THE STORIES OF ANIMALS, THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE; CONTEMPLATE WRITERS & A SONG

EDITION OF FRIDAY AUG. 27, 2021 [PetPowellPress] We’re publishing this edition early because animals on the clock don’t know there’s a clock and humans do. 
Plus, news of the day — news of humans and of animals — is depressing enough for two days. 

THE FORT WORTH CHALLENGE
FOR THIS SUMMER DAY
Like several people, we got a note Thursday morning from Butch Burgin who linked us to a posting about Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s challenges. This dog Barley was the focus and the note read, “At the Fort Worth shelter, and needs an adopter or foster home. Scared at first; when he realizes you won't hurt him, is all wiggles and kisses. FW has had over 4,600 intakes since May 1.....Without adoptions, lots will leave in black bags thru the back door.”

Now, that is an awful word picture, isn’t it?
You can see a video of Barley HERE.
Butch's note took us to the Facebook post by FWACC volunteer mainstay Kristen Barg Morrison. It noted Barley (#A48465537 at the shelter) is 6 months old, weighs 36 pounds and was a stray who “wasn’t growling out of aggression. It was fear because I assume he’s never had positive human affection before. Broke my heart. I hope a foster can get him so we can make sure he ends up in a perfect home. I love him.”
Here is a LINK to the Barley adoption page.

Cats? Fort Worth Cats? Heck, yeah. And this guy Calvino (#46573256) is free to a good home. He’s a smallish mixed breed though he sure does look like he might have some Russian Blue in that family tree.
And, of course, in that array of feline photos, that’s a clowder of shelter cats — tiny and larger — waiting for human hands to embrace them and give them a place where they can live out the natural cat destiny: managing humans. You know how cats are. Here’s THE LINK to seeing the scores and scores of Fort Worth’s dogs and cats. And, remember, no calling the shelter — communicate via the rescue tag address [email protected]
FOUND IN THE BACKYARD:

‘HOME WHERE NO ONE LIVES’
This astounding recovery of a momma and her 8 babies was in Lancaster, according to our reliable tipsters at 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that works to get more eyes and hearts looking at shelters with low human traffic.
Lots of puppy paw traffic at Lancaster, however. 
The note reads, “This sweet momma (right) and 8 big adorable puppy babies were found abandoned at a house. They appear to be Great Pyrenees although some have been shaved or had haircuts (probably due to the heat). Interestingly a puppy was found a few weeks ago that has the same type ‘haircut’ as one or two of these, so we are thinking from the same home and possibly someone breeding.  They are all VERY FRIENDLY, and LOVABLE, and adore other dogs and all people.  This is a great momma and pups.”

As we were prepping this in mid-afternoon, we learned that Operation Kindness has signed on to take four of these pups -- more to come on that later. In the meanwhile, to ask about helping Alexa and her babies, call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. (Same way to ask about Jeffrey in the photo below.)
The dogs had been “recently abandoned in a backyard of a house where no one lives,” the Helpers appeal read. It also had this heartfelt plea: “Alexa and her 8 babies all DESPERATELY need your IMMEDIATE HELP - PLEASE - HELP ONE - OR TWO - WE KNOW THIS IS TOO MANY FOR MOST RESCUE GROUPS AND THESE ARE BIG PUPPIES - RESCUING ONE WILL HELP SAVE THE OTHERS INCLUDING OTHER DOGS PICTURED BELOW - PLEASE, WE ARE BEGGING…”
And, of course, if you aren’t in the mood for an all-white dog, the shelter has a variety of other styles, including this sad-eyed fellow Jeffrey, a Boxer/Bulldog mix who has captured the hearts of shelter workers and advocates but just can’t seem to get anyone interested in giving him a home in spite of the fact that he is “sweet, lovable, affectionate and such a cute, cuddly boy.”
Keep up with 4-Legged Helper’s work and projects and animals by clicking on the non-profit’s FACEBOOK LINK.
KING THE GERMAN SHEPHERD:

TOO ACTIVE SO HE WAS DUMPED…
“Dumped” may be too harsh a word, but it’s pretty much accurate, in the judgment of your friendly, neighborhood, mad down to his toes writer.
But, let’s let a more reasonable person explain this situation with King.
Mesquite volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown says King, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, is “very active and alert. He was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 8/23 by a family that had only had him for two months.
“They surrendered him because of he was a more active dog than they had anticipated.
“King did run back-and-forth in the yard. Because he’s an active boy he would need to have a fair-sized yard to play in. However, it was very hot out and it wasn’t long before he was standing by the door wanting in by the AC. 

“He showed some interest in toys but did not follow through. He ran after balls but did not retrieve them. He sat for treats and took them gently. After he had run around for a while he did come to me. He answers to his name. He liked to have his ears scratched. His previous owners said that he was an indoors dog only. … This handsome boy weighs 60 pounds. King would do best with a very active family or a trainer that could channel his intellect and energy into possibly some sort of service dog. Bonus: he is already fixed!:
His shelter ID is #48504406. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to tag King.
[LARRY ASIDE: Somebody adopt this boy for good and write to us and let us know how he’s charmed your household and made your heart feel good about life!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
A HUMAN STORY; A VETERAN RESCUER SPEAKS; AND A SONG FOR THE DAY…
The great writer Rawlins Gilliland has captured the spirits of friendship, caring and understanding in a splendidly written story of a “homeless man in the woods.” You can read it — you probably SHOULD read it — on The Dallas Morning News website HERE. You’ll see in it the kind of heart that you see in people who work in animal rescue and find themselves helping people, too. 
...
AND THEN THERE’S THIS CHANGE: We also recommend reading something from Sherrie Tweedie Finch, who we first met many years ago at the outset of the greatness of Operation Kindness — then a small no-kill animal rescue facility existing temporarily in a commercial building. Sherrie was one of the founders — she, our pal Jonnie England and other big hearts. And, Sherrie has now posted a story about trying to, as she has done for decades, get a kitten some help at Operation Kindness.
Go to her Facebook page HERE and scroll down to the item that has this photo of Tinkerbell. Sherrie wrote, “Turns out they no longer accept strays from the same public they ask for donations from. Instead, they told me to take her to Dallas Animal Services! I'm flabbergasted and devastated.”
TAKING A MOMENT…. The day’s news — heartache from overseas — made me feel like listening to something other than news reports. I decided on some Tom T. Hall. So, here’s a song with a peaceful presentation. Click HERE. I apologize for any non-sequitur commercials. Everybody’s making a buck in this world but you and me -- I just buy Lotto Texas tickets.
—- Offer an opinion by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-