JUST HOW DID SOME ANIMALS WIND UP ON THE 'HELP ME' LIST & OTHER TALES OF DOGS, CATS, HUMANS, HAWKS AND MELONS

2nd EDITION, FRIDAY, AUG. 6, 2021 [PetPowellPress] A Friday in August. You expect to sweat in Texas on a Friday in August.
That’s not exactly true. You expect the air-conditioning to work.
So, as you chill, here’s our report on dogs and cats, plus Contemplations with a predator and watermelons. That’s Woodstockesque illustration is a hint, you ol’ hippies.
OH, GOODNESS, LOOK
AT THAT POOR PUP

Kelly Hafercamp alerted us to this pup Oreo and forwarded the explanation from veteran animal advocate Jennifer Sellers.
The subject line read “Richardson, TX: Owner Surrender, OREO, used for breeding needs help ASAP.”
Once you see the photo, the phrase “used for breeding” has an explanatory illustration stuck in your brain, doesn’t it.
Jennifer began her note, “This poor thing just breaks my heart!” and includes the Richardson Animal Shelter Notes that read this way: “Owner Surrender. She was used for breeding - has birthed 3 different litters. Surrendered with her son, Boss. Wife originally bought her online from someone as a puppy. She's 3 years old. Heartworm negative. Lived in an apartment complex. Completely potty-trained. Crated while at work and at nighttime - did well. Tends to be an escape artist - knows how to open the gate latch (doesn't dig or jump). Lived with a pre-teen and did well. Never met any cats. Hasn't had any formal introduction to other dogs - does react on the leash when they pass by. Knows ‘cage’ and ‘go outside.’ Very friendly. Hasn't been to the vet recently.”
 To ask about helping this dog by rescuing or adopting, contact the Richardson Animal Shelter at 972-744-4480. It’s at 1330 Columbia Dr. in Richardson.
TREMBLING IN FEAR,
THE SNOW SITUATION
Oh, my. The story of Snow comes from Fort Worth Animal Care & Control.
The post is a sincere appeal to help get this girl’s life saved.
And, as you can see in this LINK, Snow is trembling with fear.” 

The post by Kristen Barg Morrison (Cowtown Friends of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control) reads, “With 800 animals in the shelter, how will she ever get noticed? All it takes is one person to save her life. Snow (A34087149) is 7 years old, 78 pounds, not spayed, and heartworm positive.”

Here’s a heartbreaking passage: “She was found as a stray on 2/16, returned to owner a week later, found as a stray on 3/27, returned to owner 3/29, found as a stray again on 5/30. Owner isn’t coming to get her.”
 And there’s this: “While Snow plays in the yard with the other dogs, she has clearly been let down by humans because she is terrified to interact with people. A staff member carried her out of her kennel so we could let her spend time outside time. Once outside, after doing her business, she hid behind the benches. No aggression, just fear. Snow needs out of the stressful shelter environment and in a home that can show her patience, trust, kindness and love.” 
To tag for a rescue or to ask about adopting, email Fort Worth Animal Care and Control at fwacctag@fortworthtexas.gov.
[LARRY ASIDE: OK, 800 dogs in the FW shelters? Can anyone say “disloyal, flawed and ignorant humans”? Save ‘em all.]
IS THIS DOG, GEORGE, A
PERFORMING EARHOUND
Mary Sullivan, who has spotted many help-needed animals for the rescue world, has come across another one. This guy is George and, honest, as he relaxed on the back of a couch, his Ear- houndedness (that a word?) came out. Big ol’ floppin’ ear in that photo.
George is “a fabulous puppy who’s just four months old (at the most – he still has his baby teeth!),” Mary’s note reads. “He turned up on the doorstep of a Good Samaritan's home early last month after a storm and although she adores him, she isn’t able to give him a forever home.  But maybe you know someone who can!  
“George is absolutely great – with people, dogs, and even kitties.  He knows several commands.  He’s good on a leash and loves to go for walks.  He rides well in a car.  And...it looks like he’s housebroken – no accidents in the house all month long!  He can even use a doggie door!”

And she continues with this sweet explanation: “George weighs about 35 pounds now and may top out in the 60-70 pound-range, but he considers himself a lap dog.  Very affectionate, loving, and so funny when he discovers something new.  Just a delightful guy, and really needs a forever family.  We’re looking for someone with a yard and some time to spend with this big, beautiful youngster.”
The best way to take your first step to becoming George’s loving human is to call Mary at 214-783-2060.

MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
HANDSOME DINO IS BACK
Our reliable tipster, the volunteer Mesquite Animal Services dog biographer Judi Brown, forwarded what appears to be a note written by this dog Dino. [LARRY ASIDE: Heck, this would not surprise me.] Dino’s note reads, “I wanted you all to know that I’M BACK at the shelter through no fault of my own! I was adopted by an elderly gentleman that loved me and said I was a really good boy, but said he couldn’t keep up with me. He said I needed a younger more active family. He also said that people need to know that I am part beagle and that I follow my nose so I will follow a scent. That’s just what I do!  So I will need a secure fence where I cannot get out. I have so much to offer an active fun loving family!”
 Dino is #46479555 at the shelter. He’s an 11-month-old, 31-pound neutered Beagle mix. He was first surrendered to the shelter on July 20 with another dog, Jezebel, possibly his sister. The humans were “having to move in with another family member and couldn’t take them along.” Friendly Dino wags his tail constantly, Judi’s bio reports. “At one point he stood up on me just to give me a hug….” she wrote. He’s alert, aware and needs human interaction. Sweet and gentle. Not interested in treats. He’s afraid of brooms.

Use his shelter ID #46479555 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

THESE HAVE BEEN WAITING
AND NOBODY’S BEEN ASKING…
We’ve posted these before and we’ll hope this will be the last time because they’ve been adopted. They are in the “Circle of Hope” created by the 4-Legged Helpers non-profit that puts the spotlight on animals in small shelters. To ask about any of these animals call or text the Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

This first guy is the 60-pound, young, already-fixed, vaccinated and microchipped terrier mix Hank. He’s in the care of “county animal control,” the helpers say. and, his bio reads, “Hank is awesome. You won’t meet a more well-behaved guy that adores children, other dogs and absolutely will not jump on anyone — very chill, very well-behaved. … an all-around adorable dog.”

This handsome lad is Bo in Bridgeport, a shelter that stays busy in the town northwest of Fort Worth. It’s busier with intake than with outgo, but the Helpers are working to help change that pattern. Bo is the “sweetest best dog. every one adores him,” his bio reads. And, he has Pointer-type ears that are adorable and such a sweet face. Has some cute spots, too, so he may be part Dalmatian.”
This girl Emmie (right), who also has cute ears, is also in the Bridgeport Shelter. She too gets the “sweet as can be” label.” She’s a Boxer/hound mix, the Helpers report.

And that brings us to Bridget, a Bulldog mix girl, also in Bridgeport. She weighs about 49 pounds and is full grown and described as “one of the sweetest little Bulldog mixes you could meet anywhere.”
OPERATION KINDNESS
HAS CATS-IN-WAITING…
Yeah, Operation Kindness also has dogs in waiting but we thought we’d look at the cat population as we enter the weekend.
And OK has reopened for in-person adoptions and is also showing off additions and enhancements to the facility in Carrollton.
This first cat, being carried in this photo, is actually named “Carry.” She’s about 3 months old, weighs 2 pounds and came in on Aug. 3.
She’s clearly a very alert Tabby girl.

You want an orange cat? Well, there’s the 2-month-old girl Phoenix. She weighs 4 pounds. And she arrived on July 30. Oh, you’re interested in an older boy orange cat? Here’s nearly 4-year-old tabby boy Mouse. He weighs 8 pounds and came in on Aug. 3 from another shelter. He likes having “head rubs,” his bio says. 
What? You’d like to have relatively grown- up dog with a cat name and cat size? This is Tortie, a year-old, 8-pound Chihuahua girl who arrived on July 31.
Cat adoptions are $135 and dogs are $185 at the legendary no-kill shelter in Carrollton.
Go to operationkindness.org to see how to adopt, how to donate, how to volunteer, how to tour the facility. 

CONTEMPLATIONS

HOPE MELONS, HAWK TALONS & MUSIC
On Friday morning, as I was prepping for a day of writing, I did some reading. I discovered, via my hometown paper the Texarkana Gazette (of which I was once assistant managing editor), that the 45th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival is under way. That’s what they’re calling it: 45th annual -- though the pandemic made it skip 2020 and organizers canceled the 44th version, so, well, “annual” meaning what it does becomes more symbolic than accurate in this year’s celebration — underway through the 7th. I opened up the festival website HERE and the first sentence I read was in big letters: “Watermelons have long been a calling card for the City of Hope.” Yep, not even the fact that “A town called Hope,” on I-30 about 3 1/2 hours northeast of the Metrosprawl, is the birthplace of President Bill Clinton could keep watermelons out of the top spot of recognition. Now, we missed the Watermelon Festival Parade on July 26 (a week before the festival). And we missed the Watermelon Festival Dog Show — where would you hold a dog show? In the Swine Barn. See show photos HERE. And, fyi, that Festival illustration with the Woodstock influence was from 2015 — it came from the southwestern Arkansas online news site magnoliareporter.com.
HEADS UP! As if cyclists don’t have enough to worry about with Dallas/Fort Worth traffic, here’s a North Richland Hills neighborhood bulletin board report from this week: “Hawk attack! I went for a bicycle ride this morning and got attacked by a hawk! It was in the 6900 block of Glen Hills. It hit me three times on my scalp before I could get out of there. I’m just glad I was able to stay upright LOL! Be careful everyone and wear a helmet.” Ambitious hawks might try to lift a cyclist and fly away — right? You know, really ambitious hawks. …
We’ll close with a country tribute to a fine form of watermelon by TOM. T. HALL. Mentions old dogs, too. And children.
—- Ignore the cries of the attacking hawk and leave ideas and doubts on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com and put “Duck! Duck! No, it’s a Hawk” in the subject line. —-