ReadLarryPowell.com

AS THE PREDICTED BLIZZARD OF '21 LOOMS, WE CELEBRATE SLEEPING AND NAPPING

So, I walked into the living room and spotted my young friend Stevie Ray on a comforter in the cat-comfy “twist ’n’ purr” position.
And that’s our introductory photograph to this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We’re tempted to add “Let snow fall briefly and move on.”
Back to Stevie Ray: When I walked in, I asked him, “Getting ready for the blizzard?” 
“What’s a blizzard?” he asked. “Does it taste like a lizard?” 
This from a cat who has never seen snow or a lizard unless he’s been watching PBS nature documentaries.
His outdoor skills were thwarted by an early rescue — I plucked the weeks old kitten screaming from a lower limb on a towering mimosa tree in our front yard. He was trying to pretend that cats grow on trees. In the ensuing months, Stevie Ray became our apprentice office cat.
He has been studying under the notable feline William Powell.
In this photo, William demonstrates how a senior office cat should await a blizzard. “It’s a matter of positioning,” he told me. “I have, as you will note, stretched out on the cheap blanket that covers this second-hand too-short-for-human-usage bookcase that you gave me and described as a ‘superior feline observation station’.
“I have adapted,” he added with a raised set of whiskers. “What I am doing is assuming a comfortable position, letting my eyelids close and pretending to ignore whatever is happening outside that window.

“Trust me, I’ll be up like lighting the moment a snowflake lands in the yard — in Texas, snow arrives with more racket than a Cedar Waxwing doing a touch-n-go landing while trying to score a wormy snack.”
William (pink nose with spring gray) is a bit of a philosopher cat. You don’t earn the “office cat” designation without being a philosopher. He has a sign over his workstation that is said to be a quote from a famous coach. It reads, “Make today your masterpiece.” William always points a paw at the needlepointed quote and mutters, “Got that from his cat.”
You may wonder about the dogs on Porche Noel’s Hippie Rug of Meditation. In anticipation of a blizzard squelching plans to exercise in our Tranquil Garden of Pure Thought and Mind-Cleansing, Porche invited her friends to participate in her Yoga for Casual Dogs class in the office. As she stretches out her short legs, Wendy extends her giraffian front legs. Dudley the Angel announced, “I’m going to flop on the sidelines and catch some shut-eye.” He succeeded,
[WHETHER THE WEATHER IS WARM, COLD, DRY OR SNOWY, send photos of your slumbering animals to [email protected] and we’ll spotlight them in our internationally-read weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be inspiring people to adopt otherwise unwanted animals. You’ll also be suggesting to insomniacs that they can conquer their demons by learning how to move their minds to the sidelines and collapse into a big hairy vision of cuteness.]
—Offer sleeping tips or lotto tips by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

TRYING TO THINK WARM IN AN ERA OF CHILLING OCCURANCES, CONSEQUENCES & WEATHER

EDITION OF PM THURSDAY FEB 11 & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 [PetPowellPress] When the area is so cold, I think the situation demands that we write about something warm. Naturally, at our household we have a number of warm souls and, with thick socks, warm soles, too. It's a case of SOT -- Save Our Toes.
Before we get to the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, we’re going to give a heart-warming update on the black cat Marnie, the little girl we mentioned weeks ago. She was in the
Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter after being abandoned at one of the local hotels in the North East Texas city. She was wearing a pink collar with a flower on it — yet no chip, thus no home.
Our tipster, rescuer/advocate Cheryl Morse-Stephenson sent a note early Thursday and these new photos of the Cat in The Bag. Now, perhaps we can say, “The Cat is out of the bag and in the home."
Cheryl wrote, “Marnie was ADOPTED yesterday! Woo Hoo!” 
[LARRY ASIDE: We believe “Woo Hoo!” is a celebratory expression understood throughout the cat and dog world.]

 Cheryl also tells us that while there is “breathing room now, I think” in the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, there are three cats that “have been there the longest…Beautiful cats.” They are 7-month-old Betty Lou (lounging), and year-old Cindy Lou (curled tail) and year-old Wanda, facing the camera. See MP animals HERE. Ask about the cats by emailing [email protected].
A CALENDAR OF WARMTH
FROM GALT’S INVENTORY
Let’s talk “warmth in the time of the Pandemic Freeze.”

We have a treasure of a calendar. It’s the 2021 calendar from the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. (LARRY NOTE: Not too late to get one, by the way. Click HERE. Remember, with the closing of dog tracks, GALT has been taking in more unwanted Greyhounds than usual. So, funds raised=dogs helped!)
Now, back to warmth in the time of the Pandemic Freeze. We got in touch with the great Susie McQuade, GALt’s Co-Founder, Treasurer, Board Member and Director of Canine Management, to tell her how much we love the 2021 calendar. You see the cover page — it has a note “In memory of Blazer by Chip & Cher Imrie, founders of GALT’s program Blazer’s Guardian Angels.”
[LARRY ASIDE: See, this thing called GALT is beyond a “rescue group,” it’s a “movement!” -- people who are devoted to protecting the “racing breed” that has been shabbily treated by people who toss ‘em when they’re done with ‘em. Hang on. Help me off this soapbox before I snap a slat and wind up telling the doctor I slipped on the ice.]
So, in going through the calendar, I stopped to look at the April pages because the revealed that April is Adopt-A-Greyhound Month. Of course, you don’t have to wait until April. (Go to galtx.org to see how to adopt one before spring arrives!)
 There is a warm story about that girl Sugar Pie (left). She represents a wonderful memory for her humans now. Susie told me, “Sadly, Sugar Pie is gone from this world now. But her family just adopted Sweetie Pie — Yes! They have a thing about ‘SP’ dogs!” And that is a photo of Sweetie Pie that I copied from the adoptables list on galtx.org.

 These photos are of 5 that are on the April 2021 page. As you can tell, they tend to be “home-bodies.”

Esau may be doing an impression of a dog howling at the moon.
Isabel clearly is involved in Couch Ballet.
Lulu & Connie understand the value of a slumber partnership.
And Penny? Well, she’s a lovely girl who has a darling face that deserved to be loved and treasured.
So, there’s a collection of warmth in the form of a bunch of cool dogs who have an entire non-profit helping them in their post-athletic lives. Of course, they aren’t all former racers. Some of them wind up in the care of GALT because they were seized in cruelty cases.
Yeah, it is the warmth of the good-hearted people triumphing over the heartless. And that is a warm feeling.
MEANWHILE IN HOUSTON,
THIS DOG IS A RESCUE HOPE
We learned about this Shar Pei/Lab mix from our reliable Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey. A rescuer, Fern De Santos, has been trying to get this dog to safety since early in January.
As our tipster AK writes, “This boy is stunning. He is magazine-cover material.  But someone dumped him with a family who doesn’t want him and that family’s dog would like to kill him, it sounds like.

“Houston temperatures are dropping drastically, and this Shar Pei/Lab mix, who has an injured paw and is already struggling to survive, is not used to that kind of weather. …Fern has been begging for a month to have the Houston shelter help.  But, here we are…Snow is coming and no help is forthcoming. Houston rescuers have collected $570.00 in pledges.” [LARRY ASIDE: Could be even more by the time you read this. Money covering boarding has been pledged.]
To offer to help this limping, unwanted dog who is dodging help in an area near the University of Houston, text Fern at 832-803-6905. Email [email protected].
And you can get updates on Facebook at THIS LINK.
The dog has also become wary of humans. Yep, another complication in a rescue. Our tipster AK reported around noon Thursday that “Fern is in touch with some trappers. They are trying to determine the dog’s pattern and are actively working on a plan for trapping”. 
[LARRY ASIDE: What in the heck is wrong with people? It is an emotionless heart? Or is it some kind of Pandemic Dump-the-Animals syndrome? Bless the rescuers and keep them healthy. And may enlightenment settle on the people who need to comprehend the difference between good and evil.]
WHEN THE HUMAN CONDITION
AFFECTS THE LIFE OF A DOG
We got the tip on Willo’s plight from our pal Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com.
She says this is a “sad situation and this lady really needs help rehoming.”

Willo is the girl. The situation is her human is in hospice and can't take care of her. 
Willo is a 5-year-old Brindle Pittie who is spayed and “up-to-date on vaccinations.”
The appeal, from Christie Hansen who is helping a member of her family, says she’s got Willo for now, but can’t keep her. Willo needs an only-dog home and right now she’s in a sharing situation with 3 others.
Christie’s note reads, “She’s a sweet girl and loves to chew on her bones. She doesn’t mind baths, in fact, she just jumped right into the tub on her own! She loves walks and needs someone that can spend time with her and socialize her. She also has a very large wire kennel.”

While she’s good with kids and grownups, Willo has some challenges. Christie writes, “She comes from a home where she wasn’t taught manners. She’s been around my dogs but tries to round them up.” She’s learning to walk on a leash, isn’t good with cats, but is house- and crate-trained. To audition to give Willo a good home, email [email protected]. 


CONTEMPLATIONS
DRIVING, WEATHER, FAMILIAR NAME …
Will I go driving about in this lousy weather? Heck, no. On I-30 in Grand Prairie on the 18th of December, in dry weather well above the freezing mark, I was, under the speed limit, driving toward Dallas when a nitwit in a small black car decided to change lanes without looking and whammed me and my car into an exit ramp. Nobody was hurt. But that was only because I couldn’t catch the hit-and-run knucklehead. He or she might have reacted poorly to my polite request for insurance information. …
We got a note from Sydney Busch, guiding light of the Friends of the Animals Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas. Weather has canceled the planned vaccination clinic for Saturday. This reminds me to ask this question: Which would you rather have: (1) A week of under-freezing temperatures in the middle of winter or (2) two months of 90-plus degree days in July and August? I pick Selection 2 because you can still drive to a golf course and hit the ball in the summer. It’s too cold to putt right now. Eventually someone in Texas is going to say, “If we can dome a football field, we can dome a golf course. Everybody hit low drives.” …
You may have heard, seen or read the stories about actress Gina Carano of The Mandalorian being fired from the Star Wars offspring by Lucasfilm over social media comments she made about being how tough it is to be “a Republican today.” Born in Dallas, you know. That’s her when she was a Mixed Martial Arts fighters. If that name Carano rang a bell it’s because her dad is the former Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Glenn Carano (1977-83). Who played ahead of him? Roger Staubach and Danny White. This song has nothing to do with either the Cowboys or the actress, but it has a message — a non-political message. CLICK HERE and excuse the adverts... Opened The Big Chill, as I recall.
—- Offer recollections or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

THE CURSE OF INERTIA; WEATHER TIPS; THE GREATEST GOAL FOR UNWANTED ANIMALS: 'LOVED AND ADOPTED'

EDITION OF THURSDAY, FEB. 11, 2021 [PetPowellPress] On Wednesday, I encountered a spell of inertia. Oh, I was able to roll the trash out to the curb, but, holy smoke, I couldn't type two sentences in a row. I sought help, referring my blurry self to Sir Runhon Dash-Poynt Lucidity's Handbook of Clear Expression For the Translucent Writer. He's best known as having invented the staple of commonly confusing spoken American English, the Indefinite Pronoun. 
If English had more vowels than a,e,i,o,u and sometimes w and y, I'd have been in a passel, passle, passul, of grammatarical malapropic conflustery. Know what I mean?
I'd blame the weather, but I think I used that excuse up in about the 5th grade when fractions chilled me into numeric terror -- I still dream of my initial failure to grasp the concept of a 5th of an orange. I'd never seen an orange with just 5 slices. That is my office cat, William Powell, Ph.D., Mewstastic Expressions and Cross-Species Grammar from the University of Swiftmade Clearpoint, Online. That's his staff portrait the year he taught the course Comma Blunders In the Time of Sequences.
[LARRY ASIDE: Dr. William suggested that I try nonsensical writing to find my way out of my Inertia Maze. The preceding might do the trick. Might not.]
WEATHER WARNING?
NOT JUST FOR HUMANS
Of course these warnings of ice and snow and other lousy life-threatening conditions are not just aimed at humans watching the evening and late-night news for the next day's rush hour conditions!
 They're also aimed at humans who have animals, the humans who leave their animals outside with the criminal attitude of "oh, animals can live through cold weather." Yeah, well. It is a criminal attitude in Texas, isn't it!
OK, I got this note from Moira Collins of PETA's New York office. Turns out it's pertinent in many, many areas of the nation right now.
This is the PETA "Bring Them Inside" campaign. Here's the link to the 30-second Public Service Announcement. The doghouse photo goes with the PSA.
 Moira's notice, in relation to the PSA, read, "Companion animals should always live indoors. 'Backyard dogs' and “outdoor cats”—like those featured in Breaking the Chain, the new documentary produced by Oscar winner Anjelica Huston—often go without adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. They are no better equipped to survive freezing temperatures or extreme weather conditions than humans are, they suffer terribly from frostbite, and they can die of exposure." (The photo of the dogs with the impossibly tangled chains is from the trailer for the film HERE. It's not just weather working against tethered dogs, it's the ice cube brains and chilled hearts of the don't care/so what people.)

And there are suggestions to "Gear Up." The note reads, "Coats will keep dogs comfortable in cold weather, secure harnesses can help prevent them from getting loose on walks, and booties will protect their sensitive paw pads from the frozen ground. Keep walks short in cold weather, especially for shorthaired dogs."
PETA also suggests, "Don’t Forget Birds. During extreme winter weather, provide birds and other wild animals with access to an emergency water supply by filling a heavy nonmetal water bowl (tongues can freeze to metal) and breaking the surface ice at least twice a day."
And there's this note that many of you Dear Reader Animal Advocates in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Reallyhot/reallycoldtroplex are involved with year-round. PETA says, "Good Samaritans who see companion animals kept chained or penned outside 24/7 or without adequate shelter from the elements should note the animals’ exact location and alert local law-enforcement authorities immediately. Anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may be prosecuted."
[LARRY ASIDE: Prosecuted? I hope so! Write to your county's District Attorney to politely remind that powerful official that Texas has anti-cruelty laws 24-hours a day, year-round. Keep residents, keep voters, keep office-holders aware that we have Texas laws to protect animals from nitwits.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
TWO DOG STORIES
Where do you see animals at peril in the Greater Metrosprawl? Well, there are those on the clock in shelters. There are those running free on streets and in neighborhoods. If you don't see these at-peril animals, you just ain't lookin', pal. Contemplate getting better at spotting the free-roamers, the dumped animals, the escaped-the-yard, fled-the-house dogs and cats.
THE KYLO STORY: So, back in mid-January this dog showed up in the Lancaster Animal Shelter. He was listed as Kylo. This is the first photo we posted of Kylo -- you see the big Husky boy carefully placing his paw right into the hand of someone who was paying attention to him. 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit promoting him as worthy of adoption, described him as a "very, very good boy who just so much wants someone to love him." Well, of course, there are hundreds of "very, very good" dogs in shelters all over North Texas, thousands all over the state's 254 counties. On Wednesday we got a simple note about Kylo from 4-Legged Helpers' Laura Macias. It had three happy words with a photo of Kylo: "Loved and adopted."
There are other animals waiting in small shelters to be "Loved and adopted," so ask about them by calling or texting 214-94902726 or email [email protected].
"Loved and adopted!" Yep, instructions for "Save 'em all."
HOW TO SAVE A DOG YOU SPOT. It takes personal devotion to the mission. This story came from a NextDoor post I saw Wednesday. The poster was Michael Phipps and we're mentioning him because of the heroic nature of this story. 
You see the topic there with the wagging tail. The post began, "Small white and tan dog 5400 Brentwood Stair. About 2 p.m. we were traveling westbound on Brentwood Stair in the 5400 block at Weiler Boulevard. The traffic signals were flashing red due to TP&W replacing signals. While passing by the workers' trucks parked on the edge of the road, we caught sight of a small dog up underneath the trucks. We circled back around to confirm, thinking maybe it was leashed and belonged to one of the workers who had their dog with them but none of them even knew the dog was even there underneath the truck.

"Surprisingly -- and thank God -- he didn't run and allowed us reach under the truck to pull him out. He was soaking wet and shivering like crazy. We have him with us, got him bathed, fed and is now warm. Has collar, not sure why because it has NO TAGS and he is NOT CHIPPED!!!
At readlarrypowell.com we're waiting to hear how this turns out. But so far we can announce that the dog managed to not get run down in a busy traffic area, nobody shot him for roaming into their yard and he's gotten some loving care and concern before he had an opportunity to freeze off his one undescended and one descended testes in the brutal cold. Yes. It was a thorough vet exam he was given. And it was in a warm, dry office. So, this dog is one rescue closer to the Kylo result: Adopted and Loved."
--- Offer info, advice or gripes by clicking on 'comments' below or by emailing [email protected]. ---

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.]
—- Offer silent expressions or observations by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

A LOUIE'S IN DANGER UPDATE; ADDITIONAL TALES AND CHALLENGES

EDITION OF MONDAY-TUESDAY FEB. 8-9 2021 [PetPowellPress] During the noon hour Monday we got an urgent note about blind dog Louie from Christine Kallas of Against All Odds Rescue. We’d featured him in the Sunday evening/Monday morning edition. Why? Time was running out on him and we didn’t know how swiftly.
Christine wrote, “Louie is now on top of the urgent list, meaning he will be next in line for euthanasia. Garland only has 8 open kennels for new intakes. Do you think we can spare this boy?”
I don’t know. I hope so. There’s no good reason to kill a dog for the sake of making room for the next dog on the euthanasia list.
For info about Louie and to offer to help, call the shelter at 972-205 -3570. Email [email protected]. If you’re a rescue, email [email protected].
FOLLOWING UP ON
THE OL’ OKLAHOMA DOG
Last week we connected with the Burns Flat, Okla., animal rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher and she told us the story of this dog. You may recall, a woman she knew was driving about 3 a.m. on I-40 and saw this dog dash between the front wheels and rear wheels of a moving big rig.
Terry Lynn stepped up to help get this guy to safety. What happened? She told us Monday, “I fell in love with this doll.” She sent us two more photos of the lounging I-40 truck dodger. (On the right is the early photo; the other two are in foster care.)
Bottom line from Terry Lynn reads, “He has no teeth. 15-plus years old. Serious heart murmur. My vet started him on meds. And the best thing ever: He has found a Foster Home and is safe. Being loved and pampered.”
 To all who supported saving this dog, she wrote, “Thank you all for your good thoughts for this guy. He will love whatever time he has left knowing kindness and love.”

In the meantime, as winter begins a sincere assault on the western Oklahoma own — the wind and weather blow across the Texas Panhandle right into Burns Flat — Terry Lynn has been hustling on behalf of three dogs still waiting in the city pound. 
She writes, “After these, my ACO promised not to pick any up (unless emergency) until this cold spell is over.  It looks like we have about two weeks for sure of this arctic air.  The temps are in the teens with windchills bringing it to below zero.   Some nights will be more than -15 below wind chill.”
So? Here’s Terry Lynn’s explanation: “Our pound is totally outdoors.  I have tarps up and a little heater blowing on them but it’s nothing against these winds and cold.  I hardly slept last night. I went up four times with warm blankets from the dryer. It’s drizzling ice and will be. off and on. for awhile.
“I have some inside kennels but we emptied the pound and put what we had in them. These guys came in after.  My dream would be to have another small building.  Even if I had to crate them and let them out for awhile at least they’d be warm …  But that’s thousands of dollars.  It’s not possible right now.  So I’m working on getting them into boarding through at least the next two weeks.   Maybe three, depending.”

One way to protect those three big Pittie shelter dogs in Burns Flat is to get them into foster homes (can be anywhere!) or rescue groups (can be anywhere) or onto your couch (can be in a living room anywhere!). To offer some kind of help or just a line of support, email Terry Lynn at [email protected].
AVERY’S ‘TERRIBLE SCARE’;
ALANI WAITING IN A SHELTER
We mentioned Avery last week — the dog who showed up at a home in Wilmer where the city shelter isn’t taking animals right now, according to 4-Legged Helpers, the rescue folks who focus on small shelters with low-to-no-foot traffic.
 That’s why roaming dog Avery isn’t in custody.
 A note from the Helpers (thank you Laura Macias) cited this incident as a “terrible scare.”
She included Helpers’ profiler Leighann Hayden’s story about the episode. Leighann wrote, “Terrible scare this weekend when Avery disappeared and people on the property where she comes to eat thought they saw someone trying to catch her — NOT a rescue person. There are people in this area that look for bait dogs!” 
Leighann continued, “Our hearts sank. We cried thinking about what a terrible outcome for such a sweet dog. 
“Then, good news! She came back to eat at the house she has been visiting — but the people think she may be pregnant.
 We had a potential temp foster lined up, but this person absolutely cannot foster pregnant dog or dog with puppies.”
And, there, Ladies and Gents, you see the brand new opportunity for helping Avery with her dramatic future. Leighann’s note asked, “IS THERE ANYONE THAT COULD RESCUE AVERY IF SHE IS  PREGNANT? We confirmed she is awesome with other dogs as well as cats from the people that live on the property …” 
If it turn out a vet visit reveals Avery is NOT pregnant, she can go to the original foster, Leighann wrote. On the other hand, “If she IS pregnant, then she truly needs a rescue group willing to let her have her puppies.”
To offer to help Avery, call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. 
Keep those contact points handy because this brings us to Alani.
Alani, a female “Bulldog mix” will be available at the Lancaster Animal Shelter at the “close of business” on Tuesday. 
Leighann wrote, “Alani is just precious. Found out and about as a stray but she seems to have been well cared for.  Absolutely gorgeous fur and sparkling beautiful eyes.  Adores everyone she meets.  Very sweet. Just a completely adorable girl.”
And, remember, the 4-Legged Helpers can help 501c3 rescues with transporting dogs and cats. Just get in touch with Laura.

MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE
MOCHA WAITS FOR A HOME
This boy Mocha (#46479143) is a 3-year-old Pittie who arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on January 23 and went into immediate “decompression.” He was a little bit anxious about being in a strange place without people he thought loved him.
 Our tipster, the volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown, visited with Mocha and reports, “He’s a very sweet boy with hazel/yellow eyes. He’s on the timid side and takes a while to get comfortable with you. I bribed him with treats and he came around; however, he still was cautiously friendly and kept his tail a little tucked. He also was slobbering which can be a sign of being nervous. For this reason I think he would do better with older children and in a laid back household. He did let me pet him and at the very end of the photo shoot even wagged his tail. He’s gentle and does not jump on you.  … Because of his size (77 pounds) and a strong pull on the leash I was not able to walk him through the bay to test him with other dogs. However he didn’t show any reaction when dogs went by his kennel. Mocha is a laid-back guy that would love to be in the house with you laying at your feet. There’s no doubt he would be a loyal, loving companion.” To offer to help Mocha enjoy the rest of his life, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com. Use his ID (#46479143) to help the communication process.”
You can see more Mesquite animals — dogs and cats — by going to the Shelter online site HERE. Among the cats awaiting a happy home is Eli (#46599537), a 3 1/2-year-old “large Orange” fellow who came in on Feb. 5 and can be interviewed in the Cat Room. [LARRY ASIDE: We are cat fans at readlarrypowell.com and, as such, are prepared to testify in the World Cat Court that Eli has a fantastic face!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WINTER DRIVING & POST-FOOTBALL PITCHES
This is being typed as weather reports for the area are using words such as “freezing drizzle” and “sleet” and “winter weather.” We’ll now re-direct your attention (not while you’re driving, of course): Keep your eyes and your tires on the road. Sounds so easy, doesn’t it?…
Nobody has to give advice to any motorists on the Dallas/Fort Worth Bumper Car Track. Yeah, we all know how to drive in dry weather, why should slip-slidin’ weather be any kind of a challenge at all? …
No matter the temperature or the forecast, now that NFL football is over, it’s time to move our collective concern to fretting about the Texas Rangers’ pitching. Maybe this is the year the Rangers win the World Series. And, maybe, it’s also the year I sell my screenplay: Fastballs, Screwballs and Knuckleheads. It’s a love story. Baseball player falls for a politician who goes to Congress. It’s bipartisan.
—- Offer advice or alarm by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

A BLIND DOG, STRAY DOGS, BURNS FLAT WINTER, PLUS A PARK CAT AND PEOPLE ...

EDITION OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re going to try to keep this short because, of course, some people will still be celebrating the Super Bowl, others will still be getting over the trade of Elvis Andrus from the Rangers to the Oakland A’s, and, still others, will be simply trying to get some sleep. Has the pandemic aggravated your insomnia? Or do you think it was the politics? OK, let’s move on….
LOUIE IN GARLAND;
WHAT'S IT TAKE TO SAVE HIM….
A number of people are following this blind dog’s story.
For example there’s Christine Kallas of Against All Odds Rescue. And there’s the noted advocate Jennifer Sellers.
The dog is Louie and Louie is still in Garland Animals Services as this is written.
On the Garland Animal Services Facebook page, someone posted this on Saturday about the dog who was an owner surrender “for age and being blind.”
 Here’s what was written: “This guy broke my heart. Owner surrender. Requested this precious boy be euthanized. Reason old and blind. You dumped your blind senior -- did you ever think how scared he is blind in an unfamiliar place? I had to help put him in my car because he’s blind and can’t see what’s going on. Poor baby is the sweetest boy ever still full of life. Please tag share he needs a rescue. Yes I sat in my car crying wishing I could take him.”
Jennifer, in a note to readlarrypowell.com reported that she’d read “this dog has a rescue if there's a foster, and also Save our Strays in Sugarland has offered to take him if someone will transport to Dickinson, Texas. So far, no one has stepped up and no other rescues have, either. I don’t know how long they are going to give him [at the shelter].
 On the Garland shelter facebook page HERE you can see a lively video of Louie.
An update from the shelter says 10-year-old Louie “probably has retinal degeneration and is almost completely blind, with age-related changes in his lenses, but no cataracts.” Might also have arthritis. For info about Louie and to offer to help, call the shelter at 972-205 -3570. Email [email protected]. If you’re a rescue, email [email protected].

MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
THE REPORT ON ANIMALS
This guy is Buddy (#46543664), another of the handsome strays that winds up in the Mesquite Animal Shelter. We learned about him from our reliable tipster, the volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. 
She says 2-year-old tan Pittie boy Buddy and “his absolutely gorgeous eyes” arrived at the shelter on Jan. 30 as a stray. She writes, “I can’t help but wonder why the owners did not come looking for Buddy.  Not only is he a handsome boy but he has many sterling qualities! He’s friendly and his tail wags most of the time. He gives kisses. He’s very energetic, playful, and fun loving. He loves balls. He will chase them, retrieve them and bring them back to you when he wants to. Since he wants to please you could easily teach him to drop the ball at your feet. He loves treats and will sit for them but does not take them gently. He had previously gone for a walk with another volunteer and I’m told he had a strong pull on the leash. However, when he was out in the yard with me and knew I had treats he just stayed close looking up at me in anticipation. And how can you resist those beautiful eyes!?”
Then there’s this seasonally named 3-year-old Pittie mix , a girl who came in as a stray on Feb. 1 — Cupid is her name, waitin’ is her game.
 Judi says she’s “absolutely adorable with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose and perky ears. She’s a low-rider. …very friendly tail-wagging girl who appears to love everyone.” And there’s this about the 46-pound dog: Judi wrote, “Once she realized I had treats, she stayed close!” She’s #46570447.
Remember, to ask about any of these animals, call the shelter at 972-216–6283 or email [email protected] and use the ID numbers to help with the process.

And, of course, remember that you can see more animals — such as Salem the Cat — by going to the Mesquite Animal Services site HERE. 
[LARRY ASIDE: A black cat named Salem and here we area barely past Groundhog Day and Halloween isn’t even hinted in shopping center decorations! But that’ll give you time to turn Salem into the cuddlingest cat of all time. Right?]
WINTER COMES TO BURNS FLAT;
TERRY LYNN’S CHILLING REPORT
As longtime readers know, we focus now and then on the efforts of the resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat, a far-out-west town in our neighbor, Oklahoma.
Over the weekend she wrote, “Starting Monday, the temps here with the wind chill are suppose to be -10…. I’ve found a place to board two of the new dogs but everyone else is now full and I can’t get the last two in anywhere.”

These are the “last two.” And, as longtime readers may recall, the Burns Flat Shelter is a mostly “outdoor facility.”
 She continues, “Even with the indoor kennels we have, every place is full. I swear, as soon as I move one two more come in.”
To help Terry Lynn place these two, email her at [email protected].

As you consider helping, remember that she has been the beacon for rescue in this area for years. Now and then, things get to her. She wrote to her supporters, “Y’all…I’m tired  I’m stressed.  I’m emotionally exhausted.   My heart and soul are breaking.   I have some wonderful people that have helped me keep these innocent dogs alive but it’s all getting me so bad.  |
“On a personal level, I’m falling apart. I need surgery on my knee so bad I can hardly walk.  But I can’t be off four weeks. I have the dogs. If I find a job (cleaning, etc.) I have to take it. I’m just so swamped all the time. So, please, if anyone has room for either of these two let me know.   I hate the thought of them out in that weather.  I have a heater I can run but it’s still OUTDOORS 
“I know some of you will say bring them home. I already have some here. So that’s not an option. I have been offered a situation that will be a big help for the animals but that’s a situation I’m going to be working on for the future to have more inside areas. Thank you all for caring.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
WINTER, PARK CAT & A GAME
While launching a conversation Sunday with Christine Kallas of Against All Odds Rescue, I spotted this illustration on one of the rescue/ sanctuary’s sites. It just seems to fit not only with Terry Lynn’s situation in Burns Flat, but with a lot of animals in the Greater North Texas Metrosprawl. Maybe you can copy it and hand it out to people who refuse to bring their animals indoors in weather so lousy that if a human was out in it, there’d be litigation flying around like grackles in springtime. I don’t know who created that artwork, but I would love to thank the artist. It’s touching with a point. …
Here’s a cat adventure off a NextDoor page in eastern Fort Worth. Call it an instance in which “a nice person met up with a cat.” That’s the cat in the photo. The post the woman wrote, reads, “Found young cat. This young cat came running out of the woods while we were at the park. His deceased sibling was nearby. He is very affectionate and went for a walk with us. Of course, i had to had to take him home and feed him. Is this anyone’s kitten”? One person responded, “Keep him. Nature gave him to you.” [LARRY ASIDE: I loved that response, and the next one, too.] Another person wrote, “That’s basically how we got our last two cats; they came up and claimed us.”…
Well, at least the Dallas Cowboys didn’t lose the Super Bowl this season. But, as is said, “Wait ’til next year.” Of course, in order to lose it, they'll have to get into it.
—- Offer advice or opinions by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Save ‘em all. —-

SUPER CATS, SUPER DOGS, SUPER NAPS, SUPER WEEKEND -- LIFE WITH THE SENATOR

It’s Super Bowl weekend, as you probably know, so could there be a better time to use our feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap to highlight my cat, The Senator?

He once was nimble and elusive runner -- what is called a “Scatback.” Never played the game, as they say in locker rooms.
The Senator doesn’t scat so much anymore. He believes his life experiences and ability to contribute to global problem-solving preclude the need to scat.
For example, I snapped this photo Friday morning as I was working on something at the dining room table, a structure we’ve turned into a laptop work table. 
I said, “Scat,” when he flopped down on my mouse. When he went immediately to sleep, I thought, “I can live with that. … I’ll just take his photos and embarrass him.”
 As it turns out, there’s no embarrassing a napping cat. When those eyelids shut, shame shuts down. He did stir (photo two), then he shook his head and went back to sleep. I went back to my Home Office and the desktop.
For a while, The Senator was helping me with composing The Lesser Dallas Novel: Two-Stepping In Hot Asphalt, but he grew weary of correcting my punctuation and musical references while making certain that Mr. Subject and Mr. Verb agreed. I’ll say this for the guy: He sure knows how to diagram a sentence.
That other photo with The Senator shows what happens when species blissfully co-exist — he’s napping on the couch with the household’s youngest feline, Stevie Ray, stretched between and adjacent to him our dear constant companion Porche Noel, the hippie chick dog. When it comes to slumber, Porche’s the leader of the pack.
The Senator and I have been workmates for more than 13 years — that’s longer than I went to public school but, as I understand it, not as long as The Senator was in office. 
He arrived in my world when he was a very mature five or six and he doesn’t like to talk about anything that occurred during his three terms in office, but, now and then, he’ll discuss the joy he got out of attending a couple of undisclosed Ivy League schools. He’s got graduate degrees in two key fields: Molecular Catology and Domestic Canine Philosophy. The first he describes as an ongoing feline intelligence study and the second… Well, the second…. Hmmm…
The Senator authoritatively says Canine Philosophy consisted of classes that focused on the study of personal comfort and enjoyment. Basically, he says, “The theme was ‘Two woofs and some treats’.”
So, in keeping with the weekend of the Super Bowl, we asked two dogs what they’re going to be doing during the game. 
Texas Earl the Cheeseman, our wonderful Rottie, grinned at the camera and declared, “Two woofs and some treats. Repeatedly.” 
The Border Collie/Chocolate Lab mix Dudley (prone in the background) chose cat-napping over responding and later explained he’d been practicing his Super Nap for Sunday’s game.

That’s our cat Esme, member of a feral litter born in 2012 — she loves to sit on the TV shelf and watch football. She told me, “The Cowboys aren’t playing in this game — I may stay awake for the entire Super Bowl! Maybe there’ll be cat commercials.”
The bet in Vegas is that my funspouse Martha will be out like a light before the first snap after the opening kickoff. Who? Oh, Kansas Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sorry. Forgot not all Americans are ape over the game.
The only emotion I’ll experience during the game is this: Gosh, I’ll always regret not having had a ticket to the 1/22/89 Bengals/49ers Super Bowl so I could see the halftime show starring Elvis Presto.
[LEGAL ASIDE: The Senator wants you all to know he was not on the Super Bowl Board of Directors that year. He was, however, a guest halftime dancer one year. This is a rehearsal photo.]
[DEAR READERS: Send photos and bios of your slumbering animals to [email protected] and we’ll post them and their stories in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people decide to bring lovely animals into their homes and you’ll be helping insomniacs realize they may have been frightened awake by ill-conceived halftime shows. Here’s the LINK TO THAT ELVIS PRESTO SHOW. Don’t click if you don't want to aggravate your insomnia.]
— Offer opinions or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

AS THE DAYS DWINDLE DOWN, WE REPORT ON RESCUES AND ADOPTABLES AND A MUSE

EDITION OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 [PetPowellPress] This is, as many of you know and Holiday Insights’ calendar notes, National Bird Feeding Month. Lot’s of ‘em in our neighborhood and you can tell by what’s on the patio furniture beneath some very bird-beckoning limbs in an oak tree whose limbs currently extend leaflessly over our patio. We hold no grudges against well-fed birds, so celebrate.
These are the only two birds in our neighborhood that did not leave something on our patio furniture. I’m not saying they didn’t encourage the visitors…That duck’s smile is somewhat suspicious. Plus, he's wearing a raincoat. Maybe he knew something...
THE ADVENTURE OF RESCUE:
SAVING THE OL’ DARING DOG
As we’ve often noted, there is a rescue force in Burns Flat, Okla., so far west in the Sooner State that it ought be part of Texas. Big hearts. 
Here’s an example from the resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher of Burns Flat.
She says she got a call about 3 in the morning on Tuesday. “A lady here in my town was coming home from Oklahoma City.  She saw a little dog actually run between the front and back wheels of a semi [on Interstate 40!]. She freaked and stopped, looking for it. He finally came running to her and jumped in her arms.

“She works out of town and is never home.  Not really an animal person but she said she couldn’t leave him there in the middle of nowhere.”

The Burns Flat lady said the dog was “skin and bones and doesn’t have any teeth,” Terry Lynn reported. “He walks like he’s in pain.” She got him to a vet.  
Here’s the report. “He is old. Doc guessed about 15 or better. Not one tooth. He has a heart murmur which, at this old age, for sure means heart issues. He will be on meds.

“But he wants to live! He isn’t ready to give up. So I will be fighting for him. Until he lets us know it’s time to go, I’ll do everything I can to keep him alive.
“If anyone has a foster or home for a sweet, old toothless guy, let me know.” 
To ask about helping Terry Lynn help this daring ol’ dog who dodged a semi on I-40 in Oklahoma, email her at [email protected].
NEWS REGARDING CHIQUITA,
THE BLIND DOG IN FW
This little girl Chiquita, the owner-surrendered blind and diarrhea-stricken 13-year-old dog who came into the Fort Worth Animal and stirred hearts, has been tagged and has left the building!
You’ll note the happy “riding away” photo of the little girl. Quite the contrast to the early “blind dog in metal shelter cage” photograph.

This “riding away” is, as veteran rescuers know, frequently the result of teamwork. That is the case with Chiquita. It is how Texas affiliates of the Canadian rescue Paws ‘R Us are now making sure Chiquita is decompressing and being vetted.
Paws R Us spokesrescuer Marlene Fazekas told us Thursday that Chiquita will be making the trip to the Toronto area “once our vet says she’s free to go….As long as everything is good, we’re probably looking at March.”
Paws R Us, Marlene says, specializes in “helping special-need rescue dogs in the USA.” Now and then, Paws R Us helps dogs in Mexico, too, she says. 
There is an account to help with Chiquita’s medical bills at paypal.me/marlenefazekas or, Marlene says, contact the group’s vet at 201-647-1101. The Facebook page is HERE and you can contract the organization at [email protected] and read about it at pawsrus.net.
[LARRY CHIQUITA ASIDE: So, in a few weeks, we may learn that a Texas dog named Chiquita is in the Toronto area, charming a new human and getting a new name, Chiquita Eh. Sorry, Chiquita — couldn’t resist the Canadian inflection!]
THE ASTOUNDING BRINDLE BAILEY
AND OTHER MESQUITE ADOPTABLES
Our pal Judi Brown really encounters some fantastically-coated dogs in the Mesquite Animal Shelter. Latest is this 6-year-old, 48-pound Brindle Pittie boy Bailey. He came into the shelter on Jan. 14 as a stray and, Judi says, the reason he’s been at the shelter so long is “he had a possible owner.” Nobody showed up to bring their sweet dog home. So, now, Bailey (#46427337) is available to light up a new home with “his beautiful eyes and big grin.”
Judi says, “Bailey has got a fun loving, happy personality that just wins you over. He’s very photogenic and in many of the pictures I took of him it appeared that he was smiling. He’s friendly and his tail wags constantly.”
Also he sits for treats and “takes them relatively gently.”
And, Judi writes, “He absolutely Loves to chase balls! He doesn’t seem to tire of chasing and retrieving them. He drops the ball when you ask him to. He found a larger ball in the yard and spent a lot of time entertaining himself chasing it. He would definitely benefit from a large yard and an active family that would be willing to toss a ball for him.” 

Use his ID 46427337 when you call the shelter at 972-216–6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com.
Judi also interviewed Blessed, this 6-year-old, 38-pound “probably part-Shepherd/Rat Terrier Mix” who was surrendered on Feb. 1 because his humans were moving to a no-dogs apartment. “They had only had her for four months,” Judi says. “So hopefully Blessed will be blessed next time with owners that will give her a furever home! She was surrendered along with two 10-week-old puppies. Her nipples have not receded yet. Blessed is an exuberant, energetic, fun loving girl full of tail wags and kisses.” She’s #46568817. And, you can see how exuberant she is at tail-wagging. That tail is just a blur!
Judi’s colleague in volunteer dog biographing (LARRY QUERY: That a word? Biographizing?) ... anyway, Debra Chisholm sent us news about the availability of Arthur, a 35-pound Pittie mix listed as #46536322 at the shelter. Came in as a stray on the 29th. He’s a year-and-a-half old and not fixed. Figures, right? Debra reports that he’s underweight and “very high energy and will jump on you.” She suggests manners training for this boy.
She says, “He is a playful and friendly pup with a sweet nature.  He likes treats and takes them gently.  He does have an issue with his back left leg/hip. … He doesn't put full weight on that leg much.  It doesn't seem to slow him down much but will need to be checked out.”

That brings us to another bio by Debra. She writes, “This beauty is Simone, a mixed-breed girl with an attractive brindle coat who arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/29.  Simone weighs 44 pounds, is about 2 years old and is not spayed.”
Though her face usually has a solemn countenance, that’s not really her. Debra says that “in reality she is a happy-go-lucky youngster whose short stubby tail frequently wags.  … She was so intent on investigating the yard that I had a hard time getting face shots of her.  She has lots of energy and is playful.  She enjoyed chasing tennis balls but didn't know to bring them back.  This is one friendly and sweet-natured girl.  She does like attention and was happy to be petted and loved on.” Simon is #46539413. As with the other Mesquite animals, call the shelter at 972-216-6283; email rescues@cityofmesquite.
AND UPON CLICKING INTO DAS,
THERE WERE 9 CAT PHOTOS!
Geezalou, who among us remembers when the list of cats available at Dallas Animal Services was in the hundreds? On Thursday afternoon I clicked on dallasanimalservices.org and went to cats and
found only these 9 — we mentioned last week that the shelter had Catalie Portman (hello, movie star Natalie Portman!). This week we’ll note that the available cats in DAS include My Friend, a year-old Domestic Short Hair girl who weighs in at just 5 pounds. Don’t know if her real name is “My Friend” or that’s just the sentimental tag she earned! (Click on the cats to make the photos grow, of course. Maybe.)
There are dogs at DAS, of course, We picked one to spotlight — this is 5-year-old, 47-pound Gambit. He’s listed as a “German Shepherd,” but, based on personal experience with dogs, those golden dots might indicate there’s a Rottweiler relative in the Gambit’s family tree. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m betting, also, that “Gambit” is not this 5-year-old’s original name — I never saw a dog named “Gambit” before Netflix introduced the hit series The Queen’s Gambit in 2020.]

CONTEMPLATIONS
THE DAYS DWINDLE DOWN
OK, that’s not quite accurate this early in the year, but it’s a quick year and January is already a distant memory.
 We took a look at the Holiday Insights online calendar and discovered that three days are designated for February 5. This is (a) Bubble Gum Day and (b) National Shower with a Friend Day and National Weatherman’s Day. Not sure about the date for National Shower With a Weatherman Day. 
...
Yep, the days dwindle down to a precious two — Friday and Saturday — and then it’s Sunday, the day of the big game, Kansas City vs. Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl. So many new rules this football season. Don’t have Super Bowl parties, for example. And don’t sneeze in a huddle. Wait, that may not be a rule. Neither is 
“Always stay socially distant from the quarterback.” That's from the Dallas Cowboys Defensive Playbook.
Well, by now you’ve probably noticed two photos. Some of you will recognize Rosa Klebb, the SPECTRE operative in the 1964 James Bond (Sean Connery!) film From Russia With Love. Thirty-four years earlier, she’d posed for that black and white photo in Berlin. She’s Lotte Lenya, the singer and the muse of the composer Kurt Weill, the man she married twice and who was famed for Three Penny Opera, among other works. The striking and talented Miss Lotte Lenya (as she’s known in the Weill song Mack The Knife from Threepenny Opera), was not only an actress, but a singer. Weill wrote September Song for her. By clicking HERE you can hear Miss Lotte Lenya sing it. You’ll have to put up with an ad first, but the performance is a joy to those of us romantics who love to know of "The Muse." [LARRY FYI: My funspouse Martha's maiden name is "Muse." Yep. True. Sings, too.]
—- Offer opinions, advice or your own performances by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

DOGS, CATS, TEXAS AND OTHER THINGS WORTH CONSIDERING...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY Feb. 3-4, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Anybody else learn the word “potpourri” from listening to The Paul Harvey News on AM radio? Yeah, well, here we come with a potpourri for this dual day edition.
How’s that for 3 lines typed in 2021 without mentioning either politics or a virus!
FIRST WE GO TO A REPORT
ON THE GIRL CHIQUITA
I’ll confess that the story of Chiquita, 13 and blind and “owner-surrendered,” set the tone for my entire day Tuesday. Wednesday, it’s a little better. Chiquita was in the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Shelter where there are people working for her.
So, the latest note we've seen is a report on Kristen Barg Morrison’s Facebook page is that efforts are underway to get Chiquita to a rescue group in San Antonio. As Kristen wrote in her appeal, “She has a rescue that wants her. Can anyone spend a day saving a life?!”
More to come, no doubt, on this story. [LARRY ASIDE: There are 7.5 million residents in the DFW Metro Area, largest “metro area” in Texas. San Antonio’s metro area, 3rd largest in Texas, has around 2.5 mill. You’d think that among 7.5 million North Texans there’d be one who could love a 13-year-old, blind dog named Chiquita. I must be an optimist.]
THEN THERE’S THIS BOY
IN AN OKLAHOMA SHELTER
Just so you don’t think Texas has cornered the market on “owner surrenders of older dogs,” we got this note Wednesday from the relentless rescuer in Burns Flat, Okla., Terry Lynn Fisher. 
“Lord help me,” Terry Lynn wrote, “What’s up with the seniors? My heart can’t take this.”
A friend sent her a note about an older Poodle that, Terry Lynn says, is in a shelter “about 40 miles from me. A horrific hellhole of a pound.”
The friend's note read, “Anyone want a hot mess senior toy poodle? ACO: ‘There is a poodle mix at the shelter — about 14 — that was surrendered because he was biting elderly owner. I feel if the teeth issue is taken care of, very bad teeth, and he's got cataracts going, so visually impaired to a point, maybe a rescue could take. He didn't make any moves while I was out there earlier."
 To offer to help this guy, get in touch with Terry Lynn at [email protected].

WANDERING IN WILMER,
SHE NEEDS SOME HELP
This is Avery, a Bulldog mix girl. And we learned her story from 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small shelters and wandering animals in a fix. Avery, apparently unwanted in Wilmer, fits right into the Helpers’ mission.
The note, sent by Helpers Leighann Hayden and Laura Macias, reads, “Avery is a precious girl and showed up on a property where someone has been feeding her but she desperately needs a home or rescue. GREAT and we mean GREAT with other dogs and even loves cats. Just the most precious sweet girl ever. Wilmer is still not even taking anything into their ‘shelter’ so dogs in this area are so out of luck.”
That means the 4-Legged Helpers have stepped up to try to get Avery into a rescue group or a safe home for the rest of her life. Call or text Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. Avery is “available now”!
OLDER QUEENIE'S IN A SHELTER;
‘OWNERS WERE MOVING’…
Our pal, Judi Brown, volunteer dog biographer at Mesquite Animal Services’ Shelter, has found a dog whose situation surely will rip the heart right out of anybody with a heartbeat. Surely.
Judi writes, “Queenie is an approximately 15-year-old Husky/German Shepherd/Border Collie mix that was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/29 because her owners were moving. She is a sweet, gentle, loving dog that deserves to have a loving home with lots of warm comfy blankets for her final months/years of her life.

“Because of her age and fact that she only weighs 25 pounds she will be RESCUE ONLY (hospice situation). She has been taken to the vet and had a fecal test and a senior blood panel which came back OK.”

She getting additional tests and her teeth are of a concern. Judi says, “Currently she’s being fed soft food three times a day because she's so badly underweight. 

“The staff and volunteers have been spending time with her and I think the consensus of opinion would be that we’re all falling in love with her.” 
Our pal Judi adds, “You will, too, if you meet her.”

Judi also says that Queen loves to snuggle and “have her ears scratched. She gets around slowly and walks well on a leash. … Queenie needs to be out of the shelter ASAP.” Her ID is 46535909. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve been writing about the Mesquite Animal Services and its shelter for a while — years, I guess. We’ve admired staffers and volunteers through many canine and feline encounters. And, now, it seems, the Mesquite City Council may have reacted to the fact that Mesquite Animal Services is “doing the city proud” with its programs and its work. The latest development may be a result of elected officials taking a look at the standard set by the shelter and its workers and supporters and joining in on the effort to save ‘em all. Here’s a LINK to a DFW Community News story reporting that the Mesquite City Council has OK'd a $227,735 contract to increase the size of the Mesquite Animal Shelter while adding more kennels and a new play area. The story includes this info from Mesquite Director of Neighborhood Services Maria Martinez. She, according to the story, said that “the live release rate of all animals who entered the City’s shelter was 95% in 2020 as compared to 90% in 2019. Martinez explained much of the success goes to the dedicated staff, volunteers and rescue groups working in collaboration on a daily – sometimes hourly basis.”
]
Remember, you can see more Mesquite Shelter animals by going to this ONLINE SHELTER SITE. In addition to the dogs, you’ll see such cats as Flit (#46478905), a 4 1/2-year-old Domestic Shorthair with some pretty big eyes in a shelter photo session. And there’s a cat we’ve mentioned before, 2-year-old Big Friendly, a male domestic shorthair mix with a championship set of whiskers. That third cat is 4-year-old Valentino (46477688) a smallish fellow who waits in the shelter with all the young cats, barn cats, mature cats and probably even some alley cats. Save ‘em all. 
[LARRY REVELATION: Readlarrypowell.com endorses all dogs and cats without ever having met them. We’d extend the same courtesy to all humans — except, well, we’ve met some of them.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
THINGS CHANGE AND OTHER NOTES
I was walking past Martha’s work station in the home office and she says, “Here’s a question for you: 'If you could live anywhere in the world, what part of Texas would you move to?' ” Texans, of course, are proudly laughing. Martha said she found it on an Instagram account and then she sent me a copy of the illustration in case any of you want to pass it on! I picked Santa Fe because I believe that part of New Mexico ought to still belong to Texas. Oh, I'm kidding -- Texas owns me, to the chagrin of the tax collector. …
I do remember, though, working in Dallas when it was part of Texas — before back in the ‘80s when so many New Yorkers and New York businesses came to town that people began to refer to Dallas as “The Sixth Borough.” And when DART began building Dallas’ subway, they called it “The Seventh Burrow.” I’m kidding.… 
Let’s talk weather, he typed on an afternoon in the “Dead of Winter” when the sun was out and the temp was pushing the mid-70s. It’s a good thing that the general rule for a snow in North Texas is it can stay on the ground for 24 hours, but it can stay on the streets and highways only until about noon the morning that it falls. It’s the “One Rush Hour Limit.”
—- Offer opinions or objections by clicking on ‘comments’ or by emailing [email protected]. —-

SOME DAYS THE RACKET FROM THE UGLY SIDE OF LIFE IS JUST TOO LOUD -- RISE UP, GOOD PEOPLE, AND SAVE 'EM ALL

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Some days the news is awful, the emails about animals are awful and my mid-1960s-fireworks-inflicted tinnitus is unable to drown it all out. But, in the spirit of trying to do good in this era, here are some opportunities to rise above the unpleasant behavior of the knuckleheaded don't care/so-what people who put animals at peril.
A CROWD OF CANINES
NEEDS A BEVY OF HUMANS….
The Mesquite Animal Shelter has a very active program for volunteers. A couple of them have been so kind to readlarrypowell.com because they always send us great first-hand notes about animals that need a home.
For all of these Mesquite animals, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 

We’re starting today with Charlie (#46569435), a 48-pound, 8-year-old mixed breed, likely a Rat Terrier/Pittie mix according to the volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. He was surrendered to the shelter on the 1st by the people who’d had him for, basically, his entire life. Why surrender? Judy explained, “Although his previous owners, that had him for eight years, filled out an extensive surrender form when it came to the reason for surrender they said they couldn’t keep him anymore. They did not elaborate.”

What have these people given up? Judi writes, “I just can’t say enough positive things about the sweet, tail wagging, friendly, kissing dog!  He’s very sweet-looking with freckles across his nose and quirky ears! For being 8 years old. he’s relatively energetic and playful. His previous owners said that he loves running, chasing balls, and playing tug-of-war. But on the other hand he’s got a quiet side in that he loves to cuddle and loves to sunbathe. He was not raised with other dogs and cats and they said he does not like cats!”

Mesquite dog biographer Debra Chisholm provides the story of Eeyore, a Great Dane mix who came in as a stray on Jan. 26 and is “rescue only” and you’ll see why. He’s about 7, weighs 59 pounds and, after a vet check, is said to have sarcoptic mange and, “possibly cancer in his back right leg.”
Debra’s note reads, “The results from the x-rays have not been reported but, the vet thinks he has cancer and has had it for a while because it has eaten almost to the bone and the leg has atrophied.  He doesn't put any weight on the leg, but only uses it to scratch his itchy skin.  He has been given medication to help him feel more comfortable and to not itch as much.  But this is one dog who has not had the necessary care needed to be healthy.  It is very sad to see the condition he is in.  He has been vaccinated and dewormed.  He is painfully thin.  Eeyore is alert, lively, friendly and responsive and badly needs a rescue.” Eeyore’s ID is 46516704.
Judi met up with Jasper (#46537035), the pointy-eared, year-old Pittie who arrived at a stray on the 29th. Hazel eyes and perky ears help make him “very photogenic, Judi said. HJ “was not a happy camper” at first, but the staff worked with him and he’s become a playful 62-pound dog with a “strong pull on the leash at first probably because he wanted to go do his business. Going back to his kennel, he walked OK on the leash.”
This is 40-pound, mixed-breed boy Ruger (#46397530) who, Debra writes, “arrived at the shelter on 1/9. It was discovered that he had an owner and when contacted the owner decided he did not want to reclaim Ruger so he came to the shelter on 1/14 to surrender him, giving financial hardship as a reason.” [LARRY ASIDE: Remember those “nitwits” I mentioned earlier. Keep reading.]
This owner also reported that “Ruger lived indoors and with other dogs, cats and children (theirs were 2 and 9) and was a-okay with all.  He likes to play fetch and run and knows the sit command.  He is house trained.  Ruger is afraid of loud noises and new people. 
“Ruger's main issue is that he is terrified of the leash.  Former owner admitted to 'whupping' him when he misbehaved.  There's a strong probability that this was done when he had the leash on which is understandably why he is scared of the leash.  However, a couple of shelter volunteers have been working with him (especially with the leash issue) and though he is a work in progress, he has come such a long way.  He is a love bug, likes to give kisses and receive belly rubs.”
Then there’s the 59-pound potential movie star Leo (#46513408), a year-old snuggler who is possibly a Border Collie/Basenji/Other boy. “Whatever he is,” Judi writes, “He’s got beautiful markings and captivating chocolate eyes.” Active, likes to explore, “took a shine to one of our volunteers and stayed close to him for extra attention, extra petting and extra scratching.” Came in as a stray, needs to leave as a household treasure.
And Debra tells us that Lily (#40075533), about 6 and weighing 51 pounds, is a mixed-breed who came in on the 22nd. Debra wrote, “Though she walks well on a leash, she is not real comfortable having it put on which is why I left it on during the photo session.  She is a bit skittish and though not unfriendly, she is cautiously friendly.  She did not react to the other dogs when led through the bay, even those who were barking at her.  She has a low-key and calm personality.  She does not seem interested in treats.  She seemed more interested in investigating the yard and peering out into the shelter parking lot through the gate than interacting with me.  I will continue to get her out and show her attention.  Lily is quite vocal and this would not be a good dog for an apartment dweller.  Though she doesn't look underfed, her coat is dirty and scraggly.  So, possibly she has not been well cared for or she has been out on her own for a while.”
For all of these Mesquite animals, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
THE CHIQUITA STORY….
THE HUMAN ELEMENT…
Looking at Facebook and other sources we can declare that a lot of people have read about Chiquita, the 13-year-old, blind dog who became an owner-surrender on Feb. 1. You may recall reading in our early edition Tuesday that the owner said Chiquita had “been having diarrhea and is totally blind.” A vet exam confirmed the blindness, but determined the “fecal was negative.” 
And people who met Chiquita described her as “extremely sweet.”
As we prepared to post this Tuesday evening, we had no confirmation that someone would rescue her. Please watch the video HERE. [LARRY ASIDE: If you’re not tearing up when you watch Lucy wondering what has happened to her, why she is in a cold metal cage, you need new batteries in your heart.]
And when you are moved to help Chiquita have a home where she can feel love and not be startled by strange sounds and unfamiliar voices, email Fort Worth Animal Care & Control at [email protected]. She’s A46570544. I hope a rescue has her in a loving home by the time you read this sentence.
CONTEMPLATIONS
REACTION TO CHIQUITA
So, here’s a little inside view of what happens to a mushy human brain that is constantly writing about animals in a fix. Some of those fixes hit you right in the heart. Like, I have faith that Mesquite animals will be saved and that animals cited by 4-Legged Helpers in small shelters will have a good chance. That many other shelters — Denton, for example — are working hard to find homes for animals. 
Then I run into something like Chiquita’s story. She’s not the only “family pet” dumped into a cage to wait for the needle. Happens every day. Maybe it hit me because we have older dogs who are family members — not “pets.” 
Maybe it hit me because after decades of writing about animals, I know for a fact that there is a way to “save ‘em all” — you just have get get people to wise-up. I stupidly still have faith in a species that settles diplomatic arguments by going to war.
While I was discussing the Chiquita situation with our tipster, the veteran animal advocate Donna Bradshaw, I might have slipped into a neanderthalic mode and expressed a desire to “teach a lesson” to people who dump old puzzled dogs.
I think I wrote, “There oughta be some way to get people to be smarter.” I don't know why I’d say that -- I haven't gotten any smarter through the decades. 
Donna gave me a great quote that I think is perfect for the situation when a loving dog is dumped at its most vulnerable time of life by the people that dog adores.
She said, “You just want to slap them and say ‘Wake up, stupid!’.”
Yes. I agree wholeheartedly with Donna. Yes, I do.
—- Offer ‘Wake up, stupid!” advice by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-