STATE FAIR NOTES; DOG AND CAT TAILS, ER TALES; PLANNING A BIG D DOME?

EDITION OF THURSDAY, SEPT. 28, 2023 [PetPowellPress] We checked the calendar and Friday is the day the State Fair of Texas opens. On the website www.bigtex.com, this was listed as labeled, the “#BIGTEX PICTURE OF THE DAY.” 
It is a bit comforting to know that the legendary State Fair of Texas is opening once again. Something normal, if a 52-foot-tall Cowboy is normal. I’ve lost some weight; I may be able to wear his old hand-me-down jeans now. Might have to hem up the cuffs.
 The Fair runs from Sept. 29 through Oct. 22 which is more than I can run. We’ll get to walking in Contemplations.
Oh, and that’s my personally-rescued cat Stevie Ray Treeboy demonstrating how he felt the first time he used his allowance to buy coupons to take a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl one Fair night in 2022. “I was a little catqueasy,” he said with a sly grin, “But I had enough coupons left for a Belgian Waffle with an extra pile of whipped cream covering the strawberries. You remember — we shared it and people on the midway stared at us. Good mewtimes, good mewtimes.” 
Stevie Ray’s a young sentimentalist. He once climbed to the rim of Big Tex’s hat and a police chopper had to drop in and rescue him. I might have made that up, but Stevie Ray and I are trying to sell a cartoon series to cable TV. Stevie Ray and Cat-Happy American Sites. We’ll let you know what channel. Enjoy the Fair.
TWO DOGS WIND UP ON
NEED-HOMES-NOW LIST
This appeal from Gail Whelan of CAN Adoptions focuses on a purebred Lab named Zeus and a dog of undetermined origin and fantastic beauty, Maggie.
The Companion Animal Network is Gail’s baby and so are all the critters she runs across in her efforts to make sure animals “down on their luck” have a good and decent home.
The appeal for Zeus and Maggie reds “DESPERATELY NEED FOSTER OR ADOPTER (SEPARATELY) FOR THESE TWO ANGELS — DFW AREA). The contact point is this email [email protected].
Gail’s note began, “Anyone and everyone in rescue knows ow tough things are right now. I have had two situations fall apart on me in the past week.”
Zeus is a 2-year-old, full-vetted, heartworm- negative purebred Lab. 

And Maggie is an 18-month-old, “fully vetted, heartworm negative SOMETHING,” her bio read. [LARRY ASIDE: She’s a great-looking “SOMETHING!” Might as well lobby Westminster to make it an official American breed!] 
The bio says Maggie is “just precious. Adores dogs. Has been with a trainer.”
 Again, get in touch with Gail at [email protected]. The Companion-Animal Network website is www.ca-n.petfinder.com.

REGGIE AND OTHER ANIMALS
GETTING MESQUITE SPOTLIGHT
[LARRY ASIDE: One does need to ask this Mesquite dog Reggie a question and it is, “Hey, Reggie boy, is that your State Fair of Texas neckerchief?” Moving along ….]

Volunteer Mesquite dog-writer Judi Brown began his bio this way: “Another name for Reggie could be Smiley or even Happy. This sweet boy appears to be grinning in most of his photos. It’s probably because he is. He’s a happy guy!!! Reggie is a 2-year-old, 50-pound Siberian Husky/Chow Chow mix that came to Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/23 as a stray. He is not neutered. He is very photogenic. He’s got pretty eyes and one of the fluffiest tails I’ve ever seen. He could win a personality contest. When I went up to his kennel he leaned his whole body against the bars wanting to be stroked. With his soft fur it was a pleasure to accommodate him. He’s well mannered. … He even sat for treats before I asked him to. He sat as soon as he saw me get a treat out of my pocket. I would say that’s pretty smart! He stayed very close showing he would be a loyal companion. At one point when he was across the yard I called him and he came bounding to me. … He’s friendly, attentive, sweet, loving, and alert. What more could you ask for? Oh and he’s adorable!"

Reggie is #54460616 at the shelter — use that ID when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for all these Mesquite shelter animals.

For example, use that info to contact the shelter about Caesar (#54461921), described by Judi as “a majestic German Shepherd gentle giant.” She writes that he’s “a really good boy!,” and adds, “Besides that, his beautiful coloring, long nose, and pointed ears make him a stand out. In my opinion, he could be a show dog! Caesar is a 3-year-old, 74-pound black and tan German Shepherd. He arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/23 as a stray. It’s a wonder his owners have not come looking for him.  He is not neutered. … He did spend some time looking out the gate but he wasn’t trying to escape. He was just being curious. He spent time pacing back-and-forth stretching his legs. I imagine he needed that, being a big boy cooped up in a kennel all day! He came to me when I sat down and seemed to like having his ears scratched. I got a few kisses. … I threw a ball, and he was not interested in chasing it.That is something you could teach him. He is truly a gentle giant.”
Fellow Mesquite dog-writer Debra Chisholm reported, “I've named this little pumpkin Kelsey.  She arrived as a stray at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 9/22.  Kelsey is a lightweight (for right now) at 8 pounds, is about 3 months and is not spayed.  Just look at that sweet face!!  She had no idea what a leash was all about (naturally) so I carried her to the room in which I took her pics.  She's a bit reserved and timid.  Kelsey loves toys and her tail would wag when she was licking and munching on the stuffed toys.  She had no interest in treats.  She is amiable and more than happy to be loved on and receive attention.  Kelsey would undoubtedly blossom and flourish in a loving and caring home and make some person or family a cherished pet.” Kelsey is #54399635 when you contact the shelter.
Debra also provided the info on these next two. They are siblings. That’s Morris lounging against the wall and sister Missy on the rug. 
They were picked up as strays on Sept. 22. Debra says Morris is about 10-months old, weighs about 30 pounds and isn’t neutered. Missy is the same age, weighs 27 pounds and isn’t spayed. 
Morris, Judi reports, “is more lively and animated than his sis.  He's a fun-loving fellow that likes toys and balls.  He is spunky and exuberant, although not hyperactive. After he played and explored for a while, he seemed to want to find a hidey-hole to hunker down in for a bit.  He is friendly, affectionate, a lap dog wannabe and tried to climb into my lap to get closer to his new human friend.  Like his sister, he has those cute stand-up ears that he will need to grow into!  Morris is perfectly fine with being petted and loved on.  Both of them would doubtless make devoted and loving companions.  A shelter is no place for puppies and they would assuredly blossom and flourish in a warm and loving home.”
Morris is #54458205. Missy is #54458303. Use those numbers when you ask about them at the shelter at 972-2126-6283 or by emailing rescues @cityofmesquite.com.
 Of Missy, Debra writes, “Understandably this pup is timid, shy and uneasy in the shelter environment.  She walks well on a leash.  She is active and alert, but not overly so.  Missy has a calm and gentle nature.  She has such cute stand-up ears and soulful eyes.  She has some hair loss on her face.  She loves treats, will sit for them and takes them gently.  Missy is a friendly girl and more than happy to receive loving attention.”
And Debra also reports, “The owner has not come looking for these pups and apparently isn't interested in doing so. … They deserve better than they've had so please assist if you are able.”
See more Mesquite available adorables — dogs and cats — by clicking on the shelter link HERE. 
CONTEMPLATIONS
DOMIN' DALLAS? READIN’ & CRITTEREYEZED
I ran across one of the great phrases of all time in a newspaper editorial this week. In describing The Loop Plaza, the planned downtown connection to the “50-mile circuit of trails being constructed throughout Dallas,” the editorial used this complimentary phrasing: “a great investment in Dallas’ future as a walkable city.” A “walkable city”? I thought back to the summer and the 100-plus days. Immediately I understood: “Ah, The Loop Plaza is where the city’s going to put the thermostats that control the climate once the Big D Dome is in place!” People have announced plans to make Dallas “a more pedestrian-friendly city” for decades. …
A Fair discovery? When I was writing that paragraph about Stevie Ray on a ride at the fair, I discovered that sometimes “Tilt-a-Whirl” is “Tilt-o-Whirl and sometimes it’s the “Waltzer.” Depends on the country, the publication, the person who painted the signs and the nation in which you see the signs. I think I’m in favor of Tilt-o-Whirl. Not Tilt-uh-Whirl. …
I was looking at the photos of Zeus the Lab and, when I saw his mugshot, I thought, “Gosh, I really do love those dogs!” And, without a split-second declared, I declared, “Those dogs? I love ALL dogs.” For years my companion was a Great Dane/Lab mix named Hambone Jack, The Canine King of the Blues. I’d rescued Hammy in Kiest Park. He had a place the moment I looked into his eyes. Note to dogs and cats without homes: That same system will work for you if you can just figure out a way to get me to look into your eyes. [LARRY ASIDE: My brother-in-law James Hunter, whose welcomed many a dog into his home, is famous for cautioning his kids, "Don't look into their eyes! Don't look into their eyes!" And then they take the dog home, of course.] That's Hammy from years ago napping on his living room chair. Big sweet fellow. I miss him. Back to the eyes. I don’t think I’m the only person on the planet who falls so quickly because of the way a dog or cat looks at me eye-to-eye. The only thing that keeps me from having 4 or 5 thousand dogs and cats is my inability to successfully pick winning numbers in a Lotto Texas drawing. I know I’m not alone in that ambition! I’ve heard confessions — I’m also not a priest, but I have played one on stage and I have the collar and vest from the show. Not licensed to marry people —- No sense trying to make sure people can be miserable together during cold and flu season or a 100-plus summer.
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