ReadLarryPowell.com

MELI AND ZOE -- LOVE & LABOR DAY....

EDITION OF AUG. 30-SEPT. 2, 2019 [PetPowellPress] “Labor Day Weekend” sounds like the end of summer, but I hope you all enjoy every moment of it with your animals and your people. I know Labor is the focus of the weekend, but would it be so bad to celebrate love, too? 
That’s what we do every weekend at readlarrypowell.com. We celebrate the love you can see in daily life when you “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”
Show of hands, please, how many of you can’t really nod off if your cat or your dog isn’t in the usual spot? Of course, as you can see, sometimes the spot the dog picks isn’t really the spot you’d expect! 
Becky Dodge sent photos of her babies, Meli, “some sort of shepherd mix,” and Zoe, who is “about 3 now and still runs the house.” They arrived at Becky’s in different ways — one sort of traditional, one just plain wacky.
 Meli is 14 and encountering age-related health problem, Becky says. “She is naturally sleeping more and moving slower now days. She'll fall asleep almost anywhere (as you can see, a dog bed is just behind her).”
Meli was adopted un August 2014 via the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter. “She had originally been picked up as a stray, about 9 years old,”
 Becky says. “Her paperwork said she is some sort of shepherd mix, although I've never been quite sure. She was being fostered by a shelter volunteer since she wasn't being chosen for adoption (probably because she was a little older. Don't know anything about her earlier history as she was picked up by Animal Control as a stray in June of 2014. She was estimated to have been about 9 at that point and she's been a part of my family since then. 

“Her kennel name was Reba but I just couldn't see her as Reba, the name just did not fit. Since to me she looked like all the shades of honey, everything from light to medium amber I called her Meli (the Hawaiian word for honey). She has always been that sweet. Very gentle and dignified in her own way. She was always patient with Callie who was more nervous and highly strung and never got cross with her.

“Even now that she is older she has not lost that sweetness and patience with Zoe who is so much younger and sometimes gets a little two energetic for Meli, yet she and Zoe often curl up to sleep together during the day. Meli is definitely in her ‘sunset’ years now and is having some health problems, the usual arthritis but also she has IVDD (intervertebral disc disease, where one of her spinal discs is protruding between here vertebra). She has some very painful days and her desire to move around much has greatly decreased but she still likes a very brief walk on her good days. I used to really like watching here sort of prance so happily when we were on them.

“She is one of the best-mannered dogs I've ever met, never pulling or chasing, she just wanted to enjoy her long walks, meet people and enjoy being out. Sadly that has almost ended now as her legs are weak and unable to go very far without collapsing under her. Nowadays she wants lots of cuddles and petting which I am extremely happy to provide. ...It's a little odd, but even now Meli will not sleep in my bedroom. Many of the other dogs over the years have but Meli absolutely will not, she comes in to say goodnight as I am going to bed but then she goes back out front to sleep. The toy she has in the photo was her favorite for a long time before she began to lose interest in it.
“Zoe will be 4 in a few months and even though she is the smallest she is the fiercest. She absolutely believes that she is the biggest dog of them all.The vet says she is a Miniature Pinscher mix. Zoe weighs all of about 12 pounds and will deliberately taunt the 80-90 pound German Shepherd next door until he is infuriated with her. I've seen her chase the neighbor's cat (who probably weighs 15 pounds) out of HER back yard. In other words, in Zoe's mind SHE is in charge. I've also discovered that Zoe hunts and eats geckos, she goes after them and eats the tails, leaving the rest of the body untouched. Lately she has been bringing in all the deadfall peaches from the backyard tree and hiding them throughout the house — I've discovered 5 or 6 in the last day or so, some under a doormat, some hidden behind dog beds throughout the house as well as other places. She delights in squeaky toys and in chew toys. In the mornings she gets the ‘zoomies’ dashing in to find a favorite toy to play with until breakfast and to see if she can get me to play tug with her. She regards me as her own personal pillow and favorite place to snuggle. Zoe has been here for almost 4 years. I took her in in 2016. She was ‘dumped’ literally on my doorstep by a woman in the neighborhood. I had chatted with this person earlier in the day when I got the mail. At the time I noticed Zoe playing around and made a passing comment that she was a ‘cute pup’. That night the woman walked up to the door about 8:30-9:00 pm, carrying Zoe, knocked, and said, 'Here, her name is Zoe, she is 8 months old, you have dogs, we don't want her.' That was all she told me.

“The implication was that if I didn't take here she was going to be on the street. Naturally I took here. After meeting the other dogs Zoe made herself at home and when I went to bed she refused to sleep in one of the dog beds, instead insisting that I put here in bed with me. She has been my ‘bed partner’ every night since then. She cuddles against me all night. BTW that tug toy is currently one of her favorites, she wants to take it everywhere.”
So, Dear Readers, as we suggested in the opening, Labor Day weekend can be about love . You can tell that Meli and Zoe are loved.
[LARRY ASIDE:Send photos of your loving dogs and cats practicing the Art of Snooze to me at [email protected] and we’ll spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap. Your story may inspire good human to go to a shelter and bring a dog or cat into the family. And, no doubt, the photos will convince the planet’s insomniacs to believe that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just figure out how far away from the bed they need to be.]
—- Offer opinion or Labor Day Picnic tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] or by sending a veggie sandwich to …I’m kidding. I’ll just have some mixed greens and lite Ranch. —-

PRESSURE: MORE COMMON IN THE ANIMAL WORLD THAN FLEAS...MAYBE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Let’s dive right into the issues of the day that are not political or presidential or Dallas Cowboys running back. HERE GOES:
GARLAND’S PRESSURE
The word from Garland is that there’s a population overload and adoptors and rescuers are needed to help draw down the population and save lives. 
We took a look at the Garland lists and found a zillion stories to focus on and, bewildered by the odds, we picked two — both dogs have been on the “URGENT” list since August 21. You can see more adoptabes at either the PetHarbor site HERE or the shelter site HERE.
The first girl is Lizzie (A240251) a “found stray.” She’s up for adoption — has no behavior issues. But recently she began coughing and "has been moved to sickbay." She’s under treatment but can be adopted or rescued, the shelter says. She’s about 4 years old and weighs 49 pounds.
The second dog is Muneca (A205969), surrendered to the shelter on August 19. Why? Get this, my fellow dogfans. The shelter appeal read, “Muneca was surrendered by her previous owner because they stated they could not get rid of fleas. She has not exhibited any behavior issues and was placed up for adoption. She was listed at about 6 years old, 52 pounds, current on vaccines, and tested HW+. She can be adopted or pulled by rescue, but is needing rescue’s assistance ASAP."

The shelter is at 600 Tower St. Call 972-205-3570. Don’t worry about the darned fleas. Worry about the dogs and cats.
THE LANCASTER CRISES
Crisis? Nope, CRISES. 
We got a raft of photos from the small shelter advocates Laura Macias and Leanne Hayden but not any cat photos. Why is that? Here’s the answer in all caps from their latest emergency note about the low-traffic Lancaster Animal Shelter: "**THERE ARE 21 KITTENS AT THE SHELTER NOT YET PICTURED**”
There you go. But what about the dogs. Some have been waiting for months without a single bit of interest. For example, we wrote about the Rottie BJ who is having pain problems in the left side of his face and neck. How many donations did the dog’s helpers get for his vet appointment? None. Not a dime. Not a dollar. Nothing. There’s still time to help him. Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
Princess “came in as a stray but was microchipped. She is an absolutely wonderful dog — just as sweet as can be.  Owner was located but has not come in for her (sadly, many people cannot afford the daily fees associated with when their dog gets picked up).  SHELTER STAFF BELIEVE SHE IS PREGNANT - PLEASE HELP - SO URGENT.  DON'T LET PUPPIES BE BORN HERE - PLEASE.  Please, won't you help save her?”

As you can see, Laura and Leanne are passionate about saving these animals.
We’ve mentioned this girl before: Jenna, a Pittie mix who is “very sweet and gentle” and “incredibly urgent” — she’s been in the shelter around 5 months. Her note reads, “Beautiful black and white girl - very, very sweet extremely lovable girl. Everyone would so love to see her get a home that she so deserves.  Sweet, and precious.”

MIKEY UPDATE FROM BURNS FLAT
Terry Lynn Fisher sent a note about Mikey, the blind and deaf and ailing dog we featured in Wednesday’s edition. He’s rebounding somewhat. Terry Lynn writes, “He has grown stronger each day..  He loves feeling humans touch... He wants to be loved... He tested negative for heartworm and ehrlichiosis, which is great news... He does, however, have a heart murmur and a bad infection, which he is now being treated for. I will be honest: Mikey may only have a day left — but he might also have a week... a month.. or even years... All I know is he will live whatever time he has left filled with love and care and kindness. He will not die alone laying in the dirt.”

Terry Lynn needs some financial help caring for him and if you’d like to be part of giving this boy a loving home, get in touch with her at [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE
Here’s a boy named Buster — the rarest of all dogs around here: a stray Pittie mix. I’m kidding those who don’t know of the nature of human behavior in North Texas. “Stray pittie mix” are words said more frequently than “What a sweet dog!” 

Anyway, the Mesquite volunteer shelter biographer Judi Brown says year-old Buster came in on August 20. “He’s a happy-go-lucky, exuberant dog with a tail in constant motion. It’s a case where the tail wags the dog. He appears to love everyone and doesn’t meet a stranger. I imagine that he would be a good family dog. “ Buster weighs 45 pounds and is already neutered. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] and be sure to mention Buster’s ID number 39809785.

CONTEMPLATIONS
A CAT-COAT; SHELTER COUNT; THUNDERDOG

If you see enough cats, you’ll see some who look as if they’re two cats — in this case, you see Amber, #A1080531 at Dallas Animal Services. She came into the shelter on Tuesday and is described as a “female calico domestic shorthair” about 8 months old. She’s got a coat that will stop the conversation when she walks into a party — you know, like a movie star with a distinct appearance. Visit her at the big shelter at I-30 at Westmoreland or call 214-670-6800. …. How many dogs and cats and other at at the big shelter in Dallas? We went to the dallasanimalservices.org site (left) and the DAS PetHarbor site HERE
on the right. Different numbers but both sites show “lots” of dogs and cats and when you peruse the “cats” you’ll see TONS of kittens. Really — so many kittens that the count maybe in “tons.” ….As I was typing this, I heard thunder on the southern edge of Dallas. The confirmation was my guard dog, Porche Noel, woke long enough to bark twice, then drop her head back down on the couch to go back to sleep. She tells me that she wakes to bark at thunder so we’ll know she’s earning her salary for “Security Consultation.” This is Porche in the “ready-to-bark-twice” pose. She’s very economic with her movements.
—- To offer an opinion on why some people are idiots with their dogs and cats, click on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —

THE HUMAN ELEMENT: A HOAX IN ONE CASE; A TRIUMPH UNDERWAY IN ANOTHER...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28, 2019 [PetPowellPress] So, the headline on this San Francisco Gate story reads “The story of an abused dog horrified people nationwide. It was all a hoax, police say.” People lined up to help. The guy with the dog said he’d found it with its throat slit and muzzled taped shut. The story is HERE. And while the story is a hoax, the reality is that anybody who’s been involved in animal rescue and dealt with mean humans knows why it’s so easy to believe such a story: The human element.
MIKEY IN BURNS FLAT
We opened with that hoax about an animal in trouble. This story from Burns Flat is no hoax. We got hit from our reliable rescue tipster Terry Lynn Fisher. She wrote, “Meet Mikey. At one time, he was loved by his owner. He was spoiled and went everywhere with her. Sadly, his person changed and took a wrong road. Mikey paid the price. Left alone at the house for days and weeks, he slowly started to feel the neglect.

“We have had heat index higher than 110 degrees here. How this 13-plus-year-old dog survived laying in that heat with no water is a miracle in itself.
“It had been 5 days since anyone had been to the house he was at — in a small kennel out back, he just couldn't fight the heat, hunger and thirst anymore. So he laid down in the dirt and just closed his old eyes. He had sores all over his body and was covered in a million fleas. He was covered in ants and they were eating the rotten tissue around all the sores on his old body. He decided life was too hard and sad, so he would just go to sleep...
“A neighbor was out back and looked his way. He thought this old boy had died and was so angry. He called the police. Imagine their surprise when the dog looked at them. They called me to help get him to the vet. They wanted to humanly help him pass. I asked them to bring him by so I could check him out. When they came by, I went and touched his face. He lifted his head and licked my and my Granddaughter’s hand and face. He is almost totally deaf and blind. The sad look in his eyes haunted me. I knew then we would fight for him and give him at least a chance.
“After MANY baths and several mini meals and water, he perked up a little. He still could not stand on his own, but he sat up. By the next afternoon, he was standing — wobbly, but standing and walking a few steps.

“He is now at my vet’s. He has a very bad fever and a heart murmur. His gums were white from being anemic from being eaten up with fleas. The open sores are all infected.  BUT HE WANTS TO LIVE!!!!!
“So, for now, we will continue to fight with him. With each little meal, his body gets stronger. This morning, with a little assistance, he WALKED out to go potty.

“At 13, blind and deaf with a heart murmur, nobody knows how much time this old soul has left on this Earth.  But the one thing I CAN promise is that he will not die alone, in the dirt, being eaten by ants.”

[LARRY ASIDE: The dog’s vet bills are rising. But Terry Lynn is appealing for help with a dog who deserves better in life. Email her at [email protected]. Get in touch with Elk Creek Clinic at 580-225-4863 — its at 1301 Airport Industrial, Elk City, OK, 73644. They know Terry Lynn’s rescue heart and help her.]
THEY’RE WAITING FOR HOMES
IN THE MESQUITE SHELTER 

Our veteran tipster, Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Shelter, spent some time with this 1-1/2-year-old Dobie girl Athena who arrived at the shelter Tuesday. Surrendered. Why? “Because her owner was pregnant and she said Athena was too strong for her,” Judi reports.
Judi visits the dogs she writes about. She says, “My experience with Athena was that she was extremely sweet and gentle. She’s a bit on the timid side but definitely wanted to make friends. She stayed close. She even gave me one tentative kiss. She wants to please and sits on command. Her previous owner said that she knows to catch, stay, and go. Athena was also raised with children from ages 2 to 7 years old and lived with other dogs. I also noticed that when I took her through the bay she went nose to nose with some of the dogs without a problem. Her previous owners said that she does not like cats."
Athena weighs 47 pounds and is already spayed. Ask about #42586693 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com. 
If someone beats you to saving Athena, there are other dogs and cats waiting at Mesquite. We went online HERE and discovered that the big cat James Bond (42099196), first mentioned here a month or so ago, is still unclaimed by a loving human. He’s nearly 8 months old and has been at the shelter since July 1 — look for him in the Cat Room.

That fabulous Earhound is Reese (4388997), just over 3, and she tips the scales at 44 pounds. She’s been in the shelter since August 3 — you guessed it! She was a stray. Nobody has come for her. Walks nicely on a leash, likes to play with toys, “exuberant and lively although not hyper.” [LARRY ASIDE: That sounds like the perfect student at an elementary school.]

CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES ON THINGS

I’m typing this as the Texas Rangers are involved in a baseball game on the West Coast against the Angels — I’m still not sure where they’re Los Angeles, California or Anaheim Angels. That aside, it’s actually kind of chilly in Big D as 11 p.m. approaches. Chilly in that it’s not 101 — the online temp reading is 76 degrees. One day you can’t breath the hot air, the next you’re wondering where you packed the sweaters just after Christmas 2018. … When you’re dieting, nothing looks as good as fast food sweet treats on late-night TV. Something about an ice cream cone — even when it’s only 76 degrees. … I just saw a restaurant ad that promises “endless fries.” Can that really be good for you? I ask that as a guy who once considered Pancho’s Mexican Buffet to be a place of culinary miracles. All-you-can eat sopapillas? Oh, my. OK, enough of this silliness. I’d really rather be working out right now — but it’s just too darned cold.
—- Offer chilly opinions or hot options by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —

READ ABOUT DOGS, CATS, PEOPLE, ETC., IN THE COLD SNAP OF 2019

EDITION OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Relax. Nobody had to drive through rush hour traffic to produce this edition. Did have to walk to the kitchen for more coffee. My Caffeine IV was empty. And not a 100 degree day? That’s the prediction. We’ll see. I’m not getting the snowchains out of the garage.
THE LANCASTER SHELTER’S
GOT A ROTTIE  IN CRISIS
This is a dog who needs some human help. We got his story from Laura Macias, the small shelter advocate who tries to help get some attention for the low visitor shelter in Lancaster, just across I-20 from southern Dallas.
BJ, this purebred Rottweiler, “is not doing well at the shelter and his time is extremely limited,” Laura’s note read. “He does not want anyone touching his left cheek/neck area and this behavior is not normal and is sadly worsening the longer he is there.  It's possible he is in pain, since it seems to be around the left side of his face and neck. We have discussed possible ear infection, ruptured eardrum, impacted tooth, injured jaw. He DESPERATELY NEEDS A VET before everyone completely gives up on this poor guy. We intend to have him fixed and checked over well.

“We are trying to get funds together this week - PLEASE - THIS DOG NEEDS YOUR HELP - we made a vet appt for Wednesday, 8/28,  and it is a full service vet (which means expensive - we were quoted close to $700 so they can give him anesthesia and do EVERYTHING - including the neutering right after he comes in, and anything else needed such as x-rays to rule out an injury).  It had to be a vet close enough that the shelter staff could take him in and it took some time to find this one willing to work with him so there are not many options. … This shelter has no vet on staff and just cannot afford things like this. Please help, let's rule out an injury and see if getting him fixed at same time will help.  Please ... please ... he seems to have had such a terrible life so far.  He was an owner release and we heard that his previous owner apparently treated he and the dog that was his sister (now safe) very differently.  Some of these poor dogs go through such hell ... please, let's try for this boy ...it may not work but it's why we all try to help shelter dogs - dogs like this that deserve better ... if you can donate, any amount at all, please - call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email her at [email protected]."

This brown dog? That is Sophie, a Lancaster shelter resident for five months — said to be “longer than any other dog” at the shelter. Laura’s note describes Sophie’s situation as “heartbreaking,” and adds, “Everyone is in love with this sweet calm, gentle girl.  Most well behaved, calm, loving girl you can imagine.  Extremely well behaved.” Use the Laura connections above to offer to help or to ask to be put on the mailing list for the Lancaster shelter animals that Laura and her colleagues are trying to help.

SEASONS: BASEBALL, FOOTBALL? NO!

PUPPY/KITTEN SEASON IN THE FERTILITYPLEX
Yeah, it’s true. In North Texas the Puppy and Kitten Seasons last longer than the NBA plus playoffs.
Here’s a batch of puppies from Fort Worth and according to the post by Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s Ginger Leach, the puppies are “flea-infested and in need of rescue and TLC.”
First thing when they came into the shelter, they were bathed and getting anti-flea treatments.
Here’s who they are by the numbers (though you may name a puppy when you adopt the little rascal): 42564998 Female tri; 42564976 Female b/w largest not eating as much; 42564988 Female white runt; 42565004 Male.
A dopt, foster or rescue them. Get involved by emailing [email protected]. Don't call. Email. The FWACC shelter is at 4900 Martin St. in Fort Worth.
AND IN DALLAS...
We have this girl. Stunned! This kitten has just learned that Dallas temps are not forecast to reach 100 on Tuesday. Stunned she was. She’s Marla (1072840), one of nearly 200 cats and kittens listed on the www.dallasanimalservices.org site where, also, there are displays for more than 250 dogs. Marla’s about 14 weeks old and described as a brown tabby. Ask about her by emailing [email protected].
OUT AT THE LAKE
THEY’RE ABOUT TO STRUT


That’s a photo of someone in Texas Strut Boots (well, just boots, really) — but maybe all ready for the September 7 Strut Your Mutt “out at the lake.” And the dog is Baxter, a year-old Lab mix boy who has no human to strut with him. He “loves to run and jump around in the play yard. He is in search of a home to call his own,” his bio reads.
We spotted Baxter after we got another reminder about the Strut Your Mutt benefiting the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake. Thought we’d see who is waiting at the HSCCL shelter. There was Baxter. (FYI: You can make the artwork of the poster expand by clicking on it — you’ll see details of the big Strut Your Mutt event.)

In our perusal of the population, we also found two varieties of Heeler mixes awaiting adoption at the HSCCL shelter in Tool.
The black and white variety of Heeler Mix is Hunter *(#1713) a year-old fellow who “is fun to play with and likes his kisses. He is ready to have a yard of his own…”

And the Sitting Heeler is Cutie Pie (#1909), a year-and-a-half-old girl.

The cat? Not a Heeler Mix. She is, however, Momma (#1028), a 2-year-old.
 See more HSCCL animals HERE .
That big white dog? Year-old Great Pyrenees mix (#1789) named, what else,
Sara Jessica Barker.

CONTEMPLATIONS
CAT FACT, SCARY DRILLING, THE FALCON?
This is what it looks like when you’re typing at my keyboard and Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson is sharpening her investigative skills by staging a faux investigation of a tip she heard. Sometimes she doesn’t just look — she takes action, slapping the lightning-fast fingers moving across the keyboard. Funny girl. Nine years old and adorable every day. What? Oh, sure. She was a free Dallas cat. … I’m for science as much as the next guy but this “world’s deepest hole” project gives me the creeps. We can’t control volcanos, why should we be able to control a shaft dug toward the earth’s core? I’m sure I don’t understand. Like, I don’t understand why measles keeps making a comeback. … 
I’ve been typing this while TCM has been presenting The Maltese Falcon. Not a single CGI scene in that 1941 film — and some of the scenes are longer than a split-second. How in the world did they manage to win audiences with a film like that? Must have been a quirk in the space/time/cartoon continuum and humans of that era were persuaded to enjoy movies you could think about as you watched them. Things change. Look at the ticket prices.
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on “comment” below or emailing [email protected]. No prizes available for more outrageous thought. —-

ANIMALS NEED HELP; A POET'S INFLUENCE; AND THE AWFULNESS OF DALLAS...

EDITION OF MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2019 [PetPowellPress] There is no such thing as a lazy summer morning, is there? Here’s our Monday report. In Contemplations, we’ll discuss poetry in classrooms and crime in Dallas. One touches hearts, the other breaks hearts.
OVER THE WEEKEND…
Longtime rescuer and advocate Beverly Fyfe tipped us to this report on Todd Stephen Smith’s Facebook page and noted that this incident grew from animal community disgust to an investigation and a report on Telemundo Channel 39. 
You see the photo of a starving horse — that was on the Smith Facebook page. 
The live horse was “picked up,” the dead horse was “removed.” Todd explained, “I got a call today from Carlos with Telemundo Chanel 39.Tonight he wanted to interview Jeremy Boss and me. My friend Jake that took the time to call me is really the Hero here. Folks If you see something report it. And if you don’t want to get involved, call me or somebody. Tonight at 10 tune in to Channel 39 if you like Spanish TV. God Bless the Horses.”
He added, “I want to thank my friend and fellow surveyor Jake Hall for calling me this morning and asking what he should do. I advised him to call 911 which he did. He is waiting for the police to come. If you see something wrong report it. This is off Leatherwood and Overton Rd in S Dallas. We need to STOP ANIMAL ABUSE.”
The news team at Telemundo 39, i.e., T39, did a story with interviews and video for the Saturday evening news.
[LARRY ASIDE: Many of you will, no doubt, be able to translate the report. I don’t speak Spanish but in the T39 report on the discovery of the dead and ailing horses, one of the witnesses to the scene said something that I did comprehend and join in expressing, “¿Por qué? ¿Por qué?” And, don’t we echo that with our English “WHY? WHY?"]
A SIX PACK TO GO?

Well, maybe not all at once, but there are six of them. Word came from Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. 
The note begins, “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: We have to admit that the ancestries of the father(s) of this litter are not known. We DO have the beautiful, sweet, mama dog…The father(s), we believe, were possibly Black and Tan Coonhound, possibly Rottie mix, or even Dobie mix. What we DO know is that their mom has been a wonderful role model and the people who found her have given these puppies so much love and attention! They WILL be large dogs, but beautiful.

“BACKSTORY: A sweet young dog appeared at a house in the country having been abandoned because she was pregnant! This loving family took her in and has cared for and loved her and her puppies since their birth. It is now time for the puppies to find their FOREVER homes!

“These puppies have been trained to a doggie door and have VERY few accidents. They are 11 weeks of age, up to date on vaccinations and have been wormed. They are on heartworm preventative and flea/tick preventative.

“These are exceptionally smart puppies and will make wonderful family companions. The mother is about 65 pounds.” To apply to adopt, call Gail at 903-967-3226 or email [email protected].
SCOUT FROM TULSA

One of our Tulsa tipsters anonymously reports that this dog Scout needs some help now. He’s a 3-year-old, 80-pound Lab mix who adores people and cabinet counters, as demonstrated in these photographs. 
He needs a “loving home or foster,” our tipster tells us.
He’s currently at a vet’s office, but time is running out. And, the note reads, “He has a ride within a 10- or 12-hour journey from Tulsa.  Please, can anyone help him?”

He’s potty-trained, doggie-door trained and “loves to be around his peeps,” the note read.
Great kitchen counter photo.

CONTEMPLATIONS
POETRY, LIVES AND THE FUTURE
As a guy who is frequently puzzled by some of the poetry in The New Yorker, I still find myself admiring the tenacity of poets. And teachers. Both work to help people understand the world around them. On Sunday morning, I read a touching commentary by Joel Garza, a teacher at the Greenhill School in Dallas. The essay, written for The Dallas Morning News, dealt with the death of a poet who had become a friend to Garza’s students. You can read it HERE. Maybe poetry wasn’t your favorite topic in school. Maybe you’ve avoided poetry ever since someone handed you a diploma. But you might learn something about humanity when you read Mr. Garza’s piece. It might be sweeping, it could be simple. For example, I was clearly moved by the prose, but I also learned the word “tercet” — I must have been a absent the day in high school when we studied types of poetry. Doggerel, I know. Iambic pentameter, I know but don’t understand. Epic. “Epic” is a word to describe my respect for poets and my ignorance of their gift. I understood it a little more after reading Joel Garza’s commentary. … 

The same day I see Mr. Garza’s work in print, I click to the obituaries in the paper and the first one I see is that of Sara Elizabeth Hudson, the young — killed on her 22nd birthday! — recent college graduate who had come to Dallas to build a future but found a horrifying fate, instead. And there is the little 9-year-old girl, Brandoniya Bennett — dead because two guys were arguing and the gunfire killed an innocent child — those two guys were younger than Sara Elizabeth Hudson. The awful side of Dallas had nothing for either of the young victims — except our hearts, after-the-fact. Do you know who preached the little girl’s funeral? The pastor was Dallas School District Trustee Maxie Johnson whose 21-year-old son Whitfield was shot to death in Dallas the same day the little girl killed. That was reported by the News -- how sad can a city get?
How can this all be in Dallas, Texas? And, during the weekend, there were more deaths, more violent offenses, more lives ended, more hearts affected by crime. Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall returns to work Monday after medical leave — tough day ahead, I suspect.
Police chiefs come and go, politicians come and go (sometimes to prison in Dallas). No police chief has ever beaten the criminal element in Dallas. There aren’t enough police officers and there are too many people with, as I’ve heard prosecutors tell juries in Texas courtrooms, “a heart fatally bent on mischief.” Besides, in many murder cases, the "criminal element" is frequently a relative -- by blood or marriage. The "wild cards" are tough to figure -- like the "feud" that killed the little girl, or the Good-Lord-oh-no! death of Sara Elizabeth Hudson or Whitfield Johnson. Or the neighbor who was shot while standing in his front yard. That kind of thing.
I don’t have an answer for controlling crime in Dallas. Probably it will take a combination of strong elements — one of them is a willingness of people to choose right over wrong. That’s the willingness of the peaceful to fund the legal pressure against crime. 
But crime really is the criminal’s decision. Even in moments of the most hot-headed crimes, there is an opportunity to stop. I’m not sure "official Dallas' is a kind-enough city to influence people to do what’s right if they think they can always get away with doing what’s wrong. God help Dallas.
—— Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

KNOWING HOW TO NAP WITH STYLE

“This picture was taken looking down -- good thing she's asleep, because she would never countenance being looked down on!” —Feline Fotographer Andrew Fisher, Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief.





Welcome to the weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. It’s our first Autumn 2019 edition….yeah, Autumn doesn’t get to Texas until September 23, but we think it has already arrived at Indian Lake in Denville, N.J., headquarters of the Readlarrypowell.com Eastern Seaboard Bureau. I clipped the evidence off the internet Friday as I was beginning work on this tribute to championship household snoozers.

As you can see, that cat is a real work of art. Our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief, the veteran print and broadcast journalist Andrew Fisher, captured this artistic image as his bureau cat, Chloe, created a catnapping homage to stripes and coats.
That’s Andy’s former chair. You can guess whose chair it is now.
In this edition, you’ll see photos of a handsome basic black dog, too. That’s Maxie. He and Chloe are both rescues. (They were adopted by that couple all attired for a night on the big town, New York, a suburb of Denville, to characterize loosely. That’s Annie, the veteran rescuer, with Andy, the rescued, er, the bureau chief.) 

Chloe came from 911 Dog and Cat Rescue in Morristown and Maxie was adopted from Eleventh Hour Rescue in Randolph.
Chloe was a kitten and Maxie was already grown.

Peaches, the cat with the lamp, was Chloe’s predecessor in the household.
These other two dogs? Andy tells, us, "The doggie in the snow is, in fact, the virile Husketriever Barley, the dog Annie's son Ian got from St. Hubert's with his first communion money, the dog that turned this indifferent soul into an animal nut. 
"Dear saintly Bella was a shaggy black mutt who spent about a year in the Fisher pack after capturing Annie's heart at an Eleventh Hour adoption event. Here she is dancing with the old man."
Andy explains, “Chloe came to live with us about six months after Peaches went across the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 21. Chloe had spent a summer on the streets of Morristown, according to 911 Dog and Cat Rescue, the offspring of a pair of ‘trap savvy’ parents whose kittens the rescue had taken in before. We get an idea of what life was like for a kitten on the street, because she runs and hides at the slightest rumble of thunder or passing piece of noisy machinery. 
“We were originally interested in her shelter sister Camille, but foster mom Lori Banchi told us Camille wasn't fond of dogs, and our Maxie is a dog to be reckoned with. Chloe and Maxie get along just fine, rubbing noses and putting up with an occasional slap of tail or paw. 
“Chloe's original name was June Bug -- so her full name is Chloe June Bug Mead Fisher -- but we had to add the ‘Chloe’ because ‘June Bug’ didn't convey her unmistakable elegance. 
“Annie and I got a beautiful oyster-shell picture frame as a wedding present, and we spent years trying to find a picture that conveyed a sense of elegance and presumptuousness. Chloe solved that with one shutter click. 
“The chair in the ‘Make the World Go Away’ picture used to be mine -- a birthday gift from Annie several years ago -- but Chloe seized control as soon as she saw it.
“Occasionally, she lets me use it, as long as I understand just who's in charge. This picture was taken looking down -- good thing she's asleep, because she would never countenance being looked down on! 
“I would never refer to Chloe -- and she would NEVER want to be known -- as a ‘cuddly kitty,’ but when she feels it absolutely necessary, she can be the Princess of Purr.  Last year, when I broke my ankle and had to spend lots of time off my feet, Chloe was there for me."
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve included a photo of Chloe and Maxie’s tail — you can see the video and the tail whap by clicking HERE. Here’s a hint about happy Maxie’s tail and Chloe’s countenance: “Wag. Wag. Wag. Whap. Wag. Wag. Wag. Whap.” It's a brief video but it shows both a happy dog and a patient cat!]
Oh, that final photo of the yawning cat? It’s a holiday picture. Andy explains: “Thanksgiving before last, Annie, (son) Ian, and I went to Philadelphia to have dinner with (son) Tim and Celina and her parents. We were gone for about eight hours total. This picture was taken shortly after we returned. It was a yawn, but looking at the picture, we imagined she was asking, ‘Where the HELL were you all this time?’”

And, to show you how Maxie can sleep, that’s one of our previously published photos of the boy patiently waiting for Andy to finish a pensive moment on the deck overlooking the shores of Indian Lake. [LARRY ASIDE: Readlarrypowell. com thinks Andy’s pensive pause included a moment of gratitude for a cool dog, a cool cat and cool un-Texas temps in the summer.]
[DEAR READERS: We love to feature your slumbering critters in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap —your critters will join more than 14 years of photos of wonderful snoozers. Email photos and bios to [email protected]. You’ll be helping people decide to open their homes to dogs and cats. And you’ll be helping insomniacs believe they, too, can get some sleep if they can just curl up artistically in their new cat-striped pajamas.]
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on comment or emailing [email protected]. —-

ROCKET'S WAIT; TWO BONDED DOGS READY; CONTEMPLATIONS OF THINGS

EDITION OF FRIDAY, AUG. 23, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Here we are at the penultimate Friday in August, 2019. How many of us were surprised to find that the weather was hot in North Texas in August? Yeah, me, neither. More in Contemplations.
A DOG NAMED ROCKET…
I’m plucking this one off Facebook. Early Thursday morning I saw Janie Nelson’s post about Rocket, a dog waiting in Arlington Animal Services.
While many animal services were participating in Clear the Shelters last weekend in Arlington had declared Responsible Pet Ownership Day and, rather than free adoptions, was helping animals find new homes for $25.
But, as Janie wrote, “Not ONE person asked to meet Rocket on Responsible Pet Ownership Day. He was on his BEST behavior; ready to show off the good boy he can be. But no one even gave him the chance to try.
Instead, Rocket watched 33 dogs get adopted, while he sat in his kennel alone and forgotten. We haven’t forgotten you, Rocket! Your people are out there!!!”

And she added, “This rambunctious guy has plenty of energy and could use some training. But the Rocket we’ve gotten to know lets us come into his kennel for hugs, kisses and cuddles.”

The 1-and-a-half-year-old, 64-pound Pittie mix was surrendered to the Arlington shelter on July 2. Janie wrote that he “has been at the shelter longer than *any other dog*! His time is running out, so let’s get him safe QUICK!”

As Thursday headed toward the evening hours, Janie posted a very simple but emotionally uplifting message: “ADOPTED!! THANK YOU VILLAGE.”
So, in case you missed out on Rocket, we went onto the Arlington Animal Services site and found the distinct face of Husky/Shepherd mix Summer (42495848), 7 months old and ready for new home.
What? You want a cat? Here’s Maggie (42310122) in two poses. She’s spayed. She’s small. She’s a year-and-a-half old. 
And she’s also in Arlington’s shelter at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd, south of I-20 just west of the intersection of South Collins and Green Oaks. Call the shelter at 817-459-5898. Visit the website at www.arlingtontx.gov/animals. Email [email protected].
AT OPERATION KINDNESS,
SENIOR DOGS ARE POPULAR
Earlier this week we wrote about Operation Kindness honoring National Senior Citizen Day on the 21st by running an adoption special for senior dogs in the no-kill shelter in Carrollton. And, before we could even get the story into cyberprint, people were adopting the senior dogs identified as “available” by Operation Kindness.
So, the latest development showed up on OK’s Facebook page Thursday. It read, “All of our senior dogs found a forever home this weekend, except for Sophie and Shamus. Ten-year-old Sophie and 11-year-old Shamus have been together since they were just pups, so they are searching for a special home where they can stay together! Plus, their adoption fees have been waived!”
Stop by the shelter at 3201 Earhart Drive in Carrollton and ask about meeting these two bonded dogs.
OK’s report read, “Sophie and Shamus are the epitome of the saying ‘the whiter the muzzle, the sweeter the soul.’ We asked our staff what their favorite things about these two are, and here's what they had to say:
“-They love to share their snacks with each other!"
“-Shamus will talk to you, while Sophie will quietly wag her tail in agreement."
“-If they weren't dogs, Sophie would be an angel and Shamus would be a handsome gent who wears hand-knit sweaters and enjoys mingling with friends at a small pub in Ireland.”

I’ll stop there except to report that shelter personnel say Shamus always look after his “sweet and shy” sister. They’re both easy-going.
Oh, and “they both love treats!”
MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
Earlier in the week we posted a note about the needs of the animal shelter in Burns Flat, Okla. And we’ve gotten a note from the resilient rescuer and shelter tender in Burns Flat, Terry Lynn Fisher. She wrote, “A very kind lady made this Amazon Wish List for our pound needs. Please share and if anyone can help, we are always in need of things. I appreciate all of you so much.” Here is that LINK to the Burns Flat Amazon Wish List.
CONTEMPLATIONS
AIR-CONDITIONING, HOT DOGS & BLOCKBUSTER
You see the story about the a/c being fouled up at Medrano Middle School in Dallas? I read the report in The Big Paper Downtown and was disappointed that no kid was quoted as saying, “This must have been what schoolkids felt like in Texarkana in the 1950s.” Notebook paper stuck to your sweaty arms. Sweat stung your eyes during pop quizzes. The classroom sounded like a roomful over overheated pugs trying to catch their breath. I may have exaggerated that last one. Still, I can’t help but think that if I’d gone to air-conditioned schools, I’d have earned a scholarship to Harvard or Yale or Texarkana Junior College. It was too hot to think early each school year and that got me out of the habit for both semesters … Our dogs are going to be happy when autumn arrives. Every one of them was an outdoor dog when we rescued ‘em and nowadays the weather has to be perfect or they’ll complain. Happiest place on our property? Living room near the a/c vents and the TV remote. … This week I lost track of the calendar. I’ve been cleaning out my office and discovered many cards and letters from the early part of this century — you know, back when people would send handwritten notes instead of hand-typed emails. One of the things I found was a never-used gift card sent to me after I made a speech about newpapering and animals to a local rescue organization. It was from around 2001 or 2002 and it was for something like $25 at Blockbuster. Kids, have your grandparents explain the glory of Blockbuster.
—- Offer opinions or movie tips by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing [email protected]. —-

ON THURSDAY, WE'RE SWEATING A LOT OF THINGS....LIKE 'RENEGADES,' FOR EXAMPLE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019 [PetPowellPress] It’s too hot to think of something funny that doesn’t involve politics. So, let’s just dive in. Put on your floatation devices. I’m kidding. It’s too hot to float in Dallas.
If the online weather is right, the official temp in Dallas Wednesday was 99. I was out in it driving around — felt a whole lot like a solid 100 — maybe 105 or more — to me. 
Around sunrise Wednesday, I was headed to Kiest Park to exercise and saw, in my rearview mirror, the sun coming up over our hilly street in Oak Cliff. Caught in the side mirror, too. And, I said to my car, “Looks like it’s gonna be another scorcher.” The car kicked the AC into maximum and I drove onto the park to walk briskly and sweat brisklier.
LOOKING FOR SOME
FAMILY ASSISTANCE
This is a health situation with these three dogs.
Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control posted them on the shelter's Facebook page and even if they’ve been helped by the time you read this, there are other animals in Fort Worth who could use some human support. [LARRY ASIDE: You're not in Fort Worth? Try Dallas. Not in Dallas? Try Irving, Arlington, Denton Grand Prairie, The Colony, Mesquite — you get the drift.]
Ginger posted this story because the whole small family was sick. Her post reads “Reese/Mom 42410336 has an upper respiratory infection and has stopped eating! Started on injectable meds today. She is 3 yrs old, 38 lbs, unaltered, heartworm negative! Ryan/Dad 42410365 also has URI and heavy cough. He is 4 yrs old, 44 lbs, unaltered, heartworm negative! Deacon/baby 42410437 is less than a month old. He also has nasal discharge.”
 To offer to help email [email protected]. The shelter i at 4900 Martin St., in southeastern Fort Worth.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BUS? 

IT CAN BE ALL YOURS …
This is the honorable rescue bus that has been operate for years by DFW’s Furgotten Friends. And, now, according to the founder and president Stephen Foster, “It's time to say goodbye to the rescue bus. It's transported so many dogs in need. I've got tons of pictures of all the dogs on the bus and have loved every minute of having it. Once I bought the trailer it really became just a tow bus, although a cute thing to see going down the road. With the city now targeting me for parking this thing in the street by my house, I've decided it's time to get a pickup truck to tow the trailer for the rescue. If you know anyone with a good running truck for sale let me know.” You can see the “for sale” note on Craig’s List HERE, And if you want to offer the non-profit a deal on a pickup, get in touch with Stephen.
And, if you click HERE you can go to the adoptable dogs at DFW FurGotten Friends and you’ll see this fantastic Earhound Nash, a Greyhound mix who needs a home. He doesn’t have to ride in the bus. He’ll be happy to ride in your car.
PRAYER & PASSAGES:
SWEET GRETCHEN
Deborah Lynn Verner, the veteran rescuer and longtime pal of ours, is like the rest of us and wishes these babies had a lot more life to enjoy. She rescued Gretchen 10 years and 2 weeks ago. We have Deborah’s tribute to Gretchen today. Click on our Prayers & Passages link in the upper right corner of this page. On the 19th, Deborah posted this photo and wrote, “Gretchen had a good day yesterday......lots of cheeseburgers.” [LARRY ASIDE: You know what it’s like, Dear Readers, when you just want to make sure a beloved pet has something that signifies happiness.]

AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP JOYCE
COMES TO THE DENTON SHELTER

The background on Joyce is the nearly-year-old Labby mix is the pup who was named in honor of Joyce McKennedy, the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter volunteer who’d made sure the young girl would get a good deal in Denton.
As our tipster, the veteran monitor of Denton animals Amy Poskey reports, “Miracles still do happen, but not without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears along with lots of prayers! I’m just beyond thrilled to report that our Joyce was adopted on Saturday during Clear the Shelter!  I am NOT an advocate for Clear the Shelter at all; however, we had some AWESOME volunteers doing their best to screen potential adopters, as well as filling out questionnaires in an effort to make the adoption process smooth while matching pooches and cats with the right people.  

And, since our wonderful volunteer, Joyce McKennedy, was determined to find the perfect match for our sweet pooch, Joyce, we had a happy ending!  Now that calls for a WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO and a HUGE THANK YOU to Joyce McKennedy!!!  And, THANK YOU, to the shelter staff for giving Joyce time to find the perfect home!”

Does Denton still have other dogs and cats available for adoption? That Earhound is Aries (83632), 2- to 5-years-old. And that cat is 83959, maybe 6 months old, and currently known as “Dill Pickels.” [LARRY ASIDE: First time in all our years of animal reporting that we’ve encountered a cat named Dill Pickels, the shelter spelling for Pickles.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
RANGER, RENEGADES & POLITICS
I’m out of musings tonight as I write this. Though I can always dredge up a disappointment in the Texas Rangers — that’s been a habit for as long as the Rangers have existed, playing their first season in 1972 in the old converted AA facility, Arlington Stadium. That's the team's first logo. This year's team has its moments — like a roller coaster ride. Ups, downs and screaming. … About the XFL franchise name. The Dallas Renegades. Makes no sense. Here was the XFL’s official tweet text: “Deep in the heart of Texas beats a different kind of pulse. A swagger that can’t be denied. This is hell on wheels, between hash marks. Raising hell February 2020: The Dallas Renegades.” There’s a longer version on the XFL site that includes the line
 “Where big meets bold meets badass.” OK, (a) they won’t play in Dallas unless they get thrown out of Arlington and (b) Renegades? No offense to Bikers, but that sounds more like a road-strong Biker gang than a football team. … I thought the attempts to select the actual presidential candidates were going to be the oddest thing I’d see in 2019. Though “Where big meet bold meets badass” might work as a presidential election bumper sticker.
—- Offer opinion or an XFL/political slogan by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] where big typing meets big delete button. —-

COCO: A DOG WHO NEEDS HELP NOW

EXTRA EDITION WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Oh, boy, we’ve got an opportunity right now for someone to do the right thing — the best possible thing — for a dog named Coco. She’s 1075678 at Dallas Animal Services and needs a foster now.
We got her story from Patty Sprong who, as you probably know, is one of the nation’s — maybe the galaxy’s — top-notch foster moms. And that is how she met Coco, but it is also how she discovered Coco’s dilemma. These photos are of Coco at “Patty’s Place,” where dogs have a friend.

Here’s the hitch in the story: “I am just sick,” Patty wrote to me last night. “The dog that I fostered for Clear the Shelters was NOT able to participate in the event due to medical issues. She is HW+, has bad knees, and her urine was abnormal.

“They wanted a longer term foster for her while they gave her antibiotics, etc. Unfortunately that can’t be me because she kept going after my cat. My cat is happy now, has come out of hiding, and is eating again. Coco, on the other hand, is at DAS and in desperate need of rescue. …
“She is an amazing dog for a cat-free home. She is social, playful, and gets along with others. She was in the ‘Gentle and Dainty’ play group at DAS. She was a bit much for my 5- and 8-pound dogs, but would be great with playmates her size.” [LARRY ASIDE: That's Coco and the gang at Patty's Place enjoying some relaxation on the household furniture -- exactly where dogs should always feel at home!]

Coco is 5 years old, weighs 47 pounds and she’s a Lab/Pittie mix who, at first glance, looks like a black dog, but in the bright light of day has that wonderful dark brown/ chocolate coat with brindle markings. 
Very social, Patty says. “Loves everyone she meets — except cats. She takes food gently. She knows how to use a doggy dog.”
Here’s a reason to remember the joy of Coco the Dog when you consider helping her: Patty says, “She dove right into my neighbor’s pool to say hello!.”

Patty says contact DAS and use Coco’s ID number (the one on the collage, A1075678). Email [email protected]. Stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland. Call the shelter at 214- 670-6800. 
Remember, you don’t need a pool to foster or adopt Coco — just a heart big enough to help a sweet dog.
--- Offer opinions or suggestions by clicking on "comment" below or emailing [email protected]. ---

A VARIETY PACK FROM ANIMALS & PEOPLE, TO FREE BEER, TO BIG OL' BURGERS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We’ll get to “Rainbow Vomit” and dogs, plus “National Senior Citizens Day” in a moment. First this:
In a rare episode of clear-thinking, I’m going to dedicate this day’s typing for animals to all the people who adopted one during the Clear the Shelters Weekend — wait, that’s not all.
It’s also dedicated to all the people who adopted animals without having to have a public relations campaign, to all the people who found an animal in need and gave it a home, to all the people who opened their hearts to help animals by fostering, donating, rescuing or just flat loving. That cover the bases?
If that sounds sappy, let me just suggest that while we’re all happily enjoying the companionship and counsel of our animals at this moment, as soon as those shelter cages were empty, the plague of free-roaming idiots in our greater metrosprawl already was figuring out how to unload animals at the nearest shelter. "Hell, there's room now," they might say. These don’t care/so what people — wake their hearts. Every day. Don’t wait until next year. Gin up the interest 365, you know? (Read about this girl Angel a few paragraphs from now.)
We should be grateful, I guess, that people take unwanted animals to a shelter instead of dropping them off on a big parking lot or in the river bottoms under those string-art bridges in downtown Dallas.
That’s a photo of some local crank with Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson and a wander-up ex-street dog named Porche Noel — and that’s the cover of our next rock album Pixilated On The Prairie (the trio performs with one guitar, a drum powered by a wagging tail and a gentle purr as background music. Or we might make it the photo on our new book Pixilation Perspiration Nation: The Mystery of The Human Condition in a Texas Summer. That other photo is Porche demonstrating that she knows how to do a mind meld with a human.
OK, on with the show.
SOMETHING COLORFUL
FOR SPCA SUPPORTERS
I’m about to type a sentence that I never expected to type: The SPCA of Texas is teaming up with Rainbow Vomit. 
[LARRY ASIDE: With my limited imagination, I’d never have thought of the phrase “rainbow vomit” even though I had two little brothers and a set of boy twins — not to suggest little boys might eat too many popsicles at one sitting.]
Yes, I’m attuned to the keyboard and not the camera. But the Rainbow Vomit people have a handle on the photography and in this two-day event Aug. 24-25 you can bring your dog to the “immersive art” studios and take fantastic photos — an example of a warm-up act would be that girl Princess, an SPCA dog who was involved in “modeling” duty to promote the event. FYI: Rainbow Vomit is at 3609 Parry Ave., “right off the DART” across the street from “historic Fair Park.” 
Tickets are $25 per human, $15 per child and $15 per dog — you get 45 minutes to shoot away and you can have six dogs at a time in the immersive studio. There’s a Pro Pup Package if you want more time and want to bring in professional gear. The news release says, “Twenty percent of all proceeds from this special two-day event will benefit the SPCA of Texas.” (Tickets are at rainbowvomit.com/tickets and you can see more about this event at spca.org — more animals, too.)
 Dogs have to be at least 4 months old, spayed/neutered, friendly around people and other dogs, flea and tick free, current with vaccinations and they’ve got to be on a leash at all times. 
In case you specialize in photographing Earhounds, I’ve taken the liberty of noting that the SPCA currently has at least one available and he’s right on the minimum age limit: Aiden (42017455), a German Shepherd Mix who is 4 months old and has a championship set of ears.

NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY:

OPERATION KINDNESS HAS A PLAN
The famed no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton, Operation Kindness, for National Senior Citizens Day, has scheduled a week-long adoption event from Friday the 16th through Friday the 23rd and celebrates senior dogs with an adoption fee reduced to $99. Senior dog? For OK’s event, a “senior dog” is six years old or older. 
As OK notes, wonderful older dogs are often ignored because of their age. As readlarrypowell.com notes, older dogs make great companions and they’re beyond the puppy stage. Plus they’ve been around long enough to develop some smarts in dealing with humans. When OK announced this event, there were 8 seniors available — could be more by now. 
You see the photo of Shamus and Sophie — they are, respectively 11 and 10. And they’re bonded and have to be adopted together. The news release says, “Because these two are attached at the hip, OK has waived the adoption fee for them completely. They love to cuddle, love pets and belly rubs, and adore their morning and afternoon walks.” 

Who else was available as of the writing of the news release? Eight-year-old Chihuahua mix James Earl Bones; 7-year-old Chihuahua mix Mr. Wright; 6-year-old Boxer mix Paula, and Rex, also a Chihuahua mix — wait, a check of the OK Facebook page shows Rex’s adoption and departure photo! 
As you may suspect, they all get high ratings for personality and loveable attitudes. Wait, some more from that list have been adopted. Go to the operationkindness.org site to keep up with the available seniors. Paula the Boxer Mix may have extra facets to her personality. Her bio reads that she is “extremely laid back and adores lounging around the house. While she loves sleeping on the couch, she also loves her walks and enjoys car rides.” Wait: Paula may also have been adopted — this is the OK Facebook photo of Paula relaxing at a foster’s home during a “respite” from the shelter.
[LARRY ASIDE: So, yes, August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day. Celebrate carefully, of course. I kid you creaky oldsters — stop telling me how great vinyl was and how much smarter you kids from the 1960s were. By cracky.]
THE BIG EVENT
OUT AT THE LAKE
You can pre-register right now for the Saturday, Sept. 7, Strut Your Mutt event benefitting the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake, the only animal shelter in the world with a Tool, Texas, location. (Click on the art to make it grow like a Great Dane puppy.)

How’d we learn about this event?
 Got a note from the always-hustling-for-animals Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The Friends will have a booth at the event. You can stop by and say hello to the people who run the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas. 
[LARRY ASIDE: I was reading the poster and saw that when you register on the day of the event, you get a dog bandana and either a free soft drink or “free beer” and the next line reads “PLEASE NOTE: 1 DOG PER ADULT.” That’ll keep people from showing up with a handful of dogs and trying to score a free six-pack.]
CONTEMPLATIONS

A DOG WITH AN HAPPY FACE; GETTIN’ OUTTA DODGE; THE BIG BURGER
When I was doing research for the opening item about Rainbow Vomit and the SPCA of Texas, I looked at the adoptables on the SPCA website and found this adorable photo of Angel (41588066), a 44-pound girl who is just over 3 years old. Look at that beauty — she’s got missing an eye and she’s deaf and she’s adorable and happy. She’d improve anybody’s life, don’t you think? What a privilege to love that dog Angel. And, because we’re pro-cat at readlarrypowell.com, we'll cite that beautiful SPCA cat is Lucy (41476885), just under a year old, described as “small” — she also sounds very human in her bio which reads, “Dislikes: Having lots of visitors! They make me want to hide.” …
GETTIN’ OUTTA DODGE? You know how bad animals have it in Dallas and North Texas? There are entire organizations that have been created just to get animals out of the vicinity to some place “safe” where they can find homes. (Society for Companion Animals, for example, flies ‘em, and Humane Tomorrow’s Love on Wheels drives ‘em.) Kind of a shame to think that an area with this many millions of people can’t find good homes for unwanted animals. But bless those people to work hard to keep the animals moving toward home! 
Maybe Uber's new offices and all those new Toyota folks can help boost the goodness ratings for animal care around here.
BURGER NEWS? So I saw writer Sarah Blaskovich's story in The Big Paper Downtown about this “giant cheeseburger” for sale now at Slater’s 50/50. Says it’s so big it is “served on an entire loaf of King’s Hawaiian bread.” Hah. Sarah wasn't around "way back then," but from the ‘40s through the ‘60s in Texarkana, there was a spot called Guy’s Orange Stand where you could order a Texas Burger or Texas Cheeseburger as big around as a tire and nearly as thick. The cafe was about 2 blocks inside Texas, just west of the Texas/Arkansas state line intersection with U.S. Highway 82. All tourists passing through had the opportunity to see the sign that said something like “Avoid home cookin’! Eat at Guy’s! Home of the Texasburger!” Owner Guy Glover put it on the menu back in the 1940s. It was so big it could serve four adults and came on a specially baked GIANT hamburger bun. So, as the song suggests, “Everything old is new and fried again.” Sorry — I couldn’t find a photo of Guy’s Texas Cheese Burger. Nobody knew it was a historic menu item until just this very moment.
— Offer advice or recipes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected] where we don’t eat meat but we do enjoy tofu and veggie burgers. —-