ReadLarryPowell.com

ON A SPECIAL HOLIDAY, SOME ACTUAL/FACTUAL STORIES OF ANIMALS

EDITION OF MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Happy, April Fool’s Day. You’d think Congress would make it a federal holiday. That easy wisecrack aside, here’s our report including news about dogs on a highway and dogs on a clock.

Oh, wait: Remember, Dallas Animal Services and the Spay Neuter Network have free spay/neuter opportunities for dogs throughout April. The info is on the DAS Facebook page HERE. If you’re reading this you probably don’t have a candidate for the procedure in your home, but you may know someone who does, so pass it on. That kitten? Remember a few weeks ago when there were only 8 cats on the DAS online shelter listing? What season is this? That's rights. Kitten & Puppy Season. The cat care list was at 20 about noon on Sunday — this is Andre (1062610), one of the many kittens now in the care of DAS. He’s 7 weeks old, has some lookalike siblings on the roster at DAS, and is in a foster home awaiting a permanent home. Email [email protected].
Yep, how about this! Andre is a member of the very last litter of kittens ever to be born in Dallas, Texas. April ____ —fill in the blank.
SOME GOOD NEWS
FROM MESQUITE’S SHELTER
As the weekend arrived we got a desperate note from Mesquite Animal shelter volunteer biographer Judi Brown about sweet Ria, the 7-year-old, thin, recent-mom who’d been dumped “for financial reasons.”
 The shelter’s population was at the “full” mark and animals were on the clock — as is too frequently the case in city shelters, the only way to make room for the incoming dumped animals is to kill some that haven’t been adopted. That’s why Ria was at peril.
Over the weekend, Ria was adopted, Judi happily reports. Ria’s situation had touched a number of veteran hearts.
We also too the opportunity to catch up on the case of this dynamically-eared Chihuahua named Peanut Butter, a 4-year-old stray. Only weighed 8 pounds and most of that was ears. Judi fell for him and wrote, “Actually, he’s too pretty to be a boy.” The loving, affectionate, human-adoring Peanut Butter was claimed “by one of our wonderful rescues,” Judi reported over the weekend.

Now, there’s not a dog or cat in Mesquite that readlarrypowell.com wouldn’t adopt if we hadn’t already bagged the limit in Big D, but there is one that has touched our ol’ heart. He is this guy Tank. He’s 411409922, 90-pounds and 11 years old. 
Why was an 11-year-old dog dumped at a city shelter? Judi told us, “The reason given was that he didn’t get along with their other dogs! When walking him through the bay he went nose to nose with many dogs wagging his tail. … He is surprisingly energetic and spirited! If it wasn’t for his gray muzzle and his teeth, it would be hard to believe that he’s a senior.”
 To save the life of Tank the Dumped Ol’ Dog, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]

PACK MENTALITY CHIHUAHUAS??? Say it ain’t so. But, here you go. These next two are among the small dogs available in Mesquite. They have a story.
 Dewey is this 3-year-old Chihuahua who came in as a “stray along with three other Chihuahuas on March 25. Two of them have already been adopted. The story goes that they developed a pack mentality and were terrorizing the neighborhood. However, each one individually is really very timid."
Dewey (41153788) is a 7-pounder.”

Lewey (41538042) is a 5- or 6-year-old Chihuahua — all of SIX pounds — who was one of Dewey’s running buddies. Judi says, “Lewey needed time to decompress as he was reacting to the staff out of fear. With time and patience Lewey warmed up to me. He decided I was his best friend. He wanted to snuggle in my neck and gave me lots of kisses. Every opportunity he had he wanted on my lap. However, he can have an attitude so he probably would do better in a household with older children only.”
So, there you have it, the Mesquite report. To summarize: Some goods, save Tank and save the two former marauding Chihuahuas.
Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]
You can see many other Mesquite adorable adoptables by going to this shelter LINK
.
Among them is this interestingly-coated 5-month-old girl, Jinx (41162861). When I first saw her photo, I thought she was a mouser with a mouthful of lab rat.
Nope, that’s just her “look.” She’s small and house-trained. She came in on March 26.
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve had several black and white cats at readlarrypowell.com's international headquarters and we’ve never had one that wasn’t prone to fun and affection and entertaining behavior. Of course, so are most of the rest of the cats in our history, too.]

THE NEXT RESCUE IN BURNS FLAT
(THERE’S ALWAYS A NEXT ONE)
Terry Lynn Fisher continues to be the saving grace for animals in and around the western Oklahoma town of Burns Flat. Her determination is an example for rescuers in Anyplace, USA. And this story has a number of angles. It needs more angels.

“I have waited to share this story until things were all settled," Terry Lynn told us. "Last Wednesday, there was a bad wreck up on Interstate 40 near the Burns Flat exit, 8 miles from me. Within 30 minutes of the wreck, a very pregnant Pit showed up at a business. This is a rural area near a very small town, so we knew the Pit wasn't from the area.
“I didn't know if there were dogs involved in the wreck at that time, but wondered if the wreck and the pregnant Pit were related. The business owner contacted me, worried that the pregnant dog would get hit by a car and afraid she would have the babies and the coyotes would get them. So I went up and got her.
“Later, I learned there were TWO dogs that were ejected form the car, so I was pretty sure this was one of the dogs. I was watching for another Pit and had several other people watching. I had no information on the dogs, so other than be on the lookout for a stray Pit, I had no idea what we were looking for. I had left a message with the Highway Patrol, but never got a returned call..
“Yesterday [Saturday], the Washita County Sheriff Department called me and gave me the information for the family of the lady involved in the wreck. They had been told one of the dogs had been hit by a car at the scene and the other was still missing. I spoke with the family and informed them she was safe with a foster.
“They were not sure if the male had been killed so I called the Highway patrol and it was verified that yes, he had died. That night, I sat and wondered about him. What happened to his body? So the next morning, I went up to where the wreck had happened and started searching the area. When I found him, it broke my heart — he was just laying in the ditch with his collar, where they apparently threw him after he had been hit. I could not stand it. I called my son so he came up and picked his body up and buried him for me..So now, this sweet boy has been laid to rest...
“Due to the injuries the lady has suffered from this wreck, the family has asked if we can help them find a safe place for Momma Blue and her unborn babies.

“The situation itself is a bad one. She and her boyfriend were in a stolen car and the wreck happened during a high speed chase with Highway Patrol. She is now paralyzed from the chest down. With three children, facing charges, and the severe injuries she suffered, her family just feels the Momma will be better off placed elsewhere so they surrendered her to me.”

Terry Lynn, now that she knows Mom was in the car crash, is getting her to the vet Monday.
Mom, a “very sweet and friendly dog” is the dark-colored Pittie. Blue, on the couch with Momma Blue, is the boy who was killed when hit by a car after the crash.

“If anyone can help this girl, please let me now,” Terry Lynn asks. Email her at [email protected] or call her at 580-330-1459. There’ll be vet expenses, maybe boarding expenses and puppies to place if all goes well.
CONTEMPLATIONS
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR; NO JOKING WITH THE NEWS
Yeah, I can’t get that stolen car chase with the dog victims out of my brain, either. Why in the hell (pardon my entirely appropriate French) would somebody take their dogs on a stolen car escapade? Once again we have an example of what the rest of us are up against in this world: Free-roaming people without good sense. God bless their dogs and cats and keep those animals safe while the authorities make room in the local jails for the misguided perps. Good grief. And if these people are dealing with drug problems, put them some place where they can get some sincere help. Don’t set them free; help them. And if they can’t be helped? Don’t set them free — they’ll only harm themselves and maybe someone else. … 
Traditionally this is a day I lay low. People, including my witspouse Martha, have been known to blame me for unfortunate April Fool’s Day pranks. As my late, great Texarkana Gazette Editor J.Q. Mahaffey told me when I was about 16, “Son, don’t play with the news.” That is, without a doubt, extraordinarily wise advice. Oughta be spread throughout journalism. But, of course, if you want something to spread throughout journalism, make up a rumor. I say that as a longtime daily occupant of a newsroom chair. I once wrote a fake memo and posted it in the city room at The Big Paper Downtown asking if the person who took the press from the basement of the building would return it — no questions asked. A newspaper press is so big — two stories tall — that it takes a train to deliver it and a team to get it installed — nobody ever expects to move it after that. Yet, people were sincerely asking if the press had been returned and how would we publish without it. That’s when I realized the power of my written word. I’ve still got that press our garage. Every now and then we’ll fire it up and let it rumble so the cats can enjoy the soothing vibrations throughout the house. If you need a press let me know — willing to sell at a substantial discount.
—- To offer opinions, solutions or to bid on the April Fool Press, click on “comment” below or email [email protected]. —-

RIA -- HAS SHE BEEN DUMPED TO DEATH?

“Ria is on the MOST CRITICAL list. Our shelter is 100% full. This is really, really scary. This poor girl never has had a chance at a decent life.” — 
Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer biographer Judy Brown.


A SATURDAY EXTRA EDITION [PetPowellPress] — As you can see from the photos, the 7-pound, too thin at 44 pounds dog, “has either very recently had a litter or has been over-bred or possibly both,” Judi wrote.

And this is quite the urgent appeal for a dog who has captured some hearts but not a home or rescue.
Ria first caught our eye about three weeks ago — she’d been 
dumped at Mesquite Animal Shelter on March 12 “for financial reasons,” Judi wrote.
 The clock has been ticking right along as people have ignored Ria or said “so sad” and moved on to save others.
But there may be hope.
Ria may survive if she can get a two-week foster so she can simply live long enough to get to, Judi writes, "an adopter in Kentucky who would love to have Ria but cannot take her for two weeks.”

There are financial pledges to support caring for Ria (#40703656). 

Judi says, “It was difficult to get good pictures of her because she stuck so close to me. She just looks up at you with adoring eyes and wants so badly to be loved on.”

Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

— Save them all and offer opinions by clicking “comment” below or emailing [email protected]. —-

ART has the COOKIE CREW enjoying puppyhood! PLUS, we see WHAT'S NEW with VIOLET & TATERTOT

You know how it’s said “A picture is worth a thousand words”? A happy pup picture must be worth a million words and a picture of this many puppies snoozing? Well, that's way too many words to count.
This is a rescued litter currently in the care of Animal Rescue of Texas, the Dallas-based all-foster organization.
Having fostered puppies before, readlarrypowell.com is well aware of the joys and rewards and challenges. One or two puppies is a snap. When you get litter this big, you are exceptionally blessed.
That’s why these siblings are the spotlighted snoozers in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
The story and other photos of the “Cookie Crew” -- their mom is a girl named Sugar -- are on the ART Facebook page. And there’s a video HERE
that shows the kids being kids and HERE'S A VIDEO that shows the romp toward the grub.
The lone puppy photo? That's Gingersnap and here's her caption from ART: “Gingersnap is giving you the secret wink! #artcookiecrew."
The explanation of the Group Snooze photo is this: “Just a few minutes before dinner time the #artcookiecrew was sacked out! Look at big ol’ Chunk in the upper right hand corner! And tiny Praline, second from the left. Last week we were very worried that she wasn’t thriving, but good food and big love has changed the outlook for her.”

Ah, some day, they’ll all be in their own homes and enjoying the love all puppies ought to have. At animalrescueoftexas.org you can see how to adopt, how to foster, how to get involved.

You may not want a puppy. Aha, here’s Sophie. She’s a 3-year-old, 10-pound Cairn Terrier/Dachshund mix who was “rescued from a local shelter by ART.”
Two views of the rescued pup — both cute. She’s clearly a dog whose mission would be to elevate the human condition.
[PLEASE SEND YOUR PHOTOS of your sleeping dogs or cats or any other critter you love — and their stories — to [email protected] and we’ll post the bio and photos on readlarrypowell.com in our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be setting an example for people without animals — they’ll realize they, too, can benefit from having a loving companion around the house. You’ll also inspire insomniacs to realize that they, too, can get some sleep — like this cat, our own Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson who likes to nod off on my printer so much that I finally just threw an old sweater atop it and she calls it her “Comfy Catnap Contemplation Platform.” She gets more use out of the printer than I do. She also gets more sleep than I get.]
A REMINDER ABOUT VIOLET,
AND HER SIDEKICK TATERTOT
This notice about Violet comes from Mary T. Sullivan of SOS Fosters For Pets In Needs. So does the follow up on the little Tatertot. Click on the art; it'll grow.
Perhaps you recall that Tatertot, who had been dumped with Violet, had lived with a family for years and never had a name. His rescuers picked "Tatertot." 
He was seen by a vet late in the week, Mary says. “His bloodwork looks great, but he’s got a Grade 3  heart murmur and some enlargement of his little ticker, so he’s a special needs guy. The vet pegged him at a bit younger than we thought – maybe seven. We’re going to have him neutered next week and we’ll have his teeth done, too.  Then he’ll be ready to go to a family that’s willing to take on a guy with heart disease.  We’re optimistic that he’s got several more good years ahead of him, especially with the right diet and regular exercise. … He’s super sweet, as is Violet, and very adorable.”
—- Send your slumbering photos and animal info to [email protected] and click on “comment” below to leave an opinion or printer maintenance advice. —-

BULLSEYE, PENNY, AN OILY FABLE, POLITICS, RODENTUS SPARKUS AND BASEBALL

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 [PetPowellPress] OK. The Texas Rangers have opened their 2019 campaign to win the World Series. Clearly they’re a team of destiny. And clearly I have to check my lotto numbers and never bet on baseball. So, let’s move along with this edition’s report.
AN UPDATE ON BULLSEYE,
THE OKLAHOMA PUPPY
In our Thursday edition, the Oklahoma rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher told us the story of the rescue of 10 puppies on Tuesday, including a 5-pound, 3-ounce little guy who was bleeding from his nose and mouth.
“He is doing better each day,” Terry Lynn told us Thursday.
“We’ve named him Bullseye,” she said. And why was he bleeding? “We feel he was tossed out of the car and landed on his face.”
 That’s right, some Oklahoma knucklehead — a cousin of the Texas branch — tossed 10 puppies from the car just to get rid of them. 
So, Terry Lynn, her 8-year-old granddaughter Ellie Rose, and her son, Scott, (Jason was home cooking her birthday meal), got the puppies. Ask how you can help with the vets bills and finding homes for these dogs by emailing Terry Lynn at [email protected] or by calling her at 580-330-1459.
‘LET’S TALK OIL’ — SOMETHING
TEXANS HAVE LONG SAID
In this case, we’re not talking about drilling for oil or putting it in barrels.
We’re talking about an incredibly stupid mythical treatment for mange. Probably anybody reading this knows better than to slather a mangy dog with motor oil. We haven’t run into this idiocy in a while. Now, suddenly, I’m seeing more cases of this idiot treatment. Latest to catch my eyes was this girl, now known as Penny and in the care of Mazie’s Mission.
 Legendary foster mom Patty Sprong posted a note about the dog that had been rescued by Mazie’s Mission from Dallas Animal Services. 
And the story on the MM site  reads, “Freedom! We busted this sweet Shepherd pup out of the shelter today. She's on bath number three because someone poured motor oil on her to try and treat her mange. Friendly reminder: motor oil does NOT cure mange and is dangerous to dogs. She'll still be uncomfortable for the next few days while her medication for mange and secondary skin infection sets in, but she's well on her way to recovery. Please consider donating to her care!” 

[LARRY ASIDE: My theory — and it’s wrong to think like this — is I wished a “similar treatment on whatever the idiot has that might be itching in an unpleasant area.” And I wondered, “Surely this can be made illegal in Texas. … Maybe the ‘Bad Use of Petroleum Law.’”
  Patty suggested that violation could be “punishable by your Two-by-Four of Enlightenment method, and then some.” But, of course, we both know that employing the satisfactory readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment would feel good but be so wrong. It would feel better than a motor oil bath, but still be wrong. Now help me off this soapbox before a slat breaks and I need a transmission fluid poultice on my hip.]
What you can do that is right is foster animals. Here’s the Mazie’s Mission comment on that: “Fostering saves lives! If you’d like to be a part of the mission, it’s as easy as filling out our foster application #maziesmission #adoptdontshop #rescue #rescuedog #nonprofit #bethechange #foster #everydayhero."
 
POLITICAL ISSUES
AND TEXAS ANIMALS
— The Texas Coalition for Animal Protection has launched a campaign to block a proposal — Texas House Bill 3806 —that would affect the way the organization serves people who need to get their animals spayed or neutered. You can see the TCAP side of this on the organization’s Facebook page HERE.  You may get to know your State Rep better by making a call on behalf of TCAP. Frankly, nothing needs to be done that makes it tougher to get animals spayed and neutered.
— The Texas Humane Legislation Network has issued an appeal for Texans to contact their state senators and urge them to support Senate Bill 295 when it arrives on the floor “any day now.” The bill’s purpose is to get adequate shelter for dogs, “protect them from chains” and “allow mistreated suffering dogs to be saved immediately without a 24-hour waiting period.”
Additional info is on the THLN.org site HERE .
REMEMBER THIS: CATS
ARE ALWAYS WAITING…
That’s my theory, anyway — and try to look at this cat without seeing the set of cat eyes on her forehead!
 Back to cats waiting: They’re waiting to eat, waiting to nap, waiting to wake up, waiting to jump up, waiting to jump down, waiting to sit either on you or in your lap and check your vital signs. Our cats wait for conversation. This cat is not our cat though we have had a few Dallas Tabby Cats through the years. 
This is “Grey,” or A1062435, currently in the Dallas Animal Services Shelter. She’s about 8 months old and a resident of the shelter since Wednesday. (Call 2-14-670-6800 or stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland.)
Imagine John Lennon singing this: “All we are saying, is give cats a chance.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
LIGHTS, RATS & ETERNAL HOPE
My hometown has its moments. I was raised in Texarkana, Texas, before I-30 was built. So it’s still the “new highway” to me, though it opened in 1970 or ’71, maybe. And here’s the latest news, thanks to reporter Karl Richter’s front page story (and that illustration) published by The Texarkana Gazette, my former employer. The story read, “Rats are responsible for disabling street lights along Interstate 30 in Texarkana, Ark., and repairs are likely to take weeks.” The Texarkana, Ark., Public Works Director Tyler Richards was quoted as saying, “Sometimes there’s absolutely nothing you can do to keep them out, because those dadgum rats, they’ll chew through anything pretty much.” … Here’s a powerful theory: I think these electricity-eating rats, Rodentus Sparkus, escaped from the experimental power lab at Texarkana College. I’m kidding but I wanted to mention the college I attended 1966-68 without anyone having to pay a bribe. … Ah, baseball. The 2019 regular season is here for Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers. This may help me adjust, finally, to the infernal time change. I don’t know how it will help me, but I’m willing to try by listening to West Coast baseball at 1 in the morning, Dallas time!
—- To offer advice, opinions or rat remedies, click on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

RIA ON THE CLOCK; HELP NEEDED IMMEDIATELY

A THURSDAY MORNING EXTRA [PetPowellPress] -- Hoping to save a life.
We've mentioned this girl Ria before -- she a 7-year-old who was dumped at Mesquite Animal Services after she had 7 puppies and they were given away. Used and dumped, that was her story. Judi Brown, the Mesquite volunteer biographer warns us this morning that Ria is on the Code Red Clock at Mesquite today.
"This poor girl never has had a chance at a decent life," Judi wrote.  You may still save her life. Call the shelter at 927-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Private donations are offered to support this girl's rescue. Judi says, "This sweet dog is so needy and loving. It’s so sad to see the condition of her skin and how skinny she is, yet she continues to be sweet, forgiving and loving. Please give this girl a chance."
Email [email protected] to ask about getting on her mailing list or helping her get the word out on Mesquite's animals.
--- To offer opinions or solutions, click on "comment" below or email [email protected]. ---

A CONTEMPLATIVE EDITION: TEN PUPPIES DUMPED; AN OLD GUY SURRENDERED; 2019 TEXAS RANGERS OPENING DAY

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Normally we put our “Contemplations” feature at the end of our daily presentation. Not today. 
We’re opening with a story that’ll make you think. Make you contemplate what  you'd like to do to help some animals, perhaps.

Consider that most of our Dear Readers live in this always-busy area of North Texas. 
Around here, there are scores of animal rescue groups. Many shelters. Vet care just down the street. You get the drift. 
Look at this opening photo. That is far western Oklahoma. Way out there. It looks like the Texas Panhandle and maybe a little bit like the ranch and oil land west of Fort Worth.
And there’s that one little dog. And a youngster walking toward that one little dog. It is a picture of rescue. But that isn’t the only dog in the story and that’s not the only rescuer in the story. 
This is another adventure from the rescue efforts of Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, Okla., a small town way out in the western section of the state, or, to give you a Texas reference, about an hour-and-a-half north of Wichita Falls. There’s plenty of prairie to see.
We got the story from Terry Lynn on Wednesday. This focuses on an event that happened on Tuesday.
She wrote that Tuesday “was my 60th birthday. I started it like every other day. I got up and took care of my dogs. Went to the pound and took care of the ones there. Went to the kennels and fed there. Went and mowed a yard. Took two dogs the 100 miles to Oklahoma City to meet transport, then came home.
“My sons had me come over to cook me dinner. While there, I got an urgent call about a lady finding TEN puppies in the country north of us. She said she could not take them but would stay there until I got there.
“I have a full pound and cannot put anymore in the boarding facility until I get the thousands I owe paid down, so I started sending text messages to everyone around, looking for a place for them until rescue could be found. I finally found one and headed out to pick the babies up.
“My youngest son and Ellie Rose, my 8-year-old granddaughter, went with me, leaving my other son to finish cooking my dinner. 
“We planned to meet up about 10 miles away, so I knew it would not take real long.
“We pulled up out there and when I saw these babies, I cried. They are tiny — 3 pounds and less... Dirty, wormy, skinny, skin issues (maybe ring worms) and so alone. They ran to us, so excited to see us... 

“My granddaughter noticed one was blowing blood bubbles from his nose so she picked him up first. He had blood coming out of his nose and mouth, so while we took the other 9 to the foster, we rushed this little guy to the vet, for I could hear him gurgling.
“Ellie Rose helped Doc with him. I have to tell you all, she melted my heart at one point. As Doc was trying to look into the puppy’s mouth, the puppy was crying. My beautiful baby girl wrapped her arms around this bleeding puppy, not caring how dirty he was or that she was getting blood all over her, and whispered in his ear, ‘It's OK little one, I've got you.’

“My heart swelled with love and pride for her gentle kindness towards these animals.
“He was given something for the pain. His little howls and cries honestly haunted my sleep all night. He weighs 3 pounds, 5 ounces, and has several other issues going on.

“The other 9 are safe for now with a foster, but they all need shots and treatment for the skin issues.
“This little guy needs some medical care, but not sure of what all is needed at this time.
“If anyone can help with any of these innocent babies, please know how grateful I am for any help we can get.
“For the record, after about two hours, we made it home and I had a lovely birthday dinner. LOL. THIS is the normal day for me. But knowing they were safe made it an extra special birthday.”
Email Terry Lynn at [email protected]. Call her at 580-330-1459. She has a PayPal account at [email protected]. And you can send real mail to her at Terry Lynn Fisher, PO. Box 578, Burns Flat, OK, 73624. 
Here’s the clinic that helps Terry Lynn and her foundlings and rescues: Elk Creek Clinic, 1301 Airport Industrial, Elk City, Ok. 73644. Call 580-225-4863.
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve been writing about Terry Lynn Fisher’s efforts to keep the Burns Flat city shelter kill-free for years and years. You probably know the story her email address, [email protected], tells — she was inspired to protect the animals after her dog, Oddball, was killed by a city police officer who called the young, friendly pup up to his car and shot him to death right through the open patrol car window. Terry Lynn vowed at that point to stand between animals and tragedy. Now, it’s a litter of 10, one in more trouble than the others, and all getting a break because of Terry Lynn and the family.]

PERHAPS A LOCAL CONTEMPLATION:

Contemplate this: Why do residents of an area with dangerous freeways, dangerous streets and dangerous people let their dogs go stray? Why do people dump an 11-year-old dog into a city shelter? No time to solve that problem right now. There is time to save the lives of two dogs in the Mesquite Animal Shelter.

I’m starting with the year-old stray Pittie/Lab mix Willow. The Mesquite volunteer biographer Judi Brown says Willow, 60 pounds and already spayed, arrived on March 18 and she is a “fun loving, high spirited, exuberant girl that seems to love everyone. She’s happiest when she’s around people. She’s very friendly. Her tail wags constantly. After getting to run in the yard for about five minutes, she settled down. She’s playful and loves squeaky toys. She knows to sit and to give her paw. Willow would fit in beautifully with an active family.” She’s #41098678.
And that brings us to the this 90-pound, gray-muzzled, 11-year-old Pittie guy named, appropriately, “Tank.” 
Why was #411409922 surrendered on March 23? Judi says, “The reason given was that he didn’t get along with their other dogs! When walking him through the bay he went nose to nose with many dogs wagging his tail. … He is surprisingly energetic and spirited! If it wasn’t for his gray muzzle and his teeth, it would be hard to believe that he’s a senior. He’s very inquisitive and checked out the yard thoroughly. He was also interested in the boundaries so he will need to secure fence. He’s very friendly and even tries to jump on you for bear hugs. His tail wags constantly. He seems to be a happy guy looking for a second chance. It appears that he spent a lot of time on concrete judging from his calluses. On his next go around he told me he would like to be able to spend time in the house with his new family.”
For these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].


AND OUR FINAL CONTEMPLATION
FOR THIS EDITION: PLAY BALL

The Texas Rangers begin their final season at Globe Life Park at 3:05 p.m. Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. I liked the place better when it was “The Ballpark in Arlington.” I hope Texas wins the World Series this year. I hope that every year. But this year I especially hope they win. I’ll be listening to Eric Nadel, the Baseball Hall of Fame Broadcaster, and Matt Hicks, probably headed to the Hall, as they tell us what’s happening via 105.3 FM. And, petfans, you should remember that Eric Nadel is the reason Dallas has dog parks. He persuaded the city to give the dogs a place to play and got Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan to cut the ribbon on the White Rock Dog Park’s opening day.
 So, contemplate all that as we try to will the impossible to occur in Arlington, Texas — the Texas Rangers win the World Series in 2019 (that's the trophy). And, of course, when that happens, I’ll be high-kicking with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. In baseball and show biz, anything is possible. Except, maybe, me in fishnet stockings and dancers’ high-heels. This photo? Oh, I was the one with the camera. Not really. Now, let’s all remember to pray for the Texas Rangers pitchers. Once again, they’ll need all the help they can get.
—- Offer baseball advice or tips for a fat man in high heels by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. Go Rangers. —-

KIDS, DOGS, CATS & THE NORMAL WEATHER

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We’ll tell you about this kid a little later in this edition. First, let’s see what’s up with animal information.
[LARRY FYI: The kid in the photo is a fan of animals.  This edition, by the way is dated on her special date for 2019. What? Of course, I know her. But before we get to any introductions, she'd want you to help some animals first. So here goes.]
MEANWHILE, ON THE LIST
AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES
In our previous edition, we noted that there are a ton of Pittie mixes at Dallas Animal Services. And we noted there are beasties that aren NOT Pittie mixes. This girl is Coco, about 4 years old, a black and tan Chihuahua who is spayed. Why a 4-year-old cutie would wind up in a shelter instead of in a lap is beyond all understanding on this planet. But, there she is, Coco (A1049794) available at the big DAS shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland. Call 214-670-6800 or stop by for a visit.
Oh, yeah, there are Pitties still there. This one with the “Glad-ta-see-ya” eyes is Shadow (1059593), nearly 2 and neutered, described as a “blue and white Pit Bull Terrier.” Same contact info for Shadow as for Coco.

And there are cats available, too That’s Tommie (1061942), chillin’ while a nearby human is coolin’ his or her heels at the big shelter. Same contact points. [LARRY ASIDE: And, yes, this is a great time of year to get a cat into your life. Why is that? Because any time of the year is a good time for a cat.” FYI: We’re not sure who does the work on the DAS Facebook page, but they’re doing a great job showing what has happened to adoptable animals after they leave the shelter. It’ll make a hard heart melt with gratitude.]
A SLEEPY REMINDER
WITH A WEEKEND PURPOSE
As our Dear Readers know, each weekend we present a feature titled “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.” In this March 27 edition, I have employed the acting skills of our elder cat, The Senator, to demonstrate a potential napping position that could become the focus of our long-running weekend feature. 
All we need is a photo of a sleeping dog, a napping cat, a snoozing lizard, a dozing duck — whatever you’ve got at your house. Snap the picture and send it and the biography of the critter to [email protected] and we’ll joyously post the tale for the whole world to see. 
And, as you may guess, The Senator can change positions within 10 seconds of a snapshot.
His story? He just showed up one day on the front porch with the ferals about 8 or 9 years ago. We could tell him from the ferals because (a) he was not solid black, he was not a tabby, he’d let us pick him up (unlike the scattering ferals) and, in a neighborhood miracle, The Senator was already neutered. Made me want to tap dance. He is a wonderful cat. In the mornings he likes to crawl up on my chest and headbonk my bearded chin. He’s adorable. 
Another good reason to get a cat into your home — everybody needs someone who is adorable in their home and we know the odds are long that an adorable human will show up on your front porch.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE 

In our continuing effort to help volunteer shelter biographer Judi Brown keep the Code Red list empty of dogs, we cite two from her latest emails.
The first is Peanut Butter (41115385) who she labeled as a “4-year-old Chihuahua too pretty to be a boy.” But he is a boy — and clearly photogenic. Somebody hire an agent. He came in as a stray on the 20th. A STRAY! Who wouldn’t come lookin’ for this dog? Judi writes, “He’s a beautiful guy with big expressive eyes and pointy ears. Actually he’s too pretty to be a boy! He’s a sweet boy who jumps into your lap whenever you sit down. He’s very loving, affectionate, and generous with kisses. He seems to crave human closeness. Judging from what appears to be fly bites on his ears, I suspect that he’s been an outside dog. But from as loving as he is I would imagine that he would prefer to be inside snuggled up with his new owners….This little guy is a little bit of a thing, weighing only 8 pounds.”
This guy is Chance (41148428), a 30-pound, 4-month-old Lab/Pittie mix — he’s a surrender. Why? Judi says, “Because the owners did not have enough time for him.” Glossy coat, perky ears, expressive face? Judy writes, “After being with him and looking at the puzzled look on his face, I get the feeling that this beautiful boy does not understand what has just happened to him! One minute he’s in what he thinks is a loving home and the next minute he’s in a noisy shelter. In spite of that, he appears to love everyone. He’s a friendly guy that just wants to be loved on and will reciprocate with kisses and tail wags.”
To ask about helping these two or any critter at Mesquite, call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected].
You can see cats and dogs by going to the Mesquite site HERE. You’ll see a nameless cat, 41135696, a 2-year-old black an orange girl with the most amazing sunburst/spotlight face! Is that girl not a conversation-starter when you need a warm-up act for a polite gathering at your house?

And Mesquite posts ferals, too, including about a half-dozen from Holley Street and they’re all beautiful. This one is listed as “gender unknown” — ID#41051882. But, so beautiful. Pink nose. Beautiful coat. Might even be a “feral-en-route-to-housecat.” You never know. Might also be a barncat, I guess. Might, also, be another hard-luck Dallas County cat story. But, we’ll list just in case there’s someone who can give this cat a chance.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE KID, THE QUAKE & THE NORMAL?
That kid in the opening photo is 2-year-old Hannah Rose, my oldest grandchild. March 27 just happens to be her birthday — this year it’s her 18th birthday. Hannah Rose is the darling of the family unless you want to include her sis Emily Grace and brother Crash, er, Connor, in the balloting — then, maybe it’s a tie. That photo was snapped at a ballpark when she was about to watch her dad, Bart, and her uncle, Bret, play softball. We quickly explained to her, “Don’t wrap your fingers through the fence — a foul ball will smack ‘em.” She paid attention and is still able to play bass clarinet, guitar, maybe some piano and ukelele. She also has been able to play golf — that photo of her with her dad was taken 9 years ago. We were playing at Stevens Park in Dallas. She and I got to the green in just about the same spot and I foolishly said, “Wanna put for money? Five bucks to the one who makes this putt.” It was about 10 feet. I went first and rolled the ball left. Hannah stood over the ball and looked up at me with what can only be described as a mocking smile, tapped her ball and the son of a gun rolled 10 happy feet right into the cup with a loud plunk when it hit the bottom. “Five dollars,” she said. So, yeah, Happy Birthday, Hannah Rose. I should have noticed that neither Bart nor Uncle Bret would play the kid for money! Oh, yeah, she also out-bowls me. And I bowled in college! Am I proud? Yeah, but I don’t bet against her any more. … To our readers in Alaska: Some of you have moved there since 1964, so you may not know that March 27 is the anniversary of the 1964 event known as both “the Great Alaskan Earthquake” and the “Good Friday Earthquake. It was one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded — a 9.2. Here’s some reading on the big shake. … Yes, I’m a fan of the Fox4 local news early in the day. About 6:03 a.m. Tuesday, I heard the Channel 4 weatherman, Evan Andrews, predict a “normal 71” for the afternoon temp and then he said, “Normal is something we don’t get all the time.” That is one of the most fascinating sentences I’ve ever heard — since “normal” IS what you get most of the time, right? But it’s a great explanation of North Texas weather. So, thank you, Evan Andrews! And we’re looking forward to whatever is normal on March 27.
—- To offer advice or explanations, click on “comment” below or email [email protected]. —-

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN A WORLD FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE WITH LOVING HEARTS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Readlarrypowell.com has a special gift for you this edition. We’ll not examine Washington reports, college-level bribery or March madness TV broadcasts. Or hail. Or the Texas Rangers’ pitching staff. Before we get to other business today, we will mention this 6-year-old-girl Kima, in the care of Dallas Animal Services since March 16. Why is she significant? Kima is the last known gray and white tabby cat in Dallas, Texas. TIME OUT! Let me check my notes. Oops. No, Kima is one of many tabby cats available throughout Dallas and North Texas. She happens to be at the DAS PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road, in Dallas (call 972-381-1588, ext. 5). She’s 6 years old — she oughta be a housecat who enchants her people. Look at those whiskers and those markings -- she was born into HD! (That's "high definition" for those of you who are happy with black-and-white TV.)
ABOUT THIS DOG IN GARLAND
We got a reminder about Tyrion Lannister (A236642) from Deborah Lynn Verner, our longtime tipster and admired rescuer of critter.
She’s concerned about this boy. You may recall that she “rescued this pup off the streets, but had nowhere to take him, so he ended up at the Garland Shelter. He was abandoned on the streets after his owner died. This sweet, sad boy needs a forever home. ”
She adds that “due to being Heartworm Positive, he is now Code Red. He is available for adoption or rescue. His heartworm treatment is sponsored by Funding for Fido.”
 Here’s the LINK to her Facebook post. The pup is described as a “neutered, vaccinate male, tricolor Jack Russell Terrier/German Shepherd Dog mix. About 2 years old. About 20 pounds.” He’s been off stray hold since the 10th. Contact info is in the artwork.
DO YOU KNOW A CAT WHO NEEDS
SOME SPECIALIZED SURGERY FOR $15?

We got the tip on this from Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com and from the TCAP folks, too. The Texas Coalition for Animal Protection has arranged to “have your cat fixed for $15 at any TCAP location during April.” You can read about TCAP’s work at texasforthem.org and click HERE to see locations and services that helps dogs and cats.
It is virtually impossible to live in Dallas/Fort Worth and have a good excuse for not spaying or neutering your cat or anybody else’s cat! 

For this TCAP special, cats have to be older than 10 weeks, less than 5 years; must wight at least 2 pounds and be healthy. They also can get the rabies vaccination for $5 if they don’t have one and they’ll need one to qualify for this program. Check out the rules online. Remember, the goal is to keep the area from having unwanted kittens that are born just to be killed; the goal isn't to get rich off of the fertile nature of North Texas.
TWO MORE STRAYS
ON MESQUITE CLOCK
Holy smoke, Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Shelter, can certainly spotlight some interesting and beautiful dogs. We have two strays as examples.
 Hal (41102165) is our first “demonstration of handsome.” Plus he’s got an active tail that wags nearly back up to his ribcage — see the tip of it in this photo? Hal is a year-old, 53-pound Basenji/Canaan mix, Judi reports. Came in on the 18th. “He’s a very handsome boy. You would’ve thought Hal’s owners would’ve come looking for him because he such a sweet, friendly, gentle young dog. He’s got a very laid-back yet loving personality. He gives gentle affectionate kisses. He stays close wanting to please. His tail wags constantly. He looks up at you with adoring eyes. He walks well on a leash. … I know he would like nothing better than to curl up in a pile of blankets next to his family.”

I’ve used two photos of this next pup, Chuck, a year-old, neutered, 50-plus pound Coonhound/ Pointer mix, who came in on the 19th. His face has such different countenances, that I felt it would be unfair to not show the range of his emotions!  Well, he looks sincere, anyway! Who know? Hollywood may need this dog for a featured role. His description sounds like acting resumes I have read.
Judi writes, “He’s an exuberant dog with an abundance of energy and playfulness. He’s a happy guy. He’s very friendly. He is so excited to interact with you that he forgets his manners and sometimes jumps on you. He could use some training to teach him not to do this as he does not know his own strength. Once he was out in the yard and got to romp some he did settle down. He would come to be petted. He also explored everything with his nose. He’s obviously very alert! He appears to be house-trained.” 
To ask about either of these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
A POSITIVE NOTE FROM
A WEEKEND ADOPTION EVENT
We’ve been a fan of DFW’s Furgotten Friends since Stephen Foster founded the rescue group in 2012. And we’ve watched as successful events have occurred, such as the time Georgia the dog arrived and promptly gave birth to a “load” (larger than a litter) of puppies.
The weekend inspired the dogfan Mr. Foster to post this uplifting report. He wrote, “What a great day at Pet Supplies Plus (on Mockingbird) yesterday [Saturday]. Jasper [the brown dog] and Geo got adopted together. They are so bonded they just couldn't be separated. It was tough for Kingslea Kathryn Stringham to let them go but she did an amazing job fostering Georgia's puppies down to the last two to be adopted. Our sweet Boxer mix Max also got an application. Three dogs headed for forever homes and $200 in donations. You can't ask for a better day.”

Here’s what Georgia’s pups looked like when they turned 6 weeks old on January 14.
You may recall that Georgia was caught while dodging traffic in Mansfield — her capture was a year-long project and after her pups were weaned she moved back with Heaven’s Helpers Rescue to find her good, responsible home.

CONTEMPLATIONS

IN THE AFTERMATH
The incident with the dogs who fatally mauled their human in the exercise yard at an Irving vet clinic may be the most upsetting incident we’ve encountered in a while.

Whenever there’s an ugly incident with Pittie-type dogs, there is a fear that wonderful, lovely dogs are going to pay for the awfulness of the situation. Rather than getting a chance to be adopted and demonstrated that they are loving and adored dogs, they’ll be killed because time runs out at the shelter.
Over the weekend, a woman visiting her dogs in quarantine at an Irving vet hospital was fatally attacked by her own dogs in an exercise area. This is horrible — as surely everyone must agree. News reports said the dogs were shot to death so people could get to the victim. Also horrible, but understandable. 

We don’t know what triggered this behavior in the dogs.

What we do know is that while these two dogs were involved in this horrible incident, there were scores and scores of Pittie-types — maybe more — in North Texas who did nothing more than flop on the couch next to their human and enjoy some petting and mutual adoration.
Still, It is difficult to remove the horror from your mind.
Yet we know there are situations with Pittie-types that are nothing short of unblemished love between dogs and humans.

On Monday afternoon, the Dallas Animal Services listed “for adoption” 249 dogs — the first 7 on the list were Pittie types. Many, many of the 249 were Pittie types — go to dallasanimalservices.org and scroll through the adoptables. North Texas shelters have an abundance of “Pittie types” waiting on either a rescue, an adoption or the needle. 
I copied the entires of the first five dogs on the DAS list Monday afternoon and they are all Pittie types who are not puppies. I don’t know if they were strays or dumped or picked up in neighborhood sweeps because their humans are irresponsible idiots.
Yes, I do not know any of these dogs. Nobody may get the chance to know them except for the shelter personnel who pet them, and feed them and talk to them.

Maybe the incident over the weekend will make people think twice about getting a Pittie-type. People OUGHT to think twice about adopting one — make sure you know you have the right home for a dog who will need a loyal and firm human. But isn’t that why people should think at least twice before adopting any other kind of dog, too?
Our dogs — well, dogs should be symbols of love. I don’t know the lady who lost her life, but I’m betting she felt the same way or she would not have gone to visit them. We mourn the loss of someone who loved dogs.
—- Offer an opinion by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. And, pray for the dogs and the humans. We all need it. —-

FOR MONDAY, A CAVALCADE OF ANIMAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ART

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Here on this fine day in North Texas, we have the opportunity to help some animals and to help people who are helping animals. Here we go:
CARDS AND ART FOR ANIMALS
AND SOME SUPPLIES, TOO

If you happen to live with a cat, you have seen something like this artwork by Celene Terry in your own home. And you may have echoed, in your own way, these words: “No animal is a better judge of comfort than a cat.”
They came from James Herriot, the Brit vet who wrote All Things Bright and Beautiful.
 This watercolor and several others are on cards that are being sold at the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake Spay/Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City. Sales benefit the Friends — 10 cards and envelopes for $15. The artist donated the work to benefit the Friends. (You can see Celene Terry’s work at www.celenterry.carbonmade.com or at the 211 Gallery in Athens.)

In the meantime, our tipster Sydney Busch, one of the stalwarts of the mission at Friends of the Animals, sends a note about supplies needed at the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas:  
Cases of bottled water for our hard-working volunteers; “bleach — always bleach”; isopropyl alcohol (70 percent); hydrogen peroxide and “distilled water for the autoclaves.” [LARRY ASIDE: Autoclaves are small bi-valved, furred East Texas bayou creatures that are notoriously fertile and must have abundant water to be successfully spayed or neutered.” I’m kidding. The autoclave is a pressurized sterilizer — relax, it’s a medical appliance not for sterilizing animals but for sterilizing medical tools.] Donations can be made at the clinic when you pick up your Celene Terry Cards.
The online links are www.friendsoftheanimals.org and on Facebook HERE.
STRAYDOG’S 3RD ANNUAL GALA
SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 6
The legendary East Texas sanctuary Straydog Inc. hosts its 3rd Annual Pups & Pearls Soiree from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Wolfgang Puck at Union Station in Downtown Dallas. We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out at least one of the available dogs currently in the care of Straydog. This is Lab Mix Chip, found starving with his siblings. Those other two? Well, they’re lifelong companions who will be adopted together — that’s Fritz the Shepherd Mix and Fletcher the Scottie Mix. 
They’re among the animals who’ll benefit from the “evening of Pups, Pearls and Pawraising,” the note from Linda Arnold, the event manager, read. The event includes a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, a “Wiggle & Wag Raffle,” reception music by Anita Tipping-Wheeler, live music by Maxxx!, complementary valet parking … Oh, and the event also features commentary by Babe Laufenberg the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who is now a beloved broadcaster of Cowboys games!

 

 

Tickets and info at straydog.com.

TWO ODD TALES
FROM MESQUITE
Now and then there are indications that the life of a dog can be as strange as the day-to-day existence of a human being. We’re all wayward travelers — some of us on freeways, some of us lost in that space between our ears. You know how it goes.
Here are two dogs. First we’ll mention Ria, a return visitor to our site. She was on the code red list for Saturday at the Mesquite Animal Shelter, but our tipster Judi Brown reports that the 44-pound dog (40793656) is still holding on at the shelter. She’d been dumped there after her puppies were “given away” by whomever had her. Then, the 7-year-old girl was involved in a fight at the shelter when a dog tried to “mount her” during playtime. So, a little beaten up, and with a bad mark on her record, she waits to see if someone will give her a chance. “This will hurt her chances; she has not gotten any breaks so far,” Judi wrote. Maybe this spotlight will touch the heart that needs to give her a life-saving break. (To ask about her, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].)
The other dog is Bosco — he’s a Rottie mix who’d been adopted once but had been returned — “landlord issues.” As his Code Red clock clicked down on Saturday, he was adopted by “three nice young ladies,” Judi says. Her contact with adoptions said it appeared that Bosco “was getting a good home.”

CONTEMPLATIONS

WHAT TO DO; WHAT TO PONDER; WHAT TO PAINT
We got this note from Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com, a longtime member of the animal community, about a mission taken up by Karen Westmoreland, longtime president of Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets (CLASP). The mission is to help Carole, the woman bathing Honey, the Westmoreland dog, She and her pets are about to lose their home. Karen Westmoreland has an idea that she can raise enough money to buy Carole a house. There’ll be some rental transition time. But as Karen Lee said, “Karen W. is determined to find a place for Carole and her pets.” Get in touch with Karen Westmoreland at [email protected]. Here’s the gofundme LINK that will explain that picture and the situation.  [LARRY ASIDE: I guess the thing I’m contemplating here is what in the world would most of us do if we found ourselves in such a fix with our beloved animals. This can sometimes not be a very kind world when animals are involved.]. … Remember these three pups who were terrified in the Euless Animal Shelter? They’ve all gone into foster homes, according to the report on the Facebook site that first mentioned their plight. In a report, Ximena Reyes, who sat with them for about an hour, wrote that she understood why they were feeling terror: “I would be too if I was caged and had no clue as to what’s going on in my surroundings. No animal deserves to feel this way. We are so undeserving of all their love. They do so much for us that we don’t even realize.” Here’s a LINK to follow the trio. ...
WHILE I WAS RESEARCHING Celene Terry’s artistic work on behalf of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, I ran across a notice about the Van Go Art Fair on March 30 in Van, about 90 miles southeast of Dallas and accessible on a number of paved East Texas roads. On one of the online sites — the 211 Gallery Facebook page as I recall, we found this illustration of “Vinnie Me, a “self-portrait” by artist Steve Willis for the Van Go Art Fair. The event celebrates Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday in 1853. Also, there’s an art costume contest scheduled for the event — a $200 price, according to the website HERE. The notice included these three entertaining examples of costumes. The kid as Frida cracks me up.

—- To offer advice, solutions or artsy ideas, click on “comment” below or email [email protected]. —

PARANORMAL, MYSTICAL, EERIE NAPPERS -- OR, JUST CATS DOING WHAT CATS DO?

There are suggestions that cats have nine lives. There are suggestions, also, that a home is a housecat’s natural haunt, so to speak. Cue the spooky music. Wait, we don’t have any. Just hum the theme from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken as you consider the possibility that, at our house, all cats are normal. Maybe.
We’re not sure how The Handbook of Mystical Cats & Puzzling Events defines “normal.”
For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re attempting to build up readership boost through the use of these words: paranormal, poltergeist, ghostly, apparitions, temporal warp, Martian sand masters and this eerie phrasing, “eliminate the income tax.” Kidding about that last one — doesn’t have a ghost of a chance.

What we have there is a photograph of our happily napping cat The Senator. Below him, there is a cat of a different color, i.e., a shiny-eyed apparition who suddenly appeared out of nowhere while The Senator napped.

The Senator, possibly a 14- or 15-year-old who mysteriously materialized on our front porch, is flat out on a bare shelf of my literatespouse Martha’s reading cabinet. Usually there are books stacked there. 
That eerie countenance with the mystically glowing eyes is young Simon, about 2. He never heard of Woodstock or The Altamont Speedway Free Festival or The Flying Burrito Brothers. I mention those to explain why he has glowing eyes and not kaleidoscope eyes. Also, he thinks “counterculture” refers to dogs.

Nevertheless, ambitious to be a proper feline meditator, he’s studying the skills of The Senator. He has enrolled in The Senator’s college-level course, “The Active Path To Inactivity —A Life In Office.” It’s easy to enroll. Just offer a bribe — ooops! I mean, a donation.

Speaking of clairvoyance, The Senator says he knew I was going to write about the eyeglow photograph. Also, he is a practitioner of psychokinesis — roughly defined, that’s the ability to make objects move by using your mind. I frequently will have him sitting in my lap and he will suddenly begin staring at my wrist and, inexplicably, I will move just as he decides it would be fun to bestow a love-nip on my forearm. 
Yes, he is a telekinetic cat. He is also a cool cat who has taken young Simon on as a candidate for the feline force for good, the NapKnighters. May the purrs be with you.
The other photos show Simon meditating behind my computer screen — for a while I thought the “ommm” was a bad fan in the cooling unit. And, in that darker photo, you may be able to see him activating his bio FCD, i.e., an enhanced gland known as the Feline Cloaking Device that allows him to disappear under the right circumstances. And that other photo of The Senator? That’s him in his Time Tunnel — he will enter it, become motionless for a brief time and emerge into a whole different world on the other side of the tunnel.
 He only uses his power for good, he tol me.
[REMINDER:As you are reading this, send telepathic messages to our clandestine reception site. You’ll know what ESP code to use. Also, send your sleeping/napping critter photos and the story of the animals to d[email protected] and we’ll post the tales in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap on readlarrypowell.com. Contemplate how the love of your cat may influence others to adopt a homeless Earth feline— same dynamic for your terrestrial dog. And you may be helping insomniacs feel confident that they, too, can stretch out on a flat board and get some sleep. Enjoy this appropriate closing music.
—- Offer slumbertips or stock advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] or by sending your telepathic signals to me at -- well, those of us with "the gift" know where the router leads, right? —