HIGHLIGHTING ANIMAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REMEMBERING A VETERAN...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 [PetPowellPress] I mowed the backyard Wednesday afternoon and the whole time was listening to news about the virus and, you know what, it depressed me. Might have been the unexpected heat of the day that got to me. But, then, when I came in I got some news about honoring a Marine Vietnam veteran who became a journalist and a set a high bar for husbands.
ONE MORE LOOK AT SCOOBY,
DOG ON A FRIDAY DEADLINE
Yes, we wrote about this guy for our most recent edition but things have changed. Donations are well beyond the $350 mark to try to save his life. He was confiscated by the Wood County Sheriff's office, a deputy fostered him, people fell for Scooby and, yet, there has been no life-saving adoption. Friday is his last day, according to our tipster Gail Whelan of Can-Adoptions. Offer to save Scooby's life by emailing Gail at [email protected] or call 903-957-3226.
The clock is ticking. This isn't anything to ignore. Scooby's got to have a hero.
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PUPPIES
;
AND READ ABOUT THEIR MOMMA
These are more dogs in East Texas and have you ever seen a more beautiful litter? 
We were tipped on these pups by Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. She'd gotten the info from, yep, Gal Wheelan. 
Here's the deal: These pups are 6 week old and have had their first vaccinations. Gail says they'll be adoptable after their 2nd set of vaccinations in 3-4 weeks: They're getting all the life-protecting measures puppies ought to get. How did they come to be? 

Here's the story from Gail: "A beautiful little dog was seen for months living in a cemetery in a small town. A wonderful woman spent 4 months feeding her every day to gain her trust and eventually was able to bring her home. Ten days later she gave birth to 8 gorgeous puppies. There are at least 3 or maybe 4 fathers in this litter and we have no way of knowing exactly who they were. The mom is a Red Heeler and Basenji cross. She is about 25-30 pounds.
"These puppies have been hand-raised -- loved, cuddled, and touched since the day they were born. They have been inside only. We believe they will all be medium sized dogs.
"If you have interest in any of the puppies, we are taking applications so that, hopefully, we can have homes ready for them." You'll have to sign a contract to finish their vaccinations and spaying/neutering. Email Gail at [email protected].
Here's the ID on the puppies: Reese, Blossom, Bonnie, Buster. Then, Cinder, Oakley, Racer and Rayban.
And the momma dog? Gail says, "Yes, she is keeping momma dog. Poor little angel.  Brenda put collars on the puppies Monday so we could take them to the vet and momma dog came up to her, put her paws on her knees and waiting for HER collar!!!   She wanted one, too!!!"

God bless the soul that saved these babies.
AN INFLUENTIAL VOICE
FROM DALLAS' PAST
Readlarrypowell.com and many other animal-advocate types always enjoyed running into James Bias when he was the top executive at the SPCA of Texas. Now, in these tough virus times, he's taking a guiding role in Connecticut where he's Executive Director of the Connecticut Humane Society. 
Click HERE to learn how he's guiding the Connecticut Humane Society through these trying times.
MAGNIFICENT MILLIE
READY TO AUDITION
FOR LIFE AS A DOG
The girl is Magnificent Millie, a resident of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. The story of her desperate spot came from Tami Kukla and was forwarded by a lot of people. Here's Tami's note: 
"Magnificent Millie has been waiting 5 months for a home. Patiently. And we only have 9 hours left to save her. We have to save her. She doesn't understand why no one hasn't adopted her yet. She truly could try out to be the Cadbury Bunny. And she is just gorgeous and loves to cuddle. This girl has heart. We need a creative solution and someone to at least decide to let her do a sleepover for a week to start. Between everyone we all know there has to be someone who is ready to foster or adopt and wants a bff. Or someone who may have another pet but could keep them separate. We need your help and a tag sent to [email protected] by 8 am tomorrow [Thursday]. 5 months is too long to wait and we can't let her down now and lose her."
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE MARINE WHO BECAME A JOURNALIST
This is a very personal Contemplation about a guy I met in the mid-1970s when we were both youngish and happy to do journalism at whatever they'd pay us. Here's what sent me reeling down my own memory lane.
 His wife Carol sent an email with the subject line "In memory of Bob Bocell." It jarred me. She wrote, "Just wanted you to know. Some of our best 'early married' days were spent with you."
 That was way back in the mid-'70s when I was named editor of the Grand Prairie Daily News -- Bob was the city hall reporter and Carol Chapin, the Missouri veterinarian's daughter, was reporting on several things. All three of us had basically just met at the newspaper in downtown Grand Prairie. Pretty soon Bob, the Vietnam veteran Marine, was head-over-heels and so was Carol. 
My little boys were about 4 and became enamored of Bob and Carol. It was a loving, entertaining time for kids and grown-ups.
But on Wednesday afternoon, Carol's note read: "My beloved Bob peacefully passed away this beautiful Texas morning, March 24, 2020. Shortly thereafter, in a moving Final Salute at Arlington Memorial Hospital, Bob was honored for his service in the United States Marine Corps. More than 50 hospital staffers and nearby friends lined the long hallway as the flag-draped gurney passed by."

Bob was born on Sept 23, 1948 -- about six weeks before I was born. We worked together at not just the Grand Prairie paper, but also at The Dallas Morning News. And we laughed a lot. He could tell stories, he could make wisecracks, he could be sweet and understanding. Will people talks about all this stuff at his funeral?
Carol's note carried this information: "A customary memorial service with family and friends is not possible during our current national health crisis. Instead, please consider honoring Bob by flying your American flag this Saturday, March 28.

"The family respectfully requests no flowers or food gifts. Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Arlington at missionarlington.org."

Then Carol's note gets to the explanation of circumstances: "I am immeasurably grateful for your friendship, prayers and support as Bob lived these last 25 years with Huntington's Disease."

She closes with this: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

I included those last two paragraphs because Bob and Carol are not the only people in the nation to have encountered this misery-producing Huntington's Disease. The folk singer Woodie Guthrie, Arlo's dad, was a victim. Maybe you'll find comfort in the Bible verse in these odd times in our nation.
Maybe you, too, know Bob and Carol -- they have lived a genuine love story.

Bob and I -- back in the days of using film in cameras -- used to develop news photos in the little lab at the Daily News. Were we proud of that work in the darkroom? Sure. But what really made us proud was the time someone in advertising complained to the publisher that we were laughing too much in the dark room and nobody should be laughing that much at the newspaper. Hah. I'm still laughing. It's a tribute to a Marine who earned the right to laugh.
-- Click on "comment" below or email [email protected] --