ReadLarryPowell.com

BUDDY KNOWS HOW TO SLEEP

It was a few weeks ago when I ran across this weekend’s spotlighted dog’s story on the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas website.
As a veteran journalist, I did what veteran newshounds do: I made a note. And I held onto it. Some people call it “hoarding.” I'm going to go through all my notes at some point. Honest. But this one matters.
One evening a couple of days ago, I checked in with the GALT people on the website. This great notice was on the site. "Adopted," it read.
Now you are about to see why Buddy gets the spotlight in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
 Originally “Dakota’s Rambo,” the 11-year-old fawn Grey -- there's a color combo -- was born on New Year's Day in 2006. His dad well-known racing dog, Gable Dodge (Dec. 2, 1995-Jan. 9, 2007, according to his obituary). His mom was System Mb Bella, also a racer.
According to the Greyhound Hall of Fame’s tribute page, “Thanks to frozen insemination, Gable Dodge sired more U.S.-whelped puppies (11,608 offspring through 2008) than any other Greyhound in history.
Buddy ran 11 races at Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque, Texas Nov. 11, 2009 through December 23, 2010. [LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com endorses Greyhounds but NOT Greyhound racing. The dogs can try so hard that they snap bones. It's just not a necessary sport.]
All that history aside, the story is that after his racing career ended, Buddy wasn’t euthanized or dumped or surrendered to a shelter as happens to many of these throwaway canine athletes. Nope, Buddy went into a home and lived there happily for several years. But he came back to GALT because his human became ill.
This is the photo that guaranteed Buddy a place in the National Sleeping Dog Hall of Fame. I think he got a unanimous vote from the board. Yes, Buddy demonstrates that he is, indeed, so human. Show of hands, how many of you slept like that at least once or twice in college or at an East Texas family reunion when the kids got pallets and the couch! You can see more Buddy photos and videos on the GALT site HERE. Here's the Champion Sleeper! Might be dreaming of being a ballet dancer.

[To get the Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap spotlight for your slumbering critter or relative (none of whom can come close to Gable Dodge’s productivity) send photos and info to [email protected]. We publish these photos for two reasons: (1) To celebrate the humans who have animals that are in safe homes and sleep like they know it! And, (2) we post them to encourage the members of the Global Insomniac Community to believe that they, too, can nod off if they can just find the right table to put next to the couch.]
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MOMS AND NEEDLES, AN EX-FERAL, PAPER PRODUCTS AND TOP DOGS

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017 (PetPowellPress)

This is one of the many mommas and puppies that keep passing through the gates, doors and tubs at Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center.
Bella’s the Mom. Been there for a few weeks after the whole family was surrendered. 

Ah, but Kimberly Jones, who monitors the maternal nature of DAS, sent a note Thursday that read “Rescued today.” 


And you maybe remember this beautiful dog PITURA (A0983693), who was dumped at the shelter, then delivered all those puppies. They’ve been adopted but Pitura, 2, waits for either a home or a City of Dallas Needle filled with death juice paid for by your tax dollars. You know how to save her. Go to the shelter and rescue or adopt her. It’s at I-30 and Westmoreland.

According to the DAS Daily Report Card for Wednesday, the shelter killed 9 dogs, 5 cats and one “other” -- you’d think there’d be 9 people who’d save a dog, 5 people who’d save a cat and one Big D oddball who’d step between the needle and an “other.”

This is just FYI in case you think the elected officials who run the City of Dallas actually give a hoot about the survival of animals. You know the line: They hew to the traditional Texas Theory of Animal Management -- “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.”

FORMERLY FERAL AT APPLEBEE’S
THIS IS A CAT WITH A 'HIP LIMP'
Here’s a cat tip forwarded by the great Sydney Busch, the reliable spokesperson of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the organization that operates, so to speak the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas.

That may be why Quasimodo is such a good fit for an item that also mentions the Friends. Quasimodo is “fixed!” 

The forwarded note came from Chantal Wylie and reads, “Quasi...short for Quasimodo is looking for his furever indoor home and lifetime companion. He has lived as a feral cat at Applebee’s in Athens long enough and is adapting well as an indoor cat. He would do well in a quiet and calm environment. Because of his ‘hip limp,’ outdoors would not be safe. Has been neutered and has all shots and is flea & worm free. Small rehoming fee. Serious inquiries contact Chantal at 903-288-6316.”

[LARRY ASIDE: Serious inquiries? Heck, yeah. If you bring a cat into your home, you’d better be serious about being adored like you’ve never been adored before. Here’s a hint: Ignore the cat. It’s effective bait. Sit at a computer and type for about a minute. Again, effective bait! Move the dog aside and flop on your couch -- if you are dead tired, you will have a visiting, insistent cat. These are natural laws of the universe.]

THINGS ADB NEEDS

Dinesha Schmidt keeps Readlarrypowell.com informed about things going on in A Different Breed Animal Rescue. Got any of these needs you want to give to ADB, call or text 972-896-6313. And, of course, it’s easier to give away newspapers these days than it is to sell ‘em.


CONTEMPLATIONS: Let’s just think about dogs. Ommmbark. Ommmmmbark. Ommmmmmbark. OK, we’re ready to list the top 10 most popular dog breeds  in the U.S., according to the American Kennel Club -- we cribbed this list off the Paws In The City newsletter and added to it. We hasten to point out these are not the top 10 favorite dogs, just the breeds. Here’s the AKC list: (1) Labrador Retriever (2) German Shepherd (3) Golden Retriever (4) Bulldog (5) Beagle (6) French Bulldog (7) Poodle (8) Rottweiler (9) Yorkshire Terrier and (10) Boxer. Top Ten Favorite dogs are, of course, (1) Inky the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas (2) Tie: All of our current dogs and former dogs and dogs we fostered, found and took back to their homes or otherwise helped (3) Pluto/Goofy (tie) (4) Rin Tin Tin (5) Beautiful Joe (literary reference) (6) Asta (film reference) (7) Pyewacket (Honorary mention and movie reference) (8) Lassie (9) Eddie (TV reference) and (10) Larry Talbot. (Some of you will chuckle at #10.)  That is the late Inky, our staff impersonator, from our archives. He is giving us his impression of a finals judge at the Westminster Dog Show rushing into the post-show locker room and spotting a big steaming platter of Mom's Big Dawg Meatloaf with a Big Trophy Gravy Boat and a dessert of Frosting-on-the-Cake Ice Cream. ... Top Ten Cats? Ours were indifferent about filling out the entry form. So, we’ll stick with Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson and The Senator, two literary cats who accept dogs as staff. ... For those of us who might have laughingly joked about missing the U.S./Russian conflict in the Cold War, well, by cracky, how about the way things are going now!
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STORMS, COMPANIONS, SLUMBER, WRITING AND MOVIES

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Power failure. The two worst words in politics or the computer age. 
When the big storm swept through our part of Oak Cliff Wednesday morning, it knocked out the power. 
I found our three flashlights. Two of them used D cell batteries and in our “battery drawer” we had 8 C-cells, 4 AAs and 27 AAAs. Prepared for disaster, we are. 
In the aftermath of a wretched night for an insomniac, here are some thoughts:
FIVE REASONS TO HAVE AN ANIMAL AROUND
DURING A STORM-INDUCED 3 A.M. POWER FAILURE
(1) The dogs want to continue to sleep and will make room on the couch.
(2) If you drop a cookie in the dark, someone will help you find it. 

(3) If you need someone to keep you awake, a cat will sit on your torso and loudly groom himself and when his vigorous licking initiates an unexpected slide, he will quickly use his claws to grip the human fat to maintain balance. If it happens while you are asleep, you will dream of Wolverine.
(4) A snoring dog is great comfort in a dark house. That window-rattling sound tells you that Mother Nature isn’t just the storm outside.
(5) A cat can lead you to safety in a darkened home if you don’t mind crawling under a bed, over the back of the couch, between the dining room chairs and whining at the door until someone opens it.
SMALL SHELTER ALERT?
WELL, HECK.
Yeah, why can these small shelters get some traffic? 
For example, this dog is Sadie and she is current among several unwanted dogs being ignored in the Wilmer Animal Shelter. 
Lady Sadie of Wilmer -- darned near sounds British.
Wilmer is 14 miles south of downtown Dallas. 
Laura Macias, who has a passion for helping smaller shelters, sent the note appeals for help for a number of animals waiting in Wilmer -- “Waiting in Wilmer,” I am led to believe, was the original name of “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart.” I might have made that up.
Anyway, Sadie is about 3, loves the volunteers and the volunteers love her. Here is the heart-ripping part: “She was picked up as a stray but is in great shape. Clearly has either gotten away from someone, was stolen  or was dumped possibly.”
To ask about her or any of the unwanted Wilmer dogs, call or text 214-949-2726 or email Laura at [email protected] 

A NOTE ABOUT PIT BULL OPPORTUNITIES


The SPCA’s latest news release carried this headline:


Don't Be a Fool, Adopt a Pit Bull! SPCA of Texas Offers 50% Off Pit Bull Adoptions April 1-2 Only
The dog chosen by readlarrypowell.com to emphasize the adorableness of Pitties is Estella. She’s been in the SPCA’s safe shelter for some time. And you can still see last Christmas’ appearance of Estella on TV with one of our favorite personalities, the SPCA President James Bias. Click HERE.

When you adopt a Pittie in this special you also get “a free Dickie's dog bed to help all newly adopted four-legged best friends settle in at home. Adoption fees will be $125 for Pit Bull puppies, $25 for VIP Pit Bulls (available for adoption 30 days or longer), $25 for senior Pit Bulls (age 7 years and older) and $62.50 for adult Pit Bull dogs (age 6 months and older).

This adoption special will be offered at the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in West Dallas and the Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney.”


What? Is that a Pit Bully? No, that is a Pit Billy. Crash, the Billy Goat. He’s also in the care of the SPCA. Estellas at the Rees-Jones facility and Crash is at the Perry facility. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Why did I post the goat’s photo? His name is “Crash.” Same as my grandson. Isn’t it good when a goat can remind you of your grandson? OK, I think Connor “Crash” Powell will appreciate the comic comparison. Almost certain.]
CONTEMPLATIONS: I’m still thinking about movies. You’ll get into that mood when the power at your house is off from about 2:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. and you’re an insomniac who would rather watch movies than read because you can fall asleep during a film but in a book all you can do is read on out of respect for the work the author put into it. I respect film work, too, but those people get paid more than authors. ... So, what’s a good movie about film people and authors? How about Hearts of the West with Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith. ... A good movie about the Wild West and movies? How about Sunset with Bruce Willis as real life Tom Mix and  James Garner as real life lawman Wyatt Earp? Sounds like fiction. Yeah, well, kind of -- when Earp died, after spending time as a movie consult on Tom Mix and William S. Hart films, both the stars were among Earp’s pallbearers. Honest. ... Oh, and here’s an enjoyable film about a writer: Shakespeare in Love. And as you think about the great dialogue in that entertaining motion picture, think about this sentence from the director of the great western, High Noon, Oscar-winner Fred Zinnemann: “Dialogue is a necessary evil.” I hope to get some sleep.
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FROM GUINEA PIGS AND EARHOUNDS TO MIDNIGHT

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2917 (PetPowellPress) OK, at first glance I thought this dog was wearing a set of cowboy chaps on its head -- but, nope, Alexandra Kelsey, our reliable Houston Earhound Scout, spotted this baby in a shelter. More on the Earhound later.
This is being written as a wind gusts play a tune on our front porch chimes. At least the morning Mockingbird isn’t trying to sing along. Here’s our midweek report
:
SPCA RUNS A GUINEA PIG SPECIAL

These animals pictured here are not guinea pigs, though Pinky the Smiling Dog assures me that she is absolutely capable of impersonating a Guinea Pig.
Possibly you nave noticed that we have not reproduced a photo of an available SPCA guinea pig. My fault, probably. I couldn’t get the guinea pig pictures to emerge on the SPCA of Texas website.  But we’ll go ahead because this special is set for March 31 only -- that is (checking the calendar) Friday. Visit the SPCA of Texas parking lot from noon to 7 p.m.  at the Jan Rees-Jones Animal care Center, 2400 Lone Star Drive, in Dallas, and get a guinea pig and a starter kit for $74.99.
If you already have Guinea Pig supplies, you can adopt a Guinea Pig for $5 -- FIVE LOUSY BUCKS and you’ve got a new friend!
The starter kid includes “a small mammal cage, bedding, a water bottle and food.”

[LARRY ASIDE: Ask about the SPCA IRA Guinea Pig Investment Program. I’m kidding but I like to imagine my pal the SPCA President James Bias gasping at the thought!]

The SPCA says a Guinea Pig is a good investment for apartment living and classrooms. They are small and easy to care for -- good for kids and adults. 
And the reminder, “When you adopt a shelter pet, you’ll save a life by giving your knew pet a home plus opening up space for another pet at the SPCA of Texas.”

THE BAY CITY EARHOUND


Alexandra Kelsey, longtime reliable Houston and vicinity tipster, sent the email with this subject line: Ear alert FW: Ima in the Bay City Impound.
 “What a cute set of ears she has)” wrote our tipster.
And the folks with the Bay City Animal Impound reporter, “Her name is Ima, meaning "now". In hopes that she will be leaving the impound now.  She is a gentle soul, loves to play with other dogs her size. 
“Ima is smart, too;  she knows where the treat bucket is and goes right in her kennel after potty time. This girl weighs 43 pounds and is about 2- 2 1/2 years old. She likes it here and we like her too but she can't stay here. If you can help her out or know of a reusable rescue who can please contact us ASAP.”
The note came from Mick White at [email protected] and DeLana Blalock at [email protected].   Call 979-323-1706.
TWO UNPLEASANT STORIES ABOUT DOGS

The first is about a jerk who taped a dog’s mouth shut. Click here. I’ve written several stories about such awful things. Usually ends horribly for the dog. Too bad it can’t end horribly for the SOB with the tape. ... Then there’s this story about a Houston man who shot a couple of old dogs and beat ‘em with a broomstick.  Click HERE. Tell  me there’s a good reason to not lock these guys up and keep them in prison until the return of Haley’s Comet in 2061 or longer. Longer works better for me. You can bet the College of Cardinals doesn't have 'em on the draft list for the next saints.
How about this, Texas? Let’s make those animal cruelty laws the toughest in the nation. (Go to the Texas Humane Legislation Network and sign up to work for the safety of animals and the punishment of our Lone Star SOBs, a consistently prime crop in the annals of despicable humanity.)
CONTEMPLATIONS: Let’s talk motion pictures. Haven’t seen one in a theater in months. Been too busy. Sorry I missed Rogue One. First Star Wars movie I ever missed. Could be that I missed it because I was being punished for having spent money on The Pirate Movie or Hudson Hawk. ... Is the price of popcorn at movie concession stands a moral affront? I would hate to be a theater owner at the Pearly Gates trying to explain to St. Peter why the popcorn cost more than the movie ticket. For crying out loud, it’s popcorn, not chewable diamonds. ... Some people remain unhappy with Woody Allen. I understand that. But lately I have decided that I will confess publicly that I have been enjoying two of his film on my Kindle, which I acquired for the reading of books but now use it to watch movies during my insomnia. I have become a fan of The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001), a fun mystery with a hypnotist, Voltan the Great, played by David Ogden Stiers. And I am especially fond of Midnight in Paris (2011) starring Dallas’s own Owen Wilson as a writer whose adventure includes accidentally time-traveling back to the era of Ernest Hemingway’s hanging out with the ex-pats in France. Corey Stoll is majestic in the comic expression of Hemingway’s character -- spews dialogue in Hemingway’s writing style. And Tom Hiddleston, who recently portrayed country singer Hank Williams in I Saw the Light and won hearts as the star of The Night Manager mini-series, portrays American literary legend F. Scott Fitzgerald. Brits make great Americans and sometimes the casting makes the movie. Sometimes the director/writer makes the movie. And sometimes you’re just in a mood to disappear into nothing serious and enjoy life.
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LT. DAN'S GUNSHOT WOUND, WALTER'S PLIGHT & SAVE THE ESSAY ON ADOPTION FEES

We’re going to focus on two dogs today. 
These two dogs NEVER MADE IT TO THE COUNTDOWN at a shelter. God bless the rescuers who helped them.
You’re going to be reading about a little guy named Walter left at White Rock Lake in a cage and a bigger guy now called “Lt. Dan” endearingly but because someone with a rotten heart shot him. And read all the way to the end of today's report because there's a GREAT explanation of adoption fees. You'll want to make a copy of it.

WARNING TO A CERTAIN ELEMENT OF SOCIETY:

“I WILL NOT REST UNTIL I FIND THE JACKASS WHO DID THIS!!"

Here was one of Kelly Hilliard Lindstrom’s updates about a dog who was saved after being shot. SHOT. Why? We don’t know. That’s him resting. He’s known as Lt. Dan now.
[LARRY ASIDE: I want the person who shot this dog to believe what Kelly writes, particularly that jackass sentence. Kelly is not only a vet tech at The Pet Vet in Frisco but she is also a “Certified Animal Cruelty Investigator.]

In one of her updates about Lt. Dan’s health, Kelly wrote, “We just went out and pottied. Believe it or not, he is so far house-broken. Hasn't even attempted to mark anything or go potty in the house!! Makes me wonder even more what the true story behind this dog REALLY is!! I will not rest until I find the jackass who did this!!”


The dog was shot with a gun big enough to do major damage and result in the amputation of his leg because the bullet shattered his left shoulder, Kelly said. He’s now named “Lt. Dan,” after Forrest Gump’s officer in a wheelchair.
The attack apparently happened at Godley, southwest of Fort Worth. An animal rescue group rescued him from a woman’s yard -- she said he’d been there for at least seven days.  The bullet wound looked pretty fresh.
You can see Kelly’s postings on Facebook HERE.
And there’s a video and donor connection  HERE.You can see this handsome dog BEFORE the life-saving amputation.
Kelly says donations will help pay for his care at the vet.
“He is safe at my house, but his medical bills will be growing until he's fully healed. You can call the clinic directly to make a donation. The Pet Vet will take payments over the phone. Just tell them that you'd like to make a donation to help the dog that was shot. ...  The phone number to the clinic is 214-472-8387.”

Meanwhile, someone better either keep an eye open for someone who is serious about the Texas anti-cruelty laws or you should just go ahead and turn yourself in for shooting a dog. Do the right thing -- this time.

THE STORY OF WALTER
Our pal Stephen Foster, President/Founder of DFW's FurGotten Friends, tipped us to this odd story of 5-year-old Walter, dumped at White Rock Lake near the Bath House.
“He was left in the blue crate in the picture,” Stephen says. “We already have a great home for him and they just love him but it turns out he has serious issues. It's probably why [somebody] put him in a crate and left him at the lake.”

Here’s the story: “A couple of weeks ago little 5-year-old Walter was found at White Rock Lake when someone put him in a little blue crate with an old stained pillow and left him on the side of the trail. Thankfully a caring person came along and took him in. People came out of the woodwork to adopt Walter for reasons I'm sure you can understand. We knew this would be a fast adoption and we only needed to get him vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. During his neuter, our vet discovered an enlarged bladder and we assumed he had a bladder infection so we put him on antibiotics.
"A week later he still hadn't improved. He'd already been adopted and was in his new home with his three new little sisters but we still needed to figure out what was wrong so we had them take him back to our vet.

 “After some x-rays we discovered he had several bladder stones that had moved into his urethra. Fixing this was going to cost $900 and thanks to our animal loving friends we were able to raise $500.

“Today [Monday] Walter went in for the procedure but hit a road block, or should I say urethra block. As much as our vet worked on him one of the stones is locked in there.

“This problem leads us to a new procedure. I don't know another way to say this but the only way to fix this is to have a delicate surgery to create a new place to pee from. This surgery will run $2,500 on the low end to $3,500  on the high end. 

“As happy, playful and affectionate as this little boy is you would never know he has such a serious problem. We're putting him on a special diet to try and help dissolve the stones but time is of the essence. If he becomes completely blocked it could be a death sentence for him. Since we do not have this much in our account we're reaching out for help.

“He has a new family who just loves him and we want to make sure we get him healthy so he can have another 10 to 15 years with them  We've created a go fund me. Please share the link with all your family and friends. Thank you all for your help for little Walter.”

Here’s the FUNDING LINK for Walter.
A CONTEMPLATION ABOUT ADOPTION FEES
AND THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING
Here’s what inspired Stephen Foster’s explanation: “I recently had someone question our $250 adoption fee and told them the dog they could get off Craig’s List for less will, in the long run, cost them much more than our fee.” Walter’s situation is an example of why a $250 fee is justified.
And here is Stephen’s spot-on "essay." If you are in a rescue group, perhaps you should copy this, print it out in big letters and put it up at your adoption events, post it on your websites and Facebook pages, hand it out to people who need a clue. 
Here’s what Stephen wrote:


“I hope this is the last time I have to touch on this subject. Once again I've received an email asking how we can justify a $250 adoption donation for a mutt we're trying to adopt out. They said they could purchase a purebred dog off Craig’s list for that price.
“Here we go. We just took in a 6-month-old puppy. We had blood work, fecal and all vaccinations done. Including DHLPP, Bordatella, Lepto, Rabies and Influenza. We also had him neutered and microchipped. We got pain pills and a dewormer. With our discount that cost us $263 -- $13 over our adoption donation.
“Now if you want to go buy a puppy off Craig’s List and pay that ‘breeder’ $250, be my guest. Just keep in mind you'll next have to take that puppy to the vet and spend, without discounts, another $300-plus to get everything you're getting from a rescue. Not to mention the puppy you get off Craig’s List could be sick, so let’s throw in another $500-plus for treatment for the illness it could have.
“If my rescue has a puppy with health issues, we cover the cost of those issues until that puppy has a clean bill of health. So what's the best option? Adopt from a rescue with a $250 adoption fee and know for sure your new puppy will be healthy with no vet visits until it's time for its annual check up and vaccinations? Or purchase a puppy off Craig’s List and spend anywhere from $300 to maybe a  $1,000 to get that new puppy healthy? Do the math people and stop asking rescues why they have adoption fees. We don't have money trees growing in our back yards.”
Preach it, brother. Amen, Stephen Foster, amen.
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WHICH END IS UP AND OTHER ANIMAL PERSPECTIVES...

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Hello, Monday. Here we go with some fun stuff. You probably noticed that interesting perspective of a Pittie. Got my attention. Read more later today. In the meantime, hooray for critters.

WHAT? A GREYHOUND
TAKIN' IT EASY?
This picture of Reba was “Photo of the Week” in a recent edition of the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas newsletter. For years and years, readlarrypowell.com has been telling people that Greyhounds are Couch Potatoes. Here’s proof that they are nearly human.

You may have a human relative who has demonstrated this pose. It explains the puddle of slobber on the carpet.


“Dancin’ Reba,” as she was known, is 9 (born July 4, 2006) and she has 96 races on record at Wheeling Downs in West Virginia. She raced 2008-2010, then retired and, GALT reports, “went on to whelp a litter of puppies in January 13. She’s just one of many racing Greyhounds who have found a haven with GALT.

And, in case you wondered if there are Earhounds among the Greyhounds, here are some photos that offer confirmation that Earhounds abide.  Go to galtx.org to see how to adopt, foster or donate to the nation’s premier Greyhound rescue organization.


GOOD NEWS FOR MR. BUBBLES


That sounds like a Disney cartoon from the 1950s, doesn’t it?

Well, Mr. Bubbles is this Mastiff and we mentioned him before. He’s the big ol’ dawg who’d been dumped in a rural area of Denton County and was found sitting and waiting for his “human” (I use the term loosely) to come back and get him. He wound up in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter and thanks to the shelter monitor Amy Poskey, we learned about him and his tragic dumping. 
Amy got busy hustling to get him out.
Over the weekend she wrote, “I am absolutely beyond thrilled to report that MR. BUBBLES HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!!!  Friends of Rescued Mastiffs just pulled this big ‘ol love sponge and he will be in a wonderful foster home!!!”


Amy then added one of her wonderful expressions of joy:


“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAWWWW!!!”

She also says, “Thank you to everyone who made this possible” and adds, “Please honor donation offers by clicking on www.mastiffrescue.org.”

You can also see how to help the group and adopt. It’s a national organization with regional Mastiff caretakers.

A SWEET CAT NEEDS A HOME:

HE HAS A DISTINCT MEOW!

We got the tip on this guy Maxx from the great animal advocate Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. The story is that due to human health issues, Maxx needs a place to live. He’s neutered, vaccinated and 8 years old -- barely out of his teenage
years for a well-cared for and beloved cat. He lives in the Arlington-Grand Prairie area right now.
Maxx is litter box trained and he comes with a litter box and collar -- there’s a $20 rehoming fee to encourage responses from responsible people.

He is “INDOORS ONLY,” his caregivers say. “He has always been an indoor cat and lived with 2 other cats. He has never been exposed to dogs or children. He is very affectionate and loving. He's pretty mellow and likes to be a big lap kitty, even at his size. ... He weighs between 15-20 lbs. He does love chasing laser lights, so with diet and exercise he'll probably slim down.

“He has a quiet meow, almost like a squeaky mouse. He was the runt of the litter.”
Here are the contact points: [email protected] or 972-513-6120.

WHICH WAY IS  UP?
Remember the opening photo of the upside down dog? That was how the shot was taken. So we turned it around and this is what the pup looked liked from the opposite angle. We got the photo of this sweet, friendly dog in a note from the great Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake which operates, so to speak, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas. It’s right there on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake. Centrally located for anyone in the Laketroplex.
But, back to this dog. Carie Goodrich sent the note to Sydney. It reads, “I found this sweet little girl Tuesday running in the streets at Mabank. She was held at the pound there until Friday when I went and picked her up and brought her home want to see if you'll put this out there to see if we can find her home. She has puppies somewhere anything you can do to help would be great. If no one claims her, she does have a permanent home.” If you recognize this fabulous face, email [email protected], but be prepared for an arduous audition to prove the dog is your dog.
[LARRY ASIDE: If she is your dog, why isn’t she spayed and why was she running loose? Readlarrypowell.com is prepared to wager that some jerk dumped her and kept the pups to sell at a nearby flea market. But, why let cynicism based on reality enter the picture, right?]
MERCHANDISE NEEDED
TO BENEFIT FLYING DOGS! 






Tawana Couch and her team of volunteers and animal fans at the Society for Companion Animals are saving at least 500 animals a year with their “get ‘em out of Dodge” theory of saving lives. Here’s a passage from the website: “How does a local non-profit save so many? We have amazing volunteers and rescue partners. We accept animals from Texas shelters and we rescue strays from the streets.” 
It takes money to run this organization and this big fundraiser helps a lot. Right now, Tawana and the Team are seeking donations for the silent auction at the big party. 
To donate merchandise or money or ask how else you can help, email [email protected]. Read all about the society at Societyforcompanionanimals.org.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Our first grandbaby is six months old today -- hang on, let me check that calendar. Sorry. She’s SIXTEEN! How can that be? How can the fabulous Hannah Rose be 16 already. Hannah Rose is an interesting person. She plays bass clarinet AND the ukelele. And, as this photo of two mysterious golfers indicates, she and her dad have played a round or two on the local links. (She took five bucks from me in a putting contest -- cool as an old west lawman, she was, and smiled when her putt rolled in and broke my heart and took my money.) She can actually have conversations. I’ve seen it. If we’d gotten some other kid for the first grandchild, I’m not sure we’d have been so enamored. Sure, we’d have adjusted. Pretty sure. But Hannah Rose, well, she’s the first and she created a warm, warm place in our hearts. Could be the smile, could be the eyes, could be the wisecracks she aims at sis Emily Grace and bro Connor, i.e. “Crash.” Both would have made excellent first grandchildren, but, of course, we already had one when they arrived. Yes, our sweet 16 grandbaby is a big sister, too. Awesome responsibility handled well. Happy birthday, Hannah Rose, you kid. ... What you could do on your birthday would be try to break the free-throw record set by the late (March 18) Dr. Tom Amberry of Long Beach, Calif., -- he made 2,750 consecutive free throws in 1993. Shot for 12 hours. We all had more free time in those days. ... The curious online site Holiday Insights says March 27 is “National Joe Day” when it is “perfectly OK to have everyone call you Joe.” So, "Happy Birthday!", Hannah Joe.
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A TRIBUTE TO A CAT-- NOT JUST ANY CAT, OF COURSE...A NAPPING CAT!

 
Does that picture say "Tranquility!" Quick, get me a pillow! I'm nodding off.
This week the spotlight of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap catches the sleeping image of Mia. 
We got these photos from Patty Sprong, the rescuer/foster/animal advocate. Mia shares her household with Patty and her husband, Steve, also an animal fan who demonstrates support and, of course, is the animals’ favorite man.
But, who is Mia? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “She is a foster-failure kitty....”

Show of hands, please, if you’ve ever found yourself with an unexpected cat who cleverly changed your plans. Foster failure -- it is a badge of joy, isn’t it! 
Patty explains Mia as a “foster-failure kitty who I adopted from Mazie’s Mission in 2014."
[LARRY NOTE: Keep reading -- we have some Mazie’s Mission artwork at the end of this report. And also, consider this entire report an endorsement of cats -- we support cats at readlarrypowell.com. Power to the Meower.]

Patty says that Mia “was rescued with her three kittens, and I fostered them all until they were adopted. Mia didn’t do well at adoption events, and so, after a year, I finally gave up and adopted her myself.  She tolerates the foster dogs that come and go, and she graces us with her presence when she so chooses. My daughter recently caught her sleeping in a dog crate. We were getting a crate ready for a new foster dog, and she made herself right at home. I guess she had to christen it herself.

“As you can see, she is pretty comfortable sleeping anywhere, including in the dog-toy box or on my lap while I watch TV. She’s a happy girl, and we’re happy that she is no longer a pregnant teen on the street.”


Remember what I said about Steve being supportive? In Patty’s most recent note about Mia, she wrote, “Today she is asleep in a cat bed on my husband’s desk! Rough life.”

You see here the assorted Mia pictures mentioned in this story. The mood shot we opened with is, frankly, tranquilizing. Maybe you’re getting drowsy just looking at the photos of this very successful catnapper.

[REMEMBER, we’re always seeking photos of sleeping dogs, napping cats, drowsy critters and slumber-prone humans to demonstrate to the world’s insomniacs that they do, indeed, have a chance to nod off and catch some Zs. Send your photos and info to [email protected] and you’ll get the spotlight of our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.]

And now if you to the Mazie’s Mission website or check out the Facebook page you’ll be able to read even more about this extra-special fund-raising event!

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TETHERING, SHELTERING, ADOPTING, AND READING

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Last weekend in March approaches. Darned fast month. Quicker than February. We’ve just GOT to take down our Christmas decorations. After all, according to Holiday Insights online, March 24 is National Chocolate-Covered Raisins Day. None for me, thanks.
THLN AND TETHERING
The Texas Humane Legislation Network is working to toughen Texas’ tethering bill. An email suggests a “two-minute phone call to your Texas State Senator.” Know your state senator? (Mine’s Royce West.)
THLN suggests contacting these Texas Senators to support Senate Bill 1090. The proposed changes will make it easier to prosecute people who tether their dogs to death. Got to THLN’s website to learn about the bill.  [LARRY CIVICS REMINDER: Please review the difference between state senators and U.S. senators before you start calling John Cornyn or Ted Cruz. They're busy in Washington.]
THREE OR MORE AT DAS







That wide display of puppies -- all 10 of them -- belongs to Piggy (A0984240),  a Pittie girl who is about 2 and should never have been “exposed” to pregnancy. But, someone -- a human -- let her down and now she and her 10 puppies are in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. 
They are not alone. That’s Bella (A0984218) and her five pups. Same deal. Humans let ‘em down.
We learned about them from Kimberly Jones, the animal advocate who has taken on the mission of trying to elevate the level of human attention paid to these desperate maternal situations.
[LARRY ASIDE: Sometimes the puppies will be adopted and the moms will, when no one wants them, get the needle. Thank you, Dallas, the city that calls its airport “Love” and claims to be enlightened.]
In the meantime, KJones sent a note about Karma. Here’s what happened, according to the note: “This sweet girl was FINALLY ADOPTED this month and she ALREADY HAS SHOWN BACK UP AT THE SHELTER AS A STRAY!!!!”
And there is this testimony from a DAS volunteer: "This girl is the sweetest dog ever. She know how to sit and shake. She will come up to the front of her kennel and put her body sideways against the kennel door so you can love on her, and if you stop, she'll put up her paw asking for more.” 
Karma is A0908939. She’s 3, spayed and weighs about 50 pounds. Here shelter link is HERE. To offer to help her, email [email protected] or call the adoptions desk at 214-671-0249. Stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland. You may find yourself moved to help animals in Dallas. An wouldn’t that be awful.
TWO BEAUTIES AT TMHPR
When I was preparing the note about Take Me Home Pet Rescue’s fundraiser at Four Bullets Brewery ($25, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.) Saturday, I ran across the rescue groups dog of the week and cat of the week. Staggering beauty in both cases. 
Colin is the cat. He was “found by a kind rescuer when he was wandering a neighborhood looking for a safe place.” The cat was wandering. The rescuer was not. 

The rescue group says, “Colin is not only gorgeous, but he is also a sweet, playful, loving boy who is quite the attention hog. Coffee with Colin is a morning ritual that he and his foster mom enjoy very much.”
Then there’s Lincoln, the Bedfan Hound. The story, TMHPR says, is “we are talking about a puppy who loves to lounge. He is one laid-back guy who is very happy to lounge with his humans, canine companions and feline friends.”
Go to takemehomepetrescue.com.


CONTEMPLATIONS: This will be brief, perhaps. Do you get your news from a newspaper, radio, TV, online or off your cellphone? Do you even get news? Are Americans disinterested in current events? ... Favorite magazine writer? There’s a tough one. Skip Hollandsworth? At Texas Monthly? Check him OUT HERE. Nominees from either of the other coasts? Canada? Global nominations? ... Anybody seen TV Guide on a newsstand lately? Wait! Anybody seen a newsstand lately? ... Books. Hand held or on Kindle? New book smell? Quick! What book are you currently reading? If you are reading a book, are you over 50? Ah, the 21st century. We’ll never see newsstands again. Also never see a Blockbuster store again. Or a typewriter. Our hope is what we may call “The Can Opener Hope.” Remember when electric can openers were going to eliminate hand-held models? Still around. Fewer and fewer cans need a can opener, however. The pull tab emerges triumphant? HERE’S A SONG FOR THE MOMENT.

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ANGIE'S FRIENDS? FOSTERS NEEDED; OTHER CRITTER TALES OF GOODNESS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 (PetPowellPress) -- It’s that day of the week where you begin to see the daylight of the weekend. Don’t get carried away with day-dreaming. We still have situations to resolve, parties to note. Read on.

FOSTER NEED AT ANGIE’S FRIENDS
You know this group -- people who help the great Angie Manriquez, the Fairy Dogmother of Dallas. Amanda Struse is one of Angie’s Friends and she sent me a note about two dogs that need help. They have “just graduated from intensive training programs and we have no place for them to go! We’re in desperate need of home or foster and I’m wondering if you could post Ziggy and Cash for us?” When you find yourself interested in foster these dogs -- and you know YOU WILL -- email [email protected] or call/test 678-665-8571.


Huggable Cash, Amanda writes, “is a formerly chained yard dog that Angie used to care for during her daily rounds. Because his ‘owners’ let Angie get him neutered, his microchip was registered to Angie and when he showed up at DAS, they called her. After he showed up there the third time, she was informed it would be his last time. Rather than risk Cash being euthanized, Angie paid for him to be released and took possession. He’s a friendly and playful guy who is good with most other dogs, but not some males. He’s about a year and a half o; and loves to be active. He is athletic and can get out of fences, so a minimum 6-ft fence is required. Cash just graduated from over a month of intensive training with Canine Advanced Training Services and he is SO ready to show off his new skills!”

And adorable Ziggy is, Amanda’s note says, “an amazing, sweet lunk of a guy – all big head and low-to-the-ground cuteness – with gorgeous green eyes and a fantastic disposition (unless you’re a cat, in which case, Ziggy has no use for you. Or some other male dogs). Zig has already graduated from over a month of intensive obedience training (Go Zig!!) and is ready for his foster or forever home.


“Ziggy was surrendered to Angie’s Friends by a wise, loving, concerned parent who believed her daughter’s boyfriend had been hitting him. Ziggy is a lover, not a fighter, though, so he kept his sweet spirit when he moved on from that bad situation. He’s been in rescue for a year. He needs a foster or forever home where he can continue to work on his company manners and his leash skills and where he can flourish and grow into the groovy forever pal he has always dreamed of being. Zig is a Staffordshire/Basset (or bullydog?) mix, under 2 years old and. . .  well, pretty stout. But, sweet. Super sweet!”


A ROTTEN STORY FROM DENTON,

BUT A SIX-BATH DOG SURVIVES!

This dog is Precious (#68250) and we heard about her from Amy Poskey, the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter monitor who wrote, “Precious is looking for a new lease on life cuz she certainly hasn’t had a very good life so far. This beautiful girl was tied out in a yard with a few small dogs who were allowed to run around and they appeared to be eating all the food being provided leaving Precious with nothing. 
"Poor baby is severely underweight at only 40 pounds and she was covered in a lifetime of dirt. It took SIX baths to get all the gunk off her sweet body which is nothing but skin and bones, but she enjoyed every single bath!  Precious was released to the shelter when they (the authorities) threatened cruelty charges.”
She 8, vetted and, as Amy writes, “not surprisingly, heartworm positive.”
She’s stressed at the shelter. Get her out by emailing [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected] or calling 940-349-7594. The shelter is at 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton.
PITURA WAITS, HER PUPPIES
HAVE BEEN ADOPTED
We spotted this on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page. We’ve been posting notes about Pitura needing help. 

You see her and her babies at DAS.

The latest DAS note about her reads, “Pitura (A0983693) arrived at DAS with a litter of puppies - after caring for them and seeing them off to be adopted, she is hoping to find a loving home herself.
"This girl walks nicely on a leash and is calm, gentle, and very sweet. Share her post so this mama can get a chance to be spoiled in a home of her own!”

You know how to adopt her. Go to the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland and fill out the paperwork.
[LARRY ASIDE: She’s going to be killed if nobody adopts or rescues her. That’s what happens here in the Ol’ West Town of Dallas where City Hall sticks to the frontier prairie practice: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.”]


 A SOUVENIR GLASS? THREE PINTS? BRING YOUR DOG?

Could be the most perfect animal/bar fundraiser ever.



Yes, here's the deal: "$25.00/person at the door. Includes a souvenir glass and three pints of beer.Invite your friends and come hang out with us! Bring your lawn chair and a dog or two!!!"
PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR CALENDAR, TOO

CONTEMPLATION: Here’s a bit of good story. We got it in two parts from the great Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. Her first email about 10 days ago had the subject line “disabled guy needs help with vet cost for his service dog.” And she explained, “So, really nice guy - disabled - his service dog, Bella, has injured her leg and needs surgery...it will cost in $900 range - he does not have the money...CAN YOU HELP?  any amount toward this is welcome!” The price was going to be approaching $900 and the vet displayed his heart and Sydney appealed to the great mailing list at Friend of the Animals which, as you know, operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City.
 Ultimately, Sydney wrote, “It's all paid up - surgery is scheduled for Tuesday ,March 28...Thank you all for what you did to help this guy and his beautiful service dog Bella."

Then Sydney wrote to all these donors, 
“Words are not there - I'm just overwhelmed at the generosity and giving spirit.”

The “generosity and giving spirit” -- how is that for a phrase that describes the animal people you know? Sydney captured the heart of animal people perfectly -- animal people help people, too.
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Mom, pups; 8 dogs to go; What? What? and contemplations

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Ever hit the end of your day earlier than you thought you would? Not enough coffee to keep a fellow going sometimes. Now, today’s report on animals that need a big break.

AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES


Kimberly Jones, the relentless animal advocate, has been hustling photos of dogs and puppies from the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center and trying to get them out before there’s a needle event for all of them. If you have a rescue partnership with DAS, email [email protected] and help Paloma, a 2-year-old alleged Fox Terrier, and her 5 puppies. Paloma is A0982668. As KJones writes, “Dallas Animal Services shelter is beyond full.” 
Again, in case you forgot: [email protected]
FACES IN DENTON -- 8 OF ‘EM!
Amy Poskey, the determined rescuer who monitors the Denton McNatt Animal Services Shelter, sent an email with photos of all 8 of the dogs who are in a bad fix at a city shelter where needles are used. 
She wrote, “All these babies need our help in a BIG way!  They have been at the shelter way too long so their adoption fees have been reduced to just $30; however, 501c3 rescues can pull for free!  These angels are fully vetted and ready to go!!!”
That dog in the chair is Khloi (#68091), an older Lab mix whose separation anxiety really kicked in after the family’s first baby was born. The people who brought her to the shelter, Amy’s note said, “shed many tears about this decision.”
The other dog is Ginger (#68012) -- 80 pounds and middle-aged and escaped from her new home the day she was adopted. Not a fit at that home, so she’s waiting for the next one.
See photos and read about all 8 of these Denton dogs HERE.
THE NEED FOR COMMUNICATION

[LARRY NOTE: Maybe I’m just grumpy, but I’m about fed up with stories I get that don’t include proper contact points or ways to get the end of a story. This one really ticks me off. I’m trying to cope. In the meantime, maybe someone knows the true facts, as they say in the courtroom.]

This dog, Mia, either has or hasn’t been rescued from the Garland Animal Shelter. Someone tipped me to it and I clicked on the Facebook page and found conflicting reports. Naturally, you can’t figure out who really knows. So just in case, this is Mia.
And if anyone knows her fate, please let us know -- email [email protected].
Her back story is she was about to be euthanized a week ago. One version on Facebook reads that she “was literally pulled off the table when it was discovered at last moment that she had a chip. Her owners were found and contacted with the story she had been stolen a year ago. Of course they promised they were on their way to get her. That never happened.”

Same note says she was back on the table. Then another note said she was saved. And another note said she wasn’t. If she’s not still at the Garland shelter, there’ll be other dogs that need help and if you haven’t worn yourself out emotionally over Mia, then help one of those animals on the clock.
In the meantime, again, please let us know at [email protected]. We love writing happy ending stories.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Baseball season is just a couple of weeks away. Point of discussion: Has anything gone right since the Chicago Cubs won the World Series? Feel free to respond by clicking on “comment” below. ... Remembering William Castle: the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles, showing a French director’s cannibal film, is handing out stylized “barf” bags with each ticket. Salute to William Castle, as you film fans will declare. ...  OK, here’s a Chuck Berry tribute. It comes from Andy Fisher, our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief who offices at beautiful Indian Lake in exotic Denville, N.J. He wrote, “We have a neighbor with a heeler mix she named Chuck Berry because of the way he lifts and shakes a leg.”  In honor of Chuck, here’s a song I once heard played by a kid with a guitar while we were riding on a Baptist Church youth hayride back in the mid-60s. Rock ‘n’ roll -- evangelical, nearly. 
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