EDITION OF THANKSGIVING EVE, NOV. 23, 2022 [PetPowellPress] We’re clearly headed toward the GREAT American holiday. Giving thanks indeed. It’s such a personal holiday. Especially for rescuers.
One thing I’m thankful for is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Never been there, but some day I’d like to see it in person — though I’d probably be watching it on my cellphone at the same time — I’m a 21st century dude.
That’s one of my personal cats, Stevie Ray, an Oak Cliff native, who is having a post-snack talk with his pal, Yuletide Earl, a seasonal critter named in honor of our late Rottie Texas Earl The Cheeseman. We think he identifies as a reindeer, though he may be a dog. Yuletide Earl. who lives year-round in my office, will soon be getting into character for his role in our front yard production of the hit Thanksgiving musical, “Even Vegetarians Say ‘Thanks'." You remember the hit song: “Don’t Bite Anything That’ll Bite You Right Back.” I might have made up that stuff about the musical. [LARRY ASIDE: Someone call an agent — I’m ready for Broadway.]
Another Thanksgiving highlight is the gathering of loved ones — sometimes fewer than the previous year, but nearly always with joy and jokes, hugs and memories. The people giving thanks don’t have to be relatives; they can be colleagues, neighbors, people you barely know — all united by thankfulness.
And, yes there’s amazing food that you can’t buy in a restaurant — a restaurant wouldn’t sell some of the stuff I’ve eaten at Thanksgiving. Just kidding my Mom in the Hereafter — there was the year her three sons played pitch with the rolls she’d accidentally overcooked. Clearly, we weren’t spanked enough. But we always found time to laugh.
What? Oh, yeah. There’s a Dallas Cowboys game — try not to let it upset your digestion, right? OK, keep reading. We have a Contemplation of Thanksgiving after we try to help some animals.
A HALF-DOZEN DOGS
WAIT IN FANNIN COUNTY
We’ve been semi-monitoring this situation since October. And we hope that, by the time you read this, it has been happily resolved. But, just in case it hasn’t, perhaps you can help or you know someone who can help.
See that dog Hank? If you can’t read his caption, click on his photo and it’ll grow big enough to read (I’m led to believe by the CompuWizards.). And it tells a story and ends with this question: “Can you love me?”
A woman named “Ceason” is the human who basically saved the six dogs when they were dumped at her home over a period of five years. Now, she’s trying to help them overcome this latest predicament. And it’s a difficult challenge.
Our tipsters tell us that the six dogs became in need of a home when the woman’s landlord “sold the property and she has had to move in with relatives who will not let her take the dogs.” The dogs are in Fannin County, a not-too-long-drive north of Dallas County.
Hank is one of six dogs who basically were “dumped” on the property. It’s been a struggle to keep them out of a pound, we’re told. To ask about helping any of them, call or text Ceason at 701-500-7978.
One of our tipsters says “the girls are all fixed, as is Doug, the Mastiff mix.” Freddy, the Pittie mix, isn’t fixed. Nor is Hank. Their rescuer “didn’t have the money to fix them all, but wanted to make sure there were no puppies.”
Who are the dogs?
Smoke is that black dog photographed in a “leaning” pose — His caption reads that he’s about 4, likes to stay by himself “but when I’m ready, the kisses are on! … I have a hair loss that has been caused by stress (I’m a loner). Can you take me in and love me and help with my nerves?”
Doug’s caption reads, “I used to be an aggressive doggo, but love and patience and being neutered have changed me completely. I just want to love and be loved.”
Freddy doesn’t have a caption, but that dog’s look and his face demonstrate how happy and loving he is.
The solid black dog is Darla. Her caption read, I am approx 2 yrs old and I am spayed. … I love to run and play, especially in a water puddle. Good with kids. Please help me find a furever home.”
That girl with the white-tipped tail is Spark. Her bio caption reads, “I am approx 4 yrs old and I am spayed. I am kind of shy and nervous but i want to sit in your lap or run circles around the yard. I would love to be your new family member.”
And, there you have it — it’s not just the big city shelters that find themselves with more big ol’ dogs than they know what to do with — but they darned sure want to save their lives.
LARRY THANKSGIVING TIMEOUT
TO MENTION SOME WORKERS…
Take a moment to think about all the people who work on Thanksgiving to give you a good ol’ American holiday under trying circumstances. First responders. TV and radio broadcast teams. Newspaper reporters and sportswriters. Referees, concessions workers, hospital employees…am I leaving anyone out? Truck drivers, railway workers, airline workers….
And we must note, of course, the members of the U.S. Congress and, of course, the Texas Legislature. Wait. I must have read my notes wrong. Those politicians are, I’m almost certain, doing what office-holders who retire say they want to do: “Spend more time with my family.” Oh, I’m just kidding the politicians — every now and then they need a moment of levity. And remember: the phrase “moment of levity” is not exactly synonymous with “something to laugh at.” Now, back to the dogs and cats and their advocates.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
MORE DOGS, CATS & PEOPLE
It occurs to me that they’re all working together — the dogs and cats work with the people to make sure everybody puts the best face on the story of finding good homes for animals who are so close to having a major Thanksgiving in their lives. It’s a team effort.
For example, if you click on THIS LINK you’ll quickly be looking at dogs and cats who are waiting for adoption or rescue in the Mesquite Shelter. Each has a bio. A team -- volunteers and employees -- has worked hard to give visitors a profile of the adorable adoptables. We’re going to feature a few of them today and, also, wish a very wonderful Thanksgiving for not just these animals but for all the big hearts who have helped the critters into the “Spotlight of Affection.”
Our pal Judi Brown, volunteer dog-writer at the Mesquite Animal Shelter, did this bio of Monty and he immediately caught our attention because of this sentence: "He’s painfully thin.” Judi also added, “He’s handsome now, but can’t you imagine how regal he’ll look when his body fills out? He is a one-year-old, 48-pound German Shepherd mix that came to the Mesquite Shelter on 11/12 as a stray. He is fixed. I was met in his kennel with tail wags and kisses! When we got into the kennel yard I found it difficult to take pictures of him because he stayed so close. I was literally going around in circles trying to step back from him. Part of the reason he was staying close was for affection but another part was because he’s hungry and he knew I had some treats. … Monty is sweet, friendly, loving, attentive, and alert. He has the potential of being a devoted companion.”
Monty is #51519207 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
At the other end of the German Shepherd Spectrum, Judi found this fellow, Jake [#51512050]. Here’s what she wrote: “Jake is an old guy, but don’t tell him that because he’s got more love to give and more life to live! He is a 10-year-old German Shepherd mix that weighs 78 pounds and arrived … on 11/11 as a stray. He is not fixed. Judging from the condition of his coat and the concrete calluses on his elbows I’m assuming he’s been mostly an outside dog that hasn’t been well taken care of. A nutritious diet would certainly give him a healthier coat! ... He has such a strong sense of smell that he kept his nose to the ground during most of the photo shoot. He was more interested in smelling and checking out the yard than spending time with me. I get the feeling he hasn’t had much socialization. However that does not mean he’s not very loving and accepting of affection. When I called him he came to me immediately. He nuzzled his head in my lap and seemed to enjoy having his ears scratched. … Please consider getting this senior dog out of the shelter and into your loving home.”
Our pal Debra Chisholm found a pair of siblings to write about — “two of the sweetest pups you will ever meet.”
That boy Cookie and his sister Oreo were surrendered to the shelter on Nov. 17 because “the owner had too many animals.”
Cookie, about 5 months old, weighs 31 pounds and “seems mystified as to why and how he has ended up where
he’s at. He is timid, shy and unsure of himself. He is kenneled with his sister and another dog and they all do fine together. … He has tremendous potential to be a loving pet to a person or family willing to stay committed to him, giving lots of playtime, exercise and training and, of course, without saying, life indoors with his people.
Cookie is #51551994.
Oreo is #51551997. And the “dog scanner app,” Debra writes, “suggested the following mixes in her breed: Perro de Pastor Mallorquin, Lab Retriever and Beuceron.” Like Cookie, Oreo is 5 months old — shes a few pounds lighter at 29. And she’s also |experiencing “bewilderment.” It is, Debra writes, “as to what this place is, where they have landed and what is going to happen to them.” Oreo was frightened when she
walked past kennels where the dogs were barking at her. Like her bother, she is “timid, shy and nervous.” Loves treats. Probably trainable. And, Debra writes, “Oreo has an easy-going, mellow personality and is a gentle soul….[She] is friendly and seemed to want to draw some comfort from a trusted human companion.”
Debra also wrote, “No dogs belong in a city shelter, especially not puppies this young, so please consider whether you can help Oreo out of the shelter and on the way to her forever home.”
Goes for Cookie, too.
So use their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Two more of many at Mesquite? That Pittie boy is Cane (#50727946). Debra writes that he was picked up as a stray on Nov. 15 — weighs in at 60 pounds and is about 3 years old. Not neutered. Description? “This is one lively and energetic fellow who has a confident and outgoing personality. …Cane does not appear to know any commands. He wasn’t interested in toys or balls. He is an on-the-go kind of fellow.”
Debra added, “Our shelter is critically overfull. Many days there are more dog intakes than adoptions and rescues. We are pleading for help.”
And, of course, here is an Earhound. Debra says his # is 51550935 and, she writes, “This is one adorable pup that I’ve named Maxwell. He has Black Mouth Cur/Malinois in the mix.” Came in as a stray on the 17th. At about 5 months old, he weighs 26 pounds, walks OK on a leash and didn’t show any “negative reactions to the other shelter dogs who were barking at him.” And, she says, “He is a spunky and exuberant youngster with a delightful personality….a fun-loving, tail-waging puppy. … Maxwell was totally OK with receiving petting, snuggles and cuddling.”
When you click on THIS LINK you'll reach the Mesquite Animal Shelter's collection of
animals and
photos and adorable adoptables.
That kitten on the left is Pluto (#51109566) — came in on Sept 13, so may have grown a bit since that picture. Cute hair. Has a sibling with the same pattern among the adoptables at Mesquite. That’s her: Belle (#51109563) who also came in on sept 13. They’re pushing 3 months old. Cats — you’ll be thankful when one loves you. Voice of experience typing.
CONTEMPLATION
A DOG’S STORY AND THANKSGIVING
When I read this note posted by rescuer/advocate Laurie Gautreaux, I thought the word “Thanksgiving” fit right into the story. And since we’re on the brink of the holiday, it touches my heart as an appropriate message from an experienced rescuer. The story, posted several days ago, is based at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s southern campus. Veteran rescuers will appreciate what Laurie has written.
IT BEGINS:
Rescue is hard and everyday it seems to get harder! I literally cry daily but then I get reminded there are still good humans who care. It’s the little things that make it all worth it. Four days ago this 8-year-old dog’s life was turned upside down. The human who owned him his entire life died. He was surrendered to a full shelter and put on the Code Red list. Thankfully one of the amazing staff members in intake Deirdre Hodgkins posted him. I went to visit him and immediately fell in love. I knew his days were limited so I posted and prayed. My prayers came true today! Now named Eugene, it’s only good days for you from now on my sweet old man. Thank you Krisha Peachy Nelson and the rest of the Bull luv able Paws and Chi Wawas Rescue family!”
Happy Thanksgiving, Eugene. Bless your heart. May you be the first of many, many rescued from the “Code Red” animals in shelters all over the nation from this day on. Pet that dog and give him a treat. Hug him, too. I'm going to go hug our dogs, our cats and maybe even my Thanksgivingspouse Martha.
—- Offer ideas of hope by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-
