iggy sitting on my chair and hitting the keyboard to illuminate the computer screen. He was staring very intently at the screen as if he were wondering what it was that was so interesting that it would capture all my attention for hours on end. That was the moment that I fell in love with my little Ig-man. That’s when I realized that, despite his illnesses and pain, and despite my distance, that he wanted to be close and he was interested in us and wanted to be part of our lives.
 
“And that’s when Iggy Bear Bear became the center of the universe and become the most spoiled little boy in the universe. Treats dominated our kitchen counter. Pancake Sundays became a regular ritual. Walks and dog park visits became big family adventures for the three of us and life was good. And every Christmas we took him to New Mexico to hike the snow. He loves long car trips and new adventures.
 
“Until Abbey came along. (The other sleeper.)
 
“Yep, I rescued a South Dallas dog. I thought it would make Iggy happy but it turns out that he still, (three years later) is waiting for Abbey to leave. LOL!
 
“Iggy is sitting here at my feet as I type and when I look down he looks up and wags his stubby little tail. That tail never stops wagging.
 
Iggy finally got to meet our grand-daughter at the end of August. On their trip back home they asked her if she met any doggies at Grandpa’s house and she threw up her arms and said ‘Ig-Man!!!’ Yep – he is a hit with the kids. He is gentle and curious and kind."

[LARRY SLUMBER REMINDER: It was Iggy tapping at the computer keyboard that got me, ladies and gentlemen, and made me ache for the late Inky, Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. Please send photos and info about your sleeping dog or napping cat to [email protected] and we’ll spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, we post these photos to inspire insomniacs and we tell the stories to inspire people to give homes to animals in need of a place that has a computer, cable TV, a good couch and a comfortable bed. Save the animals and we save ourselves.]

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LAST DAYS OF A FERAL COLONY

ONLY ALISTER IS LEFT AND
HE NEEDS SOME HELP

AFTERNOON EDITION OF FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 (PetPowellPress)
The pressure is on for this black cat Allister. He doesn’t know it. He thinks he’s just living at home. He doesn’t know he’s about to leave due to an apartment management decision.
Working to save him is Ashlei Magnuson, a resident of this North Dallas apartment complex on Churchill Way.

His pal, the gray and white cat, got a home Friday.
Ashlei writes, “It is the last days of a feral colony and Allister does need a happy ending, help and a forever home.  The black cat is the only one needing the aid at this time.  This colony has been my personal mission for four years, and these are my last two remaining ferals of five.  Allister will be my last of the feral colony and my biggest challenge to save.”
To help save Allister, call Ashlei at 972-974-0929; email [email protected]
 
As you can see by the “notched ear,” Allister is neutered -- that tipping of the ear is how you can tell if a cat has been through a spay/neuter clinic. 

“If we cannot find the Allister help by Monday, my property manager is intending on taking him to the ONLY no-kill shelter that will accept ferals -- North Texas Humane Society. I have e-mailed Barncats, Inc. and have been awaiting their feedback.  It looks like a really amazing program, but I think Allister is too friendly for the program, and he is actually ill at this time.”


Ashlei, who has a legal background, says she’s explained to the folks in charge how city regulations regarding fixed ferals apply and Allister is protected. But, she writes, another neighbor has caused “quite the uproar over these two sweet babies.  She has a problematic dog that has gotten her into trouble and now she is lashing out on the cats (and on me for caring for them).” 
Ashlei is taking precautions to keep Allister fed and watered until she can, working with the kind apartment manager, get him to a safe place.
When she began managing this colony, there were five cats -- three fixed ferals have since died (one was euthanized for tumors). That left Gray Cat and Alister.
Currently, Allister is experiencing a health problem -- he may be experiencing a virus, but is eating and drinking and needs a vet exam, Ashlei says. 
She can’t take him because she’s at her lease’s animal max. So she’s hunting for a landing spot for Allister.
And while he’s labeled as a “feral,” that’s not the complete story.

Ashlei explains, “I can assure you that Allister is very kind, loving, able to be petted and picked up.  He recently returned to the vet for the antibiotic shot and the vet sang his praises. He purrs constantly, he ‘talks’ when you approach and talk with him. He is very docile, he weaves legs all the time, he gets excited and waits for you when you return home.  He is fearful of dogs, as he has had a rough life on the street until finding me, but he has done very well with the two other cats that have been around.  He nuzzles against them and talks to them, too.  One of the sweetest babies I've encountered.”
Again, to help the last days of this cat colony end happily, get in touch with Ashli at 972-974-0929 and email [email protected]. She is monitoring all communication until Alister is safe and she can relax.

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BIG DOGS, BURNS FLAT, FRIENDS SHIRTS, A TRICK CAT, HAMBURGER TRUTH, ETC.

EDITION OF FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 (PetPowellPress) Is this a good day to bring up homecoming mums? Just thought I’d introduce some youthfulness into the mix as long as it’s football Friday. Let’s talk critters worthy of a place they can come home to (without ending a sentence in a preposition). We'll get to the invention of the hamburger later.
A BIG DOG WITH A BIG PROBLEM
[LARRY NOTE: Readlarrypowell.com officially endorses Great Dane mixes based on an extraordinary dog,  our wonderful, now-departed big fellow Hambone Jack the Canine King of the Blues. So, when we saw this note from Amy Poskey, well, there was no doubt that we’d try to help her help this former resident of the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter.]
 
Amy Poskey, our traditional Denton tipster, wrote: “Well, here we go again…  Same excuse, different day…  Dog gets adopted; owner meets guy; guy moves in along with his kid; dog gets kicked to the curb because owner claims Mia is not reacting well to a small child who is now in the picture.  It’s always the dog’s fault.  Blah, blah, blah…
“This stuff makes me crazy and this particular situation just makes me scratch my head cuz the woman who adopted Mia actually saved her life.  Mia was gonna be EU on 8/10/16, so she rushed to the shelter and adopted her cuz she didn’t want Mia to die.  Gosh, her heart was in the right place, but one month later Mia has to go.  Breaks my heart.“

In August, 10-year-old Mia was suffering from a respiratory ailment in a crowded shelter on a short clock and was saved. 

To offer to help Mia find a new home, the contact is Uleta Williams at at 940-597-6919 or [email protected].  [Email Amy at [email protected] so she can let us know that Mia is safe.]

THE BURNS FLAT STRATEGY
We’ve been writing about Terry Lynn Fisher’s challenges and successes in Burns Flat, way out in Western Oklahoma, for many years. She’s resilient, but now and then the state of the rescued animals and the expense of saving them gets to her.
Here’s her latest appeal: “I cannot keep up any more. While we have had many help with vetting, we are still so in debt... I still have several there [at the vet clinic], but hopefully, most will be moving on soon...  The debt continues to grow... Funds are needed to transport them once the rescue is secured...A friend helped set this up, so I am giving it a try...  PLEASE share this link to the Go Fund Me to help us get the vetting paid and dogs transported... I appreciate all of you... More than words can ever express... Thank you, Terry Lynn.”
Here’s that link:

https://www.gofundme.com/2p62ubd4
 (If the link doesn't work, copy and paste that.)
And that photo is of Rascal, who we wrote about after Terry Lynn rescued him when he was in a bad, bad state. He’s getting better. This is Rascal undergoing treate\ment to take away dead flesh and rejuvenate healthy flesh. Injuries and neglect combined to nearly kill him. (He’s available for adoption if you want to step up -- email Terry Lynn at [email protected].)

NEW GARB FOR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake sent us these snapshots of the new designs for the shirts supporting the organization.
She wrote, “New design (way cool!), new colors (even better!) - Come and get 'em!”

They are available on Tuesdays from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Friends famed Spay/Neuter Clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas. The shirts are $11 for sizes small to extra large and $13 for XX large.
Also, the Friends will be selling shirts from noon to 5 p.m. at Cedar Creek Brewery’s Octoberfest on October 1 (the party goes on past 10 p.m.). Visit friendsoftheanimals.org for more info  and visit the Friends on Facebook HERE.
There are other colors and if you click on these photos they'll magically grow large enough for you to see the clever designs without your reading glasses, maybe.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Our longtime pal Jeff Crilley, president and founder of Real News PR, is famous among animal fans for the great critter stories he did when he was a reporter at Channel 4. These days he’s a respected media advisor for people who need publicity and people who are getting it anyway. And he publishes a daily summary called The Rundown. One of his latest editions carried a link to a viral video labeled “An Australian cat earns a place in the Guinness Book of World Records by doing 20 tricks in one minute.” [LARRY ASIDE: My cat Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, doesn’t do tricks. It’s in her contract. That’s me and her enjoying our me time.] Here’s the link to the trickster cat video. Kittie Leigh sends a purr of gratitude to Jeff. ...Our pal Andrew Hewett, who spends a lot of time typing at the keyboard, sent us this note as Thursday Night Football was disrupting his household: "Our three kitty-cats and three doggies receive treats just before the 6 p.m. news each evening. Problem today is, since Channel 11 has an NFL game tonight, Wheel of Fortune came on at 5:30 p.m. on Channel 21, causing our little buddies to demand early pleasures.” The shared household goal in the animal kingdom is a well-regulated critter who follows a routine!  ... While I was doing research on Cedar Creek Brewery’s Octoberfest I ran across this illustration for the Uncle Fletch Davis Hamburger Festival in Athens, Texas, just down the road from Gun Barrel City and the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic. The festival is Saturday. But this event helps our Readlarrypowell.com path cross, once again and just a day after our Terlingua Chili Cookoff note, with the honorable reporting steps of famed Dallas Morning News columnist and Texas historian Frank X. Tolbert. It is Tolbert who pretty much proved that the hamburger was invented in Athens, Texas, by Fletcher Davis, who took it to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and introduced it to, indeed, the world. Even the folks with McDonald’s Hamburger University say Fletcher Davis is the man and that is a fact recounted in a Texas Monthly story in 2009 by the great writer of fiction and non-fiction, another former Fort Worth Press and DMN scribe, the esteemed and flat-out great Gary Cartwright. Here’s the LINK to the Texas Monthly story. Texas is too darned colorful and important to let it be reduced to a place where people and publishers are happy with digital-sized listicals and short bursts of colorless type.
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GOOD GRIEF, ALL THOSE DOGS AND ONE THAT'S PREGNANT, PLUS A TEXAS CONTEMPLATION

EDITION OF THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Welcome, already to the middle of September. Today we’re talking about dogs, and, of course, other topics. Keep that opening photo of all the ol’ country dogs in mind as you read on -- some of these dogs remind me of my grandpa’s dog Red, a three-legged Chow mix who lived in rural Arkansas. But that was 60 years ago and who knew they were still making dogs like this? Has spay/neuter failed to register with the public? No. It has failed to register with just enough people to keep things fertile. OK, moving on, some help is needed.
THE DOG IN NEED

This pregnant dog is among the dogs that romp on that southern Dallas County property with what one can only assume is a bunch of cousins and siblings and, probably, some dogs that are both. The noted local rescuer Marina Tarashevska has been working on getting help for the big crowd.
And Laura Macias has been trying to specifically help this expectant dog. What’s the problem? Nobody wants to help. 
As Laura’s note read, “Babies are going to be born in the dirt with the ants! Can anyone save her? Please, please. Have transport within 75 miles. Can anyone take her? Rescue group desperately needed to save just the sweetest, young, pregnant dog -- she is so lovable.”  
Kelsie may be an Aussie Shepherd mix.
And the person who has the big crowd is trying to do the right thing, we’re told. The explanation is: “Some wonderful rescue people were asked if they could help a gentleman doing his best to try to save some dogs.  Southern part of Dallas County.  These dogs are actually in really great shape and are fed and well cared for, but this man has been unable to afford to fix them and there is a pregnant girl needing immediate rescue.  Everyone is working towards some sort of low cost solution to help get every dog there fixed, but for now, we have a critical need to save this pregnant girl.”
To specifically be the saving heart for this pregnant pup, email Laura at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-7226.
You can keep up with the developments on the dog property by monitoring Marina Tarashevska on Facebook.
 
A DENTON DOG IN A LIFE-THREATENING SPOT
Amy Poskey, our reliable Denton McNatt Animal Shelter tipster sent this note Wednesday afternoon and it presents an absolutely unfathomable situation.
[LARRY ASIDE: It is a clear example of the ol’ Texas theory of animal management: “Got an animal problem? LET’S KILL IT.” This time it’s over ringworm. No animal should die over a treatable fungus.]
Amy’s note reads: “This adorable boy is Axton  !  He is a 3-6 mo young, 28.4 lb Labby mix who loves his human pals and his canine pals and is just the sweetest boy!  The shelter THINKS (not confirmed) he may have been exposed to a ringworm puppy who has already been EU so we are trying to save Axton before anything happens to him.  We’re afraid the shelter will EU Axton if he gets even one spot on him but, again, the ringworm on the other puppy was not confirmed.  Very upsetting.  PLEASE, can anyone make room for this precious angel?  If so, please let me and/or Kim Gaffey know ASAP!”

Amy’s address is [email protected] and Kim’s is [email protected].
Amy adds, “As a reminder, all the pooches at the Denton, TX Animal Shelter are FULLY vetted before they are placed for adoption, AND 501c3 rescues can pull for FREE!”
The McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center is at 3717 N. Elm St., Denton, 76207. Call 940-349-7594. Email [email protected].

A DOG NEEDS A GOOD BREAK (FOR A CHANGE)
We got this tip from Sydney Busch, our reliable tipster with the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the organization that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas. She gets appeals for help from a lot of people including the longtime animal helper Sharon Coker who is working to help this girl Patches.
Sharon explained, “This sweet girl is still looking for a forever home. She's about 3 1/2 to 4 years so she's been spayed. She’s good with children and other dogs. I'm not sure about cats. Her  owner got sick and his sister took her and now she has to have surgery and is not really able to care for her.  She is in Corsicana and if anyone is interested they can contact me at 903-654-2472.”

Pretty dog. Deserves a good home. Like the rest of the animals in need.

FRECKLES IN A SPOT

Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue is trying to help Myda Owens find a home for her grandmother’s dog, the beloved Freckles.
Myda explains, “I have an 8-year-old Chihuahua that needs a home. She belongs to my grandma who has Alzheimer's and she can no longer care for the dog, much less herself. I cannot keep the dog (I have two of my own) and I don’t want her to end up in a shelter. ... She has all her shots, except her bordatella shot, which was due the last couple of months and she is not spayed.”

Myda, who has Chihuahuas, knows the inside story of Freckles and told us, "It takes her a while to warm up to people, but once she does, she will whine you give her kises and throw herself against you when you hold her. Give her a blanket and she will curl up under it all day unless it's time to eat. she likes treates and food, but doesn't like toys much. She'd much rather be held than walk on a leash. she does well with Chihuahuas, unsure of other dogs or cats. ... She needs more socialization than my grandma can give her (or than I can give her). She hasn't had normal socialization in about three years, so that'll take some time for her to get [over] that."
Email [email protected] to offer to help Grandma’s Dog, Freckles.

SLEEPER NEEDS


We continue to look for photos of your sleeping dogs and cats and other critters to post in our long-running weekend feature “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.” Send photos and info to [email protected]. We love to post the photos of animals that are loved because it gives hope to the world and inspires insomniacs simultaneously.

MARSHALL GRAIN IS THE CATS’ MEOW?

LOOKS THAT WAY; BIG PET FAIR SATURDAY



This is a photo from the Marshall Grain website and those are clearly store cats. We found the photo when looking at the site because Joyce Connelley, who owns the company with hubby Jim, tipped us to the “Giant Fall 2016 Pet Adoption Fair” at the store, 3525 William D. Tate Ave. in Grapevine. It’s from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
 Marshall Grain has a history of helping animals, not just this Fair but also sponsoring the annual Bark To End Alzheimer's event in the latter part of October. 
The Saturday event has a number of rescue groups scheduled, shelter representatives, a mobile vet clinic, vendors prizes, etc.
Oh, and, yes, there’ll be adoptions. Joyce’s note says that each family “that adopts a pet through our adoption event will receive a free gift pack including a pet tag, pet food, kitty litter, a Marshall Grain gift card and other items.”
And FYI, Marshall Grain is a “year-round donation drop-off location for the North Texas Pet Food Pantry of Tarrant County.”

Joyce included this pup’s photo as an example of some of the cuties who’ll be available for adoption Saturday. That dog may already have a home, by the way.
Oddly, in Dallas/Fort Worth, where “Spay/Neuter” is more frequently heard than “Cowboys Championship Ring,” we still have a generous supply of puppies stacking up in shelters and rescue groups.
A GRAPEVINE NOTE
The annual big party in Grapevine, Grapefest, is celebrating the fruit of the vine and other things Thursday the 15th through Sunday the 18th. This is the 30th annual Grapefest. Can that be? Yes, indeed. I thought I'd bring that up to point out that you have several reasons to visit Grapevine this weekend in addition to Marshall Grain's Pet Fair and, as you'll see below, Tolbert's Chili Parlor, a Main Street place with a link to Texas literary history.

CONTEMPLATIONS: Speaking of Grapevine, one of our favorite people is Kathleen Tolbert Ryan of Tolbert’s Chili Parlor, the restaurant at 423 S. Main in downtown Grapevine. She’s been posting notes lately about the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the Frank X. Tolbert-Wick Fowler International Terlingua Championship Chili Cook-off (Nov. 2-5). Oh, my, 50th? Can that be? I know it's the granddaddy of all the chili cookoffs, but can a half-century go by that quickly? I knew Kathleen’s dad because we worked at the Big Paper Downtown together -- he was the first Dallas Morning News/Texas writing legend I met when I went to work there -- back when the place was “Texas’ Leading Newspaper” and covered the whole state. Yep, I was agog to meet him.! Sometimes at the office he wore a cowboy hat, sometimes he wore a Sherlock Holmes deerstalker. But he was always writing something. His daughter is one of the nicest people you’ll meet and Tolbert’s Chili Parlor in Grapevine is a fun place to enjoy yourself and some of the original Tolbert menu items, i.e. “Donkey Tails,” cheese-stuffed hot dogs wrapped in tortillas and lightly fried with a “shot of chili on the side.” The website for the cookoff is www.abowlofred.com, named in honor of Frank X. Tolbert’s definitive book on chili, A Bowl of Red. [That's a 21st century cover on the book originally published in 1953!] He also wrote a column for The DMN for a ton of years: Tolbert’s Texas, it was called. And he published, among his many books, a volume named Tolbert’s Texas. To show you the tone of the collection, I’ll quote from Tolberto’s (as he called himself now and then) introduction: “In 1983, Texas has hundreds of thousands of new inhabitants from the northern regions of the country. They complain but few of them leave.” Yep, few of them left. You know what they call their children and grandchildren now? They proudly call ‘em “Texans.” Glad they stayed. And I’m glad I got carried away writing about Frank X. Tolbert. Those writers who helped explain Texas and its history have a place in the present and the future of the Lone Star State. I do kind of worry if reading has a place in the present and the future, but I’m hoping reading will triumph over the New Age Hieroglyphics.

--- TO COMMENT, GRAB YOUR LITERATEMOUSE AND COMMENT BELOW, OR LEAVE A SMILEY FACE. ---

PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF FOSTERING

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- Our traditional theme here is to “write the animals into someone’s heart” and we’re introducing a secondary theme for this edition: “Foster.” For crying out loud, “Foster!”
 Yep. Foster some animals; save some lives. Read on and, in Contemplations you’ll see what an adventure fostering can be.
 Can I get an "Amen!"?

THREE IN NEED OF FOSTERING

This comes from the Furbabies of Lancaster folks. It reads “Emergency need for fosters for fosters for Buster, Cooley  and Dublin to save their lives! Or ADOPTERS!! HAVE RESCUE!!
“They received short reprieve!! Have $820 in pledges for rescue that tags all 3!! Please open up your heart and foster 1 or 2 or all 3!! Step up and save a life!!” 
Lancaster Animal Shelter is at  690 E Main St. in Lancaster. Call 972-218-1210 or drop by -- it’s open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.


Buster is an 11-month-old, smallish Rottie/Shepherd mix and Dublin and Cooley are 4-year-old Min Pin mixes. Email [email protected] to offer to help. 
TWO FROM ARLINGTON
Click on this artwork to make it expand like a family tree after you’ve won Lotto Texas.
Below the kennel cards you’ll see a note from Christie Compton, kennel supervisor at Arlington Animal Services. [LARRY ASIDE: Bless her heart for promoting these two dogs.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christie’s note reads, “Rescue only bonded pair, owner passed away.  They have been waiting for over 30 days and they need out of the shelter by 2pm Saturday the 17th.  Must be an approved adoption placement partner.  Email [email protected].  They are housebroken, know sit, with good manners.  Their skin issues are clearing up with proper diet and vet care.”

DENTON’S COLLECTION OF UNWANTED ANIMALS
Our keen tipster who monitors the Denton Animal Shelter, Amy Poskey, sent a note with a subject line that read “STILL WAITING!!! DENTON TX ANIMAL SHELTER: 9 POOCHES ARE AVAILABLE...”


Here are three of them.
Carter is the owner-surrender who knows how to vogue against a red background. 

Pudge is the owner-surrender who can give you two faces. He was happy to be photographed, then, when told that he’s on the shelter clock, that sort of wiped the smile off his face -- it ought to wipe the smile off the faces of anyone whose reading this and inspire their hearts to get busy helping these animals.
And that beautiful girl? That is Shieba, anywhere from 5 to 8 years old, and a Great Pyrenees/Chow mix “who is a very nice-natured girl with the most adorable little ears on that big ‘ol sweet head!  This gorgeous girl wants to go home with her new family so she can be spoiled rotten!  She will be waiting for you!”

But, wait, there’s more and it may touch your heart. The shelter update reads: “Beautiful Shieba is depressed at the shelter and just lays in her kennel all day waiting and wondering when someone will fall in love with her and take her home. We think Shieba is deaf but that hasn’t been confirmed, yet.”

These dogs and many other dogs and cats are at the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3717 N. Elm Street, in Denton. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Here are the email addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].

FOSTERING: A MATTER OF THE HEART;
A CONTEMPLATION FOR YOUR SOUL

Periodically readlarrypowell.com will mention that a rescue group or shelter needs some fosters to help save lives. 
We recommend it based on personal experience. Every dog and cat rescue group and nearly every shelter has a foster program.
If your hometown shelter doesn’t have a foster program, become a founder! Maybe they’ll name it in your honor. 

When I praise fostering, it is personal. And I must quickly add we were not always “Foster Failures.” [LARRY ASIDE: The photos of these fosters are in a box somewhere -- they were pre-cell phone camera adventures!]


We fostered a Maltese named Glinda from 1994 to  2007. Yeah, we said “fostered,” but, well, you know, we just couldn’t hand her off. She’d been found terrified just hours after that tornado blasted through Lancaster and hit 250 homes and every building in the town square in 1994. 
Glinda, named after the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, didn’t come out from under our couch for about 2 weeks -- my CleverSpouse Martha finally lured her out with miniature marshmallows. “Marshies” became Glinda’s lifetime treat.
She didn’t enjoy being lifted off the ground or the floor -- who could blame her after she rode the tornado?

Once we fostered a standard poodle named Judy, who, her lovely white hair perfectly coiffed, rode off with her adoptor after about two weeks and didn’t even look back and wave. That’s OK. She was happy to make a middle-aged woman her human. It was a great match. 

And then there’s the time we fostered Seven of Nine, a dog Martha picked up from the doorway of a 7-Eleven. We took her to our vet for an exam and the doc looked up at us, smiled and said, “Congratulations! You’re going to have granddogs!” Seven quickly rewarded us by having four puppies -- we got to foster them, too. This was years ago and the dogs all were adopted through Operation Kindness. Quickly.
When those puppies (Larry, Moe, Curly and Mortimer) were small, we kept them in a chicken-wire enclosure in our garage. It has never been the same. One day I came home from work and heard happy yapping in the garage.
I opened the door from the kitchen and saw four puppies belly-deep in snow-white packing peanuts and having the times of their young lives!
Their mom, Seven, was enjoying a nap INSIDE the chickenwire enclosure.
They’d crawled over the top to get out and she’d escaped by jumping back in! She was NOT being nagged by hungry pups for the first time in weeks.
The little pups had managed to make a break and discovered some big trash bags full of packing peanuts. The garage looked like it had been hit by a blizzard.

Now and then, many years later, I’ll be in the garage and a mysterious snow white packing peanut will catch a ride on a breeze from its hiding place and nearly move me to tears at the thought that because Martha fostered those puppies and their mom, they all got wonderful homes to brighten with their presence.

I’m kind of getting misty right now just thinking about these dogs and all the dogs and cats that are fostered into safety every day.

We've fostered cats, too -- we're more like a night stop for them on the way to a loving destination. In my experience, cats can grab your heart by challenging you to a purr off. One of those kittens curls up on your chest and starts to purr and it inspires you to do the same. Your spouse will look at you and wonder if you need counseling.

Pick a rescue group and volunteer. Pick a shelter and volunteer. You could do worse things with your extra time than helping to give animals a break.

This contemplation about fostering is brought to you by our newly created non-profit (in keeping with my personal monetary tradition)  Readlarrypowell.com’s special Wistful Tails Foster Association, an emotional support organization for people who foster and get happy tears now and then at the thought of having helped a dog or cat or some other critter stay safe. There is a cure for the wistful feeling about previous fosters: Get another foster.

Fostering is forever.
--- To comment, feel free to send your happy foster story to [email protected]  ---

PUMPKINS, PUPS, CATS & BRAD PIT

EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 (PetPowellPress) This is No-Cowboys, No-Politics Tuesday. We might mention pumpkins, however. After all, fall is in the air even if it doesn’t arrive until, as The Old Farmer’s Almanac (founded 1792) reports, 9:21 a.m. Dallas time on Thursday, September 22. Should be really crisp by the time the State Fair opens for its September 30-October 23 run.  You know how famous this area is for its sudden temperature drops in autumn right into the low- to mid-90s. Yep, we’re so fortunate in North Texas -- we get both autumn and the aromas of the Midway in the air at the same time. Speaking of in the air, consider this first item before we get to other cats, dogs and opportunities.
LOOK! UP IN THE SKY!
The Society for Companion Animals needs some transportation help. Getting the unwanted dogs out of town is arranged; it’s getting them to the airport that is the problem this week.
SFCA founder Tawana Couch, the veteran rescuer, sent out an appeal because “lots of big dogs” the SFCA has rescued have no way to get to the airport. “We are talking 34 mostly big dogs just for the Wednesday drop-off,” Tawana writes. 
You pick the dogs up Tuesday at Boykin Kennel in Oak Cliff and deliver them to the staging area at DFW International Airport at 4:30 A.M. on Wednesday. “We also need helpers to stay to unload this massive amount of dogs,” Tawana says. 
She says “If we don’t fill this, we will have to cut back on saving big dogs in the future.”
To volunteer, email [email protected].
That flying dog is from a post on the SFCA Facebook page HERE. Usually they’re just lounging in their comfortable travel suites.


THREE CATS, ONE ALLERGIC YOUNGSTER
We got the tip on this from Karen Lee, the animal advocate with barkleyworld.com. The story reads that “these three one-year-old cats (two boys one girl) are heading to the shelter because the owner's son is newly diagnosed with cat allergies.  A friend of the owner is trying to find a foster or home for any of them quickly before they land in the shelter.  It's urgent.  All three cats are fixed and have their rabies. We are waiting to find out on other shots. If you can help please contact Taylor at [email protected].”
A DACHSHUND WAITING FOR SURGERY

Amy Poskey, usually our source for information about the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter, has been following the case of Justin, a Doxie with a problem that can be solved with costly surgery. 
She writes, “Y’all may remember that Central Texas Dachshund Rescue (CTDR) pulled our little Justin several weeks ago when I sent out an SOS for him because of a prolapsed rectum.  Well, to make a long story short, the shelter vet was unable to provide the necessary surgery he needed so now Justin is scheduled for surgery with a specialist.  Yep, you guessed it, the surgery is gonna cost $2100 to $2400, so I’m sending this plea to ask for donations in an effort to help CTDR with his medical bills.  His foster parents, Bill & Lorrie Duncan, have fallen in love with Justin and say he is the sweetest, most loving little guy you ever met! If anyone can help with Justin’s surgery, please click on the link http://www.ctdr.org. No amount is too small.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: Amy sent several photos. I selected one that show Justin’s beautiful little face. And I showed one that, possibly, shows Justin on the couch watching Sunday’s Cowboy’s game in stunned silence. I think he’s going to send the “Cone of Shame” to the Cowboys when he’s done with it. I know I declared this a No-Cowboys Tuesday, but, honestly after they way they lost that game Sunday, well, you know...]

MASH, THE DOG
Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue sent this appeal from Lewisville Animal Shelter volunteer Elisabeth Riebeling. We’re posting it because the photos do two things. One shows that Mash is an attentive dog. The other shows us what the person holding the ball sees from this wonderful, possible Border Collie mix. Isn’t that a great face? Could be hanging around at your house. 
Elisabeth’s note reports that the Lewisville shelter supervisor “asked me to network one of our long time residents. His rescue or adoption is becoming urgent as the shelter is almost full again. Mash is approximately a year and a half old, was found as a stray and we believe he is a Border Collie mix.
“He is very intelligent, incredibly friendly with people, can be rambunctious at first, loves to play, the water (splashing, swimming, retrieving) and needs an active home with an experienced owner who can channel his energy.
“He is going kennel crazy and for the time being would do best being an only pet.”
To ask about adopting him, call the shelter at 972-219-3478 or email [email protected]. Rescue groups can also take this rascal. The shelters open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It’s at 995 E. Valley Ridge Blvd. in Lewisville.
[LARRY ASIDE: Show of hands, please, how many of you have lived with a worse face in your home? I have a mirror. Mash is definitely the more handsome mammal in this conversation.]
A CUTIE FROM OUT WEST

Stacey Carney, aka Stacey the Stylist, monitors things on the western side of the Metrosprawl and is trying to help this beautiful puppy find a home.
The story from Stacey the Stylist: “A client of mine found her extremely lethargic and barely moving. She took her to the vet immediately. The vet said she was dehydrated and infested with hook worms. They treated her for the worms, and gave her round one of her parvo vaccines. She isn't old enough for her other vaccines. My client doesn't want her to go to the shelter and couldn't leave her but she does not want a puppy, either. She is asking for some help finding her a home. The puppy will need someone with patience because she is pretty fearful when people are too quick with her. She pees if you approach her too quickly. This is the description my client wrote me to send out:
‘Puppy 8-10 weeks old. Possibly terrier mixed with pointer. She is not fixed but has had her first round of parvo. She is still a little fearful around adults but is quickly warming up. She loves my golden and my cat. She also loves my kids! She loves to chase the ball and play with her toys. She is crate-trained through the night already. She goes in with a treat and after only a few minutes of protest she goes to sleep all night’.”
To ask the foster about the dog, call 817-521-5803. Pretty cute photo with the kid -- darned near Norman Rockwellian, isn't it! And how about that distinct artwork for the dog’s sweet face!

HOW ABOUT THOSE GREYHOUNDS! 

John and Susie McQuade are mainstays in Greyhound rescue and support, specifically the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. Susie says they’re about to undertake their sixth Strut Your Mutt fundraiser in Austin.
She writes, “Strut Your Mutt isn’t your average dog walk. Hosted by Best Friends Animal Society, it’s a huge festival on September 17 with dog friendly events that raise money for a cause — Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, Inc.”
Those folks with the dogs are John and Susie. The dogs are, she writes, “Richard, aka Overly Tricky, and Little Lu, aka Motex Little Lu, are strutting to raise funds for not only GALT's  32 retired racing greyhounds received on August 6, 2016, but for the additional 9 strays received as of this date.  Richard and Little Lu are leading our pack as retired racers themselves.  Richard retired after 169 races to his credit from Derby Lane.  He was quite the winner!  Little Lu suffered a broken leg after only 54 races at Gulf Greyhound Park, which ended her career.
“Please consider making a donation to help these 41 Greyhounds on their way to their retirement couches and forever homes!  Richard and Little Lu will send you a special gift straight from their hearts for your tax deductible contribution!... You can donate HERE -- every $5 helps.”
Visit the enjoyable GALT website at www.galtx.org. That Earhound? Why, that’s 2-year-old Rawhide who ran in two races at Tucson and then the track closed and he was looking for a new job, specifically that of Certified Couch Companion.

 

CONTEMPLATIONS:  The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the Dallas area has a 267-day long Growing Season -- and I can’t grow pumpkins on any of them. These are photos that show my two pumpkin patches -- I opened with one today. And this one with the blue flowers (I have no idea what they are) were planted about 20 years ago by Martha who also can’t remember what they are. My pumpkins were alone in that patch when they were planted, but rain and Dallas’ growing season have enhanced the climbing flower vines in the same bed with my big-vined pumpkins. The other pumpkins are in the flower box attached to the  front of the house where I usually harvest -- from six or seven Jack-Be-Little plants -- a crop of three or four teacup-sized pumpkins. There is a reason some of us do not go into agricultural careers. How good a farmer am I? If I bought dairy cattle, I probably couldn’t get either milk or fertilizer. ... I couldn’t resist this one. I was researching that story on The Love Pit Rescue that Krista Mc Anally tipped us to (see Monday’s edition) and ran across this photo with the fitting name. Here’s a paragraph from Brad Pit’s bio: “I am learning my basic commands and just mastered ‘sit.’ My foster mom says I'm a quick learner! Would you like to meet me? Email [email protected].” Does sort of make you wonder how many pitties across the nation have been named Brad since he melted the screen in Thelma & Louise (1990). ... The longest-serving governor of Texas and a candidate for President of the United States is on Dancing With the Stars. I’m pretty sure mentioning this will prove to NOT be a political comment.
--- To comment, grip your IceIceDancinMouse (Vanilla Ice is on the show, too) and click, click below. ---  

Talking pits, cats, humans and stuff...

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 (PetPowellPress) -- We’re entering this week with optimism that life will be good for all of us and traffic on Dallas freeways will flow smoothly without a tie-up brought on by construction work or bureaucratic mishap. 
Anybody else uneasy with that narrow, high, tight-turn exit off westbound I-30 onto I-35 south in downtown Dallas? You feel like your on a space launch with a bunch of bumper cars. OK, let’s move on, safely, everyone.


Here are some ways to help animals. Remember, most of the time when you help an animal, you’re helping a human. It could be you that you're helping -- you need to do something that makes your heart feel good every now and then. More on that Earhound in a moment (thanks to Krista Mc Anally and The Love Pit Rescue)....
WHY IS THIS DOG ‘LOOSE’?
There has to be a human failing somewhere. But, there also are humans who are taking up the slack for the people who have betrayed this dog. 
The message from Kathy Patrick is simple and the situation isn’t unheard of in Dallas, Texas.  Kathy is trying to find a place for this dog. She writes:
“Hope is waiting for a second chance at life.  She is a sweet Pit mix stray we are currently feeding at our office location in East Dallas off of Buckner and I-30.  She is sweet but a little skittish from many sleepless nights out on her own.   She has scars and wounds from fending for herself.   I think she is in heat as well and has mange.”
Volunteer to help Kathy help this dog by emailing emailing [email protected] or calling 459-835-9612.

[LARRY ASIDE: Good, grief, people. This is Dallas -- the poor dog probably has heartworms, too. And all of this misery has happened to this dog because people let her down. I’ve been a professional journalist since 1965 and nearly every day I’ve covered or read a story asked, “How can people let this happen?” Sometimes it’s about people hurting people, sometimes people hurting animals. Always, two things are certain: If there is a problem, a human is at the heart of it. If there is a solution, a human heart is at the core of it. Bless the people who respect these animals and people in need. Rescuers -- I don’t know how you get into the driver’s seat with those angel’s wings, but I am glad you are there when someone needs a ride. Help me down off this soapbox before I hurt myself.]
ALL THOSE ROAMING DOGS
Tip of the ol’ newshound hat to a Dallas legend Jonnie England, the renowned animal advocate, for forwarding this illustration to us.

District 8 is represented on the Dallas City Council by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Erik Wilson.

The district stretches from Westmoreland on the southwest side of town all the way across to some place way on the east -- see it HERE.

Remember, please, that any time people start looking into an issue like this, it isn't the villains who pay for allowing dogs to run free, breed and bite. It's the dogs. Betrayed by humans -- that's what happened.

A CAT IS ‘SET FREE’

Oh, brother, here’s something that happens now and then in apartment complexes. This time it’s in Fort Worth and we got the tip on it from Dinesha Schmidt of A Different Breed Rescue. She’s always trying to help someone who is trying to help a dog or cat. This time, the person needing help is Patty Strawn who has info about a Fort Worth cat that’s in trouble.  
Patty wrote, “I have been sneaky and feeding her at night, since the apartment complex frowns on feeding strays.  She hangs out with an orange tabby and is NOT pregnant, which makes me suspect she belonged to someone at some point. 
"The picture does not do her justice-she’s beautiful.  If I had a house, with a space separate from my two cats, she would already be inside with me.
I will fully pay for vetting—I’m happy to do so.  I will help down the road if special issues arise.

“She MIGHT have a chip, but I suspect she was abandoned. ... I will drive this girl anywhere to get her to a good home and a good future.” 
Email [email protected].

IN GREAT CONTRAST TO CRUEL DUMPING

Dinesha also forwarded a note from Kristen Portner who appealed to Dinesha for help “in finding a new home for our dog "Aubie.”
 Kristen wrote:

"This is Aubie -- a love dog with a great face. He’s 2 years old, a neutered Boxer/Lab mix who is healthy, up to date on vaccinations and weighs in at 75 pounds. 
Kristen reports that Aubie is “very loving and loyal, extremely friendly and submissive with people.” And probably would be good as a single dog.
Why is he in need of a home.
Patrick and Kristen adopted Aubie from Dallas Animal Services in June. She writes, “At the time, we had plans to get a house. However, our situation has changed and we will continue to lease for at least another 9 months, and Aubie is simply too big and requires more exercise than our current situation is able to give him. Because of this, we are looking for a new home for him.”


To audition to adopt Aubie or to help him have a good, long, wonderful life in a nice, safe home, email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: Every time I post one of these I worry that some dog-fighting jackass will try to adopt the young, friendly dog. Then I take heart in thinking, “Those people don’t read.” I hope that truth holds firm. I also hope they turn themselves in to the nearest law enforcement officer and confess, then plea-bargain for the longest possible prison sentence so they can be rehabilitated completely.]

HEY, MINEOLA!


Just wanted to type that -- always thought Mineola (pronounced “Minnie-oh-lah” for you who’ve never been to East Texas) needed more publicity for a number of reasons. [LARRY ASIDE: Just FYI, as the Handbook of Texas reports, before 1873 the town was called “Sodom.” No one is really certain how it came to be known as Mineola, but that sure sounds better, doesn’t it? FYI, the trees are naturally occurring. Now, back to the naturally occurring puppies.]
Karen Lee, the animal advocate with www.barkleyworld.com, forwarded this note about these puppies in the Mineola Animal Shelter.
 The originator is unclear, but the note reads that the “beautiful mom” and her seven 6-week-old pups are in danger. The shelter, reads the note, “had a recent change in the ACO officer and she is rescue-friendly., The dogs previously had 3-10 days before they euthanized. [The shelter is] not open to the public so there is no walk-through traffic.
"Pledges have been made to help with their care; they just need a safe place to go. Their time is short and they need our help to at least have a chance.”
There are a few contact points to help these animals: Judy Master at Smith County Pets  ([email protected]); Jordanna Green at the Mineola Shelter (903-569-2252) and Hope Weaver at [email protected]. Transportation is available.
 LET’S TALK PITTIES! 

For years now we’ve written about Krista Mc Anally’s efforts to save animals. She’s now a volunteer with The Love Pit Rescue in Dallas and working on a national campaign involving those pups. 
This Earhound, Finnegan, is one of the adoptables at The Love Pit. I found this funny artwork when I went to The Love Pit’s adoptables list HERE  to see ALL of the dogs and THIS CLICK took me right to Finnegan and his story of winding up in the Fort Worth shelter. He loves to ride in cars.
But, speaking of riding, that brings us back to Krista’s original appeal for a national program and involvement in a local K9 drive. Her note reads:
"The Love Pit is partnering with Highway for Health in a national campaign. Highway for Health is a non-profit in Dallas fighting and raising awareness for childhood obesity, a huge problem in the U.S. causing untold health issues for future generations. Danielle Girando, founder of Highway for Health, will challenge the world record for cycling when she attempts to ride from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA.  This is a 2800 mile trip and if completed in less than 40 days, she will hold the world record.  
“In conjunction with the Highway for Health ride, there is a very important campaign called Backing the Blue.  Several professional organizations are coming together to support law enforcement, fire, and rescue by donating supplies and equipment to several departments along Danielle’s route.  The Love Pit is working to supply 10 to 15 K-9 units with equipment and supplies for Danielle to present to the chosen departments.”

The K-9 equipment for dogs is $30 and the K-9 unit equipment is $150, Krista’s note says. To offer to help with any of this email Krista at [email protected]. 

That other dog? That’s Olli, a 25-pound brindle Plott Hound mix who, with two siblings, was a last-minute safe from euthanasia in Corsicana, The Love Pit reports. The Love Pit’s Facebook page is HERE.
Yep, that’s where I spotted that T-shirt that is a simultaneous tribute to Pits and an idea sort of borrowed from rock/pop singer Katy Perry’s hit song from the summer of 2008. 

CONTEMPLATIONS: Football season has arrived and my TraditionSpouse Martha is back to her usual Sunday afternoon scheduled activity: Nap. She did stir now and then to see how many home runs the Texas Rangers pitchers were giving up in Los Angeles -- 3, just enough to lose 3-2. The Rangers had two homers by Adrian Beltre. As a veteran Texas Rangers fan, you can NEVER relax no matter how many games your team is leading the division.  ... Politics. Rougher season than either hockey or football. Maybe rougher than rugby and lacrosse. Probably rougher than rodeo. Illnesses? Ike had heart attacks and kept working; Reagan was shot and kept working; and we have had a number of state legislators who worked while impaired. OK, really, I don’t know what to think about this presidential election campaign. Be interesting to see how many people already have contracts to write books about “The Truth of the Campaign Trail” though for the rest of us it has been a “campaign trial.”...  My son, Bart, caught Sinbad’s show at the House of Blues a few weeks ago and is still chuckling about one thing Sinbad said to the young online-dependant audience: “If the internet went down, half of you couldn’t find your way home.”
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