ReadLarryPowell.com

A HAPPY NEW YEAR MESSAGE WITH WILL ROGERS FROM AN AMERICAN CAT, THE SENATOR

[LARRY ASIDE: We have offered this space for the holiday to our dear friend and trusted advisor, The Senator, an lntellectual individual with a sense of decency and justice. He suggested it could be our long-weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, with a good share of philosophy and politics, too. Please read on.]
Hello and Happy New Year 2021!
I am The Senator, as you Dear Readers know. I am a wander-up dignitary currently living in the Embassy of The American Feline Foundation for Clear Thought and Reduction of Apprehension.
I retain no current affiliation with the Upper House in Washington, D.C., but that was of my own choosing. There are better guilt-free things to do than spend public money.
 I am reshaping my career path, reorganizing my thoughts and reassessing my approach to each day. 

I think of humans and believe, “A cat shall lead the way.” 
And, I am writing this in the happy surrounding that gives me companionship and a number of nice places to catnap.
Speaking of sleep, some of you are reading this on the 31st and you will be up a little later than usual and will, of course, get some sleep once the traditional and idiotic gunfire and fireworks go quiet.
 Others of you may be reading this on New Years’s Day and you will appreciate the fact that there is no loud soundtrack to aggravate your self-inflicted headache. We’ll pause now so you can take some headache pills and, perhaps, slug down a properly-dissolved bicarbonate in a glass or a plastic, whichever you were drinking from on New Year’s Eve when you fell asleep around sun-up on the 1st.
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: Those are my colleagues, the older Rottie Texas Earl the Cheeseman and the entertaining dog of unknown heritage, Porche Noel. They are sacked out on Porche’s  Ol' Hippie Rug of Transitional Contemplation and trying to get over the pressure of barking repeated unexpected-noise alerts for hours on New Year’s Eve.]
As a veteran feline, I will now make use of my powers of observation and hope to encourage each of you to get a grip for the new year. True, I may be bold with my suggestions, but, really, don’t we all need a better grip for 2021 than we had on 2020. Get the grip on the year before the year gets a grip on us, right?

I watched a lot of TV news during the past year — the number of people with a firm grip on reality you could count on the toes of maybe two paws on a good day.
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: That tabby cat is my feline colleague Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson, a veteran of public service who is quite comfortable napping on the household’s faux buffalo robe. As is the girl Porche Noel. She’ll sleep anywhere. I don’t know why she didn’t stay longer in Washington.]
What can you do to have a happy new year? Wear a mask, of course. Wash your paws. And, as a Feline of Faith, I’d suggest that you get some faith, too. Have a foundation for progress and a goal of doing good. What would be so bad about that? And for mewing out loud, do this: Be nice, be kind, be honest, share your goodness.
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: When it comes to being nice, I cite this dog Wendy, aka Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden, a formerly unwanted Dallas puppy who has become accustomed to the comfort of a former law office’s waiting room recliner. That girl knows furniture!]

While, as The Honorable Senator, I chose not to partake in the party lifestyle on New Year’s Eve, I did have some friends who did. Nothing’s quite as tedious as finding out your ex-colleagues in the U.S. Capitol Building are prone to drunk-dialing you on New Year’s Eve.
So, yes, learn something about your nation in 2021. For example, your first lesson is biographical in nature. Study up on Will Rogers, the Cowboy Philosopher, the Oklahoma Cowboy, the actor, the entertainer, the legend.
Drunk-dialing by my former Capitol colleagues reminds me of a quote from Mr. Rogers: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
And, I’m not real certain about the context of this quote from Mr. Rogers, but I do recall my time in the Upper House when I marveled at this line: “About all I can say for the United States Senate is that it opens with a prayer and closes with an investigation.” 
Funny how some quotes from the last century might fit into this century.
Now, as someone who has, in his honorable service to the nation, read assorted bills and proposals presented in the center of American government, I am quite fond of this next wise expression from Mr. Rogers. If you’ve been thinking about all the “throw-this-in-too” items that in the recent spending bill, you may appreciate this quote, too.
Mr. Rogers, one clever cat, said, “If I studied all my life, I couldn't think up half the number of funny things passed in one session of Congress.”
[THE SENATOR ASIDE: That dog on the rug with artsy squares is my friend Dudley the Angel, a Border Collie/Chocolate Lab mix who prefers a solid flat surface as a foundation for his happy dreams. Can you get any more American than that? Comfort and dreams on a solid foundation.]
Let me do a quick reminder of who Mr. Rogers was — he lived from 11/4/1879 to 8/15/35 when he died in a plane crash in the U.S. Territory of Alaska. He was born in Indian Territory (the proper political designation, abbreviated "I.T." in newspaper datelines.) That was long before the Sooners came into I.T. to settle unclaimed property in the Land Rush of 1889. And that rush was long before the OU Sooners existed and long before they (and all those Texas-produced football stars) thumped the University of Florida, 55-20, in the 2020 Cotton Bowl — a good year for OU, a bad evening for the Gators.

Back to Will Rogers: He identified as a Cherokee and once said, “My ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.”
He also declared, “America is a land of opportunity and don’t ever forget it.”

And he also said this, a message particularly important for 2021 in the United States and the whole wide world: “We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.“
So, maybe for 2021 we can all not just think about things and react to them, but consider the opportunities and the consequences before we do anything.
in particular, we need to let the people who work for us, people who sought our support — from the Oval Office to the city council and schoolboards -- know what we really want in America. We have to tell them, otherwise the only thing we’ll actually know about them is they were clever enough or lucky enough to get elected. And getting elected was just the opportunity to do the job we hired them to do. Look around — anybody can get elected. Who can actually do the work?
As an Independent Cat, I could close with this famous quote from Mr. Rogers: “I am not a member of any organized political party. i am a Democrat.” 
But, that would be unfair to both disorganized sides of the aisle.
Or, 
I could close with this: “All I know is just what I read in the papers and that’s an alibi for my ignorance.” But, check those 2020 circulation figures — not so many people with a printed alibi for ignorance these days.
Remember that miserable 2020 political campaign and how it spread from the campaign trail to your TV set. Will said this about politics: “Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.”
I found a funny Will quote that has an element of predicting the future in it. He said decades ago, “I hope some of the men who get the most votes will be elected.”

And, there you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, from your appreciative cat, The Senator. I have endeavored to be truthful and inspirational.
In the wake of this celebration of the arrival of the year 2021, I now retire to the lap of luxury, i.e., my confidante Larry’s funspouse Martha’s lap. Only a cat could diagram that sentence.
And, yes, I will nod off without regret, something I’m sure a lot of young partiers with pounding sinuses and sloshy brainpans wish they could do on New Year’s Day, 2021.

Happy New Year, Dear Readers, and God bless the United States of America and the rest of the world, too. Protect the animals and love them.
Honorably,

The Senator
Your Proven Public Servant
Comforting Cat 2024*

*I may have jumped the gun on that announcement. -- The Sen
—- Offer applause or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

TRYING TO BE UPBEAT AS THE RUGGED YEAR OF 2020 REACHES THE LAST DAY

EDITION OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Imagine that! The last dateline for 2020. Let me call a “time out” to remind people to protect your animals from the sounds and sights of fireworks. Some knuckleheads won’t, but they weren't reading this, anyway. As my dear friend, a devoted name-not-disclosed churchworker says of such unkind people, “There’s a special place for you.”

Now, about the year 2020: I get the feeling that a bruised and battered year is running alongside our time-travelin’ bus and crying out to us all, “IT’S NOT MY FAULT! BLAME THE HUMANS!” Somebody sloppily tinkered with a virus; other people made election year an unpleasant experience. So, maybe, I think the poor year is right and the refs oughta send 2020 to the “blue tent for concussion protocol.” Not sure how we’ll exit 2020 on a 100 percent upbeat note in this edition, but we’ll give it a shot.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE UPBEAT
AS WE BRING 2020 TO A WEARY CLOSE

OK, good hearts. Gail Whelan at Companion Animal Network, headquartered in a mostly rural East Texas county, is trying to get in one more good rescue before the calendar turns over to 2021. She writes, “Someone contacted me about this dog.  He was found a few days ago and the people who found him WILL NOT foster. There are no shelters out here so he will be turned out in the woods or worse.

“He is still a pup, maybe 6 months old, is all I know. Trying to get him to a vet for basic exam and shots.” Email Gail at can.adoptions@yahoo.com to tell her you can help this young dog as 2020 draws to a close. It’ll be a good thing to do. [LARRY ASIDE: If someone beats you to this dog, ask Gail what else she’s got waiting for help! It’s not like there’s an off-switch on the idiots who put animals at peril. Such a switch would be an “upbeat invention” for 2020 or any year!]
***
LARRY CONFESSION: I need to spend about a week killing out emails I’ve gotten since about a month before election day and in the ensuing weeks and days. If I were going to finish this confession with an upbeat note, I’d have started it with “You won’t believe all the crap I got in my inbox from both sides in this election!” I’m an old-school journalist — be fair and accurate in reporting. Let the unvarnished truth speak for itself. If you think you want to respond to this assertion, ask yourself, “Do I really want to confess how I spent 2021 typing ugly notes in the middle of a Pandemic?”
***
MONITOR YOUR CITY’S
ANIMAL SHELTER/SHELTERS
Remember, the New Year arrives on Friday and shelters may be closed — check the websites if you suddenly decide you want to adopt a dog or cat on New Year’s Day. Might have better luck on New Year’s Eve — google your shelter and check the inventory and the hours.
We’ve selected this dog from the Facebook page of Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center to illustrate the concept of being adorable for the New Year. Who is he? He is Peter Potamus (#A1111885). Ask about him at dallasanimalservices.org.

***
LARRY CONFESSION: One of the emails I’m going to enjoy deleting has this subject line: “Eat these to shave pounds off your stomach…These 11 desserts actually melt fat off your body.” I’ve been dieting for decades. The word “dessert” is NEVER used in connection with a successful diet. Never. Unless someone has come up with Kale Surprise Pudding or “Crunchy Peppermint Onion Petals.”
***
‘PASSENGER #1 CHLOE,’
BEGAN THE STORY…
My young friend of more than a half-century Bobbie Malsh of Shreveport posted this photo on Wednesday. (You may recall the Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap feature we did on Bobbie and her dogs and hubby Jim in mid-September. She’s a volunteer with the non-profit animal-movers, Louisiana Transport.) I found this photograph from Bobbie to be wonderfully upbeat for the ebbing of 2020. The explanation of the photo? “Passenger #1 Chloe to Arkadelphia today.” Bobbie says Chloe’s whole trip was from New Iberia, La., to Dover, Ark. Yes, when a good heart is taking a good dog to a good place — that’s an upbeat event! Looks like a dog who’d be cheerful over being adored.
***
LARRY CONFESSION: I got an e-mail titled “Winter Driving Tips and Road Conditions” aimed at potential wintry conditions in the Metrorink. In all the years I’ve lived in this area, I’ve had two wrecks — 40 years apart — both in sunny, dry weather, both with uninsured motorists. So, my assertion is it doesn’t matter what kind of weather we have, someone’s always a lousy, inattentive, don’t-care driver on the highways of North Texas.
***
KEEPING UP
WITH THE TRAVELERS
Legendary Foster Mom Patty Sprong posted this photo and wrote, “This is the little girl I transported a while back. She got her nasty teeth cleaned and is now ready for adoption through Oak Hill Animal Rescue.” (You can see this healthy, adorable girl Daisy and other Oak Hill adoptables by clicking HERE). I’d say it’s pretty upbeat at the end of a year to learn that an animal you helped is now in a position of being adopted into a wonderful home that’ll love her so much that she’ll be totally excited to be loving 'em back!
A CAT’S PHILOSOPHY
OF LIFE CHANGES
We spotted this photograph on David Maldonado’s Facebook page as we were looking for upbeat notes to end the year. David is a Dallas Street Dog Advocates vice president and Lifesaving Initiatives Coordinator at the SPCA of Texas. We’re not sure where this cat is right now, but the message was upbeat. Readlarrypowell.com is friends with many cats and a few of them are formerly feral kittens. You can tell the difference. If a kitten's feral, reactions are employed before thought processes. But that can change. 
David posted this photo of the cat cuddled by a human and this explanatory text: “When the shelter feral cat decides he no longer wants to be a feral.” Can I get some upbeat “amens” for the end of 2020. Save the ferals; love the ferals; spay and neuter the ferals! Three easy steps to helping cats avoid unpleasant moments in life for an upbeat 2021.

CONTEMPLATIONS
MONET, A TYPEWRITER & ONE CONSONANT
Now, you’re going to see this photo of our cat Monet and wonder about it. So, here’s the story — and it’s upbeat, I swear. She was one of our front porch ferals from our old house in the southern Oak Cliff section of Dallas. Through the years we’re caught many ferals, had them fixed, found them homes, got them into safe places. Now and then we’d keep one. Monet, named for her exquisite beauty, was one we kept. That was an outdoor photo we took on the day I convinced her to come on in and join the gang. Monet was a devoted indoor cat after she learned of the concept of "indoors." Monet even practiced playing Martha's harp. She was extraordinarily affectionate. She loved to cuddle. Loved to be held. Adored being adored. And, then, one day in late spring 2020, in her young adult years, she began to change. She was not herself — it was alarming. Her vets and their staff and all of us were trying to get Monet through whatever she was going through. It was a roller coaster ride. She’d improve; she’d fail. And the villain turned out to be something ugly with her liver that just couldn’t be defeated. And sweet, wonderful, beautiful Monet died while we held her. It was a release from suffering and the very ill little girl finished off her earthly relationship with us by purring sweetly to the end. The upbeat part of this story is our little cat lives on in our hearts. She’ll always be there. What a privilege it was to know her, a joy to love her. I though you ought to know how a great cat will affect a human heart. …
I found hope for the future on a neighborhood bulletin board page. A woman wrote, “My daughter wanted a typewriter for Christmas so I got her one, but it needs to be serviced. Does anyone do this on the side for reasonable rates or can recommend a place that won’t break the bank? It looks to be a very old typewriter. Thanks in advance.” No idea for that repair query, but I will tell you that I felt upbeat when I read that a young person wanted a typewriter. Why? Because when you write on a manual typewriter, you can feel what you’re writing. And all you really have to learn —rather than computer tricks — is how to change the ribbon and how to work carbon paper. That Underwood, by the way, looks a lot like some of the first newsroom typewriters I encountered at The Texarkana Gazette in 1965 -- it was only about 40 years old then -- young by newsroom equipment standards. Be nice to walk into an office in 2021 and hear the clattering of a typewriter — in a museum, probably. …
Speaking of typing, online I ran across a story on The Herald Weekly site titled “Women of the 70’s Amazing Careers.” Right away I spotted the misplacement of the apostrophe — veteran editor, you know. In the opening to the item about actress Adrienne Barbeau, the writer described her as the “Scream Queen of the 80’s,” again misplacing the apostrophe — it represents the omitted “19” not anything possessive. (That’s a photo from 1982’s Swamp Thing.) Then came this paragraph in which one lousy incorrect consonant changed the entire meaning of a marriage. The long sentence reads, “Besides the time she spends on screen, she likes to spend her time with her husband Billy Van Zandt and their two twin boys as well as with her son from Adrienne’s precious marriage.” If you say “twin” you don’t need say “two,” but never mind that. If only the letter “v” had replaced the letter “c” in “precious” accuracy might have prevailed in the description of Ms. Barbeau’s previous marriage. No what eye mien?
— Offer upbeat notes for 2020 by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put “PREPOSTEROUS” in the subject line. —-

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR DECEMBER 30 FROM THE RESILIENT RESCUER IN BURNS FLAT, OKLA.

[A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT INSPIRATION: You may have seen references in  readlarrypowell.com's editions over the years to Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, a little town way out in far west Oklahoma. She's a relentless rescuer. "Why?", you may have asked. Here's what Terry Lynn wrote and sent us today. There are no photos. The pictures would be distressing. But you'll see them in your heart.]

Terry Lynn wrote:
"December 30th, 2002... a day that changed my life forever.   

"I was off of work for Christmas break.  My young sons were home, too.  

"We had four puppies. That had been born to a stray we took in. They were 9 months old at that time.   I couldn’t find homes I approved for those four.  (The one that was with Oddball that day, Stubby, lived to be 16 with me) 

"They had been getting out of the fence so I was out back fixing it.  Two of them slipped under and ran around the corner.  I called in to the boys and told them to go get them.  Within five minutes, she was dead.  

"A city official was down the street shooting a skunk.  He saw my dogs and drove up to them.  He stepped out of the truck, whistled for them, and as they ran to him, happy and thinking someone wanted to love them, he opened fire.    This evil man shot her in the street, four times, before ending the suffering he inflicted on her.

"He bagged her and threw her in the back of the truck.

"We were devastated. I could not believe this had happened. Yes, she shouldn’t have been out but she also didn’t deserve to die that way.  

"I later learned this was what this horrible person did to every dog he saw loose.  There were so many missing dog posters at the post office.  It all made sense after that.

"I vowed to prevent that from ever happening again.  I fought the entire Town Hall when I learned the way they euthanized the dogs at the pound. They took them out back and shot them in the head.  I promised Oddball I would fight to keep that from happening again. 

"It took 3 1/2 more years before it all fell into place but in July of 2006, I worked it out where I would take over the pound and get the animals into rescues.

"From that day on, I took on total responsibility for the pound  dogs.  Clean, feed, walk, provide all supplies and food, search for rescues transport. From the moment they enter 'til the moment they leave. As a volunteer.
"And from the day I took over, I took this pound from being 99% KILL to 0 % kill ...
"It's sometimes so overwhelming that I feel like I can’t continue.  Then, I look into their eyes and know I can not ever stop. Stopping would mean their death.  

"But with the help of wonderful people, we continue to save their lives.   

"So on this day, EIGHTEEN YEARS after my innocent Oddball was gunned down by a soulless person, I will whisper my prayer for her and continue to move forward and save what we can.

"Oddball didn’t die in vain...as sad as I was over her murder, it is because of Oddball that thousands more have been saved.
"Remembering Oddball: Today, tomorrow, forever 💕"

[LARRY NOTE: Dear Readers, Terry Lynn's email address has, for years, been remembering_oddball@yahoo.com. Every time I type it into an email or a story seeking help with an animal in Burns Flat, I think about that dog I never met and how inspirational she became. Tery Lynn became inspirational, too. Bless Terry Lynn's heart and keep it strong.  Save 'em all. Wherever you live.]

TIME MOVE ON, SO DOES THE GUY WHO DUMPED A DOG; OTHER TALES: CATS & PEGASUS, TOO

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30, 2020 [PetPowellPress] The clock is ticking toward the final day of the year.
Did we really think -- back on the final day of February 2020 -- that this was a year that needed an extra day? Got that answer in a hurry, didn't we! Turns out this was a Leap Year that would come to inspire use of the common phrase, i.e., "Take a flying leap, 2020." [LARRY NOTE: That's my personal feline counselor, The Senator, in his public service mode. He's reminding us of the line from French novelist Colette, "Time spent with cats is never wasted.”]

Let's just acknowledge, also, that there are a lot of animal rescuers and rescue groups that would have benefitted in 2020 if I were better at picking lucky lotto numbers.
AN OBREGON RESCUE
'FOUND AT 4:30 A.M.,'
[LARRY ASIDE: I first wrote about rescuer Judy Obregon several years ago. So, on Wednesday morning, I popped open my Facebook page and found this story from Judi. We should all remember that during one of the most annoying and threatening years since the last century, the animal rescuers and animal advocates have continued to be dependable. Read on, please.]
Judy Obregon's post begins, "It never gets easier finding them, and why I continue routine searches!" 
This one happened at Echo Lake in Fort Worth, Judi reported. She found this dog at 4:30 a.m.
She wrote this personal message to the dog's human and I hope you'll see the strong theme: 
"To the person (s) who left him, I just want you to know that when I pulled up to him he wagged his tail, seemed happy to see me. Until he realized ( I'm assuming ) I wasn't you !!! 

"He went back to the trashcan you left him at to wait for you!!! He would not leave that spot. After 45 minutes I was able to convince him I was there to help him.

"You left him in the most dangerous spot!

"You need to know that he felt hurt!

"Ugh , I will never understand how people can do this and sleep at night .
"He's safe now!!!"
 She closed with these hashtags: #animalsarenotdisposable #taoanimalrescue.
SOMETHING UPBEAT
ABOUT ADDY THE DOG
[LARRY ASIDE: I'm beginning to think Texas is the nation's leading supplier of great formerly unwanted dogs. Consider the facts in this story about Addy, the German Shepherd.]
We've mentioned Addy's plight in Denton for the past two editions and now we have a note about Addy's success. Credit people with the rescue!
 Our tipster, Amy Poskey, writes, "I am just SO HAPPY to report that Addy has left the building!!!  Our wonderful Bill Duncan just pulled her for Renee Riegel with Greater Dayton Lab Rescue in Ohio!!!  THANK YOU, RENEE!!!  Addy will be going to boarding for a few days and then Bill will temp foster her until transport to Ohio!  I want to thank everyone for helping make this happen!  Happy life, Addy!!!"

You may recall that Addy came out of a cruelty situation, was in bite-quarantine for a while (details posted previously) and she's got a smiling face that sets an example for us all.
Amy sent along two ways to donate to Addy's care so her life in Ohio can have a headstart! The rescue links are: https://www.gdlrr.org/ and
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterDaytonLabRescue/.
DOGS AND CATS
IN SMALL SHELTERS...
Our latest correspondence from 4-Legged Helpers leads off with a "gentle, sweet and loving" female Gray Tortie named Smokey. She becomes available for rescue or adoption on Wednesday the 30th -- she was found before Christmas. She's described as a "gray" cat, but her bio reads, "She has beautiful swirls of pastel but is mostly gray." And there's this: "Fine with being held -- purrs." To ask about adopting her or rescuing her call or text 4-Legged Helpers' Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
Remember, Lancaster still has dogs available for rescue or adoption, including the "Tri-Color Aussie Shepherd Mix" fellow named Paxton who is "just so gentle and sweet and lovable."

And young male Bulldog mix Trevor is available also. He is "Not a very big dog -- and he is just as cute as cute can be," according to the 4-Legged Helpers.
Then, there's this still-waiting dog Teddy, also known as "Peanut."
He's the dog who, in September, was found bleeding profusely at the traditional southern Dallas dumping grown at Malloy Bridge. He'd been fed rat poison. It nearly killed him.
But Teddy has recovered.
And he is a sweet boy who is available for a great life in a wonderful home.
Get in touch with Laura -- call or text her at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
DOGS WITH GREAT FOOTWORK...
Checkout the poses by these two dogs currently awaiting rescue or homes at the Mesquite Animal Services Shelter.
Our tipster, volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm, says Koa is an American Bulldog mix who was surrendered on the 28th "because of financial reasons." The 88-pound dog is about 3 and "fixed," and, the original owner told the shelter, 
has lived outdoors, is house-trained, as well as "loving, protective, playful and very active." He's been in the process of decompressing after suddenly losing the only home and the only people he's ever known. Debra's note says, "Koa walks well on a leash. He has a mild manner and is calm and gentle." Not keen on cats. His shelter ID is 46329965.
Check out the grin on Saint! Debra's note says he is a mix whose family tree includes Canaan Dog/Carolina Dog. Why is Saint in the shelter?
The note reads that he "was seized by the police on 12/11 and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter.  Saint's owner had a medical issue, was rushed to the hospital and subsequently passed away.  None of the family members is able to take Saint.  This fellow weighs 59 pounds and is approximately 3 years old.  He is not neutered.  Saint walks nicely on a leash. ... He has a mellow personality, is well-mannered, calm and gentle.  He is however, active and lively.  Though Saint is friendly, during the photo shoot he was most interested in exploring the yard and did not interact a lot with me.  Doubtless he would make a faithful companion with his sweet and gentle nature."
His ID is 45995635. Use it when you email the shelter at rescues@cityofmesquite.com or when calling the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email at rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Same contact points for Koa.
CONTEMPLATIONS
PRAISE PEGASUS' & CONSIDER CATS!
Get ready for the glow of the small screen for the big show Pegasus Theatre performers in Dallas. Pegasus, known famously for the "Living Black & White" productions of original mysteries by founder/writer Kurt Kleinmann, is pulling together a triumph on the screen with its 35th anniversary production of "A Trifle Dead! - The Movie.” A Pegasus news release read, "After much debate and watching the numbers, we concluded there is no way to produce a live show that would be safe for cast, crew, and audience." Thus, Pegasus is "producing our first online show" -- it's also the show playwright Kleinmann wrote that introduced decades of audiences to "the inept but endearing detective Harry Hunsacker and friends Nigel Grouse and Lt. Foster." Go to pegasustheatre.org to read more about the production and click on this Eisemann Center SITE to get tickets into a whole new world of theatrical production for A Trifle Dead -- The Movie. If things go right for the theatre world and the rest of the world, too, there probably will be actual live-and-in-person Pegasus productions in 2021. APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
In our opening for today's edition, we referenced a quote by the French novelist Colette: "Time spent with cats is never wasted." She wrote Gigi, which became an Audrey Hepburn musical. In doing research on this writer we found a story about her on a website called Johnny Times. It addresses "The Art and Science of Storytelling, Presented by the Abyssinian Cat Johnny." That site is where we found this photo of Colette dressed as a cat. How about that! Here's the Johnny Times link to the Colette story. SOME PURRS! SOME PURRS!
FYI, that moody photo is of the flocked Christmas tree my merryyulespouse Martha decorated and we’ll leave up until Groundhog Day when The Senator, napping in the foreground, traditionally puts on his groundhog suit and avoids his shadow. I’m kidding. That tree comes down after New Year’s Day — we leave the lights up until the time change on March 14. Everybody needs a cat who can celebrate in costume. Before his public service position, The Senator had been in so many horror films that he became a member of the Scream Actor’s Guild.
--- OFFER STAGE ADVICE OR LOTTO NUMBERS BY CLICKING ON 'COMMENTS' BELOW OR BY EMAILING DALLRP@AOLCOM AND PUT 'STAGE FRIGHT MEMORY LAPSE' IN THE SUBJECT LINE! ---

A MISSING TREE; A DOG IN A FIX; HELPING ANIMALS AND A BICARB, PLEASE.

EDITION OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Before we get to the “nobody’s asking about Addy” story, let me tell you that The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a story about the disappearance of the “Homeless Christmas Tree” — a community yuletide tradition just west of Oakland atop a hill on the northside of I-30. The tree (that’s a picture from Texas Country Reporter’s recent happier episode), has been decorated for decades and seen by millions of travelers through the years. It has suddenly vanished. Here’s the LINK to reporter Gordon Dickson’s Star-Telegram story on the mysterious removal of the original tree and its successor tree. 
Lots of TV newscasts have spotlighted the tree, lots of newspaper columnists have written about it and Texas Country Reporter, Bob Phillip’s great show, featured it during this 2020 Christmas season.
Yet, this Fort Worth tradition is gone like it was in the way of a Dallas developer’s parking lot project. More to come on the “who did it and why," we suspect. And hope. What PR firm is going to get to explain that mistake?
BACK TO THE SUBJECT
OF ADDY AND HER NEEDS
We posted the story of Addy in our previous edition. From Amy Poskey, our veteran Denton tipster, we learned that Addy needs a home, that she was in a cruelty case and that she’d bitten someone.
Amy issued a follow-up notice about Addy on Tuesday. And it’s worth reading if you’re on the fence about adopting this beautiful German Shepherd. Amy wrote, “Some of you have asked why Addy was a cruelty case and why she has been labeled ‘dangerous’ so I would like to provide more info on this beautiful girl. 
“Addy was a cruelty case cuz she was living in unsanitary conditions in her outside enclosure with no dog house/shelter and the entire area was covered with feces.  She was deemed ‘dangerous’ cuz she bit a person who was trying to break up a dog fight.  Well, I’ve been bitten many times while trying to intervene in a dog fight but that was my fault, not the dogs.  So, in my opinion, just because Addy doesn’t like other dogs doesn’t mean she is dangerous.  Addy loves humans, including children, and she deserves a second chance!  Just look at that ginormous smile and you can see the sweetness exuding from her happy face!”
The 59-pound, healthy, 2- to 4-year-old girl is #90938 at the Denton Shelter. Call 940-349-7594 to reach the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center. It’s at 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton.
SOME HAPPINESS ARRIVES
THANKS TO BARKLEYWORLD
We’ve written many times about the work of barkleyworld.com, the non-profit started by Karen Lee and husband Dennis in honor of their dog Barkley. They provide financial help for tough cases. Does that work? Here’s the sentence posted by Juliet Lopez Garcia: “Barkleyworld, we are forever in ur debt. U saved our baby!”
That baby is this guy Chuckie — festive Chuckie! What was his problem? Just before Christmas, the family dog Chuckie decided to eat some stuff a dog shouldn’t eat and took in a bone that fouled his system dramatically. The vet work was going to be expensive and Barkleyworld, whose mission is to help animals, answered the appeal. The result is Chuckie is healthy.
You can read all about this Chuckie “adventure” — and other projects — by going to Barkleyworld’s Facebook site HERE and reading through the stories. It’ll make you happy to be on the same planet with people who have good hearts and have been working on helping to finance miracles for the season! And for the next season. And the next. …

CONTEMPLATIONS
TIMING FOR RUFFLES; A VOICE FOR GREYHOUNDS; PLANNING AN EVE…
Timing is lousy sometimes. And, in the case of Ruffles, it’s something to contemplate. We learned about him from one of our steady tipsters, Mesquite Animal Services volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm. Ruffles, a Bichon Frise mix, was surrendered to the shelter on the 23rd. Why? The surrender form read that Ruffles was "too old, going blind, hard of hearing.” [LARRY ASIDE: If I was married to that person, I’d be out on my ear like Ruffles!] 
Ruffles’ human for the past 8 years has medical issues and can’t care for the 15-year-old, 32-pound dog. Ruffles has his own problems — going blind, lost hearing and has arthritis in one leg. He’s been an indoor dog forever. Likes kids but not cats. Walks well on a leash. Debra wrote, “He’s a lively boy for 15 years.” He’s friendly and loving and, Debra writes, “This senior doesn’t belong in a city shelter.” He’s rescue-only because of his medical issues. He may already have been moved out of the shelter, but just in case, his ID# is 46318545 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. That is quite a cute dog. He’s in need of a quite a good human heart.
HEADS UP FROM THE GREYHOUND PEOPLE! I’ve written about the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas for years. Those great dogs sometimes find themselves in really tough spots. But, there are people who work hard on their behalf. For instance: Dallas Mavericks basketball and FC Dallas soccer broadcaster Mark Followill has a fantastic message about the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas — he and wife Jennifer have invested their hearts in Greyhounds, as you’ll see when you click on Mr. Followill’s post HERE  If you think finding a place for displaced Washington administration employees is tough, listen to the challenges that will face Greyhounds in 2021 as Florida shuts down dog racing. The GALT website is galtx.org.Yeah, they run fast, but not always. One guy at a Greyhound adoption years ago told me, “Greyhounds are notorious couch potatoes.” Don’t know about you, Dear Readers, but I find comfort in watching sports with a dog or cat who nods off when our team is coughing up a hairball. …
What I’ve learned from Holiday Insights, the online calendar. December 29 is “Pepper Pot Day.” How’s that? It’s a day that honors the “warm and hearty” stew that, the Insights people say, “was first made to serve the Continental Army on Dec. 29, 1777.” FYI: December 30 is “Natonal Bicarbonate of Soda Day.” As in “This indigestion is killing me. Fix me a bicarb, will ya?” No known marketing connection between a Pepper Pot and a Bicarb.
—- Offer ideas or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

FOR MONDAY: A LAUNDRY TALE; SOME CATS, DOGS & PEOPLE; & A BLUE TENT TEST

EDITION OF MONDAY, DEC. 28, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Because I am a romantic, I'll open this  bit of the last part of 2020 with a laundry story.
It's a Dear Santa thing. Dear Santa, I wrote, please bring me a hand-held, battery powered vacuum cleaner. OK, now and then I need to vacuum up treat particles and paper particles because some dogs and cats like a snack and also like to tear up my worthless Lotto Texas tickets.
Anyway, sing along, because on Christmas morning, "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, the hand-held DEEvice was there for me...."
[LARRY ASIDE: About the cat photos. That eerie picture is of The Senator about 3 a.m. Saturday morning because I had Yulesomnia and the only movie on I felt like watching was Office Space -- he watched it on my Kindle with me -- explains the lighting -- all the way to the end. Then he went off somewhere to sleep and I watched the news from overseas and finally nodded off. The other photo happened as I tried to sit in a comfy chair and do some reading on Saturday -- Martha's former front-porch feral kitten Esme decided to sit in my lap and demand more attention than anything I was trying to read. She's kind of special -- we both had to earn her affection. Martha did it with charm; I did it with treats.]
So on Sunday, before the miraculous Dallas Cowboys game started, I was at work on a "clean-out-the-garage project."
That's when I decided I'd do some laundry -- I carry some blankets in my car in case I need a comfy place for a rescued dog or cat -- also have a cat carrier, too. You know the drill if you've spent half-a-minute with a dog or cat who was thumbin' a ride on the side of the road. Crate the cat and give the dog a place to flop down before he decides to crawl over the back of the seat and join you behind the wheel. [Every dog will tell you "I'm licensed."]
Anyway, I also have a pillow in the back -- for smaller animals. It use to be my pillow but it became leaky and I'd wake up each morning with a handful of buckwheat hulls in my hair and beard. So, I did what every unsupervised husband would do, I put a second pillowcase on it and knotted both pillowcases shut. Not one buckwheat hull has spilled in my Ford Edge's cargo area in the pillow's 6-year ride.
So, I (the bipedal intellectual in the photo) decided, "Time to wash the pillow." I threw it into the washer with two blankets. And about 45 minutes later, I opened the lid on the washer and discovered a tub full of uncontrolled buckwheat hulls -- and two blankets absolutely coated with hulls.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway, Santa's hand-held vacuum cleaner was the laundry-room star of the day! The dryer knocked all the hulls off the blankets. The HHVC cleaned up the washer and the dryer and Martha smiled, knowing, of course, that Dec. 28, 2020, would be the last time I'd ever try to wash an old pillow full of buckwheat hulls.

For 2021, "Dear Santa, I'd really like to get a new pillow filled with buckwheat hulls -- wrap 'em in sturdy fabric, like you'd use to make a bag for carryin' toys."
 As you may suspect, Dear Readers, there is no one in America who is happier about getting a hand-held vacuum cleaner -- without it, I'd have spent days picking up those hulls by hand while Martha practiced her threatening glare!
WHAT ABOUT ADDY?
IS NO ONE INTERESTED?
This note comes from Amy Poskey, our tipster on items from Denton. She wrote, "Sweet, beautiful Addy was confiscated as a cruelty case and now she needs our help!  She is a special girl and this is a special case.  Addy is a very sweet pooch but she does not do well with other dogs so she has been deemed 'dangerous' which is just so sad cuz it seems she was never the problem and was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.  
"So, now Addy has to pay the price and has been labeled for something that was not her fault.
"The shelter staff said she is super sweet and you can just see the sweetness written all over face! 
"If she is tagged by a Texas rescue she will need to follow the guidelines for 'dangerous dog' (shelter staff can explain, if needed); however, if an out-of-state rescue tags her she might have a better chance at a fresh start.
"
She's a 59-pound, healthy, 2- to 4-year-old, not-yet-spayed German Shepherd." She's got her vaccinations. Her ID is 90938.
Call the shelter at 940-349-7594. The Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center is at 3717 N. Elm St. in Denton.[LARRY ASIDE: I'm listing all these sheltr contadts because I don't know how many might be taking Monday off after that Dallas Cowboys victory Sunday. Contacts are: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com,  julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, Ethel.Strother@cityofdenton.com, roxanna.burson@cityofdenton.com, Dorcas.Johnson@cityofdenton.com, Martinez.Erica@cityofdenton.com and Nicole.Heyer@cityofdenton.com.
LOST IN BENBROOK,
A FORMER FERAL...
This info came from Ginger Leach, our longtime tipster for Fort Worth stories. it's a tough story for a dog who faced great odds. The note reads, "Lost dog in Benbrook --adopters only had her a day so she is totally unfamiliar with the area. She was also feral when first found but was tamed. She had turned into a sweetie but I am sure she is terrified.
Lost at 532 Inwood but ran into the wooded area near Skyline Ranch
"She was seen Sunday morning but not since. She has purple harness and black leash." The contact is Melissa Greer at 816-600-4310, Ginger says.
CONTEMPLATIONS
COMPUTER LINKS; STATE FAIR COOKIES & THE BLUE TENT!
Another example of how important the computer has been to the animal rescue community and especially to the animals! This showed up in a weekend Fort Worth neighborhood post with this photo. The text read, "FOUND DOG!!!! This dog wondered into my living room without a collar..." A subsequent note read "SUCCESS!!! JUST RETURNED HER TO HER OWNER!" And, then, later, someone wrote, "Awesome Networking. Kudos to All Involved!" Anybody else remember when the telephone was the only electronic element in the rescuer's toolkit -- the other big tool was "sheer luck."...

My funspouse Martha was going through her camera's photo files Sunday and suddenly, as December 2020 was moving toward the end of the year, she ran across some of the cookies we'd judged for the State Fair of Texas Creative Arts Department in 2019.  Here's the box of cookies with, figuratively, Texas-flavored items. Honest! Those ARE COOKIES!!!  The great State Fair of Texas was called off in 2020, but the people at the Fair figured out ways to keep the spirit alive. Some Fair contests were staged, some Fair food was sold (and people had to wait in line to get it -- just like the real Fair was going on only they were in their cars doing a "roll-through" and the Fair gave money to non-profits in the neighborhood. Can't wait until 2021 Fair -- Sept. 24-Oct. 17! ....
I was listening to the Cowboys beat Philadelphia 37-17 when I heard 105.3 FM radio team sideline reporter Kristi Scales use a phrase that applies to football players, but, frankly, because of the pandemic, the election campaign, the election and shopping challenges, I'm convinced that a lot of us need to embrace the "cognitive evaluation in the blue tent." Dear Santa, for 2021 I'd also like an official NFL blue tent and a new helmet or a nicer year.
-- MAKE A LIST, CHECK IT TWICE AT 'COMMENTS' BELOW OR EMAIL DALLRP@AOL.COM. USE THE QUIET KEYBOARD. ---

SUKI -- CLAIMING A FORMERLY EMPTY BOX...

You may have a lot of empty boxes around your house this weekend. Empty, but, perhaps, spoken for, right?
So, we think it is very appropriate that we have selected this photo of Suki in a box for this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Napping Cats Nap. 
December 26 is "Boxing Day." We cannot prove that cats were not involved in creating the holiday. But the traditionally accepted story is that Boxing Day is the post-Christmas gifting, shopping and sports day in Great Britain and Commonwealth nations, i.e., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, et al.
And, there's Suki in a box. This was taken a few days ago and posted by our musical pal Mary Radspinner of Houston with the title "Cats and Boxes." Indeed, anybody who has cohabitated with a cat knows an open box is a cat magnet.
Mary, from whom I once bought a harp over the phone for my musicalspouse Martha, is affiliated with Melody's Traditional Music in Houston. (From my desk in Dallas, I got Mary in Houston to play a selection of folk harps while I listened and she helped me pick the one with the most beautiful sound -- it was perfect and Martha still plays it.)
Mary, as you may suspect, is a magnificent harpist and teacher. She's the real musical deal. And she's an animal fan, too.
 So, why is Suki napping in that box?

Mary explained, "That was an Alfred Music Company box - I had just received a small shipment of piano books just in time for a lesson, and quickly extracted the contents. She immediately replaced the contents -- cannot have an empty box -- Nooooo."
Who is Suki? Mary says, "She is a rescue from Wisconsin. Her favorite thing is to 'observe' (interrupt) harp and piano lessons. She loves children. But is terrified of dogs. She is the top dog here at the house. If I get up from a chair, she takes my place. Without conscience."

Life wasn't always an easy day of being charming Suki. "She came with no claws -- back or front," Mary explains. "And she has no teeth due to stomatitis. I was having a hard time affording the surgery, so my sister paid for most of it. My sister has died since then, and so I thank her for saving Suki. Suki's mouth was horribly swollen and bloody and smelly from the stomatitis, so the surgery was necessary. Despite having no defense, she still is the top dog in the house. We just make sure she never gets outside. She likes bags, too."

There's Suki in the bottom of that container. Readlarrypowell.com is convinced she is telling a feline colleague about the importance of timing and the surprise element when someone decides to, of course, let the cat out of the bag.
[SEND PHOTO AND BIOS of your slumbering companion animals or wildlife that shows up on your porch to dallrp@aol.com and we'll post their photos and stories in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Remember, you may be helping someone decide to adopt a friend and, for certain, you'll be helping insomniacs think they, too, can get some sleep if they can just find a one-size-fits-all cardboard box.]
-- Life's gettin' good: Tell us why by clicking on 'comments' below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put winning Lotto Texas numbers in the subject line. --

MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2020, AND 'GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE,' QUOTING DICKENS' TINY TIM

EDITION OF DEC. 24-25, 2020 [PetPowellPress] For the celebration of Christmas, I snapped this photograph of my pal Dudley The Angel.
Our Christmas Eve edition is also our Christmas Day Edition. And we’ll have Christmas related stories and opportu- nities to launch Christmas stories at your house, too. Animals that need a home! Joys of the season. We also got a reminder of a great Christmas Eve adoption story from Della and David Wallace and Alastair.
But here's this boy Dudley. He is, his vet told us, a Border Collie/Chocolate Lab mix. We also think he is an angel.
You can see the brownish tint on his coat and the white paws and blaze and the perky ears. He showed up in our front yard one Christmas with two small dogs. Dumped, probably. We got the little, cute dogs into a no-kill shelter.
 Dudley The Angel suggested that it would be good for the entire world if he stayed with us — he liked the other dogs and the cats, too. And, of course, my merryspouse Martha and I fell in love with him right away. He’s got that sweet personality that owns your heart the moment you look into his eyes or anywhere within two yards of him — magnetic, he is. So, I’m sharing this photo of Dudley for Christmas. And some of you sharp-eyed readers spotted right away that this is a photo of Dudley with Dudley. 
Yep, I photographed him while he was watching The Bishop’s Wife with Cary Grant in the role of, yes, Dudley the Angel. For whom our dog is named -- thanks to Martha.
 There is a line that Dudley says in the film that fits the presence of our dog Dudley the Angel — if you swap out a noun or two. Dudley, speaking to the bishop’s wife, says, “There are few people who know the secret of making a heaven here on earth. You are one of those rare people.” And, perhaps, dear readers, at Christmas you can see that quality in your angelic dogs and cats and kids and spouses and kin and friends. Merry Christmas to you all — rescuers, funders, transporters, shelter workers, organizers and everybody knee-deep and heart-strong in saving ‘em all. From Charles Dickens’ Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one.”
 And from our own Dudley the Angel, “Gonna be stingy with those treats, Scrooge?” [LARRY ASIDE: That's an earlier mugshot from a time when Scrooge really was stingy with the treats!]
WHAT SANTA MIGHT SEE WHILE
COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY
I’ve posted Apollo’s story several times during the pandemic — he’s been waiting for a new home a while at the SPCA of Texas. This photograph just cracks me up. So does that picture of Bellatrix The Cat. 

They have looks on their faces that Santa might see as he drops down the chimney. A fan of dogs and cats, I’m trying to pass that appreciation on to other people.
Both of these darlings are available at the SPCA of Texas. You can see more Apollo photos and videos by going to this link: https://bit.ly/3alS83U. One of the videos shows a very focused Apollo watching a football game on TV. His bio says he is “house-trained, does well when left alone, is non-destructive, knows how to entertain himself, and is a generally quiet and chill dude! He loves treats, sunbathing, belly rubs, chasing squirrels, and cuddling for nap time.”

Bellatrix, the upside-down cat, is a year old. This beautiful Brown Tabby “was surrendered to the SPCA of Texas by a nice person” who couldn’t find the cat’s actual home and also couldn’t keep the loveable girl."
When you go spca.org, you can see dogs, cats and other species that need good homes -- that's year round, not just at Christmas.
ADORABLE DOGS AND NUTMEG,
ALL WAITING IN MESQUITE
Well, my goodness, how is it possible that dogs can be landlorded into a shelter or just make it one day in a new home? Oh, wait, I forgot it was 2020 when anything ugly is possible. But here’s a chance to end a year with something beautiful.
We got the tips on these first two from our Mesquite Animal Services volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. Judi, like her colleague at biographica caninicus (that may not be the exact Latin) Debra Chisholm, visits with each dog who gets a biography. 

First up is Rocko who was a victim of love. Judi says he’s a 7-month-old “Plott Hound/Retriever/terrier Pit Bull mix” who, due to renting rules, was surrendered to the Mesquite shelter on December 21. “Apparently a girlfriend gave Rocko to this woman’s son and she is unable to have dogs. Rocco is a delightful boy who is friendly and loving. He stayed close with his tail wagging constantly. He chases toys but does not retrieve them. He’s energetic but not overly so. He does occasionally jump on you but then he’s just a puppy! His previous owner said that he was an indoor dog and that he lived with children and other dogs. They also said he is housebroken. She said he loves to play with socks and rags.” Rocko weighs 40 pounds and his shelter ID is #46307978.
That brings us to Chapo, a 3-year-old “reddish terrier Pit,” Judi says. (He’s #46313055.) The 86-pound “solid” fellow was surrendered on the 22nd “because of landlord issues.” Judi says, “He’s a friendly, gregarious guy who appears to love everyone. The whole time I had him out in the yard his tail was wagging. He loves attention and loves to be petted. He’s a big cuddle bug! He’s a high-energy boy that loves to play. He chased and retrieved toys (not balls) but wouldn’t give them back to me. … His previous owners said that he is housebroken. He was an inside dog but the owner stated that he loves to run and play outside. He was raised with two-year-old and a four-year-old. He was not raised with other dogs but the owner stated that he is OK with them. However the owner also said that he doesn’t like small animals. I would suggest further dog testing especially with a small dog.”

To ask about either of these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Use their IDs to help expedite things.

Use that contact info, also, to ask about Tyson, the dog that Debra Chisholm’s been working with. He’s #46224644, a 61-pound, 2-year-old Pittie/Staffie mix who was surrendered Wednesday after spending ONE DAY in the adopter’s home. Why? “One of the adult family members were scared of Tyson,” Debra says. She also reports and the “former adopter stated that they have 4 other dogs as well as cats and that Tyson was fine around all of them.  Also stated was that he is gentle and loving, and is good on a leash.”
You can see these dogs and more and this cat and more cats and kittens, too, by going to the Mesquite Shelter website HERE. This little guy Nutmeg is about 7 weeks old — he’s small for now. (#46308271). [LARRY BLACK-AND-WHITE-CAT ASIDE: If you go by readlarrypowell.com's experience with black and white cats, Nutmeg plays lots bigger than he is. In fact, about 15 minutes ago I heard a clattering crash in our guest bedroom. I yelled to Martha, “Are you OK?” and she yelled back, “Check the bedroom closet — I may have shut a cat in there.” Yep, our own B&W Stevie Ray  (that's him reading a Texas Monthly atop my computer desk) was shut up inside the closet and rearranging things with a Santa-style clamor. He’s out now — a little insulted but with a two- handed, cuddling pickup and and some petting, he’s purring again on the way to his next household adventure at Christmas. The other office cat, William Powell? Snoozing in the bedroom after relaxing in my lap for a while. He’s a cool gent with great eyes. I endorse Tabbies, also. Rarely find one in a closet. Stevie Ray won't let him in.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
OF CHRISTMASES PAST…AND YET TO COME
My little brothers would get so excited that we’d reached “Christmas Eve’s Eve” and that level of excitement held firm right on through the 26th and beyond. For some reason I’ve been missing those two boys a lot lately. One of the reasons may be this: I caught an interview with Paul McCartney about his new album McCartney III and it took me back to the first Christmas I had money of my own — gainfully employed in my mid-teen years, you know. I bought my little brothers a newly released Beatles album for Christmas — well, it was sort of for all of us, you know — the record player was shared in 1965. What? Paul McCartney? Oh, yeah, I’m sorry, youngsters, Paul McCartney was a Beatle before he founded Wings and before he went on to be a legendary solo act. (In order on the record jacket from left, George, John, Ringo & Paul.) Maybe you’ve heard of Sir Paul. Anyway, in honor of everyone we used to celebrate the holiday’s with, how about clicking HERE while you read on to the end of today’s Contemplation. It’s not a Christmas song, but bits of it sure do fit the heart of the season, i.e., the lyrics “I will never lose affection for people and things that went before…” Thank you, Lennon & McCartney & Ringo Starr & George Harrison. That’s the Rubber Soul album from 1965. It was a Merry Christmas for the three Powell brothers. …
You see here a bit of an ol’ Dallas Animal Services kennel card for a dog named Chico. I got that illustration in an email from my dear pal Della Wallace, the rescuer, on Tuesday. The subject line on the email read “Our Christmas present to ourselves 2012.” She said it was thanks to me, but I think of it as “thanks to the big hearts of Della and David.” Oh, I recognized that dog right away — he may have been known as Chico at Dallas Animal Services on Dec. 24, 2012, but when he rode away from the shelter — that’s his “leaving Big D” photo — he was quickly becoming “Alastair,” named for Alastair Sim, the actor who portrayed Scrooge in the 1951 film version of A Christmas Carol. Here’s the note Della sent this week with the reminder in the subject line “Our Christmas present to ourselves 2012”: “Thanks to you!!! You posted his story and picture for us to see❤️🐾 How could we not rescue him?!
“Then a few years later, Alastair rescued David by alerting me at 4:30 a.m. that David was having a stroke. We rescued him, he rescued David. We love him!!” Yeah, I get a bit teary-eyed when I realize that little dog has been such a blessing for Della and David. … 

So, here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and all days yet to come, I’ll remember Alastair from
2012 and also that 1965 Christmas season. It was a busy one with fun. (I was holding down two jobs — night reporter/sportswriter at The Texarkana Gazette and, on my 2 off-days, delivery truck assistant
for Montgomery Ward while studying and enduring my senior year of high school from 8 a.m. ’til 3:30 p.m. each day.) Paid for college, a car and Christmas. And my folks let me keep my spot in the bedroom I shared with my brothers (Barry on the left, Garry on the right, Larry in the middle -- blame our parents Harry and Mary -- kidding, Pearl and Calvin)...Oh, and, now and then, we shared that room with Queenie the Border Collie. We all miss the dog a lot. That’s the four of us in a 1961 “blizzard” in Texarkana.
Merry Christmas everybody — past, present and future.
—- Think of love and click on ‘comments’ below and email dallrp@aol.com. Have a wonderful Christmas and may we all have an unexpectedly joyous new year! —-

A YULE CAT MEMORY; SAVING SOME DOGS; HA'PENNY, PAPERS AND MOONS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23, 2020 [PetPowellPress] This cat has been the star in our Christmas Cat Mood since 2003 when he wandered onto our front porch in Dallas as a kitten. Five months later, Griffin Oliver Powell was as big as a sack of cement and nearly as heavy. By Christmas, he loved being under the Christmas tree. So, celebrate Griffin and his tree. And your dogs and cats and their holiday favorite places, too. They are part of the family. You may say, “That’s my cat” or “That’s my dog” but they will tell you, “Hey, you’re my human. Merry Christmas and keep the treats comin’.”
That second photos? A couple of years later, I caught the Griffin and Annabelle Bob, a black cat named for Martha’s late giant black cat Bob, lounging near the tree and watching a rare snowfall on our neighborhood at Christmas.
I see that photo and I think of the opening lines to In My Life, “There are places I’ll remember…” We'll get to that in our Christmas Eve edition.
MEANWHILE, WE LOOK BACK
TO A LANCASTER NOTE….
You may recall our note in Tuesday’s edition about Diego and Teddy, etc. The note we got this morning from 4-Legged Helpers Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden included this update on animals we’d mentioned Tuesday.
Paxton, according to the update, “is the only dog not yet chosen at the [Lancaster] shelter and is ready to leave. Please help him — please — they close for the holidays. He has had no tag — no inquiries — no adopter — HELP! PLEASE RESCUE HIM FOR THE HOLIDAYS. STILL HOPING AND WAITING AT LANCASTER SHELTER.” You may recall that the “Tri-Color Aussie Shepherd Mix” is called “Paxton” because, the Helpers’ note explained, “Paxton means peaceful and calm, and he is just so gentle and sweet and lovable.”

Also waiting at Lancaster is Trevor, a “young male, bulldog mix” who is “adorable. Not a very big dog — and he is just as cute as cute can be.”
For all of the animals mentioned in this report, call or text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

Hayden is the 8-month-old Husky/German Shepherd mix, currently in the care of a family in Wilmer. The Helpers note reports, “The family that has him rescued him when he was being given away for free as a 3-month-old. They already had a Basset hound and a Chihuahua but when the pandemic set in, they put finding a home for Hayden on hold until now.” Four-legged Helpers were helping “trap a stray dog next to their property and happened to speak with them and they mentioned how they would love to find him a home.”
Sweet, beautiful, great eyes and markings. Adores other dogs. And why was he photographed behind a fence? Not his problem — the pesky Chihuahua is an escape artist, so the logistics worked out this way to keep all dogs safe!
And that brings us to a recap of Teddy’s situation — he’s also known as “Peanut.” This is the young Bulldog mix boy who was rescued by a Good Samaritan in September. The dog was found “badly bleeding” at the infamous Malloy Bridge dumping area in southwest Dallas. Turns out, the poor dog nearly bled to death, possibly after being force-fed rat poison. 
Now, he’s described as “such a wonderful dog” and he’s in the care of the Good Samaritan who found him. But, Teddy needs a home now. He’s cute, sweet, and has a face that would make your heart smile every time you looked into his eyes.
Yes, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726.
CLAUS IS GOING TO BE
A RESCUE-ONLY DOG
Our tipsters at Mesquite Animal Services, the volunteer dog biographers Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm, consistently report on animals so incredibly worthy of positive human intervention in their lives.
This one is Claus, a 43-pound, 12-year-old senior Golden Retriever mix. He’s ID 46295329. He came into the shelter as a stray on December 18, reports Judi. And Judi adds, “He will be RESCUE ONLY due to some medical issues. He is feeble and walks slowly probably due to arthritis. However, he does get around and wants to stay real close to you for loving. He’s got two open sores above his front paws. He also has a soft (probably 2-inch) tumor on his chest. It doesn’t appear to be sore to the touch. This poor sweet, sweet boy has obviously had a hard life. He has calluses on his elbows indicating he’s probably spent a major part of his life outside on cement. When he sprawls out in his kennel he breathes heavily. This sweet, sweet boy needs a hero! After his medical issues are dealt with I can see him spending time on a soft bed by his loving laid-back family. Claus followed me around wanting attention and to be petted. He’s very affectionate. He’s also alert and went to the gate to watch people passing and cars driving in. He walks as well as he can on a leash….He loves treats.”
 To ask about helping Claus, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com." Use his ID number when you contact the shelter.
[LARRY ASIDE: Claus has the look of a dog with love to give. I’ve seen that look on older dogs and it’s a lasting look! Sticks to your heart.]

CONTEMPLATIONS
Hey, Penny? Old papers! Wolf Moon?
Being from the Northeast, I know many things related to England. Wait. I’m from Northeast Texas — Bowie County. Different Northeast than the one with all the British colonies. Anyway, I’ve only recently figured out what a “haypenny” is and it has nothing to do with a bale. The Old Farmers Almanac sometimes includes poems in its emails. And here’s one with a Christmas tone and it may be used in a movie song I can’t remember today: 

Christmas is coming,
the geese are getting fat,

Please to put a penny
in the old man's hat;

If you haven't got a penny,
a ha'penny will do,
 If you haven't got
a ha'penny, God bless you!
–Beggar's Rhyme [LARRY ASIDE: In the meantime, save the geese. Set ‘em free somewhere they can thrive!] …
Speaking of saving a species, our contact at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, Sydney Busch, has issued another appeal for a disappearing product. As you know, the Friends operate the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas. Sydney’s appeal reads, “The clinic AND a cat rescue for whom we do surgeries are in need of newspapers (this need never ends!)...They can be dropped off at the door to the clinic any day (I'm by there most days) or left at Flair Printing in GBC (closed 12/24,25).” The clinic is at 122 Old Gun Barrel Lane. Call 903-451-4701 or 214-808-4701 to ask about delivering papers, so to speak. The Friend’s link is HERE and the Facebook page is HERE.
One more Almanac reference. Lots of us have been staring into the sky lately, but there hasn’t been a full moon. The Old Farmers Almanac lists the next two. December 29 will offer the Full Cold Moon — maybe because in our hemisphere we’ll be fully cold on the 29th. Or at least chilled. A month later, on January 29, we’ll see, clouds permitting, “The Wolf Moon.” [PERSONAL NOTE: Larry Talbot, contact me about this the week before the 29th. Thanks.]
—- Offer uplifts or break-evens by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and forward this report to people who need dogs and cats and don’t yet know it. —-

A HAPPY STORY TO TURN THE TIDE OF OUR PANDEMONIC TIME -- COCO'S TRIUMPH

EDITION OF TUESDAY, DEC. 22, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Once upon a time, something worked out for a dog named Coco. OK, that’s the way we’ll start this edition. And we’ll note that our pal Karen Lee of bark- leyworld.com, a veteran at helping animals, forwarded this upbeat note from our pal Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network (CAN). 
Been writing about both of them and their work for years.

Karen said, “I wanted to share this email with you and her inspirational message of ‘Never give up hope!’. Beautiful story — and a happy ending.” 
Look at that photo! That’s a happy dog. That’s Coco on her way to her new home.

[LARRY ASIDE: Ah, 2020 — take that! A happy story in your rotten pandemic! There’ll be more, we’re convinced!]

Here’s Gail’s Coco note -- and some Coco photos from 2019 when she was new to being rescued. We're directing this message to rescuers and wannabe rescuers and people who have encountered the rescue challenges.
Gail writes:
 “Rescue work is soul-wrenching, often thankless work.  Sleepless nights and scrambling to find a way to pay a vet bill to save a life.  
“This Christmas I have experienced a true miracle and thought it might bring a smile and HOPE to others.  
“This is Coco. She is a 6 year old pitbull. She had been with me 18 months and not one person had ever asked about her. Every day after her playtime breaks she would beg to be loved and petted, rolling over and closing her eyes to savor every minute.  Coco's original owner never abused her. He had an addiction that caused him to lose his freedom and lose Coco. But he took her everywhere with him which accounted for Coco having love for all people and dogs.

“This past week a couple called and asked about Coco.  They SPECIFICALLY wanted an adult pitbull. The wife does not work outside the home and they both wanted a dog that ‘needed them’ as they said.
“On Coco's home visit she immediately got in their laps and gave kisses. She rolled over and was rewarded by such honest love it brought tears to my eyes.
“They took her to PetSmart and let her pick out toys. She has beds around the house to choose from when she wants a nap. And she gets to take rides with her new mom.
“NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Here’s a little bit of the back story: The photos of Coco in summertime poses come from July of 2019. Coco was in Gail’s custody because Coco’s human was in the Wood County Sheriff’s custody — DWI. Wood County doesn’t have a shelter, Gail says, so the system was this: When a dog is confiscated, it is put down. No place to keep it. But a deputy, bless his heart, called Gail and told her about this great dog with the loving attitude and his call to Gail saved Coco’s life. So, this is a Christmas 2020 miracle that started in the middle of a summer in 2019. Gail figured no one would ever want a Pittie this old and prepared to keep her. Then came the call. And Coco is now a dog who, gloriously happy, lives in an adoring family with a Lewisville police officer. Yep, Christmas miracle.’ If you want to help Gail in her efforts to transport and adopt and save lives, email can.adoptions@yahoo.com.]
A NOTE FROM DIEGO,
ER, NOTE ABOUT DIEGO
That’s some cute mug on that dog. He’s Diego, a young, healthy, available now Collie mix who is in Fort Worth and has come under the watchful eye of 4-Legged Helpers, the small-shelter monitors. And there’s also a young male bulldog mix named Teddy (also known as Peanut) who nearly bled out after being found by a Good Samaritan at the notorious Mallow Bridge dumping ground in southeastern Dallas. This was in early September and the boy was suffering from out-of-control bleeding — possibly from forced ingestion of rat poison. Yeah, the Dallas creeps can be the most challenging jerks.
There are several other dogs needing help. You can see them on the 4-Legged helpers page BY CLICKING HERE. To ask about these dogs or any of the dogs on the 4-Legged Helpers page call or text Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: And if you don’t get mad at the guy who poisoned Teddy, you need to be checked for a pulse and a heart. If anyone knows who may have poisoned Teddy, call the police. That stuff’s against the law in Texas. People worked hard to make it a violation of the law. Jail the creeps.]
A SENIOR CAT
WAITS IN DALLAS
When you go to dallasanimalservices.org you never know what you’ll find. Today I went there and found this cat Lilly. Cats come in two kinds of faces — absolutely beautiful and absolutely fascinating and, as a veteran cat observer, I’m prepared to testify that TEN YEAR OLD Lilly (A111729) Lilly is both beautiful and fascinating. She’s a 9-pound girl who is at the Dallas Animal Services Adoption Center and is, like Mike the Dog, adoptable at no cost. Mike (A1110882) is a 51-pound, 2-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, the shelter’s listing says.
As you probably know, the big DAS Shelter & Adoption Center is at Westmoreland and I-30. Go to dallasanimalser vices.org to see how to adopt during the Covid Era. Here’s what the Adopting from DAS note says:
"PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 emergency, adoptions will be processed ONLINE ONLY using our new adoption process system below. Our shelter is currently CLOSED to the public for adoptions. If you have additional questions, please email dasadopt@dallascityhall.com. Pets are currently FREE to adopt until further notice!”
CONTEMPLATIONS
MY FESTIVESPOUSE’S WORK; WAITING FOR DELIVERY; AND A SEED?
My festivespouse Martha, knocked over by a common cold, rose to begin decorating for Christmas. I’d have helped her, but she’s kind of got her own way of doing things. This is the second year of our Maildrop Dog with a letter to Santa. No name for the dog, but we do agree that the lit-up canine is one darlin’ dog. And Martha created the Christmas tree, too. Used lights that were in boxes we found when we were moving last year. Perhaps you, too, have boxes that contain mysteries. You haven’t opened ‘em in years but you know they are somehow very important. January’s theme will be “Look in the boxes and keep a trashbag handy.” …
Dear Company From Which I Ordered Red Earrings for Festivespouse Martha: You keep sending me emails with great bargains. You used to send me notes about tracking the red earrings that Santa said my hollyjollyspouse wanted for Christmas. Then, you stopped communicating in November. Your notes often urged me to “order in time for Christmas.” When is Christmas on your planet?
…
I don’t mind telling you, anxiety makes me eat. I’ve been anxious since before Thanksgiving. Why? Rangers pitching, Cowboys playing, partridges in pear trees, etc. In Tuesday’s email I got a message with this subject line: “TINY SEED DISSOLVES 11 LBS IN FIRST 7 DAYS.” As I type this I’m wondering if they are “diet seeds."  If so, I’m going to need at least six-months worth. Unless, of course, after the first 7 days, you eat so many seeds that you’re putting on weight. Yes, I am a veteran dieter. I know how this stuff can work. Sugarplums don’t have tiny seeds.
—— Offer advice or no-cal recipes by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-