A MERRY MONDAY, DOGS AND CATS WAITING, A PEGASUS EVENT IN 'LIVING BLACK AND WHITE!'

EDITION OF MONDAY, DEC. 21, 2021 [PetPowellPress] Here we are at the outset of the week heading toward Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and if you're reading this in a nation associated with the British Empire, "Boxing Day" on the 26th. I think in the U.S. we celebrate "rasslin' day."
For this special week-long period of prayers for "Peace on Earth and good will toward all," I figured we oughta start each edition with something upbeat.
"Say it with roses," the advertisement urged way back in the previous century. Turns out it works in this decade, too. 
Those are the roses I gave my funspouse Martha on the 15th for our 30th anniversary. 
They're QueenBerry Roses, according to the tag on the plastic. I got lucky. They were bundled for sale at Cox's Farm Market in Duncanville -- how lucky? A dozen big, beautiful roses for $12 plus tax. I've bought a lot of roses through the years --- a fellow like me has to maintain an Apology Budget. Never bought 12 for $12 unless it was off the side of the road from a vendor peddling Tyler Roses.
 Nope, this bundle was the greatest rose bargain. They have lasted so long that they are part of our Christmas display next to the dining table -- along with the pumpkin from October. Might try to "leave it all up" year round.
Also in the display, that cat message. My son Bret, who has one dog and no cats, gave it to me years ago. My son Bart, who has dogs and kids, laughed. He knows we long-ago passed that particular line by more than one cat. I blame Martha -- I'll need to check with the folks at Cox's to see if they have more roses.
PIPPI'S BIOGRAPHER WANTS
TO GET HER 'HOME FOR CHRISTMAS'
Yes, indeed, Mesquite volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown is hoping to inspire someone to give sweet Pippi a home for Christmas and beyond.
Pippi (#49253274) is a 2- to 3-year-old, unspayed, 27-pound Blue Heeler mix who came in as a stray on December 14. 
Judi describes Pippi as having a "fun-loving, enthusiastic, playful personality."

After spending time with Pippi, Judi writes, "If you have an active family and are looking for a smaller dog to play with and to train, then come and meet Pippi. She’s very sweet. She’s very loving and gives kisses galore. She’s curious and even got into the toy chest to take out some toys. However, when she got them out she didn’t seem to know what to do with them. She wasn’t interested in chasing a ball. She didn’t seem to understand what I wanted her to do when I tried to get her to sit. She wants to please so these are some things you could teach her. She spent time exploring the yard with her nose and seems to have a keen sense of smell. When she got done exploring she stayed close to me. It was difficult to take pictures of her because she stayed so close.  Sometimes they called this a Velcro dog! She is definitely looking for a friend."
And, Judi wrote, "She would like nothing better than to get a loving home for Christmas." Use her ID #49253274 when you call the shelter at 97216-628 for email [email protected].
See more of Mesquite's adorable adoptables -- dogs and cats -- by clicking HERE.  Year-old sweet girl Sandy Claws, who we cited last week, is still waiting.
STILL WAITING FOR SOMEONE
TO OFFER HOMES FOR THIS TRIO
We've mentioned the three before. They're among the dogs that fall into that category of "not in a big shelter, but in big trouble if nobody saves 'em."
That dog is Elias, only 2, medium-sized and adorable, his bio says. He's waiting in Denton County.His promoters with 4-Legged Helpers report, "He has an amazing talent and it is SO CUTE - He can catch treats midair. Any treat! He also can sit on command, walk on a leash, and his best talent is giving sweet kisses. He absolutely adores children and especially enjoys bath time ..."
[LARRY ASIDE: Ah, a dog who can talk your kid into taking a bath! Invaluable!]

The cats are 8- to 10-week-old boys Jack and Bill. Strays at such a young age. They're adorable and affectionate and waiting for someone to give them a home or homes. [LARRY NOTE: We vote for "homes" -- we've got experience with the joys of a pair of cats who enjoy each other. Lots of cute photos and cuddling.]
Ask about Elias and the kittens by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
TAUNTING, A MYSTERY AND A TUNE
How long before the U.S. House, Senate and the two big politcal parties get together and decide to call "TAUNTING!' penalties on the campaign trail or in the heat of congressional "discussions"? Can't you see that? A ref standing at the front of Congress and waiting to throw a yellow flag at somebody who's taunting? The ref won't have enough flags....
NO POLITICS HERE, JUST ACTING...For years we've been telling you about a joy of the stage, the "In Living Black & White!" productions by the fabulous Pegasus Theatre founder/ director Kurt Kleinmann. Coming up on the calendar beginning Dec. 29 at the Eisemann Center, Pegasus presents Prime Time for Murder! The summary says "Prime Time for Murder! takes place in a television studio where the program Mystery Theater is broadcast live. The year is 1950 and television is in its infancy. Harry, Nigel, and Lt. Foster are hitting the small screen, but when the television show goes live, someone ends up dead. Will our trio solve the murder before their feed gets cut? Don’t touch that dial!"
 Read about the Dallas-based theater at pegasustheatre.org. Get tickets to Prime Time for Murder! by clicking on the Eisemann Center's calendar page HERE. 
When you're at the theatre's site, you can also see opportunities to help the show go on, as it must. A $15 donation does a week of Covid testing for one actor; $65 will pay for a week of make-up for an actor. Wig rental? $100 for one actor. There other listings. [LARRY ASIDE: When I was doing theatre, I'd have begged for donations to pay someone to whisper my lines into my for my forgetful ears!]
MUSIC OF THE SEASON and other seasons, too, was on the playlist Friday night at The Kessler in Dallas' Oak Cliff when several of us gathered to enjoy the Christmas show by fabulous performers Kelly Willis and her hub Bruce Robison and a great band. The show was about a third Christmas songs and the rest traditional Texas and Oklahoma Country or maybe Country Rock. Among the songs was this traditional number performed wonderfully by Kelly Willis. CLICK HERE for Santa Baby. I can recommend several others that are full of wit and romance. Probably do that later this week.
--- Offer tune tips and gift ideas by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and putting "STAY OUT OF THE CHIMNEY, SLIM!" in the subject line. ---