EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022 [PetPowellPress] What is the worst habit you have retained from your teenage years? Changing lanes without signaling? Drinking coffee first thing in the morning? Soothing your nerves with a platter of nachos and extra jalapenos? Well, so much for confession. Maybe more in Contemplations. Let’s talk critters.
[REMINDER FROM WILLIAM POWELL: Hello, I am Office Cat William Powell. I am not always this wide awake, but for this promotional event, I agreed to wake from my lap nap and flash my eyes in hopes of inspiring animal people to send us photos of your companion animals. Email photos of your slumbering critters (awake, too) to [email protected] and include a bio — I'm told we need pictures to populate this weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Does this tightwad pay? Hah. Have you seen a news story that says “North Texas Goofball Wins Lotto Texas”? Thanks, Willie the Office Cat.]
SO, YOU SEE, FULL SHELTERS
INSPIRED A BISSELL PROJECT
We got a news release from the SPCA of Texas revealing that it would be participating in the May 2-8 “Empty the Shelters” project of the Bissell Pet Foundation (Yep, it’s linked to the famed 140- something-years old vacuum cleaner company — founder and leader of BPF is Cathy Bissell who also is the Director of Corporate Affairs for BISSELL Inc.
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The SPCA release begins, “As shelters across the country face overcrowding and increased length of stay, BISSELL Pet Foundation is aiming to ‘Empty the Shelters’ by sponsoring reduced adoption fees from May 2-8. This event will be hosted in more than 275 shelters in 40 states…”
How will this work at the SPCA? During May 2-8, the SPCA’s Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas and the SPCA Ellis County Animal Care center in Fort Worth will offer “adopters an opportunity to draw for their adoption fees, which will range from $0 to $25.” And during May 6-8, adoptors can draw for reduced adoption fees at the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center and animals available in foster homes will be featured at the Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center.”
The SPCA has many animals available right now. You can see them at spcafindapet.com.
That handsome guy Apollo? Well, we’ve posted his photo many times before — you may remember that upside-down mugshot of this handsome dog. He’s # 41469749 at the SPCA and is 4 years, 8 months old and weighs around 44 pounds. dHe’s currently with a foster dad — and he’s also in the “foster-to-adopt program.” The SPCA has an few upright photos of this great dog. He came into the SPCA “as part of a cruelty case in February 2019.”
And, the SPCA reports, “He had a long journey to recovery, but with patience, love, and an awesome foster dad, Apollo has flourished into the goofy, loyal pup you see today!” In fact, he’s “a very charismatic guy and never forgets his friends.”
Stormie the Cat (#46425706) is just over 2 years old and is a small girl currently in SPCA foster care. Like Apollo, she came into the SPCA because of a cruelty case. Arriving with the new year 2020, she was challenged by being “pretty scared.” In foster care she has become more of a household treasure. Her foster wrote, “I love how she has improved during her time with me. She came to me very fearful and would always try to hide, but by being here with my cats she became more confident and curious in my home. Occasionally she'll even jump up next to me on my side table.”
You can read more about the Bissell Empty the Shelters project by clicking HERE . And, you can see these charts of the SPCA’s population at spca.org.
AND THE SMALL SHELTERS
HAVE BIG PRESSURE, TOO
Ever look at a dog and ask, “Why is that dog not in a home?” Well, ask that about Austin and you’ll learn that he was in a home. Our tipsters, the 4-Legged Helpers, report, “Sadly, someone had some things happen where they just are no longer able to keep him. He is a wonderful, well-socialized dog. So Sweet.” Austin is a grown, 55-pound Boxer mix in need of a loving home.
As you can see, he has a sense of humor when it comes to posing for the camera.
He is one of many dogs who has the attention and the rescue efforts of 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit that focuses on small shelters.
To ask about helping Austin or any animal connected to the Helpers, email [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.
Noelle’s story is a bit troublesome, too. Her bio reads, “Noelle has big beautiful eyes that would melt anyone's heart. They are just gorgeous. Some of you might remember Noelle. She was a little baby around Christmas time and someone adopted her from the Ferris Shelter. Sadly, the people live on a farm, and she apparently has a bit of bird dog in her, and LOVES the chickens just a little too much if you know what we mean. Other than that they said she is a perfect little sweetie pie that is very loving. Only about 7-8 months old. She appears to possibly a bit of Beagle in her - she is a nice size - smaller than a medium. She is such a little sweetie pie.” [LARRY ASIDE: Clearly she needs to go to a place that doesn’t have chickens! And does have loving hearts.]
We’ll also mention Will again — he’s that one-eyed dog, a former Waxahachie stray we mentioned a few days ago. The Helpers are still trying to find a great and loving home for a dog they describe as “honestly the best boy ever. Just cute and lovable and adores everyone and everything.”
The Helpers continue to work on behalf of Cece, the Bulldog mix, and Precious, the lady-like Bull Terrier/Bulldog Mix. Donations are available to help a rescue who’ll tag these dogs.
You can keep up with 4-Legged Helpers’ rescue effort by following these dedicated animal folks on Facebook HERE.
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE
THERE ARE SOME DOLLS!
The first two animal tips come from volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm and the second two are from volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown. They are both working volunteers at the Mesquite Animal Services Shelter.
Cali is an Aussie Cattle Dog mix (could be an Earhound mix). She came in as a stray on April 9. And, Debra writes, “Her owners were contacted and opted not to reclaim her because she escapes. Apparently their fence or gate is not secure and she was able to get out and yet they chose not to do what was necessary to keep her safe and secure inside her yard. Cali weighs 41 pounds, is approx 11 months old and is spayed. There's a lot to like about this exuberant pup. Cali is a fun-loving, tail wagging, happy-go-lucky girl with an outgoing and confident personality.”
Cali is #48737876 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Use those contact numbers when you contact the shelter about #49966777, known as “Darcy.” (Same procedure for these other Mesquite animals, too.)
Darcy’s a 2-year-old, 54-pound “sweet easy-going, tail-wagging Terrier mix who," Debra writes, “picked up by one of our officers as a stray on 4/13… She appears to have been well cared-for and yet here she is at a city shelter with her owners not showing up to reclaim.”
Debra says that “during the photo shoot she seemed most interested in scouting out the yard rather than chasing balls, playing with toys or interacting much with me. However she is a friendly girl who enjoys receiving loving attention. … She likes and takes treats gently though doesn't sit for them. She pottied in the yard. Darcy has an athletic build and would probably love going for walks and getting daily playtime and exercise!”
Judi wrote the report on Casey (#49971939), the “Catahoula Leopard mix with one blue eye, one brown eye.” He’s around 3 years old, weighs 51 pounds, already fixed and came in as a stray on the 14th. Judi writes, “He’s very alert and curious and spent time exploring the yard with his nose. After he did that he decided to hang out with me. He’s very friendly, outgoing, loving, and playful. He gives kisses. He wanted to please but didn’t seem to know what I wanted him to do when I asked him to sit. He does like treats so should be easy to train. He had a strong pull on the leash in order to get outside to do his business. He did go nose to nose with several of the dogs in the bay and ignored the ones that were barking at him. … He’s a good boy that should do really well with an active family. He would like nothing better than to come in after a nice walk and snuggle up in his own bed by your feet.”
Judi also provides the profile of Peaches (#39919939). She is, Judi writes, “as sweet as she looks and as sweet as her name implies. She’s a 4-year-old, 40-pound Terrier Pit mix that came to Mesquite Animal Shelter on 4/12 as a stray. She’s white with brown spots and freckles. She’s got a cute face, perky ears and a welcoming grin. She’s really adorable! When I first entered her kennel she was all wiggles and wags with lots of enthusiasm. I guess she was really happy for some extra attention. I must admit I thought she would probably be a handful, but as soon as she got out into the yard she completely calmed down. She was even somewhat timid. She flinched a few times when I reached for her. She’s affectionate and well-mannered. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She was not interested in chasing a ball but liked the stuffed toys. She entertained herself with them. When I sat down she came to me and tried to crawl on my lap. She just wants to be loved on! … This is one cutie pie that is looking for a loving family. She’s got lots of love to give you. She would love to curl up at your feet in her own bed while you’re watching TV.”
Remember, use the ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
See more available Mesquite animals by clicking on the “Animals-in-the-Shelter” site HERE. Lots of dogs and cats.
In fact, this is one of the healthiest lookin’ barn cats readlarrypowell has ever seen. That boy is known as Spot, he’s #49927726 and he’s in the feral room at Mesquite Animal Services. The shelter says he’s just over 2 years old and weighs in as “large.” He came in on April 7. [LARRY ASIDE: Could be he’s not all that social; might be he’s just waiting for the right person to help him shake that “feral” tag. We live with a formerly feral kitten at our house — he’s come around like he was up for a movie part in The World’s Beast Cuddler. I’m no expert but, yeah, sometimes cats evolve in the care of a loving human. Might just take time and patience and a steady meal schedule.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
DAYS, STARS AND FOLK MUSIC
According to the calendar-keepers at Holiday Insights online, April 20 is Volunteer Recognition Day (Yes! Cheers for the Volunteers — we know how important they are in the animal world!) and it also is “Look Alike Day.” I mention that because I am the father of twins who a half-century after their births, continue to look alike. They’re probably looking alike right now — they usually roll their eyes and shake their heads when they catch me being fatherly sappy. …
After decades of watching Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Tom Snyder’s Tomorrow, Late Night With David Letterman, I find myself watching no late shows. Came to me last night as I watched a nocturnal talk show for the first time in months. Why the change in viewing? Shows not interesting? Maybe. Except for Monday night’s Julia Roberts appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. …
Alas, I still miss The Dick Cavett Show and its devotion to writers and counter-culture types. Of course, what was counter-culture in the ‘60s is current culture today. I need to fray the cuffs on my jeans, re-grow my pony tail, re-lace my Chukka Boots and find a VW minivan to rehab and travel the nation in while earning money by playing a cheap guitar and singing songs that make no sense in 2022. Three chords and a series of badly sung notes — yeah, I could be a folksinger. I’d never try to be Peter, Paul nor Mary but here’s one of their songs you may enjoy this particular day in April. CLICK TUNEFULLY HERE.
— Offer harangues or help by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] and put DROP THAT GUITAR NOW in the subject line. —-