ReadLarryPowell.com

A LOP-EARED DOG, A FOUR-EYED CAT AND TUG IN A TREE? AT MIDWEEK, WE'RE CONTEMPLATING

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017 (PetPowellPress) -- Yes, that is a photo of cats in a pigeon coop. They are, adorable in spite of their situation, according to our pal Tomi Ortiz who ran across this situation in Irving, near Highway 183 and O’Connor.
About three months ago, a young momma cat had three black and white kittens, Tomi says. The human decided the kittens needed “to live in a pigeon coop where they can’t get pregnant!” Tomi told us that with an aghast similar to yours as you read that silly explanation. Tomi, a rescuer who preaches spay/neuter, added, “Well, who’s to say one of those kittens isn’t a male?! And to top it off, I think the young momma cat is pregnant again.”
So, Tomi and her daughter stepped in to get the cats out of the coop and into a shelter or a rescue group or a real home.
To pull this off, Tomi needs some cat carriers for transporting the cats. Call her at 214-532-4665 to asked how you can help her or if you have carriers to offer.”
You know how the temps dropped and it rained Monday night?” Tomi said, “I couldn’t sleep last night thinking three scared and wet kitties in a pigeon coop!”
Up to humans to rescue them from human folly.
[LARRY ASIDE: And, yes, the people who have the momma cat have been told about the effectiveness of the mystical and strange science of spay/neuter. Yes, I’ve wisecracked to keep from suggesting an application of the patent-pending Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Reproductive Enlightenment.]
WHEN PEOPLE HELP DOGS
Our pal Karen Lee of Barkleyworld.com, a veteran advocate for animals, forwarded two appeals to us Tuesday and here’s the deal: They trying to help dogs in two different ways. The first one, maybe you’ve encountered if you have more than one critter at your place. The second one, you also may have encountered if you foster animals.
THE BIG DOG BAILEY
Karen’s forwarded note has to do with this big dog Bailey. The appeal came from Jo Bennett who wrote, “We are needing to find a new home for our dog. She has been fighting the smaller dogs in our house and we’re concerned for their safety. We’ve tried to manage this problem including doing behavior classes but sadly, it’s come to the point where the best solution for her is to find a new home where she can be the only dog.”
Clearly, this decision was not made without thought. Bailey is a 9-month-old Anatolian Shepherd/Pyrenees/Boxer Mix. The 60-pound dog is health, UTD on shots and is spayed and house-trained. She's described as “a shy dog” who is “beautiful, intelligent and affectionate once she get to know you.” (Call 214-587-5688 or email [email protected].
TUG THE ENTERTAINING DOG

This dog is the subject of many photographs -- it is clear the fosters think the world of him. They also know it is time for him to find his real home. He was rescued a few months ago when he “was a nameless, starving stray wandering Meacham Airport with cut-up back legs.” It took some veterinary care and some emotional devotion to get him ready to be somebody’s dog. He also was fixed.
The foster folks already have a houseful of critters, including a “special-needs pack member,” who was born without paws and is skittish around the big dog. The foster parents note that they have “never even heard [Tug] growl.”
The theory is Tug is a year-old Lab mix. he weighs 45 pounds, is house-trained and nearly crate-trained. Still has enough puppy to enjoy chewing but is learning to focus on authorized chewable items, not the furniture! 
The fosters’ note reads that Tug’s “transformation from a scared, starving stray to a happy, playful puppy who loves attention should be turned into a Netflix movie. It’s that remarkable.”
Here are the contacts for Tug: Call or text Brenda Jones at 817-319-2100 or Ron Ennis at 817-235-3828.
[LARRY ASIDE: I don’t know how Tug got into that tree, but based on the soaring report from his foster folks, he probably knows how to fly. As you can see on the right, he knows how to stretch in a cone and he knows how to sit. He clearly is a dog who deserves a home where the hearts are devoted to him. You’d better be a good and decent human being if you’re going to apply to adopt Tug.]

THE SEPTEMBER STATS AT DAS
On Dallas Animal Services Facebook page, the word Tuesday was that the September 2017 stats were out and demonstrating an improvement in many areas.
You can see for yourself by click on this DAS LINK.  
The DAS reported on Facebook, “Our general intake was up 14% from the same time last year, but euthanasia dropped 46%.”

So, OK, if you go to the link and look at “Euthanized” you’ll see three columns -- left is “Fiscal Year End 2015-16,” center is “Fiscal Year To Date 2015/16” and the third column is “Fiscal Year To Date 2016/17.”
The second line is dogs, the third line is cats and the fourth line is other. That top line? That 8,546 total? That’s the number of animals Dallas has killed this fiscal year.

[LARRY ASIDE: Sure, it’s down from last year, but, geezalou, that’s nearly 165 animals a week. Ask yourself, “What is an acceptable number?” 
Zero is the acceptable number -- unless the animals is actually in need of euthanasia because it is suffering, not because it isn’t unwanted at the moment.
 Why does Dallas kill this many animals? Because Dallas also has free-roaming don’t care, ignorant and so-what-brained residents who treat animals like trash. Oh, man, did I type that out loud. I sure hope I didn’t offend any of our finer residents who don’t give a hoot about spay/neuter or controlling their animals or feeding their animals. Golly, I’d hate to think I hurt somebody’s feelings. Oh, yeah, you can still adopt dogs and cats at DAS -- they have plenty including that handsome lop-eared dog Jake (A1009050) and, son of a gun, those tabbies usually have an M on their foreheads but this one has another set of cat eyes!!!  The # is A1010643 -- no name listed. How about that. Be nice to see these two animals in the “adopted” category for October rather than the “euthanized” category, wouldn’t it? Got to dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt or rescue or help.]

CONTEMPLATIONS: Since its inception way back at the dawn of the 21st Century, Readlarrypowell.com, inspired by a journalism career launched in 1965, has concentrated on humans and how they treat animals. Sometimes my reporter/even-handed journalist personality steps aside to marvel not at animals but at human behavior. We opened with a story of a rescuer making an effort to help animals -- happens every day the sun rises. God bless those rescuers. They are the humans we like to know exist. Caring humans. While watching the early afternoon news on NBC5 Tuesday afternoon, we saw a story about a little girl who got the news from her school counselor that she and her siblings had officially been adopted. She jumped with joy. Here’s the VIDEO but it may make you mist up. 
Made me mist up --- no idea why those kids needed a new family, but bless their hearts and the foster family that asked to adopt them.
At the direct opposite, I’ve been on edge all week over Sherin Mathews, the 3-year-old girl made to stand in the dark at 3 a.m. by her adoptive father. She vanished. And I know why the story bothers me. This little girl was hurt by someone she didn’t know would hurt her. This child’s heart was broken -- disappointment and fear may be the last emotions she feels. The father side of me, the grandfather side of me -- they are outraged at the treatment of Sherin Mathews, outraged that she is missing, outraged that there’s nothing any of us can do outside of praying. People continue to search for her, bless their hearts. I’m hoping the district attorney is lining up the most justice-minded prosecutor for an upcoming case of child abuse. But, most of all, I want that little girl to survive this awful experience and get a home. A real home. I know I’m not alone in these thoughts -- it’s just the most disturbing case. Sad. Really, really sad. This is where the seasoned journalist shakes his head and wonders why.
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ON 10/10, SOME OPPORTUNITIES AND A WILBERFORCE CONTEMPLATION

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2017 [PetPowellPress] Just for grins -- and who doesn’t need ‘em these days? -- I checked with Holiday Insights to see what’s up on 10/10 and the answer is it’s National Angel Food Cake Day (haven’t had any in years and years) and it’s International Newspaper Carrier Day. 
Better celebrate that one while there are still carriers -- won’t be long until stubborn subscribers to the print product are getting their newspapers delivered by target-seeking drones that drop off breakfast, too. Of course, that drone would have be be bigger than a blimp to service one route. .
But, to satisfy the appetite for nostalgia among subscribers, the drone will be programed to drop that paper in the shrubs or in a puddle. Well, enough of that Tuesday daydreaming. Let’s get into the day's business. What? That paperboy photo?
Found it online -- bicycle carrier at the multiple-Pulitzer-winning Chicago Daily News (out of business since 1978). Now, in honor of carriers, we won’t mention dogs that used to chase them as they threw their routes.
That dog? That’s my companion, Porche, stretched out and dreaming that she’s chasing a paperboy pedaling a 26-inch vintage Schwinn with Maypop Tires. Creative dog.

SASHA AT DAS (And Fiesty, too.)

Readlarrypowell.com and its CLAS (Computerized Letter Arrangement System) are almost certain the correct spelling is Feisty, though, well, you never know. The cat didn’t arrive at Dallas Animal Services with a wallet and driver’s license. So, online Feisty is listed as “Fiesty,” A1010216. The deal is, it’s easy to fall victim to that ol’ helpful spelling line: “i before e except after c.” And, of course, there is no “c” in either Feisty or Fiesty. (Remember, during October, there’s no fee to adopt a black or orange cat from Dallas Animal Services.)
Same deal for Sasha. Dog A1008122 was posted on the DAS Facebook page with a video you can watch HERE. And go to the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland to adopt Sasha or Fiesty or any of a bunch of dogs and cats.
The text explains that she’s “quite satisfied with a chew toy, or even just a comfortable bed.” DAS says she is “six years old and quite calm -- we have no idea how she hasn’t been adopted yet! She’s been here nearly a month with no interest and her adoption fee is free.”
DAS is hoping to place her in a good home with a comfy bed. There are around 6.5 million residents in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. Surely, among 6.5 million people there’s an open comfortable bed for a good dog. 



In Monday’s edition, we posted the then-most recent October 4 report card from the Dallas Animal Services Shelter. It was a bit bleak. It’s only fair that we post the current most recent report card, the October 8 edition -- still nothing to be crowing about. Not the shelter’s fault, it’s the people who make a decision to let animals risk their luck in a shelter that buys euthanasia juice in bulk. Click on the artwork to make it grow or if you want to see more of the DAS stats, go to dallasanimalservices.org and click on the “about” button on the left side of the page.
FOLLOWING UP ON NOVA
Here’s the latest development on Nova, the female member of the pair of dogs that got through a hole in a fence in Garland. The boy dog and Nova’s mate, Nobel, was euthanized. Nova suddenly had horrible problems in the Garland shelter. And now, she’s in the care of The Pet Vet, 5177 Eldorado Pkwy #600, in Frisco (75033). 
Deborah Verner, whose been monitoring this case, tipped us to a posting on Melinda Peinado Atkinson’s Facebook page from the vet. It carried this photo and read, “Meet Miss Nova. She came to us from a rescue for treatment. She was pulled from the shelter after birthing a stillborn puppy, and she now needs the necessary treatment for a uterine infection and an upper respiratory infection. Our hospital is accepting donations for her treatment. If you would like to donate please contact our team at 214-472-8387.”

Clearly, the fates are working together to save Nova after missing out on saving her mate -- that’s him in the second photo.
ARTISTIC CATS IN RED OAK
Word around the metrosprawl is that little Red Oak’s little shelter is extremely crowded with dogs and cats

The latest note we got reads, “Small shelter - please, won't you help?  The only walk-in people at this shelter seem to be to release a pet -- not to adopt. ... No fee to rescue groups.  And all pets are vaccinated incoming if old enough.  They also heartworm-test the dogs - just ask if you have any questions.”
These are three of a litter whose coats have been described as “like living watercolors.”
To help them or to offer to adopt one or two or more, the contact point is Laura Macias who, with veteran animal advocate Leighann Hayden, has been increasing the public presence of small town shelters such as Red Oak and Wilmer. 

To reach Laura, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. She’s working with the ACOs at smaller shelters to save animals on the clock.

CONTEMPLATIONS


Ran across a CBS11 story about a knuckleheaded kid in Fort Worth who shot a neighborhood cat with a pellet pistol. I’m sorry, I should have written that the knucklehead used a pellet pistol to shoot the cat -- the way I first wrote it makes it sound like he shot a cat that had a pellet pistol. If animals were armed, might be a more interesting world for these nitwits who shoot neighborhood cats. The cat is said to be improving and will have additional surgery, CBS reports HERE. ... That artwork is posted on the Facebook page of the Nova vet update tipster, Melinda Peinado Atkinson, and I thought you might want to print it out and put it on the windshields of cars driven by people who need a clue. You'll need to print out a lot of 'em in North Texas. ... Who was William Wilberforce? The answer to that question turns out to be timely in the context of 2017 Dallas, Texas. The Englishman Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a philanthropist who served in Parliament and led a successful, years-long movement to outlaw slave trade and abolish slavery. He was driven by religious beliefs and being appalled that people who were slaves were not considered to be human by both the people who owned them and the people who condoned slavery and sold and bought them. You could almost justify putting up a statue honoring Wilberforce in Dallas except he was not quite enlightened when it came to giving women the same rights as men. England gave all women the right to vote in 1928 -- eight years after the U.S. approved the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. History -- sometimes its fun to think about if you don’t have to live through it. On the other hand, maybe the two-out-of-three rule qualifies Wilberforce for a statue in Dallas. There’s a 2007 documentary, Amazing Grace, that outlines the work Wilberforce did to create, in 1824, what has become the world's oldest animal protection organization, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
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AFTER THE WEEKEND, PUZZLING HUMAN BEHAVIOR GETS ATTENTION...

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2017 (PetPowellPress) -- Time to jump right into some animal stories on what is known by some as Indigenous Peoples' Day and by others as Columbus Day. Never mind that discussion. Our topics range from momma dogs and cats to the critter census at Dallas Animal Services to a bizarre human story in Richardson. Here goes:
THE KIMMY STORY CONTINUES
Last week we kept writing about this dog Kimmy -- you may recall she was in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter and pretty much as pregnant as a dog can get.
Over the weekend she delivered -- six of eight newborns survived (so far). 
Amy Poskey writes that the Kennel Supervisor Gayla Nelson reports that “Kimmy is very protective of her babies but calms down and is easier to manage when taken out of her kennel away from her babies.”

Then, Amy adds, “Of course, we all know she will probably be a real sweetheart, even with her puppies around, once she is taken out of the stressful shelter environment.  I’ve seen it happen over and over again.”

If there’s someone who has a place for a new mom and her babies, the contact points are Amy at [email protected], [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected]. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
FOLLOWING THE NOVA STORY

Nova’s the surviving dog in the two-dog tragedy that occurred because of an unrepaired fence, dogs that are too clever for their own good and a sad portion of don’t-care behavior on the part of some humans.
She’s surviving, but not surviving well
Our tipster in this Garland case, the longtime animal advocate/rescuer Deborah Lynn Verner had tried to help find safety for both dogs. The clock was against them. The boy, Nobel, was euthanized. But Nova had a surprise -- she was pregnant.

As Deborah wrote on her Facebook page, “Nova in a sense has lost everything. First, she and Nobel were dumped by their original owner off on a family member (my neighbors), who in turn surrendered them to the Garland Shelter. After being there just over 1 1/2 weeks, her mate, Nobel, was eu'd. Turns out she was in early stage pregnancy. On Friday, she miscarried. And, now, she is very sick, spending the night at the Vet, being closely watched.”
On Sunday, Deb reported that Nova is “doing better” and is “having surgery” Monday to spay her and, possibly, extract and treat her infection.

Deb writes, “If anyone would like to donate to her care, she is at Vet City, 214-472-8387, under Western Australian Shepherd Rescue.”


A COWBOY YOU CAN LOVE
Heck, after that game against the Packers, this dog Cowboy, currently in the Mesquite Animal Shelter, may want to change his name. Adopt him or tag him for rescue and you can change that name. 
What’s his story? As you can tell from the tell-tale black marking on that boy’s tongue, he’s a Chow mix.
He’s 3 or 4 years old and has “deep brindle coloring,” our tipster, the volunteer Mesquite shelter monitor Judi Brown reports.
He’s a 3- to 4-year-old boy whose “sweet face caught my attention,” Judi writes. 
She also says, “The quality that is most noticeable about Cowboy is his gentleness. He is a well-mannered southern gentleman! He sits and comes on command. He wants to please and looks up at you with his pleading eyes as though he’s asking what you want him to do for you. He’s affectionate. He walks well on a leash. He appears to be house-trained. He was not interested in meeting the other dogs in the bay. When he met another dog through the gate he went nose to nose wagging his tail. Cowboy weighs 56 pounds.”

Here are the contact points: Call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] -- to tag him be sure to include his ID 36671355 in the subject line.

[LARRY ASIDE: Who knows why this dog wound up on death row at a city shelter? We can only assume, based on our experiences and observations of mankind, that there is human error at work somewhere.]
ONE OF MANY DALLAS ANIMALS ON THE CLOCK
This beauty with the showbiz-type whiskers and the modelesque expression is Fiona (A1009085), a spayed cat who waiting for rescue or adoption at Dallas Animal Services.
So, what’s the big deal. Didn’t DAS clear the shelter on August 19 when the rest of North Texas’ shelters were cleared? 
Yeah, but, here’s the problem: People. People are don’t care. People are idiots. People are ignorant of the reproductive abilities of cats and dogs. And, yeah, people will declare, “Let the city handle it.” 

The city has three ways of handling an overabundance of animals: Adoption, rescue, the needle. You can help Fiona and dogs and other cats avoid that sting of death by adopting or rescuing them -- go to dallasanimalservices.org to see how. The shelter is at I-30 and Westmoreland. You can’t miss it.


As we were searching for DAS cat information, we went to a great source, Dallas Animal Shelter Commission member Molly DeVoss who is quite possibly the leading cat activist/volunteer at the big DAS shelter.
On Saturday when the “lost/found side of the shelter opened,", she wrote, "We had a line out the door of people surrendering pets. Mostly underage kittens.”

Sounds bad, right? Molly added, “One of those people in line had a box of 8 kittens whose eyes are not even open. They say the mom quit showing up three days ago and they tried to give the kittens human milk. Kittens were starving, sick and cold. That’s the kind of day it was.”
Well, at least they didn’t just bag ‘em and dump ‘em. This litter, anyway.


Now, that chart is something to consider. It is the latest daily shelter report (as of Sunday evening) from the busy folks at Dallas Animal Services. And it is why I brought up the Empty the Shelters event less than TWO MONTHS AGO. Dallas really is the most mammal fertile city in the world and it also has the benefit of having the biggest population of Free-roaming Ignoramuses in Texas. (We’ll let other states fight over the national title.)
CONTEMPLATIONS: As I was working on this edition, our television seemed to be stuck on a program with mindless commentary that was drilling into my fragile brainpan. I turned toward the TV and realized my funspouse was agog at a reality show featuring a well-known family of people who live in a different universe. “You’re a smart person,” I said, then asked, “Why are you watching this?” And she replied, “Sometimes I just like to be in a state of disbelief.” ... Back to adorable animals: The folks who run the Facebook page at Dallas Animal Services posted an entertaining video titled Twelve Benefits of Having a Cat. Here’s the LINK. Enjoy the video -- and avoid some of the comments. You wouldn’t think it would inspire a discussion of the divide between dog people and cat people. ... Our attention at Readlarrypowell.com is frequently distracted by human stories -- the latest story to really rip at my heart is the one in Richardson -- news reports say a guy, angry at his 3-year-old daughter for not drinking her milk, put her in the alley and told her to stand near a tree at THREE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING. She vanished at some point and, the stories say, the guy didn’t call police until EIGHT IN THE MORNING. I don’t really know what to say about this behavior but I do know that I am heartbroken for that little girl. Heartbroken. This is a story that cannot end well. A sacred promise of parental protection has been broken. Let’s pray that breaking a vow is the worst thing happening in this case. I just cannot imagine why someone would treat a kid like that. Dallas has plenty of history of prosecuting people who abuse children. This case is bewildering and awful. The stories are in all local media. The Amber Alert for Sherin Mathews is HERE. May she be safe and loved.
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OUR WEEKEND PRESENTATION:

THE ARTISTIC MOODS
OF IZZY THE SLEEPER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When your canine heart clearly beats with the soul of a supermodel, you naturally position yourself for expressions that represent your mood, your tranquility, the peacefulness and confidence in your existence.

With that we present “The Slumbermoods of Izzy The Beloved” for our weekend edition of our long-running feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
The photographer? Our pal Della Wallace, the rescuer and animal advocate who is, along with hubby David, fascinated by Izzy the Dog. “Wish I could sleep as soundly as this girl,” Della wrote when she sent the sleeper photos.
[LARRY ASIDE: Can we get an Amen‘ chorus from the Deacons of the First Sleepless Church of the Drowsy Insomniacs?]
Just because Izzy knows how to sleep, that doesn’t mean she is always out like a light.
Della says, “The funniest thing I ever saw was when Izzy got out of our fenced yard and went next door chasing cows -- that is, until a cow started chasing her.  She came home in record time!!”

Where do you get a dog like Izzy? Keep your eyes open, that’s the best advice.

“We found Izzy running around lost about 3 years ago,” Della says. “We asked around for a couple of weeks and then decided that she was ours now.  Nobody had put out a sign for her  She is an amazing little girl.  She gets on so well with the other dogs and I've never seen a dog as fast  as she is. 

“She is probably about 4 years old and loves to cuddle with us.

“Her best friend is Alastair who we rescued from the Dallas shelter on Dec. 24, 2012.  You had featured him on your site and we rushed down there and got him."

Yep, we posted this sad photo of a solitary dog -- a 6.7 pound, 2-year-old little dog dumped at Dallas Animal Services. He was in his fifth day in the shelter when we posted his photo. 
Is that not a heartbreaking photograph of a dog on the brink of doom?
It is the picture that captured the hearts in the Wallace household and, in return, Alistair captured the human hearts. 

You see here, a recent photo of Alistair with his eyes open but his heart set on napping! Della sent that one this week. The others came from 2012 when Alistair arrived in his new home in time for Christmas.
When Izzy arrived, they both got a great break in the world of previously unwanted dogs.
[UNWANTED? AND A REMINDER: When readlarrypowell.com uses the term “unwanted dog” it rattles our hearts -- surely there cannot exist a dog that is absolutely unwanted. We never met a dog we didn’t want to love us or at least stop growling and enjoy the treat we just tossed to it. About Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap: Send photos of your slumbering critters -- dogs, cats, iguanas, cockatiels, turtles, hamsters, etc., to [email protected].  If it sleeps, we’ll post its photos and stories -- even if it married into your family, claimed your recliner and TV and is referred to as “that lousy rat” at family reunions. Lousy rats got to sleep, too. Now, remember: We post these stories to inspire insomniacs to keep the faith that they, too, can catch some sleep if they’ll just figure out the right Izzy Pose to assume. Sweet dreams.]
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SECOND FRIDAY EDITION: DEDICATED TO TWO PAIRS IN WILMER

THEY’RE ARRIVING IN PAIRS AT CROWDED WILMER SHELTER.
And they're on the clock.












This early Friday Second Edition of Readlarrypowell.com for Friday, October 6, is inspired by four dogs on the clock in Wilmer and the hard work of volunteers and Laura Macias.
Laura’s mission is to help smaller shelters increase human traffic and critter adoptions. She tipped us to these two situations at the Wilmer Animal Shelter on the southern edge of Dallas on I-45. 
As you can see, there are four dogs, but two situations. These four dogs are on the clock at the shelter -- Mia and Kimmie are together and so are Dakota and Kia.
Laura’s note reads, “The 4 sweet dogs pictured from this small rural shelter desperately your help. THEY COULD BE OUT OF SPACE BY TOMORROW [Friday] & BE EUTHANIZED - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“This is an extremely old shelter (looks like the 1950's - 1960's dog pounds that used to be built like people jails - we were told it is truly that old) with only 6 dog runs.  It is just the saddest place you can imagine.
“Anytime they get over 6 dogs they have to euthanize and they used to euthanize ALL puppies and dogs every Friday before volunteers & rescues began helping them.  Please help!!!!!  Please - we are begging for their lives right now.”
Beautiful Mia, a Border Collie/Lab mix (maybe), and sweet Kimmie came in together. Kimmie “adores Mia and seems to love everyone. We think there’s a good chance she’s a Chocolate Lab mix.”
Dakota (how about that face!) appears to be a purebred Aussie Shepherd (or maybe Border Collie -- who knows?). He’s nice and sweet and he came in with Kia, a “young female Siberian Husky,” Laura’s note reads. “Sweet and good girl,” too, she says.
The dogs have already received their first vaccinations (volunteers took care of that) and all four appear to be healthy.

Working in concert with Wilmer Animal Control, Laura is the contact. Email her at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726. Transportation can be arranged.

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LONG WEEK AND, YET, OUR FELLOW AMERICANS CONTINUE TO DO THEIR GOOD WORKS ...

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Well, goodness, we’ve reached the last traditional workday of the American week though clearly we know that Americans work every day. Lately, there has been no rest for American hearts.
We’ll be discussing that in this edition’s Contemplation. Before that, however, we stick to our mission of helping animals and the people who help them.
That’s Justin, a robustly orange cat available at no cost at Dallas Animal Services -- the city’s big shelter is running specials through October on black dogs, black and orange cats (free for those) and Pit Bull-types ($20 for those).
While readlarrypowell.com does not endorse October specials in the land of dog-fighting and cruelty, we also don’t endorse euthanizing animals to make room for the next unwanted animals. So, maybe the goodhearts who missed out on “Clear the Shelters” weekend, can be the angels they are and save some animals who showed up at the shelter after it was cleared. It’s the big building with all the dogs and cats at I-30 and Westmoreland. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell.com endorses cats. We endorse dogs, too. Any critters. Now and then we’ll even endorse a human. But cats? Heck, yea. Get yourself a cat and see a whole new universe of curiosity and purring comfort. Your dog may enjoy the companionship, too.]


THE MESQUITE CHALLENGE
Our Mesquite tipster, Judi Brown, who monitors the critter comings and goings at the Mesquite Animal Shelter, reports that the place is currently “overcrowded.”
And she’s sent us a number of notes about dogs awaiting homes. 
This first one is Fuzzy Wuzzy, a 2-year-old Shar-Pei mix that Judi reports “was surrendered with multiple other animals because the owner had too many. Fuzzy Wuzzy took a while to warm up to me, but when she did we became BFF. She wagged her tail and gave me a sloppy kisses. Fuzzy is so ugly that she is absolutely adorable! Her personality really grows on you. It appears that life hasn’t been easy for her as she has scarring on her face and recently had a litter. She is really, really sweet and once trust is built she is very affectionate. She’ll do anything for a treat. Although she probably was an outside dog and hadn’t been walked on a leash, she walked on a leash very well.”
To ask about this 32-pound beauty, call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to tag Fuzzy Wuzzy and include ID #36654425 in the subject line.

That other dog is Licorice (34672593), a 41-pound, year-old Earhound/Retriever mix. Judi writes, “She was interested in chasing balls but didn’t know what to do with one.” So, she needs a teacher! Friendly, energetic dog.to ensure proper tagging. Thank you.
We are overcrowded and she is in a kennel alone. By rescuing or adopting her you would be saving a life of another dog.
There are plenty of cats in the Mesquite cat room, too, according to the online listing at the Mesquite site. One of them is the very autumnal Perrrrcy. Yep. You can hear him now. He’s just over 2 and he’s listed as 36397720. [LARRY ASIDE: Again, a purring cat is a comfort in a home -- perhaps as much as a perfectly purring air conditioner on a hot day in autumn. Not that we have hot days in autumn around here.]
MEANWHILE, A PARVO CHALLENGE
FOR BURNS FLAT’S RESCUER
Terry Lynn Fisher, the determined rescuer in Burns Flat, out in Western Oklahoma, ran into a puzzle Wednesday evening when she got a call from the town’s ACO to meet him at a residence. “There was a dog that was dying on someone’s porch,” she tells us. “I rushed over and found it to be this sweet baby girl. I have actually been working on finding her a rescue. She has been homeless and hanging out at several houses, being fed by different people. To keep her out of the pound, one of the ladies offered to keep her while we searched for rescue.”
When the dog got sick, the vow was abandoned.
The dog, “so weak she could hardly move,” crawled to another house for help.

“I took her in and, sadly, she tested positive for parvo,” Terry Lynn says. The vet “started her on fluids and I guess whatever else they needed to start her on.”
The price for treatment is going to be nearly a thousand bucks -- that’s on top of Terry Lynn’s pre-existed $4,000 rescue bill.

“I am so sad,” Terry Lynn writes. “She is just a baby, so sweet, so innocent. And now she is fighting for her life....My heart breaks for her. What do I do?”
"
Dogs survive parvo when they’re under proper medical care. Volunteer to help Terry Lynn with the bill and maybe the adoption of a cured puppy by emailing her at [email protected].
The dog is at Elk Creek Clinic in Elk City, Ok. (580-225-4863.) Terry Lynn’s number is 580-330-1459.

TWO DOGS: AN UPDATE 

You may recall the story of Nova (left) and Noble -- two Pittie types who had the run of a neighborhood because of an unrepaired hole in a fence.
Our tipster on this, Deborah Verner, the veteran rescuer and animal advocate has been monitoring their encounter with the animal services system in Garland. 

She saw the two dogs Wednesday. “Nova has an interested rescue, but they need a foster to save her,” she told us.
Then she added, “I don't think Nobel has a chance of getting out alive.  Many don't want to risk him hurting someone, stating he looks mean.  The abuse has gotten to him.  When I saw him [Wednesday], he was wagging his tail at me, but also showing his teeth at the same time. Nova, on the other hand, came up to the kennel door to be petted, and was wagging her tail.”

Sure enough, the payoff for humans failing to live up to educating, training and controlling the dog was a sad end. Noble was euthanized Thursday morning. 
We’ll continue to monitor Nova’s plight, thanks to the very caring longtime rescuer, Deborah.

AN AMERICAN CONTEMPLATION

There cannot be many of us who are not watching this Las Vegas investigation or who, now and then, tear up at a story that has come from the aftermath: a single mom of four killed, a dad and grandfather killed, people dying in the arms of loved ones or on the street in a city that beckoned with a promise of fun. 

What a horrifying challenge for us all. 
How do we press on? Here’s how: We are Americans. That is not just the location of our address, it is a location of our hearts and souls, of our beliefs and our ambitions, of our concerns for others. Our freedoms live in America.
The nation, sadly, is also the place of people who snap, who plot, who execute evil plans in persistently inexplicably cruel fashion. They emphasize the imperfections of humanity. The rest of us do not. 

Scores of people died one night in Vegas. Across the country, crime doesn’t take a day off. Scores of people still kill people across the country -- in anger, in misguided love, in criminal endeavors, in road rage, domestic disputes....You can’t list all the ways Americans kill Americans without getting anxious about walking out your own front door to check the mail.
 Look, while crime and cruelty don’t take a day off, neither do the good-hearted Americans. We all see them at work every day. I see people fighting great odds to save a dog or cat or a kid they’ve never known. I see them joining with religious friends to fix up a stranger’s crumbling home. I see them donating time and money to causes that make life better for people stricken by horrible illnesses or people who have been victims unsettling employment developments. 
Being an American means pulling together to triumph over not only outside forces but inside evils. 
And being an American means remembering that our nation is a reason to smile around the world. Make each day a better day. You’ll be influencing those around you, those you encounter and, perhaps, those that they encounter. You never know when we’ll need a reason to enjoy some laughter.
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BOXERS AND MORE: AN AUTUMN OF ANIMALS AND EXPECTATIONS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Before you jump to conclusions about what that dog is planning -- I think you people with boy dogs know what I mean -- let me confess that I have taken this photo out of context. 

It came from the great Sharon Sleighter, founder of Legacy Boxer Rescue, but it wasn’t just a picture of anticipation. It was among several photographs announcing the 2017 Legacy Boxer Rescue Mums & Roses event on Saturday. 
And, as Sharon has done for years, she described Mums ‘n’ Roses as “the MOST anticipated EVENT” of the fall. Heck, yeah! Now that the Texas Rangers aren't in post-season play.
Mums ‘n’ Roses is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the NRH20 Family Water Park, 9001 Blvd. 26, in North Richland Hills.
You can buy mums, roses, pumpkins, flowering plants -- all sorts of stuff for your seasonal display. And all proceeds benefit Legacy Boxer Rescue. (Mums are $5 to $15, roses are 47 to $10, pumpkins are $5 to $15 -- except for the HUGE $50 variety. Huge.)


Where would you find Legacy Boxer Rescue online? That’s easy. It is the rescue group whose online address is also its mission statement: savetheboxers.com.
There are many Boxers available for adoption at that website. They include that “3ish” White Boxer named Baymax. He’s friendly, “loves everybody” and is a little bit deaf.
That “Flashy Fawn” boxer is -- and fans of the Will Smith movie Hitch will appreciate this -- Allegra Cole, age 4.
Flowers, gourds and Boxers -- it really is autumn.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS?

MAYBE, MAYBE NOT
Our Denton monitor/tipster Amy Poskey is straight to the point: “Kimmy is about to pop and nobody has offered to give this sweet girl a nice, soft bed where she can have her babies.  Kimmy is 2-5 yrs young, HW NEGATIVE, weighs 48 lbs, and seems to get along with other pooches but is a bit dominant.  She is understandably protective of her precious belly, but is otherwise very friendly.”
Amy says there are $200 in pledges for the “reputable 501C3 “who can make room for Kimmy and her little family.”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The contact points are Amy at [email protected], Shelter Manager Paul O’Neill at paul.o’[email protected] and Kennel Supervisor Gayla Nelsen at [email protected]. Phone the shelter at 940-349-7594.
Remember, Denton also has adoptables available.
Many of them are Earhounds (see them all on Denton’s PetFinder page).
That GSD is Bobbie, the attentive brown one is Hardy, the Chihuahua is Moonie and the last Earhound is in the Feline Category, Louisiana (still too young to spell her own name).

BACK TO BOXERS;

WAITING IN MESQUITE
Judi Brown, the Mesquite Animal Shelter monitor, sent us many photos of dogs needing rescue. We settled on Radar, a black with white 1- to 2-year-old Boxer mix. Judi’s note reads, “He’s not only handsome; he also has a regal, majestic presence. His coat is a glossy black, and he is speckles on his chest. He is very photogenic! He explored the yard and was very interested in all noises. He is very alert. He’s energetic, frisky, and playful. He even made a game of playing with a treat! He’s friendly. When he gets attention his whole body wiggles.” Call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to tag him -- include his ID 36693772 to make the tagging procedure work, i.e., save his life through proper bureaucracy!
CONTEMPLATIONS 

Anybody else discovering they’re not really missing those local pro football games on television? Found other stuff to do? Kind of an interesting season, isn’t it. Stuff that happens before kickoff is the controversial stuff. Either the freedom of expression gets the attention or some of us don’t watch the pre-game shows because of a Fox Sports on-air personality’s criminal history. We get about 80 dozen

channels on our cable system -- plenty of other stuff to watch. ... Wondering about that magnificent scene? I captured it about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday -- one of my favorite online live cams is focused on the geyseresque wonder Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. Here’s the LINK. Sometimes there are crowds of people, sometimes you’ll see wild animals grazing what you think is absolutely too close to a hole in the ground that spews out boiling water! They appear to know what they’re doing. ... We’re closing with a Tom Petty song. Kind of appropriate for this time in American history. Click HERE. If you’re in an office, crank it up and see how many co-workers smile and, maybe, tear-up a little bit.
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AT MIDWEEK, WE WORK ON ROUTINE BUSINESS FOR EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS AND PEOPLE

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017 [PetPowellPress] We’re midweek in a stretch of misery and mystery, so we’re going to try to stay with the mission while being, as the Brits say, “gobsmacked” by circumstances in Las Vegas.
Our goal is to maintain the routine of focusing on bringing happy endings to light for animals in shelters and on the streets, maybe in homes that can't quite tend to them any more. And we have an extraordinarily important Contemplation today, thanks to writer Mary Dunklin and her puppy experience and her wisdom.

FYI, as you may know, Dallas Animal Services is running some specials on black dogs, Pittie-types and orange cats. The "black and orange" are free and the Pittie-types are $20. Sam (1002485) is a Pittie whose coat may be a little bit brown but could be black in the right light.  And the cat Rigby (1009162), not designated either boy or girl, is a cat with bits or orange and bits of black. Only good, responsible, decent and loving people should adopt any of these animals -- if you're not, send me a note and I'll explain to you why you need to buy a new car instead and drive off into the sunset. [LARRY ASIDE: We don’t know if you can bargain DAS into declaring that cat is orange enough or has enough black on the coat to qualify for a bargain. Truth is, any cat is worth twice the price. That’s been our experience. Of course, we’ve never paid an adoption fee or a breeder fee and, in Dallas, Texas, we have never been short of free cats at our house. Something about spaying and neutering being the least respected element of animal control among the don’t-care Dallasites. The supply is never exhausted in Dallas.]
ABOUT THE FREE AND $20 deals: Only good, responsible, decent and loving people should adopt any of these animals -- if you're not, send me a note and I'll explain to you why you need to buy a new car instead and drive off into the sunset.
Sincerely, Larry.

UPDATE ON THE SPCA

AND A RESCUE MISSION
Remember that September 25 seizure of 117 animals at a property near Greenville? On Monday, Judge Sheila Linden approved the ownership transfer agreement between the people who had the animals and the SPCA which has the heart. 
Here’s the rub: The SPCA waived restitution and the humans waived the right to appeal the ruling -- so, the SPCA gets a bunch of animals that need care and no money from the people who created the problem. The SPCA is now evaluating the animals and trying to get them ready for adoption. It’s not going to be cheap. To help the SPCA finish saving these animals from a lousy life, you can donate online at spca.org. You can also see how to adopt.
There were 93 adult dogs, 22 puppies and two cats. Puppy mill, they say. That’s one of the dogs who was being held at this place. You can see more photos HERE. Remember, go to spca.org.

LET’S TALK PORCINE POSSIBILITIES
AT THE SPCA'S MCKINNEY FACILITY
We promised Tuesday that we’d discuss some pigs that are available for adoption at the SPCA of Texas’ Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney. 
Who who are these striking critters?
That smartest pig in the pen is Albert Einswine (153084), who at 2 years and 4 months weighs in at “medium.”
 The fellow on the right (152738) is Kevin Bacon, a 2 1/2 year old pig listed as “large.”

And, that third pig is nearly a year and a half old, is listed as “large,” is number 152737 and -- caution, you may smile -- she is Spamela Anderson.

Each pig adopted from the SPCA (the fee is $50) is healthy, vaccinated, “fixed,” and has properly trimmed hooves. To ask about adopting, fill out an application at spca.org/livestock or call 214-461-1933.
So, why has readlarrypowell.com decided to post a photo of that girl Gracie -- a Boxer, Terrier, Pittie mix? She’s 6 years and 11 months old. And, the SPCA says, Gracie “had a difficult past” and she’s still coping. Also, she is “extremely obedient” and knows how to “sit, stay, lay down and shake” and whoever wrote her bio reports that her “absolute favorite hobby is snuggling.”
 She’s house-trained, crate-trained, walks well on a leash and always comes when called. 

Now, here’s why she’s listed with Kevin, Albert and Spamela. Her biographer quotes her as saying, “I also occasionally snort like a pig, which is embarrassing, but people seem to find it endearing.” 
Give Gracie the Pig-Snortin’ Dog a chance to make your house a complete home by visiting spca.org.


FUNDRAISING FOR A REASON

When the W Haus Décor & More folks open the Garden Patio at 454 South Gun Barrel Lane in (where else?) Gun Barrel City, Texas, it’ll be for a fund-raising part benefiting the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake.
The HSCCL is raising money “for needed repairs on the Intake Building.” The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 18. It’s $50 per person and includes food, drinks music, auction and a live raffle.
The live auction will be selling four tickets to the 3:30 p.m. Dallas Cowboys game on Christmas Eve -- they’ll be hosting the Seattle Seahawks. There’s also a raffle for two tickets to that game. Both winners will get a parking passes.
Get your event tickets HERE.
That dog who is dressed for a party is Puff, a 9-month old Lab mix (1685).
And that cat who looks as if she’s getting ready to play receiver on a sunny day, is Olive (1943), a 2-year-old who “loves to curl up in your lap.”
Go to hsccl.org and click to the Facebook site to see animals and learn about the shelter at Tool.
CONTEMPLATIONS ON SEVERAL LEVELS...

Mary Dunklin, the writer, momma and philosopher was writing about the new family dog on Facebook and confessed “Pretty much made every puppy-parenting mistake in the last four days. This is like having a newborn baby except no one brings you casseroles.”  (Yep, she nailed it!)
Joy, a 7-week-old Lab/Heeler mix was named by the Reece ‘n’ Mary Dunklin daughter Lily -- they quickly became best friends, Mary writes. And she adds, “Thank you, Flower Mound Animal Services.”
Might be a place for other people to find joy in a dog or cat.
Before you leave this page, you should read Mary’s most-recent story of challenge in The Dallas Morning News. This kid knows how to touch hearts. And she’s a wise writer. Here’s the LINK.
FYI: You’ll be richer for reading her take on an all-too-common challenge.
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THE AMERICAN SPIRIT -- PUZZLED AND CHALLENGED BUT NOT DEFEATED

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017 (PetPowellPress) Dear Readers: There is just no way to comprehend the Las Vegas situation. Bad guy? Bad moment in an otherwise good guy’s life? Failed mental health program? Failed soul? Was there no hint?

The questions are all there, as is usual in these things that have become all-too-common. We wait, now, for the revelations that either answer the questions or continue to puzzle us all.

In the meantime, we marvel sincerely at both the noble individuals who risked their lives to help and the people who lived up to the mission of “protect and serve.” What bravery, what spirit, what heart we see. What examples of the American Soul.

Sitting hundreds of miles away at a keyboard in a town known for its shootings from November 22, 1963, to July 7, 2016, we know that “making sense of it all” is something that doesn’t come quickly or easily or maybe even ever. (The president and the governor have decreed that flags should be at half-staff.)
In the wake, we remain vigilant and hopeful and, of course, prayerful. May all of us remember to celebrate this nation and our spirit and our people. Perhaps we should work to view fear as a stranger by making caution and care our best friend. -- With hope for the American future, Larry

RETURNING TO ANIMAL STORIES

DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES’
OCTOBER ‘DEALS’ ANNOUNCED

I thought the big animal news on Monday would be the reduction of adoption fees at the SPCA of Texas (more on that in a minute), but then I looked at the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page and found this notice.


Yes, this decision is catching disagreement from veteran animal rescuers in North Texas. Here's the DAS LINK.  Traditionally, black cat adoptions have been suspended during October because of fear that mean people will abuse the animals during the Halloween season.

Elaine McLendon Munch, the legendary, longtime North Texas animal advocate and rescuer was quick to respond on DAS’ Facebook page. She wrote, “Sorry to disagree, but it is irresponsible to adopt out black cats as a Halloween promotion. They are especially vulnerable to abuse and torture during this time. If you have a black cat that isn't a house cat only keep it in for the nights around Halloween. If DAS is going to promote adopting black cats, you must seriously vet potential adopters!”

DAS responds that such poor treatment by humans is “Luckily just an urban legend! We screen all adopters the same, no matter if they are free or not.” It then cites a story on the Humane Society of the United States blog HERE ,
[LARRY ASIDE: Perhaps the reason there’s no recent evidence of mass abuse cited in this year-old blog is shelters took the opportunities away from the bad guys by not adopting out black cats at Halloween. Just a thought.]

Better safe than sorry might be the way to go in this case.
How do you vet people who show up and make nice with a dog or cat? Has the city bought a Dallas Animal Services Lie Detector? Will you get them to pinky swear that they’ll respect and love the animal they’re adopting at no cost?
Perhaps this is a signal for already-burdened rescue groups to make room to protect these “free” October animals.

[LARRY ASIDE: May only good hearts take in these free animals, not the people who are looking for free guard dogs, fighting dogs or cats as training devices. Not that there’s any evidence of dog-fighting and cat abuse in North Texas.]
SPCA LOWERS ADOPTION FEES

TO INCREASE # OF PETS WITH HOMES
The Monday morning news release from the SPCA of Texas is that, after its $25 special for the 100 Days of Summer, the organization has changed adoption fees -- procedure remains the same, it’s just the price that has changed at all SPCA facilities.
Puppy and kitten adoption (5-months and younger) drops from the $125-$250 level to $100. Adult dogs and cats six months or older drop from $75-$125 to $50. Senior dogs and cats (7 and older) are now available for $25. So are VIP dogs and cats. The fee includes spay/neuter surgery, proper vaccinations and other wellness-connected items.
As the SPCA says, “When you adopt a shelter pet, you’ll save a life by giving your new pet a home plus open up space for another pet at the SPCA of Texas.”
So, who is available at the SPCA -- go to http://spcafindapet.com.
Those two Earhounds are available. On the left is Elsa Mae (155428) who is in foster care and, get this, Foster (157523) who is at the SPCA’s Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center. Elsa Mae is a 6-year-old Husky/Shepherd mix and Foster is a year-old Shepherd mix.
The dramatic cat in the bed is Calpurnia (156154), mom to 4 kittens now adopted -- she’s 3 and spayed. The other cat is Jessicat (155471), just over a year old.
That third dog? Mrs. Hathaway (154837), a precious terrier mix who, at just over 2 years old, is in awaiting a new home -- she came in June 1 as the result of a “rescue compliance case.”
Get all the details on adoptions at spca.org.


WHAT? PREGNANT IN DENTON?

Just when you think Dallas is the most fertile city in America, there’s evidence that other cities are vying for the crown.
This comes from our Denton McNatt Animal Services tipster Amy Poskey whose Monday note reads, “Nobody has stepped up for this sweet mom-to-be, so I’ve got my knee pads on again begging for rescue!  Kimmy told me she just wants to be loved…  along with her little angels who are due at any time…If anyone can help, please let me ([email protected].)_, Gayla Nelsen (kennel supervisor), and/or Paul O’Neill (shelter manager) know ASAP!” 
Email:  [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected]. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.

[LARRY ASIDE: Anytime a pregnant dog shows up in Denton, I hope she gets the same good fortunate that the great Paloma got. See last weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.]
KITTEN TRIO IN GARLAND

That artwork was forwarded to us by Patty Turner, the Garland Animal Shelter monitor. The kittens are young and they need human hearts to survive the experience of being unwanted cats at such an early age.
CONTEMPLATIONS
 TO A POINT
Nancy Hinds tipped us to this pair of Earhounds currently waiting in the Mineola Animal Shelter, about an hour-and-a-half east of Dallas on U.S. 80. You can see them on the shelter’s Facebook page HERE. ... Why is this a point of contemplation? We speak on behalf of Earhounds around the world. After all, at our household we’ve had a number of these pointy-eared dogs through the years. The Chihuahuas Vera and Rosie and the Shepherd mix Baby Jane Doe had magnificent pointed ears. Nowadays we have the pointed ears of Porche Noel, “at point” even when sleeping. And, of course, Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, had wonderfully long and furry ears and he enjoyed having human hands tugging gently on them or flopping them while he was sleeping. Throughout the canine world you’ll find dogs with distinct ears. The dog who snapped a selfie with me is Wendy (full name: Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden). As you can see in the couch photo below (Martha turned it into app art), Wendy holds her ears at a “flat ‘n’ down” position as if she grew up working in a coal mine with a really low ceiling. 

You know what makes ALL DOG EARS perk up? When they hear a familiar voice either call their names or yell “TREAT!” May all the dogs in all the shelters soon have reasons to perk up those ears.

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FROM FOSTERING TO CONTEMPLATING: A MONDAY EDITION FOR ANIMALS AND HUMANS

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017 (PetPowellPress) How about a Musing Monday? We’ll muse about our usual topics and perhaps go a little afield about the quirks of modern American society. Who knows? I’m putting this together half-way through a cup of coffee and after a rapid trip to Northeast Texas and back on an interstate highway without majestic vistas.
OH, and we’ll mention FOSTERING! For crying out loud (as that kitten is clearly doing), DAS and many other organizations need fosters.
NEIGHBORHOOD DOGS ON THE CLOCK
We’ve been monitoring this situation for a while thanks to longtime rescuer Deborah Lynn Verner. Her neighbors had these two dogs, Nobel (the white one) and Nova, and the neighbors had a hole in their fence and the dogs kept getting out.
The upshot is that a couple of days ago the neighbors surrendered the dogs to the Garland Animal Services shelter and, as Deb writes, “Now Nobel and Novel are on the EU list for Monday morning.”
In case someone gives them a reprieve. Nobel (A225849) is an “Unaltered” Staffie/BullTerrier/Dogo Argentino mix. He’s about 5 and weighs around 60 pounds. 
Nova (A225850) is an unfixed female -- possibly a tricolor Shepherd/Black Mouth Cur mix. She’s about 2 and weighs around 55 pounds.
These are two animals that are already the victims of human behavior, but, possibly, with some blessing, they will be the recipients of caring human behavior.
Here’s the tough part: Neither Garland Animal Control nor Garland Animal services Pet Adoption Center are open on Sundays. So, how about some early Monday pressure, right? The Animal Control office is at 600 Tower St. Call 972-205-3570. The The adoption center is at 813 Main St.; call 972-205-2951. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Sheesh-a-bundle.... Sorry, felt the need to comment on hoops animals have to jump through to survive in Texas.]
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE

Our Mesquite tipster, Judi Brown, cites the availability of 2-year-old Rat Terrier mix Pogo, a “delightful” Earhound. He is spunky, playful, friendly, affectionate, etc. In these photos you see that he has a tail that moves almost to swiftly to be caught “still” on camera and he has a set of Ears that may be championship in his category. He also knows what to do with knees -- place paws on knee, wait to be embraced. He’s a 10-pounder who doesn’t like cats. When you ask about him at the Mesquite Shelter, give his number: 36649725. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 
There are many other Mesquite animals that need rescues and homes.
IN HONOR OF CACTUS
The Greyhound Adoption League of Texas is running a fund-raising photo contest to help pay off the massive bills encountered when the organization attempted to save this girl. The rescue got her on September 15 -- she had a serious lung condition and “despite our best efforts,” GALT reports, “she died just a few days later.” Why? “Chronic, active severe bacterial pneumonia.” The bill pushed up to nearly 10 grand. Enter a photo for $20. See the details at galtx.org.
GALT has many animals available for adoption -- that’s what it does. Protects Greyhounds that no longer are racers or have been picked up as strays or were part of abuse iinvestigations. It’s not cheap, sometimes.
THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING?

FROM PAWS TO DAS & BEYOND


Dogs, cats and many other critters need fostering. We were reminded of this when we saw the Paws In The City appeal for foster homes -- click HERE. We periodically mention the need for Fosters for the Trinity GAP Rescue folks and assorted other organizations. 
About the time we started writing that paragraph Sunday afternoon, up popped a note on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page about the “EMERGENCY KITTEN FOSTER ORIENTATION” at 5 p.m. Monday at DAS, I-30 at Westmoreland. The note read, “We need help! We are at 132% capacity for cats and kittens. Our biggest need is finding foster homes for young kittens who are not big enough to go up for adoption yet.”
Fosters are going to be standing between cats and kittens and the needle.
Want to be a foster, email [email protected] and tell ‘em you’re coming.
 They have kittens ready to go!
That’s the kitten DAS used to illustrate its appeal.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in a beautiful adult cat, check out the face on Tamara, A1008254. You can adopt her at the big shelter. She has a distinct look. Check out those championship whiskers!
[LARRY FOSTER ASIDE: Heck, readlarrypowell.com has even fostered animals for assorted organizations and on behalf of momma dogs and cats we’ve rescued on our own. Rewarding? Yes. What’s even more rewarding is when you see that fostered animal becoming an integral part of someone’s home. It feels good -- for the dog and the human. I was once walking with my ol’ Urban Animal Magazine editor Bob Walton through Operation Kindness’ Dog Day Afternoon and in the middle of the stroll, he was suddenly the point of an aggressively endearing affection attack by a big ol’ tail-waggin, slobbering dog he’d once fostered. Don’t tell me dogs don’t have great souls. Bob has a great soul, too, and he dropped to his knees and he and that dog had such a happy moment that I’d have been moved to tears if I were not the tough guy I am.]

CONTEMPLATIONS: 


SOMETHING KINDLE PEOPLE ARE CAREFUL ABOUT: How many Kindles did it take you to realize the recharge-plug-in was a tragedy waiting to happen. Two? Three? The last one we bought seems to be sturdier, but I’m also more sensitive to the plug’s fragility. Still, reading or watching movies, it’s a miracle machine for the cinema-prone literate among us. ...

SUNDAY MORNING REPORT: Martha told me early Sunday morning that she’d had a nightmare about 1 a.m. and woke and “had to turn on the television.” It was still on at 5 a.m. when I woke to feed the dogs and cats. I asked Martha, “Do you want to tell me about the nightmare?” Usually she doesn’t, but this time she said, “A guy came into our house and I killed him with a knife. It was his knife.” I paused, contemplating the meaning of that. She quickly added. “He was trying to rob us.” And I thought, “Ah, the dumbest criminal on the planet.” Martha was able to nod off again during the morning’s second episode of Columbo. This dog, Porche Noel, nodded off, too. ...
A CONTEMPLATIONS ABOUT TEXAS PERSONALITIES, CITIES AND HOLIDAYS: 
A friend of mine sent me a well-intentioned note Saturday evening reminding me that Monday is Labor Day -- I replied with something like, “You’re only a month late with that reminder.” He’ll work harder to keep up with Labor Day, I’m sure. I thought at first that maybe he meant Columbus Day, I thought. Nope, that’s October 9.
And that brings us to a LONG contemplation that explores not only who found the continent, but the time slavery was abolished in Texas in 1829 and the changing of names from the center of Ohio to deep in the heart of Texas. Click HERE to read about “THE TENOR OF THE TIMES: A CAPITAL CHALLENGE FOR TEXANS.” It’s a piece with irony and head-shaking. 

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