ReadLarryPowell.com

Romeo! Romeo! Thou art a Sleeping Dog

I cannot look at this photograph of Romeo without wondering if he is dreaming of the little boy he once wet, er, once met.  You’ll see that story in a brief moment.

Clearly Romeo has earned the spotlight of this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, the long-running weekend feature of readlarry- powell.com.

As you can see from the Facebook artwork, Romeo owns Stacey McCool. She’s a legendary animal fosterer for Paws In The City. And a golfer, too. [LARRY ASIDE: The mention of her golf game was provided with joy and envy. I think that to be a successful fosterer of animals, you have to have some golfing skills: patience, an understanding of the target, a willingness to go into the rough to retrieve the ball. That sort of thing.]

We celebrate both the sleepy face and the lively of Romeo as the long Thanksgiving weekend of November 2019 transitions into the opening day of a quickly moving December 2019.

Let’s contemplate with envy the face on that dog as he enjoys his chosen spot on the couch. How did Mr. Smilin’ Dog get where he is today?
Stacey tells the story:

“We tagged Romeo at Dallas Animal Services in December of 2014.  He was literally bouncing off the walls.  He was listed as 5-year-old Spaniel mix.  After a quick trip to the vet, he came to my house in January.  We were almost immediately inundated with applications but because of his behavior, he wasn’t a fit for most homes.  The trainer described him as ‘unruly’ and ‘one of the smartest dogs he has ever met.’

“First play date:  We drove to Fort Worth to meet a sweet family with 2 kids.  They had a nice backyard but Romeo found a gap between the house and a fence post and immediately escaped.  Fortunately we were able to trap him between two houses and we came home.

“2nd play date:  We drove to Frisco to a nice home on a golf course. Romeo had a nice little girl who he liked to watch do crafts and he could watch people golf.  I picked him up the next day because family dog got jealous and tried to attack him. The little girl was in tears.
“3rd play date:  Took him to a mansion in Bluffview.  I told him he was ‘moving on up.’ After visiting a while, Romeo blasted through their electric fence in order to romp in their bamboo.
“4th play date:  I drove him to Little Elm where a family with 5 kids wanted a dog who was good with kids.  Unfortunately, they had a family of bunnies living under a shed in their backyard and Romeo went after them.
“5th play date:  Romeo met the family at Starbucks.  They had a little boy.  He turned his back to Romeo and Romeo hiked his leg and peed on him.

“6th play date: By now Romeo was good buddies with his foster brother Radar.  They went on a play date to Allen.  After I left, Romeo started harassing Eudora the cat, then he escaped not once but twice by digging under the fence.
“There were other play dates and meet and greets but Romeo sabotaged then by peeing on shopping bags, barking, jumping, throwing up, foaming at the mouth and just generally acting a fool.  I think he had 9 play dates and 6 meet and greets. 

“On December 25th, 2015, I adopted him and he became the concierge at the 'McCool Health and Wellness Center.'  He has since assisted in the fostering and rehabilitation of 50 plus dogs.  He is my go-to guy, the house yard monitor, camp counselor, concierge, K9 instructor, security detail and of course, my best friend.”

Yeah, Dear Readers, it’s ok to get a little teary-eyed when you celebrate the triumph of the former DAS unruly, unwanted dog.

[LARRY ASIDE: PLEASE SEND PHOTOS OF YOUR SLEEPING DOGS AND NAPPING CATS or any other slumbering critter (including holiday visitors) to [email protected] and we’ll post them in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, as Romeo demonstrates, you’ll be helping people understand they can give happiness to another being. You’ll also be helping insomniacs realize that they need not go sleepless as long as they can find the right couch, the right position and the right attitude.]
—- Offer advice or opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —

FOR THANKSGIVING, SOME PERSONAL NOTES AND ONE GREAT QUOTE....

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY NOV. 27-28, 2019 [PetPowellThankfulPress] How many different elements are there to this 2019 Thanksgiving? Food, fun, football, family… lots of alliteration and we’re ignoring follytics, er, politics. How great is the American Holiday!

I’ll bet the holiday atmosphere today is just about like that of the alleged first Thanksgiving gathering back in the 1600s in Virginia.

In 1621, New World colonists and New World inhabitants met to celebrate a bountiful harvest.
Then, fed and happy, they sent a young guy shinnying up a tall tree with a long piece of wiring looped at one end. And then, bets properly placed, the thankful diners watched the Dallas Cowboys play the Buffalo Bills. 
Wait. Wrong century. 
The participants in that first New England Thanksgiving must have relied on food, conversation and “friendship-under-pressure” to make the event memorable.
And then there’s the Thanksgiving Rivalry — claims of the “first Thanksgiving” are also set forth by Florida and, yes, Texas (Two! Under Coronado in Palo Duro Canyon and another one in El Paso. Read about ‘em in The Texas Almanac and, also, The Federalist has a story HERE. )
 But, you can study all that later -- no homework over the Thanksgiving break.  Just go ahead and embrace the reality that Thanksgiving is a holiday of gratitude that reaches across the nation and is inspired annually by things we encounter during a year and during our lifetimes.
[LARRY ASIDE: That first photo is my personal cat Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson and I in a whisker comparison picture. She’s artsy with her lifelong whiskers; I’ve had mine only since 1971 -- but it was a daring thing to grow a beard and keep a job in the political climate of the early '70s.]

The red oak is one of our neighborhood trees. How fantastic is that autumn foliage!
 I am giving thanks for that cat and for those great and vibrant trees! 

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving story? Yeah, Miracle on 34th St. starts on Thanksgiving Day. After that, I’m about out of Thanksgiving stories — well except for 1987’s Planes, Trains & Automobiles with John Candy and Steve Martin and the 1995 film directed by Jodi Foster and starring Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, etc., Home for the Holidays.
I’m thankful for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Broadcast, whether the big balloons are flying or whether they’re anchored in safety somewhere. I’ve been enchanted by the broadcast since I was a kid watching it on black and white TV. Another thing to be thankful for: Our big screen color TV.  And microwave popcorn. And … well, save the food thanks for Thursday.
 We have so many different things to be thankful for that the list goes on and on. At readlarrypowell.com, in keeping with our theme of saving and celebrating animals, we’re thankful for all the animals and all the people who work to save them. We’re also thankful that the President — ANY president —signed that federal anti-animal cruelty bill into law. Next year, perhaps, we’ll be thankful that people are enjoying prison turkey and dressing because they were convicted of violating the federal anti-cruelty law. Or, maybe, even better, we can be thankful that humans quit mistreating animals. That would be a wonderful longshot. 

That dog is our wander-up Border Collie mix Dudley the Angel, a fellow who loves a good session of petting and head scratching. And he also was photographed demonstrating what many of us ol’ dogs will look like around about half-time of the Cowboy’s game Thursday. 
Now, that photo of the cats? Those are the Office Cat William Powell, the big gray tabby, and the Office Cat-Apprentice Stevie Ray Treeboy (found in Oak Cliff in a tree). It’s snipped from a video that you simply must watch to be thankful for the existence of Thanksgiving compan- ionship. It’s a demonstration of patience and understanding. Click HERE.
I’m thankful for another Thanksgiving with my holidaycookingfunspouse Martha and our family members (humans and animals) and, of course, for the memories we’ve all made. Readlarrypowell.com has readers from coast to coast and even some from across the oceans. We’re thankful for all of them.

We should all make a list of books we’re thankful we’ve read — you know, before literacy vanishes like green bean casserole on the last Thursday of November.
I’m thankful for friends I’ve had since before elementary school — longtime school friends. Neighborhood kids I used to know when our hometown had school-centered neighborhoods. I’m thankful if kids today have the same ability to friends in the ol’ neighborhood. I’m thankful for friends I met in newsrooms. Friends I love because we’ve linked up over adorable animals and adorable people. 
Friends I’ve gained since the arrival of the New Millineium — I’m thankful for a computer that can spell “Millenium” correctly for me. Oh, yeah, it’s 
“millennium.”

These are photo- graphs I snapped as Thanks- giving approa- ched. I’m thankful I have a tele- phone that takes pictures. And that is a sentence nobody would have written when I started my career in newspaper journalism in the summer of 1965. Phones were just for talkin’ and you couldn’t walk more than about 10 feet with ‘em. Phones never rang in cars. FYI: I was thankful for that first newsroom job — not only did The Texarkana Gazette pay me, it had an air-conditioned building! I was raised without a/c. It’s chilly right now, but in July and August I was extremely thankful for air-conditioning in Texas! 

Back to Martha, I’m so thankful she has a sense of humor — and, of course, a bit ashamed that she really needs to use it to be able to live with me. 
So, I came home from an errand a few days ago and walked into the kitchen to find a quote from Sir Peter Ustinov, the actor. It is held on the refrigerator door by a Barney Fife magnet photo/quote “Stay calm, people!” and a bulldog magnet photo/quote, “I wake up this fabulous.” 
Sir Peter Ustinov’s quote “to a pair of lovers,” reads, “I can see from your utter misery, your eagerness to misunderstand each other, and from your thoroughly bad temper, that this is the real thing.”
Now, there’s a splendid, heart-felt reason I am giving thanks in 2019 — I am thankful for “the real thing.”
—- Offer some Thankful notes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Sincerely thankful for you all, Larry Powell, fan of dogs, cats, other critters and a great many humans, too. —-

SAVING DOGS, SAVING CATS, CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING AND ARLO GUTHRIE

EDITION OF TUESDAY, NOV. 26, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We're going to get to some threatened dogs very quickly this morning. It’s that time of year when the good will of holidays has trouble overcoming the reality of overloaded shelters. [That beautiful long-eared face belongs to a Mesquite coonhound named Sadie. We’ll get to her in a minute. Back to the overloaded shelters.]
Oh, and Sassy, the Bull Terrier who was waiting in Richardson? Claimed by Bull Terrier Rescue, we’re told. Merciful heavens, what a great move for a dog who needed help.
Now, back to the dogs waiting on that special break!

“Why don’t rescue groups save the dogs and cats?” the people unfamiliar with animal reality may ask. The answer is the rescue people have been saving animals on a daily basis all year whether there’s a federal holiday or not. If you don’t have room for a dog or cat at your house, find a rescue to support. Offer to foster. Do something that doesn’t sound like the “tsk tsk” you express when you see that the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie has been charred because the cook was on the cellphone instead of watching the clock. Let’s go to the dog issue in Lancaster.
THERE ARE DOGS
SCHEDULED TO DIE
Yes, indeed that the report from the 4 Legged Helpers, the small shelter advocates who got the information for the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
The note from Laura Macias of the non-profit 4 Legged helpers arrived Tuesday morning and reads, “We were told by the shelter yesterday that they must start EUTHING and it can happen any time — even today — shelter is full.

“First dogs to be euthed will be Champ, Lily, Zane, Ace, Snickers due to amount of time they have been there. Could be any one of them first, followed by the others. Please, please help.”
To stand between the needle of death and any of these dogs, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
We’ve attempted to offer photos of the “next” dogs listed: Champ, Lily, Zane, Ace and Snickers. And we’re listing what little bio info we have for them.

 Champ, a neutered Boxer mix with a great face, has had “not a single inquiry —not one. It’s just the saddest thing,” Laura’s note read. She added, “He adores people. SO deserving of a good home.”

Lily (left) is a spayed Bulldog mix who has “goofy ears and a lovable face” and is “not the most beautiful dog, but might just be the sweetest.”

Zane’s a "lop-eared" Earhound and human-friendly Lab mix of some kind — could be Boxer, could be American Bulldog. “Beautiful face, beautiful eyes — so desperately wants to be loved.”

Snickers is the Lab/Shepherd mix with the sad face — like he knows what’s coming if there’s not a human with space in the home or heart.
Ace is the Pittie mix who is sitting and waiting. Laura’s note says the shelter staff adores him. “Very well socialized and such a good boy. He was microchipped but apparently the owners could no longer care for him and hoped by releasing him to the shelter he would find a great home.” 
If all went well with the readlarrypowell.com Dance of Technology, when you click on THIS LINK and download the list.
[LARRY ASIDE: Yeah, fat friggin’ chance  for these days— I exclaim with great and accurate disgust. The thing about “euthanizing” healthy animals is it’s not euthanasia. It’s population control. Euthanasia means to end suffering. It doesn’t mean to kill to make room for the next animal your going to kill. Yeah, Dear Readers, I’m aware of the constant pressure at city-operated shelters — it comes from the Don’t Care/So What people who like to believe that every dog or cat in a shelter gets a great home at Happy Animal Acres. Taxpayer-supported animal shelters buy euthanasia juice in bulk for a reason. They know they’re going to kill some animals. The big puzzle of life? How do you educate people who don’t want to bother with being reminded to give a damn? OK, sorry. Got carried away. Help some animals. Prevent human stupidity and remind people to save lives. How’s that for a simple assignment. Outsmart idiot humans. Help me off the soapbox before a slat snaps and you see how smart I really am!]

SADIE'S BEAUTIFUL FACE &
JACK'S IN A TOUGH SPOT, TOO
She has a beautiful face, this 4-year-old girl, but her story is ugly. We got it from the great Judi Brown, the hands-on biographer of dogs at the Mesquite Animal Shelter. Sadie is #43259425. The 62-pound, already spayed dog arrived on Nov. 19 as a stray. The bio reads, “When she first arrived she was depressed and overwhelmed by the shelter commotion. A few of our shelter volunteers have made her their project. As a result she is coming out of her shell and becoming more sociable. She still is timid and easily intimidated by people and dogs. However each day she improves! She is very sweet. She’s gentle and calm. She’s got a low-key, laid-back personality. And once she becomes your friend, she is friendly and affectionate towards you. Like most hounds she spends a lot of time with her nose to the ground exploring her environment. She is just now learning to walk on a leash. To get to know her is to love her!”
To offer a lifeline to Sadie, call 972–216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com.
Two-year-old Jack (43264432), clearly a lively boy, is listed as a “Rottie/Pittie” mix, but Judi says, “My pet scanner app said he’s an Australian Kelpie. Whatever he is, his tri-coloring and stand-up ears make him quite attractive.”
The 42-pound, already fixed Jack arrived as a stray on the 19th. “He was very receptive to making friends with me when I went into his kennel,” Judi says. “He was somewhat timid but warmed up quickly. He’s very alert and inquisitive. He spent a lot of time exploring the perimeter of the yard. I’m not so sure whether it was that he wanted to escape or whether he was looking for his previous owner as he did whimper from time to time. At any rate it would be advisable to have a secure fence.  He’s sweet. When I sat down he came to me for extra attention.”
To help these dogs or any animal in Mesquite’s shelter, call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

THE LITTLE FACES
IN THE BIG HANDS
When I went to the DallasAnimalServices.org site Tuesday and clicked on cats, I found several that are older than babies. But I also found this photograph of a very little kitten who is being held in such fashion that clearly shows how tiny kittens can be. You can forget the smallness of a kitten if you’re not around them. Like a human baby, maybe.

This baby (ID#A1078540) has been in the care of DAS since Nov. 15. She’s in a foster home and available for adoption. Email [email protected]. 

As you can see, the DAS stats at dallasanimalservices.org show hundreds of animals waiting for homes. The six “other” include three rabbits, two snakes and a chicken.
Dallas — where some animals are loved and some animals are warehoused until the needle is ready or a rescue or adoptor shows up. Big D, my, oh, yes, it’s the people of the “Dont’ Care/So What” mindset that cause the problems. Spay and neuter. What? Yes, I mean the animals, of course. Most of the time. When I'm in a good mood.
CONTEMPLATIONS
HOLIDAY RULES AND MORE
One of the steadfast holiday rules in our decades-old marriage is this: Larry doesn’t go to the grocery store on the day before a holiday. Anyone who’s ever been trapped 10th in line behind a coupon-shopper arguing prices on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving knows exactly what I’m talking about. Being there is a reason not to be thankful. … I’ve been watching weather reports about travel for Thanksgiving. We should be OK. We’re going about 2 miles and I don’t anticipate take-off or landing problems. You’d be surprised how much a UCD (Urban Cargo Drone) can lift and wing across 2 miles of city streets. I’m kidding. I’m kidding. …. As I type this during Thanksgiving week 2019, I’m listening to a recording about a Thanksgiving adventure — some of you remember it from its debut in 1967 when Arlo Guthrie recorded his best-selling album, Alice’s Restaurant. My funspouse Martha agrees with me that I spend too much time in my past, but I think Alice’s Restaurant is good for any generation. It’s about rules and attitudes and freedom. Things for which we ought to be downright thankful. HERE’S THE LINK
and I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving ride in your “red VW Microbus.” We’re thankful for Arlo.
—- Offer opinions or happiness by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. —-

A COMMON COLD IS TOUGH, BUT NOTHING LIKE WAITING IN A SHELTER....

EDITION OF MONDAY, NOV. 25, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Common cold, my nasal passages. Common Texas cold. I’ve been around 3 people with a common cold and it finally got me. That’s why I’m late posting the Monday edition. More in Congestions — I mean our Contemplations section at the bottom of this report. We’ve got to help some animals first.

 

 

THE GREAT

PHOTO OF

A DOG

WHO HAS

LOST EVERYTHING…
Readlarrypowell.com does not know who took this touching photograph of 11-year-old Sassy, but the picture captures the story so well. So well, that I’m teary-eyed looking at it. Someone save Sassy.
Our tip on this came from the great Karen Lee of barleyworld.com who, if our detective work is solid, got it from animal advocate Donna Bradshaw who got it from animal advocate Jennifer Sellers. So, yeah, Sassy is being networked. Here’s why she’s in the Richardson Animal Shelter.
The original note says it’s “due to the owner’s medical condition. Sassy is 11 years old, appears to have a bad eye, not sure if she can see out of it.  She is heartworm negative, up to date on shots, spayed and friendly. Please consider rescuing her so she doesn't end up in the wrong hands!”

That last sentence sent me over the teardrop waterfall. Son of a gun, I can’t stand the thought of this 11-year-old, loved sweetie winding up as a bait dog or a “let’s see if she can fight” dog. [LARRY NOTE: The dog is the wrong mammal doing time in lock-up. The fighting creeps ought to be enjoying a lifetime sentence in a low-budget, high security Texas jailhouse.]
If you are a right kind of person or the right rescue group, Sassy is at Richardson Animal Shelter, 1330 Columbia Drive, Richardson. Call 972-744-4480.
 Read about Sassy on PetFinder HERE.
And Richardson also has cats, i.e., this astoundingly fluffy girl, Kitty, a 3-year-old. She’s listed as a “Brown Tabby” but I would not be surprised to find a Maine Coon balancing on a limb in her family tree.
[LARRY THANKSGIVING NOTE: This is a genuine note of thanks to all of you rescuers and rescue groups and shelter workers who are in the trenches helping dogs and cats and other animals get the spotlight so that they can find safe homes. I don’t know what keeps you going after some of the things we see, but I know your hearts are magnificent engines of a beneficent nature. Here’s what has to happen daily: Spread the word of animals in need, spread the work of people helping the animals. It’s a cause for good all over the world.]
MITZY’S WAITING IN MESQUITE;
SHE’S A ‘VELCRO GIRL’
Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer for the Mesquite Animal Shelter, personally gets to know the animals she writes about. Mitzy is one of those.
She’s a year old Pittie mix who came in as a stray on November 18, Judi writes, “She has symmetrical markings along with a glossy brown coat with white accents. She has a sweet face, because she really is sweet! Although she explores and is very alert she chooses to stay close like Velcro. She wants to please. She’s highly motivated by treats and will sit for them. She gives hugs and kisses. She’s active but not overly so. She’s gentle and although she does jump on you she doesn’t knock you over. She’s just wanting a hug.”
She’s nearly a lap dog-sized. Just weigh 28 pounds.
Mitzy is #43253796. Use that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or when you email [email protected]
See more Mesquite available adorables at this SITE.
Among the cats, you’ll see? Monkey (42908033), a 6-year-old neutered cat who has been in the shelter since October 5. He’s probably ready for a home.
CONTEMPLATIONS
A COMMON COLD, CONGESTION, 3 CHORDS & A SNEEZE
For three days I’ve been out of energy. Not out of mucus. Thank you Common Cold. … A guy down the street — a more devoted yardman than I — has a leafblower that has an engine that operates on a frequency that bores a hole right into my cold-impacted head and aggravates my tinitis like somebody was shoving cherry bombs into my ear canal. He just turned it off and all I can hear is my original ringing, set off in 1964 or may '65. Some buddies and I snuck onto the not-yet-paved Interstate 30 on the then-northern edge of Texarkana and shot off a bunch of fireworks. When one of my firecrackers, balanced on a guardrail, didn’t explode, I blew on the lit end of my “punk” to illuminate the scene, leaned in to make sure I touched the stubby fuse and discovered a truth of life: Don’t lean down to look at an unexploded Black Cat firecracker. Ever since that night I’ve had a ringing. Can someone get that phone? My Mom saw the burnt specks on the front of my shirt and lectured me about the evils of smoking — which I never did — and I couldn’t hear her over the ringing anyway. … Today, I’m barely able to speak, and I have a headache, and my insomnia has been aggravated by over-the-counter meds and annoying thoughts of uncompleted tasks as Thanksgiving approaches.
This year I got a flu shot and a pneumonia shot — it is the Common Cold that has beaten me down. I went to WebMD to confirm my diagnosis of “Cold, you idiot.” I’ve already been to doctors this fall — that’s why I have had both the current flu shot an a pneumonia shot.
Last night I had a fever. WebMD says a fever is not that common in adults with a cold, but no impossible — children are “more likely to have a fever with a cold.” And, as regular readers know, I am somewhat child-like most of the the time. That WebMD link is HERE  and this is my favorite spot-on passage: “With cold symptoms, the nose teems with water nasal secretions for the first few days.”
Yes, my nose teems! 
I’ve needed a bucket strapped to the end of my honker for two days. If I could sleep, I’d need to be wearing a life-vest. As it turns out, I’m approaching the Johnny Cash-on-a-phlegm-day stage. Feel free to SING ALONG. And if you want more Johnny Cash, here’s a song with watery indications.
[LARRY NOTE: If you’ve read this far, please take a tissue and spray your screen and keyboard with a fast-drying antiseptic so you won’t catch this cold. I have no idea how powerful it is — but it fought its way through a flu shot and a pneumonia shot an my legendary determination to say healthy -- I avoid crowds, pox-bearing chickens, ticks and armadillos. Is there some place that doesn’t have the common cold? FYI: I love country music. Is there a country song about the common cold? Easier to write about heartbreak and beer than it is to write about mucus and sneezes.]
— Please offer opinions or cures by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

FOR THE WEEKEND, WARM UP YOUR THANKSGIVING GRATITUDE

For our pre-Thanksgiving 2019 weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap, we will attempt to solve a mystery of life. 
In a house full of racket from TVs, radios, lumbering humans, kitchens tools, an impatiently barking dog and phones that play dramatic musical ring tones, how can sound-sensitive cats ignore it all and nap?
Answer: They live in a "mystic feline field of existence” — it is a plane of being that is above the clamor created by humanity. Might be on the back of a couch, on a table, under a bed, on a sleeping human — cats know where to find it. 
O! To have the napping power of a housecat. 

I was going to describe the cat's life as a "mystic plane of felinial existence" but I'm pretty sure "felinial" is not a real word. I like it, though, and may try to persuade the Oxford English Dictionary to consider making it the "New Word of the Year" for 2020. Probably will be nicer than the other words we'll encounter on the 2020 campaign trails. But, skip politics for now and get back to napping cats.

Our living room may be like yours. It has photos of kids, loved ones, friends, dogs, cats and a Chihuahua picture we bought at a roadside thrift shop in dusty West Texas on our honeymoon 28 years ago. 
You don't have a thrift shop Chihuahua photo? Those things are rare. 
Haven't seen one since we got this one. No idea who this dog is or where the picture was taken. The photo has a calming effect -- our cat Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson sometimes snoozes under it.
Now, let's move to the napping cat photos. You see that Kittie Leigh, the cat we’ve had longest, is napping atop the table behind our couch — if I’m on that couch, she is on me. We’re melded.

On the lower shelf you can see Simon. He's the former palm-of-the-hand-sized kitten we bottle-fed after he was abandoned. He learned to nap from cats AND dogs -- you never know what he'll be doing — he’d bark when the mail arrives if he could reach those octaves.
A few minutes after the duo photo, it was time for a Napping Shift change. And you see that Kittie Leigh moved — keep reading. Simon, also, moved and his spot was quickly filed by readlarrypowell.com's administrative director and financial management specialist, The Senator. 
Where did Kittie Leigh go? She moved to one of her favorite places -- she saw my slumberspouse Martha snoozing in her recliner, so Kittie Leigh joined her. (Not sure where Martha learned to catnap, but she is adept.)
We have no idea where Simon went. Sometimes he pops open a cabinet door under the TV and steps inside to curl up. He’s Adventure Cat.
We all have lots of reasons to be thankful this year -- for example I have the benefit of looking at my funspouse Martha as she grimaces at one of my ill-advised punch lines about politics. 
For this pre-Thanksgiving weekend, we're focusing on reasons to celebrate the American Holiday. Join in. Make a list of things. Or, if it makes you happy, don't make a list -- freedom to not make a list is another reason we celebrate the American Thanksgiving.
That photo of the dear little Chihuahua and the handsome cat? It's probably 20 years old -- that’s my first Chihuahua, a rescue who came to us named “Star.” We wanted to honor the rescuer, but we wanted a different name, so her full name became “Belle Starr Carmelita del Vera Cruz.” What a wonderful little girl Vera was. 
She’s about to snooze on the bed with her pal, our wander-up kitten Griffin Oliver Powell. The orange and white kitten grew from spindly handful-size to be around 25 mammoth pounds.
He and Vera were with us for many, many years. 
I am so thankful that I have them living in my heart. This Thanksgiving, when I bite into a dinner roll with extra butter, I'll be thinking of Vera. When I try to fasten the button on my jeans on Friday morning, I'll think about how much Griffin the Kitten seemed to grow overnight! Yeah, maybe I should take more Felinial Catnaps and lay off the Rolls of Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Watch a parade, watch a ballgame, laugh with the kin, laugh with the neighbors, call an old friend and remind them of your childhood Thanksgiving playing football or helping in the kitchen or … well, we have our own Thanksgivings. 
Celebrate them with love and gratitude. Then walk 5 miles and swear you’ll never butter-up another roll. Vera loved Thanksgiving an rolls. She’d have tried to take down a parade balloon if she’d been a little bit taller.
[REMEMBER, SEND US YOUR PHOTOS of your sleeping dogs and napping cats and we'll tell their stories in a weekend edition of readlarrypowell.com. Email larry powell at [email protected]. You'll be helping people understand how much dogs and cats add to happy lives. And you'll be helping insomniacs realize they can get some sleep if they can just figure out how to lay on a narrow table without rolling off onto the floor in mid-snore.]
— Offer advice or reasons to be thankful by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing me at [email protected]. We are THANKFUL for our readers and all the rescuers. And for the right six numbers on Wednesday’s drawing of Lotto Texas. —-

REMEMBERING HISTORY; HELPING TO MAKE A FUTURE FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE

EDITION OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Oh, my. The astounding thing today for many of us is that something that happened 56 years ago can feel as if it just happened. Yes, a reference to the assassination of John F Kennedy in downtown Dallas. [That's one of the first post-assassination postcards available long before there was a Sixth Floor Museum.
I was in the 10th grade 200 miles away in Texarkana. I listened to the stunning reports on a car radio during the lunch break in front of the high school — with several Catholic kids. JFK (born 1917) was Catholic and that meant a lot to them. He was the youthful president known for vigor and that meant a lot to the rest of us, too.
There were other things that happened on that day. In Great Britain on Nov. 22, 1963, The Beatles (formed 1960), who would give inspiration to a great many of the surviving youth of America, released their second album, With The Beatles.
Deaths that were noticed only by loved ones at the time? C.S. Lewis (born 1898), author of the celebrated young readers series The Chronicles of Narnia, died the same day. That’s the first volume (some readers say — read up on the controversy), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. 
And Aldous Huxley (born 1894), author of the futuristic (then) novel Brave New World, died — not sure anyone reads Brave New World these days — it was published in 1932 and I recall it being popular in the mid- and late-60s. That’s the young Huxley, as you may have guessed.
Here is a quote from one of Huxley’s essays that is out of context with the assassination but can be used to both support and reject the many JFK assassination theories: “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” I’m assuming it can be used to accent other situations, too — divorce court, lawsuits involving automobile recalls, arguments over vegetarian hamburgers…Its all-purpose.
MAKING DIAMOND’S
STORY SHINE
Oh, boy here’s a tale for you. The story comes from CLASP — Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets. The organization is trying to help Diamond. CLASP says her owner “abandoned her at a boarding facility in August. During her stay she had been a good doggy citizen until last week when her best buddy was placed in a forever home. She was likely feeling confused and abandoned once again. Shortly after her buddy left she had a non-life-threatening incident with another dog. Because of this, she was no longer considered adoptable and a date for euthanization was set.

“CLASP could not let that happen! We've taken her case and we need your help to get Diamond off to a great new life through training support and boarding until we can find a foster home..}” 

The appeal for Diamond included this little hint: “WHAT CAN I DO? 1. Donate. 2 Share. 3. Drink a beer. 4. All of the above.” Items 1 and 2 are clear, but you need a hint on 3. Turns out a reliable CLASP supporter is Division Brewing of Arlington — they’re going to support Diamond by taking up donations at the owner’s birthday celebration on Saturday (the 23rd) — the brewery is at 506 Main St.
You can see Diamond going through some training with Tiffany Baker of Boss Babe Training by clicking on this LINK. For more info email [email protected].
A REMINDER: SMALL SHELTERS
HAVE ANIMALS WAITING
Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden, working so hard to make 4 Legged Helpers a viable facilitator for saving lives, have been pinpointing the available adorables in Wilmer, Hutchins, Ferris and Lancaster all week. As the weekend arrives, nothing has changed. 
There is still low human traffic and higher than needed paw traffic.
We’re focusing on Blue, a handsome “Bully mix” with wonderful eyes. The 4 Legged Helpers brief bio reads, “Awesome boy — he is just adorable. Very sweet and such a beautiful dog. Honestly one of the most beautiful Bullies in person we have seen. Beautiful eyes and super sweet.”
To ask about helping handsome Blue call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
ART & ANIMALS: A FUNKY
HOLIDAY COMBINATION
We first heard about the 10th Annual Funky Finds Holiday Market from the Fort Worth artist Diana Dupre — that’s one of her works (See more at notjustcanvas.com.) She’s scheduled to have works on display at the Funky Finds at Will Rogers Coliseum on Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.). The market is well known for the variety of interesting artistic work and other items -- it's a basic seasonal treat.
Also, there’ll be an adoption event for the Humane Society of North Texas. Your'e familiar with that non-profit's work — see the numbers and adoptables by going to hsnt.org.
 May not have any small white Poodles happily posing for an ornament adornment, but they’ll have plenty of other animals available to brighten lives.
FYI, this is the HSNT’s latest promotion. Free cats. Yep, how many times have you seen that sign in Northeast Texas! But this time, it’s free fully vetted and adorable cats waiting for new homes, not just wondering what’s going to happen next?

THE CHIWEENIE BROTHERS
WAITING IN MESQUITE’S SHELTER
The volunteer biographer at Mesquite Animal Services, Judi Brown, has managed to find a pair of brothers who need a break. Echo (ID 43216079) is the 17-pounder and Mirage (43216086) is the 10-pounder. Boys from the same litter, never been separated. Unhappy in the loud shelter environment.
Judi says the owner “surrendered them due to landlord issues.” 
Echo is the more outgoing; he’s also the alpha dog. And he’ll walk on a leash, but Mirage is too frightened. To ask about adopting them, call the shelter at 972-216-6283; email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE There are many, many animals waiting in the Mesquite shelter. Click HERE
to see their photos. Just a reminder, there are plenty of cats there, too, including this one we’ve previously mentioned: Raymond Noodle. Have to laugh when you see that name. Right, all you Ramen Noodlers? He’s 42543537, a 3-year-old gray and white, medium-sized cat in the shelter since August 22.]

What about these dogs? All waiting in the over-crowded Mesquite shelter.
Who are they?

Top left is Cashew (42484652), 3, a Pittie mix; top right is Rocky (31111221), a youngish Pittie mix.
In the middle is Nutmeg, 6, a stray Mix whose history includes “some scarring and the fact that it appears she’s been over-bred.”
Bottom left is Simba (42949232), 7 months old and a “Terrier/Hound mix” who “has been passed around at least three times in his short life. He was initially adopted from the Dallas Animal Shelter and then, after several months, passed to another family.” Yes, the 21-pound, already fixed, lop-Earhound Simba is “an absolutely fun-loving guy,” Judi says.
The last dog on the right is 3-year-old “smoky gray terrier Pit mix” Tori, a former stray. “I hadn’t been with her for five minutes when I fell in love with her,” Judi writes. 
For any of these, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
DOG & KITTY CITY
LEADS US TO A BARBER SHOP
It was time to do a note about the annual Dog & Kitty City Winter Raffle. Here’s the link: 
https://dognkittycity.org/2/raffle.html. Tickets are $5 each. Proceeds go to supporting the animals in the shelter run by the Humane Society of Dallas County. 

There are all sorts of prizes —Southwest Airlines tickets, fine dining, gift certificates, handbags, etc., but the one that charmed readlarrypowell.com was the chance to win a free haircut at The Bearded Bastard Barbershop on Greenville Avenue. Drawing is in February. [LARRY ASIDE: First time we’d heard of the barbershop. But, of course, I grew my beard in 1971 and haven’t shaved since then and I’ve been through a divorce and been a newspaper reporter so the term “bearded bastard” is not unheard of in my existence over the past 48 years. My twin lads don’t remember seeing me without a beard — but they’re only 48.]
Enough about tonsorial artistry, let’s focus on a couple of available animals at dognkittycity.org. That Chihuahua girl is Weezy — born on October 27 this very year. She was transferred to no-kill Dog & Kitty City from “anther shelter.” 

The cat is Batman — a male tuxedo cat with a soul patch, it appears. Batman, born July 21, 2015, was surrendered because his owner was moving. I’m pretty sure that sophisticated soul patch does not qualify Batman as a “Bearded Bastard.” Maybe a “Soul Patch Puddy Tat.”

CONTEMPLATION
THE AFTERMATH OF 1963
Think of how many people have been born since 1963! For them — maybe for some of you reading this passage — the JFK horror has been something in history books (or online sites). Like Pearl Harbor was for Baby Boomers and how 9/11 is getting to be for whatever generation is here now.
In 1963, we were still coping with the “Cold War” and trying to understand massive technological advancement: color TV and stereo records. If you came after 1963 you missed such things as Caroline Kennedy’s White House pony Macaroni and the comedian Vaughn Meader’s wonderfully funny satire of the Kennedy’s, a 33 1/3 RPM album called The First Family. In those days the chief executive was known for charm and a sense of humor. Things were different -- back then -- citizens had a sense of humor, too.
But there were things a decent person couldn't laugh at.
In my home town, there were separate entrances for black and white at movie theaters and white only and black only water fountains in stores. Same white-only and black-only thing for public classrooms in my hometown.
And, yet, after JFK, from the fog of shock and despair, the nation got better — except maybe for the Vietnam War. (God bless you veterans of that war -- may it never weigh on your hearts.) 
We found good and decent people to lead things at lower levels of politics and business, maybe.
We were Americans; we kept being Americans. We moved seamlessly from I Love Lucy through Star Trek and Gunsmoke and on into the post-Shindig and post-Hullabaloo “modern music” shows on TV. 
And, every now and then, since 1963, there’s been a new shocking horror that staggers us. The human element is one tricky ingredient in our recipe for safe happiness. JFK, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, John Lennon — for a Baby Boomer, those murders changed the expectations of life. The leading question became “Why?”
We’ll close with quotes from each of these famous assassination victims.
Dead they may be, but their words survive to inspire.

 JFK (11/22/63): “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.”
MLK (4/4/68), writing in 1947 at Morehouse College: “If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts. Be careful, 'brethren!' Be careful, teachers!”  
RFK (6/6/68): “Every generation inherits a world it never made; and, as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after. In due course, each generation makes its own accounting to its children.”

JOHN LENNON (12/8/80): “The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.”
Perhaps there are still possibilities we can see here on 11/22/2019.
— Offer opinions or objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing [email protected]. —-

FRACTIONS, DOGS, CATS, PEOPLE, STARS, MONEY AND A WONDER...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, NOV. 21, 2019 [PetPowellPress] I spent time on Wednesday very earnestly writing my opening paragraphs for the November 22 edition because I stupidly jumped a day ahead on the calendar, completely deleting November 21. I blame the November 3 time change — I haven’t been right since then. I also haven’t been right since encountering the math concept of fractions in the 5th Grade, but that’s a tragedy for another time as sure as 1 plus 1 equals 2 1/2. This illustration from ducksters.com, the educational site, makes fractions look easy — except when I was in the 5th grade, the circle had not been invented.

So, my reasons for not acquiring a full academic ride at a major university aside, let’s proceed as sure as M=mc2.589 and “pi” is 3.14159265359. The curious among you will look that up to see if I got it right. I have no idea.
That's Kittie Leigh reacting to the fact that I was boggled by fractions. She's clearly disappointed in me -- join the crowd, I say.
I’m more at home with dogs and cats — they don’t know how to add, but they can multiply. 
Spay and neuter — two procedures that add up by subtracting. Yeah, I didn’t get into medical school either, but I am adept at using at least 24 of the 26 letters of the alphabet.
MERRY CHRISTMAS IN MESQUITE;
‘CONDITIONS…ARE OVER CAPACITY’
We’re starting with Merry Christmas (43180705), a 3-year-old Pittie mix who arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on Nov. 7 and is in quarantine as this is being written, according to the shelter website. There are also several puppies who look like her — they may be her puppies. The shelter’s info doesn’t say that, but she’s named Merry Christmas and their names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,  Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen —all are 28 days old as are two other look-alike pups, Max and Grinch. Look ‘em all up HERE. [LARRY NOTE TO PURISTS: Yes, we know the spellings of Donner and Blitzen vary from the original versions, but these are shelter names, not IDs in legal documents.]
The note we got from our trusty Mesquite volunteer biographer Judi Brown focused on other animals, but also included a warning that reads: “Conditions at the shelter are over capacity in the kennels and currently drastic measures are having to be taken to clear out kennel space.  Prince (42789952) is on the CRITICAL list and needs a rescue tag or adoption ASAP.  He has been at the shelter so long that he has understandably become hyperactive.  Getting into a quiet, stable home situation would doubtless be beneficial in calming Prince down.”
He came in as an owner-surrender on September 9. He was adopted, but his high energy made him not a fit for that home. So he’s back. He just needs someone who can help him learn to be not so “exuberant” so he can be really loved.
See many, many more Mesquite animals by going HERE.
Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@ cityofmes- quite.com.

Check out the toes on this Mesquite movie star beauty! 
She’s 6-year-old Salsa (43234522), a Chiweenie who, Judi reports, arrived as a stray on the 15th. She says, “You would never know her age unless you looked at her teeth because she’s a lively, energetic, fun loving little gal that loves life and everyone in it. The best way to describe her is she’s PERKY! Her light colored coat with her dark eyes and dark snout make her a stand out! Unfortunately, she is blind in her left eye. It appears to be ulcerated. It is obviously irritating to her as she is rubbing it. The shelter is going to begin giving her eyedrops. Even though she is very energetic and a wiggle worm she likes laps. She gives kisses galore. She did her business as soon as she got out into the yard. She walks OK on a leash. She shares her kennel with another small dog and went nose to nose with many small dogs when walking through the bay. She appeared to be intimidated by the bigger dogs. This little sweetheart that wants to go home with you only weighs 8 pounds.”  Remember, call 972–216–6283 or email [email protected] to tag Salsa.
A HOLIDAY TRADITION
OF THE SPCA AND NORTHPARK
Ah, the SPCA of Texas and NorthPark Center — that is a Dallas combination if there ever was one. Two great traditions.
Here’s the headline on the SPCA of Texas news release:
Annual Bark + Build Competition Kicks Off at NorthPark Center
as SPCA of Texas Celebrates 29th Annual Home for the Holidays Event.
Here are three key passages in the release:
"This signature event brings shoppers and pet lovers together to raise awareness for homeless pets, and to help these wonderful animals find their forever, loving families.
"The annual festivities kick off Thursday, November 21, with the annual Bark + Build Luxury Dog House and Cat Condo Design/Build Competition and display portion of Home for the Holidays. Twenty-four custom-made dog houses and cat condos will go on display at NorthPark Center on Level One between Dillard's and Macy's this Thursday, November 21. These one-of-a-kind pet houses were designed and built by members of the American Institute of Architects Dallas Chapter(AIA Dallas) and TEXO, The Construction Association.
"All of the entries will be auctioned off online at spcaholidays.com. You can bid online and also vote for your favorite house or condo until 8 p.m. on December 8, 2019! All money raised will go towards the SPCA of Texas' important mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home."
Here’s a LINK to the whole release.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention dogs and cats — the adorable adoptables at spca.org. That first photo is of the Earhound Neptune (43193064). Oh, wait, that’s Neptune the 2-year-old neutere Californian rabbit — that’s a great face, isn’t it!
And that 4-month-old Arabian/Paint cross is Faye, a filly who was rescued by the SPCA and is being trained and “slowly learning to trust people more and more!” her bio reads.

That dog — that fantastic Earhound with the big ol’ slobber tongue and the great nearly golden eyes — is Chancy, a German Shepherd mix whose special skill is he nows how to sit.
That large girl cat is Molly, currently living in an SPCA foster home. She is said to love cuddling, chin and head scratches and “looking out the window.” The SPCA reports, “Molly enjoys sleeping on laps so much so that it’s often hard to get her off. She is very cute and chunky! When you talk to her — she talks back. However, she does not like being picked up!” Ah, a genuine cat personality.
AN ANGEL TREE
FOR SENIOR PETS
We got the tip on this holiday fundraiser from Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. And, of course, we’ve heard of Pound Pals Rescue for 18 years now — founded in 2001, you know. 
The goal is “saving shelter pets from shelter euthanasia” according to the website at poundpals.- com.

The basic info, according to Pound Pals, is that in the Christmas Angel Program each senior animal is assigned a Christmas Angel at random — when you sign up, dear human, “You agree to send a $100 Amazon or Wal-Mart gift card for your assigned senior on or before Dec. 5.” 
Each senior is assigned one angel — but Pound Pals allows what the organizers call “Co-Angeling.” There’s a volunteer form that allow you to donate a $50 card that’ll be tamed with another $50 donor. To offer to help fill out the “volunteer form” at poundpals.com. Angel Paws is the 13th item on the list of volunteer opportunities.
In one sentence, here is what Pound Pals is: “We are a foster-based senior, hospice and special needs canine only rescue.” Email at [email protected] to ask questions, to offer to help or to simply say “Thank you for loving these dogs.”

CONTEMPLATIONS
WONDER BUS; WHAT KIDS GET; A BAFFLING CASTING IDEA
I spotted this DART bus in West Dallas Wednesday afternoon and was, of course, fascinated by the big placard advertising the University of Arizona. It says “WONDER” on one line and then “MAKES US SOLVE.” OK, then I guess the University of Arizona Business School bus reads “WONDER MAKES US SOLVENT.” … I saw a story on Channel 8 about guys giving their daughters “lavish quinceaneras” and I’ve been to some fabulous bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs in my time. You know what Northeast Texas Southern Baptist boys got when they reached a certain age? A stern lecture. (Rimshot — just one. More than one and it’s too close to music and we might break out into a dance. That’s a Southern-Baptists-don’t-dance joke.) … The funniest story I heard Wednesday — not counting a couple I heard at lunch with my sons Bret and Bart (they have copyright on those tales!) — was the unbelievable yarn that some Hollywood executive suggested 26 years ago that Julia Roberts should start as the slave freedom leader Harriet Tubman, one of the greatest and most daring heroes in the history of America. Two things: Ms. Roberts is a convincing actress but oh come on. And, what? Was Meryl Streep already busy playing Muhammed Ali or Jackie Robinson? Look, I’ve played a priest on stage, but he was Anglican — not much of a stretch for a white boy from Northeast Texas. We’d probably be astounded at some of the ideas that are floated in Tinseltown. Heck, some of those stars go to Washington — not sure any studio executive has ever held public office. Actors, yes. Executives?
—- To offer opinions or agreements, click on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] where we know our limits as an actor. To be, or not to be. —-

ON UNIVERSAL CHILDREN'S DAY, DOGS, CATS, VOLUNTEERS, BASEBALL AND ABSURDITY SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We’re big on celebrating “days” here at readlarrypowell.com. These special days remind us of what to appreciate in our daily existences — in addition to, of course, dogs, cats and, of course, chocolates. Well, no chocolates. Dieting again.
We lean on Holiday Insights, the online calendar organizer, for citations an information. So, what we see on the calendar is that, since 1954, Nov. 20 has been celebrated as Universal Children's Day -- the United Nations General Assembly urged all countries to honor the children.

Based on reports of mayhem around the region, the state, the nation and the world, we ought to redouble efforts to honor children with our hearts and educational efforts while they're vibrant and laughing instead of mourning them so painfully after the crimes and wars.
Yeah, readlarrypowell.com buys into "Bless the beasts and children," having had our heart benefit from both. And I hope you notice there's a cat in one of those "Day" notices and a dog in the other.
A POSITIVE REPORT
FROM DENTON'S SHELTER
It's always a pleasure to learn that a dog or cat who was in a tough spot has managed to beat the system because of a human heart. We got the good news from Amy Poskey, the volunteer monitor of Denton's McNatt Animal Shelter's tough situation stories.
On Tuesday she wrote, "I’m happy to report that Copper was adopted yesterday afternoon at an offsite adoption event!  I just hope it’s the perfect furever home for this sweet, sweet boy!!!  This angel was really pulling my heartstrings.  I mean, LOOK AT THAT FACE!!!"
The story was 8- to 10-year-old Copper, a male Mastiff mix was in a fix because of his age and his size (Mastiff!) and his diagnosis as heartworm positive. 
He also was an "owner surrender." On the plus side, he is dog-friendly, cat-friendly and people-friendly and now he has a whole new human with whom he can celebrate the goodness of life.

He wasn't the last dog at the shelter. And there are cats waiting for homes, too. This cat is 2- to 5-year-old --first time I've seen this name -- Cati-Corner. Ask about #854141 when you call the shelter at 940-349-7594 to ask about adopting a large gray and white cat.
AN EARHOUND GETS THE DAS
'CUTEST UNDERBITE EVER AWARD'
We're always on the lookout for championship adorable Earhounds and Keller fits that description. On Facebook, Dallas Animal Services posted this great photo and declared "Cutest Underbite Ever Award goes to Keller." Keller's still need a happy home to go with his happy honors. Ask about #A1088079 at DAS -- he's at the big Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center at I-30 and Westmoreland in West Dallas.
That cat? That is the noble visage of Charles (1074688). He's been in the Big Dallas Shelter since October 15. About 3, he's neutered and clearly sophisticated. You can see more dogs (more than 400) and cats (290-plus) by going to dallasanimalservices.org or by going to the shelter -- it's open to the public, in case, somehow, that fact had eluded anybody.
WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?
THREE WAITING IN WILMER
Take a look at the three dogs. 
The first is Beau. the middle is Bren and the third is Bree. They were dumped in the Malloy Bridge area, reports the folks with 4 Legged Helpers. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Before we go further with this approach, let's ask a question of the great rescuer Deborah Verner: Through the years, Deb, how many Malloy Bridge area rescues have you done? Yep, here are three more! I've written many stories about Deb rescuing dogs from this dumping area. For years. Kind of a sad comment that people are still dumping dogs in the area!]

The note from Laura Macias of 4 Legged Helpers reads, "There are 3 pups, all siblings, about 5-6 months old ... They are all Shepherd Mix.  The two girls honestly look identical.  They are very sweet and very deserving. A good Samaritan saved them (sadly one had been run over) and they are staying in a kennel arrangement that another friend helped with -- they now need your help."
 Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].

AND ON SATURDAY,
THERE'S THIS OPPORTUNITY
Tawana Couch and the organization she founded, Society For Companion Animals,
continue to fly unwanted animals to safe places outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It's a mission that doesn't get accomplished without volunteers. We got a note about the next volunteer effort on Saturday.
Want to volunteer? Want to help save lives? Want to help work on dog crates? Bet you haven't been asked that in print before. You can volunteer by emailing [email protected].


CONTEMPLATIONS

A PITTIE BENEFIT, RANGERS THOUGHTS & AN ABSURD DAY
Now and then we run across an opportunity of which we cannot take advantage. I went a long way to keep from ending that sentence with a preposition -- you know what I'm speaking of. Darn. Anyway, I saw this great deal on the Humane Society of North Texas website and when I clicked on the link HERE  I discovered that there's a possibility of losing your Pittie's "parts" and winning a 72-inch TV set. Whoa! And here I am caught without an intact Pit Bull in the house. That's OK, though. I'm hoping someone wins that TV and then gets to spend a lot of quality time sitting on a couch with a beloved Pittie and watching quality TV or movies on demand. I think Pitties may be prone to enjoying soap operas. ...
Speaking of quality television, while listening to some sportscasters try to outline the likely outcomes of NFL games, I was stricken by how much I miss the certainty of Major League Baseball — if there’s no off-season pitching improvement it's a certainty we can expect disaster for all 162 regular season Texas Rangers games -- new roof open or closed. In winning baseball, its not the roof, it's the pitching. Oh, and getting men on base so you can hit behind them and drive in runs -- remember a breathtaking home run in D/FW rarely counts more than one run. How can I already be bitter about the 2020 Rangers? Experience -- it's the best teacher. ... OK, now here's a funny one from Holiday Insights. The online calendar site says November 20 is always "Absurdity Day." Then the researches admits, "We did not find any information about the origin of this special day, when it began or who originated it." Our theory? Happened during a presidential election campaign. The suspects? Too many to mention. No logo for Absurdity Day -- too many mugshots nominated for the "Face of Absurdity."
--- Offer explanations or innovations by clicking on 'comment' below or emailing [email protected]. ---

THE PRESSURE OF MORE DOGS DUMPED IN SMALL SHELTER AREAS...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Before we get to a key personnel addition at Ferris and other notes such as dogs at peril in small shelters, we have this for a day in November:

THE REVENGE OF THE SPANIEL

By A. Spaniel Dogginscute
(Author in glasses, left)

© readlarrypowell.com 2019

   The black-coated English Cocker Spaniel named Inky, chilled by the morning but warmed at the thought of his vengeful mission, slipped into his specially designed autumn camo cloak, crawled out from behind an evergreen bush and began to dog-creep across the sun-lit blanket of orange and yellow leaves that covered the target’s yard.
   His sidekick, black and white sophisticated tuxedo adventure cat Stevie Ray, chose to walk alongside, stepping fiercely as if he needed to make sure each leaf wasn’t going to blow away.

   “I don’t need no camo suit,” he declared with an assertive purr. “Nobody notices a free-roaming cat. We’re invisible to humans who don’t have finely-tuned hearts bent on rescue.”

   “People always see a dog. Well, some dogs,” Inky the Cocker said. “I once knew a Pittie who was chained to a tree and ignored for years — I cut his chain and he lives on the West Coast now — got a movie deal. But that’s neither here nor there. Focus on this mission. Can you at least move about 10 feet away and try to draw attention over there?”
    
   “What’s our mission?” the cat mused. “I forget. I’ve napped and been distracted by the breeze.”

   Inky looked at the little guy. “You’re all about the moment, aren’t you.”

   “It’s The Way of The Cat,” Stevie Ray replied.

   “OK, one more time and pay attention, for cat-sake,” exasperated Inky began, “We’re going to rescue all the Cockers from the puppy mill creep who docked my tail too short for Westminster and dumped me in a Dallas park.
   
“And then — oh, this is going to be good!”, he practically barked with legendary Cocker excitement, “We’re going to do some docking of our own and this guy is going to remember it.”

   “Humans don’t have tails,” Stevie Ray said.

   “I’m not docking tails, my young, innocent feline friend,” Inky responded with the raspy whisper of a bark-prone Cocker.
   
“Now, tell me again, why are we doing this?” Stevie emphasized the question with an inquisitive twitch of his long black tail.
   Inky shook his head and his great and wonderful ears responded like hairy blankets in a windstorm.
   “Here’s why. Again. We’re doing this because adventure and revenge sell. November is National Novel Writing Month, Holiday Insights says. My only other plot at the moment involves a heroic and sophisticated tuxedo tomcat who runs a Martian exploration colony rescue mission after astronauts are taken prisoner by giant Martian mice who have learned to etch ransom notes in the red sand.”

   Stevie Ray considered the plot. And he called his agent  and gave her a heads-up about a potential deal starring in a movie, The Meow on Mars.
[DEAR READERS: Thus ends the first chapter of the “treatment” for The Revenge of The Spaniel, a novel clearly destined for the big screen — or the little screens, whatever people are watching. We’ll get back to you as soon as we wrap up the contract with Netflix. Our colleague, The Senator, knows some people…]
(A) FERRIS HAS A NEW SHELTER ACO;
(B) LANCASTER DOGS IN DANGER
This welcome news about a personnel addition in Ferris came via the 4 Legged Helpers. That’s the new non-profit working to open eyes and doors at small shelters on the southern side of Dallas, Big D, Texas. These low-budget municipal shelters exist in the I-45 corridor, a sugarplum’s toss south of I-20.

Laura Macias, the non-profit Helpers’ spokesperson, sent a note Monday that reads, “Ferris Shelter has a great new ACO we would like to introduce you to.  His name is Casey Steele and we actually know him very well through his great work at another shelter.  He cares very much about the ani- mals and wants to make a difference. He would be very interested in working with rescue groups and building a following again for Ferris, which as you know they desperately need in this small town since they get zero walk-in's like the other small rural shelters in the area.  PLEASE HELP. Call & introduce yourself!”
 Call or text the ACO at 972-877-4180 or email [email protected].
That contact info is how you’d reach the Ferris Animal Shelter so you can adopt or rescue Misty, the “baby Tiger Tabby.”
Same for Trio, that Aussie Shepherd/Border Collie girl with the excitable eyes. And for Peggy, the brown and white terrier mix with the great face — she was an owner surrender.
And use that contact information to ask about helping Trevor — is that not an adorable dog face!!! He’s been in the shelter for maybe a couple of months.
There are more animals on the brink of bad fate in the shelter at Ferris and Lancaster and Wilmer.… To help any of these animals, get in touch with Laura by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or emailing [email protected].
For example, this was the intro to Laura’s note about Lancaster.
Readlarrypowell.com doesn't know how many dogs and cats will be killed in the big shelters this week, but is there really any reason for just few dogs to be killed in a small shelter to make room for the next unwanted dogs? No. Humans -- those in the animal rescue field understand and those in the animal dumping community need to be seen to in a facility that straightens up thought processes and injects some decency in the hearts. If they have one.
We’ve picked these dogs to highlight from a long string of dogs on the quick clock at Lancaster's small shelter. Bree-Bree is the “wonderful girl” Boxer who is “adored” by people who meet her. Champ is a medium-sized longtime resident of Lancaster. He is said to be “one of the nicest, most calm, well-behaved boys at the shelter.”
AGAIN, get in touch with Laura and save some lives.
***
[LARRY RECOLLECTION: Whenever I read of a pro-animal movement in the City of Ferris, I know that there is beneficial change underway. I suspect I’m not the only pro-animal guy in North Texas who remembers that time in 2008 when Ferris adopted a policy of shooting stray dogs.Here’s a LINK to a Waxahachie Daily Light story about it.]
MEANWHILE, OUT AT THE LAKE,
POLITICS AND A QUILT!
Tuesday is going to be a big day for supporters of the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake. The Gun Barrel City City Council is supposed to vote to award its animal care contract to the Humane Society and its shelter in Tool will be continuing to give care to unwanted animals until they are wanted.
 And, the Society is hoping a big crowd will show up to demonstrate support for the contract and the organization. [LARRY ASIDE: Maybe even a thank-you for the council vote? Good politics, you know. May need another note in the future.]
We got the tip on that vote and the reminder on the quilt raffle from our reliable tipster Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the planet’s most successful spay/neuter clinic on Tuesdays in Gun Barrel City. 
Now, about the quilt raffle: This fascinating quilt with the great artwork was created for Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake by, as Sydney wrote, “the fabulous ladies of the Gun Barrel Quilt Guild.” Tickets are $5 each and available at the spay/neuter clinic on Tuesdays. The drawing is December 1. Get more info by emailing [email protected]. Remember, the money you donate for a ticket goes to help keep the clinic operating, so to speak.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES IN THE AUTUMN
This is the time of year that a homeowner faces this challenge: Mulch or rake? We’re mulching at our house in hopes that the bio shredding will lead to a green yard I have to mow when it’s 110 in the shade. Yep, really smart human. …. All of you folks getting ready to hand the Dallas Cowboys a Super Bowl Trophy, let me remind you that it was Detroit they beat, 35-27, and if a damaged team can hang 25 on ‘em, what will happen when they play New England and Tom Brady on Sunday? … I’m closing with an image I snipped off the Furbabies of Lancaster Facebook page. Some of you may find it quite amusing. It does seem to eliminate the need for the as-yet-not-quite-legal readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment.
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AN EARHOUND WAITS; SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS ANIMALS; REMEMBERING AN EDITOR...

EDITION OF MONDAY, NOV. 18, 2019 [PetPowellPress] Do like Lovely the Dog and get your ears up and ready for this sentiment. Welcome to a Monday in a week full of promise. Thanksgiving is 10 days away and we'll offer up a few things to be thankful for this year beyond demonstrative Earhounds.
First, we have a robust democracy that allows for peaceful but mouthy conflict. Then, I won Lotto Texas Saturday night -- oh, wait. Scratch that one off the list again.
Look, here's a genuine thought of thankfulness: In your free time, take a look at the assorted Facebook pages of rescue groups and marvel at what you see. Ask yourself, "What happened to these animals before social media existed and the only hope they had was a desperate phone call made at the right moment to the right number?"
One shot at safety. But not anymore. Animals get more attention online than they ever did in print. Yeah, be thankful for the forward-thinking animal advocates who created websites and Facebook pages to bolster interest in helping animals. 
We've mentioned Lovely before, thanks to Amy Poskey, the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter volunteer monitor. Sunday she sent this note: "This beautiful girl with the sky high, adorable ears is still waiting for love.  So, please read below, take another look at Lovely, and consider giving her a chance.  She’s young, she’s beautiful, and she just needs someone to believe in her cuz she is willing to learn!"
In these photos the Earhound demonstrates that she can listen intently whether standing or sitting. Lovely is the young German Shepherd mix who is really so human, having been "adopted and returned several times because she is mouthy, energetic, and needs training." [LARRY ASIDE: Geez, that would be like having another kid around the house!] 
Lovely's number is ID 85027. Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. Email [email protected], [email protected], and/or [email protected]. Here's Lovely's PetFinder LISTING.
And, as long as we're discussing "returned" dogs, Amy also tips us about Chip, who was adopted from the Denton shelter on July 30, but returned on Oct. 25 because his adoptor couldn't afford the medical bills. (Use the Lovely contacts.) Chip is 5-to-8-years old and weighs 9.9 pounds. He's a "little sweetie pie," Amy writes. He's also in need of special care because, her note says, "he most likely has some sort of chronic URI/bronchitis/asthma." She also says, "Chip just needs a calm, loving home with limited activity and excitement in order to manage respiratory flare ups and coughing spells." Bless his little Chihuahuaness.
THIS DOG WAS A STRAY!
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
Sorry, I got carried away with my emotional faith in Border Collie-type dogs. I just don't know how humans let their dogs "go stray."
I'm using two photos. One shows the total cuteness of Freckles, a too-thin 36-pound girl Mesquite Animal Services labels as a Border Collie/Lab mix. The second photo shows Freckles doing what Border Collies do: stare at the human and wait for orders. Labs and Border Collies both know what they are supposed to do/what they WANT to do -- make their humans feel good. Labs are content to lounge. Border Collies expect extra jobs -- monitor the visitors, herd the cats, check the perimeter.
Freckles came into the shelter on Nov. 13. Our reliable source, the Mesquite volunteer biographer Judi Brown says, "She’s an attractive young pup with beautiful markings and a  handful of freckles across her nose. She’s got the attributes of a young puppy.  She’s friendly, outgoing, rambunctious, happy, curious, and easy going! She loves life and everybody that she interacts with. She gives kisses and her tail wags constantly." Use her ID 43218498 when you call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected].
See more Mesquite animals needing homes at THIS WEBSITE.
You can adopt cats with masks -- on the left is Kitty Kitty (42187339) with her pirate eyepatch and on the right is Lucy (42934271) with her Lone Ranger mask.

CONTEMPLATION
A PERSONAL NOTE ABOUT
THE FORT WORTH PRESS
AND JOURNALIST JACK MOSELEY

My longtime newsroom companion Bob Trimble tipped me Sunday morning to the fact that Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy, our former colleague at both The Fort Worth Press and The Dallas Morning News, had written of the death on Friday of Jack Moseley. That photo is of Jack in 1963 -- yes, during the JFK Assassination coverage. By 1975, Jack was the managing editor -- the LAST managing editor -- of The Fort Worth Press. He was in that position when the gritty, entertaining, journalistically sound, 53-year-old Scripps-Howard tabloid went out of business on May 30, 1975. He immediately took a job in northwest Arkansas as the executive editor of the Fort Smith Times-Record and began to build up respect and friendships and he still came back to Fort Worth now and then to check on his ol' pals and the city.
[LARRY ASIDE: When The Press closed, a Star-Telegram executive was said to have declared, "I don't want anything from The Press except Peanuts." We'd had the popular comic strip forever -- not sure The Current Star-Telegram runs the vintage Peanuts strip like so many papers still do. I'm guessing they're not going to print Peanuts on Saturdays, since they're dropping the Saturday print edition. A lot of us ex-Pressers caught on at The Dallas Morning News and forgot all about the Star-Telegram except when the DMN would scoop it -- a not uncommon occurrence. One more thing, when The Star-Telegram was sold in the early '70s, my pal, fellow reporter Terry Kelly, and I scooped the Startlegram on its own sale by the hometown owners to an East Coast media conglomerate. We got the story -- with a curbside interview with Amon Carter Jr., the owner, as police search his building --  in our PM edition while the opposition's PM edition was delayed by a bomb threat from someone unhappy with the sale. Ah, competitive NEWSPAPER journalism, where art thou? That's The Press building at 5th and Jones -- it's still there, but it has been air-conditioned and, no doubt, the plumbing has been repaired -- the city once shut down the newsroom bathrooms until the plumbing was repaired.]

Back to Jack: As you'll read in the official obit in Fort Smith's paper HERE, Jack "is believed to be the last journalist to have direct contact with [President John] Kennedy before his death." JFK had been in Fort Worth before going to Dallas. Elsewhere you may read that Jack served as a "drafted" pallbearer for Lee Harvey Oswald -- journalists stood in because there were no "friends or relatives." Here's a LINK  to Jack's recollection and the last scene will grab you. Jack, the reporter, did much more than that one story in his career. 

Still, I could not help but smile when I saw that the Fort Smith memorial service for Jack would be on a significant date in his career -- 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. And, on a personal note, Jack, as I recall, enjoyed the rivalry between Fort Worth and Dallas and once, when I was discussing the assassination coverage with him, sly Jack smiled and pointed out, "Well, all I can say is he was OK when he left Fort Worth." Newsroom humor -- it's a coping mechanism.

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