UFOS, COCKER SPANIELS, ASSORTED DOGS, A CAT AND CONTEMPLATIONS...

EDITION OF THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Once hardly knows where to begin this edition — I snapped this bright UFO from our kitchen window Wednesday morning, realized it was a sign that Wednesday was my lucky day and immediately bought a Lotto Texas ticket. FYI: I signed an online document swearing I’d split the jackpot 50/50 with Gleep, a fairly nice individual who contacted me via space-to-earth texting. He’s not the only space alien using texts to communicate. I’ll let you know how the ticket performs. What? Oh. Yes, that may have been the sun rising over the neighborhood trees. OK, maybe if no legal document from the law firm of Gleeptu, Gloop, Glullible & Glatlock — The Intergalactic Hammer — I’ll realize I’ve been had.
OK, let’s look at dogs and cats and people — keep our paws firmly on the earth, right?

NOBLE COCKER SPANIELS
IN NEED OF NOBLE HUMANS
[LARRY NOTE: As many readers may recall, for years our constant companion was a rescued (found without hair in Kiest Park) Cocker boy named Inky -- that's him on the left giving us him impression of a politician looking at unpledged votes and licking his chops! In honor of Inky, we try to help Cocker Spaniels and the people who love them. Thus, this note regarding DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue]

We got an appeal on behalf of these adorable dogs from DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue. In 2022, DFW-CSR reports, the organization “rescued 81 dogs.” 
Rescue was the first step. As the rescuers report, “Once a dog comes into our program, we are fully committed to bringing each one back to good health. For some, recovery may be lengthy and expensive, due to the nature of their illness. Pictured are Ranger, Tracy and Hope, who are currently undergoing treatment for multiple medical conditions.”
Money? Is money involved in saving these dogs? DFW-CSR’s note reads, “Our ability to help these dogs depends on both funds and fosters. The cost of surgeries needed to address these medical conditions is formidable. We are asking our supporters to help us
meet these costs.” Here are three ways: Go to the DFWCSR website HERE https://dfwcockerrescue.org to donate via PayPal, the Venmo account is @DFWCockers and a check can be mailed to DFW CSR, P.O. Box 853704, Plano, TX 75086-3704.
That first Cocker is 8-year-old Ranger, “surrendered to a shelter with Tracy) the second Cocker in the photos. Rangers’ ear canals were closed (chronic infections, he weigh 38 pounds and is down to 25 now (a good thing). He’s had a “long road to recovery” from the ear diagnosis, through the Total Ear Canal Ablations on both ears — after all that his “sweet disposition has made him a very good patient,” the organization says. 
Tracy — what an ugly story for this girl — she came to the rescue “in urgent need of medical care. She had an extreme flea infection on her back which revealed maggots nesting in the wound, eyes cloudy with discharge and evidence of chronic ear infections.” Overweight t 39 pounds, now down to “a healthy 26.” Recovering from surgery to close the back wound. She’s 5 years old.

That third pup is Hope, a 2-year-old, 18-pound girl who arrived at the organization “from a group of dogs rescued from a retired breeder.” Hope was pregnant and gave birth to her puppies in December 2022. She also was diagnosed with “bilateral mature cataracts, which will need attention once her pups are weaned.” The goal is to resolve Hope’s eye issues and find that “loving forever home soon.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Remember, the voice of experience is testifying that when you have a Cocker Spaniel as you pal, you will be fascinated, but you will also need to be prepared to keep that baby properly groomed. It’s a rock, solid rule of love and kindness.]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE:

ADORABLY ADOPTABLE DOGS
As we were finishing up the long-haired Cocker Spaniel appeal (my dog Inky was luxurious!), I got notes from our pal Judi Brown, volunteer dog-writer at Mesquite Animal Services. 
The subject line on this first dog was a delightful summary: “Jot ID 52041263 4 mo English Pointer, jubilant puppy, a bundle of joy, playful, friendly, wants to please, already knows sit command/Mesquite,TX.”

About the photos, Judi writes, “Jot is wearing a pink scarf to let you know that she doesn’t mind being an after-Valentine surprise! Jot is a delightful adorable 4-month-old English Pointer mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 2/10. She was brought in by a concerned citizen that found her. She weighs 31 pounds. If I only had two words to describe her they would be JUBILANT and PUPPY. She met many customers in the lobby and let everyone of them know she was happy to see them. I’ve got a feeling she’s never met a stranger.

“She also was very good when getting a bath which really surprised me considering she’s frisky and energetic. At four months she already knows to sit command and takes treats gently. She is so motivated by treats she frequently sat in anticipation. She jumps on you but immediately gets down with the down command or no. There’s no doubt she wants to please. There’s also no doubt she’s very intelligent. She absolutely loves toys. She throws them in the air and entertains herself with them. She’s friendly, outgoing, loving, playful, and very happy. … She would do very well with an active family with children. She would want to curl up in her own bed or in a pile of blankets next to you during family time.”

Remember, use her ID #52041263 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].  Judi adds, “If you’re interested I would not waste any time. This cutie will not be at the shelter long.”

And that brings us to Alma, #52044375, a year-old Pittie Mix who came in on Feb. 10 as a stray. She’s not spayed, weighs 35 pounds and, Judi writes, “When I first got her out of her kennel she was very friendly. Her whole body was wiggling and waggling! She is spirited. She’s enthusiastic, happy and fun to be around. She jumps on you but gets down with a sharp retort. She loves to be petted. She rolls over for belly rubs. She’s curious and explores but at the same time likes to spend time close to her human friend.

 “She’s very affectionate. When I sat down she tried to crawl on my lap. She has a strong pull on the leash and had me going around in circles. She could use some leash practice. She did her business in the yard and kept her kennel clean. She sniffed and wagged her tail meeting smaller dogs. She’s got a lot going for her. She will make a life-long loving, loyal companion. She wants to be an integral part of your family … She likes to be curled up by your side.” 
To ask about her, use that ID number and call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Same system for asking about any animal in the Mesquite shelter, including this cat. Click HERE to see Mesquite’s adorable adoptables, including Duncan (#51688916), the orange and white Domestic Shorthair we’ve mentioned before and can’t understand why the 10-month-old boy hasn’t been adopted. He came in on Dec. 12, 2022, and is in foster care with a staffer right now.
CONTEMPLATIONS
JUST THE ODD NOTES…
I’m on the City of Dallas resident notification email list and every week when I get the note from the city with the subject line “Collection Day is tomorrow” my wallet jumps out of my pocket and hides under the bed. How many “collection days” does a property-owning resident have? Ah, it's very simply just the cost of a representative government and streets and highways without potholes. Right?…
Now, this happened in Richland Hills and was cited on Valentine’s Day on a neighborhood bulletin board. The resident typed, “Someone stole our decorative plant pot and dumped the dirt and flowers onto the ground last night. So, if anyone is wondering why there’s a pile of dirt in front of our house, that’s why. We will clean it up after work. I’ll consider it their Valentine’s Day present. A response to that post read that thieves “will steal anything if it isn’t chained down.” Of course, it’s possible a thief dedicated to his/her profession might steal the chain, too. As a young police reporter, I heard a veteran peace officer describe a known felon as “too lazy to steal.”
OK, it was in the 1951 SciFi film The Thing (From Another World) that we first got the cinema warning, “Keep watching the skies.” Chilling thought, eh? Imagine some spooky music...
—- Offer advice or doubts by clicking on ‘comments’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “YOU’RE CREEPING ME OUT” in the subject line. —