FRIDAY'S EDITION? ANIMALS; NEED FOR PEOPLE; CONTEMPLATION OF SPRING

EDITION OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 [PetPowellPress] This is getting into print a little bit late. I lost track of time. Had nothing to do with anything significant. And I wasn’t napping. I have a 20th Century truck and was trying to buy a key in the 21st Century. Things were worked out.
Just to get a cat in the mix today, that is my cat Hastings doing his impression of the Elusive Red-Eyed Hirsute Forest Turkey said to run wild in Northeast Texas. That’s what he told me as he mewed, “Save the birds!” Odd thought for a cat. But he’s a housecat -- only ever seen birds through a window. We also have a report today on the Daingerfield Animal Shelter’s Black Furry Friday promotion of animals in need of homes. Keep reading…
ANIMALS, LIKE SOME OF US, ARE
SUBJECT TO THE WHIMS OF OTHERS…
Yeah, readlarrypowell.com has seen more than enough of these “we don’t have anyone who wants it” stories of animals. But, the sad truth is shelters all over the nation are filled with animals who are living out that very story. 
In this case, the handsome dog Cooper is the victim of just such a thing. 
We got his story from the folks with 4-Legged Helpers — they’ve been trying to get this guy into a good home ever since Cooper the Pointer/hound/Boxer mix wound up in the Ferris Animal Shelter, one of many small shelters the Helpers monitor. 
Get your hankies ready and also your mood-controlling chants. The story from 4-Legged Helpers reads that Cooper, the young, 50-poundish fellow was a victim of someone else’s death. The text reads, “When someone that once loved him very much passed away, Cooper found himself at the mercy of people who didn't really care about him. He was banished to the backyard, where he was subject not only to abuse but he was also being starved. Thank goodness someone with a heart saw him, and was able to save him before he starved to death.
“He's in good health now, and ready for a new life! He loves to play with other dogs, so a canine companion would be so nice for him. He can be a bit bashful when meeting new people, but is such a sweetie and becomes very friendly very quickly.”

The Helpers suggest, “He needs a person that can see how much love he has to give to someone and promise him that the next chapter will be a good one. Who will look into those beautiful hazel eyes of his and tell him his future is secure, that he will be loved like he deserves, that he'll have a soft comfy bed to sleep in, and that he'll never again have to feel the pangs of hunger?”

What an honorable mission to take up — save a dog and do something good. Call or text the 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: Remember this absolute: The best solution to an animal problem in Texas is not “LET’S KILL IT.”]
DAINGERFIELD TRIUMPH: NEMO
LAUNCHES BLACK FURRY FRIDAY
We got the news from our tipster Tami Kukla who has “adopted” the Daingerfield Animal Shelter as a personal project and first told us about the efforts to get more animals adopted with the Black Furry Friday promotion.
 That’s Nemo. And Tami wrote, “Black Furry Friday started off on a high note. Nemo was adopted yesterday [Wednesday]. Thank you to everyone who saw his story and shared it.”
That moves the effort into helping Barkley.
Tami’s note read, “In a disappointing turn of events, Barkley is back as a resident after one of the adopter’s dogs reappeared … and didn't like him. Barkley got along great with dogs of all sizes in the home. Two years young.  46 pounds. Retriever mix who loves people.”
This also this aspect ot Barkley: “He likes kids but can get excitable with his jumping up. So I wouldn't suggest really small children. Cats are a no-go as he has a bit of a prey drive. He does good with small female dogs but will fight with a dominant little male dog. So I would still be hesitant with that just to be safe. I'm not 100% on the house-trained part. However, he doesn't [foul] the inside part of his kennel when we lock him up for the cold nights.” (Barkley is A51339799. He came in on Nov. 16 — this time.)
And, remember, this cat Violet! She’s the cat you can adopt in honor of readlarrypowell. com's first office cat, Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson who we lost to “natural causes” a couple of Friday’s ago. Violet’s bio reads, “Once you meet this girl her special personality will grab your heart and you will be wondering how you got so lucky to add her to your life.”
To ask about these or any other animals at the Daingerfield Animal Shelter, the contact points are: email [email protected] or call 903-645-2120. The shelter is at 1103 Bert St. in Daingerfield in Northeast Texas. This is the FACEBOOK LINK to the shelter and this is the official City of Daingerfield Animal Shelter LINK.Director of the shelter is Tabitha Hicks who helped reform the Daingerfield system into a shelter that works to save the animals and enhance human lives.
WIMBLE JOINS THE POUND PALS
EFFORTS TO GET HEALTHY…
Our pal Karen Lee, the barkleyworld.com founder we quoted in our previous edition, sent us a story about Wimble because she’d also sent us the stories of Doodlebug and Tink. (See the Thursday edition to get info about those two dogs and about Pound Pals, too.) 
Karen writes, “I just saw this posted for Wimble on Pound Pals’ FB page so wanted to include him. Thank you to all who’ve donated—Pound Pals’ Kerri Thorn is very thankful!! ... Thank you for helping these precious senior pets!”
 [That Chihuahua is Doodlebug; the other pup is Tink.]
Then Karen included this story that begins: “Critical Need For Wimble - Wimble, Summer and Jenny have all seen their neurologist team today. The good news is that Wimble is the only one of the three who needs an immediate MRI. His estimate for MRI is $6,967. He cannot have the MRI until the cost are paid in full. This MRI can mean the difference between life and death for 4-year-old Wimble. There is quite a list of possible causes for his issues. Unfortunately, he is such a complex case that the MRI is critical to detect which medical issue applies to him. While one possibility would not give long term treatment options, the other possibilities would.”

The note says you can “chip in for Wimble through www.poundpals.com." That means either give all you can afford or pick up the whole tab or something in between.
And there’s this from Pound Pals: “We have 7,000 followers. The cost breakdown is a dollar per follower. This should be doable for Wimble but it will take EVERY FOLLOWER chipping in. Is Wimble's life worth a dollar bill?”
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE, WE
START WITH A RELATIVE NOTE
First time we’ve gotten a note that begins this way. “If you think you’ve seen this dog before it’s because he’s the spitting image of his father, Linus (left), who is also at the shelter.”
 That is the way our pal Judi Brown, volunteer dog writer at Mesquite’s animal shelter began her profile for Ash. (We spotlighted Linus in our previous edition — he’s still waiting.)
 About Ash (right and, also in that two-shot), Judi added that the 7-year-old “American bulldog/Terrier Pit/Staffordshire mix … came to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/10 as a stray. He weighs 40 pounds.  He is not fixed. He does have calluses on his elbows indicating he has spent most of his life on the concrete outside. In spite of his unfortunate  upbringing he has forgiven his original owners. He is ready for a new life where he will be cherished like he deserves!”
 He’s “very sweet, friendly (not overly so), gentle, loving, and easy going. He gives lots of kisses! He sits for treats and takes them gently. He chases balls but does not retrieve them. … He wagged his tail when meeting other dogs. If you are looking for a loving dog then come meet Ash. He would love to snuggle up with you on these cold winter nights! It would be a win-win for both of you!”

Ash is #51509164. Use that ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. (And, if you want to ask about Linus, his number is #51509256.)
This Earhound is 5-year-old, 78-pound Pongo [#51500930], described as a “Patterdale Terrier/Lab mix” who came in on Nov. 9 as a stray. Judi’s bio reads, “He had a possible owner that didn’t choose to come and reclaim him. After spending time with this well-behaved guy, it’s hard to understand why his owner didn’t come for him. He’s an exceptionally stunning dog because of his unusual black/brown coat and his piercing chocolate brown eyes! His ears make him unique in that one stands up and one folds over. He is alert and explored the yard. He chases toys and retrieves them but doesn’t necessarily bring them back to you. Once I had him sit for a treats that’s all he wanted to do. He lost interest in chasing balls. Since he is so highly motivated by treats he will probably be highly trainable. … He’s a social guy that loves people. If you adopt him he will love you and your family! …Bonus: he’s already fixed! He would be so happy to be able to spread out on the couch next to you or lay at your feet while you’re enjoying a good book or watching TV.”
Eve is #51482944. And, Judi says, “Eve will catch your eye as you walk by her kennel!  Her exquisite markings make her very striking.  She is a 3-year-old Alaskan Husky that was dropped off at the Mesquite Animal Shelter by a concerned citizen who found her on 11/7. She weighs 55 pounds. She is not spayed. She’s got a winning personality! She’s easy-going, fun loving, playful, and appears to be very happy. She even seems to be smiling in many of her photos. She literally frolicked around the shelter yard. She chases balls but doesn’t retrieve them. She’s very well mannered and doesn’t jump on you. … She’s friendly and loves receiving affection. When you sit down she comes to you to have her ears scratched. … She is curious and alert and explored the perimeter of the yard. It didn’t appear that she was trying to escape. However knowing that huskies can be escape artists it would be wise to have a secure tall fence if you are considering adopting this beauty!  She is indeed a well-behaved dog that has lots of love to give a loving family.”
AND THIS IS GLENN (#51493760), another dog who has captured Judi’s heart. She writes, “It would be easy to run out of favorable adjectives when describing Glenn. Just look at that cute face and you can tell that he is sweet. And he really is! He’s a 3-year-old, 57-pound tan and white Pittie who came to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/8 as a stray. He is not fixed.” 
And Judi ads, “Besides being adorable (I hope being a boy he doesn’t take offense at that adjective), he’s got a healthy-looking athletic physique. He’s extremely well behaved. He literally sat perfectly still while I put a scarf around his neck. Then he sat for treats and took them gently.  He would then sit again in anticipation of another treat. He stayed close to me wanting human attention and affection. He wagged his tail a lot indicating to me that he’s a happy guy! He was curious and alert watching activity going on outside the gate. He’s very attentive, friendly and lovable. He came running when I called him. … I fell in love with Glenn and I know that when you meet him you will also. He would like nothing better than to be an integral part of your family and join in with family activities."
Remember, for the animals in the Mesquite shelter, use their ID numbers —- not just their names — to make communication clear. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 

CONTEMPLATIONS
DAYLIGHT, TIME CHANGE, SPRING
It was dark and half-way through the 5:30 p.m. news when suddenly it dawned on me that I’m not typing this for Thursday, I’m typing it for Friday. Yes, I lost track of my internal calendar. I blame Washington, D.C., and that darned time change. Why not? Other people have already called “dibs” on blaming Putin and he appears to have earned the blame. …
When does the time change again? Day after Thanksgiving 2022. Relax. I’m kidding. The time changes next on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Spring forward. I’m all ready for Texas Rangers spring training — pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Az., on Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day, 2023. Yes, NFL fans, spring training starts two days after the Super Bowl. Clearly, Arlington will still be celebrating that Dallas Cowboys victory in Glendale, Az., i.e., suburban Phoenix. Time flies like a pass in the last two minutes of a Cowboys game. It’s quick and nobody is sure where it’ll land.
—- Offer hope and joy by clicking on ‘comment’ or email dallr[email protected] and put RELAX AND ENJOY AUTUMN in the subject line. —-