SAVING SOME ANIMALS; CONSIDERING THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE....

EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY, JULY 22-23, 2024 [PetPowellPress] We’ll address dogs and cats in this edition — no politics. And in CONTEMPLATIONS, we’ll have a tenderly written examination of lives dedicated to good deeds and decent causes.
A NOTE ABOUT CATS
& CAT FANS IN THE MID-CITIES….
We learned of this cats ’n’ kittens challenge from our pal Karen Lee of Barkleyworld.com, the non-profit that helps people get help for their ailing animals.
Karen describes Mid-Cities Community Cats as a “great organization that works so hard for the feral cats in the DFW area.”

The Mid-Cities Community Cats organization is based in Bedford and works to “make life better for un-owned, outdoor community cats in Northeast Tarrant County.” The organization’s Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program provide medical care for sick or injured animals and runs other programs help people understand how they can help these “community cats.”
Go to this FACEBOOK LINK for the Mid-Cities Community Cats explanation of just what it needed regarding medical donations and other help.
The opening paragraph reads, “Mid-Cities Community Cats is in urgent crisis mode! 

"This kitten season has been completely overwhelming and brutal for our volunteers who are trying to TNVR/TNR(trap-neuter-vaccinate-RETURN).”
You’ll see what challenges face these volunteers and the cats and kittens. And you’ll see, also, the list of medical needs.
 And you’ll see directions on how to donate to a money-raising cause and, perhaps, win two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines.
Mid-Cities Community Cats’ people explain, “It seems that every recent TNVR/TNR job comes with a slew of very sick little kittens. We urgently need donations to pay for all the vet visits we have recently been encountering, and need to replenish our critical but dwindling medical supplies. Expenditures have greatly exceeded donations in recent months.”
Once again, HERE’S THAT FACEBOOK LINK to the request to help the cats and kittens.
AND IN MESQUITE, WE SEE
MORE GREAT ANIMALS
The arrival of more great animals daily is not exclusive property of the staffers and volunteers at Mesquite Animal Services. But that
city’s shelter does have a pretty determined bunch of volunteers who work hard to get some publicity for the adoptable adorables who are brought in as strays or dumped by their humans or somehow wind up handed over to the city’s shelter.
That opening mugshot is Humble, photos and bios provided by volunteer dog-biographer Judi Brown. Judi wrote, "It’s amazing what a little bit of attention and love will do! Humble went from being a very reserved, timid girl, with body language to match, to a relaxed, smiling pup ... She weighs 51 pounds and is about 2 years old. She arrived at the shelter on 7/16.  When I first met her, she was at the back of her kennel with her tail tucked. When I spoke to her softly, she tentatively approached with a slight wag of her tail! With some coaxing, I got her to sit. I’m not really sure she knows the sit command. She wasn’t interested in my treat. She stayed close making it obvious she wanted to make friends. She came to me and put her head on my lap when I sat down. She seemed to enjoy ear scratches. She walks very well on a leash. …You can tell by looking at her that she’d make a loyal, loving pet. She doesn’t have the temperament to be an outside dog. She would like to snuggle up with her new family on the couch watching TV.”
Humble’s shelter ID is # 56373789. Cite that # when you contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for these other Mesquite animals.
Judi also got to meet and write about this guy George (#56363685). “I fell in love with George as soon as I met him! You will, too!,” Judi wrote, and added, “George is a 3-year-old, 88-pound Staffordshire/American Pitbull mix that arrived at the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 7/15. He was brought in by one of our officers. You can see he’s got cropped ears and pale, pale blue (almost white) eyes. Did you notice that I said he weighs 88 pounds? In the dictionary you would find him under GENTLE GIANT.”
[LARRY ASIDE: The next two dogs? Well, their presence in a shelter rather than in a loving home just TICKS ME OFF RIGHT DOWN Through THE MARROW OF MY BONES! Who would dump brothers? What is the situation with the people? Is there anything that can be done to help them see dogs as companions and not as annoyances? Because  you can bet your sweet bippy they’re going to get another pair of puppies at some point. Pardon my negativity about the human condition. Years of observation. - LARRY]
This guy is Jose (#56372999) and Judi writes, “Jose has all the wonderful characteristics of a playful, happy, loving puppy!  Jose is a 5-month-old, 50-pound mixed breed that arrived in Mesquite Animal Shelter on 7/16 along with his brother Eman.  My Dog Scanner said he is part Manchester Terrier and Doberman mix. The Doberman mix probably comes from his coloring. If you’re wanting a sweet puppy with a good balance of playfulness and snuggling (kisses included) tag or come meet Jose. While you’re at it ask to see his equally sweet brother Eman. Jose is athletic and likes to climb. He climbed on the bench and on the windowsill…. He’s a delightful puppy that wants a loving home where he will be cherished. He would like to be an inside dog mostly. He walks well on a leash. And he didn’t have any problem
meeting other dogs.
And his brother Eman posed while with his big paws hanging on while he was in the comfort of being held by a human in the shelter. Eman is #56373013,
To ask about these boys Jose and Evan, cite their ID numbers when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
There are so many dogs and cats waiting in the care of the Mesquite shelter — you can see them and their bios by clicking on the ANIMALS IN THE SHELTER link HERE.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ALEXANDRA KELSEY:
IN PRAISE OF GOOD SOULS
[LARRY ASIDE: Our long-time Houston tipster Alexandra Kelsey sends us this wonderfully, tenderly written tribute to great hearts. If you are a rescuer or know a rescuer, this will draw some warm emotions. Thank you, Dear AK, for helping readers understand these tough but gentle “rescue people,” — Larry]

ByAlexandra Kelsey:
“I don’t remember exactly when Estelle Mack met Miss Sheila and her cat Dora.  I don’t think of Estelle as a cat rescuer, but for Miss Sheila, Estelle was her cat angel, as it turns out.
 
“When these women met, Miss Sheila was living in the Montrose area of Houston.  She wasn’t a particularly old lady, but she was dealing with life-impacting health issues and financial pressures from trying to survive on a fixed income.  The original need that brought these two ladies together was Miss Sheila’s beloved cat and companion Dora.
 
“Dora needed vet care that was way beyond her mom’s means, and Estelle took point on organizing a support plan for Dora and Miss Sheila.  A small group of rescuers committed to help and to provide ongoing support for this kitty and her mom.  Estelle stayed in regular touch with Miss Sheila, getting Dora to her vet appointments and providing much-needed social contact for Miss Sheila.  After Dora’s death, Estelle and the rescue group she created continued to be in contact and to help Miss Sheila.
 
“Tragically, when Estelle went to check on Miss Sheila on July 19, 2023, she found this sweet lady had died alone at home.  I can’t imagine how traumatic that was for Estelle, and she was the one to interface with all the authorities on the day she found Miss Sheila, something no one wants to experience.
 
“I am quite sure I’m not the only rescuer who’s had moments of frustration and burnout, wallowing in a moment of that “It never ends!” feeling.  But when I get quiet and think about it, I remember how much the rescue community has meant to not just the animals we help but to the people connected to them.
 
“Miss Sheila didn’t have family here, and getting to know Estelle was a bright spot in her days.  And the financial help that Estelle coordinated made a real difference, bridging the gap between that monthly government check and basic life needs. 
 
“What we do makes a difference in the world, and I just wanted to remind y’all, in case you’re having a bad day.  You matter and there are people out there you haven’t even met who have been impacted by the good you do.”
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