A SAFE DAY HAS ARRIVED; TWO STRANGE TALES OF DOGS; A FAB CAT FOREHEAD & A CONTEMPLATION ABOUT WOODPECKERS

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18, 2022 [PetPowellPress] We’ll describe this opening note as “important.” We got notices of the “in effect” nature of the Safe Out Door Dogs Law from both the Texas Humane Legislation Network and the SPCA of Texas in Dallas. Yep, "effective date” Jan. 18, 2022.
You may recall how the Texas Legislature had to go through some extra sessions before the bill could get Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.

That’s the artwork that appeared on the email from THLN. THLN cited “5 Things You Need To Know About the Law.” They are:
"
1. Owners must use approved cable tie-outs, trolley systems or ‘zip lines,’ no tethering with weights or chains.
2. Tether must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness.
3. Must have adequate shelter from direct sunlight.
4. Must be able to avoid standing water.
5. Must have access to clean drinkable water.
" [LARRY AISDE: That stuff wouldn’t seem to be so hard to achieve, right? But, somehow, there are dolts {scientifically Doltus Dumbassedus, in the 254 counties who just can’t comprehend the simple mission “love your dog and keep the animal safe.”]
The SPCA’s announcement included a note reminding law-abiding citizens and scofflaws that the new law has removed “a 24-hour waiting period previously required that prevented animal control of law enforcement officers from taking immediate action.”
[LARRY ASIDE: The scofflaws — the don’t care/so what people — will only care about this when they are caught putting a dog in danger of death. It'll take an eye-witness to tell law-enforcement that animal cruelty is under way. After all, the number of animals it takes to qualify as “animal cruelty” is one. Not 80 in a Hunt County rancid house — just one animal in a bad spot.] THLN has a “Resource Guide” online for people interested in the Safe Outdoor Dogs Law HERE.
[LARRY CAUTION TO THE DON’TCARE/SOWHAT PEOPLE: The online resource guide does not include brainpower supplements. You’re stuck with what you’ve got.]
WHAT? THIS DOG JAGGER
IS STILL WAITING FOR A HOME?
AND THERE'S DUCKY'S SITUATION
Well, sometimes you just can’t believe that dog hasn’t been adopted. That’s the case with this guy Jagger. 
In fact, our tipster, his admirer, the Mesquite Shelter dog biographer Judi rown, writes, “I’m resending one of my favorite dogs because he is so special and has been waiting so patiently. Jagger is a Gentle Giant that has been at the shelter since 11/3 and still is maintaining a good attitude. He’s friendly, loving, gentle, highly motivated by treats, happy, tail wagging, gives lots of kisses, doesn’t react to other dogs in the bay, walks OK on a leash, does his business immediately upon getting into the yard. I just can’t say enough about Jagger. He would probably do well with children because he’s very gentle.  If you cannot come in to adopt Jagger or tag him please please network him!”

In his early bio, the possibly part-Mastiff boy was listed as weighing 65 pounds and being “a total love bug.” Judi wrote “I can’t understand why his owners haven’t come looking for him because he has so many sterling qualities. To begin with he’s extremely handsome to the point of being stunning! His eyes look like they’re lined with eyeliner. He has a very thick, solid stocky build that’s adorable! That stocky body wiggles all over when he wags his tail and his tail wags constantly! He appears to be a very happy boy. He’s very friendly and affectionate. When I sat down he jumped up on the bench right next to me.”
Jagger is #49005310 — use that ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.

SHE’S AFRAID OF THUNDERSTORMS SO, AFTER FIVE YEARS, SHE’S BACK IN THE SHELTER!
SORRY, was I shouting incredulously when I typed that? 
Use those a same Mesquite shelter contact points for this girl Ducky, a Plott Hound/Terrier mix whose story is told by Mesquite volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm. Ducky is #30620599.
 Debra says Ducky “was returned” to the shelter on January 11 — She’s about 6 and spayed. Debra writes, “Ducky was adopted as a pup 5 years ago from the Mesquite Shelter.  Owner kept her for 5 years, then surrendered her 11/7/21. Reason for the surrender: she's afraid of thunderstorms.  Ducky lived outside.  Owner reported he got a medication for anxiety for when thunderstorms came but the medication was ineffective.  When questioned as to why he didn't bring Ducky inside during storms, he responded that she was an outside dog.  She was then adopted by a person but returned because their puppy got too rambunctious when trying to play with Ducky and Ducky snapped at the pup. She was in this household for less than 2 days.  Another person came along, adopted Ducky and returned her in 6 weeks.  Reasons appeared to be invalid and confused.  It was obvious this owner had no intention of keeping her nor interest in working with Ducky.  So there you have it... three different owners with what appear to be what might be called unrealistic expectations.”
[LARRY THEORY: Ducky need a good human after a run of rotten luck.] 
Debra writes, “Ducky needs an owner who will stay committed to her, who will give her an inside home and who will give her the TLC she deserves.  Every dog deserves these but it appears Ducky has been denied these basic needs.”
AN ARTSY CAT
AT THE SPCA
I was looking through available cats at the SPCA of Texas and ran across this girl Popcorn (#48781799) — quite a story. She’s 2 and has a great “Torbie Extraordinaire” pattern on her forehead and head. Her bio describes here as a “brown with orange, domestic medium hair/Classic Swirl Torbie.”
 Why is she in the care of the SPCA? “Rescued from inhumane conditions” — with her kittens! Her bio says she’s at the SPCA site at the Greenville Avenue PetSmart in Dallas. Go to spca.org and see her listing on the site. She’s small, almost 2 years old.
CONTEMPLATIONS
FAIRY TALE; WOODPECKERS & GARAGE
Iin the past few days I’ve watched, off-and-on, parts of the 1955 Spencer Tracy film Bad Day at Black Rock. I think I’ve finally decided why I like this movie. Among the bullying characters, anybody who’s “got it comin’” absolutely ”gets it”! Yeah, it’s a mid-20th Century fairy tale. ….
As a lad who grew up in the ultra-treed area of Northeast Texas, Bowie County, I cannot recall a day of childhood without hearing the sound of a woodpecker working over a tree or, more likely, a telephone pole. I got a note Tuesday from The Old Farmer’s Almanac about a feature on American woodpeckers. I wondered what I’d learn if I clicked on this link. Turns out I learned that woodpeckers (in general, I guess,) “lay 4 to 5 white eggs which hatch in 16 days. Young remain in the next about 20 days before fledging.” I’d never even thought about Woodpecker eggs until I read that story. Of course, I do remember as a child how we’d gleefully enjoy weekend picnics of Ivory Billed Woodpecker sandwiches. Tasted like chicken. I’m kidding. I’m one of those nuts who’d pay good money to see a colony of Ivory Bills developed in the Big Thicket or somewhere along the Trinity River under those fancy bridges in Dallas. And that’ll happen the day you can catch a casino boat ride at the Commerce Street crossing and gamble all the way to Houston. …
I get nearly daily emails that urge “Update your garage today” and all I can think of is “How can you update something that is full of boxes of books, records and miscellaneous items moved from one dwelling to another over the decades. The boxes all have a tag that reads, “Review content later” — the message sneers at me every time I look at the unpacked boxes. It’s the one with air-holes that has me worried. I’m kidding.
— Offer a Dallas Cowboys solution by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com and put ‘NO TRICK PLAYS, COACH HOUDINI’ in the subject line. —-