ReadLarryPowell.com

SNORLAX, CATALIE PORTMAN; PETEY'S TRIP; FLOWER SAVED; RICO CHICO & MARSHALL; TWINKLE & EVE; CONTEMPLATING ANGIE!

EDITION OF APRIL 1, 2021 [PetPowellPress] I swear this opening is not related to April Fools Day. It’s straight-up no foolin’. Coincidentally, straight-up no foolin’ is how a person must deal with cats. Cats resent being fooled by a human — they have taught me that, among other things of a philosophical nature. 
So, in looking over the feline inventory at Dallas Animal Services online I discovered another “cat first“ in my young life. This 7-month-old, 9-pound orange cat is the first I’ve ever encountered with the name “Snorlax.” 
And, just to make sure “Snorlax” wasn’t the name of a nocturnal digestive treatment dreamed up for April Fool’s Say, I googled the name and discovered that a Snorlax is a character in the Pokeman universe. That’s a picture of a Pokeman Snorlax and when I found it, I also found this explanation of the Snorlax: “When it is done eating, it goes promptly to sleep.” Well, that is quite catlike, I think.
Also waiting at DAS is a girl we’ve mentioned before and can’t figure why she hasn’t landed in a sweet and gentle home: She’s a 6-pound, 11-year-old named for a film star, Catalie Portman. And the photo on the right is Catalie’s inspiration, Natalie Portman in her costume as Padme from some of the Star Wars films. Ask about adopting Snorlax and/or Catalie by going to the DAS site at bedallas90.org.
PETEY’S BIG TRIP
AND HIS NEW PAL
You see the photo of Petey as he was being prepped for transportation from Gilmer, Texas, to an undisclosed site in Illinois. We got the latest info from Christine Kallas who provided the photographs of Petey with his new friend,
John Winterringer. 
You may recall that Petey was headed for euthanasia until the wander-up dog’s admirers began working together to find him a safe place to go. And, now, Petey is at his new home. Our tipster Christine Kallas reported that earlier in the week, “Petey [was] still unsure of what is happening and a little dazed after a long trip, not aware he escaped the needle to start a new life in Illinois. Can you see the little guardian angel clinging to his ear? He is one of the lucky ones. As always, it took a village to make this happen. First and foremost Laura Wright (of Wright’s Veterinary Clinic in Gilmer), for making us aware of Petey's plight.” Christine thanked people involved in the transport part of the Petey story and, she writes, “Of course, John, who reached out immediately when he became aware of Petey's dire situation. A few years ago, I coordinated rescue for a pibble in Corpus Christi in his eleventh hour, that John committed to help. He is a big advocate for the underdog. Thank you once again John, for taking this boy under your care.” [LARRY ASIDE: Christine also thanked readlarrypowell.com, but as I have long told people, we’re just the conduit telling stories of the heroic angels working on behalf of animals.” Bless all of you angels and keep you and Petey and all the others safe and healthy!]
FLOWER POSES WITH
A RESCUE VETERAN
That’s our longtime pal Mark Verma, president of the Paws In The City, the Dallas-based rescue group. He posed with this pup and explained, “Meet Flower who is a new addition to Paws In The City! She is a Westie mix that was excited to get out of the shelter. She will spend a few days at our vet partner Vickery Place Animal Hospital, then head to a groomer before going to a foster home. Available for adoption soon!” You can arrange to get involved in the the Paws In The City foster program or the Paws In the City adoption program by going to pawsinthecity.org and making rescue and adoption a personal mission.
[LARRY ASIDE: Like so many of you reading this Flower story, Mark is one of those rescuers/advocates who has just kept-on-keepin'-on through the pandemic -- dogs and cats have needed rescue the whole time. And you rescuers/advocates/fosters/fundraisers have kept things going against great odds.]
RICO CHICO OL’ ROY HAS LOTS
OF NAMES, ONE SCARY DEADLINE
We got the story on this guy Rico Chico Ol’ Roy from Laurie Gautreaux, dedicated volunteer at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. 
She opened the appeal with a heartfelt statement: “This is BLEEP! This boy is going to die because he’s stressed in his kennel! He is a must save!!!!!”

He’s a last-call dog who, Laurie wrote, is “set to be euthanized tomorrow morning, Thursday, 4/1. He must be tagged for adoption or rescue before 8 a.m. He needs immediate recue or foster!”
The dog Rico Chico Ol’ Roy (A46685621) was an owner-surrender on Feb. 22. He’s a year old, neutered, weighs 59 pounds and is heartworm positive. 
The bio reads, “He is a big lover but unfortunately really struggling in the shelter environment despite being on trazadone. He is so stressed he is injuring himself while in his kennel. Rico is extremely sweet and smart! To anyone interested in him, from the person that found him: ‘He did not jump our fence when he was at our house over the storm.’ He’s amazingly sweet and smart but has a little food aggression with other dogs. Other than that, toys or playing he was perfect. MUST SAVE!”

As long as you’re in a mood to “MUST SAVE,” there’s this guy Marshall on the same Fort Worth Animal Care & Control clock as Rico. Marshall (A46455779) is 2 years old, 48 pounds, neutered, and heartworm negative. Found as a stray on 1/20.”

Don’t call the shelter — rescue/adoption tags should be emailed to [email protected].

Laurie’s Marshall note read, “Dog aggression noted, difficult for staff to handle/selective with strangers, kennel neurosis/declining in care. He did come in with another dog. He has been ‘staff handle only’ at the shelter so I have not taken him outside. He was working with a staff member continuously and after building trust he seems more comfortable.” [LARRY NOTE: A human he can love would go a long way toward helping Marshall be a beloved companion.]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE:
TWILIGHT AND EVE WAITING
Here are a couple of dog stories from our pal Judi Brown, volunteer dog biographer at Mesquite Animal Services.
 She writes “Twinkle is not just pretty, she’s handsome. She has a majestic beauty about her! Twinkle is a one-year-old mix who arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 3/26 as a stray. She welcomed me into her kennel and  immediately gave me kisses. She sat obediently while I put her scarf on. She had a strong pull on the leash when I took her to the yard, but then did her business immediately! She investigated the yard with her nose but then spent the rest the time close to me ....especially after she found out I had treats. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She also speaks. She lets you know what she wants. She is calm, gentle, friendly, and affectionate.” The 47-pound dog “would probably do well with young children as she is so gentle and loving.” Judi also suggests Twinkle would “enjoy spending time with her new family in their home snuggled up in a pile of blankets.” Twinkle is ID#46977770 at the shelter.

 Then, there’s Eve (#46981352), a 4-year-old, 59-pound “Tan and Smoky Gray Terrier Pit” who recently came in as a stray. Judi writes, “Eve could win a personality contest for being so sweet. …She has beautiful coloring with hazel eyes to complement her look. I can’t imagine why the owners haven’t come looking for her. She has so much to offer! She’s very calm and gentle and yet active but not overly so. She’s friendly, loving and seemingly very happy. Her tail is in constant wag. …[in some photos] she even seems to be smiling! She met a little girl in the hallway and she was very calm and gentle with her. She walks very well on a leash. Actually she seemed to be heeling.”
For either or both of these adorable canines, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or when you email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATION
DEDICATED TO AN INSPIRING ANGEL
Thanks to the veteran rescuer and animal advocate Maleska Fletes, we have dedicated this edition’s Contemplation to one person who has inspired many people to work hard at trying to “save ‘em all.”
That’s Angie Manriquez, the rescuer who early in her mission was referred to as “The Fairy Dog Mother of West Dallas” but has become such a legend that she’s now The Fairy Dogmother of Dallas!” And beyond, sometimes. These are photos of Angie and animals she's saved.  Plus, you’ve heard of, no doubt, “Angie’s Friends,” the rescuers. I opened with one of the happiest of Angie & new friend photos -- this was from December when Buddy had been rescued from a cruel situation. He's a smiling boy -- had lots of interest immediately.
Maleska’s note opened with “Angie is turning 80, so let’s take care of HER!” And here’s the donation link .
The note Maleska sent reads, “For all of us who know Angie, and know that she has saved and improved the lives of thousands of animals across South and West Dallas, it’s a fact that Angie has always put the animals FIRST and herself SECOND - or LAST!
“For over 25 years, Angie has devoted almost 100% of her time everyday to help these creatures in need. Angie has never taken anything out of her non-profit or been paid, so we felt that in turning 80, she should have some monetary THANKS for all her years of service. Please contribute to Angie’s Personal Fundraiser, knowing that any amount of gift for her - will in essence - help the animals!”
 [LARRY NOTE: I began writing about Angie back in my days at The Dallas Morning News — pre-2004, in fact. Might have been in one of those years that started with 19…She taught me a lot about how some of the folks in one of Dallas’ high-crime areas were using staked-out dogs as drug guards and "alarm systems" and how these dogs were generally at peril. She’d wade in and save them. One very persuasive and tough woman dedicated to saving lives.]
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a currently adoptable dog that Angie saved. You can find this dog and others on the Angie’s Friends PetFinder site HERE.
This is a girl enjoying the ride in the car is named Abbie, a year-old Lab/Staffie mix, according to her bio. It adds that she is “sweet, cautious around strangers. Was ‘skin and bones’ when rescued from a place where she was kept in an outdoor crate all the time and … deprived of food.”

Her condition was so lousy that a neighbor risked stepping up and asking the dog’s human to surrender Abbie to Angie. 
Since then, Abbie has been demonstrating her ability to be affectionate and happy.
There’s this sentence in the bio: “She showers your hands with kisses as if you were the Royals.”

So, CONTEMPLATE HONORING ANGIE and also, CONTEMPLATE adopting Abbie and having a dog who loves you more than you ever expected to be loved!
[LARRY EMOTION: After a year of Pandemic stress, it feels good to write about someone who has made the world a better places for humans and animals.]
—- Offer advice or thoughts by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

ON THE LAST DAY OF MARCH, SOME FACES, SOME CHALLENGES AND SOME DANCE

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021[PetPowellPress] The final edition of March 2021 and the day before the Texas Rangers open up the 2021 season. It’s a long road, the baseball season. So, as some advice for the 2021 Rangers, we’ll quote from the great New York Yankee philosopher/catcher Yogi Berra: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Read on and mind the forks.
FOLLOWING UP ON
THE EAST TEXAS DOGS
Last week we wrote about Sandra Reardon’s efforts to save nearly two dozen dogs — mostly Redbone Hounds — that were loved and cared for by her brother until he was killed in a motorcycle crash near Palestine a couple of weeks ago.
There has been some movement — organizing and studying and hoping to arrange the rescue and fostering and adopting of these animals.
This is a photo Sandra sent with her note about attempts to “coordinate all the rescues. … Until then, we are keeping them fed. I so wish it would happen overnight! I wake up worried and go to bed worried! This little lady has the most beautiful eyes.”
To ask about helping Sandra and her team or to ask about adopting this girl with the beautiful eyes, call or text Sandra at 817-319-4748 or email [email protected]. The second dog is a mugshot of one of the available adorables Sandra told us about in our first story about this sad situation. No name. You can adopt and give him a name. I suspect he’s able to smile at times. Most dogs are when they have a loving human and a human they can love..
HERE’S THE DOG PEANUT,
AVAILABLE AT THE COLONY
Tami Kukla’s message had two purposes: (1) Inspire people to help Mark Cooper and The Colony Animal Shelter lower the population and (2) get this guy Peanut adopted.
She wrote, “Meet Peanut. He is absolutely the cutest, spunkiest boy ever and would make an awesome addition to your family. He's super easy-going and just likes to follow you around to see what you are doing and how he can help. Peanut is kid, dog, and cat friendly. And as a side note he would like to try out for American Idol.” [LARRY ASIDE: Anybody help with that American Idol challenge?] Here’s the LINK to The Colony Animal Services.
Peanut is #46923041 in The Colony Shelter. He’s a mix: American Eskimo/Rat Terrier. Listed as “8 years, 4 months, 27 days” old, Peanut is a “medium-sized” dog. He came into the shelter on the 18th. His staff-written bio gives Peanut credit for this quote: “One of my most favorite things is food. Any and all kinds really.” [LARRY ASIDE: They’re so human…]
 The Colony’s online site also offers this cat for adoption — She’s Monroe (46914638), listed as just over 3 years old and “medium.” Kind of beautiful. She came in on the 17th.
JESSICA AND JORDAN WAIT
IN A NO-TRAFFIC SHELTER…
We got this info from the folks at 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on helping animals that are stuck in small shelters that have no visitors and no visiting hours.
That’s the case for Jessica and Jordan. First we discuss Jessica who arrived with Jordan.
The bio for this female Shepherd-type dog reads, “Jessica is completely adorable and loves everyone!  Very sweet and extremely friendly.  This sweet girl is currently stuck in a small rural shelter south of Dallas that is NOT open to the public.  She stands zero chance unless someone can help.  Came in with Jordan pictured below.  Please, you won't find a more loving or more deserving girl.”
Jordan’s bio outlines many of the “location” details currently assigned to Jessica’s bio. It also reads, “Jordan is a precious boy that loves everyone!!!   Very sweet and extremely friendly.  This adorable boy is currently stuck in a small rural shelter south of Dallas that is NOT open to the public.  He stands zero chance unless someone can help. … You won't find a sweeter or more deserving boy.” Jordan is described as a “Shepherd/Collie with a touch of Basset” mix.
To ask about saving or being helped to adopt these two, call or text 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN RICHARDSON,
DOTTIE, AGE 9, WAITS….
Oh, my, look at this girl Dottie! Nine years old and sitting in the Richardson Animal Shelter without any interest since January 25. She’s been listed as “ready for adoption” since Feb. 11. She’s #21-0082D.
Here’s a LINK to her adoption info. The shelter is at 1330 Columbia Dr. in Richardson, 75081. And click HERE  to arrange an appointment to adopt Dottie.

CONTEMPLATIONS
NORMAL, FOCUS AND DANCIN'
Is the opening of the Texas Rangers 2021 season a sign that we are returning to some sort of normal? By “normal” I don't mean finishing toward or at the bottom of the American League West. Texas opens the regular season in Kansas City on Thursday. That could be a sign. Remember, the Kansas City Chiefs made it all the way to the Super Bowl. And, the Dallas Cowboys did not and they play within a booming field goal of the Texas Rangers home park. So, ignore the signs and do this: Focus on baseball. Focus on baseball. Focus on baseball. What we want to do, kids, is play so good and finish so high that nobody drags out the Yogi Berra quote: “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” FYI: I know at least one life-long Rangers fan who has written ‘em off already. No pitching. [LARRY ASIDE: The preceding was a demonstration of “normal” in which a person who wants to see his team win takes time to bad-mouth the team in hopes of tempting the Baseball Gods to arrange for great arms to suddenly appear in Texas uniforms. It’s a weak theory of achieving success at the big league level.] ….

WHAT THEY KEPT DOING! Remember, throughout the entire Pandemic and wintry onslaught, people kept rescuing dogs and cats, saving lives, finding homes for animals. Take all that as a sign that there is goodness at work in the world. May it reign for the sake of humans and beasts and the plants, too. …

JUST FOR FUN I hope you’ll enjoy this performance I mentioned last week. Click HERE and enjoy a dance from Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas. It’s from the film Michael. Put some soul into your day. Thanks to John Travolta, the great Aretha and, for the sensational guitar opening, the fantastic Joe South.
—- Offer views or gripes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Put “Lost on Planet Earth” in the subject line. —-

FROM SUEZ TO SOME THANK-YOUs WITH DOGS AND CATS AND PEOPLE IN BETWEEN

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Our long international nightmare is over: the big boat Ever Given is floating free in the Suez Canal. I hope we don’t find out the captain of the ship was letting his teenager try his hand at the helm…Do ship’s still have “steering wheels” or are they like our phones — dependent on programming, battery power and satellites? Surely “human error” won’t come up in the conversation. Ever Given. Wonder if it has brother, the Even Steven?
  That's my personal assistant, The Senator, who traces his lineage back to a managerial feline called "Prime Minister" who was the captain of the Seagoing Ratter Crew on The Mayflower. It's documented somewhere, I'm told.
COCO, A ROTTIE GIRL
WAITING FOR A HOME…
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, readlarrypowell.com after losing our fantastic gentleman Rottie Earl a couple of weeks ago, continues to be “breed sensitive” regarding Earl’s kin — just as we are sensitive for every other dog and cat that needs a good home. I already told Mesquite volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown that we’re all outta dog room at our house. Still, it would be wonderful to know that someone lovely has adopted Coco. Here’s her story.]
 Our tipster Judi says Coco is a year-old Rottie who was surrendered to Mesquite Animal Services on Friday the 26th. Here’s the background: Judi writes, “The people that surrendered her had found her and a sibling abandoned on the streets when they were puppies and took them in. The children played with her a lot when she was young but as she got older the children lost interest. Coco was wanting more attention than she was getting so they surrendered her.” [LARRY FYI: The family kept the brother.]
 Judi, who meets all the dogs she writes about, says of Coco, “To meet her is to fall in love with her. She has got a very sweet gentle disposition. She is friendly and calm. She stays close for extra attention and loving. She loves to have her ears scratched and her belly rubbed. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She walks well on a leash. She wagged her tail when meeting other dogs in the bay and did not show any aggression. She is easily startled and appears to be afraid of loud noises. She is a total sweetheart!!!” The 55-pound pup isn’t spayed. Her ID is #46978213.
Also waiting? Yes, there are MORE dogs in the Mesquite shelter. Judi’s colleague in dog biographies, Debra Chisholm, cited the need for Midge to find a home. She’s listed as “mixed (American Pit Bull/American Stafford- shire/Staffordshire Bull Terrier).” The 57-pound girl is about 4 years old and came in as a stray on March 24. In the shelter, she’s timid, nervous and uncomfortable in the noise. Debra says, she’s had “at least one litter of pups. … It is highly possible that Midge has been an outside dog and has not be socialized much. She is a calm and gentle girl with a mellow personality.” She’s #46963040.

Debra also met “adorable Gracie,” a “mixed-breed” stray who arrived on the 22nd. She’s about 6, weighs 26 pounds and isn’t spayed. But, Debra writes, “There is a long list of things to like about this highly adoptable girl.” Walks “beautifully” on a leash, didn’t react to dogs who barked at her, knows “sit,” takes treats “gently,” and “has an outgoing personality and seems well-adjusted. She is easy-going and fun-loving.” She has also become a shelter staff and volunteer “fave,” Debra says, then adds, “But wait, there’s more! She is athletic and enjoyed the climbing equipment in the yard. Gracie met a child (elementary school age) on the property and was friendly. She appears to have been well-cared for by her owner.” Gracie is #35747417.

To ask about Coco, Midge and/or Gracie, use their ID #s when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
NOW, TO THE WESTERN SIDE
OF THE METRO DOG NATION…
How about those photos by Carlos de Leon! Bonded dogs?
Here’s what Fort Worth Animal Care & Control posted about them on FACEBOOK HERE
The text opened with this: “You know that one friend you have that you do everything with and that you couldn't live without?”
Canelo (A46604306) is a 4-year-old Black Mouth Cur mix who weighs 45 pounds. Poncho (A46604308) is a 2-year-old Collie mix who weighs 57 pounds.
FWACC’s post explains, “This bonded pair of pups came into our shelter in the beginning of February when their owner could no longer care for them. Poncho is a bit on the shy side, and he relies on Canelo to help him be brave. Canelo loves meeting new people and playing with tennis balls! Together, they make the best duo..
“They’re both at the main shelter — visit Fort Both of them are available at our main shelter. Staff can assist you with meeting them - their adoption fee is currently waived!” 
Here’s the FWAAC SHELTER INFORMATION.

Before we leave FWACC, we should point out that this is a FIRST for readlarrypowell.com — this is the first cat we’ve ever encountered named “Persephone.” Her ID is 46318928, she’s pushing 6 months old, is a small gray Tabby and is currently in the shelter’s off-side foster program. She came in on December 23, 2020.
[LARRY FYI: Research into Greek mythology shows us you might want to change this cat’s name — Persephone was the “queen of the underworld” and also the “goddess of spring growth.” This kitten is too young to have a “reputation,” but the original Persephone had one.]
A HUSKY NAMED OLIVER
NEEDS HELP WITH A HOME…
Sometimes fate deals a lousy hand to humans and animals and that is the case for this dog Oliver. 
The daughter of Oliver’s human posted this note on her mom’s neighborhood account in Eastern Fort Worth. Daughter Jordan wrote, “My mother passed away two weeks ago and unfortunately I am unable to keep her pup at my apartment. My heart is very heavy posting this but I am needing to find a new loving home for her husky, Oliver. He is the chillest, sweetest dog and never barks. He is great with kids and other dogs. My mom had him on a pet care plan at PetSmart so he has all of his shots, is neutered, and is chipped. My mom also had a backyard so I would love for him to go to a home with a yard so he is not cooped up inside. If you are never home or not able to give this sweet dog the love and attention he deserves please do not respond. This is already hard enough to post this and I hope more than anything I am able to find Oliver his happy and loving FOREVER home.” 
To ask about adopting Oliver in a really good, loving home, text 817-507-9161.
CONTEMPLATIONS
EGRETS, SUPPLIES AND THANKS
We’re on a lot of city email lists — the City of Dallas never fails to post notice that the trash is being picked up! And on Monday we got a City of Fort Worth Community Engagement Office email warning that it’s Egret season in North Texas. Nesting Egret season. What does that mean? The note (you can see the original city post HERE) says, that “sometimes as many as 200 birds nest in a single neighborhood. What comes along with nesting is an immense amount of falling white poop and plumage that literally covers roofs, trees, sidewalks and driveways. Then there’s the smell.
“What all residents need to know ahead of egret 'scouts' arriving is how to protect their neighborhood from allowing the birds to nest in the first place. Residents should look for a yellowish-colored bird named the yellow-crowned night herring. The scout birds arrive as early as February. Nesting season is typically from the end of February through June.”
 So, Fort Worth, there you go! You're in March already! The early bird gets the worm AND the prime nesting place over your parked car, back yard and roof, I guess. FW’s note says that once the egrets start nesting and laying eggs, it’s hands-off because “they're protected from harassment under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
BACK TO THE SUEZ CANAL: The first time I was aware of the Suez Canal was due to the classroom publication My Weekly Reader (sold to kids from 1928 through 2012). That Suez info came sometime around 1956 when, I think, the magazine wrote a brief (what else!) story about remodeling the Suez Canal. It was the first story about Egypt I remember that didn’t focus on Biblical events or the Pyramids! And I have this question for people who do the household shopping: Was any other mate sent to the store over the weekend to get an “extra week’s supply” of bath tissue in case the cargo-delivering Suez didn’t beat the blockage? Well, never mind that — if there’s freedom in the Suez, let it spread around the world…

ABOUT OVERDUE THANKS: I’ve mentioned before that there are people I wish I’d sent thank-you notes. Four recent deaths highlighted my shortcoming. I’d have noted that each of the people lifted my spirits at assorted times on rocky roads or during academic challenges or moments in movies. (1) Thank you Beverly Cleary (1916-2021) for writing about Beezus and Ramona and, especially, about Henry Higgins and his dog Ribsy, who he once turned pink for a dog contest. (2) George Segal (1934-2021), star of many motion pictures and, among the funniest, the 1970 film with Barbra Streisand, The Owl and the Pussycat. My favorite scene was at the end when he decided to give up on a writing career and, from a hilltop in Central Park, hurled his portable typewriter and sent it bouncing away and changed his life. [LARRY NOTE: Computers are too expensive for such cavalier behavior.] His character, thanks to either playwright Bill Manhoff or screenwriter Buck Henry, is responsible for starting a book with this: “The city came to life.The sun spit morning into Julian’s face.” Here’s the SPIT LINK, I was howling through my popcorn when I heard that line. I’ve written a bevy of sun-spitting lousy lines myself. And Mr. Segal was among the stars in the only movie that had ever given me a headache, the 1966 domestic drama Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Oh, my. And Blume in Love (1973) and the original Fun with Dick and Jane (1977 with Jane Fonda.) Thank you, George Segal — and for TV’s Just Shoot Me! … Larry McMurtry (1936-2021) for writing his early stuff and setting off dreams of literary success in young newshounds earning a buck in newsrooms all over Texas. Secret dreams of people who’d earn a living while thinking their words might eventually fit together as well as McMurtry’s. The Last Picture Show. All My Friends Are Going To Be Strangers. The early stuff before the cowboys caught his fancy. …
And thank you Yaphet Kotto (1939-2021). When you were on screen, the audience was compelled to watch. Alien (1979), for example. Lots of TV cop dramas. And even a 1973 James Bond film, Live and Let Die. So many roles, and a Bond villain, too! Thank you.
We’ll close this segment with a quote from Albert Schweitzer (and if you don’t know who he was, thank me for inspiring you to look him up). He said, “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
— Give a thankful notion by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. --

EASING INTO A MONDAY WITH DOGS, CATS & THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK

EDITION OF MONDAY, March 29, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re going to take so very easy this Monday that we’re publishing the edition on Sunday. We’ll start in Oklahoma and work out way into the swamps and the weeds. No politics!
THE ALTERNATIVE, THEY SAID,
IS ‘WE’LL JUST SHOOT THE DOG’
Sounds like some areas of Texas, doesn’t it. This time it’s in Oklahoma — the town of Burns Flat where the resilient rescuer Terry Lynn Fisher works hard to save lives. Including this one.
Here’s what she wrote. “Yes, this is Oklahoma. Shooting a dog is an every-day thing in the state. And sadly, nobody seems to give a damn!  But wait, there are some that do give a damn. And I happen to be one of them!
“This boy is young, under a year. He was hit by a car in a town about 35 miles north of me. He drug himself off the highway into the back of a dollar store parking lot. The people there called one of my friends and told her if he was still there tomorrow, they were going to just shoot him. She rushed to see if she could find him after calling me and me checking with my vet to bring him in.

“Blood was dripping from his nose and when they touched him he cried in pain. This poor sweetheart has a broken pelvis. He will need crate rest for up to six weeks. Right now he is on pain meds to help him, for it is very difficult for him to get up and walk and do anything at all.
“I do not have a place to keep a dog like this, so for now he is still at the vet. If there are any rescues that can take this one on, please let me know ASAP. I will get him to you somehow.” 
Email Terry Lynn at [email protected]. She says the pup needs bedding, too, and boarding money. Her PayPal is [email protected] and the vet is Elk creek Clinic, 1301 Airport Industrial, Elk City, OK, 73644. Call 580-225-4863.
Terry Lynn says, “This precious young boy wants to live. He is full of kisses and love. Please help us keep him alive until he is well enough to find a home of his own!”
PETEY THE DOG IS CLOSER
TO A SAFE, HEALTHY RE-START!
We got this over the weekend from our Petey tipster, Christine Kallas. She wrote, “Remember the dog that was in danger of being euthanized?” 
Indeed, we remember Petey. We posted him on the 19th. He was living in Gilmer where he’d wandered up and the guy to whom he’d wandered up has been trying to find a safe place for him to go — even enlisted the help of the Wright Animal Clinic to look for an angel for Petey.
 What’s happening now? Christine sent these “cone photos” of Petey from over the weekend.
She wrote, “Here is Petey, ready to start a new chapter in his life. He was neutered yesterday and he tested negative for heartworms. Always welcoming news in rescue.

“Petey is leaving for Illinois on Monday as John Winterringer is anxiously awaiting his arrival. When John became aware of Petey's plight, he immediately reached out to us offering to give Petey a loving home. These pictures don't do him any justice, he is a stunningly beautiful pup. John is a true advocate for the breed. As a Veteran with PTSD he can relate to their struggle to exist in this chaotic cruel world. Thank you to everyone involved paving Petey's path to a new beginning. It is your time to shine Petey!!!”
HALO, SNOOT & HATCHI:
THREE ADORABLE ADOPTABLES
(PLUS STUMPY THE CAT)
Our pal Judi Brown, the volunteer dog biographer for Mesquite Animal Services, has presented us with 3 dogs with odd names — I’m almost certain that in 20-something years and thousands of dog stories we’ve never had a Snoot or Hatchi before, and maybe not a Halo, either.
Judi says “Halo is a perfect name for this year-old, 54-pound ‘terrier pit’ that was surrendered on 3/26. She was basically abandoned. The story goes that she was dropped off at some friends/relative home and then the [humans] never returned for her. Their loss is your gain because this is one sweet, lovable, friendly, well-mannered Southern lass! She may look black-and-white in the pictures but she’s really more of a smoky gray and has beautiful hazel eyes that look up at you adoringly.  She’s gentle and calm.... especially for her age. She sits, lays down, and gives her paw. When she’s anticipating a treat she sometimes gets excited and jumps but she really doesn’t jump on you, she just jumps up. The people that surrendered her said she was an outdoor dog and that she was raised with a toddler and up and gets along well with children. They also said she was raised with other dogs and is friendly with them.” Judi also adds, “She told me she wants to be an inside dog and live inside with her new family.” Halo is #46973493. Use that number when you call the shelter at 972-216–6283 or email rescues @cityofmesquite. com.

That brings us to Snoot, a year-old Brittany Spaniel looking for an end to a streak of bad luck. Judi says she was adopted from Mesquite, then returned on the 25th “because of a conflict with one of their other dogs. Snoot got along with one of their dogs but not another one. When I walked him through the bay he did not have any problem meeting other dogs. However I would suggest further dog testing and if you do have another dog they would need to be introduced slowly. Snoot is all puppy! He’s just a happy, wiggly, friendly, energetic, fun-loving, playful guy. His tail wags constantly.” And the wiggly dog is already “fixed.” he’s #46900803. Same Mesquite contact points as for Halo.

 And here we are at 7-year-old, 45-pound Yellow Lab mix Hatchi, surrendered to the shelter on the 25th. Judi writes, “He’s a mix and is very low to the ground. On the surrender form they just said they can’t take care of him anymore. He spent his whole time in the yard looking out the gate. I know he was looking for his owners! It made me so sad! I brought him inside to get pictures of him. He’s a very active boy... especially for his age. He went back-and-forth in the shelter yard. He thoroughly explored the laundry room and found some toys he liked. … He was obviously very loyal and loving to his previous owners and now needs someone else to love. Will that be you? Please come meet Hatchi. If you’re patient with him you will see that he will warm up to you.”
Hatchi is #43209116 — use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityof mesquite.com.
See more Mesquite animals — dogs and cats — by clicking on the shelter link HERE.
Among the cats is this fascinatingly ear-accented girl, Snowball, a 5-year-old who came into the shelter on March 25. She’s listed as “large.” [LARRY ASIDE: Considering the State of Texas’ experience with snow this year, the cat may be begging someone to adopt her just so they can change her name to something like Spring or Warmfront the Cat. Not Ercot The Cat. She’s #46969657 at the shelter. Same contact points as for dogs with odd names.]
THE 2 FACES OF STUMPY
@ DOG 'N' KITTY CITY …
This guy is a medium-sized youngster, born in September, 2020, and capable of two different facial expressions — at least two! 


 

 

 

 

He’s in Dog and Kitty City, the no-kill shelter run by the Humane Society of Dallas County. Read about it at dognkittycity.org and see how to adopt this guy.
 Stumpy’s in Dog and Kitty City (at 2719 Manor Way in Dallas not far from Love Field) and he’s there because he was “surrendered because one of [the] owner’s dogs kept nipping” at the cat. The shelter was safer for the cat, so that’s why he’s there. Stumpy is described as “really friendly and spunky.”
CONTEMPLATIONS

A MONSTER’S VOTE; A FILM; WEED DAY
We start Contemplations with a story that is about voting but has nothing to do with politics, viruses, borders or odd objects in the sky. Nope, this one is about a monster: The one who starred in the 1972 motion picture, The Legend of Boggy Creek. It's about the mythical “Fouke Monster,” a Bigfoot-like creature said to have roamed the river bottoms and swamps near Fouke (pronounced Fowk as in “ow!”). The small Arkansas town is just south of Texarkana on U.S. Highway 71 not far from the Louisiana border and the Texas border (Hence, the area is the “Ark- La-Tex.”). Anyway, in its Sunday edition, my ol’ hometown paper, The Texarkana Gazette, reported that the film is “up for two 19th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards” — as you can see at the award site HERE  Rondo Hatton was a film star/journalist — he’d been quite a handsome fellow in his youth, but acromegaly, a disorder of the pituitary gland, reshaped his face. He was in 26 films from 1927 to 1946 — not all horror films, especially in his younger years. FYI: The organizers allow one vote per person — so, to see the ballot go to
rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog (yep, that's the link) and to vote, email your choice to [email protected] by midnight April 25. As research will show you, many organizations bootlegged copies of the film, but a couple of years ago, the daughter of the late director, Charles B. Pierce, acquired the rights and had the film restored and upgraded. The pre-bootleg version had beautiful music and beautiful scenes of the bayous and landscape and wildlife around Fouke. FYI: The Fort Worth Press’ legendary film critic and entertainment writer Jack Gordon told me in the early ‘70s that The Legend of Boggy Creek had sold more tickets at the Seminary South Cinema in August of 1972 than the other big film that year, a little thing called The Godfather sold in March of ’72. Of course, in those days, you could actually go to movies and fill all the seats.
And, for the curious, here’s a LINK TO A RONDO HATTON MAGAZINE STORY with photos of the actor/journalist as both young and older. Perhaps you’ll recognize him. …
And, having barely scratched the surface of The Legend of Boggy Creek, we’ll close today’s Contemplations with a note reminding those who pay no attention to botanical celebrations, that March 28 was Weed Appreciation Day.
Before you jump to conclusions, the “weed” in this appreciation refers to the actual weeds to spring up in your lawn, your garden, between the slabs of a sidewalk, etc.
Holiday Insights notes that weeds help provide oxygen for Earthlings and offer food and shelter for some wildlife. Then the site urges, “Take some time today to hug your weeds….” It’s like we time-warped back to the ‘60s, isn’t it.
— Offer facts or fiction by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing [email protected]. —-

HOW TO TAKE A MEETING

This weekend's edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap is titled “How To Take A Meeting.”

It is dedicated to people who work at home because of the pandemic and people who work at home because — what-the-heck! — they like it.
A home office is a certain kind of Heaven —especially when you are attended to by such angels as the household dogs and cats.
At our house, we have two offices. One is Martha’s and the other is shared by me, sometimes the dogs and sometimes a cat or two. 
Because of the nature of her mission, Martha regularly hosts and attends Zoom meetings.
During the past week, Martha was hosting a very special meeting and did not need anyone making unexpected noise.
"Unexpected noise" may be described as me talking or dogs barking. (The cats aren't a problem -- they're aligned with management.)
A visit from one of the ubiquitous delivery companies was expected about the time the Zoom meeting was to start. It would have resulted in a cacophony of canine alerts with the mission of protecting the perimeter.
 Because I have what is generally regarded as the heart of an understanding husband, I volunteered to be quiet. And I also volunteered to keep the dogs occupied and quiet at the other end of the house from Martha’s office.
In the “We’re Taking A Meeting” photo you see Porche Noel on the left, Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden (call name “Wendy”) comfy against my jeans and, in one of his favorite spots on the floor, our Border Collie mix Dudley the Angel.
This photo demonstrates how Three Dogs Take a Meeting. They were comforted by hearing Martha and her meeting people through the vents in the house, but only a dog’s ears could make out what they were saying. 
To obscure the meeting’s sounds further, I clicked to the On Demand part of our cable system and three dogs and I took a meeting while watching the latest episode of the clever and surprising SyFy Channel series Resident Alien. The dogs nodded off just after the opening credits. I happily watched the entire episode and paid no attention to anything else in the entire house. So, yeah, it was a great meeting for me.
I don’t take many meetings these days, but I think that from now on, I’m never going to take a meeting without at least three dogs in the Zoom room. As you can see, they add a certain intellectual tranquility to the occasion.
I’ve included mugshots of the three dogs so you can see that they do have “awake” moments.
What? Yes, those ARE my support stockings — old baseball injury acts up in my right shin every now and then. Any other day I would have been howling with pain, but we were taking a meeting and there’s no howling when the Zoom is on.

[DEAR READERS, PLEASE SEND photos of your sleeping dogs and napping cats or other slumbering critters and their stories to [email protected] and we’ll feature them in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people decide that their home needs the warm soul of a dog or cat. Some of you who have worked in offices can confirm that even insomniacs can be made to drop off in a staff meeting run by a management genius. -- This appeal written by The Senator, a veteran negotiator of the finer points of a democratic society and a fellow who doesn't take meetings, he schedules them.]
--- Offer lucid opinions or dazed reactions by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected]. ---

PHILOSOPHY, DOGS, CATS, PEOPLE AND AN OPTICAL ILLUSION

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 [PetPowellPress] On Thursday morning I clicked on Twitter (I’ll try to promote helping animals anywhere I can type), and saw a post from the Malala Fund that grabbed me right in the ol’ heart and soul. 
You know of Malala, of course. Surely. She won a Nobel Peace Prize and a lot of hearts. 
Malala Yousafzai is the Pakistani-born woman who as a 12-year-old on Oct. 11, 2012, was shot by a Taliban assailant because she dared to seek an education.
 I should note that 2020 might have been a lousy year for some of us, but it was a good year for Malala — she graduated from Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
The message on the Malala Fund Twitter post Thursday was a philosophy that I think I’ve seen practiced by reporters after covering tragic stories and by animal advocates facing great odds — these are people dear to my heart. So are young people who are entering a world that is damaged by confusion, wrecked ambitions and bewildering personalities all over the planet.
Malala’s message read, “Feeling down? Sometimes all you need is a good cry, a pint of ice cream and a little self-reflection.”
If you’re an animal advocate who’s trying to stem the never-ending tide of cruelty, abandonment and ignorance, maybe that quote will help you remember that your mission is a proud, respected effort and you are not alone. If I could have a pint of ice cream and stop after one, I’d join you at this very moment. Too much ice cream and my self-reflection tends to grow in the mirror.

REMINDER FOR BIG HEARTS:
Check out our Thursday extra edition (scroll down) to see how you can help 20 dogs find places to live after the untimely death of the human who was caring for them. The challenge is "the usual places” of refuge are “all full up.”

AT BARKLEYWORLD. AN APPEAL
TO HELP WITH THE MISSION
Our pal Karen Lee, devoted to helping animals, knows first-hand how cash makes the mission flow!
Here’s what she posted Thursday: “March madness applies to pets in need too! We could sure use some donations to help us help them. All donations are tax deductible and funds are paid only to the vet performing services and never to individuals. Our focus remains on the families and pets in the Dallas/Ft. Worth/North Texas area. Thank you for your support! www.barkleyworld.com."
 The post was on Facebook HERE   where you can see the living focus of Barkleyworld.
 FYI, as you can read on the website,
Barkleyworld “was founded in 2013 by Dennis & Karen Lee in honor and memory of our little dog Barkley! We adopted Barkley in 1996 from Homeward Bound Animal Rescue. Barkley lived to be almost 19 years old and during that time, he had his share of medical issues and we experienced firsthand how hard it would be for someone who did not have the resources to care for a sick or injured pet.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Yes, Barkley inspired hearts to work for other animals. That’s Barkley in the logo — if you think you see the glow of a halo, I think you are correct.]
THE SHELTER IS THERE,
SO ARE AVAILABLE ANIMALS
Oh, boy, it’s a Friday edition and if you have a spot in your heart or your rescue for a dog, there are four spotlighted by the volunteer dog biographers at Mesquite Animal Services.

First up is Lexi — ELEVEN YEARS OLD and a stray nobody came looking for at the shelter. Her biographer, Judi Brown, says, “She’s just as sweet as she can be. She’s gentle and calm. When i sat down, she came to me and put her head on my lap. She loves to be loved.” She’s got a non-contagious skin condition that’s responding to treatment and she has some small growths on her mammary glands. No bid deal, probably. She’s a 40-pound girl who has been in the shelter since the 16th. Judi says, “She would thrive in a quit home where she could have soft blankets, some toys and lots of love.” Her ID is 46911366.
Lady, that dog with the happy face, is a 3-year-old, 48-pound, spayed Beagle mix who was surrendered to the shelter on the 23rd. Judi writes, “She had been adopted from another Animal Shelter two years ago into a family that already had another dog. The two dogs got along with each other well until just recently and then for some reason got crosswise with one another. They got into an altercation believed to have been started by the other dog and when the owner tried to separate them she got bitten. Both dogs were surrendered. Dog testing would be recommended but when I walked Lady through the bay she wagged her tail greeting the other dogs. I did not see any aggression! It takes a few minutes for Lady to warm up to you but once she does she’s very affectionate and loving with you. She becomes your BFF and stays close by giving and receiving affection.” She’s #46952309.
Volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm reports that Lab-mix Oliver is about 10, weighs 67 pounds, isn’t neutered and came into the shelter on the 18th as a stray. Debra writes, “It is unfortunate that this calm and gentle boy has ended up in a city shelter and it is obvious he has not had the best of care. He was sent to the vet for an evaluation and besides some hair loss on his back and some soft fatty growths on his body, he has an eye infection for which he is receiving ointment.  There is a lot to like about this oldster.  He is well-mannered and has a low-key personality.  For his age he is lively and active and gets around quite nicely.  Oliver is friendly and oh-so-sweet.  He was completely uninterested in treats.  … He walks beautifully on a leash.  He seems scared of the other dogs when led through the bay.  Please help Oliver out of the shelter and on the way to a home in which he will enjoy a soft comfy bed inside and plenty of TLC.” He’s # 46926621

Lily is the youngster in this quartet. She’s a 2-year-old, 60-pound, spayed mixed breed girl — has Anatolean Shepherd in the mix, Debra says. She was surrendered on the 23rd “because the owners had too many animals.” She’d been with the same family since she was a puppy and was an indoor dog — OK with cats but afraid of big dogs “and the owner’s alpha dog intimidated her.” She walks well on a leash, wasn’t interested in barking back at other dogs, and — this may get you, Dear Readers — “seemed a bit restless in the yard and went tot he gate several times, perhaps looking for her people to come back for her.” Friendly girl with a “mellow personality,” Debra says. She’s #46956850.

To ask about any of these animals, use their ID numbers when you contact the shelter at 97e2-216-6283 or when emailing [email protected].
And, of course, you can see more Mesquite animals by clicking HERE. Those animals in waiting included this 4-year-old boy Buddy who has a championship set of whiskers! He’s listed as “medium size” but the whiskers are clearly beyond medium!
CONTEMPLATIONS
1st GLANCE; SKY RUMBLE; A DNA LINK 
You’ve heard the term “optical illusion.” What I saw when I first saw this cat's face was a misaligned nose. You see that, too? The cat is Nutcracker, a small, 14-year-old girl currently awaiting adoption at the SPCA of Texas. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m betting she arrived in the ChristmaS ballet season, right?] If you click on her photo, it’ll expand and you’ll see the nose reveal! You can see how to adopt this girl by going to spca.org. My contemplation point is this: Cat noses, cat ears, cat tails cat purrs or head bondks — which captures your heart? I’m an “all of the above guy.”
Here’s a VIDEO of Nutcracker helping an SPCA staffer experience the practice and style of affectionate petting. …
Remember that big storm Wednesday night? We saw a great reaction to the storm from DFW’s Furgotten Friends founder and rescuer Stephen Foster who, in mid storm, posted this on his Facebook page: “I have to go to bed to pacify my dogs that are terrified of that heavenly bowling tournament.” Perfect description of the sound effects! …
Oh, one more personal note: My middle brother Barry would have been 70 on the 26th; my wonderful granddaughter Hannah Rose will be 20 on the 27th (first of our immediate relatives born in the 21st century. She’s Bart’s daughter, his twin Bret’s niece and all 4 of those people — Barry, Bret, Bart and Hannah Rose — have a DNA link scientifically referred to as “Familial Acidic Wisecrack Syndrome.” So far it’s a non-profit syndrome. Pays off in laughter.
—- Offer ideas or objections by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

A CHALLENGE IN EAST TEXAS WHERE FATE PUT MANY DOGS AT PERIL

THURSDAY EXTRA EDITION, MARCH 25, 2021 [PetPowellPress] This is a story with some sad elements and an opportunity to boost human hearts and canine lives. 
Rather than wait for our next regular edition to help around 20 dogs in East Texas, we’re going to do this extra edition and hope “right now” will work out for the better. Our goal is to inspire some assistance for the people trying to save the dogs.
We got the story in the early morning email from Sandra Reardon who lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Her challenge is in a rural area of East Texas near Palestine, just under 2 hours southeast of Dallas.
Sandra’s note has a backdrop of sadness with a demonstration of hope that someone in the animal community can help her help these dogs.
She wrote, “My brother was killed in motorcycle cycle accident last week in the Athens area. He left several dogs in need!! All shelters we have contacted tell us they are full!” … [The dogs] are on farm land … with no one to care for them! We are taking food and water over but I’m running out of time! It’s not our land and they want them gone.”
  The owner of the property has been patient and understanding. But there are limits to this dog care project. Call or text Sandra at 817-319-4748 or email [email protected]. 

Sandra says she has been able to to place all the Dachshunds and a pregnant Heeler, but the person taking those “couldn’t handle the larger ones.” 
That means there are around 20 Redbone Hounds and mixes — some are hunting dogs — who need places to go. Also, there is a momma dog with 4 young puppies — Redbone/Shar-pei mixes, she says. (These photos of some of the dogs on the property were taken a couple of months ago.)
The majority are “nice dogs,” she says. “But they’ve never been on a leash, never been in a house. … My brother was a good man with a big heart, but he had other issues. He was a grown man and I cold only do so much.”
She says that in the past 3 years she’d been able to re-home 10 dogs and she has 3 that she adopted who are absolutely well-behaved and loving dogs. [LARRY ASIDE: As noted above, she’s not an absentee sister— she visits the dogs and and tends to their needs. But their prime need now is to be somewhere else where they can be safe.]
 Regarding the dogs who are left behind, she says, “My brother would feed those dogs before he would feed himself. He got their shots, heartworm treatment — for the most part, they are in good health.”
At this point, the challenge of placing the dogs left behind is complicated by the fact that “we are striking out in every direction. Everyone is just full.”
So, there you have it, Dear Readers, another quirk of fate that leaves dogs at peril. Only humans can help them.
Again, if you have ideas for helping these dogs and this sister, get in touch with Sandra by calling or texting 817-319-4748 or email [email protected]. Or email [email protected].
This may be a situation in which humans can work together to, yes, “Save ‘em all.”
— Offer opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

LAWS, DOGS, CATS, PEOPLE AND OTHER TOPICS ON A THURSDAY IN 2027, ER, '21

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021 [PetPowellPress] As I was typing in the name of the document this was written on, I typed 3-25-2027 and was about two words past that date when I realized I was trying to reach into the future via the typing keyboard. My arms are too short to reach that far. Let’s get back to the current temporal dimension.
REMINDER: THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
IS CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN AUSTIN
That headline isn’t meant to frighten you, my fellow Texans. It’s just an introduction to two notes from the Texas Humane Legislation Network that might boost the spirits of animal advocates. 
One is that Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) has filed HB1818 which has to do with sourcing puppies and kittens sold in Texas pet stores, THLN says. See THLN’s commentary HERE. Petland may not like it, we suspect. The bill is “anti-puppy mill.”
And you can also click through to the legislation notes on the THLN website and find info about HB873 which, if it makes it through the legislative challenges and is signed by the gov, will protect animals that are left outside— it’s called the “Safe Outdoor Dogs Legislation” bill and it’ll carry some punishment for the offenders. If all goes right. That bill has 27 sponsors, according to the openstates site HERE.
TWO DOGS ‘EXTREMELY URGENT’
AND ONLY HUMANS CAN HELP
We got this info from the 4-Legged Helpers folks, Leighann Hayden and Laura Macias. One of the dogs we’ve posted before. The Helpers are trying to connect these dogs to someone who can help them.
First up is Kirk, a Yellow Lab mix. He’s maybe a year or so old and he simply “showed up in a rural area at some people’s home,” the 4-Legged Helpers note read.
There’s this: “He adores their other dogs. Even does great with their cats! He is not safe where he is and this small town has no animal control.” He’s sweet, cute and in need of a helping heart who’ll get him to a safe place.
We’ve posted Alex before. He’s a year old “Bull Terrier Mix,” described as “so sweet and so friendly.” And there are some pluses: he’s “ALREADY FIXED, MICROCHIPPED, VACCINATED, and HEARTWORM TESTED (Healthy!!).  THIS YOUNG DOG IS THE SWEETEST GUY EVER.  He adores playing with squeaky toys, yummy treats, and loves nothing better than to have someone to play with.  He is energetic but not jumpy. Loves to cuddle.  Can sit and shake on command.  Great with other dogs and absolutely adores children.  Very sweet about sharing his toys.  Awesome little boy.”
To offer to help these two or any of the many animals 4-Legged Helpers is working with, call or text Laura at 214-949-272 6 or email [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
PLOTTS & SAM’s SAD TALE
The volunteer dog biographers at the Mesquite Animal Shelter meet up with the most darling of dogs. Here are some examples

 Biographer Judi Brown describes Emily as “a beautiful brindle 1-1/2-year-old Plott Hound” who came into the shelter as a stray on the 18th — check out that brindling on her right hip! Judi says, “She has gorgeous markings and is really handsome! She’s a happy, playful, friendly active girl with a zest for life. She ran in the yard with abandon.  She will need a large yard for her playground. She chases balls and most the time retrieves them.” An active family might be a great match fo this 62-pound baby. She’s #46926150 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 and email [email protected].

 That brings us to 10-month-old, 40-pound Plott Hound mix Lenny who also has been blessed by a bio from Judi. He came in as a stray on the 19th. Judi writes, “With his brindle markings and stand up ears he is a very attractive boy. He’s friendly. He welcomed me immediately when I went into his kennel. Some customers met him in the hall and he greeted them with tail wags. He’s very alert and likes to explore. He was particularly interested looking into the shelter windows. He also liked climbing on the bench.”
Judi says Lenny spent time posing for photos by the door “looking as it as if he wanted to go in. I suspect he was mostly an inside dog. He was active but actually relatively calm for a 10-month-old puppy. He sat for treats for me one time but I’m not sure if he was really following the command or if it was just an accident that he sat at the same time I had a treat. He likes having his chin and ears scratched. … Besides being an attractive dog he’s a good boy!”
 He’s #46930421 at the shelter, when you email or call.
And we arrive at biographer Debra Chisholm’s report on “this adorable pup” Sam, as she refers to the 10-month-old, 45-pound “tri-colored mixed breed boy.”
He’s a bit of a sad story. Returned to the shelter on the 23rd.
Debra writes, “An elderly gentleman adopted Sam a few months ago but as Sam got older, he realized he was not able to handle his high-energy level so he decided to surrender him.  …The former owner reports that Sam lived indoors, is active, likes to run, is house-trained and is OK with dogs and kids.  He stated, ‘He’s hyperactive and needs to be with someone young who can handle his energy level.’ After spending time with him in the yard, I can affirm that he has lots of puppy energy and does jump on you.  He knows the sit command.  Sam certainly could use some obedience training and would best suit an active person or family who would take him for walks or jogs or just play with and exercise him.  He is friendly, playful and loves chasing tennis balls (but does not return them).  Sam is just a typical puppy who needs guidance.  He has such potential."
Sam is #46952800. Use that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Remember, there are many other animals at the Mesquite Shelter — dogs and cats. Click HERE. One of the cats you’ll see is this guy Big Boy, a 3-year-old fellow who came in on the 19th and is currently in the Cat Room at the shelter. FYI, he may be called “Big Boy,” bu the shelter lists his size as “Medium.” He appears to be a substantial “medium.”
THREE CATS TO GO:
WAITING IN BIG D
The Dallas Animal Services website link to dogs and cats is HERE and it shows just FIVE cats on the adoptables list in the big shelter (that's just the computer list. Got to be more, right?) One of them continues to be the stellar feline whose name was inspired by a Hollywood star — that’s Catalie Portman. The other two have demonstrative names to go with their distinctly beautiful looks — Huggie and Spot.
You’d think that in the town with an airport named Love, a freeway named Love and a Cat Rock Lake, there’d be enough homes for three cats. I made up Cat Rock Lake — I hope to high heaven you spotted that right away. If you didn’t, you may not be smart enough to live with a cat.
CONTEMPLATIONS
AT THE PUMP, FLATTENED MALL, BERLIN WALL
I needed to gas up the 21st Century Edge Wednesday morning and I was reluctant to pay $2.59 or more a gallon while in Dallas County. So I drove until I spotted a station on Fort Worth Avenue west of downtown that was selling gas for $2.49.9 a gallon — I whipped in and started fillin’ ‘er up. Casually, I looked across the street and spotted a competing station pricing a gallon of regular at $2.46.9. I used to be more observant when it came to price-at-the-pump. This may be a side-effect of getting those covid shots for free. I miss $1.90 a gallon gas. …
 I also miss Six Flags Mall — a wonderful shopping experience for decades at the convergence of Arlington and Grand Prairie just south of I-30. The mall is now a memory flattened to make a spot for a giant warehouse complex that looks like it was designed by Soviet apartment architects. Nah, I don’t miss the Soviet Union all that much. …I do miss seeing newsreels at movie theaters in the ‘50s because they always had some terrifying or curious report out of the Soviet Union or Europe — Sputnik in orbit or the Berlin Wall dividing a city. You can look ‘em up. Here’s a Movietone’s report. If you first have to watch an ad, do what the Soviets did and feel bitter about capitalism’s grip on the more reasonable portions of the planet. Hooray for capitalism, by the way. That's why a buck-and-a-half worth of gasoline last year cost me $2.49 Wednesday.
—- Offer stock tips or reasons to smile by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Put “Big Payoff” in the subject line. —-

HELPING COCKER SPANIEL EYES; SAVING FERDINAND, COPING THANKS TO CAMI

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021] Welcome to a Wednesday edition — midweek as March begins to wane. "Wane." That’s as poetical as I can gettical; I’m drowsy as a baby; might nod off, maybe; need cookies without calories, and I can’t think of a thing that rhymes with calories unless the cookies I ate were a gift of Mallory’s. The preceding would-be poetic sentence is why my heart goes out to teachers who have to grade the written word -- what a clanker. My dog Porche, in her English Lit lecture glasses, feels the same way. I once dangled a participle and she snapped at me. The day I split an infinitive, she quit speaking to me. English, such a challenge when you’d rather have a nap. But I have to write in English because nobody reads Latin these days and mi espanol es muy malo.
THE CHALLENGE OF HELPING
COCKER SPANIELS THRIVE
We’re going to get to the work of DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue in a moment. They're helping Cocker Spaniels see!
We have personal testimony regarding the wondrously happy experience of having lived with a Cocker Spaniel named Inky. That's him and his ears on the right. In his long life, there really was no challenge to helping him thrive — he wanted to thrive. Our philosophy for making a member of this wondrous breed of regal dogs happy is this: “You love ‘em, feed ‘em and get ‘em groomed." Inky ranked food, love and grooming as “equal joys in my life of elegance and glee.” He told me that once. Ah, yes, he could communicate

What that preceding paragraph does is move us to the challenges currently facing the big human hearts at DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue. DFW CSR needs dona- tions to help three Cocker Spaniels with their vision problems. These eye surgeries, according to the Rescue, “can improve or restore sight, relieve chronic pain and make life considerably better for a dog suffering with cataracts, glaucoma or eye injury. We currently have 3 Cocker spaniels in foster homes who are in urgent need of cataract surgery.
 Those are the current dogs. (1) Brandy, rescued in September in the big middle of the human pandemic, is about 6 and ‘has been diagnosed with double cataracts.” King is the 7-year-old Cocker who arrived as a stray and has “mature cataracts in both eyes.”
And Lincoln is a 3-year-old Cocker “with a hyper mature cataract in one eye and a growing cataract in the other which leaves him with a very limited vision.” The donation link is HERE.
Helping the dogs’ vision will enhance the dogs’ chances of being adopted, the Rescue says. [LARRY FYI: In the appeal, the organization says that “so far this year we have incurred costs totaling $8,580 for eye surgeries. Future estimated cost for scheduled surgeries is $5,000.”]
And, just in case you wondered, you can go to dfwcockerrescue.org and arrange donations and also apply to adopt Cocker Spaniels, including this 10-year-old girl Faith Hill who has vision problems and quirks but is totally adorable.
ANOTHER WEDNESDAY DEADLINE
FOR A HANDSOME ARLINGTON DOG
This is Ferdinand and, according to the Friends of Arlington Animal Services, he has until 5 p.m. Wednesday to leave the city’s shelter. Or else. 
The problem is he’s “rescue only” because he has a fear problem. He’s a 50-pound, intact “Retriever mix” — #46641568.
An Arlington assessment read, “Still fearful. Won't let staff to pet him and he won't take treats. He’s been in the shelter more than 30 days. He must be tagged and out by 5 p.m. on Wednesday (03/24/2021).”
He’s “RESCUE ONLY. Stays on bed; stiff, low growl, trembling.” The Friends’ note says he has pledges. And if you’d like to foster Ferdinand to help save his life, contact the friends at [email protected]. Email the shelter at [email protected] or call 817-459-5898.

CONTEMPLATIONS
BOULDER; CUTE CAMI; THE OXFORD COMMA….
This whole Boulder thing gets to me. Like many of you, I suspect, it brought back memories of emotions we felt when other shootings occurred. I’m one of those guys who keeps praying for all of humanity to wise up and be loving — no matter where, no matter who. One of my first big newspaper experiences was the Texas Tower Shooting Aug. 1, 1966 — I’d been a reporter for a little over a year. I thought something like “this is probably a once-in-a-career story.” How wrong was I. Bless us all and keep us safe. From viruses and each other. … We find refuge in the gentle portions of our existence. For example, on Tuesday morning, we spotted Dr. Glen Campbell’s online veterinary highlight: this is Cami, his “Cutie of the Day.” Today, the good doctor’s posting was a sweet alternative to thoughts of the behavior of some elements of our species. And I’m always happy to see dogs reading the newspaper — gives me faith in the Freedom of the Press. …
Let’s declare that we’ve played English to a tie and we’ll move along with our mission of writin' gooder English for animals and the people who love them. And stop swapping “like” for “such as” and eliminate the Oxford Comma unless you’re from Oxford (not the one in Mississippi) or, perhaps, can display lab tests that have determined that you are clinically pretentious. Geezalou, I hope I haven’t written any grammatical errors into today’s report. My glass house will go to shard city, won’t itI? (I ended that sentence with an interrobang — thought it was appropriate.)
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DEADLINES & ANIMALS & NOTES FROM A SPRING DAY IN TEXAS -- REMEMBER LA SALLE?

[EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Contemplating TV shows in the time of covid may come up today. But first, we’re going to try to help people help animals.
TWO FEARFUL DOGS WAIT
FOR HELP -- OR THE DEADLINE
Emails arrived Monday afternoon spelling out the situation for two dogs in Arlington Animal Services. In the note from Jennifer Sellers, Chaplin (#46627179), the adorable white dog with black spots, is said to be “rescue only for ‘high arousal, mouthy’ — that’s an attitude, we’re pretty sure. He’s only a little over a year old, isn’t fixed and weighs in at 60 pounds. The person who found him is said to have had him for 7 days and reported “was good with men, women, children.” And, the note read “Playful when interacting with children”, “Dog test in shelter looks OK” and this line that’ll make a dog-lover cringe: “Was not comfortable when left alone.” [LARRY ASIDE: DANG, don’t EVER leave him alone! Can I get an ‘Amen!’?]
The other deadline dog (we’ve been told about; there may be more) has a 5 p.m. Wednesday appointment with fate. Only humans can save this elegant beauty Alice (A46641599), rescue-only because of her fear. She came in on Feb. 12, was a stray, weighs only 40 pounds and is a “VIP Rescue Only.” Why? She’s “fearful, retreats to back of kennel, head lowered, mouth closed with stiff body; does not come to greet you. Tail is stiff; trembling, not comforted by gentle voice.”
For either or both of these two rescue-only dogs on the brink of disaster, email [email protected]. Call 817-459-5898.
LAST WEEK’S LINEUP
Vick, Chess, Cinda, Alex and Scottie continue to be available, according to the folks at 4-Legged Helpers. We got a note TUES-AM from Leighann Hayden about this line up of pups — we first posted them last Friday, so you can scroll down and read their stories.
We’ll use two of the photos to jog your memory or to help you spot the earlier appeal. That’s Alex with the great face and that Border Collie mix is the very adorable Petunia. To help by rescuing, fostering or adopting, get in touch with 4-Legged Helpers’ Laura Macias by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or emailing [email protected].
FROM MARCH 11’S EDITION,
DOTTIE’S STILL WAITING
Another note from 4-Legged Helpers says Dottie, the 9-year-old Rat Terrier mix looking for a second chance, is still waiting for a good-hearted human to give her a second chance. 
Weighs under 20 pounds. Came into the Richardson Animal Shelter on Jan. 25 and has been waiting since Feb., 11. She has a “snap and snarl at strangers” attitude. So this is a case for someone patient and understanding who loves giving older dogs the chance they deserve.
Call the shelter at 972-744-4480 and use Dottie’s ID #21-0082D. See Dottie’s listing and many other animals by clicking HERE  and navigating to dogs, cats and others (Monday’s "others" were 3 nameless Hamsters and a Gerbil named Wilbur).
LIL MAMA WEIGHS IN AT 29 LBS.;
WILMA, AT 5, WEIGHS 35 LBS.
We got the tip on these girls from from Debra Chisholm, volunteer dog biographer for Mesquite Animal Services. Why would Lil Mama wind up surrendered to the shelter on the 20th? Because, the form read, the owner said they were “unable to attend” to the 3-year-old, spayed dog who had lived with them since she was a puppy.  Maybe you, too, smile at a 29-pound Chi-mix named “Lil Mama.” Too small to be “Big Mama” or “Midsize Mama,” so maybe, in her world “Lil Mama" is just right. 
The report is she’s OK with kids and other dogs and she likes playing with toys — has a tendency to destroy plush and rubber toys. … Knows some commands and walks well on a leash. In summary, Debra writes, ”She is a frisky, perky tail-wagging girl full of zest for living.” She’s #38244460.
That brings us to Wilma, a 5-year-old, 35-pound Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix. She came in on the 16th as a stray. [LARRY ASIDE: Anybody who’d lose this dog and not come looking for her must have been beamed up by space aliens and can’t get back to other to find their dog. Seriously, who lets a dog such as this baby just vanish from their lives.] Debra writes that Wilma has “a friendly, sweet nature and a low-key and mellow personality. She walks beautifully on a leash….This precious girl is calm, gentle and well-mannered. She is lively and active. She does NOT jump on you….Wilma would live a much healthier life if she were put on a feeding plan to help her lose weight.” She’s #4692070 at Mesquite.
Use their IDs when you call the shelter (972-216-6283) to ask about them or email [email protected]. And, as this photo of the handsome black and white feline Simon indicates, there are adorable adoptable cats available at the Mesquite Shelter. See the dogs and cats by going to the shelter site HERE.
A FOLLOW-UP PHOTO
FROM OUT AT THE LAKE
This photo came to us courtesy of Sydney Busch, the longtime voice and guiding light of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The story reads, “Ann Ireland (far left), member of the Pinnacle Women's Club, presents a check to us as part of their community giving — that back-breaking garage sale they hold every year turns into much needed cash for non-profits around the lake. Thank you, PWC, for remembering us with your generosity!”
Follow the Friends at friendsoftheanimals.org or see their Facebook page. The Friends, as you well know, operate (so to speak) the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas. FYI: They operate on Tuesdays and, yes, the Friends can always use devoted volunteers to help with assorted duties from critter-tending to mask-checking to donating winning lotto tickets — it could happen, I’ve been told!
CONTEMPLATIONS
SPRING BREAK, MISSED SEASON, SPACE ALIENS 

So, I was going to go to Florida for Spring Break but the crowds scared me away. I’m kidding. I’m holding onto my youngish celebration attitude until Six Flags Over Texas reopens and I talk my kids into buying me a season ticket and financing my snack cravings. I can’t wait to ride La Salle’s Riverboat Adventure again. What? Gone since 1982? (HERE’S A LINK TO THE PAST.) Well, I guess I haven’t been there in a while. The park does still have a Texas theme, right? And daily tickets are still six bucks, right? (Somebody explain to everybody under about 40 just who Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle was.) …

It struck me on about the second day of Spring 2021, that I’d missed the entire 2020 holiday season — from Halloween right on through New Year’s Eve. I’m going to try to catch up by watching some black and white horror films and the Natalie Wood version of Miracle on 34th Street. Maybe, when insomnia kicks in later this week, I’ll fire up a video of A Christmas Carol from the '30s or The Twilight Zone episode, Night of the Meek starring Art Carney -- ask some geezer about him! That smoking fellow on the left is Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone, and a guy who was comfortable presenting both Christmas stories and tales of space aliens come-to-earth. …
Speaking of such things, Holiday Insights, the online calendar, notes that March 20 was “Extraterrestrial Abductions Day.” I’d have mentioned this earlier but I just now got back.
— Offer space tales or down-to-earth notions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put your planet of origin in the subject line. —