ReadLarryPowell.com

A WIDE-RANGING PRESENTATION THAT INCLUDES, DOGS, CATS, SKUNKS AND JACKASSES

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Six months gone in 2020 and it’s time we all decided to be happier about things. I’ve already got my Wednesday Lotto Texas ticket and I’m pretty sure it’s THE ONE, though it’s been years since I picked even a $3 winner. More on our Adopt Tabby Cats campaign, skunks and dogs and Arkansas later. First, let’s do some good for animals.
PERHAPS YOU SAW KELLY
IN MONDAY MORNING’S EXTRA
This is the dog who went into anguish and “wet” herself and the floor after she bit a kid who put his hand in her feeding dish. Some people ask about her by calling Kelly “the bite dog” — but they want her to be “the adopted dog” or “the rescued dog.” She’s in Mesquite Animal Services’ shelter where she’s inspired a fan club among some of the workers.
To tag Kelly for rescue or to ask about adopting her, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Remember to use her Shelter ID 44435759 when ask about helping her. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m hoping that, by the time you read this, that bright-eyed sweet girl dog has a new home or a new foster home and is on her way to being the adored dog in a family of fans. Scroll down to read Monday’s Extra that was inspired by Volunteer Shelter biographer Judi Brown’s efforts to save this dog’s life.]
MEANWHILE, THE POPULATION
IN LANCASTER’S SHELTER GROWS…
The note from 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit focusing on small shelters, began somberly: 
 “EMERGENCY: Just added new puppy that needs out today.  Absolute emergency - too little to be there.  Maybe 5 weeks old at most.  Needs a Capstar [flea treatment] and bath with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Help, we are so worried - we do not want her to die.  Please, please help!! PLEASE?????  This is Libby…"

And that brings us to the opposite end of the Lancaster spectrum. This is Gabe. The note Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden sent read, “FULL shelter, which now means dogs will die.  Gabe is one of the dogs that has been there the longest and a rescue group in Austin wants him but he needs a ride.  We are willing to pay gas for transport (we are generous so it is worth your time).  Please, please help us save his life.  Note that they would take Libby too, if you were able to transport TODAY.  Libby has to get out today to save her.  A two for one save.... HELP!!!!”
There are many others waiting in Lancaster. Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
HOW DID THESE DOGS
WIND UP IN A SHELTER?
SOMEONE IN WILMER KNOWS
Good grief, Dear Dog Fans, be prepared to be ticked at someone over the way they tend to their dogs. 
Here are the stories from the small-shelter folks, 4-Legged Helpers. And, as has been reported, Wilmer’s shelter has its challenges. The contact for all of these animals is 4-Legged Helpers President Laura Macias — call or text her at 214-949-272 6 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com.

The little guy taking the big bite out of the weinie is male Wire-haired Terrier/Chihuahua Mix Liam who, “believes himself to be bigger than any other dog at the shelter,” reads the note from 4-Legged Helpers. “He and his bigger buddy got out but the people that owned them apparently decided to release them to the shelter.  So very sad.  NO kids with this little cutie pie - needs to be in an adult only home.  Seems to adore adults and obviously all hot dogs.  Likes other dogs since he came in with Brandon.”

Yep, that’s Brandon, described as a “Black Mouth Cur or Mix.” He is about a year old and he and Liam were “getting into all sorts of mischief together” when they were released to the shelter. “He is truly the sweetest pup ever,” the 4-Legged Helpers note reads.
Now, that brings us to these next two. They are possibly siblings: Max, the Aussie Shepherd/Beagle Mix, and Marcie the Shepherd or Belgian Malinois Mix, who was running with him.
The note reads, “They decided to help themselves to a chicken dinner at the neighbor’s house. They should have made it take-out rather than dine-in, since they both were recognized and captured.”

While Max is the more laid back of the two — really likes women, the note says — Marcie is “having a rough time at the shelter right now — “barking and growling at everyone. Using a cot, the volunteer taking the pics was able to go into her kennel with no issues but could not safely get a slip lead on her. If you have some idea how to help this girl, she really needs it. 

“This shelter is known to still do heartstick and that is just awful for any dog.
"We are sure she could be put on a catch pole and put into a kennel where she could be attempted to be worked with further or let chill out somewhere.  Some dogs have never been in a shelter or a kennel type situation and just do not do well.”
And, once again, call or text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat-girl_71@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: And if anything fatal should happen to these dogs, it’s not the fault of the shelter or the people trying to help them, it is totally the fault of the humans who didn’t take care of their dogs. Will people never learn? For crying out loud.]
MEANWHILE, THERE ARE CATS
FREE FOR ADOPTION IN DALLAS
So, in readlarrypowell.com's continuing effort to get EVERY DARNED TABBY CAT IN DALLAS COUNTY ADOPTED — we’ve given up (almost) on getting them all spayed or neutered — we cite this beauty, the very young and small but beautifully marked Tabby girl Gypsy. When you go to dallasanimalservices.org (all animals currently free) you can see how to adopt her — she’s #A1100319. You can see many dogs and many other cats. As a Dallas taxpayer on an undervalued piece of land, I’d appreciate it if everyone could adopt and love every dog and cat in the big city shelter on Westmoreland at I-30. 
What’s the big deal about Tabby cats? They are magnificent additions to your heart. You just have to realize that’s why cats were created — to soothe the human heart. That’s why dogs were created, too.
You see two dogs on the left with very different faces.
And on the right, you see a girl named Sweet Pea whose ears look as if some ignorant jackass trimmed them with pinking shears.
I’m done. For now. But see Contemplations....
CONTEMPLATIONS
EARS, SKUNKS AND ARKANSAS
Pardon my entirely accurate French in the description of the ignorant jackass I mentioned in the preceding item about Sweet Pea. I’m thinking it’s time to see if the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment has government approval for educational usage during the pandemic. What possesses these dumbasses to butcher a dog’s ears? OK. I’m done. For now. …
Something you hate to think about happening. This note came on the neighborhood newsburst Monday morning: “All 4 of our Cavalier King Charles [Spaniels] were sprayed by 2 skunks about 30 minutes ago. We live around the 10th tee of the golf course at Country Club and Oakmont. Watch out for your babies!” Yep, and we all call Fort Worth “Cowtown” even though a cow has yet to spray a Cavalier, I'm almost certain. …
I’ve been contemplating the work of the the author Charles Portis a lot lately. And one of his quotes — since I grew up two blocks from Arkansas and have known many Arkansans in my time — really tickles me for the words capture the nature of loyalty to our neighboring state. Portis, author of True Grit, was an Arkansan who was a journalist/writer and worked in New York City before returning to what used to be called “The Land of Opportunity” but is now “The Natural State” on its license plates.  Mr. Portis wrote, “A lot of people leave Arkansas and most of them come back sooner or later. They can't quite achieve escape velocity.”
—- Offer literary commentary or skunk advice by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. (The email will be opened by a Native Texan who has been knocked around by a cow but not sprayed by a skunk.) —-

KELLY -- THE "BITE DOG" WHO 'WET HERSELF' IN FEAR AND SHAME -- A CHANCE TO SAVE HER

MORNING EXTRA EDITION -- MONDAY JUNE 29, 2020 [PetPowellPress] This is Kelly. We've written about Kelly before -- she has people who support her. And what she needs is people who will get her out of the shelter.
Yes, this is an attempt to write this dog into the heart of someone who will love her. 
You might be calling her "the bite dog" -- as in some of the emails I've gotten that ask, "What has happened to that bite dog?" She's also the dog who was so remorseful that she "wet" herself and lay on the soaked floor in a demonstration of unhappiness and, probably, fear.
Kelly has been in the Mesquite Animal Shelter since June 2 when she was surrendered for bite quarantine. She was surrendered after an incident at her food dish.

Among the people trying to help Kelly find a place to live -- and "live" is the key word -- are Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm, two volunteer biographers at the shelter. 
Judi sent us the first report on 3-plus-year-old Kelly, noting that she came in on June 2 and "has been in bite quarantine most of this time!"
Here's the way Kelly's story goes: Here "owner"handed her off to a friend who had a child who apparently wasn't clear on "don't put your hand in the food dish of any dog in the known universe." 
 As you know, even during the Pandemic, Judi and other volunteers have worked to get reliable information about a dog's behavior from the people who work with the dogs. That is important in the Kelly story.

What follows is the report Judi sent to us --- and a warning to anyone who has ever loved a dog: The dog's reaction may cause you to tear up. Look at her photographs, then read this and try to imagine those bright, happy eyes in a state of distress.
Judi's note explains:
"Her owner had to go on a trip and left her with a friend. The friend’s child, who Kelly did not know, put a hand in Kelly’s dog food. Kelly bit the child. It wasn’t a serious bite, but it was a bite nonetheless and had to be reported.

"Kelly felt so badly immediately after biting the child that she laid down on the floor and peed all over herself and the floor! She knew she had done wrong!

"She really is a very lovable, friendly, sweet, well-behaved dog that is also a favorite of two of the animal control officers. They have spent considerable time with her and so they absolutely love her! She sits for treats. She walks well on a leash. She did her business as soon as she got out into the yard. She walked through the bay without showing any reaction to the other dogs except when one barked at her and she backed away. She has a hot spot on her right rear. She has been seen by a vet and they are watching to see if any more treatment is needed. I can’t say enough about how loving and affectionate Kelly is. She weighs 52 pounds. Bonus: she is already spayed!"
To tag Kelly for rescue or to ask about adopting her, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or emailrescues@ cityofmesquite.com. Remember to use her Shelter ID 44435759 when you contact the shelter about Kelly.
[LARRY CONTEMPLATION: It's difficult enough in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to re-home Pittie types when there isn't a Pandemic limiting access to shelters. But this dog Kelly is facing some odds that can be overcome only by the determined hearts of animal-lovin' rescuers and animal-lovin' humans. Readlarrypowell.com is absolutely against euthanizing animals to make room for more unwanted animals. We are for saving the good hearts that make our lives better while strengthening the ways we know how to love -- whether it's animals or people. I'll stand on that soapbox without fear of breaking the slats or my backside.
Somebody save Kelly -- I cannot imagine her getting the needle without soiling herself in that horribly puzzling moment as she was showing she was a good dog by wagging her tail. Somebody step up.]
--- Leave opinions by clicking on 'comments' below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. ---