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A TALE FOR HALLOWEEN BASED ON A REAL AND EERIE EVENT....

[NOTE FROM LARRY: The Typepad system is still having problems, hence, no photos in this early posting. But, once the system is back to 100 percent, we'll have photos...theoretically. My apologies for the shortcomings on this Halloween morning.]

EDITION OF HALLOWEEN, MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2022 [PetPowellPress] I hope you get either all the candy or all the scares you need for a happy Halloween.
That is my personal cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. She’s the on-call cat during any Halloween hijinx whether committed by juvenile delinquent (that still a term?) Earthlings or people who are, as read the title of a 1957 horror film, “Not Of This Earth.”
Which brings us to the topic of scary movies:I don't go to horror films. Real life is scary enough. For example, you’ve seen the shelter counts on intake and adoption vs. intake and the needle since the arrival of the pandemic that came from “somewhere beyond…”
I learned just how scary films could be way back in my childhood when I saw the 1957 Roger Corman film Not of This Earth. Roger Corman is, for those not in the cinema loop, a legendary low-budget/high payoff film director. If I still had any ambitions in regard to being a film director, he’d still be my hero in the field. 
For today’s purposes, we’ll mention him in connection with the theory that people like to get scared at the movies. I don’t.  I’m already an insomniac.
 I don’t need to wake up in the night and see a feline shadow from the eerie 1942 horror film Cat People on the bedroom wall and,  when I regain consciousness, realize that was simply the shadow of my innocent cat Kittie Leigh being cast on the wall by the light from my brightly-lit Kindle because I nodded off while reading. 
Back to Not of This Earth: An actor named Paul Birch portrayed the villain Paul Johnson, a guy in a black business suit,  black hat, fashionable dark sunglasses and no pupils in his eyes. He is on earth to harvest blood to save people of his planet, victims of a nuclear war. How’s that for a Cold War message!?
This character also carries a traditional ‘50s Earthling businessman's briefcase. In it is blood-harvesting equipment.
And in this film, he harvests a lot of blood. When he’d take off the glasses and glares at a victim, the invisible beam from those pupil-less eyes burns out the earthling’s brain. 
This invader also had a “bio-weapon” -- a web-legged big spider-like flying creature who'd descend like a leather hood onto someone's head, wrap its legs around the noggin, then squeeze blood out of the victim’s brain as the man pitched forward onto his desk.
The blood was vivid even if the film was in black and white! That’s how good Roger Corman is.
The movie was released in Feb. 1957 — I probably saw it in the Summer of 1957 when it played the 15-cent-a-ticket second-run Strand Theater in Texarkana, Texas. My year-older pal Barry Birmingham and I saw it one afternoon — I was about to be a 4th grader and I was only 9 years old and wasn’t quite convinced that there were NOT blood-sucking monsters from outer space on Earth. Yeah, hello, Insomnia, my nocturnal companion.
Let me re-emphasize: You see that photo of actor Paul Birch in his businessman’s hat, his sunglasses and carrying a briefcase. That’s what “businessmen” looked like in that era.
Sometimes, later that fall of '57, I walked home after school. It was only 4 blocks up a hill and 4 blocks down the hill. Big danged hill for elementary school.
One afternoon, I took the Wood St. route toward home. And, walking alone, as I got about halfway into that first block, up ahead I saw a man wearing a businessman’s hat and suit and dark glasses and carrying a briefcase. He was on the west side of the street and coming in my direction.
I was relieved he was on the other side of the street. Then, suddenly, he crossed to my side of the street. I immediately crossed to the west side. He walked a little way, then went back to the west side and I quickly switched sides.
We seemed destined to meet.
Then, eerily, he looked at a front door, walked up three or four steps and onto the porch and knocked.
He went inside and I never saw him again. That I know of.  
Look around. I don’t know how he’d be dressed today.
***
In the meantime, save some animals, give them good homes and be careful with your treats and the uneasiness your costume may cause among your animals. Keep your animals restrained or in another room when you open the door to ghosts and goblins and people Not of This Earth.
Here’s a quote from Mr. Birch’s Not of This Earth character Paul Johnson: “In the place from which I come, no person would dare sleep in insecure quarters.”
Why, yes!!! I suppose that DOES sound like Earth 2022. 

—- Offer horror tips or remedies for film-based insomnia by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR NECK?” in the subject line. Happy Halloween and “Save ‘em all!”

A TALE FOR HALLOWEEN BASED ON A REAL AND EERIE EVENT....

[NOTE FROM LARRY: The Typepad system is still having problems, hence, no photos in this early posting. But, once the system is back to 100 percent, we'll have photos...theoretically. My apologies for the shortcomings on this Halloween morning.]

EDITION OF HALLOWEEN, MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2022 [PetPowellPress] I hope you get either all the candy or all the scares you need for a happy Halloween.
That is my personal cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. She’s the on-call cat during any Halloween hijinx whether committed by juvenile delinquent (that still a term?) Earthlings or people who are, as read the title of a 1957 horror film, “Not Of This Earth.”
Which brings us to the topic of scary movies:I don't go to horror films. Real life is scary enough. For example, you’ve seen the shelter counts on intake and adoption vs. intake and the needle since the arrival of the pandemic that came from “somewhere beyond…”
I learned just how scary films could be way back in my childhood when I saw the 1957 Roger Corman film Not of This Earth. Roger Corman is, for those not in the cinema loop, a legendary low-budget/high payoff film director. If I still had any ambitions in regard to being a film director, he’d still be my hero in the field. 
For today’s purposes, we’ll mention him in connection with the theory that people like to get scared at the movies. I don’t.  I’m already an insomniac.
 I don’t need to wake up in the night and see a feline shadow from the eerie 1942 horror film Cat People on the bedroom wall and,  when I regain consciousness, realize that was simply the shadow of my innocent cat Kittie Leigh being cast on the wall by the light from my brightly-lit Kindle because I nodded off while reading. 
Back to Not of This Earth: An actor named Paul Birch portrayed the villain Paul Johnson, a guy in a black business suit,  black hat, fashionable dark sunglasses and no pupils in his eyes. He is on earth to harvest blood to save people of his planet, victims of a nuclear war. How’s that for a Cold War message!?
This character also carries a traditional ‘50s Earthling businessman's briefcase. In it is blood-harvesting equipment.
And in this film, he harvests a lot of blood. When he’d take off the glasses and glares at a victim, the invisible beam from those pupil-less eyes burns out the earthling’s brain. 
This invader also had a “bio-weapon” -- a web-legged big spider-like flying creature who'd descend like a leather hood onto someone's head, wrap its legs around the noggin, then squeeze blood out of the victim’s brain as the man pitched forward onto his desk.
The blood was vivid even if the film was in black and white! That’s how good Roger Corman is.
The movie was released in Feb. 1957 — I probably saw it in the Summer of 1957 when it played the 15-cent-a-ticket second-run Strand Theater in Texarkana, Texas. My year-older pal Barry Birmingham and I saw it one afternoon — I was about to be a 4th grader and I was only 9 years old and wasn’t quite convinced that there were NOT blood-sucking monsters from outer space on Earth. Yeah, hello, Insomnia, my nocturnal companion.
Let me re-emphasize: You see that photo of actor Paul Birch in his businessman’s hat, his sunglasses and carrying a briefcase. That’s what “businessmen” looked like in that era.
Sometimes, later that fall of '57, I walked home after school. It was only 4 blocks up a hill and 4 blocks down the hill. Big danged hill for elementary school.
One afternoon, I took the Wood St. route toward home. And, walking alone, as I got about halfway into that first block, up ahead I saw a man wearing a businessman’s hat and suit and dark glasses and carrying a briefcase. He was on the west side of the street and coming in my direction.
I was relieved he was on the other side of the street. Then, suddenly, he crossed to my side of the street. I immediately crossed to the west side. He walked a little way, then went back to the west side and I quickly switched sides.
We seemed destined to meet.
Then, eerily, he looked at a front door, walked up three or four steps and onto the porch and knocked.
He went inside and I never saw him again. That I know of.  
Look around. I don’t know how he’d be dressed today.
***
In the meantime, save some animals, give them good homes and be careful with your treats and the uneasiness your costume may cause among your animals. Keep your animals restrained or in another room when you open the door to ghosts and goblins and people Not of This Earth.
Here’s a quote from Mr. Birch’s Not of This Earth character Paul Johnson: “In the place from which I come, no person would dare sleep in insecure quarters.”
Why, yes!!! I suppose that DOES sound like Earth 2022. 

—- Offer horror tips or remedies for film-based insomnia by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR NECK?” in the subject line. Happy Halloween and “Save ‘em all!”

FAILED TO LET NAPPING CAT NAP; GOT LOVE BITE ON ANKLE...A TALE OF ADORATION

Ladies and gentlemen and rowdies, too: We’re approaching the end of October, the beginning of November and the only way you’ll be able to tell Thanksgiving is coming is this: By Tuesday morning there won’t be a sign of Halloween in the state — except for the “HALF OFF: Halloween Candy” displays in grocery stores.
Yes, that is a my cat Hastings with what appears to be eerily glowing eyes. We’ll explain shortly. Photo was snapped in the dim light of rainy/stormy Friday morning.
For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Napping Cats Nap, we’re tangling with some technical challenges brought on by “improvements” to the system we pay money to link us to the outside world. By outside world I mean any place that isn’t the International Headquarters of readlarrypowell.com.
Since it is but Oct. 29-30, I’ll confess I’d get my Halloween costume ready for trick-or-treating while typing, but when I went to the King-Sized Ghost & Goblins store to pick it up the clerk said, “Trust me, you don’t need the mask. What you’ve got is scary enough.” I hope you laughed. I laughed. A cat looked at me and bolted out of the room.
OK, back to reality.
 As you can see in that photo above, Hastings has “faux glow,” or “faux glaux” on his forehead. Cutest little spots. He has a huge hairy tail. Gigantic. 
And he’s adorable within reason, only he won’t tell you when the reasoning has expired. He demonstrates it with a nip or a quick paw to the back of the human hand. Sweet. Or something.
Part of the following accounting of an event Friday morning in our very own living room is true. I have the bandages to prove it.
This is the note I wrote to my funspouse Martha to explain how things were going Friday morning.
It began: Do you know what happens if you're typing on a laptop in the darkened living room, watching Doc Martin, and suddenly you move your right foot, not realizing that a maniacal hirsute feline named Hastings has been napping with his head on your shoe?
Here's what happens: First he yowls. Then, fully awake, he applies an "instructive bite" to  your bare ankle. Then, he moves to the side of the chair and, as you have continue typing, he leaps up to the arm of the chair, reaches down with his head and instructively bites another lesson on you just above your right wrist. 
I have sentences being typed, laundry going, a mind that's constantly disorganized and, yet, I have to stop all that to do an old goat-stumble to the bedroom to fetch a tube of antibiotic cream and a couple of bandaids. 
I am, even as this is being typed, healing from the lessons taught by a year-old cat who thinks he owns the world.
In the wake of this event, Hastings is just fine, though he executed occasional “fake spits” to suggest that biting me wasn’t all that tasty. These were more “love nibbles” than bites. You know how adorable cats can be when teaching lessons.

As it was a great morning for sleeping and napping, the other cats didn't stir. Dudley is the only dog awakened by the yowl. He walked over to see me, handed me a "Get Well Soon, Knucklehead! Love, Dudley the Angel” card and went back to sleep on the dining room floor. He likes to flop onto the hardwood.

In the meantime, Wendy, who sleeps on the couch, moved her paws over her eyes and went back to dreamland.
[DEAR READERS: Please send — PLEASE —- stories of your sleeping dogs and napping cats and any other slumbering critter with photos to [email protected] and we’ll post ‘em on readlarrypowell.com in the internationally-read weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people decide to bring homeless animals into a safe place to live. And you’ll be helping insomnias believe they can get some sleep if they’ll just follow Hastings’ example of finding the right non-annoying bare ankle to nuzzle. FYI: That is my incredibly adorable (click on the photo and look at his face!) and wonderfully lovable office cat William Powell — he’s never bitten me. He and I once painted a house together. Hastings and I have no history of a skilled laboring project. He may be an intellectual.]
—- Offer slumbertips or waking poetry by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put SAVE ‘EM ALL, EVEN THE SLEEPY ONES in the subject line. —-

FROM JERRY LEE TO DOGS AND CATS -- IT'S A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SECOND EDITION OF FRIDAY, OCT. 28, 2022 [PetPowellPress] The technoconnection that sends this pro-animal website out into the world seems to be working as it should. So, I’m loading up a longish Friday edition and if the system holds together, I’ll later present a weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. If it doesn’t, I’ll continue dieting and not eating to relieve the emotional pressure. If I gain a pound, I have a lawyer…

Personally, I’m feeling that I’m living on a quieter planet: It’s because Heaven must be rockin’ now since the death Friday of the great, the legendary, the give-it-all performer Jerry Lee Lewis. Saw him three times on stage. He’s in Contemplations for this edition. Click HERE for music while you read. If there’s a commercial that plays first, just kick that ad outta the way like Jerry Lee used to kick his piano stool back to make room for reality.
QUICK NOTE
FROM SMALL SHELTERS

While waiting for “the system” to be improved (photo placement and sizing is still wonky, thanks to the "improvements), we got a reminder from the 4-Legged Helpers that Twix and Cookie are still waiting in the Ferris Animal Shelter. They’re the Lab-mix siblings.
Maddie is the Bulldog mix who surely must have recently had puppies. Found as a stray. 
And sad Clover is a 6-month-old girl who may have been dumped near Hutchins. She’s traumatized by the whole event. You  see Clover in a “promotional photo” of a still sad but potentially happy little dog.
To ask about rescuing or adopting any of these animals, get in touch with the 4-Legged Helpers by calling or texting 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
And follow the 4-Legged Helpers as their hearts fuel their rescue efforts on this Facebook page HERE. 
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE—
SHELTER FULL OF ADORABLES….
I’m not sure who created the volunteer dog-writer program at Mesquite Animal Services but as a guy who loves to try to help save the lives of animals, these writers are essential to the effort. 
Today we have dogs who volunteer Judi Brown got acquainted with at the Mesquite shelter and, the first two stories tend to break the heart of anybody who has a heart.
Helping these dogs will make someone feel better about life, in particular Tori and Troy! 
Tori is #51295953 and Troy is #51295998.
 The story on these two is they were abandoned in their home, seized by police and delivered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter in mid-October.
Judi says Tori is the “brindle beauty,” a 3-year-old, 42-pound Pittie who is “totally confused...” and “understandably timid and very cautious.” She adds, “When I first took her out into the yard she got as far away from me as possible. However I was able to sweet talk and bribe her with treats until she cautiously came to me. She will need TLC and time to build trust. At this point any quick movement or loud noise startle her. But just look into her eyes and at her sweet face and you can tell she would be well worth the time and effort to bring her out of her shell. There’s no doubt she has a lot of love to give to a loving family.  If you’re like me and believe that good things are worth working for, then come and meet Tori.”
Troy, a 3-year-old brindle and white Pittie, came into the shelter at the same time — he, also, was abandoned at that home. He’s not fixed and weighs 55 pounds. Judi writes, “He is protective of his window and therefore does not present himself well. When I first got him out into the yard he was extremely rambunctious. I was concerned that I would not be able to handle him. My concerns were unfounded. After finding toys and tossing them in the air and running with abandon he settled down. He just needed to run off pent-up energy. He did jump on me a few times but with a stern command to stop he did. He stayed close and looked up at me as though he was asking me what I wanted him to do next. He sat for treats and took them gently. He really is a sweet, friendly boy that just needs a little guidance.”
Rover [#51332736] is the year-old, 59-pound German Shepherd mix who came in as a stray on the 15th. Judi says, “He’s a handsome guy with outstanding coloring! When he first got out into the yard he romped joyously back-and-forth exploring every nook and cranny. He also was very curious about what was going on beyond the fence as he explored the perimeter. I don’t think he was trying to escape. I think he may have just been looking for his owners. However it’s obvious he would benefit from a good size yard to play in with a tall secure fence. At first I got the impression that he had not been socialized much because he was more interested in exploring than spending time with me. However after the photo shoot he started coming around and warming up to me. He even came when I called him! I could not interest him in playing with balls or toys. However he did sit for treats and took them gently. … When I sat down he came to me to have his ears scratched. He walks very well on a leash…. If you come to meet Rover give him some time to warm up to you and you will see that he has the potential of being a very loving, devoted companion.”
And that brings us to Chance [#51373511], a 4-month-old, 16-pound, black and white Pittie who came in as a stray on Oct. 2. Not neutered. But, she says, “He’s adorable in eery way and will be even more so when his skin condition clears up.” Might be dermatitis, eh says. And he’s healing with treatment. She says “Chance has a very sweet nature. He’s calm, well mannered, cautiously friendly, and very loving! He’s alert and explored the yard. At one point he tried to entice me into playing a little game with him. He sits for treats and takes them gently. He played briefly with a stuffed toy but it didn’t hold his attention for very long. He does give kisses and tail wags….This is a very sweet puppy that has a lot of love to give a deserving family.”
To ask about any of these animals, use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-214-6283 or email [email protected]. And you can see more adoptables— dogs and cats — by clicking HERE.
 And that kitten is Sugar (#50539711), now more than 4 months old — that looks like her intake photo from June 27. She’s probably matured a little bit in the care of the shelter. Domestic shorthair, they say. Cute baby.
CONTEMPLATIONS
WEATHER, MONK & MUSIC
Friday’s weather? Wonderful. Kind of. I got to sit in our house, look out the window into a not-searing sky and see rain falling on the yard that the summer sun had baked to crackling pile of dead grass and weeds. But it was the kind of weather that invited a person to sit in the house and read by the electric lights! Of course, the dogs were a little challenged, but they like being rubbed dry by towel. The cats napped. …
My favorite Monk episodes? On this rainy day, Mr. Monk and the UFO (with Daniel Stern as the sheriff and Eric Stonestreet as "Boom Boom") and Mr. Monk and the Rapper, guest-starring Snoop. I used to have favorite episodes of other pop-culture TV mysteries, but Monk and Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch sort of took up the crown. …
IN HONOR of a performer I saw three times rockin’ a stage and the whole room/state/nation and kicking the stool across the stage, here is my favorite not-so-much-of-a-rocker performance by Jerry Lee Lewis. Some of you guys may relate to this “thinking” song after you’ve been rockin’ for years. Mr. Lewis, please perform Middle Age Crazy. Click HERE.  He wrote it, you know.
—- Offer fave Jerry Lee songs by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and putting WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN’ GOING ON in the subject line. —-

ELEVEN AM TEXAS TIME TEST

Now, we're seeing if our blog platform outfit has corrected assorted "improivements."
Does this photo appear to be an accurate representation of a cat named William Powell and some guy who wandered into the house in search of political advice? Two outta three?
We think the system is working again -- it's letting us resize photos and place them on the website without argument. So, on behalf of William, Wendy and We, thank you for your patience.

Friday morning test

At readlarrypowell.com, we're checking all systems to see if success has embaced our "provider" or whatever you call     the outfit has "improved" itself so much that it hasn't quite been working properly for about a week. We've come to learn in the 21st century that when a company, a product or a politician announces "improvements," it is a sign to expect delays, recalls, follow-up adjustments and, in the cases of computers and politicians, "outages." 
This is a photo of my Oak Cliff cat, Stevie Ray. He is a former office cat who has been promoted to the positions of "Corporate Enforcer." I've never had to reboot this cat. 
We hope to resume our frequent publishing schedule as soon as "improvements" allow.
From the international headquarters of readlarrypowell.com,
Larry and the Critters.
(Not a Country/Western Band, Yet)
 

A LONG EDITION WITH RESCUES, RESCUERS AND SOME CALORIC CONTENT

EDITION THURSDAY-FRIDAY OCT. 27-28, 2022 [PetPowellPress] First, thanks for your patience in getting this edition -- it was stalled because of technical difficulties in a high-brain techno-lab far away from our office. But, never mind that. There's this: My A1C is 5.5. Eat that, you tempting Halloween candy sales racks. More on that later. We’ll have some Contemplations, too. Now our traditional report on animals and the people trying to help them. We’ve got 4 dogs with a 3 p.m. Friday deadline. Keep reading….

THIS BAYLOR MAY HAVE
GOTTEN A WINNING YEAR!
OK, we’re affectionately mentioning the currently 4-3 Baylor Bears football team with that headline. As my friends with Baylor-prone hearts say, “Sic ‘em Bears.” Here’s what inspired that. This dog’s name is Baylor. Big ol’ Great Pyr. 
He was in the Ferris Animal Shelter.
 So, we checked with Laura Macias of 4-Legged Helpers, which monitors Ferris and helps promote adoptions there. She reports that as of Wednesday, Baylor IS having a winning season, too. He was tagged by TAGG Rescue. And that is, in fact, Baylor's "freedom ride" in the TAGGmobile. (Not sure that's what they call it, but why not, right?)
How does a rescue get named “TAGG”? Explanation is in the opening sentence of the group’s bio: “Welcome to TAGG Rescue— ‘Tornado Alley Gentle Giants’! We exist to help large breed dogs in Texas find new homes throughout the Midwest! Please join us!”
So, Laura sent me a follow-up note about several animals we’d mentioned and Ace “is getting adopted. Braxton was rescued by Take Me Home. Georgie you didn’t see but he got tagged by rescue — he is the brother of Jolene, tagged by out-of-state rescue.” 
You see Ace. And on the left is Bella, the girl who was “dumped” at a vet’s office. And, because I just love the photo, that is Braxton, soon to be adoptable at Take Me Home Pet Rescue in Richardson. She adds, “He was in the full shelter and he was a long term resident so you know what that means! They literally saved him! If they can get any donations!” That would be at https://tmhpr.com. 
See more small-shelter animals by going to the 4-Legged Helpers Facebook page HERE. 

To ask about any animal the Helpers are helping, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
And fyi: Here’s the Ferris Animal Shelter LINK  and here is the Hutchins Animal Shelter LINK.

[LARRY ASIDE: As you probably know, 4-Legged Helpers was created to help small shelters that have little-to-zero walk-in adoption traffic — two examples are Ferris and Hutchins. They’re teaming now to get the attention of people who live to save animals! I believe there are a few of you in the Dallas/Fort Worth/Greater Lone Star State area and across state lines, too.]
DAINGERFIELD? 3 p.m. FRIDAY
DEADLINE FOR DOGS ‘SQUEEZED’
Our Daingerfield tipster Tami Kukla, the veteran advocate who has “adopted" the city’s animal shelter during these overloaded times, began her report with this:
“Meet the New Kids on the Block at Daingerfield Animal Shelter.” Cracked me up and we’re going right along with the theory a catchy familiar name always helps any situation, especially in an animal shelter when the clock is ticking.

Tami, citing these four, wrote “All found themselves without a home through no fault of their own. The shelter got creative and made room but it has them in a capacity situation where they need to find the new kids homes by Friday at 3 p.m.”
 Who are they? Tami writes, 
“Barkley. 2-year-old Retriever mix, 46 pounds and ready to snuggle and watch some football and get some snacks on movie night.
“Eleven-month old Fisher? This is your ‘coffee buddy, workout partner, hit the open road with him Lab Mix? 
And those last two?
Look like they might be kin, don’t they. 
Tami writes, “Sage and Saffron. Eight weeks old and 14 pounds of pure love each. Lab mixes. From tea parties to Halloween costumes to naps, they are your girls.”
She say of the quartet, “All are dog friendly. All ready for love in the right places…. We can do this!”   [LARRY ASIDE: Trust me, they look alike. I can't post Safron's foto right now because of technical difficulty. Maybe later tonight. I swear.]
To ask about helping all or any of these four dogs, call the shelter at 903-645-2120 or email [email protected]. Or call 214-641-8247 if you can help These New Kids On The Block.
AND THERE’S ANGIE —
SHE WAS ‘UNWANTED’
This girl with the proper sitting posture is Angie and she was, according to volunteer dog writer Judi Brown, surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on October 24. Why? Why o why? Get this: “Her owners did not fill out a surrender form so the only notation we have is that she is ‘UNWANTED’,” Judi writes.
Naturally, this 5-month-old, 27-pound, not-spayed, Black Mouth Cur is puzzled at the new residence. At some point she must have been loved.
Judi writes, “”Not only is she sweet and delightful, she’s also very striking. When I first met Angie she was hiding at the back of her kennel. I sat down and she gradually crawled to me. She then proceeded to climb on my lap, lavished me with kisses, and wiggled and wiggled! Once she relaxed on the leash she walked quite well. When we got outside I had a difficult time taking pictures of her as she stayed so close. I found myself literally getting dizzy going around in circles! She’s definitely a people person dog and wants to be close. She will be your BFF!”
She didn’t know to play with toys, didn’t take treats and “would occasionally jump on me but then again she’s only five months old. … She is definitely a jewel. I would not wait to come and meet Angie. With her sterling qualities she should get adopted quickly.”

Angie is #51387836. Use that ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
SUGAR, BOO AND OH, MY!
In the opening I bragged about my 5.5 A1C — "Ain’t braggin’, it’s fact,” as the ol’ gunslinger Will Sonnett used to say on ABC-TV 1967-1969. But here’s the deal. I managed to keep my reading in that wonderful range even though, as my lab tests approached, I helped judge two delightfully sweet championship contests at the 2022 State Fair. I ate cookies and pies so wonderful that they inspire dreams -- even in a skinny person!! [BLESS  THE CREATIVE ARTS FOLKS AT THE GRAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS!] I managed to limit such joys as cookies and pies to one-day experiences this autumn. And, now Halloween has arrived with all that candy! My, oh, my! What’s my secret to keeping my blood sugar healthy? I swear on a stack of tongue-depressors, the answer is: Great doctors and avoiding any midnight snack that isn’t spelled “s-p-i-n-a-c-h.…
Fantasizing? What treat would I like for Halloween? I'm done with treats this year -- maybe. I can now fit into the costume I wore in the 6th grade. Zorro, in a home-made hat from the House of Pearl (my mother) that, the next year, became a hobo’s hat for my little brother. It was not a “dashing” hat. But I didn’t run that much, anyway. In that era of the 1950s I think the predominant boy costumes at my school were Zorro, hobo and oboe. Well, Zorro and hobo, anyway. Can’t remember anyone dressing like an oboe. Maybe a cello or a banjo. Or a werewolf. Our Highland Park Elementary School flag football team (5th and 6th graders) was the Highland Park Hobos. ….

A NOTE FROM AUTUMN… Oh, not from the season, but from my lifetime friend Autumn Weisz — met when I was in the first grade and Autumn was in the second. Autumn’s an actress now. Lives back east. And still has a keen understanding of the American mind. You’ll see. This something she posted this week: “Just wanted everyone to know that whoever has been in contact with me in the last 7 days should stay indoors and contact your nearest test center. I’m so so sorry to everyone of my friends and family and those who have been in close proximity to me. I have had symptoms for a few days now and it has just been confirmed. I have been diagnosed with being immature, hilarious, and completely off my rocker. I was told there is no cure as of yet for all 4 of these symptoms….”
— Offer advice or doubt by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put LOW CALS = SMALLER JEANS AND HAPPIER HORSE, COWBOY in the subject line. —-

THE THURSDAY REPORT

We're delayed with today's edition -- the computer system we rely on to reach out into the world, i.e, the world-wide web and the Galactic Entanglement, was being "improved" and hasn't been fully functional today.
But we are assured that the compuchanics -- that a word from a 1950s Robert Heinlein sci-fi book? -- have things well in hand or tentacle or whatever they use. We'll post a report as soon as the system is all greased up and has a state sticker on the windshield.
That is my Office Cat William Powell sitting in the window waiting for the arrival of our acclaimed attorney, Jen Tull Cashgrabber.

AN ASSORTMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTEMPLATIONS AND MUSIC....

EDITION OF TUESPM/WEDAM, OCT. 25-26, 2022 [PetPowellPress] Grown-up dogs. What a treasure in our house? Yeah, we’ve had puppies, too. They grow up so quickly and fit right into the household routines and moments of affection. For example, that is my rescuespouse Martha’s dog Wendy (full name: Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden) who, just now, walked up to say “Hi” while I was writing. She’d been asleep on one of her living room couches that used to be ours every now and then. This is her morning routine. Look, if you need a grown-up dog in your household, read this next note. We’ll get to cats in Contemplations.
BELL’S READY FOR A HOME;
SHE’S BEEN TRAINED FOR IT!
We got this note from our pal Kimberly Jones, veteran rescuer and animal advocate, and it included these great photos that show the personality of this girl Bell. 
Bell is waiting for a new home. She’s in the Humane Society of Dallas County’s famed no-kill shelter, Dog ’n’ Kitty City.
The bio of this “female Cattle Dog/Coonhound mix” says she was born on May 7, 2017. Yep, the 5-year mark. And there’s this from the shelter’s bio: “She is one of our lucky shelter dogs that has worked with a trainer over the last few months. Her training transformation has been amazing to watch. She has learned impulse control when near other dogs, pack walking, walking without leash pulling, and place training. We are all so proud of what she has accomplished!”

She’s house-trained and “does love to go on walks to take care of all her business, but we believe she could also be a homebody. She could be content with friendly feet to lay beside, a warm bed in the house, and a yard to run in. She just needs consistency and a place where she can feel safe. We recommend Bell be placed in a home as the only pet. She wants all of the attention and chest rubs for herself!”
The Dog ’n’ Kitty City folks suggest scheduling a meet ’n’ greet with Bell.
Here’s the link to Bell’s page and her video — worth the watch if you’ve got an opening for a loving dog.
I’m going to close with a sentence that’ll grab you but first here’s the contact info: Dog ’n’ Kitty City, 2719 Manor Way in Dallas. Email [email protected]. And THIS IS THE ADOPTION APPLICATION LINK.
Here’s that sentence I promised. The shelter bio reads, “Bell has been at the shelter since 5/11/21 with almost no interest.” It adds,”She loves all people. Can you be her person?”
HELPERS HUSTLIN’ TO BEAT
DEADLINES IN SMALL SHELTERS
This time the 4-Legged Helpers are focused on the Ferris Animal Shelter. 
And here’s how the bio for Twix and Cookie begins: “It's always a sad day at the shelter when someone is waiting for you to open so they can dump two puppies. Two unwanted, unloved little souls. Now they sit, sad and scared in a cold concrete kennel, their world turned upside down. What kind of future do they have now that they are past the cute little puppy stage that most people want? We think they are still so very adorable, at a nice medium-sized weight, and they deserve a chance at happiness. … Although they came in together, they are not strongly bonded and can be fostered, adopted, or rescued separately... even though it would be nice to get them out at the same time.” The female Twix weighs 28 pounds. Cookie, the boy, is a 36-pounder!
The Helpers are also trying to find a place for this grown-up, 50-poundish Bulldog mix Maddie who came into the Ferris shelter on Oct. 20. “A kind resident found this sweet girl, and was hoping her family would be looking for her. Sadly, she has not been claimed by anyone. She is wondering what happened and why they haven't come for her. We are hoping such a sweetheart won't have to wait long for someone new to fall in love with her…”

The Helpers also report, “The shelter is filling up fast and there has been ZERO INTEREST in the last few dogs we’ve shared. Ware so scared for their fates if the kennels fill up, which could happen any day now!" To offer to adopt or rescue or foster, call or text 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
DEPRESSED, HAPPY & AMEWSING
Here we go with a couple of canine bios from the Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog writer Judi Brown and, boy, did she peg this opening sentence about Willie spot-on his sweet little nose.
Judi wrote, “If Willie looks like he’s depressed, that’s because he is. Willie is a 6-month-old, 30 pound gray and white terrier pit who arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 10/11 as a stray. He came in with his brother Billie. And yes they are both fixed. Willie is still growing but has a small frame. When I met him he was seeking refuge in the back of his kennel. When I brought him out he did wag his tail. However he is a work in progress.  He is very timid, and I think you can tell from the pictures and his body language that he’s scared. He doesn’t know what to make of the shelter environment. However, when I sat on the floor with him he warmed up. I even got a few gentle kisses. There’s no doubt he wants to make friends. He just needs time and TLC to build trust. For now he tends to retreat to the corners or in a pile of blankets.”

Willie’s shelter ID is #51298017 (corrected number from previous edition). By now you know the system: Use that ID when you call the shelter at 792-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for these next two. That is Sissy (#51317956).

Judi asks, “Are you looking for someone to love you unconditionally? Well, you’re in luck. All you need to do is come to the Mesquite Animal Shelter and ask for Sissy.” This 6-months-old, 31-pound gray and white terrier arrived as a stray on Oct. 13. Not spayed.
According to Judi’s bio, Sissy “goes out of her way to attract your attention when she’s in the kennel. I thought for sure when I got her out she was going to be real rambunctious. As soon as she got out of her kennel she calmed down. She’s a very sweet, gentle girl that follows you around like a Velcro dog. She’s friendly, calm, well mannered, alert, and very loving. It seems like her whole purpose in life is to hang out with her human companion. She plays with stuffed toys but loses interest quickly. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She’s so motivated by treats it was difficult getting a picture of her standing up. She would sit down in anticipation of the treat. She had a relatively strong pull on the leash and would stay so close she would get tangled in your feet. She’s just going to need a little practice, but since she’s a people pleaser I’m sure she’ll learn quickly…. She would do very well in a family that would include her in the family activities and let her hang out in the house with them.”
You can see more Mesquite Shelter dogs and cats by clicking on this “Animals-in-the-Shelter” LINK. Among them? This maybe two-months-old (that’s his intake photo from 9/13) fantastically coated silver Domestic Shorthair mix (#51109566) currently named Pluto. Where would you find a kitten named Pluto? Mars? Nope, nearer than Mars. You’d find Pluto in the Conference Room at the Mesquite Animal Services.
CONTEMPLATIONS
KITTENS, OWLS AND OL’ DOGS
In the opening, I mentioned dogs maturing from puppies to dogs and, you know, I’m not sure about kittens though I’ve lived with cats for decades. Our cats sometimes retain kittenhood for at least 5 years. At some point they magically shift into full-grown up gear with the right to retain amusing kitten behavior. Yeah, this whole paragraph is endorsing cats as companions. That cat? That’s my original office cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. She arrived as a cross-eyed, front-porch feral kitten in 2011. Sleeps with me — prefers to be cuddled. She’s currently got an eye problem — left eye, the original kitten's crossed eye. It’s been a lifelong challenge for her. I’m now getting to put one drop of medicine in the left eye 4 times a day. She holds a grudge. But will trade-off annoyance for a few treats. Free cat, you know. Can’t beat deal like that! ...
ONE OF OUR FAVORITE DALLAS SITES? It’s a place that once held a declining apartment complex that was known for crimes and drug dealing. The place is now Twelve Hills Nature Center in Oak Cliff. And its Prairie Festival is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The property was “reclaimed” at 817 Mary Cliff Road in northern Oak Cliff and became the Twelve Hills Nature Center in 2005. And on the 30th at the Prairie Festival you can learn about plants and animals (mammals and birds, etc.). In fact, a note from the Twelve Hills Nature Center President Marcie Hale reports that there’ll be a live owl display (1:30/3:30 p.m.) by the Window to the Wild! organization. You can also shop for native plants, learn how to care for baby animals or injured animals, take nature walks. There are events for adults and kids. More information is HERE. And the history of this preservation and restoration is HERE.  There’s even a place to donate. Why? The Nature Center page explains: “Through support from donations, Twelve Hills Nature Center is able to provide educational events for the neighborhood, school partnerships, and complete maintenance to our trails and gathering areas. Donations also support the creation of native landscaping demonstration areas and pollinator gardens, as well as restoration of our native Blackland Prairie.”
We’ve now mentioned older dogs, cats, kids… here’s a closing song… CLICK TO HEAR OLD DOGS, CHILDREN &…. yeah, the great Tom T. Hall.
— Offer notes ’n’ quotes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put 'DOGS AND CATS RULE' in the subject line. —-