EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY, NOV. 15-16, 2021 [Pet PowellPress] Let’s just start this thang ’n’ git on with our bidness. Yeah, it’s been more than a week and I’m still maladjusted to the time. I keep falling back and stumbling forward. My mind is a jumble. I almost can write to the end of a sentence without stopping, but I cannot read to the end of a sentence without losing my way. My attention span is shorter than a …. Mercifully, I’m in no mood to challenge William Faulkner.
I know my limits. Doggerel and catterel.
A dog can bark/
a cat can purr/
beyond four lines/
cain’t thaink that furr.
My plucked-from-a-mimosa tree baby Stevie Ray is trying to teach me his “Humane inverted Focus!Technique — the t-shirt logos are styled “HiF!T”. I understand he's working on a network contract for HiF!T. OK, I’m going to re-focus. Ommmmmblurrrrry.
Click on Stevie Ray's photo and make it grow so you can appreciate the beauty of his inverted gaze.
DUCKY THE ‘OUTDOOR DOG’;
HUEY’S A STRAY: BOTH WAITING…
Oh, boy, I just love these stories of dogs that reveal the nature of the human beings who once said they’d love ‘em forever.
These stories come from our dog biography-writin’ contacts at Mesquite Animal Services, Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm, who do hands-on interviews with the dogs they meet so people can see what the canine personalities are like while reading about the lives they’ve led in human care or in human disregard.
Run-on sentence but you get the drift. Some people -- sheesh.
Ducky (#49039486) is described as a “Plott Hound/Terrier mix.” She was, Debra writes, “originally adopted from the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a pup about 5 years ago. She is currently 6 years old and is spayed. She was recently returned to the shelter by the original owner, adopted again and returned less than 2 days later.”
[LARRY PAY ATTENTION NOTE: here comes the “oh, brother!” explanation.”]
Debra writes, “Ducky was returned to the shelter by her owner of 5 years because she was afraid of thunderstorms. She lived exclusively outdoors. When questioned as to why not bring the dog indoors during storms, the man responded, ‘Why would I do that? She's an outdoor dog.’ He claimed he got some medication from the vet to help keep the dog calm during storms, but that it was not effective.”
That’s one owner’s explanation.
Here’s the next situation. Debra writes, “The 2-day owners returned Ducky because she snapped at their puppy who was being too playful and Ducky did not like it. They stated that she lived with another dog, cats and children (2 and 5) and that Ducky was OK with the cats and children but not the puppy.”
Meanwhile, at the shelter, Debra says that Ducky walks “nicely” on a leash, enjoyed exploring the yard, “seems well-mannered and calm.” The “friendly but somewhat reserved Ducky … likes treats and takes them gently.” And, Debra writes, “This is a girl who needs an owner who will stay committed to her and who will allow her to be an important part of the family, living inside where she will be socialized, have proper shelter and care.”
Remember: Use her ID # 30620559 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Use those same contact points when to ask the shelter about this guy Huey — yep, an Earhound, but also a German Shepherd and we are moved to ask, again, “What’s with all the German Shepherd Dogs showing up in shelters in the metrosprawl?” Seems like an epidemic of unwanted GSDs.
Judi Brown writes that Huey (#49039486) is a year or two old, is gentle, is well-mannered — and there’s this: Judi writes, “STUNNING describes this MAJESTIC … German Shepherd that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/8 as a stray.” The 84-pound boy has “large standup ears, a long nose and captivating hazel eyes. He has a long body. He has an amazingly gentle, calm, loving, friendly personality. He’s one of the most affectionate dogs I’ve met in a long time! He explores the yard showing that he’s alert, very smart, and curious but he prefers to seek out human companionship. It was obvious he wanted my attention and yet he was not demanding about it. He loved having his ears scratched. He snuggled up close with his tail wagging. He sat for treats and took them gently. He came when I called him. He never jumped on me. … In my opinion this dog is absolutely amazing! I can’t understand why his owners didn’t come looking for him.” And, she says, “Judging from how well-cared for he is and the fact that he spent time standing by the door on a nice day indicates to me that he has been mostly an inside dog. I’m sure he would like to be adopted by a family that will have him in the house with them.” Remember, ask about Huey #490394862 by calling the shelter at 972215-5283 or emailing [email protected].
You can see many more Mesquite Shelter dogs and cats by clicking on THIS LINK. \ Among the dogs you’ll see this girl Madonna (#48985372), possibly a Border Collie mix, who, Judi says, came in as a stray on Halloween and “was afraid of her own shadow. She is a work in progress and some of the volunteers are taking a special interest in her in order to gain her trust. We even had a behaviorist come and work with her. When she first got here we were not able to get her out of the kennel unless she was carried. Now she will walk out of her kennel with some coaxing.”
You may also see that cat Nash (#48688209), a 3-month old black and white fellow who arrived at the shelter on September 18 — and in this photo he’s wearing a look of having just been told, “You match a dog named Madonna!” A little pride, a little puzzlement.
FAB DOGS AND A CAT
ACROSS THE METROSPRAWL
Here we go with some dogs and a cat who have drawn the attention of 4-Legged Helpers. And, indeed, that cat has drawn the attention of readlarrypowell.com whose office currently is “over-catted” or Sebastian might just have a home.
These aren’t all in the same shelter, so the common contact point is 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or via emailing [email protected].
We’re leading with Sebastian. a neutered, vaccinated orange and white (Creamsicle) Tabby who is in the custody of a Denton County animal control “contracted by the county.” “He is a beautiful kitty that is very loving and completely adorable,” his bio reds. And he’s got that wonky ear because he had some polyps — may need some additional medical care. And the Helpers’ bio reads, “You will not be disappointed if you save him. He is a love bunny. … He is so special and sweet.”
That big girl Callie is an Aussie/Border Collie mix currently awaiting a home in the Bridgeport Animal Shelter, northwest of Fort Worth. Her bio reads that she’s spayed and vaccinated and, in caps, “HOUSETRAINED.” And, the Helpers’ note reads, “Callie is a super cute girl who adores people! Would do fantastic with children 6 or up, too, based on observation while temporarily in a foster home. …Playful, fun, very sweet. She would be a perfect dog for a person looking for just one dog to adore and love - that way she can have all the attention. She was found out and about on her own and so wants someone to love.”
And that brings us to Luna, a spayed/vaccinated/microchipped Bull Terrier mix currently in the “DFW Area,” the Helpers say.
They also describer as “HONESTLY THE BEST DOG EVER - SHE IS THE SWEETEST LITTLE THING!! ADORES OTHER DOGS!! This girl is so small - she is petite and tiny (bull-terrier sized) and cute as can be!!! … Everyone completely adores her. Please help! Best, sweetest, most wonderful girl you can imagine. Everyone that has met her adores her.”
And Max is this Bulldog mix, currently at the Ferris Animal Shelter — he arrived as a stray. The Helpers report, “The shelter has done a great job with him getting him healthy. LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE FACE. Sweet baby! He adores people of all sizes. Would be perfect for someone just wanting one great dog to love... he is precious... GIVES HUGS. The vet clinic staff tell us they fell in love. He is very gentle & loving. ABSOLUTELY ADORES PEOPLE!.”
Again, for these animals call or text the 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
MEMORY THE GREYHOUND
AND HER SPECIAL STORY
The folks at the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas sometimes call this girl “Emry” or “Em.” Her name is “Memory” and the League adores her. The opening sentence about her, on an email from GALT, reads, “Memory opted to retire before racing even one race so that she could begin her search for a forever home with a backyard full of nature for her to explore and hopefully another Greyhound for guidance. She loves to roll in the grass, watch squirrels through the window and go on walks. At just three years old, this youngster deserves the best of everything the world has to offer.”
Sounds wonderful, right. Then you get to the second paragraph. It reads, “But life is often unfair. Our vets recently diagnosed Memory with Canine Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis, or CUPS. CUPS is a painful disease of the mouth affecting a dog's gums, teeth, cheeks and tongue. Memory's case is severe and our vets recommend that Memory have all of her teeth removed to manage her condition. The treatment will be accomplished in four separate surgeries, removing all the teeth of one quadrant of her mouth at a time. Each surgery is estimated to cost several thousand dollars, so times four will be quite expensive. We could really use a hand with these vet bills so that we can continue to remain true to our mantra of "No Grey Turned Away” regardless of their medical needs. You can be a part of Memory's story and her journey forever home with a donation to our Giving Tuesday Facebook fundraiser or to our Dr. E. Kelly Nitsche Veterinary Care Fund on our website. No amount is too small to help Memory.”
That’s the bottom line on the surgeries, but there’s this other challenge: GALT is trying to find “an experienced foster rescue home without cats near VCA Preston Park Animal Hospital in Dallas.” That home would need to provide transportation to the vet for post-op care. To volunteer to foster, email [email protected].
And to read more about Memory, click HERE. Her full name is “Dancin’ Memories” and she was born on Sept. 5, 2018 — sire was Dancin’ Dakota and mom was Hi Noon Absolute. Her bio reads, “She’s got a fine princess prance on a leash so she’ll make you proud and regal when you walk together.”
And the person who wrote her bio also declared, “Her personality is blooming which is the most exciting and interesting part of owning a Greyhound!”
CONTEMPLATIONS
STAGGERINGLY IDLE THOUGHTS
How ‘bout them Cowboys? I don’t know why I said that. Let me consider my inspiration. Was it the game Sunday or the memories of season-after-season since the previous century? … I was in a big store over the weekend to pick up some critter supplies and I saw a big sign hanging over the Christmas toys and decorations area. It read “JOY WORLD.” It’s either missing two words — “to the” — or they bought it second-hand from an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant that shut down during the pandemic. … The mornings have been wonderfully chilly lately. So what? You don’t like waking up and walking outside to sweat in the glare of the August sun? Texas, our Texas. Still my favorite state. New Mexico is a close second. Used to be part of Texas, you know. … As I type this, the dogs Porche and Dudley are sacked out on the office floor — Wendy is on the couch in the living room. She’s more refined. My office cat, William, is snoozing on the fluffy seat cushion on a dining room chair. I don’t pay him enough to sit here and watch me type. … See that photo? Shot it in Dallas last week. It’s a photo with a story, but I don’t know how I’ll ever get it. You may be able to make out the soft drink cup next to the street sign’s pole and, right in the middle of the cement, ONE sneaker with the heel apparently chewed away. Makes you wonder if the panhandler was holding a burger and trying to outrun a hungry Dallas stray. Not that Dallas has panhandlers or stray dogs, of course. I was writing fiction.
— Offer thoughts or near-thoughts by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing [email protected] and put “WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP” in the subject line. —-