ReadLarryPowell.com

SPCA/BALCH SPRINGS SEIZURE; BEAR IN MESQUITE; AND VIOLET'S CONTEMPLATION

EDITION OF FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2018 [PetPowellPress] Show of hands, please. How many people were stunned to learn that comedians say outrageous things that are stupid and that nobody is off limits? In this edition of Readlarrypowell.com, we’ll exercise civility. 

So, let’s proceed, though it’ll be tough to be civil about this first item. 

You’ll regain your civility, but you may lose some tears when you read our special Contemplation about a dog named Violet (that's her mugshot from 2016). Save her story for last. And be sure to let people know they can help animals mentioned in this edition. The words of Violet's foster may inspire you to help.

ONE-O-SEVEN: THE NEXT TOTAL

ON THE SPCA SEIZURE BOARD
Here’s what happened Thursday in Balch Springs, one of the little cities on the southeastern side of Dallas. Call it a repeat of a previous incident. 
The SPCA of Texas and Balch Springs Animal Services seized 107 “cruelly treated animals.” The SPCA and animal services were performing the seizure “under the authority of the Balch Springs Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney's Office's Animal Cruelty Unit.”
The news release reads, “The SPCA of Texas previously seized 156 cruelly treated animals from the same property on August 26, 2015. ... The owner was charged and pleaded guilty to cruelty to non-livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor.”

So, in 2018, this very week, accord- ing to an SPCA news release, the 107 animals recovered included 57 cats, 36 kittens, 11 dogs, two deceased cats and one dove.” Also, the release said, “The live animals were transported to the SPCA of Texas' Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas, where they will be cared for and evaluated by medical staff before a custody hearing takes place. Necropsies will be performed on the deceased cats to determine causes of death.”
One of the cats was being kept in a sealed glass fish bowl. See more photos of the animals and the situation HERE.

Custody hearing? You bet: 11 a.m. Thursday, June 7, in the court of Precinct 1, Place 2 Justice of the Peace Valencia Nash at the Dallas County Government Center, 107 Texas Street, in Lancaster.
 And this sentence: “Criminal charges are expected to be filed in this case.”

[LARRY ASIDE: You can donate to the SPCA’s cruelty investigatons and to the welfare of recovered animals by going to spca.org.]

WHO KNOWS HOW
THIS CAN HAPPEN?

There are two mysteries at work with this dog. First, how can such a dog -- looks like a Lab -- be named “Bear” and, more importantly, is there someone who can step up before 10 a.m. Friday and save him from the notorious Mesquite Animal Services Code Red list? Our volunteer Mesquite tipster Judi brown writes, “Bear was surrendered on 5/29 due to behavioral issues, but his surrender papers didn’t say what these issues were. It did say he’s afraid of men. When initially approached by Shelter staff, he got his shackles up. By the time I interacted with him later in the day, he had had time to decompress. He was fearful at first, and then became cautiously friendly. When he got into the yard he relaxed even more and started wagging his tail. He would come to me to be petted.

“He does flinch when you reach for his head. His previous owners said he likes to cuddle. They also said he knows how to sit, lay down, shake, and speak. There is a gorgeous boy with a glossy black coat. When introduced to another dog in the hall they just smelled each other. No aggression was shown. When introduced to a cat in a cage he actually wagged his tail.”

The shelter had to guess Bear’s weight at about 70 pounds. Why? “ He was afraid of the scale and wouldn’t get on it. “ 
Use Bear’s ID 38691852 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: Bear isn’t the only dog on a fast clock at Mesquite. Google the shelter and look the inventory. Adoption, fostering and rescuing save lives. But, then, so will not dumping the dog you said you’d love forever.]

FORT WORTH’S CROWDED SHELTER
NEED SOME KIND-HEARTED HUMANS
(DALLAS' SHELTER IS FULL, TOO!)
Earlier in the week we posted a note about Fort Worth Animal Care and Control issuing and appeal for help because the shelter has too many animals and not enough space. This crisis is continuing. You can see the animals that need help by going to this site:
http://fortworthtexas.gov/animals/. You can also see how to rescue or adopt or foster.
We picked out a few of the current Cowtown critters:
Consider that fabulous face on Macie (36573298), a Pittie mix, about 3, who is described as “brindle gray.”

Then there’s little Chili, one of a few small dogs in a sea of big Pitties and other large dogs. Chili (38517025) is a Rat Terrier fellow who is neutered and, the shelter site says, “10 years, 22 days old.” That precision might indicate that someone who knew Chili from birth dumped him at the shelter. In his photo, he’s clearly not all that happy. 
Adopt a dog for $49.
KIttens and cats? Got a bunch. Adopt any cat for $25. This guy is labeled Kitten 6 and her number is 38610719. She’s a month and two days old, the shelter says. And she is “small.” But she has potential to be big in the heart of a human.
AND SEE DALLASANIMALSERVICES.ORG to help Dallas place a tremendous load of dogs and cats. SPAY AND NEUTER -- Dallas is too fertile to go unfixed!.

CONTEMPLATION:

VIOLET, THE ‘OLD STRAY’
WHO FOUND LOVE IN HER LIFE
We tell a lot of stories at readlarrypowell.com about dogs and cats that need someone to help them survive. Now and then it is a blessing to read a story of an animal who has been saved and lived to touch hearts. 
That is the case of Violet, a dog we learned about from Alex- andra Kelsey, our long- time Hous- ton tipster, who wrote, “I loved her from my brief meeting with her, and she had an enormous impact on her foster. Violet was something. For a girl from Badtown, she had so many fans.”

Here is Violet’s touching story by guest writer Alexandra:
“Violet was an incredibly special dog.  She touched the lives of all who met her, and her journey here was much too short. 

“Violet was a stray dog in the Third Ward who ended up at BARC (Houston’s animal services) in December 2016.  She was around 10 when she went to the shelter, where she was tagged by Sharon Rode and Save Our Strays.

“The next part of her life, after going to be fostered in a wonderful home, packed in the kind of love she should have had for the prior t0 years.
“On December 31, 2016, Steve Halpert wrote that Jason Leavitt, a long-time Friends of BARC board member, said that in his 10 years of going to BARC, no dog had affected him as Violet did. That’s an amazing comment….and Violet really was that wonderful.  I had the privilege of a brief meeting when I gave her a ride to her foster dad, and I was captivated.

“The dad, who didn’t want any publicity, loved Violet dearly, and he did so many great things with her, including trips to the beach and participating in the Humane Society Fun Run (a trip which, thanks to a detour for treats for Violet, resulted in the serendipitous meeting of a stray dog who now has an amazing home).

“On May 29, 2017, Violet’s wonderful life ended due to a sudden medical issue.  Yet, she lives on as an inspiration to her foster’s rescue work. 
"He said about Violet, ‘All of my rescue work for the rest of my life will be part of her legacy, her death has to mean more than just a homeless dog that passed my way for a brief time.  I want every dog that comes my way to live the life she should have had.’ ”
-- TO OFFER AN OPINION OR AN APPRECIATION, CLICK ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW. ---

WHAT A GREAT SEASON TO GET DOGS AND CATS! PLUS, NOTES, REV. IKE & A BIRTHDAY WISH

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Last day of May. End of the 5th month. The temps are nudging toward 100, so I guess that means we’re nearly done with Spring, which, The Old Farmer’s Almanac (founded in 1792) says doesn’t actually end until June 21 at 5:07 a.m Dallas time -- yes, when Summer arrives.

More later from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

In the meantime, we’ll explain these photographs. The SPCA of Texas makes a lot of headlines by saving animals from horrible conditions. All the while, the SPCA is quietly saving less-threatened animals by adopting them into loving conditions.
As May is coming to an end, we decided to look at the SPCA online inventory and found that genuine Earhound. She is Lady, a Beagle/Shepherd mix and I think you can see how one ear favors the Beagle side and the other the Shepherd side of her family tree. Lady is #161028, almost 2 years old and medium-sized. Perfect for co-sitting on a couch and watching TV or just having a conversation.
The Beagle side and the Shepherd side may express themselves differently -- hope someone adopts her soon and let’s us know.

You see next these beautiful kittens -- 4 months old, from the same litter surrendered to the SPCA. I picked them to show off because their names may bring thoughts of cool weather to you. These cool cats appear to be nearly identical -- the black nose is the main difference between Mistletoe (163908) and sibling Wreath (#163909). Yes, Mistletoe and Wreath -- can’t you feel the temps dropping already? (Go to spca.org to see these and other animals, how to adopt them and where to see them.)

[LARRY ASIDE: Remember, when you adopt from the SPCA, you free up space in the shelter that might house a rescued animals, a seized animal, a surrendered animal or a dedicated critter writer who dreams of taking afternoon naps in the SPCA’s cat room.]

ONE MORE SPCA NOTE:
A CRUELTY INVESTIGATION
Earlier this week we reported on the outrage regarding a dog found shot to death on Dowdy Ferry Road. That dog, Titan, had recently been adopted from Garland Animal Services and now he was dead, found in an area that is notorious for such behavior and other horrible fates of animals.

What’s the status of this incident? We checked with the SPCA’s Vice President of Communication Maura Davies. Keep in mind this is an active investigation and facts are in the process of becoming guarded evidence in case there’s a need to go to trial. [LARRY ASIDE: Let’s hope for that!]

Maura reports, “The SPCA of Texas received a call from Dallas Animal Services late on Saturday evening (May 26) regarding a deceased dog with a possible gunshot wound/wounds, picked up by Dallas Animal Services from Dowdy Ferry Road. During that call, the SPCA of Texas confirmed that we would pick up the deceased dog from Dallas Animal Services on Tuesday morning (May 29) to perform a necropsy. We are actively investigating this case. Right now, to maintain the integrity of the case, those are the only details we can share.”

[LARRY ASIDE: This case has brought about a huge response on Facebook -- many posts are cries for justice and some are cries for revenge. Having covered lots of criminal trials in my journalism career, I have come to see justice as sweet revenge. Law and order, you know?]

HELPING ETEX KITTENS
Marie Garza, who makes appeals for animals in East Texas, sent a note about some kittens in a fix. She writes, “This young lady came to me and asked me if I could help these 3 kittens!  The momma to these kittens died so the young lady took them so they could nurse from a momma cat that took them right in!  But now they are sick and their eyes are infected!  They need vet care STAT!!!”

The cats got vet help Tuesday and are in need of rescue -- donations amounted to “$30 and the bill was $110 yesterday,” Marie reported Wednesday. She says people can donate to the gofundme campaign HERE or to the Marie Garza Account at the Animal Medical Center in Carthage at 903-693-7166.
Email Marie at [email protected] to volunteer to help with animals.


AN ETEX DOG
WITH A BRIT BACKGROUND
This was forwarded to us by Sydney Busch who, in her role as a mainstay at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, comes across many please-help-this-animal situations.

MICK’S TALE came to Sydney via Carrie Evans who wrote, “This little guy, Mick, needs a home. He’s a 1-year-old (if that) Cardigan Corgi that belonged to some people I know but because he acted like a puppy, which he is, they decided to get rid of him. (He chewed up a charcoal bag, a couple of beach toys etc. Nothing bad)
“We have 6 dogs already so keeping his would be tough. ... He is great with kids and gets along great with our other dogs which are 10 pounds-150 pounds. He has not been aggressive whatsoever. He is still intact but we would be willing to help with that just to be able to find him a good home.” (To ask about Mick, call 903-286-2668 or email [email protected].
[REMINDER: You can read about Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake online HERE and see how to donate, volunteer or somehow get engaged in supporting the organization’s important work at the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic, regarded here as the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas. Follow ‘em on Facebook, too.  FYI: The Friends’ next “Saturday Shot Clinic” is 10 a.m. to noon on June 9. Go to the website for details.]
CONTEMPLATIONS

GARDENING, REV. IKE & ...
When I opened The Old Farmer’s Almanac website to check on the date Spring ends and Summer starts, I also got a promotion that reads: “FREE BEGINNERS GARDEN GUIDE / STARTING A VEGETABLE GARDEN & RAISING CHICKENS / Your complete guide on how to grow a vegetable garden—PLUS, a 4-season guide to raising chickens!” I have enough trouble trying to raise pumpkins every year. On a related topic, I have no idea how you spay/neuter chickens to cut down on the number of free-roaming fowl in the neighborhood. They probably breed with the efficiency of Dallas' feral cats. I’m kidding about that “spay/neuter chickens” but, this is Dallas, the most fertile city in North America. It wouldn’t surprise me to find wandering flocks led by mean roosters menacing the slower walkers on the track at Kiest Park. I’m only kind of kidding about that. ... When I heard a radio news story about evangelist Jesse Duplantis asking his supporters to help him get $54 million so he could Buy a Dassault Falcon 7/X private jet, I immediately thought of my favorite TV preacher from the past, the Rev. Ike, a pioneer in the field of “Prosperity Theology.” The Rev. Ike was up front. Here are two quotes: “God doesn’t want you to have your pie-in-the-sky, by and by, when you die. He wants you to have it now with a cherry on top!” [LARRY ASIDE: I’m kind of hoping to earn it for the Hereafter -- I already fill out enough IRS forms.] And, this may be my fave Rev. Ike quote: “The best thing you can do for the poor is not be one of them.” ... Oh, and one more note: Happy 92nd birthday Mrs. J.C. “Pearl” Powell in Texarkana, Texas. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Powell prefers to be recognized not as her son’s mom but as the grandmother of Bret and Bart and Aaron and Lewis and the great-grandmother of Hannah Rose, Emily Grace and Connor “Crash” Powell. It’s her birthday -- she gets what she wants.
--- GRIP YOUR WELL-FUNDEDMOUSE AND CLICK ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW TO LEAVE ADVICE ON HOW TO GET RICH OR HOW TO BE CALM ABOUT PLAYING TO A FINANCIAL TIE. ---

A POWER MOMENT, SOME GREAT ANIMALS, GREYHOUND FUN & CONTEMPLATING FOOD

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2018 [PetPowellPress] I'll explain this handsome dog in just a second. About 2 minutes until 1 p.m. Tuesday, our house was hit by a one-second power failure. Lights went off, the TV shut down, the computer went dark and -- to my personal horror -- the air-conditioner stopped. I had a lot of thoughts in that one second -- didn’t occur to me that the power failure might have been a reaction to a national computer power drain caused by vigorous reactions to Roseanne's unfortunate tweet. [LARRY ASIDE: Did anybody run her through concussion protocols before they let her tweet?] 

Fortunately, at our house, everything electric was quickly operating again -- but don’t think I didn’t rush to an A/C vent to make sure it was still “blowing cold.” 
I’m writing this while wearing a favorite winter hoodie. Not to jinx our AC.

That dog? Well, just because Roseanne and some folks at ABC might have had a bad day, that doesn’t mean Bruce the Rottweiler (1021243) should have one. He’s available at Dallas Animal Services -- see him online HERE. He’s about 3 and has been at the shelter since May 14. [LARRY ASIDE: We have a Rottie and because of our boy Earl, I’m endorsing Bruce. If he’s only slightly like Earl, he’ll be a great family companion.]

ONE CAT WITH ALLURE
While doing some Tuesday research, I ran across a posting on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page about this cat Kishan (1029824). When you watch his video, which I hope you’ll do, you’ll think at first that the staffer who's petting him may think she’s the one who is charming the other. But anybody whose been around a cat knows that this 4-year-old guy is not being charmed, he’s doing the charming! He’s set the tone, set the trap and sprung it by pretending to hide in a corner. You can see him at the big city shelter at Westmoreland and I-30. Call the shelter at 214-670-6800. Here’s Kishan’s VIDEO OF AFFECTION.

GREYHOUND PEOPLE STAY BUSY
Whoa. Two things coming up for people who adore Greyhounds and also for people who might want to adopt one of these great dogs.
(1) On June 9 (6 p.m.-10p.m.) Greyhound Adoption League of Texas present its Havana Nights Summer Gala at the Magnolia Terrace in Frisco. Tickets are $75 (click HERE to reserve a spot and see the event’s auction attractions and other features.)

(2) The next day -- yep, early on the 10th -- GALT will be participating in the annual Great Global Greyhound Walk, the annual dog-walking event that, the news release reads, “brings together Greyhounds, lurchers, other sighthounds and their owners to raise awareness of the breeds and show the public just what wonderful pets they make.” Gather at the Botanical Gardens in Grapevine between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
GALT’s Austin Walkers will be at Lake Pflugerville Park and in Albuquerque, the walkers and the dogs gather at Hyder Park between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. New Mexico time. [LARRY ASIDE: No Greyhound has ever successfully pronounced or spelled Plugerville or Albuquerque.]
Read more about GALT and it’s events and it’s dogs by going to the eNews! HERE. And you can see how many Greyhound Walks there are around the world by going to this site and seeing it’s map.
And, if you need a Greyhound to accompany you to the Walk, you can go to galtx.org and see this beautiful brindle dog and many others who are available. This girl is a retired racing dog, Impala, named after a really swift African antelope, but, relax, Impala's not going to drag you through the botanical gardens -- remember, she's RETIRED.


A FAMILY FIGHT GETS
2 DOGS ON DEATH ROW
We get the story on these sibling Blue Healer/Retriever mixes from Judi Brown, our Mesquite Animal Shelter tipster. They’re both “in bite quarantine,” Judi reports

“Here’s the story,” she writes, “The owners put their food bowls down too close to each other. They got into a fight and when the daughter tried to break it up, she got bit. Since the owners didn’t know which one was the culprit, both were brought in and neither were reclaimed.”

There you have it. Human error.

Hershey(left) is (38507566). Both of these two-year-old dogs are skittish in the shelter situation, Judi says. But they are both also well-mannered and “offer their paws.” Hershey weighs 45 pounds and Domino (38507556) weighs 50 pounds.

The bottom line is that no matter how mannerly they are or how well they get along when they aren’t served improperly or no matter how beautiful they are, they’re still two big dogs on the clock at the Mesquite shelter. 
To offer to save their lives, call the shelter at 972–216-6283 or email [email protected]

A SPAY AND NEUTER NOTE

Spotted this Spay and Neuter Network announcement on the organization’s Facebook site. It supports the Readlarrypowell.com theory that Dallas is the most fertile city in North America. 
Here’s the deal for June 6, 20 and 27: “FREE FIX for DALLAS dogs and cats in the zip codes below!
"Includes FREE Rabies shot, Parvo shot & Microchip! Surgery transport picks up at Singing Hills Recreation, 1909 Crouch Rd, Dallas 75241.

"Qualifying zip codes: 75116, 75134, 75203, 75207, 75208, 75210, 75211, 75212, 75215, 75216, 75217, 75223, 75224, 75226, 75227, 75228, 75232, 75233, 75236, 75237, 75241, 75249, 75253. Select the Dallas Special at checkout. "Residents who live outside these zip codes will be charged the regular affordable rates after surgery. A $20 deposit is required to make an appointment. Deposits are refunded after surgery.”
 Get other details and make appointments at spayneuternet.org.

CONTEMPLATIONS

FOODS AND DECLARATIONS
The “PB&J” is interpreted as “peanut butter and jelly” but how many of you’d rather have peanut butter and preserves? Strawberry, for example, or apricot. Maybe even peach. And do you want smooth or crunchy peanut butter. On what kind of bread. At the start of this note, you thought “PB&J” was an easy thing. Decisions, decisions. I like smooth peanut butter on a salt-free cracker with a half-spoon of sugar-free orange marmalade. Mmmmmm. ... As long as we’re on food, anybody reading this ever eat at Gonzalez on Jefferson in Oak Cliff? The warm salsa is great; the “salsa fresca” is magnificent. We're declaring that the best french fries in Dallas can be had at Gonzalez. Hand-sliced, not factory machine-created. ... Speaking of food, in which of these Texas cities is it more difficult to diet: Dallas, Fort Worth or Brenham (home of Blue Bell). I’d add Arlington, but the prices at the ball park and the football field, nobody’s puttin’ on weight but the owners.
--- Grip your Calorie-watchingMouse and click slimly on comment below. ---

FOR TUESDAY: COMPOST, CATS, DOGS AND CRITTER CONVERSATION

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018 (PetPowellPress) We’ve reached a key holiday in the United States, created by Holiday Insights in 2011. Many of you are ahead of us on this, but, to enlighten the rest, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day. Has nothing to do with Washington, D.C. The official dish of the day is a Spinach & Mushroom Salad. You can’t make this stuff up, though, of course, Holiday Insights appears to have done so and who can't applaud Compost Day, eh? Oh, and on this date in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Mount Everest, the highest place on earth.
 That cat? Has nothing to do with either Compost Day or the conquering of Mount Everest. That is Meg and in case you saw her photo in any of the weekend appeals to help her find a home, she now has a home. Tipster Leighann Hayden reports that this blue-eyed lap cat was adopted over the weekend at Collin County Animal Services in McKinney.
The Collin County Cat with the “Hey, you adopted somebody else ahead of me?” look is #20082OS, a 3-year-old fellow who’s available at Collin County HERE.Email the shelter at [email protected] or call 972-547-7292.
 Leighann wrote, “They are extremely full with kitties at CCAS. Saw lots of cute baby kittens there.”

SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS
TO SAVE COCKER SPANIELS
The Sixth Annual Dogleg Classic is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Fort Worth --- the event supports the work of DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue. Entry fee for a team is $360; an individual can play for $90.
Register online HERE.
The rescue group also needs volunteers -- you don’t have to be a golfer, just a diligent worker for animals. To ask how you can help, email [email protected] . The Dogleg Classic has a shotgun start at 1 p.m. -- volunteers will start working earlier than that!

FYI: Among the available adorables through DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue is that handsome fellow Captain Casper, a recent rescue. He’s neutered, house-trained and six years old. The rescue group brings in young dogs and older dogs and sometimes there’ll even be Cocker mixes. All are in need of some love. Go to dfwcockerrescue.org.
[LARRY ASIDE. At readlarrypowell.com, we endorse Cocker Spaniels as the perfect companions companions -- not just the perfect dog or pet, but the perfect being for companionship on this planet. We base this factual opinion on a long and successful partnership with the late Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, Inky, a mange-afflicted Cocker puppy I rescued from Kiest Park. That is Inky, our staff impersonator, from our archives, demonstrating his impression of a golfer rushing into the clubhouse and spotting, on the post tournament buffet table, a giant steaming platter of Mom’s Big Club Meatloaf with Ace Gravy, accompanied by Angry Putter-Mashed Potatoes and In-The-Rough-Green Salad. Dessert? It’s Golf. Enjoy the Humble Pie.]

THE CURIOUS CASE OF TITAN,
 A DOWDY FERRY CASUALTY
Over the weekend, outrage began to build over the fate of Titan. According to a post on the Facebook page of animal advocate Emily Speck, this dog was owner-surrendered at the Garland shelter on March 9, adopted on May 25 and “found shot to death on Dowdy Ferry Road 5/26.”
Here’s a link to the Speck PAGE.
And here are links to two videos with Jeremy Boss of the Dowdy Ferry Animal Commission who, apparently, received a bit of a “taunting call” about where to find the dog’s body. Video ONE  and  Video TWO.
[LARRY ASIDE: One of the comments reacting to the Speck post said there are people who adopt Pitties just to kill them. Snopes.com, the fact-checking people, have declared this to be a myth.  Still, it is not beyond the possibility that people get dogs from shelters and use them as bait dogs for training fighting dogs and when the adopted former pet won’t fight, he or she is killed. Remember how quarterback-now-broadcaster I won’t watch Michael Vick dispatched dogs at his felonious training facility. He isn’t the only dog-fighting felon who eliminated overhead by murdering dogs.]

THE CROWD IN COWTOWN
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control issued a weekend appeal to rescuers and partners for help with uncrowding the shelter. The note from the shelter’s Kim Fredericks read, “Like many shelters in the north Texas area, we find ourselves at-or-near capacity more and more these days. We always want to thank you for your outstanding support of our animals. Your willingness to rescue pets from our shelter has helped us maintain an incredible live release rate of 85%-92% for more than two years.
“We're in need of your immediate help once again. We are full. Check out the dogs who need the most help courtesy of our partner Urgent Animals of Fort Worth.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I was looking at the available animals in Fort Worth and saw this very pig-like photo of Boss. Enchanted me right away and that’s why Boss’ photo is advertising the need for human help at the animal shelter in Cowtown.]

LOADING UP AGAIN IN WILMER

These are a couple of the several dogs in a fix in Wilmer’s small shelter, according to the latest report from the folks monitoring the low- traffic muni- cipal shelters on the south- ern side of Dallas.
Alia is the “sweetie pie” Border Collie mix who has “clearly been out and about” but now is in a shelter that will be happy to adopt her out or get her to a rescue while reserving the possibility of giving her the needle.
Same thing with that Hound/Pointer mix Laurel. The report is Alia and Laurel “are currently in the same kennel and seem to love each other.”
To get involved in saving the lives of these or other Wilmer animals, contact Laura Macias at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.

TWO TO GO IN MESQUITE

Yep, dealing in pairs in Mesquite again. These two were strays who came in on May 22. Our Mesquite tipster Judi Brown writes, :The issue is they were and still are scared -- and the ACO had to use a pole to capture them.”

They are mono-coated Huey, a 3-year-old Chiweenie (38633511), and Dewey (38633503), described as a 1- or 2-year-old “Chihuahua/Corgi mix” who may be his son. Huey may have the “beginning of a cherry eye.” He weighs 19 pounds. Dewey weighs 16 pounds. While he may be timid and scared, Judi writes, “He seems to like to be held.”
To ask about adopting these fellows, call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS:
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ANIMALS
When you are congenial humans and you live with animals, youe conversationa may occasionally focus on the companion animals who are, indeed, the family. We’ve been raising this abandoned kitten Simon. We got him when he was about a month old, bottle-fed him and now he’s growing into a giant white cat with “flamepoint” ears and a tail with reddish rings. He did not learn much from his mom, so we’ve been his examples. No known connection to living with us, but this cat eats shredded lettuce and, now and then, spinach. “He might be part rabbit,” I said to my Funspouse Martha who replied, “That would explain his shape.” ... Being a keen observer of changes in my environment, I saw something different about our boy Dudley and asked, “Where’d Dudley get the new collar?” “Mail order,” Martha replied. “How’d you now what size to buy?” I asked. “I measured his neck,” she said. I asked “How big was it?” and she replied, “Nineteen.” “Oh,” I said helpfully, “He can wear some of my old shirts.” We’ll see. ... And you may wonder what is going on in this photo with my breakfast bowl, the paper napkin and the cat. Here’s the deal: I fixed a breakfast omelet of Eggbeaters, faux sausage, minced onion, milled flax seeds and jalapeno slices. Then I shook a tablespoon of ground parmesan and sprinkled it all over the omelet. I ate the omelet and there was a good coating of cheese on the bottom of the bowl. As I was writing, The Senator stepped off his table, nudged the napkin aside and began to lick the cheese off the bowl. It turns out he is a cat who loves parmesan cheese. We’ve experimented. He can’t resist it. I know the feeling. We think he developed the taste for cheese while he was an intern at a Washington boutique haberdashery with sohisticated snacks --the name of the place is The Many Moods of Cheese ‘n’ Pants.
--- Aim your SmartMouse at “comment” below and type a reply, some advice or the next set of six lucky Lotto Texas numbers. I need a break. ---

FOR MEMORIAL DAY, GRATITUDE

EDITION OF MONDAY, MAY 28, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- For Memorial Day, 2018, some personal thoughts focusing on the lives, ambitions and rights of Americans.
This is the last day of a three-day holiday for Americans -- movies, parties, days at lakes and beaches, naps at home, other family activities, shopping Memorial Day sales and, especially for some, visits to gravesites.
 Why gravesites? Because Memorial Day is not a “holiday,” it is a day of commemoration, loss and gratitude. 
And, we can also marvel at these lost Americans. 
Memorial Day honors people who were loved and who gave their lives for people they loved. It is a day of appreciation for lives lost in military service on behalf of an entire nation and its freedoms.

Perhaps we should look at it this way: We have all lost someone in the military -- not blood relatives but they are kin via the American Family Tree.
Maybe these lost people were the children of neighbors or they were dads of schoolmates or they were men and women we never knew existed.
Maybe in this century, they are kids that our kids went to school with or they are the children of our children’s teachers. Perhaps they are the child of a co-worker or the husband of a co-worker.
We all share an globally significant connection -- America. 

For my generation, the focus was Vietnam and there is The Wall that lists those who were lost. And I commemorate and appreciate every one of them with a sadness that exists because they were lost in a war that was not easily stopped -- it was a political fight rather than a military campaign. Others may feel differently -- but because of our military people through the years, our America continues to encourage us to differ while we love one another. I hope and pray.

Maybe you grew up with a veteran. I’m a Baby Boomer, born only a couple of years after my drafted U.S. Army infantryman dad left “the service.” Pop never really left the war, but he didn’t talk about it. And it didn’t kill him but it sure killed some of his drive, some of his ability to trust life to be a joy. He’d seen bad things. He’d lived through bad things.

And on this Memorial Day, I am fortunate enough to have had a parent who, for the most part, survived the war. Hitler didn’t get him.

For all of those families and loved ones who got the telegram or the visit, for those whose loss came suddenly on one day, or whose loved ones lingered for days or weeks or months or years before the wounds of war took them, I can only offer my gratitude for the service and sacrifice. Those lost people made America stronger -- while they were lost, their legacy is not. They protect -- their actions STILL protect -- our nation so most of us can live safely and prosper and enjoy ambitions and dreams. And we can still shoot off our mouths about the people in office -- that’s America.
 So, bless the hearts of all we lost. We can honor those heroes by living the American life to the fullest -- every day. Every day be a proud, grateful American.

[AN AMERICAN REMINDER: Here is a brief note about what all our lost military personnel and their surviving colleagues were and are fighting for -- it’s a summary of our freedoms and the law that guards them. You know it as the “First Amendment” to the U.S. Constitution: 
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” 
If we won’t let Congress abridge our freedoms, why would we let some clown with an ornamental uniform and a lack of respect for human rights do it? God bless our military -- give each member of the U.S. Armed Forces the strength and resources for their missions and keep these precious Americans safe.]

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A RECYCLED SLEEPER!

Here’s a truth shared by many people: If we’re reincarnated as a small fluffy dog, we’d like to be fostered by Patty Sprong.
While that first photo is of Lilac royally slumbering on the bed after a little dental work, this photo of Lilac the Pom demonstrates one of the real reasons we’d sign up to be fostered by Patty: Free ice cream! And that’s a dog who knows what an ice cream cone is for! 
For this Memorial Day Weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re focusing on Lilac, Patty’s latest foster from Recyled Pomeranians and Schipperkes Rescue.
[LARRY ASIDE: I’m always happy when I get those two breeds spelled without putting in extra letters. Give me a second to double-check. ... OK. Let’s move on.]
You can see a video of Lilac going to town on that ice cream HERE. She’s officially "Lilac" on the Recycled Poms page HERE but Patty’s shortened it to "Lila." On second thought, watching that ice cream video maybe she ought be “Li-lick.” 

This little girl's story has an all-too-frequent tone these days. Eight-year-old Lila, Patty explained, “was surrendered to a shelter, along with about five other Poms, when their owner was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and wasn’t caring for them anymore. They were infested with fleas, barely had any hair, and had nails that were a mile long!”

But, as you can see, “She looks great now!” Patty says.

[LARRY ASIDE: With a little dog this cute, there’s always the possibility that she’ll be adopted as this edition goes to press (to borrow a term from a previous century). Let me assure you that Recycled Poms and Schipperkes has plenty of adorable adoptables waiting for good homes -- I mention this just in case someone adopts Lila and celebrates at Braum’s or Dairy Queen or Sonic before you can get to her.]
Lila is “as sweet and quiet as can be,” Patty says. “She gets along with my small dogs and with my cat. She’s not crazy about walking on a leash, or being in a crate, but she doesn’t need either! She is very loyal and easy going and would do great in a quiet home.”

And in case you wondered, Lila/Lilac is healthy, was born around April 11, 2010, and weighs 73.0 pounds -- hang on, I’ve misplaced that dot. She weighs 7.3 pounds. (That’s a pre-ice cream weigh-in.)
The bottom line on her Recycled Bio is this: “Super sweet little girl with lots of personality. Would make a great lap dog.” Again, here’s the link to the adoption application!

[AH, TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM OF ICE CREAM? Oh, who knows what sleeping dog or napping cats dream of -- send us their photos and we’ll take a guess!  The address is [email protected]. They'll headline our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people understand the value of having a comfortable animal around the house and you’ll be helping insomniacs realize that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just find the right bed or the spot on a couch after enjoying a nice vanilla cone. We insomniacs can dream of calorie-free ice cream, too, you know.]
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TWO OLDER DOGS ON A FRIDAY MORNING

AN EXTRA EDITION FOR FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 [PetPowellPress] -- We’ve got the stories of two older dogs this morning. We know where one is. Where the other one is -- well, that’s the problem. 

We begin with Ellie Mae’s sad tale in need of a happy ending. She’s #76012 in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. Amy Poskey, the volunteer shelter monitor, forwarded this at the request of Deborah Pahler at the City of Denton. Ellie Mae is 10, diabetic and blind -- she’s a Border Collie/Aussie Shepherd mix. Why is she in the shelter? “Owner was evicted and could not keep the dog.”

When she’s walked, the note reads, “she acts like she can see and is very happy to get out and visit with people.”
She’ll need insulin twice a day. So, this is a job for someone who wants to honor an old dog’s long life and all that love that a dog can build up.
To ask about helping Ellie Mae, email these shelter addresses:   [email protected], paul.o’[email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected]. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
The next older dog is the missing14-year-old Oprah -- we got this poster in the morning mail and we’re trying to get some details on the search and circumstances.
In the meantime, in case anyone knows the whereabouts of this older dog, here’s the poster and the number to call is 469-682-6179.
(I called. Got a recording. Left a message. And I’m posting this notice because I’d rather make sure we’ve attempted to help the dog at a key time. Seems like the thing to do -- publish without verification just in case there's a rescuer who needs a break.)

As you can see, she vanished days ago somewhere near Lakewood Park and Williamson in East Dallas.
[LARRY ASIDE: Not sure there’s a Prayer for the Safety of Older Animals, but let’s just say we’ve got one and we’re ready for it to work for these two dogs or any other animal in a fix.]
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FOSTERING BOXED KITTENS, SAVING DOGS & A VOLCANIC CONTEMPLATION

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- Here comes the Memorial Day weekend and, please, remember to think safety first -- dodge the heat carefully, hydrate carefully, swim carefully, drive carefully, dine carefully, drink carefully, exercise carefully and tend to your animals carefully. If you’re only going to be sedentary this weekend, sit carefully. This is a holiday weekend for everyone -- those who work, play and endure the heat while dreaming of autumn -- late autumn. Early autumn can be summery.
In this edition we’ve got a need for feline fosters (hence the use of that photo), a blind pup and her puppies rescued in Oklahoma, animals on the clock in North Texas and -- whoa! -- it looks like that big summit with North Korea and the USA has been either called off or delayed.
 So, can you help with three out of four of those situations? I won’t even ask if you’ve got a way to corral that volcano in Hawaii. We will, however, offer a local volcano solution in today’s CONTEMPLATIONS. But, first the animals. They’re important.

FELINE FOSTERING:
A PURRFECT OPPORTUNITY?
Yeah, I feel guilty using “purrfect,” but I feel guilty not being able to foster because we’re all full up with cats and kittens in our own little involuntary foster program -- thanks to all in Zip Code 75224 (ours!) who don’t spay and neuter their cats.

Anyway, the relentless animal advocate and diligent supporter of Euless Trinity GAP Rescue Karen Lee of Barkleyworld.com sent an appeal for cat and kitten fosters.

For people interested in entertaining fostering duty, Karen explains, “Some [cats and kittens] are in the Euless Animal Shelter at 1517 Westpark Way and some are with severely over-worked GAP Cat Foster Mom Juanita at [email protected].”
She says potential fosters can also get the low-down on fostering from her at [email protected].

You saw that big box-o-cats in the opening segment. The four “adorable kittens were left in a box at a local church -- they are at the Euless Shelter and available for foster or adoption on Friday (May 25).” [LARRY ASIDE: Interesting place to abandon a box of kittens, but, well, like the Bible says, “Bless the beasts and children.”]

That other photo of kittens? Those are two 7-week-old bobtail kittens and a 10-week-old kitten named Venus. They’re in the shelter, too, as are five adult cats (see the bios of Stormy, Dexter, Rainbow, Cleopatra and Raven on the Trinity Gap Rescue page HERE.)  And, Karen says, “There is a gorgeous gray mama kitten nursing kittens. She seemed friendly but the kittens were scared.”
Foster Mom Juanita “has 4 kittens from a Calico mama that need another foster -- kittens are 5-weeks old.” And she also has an orange kitten, Asian, who “suffered some type of burns, blisters on her paws and back and needs a quiet place to heal.”
[LARRY ASIDE: OK, fostering goes on and on around here. We don’t need to mention any more of the animals, we’ll just stipulate that fostering is a constant need with the Euless Shelter and GAP Rescue and any other organization that opens its doors to cats and dogs and other animals. Pick your favorite breed and volunteer. Pick a breed you’ve always wondered about and volunteer. Pick a shelter, pick a rescue group, pick a zip code and volunteer to foster. Be that happy transition between uncertainty and a forever home.]

ARRIVING IN MULTIPLES
AT THE MESQUITE SHELTER

Yes, I’m fascinated by the publicity efforts of the volunteers at the Mesquite Animal Shelter and I’m wondering if there are stats that show adoptions and rescues have increased since this campaign stepped up the drive to save lives.
That means we’ll notice things when we get a flow of appeals from the volunteer bio writer Judi Brown.
People dump pairs of dogs and triples of dogs wind up running together en route to the shelter.

Like, for instance, the white and tan, 3-year-old dog Fox (38621174) and Red (38621196) , the big ol’ dog 9-month-old dog, were surrendered on May 21 “due to a change of lifestyle.” The human change of lifestyle has put these two dogs on the needle list for Friday morning. Both are easy-going dogs and Fox recently had a litter -- who knows where those dogs are now... geezalou.
Then there are these three -- Binky, Dinky and Betsy. They came in as strays on May 18.
Binky (38604465) is an 11-pound, six-month-old Rat Terrier/- Chiweenie mix. Dinky (38604467), the fawn dog, weighs six pounds and has the same family tree.
Both are “overwhelmed” by their situation, Judi reports.

When she met Binky, "I had to carry him as he was too fearful to walk on his own. When I put him down he would just stand rigid like a statue.”

Dinky? “He trembles, but relaxes when held. When put down, he cautiously approaches and lays down next to you.”

 Betsy? She’s around six years old, is a Beagle/Terrier mix and “was pretty fearful, but she began to relax and come out of her shell once she was in the yard. Her natural tendency was to head to a corner. As I spent more time with her, she un-tucked her tail and she even wagged it...” Sixteen pounds of dog (38605562)
.
To ask about helping these or any Mesquite animal dumped alone or dumped in a pair or a crowed, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

THE BLIND OKLAHOMA DOG
AND HER THREE BABIES
Another tale of canine woe inspires the heart of Terry Lynn Fisher, the hard-working, low-financed, but resolute rescuer in Burns Flat, way out in Western Oklahoma. 

“Oh, my sweetness, this family is adorable,” she wrote. 
They came from Watonga, Oklahoma, northwest of Oklahoma City, and just over 70 miles northeast of Burns Flat.
Terry Lynn explains, “A lady posted them on a sell site and someone sent it to me. She sold babies but was giving mom away. The mom being blind, it worried me so much. I went and got them and took them to rescue....

“Momma is small. And so sweet and loving. Thank goodness the babies are healthy. The place I got them from was a horrific place.  Made me sick.  I’m so glad we got them.
“It ended up being a 6-plus-hour round trip but they are all safe.
“My granddaughter and friends went with me and held the babies. I want to thank everyone for helping get them.  I can’t imagine what may have happened to them, especially the blind momma. I’m so blessed to have such wonderful people care about the animals here.”

To ask about helping these and to ask how to help Terry Lynn finance the vet bills they’ll run up and to ask how to adopt them, email their rescuer at [email protected].

TWO CONVICTED
IN COCKFIGHTING CASE

This happened on Monday and we learned about it from the SPCA of Texas which had helped the seized animals in a July 10, 2016, raid on a cockfight in Dallas. 
There were 120 fighting roosters and other animals -- and, as reported, there were 15 dead fighting cocks found, too. Some live dogs were saved. 
The SPCA says 20-30 people managed to flee; 20-30 didn’t and got Class C misdemeanor tickets for watching a cockfight.

Two others went on trial Monday, nearly two years after the raid. Plea agreements were reached.

The SPCA news release says the property owner pled guilty to using his property for cockfighting -- a Class A misdemeanor. The other guy pled guilty to a state jail felony -- four years probation and required to pay the SPCA $760 in restitution for the feeding and caring for the confiscated chickens.
You can see photos of the seizure HERE  The SPCA got custody of the animals at a hearing on July 19, 2016. Every time the SPCA gets custody of animals seized in a raid, the organization incurs new bills. To keep the cruelty investigation program alive and the seized animals alive, too, go to www.spca.org/helptheanimals.
[LARRY ASIDE: The sentences in these two cases appear to be light to animal lovers, I suspect. But, maybe there’s a way to increase the punishment for such horrifying criminal activity involving animals. Get in touch with the Humane Legislation Network of Texas to see what sort of efforts to “make the laws as mean as the criminals” are going to be made in the next session of the Texas Legislature. Go to thln.org.]

CONTEMPLATIONS:
WOULD A VOLCANO WORK FOR DALLAS?

We’ve got dangerous bugs, zany roadways and the occasional armed creep in Dallas. It’s time for something safe. A volcano. 
Maybe I’ll stop by the local volcanologists watering hole tonight -- Magma Joe’s where all the tables are lit with lava lamps -- and see what the Society of Texas Volcanologists has come up with. I'm kidding about all that. I did look on Monster.com and didn’t find a single volcanologist job open in Dallas and Tarrant County as the weekend arrives. Nope, we’re not living in the hotbed of volcanology, thank heavens. Of course, you may know that Pilot Knob, in southern Travis County, is one of many extinct Texas volcanoes -- not much tourist value in a volcano that looks like a Texas hill. [LARRY ASIDE (regarding photos “curated “from online sites): That first photo is of the volcano at Pilot Knob -- almost an illusion. That second photo is what we’ll call a “promotional view” of the Trinity River and Downtown Dallas -- you might see that much water in the Trinity once or twice a year -- it’s the kind of illusion that suggests to prospective business partners that Dallas has a great waterway. Not yet. Not even enough water to support a casino boat year-round. The third photo is a suggestion -- what could be.]
 But our beloved Dallas has the opportunity now to grab the hot ticket for tourism.
With those two great bridges across the Trinity River in downtown Dallas, all we need now to really draw the tourism is installing a working volcano in the river bottoms. We don’t have an indoor ski slope yet or an artificial wintry mountain range, but we could add to our traditional big-draw tourism attractions one big thing: a volcano.
 Can you imagine the crowds coming to Dallas to line the river’s banks and watch the volcano erupt -- the Old Faithful of the prairie? (Sorry for mixing geysers and volcanos.) A clever engineer could figure out a way to have a flashflood barrel thorugh the bottoms to wash away the fake lava -- except for that portion that would be sold as souvenirs. Visit Dallas -- Home of the Hot Rock,” the labels would read. 
Heck, everything’s B_G in Dallas. Imagine that photo with volcanic eruption in the background! Talk about a hot ticket! Sorry, didn't intend to use the word "hot" so much in a weekend that's supposed to see triple digit temps without any help from a volcano.
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ON THURSDAY, AN ASSORTMENT AND A CONTEMPLATION THAT REACHES INTO LITERACY

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018 [PetPowellPress] -- It’s that day of the week that inspires multiple thoughts. “Am I going to have enough money to cover the weekend?” “Did I check last night’s Lotto Texas numbers yet?” Is that cat wearing a hairpiece? We’ll have an answer later in this edition -- to the cat question.
Read on:
MAGGIE THE DOG NEEDS A HOME

Networking got this dog’s photo in front of you. Sydney Busch, our longtime tipster at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, forwarded it from Tina Hamilton of Happy Tails of Gun Barrel City. 
This is Maggie, a 3 1/2-year-old Blue Heeler mix. Her human has died and Maggie is in needs a place to live. The note reads, “She is needing a loving home ASAP; she is crate-trained, great with kids, other dogs, but not cats.” The contact is Jason at 903-802-2853.

AND THEN THERE’S SKIPPY
Skippy’s the big dog in this photo. Stephanie Mosby was networking him around the Greater Laketroplex at Cedar Creek and it popped up in Sydney Busch’s mailbox and was forwarded to our inbox and that’s how we learned about Skippy. Stephanie’s note reads, “This guy was found on the doorstep of a young couple's new home in the freezing rain one morning after a storm several months ago. We don't know if he was deliberately dumped, or was scared and got lost during the storm, but he was skinny, frightened, shy and quite obviously had experienced a heavy hand in his past. He had a newer collar on but nobody ever claimed him. He is now vetted, confident and ready for a new loving family.”

Skippy is neutered, may be 2 years old and is up-to-date on shots and microchipping, knows how to use a doggy door, is loving and loyal. 
As you may suspect from the photo, he’s good with other dogs. But he wants to be the boss. He’s good with kids, too. And Stephanie writes, “Please help me find this fella a good loving home; one that will make him a part of the family and will care for him for the rest of his life.”
 To ask about auditioning to adopt Skippy, email Stephanie at [email protected].

LOST AND FOUND IN FORT WORTH
This note came from Karen Lee of Barkleyworld.com. “Terri,” a volunteer at the Salvation Army is helping a couple with a dog they found. The story, Terri’s note reads, is this: “A friend, Steve found this dog off Hwy 377 (Benbrook area/Fort Worth). I asked him to take the dog to the vet to see if the dog had a chip. Steve has reported the vet said ‘no chip‘ and said he is a 1 1/2-year-old, 30-pound cattle dog that is in good health and not neutered!  They have posted flyers and posted on Nextdoor but no replies after 5 days so they are hoping for a home or rescue for this handsome boy. The contact is Evelyn -- her number is 817-249-2905.” (Not a cell phone, so don’t text.)

REMEMBER THIS FACE?
Yep, Sasha of Mesquite...Now Norma of Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue. You may recall that Sasha was on the clock for an early morning appointment with the needle at Mesquite Animal Services. She’s the dog with the huge, ugly growth next to her right back leg. This 7-year-old dog was dumped at the shelter. And after Judi Brown issues an appeal for helping her, Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue claimed her and removed her from the unfamiliar, unsettling surroundings in a shelter. LSBCR promises “more Norma news in days to come.” 

And, on the rescue’s Facebook page HERE, the message is this: “Norma will be needing a foster home soon! If you’re in the DFW area and would like to prepare her for her adoptive family, reach out us to learn about the foster home application process.”


PETA’S DENTON PROTEST

OF AAA/SEAWORLD CONNECTION

PETA has scheduled a protest at noon Thursday at the AAA office in Denton (Brinker Rd. at S. Loop 288) in opposition to the motorist’s friend’s promotion of SeaWorld. PETA claims the tourist attraction mistreats animals via cruel captivity. PETA plans to have a tow truck pulling a “crying, chained inflatable orca” at the protest. More info is at peta.org.

HELPING TWO SENIORS
Karen of Barkley- world.com also sent us a note about a “special fundraiser for two special senior dogs in Pound Pals Rescue.”
According to the note from Pound Pals, “Treat Me Right is doing a special fundraiser for two of our special needs seniors. Here is the link to their newsletter if you would like to share it. 
Molly is an older Chihuahua with a horrible hernia and Kong is a big dog with abscessed ears. Both have been neglected, the appeal says.
Email [email protected] to help with animals.

FACES IN THE BIG DALLAS SHELTER
Well, how can you not be a sucker for the faces? And behind every face at Dallas Animal Services’ shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland, there’s a story. We just don’t know exactly what it is but we can hope that these faces haven’t be set on a tragic path that reaches their final chapter in a taxpayer-financed euthanasia room.

The dog faces belong to (a) Mattie (1029401), a female white-and-smooth-coated Chihuahua who is about 3 years old, and (b) Ollie (1029426), a 7-year-old Great Pyrenees mix, the shelter says.
The cat is year-old Anabella (1029586) -- she’s spayed and she’s listed as a “Tortie Domestic Shorthair.” [LARRY ASIDE: When I first saw her photo, I thought she was wearing a hairpiece that fit around her ears. Clearly she is a perfectly adorned kittycat.]
To ask about any of these animals, stop by the shelter -- they enjoy having visitors who are going to adopt or rescue animals. Also, call the shelter at 214-670-6800 and use their ID numbers to help with the conversation
. See more shelter animals at dallasanimalservices.org.

CONTEMPLATIONS

SHORT POSSIBLE THOUGHTS
Not the shortest possible thoughts -- short (maybe) possible (maybe) thoughts (maybe.) ... So many people are coming to North Texas these days -- there must clearly be good reasons to move here. Are there good reasons to leave? ... Has real radio died -- morphed into a fastfood joint -- the same taste in every city? Did big media corporations kill radio on earth? Is satellite radio really better? Should newspapers go into space?... Did all the freeway construction work in downtown Dallas help traffic one iota? If you’re heading north from Oak Cliff and trying to get on Woodall Rogers, enjoy the challenge! Before the changes you’d encounter tip-toe traffic jam creeping up the entrance ramp. After the changes, same thing. ... ... Tom Wolfe gone. Philip Roth gone. Great writing names that dominated earlier eras. Remember when publishing was an event? Bookstores were all over the place and authors were rock stars? ...  Two weeks ago I was in a big used bookstore looking for a copy of Jonathan Livingston Seagull -- not one in the store. I thought Richard Bach’s book was going to be eternally ubiquitous. You couldn’t walk into a store without seeing that book. Bach's still around, but the book isn't on display. Here’s a quote from the Seagull book: “We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill.” That’s positive. I read a lot more in the ‘70s than I do in this decade. Maybe my ‘60s Self saw hope back then and now I only see survival and the constant need to diet. Wait. I saw that diet thing back then, too.
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BIG YEAR FOR SUSSEX; THE NEEDLE IS READIED FOR SOME DOGS; ROYAL FIGURES AT DAS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 [PetPowellPress] This has been a big year for Sussex. I’m assuming you believe I am making a reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and the new Missus. Nope, I’m looking back to February when a Sussex Spaniel named Bean (officially listed as “Multi-BIS GCH Kamand’s Full of Beans @ Erinhill”) won the working class at Westminster. You may remember the trick he did to charm the judge after his walk. More on Sussex Spaniels in Contemplations. In the meantime, we have some non-show dogs in the Lone Star State.


HANSON SAVED,
OTHERS WAITING
We mentioned this Shar Pei guy Hanson several editions ago thanks to Amy Poskey, the volunteer tipster for Denton’s McNatt Animal Shelter. Hanson came into the shelter with some challenges -- frightened, eye problems, etc. He’s had surgery for entropian on both eyes -- where the lids turn in and lashes grown into the eyes. He’s adorable, according to everyone who meets him. And, now, Amy reports, “Our sweet boy, Hanson, will be heading to his foster home in San Antonio this Friday after he gets his sutures out on Thursday!!!  Yep, Chinese Shar Pei Network, Inc., stepped up so we are extremely grateful he will be going to a rescue who knows and understands this very special breed cuz Hanson is so precious and special to us!!!  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!”
You can donate to Handsome Hanson’s medical care at chinesesharpeinetwork.com.
  In the meantime, Amy forwarded a note from Kenzie Huynh, the Director of Networking at Dogs of Hilltown. Kenzie’s appeal reads, “We were contacted by a family needing to surrender their Great Pyrenees tripod (Olaf) and Hound Mix (Elvis) because their owner was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only has a little time left. 

“They are currently in boarding and only have until next week to find a rescue.  We would be more than happy to help with transport.”
 Contact [email protected].
 Olaf, 10, is a Great Pyrenees/Border Collie Mix who weighs 100 pounds. His left rear leg was amputated several years ago after he was struck by a car. “He moves around perfectly fine with three legs,” according to the report. Elvis, 12, is a hound mix who weighs in at 65 pounds and is pals with Olaf.

MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE

The “time” for these three dogs has been set for Wednesday morning. (Same as for Melanie who we featured in a post on Tuesday morning -- scroll down to see it). In the meantime, can you believe this guy Sam (38377397) isn’t getting any nibbles? He looks forlorn in this photo but he’s making an emotional comeback, our volunteer Mesquite tipster Judi Brown says. Why is this 46-pound dog in the shelter? On April 23, she reports, “His owners said they didn’t have enough time for him. They said Sam as a loner. I’d say that this sweet boy is just lonely! He was an outside dog only. He was timid and standoffish at first but when given attention his whole demeanor changed. His posture went from slumping to being erect and confident. He was still shy but kept slowly coming to me to be petted. He has so much potential and love to give.”


And that brings us to Castor and Leah. They, also, will get the needle Wednesday morning if nothing works out right. They were dumped together on May 11 “due to landlord issues.” Caster (38537360) 3, weighs 77 pounds and is liste as a Retriever. Leah (38537473), about the same age, weighs about the same amount and is a Retriever Aussie Shepherd mix. Both have loving personalities and are good with people. And Caster is neutered and Leah is spayed, dropping their adoption fee to $35.
 Judi’s note says of Leah, “We love her at the shelter and we will be brokenhearted if she doesn’t make it out along with Caster!”
 To save some animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Use their ID numbers.

MEANWHILE, LET’S GET REGAL
A quick look at the adoptables on the Dallas Animal Services website showed two royalesque critters amid the regal dogs and cats. This cat is Harry (1030307), probably 13 weeks old and in the shelter since May 19. This photo was taken through the plastic window on his arrival cage, apparently. [LARRY ASIDE: Be nice if those online kitten photos looked a little more like an animal than a blur.]
And, continuing with this royal pattern in Dallas, that six-month-old lady is Queen (A1030020), about six months old and listed as a “tricolor German Shepherd Dog mix.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: May be from the German lineage of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Hanover. Some of you royal-watchers will smile at that quip. And some, perhaps, will not.] To ask about adopting these or any animals in the big Dallas shelter, go to dallasanimalservices.org.

As you can see from this daily report at DAS, the needle is busy some days. See the stats by clicking "ABOUT" when you get to dallasanimalservices.org.


CONTEMPLATIONS:

ROYALTY, BULLPEN AND TREES
What do members of the Royal Family have in common with Sussex Spaniels? I’ve only ever seen them on television -- Never seen a Sussex Spaniel or a member of the Royal Family in person. I have seen a Clumber at a dog show (years ago) and I did live for many years with a sophisticated English Cocker named Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. The Sussex Club of America website explains that sometimes rescue efforts are needed. The page reads, “Thankfully, Sussex are infrequently found in rescue situations, but when they are, Sussex have the same needs for immediate intervention and care as do their more popular canine counterparts.” And here’s the LINK to the Westminster 2018 showing that made Bean a legend. ... The Texas Rangers have not been to the World Series since the 2010 and 2011 seasons. The Dallas Cowboys have not played in the Super Bowl since Jan. 29, 1995, nearly a quarter-century ago. I‘m just looking for stuff that makes me feel good about the Rangers bullpen. .... Let’s talk trees and geography: In The One-time Big Paper Downtown online, I was reading that big East Texas timber sale story and ran across this graf from the CatchMark Timber Trust people, “The timberlands are located near top-quartile mills and within approximately 100 miles of three of the top five U.S. homebuilding markets: Austin, Dallas, and Houston." Sure my newsroom math is challenged by this (and I have no idea what “quartile” means in this context), but it seems like you'd need some kind of Stephen Hawking universe-bending science to get those timberlands to be located within 100 miles of all three of those cities simultaneously!
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