ARCHIE, LOUIS & OTHERS NEED HELP; FROM THE STATE FAIR TO A WORLD'S FAIR.

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021 [PetPowellPress] As you know, we write about animals here and people, too. 
And we try to make sure the things we write help ‘em all. In this edition, we have a number of animals — Archie and Louis are two — that can be helped and so can the people who are helping them — the good hearts known as the rescue community. 

But, first, let’s note two days before Spring’s arrival that you probably can’t step outside right now and feel a hint of autumn in the air.
 So, we’ll be providing autumnal information later in today’s report. There’s contest news from the State Fair of Texas — the big show is on your Big Tex 2021 personal calendar for Sept. 24-Oct. 17. This artwork is a potential hint: a photo of a Big Tex artistic representation and a miniature butter sculpture of a Texas Longhorn. I haven’t seen that much butter since the last time I ate pancakes at Norma’s in Oak Cliff -- they let me butter my own. And, here’s a global fact: You’re not gonna get hints like that artwork from any other state fair or even a World’s Fair. Read on!
THE STORY OF ARCHIE
AND HIS EVOLUTION
Oh, goodness, here’s a story of a dog who has really needed a loving human. This guy Archie wound up in the care of the Glen Heights Animal Control on the southern side of Dallas County. Why?
As Lisa Faulkner-Dunne of The DAWG Project of Dallas explains, “We were alerted by our friend Laura Macias.” As regular readers may recollect, Laura is the president of 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on animals in small shelters with no walk-in traffic or adoption programs.
Lisa says Archie was “turned in for killing chickens and was there (Glen Heights) for two months with no interest. We loved his dapper looks.

“He had three weeks of training with Dog’s Mind Training in February, during the snow situation, to work on impulsivity,” Lisa reports. “He learned so much and is much better when meeting a canine friend now. Even sits when told to when an off-leash dog runs up to him.”
That brings us to this challenge: “We really need an adopter for him as his wonderful foster is returning to her corporate job with travel instead of working from home.”
Contact Lisa 214-287-1969 or email woof@thedawgproject.org.
Archie’s “wonderful foster” is Colleen McCullough. And the first two photos are of Archie enjoying life in her care. He’s clearly a “mid-size” Lab/Pit Earhound. And he also knows how to relax — he’s apparently able to adjust to being a lapdog, too.
In addition to traditional training, Archie has also been involved with a little bit of experimental work. Lisa says one of The DAWG Project board members, Melanie Wells, owner of Lifeologie Counseling, “has been using…Alpha-Stem with her anxious human clients with great results and suggested we try it with Archie.” [LARRY ASIDE: Alpha-Stim is described as a device “used by mental health providers as a non-pharmaceutical treatment fo depression and anxiety, and also may help with chronic pain.”]
  It’s not designed for dogs, but, Lisa says, “The Alpha- Stim worked! She fastened the ear clips to Archie’s much- bigger-than-human ears, turned on the device, and he immediately relaxed.  The technology directs a natural level of micro-currents through the brain, to simulate and modulate specific groups of nerve cells.”
His foster Colleen said, ““We could tell he was in a calm state, and seems to enjoy the experience. We are trying it once a day to see if we can provide some long term-results.”
Of course, the best long-term result for Archie would be a loving, understanding, home with a lap he can flop on and watch cable TV or, maybe, listen to quiet music — lots of calming cello, maybe.
THE STORY OF LOUIS:

A BELOVED COCKER SPANIEL
Thursday is a big day for Louis the Cocker Spaniel. 
To quote his advocate, Mary Sullivan, “Louis is going to be evaluated by the neurologist tomorrow (Thursday) and he’ll perform surgery then if that turns out to be indicated. If not, then Louis will likely need a wheelchair. One day at a time.”

This handsome boy is Louis, described by Mary as “a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel the color of mocha.”

He’s only 2. He’s neutered. Up-to-date on shots. And he has just one very serious problem in his Cocker Spaniel world.
 Mary says that “he appears to have intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which is causing some neurological impairment.  His symptoms came on very suddenly, and right now, he’s unable to use his back legs, although he still has some sensation there, which is a good thing.  To return to functionality, he’ll likely need surgery, and if that doesn’t work, he may end up with some wheels.  Not the end of the world...lots of dogs do quite well toolin’ around on those things!”

We have a back story on Louis from Mary. And she and I both have giant pieces of our hearts that belong to Cocker Spaniels now gone — her doll was Biscotti and mine was Inky. We can relate to the reaction of the man who loves Louis and understand why things worked out this way. 
Louis’s human is, Mary says, “a senior gentleman who has some orthopedic difficulties of his own, is unable to care for him, and made the tough decision to surrender Louis to VCA Bent Tree Animal Hospital.… The gentleman  was absolutely heartbroken, because Louis has been a steadfast friend to him since he was a puppy.”
Mary says, “Louis has a Go Fund Me page, started by one of the outstanding techs at Bent Tree. This page (“Help Save Louis” by Cheryl Kunde) can be accessed here, and no donation is too small: https://gofund.me/1223a1d9. “
Once Louis’ condition is dealt with, he may need a foster or adoptive home.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
THE DOGS AWAIT HOMES
It’s still winter for two more days and the dogs are smilin’ like it’s springtime already. This girl is Josie, a 4-year- old blonde and white Pittie girl who arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray on the 11th. We learned about her from the volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown who visited with her. (Get your tissue ready.) Judi writes, “She’ll sit looking at you through her kennel window as though pleading with you to take her out and adopt her. She’s a very fun-loving, playful, energetic girl that has a happy-go-lucky personality. She even seems to be smiling in most of her photos! … She’s very vocal and lets you know if she wants attention. … She will sit for treats and take some gently. She loves, loves balls. She brings them back but doesn’t want to give them up right away so she sort of makes a game out of it. … She wagged her tail when meeting other dogs in the bay. She does jump high and has jumped up on the wall of our yard in an effort to escape. She will need a very secure fence!!!” The 53-pound Josie is not “fixed.” She’s #46883759 at the shelter.

 GET A LOAD OF THIS REASON Wesley was surrendered at 8 months old. On the 16th, the humans brought the 64-pound Brindle Pittie boy in and handed him over “because he was too much dog!” Judi says, adding it was “a reason I hadn’t heard before and it made me chuckle. … I interpreted that to mean there was still a lot of puppy left in him.” He is curious and likes to explore the yard, she says. At the same time, he’s a very attractive dog with almost tiger-like stripes and perky ears. He’s a friendly-fun-loving guy that is very playful. His tail wags constantly. The owners that surrendered him had only had him for two months so hopefully the next owners will make a commitment to make Wesley their ‘furever’ dog.” He’s #46908389. 

And that bring us to Judi’s report on the largest Daisy we’ve ever encountered. This delicate flower Daisy, the 6-year-old, 82-pound German Shepherd/Husky mix, was turned over to the shelter because “she escapes.” That was on the 15th. Daisy still hasn’t escaped from the shelter, but you can help her escape. She’s available. 
Yep, one blue eye, one brown eye — or as Judi termed it “bi-eyed” and sweet. Daisy is “aggressive with smaller dogs and does not like cats,” her surrendering humans said. 
Judi says, “I had a difficult time taking pictures of her as she was aloof and more interested in exploring the yard. She was not interested in my treats or toys. Her owners said she was an outdoor dog only. They also said that she’s friendly with people, good with kids, and craves attention. The only time she paid much attention to me was when I sat down on the bench and then she did come to me and let me scratch her ears. It appears to me that she has not had much socialization but could certainly learn to love being loved on! She’s a sweet, gentle girl that did not jump on me. She did do her business as soon as she got out into the yard. She had a strong pull on the leash. She did not have a reaction one way or the other to the other dogs when she was walked through the bay.” She’s #46904493.

To ask about Daisy, Wesley and Josie, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityof- mesquite.com.
You can see more dogs at this LINK TO THE SHELTER.
 And you can see many adorable cats and kittens just waiting for an opportunity to demonstrate their catness to some genuine catfans. This one is 5-year-old Holly who arrived on Feb. 19 and is a boy — maybe the only boy cat I’ve ever seen named Holly. No matter the name, a big orange cat, at the age of 5, oughta be occupying a spot on couch, the bed or a lap.
CONTEMPLATIONS
STATE FAIR AND OTHER THINGS IN THE FUTURE/PAST
The great State Fair of Texas is getting ready for its 2021 run and how do we know this? Because the Fair’s Senior Vice President for Public Relations Karissa Condoianis has been busy — very busy — keeping the Fair’s activities in the public eye. Among those tasks is telling people that there are a few new wrinkles in the Fair’s upcoming edition. We got a note from her Wednesday that began, “With a little more than 200 days until the 2021 State Fair of Texas, I’m excited to share that the Creative Arts Handbook for this year’s Fair is now available online. While many of us are still spending more time at home than usual, entering a Creative Arts competition is the perfect way for you and the whole family to channel your creative energy. Whether you are new to the crafting world or consider yourself a Creative Arts veteran, the State Fair offers a wide variety of contests for participants on both ends of the spectrum. More details are below/attached.” And there was this note: “Fair fans will be excited to learn the Mini Butter Sculpture contest we introduced virtually last year is now a competition held for display at the State Fair.” Here’s the HANDBOOK LINK. 
And there may be more contest announcements in June.  FYI: The fair says Creative Arts “has added three familiar, but new departments: Glue-a-Shoe, The Great Pumpkin Challenge, and Mini Butter Sculpture.” In The Pumpkin Challenge, you decorate a pumpkin 10 pounds and under — the categories are Texas Theme and Halloween. Surely someone will put a Stetson on a pumpkin and teach it to say, “Howdy. Welcome to thuh great State Fair uh Texas.” Yeah, I might have heard that a time or two. Remember bigtex.com is the online link.
WE MENTIONED a World’s Fair in our opening gambit today — I looked up World’s Fair and discovered that the 2020 World’s Fair in Dubai was delayed and re-skedded for Oct. 2021 through April 2022. What’s it called? Still called Expo 2020 — already had all the signs printed, I guess. …
WHAT ABOUT ELVIS? He made a movie that was set at a World’s Fair. It Happened At The World’s Fair, released on April 3, 1963, and showing off the Seattle World’s Fair and the Space Needle. And down in the cast you’ll see a listing for Yvonne Craig, the late Dallas dancer/actress who was TV’s first Batgirl to Adam West’s Batman and Burt Ward’s Robin 1966-68. Burt Ward? Founder of Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions — “From Caped Crusader To Canine Crusader,” the slogan reads on the website. Enjoy this song from the World’s Fair.
—- Sing along or offer opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com. —-