ReadLarryPowell.com

ANIMAL POLITICS, RESCUE ATTEMPTS AND APPEALS, ASSORTED NOTES

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCT. 22, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Let’s get right into today’s report — we’re posting late because of a sleeping mishap. I slept past my morning pill schedule. I caught up on the pills but I’ll never catch up on the sleep. [Send photos of your sleeping dogs and cats to [email protected] for the weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. That’s Porche, who rises with me, and when I don’t sleep, she sleeps next to my wheels as I type.]
IMPORTANT VOTE TUESDAY NIGHT
ON GBC CONTRACT WITH HSCCL
We’ll clear up the alphabet soup by explaining that at 6:30 p.m. this very day, the Gun Barrel City City Council will vote on “whether to give its stray animal contract to the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake shelter in Tool or to Athens.”
We got the reminder from Sydney Bush of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City —AND which works with HSCCL to help reduce unwanted animal population through a method other than euthanasia.
Sydney’s note reports, “There was such a great turnout at the last meeting in support of HSCCL - WE NEED YOU BACK AGAIN TO SHOW THE COUNCIL how the community is behind this.”
And she reminds readers that HSCCL “works very hard to get its animal adopted…Lanette Ainsworth (president of the HSCCL board) told the council at the last meeting, ‘We have not euthanized a single animal this year before of space issues’.” 
Sydney describe the vote as “a very important turning point for HSCCL — they need your support now.”
Also, if the contract for strays goes to Athens, then the animal go to Athens’ city shelter rather than to the adoption-prone non-profit shelter run by the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake.

PUG-O-WEEN! A PERFECT

FIT FOR HALLOWEEN
Oh, man, does this announcement from Fred Campos at DFW Pub Rescue take me back — years and years ago my funspouse Martha and I (then a columnist at The Big Paper Downtown) were invited to help judge a Pug Halloween Costume Contest. It was a scream! A festival for the eyes and the smiles. Over the years, Pugs have lost none of the charm of the dearest little faces and they can make a costume really look good! 
So, here’s the info for a fun Sunday afternoon in at the Grapevine Convention Center (1209. S. Main St — easy to find). The event is from noon to 4 p.m. — the fundraiser benefits DFW Pug Rescue Club, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to the cute and dear little dogs.
The rescue parade is at 12:15 p.m. Then at 12:30 p.m., the display is “Unruly Rock Stars (Pugs under 4 years old.)” — we’re sure they mean pleasantly unruly. See the whole listing for the parade at dfwpugs.com.
You can also see adoptable Pugs at that site and that includes this 10-year-old girl who understands the value of a blanket on a chilly day — that is Tulip. And, if you’re unfamiliar with this loveable breed, you should know that all the faces are different. You may say “that’s a Pug face,” but then you’ll realize they’re absolutely individual. [LARRY ASIDE: We’ve never had a Pug, but we know people who do and they’re nuts for their Pugs. Just sayin’, you know, if you’ve got room for some adoration in your life…]
THE FATES OF DOGS…

TWO MESQUITE, ONE GARLAND….
Remember last week when Queen, this beautiful, happy 3-year-old Retriever mix was on the brink of being euthanized? Didn’t happen, reports Mesquite Animal Services volunteer biographer Judi Brown. Queen had come into the shelter on September 13 because her owners were tethering her and that is illegal in Mesquite. So, she was saved from one illegal fate to be potential victim of a second legal fate. Mercifully, Judi reports, Queen has been saved from both. And she’s in the loving care of someone else. …
Twilight’s fate is still being worked out. Judi says Twilight was adopted, then returned and the surrendering people didn’t bother to fill out a “surrender form.” Judi, who meets each animal she writes about, says, “She stood out to me as being extra sweet and very much in need as it looks like she had been over-bred and just look at that sweet face.” Maybe 2 or 3 years old, Twilight came inn as a stray on Sept. 27 — she’d recently had a litter of puppies. 
Judi wrote, “I fall in love with most of the dogs I take pictures of but there are some that are more special than others and you know that immediately. Twilight fit in that category.” Twilight is #42845460. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
THIS BRINGS US TO RAVI, the dog who was found motionless in front of a family’s garage in Garland. He was in awful shape, paralyzed somewhat when he came into Garland Animal Services. He appeared to rebound somewhat, but, then, faded and the 8-year-old, 60-pound, intact dog was “euthanized,” in the intended sense of the word -- to show love for the dog, not just to open a kennel. I’m using his mugshot rather than the photo used widely of the paralyzed Ravi. We don’t know where his human was in all this or if there was a human. Sadly.
TWO CATS IN NEED
Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com forwarded this appeal from Carole Durand about two cats she’s trying to help.
The message reads, “These cats need homes! They are fixed and current on shots. They were dropped off at my vet’s office a month ago.”

They have the “tipped” ears because they were “fixed at TCAP and taken [to the event] in live traps so both have ears tipped to get the spay/neuter special price.”
The older is 2 years, the younger 5 months and nobody who’s seen the photos knows which is which!
To offer to give these two a home, call Carole at 817-902-3356.
CONTEMPLATIONS
DALLAS, WORLD SERIES, HIRING
One of first stories I covered as a young reporter was a tornado that hit a home on a rural highway near New Boston, Texas. Lots of houses, lots of farms to choose from, but the tornado hit one roadside home, lifted it and dropped it on the retirement-age guy who lived there. That was the story that taught me to marvel at the power of nature and to never be surprised at what it could do. For example, the storm on Sunday didn’t kill anyone in Dallas while destroying so much. A simultaneous miracle and tragedy. … The World Series starts tonight and once again the Texas Rangers are not in Major League Baseball’s fall classic. I’ve seen championship parades for the NBA Mavericks, the NHL Stars and the NFL Cowboys. Buy some pitching, Texas, buy some pitching. … In my inbox Tuesday I found these subject lines on emails: “PepsiCo wants to hire you”; “Walmart wants to hire you” and “Coca-Cola wants to hire you.” I’m still waiting for the one that reads, “The Dallas Morning News wants to re-hire you.” That’ll be the day. I'm a lot more expensive than I was the last time they wrote me a check -- five or ten bucks more.
— Offer the odds or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

ON A PEACEFUL MONDAY, A LOOK AT THE STATE OF THINGS FOR HUMANS AND ANIMALS

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCT. 21, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Our Monday edition with assorted notes and photos (that's a Sunday evening photo by the State Fair's Jessie Hass) is arriving a little late on your cyberdoorstep. 
We had a family event last night, a gathering of kids, sisters-in-law, grandkids and a nephew who lives way out of Texas — other side of the Atlantic. 
All that, a Cowboys game we ignored on TV and the most impossible autumn weather we couldn’t ignore after everyone left.
In the aftermath of it all, the word that comes to mind is “blessing.” As in: “Blessings upon those who are facing massive challenges this Monday and continued blessings on the rest of us.” 
This morning, as I walked out into the front yard to see if any of our neighbors had endured any damage (they hadn’t!), I looked up and saw this wonderful moon in a great Texas morning sky right above one of the trees on our estate — er, in our front yard. Not really an estate. But overhead, a Monday morning clear sky that is a blessing.
“NO TAKERS???!” THAT’S HOW
THE LUCKY/FLASH APPEAL BEGAN….
Yes, two dogs inspire that reaction from our veteran tipster Amy Poskey, the constant observer of challenges at the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter & Adoption Center.
Her first paragraph, read, “NO TAKERS???! I’m scratching my head and wondering why these two boys haven’t been scooped up, yet, cuz they are SO sweet, healthy, handsome, and HW NEGATIVE!!!  What more could you ask for?!  Poor babies lost their daddy and now they are in a scary shelter wondering what happened.   So, please give Lucky and Flash the love they crave!”

Lucky is the 5- to 8-year-old terrier mix fellow who weighs in at 19 pounds. Flash, about the same age, is a 38-pound Australian Shepherd (maybe mix) fellow. 

Why are they in a shelter? Amy’s first appeal a the weekend arrived read, “These two boys were surrendered by the son of a deceased man and he wanted them to be euthanized. Well, the shelter staff soon realized what WONDERFUL, SWEET, HEALTHY, HANDSOME boys they are and decided they deserve a chance to find a loving family!”
The shelter is at 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton. Call 940-349-7594. Email these people at Denton Animal Services: [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].
THIS IS CHAPO
AND HE NEEDS A HOME
OK, he needs another home. His first one may have been criminally lousy. His second one was a bad fit. His third one may be the charm.
We learned about him from Tami Kukla who is trying to help him find a home via Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. Here are the steps in the Chapo story from Tami:
From Sept. 26: “Chapo is a lover. All he wanted to do was have me pet him. Loves toys and treats and is highly intelligent. … He put his paw up when I said ‘goodbye’ to wave at me.”

From Oct. 13: “Sweet Chapo unfortunately lost his new home. It wasn't meant to be but that is okay. He is ready to meet you and share all of his cool traits. This great guy is always smiling. He would like to be the only pet as he wants to shower you with attention. He loves water and baths are a favorite. Oh and hot dogs and ice cream. Football and Hockey or all sports. Help us help Chapo be snuggling on a couch this week."

Then, on Saturday, Tami sent us this email appeal “Chapo is a sweet 2 year old bundle of love that was turned in by his owners who listed that they were moving. He wound up Code Red at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control as he just wanted to be out of his kennel and go for a walk.  He was saved with 20 minutes to spare. He has been adopted and was looking forward to a life of naps and treats. However his adopter turned out to not be a kind person and he is back in boarding and in need of a foster or forever home.

 “This poor guy does best as an only dog since he has been attacked by other dogs and you can see the scars on his ears. Chapo would love a new name and new life filled with walks and baths. Oh and he loves car rides.  Did we mention how smart he is and really senses your emotions. If you would like to meet Chapo please contact Tami at 214-991-0812.”

Yes, long appeal for a dog who may be short on time.

DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES
NOTE ABOUT THE STORM
DAS posted this Facebook note abut 10 a.m. Monday: “We realize that many people have been affected by the tornado in North Dallas last night and that pets may be loose this morning. Our field officers will be patrolling the area to help reunite pets with their owners. If you are missing your pet in the wake of the storm last night, please call 3-1-1 to report your missing pet.
We are also diligently working with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to support people who have pets that were affected by the tornado last night. There is temporary shelter located at Bachman Recreation Center where pet food and kennels will be supplied for people staying there with their pets.
For more information on what to do when your pet goes missing, please visit our website: HERE."
SPOTLIGHT CAT?
Oh, I’m sure he’s happy in a spotlight. That’s Charlie, currently lounging at Dog & Kitty City, the no-kill shelter operated by the Humane Society of Dallas County. Charlie is listed as “large” and he’s quite handsome. Born 2/20/2016 which makes him about 3 1/2 years old. He’s described as a “total love bug who enjoys snuggling and spending time with people but use caution as he can alo be a bit feisty when he’s had enough.” [LARRY ASIDE: He’s so human!] 
Dog & Kitty City is at 2719 Manor Way on the west side of Love Field. Call 214-350-7525.
CONTEMPLATIONS
POLITICS, THE FAIR AND THE KID
We spotted a fantastically practical quote cited by the great Shelby Bobosky of the Texas Humane Legislation Network. She’d been at a special “training seminar” and reported, “It was a privilege to train district attorneys, LEOs and ACOs in South Padre today. Met some rock stars working on tight budgets for the animals. Best quote of the day from Cameron County Public Health Admin. ‘If you are a politician, get animal rescuers on your side...they are organized and they vote’.” Yep. So, at THLN you can apply that influence on an entire Texas Legislature full of politicians. (Extra reading: The Lakewood Advocate, during the summer, ran a profile of THLN’s Bobosky — worth a read HERE.] Some photo, hugh? That's by State Fair of Texas photographer Jessie Hass, taken in late afternoon before the massive storm moved over Dallas. Our guess is Jessie was in the Tower Building shooting across Big Tex’s traditional greeting area and, on the right across from his boots, the very busy Fletcher’s Corny Dog Stand. … One more Fair note from Karissa Condoianis, the Fair’s Senior Vice President for Public Relations: The 2019 preliminary count shows that “more than 2.5 million people” came to — borrowing from Big Tex — “the great State Fair of Texas” this year. And here’s an animal-related fun fact: The Livestock Birthing Barn (which readlarrypowell.com visited) “celebrated 81 animal births throughout the run of the Fair — 32 pigs, 210 kids (goats), 26 lambs and 13 calves.” I shot that photo of the Momma Sheep as she got up and tried to walk away from her determined-to-nurse lambs. Ah, the weaning process. We’ll have more facts as the week goes on, but here’s the key thing for your calendar: The 2020 State Fair of Texas runs Sept. 25-Oct. 18. To quote Rogers & Hammerstein: “Don’t miss it. Don’t even be late.” You have plenty of time to work on a championship cookie recipe for the Creative Arts contests. But, competition is tough — so practice all year. People who love cookies will be willing to help you practice!
—- Offer recipes, advice or stock tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected] and I’ll respond as soon as I finish this cookie… —-

PUMPKIN: ALL-ANGEL AND IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Sometimes when you suggest “Let sleeping dogs lie,” there’s a good reason, as in the case presented by this photo. Mom needs some sleep -- and so do the babies!
This photo was first posted on Oct. 18, 2016, by Kim Motteler Gaffey and the caption read, “Pumpkin is the proud mama of 8 fat and sassy puppies! She's a great first-time mommy and her puppies are beautiful.”
Pumpkin is the spotlight girl for this weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
We promised in our readlarry- powell.com edition on the 16th that we’d tell the rest of Pumpkin’s story after we cited Kim’s challenge on Facebook: "Pumpkin’s DNA results are in! Any guesses?”
The DNA test showed that Pumpkin is 62% Boxer, 25% American Staffordshire Terrier and 12.5% German Shepherd Dog. And, of course, 100% angel.
What the DNA test didn’t show was the back story on a dog who was named “Pumpkin” because, when she was found as a “country stray” in 2016, she was “very pregnant, hence the name Pumpkin since she was orange and round.” 

Kim took Pumpkin home from the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter to foster “and she had 8 beautiful babies at my house. My vet and his wife took over puppy and mom duty when the puppies were about 2 weeks old.”
Then, Kim says, this happened: “I took Pumpkin back as a foster when the puppies were being weaned but my family fell in love with her and we ended up adopting her!” Yep, Pumpkin got a whole family — Kim and her husbnd Chris and the kids, Kaitlyn and Justin.
AND THERE’S MORE for this former pregnant stray in a shelter: “She is now a certified Therapy Dog and visits hospitals and schools. She is an amazing dog who has never met a stranger and accepts the ongoing foster dogs in and out of my home!”

So, Dear Readers, pass along this truth to people who don’t have a dog: “Next time you see a dog in a shelter, remember that it has the potential to be a blessing not just for you but for other people, too.”
So, there you have it: Pumpkin charmed a family and wound up with a mission.
[LARRY NOTE: We all should live up to Pumpkin’s standards. If you have a dog or cat that you’ve photographed sleeping, send us that snoozing photo and the biography and we’ll post it in our weekly feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be inspiring other people to take in a dog or cat as a companion. You’ll also be inspiring insomniacs to realize that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just figure out what mission will relieve their anxieties. Is there such a thing as a Therapy Insomniac?]
—- Say “Thanks” to Therapy Dog Pumpkin by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by e-mailing [email protected] where we appreciate dogs and cats and people who love them. —-
OH, WAIT, ONE MORE IMPORTANT NOTE

Patty Turner, the animal advocate, sent us the note about this damaged dog. Someone found "Ravi" motionless in front of their garage in Garland on Thursday. No idea where he came from or how he got there.
He’s been in Garland Animal Services since then and needs some prayers and some human hearts to help him. Could be paralyzed, may be in shock. Whatever he’s up against, he needs a helping human hand to lift him out of this predicament.  Here's the shelter phone number: (972) 205-3570. You can google Garland Animal Services and Ravi and get connected to his story.

—- Bless the beasts and children, you know?—-

SHELTERS ARE FULL -- WHAT? WHAT? HOW CAN THAT BE? OH, YEAH, I FORGOT WHERE WE ARE....

FRIDAY PM EDITION OCT. 18, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Good afternoon. For the PM Edition we have that consistent constant in the animal world — shelters with too many animals and animals that need out because of their circumstances. 
By now you’ve spotted this collection of photos of a dog named Scotty.
We learned of him from reliable Everman shelter watcher Heather Harrison who is seeking “space for this li’l fellow. The shelter is full and space will have to be made for the next incoming dog.”
That’s a way of saying that if someone doesn’t adopt or rescue Scotty, he’ll get the needle the next time a new dog shows up. It happens.
Heather’s note also says that “Scotty is a 5-month-old,male White Lab.  He is a handsome li’l guy with the best personality.  Very laid back and easy going.  Loves other dogs and people.  Has 1st set vaccines, deworm & HW test.”
To help him, email Heather at [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN DENTON, she didn't get along with the 'house sitter..… We have this situation with 10- to 15-year- old Susie, the one-eyed Shih Tzu. She’s rescue-only. Let me rephrase: “Once apparently a beloved family dog, she is now ‘rescue-only’ in a city shelter.” 
Word of her needs comes from veteran Denton McNatt Animal Shelter watcher Amy Poskey who writes, 
“This is Susie and she is looking for a nice, soft bed and a loving home for her golden years!  Bless her heart, the family that was supposed to love her forever decided to dump her because she ‘didn’t get along with the house sitter.’  Really???!!!  Poor baby didn’t deserve this and she needs to know FOREVER love!  I apologize but I don’t have a lot of info about her or a better pic, yet, but I’m working on it.”
Susie is said to be “very shy but warms up slowly.”
She’s #84897 at the shelter. It’s at 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton if you want to drop by and see Susie and other adoptables. Call 940-349-7594. 
Email [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected].

IN CASE YOU DIDN’T SEE THIS…
Sherman’s KTEN — that’s NBC Channel 10 in “TEXOMA” — reports that th  City of Sherman Animal Shelter has gone “no-kill’ and that’s “even though it’s currently over capacity.”
(That’s a KTEN photo from the story’s site HERE. It gives a “shout out” to the Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), described as being “key” to the shelter’s no-kill operation.
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, “currently over capacity.” Sort of a trend in the the aftermath of “Clear the Shelters.” Again, it really needs to be a year-round “Keep the Shelters Cleared” movement — no euthanasia and lots of love. I’m clearly a day-dreamer, of course.]
MEANWHILE BACK IN LANCASTER: Here’s another new dog added to the expanding inventory at Lancaster Animal Services, according to our tipsters Leighann Hayden and Laurie Macias of 4-Legged Helpers, the small-shelter non-profit.
This guy is Duke. How’d such a handsome, but apparently uncertain of his situation, dog wind up in a shelter? Duke, allegedly a Cattledog-Boxer mix, “was found by some people but the owner could not be located. He is very sweet, well-behaved and everyone that has met him adores him. Such a good boy. Loves children, too.” 
To help Duke find a new home, get in touch with Laura by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or emailing [email protected].
THE SPECIALS IN DALLAS
WHERE THE ANIMALS ARE MANY!
That artwork tells the story.
On Friday, DAS posted a pitch for 7-year-old Midnight (A1015153) and described him as “a beautiful example of one of our dark and handsome pups who can go home for FREE thanks to our Barktoberfest promotion that we're doing today through 10/21! During #Barktoberfest, all black and orange animals can go home for FREE!…(He is) looking for a forever home where he can just kick back and relax. He's still pretty active for his age and loves playing with other pups in our dog playgroups.”

DAS highlighted Midnight, and I went online to see if there might be a cat that could qualify as orange and black — Diamond might just work. She’s 3 years old, spayed and has been at the shelter since Oct. 14. She appears to have both orange and black in her coat. When you call the shelter at 214-670-6800 to ask about her, use her ID: A1074634. And on Friday at noon, the animalservices.org site said the shelter has 332 dogs and 374 cats. On the other hand, the DAS Pet Harbor listing HERE says DAS has 490 dogs and 437 cat. Go figure, but while you’re figuring, try to rescue and adopt and spread the word.
THIS ARTWORK TELLS THE STORY
AT FORT WORTH ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
That’s what you first see when you click on the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Facebook page. In our AM edition we cited the continuing efforts to find a home for a sweet boy named Roscoe, in the shelter since March.

CONTEMPLATIONS
Nothing bubbling to the surface in the ol’ brainaroo. Do you miss the heat of September, speaking of things that bubbled. Are you taken aback when you walk into a store and see the reindeer and angels nudging the witches and jack-o-lanterns aside? … One more State Fair car show note. Would you have recognize this squashed nearly flat automobile as a Jaguar if it didn’t have a badge and a license plate? Remember where a Jag was a classic design? Official notice to Jaguar: After aching to own one of your classic sedans for more than a half-century, I’m now quite happy with my Ford Edge, even though I have to reactivate the heater every year by holding down two buttons on the console, then pressing one more. I swear. Odd behavior in cars — but the Edge still doesn’t look like a squashed bug. …. Gasoline? In the last 10 days, at a station on the east side of Grand Prairie on Highway 303, I paid $207.9, then $2.11.9 for a gallon of regular. On Thursday, the price was up to $2.27.9. I’m changing my route in hopes of looking for sanity in gasoline prices. I will, no doubt, run out of gas while looking.
—- Offer advice or hope by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected] —

A LOOK AT THE STATE FAIR AND ANIMALS THAT NEED A BIG TEXAS SERVING OF HELP

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Finally Friday. Ah, but on Thursday I visited the State Fair of Texas again. Walking along in my sneakers I started conducting an informal survey of footwear and I’ll bet only about 1 of 100 visitors to the State Fair of Texas was wearing boots on Thursday.
Fortunately, in the State Fair’s Home on the Range Barnyard, this critter wore furry ol’ west chaps. I am not sure what species that cute little beastie is, but maybe its an Alpaca. It’s not a camel. The camels were snoozing.
 More on the great State Fair in Contemplations:
ROSCOE AND HIS FANS
KEEP TRYING TO FIND HIS HOME!
We have two cute photos of Roscoe, the Beagle mix Tami Kukla has been promoting for some time now — he’s been at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control since last March, thus has been there longer than any other critter, we’re told.
In one photo (I got that blurry copy from a video HERE) Roscoe is happy in an autumnal grass wallow. In the other, he’s happily snoozing on his bed.
He needs a human.
Tami’s post with the video of Roscoe enjoying a gleeful wallow, reads, “Roscoe on Remember Me Thursday. He really wants a forever home. Just a reminder this sweet 7 year old has been waiting since March but he smiles each day. Loves to play outside. Hikes and walks he is a big fan of. Chillin at the end of the day. Need a buddy to always be there? That is Roscoe. His adoption fee is sponsored and he is ready to go. Will you be his bff?” 
The shelter is at 4900 Martin St. in western Fort Worth. Phone 817-3921234. 

THE STARS ALIGN
FOR SPCA OF TEXAS
Some of you will know already that the annual Dallas Fan Days exhibition opens at Friday and runs through Sunday at Irving Convention Center. You can see stars there, including these four clipped from the Dallas Fan Days site HERE .
But there’ll also be adoptables from the SPCA of Texas — that’s from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the convention center. We’re not sure which SPCA animals will be there, but you can go to spca.org and get a good look at dogs and cats who need homes. 
Dallas Fan Days is teaming with the SPCA to “offer animal lovers an exclusive 15 percent off tickets.” Use the discount code SPCA15— get tickets HERE.
In case you’re new to this particular world, here’s the official description: “Dallas Fan Days™ is an annual comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Irving, Texas. It is packed with exciting family-friendly activities, celebrity & comic guests, and much more! And this year the SPCA of Texas is bringing adoptable dogs to the event on Sunday, October 20! So after you meet your favorite celebrity stop by the SPCA of Texas’ mobile adoptions vehicle located outside the Irving Convention Center for a chance to meet your forever friend! #DallasFanDays #SPCATexas.”
MEANWHILE, MORE DOGS
APPEAR IN LANCASTER
Yeah, I know, more dogs and cats appear everywhere in the metrosprawl. The reason we’re citing these animals is because the people with 4-Legged Helpers, the newly formed 501c3, are still looking for someone to help the organization meet its goals of getting dogs out of small shelters.
The contact points for volunteering to help the rescue or to ask about adopting an animal, car text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
These dogs happen to be from the Lancaster Shelter, newly added dogs of varying descriptions and stories that all end, so far, with “The dog is in the shelter and waiting on either the needle or a rescue.” The information comes of a note sent by Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers.
That first beauty — with the eyes of different colors — is Bonita. She was surrendered “by someone unable to care for her.
Trapper is the Boxer describe a “super cute and very sweet.”

Bonnie is the “American Bulldog or mix” who is “everything a sweet dog should be.” Friday is the first day that she is available for adoption, Laura’s note says.
The tubby Staffie girl is Pebbles. “So lovable and sweet. Sweet and cuddly and cute. Loves everyone. If you are looking for a great bully, this is your girl.”
And we close with this German Shepherd named Ginger. [LARRY ASIDE: No idea how she came to be in the small shelter in Lancaster. Probably an error of the human heart or maybe an error by a heartless human.]
SOME CATS FROM
OUT AT THE LAKE
We got this note from Sydney Busch of the 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. The note included a photograph with letters on each kitten.
And Stacey Dowd explained the letters in her note to Sydney.
She wrote, “Can you help me hare these kittens’ information in hopes that we can find them a home. Mom is the a feral cat that I feed.

"The picture has the letter of the name that we have been calling them. They are about 8-9 weeks old.”
We asked Stacey about the names and she cracked us up with some of them. She explained that these are “just names we call them to tell them apart in conversation.” [LARRY ASIDE: Anybody who’s ever fostered a litter of kittens can relate to that philosophy! Kittens can look alike and move too quickly to yell their name with any authority!]
So the names matching the letters are the boys Hungry Man, Camshaft, Peanut and Spitz. The female is Digger. Stacey says, “I found a home for Munchkin. So just 5 need homes.”

To adopt, email Stacey at [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
AFTER A VISIT TO THE FAIR
On Thursday I made my second visit to the 2019 State Fair of Texas. I never get enough of it — there’s just something great about the traditional celebration of Texas. There’s Big Tex, for example, and I’m such a lousy photographer that I think my photo of Big Tex from behind is far better than the frontal photo, though it is kind of a mood shot. You’d think the City of Dallas would figure out a way to get Big Tex to rise over Klyde Warren Park ever so often just to give the park a Texas flavor. … Remember when the lines for the rides were the longest at the Fair? Hah! The lines for Fletcher’s Corny Dogs eclipsed those numbers! You’d have thought they were handing out free money at the midway Fletcher’s stand around noon Thursday. There were probably 200 people lined up when I shot this photo of the winding line. Later, I was walking along the area near the Creative Arts Building — there’s a Fletcher’s stand there — and I heard a young woman with a non-Texas accent ask her young man, “Are the corny dogs really that good? Why do so many people want them?” and he replied, “Tradition.” I haven’t had a Fletcher’s corny dog in more than a quarter-century, but back then it wasn’t just the tradition. It was the taste. I became a vegetarian and got over having to have the taste of a lot of snacks! Save the animals! … In the new car area, as I was looking at automobiles I cannot afford, I spotted this Corvette and heard a young woman say to her mom, “There’s a yeller car.” Yes, indeed, that is beyond yellow, it is yeller.
—- Offer advice, animal identification or fair tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. ——

A MISSION IN NEED; RAMPING UP A TECHNICAL EFFORT; FRISCO/PETLAND & CONTEMPLATING BUZZARDS, SNUGGLING FOR CASH & KIDS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Call this photo “Cat Noir.” Two foundlings, young William Powell and much younger Stevie Ray are atop the shelf on my computer desk as I type. My usual feline confidant, The Senator, is laid up with the sniffles right now — got his shot, his meds and extra affection. 
Join us in this edition’s efforts to help animals and the people who love them. Remember, the people who love animals are dramatically important to the future of the animals and the hearts of the humans who don’t yet realize that their best friend is waiting somewhere in a shelter or a foster home or, yep, on the streets.
STEPPING IN TO MAINTAIN
MISSION OF SAVING ANIMALS

In recent hours we’ve gotten several note about a loss that changed a mission.
The original note came from Kim Lehere writing on behalf of I Am Dog Rescue. You may have seen that organizations name in stories on readlarrypowell.com — Mike and Mary Frazier were renowned for saving dogs through the organization. Mike, the Founder, died suddenly at 67 on October 7 and now, there is new urgency in the need to help the animals in their care. 
The note from Kim explained that Mike and Mary were the “primary caregivers of many of our rescue dogs at their family farm in Pilot Point, Texas. With his passing, the burden of daily care for many of these dogs will quickly become too much for his widow. While our volunteers can provide help with the day-to-day care and feeding of these dogs in the short term, we need help moving/transferring as many of these dogs as we can to other rescue organizations, as quickly as possible to ensure their continued well-being. Unfortunately our current foster network is unable to accommodate these dogs.” 

Most of the dogs are “ready for adoption now,” the note reads — that includes medical checks, spaying/neutering, microchipped, etc. 
The big girl is Wendy, a 3-year-old, 70-pound Lab mix who is good with kids and dog, is one of the dog. Rescue groups with room or willing fosters should email [email protected] or call 940-202-0951. Perhaps an adoptor will wish to help, also. 
And that little guy is Fisher, around 3-years-old and about 20 pounds and he “can be nippy at times.” The rest of the time he is clearly adorable.
See more of the I Am Dog Rescue pups HERE.
Donations may be made in Mike’s memory to I Am Dog Rescue, 11450 US Hwy 380, Cross Roads, TX 76227 or online at iamdogrescue.com. The obituary is online HERE.
MEANWHILE, 4-LEGGED HELPERS
PLANS TO GROW, WORKS ON RESCUE
Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden keep plugging away with their small-shelter advocacy 4-Legged Helpers and their attempts to help animals in Lancaster.
First, they need some help of their own. The organization needs a social media worker who can also work a phone and call vet offices to set up appointments for dogs that are one check-up away from being adorable adoptables.
And they need someone to help with transporting animals from shelters to rescue groups. Maybe a few other little chores that take some energy, but not money and not a lot of time. It’s all a coordinated effort. 
Without this non-profit group’s effort, animals in low-traffic shelters will have virtually no “public relations” representatives. The only way they get human foot traffic is if someone walks through looking for the men’s room. Volunteers are needed for 4-Legged Helpers. Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
You’ll note that we’ve posted three animals with this item. All three are in the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Their names may not match their photos on the Lancaster site. Laura explains, “We name them what we know is marketable and keep their names when they are decent. But I wouldn't dare name a dog 'Spud'! UGGHHH. And we have a more complete listing of dogs. They do not keep that up to date at all…. And we need money for boarding of dogs before going on transports and HW treatment at $400 a dog as some states would take the dogs but can't accept HW positive as it is illegal to send them into the state. We can HW treat and send them on their way!”

Back to the names: “Pepper” in one place is “Pippa” in the other and “Spud” is “Jack.” 
Here’s the PetFinder link to the Lancaster shelter,
Laura is looking for someone to efficiently help 4-Legged Helpers organize  and post the animal photos and bios where people can see the available animals. Until that happens, you can email Laura at [email protected] to ask to be put on the mailing list.
The 4-dog photo is Pippa, i.e., Pepper, a “Bulloxer,” i.e., a Boxer-Bulldog mix who is “just the most loving sweetheart you can imagine.”
Dave is the Lab/Border Collie Mix — found living out on his own and very shy. He comes around after he gets accustomed to a person, 4-Legged Helpers reports.

Champ is the dog with the multi-colored face - he is described as the “cutest, sweetest guy.  Has the biggest prettiest eyes.  He is super sweet.  This is the most interesting looking beautiful dog.  He is the sweetest guy ever in person.”

Again, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected] to volunteer to help these dogs escape the grim reaper with a needle.
THE PETLAND/FRISCO
ANIMAL CHALLENGES
If you’re keeping up with the Frisco/Petland controversy, then you probably already know people spoke to the Frisco City Council Tuesday night in an attempt to the the city take action, i.e., “shutting down” Petland. Mark Verma, President of Paws In The City, the non-profit rescue, posted a notice about speaking along with Laura Schavrien Rummel. His post is HERE.
 And you can see that he wrote, “Passing an ordinance making it illegal to sell animals via retail would do that [shut the store] as well. If you are not familiar with the Petland situation, they are horrific in their abuse of puppies and other companion animals. They are constantly exposed all over the country on how they will do things like put a sick animal in a freezer instead of vet services. …” If you go HERE https://www.facebook.com/stopfriscoanimalmillsales/ you can see more commentary and a video of the great Dr. Erin Shults (founder of Mazie’s Mission) discussing her concerns. At that link you’ll see more Petland-related commentary.
CONTEMPLATIONS
BUZZARDS, SNUGGLING AND LIFE
This was posted Tuesday by the great rescue/adoptor Joyce Conley, mom of Rowdy, in semi-rural almost East Texas near Terrell — that’s Rowdy. We have photos of him, but none of the buzzards. Buzzards? Yep. Here’s Joyce’s note and we’re hoping some ornithologically inclined individual can explain this behavior. Joyce wrote, “About an hour ago, at least 100 buzzards flew over our house at a high altitude. Just slowly cruising. I have never seen something like this before. At one point they seemed to focus on something and circled for a while then moved on. It was eerie to say the least. They just kept descending out of low clouds to the east of us. I lost count at 100.” Anybody got an idea? Email our readlarrypowell.com Buzzardologist at [email protected].
..
WHAT!? CHECK THIS STORY OUT: The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is seeking volunteers to snuggle with dogs. Right away some of you started checking the price of flights from DFW to Tampa Bay, didn’t you! I’m thinking of renting a kiosk in a local mall and, from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, charging people $5 to take a 5-minute time-out from shopping and snuggle with my Rottie, the very snugglable Texas Earl the Cheeseman. We’ll make a mint. [That’s Earlyboy snuggling with bottle-fed baby Simon who grew from hand-held size to the size of a suitcase.]
AND THE SENATOR'S SITUATION? I took The Senator to his vet Wednesday morning — he’s come down with a respiratory infection. The Senator’s vet is in Dallas and worked us in at 9 a.m. Love Freeway Animal Clinic — bless their hearts. I worry about my ol’ fellow’s health -- in dog years we're both at least middle-aged. The Senator is old enough to have worked on a Watergate committee, I’m pretty sure. That's one of his campaign photos where you can really see his hairline is senatorial in a plugnificent manner. Anyway, as The Senator and I waited, we carried on a nice cat conversation with two women who each had a cat in a carrier. You know what it was like? It was like when my kids (in this 6-month-old photo), Bret and Bart (in order of birth by two minutes but righty Barty on the left and lefty Bret on the right) were infants and toddlers.  I’d take ‘em to the doc’s office and sit and chat with the other moms about how kids behave and how much they mean to the household. Yep, the vet conversation made me miss my babies a whole lot. Then I cuddled The Senator and got over it. I’m kidding. I still walk down the childcare aisle at grocery stores just to imagine I’m getting a whiff of the past — you know, the baby powder and the ointments. The Senator prefers Hai Karate. Old cologne joke.
—- Offer advice or buzzard info by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

PHOTOS AND SAFETY TIPS AND CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As autumn begins to become a familiar state of mind, we also have familiar appeals for help for humans and animals. Before we get to them, I have a cheery note to report.
WHAT’S IN PUMPKIN’S FAMILY TREE
I was scrolling Facebook — someone had tipped me to look at something — and I accidentally found this photo of Pumpkin and the challenge from Kim Motteler Gaffey, the admired and appreciated foster mom and supporter of the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. 
You see here the photo she posted and the challenge: “Pumpkin’s DNA results are in! Any guesses?”
Well, of course, your guessing mechanism is immediately thrown off by the perfect pose and adorable face! What’s her story? Kim says Pumpkin “was found as a stray a few years ago in the country in October, close to Halloween. She was VERY pregnant, hence the name Pumpkin since she was orange and round."
[LARRY ASIDE: We're going to tell the rest of Pumpkin's story in our weekend eition of Readlarrypowell.com and our traditional feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You'll be impressed.]
What did Pumpkin’s DNA test show? This baby is 62% Boxer, 25% American Staffordshire Terrier and 12.5% German Shepherd Dog. Here’s a LINK to the explanations.
So, there you have it: Good and loyal breeds with heart. Pumpkin charmed a family and wound up with a mission -- read about it this weekend.
HOW ABOUT THIS BEAUTY?
Here’s the deal: I love to post photographs taken by the great Teresa Berg. And there’s also this: I wanted to give someone a heads-up on the opportunity to adopt Twyla.
The hold-up is Paws In The City is having to raise money to pay for her TPLO surgery (that’s some kind of ligament/leg repair). Why is she in the custody of the non-profit organization?
A note in the appeal reads, “Twyla was recently rescued by Paws In The City from an overcrowded shelter.”
So, there she is. Waiting to get healthy enough to adopt. Here’s the LINK
to the appeal for help with the surgery.
[LARRY ASIDE: Nearly every 501c3 animal outfit has a dog or cat waiting for medical care. If you know of one, let us know. Maybe we can help. I’m buying another Lotto Texas ticket for Wednesday night. Hey, it could happen. If I’m elected president, I think it will be important to create Peticare for all. Hmm, “Peticare” i already trademarked. Unless I win Lotto Texas Wednesday night, I’m going to have time to work up another name. My manager/editor, The Senator, is working with me on this proposition. He first suggested “Cat-CHING!” but I think he was kidding. He was in The Swamp a long time. This is The Senator burying his face upon listening to political commentary — oh, wait, this was taken at the end of the Cowboys/Jets game.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
TESTING, COWBOYS AND A CAT TIP
Yeah, I go to doctors. Went Tuesday and part of the event was answering questions on the “Medicare” test. One of them was, “Have you felt depressed recently?” and I replied, “Well, I saw that Cowboys game Sunday.” I’m probably not alone in that diagnosis. Just a hint to The Jones Family. … I got a pneumonia shot Tuesday. Why? Because I had pneumonia two winters ago. I rode in an elevator with some gentlemen who were coughing and hacking. I didn’t think a thing about it until about 3 days later when I found myself unable to comprehend how to work the TV remote. My former CandystriperSpouse Martha said, “I’m taking you to a hospital.” Bless the folks at the William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, I’m happily repaired. And sensitive to preventative measures. … Speaking of PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, someone posted this great BANG ON YOUR HOOD reminder on Facebook Tuesday, it wound up on my Facebook “incoming” page or however it works. I tracked it down and the thing was posted by “CatManChrisPoole” in Tampa, Fla. Having once bandaged a cat that nearly got caught in a radiator fan, I can testify that banging on the hood is a life-saving gesture when the temp dips. (Here’s a link to the CatManChris site. Pay attention to animals — sometimes they’re all too clever for their own good.
—- Offer ideas or advice or winning Lotto Texas numbers by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. ——

COMMUNITY CATS, AVAILABLE DOGS, WEST END NOODLE HISTORY AND CHARTS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 [PetPowellPress] 

Ah, this is the eve of the big day…Well, maybe not all that big in many lives, but certainly a notable day in the lives of people who have the gift of being able to spot free-roaming felines.
Wednesday, October 16, is National Community Cat Day.
What’s a “community cat”? Free-roamers. Outdoor cats that have no human. The SPCA is honoring Community Cat Month with a “free spay/neuter surgery event for the first 100 community cats brought to the SPCA of Texas on October 31st.” Yep, Halloween.
[LARRY ASIDE: I needed some artwork to illustrate a community cat, so I caught my office-mate, William Powell, lounging in his chair and looking out the window. William used to live outside with the run of a neighborhood — he was one of the kittens who arrived a couple of springs ago. I talked him into the house and, yes, he's a good boy. He is, FYI, the last of his generation of “community cats” in one block in Dallas! The last? Yep, he's had his surgery!]
The SPCA says that in additional to the Wednesday celebration of National Community Cat Day and the spay/neuter Halloween event, on the 26th there’ll be an Education and Trapping Class. 
Read the SPCA’s news release HERE. 
It includes this passage, clearly the motivation for spaying and neutering community cats. It reads: “There is a direct link between the intake of kittens in area shelters with the number of unaltered free roaming cats in a community, and kitten intake is on the rise. Most experts agree the best and most humane way to manage the outdoor cat population and reduce its numbers is through the Trap-Neuter-Return method. This method involves spaying and neutering the cats, vaccinating them for rabies and returning them to their environment to be overseen by people in their community.”

DFW COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE
DINNER AND AUCTION DEADLINE
DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue is adding new wrinkles to its fundraising dinner and auction. (Tickets are $35 before Oct. 21; $40 at the door on Nov. 9.) Get more details and register HERE .
[LARRY ASIDE: My longtime Cocker companion was Inky the Cocker Spaniel. From him I learned about the jovial and adorable nature of Cocker Spaniels — splendid companions. I also learned how to be persistent in writing poetry. After all, Inky was the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. He was adept at doggerel.]
 The Cocker Spaniel, research shows, was America’s most popular breed from the year Texas celebrated its Centennial, 1936, until 1952, when Big Tex first came to the State Fair of Texas and Beagles became “most popular.” Beagles? This is just theory, but Charles Shultz’s comic Peanuts debuted on Oct. 2, 1950, so by 1952, the Beagle Snoopy had plenty of time to help build the breed popularity.
 My lad Inky was the greatest. And DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue works hard to help the members of the breed survive bad luck, bad moments and bad humans. Go to dfwcockerrescue.org and see the Cockers and read about the dinner.
Cockers are dogs that need a responsible human to take care of their grooming. They come in many colors — there are American Cockers and English Cockers, young Cockers and older Cockers. We’ve highlighted this guy, 9-year-old Duffy the Buff — owner-surrender in Sanger. His bio says, “He is a sweet boy, very obedient and loving. He is housetrained and knows some simple commands.” And 9 is barely middle-aged for a well-tended Cocker.
ONCE AGAIN, ROSCOE
IS NEEDING A HOME
We’ve mentioned Roscoe several times — he’s been at For Worth Animal Care and Control longer than any other animal currenty in the shelter. The shelter’s Tami Kukla is trying to find a great place for him.
 On Monday she sent out photos and this note: “Roscoe says happy Columbus Day. Do you know he is an adventurer, too? He loves to be a study buddy and then get some exercise and then take a nap. Every dog steals your heart and Roscoe does this 10 times over. He has waited for over 7 months. He doesn't want to wait one more day.”
Roscoe is 40885789 in the Fort Worth shelter’s foster program.
This LINK will get you to the adoptable Fort Worth dogs and THIS ONE gets you to the cats. 
That cute girl — clearly a Texas Tabby — is Gracie (42932934). She came in on October 8 and is waiting at the FWACC PetSmart Hulen Adoption Center. Gracie is 3 1/2 years old.

CONTEMPLATIONS
CHARTS AND SPAGHETTI
At the end of this Contemplations, we’re presenting two animal shelter charts — one from Dallas, one from Fort Worth. Click on them to make them larger. Please feel free to offer an opinion. …  Speaking of making thing larger: Downtown Dallas is a million percent different than it was in the '70s and early ‘80s. It looked like a ghost town -- no pedestrians, cyclist or open stores. And now comes the news that the Old Spaghetti Warehouse, a mainstay of the West End, is closing after a . Used to take my little boys there when they were little. When I first began working downtown in the mid-70s, the Old Spaghetti Warehouse may have been the only restaurant — there were no Mavericks or dining and drinking magnets to draw people. For a while, I was commissioner of the Downtown Dallas Stickball League — played the games in the middle of a street in the West End — didn’t have to worry about the traffic. There was none, except people going to stickball games. Gosh, I wish I had a time machine and could have one more visit to the Old Spaghetti Wearhouse with my little bitty boys. Yeah, I get sappy now and then about the twins -- conquering spaghetti was a triumph of their forks. ... Here are those shelter charts.
—- Offer chart analysis or opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

NEVER MIND THE COWBOYS, HELP SOME DOGS AND CATS AND THEIR ADVOCATES

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019 [PetPowellPress] This paragraph is being written as The Senator and I watch the 4th quarter of the Dallas Cowboys/New York Jets game. 
That’s The Senator who, every now and then, raises his head off the table and asks, “They score again?” 

As you fret about the Dallas Cowboys, try to remember our weekend suggestion of “Keep the Shelters Clear” enhancing the “Clear the Shelters Movement.” 
In this photo, The Senator, a former free-roaming Dallas cat, is giving me just enough room to type on the laptop. Good boy. Now and then he’ll nip me if my sleeve tickles his ear or if he doesn't like what I've written.
Ever really love a cat? It’s a great feeling to know your heart has the ability to love a wander-up cat. Ah, The Senator. An example of a cat somebody didn’t want. And maybe an example of a cat that didn’t want somebody. Wisely. 
OK, let’s get on with helping other animals and -- oops, an interruption. “Oh, for crying out loud,” The Senator declared harshly as Dallas coughed up a hairball. Let’s move on.
ANOTHER LOOK AT FRED:
DEADLINE IS OCT. 18
Bottom line? “No offers for Fred yet,” read the response regarding the 17-year-old fellow who is losing his home because his human’s granddaughter is allergic.
Our tipster Kelly Haferkamp sent us another photo of the handsome lad, reporting that Fred’s still in need of a home or he’s going to a shelter on October 18. 
The other person trying to help Fred avoid a shelter is Lauren Haworth — she’s not his human but she doesn’t want to see him on the clock in a friendless shelter. Email her at [email protected].
The tipster’s note reports, “Fred had a hematoma on his ear several years ago so he has the cutest wonky ear. He's a handsome fellow.”
 And he is “a very passive cat. He’s lived with both dogs and cats in the past and is fine as long as he has somewhere safe to escape. He’s not much inclined to defend himself.”
 He’s “pretty easygoing for an older guy. Since he had to be out of the house to make room for the granddaughter he's currently living with someone else. She initially said she would take him and has now decided another cat is too much for her. She is the one giving the deadline. Fred can't go home and has nowhere else to go but the shelter (and we all know how that will turn out).The owner can't take him back as his highly allergic granddaughter is already living with him. She's had previous severe allergic episodes and mom is adamant that Fred stay away.”
[LARRY ASIDE: OK, everybody, don’t bash Mom, just concentrate on saving Fred. That’s the right thing to do…right?]
FRISCO AND PETLAND
We got a note from Tanja Pattist about a planned demonstration of concern at the Frisco City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Frisco City Council chambers, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco, 75034. 
The concern is that the Frisco officials are not giving enough attention to a Humane Society of the United States declaration that there has been “neglect, sickness, death and concealment” at the Frisco Petland.
 Tanja’s note explained, “If you care about puppies, we need your help.  We need people to attend the Frisco City Council meeting to show the Frisco City Council the public cares about the sick puppies that were sold from Frisco Petland for the past 10 years.  You just need to sit and listen to the proceedings.  We will have stickers for your lapel, and speakers attesting to their Frisco sick puppy purchases.”
There's the 2018 declaration about Frisco.
POLITICS: GUN BARREL CITY
AND THE STRAY CONTRACT
We’ve mentioned this before, but the movement needs help in attempting to make certain Gun Barrel City keeps its stray dog contract with the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake shelter in near by Tool. GBC is voting on Oct. 22 on whether to maintain its HSCCL contract or get a new arrangement with the City of Athens. 
Our tipster, Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, says HSCCL supporters should be at the GBC City Hall for the 6:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22. 
And, she adds, “There was such a great turnout at the last meeting in support of HSCCL - WE NEED YOU BACK AGAIN TO SHOW THE COUNCIL how the community is behind this.
She also wrote, “HSCCL works very hard to get its animals adopted - they do 3-4 adoption events every weekend - they have a contract with ASPCA to transport the big adult dogs north where they go to rescue groups and into good homes...as Lanette Ainsworth (president of HSCCL board) told the council at last meeting:  ‘We have not euthanized a single animal this year because of space issues.’  if this matters to you, please be at the GBC meeting Tuesday October 22 @ 6:30.”


MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
A GIRL NAMED SPRINKLES
How about that face? How about that 44 pounds of canine cutie attitude?
Yep, somebody apparently doesn’t want Sprinkles [ID 42933022]. 
The great Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer biographer, Judi Brown has the story about this year-old “Catahoula Leopard Mix” who came in as a stray on the 8th of October. She wrote, “I’ve been told that someone was looking for a dog that looked like her online. This person has been contacted but at this point has not come to claim her. I can’t imagine anyone not coming back for her as she is everything you would want in a dog!!! She is stunningly gorgeous! She’s well behaved. She wants to please. She stays close to her human friend. She knows how to sit for treats. It was difficult to take a picture of her in a standing position because she kept wanting to sit to be rewarded. Since she is so highly motivated by treats, she should be very easy to train. She’s very sweet, affectionate, and friendly. Her tail wags constantly. She appears to be very happy. She’s energetic and alert. She fetches and retrieves. She loves toys. She walked OK on a leash. She went nose to nose with some dogs in the bay without a problem. She does not like cats.” [LARRY ASIDE: Well, not every dog is completely perfect. Still, doesn’t mean Sprinkles ought to sit in a shelter until someone walks up with a needle.] 
To offer to tag her or adopt her, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. And you can see more Mesquite dogs and cats by going HERE. Among the cats is this 3-month-old Brown Tabby with a championship set of whiskers. She’s #42891475. And, if memory serves, she is the first cat I’ve ever seen named “Hazelnut.”
CONTEMPLATIONS

THE GREAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS AND ITS WONDERFUL COOKIES
My funspouse Martha and I were among the judges for the annual Cookie Contest at the State Fair of Texas on Sunday. We've helped judge this event before. I've never met a bad cookie at the State Fair of Texas. The 2019 contest, it was announced to the crowd, set a record for entries — 256. We were assigned to the Holiday Cookies category and got to taste those 32 entries, plus the seven division winners in the best of show. [The award-winners will be listed in the Creative Arts section of bigtex.com — and you’ll be able to buy the recipes in the State Fair of Texas Cookbook at the 2020 Fair. My kitchenspouse Martha has “at least 30” State Fair Cookbooks, including this one she bought Sunday.] Hang on ... I’m having trouble reading my notes — I developed “cartoon eyes” about 20 cookies into our tasting — so I can’t remember exact names of cookie recipes except for the one the triumphed in our Holiday Cookie division: Hanukkah Regulach. A delightful masterpiece with a grandly satisfying combination of fruits and …well, let’s just say veteran winning baker Kate Rovner’s entry stopped me right in my tracks. Oh, my. Just what a guy with a weight problem needs — another craving. But what a pleasure. It’ll make you turn your back on anything served from a drive-up window. … Speaking of things at the Fair, here’s a photo of one of the offerings from a booth on the backside of the Cotton Bowl. I cannot believe it exists. But, anything is possible in the land of cotton candy. … Several years ago one of the most amazing and triumphant cookies at the State Fair was the “Orange-Scented Clementine Shortbread.” I’d put it up against anybody’s grandmother’s or aunt’s or talented daddy’s cookies. It’s so good that I wouldn’t share it with any of my wonderful dogs. Now that’s a championship cookie.
—- Offer advice, recipes or diet tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected] with the words “ATTENTION MR. SLIM COOKIEMAN.”—-

ON AN OVERLOADED SATURDAY, WE ASK: ' SHOULD IT BE ‘KEEP THE SHELTERS CLEAR?'

EXTRA EDITION OF SATURDAY, OCT. 12, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Rockwall. Mesquite. Fort Worth. Dallas? The
numbers are staggering this weekend. We’re highlighting these shelters in our Texas-OU Weekend Extra Edition.
Naturally we want you to be sure and read our traditional weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, posted late Friday and intended as the weekend highlight. That’s our featured sleeper, Moose, an SPCA of Texas alum, and when you finish reading this EXTRA, you can segue right into the story of Moose and our tribute to Tabby cats.
[LARRY ASIDE: Before I get started on these “critical appeals” with a death row threat, is it possible that the focus of “Clear the Shelters” should be enlarged from a once-a-year event to an every day campaign called “Keep the Shelters Clear”? Geez, that's what we want, right? Clear shelters with no death threats? Consider that public campaign as you read on.]

Every now and then, we encounter weekend notes that need attention to save lives. Here are some:
ON THE CRITICAL LIST
AT MESQUITE ANIMAL SERVICES
Late Friday evening, the great Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services, sent notices of 4 dogs and each was preceded with the information that “shelter overcrowding” was putting new and potentially fatal pressure on dogs that deserve good homes. 
This was the way Judi began her moving note about 38-pound DARLING (42655730): “🔴URGENT!!! We are more than full and dogs are being put down. I beg you when you get a sweet girl like this that has made so much progress I can’t bear to think of her losing her life. Yesterday when I went into her kennel she ran around in circles wagging her tail. That’s a long ways from a dog that hunkered down in a corner!! $75 pledge to a 501(c)(3) in the form of a check private message Judi Brown. On one thread I saw that there are over $400 in pledges on this sweet girl!!!! If you cannot adopt or tag please network.
“Darling is a 2-year-old American terrier pit mix that came to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/5 as a stray. She obviously was traumatized by the experience of being lost and arriving at the shelter because she hunkered down in the corner and was basically unapproachable!! It took two days of sweet talk and ear scratching for her to stand up and start wagging her tail. She still is timid but has come along way, baby! She still flinches when you reach for her head. With a loving understanding family she will be able to grow into her potential.”
Some of Judy’s notes began (with gender accommodation) this way: “🔴CRITICAL Due to shelter overcrowding this very deserving sweet girl is on the critical list. If you cannot adopt tag for Rescue, please network this deserving girl.”
WHY IS QUEEN ON DEATH ROW? It’s ironic. Judi notes that Mesquite’s ordinances (and the state’s cruelty laws) prevent the constant tethering of a dog. The law that protects the dog also results in Queen being under threat of death. Queen [42731039), is a 44-pound, spayed 3-year-old retriever mix, who “was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/13 because our ordinances do not allow people to tether. The owners reported that she was an outside dog only and when not kept tied up would try to escape. She did test the borders of the shelter yard. She will need a secure fence.” She’s a beautiful girl who “gives lots of kisses” and, Judi suggests “letting her be an inside dog…as she does want to be around her people.”
DOTTIE (42768225) is a 48-pound, 2-year-old Pittie mix who arrived as a stray on September 18. Clearly she’s an Earhound. Judi writes, “She’s a beautiful girl with a beautiful attitude. Her tail wags constantly, and if you’re patient she’ll even give you kisses. She wants to please. She sits for treats. She just seems so happy, and it almost looks like she’s smiling in many of her pictures. … She’s recently had puppies.” [LARRY ASIDE: Veteran rescuers may suspect she was stray because her human was “done with her” and selling off her puppies. My theory.]

TODD (33696961) is this Jaunty Earhound, a 65-pound, 2- or 3-year-old Shepherd mix. He came in on September 12 as a stray and he wasn’t out looking for a date —- he’s already neutered. Judi cites his “tawny coloring and appealing hazel eyes. Besides being very attractive, he’s a real sweetheart. 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. He did go nose to nose with many of the dogs in the bay. He actually touched noses with some of them. Because he’s so gentle Todd would probably do well in a family with young children.”

Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to tag these dogs. 
 See more Mesquite animals HERE. Adopting one or rescuing one will save that dog and buy some time for the next animal to come in. [LARRY: There are always “next animals” going into shelters in a metro area. Why? Because a metro area is blessed with many village idiots. Lots of angels, but way too many people who don’t care and respond “so what” when told what happens to dogs and cats in government-run shelters. Village idiots.]
THE CHALLENGE IN ROCKWALL

 Veteran animal advocate Patty Turner’s note to us read, “Hey! We are at 200% capacity at Rockwall!!! We need help. Go to Rockwall Adoptions on Facebook or rockwallaoptions.com for available animals.”
That Rockwall dog is a puppy named Duke. And in honor of Tabby Cat, the focus of this week- end’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re highlighting the 4-week-old girl Peaches, waiting in Rockwall with all the patience of a kitten.

On line it says the animals are in the shelter at 1825 Airport Road in Rockwall. The shelter is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the shelter at 972-771=7750 ext. 2 or email [email protected].
THE FORT WORTH CHALLENGE
These are some of the indications of how tough things are for animals on the clock in Fort Worth this weekend.
If you're on Facebook, here's a quick LINK to Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. It's at 4900 Martin St. in Fort Worth -- Call 817-392-1234. The link is http://fortworthtexas.gov/animals/.
And here's a posting from earlier in the week:
THE DALLAS FOCUS
Yeah, I made an eye joke, but the focus of the campaign is no joke. Dallas Animal Services has a sponsor for a campaign to find homes for animals. Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see the online listings -- stop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland.

A CLOSING CONTEMPLATION

Holy smoke. Remember that “Clear the Shelter” thing? It was on August 17. Remember everybody celebrating the "cleared" of the shelters?
Let’s see, that’s Aug-September/September-Oct. Good grief — around SIXTY DAYS LATER AND SHELTERS ARE OVERLOADED AGAIN!!!! 

Maybe we need a “Keep The Shelters Cleared” campaign every day of the year.
The “Don’t care/So what” people apparently see a cleared shelter and think, “Oh, good, they’ve got room for this dog and her puppies.” Or, “I keep telling Kitty not to get pregnant. Hell, take that cat to the pound — that’ll teach her and her kittens to get pregnant.” Sound harsh? Nope. Sounds accurate.

Perhaps, someone with money -- or a TV/radio station needs to finance a constant public reminder to Keep the Shelters Cleared.”
Asking to change the hearts of the Don’t Care/So What people — not gonna happen. The focus has to appeal to the people who have yet to activate the good side of their hearts on behalf of animals.
Spay/neuter only works in people who have a sense of responsibility. 
Sending the dogcatcher to a Zip Code to snare free-roaming dogs only results in dead dogs — the nitwit who lets his dog “roam to death,” just gets another puppy from the pinhead pal who is mystified that his dog is always pregnant.
This isn’t an animal problem — it’s clearly a people problem. And, like comic Ron White says, “You can’t fix stupid.”
Maybe it's possible to work around stupid without putting animals at risk. We're open to suggestions. Most of mine involve a firm application of the patent-pending Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment. But, of course, that would be wrong. Feel so good, but be so wrong.
—- Offer enlightenment, advice or some kind of solution by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. —-