LOUIE'S RIDE; WEATHER PROTECTION IS THE LAW; TANGO & BRAVO; AN OBSESSION IN FW; A CUCKOO CONTEMPLATION

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10, 2021 [PetPowellPress] —As we await weather that we can’t possibly abide, we can tell you that a life-saving plan is in place for Louie, the blind dog in Garland. (More in a moment.) That’s the dog in question on a ride to somewhere! He’s no longer atop the shelter’s euthanasia list. Read on.
WEATHER REMINDER
This has to do with forecasts. In such cold, dogs and cats can wind up just as dead as they’d be if they were on a euthanasia list in an overloaded city shelter. 
Readlarrypowell.com suggests this is a proper time to remind our vast population of free-roaming Metroplexian village idiots that there are laws in Texas that are designed to keep people from tethering their dogs outside in awful weather and dumping their cats out of the house in lousy weather. Of course, the hitch in the plan is it takes more than a drop in the temp and some freezing precip to convince the knuckleheads to keep their animals safe. The term “scofflaw” comes to mind.
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control sent out this message. I’m pretty sure it’s OK to copy it and forward it to the [epithet redacted] people betraying their animals in other cities.
Dallas Animal Services posted this message on its Facebook page:

“Remember, if you see a pet outside without access to adequate shelter or fresh water when the perceived temperature is below 32 degrees, please call 311 to report it or make a service request online through the OurDallas app.”
Just some wintertime FYI to pass on to people who need to know it. Turn ‘em in if they ignore you — you may be saving dog and cat lives. If you studied civics in school, I don’t need to tell you that “city limits” are there for a reason, so call the police in your own city. And if you’re not in a city, call the county sheriff.
THE LATEST ON LOUIE:

A DOG GETS SOME HELP
A veteran rescuer with a reputation for solving problems has arranged to get Louie out of the Garland Animal Shelter. He’ll soon be in safe hands and enroute to a safe situation.
You may recall that Louie made it to the “top” of the euthanasia list on Monday. Christine Kallas of Against All Odds Rescue has managed to get Louie lined up for a happy transfer out of custody and into an environment without a countdown clock. To ask about donating to Louie’s medical care, visit Against All Odds Rescue HERE. We’ll have more information as the story moves toward a really happy ending.
The assessment of Louie reads that he doesn’t have any major medical issues, “Just needs TLC and a soft place to rest his weary bones.” 
Thirteen-year-old blind dog, an owner-surrender for euthanasia. But he has too much life and is too loveable for the needle. That’s the short version of this story.
MEANWHILE IN LANCASTER,
BRAVO, TANGO, FINLEY & MICHELLE
We’re not all that military here at readlarrypowell.com, but we’re almost certain that Tango and Bravo have something to do with the Army alphabet. Of course, we’re talking names, not dogs. Though as it turns out, a couple of German Shepherds named Tango and Bravo were found straying about and will be available for adoption or rescueat the Lancaster Animal Shelter on the 12th. 

Our tipsters at 4-Legged Helpers sent their stories together “since they were found out and about together, but both are available individually. These are great boys. Bravo is fun and sweet and cute as can be. Tango is calm and gentle and loving.” And, Tango has an injured toe or toenail in need of some vet care. They are described as “incredibly loving and sweet. Beautiful dogs that adore everyone. ... Clearly these dogs have belonged to someone. They are such good boys.”
Finley, described as a “Baby/Young Female” is that black and tan Terrier mix who charms everybody she meets. She’ll be available for adoption or rescue on the 12th. Same day you can adopt or rescue Michelle, a yellow Lab who, her bio reads, “is the color of buttercups and sunshine. And she is so sweet — sweet as can be. Shelter staff believes she knows some obedience commands. Very well-behaved, gorgeous girl.”
To ask about any of these dogs, get in touch with 4-Legged Helpers President Laura Macias by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or by emailing [email protected].
AN OBSESSION
AT THE SHELTER
Ever find yourself obsessing over the fates of dogs and/or cats that you’ve maybe met once or a couple of times or just seen in photos?
Here’s proof that it happens. Spotted it in broad daylight on Facebook. It was good to know that I’m not the only one who falls for a dog or cat or dog and cat — you know how this works.
The post was by Fort Worth Animal Care & Control volunteer Laurie Gautreaux. Her opening sentence about these two dogs reads, “I think I’m slightly obsessed with this bonded pair!.”
Sushi is the “around 5-years old,” 62-pound, spayed and heartworm-negative “super-friendly” dog. 
Ramen is the 6-year-old, 72-pound, neutered, heartworm negative “a little more reserved but sweet” boy. Laurie wrote, “Both were easily leashed and walked well on the leash. They are the cutest couple. You can tell they adore each other.”
You can see their listings — Sushi (#46419587) and Ramen (#46419601) — on the adoptables listings at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s website HERE.
And you’ll note that each of their listings carries an asterisk and the word “BONDED.” So, make room for two happy dogs at your place.
And the shelter doesn’t take calls, so email f[email protected] to discuss these two. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Oh, yeah, Fort Worth’s shelter also has cats. I’d be obsessed with this one if I hadn’t already punched all the spots on my Feline Obsession Ticket. This is Honey (#46477592). You know what bugs me about Honey being in the shelter? This fantastically colorful face is 14 years old. She needs a home that’ll adore her. She came in on 1/23 — her info is in the Cat section on the FWACC website. If I had that cat Honey, I’d sit and stare at her while she purred and talked to me about the wisdom humans can learn from a cat. That’s my theory.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WEATHER, BILLS AND THE DANCE
My former longtime colleague at The Former Big PAPER in Downtown Dallas, Mary Carter, now lives back home in Oklahoma and she posted this “editorial opinion” about the upcoming weather in Tecumseh. Seemed appropriate considering that the Metroplex may be about to become the Metrorink. To quote Mary’s wry understatement about her hometown forecast, “This should be fun.” Click on the photo to see the larger forecast. …
I was paying my home insurance fee Tuesday when I saw a message in red on the back of the bill: Take the hassle out of paying.” As a longtime editor of the English language, I think what the writer really meant was “Take the hassle out of the way you’re paying your bill.” I can tell the company that if it were to actually “take the hassle out of paying,” it would tell me I no longer needed to pay the bill. That would be a kindly removed hassle. …

In Tuesday’s email, I got a note with this subject line: “Larry, find your next job. See who’s hiring.” I’m not really interested in a “next job,” right now. Besides, in this “stay away from everbody” pandemic, I’m still one shot shy of being totally vaccinated against the evil virus. No side-effects, yet, though I do find myself longing for my time as a prima ballerina with the Cold War Moscow Ballet. Wait. Hang on. That wasn’t me. I portrayed ballet teacher Kolenkhov in two local stage versions of You Can’t Take It With You. I’m almost certain. Let’s test my memory for side effects. OK, up on my toes! Now, leap! [NOTE FROM THE SENATOR: His leap was fine, his landing was a thudder. We’re trying to persuade Larry to misremember that he was once a featherweight mime in a bird suit billed as Adieu Adieux Cuckoo. But that was, as Jerry Lee Lewis sings, Another Place, Another Time. Take care of your dogs and cats in this lousy weather. Mimes are on their own.  Sincerely, The Senator.]
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