ON THE EVE OF FRIDAY THE 13TH, A VERY FULL REPORT ON A DOG PUSHED OUT OF A 'MOVING VEHICLE' AND ANOTHER STARVED NEARLY TO DEATH....

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY JANUARY 12-13, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Call me quirky, but I’m writing all this on the 12th because Friday the 13th makes me a little jumpy. Specifically, I’m lucky enough to be dealing with Covid (again), so I don’t need Friday the 13th helping me pick Lotto Texas numbers.
 
STARTING WITH MADOC,
WAITING IN EAST TEXAS…
Consider these words: “Pushed out of a moving vehicle.” 
This dog is Madoc, currently on the clock in the Daingerfield Animal Shelter about 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas in the heart of Morris County.
Immediately you’ll want to know how to adopt or rescue this guy: Call the shelter at 903-645-2120 or email animal shelter@cityof daingerfield.com and if you’re in a car or pickup, drop by the shelter at 1103 Bert St, Daingerfield, TX 75638.

Animal Shelter Director Tabitha Hicks tells us they’re really hopeful of getting an adopter or rescuer quickly for this handsome dog.
Tami Kukla, the animal advocate/rescuer who has taken on promoting Daingerfield’s shelter animals as a personal project, sent us a note that says the hope is to get a rescue or adoptor for Madoc by the MLK Holiday weekend — the actual holiday is Monday the 18th and the shelter is closed on weekends, according to its city website info.

So, Tami’s report is that last week “the Daingerfield team saved Madoc after he was pushed out of a moving vehicle. To do this to any animal is simply heartless. Luckily the team was there to save him and get him started on a TLC path  Madoc is underweight and heartworm positive and has the cough associated with heartworms.
“The shelter doesn't have funding for the medical treatment he needs so they are asking for help from a caring person who wants to change a life and/or a wonderful rescue to do the same.”

Tami says Madoc is about 2 and is a Pointer Mix who “hasn’t known much love in his life but he opens up the minute you show him kindness.. … He is dog friendly and has a playful side that will keep you smiling.  And he is a huge fan of treats. The team has done what they can to reduce his stress in the hope of finding a family for him, but the shelter environment is a bit much for a sensitive pup like Madoc.  He will thrive in a home environment with a loving and patient family.”

[LARRY ASIDE: Same contact points, by the way, for this cat Violet — adopting her sweetness will honor readlarrypowell.com's late Office Cat Deputy Chief Kittie Leigh Johnson. We first encountered Violet’s story of being a mom surrendered with kittens as we were doing the initial coping with the loss of Kittie Leigh last year. Violet has gotten the “good cat” opinion from people who meet and cuddle her. We’d get her, but we’re already at our critter limit. So I’m promoting her as a cat who deserves a sensational home. — from the heart, Larry.]

A DOG NAMED LUIS SURVIVES
BEING INTENTIONALLY STARVED
Oh, boy, it’s another story of a human failing an animal. We got the tip on this from our pal Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com. She’s a longtime supporter of the Trinity GAP Rescue organization that evolved from the Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program’s efforts to help animals.
Luis is the dog and he was removed from a home where he was being starved.

So, we asked Trinity GAP Rescue’s Steffenie Vela about this starving dog and the path to being saved. She told us Thursday that the rescue got Luis on January 3. “A neighbor called it in [to Euless Animal Services] that the man had two dogs and one was being starved. We have no idea why because the owner argued with the ACO that nothing was wrong with him.  He further said he had lost the weight overnight!  We are hoping criminal charges are going to be filed,” Steffenie said, adding:
 “In the meantime, he is loving life with four small meals a day!”
As you can see from these photos, Luis was not far from an awful ending when Euless Animal Control “removed” the dog from the home where he was being starved.

Trinity GAP rescue has a Cuddly link HERE to help fund Luis’ recovery and keep him fed and healthy (it lists food you can sponsor, etc.). Also, you can reach Trinity GAP Rescue via it’s website at trinitygaprescue.org.
Here are some excerpts from Luis’ story as told by Trinity GAP Rescue and leader Steffenie:

“Luis’ story is horrible but thank God he is in the care of this group and he will know love and compassion—and food.” 
And, “Poor Luis was skin and bones, and it is a miracle that he survived the intentional starvation and unimaginable cruelty inflicted by his former owner.  … Thankfully, Animal Control Officers immediately removed the dog from the home. Once this pup had been released to the city, our team [at GAP Rescue] was called and Luis was transferred into our care.
“When we first saw Luis, we were appalled at the condition he was in. Luis was like a walking skeleton. He weighed in at only 24 pounds upon intake, even though a dog of his age should be closer to 50 pounds at least.
“Despite the cruelty Luis has experienced, he is an extremely sweet and loving boy. Even after such horrific mistreatment, he is so gentle and holds no grudges. Luis is an extremely special dog who deserves to find a home that will show him the love and affection he has never known until now.”
Here’s a link to a video of Luis as he went into rescue/treatment.
“Luis is now in the care of a very experienced foster. He is on a special diet to help him gain weight, and he will have regular visits with the vet to monitor his progress. Luis is adjusting to his new life extremely well, and we can tell that this sweet boy is so grateful to have been saved. Once Luis is strong enough, we will be looking to find him a forever home. Until Luis is adopted, he and his foster will need our help. Please consider donating any items from his wishlist, or towards covering the cost of his medical care. Thank you so much for supporting Luis!”
And there’s this from Trinity GAP, so, if you’ve never encountered a starving dog, you’ll know what the challenges might be: “Luis was given two accessories to help his healing. There were some pressure sores on his body he was licking so a soft cone was necessary to prevent him from continuing this. He's also so emaciated with no body fat to support him, poor Luis cannot regulate his temperature like a normal pup. We have provided him with a thunder vest to help keep him warm because he's been so cold. Luis' condition is severe and he has a long way to go with his recovery.”
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
WORKING FOR ANIMALS….
We learned of Lola from our pal Judi Brown, veteran dog bio-writer and evaluator. “Lola needs a break,” Judi writes. “Her first nine months have not been as good as they could have been. She is a 9-month-old, 49-pound Belgium Shepherd/German Shepherd mix that was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/5.  She is not spayed. 
“The owner did not take time to fill out much of the surrender form but the notation on the kennel card said she was surrendered because she was unwanted and her behavior was incompatible. However in talking with the personnel at the front desk, I was told her owner said he didn’t have time for her. He had had her for 7 of her 9 months..... and now she finds herself at a noisy overcrowded shelter. She is scared. When the kennel tech went to get her she was hiding at the back of her kennel and very hesitant to come out.”
Here’s where the experienced eye of a dog-biographer comes in handy. Judi reports, “For most of the time out in the yard her tail was tucked completely under. She did a lot of nervous pacing. When I first reached for her she flinched. I left the leash on her because she was skittish. We walked back-and-forth in the yard and she began to relax a little. The owner surrender form stated she knew the sit command. And she did sit for me and took a treat gently. With time and TLC she hesitantly came up to me. She did let me pet her but it was obvious she was not completely comfortable. Interestingly enough when a kennel tech took her back she continually looked back for me. He noticed it, too. It was obvious there was some form of bonding between us and she wanted to know that I was coming along also. She is a work in progress and another evaluation will be done when more trust is built.” Lola is #518118374 — use that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Moving along to handsome Sonic, Judi writes, “Sonic truly is looking for someone to love. He is extremely affectionate.”
 The 3-year-old, 59-pound German Shepherd mix came in as a stray (unfixed!) on January 6. Judi says, “He would explore the yard and then come back to me and then explore the yard and come back to me again. He was curious as to what was going on beyond the gate. Some customers came up to the gate and he gave them a warm welcome. He doesn’t appear to know the sit command. He also was not interested in balls or toys, but that is something you could teach him. He is  friendly, appears to be happy, a people pleaser, very calm, gentle, well mannered, sweet, and very loving. His tail wags constantly.

“At one point when I was standing he came up to me and actually pushed his body up against me just to be closer. When I sat down he came to me to have his ears scratched. … As gentle as he is he should do well with a family with children. He deserves to be an integral part of a family…” Sonic is #51824575 — use the ID when you call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Judi writes that this guy “Wally loves life and is a joy to be around,” She says he’s a mostly black, maybe a year or two old, 52-pound Pittie mix who came in on the 5th as a stray.
“Wally literally galloped, frolicked and romped around the yard. His tail wagged constantly. He’s a very friendly, energetic, fun-loving guy. His joyful attitude is contagious. When not exploring the yard he stayed close. One of the reasons was that he knew I had treats. He’s highly motivated by treats and sits in anticipation of them. He also takes them gently. He chases balls and will even put them in his mouth but does not bring them back. … He wagged his tail when meeting other dogs. It appeared he wanted to make friends. Wally would do well with an active family with a yard to play in. However in the evenings he would love to spend his time curled up on the couch beside you …” Wally is #51818098 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Then there’s Chester, a “happy guy” who is a 4-year-old, 64-pound Staffordshire Terrier — came in as an un-neutered stray on January 2. Judi writes, “Chester will capture your heart with his easy-going, friendly, fun-loving personality. … He explored the yard but for the most part stayed close to me. He was curious and spent some time looking out the gate. He liked rolling in the leaves. It was really cute to see. He sits for treats and takes them gently. He chased balls and retrieved them. He’s very gentle, well- behaved and wants to please. He’s also very alert. He’s affectionate and at the end of the photo shoot I even got some kisses! … He didn’t appear to be interested in meeting other dogs but we always suggest if you have another dog to ask the shelter for a dog test. Because he is so gentle and does not jump on you, he should be really good with children. I can already see him in his dog bed or sprawled out on some blankets on the couch next to you while you’re enjoying family time.”
 Chester is #51785016 — yep, use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
See more Mesquite adorable adoptables by clicking on the Mesquite Shelter link HERE. That’ll take you to the online list of animals that need homes — lots of dogs, lots of cats. Some of ‘em may have “stories” but some of them may be waiting for you to help them write that great story of a happy life with an appreciative, loving human.
Among the cats and kittens and dogs and puppies, there are TNRs (Trap Neuter Returns) such as this lady cat from Ridgefield Circle — she’s #51845361 in the shelter. A small adult with a fantastic clover on her beautiful cat face, she came in on the 10th and is waiting in the Feral Room. Who knows? Maybe she’ll decide she can live with the right human. We have experience with TNRs and Ferals, too, and sometimes they turn out to be absolutely divine housecats. One became a barncat. Their futures were more than a needle and a bag. Save ‘em all, you know? Not their fault some nitwit thought a stern lecture —“I told kitty not to go out there and get pregnant” — was an effective contraceptive.
CONTEMPLATIONS
Covid and stuff….
So, yeah, I’m on my second official case of Covid. Symptoms are mild — except for the isolation booth I used to call an “office” and the bedroom that formerly was reserved for guests. It doesn’t have cable. When I crash, I’m hooked up to more wires than a carnival midway so I can watch TV on my iPad and listen to the radio on an old cellphone that still has some computer connections.
I’m taking off from now until Tuesday the 19th in an attempt to rest enough to get rid of this little bug. I’m being tended to by dogs and cats because Martha’s afraid I’m too contagious for marriage. Besides, she’s already had it. A rougher case than mine, in fact. 
Who knows where this came from? I’ve had all the shots and all the boosters you can get. And I never took an international fact-finding trip to Wuhan with U.S. Rep George Santos. I’m almost certain he’ll confirm that he never took such a trip with me. Almost certain.
—- Offer no medical or financial advice when you click on ‘Comment’ below, simply remind everyone you know to readlarrypowell.com and save all the animals. —-