IN THE WAKE OF AN AMUSING KITCHEN MOMENT, WE DISCUSS A MOMMA DOG AND 3 PUPS, PLUS HIGH POINTS IN A LIFE

EDITION OF TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/MAYBE BEYOND 8-27/28/’24 [PetPowellPress] OK, Dear Readers, we’re a little slow out of the chute for this particular edition. More in Contemplations. But at least (knock on wood) it’s not two internet failures in a row. And, yes, that is my personal dog Porche Noel -- I love her plays a major role in this edition's early morning drama. She also has never spent a moment in a city shelter -- that we know of -- rescued dog, adored and treasured.
FYI: There are a zillion (not an official count) city taxpayer-financed shelters in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. Anybody know of a shelter that has a bit of room for more dogs and cats? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Just as humans put these animals into shelters (by intention, accident, or raging ignorance), only humans can get ‘em out. What we can’t figure out how to get people beyond the usual pro-animal circles interested in saving these lives. Bless all you animal people for keepin’ on keeping on!
MEANWHILE, MOM & HER
3 STILL-NURSING PUPS
NEED A SAFE PLACE
Yep, this is a Momma Dog and her babies story of a special situation. They are safe BECAUSE of a shelter and now they need that transitional home.
As you probably know either from eyewitness accounts or from a reports on readlarrypowell.com, Mesquite Animal Services has staffers and volunteers constantly at work saving lives of shelter animals. Sometimes they save ‘em BEFORE they are shelter animals. Read on.
Our prime source for the Mesquite bios and photos is the group of volunteer biographers who not only write about the animals but also get to meet them and learn about them so they can better profile them on the Mesquite Animal Services website. Helps people get interested in adopting an animal — such as that beautiful, obviously momma dog, Maxine, and her three pups.
Debra Chisholm tells us about this family. She begins: “Let me introduce you to three adorable 2-month-old pups and their Mom, Maxine.”
The puppies have been “coat-coded” so we can tell them apart.

Debra writes, “They are Poppy ID 56575473 (white), Boots ID 56575479 (black), Roxie ID 56618918 (brown/black) and mama Maxine ID 56575465.
“Maxine, Poppy and Boots were picked up by one of our officers and Roxie was brought to the shelter on 8/21.  Here's their story:  “Maxine had been homeless and eluding our officers for months.  “When one of our officers spoke with the residents, they stated that she had pups on their property that she had made her home — an abandoned vacant backyard full of trash and junk. 
“Finally on 8/15 one of our officers calmly and gently approached Maxine and after gaining her trust was able to leash her and bring the three of them to the shelter. Apparently she was tired of trying to survive alone with her pups.  The pups all weigh between 5-6 pounds. 
“Poppy, the white pup is the most extroverted and active.  She is quite the explorer, playful, friendly and an absolutely adorable ball of fluff. 
“Boots, the black pup, is timid, shy and fearful. He just seemed to want to find a corner in which to huddle and hopes he appears invisible.  However, he did warm up a bit during the photo session and began to explore the room.  He was totally OK with being held, cuddled and loved on! 
“And then there's Roxie, the brown/black pup, also shy, timid and uneasy.  She, too, was a-ok with snuggling, cuddling, and being kissed and loved on and is in need of plenty of TLC, patience and affection. 
“Mama and pups are a package deal since the youngsters are not weaned.  A city shelter is no place for 2-month-old-puppies whose immune systems are not adequately developed. 
“Please assist by networking or tagging at [email protected], typing their ID numbers (above) in the subject line.  They are a precious family in need of a well-deserved home.  If more info is needed please call 972-216-6283 or email at [email protected].”
CONTEMPLATIONS
CONFESSION? KERPLUNK?
Had an early morning slip & fall on the kitchen tile and I can’t raise my right typing hand any higher than the colon. What? The colon on the keyboard, silly, though I did jostle the innards and I won’t be able to pitch for the Texas Rangers for a couple of weeks. Truth is, I never really considered Porche Noel to be a roadblock until about 5:56 a.m. when she moved to the right when I expected her to move to the left. Ooof. She’s OK. Was untouched by my fall and then ate well, too.
Early in the morning I wrote, “I’m hoping to draw a comfortable breath by sundown — it’s the right side and that nostril is a little larger — now! Never pick your nose while innocently walking through your own home — I’m always learning philosophical lessons from my own mishaps.
Back to Porche Noel: My mission was to get her outside before she went inside, if you get my drift.
The delay I spent gasping for air (while waiting for the team first aid crew to rush into the kitchen with a stretcher and oxygen) was enough for me to recover and stand up while waving to the crowd. (The other two dogs and a chuckling cat were just observers, though the cat kept pointing to my slick-souled house shoes and laughin’, “Shoulda paid extra for the Claws Model!”.) That's Stevie Ray with the straight face -- as soon as the shutter snapped, he exploded with catlaughter.
To the mechanics of the situation. When I Iean to the left as I type, I feel normal — that’s not a political assessment from a longtime journalist — it’s a recognition of my new never-before-felt rib pain! Lose enough weigh and when you hit the floor, your ribs will let you know how exposed you are to a painful, sudden adult onset tumbling injury. Moving along….carefully. ….
IN A BIT OF SPEED-READING across the open screen on my computer I read “Who generally has the cheapest car insurance” and immediately I thought, “How does The Who score cheap car insurance?" Upon rereading, I realized the line had nothing to do with The Who but was just bait for an insurance company. Though, it did amuse me to think of old rock-n’-rollers retiring from the road and opening an insurance office.
What was The Who’s biggest hit? No idea. How about My Generation or, from the 1970’s "Rock Opera Tommy,” Pinball Wizard?
In honor of my fellow Baby Boomers and all our assorted “good and holy and decent” causes, how about The Who’s My Generation from December 1965? Remember the opening line, you rebel children? “People try to put us down.” [LARRY ASIDE: Clearly I struck my head in that kitchen fall and I have awakened six decades in the past — I still have my hair and my beard and, sometimes, I can sing along with a song on the radio if it’s tuned to a satellite broadcast from the ‘60s. Anybody else remember rock ’n’ roll on the AM radio frequencies? OK, everybody stay safe and watch your step.]
—- Talk about my generation or shoot yer mouth off by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put ‘PARDON ME, SIR, MAY I HELP YOU UP?’ in the subject line. —-