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OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE ANIMALS & RISE ABOVE THE WEATHER & CONSIDER THE NUANCES OF PRO FOOTBALL AND LOCAL BASEBALL

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- What is the one thing to remember about dogs and cats? There’s not just one thing. They’re fantastic additions to a life. We once had a short, stubby street foundling named Cosmo who could perform the short, tight campaign trail smile made famous by former presidential candidate Steve Forbes. 
We now have a cat who can tell Aleksa what song to play next. I’m kidding about that, but she will press the on button of our Bose radio and awaken our part of the nation.
Mercifully, we have yet to find a dog or cat who can work for a substantial profit -- can you imagine the pressure of trying to match the annual income of your housecat? 
Fantasy aside in the 21st century, we have some real situations today. That dog? That is my personal canine, Porche Noel, demonstrating her stagecraft with a character she calls “Hairy Potter.” Now, our report:



UNCLAIMED CALVIN:
A NOTE ROM DENTON
One edition we have celebration notices from the Denton monitor Amy Poskey and the next we have a challenge that has touched her heart.
 “I just have to go to bat for this sweet, sweet boy who was adopted from the old Denton shelter several years ago, was recently found as a stray, and never reclaimed,” Amy declares. She adds, “The staff tried contacting Calvin’s family several times to no avail.  My heart can’t even begin to understand that and Calvin’s heart doesn’t understand that, either.

“I’m sure the only reason this precious boy hasn’t been adopted is because he is HW POSITIVE and that’s not his fault.  Look at that handsome gray face and those soulful eyes!!!  Please help me save him!!!”

You can adopt him for just $30 -- rescues can pull for free. He’s listed as a 5- to 8-year-old Plott Hound mix -- a stray who is friend to both dogs and people. He’ll need vet treatment for his heartworm situation, but that’s no big deal when you have those eyes admiring you every day.
Here are the contact points at Denton: [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected]. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.

THE MESQUITE ALERT
We’ve posted several photos of dog waiting for either a rescue or the needle at Mesquite. this one is Hazel, a 2-year-old Pittie mix who, according to our tipster Judi Brown, is a free, spayed dog who is in bad spot in the city shelter. “She has until 11 o’clock Thursday. I understand this is her final extension,” Judi writes. “I’m sweating bullets and so is she. She came in chipped and spayed but unfortunately her family didn’t come for her.”
She’s a happy, playful potential 51-pound (yep) lap dog. Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected] to tag Hazel. Type tag in the subject line along with ID 37898359.
Hazel isn’t the only dog in this fix -- we’ve previously mentioned  Pepsi, too. You can see these at risk animals in Mesquite by clicking HERE.

MEANWHILE IN PARIS

At first on Wednesday we got a desperate note about this dog. Then later in the day we got a note that began “Pupdate! She’s been adopted!!” Here’s that LINK to the Facebook page of Stephanie the Paris Shelter Tipster. 
Why was Susie Q even on a “beyond urgent” list? Stephane explained, “We have 2 pens open and dogs filing in. She’s ‘Next!’ She’s no stranger to the #ParisTxShelter! This is her 3rd time here! The first two times her ‘owners’ came for her. ONLY BECAUSE SHE WAS PREGNANT! They sold her puppies and don’t want to deal with her anymore so she’s here and on death row!”

Stephanie caught the situation perfectly in this closing sentence about Susie Q: “She’s had a crummy life and doesn’t even know how to be mad about it!”


MEANWHILE, IN BURNS FLAT,
THE WESTERN HUB OF DO-GOODNESS
Terry Lynn Fisher is the beacon of goodness in the western Oklahoma region anchored by Burns Flat. She’s been hustling on behalf of animals for what may be an Oklahoma record for endurance. She fights through some tough stuff to help the critters that wind up in her sphere of influence.

“The past few months have really been hard on me, physically and financially,” she writes. “I have fought against so many things and because of wonderful people, I have made it through it all. And so have the pound babies. We have transported so many out of Western Oklahoma and got them safe... From FIVE different pounds... But it seems like the same ones are still here... Just not moving.. The new arrivals have come and gone.... While that is good, these innocent throwaways need a safe place too.

“I have five in foster and that is costing me $15 a day per dog. I need help, please. If you have room, let me know. I will get them there. I have 4 I am getting ready to move but there are 8 needing a place ASAP.”

To ask how to help, email Terry Lynn at [email protected].
Here’s Terry Lynn’s roundup on the dogs (in order of photo display.

“MOMMA AND SON -- Owner went to prison for 7 years... These two are great dogs... well behaved and know basic commands... He has been neutered and I have had her spayed... They are ready to go.

 “SHEENA -- Dumped after her family sold her babies, this girl was so depressed... She has been in boarding for months.. a sweet girl, she is awesome with everything....
“BAILEY -- Found dumped in the country, she was skin and bones..... (She was) Facing being shot by local farmers, so I went and got her... She has fattened up and is ready for a home of her own.....friendly and full of love...

“SUNNY -- I pulled him from a small town pound after he was stuck in the gate and nearly choked to death. We learned he had been attacked by another dog and was badly infected... He is well and ready to go now... Just a baby, about 6 months old...
“ROCKY -- This poor thing came from a crappy home   dog feces everywhere... other animals attacking each other.. I have got over 10 dogs from these people.... He is young... needs rescue asap.

“BROWNIE -- This girl was dumped south of town MONTHS AGO... She found her way in and we tried catching her for a long time.. Several people kept food out for her so she fattened up. She finally followed the dog catcher when he picked up a friend of hers and we put him in my backyard. She went in after him so we finally caught her.. While a little scared, she is a sweetheart... Loves to be touched... She is an older girl.”


[LARRY ASIDE: And that’s the summary from Burns Flat for this week. Best wishes to Terry Lynn and her supporters in this attempt to give decency a stronger foothold in an entire region.]

CONTEMPLATIONS:
While sitting in my car on the parking lot of an Oak Cliff Wal-Mart, I spotted an early scene from the remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. Has a Dallas twist to the re-telling. The birds arrive in great flocks to carry off discarded rental bicycles. Of course, a day later, there was a heavy rain in the same area and the parking lot was flooded with shoppers rushing in to get the Wal-Mart Ark Kit 2018 -- the kit that advertises on late night TV, "WE'VE GOT WHAT YOU NEED TO FLOAT YOUR BOAT." ... Anybody else see the story that says the ex NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel would play for free just to get another shot at being on the team? Consider some of the quarterbacks you had to watch last season and ask, “Why not? Could he be more futile?” What would the NFL have to lose? Ratings? Oops, too late on that. ... I even hate to bring up football when the pop of a hardball against leather is playing a symphony in Surprise, Ariz., at the Texas Rangers spring training camp. The Rangers have decided to sign former San Francisco Giants two-time Cy Young Winner Tim Lincecum to pitch. After a lousy 2016, he took all of 2017 off. So, yes, he’ll fit right in with the Texas Rangers pitching staff -- it also took 2017 off. Along with some of the bats. Feels good to make a baseball wisecrack. Got to get in shape for the season.
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ROADIE WINS, DAS DROPS RATES, TASHA SAVED WHILE OTHERS WAIT IN RED OAK, CONTEMPLATING PEOPLE/ANIMALS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Holy smokin’ Groundhog predictions, can this be the last day of February, 2018. Two months gone already in this year?
Oh, the Roadie situation has been solved -- took lawyer Randy Turner to pull that off -- read on.
And a guy who stomped a Boxer fatally is going to jail -- for a DECADE. Not enough, but it’s the max.

Tasha. the pregnant death row dog in Red Oak? Saved. Read on.

And, perhaps, Dallas Animal Services has figured out something. It has dropped its adoption fees from $85 to $45 for dogs and from $55 to $35 for cats and there are even some dogs you can get for $10. We’ll get to that in a minute. And if you think animal aren’t in danger in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center, check out the two daily stats cards in contemplations. That dog in the photo? That dog is a Guinea Pig in DAS named Einstein. More in Contemplations.

GETTING THE MAX
Maybe you remember this May 2017 incident in which a man was arrested for animal abuse because he’d stomped the legs and hips of his 4-month old Boxer -- so ferociously that vets could not save the dog. 
On Tuesday, we got a note from tipster and animal advocate Bekki Harvey that Collin County’s 401st District Court Judge March Rusch “sentenced 27- year old Andrew Lacy Calaway to the MAXIMUM of 10 years in prison for animal abuse.”
 The dog, called Diesel early in his short life, was renamed “Spirit” by his caregivers but eventually was euthanized when his condition could not be improved. 
Bekki reports, “The courtroom was full with animal advocates and the DA thanked us for attending today. 
“Interestingly it was a 3-year-old child who alerted his father to Spirit’s screams and yelps while Andrew Lacy Calaway was stomping the puppy in his yard. The child's father testified in court today and one could tell this man was still ready to inflict some bodily harm on his disgusting puppy-beating neighbor.”

[LARRY ASIDE: That is a picture of Spirit and when I look at his back legs, I am moved nearly to tears and I would hope that there is some way the next Texas Legislature can add more years to the animal abuse statute punishments. Such sadness over an absolutely needless act. But if you Google the perp’s name, you’ll find some mention of drug arrests and at least one indictment.]

THE ROADIE RESULT
The note from attorney Randy Turner arrived with this headline: Roadie is free!
You may recall that Roadie, a service dog, running free through a neighborhood because of a burglary of his home, bit no one and attacked no one but still wound up sentenced to death in the City of Hutchins. 
The battle for his life took 8 months and resulted in his human, who depended on him, surrendering him in order to save his life.
As Counselor Turner explains, “After spending 8 months in a cage, Roadie if finally in his new home ... Despite efforts by the City of Hutchins to sabotage the adoption so it could carry out the euthanasia order signed by its municipal judge,' Roadie has a new life.”

And that’s a photo of Roadie enjoying the perks of his new life -- sleeping on carpet, being watched by a good-hearted human who adores him.” (Below is an earlier photo of this dog with an old friend.)
No word yet on, as Randy wrote, “how many thousands of taxpayer dollars were spent on lawyers trying to uphold an order to kill an emotional support dog that has never bitten any person or animal.”
 He also wrote, “Hats off to Judge Sally Montgomery of Dallas County Court-at-Law Number 3 who understood the big picture and allowed Roadie to be adopted.”
And he added “Thanks again to everyone who supported and worked to save Roadie! I can't tell you great it was to have all of you on our side.”
Attorney Turner is renowned as an advocate for animals -- he offices in Fort Worth (online he's at www.randyturner.com.)

MEANWHILE IN RED OAK
Tasha, the pregnant dog who was waiting for either rescue or the needle in Red Oak, got a rescue as did some other dogs there. 

Among the dogs left behind are the Shepherd mix Gracie, a shelter favorite, and the big dog Brock, a Mastiff mix. Doesn’t he have a face that says, “I’m in trouble here, someone rescue me. I’ll be a good boy.”
To help any of the animal in Red Oak or Wilmer email Laura Macias at [email protected] or CALL OR TEXT 214-949-2726.

CONTEMPLATIONS:

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS
Yes, contemplate people and animals. The big star/animal news lately is that Lily Tomlin has taken on Texas A&M for experimenting on dogs. We’re with Lily. (Here’s the Hollywood Reporter story on Lily’s A&M criticism. Animal people will recall that a decade ago the fabulous Lily came to town to join with Margaret Morin and other pro-elephant people to try to get the Dallas Zoo to send Jenny to a sanctuary instead of leaving her in a city zoo. Jenny, around 42 now, is still in Dallas, on display at the zoo. That’s Lily visiting Jenny in 2008. Lily’s a hero. ... Sad, isn’t it, that comic actor Emma Chambers has died in England in just her early 50s. A story in The Mirror discusses her death and her career (that’s her in a scene from the entertaining film Notting Hill -- Chambers was perfect). The Mirror also notes that though she was horribly allergic to animals, Chambers still kept them on her farm and made places for them in her life. [If that link to The Mirror doesn't work, just Google the story.] It reads, “Despite her debilitating issues, Emma lived happily on a farm and loved animals, especially her Basset Hound Hattie.” ... And now we come to some animals available at Dallas Animal Services. Contemplate them. That Guinea Pig is Einstein (A11020889) -- about six months old, they say. I don’t know what the adoption fee is for a Guinea Pig but this is Einstein so E=MC2, i.e., Einstein equals Money, Cute, doubled. That cat is Lina (1021832) in the shelter since the 16th and about six years old. And that brings us to these three amazing dog faces that beckon the souls of the tender-hearted.
I got the dog pictures off the DAS Facebook page. You can read about all the adoptables at dallasanimaslervices.org. The top dog, Benji (A1022158) loves treats and he’ll sit for them. He’s about three. Frannie (A1022285) -- how about that great coat! --  is a year-old, 49 pound mix with a sensational face. And Snow (A1020880) is a NINE YEAR OLD DOG who, her bio reads, “enjoys to spending her days resting in the shade while having moments of playful energy” And her eyes are different colors, too!
 So what do you wonder about when you see these animals? Look at the euthanasia stats on these DAS Daily Reports. FYI: The DAS Facebook site noted, “Adoptions are $10 if they are already spayed/neutered, or $45 if they still need to be fixed!” It’s a special. Check out the stats at dallasanimalservices.org and you can see how active the city’s taxpayer-financed needle has been for the past week.

DAS Director Ed Jamison, in a news release about the rates, said, “We average over 70 dog intakes a day, and kitten season is right around the corner. If lowering the everyday adoption price helps one of our animals find their perfect home, it is worth it.”
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RED OAK, WILMER HAVE CLOCK CRISES; BUBBLES WAITS IN LANCASTER

EDITION OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Honestly, where’d you think you’d be in February 2018 -- Mars? Marfa? Some other really sandy place?

Well, all that futuristic stuff aside, let’s look at the present and consider ourselves fortunate to be on a planet that has interesting people and TV commercials with a Sumo wrestler skating -- The Flying Dutchman and the Baby Bird crack me up.
We’ll also get to Goat Yoga in a little bit.
But, as you know our purpose is to help people who help animals and to help animals help people and to keep this thing readable while trying to beneficially influence people who are off the beam when it come to respecting animals. (LARRY ASIDE: Yes, that is why we invented the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment, an implement for correcting behavior and improving thought processes. We’d like to take one on a test run, but that would, of course, be wrong, no matter how good it feels.) Keep reading and we’ll tell you about that Red Oak dog in need, Tasha.

A BIT OF MADNESS FOR THE SPCA
We don’t know a lot about basketball, but we do know a bit about madness.
Interpret that as you wish without mentioning my name.

But in this case, the Madness will benefit the SPCA of Texas.
Donations score points for the SPCA of Texas -- the organization is in competition with other 501c3s to get financial fuel to power their missions.
The event starts on March 2 -- that’s FRIDAY. Read more about it HERE .

LOOK SOUTHWARD FROM BIG D:
RED OAK, WILMER AND LANCASTER
Red Oak and Wilmer are small shelters always full. Lancaster benefits from having the dedicated group, Furbabies of Lancaster, Texas, trying to hustle dogs and cats to safety. 

Here we go with an explanation of that dog in the opening segment. 

THE RED OAK APPEAL: Yes, this comes from the team of Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden, dedicated to the mission of getting more attention for the smaller shelters, i.e., Red Oak and Wilmer. The deal with Tasha is she’s pregnant and she’s also on the clock and, the note about her reads, that she has “been moved to the critically urgent album meaning....” 
Well, you know. Immediate curtains. The note cites all the animals in Red Oak -- many we’ve featured here before -- and declares “this is heartbreaking.”
You want more heartbreak? Tasha was “found as a stray in the Wal-Mart parking lot -- very very sweet. Look at her worried little face.” 
To ask about the Red Oak and Wilmer dogs, email Laura at [email protected] or call or test 214-949-2726. Also, 501c3s can arrange transport.
Oh, and ask about that great Maine Coon kitty Big Boy. He's got the look of a genuine house cat. [LARRY ASIDE: We had a Maine Coon girl named Lucy, one of my funspouse Martha's original cats, for many, many years -- she adored me. I adored her. I think this is the way Maine Coons are wired.]
And, FYI, the animals that come to Red Oak come from several places, including Glenn Heights. Never-ending stream of unwanted animals such as Tasha.

[LARRY SPAY/NEUTER ASIDE? Yes, here’s an example of why a dog would be difficult to adopt: BECAUSE SHE’S A PREGNANT PITTIE GIRL! And why is she pregnant? Because some knucklehead didn’t take advantage of the practically unlimited opportunities for cheap or free “fixing” in North Texas. So, what does this human’s failure to be responsible mean? It means that this dog Tasha will escape an ugly fate with her unborn puppies only if she can be adopted or rescued. That’s it. So, to the person who didn’t love her enough to protect her, gee, thanks.]

THE WILMER SITUATION:
Here’s the way things are shaking out in the six-kennel shelter at Wilmer.
As the Laura/Leighann team notes, “This shelter is “very close to Dowdy Ferry (that most of you know is a known dumping ground) and many of the dogs picked up are either picked up by the county officer in that area or make their way into Wilmer city limits and get picked up there.”
We’ve mentioned the German Shepherd waiting there a few times but nobody’s been interested in Max. The report is, “We are trying to buy time for the GSD named Max that we posted quite a while back. The shelter is attempting to work with him (and he is continuing to improve) and we hope to be posting him again soon. In order to help give Max time, [these dogs] desperately need help and need out now, otherwise Max will be euth'd first followed by these other dogs."
Jet is that boy Aussie mix who is pressed against his cold kennel wall for the photo but “he came up to the front of the kennel, so very sweet, gently wagging his tail and just so much wanting someone to love him.”
Those other two dog? Sibling Great Danes -- Stacie the girl and Steve the boy were “picked up together in the Seagoville area by the county officer (FYI, we have someone checking with a microchip scanner to ensure not chipped). They are such beautiful dogs and very sweet and loving.  Available together or individually.”
To ask about the Red Oak and Wilmer dogs, email Laura at [email protected] or call or test 214-949-2726. Also, 501c3s can arrange transport.

BUBBLES WAITS IN LANCASTER

We’ve mentioned this handsome dog before, but for some reason nobody’s contacted the Lancaster shelter or Furbabies of Lancaster to adopt the dog who was born to do a dog show “stack” and born to be a member of the family -- except right now he’s on the clock.
Click HERE to see how to save Bubbles’ life.
Surely there can't be a single person in the entire Metrosprawl who doesn't want this dog to live out his life in a happy home. Surely.

CONTEMPLATIONS:

Readlarrypowell.com is always in the mood to recommend entertaining stories in other publications and that gets us to PlanoProfile.com and a hoot of a story (and photos) by writer Cori Baker. It was headlined “Baaamaaaste at Goat Yoga Richardson” and carried a number of entertaining lines and explanations by the writer. One of those sentences read, “We get there a little early in order to take pictures and maximize our goat time.” As a veteran writer of odd tales (since 1965!), I read that sentence and the phrase “maximize our goat time” and thought, “There’s a sentence Cori Baker never thought she’d write while she was studying journalism!” That’s the great joy of journalism -- creative surprises. Here’s the LINK to PlanoProfile’s story of Goat Yoga in Richardson! Remember to MAXIMIZE YOUR GOAT TIME. Wouldn’t that look good on a T-shirt! ... We keep hearing about these piled up rental bikes all over Dallas -- that the city now has the largest system in the world. Ah, if only you could pedal on the pleasant walkways along the Seine -- wait, I’m sorry. If only you could pedal in the weeds or the marshes or mud alongside the Trinity River. In the meantime, as Dallas has problems with piles of bikes, Paris, the city Dallas envies other than New York, has a rental bike vandalism problem. Read about it in The Telegraph HERE. ... Did you see the news that Bell Helicopter is changing its name to just “Bell” in a nod to the whole company from flying objects to technology. The next step would be to honor the geographical aspect of the company. Is the name “Southwestern Bell” available?
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FACES, EARS & CHEEKS (A CAT) -- ALL IN A SUNNY MONDAY EDITION

EDITION OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- How about that Saturday afternoon sunshine and Sunday, too -- wasn’t it great to walk outside and blink because you were hit in the eye by light instead of water? 
Ah, maybe it’ll last. Or, maybe rainy days will return. Punxsutawney Phil warned us on the 2nd of the month. Here we go with our Groundhog-free report.

That dog with the fantastic face? Champ (#A1021182), one of MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED ANIMALS (dogs, cats and an “other now and then”) currently waiting for a home or rescue or the needle at Dallas Animal Services. More later today about DAS animals.

BECAUSE OF KITTENS AND PUPPIES WE LOVE: A SPAY/NEUTER HINT
Odd, isn’t it, to think you support spay/neuter because you love puppies and kittens. But that’s the motivation. We want those that are born to be adopted and loved. Sadly, the irresponsible humans wind up dumping the unwanted puppies and kittens at shelters where the needle rules or in unpleasant places such as trash bins, creeks or parks. In bags on highways. Whereever. Sad. Beyond stupid.
There are FREE spays and neuters being offered this week in 23 ZIP Codes in Dallas, Texas, the most fertile city in the known universe -- probably the unknown universe, too. 
Click HERE for SPCA information about this and, also, visit the Spay/Neuter Network HERE. And check at Let’s Fix This.
Remind people to be responsible with the fertility of their dogs and cats. [LARRY ASIDE: We're thinking of designing a 2018 Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Infertility Persuasion. The 2x4IP model doesn't aim for the brain, fellows, but it does target something some of  you think with. Oh, this would be wrong. But it would feel so right.]

TIME-OUT FOR A GENUINE
AMY POSKEY WOOOHOOO MOMENT
We’d mentioned these dogs Dule and Finley a couple of time because they been picked up as strays and bonded at Denton’s McNatt Animal Shelter.
They were in a bit of a fix and our Denton volunteer shelter monitor Amy Poskey had been hustling to find some help.
 Over the weekend we got this photo of the Dule and Finley adoption moment. And a traditional Amy Celebration note. You’ll recognize her signature multiple vowel and consonant exclamations of joy.
“I am just sooooooooooo happy to report that these two love muffins were adopted TOGETHER this morning [Saturday]... WOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHOOOOOO AND YEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW!!! . Their new momma and daddy said they are headed for a bath and some couch time!”

And Dule and Finley were the last animals in the Denton Shelter -- hang on. Upon further review, there are many others waiting on rescue. (We're posting some later in this edition -- Earhounds and a cat.)
Amy also added, “I want to thank EVERYONE who offered to help these two precious souls!  Not only did Mike and Mary Frazier with I AM DOG RESCUE offer to save them but Molly Peterson with LEGACY HUMAN SOCIETY also offered to take them if a foster could be found!  We also had some wonderful donation offers and lots of people networking these angels and I can’t thank y’all enough!”

[LARRY ASIDE: Animal rescue may not be a “neighborhood” of people, but it is absolutely a “community of angels.”]

JACKSBORO SURRENDER
This appeal on behalf of many dogs in Jacksboro came from the great Karen Lee, the guiding light of barkleyworld.com and the ardent supporter of Trinity GAP Rescue, the do-good group that grew out of the Girls Awareness Program at Euless Trinity HIgh School. 
This is one of the dogs in the Jacksboro shelter. Karen explains, “There are many great dogs that are urgent in this small rural shelter in Jacksboro, TX—featured here are just a few!  Chris, the lone Animal Control Officer, does all he can to help place all the dogs and cats that come here, but he is totally outnumbered. He has even transported pets to Fort Worth to connect up with Trinity GAP Rescue which has taken in many dogs—but GAP is totally full so we are reaching out for help!!  ... Without volunteer support, ACO Chris is totally overwhelmed!!  For more information please contact Chris at the Jacksboro Shelter at 940-567-6321 or email [email protected]. Here’s the shelter’s FACEBOOK LINK. The shelter is at 1070 U.S. Highway 380 West, 124 E. Belknap, in Jacksboro. The shelter is open in the mornings but you can call 940-567-6321 or email for an appointment
A CAVALCADE OF EARHOUNDS
Judi Brown, our Mesquite volunteer tipster, sends several notices about dogs waiting in the city’s animal shelter each day.
This time, she included some genuine Earhounds, our favorite Readlarrypowell.com breed.

Willow (37858008) is a year-old, 57-pound formerly stray Pittie mix. Judi writes, “The fact that her ears flop forward makes her very unique! Willow is an energetic, playful girl who likes to chase balls. However, she has a mellow side. She stays close by for attention. She looks up at you is though she’s wanting to know how she could please you.”
The dog loves people of all sizes. At one point, Judi says, “A child came into the yard when she was out there, and she really got excited.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Makes you hope Willow finds a family, doesn’t it.]
Then there is the 4-year-old Pittie mix Lucy (37584167), a 48-pound dog described by Judi as “a darling girl with quirky ears. She is a happy-go-lucky girl with a lot of enthusiasm for life. She loves people and seems to especially love children. Sshe was raised with a baby and a a 6-year-old.”
Why was she surrendered to a shelter with a busy needle? “Because she would run out the front door and they live on a busy street. They were concerned about her safety.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Trust me, I’m shaking my head about that one. Humans are usually in charge of the doors.]
For these dogs or any animal in the Mesquite Animal Shelter, call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

ADDING TO THE FANTASTIC
CAVALCADE OF EARHOUNDS
[LARRY ASIDE: I’m contemplating starting an online effort to get the American Kennel Club to accept Earhound as the launching pad in a new category designated as Complex Breed. That is a lot more accurate than “Mutt” or “Mixed Breed.” After all, it takes complex breeding to produce an Earhound, within or without a specific breed. I’m accepting donations to support this effort. No checks smaller than $100,000 -- I anticipate a long public campaign. Oh, wait, I’ve begun to daydream while typing, haven’t I? OK back to the Earhounds.
]
While Dule and Finley have happily left the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter, there are still some Earhounds there. Two Earhounds caught my eye and so did this cat known as “Cheeks Cat.” You can see how to adopt Hailey (the big one) and Dawg (the little one) and Cheeks (the cat one) at https://www.dentonasf.com/adopt/.

A WEST SIDE ANIMAL LEAGUE NOTE:
Bob Fox posted this note on Facebook about the West Side Animal League and Readlarry powell.com has mentioned this hard-working rescue group many times.
Bob wrote, “The West Side Animal League is near and dear to my heart. A group of us from Lockheed started this group almost 12 years ago in order to help the sad, crumbling little shelter just outside the main gate of the factory. Today, we pull animals from all over North Texas, get them into an adoptable condition and find them a fur-ever home. Please help us in our mission: Working to Save Animals' Lives (WSAL) by attending our little fundraiser on March 4th. Or if you can't make it, please consider making a donation. Thanks so much!”

And that’s the poster with all the info. 
[LARRY ASIDE: WSAL’s origin is like that of so many other organizations that help animals: Kind hearts bond on behalf of animals who against great odds in the effort to survive.]

MEANWHILE AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES
We opened today’s report with the great face of Champ. He is one of so many animals awaiting a new life while on the clock at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center.
You know where it is, I-30 at Westmoreland in Dallas and www.dallasanimalservices.org online.
Here are some more of the available adoptables. 

That cat is Russia (A1022201), described as a “spayed female, white Turkish Angora.” Might be about 2 years old.

That dog (A0818202) is called Snowy. She’s a spayed Pittie mix who may be about 4 years old. 

Champ, the dog with various eyes, is about 5, neutered and listed as a German Shepherd Dog mix. [LARRY ASIDE: Can you imagine the fun you could have getting contract lenses to match Champ’s eyes and walking him around town, taking him to parties, having your portrait made together? And, how about having a dog with a face like that looking at you with great admiration? The pressure comes when you realize the dog EXPECTS you to do something wonderful. That’s inspiration, isn’t it!]

CONTEMPLATION:
REMEMBERING THE ALAMO
Native Texans and Texans who -- like so many heroes of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution -- came from elsewhere usually have no problem remembering the Alamo. At this time in 1836, the Texians (new and old residents of Mexico’s Texas) were in a heck of a fix. 
William B. Travis, commanding the Alamo with the ailing, bedridden Jim Bowie, sent this letter, known as the “Victory or Death Letter,” an appeal for help, on February 24, 1836. The world was not a place of instant responses in those days. With spelling, shortcuts and punctuation of the day, here’s the letter (currently in the care of the Texas State Archives and Library Building in Austin):

“Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World-
Fellow Citizens & compatriots-
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna - I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man - The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken - I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls - I shall never surrender or retreat.  Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch - The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.  If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country - Victory or Death.
William Barret Travis.
Lt. Col.comdt.
P. S.  The Lord is on our side - When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn - We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis.”
Travis (a native of South Carolina) was 26 when he died as the Alamo fell on March 6 after 13 days of siege and battle. Jim Bowie (native of Kentucky) was 4 days short of being 40. The man made most famous in the 20th Century, former U.S. Congressman David Crockett (native/U.S Representative of Tennessee) was 49.
As my NativeTexanSpouse Martha said after pointing out Travis’ letter to me over the weekend, “They packed a lot into their short lives in those days, didn’t they?”
--- TO COMMENT, HOLD ONTO YOUR COONSKIN CAP, GRIP YOUR WALTDISNEYDAVYCROCKETMOUSE AND CLICK BELOW. (TIME OUT: It occurs to Readlarrypowell.com that someone needs to tell a whole bunch of young people about the craze set off by Walt Disney's Davy Crocket TV series in 1954 -- 64 years ago. Good grief.) ---

THERE IS JOY IN THE WINTRY SPELL

“Inclement weather” -- well, we now have a soggy idea of what that looks like around here, don’t we! 
So does this great dog.
For this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap we turn to writer/mommy/wife Mary Dunklin for some rainy weather wisdom.

She posted that photo of Joy on her Facebook page with this note that will touch the hearts of animal lovers who mop. It's really worth reading with your heart.

“With all this rain,” Mary began, “my kitchen floors have been an absolute muddy mess thanks to this 6-month-old fur ball. I've stood out in the cold rain pleading with her to hurry up. I've wiped her wet paws more times than I can count.
“But after seeing this sleeping face, I wouldn't have it any other way. She's brought so much life to this house.”

Dear Readers, you may recall seeing this second photo of Joy in one of our daily editions in mid-December.
The words Mary wrote included these: “Three months ago this pup and her littermates were found abandoned in a creek by a park. Now she's on the couch. Under a blanket. In front of the Christmas tree. After taking a half-hour walk. 
Whatever bad situation you're in, things can get better, friends.”
Mary’s a thinker, an achiever. To see an example, click HERE and you’ll learn more about facing challenges.

[SEND PHOTOS of your sleeping dogs, napping cats or any slumbering beastie in your life to [email protected] and we’ll post the photo and bio explanation in our long-running Readlarrypowell.com  weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, your story inspires people to give homes to animals. Also, the photos of slumberers give the world’s insomniacs the hope that they, too, can get some sleep -- if they can just go outside and run around in the rain a little bit, then come back in and be pampered until they nod off.]
--- To comment, grip your HappyJoyMouse and click upliftingly below. ---

 

THE ELLIS COUNTY SPCA FAMILY

MID-AFTERNOON EDITION, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018 (PetPowell Press) Oh, for crying out loud, look at this plight! Is there another word tha fits better than "plight"?
How in the world does it happen that a momma dog and her eight puppies wind up in a shelter?
This message -- with photos -- is making the social media rounds in hopes of getting this family out of the Ellis County SPCA in Waxahachie and into a rescue or foster home.
As you can see, these are fresh puppies, but not real fresh. One of 'em still blinks when the camera clicks. They’ve got a look of adorable puppy mischief on their faces.

According to a note sent to Readlarrypowell.com, the contact points are [email protected] and 972-935-0756. The shelter is at 2570 FM 878 on the north side of Waxahachie.
--- Check back later today for our Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap Feature -- enjoy the Joy. ---

NOON HOUR SAVE LIVES REMINDER

NOON EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Call this a reminder edition. We’re going to focus on reminding people to get involved with rescue groups (fostering, adopting, volunteering, donating, writing a thank-you note, etc.) and shelters (help those folks keep animals safe by moving them out of the taxpayer financed facilities).
Each rescue group has a mission. The individual missions may not mesh in application or execution, but they all have the same ambition: SAVE THE ANIMALS.
And each shelter has different challenges -- population, budget, communication, need for rescue partners and other things. We won’t even bring up city hall’s indifferent politics toward animal issues. After all, our mission is to save the animals. Elected officials are on their own.

Speaking of elected officials who might not have the same priorities as animal people, Dallas Animal Services has two cats with fantastic faces available. On the left is, no kidding, Hello Kitty (A1021894), a 4-month-old girl, and the other dramatic cat is Smudge (A1021975), a female who may be a year old. Both can be seen online at dallasanimalservices.org.

That opening mugshot is, of course, not me. That is the far more handsome Earhound named Bubbles who we highlighted earlier in the week (thank you Tomi Ortiz!). Bubbles is available at the Lancaster Animal Shelter and you can go to the Furbabies of Lancaster Facebook page HERE.
And if someone has adopted Bubbles before you could get to him, Lancaster has plenty of other adoptables available. What? You need a good cat? Paige is waiting in Lancaster. Clearly is ready for work in front of the camera. May be a grad of the American Catamedy of Theatrics (ACT).

MEANWHILE IN RED OAK
Our tipster Laura Macias sends a reminder that these three dogs are moving closer and closer to the needle at the Red Oak Animal Shelter. We’ve told the story of Jamie the St. Bernard mix and Lady, the little mix -- they met while in stir at the shelter and bonded with each other. So, while the overall goal is to save their lives, the great gift to them would be to bring them into the same home. 
Then there’s JoJo, the Lab/Boxer mix, who “knows that she has been left” at this strange place that is not her home. She has no idea what’s going on.
To help any animal in Red Oak or Wilmer or any shelter that has low human traffic, email Laura at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.

DULE & FINLEY?

STILL NO TAKERS

Our persistent Denton tipster Amy Poskey says these two bonded dogs are still being ignored. “Come on y’all, we just have to save this precious twosome!!!  ... Dule & Finley have not been vetted, yet, but I did find out how much they weigh…  Dule weighs 38 lbs and Finley weighs 15.6 lb.  Sweet Dule needs us more than ever and she needs her BFF, Finley, to be with her as she heals!  They love each other so much!”
Remember, from our earlier edition, Dule has “some hair loss and a skin issue on her stomach,” so the vets are treating her and keeping Finley with her so everybody is as happy for as long as they can be in a shelter.
Here are the contact points: Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email Amy at [email protected] and, also, [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].


WAITING IN MESQUITE


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are several Mesquite dogs on the brink of disaster.
We got their info from the volunteer shelter monitor Judi Brown.
That first dog is Casper (37858004), a 6-month-old German Shepherd mix who came in as a stray on the 15th and, Judi writes, “is insecure and either chooses to retreat to a corner or clings to his human friend. He will hide between your legs or wrap his legs around you. He will even snuggle in your neck for comfort. He is extremely sweet and doesn’t show any signs of aggression. He warmed up to a couple in the laundry room. He clung to them but also loosened up and wagged his tail.”

We use these photos to demonstrate the Casper (a) is willing to sit on a couch, (b) will work for his keep by folding the laundry and (c) can simulate a “lap dog” even at 45 pounds.

To ask about him or any of these Mesquite animals, call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Other dogs Judi sent us:

Pebbles (37858191), a 15-pound, 3- or 4-year-old formerly stray Fox Terrier mix. Judi writes, “His melting brown eyes and stand up ears along with his shaggy look make him look like a little doll! He’s friendly and affectionate. He’s also very playful, energetic and fun loving.”

Rufus and Blanca are both on the Friday clock at Mesquite, Judi writes. They may be siblings. 
Rufus (37537632) and Blanca (37537608) were surrendered on February 6.
Judi writes, “Rufus is a sweet, timid guy that judging from the scars on his face, head, and body has had a hard life. He appears depressed. He spends his days laying at the back of his kennel. When he was taken to the yard, his mood seemed to lighten. ... was particularly interested in everything outside the gate.”
The very thin Blanca had a litter of pups, but her owners would only surrender the two adults because they “kept escaping.”
Judi say that “in addition to being adorable and very sweet, she’s also gentle and well-mannered” and seems to be missing her puppies. She weighs the thinnest 30 pounds you’ll ever see,
Nicolas (37858744) is a 4-year-old mix (Spaniel/Setter, they say) who came in as a stray. He’s got hazel eyes and is “extremely soft.” Walks well on a leash and “seems to like being held.” He’s short and weighs 27 pounds. 

Then there’s Cashew (37774655), a 4-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix who was a stray back on Feb. 5. Friendly, affectionate dog who “will jump on your lap and give your kisses.” Dances and barks to get attention. Weighs 16 pounds.

 Finally, today, we get to 2-year-old Pittie mix Pepsi (37813819), a 37-pound former stray who is “highly excitable when she thinks there’s a chance for attention.You can’t blame her as she seems to love everyone! However after romping in the yard and burning off some steam she settled down. Pepsi is a cute, relatively small Terrier Pit mix with a perky ears that match her perky personality.”

Plus, Judi writes, “She’s generous with kisses.”

Again, the Mesquite contact info is this: Call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: You see all these dogs? There are hundreds more in shelters all over North Texas. They’re on the clock. Hundreds more are in rescue groups that are filled to the brink with dogs and cats. Adopt from a rescue and you open up a spot to save a shelter dog. Adopt a shelter animal and you save that life and buy more time for other animals. In summation: Spay and neuter companion animals and preach the gospel of responsibility to the people who fall in the “don’t really care” category. Or, order the new 2018 Spring Training Model of the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment and swing away -- wait. That would be wrong. It might feel so right, but it would be wrong. So, remember, first save the animals, then lecture the offenders into submission. Can be a stern lecture, if that helps your conscience. You’ll have to help your conscience because these knuckleheads don’t have one.]
--- Check in later today for our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap: Joy In The Rainy Spell. ---

NOON HOUR SAVE LIVES REMINDER

NOON EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Call this a reminder edition. We’re going to focus on reminding people to get involved with rescue groups (fostering, adopting, volunteering, donating, writing a thank-you note, etc.) and shelters (help those folks keep animals safe by moving them out of the taxpayer financed facilities).
Each rescue group has a mission. The individual missions may not mesh in application or execution, but they all have the same ambition: SAVE THE ANIMALS.
And each shelter has different challenges -- population, budget, communication, need for rescue partners and other things. We won’t even bring up city hall’s indifferent politics toward animal issues. After all, our mission is to save the animals. Elected officials are on their own.

Speaking of elected officials who might not have the same priorities as animal people, Dallas Animal Services has two cats with fantastic faces available. On the left is, no kidding, Hello Kitty (A1021894), a 4-month-old girl, and the other dramatic cat is Smudge (A1021975), a female who may be a year old. Both can be seen online at dallasanimalservices.org.

That opening mugshot is, of course, not me. That is the far more handsome Earhound named Bubbles who we highlighted earlier in the week (thank you Tomi Ortiz!). Bubbles is available at the Lancaster Animal Shelter and you can go to the Furbabies of Lancaster Facebook page HERE.
And if someone has adopted Bubbles before you could get to him, Lancaster has plenty of other adoptables available. What? You need a good cat? Paige is waiting in Lancaster. Clearly is ready for work in front of the camera. May be a grad of the American Catamedy of Theatrics (ACT).

MEANWHILE IN RED OAK
Our tipster Laura Macias sends a reminder that these three dogs are moving closer and closer to the needle at the Red Oak Animal Shelter. We’ve told the story of Jamie the St. Bernard mix and Lady, the little mix -- they met while in stir at the shelter and bonded with each other. So, while the overall goal is to save their lives, the great gift to them would be to bring them into the same home. 
Then there’s JoJo, the Lab/Boxer mix, who “knows that she has been left” at this strange place that is not her home. She has no idea what’s going on.
To help any animal in Red Oak or Wilmer or any shelter that has low human traffic, email Laura at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.

DULE & FINLEY?

STILL NO TAKERS

Our persistent Denton tipster Amy Poskey says these two bonded dogs are still being ignored. “Come on y’all, we just have to save this precious twosome!!!  ... Dule & Finley have not been vetted, yet, but I did find out how much they weigh…  Dule weighs 38 lbs and Finley weighs 15.6 lb.  Sweet Dule needs us more than ever and she needs her BFF, Finley, to be with her as she heals!  They love each other so much!”
Remember, from our earlier edition, Dule has “some hair loss and a skin issue on her stomach,” so the vets are treating her and keeping Finley with her so everybody is as happy for as long as they can be in a shelter.
Here are the contact points: Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email Amy at [email protected] and, also, [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].


WAITING IN MESQUITE


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are several Mesquite dogs on the brink of disaster.
We got their info from the volunteer shelter monitor Judi Brown.
That first dog is Casper (37858004), a 6-month-old German Shepherd mix who came in as a stray on the 15th and, Judi writes, “is insecure and either chooses to retreat to a corner or clings to his human friend. He will hide between your legs or wrap his legs around you. He will even snuggle in your neck for comfort. He is extremely sweet and doesn’t show any signs of aggression. He warmed up to a couple in the laundry room. He clung to them but also loosened up and wagged his tail.”

We use these photos to demonstrate the Casper (a) is willing to sit on a couch, (b) will work for his keep by folding the laundry and (c) can simulate a “lap dog” even at 45 pounds.

To ask about him or any of these Mesquite animals, call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Other dogs Judi sent us:

Pebbles (37858191), a 15-pound, 3- or 4-year-old formerly stray Fox Terrier mix. Judi writes, “His melting brown eyes and stand up ears along with his shaggy look make him look like a little doll! He’s friendly and affectionate. He’s also very playful, energetic and fun loving.”

Rufus and Blanca are both on the Friday clock at Mesquite, Judi writes. They may be siblings. 
Rufus (37537632) and Blanca (37537608) were surrendered on February 6.
Judi writes, “Rufus is a sweet, timid guy that judging from the scars on his face, head, and body has had a hard life. He appears depressed. He spends his days laying at the back of his kennel. When he was taken to the yard, his mood seemed to lighten. ... was particularly interested in everything outside the gate.”
The very thin Blanca had a litter of pups, but her owners would only surrender the two adults because they “kept escaping.”
Judi say that “in addition to being adorable and very sweet, she’s also gentle and well-mannered” and seems to be missing her puppies. She weighs the thinnest 30 pounds you’ll ever see,
Nicolas (37858744) is a 4-year-old mix (Spaniel/Setter, they say) who came in as a stray. He’s got hazel eyes and is “extremely soft.” Walks well on a leash and “seems to like being held.” He’s short and weighs 27 pounds. 

Then there’s Cashew (37774655), a 4-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix who was a stray back on Feb. 5. Friendly, affectionate dog who “will jump on your lap and give your kisses.” Dances and barks to get attention. Weighs 16 pounds.

 Finally, today, we get to 2-year-old Pittie mix Pepsi (37813819), a 37-pound former stray who is “highly excitable when she thinks there’s a chance for attention.You can’t blame her as she seems to love everyone! However after romping in the yard and burning off some steam she settled down. Pepsi is a cute, relatively small Terrier Pit mix with a perky ears that match her perky personality.”

Plus, Judi writes, “She’s generous with kisses.”

Again, the Mesquite contact info is this: Call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: You see all these dogs? There are hundreds more in shelters all over North Texas. They’re on the clock. Hundreds more are in rescue groups that are filled to the brink with dogs and cats. Adopt from a rescue and you open up a spot to save a shelter dog. Adopt a shelter animal and you save that life and buy more time for other animals. In summation: Spay and neuter companion animals and preach the gospel of responsibility to the people who fall in the “don’t really care” category. Or, order the new 2018 Spring Training Model of the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment and swing away -- wait. That would be wrong. It might feel so right, but it would be wrong. So, remember, first save the animals, then lecture the offenders into submission. Can be a stern lecture, if that helps your conscience. You’ll have to help your conscience because these knuckleheads don’t have one.]
--- Check in later today for our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap: Joy In The Rainy Spell. ---

CABIN FEVER, SAVING CRITTERS AND CONTEMPLATING SEASONAL WEATHER

EDITION OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY. 23, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- How fed up with wet weather is your dog? Here’s what it was like Thursday morning as loud thunderstorms rolled over our neighborhood. 
The world’s most congenial Rottie, Texas Earl the Cheeseman (in a couch mugshot), grew weary of the storm and, at one point, was standing in the living room and barking up at the thunder. You haven’t enjoyed a tranquil morning until you’ve had the privilege of enduring a Rottweiller trying to out-bark Mother Nature. 

A couple of hours later, as a new storm came through, he left his usual morning place on his couch, trotted silently over to my desk and flopped down on the rug behind my chair. Didn’t bark. Smart dog figured he couldn’t silence a storm.

He might have tried to get into my lap, but it was already occupied by another individual fed up with the weather, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. She just needed to be hugged -- that was me typing with one hand while cuddling the world’s sweetest cat with the other. Former front porch feral kitten, you know.
Adores me and helps me edit now and then. Prefers to work on stories that mention her -- she says her lawyer told her to focus on those.

WAITING TO BE LOVED


[LARRY PRELUDE: You can see in our opening segment how much Readlarrypowell.com adores our dogs and cats. We’ve had Chihuahuas in our past -- two glorious rescues, the fawn-toned Belle Starr Carmelita del Vera Cruz, call name Vera, and the black and tan Rosie, so named because when I got her out of Kiest Park, she was so sick with mange that our vet at the time, Dr. Catherine Marr said, “Let’s call her Rosie -- because she doesn’t smell like one!” I tell you these things because I want you to know Readlarrypowell.com understands and appreciates Chihuahuas, like this guy Max.]

We learned about Max from Karen Lee, the relentless animal advocate with barkleyworld.com. The story begins with this subject line: “DFW Area! Family No Longer Wants Max!! He Needs a Family Who Does!”

He’s 2 and, the note reads, “A neighbor stepped in to keep him from ending up in the pound. He is nippy until he gets to know you. He is much too young for Pound Pals. If you can help Max please let me know and I can put you in touch with his caregiver.” (To help save Max by giving him a happy home, email [email protected].)


AND AT RED OAK,
CAESAR THE JRT
We’ve been pitching large dogs at the Red Oak Animal Shelter, but on the latest load of “please help” photographs, there was this dog, Caesar, described as a “middle-age Jack Russell.” 
We got his info from the people who are trying to help small shelters keep the inventory safely moving along, Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden.
The note reads, “This little cutie pie has some owners that apparently just do not have time for him and it's so sad to see a little guy that just wants love so very much, looking for someone to love him."
 Jack Russell Terriers have a great reputation for being loving and busy and fun. To offer to help him, i.e., save his life, email Laura at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.



THE DENTON DYNAMIC DUO:

TWO DOGS TO GO TOGETHER
Amy Poskey, our tipster for animals at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter, is working to get Dule and Finley adopted together. Her appeal introduces “this dynamic duo” and explains, “They were picked up together as strays and are very bonded. In fact, they were both scheduled to be vetted on Monday but Dule has some hair loss and a skin issue on her stomach so the vet staff decided it would be best to let that heal and clear up first. Therefore, not only did they delay Dule’s vetting but they delayed Finley’s vetting, too, cuz they are so bonded and keeping them together would be less stressful.
"That being said, we would like to find rescue for BOTH of these babies cuz we don’t want them to end up getting sick before they can be vetted.”
  
In the note, Amy continues that Dule is described as “a senior female Shepherd mix who loves her BFF, Finley, very much. They are bonded and stick close to one another. Precious Dule deserves a soft bed and lots of love! Look at that face! I just love this girl!.

"Finley is a 5-8-year-young male Schnauzer (mix?) who loves his pal Dule, and wants to be with her forever. He also gets along with other pooches but he prefers to be with Dule. You will love this boy. What a cutie pie!”

[LARRY ASIDE: You see individual photos and you also see that two-dog photo which I chose to run because it indicates there was once a sunny day in North Texas. Be a sunny day when this pair gets saved, too.]
Here are the contact points: Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email Amy at [email protected] and, also, [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].


CONTEMPLATIONS:
POSSIBLY THE RESULT OF CABIN FEVER

OR SOGGY BRAIN SYNDROME
Seriously, what Texan is accustomed to this much rain? Good thing it’s not falling in August -- this place would be like a sauna. ... I’ll never forget that first edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac in 1792 -- bought it in the lobby of Ye Olde Dallas Publick Occurrences, the publication that operated a block from Pilgrim’s Dock on the Trinity River -- Dallas has always been hopeful when it comes to getting an early handle on development. And, if you’re planning ahead, summer gets to Texas at 5:07 a.m. on June 21 and autumn gets to the Lone Star State at 8:54 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, a week before the State Fair opens, meaning that the entire fair will take place within the fall! And that means, of course, we’ll all be wearing our traditional autumnal clothing of sweaters and -- hang on. Let’s check that forecast for September 28. Ah, this AccuWeather site, using Celsius, predicts a high of 29 and a low of 18. And, of course, in real North American temps, that’s 82 and 66. Yep, perfect weather for Dallas. Of course, that’s also seven months away. By the time we get to 29c, that may feel quite cool in Big D. ... If it ever stops raining, I’m going to have to mow the yard, unless all the water has killed the emerging green weeds. On second thought, I’m almost certain there is nothing that can kill The Weeds of Texas, which I believe was a sequel song to Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds. Again, I’m writing this while enduring Cabin Fever -- it is in all our best interests for me to stop now and concentrate on the next edition. Here’s an APPROPRIATE SONG. (Sorry about the ad that plays first.) Heard this song long before I encountered The Dude. In the meantime, everybody abide.
--- TO COMMENT, DRY OFF YOUR GALOSHESMOUSE AND CLICK BELOW. ---

THE FOUND, THE LOST, THE AVAILABLE; PLUS NOTES FROM HERE, THERE AND IN BETWEEN

EDITION OF THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Can you get cabin fever if you’re not in a cabin? Yes. Symptoms? Grumpy, unable to sleep because of too much napping and you’ll repeat this curse over and over: “There’s not a thing on TV.”
Cheered up? Good. Now, let’s take the positive energy we have and try to save some animals. Try to help some people find their missing animals. Try to help some people who are helping animals.
That cat? Kind of looks as if he might be tired of lousy weather. 
That is Al, a resident of Dallas Animal Services since January 5. We feature him before and we’re featuring him again because it is astonishing that he hasn’t been adopted. Look at him? Can you get more handsome? And, unlike so many fertile individuals in Dallas, he’s ALREADY FIXED. (He’s at the DAS PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road -- I think you can see the aurora borealis from there. His # is A1018346.


UPDATE FROM WEDNESDAY PM EDITION

See this dog? Here was her description in the early afternoon on Wednesday: “She surely had a name at some point, but it may have been lost to history -- this 4-year-old ‘female Bully x’ has been in the [Big Spring] shelter since December. Why so long? ‘Part of a cruelty case,’ according to the Big Spring Animal Rescue Network
Our veteran animal tipster Amy Poskey, usually on the Denton Shelter beat, reports that “this sweetie pie has been tagged by Pets in Distress Rescue. YAY!!!” The links to the South Florida rescue are petsindistressfl.org and, on Facebook, click HERE.


GALT’S GREYT FUNDRAISER IS SATURDAY
You can still get tickets to this annual Greyhound Adoption League of Texas fundraiser, the Greyt Retired Athletes Dinner and Auction at III Forks restaurant -- it’s at 6 p.m. Saturday. (Tickets at galtx.org.)
 Fittingly, this is a photo of Joanie Depp, an available adoptable at GALT and, yes, a former athlete, a racing hound who is now retired.

Guest speaker at the Greyt event will be Brad Sham, the longtime radio voice of the Dallas Cowboys. Local sports anchor Brady Tinker of DFW Sports Beat on kTXD is the evening’s emcee. Among the scheduled guests is the actor Burton Gilliam -- his many big screen appearances include roles in Blazing Saddles, as the head of the Flying Elvises-Utah Chapter in Honeymoon in Vegas, Floyd the hotel desk clerk in the classic Paper Moon and as Lester, one of the cowboy actors in a favorite readlarrypowell.com movie Hearts of the West.
Why support GALT? Since it was founded i w2001, it has “assisted more than 3,200 Greyhounds and sight hounds in finding their forever homes.” They don’t all arrive healthy at GALT, so this fundraiser helps pay for the medical care and feeding. For more info, go to www.galtx.org or call 972-503-GALT.


CAT UPDATE & DOG NEWS
Remember the note about Beth, the one-eyed cat at the Red Oak Animal Shelter? Needed immediate vet attention? Good things happen, reports our tipster Laura Macias. Bengal Cat Rescue has claimed Beth. To offer to help with medical bills or to adopt or foster, here’s the contact: [email protected].

 In the meantime, this girl JoJo, a Lab/Boxer mix, waits for someone to love her. The bio reads that the 3- or 4-year-old dog is an owner release and that “you can look into those big sweet eyes, and immediately see that she just knows she has been left ... It is truly heartbreaking.  Anyone that does not think these adult dogs know, yes, they absolutely know. You can see the sadness in their eyes, because all dogs really want is just to be loved.  please, she is a really sweet, very loving girl that just so much deserves someone that will truly love her forever.
The contact points are Laura at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.

Don’t forget, the shelter also has these two dogs that met up and bonded after each came into the shelter -- Jamie is the St. Bernard mix and Lady is the multi-mix girl. Rescue any animal from the shelter and you'll be helping other animals there live longer.

MISSING FROM GARLAND HOME
This is Kimber, a year-old Black Lab who went missing on February 8 from Karen Wilkerson’s home near Centerville and Northwest Highway in Garland (Zip 75043). Karen’s looking for places to look for her dog. Maybe someone knows a shelter that has her or, perhaps, the dog’s whereabouts. Karen, at work when the dog vanished, wrote, “There have been several dog thefts in our neighborhood, but we have no evidence. We have had her since birth. She’s got a shiny black coat with white on her chest and beautiful brown eyes.

“We recently had her spayed so she should still have fresh healing stitches with a small area of shaved hair on her tummy. She’s long and lanky and very shy...”

Here are the contact points: 214-815-4419 or 214-962-7344 or email [email protected] or [email protected].


MISSING CAT IN ATHENS

Connie Griffith, who lives in Athens (behind the Athens State Bank) sent a note to Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake about this missing cat Gatsby. Sydney forwarded the note to us and we got in touch with Connie who says Gatsby, an indoor/outdoor fellow ”went out Friday night and never came back. He always comes back scratching at the door within an hour.” 
He vanished before the storms arrived. “We are putting food out for him,” Connie says. 
Gatsby was last seen wearing a green and blue collar. The only white marking on him is a small spot under his neck. If you know Gatsby’s whereabouts, email [email protected].

LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR GIGI
At first glance you’d think this sleeping dog would not be needing a home. But, as happens in the animal world, sometimes there’s a conflict with other animals in the household.
Thus, Jill Sparling is trying to find a new home for this dog she loves, Gigi, a 50-pounds-plus “Airdoodle,” a mix of an Airdale and Standard Poodle. (We got involved because Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, got the note and forwarded it.)
 Jill describes Gigi as a “precious, sweet, loving, energetic, intelligent, hypoallergenic, ball of fur” who generally gets along with the other dogs in the house -- but she has had her bad moments with 24-pound Cooper, a Poodle/Tibetan Terrier mix.
They find themselves at odds increasingly and it’s unsettling to the household and the human heart. [LARRY ASIDE: We’ve seen this sort of thing in person in our rescue years -- one moment everyone is happy, the next two are unpleasantly at odds. It is up to the humans to do something to help both dogs feel safer. Bless Jill’s heart for taking this step.]
 The bottom line is, Jill says, “Gigi deserves to be loved for the rest of her life.”
 To ask about taking in the year-and-a-half old dog, email [email protected] or call or text 214-693-4133. “I am happy to provide you ANY info you need on Gigi to help ensure that she finds a very loving, fur-ever home.”
Yes, that's Gigi posing with a sign that reads "INSPIRE." Perhaps she'll inspire someone to give her that quiet, loving home she deserves.

DON'T FORGET BUBBLES
This is Bubbles stacking, as they say in dogshow business. He was featured in Wednesday's PM edition. Thanks to our pal Tomi Ortiz, who monitors the Furbabies of Lancaster site, we know about this great dog's availability. (Get the details on how to adopt this adored dog by scrollng down to our earlier edition.)

CONTEMPLATIONS: Just for fun, click HERE to see Nicholas Cage and Burton Gilliam in the famous scene with the Flying Elvises - Utah Chapter. ... I wrote a note earlier in the week about this fall’s State Fair of Texas theme and then walked into a store to see the Valentine’s decorations coming down and the Christmas decorations going up. I’m kidding. Halloween. I’m kidding again. Now they’re trying to sell spring and summer stuff -- summer’s coming you know. It’s that time of the year when everything is dry and hot. Honest. It won't always be cold and rainy in Dallas. ... The Big Paper Downtown published an interesting article reminding us that Billy Graham was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Dallas. Click HERE  to read former Graham spokesman Larry Ross’ report on the relationship between Rev. Graham and Big D. Why is that story important? It reminds people who weren’t born yet or who hadn’t moved to town yet that Dallas wasn’t always just a town trying to land the Amazon headquarters.
--- To comment, think of people you now who need good dogs or cats in their lives, grip your CritterLoveMouse and click sincerely below. ---