FOR THURSDAY: DOGS, CATS AND A MONUMENTAL CAT NAMED FOR A SNAKE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 [PetPowellPress] Well, in the words of a veteran people-watcher, “Dang, now I’ve seen about everything.”
OK, let’s leave the human behavior and move into a more positive arena of the American heart: helping animals.
I’m going to have to ask Kellen of Lancaster to gaze hypnotically from sea-to-shining-sea and urge Americans to settle down and embrace each other’s right to political opinions. Speaking as a former reporter, I can tell you it’s easier to understand the answer to a question if you’re not having to think about ducking! This is the land of many freedoms and we want to keep ‘em all, including “freedom to shoot off yer mouth in a humorous fashion!” More on spell-binding Kellen later in this report.
FASCINATING EYES AND OTHER TALES
OF ANIMALS NEEDING HOMES
Look at the shiny orbs on Blue. We got the tip on this 2-year-old, 78-pound boy from animal advocate Kelly Haferkamp who spotted the Mesquite Animal Shelter resident’s biography by Jamie Dotson. Blue was an owner-surrender on the 2nd — the owner was moving and Blue couldn’t go. The bio says he’s a “very happy boy.” He’s in need of some “training to help curb his over-zealous behavior.” Loves to be petted and has a “tail that keeps wagging with a big smile on his face.” Lived outside most of his life and has an alpha dog tendency. (#46336489)
And you can click HERE to see Blue ecstatic over getting some petting and scratching — he is one happy dog!!
Kelly also forwarded a note from Danni Alcantara, Mesquite Animal Shelter & Rescue Supervisor, abut Lady, a Cane Corso mix who came into the shelter as a surrender on November 25 — “financial hardship reasons.” That was the day before Thanksgiving — so, gee, uh, thanks, right? Lady (#46166378) is a strong dog — she’s 4, not spayed and weighs more than 100 pounds. Needs a strong human to help her learn to be a well-behaved dog.
Here’s the rub: She’s been at the shelter for 43 days today.

In some cases, it’s the eyes and the ears. We cite this boy Junior (#46342544) in the Mesquite shelter. Our tipster, the volunteer Mesquite dog biographer Debra Chisholm, wrote, “Junior is an attractive American Pit Bull mix who was abandoned on 1/1 after having been with his owner for three days.  He weighs 45 pounds, is 2 years old and is not neutered. … Junior knows the sit command, will sit for treats and takes them gently. He walks well on a leash.  Junior is fearful and nervous and not comfortable in the shelter environment.  He is skittish at sudden noises.  However, he is friendly and wants to stay close to a human companion when he warms up. Unfortunately he does not present himself well at his kennel window, but out of his kennel he is a different dog.  Junior really does have potential to be a wonderful and loyal companion but in my opinion just needs to learn to trust.  He has been with at least two owners so please give him another chance.”
Judi Brown, our veteran tipster in the art of dog biography at Mesquite, sent a note about this guy Patch. The 10-month-old, 54-pound Pittie mix was surrendered to Mesquite on January 4 — and why was that? Here’s a beaut, Dear Readers. “Because the owners were not allowed to continue tethering him due to city ordinances.”
Judi wrote, “Besides having beautiful coloring, Patch is such a pleasure to be around. He’s a happy go lucky, fun loving, playful, tail wagging, friendly guy that appears to love everyone and everything. You probably noticed in some of his photos he appears to be smiling. He gets so excited that his whole body wiggles!  He sits for treats and would continually sit wanting to be rewarded. He chases balls and brings them back. He will entertain himself with balls he finds. He rolls over willingly for belly rubs. He’s extremely affectionate. According to the owner surrender form his last owners had only had him for three months. So now counting the shelter he has had three different homes. Hopefully the next family that adopts him will give him a forever home” Patch is #45580330.
We’ll close the canine report with Obo, a 45-pound, 2-year-old Black Mouth Cur/Shepherd mix surrendered because of “financial reasons.” Judi wrote, “I had to spend time sitting in his kennel in order to get him comfortable with me. Obo is on the timid side and will need time to build trust. He flinches, cowers and when you raise your hand, he darts off. With TLC, he comes around. He definitely wants loving. He liked having his ears scratched. ….
"He’s a pretty boy with dark eyes and a gorgeous fluffy tail.” He’s #46356426.
Remember, to ask about any Mesquite animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. Also, remember to use the ID numbers. An "ID" helps with — get this — identifying the animal you’re trying to help.
A DOG IN GARLAND,
ACCORDING TO REPORTS
We got a few versions of this note, but they all read about the same and they all seem reliable.  Something's missing. They’re appealing for help for Patricia (A249135), an injured girl who may be in Garland Animal Services. The story is she was found “stray and injured” and appears to have a broken lower jaw. The note says the 17.5-pound dog “acts fearful, but let staff gauze-tie the jaw for stability. She was administered pain meds and is in need of immediate rescue.”
And, according to the note going around, as you may suspect, every organization that usually takes these little dogs is already full of “Holiday Season” little dogs who have been found, surrendered or somehow wound up unwanted or injured.
[LARRY EXPLANATION: So, here’s the skinny on this. In none of the forwarded notes is there a clear contact point for getting in touch with someone so you can help this dog. We can’t tell if the dog is still in the shelter or has been rescued or has been euthanized. There’s no number to call, no email to address. So, if someone knows for sure, let us know and we’ll tell as many people as we can that Patricia needs some help right damn fast. Please.]
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE LAND
OF THE 4-LEGGED HELPERS
We began Wednesday’s report with a photo of the same dog with which we began this report: Kellen the Husky or, maybe, Husky mix. He’s in the Lancaster Animal Shelter and 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small shelters, is trying to find a safe place for him. He was found as a stray. Our tipsters say, He is such a cute dog. And he is awesome with other dogs — so calm — great with boy and girl dogs alike.” He’s available on the 11th unless his real-life owner shows up and claims him.

The dog with the snack is Isabella. She’s fixed and microchipped and listed as a CorgiShepherd mix. The 4-Legged Helpers say that “some people asked for help in finding her a home. Fortunately she did not have to go to the shelter because we found a foster for her. ….Awesome with other dogs. ….She even likes chickens. Adores children. She may be an older girl, but that’s OK — she has so much love to give.” And she’s not very big. 

Adorable Shelby is a Flat Coat Retriever mix who becomes available on Friday. “Her soft fur swirls.” and she is “baby sweet and precious,” her bio reads.
This girl is Ryleigh, a female mix “of some kind.” She “adores other dogs.” …”Poor baby has clearly been lost — she is very emaciated and desper- ately needs out of the shelter. She is a wonderful loving cuddlebug….”
[LARRY ASIDE: And from her photos, you can see that she’s developed the talent of “leaning.”]
That brings us to Taffy, a young “Pocket Shepherd Mix” who got these descriptors “cute, energetic, sweet, fun, silly, playful” and she “really loves other dogs, too.”
And, don’t forget Brent (left) and Evie. Evie’s the girl who showed up in a guy’s garage as she attempted to hide from the recent cold rain. Adorable Brent was found in a traditional southern Dallas County dog dumping area — some creep “got rid of him” and a good-hearted soul took him in.
We’ll close with the very regal Pebbles.
She's a female “Blue & White Bully” who was an “owner release from unable to care for her. Said she adored their children. She is really stunning in person — beautiful face and eyes. Would make someone a wonderful companion.”
To ask about ANY of these animals, call or text Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE IMPORTANCE OF CATS (THE COMPANIONS, NOT THE MOVIE)
The official stance of readlarrypowell.com is that cats are important to the happiness of humans. Here you see my personal dog Porche Noel on her “Hippy Mat of Tranquilizing Meditation” — she is teaching her patented course “HipMatTranqMed” to her young pal, Stevie Ray, the household’s Apprentice Office Cat.
Stevie Ray also has dreams of being in the ballet —as you can see from his leg-stretching exercise.
In the meantime, that big tabby is one of our formerly feral kittens. She is Martha’s personal cat, the beloved Esme, named after the snake in the Chevy Chase/Goldie Hawn film Foul Play. In this case, as Martha explained, “This is Esme doing her Sphinx impression.”
 We love cats, our dogs love cats, our cats love cats and our cats love dogs. We’re an American expression of household love. And if you stand on that rug with Porche, you’ll feel tranquil from the ankles up. Your toes might feel like dancin’. It’s a tranquil conflict within the sole.
—- Offer tips or gripes by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com —-