ReadLarryPowell.com

ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE -- IF THE GUY SLEEPS ON THE COUCH....

This edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is dedicated to everyone who has a dog or cat who actually owns the bed. Sometimes more than one dog and/or cat owns the bed.
 
Every now and then readlarrypowell.com will write a story about some challenge confronting Stephen Foster, the President/Founder of DFW’s Furgotten Friends.
 Usually the story involves finding a place to put a dog. In this case, the dogs have clearly found the place. We offer photographic evidence.
Stephen posted the picture last week with the question/caption,
“So where should I fit for a nap? Guess I'll sleep on the couch downstairs.”
Ah, the couch. I asked drowsy Stephen to ID the dogs in this classic photo and he responded with his typical sense of humor and love for the dogs:

“Top left is Velvet from a litter and was not adoptable because she was crazy. Top right is is Freckles from a litter and was not adoptable because she was crazy. Bottom right is Savanah who was brought to us at 5 weeks old and my wife Shawn fell in love so we kept her. Bottom right is Chelsea from a litter that all got adopted but she had serious medical issues so no one would adopt her. On the table is Jake. We heard scratching at our front door and found a 5-week-old puppy on our porch. My wife fell in love and he never left.”
You see how sweet those dogs are. Stephen wrote, “That's what makes me laugh. They are all perfect at my home but were horrible when on trials or with fosters at other homes.”
 [LARRY ASIDE: Can I get a chorus of “Understanding Amens!” from the Congregation of Canine & Cat Slumber Enablers.]
So, ladies and gents, this what happily can happen when your heart belongs to rescue and the rescued and you think you are in control of every element of your existence. 
You get to self-contort into your favorite spot on your bed while dogs all around you are snoring with confidence and joy in their favorite spots on THEIR bed.
And to get involved with helping DFW’s Furgotten Friends, get in touch via the website https://dfwfgf.org/ or on Facebook HERE.
We’re calling this edition the (read patiently): “Last day of October/first day of November/change-the-time-and-bewilder-the-well-regulated dogs edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.”
[DEAR READERS: Send photos of your snoozing critters to [email protected] and we’ll post them in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll inspire people to find comfort in companionships and you’ll inspire insomniacs to think they can get some sleep by learning to take the couch when the bed isn’t open or try to bend themselves into pretzelian positions between happy dogs and cats.]
--- Offer applause and cheers for comforting rescue by clicking on 'comments' below or by emailing [email protected]. Now, everybody get some sleep. ---

CHARLESTON AND OLAF: RESCUE STORIES THAT MAKE YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD! (AND WE HAVE HALLOWEEN CONTEMPLATIONS, TOO)

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 [PetPowellPress] What we’re discussing in the early part of this report is a mutilated Dachshund boy named Charleston. And a poorly maintained Chihuahua named Olaf. 

And, honestly, Dear Readers, before I can type another sentence about these two I need to stop and gather my limited senses. As you read along, you may need to call a time-out, too. But remember, it is good hearts such as yours that are giving these two throw-aways a new chance.

We learned about Charleston from our pal Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. She’d tipped me to the story after spotting Charleston on the Pound Pals Rescue Facebook page. Yeah, Karen was moved, too. She’d been communicating about Charleston with Kerri Thorn of Pound Pals Rescue (based in Emory in East Texas).  I emailed Kerri and learned about not just the state of Charleston, but also of Olaf, the Chihuahua. Nobody in the rescue chain knows Charleston’s original name — probably wasn’t used much in his life anyway. Olaf actually is that Chihuahua’s name, so he won’t wonder if he’s supposed to answer to something new.
About, Charleston, how does a dog wind up with a face like that? Here’s what Kerri told us: “He came from the Palm Valley Animal Shelter (in Edinburg in South Texas). The shelter staff is good about notifying us when seniors with extensive medical needs enter their facility. There were actually two with critical needs that they sent us information on.

“They suspected Charleston was blind, had some neurological issues and tested him for suspicion of distemper," Kerri reports.

 “They also had a Chihuahua who they thought had neurologic issues.”

[LARRY ASIDE: This should serve as a reminder that not everyone who has a dog or cat is a licensed veterinarian capable of skilled diagnoses. Keep reading Kerri's report.]
“The Chihuahua underwent a procedure the day he and Charleston arrived to remove a huge ball of wax from his eardrum. It's hard to think the little guy was surrendered by his owner and was in danger of being euthanized for ‘neurological issues’ when it was an ear issue. Although Olaf will need some follow up care, we got much better news with him than we were expecting.
“We didn't get that lucky with Charleston though. He is a severely neglected train wreck and it is going to take a while to address all of his issues. We have started treatment for his ears, eyes and skin. We are waiting on lab results and hoping he can get into surgery next week (have to clear some of the infection prior to surgery). From the first photo I saw, I wasn't even sure what kind of dog we were pulling with Charleston. Now that we have him, I can verify that he is a Dachshund. I don't know if Charleston is his ‘real’ name. He was turned in as a 'stray' but often owners turn their dog in with the claim of being a stray to avoid having to pay a surrender fee or criminal charges for neglect. So who knows. It was his shelter name and fits him, so we kept it.  … 

“I do want to clarify that although we initially suspected that Charleston's jaw may have been broken and healed incorrectly, our vet team says his face rotted away due to dental decay. His face is ‘loose’ and his nose flops from side to side. That is all from bone loss.”

[LARRY NOTE: Dear Readers, I’ll let you pause for a moment to take that in and then we’ll move along with Charleston’s prospects.]

Kerri says, “Charleston is permanently deformed but he does eat soft food. He is thin but not emaciated so I think with proper assistance when eating and a good quality food, he is going to be okay on that front. He is going to feel better once that infection is gone. He is already showing marked improvement. He is up and around now. A volunteer visited him yesterday (Wednesday) and said he just wanted to climb under her jacket and snuggle. We have a great vet team so I do think he is going to survive. He has been surviving for years with absolutely no care and he is getting spunkier with each passing day. Personally, I don't see him throwing in the towel any time soon”
[LARRY REACTION: It was that last sentence about throwing in the towel that made me stop typing and turn and hug the only dog within reach, Porche Noel, my baby. Sometimes the behavior of humans just mystifies the devil out of me. And here's one more good look at that dog's face -- I still ee beauty in his face but not in his past. Just to make the point.]
As Karen of barkleyworld.com said to me, “Kerri truly takes the saddest cases — I just had to step in and try to help through Barkleyworld — these seniors get to me.”
Donations to help Charleston and Olaf and any of the tough cases in the care of Pound Pals can be made by  going to poundpals.com.  You also can donate through barkleyworld.com and Karen will forward, but the best route, she says, is directly to Pound Pals. And you can keep up with Charleston and Olaf and the other animals Pound Pals has embraced by going to the Facebook link HERE.   Email Pound Pals Rescue at [email protected].
VIRTUAL STRUTTING
AND ACTUAL ANIMALS
The SPCA of Texas' 15th Annual Strut Your Mutt, the Race to End Animal Cruelty, goes virtual on November 8 -- catch the details at spca.org. This is the 15th “Race to End Animal Cruelty” so you may be “virtually struttin’ with a mutt,” but you’ll be helping other types of animals, too. As examples, we’re presenting this photo of the elegant Alice, a year-old “blue and white do- mestic shorthair” who was transferred from Dallas Animal Services with her kittens so they’d benefit from having Mom around. That other handsome SPCA fellow is Billy. Billy the Pig. The name was open and they didn’t have any goats. All the info about adoptions, donations, signing up for Strut Your Mutt is on the spca.org site.

CONTEMPLATIONS
BLUE MOON FOR HALLOWEEN & OTHER NOTES….
That’s the illustration The Old Farmers’s Almanac sent out in honor of the Blue Moon — the second full moon in a month — and this time it actually appears on Halloween. Pretty unusual. Bound to be some daring trick or treaters out on Halloween. Usually we just say “Wait ’til next year” for the Texas Rangers, but I think it’s appropriate to say ‘Wait ’til next yeart” in honor of Halloween 2020. Lots of pressure to avoid scary things -- like maybe a virus. … Halloween always makes me miss my first school, Highland Park Elementary School in Texarkana, Texas. In those days — 1954-60 was my era — we always had a Halloween Carnival — after we heathens left, it became an Autumn Festival or something like that. Anyway, we had a cake walk — last place I saw one of those — you walk in a circle stepping on numbers on the floor. When the music stops, someone draws a number out of a bowl and if you’re on the number, you win a cake baked by a mom (or maybe bought by a mom). Room mothers of the ‘50s, bless their hearts. … My little boys, Bret and Bart, when they were about 4, went trick or treating in Fort Worth in the Wedgewood and Ryan Place neighborhoods (we had Fort Worth Press colleagues in the area) and Bret dressed as Groucho Marx with a painted-on moustache, Bart as Harpo Marx, big wig and all. A lady made us wait on her front porch while she found her Super 8mm movie camera and filmed our little boys in their costumes. So, if there’s someone out there who has run across film (or maybe converted video by now) of pint-sized Marx Brothers, let me know. I can solve the 45-year-old mystery of “Who the heck are these crazy people on Mom’s front porch?” [A few year later, the boys went into their Hee Haw era — not for Halloween, but to accomodate their female loved ones. Such good boys. I swear.] … Everyone be safe, keep your animals safe, enjoy the cool air, the cool sky and hold off on the high-cal candy — it’s the smart thing to do. Though I’d swap my car for a box of sea-salt milk chocolate right now. Alarms just went off in my assorted doctors’ offices. That is my office cat William Powell - yeah, I love the guy — joining me in celebrating National Cat Day on Thursday (later, I caught him sleeping it off o the protective covering of his personal bookcase at the window. Of course, for us every day is Cat Day. Dog day, too. Save 'em all. More than once in a blue moon.
—- Offer Trick or Treat Tales by clicking on ‘comments' below or by emailing [email protected]. and put “NO APPLES” in the subject line.  They’ll blow the bottom of a paper grocery bag wide open and candy will scatter everywhere on a stranger’s porch. —-

WHATEVER DAY IT IS:STORIES OF ANIMALS, CONTEMPLATIONS OF LIFE AND LIVES (BILLY JOE SHAVER!) AND OF KEEPING THE DODGERS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2020 [PetPowellPress] My dear friend Diane Combs and I were discussing the difficulty of keeping up with the days during this Pandemic thing and I assured her she’s spot-on regarding the uncertain calendar. Nobody knows what day it is half the time. I declared something like, “This is the oddest 4th of July ever.” Be careful with your fireworks and more on this in a minute. Relax, I know it’s Thanksgiving -- I mean Halloween. Well, it’s neither one, but before we get to either, let’s look at these animal issues.
CACTUS ROSE WAITING —
CAME 
TO THE FW SHELTER
WITH A TOUCHING NOTE
Yeah, this one comes from Fort Worth and I plucked it off Kristen Barg Morrison’s Facebook page “with Laurie Gautreaux at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control.”
If righteous things are prevailing these days, Cactus Rose (455000537) already has a home. If not, here’s your chance. 
This dog is 2 years old, weighs 96 pounds is spayed, has her vaccinations and is heartworm negative.
When you read that note (click on it to make it larger), you will get the feeling that this dog is loved. So, why’s she doing time in a shelter? 
The post reads that “her owners surrendered her on 9/11 due to cost of medical needs/landlord issues and she scratched the neighbor's kid. Shelter has found no health issues.”
 In fact, what they’ve found is a friendly dog who loves to be petted, is house-trained, knows a few basic commands and is not initially comfortable with kids though she’ll warm up with some exposure. The people who surrendered her said she’d “slept in the bed with them since she was 3 weeks old.” And, there you go. In cold weather, someone to keep you warm; in warm weather, someone who is really cool.
No phone calls for adoptions or rescues, simply email [email protected]. The FWACC/Chuck Silcox Adoption Center is at 4900 Martin St., on the southeast side of Fort Worth. That photo came from adoptapet.com at this LINK. She was still on the list as the Pandemic-era rush hour began to evacuate Dallas Wednesday afternoon.
BLESS ANGIE MANRIQUEZ,
ANGIE’S FRIENDS & GRACIE
This one popped up in front of my face when I clicked onto my Facebook page and there is was — a happy dog, a sad dog tale and an example of how famed Fairy Dogmother of Dallas Angie Manriquez is consistently due the Nobel Prize for Inspirational Animal Welfare and Rescue. [LARRY ASIDE: If the right six numbers fell in Lotto Texas Wednesday night, I’ll be getting with the Nobel bigwigs to establish such a prize.]
Here’s the story, as posted by Debbie Ferrell. It says Gracie is 2 years old. And here’s how she’s involved with the enduring rescue group, Angie’s Friends. As you may know, Angie got her start by rescuing unwanted dogs and drug dealers’ guard dogs and other dogs in “iffy situations” in West Dallas. She was, when I first wrote about her years ago, the “Fairy Dogmother of West Dallas.” Her reputation grew and her admirers increased and the number of animals she saved became legendary.
 The story of Gracie is Angie “was contacted by her owners. They were moving and weren't taking her so they asked Angie to help them. Then they moved and let Angie know they left Gracie in her pen in the backyard where she was kept all her life.
“Angie has nowhere for her to go so Gracie's been boarding at City Vet. She's been given her vaccines but she needs to be spayed and she's HW+ .

“Here's the deal,” the post continues, “We have a wonderful trainer that will do a Board/Train but we would like her to have her HW treatment done first. We've met her. She is very sweet but she isn't a fan of puppies, small dogs or cats. We need a quiet temp foster for 2 months for her treatment then she's off to boarding/training.
“This sweet pup needs a break. She's dying to be a part of someone's world. Could you be that someone?”
Get in touch with Angie’s Friends at angiesfriends.org. [LARRY ASIDE: Donations? Heck, yeah. If any of Angie’s Friends had won Lotto Texas, I’d have told you. Enviously.]
WAS GRANT WOOD POSING
DOGS IN TEXAS?


Not hardly. There’s a copy of his famous 1930s painting American Gothic and, above, the photograph that inspired this item. It was posted by Amanda Cumpian in Campbell, Texas. That little town (less than 1,000 residents the last census said) is about an hour northeast of Dallas right up I-30 toward the exit for Texas A&M at Commerce. I mention that in case you want to drive up there and help get these two dogs to safety.
Amanda’s note read, “Someone please help these babies they have been sitting on the corner for weeks now by my house. They’re abandoned, starving and freezing to death. I have too many dogs already or I'd take them in. They’re in Campbell off County Road 4206. They are kind of skittish so they won’t come to me. The white one will get close enough to take food out of my hand but that's it otherwise I would take them to a shelter.”
And, if you go to to Amanda’s Facebook page you’ll see that people have been trying to help these animals find safety — and the animals are reluctant to trust strangers in this lousy weather. Here’s Amanda’s LINK.
MEANWHILE, 2 KITTENS, A CAT
AND SOME DOGS
We hear from Leighann Hayden of 4-Legged Helpers that the two kittens Sugar and Baby have been taken into the warm and loving hearts of a rescue group. More to come on the name of that group. Other cats and kittens await at the Lancaster Animal Shelter with all the dogs, too.
As you know, readlarrypowell.com is big time happy being a cat family and we know the value of the feline personality. Purrfect, as some of the animal nuts will tell you (and, of course, in our world “animal nut” is a term of endearment and admiration).

That brings us to these photos of Lancaster’s Cuddliest Cat, Chase. You can see he’s a warm-hearted fellow in those bend-of-the-arm photos. And that curled up photo is one of the first taken of him and, you may recall, in order to get his happy, smiling photos, the photographer had to nudge him awake.
These three dogs also are waiting for someone to save them. That 7-month-old German Shepherd (Earhound) is Roxi, an owner-surrender who “adores everyone and everything.”

That handsome Lab mix is just-under-a-year-old Jack, a guy adopted in April and surrendered as his humans’ lives changed. He’s sweet, fixed, vaccinated and “adores riding in the car.”
And that brings us to Pluto, a Bulldog/Terrier mix who is a mature dog. He “loves other dogs” and people, too. He was stray when rescued and delivered to the Lancaster shelter.
All of these dogs are “urgent,” 4-Legged Helpers reports. Call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected] to get involved in saving the animals’ lives.
[LARRY UNSOUGHT OPINION: I’ve never met Pluto the Dog, but, if I were not basically a peacenik, I’d like to meet up with the BLEEPBLEEP who butchered his ears. For crying out loud, stop this stupid behavior. Don’t cut the ears, don’t bob the tails, don’t train dogs to fight and don’t stop taking your brain-building vitamins. You’re already way behind on your dosage. Clearly.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
CALENDAR DISARRAY; KEEPING THE DODGERS; BILLY JOE SHAVER….
We opened this edition with a discussion between me and the veteran animal advocate Diane Combs about our inability to keep up with the calendar in this Pandemic Disarray Era. Diane makes me think about stuff now and then. In this case, I’ve been thinking about how easy it was to keep up with the day of the week when the three network TV channels didn’t monkey with their schedules and move the shows around. Yeah, for decades I could tell time and day by what show was on TV. NFL Football was only on Sunday and Monday! Life was stable! Now, of course, here comes the 2020 Central Daylight Time change at 2 a.m. Sunday and I’ll be confused all over again. …
CONGRATULATIONS to the Los Angels Dodgers for winning the World Series. What you did for us was show us what it looks like when someone wins a World Series in Arlington — we may never have known if you Dodgers hadn’t won. And, one more thing: Our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, like me a former sportswriter, suggested that maybe “the Metroplex should not let the Dodgers go home.” Just make the trade — We keep the Dodgers and LA gets the Rangers. Key elements of that Dodgers team are Texans, anyway! …
Dang—and now Billy Joe Shaver at 81? How did these young outlaws get to be so old? The country music writer died of a stroke Thursday in Waco. My former colleague at The Formerly Big Paper in Dallas, Thor Christensen, wrote a splendid assessment of the songwriters’ career. He included this passage: “His songwriting skills inspired awe among his peers. “He’s as real a writer as Hemingway,” Kris Kristofferson once told The Dallas Morning News. “He is timeless … he’s not as famous as he ought to be.” The late Dallas blues-rocker Bugs Henderson summed up his sense of wonderment in the song title: “Wish I Could Write Like Billy Joe.” Rolling Stone has THIS WONDERFUL REVIEW of the singer/songwriter’s life, including the incredible trial for shooting a man in the face. Click HERE for Live Forever by Billy Joe Shaver. We oughta all say a prayer for the Texas pickers and singers — and the pickers and singers who wish they were Texans. That oughta just about cover all of country music.
—- Offer Tunes of Agreement or Songs of Protest by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing your ballad to [email protected]. —

CHILLING TALES OF KITTENS; DOGS MOVE CLOSER TO HOMES; COLD CAR TRUTH, TOBY'S BLANKIE & THE CHECKBOOK HUNT

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2020 [PetPowellPress] How was I able to realize we’re in the chilly part of autumn? Was it the cold weather, the cold rains, the Dallas Cowboys record? No, I’ll tell you later today. First we have some animal tales to explore.  Oh, and if this day had a theme, we'd turn to Dave Dudley for a performance of Six Days On The Road (And I'm gonna make it home to vote tonight). I added that vote stuff, but, yep, six days away. Movin' on (some of you will get that "Movin' on" reference):
FROM THE SIDE OF I-35
AND OTHER PLACES, TOO
A person with a heart sees that photo and goes something like “oh, my.” You see that cat in person on the side of an interstate highway and a person with a heart is going to pick it up and try to save its life.
We first learned about this Glenn Heights kitten from Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers. The original contact was the ACO at Glenn Heights. 
The story is this: Some of the city’s public works employees found this kitten “in need of a rescue” alongside Interstate 35 in the small town just south of Dallas, according to a note ACO Monica Salmeron sent Laura. 
The kitten was “almost frozen” and Monica took her in, warmed her up and got her to eat. She also had some “green gunk in her eyes” and needed vet care. And now, ACO Salmeron told readlarrypowell.com, that little almost frozen kitten is eating and is in the care of a foster while waiting on her vet visit. Ask about adopting the roadside kitten or helping Glenn Heights’ ACO Salmeron by contacting 4-Legged Helpers: Call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. Same contact info for these next kittens.
[LARRY ASIDE: Boosts your heart, doesn’t it, to hear how a small city shelter works to save the animals it encounters. Bless those public works angels, too, for making sure that baby had some help out of an awful situation. And, yes, isn’t it a good thing that 4-Legged Helpers is the non-profit small shelters can count on when an animal situation pops up. They’re all in that famous “village” that it takes.]
Now, about these three fresh arrivals at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. We learned of them from Leighann Hayden of 4-Legged Helpers. She writes that that “fuzzy blonde baby boy kitten Pez…was out in the weather Monday night, too. They had to take a hair-dryer and blow him dry. He was cold and wet. Looks like he may end up being medium long-haired, baed on the adorable fuzzy fur.” He was still fragile and needed a safe, kitten-aware place to go -- so, Laura reports, he's going to Furbabies of Lancaster. Also needing a safe place to go are these other two rescued kittens, Sugar and Baby, “found by a Good Samaritan,” Leighann’s note reads. “They are all very young. None are able to retract their claws yet. Blue eyes. Baby sweet. Fuzzy. Help.” And, again, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
NIKKI: ONE STEP CLOSER
TO DODGING A SHELTER
On the 20th we posted the story of Nikki, an 11-year-old Aussie/Heeler mix who is losing her home after all these years — her human is moving and can't take her along. 
We learned of her from reliable tipster Amy Poskey who picked up the story from rescuer/advocate Debra Myers.
That’s a photo of Nikki participating in one of her favorite activities — relaxing on the couch.
Latest news from Amy is this: "Denise Primm with Salvaged Souls Pet Rescue has offered to take sweet Nikki but we need a foster to make this happen.” To volunteer to foster, email [email protected].
MEANWHILE, STRAYDOG, INC. WORKS
TO KEEP THE MISSION VIBRANT
The folks at Straydog Inc. are working on a special challenge right now. They’ve got $200,000 matching funds pledged and now they’re, yes, trying to match those dollars so they can continue the mission that was launched in East Texas in 1994. You can read about the organization at straydog.org and you can read about this Autumn Matching Funds drive on Facebook HERE.
And this would have slipped our notice if it had not been for Straydog highlighting four of the Pitties currently awaiting homes at the great Straydog Shelter and Sanctuary.
How I missed this I do not know, but October 26 was National Pitt Bull Awareness Day. Go to straydog.org to learn about these dogs or any other animals currently under the care of this enduring organization.

CONTEMPLATIONS
AUTUMNWINTERFALL, TOBY’S BLANKIE, THE GREAT CHECKBOOK HUNT
A lot of people can tell right away that winteresque weather has arrived in the Greater Metroshiverplex. You look outside and the squirrels are wearing sweaters. Birds are on their cellphones trying to buy a flight to Miami. Not me. I get into my 2013 Ford Edge, one of my most favorite cars, and I turn the engine on, turn the heater to high and cold air blows out of the vents. Yep, every autumn at some point, my ac/heating system, on it's first heating turn-on, won’t get out of AC — like it doesn’t trust Texas to have a cold spell so why bother to change. My Edge is not the only one in America with this problem. Check it out on Youtube — Google “video reset Edge heater” and you’ll see many people have yearned to see how to reset the heater. Yes, I know this because each year I tend to forget how to reset it and have to call up the video on my phone. The reset solution is to hold the “go” button down at the same time as the “defrost” button, then, after a few seconds let ‘em up and push the “go” button again. “It should reset and blow warm,” the video said. It did Tuesday morning. This reset process is not in the Ford Edge 2013 Handbook. But that’s OK. At least you can do it without having to pay a dealership the traditionally huge “secret knowledge” fee. And I’m still a Ford fan. Why? Because I used to own not one, but two Chevrolet Vegas, possibly the worst car ever created — and that includes whatever got built by the Soviet Union. …

We have written several times about books by the local author James Martinez — they deal with rescued dogs and their stories and how to love a dog, etc. So on Facebook, as the weather changed, James’ dog Toby posted a notice: “Toby here! Just wanted to check in and let you know that it's Blankie Fort Time! Brrrr. Anyways, with all the craziness, I wanted to tell you that YOU are part of the solution! Your Empathy, Kindness and Compassion can make a difference for those who may need it. So I'm sending you all love, hugs and puppy prayers! Toby out.” Yep, Toby has a warm grip on a good nature in this chilling time in North Texas. [LARRY NOTE: I’m encouraging James to write a book about Toby and his ‘Blanket’ and ‘Blanket Fort.’ Got to be a story in that blanket! And, yes, Toby is an Earhound! Clearly. He knows how to do the "tongue lap" after a treat, too!] …
OK, everybody stop looking for my checkbook. I found it. That’s it. If a criminal had found it and looked at the balance, I’d have been sued for felonious lack of financial support. The danged checkbook wasn’t in my home office, or in my “bills and stuff” drawer in the bedroom chest-of-drawers, or in the closet with my sweaters, shoes and iron, or in either of the desks in my office or — where else did I look — in my 2013 Ford Edge or in my sock drawer, or anywhere I could think I might have stepped in the past two weeks. This hunt went on all day long Monday. I found stuff I’d forgotten putting into officially sanctioned storage areas. Then, on Tuesday, I went to my 1999 Ford F150, The Extended Cab Silver Bullet with the new inspection sticker, opened the console and there was my checkbook, waiting to be picked up — it wouldn’t even speak to me. Felt abandoned. Was I nuts? Yes. Nuts because I couldn’t find it and then nuts that I had. Now, of course, I remember putting it some place so obvious that I wouldn’t forget where I put it. Idiot. That's my checkbook and my knee. I'd have put the checkbook in my back pocket, but, apparently, this week you can guess what I can't find with both hands.
—- Offer advice or type ‘nitwit’ when you click on ‘comments’ below or put it in the subject line when you send a note to [email protected]. —-

AS COLD WEATHER ARRIVES, THERE CAN BE WARM MOMENTS AHEAD FOR DOGS & CATS; PLUS, THE COWBOYS, THE TIME & THE MOON

EDITION OF TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 2020 [PetPowellPress]  Here we are after one soggy, cold day and I’m already done with winterly — not just wintry, but so cold there’s an extra syllable — weather. People in other parts of the country might declare a 43-degree afternoon temp is darned near balmy, but, nope, it’s too darned cold. 
I’m not blaming climate change — I’m blaming aging. By cracky, when I was a kid we’d play football outside in t-shirts when the temps were in the 30s and lower. Of course, we were much tougher in those days, you know, waking up to the threat of the Cold War, nuclear attack and only three channels to watch on our black-and-white TVs. Hang on, let me shut off my 2020 Whine App.

That cat? That’s our boy Simon showing how, during cold weather, he can scrunch up his face so that it vanishes. He’s on the back of our living room couch in the path of a warm-air vent. Smart cat.
SPEAKING OF COLD DOGS
AND COLDER CATS
Probably these outdoor dogs and cats have been shivering during the past 24 hours.
You’ve seen those dogs pictured here before. We got the story on them from Andrea Grimes, the animal advocate. These are the “Dialville Dogs,” abandoned by humans in the area near Jacksonville.
But there’s a twist. Andrea reports that in helping the dogs, the good hearts “found 7-8 cats in an enclosed area behind the home as well. The conditions were horrible and if I describe it, it will make you sick. (Volunteer) Jessica Henderson cleaned the pen from 3 inches or more of poop, laid down pine shavings and made their area so much better and healthier. We will need a rescue for these cats and the owner has agreed to let me reach out for them as well as the dogs. Anyone local interested in donating wet cat food and any kind of dog food to help us out? Austin Pets Alive has reached out to me and MAY send their rescue team to help but I won't know for a few days.” Get in touch with Andrea Grimes via Facebook HERE.
THE CUDDLY CAT CHASE WAITS
& ROXIE THE DOG NEEDS A HOME
We’ve mentioned Chase the Cat before — but that was when he had “sleepy eyes” because he had to be awakened so his photo could be taken. Now, this current resident of the Lancaster Animal Shelter is clearly happy to wake up for a traditional tummy rub. Our tipsters, the 4-Legged Helpers who monitor needs of small shelters, report that Chase is “absolutely the sweetest most affectionate, loving kitty you could meet.” The Tiger Tabby is a genuine lap cat.
That brings us to German Shepherd Roxi, about 7 months old, an owner-surrender “from someone no longer able to care for her and she was in a family with several small children (ages 5 to 9) and did wonderfully. She adores everyone and everything.”
And, of course, veteran observers of canine breeds spotted right away that this girl is also an Earhound. Quite a set of ears above those wonderful eyes. 

We’ve previously mentioned young Jack, maybe 10 months old and an owner surrender because after Jack was adopted in April, “things have changed and they can no longer care for him.”

And Pluto, a mixed-breed, was a stray and, his bio reads, “He seems to be looking for someone who doesn’t come. He is very sweet.”
Ask about these animals by calling or texting 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE:
THIS STRIKING GIRL IS PAIGE
As you know, the tips on animals at Mesquite generally come from volunteer biographers Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown. This girl Paige is a Judi tip!
Paige — look at those eyes — is a year-old Alaskan Husky who has been in the Mesquite Shelter since September, 26. Why? Bite quarantine, Judi reports. “She got into a scuffle with another family dog and bit a child that tried to intervene. Subsequently the owners decided to surrender her. I would suggest further dog testing. However, when walking her through the bay she went nose to nose with several dogs and did not pay attention to those that were barking at her.

“Paige is very striking! She’s got beautiful markings. She’s got a cream-colored coat, one blue eye and one brown eye, a fluffy tail, and a sprinkling of freckles across her nose. There’s no doubt you would get many favorable comments about your beautiful dog when you were walking her. She’s very energetic, alert and curious. …. Sometimes she gets overzealous and jumps on you but gets down when you tell her to. She was already out in the yard when I got out there, and as soon as I called her she ran to me. She wanted to be petted, and she stayed close. She’s very friendly and her tail wagged constantly. She’s just an all-around great dog and would fit in nicely with an active family.” The 40-pound dog’s ID is 45611540. Use that ID when you contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
To see more Mesquite dogs and cats go to the shelter’s website HERE.  Among the handsome fellows you may see is Lewis (/#45839221), a 4-year-old tomcat among the many babies and teenagers waiting for homes. Lewis came in on October 7 and, as if befitting a cat whose heritage suggests The King & I, the Siamese mix is in the “Executive Suite” at Mesquite.
CONTEMPLATIONS
COWBOYS, DAYLIGHT AND MOONWATER BASS
Let’s get to the second most critical issue facing Americans right now: What’s wrong with the Cowboys? Did you see that Dallas/Washington game Sunday? The Cowboys, to use a petworld term, coughed up an ugly hairball, 25-3. Probably shoulda been about 80-to-3. That aside. What might a Texas dog think of that contest? Over in Mineola in East Texas, this guy Beau lives with a couple of my longtime friends, Greta and Rudy Godfrey, former colleagues at, back then, The Real Big Paper in Downtown Dallas. Cowboys fans, you know. So, during Sunday’s game, Greta snapped this photo of Beau and wrote, “Beau is not impressed with the Cowboys game.” Beau is not alone, right? And, as I told Greta, “Beau is reacting properly. You should thank him for not dog-puking at halftime!” Oh, and Greta also posted that "announcement." How 'bout them Cowboys, right?…
As if 2020 hasn’t kicked us around enough, this weekend will there not only be vigorous political campaigning, there’ll also be the end of Daylight Saving Time and the return to central Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday. Yeah, we fall back which means at 2 it’s 1 a.m. I can’t remember if I’m supposed to be happy or sleepy. ….
From space — wait, I mean from Houston — comes word that NASA has discovered water on the moon. A smidgen of water. Hello, Texans! The moon is made for us. Start drawing up your plans for that Big Bass Moon Mission to establish Moonbase Lone Star. Remember when every other Texan went north to build the Alaska Pipeline? This’ll be even better as Space Texans set up the tourist attraction, Moon Possum Kingdom Lunar Lake. There are Moon Possums, right? Someone will have to invent low-gravity fish scales for the fishing contests. Yeah, I’m kidding, but, you know, odder things have happened when developers start daydreaming.
—- Whine or cheer by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected] and stay warm. —-

MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR DOGS AND CATS; A CONSIDERATION OF JERRY JEFF WALKER; A NOTE ABOUT ARLO 'GONE FISHING'

EDITION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Before we get to animals in need, I will explain this photograph.
That is one of my office cats, William Powell, who once painted a house with me and, then, shedding his feral reputation at the door, he decided to move in and become my office cat. Yeah, we hug each other. FYI: He’s a Dallas cat. He was living in the yard when I needed to paint the wood on the front of the house and he came up and engaged in me conversation and he agreed to monitor my painting in exchange for a place to stay. There are, you know, lots of free Metrosprawlian Cats if you know where to look. Hint: Any shelter; any neighborhood, any rescue group (even the dog groups know somebody who has some cats!).

One of the perks of being an office cat is you can sit in my comfy chair — even if I need it to write. So, this edition is being typed while I’m sitting in a hard-seated, straight-backed chair that came with a 3-drawer student desk I got from a friend more than 30 years ago. She got it when she was in elementary school and could not bear to put it in a junk pile. So I took it and told her I’d treasure it. I have and now that William is watching from my actual office chair, I am honoring a desk chair from the 20th century. That chair and I have a lot in common — both our seats are from the 20th century.
 If you’ve ever considered adopting a cat and haven’t, you’re missing the boat on life with a charming companion. So, consider William’s gaze a reminder that you need a cat. Oh, and there’s this: A cat will watch a disgusting Dallas football game and never once wryly look at you and, with a whisper of sarcasm, deadpan “How ‘bout them Cowboys.” OK, let’s move along…That dog? That’s Bubba. He’s in Gilmer. And he needs a home. More on him in a second.
THE SITUATIONS FOR DOGS
WAITING IN MESQUITE
Ah, the Mesquite Animal Services’ volunteer dog biographers have some fantastic dogs in their spotlights. We’ll start with Ashley, a 3-year-old “mixed breed” that came in Oct. 17 as a stray and out tipster Judi Brown says, “My Dog Scanner app says that she is part Kelpie, Dachshund, Schipperke. She is also pregnant (early) and for that reason has been designated as RESCUE ONLY.”
 Initially uncomfortable with people, she had two volunteers who paid extra attention to her. Now, says Judi, there was a “complete turnaround” and she became “an absolute cuddle bug that wanted to be on your lap and close to you. Her tail wagged constantly. She was happy. She danced for treats. She allowed us to put a leash on her and seemed to enjoy going for a walk.” The 31-pound dog’s shelter ID is 45913677.
That brings us to Jackson, a 3-year-old Yorkie who was put into bite quarantine after “biting a member of the family,” Judi says. “When the quarantine time was up, they chose to surrender him. He was then adopted again and promptly returned. The family felt that he was too unpredictable. Because he has shown an attitude from time to time, it has been determined that he will be RESCUE ONLY! He is a work in progress.”
 And then Judi adds, “Apparently he was in a good mood when I interacted with him because he was happy, friendly, and wagging his tail.  He allowed me to wet down his hair and brush him. Because of his history of being unpredictable, I did leave a leash on him and when he didn’t want me to pick him up I didn’t force the issue.  He sits for treats. He walked well on a leash. He had a slight pull, but it was obvious he has gone on walks on a leash.  He did his business as soon as he got out into the yard. He wanted to make friends with some of the smaller dogs but jumped back when some of the bigger dogs barked at him….”
This is a 12-pound dog who needs a quiet household and a patient human/family. He’s #45819496 and pretty darned cute.
Heidi (#45921988), maybe 2 years old, is a 45-pound, possible German Shepherd mix (clearly an Earhound) who arrived as a stray on the 19th. And Judi’s report is that Heidi is “a delightful young dog with a loving disposition. She met me in her kennel with tail wags. She’s very alert and explored the shelter yard but spent most of the time hanging out with me. Although she did want the human attention she also wanted my treats!!. She sits for treats and then continues to sit anticipating more. She wants to please. When she was out in the yard she literally leapt and pranced, but in spite of this energy did not jump on me. She seemed to be leaping for joy. … Heidi is a gentle, well mannered dog that would make a great addition to your family.”
That brings us to Sara (#45950110). Biographer Debra Chisholm’s report on this Chocolate Lab/Retriever mix says she was surrendered on Oct. 22 because of her human’s “financial hardship.” Sara, at a year-and-a-half, weighs 65 pounds. She’s got a friendly, sweet nature and is said to be “good with children.” She’s never been around other dogs or cats, the surrendering human told the shelter. Debra’s report says, “Sara loves to cuddle, run and fetch and is house trained.  I noted that Sara is frisky and perky but not hyperactive.  She enjoyed running and playing in the shelter yard during the photo session.  She walks well on a leash.  There is so much to like about this attractive youngster.”

For any of these animals, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
BUBBA THE DOG
NEEDS A NEW HOME…
This guy Buddy is currently in Gilmer, the small town north of Tyler. How did he come to be in need of a new home? We asked Cindy Chadwick who is monitoring his search.
 His human had a stroke and can no longer take care of him. Bubba is 10 years old, neutered and weighs about 110 pounds. 
We’re shorthanding Buddy’s story but, he’d always been an inside-at-night dog until this situation arrived. He went into the care of an “extended family” that kept him in a backyard where he was “alone almost all of the time.” He was “no longer tied” but he doesn’t “have much shelter,” Cindy’s note read.
 He’s fed once a day and nobody spends any time with him.
His bio also says that he is “friendly with people” and “prefers the ladies.” 
You can keep up with Bubba’s situation by going to this Facebook page maintained by Cindy. You’ll see that money is being donated to help with any vet bills or expenses involved in saving Bubba from a short life of lonely misery.
Cindy says, “Bubba has leads with some out of state groups north of Texas, but he's used to Texas heat, so I'd love him to stay in Texas. He can go to an approved adopter or rescue.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
JERRY JEFF, ARLO AND MUSIC
We’ve written about local musician Kent Hofmeister before — he’s of The Catdaddies, a Dallas-based group that can play anything. On the Fans of the Catdaddies Facebook page, Kent wrote simply, “Well this one hurts.” And, then, he writes, “Jerry Jeff Walker has left the stage.”

Frankly, it is hard to think that Jerry Jeff Walker was 78 and mortal.
Here’s a link to a performance of Getting By in Austin at the 2014 South-by-Southwest, speaking of a rough 2020.
 People who were around when the Texas outlaw music movement was launched will probably recall that these three words, “Jerry Jeff Walker,” were magic and for more than Jerry Jeff’s song Mr. Bojangles. His version of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother hit the tone to capture an era.

Now, I mention all that to note that not only did Kent perfectly capture the emotional loss of Jerry Jeff Walker, but he also “shared a post” — a significant post — from Arlo Guthrie, a performer who became a legend on the Group W Bench with his recording of Alice’s Restaurant. Kent posted Arlo's note on October 23. The beloved folksinger wrote that his health has driven him to make a tough decision and his opening words on his post were “Gone Fishing.” He explains that opening and one of his passages reads, “As a folksinger, I never really thought much about getting older.”
You can see both of these postings on the Fans of The Catdaddies page HERE.
WHAT DO THESE THINGS MEAN TO THE WORLD? Well, they mean that a lot of us kids, who also “never really thought much about getting older,” are left with memories of recordings because we could never quite put time, money and scheduling together efficiently so that we could see these people in concert. Thank heavens for recordings — God bless and keep my 33 1/3 LPs.
I linked to a Jerry Jeff song above. If you’ve about 19 more minutes, here’s Arlo’s Alice's Restaurant Massacre from 1967 (Thank you, Youtube). Click HERE.  And two other shorter songs have links, too: the classic Steve Goodman song The City of New Orleans  and a song of the late ‘60s, Comin’ Into Los Angeles. 

If you have some extra time left before you go to work either in an office or your home or your pickup, here’s a LINK to Jerry Jeff singing that Mother hit mentioned above.   Viva Terlingua! and, as is said in the Hill Country’s biggest little town, everybody’s somebody in Luckenbach.
—- Offer musical notes and animal ideas by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE & NAPPING CATS NAP...

By Porche Noel

Guest Writer, readlarrypowell.com
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, Oct. 24-25, 2020 [PetPowellPress]

It was a dark and stormy morning Friday, with apologies to English writer Edward Bulwer-Lytton. As you literate Dear Readers will recall, he began his 1830 novel Paul Clifford with “It was a dark and stormy night…”

And no sun had risen to greet us through thick clouds and lightening at 5 a.m. as we padded down the hallway toward the kitchen. 
No need to open the back door to our Canine Strolling & Squirrel Observation Yard. The squirrels were on their own Friday morning — you shouldn’t try to harvest acorns in a thunderstorm.
No dog was foolish enough to go out in that rain to assume a quite motionless but very practical position in the middle of a lightning storm.
I stood in the kitchen looking up at the bleary-eyed dolt. I understand from his female partner that “dolt” is entirely appropriate. Dolt he may be, he still can read my mind. Morning treats were quickly forthcoming — yes, he understands the need for a pre-dawn snack. I sat absolutely still on the tile floor — the Friday cold front had yet to drop the temperature, so the tile was no colder than usual to the touch of my furry bottom.

***
[PORCHE COMMERCIAL BREAK: Yes, this holiday season, my company, Porche’s Noel Styles For Sophisticated Comfort, will be offering for sale the custom-designed “Porche’s Furry Bottom Comfort Cushions” for those who simply must have a warm place to sit during the winter. Don’t Google “Furry Bottom” to order, please. You'll be surprised. Simply wait for our mass mailing order form arriving shortly after the November election.]
***
As I sat on the kitchen floor — not an unfamiliar place — it took a moment to figure out what the biped was doing in the middle of the storm. But, when he made three trips to get things from the refrigerator though one would have been enough, I realized he was still, as the poet Owtuhv Balahnce’ might write, “Goofy With Morning Disorientation.”
 Later, to keep from being between my benefactor and the refrigerator door (a personal safety move, of course), I backed up to the oven (right) to comfortably await his next move during the Cold Front’s arrival. 
When the missus, our beloved Martha, known as his “patientspouse,” is in the kitchen in cooler temps, we can usually depend on catching some “back up to the oven” warmth because she actually knows how to bake — cookies, pies, cakes, etc. I believe that specific oven warmth for happy dogs is where the term “comfort food” originated. Pretty sure. 
Ah, the joy of Martha’s cooking! If all leftovers tasted like hers, we’d never hear the lid being pulled off a can or the clatter of dry food in the bottom of our sterling silver dog dishes. I think they’re sterling silver. Pretty sure.
So, early on Friday when the storm was blasting the neighborhood, the guy who is always typing and I were the only two awake — except for the admired and respected advisor, The Senator, a senior cat from the Upper House. That's him in the breakfast nook. The Senator, for morning treats, prefers a liberal shaking of grated Parmesan on a napkin — it reminds him of his days seasoning the bills that came across his desk.
As I faithfully observed, the Senator lapped up his cheese, then walked off into the living room to take up his usual place on the back of the couch. He quickly was blissfully snoozing. (That cat at the far end of the couch is Simon, The Senator's Slumber Intern.)
I’m a dog, of course, so once I’m awake and know food is available, I am not likely to find a place to nod off. Besides, nobody likes to hear loud snoring AND an autumn storm. We want to hear the oak leaves gently falling to the grass that should have been mowed a week ago. In our part of Texas, it’s too early for the oaks to give up their colorful leaves — they’re not even colorful yet. 
But he still should have mowed the grass — it can tickle a short dog at a critical moment, know what I mean?
I  think the guy may have put reading a 1958 American Literature textbook ahead of household chores. The other dogs and I once got our attorney to draw up a restraining order to keep the guy from attempting plumbing repair in our home. So far, so good. No wet paws in the house.
At any rate, after a couple of treats Friday morning, we moved to the living room. I took up a comfy place on the big rug and watched him to make sure he wasn’t going to sneak back into the kitchen and find previously undiscovered cookies — any flavor would do for him and me. I’d be right with him — no cookie should ever go to waste.
***
[PORCHE COMMERCIAL BREAK: On shelves in time for the holidays, my book of philosophy and personal directions How To Sleep on a Bed and Greet The Morning: Awake Invigorated and Lick Somebody’s Face.]
***

Back to monitoring our breakfast waitstaffer: I got up and moved over close to him, to stare with intent-to-control, but he was too bleary-eyed to recognize my strategy and, right in the middle of the opening of the John Travolta film Get Shorty on the cable, he appeared to nod off. It’s one of his favorite films and books — but he’s been insomniacal lately and that may account for his behavior.
With the sharpness of an ultra-alert Scottish herding dog (not in my genes), I took the opportunity to get into my favorite chair, the funspouse’s recliner. It is a challenge. Why? Because I’ve always had weakened back legs — result of injuries endured in my previous life with a sorry soul from whom I’d escaped. I cannot mention the SOB by name without attempting to do something dogs cannot do — spit. It becomes an angry drool.
[The photo of me on the left was the day years and years ago I was taken to my first vet visit -- you see how boney I was -- starvation. I've recovered.]
At any rate, years ago I escaped that fate with that CRUEL BLEEP and found my way to my morning companion’s old home in Oak Cliff in Dallas. We’d bonded quickly. I soon got past thinking all humans were determined to do me harm and that I’d have to fight for every meal. 
The stability of a patient home helped me adjust to living with people — and, as you know, living with people is appears to be the biggest challenge on the planet.
For me, the biggest threat from our two humans is this: At any time one of them will thoughtlessly grab my remote and change the TV station I’m watching. I hate that. I have to get up and move to another room and hunt down the remote for that TV — wherever one of these Bozos may have left it.

Well, Dear Readers, I’m getting a little bit sleepy — hang on while I do a downward dog stretch……arrrrgggggghhhhh that feels do good. 
OK, I think I’m going to go scramble back into the recliner and and click “on demand” to either Dr. Pimple Popper or Say Yes To The Dress — those are two great programs to
study human behavior. I’m already hip to the ways of dogs and cats. It’s humans that are hard to figure.
Oh, yeah, there’s this: You see what we’re planning to release as postage stamps in the near future. We’re working on a deal to print and distribute them through the island nation of Cutiecutiedogistan. We’ve got them priced at a nickel a stamp or two dozen slumberstamps in exchange for a box of veterinarian-certified breakfast treats.
 I posed for hours on the Rug of Contemplations to get these photos.
Thank you for reading and thank you for loving dogs, cats and all God’s critters. Your’s in pursuit of happy slumber,
Porche Noel

An American Dog
 With a Texas Pedigree
[DEAR READERS, please send us photos of your slumbering critters so we may spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. (Send info and photos to [email protected]. Send new photos or old ones like Porche and that unidentifiable gent from years ago.) You’ll be helping animals find homes where they can nod off in happiness and you’ll be helping insomniacs believe that they, too, can get some sleep if they can find the right Rug of Contemplation to order online and place it next to the oven so they can back up to it and get some bun-warming sleep.]
—- Offer ideas or sleeping tips by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Get some sleep. —-

THURSDAY EVENING EXTRA: COPPER THE DOG IS SAFE AT HOME WITH HIS PAL KEITH...

EVENING EXTRA EDITION THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2020 [PetPowellPress] “COPPER IS HOME!”
That is how Joyce Ferguson, our original tipster, headlined her report that she sent to me Thursday afternoon. [THANK YOU JOYCE!]
Dear Readers, you may remember the story from Wednesday’s edition: A fellow named Keith was watching his dog Copper, a 13/14-year-old Pittie mix, take his morning “walk” on the parking lot of his workplace’s office complex way back on the last day of September. A woman wheeled into the lot and picked up Copper and drove away right in front of Keith’s startled eyes. (Copper was in the Plano Animal Shelter from that day, until Thursday, Joyce reports.)
Joyce, of the Highland Meadows Neighborhood Association Petwatch in Dallas, gleefully was able to write, “What a glorious conclusion! A series of events has been playing out since yesterday evening (Wednesday) when I received an email from a resident/friend in a nearby neighborhood. She had been searching shelter records for Copper and found a picture of a dog that looked amazingly like him. He was in the Plano Animal Shelter … and had somehow been missed in prior shelter searches. …
"Though the picture looked identical, there were a couple of statements that were puzzling:

“a. This dog was microchipped with the name ‘Flea.’ [Copper was NOT microchipped.]

“b. This dog’s [listed] age was ‘about 6 years.’ (Copper is twice that age; however, no big deal.)

“After the phone call to the shelter (It was 6 p.m. and they were closing), [and] to the person who had the video of the incident while it was happening, and to others who knew Copper, with hopes of getting a confirmation of whether this dog was Copper, I emailed the shelter post to Keith and called him. (I’d wanted to try to get firm confirmation about whether the dog was Copper before telling Keith, but couldn’t.) He knew the minute he saw the picture that it was Copper and at that moment, he basically ‘lost it!’ Tears of joy as his emotion spilled out. But I was saving my own excitement ‘til he confirmed it in person.

“Sure enough, Keith took a friend along and they were at the door of the shelter when they opened at 9 o’clock this [Thursday] morning! Keith had locked his office keys inside the office building earlier and forgot to get gas, so his car died at the moment he pulled into the shelter parking lot! He was sure this dog was Copper! He said he proceeded down the hallway calling out to Copper, who ‘went crazy’ when he saw Keith!
“What a joyful reunion—a story which will touch heartstrings, for sure!

“Turned out, the Plano shelter had microchipped Copper and given him the name of ‘Flea,’ which came about because that popped into an employee’s mind at the time. Keith emphatically says Copper has never had fleas! That WAS a confusing point, though. I had quizzed Keith extensively about how Copper got microchipped when he didn’t know it, never imagining the shelter did it and even gave him a name! The only thing we learned from the shelter was that ‘someone brought him in’ but the date, to me, was the clincher: Same day Copper was taken! Because of ‘open records,’ etc., they would share no information and the owner had to come in.
“So when Keith called to update me this morning, he was on his way back from picking up Copper. He, his friend, and Copper, had stopped at Arby’s to get Copper some celebratory roast beef! I hope to meet Copper soon and give that boy a hug!
“Keith sent an amazing handwritten letter to me, thanking me and all the people who helped him get through this ordeal—that includes all of you who said prayers, put up posters, posted online (Larry), searched shelters, etc. I will always cherish it—it makes everything we do with regard to animals so very worthwhile. Besides his letter, he also verbalized again this same gratitude for so many kind people as I’d spoken with him on the phone. So please know, folks, that you are deeply appreciated! In closing, Keith said so poignantly,
‘Without the help from you and all these wonderful people, I’d be as lost as my boy Copper’.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ll have another story related to this incident in an upcoming edition. In the meantime, remember that there are people who will steal a dog and claim they were simply rescuing it. Watch out for your animals. And, yep, doesn’t it feel good to know Copper is home with his pal Keith. All of these “missing” stories ought to end with such joy!]
— Offer ‘Cheers’ and your opinions on comments below or email them to [email protected]. —-

AS WEEKEND ARRIVES, SO DO OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP DOGS & CATS & CONSIDER UFO'S, ET AL

EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We enter this Friday in anticipation of an alleged cold front arriving in our neck of the Texas woods — well, kind of a prairie, more than a “woods.” Whatever the case, we’re talking dogs and cats and people. We’ll reach from the Greater Metrosprawl (that’s suburban Rottie mix Spike) to the town of Burns Flat, way out in Western Oklahoma. Here we go:
ARE YOU AT ALL FAMILIAR WITH
THE CARTOON CAT SYLVESTER?
Kind of explains the name of this young cat currently looking for a great foster home or an even greater family home. You see Academy Award winning cartoon cat Sylvester on the left and the other two photos are of the Burns Flat, Okla., cat Sylvester. 
The cartoon cat is described by Wikipedia as an “anthropomorphic tuxedo cat” who appeared in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. 
Sylvester the Burns Flat Cat is described as “ready to leave boarding” and, then, Terry Lynn Fisher, the determined rescuer of Burns Flat, gives us the line that will really tick off every cat lover: “This is the sweetheart that was kicked and his jaw cracked.”
She says that to repair the damage, Sylvester “had to be put under so I had them neuter him at the same time. He is totally vetted, very sweet and just needs a safe place.”
He’d been hanging around a Burns flat home. Terry Lynn says, “The people feed several cats. We think his family moved and just left several behind. Some kids were seen kicking him and we are pretty sure that’s what happened.  His jaw was cracked and he was in severe pain.”
Then there’s this description: “He is very loving and friendly.  He has been kenneled way to long.  He just wants out.   He lives to be loved on. He can go anywhere.  We just need a loving home.” 
 Get in touch with Terry Lynn at remembering_ [email protected].
She also needs some supplies for the Burns Flat Animal Shelter — her personal mission is to keep it no-kill.  As you may know, it has “outdoor kennels” in a town that’s right in the path of winter storms and winter winds and winder temps. “I hate dealing with outdoor kennels,” she says. “We need blankets and small water buckets (that won’t freeze). Tarps and Zip Ties. It’s about that time.”
 When you email her, ask about dogs that need help, too. She’s always got some that were down on their luck —until she found them. Luck got better. Again: [email protected].
SPIKE EARNS BIOGRAPHER’S TITLE:
‘MY FAVORITE DOG AT THE SHELTER’
Our pal Judi Brown, one of the volunteer dog biographers at the Mesquite Animal Services shelter, began this report with this passage: 
“Spike is my favorite dog at the shelter and has been patiently waiting for someone to recognize his sterling qualities. I think so much of Spike that I am pledging $125 to a 501(c)(3) in the form of a check (private message Judi Brown) to someone that will save him! Please please help this patient, sweet, loving dog to get out of the shelter.”
He came into the shelter on Sept. 23 after his humans lost their home in hard times. Judi says, “They also lost a very fine dog who could be classified as a ‘southern gentleman.’ He is gentle, loving, easy-going and friendly.” He’s a happy guy, lived with other dogs and kids and likes to lay. Spike (#45589040) is around 7 years old and weighs about 70 pounds. He’s an indoor dog. Likes to be with the family.”
To ask about saving Spike, call the Mesquite shelter at 972-216-6283 or e-mail [email protected].
That 3- to 4-year-old German Shepherd/Norwegian Elkhound mix is Preston who arrived as a stray on Oct. 16. Judi writes, “It’s hard to imagine why his owners have not come looking for him because, besides being very attractive, he’s got a delightful personality!” She says he had a “pending adoption” but the people stood him up. So, he’s waiting He’s an explorer and he is treat-motivated. He weighs 45 pounds. He’s #45908769.
Same contact points as for Spike.
And use them also for Billie (#45938482), this 11-year-old, 54-pound, spayed mixed-breed girl. 
Judi says she’s a “very sweet-natured oldster. The family brought her in and the surrender form had “a cryptic ‘other dogs getting attention’. They requested that the dog be euthanized.”
She’d lived 9 of her 11 years with that family. Judi says she walks well on a leash, ignores other dogs, enjoyed being petted and show affection. Billie walks a “little stiffly” so may have aging issues with arthritis, Judi says.
But, for Judi, the bottom line is, “Billie is a friendly girl and deserves better than to end her life in a city shelter.”
Again, to help these dogs, use their ID numbers when you call the Mesquite shelter at 972-216-6283 or e-mail [email protected].
LANCASTER REMINDER:
CUDDLY CAT & RASCAL DOG
In an earlier edition this week, we cited the cat Chase, a male Tiger Tabby, who had to be awakened so his photo could be taken at the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
Our tipsters, the folks at 4-Legged Helpers, send new photos of the formerly sleepy cat — as you can see, he easily transitions in to “Cuddly Cat” status. Beyond cute and would be quite happy filling the position of “Lap Cat” in a nice, quiet, loving home. 

Then, here’s a note to my fellow Boomers. Remember when we’d watch reruns of Little Rascals on TV in the ‘60s and Spanky, Darla, Buckwheat, Stymie and Froggy would all be palin’ around with a dog named Petie and wearing a big spotted eye? Lancaster has a 21st Century Petie. He’s “sweet and loving” and “adores everyone and everything. Super cute and lovable,” says the 4-Legged Helpers’ note.
Ask about these adoptable adorables or any other animals in Lancaster, Wilmer, Glenn Heights and other small shelters by calling or texting 4-Legged Helpers President Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
ONE MORE NOTE
ABOUT THE SPCA OF TEXAS
When I was writing Thursday’s story about the SPCA’s latest grant that will help with adoptions, I needed to get the photo of one more dog into the mix. So, here’s Sugar Bear (#43875513) at the SPCA of Texas. 
She’s a 6-year-old spayed Lab Mix.
Sugar Bear arrived at the SPCA via a cruelty case back in February. She was, her bio reads, “so incredibly scared.” The staff and her foster mom have worked with her to elevate her from “terrorized” to “a laid-back girl who doesn’t trust easy.” That is improvement and it means she’ll need a patient family to give her that new, non-threatening home. Go to spca.org to see how to set up your adoption appointment with Sugar Bear.
CONTEMPLATIONS
RANDI, STARS, UFOS
When I was a newspaper columnist (many years at The Formerly Big Paper Downtown in Dallas, I could always depend on eerie happenings, UFOs and other oddities (some elected officials) to help me fill up my spot in Metro. Maybe that’s why the announcement of the death of The Amazing Randi at 92 took me on a memory ride down the Strange Highway. Randi was a magician and a debunker and entertaining — I first saw him on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (kids, you can look it up) and he did such things as prove that a guy who claimed to bend spoons with his mind was really just a clever trickster who wasn’t using his mind. Read about Randi in The Hollywood Reporter HERE. As we used to say, “When he died it was in all the papers.” Google him. You’ll see. That’s a vintage Randi promotional poster I got off the internet.
Remembering Randi took me back to the days of The Eclectic Viewpoint, a Dallas-based organization run by the great Cheyenne Turner — we lost her in 1998. But she’s remembered by many people who went to programs sponsored by The Eclectic Viewpoint — the organization gave every theory and story a chance to express itself. People could judge for themselves whether a UFO story was right or whether a speaker I met, Alfred “Al” Bielek, REALLY was the time-traveling sailor from the USS Eldridge’s 1943 “cloaking experiment” who inspired the sci-fi movie The Philadelphia Experiment. Google Al and see the stories and videos. …
In the meantime, 2020 has been the kind of odd year that would have produced lots of upcoming programs for The Eclectic Viewpoint. And, in case you thought 2020 was strange, perhaps you don’t remember 2018 when a Congressional candidate in Florida explained that she’d been taken captive by space aliens. (That's a photo from the 1951 film The Day The Earth Stood Still.) The UFO story told by Bettina Rodriguez-Aguilera was reported widely and by The Miami Herald HERE.  She is still involved in politics. And before you scoff, let me just testify that when I was working as a newspaper reporter, editor and columnist I’d sometimes find myself doing late-night visits to entertaining bars — they were open in Texas in those days. And, you know that bar scene in the first Star Wars? Yeah. Compared to what I'd seen in Dallas bars, it didn’t look that much like fiction to me.
—- Offer UFO Tales, Magic Tricks & Skeptic Thoughts by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected] (put “ATTENTION EARTHLINGS” in the subject line. —-

A SKUNK VISITS; FERAL CATS' NEED; SPCA'S GRANT; CONTRASTING CONTEMPLATIONS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2020 [PetPowellPress] We’ve noted the animal adventures of critterfans Della and David Wallace through the years. This latest adventure doesn’t have a photograph of the lead player in the story, but, you can tell something happened. For a while we were monitoring the comings and goings of a raccoon family, including this guy Zorro. 
Earlier in the week, Della sent this note: “Now we have a large skunk living in the garage. I think I’ll call her Blossom. 😷”

Nobody’s sure if the skunk is a he or she — who but a properly dressed wildlife expert would attempt to “gender define” a polecat? I suggested that Blossom, if a girl, perhaps she’s looking for a place to have her babies. And the next note I got from Della at what I call “The Wallace Visiting Wildlife Society” (WVWS) was this good-hearted note from Della The Rescuer: “Don’t know why she sprayed the garage! I fed her, the ungrateful little devil 😂😷😷😷😷.” Stay tuned for the next adventurous moment in the WVWS’s garage!
SPEAKING OF RESCUES,
HERE’S A CHALLENGE
FROM ‘OUT BY THE LAKE’

As you know, the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake live up to the name in a number of ways. Here’s an example that came in an appeal from our pal Sydney Busch, the longtime spokesperson and guiding light of the Friends. It’s an appeal that went to the non-profits supporter list and to rescues and shelters “we work with,” Sydney says.
The Friends operate the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas, on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake. Here’s how that comes in handy.
Sydney writes, “See if you've heard this tale before: Woman has at least 30 feral cats at her house...all un-neutered. She is in the hospital right now - does not know when she will be able to return home.

“She needs help trapping and then needs some place to take them. I am speaking with her neighbor who is not a cat person. She lives in Henderson County — has spoken with animal control who told her they would not come out and trap the cats. 

“Anyone have some good Samaritans who can help her with this?  If she is willing to take responsibility (like feeding) for any/some, we can spay/neuter at low/no cost to her.”
 Call the helpful neighbor at 903-681-8277 or contact Sydney at [email protected] or at 903-451-4701 or 214-808-4701. 

SPCA GETS GRANT
TO HELP WITH ADOPTIONS
So we got this news release from the SPCA of Texas on Wednesday and it reports this: “The SPCA of Texas has received a $5,000 grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) and Subaru Loves Pets, in partnership with Sewell Subaru of Dallas, to support the adoption of pets from the SPCA of Texas’ Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas and the Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney on October 24, 2020.” (This will prep “25-30 animals for adoption” by financing spay/neuter procedures, microchipping, heart worm tests, etc. — about $200 per animal, the SPCA says.) 
So, you may wonder, “What kind of animal can I get?”
I went to spca.org to look at the adoptions and these two animals caught my attention. 
That beautiful kitten is Boston (#45594068), a 3-month-old small formerly wandering cat. As some of you sharp-eyed breed experts may recognize right away, Boston is an Earhoundus Felinus HIrsutus Tuftedus, or, moving from Latin/Greek, or Lateek, into English “a kitten with ears that have to be combed!”
And that dog is Wicket (#4146211) a Terrier mix fellow who is just over 12-years-old and can’t quite abide kids younger than he is. He was surrendered when his owner “no longer had time for him.” [LARRY EXCLAMATION: Dagnabit, he’s 12 years old and he’s a happy homedog — how much time could the ol’ gent take up?] But he does “love to be petted and rolls over so you can scratch his belly.” And, you’ll note, Wicket also qualifies for our treasured Earhound Designation -- he's an Earhoundus Canis Hirsutus Tuftedus.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ONE A PHOTO FROM THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT,
THE OTHER — WELL, CALL IT DISENCHANTMENT
These are two roadside photos from Animal Advocates in two different states. Not sure how different. One is New Mexico and the other is Texas. I’m starting with the one from Texas because if I don’t, it’ll really end this Contemplation on a “down” trajectory. 
Here’s the Texas roadside photo.

We learned of this situation through veteran Dallas rescuer/advocate Beverly Fyfe who says the contact is Andrea Grimes. (Her Facebook link is HERE ) Andrea wrote, “Dogs abandoned in Dialville (close to Jacksonville, Texas). Owner moved. Neighbors are trying to feed. Urgent rescue needed!! Share and tag. I will only give the location to a rescue.”
Now we get to this wonderful “roadside photograph” from New Mexico. It was taken by someone we quote all the time regarding rescuing animals, Karen Lee — she and her husband Dennis founded the pro-animal website barkleyworld.com in 2013 in honor of their pup Barkley. This photo was taken Wednesday.Yeah, it appears to be full-on autumn in New Mexico.

Karen explained, “Beautiful drive to Sunspot today…” Sunspot is in the Sacramento Mountains and the Lincoln National Forest and near Cloudcroft. But, as you can see from this brilliant scene, there is a reason New Mexico is the “Land of Enchantment.” As you might say to a pro-photographer, "Nice shootin', Karen!"
—- Offer good thoughts & happy ideas for the rest of 2020 by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-