EDITION OF MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2018 [PetPowellPress] Every time I see a TV spot for the latest summer thriller, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, I am thankful no scientist has actually made new dinosaurs (that we know of -- yet).
Why?
Because I’m convinced the first place anybody would dump the unwanted dinopuppies and dinokitties would be public parks in Dallas and the Trinity River Bottoms downtown.
Quick!
Get me a copyright form.
Never mind winning Lotto Texas -- I’ve got this movie idea:
Big D, Big Tex, Big Lizards.
That’s Dr. Porche Noel, eminent scientist and creator of the Chihuahuasaurus Rex, one of the “good” Dogosaurs in our film.
That cat? That is matinee idol Simon Mycroft Holmes in a publicity photo for our second feature film, Shadow of The Purring Predator.
And that concludes Monday’s example of how you can have fun AND profit when you have a dog and cat -- or dog and cat -- around the house.
AT FIRST THERE WERE CATS, THEN,
KITTENS AND KITTENS AND KITTENS...
Last week, I thought I’d whittled our front porch feral crowd down to one cat -- our two most recent triumphs have been spaying Monet and neutering William Powell. That left just one regular stand-offish cat creeping onto the porch for the free twice-a-day feral buffet -- I thought.
Over the weekend, she showed up and brought five hand-sized kittens with her. So, we’re working on that challenge. [I’m going to drive my pickup up to NorthPark and put up my “Free Kittens” sign and show off the latest crop. I’m kidding. I’m kidding.]
So, as I was preparing this edition, I checked my email and there was a note from the Feral Friends folks with this subject line: “Kitten Season is Here!” That’s what you call “dusting off an old reliable announcement.”
Feral Friends has a whole bunch of cats and kittens available for adoption including this guy Bernard. You can see him and others at www.feralfriends.org.
His bio reads, “The West World kittens were born in their foster mom's neighborhood. Some friends have been trying to TNR the momma, but she got pregnant again, and so the West World kittens were born. Bernard is very playful and loves to cuddle.”
And he clearly knows how to relax for the camera.
CONTEMPLATIONS
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SURRENDER?
This is a serious contemplation. What does it take to drive your dog or cat to a taxpayer-supporter shelter that buys euthanasia juice in bulk?
For some people, I think it’s a tough mission -- they’ve been backed into a corner by life -- job lost, home lost, parent died and left dogs and cats behind, etc. Lots of bad things can happen that cause such a crisis.
And then there are the folks who “think” they’re backs are to the wall or, maybe, they’re taking the quick, easy way out with a dog or cat that’s inconvenience.
Here are two examples of surrender from Mesquite, thanks to our tipster Judi Brown. And the contact points are the shelter at 972-216-6283 or at rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Benji -- who has many poses, all delightful -- is around 2, a 10-pound Chiweenie surrendered by his people on June 15. Why? Judi reports: “Because they said he was too much responsibility.” She’s met the dog. “He is super cute with an equally warm, loving, outgoing personality. He’s fun loving and energetic but not overly so. He is friendly and appears to like everyone he meets, especially if they show him attention! He’s a happy guy was a tail that doesn’t stop wagging.” Well, except he’s intimidated by cats.” His # is 37871128.
(He's got movie star poses, including that impression of the Lone Ranger's horse Silver rising up against the canyon sky! Hi-yo Benji! Away to a safe place!)
What about this dog Fite? He’s 5 months old and listed this way: “Terrier Pit/Cane Corso/Weimaraner???( take your pick).” Why is Fite in the shelter? “The owner stated that he was no longer wanted.”
Judi writes, “In five short months he’s been with two families and now is at the shelter! No wonder this beautiful guy with the coloring of a Weimaraner and floppy ears is sad!”
He is “sweet and obedient: and “sits for treats.” The 32-pound dog’s shelter number is 38865421.
Oh, and let this grind your gizzard: “He’s very loving. His previous owner stated that he likes to cuddle.” Why, hell, yeah, get rid of that dog! Who wants a cuddling dog like that in your household? Pardon my le Francois exasperacion. Also, pardon my lousy French.
Now, contemplate, again, what it takes to surrender animals to a shelter. It’s tough on some hearts; not so tough on others. And it puts a burden on the shelter worker who is the last person to see the animal alive.
We’re including this third dog for a bit of comic relief, sort of. Twenty-four pounds, #38821991. Not a surrendered dog. Came in the alternative way: STRAY. Six-month-old Border Collie mix arrived on June 11. “Affectionate and even doles out kisses,” Judi wrote.
Why does readlarrypowell.com bother to mention him? Because in the whole time I’ve been writing about dogs -- starting in 1965 -- this is the only one I can remember who was actually named “Fido.” Contemplate that. Then make sure Fido is safe.
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