ReadLarryPowell.com

SHELTERS HAVE ANIMALS, ANIMALS NEED HUMANS; THLN LINES UP AUSTIN SUPPORT; LOVELY MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT

EDITION OF FEBRUARY 14-15, 2023 [PetPowellPress] May your Valentine’s Day and those that follow be filled with a happiness you didn’t expect and if you’re eating chocolates, knock it off. We’ll get to our musical tribute later today. Warming up my pipes for the recording. Oops. I slipped into writing fiction again — I have no pipes. OK, let’s look at other things before we get to a famed anmal fan.
We’ll start with that photo snapped by my sweetheartspouse Martha this morning — it’s a vivid rainbow over downtown Cowtown (barely visible at the bottom of the frame). So, somewhere over the rainbow….wait, why bring UFOs into this….Moving along we’ll try to help animals, discuss the Texas Humane Legislation Network which helps animals and a famed romantic singer whose always had a heart for animals.
SMALL SHELTERS, LOUSY CHANCES
FOR ANIMALS — PLEDGES AT $275…
The pledges to help save some animals in small shelters are at the $275 mark, reports our pals at 4-Legged Helpers. That what a bonafide non-profit will get to help it find a good home for these pups.
They are all described as “euth pending!” by the Helpers and that is primarily because they are in small shelters with low human foot traffic and high incoming paw traffic. City animal shelters can’t just hang a sign on the door telling people to come back and dump their dogs later. 
If the Helpers were doing this spotlighting, the small shelters probably wouldn’t have any attention on them and their animals. To ask about these pups, call or text the Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email: [email protected].
In the email we got this morning, Beck, that handsome Bulldog mix, is listed as being in the Ferris Animal Shelter south of Dallas — that shelter takes in animals from other places, too — but the goal is the same. Get them to safety.
Beck’s bio reads, "This CUTIE PIE is just adorable.  He was found in Hutchins out and about on his own.  He is the sweetest most lovable guy.   Beck is a great size and he poses when you photograph him!!!!  He was dog tested with a female dog and they had the best time playing. Please, help save him!!!!!  HE IS SO CUTE!”

Next up is the German Shepherd mix Missy in Waxahachie. Her bio reads, “Missy is a gorgeous girl who was pictured on PawBoost for many months after someone found her but no one ever came for her. She is a great dog.  Housetrained. Super lovable. Already fixed! The person that found her is unable to keep her. Please help.”
Emma, with the great eyes and robustly active tail, is an Aussie Cattledog Mix. Her bio reads, “Just as cute as cute can be!  Look at those amazingly beautiful eyes.  Found out and about on her own in Hutchins.  So lovable!”

Brady we’ve mentioned before, also. He’s a Lab/Bulldog mix in Ferris’ shelter. Two of Brady’s favorite things are in these photos — riding in a vehicle and his rope toy. His bio reads, “HOUSETRAINED!! Brady is the absolute sweetest, cuddly marshmallow pup you could meet.  ADORES people and all other dogs.  He is silly and sweet and would be the most perfect hiking or running or tv watching companion.  Ready to go anywhere or do anything.  Carries around the rope toy ready for fun.  ADORES RIDING IN THE CAR. Lol. If you are looking for a cuddly sweetie that adores everyone and everything, look no further. PLEASE HELP. A kind person found him out and about on his own in the rural county area.  Sure is cute!   One to 1.5 years old is best guesstimate.”
And Jayson, with the great eyes, is waiting in Ferris, too. He’s listed as a “Retriever/Black Mouth /Cur Mix.” His bio reads, “Jayson is such a cutie pie!   Only about a year old. He was found out and about with some other dogs and he is SUPER SWEET. His big chocolate brown eyes and that beautiful cream colored fur would melt anyone’s heart.  Such a sweetie!!!!  Very cute and very deserving boy.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Big city shelters generally have someone who’ll do public relations notices and appeals, teams of volunteers and several officers working to save animals from inattentive humans. Small city shelters? Dedicated hearts of animal lovers and maybe one or two animal control officers overloaded with duties. The mission? Save ‘em all, right?]
SPEAKING OF HELPING ANIMALS,
A LEGISLATURE NOTE FROM THLN
You may have gotten this note, but in case you didn’t, we did and we’re happy to share it because it matters in Texas — especially to animals and the people who love them.
The note from Stacy Sutton Kerby, Director of Government Relations for the Texas Humane Legislation Network was celebratory. “We have some exciting news,” it began, continuing, “Our priority legislation has been filed to curb animal cruelty, protect consumers, and hold breeders accountable!
“Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) and Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Killeen) teamed up to file legislation reforming the Texas Licensed Breeders Program which oversees commercial dog and cat breeders in Texas.
“The Program has existed since 2011 and though it has a proven track record of preventing cruelty, significant loopholes have allowed some commercial breeders to avoid licensure and meet basic standards of care. SB 876 / HB 2238  will strengthen the Texas Licensed Breeders Program by:

“—Lowering the number of breeding females which triggers licensing from eleven to five. This will allow the Program to cover all commercial breeders in Texas. Hobby breeders will not be affected by this change.

“— Removing the sales threshold currently required for licensing. Proving sales is a major loophole that prevents accountability. Removing the sales threshold of 20 dogs and/or cats per year will allow the Program to oversee the commercial breeding industry as it was intended to do.”
“—Strengthening the Program through this legislation will be a huge step forward for animals in Texas and compliments HB 870, the Humane Pet Store Bill!”
Read more (on thln.org) about THLN’s work and about the March 23 Humane Lobby Day in Austin on which “animal lovers meet at the Capitol to advocate for animals. After a full day of getting briefed on bills, special guest speakers, meeting with legislators and networking with like-minded Texans, you'll be empowered to take that knowledge back to your community - and you will know you made a difference for animals!” 
 Follow THLN on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thlntx.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
SOME ANIMALS IN WAITING….
This first girl is Bozzly, a Hound mix surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on Feb. 7 — she’d been adopted from the shelter in September 2020. Now, she’s 5 years old, spayed and weighs 78 pounds, according to her biography by shelter volunteer Debra Chisholm.
 And the bio reads that Bozzly “walks OK on a leash but has a strong pull.  Bozzly knows the sit and stay commands.  She is quite good at fetching.  Owner admitted to only feeding her table scraps from the dinner table.  Owner also said the following of Bozzly: She lived as an outside dog, she lived with and is ok with other dogs, she also lived with and is fine with cats.  Owner has a 4 year old child and reported that Bozzly was ok with the child. She is a playful, friendly, tail-wagging life-of-the-party kind of girl.  She is very high energy and will jump on you.  … This would not seem to be a dog suited to a home with small children.  Bozzly needs obedience training and daily exercise and playtime if she is to fit in well with her new person or family.”
Bozzly is #38579018 in the shelter. Use that reference when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: About Bozzly’s diet — this isn’t the 1950s and it isn’t my beloved once-unenlightened Northeast Texas where dogs existed just to scare off strangers. Geez, people drive me nuts.]
This girl with the happy tail is Lexi, described as “possibly a Louisiana Catahoula Shepherd/Plott Hound mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/4 as a stray.  Having been at the shelter for over 3 months she is considered a LONG-TERM RESIDENT.  Lexi is about a year old, weighs 31 pounds, and is spayed.  The $64,000 question is "Why is this adorable girl still at the shelter?”,  She is a delightful youngster.  She is just the right size for a person or family that needs a smaller dog.  She is full of vim and vigor.  Lexi has an outgoing and trusting personality.  She is a tailing-wagging spunky and enthusiastic pup.: Lexi is #51466965.”
Debra writes, “This precious boy is Leo, an American Pit mix that arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 10/17.  Therefore he is a LONG-TERM RESIDENT and needs a home asap.  He is approx 3 1/2 years old and is neutered.  He came in weighing 63 pounds, but is now 49 pounds.  He is declining in the shelter environment.  There is so much to like about this little boy.  He walks quite nicely on a leash.  He knows the sit command.  Leo has a moderate activity level.  He was not interested in toys or balls during the photo session.  Leo loves treats and takes them gently.  He is friendly and oh-so-sweet.  He is more than happy to receive petting, hugs, and cuddling.” Leo is #51341942.
That brings us to this beauty Greta, #52030509, a German Shepherd beauty picked up by a shelter officer on Feb. 8. She’s about 2, isn’t spayed and weighs 53 pounds. Debra’s bio of Greta reads, “She appears to have been well cared for but here she is at a city shelter with no one coming to reclaim. She's delightful and charming. Greta knows the sit command.  She was not interested in the treats I offered.  She has boundless energy.  Her special skill is that of fetching.  She very much enjoyed having the tennis balls thrown so she could show me how good she was with returning it.  She is playful.  Greta does jump on you so will need instruction not to do this. … This spunky and frisky girl is playful and friendly.  She was a-ok with receiving loving attention.”
As noted earlier, use the ID numbers when you contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
When you click on this Mesquite Shelter Link it will take you to the animal photos and bios — dogs and cats — and among the felines you’ll find just-over-a-year-old Sissy (#51847783). She’s listed as a “large” Domestic medium-hair mix. Basic gray. And she’s in the shetler’s “Nursery” area — she’s been in the shelter since January 10. She’s available to anyone who genuinely loves cats. [No rats need apply, suggested readlarrypowell.com where we understand and adore cats and believe they all deserve the best of homes.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
VALENTINES AND TONY BENNETT
On this Valentine’s Day 2023, we’re offering up a thank-you note to possibly the greatest love song singer of all time, the magnificent Tony Bennett. I’ve seen him in concert three or four times — I got to shake his hand at the Venetian Room in the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas decades ago. Such a nice guy. One time, Martha and I saw him perform at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and after his show ended on a high note, he came out on stage in a dressing grown to say goodnight to the crowd and he was happily carrying his little Maltese —Happy. So, for Valentine’s Day, here’s a great Tony Bennett performance. it’s Once Upon a Time from the 1962 Broadway musical All American (book by — no kidding — Mel Brooks. Lyrics and music not by Mel). The song Once Upon a Time is bittersweetly wonderful. Click HERE.  And, because of Tony Bennett, I became a fan of Lady Gaga. Great duets. Enjoy this one with with Tony and Gaga: The Lady Is a Tramp. Turn your speakers down to AL -- Adorable Level. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m so grateful to have lived in the same time not just as Lady Gaga but as a couple of sweethearts, i.e., Tony Bennett and my funspouse Martha. It’s a kick, to use a 20th century term.] Got time? Google and read the story of Tony’s Duets II album. Oh, my! Success for the artist and the listeners.
—- Offer reasons to adore someone by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put RADAR LOVE in the subject line. —-

FOR A MONDAY REPORT, WE TALK UFOS, DOGS AND CATS, SUPER BOWL, KIDDING AND SPRING TRAINING

EDITION OF MONDAY, FEB. 13, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Whoa! How ‘bout them Cowboys…oh, wait, wrong century.
 It’s the Monday after the Super Bowl. Here’s where we determine your priorities in life. Which affected your emotions more?

(1) Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl or
(2) U.S. fighter jets shooting down more alleged UFOs over U.S. and Canadian territory? “4th time in 8 days,” a radio news report said Monday morning. [LARRY ASIDE: Just who are we shootin’ down? Cue the spooky music. Sombody call Mulder and Scully.] Is that cat looking into a confiscated spacecraft? Is he the pilot? Don't be silly. He just needs a home. Read on.
Ah, what a way to start a Monday in February — the day before Valentine’s Day. As it turns out, we do have some tips on finding and rescuing affection. Won't be romantic, but it will be genuine.

WHERE DO DOGS COME FROM?

WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
The answer to the second question is more important than the first, but in this opening report on a Monday, we’ll declare that there is a significant connection between those questions. They are volunteers with dedicated hearts, professionals with a life-saving mission and people who just know that helping dogs and cats is the right thing to do.

Now, how about that older gentleman dog! 
We learned of him because our longtime pal, the artistic photographer and animal fan Karen Lee tipped us to the latest work of Trinity GAP Rescue, the non-profit that evolved from a student project years ago for members of the Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program (GAP). 
When we went to the Trinity GAP Rescue Facebook page HERE, we found several photos of that boy.  But he had no name listed — you can see why when you read his brief bio: “Urgent! We have a senior who was abandoned in a home when owners moved. This baby has to have a medical foster! If you can help him please email [email protected]." 
They’re not all in the shape of this geriatric fellow. But they share a common need -- a home.
For example, an earlier note from Karen cited these dogs — they also are posted on the Trinity GAP Facebook page. Karen, as you may recall from earlier reporting, has been a GAP supporter since its inception. Karen and hubby Dennis founded and run barkleyworld.com, the non-profit that helps people help their animals, particularly when here is an expensive medical situation involved.
Because of the tip from Karen, I found the appeal from Trinity GAP Rescue on behalf of the organization’s city partner, the Euless Animal Shelter described this way: “Overflowing with dogs in need of homes—even a foster home would greatly help!!” On the Facebook page there are several Valentines Day themed photos of Euless animals awaiting either rescue or adoption or …. well, you know. When you see a dog you want to help, email Trinity GAP Rescue at [email protected]. Jade and Oreo are just a couple of many of the Euless dogs — they are Husky/Lab mixes who “ended up in the shelter due to housing issues.” Jade’s the female and Oreo isn't.
That bring us to these photos which could be unsettling if they didn’t represent a triumph for a dog — and doesn’t he wear that Elizabethan collar well! 
The Trinity GAP Rescue bio reads, “Duggan needs your help! He was dumped on the streets and hit by a car. A GAP volunteer saw it and tried to help. He was in excruciating pain and screaming. She could not catch him, so over the next two months put food and water out and prayed he would not freeze in bad weather. 

“Finally, he was caught and TGAP took him into our rescue. He had a broken leg and his hip was out of socket.
“His surgery was [last week]and now we have to pay the bill. He is one very sweet dog who is only two years old.
“We had the surgery on faith that animal lovers would help us with his vet care. Please don’t let him and us down. Any amount will help! To donate click this link https://trinity
gaprescue.org/
donations/
Also at the link trinitygaprescue.org you can see many more dogs and a cat or few with a Euless connection — in the shelter, in foster care — that GAP Rescue is helping. This cat is Saint — he’s in the shelter not yet in foster. To ask about him email [email protected]. 
Saint is #22140 — he’s neutered, about a year old and was “brought to the shelter after his owner could no longer keep him. He’s affectionate, friendly, curious and loves being around people.” He has a “sweet personalty” but isn’t so sure about dogs. Again, that Trinity GAP Rescue link is HERE.
Handsome fellow for a big ol' orange cat, isn't he!
CONTEMPLATIONS
BOWL, PASSING AND SPACE RIDE
That Super Bowl — it was a wacky game -- bad reffing and worse footing. Whew! Glad the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have to play in those conditions. When I heard that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott had been named the NFL’s Man of the Year, I kidded that it was because of his charitable nature with passes — 15 interceptions in 12 games. He had 10 in 2021’s season and de-improved (not a real word) to15 in 2022. Will he spend the off-season warming up for 2023 or wondering if the surgeon needs to rewire that broken thumb? Oh, come on. If you can’t kid about pro football, what can you joke about. Politics? Yeah, that’s a funny topic. Moving along….
No joke, the Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Wednesday — yes, the 15th, they go to Surprise, Ariz. I’m pretty sure the Rangers’ turf has a different guy working the turf. Pretty sure. …
THINGS THAT ARE ON TV: If I see one more "quick shower installation” commercial I'm going to beg to be picked up by a UFO. It’ll need extra lift, a comfy chair with a reading lamp and a hookup to my cable TV system. I’m an Earthling who doesn’t ask a lot. A little oxygen, some coffee and access to a plate of vegetarian nachos now and then. Space, where no one has gone before without an electric-powered vehicle. You think the moon rovers ran on gasoline?
— Offer thoughts or blank stares by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put "LAY OFF THE NACHOS, SLIM. YOU MAKE THE UFO TILT” in the subject line. —-

DOES A SLEEPING POSE INDICATE A FAMILY TREE CONNECTION FOR CATS?

For this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we’re going to ask a “family question.” Maybe even call this “exploring a theory.”


We’re going to do this quietly, calmly because I believe that is how cats would want us to proceed with collecting our observations. 
Our Demonstration Cats are (left) Cosmo of Maine and Chloe of New Jersey. (Yes, Dear Readers, you probably recognize Chloe, the Executive Director of our Eastern Seaboard Bureau in Denville, N.J. Please read on.)

Here is the theory we will explore and I’m expressing it in question form: “Could ALL cats be related?”
As a longtime cat observer, readlarrypowell.com suspects they are all connected by a gene that promotes relaxed napping, i.e., catnapping.
 [LARRY ASIDE: And, we have to wonder, of course, if a profit-motivated scientist somewhere is working on a way to adjust human genetic impulses so we can activate an app on our phones and nod off like a just-fed cat whenever we need to, i.e., frequently.]

Background: This edition’s Napping Cats are not blood kin. But, honestly, look at the very similar “curl up and nap” poses. You can’t teach that stuff — it’s got be inherited, not instructed.
 These two happen to be cat-in-laws.
That debonaire fellow napping with one leg aristocratically extended is Cosmo. He may be the Cary Grant of Cats.
 Cosmo lives in Yarmouth, Maine, with Al and Anne Fisher. 
Our connection with Cosmo is this: He is the Catnapper in the home of The Fishers of Maine. And those Fishers are related to Andy and Annie, the Fishers on the Banks of Indian Lake in Denville, New Jersey. 
That lakeside site is, as regular readers know, the location of our Eastern Seaboard Bureau helmed by Executive Editor & Senior Correspondent Andy Fisher, the veteran print/broadcast journalist. Yes, Andy and Al are brothers. Andy and Annie are the humans tended to by Chloe.
While these two cats may not be immediately linkable by scientific studies, a sincere observer of felines can certainly declare that they look like catblood relatives when they’ve nodded off. We have photographic evidence. Check out the curled up photos (Chloe's in the colorful basket left) and the stretched out paws photos.

The Indian Lake Fishers, Annie and Andy, got Chloe in October of 2016. Andy writes, “She was less than six months old. The shelter (911 Cat and Dog Rescue) said she was born on April 30 to a ‘trap savvy’ mom and dad who had still not been spayed and neutered. The shelter worker who handled the adoption, Lori Bianchi, sent us these photos of an even younger Chloe, while she was still known as June Bug (how insulted she would be if she -- the full-grown pocket tiger -- were still called by THAT name!).”
 That's Chloe taking it easy in the, of course, "easy chair."
Cosmo arrived at his home sometime around 2007. Andy explains, “Cosmo is a fomer feral and current indoor/outdoor cat. He looks a little like Chloe.” Al says Cosmo is “at least 18.”
You see a common catitude in Cosmo’s extended paw picture and Chloe’s photo of sleeping between cushions on a couch. 
And in the curled up photos, there’s also a kinship among the cats when it come to catching a catnap.
Ultimately, we’ll just declare this: There's something extra about a comfortable cat — it’s catching. And, as a long time sleep-deprived human exists, we’ll just declare that we envy cats and their kinship of catnapping! Yes, that's baby Chloe -- getting ready for a nap?
[DEAR READERS: Send photos and bios of your sleeping dogs and napping cats and any other snoozing critters to [email protected] and we’ll post their stories on readlarrypowell.com in the weekly feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll show someone they can enjoy life with a household commpanion and you give hope to insomniacs that someone, somewhere, is working on improving ways to sleep.]
— Offer tips or thoughts by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] and put “PILLOW TALK” in the subject line. —-

AMID THE HUMAN DRAMA, WE FIND THE TALES OF ANIMALS AND HOPE FOR RESCUE....

EXTRA EDITION OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 [PetPowellPress] We’re doing an extra edition because this is Super Bowl Weekend. I’m kidding. We just have some extra save-the-animals appeals to mention before we present the weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. We’ll get to local literature in CONTEMPLATIONS.
PREGNANT? PREGNANT?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????
Calm down. I just wanted to get your attention. Nobody pregnant at the readlarrypowell.com address!
But we learned about this dog via the 4-Legged Helpers. She’s the German Shepherd girl Serena. Her brief bio reads, “This beautiful precious sweetheart was found running around on her own in Hutchins.  Serena is just as beautiful and sweet and loving as can be.  Only about 1.5 years old.  PREGNANT per shelter staff.”
In fact, the subject line on Serena’s email read “SHELTER STAFF BELIEVE SERENA IS PREGNANT - EMERGENCY!!  Tiny Shelter is not equipped to handle puppies!!!  HELP DESPERATELY NEEDED!!!”
Also drawing the 4-Legged Helpers’ spotlight today is this guy Beck, a Bulldog mix, also found “out and about on his own” in Hutchins. (Both Serena and Beck are in the current care of Ferris Animal Shelter, according to the Helpers. Beck’s bio begins, “This CUTIE PIE is just adorable.  … He is the sweetest most lovable guy.   Beck is a great size and he poses when you photograph him!!!!  He was dog tested with a female dog and they had the best time playing.”
To ask about helping these two, call or text the 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
You can see many more animals getting the rescue spotlight from 4-Legged Helpers by going to the non-profit’s Facebook page HERE.
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE
SOME ADORABLES AWAIT…
As you know, the rescue info pipeline from Mesquite runs right into the inbox at readlarrypowell.com and we proudly praise the work of the volunteers at the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
These three dogs came to us courtesy of the keyboard of volunteer dog-writer Debra Chisholm. We’re starting with her bio of Ziggy, a dog with a great set of ears and a great tail, too.
 Ziggy’s shelter ID is #52000338 — refer to his ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@city ofmesquite.com. Same system for these other Mesquite animals, too.
Debra says Ziggy — about 2, 57 pounds and not neutered — came into the shelter as a stray on Feb. 2. His bio reads, “He is uneasy in the shelter environment and has not yet fully acclimated to his strange new surroundings. He is nervous, a bit standoffish and somewhat skittish right now. He pooped and pottied in the yard so is possibly house trained. He walks well on a leash. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy stretching his legs in the yard and spent a great deal of time with his nose to the ground exploring all the interesting smells. He did relax and seemed to loosen up a bit. All this to say that given time and interaction with staff and volunteers he will undoubtedly warm up and develop some trust and confidence.” [LARRY ASIDE: Handsome boy now depends on humans with beautiful souls.]
This guy is Blue, an American Staffordshire mix who came into the shelter on September 13. Debra writes, “Being at the shelter for 5 months makes him one of our LONG-TERM residents who needs out of the shelter ASAP.”
Blue is maybe 4 1/2 or 5 years old and neutered — weighs 72 pounds. He’s a strong puller when he is on a leash. Debra says, “He ran and played in the yard and seemed so excited to be outside and get some time away from his kennel.  Blue likes toys and will chase tennis balls, sometimes returning them...and sometimes not.  This happy-go-lucky, confident fellow would seem best suited for a person or family that is active and would give him the daily exercise, play and help with not jumping.  Because of the issue with his jumping on people, he would not be a good fit for a family with small children.  He loves treats and takes them gently.” Blue is #51109844. See contact info above.

And that brings us to Scooter (#51289617), a “mixed-breed boy that arrived on October 9 — a stray. He qualifies as a “long- term resident” because of that 4-month stay. He has great eyes, great ears and a great tail — that’s three-for-three on the pretty chart!
Scooter is neutered, about a year old and weighs 35-to-40 pounds.
Debra writes, “He has an unusual appearance with one blue/one golden eye and those cutesy stand-up ears.  Scooter is a tail-wagging, fun-loving, life-of-the-party kind of guy.  In the shelter yard he romps, leaps, runs and does zoomies.  He chases balls and is playful.  He loves treats and will take them gently.  Scooter does jump on you in his exuberance so that issue would need to be addressed.  He walks well on a leash.
 
“This lively, perky and frisky fellow would love to be a part of someone's household who would give him plenty of time, exercise and obedience training and that would give him a committed inside life with his people.” Remember: his ID is #51289617 and it’s the identifier when you all the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
WANT TO MEET A NOVELIST
BEFORE THE SUPER BOW?

This could give you something interesting to do in the hours before the Super Bowl on Sunday. I’m not kidding — yes, meet a novelist, a longtime pal of mine, Kim Pierce. 

And you can do it in the heart of Dallas without having to go to an airport and wonder about your flight schedule. Hallelujah? Indeed. The event spotlighting Kim’s book My Dead True Love is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Half Price Books at 5803 E Northwest Highway. 
That means you get to ignore the tedious TV advertising/expert predictions lull before the Big Game kickoff while enjoying some engaging time with an author/catfan/animal advocate. You’ve seen the name Kim Pierce in our readlarrypowell.com editions through the years — she’s a devoted cat fan (think saving cats on the SMU campus). She also is an animal advocate, having served for years on the City of Dallas Animal Advisory Commission. We worked together for years (editing and writing) at The Big Paper in Downtown Dallas. 
Kim’s going to be signing, discussing (and selling!) My Dead True Love from from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday or, as she notes with a smile, “Yes, before the Super Bowl!”
The summary of My Dead True Love reads, “When a newspaper reporter's fiancé dies abruptly, she questions how he could just cease to be. Dogged by unbidden thoughts, odd coincidences and unexplained phenomena, Ann Stewart becomes obsessed with finding out what really happens after we die and whether her beloved Gregory is still out there. She finds her answer, which takes her and a close-knit coterie of women to the edge of the cosmos-and the core of their own hearts.”

In a note about the book Kim wrote, “At its core, My Dead True Love is a love story - even through the difficult grief chapters. For how can you not grieve deeply if you have loved deeply?” [LARRY ASIDE: The book’s also available online, but at the Sunday pre-game book event you’ll also get to hear the legendarily sharp Kim Piece wit at work out loud and hear how she could write this story of such deep emotions. Hint: Newspaper people have hearts. Sometimes. Heroic and kind. Yes.]

—- Offer book tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

AND A CHIP CAN WORK; AND A LITTLE HIPPO NEEDS SOME HELP; AND...AND...READ ON....

EDITION OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Let’s find something upbeat to write about as the weekend approaches. OK, The Dallas Cowboys aren’t going to lose the Super Bowl on Sunday. 

It’ll be a good afternoon to do some Christmas shopping. Wait. I’m jumping the gun on that one. Let’s see what we’ve run across at the end of our mouse….Oh, and one non-profit rescue has hustled up some donations to save several dogs in shelters. Keep reading. And we’ve even got an update on this girl Monroe, aka "Little Hippo."

A LITTLE DOG IN A BIG FIX

BECOMES A CHIP LESSON

I was looking for some information about something else when I clicked on the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center Facebook page HERE and found this tale of a timely rescue. A lot of people read the DAS site, but a lot of people don’t, also, so I figured I’d repost this sage advice.

DAS’s text with this photo read, “The power of a microchip cannot be understated!

“This cutie was found trying to catch a ride at Dallas Love Field! Dallas Police Department's Love Field unit got this pup to safety until an Animal Services Officer could collect him. 

“The little old man had lots of snuggles from Love Field and DPD before they handed him off to us, and thankfully he didn't have to spend too much time at our shelter. Luckily, his owners spotted him in one of our Nextdoor posts, which is a very good thing because although he had a microchip, the chip was not registered so we had no way to contact them.

“Every pet owner needs to get their pet microchipped as soon as possible! Not only is it required by Dallas City Code Chapter 7, but it is also a critical tool for recovering your pet in the event they become lost. 

“If your pet is already microchipped, call the microchip company TODAY to make sure your phone number is registered to the microchip. Use this link to find the company your pet's microchip is from: http://ow.ly/Qy4a50MNtKm

“If you don't know your pet's microchip number, get them scanned at your local pet store or your vet's office ASAP and write down that microchip number. Then follow the instructions above."

[LARRY ASIDE: I don’t know who wrote that passage for DAS, but thank you for demonstrating in print how a microchip can help an ol’ dog survive in a massive metropolitan area full of overcrowded shelters and millions of people, some of whom don’t have a dog or cat but can get one at DAS.]

THE OVERNIGHT DEVELOPMENTS 

ON SMALL SHELTER ANIMALS….
‘LITTLE HIPPO’ NEEDS HELP

This was a morning revelation from the folks at 4-Legged Helpers. Just yesterday these dogs were waiting for help without a pledge on their biographies. Thursday, suddenly, there are pledges to any 501c3 that can save them. The 4-Legged Helpers are handling the contact by rescuers and groups willing to take in these dogs and save them from euthanasia in a small overcrowded shelter.
This girl Monroe has a $275 pledge to the 501c3 that’ll take her in after her “I-needed-to-do-it tagging” by a friend on Thursday. You may recall that she was the girl who came in with Mason — they were bonded running buddies. But Mason the Boy (right) was adopted. Monroe the Girl was left behind — a “black Bully” in a crowded shelter, i.e., definition of a tight spot in the category of unwanted animals. But Monroe has reasons to want her.
She’s in the care of animal advocates who want to make sure this “cutie who looks like a baby hippo” will be adopted into a really good life with no challenges, just affection.
Her bio reads, “She loves every single person she meets and can easily be walked around other dogs. she is a precious pup that just wants love and affection.” And, as her original bio read, she “looks like a short and stout little Hippo.” 

Also with a $275 pledge is this guy Brady, a 1 1/2-year-old Lab/Bulldog mix described exuberantly as “HOUSETRAINED!” and as “the absolute sweetest cuddly marshmallow pup you could meet. … He is silly and sweet and would be the most perfect hiking or running or tv watching companion.  Ready to go anywhere or do anything.  Carries around the rope toy ready for fun.  ADORES RIDING IN THE CAR.” His story reads, “A kind person found him out and about on his own in the rural county area.” 
And that story moves us into the tail of this guy Jayson with the fantastic facial highlights. He, too, has a $275 pledge for a 501c3 that’ll take him in.
The bio of this Retriever/Black Mouth Cur — a year old “cutie pie” — reads that he “was found out and about with some other dogs and he is SUPER SWEET. His big chocolate brown eyes and that beautiful cream colored fur would melt anyone’s heart.  Such a sweetie!!!!  Very cute and very deserving boy. 

And, look at that heart his legs form when he’s flopped down in the shelter kennel and waiting for someone to charm. 

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Jayson is a dog with a sign from a heart. 

To help “little Hippo” Monroe and these other pups find that perfect home, get in touch with 4-Legged Helpers at @14-949-2726 or email [email protected]. 

CONTEMPLATIONS

THOUGHTS AND WHAT MAY PASS FOR THEM

While I was putting the above material together, I wondered just how many people are in this sprawling area known as the “Metroplex.”  How big is a metroplex? Well, my fellow victims of overpriced gasoline, a report from the Texas Comptroller’s office reported in 2022, “The 19-county Metroplex region covers about 15,600 square miles in north Texas, stretching from Oklahoma south to the Brazos River and from the Cedar Creek Reservoir in the east to Possum Kingdom Lake in the west.” Here’s the link to that report. It also says, “According to the 2020 Census, the Metroplex region has a total population of more than 8 million, or 27.6 percent of the state’s total population. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA accounts for 94.9 percent of the region’s population and 26.2 percent of the state’s population.”
And the readlarrypowell.com guess is not everybody in that people count has a dog or a cat. So, what we need is someone to go door-to-door and check out each home for appropriate adoption of a dog or cat to empty the shelters. Bound to be a federal grant available for the “Save ‘em All Regional Door-to-Door Dog, Cat & Other Campaign To Stop Euthanasia As An Animal Control Tool.” With a title that long, federal budgeteers are bound to fall in love with it.

Oh, that’s enough contemplation for a day. Let’s just save animals in small shelters and big shelters and running free in the streets, alleys and dumped in city parks. I need some sleep. And a revitalization of my organizational skills. You wouldn't believe the piles of stuff (Cleaned that up, didn't i?) in my office.

— Offer ideas or negativity by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put GET MORE SLEEP in the subject line. —

WE LOOK AT ADORABLE AVAILBLE DOGS AND A CAT AND WE CONTEMPLATE THE LOVELINESS OF STRAY DOGS...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, FEB. 9, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Thunderstorms deliver more anxiety than Thundersleet — well, maybe not. Anyway, as stormy rain soaked our neighborhood and its thunder jarred our serenity Wednesday morning, my anxieties were diminished because, after missing last week, the big ol’ trash trucks rolled through the neighborhood and life moved one cycle closer to normal. Thanks to all the trash teams making their appointed rounds.
That big dog face belongs to Dudley The Angel, our Border Collie/Lab Mix who barks when the trash trucks arrive and a dog who  prefers to be indoors during inclement weather. He, also, likes to walk over and get his muzzle kissed and his head petted when I’m watching TV. In the photo's background, you can see Wendy taking it easy in the dogbed my funspouse Martha bought for Dudley. She has now bought him another one. possession being 90 percent of dog law. Dudley's such a gentleman. Now, some more animal tales:
THIS STORY HAS A RAIN TALE
AND SOME TEARDROPS, TOO
While having an online conversation Wednesday morning with 4-Legged Helpers mainstay Laura Macias, she sent this sentence: “Wilmer just found 4 puppies and now they are going to a flooded shelter.” Wilmer has the quartet found on a local road. The contact point for saving these puppies will be the 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. And, as you can see, they are regarded as in need of “IMMEDIATE RESCUE” by the Helpers and the small shelter on the southern side of Dallas. 
As you may know, Wilmer, Ferris, Hutchins and the surrounding area are among the shelters and locations the Helpers focus on because the shelters are small, the number of human visitors is even smaller and the space for animals is generally translated as “full” or “overflowing.”
Now, that brings us to another of the many stories on the 4-Legged Helpers agenda. We mentioned this pair earlier in the month. The black dog is the female, Monroe, and the fawn-coated fellow is Mason.
The Helpers' bio read, “This adorable pair was found out and about together and they are absolutely adorable.  They seem to love each other as well as every single person they meet and are able to easily be walked by other dogs.  They are precious pups that just want love and affection.  SO VERY CUTE!  They look like short and stout little Hippos.”
The Stout Fawn Hippo Mason has been adopted. Not quite certain if that’s totally good news. Laura explains that the adoption of Monroe’s partner Mason is “a stupid story. Some guy thinks the dog was his dog but the toes were different, the coloring and there were other differences but that was his dog. Not his dog since so many things were different but he wanted to believe it was his dog.
“ But Monroe and Mason were bonded so Monroe is depressed and sad and all by herself!! I feel sick and who wants a black Bully? She had a better chance to get out as a bonded pair with him!”

[LARRY ASIDE: There’s the situation. Time to pray for two dogs in two different places this time — Mason the boy to become beloved and adored for the rest of a long, long life and the girl Monroe to be adopted by someone who’ll give her that legendary home of love and adorations for the rest of her long, long life.]
Remember, to help 4-Legged Friends Help the Animals, call 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. See many more animals being on the 4-Legged Helpers list by clicking on the Facebook link HERE.]
QUESTION: HOW DOES
MESQUITE’S SHELTER GET
SUCH ADORABLE DOGS?
Oh, yeah, you can ask that about every shelter in the sprawling MetroCrittersDumpingPlex. People frequently surrender, dump, “set free” and/or sell beautiful dogs just to get rid of them. These people are in every Zip Code in the M‘Plex and beyond. 
But, for our purposes today, we’re going to try to help a couple of Mesquite volunteers get some dogs into good homes. I’ll also mention a cat who deserves a really good home, too.
These three dogs’ stories come from bios by volunteer dog-writers Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm — they actually spend time getting to know these dogs, as you can tell from what they write.
That first fellow is Rusty and Judi writes that he “needs your love and affection and in return he will snuggle on your lap and give you kisses! Rusty (#551969946) is a 3-year-old,15-pound mix breed (possibly Miniature Pinscher/Doxie mix) that came to the Mesquite Shelter on 1/30 as a stray. He is not fixed. He has been a work in progress but has made amazing progress! [Earlier in the week] I was not able to get him out of his kennel. Today, the first time he struggled and fought the leash. The second time I went to visit him he came out of his kennel on his own and decided the leash might not be so bad. He still needs some practice with it but he’s learning!  He is still timid and needs time to build trust. However once the trust is established he becomes your BFF. Then he wants to stay by your side and on your lap! I was even the recipient of a few kisses!”
Rusty has what looks like minor hair loss on his back and he’s being treated. Beyond that, Judi writes, “Rusty has bundles of potential. He wants to be loved and he wants to show his love. At this point since he’s timid and scared he would do best with a laid-back family with older children. He would want to be a mostly an inside dog where he can hang out with the family and do a lot of cuddling.”

To ask about Rusty or any of these Mesquite animals, use the ID number when you call the shelter at 927-216-6283 or email [email protected].

 That brings us to Judi’s bio of Apollo (#51992349) who, she writes, “is not only gorgeous with his beautiful coloring and his soft brown eyes, but he has a personality to match! Apollo is a 1-year-old, 55-pound (looks bigger but it’s mostly fluff) Australian Shepherd mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 2/2 as a stray. He is not fixed. … He’s highly motivated by treats. Occasionally he whines and I wasn’t sure whether he was missing his owner or just wanting my attention. He constantly sits for treats without even being prompted. Basically he’s like a big beggar. I’m saying that laughingly in that he’s trying to get you to give him a treat. He chases balls and retrieves them. He actually brings them right back to you and will even put it in your hand. If you don’t play with him, he entertains  himself with the ball. …. He’s also very affectionate.  He’ll sit there having you scratch his ears forever. I don’t think he’d ever get tired of it! He’s friendly, and high-spirited. He wags his tail a lot. He gives sloppy slobbery kisses! … Apollo would do well with an active family. He would want to be an integral part of the family and snuggle up on the couch with you in the evenings!”
Debra provided us with the bio of Oakley (#51940757). She wrote, “I've named this cutesy youngster with the quirky ears Oakley.  He is a Terrier mix that was brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/25.  He had been abandoned by his owner, was seized, placed in protective custody and is considered a cruelty case. The protective custody period is over and Oakley is hoping to be adopted by owners who will provide the TLC he deserves and stay committed to him.  He weighs 40 pounds, is about a year old and is not neutered.  He has gained a few pounds since arriving and is on his way to a healthier weight. Oakley has plenty of vim and vigor and is active and lively.  He is athletic and climbed on the play equipment in the yard in order to retrieve yummy treats placed there for him.  He does love treats, will sit for them and takes them gently.  He walks nicely on a leash.  … When he wasn't exploring the yard, he stayed close to me undoubtedly because of the treats I offered!  He was happy to be petted and loved on.  There really is so much to like about this very attractive pup.  He seems to have forgiven his owners and is ready to move on and hopes for a better life the next time around.”
Remember, use the ID numbers when you contact the shelter about these animals (including the cat!) or any animal on the shelter’s website.
 The computer folks at Mesquite have been working on restoring the accessibility of the shelter’s website at THIS LINK.
Here's the actual link: https://www.cityofmesquite.com/1239/Animals-in-the-Shelter. 

If all worked right, that’ll take you to the Animals-in-the-Shelter site and you’ll see dogs and cats. Still waiting in Mesquite is this handsome fellow we’ve mentioned previously, Duncan (#51688916), the nearly 10-month-old Domestic shorthair mix — Orange and white and waiting in the Conference Room at the shelter. He came in on December 12. Missed celebrating all the big holidays because he was confined to the shelter rather than roaming on New Year’s Eve. Not sure if he’ll watch the Super Bowl this weekend. No cat teams or Cowboys are in the game — just the Chiefs and the Eagles.
CONTEMPLATIONS
TV, DOGS & ‘WHAT A DRAG…’
One of the great things about cable TV is I get to watch reruns of two favorite mystery shows: Psych and Monk. And, I’m also developing an affection for the newest TV detective show, Will Trent on ABC with Ramon Rodriguez in the title role. Interesting human interactions. [LARRY ASIDE: Your critter writer spent a few years covering the police beat as a young reporter — might be the reason I like the heroic peace officers.] …

A critter note: My rescuespouse Martha and I have probably adopted more than 2 dozen dogs of assorted ages in 3 decades of marriage and nearly all of them came off the streets or out of the parks of Dallas without ever having gotten into a city shelter. Never picked up a bad “stray dog” in Dallas. Also never acquired a bad stray/feral cat in Dallas, either. Our latest “stray cat” came from the streets of Duncanville — might have some Dallas DNA — we haven’t run the tests yet. …
Anybody got a birthday in February or any other month of the year 2023? Here’s a song dedicated to you. It’s in mono — a sound we learned to avoid in the 1960s, but some of us liked it because we had cheap "record players," not "stereos."  Click HERE if you, too, think, “What a drag ….”, kid.
—- Offer aging tips or drink recipes by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put IT’S THE MIRROR’S FAULT in the subject line. —-

ASSORTED STORIES OF ANIMALS NEEDING HOMES; NOTES ABOUT ISSUES AND ANSWERS(?)

EDITION OF TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7-8, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Here we go with our latest report. Topics (and book titles) we will not touch: The Future of Transoceanic Balloon Travel, The Cowboys’ Chances in the Super Bowl Sunday, The Likelihood of Casino Gambling in Texas and, of course, the chance that this dog is an insomniac. [ANSWER: No, That is Porche Noel in a rare “I’m trying to sleep here” moment on her bed, er, our bed.]
ASSORTED MESQUITE DOGS
WITH VARIED TALES, ER, TAILS
This item focuses on animals in the Mesquite Animal Services — we have rock-solid contacts there and the shelter has volunteers who are determined to get the animals into life-saving, loving homes.
As it turns out, we got the tale of Hank from a third-party — not our steady tipsters Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown. But after we tell the Hank story, we’ll get into some more dogs from Mesquite. Here goes
:
THIS GUY HANK has been been in the Mesquite Animal Shelter for 325 days, according to the note we got from animal advocate Catherine Montagno-Ludwick. The note also described him as “a perfect dog” who loves treats and walks and having his belly rubbed. [LARRY ASIDE: Another dog who is a perfect human!]
He’s around 4 ot 5 years old neutered and friendly with other dogs and kids and “hasn’t had any issues with the shelter cat who roams around freely.”
The mystery of Hank [A0049789323] appears to be why he hasn’t been adopted at some point during his long, long stay at Mesquite Animal Services. [LARRY FY: As of this writing, the shelter’s website is under repair, according to a staffer at Mesquite City Hall. In the meantime the next dogs have their ID numbers because our pals Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown sent their animal tips with the key numbers before the system failed ol’ newshounds such as readlarrypowell.com.]
From Hank’s having been there for nearly a year, we move to Denver who arrived, was adopted and brought back.
Volunteer Mesquite Dog Biographer Judi Brown has sent a repeat notice about Denver. She advises, “When you look at his pictures make sure to look at those standup ears. I’m sending him out again because he was adopted and returned again within 48 hours!! His cardinal sin was that he jumped on their door. He now needs a furever home with a family that understands that it takes time to adjust and dogs will be dogs! He’s got so much to offer an active family and would most likely do really well with children.” [LARRY ASIDE: That dog Porche in the opening jumps on our doors — she can’t knock without a knuckled-up fist, so she scratches and we find it endearing. She wants to be with us. Geez, Denver, didn’t anybody say “no” or did they just pack you up and haul you off?]

Her initial report on Denver described him as being friendly a dog “likely to fit in well with almost any family.” He’s a year-old, 40-pound Fox Terrier/Smooth Border Collie/Lab mix. Came in on Jan. 12. He and another dog — Dallas — were found running together and “a concerned citizen” dropped them at the shelter. Denver is “sweet, friendly, loving, happy and perky….He was not interested in playing with toys or balls. He stayed real close for extra attention and loving. When I sat down he came to me to have his ears scratched….”
Denver is #51845973 at the shelter — use that ID when you contact the shelter by calling 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for these other pups, too.
That brings us to Judi’s tip on Wally (#51977394). She wrote, “My first impression of Wally was that he was a happy guy that loved life. The more time I spent with him, I knew my first impression was correct! Wally is a 10-month-old black and white mixed breed (possibly Bull Terrier mix) that weighs 54 pounds and arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 1/31 as a stray. He is not fixed. His tail never stopped wagging. Even when I was walking him out to the yard he was wiggling and waggling! He did explore the yard but for the most part stayed close to me for extra loving and attention. … Wally would be a wonderful dog for an active family with children. I can see him playing with them but also staying close by them. He would like to be an integral  part of your family.”
Judi got to meet and write about Babs, too. Babs is #51995227. “If Babs' eyes don’t capture your attention, then her beautiful coloring will," Judi wrote. “To go along with that she’s got a wonderful personality! Babs is a 5 month old mixed breed that was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 2/2. The shelter has her down as a Lab/Shepherd mix. My dog scanner said she’s a German Pinscher/Rhodesian Ridgeback. The people that surrendered her found her and kept her for a few days, but t hey had too many animals and couldn’t keep her. She weighs 39 pounds. She is not spayed. Babs is an exuberant, fun-loving pup with a zest for life. She does jump on you for attention. She gets down with a sharp retort. Also remember she’s only a puppy and can be taught not to do this.”
Remember, use the ID numbers to help a specific dog when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
And there are other dogs you can see when the Mesquite shelter’s website begins working again: Here’s the link:
https://www.cityofmesquite.com/1239/Animals-in-the-Shelter
And among the dogs waiting are these: “Heather (#51954713), Dakota (#51944769) Aspen (#51971741), Beaux (#51923322), Harley (#51916866), Gus (#51954185) and Buck (50525931).
CONTEMPLATIONS
WORDS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
International affairs aside, is there any thing that can be done to keep our allegedly dog-loving State of Texas residents from fatally dumping so many dogs and cats into the overloaded shelters? Somebody work on that. At first, my solution involves putting the dumpers into the same cages with the dogs and cats they “set free” to roam neighborhoods, they throw out of the cars, they dump in parks, etc. Wait. No. That jailing ‘em with the animals would be an insult to the animals. I’ll keep working on this — maybe they should have to depend on the dogs and cats to feed them! Wait. this is all cruel and we’re trying to stamp out cruelty, right? …
Speaking of which, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday the 9th, “PETA supporters will rally outside the Shriners International Membership & Marketing Conference” to protest Shrine Circus handling of animals. A news release from PETA quotes PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman: “Cruelty and animal exploitation leave Shrine circuses behind the times, as they continue to force animals to perform confusing and even painful tricks. PETA is calling on Shriners International to follow in Ringling (Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus) footsteps by ending archaic live-animal acts and is urging everyone to stay away from Shrine shows until they show respect for animals.” More info is at peta.org.
…Want some cruelty irony? The site is outside the Grapevine Embassy Suits at 2401 Bass Pro Dr. at the intersection of Big Buck Drive. Yep: Snagging bass with sharp hooks and shootin’ big boy deer with arrows or bullets. Probably won’t change those street names any time soon.
—- Offer solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

Eggs, Speedy, Nikita and Adorable Adoptables On a Monday In Newsy 2023....

EDITION OF MONDAY, Feb, 6, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Shopping for eggs over the weekend I began to wonder if the people who operate movie theater concession stands had taken over the egg industry. (That’s the price on the display for 18 large eggs. Oh, my, now the price of gasoline is moving up. Don’t get me started on critter food. So, how cold is the wind chill at a grocery store checkout stand? Heck, you can’t even complain to the checker in a lot of stores — YOU are your grocery checker! OK, let’s move on. Easy on the gas pedal.
Wait: A 1950s memory: In September 1959, Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev was on a tour of the United States and was banned from visiting Disneyland. If only the Soviet’s had focused on balloon technology rather than Sputniks and missiles in Cuba. 

A BATCH OF CRITTERS
WAIT IN SMALL SHELTERS
[LARRY NOTE: I’m not sure how big a “batch” is but I can tell you one batch is too big for any shelter in any city in the country. Too many places buy euthanasia juice by the barrel. Now, back to the dogs at hand.]
Here’s the deal: 4-Legged Helpers is a non-profit that focuses on getting dogs and cats safely out of small shelters with no human traffic and virtually no adoption or rescue programs.
 We’re spotlighting three of the many dogs today. To offer to rescue, adopt or foster these beautiful dogs, call or text the Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].
See more “sheltered” dogs and how to help them by clicking on the Helpers Facebook Page HERE. 0
The note from the Helpers began, “LOOK NOW!!! Lots of new dogs EUTH PENDING! THIS SMALL RURAL SHELTER IS COMPLETELY FULL!!! JUST S of DALLAS off I-45 FERRIS/HUTCHINS SHELTER.”

We open with Tristan, a Blue Heeler — neutered, chipped and vaccinated. Read on to see why. The Helpers report, “This cute guy has been out and about in Ferris for awhile. So much so everyone was thinking of him as the town dog. Surprise of all surprises. Turns out he is fixed and chipped and although owner was located, they could no longer care for him.”
This handsome fellow is Kian which, the Helpers bio says, can also be “King.” So Kian is a “Staffordshire Terrier, currently in the Ferris shelter. The neutered fellow's bio reads: “Kian was brought to the shelter by someone no longer able to care for him. He is only 2 years old and loves other dogs and adores all people. Already housetrained!! He is extremely friendly and very sweet. He loves kitties just a little too much — if you know what we mean — so no kitty sisters in his new home please.”

And that brings us to Emma, described as an “Aussie Carrledog Mix, but readlarrypowell.com suspects that is a typo and should read “Aussie Caroldog Mix” — likes to sing carols at Christmas. Oh, wait. readlarrypowell.com is reassessing: Yes, That is “Aussie Cattledog mix.” Emma has a great set of eyes to go with that beautiful face.
Her bio reads, “Just as cute as cute can be! Look at those amazingly beautiful eyes. Found out and about on her own in Hutchins. So lovable! Please, help save her!!!!!”
Again, see more of the dogs 4-Legged Friends is trying desperately to save by going to the non-profit’s Facebook Page HERE.
You see their faces, their bios and, in some cases, the pledges they’ve gotten to help ease them into rescue groups. Doesn't that Emma look a lot happier running free than she does reaching her paw through the cage door? Somebody make that dog constantly happy!
AND AFTER THE ICE STORM,
A STRAYDOG THANK-YOU
Yep, last week supporters of Straydog Inc., the legendary “no-kill shelter and sanctuary in East Texas, were told of the damage to the facility caused by the ice storm.
This morning, Straydog sent out a note that began ‘THANK YOU !” and added: With your support, we are able to act quickly! “
The text read, “Thanks to your generosity, Straydog can immediately address the damage caused by last week's Winter storm. First, our operations team worked with our utility provider to address the dangerous, live electrical wires splayed over kennels and fencing. Now, with our space safe, our focus has shifted to electrical box repairs, tree and limb removals, and kennel and fence repairs. There's still much work to be done, but thanks to your support, we can accomplish it in record time.

“On behalf of our rescues, care team, and board of directors, THANK YOU!”

Read about Straydog by clicking on www.straydog.org and you can also write to the organization at Straydog, Inc. PO Box 1465 Gun Barrel City, TX 75147.

That dog? That is Chubs, an older fellow at Straydog. His bio reads, “Chubs is a sweet Catahoula mix who was born in 2011. He gets along well with other dogs. He has a beautiful coat and likes to be brushed.  He is friendly and will make a great addition to your family.”
He’s one of many available Straydog Dogs!

Cats? Well, there is that one cat, Krissy, who, if readlarrypowell.com recalls correctly, contracted to oversee the electric crews — I’m kidding! But fans of cats know how they can sometimes be. Krissy’s story is, according to Straydog, she “was feral when we found her with 2 babies, when her owner passed away.  Since then she has weaned her babies and has become more loveable.  She has been getting used to people handling her.  She is very sweet but still needs more love.  She is looking for a loving home.  If you would like to adopt her please go to our website and fill out an application.  Email her “awesome caregivers at [email protected]."
CONTEMPLATIONS
WISECRACKING INTO THE FUTURE
I may try to create a “Pop The Chinese Balloon Dart Booth” for this year’s State Fair of Texas — nah, that’ll never sell. Doesn’t go along with the state motto: “Friendship.” FYI: The 2023 State Fair of Texas runs Sept. 29-Oct. 22. We’re awaiting revelation of the official 2023 theme! Keep up with Big Tex and the gang at the bigtex.com website. And, yes, I am missing the State Fair of Texas right now. Hope I didn’t set off any cravings when you read that sentence. …
Back to the current world: I was around during the Cold War and living with parents who’d lived through World War II — Pop as an infantryman at Normandy and Mom as a small-town telephone operator. They got to experience that history after living through the habit-forming rigors of The Great Depression. (Surely you studied that economically cataclysmic event in history. Turn the lights off when you leave the room.) Some of the elements and attitudes of the 1950s appear to be making a comeback. I don’t know about the “price of eggs in China,” as the old saying goes, but if the prices go up, I’m going to need, as was said beginning with a marketing campaign in 1951, “a Speedy Alka-Seltzer.”…

What do I miss from the 1950? I miss looking ahead to the 1960s. Heck, we didn’t even have The Beatles yet.
—- Officer advice or therapy by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

FOR THIS EDITION: SAVING ODIS? HELPING OLIVER & ADMIRING A NAPPER

This edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap features not only the usual elements, but an opportunity to adopt a handsome feline and save a dog in a tough spot.

We’re opening with a photo that actually involves sleeping dogs and napping cats. 
That is the 5 a.m. Friday moon — by the 5th, it’ll be full and known as (ironically for our area) “The Snow Moon." 

Just before 5 a.m. on the 3rd it was shining through a 2-inch-wide gap between our bedroom drapes and waking me up. It was strange — I hadn’t seen anything from the sky but precipitation for days. 
Of the mammals in the bed, I am the only one who is “moon sensitive” — there’s some ol’ family legend, but it’s nothing to howl about.
I wondered, briefly in my ol’ newshound’s morning fog, if I was looking at an illuminated Chinese Spy Balloon drifting over the Metroplex! Then I thought, “Nah, the Cowboys season is over. Nobody’s trying to secretly photograph that team's playbook.” 

As you can see, the moon was lighting a path across the icy coating on our back yard. The thing is, at 5 a.m. I nearly celebrated with a good-natured shout because, yes, that moon was an indication that the big show would arrive within hours and melt the unpleasant coating off roads, driveways, yards and flowerbeds waiting for spring.
Now, you see here one of my morning feline companions. This is Stevie Ray Treeboy, our apprentice office cat rescued from a mimosa tree as a kitten.
He is napping in what I call “The Scratching Chair.” You may suspect that the chair didn’t always look like that. It was a respectably attractive free chair, a leftover from a yard sale I stopped by — a kind person gave to me. I might have kicked in 20 bucks as a thank-you to the kids helping with the sale.
That chair attracts cats and they scratch it instead of my office chair, a living room couch or the support stockings I wear while I sit and type.
You may see in the background, a guitar amplifier. Stevie Ray is also working on becoming a star — though he has trouble with bar chords. His toes aren’t long enough to hold down four to six strings at a time. He can, however, pluck some mean notes! And then he’ll nap while dreaming of spotlights, getting paid in treats and teaching his pals to meow with melody.
WHILE STEVIE RAY ALREADY HAS A HOME…There are many cats and dogs that don’t.
This cat is one of those who doesn’t have a home, but is looking for one and has some human helpers, including one of our longtime Houston rescue contacts, the persistent catfan/rescuer Edna Taylor.
She posted this photo of handsome Oliver as the week was drawing to a close.
The story chills a cat-fan. Edna’s Facebook post read, “One-year-old big boy needs a home. He was rescued off the freeway. Injuries consistent with begin thrown from a car. Shelters wanted to kill him. He's all patched up and ready for a home of his own.”
 Edna says,”The woman who rescued him says he is all boy and loves to play but her old lady kitties are not having it. He gets along with everyone and even dogs. Fully vetted and ready to go to a home today.” To ask about being the person who gives Oliver that legendary forever home, call Edna at 713-882-2011.
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE METROPLEX, this Fort Worth dog Odis is in a tighter and tighter spot.
On Friday morning we got a note from our Save Odis contact LaDonna Wernersbach about the dog’s current state.
You may remember that he was bonded with Fredda and she, because of illness, was euthanized at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. She and Odis were so devoted to each other that they cried whenever they were separated. Now, only Odis is left to cry.
The note from FWACC that LaDonna sent us reads simply, “Otis is still here and sick. We are seeking a rescue for him.”
Odis is among the many animals on Fort Worth’s “Code Red List.” This photo and the info came from that Code Red List which you can see HERE
And, Odis is at the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care & Adoption Center, 4900 Martin St. on the southeast side of Fort Worth. Call 817-392-1234. The FWACC’s “Main Adoption Centers’ (Silcox & North Animal Campus) are open for “adoptions, reclaims and rescues” from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Sundays. The shelter link is HERE.
And, now, we wait to see if someone saves Odis.
—- Offer ideas for saving 'em all by clicking on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected]. —-

A ROADSIDE, FREEZING DOG IN DALLAS; STRAYDOG INC. HIT BY WINTER...

EDITION OF FRIDAY, FEB. 3, 2023 [PetPowellPress] We're all entering the "Assessment Period" of winter, I guess. What needs to be repaired at the house, what plants were ruins, what part of the car fell off… And there’s this: Did the ice foul up the dogs' careful training before the change to Central Daylight Time had a shot at it? 
OK, let’s move on. And remember to take care of your personal critters and feed the birds, too.
Moving along:
AN ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY
OF AN INTENTIONAL ACT?
Marissa Belle’s Facebook page is where I made one of journalism’s famed “accidental discoveries” of a story. It’s about this dog, chained and dumped in a blanket on the side of a road in Dallas’ eastern Parkdale Neighborhood.
The post read that both foster and rescue are needed for this 1 1/2-year-old, unchipped, starving dog. There is, the post read, an “out of state rescue interested but needs a local Dallas foster. He was dumped on the side of the road like yesterday’s trash. A heavy chain and a blanket smeared in feces as his only possessions. He is skeletal and cowering in fear but he is still wagging his broken little tail.”
We’re using photos clipped from videos of this baby that were posted on Marissa’s Facebook page HERE.
And there was this paragraph on Marissa’s post: “He needs a foster and rescue ASAP, I can’t keep him due to my dogs and Dallas shelter is euthanizing 12+ dogs daily. Can anyone please open their home to this precious pup? He is an unaltered male 39lb. Please share to help him find his hero.” 
Message Marissa on Facebook or call or text 847-274-3577.
The theory of shabby treatment this dog has experienced is based on this, as explained by Marissa: “He was dumped with a chain and judging by his body condition I think it’s a safe guess that he was an outside dog. He’s very thin and has a lot of scrapes and callouses so he’s been neglected for a long time.”
 And there’s this: There’s a “$200 cash reward for information locating this dog’s owners,” a note on the website read, adding, “He was most likely chained outside so I’m hoping someone in the neighborhood might have seen him in a neighbor’s yard.”
STORM DOES SOME DAMAGE
AT STRAYDOG INC. SANCTUARY
We got a note just after noon Thursday from the folks at Straydog Inc., the legendary East Texas “No-Kill Shelter and Sanctuary.” 
The weather took a shot at Straydog — and it didn’t miss. The Straydog note explains “The damage sustained from this week’s winter storm is extensive.

“Unfortunately, overnight freezing precipitation and continued rainfall have caused significant damage to our shelter. Thankfully, all dogs and staff are safe.”
The appeal included photos from the site and linked to a video HERE
The note read, “As you can see from the photos…. and the video … Straydog took a major hit! Kennels, fencing, and utilities were damaged. The unexpected repairs will be costly.”

It also emphasizes, “Our small shelter simply cannot cover these costs without your generosity. There’s no gift too small, any support you can share would be much appreciated.”
Remember, there are adoptable animals at Straydog,….
Go to www.straydog.org and you can see some the adorable adoptables who have survived the winter storm in “near East Texas” at Straydog. One of them is this guy MoMo whose eyes look as if he is really ready to see some good ol’ Texas sunshine!
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES AND NOTIONS
The SPCA of Texas announced in a Thursday email that it has “received a 75K grant from PetSmart Charities.” The funds will “help prepare more homeless pets in North Texas for adoption. … With the help of this grant, the organization will prepare kittens born on the streets, as well as adult cats and kittens coming from owner surrender, stray, and animal cruelty for adoption in PetSmart stores to find loving homes. Funds also will be used to prepare large breed puppies and adult dogs for PetSmart adoptions.” See the press-release by clicking HERE ...
Won’t it be nice to see a newscast that leads with something happy and doesn’t begin with video of ice fouling a Metroplexian roadways. This may be a good time to thank the light company (as the old-timers used to say) for making sure the ‘lectricity was on in the neighborhood. …
One does wonder if there might have been a way to have the power go out just before kickoff of that last Dallas Cowboys game. Ooof. At least the former Dallas Texans are headed toward the Super Bowl.
OK, let's focus on something else that can be enjoyable: Politics? No. Government budgetings? No. Diets? No. How about poetry? Not a chance. Too much coffee?
Pour the drink/swirl it with cream/take a big drink and give a big scream! Didn't you blow on it first? Who taught you to drink coffee, some artificial intelligent being with a metal tongue? 
—- Offer sports advice or movie tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “Go Rangers?” in the subject line. —-