THE NEVER-ENDING CHALLENGES FACING DOGS, CATS AND PEOPLE WHO HUSTLE FOR THEM...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022 [PetPowellPress] OK, ladies and gents, here we are trying to type sentences that make sense in an effort to, repeating a phrase “make sense” of the world — one little bit at a time. So, we’ll start with “Save ‘em all” and “Spay and neuter” and send me your lucky Lotto Texas numbers. OK, I’ll settle for 2 out of 3 and never mind those numbers. I’m working on a novel that’ll be made into a hit film and be so popular that Disney will want to convert it into an amusement park. Make sense. Right? Hah.
FORMERLY ‘FAT BOY,’ HE’S
GETTING BETTER TOMMY
We’ve featured this guy before, but he’s due an update and it comes from our pal Judi Brown, volunteer dog biographer at Mesquite Animal Services’ shelter. (She and volunteer colleague Debra Chisholm keep readlarrypowell.com in-the-know on dogs who deserve a home.)
Tommy used to be called Fat Boy — he’s #49786094. He’s a 5-year-old Lab/Terrier mix who was “seized with his mom and three puppies (2 have bene adopted).” And, Judi says, he’s gone from “scared, timid to tail-wagging, kissing love bug!” And he’s rescue only — read on. And you can see in that photo how fast his tail is wagging — too quick for the camera to catch it being still!
Judi writes, “Some of you who have been around for a long time will remember the saying ‘I’ve come along way baby!’ This definitely applies to Tommy … came in on 3/17 as a seized custody/cruelty case due to extreme emaciation. He came in with (5-year-old Retriever mix) Baby Girl who now goes by Midge (#49786767, rescue only, colorful coat...). He also came in with three puppies. Only Calypso (#49786114, 8-month-old adoptable sister) is left. The other two puppies have been adopted. 
“Tommy will be Rescue Only, at least for the time being. He will need slow/scheduled feedings. He has sores on both front paws that appear to be healing. He also has slight hair loss and dandruff due to poor diet. When I did the evaluation on Tommy a week ago all he wanted to do was hide. He was extremely timid. With a lot of attention from the staff and volunteers he’s made a complete turnaround. You can probably see ... that his tail is wagging. He appears happy and has forgiven the people that let him get in such bad shape. When I sat down he came to me to have his ears scratched  and even put his paws on my lap. I got lots of kisses. He walks well on a leash. The surrender form said that he is housebroken and gets along with other dogs and children. Last week he weighed 40 pounds. He’s now up to 42 pounds. He’s a very gentle, calm, friendly boy that deserves a loving home. He has so much love to give.”

To ask about any of these dogs, use their ID numbers hwen you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. And see more available dogs and cats by clicking on the shelter link HERE. We rarely point out available cats who are labeled “feral” but with cats, you never know “how feral” the feline might be. This beauty came in on March 26 — #49847454. The shelter says the cat hasn’t been declawed, is small, is a year-and-a-half old, is small, is “fixed” and, yet, gender is listed as “unknown” on the bio. If this cat is “fixed” and doesn’t have a clipped ear, then, maybe the kitty hasn’t always been “feral.” Might just need a careful loving hand to revive that “housecat” nature. [LARRY REMINDER: Save ‘em all.]
AND THEN THERE’S THIS STORY:

CHLOE, THE NEARLY BLIND DOG
Our pal, the animal advocate Dianne Cole Hall, tipped us to this post on the Cane Rosso Rescue Facebook page HERE.
This adorable photo is among several posted on that site. And the story reads that Chloe “our sweet blind girl is seriously AMAZING!!
She loves each and every one she meets (in case you couldn’t tell from her pic)…from people (both big and small) to dogs & even cats, 
“Chloe adores them all! After spending so much time alone having lived in an office building for years before coming to us, it’s time this special girl finally find her forever family and be doted on & spoiled every moment from here on out.”

The story says Chloe’s total vision is in only one eye and it’s limited. But, her bio reads, she “doesn’t let her lack of sight slow her down or dampen her spirits one bit - she truly loves life, it’s contagious when you’re around her! She’s a petite Lab mix at 41 lbs … fully housebroken with great manners, rides well in the car, ADORES people & other animals and loves playing with the housemates at her foster home! Chloe is in a temp foster home and needs a new place to go by the end of March! She’s such a great, deserving dog.”
 Apply to adopt Chloe HERE .
SMALL SHELTERS HOLDING
ANIMALS NOBODY WANTS?
How is it possible that nobody wants the adorable and well-behaved dogs that have wound up in such shelters as those run by the Cities of Ferris and Glenn Heights and a private animal control in Denton County? All the roads are paved around here. The whole darned state is wired for telephones and computers.
Is there a “Touch This Button To Activate Human Hearts” key that hasn’t been toggled to “on”?
That dog is Connor —I chose that photo because of the cow in the background. The picture was provided by 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit with the mission of helping all these animals in low-traffic, small shelters. 
Connor is about 2 and waiting in Ferris on the southern side of the Metrosprawl. He’s “cute…very loving.”
And he’s a Yellow Lab (maybe a little mixed) and in that photo he’s clearly saying, “Herd a cow? Are you kidding? I’m a Yellow Lab — I mingle with kids, grown ups and maybe ducks now and then. My tail wags!" 

To ask about Connor or any of the animals on the radar of 4-Legged Helpers, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. 

Brianna (flashy neckerchief) and Earhound Cooper are in Ferris also.
And you can see all the animals 4-Legged Helpers is trying to save — this isn’t an exercise in showing off captive dogs, it’s an effort to save their lives — by clicking to the non-profit Helpers’ FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.
Yeah, that’s a photo of a Glenn Heights dog — Precious.
She’s on the Helpers’ Facebook page.
Yep, she needs a loving home. Ask the Helpers.
CONTEMPLATIONS
A QUOTE, A DAY AND A TUNE
Years ago, at a pro-animal reception in Dallas, I got to meet the great Lily Tomlin. I was reminded of that warm-hearted human when I clicked onto the Cane Rosso Rescue website Tuesday morning and found an inspirational quote from animal advocate/actress Lily Tomlin: “I said, ‘Somebody should do something about that.’ Then I realized I am somebody.”  She has "done something" for many animals. And, I do have many favorite Lily Tomlin performances — in film, one of her best, as Margo Sterling in 1977’s The Late Show with Art Carney! (Look him up, kids.) …

Oh, boy, here’s a combo for you. Holiday Insights, the online calendar, lists March 29 as both “National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day” and “Smoke and Mirrors Day.” As in, “Hey, how are y’all keepin’ the store open in this business climate?” “Smoke and mirrors,” replies Mom bitterly while Pop goes to buy Lotto Texas tickets one more time. They don’t run a gas station. …

Does a day — the feel of it, the temperature, the sun — ever remind you of a day in your distant past? How about music for illumination and recollection? We turn to Sly & the Family Stone. Click HERE as Texas Spring feels like summer.
— Offer philosophy or funk by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing [email protected] and put GROW UP, TEENBOY in the subject line. —-