ON MEMORIAL DAY, ENJOYING OUR FREEDOMS AND TRYING TO HELP ANIMALS...

EDITION OF MONDAY, MAY 29, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Memorial Day — honoring those who gave the “ultimate sacrifice” for the United States and its people. 
I’ve occasionally noted in print for anyone to read that if it were not for the people honored today and the men and women who served with them, we’d be a really different country and I'd never have had a career in journalism.
Among the rights I've treasured most is the Freedom of Expression. That's the ability to call a guy in elected office a “clown” or to call all the members of a state or national governmental body a “bunch of doofusses” without getting any guff from a government. That’s an important right! It helps us remember that we have the right to tell the truth about things in or out of court or in political circumstances.
Thus, a sincere thanks to the people who protected us long before we were born and are protecting those of us born long after we’ve all moved to California and changed the voting bloc. (I’m kidding Cali, as the hip kids say.)
Oh, and there’s this reason to appreciate those heroic people of the ages: Nobody can make you have an opinion, and, importantly, nobody can keep you from changin your opinion if you want to. It’s America, where you can make up your own mind. Oh, and God bless Texas. Of course. I like those flags when they’re at the top, not at the halfway mark. 

A FAB FOSTER HAS
A DOG NAMED JETT
And the “Fab Foster” is the fabulous Patty Sprong, the legendary foster who relentless works to get animals into really good homes. And this time she’s working on behalf of a fellow named Jett. 
She explains his situation this way: “Jett is a sweet and smart 8 year old little guy. He's a Chi mix, possibly mixed with Schipperke. He was found running in Mesquite with a female dog. She was rescued and adopted, but sadly escaped her adoptive home and was never found. Sometimes the urge to flee is just too strong for these stray dogs." [LARRY ASIDE: That last sentence is genuine wisdom everybody ought to remember. Rock-solid truth.]
“Jett lives with two small male dogs and a cat, and is respectful to all. If he sees a cat outside though, he thinks he needs to chase it. 
“Like most little dogs, he thinks he's the boss of the neighborhood when he is out on a leash. He is a bit nervous and insecure, so he'd do best with an adopter who can work with him to build his confidence. 
“He's also a sneaky little escape artist, so a secure yard and careful owner is a must. No small kids that might leave a gate or door open.
“Jett is learning to give love, but isn't quite sure about kisses and snuggles. It appears that he didn't get much affection at his previous home. He will gently reach his paw towards you when he wants attention, and give you the cutest little smile.”
Patty says he’s available through Emma's Wish Senior Dog Rescue. Click on emmaswishsdr.org to see how to audition to be Jett’s human.
YOU MAY RECALL
THIS RESCUED DOG
Last week we reported on veteran rescuer Stephen Foster’s latest episode in his life of critter rescue. You may recall that Stephen, who spent years at the helm of DFW Furgotten Friends, nabbed this puppy as she was “running around the Wal-Mart parking lot at I-30 and Buckner one morning last week.” The challenge became this: Find her a place to go, but no foster materialized.
Stephen’s weekend note read, “Unfortunately no foster could be found for this little girl and the vet needed her out so I had no choice but take her to Dallas Animal Services. She's super friendly with everyone and very energetic so I have no doubts she will get adopted. The question is how long it'll take an adopter to bring her back because she is a handful.”
 [LARRY ASIDE: As someone who lives with dogs and cats who have their “handful” moments, I can preach the gospel of adopting rescued dogs. You’ll be blessed. Amen. I’m not a preacher, but I do love dogs and cats.]
Back to the dog. So, here’s the “stray” on a holiday weekend in a city with computer system that has been all bollixed up by a ransomeware problem. Still, Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center does have an easily reachable location at I-30 and N. Westmoreland. Walk in and show the photo of this dog and ask for her — we don’t have a number and we don’t have a name. We just report the need.
And follow the DAS Facebook page HERE .
And you can see more animals in the need of really quick help by going to the Urgent Pets of DAS Facebook page HERE.
AND THE GOOD GUYS WORK
FOR ANIMALS IN MESQUITE….
Yep, the “Good Guys” in Mesquite are volunteers. We’ve quoted them and cited them repeatedly since Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm began being key tipsters in the lives of animals waiting in the Mesquite Animal Shelter. 
Judi got to meet this guy Zeke. [LARRY ASIDE: One of the most beloved dogs we ever had was the wonderful Earl, full name Texas Earl the Cheeseman, a Rottie I rescued out of Kiest Park in Dallas years and years ago. I swear I am having unexpected tears as I type this — he was a love, a gentleman, a wonderful influence on our hearts. I've never met one of these dogs that wasn't a pleasure to be with. Perhaps Zeke can be that way with his next human.]
Judi’s assessment suggests just that. She wrote, “I guarantee if you meet Zeke you will fall in love with him! He is a 7-year-old, 92-pound Rottweiler mix that came to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 5/20 as a stray. He is not neutered. He was chipped and for the life of me I can’t understand why the owners have not come for him. He’s so well mannered, and such a good boy! His coat is shiny. He does have a little bit of gray on his chin. 
“An elderly lady that found him had no problem bringing him in because he’s so gentle. She had two dogs and Zeke did not have a problem with them. When walked through the bay, he did not show any reaction to other dogs. … Zeke sits for treats and takes them gently. He’s so motivated by treats that he will continue to sit in anticipation of another one. He was not interested in chasing balls or toys. 
“He answers to his name. He’s gentle and doesn’t jump on you. He’s alert and explored the yard. He’s calm to the point that he was almost posing throughout the photo shoot. He’s sweet, friendly, affectionate, and well mannered. It’s obvious that he loves his humans and that he wants to please. … And considering his size, he walks very well on a leash! He’s a giant love bug!  He would love to be considered a regular member of your family and hang out with you during family time.” 
Zeke is #52706295. Use that ID for him when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Same system who ask about Blaze and her brother Shadow.
Blaze is #52712843. Shadow is #52712824.
Judi describes Blaze as a “sweet-natured, reddish Alaskan Husky and asks, “What’s not to love about this sweet natured reddish Alaskan Husky? You’ll ask yourself that question when you meet her. Blaze is a 1- to 2- year-old, 47- pound Alaskan Husky that was surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 5/22 along with her brother Shadow.”
Surrendered? Why? Judi reports, “They were surrendered because the owners did not have time for them.”
 And the Blaze bio also reads, “Blaze is spayed. Her previous owners stated that she was an outside dog. They also said she was not raised with other dogs, but did get along with them and got along well with their two children ages seven and eight. They stated she likes to run. They also said she knows the sit and lay down commands. She did both of those for me one time. She was not interested in playing with toys or balls. She did explore the yard….even romping and frolicking. For the most part though she was a little on the shy side. A slow introduction is advised. She was cautiously friendly and very sweet. As time went on, she spent more time by me. I even got some kisses! She came to me when I called her. She laid down for me to scratch her ears.”
And what of Shadow?
Judi describes him as “very stunning with his beautiful markings, alluring pale blue eyes and big fluffy tail. He is a 3- to 4-year-old gray and white Alaskan Husky.” Yep, surrendered right along with Blaze because, again, “did not have enough time for them.”
 Shadow weighs 57 pounds and is already neutered. Judi reports, also, “It’s obvious from the calluses on his elbows that he has spent time on concrete.” Like his sis, he’s said to be good with kids. “When I asked him to ‘sit’,” Judi wrote, “He backed up in an attempt to do what i was asking him to do. However. he did not sit for me. That’s something you cold teach him. He was not interested in playng with toys or balls. He is calm, gentle, cautiously friendly and a little on the shy side. He’s also very affectionate and lays down for snuggles and cuddles.” 
Same system for contact the shelter on all these animals — use their Shelter ID Number when you call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 
And, to see the many more dogs and cats available at Mesquite, just click on THIS LINK.
That’ll take you to a bunch of dogs and cats including this handsome feline Isaac, #52584101. He’s a rare Domestic Shorthair Mix [LARRY ASIDE: I’m pretty sure they’re rare — cat people just chuckled at that.] Isaac is said to be 3 years and 3 days old as of this writing.
He’s clearly curious with green eyes and a black tail. Isaac came in on May 4 and has been a perfect gentleman ever since, I suspect. Where can you find this “Available” fellow? In the shelter’s Cat Room. Or use his ID number when you call 972-2166283 or email [email protected] to ask about acquiring an interesting cat. [LARRY TESTIMONY: Yeah, they're all interesting. Ask around.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
RELISH AND OTHER THINGS
I got an email over the holiday weekend with a headline that read “Relish summer entertaining” and I thought, “A headline that works in either direction.” Entertaining summer relish.  I’ve had some. …

What restaurant serves the best salsa with the still-warm-when-they-arrive chips? OK, not a question you should ask somebody who is on a diet. My apologies. And I’ve put my chips back into the bag. ...
I watched the last 50 laps of the Indy 500 and as it got closer to the end, cars kept running into each other and a Red Flag would be declared — several times! The traffic would be slowed down and moved over to a halt while the speedway was cleaned up. I am wondering how many of those drivers train for Indy during rush hours on LBJ.
—- Offer driving tips or hateful snarls by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and putting GOD BLESS THE USA in the subject line. —-