A GOLD MEDAL SUCCESS; THYME WAITS FOR SOMEONE; GREAT EXPECTATIONS TIP

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Yesterday we held space in our opening segment because we believed something good was developing. Sure enough, here’s the news: Gold Medal is in a foster home and not in a shelter on the clock.
We got the word Friday morning from his rescuer/admirer Amy Poskey. She titled it a “Happy PupDate!”
When your hard-hearted ol’ editor/reporter saw this photo of Gold Medal on his “freedom ride,” I might have teared up a little bit over a dog I’ve never met. Hey, it happens to us animal nuts, right?
On Thursday we’d got a note from Amy that revealed “Gold Medal has been placed on the dreaded ‘length of stay list’ cuz he’s been at the shelter for 55 days and he’s shutting down." [LARRY NOTE: That's one of Gold Medal's first photos at the shelter.] Amy continues: "Poor baby has become withdrawn and severely depressed. Breaks my heart and, needless to say, this is killing me.”

There had been two rescue offers but both needed an approved foster home. Suddenly, Thursday evening, things began to come together for Gold Medal, the former stray. He was getting safely out of the place where he’d charmed hearts and gained support,  Denton’s Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adopton Center. 
Amy’s email Friday morning read, “GOLD MEDAL HAS LEFT THE BUILDING WITH I AM DOG RESCUE!!!  Wednesday night they received a foster application that was approved and now our boy is on his way to a happy life …. My heart is singing and I’ve got happy tears as I type this.”
Amy had been instrumental in getting this wandering, dirty and heartworm-positive stray off the streets. It’s a heart thing, you know?
Amy’s note read, “I don’t even know where to begin expressing my gratitude to everyone who helped facilitate this wonderful outcome for our sweet boy!  This was a huge group effort and I’m so humbled by the love and generosity from so many people who played a part in making this happen and I couldn’t be more grateful!
“Kim Lehere and Kristin Scally with I AM DOG Rescue have gone above and beyond to help save Gold Medal.  They didn’t even hesitate to offer this sweet boy a place in their rescue, pending an approved foster, in spite of the fact that they are already busting at the seams.  They took extra pics of Gold Medal and posted and reposted for two months until our miracle happened!
“Denise Primm with Salvaged Souls Pet Rescue also offered to take Gold Medal into her rescue, pending an approved foster.
“The Denton Animal Support Foundation offered to help with HW treatment, as well as a gift card for supplies for his foster home, all of which was orchestrated by our awesome Kim Gaffey!
“The Denton Shelter staff gave this sweet boy extra time, love, and attention knowing we were beating the pavement trying to save him from an overcrowded shelter!”
And Amy adds, “The rescue community/dog lovers/animal lovers offered prayers, donations, well wishes, words of encouragement, posted on FB, networked, etc, etc, etc.
“FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART…  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH EVERYONE!!!  Y’ALL ROCK!!!

“On a final note…  As you know, rescue groups survive on donations so I would like to provide donation information for I AM DOG Rescue if you would like to make a donation for Gold Medal’s care.  No amount is too small.
“ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://iamdogrescue.org/ or https://iamdogrescue.org/#donate.  MAILED DONATIONS? I Am Dog Rescue, 11450 US Hwy 380, Suite 130-240, Crossroads, TX  76227.”
Then, in what some might regard as a genuine Texas shout of exhilaration and celebration, Amy typed:
“WOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOO and YEEEEEHHHHHAAAWWW!!!”
 The website for the Crossroads, Texas,-based I Am Dog Rescue is HERE.. You can see adoptables and ways to help.
As you may recall, Gold Medal has been featured in several editions of Readlarrypowell.com and the only question we haven’t been able to answer is, “What’s up with that name, Gold Medal?”
I had a theory. My theory was Gold Medal got the name after an animal control officer had to chase him down — Gold Medal was as quick as a championship Olympic sprinter.
 Amy replied, “He definitely didn’t want to be caught and he did sprint away from us, so you could be right!”

And, my fellow animal nuts, there’s your happy story for a Friday. When somebody adopts Gold Medal and gives him that great home he deserves, we’ll have another happy story. And don’t we need a passel of happy stories!
One more note: Gold Metal was not the last animal waiting for a rescue or a home at the Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center. Here’s a LINK to see more of them.
THYME? WE’RE USING HER
AS A SYMBOL FOR
SAVE ‘EM ALL!
As you probably know, there are full shelters and full rescues and even neighborhood streets with more dogs and cats than they need. We’d prefer that the animals all wind up in good homes rather than being “needle statistics” at city shelters or “hit-by-car” animals on streets and highways. Is that too much to ask?
This beautiful girl is a Mesquite dog named Thyme. Got an active tail, right! We learned of her from the Mesquite Animal Shelter volunteer dog-writer Debra Chisholm. Now, take a look at the photos and the face. 
Debra wrote, “They just don't come any cuter than Thyme, a mixed breed girl who arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 5/2.  Thyme weighs 34 pounds, is about 4 months old and is not spayed.”

Here’s the paragraph that’ll burn the hide on a genuine animal nut, i.e., you and me.
Debra wrote, “She has a microchip and a staff member contacted the owner who answered the first time but thereafter when calls were made they did not answer nor return the calls.  Therefore, it appears as though this adorable pup is unwanted and is looking for a new home.”
Mercifully, she’s in the care of a shelter that makes an effort to find homes for “the unwanted.”
Debra says Thyme “walks quite well on a leash for a pup her age.  Thyme has lots of puppy energy and behaviors and her tail rarely stops wagging.  She does jump on you so probably the first behavior to correct would be to teach her to not jump on people. 
“Is she timid, shy, fearful or nervous?  No, not a bit!  She loves treats and will sit for them.  Thyme is playful, fun-loving and friendly.  She does not hesitate to receive loving attention.  She's just an all-around sweet and lovable pup who would love more than anything to find herself a forever home in which her people would stay committed to her.”
 Thyme’s shelter ID is #52564371. Use it when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
See more Mequite Shelter animals HERE.  And, in making a reference to the wonderful duo Simon & Garfunkel, I will confess that I do not know if Mesquite’s shelter has a dog or cat named Parsley, Sage or Rosemary to go with Thyme. But, you never know and if you need a dog or cat. … well, there’s one of many places to look in the Metrosprawl.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED THOUGHTS?
You know what this cat has in common with the dogs Thyme and Gold Medal? That’s my Assistant Office Cat Stevie Ray (on his "scratching chair"). And the common point? He’s a former stray. In fact, all of our cats and dogs are former strays. My funs’n’rescuespouse Martha and I have spent an entire/continuing so far marriage with rescued animals. Only rarely has a dog or cat arrived without at first being in some kind of straying or mistreated peril. Not a bad personality or unpleasant critter in the bunch. I credit Martha, the bride with the big heart. She used to own a pet-sitting service. I’m writing the book. Maybe. I don't need to stir up her lawyer. …
One of our reliable contacts in the animal world is Karen Lee, who with her hubby Dennis, founded barkleyworld.com, the organization that helps people help their animals. Last night Karen sent this poster she saw on the Facebook page of Lucy’s Lost Loved Ones, the Chihuahua & mix rescue group founded in Fort Worth by Roberta Womack. … How do we make sure people spay and neuter their animals? Why, just ask them nicely. That oughta work, right? While you’re at it, ask ‘em to keep their animals properly restrained. And ask them to mind the speed limits, too. And remind ‘em “Don’t Mess With Texas.” Yeah, that all works so perfectly.
— Offer ideas of persuasion by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-