SPRINGTIME ARRIVES AND WE HAVE DOGS AND CATS -- ONE HOUSE HAS A BACKYARD SKUNK

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 [PetPowellPress] Seems like almost a normal springtime — the Texas Rangers are playing baseball in Arizona, there’s a threatening weather forecast in the vicinity of the Metrosprawl. And we’re all waiting for a summer blockbuster film — waiting until 2023 for Indiana Jones 5 or whatever it'll be called. While we wait for post-pandemic Hollywood to catch up and rediscover the movie fans that still like theaters, let’s move along with some animal opportunities on Planet Earth.
THE SISTERS THAT ARRIVED
WITH THEIR LONG TAILS…
Oh, who knows where to start with stories of dogs that are labeled “stray”? Humans let them down? Fence design let them down? As readlarrypowell has frequently noted, “Some dogs are just too clever for their own good.”

But, here we are with the sisters Amber and Autumn. They’re in the Mesquite Animal Shelter and we learned of them from our tipster, the volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. The dogs arrived on March 10. Neither has a docked tail and they appear to be Boxer mixes — they’re both about 4 years old.
Of Amber, Judi writes that she “has expressive eyes that look like they’re lined with eyeliner. She also looks like she’s worried. She probably is because she’s got a lot of love to give so she’s hoping for a loving family that will love her back! … She’s got beautiful reddish gold coloring along with sad eyes. After spending time with her I get the feeling that she has not received the care she deserves. She didn’t know the sit command nor did she understand the game of fetch. She’s highly motivated by treats so should be easy to train. She takes treats gently. She wanted to please. When I tried to get her to sit you could tell she really wanted to understand what I was asking her to do. She stayed close to me and didn’t wander off. She was so happy for extra attention  that she would wiggle and wag!”
While she was “very calm out in the yard,” Amber, 43-pounds, shares a kennel with 40-pound sister Autumn and “they get real rambunctious when they are playing.”
Amber is #49746031. Autumn is #49746036. For these dogs, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 
Autumn, Judi writes, “could use some groceries as her ribs are showing. It was very difficult taking pictures of her because she stayed so close that every time I moved she did and I found myself going around in circles. She just wanted to be close and to be loved on. I get the feeling that she has not had the love she has deserved. Hopefully that will change when she’s either rescued or adopted from the shelter. She attempted to sit for treats and one time she was trying so hard she fell over backwards. She does take treats gently. It’s obvious she wants to please. She did not understand what the throwing the ball thing was all about. That’s something you could teach her.”
BABBAS SPENT YEARS
LIVING ON A CHAIN….
Oh, for crying out loud! We got the tip on this guy Babbas from veteran animal advocate Gayla Geist. The tip sent us to the Saving Hope Rescue site where we learned that this dog’s rescue in Fort Worth came about because the human was violating a law that’s designed to protect animals.
The original message was on the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Facebook page and we were also connected to FWACC volunteer/foster Kristen Barg Morrison’s post on the 18th regarding this dog who, the note read “is terrified and alone at the shelter. Previously lived on a chain for 7 years.”
 You see the dog’s photo. And if you click HERE  (and wait patiently) you will see a quivering dog who absolutely needs a better place to spend his time.
 Babbas is 12, weighs 52 pounds, isn’t neutered. The story reads, “Owner surrendered on 3/10 for inadequate housing.” 
Then there are these “INTAKE NOTES” and they tell an awful story: “Owner release per city ordinance, dog was chained at an abandoned home and owner was cited. Dog is in poor condition and can’t use his back legs properly. Owner claimed that he only began having issues walking after the ice storm. Dog hasn't been socialized and has been kept in poor conditions for about 7 years. Timid and wobbly during intake.”
The message also read, “He wouldn’t move for me. I didn’t push it today. He is going to need a very experienced foster.”
And Saving Hope Rescue stepped up for Babbas and has him. See how to donate to help Babbas get better by clicking on this FACEBOOk link.
 
BUT HANG ON! THERE’S A CAT STORY AT SAVING HOPE RESCUE, TOO.
The Saving Hope Rescue note that accompanied these photos reads: “One day we got a call about 3 cats who were going to be abandoned at a motel by their owner. The cats were in bad shape - underweight, messy fur and terrified. They hadn’t been well cared for in a while. In this condition, they were top candidates for euthanasia at a shelter. 
“With lots of TLC, medical care and amazing fosters, Seurat is ready for his forever home!
“This beautiful marble/tabby Maine Coon mix has an amazingly sweet personality. He will greet guests that come to your home with curiosity. He has a chirpy voice that he will use any time he wants your attention. Seurat is playful and has even proven some serious skills at fetch!! He LOVES his canned food (pate preferred) and can put away 4+ cans a day! He does well with other kitties, as long as they are properly introduced. He should do ok with a gentle dog also if proper introductions. Seurat is between 1-2 years old.
“Apply to adopt and set up an in person or virtual meet and greet: https://savinghoperescue.org/adopt' .”
[LARRY ASIDE: Rescues are filled with miracle workers, aren’t they? If you’ve been around animal issues for a half-hour, you know that the people who sign up to work for rescue groups and volunteer at shelters are earning some pretty shiny halos.]
MEANWHILE IN HOUSTON,
LONGSHOT IS THE TOPIC
This guy, Longshot, looks a lot better now than he did when he came into the care of Red Collar Rescue — the famed Houston non-profit.
On it’s appeal for funding to help the dog, Red Collar Rescue reports, “
Longshot was most likely hit and dragged by a car.  Someone wrapped his bloody, injured body in tape, and dumped him in front of a boarding kennel. Red Collar Rescue received a frantic call for help!  We picked him up, and after seeing the severity of his injuries, headed straight to the ER at Texas A&M small animal hospital.”
As you can see from his bandaging, Longshot has gotten some serious medical care. He appears to be improving. It’ll take some time. Here’s the LINK to help with the bills — maybe even see how to adopt him if someone hasn’t beaten you to him!
CONTEMPLATIONS
SPRING, SKUNK AND OIL CHANGE
Mark this down for 2022: First springtime argument at 2:05 p.m. when Larry walked from his frigid office into the living room to ask, “Is it too cold in here?” I was told that it wasn’t by my comfyspouse Martha. But, I’m typing this with three or four fingers that won’t bend because they’re frozen in place. I swear. I’m sure it’s just my attitude. …

A note on a neighborhood bulletin board page from the Sanford Oaks area read, “Need some advice, please. We have a skunk that has taken up residence under our shed. Just called Animal Control and their new policy is to let a wild animal be wild. How it can be wild in our small backyard is a mystery but there it is. They suggested we call a wild rescue place but can’t seem to find one. Does anyone have any suggestions? We also have a small terrier dog that has to go out there to potty.” And a neighbor advised, “Put mothballs under shed — the skunk will leave.” No tips on how to get the mothballs under there without stirring the skunk to action. …
Anybody else miffed over having to pay around 100 bucks for an oil change on a passenger car? If that oil change price keeps elevating, pretty soon it’ll cost as much to oil your car as it does to fill the gas tank.

—- Offer oil and diet tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put NOTHING’S CHEAP THESE DAYS in the subject line. —-