ReadLarryPowell.com

PEOPLE AND TIME COMBINE TO HELP CATS AND DOGS GET SOME BREAKS

EDITION OF MONDAY, JAN. 31, 2022. [PetPowellPress] It is with astonishment that I typed that dateline -- already the end of January 2022. But we've seen a lot of endearing things already in 2022 -- take this traffic photo, for example.
We don't know the dog or the dog's driver, but on Saturday afternoon my licenseddriverspouse Martha was hauling us somewhere and, at a stoplight, we pulled up beside a car and Martha says, "Backseat driver."

Sure enough, there was a very attentive Shepherd-type dog monitoring the driver's movements -- probably thinking "If I could just get out of this car, I could herd this traffic a lot better and keep it moving." 
 [LARRY ASIDE: Keep reading -- we'll get to the dog with different eyes and the cat with one white whisker in just a minute.]
WE HAVE A KITTEN STORY
THAT'S NOT QUITE FINISHED....
How about this beautiful kitten!
What's the story and where does it start? How will it end.
Our dear Dallas friends -- the sisters Diane Combs and Cindy Ligon Gomez -- tipped us to this story. They are renowned "animal nuts" and, as you know, in our universe, "animal nut" is a term of endearment and respect. 

This little 4-month-old fellow's tale of rescue begins in Laredo. A former colleague of Cindy's is directly involved in the kitten project because his mom is an animal lover, too.

The story reads, "Precious kitten needs a home. He was found in Laredo, Texas, injured, beside a highway."
It was a bad leg injury. The Mom got her son in Dallas to take the baby. And now, Cindy reports, "The sweet kitty is in the care of a vet, having just undergone amputation. There is rehab care arranged for at least the net month, at which time he will, hopefully, be ready for adoption."

In the meantime, readlarrypowell.com will leave the story at this point -- for now. We'll keep tracking his recovery and progress and we'll also be celebrating people who help animals that find themselves in a tough spot. Bless 'em all and keep 'em all safe -- the humans and the beasts!
TWO CATS NEED ONE HOME; HAVE
A UNIVERSITY BACKGROUND!
Our topics are the cats Cleopatra and BraveHeart. How can you tell them apart? 
Cleo is the larger cat and she's the one with just that one spectacular white whisker. 
Their story comes from our colleague from years ago at The Big Paper in Downtown Dallas, Kim Pierce (you've probably read lots of stuff she's written from clever headlines to wonderful feature stories. She has been a catfan for as long as I've known her. Indeed, she's a determined rescuing catfan, notable for her work with the "SMU campus cats." 
She reports that the gang with The Feral Cat Group at SMU "recently completed the transfer of a dozen cats from a satellite colony on the 'East Campus,' which is in the shadow of the Expressway Tower at Central Expressway and SMU Boulevard. Bordered on the other sides by DART tracks and parking structures. We brought the cats to the main campus, with pretty good success."

And that brings us back to Cleo and BraveHeart. Kim writes, "Of the cats we trapped and spay-neutered, two showed promise for socializing and adopting. That’s how Cleopatra and BraveHeart wound up fostering with one of our volunteers, who lives in Lake Highlands. We believe the two girls are sisters from the same mom and dad, but different litters, both around a year old.
"Anyway, the clock is ticking. They have to be re-homed by March 4, as the foster and her hubby are moving to Utah.
"I know this isn’t as desperate as some of the cases you get, but the need is no less real. If we don’t find a home, they go back out into the cold (and heat) of living as campus ferals. And all the love and care that went into socializing them will be for naught.
"It’s breaking our hearts because they’ve come so far. Our volunteer and her husband have spent many hours working with them, and the girls continue to surprise and delight with their progress. Cleo and BraveHeart may never be cuddly lap cats, but they are thoroughly acclimated to indoor life, love being petted and to rub on their fosters, watch videos for cats, talk in the softest voices, play with toys and otherwise live their best life. I will never forget the time, when I was helping care for them, that BraveHeart got right up in my face meowing that tiny meow. I’m sure she was saying 'Feed us, NOW.'

"They go as a bonded pair and probably need their own room at first to acclimate. Both are spayed and have their rabies shots. And they’re FIV/leukemia negative. I’m reaching out in the hopes of finding a home for these little love bugs. Future cat-parent can contact me at [email protected]."

[LARRY ASIDE: Isn't it good to have a little time to work with on finding a home for two loving cats? As Kim suggested, there's pressure, but there's time! And that's a blessing when you're under "deadline pressure."]
SHE'D BEEN RUNNING LOOSE

FOR DAYS -- ELEMENT OF FEAR!
This beautiful dog with the mismatched eyes is Sasha. She was captured after she hid under a truck. Sasha is a former stray we learned about from the Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. 
"Sasha is a beautiful girl wanting to learn to trust and looking for love!" Judi wrote. She says the 2-year-old "cream-and-black, fluffy German Shepherd mix" came into the shelter on Jan. 22. Yes, she has a blue eye and a brown eye. And she weighs 48 pounds and isn't spayed.

Judi says, "The ACO officer that brought her in said she had been running loose for days and they were not able to catch her because of her fear. She eventually hid under a truck and it was quite an ordeal to get her out.
"Understandably she was terrified. She’s been in isolation to decompress. Now she’s wanting human affection but not quite sure if she can trust. So at this point she’s cautiously friendly. The staff and volunteers will make her a special project. She was alert and explored the yard but I could tell she had a lot of nervous energy. She was drooling heavily because her stomach was upset. She is not motivated by treats so I was not able get her to sit.  She did come to me several times and let me pet her. She did cower when I reached for her head. Your heart can’t help but go out to such a sweet dog that has been through such a frightening ordeal. ... If you’ve got time to devote to a dog that has a lot of potential please come meet her or tag her. If you’re not able to do that please network her."
Sasha is #49459095 at Mesquite -- use that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

CONTEMPLATIONS

SEASON CONSIDERATIONS, ETC

As a former sportswriter (what an abysmal experiment in journalism) I remember when "goat" referred specifically to the player who fouled up and lost the game. I think maybe the world was easier to understand when "goat" meant "goat." Heck, instead of "greatest of all time" it might as well mean "gambler of awful tendencies" if you're the kind of coach who calls silly trick plays when the game is on the line. All that aside, Sports Illustrated has an explanation of how "goat" became "GOAT" and it tracks back to the boxing ring and Muhammad Ali HERE. FYI: My cleverspot-onspouse Martha calls me the "MOAT." Moodiest of All Time. ...
Goals for 2022 -- get control of moods. Find out a way to painless slow the passage of time so I can have more quality time with people and animals I love, plus maybe, discover a way to lose weight without suffering the desperate cravings for sweets that control my thoughts when I am working on The Lesser American Novel. ....
And, in honor of the National Football League playoffs and the teams headed toward the Super Bowl: "How 'bout them Cowboys!"
--- Offer advice or diet tips by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and putting "CHOCOLATE DIPPED DAIRY QUEEN SOFT SERVE CONE" in the subject line. That'll get my attention. ---

THE COMFORT OF OLD SHOES AND THE RELAXIFICATION OF A YOUNG CAT

Many years ago, when I believed it was possible for a human with a conscience to relax, I used to think I’d like to be as comfortable as an ol’ pair of favorite shoes. 
So relaxing they’d be! A person could flop down on a bed and sleep all night while comforted by the most spectacular foot-feelings since the Beatles recorded Rubber Sole. Wait, that was Rubber Soul. Well, what the heck: Relaxed soles, relaxed souls! Right? A good theory for Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
So, that photo on the right is my most recent pair of comfortable shoes — I’ve had them for about 15 years — walked many park and treadmill miles in those New Balance Cross-Trainers. My yo-yo dieting has worn down the rubber and over-strained the glue that originally held them together.
Nowadays, The World’s Most Comfortable Pair of Shoes is held together by Gorilla Glue and some new shoestrings. You may be able to detect on the front of the shoes how the improperly applied glue will “foam” and bulge out noticeably when the human lacks simple repair skills.

I’m wearing these shoes as I type this. That explains why I’m nodding off between sentences — it may explain why you’re nodding off between my sentences, too, typed the paranoid writer.

 But here is something that has developed in the past year. Our Oak Cliff-born cat, Stevie Ray Treeboy, has left his rowdy feline teenage years and taken up acting like a full-grown cat. 
Consequently, I have decided that, while it is nice to contemplate being as comfortable as an old pair of properly re-glued shoes, it might just be a little bit more soul/sole-soothing to be as relaxed as Stevie Ray Treeboy. [LARRY ASIDE: On the left, my catfanspouse Martha is holding him with one hand, and on the right he's showing off the ears he would grow into!]

 I mean, geez, look at the way he twists and snoozes on the comforter on our living room couch and on the big red comforter on Martha’s favorite recliner! 
You see in this edition, snapshots of Stevie Ray demonstrating that he is a full “grown-ass cat” — pardon my stand-up comedian French, please, but it fits his current status. He grew from a hand-sized yowling kitten plucked from the flimsy limb of a mimosa tree to being a big cat that requires a double-handed lift to be moved by a human who is constantly being treated for “back problems.”
 FYI: He was found on a hill overlooking the U.S. 67 crossing over Polk St. in the late summer of 2019— that area is in a zip code famous for too many loose dogs and too many pregnant cats. “Spay and Neuter” is a constant challenge — takes constant education to influence. Could be that “Spay and Neuter” skips a generation…I hope you laughed at that.
You know what helps cats relax? Spaying and Neutering. Yep. They’ll quit “cattin’ around if you get ‘em fixed,” as my Depression-raised Daddy used to explain.

Stevie Ray is named in honor of one of the most famous musicians to have come from that part of Oak Cliff, guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan (Dallas Kimball High School Class of 1972). 
And the kitten’s last name comes from where I found him — clinging to a tree limb. He was NOT relaxed at that point.
Now, as you can see, he has adopted relaxation as the theme of his life. It is as if he’s been studying a certified handbook of happiness called The Charming Science of Worn Out Shoes.
He is loved. Free cat, you know. That’s him in the cat bed on a family heirloom table — he’s using his ESP to listen to some tunes. Big fan of Al Stewart’s hit 1977 hit Year of the Cat.
[DEAR READERS: Please send photos of your beloved animals to [email protected] and snap a picture of the rascals sleeping and enjoying the loving safety of the home you gave them, We’ll proudly post them in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. It’s good for people to know that animals belong on the sofa and in the hearts.]
OF COURSE, sometimes Stevie Ray just goes back to the couch and flops over onto the table behind it. He's very flexible -- he's into all the "bles" -- flexible, adorable, hugable, purrable, noble, napable, neuteredable....You know: all the important words!
—- Offer cat or dog opinions or human suggestions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “IF YOU’RE GOING TO TYPE THOSE WORDS, STOP WALKING ON MY KEYBOARD” in the subject line. —-

LIVING A GOOD LIFE IN 2022; WORKING FOR ANMALS; HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 [PetPowellPress] It’s a chilly Thursday in our part of Texas — no news to anybody who has had to step outside today. Warm socks — what a blessing to the toes.

Get this: Our dog Wendy just walked up to me and nuzzled my blue-jeans as I was typing. She said politely, “Sir, I wonder if you might be able to persuade adorable Martha to turn the heat up? I’d do it, sir, but, as you know, I cannot reach the thermostat. It’s to high on the wall and my jumping can be inaccurate at times!”
She’s such a polite dog. But, why is she licking the leg of my jeans in this photo? Because, later in the thermostat conversation, she and I shared six Cheetos Puffs and that’s where I wiped the yellow off my hands. It was our breakfast snack. I had coffee and we shared each Cheetos Puff — a bite for me the rest for happy Wendy. If I’d had an omelet for breakfast, we’d have shared that, too. It’s our system. The irony? Wendy’s ribs show and mine don’t. Of course, she runs more than I do. I’m largely sedentary. Wendy explains, “I never bothered to learn ‘Sit’.” never bothered to learn “Sit.”
SOMETIMES THEY WAIT AND WAIT
EVEN IF IT’S A ‘PRINCESS’ WAITING
Holy smokin’ kibble bits! How is it that in this area of so many good people Princess can’t get a home. The crisis? “She is becoming depressed,” reports our tipster, the Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown.
She writes, “Sweet precious Princess has been at the [shelter] since 12/9. She’s trying so hard to be upbeat and optimistic. It was reported the other day in the rounds that she is becoming depressed. The volunteers are stepping up and giving her extra attention. She is so loving, so sweet and so deserving. Besides being sweet she’s really cute.” (There’s even a $75 pledge to the 501c3 that rescues her.)
Why is she in the shelter? Surrendered because owners were moving. She’d been an “outside dog … evidenced by the calluses on he rear,” Judi wrote. “She also has old, but healed, puncture wounds on her face… In spite of the fact that she’s had to live outside away from her owners, she is extremely sweet, loving and friendly.”
And there’s this advice from Judi: Princess “will need a secure fence as she did try to climb the shelter wall. She was probably looking for her owners! As gentle and loving as she is, she should fit in nicely with a loving family with children. I can see her snuggled up at your feet in a pile of blankets or a nice warm doggy bed. She deserves that!”

Use her ID #49224611 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 

Same contact points for this guy Teddy — we learned about him from Judi’s colleague in writing dog biographies, Debra Chisholm. Teddy is #49455931. He has been in the shelter since he was picked up as a stray on Jan. 21. Debra says the “Dog Scanner app” says he’s Aussie Kelpie, Lab/Retriever, Terrier.” He’s about a year old and weighs 39 pounds.
If you think the look on his face says “spunky,” you’re right. He’s a “high-spirited, exuberant fellow,” Debra writes. And “He is playful, loves toys (especially squeaky ones) and has mastered the skill of fetching.  During the photo shoot Teddy ran and played in the shelter yard.  He will sit for treats and takes them gently. Teddy loves attention and is friendly and has a sweet nature. He seems such a happy boy.  He knows the sit and paw commands.  He walked nicely on a leash.  Teddy pottied in the yard.  He appears to have been well cared for.  There is so much to like about this pup…”

And one more Mesquite dog — this 70-pound Husky Shepherd mix is Mitch,
 who, Judi reports, came in as a stray on the 21st. “He’s a beautiful boy with striking markings and eyes that look like they’re lined with eyeliner! He is also unique in that he has two bottom canines that stick out at odd angles. These do not appear to bother him but rather make him even more unique! He’s a very playful boy that finds toys on his own and entertains himself with them. He will chase toys but doesn’t retrieve them. He’s a happy, friendly boy that seeks affection. He’s a big love bug and sometimes will attempt to jump on you just to get a hug. He doesn’t realize that he’s so big and could knock you over. For this reason until he learns not to do this he would do best with older children. He does want to please, sits for treats, and takes them gently. He went to the gate several times looking out and whimpering. I feel like he was missing his owners. … He wanted to get out into the yard so ignored the dogs in the bay but did visit some of the little dogs in kennels in the hallway. He seemed to be friendly with them. He is not fixed. … When I walked by his kennel later, I noticed he was howling!” He’s #49454476 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]
And, when you got to the Mesquite Shelter’s website HERE you can see the first sign that the next expensive holiday is on the way. The cat #49468029 is named “Valentine” and you can make his day by adopting him. He’s a “year and 3 days” old, the shelter says. Medium size. White cat. Came into the shelter on Jan. 24. Clearly he loves to have his “chin tickled by a loving human.”
TWO PUPS IN FERRIS
STILL ON ‘WAITING LIST’
Holy smokin’ crummy situation. These two dogs have been waiting a while in the Ferris Animal shelter. We know because for weeks we’ve been getting (and sometimes publishing) appeals from the 4-Legged Helpers folks who work with small shelters that have low human traffic.
“We are begging for help for the sweet dogs at Ferris Shelter. They stand ZERO CHANCE without a rescue group,” reads the latest appeal. To offer to help these dogs, contact Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
Landon is the fantastically-faced Catahoula/Boxer mix fellow who, his bio says, is “great with other dogs. Heartworm tested—healthy! …” Additionally, it reads, “LANDON IS SO VERY SWEET. Beautiful dog in person - so much more beautiful than the pics even show.  Big pretty blue eyes. Very gentle and sweet guy that actually posed for the photos.  Cutest thing ever.”
This guy Logan is a young Bulldog mix who also is healthy and “great with other dogs. He’s about 2 and “such a sweetie pie,” his bio reads. 
It also says, “He was brought to the shelter by someone who could no longer care for him.  He is all love and is a great young dog.  Silly, cute, lovable, sweet, playful.  Adores everyone.  Heartworm tested healthy and everything already done!  Fixed, all vaccs, and even microchipped. Please, won’t you help save him??? He’s a darling dog..incredibly sweet and lovable and friendly.”
THLN’S DALLAS CHAPTER
HOSTS SATURDAY BREAKFAST
We’ve got the “official” summary of the 10 a.m. Saturday breakfast meeting of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Humane Legislation Network — you’ve heard of THLN! It’s the pro-animal non-profit that wrestles the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas into submission every now and the on behalf of dogs and cats and any other animal that needs more respect. 
The official summary of the Saturday meeting reads, “The Humane Society of the United States Texas State Director, Lauren Loney, and THLN Executive Director, Shelby Bobosky, will deep dive into what 2022 has in store for animal welfare in Texas and provide guidance on how YOU can get involved at the local and state level. Free Vegan Breakfast included for those who RSVP.” That RSVP point is https://texashumanenetwork.org/january-29-2022-dallas-chapter-meeting/.
[LARRY FYI: The Legislative Reference Library of Texas website notes that the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature opens Jan. 10, 2023, just under a year away. While the Lege may take a year off, THLN never rests! Animals don’t take a year off, either. Somebody’s always being a jerk to Texas animals.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
January 27 is Holocaust Remembrance Day. We got the reminder from our longtime pal and the son of Holocaust survivors, Nico Van Thyn. We met Nico in 1968 when we both worked in the sports department of The Shreveport Times — he had a great career in sportswriting and editing. I moved to the news side of journalism.
Nico wrote a book about his parents: Survivors: 62511, 70726: Two Holocaust Stories From Amsterdam To Auschwitz.
Thursday morning Nico sent a note: “Here is why Holocaust Remembrance Day is important. we need to remain vigilant against anti-Semitism.” And here is the LINK TO THE STORY.
Nico and I — we’re Baby Boomers about the same age — grew up in different religious cultures. He’s Jewish. I’m a lapsed Southern Baptist. 
But Nico’s parents had first-hand, very personal and terrifying experiences in a concentration camp. They were at Auschwitz.

My dad, a poor kid -- just a kid! -- from semi-rural Texarkana, was at Normandy with the U.S. Army — an infantryman who fought across Europe and was among soldiers who opened up a concentration camp.
While Nico’s parents were haunted by Auschwitz, my dad was haunted by the camp he helped set free. It was a life time haunting. On his death bed, when morphine was trying to knock out his cancerous pain, this former young soldier would shout descriptions and responses to what he was still seeing, thing’s he’d first seen all those decades ago. Walking skeletons crying out for “Brown bread! Brown Bread” — “Probably the only English words they could say,” my dad once told me in a very rare private moment about his war.
Death had ruled that camp until those U.S. soldiers arrived with their weapons and their hearts.

These are the reasons I honor Holocaust Remembrance Day: For the six million, for those who had and have nightmares of war, for those who were called upon to stop the inhumane treatment and disrespect of the lives of others. Yeah, I type this with some tears — bless my Daddy — because as long as one person hates another one because of a belief in an agonizingly wicked philosophy, it’s not over. God help us all.
—- Offer opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

BLESS THE ANIMAL PROTECTORS AND THEIR LOTTO NUMBERS...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY JANUARY 26/27 [PetPowellPress] There are so many animals in need of so many human protectors and admirers that it can grind your gizzard if you let it. I mention this so that people reading along with us will remember to appreciate all the good souls who work so hard to rescue animals and put them in safe, loving homes. 
At our house, we have adopted, we have fostered. And if the right six numbers fall Wednesday night, we’ll do even more. I’m not the first knucklehead to make The Lotto Texas Promise. I’ll even pay happy taxes on the winnings. As I’m sure each and everyone of my fellow animalfan Lotto players would do so without prompting. Not without griping, but without prompting from a judge. That's Porche Noel going through her jewelry catalogs in anticpation of having picked six lucky numbers.
HOW ABOUT
THIS GUY HOMER!
I hope that by the time you read this, Homer’s situation has improved. We spotted an appeal on the CLASP — Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets — Facebook page but it was the photo that got us. Readlarrypowell.com is a sap for dogs and cats riding in cars and having not a clue of what’s happening next. They have such faith, sometimes. 
The story on Homer reads this way:
“He is heading to the shelter soon and needs help!
He is about 20 lbs. He is excellent with other dogs and kids. He has already had rabies, bordatella, DHLPP (vaccinations). He still needs his neuter and possible heartworm treatment for which our rescue will cover the cost. He is mid-high energy but tends to match the energy of the dogs he is around. He is a great explorer and loves to jot around the yard. He is crate-trained. Still working on potty training, but doing much better. Leash training is going well. Can you help Homer?” To offer to help him, email [email protected].

[LARRY REMINDER: Homer’s not the only critter in the care of CLASP — and CLASP can always use some foster help, adoptions and donations. That’s the way of the rescue world!]
SPEAKING OF THE ‘PERSONAL’
SIDE OF ANIMAL RESCUE….

For years — maybe decades — I’ve been writing about rescue efforts by a very determined person, the great Deborah Lynn Verner. My memory is lame sometimes, but I think the first time I wrote about her was when she was helping to rescue dumped animals near Mountain Creek Lake in far southwest Dallas — it was an unpopulated area years and years ago, but now it’s full of businesses and traffic.
 Deborah’s had health problems that she coped with and now they’ve begun being as stubborn as she has been. That’s why this cat, Crystal, is needing a rescue to take her — “due to my worsening health conditions,” Deborah writes.

“I rescued her 12 years ago as a kitten. Rather, she adopted me.

“She's a petite Siamese mix spayed, declawed female. So, she has to be an indoor only. She's very shy but sweet. She gets along with both dogs and cats. She just doesn't like to be chased. My Chi likes to chase her to play.
“She was due her Rabies vaccination in November 2021. She is not microchipped.
“She stays in my bedroom all the time, where she is most comfortable due to vision issues. She uses the litter box.
“She loves to lay in your lap, and will sleep next to you at night.
"She comes with her Vet records, small cat condo, and remaining Tidy Cat Lightweight Litter. She eats Purina Cat Chow. She most likely needs to switch to something else, because she tends to vomit her food about every two weeks. I'll be picky about who she goes to.
Connect with Deborah and Crystal through their Facebook page HERE. (Or mail me at [email protected] if that link doesn't work.)

[LARRY ASIDE: Take some time, too, to offer some prayers on behalf of this tough and courageous animal rescuer. She’s earned some help from people who admire “stubborn” rescuers!]
AH, BIG D, MY, O, YES, ….
THINGS THAT ARE NOTICED
Think things are going swimmingly in the Dallas area for dogs and cats? Spend some time looking at the challenges outlined on The DAS Accountability Page on FACEBOOK HERE.
Here’s one of the stories — one of many — that got to us. (And you should also take a look at the photo of the dogs who live “outside” at a “campground” — for lack of a better term.)
This girl is being called “Pinky” by people who are concerned about her. Nobody trying to help her actually knows her name — and she may not know it, either.
Currently, according to the note on the DAS Accountability page, “Pinky” is the “guard dog” who lives outside in all weather at all times on a car lot in the Metrosprawl. 
The story reads, “She’s filthy and covered in oil. They don’t even feed her. The person that owns the business next door make’s sure she is fed….When the [car lot] is open, they chain her up in the back. I have contacted Dallas Animal Services and have been calling 311 multiple times. was told to keep calling but that they could not do anything to help her until it is below freezing ! THIS GIRL DESERVES BETTER.”
She’s also on private property which is regarded as a complication.
The author of the note wrote, “The gate is high security there’s no way to even get to her to maybe even put a sweater on her — so heartbreaking.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I realize, based on headlines, that people in Dallas seem to be shooting each other at a bit of a rapid clip, but, you’d think that now and then there’d be some way to kindly influence someone to give up an animal that’s probably ineffective as a watch dog because it’s too damned cold to be outside without a jacket or a hot meal or water that isn’t frozen or … well, you know the requirements of surviving a winter night. Probably be a good idea to pray for Pinky, while you pro-animal people are asking for Divine Help. Separate question: How do you make these awful human beings give a darn about the life of an animal? One of your basic mysteries of life, ain’t it!]
CONTEMPLATIONS
TWO ‘DAYS’; CURRENCY; MUSIC
January 26, according to Holiday Insights, the online calendar of days, is Spouse Day. And — how’s this for a hint for my bakingspouse Martha! — the 27th is Chocolate Cake Day. Relax, I’m not supposed to eat cake. That’s a “famous last quote,” as we used to say in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

— We have some quotes now from people of note. Designer Andre Leon Talley, who died last week, had this advice quote for young people: “Never give up on your dreams and do your homework.” That was the quote cited on David Muir’s ABC World News….Valuable advice — if anybody pays attention to it. …

— A comedian Louie Anderson quote: “All great comedians make me laugh but people make me laugh more.”
— Meal Loaf, who had a sense of humor, has this quote: “If you want views of history, there’s something you should know. The three men I admire the most are Curly, Larry and Moe.”

— And that brings us to the musician Beegie Adair, who died over the weekend. We frequently leave her music playing when the dogs and cats are going to be home by themselves for an hour or more. Here’s her obituary — you can see how important a player she has been. And we’ll close with her version of a movie classic, As Time Goes By. It’s pure artistry from the film Casablana. Click HERE and enjoy Beegie Adair.
—- Offer musical tips or baking advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “PLAY IT, SAM.” in the subject line. —-

ADORABLE DOGS, A CAT NAMED MR. POPO AND ASSORTED CHALLENGES....

EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY JAN. 24-25, 2022 [PetPowellPress] Admit it, Cowboys fans. You were relieved not to have to sit anxiety-tortured through another gut-wrenching playoff game while wondering for 4-quarters what creative never-before-seen-way America's Team was going to foul it up.
[LARRY ASIDE: That's my colleague The Senator in a photo from his Performance Artist period. He calls this piece "TIME MOVES SWIFTLY FOR THE TEAM THAT TRAILS."]
And, now, with no weekend gridiron anxieties planned for the next few weeks — I don’t know how much plan to bet on the Super Bowl — let’s focus on other challenges in life.
Office pools? Has the covid crisis crimped the tradition of office Super Bowl betting pools? Well, more on current civilization in Contemplations. Thank Heaven we have dogs and cats to help us cope with human challenges.
Read on:
A COUPLE OF TALENTED DOGS
WAITING AT TRINITY GAP RESCUE
We’ve been charmed for years by the efforts of the Euless Trinity GAP Rescue big-hearts to “save ‘em all.”
As a reminder, GAP Rescue evolved via the Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program (GAP) — rescuing the animals was a project that became a mission. You can see the GAP works and available adorables by going to the non-profit’s FACEBOOK PAGE HERE and the GAP website HERE.
This first young lady is Zena and, for a 14-week-old puppy (according to her bio), she has skills. Her bio offers these rare skills in man and beast: “Do you need help with laundry, making the bed or getting dressed? Then Zena is your girl. She loves to help with everything. She is a Boston Terrier mix. She is looking for her forever home. She is 14 weeks. She is house- and crate-trained. She gets along with cats and dogs. She Ioves everything. She is very energetic and will need a house with a 6 foot wood fence. No apartments. For more information contact [email protected]."
And then we come to Radar, an Earhound. He also is an already-neutered, house-trained 6-year-old Welsh Pembroke Corgi.. GAP’s bio of this baby reads, “He is very sweet with people and loves to cuddle. He does not enjoy the company of other pets so he would do best in a household where he is the only pet.” 
Here is Radar’s “valuable skill,” as any parent can tell you. GAP writes, “As a Corgi, he will attempt to ‘herd’ children when they run or leave the room so a home where this is not welcome would not be ideal. Radar may be best-suited in a home without children. He would do great in an empty nest home. Radar enjoys going for walks and does well on a leash. … He is not a noisy dog. His barking is limited to sounds that he feels are suspicious like doorbells and unusual sounds. For the right home, Radar will be an excellent pet. For information on adopting him contact [email protected]."
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
EDDIE AND BUDDY WAIT!
“If Eddie looks worried that’s because he is!,” writes Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. She adds, “ You would be too if you lost your family and ended up at the shelter. Eddie is a 2-year-old, 52-pound pound terrier pit that arrived … on 1/13 as a stray. He’s got a coat of many colors: brown, gray and tan. He has perky ears and frown lines on his forehead. He also has a rash. … spots on his back. He has been to the vet and is being treated with cepralexin. He will need a follow up visit. When I first went into Eddie’s kennel he had his tail tucked but in a short time he decided he could trust me. Then I got tail wags. He’s a sweet, friendly boy that although he likes to explore prefers to spend his time close to his human friends. He sits for treats and takes them gently. He chases balls and sometimes retrieves them. He walked OK on a leash. … He occasionally jumped on me but mostly when he wanted a treat that I had in my hand. He responded to the command to get down. He wants to please. He also stood by the door even though it was a very nice day indicating that he’s probably been an inside dog. He’s a likable guy needing a loving family” Eddie’s shelter ID is #49409620 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or [email protected].
Judi also became acquainted with Buddy (#48992351), an 11-month-old, 43-pound Staffie who describes as “adorable.” 
Why’s adorable, unaggressive Buddy in a shelter? Surrendered on 1/20. Why? Judi writes, “The kennel card states the reasons for his surrender were that he was unwanted and was behaviorally incompatible. However the staff person that processed the surrender said that Buddy was exhibiting the playful, fun-loving enthusiastic, energetic behavior of a puppy.”

And Judi reports, “When I had Buddy in the yard it became obvious that he is a lively puppy that could use some manners training. But he sits for treats and takes them gently. He’s very motivated by treats and wants to please so he should be easy to train. He loved bounding around the yard. He chased balls and sometimes retrieved them. Therefore, if someone would take the time to play with him and exercise him in a fair size yard it would help to expend some of his energy. He sometimes jumped on me but immediately responded to a sharp ‘No!’ Buddy is a friendly, happy, fun-loving dog with tons of potential. Besides that he’s cute!” Use his ID #48992351 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email at [email protected].
THE FIRST ‘MR. POPO’
WE’VE SPOTTED IN 2022
Actually, in the decades-long history of readlarrypowell.com, we may never have written about a cat named Mr. Popo.
But here he is, a nearly 10-year-old fellow available for adoption to a really sweet, loving person via the SPCA of Texas. 
The report is Mr. Popo came to the legendary shelter “through a cruelty case.” His bio describes Mr. Popo as “a shy boy who likes hiding under his bed.”
The SPCA is hoping to match Mr. Popo with “a cat lover who is willing to continue [his] rehabilitation.” Mr. Popo’s Foster Parent reports that once this grown-up gent warms up, he is “the sweetest boy” and he loves “playing with laser toys.” He also likes being petted, “watching cat videos on TV, using [his] cardboard scratcher and napping.”
The only “if” in his health is he may be FeLV positive — “tests results were inconclusive” so he’d be better off as an only cat.
Click on this SPCA LINK and you can see a video of Mr. Popo being a pretty swell cat. And, at spca.org, you can see how to adopt Mr Popo.
[LARRY ASIDE: A cat named “Mr. Popo” — might be the only one in your family. Except for Uncle Popo, of course.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
2022 QUESTIONS, A FILM & PHOTO APPEAL
Is the fabric of America being demolished by a microscopic virus? Am I tired of watching Kelly & Ryan broadcasting from remote locations away from the traditional fan-filled studio? Will there be a 2022 Major League Baseball Season? Will my diet work? Is it possible that a scientific study will show that milk chocolate makes a person immune to all varieties of that darned virus? Is it too late for me to try out for a pitching spot on the Texas Rangers — I can still see about 62 feet, so that means I can get the ball to the catcher if a batter doesn’t park it in the bleachers first (that puts me in at least a tie with some of the other would-be big league pitchers). …

There’s a new Jurassic Park film coming in June — Jurassic World Dominion. During a football game over the weekend, maybe you saw the commercial with two dinosaurs chasing a blonde skier — combination of Winter Olympics/June movie advertisement. Plot irony: In an era when the globe is threatened by tiny bugs, we get a movie with life-threatening dinosaurs and renowned Hollywood stars. Here’s how to LINK UP TO THE JURASSIC TRAILERS. And, HERE’S THE SKIER VS. RAPTORS TV spot. …
And [email protected] is where to send photos of your slumbering dogs, cats, geckos, in-laws, clams, goldfish, newts, skunks, ducks, calves, colts or piglets. By mentioning “in-laws” I’m suggesting we’ll post family photos in our weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, the long-running feature that celebrates the joys of living with animals. I thought it was easier to write about sleeping dogs and napping cats et al than to write a feature called “Dinner With The Dog” or “Milkshakes With The Cats.” I’ve shared ice cream with that cat, The Senator. He’s aggressive — who knew a cat could use a spoon? That's me and The Senator editing his biography, Ice Cream Powers My Purr.
—- Offer tips on solving baseball labor issues or wearing a losing team’s cap with panache by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put NEVER SHOWER IN A BASEBALL CAP in the subject line. —-

ONCE UPON A TIME: A DOG MOVES IN...

The temperatures have been so cold that my mind has sought warmer times to magically keep my typing fingers from dropping off between consonants and the space bar.
On Friday as I was writing some piece of work that would be better off shredded, my mind wandered to warmer times at the State Fair of Texas through the years.
This photograph, perfect for this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, may demonstrate what inspired my mind to go back to visits at the Children’s Petting zoo at the State Fair. I’d frequently see a momma sow on her side snorting and snoozing while the kids had lunch.

This, however, is not a State Fair pig.
This is my wonderful companion, Porche Noel, found on the front porch at Christmas in 2009.
I think I know what happened in this writing process. I was typing madly about something when the sound of a snoozing sow began to fill the room.
I thought, “We don’t have a pig yet, do we?” 
And I turned to see Porche, out like a noisy light on her small “Magic Carpet of Comfort and Contemplation.”

Sometimes she sleeps next ot my office chair on the big Psychedelic Carpet of Grand Illusions and Magnifications of Triumphant Joy. I think that’s what she’s calling it this week.
When we first got this girl she was a mess. She’d been starved.
In fact, she came onto the front porch by squeezing through the burglar bars on the porch gate. She then ate ALL of the daily buffet we put out for the feral cat colony, then discovered she’d grown so much wider so quickly that should exit via the way she came in.
There was only one thing to do — open the front door and invite her in.
She’s been with us ever since.
And, by “with us” I mean that after she finally settled down and realized our other dogs and cats were not going to kill her, she became a wonderfully loving, well-behaved, philosophical canine companion. Those first weeks were tough — she was food focused and would fight anybody who even glanced through her carrier door at her food bowl. We had to be careful. She was worth the trouble.
I don’t know what her family tree shows, but to track her origin, it’ll take more branches than a Texas bank. Her first vet, the wonderful Dr. Vladi DeJong (Rest his soul —I miss his laughter), looked at her and said, “Ah, a pit bull wannabe.” None of us could guess the breeds! 
When she arrived at our house she was walking with a pronounced limp. Through the years it got better — Vladi said that at some point she’d probably develop arthritis in her back legs from the “on-purpose trauma” she’d experienced. Sure enough, she’s got it now. 
But this little dog still is game enough to try to outrun dogs and squirrels in the yard. The joy in her heart makes her fun to watch. 
Ironically, she needs help getting onto the couch to nap. So, my sweetspouse Martha bought her a ramp. Porche has to be retrained on “ramp usage” about once every two weeks. She tends to forget things when she sleeps.
(Martha also bought small quilt box for the foot of our bed so Porche can take easy steps onto it and then onto the big bed. I’m not sure what Porche’s Sleep Number is — but she’s never had insomnia. That's the face I frequently see between me and Martha when Porche is into full-on tranquil slumber at 3 in the morning.
She’s a Canus Suresleeperus — using my distant ancestors’ Latin lingo to specify her scientific designation. She has never had to be retrained to drop off like a piglet after having lunch in Mom’s pen at the fair. That's a mom and the kids from the 2019 State Fair.
So, back to Porche -- just another dumped Dallas street dog who became a household treasure.
If I could find the guy who kicked her all those years ago, he wouldn’t be able to feel his back feet, either. Would such a jerk have back feet? Of course, he would! All asses have back feet.
Pardon my French. But I love this dog. After she realized nobody at our house was going to hurt her, she chose her permanent sleeping spot — in the big middle of the human’s bed, right between her two humans.
Frequently, our last words of an evening are dramatically, “I love you dear. Oh, come on Porche, move over, for crying out loud.”
And that, folks, is how a beaten-up, starving, dumped-in-a-Dallas neighborhood dog became a nocturnal comfort. She retrained her humans.
That's her keeping Martha company during a couch nap! Good dog, Porche. Good dog.

 [DEAR READERS: Please tells us about your dogs and cats and any other animals that nod off at your place!  (That's a mom and piglets from the 2014 State Fair -- I think Porche might have studied the body positioning to enhance her own ability to sleep anywhere!] Send photos of your family critters catching a few winks -- [email protected] -- and we’ll spotlight ‘em in our weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You may be helping other humans make room in their hearts for a companion that become a “member of the family.” And you’ll be helping insomniacs realize they, too, can get some sleep if they can just figure out how to approximate the snorting and slobbering of a sow at the fair!]
— Offer sleeping tips or waking advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol and put ‘JUST TURN OFF THE TV AND CLOSE YOUR EYES, SLEEPY’ in the subject line. —

GOOD NEWS NOTES FROM PLANO & HOUSTON; CHANCES TO HELP & WEATHER GRIPING

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY JANUARY 20-21, 2022 [PetPowellPress] I love it when we get to post good news: Hello Houston & Texas Humane Legislation Network! And the found little dog, too! Ah, today’s one of those days (keep reading!) but, the reality is, I’m too darned cold. I feel that I am not alone in that un-Texan sensation. Half the year you can't get cold enough in Texas. Moving along:
 Here’s our pre-sunrise Thursday weather report. Cold. Absolute cold. (It’s like our noon report. Back to the morning report.)
In 20 minutes on the treadmill at 3.2 mph in the unheated garage, I was unable to work up a sweat. Most of the time my inability to work up a sweat is due to my lack of ambition. OK, here we go with this edition of readlarrypowell.com, your critter, humanity and oddity source since before the turn of this century. 
That’s my office cat William Powell. He just handed me a note that read, “Either turn up the heat in this flophouse or put me on a plane to Rio.” He is usually wearing a nose that is beautifully pink but, in this weather, Willam’s nose has dimmed and is approaching “gray” status. My nose feels the same way. When does this snap end? I am on the brink of declaring, “I sure miss August.”

CATCHING UP WITH
A DOG THAT WAS MISSING
We got great news from Lisa Brooks of Pooch Savers Rescue earlier in the week. The little dog Yoni, aka Teddy Bear, is a former Pooch Savers pup who vanished just before Christmas in Plano. For a while, there was a theory that he’d been stolen — he’s that adorable! But he has been found and is happily back at home.
He’d been missing since December 28, seen a few times in the West Parker Road/Ohio Drive area of Plano. 
But as many “seen” dogs are when still disoriented, he wasn’t out on the curb trying to thumb a ride back home. He was hidin’ out!

The 11-pound dog, Lisa reports, “was found about 4 days after he went missing. It was literally minutes before the real cold weather hit about two weeks ago.”
Timing — that’s the key to everything, not just Dallas Cowboys football but winter storms.
The little guy “was spotted by several people who stopped what they were doing and kind of surrounded him. He was in a driveway.  We got the call and my husband Scott, who was at an adoption event, went over there and just sat down.

“Yoni started barking at him at first but then recognized Scott and went to
him.  Scott was able to scoop him up and return him to his owner, I've
attached a couple of pics, the woman is a Good Samaritan who had been
helping for DAYS.  She selflessly drove around for hours each day. The
person in the Pooch Savers Rescue shirt is my hubby and the other man
is Yoni's owner.” 

Teamwork — and some loving hearts. That’s what got the happy ending for this little dog. 
So, I wondered who might be available via Pooch Savers and I clicked on the website HERE. Little dogs, big dogs, adorable dogs.
And I got a view quickly of this Bloodhound/German Shepherd mix with the football star name, Joe Montana. His eyes looks as if they’re made up for appearances in Hollywood movies! Joe Montana is one handsome 88-pound dog described not only as “very playful” but as a “big goofball!” [LARRY ASIDE: Once again, I envy a dog who has a resume with a description I’d love to have: “big goofball.” Wait. No! Please. Take us both seriously! But Joe’s house-trained and available and I am not. Well, I’m house-trained, but not available, though on some days my sweetspouse Martha may have different thoughts. About available, not about house-trained.]
A PET STORE ORDINANCE
AND OTHER HOUSTON WINS!
The note from Shelby Bobosky of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, famous for work with the Texas Legislature, cited some triumphs within the municipal government of the City of Houston, Texas. Yep, sort of “grass roots influence” to help animals without waiting on the Lege to re-gather itself! [LARRY ASIDE: And if this stuff can get done in Houston, how about in other cities that need “counseling” on the way they allow animals to be handled?]
Back to the THLN note: 
The opening reads, “One year ago, THLN, together with Houston advocates, approached Houston City Council Member Sally Alcom, Chair of Houston’s Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee, to revise Houston’s outdated animal welfare regulations. Together, we worked with the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC), the City and other stakeholders to draft revisions UNANIMOUSLY approved .. by the Houston City Council [Wednesday].
Those revisions include requiring pet stores to “sell only dogs and cats sourced from a humane organization or muncipal/county animal shelter.” No more puppy mill problems, perhaps. And there are changes affecting “dangerous dogs” and “loose animals” and the hold time for strays. 
Plus Houston has given $1 million to BARC to expand spay and neuter services. Here's the LINK TO THE NEWS RELEASE.
[LARRY ASIDE: Houston. Houston, Texas. As, was the expression in my teenage years, “Hot dang, Houston! Way to go”]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE, KYLO
NEEDS HELP, RADAR DOES, TOO,
AND A GIRL NAMED FREDDIE!
This guy Kylo — rescue only because of medical conditions ignored by his human —has the kind of a story that shows up when humans let down the dog they once promised to love forever. We got Kylo’s story from the volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm at Mesquite Animal Services. She reports that the German Shepherd mix was brought to the shelter on January 4 because of a bite incident. The story reads, “Kylo squeezed through the fence in his yard and walked into a neighbor's house.  When the neighbor tried to push him out, he bit the neighbor on the leg and hand.  When the 10-day shelter quarantine was completed the owner opted to surrender.” 
[LARRY TIME-OUT: Please take 10 seconds to move past the “he what?” sensations that have taken over your thought processes. Now’s the time to get Kylo into a home that will be a home. Know what I mean, jelly bean?]

This 4-year-old GSD mix weighs just 50 pounds now and he is “rescue only” because of medical issues confirmed after he was “opted” out of his home. The owner told the shelter that Kylo had lost a lot of weight, but he didn’t take im to a vet. A shelter staffer took Kylo to a vet and the exam revealed that “Kylo has several medical issues his owners never attempted to seek care for.  Vet stated he has a body condition score of 2 out of 9 and determined the loss of weight was due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.  This difficulty in digestion leads to poor absorption of nutrients.  It was also determined he has hip dysplasia and a degenerative joint disease.  He has been suffering from these health issues with no vet care from his owner.  Staff reports that they have not noted aggression.  He is very energetic and quite ‘mouthy.’ He will need training to break him of that habit as his owner obviously did not do.  He chases balls but does not return them.  He walks ok on a leash.  He has lived outdoors and doesn't seem to have had much, if any, training and possibly hasn't been socialized much either.  Shelter has medical report from the vet and will forward it to any rescue interested in helping Kylo.”
Kylo is #49355127 — use his ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email at [email protected].
That moves us along to volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown’s report on this guy Radar. Judi writes, “What’s not to like about this face? Actually what’s not to like about this cute stocky boy with a loving personality? Radar is a 3 to 4-year-old, 62-pound mostly black Pittie mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/13 as a stray.  He’s got a cute face and captivating hazel eyes. Radar has a lot going for him. He’s gentle and relatively calm. He stays close seeking human affection. He’s lovable and friendly with a tail that wags constantly. He gives kisses generously. 

“When you sit down he puts his head on your lap. He sits for treats and takes them gently. He chases balls but does not retrieve them.  He appears to be housebroken as he did his business as soon as he got out into the yard.”

And there’s this aspect that demonstrates he’s a pretty smart dog. During the photo sessions, he would make sure he was standing by the shelter door. Judi wrote, “I suspect he’s been an inside dog and would like to be inside with his new family. I can just picture him in a cozy bed at the feet of his new family.” Radar’s ID is #49411109 — use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
About Freddie the Cat: At the shelter’s online site HERE you can see all sorts of adorable adoptables who are in the care of the Mesquite Animal Shelter. They include this cat with the electric eyebrows! She’s named Freddie! A medium-sized, year-and-a-half-old Domestic Shorthair, she’s currently in quarantine — came in on January 4. Ask about #49354532 when you call the shelter or write to it.
CONTEMPLATIONS
SLEEPERS, ERCOT, COACH OR CEO?
QUICK! Somebody send me photos of your slumbering animals for the upcoming weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Napping Cats Nap. Any animal will do. We just try to demonstrate that a loving home is a good place to nod off. Email photos and inphos, er, info, to [email protected]. Remember this doesn’t pay you a thing, so you won’t have to add it to your IRS paperwork. Another financial blessing from readlarrypowell.com. …
IN THE SAME RADIO NEWSCAST THURSDAY I heard one reporter pronounce the keep-the-lights-on agency ERCOT as “aircot” and another refer to it as “urrcot” — as in to urr is human but to be warm is divine. Last year, not on the radio, I heard ERCOT called other things. …

SPEAKING OF HEADLINES, who is more important in your life, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys or the CEO of ERCOT? Which one makes more headlines? Know their names? Made you look (er, made you look 'em up, maybe.)
—- Leave solid warming advice by clicking on ‘comment’ or email [email protected] and put DON’T PAWN WINTER COAT AGAIN in the subject line. —-

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected] and put ‘NO TRICK PLAYS, COACH HOUDINI’ in the subject line. —-

NOW THAT PLAYOFF PRESSURE IS OVER, WE HAVE SOME ANIMALS FOR PEOPLE TO HELP

EDITION OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 [PetPowellPress] This is, as you may suspect, being written on JANUARY 17. I nearly typed “JULY” into the dateline because I’d been outside in the warm air of the afternoon doing some work around the house. We were taking down Christmas decorations, something we usually do in July, er, January. 
My sweetspouse Martha, having realized that my winter coat for years has been a zip-up golf jacket, gave me a new winter coat over the weekend . It's designed for skiing comfort in the snow-covered mountains. So, naturally, the temps went toward the upper 60s in our neighborhood. But I was warm -- in my hoody.
Here’s a photograph of some of the local lads in a hockey match Sunday on the frozen ice of the Trinity River just across I-30 from our home on SkiPole Hill in Eastern Fort Worth. Yes, Dear Reader, nothing in that preceding sentence is true except that it is a photograph.
It comes from our Readlarrypowell.com Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, the veteran print and broadcast journalist. He shot this on Sunday afternoon. “The temperature hereabouts has soared to 21,” Andy wrote. “Another five hours or so and it will be snowing. Just took this picture out the dining-room window; in just a few months, there will be water skiers in this shot, but for now, it's teen-aged boys playing hockey.” This is Indian Lake in Denville, N.J., and Andy, a U.S. Army veteran of some of the hottest parts of the Cold War, says he included neighbor Gary Large’s America flag in the shot. Gary’s the neighborhood legend who knows how to skillfully operate the snow-moving machine known as Big Red. Comes in handy during the winter.
And, in honor of all the New York Giants and New York Jets and Buffalo Bills fans in the wintry areas of the northeast, we’d like to quote something that seemed to fit the situation Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington: “How ‘bout them Cowboys.” Yep, for cryin’ out loud, how ‘bout them flag-drawin’, odd-play callin’, clock-ignorin’ Cowboys. I don’t want to be too harsh. Fortunately, they got one break: On Sunday, them Cowboys played (too strong a word) across the street from the Texas Rangers’ home field so one of the Jones sons could easily visit the neighbors to borrow the well-worn “Wait ’til next year” sign.
THREE IN THE FERRIS SHELTER
NEEDING A WAY TO NEW HOMES
As the long holiday weekend was waning, we got a note from the 4-Legged Helpers folks who cite 3 dogs currently cooling their canine heels in the Ferris Animal Shelter.
Animals in the small shelters, “stand zero chance without a rescue group,” the Helpers say. So, they keep promoting rescues and adoptions from these shelters. 
Ferris has the current three in need. (Call or text Helpers’ pioneer critter hustler Laura Macias at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
That opening set of photos features the cutely handsome Landon, a “young vaccinated male Catahoula/Boxer mix available now” at the Ferris shelter. His bio reads, “Landon is so very sweet. Big pretty blue eyes. Very gentle and sweet guy that actually posed for the photos.  Cutest thing ever.  ACO heartworm tested healthy and ready to go! They also vaccinated incoming at this shelter.”

That brings us to Dustin. His bio reads that he is “adorable. Already neutered and chipped. He is just as sweet and cute as can be.  Seems to really like other dogs too and gives kisses to other dogs, all people.  HE IS SO SWEET. Also heartworm tested, healthy and ready to go!”

Logan, about 2, is a “sweetie pie” who is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. The Bulldog mix was “surrendered to the shelter” by someone who couldn’t take care of him. “he is all love and is a great young dog. Silly, cute, lovable, sweet, playful.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We’ve got 80 zillion people living in this area and computer access to a billion more on the internet. Why in the heck does a dog or cat have to spend even one night waiting in a shelter? That football game drew, officially, 93,470 people. Surely there were three ticket-buyers who have time and money to adopt a dog from Ferris and love him like he’s a Cowboys fan, too. Aw, geez, I’m such a dreamer.]
IN MESQUITE, LOOK AT MAX’S FACE!

“FELL IN LOVE,’ SAYS BIOGRAPHER
Is that not an interesting look on a fabulous dog face? Why is Max in a shelter? Ah, our tipster, the veteran volunteer Mesquite Animal Shelter dog biographer Judi brown has the answer. she reports that 4-year-old, 58-pound, Max was surrendered to the shelter on the 13th because “the owners had too many dogs.” The dog scanner app says Max is part Catahoula Leopard and part Dutch Shepherd mix. Brindle markings, one blue and one brown eye. “He’s a very handsome boy! But more importantly he’s a real prize! He’s sweet, gentle, calm, loving, friendly, and well mannered. He stayed close and looked up at me with adoring eyes. He sits for treats and takes them gently. When you sit down he comes to you to have his ears scratched. And if you’d let him he would crawl on your lap! He
doesn’t jump on you. He walks well on a leash. When I took him for a walk he did his business as soon as we got outside. His previous owner said that he was an outdoor dog, but he told me he wants to be inside with his new family! He should fit in well in the household as he’s so obedient! His previous owners also stated that he’s lived with other dogs and children and gets along with them. When I walked him through the bay he ignored the other dogs as he was mostly interested in going for a walk. His owners also stated that he loves hugs. I can definitely see that because he such a loving, affectionate boy! You  can probably tell from this write-up that I fell in love with him.” Judi says he’s #49096247 in the shelter and use that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
ALSO WAITING IN MESQUITE is Alpine, this 60-pound, 18-month-old Alaskan Husky. He came in on Jan. 7 as a stray. He was in quarantine due to space and now he’s “up front and visible” so “he will most likely get adopted quickly,” Judi writes. A quick tag is a good tag if you want to take Alpine home or into your rescue group. 
Judi says, “The bonus is that he’s not only handsome, but he’s also got a winning personality. He’s playful and fun loving. He gets down on his haunches and tries to entice you to play with him... all the time wagging his fluffy tail. He’s frisky and alert and explored the yard and the perimeter. Those of you that know about Huskies know that they are known to escape. You will need to have a yard with a secure fence. He was friendly and came to me when I called him. He liked having his ears scratched and I was rewarded with kisses. He sits for treats and takes them gently.  He chased a ball but did not retrieve it. He walked OK on a leash. He did his business as soon as he got into the shelter yard. When I walked him through the bay he wanted to make friends with many of the dogs. If they barked at him he jumped away. I did not see any aggression. Judging from the calluses on his elbows, I would assume he’s been an outside dog. This time around he would like be an integral part of the family and be inside with his new adopters. As gentle, loving, and sweet as he is he should do well inside.” His ID is #49374819. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite. com.

See many more adoptable adorables at the Mesquite Animal Shelter by clicking HERE.
Lots of dogs and cats. And this cat, 3-year-old Luther, caught my eye because, clearly, he knows how to take advantage of the lighting and pose for a perfectly illuminated mugshot for a tabby cat. He’s “large,” the shelter says. And he’s been waiting in the city shelter’s Cat room since January 10. Luther is #49390032. He’s a green-eyed handsome man.
CONTEMPLATIONS
IDLE THOUGHTS ON AN EVENING
It’s only late afternoon but already dark in our part of the world. Won’t it be great if big league baseball can work out its labor problems and we get to have a normal baseball season for a change? First, get the commissioner to move Houston back to the National League. Give the Texas Rangers a 10- or 20-game lead in their division on opening day. Maybe they’ll still be in the race at the All-Star Break. And somebody’s got to come up with the first female pitcher in the big leagues. When I was a kid, in our neighborhood, we had girls who could out-throw and out-hit boys. Of course, none of the boys made it to the big leagues, either. …. 

Is it too early to talk baseball? OK. We’ll change sports. How’s the Dallas Dynamics Curling Team doing in the Olympics? ...
Monday was the birthday of my twins, Bret and Bart, born on Super Sunday in 1971 in Texarkana, Texas — 2:06 (Bret) and 2:08 p.m. (Bart). I missed the entire Super Bowl — it was the first time the Dallas Cowboys had made it to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl V. The Baltimore Colts beat Dallas 16-13 on a 32-yard field goal by rookie kicker Jim O’Brien with 5 seconds left. Even if Dallas had won that game, the biggest news of the day still would have been the birth of my unexpected, wonderfully entertaining twins, Bret and Bart. They’re my only kids — though you can’t really call twins an “only child,” however. As kids, they won the “Most Alike” title for their age group in the annual Twins Contest at the State Fair of Texas. That was way back in the 1970s. That contest has been discontinued. That’s the lads in a photo from back then — they’re in their matching overalls from the HeeHaw TV show. The boys put up with a lot from their stunned and nutty parents. Identical? Not really. Bret’s left-handed and Bart’s right-handed. And one’s cuter than the other, they tell me individually. Neither went into journalism, preferring to be employed in financially beneficial efforts. Not like father, these sons. That "glop" on the kid's head on the right is where he saved his bubblegum in those days -- I'm kidding. It's a spot on the print of the photo. Honest. Back then (and even today) a glop of gum is more likely to wind up stuck in a brother's hair. Entertaining boys, I told you.
—- Offer child-rearing tips or lucky Lotto Texas numbers by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘WHO NEEDS MONEY?’ in the subject line. —-

IS THAT DOG WEARING A MONOCLE?

Dear Readers,
Have you ever looked at a dog and asked, "I wonder what that dog would look like in a monocle?"
For this edition of our long-running readlarrypowell.com weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap we present the answer to the question.
As luck would have it, one night this week we were watching something on television -- probably a British mystery -- and my funspouse Martha looks up from the book she was simultaneously reading and asks, "Does Wendy own a monocle?"
 Santa brought her a lot of stuff in her stocking, but we're almost certain monocular eyewear was not among her new fashion items.
Still, once glance at the way she was sleeping on her couch and cover suggests that perhaps she's rolled up the edge of the cover and is already giving us a hint for what she'd like for her birthday -- once we figure out when it is. As you may know, unwanted street dogs rarely travel with their personal papers.

Wendy's the girl Martha "adopted" from a couple of teenagers as the puppy chased them down Polk Street one busy afternoon in 2009. She's been our lead barker for years. She's also been a role-model sleeper --- an insomniac looks at her with envy.

Martha snapped the photo of the "Monocle Picture" and, later in the week of Wendy-watching, I took the plain on-the-couch photo. Wendy appears as herself in both sleeping demonstrations.
There are famous people who have worn monocles, but perhaps the most famous American is (left) Charlie McCarthy and (right) his long-time show business partner Edgar Bergen. Wendy says she follows the creed  she developed while listening to Mr. McCarthy: "You're nobody's dummy and don't let anybody put words in your mouth."
Wendy has a few eccentricities -- to be expected, since she's lived with Martha since 2009. Oh, and with me, too.
[DEAR READERS, Please send us photos of your slumbering animals so we can feature them in our weekend editions of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. The address is [email protected] -- include photos and inphos about your beloved animals. You may be helping someone decide to adopt a dog or cat or another critter that'll brighten their days. Or you may be helping an insomniac realize that a monocle can help a person sleep if properly balanced. Not sure how many of us insomniacs are anywhere near well-balanced.
--- Offer Brit reading tips or a wink by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and put 'BLINK 'EM IF YA GOTTEM' in the subject line. ---