A THREATENED DOG, A CUTIE PIE, TURTLE DAY, DUCKS & MORE TURTLES....

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Before we dive into today’s report, let’s all take a moment to look our dogs or cats or dogs and cats in the face and tell ‘em how much we love ‘em. Feels good, doesn’t it!
I have two photos to start the day. One is the back of my dog, not her face. But it's a reminder to be careful when you roll your desk chair back, especially if you have a dog who sleeps quite soundly. In that photo with Porche Noel, you can see how close my wheel came to her tail Monday morning as I finished a sentence on the keyboard and turned to roll to freedom. She never even knew I came that close to having to apologize profusely for not having a rear-view mirror on my desk chair. I think it was an option.
And the reason I’m showing last night’s photo of me and Stevie Ray is this: Cats are cool companions and if you don’t have one, perhaps you need one to give you enthusiasm for conversation.  You'll be talking with a species known for providing insight to the everyday challenges of life. They can tell you if you're a purrer or a hisser.  
Stevie Ray had just told me to lay off trying to pick winning Lotto Texas numbers. In the past two months, entering twice a week, I have won a whopping three bucks, which I gave to my funspouse Martha. I don’t know what she does with the money — $3 will go a long way in today’s world. I may be wrong about that. I think you can get ONE gallon of gasoline for about $3 today. Maybe.
 IN GLENN HEIGHTS, A DOG
MET A STUPID/MEAN HUMAN
I have no name for this dog. I also have no idea whether the dog is a he or a she. What the Facebook post does tell us is the dog has had a rotten bit of human contact. 
Someone with Friends of the Glenn Heights Animals Shelter (south of Dallas along I-35) posted the German Shepherd’s photo and story. And someone, possibly from the shelter’s Friends, took the time to create a first-person story by this dog.

“I could hardly breathe,” the biographical story begins, then goes straight too the heartbreak. “The person who I thought loved me tied a chain so tight around my neck it started to cut in my throat. I was tied to a fence and left to fend for my own. But the kids saw me and helped!
“I’m still trying to process how I got to this place they are calling a shelter. I’m just glad the chain is off and I get a good meal and somewhere to rest.

“If you have any information on my owner who tied me up please contact the Glenn Heights Police Department at 972-223-3478.
“If you would like to meet me, please contact us. Visit the shelter at 550 E. Bear Creek Glenn Heights TX 75154 or call 214-837-9255 for more information.” And here’s a Facebook LINK to Friends of the Glenn Heights Shelter.
[LARRY ASIDE: This could be a case for the stern application of the Readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment, but I’m pretty sure an ethical court will stick to the letter of the law.]
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE,
THERE’S A ‘CUTIE PIE’

How do we know there’s a cutie pie in the Mesquite Shelter? Because we got word of this dog Augustus from our reliable tipster, the volunteer dog-writer Judi Brown. 
She wrote, “This cutie pie is a shelter fave not only because he’s adorable, but also because he has a winning personality! He’s the whole package! He’s a two-year-old, 55 pound gray and white Bulldog with hazel eyes that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 4/27 as a stray. He’s already fixed.
“You might be asking how could this guy with so much going for him still be at the shelter?  He’s been in isolation with a URI. He’s still on medication, but he’s getting better!! You may also notice that he’s too thin and could use some groceries. 
“He has been tested for heartworm and is heartworm negative! He’s a happy guy with a tail that wags constantly. He stays close to his human for extra attention and affection. He comes to you when you call him. … He’s very sweet, calm, affectionate, well mannered, and easy-going. He walks very well on the leash. … He wanted to make friends with all the dogs he met. I did not see any signs of aggression.

“He won’t be at the shelter long now that I put him out there,” Judi says confidently. Then adds, “To spend time with him is to love him.” 
Augustus is #52533432 — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-5283 or email [email protected] To see more Mesquite dogs and cats that are waiting for homes, click on the shelter link HERE.
 CONTEMPLATIONS
Turtles, Ducks & Happy Together?
In case, like me, you can’t keep up with all the “Days,” I’ll help with this particular May 23 — it is “World Turtle Day.” It’s a day that honors turtles and tortoises and urges protection of the species and their environments. As you probably know, Texas has a bunch of turtles. The Official State Seat Turtle of Texas is the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. That’s a photo (and credit) that’s available online. The Lone Star State got it’s State Sea Turtle in 2013, so, heck, this is the 10th anniversary for the Ridley Sea Turtle. Growing up in Bowie County, I rarely saw the big round flat turtles. I saw snapping turtles, tortoises and some that were featured on TV. More in a moment. Here’s a link to a story about 25 different kinds of turtles in Texas. That's in case you didn’t know. We didn’t study turtles way back when I was in school — we were studying about dinosaurs and pterodactyls — getting familiar with the local critters in those days. …
Now, as a kid from East Texas, I was familiar with ducks. Lots of people hunted ‘em. I fed 'em. Yep, fed bread to the ducks at Spring Lake Park in Texarkana. I knew there were Mallards, Merganzers, Teal, Wood Ducks, Pintails and, of course, Donald. But until I cranked open a page online Monday, I had no idea there were these Scotus Ducks. They seem to be caucusing, but I’m not real clear on duck behavior. OK, let’s paddle along.|
In honor of January, 1967, because, man, the ‘60s music had some gentle tones and teenage angst and, dude, helped us cope. Besides, this one has a link to The Turtles. CLICK HERE, YOU OL’ ROCKERS. 
— Offer ‘60s tips or lament a tune by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and, in the subject line, confess ‘I ACHE FOR THE ’60s.” —-