SMOKEY REBOUNDS IN HOUSTON; BRADY WAITS IN DALLAS AREA; I-21 & PICKLES

EDITION OF MARCH 21/23, 2023 [PetPowellPress]  On Tuesdays I anticipate buying a Lotto Texas ticket on Wednesdays. On Wednesday, I anticipate spending Thursday driving to Austin to pick up the dough. On Thursdays I daydream about ice cream since I didn't win the dough. That dog daydreams about ice cream, too. As you may be able to see, Wendy has some delicate whiskers and she loves licking vanilla ice cream out of those chin-whiskers. I use a napkin on my whiskers. I'm a civilized human being. 
Of course, I'm so civilized that my diet prevents me from enjoying ice cream, thus Wendy does not enjoy ice cream -- unless a craving beats down my will. As she said to me, "Arrrgghfarats!" That is the canine version of, "I can't believe I can't eat ice cream like skinny people eat ice cream." Enough of that diet whining -- let's see if there are any animals that need help today.
A BIT OF SMOKEY NEWS
FROM RED COLLAR RESCUE
We got a note from the folks with famed Red Collar Rescue in Houston about a little guy named Smokey.
His story is heroic. His recovery is remarkable. And the price is astounding. Most people involved in rescue know how high the prices can get when a dog or cat gets nowhere-near-routine treatment for nowhere-near-routine injuries. This is one of those cases.
 Saving a life ain't cheap.
The basic story from Red Collar is the Houston Fire Department saved Smokey from a burning apartment complex about two weeks ago. Ever since he has been “bravely fighting to overcome his numerous medical obstacles!”
[Yes, that is adorable Smokey in the collar in the photos.]

The report from Red Collar is that he had “lung damage and neurological problems as a result of the smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, and it was unknown if he would survive. His oxygen levels are better, and some of his brain function has improved including motor skills, but sadly he is still neurologically blind.” 

And there was this: “Smokey's veterinary team felt he was strong enough for anesthesia, so he underwent a first surgery to remove 2 foreign objects from his stomach. They turned out to be  1 1/4" diameter acrylic stones.” 
And there was a bonus. Red Collar reports, “During surgery, the vets also removed his undescended testicle that was in his abdomen (cryptorchidism), and neutered him.  Smokey had dangerously low blood pressure during surgery, but he made it through okay.”

In another surgery, the boy’s broken femur was stabilized. And, Red Collar reports, he’ll “need physical therapy on his leg, but he should be able to regain the ability to walk almost normally. He receives eyedrops to heal his corneal ulcers, but this does not affect his ability to regain sight...only time will tell.
“Even with all of Smokey's medical issues, he is soooo sweet and shows us every day that he loves life!  We will be with him each step of the way!”
As you know, it takes money to save an animal’s life. Red Collar reports that “Smokey's medical bills are currently $10,921.67 at Texas A&M plus $2,835.18 at the ER. To those of you who donated for Smokey, we cannot thank you enough! We still have a lot to cover and appreciate any donation, no matter the amount.  YOUR support saves lives!” You can read Red Collar Rescue’s website at redcollar.org and there you’ll also find ways to donate to Smokey’s cause.
And, when you go to Red Collar’s Facebook page HERE  you’ll see more Smokey photos and pictures and stories about other animals who are under the care of Red Collar Rescue.
THE CLOCK IS GENTLY TICKING
ON THIS HANDSOME BRADY
We’ve been writing about Brady for a while now. And the latest report from 4-Legged Helpers reads, “The Good Samaritan holding Brady is running out of time. Please Please Please help us keep him out of the shelter. Help us help Brady find a home or rescue…."

Brady is about a year-and-a-half old, weighs 50 pounds, is neutered, is a Lab/Bulldog mix and is currently waiting in a home in a rural area near Ferris, south of Dallas.
You may remember that Brady loves to ride in a vehicle and he also likes to keep his favorite rope toy handy. He also is a fan of good and kind people, too! 
He’s the guy 4-Legged Helpers refers to as “the absolute sweetest cuddly marshmallow pup you could met. He adores people and other dogs. He is silly and sweet and would be a perfect hiking or running partner and then cuddle up next to you as your TV-watching companion. He is running out of time at his temporary placement and needs a safe place to go.”
To ask about adopting, fostering or tagging for rescue, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]
You can track the efforts of 4-Legged Helpers by clicking the organization’s FACEBOOK LINK HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES FOR THIS ERA
Back during that storm outbreak last week — Was it last week? My mind wanders…— I heard a TV reporter say she was watching the threatening sky as she drove toward downtown Fort Worth on I-21.The road isn’t I-21, it’s just 121. But there was a storm overhead, so who has time to look at roadsigns, right? Or does the reporter know something about the highway department’s plans? … 
Traffic: Is it the biggest challenge in D/FW — has been since I moved here in 1972. Not that my 1971 Vega added to snarls except when the aluminum engine would blow up in traffic. Thank you, GM. …

My funspouse Martha and I went to a Fort Worth BBQ joint that keeps sliced pickles on a serving bar (and has some vegetarian dishes). There seemed to be a disagreement over who would replenish pickles. And a female waitstaffer declared authoritatively, “I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKLES EVERYWHERE.” It was a sentence I’d never before heard in my entire life. And, after due consideration, I can’t disagree with it. 

—- Offer pickle lore or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put VEGETARIANS LIKE PICKLES! in the subject line. —-