EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY JULY 10-11, 2024 [PetPowellPress] Remember when: Back in April we were all excited over the total solar eclipse. Now, the eclipse has faded (How’s that for phrasing!) and we’ve been revved up with presidential politics. Except for those who are rescuing and advocating animals. No time for politics. Read on — we’ll get to a dog named Echo in a minute.
HOUSTON SITUATIONS
AFTER BERYL’S VISIT
We don’t have a list of every animal in need or every organization helping them, but we did get a tip from Houston.
Our longtime Houston source Alexandra Kelsey tips us to the efforts to help animals. She cites Houston animal advocate Melissa Pharr of Boarding4Rescues & Animal Welfare. The organization is known for dealing with Colorado rescue groups to get Houston-area animals into safe places.
AK writes, “Melissa does a wonderful job for the dogs and cats, but right now she is dealing with hurricane damage from Beryl. The FB link below has photos and details.
“Melissa has so often stepped up to help with local pleas, and I know right now she would be so grateful for help in getting her rescue back together after the storm. Melissa is copied and reachable at 979.332.1772.”
There are two Facebook links that reveal the situation. The FIRST FACEBOOK LINK HERE gives you a sense of the initial challenges.
The SECOND FACEBOOK LINK HERE provides an assessment and reports, "The animals are safe. The main facility sustained no damage, WE NEED BOOTS ON THE GROUND.” That photo is from the second link.
[LARRY NOTE: Bless ‘em all who got to meet Beryl and may Beryl and any relatives never visit again!]
SO, THERE’S THIS DOG ECHO:
HOW’S THAT FOR A SHELTER FOTO!
I guess it’s appropriate that a dog named “Echo” would have one email followed shortly by another email, i.e.,The “Echo E-Mail.”
Our longtime Mesquite dog bio/tipster Debra Chisholm forwarded this photo and this appeal that appears to have been written by Echo. [LARRY ASIDE: I cannot swear that Echo did NOT write it. After all, I did not see him not writing it. How’s that for logic!]
Echo’s note reads, “Waiting, watching and waiting and watching as all the people walk on by wondering when will my day come? How much longer must I wait? I’m starting to get stressed and I’m trying to remain positive but when will my day come? Please come and get me and take me home to a place where I belong. Until that time I’ll keep waiting and watching as the people stroll on by.
“I’ve been here 560 days and it’s getting harder and harder to remain positive. I want a home with a fluffy bed and toys, lots of toys. The shelter has a bag of toys waiting to go with me to my new home. I want to be loved and to love
my own people. I want a yard to run in and play fetch. Am I wanting too much? Don’t I deserve these few simple things? Why do they keep on walking by? Don’t they see me here? Watching, waiting and wondering when my day will come.
“So please come and get me, here I am. My name is Echo and I’m almost 3 years old. I weigh about 50lbs. I’m neutered, microchipped, current on my vaccinations and dog friendly. Please don’t make me wait any longer. Come and take me home. You can network or tag me at [email protected], typing in the subject line TAG, ID number is 51374171. [Those are Echo Echo photos.] Questions? Then please call 972-216-6283 or email at [email protected].”
That SECOND ECHO E-MAIL included a report from another volunteer Mesquite dog biographer, Jamie Dotson. It has these details, “Echo was a stray at the shelter in 2022 originally, and he was so excited when he was adopted on 5/23 of this year. Yet two months later he is back at the shelter and his owners did not reclaim him.
“Echo is an active energetic pup that loves to run through the shelter yard chasing balls. Yet he found his favorite place while out in the yard….the toy box! He will jump right in, sort through all the toys to find just the right one. He will entertain himself with the toys and is always a joy to watch. Echo is a very active boy that would love to have an active lifestyle with his own loving family….He is a very playful and fun loving boy, so having a secured backyard would be great! He loves everyone he meets. He knows the sit command, walks well on a leash, yet can pull with excitement at times, and takes treats gently. … He is a happy boy that loves to be petted and loved on too! If you are looking for a running/walking partner Echo is your guy!” Echo is #513741171 at the shelter. Cite that ID# when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected] with the subject line TAG 513 741171.
MEANWHILE, IN GARLAND
THERE’S THIS DOG….
We got the tip on this dog from Kimberly Jones, known for rescuing animals and also for helping the little Frenchie Mooney and his big running buddy Apache survive recent medical situations.
This dog is just trying to survive in a city shelter. He’s 6-year-old Atom Gizmo. [LARRY ASIDE: I have NO idea where the name Atom Gizmo might come from. If you know, email [email protected] and we’ll spread the word atomically — or electrically or gizmally.]
Atom Gizmo’s bio reads, “The most wonderful dog has been waiting over 60 days at the Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center… His name is Atom Gizmo. He is a 6 year old teddy bear who is a true love bug. Easy going yet has a zest for life. The thing that makes him the happiest is time with a human. His one wish is a home of his own. His bags are packed. Please help share Atom Gizmo everywhere. He deserves a home and to be a treasured family member. Help us get Atom Gizmo adopted today.” Email [email protected] to ask about giving Atom Gizmo a good home.
CONTEMPLATIONS
A DOG ACTUALLY NAMED ‘SPOT’
AND OTHER MIDWEEK NOTES
Normally I wouldn’t slip an adorable shelter dog into CONTEMPLATIONS, but what we have here may just be a rarity: This is a dog actually named Spot. [LARRY ASIDE: When I was a pre-schooler and an only child (that didn't last long) I had a dog named “Spot” but haven’t seen a lot of Dogs Named Spot since then — that was in the last century, fyi.] So I went to Google and found THIS SITE that explains the “history of dog names” and it reports, “A popular book series between the 1030s and ‘60s, Dick and Jane included a character named ‘Spot.’ Initially, Spot was a cat, but it was later their dog.” [LARRY ASIDE: “Spot the Cat” sounds “not quite right,” according to my Senior Office Cat William Powell. Now, back to Spot the Dog.]
As you can see, this Mesquite Spot has a spot right atop his cute noggin’ Our tipster, the volunteer Mesquite dog biographer Judi Brown wrote, “Spot is the whole package! Several staff members have told me that he’s their favorite. You’ll understand why when you meet him. Spot is a 5-month-old, 38-pound (still growing) mostly American Bulldog but possibly part Boxer. He arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 7/1 as a stray. It’s obvious how he got his name if you noticed the spot between his ears. Spot loves everyone! He’s very friendly, very loving, very playful, very well mannered, and obviously smart. He found toys on his own and entertained himself with them. Already at only five months old, he fetches and brings the toy right back to you! He sits for treats and takes
them gently. He’s well mannered and obviously wants to please. He stays very close wanting extra attention. When I sat down he immediately came to me and put his head on my lap.” To ask about adopting Spot or meeting him, cite his ID #56277431 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. See more Mesquite animals by clicking on THIS LINK.
TWO QUESTIONS FOR THE DAY? See if you can answer these questions of our times:
(1) Will the Texas Rangers be able to maintain the “fire” they appear to have re-developed in the last week or so?
(2) How many reporters, professors and “insiders” are currently writing books that explain the 2024 campaign for President of the United States? Bonus question: How many will have the words “Mystery To Me” in the title?
—- Offer answers or questions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘TAKE A VACATION, GOOFBALL’ in the subject line. —-
