TWO PIGS, SOME DOGS AND CATS AND PONDERING OUR TOP SECRET PAPERS...

EDITION OF MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023 [PetPowellPress] This is a Monday morning edition and if you have any interest in stories regarding, as they on the gridiron, the “pigskin,” we’re featuring two players from the porcine community -- neither is a Razorback. Neither is feral. Neither is running for office. Read on.
SHAMMIE, TUSKERTON:

TWO PIGS IN COWTOWN
And in an effort to help members of the porcine population, we’re citing a pair of pigs who arrived at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control on different paths. We learned of them via longtime Fort Worth animal advocate and tipster Ginger Leach on her Facebook page.
First fellow is Shammie (#51909571). He came into the shelter as a stray. He is available “for pet only” —- that means nobody with a hunger for fresh pork should get in line to adopt Shammie. [LARRY DIET ADVICE: As a dedicated vegetarian, I urge you to change your ways -- save them all.] 
In fact, one person who posted a comment on the Shammie item wrote, “He is too friendly not to have belonged to someone. He came right up to the kennel door and let me rub his snout!”
 Shammie is at the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s Silcox Campus, 4900 Martin St., on the southeastern edge of the city.
This guy Tuskerton? Not a stray. Tuskerton (#5189088) is “in need of a new home,” the note reads. “He was surrendered for being ‘too much responsibility’.” [LARRY ASIDE: You hope this pig-dumper doesn’t have kids — One kid can prove to be more responsibility than a passel of pigs.]

Tuskerton is also a “pet-only pig” and he’s at the FWACC’s North Campus at 351 Hillshire Drive.
Don’t call about these or any other FW animals. Email [email protected].

[LARRY ASIDE: I never write about pigs without remember the time I interviewed Terry DeGaw, the late founder of the now-closed Serenity Springs Animal Sanctuary in Forestburg. I was doing a story about people dumping “little pigs” and “pocket pigs.” For the benefit of people who thought little pigs would always be little, Terry politely sighed and patiently declared, “It’s a PIG! THEY GROW!” Bless, Terry — she worked hard to save animals and enlighten people. May Shammie and Tuskerton find homes with people who understand pigs!]
AS LONG AS WE’RE OUT WEST:

SUZIE Q, CHEETO DUST, DOLLY PURRTON
This dog is one of those “longest resident” babies — a 4-year-old Hound mix named Suzie Q. She and these cats are in the care of the Humane Society of North Texas, headquartered in Fort Worth and operating at assorted sites around Tarrant County.

The story on Suzie Q begins with this comment directed to supporters of HSNT: “Y’all helped us find our previous longest resident Boe a home (he was with us over 600 days) and now Suzie Q wants the spotlight! 

“Suzie Q came into our care in October of 2021 (yes, that's over 400 days!!!) after her owner suddenly passed away. This 4-year-old Hound mix LOVES people and kids, but what's held her back from finding a home is that she is just not a fan of other animals (dogs or cats). If you can get past that, you'll find that this girl would be an AMAZING addition to your family! She's house-trained, she knows basic commands like sit and lay down. She loves to chase the ball and is a staff favorite for her lovable, goofy nature.

“An amazing supporter heard about how long Suzie Q has been here and donated the cost of her adoption fee, so currently Suzie Q is FREE to adopt! Bring her home today from our Hurst Adoption Center. If you can’t adopt, help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends! Susie Q is #48864687...” 
[HSNT CONTACT INFO: See the list of adoptable dogs and cats and, also, locations of HSNT adoption sites at www.hsnt.org.]
LARRY FYI: There are also cats in the care of the Fort Worth-based Humane Society of North Texas. And this first one (above) is #51901280, a 3-year-old male Domestic Shorthair —large fellow who goes by the name "Cheeto Dust.” He’s at the HSNT location inside the PetSmart at 4465 Bryant Irving Road in Fort Worth.

The black cat with the great eyes is #51893518, a year-and-a-half old Domestic Shorthair mix of medium size known as Dolly Purrton. She’s in the Keller Regional Adoption Center’s Cat Room at 330 Rufe Snow Dr. in Keller. [LARRY ASIDE: Maybe you can help her learn to purr I Will Always Love You.]
A HANDSOME CLOUD
WAITS IN MESQUITE
[LARRY ASIDE: It has, since my earliest days of writing about animals, always amazed me and distressed me to realize that some of the most beautiful dogs and cats in the world wind up in a fix because their humans just don’t take proper care of them. This guy is an example. Of course, I've never met a dog or cat that wasn't beautiful. It's in the eyes and the soul.]
Thanks to volunteer Mesquite Animal Shelter dog biographer Judi Brown we have the appeal on behalf of Cloud, a year-old, 57-pound mix of fantastic breeds who came into the shelter on Friday the 13th as a stray. His family tree includes Golden Retriever, Lab and Pyrenees. [LARRY ASIDE: Three great loving, warm and adorable breeds in one dog. Stop the presses! How about that combo!!!]
Fortunately Judi has spent time with this guy and can tell us about him. She writes, “He is a delightful boy that will fit in well with an active family. When he got out into the yard he literally romped and frolicked back and forth. A good-size yard would be in order for this active boy. He was not interested in chasing a ball but he found toys on his own and entertained himself with them. It was fun to watch! He sits for treats when he wants to.
“He spent time exploring the yard but also spent a lot of time close to me. I admit part of it was because he liked having his ears scratched and wanted attention but also he’s highly motivated by treats and he knew that I had some in my pocket. This was an incentive for him to stay close. He’s a happy, outgoing, friendly guy. He’s also very alert. He wanted to know what was going on outside the shelter yard.
“He’s very affectionate. When I sat down he came to me wanting his ears scratched. He occasionally jumps on you when he gets excited so that would be something to keep in mind if you have young children. He has a semi-strong pull on a leash. … We always suggest you ask the shelter for a dog test if you have another dog. If you’re an active family that wants a fun-loving active dog, come meet Cloud. If you adopt him and he becomes a member of your family he will be on Cloud Nine and so will you!! 
Cloud is #51869629 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmes quite.com.

Remember, you can see more Mesquite adorable adoptables —canines and felines — by clicking HERE
And inexplicably in a civilization full of really smart people, this guy Duncan (#51688916) still hasn’t been adoped. He’s 9 months old, smallish, orange and white, spayed and came into the shelter on December 12 — he’s in the Conference Room at the shelter. Conpurring, you may recall from our previous item announcing that he is available to any loving home.
CONTEMPLATIONS
IDLE THOUGHTS FOR MONDAY AM
Will North Texas have any “Stock Show Weather” this year? That’s a reference to cold or wet or windy weather that arrives during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo — it runs through Feb. 4 so we have plenty of time for a renegade cold front to lay down a coating of ice and snow though it might be nicer this year to just have a few days in the unexpected low-80s. Perhaps you’ll recall that the 2022 Stock Show began with cancellation of the opening downtown parade because of high winds, then drew to a close with genuinely wintry weather. At least nobody with the weather bureau is predicting more than a 87.6 percent chance of volcanic activity on any recently completed Dallas freeway resconstruction projects. …
Anybody else spend part of your weekend carefully checking packing boxes in your garage and closets for classified papers you forgot you had? I always clean out my old boxes when I begin to think I may have packed money and gift cards that I forgot I had. It’s the American Paranoia at work: If somebody’s not out to get me, I may be out to get my ownself! …

We celebrated my funspouse Martha’s birthday all weekend. I tell ya, teenagers can be a blast! She’s a hoot! 

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