DOGS, CATS, SOME HUMAN WHINING AND SOME PRAISE FOR A REDBIRD ON WING!

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022 [PetPowellPress] Anybody else still trying to adjust to the time change? Well, that aside, let’s move on into the world of animals and rescuers and shelters and whatever else pops to mind.
Try this “Anybody else” topic: Anybody else getting tired of empty pet food shelves? News reports blame the lack of cans for some of this challenge. Try explaining that to a cat who is persnickety about gravy vs. pate. Our dogs are happy with any kind of cat food they get when I’m not looking.
AS LONG AS WE’RE DISCUSSING CATS,
A NOTE FROM THE SPCA OF TEXAS
I’ve read a lot of cats and kittens announcements through the years, but the opening paragraph on the SPCA’s latest news release was spot- on. It reads, “When spring arrives, the temperature goes up and leaves begin to appear on the trees. Kittens begin appearing, too. A lot of them.” 
And the SPCA is reacting to the upcoming tsunami of kittens by hosting what it’s calling a “Kitten Shower” at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center. 
According to the SPCA’s notice, “The hope is to recruit new foster volunteers and expand the community-based network of care for the area’s homeless kittens. This network is critical to providing care for the greatest number of animals possible.” [LARRY ASIDE: Yep, volunteers — the fuel of animal advocacy, rescue and care.]
 In fact, Kasey Berry, the SPCA’s Foster Program Supervisor, is quoted in this news release. “We are in need of foster homes who are willing to take in kittens and provide them a temporary home while they grow big and strong. We want to provide the opportunity to train and get to know new and experienced fosters in the community and help them become more comfortable with caring for sweet kittens in need!”
You can see items needed to help make this Kitten Shower a success by clicking HERE. That takes you to the SPCA’s Amazon Smile kitten needs list.
Those are some of the cats currently in the care of the SPCA of Texas and you can see them and other cats and dogs and other animals by clicking HERE.
And we have an SPCA canine Contemplation later in this edition.

AND, FROM OUT AT THE LAKE,
A NOTICE ABOUT SOME CATS…
This is one of those stories that grinds your heart. A person stricken with an awful ailment has beloved cats that need a new loving home. Everybody who knows the person and the cats is hoping for a seamless move by the cats into their new lives. 
We learned about this from our longtime pal Sydney Busch with Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The contact points for helping these cats: Email [email protected] or call 469-866-5592
The cats are Shyla (the one-eyed cat on the shelf), tabbies Stretch (sitting) and his brother (hand in photo) Pepe le Purr, Tux the Tuxedo and Momma Kitty, the dark calico. 
Shyla had been abandoned in the blind-in-one-eye condition several years ago and was rescued. And, she is “shy.” So is Stretch, though his brother Pepe is said to be a very friendly cat!
The bottom line is they are cats who are accustomed to being with a loving human. [LARRY ASIDE: As you catfans know, all cats deserve a loving human. And some humans deserve a loving cat. Most humans, I like to think.]
THREE DOGS WAITING
IN MESQUITE’S SHELTER
I took a look at the photos of Hank, the Terrier mix, and thought “Earhound with need for extra servings!” He’s a 59-pound, maybe 4-years-old, stray picked up by a Mesquite shelter officer on March 17. Our Hank tipster, volunteer biographer Debra Chisholm, writes, “Hank has been uneasy and fearful at the shelter.  One of our staff members has been working with him and he is coming around.  Hank walks fine on a leash.  He pottied in the yard so is possibly house trained.  He loves treats and will sit for them.  Though a bit restless and standoffish, he is a fairly amiable fellow.  I get the impression that he was probably an outside dog and perhaps not socialized much.  Most of his time during the photo session was spent investigating the yard to the point where I had a most difficult time getting him to get his nose off the ground and look into the camera! … He will continue to need some patience and TLC in order to feel comfortable and adjust to the shelter environment.  However, Hank definitely has potential and deserves a chance with people who will provide the loving and stable forever home he deserves.” Hank is #49789323. Use that when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

Speaking of a dog who could use a meal, look at the ribs on Missy, described as a 4-year-old, 42-pound, underweight English Pointer who “appears to have recently had a litter of pups.” Came into Mesquite’s shelter as a stray on the 21st. She’s #49812267. (Use those contact points above.)
 Debra met with Missy and reports, “She is a precious girl--well-mannered, calm and gentle with a mellow personality.  She is uneasy in the noisy shelter environment but when taken into the yard where it was quiet, she warmed up.  Missy walks nicely on a leash and when led through the bay she was intimidated by the dogs who were barking at her.  She does not appear to know any commands, is uninterested in toys and only mildly drawn to chasing tennis balls.  Missy is quite happy to take treats and does so gently. She stays very close as though she longs for some human companionship. I found this girl to be shy and sweet-natured and she really tugged at my heartstrings. She would seem well suited for a household that is quiet and well-ordered.”
Debra’s colleague in Mesquite dog-writing, our pal Judi Brown, provides the profile of this fellow Dylan. He’s got quite a great “happy face,” but he also has a somber look when he’s confined to a kennel. He’s #49832741 — use it when you contact the shelter at those points above.

Judi writes, “Take a minute to look at Dylan’s sweet face and soft brown eyes and you’ll know what love is. Dylan is a 2-year-old, 54-pound terrier/Belgium Shepherd mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 3/24 as a stray. He is not fixed. He’s got beautiful coloring. … He is very sweet and once trust is built he’s extremely loving. However, I had to spend some time sitting in his kennel sweet talking and bribing to get him to warm up to me. Once he decided that I was his friend he literally would stand physically touching me. I think we are now BFF. He also chose to spend time in the corner showing that he still is unsure of the shelter environment. When a new person approaches him he urinates out of fear. SO he is what we called a work in progress. At this point he would not do well with young children. Sudden movements can startle and scare him. He also still shakes. He doesn’t  seem to know how to sit nor was he interested in the ball. However, he is highly motivated by treats and takes them relatively gently. … Dylan has a  lot of potential to be a very loving, loyal companion. He would do well with a laid-back family that would include him as a family member. We will continue to work with him and expect to see continued improvement!”
He’s #49832741 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

ONE MORE NOTE
ABOUT A DOG & CAT
At some point they were celebrated in a home. Ah, but things change. 
Candy the Cat and Cole the Dog were surrendered to the Ferris Animal shelter because their old home is about to have a baby. 
We learned of them from Laura Macias at 4-Legged Helpers. The appeal to help them find new homes went out this week and by Wednesday Candy was in the care of Habitat 4 Paws and Cole was taken in by Cody’s Friends, Laura reports. 
Candy is a “Torbie Mix.” And her bio read, “Cuddly and just as cute as can be!. She is very petite (look at the tiny little kitty paws) and she has a beautiful little pink nose and big beautiful green eyes.  She is darling cute and just as sweet. She was released to the shelter along with a dog ... (Cole) because the people were having a baby,” read the note from 4-Legged Helpers. “Such a sad excuse to give up this little cutie pie (sadly, it is one we have heard a million times before).  At least we know she does great with dogs.”
Cole’s bio reads, “This poor guy has some missing fur on his back, tail, side of face. It looks like he has been scratching. From first glance it looks like demodex mange which is fully treatable. … Cole is already neutered and extremely loving.What a sweet face!”
To ask about helping with 4-Legged Helpers, email Laura at [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ART, VEGAS & A REDBIRD
While I was looking up info about the SPCA’s Kitten Shower, I spotted this guy Art, one of the SPCA dogs waiting for a home. He’s a rescue — horrible situation and he was saved. And now he’s got that happy face and he’s waiting. You can see a video of Art by clicking HERE. Only dog I've ever seen named "Art." Seems to fit. …
Ever misread a subject line? On Tuesday I looked at the stack of email and read “Cheap Vega Vacations” and immediately began to curse General Motors for bringing back an even cheaper version of that 1970s disaster, the Chevrolet Vega. Turns out the subject line really read: “CHEAP VEGAS VACATIONS.” Nothing to do with Chevy Vegas. Yeah, I’m still sore about that automotive investment I made. Here’s a “Worst Car” story supporting my experienced opinion. ...
AND, in a weatherish time of year, I stepped onto the front porch in late afternoon Tuesday and captured my favorite Redbird powering up to soar in the wind! I’m not sure how old he is — probably a decade at least — but he’s still a happily flying Cardinal. And he is always welcome in our front porch flower bed. This takes a second to connect and load. Turn your volume up and click HERE.
—- Offer wing tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “MISSING AUGUST YET, SPRINGBOY?” in the subject line. —-