EDITION OF FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 [PetPowellPress] Earlier, readlarrypowell.com had lamented its inability to snap a photo of the Strawberry Moon over the sprawling Texas spread we operate in Lone Star style. [LARRY ASIDE: We must have acreage can cattle I don't know about — how else can I explain that tax bill?]
Moving back to the lunar topic: The cattle sent an emissary, Loyd the Goat (an attorney), up to the ranch-house to ask one question he’d scribbled on a napkin that had blown into the pasture. “Why aren’t we seeing that Strawberry Moon in our sky?” Our explanation was “Clouds and Sahara Sand obscure the view.” Nothing sadder than — picture this — a herd of dairy cattle standing around and trying to look straight up in the middle of the night. Legend has it that one of their ancestors once jumped over the moon. Legend.
Get a load of this photo. Isn't that something!As many a Lone Star newsman has done since the invention of the telegraph, we relied on authoritative sources on the East Coast, specifically in the Big Apple over which the Big Moon has been majestic. Moonjestic, in fact. And our cattle sent a thank-you note referring to this photograph as “Moooojestic.” Bottom line: We are quite enchanted by the photo and the details of the Strawberry Moon.
That photograph -- we'll cite the photographer shortly -- is presented thanks to the diligent work of our Readlarrypowell.com Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher, the veteran print and broadcast journalist who has gathered news while covering the Pope in America, the Olympics, major league baseball and many other notable stories and events. As you know, Andy and Annie Fisher live in the Eastern Seaboard Bureau Complex on Indian Lake in Denville, N.J., in the home of Chloe the Cat. That is Chloe, a rescued feline, posing while working on her home-furnishings cable show, Chloe’s Comforts.
As NASA once said, "Back to the moon." Among Andy’s former colleagues in the broadcast industry is the man who photographed the moon for this edition of our humble website. Our thanks go to Andy for lining up a lunar portrait.
Andy tells us “
The wonderful moon photograph is the work of, Andy wrote, "Bill Diehl, ABC Radio entertainment correspondent, Society of Silurians [Press Club] board member, Andy-Annie wedding guest, and former WNEW colleague. It was taken from his 32nd-floor apartment on New York's elegant Upper East Side.”
The moon picture indicates there may be some truth to the theory that New York City is the best vantage point in the known universe. Readlarrypowell.com is grateful for Mr. Diehl’s photograph of the Strawberry Moon 2022. As as all working journalists may suspect, the usual check is in the mail.
[LARRY FYI: That last photo (I took it Thursday night) is what an empty sky looks like over the trees in the neighborhood of our Cowtown sprawl.. Now and then you might see a Guernsey practicing high jumps in a t-shirt that reads "Jump the Moon For Grandpa." I'll try to snap a photo.]
THE DOWN-TO-EARTH BEAUTY
OF ZEKE THE BC/CD MIX
OK, we’ll admit to being nuts about Border Collies and Border Collie mixes since childhood and our tri-color traditional beauty Queenie. Having confessed to that, on Friday morning we found another incredibly beautiful dog thanks to our pal, Mesquite volunteer dog biographer Judi Brown.
Judi put it best in her opening sentence: “If you’re looking for a medium size, handsome dog that will stop people in their tracks when you’re walking him take a look at at these pictures of Zeke.”
Really! Look at that coat and then smile when you see that fantastic tail! The genes were all in the right place for this guy.
Zeke is a 2-year-old, 64-pound Border Collie/Cattle Dog mix — came in as a stray on the 11th. [LARRY ASIDE: Nobody has come looking for him — you’d think somebody would miss seeing this beautiful dog around the house!]
Judi writes, “Their loss is your gain as he’s an absolute jewel. When I went into his kennel I was met with tail wags. Walking through the bay he went nose to nose with some of the smaller dogs and appeared to be intimidated by the large dogs that were barking at him. I did not notice any aggression but we always suggest if you have another dog to have the shelter do a dog test. He walked very well on the leash. As soon as he got out into the yard he did his business. A kennel tech told me that he keeps his kennel clean... an indication he’s probably housebroken. At first, other than to do his business, he stayed real close to me, but as he became more comfortable with me he started to perk up and actually frolicked around the yard. He seemed very happy!”
Judi says he’s well-mannered, will sit and “give his paw”, was iffy about the treats, retrieves thrown balls and “definitely wants to please." She also wrote, “He liked having his ears scratched and as reward I was given some gentle kisses!!! There’s just nothing not to like about this handsome boy with a big fluffy tail! Run don’t walk to come meet him or tag him.” She also says that he knows where the air-conditioning is. When he got fed up with the heat, he stood by the door and waited for someone who could reach the door handle to take the hint!
Want to ask about Zeke. Refer to him by his number, ID# 50408166 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmes- quite.com.
See more Mesquite adorable adoptables by clicking to the shelter’s website HERE. Among the many kittens — emphasis on “many” — is this girl Carrie, #50237118. She’s a “Domestic Shorthair/Mix” who arrived at the shelter on May 20 — she’s probably around 2 months old. [LARRY ASIDE: she appears to enjoy having her ears scratched. Could have been a one-day mood or a lifetime habit. Depends on the human hand.]
ONE MORE CASH WRAP-UP
FOR THIS WEEK IN ANIMALS
As you may know/suspect, readlarrypowell.com holds rescuers and advocates in high esteem. They’re determined people with big hearts.
Among them, the 4-Legged Helpers. They keep hustling on behalf of animals “stored” in low-traffic, low- budget, low-attention smaller shelters.
Now and then there’s a break on behalf of the animals.
You may recognize those kittens — the black and white is Skyler and the big-eyed tabby is Taffy. They came into the Ferris Shelter with Benjamin, the adult boy orange cat who may be their father. And after they arrived, another kitten, Braydon, came in.
The good folks at one of our favorite groups, Richardson Humane Society, took Benjamin and Braydon via the Helpers. Our Helpers tipster Laura Macias told us, “Benjamin is such a lover kitty, he just sat on the seat next to the transporter and chilled. He is a great kitty! So HAPPY for him.”
Now, for these other animals still on the Helpers’ radar, call or text the helpers at 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@ yahoo.com.
but there are some new donations for other small-shelter dwellers.
And we’ve written about them before, so you can see their bios by scrolling down or by going to the 4-Legged Helpers Inc. Facebook page.
There’s a $175 donation to the 501c3 rescue that’ll take in Bella, the Earhound! And a $400 donation on behalf of the “very sweet little girl” Precious (right).
Chance, who was abandoned at a boarding facility more than a year ago, has a $125 donation for a 501c3. Chad is lined up for a $300 donation. Same for Ranger, the dog who was found near a gun range and had a
broken leg — healthy now.
And that brings us to a recent arrival in Ferris, this boy Jax.
He’s a Jack Russell Terrier Mix, the shelter says.
The Helpers’ bio says he was “found out and about on his own.
"He is very sweet and gentle. Very well behaved. Great little boy.”
Contact the Helpers to ask about helping Jax or adopting him.
CONTEMPLATIONS
MONEY, COFFEE AND KEYBOARDS...
As I wrapped up a pro bono writing/editing project this week, I thought of the quote from Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), the noted British writer. In some professions, he’s most famous for having said, “No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.” I don’t have a lasting quote, but try this, “Let’s go to a bar—you can buy me a drink.” Relax, with inflation who can afford to drink enough to get looped. …
I’m working on my second keyboard today. The one I usually use caught about a slop-and-a-half of decaf (about two spoonfuls) when I fumbled my special cup this morning and tipped the open spout toward the left side of the moisture-sensitive apparatus. Good thing I didn't get into medical school. At least I wasn’t electrocuted and I still had enough coffee left to sip while the keyboard dried. The keyboard I’m using now? It’s the one with all the letters worn off the keys. Fortunately I remember where most of the letters are. That’s a photo of a typewriter from the previous century — looks like those in the newsroom of the first paper I worked for back in 1965. You could pour all the coffee you wanted into that keyboard and it wouldn’t stop.
GENERATIONAL NOTE: Ever miss finishing off a line of type and then reaching up to throw the carriage? If you’re old enough to remember that, why, bless your heart. You had to be coordinated to “throw the carriage” without sticking the keys before you’d start the next line. First thing I learned in the newsroom was “Don’t put your Coke bottle on the right side of the carriage — one healthy throwing of the carriage and you’d send Coke spewing all over the newsroom. Important lesson for a reporter: Don’t do anything stupid in public. And here I am confessing to pouring hot decaf into an electronic keyboard. Even the cats winced when the dogs and I howled in disgust.
—- Offer animal advice or keyboard clean-out methods by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com and put COOL MOON in the subject line. —-