ReadLarryPowell.com

READING A CAT'S MIND WHEN IT COMES TO BASEBALL...PERHAPS IT'S AMEWSING....

In honor of the opening of the 2023 Major League Baseball season and the arrival of the hallowed holiday April 1, your April Fool dedicates this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap to cats who understand baseball. 
And we also will give tips for humans who want to learn how to read the mind of a cat.
You will need no special clothing, no unusual hats...This is between your brain and a cat's brain. Simply apply all of your powers of concentrated imagination or imaginated concentration. (Perhaps I made up a word....)
For this exercise in telepathic communication, we call upon our friend, Stevie Ray, a former mascot for the Kiest Park Quickpaws, a now defunct team that played in the Metro Taxpayer League. You may recall the year the Quickpaws won the pennant in a 4-out-of-7 series with the Washington D'DuckShuns with famed hurler Mallard Whiffmore on the mound.
All that aside, in order to qualify for an appearance in this feature, there must be a sleeping animal. In this case, that is Stevie Ray in the top photo -- I snapped the shot while he was on the mound -- his sleeping mound -- and dreaming of going from first to home on a single to left field -- something once accomplished only by the legendary Willie Mays. You can look it up. 
That next shot shows Stevie Ray in the same position, but his eyes are open and his message is "Never go to sleep on the mound during the game." Good defensive advice. If you've got four paws and someone hits one right up the middle, you'd better be awake,
We caught this game of "Call The Pitch" being played by Stevie Ray as a lefty and his older mentor, Esme, who has made this call on the pitch: "Low and inside!"
Finally, Stevie Ray took this position as a symbol of the goal a pitcher will have when he gets two strikes on a batter. "Fan him." Or her. It's not just boys who play baseball. And we mention the possibility of "her" to honor Brown University freshman Olivia Pichardo who, on March 17 became, according to news reports, "the first woman to appear in a Division I baseball game."
She pinch-hit in the bottom of the 9th.
Her Brown University Bears lost to the Bryant U Bulldogs, 10-1. When you lose by 9 runs, that's a team sport, not the fault of just one batter off the bench in the bottom of the 9th, right boys?
[LARRY ASIDE: When I was a kid, two of the best players in our neighborhood were Ruthie and Serena, the older sisters of one of our pals, their little brother. I'm a believer in baseball for everybody... it's part of my Theology of the Diamond.]
No, about Stevie Ray's elevated demonstration. I walked into my elaborately cluttered home office and found him balancing on the back of my desk chair while trying to swat the chains on the fan and the light. I could read his mind: "Too windy and too bright to cat nap," he transmitted. 
Where's the light fixture? 
I was changing the light bulb and broke the glass cover and, searching in store after store, I haven't been able to find the right replacement. After all, it's not like I'm working in the dark -- I'm clearly working in the bright.
Is Stevie Ray a righty or lefty or ambipawstrus? In this final photo, he's giving us the "go to the left, down and away" sign. We're pretty sure.

[DEAR READERS: Send photos and the stories of your slumbering critters to [email protected] and we'll post them in our long-running feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cat Nap. You'll be helping people understand the joy of having a happy critter around the house.]
-- Office light fixture tips or techniques for brighting the future of Earthlings by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and put "SWING FOR THE FENCES" in the subject line. Go Rangers. --

AS THE SEASON BEGINS, DOGS AND CATS CONTINUE TO LINE UP FOR A CHANCE; PLUS, POP'S FIRST BIG LEAGUE GAME

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Last day of March, headed into the April Fool’s Day weekend. No connection to the Saturday holiday — but, show of hands, please: How many of us are already looking forward to the Texas Rangers playing in the 2023 World Series! Heck, yeah.
[LARRY FYI: That was the Rangers' logo in the early '70s. Read on ...]
Now, here’s our Friday report. WAIT! I just saw a Yahoo news story that two different groups have made $6 billion bids for ownership of the Washington Commanders. I’m considering making a rational, defensible, entirely appropriate bid for the Washington NFL team, i.e., my usual top bid for anything from local newspaper companies to a new gasoline-powered car: Five hundred dollars cash. If you want to chip in, let me know.
A DOG AND CAT STIPULATION,
IF YOU WILL, YOUR HONOR
OK, to use a courtroom term, let’s just stipulate that every city around here has an animal shelter with an oversupply of dogs and cats that need to be adopted or rescued. Hundreds, maybe thousands in the general area.
So, if you are looking to adopt, find a city shelter, a county facility or make an effort to get in touch with a rescue group. You’ll be saving lives. Pass it on.
THIS IS A DENTON DOG
BROUGHT IN AS A STRAY….
The tip on this guy came from veteran animal advocate Amy Poskey who wrote, “To make a long story short… I called the shelter about this sweet, stray boy and one of the [Denton] ACOs was able to catch him.  Poor baby was timid.  Nobody came for him so now he needs our help!

“We have rescue but we need a foster to make that happen.”

He’s known as Gold Medal (#103591) at the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3717 N. Elm St., in Denton.
The contact points are these email’s [email protected]; [email protected]; and  [email protected] or this phone: 940-349-7594. His LINK is HERE.
 Gold Medal is from 2 to 5 years old, the shelter says. He weighs 50 pounds and is heartworm positive. 
His bio says he’s been neutered and microchipped. He’s said to be dog friendly, but it’s unknown how he is around cats.
When this sweet boy arrived at the shelter,” his bio reads, “He was really dirty, had a worn-out collar with a bit of chewed rope hanging on it, and was very shy. The staff said that he was very scared at first and is still timid until you walk him or interact with him.  He seems very submissive and will flop over for a belly rub when he feels comfortable with his visitors.”
MEANWHILE, IN EAST TEXAS,
THIS GUY CHARLIE TANGO
As you may guess, there’s a military element to the story of Charlie Tango. We got the tip on him from Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com and from our Companion Animal Network contact, the rescuer/advocate Gail Whelan.
They heard about Charlie Tango from Georgia McLain in East Texas. The email subject line read, “URGENT!!!!! GORGEOUS DOG NEEDS FOSTER OR ADOPTER ASAP. OWNER BEING DEPLOYED.”
 The contact point to help Charlie Tango is projectcharlietango @gmail.com.
The handsome fellow “is about 18 months of age and will be fully vetted. He is 55 pounds. ... We believe he is an American Bulldog mix.”
AND, THERE’S THIS
BRIGHT-EYED CAT…
You never know what you’ll find when you click onto the Dallas Animal Services adoptable pets listings at https://bedallas90.org/.
What we found by clicking on Thursday afternoon was this spectacular girl. She’s a 4-year-old, 9-pound Domestic Shorthair cat name Sadie. She’s #1160775 in Dallas Animal Services records — and, according to her bio, she’s in a DAS foster home.
Don’t know how long she’s been there, but she’s probably managed to erase that stunned look off her pretty face.

CONTEMPLATIONS
A LOOK BACK AT A BIG LEAGUE DAY
On Thursday — on Opening Day 2023 — I had a memory that stopped me in my tracks. I even got up from the keyboard and walked through the house to refocus. It was one of those moments when you knew the person you suddenly wanted to talk to but you also knew that person wasn’t going to be available by phone — not even by whizbang reach-anywhere instantaneously cellphone.
This memory came rushing in from many years ago. It was the era when the Texas Rangers were still playing in the old revamped, roofless Class AA Texas League baseball facility, Turnpike Stadium.
 The person I wanted to talk to about opening day was my ol’ man, J.C. “Calvin” Powell, known to all the cousins as “Uncle Ca’vin” and to the three brothers as “Daddy” and “Pop.” He’s the guy who taught us all how to play catch, how to throw a baseball, how to hit a baseball and, basically, how to enjoy a baseball game for the glorious sport that it is.
One season after Pop had retired and had time to travel, I talked him and Mom into coming to the Metroplex for a big league baseball game. The main draw was not baseball; it was that their grandkids, the twins Bret and Bart, would be there. [LARRY ASIDE: Keep in mind that Pop had been an infantryman at Normandy when he was a kid. That’s Pop’s U.S. Army photo — at the age when he should have been playing baseball at family reunions or in the minors maybe, he was in a big league war in Europe with a bunch of other kids who teamed up to save the world. That particular trip to Europe was about the last time he’d ever been interested in being away from home. Not even for vacation. It was, basically, only an afternoon with Bret and Bart that would get him out of his recliner. Pretty sure.]
So here was this formerly dirt-poor kid from Texarkana, all grown up, full of life experience and, yet, absolutely adoring every moment he could spend with his twin grandsons. It was Pop’s first big league game; it wasn’t his grandkids’ first — they thought “going to a big league game” was normal.
Early in the first inning, with big leaguers on the field and big leaguers at the plate, I looked at my ol’ man and he leaned over to me and, with a genuine catch in his voice, the poor kid from Texarkana said, “I just never thought I’d ever get to see a big league baseball game in person.” Yeah, I think I might have teared up a little bit, too.
So, Pop, every season they play this game I keep thinking how enjoyable it was to watch your first big league game with you. May other boys and girls enjoy those big league days with their parents. Hand me a tissue. I think the Texas Tenors are about to perform The Star-Spangled Banner on TV from the ballpark. Play ball, Rangers, and play it good for my Pop.
—- Offer pitching or hitting advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “Don’t shut-yer-eyes when you swing, slugger!” in the subject line. —-

AN OUTBREAK OF HUSKIES? A BOXER/B'S'NJI? A BALLROOM's TUNING UP

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY, MARCH 29-30, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Here’s a truth. In order to inspire creativity and quicker typing, I’ve been listening to country music lately. For example, as I type this passage, I’m listening to Hank Jr. perform All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down).
That’s a reality, you know. As the Greek & Western Philosopher Heraclitus said centuries of boots-’n’-sandal scootin’ years ago, “Thuh only constant in life is change.” (It sounds different in the original Greek, y’all.)
 But, if change were not constant, would the Longhorn Ballroom (dormant for decades on the southwest side of downtown Dallas) be reopening Thursday night and headling Asleep at The Wheel? (Click HERE for Longhorn show info.) The Longhorn Ballroom is just across Riverside from the levee that separates the Trinity River Bottoms from civilization. It’s historic. Somebody’ll probably be making a movie called “City Boots Scoot in Big D.” It’ll feature a character that’s an investment expert who’s a cousin to Bud Davis. Technical advisor will be Wes Hightower. Aw, you know those two from Urban Cowboy, right? Well, so much for my cinema dream for Dallas’ revitalized attempt to become a film center. More in Contemplations.
MEANWHILE, FOUND ON THE LOOSE
IN THE SMALL CITY SIDE OF BIG D.
This guy is Reed.
The bio describes him as a Boxer/Basenji Mix.

[LARRY ASIDE: That would suggest that somewhere, not too many months ago, there was a Boxer who met up with a Benji while both, probably, were running free. Somebody else said, “Thems some darned cute puppies! Gimme one or two uh them boy puppies. Aw, yeah, this ‘un ‘ll stay closed tuh the house. He’ll be OK in the yard. Cain’t put a loggin’ chain on him no more, but he’ll do awright. He knows where thuh food is. Nah, ah ain’t gonna fix him.” Dear Readers: The preceding passage was inspired by years of watching how humans behave. Back to the Reed story.]
And now, all the months later, thanks to ignoring the safe and sane message of spaying neutering to keep animals from being born just to die, we find Reed in a small shelter south of the edge of Dallas. He’s in the very busy Ferris Animal Shelter.
And, according to the 4-Legged Helpers, who work to get animals out of small shelters and into safe places, Reed is “wonderful with other dogs — including all male dogs” and, the bio continues, “Reed is a wonderful boy that was found out and about on his own. Everyone that has met him loves him. Such a sweetie pie!”

To ask about rescuing Reed or fostering him or giving him a home, call or text the 4-Legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected].

MORE HUSKIES  POP UP
IN A METRO-AREA SHELTER
In our Monday edition we cited a Husky with heterochromia, Melissa, a girl with one blue eye and one brown eye and she’s waiting in the Ferris Animal Shelter.
Now comes a report from Mesquite that there’s this dog Maximus, a Husky picked up as a stray on March 23. He weighs 48 pounds, isn’t neutered and is about 2 years old.
His biographer, the volunteer dog-writer Debra Chisholm, reports, “The handsome Husky…has beautiful blue eyes and a sprinkling of freckles on his nose.  He walks well on a leash. … He has a moderate level of activity.  He is spunky and frisky.  He doesn't seem to know any commands.  I couldn't interest him in toys or balls.  He just seemed to be very content being outside and roaming and sniffing out all the interested smells.  He does jump on you so that will need to be addressed.  He likes and takes treats gently but does not know to sit for them.  He is a friendly fellow and seems to have a pleasant nature.  He had no objections to my giving him hugs and strokes. 
“
Maximus is #52301182 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 

And Debra added, “Our shelter has had a lot of strays and surrenders brought in lately so that we are critically overcrowded and many of our dogs are having to be housed in wire kennels which is certainly not ideal.”
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE! THERE’S ANOTHER HUSKY in Mesquite. Debra says Frasier was picked up as a stray — also on March 23. He’s about 2, weighs 57 pounds and isn’t neutered. She says this guy “is quite the high-spirited, happy-go-lucky guy. He showed off his athleticism by climbing on the play equipment in our yard.  He chased the tennis balls I threw but did not know to bring them back to me.  He is outgoing and confident.  Frasier is friendly, is more than happy to be shown loving attention and is affectionate.  He even knows the sit and shake commands.  He does well on a leash. It is always important to have a tall secure fence for a Husky as they tend to be escape artists.”
When you contact the shelter, Frasier is #52298409.
The first thing your keen-eyed reporter Larry noticed about Rocky was this: He’s not a Husky. Yeah, I know: With those powers of observation, why ain’t I workin’ for a big time news outfit?
 Back to Rocky. He came into Mesquite’s shelter as a stray on the 24th. He’s about 10, not neutered and weighs 76 pounds. Debra’s bio reads, “This senior boy has a sweet disposition and demeanor.  He is calm and gentle and well-behaved. … He is lively, active and alert.  He does not jump on you.  He may have lived as an outdoor dog judging from his appearance.  He likes treats and takes them gently.  Rocky walks quite nicely on a leash.  He pottied in the yard.  He does not seem to know any commands and wasn't interested in toys or balls.  He just seemed so happy to be out of his kennel and spending some time in the yard with the beautiful weather. It is sad to see a dog end up in a city shelter at this age and to have no one come looking for him to take back home.” Rocky’s ID is #52303436 — use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
This is year-old, 32-pound, not-spayed Goldie — also a stray, also arrived on March 24. Debra writes, “There is a lot to like about this sweet pup.  She is an on-the-go confident girl with places to go, people to see and things to do!!  She is friendly and is more than happy to receive loving attention... once she slows down a bit!  She is affectionate and tried to climb into my lap. She ran and played in the yard and chased the tennis balls I threw but did not know to return them to me.  She does not appear to know any commands.  Goldie is playful and had a grand time running around the shelter yard exploring.  She has an outgoing personality and seems to have acclimated ok to the shelter environment.  Goldie walks well on a leash. … She would make someone a wonderful pet and is excited about the possibility of leaving the shelter and finding her forever home.” 
Remember, use her ID #52303417 when you contact the shelter.
And, as Debra noted, the shelter is a bit crowded these days. You’ve seen some of the dogs, and this one of the many cats. See more dogs and cats by clicking on the shelter link HERE.
 That apparently drowsy cat is #52002242, known as Tiger. He also is NOT an Alaskan Husky. Tiger is a famously rare DCDM, i.e., then Dallas County Domestic Shorthair Mix. (I may be exaggerating about the scarcity of Domestic Shorthair cats around here.
Tiger is about 3 years and 2 months old, the shelter says. He’s also a medium-sized guy who came in on March 27. He’s listed as “Available” and he’s waiting in the Cat Room.
CONTEMPLATION
LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD
Did you realize the Longhorn Ballroom was once owned by Jack Ruby, the guy who shot accused JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald? The venue also hosted such cool music acts as Nat King Cole and Willie Nelson and….oh, yeah, in 1978, punk stars The Sex Pistols played there. The Longhorn Ballroom even has a Wikipedia entry HERE.  Interesting history.
About country music: There are people who say they can’t stand it, but then they’ll add, “I sure do like Willie Nelson, though.” Or, “Reba is great!” or “Patsy Cline can really make me cry.” Depends on how much beer they’ve had, I guess. I always loved country music without having to get a calming additive delivered by a waitstaffer. Also, though, I love Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones, Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, Peggy Lee (love her with all my heart. I treasure Mom’s Mabley’s version of Abraham, Martin and John. And who doesn’t like Merle and Willie’s Pancho & Lefty? …
Heck, yeah, like most ‘60s teenager, I cling to my youth and I won’t buy a car if it doesn’t have a good radio.
— Offer music tips or fave concerts by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘YOU LIKE BAGPIPE MUSIC?’ in the subject line. —-

NEVER MIND THE TEMP, FIX THE FAN, FIND HOMES FOR THE ANIMALS

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023 [PetPowellPress] As these cool spring days hold onto our house, we’re sweating the repair on our air-conditioning unit. 
The fan quit working. How’s that for irony! 
People used to get a/c units so they could get rid of those fans in windows and hallways. Ah, the 20th Century — not just warm memories, hot memories retained by the kid raised in a home without air-conditioning. (Pardon the personal testimony.)

After consulting an a/c professional on Monday, I’m confident we’ll have properly conditioned air by midweek. No sweat. That’s my constant companion Porche Noel on her office bed next to my desk. She’s calmly sleeping off the a/c crisis this morning. She told me, “I have to set an example of tranquility for the younger dogs and cats and the older humans.” She’s no fan of summer heat, but she loves her cuddly human. Then she told me, "You have a substantial honker. Follow my example and just shove it into a pile of blanket material and it'll keep your entire body warm."
Reminder: Cool is nice, but this is Texas. Keep dogs and cats indoors and protected from the upcoming heat. It’s THE cool thing to do.
AVAILABLE IN MESQUITE, MANY,
INCLUDING A NEWTON & A MILO
We’ll get to the nameless cat in a moment. but first, we have bios of two of the many dogs waiting in the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
These arrive courtesy of volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm.
Newton is this “mixed-breed boy who arrived … on 3/23 as a stray,” Debra says. He weighs 47 pounds, isn’t neutered and is about 3 years old.
And Debra reports, “This fellow has captured my heart!!  He is frisky, perky and enthusiastic.  He ran and played in the yard and was quite skilled at fetching. He showed off his athleticism by climbing on our play equipment.  He will sit for treats and takes them gently.  Newton walked well on a leash.  He may be house- trained because he pottied in the yard and it seemed apparent that he had been holding it for a while!  He has an outgoing and confident personality.  Newton seems to have been well cared for and yet no one has come looking for him.”
And there’s this from Debra who “would like for his stay to be a brief one!” She writes, “This friendly fellow was a-okay with me giving him loving attention.  He just seems to have a zest for living.”

Newton is #52299794. Use that when you call the shelter at 972-216-62383 or email [email protected].
Same system for this guy Milo, described by Debra as an “adorable live wire of a pup!”
Milo is #52265627.
Yep, came in as a stray. That was on the 18th. He’s about 3 months old, weighs 19 pounds and is neutered. Debra writes, “This life-of-the party boy is full of vim and vigor with an exuberant and outgoing personality.  He exhibits plenty of puppy behaviors including jumping on you.  He would do well to receive obedience training to help him fit in with his new people better.  
“There is not a hint of being timid, shy, fearful or nervous with this youngster.  He is playful and enjoys toys and balls.  He loves treats and followed me closely in order to receive said treats!  He is friendly and was happy for me to give him pets and loving, that is when he slowed down long enough.  Milo walks surprisingly well on a leash for a pup his age.  If you are looking for a puppy to raise and willing to invest in training and daily exercise and playtime, this may be the dog for you.”
In writing about Newton and Milo, Debra also wrote, “Our shelter is crowded and we are in need of adopters and rescues for our wonderful animals.”
Among those “wonderful animals?”
At this LINK  you can see many more Mesquite dogs and a boatload of cats — all ages. This guy doesn’t have a name though he’s been in the shelter since February 24. His ID is #52127805 and he’s clearly an orange and white Domestic Shorthair Mix. [LARRY ASIDE: Ah, the rarest of all shelter breeds! Wait. I’ll need to check that declaration.] At any rate, this boy is 2 years and a month old, medium-sized and he’s neutered. Looks like he has a clipped ear, too. Mesquite’s shelter lists him as “Stage: Available.” [LARRY ASIDE: That’s the message for all of ‘em. “Available” means adopt, rescue, foster, take care of, adore, embrace, allow-to-capitvate-your-heart, etc. You know how it goes: Figure out a way to get them off the clock and into a heart.]
MEANWHILE, A BIG DOG
IN A SMALL SHELTER
[LARRY NOTE: This first big ol’ dawg gets to me right away. He reminds me so much of our late adorable, sweet, devoted, loving Rottie Texas Earl the Cheeseman. Earl was the king of dogs, a darling of his breed and I rescued him. So, when you adopt this guy Beau, love him in honor of our boy Earl.]
Beau is a purebred Rottweiler who is currently in the Ferris Animal Shelter, according to the report from 4-Legged Helpers. How’d he wind up in a small-town shelter with low human foot-traffic?
“Found out and about,” the Helpers report. 
The bio also reads, “If you have ever thought about rescuing or adopting a Rottweiler, Beau is the best dog ever!!!  Just as sweet and cute as can be.  LOVES OTHER DOGS!  Male and female alike. ADORES PEOPLE. Walks great on a leash. Very calm chill boy and he is gorgeous too.  Very well behaved.”
And we’ve mentioned this guy Brady before - it’s astonishing that nobody has adopted him from Ferris via the 4-Legged Helpers.
He’s a Lab/Bulldog mix who has a $275 pledge to the 501c3 “that can help save Brady,” the Helpers report.
Brady is house-trained, his bio reads. And he “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.”
 The “cuddly sweetie” was found roaming in a rural area of the county. He’s probably a year-and-a-half old. And he’s waiting — just contact the 4-legged Helpers by calling or texting
214-949-2726 or emailing [email protected].
See more animals on the 4-Legged Helpers small shelter radar by clicking on this FACEBOOK LINK. 
CONTEMPLATIONS
NOTHING OFFICIAL AT ALL
You wouldn’t think there’d be such tension and drama while waiting for an a/c repair expert to show up. But, my hands are really cold from typing in un-conditioned air. I’m sure I’ll survive — I looked out the window and there’s no snow on the ground. So, in order to brighten days, this is a photo of the great rose bush we got when we bought this house. I still miss the Tyler Rose I planted in the flowerbed at my old house — and I really, really miss (this time of year) the wisteria that blessed the front yard with it’s bluish color and great aroma. …
I was checking in with former TV news ace Jeff Crilley’s daily Real News PR tip-sheet for news professionals, The Roundup, and was staggered when I was reminded that this is the anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant disaster — March 28, 1979. That one made a lot of news. It’s called “the country’s worst nuclear power plant accident.” And Jeff’s report noted, “The partial meltdown of a reactor at Three Mile Island near Middletown, Pennsylvania, caused major changes to reactor safety around the globe.” Ah, I checked on something: On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power plant blew up and has since been regarded as “the worst disaster in the history of nuclear power.” Kids, that was during the last few years of the Soviet Union. ….

Ah, history — thanks to wars, the books just keep gettin’ thicker and thicker. Here’s an answer from Edwin Starr. CLICK THIS LINK. Peace now, right?
— Offer advice or caution by clicking on ‘comment’ or email [email protected] and put “ABSOLUTELY NOTHING” in the subject line. —-

FOR A MONDAY EDITION, THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO CATS AND DOGS....

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 [PetPowellPress] On this Monday we look back at a Sunday morning moment. 
You cat and dog lovers may share my emotional appreciation of the experience.
As is my daily habit, I was sweeping up Hastings' cat hair -- the fluffiest cat we’ve ever had, he produces enough for two cats. Maybe two or three ultra-furry cats and a shedding ewe, too.
If you don’t pick it up, you can walk through the house at night and in the dim glow of assorted computer lights, you’ll think you’re sleepwalking through a tumbleweed invasion in West Texas.
(That's one of his photos I used in the weekend's Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Dark eyes and fluffiness. Read on.)
Hastings seems to produce the light fluffy hair spheres magically — at some point he may pull an irritated nude rabbit out of his magician's waistcoat.
Anyway, I was dealing with laundry and other things ... books and magazines I'd left laying around…Martha's a little neater than I am when it comes to reading material. I shed books and magazines like Hastings sheds hair.
As I walked through the living room I looked up at the painting we have hanging on the wall. It is of my dear longtime friend and advisor, Inky the Cocker Spaniel. My multitalentedspouse Martha painted it — captured him and his big ol’ eyes perfectly.
I stopped in my tracks and I think, in the quiet of the morning household rounds, I heard the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas speaking sweetly to me from his Hereafter.
 It was absolutely poetic, as you'll see:
Yeah, I’m am your darlin’ Cocker
and I did a lot of clippertime
but I can tell you this and more,
I never left bundles of hair on the floor.
Yes, I could swear I then heard him laughing in his heavenly voice. He never left bundles of anything else on the floor, either. Good boy, that Inky, the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas.
He was also our staff impersonator. That’s him demonstrating his impression of a Texas Rangers fan who won Lotto Texas and, for 2023, was happily rushing to the ballpark’s concession stand on opening day Thursday. He was ordering a hot dog and a pop without wincing at the price. Somebody else paid for the parking.
MEANWHILE, SMALL SHELTER HAS
DOG WITH HETEROCHROMIA
Some of you may have panicked when you saw that revelation, perhaps checked your vet records for the appropriate vaccination. OMG, what are we gonna do to help this dog? It’s simple. Give her a home.
Of course, others will say, “So what?” It happens. In animals and humans “heterochromia” means the same thing — eyes of  different colors.
This morning we got a note from 4-Legged Helpers that included that beautiful dog Melissa. She’s a Husky in the Ferris Animal Shelter on the southern side of Dalllas. Melissa’s bio reads, “Melissa is honestly one of the most beautiful Huskies we have ever seen!  Look at that sweet face. She is just as precious and loving as can be. Adores other dogs! Gentle sweet and adorable!” 

So, our question becomes, “What do you call a dog who has eyes of the same color?”
Call this one Bella. We’ve mentioned her before. Bella is a young Catahoula/Boxer mix who, the Helpers’ bio reads, “was 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.”
To ask about helping these pups, call or text the Helpers at 214-949-2726 or email [email protected]. 
The Monday morning note also included these dogs we’ve mentioned before: Krissy (also known as Zuma), Trevor and Brady. All need homes. And you can catch up with them on the 4-Legged Helpers’ Facebook page HERE.
LING, THE BLUE-EYED CAT
WAITS FOR SPECIAL HOME
Don’t all cats wait for a special home? Yep. But some, more than others, need that special place. 
In keeping with today’s theme that celebrates eyes, we clicked on the dognkitty.city.org  link to see if there are any blue-eyed cats waiting in the famed Humane Society of Dallas County shelter. Yep, Dog 'n' Kitty City in Dallas.
And there we found this fellow Ling, born 9/14/20, his bio says.
It also says this medium-sized Siamese/Cream and White cat was transferred to the shelter from another facility. He has FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and Feline Leukemia. His bio says he can ”only be in a home with other cats with feline leukemia….” And he “has an issue with” an ear that “will require routine vet care.”
Veteran catfans know this means you’ll have the opportunity to love the rascal, perhaps for a long time, and he’ll have the chance to love you back. To ask about adopting Ling, email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
ONE MORE LOOK AT EYES
In the weekend’s Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, I posted photographs of the dark-eyed hair-sheddin’ darlin’ cat Hastings. I had been unable to find a recent photo of the rascal’s blue eyes. So, I went ahead with his dark-eyed pose. Then, on Sunday afternoon, about 48 hours beyond the deadline for capturing Hastings’ blue eyes, I was prepping a cup of coffee and and the rascal suddenly, magically, silently, lept to the edge of the nearby kitchen sink and started — like a Wallenda on a tightrope — padding toward me. I whipped out the phone and shot this close-up of Mr. Handsome’s blue-rimmed pupils. If this is the biggest challenge of my life, I am living a great existence. Of course, I also have three or four novels I’d like to finish and sell and see converted into movies that make me richer than a clean-and-sober rock star. Ah, ambition— the club that beats us in the head.

—- Offer career advice or winning lotto numbers by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “LUCK IS A SUCKER’S GAME AND SO IS A 21st CENTURY CAREER PLAN” in the subject line. —-

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS THIS KITTEN IN DUNCANVILLE...

For this weekend’s edition of Let Sleeping dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap we stretched back to October 2021, then managed to land in March of 2023. Call it “Time Travel By Cat…”
This is the most recent rescue cat added to our household. 
The first photo shows how big he was on Oct. 4, 2021.
That second one is current — shot on March 23. In honor of Hastings’ moods and personality, I titled that photo “WHADDAYA WANT? I’M GROOMING HERE!”
He’s changed more than any other cat we’ve ever brought in to our home — eyes, coloring, manners, moods, income— Wait! Income? Hah. All the cats are still resolutely non-profit.

This is Hastings, AKA Captain Arthur Hastings Streetboy, named (a) in honor of the Duncanville street on which he was found and (b) in honor of the sidekick of Hercule Poirot, i.e., Captain Arthur Hastings, OBE. The cat’s call name is “Hastings” and sometimes he responds — well, he always responds, but in his world "ignoring a call" is a response. He just can't be bothered to come running. Shake a treat container, however, and he’s traveling at orbital speed.
When found, he had huge gobby things dangling off his eyes and he was starving. I spotted him paused and quivering out in the middle of the street. I managed to follow him off the street, watched him run into a curb and claw up the cement and race into a clutter of weeds where I grabbed him. That was on Oct. 4, 2021. [LARRY ASIDE: My rescuespouse Martha and I remain grateful to the emergency medical work by the great staff at Pet Medical Center of Duncanville.  They brought this boy from his wretched state of human neglect to vibrant safety far away from the edge of undeserved death. He’s no longer neglected. That's Martha feeding him at our house. He got over being shy about being fed. ]
As you can see in that photo from Feb. 7, 2022, the rascal was growing and had beautiful blue eyes. Along the way, those blue eyes slowly evolved into really dark eyes and his light-colored coat changed into an impossibly fluffy darker texture.
I managed to catch him sleeping at the foot of the bed on March 23 — I’d intended to take a nap after a particularly happy visit with a doctor. But, there was Hastings enjoying life!
 He has eschewed the actual cat bed to sleep atop a storage cabinet that serves as step two in Porche the Dog’s three-step process of climbing onto the bed where she sleeps nightly or any other time she’s in the mood.
I think Porche may conduct “Sleep Instruction Classes” for the other dogs and cats. She’s a giving dog, though at 3 in the morning she will not give up space on the bed. She sleeps with the determination of a bag of cement.

Hastings doesn’t challenge Porche for a spot on the bed. He is usually up patrolling during the night. 
He is almost adorable — apparently separated from his mom when only a few weeks old, he didn’t learn any of the “biting/clawing manners” that a mommy might explain during the weaning era of a kitten's life. The mom’s usually explain, “Bite my spigot like that again, I’ll roll your furry feline backside across the room and you’ll go without lunch.” It’s a lesson learned. Hastings was mostly hand-fed — he is a vigorous eater. 

Still, we have great hope that Hastings will become comfortable in a human lap as he watches TV. Most of the time, he just wanders through the living room en route to somewhere else on the planet. Or he comes in, looks around, and claims the back of a couch.
Such dark eyes in such a distinct face. He's a handsome fellow. Hastings turned out to be — like the rest of our dogs and cats through the years — pretty dadgumed adorable. Thus, in publishing this edition, readlarrypowell.com officially endorses adopting kittens off the streets and enjoying their purry love. Humans can always use more love — just read the daily headlines!
[DEAR READERS: Got a sleeper or a napper you love to photograph? Send photos and their stories to [email protected] and we’ll spotlight ‘em in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Your dogs and cats and their agents will love you for it.]
—- Offer cat management tips by clicking on ‘comment below or by emailing [email protected] and put “CATS ARE INFLUENCERS,TOO” in the subject line. —-

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. —

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. —-

LUIS' TRIUMPH; OTHER DOGS AND CATS WAITING; A PEGASUS THEATRE 'DO OVER' & WHAT'S IN THE CLOUDS?

EDITION OF MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Research shows that spring arrives in Texas at 4:24 p.m. Central Daylight Time on this very day, the Monday on which I began typing this.
And that brings us to weather and show biz. The person who said, “The show must go on” never lived through a tornado-spawning/rain-drenching/street-flooding/TV weather-report-monopolizing late winter storm in Texas.
For example, last Thursday, the show did not go on for the Pegasus Theatre people — ah, but the special event IS going curtains-up in spite of the weather this week., The “Pay What You Want” production has moved to Thursday the 23rd. We’ll have the how-to-get-tickets and more on that in CONTEMPLATIONS. First, we address the continuing drama of animals on this never-closing Metroplexitheatre in North Texas.
SOMETIMES THINGS WORK OUT
FOR A DOG WHO IS STARVING
Maybe you remember this guy from a story we got back on January 12 courtesy of the great Karen Lee (more on her in Contemplations) and the Trinity GAP Club Rescue folks.
This is one of the photos we had of Luis thanks to the GAP Rescue. The story was he’d been intentionally starved by the human who had him.
And the most recent report (Karen tipped us to the glorious updated post on the Trinity GAP Rescue Facebook page HERE.
It began, “Look at Luis! He has gained almost 30 pounds! What a difference two months with good food and a great foster can do! Thank you Christine for all of your hard work with Luis.
Luis is now looking for his forever home. Please contact steffenie- [email protected].
 [LARRY ASIDE: You may recall that Euless Trinity GAP Rescue evolved from a Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program project years ago. Luis is among the latest beneficiaries of this teacher-led evolution. Along the way, GAP Rescue has gathered many supporters including our pal Karen Lee, who with her husband Dennis, founded barkleyworld.com in 2013 to help people whose animals need help. More on this and Karen in CONTEMPLATIONS.]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE:
A BIG RETURN; A SMALL BART
We’ve got a couple of dogs and a cat from Mesquite for this edition. Remember, Mesquite, like any other large shelter operation in North Texas, has “more plenty” animals waiting for homes. Fortunately, this shelter also has a pretty swell volunteer program. That’s how we can post the Mesquite adorable adoptables and link you to the many we can’t post. [LARRY ASIDE: Bless those volunteers not only in Mesquite, but in Fort Worth, Dallas and any other shelter that’s mindful of the mission of “sheltering.”]
We got the story on Lena from volunteer Judi Brown. She writes, “Look at her sweet face and into Lena’s imploring eyes and you will see not only a beautiful dog but a wonderful dog! 
“Lena is a 4-year-old Mastiff that originally arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 10/26 as a stray. Shortly after that she was adopted by an older woman with some health issues. The lady really loved Lena but because of her health issues was not able to walk her. She killed her with kindness by feeding her until she went from 78 pounds to 100 pounds! 

“When it became obvious that she was no longer healthy enough to care for Lena she reached out to me and others trying to find her a loving home. When she wasn’t successful in this endeavor she reluctantly surrendered Lena to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 3/14. That was five months after she had adopted Lena. Lena is spayed. She now needs another loving home. ”
Lena, Judi says, “is what we call a gentle giant! She’s sweet, loving, well mannered in that she doesn’t jump on you’ she’s friendly, alert, and attentive. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She used to chase balls but I’m thinking her weight is holding her back this time. She could definitely benefit from some walks and playful activity to get her weight down! A healthy diet would be helpful also. She stays close looking up at you with adoring eyes. She wants to please. She wags her tail and gives gentle kisses … Lena is at the shelter through no fault of her own. She’s had one loving home and now needs another.”

Lena is #45970731 — use that as the identifier when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

And Judi’s colleague in dog-bio-writing, Debra Chisholm, sent us a note about this guy and he immediately got our attention because he has the same name as one of readlarrypowell.com's twins, Bart. [LARRY ASIDE: Bart, my little boy, is much older than Bart the dog, but he is equally well-behaved and adorable — and he is house-trained. In fact, both he and his brother, Bret, are house-trained. You have to appreciate that in twins, right? They’re only in their early 50s, you know. I hope they’ll laugh at this wisecracking.]
Back to Bart the Dog: Debra writes that Bart the Dog “is a cute, fun-loving, reddish gold Terrier mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 3/13 as a stray. He’s a year old and weighs 23 pounds. He’s got a small frame. He is not neutered. When I first got him out of the kennel he jumped gently on me for a hug. That was so sweet!|
 And, when he was exploring the yard, Debra says he was “bounding around for joy. He spent some time looking out the outside gate indicating that he’s very alert and curious. He appears to love people! He loves attention and even will dance for it. When I sat down he came to me to have his ears scratched. He doesn’t appear to know the sit command but does take treats gently. He also was not interested in toys or balls. He’s active, energetic, sweet, friendly, loving and apparently happy. However, he will be a lot happier when he gets out of the shelter and into your loving home.”

Bart is #52230542 — use that when you contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Remember, you can see many, many other dogs and cats — adoptable and rescueable — at the Mesquite shelter by clicking on THIS LINK.
This guy is #52246952 — he’s not the first kitten of spring, but he may be among the last of the winter kittens to arrive safely at Mesquite Animal Services. He and some other orangish kittens came in at 6 days old on March 15. They’re in kitten quarantine and “rescue only” right now. But, at some point, perhaps, he’ll grow to be a big ol’ orange #52246952 — maybe known as “Fitty-two-kitty” and loved for the rest of his long, long life. [LARRY ASIDE: I speak as a guy who, with my rescuespouse Martha, lived for years and years with Griffin Oliver Powell, a very large orange and white gentleman kitty who came to us as an unwanted tiny kitten. May you and this little bitty boy have a glorious cat-happy existence.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
IN HONOR OF SHOWBIZ & KAREN’S PHOTO WORK
Remember that awful storm last Thursday that monopolized all the TV and radio stations and kept threatening neighborhoods all over North Texas and beyond? That storm postponed last Thursday’s Bath House Cultural Center performance of Pegasus Theatre’s Mind Over Murder in RadioVizion. It was scheduled to be the “Pay What You Can” special admission. 
Ah, but show biz is flexible and in the Monday email I got a note with the subject line “Pay What You Can: Do_Over." Yes, Pegasus has re-skedded the special admission “Pay What you Can” for Thursday the 23rd’s production of the “simulated radio play” of the well-received “Living Black and White” stage-play Mind Over Murder! by Kurt Kleinmann. See how to set the price for your ticket to the Thursday performance by clicking HERE. 
NOW, ABOUT BARKLEYWORLD.COM. As regular readers know, Karen Lee and hubby Dennis created barkleyworld.com in 2013 to help people whose animals are "facing out-of-their-reach" medical problems. What a noble cause! Karen and Dennis also are supporters of Euless’ Trinity GAP Rescue. Karen tips us frequently about such challenging cases as that guy Luis in an earlier note in this edition. You can read about Barkley (the dog who inspired Barkleyworld) by going to the non-profits website at barkleyworld.com. And you can read about Trinity Gap Rescue (which supports the Euless Animal Shelter’s dogs and cats) by going to the trinitygaprescue.org website or to the GAP Facebook page. 
But, consider this: Karen is also a pretty darned good photographer. She knows how to capture a scene whether it is on earth or above. [We have a copy of her wonderful photo book Las Cruces Clouds, published last year.]
So, what’s the deal with this UFO picture?
Ah, it’s not a UFO, but it is a vivid photo of what she saw over Las Cruces, N.M., on March 7. Karen described it as “Crazy cloud hanging with the full moon tonight…” [LARRY ASIDE: Yes, I’m part of the conspiracy claiming that what we’re seeing is a cloud formation and the moon, though those of us from other planets know it is the glow from the exhaust of the cleverly disguised space ship that brought us to your planet. Cue the spooky music. You’ve seen the way people are behaving these days — you people can’t ALL be from Earth, can you?]
— Offer UFO info or tips on space dining by clicking on ‘comment’ or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘HEY SPACE CADET’ in the subject line. —-

AFTER THE STORM, SLEEPIN' 'N' NAPPIN' AND OWNING AN OFFICE'S HEART....

After that rough spell of weather during the week. our Friday morning in the office of readlarrypowell.com consisted of a sleeper and a napper.
All others were sleeping the living room or the guest bedroom.
So. that left the adorable little dog Porche Noel on her office bed, peeking out at me with one eye as I took her photo.
The actual napping cat on The Scratching Chair is Stevie Ray, the apprentice office cat.
There is no doubt that writing is made easier when the animals in the office are snoozing.
When they all awake simultaneously and decide it's "treat time," that can interrupt a HANG ON tick tick tick tick tick tick paragraph.
I mention the joy of animals in an office to suggest that businesses that are having trouble convincing employees to return to the corporate offices, might enjoy more success if they'd establish the category of "Authorized Office Cat" or "Official Office Dog" for the corporate personnel "Happiness Enhancement Program." Be cheaper than giving everybody a raise.
Just a thought ... I mention it in case my bid on a newspaper company actually goes through and I need happy reporters and editors -- all of whom must be resolutely softhearted, kind and accurate. Free treats for the cats and dogs in the office.

Stevie Ray is young, but he really knows how to nap in that chair -- when he's not shredding it with his bionic claws. It was a free chair -- leftover from a garage sale. If I'd paid for it, he could still shred it and that would be OK with me. Stevie Ray is my boy.
[DEAR READERS: Please send photos of your sleeping dogs, napping cats, slumbering aardvarks or any other snooze-prone animal to [email protected] and we'll highlight them and their story of rescue, adoption or "just showed up" in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. Thank you for your  awareness of animal somnolentity. That may not be an actual word, but I nodded off as I typed it.]
-- Offer slumbertips or pie recipes by clicking on 'comment below' or by emailing [email protected] and put FLUFF THAT PILLOW SNOOZEBOY in the subject line. ---