EDITION OF MONDAY, MAY 8, 2022 [PetPowellPress] OK, so it’s Monday. At least we’re not covered in a sheet of snow and ice or the ash of an unexpected volcano that suddenly showed up like a pre-radar springtime thunderstorm.
The rising temps are not an indication of developing volcanic conditions. I’m almost sure. Probably a result of the political climate.
HEADS UP DALLAS RESIDENTS,
FANS OF PUPPIES AND KITTENS
This is the week, according to the Dallas City Council agenda, that there may be a chance that by the end of council-meeting on Wednesday, the city will have banned the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores.
You’ve probably read or seen stories about puppies and kittens -- produced in "mills" -- found in bad shape because of lousy treatment in stores. Probably heard of, seen or participated in protests at stores alleged to be not-quite-proper caregivers for baby animals.
The proposed ordinance is #39 on the agenda. So, there’s NO WAY of telling you what time the council — meeting starts at 11 a.m. — will get to a vote or discussion or argument on that item.
When you go to this City Secretary Link and scroll down the agenda to # 39, you’ll see this description:
“39. 22-989 An ordinance amending Chapter 7, ‘Animals,’ of the Dallas City Code by amending Sections 7-1.1, 7-4.2, 7-4.5 7-4.10, and 7-8.1; (1) prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats at pet stores; (2) providing a penalty not to exceed $500; providing a saving clause; (3) providing a severability clause; and (4) providing an effective date. Financing: No cost consideration (see Fiscal Information)
Attachments: Ordinance.”
Click on THIS LINK TO THE CITY and, if my computering skills held up, you’ll reach it. If not, go to that city agenda link and item #39 and you can link from there. You’ll see that groups that have adoption sites in pet stores are not regarded as violators of this potential law.
So, Readlarrypowell.com clicked on the Dallas Animal Services link and among the boatload of grown up dogs awaiting a home is that 8-year-old, lop-eared, bright-eyed girl named Rosie. She’s A1146294 at the shelter. She’s described as a 63-pound Catahoula Leopard Dog.
And, you’ve probably also noticed three of the DAS felines available for adoption.
As the note says on the DAS website, “Pets are FREE to adopt until further notice and all pets adopted from DAS will leave the building spayed or neutered, microchipped, and current on vaccinations.”
Geezalou, Dallas residents, stop creating shelter overload!
[LARRY ASIDE: As I was finishing this note, my office cat William jumped onto the desk and was sitting on my mousepad. I reached over to pet him and thought about how great it felt to have the little guy around to talk to or hug or just scratch his ears and say something sweet to him. Same feeling occurs when I reach down to pet the dog snoozing beside my chair. Porche in this case today. People who can’t fathom the joy in a cat or dog are really missing out on a comforting companionship. Lots of dogs and cats in that Dallas Animal Services Shelter. Sure could use some humans with lovingly active hearts.]
CECE AND PRECIOUS —
TWO DOGS WAITING
We learned about these two dogs years ago — OK, maybe just months ago. But the rub is they’re still waiting and the astonishing thing is they each come with a $275 donation to the 501c3 rescue that’ll take either or both in. Plus, if you're not a rescue, but your a good human, you can probably work out an adoption of one of these babies if you just get in touch with 4-Legged Helpers.
The contact points are email cat_girl_ [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726. You can keep up with 4-Legged Helpers’ attempts to help get animals out of small, low-traffic shelters by monitoring the Facebook site HERE.
Cece, the Bulldog mix girl, is a friendly girl — an ex-stray— who is described as “extremely sweet” and it is said she “follows the ACO around” — adorably. Plus she likes children. And hanging out with male dogs, so, the Helpers’ note says, “she should do fine in a home with a boy dog.”
Precious is that “Bull Terrier Mix Girl” with the ears that go pointy or flop —depending on the mood. Her bio reads that she is a “VERY SWEET girl that desperately needs someone. Little cutie pie. Cute as can be.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Both Cece and Precious already have their shelter-given DHPP shots, the Helpers say. They just need a reliable human to make their lives wonderful. Doesn’t take all that much to give a dog a wonderful life — you just pet ‘em, feed ‘em, talk to ‘em and present them with a big chunk of your heart and soul. It is a privilege to have a dog as a friend/family member.]
MEANWHILE, MESQUITE HAS
THESE DARLINGS WAITING
Look at this guy Walker. He’s all dawg, isn’t he.
We get his story from Mesquite Animal Services Volunteer Dog Biographer Debra Chisholm. Her report begins, “Let me introduce you to Walker, a mixed-breed boy who arrived on 5/2 at the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray. Walker weighs 52 pounds, is about 4 years old and is not neutered. After you've spent any amount of time with him, you will discover what a sweetheart he is.
“He is friendly and has a low-key nature. He likes treats and takes them gently. He doesn't seem to know any commands. Walker has a chill manner, is well-behaved, calm and gentle. He doesn't jump on you. He walks well on a leash but is a bit of a puller. He did not react to the other dogs when walked through the bay. He pottied immediately when he arrived in the yard for his photo session. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy stretching his legs and exploring the yard. Walker did not seem interested in balls or toys. He would seem best suited for a quiet and orderly household and of course he wants to live inside with his peeps.”
Walker is #50091541 To ask about him, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]
Also at Mesquite is Romina (#49208960), a 2-year-old, 45-pound, spayed mixed breed surrendered to the shelter on May 2. “Owners stated that she lived both in and
outdoors and that she is OK with dogs and children, however she stated that Romina is high energy and does jump on people and might not be a good fit for a family with very young children.”
Debra found that Romina “walks well on a leash. She has an outgoing and confident personality. Romina is playful and enjoys toys. She is friendly and likes attention. She also likes treats and takes them gently.” Same contact points at the shetler and use her ID.
Same connections routine for Ranger (#50084823), the “handsome German Shepherd” who weighs in at 87 pounds is 2-year-old and not neutered — came in as a stray on April 30 . Debra’s report reads, “There is so much to like about Ranger. He is confident, trusting, well-behaved and calm. He doesn't jump on you. Ranger knows the sit and paw commands. He loves treats and will happily sit for as long as you will dispense them. He walks beautifully on a leash and I did not detect any aggression toward other dogs. He pottied outside so is possibly house-trained. He is active and alert and has a moderate activity level. Ranger is friendly and has such a sweet nature. He appears to have had owners who have worked with hi and cared well for him and therefore it is puzzling that they have not come for him. He's become a staff and volunteer favorite.”
And there’s this senior fellow, Cedric, a maybe 7-year-old, 65-pounder who came in as a stray on May 1. Debra says she “found him to be a delightfully sweet boy who is well-behaved, calm and gentle with a low activity level. He is friendly and enjoys attention. He likes treats and takes them gently. He has a mellow personality. Cedric walks very nicely on a leash. When led through the bay he did not react to the other dogs who were barking
at him. He knows the sit command. He has the appearance of being a dog who has lived outside. If you have a special place in your heart for seniors, this may be the dog for you.” He’s #50088334 — use that ID when you call the
shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] quite.com.
See more Mesquite animals by clicking on the shelter’s website HERE. This link brought to you in honor of the dogs and cats waiting in the shelter, including this fellow we’ve cited several times previously. This is 3-years-nearly-9-months-old Milo, a big gray Domestic Shorthair mix who knows how to lounge in a proper cat bed.
IF IT’S TUESDAY,
THE FRIENDS HAVE NEEDS
Yep, the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake are traditionally very busy on Tuesdays. That’s they day they do the surgical work in what we have come to regard as the “World’s Most Successful Spay/Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas.”
We got a note from our longtime Friends of the Animals tipster Sydney Busch about things the clinic needs.
The list includes: distilled water (gallon bottles), bleach, isopropyl alcohol (70%) and 8-inch cable ties. Plus, Sydney wrote with her famed sense of humor, “Cases of drinking water for our hard-working, thirsty volunteers. And cases of soft drinks for our hard-working etc. etc.”
You can take those items to the clinic on “any Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 4:00ish,” Sydney writes. Or deliver them on the second Saturday of the money from 9:30 a.m. to noon. And, you may also call 214-808-4701 or 903-451-4701 and arrange a “drop off” or “meet up.” [LARRY FYI: Gun Barrel City is southeast of Dallas — a nice drive, the roads are paved and there are places for humans to dine. You may even decide to move there and become a “Friend of the Animals."]
CONTEMPLATIONS
A SYSTEM, SOME HISTORY
Call this an impromptu tribute to a system. As you know, Dear Readers, we keep up with many of the adorable adoptables at Mesquite Animal Services because of the devoted work of volunteer dog biographers Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown. HINT, HINT to any animal shelter that doesn’t know how to properly use volunteers: These big-hearted people, i.e., unpaid volunteers!, can help honorably reduce the shelter population and also bring more visitors to your facility — unless you don’t want visitors, of course — and I fear that’s the case with some small shelters run by city councils who see animals as nuisances and not blessings. Yep, that happens. …
While looking up events of May 9 on the Holiday Insights calendar page, we were reminded that on that date in 1869, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads pounded the “Golden Spike” into the tracks at Promontory Summit, Utah — making rail travel transcontinental; in 1886, John Styth Permerton, an Atlanta pharmacist, invented Coca Cola syrup; the lawnmower was patented in the U.S.; and — one more note — in 1960, the FDA OK’D “The Pill.” Yep, the Birth Control Pill. Launched an industry of wise cracks by comics and plots and plot twists for film and television. And, of course, real life — launched what became known as “The Sexual Revolution.” Anybody else remember that?
—- Offer ideas or profit-making plots by clicking on ‘comment below or bey emailing [email protected] and put “IT’S THE 21ST CENTURY, KNUCKLEHEAD” in the subject line. —-
