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A 'WORK IN PROGRESS GETS A NEW NAME AND, AT THE LAST MOMENT, A NEW HOME!

Once upon a time there was a little “CODE RED” dog named Bubbles.

How has life worked out for the formerly unwanted little guy?

You may remember the appeal for life-saving help for Bubbles in mid-June.
Della and David Wallace remember it. 
And they have a vivid reminder -- the once- dumped dog has been taking over their household.
And “Bubbles” is now Nipper -- with good reason, as you’ll read.
Nipper is our featured fellow in this edition of the long-running Readlarrypowell.- com weekend profile, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.

We opened with the actual sleeping photo -- Nipper relaxed in his own bed in his own new home. That opening photo is the rare one. Nipper is always busy and Della says she was lucky to get a photo of him while he was asleep. That second photo is described as “Nipper getting ready for bed.”

He’s been having an adventure ever since Della and David called the Mesquite Animal Services shelter and got the folks there to put the needle down because they were coming to save Bubbles!
So, how did a little, bitty Chihuahua wind up Code Red at a city-run animal shelter? (These next two photos are of "Bubbles" as he waited for what might come in the Mesquite shelter.) As our tipster, the shelter volunteer Judi Brown told us, “Bubbles ... was surrendered on 6/7 due to a behavioral issue. The issue was that he became over-protective of one member of the family. I spent time with him and at first he had an attitude problem and would even attempt to nip at me. Eventually he decided I was to be trusted so he jumped on my lap and even kissed me. He is a work in progress...”
And now, he’s working on progressing at the Wallace Estate for Dogs Who Need Love.
After Della and David made the call to Mesquite, they drove to the shelter and, Della says, “We left with David carrying him. He was extremely good in the car and on David’s lap -- that is until I tried to pet him, then he tried to bite me.

“I put it down to him being nervous in the car and with us being strangers to him. No, that was not the reason. Turns out, he bites. We changed his name right away to ‘Nipper.’ 

“He no longer tries to bite us and I suppose it was that maybe he was badly treated before and he now trusts us both. 

“He gets along well with the other dogs as long as they do what he wants them to do.  As small as he is -- 7 pounds, 4 ounces -- he is a very bossy boy and manages to get his way.”

As you can tell from the photos, he’s had a key bit of surgery done. I saved this note from Della.
On June 19 she wrote, “He went to TCAP (Texas Coalition for Animal Protection) this morning for his vaccinations. True to his name, they put a muzzle on him first.  Neutered tomorrow and his nail trim while he is sleeping.”
The procedures required the special gear. In one of those “cone” photos, he looks as if he’s just discovered that his new “dish” doesn’t pick up as many channels as he expected. The other cone photo shows a happy dog looking up at someone he’s coming to adore. Della says she was quite happy when he got to take the cone off -- “He runs behind me and keeps hitting the backs of my ankles with that collar!”
And he is, “a little love bug,” she says. 

So, that’s the former Bubbles, now Nipper, about whom Judi said, “He’s a work in progress.”

Add some love to his life and he’s progressing just fine.

 That’s a photo Della snapped of Nipper leaning in to give David a sweet kiss.
“We are so happy we got him,” Della says. “He is a little sweetie pie and gets along very well with my other fur babies. He doesn’t bite!!! I get lots of kisses!”

 Della also sent the photo of Nipper and his big teeth. “That’s play-biting, right?” I asked and she quickly replied, “Yes, that is playing. He doesn’t bite. He is a sweetie pie!”

This demonstrates that animals other people have given up on can find the perfect place to make life better for themselves and the people who gave them that chance to be a “work in progress.” 
[LARRY ASIDE: I couldn't resist ending with that photo of Nipper "play-biting" the hand that feeds him. He's comfortable in his new home -- and aren't we grateful the shelter knows when a dog needs another chance.]
Check your local shelters. And, since we know that Mesquite has put fabulous animals on the Code Red list, here’s THAT MESQUITE LINK.. Fort Worth has an URGENT ANIMALS Facebook page HERE  Dallas animals are online, too -- dallasanimalservices.org.
It’s almost Biblical: Seek on Google and ye shall find -- a good canine or feline companion.

[SEND PHOTOS OF YOUR SLEEPING DOGS AND NAPPING CATS to [email protected]. We’re proud to post their photos and stories at Readlarrypowell.com in our regular weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, you’ll be showing off your friend, demonstrating that a home of love helps a critter slumber peacefully. You may inspire more adoptions. You absolutely will inspire insomniacs to have faith that they, too, can get some sleep -- if they can only figure out who to nip at the right time. Insomniacs are desperate people, he wrote knowingly.]
--- Grip your BITE-FREEMOUSE and click on “comment” below. ---

LOOKING FOR MISSING MIMI

You see the details of how to let someone know if you’ve seen this girl Mimi, a Schipperke who went missing in Fort Worth. The number to call is 817-713-2659 -- don’t chase her, make the quick call.
We got this note from Cheri Fultz, our longtime contatc at  Recycled Poms and Schipperkes. The dog vanished from the human’s backyard after being "let out to potty.” Matter of minutes and she was gone from the fenced yard with a padlocked gate. She was wearing that pink collar.
Mimi isn’t a former Recycled foster or or a Recycled rescue; she’s someone’s dog who is in trouble and needs more eyes looking for her. All the key info is on the poster.
--- Offer advice or info on “comment” below. ---

LOOKING FOR MISSING MIMI

You see the details of how to let someone know if you’ve seen this girl Mimi, a Schipperke who went missing in Fort Worth. The number to call is 817-713-2659 -- don’t chase her, make the quick call.
We got this note from Cheri Fultz, our longtime contatc at  Recycled Poms and Schipperkes. The dog vanished from the human’s backyard after being "let out to potty.” Matter of minutes and she was gone from the fenced yard with a padlocked gate.
Mimi isn’t a former Recycled foster or or a Recycled rescue; she’s someone’s dog who is in trouble and needs more eyes looking for her. All the key info is on the poster.
--- Offer advice or info on “comment” below. ---

A BIG LITTER & MOM; JIMMY ON THE CLOCK; A HORSE WAS SHOT; CONTEMPLATING CHRISTMAS, TOYS R US & EASY-BAKE OVENS

EDITION OF FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2019 (PetPowellPress) Honestly, 30-day June has gone a swiftly as 28-day February. And look at all the high-impact global news events that knocked The Volcano That Ate The Big Island off the front pages. FYI: Kilauea keeps erupting right on through all the news and the Texas heat, which might not be that dramatic if you were standing next to a volcano. 
We'll discuss dogs, cats, a horse that was shot...oh, my. And we'll also lift spirits, maybe, with CONTEMPLATIONS of The Christmas Sentinel, Toys R Us and the Easy-bake Oven. Read on.

GIDGET AND HER GANG
Forney Animal Shelter is dealing with a population explosion -- a girl named Gidget gave birth to 11 pups and now they’re all on the urgent list.
There’s the photo that tells the story.

The background, according to a Forney-sent note from Kim Malone, is that a shelter volunteer “let Gidget have her pups at her house (June 6) and stay until they were weaned but her work schedule has change and she can no longer have Gidget and pups at her home.”

Gidget’s described as a “wonderful mommy” and the pups as “big, healthy and chunky.” 
Mom is about 2, probably a Pittie mix, and around 40-45 pounds -- sans baby-weight.
To adopt or rescue any or all -- well, probably not all -- get in touch with the Forney shelter at 972-464-7397. It’s at 201 Holly Leaf Trail.

Get details about adopting or rescuing at the city’s official site HERE  or at the Facebook page HERE.
And, if you want a hefty cat, well, I was looking at the animal control site and found this sizeable fellow named Sly-- can he wear a tuxedo or what! He’s available, too. No weight given on his bio, but he looks like the perfect lap cat, don’t you think?
REWARD OFFERED IN CASE
OF HORSE THAT WAS SHOT
This is just rich, isn’t it. Makes a person want to puke. Someone either shot this horse Kelso or found Kelso after the shooting and tethered the horse to a tree in Southeast Dallas. Dallas Animal Services got the call, the Dallas Police Department joined in on the case and the SPCA of Texas was notified -- it’s a team effort when it comes to fighting animal cruelty.

The SPCA is investigating the case and there’s a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the BLEEP who shot the horse. [LARRY FYI: The SPCA’s news release did NOT included the term “BLEEP” -- I confess, I did that.] If you have info, call the SPCA at 214-461-1850.
No confirmation, but from the wound pattern it looks like a shotgun was used. We’ll find out for sure and why it happened when the reward stirs someone to do the right thing.
The award is made possible by the Murrell Foundation, the same folks who first offered a $5,000 award in the Titan case and then bumped it to $7,000 when nobody responded to helping find out how Titan The Dog wound up adopted one week, then shot to death the next and found in the Dowdy Ferry Road dumping ground.
Back to the horse, Dallas Animal Services and the Dallas PD worked to remove the horse to safety by getting the SPCA involved. The horse is recuperating at the SPCA’s Russel H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney. (See more SPCA photos HERE. They’re not gruesome; they’re actually hopeful.

JIMMY ON THE CLOCK?
Here’s the latest note to make it our way from animal advocate Susie Amerise -- it was forwarded to us by Karen Lee of Barkleyworld. com. 
This guy Jimmy is an owner-surrender at Mesquite Animal Services, thus, he’s eligible for euthanasia because NOBODY WANTS HIM. But there are PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SAVE HIM.
The note says Friday morning is his “time.” 
Susie’s note reads that he is “very, very calm and no aggression shown when he is with other dogs outside! Housebroken and obeys commands. He is great on leash and very low key. Has warmed up nicely to everyone at the shelter! He has a reprieve till tomorrow (Friday)!!!” Call the shelter at 972-216-6283; email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS

A HOLIDAY NOTE; ASSORTED CONSIDERATIONS
If you’re a watcher of mysteries and love stories, you probably know that cable TV’s Hallmark Channel is revving up to celebrate Christmas In July. We’re throwing in with the TV folks philosophy and, for the right price, they can own the film rights to this novella, The Christmas Sentinel. We published it online last Christmas and got readers from not only in the U.S., but in Canada and Great Britain, according to my bookpromotingspouse Martha. I think it’s a sweet book, based on life in a small town newspaper before the age of cellphones and computers -- there’s even a mysterious man captured in a rural barn! No gunplay, no mean people and the joy of the season.The link to The Christmas Sentinel is on Amazon.com HERE. ... Speaking of Christmas, Toys R Us shuts down on Friday. And I am left with memories of shopping for and with my little bitty boys Bret and Bart -- now 47, but way back then they were wide-eyed twin toddlers and kindergartners and pre-teens. Geezalou, what memories. And I even did some grandkid shopping there -- once found some kind of hard-to-secure-when-you’re-being-holly-jolly Barbie kitchen. That was for our first granddaughter, Hannah Rose. Gosh, thought it was only yesterday, but it wasn’t. ... I’d write a book about cooking on kid-sized ovens, but that’s probably was done already -- anybody remember the Easy-Bake Oven from Kenner -- that was introduced in 1963. Just in time for Christmas. You can tell toy designers never focused on the market in Texas or there’d have been an Easy Cool Air-Conditioner and a cardboard log cabin to go with it! Of course, in 1963 air-conditioning was just becoming a wide-spread grown-up purchase!
--- TO LEAVE AN OPINION OR A MEMORY, GRIP YOUR HOLLYJOLLYMOUSE AND CLICK ON “COMMENT” BELOW. ---

HOW HOLLY JOLLY CAN IT BE THIS WEEK?

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018 [PetPowellPress] There’s just no other way to describe it. Miserable weather. That’s usually a term Texans reserve for sleet, snow and ice on the sidewalks and roads. Not a chance of that this week. 
There is, however, Christmas at Carrollton Animal Services -- a shelter we’ll be discussing later in this edition. Year-old Christmas (38776170) came to the shelter because her humans had “too many kitties...to take care of.” The bio reads “I am sweet and loving and have as much holiday spirit as my name suggests!” Still doesn’t make you want to order a Hot Rum Punch, does it?

REMEMBER THIS GIRL CARMEN?

A few weeks ago we got tipped on a dog with a broken leg who’d reached “urgent” status at the Fort Worth/Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Adoption Center. What’s happened to Carmen? 
Adopted on the 22nd, reports our longtime Cowtown tipster, the Fort Worth shelter’s Rescue Coordinator Ginger Leach.

As it turns out, this news arrived as we were getting a note from a number of people about “TWO SWEETIES SURRENDERED TOGETHER”. And, yes, Frannie and Cedric, two bonded babies, are featured on the Fort Worth Urgents Facebook page -- it’s at the end with another note about them.
The note that arrived reads, “THESE DOGS ARE AT RISK. They are so sweet and well- mannered  They sit there quietly waiting for treats, one dog at a time.
“Frannie (38665163_ is a 6-year-old Retriever mix. She is bonded with Cedric, a male Lab mix (38665171).  They were surrendered together.
“Frannie is code red for health as her kennel card said she had arthritis.
“Both dogs are fixed, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations.”
Here’s their Facebook feature  and here’s a video of the nice, polite dogs enjoying treats.  
[LARRY ASIDE: May they soon have one home and the joy that loved dogs surely must feel when a human who adores them calls their names.]

THE CARROLLTON CONNECTION
We’ve always been admirers of the Carrollton Animal Services folks and on Wednesday we found another admirer when we got a note from a reader who’d like to be known as MBrown. 
M wrote, “I can't get a few pets for adoption from Carrollton Animal Services out of my mind.  You know how that is.  I wonder if you could show their pictures in your column one day.”
That day has arrived. While we opened with Christmas the Cat above, MBrown has some others that are in need of homes.
MBrown’s note reads: 
“Kitty #38768347, Beautiful markings on this calico cat.  If you view the side photo her markings are incredible.  6 years old and spayed.  She has been there a while.
“Martha #38411621, a sweet looking Pittie Mix.  Female.
“Doltan, #38822094, Spaniel/Lhasa mix.  5 years.  Believe he has a cherry eye.  A real cutie.” [LARRY ASIDE: The shelter says Doltan is “Dachshund, Miniature Long Haired/Lhasa Apso” but, yep, we think there’s some Spaniel in there, too!]

And then there is “Brownie #38916478, Female Chihuahua mix, in isolation.  Reason not given.”
Here is the LINK for reaching the Carrollton shelter.

 So, why does a person take a look at a list of a shelter’s availables? 
MBrown explained, “I have no association with Carrollton Animal Services, nor am I a volunteer for them.  Have never met the animals I have mentioned here.  I have a household of pets myself, so no room at the inn.  Thank you in advance if you can post these pets.” 

Later MBrown added, “I live in the town. Adopted one of my dogs from them. I look at the adoptable list a few times a week, just to see the new faces. I forgot to mention the little white dog also in isolation that looks like a Bedlington Terrier.”

That would be this dog, Mr. Fuzz (38610616) who is 6, small, and in isolation and not available for adoption -- he’s been in the shelter since MAY 19. Maybe he’s charming the staffers and they need the right adoptor to make a visit. The shelter is at 2247 Sandy Lake Road Road in Carrollton. Call (972-466-3420.


FROM OUT AT THE LAKE
We suspect that this dog has been a patient at the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic at Gun Barrel City. Why? Because the note we got about him on Wednesday came from Friends mainstay Sydney Busch and had this description: “Neutered yesterday.” And, yes, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic operates on Tuesdays.

So there’s the basics and the note from Sydney reads, “Brooksey (as he is known because he lived near there [northeast of Dallas] for a long time before Donna was able to secure him) is just a wonderful, very smart, very loving dog who is ready for his forever family now...Neutered yesterday, vaccinated, he is great with other dogs, is kennel trained --he's 45 lbs.”
To offer to adopt the newly-neutered Brooksey, email Donna at [email protected] or call 430-302-9484. 
You can learn more about Friends of the Animals at www.friendsoftheanimals.org
or visit the Friends on Facebook HERE.

CONTEMPLATIONS:

THINKING THINGS THROUGH
Last weekend we featured Rowdy, the rescue adopted by Joyce Conley, a notorious animalfan. And in her Facebook commentary this week, she nailed something pretty good. Here’s what she wrote, “I keep seeing posts all across the Metroplex of reduced or zero adoption fees for shelter animals. All of the shelters are full to capacity. Mostly due to Owner Surrenders. Lordy, I hate most of those people. I do realize some have a really legitimate reason, but most do not. WHY is summer such a horrid season for pets?!? If you want to take a vacation for God's sake board your animals or, better yet, take them with you. The Seniors I see are killing me. Tessie is 14 and Coco Puff is 10. I cannot imagine in any scenario I would take them to a shelter. Pretty sure Noel and I would live in a tent, under a bridge or in a vehicle (if we still had one) before giving up our furkids. I pray for all the poor furkids in shelters all across the Metroplex that they will find a way out of the shelter and into a loving forever home.” [LARRY ASIDE: Think we can get a healthy chorus of Amen for that prayer?] ... About 4 p.m.,  I clicked the “weather” button on my cell phone and it reported a 102-degree temperature. I am the only mammal in my house who is awake. I think the rest of them are trying to sleep their ways through summer and wake up when there’s a chill on Big Tex at the State Fair. ... Let’s turn to The Lovin’ Spoonful for an appropriate lyric for summer. Click HERE and treasure your air-conditioning.
--- TO COMMENT, GRIP YOUR HOTMOUSE  & LEAVE A COOL “COMMENT” BELOW. ---

TWO AT 11 A.M.

This is a just-in-case posting, i.e., just in case a reader knows a way to step between two dogs and the 11 a.m. needle.

Our Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer tipster Judi Brown tells us that both Riley (38801391) and Lola (38908407) are on the clock for 11 a.m. today.
Odds are bad for them. Overcrowding, Judi explains.

Riley is a 3-year-old reddish Pittie mix who “may not be the most handsome guy” but is a “sweet, calm guy that stuck to me like Velcro,” Judi says. He’s 40 pounds “and could use some groceries,” plus, Judi reports, “He’s already fixed.” And, she adds, “Hopefully you can see his inner beauty.”

Lola is a youngish Shepherd/”possibleRidge- back” mix who arrived as a stray, then her owners, Judi writes, “came in and surrendered her saying they didn’t have enough time to spend with her.” Good with kids, weighs 52 pounds.

Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Use the animals’ ID numbers to help communication.

[LARRY ASIDE: Every now and then we ought to get to know the animals that are being killed because a shelter is overloaded. And at 11 a.m., the only reprieve appears to be either adoption or rescue. One is a victim of appearance and reputation; the other is a victim of time and human folly, the parking of a dog in a yard and ignoring her. How sad. Two things that kill dogs the most in our area: (1) Pittie appearance and (2) human failure to live up to the "I'll love this puppy forever" contract.]
--- Offer and opinion or rebuttal by clicking on "comment" below. ---

THE STICKING 'J', TWO CATS IN JOSHUA, A BURNS FLAT CRISIS; MESQUITE'S DOGS & A COOL CLICK

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 [PetPowellPress] -- My “j” has been sticking on my wireless Mac keyboard. When something like that happens, you begin to realize how important a letter can be in your life. Though, of course, I have now written three sentences and tapped the “j” just twice. It worked both times.
So, I decided to find a dog with J in his name at Dallas Animal Services and on Facebook I see that DAS has announced that “any pet that has already been SPAYED or NEUTERED is having their adoption fees waived” through Saturday.
Why? Because, the posting said, “DAS took in more than 270 animals over the weekend. We are taking in more animals, and we are almost constantly operating at capacity on dogs.” Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see 212 dogs and 53 cats (the numbers may have change overnight) on the official site.
Planning ahead? On July 4, DAS will be open from noon to 4 p.m. and the Everyday Adoption Center at PetSmart will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So, I found that dog in the DAS list -- took 3 pages to find the first one with a J. This guy is Jake (#A1004531). Neutered, just under 2, a gray and white Pittie/Weimaraner mix. Check him out online or drop by the shelter to visit  ake, er, Jake. Yes, there was a J Cat early in the list, Jasmine (A1018428), a spayed, orange shorthair who may be about 7 months old. Jake and  amsine, er, Jasmine qualify for the no-adoption fee special.

TWO CATS IN JOSHUA
Jarvis Keith Young, an educator and magician known as “Jarvis The Fun Guy, is trying to work some magic for two cats in Joshua, Texas, about 26 miles south of Fort Worth. Why? The cats “just came to my attention,” Jarvis told Readlarrypowell.com, “Just an animal lover who wants to help if possible.”
As he wrote on his Facebook page, “Actually this post regards two cats. The 3-month- old kitten is named Houston (#9890085). The one & a half year old is Milo.” [LARRY ASIDE: On the shelter’s website, that cat in front of his cage is listed as “Mylow”, #38848709. However you spell his name, he’s still got a supporter who wants someone to save his life.]
Jarvis said, “I will pay the adoption fee for anyone who will step forward. I cannot keep this cat for so many reasons....but, I will do what I can to save it. Please think about it!”
Both of these cats, according to a post on NoKill Rural Texas, are scheduled to be euthanized at 4 pm. Friday. Each cat’s adoption fee is $30.
They’re at the Joshua Animal Shelter, 100 Santa Fe St. To ask about them call the shelter at 817-774-9450 or call Liz at 214-616-6128. [LARRY ASIDE: Joshua is, like many, many other shelters, overloaded with dogs and cats.]
You can read about Jarvis the Funguy HERE. 

RE: A ‘VERY SMALL OUTDOOR POUND’
IN BURNS FLAT, OKLA.
This dog is Momma Girl, one of six adult dogs that suffered a reversal of fortune in the “very small outdoor-only pound” in Burns Flat, Okla.
Terry Lynn Fisher, the city’s animal rescuing angel, issued this appeal, “I had rescue in Illinois offer to take my six URGENT long timers. I finally had a transport arranged. Money for vetting and transport being sponsored. THEN, it fell through.... The lady that offered to take them has a family issue and can no longer do it.  Now, they are in urgent need of a place to go.
"Some, I have had almost a year, two have been in boarding since before Christmas at $15 a day per dog. “The town has been telling me they HAVE to go, one way or another. They have held onto them due to thinking they were leaving. These six are URGENT. I have worked so hard to keep us NO KILL. Now, I need your help so bad. So many have come and gone, but these six have just sat here. They are getting so depressed and so sad.”
That big photo is 4-year-old, 50-pound Momma Girl. She is sort of a happier “symbol” for the rest -- email Terry Lynn at remembering_ [email protected].
The others are (alternating left, right in order from the top) Sheena, 3, 50 pounds; Buddy Love Bug (son of Momma Girl), under 2, 65 pounds; Smiley is a clown, under 2 and 50 pounds; Willow turned a year old in jail -- weighs 45 pounds; and Brie, in the shelter over a year, maybe about 3, weighs 50 pounds and the rule for her is “NO CHICKENS.”

TWO FROM MESQUITE
NEEDING A SAFE PLACE
Take a look at Moma, a 3-year-old German Shepherd/Collie mix and it will not surprise you that when the stray came into the Mesquite shelter with three puppies, the kids were “immediately adopted.” Our Mesquite contact Judi Brown says that left Moma “wondering why she wasn’t chosen, also.” Judi describes Moma as “majestic in her beauty” and “sweet as she looks!” The 55 pound dogs is #38886453.
Possum (38941913), 4 or 5 years old, is a 36-pound dog “described as  Retriever/Terrier mix that was surrendered due to landlord issues. Not only is she a nice-looking dog; she’s got a multitude of positive characteristics that describe her: friendly, affectionate, fun loving, alert, curious, sweet, gentle, and happy! She wags her tail almost nonstop. She stays close to her human companion. She sits for treats. She would make a great family dog! Her previous owner stated she was an outside dog only.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Outside only? Maybe the landlord’s issues came along at the right time to save the dog’s life from the North Texas heat.]

To ask about either of these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS:

NOISE THERAPY, SLOW TV & COOL SOUNDS

I was reading a note from the folks at East Lake Pet Orphanage about offering the “first and only FDA--approved treatment for canine noise aversion” and it reminded me that if I am ever elected to the Texas Legislature, I’m going to get a law passed that puts people in jail for taking their dogs to fireworks shows -- might include a provision that puts people in the slammer for shooting fireworks in the same Zip Code as an animal. The note from ELPO included this passage: “Did you know? July 5th is the busiest day for shelter intakes in the U.S. because of dogs escaping during the Fourth of July holiday.” That’s just pitiful, isn’t it. ... When you watch sitcoms from your childhood, are you surprised at how slowly they move along? ...  We need a good song to cool us off for these summer days. If Johnny Otis doesn’t help you chill with this number, you’ll need to start keeping your sox in the freezer. CLICK HERE FOR COOL. It's the coolest nocturne.

--- Grip your CoolMouse and click on “comment” below. --- 

THE STICKING 'J', TWO CATS IN JOSHUA, A BURNS FLAT CRISIS; MESQUITE'S DOGS & A COOL CLICK

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 [PetPowellPress] -- My “j” has been sticking on my wireless Mac keyboard. When something like that happens, you begin to realize how important a letter can be in your life. Though, of course, I have now written three sentences and tapped the “j” just twice. It worked both times.
So, I decided to find a dog with J in his name at Dallas Animal Services and on Facebook I see that DAS has announced that “any pet that has already been SPAYED or NEUTERED is having their adoption fees waived” through Saturday.
Why? Because, the posting said, “DAS took in more than 270 animals over the weekend. We are taking in more animals, and we are almost constantly operating at capacity on dogs.” Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see 212 dogs and 53 cats (the numbers may have change overnight) on the official site.
Planning ahead? On July 4, DAS will be open from noon to 4 p.m. and the Everyday Adoption Center at PetSmart will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So, I found that dog in the DAS list -- took 3 pages to find the first one with a J. This guy is Jake (#A1004531). Neutered, just under 2, a gray and white Pittie/Weimaraner mix. Check him out online or drop by the shelter to visit  ake, er, Jake. Yes, there was a J Cat early in the list, Jasmine (A1018428), a spayed, orange shorthair who may be about 7 months old. Jake and  amsine, er, Jasmine qualify for the no-adoption fee special.

TWO CATS IN JOSHUA
Jarvis Keith Young, an educator and magician known as “Jarvis The Fun Guy, is trying to work some magic for two cats in Joshua, Texas, about 26 miles south of Fort Worth. Why? The cats “just came to my attention,” Jarvis told Readlarrypowell.com, “Just an animal lover who wants to help if possible.”
As he wrote on his Facebook page, “Actually this post regards two cats. The 3-month- old kitten is named Houston (#9890085). The one & a half year old is Milo.” [LARRY ASIDE: On the shelter’s website, that cat in front of his cage is listed as “Mylow”, #38848709. However you spell his name, he’s still got a supporter who wants someone to save his life.]
Jarvis said, “I will pay the adoption fee for anyone who will step forward. I cannot keep this cat for so many reasons....but, I will do what I can to save it. Please think about it!”
Both of these cats, according to a post on NoKill Rural Texas, are scheduled to be euthanized at 4 pm. Friday. Each cat’s adoption fee is $30.
They’re at the Joshua Animal Shelter, 100 Santa Fe St. To ask about them call the shelter at 817-774-9450 or call Liz at 214-616-6128. [LARRY ASIDE: Joshua is, like many, many other shelters, overloaded with dogs and cats.]
You can read about Jarvis the Funguy HERE. 

RE: A ‘VERY SMALL OUTDOOR POUND’
IN BURNS FLAT, OKLA.
This dog is Momma Girl, one of six adult dogs that suffered a reversal of fortune in the “very small outdoor-only pound” in Burns Flat, Okla.
Terry Lynn Fisher, the city’s animal rescuing angel, issued this appeal, “I had rescue in Illinois offer to take my six URGENT long timers. I finally had a transport arranged. Money for vetting and transport being sponsored. THEN, it fell through.... The lady that offered to take them has a family issue and can no longer do it.  Now, they are in urgent need of a place to go.
"Some, I have had almost a year, two have been in boarding since before Christmas at $15 a day per dog. “The town has been telling me they HAVE to go, one way or another. They have held onto them due to thinking they were leaving. These six are URGENT. I have worked so hard to keep us NO KILL. Now, I need your help so bad. So many have come and gone, but these six have just sat here. They are getting so depressed and so sad.”
That big photo is 4-year-old, 50-pound Momma Girl. She is sort of a happier “symbol” for the rest -- email Terry Lynn at remembering_ [email protected].
The others are (alternating left, right in order from the top) Sheena, 3, 50 pounds; Buddy Love Bug (son of Momma Girl), under 2, 65 pounds; Smiley is a clown, under 2 and 50 pounds; Willow turned a year old in jail -- weighs 45 pounds; and Brie, in the shelter over a year, maybe about 3, weighs 50 pounds and the rule for her is “NO CHICKENS.”

TWO FROM MESQUITE
NEEDING A SAFE PLACE
Take a look at Moma, a 3-year-old German Shepherd/Collie mix and it will not surprise you that when the stray came into the Mesquite shelter with three puppies, the kids were “immediately adopted.” Our Mesquite contact Judi Brown says that left Moma “wondering why she wasn’t chosen, also.” Judi describes Moma as “majestic in her beauty” and “sweet as she looks!” The 55 pound dogs is #38886453.
Possum (38941913), 4 or 5 years old, is a 36-pound dog “described as  Retriever/Terrier mix that was surrendered due to landlord issues. Not only is she a nice-looking dog; she’s got a multitude of positive characteristics that describe her: friendly, affectionate, fun loving, alert, curious, sweet, gentle, and happy! She wags her tail almost nonstop. She stays close to her human companion. She sits for treats. She would make a great family dog! Her previous owner stated she was an outside dog only.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Outside only? Maybe the landlord’s issues came along at the right time to save the dog’s life from the North Texas heat.]

To ask about either of these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS:

NOISE THERAPY, SLOW TV & COOL SOUNDS

I was reading a note from the folks at East Lake Pet Orphanage about offering the “first and only FDA--approved treatment for canine noise aversion” and it reminded me that if I am ever elected to the Texas Legislature, I’m going to get a law passed that puts people in jail for taking their dogs to fireworks shows -- might include a provision that puts people in the slammer for shooting fireworks in the same Zip Code as an animal. The note from ELPO included this passage: “Did you know? July 5th is the busiest day for shelter intakes in the U.S. because of dogs escaping during the Fourth of July holiday.” That’s just pitiful, isn’t it. ... When you watch sitcoms from your childhood, are you surprised at how slowly they move along? ...  We need a good song to cool us off for these summer days. If Johnny Otis doesn’t help you chill with this number, you’ll need to start keeping your sox in the freezer. CLICK HERE FOR COOL. It's the coolest nocturne.

--- Grip your CoolMouse and click on “comment” below. --- 

ELPO'S BUSY; BURNS FLAT SAVES A PUPPY & CONTEMPLATIONS ON A TV AD, FILM & USA

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2018 (PetPowellPress) For those of you without a paddle, Holiday Insights online tells us the 26th is National Canoe Day. It also lists June 26 as “Beauticians Day” and “Forgiveness Day.” No idea if those two are connected.
 We do have some good news, so read on.

THE LOCAL CAT POPULATION,
AN ELPO-CENTRIC REPORT
We’re always citing the city and county taxpayer-supported shelters for their overload of animals. But the non-profit East Lake Pet Orphanage has also been a participant -- let’s make that “recipient” -- during the local kitten season. Monday’s note from ELPO reads, “You will NOT believe what’s going on at East Lake Pet Orphanage! ... we have nearly 100 cats and kittens that need forever homes.” 
Go to the ELPO site and you’ll see such cats as the distinctly marked Spark, a girl who was born on April 3 -- she already knows how to lounge in a rocker while her photo is shot.
That beautiful orange baby is Trzy (pronounced “Trizzy”). She was born July 6, 2017, and somewhere along the way ran into an accident that mangled her and resulted in the amputation of her right foreleg. She may have lost a leg, but she still has her purr and a catitude. See the ELPO cats at http://eastlakedallas.com/elpo/.

ONE MORE ELPO NOTE:

THE BEAUTIFUL PALOMA
Back on June 20 we published the appeal for a home for Paloma. That note came from Vicki Young, the local PR guiding light from The Young Company. You may recall that Vicki told us, “My sweet friend rescued this dog from a bad situation at a trailer park. Living outside, ‘family’ didn’t want her. Her name is Paloma (Dove in Spanish). Lab mix, about 4 months old. Not trained. My friend can’t keep her, but she is fostering her. You can tell she’s scared by the tucked tail.”
Yep, she’s speaking plainly in that first photo.

Here’s some more good news en route, no doubt, to great news. Vicki sent this one-line exclamation: “East Lake Pet Orphanage took Paloma in today!”

And you can see in that second photo that there’s an attitude change. “Look how much happier she looks already,” Vicky wrote. She also sent a video of Paloma with her foster mom. Here’s the LINK. 
Vicki also has a suggestion: “If anyone would like to donate to help with her vaccinations and spaying (no amount too small!!) there’s a donate button on the ELPO site right HERE http://www.elpo.org.” 


MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT

Holy smoke were we wrong -- and it’s a good feeling.
Last week, our longtime contact in Burns Flat, Okla., the great Terry Lynn Fisher, sent a note about a person who wanted to surrender a sick puppy. “After hearing the symptoms, my fear was confirmed,” Terry Lynn wrote. “This baby has parvo. Never received shots. And, worse, there is a new pup at the same home. No shots, as well.
“I have this poor innocent baby at my vet where they are fighting to save his life.”
On Monday, the report came from Terry Lynn. “Our little guy is doing great. I cannot believe this is the same baby I rushed to the vet. ... He was so close to death, I was not sure if he would even survive the night. Now, he is running around and playing, the way an 8-week-old puppy should be. He is ready to go. I am needing a rescue to accept him. He is a little red heeler mix.”
You can reach Terry Lynn at [email protected]. FYI: This dog is in the care of Elk Creek Clinic, 1301 Airport Industrial, Elk City, OK, 73644. To donate to help with his vet bills, get in touch with the clinic at 580-225-4863 or click on Terry Lynn’s PayPal account at [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS:
Irony in a sandwich; mall movies; celebrating in the USA

Anybody else see irony in the Jimmy Dean croissant sandwich TV commercial in which the star says, “You need something to kind of warm the whole body up and get it going.” FYI: Jimmy Dean (1938-2010). Here’s the TV ad.  He is the only person from Plainview, Texas, to star in a James Bond film: played Willard Whyte in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) with Sean Connery. He also recorded a Number 1 song which, I have long suggested, is the first rap song: Big Bad John. Has the hook. Has the story. Has the bold money-making payoff glory. Word. .... Anybody else having trouble picking out a movie to attend? And, one more question: Anybody miss mall theaters where you didn’t have to reserve seats, but you could slip in, sit down, watch the film and leave without having to get a bank loan to buy popcorn and a Coke? ... Our sincere congratulations to Magdalena Bonnelly -- Monday morning she became a U.S. citizen. She’s and animal fan and the wife of noted animal rescuer Jean-Paul Bonnelly and they are parents of a nearly two-year-old little girl known by many names, the latest being Miss Sunshine and Shorty. She’s Giulianna in formal situations. Isn’t it great when someone becomes a United States citizen! On her Facebook page, Magdalena wrote, “I am truly living out my own #AmericanDream.”

--- You may give congratulations, observations by gripping your CitizenMouse and clicking on “comment” below. ---

FERAL KITTENS; ANIMALS ON THE CLOCK AND, YES, JAMES CORDON'S BIG SCORE

EDITION OF MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018 -- This is being written on a warm Sunday morning. For the first time in, probably, two decades, I went onto the front porch to replenish the Feral Cat Buffet and there were no cats waiting.

It was as eerie as a Twilight Zone episode. I thought I heard a cat, but it was a Mockingbird in the shrubbery repeating a sound that was nearly catlike, but must surely come from one of the many wild birds that now feel free to land in the greenery that masks our front porch.

Of course, you never know what the next day’s sunrise will bring. A new shift of visiting cats, perhaps.
So, yeah, keep spaying and neutering dogs and cats.

In the past few months, we’ve brought in little Monet and she is spayed. We brought in the bottle-fed baby Simon and he has grown to be a Flamepoint Panther -- neutered. We brought in the big boy tabby William Powell and he’s fixed.
And, on Saturday morning, Martha and I captured Moms (as in Moms Mabley) and her four kittens. I thought there were five, but probably I miscounted without my glasses on a dim recent morning. They’re really fast! [The first photo is Mom and her four in the patio room cat condo.]
If I had the patience for paperwork, I’d have formed a non-profit and sought grants throughout the world.
But, really, it comes down to just getting the cats and kittens to safety. In a Zip Code where spay/neuter isn’t a priority, you can’t wait for a board to meet and vote.

These kittens are not big. Hand-sized for now, as you can see in these photographs. Our goal is to get them healthy, socialized and into someone else’s home. Moms is a bit of a challenge. She’s extremely distrustful of the loving hands that reach for her. The kittens are congenial.
Who knows where they all came from? They just “showed up.”
We’ve been catching our Front Porch Ferals and having them fixed and adopted for years. Years. We had two -- Smidge and Moriarity -- sister and brother black cats -- that were trap-neuter-release. They lived on our porch and around our house for more than a decade. They may even be on the deed as co-owners.
Moriarity ate something that poisoned him -- he came back to "home porch" to get help and collapsed. When we foun him we immediately took him to an emergency vet, but he was quite ill -- beyond help. It was heartbreaking to witness. Smidge  came inside and lived with us a couple of years until old-age got her -- one ear cropped, like Smidge's, so in heaven they'll know they're "fixed."
Cats live better in homes. There are too many things in today’s world that are not good for cats. People, for example. 

So, we’ve got Moms the Mom and her little babies and we’ve got to find a place for them.
We’re working on getting Moms and the kids acquainted with dogs and other cats and people.

FYI: We caught Mom and three of the kittens on the front porch. They weren’t the easy part.
On Saturday morning, when Martha let the dogs out at 6:30 a.m., she sat in her chair to read and watch them and suddenly there was a kitten on the other side of the chainlink back gate. Then, quickly, there was Texas Earl the Cheeseman, our Rottie, right at the gate and laying down in front of the kitten.
(I think Earl assumes all cats in the world belong to Martha.)
The kitten looked at Earl’s big head and stepped through the gate to say hello. Earl nodded back and Martha picked up the kitten, now known as ADVENTURE CAT (That's him/her atop Mom's quarters in the second photo. He or she -- we're bad guessers -- is, Martha says, "The smallest and the bravest."
This is why I love Earl. He’s a big, wonderful gentleman who bears no ill-will toward anyone, man or beast, that we know of -- I’m still bearing ill will toward the BLEEP who dumped him in Kiest Park on a hot day years ago. It broke my good dog’s heart. I’ve tried to help him get over it.]
You see the photos here of Moms and the Kids. They'll be ready to go quicker than we're readly to let them go. Moms, we hope, will come around as a housecat. She's a cautious kitty, not much older than her kids.
And, of course, these are the very rare Dallas Tabbycats. Oh, come on. Of course they're not rare!
[LARRY ASIDE: If you know someone who isn't spaying and neutering their cats ... well, pray for their enlightenment, not that I'd like to visit them with the patent-pending 2018 model of the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment.]

MESQUITE’S NUMBERS
As many of you know, the Mesquite Animal Shelter has population challenges -- we entered the weekend with a desperate appeal for animals on the clock.
You can see many of the "unwanted" animals by going to the shelter’s site HERE.
The MAS dogs? Lots of Pittie types. Lots. But not all. Our reliable contact, the volunteer Mesquite animal tipster Judi Brown, sent us a report on this guy Rusty, a 4-year-old Chihuahua/terrier mix who arrived as a stray on June 18. She writes, “It’s hard to believe that this cutie hasn’t been reclaimed or adopted. He could win a personality contest! It’s obvious that he’s a happy guy with an energetic, perky, fun-loving personality. He seems to love everyone. He’s very affectionate and generous with kisses. His tail wags constantly. He would make a great family dog! He walks well on a leash. He shares his kennel with two other dogs without a problem. He appears to be house-trained. He was not interested in meeting the cats. Rusty weighs 14 pounds. BONUS: he’s already FIXED.”

Rusty is #38888323. Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected]. [LARRY ASIDE: When you look at the online animal populations of Dallas Animal Services, Mesquite and other sites, the number of Pittie types is overwhelming. Why? Because people are idiots. The goal, of course, is to save them all while spaying and neutering those that aren’t in custody! I know, I’m daydreaming.]

A DENTON CHALLENGE
They’re not all in shelters, as you can see from this note being networked by veteran animal advocate Debra Myers.

[MONDAY MORNING BULLETIN: In the late mail last night, Debra reports, "Well, miracles do happen!" And she says a "very sweet lady, retired, with all day "to devote to her new companion," has adopted Charlie Brown and the former outdoor door is "relaxed and loves being in the house ... with air conditioning!" So, there's a good news report for Monday morning!" Here's the story as it originally appeared...]


“I’m networking this dog for my neighbor. She has some serious problems at home and wants a better place for Charlie,” Debra wrote. [LARRY ASIDE: Deborah says -- get this! -- Charlie Brown is living OUTSIDE in this potentially fatal weather. He needs a quick move to a cooler place -- like now!]

The purebred Beagle turns 4 on August 12. In a note, his human explained, “He is extremely loyal and calm. He's been raised as an outdoor dog and spends his nights and cold weather days in our detached 2 car garage aka his dog house. He loves to make friends with other dogs in the yards around our home.

“He loves table scraps of all kinds  ... He has no known food allergies and has eaten most all kinds of human food. He's never been a dog to chew anything up or destroy property -- he's very calm and loves a good back scratch. He has the stereotypical Beagle bark/howl that we adore. He's even quite calm when getting bathed in a stall shower. He's never been abused or beaten -- only loved.”
Charlie has to cope with traditional Dallas spring/summer allergies and is treated with Cephalexin, his human says. 
Debra is acting as the go-between on Charlie’s behalf. Call 940-367-4627 or email [email protected].

NEW TEAM AT DAS
You’ve probably seen this. Dallas Animal Services has a new “Shelter Management Team.” Announced on Facebook HERE on Saturday.  Included a quote from DAS Director Ed Jamieson, “We are beyond excited to welcome three new dynamic industry leaders to our Shelter Management Team. All three additions solidify our intent on being the premier animal care agency in the country, and will bring Dallas closer to our goal of a 90% live release rate.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Admirable goal, but let’s shoot for 100% live release rate. This is Dallas. “Big Things Happen Here.” Last Thursday’s DAS Daily Report Card posted the shelter population at 526 dogs (107% full) and 188 cats (97%). So, what is 10 percent of 714 -- 71.4? So, yep, 72 animals still get the needle unless there’s a handbook that explains how to save .6% of a dog or cat. I hope my math is right, but you get the point: Save ‘em all. It could happen.]

CONTEMPLATION
The Beatles and You--
Thanks to James Cordon
This contemplation is dedicated to anyone who attended high school from 1963 through 1970 and especially intended with an immense amount of love for anyone who did NOT attend during those years but in the time before and after. That covers the bases, right? Here’s why: The Beatles. Talk about an echo through generations, oh my. All you need is love -- words that you'd hope would show up in this era. Want philosopy? There are places -- check out the In My Life lyrics HERE . What an era we had. I have no idea how long it will last. Probably until the last babyboomer’s last great-great grandchild has moved to Mars, the suburban growth planet. You’ve probably seen the latest, hottest Beatles-related video by now -- TV host James Cordon’s Carpool Karaoke with Sir Paul. It is a demonstration of more than music. It is about changing the world. Especially changing OUR worlds. Way back then. Now today. May be the best 23 minutes of talk show television in decades. You’ll excuse me now while I remember times and people and the adventure of seeking a life of peace and love. OK, I think I’m time-traveling...Watch the Sir Paul video HERE. 

--- To offer advice, to give a reason to love The Beatles, grip your TemporalMouse and click on “comment” below. ---