DOGS AND CATS AND THE OPPORTUNIES TO IMPROVE HUMAN LIFE ON THIS PLANET...

EDITION OF THURSDAY/FRIDAY, MARCH 23-24, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Ever see a sheet of instructions with a note that very clearly reads: “This space left blank intentionally.” I looked in the mirror Wednesday morning and across my forehead the message read, “This space left blank repeatedly.” Yep, another poorly assembled human being.
And, of course, my office cat, William Powell, found this interesting and jumped onto my desk to see if we could find an online solution to un-blanking my head. As William said, “I’ve often thought your head was blank, but I didn’t want to say anything in front of the other cats. Get me a marker and we’ll put a big M between your eyebrows. It’ll give you some dignity in your blankness.”
Now, fantasy aside, let’s get to some real situations.
DOGS LIBBY & PHOENIX
PLUS RAISING ARIZONA?
Here we go with three animals waiting ….
We learned of these dogs from volunteer Mesquite Animal Shelter biographer Debra Chisholm. They’re on the clock but Mesquite keeps hustling to place ‘em all.
This first pup is  Libby, a Pittie mix picked up as a stray on March 16 — weighs 60 pounds, isn’t spayed and is about 3 years old.
Debra wrote, “Libby tugged at my heartstrings because she is timid, nervous and uneasy at the shelter.  She walked OK on a leash and was non-reactive to the dogs barking at her when she passed by their kennels. … She likes treats and takes them gently. She is cautiously friendly and was fine with being petted and shown affection.

“But Libby needs more time to acclimate to the shelter and will need those willing to work with her to build trust and confidence. She has only been there a short while.  Much of the time her tail was tucked.  By the end of our time together she warmed up a bit but really needs patience and TLC to blossom.”

Libby is #52254680 — that’s her ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]

And this guy is Phoenix (#52240462) when you contact the shelter at those points. He’s a mixed breed. Debra says the Dog Scanner App “suggests Australian Kelpie, Australian Cattle Dog and German Shepherd in the mix).” Came in as a stray on March 16. He’s not neutered, is about 2 and weighs 53 pounds. Debra writes that Phoenix “has plenty of personality!! He walks very nicely on a leash, though a bit hesitantly at times and did not react to other dogs whose kennels he passed by. … Phoenix knows the sit command and will do so for treats which he takes gently. He did explore the yard a bit but seemed to much prefer hanging out with a new human friend. He is amiable and more than happy to receive pets, strokes and hugs.  He has a moderate energy level and showed his athleticism by climbing up and down on the play equipment in the yard. He is quite the tail-wagger.  He seems to have been well cared for and yet his owners have not shown up to reclaim.  I found myself growing very fond of him in the short time we were together.”
Remember, to ask about any animal at the shelter, use the ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]
And that brings us to this cat. As long as readlarrypowell.com was highlighting a dog named Phoenix (thanks to Debra),I thought I’d go ahead and spotlight a cat named Arizona. She’s #52229246 in the Mesquite shelter. Arizona is a “large” year-and-a-half-old white with brown Domestic Medium Hair Mix. She’s been in the shelter since March 13. Where in the shelter? Why, in the Cat Room, of course!. See more Mesquite dogs and cats — all adorable adoptables — by clicking on the SHELTER LINK HERE.
 
MEANWHILE, THE HELPERS WORK
TO PLACE BRYSON THE MAINE COON
(AND OTHER WAITING ANIMALS)
This gloriously gold or, perhaps, sedately golden (depends on the lighting) is a Maine Coon named Bryson. The bio from 4-Legged HHelpers reads that Bryson is neutered and has had his rabies shot and is currently in the care of someone in Fort Worth. 
The story from the Helpers reads, “This cuddly, beautiful guy was found out and about on his own and a kind person got him fixed. They considered putting him back out but Bryson said no way.  He loves being a house kitty and it is clear he was a house kitty prior to becoming lost perhaps. He is the sweetest most gentle lovable cuddle bug who adores every person he meets.  Please. Please help save him!!!!!” [Dear Readers: We’ll have a Maine Coon note in Contemplations today. First-hand experience.] To ask about helping Bryson or any of the animals on the Needs-Help Radar at 4-Legged Helpers, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]
Still waiting to make a happy connection via the Helpers are these dogs (We cited Brady in our most recent edition.) These are some of the dogs still waiting — just like Brady. They’re waiting for a break from the right humans.
Skye is the Husky Mix, a spayed and vaccinated adorable adoptable, currently homeless. She was picked up while romping in Hutchins with another dog “that we could tell she loved very much,” the Helpers reported. The other dog was chipped and returned to her owner. Skye has been left behind at a vet clinic. Her bio reads, "You could not meet a nicer dog. Adores everyone and everything. All other dogs and all people! Very good girl! Very sweet.”
Then there’s the Boxer/Catahoula Mix Bella, found in front of a veterinary clinic in Dallas.  Apparently someone that could no longer care for her was desperate to try to save her and tied her there in hope they could help. Extremely well behaved.  Amazing eyes!   Gentle little soul.  She is a sweet little couch potato. The vet clinic where she currently is cannot keep her.  They have had her with a dog trainer for evaluation but she is supposed to return and they have no boarding for her.

 Krissy, also known as “Zuma” is a Retriever/Bulldog mix in the Ferris Animal Shelter. Her bio reads, “This is the most wonderful dog. Adores all other dogs.  All people. Someone was no longer able to care for her and brought her in with the hope someone will save her.  She has been a house dog so clearly housetrained.   She is only 45 pounds.  Incredibly sweet.   Chonky and adorable.”
Boxer/Pointer Trevor, also in the Ferris shelter, has been on the Helpers’ list for a while. He’s in the Ferris shelter. Adored in the shelter, the Helpers report. “He was found out and about playing with some children.  Adores everyone and everything. Did extremely well in a cat test and likes other dogs! Sweetest baby ever. He was wearing a harness and lead and the lead attached had been torn like he has been lost for awhile.  Poor guy was starving.  Thank goodness he stopped to play with kids.  But now he needs your help to save him!!!”
Again, to help the Helpers save these animals, call or text 214-949-2726 or email [email protected] Follow 4-Legged Helpers on Facebook to keep up with  dogs and cats in need.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED NOTES ON A SPECIFIC DAY
Our dogs are in a very deep sleep right now. How do I know? The trash truck came through the neighborhood twice and nobody in the house stirred. Porche even kept snoring ...
When I wrote about Bryson the Maine Coon, I was immediately transported back to the era before Martha and I married — when we met she had a beautiful gray with silver highlights Maine Coon named Lucy. The first time I met Lucy, that beautiful cat treated me like I was a long-lost member of her litter. I think Lucy’s influence is why Martha decided to have a second date with me. And, a couple of years later (1991), Martha brought Lucy along with her into the marriage -- not to the wedding, but into the marriage. So, there’s a reflection on the adorable value of a Maine Coon. (Martha also had a big black cat named Bob and a black and white and rather rotund cat named Cyril (galloped like a horse). They voted for me, too, though not as vigorously as Lucy. I hope someone can make room in a happy marriage for a Maine Coon named Bryson. …
In the meantime, anybody else enjoying the detective show Will Trent? Ramon Rodriguez has the title role. But, see that dog in the poster? That’s the detective’s dog, Betty. An unexpected delight in a 21st century police show. Quite a cast of human actors, too.
— Offer romance advice or fun dog tales by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put TV NEEDS MORE CRIME-FIGHTING DOGS in the subject line. —