FOR THANKSGIVING WEEK, WE OPEN WITH AVAILABLE ANIMALS AND CONTEMPLATIONS...BISCUITS?

EDITION OF MONDAY/TUESDAY NOV. 25-26, 2024 [PetPowellPress] Thanksgiving week arrives. And did you see that Dallas Cowboys/Washington game Sunday? Just about the most unusual game ever played in the history of the National Football League. OK, I can't be distracted by that wacky game, but all you longtime Cowboys fans really did enjoy the moment that Washington point-after kick went where it wasn't supposed to go, didn't ya! 
I'm busy psyching myself up for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast. Old habit, going way back. We'll focus on animals and their human supporters before we take a walk down Memory Antenna, er, Memory Lane. In the meantime, we present this photo of a reason I'm thankful at Thanksgiving. 
I left my office to fetch a cup of coffee and when I came back, the bed usually occupied by a cat had been claimed by my wonderful personal dog Porche Noel. When I walk in the hall I am often cat-like in my pacing and I'm sure she thought a cat coming to reclaim the bed but when she saw it was me, Porche was simply happy and readY to nod off...again.
If you don't have a formerly unwanted dog with a hard-luck story, get one. Shelters and rescue groups are full of 'em. Living with one of these dogs will boost your spirits and give your heart a rock-solid reason to beat. Moving along ....
DEAR READERS, A NOTE
FOR THANKSGIVING
If your place is like the household run by my SmilingSternspouse Martha, you can't handle another dog or cat -- except that, well, you know, there's always some way to squeeze some really cute dogs and cats into the house. They'll work with you to fit in. I swear! Moving along....
MEANWHILE, IN MESQUITE,
SOME DOGS AND CATS...
In the cases of these next animals, you can find their complete bios and their stories on the Mesquite Animal Services website HERE . 
[LARRY ASIDE: Due to the constraints of time and space, we're going to give you a taste of the biographies of these adorable adoptables. Again, see the entire bios on the shelter website. Our job is to entice potential observers to look at the many animals in Mesquite as well as these specific few.] 

This first dog is Jules. We learned of her in a biography written by Judi Brown and sent to us by her colleague in volunteerism, Debra Chisholm. [LARRY ASIDE: Teamwork to save animals -- it's the theme of the animal rescue community, don't you think?] 
"Look. into Jules's eyes," Judi began, then added, "You can see she’s imploring you to tag or adopt her. Jules is a 1-year-old, 55-pound brindle American terrier pit mix that was brought to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/18 ... I would say she’s a brindle beauty! Her good reputation came with her. 
"The story goes that she followed a friend of mine home. This lady was kind enough to bring her into their home for the evening before calling the shelter the next day.  This family contacted me and filled me in. They said she’s a real sweetheart, and she was very well-behaved. When she wanted to do her business, she nudged a family member indicating she needed to go out. I would say that’s a smart dog …especially for being the first night in that home!!! When she got out into the shelter yard, it was obvious that she was nervous and unsure of her new environment....She kept looking out the gate ... I’m presuming she was looking for her owners. She sits for treats and takes them gently. When I sat down she came to me for extra loving and attention. ...She appears to be housebroken. It looks as though she’s had a litter sometime in the past. ...She’s frisky, friendly, sweet, happy, and loving."
Jules is #57297397 at the shelter. Cite that ID when you call the shelter at 972–216–6283 or email [email protected]. 

THAT BRINGS US TO ORI: Judi describes "this cutesy pup" Ori as a "Rat Terrier breed surrendered to the Mesquite Animal Shelter on 11/19. She weighs 15 pounds and is about one year old. This happy, fun-loving girl has so much personality! She is lively and active and has such a delightful nature! Ori is friendly, A-OK with being petted and wanted to climb into my lap. She’s actually just the right size for a lapdog! ... Her [former] owners reported that she is house trained. they also reported that she lived with and is friendly with other dogs, cats, and children!"
 Cite Ori's shelter ID #57307627 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

HONEY, A DOG IN A TOUGH SPOT: Judi began Honey's bio with a bit of a heart-breaking explanation when she wrote, "This handsome blue-eyed beauty was surrendered on 11/21
through no fault of her own. Her owner was having health issues. Now, this is your lucky day because she is a diamond in the rough! She is a five-year-old, 52-pound Alaskan Husky that is already spayed.  Honey is a very appropriate name for this sweet lass. The surrender form said that she is already housebroken, she was an inside-outside dog, and that she was good with children. She was also raised with other dogs. ... Huskies like to run and therefore try to escape so her adopter will need a tall secure fence. She will also need to be brushed frequently. She wants to cuddle up on the couch or in her own bed at your feet during your family time. You could bury your feet in her soft fur to keep you warm on these cold winter nights."
Honey's ID is #48200995 --- cite that ID number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

NOW WE COME TO PEPPA, a 4- to 5-months-old, 41-pound Chocolate Lab mix who was surrendered to Mesquite's shelter on Nov. 21. Why? Judi's bio reports, "The reason? They had too many dogs!" She says, "I'm told that Peppa was found as a stray and then kept for one month and then surrendered. The surrender form reported that she had lived with other dogs. It also said that she chewed. Well, she’s a puppy!! She will need chew toys. She’s been known to dig so she would need a secure fence...one she could not dig under and plenty of stimulation. ... It was difficult getting pictures of her standing, because she continually sat. One might lovingly say she’s a little beggar. Her figure shows her penchant for treats as she is stocky. My grandchildren would call her 'fluffy.' She is very sweet, calm, gentle, loving, and well mannered." 
Cite Peppa's ID number #57321441 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].

AND THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE MESQUITE SHELTER'S online site where you can see the complete bios of the above dogs and also see these cats -- some are older and one is younger... That younger cat -- a little bit over 3 months old is #5670258, a Domestic Shorthair mix. She's described as "small." And she's "brown/black" according to her "color" listing. She came into the shelter on September 5 and she's currently a "staff foster" 
Here's the SHELTER LINK at which you can see more dogs and cats and their photos and bios.  And here are a couple of "older" cats waiting for homes and humans.
CONTEMPLATIONS

A HOLIDAY, A PARADE AND A MENU

This is probably something most folks never wonder about. But I'm not "most folks" -- nope, I'm a Baby Boomer who lived in a home without TV for several years. Ah, but at some point in the late '50s I discovered the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was on television. What helped was the fact that Mom and Pop actually got a TV. And in November that year I found, by turning the tuning knob to Channel 6, our local NBC station. And there was the parade. Research reveals that the "Macy's Day Parade," as locals call it (according to our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andy Fisher), was first seen on TV in 1946 -- locally. Then, in 1947, it was shown on NBC's national network and that included Texarkana, though I wasn't there yet and wasn't even expected and my parents were radio-listeners. Ah, but in the late 1950s, I watched that fascinating parade and fell for it. Never been to see it in person. But I did once write a novel about a guy whose biggest desire in life was to be a balloon handler in the Macy's Parade. I'm still editing it. Or rewriting it. Or I may have shredded it a couple of times. I'm my own worst critic next to my shredder, who once said in a mechanical voice, "Stop. I'm beggin' ya, please stop. Feed somebody else this stuff."
...
So that brings us to a vegetarian menu for Thanksgiving. Biscuits and cornbread can be vegetarian, as can a plate of "dressing" and pies and cakes. I didn't get to be a constant dieter by being a carnivore. So, at Thanksgiving, I'm really grateful for tasty plants and creative bakers. Happy Thanksgiving week. Keep your appreciations handy year-round.
--- Offer ideas for thanks or diets by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and, in the subject line, write "DROP AT LEAST TWO OF THOSE BISCUITS, SLIM, AND BACK AWAY FROM THE TABLE." ---