ReadLarryPowell.com

CATS, DOGS, THIEVES, RESCUES, FOSTERS AND LIFE IN GENERAL

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We’re a whole month away from Halloween, but September closed with some frightful situations. Here goes:
THE MISSING DACHSHUND
WAS IN A STOLEN CAR….
That sounds like the long title of a mystery novel, but it’s a bit of reality.
We learned about it thanks to KRLD-AM reporter Andrew Greenstein whose story about this bold theft was on the 1080-AM news Monday. 
Nancy Staley is the driver of the LexusSUV who left the car running with Sophie the Dachshund inside when she dashed into Central Market at Hulen and I-30 in Fort Worth about 11 a.m. Andrew’s story HERE reports she had the key fob and she says after the car is turned off, the bad guys can’t restart it and once it runs out of gas they can’t restart it. That’s good for the car, but what does that mean for Sophie?
If you know anything about the car theft or the bad guys or Sophie’s whereabouts, call Fort Worth Police and tip the crimefighters. Sophie could wind up as a stray at a shelter or an adoptable at a rescue event -- or the bad guys could give her to someone as a birthday present. You never know how low people will go. Keep your eyes and hearts open.
[LARRY ASIDE: Bless Sophie’s puzzled heart. These things happen to innocent dogs all the time in the crime-ridden Metrosprawl. Animal people and police preach a continuing gospel about not leaving a car running with anything precious in it when you “dash into a store for just a minute.” These criminals have no heart. P.S. Thanks to KRLD’s Andrew Greenstein for covering this story and thanks to KRLD for the photo of Sophie and the photo of the stolen car’s tag.]
THE MINIATURE HORSES
AND THE RUSH HOUR TRAGEDY
The most complete story on the Monday morning rush hour problem in Dallas — horses loose on the freeway — was in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Here’s the link.
Miniature horses, carried in a trailer, spent the night in a parking lot of a motel, then, the driver of the truck told police, when he pulled out, the lock malfunctioned, the door popped open the horses fell into an awful situation, The Star-T reported.
[LARRY ASIDE: Wouldn’t it be nice if a camera caught video of the jerk who opened the lock and, basically, killed two horses. What in the heck is wrong with people? I’d ask “Didn’t their mommas teach them anything?” but this isn’t Mom’s fault. The personally fouled heart of the rancid individual is to blame. Yeah, I’m judging. Two horses are dead for no good reason. I’m moved to judge. Thanks to the Star-Telegram for covering the story with details.]
WILMER AND LANCASTER,
SHELTERS NEEDING ADOPTORS
Adoptors and rescuers, in fact. Our small shelter tipsters Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden point out that there are dogs and cats needing homes. Neither the Wilmer Animal Shelter nor the Lancaster Animal Shelter gets enough foot traffic to offset the overpopulation.
That big dog is Marshall, a Lab/Border Collie mix currenty waiting for either rescue or adoption or the big cold needle at the Wilmer Animal Shelter. The bio says, “Everyone adores Marshall with his big, sweet, chocolate brown eyes. He’s a complete love.” Also waiting are Aubree and Claire, the two Wilmer dogs we highlighted last week. 

Meanwhile in Lancaster, the new waiting dog is little Zoe, a young Hound/Terrier mix who is “funny and cute and just as sweet as can be.” 
The Lancaster Lab mix is Logan, said to be a “sweet boy” who is “as submissive and sweet as you can imagine any dog being…He has such a sad story. was originally at this shelter and adopted a few years ago. The owner has another dog that was very mean to him and, sadly, decided to keep that dog.” So, Logan needs a sweeter home and a sweeter human in his life.

And, for both of these shelters, the important contact information is this: Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. Cats at Lancaster? We focused on Addison (the tabby) and Emerson last week. Still there. Scroll down to last week's editions to see the waiting Lancaster animals.
CONTEMPLATIONS
IT’S PERSONAL; A WEATHER NOTE; AN ANTHEM…
Saving animals is nothing but personal. Monday afternoon, Stephen Foster, founder and president of DFW’s FurGotten Friends, posted a note about this dog. That is some photo, right? Stephen, a veteran of all sorts of rescues and canine situations, wrote about 6 p.m. Monday, “I'm picking up a special pup in the morning. No matter how sick I am I have to suck it up to save another puppy that couldn't speak for themselves." [LARRY NOTE: Show of hands, rescuers, have you felt this way before? Wait, you're too busy to take your hand off the wheel! I know!] Stephen continues: "From my house in Dallas to this puppy in Lancaster and back to my vet might be long but I'll bet this boy will never forget our trip and love me for life. They do understand when you save them. By the way. Does anyone want to foster?” The 3- or 4-month-old puppy “was living under an old home in the Lancaster area. He’s at the shelter and they are taking care of him, but seriously, who would walk in and adopt a puppy that looks like this.” Stephen posted that note earlier Monday afternoon, then wrote, “Thanks to all the donations you guys made during the North Texas Giving Day we have the funds to get this pup vetted and healthy.” Now, he needs a special foster. Foster application is HERE and you can email [email protected] to ask about the most loving job in all of rescue. …. Is it possible that there was no measurable rain in Dallas/Fort Worth in the month of September? Apparently. Our yard looks like it’s on the brink of converting to a desert landscape. But there is hope. Our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher began his September 30 note, “Just barely into the 60s here in North Jersey this morning.” Record snow in Montana? Nineties in the Metrosprawl. Neither Andy nor I have made plans to visit Montana. … I feel like hearing an anthem. Comes with a video. Here’s a video of the final performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at a big league baseball game at Globe Life Park. Go Rangers. Enjoy your traditionally long off-season break and come back ready to win in the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Except in June when the Rangers play the Blue Jays in Toronto. Here’s that anthem with Anne Murray when Toronto played in the World Series in 1992.  Toronto won that World Series and the ’93 Series, too. Texas? Continues to be a “Wait ’til next year” situation.
—- Offer opinions or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. —-

LATIN, DOGS, CATS, ART AUCTION, OTHER THINGS, BASEBALL & CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This is being written as I listen to the Dallas Cowboys/New Orleans Saints game. Why? Old habit. In the 1960s I learned to translate Latin while listening to rock ’n’ roll -- writing while football is on is not much different. Not sure Latin is helpful on a website dealing with canum et felium. My Latin grades? This is a phrase that best demonstrates the situation: Sic friat crustulum. Idiomatically, "That’s the way the cookie crumbles." That photo? That’s my friend The Senator surprising me by nodding off next to the sink — I was looking for him in his usual haunts and found him in this new space. Why? (Translations come from research, not my memory.) The Senator also speaks Latin and says he was demonstrating “dormientes feles,” i.e., translates as “sleeping cat.” Oh, and “descendo” is Latin for “Get down!”
THE ROSCOE SITUATION:
TIME FOR A DOG TO GET A HOME
We’ve written about this guy Roscoe several times. He’s kind of a shelter legend at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. Tami Kukla, on the behalf of the shelter, explained things this way: “Daily Communication from Roscoe as he waits for his forever home. Hopefully he only has to wait till tomorrow. Today we did a training session with Rachel and boy is he smart and a quick learner. He is motivated by you giving him a hug or rubbing his back. Oh and did we mention he would be perfect to sit with on your deck and have coffee and do a crossword puzzle. Help us help him get a forever home. He is available for a meet and greet.”

The photo has his vital statistics. And, as you know, email the shelter at [email protected] or visit FWACC's Chuck Silcox Adoption Center, 4900 Martin St., in southeastern Fort Worth.
GALT AND ART
FOR DOGS’ SAKE
Greyhound Adoption League of Texas is “kicking off a series of online mini-auctions” to raise money to support the non-profit’s habit of saving lives and getting the “Greyt” rescued dogs healthy.
 
Bidding has begun already. You can see the whole inventory and the bidding rules HERE. Plus you’ll see photos of the items available in the auction.
We’re citing two. One is “Bewitched” by Kent Roberts. The other is “Reading Greyhound” — no artist listed. Might be somebody famous — or maybe the dog is famous.
Whichever the case, it’s a conversation-starter with a Greyhound!

MEANWHILE, CAN IT BE TIME FOR THE 26TH DOG DAYS OF DENTON?

Holy smoke — 26 years. That’s a year longer than Globe Life Park as a Major League Stadium. 
Yes, indeed, it is the Dogs’ Day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, at the North Texas State Fair Grounds. We learned of this because the people from Greyhound Adoption League of Texas are going to be there with their beloved breed representatives.
Learn more at dentondogdays.com.

And, FYI, the 2019 Dog Days of Denton Spokesdog is this Bichon Frisse Jazz. He’s a rescued dog who “loves attention…has many costumes and his favorite hobby is traveling with his mom.” The Fair Grounds are at 2217 N. Carroll Blvd. in Denton.
AN OLDER GENTLEMAN
IN THE CARE OF DAS
As you know, or maybe you don’t, Dallas Animal Services is filled with kittens. But the population also includes some older cats including this guy Pedro (A1075255), thought to be “about 15 years old” and a “shelter cat” since August 29. A month. A MONTH! Currently, Pedro, a neutered Orange Tabby, is at the PetSmart Everday Adoption Center at 16821 N. Coit Road, in Dallas. See him online at dallasanimalservices.org or drop by the adoption center.
 [LARRY ASIDE: At readlarrypowell.com, we endorse adopting older cats — well, we endorse adopting kittens, too — but getting an older cat is a pretty rewarding act. The older cats we’ve taken in have become genuine household partners — you know, of course, how I love and trust The Senator, my sometimes editor. He may be 15 or 20 even. Older guy who wandered up and swapped comfort and sage advice for steady meals and a selection of places to sleep. Pedro probably has the same laid back attitude. If you’re 15, you’re a pretty cool cat.]
 CONTEMPLATIONS

SEPTEMBER, LOTTO AND WAIT ’TIL NEXT YEAR
As I was typing madly -- on something that’ll never see print -- around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, I looked out the front window and saw that the sky was already dark. Clearly, I miss the long days of summer already. I report this for the edition of the final day of September, 2019, because I am determined to enjoy one more day of this month. There were some I didn’t enjoy, so I’m trying to make up for lost time. … Hang on, let me check my Saturday night lotto numbers. OK, stop celebrating. I bought 4 chances and out of 24 numbers drawn, I picked one. Disappointed? No, I’ve merely become amused at my number-pickin futility. …Oh, my, the Texas Rangers closed out their time at Globe Life Park by taking two out of three from the New York Yankees. And, just like that, on a Sunday afternoon the 2019 Rangers season is suddenly over and the excitement builds for opening the domed Globe Life Field next season. Like a good baseball fan, I’m still excited about winning the American League pennant and then the World Series next year. I don’t care if they’re playing on a freshly mowed pasture near the big airport. Just play ball. And sign some pitchers.
—- OFFER ADVICE, LUCKY NUMBERS OR VERB ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES BY CLICKING ON ‘COMMENT’ BELOW OR BY EMAILING [email protected]. —-

PERSONAL SNOOZERS: MY DOG, MY CAT; SEEKING HELP FOR 'UNWANTED' ANIMALS

For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap we present some photographs of a personal nature and some appeals for animals that don’t yet have a human.
The opening portion is “personal” because the spotlight is on my personal dog Porche Noel and my current office kitten, the growing and lively Stevie Ray Treeboy. He's an Oak Cliff kitten found at about 5 weeks old clinging to a limb in a mimosa tree. No idea where Mom went. Never saw her. So, either Stevie Ray is an angel deposited in a tree to catch my eye, or he’s an abandoned kitten who’d finished up his mom’s patience for nursing.

I was typing madly earlier in the week on a novel about managerial misjudgment and newspaper adventures in Dallas — I’m kidding, so far — when I turned from my big monitor screen to ask the question, “Porche, where are you?”
And, there she was. From the angle in that opening  photo, she looks as if she were giving us her impression of a Giant Lab Rat snoozing next to the “cat facility.”
You see, in the second photo, the way she looks when she turns around and nods off while reading my attempts at best-selling fiction. 
She’s a pip of a dog. Found on our front porch at Christmas many years ago. Hence, Porche Noel.

While she was lounging, Stevie Ray struck a pose at the office door — he may not yet realize that the doorknob rat is a toy for scratching. But he’ll figure it out. He’s a clever boy.

[A PERSONAL APPEAL: Dear Readers, send us photos -- email [email protected] -- of your slumbering dogs and cats and we’ll feature them in our long-running weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We believe in demonstrating how cool it is to have a dog or cat that trusts you enough to sleep and snore in your house. Also, we believe that we can help insomniacs have faith that they, too can get some sleep if they’ll just hang a big fake rat on the bedroom doorknob and join the kitten in staring at it until both of you grow drowsy.]
ONE MORE NOTE FOR
OUR WEEKEND EDITION
Possibly you have some free time and some free space in your house that needs to be filled by a kitten or a dog. Perhaps you’d like to have some Personal Sleepers & Nappers to entertainingly photograph. Here’s a clue, in case you don’t have one: 
We’re going to preach the gospel of saving the shelter souls in Lancaster, Texas, once again. We get the word, so to speak, from the dedicated small-shelter promotors Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden. 
Thanks to my technospouse Martha, a long email with a lot of photos and appeals from the “brink of euthanasia” in Lancaster has been converted into a PDF so you can click on THIS LINK  and see the animals in danger in the loaded and lightly visited shelter.

Ryleigh, the Flat Coat Retriever, is in the Lancaster shelter with her six puppies — not all of them are “flat-coated.” And Mika, the German Shepherd, is one of FOUR GSDs waiting in Lancaster for a loving human or the cold needle. 


The tabby cat is Addison and the black cat is Emerson. Two of many in the shelter.

 We added Lancaster’s population to our weekend edition because, frankly, the shelter’s population needs some human traffic to help save lives. And you can help by getting in touch with Laura at 214-949-2726 (call or text) or by emailing [email protected].
And if you scroll down to Friday’s edition, you can see an appeal for Princess, the dog who was thought to be pregnant but isn’t and, thus, have moved one step closer to getting the sting of the shelter’s needle. And that would be a damned shame. No other way to describe it.
[LARRY ASIDE: As the great Blackie Sherrod, the famed sports columnist, once said to me in a hallway conversation at The Dallas Morning News, “I’d save ‘em all if I could.” Maybe we can. It would make Blackie and a bunch of big-hearted, genuinely pro-animal people really proud. 
Bless you people who are already burdened and calling for more help. And enlighten you people who don’t have a clue before we have to lobby the Texas Legislature for the right to apply the educational readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment. 
Help an animal — it’s good for your heart. Hallelujah.]
—- Offer opinions, solutions or your puzzling objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] where we don’t think every human is an idiot. Not every human. —-

THE STATE FAIR OPENS; DOGS AND CATS STILL NEED HOMES! THE DALLAS BONEHEADS AT 100?

EDITION OF FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Oh, my, Friday is opening day for The Great State Fair of Texas. Got an anecdote for that. It’ll be in Contemplations. 
First, though, believe it or not, during the first 4 days of the week, the good-hearted humans of our vibrant region were unable to help all the animals that found themselves needing a helpful human.
And we’ll get to this Mesquite-surrendered Cocker named Brandy later in today’s edition. Geez. Double-geez. Read on.
[LARRY ASIDE: Why is it that all animal problems can’t be easily solve? Because it takes a village to offset the village idiots. The sprawling village of Dallas/Fort Worth has an oversupply of “Don’t Care/So What?” chuckleheads, knuckleheads and doofusses. I leave anybody out — other than the “just plain mean”?]
A LOOK BACK AT A DOG
THOUGHT TO BE PREGNANT
We frequently write about the Lancaster Animal Shelter’s population of un-viewed animals. That’s thanks to the diligent work of small-shelter supporters Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden.
This week we got a whole new list of dogs and cats in need of help in Lancaster. Missing from the list, however, was a previously featured dog, this girl Princess.
We’d been noting her situation for several weeks. She was thought to be pregnant. Princess arrived microchipped — she’s a “short and chunky—super cute” Lab/Bulldog mix, the note from Laura and Leighann said.
The original note read, “She is an abso- lutely won- der- ful dog - just as sweet as can be. Owner was located but never came in for her….”

When she didn’t show up on the latest Lancaster appeal, we checked with Laura to get the story. She has an answer that calls for someone special to step up for Princess. Laura reports, “She is not pregnant and she needs HW treatment so she is still at the shelter as I have nowhere to put her to get that done. A rescue in Connecticut wants her but she needs to go through HW treatment first. I am just out of room to put her. Too many animals.”

So, someone who can save Princess’ life, get in touch with Laura. Call or text her at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. What? That cat? Has nothing to do with Princess except that Laura says the “little tuxedo girl” is in Cage #4.
She’s sweet and loves being held. And, while her supporters think her eyes look sad, we’re going to focus on her facial markings — that looks like a white heart decorating the right side of her little muzzle. Get in touch with Laura to adopt or rescue her.
ONE MORE LANCASTER SITUATION

This one isn’t in a shelter yet, but she is in a “roaming the neighborhood” state in Lancaster. On Thursday morning I spoke to one of the people “watching over her” for now. I’d learned about her from Laura whose note said this dog’s name for now is Heather, based on “her beautiful heather gray coat.” She’s in Lancaster — not in the shelter, but the ambition is to avoid the shelter for Heather. 
She is either lost or was dumped “by someone in an area that the ACOs do not normally pick up from,” Laura’s note explained.
Heather wandered up to a home that has a kiddie pool and that’s how this video came to be. Click HERE.
 Laura says, “The lady whose kiddie dog pool this is that the dog got in says this dog comes up and is clearly homeless. She adores children and other dogs.”

Then Laura adds, “I know this is probably the impossible quest, but this dog is going to die out here not belonging to anyone. This reminds me of the dog that was found out by the Lancaster Shelter and later died — was in such terrible shape. Please, please, do not let this happen to her. She still looks healthy at this point.”

The number to call to offer to save Heather’s life is 214-245-7825. You’ll reach a home, not an organization. [LARRY ASIDE: I called Thursday morning to make sure the dog was still there and needing a home. A really nice person spoke sweetly on behalf of the dog.]
DENTON HAS AN EARHOUND
AND A LITTLE GUY IN NEED
Here are two very different pups from the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.

[FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: Our tipster on these two dogs, Amy Poskey, who monitors tough animal situations at Denton's McNatt Shelter, sent this note: "I’m very happy to report that Pug Rescue of Austin will be pulling our little Cinco! THANK YOU!!!  However, our sweet puppy boy, Lucky, hasn’t been so lucky, yet, so please consider giving this cutie pie a place to call home!" Here's the rest of the original appeal.]
The Earhound is Lucky (83906), a 3-month old Cattle Dog/Heeler mix who, according to the note from our longtime tipster Amy Poskey, ‘is the most adorable, smart, playful pup around.’ In foster care the “smart boy learned sit, shake, down spin and roll over very quickly! He is a high-energy pup….” Might need some land for romping, she says. also, “he has a lot of Heeler traits and will nip when frustrated or over stimulated.” Healthy, crate-trained, sleeps through the night. Loves toys.
And that brings us to Cinco, anywhere from 2 to 5 years old and a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier/Pug mix. Weighs 10.38 pounds — how’s that for precision at the Denton McNatt shelter? “Cinco was brought to the shelter after being abandoned by his owners,” Amy’s note reads. “They left him with some friends and never returned.” Here’s the rub: “Sadly, this sweet boy is needing femoral head ostectomy surgery. His x-rays revealed a left femur crack at the hip joint.”
So, rescues lining up? Adoptors with extra pocket change?
Offer to help either or both of these pups by calling the shelter at 940-349-7594 or by emailing [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].
A COCKER IS A VICTIM OF FATE
AND SO IS A CHIHUAHUA —BOTH 13
Our Mesquite Animal Shelter tipster Judi Brown sent a note about Brandy, a 13-year-old, 22-pound Cocker Spaniel who was surrendered on 9/24 after her human died. “She looks angry and sad and who can blame her?” Judi asked. Brandy "looks angry and sad and who can blame her?" Jufi wrote. "When I interacted with her she wasn’t very interested in socializing but instead wanted to explore the volunteer room. However, when I took her back into her kennel after the photo shoot she warmed up and snuggled up next to me. The relatives that surrendered Brandy said that she was an indoor dog and her favorite activity is sleeping! They also said they thought she might be losing some hearing. … She has an infection in her right eye and may be developing cataracts. However she does get around well. She has a large fatty growth on her chest that doesn’t seem to hurt her when touched.” And she probably has a broken heart. Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected].
And there’s also this 13-year-old Chihuahua Mindy (#42816740) who was surrendered “because she was too old and they couldn’t take care of her,” Judi wrote, then continued, “From my point of view, all she would need was a little bit of food, love and a soft blanket or lap.” 
Mindy weighs 5 pounds. Just 5. The family had her for 3 years. 
Judi reports, “The mark beneath her eye is a scab. She’s a sweet little thing that’s receptive to being picked up and appears to love laps. She’s very gentle and calm. Her previous owners stated that she was an indoor dog only and that she lived with children. … When I took her through the bay she did go nose to nose with several smaller dogs. [The surrendering humans] also said she likes to go for walks. She did walk really well on a leash although she walked very slowly. That could be because of her long nails.”
May have cataracts, needs some dental work. And, Judi writes, “I can’t say enough about how sweet she is.”
Again, how do we ask the shelter about these dogs? Call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE GREAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
Yep, it’s opening day at the State Fair of Texas — not the Texas State Fair, though some people shorten it like that before they learn to pull on their boots like a native-born child of the Lone Star State. Here’s the bigtex.com report on the open-to-the public event: “The Opening Day Ceremony” at Fair Park.  It reads: “The Opening Day Ceremony is a State Fair tradition that celebrates the first day of the annual event on the Hall of State Steps. Held at 7 p.m., the ceremony includes special appearances, the presentation of awards, a performance by the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, Kilgore Rangerettes and more. Join us as we officially begin the celebration of all things Texan.” [LARRY ASIDE: Am I wrong, or is it a state law that you can’t open any important event without an appearance by the Kilgore Rangerettes? I found that photo on Pinterest and couldn’t find a date or photo credit — but I’m betting it’s by one of the hustling photographers at The Dallas Morning News. Has that “Big Tex” look. ] … While perusing the bigtex.com site, I spotted the Fair’s “Mission Statement.” It reads, “Never mention ‘calories’ near the concession stands’.” I’m kidding. Here’s the State Fair Mission Statement: “The State Fair of Texas celebrates all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment.” … OUR OPENING DAY RECOLLECTION: Several years ago I encountered a Dallas organization called The Bonehead Club of Dallas. It had been around since 1919 and, may be celebrating its 100th anniversary even as we speak, but I haven’t seen hide nor hair of a Dallas Bonehead in a decade. Maybe they’ll show up at the State Fair Friday. Their hijinks used to get a lot of newspaper attention back in the middle of the 20th Century — you know, back when not everybody you ran into was some kind of comedian. The Boneheads would show up at the State Fair on opening day each year for a very special ceremony. They conducted the closing of the previous year’s fair. One of the Boneheads once told me, “Our theory is you can’t have an opening for something that’s never been closed.” And, yes, I’m glad the State Fair of Texas is still going strong since that first exposition in 1886. Before radio and TV and Big Tex — that’s the debut version of Big Tex, 1952, on a tile we bought in 2019 in Oak Cliff. The enduring State Fair and its Midway Cowboy. Have a great fair.
—- Offer opinions or explanations or Dallas Bonehead whereabouts by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —

IN THE AUTUMN OF 2019, HEAT SURROUNDS US AND DOGS AND CATS NEED COOL PEOPLE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This is being written on the third day of Autumn, 2019, in Texas. Let me recount, please: Monday 1, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3. So, Thursday is the 4th day of autumn and the North Texas forecast is for temps in the high 90s. In fact, the Channel 5 noon weathercaster Samantha Davies, on Wednesday, said something like “Temperatures are running high for this time of year…” Summer temps are lingering, too, she predicted. That’s a Texas sky this week -- shot through a windshield, of course — can’t really say those are rain clouds looking for companionship. They're just Texas Fluffy. Sounds like a name for a cat, doesn't it? Anyway, we’ll be addressing Texas Autumn in Contemplations in this edition. Not bitterly, I swear. 
Now, let’s get into some animal opportunities.
LOOKING AHEAD, IN CASE
THERE’S A NEED FOR A ‘SITTER’
We have a writing pal who has been “enjoying” some hospital time and he’s wondering if there’s an organization in the Dallas area that provides “caretaker services” for animals when their humans are out of commission for a week or two. Anybody know of an organization that offers that help? 

We’ve suggested petsitters — my funspouse Martha spent a few years owning and being owned by PetPowellPetsitting but she got out of the business. The memories of beloved dogs and cats remain strong nearly two decades later.
If anyone knows of a “relief organization” for pet owners, or has an idea for a petsitter who handles such things, email me, Larry “No Ideas Since the 1960s” Powell at [email protected]. FYI: For our illustration, I hired two feline actors, William Powell (left) and his young sidekick, Stevie Ray Treeboy, to sit in my office and look out the window as if they were wondering where their next meal was coming from. That captures the problem my writing pal is trying to solve before it occurs.
IS PUPPY & KITTEN SEASON YEAR-ROUND
BECAUSE HUMANS ARE PERSISTENTLY DAFT?
Perhaps that question is too harsh — that “daft” part. I should have stuck with “irresponsible.” More accurate and less incendiary, right? 
But, you see this photo? It oughta make everybody (a) in love with a momma dog and her pups and (b) outraged that they’re all in a shelter and depending on the rescue groups to have room.
We got the tip on this from Ginger Leach of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. She named the dog. Ginger posted a note pre-noon Wednesday that said “Mama Pumpkin” had 8 babies. Then, about 30 minutes later, another note announced: “9 now 4 boys and 5 girls so far.”
So, that’s 10 dogs that weren’t wanted by someone and now they’re in a taxpayer-supported city shelter that works hard to find homes for everybody. 
Ginger’s first note about Mama Pumpkin (#42793625) urged, “Someone come rescue her with her babies. She is the sweetest mama. I've moved her babies and rubbed her belly while she took care of her babies and not once was she aggressive. She lets you help her … Someone come get her out.”

I don’t know what the backstory is on Mama Pumpkin, but the clues we have suggest someone didn’t want her, didn’t care if she had babies and didn’t want the babies or care about them, either. 
A rescue group who can care about Mama Pumpkin and her “li’l punkins” can contact the shelter at [email protected]. Don’t call, use email — that’s the way FWACC wants it. Mama Pumpkin and her “punkins” are at FWACC's Chuck Silcox Adoption Center, 4900 Martin St., in southeastern Fort Worth.
AN UPBEAT POSTING
FROM DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES
Something has returned to the DAS Facebook site. The note posted Wednesday reads, “We are thrilled to bring back DPD's Pet of the Week! For our inaugural week, we're featuring Natasha (#A1080599), a 4 year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix that loves other dogs, and Senior Corporal Amber Roman, who serves in the Office of Community Affairs and as DPD's LGBTQ+ Liaison. Come meet Natasha and take her home for FREE during our #FallInLove Adoption Event! Read more about Natasha and Senior Corporal Roman: HERE. Thanks to our friends at Dallas Police Department for their support of adoption, responsible pet ownership, and DAS! They are #Dallas90! #DPDPOW."
Now that was an uplifting note. Then DAS’s Facebook page also posted something “live.” It began “We’re live from DAS playgroup this morning! We do playgroups here every single day to help keep our pups happy and healthy. All of these dogs are available for adoption and are ready to go home! Remember, now through the end of September, all animals are free for our Fall In Love adoption special! See who’s available at dallasanimalservices.org. 
Now, click HERE and you’ll see that live romping video from playgroup."
Oh, and by the way, those cats? Those babies are a reminder from readlarrypowell.com that DAS doesn't just have an outbreak of kittens but also has a great assortment of grown-up felines. See 'em at that dallasanimalservices.org address.  Click on the artwork to make it grow like a kitten.
MEANWHILE, CRITTERFANS, THERE’S
THE BRAZORIA CHALLENGE
Several times a year we’ll receive a note that originates — but may be forwarded several times — at the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control in Angleton, south of Houston. 
Great dogs and cats and too many of them — that’s the traditional theme.
Those sisters are Lab/Great Pyr or Husky/Great Pyr mixes. May still be in the shelter, may already be gone. You see their numbers. 
The other white dog? Number not a name, but quite a story. The shelter note reads, “Urgent. Broken front leg. Needs out now” and calls him a “wonderful sweet boy.” He wags his entire body, the note says, and in an appeal straight to rescuers, the note from a staffer reads, “Came straight to me, nudged my arm to be loved on and started waggin' his entire body when I spoke and loved on him. he is wonderful. Please, please help him.”

 This shelter also has a load of tabby cats, too. 
How do you reach the shelter to offer to help save some lives? The phones are 979-388-2365 and (cell) 979-997-2486. Email [email protected].

The shelter is at 3602 County Rd. 45 in Angleton, about an hour south of downtown Houston.
FYI: The logo atop Brazoria County’s website tells you something important about the place.

CLOSER TO THE INTERSECTIONS
OF I-30/I20 at THE TWO I35s

 There’s a geography lesson for you. Thus we turn to the team of Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden for information about animals on the brink of either rescue or disaster — we expect rescue because we have seen evidence of big hearts at work around here. Great expectations, you know.
FIRST WE LOOK AT WILMER. Wilmer is a little town on the southeastern side of Dallas along I-45. The note we got from Laura and Leighann reads that “there are two sweet girls there now.  Two that most people would pay no attention to.  They are sitting there now.  Waiting.  Day after day. They are both just the sweetest, sweetest girls.  Both adore other dogs.” (Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. Transport is available for any 501c3 rescue.
The big dog is Claire and the smaller dog is Aubrey. Claire is a Boxer/Bulldog mix. Aubrey is listed as a serious“bulldog mix.” She’s “a little pocket-sized girl.”
Wilmer’s shelter gets no traffic — except people dumping animals.
THEN WE LOOK AT LANCASTER, a shelter that is not really getting the positive publicity it used to get when it was rolling with the Furbabies of Lancaster non-profit rescue group. While the human situation has changed, the animal situation has not. Full shelter, no human traffic. So, Leighann and Laura keep plugging away, trying to get interest in the small shelter on the southern side of Dallas. 
These are some of the kittens at the shelter and that dog is also there. His name is Champ; he’s a boxer mix. The note from Laura and Leighann read, “We know the pics look serious, but he is the sweetest guy ever in person. Beautiful markings, Great boy. Please, he is here waiting and hoping to meet you. Won’t you save him?”
Again, the best route to helping the Lancaster animals is this: Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
Please, also, take some time to CLICK ON THIS LINK. Sadly, I don’t have the techno skills to put all the photos of needy dogs and cats on that link. It’s part of a copy of the email sent by Laura and Leighann. Email Laura at [email protected] and asked to be added to the mailing list to keep up with the challenge in Lancaster and see the photos. I’ll keep trying to defeat my lackluster technical performances.
CONTEMPLATIONS
HOT TIMES, THE TEXAS AUTUMN
I went to elementary school in the 1950s — don’t judge me because you think that makes me old. I type young. Here, read this: I haven’t had a steady job in years, I’m following a dream. That’s beyond a Baby Boomer, it’s darned near Millennial, isn’t it?
 Baby Boomers — I once heard a much younger colleague tell another one, “I’ll be glad when all these Baby Boomers are gone.” Yeah, well, I didn’t say anything then — too polite, but I got over that, so, now I’d like to say …..WAIT. Sorry, I can’t type what I want to say, so if you’re a Baby Boomer, go ahead and fill in the blanks in what would be my response — there are two blanks. Hint, hint.
So, hop into the time machine with me. We’re going back to an era before sophisticated regionalism in advertising. In the 1950 and ‘60s, “Back To School” meant the same products across the nation. Sweaters were for sale — never mind the fact that you’d collapse from heat prostration if you were showing off your brand new back-to-school Vermont-style autumn sweater to school in Texas. Jeans with flannel lining? I once saw a kid wear some to school in Texarkana — turned the cuffs up to show the red plaid lining. What a peculiar playground sight in a land where you’d wear shorts — after school, of course — nearly until Thanksgiving.
Halloween? You had to be careful with your costume — trick-or-treating sweat would wreck your illusion. The face of Frankenstein would become the Incredible Melting Man.
 So, here we are in 2019 at the end of the local Major League Baseball Season— it’s autumn and Texas hot. Kids are back in school. The old stadium — once beloved as “The Ballpark In Arlington” — is heading toward the end of its big league career.
Autumn means football and marching bands — and kids practicing and practicing. At halftime on Friday nights, the band has to be as carefully hydrated as the running backs and blockers.
That’s autumn in Texas.
And, here we are, sitting on the crest of a hill in Fort Worth — able to look East and West and North and South and the only indication of autumn is the arrival of Halloween merchandise in neighborhood stores from Texarkana to El Paso, from the top of the Panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico.
 And, you know what? All this Texas heat makes the arrival of that first chilly Autumn morning so wonderfully precious. Now, go find a sweater and get ready. Texas is already cool — we’re just waiting for the weather to catch up.
—- Offer opinions or objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “sweater weather” in the subject line. —-

A CAT'S POSE; A TRIBUTE TO MELI WITH ZOE; FOSTERING; BURNS FLAT & A CONTEMPLATION ABOUT A DOG

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 [PetPowellPress] How long can a cat sit at a window and stare out at a yard that has no moving beasts in it?
 The answer? Until he nods off? Until a painter’s van rolls past. The van was the answer in this case. Maybe a van. Keep reading. 
That’s my office cat, William Powell.
My editorcat, The Senator, was asleep in the big middle of our kingsize bed and chose not to be disturbed. Has a little sign he hangs ont he doorknob. So, William continues looking at the world from the window next to the desk. He’s not answering questions as this is being written, so I’ll simply have to guess what first caught his attention in this mid-morning exercise. He may see things humans can’t see. But we’ll save that theory for the movie, Cat Eye Curiosity and The Scary Man From Mars. I’m kidding. For now.
THE TRIBUTE TO MELI,
THE PHOTO WITH ZOE
Our Prayers & Passages tribute to Meli is a most wonderfully written expression of love by Becky Dodge. She really tells the story of loving her dog. And she includes this photo of Meli cuddling with Zoe. 
That brings us to these two note that are oh-so-human and and oh-so-rescue in nature. Becky sent me this “so human” note Tuesday morning when I asked about the little dog cuddling with Meli. When you lose a dog, you have emotions that are, sometimes insurmountable at the time. Becky told me, “Eventually there will probably be another dog in the house but right now I think that Zoe needs to be the only one for a while. They do tend to appear when I'm ready, often with no effort on my part.
“Because of Callie and Meli being ill for their final months (even though Meli's death was sudden. she had some problems with arthritis and Intervertebral Disc Disease and her legs were getting weaker all the time) — Anyway because of their illnesses, Zoe, although very much loved, got the short end of the stick and I think she deserves some undivided time.”

Zoe came into a household with Meli and Callie, both now gone. Becky recalls, “Zoe is the one who was dumped on me when she was about 8 months old. A woman in the neighborhood and I had chatted briefly when I went to get the mail one day. I saw Zoe playing around in her drive and said something casual like ‘cute pup.’ Darned if about 8:30 that night this woman knocked on my door. She was carrying Zoe and said, ‘Here. Her name is Zoe, she is 8 months old, you have dogs, we don't want her.’

“Zoe came in, greeted Meli and Callie and insisted on sleeping with me that night. She still insists on sleeping with me. No shyness there. Zoe will be 4 in November so there was a 10-11 year age gap between her and the other dogs. Zoe was not exactly a planned addition to the household but she is very much loved.”

Meli had different ideas about where she wanted to sleep. That’s part of the Prayers & Passage tribute to Meli — click on the Prayers & Passages link in the upper right corner of this website.
THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS
OF A DAS/OK PARTNERSHIP
Noel Hampton, our Operation Kindness tipster with TrizCom Public Relations & Pitch PR, sent over a note Tuesday  that had us kind of in a “way to go” mood.
Foster emphasis on pregnant dogs and cats. Good idea, don’t you think?
 Operation Kindness and Dallas Animal Services are partnering in a program to help little ones arrive.

[LARRY ASIDE: Of course, both organizations already have dynamic spay/neuter philosophies, but, as you know, Dear Readers, not everybody in the world’s most fertile city will “fix” their animals. There’s a majestic level of “don’t care/so what” that prevails in the arena of people who think that because they can teach a dog “sit,” they can lecture a cat or dog into celibacy. “I keep telling her not to leave the yard and get pregnant!” Idiots. Sorry for that outburst. At least I didn’t use any “French.” Back to the topic.]
As summer temperatures maintain a grip in our autumnal area, there are more and more pregnant dogs and cats showing up in shelters, we’re told.
How can they get responsible, personal care? Fostering. So, citing the need for help with newborns and expecting moms, Natalie Buxton, OK’s director of marketing and communications, said, “We provide fostering opportunities in these situations so that all vulnerable animals have the time they need to flourish in a temporary environment until they’re ready to be adopted.”
 The announcement says that foster families provide the safe, loving environment for the moms while DAS and OK “will provide the rest; both organizations provide all medical care for pets in their foster care programs.” 

How do you become a foster for an expectant momma dog or cat? Email operationkindness.org/foster or attend the DAS foster orientations at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays or 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the OK announcement says.
 Above, that’s a photo of Operation Kindness mom Fantasia and her pups — they’re in a foster home and being nurtured until they’re ready for adoption.
And that puppy at Dallas Animal Services is #A1082803, designated as “Puppy 2,” a resident of the shelter since September 18 — came in at about a week old, according to the dallasanimalservices.org listing. Aussie Cattle Dog mix, they say. Probably could use a foster home. That kitten is Desiree (A1081559), one of about eleventyzillion Tabby kittens currently in the DAS shelter — she’s 7 weeks old and has been in the shelter since Sept. 6. She’s “rescue only” right now — email [email protected].
Fostering or adopting or rescuing — animals in city shelters almost always need help. Animals in no-kill shelters always need adopting so the shelter can take in another animal and save another life.

MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
Ah, the western Oklahoma outpost of Burns Flat continues to always have an animal crisis at hand and, mercifully for the animals, the resilient Terry Lynn Fisher is always working to save the critters.
Here’s one of her latest. A Chow girl. No name known. Here’s why. Terry Lynn says, “I had another one that had an owner move away and leave her behind. How do so many here do that? She is about 3 years old and so sweet. She loves to be touched and is great with children. She doesn't acknowledge the other dogs. She is URGENT.”

Email Terry Lynn at [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS   

WHAT IS THE DURATION OF A PROMISE TO AN ANIMAL? MIGHT ‘FOREVER’ BE APPROPRIATE?
This contemplation arrived as a note from Stephen Foster, founder (in December 2012) of DFW’s FurGotten Friends. He’s president of the organization and, also, a hands-on rescuer who, yes, makes promises to the animals.
Here’s his latest post on the obligation to animals. It’s personal for him — and this dog Chelsea. Stephen wrote: “This is important for people with puppies or young dogs to read. Also, I know this is long but please read it all before commenting. I started my rescue to save dogs and sometimes I have to keep them to make sure.
“On September 29, Chelsea will be a year old. My wife and I have kept 5 out of our 7 dogs due to issues that made them unadoptable. Chelsea is one of the 5 due to not being able to keep down dog food. Although the rest of her siblings were all healthy and fat, Chelsea was skinny and weak because she was kicked out of Mom’s nursing by the bigger siblings. When they got old enough for puppy food, Chelsea would throw it up right after eating.

“I started feeding her the food I cooked for my other dogs and she kept it down and started getting healthy and growing fast. After about 7 months, she finally got a strong stomach and can now eat regular dog food I mix in. However. The damage was done during that important growth period.
“Now we have a new issue to deal with. As a small puppy we noticed she would limp, just a little, after playing hard with the rest of the big dogs, but would stop limping within minutes. With all the stray and surrendered litters I've had this didn't worry me. Puppies do strain themselves as they're growing and playing but get over it fast. 

“Now, fast-forward to 10 months old. We noticed Chelsea started holding up a leg as she was walking around. We thought she just strained her leg but it continued to get worse. It started to turn in to both back legs to the point she would suddenly stop and lay down.

“We took her in for multiple images to see if she had puppy hip dysplasia or spinal issues. Everything from her paws to her spine looked perfect. Including her knees. 

“Our vet manipulated her legs looking for any weakness but couldn't find anything wrong. After a month of watching her suddenly pull up one leg or the other we took her back to the vet and he finally got a knee to pop out. 

“All of this is to say we now have a visit with our vet and surgeon today [Monday] at 4 to decide on the next steps and possible luxating patella surgery on both back legs. I'm grateful I didn't let her get adopted and fall in love with a new family that might have sent her back. She is part of our pack and we will make sure we do everything to make her life the most comfortable happy life possible.”

What’s the outcome of the medical exam?

Stephen posted, “Well, it's official. Chelsea needs both knees fixed. My poor baby. First surgery October 16. I've been told to stop her from running, playing, climbing stares or jumping up now because the damage is getting worse.”
So, Dear Readers, there’s the story — so far — of Chelsea the Dog. It’s clearly a story of responsibility and what’s at the heart of rescue and rehoming: Love. That’s it, in four letters. 

Here’s the Facebook link to Chelsea’s caregiver. Use it to offer to help or just to say, “Thank you for helping a dog.”

We’ll close with this quote from Stephen: “We have a sign in our house that says, ‘This home is maintained for the comfort of the dogs.’”

That is a great rule for life.
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

SWEET TREATS; SWEET CRITTERS; & FOR THE SAKE OF DOGS & CATS, SWEET PEOPLE NEEDED...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, SEPT. 24, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Here we are heading toward the big opening at the end of the work week — State Fair of Texas. But you knew that already unless you’ve just crawled out of a cave in Borneo. The Texas Rangers are closing out a “learning season” in the “old Ballpark in Arlington” and prepping for the move to the new version of a metropolitan prairie baseball diamond. That photo? Has nothing to do with the Dallas Cowboys setting up fans for a fall (not my first rodeo), the Rangers failing to make the playoffs (again) or (as old guys used to say) the price of eggs in China — if there are the new tariffs.
That’s a picture of one of the new treats at the 2019 Fair, the “Deep Fried Energy Bites.” Why am I posting this photo before we get to animals and other tales? Because whoever photographed this for the State Fair deserves some extra credit. Why? Look at that photo for about 5 seconds, then come back to this colon: The shadow cast by the Energy Bite is the State of Texas. How cool is that subtle tribute? What’s in Deep Fried Energy Bites? Check it out in Contemplations. [LARRY ASIDE: Yeah, I started with a treat. Every now and then we need to remember that we can enjoy life and still rescue animals from dire conditions.] Oh, that cat. Odd thing about that Dallas Animal Services cat (A1077076), aside from the fact that she's been at the shelter since July 31, she is the first cat I have ever encountered named "Puddles." That's usually a puppy name. Email [email protected] to ask about her.
MORE FREE ANIMALS OFFERED
IN SPECIAL SEPTEMBER DAS EVENT
Yep, read the bargain notice that was posted on the Dallas Animal Service website at dallasanimalservices.org. That’s in addition to the Sunday Tailgate bargain offering at DAS.
So, how many animals are we talking about? 

The official DAS listing is in black and white; the DAS listing on PetHarbor is in color. What they agree on is 3 “other” — both listings say those 3 are hamsters.
WAITING AND PLAYING
IN THE FW SHELTER
Allie Contreras tagged readlarrypowell.com and a number of other people on the possible fate of this girl known as “Life.” She's a 5-year-old bulldog mix currently in the care of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. Here’s a video of Life having a good time playing with a rope toy.
And here is Life getting excite over a belly rub — this came from Rani Parkinson.
People who have met this girl really want to make sure she goes to a good home and lives a long, happy life. Life (#33700057) is 5, weighs 75 pounds is spayed and healthy. The report is “she’s been in and out of the shelter since 2016 and is now Code Red for not doing well with other dogs in previous homes an at the shelter. She’s a volunteer favorite and loves to flip over for belly rubs and show her goofy side.” 

You have to adopt in person. If you want to get her to the safety of a rescue group, email [email protected] [LARRY ASIDE: She is Code Friggin’ Red and big dogs need a break — it’s a cute puppy world and apparently only us really smart people, Dear Readers, realize that puppies become older dogs and bring adorability along with them. Geez, give a grown dog a chance, you know?]
THE CONTINUING STORY OF SNOW WHITE
This obviously “ain’t no Walt Disney movie.” The Denton dog, Snow White, is having trouble getting to the happy ending. She’s the 6- to 9-months old Chihuahua mix with the heart murmur that is said to treatable. For while it looked as if she might go to an Arkansas rescue but those folks backed off over budget issues with the potential health problems. So, that meant that Snow White would become a foster dog and our tipster, Amy Poskey, who monitors Denton’s McNatt Shelter and Adoption Center for the hard cases, reports, “No new updates on Snow White, yet, but I will keep trying until the cows come home.  At least she’s safe with a wonderful foster for now.”
If you’ve got a home for Snow White, contact the shelter via [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected]
CONTEMPLATIONS
A FAIR BITE; EDITED FOR CLARITY?; & THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA
How about those Deep Fried Energy Bites? Sign me up — oh, man, just one more Fair craving I need to encounter. The list is already happily long. The State Fair description: “A protein-packed energy bite, fried in a sweet rolled oat batter, graciously drizzled with an espresso chocolate glaze, and served on a bed of fried coconut shreds. These nutritious bites of goodness are the perfect blend of peanut butter, chocolate, honey, oats, and coconut.” Bet it goes great with a cup of coffee. … Now and then , I’ll read an entertainment piece in The Big Paper Downtown. The one that caught my eye Monday was headlined “Pete Townshend on the absurdity of The Who in 2019.” The story noted that Townshend, the enduring British rocker, agreed to the interview only if he, described in the intro as a “former editor and part-time fiction writer,” could do the Q & A by e-mail. The paper agreed. And before you can read the first question, you get this note: “The interview has been edited for clarity.” Don’t you know there are politicians and other newsmakers who wish they'd been "edited for clarity." (That's The Who's upcoming album cover.). … Yeah, I’m watching the Country Music story by Ken Burns on KERA. The latest episode reminded me how much I adore and respect and envy the writing of Kris Kristofferson. The words and music are plenty. But, also, the sudden visit to the past came with the songs. What a cavalade of a challenging American era. Maybe the emotion Monday night could have originated decades ago during the times with the awful war, could have been the wonderfully optimistic and smart people I knew back then — it all fit together so well that I still smile when I think of it. So does my heart. Might also cry a little bit. The writer gave us a great soundtrack to life — a time of frayed cuffs on jeans, bargain guitars and cheap strings, maybe some college classes if you didn’t sleep late and maybe some political arguments. Glad we still have the songs and the memories of people we loved, but we don't still have the challenges that took so many of them. Yeah, now and then I hear a tune from yesterday that works like a time machine — you probably do, too. I hope we all hear a good one today.
—- Offer favorite songs or recollecitons by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] where your memories will be discreetly read and treasured. —-

WELCOME TO AUTUMN 2019; FORECAST: THERE'S A FLURRY OF ANIMALS

EDITION OF MONDAY, SEPT. 23, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As we present the edition dated for the first day of Autumn 2019, let’s consider how we can make this season a better season. Drop the high daily temp about 15 degrees. Start with that and then we’ll move along — when the temp is in the high 90-somethings, all those Christmas decorations look ridiculous in the Greater Metrosweat.
Here’s our Monday edition, including a note about a vote in Gun Barrel City — are animals at risk? Might be. Read on, please. And what about those SMU jerseys?
SOME DOGS  FROM COWTOWN
Tipsters from the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control community cited these two dogs over the weekend. 
Tami Kukla focused on Hula, a 9-month-old puppy who “loves other dogs.” She is, Tami’s post read, “code red and at highest risk of being euthanized.” Sandy Bentz noted that Hula is the “smallest dog in Kennel 2, just a little ‘pocket’ pit.” And, if you’ve ever rescued a young dog who has clearly been ignored, you’ll understand the emotion involved when you read what Sandy wrote: “All she does is bite the leash, because no one has ever taught her, much less taken her for walks.”
Tami also posted a note about Mila, this white, not too comfortable dog. At 9 months, 42 pound, she was surrendered by her family and the note reads, “She is terrified. Poor girl just wants to leave and will try her best to not be seen till that happens. She needs a patient loving person who will let her decompress at her own pace.” Here’s video LINK TO MILA.
ONCE UPON A TIME,
THIS DOG WAS A STAR…
Well, she still is, just not in Big D. We’re referring to a recent New York Times article about changes in the animal shelters across the nation. Dallas Animal Services got some positive “ink” as we used to say in the pre-cyber era of journalism.
Her photo was used on a Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center Facebook post over the weekend. it reads, “Ruthie was a long-time DAS resident, playgroup rock star, staff favorite, and was featured in The New York Times article...yet, she couldn't seem to find the perfect home. Thankfully, DAS has great rescue partners! Ruthie went into a wonderful DAS foster home temporarily before being transported by our partners at Rockwall Pets to a shelter out-of-state in need of placeable pets! We are so appreciative of our amazing rescue partners and foster parents that make these types of outcomes possible. Help us save more lives by becoming a foster parent today! #FostersSaveLives #BeDallas90."
 [LARRY ASIDE: There you go, a demonstration that Dallas is just one or two road trips and maybe a flight away from a safe place for animals.]
 See more Dallas Animals for adoption at dallasanimalservices.org. And Rockwall Pets is https://rockwallpets.com.
MEANWHILE, OUT AT THE LAKE,
A VOTE AFFECTING GBC’S DOGS
GBC is, of course, Gun Barrel City. The vote is over a city contract with an animal shelter.
 We get this note from Sydney Busch, the notable mainstay at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, a little over an hour southeast of Big D on Highway 175.
Sydney’s note reads, “GBC is considering cancelling their animal contract with HSCCL (the shelter in Tool) and sending the animals picked up to Henderson County Animal Shelter in Athens.
“HSCCL works very hard to find homes for all the animals who come into them - they do 2-3 off-site adoption events every weekend - they have contracted with the ASPCA to transport medium, large adult dogs (always the ones no one wants) north to states desperate for these dogs.

“So to reward the Tool shelter for all this work, GBC wants to save some money by not sending the animals to Tool.  They are willing to have most of the animals euthanized to save a few bucks.”

The discussion of this proposal is scheduled at Monday’s Gun Barrel City City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the GBC City Hall. Sydney’s note reads, “Please be there to show support for HSCCL.” (Email [email protected] to offer help or support.)

ANYBODY NEED A MOVIE DOG
HAPPILY HANGING AT THE HOUSE?
Before we get to the movie dog or beautiful Cinnamon, we’re going to do a little note about Louie, 7, a poodle mix (#42787897), surrendered by a woman to Mesquite Animal Services on September 20. Our tipster, the volunteer biographer Judi Brown, reports, “The story is that Louis was left at the woman’s sister’s home and then the other sister didn’t pick him up!” So, what happens? He’s “surrendered” out of the family’s hair.
 I think you understand the phrasing.
Louie has got another problem, Judi says, “He is blind in his right eye, and he has partial sight in his left eye judging from the fact that he maneuvers quite well when walking on a leash. He has some sort of eye infection in both eyes that would need to be treated. He also has a hard growth on his left ear. This does not seem to bother him when touched. He is so sweet, calm, and gentle that you can’t help but fall in love with him! He would make an ideal lapdog. When I first met him he was shaking in his kennel. However when I gave him a bath and put a blanket in his kennel he relaxed. He likes human attention and followed me around like a Velcro dog. He went nose to nose with other dogs when he walked through the bay and also went nose to nose wagging his tail when he met our shelter cat. I just can’t say enough about how deserving this sweet boy is.”
Now, back to Cinnamon: Judi sent these photos with her report on former stray 30-pound Cinnamon, 2- or 3-year-old old, a Pittie girl who arrived on Sept. 16. “She has beautiful reddish gold coloring with hazel eyes and perky ears. Not only is she very photogenic, but she’s got a wonderful laid-back personality. She’s calm and gentle. At the same time she’s friendly and a real wiggle butt. She seems to be very happy. It almost seems like she’s smiling. She explored the yard but spent most of her time close to me. She wants to please. She’d recently had a litter of pups. She did her business as soon as I took her for a walk. She has a strong pull on the leash. She went nose to nose with many of the dogs wagging her tail. If a dog barked at her she ignored him.”

The two dogs? Lucky is the 6-year-old black and tan Chiweenie and Peanut is the 6-year-old Chihuahua — they were surrendered on Sept. 20 because of their humans’ “financial hardship.” Judi says both are timid and “decompressing.” Lucky (42787309) is both more fearful in the kennel and more alert. Peanut (42787296) is timid and “was visibly shaking but was receptive to being held,” Judi wrote. Lucky weighs 10 pounds; Peanut only 7. Judi also wrote, “Lucky obviously has not been ‘lucky’ to end up at 6-years-old in a shelter.” She suggests adopting him and “sweet” Peanut together to change their luck.
She also wrote, “If you’re looking for someone to sit beside you while you watch TV or read a good book Peanut and Lucky would fit the bill.”
To ask about any of these animals or any other animal in the Mesquite Animal Shelter, call 972-216–6283 or email [email protected]. Use their shelter ID numbers.
Here’s the Shelter’s adorable adoptables link 
and that is Sonic (42133742), just over 4 years old and in the shelter since JULY FIFTH — might have been a stray scared off by fireworks. Very interesting coat with what appear to be a muted “M” on that forehead. Needs a home that’ll appreciate a colorful cat.
CONTEMPLATIONS
SEASONAL THOUGHTS,TCU, DOORKNOBS


Perhaps you were awake when Autumn arrived in the big middle of a Texas night. Perhaps you’re reading this on Sunday while it’s still summer. Perhaps you have forgotten that Autumn arrived so early on Monday morning that it was still late Sunday night — 2:50 a.m. Monday. You people who work the late shift know what I mean. Ever seen a sunrise after a night at the office? Yep, go out for a relaxing dinner and a few drinks after work and it’s already time for breakfast. … Ouch. TCU was beaten by SMU over the weekend, 41-38. SMU may be better than expected, but as a veteran observer of the Dallas Condition I couldn’t help but notice the logo on the Pony helmet is similar to the City of Dallas logo and the word “Dallas” appears across the chest of the jerseys even though Southern Methodist University is proudly in University Park, Texas. This next thought is not connected to SMU of course, but the Dallas Cowboys blur the lines of association: They office and practice in Frisco and call a stadium in Arlington their home field. All that and yet they are “Dallas.” I don’t know where this world is going — are we still in the same solar system or will some developer start marketing Earth as being The Heart of Optimum Profiteerum Maxima?” …. THE MISSING DOORKNOBS? Our contractors finally painted our new French doors over a four-day weekend and on Sunday morning one guy showed up to take the plastic covering off the window panes because the paint on the wood was dry. My funspouse Martha then asks, “Are you going to put the doorknobs on the doors?” and the puzzled painter asks, “What doorknobs?” We know they exist. The contract team leader has been talking about them for a couple of weeks. Somewhere there are two lonely doorknobs waiting for a warm hand to embrace them and twist — let us know if you’ve seen them. We know the cats haven’t been playing with them. They were slapping the screws from the hinges up and down the hall. Fun, but not doorknobs.
—- To offer advice, objections or hints about the doorknobs, click on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

CANINE? FELINE? ---- RECLINE?

“What’s the big difference between dogs and cats?”, a rank amateur may ask.
Frankly, it has to do with how sleeping dogs lie and napping cats nap.

We have engaged some professional models/ slumber experts to help us enlighten those who did not take Household Animal Observation & Recognition in their junior years of college. Traditional course, as I’m sure you all know.
Be prepared to take notes. There may be a quiz later. This would be, of course, the first quiz presented in the more than 14-year-history of our weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Oh, let’s just 86 the quiz and move on with the interviews featuring this weekend’s spotlight slumberers.
They are: Porche Noel (found on the porch at Christmas) and William Powell (named in honor of the coolest cat in movies, the great film star of the same name, famously in the title role of The Thin Man motion pictures).
Each of these cohabitants of our home is a wander-up personality who has been embraced by two people who have managed always to find an extra place for a dog or cat to sleep.
Porche’s usual place turned out to be smack in the center of the human bed — not at the foot, right in the center. Or, she may nod off anywhere else — she’s just not choosy. William’s usual places are in a chair, on a shelf, under a desk, atop an unpacked moving box or, of course, in a cat bed. He regards it as his cat bed, though, clearly, he cannot stir a dog that is three or four times his weight.

OUR SLEEPER/NAPPER INTERVIEW

INTERVIEWER LRP (Larry Powell, veteran insightful reporter/editor/columnist and former part-time Montgomery Ward deliveryman in the mid-‘60s): “DO EITHER OF YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING?

PORCHE: "Not so much now that I’m older and realize that most unexpected sounds turn out to be clumsy cats tripping over a computer mouse or cats testing gravity — checking to make sure a vase falls from shelf to floor at the same rate of speed day after day."
WILLIAM: "My napping is properly timed. We cats have an internal clock that reminds us to nod off at precisely the most feline advantageous moment."
PORCHE: "Internal clock? Internal clock? We don’t need no stinkin’ internal clock. My apologies to the writers of the 1948 Humphrey Bogart film, The Treasure of The Sierra Madre. But, seriously, folks, as a veteran canine, comfort is my first requirement. Fortunately, I can be comfortable on a rug under a desk chair, or I can be comfortable shoving my nose into a blanket in the corner of a room that nobody’s put in order because he’s too lazy to open the office boxes he moved from Dallas to Fort Worth.”
[LRP ASIDE: The dog is correct -- not the first time I've said that since I met Porche. I have been remiss in unpacking. But I will sell the boxes — unopened — to anyone for $50 each. Could contain a treasure, could contain curiosity pieces, i.e., "What the devil is this?" Labels fell off some of the boxes. So “SURPRISE BOX” is fitting and $50 could be a bargain. Caution: You may not return the box after purchase. Not ever.]

PORCHE: "I think, also, you see in the photographs that I do not fall victim to ‘stereotyping,’ i.e., a cat curling up in a round bed. I made that bed my own. It’s the ART of sleeping. It’s NOT generational copycatting. No offense, my little whiskered colleague in torporific achievement.
WILLIAM: I look at you sloppily snoozing on my round bed and I immediately think ‘square peg.’ I would suggest that you are incapable of appearing ‘round’ but, of course, now and then I see you walking and realize you have no problem achieving round. I see you with your nose shoved into the corner of a room and I think, ‘Bewildered by a corner, she fell over while waiting for a snack.’ ”
LRP: Please, let’s keep it civil. Moving along: Porche, do you snack before sleeping, and if so, on what?

PORCHE: "I love a good dish of unsupervised cat food — dry or wet. The thrill is in the discreet, rapid capture."
WILLIAM: "And now your readers know why I have no problem curling up in a perfect circle in a traditional cat bed. You can’t gain weight when someone else is eating your food. If I wander away from my dish, when I return, there’s a chance that there’s a tubby dog walking around with cat food breath."
LRP: So, dear friends, is there anything else you’d like to say about the joys of sleeping and napping?
WILLIAM: "Napping comes easily to me. I hope that everyone reading this, in spite of the challenges of the political season, can find a way to nod off and stay energized throughout the campaigns."
PORCHE: "And I’d like to add that being able to sleep worry-free in a home — even with a smarmy cat — is a great pleasure that goes a long way toward happiness. And a dog can go even further on the Happiness Highway if you’ll make certain the treat bowl is never empty. And, Interviewer LRP, whatever that is, as Autumn 2019 arrives in Texas at 2:50 a.m. Monday, I'm sure you’ll make certain that the control on the electric blanket is properly adjusted. By that I mean, adjusted to a natural dog’s needs. You and the cat can go cuddle a pillow. And I mean that with all the sweetness in my soul.”
LRP: Thank you for your time and honest attitudes, Porche and William. Now, go catch a few winks. You can wink, can’t you?
WILLIAM: "More of a blink."
PORCHE: "Never bat an eye — you may miss a meal."
[LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, please send sleeping/napping photos of your dogs/cats/relatives/‘other’ to [email protected]. Include their biographies, too. We’ll happily tell their stories and why you love them so when we spotlight them in the long-running readlarrypowell.com weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people see that having a snoozing critter around the house is comforting. And, you’ll be helping the global insomniac community realize that sleep is possible if you can just curl up in the right bed or learn to stretch-out across it without feeling abdominal pressure. That is my editor, The Senator, demonstrating happy napping. ]
—- Offer opinions or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

LOADS OF LABS, FOLLOW-UP ON PREDICAMENTS, MUSINGS AND AN APPLIANCE EMOTION

EDITION OF FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Hello, Friday. Let’s move on like we were headed for the lively weekend of our teenage years. I’m kidding about that. Be sensible. Save yourself for the State Fair next weekend. And we’ll get to the NAE — New Appliance Emotion — in a minute. Oh, and don’t forget to look at the 3 Lab puppies in Mesquite. Holy smoke, why are they not being adored in a new home right now!
SOME CATCHING-UP
WITH DENTON CRITTERS
Bless Amy Poskey. She not only sends out appeals for animals in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter, but also tells us what has happened to them. And that’s a good thing.
You may recall the appeal a few weeks ago for Chalupa, the Belgian Malinois. 
Nobody wanted her. Ah, here’s something good that happened. [LARRY ASIDE: If I qualified as the breed, I’d load up and go with Chalupa!] Amy reports, “Chalupa was spayed Wednesday by the off-site vet and she will be temp-fostered by our awesome Bill Duncan before being transported to Ruidoso Malinois Rescue in New Mexico.”


[WEEKEND UPDATE ON SNOW WHITE: While it appeared that tiny Snow White, with her heart murmur, was en route to Arkansas, Amy reports that the rescue has fallen through and the little girl needs a rescue, after all. Get in touch with the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. Here's the latest "original" update for her.]

And then there was Snow White. Remember that photo? She’s the little (under 6 pounds) Chihuahua Mix who has a heart murmur that is treatable. Amy writes, “Snow White is in a foster home with hopes to transport to Paws To Love Me Rescue in Arkansas."
The little pair, Frick and Frack, (#84279 & #84280) “are in a foster home while they heal from mange and we hope to get them adopted or rescued once they heal.”

Finally, we never even had time to post Ernie & Bernie for adoption as the “bonded pair” in the Denton McNatt Shelter.
But the photo is so darned cute I can’t resist posting it and letting you know, Dear Readers, that Amy reports they were, indeed, adopted together. How about those faces!
THE SENIOR SIAMESE
We got a couple of notes about this kitty — a senior Siamese currently on stray hold through Monday at Arlington Animal Services. He’s “medium-sized” and is described as having a “short smooth coat with “blue eyes, erect ears, long tail…” Yep, a cat.
He’s older than 8. Crystal Steinborn of the shelter told us Thursday afternoon that nobody — not an owner or a rescue — had claimed him, “however, we were able to confirm he is neutered and his stray hold has been extended until Monday afternoon.” The cat is #A42734592 at the shelter.
In case you might want to look around for a cat or dog in the Arlington Animal Services shelter, HERE’S THE LINK.
That puppy is 4-month-old Petunia (42623701) and that smallish boy cat is #42459168, known to his shelter pals as “Catsup.” [LARRY ASIDE: I’m assuming that’s pronounced “cat-‘sup“ as in “Cat, whassup?”]
AND, OF COURSE, LANCASTER
ENTERS THE WEEKEN FULL
As has been the case for months now — ever since the big breakup between the City of Lancaster and some of the volunteers with Furbabies of Lancaster — the small shelter is loaded with cats and dogs. 
We’re citing these photos — a few of MANY Lancaster shelter animals waiting for adoption, rescue or the needle. They are sent by the small shelter advocates Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden who have been hustling for this facility’s residents for months.
The kittens are some of the tiny babies who showed up during the extended North Texas Kitten Season. [LARRY ASIDE: Like kitten season ever ends around here, right? It’s longer than the NBA season.]
The big girl is Pippa, described as a “Bulloxer,” i.e., a Boxer/Bulldog mix. Make more sense than a “Boxdog,” I guess, and sounds cuter. But the deal with Pippa is she’s a “really wonderful girl,” her bio reads. “Just the most loving sweetheart you can imagine. big, sweet soulful eyes.”
Here’s the deal: To ask about helping the Lancaster crowd, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. [LARRY ASIDE: Ask to be put on Laura’s mailing list — it’s a trip and a half to see some of these great “allegedly unwanted” animals. You, as I have done, will look at them and wonder “What the hell is wrong with people that they’d dump a dog like this! Or hand over a boxful of kittens like that!”]
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE
Oh, boy. We’re starting with Todd (33696961), a 2- or 3-year-old 65-pound, already-neutered Shepherd mix who came into Mesquite Animal Services as a stray on the 12th. “Tawny coloring and appealing hazel eyes,” our tipster, the volunteer shelter biographer Judi Brown says. 
“He is friendly and affectionate. When I sat down he came to me to be petted. He stays close. He doesn’t jump on you. He wants to please. He sits for treats. He does have a strong pull on the leash. … Because he’s so gentle Todd would probably do well in a family with young children.

And that brings us to a quartet of 4-month-old Lab pups surrendered on September 16 — one of them has been adopted. So Mesquite is offering these pups now. 
The 35-pound handsome Ink (42745157) “had to be carried out of his kennel,” Judi wrote, “But eventually, with treats, sweet talk and stroking, he got up and tentatively wagged his tail.”
He’s coming around — even getting up, walking around and wagging his tail in the security of his kennel, Judi writes, adding, “So, there already has been some progress.”

Brother Carbon (42745152) weighs about 35 pounds, too, and, Judi notes, he wasn’t standing in any of the photos she took because “he felt more secure laying down.”
He, like Ink, was happy hiding out in the back of his kennel. In fact, Carbon is “the most timid” of the puppies. She says, “Carbon is definitely a very sweet boy. Incidentally he has the longest nose of the three brothers.”

 And we close with a note about Shade (42745155), shown here with his brother Carbon, the dog who is “more secure laying down.” Like the other boys, Shade is about 35 pounds. Like the other boys, he is “very shy and overwhelmed by the shelter environment,” Judi writes. “They are a work in progress. We have a volunteer who has dedicated her time to socializing these sweet Labs. All of them had to be carried out of their kennel except for Shade. Shade actually walked out of his kennel on his own.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I’d take all three of ‘em if we weren't already all full up with critters. You good hearts who have room for a darling Lab puppy, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@city ofmesquite.com.]
You can see a lot more Mesquite adorable adoptables — dogs and cats — by clicking HERE. Among the feline sweeties is this 3-year-old girl 42677475 — oh, I’m sorry, let me give you her name. And based on her paw placement, she looks as if she’s trying to live up to her name and it’s not a problem — that cat is appropriately, Cuddles. Awwww…..look at that face!
CONTEMPLATIONS
GIVING DAY, PAUNCH DAY, WINDOW VIEW & A KITCHEN JOY
Thursday was North Texas Giving Day and a lot of agencies posted noontime updates and late updates. I haven’t won Lotto Texas yet, but I sure do hope every animal outfit got twice the amount of money it needed. …. Did you realize that Thursday, according to Holiday Insights, was also National Pepperoni Pizza day and National Paunch Day — wait, sorry. Typo. I was thinking about the diet qualities of pizza and typed National Paunch Day rather than what I should have typed, National Punch Day. … Looking out the front window of our humble abode, we see cloudy skies and a breeze made perceptible only by the slight ruffling of leaves on a tree I can’t identify and the tall leaves on some Cannas rising from the flower bed alongside the front of the house. No free-roaming dogs on the street. No cats skulking along. I’ve seen one squirrel at the new home — well, not “new,” but younger than I am. I spent 3 decades in a neighborhood that attracted free-roaming dogs and cats. How do I know there are no dogs roaming free, no skulking cats? There’s a fireplug across the street and it’s pristine. Cats? The many birds do not appear to be nervous. … Joyce Conley, who rescued 2-year-old Rowdy the Dog when he was Rowdy the Puppy and puts up with his shenanigans, posted one of the funniest notes on Facebook Thursday. Some day, Dear Young Readers, you and I will think it’s funny, too, some day when we are older. Sincerely, your youngish typing-writer. Now, enjoy the weekend. Do something good for animals and yourself. Joyce's post:

—- Offer opinions or lucky lotto numbers for the weekend by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. ——