ReadLarryPowell.com

ANIMALS GETTING HOMES, RESCUERS GETTING DONATONS? DEPENDS ON HUMAN HEARTS....

EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY, APRIL 29-30, 2024 [PetPowellPress] As some of you may know, money is important to everyday activities. What? That’s a surprise? Please, don’t kid me. Money helps people help animals. And some of you, also, know that the early donating to East Texas Giving Day on April 30 began before I posted this note. You’ll recognize some of the East Texas animal organizations because we’ve written about them before. For example, we have notes from both Pound Pals and its Early Giving campaign HERE and you can also reach it’s “real time” donation campaign at the East Texas Giving Day site HERE. Just navigate to the “ANIMALS” listing on the ETGD site. You’ll also see Straydog, the legendary East Texas shelter and sanctuary on that list. Many others, too. [LARRY ASIDE: Nobody at readlarrypowelldotcom won Lotto Texas over the weekend, so it’s up to other donors to help the assorted East Texas animal helpers get enough resources to make the rest of the year soar with support!]
YOU’VE PICKED A GREAT DAY
TO CONSIDER A SPECIAL DOG…
If you know someone with a heart who doesn’t have an animal but has room in that heart, this is a good day to tip ‘em to visit
readlarrypowell.com and take a look at a great fellow who has charm and is accustomed to be loved. He’s truly an “adorable adoptable.”
And he’s our pal Tomi Ortiz’s grand-dog Duncan. We’ve worked on rescue projects with Tomi for years. She’s a veteran at this and, now, she’s trying to help family members help a family member. Duncan is 8 years old and Tomi describes him lovingly as “my grand dog.”
Here’s her appeal for help finding a not just good but a great home for this beloved dog. She wrote, “I’m heartbroken to be writing this email this morning. My son and my daughter-in-law are trying to find a good home for Duncan their 45-pound Pittie-mix. They reached out to me over the weekend and said they don’t have time for him anymore. They have been swamped with work and have my 1-year-old grandson that takes up all their time.
“Duncan is a very sweet dog that does well with medium to large dogs but cannot be around any little dogs or cats. He’s neutered, house-trained and fully vaccinated. Loves his burger toy and going for walks.
“I SO WISH I could take him in but it’s impossible at the current time. I can’t stand to think of him going to shelter since that’s where they originally got him from 6 years ago. He’s now 8 years old and I know it would break him to be there! If there’s anyone out there that’s interested, please have them reach out to me.”
Email Tomi at [email protected].
[LARRY ASIDE: DEAR READERS, Like most people who’ve done rescue, we have a houseful already — our friends and relatives are generally in that spot, too. But maybe you know someone who’s capable of giving a good dog a great home. Pass it on. Tell ‘em you read about Duncan at readlarrypowell.com.]
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE
THAN ONE DOG WAITING?
This is no surprise anyone. We’ve written about these dogs before and the 4-Legged Helpers have been pressing for weeks and weeks to save them from death in a small town shelter. No dice, so far. But here we go with one more attempt. We’re featuring this fellow Joey again. The Helpers focus on shelters in Wilmer, Ferris, Hutchins and Glen Heights — all small-town shelters on the southern side of Dallas.
To ask about Joey or any of the other dogs currently a time-crisis, call or text the 4-legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or 972-897-4926. Email [email protected].
These people are hustling to save animals’ lives. [LARRY ASIDE: You think small shelters have a slower needle countdown clock than Dallas?] We’ve mentioned these animals before: In addition to handsome Joey, there are Shawn and Suzie, a couple of Lab mix siblings found east of Ferris; Milo, a Boxer/Bulldog mix in Wilmer; Jay, a German Shepherd waiting in Wilmer; Delilah, a bulldog mix in care of Ferris/Hutchins’ shelter; Connor, a 4-year-old Bulldog mix with damaged teeth in Ferris/Hutchins’ care; Flurry, a young Siberian Husky in Ferris/Hutchins’ care; and Luna and Winter, a couple of Husky girls in the Glenn Heights Shelter.
[LARRY ASIDE: The 4-LEGGED HELPERS Inc. have a Facebook site HERE and it is populated not just by the Helpers’ photos but by photos of animals being publicized by many other rescue/advocate organizations. If you’re interested in helping the animals on the southern side of Dallas, it might be more practical to get on the email list of the 4-Legged Helpers. Call or text the 4-legged Helpers at 214-949-2726 or 972-897-4926. Email [email protected].]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WHAT CAN WE CONSIDER?
No politics, please. We’ll only consider items of sports -- Emmett Smith is coming back to the Dallas Cowboys? What? ---, show biz, literature and cuisine. For example, I miss the El Fenix on Colorado Boulevard in Dallas and the Italian Inn — a dark restaurant in the underground level of a shopping center on Camp Bowie in Fort Worth. Once you lose those particular aromas and flavors, they cannot be recaptured. Gone. Gone with progress and new tenants. …
My Office Cat William Powell likes to hint that he’s ready to eat by sitting on my mousepad while I’m typing. It may be humanly impossible to grab your mouse while it’s beneath a 12-to-15-pound cat who is determined to maintain influence over human behavior. …
I will now go to the kitchen and prepare the afternoon feeding for our friends, the dogs and cats. Otherwise, they will call their friends, the lawyers from the firm of Smile, Snarl & Bite, Attys. At Animal Law. That’s the business card reads — William gave one. And smiled.
—- Offer cat and dog adoption tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘MAKE ANIMALS HAPPY’ in the subject line. —-

WE GET TO A CAT AND SOME DOGS BEFORE WE GET TO THE PIGEON EN FLIGHT

FOR THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 27-28, 2024, our edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap doesn't focus on a bird, but will discuss one.
April is, as you probably know, National Poetry Month in the United States of America. 
Poems -- can they offer comedic relief? There used to be a men's room door in a filling station bathroom next to I-30 in Mount Pleasant, Texas that focused on poetic license which is not the same thing as freedom of speech -- but I guess it but could be with the right lawyer. 
Tears ago, during Poetry Monty, we were represented by our found-in-Kiest-Park-Free Cocker Spaniel, the great Inky. The late rascal was a wordsmith, a gentleman, a devoted soul. 
He did not live with us at our current home. These are two of the animals who have followed the Inky theory of finding a home: "Look pitiful, demand a place to sleep and eat whatever the humans put on the table." Worked for Inky, it worked for them.
These two didn't exactly look as pitiful as a Cocker Spaniel puppy stripped nearly naked by mange, but the cat Stevie Ray was hanging on a flimsy mimosa branch and yowling. Wendy (Wednesday Louise Wagstaff Arden) was pitifully chasing two people along busy Polk Street in southern Oak Cliff when my sweet and kind spouse Martha, jumped out of her car, yelled "STOP AND HAND OVER THE DOG OR YOU'LL BE EATIN' DINNER WITH A SOUP SPOON." Her sense of drama won over the crowd and she got the dog that nobody wanted anyway. 
So, there's wonderful Wendy snoozing on an office bed while Stevie Ray Treeboy waits for a response to his question, "Hey, typingnerd, can't you hold down the keyboard noise? I'm trying to seep here." As you can tell in the photo on the left, Inky bulked up in the many years we had him and he loved snoozin' on the back of the couch.
Now, in honor of Inky, a wonderful dog who is surely is a chief among the canine angels, I offer this photo of a character I met last week on a nearby grocery store parking lot. 
The author is disclosed in the after-lines.
THE PIGEON MISSION



"Call me Pete,"
the pigeon said.

"I'm gray and white,
not a spot of red."

This is my lot,
it is where I land, 
and where I tour to
see what's at hand. 



It's my life, you see,
to observe and to fly

and to make people wonder
what's up with that guy,

--- Poem by Porche Noel, 
Student of Inky The Cocker Laureate of Texas
-- Remember, tell us the story of your slumbering animals by sending photos and the tale to [email protected] and we'll feature 'em in our long-running weekend feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. ---

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR BIG ANNUAL FUNDRAISER IS RAINED OUT?

EDITION OF FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024 [PetPowellPress] Let’s talk rain. No. HANG ONE THERE A SECOND. We talked enough rain last weekend.

I’ll let someone affected by that rain tell you about these two dogs in a moment. Bambi’s on the left and Nova’s on the right.
Our topic for this edition is overcoming rain and triumphing on behalf of animals. Hail Euless Trinity GAP Rescue and Trinity Girl’s Awareness Program, legends on and off the high school campus.
Here’s the deal — the big Trinity GAP Rescue fundraising Walk-A-Thon, a tradition for many, many years, was washed out by Saturday’s deluge.
So, what do you do? You look at the landscape of the future and hope it’s dryer than expected? Kind of. And you do a little hustling-up of donations in the meantime.
GAP Rescue is at the point of needing financial help since the annual source, the Walk-a-Thon, was doused into cancellation by Saturday’s deluge on the grounds of Euless Trinity High School.
[LARRY ASIDE: You might say, ‘These people are going to need a miracle to get out this hole.’ But, as observers of the GAP Club know, the Euless Trinity High School Girls’ Awareness Program (founded 2003) and its non-profit offspring, Trinity GAP Rescue (created in 2013) are built on a foundation of creative and confident determination and, now and then, a miracle or two.]
So you’ll know who’s getting the donations and why, we’ll cite this explanation on the GAP Club page:
“The mission of the Trinity GAP Club is to give these high school girls a positive outlet for their time and show them positive alternatives for their lives. Their community service project is volunteering with the Euless Animal Shelter and sponsoring as many shelter dogs as funds allow to provide spay/neuter, shots, and other vetting costs.
“Since a high school club has limitations as to the support they can provide the Euless Animal Shelter, TGR was formed as a 501c3 charitable organization to support the GAP Club and provide services beyond their capabilities. TGR and the GAP Club meet at the Euless Shelter once a week to interact with the dogs and obtain information and pictures for networking sites to help these dogs find homes.  
“All funds collected by The GAP Club and TGR sponsor vetting and/or boarding for these shelter dogs. There are no [city] funds for dogs who come into the shelter sick or wounded.  All vet fees are paid through donations to TGR and the GAP Club.  TGR and The GAP Club work hard to raise funds to keep adoption fees low and competitive to help these dogs find homes quickly since this is a municipal shelter with limited space.”
And there’s this from the GAP site: "The Trinity GAP Club and TGR have made a huge impact in lowering the euthanasia rate of the Euless Animal Shelter and The Trinity GAP Club has won many local and state awards including ‘The 2009 Youth Volunteer of the Year’. Trinity GAP Rescue is proud to partner with the Trinity GAP Club!”
[LARRY ASIDE: Why aren’t there more of these save-the-animals clubs on our high school campuses? Seems like a natural….OK, back to facts.]
The Trinity GAP RescueClub was “launched by Steffenie Vela on behalf of her daughter’s desire to form a new club for female students.” And Steffenie, instrumental in founding the original Euless Trinity Girl’s Rescue Program, has long been a guiding light for the Rescue arm.
Thus, since GAP Rescue’s biggest fundraiser of the year was rained out, Steffenie has been hustling to replace the money that, so to speak, didn’t make it through the flood to the donation box.
Donations to GAP Rescue can be made through http:// trinitygaprescue.org. Click on the “donate” button on that website and you’ll find other ways to contribute to the GALT Rescue efforts.
You may also send a check to Steffenie Vela, President, 1509 Smoketree Drive, Keller TX, 75248.
Before the rains came, the GALT Rescue website explained, "Trinity GAP can only continue to help dogs in need at the Euless Animal Shelter thru your donations. The enormous amount of puppies, sick dogs, and inflation of everything in general has taken its toll this past year.  We must replenish our vet fund to be able to meet our obligations.  We sponsor all vetting for dogs at the Euless shelter to help them become more adoptable so they can find their 4-ever loving families.  The shelter is constantly at capacity and we work hard to find foster homes to make space for more incoming. The cycle never ends and we never give up!  Help us meet these challenges with a donation—and/or adopting a dog and/or becoming a foster parent! So many ways to help and support us. 
“Check out our website to see all pets in need:  http://trinitygaprescue.org/  Contact us for info on any pet posted:  [email protected] ." [LARRY ASIDE: That cat is the very relaxed Koi, a Euless shelter ready-to-adopt cat.]
Please follow GAP on Facebook at:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trinity-GAP-Club/106566479427513 .
[LARRY ASIDE: We don’t have a forecast for the 2025 WAlk-a-Thon except for this: Yeah, they anticipate having one next year.]
And, in a later note, Steffenie wrote of this unfortunate rain episode, “It really bummed us out also. People can see all of our dogs on www.Trinitygaprescue.org under our pets. 
We are currently doing raffles for various gifts, a homemade quilt with a dog theme, and our online auction.  
“We would really like to promote Bambi or Nova because they are both older and have been in the rescue quite a while. Bambi is a 9 year old senior and Nova is 6 and both have had pretty bad past lives. They are both on our website and also have recent good reels posted on our Trinity GAP Facebook page.  
"We appreciate all of your help and promotion over the years. This is first time in over 15 years we have been rained out.” 
—- Offer FUNDRAISING ADVICE or EMOTIONAL SUPPORT for these people and the animals by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected]. —-

WHEN YOU THINK YOU MAY SNAP, MAY YOU ALSO HAVE A WISE AND EXPERIENCED VOICE!

EDITION OF THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024 [PetPowellPress] In our Wednesday edition I mentioned Metroplex residents who treat animals like trash and, also, I wrote about Dr.Seuss’ theory of The Grinch’s behavior: Perhaps he was  “born with a heart two sizes too small.”
[LARRY ASIDE: I was whining in that edition, but it was justified and I was about to “snap.” Like so many of you, I've see way too many p  hotos of animals at peril because humans have -- what's a good term-- OK, because so many humans have so many screws loose. Now, I am, apparently, not alone in edging toward the "I'm-gonna-snap" situation. We’ll have more on that in Contemplations, thanks to our pal Patty Sprong, the legendary foster mom and animal advocate. Read on...Wait. That dog? He's a Border Collie mix Dudley The Angel (named after Cary Gran's character in The 1948 film The Bishop's Wife. Dudley was dumped in our Oak Cliff front yard in 2013 and he fits in perfectly with people who would not dump him or want to see him in any sort of strained situation -- unless he was going to lead me in diet exercises. Free dog, you know. We have no idea who dumped him, but he's probably better off with us than with anyone else on the planet -- yep, me 'n' Dudley speak the same language. The words "treat from the kitchen" are frequently used, and two of us are quite happy about it.
WHO ARE THESE TRAVELERS?
WE TURN TO THEIR HELPERS….
Yes, this artwork was provided to us by Laura Macias, one of the animal fans who works so hard with 4-Legged Helpers to get animals out of the threatening situations in small-town shelters around here.

The note with the artwork reads, “These little cuties are heading out of town this weekend. Another big group of our Texas pups is off to their new forever lives!" and to ther 4-Legged Helpers supports, it reads, "Thank you so much for all of your help!” They’re headed, as you can see in the artwork (click on the photo), to animal fans in Minnesota.

Keep in mind, saving these animals by aair is not cheap. The note from Laura says that  “it costs us $1,000 to do this transport, so we are limited on when we can do another one.”
If you’d like to help the 4-Legged Helpers (and you already have a houseful of dogs and cats] there are other things you can do such as fostering or dog-sitting —OK! Wait just a second. Can you drive?
The 4-Legged Helpers, on a Facebook note this morning, cited this guy Max, who we mentioned in a previous edition.
And why is he mentioned anew? Here the way you can help the Helpers.
The notes “TRANSPORT NEEDED. Wilmer to Vernon, Texas. Can anyone please help transport a great, cute pup to Vernon from Wilmer. Tomorrow (Thursday) if possible! Please save his life by transporting! Max needs your help.” T0 volunteer, email [email protected]. Ask about donating, too, so you it won’t be so tough to get the unwanted Metro-miserable animals to a safe town somewhere else.
If some one beats you to chauffeuring Max, just stay signed up as driver — he’s not the only dog who’ll need a ride out of the Metroplex.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE DAY I SNAPPED — A REACTION
Yeah, I was little peeved in Wednesday’s edition when I was considering how many unwanted animals are ignored by the population of this spreading metrosprawl.
My pal Patty Sprong, the legendary foster mom and animal advocate, reacted with a wonderful bit of writing. This is her thoughtful response. It’s based on experience and love for animals. Patty wrote:
“Larry, we ALL want to snap lately. We keep saying that ‘it is the worse it's ever been.’ Then it just continues to get worse. There is no one answer, and it is just a numbers game. In Texas, the number of irresponsible pet owners outnumber the number of responsible pet owners. The dogs and cats in shelters outnumber the available foster homes. The small hearts outnumber the big hearts. People don't spay and neuter near enough. What we CAN'T do is continue to shame shelter workers as they scramble to find homes and avoid euthanizing pets, especially when those doing the shaming are doing NOTHING to help. It is so frustrating. We feel you!”
Thank you, Patty, for your voice of reason and reality. Save ‘em all, folks. And love every one of them. Thanks for reading.   Larry.
—- Offer ideas for goodness by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “LOVE IS THE ANSWER AND SO IS MONEY” in the subject line. —-

LUCY IN OKLAHOMA, OLIVIA IN MESQUITE: TWO YEAR OLD DOGS WITH DIFFERENT TALES

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024 [PetPowellPress] You can see shelter dogs on TV spots, hear stories of them on radio features and click to rescue websites all over the internet and even see them right here on readlarrypowell.com.
It’s as if the only way you can’t see them is to decide not to look — and that is humanity’s sad habit. Don’t look — it’ll go away.
So, why are so many dogs and cats still on the ticking clocks in city shelters all over the area? Could it be that the Greater Metrosprawl is like Dr. Seuss’s Grinch?
Was our thriving, always-busy Metroplex created with “a heart two sizes too small”? [More in Contemplations. In the meantime, save ‘em all.]
THE OKLAHOMA CHALLENGE
TO HELP A GIRL NAMED LUCY
Way out in Western Oklahoma, not that all that far from the Texas Panhandle, there is a little town called Burns Flat. Like so many Texas
towns, Burns Flat, Okla., has an angel who people turn to when animals need help. Right now, that enduring angel Terry Lynn Fisher is trying to put the happy finishing touches on the rescue of this dog Lucy.
 As you veteran rescuers know, there's often a financial element to rescue. In this case Lucy, after being rescued, has fallen ill and Terry Lynn has called on her "regular vet," the Southwest Veterinary Clinic in Hobart, OK., about a half-hour south of Burns Flat. When you call the clinic at 580-726-3385, just tell 'em it's for Terry Lynn Fisher's account. 
Now, here is the story Terry Lynn sent us about Lucy. 
Terry Lynn says, "This girl has had kind of a rough life. She is under a year old and has already been through so much. It's sad."
 The dog, Terry Lynn says, belonged to a woman who had developed dementia. That woman was "living with her son and her momma dog got pregnant and had seven puppies."

The woman was unable to care for them and "the son didn't even take care of this woman, let alone these dogs," Terry Lynn told us. "Momma and Daddy dog, along with the puppies, were always roaming the streets looking for food. I took food to the family, but I don't think the guy
ever fed them.... I ended up going and putting food and water out for them every day."
The there was this incident. The puppies were "walking down the middle of the road and the cops almost hit them!" The officers, aware of the situation, "loaded up the puppies and took them to the city pound," Terry Lynn reports. "Of course, the man never went to get the dogs -- he could care less." 
After this, the woman  was "placed in a home and God knows where he is," Terry Lynn wrote. 
Then, one morning shortly thereafter, Terry Lynn got a call from Animal Control. The AC officer "said if I couldn't get them placed that afternoon he would be putting them down. I hadn’t had any luck with rescues, so I called and begged and pleaded with everybody. I knew to take one to Foster to give me a little more time. ... We got them all into foster homes. 
"In her foster home, Lucy did well, but when they moved to a different house, the landlord would not allow them the extra dog, so she came back to me. We found another foster home, she loved, but it is temporary.

"Then, she went into heat, and we got her. Yesterday (Monday) , she started acting sick. We don’t know if she has a blockage or what, but we have to get her to the vet ... Our funds there are low right now.  We’ve had so many that we’ve had to get taken care of, and I’ve even raised a tiny bit towards getting the ones I have neutered hoping that that would help Rescue take them. But everything is gone, and we just don’t have the funds...If anyone can help with any of  the vetting to get better, please let me know."
Email Terry Lynn at [email protected] and mention her when you call the Southwest Veterinary Clinic in Hobart at 580-726-3385.
MEANWHITE, MESQUITE HAS
A YEAR-OLD PUP NEEDING A HOME
Just like Lucy in Oklahoma, Olivia in Mesquite is a year old. And she, also, has not enjoyed the perfect life so far. But there’s hope because she’s made the acquaintance of the volunteer Mesquite Animal Shelter dog-writer Debra Chisholm.
Debra says Olivia came in as a stray on April 18. She’s about a year old and weighs 34 pounds and, the Dog Scanner app “suggests” her breed mix may include American Pit Bull Terrier and Brazilian Terrier.
Debra writes, "Her stunning eyes and beautiful tri-colored coat make her a stand-out.  She appears to have been well- cared for but has possibly lived outdoors because she has what appear to be fly bites on her ears.  She has a low-moderate activity level and is well-mannered.  Olivia walks well on the leash though at this time does so with a bit of caution.  She is amiable, affectionate and will try to climb on your lap. She seems to want to stay close and seeks out attention.  She wasn't interested in treats, toys or balls.  … She needs to have her confidence built up and figure out that she can trust the staff and volunteers and that they will do their best to find her a new home with people who will cherish her and include her in the family circle.”
Olivia is #55751416 — cite that shelter ID when you call 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
At the link to the shelter HERE, you can find more adorable adoptables — dogs and, of course, cats of all ages — that’s a 3-year-old Domestic Shorthair Mix with a number: 55772858 and he’s in the feral room.
And that little guy is #55769958 — his number is larger than he is. He’s around 15 days old, also a Domestic Shorthair Mix, and he came in on April 22 — he’s “rescue only” right now. He's tiny and needs personal care.
[LARRY ASIDE: As a veteran cat fan, I can tell you that #55769958 has a load of potential. He just needs a human to help him through the early period of understanding humans. Didn’t we all, right?]
CONTEMPLATIONS
SOLVING THE ANIMAL CHALLENGE
Some of this is fanciful thinking, but every now and then, after looking at face after face of unwanted dogs and cats and hearing stories of desperation from animal rescuers and hard-working animal advocates, I snap. Don't try to tell me I'm alone in my snapness.
Odd ideas creep into my brain. I resort to my thoughts of times years and years ago as a rookie dog-and-cat writer. That’s when I was young and slim and astounded to think that anyone would NOT want a dog and/or cat as a companion.
The non-profit shelters — large and small — work hard to keep the inventory moving into good homes. But the “people of our towns” keep dumping grown animals and offspring without apparent concern for life.
(Dr. Seuss clearly pegged the problem, didn’t he. A heart two sizes too small.)
It just make no sense that day after day after day dogs and cats sit in city shelters and wait to die. You think this is negative thinking by your madman typist? Nope. It? It’s realistic thinking.
Humans fail animals all over the area. They fail other humans, too.
So, what’s the solution?
Here’s an idea: Instead of putting unwanted animals in out-of-the-way shelters so people won’t have to acknowledge their pretense on the planet, put the animal shelters right next to city hall where people you assign to “take care of my town” will be able to see the challenge and defeat it! I have no doubt they will achieve that mission. And monkeys will fly out of my…. Well, we’ll stop right there.
Without seeing the actual animals lined up to die, the elected official is simply just reading statistics sans context. They’re meaningless numbers on a sheet of paper or on a computer screen — one can be shredded and the other can be deleted before anybody has to think up a way to fix the problem. It’s the old “We’ll assign a civic-minded task force to come up with a solution — but, of course, we won’t budget the task force or its solutions.”
This “fix the problem” is all fanciful thinking on my part. It’s based on the theory that people who live in a town ALSO CARE about things that aren’t on their block. Ha.
Those of us of a certain age remember the joy of reading Dr. Seuss in our elementary school classrooms in the late 1950s. I never thought, way back then, that some day I’d find a Dr. Seuss quote from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas that explained human behavior in the greater Metroplex, especially when we’re discussing how so many people can let so many animals sit and wait for homes or the needle.
Regarding the Grinch, Dr. Seuss explained his bad attitudes and actions in this wonderfully poetic passage. It reads:
"It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
“It could be, perhaps his shoes were too tight.

“But I think that the most likely reason of all

“May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.”
Surely the hearts in our part of Texas are NOT “two sizes too small” year round as animals are dumped in shelters, thrown out on streets and highways, dropped off on shopping center parking lots, put in crates and dropped into creeks, etc. Surely.
Sorry this turned out so long — some things just really bug me. And I get carried away on behalf of dogs and cats and the people who rescue them and the people who love them. Thank you, Dr. Seuss, for the inspiration from way back in the '50s.
—- If you have a way to open human hearts, click on ‘comment’ below or email [email protected] and put “ENHANCING THE HEART” in the subject line. —

IN SEARCH OF THE RARE CREATURE; FINDING HOMES; EVER HEAR OF MAPLE BACON?

EDITION OF TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024 [PetPowellPress] We’re featuring a boatload of animal bios in this edition. Not sure “boatload” is the right word -- "boatload"! But we did get a lot of rain over the weekend.
Remember, though, this edition features animals in the suburban areas.  The core Metroplex cites of Dallas and Fort Worth have plenty of adoptables waiting and lots of people watching the adorable availables.
They are waiting for what apparently is the rarest mammal in our area.
Yeti? Polar Bear? The Green-Eyed/PinkNosed Prairie Leopard?
Nope. Willing Adopters — the rarest mammal in Big City Texas. Sometimes these loyal, loving adopters are known as “humans.” Round some up and persuade ‘em to save some lives rather than ignoring the situations in city shelters. Be sweet about it.
MEANWHILE, IN THE SMALL SPOTS
SOME BIG DOGS WITH HEARTS

Today we try to help the helpers, i.e., The 4-Legged Helpers who try to place animals waiting in small, low-traffic shelters around the Metrosprawl.

Here is the skinny on all of it, thanks to our 4-Legged Helpers connections.
These are animals in “rural shelters” that have “no foot traffic at all.” (If you’re a non-profit rescue group wanting to help, transportation can be arranged.) These animals are in such facilities as shelters in Wilmer, Ferris, Hutchins and Glen Heights.
To ask about helping these dogs, call or text 214-949-2726 or 972-897-4926 or email [email protected].
This first guy is Max. He’s described as a neutered Bulldog — he’s fully vaccinated and ready to go at the Wilmer Shelter. His bio reads that he is “adorable” and “just as cute as can be. Loves everyone he meets. Enjoys car rides and is easy to bathe or take for a walk.  SO CUTE. Look at those sweet little eyes and precious bulldog feet.  And he is a little guy too.  He seems to think he is human and much prefers humans over other dogs, but we found he is absolutely fine with a nice cat friend.  He was found out and about in Wilmer on his own.  We were able to help get him fully vetted and he is ready for a home.”
JOEY is a Boxer/Hound mix who was originally the Glenn Heights Shelter, the Helpers report. HIs bio reads, “This is THE most adorable sweetheart of a dog. The ACO tells us he is so incredibly sweet - just wants to follow you and be with you.  True Velcro dog that is a sweet and lovable boy.  Joey was dog-tested and did great with every dog tested, regardless if male or female.  Very, very sweet middle age guy that is calm and lovable as can be. FYI, it appears this sweetheart has been through a lot.  His back teeth are damaged - it appeared he was probably kenneled, and not given kibble - just scraps. He attempted to gnaw his way out of the kennel and fortunately he made it.  SO DESERVING of a great home and you would not meet a more loving dog.”

SHAWN AND SUZIE may be siblings, the Helpers report. They’re Lab mixes and they’ve been “fixed.”
The bio reads, “These two cuties look like they are possibly brother and sister.  They were found out and about in a very rural area of the county all by themselves.  Both are young dogs and incredibly sweet.  Very loving.”
MILO IS A GREAT YOUNG DOG, the Helpers report. And the ACO whose been tending to him “tells us he is just wonderful. Housetrained and kennel trained. He is clearly a dog that someone probably purchased -  his ears are professionally cropped and he is gorgeous.  His markings are beautiful and he has the prettiest eyes. Knows some commands.  Walks great on a leash.   So sweet and friendly and lovable.  Adores people, and LOVES all other dogs  Someone told the ACO they saw that him sitting and waiting for days in the same spot after someone saw him being pushed out of a car.  He was sitting and waiting for them to come back. This sweet guy deserves someone who will love him and never treat him like that again. He is the best dog. SO SWEET!

[LARRY ASIDE: I chose to use both photographs of this guy Jazz. I think they tell a story. Photo 1 shows a dog excited about meeting a new human and Photo 2 suggests that Jazz realized he wasn’t being adopted at all — just being photographed — one of the key steps in getting people to see his wonderful face and his wonderful ears and …. Well, read on.]
Jazz is a German Shepherd who is in the Wilmer Shelter. His bio reads, “Jazz is absolutely gorgeous.  Beautiful.  Rides great in a car. Just came in, but the ACO tells us this lover boy was parked at someone's home trying to get a glimpse of and hoping for a date with their female dog. …  So sweet.  Please, let's get this boy fixed and give him a great home.  Please help save him!”

CHLOE, one brown eye and one blue, iscurrently waiting in a small shelter and is described as “an absolute sweetheart. About 1-2 years old.  Found out and about in Hutchins. Great with other dogs.  She is just as precious and loving as can be.  A bit bashful then immediately becomes your cuddly best friend.  She is the cutest girl! Great with other dogs.   PLEASE HELP SAVE HER!”
CONNER, a Bulldog Mix in the Ferris shelter is described this way: “This little cuddle bug loves everyone.  The shelter dog-tested him with Chloe and he did great.  Poor Conner is so incredibly deserving.  This sweetie (very similar to Joey) has damaged teeth but no graying on muzzle, so they have guesstimated his age about 4.  Sadly… some people in these rural communities do not buy dog food but instead give scraps which are so difficult on a dog's teeth. Conner is a sweet little couch potato that just wants love.”

FLURRY is a Siberian Husky fellow in the care of the Hutchins shelter. He was, the Helpers’ bio reads, “found out and about by a Ferris police officer.  Such a beautiful dog!  He is so very sweet and seems to be completely kennel trained.  Loves to play fetch but does not quite have the part down about bringing the ball back but LOVES the rest of the game.  LOL.  Great dog that is very good with other dogs he was tested with at the shelter's.  SO sweet!!  PLEASE HELP SAVE HIM!!”

In the Glen Heights shelter, Luna and Winter are “very sweet girls that adore everyone including other dogs.  About 45 pounds each.  Just as precious as can be.  Very loving.  Found out and about in Glenn Heights.  Love other dogs.  Love to cuddle.  SO SWEET!!   Please help save one!!   Available individually or together.”
ONCE AGAIN, here’s how to ask about any of those small-shelter/small-town dogs: To ask about helping these dogs, all or text 214-949-2726 or 972-897-4926 or email [email protected].
MEANWHILE, NORTH OF BIG D,
MR. PEABODY IN THE COLONY
We haven’t visited the available dogs and cats at The Colony for a while, but today I clicked on The Colony’s animal population and, among the cards, found several photos of Mr. Peabody. He’s #55603037 — a 3 years & 27-days-old Domestic Shorthair Mix. The Brown ’n’ Black fellow is fixed. He came into The Colony’s “Cat Area” on March 26 and he is available for adoption.
Click on The Colony’s LINK HERE and you can see dogs and cats from a Northern Suburb in need of homes every bit as sincerely
as the dogs and cats in the southern, eastern and western metro cities that surround Big D, the home of a giant shelter constantly overloaded with dogs and cats.
[LARRY ASIDE: Speaking of Peabody the Cat, I did not find a cat named Sherman in The Colony’s adorable adoptables. Some of you will recall the exciting adventures of Peabody and
Sherman on TV. I did, however, find a couple of Flintstones-toned dogs — Betty and Wilma — waiting for adoption. And, I also encountered a photo of the dog — she is a “delightful mix of Dachshund and Chihuahua,” her bio in The Colony reads. She also is the first dog we have ever posted who is named “Maple Bacon.” Honest. We’ve never run across a dog named Maple Bacon before. Check ‘em out on The Colony’s animal shelter link HERE.
 
CONTEMPLATIONS
WANDERING THROUGH RECOLLECTIONS
Ever wake up after a weekend and think, “Holy smoking’ credit cards, I need a few days off.”? Yeah, it was a weekend with my funspouse Martha and we were indoors because of the rain. You lean a lot about people when weather traps you indoors. Of course, on Sunday we enjoyed the wonderful weather and visiting places we hadn’t seen before. It was my first time on Mars. I’m kidding. We’ve been married for decades — I rarely awaken any more and think I’m on Mars with the “Queen of the Universe” and her royal aides who have taken the forms of dogs and cats. So, in summary, welcome to Monday, Dear Readers! …
That’s my personal office cat, William Powell. Rarely discusses his past, but will offer tips about black and white movies from the ‘30s and ‘40s. He prefers The Thin Man series and notes, sometimes, “Sir, you have outgrown the costumes for the lead roles.” Hey, I’m workin’ on it, OK, bub?…
—- Offer Advice or Doubts by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and ‘Smile when you say that, partner.’ —-

WEATHER, RESCUING ANIMALS AND WORKING FOR UNEASY KAUFMAN COUNTY CATS....

EDITION OF MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 [PetPowellPress] Happy Earth Day, Earthlings.
Talk about a weekend of contrasts — Saturday was the soggiest day since Noah’s boat and Sunday was beautifully sunny with the joyous bird- chirping of a Texas springtime.
Toughest chore of the weekend? Keeping the house dogs (the only kind we have) convinced that going outside would be good for them and the floors. The cats listened to old rock music and snoozed most of the weekend.
And, now, here we are all dressed in our appropriate costumes to celebrate the anniversary of the first Earth Day — that was Wednesday, April 22, 1970. That’s Porche, my personal Earth Dog — though she’s old, she is not old enough to have ridden a Chevy Vega in the first Earth Day Parade, her contract forbids such a ride for her unless she is paid a ton of money. I wish I’d thought of that — her agent beat me to it.
On Sept. 10, 1970, in the year of the first Earth Day, General Motors introduced for sale a little 4-cylinder, aluminum-engine 1971 model Chevrolet Vega. In retrospect, and having owned two Vegas out of pure budget necessity, they were probably good for Earth’s atmosphere. Why? Because their engines frequently melted down and the little cars weren’t able to run and burn gasoline at all.
Happy Earth Day … Let’s get on with dependable animals. That’s a photo of a Vega from an ol’ ad I found online — notice how the tow truck was cropped out of the scene. That’s my Office Cat William Powell working up an “Anti-Vega Ride Clause” with his lawyer. Any car William rides in has to be large enough to need a chauffeur and cannot have a reputation for coming to an unexpected halt while the radiator blows apart.
A FOSTER MISSION TO HELP
KAUFMAN COUNTY CATS!
[LARRY ASIDE: Kaufman County Cats sounds like a minor league baseball team, but, nope, these felines are some kids in need of understanding help. Read on.]
We got the tip on this project from our pal Sydney Busch, guiding light of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most success spay-neuter clinic in Gun Barrel City, Texas.
The need, as outlined by Connie Lipp of Kaufman County Cats, is “special foster parents that can take adult kitties and temporarily foster/socialize so they have a better chance for adoption.
“We get some kitties that are not feral but due to various circumstances are so shy their chances of being adopted are limited.  Of course, all supplies would be provided.
“This would be an opportunity for someone who would love a cat but doesn't want a long-term commitment.”
Connie is the contact point for volunteers: Call 512-876-5854 or email [email protected]. See the organization website at THIS LINK.
MEANWHILE, AMONG THE MANY
WAITING ‘STRAY’ IN MESQUITE
We got the bio on this guy from volunteer dog-writer Jamie Dotson. Denali is a year-old, neutered Alaskan Malamute mix who weighs 58
fluffy pounds — he’s an Earhound, too. Jamie’s bio says Denali came in on April 13 and is a “Volunteer Favorite.” Remember: Mequite has $20 dog adoptions through the rest of April.
The theory about Denali is he has a “family yet they have not come to reclaim him. He has an upbeat, happy-go-lucky personalty” and he’s “always smiling.”
His bio reads, "Denali loves to be petted, hugged and loved on. He is like a big teddy bear with a lot of fluff!! He walks great on a leash, takes treats gently and appears to be housetrained. Walking through the shelter with other dogs barking at him, he didn't pay any attention. Kept his head and tail up and pranced on by. If you do have another dog in the family please ask the shelter for a dog test. He has lived indoors and was well cared for. And that is what he needs to have again. A family that is familiar with the breed, with his grooming needs, but most importantly given plenty of love and I promise he will give plenty back!”
To ask about Denali, cite his shelter ID #55715989 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or when you email [email protected].
THEN THERE’S THIS RESCUE ONLY FAMILY — Mom is named Tulip and you can see that she has been feeding her puppies. The bio from Jamie says Tulip is a 2-year-old American Staffie mix who weighs 72 pounds and arrived on March 28 with her 4 newborn pups. Jamie
writes, “She was found abandoned in a home with another dog and her 4 newborn pups. Sweet Tulip is such a beautiful girl and has a delightful smile. Since coming to the shelter, she has shown that she is a great mom with a loving soul. Mom & pups are a package deal and rescue only! A shelter is no place for her to raise her pups and I know she would be thrilled to be in a foster home too! She walks great on a leash, takes treats gently and I feel she may be housetrained, too. She loves to be petted on and enjoys squeaky toys and fluffy dog beds. Walking past other dogs she did not show any reaction to them, but her focus was on her pups. Please help Tulip out of the shelter and on her way to a better life!” Tulip is #55622242 — cite that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. The pups are, in order, Shane, Shawn, Simon and Skip
HOLD ON A SECOND: A TEXAS HUSKY… [LARRY ASIDE: You don’t often think of our part of Sizzlin' Summer Texas as a great spot to have Siberian Huskies lining up for a sled team. But ...]  We opened with winter-fluffy Denali and here comes Indigo. Jamie Dotson sent a photo of him getting a “chin-chucking” and another of his great face while he relaxes.
Her bio of the lad says he’s a year-old, 54-pound Siberian Husky who came in on April 12 as a stray. She writes, “This sweet gentle boy is very handsome! With all the different smells and noise of other dogs barking can make a pup uncomfortable. We are letting Indigo take his time to realize that we are here to help him feel better, and look forward to finding his own loving home. He enjoys resting on his own dog bed surrounded with stuffed and squeaky toys. Being petted and given treats made him happy. He finds comfort in his kennel, and is learning it is ok to walk with us on a leash. We will continue to spend time with him, and complete another evaluation soon to show his progress.”
Into is #55711919 in the shelter — cite that number when you call. 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
CONTEMPLATIONS
DELUGE, A CAR & TWINS
Deluge? Yes — beginning Friday my inbox enjoyed a deluge of emails and messages — personal, medical, promotional and some were downright personally funny — if the lawyer clears those, I may write about them. Now, back to the weather…
That was some rainstorm/thunderstorm on Saturday in our neighborhood. Reminded me of the storms I’d endure as a kid in northeast Texas in Bowie County on the brink of the Red River Bottoms. You couldn’t play baseball in such rain and you couldn’t go fishing, either, though I was never leaning toward “let’s go fishin’.” Still don’t — but I also have developed sense enough to come in out of the rain, especially when lightning is darting all over the place! But, let’s go on the record with this: Rain is much better than a Texas summertime 100-plus degrees drought. Is it to late to give the inventor of air-conditioning some kind of Nobel Prize for Inventive Decency? ….
In the opening of today’s edition I mentioned the lamentable Chevy Vega the I’d bought. That happened in 1971 when we had not the expected baby, but the unexpected twins, Bret and Bart. I had to unload my 1970 Chevy Malibu, Fathom Blue with a White Vinyl Top and a 350-cubic inch engine to get a car with smaller payments and a smaller gas tank. The boys were less than a year old when the Vega began its series of melt-downs. Ah, the good ol’ days — cheap newspaper pay, comparatively lofty car payments, a set of expensive twins with healthy appetites and working nights and weekends and scrambling to get by. Still, the boys were worth the challenges! Still are. And, proudly, neither one of them has ever invested in a 1971 Vega to give me for my birthday. They are, however, merry pranksters and anything can still happen.
—- Offer anything witty by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘IS ‘WIT’ HALF A WORD’ in the subject line. —-

FROM THUMPER TO WALLY -- A LITTLE DOG'S JOURNEY TO A HAPPY HOME

[LARRY NOTE: For this edition of our long-running feature Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, we called upon our pal Diane Combs to tell us the story of her latest little guy who knows The Art of Slumber and has a history worthy of a rescue tale!
Here’s Diane’s report and, of course, some photos of Wally (right, in a bowtie) and the gang, including Mini-Dachshund Larry, the undeniably cute and clever dog who inspires me to sign any correspondence with “The OTHER Larry.”]

My Newest Rescue – WALLY
By Diane Combs

I’ve had nothing but rescue dogs since the 90’s. After I got my first rescue dog, I knew that’s all I’d have from then on.


Currently I have four rescues – Maxine, Rita, Wally & Larry. Larry is named after my friend Larry Powell. Posing on the living room couch from left to right are Max and Rita, a couple of terrier mixes, and Wally and Larry, the Dachshunds.
Of all the rescues I’ve had over all these years, Wally has been the most challenging, but I haven’t regretted adopting him for one second.
When he came to live with me through CAMO Rescue (click on the link HERE), he had spent more than four years as the “stud dog” in a puppy mill until CAMO was able to rescue the dogs and place them into foster homes.
At that time, his name was Thumper, and he was placed with veteran foster couple Tommy and Cindy Bull who really loved him and gave him a good home. After about 2 months he was posted on the CAMO website. That posting in February is when I first saw Thumper. [That is the photo CAMO posted.]
CAMO was recommended to me by my accountant who had adopted three older Yorkies from the rescue organization and said that CAMO mostly adopted out small dogs.
At the time I had four dogs – two Mini Dachshunds and two small terrier mixes. However, I knew that my oldest dog, Myrtle (a Mini Dachshund), didn’t have much longer,. Sadly, I did have to put her down on her 16th birthday in February of this year.
I already had my eye on Thumper and had even met him for a home visit with his foster dad, Tommy. However, I didn’t want to bring him into my home permanently until Myrtle had “crossed the bridge”.


In a home visit Thumper got along well with my other dogs, and Tommy said, “I’ve had 30 to 40 foster dogs, but this one is the most loving, affectionate one I’ve ever had. He’s beyond special.”
By the time I adopted him about two months ago, he had turned 5 years old (this past December) — and I had been looking for a small dog between 4 and 8 yrs old. He is a “tweenie” Dachshund, weighing in at about 12.5 pounds, somewhere between the preferred weight of a mini and the larger standard Dachshunds. His coat appears to be more that of a wire-haired Dachshund.
However, just out of curiosity to know more about Wally, I did a DNA swab test on him recently and sent it off to a company called Wisdom Panel and I was very pleased with those results. I did not send in a picture or any hint that he was a Dachshund, but his results they sent to me said “100% Dachshund with a wiry coat”.
His loving Foster Dad Tommy was right – Wally needs a lot of love. Having spent many years in a puppy mill (probably most of that time in a cage), it’s no wonder he craves affection.
I had fallen in love with his face on CAMO’s site, and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with him in person – such a sweetie. Since I have a habit of naming my dogs after friends and loved ones, I re-named Thumper “Wally” after a good friend of mine – Matt Wallace (a dog lover).
Wally’s biggest challenge to me was to teach him what a leash is for – walking! I’m sure nobody at the puppy mill ever took him for walks. It
took me three weeks of daily training, patience on my part, and lots of fully-cooked, unseasoned deli chicken as a reward. Finally he went from just sitting like a stubborn mule to getting up and actually walking. Now he walks nicely on a leash around the block !!
That third week when he finally showed such progress in walking on a leash, I was so excited I made him a certificate which I proudly have hanging on my den wall.
I put in his official name as Sir Wallace Henry Combs because one friend of mine said he has the face of a prime minister (“Sir”), and I always thought Henry would be a good name for a Dachshund (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow).
The next step in my challenges with him would be socialization. He had warmed up to me fairly quickly, but it is taking him a while to warm up to people he doesn’t know. Hard to blame him for his lack of trust in people.
I’ve taken him with me to PetSmart three times, and one of them was on St. Patrick’s Day (left). He was a big hit, but he didn’t seem real comfortable.
Then I tried taking him to a dog park. He walked on a leash from the car to the gates but was more comfortable around the smaller dogs once inside.
He is now signed up for a six-week obedience school at PetSmart beginning 05/05. This will hopefully build his confidence around other people and dogs of all sizes.
Wally is a really good dog who is trying hard to please me, and he does. He’s a very gentle soul and gets along great with my other dogs. His personality really comes out when he’s home with me and my other dogs – he runs around, wags
his tail, etc. But I think there are some influences from puppy mill demons deep inside of him. However, we’re working on getting rid of those.
The Other Larry asked me to send him a picture of Wally snoozing. After I did, Larry asked if Wally was snoring when I took that picture. I told him I didn’t think so, but he does snore quite a bit – not real loud but loud enough to let me know he’s not having any bad dreams from his previous puppy mill life. [That final photo is a nose-to-nose-pose of Wally and his pal The Other Larry.]
The other day another friend of mine said, “I’m so glad Wally has you.” I said, “I’m so glad I have him, too. He’s probably only had three people in his life who loved him – his foster dad & mom and me”.
"I do love him dearly and he knows it, so that makes me happy that he’s so happy.
[DEAR READERS: Send the photos and tales of your happy dogs and cats and other sleeping beasties to d[email protected] and we’ll spotlight them in our long-running weekend feature, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. You’ll be helping people smile -- or maybe even help a person decide to give an adorable adoptable a new home.]

SO MANY ANIMALS AND SO MANY PEOPLE, AND SO WHAT? WELL LET'S CONSIDER THAT......

EDITION OF FRIDAY, APRIL19, 2024 [PetPowellPress] It’s been more than a week since we had a solar eclipse around here. But, if you want to pretend, you can get a pair of sunglasses and watch a Puffycloud Eclipse. Same rules. Don’t stare directly into the Sun when its “going behind a cloud,”We 20th century kids thought it was the sun that was "going behind a cloud" until we got a 20th century science textbook. Now, let’s move on.
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE
SOME EARS AND FACES…
The first volunteer dog-writer we encountered at Mesquite years ago, Judi Brown, has provided years of tips on animals deserving good homes. For this edition, we’re citing a dog that quite properly can be regarded as a “Glorious Earhound.”
Judi sent a bunch of photos of Vena and then explained that "I got carried away with photos of Vena” and “She is VERY photogenic.”

And Judi confess, “She captured my heart, and I wanted to show her off!
“She is an approximately 4-year-old, 48-pound Australian Cattle Dog/Australian Kelpie mix that was brought in by one of our officers as a stray on 4/11.
“For the life of me,” Judi writes, “I can’t imagine why her owners haven’t come looking for her. She’s a nice-looking gal with a sleek black coat and pointed ears. It looks like she’s been well taken care of. I’m told when she first came into the shelter she was extremely shy. She’s coming out of her shell but she still is laid-back and a little on the cautious side. There’s no doubt she’s looking for love and has a lot of love to give her new family.
“At first, she explored the yard and even at one point frolicked, but she mostly stayed close to me. When I stood by the wall, she stood up right next to me leaning on me. When I sat down, she immediately came to me and put her head on my lap. She sits for treats and takes them gently. … She’s very attentive, somewhat playful, very well mannered, sweet, friendly, and very affectionate! … She deserves the best because she is the best!”
You know the Mesquite system by now: Cite Vena’s ID #55704093 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] to tag Vena..
Same system for Bo Bo, another of Judi’s biopups. Judi wrote that “Bo Bo (#55709177) has all the delightful characteristics of a young puppy… sloppy, wet kisses included! Bo Bo is a 4-month-old, 21-pound Carolina dog that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 4/12 as a stray. He’s spunky, lively, playful, curious, friendly, outgoing, and very loving! He already knows the sit command at such a young age! Is he smart or what? He obviously wants to please. He will need some guidance teaching him to take treats more gently. He loves stuffed toys. He went into the toy box and picked out a toy. He enjoyed chewing on it. He occasionally jumps on you wanting extra loving and affection. When I sat down he came to me. He even tried to get on my lap. … He does not have a strong pull on the leash but sometimes gets tangled. Bo Bo would be the perfect dog for a young family. He would like playtime and cuddle time. The cuddle time would be in the house with his new loving family.”
While Judi’s first two biographed dogs have magnificent ears, the third dog, Buddy, has a face that says, “Hey. Glad to see ya. My name’s Buddy.”
Judi writes, “How could you not fall in love with this gorgeous, gentle giant? Then when you meet him and realize he’s got a sweet personality, you’d be hooked. This is Buddy named because he would be a loyal companion (a buddy!) that would be there by your side. He is a 2-year-old, 83-pound cream-colored Golden Retriever/Pyrenees mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 4/11 as a stray. It’s hard to understand why his owners haven’t come for him.”
“Ain’t it the truth,” as we used to declare in my Bowie County childhood.
Judi reports, “At first, when he got out into the yard, he paced nervously and continued to look over the wall. This made me think he was looking for his owners. He will need a tall secure fence, although it didn’t appear that he was trying to escape. After he was done pacing he came up to me and just stopped. … He chased balls but did not retrieve them. When I sat down, he came to me and put his head on my lap. He’s extremely soft and and cuddly. He would be a lot more comfortable, and even more magnificent if he were bathed and groomed.  He did his business when he got into the yard. He walked extremely well on a leash. Actually, he walked right beside me. .. Buddy is an exceptional dog. He should do real well with children because he’s so gentle, friendly and sweet. Although he would like a big yard to romp in, but since he’s such a big cuddle bug he would love to spend time with you during family time!”
Remember, to see a glorious number of cats and kittens along with others, you can click on THIS MESQUITE LINK
MOVING INTO DALLAS’
CROWDED ANIMAL SHELTER….
On Friday I clicked on the Dallas Animal Services link https://bedallas90.org/ and navigated to the available dogs and cats. I decided to just focus on a dozen of each species. If you want to see more than 12 adorably adoptable dogs and cats, just click on that bedallas90.org site and see what pops up. First I copied a dozen dog photos — a dozen out of ‘eleventy thousand’ as kids used to say. And also I picked a sheet of adoptable felines — another ‘eleventy thousand’ can be seen at https://bedallas90.org/.

Yes, Dallas is a big city and, yes, you’d expect a big shelter population of dogs and cats, but the part that burns my whatever is how the people who live in Dallas manage to keep the inventory of unwanted animals so danged robust.
Do they just adopt dogs and cats to dump ‘em? Is there a psychological problem at work? The phrase I’m thinking of — and I’ve cleaned this up — is, “Crazier than an outhouse rat” to adopt and dump or to breed and dump or to “get fed up with and dump.” Is anybody studying the nature of humans who consistently stop by and drop off unwanted dogs and cats?
Oh, and here are some Dallas cats that are available.
Click on the artwork to make it grow like an elecric bill!
CONTEMPLATIONS
The Arrival of the Weekend.
These thoughts have nothing to do with the weekend, but I needed a line of type to stick between the big title and the first sentence. …
Idle thoughts about writing fiction. Here’s a paragraph:
“Surrounded by hungry, carnivorous, determined cats, he began to type madly in hopes that what he wrote would make them drowsy and he could escape and flee to a store to buy a load of cat treats and cat canned goods….” Then the Great American Cat Novel ran out of gas and he wondered if a canine character as sheriff would be appropriate. To be discontinued. …
I’m going to stop wearing sox for the entire spring, summer and fall unless there’s some kind of special occasion — a wedding, a book-signing party, an appearance at a favorite venue by either Tom Waits, or by Carly Simon doing You’re So Vain or — and this is a long shot — a stadium show starring Jerry Lee Lewis and, if he shows up, I’m probably not going to be the only person who bought a ticket just to see how he pulled off this appearance.
I’d be hoping he’d play Middle Age Crazy though, frankly, I aged out of the category long ago. Enjoy a weekend that is nicer than you deserve.
—- Offer any kind of musical advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put “CHANGE MEDS, LARRY!” In the subject line. —-

THE ANSWER? IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO HELP THE ANIMALS...PEOPLE WITH TOUGH HEARTS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2024 [PetPowellPress] Our focus today is celebrating people who work on behalf of animals and helping those people — and, of course, we celebrate the animals, too! LARRY EXPLANATION: I’m back on real coffee after about six weeks on decaf. There’s no telling what I’ll type or how fast I’ll type it in this edition. My fingers might move so swiftly thatallthelettersruntogether. Hang on, I’m trying to gitagrip, I posted Mooney’s photo in this introduction because the rascal is the topic of our Contemplations. But first, some other animals-sensitive issues.
THAT VIAL OF MEDICINE?
IT COSTS HOW MUCH?
The question really isn’t “How much does it cost?” but “What does this medicine do for a cat?” That’s a question that should draw some helpful attention on behalf of a cat clinic that has been developed by Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.
We got this from our longtime pal Sydney Busch, the guiding light of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City, Texas.
The Friends need some immediate help to fund medicine for cats.
[LARRY ASIDE: Sydney’s appeal included two photos — one won’t be used but when you read the description you’ll see why I’m taking the “just words are enough” route. The other photo is of this cat with the bloody place where his ear used to be.]
Sydney explains the Friends “are now doing a fairly regular feral cat surgery day in conjunction with Adopt A Barn Cat, All About Fixing AND Feral Friends. In January, we did 105 cats, February 97, March 88, April 79.” (In the spring months, the females are “mostly pregnant,” so the numbers are lower, Sydney explained.)
Keep reading: We’re about to get to the price of antibiotics and how the Friends can be helped.
Sydney explains special medicine needs in the feral cat surgery program. She writes, “Some of the cats are in terrible shape, like the two included.” [LARRY ASIDE: I held out the gruesome photo, but these words should be enough to make things vivid.] Sydney wrote that the photo shows " the cat's testicle sac was torn and one testicle was outside the sac.” Awful, isn’t it!
And the other photo, Sydney wrote, “shows this cat with a mostly torn off ear and deep wound...We clean them up best we can but obviously cannot send home antibiotics…
“Injectible antibiotics which can be administered at time of surgery are VERY expensive and have a short shelf life once mixed…
“SO:  We've decided to ask for help with this - for $425 we can buy a bottle of injectible that can help 20 cats — shelf life is about 50 days which would stretch over 2 surgery days...
“If you can donate all $425, that would be great - or any amount toward this would also help,” Sydney wrote, then added, “I cannot imagine the pain these cats were in from their injuries...PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!”
To ask about helping call Sydney at 903-451-4701 or 214-808-4701. The Friends website is www.friendsoftheanimals.org. You can click on “donate” at that site. Or the mailing address is Friends of the Animals, P.O. Box 5455, Mabank, TX 75147.
RESCUE IS PERSONAL:
ASK TERRY LYNN FISHER
DEAR READERS WILL KNOW the name Terry Lynn Fisher right away. She’s the resilient, determined and tender-hearted rescuer based in Burns Flat, Okla., so far west that it’s almost in the Texas Panhandle. You see photos of two dogs. Here’s an example of the personal nature of rescue, thanks to Terry Lynn. On Wednesday she wrote: “I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out what the heck to do all day long — with no clue as to where I’m gonna go from this point.
“Two of my dogs that are in a foster home — but the dogs are coming back,” she wrote. And she added that “She (the foster) called me yesterday and said that they got into a fight over the dog food, and she just can’t have that. She wanted me to get them today, but I’ve had doctor appointments all day, so I have to go get them tomorrow [Thursday].
“I have no clue where to put them. All my kennels are full. I have dogs at my house, I have dogs at my sons’ houses, there’s no empty place to put these two dogs. If they fought over the food, I’m not gonna be comfortable putting them together at this time, so I actually need two different kennels for them.”
[LARRY ASIDE: This is a situation that is really “piling on” for Terry Lynn. We don’t know the name of these dogs, just that they’re in a tough spot and Terry Lynn wants to help them as she has done so many animals before. Read on.]
She writes: “My heart is so heavy over all this. I cannot believe all the people calling me and text-messaging me telling me I need to take their dogs. People whose dogs are getting Parvo because they never got their shots, people who are having puppies with their dogs, but never thought about what’s gonna happen to the puppies. It’s taking a toll on me y’all and I’m getting so depressed and emotional over all this. I don’t know how to handle it at this;
“If anyone has room for two young dogs, about 25 pounds, each, please let me know.” Email Terry Lynn at [email protected].
She finished her appeal with this: “I don’t know where to turn from this point.”
[LARRY ASIDE: Perhaps someone reading this is the person who can help Terry Lynn help the animals.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WHAT’S UP WITH MOONEY?
It’s been interestingly uplifting to follow “The Case of Mooney,” the ailing puppy our pal, the noted rescuer and advocate Kimberly Jones, saved from a “free sick puppy” situation on a neighborhood bulletin board. That opening photo shows a sickly little pup about two months ago.
Keep in mind, thanks to donors from the gofundme site HERE and other places and Kimberly’s faith the puppy, Mooney is a much, much healthier dog.
Though, now, he and his pal Apache have, Kimberly reports, been diagnosed with Giardia, a pest-inflicted ailment with some unpleasant side effects. They’re under treatment now and so is their pal, the white dog Dutch.
The anti-Giardia med has run up a $150 bill. And because this stuff is very contagious, Dutch is getting a preventative so, hopefully, she’ll avoid this stuff.
Kimberly writes, “I don't know that it's going around but it's severely contagious and I am pretty sure that Mooney got it from my front yard because none of my dogs have been on walks because Apache has a torn ACL. And then I think Mooney spread it to Apache ... “
[LARRY ASIDE: This info made me think about dressing our dogs in germ-free space suits! The last thing three older dogs need is an ailment that affect their carefully developed “bathroom schedules.”]
Back to Mooney’s story. You may remember that he's had it really rough. He survived parvo, he was starving, his health needed a lot of attention just so he’d have a good chance at surviving his disease-stricken puppyhood.
Look at the opening photo and compare his countenance there with what Kimberly’s camera caught subsequently. This guy has really improved thanks to first-hand love and the support of people he may never have met.
You can follow Mooney and his pals on his gofundme site HERE. Scrolling to older postings you can see more photos, some video and the improvements this little boy has achieved since becoming a treasure little guy.
And, Dear Readers: It occurs to me that the reality of this situation is this: If this little guy Mooney hadn’t been rescued by Kimberly Jones, he never would have had the strength to encounter and survive any kind of odd health problem. Bless his heart — he clearly thrives on love.
—Offer advice or gratitude by clicking ‘comment’ below and put “Mooney is The Dude” in the subject line. —-