CATS AND DOGS (WHAT ELSE?) HIGHLIGHT THIS EDITION; AND NAKED ANIMALS, TOO

EDITION OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 [PetPowell Press] This photo was snapped at 8:40 a.m. Monday as my office cat, William Powell, and I were in a conference about assorted journalistic and literary endeavors. From his lounging position in my lap, William looked up at me and said one word — something not frequently heard from the mouth of a former neighborhood feral. He said, “Penultimate,” then nodded off. 

And that is how we came to note that this, the 29th, is the penultimate day of November 2021. Not only is it the penultimate day of the month, but Holiday Insights, the online calendar, says it’s Chia Pet Day and Square Dance Day. Surely someone somewhere is celebrating “Square Dance With a Chia Pet Day.” William is not a fan of the square dance. “Too many flying feet in too small a space for a cat born for leisure,” he says.
Now, William has a home; let’s see who doesn’t. That cat on the left doesn't. Her name is Lily. Read on.
LET’S TALK CHAINED DOG
GETS A SOLID RESCUE…
Remember when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed that outdoor dog bill and said, “Texans really love their dogs” and it only took a couple of special sessions of the Legislature to get that law passed? Just a few months ago, remember?
Here’s a case of a Texan loving the dog right into a “critically urgent” situation. And other Texans getting the dog to a safer situation.

The note from 4-Legged Helpers read that this girl Katie “was rescued from a really horrible situation….”
 She’s 2-to-3 years old and the chain in that photo is what kept her in place outdoors in Dallas, the Helpers say. Katie is a Lab/Shepherd mix — and, of course, those are two ready-to-romp dog breeds. Katie must have been miserable on a chain.
The Helpers report, “This poor baby was living outdoors and not being cared for. Fortunately someone agreed to give her up and we were able to get her to safety.  Despite that horrible existence, she is the most precious, gentle, lovable soul.    SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.  Loves other dogs.  Sweet as sweet can be.  Please, won't you help?  She absolutely adores everyone and everything.”
To offer to help Katie — via rescue group or adoption — call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
As our Dear Readers know, the non-profit 4-Legged Helpers help many areas of the Metrosprawl. These two dogs are in the care of a Denton County animal control contractor. Peppa is the Ear-hound Border Collie or Smooth Collie mix. Baylee’s breed? She’s a “Cutie Patootie” — wait, sorry, that was the description the Helpers gave her. She’s really an 8-month old, 50-pound Aussie Shepherd or Border Collie Mix who is a “love bunny.” [LARRY ASIDE: I believe the “Love Bunny” is in the same family tree with the “Cutie Patootie."]
And we’ve mentioned this girl before — the “very pregnant” Sadie, a Lab/Shepherd Mix at the Bridgeport Shelter northwest of Fort Worth. The Helpers report, Some people apparently tried to turn in Sadie to the shelter and when they could not, they dumped her where, fortunately, she was found by someone.”She’s a 43-pound, medium-sized, dainty-pawed “precious and extremely loving” dog. Remember, call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
And here’s the thing to remember: You can read full bios of these dogs and many other animals on the 4-Legged Helpers’ Facebook page HERE.
MONDAY IN MESQUITE,
THE ANIMALS ARE WAITING…
One of the great things about the Mesquite Animal Shelter is the energy of the volunteers. They do a lot of work to help get animals adopted, but also, the volunteer biographers work hard to get the animals’ personalities and needs before the public. Lots of emails, lots of photographs, lots of hands-on learning about the animals.
If you look at this dog and he says, “I wanna be (PAUSE PAUSE) your Teddy Bear” you people with a sense of rock rhythm will guess right away that this dog is Elvis (#49088259). He ain’t no Hound Dog, though. He’s a 6-month-old, 40-pound Lab mix who came into the Mesquite shelter on Nov. 16 as a stray. His volunteer biographer Judi Brown writes, “He was overwhelmed with the barking and commotion at the shelter. He’s been a work in progress and has made considerable progress so far, even though there’s still more work to be done. When I first interacted with him he would shake uncontrollably. Then he would either flatten or just stand frozen like a statue!”

Then, one day last week, she writes, “He actually walked cautiously around the yard and even came to me when I called him! Even though he was cautious he seemed to enjoy having his ears scratched. We will make him a volunteer project and do another evaluation when his true personality starts to emerge. There’s no doubt he’s a very loving, gentle boy.”
And isn’t that a great blaze on his chest! So Vegas! 
To ask about Elvis, use his ID #49088259) when you cal the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm had the honor of getting to know Blizzard (#49035921) who she describes as an “attractive happy-go-lucky Anatolian Shepherd Dog mix youngster…. He was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/8.”
Why would this 70-pound, year-old, beautiful dog be dumped at a shelter? Debra writes, “The reasons the owner gave for the surrender were conflicting and confused so it is hard to state specifically what caused Blizzard to end up at the shelter. Blizzard lived with this owner for 5 months and the family dynamics changed and Blizzard was no longer working out--through no fault of his own.  Owner stated that Blizzard was OKI with children and was fine with other dogs.  He lived both in and outdoors. He is a lively and high-spirited youngster and during the photo shoot had a great time romping around the yard.  He raced after the tennis balls I threw but did not return them to me.  He does jump on you in his enthusiasm.  He walks well on a leash. Blizzard has bonded with one of our staff who commented what a terrific dog he is -- friendly, affectionate, sweet-natured and fun-loving, wanting to stay close.”
Now, there is this “marketing” problem for Blizzard. Debra says, “Unfortunately he does not present himself well at his kennel window--probably barrier aggression.  However, when he is taken out in the yard he shows his true colors and is a delightful pup.”
Use his ID #49035921 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email at [email protected].
Same contact points for these animals on the weekend “dog tip sheet” at Mesquite: Heidi (left #49092784), Kaleb (above left, #49144694) and Precious  (far right #49123703). Go to the Animals in the Shelter LINK HERE and you can read their biographies and the reports on their positive natures by Judi and Debra.
There also are cats you can read about. We’ve focused on this one. We opened today's report with Lily's "looking up" photo. And that's her and her cute nose with big eyes on the right.  Lily (#48590033) is a year and about 3 months old and has a dynamic face.
Clearly a Tabby, she’s in the Cat Room at the Mesquite Shelter — has been at the facility since September 3. There are a lot of kittens and some older cats available at Mesquite. Lily has a face that, when she greets you in the morning, may make you realize how happy you are to have her around the house. Great set of ears, too.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED MONDAY NOTES
I’ll tell you who might be happy that Matthew McConaughey isn’t running for governor of Texas — headline writers at newspapers. You’d run out of space in a headline. And with that many letters, the opportunities for spelling error are multiplied. This is not a political announcement from readlarrypowell.com, it’s a note of “Whew! Close call for the headline writers” — used to be one — it can be a challenge. I cite headlines about former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. …
We were perusing The Rundown, our pal Jeff Crilley’s daily news tip report from the company he founded and leads, Real News PR, and we spotted a headline: “Haute Chicken.” Didn't expect to see that combo in a headline, did ya? When you click HERE  it’ll take you to a video of a business that makes clothes for chickens. I’m not kidding. And I know a lot of people in the Metrosprawl raise chickens — keep ‘em as companions, in fact. Don't know how they dress. …
The whole dressing chickens (not chicken ’n’ dressing — I’m a vegetarian) reminds me of the great minds of Alan Abel and G. Clifford Prout Jr. (aided by Buck Henry) and a campaign in the early 1960s. It was led by the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals. And if you remember that, you are (a) way old and (b) a fan of satire. Read more HERE and laugh your dog’s pants off! Buck Henry? Played the hotel clerk in The Graduate. What? You haven’t seen The Graduate? Literary/witty/happy American Society crumbles anew. Oh, yes, that is William Powell (from today's opening). He was on the brink of a nap when he took this selfie to show off his magnificent coat and declare, "I'm a cat born to be in the buff. Move along. I'm drowsy."
—— Offer bright ideas or dim thoughts by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “SWEATERS FOR SQUIRRELS” in the subject line. —-