CELEBRATING TWO DAYS; CITING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP; CONSIDERING MOVIES FROM 1957

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUG. 26, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re going to celebrate a couple of “Days” before we get to our usual mission. There is a strong link uniting the two special days.

First, many of you don’t need to be told that August 26 is Women’s Equality Day. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution became effective on Aug. 26, 1920, giving American women the right to vote. 
Wait! Not ALL American women.
Here’s a link to a Time Magazine article explaining that the amendment didn’t remove state laws that kept Black Americans from voting — poll taxes, literacy tests, etc. 
QUESTION: You think that today’s Congress is slow on key issues? Giving women the vote first came before Congress in 1878 and the 19th amendment stalled around until it finally passed both houses in 1919. It was certified on Aug. 26, 1920. And, it occurs to my male slow-on-the-uptakeness that, son of a gun, women have now had the vote in America for 101 years. And, as some of those “ol’ boys” feared more than a century ago, the country hasn’t gone to hell or tiptoed on the edge of it because a woman has been president. [LARRY ASIDE: Something yet to come! But it’s coming. If Wally Funk can at-long-last ride a rocket to space, the White House is definitely an earthbound destination for some politically-minded, smarter-than-the-average-candidate woman, right?”]
As a guy born decades after that 19th Amendment was the law of the land, it is impossible for me to even imagine a time in this Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave when women were forbidden to vote.
 Ban women from voting? That’s nuts, isn’t it. [LARRY ASIDE: That’s a Women’s Day bit of artwork from 2019 — I picked it because that young woman is one of my heroes. I hope you know her story and know of her work and ambitions. Just google Malala — you shouldn't miss her story. She's not a Texas woman, but she's tough enough to be.]

About the right to vote, a solemn duty: My granddaughters, Hannah and Emily, were ready to vote BEFORE they reached the “age of electoral accountability” or whatever it’s called these days. My daughter-in-law Erinn? She’s been voting since her first breath, I’m almost sure — she arrived with a devotion to American rights and disgust of American wrongs. And my funandpoliticspouse Martha has cast so many votes through the years that I think she has carpal tunnel syndrome in her forefinger — you know, from lecturing me and making point after point. 
Those four voters have one more thing in common: They’re animal nuts.
So what’s the celebration connection? August 26 is also National Dog Day, created in 2004 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige. We learned of its origin via the Holiday Insights online calendar.
Here is a reality connection between women of power and dogs in a bit of a fix. In the animal welfare world, there are huge numbers of women coast-to-coast (and around the world, too) who are involved in advocacy for dogs and cats and other animals. In fact, as a longtime observer of animal advocacy and rescue, I’m willing to bet that the women-to-men ratio is something like 60 percent women to 40 percent men (or worse).
If it were not for women, animal rescue and animal advocacy would collapse. Fall flat. Fail. It would be an American tragedy. 
Look around, Dear Readers, at the rescue organizations led by women, fueled by women, guided by women who have no fear whether trying to rescue a dog or cat off a freeway or when facing down some nitwit city council member who thinks “animal shelter” is another phrase for “warehouse for animals” and “euthanasia” is a “mercy killing in a shelter” not just a way to open a cage for the next unlucky beast. 
So, on this particular August 26 we celebrate Women because women lead the way and we celebrate our dogs because they can bring us together after the political arguments the guys lose. [LARRY FYI: That's Wendy with my fearlessspouse Martha who pulled her car over, got out and had a stern conversation with some people about the future of this dog and rescued the "puppy girl" from an awful situation on the mean streets of Oak Cliff. They're devoted to each other.]
SPEAKING OF WOMEN
AND THEIR POWER…
You may be keeping up with Pen Farthing and his efforts to get animals out of Afghanistan. Here’s a story from The Daily Mail in England about Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at the behest of his wife, Carrie, changing a decision by the Minister of Defence and getting some exit help for Farthing and the shelter in Kabul. The story says “69 staff and 200 animals” will benefit from this power move by a woman with a sense of politics and decency.
Click HERE.
ROWLETT HAS A DOG
THAT NEEDS HELP NOW…
This guy with the ugly back is PATCH (#54964). Here’s how we learned about him and his back problem. We got a note from our pal Karen Lee of the pro-animal  Barkleyworld.com. She got the note from Roberta Womack, founder and prez of Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones, the Chihuahua-saving organization.
And Roberta got it from Victoria Barham, the Animal Placement Specialist at the City of Rowlett Shelter. 
She wrote, “We have a standard Dachshund that is in need. He came in with what appears to be an old burn down his back and it is now a skin infection. We are treating the infection, but he needs to go to a rescue to further his treatment. He is super sweet and very outgoing. Loves to go on walks and our volunteers love him. Our vet did not vaccinate him due to the infection. We are very full as well and need him out ASAP. “
Contact the shelter by calling 972-412-6219. Email [email protected]
[LARRY ASIDE: Patch is the only male in this story and he’s the individual whose depending on women to get him out of this fix!]
LET’S TALK MORE DOGS
ON THEIR NATIONAL DAY
Our sources for the bios and photos of the dogs in the next two collections, and the sources are women. Yes. Ain’t no guys typing these reports of shelters dogs desperate for happy homes.
FIRST WE CITE THE DOGS SPOTTED
BY THE WOMEN OF 4-LEGGED HELPERS
Oh, boy, look at this guy, Cash, who is listed as a Chihuahua/Terrier mix who “May have a little Corgi in there,” according to his bio from 4-Legged helpers.
He’s among the dogs waiting for a good home or a rescue at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Cash is about a year old and, of course, house-trained. “He is so incredibly affectionate and lovering — a really great boy!” says the note sent by 4-Legged Helpers Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden.

Then there’s Koby, a German Shepherd who is about a year old and who was “brought to the shelter by someone that had to move due to the economic conditions,” the Helpers wrote. He’s “so very sweet. Very loving. Adores other dogs — male and female. Loves all people. He is a really great young dog hoping for a forever home.”
There’s a $200 donation to the 501c3 rescue that will take over the care of Delaney, a female Black German Shepherd in the Lancaster shelter. The Helpers’ note reads, “We cannot begin to say enough great things about this dog. Beautiful, smart, sweet as can be. Her big pup Dillon was pulled by rescue, but she is still hoping and waiting. She is such a beautiful dog….”
Jakob has been at the shelter for a while. He was “found out and about on a playground, having the best time just like a little kid — adores children — all people. Great boy.” 
the young Lab mix is sweet, cute — all the good things you expect to hear about a dog who fits into assorted situations in life. The Helpers say Jakob “loves female dogs, so would be great in a home with girl dogs or by himself as the only dog — either would work great.”
And that brings us to Roman, a Lab fellow who has “the prettiest white teeth and always wears a sweet goofy grin,” the Helpers say. And they say, “He has long adorable ears.” Why is he in a shelter? “He was brought to the shelter by someone who could no longer care for him and he is a really great dog and such a sweet boy…Barks at other dogs right now, but someone should be able to fix that — he is a young dog. Needs that foster or willing adoptor or rescue. He adores people and, of course, completely adores and is awesome with all children.”
To help these dogs or any animals in the Lancaster shelter, contact the 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting Laura at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]
Keep up with the life-saving work of 4-Legged Helpers by going to the non-profit’s Facebook page HERE.
 
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
BONNIE & TANNER WAIT…
These dogs are among the many animals waiting for good homes or responsible rescues at the Mesquite Animal Shelter. 
Volunteer shelter dog biographer Debra Chisholm wrote, “I have named this cutesy mixed-breed pup Bonnie.  She arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 8/19.  Bonnie weighs 20 pounds and is approximately 4 months old.  For such a young pup she walks quite nicely on a leash.  She is nervous and uneasy in the shelter environment.  Bonnie is calm and gentle and has a low-key personality at this point.  She does not jump on you.  She is a friendly and sweet girl.  Bonnie enjoys treats and will sit continually to obtain them.  She likes chewing on toys.   She liked jumping on the bench in the room where I did her photo shoot and she was quite interested in checking out the smells.” She’s #48483076 — use that number for IDing her when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]

Those contact points also work when your asking about this guy Tanner. How is that for a dog with a very elegant style of walking! We got the into on Tanner from volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown.
She writes that Tanner is “cautiously friendly at first but if you’re patient it will pay off because once trust is built he becomes your BFF! Tanner is a year old, 41-pound Lab/Whippet mix that came to the Mesquite Shelter on 8/17 as a stray. …He’s a handsome boy with a majestic, show-dog stance. When I first went into Tanner’s kennel he was cautiously friendly and was very unsure of the leash. Because he was skittish, I was reluctant to take his leash off. When I reached for the top of his head he cowered, and he ducked when I made a sudden movement.

"At first he explored the yard with his nose and stayed away from me. However he gradually started coming to me when I talked to him and bribed him with treats! He does sit for treats and takes them  gently. By the end of the photo session he even put his head on my lap and let me scratch his ears. And as I was taking him in he literally pushed his body close to mine!
“I felt like he was saying, ‘I want to be your friend.’ … After he was put back in his kennel and I walked past him he gave me a happy bark!!
“There’s no doubt if somebody is patient with Tanner and builds trust he will be a very loyal companion. He would love to lay at your feet in the house while you’re watching TV and have his own little bed beside yours at night!”

For Tanner, use his ID 48468445 when you call the shelter at 972-2166283 or email [email protected] ofmesquite.com.
At this Mesquite Shelter LINK 
 you can see more adoptable dogs and adoptable cats, too, including this little girl, Mom (#48208461), a year and a couple of months old. She’s small and has been in the shelter since July 13.
CONTEMPLATIONS
IDLE THOUGHTS IN SUMMER
I mowed the back yard Wednesday afternoon and as I type this my eyes are still trying to adjust from being filled with the sweat of an idiot. …
Anybody ever get hooked on detective shows? My current 4: Monk; Psych; The Closer; Major Crimes. The detective show I miss is Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. That was one wildly enjoyable British show. Guess they’re not makin’ any more of ‘em. Might have to actually re-start reading books….
I miss going to movies. I can’t remember the last film I saw in what passes for a real theater — not a real fan of multiplexes. I love old-style stand-alone theaters with owners who took pride in the presentations and the “house.” Best movie seen in a one-screen theater? I’ll focus on 1957 and name The Admirable Crichton about a butler who saves a shipwrecked family; or Not of This Earth about a man from Mars threatening the people of our planet; or — and this title tells it all: I Was a Teenage Werewolf. Starred Michael Landon in the title role — later he moved to TV and was Little Joe on Bonanza, the dad on Little House on the Prairie and an angel on Highway to Heaven. I’ve heard his shows never filmed during a full moon.
— Offer movie tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS in the subject line. —-