FROM DOGS AND CATS AND PEOPLE THEY NEED TO OLD GHOSTS -- SPIRITS OF A PARK....

EDITION OF WED/THURS APR 10-11, 2024 [PetPowellPress] I had the occasion Wednesday morning to drive between Dallas and Fort Worth twice — either way I was going it was a soggy, chilly ride. I know. I should have rolled the windows up. But I always enjoy hanging my head out the window and barking at the passing cars. …. Dang. I might have been dreaming again. Moving along, let’s check the inbox…. OK, I’m due for a rabies shot…I’m kidding.
But. Seriously folks, check out Contemplations for a note regarding KERA writer Jerome Weeks’ story about the City of Dallas dumping Old City Park as a museum of Dallas. I lived in Dallas for decades and watched the city and, I swear, it’s a city that has little regard for its own history. “Fight for survival” was probably coined by some poor history museum leader trying to save artifacts from the city that grew up here for no visible reason.
THIS IS BOTH A BIT OF ADVICE
AND AN UPDATE ON A DOG
We got an update from Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets — the famed CLASP organization — about this dog Luna.
CLASP’s Julia Lilly’s note read, “Luna's dental surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, April 11. Finally, her poor teeth and gums will get relief, and eating won't be so painful for her.”
But it’s much more than dental work. There’s been this specific problem ever since she came into the care of CLASP. Julia’s explanation read;
“While she is under anesthesia, they are going to biopsy her nose to make sure there isn't anything else going on there. It looks A LOT better than it did a couple of weeks ago. …”
Go to CLASP’S Facebook page HERE to see how to help and to see some photos of this dog’s nose — you’ll have to scroll down to see Luna’s photo but she might just have the dog’s nose that touches your heart. Donations can be made HERE.
A COUPLE OF PUPS:
CEDAR AMD TIPSY
We wouldn’t know about these two wonderfully beautiful puppies if animal people weren’t connected at the heart! In this case we cite the note from our pal, the GREAT photographer of New Mexico Karen Lee at barkleyworld.com and the constant rescuer in the Texas east of the Metrosprawl, Gail Whelan of Companion-Animal Network.
In this case, they cite the story of Cedar (laying on the floor) and Tipsy (enjoying a chair — could be her cup of a tasty eclipse-watching refreshment in the arm of that chair).
The note from Karen had this bio about Cedar and Tipsy: “Both female. 10 weeks old.  Will be medium-sized dogs. Have had 2 puppy vaccs and will need another at 12 weeks and then rabies vacc.  They are microchipped and very healthy.  Their foster has taught them ‘sit’ and leash walking.  They have started on Simparica Trio.” (That’s a medication ‘system.’)
Our longtime pal, the determined rescuer Gail Whelan of Companion-Animal Network, provided this explanation: “We all know how bad it is out there.  Out here (East Texas) if a dog gets pregnant they just dump her in the woods.  Not many survive.  I have been helping people who have had a pregnant dog dumped on them.  If they will foster, I will find homes for the puppies.  I have been working with a great family.  Five puppies.  I have found homes for three of them at 9 weeks.  All families have someone home during the day, they have puppy experience, and had great vet references.  Home visits were great.
“I just got an email from the family that says the puppies have to go NOW.  We all know how that could turn out.  These are GREAT puppies.  Born in their home, loved, taught to ‘sit,’ walk on a leash, etc.  I just responded to the email being as nice as is possible.  I explained that in today's climate I actually thought I was doing well with three in a few weeks.  I told him that if he did not want to work with me anymore to let me know.  But I cannot in good conscience ‘give’ puppies away.”
To help Gail and Cedar and Tipsy, call Gail at 903-967-3226 or email [email protected].
Gail writes, “They are on borrowed time.”
IN HONOR OF CATS:
SURPRISED STEVIE RAY
There are so many cats waiting in shelters in the Greater Metnotspayednotneuteredtroplex. This guy was one I found as a kitten as he was loudly yowling while clinging to the flimsy branch on a mimosa tree. He got tougher. But note that surprised look on his face. I snapped that Tuesday night when I told him that not all people have a loving, adorable housecat living in their homes. Stunned. He was stunned. Then, in cat lingo, he asked, “Meow, mew, yowl, purr, fffssssst?” Loosely translated via my Conversational Feline English Travel Handbook, Stevie Ray was asking “What is the matter with those bleeps? Don’t they know love when they see it?”
Go to your nearest municipal, taxpayer-supported animal shelter or non-profit shelter and you’ll see cats — boys, girls, grown, babies — all waiting to make your house a better home. [LARRY ASIDE: I SWEAR based on personal experience. All hail Stevie Ray Treeboy, who lives with dogs and suggests adopting shelter dogs, too.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
Old City Park and a Spirit or Two
I was cruising through the world of the Internet and ran across this headline on a story on the KERA news page HERE. 
“Old City Park's 22,000 antiques go on sale to the public this month in Dallas”
The story was by veteran Dallas writer Jerome Weeks (you may remember his writing from the pages of The Big Paper Downtown). The sale is from April 29 to May 4 at the park and it’s open to the ol’ general public.
The secondary boldface type on Mr. Weeks' report reads, “It's an epic estate sale, but not without controversy. The city's park department is taking over and won't be maintaining the site as a history museum.” [LARRY QUERY: Am I wrong, or did the park's department used to run the Dallas Zoo?]
The story included a great quote from, as the story reads “Realtor and preservationist TerriRaith. The Raith quote reads: "I was appalled that there was nothing put in this big bond election for Old City Park. But to have this collection and just act like it’s disposable is not surprising. We do not value our history here.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I’ll cite recent efforts by my friend Myra Moore to protect Dallas’ historic Fair Park from the ravages of neglect and misuse. Click on her pro-park website Restore Fair Park HERE.]
ON A PERSONAL NOTE ABOUT OLD CITY PARK….I don’t know what’ll happen to the spirit of the farmer’s daughter who is said to haunt the Millermore Mansion in Old City Park. The City of Dallas already has plenty of ghosts haunting it. Can a city actually lay off a ghost?
My affections belong to Old City Park, it's supporters and its spirits: In the early ‘90s I had a very successful run as Santa Claus on behalf of the Candlelight Festival folks who worked hard to keep Old City Park a beloved site across I-30 from downtown Dallas. Very successful. In fact, I have arranged via the Spirit Assignment for Noteworthy Town Attractions (SANTA) for my ghost to walk that park and scare profit motive -- and anything else -- out of the people who vote against protecting this Dallas legacy. In spirit I won’t be dressed as a right jolly ol’ elf — nope I’ll be dressed as a crappy ol’ underpaid, irritated and eternal newspaper guy who’d love to bite the bad guys around their ankles and keep ‘em making smart moves for Dallas. Sorry., I got all mad about Dallas being inattentive to historic park needs in the city I loved so much I became a taxpaying property-owner. I wasn’t born in Dallas, but I got here as quickly as The Dallas Morning News could start writing the checks. Heck yeah, I’m for sale — but I’m not seeking public office.
— Offer tips or hope by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and make the subject line read “C’MON, DEWD, YOU FIT IN A SANTA SUIT?’ —