ReadLarryPowell.com

FAREWELL AUGUST; HELLO SEPTEMBER -- HELP SOME CRITTERS, CONSIDER LIFE

EDITION OF THURSDAY, AUG. 31./FRIDAY, SEPT. 1 2023 [PetPowelPress] Today, briefly, we’ll celebrate a glorious 12-year-long annual transition of life. 
Indeed, the childhoods in the life of readlarrypowell.com would not have been the same without August — it was the month of promises leading to a school year of challenges (and in some mathematical classes angst but genuine bitterness in foreign language classes, i.e., Latin 1, though 2 was better). Never mind my no-scholarship-for-you grades,  our task here is to help animals transition into better lives with better people than they may ever have previously known. W
e’ll whine about school and stuff in Contemplations. That cat? That’s Stevie Ray who transitioned from “kitten yowling while clinging to a flimsy mimosa branch” to “Junior Office Cat at readlarrypowell.com." Get yourself a pensive, literate cat. He or she will help you think clearly. Stevie Ray also adjusted my chair's height and angle so he could type more easily. He's leaning on my backpad. I think he's working on a novel. Or an instruction book for humans, "CAT TIPS OR ELSE: THE ART OF GETTING ALONG."
EAST TEXAS DOG NEEDS
A HUMAN TO LOVE HER…
[LARRY ASIDE: All dogs and cats need that. But I figured that headline would work better than “ANOTHER DOG NEEDS ANOTHER HOME.” And, it’s accurate, too, as you’ll see.]
This is a project of home-hunting for a dog that we learned of via a note regarding the rescue work of our longtime source Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network.
This dog with immediately identifiable happy personality is 18-month-old, 53-pound, spayed and “fully vetted” Sara Jane.
The note says she “loves children and other dogs. She is crate-trained and house-trained. Loves to play fetch and loves to lay in your lap! sara Jane has gone through basic training classes, too.”
So, why is she in need of a home? “Sara Jane’s owner is critically ill and Sara Jane has nowhere to go.” Gail’s note also says, “We can gather donations for a reputable rescue, too.”
Get in touch with Gail and the Companion Animal Network by emailing emailing [email protected] or calling 903-967-3226.

IN THE SMALL-SHELTER ARENA
THERE ARE DOGS WITH PLEDGES
Pledges of actual cash sometimes help animals get out of low-adoption/no human traffic shelters and into vibrant rescue organizations and fantastic homes. But that’s not news to anybody who’s been around animal advocacy for longer than 20 minutes.
So. we’re focusing on the note we got via 4-Legged Helpers, the organization that focuses on helping these in-a-tough-spot animals. The contact point is email [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.
There’s a $600 donation pledged to the 501c3 Rescue that can help Lele this Lab/Boxer mix. The girl is in Dallas County and her bio reads, “Seeing this poor baby hurts our hearts.  She is so desperately in need.  This sweet, sweet girl showed up at a person's house and just look at this poor baby - just skin and bones and it is just heartbreaking.  She is the sweetest little thing ever - just so completely precious.  Only about 35 pounds. The finder believes Lele is deaf but he wasn't aware of it until he started feeding her and he noticed how calm she was even with loud noises.  He is unable to keep her due to having a senior dog with some special needs.  Please help save this little cutie pie.  She is SMALLER than the pictures make her look. … There is some minor fur loss but it completely looks like a dog that has been out in the brush.”
That brings us to Sammy, who has a similar donation of $200 pledged to the 501c3 that'll get him safely out of the Ferris Animal Shelter.
 His bio begins, “Male, Pointer/Retriever Mix?? We just do not know, LOL,  Ferris/Hutchins Shelter.  Received DAPPv,  Bordetella, Flea preventative. Most lovable cute little guy that ADORES other dogs. 
“CHECK OUT THE LONG EARS when he has them down.  He is just as cute as cute can be.  There's obviously some Pointer or Retriever in there but he looks like a mix.  He seems to love other dogs too - SO CUTE.  Was found out and about on his own in a woody area close to a bridge.  Poor little cutie pie.   Sammy adores everyone and everything.”
We’ll close with one of the 4-Legged Helpers’ ongoing projects, this wonderful girl Bella. 
This is the dog found tied to the front of a Dallas veterinary clinic. The story reads that Bella is a Boxer/Catahoula mix, young, spayed and up-to-date on shots. Here’s the original report from 4-Legged Helpers. This happened months ago. In a city shelter, she might have been history. But in the care of loving hearts, she’s still got a chance.
The story reads, “Bella 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.  Note that Bella adores other dogs - she is just that sweet - just precious - Bella is the most wonderful girl.  Loves absolutely everyone. wonderful girl.   Please, help save her!!!!! Please. won't you help??”
To offer to help Bella, email [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE STIRRING OF MEMORIES & STUFF
Not going to stir any stuff. Not a political entity.
We opened with a bit of a paean to the old feelings of hope and promises August gave us as it evolved into September in the school years of my Baby Boomer colleagues and me — pre-moon landing stuff. The Elvis, Folk Singers and Early Beatles Eras. The promise, to me was always that the next year in school was going to be even greater…Sometimes it worked out like that. Yeah, in late August, I always get misty-hearted over the joy young people can encounter in going back to school.
In the meantime, as I have completed (successfully, Class of ’66) the upper limit on free public school attendance, if I return to campus now, it’ll be on my own dime. Can’t imagine what scholarship I’d be eligible to get. And, as I ambled down the halls, students of good will would be asking me if I needed to see the nurse or if I’ve wandered out of "the home" and wound up fully costumed in the Drama Department hallway by mistake. Been a while since I was on a campus. (Irony? College dropout — but that school’s president, years later, invited me to give the commencement address one spring. I'm almost certain he didn't regret it and the audience enjoyed it.) Since I’ve already lived through an entire journalism career, it’s probably appropriate that I retain my on-going status of “reading without testing” when it comes to book-learnin’. Takes the performance pressure off and lets me enjoy the knowledge. 
But, I am a Baby Boomer and as my fellow Baby Boomers will tell you, we were all born to learn! That’s why so many of us Baby Boomers are millionaire and people of influence these days. [LARRY ASIDE: I hope you cackled grandly when you read that last sentence. Can I borrow five bucks until Wednesday? I need gas in my 1971 Chevy Vega. Another genius move in my life.]
But, seriously, a fond farewell to August of 2023. We’ve had worse Augusts. Looking forward to September 2023 — My grandson Connor, the college student/rock star guitar player, was born in September. In fact, on September Wonth. I work with words. Wonth sounds better for ambition than “first.” You want to be the person who “won” — maybe not the person who tries to grow Christmas trees in a drought in Texas.
Well, OK, September FIRST sounds good, too. 
Ask the now 3rd-place Texas Rangers how “September First!” would sound after the Trials of August. Sure be nice if my son Bart and his brother Bret would take Bart’s little boy Connor and me to the Texas Rangers World Series games this year. A grandpa can dream, right? I think I read that in one of my college literary books, “Myths and Longshots: A Compilation of Busted Writers and Bankrupt Poets by Will I. Wynne.” Got it off a bargain shelf at a book emporium where the letter "t" had fallen off the sign and it read “Book Sore.” Yeah, I’ve been there! Book sore. I’ve ordered the ointment to relieve the pain of frustration and dire anticipations when words fail me. I buy it by the case.
—- Offer advice on anything by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put PAWN YOUR COMPUTER, YOU HAPLESS WORD MANGLER in the subject line. —-

CHONK; TOMCAT NAMED PEARL; POSSIBLE PIG DEVELOPMENT — YEP, WE LIVE IN A STRANGE WORLD




EDITION OF AUG. 30-31, 2023 [PetPowellPress] The summer searing eased up and we’d have frozen to death last night if the dogs and cats hadn’t jumped on the bed to cuddle us to safety.
Wasn’t quite that bad. But it felt like it for a little while.
“Feel my nose,” Wendy said to me this morning as she shoved her face into her adorable “Pet Me Position” while I began trying to type.
Yep, a dog once wanted by nobody now lives in a household that would not be complete without her.
If you don’t have a dog or a cat, today could be your lucky day. Your dog or cat could be waiting, already all vetted-up, at a shelter or in a rescue group. Just take a look at the many websites for animals in Dallas/Fort Worth. And, if you drive carefully in Dallas, you may just find an available dog walking about in a neighborhood or along a city street. Wendy can tell ya.
MEANWHILE, A DOG CALLED CHONK

& A TOMCAT NAMED PEARL
Suddenly, on my Wednesday morning computer screen, up popped a Facebook notice from the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center with photos of a dog named Chonk and a whole bunch of commentary from people who monitor the DAS Page.
The post had to do with a female “found dog.” Here’s how it reads: 
“With 60 lbs of Chonk to spare… we know someone has to be missing this precious girl!
Chonk A1188545 came in as a stray earlier [this week]. Do you recognize this sweet girl? She is affectionate, and appears to be potty trained.
“She will be available for adoption once her stray hold is up on September 2nd.
“You can email [email protected] if you recognize Chonk!”
[LARRY ASIDE: Chonk's reflection is mirrored in that shelter window....click on the art to make it larger. Now, not that I think poorly of some of the as yet unidentified “dog people” in Dallas County, but this overfed (maybe) dog in an unhealthy condition and perhaps threatening situation looks as if she might have been someone’s “breeder.” And it was just easier to open a gate and send her on her way than it was to keep feeding her and wondering what to do with all the puppies she’d have until she died in the birthing process from a worn-out, over-stressed ticker. Because, Dear Veteran Animal Rescuers and Advocates, we all absolutely KNOW that such a thing has NEVER happened in the great State of Texas where every person with an unfixed dog or cat is an absolute saint. Can I get an AMEN.]
OK, so, while stifling a rant, I decided to click on the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center website at this link: 
https://bedallas90.org
I clicked my way to this fellow. Yes, a boy named Pearl (that’s my mom’s name) — Pearl the cat is #A1186367 at DAS where he’s listed as an 11-pound, 4-year-old male. His bio (possibly written with the help of a volunteer or staffer) reads:
 “Oh my gosh, are you here to read more about little ol’ me? Oh, where do I start! Well, I’m just a happy cat trying to live my best life and match up with a new family. DAS is helping me search, isn’t that cool? We’re still getting to know each other, but I think we’re going to find me some great friends. I’ve let them know that I enjoy long naps on warm evenings, pouncing on unsuspecting cat toys, and curling up on a warm lap for snuggles. Who doesn’t love those things? Does that sound like stuff you’d enjoy, too? I sure hope so… maybe you could click that ‘Adopt Me’ button and we’ll get to know each other better!”

Go to the DAS online site and click on that ‘Adopt Me’ button on Pearl’s bio. Or go to the DAS Shelter & Adoption Center at 1818 N. Westmoreland at I-30 on the western side of downtown Dallas. The shelter phone rings at 214-670-6800, the website says.
BEFORE AUTUMN ARRIVES,
LET’ TALK ABOUT SUMMER
Autumn is a month away, but Summer is just across I-20 from Dallas and waiting in the Ferris Animal Shelter. 
We got the tip on him from the hardworking animal advocates and rescuers at 4-Legged Helpers (go to their Facebook page for even ore opportunities to help animals.)
In the case of this beauty, you’re looking at a “young female Bulldog,” according to her bio. It continues this way: “Absolutely adorable.  Just the most precious little bulldog you could meet.  Chunky.  Lovable.  Absolutely adores both male and female dogs… Please help save her.  HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Special note - there was some mud behind the shelter she got into - the gray on her legs is ALL mud - those are NOT her markings - she is white with tannish brown spots - SO CUTE - LOL - she is the cutest little girl.”
To ask about giving this girl Summer a great year-round life, email [email protected] or call/text 214-949-2726.

[LARRY ASIDE: Small shelters are very rarely the epitome of high-dollar hotel rooms. There is no such thing as over-staffing a shelter. And our quick research online has determined that no taxpayer-supported city shelter in a town of under 50,000 population has ever been declared a 5-Star Hotel. Don’t forget to tip. Oh, and see many more animals in need on the 4-Legged Helpers Facebook page HERE.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WE NEED SOMETHING UPBEAT…
We’re still looking for confirmation of info in a note we got from PETA that says a local medical school has stopped using live pigs in some surgical training situations. Waiting for actual details from the school. Be nice for the pigs if it were true. No known family connection to pigs, but there are three pig challenges these days: (1) Experimenting with them; (2) Turning feral hogs into shoot-for-fun targets and (3) convincing people that a pig lives up to its name. Back in 2020 I wrote this: “Years and years ago I was interviewing Terry DeGaw, founder of Serenity Springs Animal Sanctuary at Forestburg, for a story about "little" pigs and "pocket pigs" that were being marketed. Terry, politely sighed and — patiently — she said, "It's a pig! They grow!” Nothing would get the late Terry to fuming quite like somebody claiming they’d acquired a “Micropig.” Those pigs always outgrew their welcome... …
The Texas Rangers — have they re-lit the pilot light on the Division Title Race in New York. They’re looking like fun to watch again. Unless I have typed/spoken too early. …
Back to our opening about Wendy. There is an envious grace in the personality of older dogs and cats who know they have a home and are enjoying it. They move with a comfort in their surroundings and their souls, especially when they see their loving humans. Ever since my adventurespouse Martha took on a street gang and singlehandedly took their dog — oh, wait. Not how it happened. She simply asked two people being trailed by a puppy, “Is that your dog?” and when they said, “No. She lives in the apartment complex but nobody wants her,” Martha replied, “I’ll take her.” And she did. That was in 2009 and now, in 2023, Wendy owns a home, two cars, a big yard, a Sleep Number Bed, whatever is in the refrigerator that’s designed for dogs and cats and human roomies. Oh, and the couch of her choosing. If you don’t have a dog, go find yourself a Wendy. Might be in an “Empty the Shelters” display or could be trotting down your street after some jerk shoved him or her out of a car after saying, “This house looks like the people love animals.” Humans are absolute geniuses, as you know.
—- Offer help or advice or some way to save ‘em all by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘DOGS AND CATS RULE’ in the intellectual subject line. —-

A DOG IN THE PARK (WHOSE DOG?); BAD BREEDING/GOOD DOG; CATS WITH CORPORATE NAMES; A WRITER WRITES

EDITION OF TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY AUG. 29-30, 2023 [PetPowellPress] A free-roaming dog in Kiest Park in Dallas? Oh, come on. That can’t possibly happen, can it? For years I have been prepared to declare that the best rescued dogs in the world come from Kiest Park in Dallas, Texas. Experience taught me that. 
That Park in Oak Cliff is where I found my great intellectual giant of a dog, Inky The Cocker Spaniel (left). And where I found Rosie The Chihuahua. And the Great Dane/Lab mix Hambone Jack, The Canine King of the Blues. OK, that’s three magic Kiest Park Dogs. 
And suddenly, on a cool-not-sizzling morning in late August 2023, we have a new now-homeless nominee for Greatest Kiest Park Dog (Category: Earhound). Here’s how we learned about this pup.
THE LATEST DISCOVERY
IN DALLAS’ KIEST PARK
We’d not have known about this dog if it were not for the big-hearted writer Sophia Dembling, one of my longtime colleagues at The Dallas Morning News. You may recall her byline in the newspaper and you’ll particularly remember what a skilled and enjoyable-to-read writer she is. 
But you may also know of her for other writing, i.e., books. We’ll get to those efforts after we give you the info on her latest project, this obvious Earhound! 
The Author/Rescuer Dembling tells us, “I found this gorgeous little pup in Kiest Park on Sunday. Apparently she'd been running loose there for weeks, I was just the one who managed to nab her.
“I have potential adopters but I need to make sure she's not someone's pet first. She's clean and healthy and friendly so it seems impossible that she's not. I've shared her with various websites (PawBoost and 24Connect) and FB groups, and friends are sharing, and it was suggested I share with you, too. Although anyone who would have such a sweet, good-looking pup with no collar or chip probably doesn't read you... or deserve her, for that matter. Thanks! Sophie.”
If you know where this adorable dog belongs, email the info (and questions you may have) to [email protected]. (More on The Writer Dembling in Contemplations.)
ZOEY — A SWEET DOG
WITH A BAD BREAK…
Look at this beautiful dog face! Probably a lot of people reading this will already know the challenges of breeding a merle to a merle. Scientifically bad idea for the offspring. We got the tip on this situation via a note from our Barkleyworld.com pal Karen Lee
who’d been in touch with another of our longtime pals, Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network fame. 
Gail’s working to help this dog find the right home. And the note from Gail reads: “Her name is Zoey and she is about one year old and EIGHT pounds.  
“She is part of a litter of a backyard breeder where her mother and father were both merles.  Zoey is deaf and partially blind.  She was ‘gifted’ to a family last Christmas — they were not fully apprised of her challenges.  They do love her, but the children are 2 and 4 and with the parents working, Zoey is not living her best life.  

“They initially had a senior dog when Zoey came to live with them, and Zoey was VERY happy and followed what the other dog did.  The senior dog passed away several months ago, leaving Zoey without a friend.

“Zoey is spayed, current on vaccinations, heartworm negative and on Proheart 6 injections.  She has done quite well with the children - no problems.  
“I know we are asking for a miracle, but we need to find a person full of love for this breed and who understands how to work with them.”
To offer to help this dog, email Gail at [email protected].
 [LARRY ASIDE: Here’s a report from the American Kennel Club on the problems that can arise from careless breeding of merle-coated dogs. And if you know a backyard breeder with a careless attitude, perhaps you can find someone to read this report to him or her. Not that there are any careless “backyard breeders” in the Lone Star State.]
ARE YOU A FAN OF CARS
& PERHAPS A FAN OF CATS?
Yep, just one letter separates cars and cats but somehow they’re united in the adoptable cats list at Dog ’n’ Kitty City, the shelter operated by the Humane Society of Dallas County at 2719 Manor Way on the western side of Love Field.
A chance glance at the shelter's adoptable cats revealed that this big cat Ford is still there — been there a while as I recall. His bio reads, “Ford is the name! I am a handsome big white fellow who was living around a wildlife sanctuary. I was brought to the shelter by the owners because the birds were just too tempting for me. I am a real friendly guy who needs a good home and am FIV positive and have heart worms. If you would like to meet me, email [email protected] or contact the shelter."
And right next to this guy Ford was this girl Galaxy. Anybody else remember the Ford Galaxy? Yeah, me, neither — in the U.S. the Ford Galaxie was a sedan sold 1959-1974. But in Europe, Ford Galaxy was a big van sold from June ’95 until April of this year.”
[LARRY QUERY? Why am I not posting car photos? Because I sell not the word of a car, I sell the delightful companions known as “cats.”]

So, while you can’t get a brand new Galaxie or Galaxy, you can get a relatively new Ford and Galaxy at Dog ’n’ Kitty City. 
Galaxy’s bio reads, “I'm Galaxy! I am a pretty lass who is sweet and loving! I was found with my kittens. and brought to the shelter after being fostered. Now I am looking for a forever home with someone who wants a nice kitty companion. If you would like to adopt me, please email [email protected] or contact the shelter.
“**If you send in an application and not heard back in 48 hours, please check your spam folder.” The Dog ’n' Kitty City number is 214-350-7387.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ASSORTED MUSINGS OR MEWSINGS…
In today’s earlier notes we had the privilege of showing you Dear Readers what a Dear Writer. i.e., the prolific Sophia Dembling, does in her spare time. That’s between paragraphs and pauses in a workday of helping people. She helps dogs. For example, we cited the little dog with the big ears she pulled out of Kiest Park. People have been dumping dogs in Kiest Park for as long as trees have been dropping leaves in autumn. The behavior of people is also something The Author Dembling has focused on. Google “Sophia Dembling books” and you’ll find a lot of volumes with Sophie’s byline. You’ll also see that she has these points of interest: The Introvert's Corner and Widow's Walk. Writing is so very personal. Sophie is author of The Introvert's Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World; Introverts in Love: The Quiet Way to Happily Ever After; 100 Places in the USA Every Woman Should Go; and The Yankee Chick's Survival Guide to Texas. There are others, but for some reason The Yankee Chick’s Survival Guide to Texas, published in 2001, always cracks me up. [LARRY ASIDE: I’m not a Yankee Chick and I don’t identify as one, either, but I do like a sense of humor in a book. Consider this passage: “There are many rites of passage to being a Yankee in the first time you spot a pickup with a gun rack; the first time you realize that a week is a long time to go without Mexican food; the first time you recognize a change in seasons; your first thunderstorm; your first honky-tonk.” As a native Texan, born in the border town of Texarkana, Texas, I can grin at all that because, yes, I’ve got a Lone Star State of Mind.] …
NEED A MEWSING? All of our cats were born in Texas’ Metroplex. Metroplexicats. Catroplexites? Still working on that. Feline-o-plexed? That's a cat who was moved to the Metroplex against his will. He was Feline-o-plexed. …
Our household is 100 percent Texas Rangers fans. As this is being written, we are still in the glow of that last-inning victory Monday night. Yeah, like true Texas Rangers fans, we’re just gonna have to declare a wait-and-see for the next time. Typical Rangers’ fans: Always in love yet accustomed to heartbreak.
—- Offer Tips On Anything or Cry Out in Desperation by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘WRITER WITH CLARITY, FOGBRAIN’ in the subject line. —-

HELPING SOME ANIMALS, HELPING A CLINIC; ANTICIPATING THE FAIR, AUTUMN & BASEBALL

EDITION OF MONDAY, AUG. 28, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Welcome to the last 4 days of August 2023. Come Friday, the first of September takes over and we’ll all need our attractive autumn sweaters out of mothballs by 5 p.m and in time for evening rush hour. 
When does that actual autumn arrive? . 
Let me check with my Weathercat. Yes, my office cat William is The Cat in Two Hats (Officecap and Weatherhat) and he went to the experts at the Old Farmers’ Almanac and discovered that the Season of Autumn arrives in Texas at 1:50 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23. You’ll wake up that morning and find your yard is full of golden leaves. Perhaps that is overautuming this imaginary scene. William just gave me a "mewtsk, mewtsk," shook his handsome head and walked off to find a place to nap that isn’t near an a/c vent set on “Arctic.”
AND ON A MONDAY,
A COUPLE OF PUPS &
MEDICAL CHALLENGES
We got the tip on these two from Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com, the non-profit that focuses on helping people and animals with medical challenges. 
Karen’s been in touch with Kerry Thorn of Pound Pals, the non-profit with the mission ”Giving Senior Shelter Dogs A Second Chance.” 
KAREN REPORTS, “So many pets in need of vet care thru Pound Pals but Kerry asked if I could help spread the word on these 2 pups that are extremely urgent and on a short timeline. Please consider a donation of any amount through poundpals.com.  Thank you!!!”
 The Pound Pals’ stories appeals read:

“Delphina - Medical Emergency. Delphina is currently our most critical senior. She will need emergency surgery to remove her left eye. Due to all the outstanding vet invoices, we will have to raise funding for her surgery and hospitalization deposits. She is en route to TCVMC (Turtle Creek Veterinary Medical Center)  now and is hoping we can have deposits up when she arrives. Please chip in for Delphina by sending your donation of any amount through www.poundpals.com  using the one-time donation button so we can move forward with her vet care….”
“FUNDING PUSH FOR KIMI” reads, “We expect ‘roughly’ $6K hospital bill at time of discharge tomorrow. Thanks to Kimi's good friend, Anne, donations [were] being matched for her through the weekend. Thankfully, Kimi has recovered from HGE [Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis — a bloody bacteria infection of the “guts”] . Kimi has her smile back, is eating well and participated in a fall photo shoot Friday afternoon! If you have not had a chance to chip in for Kimi, please send your donation through www.poundpals.com using the one-time donation button.”
Monitor these challenges on the Pound Pals Facebook page HERE. 
 
A WAY TO HELP THE WORLD’S
MOST SUCCESSFUL SPAY/NEUTER
CLINIC AT GUN BARREL CITY, TEXAS
Yep, we’re talking about the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic out on the edge of the ever-growing metro-sprawl. Maps ‘ll show y’all the growing population area creeping southeasterly toward the greater Gun BarrelTroPlex.
All that geography and urban growth aside, the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake Clinic has some needs to continue being the “World’s Most Successful Spay/Neuter Clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas.”
We got the list from our pal Sydney Busch, longtime guiding light of the Friends and the Clinic. She says you can deliver these items to the clinic any Tuesday from “6 a.m. ’til about 4:00pmish.”
Sydney's note says the clinic needs:
“Distilled water (gallon bottles); Cases of bottled water; Soft Drinks: Diet/regular Coke or Pepsi or Dr Pepper or Sprite.”
The next item is “Alcohol - 70%” — That’s medical type alcohol, not the kind you’d use to dress up a soft drink.
Then, also needed: “Garbage bags (39 gallon or 13 gallon only); bleach; cotton balls (jumbo size); paper towels; toilet paper; plasticware (forks, knives, spoons); paper places (no styrofoam or plastic).”
Winning Lotto Texas tickets…[LARRY ASIDE: Oops, sorry. That’s off the readlarrypowell.com “Must Have” list.] Back to the clinic:
To ask about helping the Clinic maintain its triumphant legend, call Sydney at 903-451-1701. Make appointments to spay/neuter by calling 903-887-7387. The clinic is at 122 Old Gun Barrel Lane in Gun Barrel City. Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake’s website is HERE The clinic’s Facebook site is HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
STATE FAIR; TEXAS RANGERS; ETC.
You know who works hard around here? State Fair of Texas Senior Vice President of Public Relations Karissa Condoianis and her team at the legendary autumn exhibition -- that effort goes on nearly year- round! It may be Big Tex’s annual show, but it’s the year-round responsibility of a bunch of people who work hard to keep the show in the spotlight even when pro footballs are flyin’ and the baseball team is flailing and the weather is grabbing the constant headlines. You want to see how busy the Fair stays? Check out the press releases on the State Fair’s bigtex.com website at THIS LINK
That’ll take you to information that affects everything from your State Fair cravings to your State of Texas pride to your personal pocketbook. The Fair’s big opening — it’s on September 29 — and at bigtex.com you can watch the countdown and see more State Fair photos and info. [LARRY ASIDE: Big Tex  (that's a State Fair photo) will be back from his International Space Station mission in time to suit up for the Fair. Oh, OK, I made that up — and it shows why I’m not a member of the marketing team. But it would not surprise me someday to see Big Tex in a legit orbit as part of a grand opening for the State Fair of Texas. Why? Because, according to the song, “Our state fair is a great state fair…”] 
Makes you wonder how much Big Tex weighs in space, doesn’t it? The answer is I have no idea, though Wikipedia says he now weighs 25,000 pounds on Earth. But at the bigtex.com site HERE you can find out a lot more about Big Tex — waist, height, history, etc. Why? Because those people at the Fair work hard, that’s why. That thing doesn’t just magically appear in Fair Park on a Friday afternoon in September — it’s the State Fair. It’s magic. But magic takes work.
ABOUT LOCAL BASEBALL? Speaking of needing magic. A scientific question for veteran Texas Rangers fans — Since the 1970s which has fallen faster, the autumn leaves or the Rangers? Ouch. I still have faith. And the Rangers are bound to catch fire and get better, right? On the other hand, this is traditionally the time of year when it’s easier to get good tickets to a Rangers game. The stadium has a roof and air-conditioning — can’t blame the heat for the sudden hardball deep freeze. ….

—- Offer State Fair memories or baseball tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put GO RANGERS, THIS YEAR in the subject line. —-

AN IMPORTANT STUDY IN CERTAIN AREAS: COMMUNICATING AT DAWN & IN EVENING

Ever yell, “AWRIGHT, EVER’BODY RISE ’N’ SHINE, YOU BABIES!” before sunrise and have your dog look up at you and gently ask, “Geezalou, is this the Army? Ever hear of The Art of Gentle Awakenings?”

How about your cat? Ever lift your cat off a pillow and get that, "What in the cathair is wrong with you?" look from the usually purrful feline? Human shortcoming in morning manners, right? One of many human shortcomings. 
We are working on a project with the Texas AM&PM School of Somnolent Behavior to help humans more respectfully deal with household residents during the morning hours. 
We're just spitballing here with dogs and cats. Call this a Catalogue of Cuddly Morning/Evening Rousings. 
Or, maybe "Things You Can Gently Say to Wake a Friend." Yep, that's our topic for this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. [SEND PHOTOS AND BIOs of your cats and dogs and slumbering critters to [email protected] and we'll highlight 'em in our long-running weekend feature. That cat in the photo is our Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray sprawled on the office's auxiliary desk. The treats are in the top drawer, hence, his guaridian position as he naps.]
Returning to the AM&PM Project, we have some suggestions.
CANINE SUGGESTIONS?
MORE THAN ONE DOG? 

Just flip on your bedroom light (where else would they be sleeping?) and, in your most authoritative voice, declare, "OK, Gang! Everybody up; let's hit the yard.” [TIP FOR HUMANS: Don’t delay your part of the process — otherwise, a dog will teach you a lesson about not being prepared to “hit the yard.” This is how paper tile companies stay in business.
Another successful canine tool for morning excitement? Shake the car keys and excitedly yell, "ANYBODY UP FOR WAFFLES?" Never seen a dog yet who doesn't get excited over waffles. What? You only have a car fob, not car keys? Ah, I've heard there is a free car keys rattleapp online. Play it on your phone. It can be tuned to either canine or feline ears. [LARRY ASIDE: THAT PHOTO? Office Dog Porche Noel is on the left and the much larger girl Wendy is on the right. Sometimes Porche gets the bed. They're pals. And I use their photos frequently because they have no agents and I am, by 21s Century necessity, cheap.]
FELINE QUESTIONS?

CATS HAVE THE ANSWERS
What if you have a stubbornly slumbering cat? Research shows us that uncertainty is a great motivator of the slumbering cat.
You simply grab a broom, rush into whatever room the cat's in, sweep toward the ceiling and shout, "HOW DID THAT BLAMED BAT GET INTO THIS HOUSE!"
Grownup cats won't fall for that trick, but the youngsters will bite on it every time. They're eager to sharpen their skills. [THAT'S STEVIE RAY's wonderful face from earlier in the year. He can sleep anywhere. Well-balanced cat.]
Also, cats enjoy morning social events with conversation and haute cuisine. If there is a bundle of cats worn out from overnight rambling in the house, simply, politely, turn the TV off (they tend to leave it on all night -- I'm led to believe) 
So, as the TV turns silent, announce, "IT'S A WAFFLE HOUSE MORNING! GET THE CHANGE FOR THE JUKEBOX!" (Some cats are prone to oldies, some to C&W, etc. You'll need to check your feline's family tree to determine the music that calms a cat with syrup on its paws.) [LARRY ASIDE: That big dog on the left, Dudley The Angel, has shoved himself up against his favorite wall so he can sleep. He adores that spot. It's not the only spot he adores. Read on.]
OTHER SLOGANS THAT, PERHAPS, will help your reationship with your sleeping dogs and napping cats and other slumberprone critters:
"PIGS CANT SPOON CEREAL! HOW ABOUT SOME OATMEAL AND TEXAS TOAST?" [LARRY ASIDE: That'll light up a family pig's eyes!  Some pigs can eat anything -- snouts work that way. But a pig with manners, well, the spoon is a challenge for that hog hoof.]
WHO'S UP FOR PIZZA? Not traditionally a breakfast food, but if you've properly stored the previous evening's pizza leftovers, there's not a dog in the world that won't enjoy a Morning After Pizza. In fact, we heard that two cats from New Jersey have copyrighted the name and only sell day-old pizza. Dogs and cats dine free at the all-you-can-eat buffet. "If it's not a day old, don't bite on the bargain!" Usually a big happy crowd. ...
TIME FOR A TEQUILA SUNRISE -- this one works particularly well with older dogs. Something about being connected with their human, who tends to whisper in the mornings. A "tequila sunrise" may occur after the noon hour in a particularly rough day-after. [LARRY PHOTO NOTE: Yep, that's hefty Dudley the Angel, a dog taking a cat nap. I spotted him on the floor in front of my funspouse Martha's new couch and her feet in a genuinely relaxed pose. Dudley adores her (they all do) and he's proud of the new couch, too. He didn't even bark at the delivery guys.]
And, this one works for dogs and cats who enjoy sleeping in and around Texas' Big Bend area. The human, carefully, announce "COME ON, GANG! it's a Teringua Mornin'! Chili con huevos y sonrisas maravillosas.” A good breakfast is beautiful in any language, Si? It'll give ya a big smile.
[RESEARCHER' ASIDE: We have also heard that some humans have had success by simply banging a spoon on a metal pan and shouting "GET UP YOU LAZY BUMS." There is no documentation of the success of such an approach in the gentle and quiet still of a lovely overheated Texas morning. "DANGIT, YOU FUR-COVERED BEDHOGS!  GIT UP!" also does not work without household rancor.]

ONE MORE NOTE FROM AN EXPERIENCED RESEARCHER IN CANINE/FELINE ‘GIT UP HABITS’: The prevailing reality in our findings is, of course, the beloved animals will wake the human first.  Loosely translating, the dogs and the cats have success with the phrase "Get your lazy bleep up and feed me" or “Hey, you double bleepbleep snoozing clown, how wet do you want this carpet?”
[LARRY NOTE: That's Porche Noel on the older couch in our living room. Quite the comfy dog. As is Wendy in this dog bed foto! Sleeping is good for older dogs, they tell me, as they hand me a pillow.]
And that concludes our just about as scientific as anybody else’s study of the sleeping/waking habits of humans and the animals who love them. Or was that study of animals and the humans who love THEM?
—- Offer sleeping tips or waking cautions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, LARRY?’ in the subject line. —-

OUR MISSION IS TO HAPPILY HELP ANIMALS AND PEOPLE FIND EACH OTHER...

EDITION OF AUG. 24-25, 2023 [PetPowellPress] Hot coffee in the morning — even when the outside temp is revving up to run to 100-plus? Heck, yeah. Habits are hard to break. And I’ve developed a post-adult affection for M&Ms.
I have to watch it or M&M turns into LBs or rings the bell on the A1C Dial at the doctor’s office.
None of our dogs sip coffee with me. The cats are health nuts. But we do have a few morning conversations. Our life-long housecats are, generally, nocturnally prone day and (when else are you "nocturnally prone"?) night. Only one or two of ‘em shows up for breakfast/typingchat. That, for example, is Esme, our oldest cat. First time I offered her a cup of joe, she declined and said, “I’d be up all night.” “You’re already up all night,” I countered and she replied, “Yeah, but I don’t have to talk to you at 3 in the morning, Insomniaboy.” She does purr when I cuddle her.
MEANWHILE IN FORT WORTH,
26 DOGS ON THE MORNING LIST
We clicked on this link to Fort Worth Animal Care and Control and found 25 dogs on the CODE RED list. Here’s that LINK. 
There  were 25 dogs on this Code Red list as of noon Thursday. I lifted the batching of the larger dogs off the site, then added the little guy named French Fry, also Code Red.
Click on the photos to make the display larger. Or go to that shelter link and look at ‘em. You’ll ask yourself, “Why the hell is that dog on death row?”
What does “Code Red” mean? The FWACC explanation reads, “Code Red animals are in urgent need of adoption or rescue.
“The list shows special-needs animals that are not placed into the traditional adoption program at the Fort Worth Animal Shelter.
The city’s shelter refuses no pets, and many are sick (upper respiratory infections, heartworm, etc.) and simply need medical treatment. Others are
females with their newborn litters who cannot stay within the shelter environment for a long period of time. All of these animals need immediate help.
“Adoptions of a Code Red animal will require a signed health waiver.
If your organization wishes to tag an animal for rescue: 
An email must be sent to [email protected] by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the day is it scheduled to be euthanized, and must include the following information:
Organization name; Requestor name and Animal identification number ("A" number)."
[LARRY ASIDE:  Got to be some humans who’ll save these animals, right?]
See the general population of adoptable dogs and cats by clicking on this link.
 [LARRY ASIDE: They’re not all kittens. One of them is this grown up cat — goes by the name Poet. Might be just the right companion for someone who is prone to enjoying intellectual pursuits. Or quiet evenings at home. Or memorizing passages from Shakespeare. Cats are generally up for any intellectual pursuit. Napping, for example.]
SHE WAS ROAMING
THE CONDO GROUNDS
We got the tip on this rescue from our pal Karen Lee, the fantastic photographer and founder of the important animal care non-profit barkleyworld.com. .. She got the tip from the rescue/animal advocate Jennifer Sellers who tells the story of Gypsy.
“GYPSY was found roaming the grounds of a condo in Richardson, TX.,” Jennifer writes. “ A friend took her into her home to save her but cannot keep her permanently.  Gypsy is a real doll.  She is a Pit mix, around 52 pounds, housebroken, gentle.  She lacks confidence so I fear she was yelled at often.  She is not fixed and the finder cannot afford to do so.  However, she was tested for heartworm and is negative and now on preventative.  She also got her all her vaccines.  The vet said she is about 2 years old and has had puppies at some point.  Gypsy loves cats and at doggy daycare she just ignores the dogs.  She seems to prefer women.  She has not been around children other than running into one on a walk and she licked the child's face.”

Also, Jennifer reports, “Gypsy is a really easy dog.  She loves being with her finder and would be an awesome true companion dog.  If anyone can help rescue her, please contact me.” Email [email protected] or call 214-769-7677.
THE MESQUITE SHELTER:
A PLACE TO FIND A FRIEND
Volunteer Mesquite Animal Shelter dog biographer Debra Chisholm has the info on Lucy and Jackson for this edition. 
We open with Lucy, “mixed breed girl” who, Debra reports, “was picked up by one of our officers and brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter as a stray on 7/5..."
”
The “approx 2-years-old,” spayed, 50-pound girl is, Debra writes, “a tail-wagging bundle of sweetness.  Lucy is friendly and happy to receive loving attention.  She will roll over for belly rubs! She is well-behaved and doesn't jump on you. 

“Lucy's coat is quite scruffy and [earlier this week] one of the volunteers gave her a bath.  She willingly hopped up the steps to the tub and was quite cooperative with getting her bath.  Another volunteer spent some time brushing her out and she was totally OK with that as well and appeared to love it. 

“It seemed as though she knew these friendly ladies wanted to help her to feel better and she was happy to assist.  ...  She walks well on a leash.  She knows the sit command and will do so for treats which she takes gently.” And Debra appeals, “Won't you please consider whether you can help this friendly sweet-natured girl on the way to her forever home by networking or tagging at [email protected], typing in the subject line TAG, ID 53685012. Need more info?  Then please call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]."
Same system for this guy Jackson (#52819284). 
Debra reports that “handsome” Jackson, is a “Terrier mix who was picked up by one of our officers as a stray on 6/5…”

Here’s the part that’ll tick off a true dog lover.
Debra reports that the dog's human was, “contacted and sadly opted not to reclaim him so he's been waiting...and waiting...and waiting for someone to notice him and realize what a wonderful pet he would make.”

Waiting since early June for the one person he adored and that person …well, that person is breaking Jackson’s heart. 
Jackson is about 2, is neutered and weighs 58 pounds. Debra writes that he walks on a leash but “has somewhat of a strong pull and will jump but that's likely because he's so happy to get a break from his kennel. He knows the sit command and is highly motivated by treats so would probably be easy to teach some commands.  He is a high-energy boy and quite jumpy and can be difficult to redirect. He will however calm down and mind his manners. Obedience classes would be beneficial for him. This sweet friendly boy deserves another chance at his very own forever home.” Follow the steps above to make sure the person who rejected Jackson doesn’t have the last word on a vibrant dog (#52819284).
IN THE MEANTIME, STRAYDOG
HAS LOVING PUPDOPTABLES
[LARRY ASIDE: I’m not sure “pupdoptables” is an actual word -- it fell out of my head as I was touching the keyboard. Moving along:]
Straydog Inc really does have some adoptables that the none-profit sanctuary is going to be showing off Saturday at The Shops at Willow Bend in the Neiman Marcus Courtyard. That’s from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Here the non-profit’s notice and you can see more at straydog.org. See more animals, more needs and more opportunities to help.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THOUGHTS ON MENUDO & STUFF

I walk around like a veteran Hollywood actor hiding those early credits because I was in a bad hairstyle or waiting on a key nose job. Yep, I look like “before actor” because I haven’t been discovered by Broadway, Hollywood or a major TV marketing company. I’ll bet I could sell something with my current looks, i.e., “Anti-Disintegration Make-up” with the slogan, “TIRED OF FALLING APART LIKE ME, SLATHER ON THE STICK-IT-TO-ME AND SMILE!.” Probably couldn’t do one of those Lume commercials.

SPEAKING OF SHOW BIZ: I saw The New Menudo on Live With Kelly & Ryan Thursday morning. Entertaining. I’m going to audition some people for “The Stale Menudo” — must be able to hit at least one note while singing, important to two-step in proper timing without stumbling and must smile confidently as you freeze in place. Hang on, I dropped my notecards and when I bent over to pick ‘em up my glasses fell off my giant nose. The bifocals screamed all the way to the carpet. Just an FYI: The original Menudo “boy band” big hit was Hold Me, issued in 1985. Seems like only yesterday — if yesterday is 38 years ago. …

One more Aug. 24 note: Holiday Insights reports that  Aug. 24 is “Ironic American Restaurants Day.” Sorry, I misread that. It's “ICONIC American Restaurants Day.” 
Iconic restaurant in my home town? I salute the memory of Guy’s Orange Stand (you got peanuts with each glass of orange juice), the Jefferson Coffee Shop, a travelers' culinary paradise across the street from the then-vibrant and well-kept legend of railroading, Union Station. And there was and all-night spot, The Pancake House, where late night newspaper workers could sit and talk philosophy and writing and listen to a jukebox with the great Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee songs of the era. Iconic jukebox. After-midnight coffee and conversation. Tip the waitress — that was in the era before a “waitstaffer” served your coffee.
—- Offer tips on the future by clicking on ‘comment’ or email [email protected] and offer to buy an unpublished book about a giant large-mouthed bass being stalked by a bass boat captain. Hmm, familiar plot? —-

A BRIGHT-EARED CAT, A CITY SHELTER, AVAILABLE PUPS AND OTHER TOPICS...

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23, 2023 [PetPowellPress] It’s so late in August I almost hate to mention this. August 1-7 was International Clown Week, according to the Holiday Insights online calendar. I missed the whole thing — I was focused on Washington. August 23 is “Ride the Wind Day.” Again, focused on D.C. August 24 is National Waffle Day — no known connection to Washington.
As I was reading the preceding — kind of poetic, yes? “Reading the preceding.” Anyway, I realized Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray was asleep in his Office Cat Scratching Chair and I managed to disturb him by taking photos. He lifted his cute little noggin and turned it just enough to tempt a hijinx-prone morning sunbeam into lighting up his RCE (Right Cat Ear). No known connection but Aug. 28 is “Race Your Mouse Day.” And, bless the Texas Rangers, they’re playing the Mets in New York on Aug. 29 on “International Bat Night.” May their bats be quick and strong. Oh, wait. Checking… OK, that “Mouse” is a computer mouse and the “Bat” is the flying night beast. The little flying night beast. Not the larger Texas Winged Chupacabra. Moving along….
LOOKING FOR A DOG TO HELP?
ONE OF MANY, MANY IN DAS…
The City of Dallas has this big animal shelter that replaced a little one that was dark and scary. The big shelter, the Dallas Animal Services Shelter & Adoption Center, is not as dark, is a whole lot bigger and is just as deadly. 
In fact, this dog Neil (#A1187700) may not even be there by the time you read this. But, just in case, we’re moving along with his story and using him as an example of an animal in a modern shelter that may be victim of the traditional Texas Animal Control theory: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.”
The depth of this threatening situation in the City of Dallas is noted in at least two places each day. One is the list of available dogs and cats at the DAS Shelter online HERE.
The other is on a volunteer-driven site called the Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs Facebook page. That’s where Neil popped up this morning.
We’ll summarize and use some vet “quotes” from the shelter courtesy of the Dallas Urgent Shelter Dogs page posting by Florence M DiGennaro HERE.
This fellow Neil has a lot going against him. He’s 8 years old. He’s got medical problems. And he becomes available on August 26 — anything can happen between now and then at DAS. More dogs arriving could put more pressure on “iffy animals” who, in the outside world, could be nursed back to health to live for more happy years with an appreciative human or that human’s family. Except Neil’s a “RESCUE ONLY” dog right now. And area rescue groups have been steamrolled by the dumping and abandoning of animals for a while now. They need fosters and they need money to help save lives. [LARRY ASIDE: Can I get an “amen” to that sentence?] 
DAS’s 8-year-old Neil (#A1187700) weighs 75 pounds. He’s heartworm negative. And how’d he get into the shelter’s care? His bio says he was found as a stray walking on just 3 legs — his left front leg wasn’t not able to handle any weight. The bio also says, “This sweet boy will be needing rescue placement if not reclaimed.”
[LARRY ASIDE: The Aug. 22 medical exam makes several points about the leg and his condition — most of which are beyond my capacity for comprehending. I did comprehend this segment, however.]
The Vet report says “function in this limb is extremely guarded to poor with medical management. Prognosis with amputation of forelimb at age would be extremely guarded.”
So, Neil’s in a tough spot. But, Dear Readers, as animal fans we’ve seen these veterinary professionals perform wonderful rescues of dogs others would have given up on at a budget-minded glance. 
The answer, assuming nobody claims Neil as their “lost” dog and assuming he survives the “waiting period” to the 26th, is finding Neil a home that’ll make sure he has everything he needs. [LARRY ASIDE: Some may see 8 as “old” for a dog — doesn’t have to be. Love can add several years.]
Want to help Neil? Drop by the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland and ask if you can help him. Or email [email protected]. [LARRY ASIDE: We have more in Contemplations.]
SMALLER TOWN REPORT?

THERE’S PUPPY NEWS….
Earlier this week, with the help of Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden, we reported on some critter crises in smaller towns and facilities. While the grown-up dogs still need help, there’s been a development in the Palmer puppy situation.
 The 4-Legged Helpers report that of the 9 puppies, 4 are “safe” now and 5 still need rescuing. Palmer is on the southern side of Dallas and near Ferris, the helpers report.
These are our “Puppy Models,” the boy Tristan (left) and the girl Tassie. 
To ask about helping these puppies Tristan, Tassie and their littermates, email [email protected] or call/text 214-949-2726.
Oh, and don’t forget that you can adopt or rescue a grown-up dog via the Helpers — specifically, we’re citing Bella, the girl who was tied up and left in front of a vet’s office. She’s a congenial girl who, apparently, was not a good fit with the vet’s pre-existing pup. [LARRY ASIDE: Dogs can be so human — yeah, humans don’t always fit quietly into the same house, either, do they!]
A COUPLE OF MESQUITE DOGS
CHARM THE BIO-WRITER….
That’s not really news — we’ve watched these volunteer dog-writers at Mesquite Animal Services work hard for a while now to write dogs into someone else’s heart. And our two sources — Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm work hard at getting to know the animals. Sometimes the animals work hard at getting to know the people.

Judi begins this assessment with, “Noah, in my opinion, could be a show dog. He definitely will catch your eye. Noah is a tri-colored, 2-year-old, 41-pound Shepherd mix with a big fluffy tail. He came to Mesquite Animal Shelter on 8/17 as a stray.” [LARRY ASIDE: Who’d let a dog that beautiful stray? Never mind. That’s a question we cannot answer.]
 The un-neutered pup has “a calm, sweet, gentle personality,” Judi writes. “He’s friendly but not overly so. He’s alert and wants to know what’s going on. He’s very affectionate, and chooses to stay close to his human companion. When I walked around the yard he followed me. When I called him he came to me. He doesn’t know the sit command but backed up trying to understand what I was asking of him. He obviously wanted to please.” And Judi asks, “Can’t you just imagine what a soft cuddlebug he would be?” 
Noah is #53980903. Use that ID when you call the Mesquite Shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. 
Same system for Princess [#53984838], another dog Judi has been working with. “Princess is a happy-go-lucky puppy,” Judi reports. “She loves everyone and everything. She wants to investigate everything in her environment…. but that’s a puppy!! She is a 3-months-old, 14-pound Rottweiler mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 8/18 as a stray. She is not spayed. Judging from her paws she’s going to be a big girl! She’s got a lot to learn, but because she wants to please and she’s so alert, she would most likely catch on quickly. 

“She does jump on you in a soft, gentle way. But that’s because she’s only 14 pounds. She needs to learn not to do this as she’s going to be a lot bigger.  With some coaxing she sat for treats. She’s extremely affectionate and wanted to get up on my lap. She is sweet and cuddly. She has the potential to be a well behaved, striking young dog.”
See more Mesquite dogs and, of course, cats — puppies and kittens and grown-ups, too, by clicking on THIS LINK.
CONTEMPLATIONS
DALLAS SITUATION & SOLUTION?
We ought to point out that every animal at DAS is not in “immediate peril,” but every animal in a shelter is always “in potentially immediate peril.” That’s especially the case in a city shelter with lots of “incoming” pressure and a too-slim budget and low human foot-traffic. And, of course, there are no big loud groups walking outside with picket signs and protests slogans such as “DROP THE NEEDLE” or “SAVE ‘EM ALL.” And nobody is shaking rafters at City Hall and reminding council members that their districts’ behavior toward animals makes the shelter/city taxpayers buy euthanasia juice by the barrels. Got to be some polite influential way to remind Council Members to asking people in their districts to be kind to the animals. Take the residents the message about protecting the city’s animals from the needle, cars, poisons and gunshots, among other things. Responsbility begins with each resident. FYI: When you go to the city’s shelter online site at https://bedallas90.org, click on “About DAS” and you can go to the statistics where you can find this Daily Report…..



Here’s the link to that chart and others:
https://dallascityhall.com/departments/dallas-animal-services/Pages/Statistical-Reports.aspx
In that chart you can see that on the 22nd Dallas Animal Services killed, er, euthanized 15 dogs and a cat. Ever wonder how long it takes to kill 16 animals in a city shelter? How about wondering who draws the horrifying task of doing that? And killed for what? Injuries? Disease? Or to make room for the next animal that’s going to be waiting in the shelter after having been neglected or mistreated or ignored by some upstanding citizen of your town? Sickening, isn’t it.
 Save ‘em, don’t kill ‘em. You know?

— Offer insight or solutions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. Thank you. —

RED SKY AT MORNING, A DOG NAMED SLUSHIE, AND STRAYDOG INC. HAS MARCO & CUTIE (NOT A 'STRAYCAT')...

EDITION OF TUESDAY, AUG. 22, 2023 [PetPowellPress] What’s that ol’ seagoing saying? “Red sky at morning, sailor take warning”? We’re opening this with a sunrise photograph. It was taken maybe a couple of minutes earlier than the actual sunrise at 6:57 a.m. Tuesday DFW time.
I’d assumed that Wendy waking, jumping off the bed and trotting down the hall about 6:30 a.m. meant it was time to rise and prep her breakfast. But, no, she was just changing her sleeping sites. 
I went ahead and started the cat and dog breakfasts and, as I did, I looked out the kitchen window toward the east. (Yes, that is the early-waking Wendy who is enjoying a bit of a treat while I make sure the other dogs went outside for their morning "enjoyments.") 
Back to the sunrise photo: To the east you could see these — what are they called? Oh, yeah, “clouds.” Don’t see ‘em often enough, you’ll forget all about ‘em. 
So, the dogs got fed and walked, the cats were fed and went back to napping. The humans started the day with happy dogs and happy cats and a wistful look back at the pillows we’ll miss all day long. And I got a photo of a barely discernable jet contrail way up there over the cloud…er, clouds….I know it’s been hot for a while, but, trust me, I’m still not ready to say I miss the snow and ice of a winter storm. Those things are slicker’n asphalt on an August afternoon.
HERE’S A SWEET DOG WHO
INSPIRED LOVING COMMENTS…
I don’t know how these things happen in the Modern World, but somehow a Facebook note popped up on my screen early Tuesday morning. It may have been prepared by RJ Mandeville (I couldn’t figure it out), but it was definitely about this dog Slushie.
[LARRY ASIDE: First time I’ve encountered a dog named “Slushie!” Wish I’d thought of that at some point. OK, back to Slushie.]
 The note came with this 4-pack of Slushie photos and a reference to the DFW Boxer Rescue chapter of Austin Boxer Rescue, partners in saving members of this noble breed.
 It is, of course, no surprise — at least to any intelligent beings on the planet — that dogs of all breeds have rescue advocates. Boxers are among the breeds that get dumped or wind up out of favor with a family or are victims of human frailty.
In this case, the story of maybe 3-year-old, medium-sized Slushie — an Austin dog — reads that “Sweet little Slushie is ISO [isolation?] foster or furever home. She had a blast at the adoption event and everyone fell a bit in love but . . . she loaded up to return to kennel when it was all over. Though hearing impaired, Ms. S is a precious package of love and she’d LOVE to find a furever home of her very own.”
One of the things that made Slushie interesting was her “hearing impaired” status. It inspired responses on RJ Mandeville’s Slushier Facebook link HERE.

I figured I’d quote some of these comments for people who’ve never been around Boxers. [LARRY ASIDE: When I was a kid, the next door neighbor’s daughter had three kids, a German Shepherd named Waldo and a couple of boxers named Duchess and Duke. They could all herd kids.]

Back to the Hearing Impaired commentary:

Natalie McCorkle wrote, “If anyone is hesitant to foster a deafie/hearing impaired PLEASE do not be. They have so many special characteristics and I’d be happy to help guide you through it.”

Victoria Mellin Rollins wrote, “Deafies are THE BEST! I have had one for eight years now, and will always have one! They are the sweetest easiest dogs.”
Jeanne Adams Gallman wrote, “My deafie was smarter & minded better than my hearing Boxers. Miss my Annie-bannanie.”

Find the Boxer Rescues’ Foster Application HERE.  [LARRY ASIDE: Might be a good way to get acquainted with a dog!]
The Adoption Application is HERE.
And the organization promises “Our volunteers will work with you to find the best dog for your home.”
Here’s the DFW Boxer Rescue Facebook LINK — it’ll give you access to Slushie and other dogs, too. 
AND, THEN, STRAYDOG INC.

AND AN APPEAL FOR MARCO
Well, OK, it’s not exclusively an “appeal for Marco,” but the older Border Collie mix fellow is the “cover boy” for the legendary Straydog Inc.’s Doggie Digest Summer 2023 edition. And, yes, he’s available to become part of a loving home.
You can see the gray on his muzzle. [LARRY ASIDE: Brother, don’t I know that feeling!] Back to Marco: Yeah, you can see gray on his face, but you can also see the smile in his eyes. 
Straydog is the no-kill facility launched way back in the 20th century and it exists to this day on a spot of constantly-being-improved land in “near East Texas.” More on that in a minute.
We need to tell you about Marco first. His bio reads, “Marco is a sweet Border Collie Mix born in 2013. He is very smart and loves to play.  Marco is a sweet, happy dog who likes people. He likes to play and walks nicely on a leash. He loves hanging out with his kennel mate, and he likes all the people he meets.”
 And you can see him and other canines when you click on straydog.org and navigate to the available animals.
But, WAIT! 

Yeah, it’s “Straydog Inc.,” but if you have big heart in dog rescue, you might just have cat in your cavalcade of available animals. Same way, cat people sometimes have dogs that need homes. In this case, Straydog has this cat. No, she was not a Straycat. But she is a Straydog cat.
Her bio reads, “Cutie is a beautiful dilute calico cat who is approximately 1-1/2 years old.  She came to Straydog when her owner went to a nursing home.  She is very sweet and loves people.  She enjoys softly head-butting people to get your attention and initiate more petting.
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“Cutie is a very calm kitty and would make a perfect lap cat.  She is ready to spend her time in a home with her forever family.  Please contact us to set an appointment to meet this precious girl.”

To ask about Marco or Cutie or, maybe Marco AND Cutie email [email protected].
What else is new at Straydog? We discovered this from the Summer Doggie Digest Newsletter HERE 
In a round-up sent by Straydog Shelter Director/Co-President Juana Arnold and Co-President Pam Bollinger, we learned about the summer and the coming autumn.
 The opening reads, “Once again, we're in the middle of the dog days of summer at Straydog, where we work hard to keep the dogs and staff safe and hydrated during the brutal Texas heat. Some of the safety measures that we take are to give our dogs kiddie pools to cool off in, and bring the most vulnerable dogs into a temperature controlled space in one of the three small buildings that we currently have.
“There is one BIG thing that is different this year — the knowledge that next summer will be better because of the huge construction project that was begun in May! When work is completed in autumn, we'll have two large, beautiful, temperature-controlled buildings to house 80 of our 160+ dogs.” … [LARRY ASIDE: There’s more. Click on this LINK to see the entire report. You can even see how to adopt and how to donate and how to volunteer. Straydog Inc. is a full-service “No Kill Dog Shelter & Sanctuary.”
CONTEMPLATIONS
POLITICS, SIGNS, DOG'S SCHEDULE
When (if?) I am elected to the Texas Legislature, I’m going to pass a bill that requires the "Welcome to Texas" highway signs to read “WELCOME TO TEXAS. HOT IN THE SUMMER, SLIPPERY IN THE WINTER. GET YOUR LOTTO TEXAS TICKETS TODAY.” The drivers will have to slow down to read the whole sign and that’ll be good for Texas, too. Ah, nothin' slows interstate drivers in Texas except a conscience or a cow on the highway. ...
I woulda finished this edition a lot earlier than the noon hour, but I took a little time to watch our dog Wendy Louise Wagstaff Arden (the dog in the opening segment) “go to the bathroom” in the backyard. That's her "Nobility Photograph" on the left. She’s had some medical work lately and we are always concerned that a medicated dog’s “schedule” may not be as keen as it has been. But, there I was, joyously watching through the screen door as limp-free Wendy, at 14, ran puppy-like happily across our big yard and found her spots. One for one, a second for two. You know how dogs can be. It was worth the time-out just to get to see her happily run from the back of the yard to the open back door where she happily raced inside and greeted me and Martha with a wagging tail and a grinning face. And don’t think Wendy didn’t run this segment past her lawyer. Smart girl. Knows the Canine Invasion of Privacy Laws, aka The Texas Bark Torts. ….
No photo, but I had 4 cups of coffee before noon and only spilled one splash onto my shirt. It’s a good day when you can stand up from your desk and not squish or feel gooey. I'd get one of those stand-up desks, but I'd just wind up with a big carpet-cleaning bill. I think those two sentences came to me in a dream.
—- Offer java tips or tales of animal joys by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “SAVE ‘EM ALL AND DO IT FAST” in the subject line. —-

A CAT'S TALE, A BIG LOAD OF SMALL TOWN ANIMALS, AND ADORABLES FROM MESQUITE...SAVE 'EM ALL...

EDITION OF MONDY, AUG. 21. 2023 [PetPowellPress] Somebody put this cap “A” back into the “MONDY” in that dateline. I was typing under stress and lost track of my fingers.
Stress? Thy name is Hastings. He is a spreader of stress to the right hand of one who’d dare to type while he’s napping behind the computer screen. 
I’ve mentioned this free fellow before. He’s a challenge sometimes — was raised by humans (my funspouse Martha and me) and had no manners-teachin’ momma and who knows where the mannerless daddy is now. 

This is the first edition of the daily Mon-Friday readlarrypowell.com I’ve typed in a week, I was hoping to get a calm, un-threatened start. Alas, you’ll note the bandage on my right front paw. Why the wound? A cat who’ll be 2 years old September likes to wait behind the screen and when I begin typing or using the mouse, he finds great sport in slapping my fingers and hand with his wide-open claws! I love him so much, I put up with it. Like the idiot I am. (I moved my keyboard and mouse to a lower pull-out platform, changed my posture and typed on.) I found a solitary nearly-blind, starving Hastings in the middle of a street on Oct. 4, 2021. And, now, all these loving days and nights later, there’s Hastings, enjoying the nap of The Cat Who Owns The Mousepad. I envisioned Monday’s morning work session as being different — perhaps no need for a dollop of medical cream and a bandage that can, on the second or third try, be applied using just one working hand. 
But, you know, Dear Readers, if I’m typing and you’re reading and Hastings is happily napping, every thing is AOK in our little orbit. Yeah, I love the hairy cat. He's interesting.
In other orbits? Well, let’s see what’s been waiting, figuratively speaking, in the saddle bags of the ol’ Ponyemail Express. 
And, good grief, there are so many animals in shelters and in tight spots…What has happened to our good and decent world?

AND NOW WE PRESENT
A CAVALCADE OF CHANCES…
That cat? Perry. Could be yours. He was the lead cat in an e-mail that arrived from the folks who’ve been powering 4-Legged Helpers for a while. And in an explanatory note sent to us by both Laura Macias and Leighann Hayden spotlighted not only dogs and cats, but the situations. 
Perry’s story? He’s a young male with a white and black coat and, the bio reads, “BIG green eyes.” He’s described as an “adorable little sweetie pie. Beautiful kitty, truly. You will understand when you see him in person.” So, where can you see this cat in person? He’s in the Ferris Shelter and email [email protected] or call/text 214-949-2726. Same for all these other animals on the brink of a disastrous August. 
The note about all these animals begins with this: “We usually do a posting for Wilmer, Hutchins, and Ferris Shelters.  What we are finding is that we have people desperately reaching out for help with pets before they head to the shelter.  One for a kitty in Flower Mound.  One for puppies in Palmer. Most just cannot keep them long - many found them or rescued a mom that had babies, or a kitty wandered up in heat exhaustion - it really puts into perspective the current economy and why so many pets are already at the shelters marked for euthanasia.”
Roo is the “kitty in Flower Mound.” He’s a neutered Tiger Tabby with a great “I’m about to take a nap, whattaya want?” face, don’t you think? His bio reads, “This fluffy guy was fortunate enough to find a Good Samaritan to save him in this heat, but she cannot keep him. Fortunately she did get him fully vetted. Apparently he is extremely friendly and just adorable (follows her around everywhere - super cute - adores being held and loved on!!!) but he is into dogs - not into other cats - but - and this is great news - he is fantastic around dogs and seems to actually really loves them.” …
This smallish — 35 pounds — girl is Lab/Boxer mix Lele, currently waiting in a Dallas County area. The report reads: “This sweet, sweet girl showed up at a person's house and just look at this poor baby - just skin and bones and it is just heartbreaking. …So completely precious.  Only about 35 pounds.  The finder believes Lele is deaf but he wasn't aware of it till he started feeding her and he noticed how calm she was even with loud noises.  He is unable to keep her due to having a senior dog with some special needs.  … She has minor fur loss but it completely looks like a dog that has been out in the brush.”
(Again, the contact points are: Email [email protected] or call/text 214-949-2726.)
Sammy, possibly a Pointer/Retriever Mix, is in the Ferris Shelter. His bio reads: "He is just as cute as cute can be.  There's obviously some Pointer or Retriever in there but he looks like a mix.  Only about 40 pounds and plays like a puppy - he is so cute.  He seems to adore other dogs too.  Tested with a girl dog they have at the shelter and they play super cute together.  Was found out and about on his own in a woody area close to a bridge.  Poor little cutie pie.”
Earlier we mentioned 9 puppies in a litter in Palmer, “very close to Ferris,” the report reads. There are 4 girls 5 boys.
[LARRY ASIDE: At the Facebook site, you can see photos of the boys and 3 of the girls (the 4th girl’s photo didn’t make it across the internet with the other kids, we’re told. That first dog is young girl Tassie and the second photo is of brother Tristan. You get the idea of the looks of the litter, right?]
  The note says, “These adorable babies were born to a mother dog that the finders that reached out said they think someone dumped.  All puppies are just adorable.  They have been posting them on Next Door but not a single taker and they are getting really scared since they cannot keep them.  They reached out to the ACO at Ferris Shelter AND ASKED IF ANYONE COULD HELP.

“Please, can someone take a few or all. Please - pretty desperate situation.” Same system: Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat [email protected]. Or, contact the good people who have taken in the puppies by calling 479-647-6474 or 214-399-3865.”
This last dog is one we’ve mentioned SEVERAL times before and, inexplicably, the adorable Bella, a Boxer/Catahoula mix, has yet to find a home. Here’s the bio:
“Bella 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 and the vet's dog is just not accepting of her (the vet truly tried because this dog is just that sweet - just precious - but the vet's own dog does just does not like other dogs). Bella is the most wonderful girl.  Loves absolutely everyone.”
Once again, to ask about Bella or any of these animals: Email [email protected] or call/text 214-949-2726.
[LARRY NOTE: To see the weekend note with all the photos and stories outlined on the 4-Legged Helpers Facebook page, click on this LINK . You will see not only these animals, but many, many others who are in need of human kindness. Sometimes you’ll even see photos of animals that have been helped and found homes or at least life in a no-kill shelter while that rendezvous with a loving home is being created.

CAPTAIN NEEDS A CREW;
WAITING IN MESQUITE…
Here’s a fellow with a fantastic face and a rank: Captain’s the name, findin’ a home is the game. We learned about his from our pals Judi Brown and Debra Chisholm, volunteers at Mesquite Animal Services.
Judi says, “Captain is unsure of the shelter environment. He needs TLC and time to build trust. We call dogs like Captain ‘a work in progress.’ Staff and volunteers will work with him until his true personality starts to shine. At that point we will send out another evaluation. Right now we just want to get him out there so you can see him. I have a leash on him because he tended to go behind a chair for security. He does like treats but is cautious about taking them from you. … He does have a discharge in both eyes. This will be treated. … He appeared to be intimidated by other dogs, but then at this point almost everything at the shelter is scary for him. When I took him back to put him in his kennel, I got a few kisses!”
 Captain is #53960803 in the Mequite shelter — use that ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
That brings us to another Judi bio. This time she tells us about Blair [ID #53899990.). “Blair loves to hang out with her humans! When I walked around the yard she followed me,” Judi reports. Blair is a 6-month-old, 25-pound Australian+— Cattle Dog who came in (unspayed) as a stray on August 5. Judi writes, “You may be wondering how such a darling puppy could still be at the shelter all this time. Well, the answer is she came in with a URI and has been in the back receiving medication. She took her last dose … and appears to be healthy.  At first when she got out into the yard she explored, but then stayed close to me. She sits for treats and takes them gently. She’s well behaved. She doesn’t jump on you. She’s playful but not overly so. She is sweet and very loving. Cattle dogs are known for their intelligence and there’s no doubt that Blair is very smart. … Because she’s so calm and gentle, and yet somewhat playful she should make a good family dog. She told me she wants to be mostly an inside dog so she can hang out and watch Animal Planet with her new family.”
And, Judi tells us about this girl Izzy, a 4- or 5-month-old probably Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Mix who weighs about 20 pounds and came in on Aug. 16 — unspayed stray. Judi writes, “There’s no doubt that Izzy is very sweet. However, at this point she is extremely timid. She’s not sure what to make of the shelter environment. She will need TLC and time to build trust. … When I first met her in her kennel I kept going by sweet-talking her and giving her treats. She was so fearful she peed on herself. Eventually, I got a few tail wags and coaxed her to walk out of the kennel on a leash. She would walk a few steps, and then lay down and then walk a few steps and repeat the process. When she first got out into the yard, she lay down and wouldn’t budge. I sat down by her and she let me pet her. Eventually she got up and wandered around. I also got a few more tail wags. When I reached for her she cowered. That indicates to me there’s a possibility she’s been abused. She was too scared to introduce her to other dogs at this point. So we did make progress. … With a team effort we will bring her around and she will blossom! And isn’t she adorable?”
Izzy is #53971674 — use her ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
To see more animals in the Mesquite Animal Shelter, click on THIS LINK.
Among the many cats is (still) this 10 1/2-year-old fellow Alasia — a medium-sized, white and tan Domestic Shorthair mix who came into the shelter on July 13. He’s a “staff foster” right now and is available for adoption. Alasia’s ID is 44018800. [LARRY ASIDE: Ten years old — barely a teenager for a cat in a loving home!]
CONTEMPLATIONS

THE CAT’S MEW-OW!
Here’s a truth regarding today's opening about "playful" cat Hastings: In all the time I’ve been typing, using a mouse and a mousepad, I’ve never had a dog nip at my mousing hand! And we’ve had two Chihuahuas, several multimutters, a Great Dane/Lab mix named Hambone Jack The Canine King of the Blues (lounging years ago in his chair), a Rottie named Earl (Texas Earl the Cheeseman), a herding nipper (Border Collie/Lab mix) named Dudley the Angel and a zany Aussie mix named Annie adopted as a puppy and raised by humans (pehaps a consistent flaw on this planet — check incarceration records and see how many inmates were, at some point, raised or influenced by humans. [LARRY ASIDE:  Remember when "Were you raised by wolves?" was an insult?] …. My adored blind-in-one-eye Cocker Spaniel Inky. the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas, did bite me once — my fault. He wasn’t expecting it when he was walking in the hall ahead of me and I reached down and surprise-petted him on his blind side — he whirled and snapped.  Then, he had his lawyer, Jeaux Cocker call me and apologize on his behalf and bill me for “canine consultation.” Miss that Inky. Clever boy.
—- Offer adoption/rescue encouragement by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing everybody you know and trying to wake ‘em up to the needs of locked-up-in-cages dogs and cats on clocks throughout the Lone Star State and beyond. —-

TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO READ THE MIND OF A SLEEPING DOG OR NAPPING CAT....

Our largely unproven but strongly documented theory, highlighted in this edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, is this:
It is easy for humans to read the minds of dogs and cats. 

For example, consider the look on that cat's face.
I spotted the household's oldest cat, Esme, on the daybed in Martha's office. Esme had been using a pane of glass as a pillow and one of her ears was sort of "sun-baked" into an less-than-natural position. 
As I aimed my phone, er, camera at her, she glared and gave me this very clear "Whaddayew lookin' at, BUB?" look. Read her mind right way.
Usually it's the dogs I catch with a mind-to-be-read look on their faces. 
I've posted this cat photo before. He is our youngest cat, saved from a street in Duncanville when I spotted the tiny fellow trying to kitten-jump (too young to stride) across the asphalt to the curb.
Hastings is the name. Hastings was the street. I grabbed him and he's been our explorer cat ever since. There's nothing he won't try to look into. In this case he was looking into the possibility of spending some quality time in my old laundry basket in the bath.
 Because that basket has a practical purpose, it sometimes leaves the bathroom with a load of clothes and walks down the hall to the household "washateria" in the garage.
On Friday morning, I packed the basket with towels, shirts, jeans, etc., and moved it to the laundry launching pad. However, Hastings wandered into the bathroom and spotted the mat on the floor, then flopped down and went to sleep in such a pile-up of cat legs, paws, tail and hair that his cute face was obscured.
And, the gentle dog Wendy happened to follow me and the camera into the catnap area and went over to nuzzle Hastings awake as I snapped a photo of the futile effort. Hastings basically opened an eye, saw it was Wendy and went back to sleep. I think I read her mind and got the message, "Can't you two get lost?"
Wendy and I left the room and went back to our favorite household area, the kitchen. Oh, she likes the livingroom, too. It's where she can find comfort on her dog bed in front of the TV. She's so human. I snapped the trying-not-to-shut eyes on Wendy when she crawled up onto the couch and began to nod off.
That last Wendy photo shows what happens when she gets off the couch and moves to her authorized dogbed. Immediately I received the message, "Ahhhh, much better. I don't know why humans need recliners."

Later in the day we returned to the day bed in Martha's office and discovered Esme had changed napping positions and young Hastings was involved in some sort of Slumber Study Course via an on-line university in Goldensnore, Calif., not far from Clear Passage. Perhaps he'll find that amewsing.
[DEAR READERS: Please send photos of your slumbering critters and their stories to [email protected] so readlarrypowell.com can post them in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap and give people a look at animals who can read human minds and own human hearts. Thanks Hey! Wait a sec. Somebody's dog just sent me a message via ESP. He said, "I'm a short, chubby dog with a cookie habit. I'll work for vanilla wafers." If you recognize that dog, please send us the story and the photos. And a box of vanilla wafers, which as -- I'm getting a name....Chewy!!! -- as Chewy will tell you, I also enjoy..]
--Offer ESP tips or heat-reduction theories by clicking on 'comment' below or by esping or emailing [email protected].]